Baldy Eats is back on The Current by TreasureCoast.com, and this episode is packed with straight talk about local restaurants, community food culture, and where the Treasure Coast still has room to grow. Known for his honest food reviews and viral content, Baldy has built a loyal following by spotlighting everything from smashburgers and tacos to pizza debates that take over local Facebook feeds.
In this second appearance, Baldy offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he balances community expectations with honest feedback and restaurant relationships.
Top Pizza Spots on the Treasure Coast
Pizza is one of the most controversial topics in Baldy’s world, but he doesn’t hold back. His top-rated pizza places continue to spark conversation online.
His top picks include:
- Uncle Giuseppe’s in Stuart. Still ranked number one in his book.
- Brooklyn Joe’s in Stuart. Known for its thin New York-style slices.
- Francesca’s Pizza in Port St. Lucie. Gained national attention on Food Network.
- D’Angelo’s in PSL. A newcomer developed with care and fermentation science.
- Massimo’s in PSL. A fan favorite with consistent mentions across the board.
Baldy makes it clear that pizza is personal. Delivery can impact quality. A pizza that leaves the shop and hits your table 30 minutes later is not the same pizza that comes out of the oven.
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Smashburgers, Tacos, and Other Local Flavors
Baldy doesn’t stop at pizza. His reviews span the full menu at many Treasure Coast restaurants, and he gave some updates on burgers and tacos that have caught his attention recently. Here are some places that we discuss:
Smashburgers:
- Hap and Hooch in Jupiter. A self-proclaimed dive bar with five-star food.
- Burger Daddy. Known for smashburgers done right.
- Southpaw Brewery in Tradition. New on the scene and already making noise.
- Piranha Pat’s in Stuart, near Rio. Great food in a family-friendly setting.
- Dave and Buster’s. Surprisingly solid burger options, according to Baldy.
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Tacos:
- Cafe 772. Offers unique fusion tacos and deep community roots.
- Tacos Ponchos in Port St. Lucie. Their birria tacos went viral after Baldy’s review.
- Tavo’s Tacos. A mobile food truck doing events from Fort Pierce to Vero Beach.
He continues to explore more taco joints across the region, saying the category still has plenty of room to grow.
A Look Behind the Reviews
Baldy shares that his food reviewing began as a passion project and has turned into a community-wide movement. He now runs a popular Facebook group called Baldy’s Treasure Coast Reviews, which has grown from 1,000 to over 9,000 local members.
Restaurants now invite him out for planned visits. While some criticize this approach, Baldy defends it with a clear explanation. He works directly with restaurant owners, learns their stories, and highlights dishes they believe best represent their work. But he never lets those relationships cloud his judgment.
“My loyalty is to the people watching. The review still has to be honest.”
His goal is to help restaurants succeed while remaining transparent and trustworthy with his audience.
What’s Missing from the Treasure Coast Food Scene
Baldy doesn’t just highlight what’s great. He also points out where the Treasure Coast still has room to grow. In this episode, he calls out two major gaps:
1. Steakhouse Options
- Baldy says fine dining steakhouses are underrepresented across the region.
- Peter’s Steakhouse in Jensen Beach gets high praise and is on his radar to visit soon.
- The Fort in Fort Pierce and Meating Street in Tradition show promise.
- We also discuss Vero Prime, which has a growing reputation but hasn’t been reviewed yet.
2. Pizza Innovation
Despite some favorites, Baldy believes pizza still has room to evolve on the Treasure Coast. He mentions places like Death by Pizza in Palm Beach and A Pizza, an anticipated concept coming soon, as examples of how the local scene might be elevated.
Up-and-Coming Spots and Community Growth
Baldy highlights several new or lesser-known places to watch:
- Due Fratelli’s in Jensen Beach. Run by two young brothers who skipped college to pursue their dream.
- JoJo’s Kitchen. A Tex-Mex newcomer with big flavors and roots in Texas.
He’s also expanding his reach into Palm City, Sebastian, and Jupiter. Tradition continues to explode with development and new restaurant openings.
Community Reviews Driving Local Impact
The growth of Baldy’s Treasure Coast Reviews has had a significant impact. Community members now post their own photos, give reviews, and introduce each other to hidden gems.
These posts often generate even more conversation than Baldy’s originals. The group has become a trusted space for local food lovers, and Baldy is proud of how it helps both diners and restaurant owners.
“These reviews are helping restaurants stay sharp. Anyone could walk in and share their experience.”
He sees the group as a community service, giving voice to everyday foodies while encouraging consistency and pride from local chefs and staff.
Supporting Local, Honestly
One of Baldy’s main messages throughout the episode is the importance of supporting local restaurants with honest feedback, not blind praise. The food industry is hard. Margins are thin. And most owners are in it for passion, not big profit.
Still, Baldy insists that consistency is non-negotiable.
He encourages diners to support local when they can, understand the costs behind quality food, and give recognition where it’s due.
Final Thoughts
This episode offers more than just a list of good places to eat. It’s a candid look at the intersection of food, business, and community on the Treasure Coast.
From the power of social media to the gaps in local dining, Baldy pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to survive and thrive in this region’s restaurant scene.
If you’re interested in local food, honest reviews, and how community voices are shaping what’s next for the Treasure Coast, this is one to listen to.
