Hollywood Gazette :: Hollywood Florida Advertising

Savvy shoppers seeking prime meats, fresh seafood, just-picked produce, homemade foods or specialty grocery items have a cornucopia of choices in Hollywood, home to many markets that provide a refreshing alternative to the larger chain stores.

Delaware Chicken Farm & Seafood Market has been a local institution at 4191 N. State Road 7 since the Carter family opened their small chicken and egg ranch in 1951. Delaware has since expanded to a bustling retail, wholesale and shipping provider of poultry, seafood, Black Angus beef, veal, lamb, pork, wild game and prepared foods, as well as grocery items and wines. (Open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.)

Raul Alvarez, a loyal customer since 1986 who doesn’t eat red meat or pork, frequents Delaware for its selection of fresh chicken, turkey and eggs.

“There’s a different flavor to it. It’s better than the supermarkets,” Alvarez said. “They’ve got good, quality stuff here.”

Doris’ Italian Market & Bakery, at 2424 Hollywood Blvd. since 1947, is the home of fresh meats and poultry, hard-to-find Italian specialty items, deli meats and cheeses, prepared dishes, sandwiches, produce, wines, Italian pastries and wedding cakes. The original of five South Florida stores owned by John and Joe Alfano, the Hollywood location also offers customized gift baskets and catering. (Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.)

Fort Lauderdale resident Mike Waskiewicz, who works in Hollywood, takes out prepared foods from Doris’ a couple of times a week on his lunch break.

“It’s the quality of the food. It’s good ethnic food,” Waskiewicz said. “It’s just better than grabbing a sandwich somewhere, and it’s pretty reasonably priced. Everything I’ve ever had is really good. Their desserts are terrific.”

Gino’s Italian-American Deli, at 5729 Johnson St., is in its third expanded location since opening in 1974. The “King of the Meat Market” features homemade Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese, deli meats and cheeses, prepared foods, fresh produce, wines, and Italian pastries, breads and wedding cakes. Father-son owners Anthony and Gino Paparella offer full-service catering and the complimentary Gino’s Loyalty Card that lets customers earn points on purchases. (Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.)

Former Hollywood residents Carol and Mike Cavallo have shopped at Gino’s for more than 30 years. They continue to make the 260-mile round-trip drive every couple of months from their home in Vero Beach because Gino’s has “the best Italian food,” said Carol Cavallo.
“And some of the nicest people to wait on you,” her husband added. “It’s worth the trip.”

The Market Place, open since 1989 at 3325 Sheridan St., offers prime meats, seafood including Florida stone crabs, deli meats and cheeses, wines, catering services, soups, sandwiches and gourmet takeout that includes several different chicken, fish and vegetable dishes prepared fresh daily. Owner Chris Wolfe said The Market Place’s emphasis on healthy cooking and fresh salads appeals especially to elderly shoppers and area gym members. (Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.)

“I can write a short story about why I frequent The Market Place,” said Jodi Bruskin, who recently made the drive from Fort Lauderdale with her mother Sandy, a Boca Raton resident. “The owners and the staff are wonderful, friendly people who make it a pleasure to be at the store every time we visit. And the food can’t be beat.”

Mimi’s Ravioli, established in 1972 and opened at its current location at 5714 Johnson St. in 1981, is best known for its prepared-on-premises pastas, mozzarella cheese, Sicilian rice balls and cannoli cream and shells. Owners Frank and Linda Billisi offer more than 100 different pasta varieties, including a low-sodium line, as well sauces, soups, prepared dishes, packaged pastas, baked goods, catering and imported specialty items, including their own Billisimo brand of canned tomatoes and olive oil. (Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday).

Recent Mimi’s regular Melissa Elbrand is particularly fond of the ricotta ravioli and new brick-oven pizza and is “addicted” to the sweet potato coconut cookies.

Elbrand also appreciates the owners’ readiness to “show a Jewish girl an Italian twist” when it comes to food and cooking, she said. “They’re just so nice and friendly.”

Penn Dutch Food Center, established 35 years ago at 3950 N. 28th Terrace, carries everything from fresh meats to fresh flowers. The store also features seafood and deli departments, produce, baked goods, grocery items, wine and beer and a snack bar. Penn Dutch has its own smokehouses and a staff of 60-plus butchers and makes its own sausage, hot dogs and cold cuts from old family recipes. (Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.)

Donna and Bill Lloyd have shopped at Penn Dutch for 33 years because of the convenience to their Dania Beach home and reasonable prices that beat the larger supermarkets, as well as the outstanding customer service provided by Greg Salsburg, the grandson of original owners Edwin and Sophie Salsburg.

“You just don’t get that anymore,” Donna Lloyd said.

Hollywood is also home to several green markets: The Brothers Farmer’s Market (8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 4191 N. State Road 7), Josh’s Organic Garden (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays at Harrison Street and the Broadwalk) and the ArtsPark Saturday Market (4 to 10 p.m. Saturdays at Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 1). The highly anticipated Yellow Green Farmer’s Market, touted as South Florida’s largest farmer’s market, is scheduled to open Oct. 3 with more than 300 booths in a 100,000-square-foot facility at 1940 N. 30th Road. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.