Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine - Broward/Palm Beach

Taste: ****

Cost: $

We had our wedding rehearsal here and I'm glad we did. The food was very good. Kim actually thought the lechon was better than at Don Ramones, but I think the Vaca Frita is definitely not as good as the Don (though still good). I had the churrasco and it was very good. Everyone seemed to love all their dishes and the service and price were excellent. Will have to try some more things on the menu!

There are various locations but we went to the Delray Beach one.

1715 South Federal Highway, Delray Beach, FL‎ - (561) 278-2133‎

Basilic - Broward

Taste: ***

Cost: $$

I can't give any Vietnamese food 5 stars bc they don't compare to my moms cooking. So 4 stars is a very very good rating. Basilic is good Vietnamese food, I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. The service was impeccable, and its a very nice upscale presentation of Vietnamese food as most Viet restaurants are dives. I have the Com Thit Nuong (pork chops) which was good, if not a tad on the sweet side. I'd appreciate a bit more char and more saltiness to it. The Crispy Seafood Egg noodles though were great once the rich saice was allowed to soften the noodles a bit. The portions are generous and the place has a very nice ambience. They give shrimp chips to hold you over while you wait for you meal. I consider the viet places on Colonial in Orlando to be 4 stars, and this place falls just a tad short, but I still highly recommend it.

218 Commercial Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
(954) 771-5798

Charm City Burger Company - Broward/Palm Beach

Taste: ****

Cost: $$

One of the best burgers I've had in a long time. Good blend, ordered Med, should of gone medium rare as the beef was very flavorful. Everything here is just the extra mile. They could of used canned mushrooms, they were fresh and sauteed. The could of used microwave bacon, it was thick cut, perfectly fried. I had the cowboy burger with the added fried egg (genius) as I didn't want to wreck my diet too much with a big sloppy. Should of went with sweet potato fries, but went with o-rings. A bit too greasy and the batter was a tad cakey as I prefer mine more lightly fried. with a thinner coat, but to their compliment they use some great sweet vadalias. Will definitely have to go back after the wedding when I'm not on a diet and explore the menu more thoroughly.

1136 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

954-531-0300

Hot Dog Heaven (Ft. Lauderdale)

Taste: ***

Cost: $$

The parking is going to be cramp and they're open till 4:30 only. Hot Dog Heaven must be one of these cult things similar to our Miami love of Arbetters hotdogs. Their hotdog is quite beefy but I don't like the whole boiled method. Unlike Arbetters though, their dogs are pricier... I just don't know if I can justify 3-4 bucks for a hotdog... I'll have to give them the benefit of the doubt though, as it was a nice beefy dog, and the chilli cheese fries was solid (chilli with beans, FTW). Maybe b/c i'm not from here I just don't have the same nostalgia other broward residents do. Solid dog, cramped parking, not too shabby though.

101 E Sunrise Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

(954) 523-7100

Jack's Old Fashioned Hamburgers (Ft. Lauderdale)

Taste: ***
Cost: $

After my move in, I decided against cooking dinner and finding something to eat instead. I had always wanted to try Jacks's but never got around to making the trip. first off the burger is pretty decent. I'm not a big fan of all sirloin burgers but this one was pretty decent. nice char taste, cooked medium without me asking. I'm a fan of a 50-50 sirloin chuck burger, but this once wasn't dry at all. The condiment bar had homemade horseradish and other good fixins. The fries were nothing to write home about. If they were a tad skinnier, they probably would have been great. Overall a nice charming place, that reeks with history. I'm pretty sure I might visit again, but thats only if I feel too lazy from firing up my grill to cook my own burgers.

4201 N Federal Hwy, Oakland Park, FL‎
(954) 565-9960‎

CharHut (Broward/Palm Beach)

Taste: **
Price: $$$

I'm really torn between giving this place 2 or 3 stars. The burger is good, it tastes like a better quality burger king burger, nice smokiness, good quality. The only thing is the price... a bit more expensive than a dine in burger at over 7 bucks! Yes it had good flavor, good char, and they cook to order, but that still doesn't justify the price. I spent 8 bucks on a burger with no drink or fries. Still, its better than fast food, but you're better off going to fuddruckers for a burger. If you're in a bind, with money burning in your pocket, give it a try.

www.charhut.com

Rickey's World Famous Restaurant (Ft. Lauderdale)

Taste: *****
Price: $

Update 3/1/09

I just couldn't get the wings off my mind plus I'd been dying to meet Mr. Billy Mitchell so me and Kim made the trek down to the Pines Blvd location from West Palm. Unfortunately Billy Mitchell was at the Renaissance Festival (which we drove past on the way down). Fortunately the wings were no fluke. We ordered some onion rings and wings. I'm sorry, I can't force myself to eat anything else. Did I say this already? Billy Mitchell makes one hell of a chicken wing. He must hold a PhD in chemistry, bc it is scientifically impossible to keep a wing that crispy, when doused in his famous wing sauce. Its an interesting crust, its so crispy, its almost candy like, but it doesn't feel heavy. The onion rings were great too, but the wings are the star. The hot sauce isn't just heat in a bottle, you can taste the chili peppers. If you haven't ate here yet and you're within a 30 mile radius, make the trip. For their proven consistency, Rickey's is upgraded to 5 stars.

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I'm a huge fan of the movie The King of Kong, and when I drove by this place, I immediately did a u-turn to see if I could catch a glimpse of Billy Mitchell. Unfortunately hes at the other location, but what I got instead were quite possibly the best wings I've eaten in a long time. Billy Mitchell makes a GOOD chicken wing. The batter was perfect, crispy, not heavy, and managed to stay crispy while doused in the incredible wing sauce. I haven't been able to get the wings off my mind for sometime now and will have to visit the other location to see if I can get an autographed bottle of hot sauce. Definitely recommend. The wings and the documentary.

http://www.rickeysrestaurant.net/index.htm