SouthFlorida.com | City Link Magazine

ANDREWS DINER
2980 N. Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors, 954/563-3555
This place is nothing fancy, just good comfort food and a welcoming vibe. While Andrews Diner is primarily a breakfast and lunch spot, it is open for dinner Thursdays and Fridays. Breakfast is served anytime, and the menu offers a wide choice of omelets, pancakes, French toast and steak-and-egg meals. Lunch and dinner entrées include the usual selection of turkey, chicken, meat loaf, beef brisket and seafood. Hot open-faced sandwiches come in four varieties: turkey, roast sirloin, Virginia ham and beef brisket. Desserts are irresistible, especially since they stare out at you from a tempting display case. You will be powerless against them.

CHARCUTERIE TOO!
100 S. Andrews Ave., second floor, Fort Lauderdale, 954/463-1443
One of the best lunch deals in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Charcuterie Too! is located inside the Broward County Main Library. For less than $10, the restaurant serves a hearty lunch, complete with drink and dessert. Although it's laid out like a school cafeteria, the Charcuterie provides restaurant-quality food with a selection of daily specials. Regular offerings include Thai beef with orange and ginger, lasagna, eggplant Parmigiana, chicken schnitzel and roasted pork. The restaurant also sells sandwiches, wraps, soups and quiches.

CHAR-HUT
2601 N. University Drive, Sunrise, 954/749-0671
12221 Taft St., Pembroke Pines, 954/438-1954
10000 W. McNab Road, Tamarac, 954/720-5566 and
9000 W. State Road 84, Davie, 954/474-9312
www.charhut.com
No one -- and we mean no one -- beats Char-Hut's onion rings. Thinly sliced, greasy and sweet, these rings are our favorite thing about this fast-food chain, which has been a fixture in western Broward since 1976. Yet Char-Hut has more to offer than just its rings: chicken breast, sweet Italian sausage, pulled pork, fillet of cod, Buffalo wings, tuna steak and palomilla steak sandwiches, to name but a few. If you can somehow resist the lure of the rings, the selection of side items includes plantains, French fries (plain, with cheese or with chili and cheese), sweet potatoes, soup, black beans and rice, baked potatoes and coleslaw. People concerned about a ring of another sort -- that is, the one developing around their waists -- can go the healthy route and order a Caesar or garden salad topped with grilled chicken or tuna steak.

DAVE'S LAST RESORT AND RAW BAR
632 Lake Ave., Lake Worth, 561/588-5208, www.daveslastresort.com
With its open-air atmosphere, cold beer and excellent seafood, Dave's Last Resort has become the Sloppy Joe's of Lake Worth. On Tuesdays, oysters cost only 45 cents a pop, while Wednesdays offer steamed clams for the same price. The portions are large, and specials are available on weekdays. An all-you-can-eat shrimp fest takes place Mondays and costs only $12.99. Prime rib night is Thursday, when a 10-ounce cut is served with a salad and a side item for $9.99. If you don't try it on your first visit, come back for the bayou burger -- 8 ounces of blackened Angus topped with bacon and Gorgonzola.

DOC'S ALL AMERICAN
10 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, 561/278-3627
The half-century-old Doc's All American is truly one of a kind. Listed on the city's historical register, Doc's specializes in 1950s-style drive-in diner fare, such as the 11-ounce royal burger, and classic South Florida cuisine, like a blackened mahi-mahi sandwich. Hefty cheese steaks and footlong hot dogs have been staples at Doc's since 1951, while thick milk shakes are so good you'll feel transported to the Eisenhower era, when diners and soda fountains were as ubiquitous as golden arches and supersizing are today.

DOROTHY'S DELI
1015 N.E. 26th St., Wilton Manors, 954/630-3354, www.dorothysdeli.com
The rare deli with a full liquor license, Dorothy's appeals to fans of both alcohol and The Wizard of Oz (and yes, we realize those two groups are not mutually exclusive). At the center of the dining room, the eatery displays an elaborate collection of ruby slippers designed by artist Robert Tabor. The menu, meanwhile, provides a variety of cold and hot sandwiches, including roast pork with jalapeño Jack cheese, grilled chicken breast with mozzarella, barbecued beef brisket with cheddar and Philly cheese steak. The deli also serves salads, soups and daily dessert specials. The breakfast menu is equally simple and to the point.

EL TAMARINDO
233 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, 954/467-5114
Notable for its good food, warm atmosphere and attentive servers, El Tamarindo is a standout in an area laden with Latin American restaurants. In addition to the expected tacos, fajitas and burritos, the eatery serves Salvadoran-style shrimp, top sirloin, pork chops and fried fish. But don't overlook the Mexican fare: A big burrito filled with tender chunks of beef and accompanied by chopped bits of tomatoes, onion and spices is excellent. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating, and can lay claim to a sterling view of Lester's Diner and the Fontaine Truck Equipment Company. No, it's not the beach, but during the evening, El Tamarindo lights the tiki torches and turns on the mister to create an atmosphere that makes you forget you're only blocks away from a cemetery.

