With its consistent presence in our annual Best Of listings, I would think that everyone was familiar with Stork’s, but I am always surprised by long-term residents who are completely unaware of what quite possibly could be the best pastry café in South Florida.
Stork’s has been a local Wilton Manors’ favorite since 1997. Those who think of it as “just a coffee shop” couldn’t be more wrong! While it does feature freshly brewed coffee each day, as well as a vast array of teas, smoothies, cappuccinos, and lattes, it also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner items to take home or enjoy in the quaint dining room or lovely patio. The food is gourmet Mediterranean. Stork’s also offers catering.
Jim Stork opened the store in 1997. Joining him in this venture was Peter Dekaj, who functioned as his pastry chef and managing partner. Jim had previously been the mayor of Wilton Manors. He and Peter worked side by side establishing the business for 10 years. In 2007, Peter assumed ownership of Stork’s.
Stork’s café is open every day of the year until midnight. Breakfast is served until noon, Monday through Friday, and 1 p.m. on the weekends. Menu items of course include a tremendous selection of pastries, but there are also omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and wraps. The full café menu is available from opening and closing and features hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads, and entrees. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert. Whether it’s something as simple as a cookie or bar, cannoli, or baklava it will be the best version of that treat you’ve ever eaten. The cakes and crumbles are just as spectacular, whether you opt for Mom’s towering fudge cake or the exotic white chocolate pistachio cheesecake, you are certain to be satisfied. Don’t tell my cardiologist, but sometimes, I just skip dinner and have two desserts!
If you haven’t been to Stork’s, you owe it to yourself. We’re far enough into the new year that you’ve already broken those resolutions anyway!
Stork’s Bakery
2505 NE 15th Ave., Wilton Manors
954-567-3220
Wilton Manors Dining Scene
Things have tended to be consistent in Wilton Manors as far as the dining scene goes. We have a lot of successful restaurants, and even those spaces that don’t seem to be able to maintain a tenant have been settled into quite nicely for a while. So, when three changes to the dining landscape occur the effect is seismic. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. The ground didn’t shake, but the news was ground-breaking. First, Lotus Chinese Kitchen, a Wilton Manors staple since 1975, is moving to 3020 N. Federal taking over the space once occupied by short-lived diner Toast. Lotus owner John Yang says he will keep the original location open until the Federal location opens in April when his current lease expires. Yang did not want to move, but the new owners of the mall in which Lotus is located intend to tear down the existing shops and build a condominium development on the property. La Salchipaperia D.C. is opening in the space formerly occupied by Jack’s BBQ and Gyro Express on Oakland Park Blvd. Salchipapas is a South American street food. It looks like French fries tossed with pan-fried hot dog slices, doused in ketchup. This is the first U.S. location of the Colombia-born chain. Bagels & Co. will be the first Florida outpost of a bagel-centric breakfast chain based out of Philly. It’s in the former Starbucks near Five Points. Its claim to fame is variety, with seventeen bagel flavors and twenty-nine specialty cream cheese flavors.
Food Network’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival
The star-studded, four-day destination event displaying the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities returns next month. The festival takes place Feb. 23 – 26, 2023, and this year the event will truly live up to its name with all events except one taking place in the Miami area. In the past, many events were held in Fort Lauderdale. All net proceeds from the festival benefit the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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