The VIP story.
Two beaches, one heavy pour — fresh-made Mexican on Florida’s Gulf Coast since 1973.
It’s hard to perfectly describe the VIP in just a sentence or two, so here we go!
Although the VIP has been here since the 1970s, (not exactly sure how long), the current owners have owned and operated it since 1993. Christine and her son Nick (me) are the lifeblood of this wonderful phenomenon we know as, THE VIP. Transformation to first person! BOOM!
I’ve been slinging tacos since high school, and even through college. My father Jerome Rapisardi saw a diamond in the rough when searching for restaurants in this area during the early 1990’s. He was right. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1996 and my mother took the wheel to steer the ship. After graduating college in 2002 I returned home to devote all of my time and energy to the VIP. Now, my brother Johnny Rap has joined the team in the kitchen after working over ten years at the Don Cesar Beach Resort. It’s a full-on family affair!
Many changes have been made.
We constantly evolve in order to make sure we are bringing you the best product possible on all levels.
Whenever we are capable of putting money back into the business to upgrade, we do.
Over the past 10 years we have swapped out old TV’s for flat screens, tore out our entire bar countertop and replaced it, and completely renovated our back patio. And, we plan to do more and more.
Originally we offered only 3 meats: ground beef, shredded beef, and chicken. We have since added Carnitas Pork, Shrimp, Steak, and Mahi Mahi. We offer daily food specials, and if one gathers high popularity, we add it to the menu. If there is a particular beer or liquor that you enjoy, we will order it!
We always try our best to cater to the tastes of our customers and their preferences.
If you have never been to the original VIP in Treasure Island before, you are definitely in for a new dining experience. We have two entrances that lead you into the restaurant. There is the main front entrance as well as the rear entrance that is accessed though the back patio. By entering by way of the back entrance, you pass through the kitchen. Yes, we said it, you pass through the kitchen! There is no escaping it! Once you are in the restaurant, you will realize that we are not a big place. There is a long bar that seats up to 18 people as well as some small & medium sized tables. Large parties are better suited to be seated in our outside patio area. Because we are such a small establishment, our servers are our bartenders and our bartenders are our servers. All of our staff work together to serve the entire restaurant. So, although you may have one main server, you may be visited by others throughout the course of your dining experience. Teamwork! At the VIP, we have a casual, laid back feel. The VIP is different for many people. For some, it’s a local hangout to have some cold beers and watch the ball game. Others are simply looking for great quality meal to take their family to for dinner. People come in from all walks of life and we look forward to meeting each and every one of you and sharing an awesome experience!
VIP started in a beach-block kitchen in 1973 with a single rule: good ingredients, stronger drinks, no shortcuts. The recipes haven’t moved — and neither has most of the staff.
Doors open in Treasure Island.
The wet burrito becomes legend.
2021
Indian Rocks Beach opens.
2023
Sunday breakfast at IRB.
52 years, still walking it in.
· Lettuce wrap in place of any tortilla, +$1
· Gluten-free tortillas available, +$1
· Calories are a matter of the mind. — L.H.
Walk in. That’s it.
First come, first served.
No party too big.
Take-out is always open.
Two cantinas on the Gulf.
Treasure Island
Walk-in only · call for today’s hours
Indian Rocks Beach
Sunday breakfast 9–11:45a · call for hours
STAY IN THE LOOP
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