[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

Here's what I think. While Miami is likely the right answer, there are great mom and pops in every Florida city. Most people (especially the "experts" on this forum) generally have no idea what they're talking about at any given time, and likely judge each city by what restaurant signs they see protruding above the treelines from the highway.

I don't think in the era of the internet, with chowhound, and countless other sites, that there hidden gems that stay hidden, if a mom and pop shop is putting out really good food people will find out, the reality is the majority of those shops are mediocre at best.

[craigtnelson]

Who said anything about "hidden gems?"

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by Nomadicus

For Cuban there are many small mom and pop places in Ybor City.
For Spanish try the Columbia in Ybor City. Yes they have grown into a small chain but the original still stands in Ybor. It is the place for anybody who is anybody ate at in the 50's-60's. Not sure when they started expanding. Success does have a tendency to grow. No need now to drive so far for really good food.

Tried the Columbia in Downtown West Palm Beach, it sucked and went out of business a couple of years ago...

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by DUNNDFRNT

I don't think in the era of the internet, with chowhound, and countless other sites, that there hidden gems that stay hidden, if a mom and pop shop is putting out really good food people will find out, the reality is the majority of those shops are mediocre at best.

I prefer Yelp personally, but I have used Chowhound and Urbanspoon too for another perspective.

[Nomadicus]

I only pay attention to one rating. That is how my tasted buds and eyes and ears rate a place.

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

Who said anything about "hidden gems?"

Your point was that some of the best food is in mom and pop shops that most people don't know about, my point is that you don't see many unknown mom and pop shops anymore really good mom and pop shops people rave about on boards and they mostly expand and stop being mom and pop shops.

[craigtnelson]

Nope, wrong again. Never said anything about them being unknown. I think you're wishing I had so your point would be valid. What I said was that most people don't take the time to do any research whatsoever and judge on what they on the side of busy roads.

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

Nope, wrong again. Never said anything about them being unknown. I think you're wishing I had so your point would be valid. What I said was that most people don't take the time to do any research whatsoever and judge on what they on the side of busy roads.

If most people dont know about them, wouldnt that make them unknown? Anyhow you know what you meant better than me so I most likely took you out of context. I just took a road trip with my kids up US19 through the panhandle to NO, I made it a point to eat at mom and pop shops along the way, the food was pretty dismal, I generally hate chain restaurants but at least they are consistently crappy which helps you manage expectations.