Izzy’s Place just slipped into one of Cortez’s most recognizable dining rooms, quietly opening this week in the former Slicker’s Eatery space on Cortez Road. The family-style diner, run by longtime restaurateur Tom Theophilopoulos, is now serving at 12012 Cortez Rd W, a storefront that has been a central player in the local restaurant scene in recent years. For now the menu covers breakfast and lunch, with an early-evening dinner rollout targeted for mid-March.
Breakfast, Lunch and Soon, Dinner
As reported by AMI Sun, Theophilopoulos said Izzy’s is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving breakfast and lunch and that "beginning on or around March 12" the diner will add dinner service until 8 p.m. The AMI Sun story lists breakfast staples such as omelets, pancakes and biscuits and gravy, plus sandwiches, burgers and a kids’ menu at lunch, and rotating dinner specials including all-you-can-eat pasta on Thursdays and fish-and-chips on Fridays.
From Slicker’s to Izzy’s
The change in ownership followed Slicker’s Eatery stepping away earlier this year. The Anna Maria Islander reported that owner Bob Slicker ended a five-year run and sealed the lease transfer to Theophilopoulos. The Islander also noted that Theophilopoulos had been searching for a local site for years and plans to keep the diner feel while adding a few Greek-inspired items to the lineup.
Staff, Name and Community Touches
AMI Sun says local cook Scott Bouchard will do much of the cooking and that the diner was named for Theophilopoulos’ five-year-old Havapoo, Izzy, whose image appears on the signs. The owner kept Slicker’s black chairs, which carry personal messages supporters paid $500 each to place as part of hurricane-recovery fundraising, and said he is hiring kitchen staff and servers as the operation gets established.
Why the Turnover Matters
Slicker’s had been a community hub after recent storms, and local outlets documented the restaurant’s role in relief and recovery. MySuncoast covered the eatery’s struggles and reopenings following hurricane damage. Izzy’s Place keeps a familiar footprint for Cortez diners while shifting the menu toward classic diner fare with occasional weekend specials.
Where to Go
Izzy’s Place is at 12012 Cortez Rd W in Cortez. The Anna Maria Island Chamber lists the address for the former Slicker’s space. For updates and hiring inquiries, the owner points readers to Izzy’s Place on Facebook.
