SerpApi.Org
Lines snaked around the building as vested employees directed the mounting traffic from drivers looking to get their first taste of a Cook Out tray in Tampa Bay.
The North Carolina staple had its grand opening July 17, debuting thefirst of three planned Tampa Bay locations, and chain enthusiasts and Floridians alike turned an already bustling avenue into a queue at 5501 E. Fowler Ave.
Cook Out’s migration was a big deal for followers of the late-night spot. Their excitement got us thinking about what other beloved out-of-state chains have brought their staples to Florida.
Do you have a favorite transplant chain we missed or one you are hoping will arrive next? Comment below and let us know where else we can get a taste of someone’s home away from home.
A Southern delicacy: Cook Out
The chain’s daily hours stretch into the night, meaning it’s morning by the time Cook Out closes at 4 a.m. The late-night go-to for Southerners offers a legendary customizable meal: the Cook Out tray. Customers can get a main dish, two sides and a drink or milkshake for $8.99. Pair a big double with sides like Cajun fries and hushpuppies and wash it down with a Cheerwine float, or upgrade for $1.50 to a milkshake in over 30 flavors. The Tampa location’s indoor dining and drive-thru options will surely attract nearby University of South Florida students looking for generous portions at an affordable price.
5501 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 866-547-0011, cookout.com.
The Carolina legend: Bojangles
Founded in Charlotte in 1977, the fast food chain is another North Carolina favorite that has made its way to Tampa Bay. “The Carolina Legend” is famous for its beloved scratch-made biscuits and signature Cajun-seasoned fried chicken. “Bo Fanatics” rave about the all-day breakfast, reaching for menu staples such as the Cajun Filet Biscuit ($4.99) or Bo-Berry Biscuit ($1.79), a buttermilk biscuit dessert loaded with Bo-Berries (blueberries) and drizzled with a sweet vanilla icing. Pair the meal with a Bojangles Legendary Iced Tea and experience a fast-food spin on authentic Southern flavors.
18626 Florida 54, Lutz, 656-333-7470; 7930 US-19, Pinellas Park, 727-999-5494, bojangles.com.
A West Coast pick-me-up: Dutch Bros
Wild customizable drinks are crafted by their notoriously upbeat staff, called “broistas,” to quench the thirst of a West Coast cult-like following. The drive-thru beverage chain’s signature Rebel Energy drinks mix an energy drink base with fruit-flavored syrups and the occasional add-in of boba or floats. The fan-favorite Double Rainbro Rebel features coconut, peach and strawberry flavors, with 100 milligrams of caffeine and 106 grams of total sugars in a blended medium drink for $6.25. Serving 90% of their drinks cold, according to The Wall Street Journal, Dutch Bros caters to a Gen Z audience looking for a quick, sugary caffeinated fix.
3616 W Ballast Point Blvd., Tampa; 18640 SR-54, Lutz; 10415 Gibsonton Drive, Riverview; 2250 E Bay Drive, Largo, 877-899-2767, dutchbros.com.
Utah’s dirty soda shop: Swig
The Utah chain’s mainstream introduction was fueled by its cameo as a go-to spot for members on Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Founded in 2010, the soda shop kickstarted the dirty soda craze: carbonated drinks customized with flavored syrups, creams and other funky add-ins. The trend reached Tampa Bay with a September 2025 Bradenton grand opening. Customers can sip a 24-ounce Texas Tab’s blend of Dr. Pepper, vanilla and coconut cream for $2.69 or try The Founder’s concoction of Diet Coke, sugar-free coconut syrup, fresh lime juice and coconut cream.
19093 Wingshooter Way, Lutz, 813-553-4348; 25369 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, 656-600-8950; 6412 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 941-557-2955, swig.com.
The bagel buzz: PopUp Bagels
Viral videos of the “grip, rip and dip” method have captured social media’s attention as PopUp Bagel lines wrap around blocks across the East Coast. The bagels are served fresh from the oven and not sliced, paired with a tub of handcrafted cream cheese that requires customers to get their hands dirty to indulge. And you can’t just buy one bagel at a time: Customers must purchase a bag, with a base three-pack and one schmear priced at $13. Started in 2020, the pandemic hobby of founder Adam Goldberg is now featured in 45 locations. Head to two of the Tampa locations to taste the viral limited-edition schmears.
