One of my favorite past times the last few years has been scooting around the State of Florida. Yes, Miami is my hometown so that isn’t really anything new, but in the handful of years since 2020, I’ve made a concerted effort to pay attention to the details in between the big cities. Call it curiosity, call it wanderlust. Call it whatever you’d like, but what I’ve found in doing so is both confirmation of what I already knew and a newish appreciation for what I didn’t.

What I already knew was just how much diversity you will find across the state. That means people, of course, but that also means the foods that they eat. It was only a moderate surprise that day last Summer when I was driving up US1 along the Space Coast in Malabar, Florida when I saw a Puerto Rican Restaurant called Ven Paca (Translated: Come Here). It looked like it had a bit of a thing going on there. I considered stopping, ultimately we did not. When I looked them up later on social media I found out they have an unbelievable following. The food looks great. I’m not at all surprised and I seriously plan to get back there soon. Maybe even this Summer.

All of that said, imagine how excited I was to have been asked by Taste of the South Magazine to contribute a quick hitter column. They were looking for some out of the way eats around the state and hoped I could put together a small list. I also told them that I could probably put together a large list, but small would be just fine. My list would be featured in their inaugural Florida Issue of Taste of the South Magazine. An issue that already arrives at my home every single month.

Obviously, I cannot share what I wrote there, but I can tell you my writing included stops in Vero Beach, St Augustine Beach, Tallahassee and Rosemary Beach. There was also a brewery in Clermont, but it was trimmed out for a lack of space by the magazine. There’s Cuban food, Tex Mex, Pizzas and unbelievable cinnamon rolls. Every day food you should know about during your next roadie through the Sunshine State.

There is a digital issue you can find by clicking here….this, however, requires a very inexpensive subscription. I happen to think there is a lot of value in the purchase. The issue is full of recipes and feature stories about all kinds of good eats across the State of Florida.

If you are planning to visit this Summer, this should almost be required reading. Dare I say you will Eat It and Like It.

Meanwhile, got any tips for great eats across the State of Florida? Shoot me a note at tips@eatitandlikeit.com

# # #