Coffee Carousel

I’ve lived in Sarasota as a winter resident since 2002 and this was my first visit to this venerable family business. I had a serious jones for pancakes and the Coffee Carousel did not disappoint! Fast service, delicious, light and fluffy pancakes and nice cup of coffee with fast refills at the counter. Really a nice, «Old Florida» experience in downtown Sarasota. I’ll be back often.

Todd R must either own this place or is a shill. I agree with the two recent low ratings on the service by the two grannies who work behind the counter. They can be indifferent to the non-regular’s. The food is good and very reasonably priced, but the service can sometimes cancel out the positives.

This is the place to go for breakfast or lunch if you are on a budget as the prices for breakfast or lunch are the cheapest in town. The only drawback is the service which I can describe as La-​De-​Da (hit or miss). On somedays it’s satisfactory, and on others, the two grannies that are the waitresses, forget you are even there, forgetting to see you, failing to fill your water glass or coffee cup, or even take your order.

Best secret in Sarasota. Outstanding breakfast selections that INCLUDE coffee or tea for under $ 7 including tax. Counter and table seating. You really should give it a try!!!

Great little spot for breakfast before 11:30 and then lunch until 2:30. This is old-​school Florida diner right on Main Street. Family owned and staff will totally get to know you and welcome you back each time. The menu is varied and the specials are great. Where else can you get a Turkey melt with fries for $ 6.00, cooked to order??? I love the breakfast, for the omelets are really cheesy, wish I love.
The atmosphere is friendly and do not let the old-​school look deter you for the food is fresh and the prices are perfect for the working folks. Totally can go in by myself, for there is a huge «S» curve counter with low chairs that make you feel like a kid again. Yes, they do accept credit cards too.

My breakfast companion this morning was a regular at the Carrousel for years when he worked at the B of A across the road. But baby that was years ago, as the song goes. Notwithstanding, he was greeted by name yesterday morning.
Does this qualify the Coffee Carrousel as the Cheers of Sarasota? My mathematics teacher used to say that drawing a line from fewer than two points put you on Euclid’s bad side, a space best avoided. However, this one data point I do have regarding the friendliness of this downtown hidey-​hole is a good one.
My fellow Unilocal!ers capture the mood here perfectly. Linoleum floors, a diner ambience, home-​style cooking and the happy fragrance of non-​corporate ownership wrap you in a feel-​good breakfast blanket. And for good measure, our two omelets with toast and coffee TOGETHER cost less than fifteen bucks. I recently paid five dollars more than that for a single meal at a place that didn’t want to know my name.
Florida is a breakfast kind of state. I guess that’s because so many folks here are awake early checking the obituaries. With many choices, it’s easy to become jaded, but for the first time in a long time I am happily anticipating a return trip to brekkie place.
Cheers! to that.

Apparently this is one of Sarasota’s best kept secrets, as I am the second person to review it!!? Maybe it is because of their demographic, as I was the only person in there under 55+ years of age.
This is a real mom and pop kind of little dinner. The servers are like moms and grandmas that make you feel welcomed to this super casual diner.
As a vegetarian, I didn’t expect much from a classic coffee, eggs and bacon style place, but I got by and the food was good considering the price!
The potatoes and raisin toast was solid, so was the tea. The prices are ridiculously low. My friends who got classic eggs, bacon, sausage and coffee style dishes were pleased.
Nothing fancy here! Just nice, older servers rocking classic American breakfasts at a price that makes places like IHOP look like overpriced greed mongers. The fact that this place is not packed with a line coming out the door is ridiculous. People who guy to ihop here in town need to wise up. Plus, it’s right in the heart of the city!

Great, inexpensive breakfast. Classic diner.