KIDS CROWN AWARDS: FAMILY EATING: SouthFlorida.com

From eating free to wholesome fast food, the judges find the best in South Florida.

BEST BEACH FOR OUTDOOR EATING
HOLLYWOOD BEACH
Stop off at Doris' Italian Market and stock up for a scrumptious picnic on the sand, or choose one of the many popular eateries on the Broadwalk, serving a wide variety of food, including ice cream, sandwiches, Greek food, pizza or a traditional "raw bar" seafood menu. Hollywood Beach has our readers' votes for the best place to kick back, enjoy the fresh air and grab a bite. Its "old Florida" charm and 2-mile, auto-free promenade is a natural for families. And now, it's perfect for the whole family since, recently, a section of the beach has been designated dog-friendly. "Doggie Beach" is between Custer Street and Pershing Street on State Road A1A.

BEST BREAKFAST ON THE BEACH
NEWS CAF�
800 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
305-538-6397
www.newscafe.com
Getting ready to head out for a day of fun in the sun? Why not stop by this hip South Beach institution and gear up with a stack of newspapers and pancakes, a freshly made omelet or a great big bowl of cereal. The breakfast menu is served 24 hours a day (as it should be � life would be so simple if scrambled eggs were available everywhere all the time) and offers everything from continental favorites to quiche. The outdoor tables facing the sea are terrific for noisy kids, people-watching and a steaming cup of café con leche.

BEST FAMILY FOOD ON THE BEACH
OLD KEY LIME HOUSE
300 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana
561-582-1889
www.oldkeylimehouse.com
This colorful (and some say haunted) Lantana establishment serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was formerly a home built more than 100 years ago by one of the town's founders. Enjoy panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway from the Crow's Nest while chowing on some of the freshest seafood around. The kids' menu offers a choice of favorites and comes with a drink and ice cream. There is live entertainment from bands playing everything from rock to reggae beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Arrive by car, boat or seaplane. Don't miss the gift shop, and be sure to feed the catfish.

BEST PLACE TO EAT BAREFOOT
SHUCKER'S
1819 79th St. Causeway, Miami
305-865-7100
Looking for super-informal? At Shucker's, you can hop off your boat, leave your shoes behind and attack a platter of wings with gusto. Shucker's, serving lunch and dinner, is a local favorite for its picturesque views, cool breezes coming across the water and tasty, inexpensive menu. Bring a bucket and shovel and let the kids dig around in the sandy play area (it's actually half of a beach volleyball court), maybe let the older sibs play some pool, or just enjoy watching the boats come and go.

BEST PIZZA PLACE
PIZZA GIRLS
114 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach
561-833-4004
www.pizzagirls.com
Whether eaten in the narrow little shop, delivered at home, enjoyed during Sunday at the Meyer or after an afternoon of splashing in the Centennial Fountain, Pizza Girls' pizza has become part of the fabric of downtown West Palm Beach. With gourmet toppings, original combinations and mouth-watering crust, it is no wonder this pie is a local favorite. In addition to the best pizza in town, Pizza Girls also offers wings, subs, salads, calzones, pizza rolls and the perennial kid favorite: the Pizza Dog � a hot dog rolled in mozzarella cheese, wrapped in pizza dough.

BEST NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA
ANTONIO'S PIZZERIA
6880 Miramar Parkway, Miramar
954-966-3332
www.antoniosmiramar.com
Is it the oven? Is it the water? The salt? Foodies love to dissect the New York slice trying to unravel the mystery of its essential perfection. Transplants and their descendants are constantly on the search for its equal in South Florida. Our readers say that Antonio's Pizzeria has gotten it right. Antonio's says it's "just good ingredients, our own recipe, nothing fancy." Antonio's offers a full Italian menu, as well as its popular pies, including traditional favorites like spaghetti, manicotti and ziti, and seafood dishes, subs, salads and appetizers.

BEST THIN-CRUST PIZZA
ANTHONY'S COAL-FIRED PIZZA
Nine locations in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties
www.anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com
Pizza baked in a coal-fired oven at a blistering 800 degrees has a special taste and certainly a special fan base of the thin, crispy crust it produces. Anthony's has perfected the art, and its popularity shows with new locations popping up everywhere. But it's not just the slightly charred crust that keeps loyal customers coming back. The oven imparts a unique roasted flavor to each ingredient from the fresh vegetable toppings to the smokiness of the cheese. The chicken wings here are also given the coal-fired treatment, as are the foccacia sandwiches, and don't forget to leave room for some (not-coal-fired) cheesecake.

