Trip Report - Sarasota, FL

Headed to Sarasota, FL from Atlanta. Made our first stop at Alessi's Bakery in Tampa. Always a good deli stop. We had wanted to go to La Segunda Bakery, but they were closed when we arrived. Alessis is not second-place by any means. Outstanding deli with hot and cold foods. We got two Cuban sandwiches, although we could only finish one (saved the other for lunch next day).






Next day, after frying on the beach, we went to an old stand-by, Phillippi Creek for seafood. I got the fried seafood platter and Mrs. Oneiron got her usual salad. This place caught the large (1400 lb.) shark on display at the marina. And to think we had been wave runnering in that area. As Debbie would say, he would probably just spit me out.








Next day was dinner at the Sandbar on Anna Maria Is. This place is a seafood place famous for its sunset locations. Many peolpe try to get there right before the sunset. It's right on the beach (note the sand in one of the food pictures). And of course, Debbie got the requisite sunset photo. Grouper sandwich and grouper salad (natch) for Debbie.









Next day for a change of pace, and after some hot times on the golf course, we headed for some pizza and beer. El Greco is a mainstay on Main St. in Sarasota. Excellent pizza and superb salad (get the Greek salad). We were enjoying the salad so much before we realized we neglected to take a picture.





Next day, went to Moore's Stone Crab on Longboat Key. Right near the docks. I had a grouper sandwich and Debbie had a salad (ho hum) and chowder.








Next, after another day of golf, we had to go to the Hob Nob, an old-timey drive-in in Sarasota. Over 50 years of service with good food and cold beer. Debbie had the grouper salad and I had the Hob Nobber basket.







Next day for another change, we decided on Mexican (Quatro de Mayo). Mi Pueblo was very good, but alas, no food pictures. It's a little upscale from the usual Mexican places we normally frequent.



Finally, on the way back to ATL, we stopped in Gainesville, FL at the Copper Monkey for their world renown burger. Debbie had a ??? and I had the burger. It was wonderful, and after we left, I wanted another, but didn't head back.








All in all a great roadfood trip, and we got in some golf and some lazy days on the beach.

O, Thanks for the report. I will be going down in July and will try several of the places you mentioned. Have you ever done the Tommy Bahama's on the Circle. I enjoyed their Grouper Sandwich at lunch. A little pricey but very good.

Tommy Bahamas is steep. We like the Jimmy Buffet-like place on the circle next to Columbia for seafood sandwiches, too.

The Jimmy Buffet place that you are referring to is probably COCONUTS. Known as a burgerjoint.
The best burger joint is on the right just before going over the Longboat Key Bridge, known as New Pass Bait Shop and Grill. Its the best, with the best view. Right on the water. Its fabulous. People travel from all over Florida just to buy their burgers.

Wonderful report, Oneiron, and those grouper sandwiches look like they are real grouper.

Cheers, John

The Hobnob is great; go there whenever in the area.

great pics!

Yeah, we have a Tommy Bahamas here as well, a bit pricey, but usually pretty good.

Thanks for posting excellent pics of your trip. Love the sunset photo, someone (Debbie) has a good eye!

DD

You stopped in Gainesville?? Went to Copper Monkey??? You were only minutes away from me.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty246

You stopped in Gainesville?? Went to Copper Monkey??? You were only minutes away from me.

Sorry, it was a spur of the mid-day Saturday afternoon thing. Next time we'll look you up. Those burgers are too good to pass up.

Couple comments -1942 - the New Pass Bait Shop was closed when we went by, so we headed to Moore's. Also, Coconuts was too crowded (they had a Corvette show on the circle.)
Also, John, the grouper tasted like it and was expensive to boot, so maybe it was real.
-

I don't know which pic is more artistic, the grass or the fried seafood plate!

Thanks for the great trip report. We'll be on Anna Maria Island next week for daughter's wedding (plus vacation) and hosting a pre-wedding party at the Sandbar.

Since she has always been a Roadfooder, I wasn't surprised when they rented a house with a large Tiki bar for the reception and are having grouper and recipes from a 1968 vintage Trader Vic's cookbook on the menu.

quote:

Originally posted by RubyRose

Thanks for the great trip report. We'll be on Anna Maria Island next week for daughter's wedding (plus vacation) and hosting a pre-wedding party at the Sandbar.

Since she has always been a Roadfooder, I wasn't surprised when they rented a house with a large Tiki bar for the reception and are having grouper and recipes from a 1968 vintage Trader Vic's cookbook on the menu.

Sounds great! Just a note - the Sandbar is undergoing some renovations, although they are still open. Your party may be limited somewhat.

quote:

Originally posted by EliseT

I don't know which pic is more artistic, the grass or the fried seafood plate!

I like the shark myself.

Nice job. You guys need to find something else to do besides eat, ever thought about taking up golf?

John

Oneiron,

Great Report and Photos!

Now, tell me, you really took the photos of the Grouper Sandwich at Hooters- right??

They do have it on the menu!

Nice oneiron, thanks for sharing.

Mrs. Oneiron wouldn't let me inside Hooters Besides, I thought it was the "Groper" sandwich at Hooters. Golf sounds like a nice diversion, though - may have to try it someday.

I live 10 minutes from Gainesville and the Copper Monkey and have always wondered if the burgers are really that good - thanks for letting me know how good the food is in my own town!

We rent a house on Longboat Key one week each year so we know most of the places you mentioned - although I've been disappointed at the Sandbar. We really like the Dry Dock in south Longboat Key even though it's a little more upscale. Everything is very good.