Best burgers in Sarasota, Venice, Siesta Key Beach Florida
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National Hamburger Day is May 28, and that means time for our annual list of the best burgers in Sarasota County, which will be followed again with an article on my favorites from Manatee County.
This year, the list again grew a bit, like my waistline, and now includes 25 restaurants. They range from fine-dining destinations to the kind of places you happily visit on your way home from a day at the beach.
We included a few locally owned chains but not a single national chain. The restaurants are presented in alphabetical order. Menu prices are subject to change with some, but not all, burgers coming with a side. Many of the sides, such as hand-cut fries or chips, were simply too good not to mention.
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Alpine Steakhouse
4520 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-921-3798; alpinesteak.com
A restaurant and meat market serving Sarasota since 1975 and famously seen producing its turducken dish on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Alpine Steakhouse is also where us locals go for hearty handhelds. The sirloin burger stars a half-pound of the butcher shop’s fresh and smartly seasoned ground beef, with the lettuce, tomato, yellow onions and pickle on a kaiser roll for $10 (enjoy cheese for an extra buck and bacon for another $2). Really, though, you’ll probably just want to go whole hog and get the signature burger that finds the same half-pound patty topped by thick, tender cuts of house-made jowl bacon, crunchy onion rings and Swiss plus lettuce, tomato and a nice swipe of mayo ($15).
BrewBurgers
370 Commercial Court, Venice; 941-484-2337, brewburgers.com
Serving a third-pound of fresh ground Angus chuck on a buttered bun with choice of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle; BrewBurgers is best known for offering about a dozen crazy-good specialty burgers featuring a buffet of toppings. My personal fave, the “Ollie G.,” finds the patty covered with crispy bacon slices, garlic and herb cheese, spicy olive tapenade and more fiery flavor in the form of chipotle ranch ($12.99). Too healthy for ya? The Widow Maker ($17.99) is a half-pound beef patty topped with American cheese and a meat lovers’ dream of ham, pulled pork, bacon, and chili! Please note, BrewBurgers is still in the process of relocating their Venice island restaurant in the Publix plaza at 525 Tamiami Trail S. to a larger space in the same plaza. But fear not, burger fans, they continue to operate their restaurant at 370 Commercial Court in Venice.
Brewster’s Tavern
1454 Main St., Sarasota; 941-343-2380, brewsterstavern.com
Downtown Sarasota’s definitive gastropub, Brewster’s Tavern on Main Street, excels at a bunch of pub-grub classics including wings, fried chicken sandwiches and, yes, burgers. The Brew Burger ($13.99) features a custom blend of Black Angus beef smothered in melted cheddar and topped by iceberg lettuce, a thick tomato slice and red onions, placed in a brioche bun kissed by a spread of secret sauce I would like to purchase by the gallon. Feeling frisky? The Fuego Burger ($12.99) takes the same thick and juicy patty and covers it with pepper jack cheese, jalapenos and Brewster’s irresistible jalapeno ranch, which you’ll also want to use for dipping with the truffle fries ($4.99).
Clasico It
alian Chophouse
1341 Main St., Sarasota; 941-957-0700; clasicosrq.com
A popular hangout for the cast of MTV’s “Siesta Key” and the rest of Sarasota’s see-and-be-seen crowd, Clasico on lower Main Street should also appeal to folks interested in a fabulous burger. In keeping with its “Italian Chophouse” rebranding, the Clasico Burger features a handsome hunk of fresh ground beef that has been skillfully seasoned, cooked to perfection (medium rare, thank you) and served with a rather inspired pairing of fontina cheese and caramelized onions, plus shredded lettuce, tomato and thick, crunchy dill pickles for the win ($16).
