Following numerous stories this year about the state’s best restaurants and bars — and even the best french fries — our USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Dining and Entertainment Team turns its attention to a list of dining destinations by Southern Living.
The popular lifestyle magazine, aimed at readers in the Southern United States and known for its mouthwatering recipes, recently published the article “15 Best Roadside Restaurants In The South.”
“While we’re certainly not above swerving into the Chick-fil-a or Whataburger drive-thru when the back seaters start to get hangry, there are also a few roadside restaurants that we’re more than willing to make a detour for,” Southern Living writes. “From pit-smoked barbecue to pillow-soft biscuits served with homemade preserves, the food at these 15 Southern roadside restaurants is worth the trip every time.”
These two Florida restaurants were named Best Roadside Restaurants In The South by Southern Living
Southern Living noted that these roadside restaurants were picked by the editors of the magazine, who visit many restaurants “while reporting, researching, and traveling the South.” Two of the 15 places are located in Florida.
3 Florida restaurants named among best ‘hidden gems’ in US by TripAdvisor
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen | Key Largo
Details: 99336 Overseas Highway, Key Largo; 305-451-3722; mrsmacskitchen.com
Located on The Overseas Highway, which takes U.S. Route 1 from just outside Miami to Key West, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen is a Key Largo landmark established in 1976, perhaps best known for its Key lime pie. Additional popular menu items include the coconut shrimp basket, fresh mahi filet, and seared ahi tuna stack over garden salad. “Marvel in the incredible expanse of sparkling turquoise water that extends as far as the eye can see, and when it’s time for a pitstop, pull into Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen,” Southern Living writes.
Sebastian’s Roadside Restaurant | Sebastian
Sebastian’s Roadside Restaurant is at 10795 U.S. Highway 1 in Sebastian.
Details: 10795 U.S. Highway 1, Sebastian; 772-581-2623; sebastiansroadsiderestaurant.com
Located on U.S. Highway 1 along the Indian River and established in 2013, Sebastian’s Roadside Restaurant occupies a 75-year-old Florida home in the heart of Sebastian. Known for its Southern comfort food, popular dishes include burgers, chicken pot pie, Grandma’s Homemade Meatloaf, and Southern Fried Chicken — and be sure to save room for dessert. “The Chocolate Mile High Layer Cake will give you enough motivation to finish out your drive every time,” Southern Living writes.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Two best Florida roadside restaurants, according to Southern Living
