October 3, 2025

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The LIST – October 2025

October is Here! Let’s see who made The LIST!

🎃 There is a lot to love about October. It’s still quiet enough to get a res at your favorite local dining spot. A cool front usually rolls through to bring a much-welcomed end to the summer heat. And best of all, adults can eat candy without any feelings of guilt whatsoever. At least that’s my take. 😉 

🗓️ Something to Celebrate!   

🍕 October is National Pizza Month! (Doughboy Swift & Malmosto) 

🍲 October 12^th – National Gumbo Day (Lucky 8 & Owen’s Fish Camp) 

🐷 October 12^th – National Pulled Pork Day (Brick’s & Stottlemyer’s) 

🦀 October 15^th – STONE CRAB SEASON STARTS TODAY! (Walt’s & Big Water)

⭐ October 18^th – National Meatloaf Appreciation Day (Yoder’s & Der Dutchman) 

🧇+ 🐔 October 20^th – National Chicken & Waffles Day (Fork & Hen – Hot Chicken Kitchen) 

🍺 October 27^th – National Amercian Beer Day (99 Bottles & Calusa Brewing) 

Of course, don’t forget Halloween (Oct. 31^st). I definitely consider that a food holiday. 😁 

Yes, we have a new addition to the dS database. I know it’s only one, but it’s been busy around here! 

Eighty Three Tavern (8383 S. Tamiami Trl. | 941- 203-5312) opens in the former Neat location on the South Trail. This is the latest venture from Joe Seidensticker and Joe Guli. The two Joes are known for helping to reignite the Southside Village dining scene with Libby’s.  

Eighty Three boasts “The Coldest Drinks.” That’s a big (and hardly provable) claim. It also sounds like a challenge! We’ll have to sample a few and report back! 😊🍺

OK – Let’s get to this, shall we? Without further delay, we present to you for your dining pleasure, The LIST for October 2025! 📃 

Millie’s moves from number ten in September up to the top spot. Why have so many of you been searching for info on this longtime breakfast and lunch spot over the past month? What’s exactly going on over there?… 

Hive Bar rolls in at number two. Broc Smith and his partners have a thing going on over there at Merchant’s Pointe. Their growing inventory includes a liquor store with not one but two “speakeasys” inside, a pizza joint (Doughboy Swift), and, opening soon, Masō (pronounced Mah-So), a steakhouse-inspired eatery. They must be awfully tired! 😃 

And how about Pork Roll Pete’s? One of our favorite new sandwich places makes its debut at a solid number eight! 📝 If you missed it, here’s our FIRST LOOK at this narrow slice of sandwich goodness. – READ THAT HERE! 

📃 HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE TOP 25 FOR OCTOBER 2025! 

As I mentioned earlier, it’s just a bit busy here at dineSarasota HQ. We’re working hard on the 2026 dining book. So let’s make this one an abbreviated version of The LIST. We’ve got a few interesting things planned for the next couple of months. Stay tuned…

~ LH 

📌 ODDS & ENDS 

👻 All Treats, No Tricks. Yes, I know it might be just a touch early, but you may want to jump on this right now. On OCT 23^RD, Dare to Indulge at Arts and Central. It’s a Halloween-themed cocktail and cuisine pairing dinner. This looks like a fun time! Costumes not required. – PREVIEW THE MENU! & MAKE A RES HERE! 

🎃 The Great Pumpkin Appears! October has lots of pumpkiny things going on. One of the great Sarasota traditions continues on OCT 11 & 12, OCT 18 & 19, AND OCT 25 & 26. Those are the weekends for Hunsader Farms’ annual Pumpkin Festival. This year marks the 34TH anniversary of this great family-friendly event. AND, if you’re so inclined, you can CAMP right there! Imagine having all of the fun that goes along with this celebration of fall right outside your tent flap! – HERE’S EVENT INFO!

🦀 Caviar, Stone Crab, and Wine! And it’s all for a great local cause. On SAT OCT 25^TH, Mattison’s Forty-One hosts what is sure to be a delicious night of local seafood and wine. And it is all to benefit Caring for Children Charities. This will be a fantastic way to kick off the 2025-26 stone crab season. Plus you’ll be doing a little extra for our Sarasota community. – TICKET & EVENT INFO HERE! 

🌞 If you love your later evening sunsets, don’t delay, get one in now! The clocks will roll back one hour at the start of next month. 

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🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️ 

Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info. 

📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2025 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖 

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🧑‍🌾 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 

EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS 

EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS  

EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS 

EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Florida Farmer’s Market – DETAILS 

THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS 

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