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

Meal In A Pie (South African)

A few years back, a South African friend exposed me the Kalahari Bar, a local joint where all the SA transplants hang to watch rugby matches, eat boerwors (a corriander spiced sausage), and drink Castle Lager....ah, the good old days.  One day at one of our many KB outings, I took a little walk to get some fresh air and discovered that, a few doors down, there was a little South African import store (I wouldn't have noticed it had it not been for the SA flag hanging just outside the front door). This little gem, Meal-In-A-Pie, sits one block off Federal Hwy and no one would even know it existed if they weren't looking for it. Tragic, really, considering they have a lot to offer.  Anyone that's been to South Africa knows about boerwors, biltong, appletiser/grapetiser, rusks, and............pies.  And M-I-A-P serves it all!

Having spent my childhood in South Africa, there's a sweet nostalgia when consuming or even thinking about savory pastries or "pies."  For South Africans, pies are like what tacos would be for us-- something quick, delectable, and served everywhere from grocery store delis to specialty pie shops.... And also like the taco, it seems to have the full meal experience in a single hand-held (only if you were South African, you would use a fork and knife) item.  My favorite happens to be lamb curry pie, though I have to say beef is not far behind.  A very lame attempt at describing them would be that they are a rectangular light, flaky pastry (giving you that soft crunch sound when you bite into it) encasing a thick, savory meat and vegetable (or vegetable only) filling. 

Pies are perfect on-the-go meals....and good thing because you don't have much room (though you are welcome to stay) to eat them at Meal-In-A-Pie.

For a taste of South Africa, stop on by Meal-In-A-Pie and order up a "pie" (any of them), a grapetiser (or Castle Lager depending on the time of day), and a 1/4 lb of biltong (cured meat).

Check it out:
4440 NE 20th Ave
Oakland Park, FL  33308
Tel.  (954) 202-9118     

Creme Brulee Cafe (French/European)

This being my first blog ever, I thought I would dedicate it to one of the things in life that brings me greatest joy.....pain au chocolat.  Who would have ever known that a little piece of bread with a bittersweet chocolate inside would send my tastebuds to high heaven.  I shall be forever indebted to the French for their contribution to what will be my life-long battle of (or with) the bulge.

When I moved back to the U.S., I was certain that I could not find a decent chocolate croissant anywhere.  I had tried many of the big-name bakeries, but their chocolate pain just wasn't cutting it. Not at all.  Then, I stumbled across JC's baked goods at the Parkland Farmer's market; JC delivered a bi-monthly fix that only lasted as long as the seasonal market.  Not too long ago, however, I noticed Creme Brulee Cafe.  As it's not on a main street or easy to see, I kept forgetting about it. My husband suggested we go there for brunch this morning, and how happy am I that I said YES.

My husband ordered the veggie and ham omelette (which came out more like a souffl'e) and I had a Quicke Lorraine...both of us with sides of cappuccinos and pain au chocolate. We were in heaven. Now, I don't have to have bi-monthly fixes...I can get my fresh fix everyday.

Very quaint on the inside, extremely friendly staff....and they have punch cards :) 

Check it out:  http://www.cbbakeshop.com/
1263 N University Dr.
Ramblewood Square
University & Ramblewood drive
Coral Springs, FL 33071

Once you've been, let me know what you ordered and what you thought of it!

Talay Thai & Sushi (Thai)

Need I say more?  I get happy every time I look at this picture (and yes, that was my plate). It's blended pad-thai perfection, and comes closest to the best pad thai I've had outside Thailand.  To be honest, most Thai places around here don't cut it. You won't feel jipped for flavor at Talay Thai & Sushi, unless that is you prefer the pre-fab, pad-thai-in-a-bottle taste.  Pretty much everything I've had there is down right sensational. 

Bento box, anyone?  TT&S has several lunch-size mixed platters that give you just the right amount to appease the tastebud gods.  If you fancy thai curry, their curries are wonderful...........but the Chu Chee, that's the sweet spot.  It is simply out of this world. If you like Panang or Red curry, I encourage you to try the Chu Chee; it has a denser chili flavor with a stronger basil undertone. Ah-mazing.

If you are heading to the beach, stop off at Talay Thai & Sushi (it's less than a mile away). If you are at work and forgot your lunch (Ooops, darn!), drag yourself out and head on over. There's a light, colorful feel about this place....and it won't disappoint, I guarantee it.

