A new year, a new A Florida Man? No not so much. WPLG reports that 31 year old Patrick Abbott was arrested Saturday for armed robbery. They say he did the routine where he slipped a Miami Publix employee a note saying to hand over the money, claiming he had a gun. The employee was able to call for help. The would-be robber left the scene without the money.
Police caught the guy, according to the TV station. They say he tried to throw the note away. Later, the employee positively identified him and he was charged. Oh… and that gun? It wasn’t a gun. It was apparently a stapler.
This apparently wasn’t Abbott’s first run in with the law. According to the report, he was arrested for child abuse last month when he was seen leaving a 4 month old baby in a Walmart parking lot. [Source: WPLG]
Florida's 20 Most Popular Fast Food & Casual Chain Restaurants for 2022
#20: Checkers
I don’t really go here much. But any fast food spot with wings gets some love from me.
#19: Outback Steakhouse
I’m a longtime fan of Outback… even though I usually pass on their signature the Bloomin’ Onion. For all you get… steak, salad, a loaded baked potato, and that sweet bread, Outback is a deal.
#18: LongHorn Steakhouse
I’ve only been once. Not sure why… I did like LongHorn. I guess I’m just not close to a location.
#17: IHOP
I’m never up early enough to do a real breakfast, but this looks good.
#16: Arby's
I love their shakes and sliders.
#15: Panera Bread
If I’m not too hungry I go to Panera. Their portion sizes are too small for this fatso. I love their cinnamon crunch bagels though.
#14: Little Caesars
Not a bad pizza for fast food. But honestly I’m more of a Hungry Howie’s fan.
#13: Zaxby's
If there were more locations, I bet this place would rank much higher. The buttered toast is always the first thing I chomp on.
#12: Whataburger
I don’t think I’ve been to one. But I’d probably be a fan.
#11: Culver's
They sell fried cheese curds. And the ice cream is seriously good.
#10: Miller's Ale House
We have one near the radio station, but I’ve really never been blown away by anything I’ve had here. But I like all the TVs to watch the game.
#9: Olive Garden
Oh boy. How did this land in the top 10? I mean it’s ok. But Carrabba’s if far better and it didn’t even make the top 20. I will confess I do dig the breadsticks like the rest of the world.
#8: KFC
Lived on this stuff as a kid. I still pop by once in a while. I would definitely rank Zaxby’s higher though. Always amazes me how worldwide they are. Saw a bunch of them in Bogota, Colombia when I took a trip there this year.
#7: Chipotle Mexican Grill
I don’t go here enough. I like that they use natural ingredients. And I’ve never had a bad burrito there. But I’m also a big fan of Moe’s Mondays… which didn’t make this list sadly.
#6: Sonic
I’d go a lot more if they were closer to me. Tater tots are a highly underrated food.
#5: Chili's
And now I’m gonna have the baby back ribs jingle in my head for the rest of the day. This dessert looks awesome.
#4: Taco Bell
There’s always a visit on the way home after The Q105 Saturday Night Dance Party. I like the Baja Blast… and when they stuff Cool Ranch Doritos into their tacos, I’m in Heaven.
#3: Burger King
Surprisingly McDonald’s didn’t make this list. You know they have to do more business than all these others combined. But I get the Burger King coming in so high on the list. Not a fan of their fries, but I do love the flavor of their burgers.
#2: Wendy's
I used to a much bigger Wendy’s guy. Since the pandemic, it seems like the service has taken a big hit more than any other fast food chain. The 4 for 4 though is a steal. And I’m a chocolate Frosty lover for sure. When I’m trying to be healthy, love their chili and a baked potato. But it irritates me to no end when I drove off and realize they didn’t put sour cream in the bag.
#1: Chick-fil-A
My go to spot the day after the Tampa Bay Lightning win a home game. Free chicken sandwich with waffle fries and an ice water for $2? My pleasure.
Florida's 20 Most Popular Fast Food & Casual Chain Restaurants for 2022
#1 is not going to be a big surprise to anyone who lives in Florida. But some of the restaurants that made the top 10 definitely made me do a double take. First Coast News says Food Service Direct ran the numbers and determined these to be the 20 “most sought after fast food and casual dining” spots in Florida.
My favorites didn’t make the top 10. Zaxby’s fried chicken boxes are my jam but they came in at #13. Culver’s is another regular stop for those of us who work at Q105 since we have one right next to the studio. It just missed the top 10 coming in at #11. And wait until you see who DIDN’T make the list at all!
#20: Checkers
I don’t really go here much. But any fast food spot with wings gets some love from me.
#19: Outback Steakhouse
I’m a longtime fan of Outback… even though I usually pass on their signature the Bloomin’ Onion. For all you get… steak, salad, a loaded baked potato, and that sweet bread, Outback is a deal.
#18: LongHorn Steakhouse
I’ve only been once. Not sure why… I did like LongHorn. I guess I’m just not close to a location.
#17: IHOP
I’m never up early enough to do a real breakfast, but this looks good.
#16: Arby's
I love their shakes and sliders.
#15: Panera Bread
If I’m not too hungry I go to Panera. Their portion sizes are too small for this fatso. I love their cinnamon crunch bagels though.
#14: Little Caesars
Not a bad pizza for fast food. But honestly I’m more of a Hungry Howie’s fan.
#13: Zaxby's
If there were more locations, I bet this place would rank much higher. The buttered toast is always the first thing I chomp on.
#12: Whataburger
I don’t think I’ve been to one. But I’d probably be a fan.
#11: Culver's
They sell fried cheese curds. And the ice cream is seriously good.
#10: Miller's Ale House
We have one near the radio station, but I’ve really never been blown away by anything I’ve had here. But I like all the TVs to watch the game.
#9: Olive Garden
Oh boy. How did this land in the top 10? I mean it’s ok. But Carrabba’s if far better and it didn’t even make the top 20. I will confess I do dig the breadsticks like the rest of the world.
#8: KFC
Lived on this stuff as a kid. I still pop by once in a while. I would definitely rank Zaxby’s higher though. Always amazes me how worldwide they are. Saw a bunch of them in Bogota, Colombia when I took a trip there this year.
#7: Chipotle Mexican Grill
I don’t go here enough. I like that they use natural ingredients. And I’ve never had a bad burrito there. But I’m also a big fan of Moe’s Mondays… which didn’t make this list sadly.
#6: Sonic
I’d go a lot more if they were closer to me. Tater tots are a highly underrated food.
#5: Chili's
And now I’m gonna have the baby back ribs jingle in my head for the rest of the day. This dessert looks awesome.
#4: Taco Bell
There’s always a visit on the way home after The Q105 Saturday Night Dance Party. I like the Baja Blast… and when they stuff Cool Ranch Doritos into their tacos, I’m in Heaven.
#3: Burger King
Surprisingly McDonald’s didn’t make this list. You know they have to do more business than all these others combined. But I get the Burger King coming in so high on the list. Not a fan of their fries, but I do love the flavor of their burgers.
#2: Wendy's
I used to a much bigger Wendy’s guy. Since the pandemic, it seems like the service has taken a big hit more than any other fast food chain. The 4 for 4 though is a steal. And I’m a chocolate Frosty lover for sure. When I’m trying to be healthy, love their chili and a baked potato. But it irritates me to no end when I drove off and realize they didn’t put sour cream in the bag.
#1: Chick-fil-A
My go to spot the day after the Tampa Bay Lightning win a home game. Free chicken sandwich with waffle fries and an ice water for $2? My pleasure.