It's really hot out there, and Buddy Brew Coffee in downtown Sarasota has provided some sweet relief in the form of cold-brew floats ($5). Think: cold brew coffee, rich vanilla gelato and housemade caramel syrup, all combined to make one magnificent drink. Best of all, as the gelato melts, it gives the whole drink a creamy, shake-like consistency. Delicious. 

Gold Rush BBQ in Venice is now offering fried chicken on Wednesdays, and trust us when we say it's worth the trip. The chicken is moist and crunchy, and it tastes just like a Southern grandma made it in her cast iron pan. Get a side of coleslaw--and maybe some sweet potatoes while you're at it--and prepare to start planning your weekly pilgrimage south. 

One of our favorite bar bites: Selva Grill's famous skirt steak, seared and served with plantains, earthy, al dente beet relish and chimichurri—spicy, sweet, meaty and mouthwatering. ($8)

It's hard to pass up one of the homemade sweet treats at the Detwiler's Farm Market bakery, and one of our favorites are the classic peanut butter cookies ($1)--they're sweet and ultra peanut butter-y, rolled in sugar, with a crispy edge and a soft, chewy center. Perfect for nibbling on as you shop, and even better for the DIY ice cream sandwiches that Detwiler's is now offering.

A pool hall situated across Old Main from the Manatee County courthouse, amid a flurry of ampersand-heavy law firms and cheekily named bail bondsmen, Council’s is best known for its cheeseburgers, which run $4.25 to $5.50. They're flawless—simple, thin, well-done patties outfitted with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and a toasted bun—and they hop off the Council’s grill in no time. Served on a small spread of white napkins, these burgers are juicy, fatty, crusty, salty. They are everything.