St. Pete has a new family-run diner. Dads’ Kitchen and Co. is now open at 2105 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District, taking over the space formerly home to 2D Cafe. It’s great news for the neighborhood, as the daily breakfast and lunch destination is bringing actual, biological heart to Central Avenue. Business hours are listed as 8 am – 3 pm, seven days a week.
Owners Nick Ellis and Joseph Christianson are the duo behind this project, and their mission is more wholesome than a PBS fundraiser. They are two proud dads raising four children with intellectual and physical disabilities, and they aren’t just building a restaurant; they’re building a legacy of kindness. They previously ran Roo Roo’s Diner in Largo, where they famously employed and taught adults with disabilities, proving that business doesn’t have to be a cold, soulless void of spreadsheets.
Breakfast, Lunch, and the Gospel of Gravy
The menu at Dads’ Kitchen is a love letter to comfort food. We’re talking about biscuits with corned beef hash gravy or savory sausage gravy. On the all-day breakfast menu, there are pancake tacos stuffed with eggs and bacon, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, a massive omelet and eggs bene list, and even a bone-in pork chop with eggs, among much more.
The diner also serves up heartier lunch options like the Roo Roo Reuben and Michael’s Chicken Tenders, both named after their kids, as well as offerings such as the patty melt and a traditional club. If you’re feeling particularly aggressive about your lunch choices, there’s the Central Burger, piled high with grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. It’s the kind of meal that requires a nap and a moment of silent reflection…