Reviews

Preferred Shore Real Estate

Why Sarasota: Video Review

Rich Tyson, REALTOR®

Observer

Meet the best BLTs in Sarasota, Manatee counties

These three ingredients — bacon, lettuce and tomato — are always better together.

By Emma Burke Jolly | 1:00 p.m. April 7, 2024

Don't go bacon my heart...

Lettuce fall in foodie love with these timeless sammies that I adore from my head to-mah-toes. 

I'm talking about that trio that reigns supreme in the world of sandwiches— bacon, lettuce and tomato. Three simple ingredients stacked in between sliced bread sells itself as an interchangeable breakfast, lunch or dinner for anyone ages 3 to 93. 

These notorious sandwiches make me nostalgic since the BLT was a no-fault meal we made as a family. Most of the time my sister would slice the tomato since I refused. (My order was and always will be a BL, no T.)

Mom was on bacon duty, while I gathered the best groupings of romaine for the humans and fed our dogs the pieces that weren't up to my standards. But since the only thing my dad could make in the kitchen was toast, he was supposed to toast the bread. Full disclosure: He usually burned it, so when he wasn't looking, my mom would make new pieces.

Lettuce begin — here are some of the best places to get your hands on the classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich in honor of national BLT sandwich month.

New Pass Grill & Bait Shop

1505 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota; 941-388-1618; NewPassGrill.com

Romaine Calm: While you might have to wait until 10:30 a.m. to get this BLT ($9.99), as the switch from breakfast to lunch begins, your tastebuds will be pleased by 10:31 a.m. As I've written before, I wish I could keep this foodie paradise to myself. But it would be incredibly selfish of me not to share these sensational bait shop eats. The bounty of crisp bacon will shock your senses (and potentially your heart), and the cool lettuce and tomato with a small swipe of mayo is what others wish they could create. Where else can you get a view like this with a side of beautiful bacon?

What Else is Shakin', Bacon: Not a fan of the BLT? Fear not, this spot has one of the best burgers in town. Whether you're coming by boat, kayak, bike, car or foot — the classic cheeseburger ($11.99) is just what the skipper ordered. Choose from add-ons including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mustard, mayo and ketchup.

Station 400

8215 Lakewood Ranch Main St., Lakewood Ranch, 941-907-0648; 400 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-906-1400; Station400.com

Romaine Calm: While red tomatoes would suffice for most, it wouldn't be a Florida foodie feature without a fried green tomato or two, would it? The fried green tomato BLT ($12.50) at this Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch brunch spot staple is made with bold and crispy bacon, field greens, the best herb aioli and, of course, fried green tomatoes (add turkey for $1). Served with your choice of sweet potato fries, tomato cucumber salad, fruit salad or my personal pick — parmesan French fries.

What Else is Shakin', Bacon: The hardest part about brunch is deciding which part of the word you're going to shove into your mouth. Feeling like a breakfast patron this morning? The lemon curd and fresh blackberry pancakes (three buttermilk, $10.95 or three buckwheat, $11.95) are my main squeeze.

Yoder's Restaurant & Amish Market

3434 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota; 941-955-7771; YodersRestaurant.com

Romaine Calm: Leave it to the Amish to make a BLT ($9.95), a BLT with smoked turkey ($12.95) and an even better-than-the-original version called the southern fried chicken BLT ($15.95). Yoder's crispy fried chicken breast, applewood smoked bacon, Dijonnaise, fresh lettuce and tomato on a honkin' hoagie roll: There you have it — the reason why Yoder's has been around since1975.

What Else is Shakin', Bacon: Save room for dessert. Baked fresh from scratch every morning, Yoder's homemade pies are not only the best in town, the price can't be beat — $6.95 per slice. Why not take home a pie (prices online) that will please the crowd? Of if you're going through a tough time, be like me and get a pie for yourself. No one's judging! I recommend a chocolate peanut butter 8” whole cream pie ($20.95, serves 4-6).

Wink Wink Modern Lounge

1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; 941-906-1290; WinkWinkModernLounge.com

Romaine Calm: My husband and I were supposed to get married at a local estate, but when a hurricane blew in and the governor declared a state of emergency, the venue shut down. But fear not! The Sarasota Modern said, "We got you." Our 140-person wedding was modified into a 38-person wedding in just 24 hours. Before we said, "I do," the bartender looked at my soon-to-be husband and me and said, "You guys deserve a tequila shot." Not only did the staff go above and beyond for our changing-like-the-wind needs, the food was terrifically tasty. Not featured on our wedding menu, but I wish it was, is the notorious BLT ($16) with bacon, avocado, kewpie (Japanese mayo), lettuce, tomato on multigrain bread (gluten-free option available).

What Else is Shakin', Bacon: I can't help but take this moment to give a round of applause for the Wink Wink's lounge libations. My eyes are set on the mexcal me loco ($16) made with Los Siete Misterios mexcal, Los Sundays blanco tequila, lemon, lime, mango and agave.

Shake Station

4219 U.S. 301, Ellenton; 941-722-7866; ShakeStation.com

Romaine Calm: While it might be a trek, when you pull up to this joint from your journey you'll see it's worth it. The Big LT ($9.95) has been noted as one of the top versions of this timeless classic in our area. Bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on toast is *kiss* (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Or don't *kiss* and replace with fried green tomatoes or even chicken. 

