One of the best restaurants in Sarasota's University Town Center is permanently closing (2024)

An employee of the Sarasota restaurant said, "We just found out about a week ago" that we are closing permanently.

Wade TatangeloSarasota Herald-Tribune

Rusty Bucket restaurant at Sarasota's UTC is permanently closing

Rusty Bucket, located right next door to Rocco's Tacos, is billed as "a casual American restaurant and tavern where people come to share laughter, smiles, and great conversation over food that makes everyone happy." Rusty Bucket debuted in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, in 2002 and grew to 20 locations, according to its website. Today, most Rusty Bucket locations are in Ohio, with the Sarasota spot being the lone one in Florida.

I tried multiple times to reach the Rusty Bucket home office in Ohio, via phone and email, after being informed the Rusty Bucket location at UTC, which I visited as recently as July 6, would be closing. On Tuesday, Aug. 6, I called the restaurant and spoke to a bartender who said they could speak on the record.

"We are closing on Aug. 18 permanently," said the bartender, who gave their name as Skyler Wolf. "We just found out around a week ago."

Rusty Bucket one of my favorite restaurants in University Town Center

Back in November, I included Rusty Bucket on my list of 10 favorite University Town Center restaurants. I praised its casual tavern vibe, multiple televisions showing sports, and a menu filled with the kind of comfort food that leaves you feeling deeply satisfied, along with a solid beer and co*cktail selection and nice happy hour deals.

When I visited several times in October and November, the menu included basically every comfort food imaginable, from burgers and pizza to meatloaf and beef stroganoff. I recommend the light, chewy pizza featuring their dough made daily. I enjoyed several of their pizzas, in fact, but the best was the Sicilian ($16.79). It's topped with Italian sausage, tavern ham, peppers, caramelized onion, and excellent cup-and-char pepperonis from theEzzo Sausage Company, which is also based in Columbus, Ohio.

I noted the same quality tavern ham on the Sicilian pizza must also be used in Rusty Bucket's surprisingly good Cuban sandwich ($16.29). Served with a side of seasoned fries, it paired the ham with tender braised pork, Swiss, house mustard, and pickles. Yeah, who knew a company from Ohio would serve such a lovingly made rendition of aFlorida classic?

Thechicken wings at Rusty Bucket were also impressive. Priced at just $7.65 during happy hour, I ordered the Joe's Regular and asked for them crispy. They were spot on, the sauce bringing a medium heat on the back end with plenty of buttery goodness up front and a chunky blue cheese for dipping. Yeah, Rusty Bucket's happy hour, from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, was hard to beat. In addition to the deal on wings, I enjoyed a 20-ounce pour of Samuel Adams Boston Lager for a mere $6.79.

Rusty Bucket will be missed, especially during the holidays

More recently, on July 6 to be exact, following a visit to the new Twin Peaks sports bar that opened nearby, my wife and I had another pleasant experience at Rusty Bucket. While seated at the bar with one other couple, sipping on perfectly poured 20-ounce pints of Guinness ($7.99), we happily noshed on the quesadilla crammed with blackened chicken, cheddar, pepper jack, black bean, and corn salsa ($14.99). Even better? The sliders with juicy discs of beef covered by caramelized onion, American cheese, and pickle chips on mini brioche buns ($15.99). Yeah, Rusty Bucket will be missed, especially during the holidays.

The holidays start early at University Town Center — Nov. 11 last year with a parade starring Santa — and of all the restaurants to visit in the area, none have a better location than Rusty Bucket. In addition to the cozy wood bar and dining room inside that feels transplanted from Ohio or perhaps my home state of Pennsylvania, there's the covered outdoor area. It overlooks the roundabout and giant Christmas tree while offering a front-seat view of the nightly light shows. Here's to hoping something equally charming fills that prime spot occupied by Rusty Bucket. Unfortunately, I doubt that will happen before this year's holiday season.

Rusty Bucket closure follows Fat Point Brewing's departure, Naked Farmer opening

So, my list of 10 favorite UTC area restaurants, which I published in November, will soon be down to eight. In addition to the soon-to-be-closed Rusty Bucket, Fat Point Brewing recently shuttered. Founded in Charlotte County, Fat Point opened a taproom and restaurant in the former space of BurgerFi in July 2023. I enjoyed multiple visits before it closed in May.

Fortunately, the same West District at UTC area also recently welcomed an exciting restaurant opening. Naked Farmer, the self-described "fine-casual" restaurant established in St. Petersburg in 2020, opened its University Town Center location June 19. Originally scheduled to open in summer 2023,Naked Farmer specializes in "locally-sourced, farm-fresh food." I look forward to visiting Naked Farmer in the near future.

If you go

Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is at 257 N Cattlemen Road, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-355-6666 or visit myrustybucket.com.

Wade TatangeloisTicket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network.Follow him onTwitter,FacebookandInstagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com.Support local journalism bysubscribing.

Facebook Twitter Email

FAQs

One of the best restaurants in Sarasota's University Town Center is permanently closing? ›

Rusty Bucket closure follows Fat Point Brewing's departure, Naked Farmer opening. So, my list of 10 favorite UTC area restaurants, which I published in November, will soon be down to eight. In addition to the soon-to-be-closed Rusty Bucket, Fat Point Brewing recently shuttered.

View Details ›

What is the primary purpose of the restaurant closing shift? ›

During a closing shift, the dining room and bar teams are responsible for making sure that the restaurant is cleaned, well-stocked, organized and safe. They typically also have the important duty of locking up the establishment overnight.

Read On ›

How do I close the restaurant? ›

Here are a few tasks that operators should keep in mind for their closing checklist: Verify temperature of freezer and fridge. Turn off all heaters, ovens, and gas stoves. Properly store any sharp kitchen tools.