Hidden Gems of Florida: Mom-and-Pop Restaurants
Locals in Florida treasure their hidden mom-and-pop restaurants for their unique charm and authentic flavors.
Last summer, a visit to a tiny Cuban restaurant in Tampa revealed a secret gem, where the owner's grandmother was still active in the kitchen at 82, flipping plantains.
The popularity of these restaurants is evident, with lines of locals waiting outside, guarding these places like state secrets.
- Florida's best eats are not advertised on billboards or social media.
- They are tucked away in strip malls, run by families who have perfected their recipes over decades.
- Locals fiercely protect these restaurants, preferring to keep them hidden from outsiders.
Smoke billows from the pits at this legendary joint that’s been smoking fish since 1951.
Ted Peters is a notable example, a no-frills restaurant with picnic tables and paper plates, serving perfectly smoked mullet and mackerel that melt in your mouth.
Locals arrive early, as the restaurant closes once the day's catch is sold out.
Author's summary: Discover Florida's hidden mom-and-pop restaurants.