Not longafter finishing my story abouticonic Sarasota County restaurants,which ran Jan. 21, I started work on its follow-up about historic Manatee County dining destinations.I took exactly the same approach for this list, wanting it to serve as a useful dining guide, one with fun, historical facts and menu recommendations for each place. Information has been culled from Herald-Tribune stories dating back decades as well as my own Herald-Tribune reporting, which first appeared here in 2003, and, for this story, concluded with a final email exchange Sunday morning.
More:What are the oldest restaurants in Sarasota? 10 historic dining destinations
People familiar with Manatee County history might wonder whyLinger Lodge, established in 1945, is not included. That’s because its restaurant on the Braden River has been temporarily closed since July“due to continuous rise in COVID-19 cases,” according to its website, with the phone message noting a reopening date has yet to be determined and that they plan to reopen their RV resort in “fall 2021.”
Also, there have been no signs of life atCouncil’s Bradenton Recreationsince we noticed its signage had been stripped andreported the place sold last year. We have our fingers crossed that the downtown Bradenton burger and beer joint with pool tablesand about 90 years of history will reopen soon, with minimal changes,under its new owner.
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Beginningwith some of the newestrestaurants, here are10 of the most historic dining destinations inManatee County.These are places to eateverything from steaks and sushi to hamburgers and hot dogs. They’re located inBradenton,Palmetto,Anna Maria Islandand on the Manatee County side of Longboat Key. Lakewood Ranch, the planned community established in 1994, has many great restaurants, but the land on which they sit was mostly just cow pastures when the establishments listed below were already thriving.
Perhaps most importantly, these are all places I recommend visiting, and not just for their historic or nostalgic charms. These are restaurants that have attainedlandmark and icon statusand continue to servequality cuisine.Some are upscale dining spots ideal for special occasions, while otherskeep regulars returning decade after decade withcomfort foods at affordable prices.
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Demetrios’ Pizza House
1720 Cortez Road W., Bradenton;941-758-6478;demetriospizza.com
Bradenton’s longest continually owned and operated restaurant by the original founding family,Demetrios’ Pizza House has been serving its beloved soft-crust pizzas on Cortez Road for over four decades. Greek immigrantsDimitrios “Jimmy”Sokos and wife, Helen, joined by his sister-in-lawPaula Ludera, opened the pizzeria in 1976, withSokos’ son Gus also playing a key role in running the family business. While Dimitrios Sokospassed away in 2014,Ludera continues to run the kitchen today just as she has from the start. The family noted in a recent phone interview, though, that they arepreparingfor the next generation of locally based Sokos leadership.
The pizzas are the most popular dishes on the menuwith none more famous than Demetrios’ Special. The pie comes covered with a veritable buffet ofbacon, black olives, green peppers, ham, hamburger, mushroom, onion, pepperoni, sausage and, of course, extra cheese!Other favorites include the baked spaghetti, lasagna, and the crispy chicken wings available in various flavors including garlic parmesan and Kickin’ Buffalo. Oh, and no visit is complete without ordering theirfamed Greek salad, featuring a long list of freshingredients, andanchovies available upon request.
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Alvarez Mexican Restaurant
1431 8th Ave. W., Palmetto;941-729-2232;facebook.com/alvarezmexicanrestaurant
Serving tasty Tex-Mexin the heart of Palmetto,Alvarez Mexican Restaurant has alsobeen owned and operated by the same family since opening in 1976.Antonio and Marie Alvarez were farmworkers from San Antonio who traveled the country picking fruit,working for the school boardandsaving up money to start their own namesake restaurant –which they did despite having no restaurant experience.
The building, recalling a South Texas cantina in its architecture and neon signs including ones of a cactus and coyote, has changed little in the past four decades. Eventually, a patio was added in the ’90s, and then aroof was put on it so that guests now can enjoy covered, open-air dining with televisions showing soccer or Spanish-language soap operas, which are understood by basically the entire staff and a good portion of the loyal clientele.
Antonio Alvarez Sr. passed away in ’94, and Marie continued running the business withassistance from her family, whose members still all live right in Palmetto.Today’s management team includestheir son AntonioAlvarez Jr., daughter Anna Alvarezand oldest grandchild Victoria Sarmiento, withmany other relatives helping out as well. Marie, age 80,is still in the restaurant “as often as she can be,” saidSarmiento with a loving laugh.
