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January 29, 2002

Siam House

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Thai

$10 or less

Siam House is a welcome spot for a quick lunch near the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center. Menu service is fast and efficient (they also have a lunch buffet). For lunch, I enjoyed fresh steamed shrimp dumplings and a bowl of wonton soup. Look for them in the rear of the center, with Hops Brewery across from Public Grocery.

Siam House

1392 S. E. 17th Street Causeway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Near the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center 954-763-1701

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less

Credit cards, Beer and wine, Casual, Smoking on patio

Lunch Buffet: Mon-Fri 11:30 am to 2 pm

Lunch: Daily 11:30 am to 3 pm

Dinner: Daily 5 pm to 10 pm

Posted by Brad at 03:52 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Quarterdeck Seafood Bar and Neighborhood Grill

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Bar/Pub

$10 or less

Our rating: 4 forks

A hangout to me would be a place just like this: friendly and efficient service, fair prices, festive and casual atmosphere and very good food. The sign says "Serving South Florida since 1966", and I expect they will be here for many more years to come.

There are five Quarterdeck locations around Ft. Lauderdale. The one I tried is just a block from the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center. The menu includes an array of appetizers, salads, burgers, pastas, steaks, sandwiches and seafood. I started with conch chowder, which was prepared in a peppery red broth and full of conch meat, potato and peppers (I added a bit of Tabasco to mine - www.tabasco.com/ ). I followed with the combo of a half-rack baby back ribs, and grilled grouper fish sticks (served satay style, and not to be confused with Mrs. Paul’s). This excellent entree came with a choice of potato. I choose sweet potato, which came with brown sugar and honey butter - a thoughtful addition as was the pint of Yuengling beer (http://www.yuengling.com/).

I hear the dolphin fish and burgers are also worthy.

Quarterdeck Seafood Bar and Neighborhood Grill

1541 Cordova Road Fort Lauderdale, FL Near the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center 954-423-4197

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less

Bar dining, Table seating, Patio, Late night, Credit cards, Bar, Casual, Smoking on patio, Swinging bench seats on the patio, Pool tables

Daily: Sun-Thu 11 am to 2 am

Daily: Fri-Sat 11 am to 3 am

Best Dish: Conch Chowder (add a touch of Tabasco)

What To Order: BBQ Ribs, Conch Chowder

Notable Staff: Miss Margo and Paul

Posted by Brad at 03:52 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

January 19, 2002

Polka Deli

Orange, CA

Eastern European

$10 or less

Our rating: 1 fork

Fresh-made sandwiches of whole or sliced sausages, and other meats. Pierogi, cabbage rolls, and other Polish specialties are available at the lunch counter or to prepare at home.

Polka Deli

1710 Tustin Ave. Orange, CA 92665 At Taft and Tustin Ave. (714) 974-8276

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less

Patio, Closed Sunday, Cash only, Casual, Smoking on patio, Specialty Food Market

Lunch and Dinner: Mon-Fri 10 am to 6 pm

Deli to go only, no sandwiches: Sat 10 am to 4 pm

What To Order: Golabki (cabbage rolls)

Posted by Brad at 01:41 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Taco Mesa

Costa Mesa, CA

Mexican

$10 or less

Our rating: 4 forks

I was so happy when Taco Mesa opened a branch near my home. Now I can have blackened calamari tacos, salad with pepitas and cilantro dressing, carnitas, excellent soft tacos, or any number of tasty specials most anytime.

Taco Mesa

647 W. 19th St. Costa Mesa, CA This is their original location and it is just across from the DMV, next to McDonalds 714-642-0629

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less

Patio seating at Costa Mesa location, Late night, Cash only, Beer and wine, Casual, Non-smoking, Catering

Daily: 10 am to 10:30 pm

What To Order: Jugos Frescos (Fresh juices), Tacos Mexicana, Carne Asada Quesadilla

Posted by Brad at 02:32 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Taco Mesa

Costa Mesa, CA

Mexican

$10 or less

Our rating: 4 forks

I was so happy when Taco Mesa opened a branch near my home. Now I can have blackened calamari tacos, salad with pepitas and cilantro dressing, carnitas, excellent soft tacos, or any number of tasty specials most anytime.

Taco Mesa

647 W. 19th St. Costa Mesa, CA This is their original location and it is just across from the DMV, next to McDonalds 714-642-0629

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less

Patio seating at Costa Mesa location, Late night, Cash only, Beer and wine, Casual, Non-smoking, Catering

Daily: 10 am to 10:30 pm

What To Order: Jugos Frescos (Fresh juices), Tacos Mexicana, Carne Asada Quesadilla

Posted by Brad at 02:32 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

January 01, 2002

Danny's Palm Bar and Grill

Coronado, CA

Bar/Pub

$10 or less

This hole-in-the-wall neighborhood hangout serves great burgers, respectable Mexican food and schooners of beer. Alcohol is served until closing, but food service halts in the early evening, so plan your visit accordingly.

Food service is limited: 11 am to 7 pm M-F and until 5 pm on Saturday.

The actual bar is open: Mon-Sat 11:00 am- 2:00 am ; Sun 12:00 pm -12:00 am

Danny's Palm Bar and Grill

965 Orange Ave. Coronado, CA 92135 (619) 435-3171

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less

Bar dining, Table seating, Credit cards, Bar, Casual, Non-smoking, Limited parking, Street Parking, Entertainment (on occasion)

Daily: Mon-Fri 11 am to 7 pm

Sat 11 am to 5 pm

Breakfast - Seasonal: Sun

What To Order: burgers

Posted by Brad at 03:52 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)