GG’s of NY in my opinion is as close to a real NY-style pizzeria/neighborhood restaurant as you will find here in the SoFlo area. They have been the quintessential go-to for NY transplants since 1976. Not too long ago back when Fort Lauderdale was the spring training home of the New York Yankees and other teams at any given time you could walk in and spot a number of baseball luminaries of the time. As you enter the restaurant you will notice that the walls are lined with autographs of both baseball and football stars. Make no mistake this was and still is the go-to for good NY-style Italian food.
They bill themselves as a Pizza and Italian food restaurant. The moment you arrive and take a deep whiff you instantly feel as if you just walked into a relative’s home during the holidays. Those are the sounds and smells that only a real NY Italian knows and with which he/she is familiar. They come from a restaurant pedigree that dates back to 1937 when the Delgardio family opened for business as The Troy Restaurant and Pizzeria on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
We were seated immediately and placed our order. The server brought over warm bread, a huge bowl of salad, and garlic rolls for the table. Yes, it is included with your meal and it is basic but absolutely delicious. I can’t get enough of the house salad. The Golden Fried Calamari served with a side of house-made marinara is a must and a dozen of the Baked Clams (chopped) were excellent choices for appetizers.
For our entrées, I usually order the Zuppa di Pesci or the Eggplant Rollatini but on this visit, both Doris and I ordered the same meal which was the Veal Cutlet topped with Eggplant Rollatini. The portion sizes are always more than adequate so plan on taking food home. It’s hard to do but save room for your dessert, the homemade Classic Italian Cheesecake is always a favorite with our family. Some other favorites are the cannoli, tiramisu, tartufo and chocolate mousse, espresso, cappuccino, and double espresso shot, just like back home is what Doris says every time we go sporting a big smile.
The prices here are the lowest around and you get bread, a family-style salad, and Garlic Rolls with all of your meals. They have an extensive menu. My family has been going to GG’s for over 30 years and we just keep coming back for more!
