Jan Norris: Writer, Editor, Floridian

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We went to the Lazy Loggerhead Cafe in Jupiter Sunday afternoon. What a perfect day! I had to be near the beach during this cold snap — clear blue skies, and beautiful weather. At the cafe, as always, a perfect meal to go with it.

The Lazy Loggerhead, a part of Carlin Park, is in my top three picks for a Sunday spot – especially later in the day when it’s less busy. They serve breakfast and lunch only.  Brian Wilson — lucky name, being on the beach — runs the small spot that sits twixt dunes and the parking area on the beach.

True, you can’t actually see the ocean because the plants on the dunes are protected, and so aren’t trimmed for “the view” (we do do a few things right in Florida). But there are numerous walk-overs to the beach, and if you sit on the outdoor patio in back of the Loggerhead, you can enjoy the weather (best in fall and winter, trust us) and get a taste of seabreeze. Good for people-, surfer- and dog-watching. 

The Lazy Loggerhead is best known for its fish sandwich — a generous dolphin filet, grilled or blackened, on a toasty bun. It’s the slightly spicy fruit/tomato salsa made fresh daily, big seasoned steakhouse fries, and fresh cabbage slaw with pineapple that make it a great meal. The 1/2 pound burgers are pretty good, too, and their salads enormous and fresh. (We like the dolphin atop a Caesar.)

Everybody’s friendly

Servers are always friendly, and everyone is casual and laid-back — the customers are mostly all local, except for the few tourists who happen up on it. It makes for a terrific lazy Sunday experience.

Parking is free (just watch for the designated life-guard or other marked spaces — the cops are on it here). Showers and restrooms for the beach are out back, and if you’re inclined, there are pavilions for picnics on both sides of A1A and behind the cafe. You can use Lazy Loggerhead’s take-out window, get your foods and go to a covered table to dine.

We took time to stroll the beach after lunch, though the stiff north wind was biting. Most of the beachgoers were bundled up, though there were a few snowbirds who thought it was great. A surfing or windsurfing gathering was taking place up the beach — it was good weather for either. I hope the brilliant blue that the water and sky were that day comes through on your monitor. Breathtaking — I love this time of year here.

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