When a restaurant has a whole building all to itself or a prime spot in one of our city’s main dining districts, it starts off with a serious advantage over its competitors. But to find the real hidden gems that make a neighborhood special, you have to dig deeper. You have to visit strip malls.

In these humble commercial strips, the rent is more affordable, which means that when the bill comes, you’re paying for the quality of the food, not the owner’s property taxes. We’ve searched high and low for our favorite unassuming yet delicious spots, each located in a shopping plaza away from our main dining drags and easily missed if you don’t know where to look.

Casa Masa

At Casa Masa, housemade blue corn tortillas are the foundation of every dish. Made through a process called nixtamalization, in which hardy corn is softened in an alkaline solution and then ground into flour, each tortilla is craveably tender and can be found in  a variety of preparations, including burritos, tacos, quesadillas and a “Mexican pizza,” or tlayudita. In the restaurant’s “original” preparation of the dish, black bean paste is smeared over a pizza-sized tortilla and topped with crunchy napa cabbage, Oaxacan cheese, black garlic crema and salsa macha, a nut-based spicy condiment. It’s unreal. 2773 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, (941) 922-8226, casamasa-srq.com

Darrell’s Restaurant

This Venice Island barbecue spot rivals the likes of those found in North and South Carolina, as well as Tennessee. Owner Darrell Hornberger takes his craft seriously—you’ll get that before you even set foot in the restaurant because aromas of smoky wood and meat permeate the air in the parking lot. Although the pulled pork, smoked chicken and ribs are all excellent, Darrell himself is the star. He’s never met a stranger and is the very definition of hospitality. 215 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 485-9900, darrellsrestaurant.net

Focaccia Sandwich + Bakery

Nick Sammelman, owner of Focaccia Sandwich + Bakery, started working in kitchens as soon as he was old enough to get a job. His lengthy tenure and dedication to his craft are evidenced in the careful consideration he puts into every ingredient in his sandwiches. A prime rib sandwich, for example, is elevated with red wine-braised onions, crema and jus—each component painstakingly researched until the recipe is just right. But while each of those elements is impressive, it’s the bread that steals the show. Each batch of focaccia requires 48 hours to proof and bake before it’s served. 2300 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, (941) 924-2268, focacciasandwich.com

Mirna’s Cuban Cuisine

We’re inclined to judge Cuban restaurants based on their execution of ropa vieja—Cuba’s national dish of braised, shredded beef, olives, tomatoes and peppers—and Mirna’s has the best around. It’s packed with savory flavors and can be enjoyed with congri (rice and beans) in platter form or pressed between Cuban bread in the pan con ropa vieja sandwich. (FYI: Mirna’s is in the midst of a major transition, shifting its restaurant service south to 2901 N. Tamiami Trail while maintaining its current location as a bakery. Look for that change to happen in September.) 7980 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 316-9793, mirnascubancuisine.com

Jersey Girl Bagels

Chewy, shiny and dense-yet-fluffy bagels make New York dreams a reality in a town that once only had boring and basic versions of this breakfast-time favorite. With more than 15 varieties to choose from, it’s impossible to suggest a single best—our bagel preferences are as unique as our fingerprints. Want to go hard on breakfast? The bagel sandwich with egg, meat and cheese will put you into a food coma. 5275 University Parkway, Unit #103, Bradenton, (941) 388-8910, jerseygirlbagels.net

Buffet City

When a restaurant is both fun and affordable, you know you’ve found a winner. You won’t find anything froufrou at Buffet City and you’ll be glad about it. Pan-Asian and American-style Chinese food are the primary offerings at eight hot food kiosks, a sushi bar and a build-your-own hibachi station. While buffet sushi may not sound like a major draw, the inventory turns over so quickly you won’t give it a second thought. 4458 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, (941) 342-6818

Gentile Authentic Philadelphia Cheesesteaks & Hoagies

Take a quick trip to the City of Brotherly Love with a pit stop at Gentile, where a helpful how-to sign on the wall clues you into the proper way to order a cheesesteak. We like to go old-school, so we order ours doused in Cheez Whiz and “wit,” short for “with onions.” The meat and fixin’s are placed in a hoagie made by Philadelphia’s famed Amoroso’s and the whole shebang is served wrapped in wax paper. The result is so juicy it quickly makes a mess, but when a sandwich is so simple and so satisfying, we couldn’t care less. 7523 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 926-0441, gentilessteaks.com

Tin Viet & Sushi Bar

Located in the Parkway Collection Shopping Plaza, which claims a few hits on this list, Tin Viet nails the bright, briny, acidic and herbal flavors of Vietnam. The crispy duck salad is exactly as described: crispy. Crackling skin-on duck is sliced and tossed with diced cucumber, apple and other crunchy veggies, then tossed in a fish sauce-heavy dressing. We also love the bún tit nuóng, a charbroiled pork vermicelli bowl, for a hearty main. 6090 Lockwood Ridge Road, (941) 359-3658

