When you think of Florida foods, what comes to mind—maybe grouper sandwiches or key lime pie? What about the spices of Little Haiti or the Greek flavors of Tarpon Springs? 

Chef Joe Isidori wants us to experience it all. The Michelin Star chef hails from the Bronx, New York, where practically every cuisine on the planet is just a subway stop away. Joe also gives props to Florida for its diverse cuisine, and he says our state’s ethnic grocery stores are home to some of the freshest, most exciting foods anywhere. 

Joe’s love of global cooking is at the heart of his Mexican-inspired restaurant, Jotoro Kitchen + Tequila Bar. We spoke last fall, just days before the restaurant’s November opening in Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf dining and entertainment complex. If you listen closely, you can hear the crew bustling around during our interview. Joe reminisces about the foods of his New York Italian childhood, he shares why Florida’s food scene deserves respect, and he offers advice for navigating Florida’s ethnic food markets.

Want more international flavors in Florida? Check out these past episodes: