The Women’s Club of Coconut Creek is seeking local food businesses to compete in its first annual Chili Cook-Off, an event supporting student scholarships and teacher grants.

The cook-off is planned for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Sabal Pines Park during the city’s Fall Harvest Festival.

Licensed and insured restaurants, food trucks and food-service businesses are invited to donate five gallons of chili and serve samples to festival guests. Participants can showcase their businesses and compete for community awards while supporting local education.

Organizers ask businesses to confirm participation by Monday, Oct. 12, to help secure the city’s full support and move forward with the inaugural event.

To receive an application and competition guidelines, send an email to President@womensclubcoconutcreek.com.

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Carne Asada {Photos by Han Okcuoglu}

Something happened to Torero’s Mexican Grill not too long ago, but I can’t place my finger on it.

We went years ago and found the prices great, but most dishes bland. Then I gave it another shot, ordering a quick cheap lunch to pick up. No better. After two chances, I think we gave it enough tries. The 4.0 rating was justified in my mind.

A couple of months ago, we were so famished we only wanted Mexican (you will never eat faster than when sitting at a Mexican restaurant, getting your obligatory chips and salsa within minutes). I went on Google Maps to look around, and after filtering for the highest-rated in the area… there was Torero’s. A 4.5-star rating? Impossible. I started reading recent reviews… and people were gushing about almost everything. So I convinced my wife to give it another crack, and we left that visit a bit stunned and delighted. We’ve been back 2 times since.

One thing I find particularly interesting is that the menu seems to be more substantial than you might expect from a generic Americanized Mexican restaurant. The menu is massive, with a strong emphasis on fresh, homemade food, including homemade masa tortillas, classics like carne asada, Texas fajitas, and ceviche.

There’s also some fantastic larger dishes including molcajete, seafood molcajete, parrillada, lamb shanks, whole fried fish, and several “Grande Platos”, including Pina Loca in a half hollowed out pineapple. It’s a bit overwhelming trying to figure out what we want each time.

Almost everything was way better than we remembered. Even the chips and salsa, which were peppery and rich but not spicy. It was wetter than chunky, with big bits of cilantro and onions floating around.

Elote at Torero’s.

The elote ($4.99) was elite. A giant husk of sweet corn slathered in a tangy sauce with tahjin and salty cojita cheese. What separates it is the quality of the corn. In the Middle East and Europe, many large cities have street vendors selling the absolute most luxuriously milky boiled sweet corn you’ll ever have. This was that.

Torero’s might also be one of the best-value restaurants you’ll find in the area. They have a whiteboard right by the hostess stand with a different dinner deal every day. And today’s deal was a doozy. An Enchilada, Chimicanga, and a hard taco, all in whichever style you want with whatever protein you desire. All for only $12.50. When you see the enormous plates covered in refried beans and rice, the deal looks even better.

Daily Dinner Special at Torero’s.

Having been there before, I chose the Cheese Enchilada. It’s just something you have to experience. Layers of rich, gooey Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese in a baked tortilla covered in a rich red chili gravy. Definitely one of the stronger items on the menu.

The hard taco was not as strong. The chicken was boiled and sufficiently tender…, but there was a lot of it, and it was a bit bland, so it overpowered the lettuce and cheese. I found myself requesting guacamole and pico de gallo from my wifes plate to use a garnish and get some flavor. The ground beef chimichanga was right in between the other two dishes in terms of flavor, and quite good…but not at the level of the Enchilada.

Torero’s in Coconut Creek.

The Carne Asada ($25.00) is charbroiled steak filets with Toreros’ special seasoning they also use for all the fajitas. We asked for medium rare, and it came out perfect, with a great second wave of char as you chew. Another giant dish on a giant plate, covered in all the accouterments, including our choice of a corn Tamal with shredded beef, topped with more chili gravy.

Honorable mention goes to the Molcajete ($25.00), which we had on a previous visit. A delicious bowl of chicken and beef strips, sautéed with mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes, topped with melted Monterrey jack cheese, served in a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle made from volcanic rock, which retains heat very well. It’s so deep and rich that you would think it’s been cooked in that for a week.

Torero’s in Coconut Creek.

And possibly the best part of the night? We were in and out within an hour. Besides our separate Molcajete trip, even with two sodas included, tonight’s entire bill was under $50 before tip. We even had a bunch of leftovers. Torero’s proved why it’s an incredible bang for your buck and a Coconut Creek staple.

