Sarasota's restaurant landscape shifted sharply in October, with multiple closings, openings and relocations reshaping the local dining scene.

Here's what changed.

Brick's Smoked Meats closes after fire

An oven fire on Oct. 6 forced Brick's Smoked Meats at 1528 State St. to shut down for good, five days before its planned final service, Your Observer reported. The restaurant had already announced Oct. 10 as its last day as it prepared for new ownership.

Sarasota Fire Department crews responded just before 8 a.m. and extinguished the blaze by 8:30 a.m. No injuries were reported. A dozen fire-rescue units and Sarasota Police officers responded, shutting down State Street until mid-afternoon.

Brick's opened on May 16, 2017, after launching as a weekly pop-up at the Sarasota Farmers Market. Monte Silva, operator of nearby restaurant Comida, said in a Facebook post that a Mexican-themed restaurant was planned for the space, according to Your Observer.

Caragiulos reopens on Ringling Boulevard

Caragiulos Italian American Restaurant opened Oct. 27 at 1833 Ringling Blvd., nearly a year after closing its original Palm Avenue location, Sarasota Magazine reported.

The Caragiulo family opened the original restaurant at 69 S. Palm Ave. in 1989. It closed in October 2025 with about 15 years left on its lease after the Mira Mar building was sold to Seaward Development for $17.3 million in 2023. Seaward won approval for two 18-story condominium towers behind the historic frontage.

The new space spans about 4,300 square feet with 150 seats, a full bar and a covered patio. Co-owner Paul Caragiulo's 87-year-old mother, Anna, made the restaurant's 14.5-foot gold curtains.

Mitchell's Food and Wine opens on Main Street

Mitchell's Food and Wine opened at 1660 Main St. in the former home of Lucile Pizza & Wine Bar, the Herald-Tribune reported. Owners Ryan Boeve and Mark Baldwin also owned Lucile, which closed Sept. 12. The new restaurant features seasonal new American cuisine and Neapolitan-style pizzas, according to Patch.

Smoke & Fire BBQ moves to Beneva Road

Smoke & Fire BBQ, founded by Dr. Todd Horiuchi in April 2025, moved about a mile and a half from 4571 Clark Road to a shared space with Brew Life Brewing at 5767 Beneva Road, the Herald-Tribune reported. At the new location on Oct. 23, smoked ribeyes sold out in 20 minutes.

Cock & Bull reopens on Cattlemen Road

Cock & Bull at 975 Cattlemen Road reopened to the public at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15, the Herald-Tribune reported. Partner Dean Lambert and Frank Giuffre, manager of F&H Properties Sarasota LLC, are behind the revival. The property, open at that location since 2002, had operated as Big Top Live and briefly as The Parrot Live before Giuffre purchased it. Lora Miller's Smokin' Momma Lora's Kitchen serves barbecue and burgers from a permanent food truck on-site.

Nick's Bar sold after 50-plus years

Nick's Bar at 4459 Bee Ridge Road has been sold and closed after serving drinks for more than 50 years, according to the Herald-Tribune's October restaurant roundup.

Shakespeare's pub changing hands

Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub on South Osprey Avenue is in the process of being purchased by Michael Calomeris, owner of 57 Tavern, as longtime owners Richard and Marilyn Neal retire, Sarasota Magazine reported. Calomeris' Small Business Administration (SBA) loan has been approved, though the sale had not yet closed as of Oct. 20.