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The Best Seafood Restaurant In Florida Is A Quick Drive From Tampa Bay

Author Jeff Gorra

If you are on the hunt for some new delicious and local establishments to try, you are in luck. USA Today recently published their list of restaurants of the year, and three Florida spots were featured. Better yet, one of them is just a short drive away.

Although the selections in USA Today‘s list vary widely in cuisine type, their major similarity is that they offer a truly authentic experience that is representative of the area. “They’re places with stories to tell, places that should be on your dining bucket list and, lest we forget, places serving delectable dishes we can’t stop talking about,” USA Today said.

In other words, these establishments are places you need to try. In Florida these restaurants highlighted cover a lot of ground when it comes to what they are cooking up. From a locally grown marketplace to Indian food classics, you can be assured you will receive a homecooked flavor stepping into any of them. However, let’s focus on this unique seafood spot in Cortez.

Star Fish Company

Located at 12306 46th Ave W. Star Fish Company prides themselves on offering fresh seafood favorites. They are a cash-only establishment with a lot of history. In fact, their history dates back to the 1920’s. Under new ownership since 1996. Star Fish Company then expanded from a shopper’s market to also offering a dine-in, cooked seafood experience. Their dockside restaurant offers items such as small bites like coconut shrimp, swordfish, and grouper tacos. If you are there for lunch, you can grab a mahi-mahi or crabcake sandwich.

If you are curious about what other Florida restaurants made USA Today’s “Restaurants the Year” list, they are located in Titusville and Palm Beach Gardens. The Daley Trade is a locally sourced, farm-to-table style establishment that posts their changes to their menu daily. Then, Stage Kitchen and Bar will give you “an integrated, small-plates experience, inspired by diverse culinary influences from across the world.” For example, their green chickpea hummus comes with fresh za’atar naan and olives tapenade.

Two Florida Restaurants Named Among The Best For French Fries

Do you want fries with that? Tasting Table recently published a list of restaurants with the best French Fries in the country and two New Florida establishments were named.

“From high-end steakhouses and neighborhood brasseries’ to fast food restaurants and even grocery store freezer aisles, fried spuds can be found in just about every type of restaurant or shop across the country,” Tasting Table explains. Their feature is specific to non-fast food restaurants.

French Fries are always a fan-favorite whether a side dish, an appetizer, or just a snack. They come in all shapes and sizes. Shoe strings crispy versions, thick-cut steak fries, seasoned curly fries, waffle fries, and even tater tots (are those considered fries, though?).

French Fry Fun Facts

In a 2019 story published by the Daily Meal, they discussed unique facts on French Fries in America. Two of the most fascinating have to do with McDonald’s. “Approximately 7 percent of the potatoes grown in the U.S. meet the same fate: they become McDonald’s french fries,” they said. They later stated that this fast food chain sells one-third of the French Fries consumed in the United States.

French Fries are like music. They are a common bond, and they are subjective. What one person prefers may be completely different from another. Better yet, both choices are correct.

For example, Best Things Florida released their list of best French Fries in the Sunshine State. It is completely different from Tasting Table’s. However, Tasting Table went and explored all corners of the country to crown their French Fry kings.

The two restaurants in Florida that were recognized for having some of the best French Fries in the country serve two very different styles. One of them is part of a restaurant that has expanded to other markets. The other is served in a restaurant where fries compliment BBQ.

  • Broken Shaker - Miami

    Located on 2727 Indian Creek Dr. in Miami Beach, Broken Shaker has fries that are so good, they even get their own line item on the menu. These are Shawarma Fries, served with Harissa ketchup. You can order them on their own or have the fries paired with any of their burgers or sandwiches. Although Broken Shaker does also have restaurants in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Madrid, their menus show a some different takes on their hand-cut fries in certain markets. For example, Los Angeles has Carne Asada fries. New York and Miami both have the Shawarma recipe.

     

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  • The Polite Pig

    “In terms of meaty all-American food pairings, french fries go just as well with barbecue as they do with burgers,” Tasting Table exclaims. The Polite Pig is located in Disney Springs. They describe their menu by saying, “Our menu is inspired by the best seasonal food that Florida has to offer, bringing new twists to local flavors and BBQ.” They serve waffle fries with a polite rub. They can be selected as a side to any dish or in a giant platter to accompany your catering order. In addition, sweet potato tots are on the menu as well.

     

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Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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