After a year-long silence, one of Sarasota's most recognizable neon landmarks is firing up the grills again. Hob Nob Drive-In, the open-air burger joint that first started slinging patties in 1957, is set to reopen under new ownership. Local restaurateur Troy King is teaming up with his stepson, Dimitri Syros of The Breakfast Company, and they say the drive-in will be back sometime this spring with the smash burgers, crinkle-cut fries and shakes regulars remember.
New owners, same menu
The comeback was first teased in a social post and quickly picked up by local outlets. As reported by WWSB, the new team offered a reassuring promise to longtime fans: "No reinvention. Just good food, fair prices, and a place to gather again." The menu is expected to lean hard into "old-school classics" like smash burgers, crinkle-cut fries, onion rings and shakes, with rotating local craft beers in the mix as well. King and Syros also plan to bring back Hob Nob nights, including classic car gatherings and bike meets, in hopes of turning the spot into a community hangout again.
A long run, a short goodbye
Hob Nob closed in spring 2024 when longtime owner Cary Spicuzza decided to retire after 33 years, citing post-pandemic shifts, rising costs and staffing headaches, according to Business Observer. Spicuzza told the paper that last summer was the first time in decades the restaurant lost money and that keeping an open-air operation going had simply become unsustainable. The shuttering left a noticeable gap in Sarasota’s casual dining scene, with locals lamenting the loss of that glowing sign and the stripped-down, no-fuss menu.
Property and preservation
The property owner, the Karras family, has now leased the site to King, and the new team says it will work with Spicuzza to restore the lot to its previous footprint, according to Your Observer. King, a Sarasota native and former law enforcement officer, is partnering with Syros and The Breakfast Company crew to shepherd the brand into its next chapter. They say hanging on to the drive-in’s retro look while upgrading the behind-the-scenes systems will be a key part of the relaunch.
When to expect a reopening
Local outlets currently peg Hob Nob’s return for spring 2026, though the owners have not locked in an exact opening date as they finish renovations and navigate permits, per Patch. Fans are being steered to The Breakfast Company’s channels for word on soft openings and other updates. In the meantime, social feeds are buzzing with Hob Nob memories and at-home attempts to recreate the menu.
For many Sarasota residents, the comeback feels like a small win for the city’s dining history, a chance to revisit an old favorite while recognizing that the restaurant landscape has shifted. We will update readers as soon as a concrete opening date is announced.
