Jason Vasilakos spent close to 28 years cooking in other people's kitchens. Now the chef and his wife Monique have their own place: The Flyin' Bulldog, a full-service restaurant at 828 Highland Ave. in downtown Dunedin that opened earlier this year.

The husband-and-wife team relocated their family from the Northeast to Florida's Gulf Coast specifically to launch the venture, their first restaurant together. Jason was featured on a recent episode of the Palm Harbor Local podcast, hosted by Palm Harbor real estate agent Donnie Hathaway, discussing the move and why Dunedin appealed to them.

The concept splits into two modes. Daytime means elevated sandwiches — smashburgers, chicken sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks. Evenings shift to a more refined casual format with innovative small and large plates, wine, beer, and dessert. Weekend breakfast service, running Saturday and Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m., was added after the initial opening.

Jason's background includes formal culinary school, fine-dining training, and butchery. On the restaurant's website, the couple describes their approach as built around simple, honest food using premium fresh ingredients and a commitment to consistency.

The name comes from the owners' own bulldog. The restaurant welcomes dogs, and the couple's mascot occasionally makes an appearance on the outdoor terrace. A private dining space rounds out the footprint.

Early community response has been strong. A Dunedin Love Facebook post welcomed the business when it opened, and the restaurant's own Facebook page had accumulated 5,282 likes and 18,310 people actively discussing it as of Monday, August 3. Food reviewers on the restaurant's Instagram page have highlighted items like the Chicka Boom Shrimp sandwich, calling the spot a hidden gem.

The Flyin' Bulldog is open Wednesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The private dining space is available for reservations, and the full menu and booking details are at theflyinbulldog.com.