Ford’s Garage, a burger and beer place, is opening soon. And there’s more to chew on
The long-awaited Ford’s Garage in the University Town Center district should be open by summer — but that’s not the only new dining option coming to the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
“Hiring now” signs are posted outside of Ford’s Garage, a 300-seat restaurant, nearing completion at 295 N. Cattlemen Road, Building No. 13.
Inside, work remains, but two vintage Ford automobiles have already been suspended from the ceiling. Model A and Model T Fords suspended over the bar are fixtures at each of the chain’s 13 other burger-and-beer joints in Florida.
“Ford’s Garage will give you the vibe of being in a 1920s service station to include vintage Ford vehicles, gas pumps, and fixtures. Our bars feature prohibition-style elements of old brick, rich wood, and a hand-hammered copper bar top,” according to the company’s web page.
In addition to its Black Angus hamburgers, turkey, chicken, and vegetarian sandwiches, Ford’s Garage also serves American comfort food such as homemade meatloaf, chili, macaroni and cheese, and lighter fare, including salads, grilled chicken, and fresh fish.
Ford’s Garage serves American craft beer, multiple tap and bottle beers, wine and cocktails.
“We do not yet have an exact date but I can tell you that we are shooting for the end of May,” a company representative said in an email of the planned opening.
The company opened its first restaurant in 2012 in Fort Myers, near Henry Ford’s winter home. Nearby Ford’s Garage restaurants are in Brandon, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The Herald originally reported in 2019 that Ford’s Garage planned to open a restaurant in the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
Hiring information can be found at www.fordsgarageusa.com/careers.
In other restaurant and food news:
▪ Scott’s Deli has reopened at 6000 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. The owners announced the reopening on Facebook. “We are finally open! Thank you everyone who have helped us reopen so quickly. We couldn’t have done it without you. Also thank you to all of our customers for your patience. We know it has been a long month, but we love our new location. It has allowed us to expand our menu. Jamie and Scott Mason had to relocate their business due to circumstances beyond their control as previously reported by the Herald. For more information, call 941-778-3000.
▪ Burger Culture is set to open in a 1,800 square-foot restaurant on the lower level just inside the west grand entrance of the Mall at University Town Center this May.
▪ StackD Cake Studio had its grand opening Saturday at 6202 U.S. Highway 301 N., Ellenton. Owner Nailah Browne says her business is like a sandwich shop, where the customer picks out the ingredients and she builds the cake on the spot. For more information, visit http://www.stackdcakes.com/ or call 941-17-2251.
▪ Tropical Smoothie Cafe recently opened at 5702 State Road 64 East at Morgan-Johnson Road. In addition to smoothies, Tropical Smoothie Cafe serves flatbreads, wraps, salads, and more. For more information, visit www.TropicalSmoothieCafe.com and follow the cafe on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tscBradentonFL/ for updates.
▪ Also planned, according to paperwork filed with Manatee County government, are an Arby’s free-standing restaurant with drive-thru at 9610 SR 64 E., Bradenton, and a Dunkin Donuts with a drive-thru at Oxford Road and U.S. 301 N., Parrish. Those planned restaurants are likely about a year away, being early in the permitting process.
