Flavas Brings Chi-Town Chicken Wings, Fresh Lemonade To Tampa

TAMPA, FL — A new chicken wing and lemonade hub has opened in Tampa near Busch Gardens. Flavas Restaurants is an innovative concept introduced to Tampa by the entrepreneurial couple, Jacques Brooks and Deonta Taylor.

Flavas Restaurants, which opened at 4819 E Busch Blvd., Tampa, this month, showcases an extensive array of lemonade flavors and a diverse selection of over 75 chicken flavor variations with a distinctive menu that caters to every palate, from sauces to an assortment of chicken rubs.

Amidst the challenges of the 2020 pandemic, Brooks and Taylor made a life-altering decision to relocate from their hometown of Chicago to Tampa with the aspiration of opening their own restaurant.

However, upon their arrival, they encountered financial obstacles compounded by the evolving dining landscape due to COVID-19, which ultimately delayed the restaurant's initial opening.

"We were determined to launch the restaurant in 2020, but circumstances led us in a different direction. Sometimes, delayed dreams are simply preparations for the perfect timing," said Brooks.

Instead of opening their dream restaurant, they chose to invest in a new home. Their determination prompted them to make sacrifices, including downsizing to a smaller home and leasing out their new home so they could save money to open their restaurant. This strategy proved successful, leading them to expand their investments to include more than 15 properties, enabling them to save enough to open the restaurant this year.

"Flavas is all about good food, good vibes and creating a dynamic haven for friends and families to unwind and immerse themselves," said Jacques Brooks. "We are proud Black-owned business owners and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our goal is to establish a place where customers can find excellent food, positive vibes and an environment where everyone feels welcome."

In addition to its Chi-Town wings and tenders served with rubs like salt & vinegar, chili lime, honey barbecue, ghost pepper, lemon pepper and Kickin' Cajun and sauces such as honey mustard, barbecue, teriyaki, mango habanero, jerk, garlic Parmesan and hot honey, Flavas offers up Chicago-style pizza puffs, Chicago-style pork chops topped with grilled onions and hot pepper, Chicago-style Polish sausage, walking tacos, burgers, fried fish and shrimp, onion rings, tator tots, fried okra and jalapeno poppers.

In addition to draft beer and Pepsi products, Flavas offers fresh lemonade in flavors including watermelon, strawberry, strawberry kiwi, blue raspberry, mango, grape, pina colada, sour apple, orange and cherry.

Specials include the Jerk Special for $6 and reggae music every Monday; $2 off burgers on Wednesdays; karaoke night on Thursdays; Walking Taco Tuesdays for $5 and Corona buckets for $12; and $1 wings on Sundays during football season.

Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Catering is available as well.