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Tacos, Thai food coming to Pasco

Moe's Southwest Grill and Mama Fu's Asian House are putting their first Pasco franchises in Collier Commons.

By JAMES THORNER
Published February 18, 2005

LAND O'LAKES - Two casual restaurant chains new to Pasco County - Moe's Southwest Grill and Mama Fu's Asian House - want to sling burritos and Thai cashew stir fry from Collier Commons shopping center on State Road 54.

With about 150 locations in 40 states, Moe's Mexican-style fare has been a hit with diners in such Tampa Bay area locations as Clearwater, Brandon and New Tampa.

Its Atlanta parent company is Raving Brands, which also franchises Mama Fu's as a source for wok-cooked Pad Thai noodles, fried rice, seared tuna and other Asian dishes.

"It's hard to say when they will open. I'm thinking mid year," said George Trujillo, who is leasing space in Collier Commons for developer Primerica Group.

Anchored by a Publix supermarket, Collier Commons has been a magnet for restaurants and stores looking to break into the suburbs of central Pasco. Starbucks coffee opens in June or July. Belk, the North Carolina department store chain, chose the shopping center for its first Tampa Bay area store. The Tex-Mex chain Chili's arrived last year at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway.

Moe's and Mama Fu's are "fast-casual" restaurants that fill a niche between lower-end fast food and pricier sit-down restaurants. Entrees rarely exceed $10.

At Moe's, the food arrives on a cafeteria line, with cooks stuffing burritos and tacos before your eyes. Mama Fu's food is made to order in 800-degree woks without the additive MSG.

Funky colors and wall hangings emphasize hipness. Moes' taco lineup includes the "Full Monty," the "Other Lewinsky" and the "Ugly Naked Guy." Mama Fu's spicy dishes are called "Hot Mamas."

Mama Fu's is a relative newcomer to Raving Brand's stable of restaurants that includes specialty chains for salads, seafood, coffee and barbecue.

Fewer than 20 Mama Fu's have opened nationwide, but 300 franchises already have been sold, including at least nine in and around Tampa, according to the company's Web site.

The Land O'Lakes franchisees have deep culinary roots in the Tampa area. The Gonzmart family, founders of the Columbia and Cha Cha Coconuts restaurant empire, are part owners of the Collier Commons Moe's and Mama Fu's, Trujillo said.

[Last modified February 18, 2005, 00:14:17]