Torero’s Mexican Grill

6588 N State Rd 7, Coconut Creek, FL 33073

torerosmexicangrill.com

Sun – Thurs – 11:00 a.m – 10:00 p.m.

Fri – Sat 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

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{Jukebox Gypsies}

Residents can enjoy an evening of live classic rock, food trucks and family-friendly fun during Coconut Creek’s next Groove N Grub event on Saturday, Aug. 8.

The free event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Coconut Creek Community Center, 1100 Lyons Road. Live music begins at 7 p.m. with a performance by the Jukebox Gypsies, a South Florida classic rock band known for playing hits spanning multiple decades.

In addition to the concert, attendees can purchase food from a variety of food trucks while enjoying the outdoor community gathering.

Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

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Members of the Crema Gourmet staff with owner Takis Efthymiou, third from left. {David Volz}

Want to eat breakfast at any time of day?  Visit Crema Gourmet at the Promenade in Coconut Creek.

Crema Gourmet opened on Saturday, June 13, and Takis Efthymiou, one of the owners, welcomed guests to the new restaurant.

“We offer breakfast all day, and we offer bowls, salads, and sandwiches. All our food is made on site, and we only use the best and freshest ingredients,” said Efthymiou.

Crema Gourmet is a franchise business with locations in New York and over 20 in South Florida. According to Efthymiou. Popular dishes include chicken and salmon bowls; two eggs any style; ham, turkey, chicken, salmon, and tuna salad sandwiches; and chicken and salmon fillet bowls.

The restaurant offers a casual, comfortable atmosphere where people can come to enjoy breakfast or lunch, along with a variety of coffees and teas.

Efthymiou is a man with a passion for the restaurant business. He was born in Germany, raised in Greece, and has worked in high-end restaurants in New York. He now lives in Boynton Beach.

“I want to offer a good restaurant, a place where people can enjoy a nice meal with their family and friends but not have to pay crazy prices,” he said.

On the first day, family and friend groups were enjoying meals together, while others sat in comfortable chairs, sharing coffee and tea.

Crema Gourmet is located at 4449 Lyons Road in the Promenade at Coconut Creek. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

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Papamigos {Photos by Han Okcuoglu}

Papamigos has been sitting in my backyard all these years as I’ve watched them go from a simple taco food truck to a full-blown gastropub.

They’ve been consistently great since 2021, and that shows since they’re one of the few restaurants to survive the turnover in the Regency Lakes Village Center plaza all these years. Except for the day I came to review them.

There is actually a fairly interesting story behind Papamigos because it is not trying to be a traditional Mexican restaurant, sushi bar, or seafood restaurant. The concept was built around what the owners call a “Mexi-Crasian” fusion, blending Mexican, Asian, and South Florida coastal influences into a single menu.

That explains why you’ll find birria tacos sitting next to sushi rolls, poke bowls, ceviche, oysters, and seafood dishes.

This location is tucked away in the corner of the plaza, and, like many a gastropub, it has TVs showing sports, metal chairs, a bar, and occasionally live music on its limited patio on weekends.

Inside Papamigos.

We went for the Dip Trio ($18) and opted for Guacamole, Mango Salsa, and Hot Queso. The guacamole was fresh and citrusy. They don’t skimp on the cilantro either, which I love.

The Mango Salsa was growing on us as we ate. We were expecting a wetter texture; we would have preferred it if they had mildly blended the mangoes instead of chopping them rough. It eats more as a garnish than a salsa. But the flavors are there, and they are fantastic. Another burst of cilantro on top. The Hot Queso needs no notes. It’s perfect.

Dip Trio

We came for Sunday brunch, and in addition to their regular menu, they had a special brunch menu with 5 unique items, $1.50 oyster and drink specials.

Gordito Sangwich

Then we ran into disaster. For the first time in years of going there, I tried the intentionally misspelled Gordito Sangwich ($17). It was supposed to be tender carne asada, blanketed in mozzarella and authentic Mexican cheese, accompanied by pico de gallo, an egg cooked over easy, and a zesty verde sauce, sliced avocado, and smoky Chipotle mayo. Sounds great, right?

