Dave’s Hot Chicken, Chick-Fil-A, Caragiulo’s, Chipotle: Restaurant News

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Here’s the latest restaurant and bar news across the Sarasota and Bradenton area:

Chick-fil-A Opens New Manatee Location

Chick-fil-A recently celebrated the grand opening of a new restaurant in Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour area.

The new location at 7283 State Road 64 is owned and operated by Jonathan Ith, a longtime Chick-fil-A employee, a news release from the company said.

Ith began working for the company in 1989 and has called the Bradenton area home for more than 40 years.

“When my family came to America from Cambodia in 1981, we were welcomed by the Bradenton community and given opportunities that changed our lives,” Ith said in a statement. “Opening this restaurant here is both a privilege and a way to give back to the community that supported my family from the beginning.”

Sarasota Tex-Mex Restaurant Closes

A Sarasota Tex-Mex restaurant, The Grasshopper Mexican Restaurant & Bar, at 7253 S. Tamiami Trail has closed after nearly 14 years, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

The restaurant was opened by owner Dino Soto in 2013.

The location was previously home to Shells Seafood.

Chipotle Opens New Location

Chipotle Mexican Grill opened a new location in Lakewood Ranch, the Bradenton Herald said.

The new fast-casual restaurant at 16680 State Road 64 E. in the Northchase Center shopping plaza.

The location boasts a drive-thru known as the Chipotlane.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Plans First Manatee Restaurant

National chain Dave’s Hot Chicken plans to open its first Manatee County restaurant.

The brand, which specialized in Nashville- hot chicken, is coming to 627 Cortez Road W., Unit 106, as part of the Seaflower Village Center, the Bradenton Herald said.

Iconic Downtown Sarasota Restaurant Reopens

An iconic downtown Sarasota restaurant is reopening in a new location after a brief closure.

Caragiulo’s Italian American Restaurant plans to open Oct. 27 at its new home at 1833 Ringling Blvd., the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

The restaurant previously called the space at 69 S. Palm Ave. in the historic Mira Mar building home, closing that location last fall.