Miami vibe, Latin-American cuisine coming to Railroad Square with Itz Smackin

Logo for Itz Smackin venue coming to Railroad Square
Logo for Itz Smackin venue coming to Railroad Square

Get ready for a combination Miami vibe and Latin American-cuisine entertainment experience coming to the eclectic Railroad Square Art District.

The “First Friday” and Art District destination stable for the past four years, Railroad Square Crafthouse, is closing its doors on June 1st, passing on the torch of “Art District anchor” to the new tenant “Itz Smackin.”

Miami natives and business partners, German Zelaya, managing partner of the local Crafty Crab restaurants, and Dominique Zito, Florida State alum, along with the other ‘Itz Smakcin’ partners, are anxious to bring more diverse Latin-American cuisines to the capital city from countries including Peru, Cuba, and Argentina.

Food options abound: A look at the Railroad Square food hall tenants. Plus, a hint at what's replacing Craft House

Future course: Inside plans to redevelop Railroad Square and draw in full-time residents to Art District

“There are so many other Latin foods and flavors — including some amazing, culturally-immersive foodie experiences — that we can’t wait to make available in Tallahassee,” Zito said in a news release.

“Itz Smackin” is slated to debut its fusion menu in Tallahassee later this summer after securing a three-year lease. The site will be open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to midnight.

The restaurant's official Instagram page, @itzsmackin is giving Art District lovers a preview of what to expect, such as drink and menu items, including their ‘Miami Mojito’ and ‘Flamin’ Flamingo.’

There’s even a hint of bringing pyrotechnic displays to the village.

A sample of Itz Smackin Parilla  dish,.
A sample of Itz Smackin Parilla dish,.

The menu is filled with “smackin appetizers,” entrees, specialty parrillas — “a huge grilled platter of mouth-watering churrasco steak, chicken, and salmon with guacamole, yucca, and plantains on the side, all topped with savory chimichurri sauce” — sandwiches and “wingz” with prices starting at $13.99 for entrees.

Railroad Square chief financial officer and co-owner Adam Kaye is excited about the growing foodie destination and how “Itz Smackin” will champion that growth.

“Not only is this a crew of true culinary artists, but they will bring diverse food options that will complement the types of food offered at the upcoming food hall,” Kaye said in a release.

Those four tenants will offer patrons gourmet bowls, vegan soul food, snow cones and fresh-pressed juices when they open in May.

Democrat writer Kyla Sanford can be reached at ksanford@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Itz Smackin will anchor Railroad Square once Crafthouse closes