Thank you for supporting us through this pandemic. We have flexible dining options with everyone's health in mind including safe distance dining in, outdoor dining and of course, take-out. JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe is THE #1 go to place in Sarasota for lunch and dinner specials. Come in from 11am-4pm to sample what all the lunch fuss is about.
This year brings you best wishes filled with the best burgers, best cubans, best music and best love. Sarasota continues to vote us for the most popular burger in Sarasota and one of the best cubans in Sarasota and Florida. Are you looking for the best burger in Sarasota? JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe is a long time casual favorite food and music venue.
This year brings you best wishes filled with the best burgers, best cubans, best music and best love. Sarasota continues to vote us for the most popular burger in Sarasota and one of the best cubans in Sarasota and Florida. Are you looking for the best burger in Sarasota? JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe is a long time casual favorite food and music venue.
Reviews (27)
Lori H.
Jan 28, 2022
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Robby B.
Jan 27, 2022
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We went for lunch. The place is truly an old packing house...it has that charm that only comes from genuinely old places. The service was excellent and the food was great. I guess my only knock would be the name given to the dish we ate. My wife is from New Orleans and we have lived there for over 20 years together. At JRs' we had the Blackened Basa fish over Jambalaya. Tasty as it was: it simply isn't Jambalaya. It was more of a cross between gumbo and etouffee. A small critique, for an otherwise great experience.
Ad Taylor
Jan 20, 2022
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Jorge Fortuno
Jan 09, 2022
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I visited with my son-in-law at his recommendation since he had been there before. The building has been there for decades. The restaurant, according to the old bartender, has been there for 20+ years. Very quaint. There are many interesting things all over the walls. Oh yeah, the old guy at the bar is a little bit grouchy but has some really interesting stories to share. He's been there forever as well. I ordered naked wings, and they were delicious. The largest wings I've ever seen or eaten. Son-in-law gad a cheese burger, and he loved it. The beer was cold, and the good was great. I'll be back
Grant Fulkerson
Jan 07, 2022
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Weston T.
Dec 15, 2021
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Was so excited to try this place out after hearing great things about it for so long! Our experience started off good with being greeted in a timely manner and putting in our food right away. Waitress dropped off our soft drinks then our queso and chips, which was the best part of the meal. My girlfriend and I were planning on splitting two meals, we got their "famous" Cuban and I got the Colossal Burger with Cheese - medium. When our food came out I was needing a refill. Our server dropped off our food and left so quick I couldn't get a chance to ask. I noticed right away there
Bonnie H.
Oct 27, 2021
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Brian King
Oct 26, 2021
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JR's is a nice little restaurant. Kind of funky, with live music. The band that was there was pretty good although the outside seating area was kind of rough due to the high winds. But we made it work. The food was excellent, although I would suggest the burgers over the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was excellent but very large and because it's a real piece of chicken you may run into some extra bits that you didn't expect. The hamburgers though we're excellent. The fries and onion rings are very good, and I really have nothing negative to say about JR's, it was great.
Bill W.
Oct 13, 2021
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What a unique place. Went there for lunch on Tuesday. the decor was a combination of license plates, guitars and other unique trinkets. staff was very friendly and attentive. Between the 3 of them, they had a balance for keeping things going. as for the food, we started with the queso and chips. large portion and very good. I had the cuban for my meal and my wife had a cheese burger. Cuban was tasty, juicy and grilled to perfection. my wife was very happy with the taste, size and proper cooking of her burger
Tina M.
Sep 23, 2021
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We were at another business within walking distance and saw the lights so we had to check it out. What a pleasant little surprise! We walked in to a band playing on the stage and sat at the bar for a drink and a late dinner. I ordered the Basa FILET with beans and rice and fries. My husband had the Cuban since they proclaimed to have the best in town. The food was phenomenal! It arrived hot (since I find many places let food sit out too long) and every bite was good. We left with no leftovers which means we enjoyed our food (sad to not have any though for the next day). Prices reasonable.
Plenty
Plenty
Marco Nistico
Sep 14, 2021
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Bruce H.
Sep 02, 2021
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Dreadful! They advertise with banners all over that they were voted the best burger in Sarasota. Burgers at fast food joints are much better ... and fresher! This must be a joke! A salad from the menu sounded good, but it too was horrible. Frozen meat. Off flavors. Poorly cooked. Potato skins with melted cheez whiz:.are you kidding me??? Nothing worthwhile at this place. Move on.
Art C.
Aug 15, 2021
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Bring your friends
It was a spur of the moment decision to stop by Jr's Old Packinghouse Café for dinner, and a good decision it was. This is another local Sarasota restaurant with a lot of character. So much character. They also have live music most nights, the band this evening just starting up as we left.
We both had their Cuban Sandwich. These were substantial sandwiches with plenty of ham and roasted pork, and cheese. While I would have preferred more pickle, I seem to say that every time I have a Cuban sandwich, so I think this means I'm wanting to tweak what is otherwise a perfect
It was a spur of the moment decision to stop by Jr's Old Packinghouse Café for dinner, and a good decision it was. This is another local Sarasota restaurant with a lot of character. So much character. They also have live music most nights, the band this evening just starting up as we left.
We both had their Cuban Sandwich. These were substantial sandwiches with plenty of ham and roasted pork, and cheese. While I would have preferred more pickle, I seem to say that every time I have a Cuban sandwich, so I think this means I'm wanting to tweak what is otherwise a perfect
Teenie C.
