If you thought you saw the last of Hulk Hogan when Hogan Knows Best was cancelled, think again. He’s getting into the Florida restaurant business, and he’s hoping to bring the cameras with him.
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The Tampa restaurant, named Hogan’s Beach, takes the theme to extremes. It’s 20,000 square feet and has tiki huts, cabanas, and its own white sand beach. If you need to work up an appetite, there are volleyball courts and a mechanical shark. Yes, you read that correctly. There is a mechanical shark that you can ride. You’ll also find outdoor entertainment and indoor dancefloors. It sounds like The Hulkster is determined to make this a must-see destination.
“It’s going to be Jimmy Buffett’s [Margaritaville] times 10; Hooters times 10. It’s a logical extension of the Hogan brand, with my image and likeness. We’re looking for something like Winter the Dolphin.”
To build hype for the new venture, Hulk has pitched the restaurant as a reality show, and supposedly has some interest. I’m not sure I’d want to eat anywhere a show was being filmed, but the amusement park type atmosphere certainly lends itself to the idea. Hopefully he lets his daughter apply her own sun-tan lotion this time around, though. You can’t be glad-handing the customers with SPF 30 all over your fingers.
When asked for the “elevator pitch” for the show, Bollea was succinct. “It’s Bay Watch, Muscle Beach and Cheers all in one.”
As for the food, it’s tri-polar.
[Chef] Uzzillia has fashioned three separate menus: a 30-item sushi bar, a second indoor menu of upscale steaks and seafood, and a third, more casual menu for the patio of Frenchy’s-style Florida favorites.
The restaurant is opening on New Years Eve for those of you in the area. I’m hoping the next time I’m down in the old folks haven of Pompano Beach, I can make the trip up to Tampa.
Hulk Hogan to open Tampa restaurant New Year’s Eve [Tampa Times]