BEST CHIPS AND GUACAMOLE
ROCCO'S TACOS
224 Clematis St., West Palm Beach
561-650-1001
www.roccostacos.com
This place is hoppin'! Could be the cool décor, could be the people-watching, could be the super-tasty Mexican food offerings, but really, it's the guacamole. Prepared tableside to your exacting specifications, the luscious dip is chock full of fresh avocado, tomato, cilantro and garlic. Served with chips that are light, crispy and mildly dusted with spices, it's a real treat. If you're still hungry, check out this groovy spot's tacos, and if the kids don't go for Mexican food, the accommodating chef will whip up favorites such as pasta with cheese and butter, hamburgers and chicken fingers.

BEST HEALTHY MEXICAN FOOD
LIME
1439 Alton Road, Miami Beach, 305-532-LIME, 14831 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami Beach, 305-949-8800, 601 SW 145th Terrace, Pembroke Pines, 954-436-4700
www.limefreshmexicangrill.com
With all the health-conscious options available on the menu at Lime you can indulge in flavorful Mexican favorites while still watching your waistline. You'll find juicy fajitas, homemade pico de gallo and guacamole, low-fat quesadillas and burritos, and low-carb tacos. Options include fresh fish, chicken, shrimp, ground beef and steak, or go vegetarian with beans, rice and other veggies. The atmosphere is light, bright and casual, and everything on the menu is reasonably priced. Grab a bottle of the Lime's own in-house hot sauce to bring a little taste home.

BEST HOT DOGS
DOGMA GRILL
900 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, 954-425-1319; 899 NE 125th St., North Miami, 305-89-DOGMA; 7030 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305-759-3433
www.dogmagrill.com Respect the hot dog. This is the goal and the "frank philosophy" behind Dogma Grill, a very cool yet value-conscious homage to the humble, much-aligned American favorite. Dogma serves 100 percent natural beef dogs with no byproducts, as well as franks made from chicken, turkey or soy-veggie. There is an overwhelming menu of ways to dress your hot dog in a fluffy poppy seed or whole-wheat bun. Paired with a side of cheese fries and mint lemonade it's a truly tasty trifecta. There are also alternatives to the dog with salads, wraps and sandwiches on the menu.

BEST PLACE TO EAT OUT WITH THE FAMILY
SKIPPER'S ICE CREAM CAF� & EATERY
3100 N. Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point
954-781-5795
A local favorite for more than 20 years, this nautical-themed restaurant keeps happy customers coming back for its house-made tuna salad, summer melt (asparagus wrapped in turkey with melted provolone cheese and sprouts on toast � yum!) and frothy, cold ice-cream sodas. Skipper's serves lunch and dinner with a special kids' menu in addition to at least 32 flavors of ice cream, including frozen yogurt, low-fat, low-carb and sugar-free varieties of creamy goodness.

BEST ASIAN FOOD
PEI WIE DINER
Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
www.peiwei.com Thai Dynamite! This casual, economical sibling of P.F. Chang's offers scrumptious versions of Asian mainstays such as pad thai, Mandarin kung pao, sweet and sour chicken (or shrimp or pork), and fried rice. Kids' offerings include teriyaki or honey-seared chicken and lo mein. Not exactly fast food but faster than a sit down restaurant, the counter service is just right for a hungry, in-a-hurry family craving freshly made-to-order Asian food. And if you're really in a hurry, call ahead. There's a dedicated takeout entrance.

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BEST PLACE TO HOST A CHARITY DINNER FUNDRAISER
SWEET TOMATOES
Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, West Palm Beach
888-374-8358
www.sweettomatoes.com Here's how it works. Together, your organization and this healthy, soup-and-salad buffet restaurant choose a date 30 to 45 days out on a Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant then gives your organization a form to fill out and return giving the details about your group and your fundraiser. They will return to you a custom-made flier that your group will distribute, advertising your event. Supporters bring the flier with them the night of the event, and 15 percent of the pre-tax sales receipts that your supporters generate from the food and beverage that evening goes to your organization.

BEST PLACE TO EAT WHERE NO ONE WILL HEAR YOUR NOISY KIDS
TAVERNA OPA
410 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, 954-929-4010, 3051 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-567-1630, 36-40 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, 305-673-6730
www.tavernaoparestaurant.com Why? Because it would be hard for your kids to make more noise than what is already going on in this raucous, super-fun Greek restaurant. The Mediterranean seaside-themed space will certainly entertain the entire family with belly dancing, a DJ playing Greek music and the occasional napkin-throwing and plate-breaking. The boisterous activity, however, doesn't distract from the lush spread of traditional fare such as tzatziki, dolmades, spanakopita, pastitsio, mousaka, souvlaki and kebobs.

