Let’s talk about tacos. They’re tasty, ubiquitous and versatile, with flavors based on everything from Mexican culinary traditions to Asian fusion twists. If you’re looking for a variety of tacos, then check out the new location of Irma’s Tacos in Fruitville Commons.

In 2017, Tommy Villani, the managing partner of OTW Restaurant Group which owns Irma’s Tacos, and his Executive Chef Mike Leopold owned Off the Wagon Brewery in Venice. After Hurricane Irma struck, Villani went to the restaurant to see how it had fared in the storm. Unlike most of the surrounding area, the restaurant still had power, so he and Leopold decided to open it. “He came in and looked at his inventory and said ‘I can make tacos. Chicken, steak and shrimp tacos are the only thing we can make,’” Villani says. “I think that day we served about 500 people, and we ended up selling out of tacos. There was one open Publix, and I think we bought them out of tortillas. At some point, we had to use pita bread that we had frozen to finish the orders up. That was something that got our name out into the community with Off the Wagon.”

Two years later, Villani expressed to Leopold that he wanted to change gears and do something different. Leopold shared his idea for a taco concept, which meshed well with Villani’s love of tequila and traveling to Mexico. In July 2020, the duo opened the first Irma’s Tacos in Wellen Park and sold Off the Wagon in 2022. The eatery's name stems from Hurricane Irma, which inspired the taco concpet. Many of the tacos on the menu are named after storms that, like Irma, occured in 2017. In October 2023, they opened the second location of Irma’s off of Fruitville, where diners can enjoy a variety of tacos in a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere. “We never claim to be an authentic Mexican restaurant. My Executive Chef Mike Leopold graduated at the top of his class from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and is a classically French-trained chef with an incredible background and creativity,” Villani adds. “We tend to be very chef-driven in the menus that we produce.” The menu features contemporary ethnic craft tacos, encompassing Old World favorites like carne asada and al pastor to playful combinations such as the Korean short rib taco.

“The al pastor is one of my favorites, and is a much more traditional Mexican-style taco with a housemade salsa verde, pineapple and onions and corn or flour tortillas made to order in-house,” says Villani. He also recommends the Arlene, with Korean short rib, kimchee, avocado and cilantro-lime crema. The menu features vegan and vegetarian options, like the Rina, with Nashville hot-fried cauliflower, lettuce, pickles and hot honey. Guests can pair their meal with a cocktail or sample the over 120 tequilas and mezcals on offer and can count on the educated and passionate servers to help them choose from a menu that encourages even non-tequila drinkers to sample the beverage. “We have an unbelievable staff that’s well-versed in all the food and oftentimes takes tequila classes and has good recommendations,” he adds. “From the minute you walk in there, with our amazing staff and the feel, you feel like you’re in a big city having the opportunity to enjoy contemporary, forward-facing food.”

Irma’s Tacos, 3080 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Unit 100, Sarasota, 941-217-6594, irmastacoswp.com. 

Pictured: Irma's Tacos is the place to enjoy tasty and inventive tacos. Photo Courtesy of Irma's Tacos.

Irma's Tacos

Temple Sinai is proud to host the 16th annual Sarasota Jewish Food Festival where thousands will enjoy a tantalizing day of traditional homemade Jewish delicacies. This indoor event is Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road (enter only from Proctor Road), in Sarasota. Temple Sinai members, “chefs and bakers,” will prepare a wide range of traditional Jewish food. The menu features hard-to-resist corned beef and pastrami from Carnegie Deli, bagels and cream cheese, kugel, blintzes, knishes, matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage and more. Delicious home baked goods include cakes, pies, pastries, and cookies. The festival is free and open to the community. Tickets will be sold for attendees to purchase food. In addition, there will be craft and jewelry vendors, unique treasures, and an art sale. Suncoast Blood Bank will have a mobile unit on site all day and blood donors will receive a coupon for a treat from the food festival. A portion of the collected blood will be sent to Magen David Adom, Israel’s national blood bank.  To sign up to give blood, visit: tinyurl.com/yc4zr4yj This beloved event is in partnership with Aravilla and All Faiths Food Bank. All left-over food, books and other small treasures will be donated to those in need. For more details, contact Patty Glah at pmglah@gmail.com. 

Pictured: Jan Joseph, Marv Rosen, and David Weiss enjoying last year's Jewish Food Festival.

