by Hannah Wallace

Photography by Chad Spencer

THE PLACE

Carr’s Corner Café, 3025 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota,

(941) 355-4051.

Don’t let the North Trail façade fool you, Carr’s is a homey Sarasota institution praised by locals for its simple, exceptionally well-crafted food. Inside, it’s like dining in your grandmother’s kitchen—calm, clean and quiet with charming details like checkered linoleum, ceramic salt and pepper shakers and lace window dressing.

THE PEOPLE

The opposite of touristy, Carr’s draws laid-back lunchers from its Indian Beach neighborhood, college students, professors and nearby workers.

TIME FACTOR

Efficient service and cook staff mean you can get in and out within your lunch hour; takeout is also an option.

THE FOOD

It’s a cliché, but “made with love” seems appropriate here. The deli-centric menu offers sandwiches carefully assembled to perfect proportions, plus soups, salads and daily specials (a recent example: ham, fontina, spinach, red onion and honey mustard in a spinach wrap). Plentiful vegetarian and vegan options (including tempeh, tofu and garden burger patty substitution options) are another testament to the thoughtfulness of the menu.