Diners, drive-ins, walk-up shacks — roadside restaurants are iconic to America’s culinary landscape.
Whether it’s the destination or part of the journey, pulling over for a meal often means sitting down for the charm as much as the food.
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Southern Living released its list of the 15 best roadside restaurants in the South, and a couple of beloved Florida spots are included.
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The lifestyle magazine said the restaurants were picked by the editors who visited many restaurants while reporting, researching, and traveling the South.
Sebastian’s Roadside Restaurant, Sebastian
Designated nearly 100 years ago, it’s no surprise Southern Living named a restaurant located on historic U.S. 1.
Open since 1993, Sebastian’s Roadside Restaurant is all about the Old Florida charm, with a retro dining room full of knick-knacks and vintage photos.
Open six days a week, the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and with a menu made up of grinders, seafood and deli sandwiches. There are also daily specials offering prime rib, Polish, and an endless fish fry.
According to its website, Sebastian’s “offers fresh home-cooked meals in a uniquely retro dining room with fast and friendly service. We’re not fancy, so hop in your car and come as you are!”
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, Key Largo
In Florida, you can’t ask for a more scenic drive than the 113-mile Overseas Highway.
In Key Largo, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen is a great introduction to anyone experiencing the Florida Keys for the first time. Open since 1976, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
From coconut shrimp, to conch fritters to key lime pie, the menu is a sure taste of the Keys.
According to its website, “Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, an enduring local gem, embodies the rustic old Keys, a place where time slows down, and the essence of our coastal community shines through.”
See other southern restaurants that made the list below:
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Caffe REL | Franklin, North Carolina |
| Roy’s Grille | Irmo, South Carolina |
| Fat Tiger Korean BBQ & More | White Bluff, Tennessee |
| B.E. Scott’s BBQ | Lexington, Tennessee |
| Bates House of Turkey | Greenville, Alabama |
| Caro-Mi Dining Room | Tryon, North Carolina |
| Hawk’s Crawfish Restaurant | Rayne, Lousiana |
| Whistle Stop Café | Juliette, Georgia |
| Sid’s Diner | El Reno, Oklahoma |
| Skylight Inn | Ayden, North Carolina |
| The Shoals Shack | Florence, Alabama |
| The Loveless Cafe | Nashville, Tennessee |
| NFA Burger | Atlanta, Georgia |
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