Tag Archives: florida

Florida, Food Finds, Local Eats

Riggins Crabhouse and Seafood Market

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My mouth waters just thinking about this place…

It was the scene of the best date ever, one for the books. Not just for the company, of course, but also because of the atmosphere and the menu fare. Seafood. And seafood. And so much good juju packed into a small place that you really can’t help but stay all night.

Great beer, for starters. And the friendliest staff you could ever meet. Probably because it is one of West Palm’s most loved family owned establishments for over 20 years. Specializing in Maryland blue crabs, they are so well known for their crabs that there is always a steady stream of patrons at the back door where their little hole in the wall seafood market (counter 🙂 keeps a busy pace.  But we go for the love… where Mama and the kids who tend bar, cook the crabs, wait on the customers will all slide into our booth at one point or another to exchange hugs, kisses and lots of laughs. We love this place, inside and out.

Tuesday nights are all you can eat garlic crabs and I will get seriously cranky if we don’t get there pretty early because it takes time to eat garlic crabs. I enjoy the family so much, I just want time to hang out, like going to a family function or your best friends house. It’s always a good time and you are always stuffed when you leave.

It’s also a place where you can still get one of Florida’s specialties: frog legs. I won’t try to convince you if you have never had them or aren’t a fan but if you are… oh. my. ga.  I once ate so many frog legs I made myself sick one night and never regretted it for a minute. It was really due to the gorgeous garlic butter that Riggins is really known for, but you just can’t help yourself when the frog legs are done this well.

Another thing to try if you love fries… are their curly fries. Not just an ordinary fry, but one of their famous sides that will come with your entree or crabs.

Can’t say enough good things about this place, but as a closing note and worth consideration is that if you can’t finish your all you can eat crabs, guess what? Mama will pack them up to go… No lie. Leftovers here, rule and it will keep you coming back time and time again. Date or no date, I promise you that. And any date that brings you here, you better know that they are a keeper!

Riggins Crabhouse
607 Ridge Rd
Lantana, FL 33462
United States

Florida, Food Finds, Local Eats

Catfish Dewey’s

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Definitely a go to… Catfish Dewey’s is technically in the Fort Lauderdale hood, but given that Fort Lauderdale’s Hollywood airport is about a half hour drive from my house, it didn’t seem to be much of a stretch to drive there for some good eats.

And by good eats, I mean all you can eat seafood kind of good eats.  One of my all time favorites, Riggin’s Crabshack is still my number 1 for all you can eat garlic crabs and of course, our family friends who own and run this well known local establishment. However coming in at a close 2nd is Catfish Dewey’s. Primarily because their all you can eat daily menu changes focus and regardless of which night, and which all you can eat menu is being highlighted that night, you can always get all you can eat catfish.

Took the kids here last week as an after New Year’s treat to test the waters with them and see if they liked it as much as we did. Asked if they wanted to go back sometime, it was a resounding heck yea… All you can eat Alaskan Snow crab for $35 is a bit hard to beat, especially with 2 bottomless teenage boys in tow.

When you order all you can eat specials, you get the added benefit of getting the rest of the lower priced all you can eat items as a bonus. You simply can’t beat a table loaded down with snow crab, fried catfish, fried oysters and clam strips, peel and eat shrimp and crawfish. House rule is that there is no sharing but when you order 3 all you can eat menu items, they usually lose interest in holding you to that rule. If you don’t even put a dent into what they considered an all you can eat attempt, they will usually be gracious and load up a few to go boxes as well, especially if it’s closing time.

Just show up hungry… It’s a great family atmosphere and the place is packed every time we go. If you really have a craving for seafood, their seasonal Stone Crab all you can eat is really a special treat. However, now that I’ve found the stone and Jonah’s crab claw fishermen in Jupiter, I save the stone crabs for something we do at home. Anything else though, plan on a visit to Dewey’s. You simply won’t be disappointed and you sure as hell won’t leave hungry. Great for get togethers, special events or something fun on a week night.

Catfish Dewey’s Location:
4003 N. Andrews Avenue
Oakland Park, Florida
954-566-5333

Catfish Dewey’s Dinner Menu

Florida, Food Finds

Torero’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine

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Foodie synchronicity is running hot in my house right now… What started out as just a little venture out to find something new for dinner turned into a super cool evening at Torero’s.

The night before, I had seen an episode of Andrew Zimmern in Oaxaca, Mexico and it reminded me of something I hadn’t had in a long time. Molcajete.

I tried to convey my affection for this authentic Mexican specialty. This dish is cooked and served in a traditional molcajete, which is essentially a giant mortar style vessel made of volcanic rock that can withstand seriously high temperatures. Most often molcajetes are cooked on open flame with all ingredients simmering away cauldron-style to let the flavors and ingredients marry. Once you have one, fajitas sort of fade from view…

I’ve had the best molcajete in Minnesota, oddly enough, and it brought back some poignant memories for me when I relayed the experience to my intrigued and ever patient listener. But most of all, it made me hungry! I really wanted to share the experience with my Tsunami of Goodness, as he likes to refer to himself, so I began to research whether or not I could find this here in South Florida. My search results returned a popular chain restaurant, which I immediately ignored, but the other restaurant in the list seemed to be on the right track. Feeling satisfied that I had a place in mind, I relegated it to the list of restaurants to check out soon.