Evie’s Tavern and Molly’s Pub
4725 Bee Ridge Road and 1560 Main St., Sarasota; eviesonline.com
The locally owned Evie’s – with Sarasota locations on Bee Ridge Road and Main Street – offers “build your own burgers” ($9.50 for a half-pound Angus beef patty) as well as the highly recommended Evie’s Signature Burger ($12.99). The brisket, short rib and chuck steak blend patty is judiciously topped with poblano peppers, crispy onions and chipotle mayo. You’ll also find a commendable signature burger at Evie’s sister restaurant The Point, on Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, and then there’s the recently opened Molly’s Pub. Located in the former bowling alley adjacent to the Main Street location, Molly’s serves traditional Irish cuisine as well as a signature burger, which is my current fave from the Evie’s family: a half-pound of Angus prime topped with cheddar and a killer bacon jam as well as horseradish aioli swiped across the toasted bun ($13). And be sure to pair your burger with house-made “curry dusted crisps,” which come with a side of malt mayo and will make you rethink the possibilities of potato chips ($9).
Food + Beer
multiple locations in Sarasota and Manatee; eatfooddrinkbeer.com
Originating in Sarasota’s Gulf Gate district in 2018 followed by a Fruitville Road location in 2019 and then a Bradenton one opening in 2021 (which I reviewed), the locally-owned Food + Beer has flourished thanks to creative comfort foods such as its “You Jel?” burger, which, yes, should make onlookers envious. It’s a salty, diner-style patty given a tasty kick courtesy of chipotle cream cheese and jalapeno pepper jelly with hickory bacon on top and a big ol’ roasted jalapeno on the side for those seeking additional heat ($9.49). I’m also partial to Food + Beer’s “Basic Cheeseburger” because, again, that ridiculously cravable patty ($7.49). Consider pairing your burger of choice with France Fries, which is the restaurant’s fresh-cut fries covered with a black-pepper cognac cream, fontina cheese and a sunnyside egg.
Gecko’s Grill & Pub
multiple locations in Sarasota and Manatee; geckosgrill.com
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the locally owned Gecko’s chain serves a classic burger featuring a half pound of Angus chuck starting at $11.50 with choice of bread, and numerous toppings for $1.25 each. Personally, I like to recreate the old “Gecko Burger,” which is no longer found on the menu. It’s a big, juicy serving of beef covered with house-made chili, cheddar cheese and onion rings on a yummy potato onion bun. And be sure to pair your burger with Gecko’s house potato chips covered in melty blue cheese fondue, bacon, onions and sweet balsamic glaze ($11.50).
The Hob Nob Drive-In
1701 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota; 941-955-5001; hobnobdrivein.com
A Sarasota landmark dating back to the 1957, The Hob Nob serves exactly the kind of cheeseburger you would expect from such a place, and it’s delicious: Diner-style patty covered in yellow American cheese with iceberg lettuce, tomato, white onion, pickles, mayo, mustard and the classic white bun your dad used at every cookout you can remember. Plus, the basket for $9.50 includes comforting crinkle fries and a sizable pickle spear tastier than the ones offered at most delis. You might also want to consider the bacon burger topped with Swiss and pay an extra buck for the onion rings that come with a horseradish-laced cream sauce that you will want to pour on everything!
Indigenous
239 S. Links Ave., Sarasota; 941-706-4740; indigenoussarasota.com
One of the most acclaimed chefs in the region, owner Steve Phelps earned a James Beard Foundation nomination for Best Chef, South, in 2014 and 2015, and was more recently featured on “CBS This Morning,” where he discussed his use of ingredients native to the area, as well as fish farming. Yes, people come to Indigenous for the amazing seafood dishes that change daily, but what Phelps does with a burger – fortunately a fixture on the menu – is ingenious. My Uncle’s Burger ($24) is two thin, perfectly seasoned, grass-fed beef patties covered with cheddar, bacon jam and a shot of addictive “Indigenous sauce.” The masterpiece is served with duck fat roasted potatoes and pickled veggies.
JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe
987 S. Packinghouse Road, Sarasota; 941-371-9358, packinghousecafe.com
Opened in 1999, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe is where you go for comfort food inspired by owner/chef J.R. Garraus’ Cuban heritage, and perhaps enjoy some live music in a positively funky, Old Florida setting. While J.R.’s Cuban sandwich is among the best around, you’ll also want to feast on his equally formidable burgers, especially the Blackened Ybor Burger ($14.95). Presented on Tampa legend La Segunda Bakery’s premium Cuban bread, it’s a half-pound chuck patty covered in premium melted Swiss cheese, Garraus’ show-stopping shredded pork, grilled onions, and Thousand Island dressing to pretty much guarantee you will have messy fun with this one-of-a-kind burger creation, which could’ve only originated here in the greater Tampa Bay region.
Knick’s Tavern & Grill
1818 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941-955-7761; knickstavernandgrill.com
An adorable tavern and grill with cozy indoor and outdoor seating in Southside Village, Knick’s celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with the emphasis remaining on their beloved burgers. The Brunch Burger ($18) is the most famous of the bunch, offering the timeless combination of Angus beef, bacon, fried egg and American cheese with red onion, lettuce and tomato; but given an interesting twist via its placement on a grilled pita. It was created by owner Knick Barger, a fact I learned while noshing on my first Brunch Burger years ago. These days, his affable daughter Knickole Barger runs the restaurant with Knick still drops by for his burger creation. In addition to the Brunch Burger, you will also want to consider the burger topped with a mound of crumbled blue cheese and lots of spicy and smoky chipotle sauce ($17). And be sure to save room for the waffle fries, which I recently learned pair exceptionally well with Knick’s jalapeño remoulade.
Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie
1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; and 8445 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch; libbysneighborhoodbrasserie.com
The locally owned Libby’s, with the original in Sarasota’s Southside Village and a second one in Lakewood Ranch, both serve the Brisket Burger ($15.90). It’s a nicely formed and proportioned brisket blend with aged cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and elevated with just the right amount of a bold roasted garlic aioli. Fries are a fine accompaniment but also consider the crispy Brussels sprouts with the vibrant lemon aioli ($9.50).
Made Restaurant
1990 Main St., Sarasota; 941-953-2900; maderestaurant.com
Featured on a 2018 episode of Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise,” Made offers clever twists on numerous American classics, including its namesake burger ($18). It’s a beef blend covered with pork barbacoa, barbecued peppers and onions, and pepper jack cheese. Plus, there’s a fried green tomato under the patty for an extra helping of Southern goodness to go with the butter lettuce. It’s served on a tasty, Hawaiian-style brioche roll. And be sure to pair your handheld with the cheesy tots, which are basically deep-fried balls of mashed potatoes and cheese that take tater tots to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Mandeville Beer Garden
428 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota; 941-954-8688; mbgsrq.com
A first-rate beer bar with a great lineup of pub grub, Mandeville, in the booming Rosemary District, offers the Char-Grilled Beef Burger ($14.75). It’s a fresh-ground, hand-formed half-pound patty on a grilled brioche bun (or pretzel bun) with lettuce, red onion and tomato, and perhaps the best choice of cheese in town: the standard selection of American, Swiss, cheddar, provolone and blue augmented with smoked gouda, ghost pepper and jalapeno pepper Monterey Jack. My personal fave, though, is Mandeville’s mighty Hangover Burger that comes with crispy onion straws and a most-welcome mess of the exceptional beer cheese ($15).
Mattison’s
multiple locations in Sarasota and Manatee; mattisons.com
Chef and owner Paul Mattison has three namesake locations (South Tamiami Trail, downtown Sarasota, Bradenton Riverwalk) all serving superb burgers made with freshly ground Niman Ranch beef, routinely cooked spot-on to order ($18 at dinner). I prefer mine these days with either just American cheese or perhaps Monterey Jack cheese and bacon (a buck extra) if I’m feeling naughty. Also, you get a choice of two sides at dinner and let me recommend the truffle mashed potatoes and Mattison’s house salad, which might be the best house salad in town with seasonal greens, cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, chunks of gorgonzola and an impossibly good balsamic vinaigrette.
