Pictured: A crepe at The Wooden Rooster. Photo Courtesy of The Wooden Rooster.

Sarasota has no shortage of great breakfast and lunch joints. Among the city’s newer arrivals is the second location of The Wooden Rooster. The restaurant’s first location is in St. Pete and was opened by Owner and Chef Jeremy Duclut. Duclut, who has worked in Philadelphia and New York, won the Food Network’s Chopped television show in 2009. “I wanted to be a chef since I was a three-year-old. When kids wanted to be Superman and go to the moon, I wanted to be in the kitchen,” he says.

After working at Cassis American Brasserie in St. Pete, he decided to take on a new challenge by opening the first Wooden Rooster. Last year, he opened the second Wooden Rooster in Sarasota, bringing his passion for cooking and accommodating customers’ desires to the area. Duclut listens to his guests’ feedback when developing menus, combining his ideas with what patrons are looking to eat. While The Wooden Rooster’s menu features salads, tartines and other dishes, the crepes are the star of the show. “We took the crepe and combined it with the idea of a burrito. We made crepes stuffed with things we liked and things we felt went well together,” he adds. “But we also give guests the option to make their own. Whatever they decide, we can make it. That is really popular because it’s like offering an a la carte menu with items to pick from. You can make your own to your taste.”

Fan favorites include the Berrylicious, a crepe filled with mixed berries, ricotta, almonds, honey and raspberry coulis, and the Full Monty, with two scrambled eggs, sharp cheddar cheese with a choice of bacon, turkey or black forest ham. The eatery offers gluten-free crepes as well as the option to order sandwiches with crepe fillings served in a baguette or nine-grain bread. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, enjoy a tasty and casual meal at The Wooden Rooster.

The Wooden Rooster, 1564 Main St., Sarasota, 941-953-7111, thewoodenrooster.com.

Pictured: A crepe at The Wooden Rooster. Photo Courtesy of The Wooden Rooster.

The Wooden Rooster