The problem is someone did not clean the grill that morning, and all dishes with carne asade were basically infected with the taste of chalky asphalt. This overpowering bitterness seeped into the sandwich and the blackened grill marks on the eggs. It was bad.

Carne Asada Quesadillas

Even my wife’s carne asada quesadilla ($16) was an unlucky victim. The portion is normally huge, filling (and delicious), with 4 giant quesadilla wedges. But something was off this Sunday. The cheese-to-meat ratio was severely unbalanced, and it became a bloated mess.

We’ll chalk this up to a bad cook day because normally things are excellent.

Spicy Tuna Taco

Thankfully, the rest of the meal was saved once the staff replaced those items. The spicy sushi tacos ($13) are one of the more unique items on the menu. Spicy tuna, jalapeno, avocado, cucumber, rice, spicy mayo, eel sauce, Sriracha, with sesame seeds and masago sprinkled on top of the rice “shell”. Delicious.

Despite the first couple of items I reviewed having no spice level, most of the menu is really spicy, like this taco. Prepare accordingly. We went back for their tried-and-true Lala’s Street Corn ($14). Roasted corn, sour cream slathered, queso fresco, topped with tajin, Chipotle mayo, Sriracha again, and fresh cilantro. Highly spicy but excellent as usual.

Despite the hiccups that day, the years that my friends and many other happy patrons have spent eating here and gushing about the food should outweigh the risk of an occasional kitchen misstep.

Papamigos isn’t trying to be the most authentic Mexican restaurant in South Florida. Instead, it embraces a distinctly South Florida identity, where birria tacos, sushi rolls, ceviche, oysters, and margaritas coexist on the same menu without apology. And they’re definitely not apologizing for the spice levels either.

Papamigos

954-422-9464
6370 N State Rd 7 #120, Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Sun – Mon. – 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wed – Thurs – 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tues, Fri, Sat – 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Papamigos.com

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leia Yogurt House {Sharon Aron Baron}

A new destination for Greek frozen yogurt enthusiasts has opened in Coconut Creek.

Aleia Yogurt House specializes in Greek frozen yogurt and recently opened at 6111 Lyons Road. It offers a variety of flavors, including passion fruit, pistachio, caramel, peanut butter, and plain yogurt. There are a variety of toppings, including strawberries, blueberries, nuts, granola, and drizzles.

“This is a family business for us,” said owner Franny Mantilla.

They had been operating Belove Creamery at this location and changed their business from traditional ice cream to high-protein, low-sugar frozen yogurt and baked goods, according to Mantilla.

Business hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

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Aloha Pizza. {Photos by Han Okcuoglu}

Little Mike’s Pizza finally made its way north to Coconut Creek. This is the 4th location in the franchise, and, having not been to any other location besides the Plantation one, I would say this one is bleeding New York City from every pore.

The decor is just a giant love letter to the city. Real traffic signs, traffic lights, road signs, glossy, oversized black-and-white pics of New York, with a great jazz soundtrack playing throughout our meal… the nostalgia was in overdrive.

Garlic Knots

For starters, get the garlic rolls ($8.99 for 12). Just do it. Perfectly airy, crisp where it needed to be, pillowly soft everywhere else. You’ll find yourself scooping the olive oil-drenched garlic bits and enjoying every second.

Their large Caesar salad ($12.99) had me longing for the green, leafy parts, since I was mostly getting less colorful, chunky hearts of romaine. But the Caesar dressing was snappy and lemony, and like most items on the menu, above average for a pizza joint.

Ceasar Salad

For a food review, the Little Bit of Italy ($21.99) is perfect because you get the Chicken Parmesan, Meat Lasagna, and two Meatballs all on the same plate.

Unfortunately, they ran out of their batch of meat lasagna, but were kind enough to substitute the baked ziti instead and gave us an entree-sized portion.

Everything feels like sharing in portions, since they’re pretty big. However, this is primarily a pizza place, and like most pizza places, you’ll find better entrees at a proper Italian dinner restaurant. Not to say anything was bad; on the contrary, everything here was far above average compared to other larger chains like Amicis or Rotellis.

For any of the entrees with marinara sauce, I found myself hunting for the mozzarella cheese that needed an extra burst of flavor. The marinara was a bit sweet, like traditional New York marinara, but a tiny bit bland. There was some deeper pepper flavors coming through on the baked ziti, but overall, the marinara was good, not great.

