Are there any small local favorites that you can recommend, including burgers, fish, Italian, pub-style meals? We are going down for a few days to visit my brother. We aren't looking for any fancy places to eat while we are there, but all I have found online have been Applebees and the usual chains, and he apparently never eats out so has no suggestions.

We'll also likely drive down to Miami for a day since we have never been there, in search of some black bean soup. Any suggestions for this, some very casual places?

(Haven't been to FL since the first spring of our marriage, way back in the 70's. I'm hoping the husband will like it better this time around!)

Any locals who can chime in here?

Try TooJay's and they are all over South Florida. A chain but an excellent deli and restaurant.

www.TooJays.com

In Miami don't miss Wofie Cohen's Rascal House.

For black bean soup, try Versailles for Cuban.

Dear allisonm,

Hi! When I visited my Aunt in Port St Lucie she took me to a neat place where youre atop the water and can look over the railings and see catfish swimming around! Ive only been once but she and my other family in that area go all the time. I cant remember the name of it though-perhaps someone is familiar with it?? For some reason Im thinking "Joe" is in the name but I could be totally wrong...

Also, we went to Steak and Shake which I think is like a Diner chain. My grilled cheese was yummy

Have a fun and safe trip!!
Sincerely,
Carrie

I think the place the previous poster is refering to is Conchy Joes, which is good. Jan's in downtown Jensen Beach is good, they are only open for breakfast and lunch...for pub-style I really like Duffy's- it's a local chain of sports bars.

Thanks, these sound like some interesting choices! Local chains are good, and we seem to love diners!