Award-Winning Tampa Hospitality Group Tastes Pretty Good Expands to Downtown Clearwater

One of Tampa Bay’s most respected hospitality groups is expanding to downtown Clearwater, selecting the fully restored historic Telephone Building on Cleveland Street as the home of its newest restaurant concept, Rippers.

Known for nationally acclaimed restaurants including the Michelin-starred Rocca, Michelin Guide-recommended Bar Terroir, Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient Streetlight Taco and the newly opened Lumbre, Tastes Pretty Good Hospitality Group is bringing its first Clearwater concept to the heart of the city’s revitalizing downtown district.

The announcement marks another significant milestone in Cleveland Street’s ongoing transformation, with one of the region’s most accomplished restaurant groups choosing downtown Clearwater for its next chapter.

For CEO Nick Reader, the decision was about far more than opening another restaurant.

“We started in Tampa as a love letter to the city we grew up in,” Reader said. “When this opportunity arose to come to Clearwater, we saw something very familiar. We understood the vision, we understood where it could go and we knew we wanted to be part of it.”

“The opportunity there is enormous. Food brings people together, and community brings people together. If we can be a small part of a big development, that’s very exciting for us.”

Reader believes the long-term vision for Cleveland Street extends well beyond a single restaurant.

“In three or four or five years, people will look back and say it’s one of the neatest projects that’s been done in this entire country—not just the Tampa Bay area.”

Located on the ground floor of the historic Telephone Building at 534 Cleveland Street, Rippers will serve American classics centered around its signature deep-fried “ripper” hot dogs, alongside burgers, chicken wings, sandwiches, fries and handcrafted milkshakes in a casual neighborhood setting for families, downtown workers, visitors and the surrounding community.

For Culinary Director Bryce Bonsack, the historic Telephone Building became part of the inspiration behind the concept itself.

“When we walked into that space, we were immediately drawn to it. It’s historic, it has incredible character and there’s so much history behind it. We wanted to create something that keeps telling the story of America through classic food that’s approachable, delicious and affordable. The building and the concept simply belonged together.”

Built in 1914, the Telephone Building is the first historic landmark completed as part of the Cleveland Street Alliance’s coordinated restoration initiative. Its rehabilitation returned the building’s original brick façade, storefront, windows, awnings and architectural character while modernizing the structure for a new generation of businesses.

Rippers reflects the same philosophy that has defined Tastes Pretty Good’s nationally recognized restaurants: thoughtful hospitality, exceptional ingredients and meticulous attention to detail.

The restaurant is designed as a neighborhood gathering place, offering dine-in and take-out service while creating another active destination along Cleveland Street.

As restoration, redevelopment, new businesses and entertainment destinations continue advancing across Cleveland Street, the arrival of Tastes Pretty Good represents another significant endorsement of downtown Clearwater’s ongoing transformation—bringing one of Tampa Bay’s most respected hospitality groups into the heart of the district and reinforcing growing confidence in Cleveland Street’s future.