Bay Leaf

One of only a handful of Indian options in south Sarasota County, Bay Leaf’s menu features all the hits like tikka masala and butter chicken. But while most Indian restaurants stateside specialize in northern Indian fare, Bay Leaf highlights popular dishes from south India. Nirwana curry, for example, hails from the Kerala region, near the tip of the Indian peninsula. It’s a fragrant coconut stew best enjoyed with fish. We also love the mango curry for a sweet and spicy accompaniment to a protein of your choice. 1092 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 244-0310, bayleafosprey.com

Que Rico

Colombians love their meat, and Que Rico knows it. The restaurant highlights carnivorous classics like carne asada, pollo sudado (a chicken stew) and an enormous showcase of steak, sausage and fried pork belly in its traditional bandeja paisa. Take a break from the mountain of meat with ample rice, beans and plantains, or double down and order a pile of crunchy chicharrones to start. Whatever you do, take some buñuelos (cassava and cheese fritters) for the road. 13648 Tamiami Trail, North Port, (941) 888-5647, orderquericocolombianflavors.com

International Market & Mediterranean Grill

Inside the back of a market that specializes in Turkish ingredients is a small kitchen that churns out some of that country’s finest cuisine. To make the restaurant’s version of su borek, thin layers of pastry and cheese are stacked on top of each other and baked, and the result is savory and tangy, with just the right amount of chew. The shepherd’s salad, meanwhile, is bright and acidic, made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and an array of fragrant herbs. For a meatier meal, try the cevapi wrap, with sausage links, cabbage, tomatoes and a garlicky yogurt sauce. 4944 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, (941) 210-3862, internationalmarketsarasota.com

Sahara Café

A longtime mid-Sarasota staple, Sahara has been feeding hungry professionals and nearby residents during its legendary lunch rush for decades. The menu features classic Mediterranean items like tabbouleh, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), falafel and gyros. But the best flavors are hiding in the “Lebanese pita wraps” section of the menu. We can’t get enough of the kibbeh wrap, in which ground beef and bulgur wheat balls are nestled among hummus, tahini, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce. Our only complaint is that it isn’t open for dinner. 1121 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 954-1423, saharacafe941.com

The Barnyard

Sisters Gladys and Ciliana Jean soared to success during the Covid-19 pandemic by serving chicken sandwiches from their front porch while brick-and-mortar restaurants were shut down. They called their sandwich the “Barnyard Betty” and advertised it via social media to get the word out. This year, they opened their own spot after leaving a rented stall at the Oneco Farmers Market—but despite the setting, the Barnyard Betty remains the flagship sandwich. A thin, crispy fried chicken breast is topped with melty cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a special sauce that adds a touch of sweetness to the otherwise savory combination. 620 Martin Luther King Ave. W., Bradenton, (941) 896-8760, barnyardbetty.com

Red Plum

It is an unwritten rule that a restaurant where the owners’ kids are doing homework in the corner will be a hit every single time. Red Plum, a sushi restaurant in south Sarasota, is confirmation of that. The sushi menu features all the classics, including American-style volcano rolls and Mexican rolls, but the quality of the ingredients sets this neighborhood spot apart. Be sure to order the pepper tuna avocado roll or the spicy scallop roll, and while you’re there, say hello to 8-year-old Charlotte, who will give you an enormous smile. 7119 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite F, Sarasota, (941) 554-8816, redplumsarasota.com

Fork & Hen

Fork & Hen owners Mark Tragutt and Alfonso Duron call their food “Southern eclectic with our own special spin.” Boy, is it eclectic. Crab Rangoon drop biscuits marry all the best parts of your favorite takeout snack with flaky, tender biscuits. The restaurant’s menu rotates frequently depending on the owners’ creative fixations, but fried chicken remains a staple. Try it with waffles, on a blue plate special or in sandwich form, dressed with ranch and homemade dill pickles. 2801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 960-1212, forkandhenssrq.com

Antoine’s Restaurant

On Wednesday evenings at Antonione’s, “mussel mania” (and co-owner Olivier Georges’ zany personality) draws in devotees who are drooling for all-you-can-eat mussels. On a recent visit, Georges told us that the record for most mussels ordered during a single dinner was six enormous steam pots. Our favorite? Provençal-style, with tomatoes, basil, pastis (an anise liqueur) and a little splash of cream. If you aren’t a mollusk maniac, the menu is loaded with terrific French fare—like a duck breast archiduc enrobed in a mushroom-y cream sauce and accompanied by gratin dauphinoise potatoes. 1100 N. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, (941) 331-1400, antoinessarasota.com

