My lifelong friend Visiting Mel looked askance at me as we parked in front of the ordinary-looking Jupiter strip mall. “Food Shack?” she said. “What’s that?” Glad you asked, my friend! I, too, was one of the uninitiated who wondered why so many people were standing outside waiting for a table. And then I got a taste of sweet potato-encrusted hogfish, something I had never heard of until then, as well as their daily menu and the hectic but comfortable view of the kitchen from the counter. I met cool people crowded next to us as we ate. I tried new food without having to take out a loan. And I converted Visiting Mel. My work here is done. And my tummy is full.

Little Moir’s Food Shack, 103 U.S. 1 Jupiter. 561-741-3626