HALL OF FAME: EATING


BEST OF THE BEST HEALTHY FAST FOOD

POLLO TROPICAL
Multiple restaurants throughout South Florida
www.pollotropical.com
How much does your family love yuca fries? Perhaps they are not the healthiest offering on the menu but certainly the most delicious. Pollo Tropical makes up for it with delectable roasted chicken made with a blend of tropical juices and spices with no added fat or breading, fluffy rice and perfectly seasoned black beans. Born in Miami, this convenient spot is the perfect place to dine in or take out a healthy, quick and complete meal from Caesar salad to the yummy Caribbean cr�¨me cake.

SUBWAY
Multiple locations throughout South Florida
www.subway.com
The scent of freshly baked bread emanates from behind the counter at this popular submarine-sandwich franchise. It's tough to resist and good to know you don't have to. Subway offers a great variety of hot or cold subs, wraps and salads made with the freshest ingredients and with a lower fat content than most fast-food restaurants. The Kid's Pak offers a choice of roast beef, tuna, turkey or ham sandwich with choice of toppings, a Minute Maid juice box and a Fruit Roll-Up â perfect even for the most finicky little customer.

CHICKEN KITCHEN
Multiple locations throughout South Florida
www.chickenkitchen.com
This family favorite scores big points with diners for homemade taste. Chicken prepared just as you would if you had the time: marinated and grilled to juicy perfection. Choose from a wide range of heart-healthy options for your family, including whole chickens with an assortment of fresh side dishes, salads, and pita and panini sandwiches. Oh, and kids love to say "Chop, Chop" â Chicken Kitchen's signature dish of chicken chopped before your eyes and offered with a variety of toppings layered on a bed of rice.

SWEET TOMATOES
1900 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561-640-5720
7110 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, 561-750-3303
1850 University Drive, Coral Springs, 954-255-3800
6245 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-771-7111
801 S. University Drive, Plantation, 954-452-7364
2906 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, 954-923-9444
15901 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, 954-441-3559
www.sweettomatoes.com
A trip to Sweet Tomatoes, an all-you-care-to-eat salad buffet, assures everyone in the family will leave satisfied. Even if your child isn't big on salads, this health-conscious establishment also features outstanding soups, yummy pastas and scrumptious muffins. A selection of sweet treats such as "Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Cups" and vanilla soft-serve ice cream are a great reward for polishing off that plate of veggies.



BEST OF THE BEST FUN PLACES FOR DINNER

RAINFOREST CAF�
Sawgrass Mills Mall, 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise
954-851-1015 or 800-552-6379
www.rainforestcafe.com
This perennial Kids Crown favorite makes diners feel as if they've been transported to South America or Africa (or Orlando). Tropical plants and vines fill every available space, and animatronics of chest-thumping gorillas, trumpeting elephants and colorful birds salute you as you dine. Realistic sound effects of distant thunder and sensations from cool misters add to the ambiance. The menu has something to please everyone: pasta, chicken, burgers, salads. Save room for the famous Volcano Cake: a chocolate lava cake topped with sparklers. On Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m., children eat for 99 cents with the purchase of an adult meal.

T.G.I. FRIDAY'S
Multiple restaurants throughout South Florida
www.tgifridays.com
What started out in the 1960s as a singles' bar in New York City has evolved into a family-friendly, worldwide chain of restaurants. The kids' menu here offers favorites such as macaroni and cheese, burgers, chicken tenders and hot dogs. But at Friday's the focus is on the drinks: milkshakes, smoothies and "Flings" (fruit juice mixture over crushed ice), served in cool color-changing cups. The company has begun to remodel from its traditional red-and-white-striped d�©cor to a more modern and less cluttered space to be sure families enjoy Fridays for years to come.



BEST OF THE BEST FROZEN TREATS


CARVEL
Multiple stores throughout South Florida
www.carvel.com
Carvel has been satisfying South Florida's sweet tooth for more than 50 years. Birthdays and other special occasions have been celebrated around a "Cookie Puss" or a "Fudgie the Whale" for generations. That sinful combination of crunchy chocolate bits sandwiched between two slabs of creamy ice cream and topped with frosting just can't be beat. While favorites such as "Flying Saucers," "Brown Bonnets" and soft-serve cones with sprinkles are sure to please for years to come, Carvel continues to be a frozen-treat innovator with its newer offerings such as "Carvelanches," "Fizzlers" and "Ultimate Thick Shakes."

DAIRY QUEEN
Multiple locations throughout South Florida
www.dairyqueen.com
Home of the "Dilly Bar," "Blizzard" and other numerous tasty frozen delights, Dairy Queen is always a crowd pleaser. The sweet shop also features a full menu that includes burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and salads. When kids join the DQ Crew, they will receive a free cone and a monthly newsletter and play games online or earn DQ Crew Coins at the store that will earn points toward prizes.

WHIP 'N DIP ICE CREAM SHOPPE
1407 Sunset Drive, Miami
305-665-2565
This crowded establishment is so popular, you may have to fight your way in for a cone. Serving up some of the best creamy treats in South Florida for more than 20 years, Whip 'n Dip features an array of appealing special flavors on a rotating basis, as well as much-loved standbys: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Don't forget to try Whip 'n Dip's other sugary offerings that include cookies, sorbets, ice cream cakes and pies. Mmmmm.

