Non-chain restaurants in Sunrise?

[Brikka]

Hi, all,
My mom and I are flying down from the NYC area to Sunrise at the end of April to visit my great-aunt. I know nothing about the area but it seems that there are a ton of chains, and I'd prefer to avoid those. We're up for any cuisine and any type of place, from holes-in-the-wall to high-end restaurants. Thanks so much!

[Brikka]

Hi, all,
Just want to say thanks for the input.
We only had time to try one of your suggestions—Chef Carlin—in between meals with my great-aunt, who likes to stick to her basics. Mom and I split a media noche and some sweet plantains (so sweet! almost carmelized). My great-aunt took us to Inverrary Diner a couple of times, and the Greek dishes were quite nice. I think one of them was called Greek-style snapper—just lemon and olive oil, very simple and tasty. There also is a shrimp dish with tomato and very assertive (in a good way) feta. Definitely worth a try if you find yourself headed toward a diner—but longer lines, I swear, than places I go in NYC!
Thanks again,
B.

[mcarey]

Hi- if you love amazing sushi, try Osaka. Totally Mom and Pop, in a strip mall (corner of University and Sunset Strip)...actual address is 8250 Sunset Strip
Sunrise, FL 33322
[phone]
Next to Planet Fitness

My husband and I eat there all the time and I have never had better sushi- and I've eaten sushi at the best restaurants in LA, etc. very very fresh. Ask for a side of the spicy ponzu. The cowboy roll is amazing too! have fun in Sunrise!

[ldkelley]

I work in Sunrise and here are our favorite lunch places - little neighborhood hole in the walls where the food is good and the ambiance is non-existent. :)

Udipi Cafe (Indian)
2100 N University Dr
Sunrise, FL 33322
(954) 748-566

Sunrise Pita & Grill (Israeli)
2680 N University Dr
Sunrise, FL 33322
[phone]

Thai Thai Restaurant
1861 N Pine Island Rd,
Plantation, FL
[phone]

Chef Carlin (Cuban) [don't let the location scare you]
6941 Sunset Strip
Sunrise, FL 33313
[phone]

Have a nice visit.

--Lisa

[Brikka]

Hi, Lisa,
This is very helpful—thanks so much!
Just curious: What's scary about Chef Carlin's location?
-Carolyn

[ldkelley]

It's in a scrubby strip mall and not in the greatest part of town. The area isn't terrible, just iffy, but I would have never gone into a restaurant in a strip mall that looked so rundown and dirty if I hadn't been with friends who eat there regularly. :)

Actually, now that I look back, *all* of them are in strip malls. Welcome to Florida.

--Lisa

[Brikka]

Heh. Understood. Thanks again!

[CmdrTulkas]

I second Sunrise Pita & Grill

I get the lafa schwarma (not sure of the spelling), and I tell them to make it spicy and I trust them. I sometimes get the fries with friends, and the desserts are little tasty treats.

I live down here and I have to go try Udipi Cafe and Chef Carlin. (Been to Thai Thai, but prefer Suko Thai in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale)

[Brikka]

Thank you! I suspect we won't be straying too far, but if we do get to Ft. Lauderdale we'll check out Suko Thai.

[johnmlinn]

I third Sunrise Pita! It's one of my favorite places to eat in all of Broward. I dream about their hummus!

I've been wanting to try Chef Carlin, Lisa. Is the food sort of "down-home" or more artfully prepared? What's good on the menu? Tell me more!

Also - it's not in Sunrise, just a little bit North on University, but Woodlands Veg Indian is amazing. I think it's a little better than Udipi. :-D

[ldkelley]

The food at Chef Carlin is definitely down-home: white plates and no bread plate. I particularly like their palomilla and their roasted chicken quarter (on the specials on the door). The lechon asado is also very good. (I'm not a big fan of their vaca frita - I prefer La Carreta for that.) My lunch-buddy gets the picadillo every time we go there - she loves it. It's worth a trip for a $15 lunch for two!

I haven't tried Woodlands, but I have heard of it. An Indian coworker brought me to Udipi, so I figured it had to be good. I also live close to Royal India, so I am well set up for Indian food, fortunately.

I've been meaning to try Nirala Sweets but haven't made it yet. Any thoughts on that one?

--Lisa

[johnmlinn]

That sounds stellar, I'll have to check it out. I love a picadillo. I've never been to La Carreta either, so looks like I've got some Cuban to catch up on. ;-P

I haven't tried Nirala either, but I've heard great things. I used go to either Madras or Little India, but I've been pretty faithful to Woodlands since I've started going there.

[Brikka]

Oh, yum. Thanks John—and everyone! I'm feeling better about my food options on this trip....

[ldkelley]

Suko Thai is a definite favorite... but it wasn't in Plantation. :) I think that it is my favorite Thai in South Florida, actually.