In January 2021, one of downtown St. Pete’s longest-standing restaurants, Ceviche, announced their move out of the space they had called home since 1997 and into the former Moon Under Water spot at 332 Beach Drive.

However, for over a year and a half, the former Ceviche space has sat vacant leaving many wondering what will replace the iconic restaurant.

Finally, we have our answer. By the end of the year, a new elevated pan-Asian inspired steakhouse will debut on the first floor of the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel at 95 Central Avenue. The restaurant will sit at the intersection of downtown St. Pete’s largest retail corridor, Central Avenue, and downtown’s original restaurant row, Beach Drive.

A popular Austin-born fast-casual restaurant known for their self-professed “damn good tacos” will debut this winter in west St. Pete. Torchy’s Tacos is taking over an outparcel building adjacent to Tyrone Square Mall previously occupied by Pollo Tropical at 2314 Tyrone Boulevard North.

Interior build-out of the 3,650 square foot space has already begun and will cost an estimated $950,000 according to plans recently filed with the City of St. Pete.

On the menu are a variety of made-to-order tacos, including the Trailer Park, which is inspired by Torchy’s beginnings in an Austin food trailer. The taco consists of fried chicken, green chiles, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheddar jack cheese with poblano sauce. Order it “trashy” to substitute the lettuce for queso.