Eats Good 33 (Venezuelan)

When you walk away with a fistful of menus and information about catering, I think it's a good indication you might be back....again....with friends.....and a work account. :)  Well, that's exactly what happened from my experience at Eats Good 33; I came straight back to work and handed 'money bags' the menu.  First thing she told me was "I just ate there yesterday!  It's good, eh?"  Ah yeah.

I had heard about this place from a couple of people, and good thing, as I would have never found it otherwise.  The only advertising you see from a semi-main road is a little sign stuck in the ground with an arrow indicating a next turn.  Who knew this little gem would be found in an industrial strip?  Well apparently, several knew, as it was packed when I strolled in... (You ever feel like the world is holding out on you? Note, it ain't holdin' out on me no mo!!)

My first thought when looking at the menu was, "I never knew you could have so many different kinds of arepas!"  What are arepas, you ask?  They are these flat, round, unleavened patties made of cornmeal or flour that are grilled, baked, or fried, common to both Venezuela and Colombia.  I've always had them with cheese, but Eats Good 33 cured me of the blandness!  Seeing as there were over ten ways in which to order arepas, my (thank you, Lord, for adventurous) colleague and I decided to get two different kinds along with a main dish.  Our arepas of choice were (1) "La Pelua" / slow-cooked, pulled beef and gouda cheese and (2) "La Sifrina" /shredded chicken with avocado and gouda cheese.  Who knew chicken salad type concoction could go on an arepa??  But, man, they were both tasty. Which one would you get?

For our shared main dish, we ordered slow cooked, pulled pork with rice, beans, and plantains.  Extremely delicious.  This dish came out first, so we were enjoying every bite, but the taste buds went into over-drive when the arepas came out.  After our lunch, we ordered a cafe con leche and a frozen cappuccino -- and they do the frozen cappuccinos the right way (literal espresso blended with a little bit of milk and ice).

Did I mention that everything is made-to-order?  All their breads are made fresh daily.  What this means for you is, don't bother bringing a large group unless you intend to spend half the day there.  They do, however, cater and deliver.  For large orders, you must call ahead at least 24 hours, so that they can be sure to have enough bread for the day.

Those thinking "I'm going THERE this weekend," think again.  Eats Good 33 is open only Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm.  Did I mention they serve breakfast?  Didn't try it, but I will (have heard those Venezuelans know how to do breakfast)!!!

Familiarize yourself with this logo, so you don't drive by and miss a little piece of Heaven.

Delectable....

Check it out:  http://www.eatsgood33.com/
6882 NW 20th Ave  -> that would be very close to Powerline & McNabb
Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33309
Tel. (954) 956-4480

Polish Deli Pyza (Polish)

Polish food has a special place in my heart....one of the best food experiences of my life was in this little second-story building that my colleague and I stumbled across on the outskirts of Warsaw.  It was a cold, wet night and we were starved for some authentic Polish food.  We started down the road and asked a couple of fellow pedestrians where the locals in the neighborhood went to eat. In broken English, they directed us down the street.  As soon as we walked in, it felt right.....low lights, the fireplace burning, the clink of glasses toasting, a rumble of laughter, and the fragrant complimentary smells emanating from the tables.  We found a cozy booth and started off by asking the waiter for her suggestion on Polish 'beverages,' which she got spot on. Trusting her judgment from there on out, we ordered appetizers and a dinner that was fit for royalty.

While I know that my every sense was engaged that misty night, I can't help but now recall Polish food as having a magical and nostalgic place in my heart.  Who doesn't find comfort in meats, vegetables, noodles, and sauces? So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I found the Polish Deli Pyza, a local eatery that not only imports Polish goods, but also serves up Polish staples: golabkis (stuffed cabbage), pierogis (dumplings), bigos (hunter's stew), nalesniki (blintzes), kielbasa, etc.