BEST FOOD AS ENTERTAINMENT
TEXAS DE BRAZIL
11401 NW 12th St., Suite 54, Miami, 305-599-7729; 300 Alton Road, Suite 200, Miami Beach
www.texasdebrazil.com
Kids love cowboys, and what could be cooler than Brazilian cowboys bringing you meat on a sword for dinner? A Brazilian cowboy is called a "gaucho," and the servers at this unique establishment do their best to embody the spirit of these legendary wranglers. The meats � Angus beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausage � are cooked on a sword (skewer) over an open flame and delivered this way to your table, accompanied by mashed potatoes, sweet, fried bananas, Brazilian cheese bread and various meat sauces. It's pretty exciting, and if meat just isn't your forte, there's also an amazing salad bar.

BEST BUILD-YOUR-OWN STIR FRY
STIR CRAZY
6000 Glades Road, #1015, Boca Raton, 561-338-7500, 14571 SW Fifth St., Pembroke Pines
954-919-4900
www.stircrazy.com Sometimes it's OK to be a picky eater. Stir Crazy actually encourages it. The Asian restaurant features a "Market Bar," an ingredient buffet enabling patrons to create their own personal stir-fry creation. Choose from a selection of meats, tofu or seafood then add on rice or noodles, fresh veggies or fruit and finish with a sizzling sauce such as classic Chinese, garlic ginger, sweet and sour, coconut curry and peanut. Then it's off to the wok chef to, you guessed it, stir it like crazy.

BEST DINER
GRAMPA'S BAKERY AND RESTAURANT
17 SW First St., Dania
954-923-2163
What began as a bakery more than 50 years ago offering fresh goods made from scratch has become a local establishment serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in the same spirit. The busy, fun, family-oriented spot prides itself on a respectable meal at a reasonable price. Breakfasts are accompanied by a complimentary pastry or cinnamon stick. Oft-ordered items include a delectable Rueben sandwich, fresh fish and hamburgers, and the children's menu comes complete with a cupcake. The popular local's place was featured in June on Food Network's show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

BEST PLACE TO BANG YOUR FOOD WITH A MALLET
RUSTIC INN
4331 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale
954-584-1637
www.rusticinn.com
The fact that crabs look a bit like giant thorny spiders from the deep just adds to the fun of smacking away at them with a mallet to get to their tender, tasty insides. With the famous garlic crabs, Loraine's linguine and plethora of other shellfish, fish, chicken and steaks, there's something here for everyone. Now, whether the kids will end up eating their work is debatable, so the restaurant features a kids' menu serving popcorn shrimp, fried clams, fried fish, barbeque chicken, hamburgers and chicken fingers.

BEST PLACE TO EAT AGOURMET MEAL ON A BUDGET
TROPI BLEU AT LE CORDON BLEU COLLEGE OF CULINARY ARTS
3221 Enterprise Way, Miramar
954-438-8828
Offering seasonally fresh ingredients for a menu that changes every six weeks and the latest in culinary trends, Tropi Bleu gives diners the opportunity to eat fancy food on diner budget. Lunch, which features items such pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven, gourmet burgers with homemade fries, red snapper and grilled salmon runs less than $6 for appetizers and less than $10 for entrees. Dinner fare could be pork tenderloin, yellow tail snapper, crab and 10-ounce rib-eye steaks with appetizers less than $8 and entrees less than $18.

MOST SINFUL DESERT
MILLER'S ALE HOUSE BROWNIE
Multiple locations
www.millersalehouse.com
There's just something about brownies and ice cream and according to our readers. The version concocted by this favorite family dining spot is tops. The fudgy, rich brownie is topped with a baseball-sized dollop of vanilla ice cream, then drizzled with chocolate fudge sauce and finished with a mountain of whipped cream and a cherry. This family-favorite restaurant also offers a full menu of delicious fish, chicken, steaks, raw-bar items, soups, sandwiches and salads. Maybe, just for tonight, dessert first.

BESTPLACE TO GET TEENAGERS TO SING WHILE MAKING YOUR ICE CREAM
COLD STONE CREAMERY
Multiple Locations
www.coldstonecreamery.com
As if getting a custom-created cone isn't enough to put a smile on your face, how about getting your server to sing for you? Just slip a little support (the kind that folds, not jingles, please) into the tip jar and get ready for a serenade. Hum along while the singer adds your favorite bits of cake, chocolate chips, candy, fruits or nuts to your ice-cream selection. Or choose one of Cold Stone's imaginative mixes like "All Lovin' No Oven," "Cookie Minster" and "The Pie Who Loved Me."

