National Hamburger Day is May 28, and as usual, this month signals the release of my top picks for the best burger restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Last year's list was a whopper, highlighting over 40 establishments renowned for their beef and bun creations, including the now-closed local favorite, Hob Nob Drive-In.
This year, I've decided to significantly condense the list.
Over the past 12 months, I indulged my burger cravings approximately once a week at local eateries. I explored a range of new and iconic restaurants across Sarasota and Manatee, from fine-dining establishments to bait shops. The most expensive burger I tried cost $35.99 with all the fixings, while many other more humble options were priced under $10.
I derived equal enjoyment from both high-end and budget-friendly burgers. My favorite burger spot of 2024 offers quality ground beef and toppings plus a choice of side for a very reasonable $15.95. Despite the abundance of excellent burger joints in Sarasota and Manatee counties, I've chosen to focus exclusively on one restaurant this year. I've revisited this place multiple times in recent weeks and have consistently been impressed. In fact, it has been among my favorite burger spots for nearly two decades.
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What makes Shakespeare’s Pub the best burger restaurant in Sarasota and Bradenton for 2024?
Shakespeare’s Pub is located in a corner spot within a nondescript strip mall at the intersection of Osprey Avenue and Siesta Drive, just minutes away from Siesta Key and its renowned Siesta Beach. Fortunately, tourists don't seem to frequent Shakespeare’s too much, and the pub has a cozy atmosphere akin to "Cheers" — envision the fictional Boston bar with an English pub theme and serving the city's best burgers, which Norm and Cliff would have been ravenously consuming during each episode.
Richard and Marilyn Neal opened Shakespeare’s in October 2003 and continue to run the pub along with their son, Richard Murrell, and daughter, Samantha Murrell. There is covered outside seating overlooking the parking lot, but the place to be is inside, especially when looking to escape the Florida heat. The pub is dark and cozy, with a handsome wood bar that spans most of the long, narrow space connecting the smaller front and larger back dining areas.
Originally, Shakespeare’s specialized in import beers, particularly ones from the United Kingdom. About a decade ago, though, they followed current trends and placed most of their focus on local and national craft brews. Constant from the start, though — and I have been frequenting Shakespeare's since the beginning — has been the exceptional burgers.
Shakespeare’s burgers consist of hand-formed, eight-ounce patties of Black Angus beef that are deftly seasoned and prepared to order. I prefer mine cooked to medium, and they routinely arrive smartly seared with a charred exterior that gives way to a perfectly pink, juicy, and tender interior. In addition to the heavenly hunk of beef, each burger is served on the pub's equally famous toasted rosemary Kaiser buns, skillfully complementing Shakespeare's various signature burgers, including the half dozen or so that I tried during recent visits.
Shakespeare’s serves 11 signature burgers that can also be substituted with a six-ounce marinated chicken breast or a vegetarian black bean burger. Each burger is priced at $15.95 and comes with traditional toppings of lettuce, tomato, and onion, served with a choice of fries, coleslaw, peas, or mashed potatoes. I'm partial to the fries and mashed potatoes. I also highly recommend considering paying the $2.25 upcharge for a side of the pub's outstanding onion rings.
What to order at Shakespeare's Pub
Guinness ($7.65): Not all pints of Guinness are equally fresh and delicious, especially here in the Southern United States. However, Shakespeare’s serves some of the best Guinness you will find in the region, with perfect pours delivered in a proper imperial pint glass. In fact, all of the pub's beers are served in 20-ounce glasses, with 17 rotating draft beers and seven additional drafts always on tap, including international classics like Guinness and Smithwick's, as well as one of Sarasota's best beers, Zote IPA by Calusa Brewing. (On the wagon? Shakespeare's offers Guinness 0 non-alcoholic beer.)
Spicy Beer Cheese Dip ($9.95): As much as I love Shakespeare’s gourmet burgers, I would happily frequent the place for a pint and an appetizer, starting with this one. It seems every gastropub in America serves beer cheese dip these days, but none I've tried are as good as Shakespeare’s. Their version is made with cheddar and English ale, laced with heat-providing spices and green onions, and served with a pile of house chips. These chips have the taste and texture of fried pita triangles and are as addictive as the beer cheese itself.
English Dustbin Lids ($8.95): Crispy potato skins are filled with flavorful bites of English sausage, onions, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. They're served with sour cream, which makes for a fine pairing, but I also like to add a dab of HP Sauce to each bite for a bit of tanginess.
Spicy Stuffed Mushrooms ($9.25): Plenty of pubs serve stuffed mushrooms, but these might be the very best you will find. They are mushroom caps stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar, and Parmesan, along with scallions, jalapeños, and spices, cooked in garlic butter sauce and topped with mozzarella. The mushroom caps arrive in a pool of the sauce and are served with a half-loaf of crusty bread so you can sop up every last drop of that delightful sauce.
Caramelized Onion & Brie Burger ($15.95): This is the burger to beat in Sarasota and Manatee counties, folks. The umami from the perfectly seasoned and charred patty, the sweet balsamic caramelized onions, and the buttery, nutty notes of the brie make each bite a true pleasure that every burger enthusiast must experience. Pair this flavor bomb of a burger with an order of fries.
Black & Blue Burger ($15.95): While the "black and bleu" burger is ubiquitous, Shakespeare's stands out with its Cajun spices and use of Stilton blue cheese mixed with Swiss. I recommend taking this burger with a side of mashed potatoes that have been allowed to soak up some of the beef and Cajun spice juices.
Horseradish Cheddar & Bacon Burger ($15.95): I could happily pair a pint of Guinness with a bowl of Shakespeare's horseradish cheddar, but it's even better on their burger while accompanied by crispy strips of bacon. For this burger, treat yourself to a side of onion rings. You won't regret it!
Did you know?
In addition to Shakespeare’s 11 signature burgers, you can build your own. The naked burger costs $14.95, and then you can choose from a wide range of toppings priced from 75 cents to $1.25. For instance, during a visit earlier this month, I ended up with a classic bacon, mushroom, and Swiss burger, which is not one of Shakespeare's signature burgers but so good that I might have to recreate it on a future visit.
Also, you might notice there's a column I wrote about Shakespeare's in 2014, featuring my headshot, framed on the wall right inside the front door. I never announce my arrival at a place, and thanks to opting for a shaved head and wearing a hat most days after losing my battle with baldness, I hardly resemble the version of me from a decade ago. Of course, I might still be recognized. Regardless, all the dishes coming out of the kitchen during my recent visits looked delicious, and everyone in the room appeared to be receiving the same kind and attentive service.
If you go
Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub is at 3550 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota. For more information, call 941-364-5938 or visit shakespearesenglishpub.com.
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 Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
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