It’s hard to miss the new yellow paint covering the outside of Plant City’s newest restaurant, The Seafood Dive.
And the bold, fun look continues inside, as well. Bosting nautical décor, including fishing nets on the ceiling and a boardwalk-style chalkboard menu, owner Tom Kazbour hopes to whisk his Plant City customers away on a seafaring adventure when the restaurant opens next month.
“He wanted it to feel like a fresh fish market,” spokeswoman Debbie Devine said. “Like walking right into the seaside.”
Kazbour hopes to open The Seafood Dive Sept. 9. He currently operates two other locations in Brandon and Sun City Center. The Plant City location, at 238 W. Alexander St., is just outside Premiere Cinema 8.
In addition to The Seafood Dive, Kazbour owns and operates more than 50 Hungry Howie’s pizza restaurants throughout Florida and Alabama. After immigrating to the United States when he was young, he started working in the restaurant business in Michigan at age 15.
Although Hungry Howie’s constitutes the majority of his business, The Seafood Dive is Kazbour’s passion. He started the first location in Sun City Center several years ago.
“Even with the first location, he was so excited picking out the interior and the menu,” Devine said. “His eyes light up. It’s out of the ordinary from the pizza business.”
Kazbour then turned his attention to Eastern Hillsborough. He opened his Brandon location, and, when he saw an opportunity to open in Plant City, he acted quickly.
“He had just opened up the Brandon location,” Devine said. “He saw an opportunity in the market, and the building came up. He sees Plant City as a great opportunity.”
Like the Brandon location, the Plant City location will offer a quick-style dining experience. The menu will feature a variety of seafood options. Devine said favorites include the half-pound fish platter that comes with French fries, cole slaw and hush puppies, and the big fish sandwich.
“We have had great success,” Devine said. “People really enjoy it.”
The restaurant also will feature a sauce bar.
“Everything is homemade,” Kazbour said. “We make our own sauces. You can get fast, causal service, and we can make it anyway you want — broiled, grilled or fried.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
The Seafood Dive
ADDRESS: 238 W. Alexander St.
WEBSITE: theseafooddive.com
Arby’s closes at Lake Walden Square
As several new restaurants prepare to open their doors in Plant City, one closed suddenly.
The Arby’s location in Lake Walden Square closed Aug. 18.
“Our location at 201 West Alexander Street in Plant City closed … due to a tough economic climate,” Arby’s Communications and Public Relations Manager Jason Rollins said. “All of the employees were offered positions at other nearby Arby’s locations.”