One of the best waterfront restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties has announced plans to reopen later this month after being temporarily closed since sustaining major damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October, respectively.
The Old Salty Dog, located on City Island overlooking the New Pass Inlet next to the boat retailer MarineMax, is a Sarasota landmark.
Offering guests covered, open-air seating right on the water, the restaurant regularly features fresh grouper at reasonable prices, complementing its pub grub staples — including its most famous item, the Salty Dog, a quarter-pound hot dog dipped in batter and fried to a golden brown, which, for my money, might just be the best hot dog in town.
And at least once in your life, every Sarasotan must try The Fully Loaded Salty Dog — just like the one Adam Richman happily devoured during a fun episode of “Man v. Food.“ The quarter-pound, deep-fried hot dog comes topped with generous slices of bacon, sauerkraut, grilled onions and mushrooms, and American, cheddar, pepper jack, and Swiss cheese, all over a bed of French fries. It’s decadent, sure — but also delicious.
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When is the Old Salty Dog City Island Sarasota location reopening?
The Old Salty Dog on City Island, located at 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota and pictured here on a gorgeous day in 2021, hopes to reopen this month following an extended temporary closure due to damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The locally owned Old Salty Dog’s original location on Siesta Key and its newest one on Venice Island are both currently open, while the City Island location — my personal favorite — is making great progress toward welcoming back guests. And you can be sure I’ll be one of them.
“Our City Island location is temporarily closed due to hurricanes Helene and Milton causing significant damage,” reads the restaurant’s website. “Please check out our locations at Siesta and Venice and check our Facebook page for updates on our progress as we rebuild! We’ll see you soon! #saltystrong”
On Facebook, The Old Salty Dog has revealed plans to reopen as early as the next week or so.
“We’re making progress over here!” reads their Jan. 29 post. “Things are starting to shape up and look like our restaurant again! Don’t have a definitive date yet, but we are gunning for a mid-to-late February date! Stay tuned! Can’t wait to get back to dolphins, sunsets, and margaritas!!!!”
Is the Old Salty Dog City Island Sarasota location hiring?
Fully Loaded Salty Dog photographed at The Old Salty Dog on Sarasota’s City Island, June 22, 2024.
Another positive sign of progress is their recent post announcing that they’re hiring.
“The Old Salty Dog on City Island is hiring!,” reads the Old Salty Dog’s post from Feb. 4. “As we move closer to our reopening day, we are looking to add more members to our OSD Family! We have positions available in all areas of the restaurant.”
Prospective employees are encouraged to apply at theoldsaltydog.com and informed that “You can’t beat this office view!”
That’s a sentiment I can totally agree with. Some of my favorite dining experiences have been at The Old Salty Dog on City Island, especially when gazing out at New Pass and, between tasty bites of fresh grouper or a deep-fried hot dog, my wife or I spot a dolphin.
Yeah, can’t wait for the return of The Old Salty Dog.
For more information on The Old Salty Dog on City Island, located at 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, call 941-388-4311 or visit theoldsaltydog.com/city-island-2.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular Sarasota waterfront restaurant to reopen after hurricane hit
