The answer to the question “What food is famous in Florida?” is many and varied. This article covers famous Florida dishes, from Key lime pie to the Cuban sandwich. Read on to learn about Stone crabs, Shrimp and Grits, and more. If you love seafood and have never experienced Florida’s unique flavor, you should experience some of Florida’s best seafood dishes! Here are a few favorites:
Cuban sandwich
The Cuban sandwich is a famous food from Tampa and the surrounding areas, but where did it originate? Tampa and Miami have large Cuban and Italian communities, and the Cuban sandwich has become a staple of the city’s culture. Unlike many sandwiches, however, the Cuban sandwich doesn’t use mayonnaise or lettuce. The bread and fillings are made of pressed bread and are typically solid at room temperature.
Tampa and Miami have different variations of the Cuban sandwich, but they all include roasted pork and ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. While the Miami version is served cold, those in Key West usually add salami and lettuce, and the Tampa version is made with mayo. While some people may disagree on the addition of mayo, the Key West version has become famous worldwide. Some claim that the original Cuban sandwich was made for cigar factories.
Tampa had a flourishing cigar industry before Miami became a major city, and the cigar trade contributed to the creation of the Cuban sandwich. Today, the Cuban sandwich is an affordable and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of Cuban cuisine. But the Cuban sandwich isn’t just famous – it’s a food that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their ethnicity or cultural background. The Cuban sandwich is not just famous in Florida but is also considered one of the most delicious fast food in the United States.
Key lime pie
The history of Key Lime Pie in Florida dates back almost a century, according to the book BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts. Author Stella Parks traced the recipe’s origins to 1931 when a condensed milk company in New York published the first recipe for Key Lime Pie. The recipe’s first version called for lemons and limes, but the locals of Key West adapted it to use limes.
In the 1930s, the Federal Writers’ Project and the Works Progress Administration began advertising the pie in newspapers. Interestingly, a 1920s Key West woman’s club cookbook did not mention the pie. But this did not stop people from making the sweetened version. It was common to serve Key lime pie as a dessert by that time. Although it may have started in South Florida waters, the wealthy Curry made the first recipes.
Although many Key lime pie recipes add a heap of fluff, The Fish House’s meringue topping is different. While many Key lime pie shops add piles of fluff, The Fish House’s is made with a meringue topping whipped into curls and then torch-roasted until caramel brown. The Fish House’s pie is the only key lime pie in Florida with such a unique meringue topping.
Shrimp and Grits
If you have ever visited Florida, you have probably eaten Shrimp and Grits at least once. This popular Florida dish is made from shrimp, grits, and bacon. The shrimp and grits are served with scallions, tomatoes, and a slice of andouille sausage. Add chopped scallions, parsley, or both to the grits.
Historically, shrimp and grits were served for breakfast. In the 1980s, however, a restaurateur from North Carolina created a Cajun-style shrimp and grits dish. The dish got its name because Peterson wanted to run the business with her children. Its spicy sausage and Cajun shrimp make it one of Florida’s most famous dishes. The recipe is now served at more than 900 restaurants around the United States, with many re-opening their doors each year.
While the origin of this food is unknown, the dish has a long history in America. It is said that the Muskogee tribe first consumed the dish in the 16th century. “grits” comes from an Old English word that means “coarse meal.” It was not until the 1930s that grits made their debut in a book. The grits became one of the staple dishes of the state and are available in countless restaurants across the state.
Stone crabs
When you are visiting Florida, you may want to try stone crab. These tasty crustaceans are famous worldwide, and Florida is no exception. Stone crabs are an excellent choice for a memorable dinner. You can find them in several restaurants throughout the state. Charlie’s Fish House in Orlando has a delicious stone crab menu. They serve two types: chilled with mustard sauce or warm with drawn butter. The restaurant is known for catching stone crabs on its own. Johnnie’s Hideaway in South Florida also offers stone crabs and a special “All You Can Eat” stone crab menu on Monday nights.
Florida is known for its stone crabs, but you can’t eat them immediately. Stone crabs regenerate their claws over 18 months, so you can’t eat them immediately. To harvest them, you must remove one or both claws. Stone crabs grow back at least two and a half inches long. Florida is a prime spot for stone crab harvesting, and Miami is the capital of stone crab culture.
Minorcan chowder
There are three types of clam chowder. New England clam chowder and Rhode Island clam chowder are very well known, but none are hyperlocal. The Minorcan chowder was created in the 1600s by migrants from the island of Minorca who emigrated to Florida seeking a better life. Both varieties are tomato-based, but the Minorcan chowder has a strong herbal flavor primarily from Datil pepper, which is grown only in northeast Florida and around St. Augustine.
The Minorcan chowder, or clam chowder, is a traditional dish in St. Augustine, Florida. Its deep crimson color is the result of the tomato base and seafood stock that are added. The dish is spicy, but the heat is manageable. Datil peppers are harvested in northeast Florida, bringing a fruity flavor to the soup.
In St. Augustine, you’ll find the St. Augustine Seafood Company, which serves the delicious Minorcan chowder or New England clam chowder. You can also try the Signature Blend of the Spice & Tea Exchange, which is available only in St. Augustine. Datil peppers, an indigenous to St. Augustine pepper, are also used in chowder.
