King of the Coop — Restaurant in Tampa

I recently visited the new location located in Mulberry, as I've been wanting to try this spot but never got a chance to stop while in the Tampa area and I was really impressed! The space is modern and offers plenty of seating, which was a pleasant surprise. I will say and just add, I had my autistic nonverbal son with me who was memorized by the building and kind of all over the place, so for moms with rambunctious or curious kids, maybe leave them at home.. it was nice they have a enclosed semi outside sitting area we could move to. But it would be nice to have some tables outside, this is no fault to the business of course as it is in a food hall, just throwing that out there for the minority of us to who that matters to. Anyway..

When I went to order, the staff member was incredibly attentive and patient. She made sure I had enough time to look at the menu and provided great recommendations. She even explained the heat levels they had, which I didn't see on the menu on the counter but I could have 100% overlooked it. I decided to try the Nashville Hot, and while it was indeed very spicy, it was delicious 10/10! For those who prefer milder flavors, I'd definitely recommend going with their less spicy options. When they say hot sister; they mean hot. Not like other places that say hot and it's mild. I'm a spice fan though so do what you will with that.

My brother had a small issue with his catfish meal but I have no idea what it was I was too busy enjoying my meal and he can be a bit dramatic with his food so take that in account, but the staff was quick to replace it with a Hot Honey Tender meal, which was hot, fresh, and absolutely delicious. Also spicy.

The portion sizes are generous,and the fries were super crispy and fresh. I needed a to go box! And they very happily gave me one.

For 2 meals, an extra side of fries and 2 drinks it came out to $55 which is pricey in my opinion but the service, food and portions were definitely worth it!

Overall, it's a great spot with attentive service and delicious food. I'll definitely be coming back!

We stopped by on 07/02...

The King Has Returned—Long Live the Coop!

Seminole Heights, rejoice! King of the Coop is back in town, and the craving crowds are no longer restless. Taking over the iconic former Nebraska Mini Mart, Joe Dodd—the culinary genius behind Tampa’s beloved hot chicken haven—has triumphantly returned to his roots, and he’s serving up flavor like never before.

Joe isn’t just back—he’s on fire. The mastermind behind this Nashville Hot phenomenon has stacked up accolades like trophies on a mantel, winning Best Fried Chicken six years in a row. His chicken is more than food—it’s a full-on experience. Each tender is massive, juicy, and, yes, truly tender. Choose your heat: Country, Buddy, MidWay, Hot Honey, Nashville Hot, or the infamous Coop’s Fury (notorious for its, shall we say, roundtrip heat—you’ve been warned 😂).

And let’s talk about the fries. THE FRIES. Perfectly seasoned, golden, addictive—fries so good they deserve their own fan club. (Yes, we mentioned them again, and no, we’re not sorry.)

But Joe isn’t stopping there. From crisp chicken sandwiches and fresh wraps to hearty salads, grilled options, and the ultimate comfort combo—chicken and waffles—there’s something here for every kind of eater. Don’t forget to slather everything in the legendary King Sauce, and be sure to grab a side of soul-warming collard greens or creamy mac and cheese.

Joe Dodd first made his mark on Seminole Heights back in 2019, and though the journey has taken some twists and turns, he’s now right where he belongs—serving up unforgettable, spicy perfection straight from the fryer. His flavors are his own: often imitated, never duplicated. The pickle? Signature. The spice? Unmatched. The love? You can taste it.

So if you haven’t yet paid homage to the Coop, what are you waiting for? The crown is back on, and the King is in...

I love the atmosphere and the employees I interacted with were nice. But before going there I looked up the menu and I was looking at an out of date menu. So I was disappointed about not being able to get a large Mac n cheese no Chicken Qtrs. And I got by all that. But the only sauce to choose from is the King sauce which I'm not crazy about. This was the biggest disappointment. I mean every one that does tenders have sides of sauce if you prefer to dip and not have your chicken swimming in sauce. But they offer no sauces at all which I think is horrible. For that alone I won't go back. There's too many chicken tender places that offer what I want. (Chicken Guy)The food is good but not great. The tenders were a generous size but just good average as far as the flavor or cook or whatever. Just average. Not bad but average and therefore overpriced. For 2- 3 tender meals and 2 sides of Mac n cheese and a side of coleslaw (very below average like mayo and cabbage) $44.00. That's about $14.00 too much in my opinion. The place is cool though. Cool atmosphere and logos are cool and the staff is good. So if you don't mind overpaying for average food in a cool atmosphere then it may be a great place for you to check out. But remember no sides of sauce so you'll have to bring your own to be able to dip here. (Other than...