The new year may have just begun, but plenty happened in the Sarasota area restaurant scene during January, including several openings, at least one closing, and news of an iconic dining spot returning.
It was announced that Sarasota’s Hob Nob Drive-In, which closed in 2024 after 67 years in business, will reopen under new owners. An Italian restaurant on St. Armands Circle also recently reopened — with a new name and new owners, albeit ones in the same family — after being closed since 2024 due to damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Other openings included a new steakhouse by local owners, as well as area debuts for regional chains such as a Philly cheesesteak spot, while another chain closed all its locations including its Sarasota area one. Here’s our roundup of the biggest openings, closings and dining developments we reported on in the past month…