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How to Find Gluten-Free Restaurants in South Florida

November 22, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Rewritten September 2026. South Florida’s gluten-free scene changes fast — restaurants rebrand, kitchens alter prep, and “GF-friendly” does not always mean dedicated equipment. This page is no longer a static “top 5 forever” list. It is a practical guide to finding safer gluten-free dining in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, plus a short set of places we could still corroborate as operating around this update.

How to find gluten-free food here (the method)

Prefer dedicated gluten-free kitchens when you are celiac or highly sensitive.
Call ahead about fryers, shared prep surfaces, and dessert protocols — menus online lag reality.
Use current directories such as Find Me Gluten Free, plus recent local reviews, then verify on the restaurant’s own site.
Ask for the allergen matrix at chains; do not rely on a 2015 blog list (including older versions of this one).

Places we could still verify (as of this 2026 check)

Listings change. Confirm before you go. We only include names we could corroborate via current business sites or recent directories — and we removed or replaced closed spots from the old roundup.

Big Mike’s Healthy Choices (Fort Lauderdale) — Dedicated gluten-free café/bakery concept on SE 17th Street (the former Fresh First address). Breakfast/lunch focus; check current hours on the restaurant’s site.
TAP (Miami) — Frequently listed as a dedicated gluten-free sandwich / açaí-bowl spot in downtown Miami. Verify location and hours before you go.
Farmer’s Table (Boca Raton) — Still operating with gluten-free options clearly called out on menus historically; not a dedicated GF facility — ask about cross-contact.
Seasons 52 (multiple South Florida locations) — Chain restaurants (e.g., Galleria / Sawgrass / Coral Gables / Boca area listings) commonly publish gluten-sensitive menus. Confirm each location’s current allergen guide.

What happened to the older “top 5” names?

Fresh First — Closed; the SE 17th Street gluten-free lane is now associated with Big Mike’s Healthy Choices.
Market 17 (Fort Lauderdale) — Permanently closed per current listings.
Grand Lux Cafe — At least the Aventura Mall location closed in the COVID era; do not assume every historic location remains. Verify any specific mall address.
Farmer’s Table & Seasons 52 — Still useful starting points when you confirm the live menu.

For broader food context (Cuban, seafood, casual bites) see our Eating in South Florida starter guide. Know a dedicated GF gem we should double-check next wave? Tell us in the comments.

Not medical advice. Cross-contact risk varies by visit. Always confirm directly with the restaurant.

The 10 Best Florida Winter Memes

February 22, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Winter. It is the best time to be from Florida, if not for the fact that you get to taunt your snowbird friends on Facebook with some hilarious Memes. Memes that will make them question their entire lives and re-evaluate why they do not live in the Sunshine State.

Alas, here is a collection of the 10 most popular Memes shared on our I Love South Florida Facebook Page that make fun of Winter, in no particular order:

1. Salt in the Winter

This Meme sums up the different priorities between Florida and the rest of the world by showing how salt is used in the Winter. Two margaritas sounds better than two stuck tires!

2. This is my view of Winter…from my cell phone in Florida

For most living in Florida, the best view of a real Winter is seen through this tiny little screen. And we’re okay with that.

3. This could be us, but we live in Florida.

We could be shoveling snow all day and watching our cars slowly sink into a freezing abyss, but we live in Florida.

4. I’m in Florida, so that’s none of my business.

Kermit the Frog enjoying his tea in South Florida, minding his own business.

5. I looking at the Snow. On Facebook. From Florida.

It’s beautiful. To look at. From here.

6. Messy the Mudman, Frosty’s distant relative.

The next time your out of town friends send you a picture of their perfect, powder-white snow man, show them this, and get on with your life. You can do more with your day than just building snowmen, like go to the beach.

7. Florida in the Summer. Florida in the Winter.

Consistency is key.

8. The Florida Seasons

Even Frosty migrates down here after the Holidays.

See?

9. Time to break out the Winter clothes!

Socks and Sandals. A fashion taboo most of the year, totally okay in the Winter.

10. Meanwhile, back in Florida.

Like I said, one of the best parts of Winter in Florida is getting to brag about it to your Northern friends – and getting to do this in the middle of January.

—-

And there you have it! Ten of the “best” Memes that sum up Winter in Florida. Not only do they provide the perfect seasonal humor, but provide gratitude for living in Florida after further reflection. A good Florida meme also makes you think twice before complaining about some cloudy weather when half the world is covered in snow!

Let it be known that these Memes were not originally created by I Love South Florida, and were collected from across the web. If there is a watermark on the meme, that is usually the source. Those without one have origins unknown.

Picking 10 of the funniest Florida Winter Memes wasn’t easy, and there are plenty more out there, so check back for the sequel to this post!

Have a Florida Winter Meme that you didn’t see on the list? Share it with us in the comments below!

If you liked those, check out The 10 Best Florida Winter Memes – Volume II.

South Florida Doctor Reverses Blindness Using Stem Cells

February 21, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster 1 Comment

“We didn’t know how penicillin worked for many years, but it saved many lives in the meantime,” said Dr. Jeffrey N. Weiss of Margate, Florida, speaking about stem cell treatments he has used on hundreds of patients suffering from blindness.

