Restaurant News: Joey D’s Closes, Toasted Yolk Café Coming To Sarasota

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Here's the latest restaurant and bar news in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Joey D’s Closes in Downtown Sarasota

Pizza chain Joey D’s Chicago Style Eatery & Pizzeria has closed its downtown Sarasota location for numerous reasons, co-owner Tommy Dennis told Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

“We loved being downtown but the road construction that’s been going on for so long and things like the pandemic were the reasons we closed,” he said.

They plan to open another Joey D’s location in Sarasota within the next year. Additional local locations that remain open include east Sarasota, west Bradenton, Palmetto and Venice.

Juice Bar Opens in Burns Court Area

A new juice bar, Summer Tap, opened in April in Sarasota’s Burns Court area. The shop opens fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies.

“The idea of staying healthy and offering healthy products inspires me,” owner Galina Naguibine told Sarasota Magazine. “When my husband and I visited the Dominican Republic, we went to a juice bar where they blend the juice on the spot. It was so refreshing.”

Toasted Yolk Café Coming to Sarasota

Breakfast and lunch chain, The Toasted Yolk Café, is opening a franchise location in Sarasota, according to a news release. The Texas-based chain is known for its farm-to-table offerings and brunch experience.

The chain has 22 locations in Texas — doubling in size over the last two years — and is expanding into other states, with 62 franchises planned in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Mississippi, Florida and Tennessee

New Gourmet Food Shop Opens in Southside Village

A new specialty, gourmet food shop — Two Chefs on Hillview — has opened in Southside Village. The shop is owned by two local chefs, Frank Imbarlina and Mellisa Louty, and offers a mix of baked goods and savory items, according to Sarasota Magazine.

“It’s basically a playground for us,” Imbarlina said.

Midwestern Donut Shop Opens Sarasota Location

Jack's Donuts, a Midwestern donut shop, opened its first Florida location on North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

“This is the first one in Florida,” co-owner/manager Andrea Ronchini told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. “And we plan to open more in Florida in the future, plus we will be adding a luncheon menu eventually.

Joseph’s Diner Owners Open New Eatery in Original Nokomis Location

The original owners of Joseph’s Diner have opened a new eatery in their original Nokomis location at 625 N. Tamiami Trail.

Edmond and Alsina Prendi have returned to the restaurant business with the rebranded concept, Joseph’s Pizza & Grill, in a space that was briefly the home of Cucina Gloria.

“We missed the interaction with our customers,” Edmond Prendi told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. “My wife and I love connecting with people through the enjoyment of good food.”

They remodeled the space for a modern/rustic look and added pan-European dishes to their menu, in addition to pizza and Italian items.

Lemonade Shop Opening in Fruitville Commons

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade Stand is opening a Sarasota location in Fruitville Commons.

The lemonade shop will open by the end of July by Andrew and Anju Lynn, the husband-and-wife team that previously owned and operated the Lemon Bus food truck, Sarasota Magazine reported.