Rocco's Tacos

 Rocco's Tacos is the hip new joint on Las Olas. We arrived around 6:00 pm to a 45minute wait and a few patron hanging around the door waiting for their turn. They took our phone number and called us when our table was ready. 

We were seated at what I thought was probably one of the worst tables in the entire place- right outside the door to the patio.  It didn't end up being that bad though since there were doors down the length of the patio which allowed the servers a door to each table basically.

 Rocco's extensive drink MENUS- on the back of their dinner menu is the regular drink menu, plus an additional menu with, not a wine list (which they also have) but  tequila list. We ordered the "special" Don Julio Margarita pitcher-$24.  Let me just say they were the most ineffective 3, yes, I drank 3, margaritas I've ever had. I think it might have just been limeade.

 THE chips were seasoned! You can't really tell by the picture, but they are.  And I LOVE the concept of this. I've had some really delicious seasoned chips. If you like a smokey chipotle flavor you'll enjoy these.

 3 salsas assortment with chips- $6.  The dark one at the top is pretty thick and has a pungent smokey chipotle flavor that goes nicely with the chips. To the left is what I would call their "original" salsa. Now, I am a lover of chips and salsa, this did nothing to rock my world, it was less than average. Not terrible, but I wouldn't feel compelled to even order it again... and it's a Mexican restaurant. What are you if you don't have a delicious salsa?  And for you fruity freaks out there, the pineapple salsa. Each one had, what I think is, their signature smokey chipotle flavor to it.

 I ordered the Yucatan, which is 2 carne asada soft tacos (meat and cheese only for my picky self) and a chicken enchilada.  $16 It was edible. It tasted fine. It just wasn't AMAZING. And, call me a cheapo, but at any other Mexican restaurant I usually get beans and rice with my meal- no not here- that would be and extra $6. BOO!

So the score so far is $6 for the bla salsa trio and $6 for the standard sides and nothing is anything to write home about.

 Brad ordered the Molcajete Seafood $22.  This is their version of fajitas- served in their "lava rock bowl." What you're looking at is: shrimp, scallops, mahi, pablano chilies, clabaza squash, and charred tomatoes. The presentation is pretty cool. But like me, Bradley wasn't completely blown away by the yumminess.

 All the fixin's

 Brad's culinary masterpiece

 The atmosphere here is what you come for- and pay for. There are all sorts of cool light fixtures, art pieces hanging off the walls- very hip and cooooooooooool.  I will say that if you are going there to spend quality time with someone- you might want to reconsider.  The music is very loud and the tables are large (to accomadate the pitcher of margaritas, glasses, guacamole lava bowl, dinner plate and paraphernalia) so it's difficult to maintain any semblance of a meaningful conversation- and we were outside on the patio.

 CHURROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, these were very tasty.  4 made to order, cinnamon sugary, hot, crispy, ala mode with chocolate and caramel drizzle- YUM! I had 3. Brad had 1. Who's the fatty in your relationship?

 This is their out door decor- pretty fun. I'm not really sure what they are but they look sweet in the trees over their parking lot. $5 for valet.

After visiting Rocco's Tacos I had decided that I had done my curious duty of trying the place but didn't need to return- AND THEN my friend Megan informed me that we had ordered ALL the WRONG items. Apparently you need to just keep it simple and order- THE TACOS.... makes sense. She also informed me that the Mojitos are where it's at.  So, after my next visit, when we go with Megan and her hubby Brent in tow- I will give you an updated review.  I can be proved wrong.

Grand total (check, not including parking or tip): $77.33

And with that I bid you farewell :O)

Rocco's Tacos

1313 E. Las Olas Blvd. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

954-524-9554

2 other locations in SOFLA + another coming sooooooooooon. 

Check the website: Rocco's Tacos   (If you're at work, turn your speakers down, or everyone will know you're SLACKIN')

Jack's Old Fashion Hamburgers

 

I'm really not sure there needs to be much explanation. It's Jack's. If your from Fort Lauderdale, you know.  

I ordered the 1/3 cheese burger and fries done crispy.  I drank water.