Baked Ziti

For example, when I took a bite of the very moist, well-cooked Chicken Parm, the marinara diluted the enjoyment slightly and made the breading a bit soggy, since everything was swimming in it. The breading of the Eggplant Parmesan ($19.99) suffered the same soggy fate. The meatballs, however, were tasty and kept their structure.

The quality of the ingredients was still evident, and overall, the entrees I would still give a solid 7 out of 10 despite my misgivings or slight criticisms.

Forgetaboutit Wings

The pizza and wings are why you come here, though. I’m someone who prefers lots of sauce on my pizza, not too little, so I was happy to see a place that doesn’t skimp. Combine that with more quality mozzarella and a great, crunchy crust, and it was far and away the best New York slice I’ve had in the area.

The wings ($20.99 for 10) were a smash as well. We wanted a sauce that’s unique, so we ordered their award-winning Forgetaboutit with a side of Blue Cheese. The wings were clearly fried and baked, and I find myself more and more enjoying double and triple-cooked wings. The Forgetaboutit is earthy and rich, blending bits of garlic and onion with a medley of herbs. I kept spooning as much as I could onto each fantastic, juicy bite of wings.

Many places advertise as authentic, but once you walk through their door, you’ll know this is as close to New York City as you can get. There are some good options in the area, but when that piece of New York urge comes, we’ll happily be ordering Little Mike’s.

Little Mike’s Pizza
4631 FL-7 #26
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
954-775-0021

Mon – Sun 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

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{Talkin’ Tacos}

Talkin’ Tacos, the fast-casual Mexican eatery known for its bold, scratch-made dishes and vibrant branding, will celebrate the grand opening of its new Coconut Creek location on Friday, Dec. 5, with an evening of free food, entertainment, and community appreciation.

The celebration begins at 6 p.m. at the restaurant’s new home at 6870 SR-7 N. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary order of the brand’s signature Birria Tacos, a Jarritos beverage, and exclusive Talkin’ Tacos merchandise. The event will also feature a DJ, an LED robot performer, and multiple photo opportunities.

As part of its opening week, the restaurant will offer free meals to local first responders from Dec. 8–11.

The 2,400-square-foot Coconut Creek location features indoor seating for 60 guests and outdoor seating for 12, surrounded by hand-painted murals and neon signage. Designed for convenience, the restaurant includes self-serve kiosks to streamline ordering for its chef-driven Halal Mexican menu.

Signature items include Birria Tacos, Mahi Mahi Burritos, Birria Ramen, and Street Corn in a Cup. The restaurant’s signature beef birria is slow-braised daily for 12 hours. Sweet offerings include Loaded Churros and Tajín & Chamoy gummies, along with specialty beverages such as horchatas, mangonadas, and house-made lemonades. Seasonal menu additions currently include Birria Mac N’ Cheese, Pumpkin Spice Churros, and Pumpkin Horchata.

“We’re excited to open in Coconut Creek, joining our growing presence in South Florida,” said Mohammad Farraj, co-founder of Talkin’ Tacos. “Coconut Creek is a welcoming, vibrant family community, and we can’t wait to become part of the neighborhood, share the unique Talkin’ Tacos experience, and give locals a new spot to gather, enjoy great flavors, and make memories.”

Founded in 2020 as a Miami food truck, Talkin’ Tacos has expanded rapidly to 32 locations across Florida, Washington, D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Dallas, and Charlotte. South Florida expansion includes a Coral Springs location and continues with a Davie location opening later this December, followed by new restaurants in Miami Springs and South Beach in early 2026.

Talkin’ Tacos Coconut Creek will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For menus and updates, visit talkintacos.net

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The Women’s Club of Coconut Creek will host its First Annual Chili Cook-Off during the City of Coconut Creek’s Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Organizers are inviting licensed restaurants with documented insurance to compete for bragging rights and showcase their best bowl of chili. Residents are encouraged to tag their favorite eateries on social media and challenge them to enter.

Restaurants seeking details or to sign up should contact Valerie at 954-629-8843.

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Coconut Creek is serving up a citywide celebration of food, flavor, and community with Creek Cuisine Month, taking place throughout August.

From signature dishes to exclusive discounts, the event invites residents and visitors alike to explore the town’s diverse dining scene, one bite at a time.

