Lock ‘N Key Restaurant & Pub — A definition of paradise
If you close your eyes you’ll hear the sounds of small waves tumbling on the gulf sand, the clatter of silverware as patrons dine, and some pleasant chatter amongst friends during a break in the evening’s musical entertainment. Your taste buds are stimulated by the smells of cooking garlic and steak searing on a grill, mixing with fresh odors coming from the salt-water beach across the street, and your body is caressed by a warm Florida breeze. Open your eyes and discover you are sitting at an outdoor table at the Lock ‘N Key Restaurant & Pub in Englewood. In front of you is the Cowboy Steak, a 24-ounce hand-trimmed, lightly-seasoned piece of tender meat cooked to your liking. On the plate, too, are homemade onion straws and fresh seasonal veggies. You have discovered paradise, brought to you by the Atamanchuk Family - Don Jr., Susan, Don Sr. and Barbara, who took over this local eatery in 1997. Although the restaurant’s name remains the same as it has over the years, there is no resemblance to the hot dog stand from which it began in 1964. In fact the Atamanchuk’s gutted and rebuilt the Lock ‘N Key a few years years ago, creating an area for outside dining. “We are very proud of the place,” said Susan, “We offer great quality food, very good service at extremely reasonable prices, and an extremely inviting atmosphere. There’s nothing like sitting outside watching (the world) go by.” “And just because we’re on the beach, doesn’t mean we’re expensive,” Susan added. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with prices ranging from the most inexpensive appetizers, a half-dozen Oysters on the Half Shell at $5.99, to the Prime Rib Sandwich at $11.99. Included on the menu between those two costs are Key West Style Conch Fritters, Grilled Thai Chicken Wrap, garden fresh entree salads, and half-pound burgers served with lettuce, tomato, pickle and fries. Dinner is available from 4 p.m. until closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Start your feastfest with the Escargot (served in garlic, lemon and wine sauce and diced tomatoes), or six fried oysters, for $8.99; and continue to your entree of Seafood Pasta (sauteed shrimp, grouper and scallops over pasta in butter cream sauce crowned with broccoli florets), or St. Louis Style Ribs (house specialty, tender and moist, char-grilled and glazed with LNK barbecue sauce) for $17.99. If you want to spend more, go for the 10-ounce hand-cut, center of the tenderloin Filet Mignon for $26.99. Even light eaters will find great food to eat. A Manasota Key Salad is fried chicken breast served over fresh spring mix of greens, cranraisins, candied pecans and crumbled gorgonzola cheese with vinaigrette dressing and the restaurant’s famous pumpkin bread, is under $10. “We are known for our pumpkin bread,” Susan said, sparking the telling of a cute story. “One of our (northern) customers contacted us recently telling us they couldn’t come down this season, due to the economy, and wanted to know if we would send them the recipe for our pumpkin bread,” Susan said. Although the Atamanchuk’s did not want to part with that information, they did box up a few loaves and sent them onto their patrons. Customer service does appear to be ‘huge.’ The not-so-secret recipe ingredient is the Executive Chef, Stevie Cazares, who came with the place. He has worked at the Lock ‘N Key for 19 years, and runs his own kind of family operation, sharing chef duties with brother, Danny Cazares and brother-in-law, Nino Perez. “We work well together, even when I have to act like a boss.” Stevie said, demonstrating the cooperative atmosphere apparent among all the staff. Loyalty goes both ways between the owners and staff at the Lock ‘N Key. “The job they do is incredible,” agree Don and Susan Atamanchuk talking about their staff. “We can’t say enough about what they mean to us.” “They are irreplaceable,” Don said, “It would be easier to find another wife.” He’s not looking that hard, however, as the couple has been together for over 30 years and will celebrate 25 years married next July. The couple live in Englewood and moved here from Smithtown, N.Y., after running a restaurant called the Old Street Pub on Long Island. They have three boys, who are presently attending college in Gainesville. Danny, 21, Michael, 19, and Chris, 18, are all bigtime Gator fans, of course. Word has it that all you have to do is go once to the Lock ‘N Key Restaurant and Pub and you’ll be hooked. In fact, just stop by some night for a drink and entertainment. Bartender Dawnell Kelley has been at the LNK for 23 years and will take good care of you. She, too, is a favorite among the patrons and receives post cards and emails from folks. Entertainment is provided by a number of local bands including Beau and ‘Becca, Carribean Cowboys and Easy Street. At the LNK, customer service is HUGE, they even providing catering services. Open every day except Christmas, there is no excuse not to enjoy paradise. For more information, call restaurant manager, Scott Barber, at 941-474-1517 or check out the Web site at www.lockandkeyrestaurant.com.
Executive Chef Steve Cazares, center, is responsible for the tasty fare which comes from the kitchen at Lock ‘N Key Restaurant and Pub in Englewood. His two sidekicks are brother, Danny Cazares, left, and brother-in-law, Nino Perez.
Owner Don Atamanchuk, left, bartender Dawnell Kelley and owner Susan Atamanchuk are only three members of the Team Lock ‘N Key, who make sure restaurant patrons enjoy their dining, drinking and entertainment experiences at this Englewood eatery. S U N P H O T O S B Y LY N N E J A M E S
