Restaurant chain Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill, a popular venue in Ellenton on the Manatee River, Tampa, Port Richey and Pensacola Beach, will open a fifth Florida location in about a year and a half at 5000 Tamiami Trail and Melbourne Street across the highway from Sunseeker Resort on a 2.8-acre site on the Peace River.
Specialty Restaurants Corp. CEO John Tallichet and local officials were on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony in Charlotte Harbor.
Next door are condos, but for many years five-star restaurant Pepin’s on the Water was located near the future Whiskey Joe’s site. Pepin’s closed and the building has been torn down, but many flocked to the location for the water views in addition to the food.
Tallichet was joined at the ceremony by Charlotte County Commissioners Joe Tiseo and Stephen Deutsch and Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob White. Also attending were Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews and City Council members Bill Dryburgh and Debi Lux.
Family-owned Specialty Restaurants was founded in 1958 by World War II veteran and bomber pilot David Tallichet and owns 17 award-winning restaurants throughout the U.S.
Civil engineering work on the Charlotte Harbor location will take six to seven months and another 10 months to build the restaurant.
While a rendering of Whiskey Joe’s was not available, spokesperson Eliana Litos said the Charlotte Harbor restaurant will resemble other Whiskey Joe’s location, all of which are on the water. The Charlotte County eatery will also have outdoor dining and a sandy beach.
Its Port Charlotte menu will be a blend of Florida favorites and Caribbean flavors, which the restaurant calls Floribbean Cuisine.
One of the signature entrees is Jammin’ Jambalaya for $18.99, which includes chicken, shrimp, andouille sausage, peppers and onions simmered in a spicy broth with island rice.
There is lighter fare, appetizers, soups, salads, a raw bar and a variety of finger food and sandwiches, including burgers, fish tacos and pulled pork. Desserts such as Florida’s iconic key lime pie are also on the menu.
The moderately-priced menu’s most expensive entree in Ellenton is a crab cake-topped grouper ($31.99), while a burger costs $12.99 with sides.
The establishment’s Barefoot Tiki Bar will offer tropical cocktails, local beers, fire pits and live music featuring island vibes.
