13 OctOber 10-16, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | Contents | Letters | news | night+Day | CuLture | Cafe | MusiC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | Who’s Your Daddy? New Times readers rank the 5 best South Florida Flanigan’s. BY NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR A beloved South Florida institu- tion since 1959, Flanigan’s is pretty much synonymous with South Florida. Whether you still call it the Laughing Loggerhead, Big Daddy’s, Flanny’s, Piranha Pats, or the Raging Bull, Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill is a South Florida icon — I’ll even go so far as to say it is more iconic than the Miami Marlins baseball team, Ocean Drive in South Beach, and LIV nightclub. (I get to say this since I was born and raised in the 305.) Adorned with bright green lights and kitschy nautical and “all-American” decor, there is no other res- taurant in the state that has such a chokehold on its resi- dents like Flanny’s does. Is it its forest green signage? Its sports bar- meets-80s-dining- room aesthetic? Or is it the food, like its in- sanely delicious barbecue baby back ribs, “Rockin’ Rib Rolls,” or Philly cheesesteak? Whatever is in the secret sauce at Flani- gan’s, it’s got South Floridians hooked. While every Flanigan’s restaurant is great in its own right, there are a few that are far superior to the rest. There are more than 20 Flanigan’s in the Sunshine State, spanning SoFlo from Pinecrest and Kendall all the way to West Palm Beach and Lake Worth, but there are a few locations that outshine the rest. This is why we took to Instagram to ask New Times readers, “Which Flanigan’s in South Florida is the best?” And, boy, did two of them seriously stand out. The post gained so much traction that Flanigan’s reposted it on its official Instagram account, where fans sounded off even louder. Below, find the five best Flanigan’s restau- rants in South Florida, ranked in order from the absolute best to simply just great, based on comments left by New Times readers on Instagram. 1. Flanigan’s in Coconut Grove AKA “Laughing Loggerhead” With more than 50 mentions and each com- ment amassing 20 to 30 likes, there is one Flan- igan’s that one reader described as “something entirely different from the rest,” and it’s the Flanigan’s in Coconut Grove. Opened in 1987 by Michael Flanigan, one of the three sons of the founder of Flanigan’s, Joseph “Big Daddy” Flanigan, the Grove location, which was origi- nally called Laughing Loggerhead, is absolutely one of a kind and a gem among the rest. Even popular food blogger Mr. Eats 305 took the comments section to say Coconut Grove had “the best vibes,” while Miami historian Miami Stadium confidently proclaims, “Loggerhead.” Another proud commenter wrote, “Logger- head in the Grove is the only choice!” with doz- ens of exclamation points, while others wrote, “Only the Grove!” “Grove side!” and “Grove is the truth.” “Coconut Grove is the best, there’s no debate,” and “Coconut Grove hands down!” Other fans commented on how the vibe at this location was of its own, it has the friendliest staff, and plenty agreed with a fan who wrote, “Grove is only the right answer!” It seems we have a winner winner barbecue chicken din- ner. (Plus, the Grove location is open until 5 a.m., which helps.) 2. Flanigan’s in Hialeah The first Flaniagn’s to open in Miami-Dade County, the Flanigan’s in Hialeah is honestly iconic. With more than ten mentions, one fan over on Flanigan’s Instagram account wrote, “Hialeah for the vibes,” while another wrote, “Hialeah is the hometown one where if I want to see people from high school, I’ll go back over there.” Another customer wrote, “Hialeah!” which got 14 likes of approval, and another wrote, “Coconut Grove and Hialeah for the late nights...” Between both Instagram posts, Coconut Grove outpaced Hialeah, but the Hialeah location came in close second. Other Hialeah stans wrote, “Hialeah is the only answer,” with someone responding with “Special place in my heart for sure,” and an- other writing, “Everywhere else for the tour- ist, Hialeah for the culture.” 3. Flanigan’s in Surfside The Flanigan’s in Surfside has been a watering hole for those who live in Surfside, North Mi- ami Beach, and Bal Harbour for years, and it’s still just as popular today. “Surfside hands down!” wrote one frequent customer, while another responded with “Agreed.” Other com- ments ranged from “The one in Surfside!” which got 15 likes, to “Absolutely 100 million percent Surfside,” and “Surfside for sure, bro.” 4. Flanigan’s in Pinecrest The Pinecrest location of Flanigan’s has been a Pinecrest dining staple for those who reside in the area for years. It’s one of the only true Florida gems in Pinecrest besides long- time seafood spot Captain’s Tavern, Two Chefs, and Anacapri. Food blogger Mr. Eats 305 raved that this location has the “coldest beer in South Florida,” while another fan wrote, “My kids love the games at the Pinecrest location.” 5. North Miami, Kendall, and Fort Lauderdale (tie) Other notable Flanigan’s locations that were mentioned sporadically between New Times’ post and Flanigan’s post on Instagram were the spots in North Miami, Kendall, and Fort Lauderdale. We’d be remiss if we didn’t men- tion these fan-favorite locations. However, the cutest comment we received of all? From Flanny’s itself. The restaurant commented, “They’re all special to us,” with a happy emoji and a single tear falling out. So, there ya have it, folks. Go try ‘em all and re- port back to us. And make sure to take home a signature Flanny’s plastic cup with you on the way out. [email protected] ▼ Café Flanigan’s photo Flanigan’s photo The bar area of a Flanigan’s restaurant in Miami. WHATEVER IS IN THE SECRET SAUCE AT FLANIGAN’S, IT’S GOT SOUTH FLORIDIANS HOOKED.
