A new restaurant has come to St. Petersburg’s Edge District: Hawkers Asian Street Fare.
According to the restaurant’s website, “Hawkers” are street vendors in prominent parts of Asia who depend on locally grown ingredients to create dishes sold from mobile carts and stands. The restaurant brings that city-theme to Central Avenue and serves Asian street vendor-style favorites.
Hawkers Asian Street Fare offers a relaxed atmosphere and a selection of traditional soups, rice and noodle bowls. The new restaurant opened at 1235 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg’s Edge District.
Hawkers was founded in Orlando in 2011. After seeing its popularity flourish, the owners decided to expand and opened a second location in Jacksonville in 2014.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, co-founder Kaleb Harrell and his partners thought St. Petersburg would be the perfect spot for the restaurant’s next location.
Hawkers has an extensive menu that includes small plates for guests to share, as well as rice and noodle bowls and traditional soups.The restaurant also offers vegan and vegetarian options.
Prices start around $8 for rice and noodle bowls, and $5 to $7 for the smaller plates.
The restaurant’s “Hoppy” hour goes from 3-6 p.m. on weekdays, with a beer list chock-full of choices and a large sake selection.
Alyssa Papineau, a psychology major at USFSP, bartends with Den Corrado at the newly opened Hawkers Asian Street Fare on Central Avenue. Papineau says Hawkers is a great place to work for students.
Alyssa Papineau, a graduate psychology student at USF St. Petersburg, bartends at Hawkers and said the location is ideal for students who may be looking for jobs.
“It’s a great place for students to work. It’s so close to campus and we’re like one big family here,” she said.
Papineau said she’s grown to enjoy her job because of the restaurant’s flexible and friendly atmosphere.
Being covered in tattoos herself, Papineau explained that body modifications and colorful hair are acceptable at Hawkers, as long as employees are hard-working and professional.
And with Tropicana Field around the corner, Hawkers will most likely see plenty of business on game days.
“On the opening day for the Rays we were packed. It was crazy in here,” Papineau said.
Whether it’s a quick lunch stop or a dinner with family and friends, Hawkers has a little something for everyone.
Address:
1235 Central Avenue
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Follow Hawkers online to stay updated on upcoming events and specials!
facebook.com/hawkersstreetfare
Eathawkers.com
