The Violet Stone Is Coming to Tampa: Beloved St. Pete Pizza and Cheesesteak Spot Announces Second Location

One of the most talked-about restaurants in the Tampa Bay area is expanding — and a new Tampa location puts this cult-favorite concept within closer reach for Wesley Chapel and East Tampa residents.

From Food Truck to Tampa's Next Must-Visit Restaurant

The Violet Stone, the St. Petersburg pizza and cheesesteak destination that built its reputation one crispy slice at a time, has officially announced plans to open a second location at 3634 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa. The news is generating significant excitement across the region, and for good reason — this is a restaurant with a story that resonates far beyond the food itself.

Construction on the new space is set to begin in July, with the owners targeting a September opening to coincide with the start of football season. The timing feels intentional for a restaurant deeply connected to Philadelphia sports culture and the kind of food that pairs perfectly with a game-day crowd.

The Origin Story Behind the Brand

The Violet Stone was born during the early days of the pandemic, when a husband-and-wife team used the sudden slowdown to teach themselves how to make fresh dough, house-made sauce, and their own cheese from scratch. What started as a passion project became a food truck in 2022, rolling through the Tampa Bay area and building a loyal following through sheer quality and consistency.

The leap from food truck to brick-and-mortar came with a St. Pete storefront that operated mostly as a takeout spot — but the brand's trajectory changed dramatically when Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy visited during a Tampa Bay area tour. His video review went viral almost immediately. Portnoy praised the pizza and called the cheesesteak one of the best he had ever eaten outside of Philadelphia. Overnight, lines stretched out the door. The buzz lasted for months.

That viral moment gave the team the momentum they needed to open a larger, full-service restaurant on MLK Street in St. Pete, which has operated to packed dining rooms consistently since its debut. The expansion to Tampa is a natural next step for a brand that has clearly outgrown its original footprint.

What to Expect on the Menu

The Violet Stone's menu is anchored by its Philadelphia-style pizzas — thin, crispy, and built with the kind of care that comes from a team that learned the craft from the ground up. The Philly Cheesesteak is the other crown jewel, a hearty, authentic version that has earned comparisons to the best cheesesteak shops back East. Rounding out the menu are pizzeria staples and fan-favorite pull-apart fried mozzarella squares that have developed their own devoted following.

For Tampa Bay residents who haven't made the trip to St. Pete yet, the Kennedy Boulevard location will offer a much more convenient entry point. For those already familiar with the brand, a second location simply means more opportunities to enjoy food that has earned every bit of its reputation.

Construction begins in July. Follow The Violet Stone on Instagram for updates on the Tampa opening timeline. Their current St. Pete location at 2607 MLK St. N. remains open in the meantime.