For the past two years, I've been traveling between New Jersey and Florida on an average of 6-7 times a year. The difference in climate, culture, and environment contribute to the difference in food options and popular destinations. From breakfast to snacks to quality, there are amazing places in both regions, but you can rarely find one in the other.
1. Diners
https://pixabay.com/en/restaurant-diner-drive-in-neon-926524/
First up is breakfast, the most important meal of the day.
Living in New Jersey for 17 years, the best place to grab a big breakfast at a decent price, is DINERS. You can find multiple diners in every town, and most of them are comforting to the locals in the area. There are over 525 diners in New Jersey, and most of them are open pretty late, which makes them attractable for that midnight run.
2. Denny's, Perkins, and Waffle House
https://pixabay.com/en/fried-eggs-breakfast-toast-food-456351/
Yes, to answer your question, there are all of these places in New Jersey. However, they aren't as popular or as frequently located than in the south. Whether it's building your own Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny's, grabbing a delicious cinnamon roll at Perkins, or ordering the Pecan Waffles at the Waffle House, these favorites are the most popular places for breakfast in Florida.
3. Shake Shack, McDonalds, Taco Bell, etc.
https://pixabay.com/en/french-fries-fast-food-mcdonald-s-1851143/
Next up, is fast food. 24 hours, all day breakfast meal, drive thru's, and their cheap price make fast food places so iconic and popular in America. Both the North and the South have your common Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, and Taco Bell. However, something popular in New Jersey is Shake Shack, which only has 3 locations in Florida, and is not as popular.
4. Steak 'n Shake and Pollo Tropical
https://pixabay.com/en/fried-chicken-chicken-fried-crunchy-250863/
Pollo Tropical used to have some locations in New Jersey, but over the years, they have permanently closed in most of their NJ locations. However, there are many locations in Florida along with the popular Steak 'n Shake, which is equal in franchises to our common fast food restaurants.
5. Chik Fil A
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChickFilA-Fries.jpg
Despite the difference in popularity in terms of multiple locations, one place that remain the more popular in both states in Chik Fil A. In Florida, especially around lunch time, there is a line to just enter the Chik Fil A parking lot, even with multiple workers standing outside and taking orders. Similar to New Jersey, the less availability of Chik Fil A locations, calls for demand in the state for the popular waffle fries.
6. Surf Taco and Tito's
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SurfTaco_Sign.jpg
Chipotle, Qdoba, and Taco Bell are very popular in both the North and the South. However, in terms of local tacos, the most popular would be Surf Taco in Hoboken and the NJ Coast, and Tito's with its multiple locations across the state.
7. Capital Tacos and Tijuana Flats
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hyku/359038456
Traveling South, Tijuana Flats is known for their hot sauce bar and large portions for a good price. Unlike Chipotle, your burrito, taco, or bowl comes with a serving of chips and the option to make it MEGA, a phrase used to double the portion of meat and cheese for just little over an extra buck. Capital Tacos has been awarded as one of the top tacos in the United States, along with their cheap prices and variety of options.
Both the North and South have their own unique abilities for food. Traveling down South this summer? Not sure where to go? Those options will hold you over for the ride, and make the search a bit easier. However, for all my healthy eaters, vegans, and vegetarians, Florida definitely has more options for you!