Oak & Stone
Multiple locations in Southwest Florida; oakandstone.com
Debuting in 2017 with the University Parkway location, Oak & Stone restaurants can now be found from St. Petersburg to Naples, with a rooftop location in downtown Bradenton. While perhaps best known for their beer wall, thin-crust artisan pizzas and slow-roasted wings (I highly recommend experiencing all three), Oak & Stone also serves its great Griddle Burger ($13). The juicy, mid-sized patty is smothered in a cheddar blend with crispy onion straws, overflowing shredded lettuce, and a “secret sauce” that recalls a richer and more robust Thousand Island.
The Overton
1420 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; 941-500-9175; theovertonsrq.com
Open since 2018 and a key player, I believe, behind the remarkable growth in the Rosemary District, The Overton, also popular with the cast of MTV’s “Siesta Key,” manages to be hip and trendy with a menu of craft cocktails and upscale comfort food such as its Classic Roadside Burger ($9). Because, really, it’s everything you want from a diner-style burger created by a first-class chef like owner Christian Hershman: superior beef used for a hand-formed patty, American cheese, house pickles, house red onions that have been pickled, and a savory, mayo-based “secret sauce” on a toasted, fluffy white bun to seal the deal. Be sure to pair your burger with their thin, hand-cut fries that are cooked in tallow, a rendered form of beef fat. Looking to treat yourself? Order your fries showered with truffle cheese ($10).
Patrick’s 1481
1481 Main St., Sarasota; 941-955-1481; patricks1481.com
You can’t do downtown Sarasota without spending an evening – or long lunch – sipping martinis and eating a burger and fries at the handsome bar or shaded sidewalk tables of Patrick’s, which has been a downtown destination for 35 years. The menu includes several burger options including sliders, and you can’t go wrong with the basic cheeseburger ($13.50), served with a choice of American, cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, blue cheese or pepper jack. The Kress Burger ($14.50) remains king, though. It’s Patrick’s thick, flavorful cheeseburger topped with crispy bacon and onion rings, and served with a side of their homemade chili, which is ideal for French fry dipping.
Pizza N’ Brew
Multiple locations in Sarasota and St.Petersburg; pizzanbrew.com
Don’t be fooled by Pizza N’ Brew, which has fun, sports bar-y locations on Siesta Key near our world-famous beach and Main Street in downtown Sarasota, with another on the way in St. Petersburg. The place definitely serves some of the finest New York-style pizza around but also consider pairing your brew (or cocktail) with one of their five burger selections. Each one features two sirloin patties smashed but still thick enough to cook to temperature with my current fave featuring a delectable mound of pungent blue cheese set off by bacon strips, tomato and sweet caramelized onions. I’ve also enjoyed the All-American and Fungi Swiss (with a dollop of steak sauce) while future visits should find me trying the burger with bacon and jalapeno poppers, as well as the Bruschetta Burger with mozzarella, prosciutto, tomato, basil and balsamic glaze drizzle ($13 for each burger).
Pub 32 Irish Pub & Kitchen
8383 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-952-3070; pub32sarasota.com
The best place in Sarasota County for chef-prepared Irish cuisine such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and corned beef and cabbage; Pub 32 also has mastered the art of burger-making with my recent eight-ounce serving of Angus cooked a truly perfect medium rare featuring a thick, flavorful char. Now, that burger is brilliant with just the basic lettuce, red onion and tomato ($13), but you should really treat yourself to one, or several, of their tasty toppings such as the winning combo of Irish cheddar ($1), braised onions ($2) and house pork belly ($4) that I recently devoured. Burgers come with Pub 32’s thin, salt-and-pepper seasoned homemade chips that you’ll probably want to enjoy with a side of their house gravy ($3). Feeling decadent? Pair your burger with Pub 32’s poutine that finds their hand-cut fries intermingled with chunks of unbeatable corned beef and drenched in beer cheese sauce and gravy ($12). Of course, you’ll want to wash all this down with a fresh, perfectly poured, 20-ounce pint of Guinness or Smithwick’s.