The breakdown
Burger: Moist, juicy, delicious, beefy goodness.  White American cheese at it's finest moment.  Topped with an inexcusable amount of salt and pepper, because I like it that way.
Fries: Not going to lie... they're just fries. But they are Jack's fries. They are a perfect compliment to the burger really.
Grand total:$6.55

Atmosphere
The ambiance at Jack's leaves MUCH to be desired.  They semi-recently got rid of all the old tables that had high-schooler initial engravings all over them and upgraded to extremely lacqured ones.  If the place is going to be stuck in the 70's why not keep the graffiti-ed up tables. Nostalgia.  Seriously, the place hasn't had an upgrade since they day they opened- at either location (except for the bathrooms- Praise the good Lord Jesus!).  At least the food is always good and everything is generally very clean.

If you've never tried the roast beef sandwich, I encourage you to do so.  That will be a future post for sure.  It's delicious.  Another menu item you may not frequent due to the superb tastiness of the burgers- the chili. Don't bother ordering a chili cheeseburger though- get the bowl and dip your cheese burger in it.  Do it right or don't do it at all :O)

Jack's Old Fashion Hamburgers

(954) 565-9960

4201 N Federal Hwy
Oakland Park, FL 33308
&
591 South Cypress Road,
Pompano Beach 

(954) 942-2844

Rendez-Vous

 Rendez-Vous is a French bistro East on Oakland Park Boulevard.  I visited there today for the first time with my mother and baby. 

Atmosphere
This place is adorable!  The inside is quaint and has French feeling art and random items on shelves.  There is also patio seating where you can bring your pup to dine with you if you're so inclined.  I wish I had a picture of the patio, it's really nice. The staff here is very nice, outgoing, and attentive.

Theses are the brass plaques on the bathroom doors to indicate men's and women's. 

Hilarious, I thought!

 I ordered the small Caesar salad

 and the French onion soup.

My mom got the tomato bisque.

Breakdown
Salad- delicious croutons, decently green, all around a good salad.
French onion soup- FABULOUS! The broth was very rich and flavorful and was topped with tasty cheese and, of course, had some of those delicious croutons floating around under the cheese.
Tomato bisque- I tasted it. It was yummy but had a little grainy texture to it, but other than that it too was rich and tasty.

Grand total: $16.96
The salad was a decent deal at $5. The soups however were $6 each. While they were quite tasty there wasn't a lot there to eat. It was a cup, not a bowl size portion and for the price I expected about double the amount we got.

End of the day
Worth a try.

Rendez-Vous Bakery

1576 E Oakland Park Boulevard

Between NE 15th & NE 16th Ave

(954) 563-2228

5 Guys

Today I visited 5 Guys around 1:00pm at their Harbor Shops location.

Menu
Their menu is a simple one: Burgers, hot dogs, french fries and Coke products for your sipping pleasure.
All the toppings you could want on your burger are free of charge, though they are standard backyard bbq toppings, nothing fancy... like chili.  However, you do have the option of traditional french fries, or ones tossed in Cajun seasoning.

I ordered
A cheese burger (dos patties), 2 sides of A-1 sauce, and a small order of Cajun fries.

The Breakdown
Burger- Juicy, delicious, definitely needs the two patties because they are rather small individually.
Cajun Fries- Fresh cut, farmed specifically to be cut into 5 Guys fries and fried in peanut oil. They are tasty. The Cajun spices add a delightful heat that is tasty without being overwhelming.  I prefer a crispier fry myself, but these are yummy regardless of lack of crisp. Let me also make you aware that a family of 4 could easily enjoy a small size order of fries at this establishment.  You get a small size cup filled over flowing with fries +PLUS+ there is an extra scoop at the bottom of the paper bag that your food comes in that is equal in size. 

Grand total of $8.36

Atmosphere
This place is extremely casual.  I believe they only have 2 registers, so it gets a little slow at lunch time but any more registers and the kitchen would get bogged down. I get it. I like the open kitchen. I can see everything they are doing and know there is nothing hinky going on. There is no spit on my burger or hairs in my fries. Comforting. There are large boxes of peanuts that you can help yourself to. I'm not a fan of shells being dumped on the floor (circa roadhouse grill, which is completely out of business... probably because they were too dirty to stay open), but they keep it relatively well swept.


5 Guys is definitely a crave-able place. Tasty fresh food, reasonably priced, in a reasonable amount of time.

New location to open at Cypress Station soon. Very excited since this is much closer to my residence than any of their other locations. Which is good because I won't have to drive to Timbuktu when I get hankering for 5 Guys. 

