Bob’s side piece, a new concept from the owners and partner Jim Breazeale, owner of DeLosa’s PIZZERIA, WiLL replace the former dead bob’s restaurant at 6716 Central Avenue | Dead Bob’s

A pair of well-known St. Pete restaurateurs are teaming up to introduce a new neighborhood eatery that will offer old school Italian sandwiches, pizza, and more.

Bob’s Side Piece will open in early 2026 at 6716 Central Avenue, the original home of Dead Bob’s.

The new restaurant is a collaboration between Ben Scherlis, owner of the beloved local hangout Dead Bob’s, and Jim Breazeale, owner of DeLosa’s Pizzeria in John’s Pass Village on Madeira Beach.

As Scherlis prepares to reopen Dead Bob’s this Thursday at 6475 Central Avenue, he saw potential in keeping the old space alive.

bruschetta served with green and red pesto and goat cheese | st. pete rising

“I've been friends with Jim for 15 years now,” said Scherlis. “We still have all these years left on this current lease and were just bouncing ideas around. I thought, why not have your son come in here and work with [Dead Bob’s GM] Martin McTague? Let’s serve your pizzas, and we’ll do the Italian subs.”

For Breazeale, whose family has operated DeLosa’s since 1983, the partnership is about blending his New York-style pizza roots with the comfort food that made Dead Bob’s a neighborhood favorite.

“We’re going to do some traditional stuff like DeLosa’s has had for over 40 years, but then we’re going to try some specialty pies too,” said Breazeale. “We’ll have great sandwiches, like Italian roast pork, roast beef, and old-school chicken cutlets, stuff you don’t see in a lot of pizzerias around here but that we grew up eating.”

Appetizers will include small plates such as deconstructed bruschetta with green and red pesto and goat cheese, plus a weekly deviled egg special.

Scherlis and Breazeale plan to serve a Sea Isle Cutlet Sandwich, a chicken cutlet layered with sharp provolone, roasted red peppers, and pesto on a hoagie roll, along with a truffle and parma ham pizza inspired by a pie Scherlis discovered at a small spot in Bermuda.

Other highlights include baked wings, a twist on Dead Bob’s classic fried version, as well as pasta fagioli and an upside-down pie, where the sauce is layered over the toppings and cheese.