The waterfront restaurant many St. Pete diners thought they were losing is not actually going anywhere. Doc Ford’s Jungle Terrace will close briefly, swap out its name, and reopen with much of the same food and waterfront atmosphere under a new identity.
According to Tampa Bay Times, the restaurant’s final day as Doc Ford’s will be Sunday, before it returns Monday as Boca Ciega Waterfront Bar & Grill. General manager Dustin Rickards said most of the menu will remain after the rebrand.
That makes this more of a sign change than a traditional restaurant closing. The company’s official location page describes the Jungle Terrace outpost as a waterfront restaurant along Long Bayou with open-air seating and sunset views, while Paradise News reported that the location opened in late 2022.
A Familiar Menu With A More Local Name
For regulars, the biggest change may be above the front door. The restaurant is expected to retain much of the Doc Ford’s menu while moving forward with a name that leans into its Boca Ciega Bay setting rather than the fictional character tied to the original brand…