Our local newspaper, Sun Sentinel, has released its annual report on the best places to eat, drink and be merry in Fort Lauderdale. The special section focuses on the best food purveyors in six categories: Dishes, Casual Dining, Ethnic Food, Bars and Clubs, Special Occasion, and Service and Settings. The article also includes rankings in the arts & lifestyle category.
A half-dozen of the prize-winning restaurants are located close to Rodeway Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale. Most of our “nearby” selections come from the Casual Dining category. The furthest eatery listed here is 12 miles away, while the closest is 3 miles down the road. Among your best local choices for chow are:
15th Street Fisheries. This waterside restaurant won six Best of South Florida awards this year, including Best Seafood and Best Fish Dip. Dockside dining is available, along with live weekend entertainment and special holiday menus. Located inside the Fort Lauderdale Marina. Distance from our hotel> 5 miles, 12 minutes. Directions.
La Spada’s Original Hoagies. Best Local Chain. Here’s how La Spada’s makes their hoagies. First, squirt oil & vinegar over the fresh-made bread. Add fresh-sliced meat, then veggies. Drizzle a little more oil & vinegar. Then the master touch: One more piece of meat on top, to wrap up those veggies so they don’t spill. Perfect, every time. Five local locations; closest is west of us on University Drive in Davie. Distance from our hotel> 6 miles, 10 minutes. Directions.
Five Guy’s Burgers and Fries. Best Burgers and Best Fries. Located in the Harbor Shops on 17th Street, slightly northeast of the hotel. The burgers are hand-made from fresh ground beef. The fries are cooked in cholesterol-free peanut oil. And it’s a chain, with more than 1,000 locations across the country. Amazing, huh? Distance from our hotel> 5 miles, 12 minutes. Directions.
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. Best Pizza, Best Meatballs and Best Wings. What’s not to like here? The pizza is baked in a coal-fired oven, the meatballs are made with ricotta cheese, and the roasted chicken wings are topped with caramelized onions. The restaurant has six locations in Broward County; closest to us is on A1A just north of State Road 84. Distance from our hotel: 4 miles, 10 min. Directions.
Tom Jenkins Bar-B-Que. Best Barbeque. Tom Jenkins features St Louis-style ribs, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, baked beans and cornbread. It’s so good, people will wait in line for one of the 40 seats in the place. Call ahead for takeout and they’ll have your order ready when you arrive. Distance from our hotel> 5 miles, 11 minutes. Directions.
Lester’s Diner. Best Diner. If it’s been open for more than 40 years, you know a restaurant is special. Lester’s features American-Greek fare served round-the-clock. The staff creates three homemade soups each day, and tops desserts with fresh fruit slices. Three-decker club sandwiches are available for less than $10 each. Distance from our hotel> 3 miles, 7 minutes. Directions.
Here’s the full article. Enjoy your meal!