Try brunch at The Burrow, a new Pensacola burger truck or a Navarre night club/restaurant

Looking for a new place to score a quality brunch, mouthwatering burger or a free beer? Catch up with our latest batch of News Bites, providing some of the hottest dining updates in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Smash ‘N’ Dash Burgers and BBQ − New food truck

1919 Creighton Road

A new food truck has rolled into Pensacola featuring smash burgers, smoked fried wings, specialty sandwiches and smoked barbecue plates. As the truck's name, Smash 'N' Dash, implies, owner Dustin Cleckler aims to offer quality food, fast. You can find Smash 'N' Dash at 1919 Creighton Road from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday.

Some of the menu standouts include:

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• Brisket grilled cheese: Smoked brisket with colby jack cheese, sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese on Texas toast. ($13)
• Smash Mac: Two burger patties, American cheese, lettuce, pickles and a special sauce. ($10)
• Smoked ribs plate: Smoked ribs, two sides, garlic toast and a drink ($20)
• Big Bacon Smash: Smash burger with grilled onions, American cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes and special sauce on a toasted bun. ($11)
• Smoked fried wings: Slow smoked wings, deep fried, covered in choice of sauce. Sauces include buffalo, barbecue, honey siracha, honey barbecue, garlic parmesan, lemon pepper, mango habanero and sweet teriyaki. ($12-$36)

The Burrow − New brunch menu

1010 N. 12 Ave.

East Hill’s popular new dining spot, The Burrow, is now catering to the Sunday Brunch crowd with a brand-new menu offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday. Some of the highlights crafted by chef Amy Potmesil include:

• Hot Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit: Black garlic biscuit, fried chicken, hot honey butter and chili crunch. ($16)
• Beet Cured Salmon Lox Bagel: Beet cured salmon, dill cream cheese, capers, yellow tomatoes, chives and everything seasoning bagel. ($15)
• Toad in the Hole: Toasted wheat bread with egg, smashed avocado, bacon, lardons, pickled red onions, arugula, lemon vinaigrette and cilantro. ($14)
• Breakfast Burrito: Chorizo, scrambled eggs, cheddar, crispy hashbrowns, smashed avocado, chipotle aioli and picante. ($15)
• Maple Bacon French Toast: Brioche, maple whipped mascarpone, bacon, candied pecans, maple syrup and 10x sugar ($16)

The Vine Wine Bar, Bistro & Shoppe − New summer menu

8211 Navarre Parkway

Navarre’s The Vine Wine Bar, Bistro & Shoppe launched a new summer menu this month, as well as an extra day of the week open for business. The restaurant is now open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays serving up $5 mimosas all day. The new menu includes more salads, sandwiches, paninis, appetizers and more, according to The Vine’s social media page. The shop also offers weekly wine flights, 20-plus wines by the glass and 20-plus domestic, premium and craft beers.

Some of the new food menu additions for the summer season include:

• Peach Caprese Salad: Sliced peaches and fresh mozzarella drizzled with balsamic glaze. ($11.98)
• Whipped feta dip: Feta and seasonings whipped together and served with warm pita. ($11.98)
• Spicy Italian Sandwich: Hot capicola, salami, ham, lettuce, pickled red onions, champagne vinegar dressing with provolone cheese (served hot or cold.) ($17.98)
• Red Wine Risotto: Risotto with red wine, goat cheese and caramelized mushrooms. ($14.98)
• Smore’s Tartlet: Graham cracker crust, ganache filling with toasted mini marshmallows and chocolate drizzle. ($12.98)

Blackwater Bistro − New brunch menu

5147 Elmira St., Milton

Blackwater Bistro launched a brand-new brunch menu July 14 that will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday. Some of the menu items include:

