Tampa-Based King Of The Coop Goes National On Food Network

TAMPA, FL — The King of the Coop is introducing his hot Nashville chicken to a much larger audience.

Joe Dodd, owner of the popular restaurant launched in Tampa, will be featured on "Food Paradise" at 10 p.m. Wednesday on the Food Network.

Dodd said he's excited about his national television debut.

"We were gracious enough to film with Justin and his amazing crew back in June, and we are thrilled for everyone to see it all come together," he said.

It's been a busy few weeks for the restaurateur who opened a new to-go-only King of the Coop Dec. 29 in SoHo in South Tampa, 500 S. Howard Ave., Suite F.

The new eatery joins the Seminole Heights restaurant, 6607 N. Florida Ave., Tampa and the Wesley Chapel restaurant at The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 277835 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Unit 102.

And it will soon be accompanied by a new King of the Coop in Westchase followed by one in St. Petersburg.

Dodd said there's no firm date set on the opening of the Westchase restaurant.

"There’s nothing that we would love more than to provide everyone with an exact opening date, but as of right now, we are working hard to try and open by mid to late January," he said. "We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while we work hard to finish this location for you guys."

Dodd originally opened his Nashville hot chicken joint in Seminole Heights in April 2019.

The Wesley Chapel King of the Coop opened in January 2021, just in time to serve hungry customers watching the Bucs play in the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

See related story: King Of The Coop Opens 2nd Eatery At The Grove At Wesley Chapel

Specialties include Chicken and Waffles served with whipped salted butter and syrup; the Tender Basket with hand-breaded tenders tossed with your choice of heat (including Coop's Fury, a blend of Nashville Hot and habanero powder), seasoned fries, house-made B+B pickles, King Sauce and a slice of potato bread; and the Catfish Basket with a 1/2-pound filet of cornmeal-breaded Mississippi catfish, fries, B+B pickles, King Sauce and a slice of potato bread. Gluten-friendly fried chicken is available as well.

Other menu items include the Nashville Hot chicken sandwich topped with B+B pickles, shredded slaw on a potato bread bun with a side of fries; the Dirty Bird chicken sandwich with two hand-breaded tenders tossed with your choice of heat, pimento cheese and King Sauce on a toasted potato bread bun with a side of seasoned fries; and The King Mac with two hand-breaded tenders tossed in your choice of heat topped with mac & cheese, B+B pickles, shredded slaw and King sauce on a toasted potato bread bun with seasoned fries.

Sides include collard greens, mac & cheese, slaw, fries and hush puppies.

The South Tampa location joins existing Coop locations in Seminole Heights and Wesley Chapel. A St. Pete location should be open by early next year along with a Westchase location that hopes to open in mid-to-late January.

Click here for directions, hours, menu and order pickup or delivery through Uber Eats.