Shiso Crispy opens storefront at Booker Creek oasis

One of Tampa Bay’s most popular food truck concepts has moved into a new home with a unique backyard in St. Petersburg’s Edge District.

Ronicca Whaley, founder of Shiso Crispy, is opening her first brick-and-mortar location Saturday at 1431 Central Avenue. Whaley said she spent $80,000 and countless hours reimagining the space formerly occupied by Brooklyn South and Gracie Pasta and Provisions.

The dining area empties into a lush courtyard next to a tropical stretch of Booker Creek – in one of the few areas where it doesn’t resemble a drainage ditch.“The concept is just so St. Pete,” Whaley told the Catalyst.

“It’s so different, man. I totally feel like it’s going to be iconic in downtown St. Pete.”

Since its launch in early 2020, Shiso Crispy has won multiple local “Best of the Best” awards. Whaley and the concept have made several appearances on the Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games, hosted by Guy Fieri.

Whaley’s scratch-made sticky rice bowls, gyoza and Rangoon, outspoken personality and philanthropic efforts have earned her and Shiso Crispy a loyal following throughout Tampa Bay. She explained that all stakeholders will benefit from the storefront.

Shiso’s food trucks lack air conditioning, restrooms, storage space, running water and natural gas connections. Whaley said the Cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg do not provide trash service for mobile establishments.

That will all change with the storefront, and Whaley noted that her customers “deserve this location. These people have followed me from parks to alleys …”

“It didn’t matter if there was nowhere to sit or if the atmosphere was whatever it was – they’ll follow me anywhere,” Whaley added. “It’s just so nice for people who have been so loyal to me to come into a nice place and relax and have somewhere to sit and vibe out.”

The Vitale Brothers painted the food truck that will serve as the kitchen.

The dining room has 24 seats, and the front patio along Central Avenue can accommodate 15 people. Another 12 patrons can sit around a courtyard in the back with views of Booker Creek, which features miniature rapids after heavy rains.

Green Bench Brewing’s owners have long planned to transform the surrounding property into a unique beer garden. City officials ceded control of a brick alley at 1421 Central Ave. that will allow them to convert an old warehouse into a hospitality and retail facility.

“Nobody has a concept like I have,” Whaley explained. “Where you can come inside, and you’ve got your indoor dining, and then you go out back, and there’s this little oasis where the food comes out. It’s just a really cool, fun vibe.”

The Vitale Brothers painted the food truck that provides the location’s kitchen. Whaley called it an extension of the building.

Shiso Crispy will serve beer and wine from the storefront, and Whaley said the outside patio will feature unique, saki-based drinks. Those include a “Tokyo Coco Bomb,” the Asian fusion restaurant’s take on a traditional Jager bomb.

Shiso Crispy’s back patio leads to a tropical stretch of Booker Creek.

Whaley said she would also serve boba tea and coffee drinks. “This is the only location that we’re going to do more specialty dumplings,” she added. “And we’re going to have a couple more flavors of dirty rice.”

Shiso Crispy will continue expanding. Whaley said she is days away from receiving long-awaited permits for a 2,600-square-foot restaurant in St. Petersburg’s Tyrone Gardens neighborhood.

Whaley noted that the total project cost is approaching $1 million due to extensive remodeling and upgrades. “It’s draining me eight grand a month to just sit there,” she said. “But it’s getting closer – real, real close.”

Shiso Crispy has fixed food truck locations at the HOB Brewing Co. in Dunedin and 796 North Tampa St. in downtown Tampa. Whaley also operates from Martini Bar Doral, just outside Miami.

While that is not a standalone restaurant, one is under construction in Nebraska. Whaley expects franchising paperwork “any day now.”

“And I already have a bunch of them presold,” she said. “The first franchise in this area is going in Siesta Key.”

The Edge District location has a soft opening Friday night for friends and family. However, Whaley said people have noticed the new restaurant and attempt to enter “all day long, nonstop. People are just losing their minds.”