La Violetta

Possibly the best Italian restaurant in Sarasota County, La Violetta’s building looks suspiciously like a medical office complex. Inside, however, the atmosphere is as cozy as a rustic Italian Alpine ski chalet. Owners Emilio and Rosaria Ferarra relocated to Sarasota from Parma, Italy, where dishes have to be robust enough to keep you warm all winter long. You may not expect that philosophy to translate to steamy Sarasota summers, but let’s be honest: When cream, butter, cheese and meat are the primary ingredients, you can’t go wrong. The polenta fritta lardo e tartufo, for example, is a celebration of indulgence, with fried polenta topped with silky lardo (shaved, cured pork fat) and kissed with black truffles. 4837 Swift Road, Sarasota, (941) 927-8716, laviolettasrq.com

Capo Pazzo Pizzeria

A newer addition to the Sarasota dining scene, Capo Pazzo has already made a splash. New York transplants from around the county flock to this teeny tiny pizzeria just south of Gulf Gate for charred thin crust pizza and classic toppings. Try the spicy burrata pie, topped with shaved prosciutto and tomatoes, and believe the menu when it tells you this pizza is spicy. Arancini, meanwhile, are tamer, but still impressive in size and flavored with a housemade bolognese that would make your nonna cry. 2053 Reynolds St., Sarasota, (941) 487-8677, capopazzo.com

Thai Bistro

Lauded as Venice’s first Thai restaurant, Thai Bistro, near the Venice Avenue bridge, has been tempting our tastebuds for decades. We love the nam sod, a refreshing mix of chilled and spiced ground pork, peanuts, onions and loads of ginger coated in a spicy chili paste dressing. “Two friends panang,” meanwhile, brings together chicken and shrimp in a coconut red curry sauce that’s overflowing with fresh vegetables. (When ordering, keep in mind that when the menu says “spicy,” it’s not kidding.) 537 E. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 484-8458, thaibistrovenice.com

Nam Fong

You could order standard takeout from Bradenton’s best Chinese restaurant, but if you do, you’ll be missing out on an unforgettable dine-in experience where the staff treats you like you’ve been friends for years. On the menu are egg rolls, beef and broccoli, and other Chinese American favorites, but believe us when we tell you the soup is not to be missed. Try the namesake Nam Fong noodle soup, made with steamy wontons steeped in a rich broth and bulked up with Cantonese-style egg noodles and warming chilies. 653 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, (941) 756-9438, namfongfl.com

Shilla Korean Restaurant

At this popular North Beneva spot, you can keep it familiar with bibimbap, galbi and japchae or shake it up with samgyupsal, in which fried pork belly is paired with a salty bean paste and raw garlic for a build-your-own lettuce wrap. The tteok-bokki is another runaway hit, made with chewy cylindrical rice cakes stewed in gochujang (a red pepper paste) and adorned with a boiled egg. It’s sweet and spicy, and will warm you from within—and tempt you to return again. 501 N. Beneva Road, #240, Sarasota, (941) 366-9700

Chayhana Vostok

Uzbekistan sits in the heart of Central Asia, a region sandwiched between China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan that was for centuries an important way station along the Silk Road. The region’s cuisine reflects that mixed heritage, and it is delicious. For evidence of that, stop in at Chayhana Vostok, a cozy mid-Sarasota eatery where you can dine on borscht, okroshka (a cold yogurt soup), pilaf and shashlik (similar to a shish kebab). And you must try the manty—big steamed dumplings stuffed with ground meat, pumpkin and chopped onions—and the shurpa soup, a rich and hearty lamb and vegetable concoction. 4242 S. Tamiami Trail, (941) 923-5919

Maharaja Indian Cuisine

Another lovely spot in the Parkway Collection shopping plaza, Maharaja is an unforgettable dining adventure. The samosas are sizable, crispy and jam-packed with potatoes, peas and fragrant spices, and the seemingly infinite array of curry options never disappoint. We’re particularly obsessed with the dal makhani (lentils cooked with onions, garlic and ginger) and bhindi do piaja (fresh okra stewed with onions, green peppers and aromatics). A great destination for vegetarians. 6290 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, (941) 706-0793, maharajaindiancuisine.us

The Spot Tacos and More

Once situated in the Red Barn Flea Market, The Spot now has its own, well, spot, in a nearby affordable housing complex. Diners gather here to enjoy owner Laura Betancourt’s diligent approach to Mexican street fare. Make sure to order the birria tacos with braised beef cheeks that are quickly seared and soaked in consomé before hitting the tortilla.The restaurant is famous for them. Pro tip: Order a side of that consomé to further saturate your taco. 2303 First St., Bradenton, (941) 741-2011, thespottacos.com

So French Café

By day, this Parisian restaurant features salads, croissant and baguette sandwiches, and crêpes served either sweet or savory. Each dish is executed with the effortless precision you expect from the French, and we love the simple goat cheese and honey crêpe. After the quiet café closes at 5 p.m., though, the restaurant turns into a Latin club, where you can take dance lessons before the evening’s festivities begin. Learn to salsa, bachata, merengue and kizomba in either a beginner or intermediate class. Everyone is here to have a great time, so fill up
on French food and leave your nerves at the door. 6280 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, (941) 388-8936, sofrenchcafe.com