Dr. Weiss has been enrolling blind patients in an unorthodox stem cell study that injects stem cells into the eyes of patients in one of three ways – around the retina, in the retina, and directly into the optic nerve – in hopes of restoring some people’s sight.

According to Weiss, 60% of his 278 patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other diseases have regained some sight.

The procedure is not FDA approved and can cost roughly $20,000, to enroll, but to some, that is a price worth paying to restore their vision.

“I’m happy to be a guinea pig,” said Vanna Belton, who regained her sight after being treated by Dr. Weiss in Florida.

Read about Belton’s stem cell success story, reported by the Baltimore Sun, by clicking here.

As word of his success begins to spread, Dr. Weiss may be a boon to South Florida in the ways of stem cell tourism in the future.

The Best Places to Spend New Year’s Eve in South Florida

December 30, 2015 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Updated as an evergreen New Year’s Eve planning guide (2026+). South Florida does New Year’s Eve the way it does most celebrations: outdoors when it can, loud when it wants to be, and split across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach so you can pick your vibe instead of one mega-party.

Venue lineups, ticket prices, and road closures change every year. Use this as a menu of ideas, then confirm the current year’s details on official city, venue, or ticket pages before you go. We are not inventing hours or covers here.

Pick your New Year’s Eve style

Beach / bay fireworks: Miami Beach and other coastal cities often plan public countdowns and fireworks. Expect crowds, parking headaches, and bag checks — arrive early and plan your exit.
Downtown / riverfront energy: Fort Lauderdale’s downtown and Las Olas scenes lean toward bars, restaurants, and hotel parties. Book dinner early if you want a seat.
Neighborhood classic: Coral Gables, Delray, West Palm, and similar walkable downtowns often host smaller festivals or restaurant specials that feel less chaotic than South Beach.
House party + early fireworks: Totally valid. Watch a local display, then toast at home with friends who do not want to Uber at 1 a.m.
Hotel staycation: Many hotels package rooms with late dining or lobby entertainment. Great if you want a designated driver… you (by elevator).

County-by-county starting points

Miami-Dade

Think South Beach public celebrations, Brickell/downtown nightlife, and Coconut Grove or Coral Gables for a slightly softer landing. Search the current year’s City of Miami Beach or Miami-Dade event listings rather than relying on last year’s flyer.

Broward

Fort Lauderdale beach and downtown, plus Hollywood Broadwalk energy, are common anchors. Craft-beer and Intracoastal restaurant scenes often run special menus — call ahead.

Palm Beach County

West Palm’s waterfront, Delray’s Atlantic Avenue, and Boca’s hotel/restaurant corridor give you options from dressy to casual. Palm Beach County tourism and city pages usually publish updated NYE roundups in December.

Practical South Florida NYE tips

Decide rideshare vs. parking before midnight surge pricing.
Hydrate — humid nights + champagne sneak up on you.
Screenshot tickets and meeting spots; cell networks get spotty in dense crowds.
If you are bringing kids, prioritize official family countdown events over open bar zones.

Looking for daytime ideas the same week? Browse things to do, beaches, and our food starter guide.

Listings and venues change. Confirm dates, tickets, and safety rules with organizers each December.

Jingle Bells – The Florida Remix

December 14, 2015 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Let’s face it, Florida is a special place. Sometimes, that makes it rather easy to create our own special version of things, especially songs! As an example, check out this Florida rendition of “Jingle Bells,” one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time:

While the original author is unknown (graphic courtesy of I Love South Florida), the lyrics were obviously crafted by someone familiar with the area – most likely a long-time local.

Lyrics

If you are having trouble viewing the image, the lyrics are as follows:

“Dashing through the sand, in a rented mini-van. Driving by the bay, laughing all the way. Tourists drive too slow, everywhere you go. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Jingle bells, coconut shells, dolphins in the bay. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Orange juice stands, Mickey Mouse land, gators in your way. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Crowded shopping malls, lotto and bingo halls. Sunshine that’s too hot, a football team that’s not. When Santa hits the shores, he finds jellyfish galore. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. ”

Perhaps after a few glasses of eggnog, you’ll be singing it with your family and friends this year!

Review: House of Caviar and Fine Foods in Fort Lauderdale

December 5, 2015 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Updated September 2026. Bemka’s House of Caviar and Fine Foods remains a Fort Lauderdale–based caviar and gourmet specialty business (retail/wholesale), with an online presence via houseofcaviarandfinefoods.com / related Bemka storefronts. As of this check, public contact pages still list the SW 3rd Avenue Fort Lauderdale address near the airport corridor.

This article began as a 2015 tasting note from an Art Basel–week sampling event — paddlefish, hackleback, and other roes on mother-of-pearl spoons and blinis. The sensory takeaways still hold as a friendly intro to trying caviar, but treat product availability, pricing, and store hours as things you confirm directly. We are not publishing invented hours or prices here.

What to know before you go / order

It is primarily a specialty foods / caviar retailer experience, not a full-service dinner restaurant.
Call or use the official site for current retail hours, pickup, and shipping cutoffs.
Ask staff for storage and serving tips if you are new to caviar.

