Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Steve Parisi grew up on Long Island in an Italian family that loved to cook and entertain. When he relocated to Florida, he honed his culinary skills by cooking for friends at his backyard brick oven, before opening a restaurant two years ago

Located in NorthPointe Village in Lutz, christened Brick City Eatery mainly for his love for brick oven pizza. “Coincidentally, the building is made of brick so it worked out perfect,” said Parisi.

The restaurant specializes in brick-oven, wood-fired pizza, where everything is made to order.

“We have roughly 15 different pizzas to choose from and they are prepared with a thin crust and cooked well-done. Because our oven is wood fired it gives the crust a nice char look. Very different you’re your traditional pizza place,” said Parisi.

Pizza may be the center of attention at Brick City Eatery, but the menu also includes large fresh salads; sandwiches like Cuban Panini, Chicken Parm, and Philly Cheesesteak; signature dishes like Chicken Parmigiana, Baked Ziti, and Brick City Pasta; and pizza-shop staples like calzones, Stromboli and chicken wings.

“Our best kept secret is our dry-rubbed and oven baked wings, and use 12 different dry seasonings,” said Parisi. “We rub them down and let them sit in the cooler for 24 hours before baking them.  By allowing them to marinate over night, it allows the rub to absorb into the meat for a delicious flavor.”

Brick City offers an all-day breakfast menu, which includes breakfast pizzas, Avocado Toast and the famous Northern Egg Sandwich. The Northern Egg Sandwich is reminiscent of a Bacon, Egg and Cheese on a roll you would find in a NY Deli. You can add other meats like sausage, ham or pork roll to it, said Parisi.

“On the weekends, Brick City serves brunch from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. “Our brunch includes more traditional items like omelets, eggs your way and skillets. The local favorite is the breakfast quesadilla and hangover burrito,” said Parisi.  Another big attraction are the bottomless mimosas and sangrias.

Brick City Eatery is nestled in main-street themed NorthPointe Village, near the intersection of State Road 54 and the Veterans Expressway.

“We do lots of spirit nights with area schools and churches, and also donate food to local organizations. I’m happy to help in any way I can and I’ve always enjoyed feeding people.”

Brick City Eatery caters parties and special events, rents a private room that holds 40 people, and offers in-house and DoorDash delivery.

(813) 328-4169 • BrickCityEatery.com

Published 5/1/19

Can’t wait for Cinco de Mayo?  Then you must try Chuy’s in Wesley Chap

This fun restaurant specializes in Tex Mex cuisine, made fresh daily, that is served in a fun and colorful setting. Elvis Presley is its patron saint, and Happy Hour comes with a complimentary nacho bar served out of the trunk of a classic car, complete with tailfins.

“Nothing in our restaurant is frozen except for French fries and Push-Up Pops,” said John Bassett, bar manager. “Everything is fresh — the lime juice, the sugar water we use for margaritas, the chicken and beef in our fajitas that we marinate for 24 hours. We cut fresh salad and produce every day. We roast our tomatoes for the ranchero sauce. We use our own tomatillos for the tomatillo sauce. We make all of our sauces fresh every single day. Everything is fresh.”

Chuy’s especially prides itself on the freshness of its tortillas.

“We hand roll every tortilla we serve,” said Bassett. “We make the masa dough every day for our fresh flour tortillas, and shape them on a comal, which is a heated surface, right in front of our guests.”

 Happy Hour is a not-to-be-missed experience at Chuy’s, with its unique signature nacho bar set up in the trunk of a 1957 Chrysler Imperial.

“We have the back end of a car, with the trunk lid up, filled with queso, ground beef, refried beans, chips and salsa,” said Bassett. “The nacho bar is included with the Happy Hour, which is weekdays from 4 to 7.”

Chuy’s does everything with style, including its decor. Hanging above the nacho bar car in the Chihuahua Lounge is a school of wooden fish, hand-carved by a family in Mexico that supplies the fish for every Chuy’s franchise.

“Another thing that Chuy’s does is hangs pictures of our guests’ dogs on our walls,” Bassett said.  “If you bring in a framed picture of your dog, we’ll give you a free appetizer, and we’ll hang up your dog’s picture for everyone to see!”

