Even compared to the Northeast, food in South Florida is excellent!

Hi there! Former Jersey resident that grew up in Aventura and moved back to Florida. I just have to say that we have phenomenal pizza, bagel, and deli spots that Northerners have traditionally insisted are inferior to their offerings.

The divide may have been starker for years, but I don't perceive any difference in quality between our best joints and those in NYC/NJ.

We lack more exotic cuisine compared to NYC (can't compete with a metropolis like that), but the typical stuff is no lesser.

I think that Northeasterners and especially New Yorkers make the food argument as a means to justify their pricey and logistically challenging lifestyles.