The city encourages everyone to grab a Creek Cuisine Passport and set off on a culinary journey through Coconut Creek.

Those who join in the fun earn digital stamps that can qualify one for a cutlery set.

To participate, one must dine at a minimum of three participating restaurants in August and take a photo at each location. Then the individual shares their experience on social media and tag #CreekCuisine.

At the end of the month, after completing a passport journey, one emails photos to creekcuisine@coconutcreek.net to reserve a free Creek Cuisine sustainable cutlery set.

What to Expect:

• Specially crafted, discounted menus
• Signature Creek Cuisine dishes
• A warm, community-centered atmosphere

Why Locals Love It:

• A great excuse to try something new
• An easy way to support local restaurants
• Tasty deals all month long

How to Join the Fun:

• Print your Creek Cuisine Passport (coming soon)
• Browse the list of participating restaurants
• Choose a spot and start dining!

Participating Restaurants Include:

• Bella Roma – 4301 Coconut Creek Pkwy
• Fornello Italian Cuisine – 5369 Lyons Road Ste B1
• La Rural Mexican Grill – 4877 Coconut Creek Pkwy
• Naked Taco – 4443 Lyons Road Ste D103
• Nana Sushi Thai – 6512 N State Road 7
• Palermo’s Italian Restaurant – 5463 Lyons Road Ste I
• Pasquale’s Pizza Company – 4690 N State Road 7 Ste 111
• Rotelli Pizza Pasta Perfect – 4660 W Hillsboro Blvd Ste 5
• Sette Mezzo – 6370 N State Road 7 Ste 110
• Silverspot Cinema – 4441 Lyons Road
• Tarrazu Coffee Co – 4863 Coconut Creek Parkway
• The BBQ Boutique – 4209 W Hillsboro Boulevard
• The Fish Joint – 4570 Lyons Road Ste 103
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe – 6970 N State Road 7 Bay 103

Whether you’re craving pizza, tacos, sushi, or smoothies, Creek Cuisine Month promises a delicious way to explore Coconut Creek while supporting the restaurants that make the city unique.

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Residents of Mainstreet at Coconut Creek will have an upscale, fast-casual restaurant.

During the July 10 meeting, the commission approved a resolution to permit a 2,800 square foot restaurant with a drive-thru within block 3 of Mainstreet. It has not been determined which restaurant will occupy the site, but it will be a higher-end restaurant, according to Mayor Jackie Railey.

The application submitted by Scott Backman, the attorney representing MainStreet, requested a coffee shop or fast casual restaurant at building D within block 3.

Mainstreet is a significant development in the center of Coconut Creek. It will be a 200-acre mixed-use development that will include green spaces, public plazas, retailers, a large grocery store, restaurants, and residential neighborhoods, according to the Mainstreet website.

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Cali Coffee in Coconut Creek {David Volz}

Coconut Creek residents are about to get a new Cali Coffee.

The restaurant is located at 1049 Lyons Road, next to the recently opened Sprouts Farmers Market, and is expected to receive its certificate of occupancy by July 15. An exact date for its opening to the public has yet to be confirmed, according to Yvonne Lopez, the city’s spokesperson.

Vice Mayor Jeffrey Wasserman is excited about the new Cali Coffee and looks forward to seeing it open.

Another Cali Coffee is located at 7775 W McNab Rd in Tamarac, and an additional one is planned in Coconut Creek at 4559 West Hillsboro Boulevard. An opening date is pending.

Cali Coffee offers a variety of flavored coffees, fruit fusions, shakes, and cakes.

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Rendering of Mainstreet at Coconut Creek.

Mainstreet at Coconut Creek has one restaurant committed to opening at the new development.

Mayor Jackie Railey said Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar is in the initial phases of purchasing a property for their restaurant and would require approval from the city.

“We are very optimistic about this restaurant coming to Mainstreet and believe it will be good for Coconut Creek,” said Railey.

Lazy Dog, based in Costa Mesa, California, is a casual dining restaurant with locations in eight states. The founder, Chris Simms, named the restaurant chain Lazy Dog because he wanted to make it more attractive to kids. According to Wikipedia, the restaurant’s seats have dog prints to make children feel welcome.

