A slew of restaurants are headed to Ybor City, including the soon-to-open new location for Mise en Place, fine-dining steakhouse Tommy’s Chophouse, and the just-announced Papi’s.
Papi’s, a modern American restaurant with a Spanish twist, is set to open before New Year’s Eve at 1708-1710 E. Seventh Ave.
Restaurateur Robert George, who helped open the Ybor location of national frozen drink chain Fat Tuesday in 2024, said Papi’s will serve smashburgers, Latin-inspired small plates and cocktails.
The large, two-story space aims to be a restaurant by day and a lounge by night, staying open until 3 a.m. The second floor will be available for private events and parties. Emilio Lopez will handle day-to-day operations as part owner and general manager of Papi’s.
George said Papi’s wants to meld an energetic vibe with Ybor’s Spanish heritage.
“We’re trying to take and be inspired by who does everything best in the industry,” George said. “We’re going to make sure that everything, from the menu to the design, the music and the culture, is inspired by Ybor.”
Tommy’s Chophouse plans to open in early 2026 on the ground floor of the Kress Contemporary building in Ybor City at 1622 E. Seventh Ave.
Restaurateur Kenneth Emery’s Foodi Group will run the spot. They also operate Barterhouse and Ocean Ink Raw Bar in Ybor, and Burwell’s Stone Fire Grill in Charleston, South Carolina.
“I started my career here in Florida at 23, and this is me coming home,” Emery said in a news release. Curtis Brown, executive chef at Ocean Ink Raw Bar, will help open Tommy’s.
Tommy’s Chophouse plans to focus on lesser-known cuts of beef such as hanger and shoulder filet steaks, while still offering traditional cuts and highlighting wagyu.