Ugies Puts a New Spin on Seafood

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear about the new seafood place that opened in the Fountains Plaza on U.S. 19 last month is, “What the heck is an ugie?”

Believe it or not, that’s just the way owner Dave Ulgenalp likes it. 

“When you’re starting a new business, the first thing you do is come up with an empty vessel, a name that means nothing to anybody,” Ulgenalp explained. “It drums up interest in the brand and gets people talking about you.”

While this particular name might not mean much to the general public, it does have a personal meaning to the Ulgenalp clan — it’s been a family nickname for decades. 

But whether they like the name or not, Ulgenalp is hoping people eat up his new restaurant’s concept: quick, casual seafood. 

“People love the quick, casual concept today — quality food in a nice environment, with no table service and no tipping,” he said. “It’s quick, it’s valuable, and those qualities never go out of style, especially in this economy.” 

“And people don’t do seafood at home," added his wife, Lisa. “They’re either too afraid or they don’t know how to.” 

Owner Is a Restaurant Industry Veteran

After spending the better part of the past 30 years launching, marketing and owning some of the biggest quick casual franchises in the industry, including Panera Bread, bd’s Mongolian Grill and Checkers, Ulgenalp, who grew up in Michigan, knows a thing or two about what makes a restaurant successful. 

And despite being out of the industry for the last three years, he believes the concept that he and his wife came up with while hosting clambakes at their Tarpon Springs home has the potential to catch on. 

“No one is doing seafood in quick casual," he said. "But it’s a very simple concept that can be in any strip complex in the country, not just on the coast.” 

“It’s all about keeping it casual and keeping it real,” he added. “Our décor is simple, rustic and clean. Our menu is limited. And we treat people in here like we treat our neighbors coming to our house.” 

Menu Is Simply Seafood 

Regarding the menu, the Ulgenalps also decided to do something unique for a seafood place — no fried foods. All the items are smoked, steamed or grilled, and if you want lettuce, tomato or cheese, you’ll have to pay for it. They also serve beer in a chilled mug, plus wine and homemade sangria. 

“Some people struggle with the menu at first, but when they realize they can get items cheaper because we’re not charging them for things they don’t want, then they think it’s kind of cool,” he said. 

With Gulf Coast-inspired cuisine like jambalaya, shrimp & cheese grits, smoked fish spread and also their popular buffalo chicken mac & cheese, Ulgenalp hopes people will like what they find at Ugies. 

“We realize it might not sit well with everyone, but you can’t please everybody," he said. "They just have to find out on their own.”

Ugies Smokin' Good Seafood

Address: 34726 U.S. 19 N (Fountains Plaza)

Phone: 727-953-9797

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, closed Monday-Tuesday