HOLMES BEACH – Three years ago, Ben Sato opened his gRub tropical barbeque restaurant in Anna Maria. He now plans to open Mingo’s Rooftop Restaurant and Sports Bar in Holmes Beach with his brother, Jason Sato, as his business partner.
Mingo’s name is derived from the word flamingo and a flamingo holding a tropical drink is featured in the restaurant logo.
The Mingo’s logo includes a flamingo enjoying a tropical drink in a tropical setting. – Ben Sato | Submitted
The 125-seat, family-friendly restaurant and bar will occupy the second floor of the former Wells Fargo bank building at the corner of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive, at 5327 and 5325 Gulf Drive.
The former bank building and properties are being redeveloped by Island businessman Jake Spooner. The space leased to Mingo’s will sit atop Spooner’s ground-level Island Bazaar retail store and the space leased to The Fudge Factory candy and ice cream shop. Spooner’s business operations will also include a miniature golf course on the east side of the property and a small, stand-alone arcade.
The diagram illustrates how the Island Bazaar property will be developed. – Smith Architects | Submitted
Ben will oversee the pending interior buildout of the restaurant space and the day-to-day business operations when Mingo’s opens in late 2025 or early 2026. He recently gave The Sun a tour of the vacant space to be transformed into Mingo’s.
“I’ve known Jake forever. We grew up on the Island together. It’s a great location and being up top here will give us great visibility,” he said.
The wall behind Ben Sato will be removed and a new wall will be built about where he stands. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The exterior wall at the south end of the Mingo’s space will be removed so the interior restaurant space can be extended further south towards Gulf Drive, leaving enough space for a covered deck at the south end of the building. In the center of the deck area will be an artificial turf-covered play area where cornhole and other games can be played.
The cinder blocks indicate where the covered deck will be. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The footprint of the building’s going to be the same. We’ll have a fun vibe with a turf area outside for the kids to play,” Sato said. “The restaurant concept is elevated bar food – bar food with a little twist on it.”
The Mingo’s menu will include “Tachos” (nachos made with tater tots), other types of nachos, chicken wings, seafood tacos, flatbreads, salads and more. gRub sells beer and wine but not liquor, so liquor service will be a new experience for Sato; and he’s already developing some signature frozen cocktails with a focus on tequila-based drinks.
“We’ll have full liquor but it’s not going to be a party atmosphere. This concept will be more focused on kids because of the miniature golf course and that’s how I approached the menu, the layout and the vibe,” he said.
Mingo’s will open at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m., when the miniature golf course closes.
“We won’t have late-night hours,” he said.
The former Wells Fargo bank building will be transformed into the Island Bazaar, The Fudge Factory and Mingo’s. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The south end of the expanded interior space will feature an accordion-style door that can be opened to create an open-air feel inside the restaurant.
“We’ll open it up so it’s basically indoor-outdoor seating with a breeze,” Sato said.
Mingo’s will have a tropical appearance and feel that highlights the pink and teal colors often associated with Florida. The exposed “wave ceiling” will have cloth hanging from it that creates a wave effect when the breeze moves it.
“I learned a lot opening gRub and I’m excited to open Mingo’s,” Sato said.
ANNA MARIA – Owner, chef and pit master Ben Sato’s new tropical barbecue restaurant, gRub, is now open.
Located at 415 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria, gRub (pronounced grub) opened at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
gRub tropical barbeque is located at 415 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It feels really good. It’s been a long time coming,” Sato said on opening day.
When interviewed the previous day, Sato explained his tropical barbecue dining concept.
“Tropical barbecue combines flavors from the tropical areas around the world, including the Caribbean, Hawaii and Asia. It’s different than anything else on the Island. It is its own type of category,” said Sato, who is half Japanese.
Sato said gRub is a “fast-casual restaurant” where patrons order and receive their food at the main counter.
“My background is in fine dining in Miami, Key West and Fort Lauderdale,” he said. “I went to the Johnson & Wales culinary school in north Miami and I worked at several fine dining restaurants. I think a family-oriented casual barbecue spot is something the Island needed. We’ve been working on this for three years, but I’ve been thinking about this since I moved back to Island from South Florida around eight years ago.”
