{"id":388863,"date":"2026-09-03T02:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T02:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/388863\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T02:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T02:00:12","slug":"tampa-filipino-restaurant-lucky-tigre-celebrates-fourth-anniversary-with-lumpia-eating-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/388863\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Filipino restaurant Lucky Tigre celebrates fourth anniversary with lumpia eating contest\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AnLucky Tigre in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 9, 2025. Credit: Ray Roa \/ Creative Loafing Tampa Bay<\/p>\n

Tampa restaurant Lucky Tigre<\/a> has lived a lot of lives in its short four years. Born as Good Fortune Baby<\/a> during the height of the pandemic, Julie Sainte Michelle Feliciano-Loughlin\u2019s Filipino restaurant then dropped dumplings on doorsteps, then moved into the South Howard neighborhood,<\/a> and later West Tampa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The spot at 1901 N Howard Ave. is settling into its now air-conditioned digs<\/a> and really kicking into high gear, bolstered by multiple accolades and even an invitation to participate in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers\u2019 chef series.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To celebrate its fourth birthday<\/a> this week, Lucky Tigre has been celebrating with specials like JuniBee\u2019s \u201cSpaghetti Pataas\u201d (beef bolognese with longonisa sausage, patis, soy sauce, Jufran, canton noodles and shredded cheddar) or an Iniha na Hotdog (a bright red filipino-style hot dog, skewered and grilled with banana ketchup and soy sauce, served with sunomono pickles and spiced vinegar).\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like there\u2019s always work to be done,\u201d Chef Julie told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about making it four turns around the eight-rayed sun<\/a>, adding that her team has never really taken time to celebrate anniversaries. \u201cWe honestly forgot about it until really until like two weeks ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Owner-Chef Julie has even been prepping for a lumpia eating contest on Sunday where the first to finish 20 beef lumpia in eight minutes will be crowned the winner. These aren\u2019t the mini lumpia either. \u201cEach one is about five to six inches long,\u201d chef Julie told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

Lumpia-eating contestants must enter in advance, with tickets costing $35 and 100% of proceeds going to Feeding Tampa Bay. Check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the official showdown starting at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

As for Lucky Tigre\u2019s next spin around the sun? Chef Julie wishes to expand their kitchen. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to get the food trailer going again so we can use it as a commissary space to expand our kitchen, take on more catering events, and make things happen faster,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

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This article appears in August 27 \u2013 September 02, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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