August 21, 2026

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A Burger A Week – Pigfish

We’ve Done the Calusa Burger Before. Just Not This One.

🙃 This Might Feel Like Déjà Vu All Over Again. But we’re willing to take the chance. Actually, I think this is the first time that we’ve done a burger in a place that has changed locations AND burger vendors. Hang on tight. We’re in uncharted waters here, folks! 😁

All the way back in October of 2022, we did the burger at Calusa Brewing. At the time, Ray and Nikki of the Mouthole BBQ food truck were the ones slinging the burgers at the brewery every Tuesday evening.

Fast-forward four years or so, and we’re back at Calusa. Except things have changed. Really changed…

For one, Calusa has a shiny, somewhat new brewery. For the other, Ray and Nikki have moved on to a permanent brick-and-mortar restaurant in Gulf Gate. There is now a restaurant right on the premises. Pigfish is now flippin’ the patties! 🍔

📆 On Friday, November 3, 2023, Calusa Brewing Moved Into Its New Digs. Their brand-new home had one thing that their previous address did not. One big thing. A restaurant.

Not just any restaurant, but an eatery dedicated to the sustainable seafood movement. A pretty ambitious lift for brewery dining. Chef Steve Phelps (yes, the same Steve Phelps of Indigenous fame) would be the driving force behind this new food concept. And it was GREAT! While it lasted.

📝 Just a few short months after opening, Chef Phelps moved on from Pigfish. After the change in chefs (and GM’s), the Pigfish menu was rebuilt and reimagined. That included all-new recipes and dishes. Not an easy task. But seems like Chef Alex’s staff was up to the challenge!

They’re still using sustainable food sources. Obviously, a new menu means some big changes. Yes, you guessed it, a smash burger now graces the Pigfish menu. And, yes, of course, we gave it a spin around the track!

If you’ve never made the journey to the new brewery, you need to do that! I guess if you’re not a “beer” person, the incentive might not be there. But it’s still a fun place to hang out even without drinking a pint.

They do brew beer here.

And they do sell it, even if you want it to go.

They, of course, have lots of indoor seating.

And some outdoor too!

It’s got some unique artwork to perk the place up.

And A BUNCH of taps!

They have a lot of stuff on the menu (both new and old). That’s great and all. But what we came here for was the burger. So, let’s keep our focus, shall we?

Today’s burger expedition calls for a beer. Normally, I’d go for a Diet Coke, iced tea, or maybe a water. But we are, after all, at Calusa Brewing! (I think my boss will understand 😀)🍺

Let’s talk about our Pigfish burger experience…

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RESTAURANT: PIGFISH @ CALUSA BREWING (5377 McIntosh Rd. | 941-777-5220)

DATE OF VISIT: AUGUST 13, 2026

STOP #: 57

BURGER TASTED: THE BURGER

📒 OUR TASTING NOTES

🍔 This burger is served as listed on the menu: grass-fed Providence beef smash burger, American cheese, lettuce, house pickles, Pigmac Sauce on a potato bun ($15.65)

• Pigfish is an order-at-the-counter kind of dining experience. This is actually the perfect ordering process for this type of place. Kathy did a great job at the register, AND she was super nice! 🙂

• I subbed the regular American cheese for pimento cheese. It was the best $1 I spent that day. You’ll have a messier burger on your hands. But trust me, it WILL be so worth it.

• The bun was nice and soft. It’s a potato bun, so it doesn’t have a ton of flavor getting in the way of the burger and its elements. I prefer this kind of bun for most burgers.

• There is Pigmac Sauce on this burger. But honestly, with the addition of the pimento cheese, that sauce just gets buried. But the pickles have a nice crunch! Good texture contrast there.

• 🍟 The Fries! I chose the Pigfish Seasoned Fries. A good selection, I think. They had a bit of a kick to them. Super crunchy. I love these. If spice isn’t your thing, the Steak Fries might be a better option.

Let’s check out how all of this looked when we ordered it…

BURGER TAKEAWAYS: If you’re having one of Calusa’s great beers, The Burger is a perfect dining companion. I went for a single. That was just the right amount for lunch. (Maybe a double for dinner!) It’s usually busy at night. For a little quieter experience, try a brewery lunch!

📝 END NOTES –

(a) We wrote about the Pigfish Sandwich back in November of 2023. If you’re interested, you can READ THAT HERE!

(b) Back in 2022, when we originally featured the Mouthole/Calusa duo, they had Burger & Pint Night for $13. That was a great deal. Now a burger and a pint will set you back $19. That’s still not bad. They now feature their Burger & Pint Night every Wednesday.

(c) We mentioned that Ray and Nikki Mabalot have opened their own restaurant. They are still serving one of the best smash burgers in town at their newish Gulf Gate location. You can visit them at 2637 Mall Drive. Here’s a link to the article we wrote when they were still in the truck – READ IT HERE!

~ LH

📌 ODDS & ENDS

➡️ An Update. Last week, in our piece on Viva la Vida, we mentioned that we weren’t sure where their bread was sourced. We can now tell you that, yes indeed, they get their bread from the world-famous La Segunda Bakery in Tampa. That explains why their Cuban Sandwich is SO good!

🎨 Arts and Crafts (and Wine)! I can only speak for myself, but I’m fairly confident that a little wine could only improve my art ability. Not that I don’t have any, but they’re pretty limited. If you’d like to try your hand at some mosaics and sip a little Merlot, then Pier 22 has you covered. Wednesday, August 26 is their Mosaics & Merlot Tile Workshop. Connie of Sun & Fun Mosaics will be showing how to create a work of tile art that will be the envy of your friend group. (Hey, maybe sign them all up!) – HERE’S MORE INFO!

🍕 Pie Talk. Yes, getting a Michelin designation changes your whole world. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Lucky 8, Focaccia, and Tralia can all tell you tales of the crowds. If you’ve tried to dine in or even carry out at Tralia these past few weeks, you know firsthand what the situation is. But help is on the way.

Later this year, Tralia is opening a second location. They are taking over the old Wolfie’s Deli space in the Rosemary District. Yes, they’ll have the pizza that made them famous. But they’ll also be featuring an expanded menu of Italian cuisine.

We’ll give you details closer to opening. In the meantime, our friends at Sarasota Magazine have a nice write-up – READ THAT HERE.

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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 2026 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖

📰 ALL THE LATEST SARASOTA FOOD NEWS! – OUR NEWS PAGE!

📋 MENU OF THE MONTH!! – Tralia Pizza – MENU HERE!

🧑‍🌾 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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