road trip, in search of "local" chow

[Hungry Celeste]

Here's the scenario: early June, taking my hubby on a restorative road trip from Ft Lauderdale all the way to Key West and back (his mom just passed away after fighting breast cancer for years). I'm in search of local chow....not terribly interested in high-end, white tablecloth places, but rather real joints where the focus is on the food. Yes, other threads exist on this topic, but I want up-to-the-minute intel. Coming from south Louisiana, so I know my seafood. C'mon, hounds, give me the hook-up.

[Icantread]

I think for "local" food, you have have have to hit Garcia's. Go during the daytime for lunch. Casual, fresh fish prepared simply and well. It's a must and fits your bill. They have an even more down home place I believe is even devoid of chairs, but the name escapes me. Having a little trouble with the BETA, so posting the address the old fashioned way.

398 NW North River Dr
Miami, FL 33128

[miamisweet]

In Miami I second Garcia's. La Camaronera (only counter service) is a hole in the wall with great fresh seafood soups, fried shrimp, fish platters, and sandwiches (la minuta is delish!) Havana Harry's for Cuban or Las Culebrinas, all tourists hit up Versailles for cuban food even though it's not the best but it is an institution and I go there often not sure why though, lol.

[crewsweeper]

HC,

Enjoyed your posts on the NOLA Board. sorry I can't be much help as this isn't the end of FL I'm familar with. However, the Chowfather has had some pretty decent recs in the past especially for the Miami SOBE area. So you might want to try some of those. Ms Crew had a bit at Sarabeth's last Feb while on a cruise and liked it a lot (but she likes Bonefish too....sssh, it'll embarass me. lol.). but if you're hungry off the plane, 5 minutes north of Ft Lauderdale Airport is either Tom Jenkins for BBQ or Kelly's Seafood.

Otherwise drive on down toward Coral Gables. Check the Miami threads there are a number of good cuban places along that stretch.

Have a great trip and my condolences to you and your husband .

Crew

[Hungry Celeste]

Thanks for the tips...I'm definitely looking for some serious Cuban food on this trip....and coffee. Will attempt to drink cuban coffee as often as possible!
Oh, and your wife's Bonefish secret is safe with me (though you should burn a candle for her in church to change her ways!)

[jmdhsmiami]

not sure everyone's opinon about them, but Eddie Hill's Sushi on US1 in Hallandale has sushi/thai, like all the other sushi joints in South Florida. I always walk out holding my belly from eating too much!

Eddie Hills Sushi & Thai 134 N.Federal Hwy., Hallandale, FL.

[crewsweeper]

I'm trying to talk her to get away from the FQ when we go to NOLA in the fall. She's still remembering the post katrina overnighter drive through when they rolled up the sidewalks at 9P and 1/2 the shops on magazine were still closed down. (Thanks be to God that CDM was still going strong or she'd been soured on the whole NO stop). But it'll be at least 1 dinner at Brigstens if I'm successful. And now I'm hungry for Garcias after icantread's post. Grab a candy bar and do the drive down 95 and go there instead of the FL places.

[kmills9408]

What about Rustic Inn in Ft. Lauderdale. Garlic crabs that you crack at your table...absolutely delicious and perfect with a cold beer. There have been mixed reviews on this board, but we have always enjoyed the food and the experience. It is truly a local staple-it's been around since 1955.

http://www.rusticinn.com/

Hope you enjoy

Update us when you get back...I wouldn't mind making that trip myself...I hope your husband comes back restored.

[Hungry Celeste]

Garlic crabs...just typing the words has my mouth watering! Except that I just followed the link and discovered that garlic crabs are $26.00 an order. Ha--I live right on the edge of LA's vast wetlands. I have a crab-fisherman neighbor. I host a giant crab boil every year on Good Friday. I will make myself some garlic crabs this weekend. I will not pay $26 for an order of crabs. I do appreciate the rec, though.

[jmdhsmiami]

Good Karma will come back to you Hungry!

just that I have found the search tool very helpful for any and everything said about a particular experience on Chowhound.

[kmills9408]

Ok, in response...Rustic Inn has a dolphin lunch special on Tuesdays that is amazing...if you are looking for something less expensive, but still want to take in the atmosphere. It's a huge piece of mahi, rice, drink, red pots, and veggies all for $7 or so.
An aside--I do not work for them or have any interest in the place other than I have had many satisfying dining experiences there and like that it feels a little like "old Florida".

Hope you find exactly what you are looking for.

[jmdhsmiami]

if no one interjects, just this thread out:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/517405

we are headed down next month.

also do a search of the board, located next to "FLORIDA" above.

[Hungry Celeste]

I did read the thread you posted above....thanks, as well as a board search. I've also patiently answered a zillion "where should I eat" threads on the NOLA board over the years and am hoping someone out there will return the favor.