![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cocos-In-The-Heights-Tampa-sign-Annalise-Mabe.jpg\")
Coco\u2019s In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Credit: Annalise Mabe \/ Creative LoafingTampa Bay<\/p>\nCoco\u2019s In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Credit: Annalise Mabe \/ Creative LoafingTampa Bay<\/p>\n
On any given weekday morning at 4 a.m., Tampa\u2019s working class queues up at Coco\u2019s Sandwich Shop<\/a> 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\u2019s on 40th Street<\/a>.<\/p>\n Carlos Carrillo and Adam Hendricks think Seminole Heights could be just as devoted.<\/p>\n Last Tuesday morning, Carrillo and Hendricks laid on a few more coats of bright blue paint at their new location, Coco\u2019s In The Heights, located at 4815 N Nebraska Ave.<\/a><\/p>\n The address once belonged to Nebraska Mini-Mart, which closed in March 2025<\/a>. Hot chicken concept King of the Coop has a short run<\/a> at the corner, and an Orlando restaurateur had plans for a food truck park<\/a> that have apparently fallen through.<\/p>\n Now the Coco\u2019s team\u2014operating a nearly 40-year-old Tampa food scene staple\u2014is putting on the finishing touches, aiming to fully open by the end of October.\u00a0<\/p>\n And, they\u2019re planning on offering more than sandwiches. In addition to some local favorites\u2014The Tampa Cuban, The O.G. Cuban, The Midnight Special (a medianoche)\u2014Carrillo told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that there\u2019ll be bowls, tacos, loaded tostones, salads and empanadas, too.<\/p>\n \u201cAll sauces are made from scratch,\u201d he added, \u201cand no frozen products unless it\u2019s chicken tenders and fries.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s where those tenders and fries come in, along with a Cuban grilled cheese option and a two-taco kids meal.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n And dessert is imminent.\u00a0<\/p>\n Carrillo told CL he\u2019s most excited to open in Seminole Heights. \u201cIt\u2019s a foodie town, a foodie neighborhood, and we want to take full advantage of the outdoor space,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thinking, like, a Havana nights kind of vibe,\u201d Carrillo added. \u201cWe want to be completely community-driven and community focused.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re basically just elevating every aspect of the property,\u201d Carrillo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n And, Coco\u2019s In the Heights already has some fun stuff planned. On Halloween night, they\u2019ll play a movie on their lawn from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. so the kids can \u201cget their candy crazies out,\u201d and enjoy a classic, kid-rated Halloween movie.<\/p>\n Coco\u2019s 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.<\/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 Sept. 24 \u2013 30, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \t![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cocos-In-The-Heights-Annalise-Mabe.png\")
Coco\u2019s In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Credit: Annalise Mabe \/ Creative Loafing Tampa Bay<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/cocos_in_the_heights_annalise_mabe.png\")
<\/p>\n