Birdrock Taco Shack Moves, Drive-Thru Buffalo Wild Wings Planned: Restaurant News

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

Leaf & Lentil Closes Down, Seeks New Location

Sarasota vegan restaurant Leaf & Lentil closed its door at 2801 N. Tamiami Trail Jan. 23.

The eatery has been a staple for the plant-based community, offering favorites like a portobello Reuben and a po’bay made with zucchini fritters.

According to a post the restaurant shared to its Facebook page, blames the closure on “many reasons, including the toll the pandemic took on our business, increasing costs and more. We just aren’t able to stay at our current location.

Leaf & Lentil indicated that it’s searching for another location and has “some possibilities in the works.”

Drive-Thru Buffalo Wild Wings Planned in Bradenton

Developers have submitted their paperwork with Manatee County Building Services to bring a 1,400-square-foot drive-thru only Buffalo Wild Wings to 5425 14th Street W., the Bradenton Herald reported.

The same filed paperwork also requests permission to build a 2,300-square-foot Del Taco drive-thru restaurant at the same address. This would be the taco chain’s second location in Manatee County.

Georgia Carpet and Floors currently occupies the space.

Birdrock Taco Shack to Host Grand Opening at New Location in Village of the Arts

Birdrock Taco Shack has reopened in its new digs at 1213 13th Ave. W. in the same Bradenton neighborhood it’s called home for more than six years, the Village of the Arts.

On Feb. 25, the Mexican restaurant will host its “most jubilant celebration yet” to commemorate its grand opening, according to a Facebook event page. The event will feature the band Joint Chiefs and there will be no cover.

gRub Tropical BBQ Opens on Anna Maria Island

A new fast, casual eatery offering a modern spin on traditional smoked barbecue has opened on Anna Maria Island.

gRub Tropical BBQ, located at 415 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria, held its grand opening Feb. 2.

Executive chef Ben Sato, who grew up on Anna Maria Island, learned at a young age “how special it is to bring people together over food,” according to gRub’s website.

Sato attended Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts School and worked at renowned resorts throughout Florida such as the Key Biscayne Ritz-Carlton, Sunset Key Resort, Hollywood Beach Marriott and the Longboat Key Club.

Along the way, he fell in love with barbecue. His personal take on the cuisine is “tropical (barbecue) cooked traditional smoked style in an island atmosphere where he hopes friends and families will gather for years to come,” according to the eatery’s website.