NC-Based Burrito Chain Opening Second FL Restaurant

CLEARWATER, FL — A North Carolina-based burrito chain is opening a new Pinellas County restaurant — its second Florida location.

Dank Burrito’s new Clearwater eatery will open this fall at 4001 E. Bay Drive.

The brand serves “a bold fusion of global street-food inspired flavors in burritos, tacos and bowls,” the company said in a news release.

Franchise owner Bryan Hill, along with his wife, Lambdin, and general manager Jackie Garcia are excited to bring the concept to Clearwater.

“Clearwater has had enough of cookie-cutter chains and deserves more. Dank brings the flavor, the vibe, and the experience you can’t get anywhere else,” Hill said.

He’s transforming a former Boston Market into a 3,100-square-foot hangout with custom graffiti that honors Bay Area icons like the Buccaneers, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and native beach scenes. Artist Pause will be in Clearwater to install custom work in early September.

The restaurant will have three or four local craft beers on tap and an assortment of cans and seltzers available, as well as wine.

Hill says the space will be family-friendly with a drive-thru and online ordering for pickup or delivery.

Dank’s slang-inspired name means fresh or of high quality, the company said.

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The concept was founded in 2014 as a food truck in Morehead City, North Carolina, by Chef Clarke Merrell from 81 Hospitality Group.

The success of the truck, which was named National Food Truck Rookie of the Year and still operates around eastern North Carolina, led to Dank’s first brick-and mortar location in Morehead City a year later.

Since then, Dank Burrito has opened locations in Raleigh, Greenville, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Its first Florida restaurant, located in Ponte Vedra, opened in the spring.

“Dank Burrito is not your typical burrito joint where the same tired flavors are used,” Merrell said. “We combine our favorite flavors from around the world with fine-dining techniques to make new kinds of flavor-bomb burritos, tacos, and bowls that you’ll fall in love with over and over again.”

The menu is the biggest draw, particularly the specials, which have included Danksgiving Burrito, Cheerwine Beef Quesadilla and the Nashville Hot Chicken Burrito, the chef said.

Scratch-made ingredients such as salsas, slaws, kimchi and guacamole can be added to any menu item.