Calling all taco masters and food fanatics! The Pinellas Taco Fest is back for its 3rd year, bigger and tastier than ever before! Get ready to witness a fierce culinary competition, indulge in endless tacos, and celebrate your love for all things taco-rific! Mark your calendars: January 27-28, 2024 (10 AM – 5 PM)  at England Brothers Park - 5010 81st Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781. Here's what awaits you: Battle of the Bites: Over 20 local chefs will battle it out for the coveted title of "Best Taco in Tampa Bay 2024" in various categories, including chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and even "other" for the ultimate creativity showcase; Expert Judges: Food bloggers and community influencers will meticulously analyze appearance, flavor, and flair to crown the champion taco; Bonus Awards: Look out for the Most Creative Taco and the Most Craveable Taco awards, sure to tantalize your taste buds; Beyond the Tacos: Live music, a paw-some pet talent show, adorable adoptable pups, and a dedicated kid zone make it a fun-filled fiesta for the whole family; Give Back with Every Bite: Support a good cause! A portion of the proceeds benefits local animal rescue organizations. Ready to prove your taco prowess? Enter the Sunday-Funday Taco Eating Challenge and see if you can conquer a mountain of tortillas! (Entry fees apply) Admission and parking are COMPLIMENTARY! So come hungry, come thirsty, bring your dancing shoes, and get ready to experience the ultimate taco extravaganza! Follow us on Facebook (@pinellastacofest) or text  the Saucy Queen at 813-299-3600 for more info. Don't miss the Pinellas Taco Fest! It's gonna be legen-wait for it-dary! 

Due to popular demand, JR’S is now open on Sundays with a relaxed Funday menu. The new Sunday menu offers some of OPC’s favorites like their award-winning wings, BBq pork sandwiches, pork nachos, and an awesome Miami pork philly. Enjoy the new juicy Smash burger served single, double, or triple topped with American with fries and coleslaw just to name a few. The menu also offers fried queso chicken sandwich with fries and slaw, shrimp po boy with fries and slaw, fresh roast pork loin, mojo spiced, gently shredded and served with grilled onions, black beans, rice, and garlic toast. The award-winning Cuban sandwich and a Fisherman’s platter with fried basa, fried shrimp, and fried clam strips served with fries and coleslaw. JR’S Old Packinghouse Café is located at 987 South Packinghouse Rd. in Sarasota. 941-371-9358. 

Mattamy Homes debuts Wellen Park’s vibrant new lifestyle for active adults with the Saturday, Jan. 27, grand opening of seven inspiring, fully furnished model homes in Brightmore. The public is invited to attend the grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to tour models, enjoy refreshments and more. The models include paired villas and single-family homes nestled along cul-de-sac streets, lakes and wetland preserves.Wellen Park’s first community for 55+ active adults, Brightmore offers both paired villas and single-family homes with future robust resort-style amenities catering to lively and leisurely pastimes. The professionally decorated models represent Mattamy Homes’ 12 unique and inspired home designs, which feature coastal, transitional and craftsman exterior architecture and open-concept floor plans with large, light-filled main gathering spaces and lanais for outdoor living. Homes also have versatile flex rooms for dens, home offices or hobby rooms. At the heart of Brightmore’s robust experiential lifestyle are the future clubhouse and campus-inspired amenities featuring distinctive architecture and favorite gathering destinations for time with friends and family. The 21,000-square-foot clubhouse will offer a social hall, clubroom, cafe and bar, fitness center and group fitness studio. Engaging activities, entertaining events and programs will also enhance social opportunities and camaraderie with new friends and neighbors. A full-time lifestyle director is busy planning a year-round calendar of events, clubs and classes for residents to enjoy as soon as they move in. Residents will enjoy two pools – a 2,800-square-foot lap pool and a 3,700-square-foot resort-style pool with sun shelf and spa and a sloping beach entry. The resort experience will include abundant gathering areas, outdoor amenities including a sandy beach, shade cabanas with loungers and multiple firepit destinations. Brightmore’s 11-acre amenity campus will also have eight pickleball courts with a ninth stadium court, plus a yoga lawn, dining area and separate paw parks for large and small dogs. The neighborhood’s land bridge at its gated entry along West Villages Parkway is designed as an interactive green space with landscaping and a tiered fountain.Brightmore’s three paired villa and nine single-family home designs start in the low $400,000s. For more information about Brightmore, visit wellenpark.com/neighborhood/brightmore. 

Pictured: Mattamy Homes debuts Wellen Park's vibrant new lifestyle for 55+ active adults with the grand opening of seven inspiring fully furnished model homes in Brightmore.

DEEP ROOTS | New marquee Wellen Park concept brings style and ambiance to south county, January 2024. 

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