Aug 04, 2021
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If you are staying in Sarasota or driving through the west coast make sure to stop by and try the food at Jrs Old Packinghouse. My sister and stopped by for a quick bite and fell in love with the old Florida feel, family feel & live music. The owner, JR, even came by our table and when he found out we drove in from Miami, sat with us for a bit and asked us about our travels. Finally, as far as our meal was concerned, I would have been so jealous of my sister's amazing burger if I wasn't so obsessed with my own lightly blackened basa fish sandwich. I can't wait to go back to try
Rick V.
Jul 24, 2021
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John Canon
Jul 19, 2021
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A great homey bar with a variety of food, craft beers and full licence. Our waitress was excellent. I had a burger and my wife had a Cuban dish with ground beef, black beans and rice. Both meals were excellent. Music was a duo that were very good as well. Definitely an old Florida bar well worth a visit.
Sabrina M.
Jun 26, 2021
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Kim B.
Apr 04, 2021
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Robert K.
Mar 01, 2021
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Good solid old school food! Yelp helped my find this place in my travels! Looks like this place can be a serious night time honky tonk live music place to have some beers and dinner. I stopped for lunch so no beers for me. The queso burger was spot on and cooked as ordered. I saw the next table get the pork chop special and buffalo chicken sandwich special. Darn, I was mighty jealous!!! I will stop again and try some more items for sure next time. Down home divey kinda place but real good food and nice service. I highly recommend!
Gary S.
Feb 06, 2021
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Dan D.
Jan 12, 2021
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We stopped in for a late Saturday lunch. The place wasn't too crowded as we waited patiently for the waitress to acknowledge we were standing there waiting for guidance. She continued to chat with one of the tables for several minutes and then looks over and instructs us to sit anywhere! We had four in our party and for the sake of time we all ordered Cuban Sandwiches thinking they would arrive the fastest. It seemed like it took forever to get our food. Now in all fairness, it was well worth the wait. The sandwiches were jammed full with fresh ham, moist roasted pork, melted gooey cheese
Jeff G.
Oct 30, 2020
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Corey R.
Feb 20, 2020
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Great BASA sandwich and fries. If this place were empty you would think it's a typical dive bar but it's far from that. Packed at night, live music and great food for family dining. Outdoor seating out front and back if you want to get away from the music which could get a little loud if you're right by the musician(s). Still has the welcoming feel and environment of a dive bar where you feel like everyone is your friend.
Plenty of parking out back. Don't drive past this place, it is good!
Plenty of parking out back. Don't drive past this place, it is good!
Kathy P.
Feb 08, 2020
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Best Cuban sandwich ever! Tough to find but worth the search. Funky place that looks like a warehouse from the outside. Decent beer selection. Good prices on everything. The shrimp & clam chowder is so good!! My husband and I split a bowl. My husband got the burger - he liked it too. Substituted the coleslaw for the chips- yummy coleslaw and I am really picky. They have bands here too which can get loud but fun. All the desserts are homemade. The key lime pie is one of the best around. We have been here several times and look forward to returning. Skip tourist traps like marina jacks and
David W.
Jan 18, 2020
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I moved to the area a few weeks ago and have finally settled down.
I am a bbq master and grilling fiend. My family is hard to please because grilling and cooking is my hobby. We were at John's pass last weekend and are on the pier, my wife ordered a burger, I had a grouper taco and we both were terribly disappointed as well as my children.
I have heard rumors of a great burger spot on Cattlemen road but I sincerely figured that it would be another bust. But I was surprised!
The place is cozy, and when I say cozy I mean it. It was downright relaxing. While I'm not a cuban connoisseur
I am a bbq master and grilling fiend. My family is hard to please because grilling and cooking is my hobby. We were at John's pass last weekend and are on the pier, my wife ordered a burger, I had a grouper taco and we both were terribly disappointed as well as my children.
I have heard rumors of a great burger spot on Cattlemen road but I sincerely figured that it would be another bust. But I was surprised!
The place is cozy, and when I say cozy I mean it. It was downright relaxing. While I'm not a cuban connoisseur
Kristy L.
Jan 10, 2020
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This is the kind of place that you walk into and swear you have been here a million times. Your rational mind says"No you have never been here"!
The waitress is casual and friendly and talks to you as if you have been there a. million times.
They have paper placemats with a blessing and advertising. Always fun to check out local ads.
Now, I would not recommend going anywhere while on a diet but it is resolution time. Grilled fish and vegetables shouldn't be too fattening right?
Well I had the blackened catfish- medium spice. My partner had the other fresh fish blackened
The waitress is casual and friendly and talks to you as if you have been there a. million times.
They have paper placemats with a blessing and advertising. Always fun to check out local ads.
Now, I would not recommend going anywhere while on a diet but it is resolution time. Grilled fish and vegetables shouldn't be too fattening right?
Well I had the blackened catfish- medium spice. My partner had the other fresh fish blackened
Rene D.
Jan 05, 2020
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This is a little local joint. Very authentic florida style. We drove by in r big truck looking for a place to park. Since it was Sunday... we parked at the farmers market store. Otherwise I DONT think we could have fit!!
The owner has his homemade recipes DOWN!! We had both a Cuban that came with chips. It was the best we've had in a long time!! Home cooked pork roast was fabulous!!! Bf ordered a side of black beans n rice. Wow that was really great as well. I had a few bites. Nice! Then he wanted some more beans no rice. I had two more bites. They are actually good as you scoop the chips
The owner has his homemade recipes DOWN!! We had both a Cuban that came with chips. It was the best we've had in a long time!! Home cooked pork roast was fabulous!!! Bf ordered a side of black beans n rice. Wow that was really great as well. I had a few bites. Nice! Then he wanted some more beans no rice. I had two more bites. They are actually good as you scoop the chips
