Braden River Beef O’Brady’s restaurant moves to a new location in Manatee County
Tim and Lauren Macri recently closed their Braden River Beef O’Brady’s restaurant in the Lockwood Commons shopping center on a Sunday and reopened four days later, less than 2 miles away at 6581 State Road 70 E.
“It was a seamless move,” Lauren Macri said Monday. “All the pieces came together. It has that meant-to-be feeling.”
Beef’s new space is at 6581 State Road 70 E., between Zaxby’s and Jack’s Donuts.
Business has been good since reopening on Friday in space convenient to longtime customers, as well as potential new guests to the east, said the Macris, partners in three Beef O’Brady’s franchises in Manatee County.
Most recently, the new Beef O’Brady’s space was home to a BubbaQue’s BBQ. The Macris assumed the lease of that space from BubbaQue operators.
Beef O’Brady’s, a family-friendly sports pub and casual restaurant, was born in Brandon in 1985. The Macri family were among the first franchisees, starting in 1995.
Beef O’Brady’s relocates on State Road 70
Richard Macri, a retired Air Force veteran, became familiar with the brand by taking his son Tim to a Brandon Beef O’Brady’s to watch Dallas Cowboys football games.
True to that early sports viewing attraction, the new Braden River restaurant has 29 large-screen TVS, including a 150-inch display on four combined TVs and a 130-inch display on four combined TVs.
“We had a ton of our long-standing customers coming over the weekend. It’s nice to see familiar faces,” Tim Macri said.
In addition to all those TVs, the new restaurant space has seating for about 125 inside. The owners are looking to add outdoor seating that could accommodate 20 to 25.
Best sellers include wings, burgers and Philly cheesesteaks.
The menu also includes tacos and bowls, a variety of salads and sandwiches — Rueben, chicken, Cuban and more — and wraps. On the casual side, Beef O’Brady’s also serves pizza.
Beef O’Brady’s offers a premium menu as well, including steaks and seafood, and a full bar.
“We are updating a lot of our menu items. It’s rolling with the times,” Lauren said.
Beef O’Brady’s offers daily values on the menu. Example: $7.99 for a burger and fries on Monday, $7.99 for two tacos, chips and salsa on Tuesday and 99 cent wings on Wednesday.
A keystone of the business is community involvement. At the top of the list is establishing a relationship with nearby Braden River High School.
Ally Corleto, a 2014 Braden River High School grad, has been with the Braden River Beef’s since the store originally opened.
In addition to serving tables, she also tends bar and helps manage the restaurant.
“It’s fun. All of my friends are here. It’s like a family,” Corleto said.
In addition to the Braden River location, the Macris also operate Beef O’Brady’s at 1795 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, and 8913 U.S. 301 N., Parrish.
Richard Macri still comes in regularly to the Lakewood Ranch restaurant and is a fixture there on Trivia Tuesday night. Tim’s brother Mike manages the Parrish restaurant.
What to know
▪ Name: Braden River Beef O’Brady’s
▪ Address: 6581 State Road 70 E., Bradenton
▪ Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
▪ Phone: (941) 896-3992
▪ Online: https://www.beefobradys.com/Bradenton-BradenRiver
This story was originally published January 31, 2024 at 5:50 AM.
