One of Sarasota's best restaurants for sandwiches is moving to a new location

One of my favorite spots in Sarasota for an exceptional sandwich, a place I have been visiting for a decade, is on the move.

Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe made its downtown Sarasota debut in 2010 at 32 S. Osprey Ave. near the Herald-Tribune headquarters. Several years into my tenure as a Herald-Tribune staffer, I discovered that Michelle's offered the perfect remedy for anyone afflicted by the dreaded sad desk lunch syndrome. In 2013, I first expressed my appreciation publicly by penning a glowing review of their "Anna Maria" smoked salmon sandwich.

Later that same year, Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe relocated around the corner to the first floor of the Sarasota City Center at 1819 Main St. For the past decade, the cafe has delighted downtown workers like myself with delectable breakfasts and lunches. However, the time has come for Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe to bid farewell to Sarasota City Center.

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Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe in Sarasota moving to new location

The plan is for Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe to close in mid-January and then reopen about a month later approximately one mile away in the Burns Court District at 630 S. Orange Ave. The building formerly housed Fresh Start Cafe.

"It's appealing because something similar was there prior to us and they did solid business," said Michelle Connor Ettinger, owner of Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe. "And I thought that area would be convenient for locals in the neighborhood there, and we still won't lose our catering because it's not that far from our original location."

There will be indoor tables, as well as al fresco seating on the "beautiful outside patio," Ettinger said. Perhaps more importantly, the Burns Court location boasts its own parking lot. As for the menu, Michelle's will continue to offer the same popular breakfast and lunch items, including fresh omelets and her 11 signature sandwiches. Additionally, the new location will introduce beer and wine, providing Ettinger with the opportunity to showcase her sommelier skills.

Also, whereas the current location only offers counter service, guests at the new Michell's spot will be able to choose between counter or full service. The new location will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"You know when it’s time to end the chapter and it is," Ettinger said. "We’re still busy, with a line out the door every day. But it's time. I'm just hoping we can build that local residential following as well as we built it here in the finance district and keep up on our catering. It served us well."

Ettinger said that in the future, she would also like to open a Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe in Lakewood Ranch and on Siesta Key. Before opening in Sarasota, Ettinger's family originated the Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe name and concept with a restaurant in Bar Harbor, Maine.

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Michelle's Brown Bag for favorite sandwiches including the Anna Maria, Bradenturkey and Ca’ d’Zan

While I still highly recommend Michelle's "Anna Maria" sandwich featuring Ducktrap smoked salmon from Maine, my favorite recently has been the Bradenturkey, which references a certain Bradenton nickname. The sandwich contains sliced turkey, crispy bacon, white cheddar, baby greens, cucumber, and sliced tomato.

Another one of Michelle's sandwiches that I adore is the Ca’ d’Zan. Named after the historic Ringling mansion overlooking Sarasota Bay, it piles honey ham, roast beef, smoked bacon, and Swiss with baby greens, tomato, sweet red onions, and banana peppers; and then punches it all up with some delicious Dijon mustard and pesto mayo. Michelle's menu offers several bread choices, including pumpernickel rye, multigrain wheat, and a gluten-free option, but I've always been partial to their French baguettes.

I look forward to enjoying all of these sandwiches and perhaps an omelet one morning when Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe begins welcoming guests to their new location in Burns Court. Yeah, it will also be nice to have the option of pairing a freshly made sandwich with a cold beer or a nice glass of wine, perhaps on a sunny Friday afternoon while seated on the patio.

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Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Beloved Sarasota restaurant Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe is moving