June 26, 2026

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🎂 All Birthdays are Big. There are some of you out there who would just as soon skip your birthday celebration. I’m not one of those people. I think ALL birthdays should be celebrated with gusto. I mean, if we’re lucky enough to have another one, it’s a victory!

This year, we’re celebrating the big 2-5-0 for the US. Is it just me, or does it seem to be a little muted? I’m old enough to remember the bicentennial. And I remember it pretty clearly. Seems like there was some local, statewide, or national event every single week for six months.

This time around, not so much. It feels almost like we’re dragging ourselves through it. We should be excited that, as a country, we’ve made it this far. But it almost seems like we’re sneaking up on our own anniversary.

If we’re being completely honest with ourselves (and we should be at all times! 😉), there’s not a whole ton of folks who celebrate the birth of our nation with a stop at their favorite restaurant. We’re obviously big promoters of local fare. It’s part of our mission. But let’s remember that whole “being honest” thing…

So, instead of a “you can get this 4^th of July special here” post, we’re going to give you some ways you can be the star of your neighborhood BBQ, block party, or potluck. It just seems like a more practical thing to do.

Now you might be saying, “Hey, this seems incredibly lazy of Larry.” And maybe there’s a touch of truth to that (remember the honesty theme here). It may seem lazy, but it will be the most useful 4^th of July piece you will read this week!

📝 No, we won’t forget about the obligatory list of local fireworks displays. We’re not fully ditching tradition. You’ll be able to find that near the end. 😄

⭐ HERE WE GO!

🍗 The Apps. Every party needs a starter. And, of course, we have a few ideas for you. There are two choices here. The one that requires some work and the one that requires virtually none.

First, the one where a little bit of effort is required. How about some wings?! Everybody loves wings. They’re not terribly difficult to pull off. Here’s our story about the best way to cook chicken wings.

🌐 Can an Air Fryer Really Make Better Wings Than an Oven?

And, now for the almost effortless. How about a cheese plate? They’re a great way to get any party started. No, you don’t have to create one yourself (remember, this is the easy one). Our very own Artisan Cheese Company can make one up especially for you. Here’s how to get one by the Fourth.

🌐 Grab A 4^th of July Cheeseboard Here!

📝 Just to be clear. This IS NOT a paid ad. We don’t get anything if you purchase one of these. We’re just trying to be helpful. 😊

🥗 The Sides. Every outdoor party needs side dishes. We’ve written about a few over the years. And, I will say the ones that we have featured are pretty damn tasty.

1️⃣ My Mom’s Potato Salad. You may remember me writing about this delicious summertime side. It is one of my family traditions. Basically, any summer holiday is accompanied by a BIG bowl of this cooling side dish.

Here’s a link to the recipe: A Simple Summer Potato Salad Recipe

2️⃣ Nana’s Noodle Salad. My friend Brad has traditions too. This tasty super-easy-to-make and tasty pasta salad will be a star of any potluck table.

Here’s a link to the recipe: The Perfect Pasta Salad for Summertime!

3️⃣ In a Pickle. Pickles go with anything and everything. At least I think so. 😁

Don’t believe me? Pair a pickle with a pear, and then we’ll talk. Anyway, there is a restaurant in NYC (Pig Beach BBQ) that has a great house-made pickle on its menu. We have the recipe, and it is unbelievably easy to make. The most important factor here is time. So, make sure you give yourself some.

Here’s a link to the recipe: These May Be the Best Pickles You’ll Make This Summer

🍔 The Main Event. Our love of burgers here at dineSarasota is well known. They are a staple of any summer get-together. But let’s bump things up for the country’s 250^th. No frozen patties tossed on the Weber here.

We’re making Oklahoma-Style Smash Burgers. The oldest smash burger variation in the land! This recipe was crafted back in the early 1920s and was originally referred to as the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger.

This delicious burger is super easy to make and perfect in its simplicity. Once you make these, there is no going back to your burger past. Trust me on this.

Here’s a link to my personal recipe: Larry’s Oklahoma Smash!

🍧 The End. I’m not normally a dessert person. But at a picnic, my brain doesn’t ask me for permission. Back in April of 2025, we told you the story of Chad’s Grandma’s Banana Pudding. Now I am not going to make predictions here, but I will make a small wager that if you show up with a cooler full of these tasty Mason jar treats, people will be singing your praises right up until the first firework lights up the night sky.

Here’s a link to the recipe: When Dessert Becomes the Star of the Show!

🎇 OK – We have come to the end of the buffet line. But holiday-type things don’t have to end here. As promised, here’s a list of some local Fourth of July fireworks displays.

• Nathan Benderson Park (July 3rd) – INFO HERE

• Bradenton Alive! – INFO HERE

• Sarasota Bayfront Fireworks – INFO HERE

• City of Venice Fireworks – INFO HERE

• Siesta Key Fireworks – INFO HERE

Not to worry. We’ll be back next week with some great local restaurant stuff.

Happy 250^th! Please celebrate safely, but with style!

~ LH

📌 ODDS & ENDS

🚋 The Bus Stops Here. There is just enough time to grab your seat on the Sarasota-Manatee Originals Culinary Trolley Tour through Nokomis and Venice. The trolley leaves the station on July 2^nd at 5PM. There are five stops in all. And as a bonus, all of the dishes will be expertly paired with wines from Torii Mor Wines.

This should be a fun night! – RESERVE YOUR SEAT HERE!

💵 Money in the Bank! The 2026 edition of Savor Sarasota is in the books, and boy, did you guys eat!! The two-week annual event generated over $1 million in restaurant revenue for the sixty-eight participating restaurants. That’s a whole lotta prix fixe lunches and dinners!

Give yourselves a BIG pat on the back, Sarasota! Your local restaurants thank you! ❤️

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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 📖 

📋 MENU OF THE MONTH!! – The Cottage – MENU 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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