Contemplating that long-established eateries like Pink Lobster and TGI Fridays have shuttered lots of their shops, it wasn’t an enormous shock that Bloomin’ Manufacturers — which is also the mother or father firm of Outback, Carrabba’s and Bonefish — made the choice to shutter most of its U.S. places of Aussie Grill.
Among the many shops that already are completely closed is the Lutz/Wesley Chapel location on the north facet of S.R. 56, throughout from the Tampa Premium Retailers, which closed its doorways earlier this month. We had no information at our press time as to what would possibly substitute Aussie Grill, however we’ll preserve you posted.
Portillo’s Is Coming…However The place?
In the meantime, Portillo’s — the Chicago-based scorching canine and Italian beef chain — initially introduced on Dec. 5 that it was opening “later this yr” and even gave the handle of the brand new Portillo’s as 26000 S.R. 56 and stated that it could be a 6,250-sq.-ft. restaurant. That announcement was later modified to what’s proven under, however the spark had been lit, as many midwesterners rejoiced, many locals who had tried however weren’t overjoyed shrugged their shoulders and everybody else tried to determine how Portillo’s may open an enormous sit-down restaurant in just some weeks time, in a location that already has an enormous (really nearer to eight,000 sq. ft.) sit-down restaurant — as that handle is the place the Rock & Brews on the south facet of S.R. 56, in entrance of the outlet mall, presently sits and remains to be open (and remains to be promoting in our pages).
As quickly as I noticed the unique announcement, I headed to the closest Portillo’s location — on E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa — to ask what the administration of that location knew concerning the new retailer, however I used to be referred to company, which has not but responded to my very detailed e-mail, despite the fact that the revised press launch at Portillos.com proven left deleted the deliberate handle and timeframe within the unique (Word-26000 S.R. 56 remains to be listed because the Lutz handle whenever you click on on the “Places” button on the positioning).
After all, I additionally took the time to pattern my first Portillo’s Italian beef sandwich, with added mozzarella cheese and additional Italian gravy/au jus on the facet, and I’ll admit it was fairly tasty. Good crinkle minimize fries, too.
Our contact at Rock & Brews didn’t get again to us with a solution as as to whether or not that location was closing, however we’ll preserve you posted. — GN
