Opening a restaurant in So. Tampa dedicated to classic American cuisine with recipes and inventions recorded in historic cookbooks from different cities and regions of the U.S., has been the brainchild of Chris Rose for more than a dozen years. Chris and long time friend and confidant, J.R. Scoggins, often spoke of the concept and discussed different ideas on how to effectively bring this concept to Tampa. The families of Chris and J.R. were always supportive of those ideas and encouraged them first and foremost, to continue to develop the dream.
Chris cut his restaurant teeth as a teenager at Burger King Corporation at the early age of 15, eventually working his way to General Manager, while holding other positions at the corporate level. At Burger King he learned the important aspects of operating a business in the restaurant industry. He later spent three years in the commercial finance business before signing with Longhorn Steakhouse as a Managing Partner, earning honors for his restaurant management skill and efficiency.
When given the opportunity to work together to realize the dream of an American Classic Grill, Chris and J.R. decided that opening a restaurant in So. Tampa could be just the BEST recipe for success. They joined together to form American Dreaming Restaurants, Inc. This parent company soon gave birth to EATS! American Grill, located at 4502 S. Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa, Florida.
At EATS! American Grill, you can choose from a wide variety of appetizers including, EATS! Cheese Fries, Walla Walla Onion Rings, Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Dill Pickles, Pineapple Fritters, Bite Me Back Shrimp and Bone-in NY style Buffalo Wings.
We also feature two soups that we hope will become prime attractions in Tampa, with a classic American history, 1880 Texas Chili and Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup.
Our original salads are prepared in the tradition of early American recipes, like the 1937 Cobb Salad, the 1893 Waldorf Salad and the Iceberg Wedge Salad. We also offer classic American favorites, the Grilled or Fried Chicken Salad, a Salmon Salad, plus our own invention, the Bite Me Back Shrimp Salad.
Our popular sandwiches are perfect for a quick lunch or as a dinner entree. Each sandwich made from an original recipe is seasoned with our own US soil, a combination of seasonings sure to please the palet. The sandwich choices include the Philly Cheesesteak, the Black and Blue Burger, the Southern Fried Pork Chop Sandwich, the Midwest BLT, a classic French Dip and the traditional hamburger and cheese burger, served with your choice of side. We also feature a sandwich brought to us from Michael Wuliger of Bin 27, the Bin on Weck, a unique roast beef sandwich served on a kummelweck roll with Horsey sauce and a side of Au Jus.
The sides include a Baked Idaho Potato, EATS! Seasoned Fries, a Sweet Potato, EATS! Sweet Potato Fries, fresh steamed veggies, broccoli and cheddar cheese, Mac-n-Cheese, Uncle Ben's Rice Pilaf, garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed onions or sauteed mushrooms. We also serve Grilled Asparagus.
Our entrees are quickly becoming renowned in So. Tampa. One of the most popular entree is the EATS! Baby Back Ribs. Other top selections include the Maryland Crab Cakes, Grilled, Blackened or Sweet Baby Rays Barbeque Chicken, Bourbon Brushed Grilled Shrimp, Northwest Walnut Marinated Salmon, Grilled Southern Pork Chops and EATS! Chicken Tenders.
For dessert, try our feature EATS! Fried Oreo Sundae, Mom's Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Key West Key Lime Pie, EATS! Apple Pie a la mode or one of our handmade Strawberry, Vanilla or Chocolate Milkshakes to top off the evening.
We are open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily, We strive to provide a family atmosphere, but we also have a full bar service, with many of your American classic drinks available at reasonable prices for your pleasure. Happy Hour at EATS! is a daily event from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Besides the great food and libation, our restaurant features 10 HD televisions for your lunch and dinner time enjoyment. We have complimentary sound boxes that can be dropped off at your table. We feature the local sports teams, the Bucanneers, the Rays, the Lightning and the Magic on the mainscreen every game possible. We also accommodate the younger crowd by having at least one of the sets on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, or a current video release of a movie.
At EATS! you are sure to get a handshake and a smile from someone during the evening. Come join us tonight for a great meal at a great price, then stay and enjoy the atmosphere.
History of EATS!