"Impossible Burger" launches in Tampa Bay

It’s impossible.

But it happened. A burger made entirely without meat, and still tastes like a meaty burger.

The Ciccio Restaurant Group (CGR) is the first to introduce the “Impossible Burger,  the meat-less quarter pounder, to Tampa Bay. The burger rolled out on Wednesday to all six of its restaurants, excluding Fresh Kitchen.

It’s a concept that even Bill Gates invested in. While it’s not necessarily healthier (unless you have high cholesterol), the purpose is for global sustainability.

CGR co-founder, Jeff Gigante, met with the group, Impossible Foods, that introduced him to the burger. The ingredients include soy, coconut oil, potato protein, vitamins and heme -- which is found in all living things -- that gives meat its meaty flavor.

Where you can find the Impossible Burger:

The Lodge
516 South Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-5634

Hours of Operation
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Thursday: 5 p.m. to close
Friday - Sunday: 11 a.m. to close
Brunch: Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner: 3 p.m. to close

Green Lemon
915 South Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 868-5463

Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m to 1 a.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Daily Eats
901 South Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 868-3335

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

8491 Cooper Creek Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34201
(941) 208-3880

Hours of Operation
Sunday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Ciccio Cali
11230 Sullivan Street
Riverview, Fl 33578
(813) 436-3840

Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

17004 Palm Pointe Drive
Tampa, Florida 33647
(813) 975-1222

Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

190 37th Ave North
St. Petersburg, FL 33704
(727) 898-8226

Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ciccio Water
1015 S Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-8406

Hours of Operation
Monday: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Better Byrd
4447 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
(727) 325-2973

Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.