The restaurant offers a variety of hamburgers, meatloaf, pulled pork and fried chicken sandwiches. It also serves steak, ribs, and a variety of salads and bowls, according to the Lazy Dog website.

Vice Mayor Jeffrey Wasserman said he is excited that a restaurant chain is planning to open at Mainstreet.

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Ryan Merkatz {courtesy}

A Monarch High School student has been awarded the Burger King Foundation’s first-ever $10,000 Hometown Scholarship.

On Saturday, April 5, the Burger King Foundation awarded Ryan Merkatz, a senior at Monarch High School, its first-ever Hometown Scholarship—a $10,000 grant created exclusively for South Florida-based Burger King employees. 

Merkatz, a team member at the Burger King located at 4499 West Hillsboro Blvd, was selected from hundreds of applicants for his commitment to his job and academic success.

According to a press release ahead of the announcement, Merkatz began working at Burger King in 2023 and is set to graduate this spring, with plans to attend college in the fall.

The surprise ceremony, which took place at the Coconut Creek restaurant, was attended by Burger King President Tom Curtis, franchise partners, and representatives from the Burger King Foundation.

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Fornello Italian Cuisine just opened its second location in the Winston Park Center in Coconut Creek, taking the place of the old bagel restaurant. It’s so new that the sign isn’t even up, and the address isn’t on Google. But it’s worth checking out for its massive menu of homemade Italian and Brazilian dishes, ranging from good to great.

Owner Marcello Parissoto explained that his first location in Boca is a smaller family concept. This high-end bar concept has a very nice bar area, TVs everywhere, brand-new furniture, and draping plants. Some minor harsh fluorescent lighting by the kitchen aside, it feels new and polished.

Marcello’s story is that he lived in Boston and ran two successful restaurants that he sold in 2012. He moved down here and saw an opening to combine two cultures: Americans, who typically eat from 5 pm to 8 pm, and Brazilians, who eat from 8 pm to 12 pm. Hence, the TVs and the midnight daily closing time. He wants to have all sorts of sports playing year-round, including international soccer, UFC, and American football.

The menu is so enormous that it’s almost dizzying. I’ll say it’s a couple of shades under The Cheesesteak Factory’s size. The menu is Italian and Brazilian, but there is an emphasis on Brazilian. Certain items, like the specials, are in Portuguese only, and the Brazilian food shines compared to the Italian, which is well above average.

There are appetizers, soups, subs, calzones, strombolis, wings, wraps, salads, burgers, regular pizzas and burgers, Brazilian pizzas and burgers (with regional ingredients and styles from Brazil), pastas, savory pastries, seafood, pork dishes, a kids menu, dessert, and a three-page cocktail menu. It’s a lot to take in.

We had a big group, and we started digging in. Marcello uses a top-of-the-line Marsal SD 866 Gas oven (pictured below) that can make 18 pizzas at a time, and that’s where many dishes, including the garlic rolls ($5.99), went through.

Like most items, the portions are huge. I’d have to say this was one of the better garlic rolls I’ve had, just because it was clear the ingredients were really quality. Big, airy bites with a nice marinara dipping sauce. The garlic was cooked well and roasted but needed to be spread more evenly.

The beef meatballs ($11.99) needed a better sear as they were a bit too soft. The tomato sauce and melted ricotta was piping hot and simmering coming out of the oven.

The coxinhas ($12.99) were fantastic. They’re a traditional Brazilian dish made with potatoes, breaded and fried with shredded chicken and Brazilian cream cheese. My Brazilian wife called these “coxinha bites” because they were unusually smaller than normal.

What took the plate to another level was our discovery of Marcellos’s house mayo. He blends fresh herbs like parsley, scallion, garlic, and a dash of cilantro. We started using it for everything, and he even sells bottles of it for $6. It’s fantastic. (He also has a house Pimento pepper sauce that caused me a lot of pain and heat on the front part of my tongue.)

I ordered a Fornello salad ($17.99)—grilled chicken, romaine, tomatoes, peppers, onions, boiled egg, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic dressing. The ingredients were fresh, the portion generous, and the balsamic vinegarette tasty and bold. I have no complaints here.

My wife ordered the picanha steak ($20.99) with yucca, and I have to admit it was one of the best ones I’ve ever had. It was cooked with a heaping of onions that were almost caramelized, along with some smokiness from the cast iron skillet it was cooked in. It was so simple but effective and perfectly cooked. I highly recommend it.

