Tarpon Bay Grill and Tiki Bar has a new owner. Long-time patrons will remember her
Five years to the day after Terri Pulaski sold Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar, 7150 N. Tamiami Trail, she has taken over the business for a second time.
Under her previous ownership from 2010 to 2014, the business was named The Bearded Clam.
While she has no plans to bring back the old name, she has brought back her old menu, introduced live entertainment, and reached out to regulars and families.
She is also seeking to spread the word that Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar is a hidden jewel worth checking out, located on the west side of a Ramada Inn hotel.
“When people find us the first time, they are shocked to learn that we are here. Driving down Tamiami Trail, you wouldn’t know this is here,” she said.
Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar has a combined 300 seats in its restaurant and tiki bar area, wrapped around a large swimming pool, facing onto dockage and an inlet from Sarasota Bay.
Assisting her with the business is her son, Doug Pulaski, who serves as general manager. Manager Darcey McQuid rounds out the leadership team.
“Good food and consistency is the key to a successful restaurant,” said Terri Pulaski, a Wisconsin native who grew up in the restaurant business. “Everything we serve here is made from scratch.”
Doug Pulaski says Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar is ideally located.
“You have Sarasota right next to you, and you have Bradenton right here, next to the water. We want all the locals want to come here. We also invite out-of-town people to come, too. It’s a good place to hang out,” Doug Pulaski said.
Tarpon Bay Grill’s menu has a generous selection of choices, ranging from dinner entrees, to seafood selections, burgers, specialty sandwiches, appetizers and soups and salads.
The menu states, “no fast food here. All our food is prepared to order. We like it fresh and we hope you do, too.”
Teasers include a half pound of peel-and-eat shrimp for $12.95 (one pound for $20.95), seared ahi tuna for $15.95, calamari for $9.95, gator tail (market price), and many other choices.
Burgers start at $8.95, and specialty sandwiches at $8.50.
Seafood offerings include the Bearded Clam Bowl for $15.95 (clams, Andouille sausage, tomatoes, chopped onions and green peppers in a garlic wine sauce served with Parmesan garlic bread), Fish Street Tacos for $11.95, Fried Shrimp Po’ Boy for $14.95, shrimp and grits for $16.95, and more.
“I want to bring it back to the way it used to be: a family place, and a place where boaters can stop off. Guests can use the pool, too,” Terri Pulaski said.
The business is also dog friendly, she said.
Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar opens seven days a week at 11 a.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m., but the tiki bar remains open until later.
For more information call 941-893-5528 or visit the Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar Facebook pageTarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar Facebook page, which lists food specials and live entertainment dates and performers. The restaurant web site is under construction.
