A Burger A Week – Hive Bar
Three “Big Macs” are hiding here in Sarasota!
Most of us know it (and could probably sing it): “Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.” That little earworm was let loose on an unsuspecting, burger-eating public back in 1974. And it changed the way burgers were advertised.
Believe it or not, it was intended as an attempt to get McDonald’s into the “rap” music game. Granted, rap music was in its infancy back then, but I can’t help but wonder what Grandmaster Flash thought about the whole thing! 🎶😁
🍔 The Big Mac. It made its burger debut back in 1967 (a few years before the whole Big Mac rap thing). Skip ahead 58 years to right now. It’s estimated that McDonald’s sells 900 million of these double-decker burgers each year! That’s a whole lotta special sauce!
We haven’t had any “fast food” burgers during our A Burger A Week trek. We have had some “fast casual” burgers (Five Guys, Shake Shack, and BurgerFi). But not a true fast food offering. 📝 Don’t worry, we’re not wrapping up this almost two-year burger thing with a Big Mac. That would be ridiculous. Or would it?…
3️⃣ We have three “Big Macs” in town. Hiding among all of the burgers on all of the menus I’ve seen in the past couple of years are a few “Big Macs.” Yes, we have some local restaurants playing on the original. And the results are pretty damn tasty!
Florence and the Spice Boys have their version. It’s called Le Big Mac Burger. It’s just one patty, and it’s cooked to order (unlike the original version). It has most of the other necessary toppings to qualify. 📝 Their secret sauce is a knockout!
MVP – My Village Pub on Siesta Key has a variation, too. The MVP Mac Double Cheeseburger comes closer to the original formula. It’s a big, messy, and delicious burger. 🍟 The “Ballpark Fries” – Garlic, butter, and parmesan are fantastic!
But the “Big Mac” that we’re here to talk about today comes from a place that’s a little more under the radar. In fact, lots of you may not even know that it exists or, more importantly, how to get it. As a service to the local burger-eating public, we are here to remedy that!
Dive Wine & Spirits (2881 Clark Rd. (941) 888-0382) has a dedicated and loyal local following. And with good reason. Owner Broc Smith is an expert on all things liquor-related (and as you’ll find out later, he’s pretty great at the burger thing, too). He can effortlessly recommend that perfect bourbon or special occasion bottle of wine.
OH, you can also get an “Adult Slurpy”! 🍹
Hidden inside the store is something pretty surprising.
Behind door #1 is…
Yes, a restaurant! A small, quaint, and unexpected restaurant.
🐝 This is Hive Bar. There isn’t a set menu here. Things are usually divided up by the day of the week. But even that isn’t set in stone. It can be a bit of a moving target. 📝 The best way to find out what they’re serving on any given day is to subscribe to their newsletter – DO THAT HERE!
Thursday is normally Smashed Burger Night at Hive. 📌 PRO TIP – You’re probably going to need a reservation. I know that now, but I didn’t at the time! 😁
There are 6-8 seats at the bar and about a half dozen tables. It’s a pretty tiny place, but don’t let its compact size fool you. It delivers BIG in the food department!
RESTAURANT: HIVE BAR (2881 Clark Rd. (941) 888-0382)
DATE OF VISIT: MAY 16, 2023
STOP #: 51 OF 52
BURGER TASTED: THE BIG MICK
📒 OUR TASTING NOTES
🍔 This burger is served as listed on the menu: Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, onion, pickle on a non-seeded bun ($14)
• The grilled onions set this one apart from the original. They pack a nice flavor boost. It’s an unexpected burger-topping upgrade.
• I LOVE a smash burger. So, this burger gets style points from me right off the bat.
• Two patties. But not two HUGE patties. This is a reasonably-sized burger that a normal person can finish. And you will!! 📝 I ate this entire burger. I usually limit myself to half. 52 burgers are a lot. But I couldn’t resist eating the whole thing!
• Hive oozes atmosphere. It’s cool. It’s like a secret you’ll be dying to tell everyone. It is completely unpretentious. But at the same time, it gives off a confident sophistication. One visit and you will know why locals love it!
• THE FRIES! – OK, get ready. You know I like fries. But these Triple Cooked Fries rank right at the top of the heap for me. They’re natural cut. They’re boiled (then frozen), fried (then frozen again), then fried one last time. Unbelievably crispy and bursting with flavor! 🍟
Let’s check out how all of this looked when I ordered it…
There’s one more little surprise for you waiting at Dive. After (or before) your Big Mick burger experience, you can (and should) choose door #2.
Slide open this cooler door and slip into another world.
This bar located at the back of the liquor store is a hidden treasure. Yes, it’s dark and mysterious. Yes, they have just about every bottle of liquor you could ask for.
And, yes, they have an expert mixologist waiting to make your evening! 🍸
EXTRA STUFF: The “restaurant” part of Dive Wine & Spirits (Hive Bar) doesn’t open until 6PM • I would suggest a reservation. You don’t want to be disappointed • Lots of parking makes this super easy • Keep an eye out for their “pop-up” nights & wine dinners! • A fully stocked liquor store is at your disposal!
👀 SNEAK PEEK: OK, burger #52 awaits…
~ LH
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS 🗓️
Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting. All you need to do is make that reservation. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
⭐⭐ If you have an event, we’d like to help you spread the word. Let us know! (EMAIL IT)
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2024 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – VIVA MEXICO
WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
😎 GECKO’S SUMMER 2024 MENU – HAVE A LOOK!
🧑🍳 MATTISON’S SUMMER CHEF CAMP 2024 – REGISTER!
We’ve got a few things for you to do in the next days, weeks, and months. Get out there and take advantage of what our Sarasota restaurant community has to offer! ⬇️
MAY 28 – Casami Wine Dinner – Casami Italian Bistro
MAY 29 – Winemakers Dinner – Clasico Italian Chophouse
MAY 30 – Shochu Class – JPAN – UTC
MAY 30 – Glenfiddich Dinner – Hive Bar
JUNE 2024 – SUNCOAST SUMMERFEST – EVENTS & TICKETS HERE
JUNE 2 – Wine Dinner, Italy Part 1 – Andrea’s
JUNE 11 – Tequila Ocho Dinner – State Street Eating House
JUN 21 – Wolffer Estates Wine Dinner – GROVE Restaurant
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT – RADD Night Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
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