A Burger A Week – Food + Beer
We’re at the original location to sample the Basic Cheeseburger!
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We’re going to dispense with the lead-in for our burger this week. It’s usually here where we’ll talk a bit about what this place is all about. But this seems completely unnecessary this time. Let’s break this one down to its most basic elements.
This is Food + Beer!
In 2018, Mike Whelan opened what would become the first of five Food + Beer locations. Gulf Gate seemed like the perfect location to start this ball rolling.
At the time, its name barked out its location, Gulf Gate Food + Beer. It’s since been shortened, but the sign still pays tribute to this funky Sarasota neighborhood.
I love that there is absolutely no pretense here. In fact, the opposite may be true. That name tells you precisely what you can expect when you walk through the door. I mean precisely.
It can be hard to name a restaurant. I’m sure you know that larger companies fork over pretty big sums to come up with just the perfect handle. It can be a challenge.
I’m not trying to trivialize the name-selection process. What you call yourself is absolutely important. But even more important is what happens when you make your grand entrance. In this case, what you think you’re going to get matches the reality; Food + Beer.
It’s a “sports bar” style place, but on a smaller scale. Of course there are TVs, some nice bar space, and table seating.
🌟 A Burger A Week First! During our first 27 stops, we’ve never run into this. A genuine, for-real arcade is attached to this restaurant. How fantastically convenient (and honestly a little weird)! 📝 Unfortunately, they don’t have my all-time favorite arcade game, Defender. Or my second all-time favorite, Centipede. But they do have something that almost everyone loves!
Places like this tend to run specials. Food + Beer is on that…
These specials run every weekday! And as luck would have it, a burger special is included! 🍔 (It’s great when everything just falls into place so effortlessly. 😎)
$7.99 for a cheeseburger and fries?! That is a real deal. Sometimes it feels like today’s burger environment is a touch overpriced. So, we’re going to take full advantage of our opportunity.
Let’s talk about our Food + Beer burger experience…
RESTAURANT: FOOD + BEER (6528 Superior Ave. (941) 952-3361)
DATE OF VISIT:
STOP #: 28 OF 52
BURGER TASTED: THE BASIC CHEESEBURGER
📒 OUR TASTING NOTES
🍔 This burger is served as listed on the menu: Lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. ($7.99 on weekday special). Addons: Bacon $3 or egg $1.50.
• When I mentioned burger, my server Jessica mentioned: “special.” I said YES!
• This is a pretty basic cheeseburger. And that’s exactly what the name suggests. Not a bad thing. And it takes 100% of the guesswork out of the process. It might be basic, but it was also meaty and delicious.
• I asked for mine cooked medium. The kitchen didn’t hit the mark here. But it ended up not mattering much. It was still super juicy. This burger is really similar to the Shake Pit burger we tasted close to the beginning of this series. HERE’S A LITTLE REFRESHER OF WHAT THAT WAS LIKE.
• They offer bacon for $3 more. I got that, and it was terrific. (It added a nice smokey element). You can also add an egg for $1.50. That would have been a great addition too. The special $7.99 price was low enough that going for all of it is not a big reach. Do that!!
• Of course, The Fries! These were natural cut and super crispy. I’m beginning to think I might have a French fry obsession (I may seek help when this is all over!) 🍟
Let’s check out how all of this looked when I ordered it…
BURGER TAKEAWAYS: This burger special is one of the best deals we’ve seen so far • Service was great. Quick and attentive • If you’ve got kids, the arcade will keep them entertained while you wait for your food (also adults!) • This would be an ideal place to catch any sporting event. • Great local craft beers on tap! 🍺
👀 SNEAK PEEK: What’s next?? We’re taking this burger train downtown! We’ll be stopping at a spot that has been a Sarasota favorite for a little over 20 years. And everything is outdoors! 🚂
JOIN SARASOTA’S BEST BURGERS FACEBOOK GROUP HERE!
✅ Did you miss a week? No worries. Here’s a link to our A BURGER A WEEK SERIES ARCHIVE! 🍔
🗓️ 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, send us the details! (EMAIL IT)
ALL APRIL – Epicurean Menu, Israel – Michael’s On East
WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
APR 22 – Bubbles & Big Reds – Mattison’s Forty-One
APR 22 – Saturday Wine Tasting – Michael’s Wine Cellar
APR 23 – Jam for Jocelyn – JRs Old Packinghouse Cafe
APR 20 TO 24 – Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival – INFORMATION
MAY 5 – 18th Annual Dick Vitale Gala – INFORMATION
MAY 10 – Walking Progressive Dinner – Taste Magazine
MAY 14 – Mother’s Day Brunch – GROVE Restaurant
MAY 14 – Mother’s Day Brunch – Michael’s On East
🧑🌾 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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