<body><div>For 68 years, Sarasota’s Main Bar Sandwich Shop has been serving up a little history, a lot of sandwiches, and one very Famous Italian⏱️ Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. About ten years before Chip Beeman was born, something was happening in Sarasota. Something that would become a BIG part of his and his family’s lives.Back then, he had absolutely no way of knowing that six decades later his family would be stewards of the oldest continuously operating restaurant inside the Sarasota city limits.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0tiHjS_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0tiHjS_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="317" ></figure>📆 1958. That’s the year Charlie and Thea Borza bought the Main Bar. It was just a regular bar back then, with almost all its revenue coming from regular “bar-type” things. Yes, that means drinks! 🥃<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2o2DsZ_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2o2DsZ_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="338" ></figure>It wouldn’t stay that way for long. The Main Bar’s future changed course when their youngest son, Charlie Jr., suggested that their newly purchased place make and sell the “sandwiches that Mom made back home.” That home was Florence, Italy. And that sandwich would become The Famous Italian!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2qN94a_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2qN94a_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="418" ></figure>The Borzas tagged two little words onto the end of the bar’s name, and the Main Bar Sandwich Shop was born.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1oQdlS_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1oQdlS_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="363" ></figure>They never looked back from there. Flipping their revenue source on its head. All of a sudden, it was pretty much all food sales and very little in the liquor department.The Borzas were circus performers. The inside of the restaurant was outfitted with a collection of signed circus and celebrity photos that remain today. That theme fit Sarasota, and so did the new Main Bar.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1DcsPP_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1DcsPP_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="377" ></figure>They sold their popular sandwich haven to the Saah family in 1972. George Saah cemented the Main Bar’s place in downtown Sarasota history. He ran it for 30-plus years. Then came Chip and Kathy Beeman’s turn…In 2004, after relocating from Portland, Oregon, and with a strong background in the sandwich trade, they bought this throwback sandwich operation. And it thrived!There is something for everyone on the Main Bar menu. And I do mean everyone!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3mxIFS_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3mxIFS_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="338" ></figure>There are more than fifty unique sandwich creations alone. I’m sure whoever named these had a great time! How about an Alexander the Great or a Peasant’s Pheasant Sandwich for lunch?!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2B4F1c_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2B4F1c_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="433" ></figure>They serve six or seven different soups each day. That is an impressive number of daily choices. I’m a BIG soup person, so this is a major plus for me. 📝 My friend Brad LOVES their gazpacho and cannot pass it up!You know we came here for a little Sarasota sandwich comfort food. Yes, it’s the Famous Italian. Let’s run down some facts about one of our city’s iconic lunchtime favorites!1️⃣ In 1958 (or right around there), the Famous Italian was “born”2️⃣ They serve at least 100 of these sandwiches every day (you can see them building them in the front window!)<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3LgkAk_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3LgkAk_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="338" ></figure>3️⃣ Today’s Famous Italian is the same version that was served back in 1958!4️⃣ The bread is made locally to their exact specifications by the St. Armands Baking Company5️⃣ It comes in a regular and a Double Italian version. (Get the big one!) 🤗6️⃣ This is such a simple yet complex sandwich creationLet’s have a look at one in the wild…<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2qgpVx_1H4bsRVc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2qgpVx_1H4bsRVc00" width="600" height="338" ><figcaption>The Famous Italian @ The Main Bar Sandwich Shop</figcaption></figure>The ingredients aren’t complicated. It’s “Salami, ham, provolone cheese, tomatoes, chopped peppers, onions, &amp; our own unique blend of oil, garlic &amp; spices on our toasted bun.” But the combination makes for a tasty treat!The toasted bread creates a crunchy contrast to the meat and cheese. The tomatoes, peppers, and onions contribute that semi-soft texture. And the spices pull everything together. It’s a combo that’s pretty hard to beat!Being successful in today’s restaurant business is a challenge, to say the least. Yes, this has always been a tough industry. But in 2026, it feels like staying viable is an obstacle course of pitfalls.Avoiding those hazards and staying relevant and vibrant is a testament to how dedicated Chip, Kathy, and, for the past six years, their son Kyle are to making the Main Bar continue to stand out after all these years.At times, a shiny new object can be SO distracting. It pulls us from some of our old-school favorites. It’s hard not to stare. It looks all fancy, polished, and enticing. We’re window shopping all the time. I guess that’s natural.New places open. Some make it; most don’t. The average lifespan of a restaurant is about five years. Sixty-eight years borders on nearly impossible. There is a reason for that longevity. It’s people with a passion for their product. And a product that stands the test of time! There’s your formula for success. 