Proper Meats sandwich shop to replace plant-based eatery in the Grand Central District
/Proper Meats will debut in September at 2462 Central Avenue in the Grand CEntral District | St Pete Rising
Freya’s Diner, a plant-based restaurant located at 2462 Central Avenue, shuttered on August 6th, citing an unusually slow summer season for local small businesses. In an ironic twist, the vegan lunch and dinner spot is being replaced by Proper Meats, a funky sandwich shop whose menu is jam-packed with dishes that feature chicken, duck, brisket, pork, turkey, bacon, and even duck and gator meat.
Proper Meats started out as a food truck stationed at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton. It’s the brainchild of James Knight, who was part of the group that launched Dr. BBQ in St. Petersburg, and Partner Patrick Sully. Knight has also served as executive chef at Datz in Tampa and Donovan’s Meatery in Riverview.
Proper Meat’s BMAC - smash patty, mac and cheese, queso, bacon, and pig dust | Proper Meats
To be fair, Proper Meats’ menu includes some vegan and vegetarian choices, such as the Faux Burger, made with an Impossible Burger patty, and the PETA pita containing hummus, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, onion, and ranch.
But the meat of the menu, if you will, includes a generous selection of “Knuckle Busters” — overstuffed sandwiches on brioche buns with names such as Ybor Hot Byrd, Sticky Pig, Grrrrilla Cheese, Tex Reubenstein, and, simply, The Beef.
Knuckle Busters come with one side dish; diners can choose from southern slaw, barbecue beans, French fries, or two varieties of mac and cheese.
“Wanna Smashburgers” make up another portion of the menu, with customers able to choose from seven burger varieties. A selection of salads, some with meat and some without, is also on offer, and the extensive appetizer menu features Voodoo Dip (made with Florida gator meat), Disco Duck Nachos, Cowboy Quesadillas, kimchi fries, and Hot Rods — pretzels with beer cheese and spiced mustard.
Cowboy Quesadilla - tender brisket, cheese, Brass Monkey sauce, and ranch dip | Proper Meats
The dessert menu consists of just one item, the Frozen Elvis, a “light peanut butter mousse cheesecake with Heath car, banana chips, and Oreo topping.”
Proper Meats hopes to open in the next few weeks at 2462 Central Avenue.
Freya’s Diner opened in June 2021; it replaced a similar restaurant, Lucy’s Vegan Corner, which shuttered in April that year. Freya’s was created by Celine Beltgens, who also owns the neighboring Valhalla Bakery, a vegan bakery. She said Valhalla and her other business, Valkyrie Donuts, are also struggling because of a slowdown in sales.