The restaurant remainswell known for itshomemade fajitasserved on a sizzling platter withbreakfast favorites such as thehuevos rancheros offeredall day. Another funoption is the “plato laco,” or the“crazy plate,” which allows guests to create their own combo from a selection of Mexican tostada, flauta, enchilada, tamale, burrito chico, taco, and mini chimi. The lunch specials, called “speedies,” which include three or four items for $5.99, are also popular, as are the pints of beerfor two bucks during “fiesta hour.”
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Euphemia Haye
5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key; 941-383-3633;euphemiahaye.com
One of the region’s most famous fine-dining destinations, Euphemia Haye occupies an enchanting propertyon the Manatee County side of Longboat Key. Globe-trotting electrical engineer Leslie “Les” R. Buntin opened the restaurant in 1975 and named it after his grandmother, who was also an accomplished cook. After five years of runningEuphemia Haye,Buntin handpickedRaymond Arpke, head chef atCafe L’Europe on St. Armands Circle, to be the new owner. Chef Ray and his wife, D’Arcy Arpke, have owned and operated the restaurant now for more than 40 years.
An eclectic mix of European and American cuisine with creative twists, signature dishes include theCrispy Roasted Duckling filled with bread stuffing and served with tangy sweet seasonal fruit sauce;Prime Peppered Steakpan-fried and served with a hot and sweet orange, brandy, butter sauce; and made-to-order Caesar Salad. But, be sure to save room for dessert.All of the pies and pastries are homemade on the premise and can be enjoyed downstairs after dinner or upstairs in the Haye Loft, the lounge the Arpkes added in the early ’90s.
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Seafood Shack
4110 127th St. W., Cortez; 941-794-1235;seafoodshack.com
Neighboring the historic fishing village of Cortez andoverlooking the Intracoastal Waterway and Anna Maria Island, Seafood Shack has been serving fresh seafood since the early ’70s.Hamlin Jones,an IBM computer programmerwho wasresponsible for developing the computer program that launchedthe first man to the moon,built the marina in ’71 andadded a 150-seat restaurant about a year later.“The overwhelming customer response to the original Seafood Shack led to several expansions, resulting in today’s two-story 650-seat restaurant,” Jonessaid in a 2014statement issued with his sale of Seafood Shack. “For 32 of the past 42 years, our customers also delighted in boat tours of the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the 120 footpaddlewheeler, ‘The Showboat.’”
Jones sold The Seafood Shackfor $4 millionto Canadian developer Vandyk Groupbefore passing away at age 81 in 2015. TheVandyk Group gave the Shack a major makeover while retaining its fishing village charm with decor that includes antique fishing nets, floats, vintage signs and various other nautical treasures.Fresh catch specials are always a smart choice with popular items off the daily menu includingthe shrimp dinner, grouper sandwichand thefish tacos featuring blackenedfresh local catch (typically mahi-mahi) with aged cheddar, cabbage, Baja sauce andpico de gallo in a soft flour taco shell. Their onion rings and clam chowder are also highly recommended with their signature burger a popular choice as well.
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Shake Pit
3801 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-748-4016
A classic hamburger and ice cream stand, Shake Pit opened during the Eisenhower era and continues serving Manatee County residents at its cozy inside counter area adorned with local sports memorabiliaand from thetwin takeout windows withcovered, open-air seating. Harry Cummings, whodied at age 92 in Bradenton in 2004, founded the Shake Pit in 1959 after working asa supervisor for General Motors. It was purchased in 1973 by son Jim Cummings who kept it until 1983, according toinformation collected by the Manatee County Library System. New owners Lindsey and Joan Stewartkept the old cash register thatcould not ring up bills over $5, the library noted, andexpanded Shake Pit with more outdoor seating near the parking lot overlooking Manatee Avenue.
In 2001, Holmes Beach residentBob Crowe, formergeneral managerof the Seafood Shack, along with his wife, Debbie, and their daughter Hannah, purchased the Shake Pit. Alas, the communitymourned Bob’s passing in 2019.Debbie and Hannah continue to run the Shake Pit, whichis open daily for lunch and dinner, except for Wednesdays, and remains cash only.Thedelicious, diner-style cheeseburgersare among the most popular menu items as well as thecheesesteak sandwiches, fries, onion rings and various other comfort foods – plusall those tasty ice cream treats including Manatee County’sbestmilkshakes.
