Award Winner Spotlight: Harry's Grill

When they both lost their jobs after the market crash in 2010, Mark LaBriola and his wife, Jan, made the move to Florida to start a new life. They had always dreamed of owning a restaurant, even though Mark, a national director of safety for a large company, and Jan, a mortgage broker, had no restaurant experience. After selling everything and making the move from Texas to Arcadia, then eventually Anna Maria, they found themselves living three blocks from the restaurant they would eventually come to own at 9903 Gulf Drive.

Mark says the previous owners of Harry’s Grill were praying for the right buyers to come along when he approached them about purchasing the restaurant. Having spent their savings moving to Florida, Mark and Jan worked out a payment agreement and took over Harry’s in 2014. The couple inherited a quality menu with burgers the people of the Island already loved, so for a while they worked to maintain Harry’s signature items. However, as business began to pick up and the restaurant became more and more successful, they added more.

Harry’s is now famous for their award-winning chili, burgers that have been voted best on the Island, bacon-wrapped shrimp, aged prime rib, steaks and many more dishes that make this a must-visit for both locals and visitors. Harry’s also features live music both inside and in their large outdoor seating area every day of the week.