SoFresh Planning a Restaurant in Lakeland
SoFresh, a health-oriented restaurant chain with five locations in the Tampa Bay area and two in Pittsburgh, is negotiating for space in a Lakeland shopping center, Tampa Bay Business Journal reported.More
Dining
Local Groups Promote Masks; Restaurants Respond to Questions
Masks are getting a lot more attention in Lakeland as one of the measures people can take when out in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Several local organizations are promoting their use or helping consumers find mask-friendly businesses:More
Andy’s Frozen Custard Coming to Lakeland
People have been asking about the stand-alone building with a curved roof under construction next to Mission BBQ on South Florida Avenue. It’s going to be the Lakeland location of the Andy’s Frozen Custard chain.More
The Joinery Asks Guests, Team Members to Wear Masks
The Joinery, Lakeland’s first food hall, is asking guests and team members to wear masks inside, beginning today, ABC Action News reports. In an email, the venue asks that masks be worn “when you come inside + that you keep it on until you’ve received your order + found a seat. Please put it back on whenever you leave your seat, just to be extra safe.”
Landmark Mister Fish Sign Gets an Update
Despite heat and a stolen ladder, artist A.H. Taylor has completed a refresh of the Mister Fish sign that has marked the Palmetto Street takeout restaurant for 52 years.
Chef T’s Garden Grill Reopens With Italo Casini as Chef
When Chef Terry Doner closed his Gary Road fine-dining restaurant in October, he left the door of reopening barely cracked. The door at Chef T’s Garden Grill is now wide open. This time he is cooking with his decades-long friend, chef Italo Casini.More
Lakeland Ruby Tuesday On Shutdown List
The Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Lakeland, a longtime fixture on South Florida Avenue near the Polk Parkway, is among 147 sites that the chain has quietly closed this year, Business Insider reports.More
Downtown Restaurants, Businesses Plan to Reopen Monday
Downtown restaurant owners and retailers are planning to re-open Monday even though they have to stay within 25% capacity, the director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority told city commissioners today.More
Restaurants Pivot as Governor Halts Dine-In Service
Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered restaurants throughout Florida to halt dine-in service, leaving takeout and delivery as options. Alcohol can now be ordered for off-premise consumption.
LOCAL: Check updates on Lakeland restaurants via the Lakeland Food Group on Facebook and the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
Village Inn Closes Its Lakeland Location
With its parent company declaring bankruptcy, Village Inn has closed about a quarter of its under-performing restaurants, including its location on Harden Road near the Polk Parkway. Most Village Inns in the Tampa Bay area remain open.