Lucky Tigre Strikes Gold in West Tampa — Filipino-American Fusion with a Cool New Home
Lechon Kawali (crispy pork belly) sasawan (Philipino dipping sauce)- tamarind aioli and sweet chili carrot sauce
The much-loved Filipino-American mash-up known as Lucky Tigre officially landed in West Tampa at 1901 N. Howard Ave in September 2025, and for the first time in its journey—from pandemic pop-up to food truck to brick-and-mortar—it now offers a modern luxury Tampa diners often take for granted: air conditioning.
If you sweated through a summer meal at either of their previous South Howard or food-trailer iterations, this alone feels like a culinary glow-up.
Lucky Tigre is the brainchild of Chef Julie Sainte Michelle Feliciano, who launched the concept during the pandemic under the name Good Fortune Baby. Alongside her husband, Seanissey Loughlin, and family, she transformed it into one of Tampa’s most distinctive Filipino-American fusion diners — blending sari-sari store vibes with bold, heritage-driven flavors.
Their new West Tampa home isn’t just another chapter — it’s a true coming-of-age. True to the spirit behind the name Lucky Tigre, Feliciano seems to find the silver lining in just about anything. I spoke with her the day after a recent break-in, when thieves kicked in the front door, ransacked the shop, and left the refrigerator hanging open—spoiling the food and damaging the compressor. She stayed upbeat and confident that it would all work out. That boldness and positivity influence the food here. The restaurant made the Tampa Bay Times’ Top 50 restaurants list in 2025, and the reason is clear.
Lucky Tigre’s interior is casual and inviting, with Filipino-inspired decor, one wall plastered with kitschy vintage pop art, 3 4-top tables, a lunch counter, a window counter, and plenty of picnic table seating under the covered patio out front.
Chef Julie Sainte Michelle Feliciano, Lucky Tigre owner
Lucky Tigre dining room- with air conditioning
Lucky Tigre lunch counter
Most plates arrive beautifully presented on a traditional banana leaf, reinforcing the restaurant’s connection to Filipino foodways while delivering full-flavored dishes.
Lechon Kawali- Thick-sliced pork belly with an enviable fat-to-meat ratio. The skin is crackly and chicharrón-crispy, while the meat underneath stays tender and rich — with a surprising but unnecessary whisper of tarragon that sneaks in on the finish. It’s a beautiful plate, served with rice and pickled onions.
Lechon Kawali (crispy pork belly), sasawan (Filipino dipping sauce)- tamarind aioli and sweet chili carrot sauce. Lucky Tigre Tocino Pork Dumplings – Filipino Fusion Tampa
Look at that beautiful meat and crispy skin!
Pulled Chicken Adobo: Adobo-style, slow and creamy, layered with savory depth and a luxurious onion finish that deliciously lingers after the plate is empty. If you order nothing else, this is the dish to try. That pulled chicken is tender, braised in buttermilk, and simmered in a savory, tangy sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic.
Tocino Pork Dumplings: this is Lucky Tigre in a single bite: Sweet-savory Filipino pork tocino meatballs wrapped in dumpling skins, swimming in a sweet, salty, garlicky, glossy sauce, and showered with scallions. It comes with five dumplings per order — and you will fight over who gets the last one.
Tender pulled chicken- braised in coconut milk, garlic, black pepper, bay leaf, soy sauce, and vinegar in creamy adobo with rich onion finish, one of Lucky Tigre’s standout rice plates.
Five tocino pork dumplings swimming in sweet & garlicky pork in garlic-sesame sauce — a Filipino-American mash-up you can only find at Lucky Tigre in West Tampa.
Lumpia-Mix Smash Burger Bao- Two pillowy, slightly sweet bao buns cradle a mini lumpia-inflected burger, slicked with creamy tamarino-garlic aioli, pickled onions, and cilantro. It’s not the typical smash burger —super thin with crispy Maillard edges—instead, this medium-cooked patty is tender, juicy, and balanced.
Lucky Fries- these golden spud strips are tossed in sour tamarind seasoning, breaded, golden, and absolutely singing with flavor. Both accompanying sauces, banana ketchup or tamarind aioli, are dialed in — the kind you scrape from the cup
Pillowy bao buns stuffed with a mini lumpia-inspired smash burger — Filipino flavors meet American comfort food.
Lucky Fries- tossed in tamarind seasoning with banana ketchup and tamarind aioli on the side
Most rice plates arrive with garlic jasmine rice, atchara (pickled condiment made from shredded unripe green papaya, carrots, and bell peppers), and cucumber salad. There are several plant-based and gluten-free options on the menu as well. Be sure to check out the dessert Halo Halo (shaved ice, coconut evaporated milk, fruit jellies, kaong, langka, sweet red bean, ube ice cream, coconut slices, ube-coconut caramel, pinipig- flattened, toasted young glutinous rice grains) for a refined Filipino finish.
Beverages include luscious milk teas, macha and espresso drinks, and a delish Calamansi lemonade.
Insider Tip- The online menu is shorter than what’s offered in-house — and it skips gems like the bao buns. If you’re ordering at the counter, look around for specials, ask questions, and don’t limit yourself to the website. Dishes here are complete meals, but Lucky Tigre is best enjoyed family-style—order widely and share everything.
Order online for pickup or via Uber Eats. There is lots of free parking on the street and in the parking lot behind the building. Prices are moderate, and service is fast and friendly. The biggest crowds are at mealtimes. They also offer catering.
Morning Tigre- Lucky Tigre quietly expanded into breakfast too: Espresso, matcha, and pastries now kick off your Lucky Tigre mornings.
Tuesday–Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Lucky Tigre is Tampa’s Filipino-American story told through pork belly crackle, tocino sweetness, and dumpling wrappers soaked in heritage. With their new West Tampa home, Chef Julie Feliciano and crew have finally given this beloved concept the space — and comfort — it deserves.
Lucky Tigre is located at the corner of N Howard Ave and Chestnut St in west Tampa