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Newsy Nuggets: Phantom pizzeria, hyperlocal cocktails and other stuff

Written By Scott Joseph On September 2, 2022

pops ext

I’ve heard of ghost kitchens but in this case I’m the one who got ghosted.

Pop’s Pizzeria, which moved into the former Tako Cheena space when that restaurant moved to the former Forbidden City spot down the block, has a very nice online ordering system. I used it the other night to order a pizza for pickup, chose my pie and the size I wanted, then checked out, gave my credit card details and even added a tip even though I had had no human contact to that point.

I still haven’t. When I arrived at the time I requested to have the order ready, the Mills 50 restaurant was closed. Another couple who had also placed an order online were standing at the gated and locked back door, too, trying to call the restaurant. But no one answered and the voicemail was not accepting messages.

I’ve disputed my charge with American Express and I’m sure it will be resolved. I still don’t know what’s going on with Pop’s but in the meantime, caveat orderer.

The most annoying thing about it all was that I was planning on pizza for dinner. Driving home I passed Eola Lounge and decided to stop in. I’ll have my review soon.

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  • Among the many odd quirks in Florida law, one of the oddest and quirkiest was that a craft distillery could not serve cocktails made with its own products. Not only that, but if the distillery had a retail outlet, a customer could only purchase six bottles in a calendar year. Like it was Sudafed, or something. I think there was a secret password involved, too, but I may be confusing that with something els.

But SB 46 has changed that, and local craft moonshiners, including Loggerhead Distillery in Sanford, are taking advantage of the new law and adding in-house bars Loggerhead, at 124 W 2nd St., produces small batches of vodka, rum, bourbon and gin. Among the cocktails it will offer is a Key Lime gin with elderflower tonic and rosemary infused simple syrup.

It is open Wednesday through Sunday.

  • You know how when you go to a liquor company or winery’s website and you have to click on a button that either says “I am 21” or “I am not 21” before you can enter the site? Do you think minors surfing the web answer that question truthfully?
  • 4 Rivers has opened in SoDo at 3200 S. Orange Ave. and this newest link in the growing chain features a double drive thru. You only have to go through one, however, to pick up an order.
  • If you continue down Orange Avenue, take a left on Hoffner Avenue and take that all the way to Conway Road, you’ll find that El Potro is the latest to occupy the corner restaurant space in Belle Isle Commons, which has also been Belle Isle Bayou and Cork & Fork.
  • The Tropical Smoothie cafe that has operated inside the Downtown YMCA for more than a decade has up and left. No details on why – that location was popular not only with members who would grab something to eat after a workout but also with nonmembers who would just stop in. According to a sign posted in front of the now-dark counter, the Y is looking for a local nonprofit food and drink vendor. I can think of several local vendors who might qualify as nonprofit. Tropical Smoothie still operates at 63 Washington St. in Thornton Park, a short jog from the Y.
  • When we talked about restaurants that have changed names recently I forgot to mention that Trevi Pasta in College Park is now known as Turci Pasta. I’ll be in Rome this weekend and plan to go by to make sure a certain landmark hasn’t been renamed Turci Fountain.

We hope you find our reviews and news articles useful and entertaining. It has always been our goal to assist you in making informed decisions when spending your dining dollars. If we’ve helped you in any way, please consider making a contribution to help us continue our journalism. Thank you.

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