8 Publix Comfort Foods We're Binging During Hurricane Milton

When the power goes out due to Hurricane Milton, you'll be grateful you bought comfort foods like a Pub Sub, fresh Cuban bread, a key lime pie, and popcorn chicken at Publix.

As someone who was born in Miami, Florida, just two months after Hurricane Andrew devastated the community in 1992, I have singlehandedly experienced dozens of hurricanes and tropical storms in South Florida. I have experienced power and water outages that have left us no choice but to bathe in the pool, and have slept in complete and utter darkness for weeks on end.

While the best way to prepare for any major storm is to heed the advice of your local officials (evacuate if necessary), for those who reside in Florida in an area outside of the cone of the hurricane and do not live in a major storm surge/flood zone, hunkering down at home with your loved ones with the proper materials on hand is necessary.

As a Florida staple, Publix is your best bet to secure all the comfort foods you may need to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Please be aware that Publix supermarkets along the Gulf Coast of Florida will have different operating hours — with many closing entirely. Please use Publix.com to get updates about your local Publix.

Below, we've rounded up the eight Publix comfort foods you should grab ahead of the storm to comfort you during these gloomy times. Please stay safe!

1. Instant Coffee In Case the Power Goes Out

Please don't sleep on Cafe Bustelo's instant Cuban coffee (both the Americano and Espresso varieties) during Hurricane Milton. Instant coffee will be your savior if your power goes out. It may be room temperature, but with some powdered creamer you'll be good to go.

2. A Pub Sub (To Hold You Over As You Finish the Shutters on the House)

There is a huge chance your uncle, primo, sibling, or neighbor will be asking you for some sort of help from Wednesday, October 9 through Friday, October 11. Therefore, you'll need the perfect blend of carbs, protein, and fats to fuel your hurricane prep — a Publix Pub Sub. Pro tip: Order a chicken tender Pub Sub.

3. Cuban Bread and Bags of Bread

Although bread may go bad once the power goes out, it'll be your lifeline for dipping into your instant coffee during the bleak, gray morning of a hurricane. It is also the perfect companion to your canned black beans. There's something about these soft, pillowy rolls that truly hit the spot every time. If Cuban bread isn't available at a Publix near you, go for one of their country loaves.

4. Cans of Beans

Four words: Frijoles negros for days. One can truly live off of canned beans (especially if you live in Miami). If served cold without power, ensure you have a bottle of sazon seasoning and some black pepper on hand to add some much-needed flavor.

5. Move Over Emotional Support Water Bottle: Meet Jupiña and Materva

Listen, Coke and Sprite are great on their own or as mixers if you'll be hosting a hurricane party. However, there's nothing like having comforting Cuban beverages like Jupiña and Materva ready to go in your pantry. Your abuela will thank you.

6. A Publix Cake for Your Whole Family — Because Why Not

We may no longer be able to order the controversial "hurricane cakes" that used to rock Florida Publix supermarkets, but PubIix is still selling their iconic cakes (that you can totally write, "Go Away Milton" on if you'd like).

7. An Award-Winning Publix Key Lime Pie

Voted "Best Key Lime Pie" by New Times in 2024, this Key Lime Pie needs to be eaten before the power goes out — so grab some plastic spoons and get digging.

8. Cuban Guava Paste

Nothing lasts longer than a tube of guayaba pasta (or guava paste). Slather this bad boy on a Cuban cracker and you're in for dessert bliss.