Sarasota-Based Food + Beer To Open In Former Shuckin’ Shack Location

For those who have been wondering what might be taking over the space at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Lutz, previously occupied by Shuckin’ Shack (just west of the Tampa Premium Outlets and Costco, in the same small strip plaza as Chicken Salad Chick and Ann’s Nail Spa), you can stop wondering! 

The location, with an entrance off of the Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension just south of S.R. 56, is being taken over by Sarasota-based mini-chain Food + Beer and, best of all, the scratch kitchen with full liquor bar should be open by the time this issue reaches your mailbox! 

According to a news release we received just before we went to press with this issue, “Food + Beer’s story started back in the early 2000s, when co-founders Mike Whalen and Casey Daniels first crossed paths working in restaurants — Mike as a server and Casey as a kitchen manager. 

“What began as a solid working relationship turned into a real friendship, and eventually a shared dream: to create a place that serves up seriously good, scratch-made food in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. In 2018, they brought that vision to life in Sarasota’s Gulf Gate neighborhood, and it quickly took off. 

“Today, the brand has grown into a local favorite (with seven current locations — two in Bradenton, three in Sarasota, one in Venice and one in Lakeland) and is known for good food, good people, and laid back vibes — now expanding across the Gulf Coast with more locations on the way, including Ellenton and West Tampa coming in 2026.” 

The newest Food + Beer will seat 150 guests and, “Just like every Food + Beer, the kitchen is scratch-made, serving food until 1 a.m. (or later) — a welcome spot for those in the hospitality industry to grab a bite or a drink after a late shift. Guests can dig into house staples like fresh-cut fries, hand-breaded boneless nuggets, specialty burgers, and the flavorful Korean Beef Bowl — alongside creative comfort food with a twist, like Red Velvet Chicken & Waffles during brunch or Crab Rangoon Mozzarella Sticks that hit all the right notes.” 

Food + Beer keeps things lively all week long with daily lunch specials starting at $8, plus the following lineup of weekly events and deals: 

• Burger Monday – Cheeseburger + fresh-cut fries for $6.99 

• Taco Tuesday – A variety of taco options with a side of chips and pico, as well as a build-your-own margarita menu 

• Trivia Wednesday – Starts at 6:30 p.m. 

• 89¢ Wing Thursday – Everyone’s favorite weekly tradition 

• Weekend Brunch – Featuring a build-your-own bottomless mimosa bar every Sat. & Sun. 

Plus, “to keep things fresh, the team rolls out a seasonal menu four times a year, spotlighting new, scratch-made dishes and limited-time cocktails, paired with a signature cocktail list and a rotating selection of local beers. 

The restaurant will feature an outdoor patio, a TV wall — perfect for catching the big game — and many more TVs. 

We stopped in to check out the progress on the new Wesley Chapel/Lutz location, and it already looked a lot like the finished product shown here, so we decided just to show you the photo provided by Food + Beer above. 

“Were excited to join the neighborhood!,” Food + Beer director of marketing Cassi Knapik told me. We can’t wait to check it out either, Cassi! 

For more info, visit eatfoodrinkbeer.com or @foodand.beer on social media. — GN, all photos provided by Food + BeerÂ