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Duffy’s Tavern
5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach; 941-778-2501;duffystavernami.com
Serving“world famous burger and coldest beer in town,” Duffy’s Tavern in Holmes Beach is an Anna Maria Island tradition dating back to 1950sthathas been owned and operated by the Geyer family since 1971. It all began when Claude “Duffy” Whiteman leased the two-story shackacross the street from the Manatee Public Beach and started serving mugs of beer along with sandwiches and soups. About 12 years later,Cincinnati, Ohio, native Pat Geyer bought Duffy’s“to keep her five daughters off the streets and out of trouble”with all of them– Patti, Pam, Peggi, Penni and Polli– spending time working behind the bar and grill.
In 2002, Duffy’s Tavern lost their lease (the building is now occupied bySkinny’s Place, another popular burger and beer joint), and about a year later Duffy’s opened in their current location, now with air conditioning and a fireplace,across the street from the Holmes Beach City Hall. Pat “Miss Duffy” Geyer, a two-time mayor of Holmes Beach, first elected in 1978,died at the age of 79 in 2010. Peggi has been the longtime manager continuing to run Duffy’s today with the help of her sisters. The cheeseburger, served “all the way” with lettuce, tomato, onion andmayo,is easily among the best in Sarasota-Manatee. Other favorites includethe brie and caramelized onion burger as well as the burgertopped with fresh jalapenos andhavarti. Also be sure to try the navy bean soup and some of the Geyers’ Cincinnati chili, either by the bowl or on a hot dog with cheese and onions.
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Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub
760 Broadway St., Longboat Key; 941-383-2391;marvistadining.com
Part of Ed Chiles’ three waterfront restaurants dotting the Manatee County shoreline from Longboat Key (Mar Vista) to Bradenton Beach (Beach House) to his home city of Anna Maria (Sandbar), Mar Vista’s history dates back to 1912. That’s whena major Longboat Key landowner named Rufus Jordan built one of the restaurant’s original, stone block structures.Transformed from a house to apartments to the Pub co*cktail Lounge in the 1940s, Chilesbought the property in the 1980s and opened theMar Vista.The son of former Gov. Lawton Chiles, Ed Chiles learned the restaurant business while working at the legendaryMiami establishment Joe’s Stone Crab before opening The Sandbar, which also has a rich history, in ’79,and then the Beach House in ’93.
In 2016, Chiles announced major renovations for the Mar Vista including a new state-of-the-art kitchen and other features such as a copper bar top reminiscent of the original Mar Vista bar, functional water tower for growing on-site herbs and vegetables, vintage wood and porcelain tile, a working outdoor fireplace for the deck, and a newly designed dining area with tiered banquet seating. InFebruary 2019,the the multimillion-dollar, two-year renovation was completed. Nestled in a tropical setting overlooking Sarasota Bay, Mar Vista’s popular menu items include the the Bud & Old Bay shrimp, grilled grouper, andGamble Creek Farm butter beans, shrimp and sausage. Oh, and thetater tots,with onion, pepper jack cheeseand chipotle honey mustard.Gotta try the tots.
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The Rod & Reel Pier
875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria; 941-778-1885;rodreelpier.com
Established in 1947, The Rod & Reel Pier restaurant places diners on the second floor of a two-story structure overlooking Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge with plenty of anglers gathered below at the end of the pier. Food and draft beers served in plastic cupscan also be ordered at the bar counter on the first floor and enjoyed while seated at one of the benches in the front or back of the restaurant.
Andit’s from these wood benches over the years that I’ve spottednumerous dolphins, manatees and a loggerhead turtle about the size of a Prius. I’ve also seen an angler bring up a shark or two but nothing quite like the one caught June 29, 1973:A hammerhead that measured 17 feet, 1 inchand weighed 1,386 pounds. The largest hammerhead ever caught,according to a Herald-Tribune story from 2015.
The Rod & Reel, which has been owned by part-time residentMario Schoenfelder fordecades,was serving breakfast in late September 2013 whenafire startedbetween the kitchen and exterior walls.No one was injured, but crews had to cut out parts of the exterior wall to extinguish the blaze, causing the restaurant to shut down for about four months right at the startof tourist season. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Rod & Reel is best known for its daily fresh fish specials. Popular menu items include the grouper Reuben (sauerkraut, Swiss, Thousand Island on rye), Mexican grouper (blackened and served over rice with grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and medium salsa), and the seafood combo (grouper, shrimp and scallops; grilled, blackened or fried).