To authenticate the eating experience, I took my Warsaw-food-adventure colleague with me.  He and I split golabkis (stuffed cabbages) and meat pierogis (dumplings).  While not quite the same uber-sensory experience as in Warsaw, the tastes were definitely a throw-back to happy times in Poland.  The question for me is always would I return?  And the answer is, YES. There's nothing in south Florida that can replicate the  down-home goodness of Polish cuisine.....that is unless you have a Polish grandma (and if that's the case, hook me up!!).

Check it out:
2663 E. Atlantic Blvd.
Pompano Beach, FL  33062
Tel.  (954) 601-2399

Café La Buca (Italian)

“Oh my gosh, this is better than …” says a friend, and that, dear reader, pretty much sums up our experience at Café La Buca in Pompano Beach!  If you haven’t been there, it’s worth the drive (one of my friends hails it as the best Italian in south Florida).  Café La Buca is owned and operated by a Napoli family, who obviously have done well in the local food business since they shut down for the summers to head back to Italy.  Must be nice!

If you are in the mood for some good (more like excellent), authentic Italian food and consider yourself open to letting the experience guide you, head on over to Café La Buca.  There are no menus (or posted prices) when you visit, you are served what the owner and his mama have concocted for the day (and usually it centers around whatever foods are in season or are freshly available).  And basically, they size you up and bring you out the amount of food that would be necessary for the people at the table (you probably want to tell them your cash limit, so you aren't shocked when you get your bill). When we visited, their main dishes were a bow-tie pasta with fresh salmon and pasta with pesto sauce. 

These were preceded by three rounds of appetizers: grilled and stuffed zucchini, ricotta stuffed breaded eggplant, and roasted peppers and olives bruschetta.  They were each amazing, and don’t get me started on the bottomless fresh bread, straight-out-of-the-wood-fired oven. 

  

For dessert, we had some type of Italian sponge cake with a Grand Marnier cream sauce topped with strawberries and cream.  Not only was it good, but I think we all felt a little giddy afterwards. :)

I hear their pizza is amazing, so that’s what’s on my table next visit.

If you need wine or beer with your meal, this place doesn’t serve it, but encourages you to bring your own (with no corkage fee).  Also, its best to show up for lunch unless you intend to wait a while for dinner, as reservations are required and the next available opening is usually weeks (and sometimes months) away.  With limited tables (5-6), they have limited space, so get there early!

Word of warning, if you are a control freak or a picky eater, don’t bother going – you might just get kicked out.  No joke.

Check it out:

451 S. Cypress Rd
Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Tel.  (954) 786-0673

El Agave Azul (Mexican)

First of all, shout outs to the friends who told me I needed to take myself down to Davie to try El Agave Azul.  It is the epitome and very definition of 'hole in the wall,' wedged in between a puppy shop and some other joint. But, don't let it's location fool you, it's no joke.  They know good food :)  And, apparently the word on good food gets around because people were rolling through (okay, they were rolling in and out as there was room enough for 4 adults in the entry way) the entire time we were waiting on our food.

Now, while this place is take-out only (though they do have 2 little tables on the outside of the building)...for now, they run a clean and friendly operation.  They were also extremely helpful with explaining their menu.  They may be new to the location (around for 9 months), they are not new to food as they have been catering for some time.  Yes, that's right, they cater and do "fillings by the lb or 1/2 lb" for takeout!

For my first go, I had one of their specials:  tacos de trompo (5 corn tortillas with "trompo," the north Mexican version of "al pastor").  It was tasty and good to the last crumb.

So, next time you are driving down 595 or making a trip to IKEA, stop by El Agave Azul...it's literally across the street from IKEA, so put it on your list of things to 'pick up' before heading home.  Tell you what, I'll even give you the menu ahead of time so you can call ahead :)

You won't be disappointed.

Check it out:  http://www.elagaveazul.com/ www.twitter.com/elagavezul and on Facebook!
13040 West State Road 84
Davie, FL  33325
Tel.  (954) 530-4321

Saigon Cuisine (Vietnamese)

Mmmm, mmmm good.  Wait, "good" doesn't even come close to describing my last food experience at Saigon Cuisine.  It was down-right sensational.  Don’t let its exterior dissuade you from walking through its doors – you will be pleasantly surprised once inside this Vietnamese gem.  An elegant and tastefully decorated place, Saigon Cuisine is definitely a place you could take a business meeting or a night out (in fact, they have live music from 6-10pm every Saturday).