Last night after work, we decided to go out for a bite and all the usual suspects we typically haunt close to home were on the proverbial table. However, Mr. Tsunami decides we should explore a bit and we discuss several possible cuisines, locations, etc. We hit one spot, have a beer and decide to move on, not quite feeling the whole vibe or feeling in the mood for steakhouse… We jump in the car and he just starts driving, calling out local gems, testing the appetite waters. He says, “I know… you really want Mexican. But let’s just drive a bit more; I think I know an area that might just have something interesting.” We drive by a country western restaurant/bar/nightclub and giggle… perhaps another night if we want to play cowboy/cowgirl. We head down the street a bit further.

He turns into a plaza and as we drive in, I see a street sign and say, “Hey, that sounds familiar, I wonder if that Mexican place is over here somewhere…wouldn’t that be weird and cool?” I decide to get out my phone and look up the address to Torero’s, the restaurant I found online the night before. As we are meandering through the plaza he asks me what the name of it was and I can’t remember. He’s pointing out several little hole in the wall places as we make our way through the parking lot and I find the restaurant on my phone but can’t quite find the address. At exactly the same moment we both say, “Torero’s.” In shock we both look at each other and start laughing. He stops the car right in front of Torero’s and teases,”You probably don’t feel like going here do ya?” I tell him to park and do a happy dance in my seat.

We go in and can just feel it. Yes, right place. On to the molcajete. Modelo on tap, chips, salsa, queso… check. All excellent. We can’t stop oohing and ahhing over the menu. I order the molcajete, which unfortunately isn’t served family style here. Unthwarted by presentation, I order it anyway. Tsunami orders combo fajitas. Neither of us are disappointed. After the first bite, he blurts out, “I already can’t wait to come back… this place is awesome.”

As we sit and discuss how full we are, another synchro-food moment arrives. I am staring at one of the tabletop marketing thingy’s for dessert and I began to read the menu looking for sopapillas. I know he loves them but few restaurants make them around here so I don’t have any expectations really. I pick up the plastic dessert frame, eyes wide, not believing my luck. Could this place be any cooler??!! Just as I turn it around to proudly display my discovery, he says, “Wonder if they have sopapillas?? NO!! WAY!!” Of course we order some…

Again, another local Florida Food Finds worth a drive… If you crave authentic Mexican food at ridiculously affordable prices, you absolutely must check out Torero’s in West Palm. Next time we go back, I’m having one of their famous Chelada’s. Maybe two. Cheladas are beer mixed with spicy tomato juice. Sounds crazy but is extraordinarily good and supposedly, they make some of the best ones in town. Worth a trip just for that, I’m sure.

Torero’s Menu
911 Village Blvd, West Palm Beach 33409
(At Brandywine Rd)
(561) 578-6959

Florida

Rorabeck’s Plants and Produce, Lake Worth, FL

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Love this place. It’s an indoor/outdoor farmer’s market and produce stand but they also sells plants, trees and pottery at very reasonable prices.

I love making my produce rounds and Rorabeck’s is often on my list because I can get my veggie/fruit/plant fix all in one place. Especially, if I have time to dilly dally a little bit… I will roam the acre of landscaping plants just to get inspiration and often I find something unique hiding or tucked away inconspicuously. Like the tiny chiltepin bird chile I discovered or the 3 gallon bucket of fennel or the myriad of brightly colored coleus that can grow to enormous sizes here in our beautiful tropical Florida weather.

As for produce, Rorabeck’s is an outdoor covered market that has a plethora of local, in season fruits and veggies as well as other ethnic staples that may be harder to come by at a typical American grocery store. In fact, I used to miss the diversity of the produce we could get when we lived in the Bay Area in California. But over the last couple of years, I’ve discovered so many hidden jewels on my own and with the enthusiastic support of my Florida born sidekick, that I’m hard pressed to miss anything at all. I’ve also taken some of my Minnesota friends here and they’ve just been fascinated at how much beautiful produce we can bring home for under $20.

Small baskets of jalapeños, local beefsteak tomatoes, avocados, mangos, cucumbers, plums, peaches, shallots, summer squash, cabbage, onions… you name it. Its easier to go overboard than it is to not find something you just have to have. The baskets all contain goodies from anywhere to $1-$3 on average and most of it is very ripe, intended to be used or processed within the week. Ideal for juicing, canning or just planning weekly family meals.

Rorabeck’s Plants & Produce
Address: 5539 S Military Trail, Lake Worth, FL 33463
Phone:(561) 642-3382

Florida

Solace Farms, Lake Worth, Florida

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This is a lovely little farm right next door. How idealic… Like Alice in Wonderland, I’ve often wondered what was tucked away on the little driveway where I used to only see a few greenhouses.

I thought it had been bought when the greenhouses disappeared and it looked like the land was tilled up. I mistakenly believed it had been bought by a developer as much of the land around my neighborhood is quickly being developed. And then one morning on my way to get milk at the grocery store, I saw a little sign for Solace Farms by the gate along with signs for Fresh Eggs. Are you serious?!  Ok, I had to check it out…

I met Ayup the crazy Afghani. That is how he introduced himself to me, so of course, it’s hard not to remember that. And something in my enthusiasm for the farm and the questions I was asking made him start to wander around, showing me fun stuff, completely interrupted from his farm tasks. But oh how fun. I couldn’t contain myself as he introduced me to a leafy green they were growing that tasted spicy and pungent like wasabi or horseradish. Like a crazy foodie, I rolled up the rest of the leaf and tucked it into my purse to share with my someone when I got home.

Having come for fresh eggs, Ayup proceeded to go get me a dozen eggs retrieved by the beautiful free range chickens roaming the property. How wonderful. I knew they would be good and I just giggled at the luck of having discovered such a perfect find literally in my own backyard. The posts in this blog will attest to my search for just such a wonderful local ingredient and to get it steps from my own door was almost too much for one morning. Ayup didn’t have change to cash my $20 so he just gave me the eggs and told me to come back soon. Pleased as punch, I took my gift and headed out for milk as I had intended.

Solace Farms… something so perfect about that name. My recent visit proved just as fruitful as the first and I took home a bounty of local produce fit for a gentle garden bee like myself. Orange beets, purple carrots, crimini mushrooms, sweet corn and my beautiful organic, free range eggs. A Saturday morning visit also provided an opportunity to meet Missy and Ashley, the family who owns this farm. Of course, Ayup came over to say hello. He happily discussed this morning’s produce knowing that I was just as appreciative of it as they were and was a little bit tickled that I remembered his name. But who could not? Can’t wait to go back and see their friendly faces next weekend.

Florida, Food Finds

Excalibur Fruit Tree Farm, Lake Worth, Florida

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Love. Love this place. I mean love. This is what I live for. After making my rounds at Aaldmon’s Organic Farm, I head around the corner, literally, to Excalibur. My first experience with this farm took me and my hubby on a 2 hour tour via golf cart to experience this 17 acre rare and native tropical fruit tree farm just a few miles from my current haunt.

Molina’s expertise and enthusiasm captured our attention as she drove us around, jumped out of the cart and picked fruit right off the trees they offer for sale. She educated us about medicinal uses, grafting techniques and general advice on growing tropical fruit here in Florida. They are a tropical fruit farm, true, but their primary focus is on providing these awesome and rare tropical trees for sale for commercial or residential use. However, I am now “in the know” and I swing by every Friday just before they close to see what has ripened on their property as a bi-product of these gorgeous trees. Like a kid in a candy store, but better.

It was here that I fell in love with egg fruit (yellow sapote) and black sapote, aka chocolate pudding fruit. Oh yes, I can attest that it really does make superb (stunning!) chocolate desserts.  Imagine my total delight when last week, they had both for sale! Extremely rare to find this selection of fruit in any grocery store, even in Florida. What a delight, walking away with 3 lbs of apple bananas, 6 lbs of yellow sapote, 5 black sapotes and 2 gargantuan avocados. All for less than $25. A crate of oranges at Costco is about $12… a dozen apples anywhere from $6-10! I mean, I will do it, but it’s so nice to have this as an option, too. Grown here. Locally. In my figurative “backyard”. It really doesn’t get better than this.

Check out Excalibur Fruit Trees’ website to learn more.

Florida, Food Finds

Aaldmon Organic Farm, Lake Worth, Florida

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What a gem. I found Aaldmon Farm, a family run certified organic farm, when I was looking to participate in a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Imagine my delight to find a certified organic farm CSA with seasonal participation that runs from October to April. They will deliver for an extra $5 if you are in their delivery area but I enjoy going out to the farm each week to pick up my large box of organic produce, which very often contains fruit also grown on the farm.

The large box runs $40/week and contains more than enough produce for a family of 4-6. This keeps me on my culinary toes and I enjoy weekly meal planning all the more knowing not only where my food comes from, but knowing it is grown well, cared for by a local family of farmers who practice organic farming within a short drive from my own home. Talk about local. This means that I can reserve my small yard space for other yummy or beautiful things while they do all the home-farming for me. I found this farm on Google before I even moved and I was convinced that I would love Florida all the more for it.

Check out Aaldmon Farm’s website to learn more.

Florida

Heritage Hen Farm, Boynton Beach, Florida

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Cute little farm, not so cute pricing but for a once-in-awhile foray into all things luxurious, it’s worth a try. Actually, I didn’t get to see the farm so much as the adorable little shed with it’s chalkboard-rendered list of goods which, at the time of my visit, was a lovely selection of raw milk, heavy cream, unprocessed honey and the prettiest fresh eggs I have seen for a long while.

If I was independently wealthy, this is where I’d buy all of my dairy. Alas, I am not so I will wait for my Cinderella pumpkin to arrive and hope that it also transports a golden goose while we’re at it…

Check out Heritage Hen’s website to learn more.