BEST PLACE FOR ICE CREAM
KEY WEST CROSSING
617 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; 301 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana, 561-588-9900
With an ice cream parlor up front and a shop full of island-themed fun in the back, this brightly colored spot is like a mini-vacation to the Keys. Key West Crossing is a local favorite where neighbors get together and enjoy a cone of Raspberry Fantasy (vanilla ice cream with raspberry filled chocolate truffles), root beer floats and brownie sundaes made with house-made brownies, and play checkers and chess for hours. Key West Crossing also makes a mean fruit smoothie and features live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

BEST SHAKES AND SMOOTHIES
KNAUSSBERRY FARM
KNAUSS BERRY FARM 15980 SW 248th St., Homestead
305-247-0668
Some people like to visit Knauss Berry Farm on the way to or on the way back from some other larger Miami area attraction � and some people drive for miles and miles just to come here. Picking your own produce, in this case strawberries, and sometimes tomatoes, is a great way to spend an afternoon with the family, but it wouldn't be complete without a fresh cinnamon bun and a strawberry shake. Also offered are smoothies and shakes in mango, raspberry, chocolate and vanilla varieties, as well as baked goods, including breads and pies, and jams and jellies all made right here at the farm.

BEST SORBET
THE FRIEZE ICE CREAM FACTORY
1626 Michigan Ave, Miami Beach
305-538-0207
It's summertime, and the living is � hot. Nothing refreshes on a really steamy South Florida day quite like a crisp cup of sorbet. This community institution, celebrating its 20th year, offers rich, powerfully flavored, all-natural, kosher frozen treats. Brightly colored bins hold fruit-packed selections such as mango, coconut, papaya, lychee and blueberry made right in-house. Popular flavors also include peanut butter and chocolate and, of course, ice cream is also tops here. Tours are available of the factory for schools and other children's organizations with $1 cones to test the tasty product.

BEST SNOBALL EVER
THE SNOBALL STAND
6401 Sheridan St., Hollywood
954-744-6529
Aficionados will tell you that there is a big difference between a snocone and a snoball: the ice in a snocone is crunchy, and the flavored syrup usually ends up pooling at the bottom of the cup. A snoball is shaved from block ice, not crushed, the better to soak up flavors like "tiger's blood" (fruity coconut) or "monkey juice" (banana, coconut and pineapple). Boasting "Authentic Baltimore Snoballs!" this little tropical vendor serves up fluffy, soft shaved ice, customized with intensely flavored homemade syrups or something creamy such as condensed milk and marshmallow. There are more than 50 flavors to choose from. Favorites include tropical concoctions such as pina colada, tangy sours and sweet treats such as bubble gum and cotton candy.

BEST PLACE FOR FRESH PASTRIES
BUENOS AIRES BAKERY CAFE
2220 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines
954-499-4604
Our readers know their pastries, and although South Florida is full of terrific places to get a flaky, hot guava and cheese, this is the place our readers recommend year after year. The smell of fresh-baked goods consumes your olfactory sense, and it becomes clear that it's going to be a tough decision: the house specialty caramel custard, guava, apple or cream cheese pastries, perhaps a pastels de fresa (strawberry) or durazno (peach), a chocolate or vanilla cake, or maybe something savory such as a handmade empanada. It's comforting to know that whatever you choose at Buenos Aires you can't go wrong.

BEST BAKED GOODS
SWEET ART BY LUCILA
9134 NW 25th St. Miami, 305-599-2212, 13045 SW 89th Place, Miami, 305-234-0035, 8734 SW Bird Road, Miami, 305-668-0060, 9642 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, 954-885-1011
www.sweetartbylucila.com
It is no surprise that the queen of cake is also quite a pro with all other baked goodies. Luscious, flaky-crusted pies, heavenly cookies, mousses and tiramisu are all made with the same love and attention to homemade detail as Lucila's popular cakes. True to her creative side, Lucila's desserts are as impressive to look at as they are to taste. Lucila's most popular dessert is the vanilla rum cake, but the bakery is adept at handling all manner of desserts, including specialty holiday items such as galete de rois and roscon de reys, traditional desserts served during epiphany.

BEST CAKES>
GALLERY OF CAKES
19206 W. Dixie Highway, Aventura
305-935-1114
www.galleryofcakes.com The owners of this bakery say that it's their love of children and their families that make their cake creations the ones readers choose again and again. Their most popular birthday cake is a cupcake cake: the client chooses a theme (basically if you can dream it, they can make it) and owner Yonnie Kochlany will re-create your vision in sugar atop a collection of vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with chantilly frosting. Traditional cakes are also available for weddings and other special events with fillings such as chocolate mousse, vanilla custard, strawberry and raspberry.

BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR DOGS>
THREE DOG BAKERY
5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton
561-347-8771
www.threedog.com
No, it's not a bakery that happens to make cakes for dogs. It's a bakery for dogs only. That's right, this national chain creates all-natural yummy treats for your furry friends. Celebrate puppy's birthday with a bone-shaped cake made salt and sugar-free with a low-fat buttermilk frosting. The bakery will even customize the cake with your pet's name, written in carob icing (no chocolate for dogs). Also available for the celebration are party hats, birthday collars, T-shirts ("I'm a party animal!") and dresses.

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