LUV News

Award-Winning Cuban Sandwich in Tampa

Southern Luv's pecan-smoked Cuban placed 2nd at Ybor City's Cuban Sandwich Festival. The story behind it — and where to order it in Citrus Park, Tampa.

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Southern Luv BBQ Is Coming to Davie, Bringing Pecan-Smoked Barbecue to Broward County

Davie, FL

The award-winning Tampa barbecue brand is opening its first Broward County location at 6819 Stirling Road in Davie, operated by franchisee Dark Mountain LLC, with day-one hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Southern Luv BBQ Unveils Rapid Franchise Expansion Across Florida

Tampa, FL

Florida-first expansion strategy targets a market where fast-casual barbecue demand has outpaced supply, with prime territories awarded on a first-come basis.

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St. Pete Rising: Southern Luv BBQ Expanding to Downtown St. Pete

St. Petersburg, FL

Veronica Brezina reports on the EDGE District location at 900 Central Avenue and the franchisee committing to 13 Florida stores across Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Lakeland, and South Florida.

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Southern Luv BBQ Coming to St. Pete's EDGE District, With 13 Florida Locations Committed

St. Petersburg, FL

A 1,256-square-foot location at 900 Central Avenue opens by late 2026, signed by a franchisee who has committed to 13 stores across Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Lakeland, and South Florida.

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Southern Luv BBQ Awards First Multi-Unit Development Package in Tampa Bay

Tampa, FL

The brand's first multi-unit franchise agreement covers the greater Tampa area, built on a 600–1,000 square foot ventless kitchen model designed for food halls, airports, and urban retail.

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Southern Luv BBQ Takes Second at the 2026 International Cuban Sandwich Festival

Ybor City, Tampa, FL

The pit's smoked-pork Cuban placed second for World's Best Traditional Cuban Sandwich at the 15th Annual festival in Ybor City — the second consecutive year Southern Luv has finished on the podium.

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Essi Tadrus Talks the Cuban Sandwich Festival

Chef Essi Tadrus joins the Alan Alford Sports Talk Show to talk about Southern Luv BBQ's run at the 15th Annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival in Ybor City.

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Tampa Magazine Names Southern Luv BBQ a Hot New Restaurant of 2025

Tampa, FL

Hayli Zuccola features the Citrus Park pit in Tampa Magazine's annual list, highlighting the pecan-wood smoking, scratch-made sides, and the regional range behind the menu.

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Q105: Tampa BBQ Restaurant Wins Top Cuban Sandwich Prize at Ybor's International Festival

Ybor City, FL

Radio coverage of Southern Luv BBQ's showing at the International Cuban Sandwich Festival in Ybor City.

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Two Second-Place Finishes for Southern Luv BBQ in Tampa's 2025 Food Competitions

Tampa, FL

The brisket Cuban took second for World's Best Non-Traditional Cuban Sandwich at the 14th Annual festival, and Southern Luv placed second for Popular Tampeño Food at the Taste of Tampa Festival.

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BBQ, Business & Barrels of Laughs

52:00

Chef Essi Tadrus on the smoking techniques behind the pit, why commissary kitchens are the future of barbecue, and how to hold flavour consistent while a concept scales.

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Tampa Latest: Tampa's BBQ Scene Heats Up With Southern Luv's Smoked Brisket

Tampa, FL

Cory White covers the Citrus Park opening and the free pulled pork and mac and cheese Southern Luv served to the community once power returned after Hurricane Milton.

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That's So Tampa: Southern Luv BBQ Is Tampa's New Hot Spot for Smoked Brisket

Tampa, FL

Andrew Harlan on the menu, Chef Essi's path from a first rib at age five in Fort Hood to opening his own pit — and the free meals served to neighbours after Hurricane Milton.

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Being an Entrepreneur in the Restaurant Industry

Episode 56 · 1:01:09

Chef Essi Tadrus joins Bobby Shaw and Myles Gift to trace the path from a first kitchen job at fourteen to selling Rib Shack in 2018 — and how the name Southern Luv BBQ came out of the way he described his own cooking.

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