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Rippers Credit: Interstruct<\/p>\nRippers Credit: Interstruct<\/p>\n
Rippers, a new American-style restaurant from the team behind Michelin-starred Rocca, is moving into Clearwater\u2019s historic Telephone Building on Cleveland Street.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Located on the ground floor at 534 Cleveland St., Rippers will be Tastes Pretty Good Hospitality Group\u2019s first Pinellas County concept, and is also the first to move into the Telephone Building.<\/p>\n
Built in 1914, the Telephone Building is the first fully-restored historic landmark completed by the Cleveland Street Alliance\u2019s coordinated restoration initiative, which is focused on reactivating the Cleveland Street corridor. <\/p>\n
Apparently the building itself inspired the Ripper\u2019s concept and menu, according to culinary director and Michelin-starred chef Bryce Bonsack.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we walked into that space, we were immediately drawn to it. It\u2019s historic, it has incredible character and there\u2019s so much history behind it,\u201d said Bonsack in a statement. \u201cWe wanted to create something that keeps telling the story of America through classic food that\u2019s approachable, delicious and affordable. The building and the concept simply belonged together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rippers will focus on American classics like burgers, wings, sandwiches, fries, milkshakes and its signature deep-fried \u201cripper\u201d hot dogs, which they cook \u201cuntil it rips,\u201d says a press release.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started in Tampa as a love letter to the city we grew up in,\u201d said Tastes Pretty Good CEO Nick Reader and former Tampa Bay Bucs CFO, in a statement. \u201cWhen this opportunity arose to come to Clearwater, we saw something very familiar. We understood the vision, we understood where it could go and we knew we wanted to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tastes Pretty Good has been growing relatively quickly as of late. The hospitality group recently announced a new modern Spanish concept Lumbre<\/a>, which will soon debut in the North Hyde Park area.\u00a0<\/p>\n Besides Rocca, Tastes Pretty Good also operates Michelin-recognized Bar Terroir, and Michelin Bib Gourmand Streetlight Taco.<\/p>\n Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.<\/a><\/p>\n Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us:\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0BlueSky<\/a><\/p>\n This article appears in July 09 \u2013 15, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \t\t\t