Regardless of what you might be thinking you want to order, take my word for it; when you walk in, sit down, and the server comes over to take your drinks, order a (actually, make that two) #17(s) which is marinated grilled pork and mint wrapped in rice noodles served with peanut dipping sauce - probably one of the best things I've ever eaten (there's literally a party in your mouth).  You can also order Vietnamese spring rolls; though they are similar to other types of spring rolls, these ones are particularly thick and crunchy (usually served mint and other herbs which you wrap around the rolls and dip in their special serving sauce). Iced Vietnamese coffee is also a nice treat, especially if you are dining mid-day!

a half-eaten #17 (sorry about the blur; this just does not give it justice)

I’m particularly fond of “bun,” vermicelli rice noodle dishes that you dress with various sauces according to your own palate.  Saigon’s menu has an expanse of bun options, along with traditional Vietnamese “pho” (soup with your choice of meats and herbs) and rice dishes.  My advice is to take several friends, order separate dishes, and eat family style (all dishes in the center of the table and shared).  I followed my own advice and took a couple of people with me for lunch; after the appetizer, we shared #79 (bun with egg rolls, grilled shrimp, and pork), #95 (rice with stir fried beef and sate), and #124 (egg or rice noodles served with stir fried vegetables and seafood).  The portion sizes were a bit intimidating when they came out, but somehow, we managed to triumph!  Or did we (there was total silence with the occasional groan stemming from sheer delight)?

#79

#124

#95

One final word, tame your Vietnamese cravings for any day but Thursday because Saigon Cuisine is closed that day. How do I know this?  Just trust me... 

Check it out:
1394 N. State Rd 7
Margate, FL  33063
Tel. (954) 975-2426

Shalamar’s Roti Shop (Trini)

Walking into Shalamar’s, the enticing aroma of exotic spices fills your senses.  Known by the local islanders as “the place to go for roti and doubles,” Shalamar’s doesn’t let you down.  In fact, a friend of mine was telling me over lunch that one of her Trini friends took her and a bunch of her colleagues to celebrate Trini-Carnival at this really good roti shop, and she dug out the receipt just to tell me where it was…...and it was Shalamar’s, the very place that my Trini friends go to for a taste of home. The word on good food gets around!  But once again, unless you are looking for it, you most likely won't see it tucked in the corner of the strip mall.  But it's the real deal...

I ended up taking my own caravan of coworkers to Shalamar’s for lunch.  And in good fashion, we all ordered separate things and then nibbled on each other’s food:  veggie roti, goat roti, and boneless chicken roti (all tasty).  Roti is essentially an unleavened/flat/thin bread that encases your choice of filling.  And to give them the full experience, doubles for all (for those who haven't stayed up with my blog, doubles are a common street food in Trinidad consisting of a curried chickpea mixture ("channa") sandwiched between fried bread)!!  Of course, ‘peppa sauce’ for those who dared the heat (Shalamars' pepper sauce is deliciously home-made).  Tasters be warned, even without the pepper sauce, it's spicy (but so worth it).  I think it's safe to say, it was a hit.

By the way, I'm told that doubles do wonders for hangovers and know a few who order a few more on Friday in anticipation of Saturday hardships. I have heard it does the trick :)  Perhaps it's for this very reason that if you buy five, you get the sixth free.

boneless chicken roti

doubles coming up...

This little hole in the wall is a bit bigger than you’d expect, so bring a few with you when you try it.  And, for those of you eating Halal, it’s a safe bet for good eatin’ (there's some things for you vegans too :)).  While you are there, go ahead and order a Trini beer ("Carib") or soda to top off the experience.

