Fort Lauderdale’s Growing Pains and Good Eats
Marv and Jen dive into all things Lauderdale, from craving Chinese food and debating $5 Publix sushi to the boom at Port Everglades and downtown’s $43 billion economic impact. They break down Las Olas’ controversial median-and-tree fight, basketball vs. pickleball courts on the beach, and how growth is reshaping local life. Along the way, they share holiday travel horror stories, mall runs, and why supporting local vendors still matters.
This is the episode for anyone wondering what Fort Lauderdale really feels like right now—busy ports, bigger buildings, hotter restaurants, and tougher choices about trees, courts, and parking. Marv and Jen blend neighborhood gossip with stats, stories, and plenty of laughs.
Why listen:
- Hear local takes on top Chinese spots like Lotus Chinese Kitchen, Wing Loon, Wans, and Sun Rice, plus the $5 sushi phenomenon at Publix.
- Get the real talk on Yellow Green Market’s new $15 parking and what that means for small vendors and weekend shoppers.
- Understand the long-running Las Olas median and tree debate, including sidewalk widening, canopy concerns, and disruption for businesses.
- Learn what’s at stake with Fort Lauderdale Beach basketball courts, the push for new pickleball courts, and how crowds could change that beachfront stretch.
- Discover how downtown—only 1% of Broward’s land area—now generates about one-third of the county’s economic output and roughly $43 billion in impact.
- Hear about Port Everglades’ record year across cruises, cargo, and energy, including the Disney Cruise Line’s impact and millions of annual passengers.
- Get a feel for changing retail and lifestyle hubs like Pompano City Center, Sawgrass Mills, and local craft spaces like Painted Tree.
- Enjoy fun side stories: cornhole championships, wild Frontier Airlines passengers, Powerball “stupid tax,” and holiday white-elephant drama.
People, Places, and Events Mentioned:
- Lotus Chinese Kitchen: https://www.lotuschinesekitchen.com
- Wing Loon Chinese Restaurant, Oakland Park: https://wingloon.net/
- Christina Wan’s Mandarin House: http://www.christinawansmandarinhouse.com/
- Sun Rice Chinese Restaurant: https://sunricechinese.com/
- Scotty McCreery: https://www.scottymccreery.com
- Darius Rucker (Hootie / “Hootie”): https://www.dariusrucker.com
- Yellow Green Farmers Market: https://ygfarmersmarket.com/
- Las Olas Boulevard Association: https://lasolasboulevard.com
- City of Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas projects, parks, courts): https://www.fortlauderdale.gov
- Port Everglades: https://www.porteverglades.net
- Disney Cruise Line: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com
- Inter Miami CF: https://www.intermiamicf.com
- Pompano Citi Centre: Pompano City Centre
- Crafty Crab Seafood: https://www.craftycrabrestaurant.com
- Painted Tree Boutiques: https://paintedtree.com
- Dave’s Hot Chicken: https://www.daveshotchicken.com
- The Mai-Kai Restaurant & Polynesian Show: https://www.maikai.com
- 15th Street Fisheries: https://15streetfisheries.com
- Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale
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Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.
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