My traveling companion enjoys checking out the dives of a city. Any suggestions on restaurants that might be lacking in decor and pretension but not in decent, inexpensive food?
Dive restauants
Well, we were just chatting at lunch today about Ernie%26#39;s Booze and Barbeque which is on Federal highway, a bit north of the Airport. I%26#39;m not sure if the sign just says Ernie%26#39;s- but for years we locals have called it ';Dirty Ernies'; I haven%26#39;t been there in quite some time, but their specialties always have been bar b que sandwiches on thick slabs of Bimini Bread, conch chowder etc- and you always see piles of police cars there( dining I think not detaining people) . I think it definitely should be on the list.
Another place more bar than restaurant , but with food is the Parrot , a bar just off Sunrise and A1A, behind the Holiday Inn. Years ago they featured 5 beers for a dollar ( all five would come at once on a metal tray) and they have the usual bar food menu. They are famous for a brightly colored bus that has always cruised the beach picking up partiers. I haven%26#39;t seen it lately, but it%26#39;s possible they still have it- I know the bar is still there- you might google it for a website.
Dive restauants
So, how could I leave out Brownie%26#39;s , the oldest bar/grill in Ft. Lauderdale, still going strong even if it is ocassionally forced to close and clean up by the health inspectors. Here%26#39;s a recent feature story:
www.ftlauderdalenews.net/news.php?id=52
I guess Grady%26#39;s , in the same area is still open- their food service used to consist of going back in the kitchen and helping yourself. I honestly haven%26#39;t been ther in years but think it%26#39;s still in business.
I know there are more- I%26#39;ll have to keep thinking.
The Downtowner is and old and venerable spot right on the water- but maybe not quite ';divey'; enough...
I like Jack%26#39;s for hamburgers on Federal Hwy between Oakland Park Blvd. and Commercial.
Zona Fresca for Mexican also on Federal Hwy but between Sunrise and Oakland Park Blvd.
I just tried the Cuban place in Searstown that awfulcat recommended. I think the name was Tropical Cafe. They are only open for breakfast and dinner.
I like all those places Pat mentioned but thought they were too clean for the ';dive'; list- Pat, have you ever been to Dirty Ernies? Compared to it, you could do brain surgery in Zona Fresca or Jack%26#39;s!
How can anyone forget The Floridian at 1410 E. Las Olas...a Fort Lauderdale legend in its own time. Open 24 hours a day with a huge menu of reasonably price diner/comfort food. Especially good for huge breakfasts. Great for people watching too after the bars close.
I%26#39;m on a roll now, I think- so let%26#39;s add in the Southport Raw Bar on Cordova Rd. off the 17th St. Causeway ,( go north at the traffic light at Embassy Suites) and if you are out in SW Ft. Lauderdale, the venerable Georgia Pig on State Rd. 7- great bar b que and great country breakfasts.-and absolutely no pretension!
And, let%26#39;s not forget Chez Porky in Pompano Beach ( gotta love the name) well liked for wings in a variety of flavors. Lots of pick up trucks parked outside- always a good sign...
Thanks to everyone--we%26#39;ll plan on checking out a few of these and will report back. BTW, my traveling companion is already at El Palacio and suggested I bring:
plastic sheeting to sit/lie on
matches to light the candles to cover up the smell
a plunger (the toilet overflowed at 3:30am)
a face mask
Should be fun.
I love your spirit Boos! So then the five star reviews are a put up eh? Why are we locals not surprised! By the way, you probably have them in Hotlanta, but there is a really divey Waffle House right next door to the un-aptly named El Palacio- and I am willing to tolerate the diviness to have the cheese scrambled eggs and raisin toast or a pecan waffle once in a while.. I should mention that a female friend had a patron expose himself to her in The WH parking lot as she pulled in one night- but decided to amscray the area when she removed a handgun from her glove compartment !! High class clientele all about that area- PLEASE write us a COMPREHENSIVE trip report of your adventure when you get back home and recover!
Just for you, so your visit won%26#39;t be a total disappointment- what is definitely the best sub shop in town and ( possibly according to the Roadfood.com Forum,) the best anywhere:
http://www.laspadashoagies.com/
Going east on Commercial, after crossing the bridge over the Intracoastal , look on the right for SeaGrape Ave. LaSpadas is a little storefront- take out only joint- so have them wrap up a few to enjoy in your plastic shrouded, Lysol disinfected El Palacio Executive Suite!!! Another great sandwich shop, same street , west of the bridge, north side of street Pomperdale%26#39;s Deli- Corned Beef and Pastrami to die for...only telling you these secret local places because you%26#39;re gonna suffer enough I fear!
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