What Else is Shakin', Bacon: If you're one to count calories, you're at the wrong station. But, if you're like me and know that life is far too short to skip the shake, be sure to order from the ice cream parlor. Your choices of ice cream to scream for is unlimited with milkshakes, hand-dipped ice cream, soft serve, sundaes, floats, banana splits, twisters and more. Me? I'm going with a tale as old as time — black and white milkshake ($3.95-$6.95).

Sarasota Magazine

Cocktail of the Week: Station 400′s Mimosa

Brunch and bubbly. You can’t beat it.

By Hannah Wallace 12/13/2016 at 2:46pm

This week: The pomegranate mimosa at Station 400.

The drink: Champagne and pomegranate juice. An effervescent, delicately sweet accompaniment to brunch.The genius of the mimosa is how well it matches the full range of breakfast and lunch dishes, whether it’s cutting through the richness of eggs Benedict or complementing a light and fresh Cobb salad. We ordered a round prior to last weekend’s Atomic Holiday Bazaar, and that made for just the right kind of tipsy to go shopping for sugar skulls and edgy, irreverent wall art.

The bar: Well, it’s not a bar; it’s a charming little breakfast and lunch spot set in an old rail station with fantastic, shady outdoor seating, too. 

Food: Pancakes, omelets, salads and sandwiches, nary a misstep among them.

Other notable potables: Just the mimosas, really, which come in a few fruity flavors, and there’s also a selection of beers. But get the mimosa. Trust us. 

Fred Bollaci Enterprises

Station 400: Pull In For the Best Breakfast in Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch, Florida (Lunch too)

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Fred Bollaci

Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch’s favorite meeting spot for a delicious, home-cooked breakfast as well as lunch is Station 400. The story behind Station 400 began in 1852, when a quaint railroad depot was built in Kentland, Indiana. Passengers took pride in each trip and made time to explore the station while waiting for their departure. This old depot was painstakingly disassembled and brought to Sarasota, where it was reassembled in the Rosemary District near downtown. After an extensive restoration, the structure is now reminiscent of how it looked over 150 years ago, rich with old character and traditional charm. This lovely historic building and its cozy adjacent patio have become one of Sarasota’s most popular restaurants and favorite places to meet and enjoy conversation and good food with family and friends.

Now with two locations (one in an antique railway station dating back to the mid 1800’s that was actually brought down from Indiana, and the other in busy Main Street Lakewood Ranch, both offer outside seating (pet friendly). Specialties include eggs, omelets, pancakes, waffles, soups, great salads, wraps, sandwiches, and more! They also serve mimosas, beer, and wine. Station 400 has been awarded the Fred Bollaci Enterprises Golden Palate® Certificate of Excellence! Come in and see why!

Sarasota Magazine

Station 400 Debuts New Spring Menu

Local favorite Station 400 has a new spring menu--and a new owner.

By Judi Gallagher 3/21/2016 at 10:25am

I’ve long been a huge fan of Station 400. Their pancakes are insanely delicious, and the smoked salmon scramble with avocado and dill sauce has always been a favorite. And now the restaurant is offering more excellent new dishes--and it has a new owner who has a long history in the hospitality industry. Deen Fox, a longtime managing partner at the Bonefish Grill on University Parkway, decided to go out on his own and purchase both Station 400 locations (the one downtown, on Fourth Street, and the one on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch).

This is like a restaurant dream come true: an incredibly friendly owner and some spot-on new menu items. Fear not, dear Station 400 fans--and I know there are many of you--all the regular favorites remain on the menu. But Deen and his culinary team has been working overtime in the kitchen to bring creative brunch and lunch dishes for those of us that love seasonal changes. (Just don’t ever take off my blueberry pancakes, Deen).

Speaking of blueberries, you must try the blueberry-stuffed French toast. It’s made with croissants and oozes with warm berries and butter.

There are new pancakes, too. Take the sea salt and caramel-bacon pancakes--salted cream sauce, melty orange zest butter with pure vanilla and maple syrup make these both sweet and savory. My fear of the combination being too sweet was dashed upon first bite (and the many others that followed).

People who like floral notes will appreciate the fresh strawberry and lavender pancakes, while omelet lovers will need to buckle up for the  poached Maine lobster and blue crab omelet, served with chervil and Station 400′s infamous truffle Hollandaise. The omelet melts in your mouth.

The South is represented well, with a new fried green tomato Benedict with crispy bacon and a fresh, light pesto Hollandaise. And the eggs are perfectly runny.

Perhaps the most fun items on the new menu are the sharing plates, which include waffled sausages served with powdered sugar and warm maple syrup; fried green tomatoes with roasted garlic dressing; and lemon-poached shrimp with chipotle cocktail sauce. They’re perfect as an appetizer alongside a mimosa.

Lunch features four new menu items, including a classic corned beef Reuben and a turkey Reuben, both trending on most menus.

The apple-cheddar grilled cheese with bacon, sliced Granny Smith apples, cheddar cheese and apple butter on grilled sourdough goes into the category of best grilled cheese sandwiches on the Suncoast. The open-faced tuna melt is a modern take on the classic 1980s sandwich, but lighter, with one slice of bread, English cucumber, avocado, dill Havarti, pickled radishes and pea shoots. 

Hats off to Station 400, Deen Fox and his dream team! This spring menu starts today, March 21, and is certain to please both snowbirds and year round residents.

 Station 400 | 400 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 34236 (941) 906-1400 | 8215 Lakewood Main Street, Suite P103, Lakewood Ranch (941) 907-0848