Datz Restaurant Closes Last Tampa Bay Location

The last Datz Restaurant has closed its doors at 180 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg. Workers posted a simple goodbye note on the front door, marking the end for this popular Tampa Bay eatery.

The closure comes after other locations shut down - first in South Tampa last August, then Riverview this past June. Back in 2019, they opened in a prime location next to the James Museum, bringing their unique comfort food to downtown.

"This restaurant, the vibe, the food, everything fits with St. Petersburg," said Mayor Rick Kriseman to St. Pete Catalyst.

The space featured multiple areas - from a modern bar to intimate seating and an airy main dining room. The restaurant came together through Harvard Jolly's designs and Boyd Construction's work, with KW Realty's John Witner handling the deal through Fifth Third Bank.

It all began in 2009 when Suzanne and Roger Perry opened in South Tampa. Just days after opening, they switched their business plan from a Zingerman's-style deli to a full restaurant menu.

Their creative dishes caught the eye of Food Network and Travel Channel - featuring items like "The Cheesy Todd" burger and "Barry C.'s Stuffed Meatloaf." Good Morning America also showcased their unique food offerings.

The owners branched out beyond Datz. The Perrys ran Dr. BBQ in the EDGE District until 2022, along with Dough bakery and Roux, which brought Creole cooking to the area.

When business was booming, their restaurant group employed 400 people across all locations. Now, their original South Tampa spot has become a new restaurant called 1983.