Check it out:  www.talaythaifl.com
2233 E Atlantic Blvd
Pompano Beach, FL  33062
Telephone:  (954) 941-1123

International Food Market (Lebanese)

"I haven't been able to find good Lebanese food like my Grandma's, but this place, this is great food!" she said as we waited for our wraps to be made.  I didn't know this lady at all, but I noticed her as she came through the front door and walked straight through the market to behind the refrigerators. I followed her around thinking that there might be something else around the corner, and there it was....a made-to-go bistro. As I stood looking at the menu, one of the cooks started asking me what I fancied and offered the Chicken Taouk. He had me at "pickles and garlic sauce"-nothing else mattered. I said "yes, please!" And that's when my conversation with the lady began. According to her, this is the best place around for authentic Lebanese - so much so that she doesn't even bother cooking at home. I think she may be right, at least about the wraps!!

So, there it is, this little food treasure nestled in the International Food Market.  The market itself is a great find; it offers mainly Lebanese, Russian, and Brazilan goodies (though they have other stuff too). I wondered why the blend of countries, so I asked.  The market is actually located right in the heart of what the locals call Little Brazil, so they are catering to their community. The bulk of the store caters to Arabic and Eastern European cuisine, as the owner is half Russian/half Lebanese and his wife is Russian.  For you Russian food fans, you will be happy to know that starting next week, an extended menu will be introduced which includes Russian food. 

In addition to my Taouk, I walked away with freshly made Russian beef and farmer's cheese pastries and olives.  I think it will take me several trips to try all the olives!  Aw, who am I kidding...I'll be back just to work through the menu.

You are probably wondering what happened to my Taouk. I had every intention on taking a picture of it when I got home, so that you -the reader- could see what it looked like and imagine the complexity of flavors (pita, marinated chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, french fries and pickles drizzled with garlic sauce) exploding from it. Unfortunately for you, I got too excited and ate it before realizing I had missed my moment.  Oh well, you'll just have to go try it yourself (you'll probably find me there too).

Check it out:
420 E. Sample Rd.
Pompano Beach, FL  33064
Tel: (954) 784-4990

Calypso's Restaurant & Raw Bar (Caribbean)

Don't we all know there's nothing worse than bad chicken wings....well, I have to say, you won't be disappointed at Calypso's. Though they have 5-6 wing sauce options, the key is what's not on the menu -- the combination of sauces! (At this point, I have to give a shout out to my colleagues who worked through the sauce combination until we found the right one--you bore your duties with patience and perseverance, and on behalf of the beneficiaries, thank you!). The base of every good wing is a decent BBQ marinade, but when that sauce is coupled with the heat of authentic jerk seasoning and the sweet tanginess of teriyaki........mmmmmm.  And there in lies the Calypso's wing experience: the BBQ - jerk - teriyaki combo.  Finger-lickin' good. Salivating yet?

The atmosphere at this little hole in the wall is a nice reprieve. Likely to drive right on by it unless you are looking for it (and possibly even then), the inside is far more memorable. Bright and colorful, you feel like you just walked into Jimmy Buffet zone.  Lunch specials are served daily, but readers be warned: get there early or take a late lunch (otherwise you may be standing for a while).

Check it out:  http://www.calypsorestaurant.com/
460 South Cypress Road
Pompano Beach, Florida 33060
(in the Garden Isles Shopping Center)

Priya's Roti Shop (Trini)

Doubles and curry goat roti...it's what's for dinner. 

If you've never experienced Trini (or as the British would say, West Indian) cuisine, you are missing out.  Something between Indian and Caribbean, it brings a delightfully exotic dynamic to your everyday, ho-hum life.  Luckily, I am fortunate to know a few Trinis, and have had exposure to 'home-cooked' island cuisine.  When I get a hankerin' for some island goodness and can't shimmy my way into my friends' kitchen, I roam the internet or streets for a roti shop.  And that's exactly how I found this place.

Secluded and hid in a strip mall, one would probably very easily drive by and never notice it was there.  I'm not sure why it caught my eye, but I'm glad it did.  As it is right around the corner from where I live, I plan on working my way through the menu.  For now, I've tried curried goat roti and doubles.  So what is that?  The first is a yellow curry with goat meat wrapped in an unleavened flat fried bread (roti).  Doubles are roti sandwhiches filled with curried chick peas (channa), usually served with a variety of chutneys or pepper (the Trini pronunciation would be more like "peppa") sauce.

Yum-o....and better yet, they specialize in "to go" orders. Here's a helpful hint: if you are taking the curried roti dinners (goat, chicken, oxtail.....that's right, you heard me, oxtail) to go, be sure to ask for the roti on the side, so that it's not soggy by the time you get home.

As your mama used to say, don't judge a book (or in this case, a roti shop) by it's cover.  Get out of your comfort zone and try it.  Viva Trinidad & Tobago!!

Check it out:  http://priyasfoods.com/
8007 W. Sample Road
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Tel 954.345.0559