Authentic fish tacos or other good ethnic restaurants? (Hollywood, Pembroke Pines: university, live in)

[Oerdin]

As a native San Diegan I am happy to see our regional specialty gaining favor across the country. As a matter of pride though I hate to point out that we still make the best fish tacos.

[vr2]

My goodness people. The OP is asking for local cuisine and you bust out with Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze?

I think some people here need to get out and try the many thousands of wonderful local restaurants if all you can think about is a mega chain when someone specifically asks for local.

For great fish tacos - I'd recommend "The Whole Enchilada" on US1 or Zona Fresca. Zona Fresca's are fried and TWE's are grilled.

If you want to adventure a little, I'd also recommend the beach front restaurant at the Ritz Carlton on South Beach. Jeff was on Top Chef and makes absolutely an absolutely amazing Mediterranean/Caribbean fusion cuisine that is very unique and local "Florida" - the name of the restaurant is "Dilido Beach Club" - and the prices are NOT expensive at all. $10 - $15/plate. Plus it's the only restaurant on South Beach ON the sand.

[tolife]

Hi vr2....now that's the answer I was looking for! I prefer grilled fish in my tacos, so I'll be going to Whole enchilada for lunch. Thank you so much for the recommendation on South Beach...I'll try it. I'm a regular contributor in the Denver forum and we talk about cuisine a lot. I appreciate it!

to life

[vr2]

Also if, and ONLY if you are up in the Boca Raton area, check out Las Fajitas - it's a very, very authentic style Mexican restaurant. And another cool place would be Rocco's Tacos up in Palm Beach too - great fish tacos.

I'd love to recommend a cool shack or something but we just don't have many of those around here.

And if you are really in the mood for driving and up near Jupiter, check out Food Shack - probably the freshest fish dishes I've seen in the area.

[eger]

Originally Posted by vr2

My goodness people. The OP is asking for local cuisine and you bust out with Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze?

I think some people here need to get out and try the many thousands of wonderful local restaurants if all you can think about is a mega chain when someone specifically asks for local.

For great fish tacos - I'd recommend "The Whole Enchilada" on US1 or Zona Fresca. Zona Fresca's are fried and TWE's are grilled.

If you want to adventure a little, I'd also recommend the beach front restaurant at the Ritz Carlton on South Beach. Jeff was on Top Chef and makes absolutely an absolutely amazing Mediterranean/Caribbean fusion cuisine that is very unique and local "Florida" - the name of the restaurant is "Dilido Beach Club" - and the prices are NOT expensive at all. $10 - $15/plate. Plus it's the only restaurant on South Beach ON the sand.

Fish Tacos are not the norm here, that is Baja..Specifically California.

[Shoegal1075]

Originally Posted by vr2

Also if, and ONLY if you are up in the Boca Raton area, check out Las Fajitas - it's a very, very authentic style Mexican restaurant. And another cool place would be Rocco's Tacos up in Palm Beach too - great fish tacos.

I'd love to recommend a cool shack or something but we just don't have many of those around here.

And if you are really in the mood for driving and up near Jupiter, check out Food Shack - probably the freshest fish dishes I've seen in the area.

Vr - how about Pizza and sandwich places - I'm going to miss that about NY, but I'm not staying here for food LOL. Tell me you know a bunch of places to just grab some food to go - I will be working in the Dania beach area and am hoping you can suggest some good little spots there.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by vr2

My goodness people. The OP is asking for local cuisine and you bust out with Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze?

I think some people here need to get out and try the many thousands of wonderful local restaurants if all you can think about is a mega chain when someone specifically asks for local.

For great fish tacos - I'd recommend "The Whole Enchilada" on US1 or Zona Fresca. Zona Fresca's are fried and TWE's are grilled.

If you want to adventure a little, I'd also recommend the beach front restaurant at the Ritz Carlton on South Beach. Jeff was on Top Chef and makes absolutely an absolutely amazing Mediterranean/Caribbean fusion cuisine that is very unique and local "Florida" - the name of the restaurant is "Dilido Beach Club" - and the prices are NOT expensive at all. $10 - $15/plate. Plus it's the only restaurant on South Beach ON the sand.

The ones at Cheesecake Factory are awesome. I didnt know that chain restaurants made them worse. I'll try to remember that next time when we try some hole in the wall and the food's awful (but hey, it's not a chain, right?).

[fauve]

Originally Posted by tolife

Hi vr2....now that's the answer I was looking for! I prefer grilled fish in my tacos, so I'll be going to Whole enchilada for lunch. Thank you so much for the recommendation on South Beach...I'll try it. I'm a regular contributor in the Denver forum and we talk about cuisine a lot. I appreciate it!

to life

Just to give you a head's up..The Whole Enchilada has the feel of a place that wants to/will franchise. Kind of reminds me of Moe's Southwest Grill. If not familiar with that, think of a Subway gone trendy.

If you like Turkish, The Istanbul, where the beach meets Fillmore in Hollywood is great. Plus, it's right on the ocean and the Hollywood Broadwalk which is a bonus.

[vr2]

Originally Posted by ComSense

The ones at Cheesecake Factory are awesome. I didnt know that chain restaurants made them worse. I'll try to remember that next time when we try some hole in the wall and the food's awful (but hey, it's not a chain, right?).

That's your opinion. I worked at Cheesecake Factory for just over a year and have certainly tried them, they are ok but certainly nothing beyond average.

The idea of visiting an area and going on a forum asking about that area's cuisine is about looking for a great LOCAL place beyond national chains.

[vr2]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

Vr - how about Pizza and sandwich places - I'm going to miss that about NY, but I'm not staying here for food LOL. Tell me you know a bunch of places to just grab some food to go - I will be working in the Dania beach area and am hoping you can suggest some good little spots there.

For pizza - there is a local chain (I know I know) that I like and most everyone down here raves about - Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza. Their pizza is "well done" with super thin crust.

I've never taken anyone there who doesn't absolutely love it.

For sandwhiches, there is a famous cheesesteak place in hollywood that I can't remember the name of... but if you want to try THE sandwhich place, LaSpada's over at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is my recommendation - look it up on Google maps or you'll never find it

Unfortunately I just don't remember any memorable places in the Hollywood/Dania area. Michaels Kitchen was great but they moved. For the most part the places are just kind of run of the mill.