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The Filling Station 580 Is A Gas

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: August 2, 2008

DUNEDIN -- The more things change, the more they remain the same.

In the middle of the last century, a building with large glass bay doors at the corner of what is now Main Street and S.R. 580 housed a gas station.

In later years, it became a place to house ambulances, but was most recently known as the Deli News Cafe.

When a group of friends who all worked for the Outback Steakhouse restaurant chain recently decided to follow their dream of opening a trendy, old-fashioned eatery, called The Filling Station, they chose a motif of colors reminiscent of an old Shell gasoline station.

It was only after they remodeled the building, at 680 Main St., they learned for years the site was the location of a Shell gas station, said Heather Carpenter, whose husband, Shelby, is a chef and one of the owners.

Alison Nash, another partner, said: "We couldn't believe it when they told us about the Shell station that used to be here. It was meant to be."

Nash said they put a lot into creating their The Filling Station 580. The eatery, which is open for lunch and dinner, has been redesigned with decor and colors reminiscent of a 1950s diner, complete with jukebox, old-fashioned vinyl records on the wall and a lot of filling station memorabilia.

The location, at the corner of S.R. 580 and Main Street, "cannot get any better," Nash said. "We are at the gateway to downtown Dunedin."

The idea behind Filling Station 580 was creating a friendly, neighborhood eatery in which people can stop by for a drink or affordable lunch or dinner, like everyone did in the old days, Nash said. So it is good to see people are already coming back for return meals and bringing their friends even though Filling Station 580 has only been open a few weeks, she said.

From the Outback chain, where they worked for several years, the people behind Filling Station 580 bring with them the tradition of providing customers with quality food and friendly service, she said.

The menu includes a variety of Cuban sandwiches, an opportunity to create your own deli sandwich, monster burgers, chili, chicken - every possible way it can be served - veggie platters and salads, or corn dogs and French dips made with prime rib.

John Switzer, another owner and chef, noted they created all their dishes, chili, soups and sauces from scratch.

Filling Station 580 serves several varieties of beer and wine. It offers Pabst beer on draft for a $1, as a flashback to the old service station days, Nash said.

Another blast from the past is the Spam slider, which has already become a big seller. Some people laugh at the first mention of the venerable processed meat product, but after they taste a slider, they can't stop eating them, Nash said.

Macaroni and cheese, with or without Spam, has also become a hot seller, she added.

As part of its special fare Filling Station 580 offers batter-dipped fried green tomato sandwich, with bacon, lettuce and provolone with a roasted pepper aioli.

Their State Fair Strawberry Shortcake is created with a fried Twinkie, ice cream, whipped cream and strawberry sauce.

"We have been made to feel so welcome by everyone," Nash said. "The support from the city and everyone has been phenomenal."

During dog day, Wednesday, people are encouraged to visit the outdoor cafe area and get a specially made pooch treat. The Filling Station is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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