4528 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 203-297-8819; 12817 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-296-6744, popupbagels.com.
The spot for salads: Sweetgreen
The minimalist features of this chain’s dining areas appeal to the aesthetics of health-conscious consumers. Young adults flock to Sweetgreen for fresh customizable bowls and salads. Founded in Washington, D.C., and now headquartered in Los Angeles, the brand prides itself on sustainable and fresh ingredients. The popular Harvest Bowl includes antibiotic-free roasted chicken, wild rice, organic shredded kale and an assortment of toppings for 40 grams of protein at a base price of $14.45. Seasonal menus feature rotating selections centered around in-season ingredients and customer demand.
301 W Palm Ave., Tampa, 813-680-2010; 722 S Village Circle Road, Tampa, 813-680-4050; 1114 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-860-1070, sweetgreen.com.
Get your burger fix: Shake Shack
The New York City-based chain has mouths watering nationwide. East and West Coast fans alike crave menu items such as the ShackBurger ($10.29) made with its 100% Angus beef patty, crinkle-cut fries and hand-spun shakes. Advertised as a “fine casual” dining experience, Shake Shack merges high-quality ingredients and fast-food convenience. First opening its doors to the Tampa Bay area in 2021, New York natives and Tampa followers make routine visits to the burger joint.
1011 Gramercy Lane, Tampa, 813-588-5240; 2223 N. Westshore Blvd. Spc. B213, Tampa, 813-696-6026; 25600 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, 813-696-6752; 190 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, 941-413-1351, shakeshack.com.
Bigger in Texas: Whataburger
The 24-hour dining experience has declined in recent years. Luckily, for customers craving a late-night bite, Whataburger runs around the clock. The all-hour eatery is loved for its made-to-order, customizable burgers with never-frozen American beef patties. Founded in Texas, the chain is the state’s most popular fast-food chain. It also serves the biggest burger patties of any major fast-food chain, according to a NetCredit study, meaning Whataburger goes right along with the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas.”
1426 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-413-4247; 25340 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, 656-223-2008; 10150 Ulmerton Road, Largo, 727-228-4497; whataburger.com.
A Filipino favorite: Jollibee
Chain enthusiasts formed long lines during the Filipino fast-food icon’s January 2020 opening in Tampa Bay. Offering a fusion of American classics and Filipino flavors, Jollibee continues to expand its reach across the country. Its signature fried chicken, Chickenjoy, took No. 1 on the USA Today 10 Best Fast Food Chicken list for the third consecutive year. The Jolly Spaghetti and Peach Mango Pie, filled with Philippine mangoes, are Filipino comfort foods offering a sense of nostalgia for customers.
4057 Park Blvd. N., Unit 120, Pinellas Park, 727-551-4554, jollibeefoods.com.
Hot diggity dog: Portillo’s
The chain brought its taste of Chicago to Tampa Bay in 2016 at the Brandon restaurant. Now with three locations across the area, customers stop by to grab authentic Chicago-style hot dogs and slow-roasted Italian beef sandwiches. For Midwestern transplants, Portillo’s is a taste of home in a classic hot dog piled with a slew of toppings priced at $4.99. Have a sweet tooth? Portillo’s legendary Chocolate Cake can do the trick, or sip on the Chocolate Cake Shake, which blends a whole slice of cake into a milkshake.
2102 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-540-9001; 1748 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-210-8190; 2302 Tyrone Blvd. N., St. Petersburg, 727-390-6629, portillos.com.
• • •
The Tampa Bay Times Food Hub launched in 2026, a four-person team covering Tampa Bay’s dynamic and expanding food scene. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
Want food news weekly in your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter.
Top 50 Restaurants: Check out our food critic’s list of the area’s best spots.
Follow our updates on the local restaurant landscape on Instagram at @tampabaytimesfood.
