Polk's new restaurants in 2023 brought diverse eats. A few sadly closed their kitchens
It's been a great year to be a foodie in Lakeland and Polk County, because there's no shortage of options in 2023.
Across Polk, there's been an influx of restaurants opening up for business in 2023. The year's newest eateries run the gamut from small mom-and-pop cafes to fine dining, from breakfast bagel sandwiches to Peruvian food. There's still time left to get out and taste test some of the county's dishes before the year's end. Don't forget to snap a photo before digging in to share with a social media review.
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Here's a list of the latest restaurants and eateries to open in Lakeland and Polk in 2023:
Bedrock Wings warrants an honorable mention as the existing Lakeland business on U.S. 92 relocated to downtown Lakeland, moving into 127 S. Kentucky Ave., late this fall. Bedrock serves up an extensive offering of chicken wings, both bone-in and boneless, alongside burgers, sandwiches and salads.
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ is owned by a Lakeland couple. Leanne and Tyler Hudson brought this growing fast-casual eatery to 2250 Griffin Road in Lakeland mid-November. Crave is serving up an extensive menu of hotdogs and barbecue dishes with a self-serve tap and axe throwing.
Food + Beer, a Sarasota-based sports bar owned by Casey Daniels and Mike Whalen, opened in Lakeland's Merchants Walk this August. Food + Beer serves up burgers, wings, daily specials and seasonal offerings in a casual atmosphere. There are 38 flatscreen TVs so patrons don't miss the big game alongside an arcade for entertainment.
Fresh Kitchen opened in Lakeland mid-April at 4520 S. Florida Ave. Its focus is on "fast, fresh, convenient" foods where customers can build their own bowl by mixing a rice, pasta or vegetable base with their choice of veggies, proteins and sauces.
La Granja, a Peruvian-inspired restaurant that is known for serving up large portions of chicken, steak and pork for families opened at 3919 S. Florida Ave. in August.
Low and Slow Smokehouse opened its first standalone location in Lakeland at 1853 E. Memorial Blvd. this month. Co-owners Daniel and Kim Bailey followed their parent company, Blue Line Aviation, from North Carolina to the Central Florida area and are serving up homestyle barbecue.
Mary's Bagel Cafe was named by Lakeland native Denise Gilmore's to honor her grandmother, who once opened on the property where it sits at 1242 N. Florida Ave. Gilmore said she wants to serve up a taste of New York with morning bagel sandwiches, in addition to hot lunch foods and catering. There's a promise of Dee's Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls making an reappearance in 2024, according to the cafe's Facebook.
4 Rivers Smokehouse worked for six years to make its way to Lakeland, celebrating its grand opening at 4729 S. Florida Ave. in mid-June. It's a family-owned "barbecue ministry" that specializes in a 30-day-aged Angus brisket, homestyle sides and offers a drive-thru service.
Royal Breakfast Bar is one of the newest offerings in Winter Haven, proclaiming to offer sumptuous breakfast at 200 Post Ave. S.W., Unit H in Winter Haven. It celebrated its soft opening Dec. 2 and offers an extensive menu featuring eggs, omelets, pancakes and waffles alongside Southern classic dishes like chicken and waffles.
Savory Thai Lakeland opened for business in March at 5109 U.S. 98 in Lakeland. It aims to serve authentic flavor in curries, fried rice, stir-fry, noodle dishes and Boba tea.
Japanese Fusion restaurant Sushi Masa has quickly become known in Lakeland for its all-you-can-eat specials for lunch and dinner that include a wide variety of sushi, sashimi, tempura and other kitchen specialty dish. It celebrated its opening in late August at 5700 S. Florida Ave.
Tsaôcaa Tea & Michi Ramen, a bubble tea and ramen shop at 4238 U.S. 98 North, launched its soft opening Dec. 12. Its menu includes several varieties of ramen, rich bowls, mochi donuts, Hong Kong egg waffles and Korean fried chicken.
Vegetation is a plant-based kitchen and cafe bringing 100% vegan food to Lakeland at 1437 E. Gary Road since April. The menu changes seasonally, so check the website to see what's being served up and what's available for grab-and-go.
And a farewell
Our list wouldn't be complete without saying goodbye to locally owned eateries that have closed their doors in 2023:
La Imperial Bakery closed in August after more than five years serving up breakfast, lunch and pastries with a Puerto Rican twist at 830 E. Main St.
Pita Pit owners said goodbye to this franchise, formerly at 127 S. Kentucky Ave., known for its pita pocket sandwiches, salads and rice bowls in August. It had been serving customers in downtown Lakeland for nearly five years.
Red Door Lakeland, the city's "informal, artsy gastropub" permanently closed May 2 after 14 years. It opened at 850 S. Tennessee Ave. in 2009 and moved to 733 E. Palmetto St. in 2013. The restaurant's owner, Richard DeAngelis, announced it was closing on social media in a message that gave few details.
Shells Seafood Restaurant closed its Lakeland location at 5125 S. Florida Ave. this past summer, less than four years after returning to Polk County.
Know of a restaurant or own an eatery that opened or closed in 2023, that's not on our list? There's so many. Tell us more about it at swalsh@theledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: How many have you tried? Polk's new restaurants in 2023
