Johnny Angel’s

The 1950s are alive and well at this lively family-owned Jacksonville diner (above). The walls are draped in memorabilia immortalizing icons including James Dean, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, and a retro jukebox plays all the hits. But the main star is the classic Americana menu—breakfast served all day, every day, and a house chili available by the bowl, cooked into a cheesy omelet or spooned over a hamburger or French fries. Other signature items include French toast dipped in Cap’n Crunch cereal, homemade chicken salad, a patty melt and a grilled Reuben piled high with sauerkraut. And don’t forget the shakes and malts in 11 different flavors!

The Hob Nob

Known as Sarasota’s oldest drive-in, the Hob Nob has all your favorite diner classics. Since 1957, this casual outdoor venue—with its notable black-and-white checkerboard background, bright red counter stools and communal tables—has wowed locals and tourists alike as they make their way to the beach, to school and the office. From breakfast choices like three-egg omelets, pancakes and home fries to lunch and dinner options including grouper sandwich baskets, tuna melts, BLTs, chili dogs and kraut dogs, the Hob Nob is the go-to place for tasty, filling fare any time of the day.

Reececliff Family Diner

For comfort food that has stood the test of time, head to the Reececliff (above), a culinary fixture in Lakeland for 90 years. Using the same recipes since 1934, this old-fashioned diner is known for flavor and consistency. In fact, the same woman has been baking its pies, which include chocolate silk, peanut butter, coconut cream and cherry, for more than 50 years.

The extensive menu features ample breakfasts starring bone-in ham steaks, cherry wood–smoked bacon strips and buttermilk pancakes. Customers can choose from two daily specials—hearty selections like chicken and dumplings, stuffed cabbage, fried cod and meatloaf—every day of the week. Other items that keep folks coming back include liver and onions, an open-faced turkey sandwich and country fried chicken smothered in white pepper gravy.