Best takeout - Hurricane Hanks

For 23 years, Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach has been a favorite of both locals and visitors to Anna Maria Island. In 2017, Brian Mathae bought the popular dining spot with the intention to keep most of the menu the same, opting not to fix what he felt wasn’t broken. Mathae gave the restaurant a makeover, freshening the look, but popular menu items like fresh grouper, burgers, ahi tuna stacker and seafood dishes remain.

“While we kept most of the menu, we have worked on bringing some elevated cocktails and focused a lot on the ingredients we use in our food,” Mathae said. “We are only sourcing the best ingredients, so sometimes we may be out of something because I’m not going to substitute something that’s not up to our standards.”

Hurricane Hanks is not a large restaurant, so takeout is a popular option for customers, winning the restaurant the Reader’s Choice Award for best takeout. Mathae says the quality of the food will be the same whether it’s eaten inside, outside or taken home. They do not take reservations, and all seating is on a first come, first served basis. Hurricane Hanks is located at 5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, and is open daily at 11:30 a.m. They close at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit www.hurricanehanks.com to view the menu, or call 941-7785788 for takeout.