Metro Diner brings comfort-food, star-studded reputation to Westfield Siesta Key

This summer, Westfield Siesta Key welcomed a Jacksonville-based diner full of comfort food favorites and star power.

Metro Diner, which made a 2010 appearance on the Food Network TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” opened its first location south of St. Petersburg for the first time this summer. “DDD” host Guy Fieri highlighted Metro Diner’s Meatloaf Plate, which he said diners across the world should “take a lesson on,” the Pittsburgh Steak Salad and Yo Hala on the Square, a French toast dish made with challah bread, bananas, cream cheese and berry compote.

The Sarasota location spans 3,400 square feet, sits 125 people and serves diner classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with daily specials.

“Guests feel at home when they come to Metro Diner because we welcome them as if they are coming to our own house,” Metro Diner founder and Chef Mark Davoli said in a release. “Sarasota is a tight-knit community and we look forward to instilling that same sense of familiarity when our diner opens its doors in the heart of the suburbs.”

Other Metro Diner favorites include Fried Chicken and Waffles, Charleston Shrimp and Grits and Pork Chops with Spiced Apple Chutney. The diner at 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1185, hired more than 100 Sarasota-area residents, according to the release.

Metro Diner has 17 other Florida locations with an 18th to come in The Villages. Nationwide, Metro Diner can be found in Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

For more information on the Westfield Siesta Key location, call them at 941-315-7886. For more information on Metro Diner and to see the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” segments, visit metrodiner.com.

This story was originally published August 30, 2017 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Metro Diner brings comfort-food, star-studded reputation to Westfield Siesta Key."