Someone in our group ordered the shrimp in garlic oil ($16.99) and couldn’t stop raving about it. Again, nothing complex or complicated, just simple techniques in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and quality plump shrimp.

I ordered the penne alla vodka ($18.99) to balance things out and include some more Italian-leaning dishes in our review. It was very solid and quite enjoyable. It was not the best I’ve ever had, but there were no notable deficiencies. The side Caesar was tiny but tart in a good way.

My wife ordered some Brigadeiro ($3.00), which is a great price for four large cups. It’s made with condensed and evaporated milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles. Everyone at the table loved it, but it was clearly a decadent and sugary dessert.

They were known for their pizzas, so we had a large 16″ pizza ($27.99) for the house that we really intended to dig into the next day. It was outstanding. Half was called Cinco Queso, which had a couple of unique soft Indigenous cheeses, like the aforementioned Brazilian cream cheese, catupiry. The other half was a chicken pesto with red peppers and basil. Both were great in their own way.

At this point, we were stuffed and defeated, so we agreed to come back another time to check out some of the specials, like Feijoada, a pork and bean dish (only available on weekends).

Marcellos intends to make this a franchise and expand into east Deerfield Beach, a more densely Brazilian and South American area, and then Wellington before heading south to Miami.

Sometimes, restaurants try to be a jack of all trades and masters of none. Fornello is an exception in my experience with restaurants that have too many items and do none of them very well. Although I would definitely lean towards his Brazilian dishes more so than the Italian, he does an admiral job and is a talented and driven guy.

Fornello Italian Cuisine
5359 Lyons Rd
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
561-672-7960

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Outdoor eating area at Miraggio Italian Grill. {courtesy}

Miraggio Italian Grill, a 350-seat Italian restaurant and bar, has opened for dinner service on Atlantic Boulevard, directly on the Intracoastal Waterway.

According to a statement, the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining and a menu that includes a variety of Italian dishes. Pasta options include Penne Alla Vodka, Seafood Tagliolini Fra Diavolo, and Lobster Ravioli.

Meat dishes feature Filet Mignon, Australian Lamb Chops, and Prime Ribeye. Seafood choices include Branzino with lemon butter sauce and North Atlantic Salmon.

Other menu items include wood-fired pizzas, appetizers such as Mediterranean Mussels and Crispy Calamari, and a selection of salads.

Miraggio also features a full bar serving cocktails, wine, and other beverages, as well as a large outdoor bar area for guests.

The restaurant plans to expand its hours to include lunch service in January 2025. Valet parking is available on-site.

Miraggio Italian Grill. {courtesy}

Reservations can be made at www.miraggioitalian.com or on Instagram at @miraggioitalian. It is located at 3100 B, E Atlantic Blvd in Pompano Beach.

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Carlesa Mathieu, chef; Nene Byrd crew member; and Andrew Adderly, manager of Fat Boyz in Coral Springs. {David Volz}

If you’re craving a taste of the South without leaving Coral Springs, Fat Boyz Barbecue has got you covered—one tender brisket bite at a time.

With its roots in Fort Lauderdale, Fat Boyz Barbecue has garnered a strong following for its slow-smoked meats.

According to manager Andrew Adderly, beef brisket is the most popular dish at Fat Boyz.

“We are bringing southern-style barbecue to Coral Springs, and we offer a variety of brisket meals. Our customers also like our beef brisket burnt ends meals,” said Adderly.

This isn’t Fat Boyz’s first foray into the city. In 2018, they opened a location at 6192 W Sample Rd, which closed in 2021 due to the pandemic.

Guests can enjoy a variety of barbecue treats, including baby back ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, rib tips on Texas toast, smoked chicken, brisket short rib burgers, and many others.

According to Adderly, the ribs are slow-cooked and coated in a secret blend of spices.

Fat Boyz offers sides such as smoked mac n cheese, brisket baked beans, collard greens, cornbread, and potato salad.

The restaurant offers a cozy dining environment with about 30 seats.

Fat Boyz has two other Broward County locations, Hillsboro Blvd and Cypress Creek.

Andrew Adderly, manager of Fat Boyz in Coral Springs. {David Volz}

They are open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 10334 West Sample Road near JD’s Bar & Lounge.

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