The Public House Tap & Grill
6240 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota; 941-822-0795, the-public-house.com
Located in the University Park area of Sarasota near the Manatee County line, The Public House offers a sports bar-type atmosphere with a menu highlighted by several specialty burgers all featuring a half-pound of Angus (or you can make a full pounder for an extra $4). I enjoyed the cheeseburger topped with smoked gouda ($12.99) but you’ll probably want to proceed right to their most famous burger offer, The Rise-N-Grind ($14.99). It’s all that beefy goodness and lettuce, tomato and onion enhanced by crispy strips of applewood-smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and a fried egg. Be sure to enjoy your burger with a side of Public House’s thinly shaved homemade chips.
Shakespeare’s Craft Beer and Gastro Pub
3550 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941-364-5938; shakespearesenglishpub.com
Featuring a delightfully charming English pub setting that reflects the Essex roots of owners Marilyn and Dick Neal, Shakespeare’s has been one of my favorite beer and burger destinations now for nearly 18 years. All the burgers are made with eight ounces of pure ground Black Angus beef and on every single one of my visits cooked perfectly: the medium rare I order arriving with a pink, juicy interior encased in a deftly seasoned black char. Now, Shakespeare’s offers about a dozen specialty burgers and they’re all served on the toasted rosemary Kaiser buns that are among the best burger vessels I have ever encountered. But the most famous burger probably in all of Sarasota-Manatee, and the one I think about far too often, is Marilyn’s creation topped by two buttery brie cheese slabs and a bed of sweet balsamic caramelized onions that I could eat by the bowlful ($15.50).
Shore
465 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands Circle; and 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key; dineshore.com
Offering chic second-floor setting melding outdoor and indoor seating with sweeping views of St. Armands Circle, Shore is a fun spot just to sit back, relax and people-watch. It’s an even more fun spot to dine and drink, though, thanks to items such as the Shore Burger ($20). It’s a patty made from grass-fed beef, ground in house daily, with a rocking bacon jam, Tillamook cheddar, lettuce, tomato and onion, and a side of their top-shelf truffle fries. (The same burger can also be enjoyed at Shore’s waterfront location found on the Manatee County side of Longboat Key overlooking Sarasota Bay.)
State Street Eating House + Cocktails
1533 State St., Sarasota; 941-951-1533; statestreetsrq.com
Regardless if you’re stopping by State Street to sip cocktails at one of the two bars late into the evening or just dropping by Sunday morning for brunch, you will want to seriously consider the downtown Sarasota restaurant’s signature burger. It’s two thin patties stacked among melted slices of aged cheddar and havarti cheese with pickled cucumber ribbons and red onion, on a toasted brioche bun given a swipe of spicy mayo ($17). If visiting during brunch, you might also want to try their bunless “naked burger” that places cheddar, long strips of bacon, and a sunny-side egg on top of the two beef patties along with a bed of hash browns ($17). Also, be sure to indulge in their truffle fries that come topped with slices of parmesan and a side of stone ground mustard and peppercorn aioli that I shall not soon forget ($3). And for beverages? Their take on the Bramble – which was reportedly invented in London during the 1980s – contains gin, fresh lemon and blackberry liqueur and remains one of the tastiest cocktails you’ll find in town.
Tony’s Chicago Beef
Mentioned in a recent New York Times article about the best places to find Italian beef outside Chicago, Tony’s is definitely a top spot in Sarasota County for a taste of the Windy City with locations in Gulf Gate and Venice. While they serve outstanding Chicago-style hot dogs with fresh-cut fries and an amazing Italian beef sandwich, these true Chicagoans also serve ace burgers: one-third pound of beef char-grilled and served with mayo lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, and ketchup on their toasted old-fashioned buns for $5.99; with a slice of American cheese for an extra buck, or pay a bit more for the bacon burger. And then there’s my other fave, the burger named after comedy legend and Chicago native John Belushi. It’s smothered in Swiss cheese with fresh grilled onions and mushrooms ($6.99).
Wade Tatangelo is the Herald-Tribune’s dining and entertainment editor overseeing the weekly Ticket publication. He’s also co-leader of USA Today Network’s Uniquely Florida team creating statewide content. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He may be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.
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