It was right around 9:30 am when Ted mentioned a newish smash burger joint in Broward county. I was already in investigative mode as soon as the words North South Grill (154 S Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines) left his lips.
Based on their Instagram pics, North South Grill is right up my comfort food alley. Besides the burgers mentioned above, they’ve got fresh-cut fries, hand-breaded chicken tenders, sandwiches, and a variety of subs.
I’m the de facto leader of this 10:30 am burger group (Ted, Marcela & me). After making all the critical decisions for us, we retreat to our table to await the grub.
North South Grill Burgers
The burgers are first up and have a beautiful brioche bun. Usually, I’m a double meat kinda guy but considering everything else we ordered, a single seemed to make more sense. The 1/4 lb. burgers come standard with North sauce, American cheese, pickles, and lettuce-tomato-onion.
Ted and I agree that no lettuce or tomato is the way to go. No self-respecting smash burger fan will eat theirs with those offensive characters.
It turns out the owners are Canadian; hence Poutine (fries-brown gravy-cheese curds) is on the menu. I enjoyed it, but I took points off since I’m pretty sure that was shredded mozzarella, not curds.
The fresh-cut fries were excellent. Even if you only go the burger and fries route at North South Grill, you’re gonna be a winner.
Chicken Tenders & Spicy Chicken Sandwich
If you showed up with your big boy pants, you need to leave room for their hand-breaded buttermilk chicken tenders. These are some of the heaviest tenders I’ve encountered in my boneless chicken adventures.
Our five-piece tenders arrived on a bed of those super tasty fresh cuts with our choice of either honey mustard, bbq sauce, or ranch. I would consider this a shareable plate unless you are a bottomless pit.
My biggest regret was thinking my partners in crime would appreciate the lettuce on the crispy chicken sandwich. Instead, I got the “why’d you do that?” look.
I took one bite with very little lettuce. However, that moist chicken breast with blue cheese crumbles and a few pickles were right on. There’s also a spice-dusted version that I’m thinking will also be a hero.
Wagyu Steak Subs
You know, cause we didn’t order enough, I threw in a small Steak Sub with Pepperoni. Marcela is not a big pepperoni fan, so I may have subconsciously chosen this one for that reason.
Ted and I went halfsies. The sub was a Pablo Picasso filled with American Wagyu steak, peppers, onions, cheese, and pepperoni.
The sub is excellent, but North South Grill’s strong suits are their burgers, fresh-cut fries, and buttermilk chicken tenders. They’ve got a winning combination that I’m looking forward to eating again.
P.S.: There’s a secret menu cheeseburger sub that you must try.
To bad they do not have falafel