An outdoor landscape photograph by Annalise Mabe showing the roadside sign for Coco's In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Set against a bright blue sky with light wispy clouds, a tall black pole holds a prominent rectangular sign reading "Coco's" in colorful tropical lettering above text that reads "TAMPA MADE. CUBAN INSPIRED." Beneath the sign, a landscaped bed with green bushes and small lights sits along a wooden fence on the left. On the right, an outdoor patio area features closed patio umbrellas, string lights, and a small blue-and-white service hut set against surrounding trees.Coco’s In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Credit: Annalise Mabe / Creative LoafingTampa Bay

On any given weekday morning at 4 a.m., Tampa’s working class queues up at Coco’s Sandwich Shop in Palmetto Beach, often decked out in reflective workwear, to fuel up for the day. A ten-minute drive away, more get in line around 6 a.m. at the Coco’s on 40th Street.

Carlos Carrillo and Adam Hendricks think Seminole Heights could be just as devoted.

Last Tuesday morning, Carrillo and Hendricks laid on a few more coats of bright blue paint at their new location, Coco’s In The Heights, located at 4815 N Nebraska Ave.

The address once belonged to Nebraska Mini-Mart, which closed in March 2025. Hot chicken concept King of the Coop has a short run at the corner, and an Orlando restaurateur had plans for a food truck park that have apparently fallen through.

Now the Coco’s team—operating a nearly 40-year-old Tampa food scene staple—is putting on the finishing touches, aiming to fully open by the end of October. 

An outdoor architectural photograph by Annalise Mabe showing Coco's In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Captured in a wide shot under a clear blue sky, the blue and black single-story venue features a covered outdoor patio on the left with picnic tables, bench seating, and overhead string lights. On the right, a black ordering counter with a four-panel window is decorated above with painted murals of palm trees, ocean waves, and stylized text reading "Coco's", set against a lawn forecourt with trees in the background.Coco’s In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Credit: Annalise Mabe / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

And, they’re planning on offering more than sandwiches. In addition to some local favorites—The Tampa Cuban, The O.G. Cuban, The Midnight Special (a medianoche)—Carrillo told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that there’ll be bowls, tacos, loaded tostones, salads and empanadas, too.

“All sauces are made from scratch,” he added, “and no frozen products unless it’s chicken tenders and fries.”

Seeing that Nebraska Mini-Mart was such a hit for all walks of life, families included, Carrillo made it a point to keep kids in mind with the menu. That’s where those tenders and fries come in, along with a Cuban grilled cheese option and a two-taco kids meal.

And for grown-ups, an array of bevvies: Cuban coffee, fountain drinks, Spanish soda, draft beer, craft beer, bottled beer, and wine to quench thy thirst. 

And dessert is imminent. 

Carrillo told CL he’s most excited to open in Seminole Heights. “It’s a foodie town, a foodie neighborhood, and we want to take full advantage of the outdoor space,” he added.

The new team is expanding the parking lot, hoping to add 12 more parking spots for a total of 24 while adding in more shaded areas as well.

“We’re thinking, like, a Havana nights kind of vibe,” Carrillo added. “We want to be completely community-driven and community focused.”

The renovation, he said, will cost about $100,000, which covers the work, new furnishings plus tiles for the air-conditioned indoor dining area, both bathrooms and the kitchen, along with new umbrellas, new shades, new lighting, and palm trees, too.

“We’re basically just elevating every aspect of the property,” Carrillo said. 

And, Coco’s In the Heights already has some fun stuff planned. On Halloween night, they’ll play a movie on their lawn from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. so the kids can “get their candy crazies out,” and enjoy a classic, kid-rated Halloween movie.

Coco’s In The Heights will officially open by the end of October, and will be open Tuesday-Thursdays from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Friday-Saturdays from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

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This article appears in Sept. 24 – 30, 2026.

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