Finally, it should be noted that Rod & Reel Pier runs parallel with the Anna Maria City Pier,which was originally constructed in 1911 and completely rebuiltafter being destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. In late 2020,TheCity Pier Grill and Bait Shopopened at the end of the pier. However thespace formerly proposed asa full-service restaurant–whereSchoenfelder once ran a restaurant, in fact – remains vacant withMote Marine eyeing the city-owned spot. “The decision is not yet final, and I am working with Dr. Crosby of Mote and Elliott Falcione of the Manatee Tourist Development Council on the details of their offer,”said Dan Murphy, mayor of the City of Anna Maria, in a recent email.“It would be a terrific add to our city and we are excited about the potential it brings.”
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Annie’s Bait and Tackle
4334 127th St. W., Cortez; 941-794-3580
A popular spot for fishermen to resupply, Annie’s Bait and Tackle is also atop waterfront restaurantfor guests toenjoy fresh seafood and a cold one in a delightfully funky, Old Florida setting bythe historic fishing village of Cortez. Longtime local residents Bruce and Kim Shearer bought the business in 1995, but its history dates back much earlier, with Bruce explaining that the Cipriani family, who wouldsell theirnearby C&C Marine about 15 years ago,purchased the propertyin 1945. “They filled it all in, with construction of this building taking place in the early to mid-’50s I’m guessing,” Shearer said from behind the counter atAnnie’s on a recent Friday afternoon.“There weresnacks and then those square sandwiches from a vending machine in the 1970s.”
Shearer’s memory seems to jibe with that ofCapt. Zach Zacharias, the Herald-Tribune’s outdoors correspondent.“My first recollection of the proprietors was a salty old character by the name of Taylor,” Zacharias wrote of Annie’s Bait & Tackle in 2014. “He purveyed live shrimp primarily and also stocked rudimentary tackle items, drinks and snacks up until the late ’70s, when Annie took over. Annie was a real breath of fresh air and the name has stuck despite a string of operators since.”
As for the waterfront property on which Annie’s sits, theCipriani family sold itto the Berry family, which according to Herald-Tribune archives were known for operating “theMiss Cortez Party boats,” and they eventually sold the property to Hamlin Jones, who also owned the Seafood Shack next door.Shearer said he made a million dollar offer to Jones for the Annie’s property. Jones declined andsold the entire waterfrontlot to the Canadian developer Vandyk Group in 2014. Aside from the dock being washed out in 2012 byTropical Storm Debby, Annie’s Bait & Tackle has required only minor repairs with the exterior and interior of the place not looking much different than it did in the 1950s or at least ’70s when Bruce Shearer first set foot in the place. “We’ve been so damn lucky,” he said. “I hope to hold onto it for at least a few more years. We'll see.”
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Pier 22
1200 First Ave. W.; 941-748-8087;pier22dining.com
The jewel of downtown Bradenton for nearly a century, Pier 22’s majestic, Mediterranean-style, three-story building overlooking the Manatee River was built in 1928 on what would become known as theMemorial Pier after it was dedicated to World War veteransin 1930. Over the years, The Pierhas been home to the South Florida Museum and Snooty, the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, andManatee County’s first radio station, which began broadcasting shortly after World War II. For the past four decades, the historic structurehas served asone of the best waterfront restaurants in the region.
Pier 22’s current incarnation began in 1976 when Don Miller Jr. inked a lease with the City of Bradenton for the original building and surrounding 50-slip marina. Construction and expansion then commenced for the creation of The Pier restaurant. In 1993, Don Miller Jr.’s son, Hugh Miller, took over operations. Then in 1996, The Pier changed names to Twin Dolphin Marina Grill, and the following year the marina had a major renovation and the dockmaster building was constructed with the expansion of the marina, which ultimately grew to 225 slips. It’s still called the Twin Dolphin Marina.
In 2006, Miller entered a co-branding arrangement with Sarasota-basedrestaurateur Paul Mattisonand changed the name to Mattison’s Riverside(Mattison now has the nearby Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille,which opened in 2016). The Pier is on mile marker 22, and in September of 2011Miller ended the arrangement with Mattison and changed the name of the restaurant toPier 22. Hugh Miller hired Greg Campbell, who is the executive chef anddirector of operations, andthey’re the same team behind another popular Manatee County restaurant,Grove,which openedin Lakewood Ranch in 2018.
Pier 22 offers an impressive menu of everything from sushi tosteaks with fine dining inside and a flip-flop friendly area on the patio where guests can watch the sun sink into the waterwhere the Manatee River meets Tampa Bay. Sit anywhere in the restaurant and enjoy the generous happy hour deals on food and drinks from 3 to 7 p.m. daily, with breakfast and brunch now served on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 8 a.m.
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Wade Tatangelo is the Herald-Tribune’s entertainment editor. Support local journalism by subscribing.