• Chicken and Waffle Sandwich: Bloody Mary Chicken, waffle, cheddar blue cheese dressing, shredded cheddar, mixed greens, applewood smoked bacon and choice of side. ($19)
• The Bistro Breakfast Philly: Toasted hoagie roll, sliced ribeye, grilled onions and peppers, two eggs of choice and melted provolone and cheddar and choice of side. ($18)
• The Bloody Kraken: Giant Bloody Mary with chilled snow crab legs and poached shrimp, cocktail sauce and butter. ($35)
• Grillades & Grits: Shredded beef in Creole sauce and served over Gouda stone ground grits with one side. ($18)
• Pain Perdu: French toast made from Gambino’s French bread, fruit compote of the day, maple syrup, cinnamon glaze, fruit whip of the day and fresh fruit. ($14)
• Seafood Frittata: Crawfish, shrimp and crab with gouda cheese and choice of one side. ($22)

Casino Beach Bar & Grille − Clean the beach for a beer initiative

41 Fort Pickens Road

Casino Beach Bar & Grille is now offering a program on Casino Beach where you can grab one of their sand buckets to fill up with trash from the beach in return for a cold domestic canned beer, well shot, mocktail or fountain drink for free. Children are able to participate for a non-alcoholic beverage. The business noted that you must have proof of ID to receive an alcoholic drink.

“It's easy to get caught up in the life of the party and maybe forget a few things ... We saw this initiative and were inspired to bring it to our beach front!,” Casino Beach Bar & Grille posted on their social media page on July 5. “We invite you to join us on our mission to keep our beaches clean! If you're around Casino Beach Bar & Grille today (and every day) grab a bucket (located next to our shower/beach loungers) and fill it with trash! Bring it back to us and enjoy an ice cold domestic canned beer, well shot, mocktail or fountain drink − on us!”

Happy hunting!

Chubby’s Pizza − Pensacola chef takes ownership

11646 County Road 99, Lillian, Alabama

Well-known Pensacola chef Amber Halverson in taking years of culinary expertise across state lines as the new owner of Chubby’s Pizza in Lillian, Alabama. Halverson broke the news on social media this month, bringing in a slew of support from Pensacola’s culinary community. Halverson plans to take the restaurant “to the next level.”

“I also LOVE cooking delicious food, especially for my community. I look forward to getting to know all of you that have supported Chubby's for so many years and showing you what I can do to take it to the next level! Keep a look out as we make some little changes moving forward and some big ones to come," Halverson wrote in a statement.

Twisted Queso and Illusions Nightclub − New outdoor restaurant, nightclub

8491 Navarre Parkway

Seagull Sam’s, formerly known as Mango Mary’s, has taken on yet another identity shift as Twisted Queso. The Grillehouse Steak & Seafood General Manager Shawn Florence has rented the outdoor space formerly known as Seagull Sam’s for his concept, Twisted Queso, according to a social media statement from the company. Florence described the new style of food as “fast food truck comfort food.”

Some of the Twisted Queso menu items include:

• BBQ Philly macaroni and cheese bowl: Cheddar, smoked brisket, roasted peppers, sliced red onions, grilled mushrooms and provolone cheese. ($9.99)
• Birria grilled chicken flatbread: Fire queso, roasted chicken, roasted red peppers, red onions, salsa, jalapenos, parmesan, mozzarella and cheddar. ($9.99)
• Navarre Beach flatbread: Queso blanco, lobster cream, shrimp, lobster meat, flounder, corn, jalapenos and banana peppers. ($13.99)
• Buffalo Chicken Nachos: Fire queso, birria marinated grilled chicken, jalapenos, red onion and a drizzle of buffalo and ranch. ($10.95)
• The Big Nasty: Queso blanco, macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and brisket, bacon, jalapenos, parmesan, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, Korean barbecue sauce and Hot Cheetos. ($13.99)

By night, The Grillehouse will now double as Illusions Nightclub, Navarre’s only dance and night club. The night club will be open to those 18 years and older on Wednesday nights and to those 21 years and older on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The club is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. They offer a variety of themed events and karaoke. Pockets will be emptied at the door and patrons will be metal detected for safety, according to a statement by Illusion’s Nightclub. They will also be serving late-night eats from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. including chicken and waffles, barbecue nachos, Rotel fries, biscuits and gravy and pepperoni flatbread.

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