7720 W. Commercial Blvd., Lauderhill, 954-741-3939
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Wow factor: Imagine eating tender fried calamari rings with fra diavolo sauce, digging into dreamy chicken marsala or scarfing down a cream-filled cannoli without ever getting out of your car. Look no further than Cannoli Kitchen, where you can buy your favorite Italian dishes at the drive-through. The restaurant also has deliveries, takeout, catering and a fast-food-style eat-in experience.
Background: It’s no surprise the food at this suburban outpost is so good. Chef/owner Guido Barisone, who owned Flavors of Italy and Barisone’s in Coral Springs for 20 years, has been managing partner in Lauderhill since taking over almost three years ago. (This Cannoli Kitchen is no longer affiliated with the Boca Raton locations of the same name.) A native of Alessandria, Italy, the self-taught chef has plans to franchise the concept using the Lauderhill store as a prototype.
Buy this: There are 15 different hand-stretched pies available by the slice, not to mention calzones and strombolis. Barisone developed a bacon cheeseburger pizza (ground beef, bacon, red sauce, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, pickles and ketchup) and a french fry pizza (a cheese pie topped with a gaggle of fries) after a trip to Italy this summer. “I saw people eating these pizzas in Italy,” he said.
All pizzas are available as 18- or 14-inch whole pies ranging from $10.99-$19.99 or by the slice from $2.79 to $3.99. Pasta meals ($7.49-$10.99) include a choice of house salad or escarole and beans and garlic rolls. Chicken and veal entrees ($7.99-$10.99) include escarole and beans or spaghetti or ziti marinara and garlic rolls. Waist watchers can indulge in grilled chicken entrees or house salads ranging from a Caprese with fresh mozzarella ($6.99) to a good cheesy Caesar ($5.99-$7.99), or the signature antipasto ($7.99) with romaine, iceberg, artichokes, roasted peppers, marinated mushrooms, olives, Genoa salami and gorgonzola dressed with balsamic. Don’t forget cannoli ($1.99) with crackly fresh shells made on premises. If you’re too full to eat one here, do the practical thing and grab one of the $9.99 cannoli kits that makes six cannolis and have a go at it in your own kitchen.
-Judith Stocks
