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Ron Ruggless
Owners of the 74-unit Tijuana Flats Burrito Co. launched a new concept yesterday that taps into the owners’ Louisiana roots.
Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen is a 134-seat full-service restaurant that is looking to bring a Cajun-inspired menu of muffulettas, po’boys, étouffées, gumbos, jambalayas, beignets and bread pudding to Winter Park, Fla.
The 3,935-square-foot, in-line restaurant was created by the Tijuana Flats ownership team that includes Brian Wheeler, chief executive; his father, Chester Wheeler, chief financial officer; and J. Camp Fitch, chairman. Tijuana Flats, a fast-casual Tex-Mex chain, is based in Maitland, Fla.
Tibby’s will accommodate 134 seats indoors and 16 outside. Entrée prices will range from $7 to $15, the company said.
The restaurant is named for Chester Wheeler’s late uncle, Walter “Tibby” Tabony, a New Orleans native.
“It has always been my dream to introduce people to the local side of New Orleans — a mix of great food and music in an authentic atmosphere with great service,” Brian Wheeler said. “Tibbyʼs features some of our family’s handed-down Cajun recipes along with authentic New Orleans specialties in a funky, high-energy setting.”
The restaurant also will feature Louisiana beers.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
