Is Downtown Tampa ready for more tacos? We’re about to find out.
Today Strategic Property Partners — the Jeff Vinik-backed group developing Water Street Tampa — announced that Gallito, an all-new, modern taqueria with a twist on Mexican street food, will be joining Sparkman Wharf, SPP’s waterfront development replacing Channelside Bay Plaza. Gallito was created by 2017 James Beard Best Chef South nominee Ferrell Alvarez and restaurateur Ty Rodriguez. The pair is best known for their partnership at popular Tampa restaurant Rooster & the Till.
“We chose to partner with Sparkman Wharf and open Gallito so we could be part of the exciting re-development of Channelside. Downtown Tampa is experiencing a historic, urban growth period, and we think this is the perfect opportunity to plant roots there and contribute to city’s ongoing renaissance,” said Alvarez of Gallito
The taqueria will be joining Foundation Coffee, a well-known Tampa coffee purveyor, and Whatever Pops, a frozen treats and popsicle outpost. Gallito will be situated within the dining garden at the Sparkman Wharf along with other additional food concepts yet to be announced. The location has the goals of celebrating food and community as well as offering inventive menus not found elsewhere in the city. The dining garden, open lawn for recreation and waterside biergarten — called Fermented Reality — are expected to create a lively park-like environment. Sparkman Wharf is currently under construction by Tampa-based contractor EWI and is slated to open in October 2018.
TAMPA Downtown Magazine recently sat down with Chef Ferrell Alvarez to talk about the best dish he’s ever had outside his own restaurant. Check out our Best Thing I Ever Ate (Not In My Restaurant) feature here and get to know the chef making big moves in Tampa a little bit better.
6500 N. Florida Ave. | (813) 374-8940
