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This is a blog strictly for the benefit of the tourists among us right now. If you’ve lived in the Fort Lauderdale area for long, you already should know about Ernie’s. And if you live here and don’t know about Ernie’s, you probably don’t deserve this place anyway. Because, really – how many restaurants around ever-changing South Florida have been open since 1957? And how many have a slogan that reads: “Where conch is king, barbecue is a way of life and the bar is open late”? Welcome to Ernie’s.
It’s a great joint, and I suspect they would be pleased with that description. Go to Ernie’s if you want real local color – and some good local food too. Tourists at this spot are relatively rare, as far as I can tell. This restaurant makes fresh conch chowder, conch salad and conch fritters every day. It has all the barbecue options of any smokehouse, including ribs and pork sandwiches. Ernie’s also offers some stuff you might not expect at … well, at a joint. Maybe a turkey burger if you’re watching your fats. Or a buffalo burger, which has more protein and less fat than beef. I happen to love their buffalo burgers.
But the real draw at Ernie’s, I think, is the place itself. There’s a bar both downstairs inside the restaurant and upstairs on the roof. I prefer the outdoor area if the weather is nice. Sit there long enough and you’ll likely see what I mean by local color. Actually, there’s a good chance local color will sit down on the bar stool next to you. Regulars and neighbors from the area, truckers and bikers and construction workers. And writers and reporters and lawyers – who are the folks you really should worry about getting too friendly with, of course. Seriously, Ernie’s is an interesting, inexpensive, tasty local hot spot. A joint, in the best sense of the term. And worth checking out if you want a change from the pricey restaurants along Las Olas. You can find Ernie’s at 1843 S. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, just south of 17th Street, on the west side of the road. If you get lost, call 954-523-8636. Just remember I warned you about the writers.
It’s a great joint, and I suspect they would be pleased with that description. Go to Ernie’s if you want real local color – and some good local food too. Tourists at this spot are relatively rare, as far as I can tell. This restaurant makes fresh conch chowder, conch salad and conch fritters every day. It has all the barbecue options of any smokehouse, including ribs and pork sandwiches. Ernie’s also offers some stuff you might not expect at … well, at a joint. Maybe a turkey burger if you’re watching your fats. Or a buffalo burger, which has more protein and less fat than beef. I happen to love their buffalo burgers.
But the real draw at Ernie’s, I think, is the place itself. There’s a bar both downstairs inside the restaurant and upstairs on the roof. I prefer the outdoor area if the weather is nice. Sit there long enough and you’ll likely see what I mean by local color. Actually, there’s a good chance local color will sit down on the bar stool next to you. Regulars and neighbors from the area, truckers and bikers and construction workers. And writers and reporters and lawyers – who are the folks you really should worry about getting too friendly with, of course. Seriously, Ernie’s is an interesting, inexpensive, tasty local hot spot. A joint, in the best sense of the term. And worth checking out if you want a change from the pricey restaurants along Las Olas. You can find Ernie’s at 1843 S. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, just south of 17th Street, on the west side of the road. If you get lost, call 954-523-8636. Just remember I warned you about the writers.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 12:54 PM
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