Kelly's Roast Beef Sarasota — Restaurant in Florida

I am originally from Massachusetts and have been to both the Kelly’s Boston and Revere locations. Always great service and food that was received timely. This past week I traveled from Dawsonville Georgia to Sarasota Florida to spend time with my 87yr old mother. She told me about the new Kelly’s in Sarasota. So, I brought her there Tuesday and I ordered the whole belly clam plate and she the scallop plate. The bill a little over $72.00 including non alcoholic drinks. After 25 minutes had past, I inquired the status in the meals. The manager explained they were busy and it would only be another three minutes or so. Fifteen minutes later… nothing. The cashier walked by so I inquired the meal status with her. She came back and said it would be a little more time. A total of fifty one minutes went by until we finally received our meals. One would have thought they would be hot, not luke warm. The food…. Good. Would we return, sorry to say no. With the amount of cooking staff I could see, 51 minutes to get the meals, an insult. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands to wait for your food that may or not be the proper temperature, find another eatery. Sorry to have been disappointed.

**

Is also very sad to see robotic review replies from this Kelly’s location. No thought put into their reply. That’s even more disturbing than our in restaurant experience. That location won’t be around long. This is what Kelly’s has become?...

Good atmosphere with nice, welcoming employees. The food was on the bland side. Just adding salt, onions and other flavors would make a huge difference. Also, I suggest marinating the chicken overnight in Italian dressing, this makes a huge difference in flavor. For those complaining about the food, please suggest what would help w/your dish. I feel bad for the owners because I know prices have skyrocketed and rent is high. This probably makes it hard. For the salad, I suggest using homemade salad dressing, more romaine, maybe olives, and salt (salt brings out flavors). The dressing tastes like Kraft, which isn't great. For the Tuna Salad Sandwich, a great idea I've seen is to take a small bread loaf (like Jimmy John's size) and rip out the bread inside, so it's hollowed out mostly, with mainly crust with a bit of the white bread left in. This allows the flavors to be tasted (also why you can really taste Jimmy John's Tuna Salad through the bread). For the Tuna Salad: more tuna, salt, and celery (wasn't in it). The tortilla just doesn't go with the tuna salad well, it contributes to it being a little bland. I'm rooting for this restaurant and hope the owner can turn it around by improving recipes. If you improve recipes, please advertise it; I think it will draw people back in who find some of the...

Who doesn't love a good opportunity to grub down on some good food and poke a little fun at the missing "R" people of the world?

Yes, they may "pahk da Cah" and don't even get them started on pronouncing Peabody or Worchester. But Bostonians do have their own regional culinary specialties that are not always easy to find, or find good ones around here.

Kelly's does a good Boston roast beef, medium rare and plentiful on the bun. Get it 3-way with that BBQ sauce, mayo and cheese. It is wicked good (see what I did there?) lol.

Did also have a cup of "Chowdah". Now, I am not an expert on Chowdahs, so I am not being hyper critical. I will say that it was an "ok" chowdah". Potatoes, bacon, and creamy...yes. Oyster crackers on the side, yes. Just seemed like there should be more of that seafood creature the chowdah is known for. Just my preference maybe, I like it lumpy with clams. No point deductions for personal preferences today.

This is not "fast food". It may resemble a fast food establishment, but their is a pace a dedication to detail here. So don't be in a rush.

We will be back as their lobster rolls and onion rings caught my eye at another table.

Friendly staff and fair prices for the...