HEALTHY BITES GRILL
6365 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954/938-5055 and
9704 Clint Moore Road, Boca Raton, 561/483-3334
www.hexs.com/index.asp
Don't let its name mislead you: Healthy Bites Grill is not one of those places serving food that tastes like a cross between cardboard and wet grass. This casual eatery serves modest portions that will fill you up but won't weigh you down. Salads, soups, burgers, hot or cold Boar's Head sandwiches, whole-wheat tortilla wraps and personal-size pizzas fill the menu, along with "chop-chop" rice platters, sliced sirloin, mahi-mahi and salmon. The restaurant lives up to its name with a selection of no-carb, vegetarian and specialty items, including a quiche of the day and a lean protein and roasted veggie platter. Healthy Bites in Fort Lauderdale is located next door to the Regal Cypress Creek movie theater, which is perfect if you want to feel less guilty while loading up on buttery popcorn and Raisinets.

HOWLEY'S
4700 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, 561/833-5691
Although some people may mistake Howley's for yet another retro-themed diner, it actually opened in 1950. After a brief renovation, the retro diner reopened earlier this year with its old barstools and floors in place and modern touches such as a dancing hula-girl lamp and a new sign out front that boasts the diner's slogan, "Cooked in sight, must be right." Breakfast is served all day and features such delights as Momma's hotcakes, classic French toast, Belgian waffles, corned beef hash and eggs, and the Howley's egg sandwich. This last item contains two fried eggs, cheese, ham, and bacon or sausage served on a kaiser roll with French fries between the two halves of the bun. For lunch, try the French dip or larger-than-average Reuben, each served with steak fries. Desserts include a choice of milk shakes and a grilled pound cake with Grand Marnier and strawberries. The diner sells beer and wine and has a full liquor bar. It is open 24 hours Fridays and Saturdays.

IL MULINO
1800 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954/524-1800, www.ilmulinofl.com
Despite the low-carb mania that recently terrorized the country, this Italian restaurant has kept crowds coming back for its fresh and reasonable pasta dishes. Most of Il Mulino's pasta dishes cost less than $12, from basic linguine marinara to fettuccine Alfredo. Exceptional garlic or plain rolls accompany every meal. Although some of the meat and fish specialties are a tad expensive, other, less-pricey choices include thin-crust pizzas and calzones. Lunch prices are slightly cheaper, but the portions are still large. And with Gateway cinema only a few doors down, Il Mulino is a great place to go when you're in the mood for dinner and a movie.

LA SALSA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL
CityPlace, 477 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, 561/366-8800 and
401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954/525-6394
www.lasalsa.com
Although a certain fast-food Mexican chain may entice you to do otherwise, run from the border to La Salsa, which serves always-fresh and mostly greaseless tacos, burritos and the like. The restaurant's namesake condiment is presented on a salad-bar-like stand that offers a variety of flavors labeled according to spiciness. Diced jalapeños, onions, limes, cilantro and other garnishes are also provided. Our favorite entrées are the chile-lime salad and the Los Cabos shrimp burrito. The former is loaded with chicken, Romaine lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, avocado slices and tortilla strips. The burrito, meanwhile, is stuffed with grilled tiger shrimp, roasted peppers and onions, rice, cheese, cabbage and avocado, and could easily feed two people.

MCSORLEY'S BEACH BAR AND GRILL
837 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954/565-4446, www.mcsorleysbeachbar.com
Located on Fort Lauderdale beach, McSorley's is appropriately laid-back, albeit with an Irish accent. The restaurant specializes in Irish fare, including a shepherd's pie large enough for two people. Mushroom caps stuffed with spinach, feta cheese and roasted pepper go perfectly with a pint of McSorley's Ale, which its makers brag is "Brewed with Irish spirit!" The ale is brewed for McSorley's Ale House in New York, with which the Fort Lauderdale venue is not affiliated. Breakfast is served daily.

MULLIGAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL AND RAW BAR
101 E. Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, 954/351-1900
2442 University Drive, Coral Springs, 954/340-3211 and
13 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach, 954/784-3777
www.mulligansrestaurant.net
While Mulligan's ostensibly is an Irish establishment, we recommend it for two reasons: its proximity to the beach and its $1.99 breakfast special. This light, no-frills meal, available between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., includes two scrambled eggs, home fries and toast. The OJ costs extra, and you'll have to pay for refills. With both locations no more than a block from the beach, these open-air eateries are perfect starting points for a day in the sun.