Check it out:
1432 St. Rd. 7
Margate, FL  33063
Tel. (954) 977-6753

Old San Juan Take-Out Plus (Cuban/Puerto Rican American)

Every town needs a local sandwich joint, and I'm not talking about the deli in the local supermarket or where you go to eat fresh.  I mean a little place just off the train tracks where you walk up to counter straight off the street; a place where you know you won't be the only person waiting in the sweltering heat for some grub. If you don't know where your sandwhich shop is, don't worry, I've found it for you....and in good old south Florida style, it's Cuban/Puerto Rican.

Old San Juan Take-Out Plus.  Literally, less than a block from the train tracks and right off the street. I had seen it when my colleagues and I were headed for lunch and had to be re-routed an extra block due to a traffic accident.  I've never driven down the little road we used as our detour, but seeing a hefty crowd standing around this joint was not easy to overlook!  I made a mental note to return, and return I did!

Walking up to the order window, you can't help but notice all the flavors of shakes offered. Combine that with listening in on what the patrons are ordering and you have a sudden desire for a mango shake.  I asked one of the patrons if it was really that tasty, and she said it was the best she had.  No need to hear more, I ordered one, and yes, it was tasty!  I can't say it's the best mango shake ever because I can't say I've ever had mango milk shakes, but it is defnitely a do-again experience.

I asked the same lady what she liked off the menu; she said the Cuban sandwich and their shrimp and crab empanadas.  What?!?!  I've never heard of such, but apparently all of Pompano has, as they were completely sold out by noon. So, when I come back for my mango shake (at 10:30am!), I will order me some shrimp and crab empanadas.

Since I saw "Cuban Sandwiches" on the window the first time I drove by, I associated Old San Juan with a Cuban sandwhich experience.  So that, along with the lady's suggestion, sealed my lunch decision.

Apparently, other eateries had been holding out on me because I haven't had a sandwich quite like this in my years of south Florida living....I had never had them with roasted pork!  For those of you unfamiliar with Cubans (the sandwich, not the cigars), they are made with ham, ROASTED PORK, (sometimes salami), Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread (a white, baguettle-like bread) that is then toasted in a heated press (called "la plancha"). A little tidbit of information: Cuban sandwiches were made popular here in Florida in the early 1900s (though they'd been enjoyed in the motherland since the 1500s) by cafes catering to Cuban workers and in the Cuban immigrant communities of Tampa (it was only much later that they were brought to Miami--for some reason, I thought it would be the other way around!). 

ANYWAYS, enough history :)  Old San Juan Take-Out Plus, remarkably clean and very tasty.

Check it out:
103 N.E. 3rd Street
Pompano Beach, FL  33060
Tel. (954) 941-0410

Alegria Tacos (Mexican)

"Heaven... I'm in heaven...And the cares that hung around me through the week...Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak..."  The first bite of my tacos al pastor had me singing that song.  Simply put, divine.  As they state in their tagline, Alegria Tacos is "the place for damn good tacos."  I second that motion (and I think my adventurous and congenial colleagues (who have to put up with my foodiness) do too)!!  Quite frankly, they are probably the best I've had here in south Florida.  You can't tell me that your internal soundtrack wouldn't go off when you saw this... tres tacos... al pastor (marinated pork with pineapple) y carne asada (steak) y carnitas (fried pork)...

Or this.... torta al pastor (marinated pork sandwich about the size of a small child)

Or this...burrito de carne asada  (beef burrito, thicker than a lumber-jack's fist)

Or if those don't speaka 'ur language, I'm sure something off of this will :)

If you are a Coke drinker, get the full Mexican experience and order an imported bottle of Coke.  Why the bottle?  According to one source, "Your best bet for getting Coke’s pure, unaltered taste is to drink it from a glass bottle, the most inert material it’s served in."  And, why from Mexico?  Well, because Coke bottled in Mexico is made with real sugar instead of that high fructose corn syrup!  That's right.  "Drinks made with real sugar have a clean sweetness and light mouthfeel to them, while those made with corn syrup have heavy mouthfeel and a cloying sweetness."  Much better for sure, and for you baby boomers, more of a throw-back to your childhood when Coke actually tasted like it was supposed to.  There's just something about that hour-glass figure!

