3-D Eats and Tea opening new location in Cordova Mall food court in October

Chain restaurants traditionally dominate mall food courts, but this fall, the Cordova Mall food court will make way for the latest expansion of 3-D Eats and Tea, a locally renowned food truck and restaurant. 

3-D will become the second locally owned restaurant at Cordova Mall but the only one to set up shop inside the food court when it moves in, tentatively, by October. 

"Right now, we're just fabricating the (ventilation) hood, which should be no problem within the next two weeks," said 3-D owner Sean DeSmet on Tuesday. "We'll put a few minor tweaks on things, put our branding on it and then we'll be open. We've already got the paperwork in, so I think we're looking good for an early October opening. 

The Nippon Sushi restaurant, which has its own storefront separate from the food court, is the only other non-chain eatery currently operating at Cordova Mall, according to Angela Jacks, director of marketing and business development for Simon Property Group, which owns the mall. 

Jacks said 3-D will replace Aquaberry in the food court, a business known for its smoothies, fruit drinks and açaí bowls.

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3-D has endeared itself to Pensacolians with its indulgent burger, sandwich and melt creations. Their well-branded, red-and-blue trucks are typically found stationed around the West Nine Mile Road and Brent areas. Just a few weeks before the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S, 3-D opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 6890 Pensacola Blvd.

The expansion into the mall is a dream five years in the making for DeSmet and his wife, Brooke. DeSmet said at that time, the couple flirted with the idea of taking over the same spot in the food court, which back then was occupied by Pita Pit. Ultimately, the DeSmets decided they may have been a tad in over their head with that endeavor. 

"We just weren't ready to take on the Chick-Fil-As or the Sbarros of the world," DeSmet said. "So what we did at that time is go full mobile. Then, full circle, a few years later, the same mall manager we had a walk-through with recruited us. We walked through again and everything was right. So they made the deal to get us in there."

With the business expansion comes the expansion of the dessert menu, DeSmet said. 

"We'll include, like, funnel cakes and fried Oreos," DeSmet said. "More like carnival type things. And blending that with our food that's already been a success. It's a really exciting time."

When it opens, 3-D will operate concurrently with the mall's hours, which are 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon until 6 p.m. on Sundays. 

DeSmet said the restaurant will also add meal sizes with different price points. Currently at the truck and physical restaurant, all menu items come in one size and are sold for a flat price.

For reference, check out 3-D's most recently released menu from late August at this link. 

Jake Newby can be reached at jnewby@pnj.com or 850-435-8538.