While some Punta Gorda restaurants were hit hard by Hurricane Milton’s flooding last week, others only lost power. But with that came a loss of inventory, delayed openings, limited menu items and cash only policies shortly after the storm.
On Oct. 13, things were getting back to normal at Downtown GatorZ, where the bar area was full during karaoke.
Next door, Dough Bar Restaurant remained closed after a utility pole hit a powerline. “We lost all of our dough,” said Angelia Pecoraro, whose father, Charles, owns the establishment. He purchased the business from the previous owner and founder and hosted a grand opening in June. It is unknown when the restaurant will reopen.
Some locals refer to the downtown area and Marion Avenue as Restaurant Row. However, over the weekend, the downtown district, usually lively with diners both indoors and outdoors, was nearly empty.
One after the other, restaurants were boarded up and closed. Toula’s, Italia, River City Grill, Winesett House, F.M. Don’s, Isabel & Annabel’s Mexican Restaurant and Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar were all being cleaned out for the second time in a little over two weeks following Helene and Milton.
After Helene, River City Grill and Italia co-owner Diane Amaral vowed the locations would reopen. She pointed out the highwater mark after Helene, but Milton was much worse — about 2 or 3 feet higher. Her husband Doug doubled down after Milton, saying they would reopen both restaurants.
Across from Marion Avenue on U.S. 41 northbound, popular Tex Mex restaurant Dean’s South of the Border was flooded due to its low elevation and is closed during cleanup. Owner Dean Stainton also owned Hurricane Charley’s Sushi, Raw Bar & Grill that has since been demolished after damages from hurricanes Ian and Idalia.
At Celtic Ray Public House, Kevin and Max Doyle’s Irish pub, which has been in town since 1997, cleanup work was ongoing after it flooded twice from Helene and Milton. Although the outdoor bar remained open after Helene, the kitchen was destroyed, but food trucks were parked alongside the pub for those wanting something with their beverages.
However, Milton struck the fatal blow. Its high flood waters caused even more damage, and it is unknown when the Ray will resume operations.
The Perfect Caper Chef and owner Jeanie Roland posted on Facebook that the restaurant is being cleaned “to get our beloved restaurant back in shape so we can move on. The Caper will be back soon.”
Across Marion Avenue from Leroy’s Southern Kitchen is a deli owned by Cheryl Peters, who also owns Shorty’s Place on the same side of Marion Avenue but across U.S. 41 southbound. Both of her businesses were flooded and closed pending cleanup.
Next door to Shorty’s on Marion Avenue is a relatively new restaurant, Ichi Hibachi. It reopened Oct. 11 after Milton struck. Patrons were seen dining outside Oct. 13 while workers cleared muck and mud from the street next door to City Hall.
At Bal Harbor Plaza along Aqui Esta, Brooklyn Joe’s Pizza opened Oct. 11 but accepted only cash as it was without internet service and unable to process credit cards. It also served only pizza. By Oct. 13, the internet was restored, and the full menu was resumed.
Penny’s, located in a separate building on the mall’s property, continues to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Owner Penny Lowe said her business never lost power. On Oct. 12, line workers from Virginia and Alabama who were in town to help restore power, were enjoying meals and chatting with Lowe.
Elena’s Restaurant in Cross Trail Center mall on U.S. 41 southbound was bustling with business Oct. 13. It opened shortly after Milton passed.
Adrian Camili, son of the owner, and his cousin Durim Camili were running Elena’s over the weekend. Elena’s also was unable to process credit cards, but by Oct. 13, everything was restored.
A relatively new Japanese restaurant in Cross Trail Center, Utamaro Sushi & Asian Cuisine, reopened over the weekend.
Going south on U.S. 41, IHOP was closed, while Amimoto Japanese Restaurant and Pioneers Pizza were open. Tamiami Tavern was open, and its parking lot was full over the weekend.
