Bolay Founders Open 1st Restaurant In Hometown Of Tampa

TAMPA, FL — Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen, known for its healthy, gluten-free fare and signature "Bols," has opened its first drive-thru location in South Tampa, marking the restaurant's 24th location in the country and the first in the hometown of Bolay founders Chris and Tim Gannon.

“The South Tampa opening marks more than one exciting milestone for Bolay as we open our first drive-thru and expand our reach to bring fresh and bold flavors to communities across Florida and state borders,” said Chris Gannon, CEO. “We’re proud to not only provide healthy options that make our guests feel good, but introduce a drive-thru offering that empowers us to meet their needs with elevated hospitality.”

Tim Gannon is the co-founder of Outback Steakhouse. He and his son, Chris, set out to create a lifestyle brand centered around the best parts of dining. Through listening, researching, taste-testing and experimenting, they developed the Bolay model for bringing fresh, healthy food to the fast-casual dining market.

Now, the father and son are celebrating the restaurant’s debut in their hometown of Tampa, also the birthplace of Outback Steakhouse in 1988.

The South Tampa Bolay is one of three to open in September, joining new locations in Falls Church, Virginia, and Gainesville, Virginia, set to open this month. Additional restaurants in Florida are scheduled to open in early October.

Located at 402 S. Dale Mabry Highway, the restaurant's menu, designed by Michelin-star chef Robert Pugh, features grains and greens like black rice and chopped kale salad, freshly roasted veggies like Balsamic mushrooms and Asian sweet potato noodles, and proteins like lemon chicken and spicy Thai shrimp.

Chef-inspired "bols" include lemon chicken and kale chopped salad with roasted Brussels sprouts, herb-roasted potatoes and Parmesan cheese; Havana pulled pork with jasmine rice, power beans, herb-roasted potatoes and fresh chopped cilantro; and Thai shrimp and noodles with Asian sweet potato noodles, herb-roasted potatoes, ginger broccoli, spicy Thai shrimp and fresh chopped cilantro.

Additional ingredients for customers to build their own "bols" include roasted street corn, pesto noodles, miso-glazed tofu, steak au jus and teriyaki chicken.

To complement the healthy foods, Bolay offers an assortment of fresh-brewed teas and fresh-squeezed juices.

Bolay is also located at 1544 W. Brandon Blvd., Unit 102, Brandon and 1330 4th St. N., St. Petersburg.

The South Tampa restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

To order online, click here.