A Publix restaurant? Supermarket just opened burrito bowl bars at new Florida stores

Howard Cohen
·2 min read
1

Move over, Pub Sub. Publix has quietly gotten into the burrito business by incorporating nacho, burrito and bowl bars in some stores.

Customers can idle up to an in-house bar and seating area at the supermarket, most often attached to a Pours outlet that serves up drinks and smoothies, and place their orders. Signs beckon: “Tex-Mex heck yes, made to your liking” and “Built to your taste.”

Among the offerings: Tex-Mex style chicken or beef bowls; Asian-Style Beef Bowl Hot or Mediterranean-Style Bowl Hot; and beef, pork or Mediterranean burritos. Garnish with nearly 40 add-ons like black beans, borracho beans, pico de gallo, chipotle chicken, guacamole, various shredded cheeses and jalapenos.

“So far, the execution seems good,” posted Mark Smith, a member of the public Facebook group, Retail Dead or Alive, posted in mid-February. Smith posted a listing of the items one can choose when building nachos, burritos, or bowls. “They don’t charge extra for guac!” he wrote.

Screen shot of the public Facebook group, Retail Dead or Alive. The Feb. 13, 2024, post examines Publix’s new burrito/nacho bars at select stores.
Screen shot of the public Facebook group, Retail Dead or Alive. The Feb. 13, 2024, post examines Publix’s new burrito/nacho bars at select stores.

“These stores may also have pizza, kettle popcorn, Pours, and the burrito area is part of the venue,” said Publix spokeswoman Lindsey Willis.

As of mid-February, the new burrito bars are available in three newly opened Publix stores, according to Willis.

There are two in Florida, both in the Tampa area: the Gandy Shopping Center in a newly built replacement Publix, and at Innovations Springs in Wesley Chapel.

Also, there’s a burrito/nacho bar, along with the pizza, kettle popcorn and Pours cafe at Kentucky’s first Publix store in Louisville at the Terra Crossing Shopping Center. That store opened Jan. 10.

The burrito concept is also available at some of Publix’s remaining Greenwise markets, including the Las Olas location in Fort Lauderdale and the Lakeside Centre location in Boca Raton.

Publix didn’t say whether the new items would feature as dine-in options at South Florida-area Publix stores in Miami-Dade, Broward or Monroe counties.

The newly opened Publix in Key Largo, a new build and a whopper of a store at 64,000-square-feet, doesn’t have a dedicated cafe but includes a seating area for customers to sit and eat lunch or have coffee, Willis told the Miami Herald.

READ MORE: A ginormous Publix just opened in the Florida Keys. Take a look inside the new store

Photo of the deli from a new Publix opening in Kentucky. A burrito area that also serves pizza and drinks and seating is adjacent to the deli.
Photo of the deli from a new Publix opening in Kentucky. A burrito area that also serves pizza and drinks and seating is adjacent to the deli.

Publix hits Miami streets with a cafecito truck. Where to get a free cup, guava bites