Fans of Elvis Presley also delight in Chuy’s. Not only does Chuy’s maintain a small shrine of Presley that is adorned with candles and beads, the restaurant also keeps The King’s memory alive in its menu and calendar of events.

“Elvis was brought to us by our guests,” Basset said. “The first restaurant had an Elvis picture, and our guests just kept bringing in memorabilia. We also celebrate his birthday every year. Last year if you arrived in your best Elvis or Priscilla Presley costume, you ate for free. And, on our menu, we have an Elvis Memorial Combo that’s one of the most popular items.”

Each Chuy’s restaurant has its own charity, and the Wesley Chapel location sponsors Healing Horses in Odessa, which pairs abused and neglected horses with special-needs and at-risk children. It also is collecting donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We put a lot of love into our food,” Bassett said. “We want to make sure you come get the best margaritas and Tex Mex food in the city, right here.”

Published 4/17/19

If you crave a tasty and healthy treat, and want to support a business based on Christian principles, then it’s time to check out Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt in Lutz, at the corner of Collier Parkway and State Road 54.

Upon entering Sweet Frog, customers known as ‘froggers’ are embraced with vibrant greens and purples that brighten the store, lift the spirit, and transport customers to a fun “Candy Land” atmosphere.

Sweet Frog carries 18 flavors of yogurt, including its combination swirls. Owner Jai Thomas says his most popular flavors are vanilla, chocolate, cake batter, cotton candy and caramel. With the yogurt comes 42 different toppings of fruit, nuts and candy, plus syrups to pour over the top

Maraschino cherries, blueberries, kiwi, peanuts, almonds are some of Sweet Frog’s healthiest options, and chocolate chips, caramel cup pieces and a wide selection of candy will sweeten any frozen yogurt creation.

“With the health benefits from frozen yogurt, you can indulge a little, with less guilt,” said Thomas.

Sweet Frog premium yogurt contains active live cultures that aid in digestion, and provides generous amounts of calcium and vitamin B2 that increase metabolism and replenish yeast levels.

Sweet Frog makes its frozen yogurt fresh daily in both low- and no-fat flavors. For those with restricted diets, it also makes yogurt with no-sugar, gluten-free and dairy-free.

“We have a suggestion box here, so I get an idea of what flavors and toppings people want,” said Thomas.

Sweet Frog prides itself on its Christian principles. The word  “FROG” in its name is an acronym for “Fully Rely On God.” To give back to the community, Sweet Frog sponsors schools, collaborates with teachers through its Leap Forward program, and offers Scouts ways to earn merit badges through its Groups and Troops program.

Sweet Frog also helps charities raise money by offering gift card fundraisers and benefit nights, allowing nonprofits to earn back up to 25 percent of sales.

“We want people to know how much Sweet Frog can do for the community,” Thomas said.  “Our staff is friendly, the store is clean, and most people come back again and again. They tell their friends, and that’s the way most people learn about us.”

Regular Sweet Frog customers join its loyalty program to receive 10 percent off their entire order. On their 10th visit, they get a free cup of yogurt up to $5 in value, as well as a free cup on their birthday.”

Sweet Frog will soon be adding catering and smoothies with optional protein.

For more information, call (813) 591-1402, visit SweetFrog.com, find them on Facebook, or hop over to the Sweet Frog near LA Fitness in the Willow Bend Towne Center for a sweet and healthy frozen treat.

Published 4/10/19

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Land O’ Lakes Pharmacy is a neighborhood pharmacy in the Wilderness Lakes plaza on U.S. 41 that offers local delivery, no long lines and a quiet environment for private consultations.

Its pharmacists are your advocate, and gladly call your doctor and health insurance company to gather information about your care.

“We have a lot of people who come in and say they’re so glad we’re local, and take the time to call their doctors and insurance company,” said Pharmacist Carrie Heinz. “They

appreciate our attentive service, especially in navigating the complicated intricacies of the medical and insurance businesses.”

Land O’ Lakes Pharmacy prides itself on taking the time to get information, and resolving a customer’s problem, the same day, or as quickly as possible.