Grouper sandwich
The grouper sandwich is one of Florida’s most iconic foods. Served on buttery buns, the fish can be prepared several ways to satisfy your taste buds. Depending on where you go, you may choose fried, blackened, sauteed, or grilled versions. Regardless of preparation, grouper is an incredibly delicious, sustainable fish popular in Florida. The following are a few tips to enjoy this classic dish.
One of the most popular grouper restaurants is in St. Petersburg, Florida. At Buoy’s Fresh Gulf Grouper, you can enjoy grilled grouper in a sandwich that is bursting with flavor. The sandwich is a messy but satisfying meal. The sandwich is topped with house-made onion rings and served with fries. The restaurant also offers an ample wine list and a selection of craft beers.
If you’re visiting Florida, be sure to try a grouper sandwich. The Florida Gulf Coast is home to some of the best grouper sandwiches in the world. Whether you’re looking for a grilled, fried, or blackened version, you’ll find it at a grouper restaurant in the area. Whether you want to try the food on the Gulf or try it in a restaurant with a casual atmosphere, grouper is sure to impress.
Soiled peanuts
If you’ve ever been to Florida, you know that soiled peanuts are the state’s favorite snack. Boiling raw peanuts in their shells for hours produces a salty snack that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re having a tailgate party, drinking a cold beer, or enjoying a Coca-Cola, you’ve probably seen boiled peanuts in bars and on picnic tables. You can even find them on a menu at local watering holes. Boiling raw peanuts in their shells in heavily salted water is an easy and tasty way to prepare boiled peanuts, and they’re also perked with flavor dust and spices for an extra spicy kick.
To prepare boiled peanuts, simply place the shelled peanuts in a large pot and cover them with water. Then, let the mixture simmer for about four hours, stirring occasionally. Afterward, cover the pan with a lid or mesh bag and store it in a cool, dry place. In Florida, peanuts are grown commercially in 13 states, including Florida. The Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) represents the state’s peanut producers.
-
How the Oviedo Mall in Oviedo, FL, is Trying to Survive
Launching the Marketplace — Oviedo’s First Major Retail Bet Oviedo Marketplace (Oviedo Mall now) officially opened on March 4, 1998. The Rouse Company developed the project, and by launch day, the mall was already 80% leased. Gayfers, Dillard’s, and Regal Cinemas Oviedo Mall 22 anchored the space. The theater alone had 22 screens—a bold move…
-
Boynton Beach Mall: Boom, Bust, and What’s Next in Boynton Beach, FL
A Mall for the Boom Years The fall of 1985 brought something new to Boynton Beach—a shopping center big enough to change the city’s retail landscape. Boynton Beach Mall, developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation, opened on October 10. Its layout mirrored Coral Square Mall, another DeBartolo project, with wide corridors, bright atriums, and…
-
Inside the Rise and Fall of Sarasota Square Mall in Sarasota, FL
Grand Opening and Anchor Store Arrivals In 1976, Sarasota was booming, and Arlen Realty saw an opportunity. They planned a new mall at the bustling intersection of US 41 and Beneva Road, promising locals a fresh place to shop. Anchors would be well-known chains: JCPenney, Maas Brothers, and the stylish J. Byrons. JCPenney planned a…
-
The Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Paddock Mall in Ocala, FL
The Deal That Changed Ocala: How Paddock Mall Became a Retail Powerhouse The land sat undeveloped, a stretch of scrub and sand off State Road 200. In 1973, local developers saw potential—Ocala was growing, and people needed a place to shop without driving to Gainesville or Orlando. The idea of an enclosed mall sounded bold…
-
Inside the Centre of Tallahassee, FL: Mall Frozen in Time
Retail Boom: Centre of Tallahassee’s Early Years (1971-1990s) Tallahassee Mall opened in 1971, bringing a new shopping experience to Florida’s capital. Located at the busy intersection of North Monroe Street and John Knox Road, the mall quickly became a retail hotspot. The original anchor stores—Gayfers, Woolco, and Montgomery Ward—attracted steady foot traffic, while smaller tenants…
-
Is This the End of Traditional Malls? Town Center at Boca Raton, FL Thinks Otherwise
The Origins of Town Center at Boca Raton: From Vision to Reality Boca Raton was growing fast in the late 1970s. More people were moving in, and the demand for high-end shopping was rising. At the time, residents had to travel to Miami or Fort Lauderdale for luxury department stores and major retail brands. Developers…
-
Tampa, FL’s Most Dangerous Neighborhoods – Are You Living in One?
Worst Neighborhoods in Tampa, FL: 10 Places You’ll Want to Avoid Tampa has a lot going for it—warm weather, booming development, and a mix of beach life and city energy. But like any metro area, some places struggle more than others. Whether it’s high crime, failing infrastructure, or a lack of economic opportunity, certain neighborhoods…
-
Haunted Florida: The Scariest Stories and Myths You Need to Know
Florida’s Most Bone-Chilling Myths and Legends: How Much Is True? Florida has its fair share of strange tales—stories passed down through generations, whispered in dark corners, and shared on late-night ghost tours. Some are based on historical events, while others have taken on a life of their own, growing into eerie legends that refuse to…