🤗MAIN BAR SANDWICH SHOP📍 1944 Main St. – Downtown Sarasota☎️ 941-955-8733🌐 WEBSITE | MENU~ LH📋 END NOTES –Chip and Kathy moved here in 2004 from Oregon, where they successfully operated three Subway sandwich stores. They’ve been making sandwiches for a while!The Famous Italian is Main Bar’s most popular sandwich. The second-best seller is the Aztec, followed by the Mayan. They also serve a killer Reuben. It comes in three flavors: corned beef, pastrami, and turkey.Some folks think that The Columbia is Sarasota’s oldest restaurant. Not so, according to Chip. The St. Armands location opened one year after the Main Bar. But the Tampa location IS the oldest restaurant in the State of Florida.📌 ODDS &amp; ENDS🥩 Where’s the Beef? A Tampa and Orlando favorite, Charley’s Steakhouse, is headed to the Sarasota area. They’re making plans to open one of their popular steakhouses near UTC. They’ll be added to a pretty crowded mix of upscale steak places. Fleming’s and Ruth’s Chris both have locations in that neighborhood. Opening date: TBD.🍷 Wine &amp; Dine. Looking for a way to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday festivities? I can’t think of a better way to get the party started than a wine dinner! Chef Tito at Amore has a delicious four-course meal planned for Tuesday, November 24th. Each of these courses will be paired with a thoughtfully curated wine. From Sancerre to Port and Oysters Rockefeller to Bananas Foster. Reservations at 941-383-1111 – HERE’S A LINK TO THE MENU!🟰 7 + 6 + 5 = Delicious! 7 talented chefs, 6 fantastic courses, and 5 Points Park charm. Best of all, this sure-to-be-memorable night of outdoor dining is for not one, but six great local causes!Buzzed &amp; Social presents its 2nd Annual Pineapple to Plate Dinner. There is WAY too much info about this fantastic event to list here. But it all takes place on Thursday, November 19th at 6PM. There are still a few tickets left – HERE’S A LINK TO GRAB YOURS!🗓️ 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!! – Michael’s On East – ITALY!🧑‍🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO ‍🌾EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILSEVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILSEVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILSEVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILSEVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILSEVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILSEVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILSEVERY SATURDAY – Venice Florida Farmer’s Market – DETAILSTHIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS🌟 SHARE, FOLLOW, LIKE 🌟📱 Yes, we’re on social media! Our Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads and BlueskyGet information on 350+ Sarasota restaurants on the dineSarasota.com websiteDid you miss a story? Here are some of our past Bites – SB ARCHIVEDo you love our A Burger A Week pieces? – HERE’S THE FULL ARCHIVE 🍔Check out all of our Videos on our YouTube channel!Refer a friend to Sarasota Bites. That would make us super happy – CLICK HERE!Email us a question, comment, or suggest a story. SEND EMAILFrom time to time, our articles may include links to purchase items. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These small commissions help pay for the cost of creating the content we love bringing you. For more information on our editorial policy, CLICK HERE.👀 JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED SOMETHING…Blog Articles, NewsletterNew Places, Familiar Faces, and a Few Good BitesNew Places, Familiar Faces, and a Few Good Bites Restaurant comebacks, culinary celebrations, and a few tasty developments worth sharing. 📆 What We’re Celebrating This Month 🍨 November 11 –…Blog Articles, Newsletter<h2>A Burger A Week: Cask &amp; Ale</h2>A Burger A Week: Cask &amp; Ale You can call her Patricia. But she’s still a Patty at heart. 🤔 Is the Patricia Melt really just a fancy “Patty”? My…Blog Articles, NewsletterA Filipino Food Adventure Comes to SarasotaA Filipino Food Adventure Comes to Sarasota From crispy pork belly to sweet banana spring rolls, this newcomer brings some delicious new flavors to downtown. 🤷‍♂️ I Have a Confession….Blog Articles, Newsletter<h2>A Little Taste of Paris on Main Street</h2>A Little Taste of Paris on Main Street Sometimes all it takes is a baguette, a little butter, and some French charm to make an ordinary Sarasota afternoon feel special….</div></body>

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For 68 years, Sarasota’s Main Bar Sandwich Shop has been serving up a little history, a lot of sandwiches, and one very Famous Italian. ⏱️ Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. About ten years before Chip Beeman was born, something was happening in Sarasota. Something that would become a BIG part of his and his family’s lives.

Still Famous After All These Years

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For 68 years, Sarasota’s Main Bar Sandwich Shop has been serving up a little history, a lot of sandwiches, and one very Famous Italian. ⏱️ Time Flies When 

Still Famous After All These Years

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