One of Sarasota’s oldest and most beloved restaurants, which opened during the 1950s when the likes of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe were the biggest stars of the day, has permanently closed after 67 years in business.
Hob Nob Drive-In, occupying a prominent spot on U.S. 301 just north of downtown Sarasota, served its final burger and fries this week. The owners of the legendary burger joint had planned to continue serving customers through today, May 15, but they ran out of food around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
When I visited Wednesday morning, the owners and a small crew were already breaking a sweat in the Florida heat, dismantling the open-air restaurant that has served generations of Sarasotans.
“Yeah, we’re closing,” said owner Cary Spicuzza, his voice tinged with sadness. He wore blue jeans, a ballcap, and a long-sleeve button-down work shirt emblazoned with the iconic red, black, and white logo of the Hob Nob Drive-In, which no longer operates at 1701 N. Washington Blvd.
