Pictured: The Big Deck Energy Challenge, launched earlier this year, features 1.2 lbs. of ground beef, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and house sauce on a toasted roll. Those that finish will have their photo taken and put on the Big Deck E

In 1993, the first Daiquiri Deck location opened in Siesta Key. Locals and visitors alike loved the casual beachy vibes and the flavorful fruity frozen drinks and over thirty years later, the Daiquiri Deck team has grown in leaps and bounds. The eatery now has five locations throughout the Sarasota area with a sixth one in the works. They’ve also opened a location at Tropicana Field and are proud partners of the Tampa Bay Rays. But despite the brand’s unprecedented growth, the team behind it remains as close-knit as ever.

“Anytime there’s some kind of emergency with our staff we really like to come together as a community and make sure we’re supporting our team,” says Dylan Pike, the COO of Daiquiri Deck. Sadly, one of their team members has found themselves in a time of crisis. Paige Wellman is a server at the St. Armands location. Recently, she and her family lost their home, belongings, and beloved cat in a devastating house fire.

“This home had been in her family for generations, so they lost absolutely everything,” Pike explains. “As soon as this happened, all of us wanted to make sure we pulled together to support her. People here have been able to pull together clothes and personal items already, but we really wanted to be able to get money into their hands as quickly as possible because when you lose everything, you do need immediate support. And so that’s what we really wanted to provide for her.”

To address that immediate need, the Daiquiri Deck on St. Armands Circle is hosting a fundraiser on Tuesday, June 11th from 6pm to 9pm in the upstairs bar. Ten percent of the sales generated from the event will go directly to Wellman and her family to help them begin to rebuild from this tragedy. People who can’t attend the event are invited to donate to a GoFundMe that has been organized for the family.

While the Daiquiri Deck may be most well-known for their creamy, juicy frozen drinks that utilize natural ingredients like fruit purees instead of high-fructose corn syrup, they also have an impressive food menu. A year and a half ago, they brought Chef Jeremy Theyer on board and he has totally revamped their menu with a focus on natural flavors and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Seafood lovers can enjoy delightful dishes like the Crab Cake BLT, Tropical Glazed Mahi Sandwich, or Parmesan Crusted Cod, while landlubbers might gravitate towards the classic Deck Burger or the Mojo Cuban Sandwich.

One thing is for certain: the food and drinks at the Daiquiri Deck are as good as the people who make it all happen. And that says a lot.

Daiquiri Deck on St. Armands, 325 John Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, 941-388-3325. 

Pictured: The Big Deck Energy Challenge, launched earlier this year, features 1.2 lbs. of ground beef, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and house sauce on a toasted roll. Those that finish will have their photo taken and put on the Big Deck E