- March 12, 2025
Anthony’s introduces new products with free samples
After Anthony Ursino opened Anthony’s Fresh Fish in May 2011, he developed a friendship with a customer of his, John Beighey, who came to the store for its selection of fresh seafood.
Beighey, a personal chef, makes hand-crafted sauces. Ursino, who hopes to turn his Bunnell-based store into a one-stop shopping place for those cooking or eating seafood, eventually spoke with Beighey about a potential partnership.
About a month ago, three of Beighey’s sauces — Chef John’s Key Lime sauce, Chef John’s Marinara sauce and Chef John’s Mountain Mustard — appeared on the shelves of Ursino’s store.
Around the same time, Ursino began offering two new homemade soups: a lobster bisque and a shrimp bisque.
To get the word out about their new products, Ursino and Beighey will host a day of free samples from around 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3.
Anthony’s Fresh Fish is at 401 S. State St., Bunnell. Call 586-5800.
Hot Diggity Dogs to close
After nine years of business, Hot Diggity Dogs is closing its doors on Nov. 2.
The restaurant just hasn’t been getting enough customers, said John Sabia, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Heidi.
John Sabia said that while he appreciates the locals who are still patrons at his restaurant, business has slowed too much recently for him to remain in business.
“I can’t explain it,” he said. “Giving your business to Hot Diggity Dogs puts money back in the local economy. Giving it to places like McDonald’s just gives it to some corporation.”
Sabia said he plans to donate his remaining stock of ice cream to a local store once the restaurant closes.
Hot Diggity Dogs is at 1001 S. State St., Bunnell. Call 437-0990.
Chicken Pantry prepares to move
Renovations are under way at a new location for Chicken Panty on State Road 100. The restaurant will be moving sometime in November to a facility that’s larger and that offers party facilities. When it moves, the restaurant will debut several new menu items.
The restaurant is currently seeking a waiter for morning shifts in preparation for the move.
Chicken Pantry is at 1105 S. State St., Bunnell. Call 437-3316.
State Street Diner introduces bar menu
To complement the full liquor bar it adopted about a year ago, State Street Diner recently unveiled a new bar menu with items ranging from gator tail to babyback ribs.
The move will hopefully raise awareness for community members about the new bar offerings, said Michelle MacDonald, who has worked at the diner for five years.
“We’re the only place in town with a full bar," she said. "But people don’t know that yet, even though we’ve had it for about a year."
Joe Bonasia, who has owned the restaurant for eight years, said he envisioned people coming to the diner for dinner and cocktails.
State Street Diner is at 603 N. State St., Bunnell. Call 437-0700.
