COVID pandemic challenged Manatee restaurants. Here’s who closed — and opened — in 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Manatee County in March, restaurants were among the hardest hit segments of the county’s economy.
Mandatory dining room closings, and grave apprehension about how to survive the menace had many restaurants on the ropes. Restaurants shifted their focus to curbside pickup and to-go orders, and in some cases, permanently closed or delayed reopening for months.
Others, which had been known for offering an intimate dining experience, threw open their doors in an effort to bring fresh air inside. A few even launched on-line groceries, selling hard-to-get items like hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
Every restaurant operation has its own horror story to share.
When Whiskey Joe’s opened in March, it was into a full-blown global pandemic, a nightmarish scenario that brand manager Marty Duffany could never have imagined.
A day after Whiskey Joe’s opened at 5313 19th St. E., Ellenton, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued new guidelines for restaurant operations, including a 50 percent cap on dining room occupancy, spacing tables at least six feet apart and health screenings for workers.
It wasn’t long until DeSantis issued an even tougher order, closing restaurant dining rooms.
“What about the mom-and-pop restaurants that have a mortgage due and unemployment compensation to pay?” Duffany said at the time. “We work for a great company but even so, we have to take drastic measures. I don’t know how it is going to shake out. It’s tough for everyone. I just can’t believe it.”
Among the restaurant casualties in 2020 was enRich Bistro, 5629 Manatee Ave. W. Chef and owner Rich Knowles announced the closing in June after a six-year run: “This is the toughest decision I have ever had to make in my life, but I feel like it is the right one.” Knowles said.
Also closing in 2020:
▪ Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 4406 53rd Ave. E.
▪ The Peach’s restaurants at 5702 Cortez Road and 6057 26th St. W.
▪ Panda Garden Restaurant at 3240 14th St. W.
▪ Cleveland Kitchen, 2539 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
▪ Riverside Cafe, 955 Riverside Drive, Palmetto
▪ Sweet Tomatoes and Jason’s Deli, both on University Parkway.
Several notable Bradenton area eateries, Council’s and Linger Lodge Restaurant, went into a kind of limbo during the pandemic.
Lisa Burgess bought Council’s, Beer and Billiards, 536 12th St. W., in the spring with apparent plans to renovate the landmark, but to date the venerable burger joint has not reopened.
In July, Linger Lodge Restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court E., announced it had closed until further notice because of the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Despite the uncertainty, 2020 also saw the arrival of many new restaurants:
▪ Mean Deans Local Kitchen, 6059 26th St. W., Bradenton. Hand-made, high-quality food served in a neighborhood location. For more information, visit www.meandeanslocalkitchen.com or call 941-251-5435.
▪ Salt & Pepper Cafe, 608 14th St. W., Bradenton, is a new breakfast-and-lunch place. For more information, saltandpeppercafefl.com or call 941-216-4096.
▪ Atypical Kitchen, 2539 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., specializing in take-out and delivery. For more information, call 941-744-0744 or visit atypicalkitchen.com.
▪ The Rustic Oven, 551A 17 St. W., Palmetto, offers pizzas, strombolis, calzones, bread bowls, and salads. For more information, visit https://www.therusticpizzeria.com/ or call 941- 981-9456.
▪ The Breakfast Company, 7246 55th Ave. E., Bradenton, offers breakfast and lunch. For more information, call 941-201-6002 or visit thebreakfastcompanyfl.com.
▪ Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar, 12332 Manatee Ave. W., offers a bit of old-school Florida fish house atmosphere, done with personality and a little quirkiness. For more information, visit www.compasshotel.com/AnnaMariaSound.
▪ Bourbon & Bones Chophouse & Market, 8205 Natures Way, Lakewood Ranch. This steakhouse’s name says it all. For more information, visit https://www.bourbonandboneslw.com/ or call 941-893-5403.
▪ Atria Cafe, 4120 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., offers breakfast and lunch and a bakery. For more information, call 941-751-1016 or visit atria.cafe/.
▪ Tasting Room at Pineapple Kitchen, 4914 Lena Road, Unit 104, grab-and-go breakfast eats, including sandwiches and pastries. For more information call 941-254-1763 or visit https://pineapplekitchen.com/.
▪ Yaki Sushi Grill BBQ, offering sushi and hibachi grill food items at unit 113, 5231 University Parkway, in The Market at UTC shopping center. For more information, call 941-355-5866 or visit https://www.yakibradenton.com/.
▪ The Thai Seed restaurant, Thai and Japanese cuisine, at 5215 University Parkway, #108, in The Market at UTC shopping center. For more information, call 941-306-5592, or visit www.thaiseedutc.com.
▪ Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar, a gourmet restaurant at 8799 Cortez Road W. For more information, visit https://pestoflorida.com/ or call 941-201-4167.
▪ Yummy Tokyo Asian Fusion Bistro at 9552 Buffalo Road. For more information, call 941-729-9777 or visit yummytokyofl.com.
▪ Jerry’s Grill and Bowl, 1210 Eighth Ave. W., Palmetto serves Mediterranean cuisine. For more information, call 941-479-7381, or visit https://www.jerrysgrillandbowl.com/
▪ U-Yee Sushi & Grill, 7349 University Parkway, Lakewood Ranch For more information or to order, call 941-358-3996 or visit https://www.uyeesushigrill.com/.
▪ The Chateau Anna Maria, gourmet food served at 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information visit thechateauonthelake.com or call 941-238-6264.
▪ Louis Pappas Fresh Greek, serving fast-casual food at 8512 Cooper Creek Blvd. For more information, visit https://www.louispappas.com/ or call 941-388-8719.
▪ Angelino Palmetto, 336 Eighth Ave. W. serves authentic Italian cuisine. Reservations are suggested at 941-212-4880 but walk-ins are welcome.
▪ North Shore Cafe, 304 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, serves breakfast and lunch. Information: 941- 900-2671
▪ Whitney’s, 6990 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key serves breakfast and lunch. For more information, call 941-383-4606 or visit https://www.whitneylbk.com/
▪ Bún-Haus Vietnamese Kitchen, 5231 University Parkway #105, University Park. For more information, visit bunhaus.com. or call 941-702-6066.
▪ Natives, 11577 70th Terrace E., Lakewood Ranch. Florida-based health fare chain featuring acai bowls, smoothies, juices, wraps, salads and more. 3natives.com. 941-751-1119.
▪ 88 Live Piano Bar, 6640 Cortez Road W. #A, Bradenton. A new spot for live music, good drinks and light bites. 88-live-piano-bar.business.site. 941-900-1133.
▪ A&K Shore Shack. This traveling food trailer’s specialty is shrimp. Choose from several styles of shrimp tacos and po’ boys, plus sides. facebook.com/akshoreshack. 941-539-4719.
▪ Alice Scooper’s, 1057 Riverside Drive, Palmetto. Offering up small-batch, homemade ice cream, sundaes and milkshakes, including keto-friendly, dairy-free and vegan options. alicescoopers.com. 941-243-6621.
If your restaurant opened in Manatee County this year and we missed you, email jajones1@bradenton.com.
This story was originally published December 31, 2020 at 2:56 PM.
