Key Lime Pie, Grouper, or a Cuban Sandwich?

Key Lime pie ranks first as Floridians' most nostalgic summer food, according to a new survey, edging out grouper and the Cuban sandwich.

A Mission for Michael commissioned Cherry Data Signals to survey 3,011 respondents to identify the regional summer foods that provide the strongest sense of comfort, nostalgia, and connection.

The study revealed which dish in each state most “feels like home,” while also exploring how familiar recipes, shared meals and seasonal traditions affect people’s mood and sense of belonging.

#1. Key lime pie
Cool, sharp and creamy, key lime pie feels particularly well suited to Florida’s heat. Its distinctive filling is made with key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks, then finished with whipped cream or meringue. Closely associated with the Florida Keys, the dessert often appears at seafood restaurants, family celebrations and vacation tables. One chilled slice can recall warm evenings, coastal drives and the welcome relief of something bright after a long day in the sun.

#2. Grouper fish fry
A grouper fish fry brings the flavor of Florida’s coast to a relaxed communal meal. The mild white fish may be lightly battered, grilled or blackened, then served with fries, slaw, hush puppies or a squeeze of lemon. It is the sort of food that suits dockside restaurants, neighborhood gatherings and evenings when nobody wants anything too formal. Fresh, generous and easy to share, grouper can hold memories of fishing trips, beach towns and meals eaten close to the water.

#3. Tampa Cuban sandwich
Pressed until crisp and filled with layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, Tampa’s Cuban sandwich carries the city’s history in every bite. Salami is commonly included in the local version, reflecting the influence of the Italian community that lived and worked alongside Cuban and Spanish residents in Ybor City. Picked up for lunch or shared during a busy summer day, it offers the comfort of a familiar neighborhood staple with a distinctly Tampa identity.