Foodstuff

Longhorn Steakhouse, Lone Star Steakhouse, and Roadhouse Grill. The Olive Garden, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Romano's Macaroni Grill. Tony Roma's, Chili's, Boston Market, Shells, Chowders, the Original Pancake House. I've never seen more chain restaurants squeezed into a square mile as I have on University Drive in Coral Springs. And while I don't enjoy eating in carbon-copy eateries, I do like checking out a chain's prototype -- i.e., its first location. The four-month-old Big Bear Brewing Co. (1800 University Dr.) is just such a place. Offering ribs, burgers, steaks, and wood-oven pizzas, the brewpub also serves a variety of homemade hops as chasers, including Grizzly Red Ale, Black Bear Stout, Hibernation Pale Ale, and for the underage or abstinent, Bruin Root Beer. The partners have plans to procreate, so hurry in while it's still an original. Call 954-341-5545 for more information.