Overgrown vegetation obscured the Indigenous sign, while chairs sat stacked atop dusty tables Tuesday at the acclaimed downtown Sarasota restaurant.
The historic cottage at Links Avenue and Adams Lane appeared abandoned. A paper sign on the door said the restaurant would remain closed throughout September for updates and vacation.
But following a social media post that afternoon, owner and chef Steve Phelps confirmed by text message to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that Indigenous had permanently closed after 15 years.
The closure ends an award-winning run for one of Sarasota’s most celebrated restaurants. Phelps opened Indigenous at 239 S. Links Ave. in the Towles Court neighborhood in 2011 and became a two-time James Beard Awards semifinalist for Best
Chef: South, earning nominations in 2014 and 2015.
“After 15 years of serving this community and working with our staff, farmers, fishermen, bakers, producers, and community, we are ready for a change,” the post read. “We are so proud of our accomplishments, accolades, and the love that you so graciously awarded our hearts with. Thank you for all your support and love.”
What type of food did Indigenous serve?
As its name suggests, Indigenous focused on incorporating ingredients from Florida as well as sustainable seafood. Some of the restaurant's well-known dishes included its cobia "hot dog," its wild mushroom bisque, and its My Uncle's Burger, which the Herald-Tribune recently named one of the best burgers in Sarasota.
"This heavenly handheld features two thin, perfectly seasoned grass-fed beef patties topped with cheddar, bacon jam, and a slathering of addictive Indigenous sauce on a buttery brioche bun," the blurb read. "The masterpiece arrives with duck fat-roasted potatoes and pickled vegetables, making for a meal that somehow feels both refined and gloriously indulgent."
Indigenous received a national television spotlight in 2021 when it was showcased on a “CBS This Morning: Saturday” segment for “The Dish,” which highlights chefs and culinary experts from around the world, with co-host Jeff Glor visiting Sarasota to meet with Phelps.
Another national television personality, celebrity chef Bobby Flay, visited Indigenous in 2023. A Facebook post showed Phelps and what appeared to be three members of his kitchen staff posing for a photo with Flay, with the caption reading "Thanks (Bobby Flay) for hanging with our team last night! Great to see you!!!"
Also in 2023, Phelps co-founded the restaurant PigFish in Calusa Brewing's taproom, with the initial menu featuring the namesake sandwich and a cobia hot dog. The Herald-Tribune named it the best new restaurant of 2023. Shortly afterwards, however, Phelps announced his departure from PigFish, which remains open.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com.
Kendal Asbury is the real estate and development reporter for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Have an idea, tip or question about development? Send her an email at kasbury@usatodayco.com. Connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Instagram @wordsbykendal, and support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: One of Sarasota's best restaurants suddenly closes after 15 years