“A lot of people just don’t understand what to ask for when they call the insurance company, so we’ll do that for them,” said Heinz.

Land O’ Lakes Pharmacy works with the same major vendors as larger pharmacies and stocks a full range of major medications, as well as some specialty items. It also performs services like adult immunizations, medication flavoring and some compounding.

“Being small does not mean we can’t get the same things for customers as large chains. Plus, we offer local delivery — something few chains do,” said Heinz.

The pharmacy has recently started carrying CBD oil made from hemp, which is often confused with a similar product made from marijuana. It buys its CBD oil from a company that only sells to pharmacies, which guarantees its quality.

“Because it is made from hemp, we are allowed to sell CBD oil in the store,” said Heinz. “It is used to help relieve pain, and also helps with stress and sleep. It can be a good alternative to using prescriptions or over-the-counter pain relievers.”

Over-the-counter medications stocked at Land O’ lakes Pharmacy include remedies for coughs and cold, stomach issues and allergies. It also carries a full line of vitamins, minerals and supplements, and stocks cold packs, blood pressure monitors, humidifiers, health and beauty aids, and some household products.

 Heinz likes her job for the personal connection she makes with her customers, and the communal feeling she receives working at a small, independent pharmacy.

 “I feel connected to this store and our customers, who really appreciate that you know them personally and remember something about them. This makes it very comfortable for customers to ask questions,” said Heinz.

Land O’ Lakes Pharmacy accepts most major insurance coverage, including coverage from companies owned by other pharmacies. For more information, call (813) 803-7303, or drop by the store and introduce yourself to a pharmacist who is part of your community.

Published 4/3/19

Special to The Laker / Lutz News

This could be you at Ukulele Brand’s restaurant and bar in Land O’ Lakes.

You’re seated on a covered outdoor deck sipping a rum runner cocktail, watching the sun set over East Lake Ellis and enjoying live local music, while waiting for your gator tail and grilled grouper to emerge fresh from the kitchen of Executive Chef Chris Boemme

“All these things make us a local favorite,” Boemmel said. “We’re one of the only places to have live entertainment four to five nights a week, a beautiful lakeside setting, and an atmosphere that is casual and fun

Boemmel has been the chef at Ukulele Brand’s for the last 13 years, and naturally brings the conversation around to his food.

“Our menu covers everything —  pasta, steaks, burgers, seafood, chicken wings,” said Boemel. “We make just about everything from scratch. We bread our own clams and chicken tenders. Our burgers are delicious and huge, like all of our portion sizes. Nobody leaves here hungry

Ukulele Brand’s has a full liquor bar and several craft beers, indoor and outdoor seating, and several large-screen televisions, to give you a unique dining experience—right down to wire sandwich baskets shaped like ukuleles.

Lunch is always busy at Ukulele’s. It has daily lunch specials, and does a good job putting food out fast so guests can enjoy their lunch break and get back to work on time.

Favorite dishes include Uke’s Jammin’ Jambalaya, Southern Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad, Uke’s Famous Seafood Chowder, and a large selection of specialty burgers, including the Uke’s burger, which is topped with blue cheese, sautéed onions and mushrooms.

But by far, it’s most popular items are grouper and gator tail.

“We get fresh grouper in almost every day from the Gulf of Mexico, and go through 80 pounds of gator tail a week,” said Boemmel.

In addition to its excellent food, the chef attributes his restaurant’s success to the longevity of its staff.

“We have servers and bartenders who have been here 12 years or more,” said Boemmel. “Our customers love seeing the same servers, and even request them by name. They know what you want to drink, your family members and are genuinely happy to see you.  In addition, we have experienced chefs who have worked here for many years, who consistently put out great food.”

Being a fixture in the community since 1995 from its iconic location on U.S. 41, Ukulele Brand’s gives back in several ways, from sponsoring local sports teams and high school events to participating in poker runs.

Check the restaurant’s calendar of events on its Facebook page, or at UkuleleBrands.com, for its live band schedule and special event of the day.

4805 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. • Land O’ Lakes

813-995-0608 • www.ukelelebrands.com

Published 4/24/19