***** Big Tomato Market Grill, 8300 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 (954) 704-0100.

You guys know, or should know…that I love eating in “mom & pop–red sauce Italian” joints. For sure, some are better than others…but unless the joint is horrendous… I really love loading up (amongst other things) on garlic knots, caesar salad, veal parmigiana, chicken marsala, penne ala vodka, crispy pizza, linguine with white clam sauce and unlimited Coke refills. Sort of like a pig in heaven. Anyway…a week or so ago, I did the “aforesaid” stuff (there were four of us) at Big Tomato Market Grill and I gotta tell you, this is a really good neighborhood joint. It’s probably as good as your local favorite…and its prices and service are neighborhood prices- service…I think the most expense dish we had was like 18 bucks. You can check Tomato’s website www.bigtomatogrillandmarket.com for menu/prices.

Now, you know and I know…there are loads of “mom & pop” Italian joints down here…If you live in Pembroke Pines, you now know about one of the better players.

Big Tomato is open Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday 11am-11:30pm, Saturday 11;30am-11:30pm and Sunday 10:30am-11am.