A Weekend of Fun in Florida

By: Aleah Shell

My recent trip to Florida felt less like a vacation and more like becoming a resident. I went to visit my cousin Victoria, and what I thought would be a repeat of my previous 2024 trip turned out to be even better.

I arrived on the morning of July 4 and immediately went to a Cuban café for breakfast called Cao Bakery & Café in Hollywood, Florida. I ordered the original, which consisted of two eggs cooked any style, ham or bacon, French fries, Cuban toast with butter, and coffee all for $10.99. We didn’t dine outside because it was pouring, but the meal was great, and the coffee woke me up after the early-morning flight.

Later that night, we went to downtown Fort Lauderdale for a Love Island watch party at Capone’s Nightclub, where drinks were three for $10 and included two free small shots of alcohol of your choice. I went with my cousin Victoria and kept drinking to a minimum, knowing we still had a whole night ahead of us.

From there, we went to a speakeasy called Bodega, where you could initially purchase some amazing tacos. Through the back door, there was an entire party going on. The music was versatile, and overall, it was a great time.

We then left and ended our night at Ebar 13. If you’re looking for a great time, that’s the place to be. The music was Caribbean with a mix of Spanish and hints of R&B. The crowd was lively, and shot specials started at 8 for $10 (mixed with juice, of course).

On our way home, we came across a woman known as “Oxtail Lady,” who was selling plates of food. It felt like I was buying a great platter back in New York City. From oxtails to lamb chops, collard greens, yams, baked mac and cheese, fried chicken, and potato salad, she had it all for $30. Unfortunately, by this time, my phone was dying, so I skipped taking a picture. However, I will be returning.

Though South Beach is a popular destination for visitors, overcrowding had other plans, and we didn’t make it there. Instead, we skipped the chaos and headed to Brickell, Miami, on Saturday night. I can honestly say I had the best baby back ribs

I’ve ever tasted at Moxie’s Miami Restaurant. They were so tender I ate them with a fork. The baked potato was baked to perfection. Please note, there is an automatic gratuity charge, and based on the location, the menu was on the pricey side, but it was worth it. There was also a nightclub above the restaurant that we attended.

Brunch was a must (as it should be in Florida). On Sunday afternoon, we went to Café Bastille. The pancakes were literally chef’s kiss. I ordered the cinnamon banana pancakes, potatoes, and bacon. During brunch, a cute delivery robot came through!

Later that night, we headed to Tootie’s Cabaret. Yes, it’s a strip club, but I promise we went for the food. They had chicken wings, pasta, steak, and much more—I was honestly surprised by the menu selection. No pictures were allowed, for obvious reasons. Despite not going to South Beach, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. I also realized I did more eating than sightseeing—guess the life of a foodie!

All in all, it was a weekend that blurred the line between tourist and local. I went for a vacation, but Florida and Victoria made it feel like something I could get used to.