Exploring South Florida food more broadly? See our food starter guide.

Business continuity checked via official Bemka / House of Caviar contact pages around this update. Confirm before visiting.

South Florida Surf Cameras

November 1, 2015 by I Love South Florida Leave a Comment

Updated 2026. Before you commit to a beach day for surfing, snorkeling, or just parking-lot roulette, live cameras still help. Conditions turn quickly with seabreeze storms and small east swells.

Still-useful camera sources

Surfline — continues to publish South Florida spot reports and cams (availability and paywalls change). Start from Surfline’s Florida / Broward / Palm Beach maps rather than old deep links, which rot often.
City livestreams — for example, Deerfield Beach publishes municipal beach livestream cameras on its official site. Other cities occasionally offer pier or beach cams; search the city site for “beach cam” for the current embed.

How to use cams like a local

Check wind direction and period, not just “pretty blue water.”
Morning cams lie less than mid-afternoon sea-breeze messes.
Verify lifeguard status and swim advisories on the same city’s site.

Want beach context beyond the feed? Read our Best Beaches in South Florida guide and the Haulover Beach Park bike route refresher.

Third-party camera URLs change. Prefer official Surfline spot pages and city websites over outdated bookmarks.

How To Make Natural Pesticide Spray

October 14, 2013 by I Love South Florida 1 Comment

South Florida in the summer can be full of bugs and pests that will eat all of your precious plants and make you want to stay indoors.

As a result, most people resort to pesticides that can be harmful to them and the environment. Few people know that it is possible to make your own homemade pesticide spray – free of chemicals!

Here is how:

1. Finely chop up a head of garlic and place them in a dish.

2. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of mineral oil or any oil you may have available, then mix with the chopped garlic.

3. Pour in a tablespoon of mild liquid soap, then mix the 3 ingredients.

4. You may add hot peppers, hot sauce, or onions to strengthen up the mixture. I would not add in more than 4 tbsp of hot sauce, hand full of chopped onions, or 4 hot peppers.

5. Pour the mixture into a sealable container and let it sit over night. Some let the mixture sit for 72 hours in room temperature.

6. Add 3 to 4 cups of water into a spray bottle and then add the mixture and shake. You may want to sieve the mixture to remove chunks of vegetables that may cause blockage.

Too lazy or don’t have the time to make your own natural pesticide spray? You can always get a 32oz bottle of Orange Guard on Amazon for less than ten bucks, which uses orange peel extract as one of its main ingredients.

How To: Survive Shark Week in South Florida

August 4, 2013 by I Love South Florida Leave a Comment

Updated for 2026. Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is entertainment. Living in South Florida means sharing the Atlantic and Gulf-side waters with sharks year-round. The good news: serious injuries are rare compared with how many people swim, surf, and fish here. The better news: simple habits cut risk further.

Perspective, not panic

Florida historically records more unprovoked shark bites than other U.S. states, with many incidents concentrated well north of Miami (notably around Volusia County’s surf hubs). Palm Beach County also appears regularly in long-term datasets. That does not mean every dip is dangerous — it means awareness belongs next to sunscreen on your mental checklist. For current statistics and science-based FAQ, the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File is the gold-standard public reference.

Practical habits that help

Swim near lifeguards when possible, and heed beach flags / closure signs.
Avoid dawn, dusk, and night swimming in murky water when you can choose better timing.
Skip swimming near active fishing piers or where people are landing catch.
Leave shiny jewelry in the car; some flashes can resemble fish scales.
Do not harass wildlife — spearfishing and shark-feeding spectacles belong to trained operators, not casual beach days.
If you see a shark, exit calmly and steadily; splashy panic helps no one.

If a rare encounter turns physical

Experts generally advise fighting back against a biting shark — aiming for sensitive areas such as the eyes and gills — and seeking immediate medical care for any bite. This is emergency guidance, not a sport. Call for help as soon as you are safe.

Local context

South Florida’s reefs, inlets, and baitfish runs are why sharks are here. Healthy shark populations are part of a healthy ocean. Respect the water the way you respect thunderstorms in July: common sense, not fear.

Keep reading

Safety notes are general public guidance. Beach conditions and wildlife activity change daily — follow lifeguards and local alerts.

“Move Over” Law Targets Slow Drivers

June 14, 2013 by I Love South Florida Leave a Comment

A new law that will come into effect on July 1, 2013 states that any motorist in the left lane driving 10 mph or more slower than the posted speed limit must get out of the way of someone trying to pass – or face a $60 ticket.

The “Move Over” bill was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott as a supposed way to reduce road rage on the highways in Florida.

Governor Jeb Bush vetoed a similar bill called the "Road Rage Reduction Act" in 2005, claiming he didn’t understand why the state would punish a motorist who was not speeding.

I usually don’t side with a lot of new laws, but this is one I can support.

I’ve always said that slow drivers can be more dangerous on the highway than faster ones because people need to switch lanes quickly to avoid slowing down behind them, thus more chances for an accident to occur when cars weave into each other’s lanes.

Then again, I also believe the act of pulling someone over on the highway creates dangerous traffic conditions as well.