Florida Families Stick to Payday Dining Traditions Despite Rising Costs

Poll finds top 3 local restaurants Floridians visit on payday to celebrate and reconnect

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:52pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of an iconic payday dining item repeated in a tight grid, conceptually representing the enduring significance of these shared meals for Florida families despite economic pressures.Vibrant payday dining traditions remain a cherished ritual for Florida families, even as rising costs reshape their restaurant habits.Boca Raton Today

A survey by Advance America found that despite higher restaurant prices, two-thirds of Florida families are more likely to eat out on payday, using it as a small reward after a demanding week. The top 3 local restaurants Floridians visit on payday are Bubba's Roadhouse & Saloon in Cape Coral, Coconut Charlie's Beach Bar & Grill in St. Petersburg, and Jama Benn Jama in Hialeah Gardens.

Why it matters

Payday dining traditions hold deep emotional significance for many Florida families, providing a chance to reconnect and celebrate the end of a hard week. While rising costs have changed some habits, the survey found that 85% of families say shared payday meals strengthen family bonds, underscoring the importance of these local independent restaurants in supporting community rituals.

The details

The survey by Advance America, a leading U.S. consumer lender, explored payday habits, dining traditions, and the emotional role of shared meals in 2026 household budgets. Across the state, respondents described the small but meaningful details that make a payday meal special: generous portions, staff who know kids by name, menus that balance comfort and celebration, and the reassurance that dinner out won't derail the budget.

  • The survey was conducted in March 2026.

The players

Advance America

A leading U.S. consumer lender that conducted the survey on payday dining habits.

Bubba's Roadhouse & Saloon

A restaurant in Cape Coral, Florida that was identified as one of the top payday dining spots for Florida families.

Coconut Charlie's Beach Bar & Grill

A restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida that was identified as one of the top payday dining spots for Florida families.

Jama Benn Jama

A restaurant in Hialeah Gardens, Florida that was identified as one of the top payday dining spots for Florida families.

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What they’re saying

“Payday has always carried emotional weight, but what stood out in this research is how many families use it as a moment to reconnect. These meals aren't about extravagance — they're about marking the end of a hard week, supporting local restaurants, and giving everyone at the table something to look forward to. In a time when everything feels a little more expensive, that shared ritual matters more than ever.”

— Laura McCutcheon, VP of Marketing at Advance America

What’s next

Advance America plans to continue tracking payday dining trends and the impact of rising costs on household budgets across the country.

The takeaway

Despite economic pressures, Florida families are finding ways to preserve their cherished payday dining traditions at local independent restaurants, underscoring the deep emotional significance these shared meals hold for strengthening family bonds and supporting community.