Specialty Restaurants Corp.’s CEO, John Tallichet, joined local officials for a groundbreaking ceremony in Charlotte Harbor. Adjacent to the site, where condos stand, the former location of the five-star restaurant Pepin’s on the Water, known for its water views and excellent cuisine, has been cleared after its closure.
Among the attendees at the ceremony were Charlotte County Commissioners Joe Tiseo and Stephen Deutsch, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob White, Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews, and City Council members Bill Dryburgh and Debi Lux. Specialty Restaurants, a family-owned business established in 1958 by World War II veteran and bomber pilot David Tallichet, currently operates 17 acclaimed restaurants across the U.S.
The civil engineering work at the Charlotte Harbor site is projected to take six to seven months, with an additional 10 months allocated for the construction of the Whiskey Joe’s restaurant. While a visual representation of the Charlotte Harbor Whiskey Joe’s is not available, spokesperson Eliana Litos confirmed that it will share similarities with other waterfront Whiskey Joe’s locations, boasting outdoor dining and a sandy beach.
The restaurant’s Port Charlotte menu will showcase Floribbean Cuisine, a fusion of Florida favorites and Caribbean flavors. Signature dishes include the Jammin’ Jambalaya priced at $18.99, featuring chicken, shrimp, andouille sausage, peppers, and onions in a spicy broth with island rice. The menu also offers a variety of lighter fare, appetizers, soups, salads, a raw bar, and finger foods, including burgers, fish tacos, and pulled pork. Desserts such as Florida’s iconic key lime pie are part of the culinary offerings.
The moderately-priced menu at the Ellenton location features a crab cake-topped grouper as the most expensive entree at $31.99, while a burger with sides costs $12.99. The Barefoot Tiki Bar on-site will provide tropical cocktails, local beers, fire pits, and live music with island vibes.
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