Critic's Review
PDQ Pompano opens today, in a new building in the spot that was formerly Hooter's and The Big Easy Bar and Grille. The first thing you notice is that it's built sideways; the PDQ design plan is for long but not wide buildings, and this space requires a wide building. So the entrance is on the side, and the drive through is in the front. The parking spaces that used to be by the front door now seem detached. None of this matters, of course; inside it's a virtual carbon copy of the Oakland Park store.
If you've never been to PDQ, it's basically a fast food place with more comfortable decor and an upbeat atmosphere. They have a sound system that cranks out tunes and calls out your name when your food is ready
I've had the tenders a couple of times; their signature item, and I don't find them to be remarkable. They're chicken, and I eat a lot of chicken. If I had a family I'd rather take them here than KFC, but the chicken doesn't do it for me. Today, I decided to try their Turkey Sandwich with the cole slaw and an Iced Tea.
They have a great beverage station, with Ultimate Vending Machine, 3 kinds of iced tea and fresh lemon.
Just load it up anyway you like it. My "meal" was ready before I could pour myself a tea.
Despite the pomp and circumstance, the meal is clearly fast food. Somehow I pictured the sandwich differently; the slice of cranberry jelly; the wobbly grilled cutlet and clump of lettuce didn't remind me of Thanksgiving in any way.
I opened the cole slaw and the reason I'd never tried it before jumped out at me; I really don't want fruit in my cole slaw. It's a nice looking slaw otherwise; not too creamy.
One taste and I was surprised to discover that this is some of the best Cole Slaw I've tasted in a long time. Not too cabbagy or vinegary; I pushed aside the blueberries and gobbled it up; they should sell this stuff in buckets without the fruit.
I took a bite of the turkey sandwich, which is transformed to fast food by the hamburger bun. Not bad. I opened it up to see what was going on inside.
The "herbed" mayo has a hint of sage that adds a nice flavor to the sandwich. I grew up with Cranberry Jelly so I like it better than the chunky kind. I definitely like the turkey sandwich better than the chicken.
So there you have it; in a part of town where Chili's is high end, you have a new place to grab some lunch or an affordable family dinner.
Disclosure: The food for this review was provided Free of charge at a pre-opening training event.