DINING

Restaurant News: New Pass Grill & Bait Shop in Sarasota changing ownership

Wade Tatangelo and Carlos R. Munoz

Staff Writers

SARASOTA — New Pass Grill and Bait Shop, an Old Florida waterfront destination for burgers and fresh seafood that also offers bait and tackle supplies, is changing ownership.

Opened in 1929, the business housed in a funky wood structure at the south end of New Pass Bridge on Lido Key’s City Island had been operated by the Sarasota-based Wallace family since the 1990s. The new owners will be Jonathan and Janean Sisler, also of Sarasota, pending transfer approval of the city lease at an upcoming Sarasota City Commission meeting.

“New Pass Grill and Bait Shop and the Wallace family ask the Sarasota community to please extend a warm welcome to local residents Jonathan and Janean Sisler,” Don Wallace said in a statement to the Herald-Tribune.

“The Sislers have a longstanding love of New Pass and the Sarasota area. They are very excited to lead New Pass into the future, while keeping the charm and character that has made it such a special place for generations. Though Jonathan will not be involved in day to day operations, he does have extensive leadership experience and is currently CEO of a large international logistics company. The Wallace family thanks the Sarasota community for their love and support through the years.”

Jonathan Sisler is CEO of Chicago-based Coyote Logistics. He’s also a New Pass Grill & Bait Shop enthusiast.

“Both my wife and I have been big fans of the area and certainly New Pass for a long time,” he said by phone Thursday evening. “We want to keep its charm and what makes it so special.”

Sisler added, “Beer, burger, watch the boats go by, it’s just such a cool spot.”

New Pass Grill & Bait Shop, which offers outdoor seating on the water, temporarily closed in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened this month. Its current hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with breakfast items such as egg sandwiches, hash browns and French toast sticks served until 10:30 a.m.

Popular lunch and (early) dinner menu items include the grouper sandwich, the clam basket and sandwiches such as the New Pass Sub (made with Genoa salami, ham, American and provolone cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, Greek peppers and zesty Italian dressing), and the New Pass Stuffed Tomato (homemade chicken or tuna salad stuffed in a fresh ripe tomato, served on a bed of lettuce, onions, pickles and Greek peppers).

But nothing is quite as popular as the famed “New Pass Burgers,“ which are served with, or without, cheese and crispy strips of bacon, as well as choice of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mustard, mayo and ketchup. With a side of fries the meal costs about 10 bucks.

Asked if he will continue to serve the beloved New Pass Burgers, Sisler responded, “Absolutely. I share the same admiration for the burgers and the views and the whole nine yards just like the rest of the customers.”