Nicole Danna

La Michoacana Natural serves up authentic Latin flavors like this, their version of mamey fruit ice cream.

There seems to be a perennial line at the walk-up window to the small stucco building at the corner of Congress Ave. and 2nd Ave. N that houses La Michoacana Natural, the Mexican ice cream shop in heart of Lake Worth. Whether it's the middle of winter, or a blistering-hot summer day, they come -- dozens at a time -- for a small taste of some of the best homemade ice creams, ices and authentic Mexican street fare around.

While it's not strange to see nearly every ethnicity in South Florida standing in line at La Michoacana, if you're not a Spanish speaker do yourself a favor and do a little research on Mexican ice cream before visiting -- or at the very least bring a smartphone with a translater app or a street-wise Latin American with you. Many of the staff don't speak a word of English, and if you have questions beyond what a single pointed finger can convey, they may go unanswered.

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United Way

Time to pay your taxes.

Today is April 15, the annual deadline to file your income tax returns.

Though there's really no one who actually likes filing taxes (let's face it -- even if you get a refund, the fact that you have to save a shoebox of receipts each year is enough to kill any joy derived from the fact Uncle Same has decided to give you back some of your own money).

The only good thing to come from tax day?  The freebies and deals that some restaurants offer as a way to compensate the headache of it all. Here's a list of some of our favorite offers:



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Courtesy photo

Dinner for two, without the white-linen-tablecloth price.

In a fantasy existence, snagging primo -- yet somehow affordable -- reservations at a classy restaurant on Valentine's Day would be a cinch. Or maybe in this magical land, Valentine's Day wouldn't even exist.

Alas, here in the very real world of overbooked dining rooms and -- let's be honest here -- sometimes overpriced prix fixe menus, V-Day in a restaurant can be an expensive pain in the ass. Pollo Tropical's holiday special may offer a solution for folks who don't care about fancy settings and fanciful ingredients.

See Also:
- Valentine's Day in Palm Beach County: Restaurant Prix Fixe Options
- Valentine's Day 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward: Restaurant Deals for Your Sweetheart
- Valentine's Day 2013 in South Florida: From Pricey Prix Fixe to DIY Dates

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JD Hancock via Flickr Creative Commons

Because the Peanut Buster Parfait will never go out of style.

One of the best/worst jobs I ever held down as a high school student was slinging Blizzards and Peanut Buster Parfaits at a Dairy Queen in Lapeer, Michigan, in the late '90s. Some aspects of the gig sucked pretty hard -- like the time a grumpy, grown-ass adult literally threw something at my 15-year-old self while I was working the drive-through window -- but it was mostly easy peasy. Flirt with cute boys all summer long and get all the soft-serve ice cream I could possibly shove into my angsty teenaged face? Yes please.

It may be time to dip into the nostalgia of Dairy Queen as the ice cream chain -- which pre-dates all of those trendy, flash-in-the-pan, self-serve fro-yo joints -- celebrates the start of its Customer Appreciation Day(s) today. While some locations will recognize the day on Saturday, most in South Florida appear to be offering their discounts today (Wednesday).

See Also:
- Orange Julius: It Lives! (Dairy Queen is Reviving the Brand) and Three Other Drinks That Should Have Survived the '80s
- Get Food Freebies on Your Birthday
- Top Five Fast-Food Ice Cream Treats

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pscf11 via Flickr Creative Commons

Krispy Kreme is lining up a 12-12-12 surprise.

Oh, hey. Did you realize that Wednesday -- 12-12-12 -- is the last repeating date for another hundred years? What's that you say? You've heard that about 12 times already today, just from your cubicle mates? (Of course, if you consider February 2, 2022 to be repetition, the whole point is moot.)

Well, no matter. Even if you're one of those who believe that the whole world is coming to a screeching halt on 12-21-12 (durr, it's not: NASA even says so) you can still take advantage of a few deals and specials being offered in honor of the possibly auspicious occasion.

See Also:
- Dada Brings Back Chef-Inspired Wine Pairing Dinners
- Krispy Kreme Offers Holiday Doughnut and a 12-12-12 Surprise

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Chicken Claus.

Got someone on your holiday gift list who's a sucker for the sticky, starchy delight of an order of fried plantains? Pollo Tropical is getting all festive this coming week by introducing a few new holiday promotions, including a gift card deal that also includes a little something for the gifter (that would be you).

See Also:
- Free Pollo Tropical for a Year Contest Asks Fans to "Shake It" (Video)
- Pollo Tropical and Fort Lauderdale Strikers Team Up Today For Double Discounts
- Chipotle Mexican Grill Gift Card Bonus: Free Food

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Chipotle Mexican Grill

How cute.

In case you've been living under a rock, the holiday season is in full swing and that means one thing and one thing only -- you've got to buy presents for just about everyone you know. Your kid's teacher, the mailman, the condo super, your office mates all become names on a never-ending list this time of year.  You could go to the mall and buy them all a scented candle. Or you could give them a gift card for a burrito from Chipotle Mexican Grill.

If you're feeling guilty about giving a gift card rather than a "thoughtful" present we'll tell you in plain English:

We would rather eat a burrito than your lousy homemade peppermint bark!



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Chipotle

Clark Griswold would be proud.

Halloween can be one long, scary night. First you've got to decorate the house with fake cobwebs and stuff, then you have to dress the kids up as zombies and princesses. Then you have to prepare for tiny little beggars showing up at your doorstep. You're going to need a little fuel (the vodka comes later).

Read Also:
- Five Best Neighborhoods for Trick or Treating in Broward and Fort Lauderdale

- Political Pumpkins for a Scary Presidential Campaign
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If the Dolphins' less-than-awesome pre-season performance (personified by the D'oh! airplane debacle in Texas) already has you ready to throw in the towel on football for the year, perhaps its time to give that other football a chance. More »

Debs via Flickr/Creative Commons

A sub for a buck -- even we can afford that.

If you get paid on Fridays, today's lunch outlook is probably grim. If you planned on making a meal by piecing together all those leftover half doughnuts from this morning's sales meeting, here's a better idea: Scrounge together a dollar in coinage and head to Jimmy John's for a sandwich.

Today, August 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., all Jimmy John's locations are offering eight-inch subs for $1 in Broward and Miami-Dade as part of their customer appreciation day celebration.







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