Shiso Crispy, the wildly popular Japanese food truck owned and operated by Executive Chef Ronicca Whaley, recently secured a lease for its first brick-and-mortar located at 924 58th St N, which Whaley hopes to open by May.
When Whaley started Shiso Crispy shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country, the mobile restaurateur chose Sunset Park in St. Pete’s Tyrone neighborhood as a sort of home base, as the area had long been a “barren…food desert” Whaley tells What Now Tampa.
“I started going there on Saturdays,” Whaley says, “and I created a huge event on the weekends,” bringing not only Shiso Crispy to the park but other local food trucks as well.
Over the next three years, Whaley built up a devoted following, so when it came time to open a brick-and-mortar the location was a no-brainer.
“I have a huge community out in the area; it’s my neighborhood, it’s where I got my start, and I just felt like I really wanted to open my restaurant in an area where I had created a little Shiso family…so I’m excited to open it on that side of St. Pete.”
Shiso Crispy’s menu is an innovative take on classic Japanese favorites, including a range of Dirty Rice bowls, Bao Buns, and Whalen’s now-famous handmade dumplings, or gyoza in the traditional vernacular, with a slate of savory protein options including Ahi Tuna, Short Ribs, Vegan Crab Cake, Jackfruit, and Bang Bang Chicken, as well as Pork, Wagyu, and a vegan Schezuan, or wood ear mushroom, cabbage, carrot, and vermicelli.
However, with access to a full-size commercial kitchen at the new location, Whaley will be able to expand the menu a bit, while continuing to operate the food truck side of the business.
“The menu is going to be little bit bigger, it’s going to be a little more dumpling-forward, and I’m going to have a little more flavors of the things I have now.”
Likewise, Shiso Crispy’s storefront will also have a 30-tap, self-service beer wall, as well as self-serve sake bombs, craft cocktails, and nitro cold brew.
Despite the fact that Shiso Crispy has only been around for a few short years, Whaley already has something of an illustrious career and numerous accolades to boot, with a write-up in the New York Times, feature on ABC Action News, best of award in Tampa Bay Times and two appearances on the Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games adorning the young chef’s resume.