You'll want to get there early, so that you have a place to sit, but certainly don't exchange the experience for a place to sit; in other words, stand if you have to.  Yes, it's that good.  The staff are incredibly friendly, and if I were you, I'd ask them what they'd have and just say "yes!"

I would have never known that this gem was here had it not been by word-of-mouth, so tell a friend, take someone, or share my blog (ahem!!!), just tell everybody about Alegria Tacos!

Check it out:
Alegria Tacos
3801 N. Andrews Ave.  (corner of 38th St)
Oakland Park, FL  33069
Tel. (954) 563-7170

Villa Creole (Haitian/Creole)

I should preface this post by stating that I have never been to Haiti nor have I ever had Haitian food.  While I have heard that there are some nice Haitian/Creole restaurants in Miami, I have not yet visited them perhaps because I know they are nicer restaurants that get their fair share of publicity.  I'd rather give my publicity, limited as it might be, to the less-known more hole-in-the-wall joints.  One such place is Villa Creole, and as like many of my other joints, I literally found this as I was driving by (probably wouldn't have noticed it had it not been for the "now open" sign flapping in the south Florida breeze...by the way, they just opened three months ago). 

I have always been interested in trying Haitian/Creole food, especially since people describe it as being a mixture of African and French cuisine.  But not knowing what I should order from quite an extensive menu, I asked a local patron (pictured below) to order me something that would be typically Haitian, and he gladly did. 

I ended up with griot complet = fried pork served with fried plantains (tostones to you Latin people), salad, and a blended rice and bean dish.  Scrumptious.

 

As much as I enjoyed the place, I didn't know if it was 'legit' Haitian food, so I convinced a Haitian friend of mine to come along for lunch one day.  A food connoisseur herself, she took the responsibility very seriously and let the server know that she was there to judge the food.  Once again, I let the local expert pick the dishes.  She had poulet dur en sauce, some type of chicken stew (she rated about 7.5-8 out of 10) and I had a very 'common' beef and vegetable stew-type thing called légumes served with rice.  I'd totally rate mine a 9; it was divine, power-packed full of flavor.  Villa Creole serves both small and large orders, so you can get just the right size for your appetite.

There's so many other things I want to try.  Since okra is one of my favorites, perhaps next for me will be the kalalou.  I hope you will find something off this menu that speaks to your innards, or do what I did and let them pick. 

Come on, hand over the control for once in your life and taste something you wouldn't otherwise choose for yourself.....you can do it, I know you can!

Check it out:
Villa Creole
667 South Dixie Hwy St. 3
Pompano Beach, FL  33063
Tel. (754) 235-5375

Pal' Rancho (Colombian)

First of all, let me apologize for no pictures this post...I wanted to hurry up and get this out so that you, the reader, can get your butt over to Pal' Rancho!!  I have every intention on revisiting this place in the near future and will amend this post with pictures when I do :)

Ever since my time in Colombia, I've been trying to find a local place that can come close to the flavors I experienced there. I, along with my latin friends, have tried several Colombian joints off the main roads here in south Florida, but none of us have had anything that would have us saying "we need to come back here."  One of my friends saw Pal' Rancho one day and suggested that it be given its fair try, so I took an Argentine and an Colombian friend with me to authenticate the experience.  Before long, we all were saying "we need to come back here!!!"

I should have known I'd enjoy it by the first thing to come across our table...blended passion fruit juice (jugos en agua/maracuya).  Every time I taste passion fruit, I'm immediately exported abroad; it's like I go on automatic vacation mode -- there's something exotic in the tanginess. Then, we were given chips (not sure about that being Colombian, but it was still nice to take the edge off of my appetite) with a spicy vinegar-based chili-pepper sauce (not your typical salsa).

