Datz the Way uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh …

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Datz the Way uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh …

Datz Opens in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL

Datz is HUGE—literally and figuratively!

They are huge on the local food scene …

… and the new location in downtown St. Pete is freakin’ humongous!

Both the dining area, and the kitchen can accommodate a large crowd, and it’s a good thing with how popular they are, and because of the huge anticipation for this opening.

The official advertised opening date is Monday, June 17, 2019 … but if you walk by sooner, try the door and see if it’s open. You might get lucky. 😉

Here’s a look at part of the kitchen.

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Kitchen Entrance
Kitchen Entrance
More of the Kitchen
More of the Kitchen

These two photos aren’t even half of the kitchen.

While we were in the kitchen, we were pleased to find Zach West as the Chef. He’s worked at several esteemed establishments, but we know him from The Mill in St. Pete. The kitchen is in good hands with Zach.

Here’s the main dining area. Outside the window in the background there are several sidewalk seating tables. Looking out that window, across the street is Kraft Café, and the intersection of 2nd Street & Central Avenue – to give you an idea of the location.

There’s a door there, but the main entrance is around the corner on Central Avenue.

Main Dining Room
Main Dining Room
Outside Seating on 2nd-St. South Side
Outside Seating on 2nd St. South Side
Outside Seating on Central Ave Side
Outside Seating on Central Ave Side
Datz Entrance at 180 Central Ave
Datz Entrance at 180 Central Ave

Here’s the bar at the main entrance.

Full Liquor Bar
Full Liquor Bar
Waiting Area
Waiting Area

If there’s a wait for your table you can chill here. It’s the nicest waiting area we’ve ever seen.

The bar is actually indoor / outdoor with a window opening up to the outside bar with bar stools, and this plush seating too.

Outdoor Seating at The Bar
Outdoor Seating at The Bar

By the way, the indoor bar seats are the best we’ve ever seen. They are thick, plush leather, riveted, with high backs. (They may have to start charging Lori rent when she gets into one of these. She loved them.)

Now, onto the food!

Datz is known for having great, hearty, comfort food, crazy concoctions, and fun food item names.

Definitely go hungry.

Buffalo Cauliflower Popcorn
Buffalo Cauliflower Popcorn

Buffalo Cauliflower Popcorn -Roasted cauliflower bites, fried and tossed in buffalo sauce, drizzled with ranch.

We’ve had several Buffalo-style cauliflower items at different places, and their good because, you know – Buffalo sauce – but just good because, you know – Cauliflower. However, Datz are the best we’ve ever had.

If anyone can figure out how to make cauliflower hearty, it’s Datz. These are really good.

Cheesy Todd
Cheesy Todd

Remember the crazy concoctions I promised you? Above is one of the most famous of Datz.

The Cheesy Todd  – Ground brisket and short rib burger, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickle. Served on two bacon-jalapeño mac n’ cheese “buns”.

Not easy to eat, but fun, tasty, and needless to say, quite filling.

Put a Steak on it
Put a Steak on it

How do you make a salad better? Put a steak on it!

Put a Steak on it – Seared steak, Arcadian lettuce mix, roasted butternut squash, golden beets, goat cheese, candied pecans, tomatoes and red onion with sweet Italian vinaigrette.

The next two items were our favorites – Short Rib Paparadelle, and Shrimp & Grits.

Short Rib Paparadelle Bowl
Short Rib Paparadelle Bowl

Short Rib Paparadelle Bowl – Burgundy braised short rib, paparadelle pasta, green peas, parmesan, soft herbs, shiitake & button mushrooms topped with cured egg yolk.

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Shrimp N' Grits
Shrimp N’ Grits

Shrimp N’ Grits – Blackened shrimp, rich cream cheese grits, Indian Makhani sauce and spinach.

The sandwiches we tried were quite good as well, and we even liked the vegetarian one just as much as the pork one. That’s really saying something.

Porkfection
Porkfection

Porkfection – Pulled pork, sliced ham, pork belly, white cheddar, tobacco onions, firecracker sauce, shredded lettuce and sliced tomato. Served on a batard.

Sold to Seitan
Sold to Seitan

Sold to Seitan – Chipotle glazed seitan, vegan-friendly provolone, hatch chili salsa, sautéed onions and roasted sweet peppers. Served hot on a batard.

The Double D
The Double D

Another thing Datz is known for is mixing sweet and savory. A lot of people love this, although mine and Lori’s tastes are not so much for the sweet, or mixing the two, (except for chocolate and peanut butter).

This is still a popular one with lots of people, and is certainly Instagramable.

The Double D – Two 6 oz ground brisket and short rib patties, Swiss & American cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion. Served on 2 whole glazed doughnuts.

Biggity Big Big Burger
Biggity Big Big Burger

Biggity Big Big Burger – Ground brisket and short rib burger, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickle. Served on a sweet sourdough bun.

The Biggity Big Big Burger is what you might call a “normal burger”, and that’s what Lori wanted after all the crazy ones the night before.

High Steaks Bowl
High Steaks Bowl

High Steaks Bowl – Seared steak, bacon Brussel sprouts, au jus, tobacco onions on top of cheesy grits.

I had this one, and it was delicious. The grits, which you can’t really see on the bottom, are some of the best in downtown St. Pete.

Our two favorite drinks are the Kelly Kapowski and the Spaaa BlahBlahBlah.

Both are crisp and refreshing, with Kelly being slightly more sweet, and Spaaa being less sweet. We have to find some Mr. Q. Cumber soda for home.

Kelly Kapowski
Kelly Kapowski

Kelly Kapowski – Suerte Silver Tequila, orange blossom water, lime, prickly pear, topped with Tidal Boar ginger beer and an edible orchid.

Spaaa BlahBlahBlah
Spaaa BlahBlahBlah

Spaaa BlahBlahBlah – Hendrick’s gin, fresh lemon juice, cucumber, Mr. Q. Cumber soda.

The Datz Group (owned by Suzanne and Roger Perry) also owns two other locations in downtown St. Petersburg: The Canyon at The James Museum (located in the same building as Datz), and Dr. BBQ at 1101 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. Our Dr. BBQ review is here.

The original Datz is in Tampa, along with their bakery Dough, and a Southern-Creole concept called Roux, which we hear is killer delicious.

(All photos – Kevin Godbee / St. Petersburg Foodies)

Datz St. Pete
  • Readers Rating
  • Rated 4.9 stars
    4.9 / 5 (22 )
$-$$
  • Your Rating


  • Datz St. Pete
  • (727) 202-1182
  • Elevated Comfort Food, Giant Burgers, Brunch
    • Mon - Thu 7:00am - 10:00pm
    • Fri - 7:00am - 11:00pm
    • Sat - 8:30am - 11:00pm
    • Sun - 8:30am - 9:00pm
  • 180 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, US

Datz is one of the most famous restaurants in Tampa, and now you can find them in downtown St. Pete.

DISCLAIMER: Kevin, Lori, Abby, Haley, Lindsey & Mahika do not dine anonymously (this would be impossible) and we sometimes get free food (though never expected). However, we dine with the locals and we support our own. You will always get honesty in a respectful manner. We do not include any large national or regional chains in our ratings and reviews. We focus on independent locally owned eateries exclusively.

PLEASE NOTE: Reviews reflect a certain moment in time. Some restaurants stay extremely consistent over many years, and some change for the better or worse. Some things that may change are: chefs, recipes, food suppliers, ingredients, philosophies, ownership, etc. We always hope that you have the same good, or great experience we had.
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