We went to Big Louie's Pizzeria on recommendation and were happy for the edible meal because the beach had made us hungry. We had passed up a number of restaurants with tempting menus on Las Olas Blvd.--including one or two that were Zagat rated. However, they did seem rather expensive. Too late, we learned that most restaurants had the same range of prices. Perhaps we would have reconsidered Noodles or Mancini's had we known. But, that's life.

Big Louie's has a good reputation and seemed rather busy. They offer gluten-free and whole wheat alternatives for additional cost. The salad was superb. The vegetables were clearly fresh, and I especially loved the creamy Italian dressing. I would go back again just for the salad. That being said, I would also opt for tasting the pasta, which did look yummy at other tables, instead of ordering another pizza. Paul had the basic margherita. He really enjoyed it because the sauce was divine. I just didn't like how greasy it was. His pizza also had a thicker crust that made the meal much better.

My pizza had diced onions, tomatoes, and broccoli, lots of dried herbs, and oil instead of sauce. The crust was thinner, and because the pizza was too oily, I couldn't pick up a slice because the corner would be wimpy and not hold the veggies. A thicker crust could have made the pizza much easier to eat. I also was disappointed that the diced broccoli was really mainly broccoli stems and not florets. Finally toward the end of the meal, I saw a small evidence of the dark greens from the top of the stalk, but the stems were more common and were not so inviting. On the up side, I loved the dehydrated herbs--oregano, basil, sage--and would have enjoyed them alone on a basic pie.

Price wise, the pasta would have been a bit cheaper because at $10 it came with salad and rolls. Our pizzas were $10 and the salads were $3. Price comparison is always something to think about when you're living on a budget, especially a vacation budget.