Burger Fi

I visited Burger Fi today.  It's located at the corner of A1A and Commercial in Lauderdale by the Sea in a remodeled Burger King building. 

Atmosphere:

For being an old Burger King building they have done a really great job of updating and re-branding the place. There is plenty of parking, screen menu boards, modern lighting, and a beach-y picnic feel with the seating.  They've opened the entire front end up for an indoor-outdoor feel yet the inside stays cool and comfortable.  When we were there, around 1pm, the place was hoppin'. Very busy and only 2 registers going.  You get a buzzer to alert you when your food is ready.  LADIES: Do not wear heals to this restaurant.  The flooring is slicker 'n snot.  This is a beach restaurant; sand and water everywhere. After their first slip and fall accident they'll paint down a non-slip grit or totally redo the floors completely. It's bound to happen eventually, most likely sooner rather than later.

Menu:

The menu includes everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to wine and cupcakes.  You have the choice of 1, 2 or 3 patties when ordering a burger along with a wealth of toppings.  The fries have several options as well, including Cajun, original, and parmesan and herbs, just to name a few.  The have 4 beers on tap as well as several bottled selections, a Nesspresso machine, wine on tap, Coke products and lemonade.

We got a bacon cheese burger (single patty), chili cheese burger (single patty), large fries, chocolate milk shake and a lemonade. 
Breakdown:
Bacon cheese burger- alright
Chili cheese burger- alright, juicy burger, no-bean chili, squishy soft bun, branded with the Burger Fi logo

Large fries- pretty good, fresh cut, topped with coarse salt
Chocolate milk shake- thick rich deliciousness
Lemonade- boring, nothing to write home about
Total: about $25, OUCH!

All in all it was a pretty ho-hum experience. We waited about 15 minutes for our food. They messed up the order and my husband had to take the ticket back to get it fixed.  Burger Fi is a definite must-try but not a place I would ever regular.  It's definitely geared more toward a tourist who is on vacation with their wallet. I could have gotten all that for half the price and waited half the time at Jack's Old Fashion Hamburgers. Granted, I wouldn't have had nearly as many choices. I'll be going there a few more times for sure, just to try a few more options. I'll let you know how my next visit goes... whenever I get around to it.

Burger Fi
4343 North Ocean Drive
Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308
954-489-0110
Everyday: 11am to 1am

Riverside Market Cafe

I visited the Riverside Market Cafe Saturday, March 19 around noon-thirty. 

First, let me tell you about how to get to this place.  If you are driving East on Broward from I95 you turn South onto SW 11th Ave. Yes, That is the corner just past the police station where those old condemned project houses are.  You keep following that back into the neighborhood turn West onto SW 5 Pl and then South onto SW 12 Ave and the restaurant is located on the East side of the street, across from the multi-family housing unit.  There is also a convenient store and a walk-up style restaurant in the middle of this neighborhood. Very random. 

Inside are high-tops with modern stools, a few old leather couches, and some home dining room style chairs, a deli cabinet, and a wondrous refrigerator wall full of different craft beers.  This place is a beer connoisseur's paradise! However  if you're not in the mood for any adult beverages, PLEASE try the Capt'n Eli's Root Beer. This root beer is the best I've ever had.  In college, I ordered a case of it from a rep that did a presentation in our beer lab course.  It's made by Sea Dog Brewing Company out of Maine.  They are the same brewery that brings you Blue Paw Wheat Ale, blueberry infused beer, as well as several other signature brews.

They have a set menu that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a board with their specials. Their main fare is deli sandwiches.  I, however, ordered the Chicken Parmesan.

$8. Covered the plate! Eat your heart out Martorano's! This was absolutely delicious and I took half of it home and enjoyed it for dinner tonight.

I haven't mentioned the staff yet. It's a bunch of dudes, good ol' boys. Great service and attention to their customers. We were asked by everyone that worked there if we were ok, we enjoyed our food, and asked if we needed anything.  Only thing is: don't go in if you're in a hurry.  The Riverside dude's are laid back and take their time. I promise it's worth it though!

Riverside Market Cafe

608 SW 12th Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954.358.8333
Sunday-Thursday 8am-9pm
Friday 8am-10pm
Saturday 8am-9pm