After reading Michael Mayo's rave review in the Sun-Sentenial, and it being Thursday, when I always eat lunch out, we decided to give Spatch Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Restaurant a try.

Their menu is based on chicken whether in a sandwich, on a platter, part of a salad or even a side. I had 'The Spatch" chicken sandwich which was excellent, with a side of coleslaw, not so excellent as there wasn't really a taste to it even though made with raisins and almonds, for $8.90 (Unless you have time to study the menu your receipt could be a little confusing until you realize that a $2.50 side is included for $2.) In addition I had a soda which was $2.30 with as many refills as you want. My check with tax came to $11.87

Allen had the chicken breast meal with grilled corn ($10.95) and a soda ($2.30) and with tax came to $14.05 He thought the chicken was too dry, more about that in a minute, and didn't particularly care for the corn.

Anthony had the Mac and Cheese bowl with chicken for $7.95 and his check came to $8.43 He felt it didn't have enough bread crumbs and I brought up that I don't ever recall having Mac 'n Cheese with bread crumbs. Do make your Mac 'n cheese with bread crumbs? Also the kid's Mac & cheese says nothing about having bread crumbs in it.

Unless you take the menu and step out of the way and read it before you go up to order there is pressure in ordering especially when the question of sauce(s) comes up.

Mayo had written about the service but since this is one of those fast-casual eateries there isn't much of that and what we got was minimal.  Either the buzzer system wasn't working or it was off because two wrong plates were brought to our table. Nothing said about the various sauces being available for the table and except for giving our order and the meals brought to our table we had no interaction with any of the help.

Spatch is a new trendy restaurant almost interchangeable with many of the new trendy restaurants. The prices are reasonable, the chicken sandwich is a winner but for me it is a onetime experience.

I do suggest you go to their web site and get familiar with the menu before your visit.

It is on the east side of Federal between Oakland Park and Commercial Boulevards next door to the newest Fresh Market in the 3800 block.

PS And I hope this is a new trend--NO TV!