6 Coming Soon Polk County Restaurants [April 10, 2026]
Business Debut has another round up of new restaurants opening across Bartow, Lakeland, and Haines City! We spoke to each business over the phone to confirm the details for you.
Get the full story by clicking the links beneath each section.
Gin Khao — Bartow
Address: 750 W. Main Street, Bartow, FL 33830
Status: Targeting a soft opening in May with full opening in June.
What to expect: A fast-casual Thai restaurant with limited seating, built to serve lunch crowds and evening takeout. The original food truck will continue operating alongside the new space.
Menu highlights: Pad thai, fried rice, curries, pad kee mao, and rotating seasonal items like mango sticky rice. Recipes are rooted in decades-old family traditions.
Hours: Planned Tuesday–Saturday with lunch and select evening takeout hours.
Who’s behind it: Thomas and Prapapan Klug, expanding their long-running food truck concept.
Article coming soon.
Wingnutz — Lakeland
Address: 1037 Dixieland Mall Lane, Lakeland, FL 33803
Status: Targeting April 15 opening, pending approvals.
What to expect: A hybrid counter-service concept with a large outdoor patio, TVs, and live music. This marks the brand’s first Florida location.
Menu highlights: Fresh, never-frozen wings with 13 flavors, plus a standout fried chicken sandwich, smash burgers, and classic bar sides.
Hours: Planned Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Who’s behind it: CEO Chris Cavalieri and partners, scaling the Buffalo-born brand.
Read our full article.
Ay Que Rico! — Lakeland
Address: 3419 E County Rd 542, Lakeland, FL 33801
Status: Targeting late May opening.
What to expect: A full-service Cuban restaurant with indoor seating and a large outdoor event space designed for live entertainment and gatherings.
Menu highlights: Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, oxtail, palomillo steak, and the signature “Riconator.”
Hours: Planned daily with extended weekend hours from early morning through late evening.
Who’s behind it: Odalis Chanlatte and Isnelys Prieto, expanding from their Brandon location.
Read our full article.
Mi Tierra Restaurant — Haines City
Address: 8 North 4th Street, Haines City, FL 33844
Status: Targeting early to mid-May opening.
What to expect: A full-service Dominican restaurant with a mix of quick meals and sit-down dining in a 40-seat space.
Menu highlights: Oxtail, stewed chicken, mofongo, chicharrón, and Dominican-style burgers. Breakfast items will also be available.
Hours: Planned Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–8 p.m., with later hours on select days.
Who’s behind it: Rene Perez and chef Brenda Reyes, building a family-run concept.
Read our full article.
Chen’s Duck and Dumplings — Lakeland
Address: 5125 Florida Ave. S, Lakeland, FL 33813
Status: Targeting late April or early May opening.
What to expect: A full-service Chinese restaurant with seating for around 150 and a focus on traditional preparation techniques.
Menu highlights: Peking duck carved to order, handmade soup dumplings, zha jiang noodles, and Mongolian beef.
Hours: Planned daily; exact hours to be announced.
Who’s behind it: Ownership not publicly named.
Read our full article.
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