Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co., the Tampa shop that landed a recommendation in the Michelin Guide, is gearing up to haul its chicken-cutlet empire across the bay, with new locations planned in St. Petersburg and South Tampa. It is a fast climb for a brand that started as a ghost kitchen and built a cult following on hefty New York-style sandwiches.
As reported by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, the owners have signed a seven-year lease for a St. Petersburg site and say they are aiming for 10 locations across Florida by 2029. The Business Journal details the lease terms and lays out the company’s multi-year growth plan.
Grand Central Location And Timing
In St. Pete, the new Cousin Vinny’s is set to take over the former Little Philly space at 2063 Central Avenue, with an opening targeted for the end of 2026. St. Pete Rising quoted partner AJ DeSimone as saying the team wants to “be a part of their community” rather than simply dropping a Tampa concept into a new ZIP code.
Michelin Nod Bumps The Profile
The Michelin Guide’s Florida selection lists Cousin Vinny’s as a recommended spot and notes the original address at 1331 W. Cass St. in North Hyde Park. That recognition, published by the Michelin Guide, has helped boost the shop’s profile just as it starts plotting a broader rollout.
From Ghost Kitchen To Statewide Roll-Out
Cousin Vinny’s first operated as a pickup-only ghost kitchen before shifting into a grab-and-go storefront on West Cass Street, where long lunch lines and word-of-mouth buzz followed its fried cutlets and house sauces. The Tampa Bay Times highlighted that early surge in attention, and the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that the owners now intend to expand around the state.
What To Watch Next
Locally, the new spots will test whether Cousin Vinny’s can keep the hand-made sauces and crisp fried cutlets that built its reputation while stretching the operation into multiple neighborhoods. Rent pressures, staffing needs and on-street parking are likely to be front and center for neighbors and downtown groups as build-outs get underway.
