The Queso Connection

A few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean in downtown Cocoa Beach, The Tiny Turtle is one of those laid-back little restaurants that makes a beach day even better. I've personally visited this colorful, casual spot, where Puerto Rican cooking meets Caribbean-inspired flavors in a setting that feels perfectly at home on Florida's Space Coast. The story began in 2013, when Chef Moises opened a tiny walk-up food window inspired by the cooking of his mother and grandmother. What started as a family dream grew into a neighborhood restaurant known for island-inspired bowls, tacos, sandwiches and its signature Queso Caribe. That creamy white cheese sauce is reason enough for the Queso Trail to take notice, especially when it appears on the Sofrito Nachos, piled with black beans, guacamole, house salsa, roasted tomatillo sauce and Crème Caribe. You can even bring roasted island pork or beef picadillo into the equation. I love finding independent restaurants that give you a sense of a place without requiring a fancy reservation or a special-occasion budget. The Tiny Turtle is exactly that kind of discovery, tucked into a beach town I love exploring. Come for the Queso Caribe. Stay for a little island time. And don't forget, the Atlantic Ocean is just down the street.