While developing his gRub concept, Sato worked at Sato Real Estate, which is owned by his mom, Barbara, and his brother, Jason – neither of whom have active roles in the restaurant endeavor.
“It’s my baby. I’m running the place and I own the place,” Sato said.
Barbara was on hand for gRub’s opening and Jason stopped by for lunch.
“I’m excited for my brother. He’s worked his butt off and it’s been a long time coming. This is a dream come true for him and it’s awesome to see it become a reality. It’s a great addition to Pine Avenue,” Jason said.
Menu highlights
When discussing the gRub menu he created, Sato said, “As far as platters, we have Mojo Pork ($19), smoked and shaved brisket ($19), honey-glazed spareribs ($18 for a half-rack and $34 for a whole rack) and Peri-Peri Chicken ($16).”
Honey Spare Ribs are a signature item on the gRub menu. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“For sandwiches, we have a brisket sandwich served on a pineapple-coconut luau roll ($16). We also have a QBen ($16) that’s way different than any other Cuban you’ve had. Instead of using cured deli meats, I smoke my own pork belly, slice it thin and layer that with Mojo pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard,” he said.
The QBen is Ben Sato’s take on the Cuban sandwich – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The menu includes a pork-filled Willow Wrap ($15) and several varieties of empanadas, salads, side dishes, soft drinks, beer and wine. The wine offerings include “Frosé,” a frozen drink made with rosé wine and strawberry puree.
“It’s really good. All the girls love it. My wife, Danielle, told me I had to have it,” Sato said.
The gRub menu contains a wide variety of tropically-themed offerings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mason Martin Builders built the building and Adrian Griffin assisted with the design.
gRub has about 40 inside seats, including the bar area, with some additional outdoor seating on the front deck.
gRub’s interior décor was designed by Ben Sato. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The new building includes the second story residential space where Sato and his wife, Danielle, who works at Sato Real Estate, now live.
“We just moved in a couple of days ago,” he said.
In addition to the limited number of parking spaces in front of the restaurant, including one handicapped space, and the public parking spaces located along Pine Avenue, Sato has an agreement with the nearby Roser Community Memorial Church that provides additional parking for his restaurant.
Sato said he’s already fully staffed and his staff includes some cousins who are moving down from Minnesota. He said a grand opening ceremony will take place after the initial kinks are worked out.
Opening day diners
Part-time Anna Maria resident Glyn Pashley was among the first to dine at gRub on opening day. Accompanied by his wife, Evelyne, Pashley had the Coquina Chick sandwich made with Peri-Peri chicken salad, pineapple and tomato and served on multi-grain bread ($15), with the cucumber salad as his side dish.
United Kingdom and Anna Maria residents Evelyne and Glyn Pashley were among gRub’s first customers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We know Ben. The food is absolutely amazing. The sandwich is spicy and flavorful and the cucumber salad is fresh and light. We’ll be coming back,” Glyn said.
The Coquina Chick sandwich features Peri-Peri chicken salad. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Sgt. Brett Getman and Deputy Patrick Manning from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit were also among gRub’s first customers.
“I’m having the QBen with mac & cheese. It’s very tasty. The bread is very fresh, the pork has a unique flavor to and they all come together very well,” Getman said.
“I had the same thing and I have to agree. It’s a great combination,” Manning added.
Deputy Patrick Manning and Sgt. Brett Getman enjoyed their QBen sandwiches. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Stephanie Morris, Emily Toth and David McGough enjoyed their lunch while seated at the picnic table.
Morris had the Bimini Bay Bahn Mi pork brisket sandwich .
“It’s delicious. The meat’s tender, the bread is perfect and the slaw has the right amount of spice,” she said.
Toth had the QBen.
“The meat is delicious and the bread is crispy but soft on the inside. The potato salad is well-seasoned. Everything about it is good and the sweet and spicy sauces are both awesome. I will definitely be back,” she said.
McGough had the Fir Flatbread ($14) made with roasted vegetables, pesto and queso fresco cheese.
“It’s got cheese, broccoli, tomatoes and olive oil and its spiced very well. It’s absolutely delicious, and reasonably priced. I’m a vegetarian and I was able to have a really great lunch. They have more on the menu for vegetarians – a lot of salads and some really good macaroni and cheese. This is really good and I’ll be coming back,” McGough said.
Emily Toth, David McGough and Stephanie Morris ate lunch at gRub on opening day. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Regarding the décor and the overall dining experience, McGough said, “I love it. I think it’s perfect for Anna Maria and I think it will do great business. The location on Pine Avenue and the open doors are wonderful. They just opened an hour ago and they’re doing well already.”
gRub is open Monday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
gRub offers walk-up to-go service but is not currently taking to-go orders over the phone or online, although online ordering will be available later. You can visit gRub online and on Instagram @grub_ami.
ANNA MARIA – On Thursday, May 23, city commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposed construction of a 45-seat restaurant and residential structure at 415 Pine Ave.
Thursday’s meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and the public hearing will allow for public input.
City commissioners will be asked to approve the site plan application that includes requests for two parking-related special exceptions pertaining to an offsite parking arrangement with Roser Memorial Community Church.
The site plan approval application was reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board on May 14. The application lists Gohandesuyo LLC as the applicant and property owner. The LLC is registered to local Realtor Barbara Sato and her Realtor son, Jason Sato.
Urban Planner Monica Simpson is representing the Satos in this permitting matter. She said
Barbara’s son, Ben Sato, hopes to operate the restaurant and occupy the residential unit above.
The applicant’s report Simpson provided the city proposes the existing two-story residential structure be razed and replaced by a two-story building that includes the ground-level restaurant space, second-level living space, a rooftop terrace and an in-ground pool. Simpson’s report notes the pool and the rooftop terrace would not be used by restaurant patrons.
Simpson told the planning board the existing two-story structure was built in 1970 and is structurally sound but is not habitable due to electrical issues.
Simpson’s report states 15 spaces are needed for the 45-seat restaurant, plus one additional parking space for employees and one additional parking space for the residential unit.
She proposes five parking spaces be located on site and 12 additional parking spaces be provided through a shared parking agreement with Roser Memorial Community Church.
The April 9 staff report prepared by City Planner Robin Meyer initially disagreed with Simpson’s parking calculations and stated city code required 22 parking spaces. During last week’s planning board meeting, Meyer said he later consulted with City Attorney Becky Vose and they agree that 17 parking spaces are required.
Citing city code, Meyer’s report states off-site parking must be located within 300 feet of the perimeter of the development. Meyer’s report states the applicant is requesting two special exceptions: one for the majority of the parking to be located off-site and a second to allow for off-site parking approximately 900 feet from the proposed development site.
Revised plan
The original site plan proposed a 52-seat restaurant, residential space, pool and five on-site parking spaces. That plan prompted a petition and some letters of opposition from surrounding property owners which contributed to the public hearings being pushed back from April until May.
The revised plan Simpson presented last week includes the lower seating capacity and the off-site parking agreement.
On April 12, Ben Sato drafted and distributed a letter thanking the surrounding property owners for expressing their concerns. His letter notes he is currently working in the family business as a rental property manager and a maintenance technician, but he has long dreamed of opening his own restaurant.
“While I enjoy being a part of the family business, it is not my true passion. I am a professional chef and I belong in a kitchen,” his letter says.
“I’ve lived on Pine Avenue for three years and I sympathize with your concerns. I will be living on-site with my fiancé and we want to build our life there, be great neighbors and be stewards of the community,” Sato’s letter says.
The planning board voted 4-2 in favor of recommending city commission approval of the proposed site plan. Monika Beard, Dr. Jose Erbella, Margaret Jenkins and Mark Short voted in favor of recommending commission approval. Jeff Rodencal and chairman Jon Crane opposed the recommended approval.
The board’s recommended approval includes commission approval of the off-site parking spaces, signage directing restaurant customers to the church parking lot, the city being noticed on the lease for the parking spaces, the property not being used as rental property unless approved by the city, the applicant working with the city to ensure the safest pedestrian access to and from the property and calls for a rooftop garden to be placed at the rear of the terrace to provide landscape buffering for the neighbors.
City commissioners can accept or reject any or all of the board’s recommendations.
