Chef returns home to Tampa with modern Chinese concept

Richard Hales promised his mother he'd return to Tampa to open his own restaurant. Just 25 years later, he's finally fulfilled that promise.

By Amanda Postma
| 5:00 a.m. December 16, 2022
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Chef Richard Hales expects the newest Hales Blackbrick location in Tampa to bring in triple what the Miami location brings in. (Photo by Mark Wemple)

Entrepreneurs

The last couple of years haven’t been the easiest for Chef Richard Hales. The list of uncertainties include COVID-19, a stint with cancer and now labor shortages.

But with a new Hales Blackbrick location in Tampa, the second one for the eatery — which specializes in modern Chinese, bringing in Catanese flavors through dim sum-focused foods — Hales is working his way back. For one, he regained 90% of his sight back after complications from removing a benign brain tumor. Since then, another benign brain tumor has been discovered, but for now his doctors are just monitoring it. In addition, a close friendship with TV show host/restaurateur Guy Fieri has been an important ally in both the his personal health and the health of his business.