FIRST AMENDMENT

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.48

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT

     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE OF AGREEMENT AND ESCROW
INSTRUCTIONS ("Amendment") is made as of this 9th day of June, 1998, by and
between CHI-CHI's, INC., a Delaware corporation , formerly known as Chi-Chi's
USA, Inc. ("Seller") and SHELLS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Buyer").

                                    RECITALS

     A. Buyer and Seller are parties to that certain Asset Purchase and Sale of
Agreement and Escrow Instructions dated March 12, 1998, ("Original Agreement"),
involving the purchase and/or lease of certain real property and personal
property located in the State of Illinois and most particularly described in the
Original Agreement in connection with Seller's transfer of the operation of
certain restaurants to Buyer.

     B. The Original Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall hereinafter
be referred to as the "Agreement."

     C. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have
the same meaning as in the Original Agreement.

     D. Buyer and Seller hereby mutually desire to amend the terms of the
Original Agreement as more particularly provided herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises and
undertakings set forth herein, Buyer and Seller hereby agree as follows:

     1. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE DEEARFIELD PROPERTY.
Pursuant to Buyer's Notice dated May 28, 1998, Buyer has disapproved the
Deerfield property and has terminated the Original Agreement with respect to the
Deerfield Property. Buyer and Seller acknowledge that pursuant to Section 3.1 of
the Original Agreement, the Purchase Price shall be reduced by One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000.00), the amount allocated to the Deerfield Property in
Schedule 3.4A to the Original Agreement to the sum of Two Million One Hundred
Thousands Dollars ($2,100,000.00). In accordance with Article 6 of the Original
Agreement, the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for all other
Fee Properties and Premises. 

     2. CLOSING SCHEDULE.. Section 2.2 of the Original Agreement shall be
amended such that the number of Restaurants being transferred at a time and the
specified order is as follows:

     First Closing: Bloomington Property, Oakbrook Terrace Premises, and 
Carpentersville Premises

     Second Closing: Streamwood Premises


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     Third Closing: Woodridge Premises and Springfield Property.

     3. CREDIT TO PURCHASE PRICE FOR BLOOMINGTON PROPERTY AND SPRINGFIELD
PROPERTY. Buyer has objected to the physical condition of the Bloomington
Property and Springfield Property pursuant to Buyer's Notice dated May 28, 1998.
In consideration of Buyer's acceptance of the Bloomington property and
Springfield Property in their current conditions, an amount equal to Twelve
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500.00) shall be credited by Seller to the
Purchase Price allocated to each of the Bloomington Property and the Springfield
Property in Schedule 3.4B and Scheule 3.4C, respectively for an aggregate credit
of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). Such credit shall be given at the
time and in the event the Closing for such Fee Property occurs in accordance
with the terms of the Agreement. Buyer and Seller acknowledge that the "AS-IS"
provisions contained in Section 8.3 of the Original Agreement continue in full
force and effect and that Buyer shall accept such Properties despite the
objections raised in Buyer's Notice dated May 28, 1998.

     4. WOODRIDGE PREMISES CONTINGENCY. The Woodridge Premises contingency and
related Woodridge Lease Approval Date contained in Section 7.3 of the Original
Agreement shall be extended to August 10, 1998. 

     5. FULL FORCE AND EFFECT. Except as specifically set forth in this
Amendment, the Original Agreement remains unmodified and in full force and
effect. 

     6. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts which, when
taken together, shall constitute one executed document as though all signatures
appeared on one copy.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE OF
AGREEMENT AND ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS was executed as of the date first above
written.

CHI-CHI's INC.                                      SHELLS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS,
A Delaware corporation                              INC., a Delaware corporation

By: /s/  ILLEGIBLE                                  By: /s/ WE XXXXXXXX
   ------------------------------                      -------------------------
   Its: Vice President                               Its: President
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