JAXSON'S ICE CREAM PARLOR
128 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
954-923-4445
www.jaxsonsicecream.com
This South Florida institution has been serving up plain old-fashioned fun in the same place under the same ownership for 50 years. Memorabilia from a bygone era fill each nook and cranny, giving the shop its homey feel. Jaxson's serves a full menu, but the specialty is the sugary stuff. From the candy store filled with novelty items and a real player piano to the waffles, banana splits, soda fountain and floats, there's something at Jaxson's to please every sweet tooth. The trademark "Kitchen Sink" sundae arrives with sparklers and features everything served in a bowl shaped like a sink.



BEST OF THE BEST SPECIALTY MARKET

WHOLE FOODS
21105 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, 305-933-1543
1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-447-0000
810 University Drive, Coral Springs, 954-753-8000
2000 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, 954-565-5655
11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-691-8550
7720 Peters Road, Plantation, 954-236-0600
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
It would be great if every grocery store had an atmosphere as soothing as Whole Foods Market. One reader's child calls it "the fancy grocery store with the big cookies." But parents know it's so much more than soft lighting and sleek d�©cor. Whole Foods is a way of life, whether you choose conventional produce or organic, the quality is superb as is its selection of prepared foods. Kids will find all their favorites here, including juice boxes, chocolate milk, crackers, and macaroni and cheese. What you won't find is added preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Check out the kids snack pack in the prepared foods section -- great for kids on the go, and what child isn't?

KING'S ITALIAN MARKET
1900 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton
561-395-3898
www.kingsgourmetmarket.com
This busy, bright, noisy spot feels like you've walked out of the South Florida heat and into a New York City marketplace. King's prides itself on its produce as one of the largest selections of fresh fruits and vegetables in the state. The friendly, knowledgeable staff is waiting to assist you in finding the exact gourmet ingredient you are searching for from its enormous collection of fine foods. Be sure to stop and get a sub before you leave, and just try to walk by the display packed with sweet-smelling roses without swooning.

DORIS ITALIAN MARKET AND BAKERY
9101 Lakeridge Blvd., Boca Raton, 561-482-0770
2424 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, 954-921-9647
7818 NW 44th St., Sunrise, 954-749-1055
9739 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, 954-370-0335
2077 University Drive, Coral Springs, 954-346-7774
10020 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, 954-499-0600
www.dorismarket.com
Freshly made mozzarella cheese, ripe red tomatoes, richly scented basil and fragrant olive oils are just a few of the things you'll find at Doris Italian Market and Bakery. A wide variety of products will help make your next Italian meal a masterpiece. But if you'd rather kick back and enjoy your next party, let Doris create a spectacular meal for you. Everything is covered, from breakfast breads and cakes to hot and cold appetizers to sandwich, salad, meat and seafood platters. All just like mama used to make and at a price even she'd approve of.

WILD OATS NATURAL MARKETPLACE
1701 S. Dixie Highway, Pinecrest, 305-971-0900
1020 Alton Road, Miami, 305-532-1707
www.wildoats.com
Parents love Wild Oats for its gorgeous array of fresh produce, organic selections, yummy bakery items and hormone-free meats -- all served up with the assurance they are feeding their family nothing less than the most nutritious foods. There's a great assortment of natural pharmacy products from vitamin to shampoo. And now, parents can get their favorite Wild Oats products delivered right to their door by ordering online through Amazon.com.

NORMAN BROS. PRODUCE & FRESH MARKET 7621 SW 87th Ave., South Miami
305-274-9363
www.normanbrothers.com
This is foodie paradise. Norman Brothers focuses on stocking special items (have a Martha Stewart recipe you've been dying to try?) not generally found on the typical supermarket shelf. The produce is top quality as are its bakery items, meats and prepared foods. Norman Brothers offers catering and gift baskets sure to please the epicureans in your life. Pick up a smoothie to sip while you peruse their aisles -- this is the type of place that tends to encourage wandering -- and discover your inner chef.



BEST OF THE BEST SPECIALTY BAKERY

PUBLIX
Multiple stores throughout South Florida
www.publix.com
Come on, you know that as a little girl all you wanted for your birthday was that cake featuring a Barbie doll with an edible cake skirt. Today the Barbie cake is still a crowd pleaser, but Publix's selection has grown to include elaborate pirate ships, dinosaur displays and whatever cartoon character your little one could possibly desire. The Publix bakery offers delicious freshly baked breads, bagels, muffins and cookies and pies, as well as some gourmet items such as specialty breads, petit fours and cannoli.

DON PAN
Multiple stores throughout South Florida
www.donpan.com
This Miami original features a stellar lineup of baked goods, pastries and deli items. Visit Don Pan when you are in the mood for a steaming cup of caf�© con leche and a warm, sticky guava cheese pastry. Don Pan creates mouth-watering party platters filled with an array of mini-sandwiches and canap�©s and sheet cakes perfect for any special occasion.

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS
1393 S. University Drive, Plantation
954-475-0344
The name says it all. The smells of fresh baked goods float through the air, envelope each customer and tempt them away from their no-carb diet. In business for more than 25 years, Truly Scrumptious features direct-from-the-oven favorites, including French pastries, crusty Italian loaves and delicate tea cookies. Become a favorite hostess, and order a cake from Truly Scrumptious for your next special event.

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