CBS News Miami's favorite "Foodie Finds"

When CBS News Miami asked what your favorite restaurant was, Sirocco, a traditional Mediterranean restaurant in Pembroke Pines, has a backstory and flavors that do not disappoint.

Step into Sirocco and you're transported to the Mediterranean: Warm woods, white bricks, metal work, and an olive tree at the heart.

"Everything you see here literally reminds me of something home," Batoul Younis said.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Younis wanted Sirocco to feel like home and taste like it.

"I learned a lot of food from my mom and my grandma, mostly," she said. "I grew up in my grandma's house, and I had a passion for food."

In 2008, with the help of her brother and another partner, she left the world of banking and decided to pursue her passion.

"I figured why not take a chance and open a restaurant," she said. 

"Lebanese food it's mostly all grilling," Chef Jalal Dahabi said.

Head chefs Jalal Dahabi and Samir Awada, both Lebanese, bring Batoul's vision to life.

The most popular dish is Sirocco Grill.

"Sirocco Grill, which is you can get your beef kebab along with your chicken kebab and Kafta which is minced meat with some vegetables offered with rice or french fries. It's really really nice," she said.

The menu includes an assortment of salads like fattoush and tabbouleh.

"Very famous Lebanese salads," Jalal said.

Reporter Morgan Rynor's favorite dish was the kibbeh, which is fried beef cracked wheat filled with sautéed spiced ground beef with side of tahini sauce.

Right when you sit down, you're given a basket of fresh bread made right in front of you, and a cocktail list made for the heart and the eyes.

"Truly tremendously appreciate all the support from the community and without them we will not be here and we will not be on the second restaurant in Dania Point as well," Batoul said. 

On University Drive near I-595 in Davie is a sub shop packed with just as much as much history as the sandwiches themselves.

Laspada's Original Hoagies began in the early 70s when the original location opened in Lauderdale by the Sea. Harry and Gale Kappes later bought the shop from the Laspada family.

"They said they wanted to sell the store, we want to go back to Pennsylvania," said Harry. "We were at the right place at the right time."

The couple and their son Phil now operate all the South Florida locations, including their staple spot in Davie which opened back in 1987.

"My husband looked at a map and went like this - and said right there - Davie - the center of Broward County," said Gale.

Decades later their subs are still made with the same love.

Gale said quality, quantity, and persistence are in their recipe for success.

"To this day we still love what we do, we believe in our product," she said.

Still family owned and operated, some of the traditions remain including the customer favorite - meat throwing.

The reason for it dates back to their original location.

"The counter was so small that the guy on the end could never get his top or his bottom so the slicer guy threw it right into the bread, and it took off from there," said Gale.

The delicious food and the traditions are what keep customers coming back for more.

"I've been coming here for many years, it's good subs - what they do - it's nice," says one customer. 

Teri Hornstein stopped by Roasters 'N Toasters in Pinecrest: A local establishment that doesn't just serve up good food — it also, for many, feels like home. First opening back in 1984 at the Suniland Shopping Center, it quickly grew into a traditional New York-style Jewish deli.

Betty Nguyen says rich flavors form the broth of the quintessential Vietnamese comfort food. Pho Bar owner Minh Do says Vietnamese food is a very unique food compared to all the other Southeast Asian cuisines because it has a French influence.

MIAMI - Pura Vida offers healthy, fresh fast food in a beautiful, relaxed setting. Pura Vida was created by Omer Horev and his wife Jen to serve as a place for friends and family to gather and eat delicious and nutritious food.

"I think everyone is all about that healthy lifestyle. It's not just about great quality ingredients you are putting in your body. You also want to feel good when you walk into a space. So when you walk in, we want to make sure it's a great vibe," said Jen Horev.

Pura Vida has an expansive and diverse menu which includes smoothies, specialty coffees, acai bowls, wraps, salads, and offers breakfast all day.

"Whether you want eggs, chicken, or you are vegan. We have something for you," said Jen Horev.

Pura Vida is also dedicated to helping the environment with sustainable practices. Leftovers are set aside for composting partners who then turn to compost into fertile soil. This fertile soil is donated to local farmers in our community. They offer environmentally conscious and locally sourced products to reduce their environmental impact. Pura Vida also reuses paper to-go bags at every store and minimizes the use of single-use plastics.

Pura Vida was founded in 2012 with its first location was south of Fifth on Miami Beach. There are now 21 locations across South Florida with new locations set to open soon in Sarasota and Jupiter soon. Pura Vida in South Miami is situated on US-1 near Sunset Place. It is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.