Look, I love food, but I draw the line at waiting an hour-or so I thought. Then I moved to Florida and realized “The Wait” isn’t a suggestion, it’s a prerequisite for the state’s best meals.
It’s a strange, beautiful phenomenon: dozens of people staring hungrily at a hostess clipboard, convinced the only thing standing between them and Nirvana is a communal bench and a dying cellphone battery. These Florida restaurants have mastered the art of excruciating anticipation.
Their quality is so undeniable, we are all strangely happy to suffer for that first, perfect bite.
1. Joe’s Stone Crab
Stone crab paradise awaits at this Miami Beach landmark, serving up delectable claws since 1913. The restaurant famously doesn’t take reservations during peak season, creating legendary waits that stretch past two hours on weekend evenings…