PRIMANTI BROS.
516 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Wilton Manors, 954/565-7100 and
901 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954/565-0605
www.primantibros.com
A messy mountain of deliciousness, a Primanti Bros. sandwich is not for the weak of appetite. Topped with French fries and coleslaw, these sandwiches allegedly hark back to a tradition born in the 1970s at the original Primanti Bros. in Pittsburgh. According to the legend, the sandwich shop's owner did not have enough plates and silverware to accommodate all his customers, so he simply tossed the fries and coleslaw onto the sandwiches. This brilliant idea arrived in South Florida in the early '90s, and we've been recommending the place ever since. Particularly worthy is the kielbasa and cheese, though the uninitiated or intimidated may order a traditional hoagie such as eggplant Parmigiana. And late-night revelers take note: The Fort Lauderdale Primanti Bros. on the beach is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

RUBY CHEN'S RESTAURANT
913 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, 954/525-2533
This Chinese restaurant features more than 100 items, including chef's specialties and a diet menu offering food prepared with scallions, garlic, ginger and wine but without salt, sugar or cornstarch. Although Ruby Chen's has only a few tables and the interior is unremarkable, the food is delicious and reasonably priced, with most dishes priced $12.95 or less. The chicken lo mein is particularly addictive, as is the broccoli with garlic sauce. Lunch, which is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., features a whopping 36 specials, with such expected Chinese fare as moo goo gai pan and honey-garlic chicken.

SCULLY'S RESTAURANT
2005 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, 561/733-4782
Since he opened his eponymous restaurant in downtown Boynton Beach three years ago, Kevin Scully has attracted a regular crowd by offering gut-busting burgers, steaks and seafood platters. The captain's platter boasts a hearty helping of shrimp, plump scallops and a choice of fried fish and chips or broiled dolphin. Scully's also serves a lobster burger seasoned with fresh ground onion and spices. The tangy homemade potato salad is a great side dish.

SKYLINE CHILI
2590 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, 954/566-1541 and
2834 N. University Drive, Sunrise, 954/741-3929
www.skylinechili.com
Steer clear of Skyline if you're looking for safe, predictable chili. Skyline's chili tastes like no other -- a cinnamon-spiced version over miniature hot dogs, piles of spaghetti or potatoes, among other things. Although the strange combination of flavors may seem jarring at first, it can fast become an addiction -- just ask the many people who line up during lunch hours at one of the decades-old chain's two Broward County locations. While Skyline offers some chili-free wraps and salads, if you're going to come here, you'd better go all the way and order a round of miniature Coney Island hot dogs ($1.75 each) topped with chili, cheddar cheese and onions. The chili is served over pasta and topped with a pile of shredded cheese in small and large portions for under five and seven bucks respectively.

SOUTHPORT RAW BAR
1536 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale, 954/525-2526, www.southportrawbar.com
This 31-year-old Fort Lauderdale institution is famous for its bumper-sticker-friendly slogan: "Eat fish, live longer. Eat oysters, love longer. Eat clams, last longer." But snappy catchphrases alone aren't enough to keep people coming back. Southport's biggest draw is that nothing on the menu costs more than $10. In addition to seafood, Southport offers plenty for carnivores who prefer to eat creatures that once literally walked the earth. The cheese steak with fried onions and peppers is as good as any served in Philadelphia. The menu also provides a good number of sandwiches, chicken wings, burgers, soups and salads. Recommended side orders include mini-loaves of Bimini bread and what Southport calls "hot lips" -- stuffed jalapeños with cream cheese.

TARKS OF DANIA BEACH
1317 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach, 954/925-8275
Open since 1966, Tarks is known for its fresh oysters, steamed or fried clams and chicken wings. The mundane art of frying food becomes a dazzling pyrotechnic display in the hands of Tarks' cooks. As they shake the fryer cages to prevent the food from sticking together, the cooks send hot grease flying in all directions, while the gas grill spits huge flames into the air. Further amusement is provided by the raw bar's proximity to Federal Highway. Sundays here are known as Hooker Days, when diners watch prostitutes troll for johns along the highway. Whenever one gets into a car, diners cheer and raise a drink to the working girl. Take that, Hooters.

TOOJAY'S ORIGINAL GOURMET DELI
10 South Florida locations, www.toojays.com
While TooJay's serves breakfast and dinner, the lunch menu is its main attraction, as it's stuffed with deli-combo sandwiches, salads, melts, burgers, fish platters and a "healthy corner" featuring wraps, pitas and vegetarian fare. If you're not watching your waistline, TooJay's will help you pack on some pounds with such items as cheddar bacon dogs, knackwurst doubles, meat loaf melts and Gorgonzola bacon burgers. The salads and soups here are sizable, too, and we particularly recommend the tangy Mandarin chicken salad and the chicken noodle soup. TooJay's has locations in Plantation, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Wellington, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter.