Practically Begging...for one interesting restaurant in driving range of Boca Raton

[dimsumfan]

Making the annual trip to Boca to visit family. Every year, I check to see if there's anything new and noteworthy, but the situation's always bleak.

I'm looking for anything interesting, unique, hole-in-the-wall, special. Especially ethnic. But I find I have to drive all the way to Lauderdale Lakes for just so-so Chinese or Vietnamese food. I'm looking for something as cheap as great Cuban sandwiches at El Palacio de los Jugos in Miami, or as amazing as NAOE in Aventura--without having to drive as far as those distances.

Anything anyone can recommend? Can be Cuban, BBQ, Jewish deli, Asian, etc. But nothing like what's all-too-familiar in Boca: food that's safe and overpriced.

Thanks!

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NAOE
175 Sunny Isles Boulevard, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

El Palacio
21485 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056

[dimsumfan]

Quick follow-up: Taqueria Dona Raquel was much better than Alegria Tacos, where the owner should mellow out in begging for reviews. And Bamboo Fire was fabulous. Nice people and great food, especially the goat curry and the fried plantains. I will return. And I appreciate everyone's help in recommending the place!

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Taqueria Dona Raquel
791 S Dixie Hwy W, Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Alegria Restaurant
3801 N Andrews Ave Ste A, Oakland Park, FL 33309

[dimsumfan]

Thanks, all. Looks like we'll be checking out Bamboo Fire, and maybe a quick stop at Taqueria Dona Raquel (or Alegria Tacos in Oakland Park).

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Taqueria Dona Raquel
791 S Dixie Hwy W, Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Alegria Restaurant
3801 N Andrews Ave Ste A, Oakland Park, FL 33309

[ruthless2]

Not a 'hole in the wall' but how about Bizzare Ave Cafe downtown Lake Worth or Dada off the Avenue in Delray Beach. Haven't been to either in a while but they are each a little more interesting and less expensive than the usual Boca offerings, plus you can walk around a new area. Probably easier to drive north than south (traffic wise) and better parking too. (That from someone who lives very near South Beach)

[tpigeon]

charm city is in deerfield beach - Have not been in a while though. But they had great hamburgers when I went.

I heard Kostas in deerfield beach was good but I have not been. You should look into it...

[floridan]

You may want to drive down to Pompano Beach and visit Taqueria Dona Raquel (791 South Dixie Hwy, West) - great authentic Mexican fare. It wasn't all that long ago they began providing English translations on their menus.

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Taqueria Dona Raquel
791 S Dixie Hwy W, Pompano Beach, FL 33060

[HotMelly]

I have to do this, I thought about it, but I have to ....
I don't know of any restaurants at any driving ranges in the Boca area, but many golf course club houses have great restaurants.
There, I said it.............Sorry

[GatorFL]

Drive to Miami and go to El Carajo. It's in the back of a gas station but it is phenominal tapas. They also have main courses.

[Frodnesor]

I like El Carajo, but if OP doesn't want to drive to Sunny Isles for Naoe, I'd be hard pressed to recommend they drive even further south from Boca for El Carajo. If it's Spanish tapas you want, I had a decent meal at Barraca in the Hollywood Circle area some time ago.

A bit closer, I just had another very nice lunch at Pho 78, on Pines Blvd. just east of University Drive. They do a few different banh mi (I get the bac diet which has grilled pork, chicken and a fried egg) which are good, though lacking paté, and their pho (lots of options) is very good. It's not "special," but it's good Vietnamese food. Bubble teas also.

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Pho 78 Restaurant
7849 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

[pikiliz]

Pho 78 is good but if they will have to take 95 to 595 then grab the turnpike to Hollywood blvd to get there that can be a daunting drive.. I did hear that pho 78 had a place in Weston that is a least closer.......another choice might be Latino's in deerfeild awesome food breakfast and lunch amazing never had dinner but has to be as good her is a link http://southflorida.menupages.com/res...
Enjoy

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Pho 78 Restaurant
7849 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

[smartie]

go to Bamboo Fire off Atlantic Ave in Delray. Caribbean, delicious, different, not fancy, casual, did I say delicious?

[CFByrne]

"interesting, unique, hole-in-the-wall, special. Especially ethnic"

I'll definitely second Smartie on Bamboo Fire. You could also check into a few Mexican places here

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6990...

[pikiliz]

I am thirding( is that even a word?) Bamboo fire absolutely brilliant place. However they are closed Sun,Mon,Tues .Wed-Sat 6:30 to 10:30 I think are the hours
http://bamboofirecafe.com/

[Alfred G]

If you want interesting with great food it's gotta be Bamboo Fire.

[OysterHo]

5th Bamboo Fire. Loved it!