What: Local fish is encrusted—with anything from sweet potato or potato chips to plantain and garlic—and usually pan-fried or baked, in what’s a popular, creatively tasty way of preparing the area’s seafood.
Where: In Jupiter, two sister restaurants—the atmospheric, surf-themed Little Moir’s Food Shack (103 S. U.S. Hwy 1, map) and the newer Little Moir’s Leftovers Cafe (561-627-6030; 451 University Blvd, in Abacoa-Bermudiana Place, map)—are the undisputed winners in this category, boasting nearly identical menus of tropical cuisine that places a high premium on fresh, imaginatively concocted seafood dishes, plus packed dining rooms that speak to their local popularity (get there early for lunch or dinner, or expect a wait).
When: Mon & Tues, 11am-9:30pm; Wed-Sat, 11am-10pm (Food Shack); Mon-Sat, 11am-9:30pm (Leftovers)
Order: The sweet-potato-crusted fish of the day (usually $12-$14 at lunch and $24-$27 at dinner, depending on the fish)—you’ll get a choice of what’s available that day; we recommend striped bass if offered—is a crowd-pleasing classic here, served over a huge salad with key lime-garlic dressing. But be adventurous and try any of the crusted fishes here. Also excellent are the panko-fried oysters, off the appetizer menu.
Good to know: Though both are still legally sold here and just about everywhere else, grouper and pompano are considered overfished in the southeast, so we can’t in good conscience recommend you order either. Look for striped bass or dolphin fish (mahi-mahi) instead.
Alternatively: Down in Miami, divey Scully’s Tavern (9809 SW 72nd St., map) has won much acclaim for its pan-fried potato-chip-crusted mahi-mahi sandwich.
