El Vez Fort Lauderdale

This restaurant, named for the man El Vez, who bills himself as the Mexican Elvis, serves Mexican-American favorites such as guacamole, tacos, and nachos in a casual, party-like setting. Find a mix of both traditional and nontraditional items, such as “nacho mama,” made with black beans, smoked chili salsa, crema fresca, white cheddar, and Monterey […]

Elbo Room

The longest-lasting relic of Fort Liquordale’s awesome permanent spring-break, the Elbo Room has seen Category 4 hurricanes, wet T-shirts, and drinking contests come and go. The place is located directly across the street from the beach and carries its own salty swagger. Both young and old continue to congregate here and let the good times […]

11th Street Annex

A charming lunch spot tucked away in a former pastor’s home at Trinity Lutheran Church, the restaurant run by two sisters, Jonny Altobell and Penny Sanfilippo, has hidden in the annex for ten years. In a nod to childhood nicknames, the Ugly Sisters riff on their sense of humor that pervades the spirit of the […]

Empire Stage

If you don’t get lost looking for Empire Stage for the first time, then congratulations: You’d be the first. But this playhouse’s locational obscurity is actually part of its charm; just as with Sol Theatre, the building’s previous occupant, Empire Stage remains the best-kept secret in the South Florida theater scene. Artistic director David Gordon […]

Ernie’s BBQ

There’s a long history behind Ernie’s BBQ, with its eclectic mix of Libertarian philosophy on the walls and funky decor. It usually leads to stories about Ernie Siebert, a good ole’ Florida boy who just so happened to also be a part-time rumrunner. Popular lore estimates he once purchased $250,000 worth of booze and stored […]

Eten Food Co.

Eten Food Co. is hoping to fill the cheap lunch hole on Las Olas with takeout-only soups, sandwiches, and prepared foods. It’s a skinny yet trendy-looking space, with racks of wine on one wall and a glass-encased deli counter on the other. The menu is small, just soups and sandwiches, which each cost about $8. […]

EuroBread & Cafe

Lisa Amaral and her husband, pastry chef Christain Cabanettes, moved to Fort Lauderdale ten years ago and built EuroBread & Cafe from the ground up, hoping they could eventually create franchises. The duo sold the joint in 2004 only to return and take back the reins in June 2010. Christian Cabanettes, trained throughout France, brings […]

Exit 66

Situated in the heart of Fort Lauderdale Beach, Exit 66 consists of 40,000 square feet of Americana appeal, vintage d

Ferdos Grill

This pleasant place bills itself as “Home of the Kebab,” and the chicken, beef, ground beef, shrimp, and vegetable kebabs attest to that claim. But the Middle Eastern restaurant, which has its roots in Syria and Lebanon, is also the domicile for terrific fatoush (bread) salad, kibbeh (raw ground lamb), lamb chops, mixed grill, and […]

The Field Irish Pub & Eatery

Walk into this authentic Irish Pub and you will be instantly transported to a small farmtown in the countryside without leaving the confines of Dania Beach. Not only can you get a proper Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp or Strongbow on tap, you can add a nip of whiskey, and an order of blood pudding. The heavy […]

Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries

Across South Florida — and much of the nation — Five Guys’ famous burgers have been making headlines. Touted by many a city paper as the best burgers ever flipped into existence, these thin, griddle-cooked patties certainly out shadow the menu’s other option: hot dogs. The daily-ground beef is lightly packed and grilled to a […]