Having waited the day to eat, my eyes were probably bigger than my stomach, and I ordered Entraña, which included grilled skirt steak, french fries, and a salad. As I love a 'pop' in flavor, I drenched my steak in chimmichuri and the pepper-vinegar salsa...I was quite content to say the least.  My friends ordered the Bandeja Paisa (grilled steak, pork rind, rice, beans, fried egg, and plantains) and Oxtail soup --I think I could have had a plate of chicharrón (pork rind).  Pretty decent sized portions....though not large enough for me to take my husband leftovers (or maybe I just ate more than I should have!).  My friends completely showed me up, as they were thoughtful enough to order their husbands dinner and have it ready to go when we left; feeling the pressure, I ordered a couple of empanadas to go....I should have ordered ten!! They were delicious, probably the best I've had.  My poor husband got jipped a dinner and a quarter of an empanada :)

This place was great and received an 8 out of 10 by my Colombian :)  Definitely worth your money and time.

Check it out: 
5637 Coral Ridge Dr.
Coral Springs, FL  33076
Tel.  (954) 340-4611

La Fontana (Italian Pizzeria)

Doesn't this just speak serenity now?  When I need a get-away, I make my way down to La Fontana on University Walk.

La Fontana happens to be one of my favorite local joints, and what's not to love about this quaint little place? I started coming here when it first opened, back when patrons sat on steel-bar chairs in the blazing Florida heat. Now, no matter what time of year, you can enjoy the splendor of outdoor dining (thanks to comfy chairs, industrial fans, and misters).

I absolutely love the simplicity of La Fontana's food: nothing frilly, nothing fancy, just good Italian food.  Real Italian food, not commercialized we-want-you-to-believe-it's-authentic "Italian."  If you've been to Italy, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. And like in Italy, you'll need to come with an appetite; every entree comes with freshly baked bread.  You'll have a hard time not inhaling the entire platter.

Though La Fontana has all-round great cuisine, I highly recommend their pizza baked in the good ol' wood-fired oven.  My favorite has to be the Cappricciosa with ham, mushrooms, olives, and artichokes.  Just remember going in, this isn't deep pan delivery or that other pizza.  European/Italian pizza has a thin crust and delicate, subtle flavors--no heavy tomato sauce base, mozzarella instead of cheddar cheese, and a hint of other toppings (just enough to balance each bite)..........and perfectly accompanied by a glass (or two or three) of wine!

Ladies, if you haven't heard enough yet, let me just say they have excellent tiramisu and GELATO!!! :)  Their gelato sold me. And when I was pregnant, on many occasions, the owners would call me in as I was walking by and give me free gelato -- they are just that nice, always.

What are you waiting for?  Please, please, please go give them your business.  It's worth it.

Check it out:  http://lafontanapizzeria.com/
2890 University Dr.
Coral Springs, FL  33065
Tel.  (954) 575-57502

Chez Porky's (American BBQ/Louisiana Cajun)

SPANK ME!!!!  To sum this experience up....

I have worked in Pompano Beach for almost seven years -- how did I not know about Chez Porky's? I must have driven by it a thousand times at least.  You probably did too.  A colleague of mine (who knows that I have ventered out into the culinary blogosphere has been keeping an eye out for places to stop) suggested that we try this place; we had not heard anything about the food just that there was a little joint on 6th street. Now that I know about CP, drive by I shall not! 

It's not a large place, but it has a lot character. The place had a fairly decent lunch crowd, so locals working in the area obviously knew about it....I'm still baffled how I overlooked it these past few years.

For a bbq/cajun joint, they had quite the menu. When I asked the server what she'd suggest, she said they had a "killer chicken marsala....the best I've ever had" --- what???  Apparently, they do a lot of things quite well, another of which are chicken wings -- that will have to be what's explored the next time I go (they have a 16 piece sampler in which you can pick 4 of their 9 sauces).  For this round, though, we stayed true to barbeque and went with a pulled pork sandwich (the size of a small child's head, I think) and a half-slab of (drippin') ribs (my mouth is watering) with a house salad and a side of mashed potatoes, collard greens, and Louisiana-sytle rice and beans.  I get excited just thinking of it. 

Did I mention they cater?  I'm feeling an office party coming on..... (so sad for you non-pork people).

If you live south of the Mason-Dixon line, do your duty and roll on into Chez Porky's for some good-old-fashioned-grub.

Check it out:  http://www.chezporkys.com/
105 Southwest 6th Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Tel.  (954) 946-5590