Though many regard apple pie as the quintessential ‘all-American’ food, there is definitely an argument to be made for meatloaf.
Yes, in your youth you may have regarded this classic dish as something to be simply tolerated or maybe even avoided altogether (“Hey mom, can I eat over at so-and-so’s house for dinner?”).
Chances are, however, that as you’ve grown older, this comfort food, literal slabs of soul-soothing goodness, has become something more. Something delicious yes, but also a link to your childhood, dinner with family and simpler (better) times. Even the smell of it baking, with some baby glazed carrots caramelizing alongside, gravy simmering on the stove next to a heaping pot of freshly made mashed potatoes, can be enough to make one believe that everything is going to be alright.
Here are a few local restaurants where you can get your meatloaf fix:
The Jupiter Grill
The meatloaf at The Jupiter Grill features wagyu beef and smoked gouda.
This waterfront destination’s take on the classic definitely takes it up a notch. It is made with wagyu beef, smoked gouda and applewood smoked bacon and is served over roasted garlic Yukon puree with truffle gravy for $37.
Details: 149 Soundings Ave., Jupiter. thejupitergrill.com
Nick’s 50s Diner
Nick’s 50s Diner owner Alyssa Cannon said they make their wildly popular meatloaf with ground beef and pork and top it with fried onions.
Located under the ‘Deluxe Platters’ on the menu at Nick’s, this classic is made with ground beef and ground pork, served with a classic, made-from-scratch brown gravy and is topped with fried onions. It comes with two sides and is $16.95. It can also be enjoyed as an open face meatloaf sandwich with one side for $13.95.
Details: 1900 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. nicks50diner.com
C.R. Chicks
A bit of mashed potatoes combined with a piece of meatloaf that is then dredged through gravy! The dream can be yours at C.R. Chicks.
In a hurry, but still looking for that meatloaf fix? This fast-casual destination has got you covered. Yes, they are well-known for their perfectly-cooked rotisserie chicken, but they also make a pretty mean meatloaf. Served with a mushroom cream sauce, it is tender and wonderful and comes with two sides for $13.99 Those side options include their horseradish smashers (mashed red skinned potatoes with a touch of horseradish). Want to go even more old school? You can get it as a sandwich on their buttery, housemade bread with lettuce, tomato and mustard for $11.49.
Details: there are seven C.R. Chicks locations, all in Palm Beach County. crchicks.com
Belle & Maxwell’s
This longtime destination along the ‘Dixie Corridor’ on South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach has incredible ambiance both inside and out. Their impressive take on this all-American classic goes with bird over beast and features ground, all-white meat turkey with caramelized onion & herbs, gravy, mashed potato and veggies.
Details: 3700 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. belleandmaxwells.com
Howley’s Diner
Serving up classic diner fare since 1950, the iconic West Palm Beach restaurant knows a thing or two about comfort food. They definitely know their meatloaf and this one is even named. Technically known as Gino’s Meatloaf, the recipe is from owner Rodney Mayo’s friend Gino. Howley’s manager Jess Hill said it has a classic ketchup glaze, comes with a side of homemade beef gravy and two sides. Hill said it is a big seller for them.
Details: 4700 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. instagram.com/howleyswpb
Meatloaf on Palm Beach
Meat Market
Meat Market’s American-Style Kobe Meatloaf is a house creation from its wood-burning grill, a spokesperson said.
Meat Market’s proprietors avow that using the highest-quality meat is priority No. 1 at the restaurant, including with the American-Style Kobe Meatloaf ($29).
“It’s a house creation from our wood burning grill,” said marketing director Isabella Denaro.
With bacon, mango barbecue sauce, an onion ring, buttermilk-accented mashed potatoes and more, guests who favor reinvented throwback favorites can’t get enough of Meat Market’s meatloaf.
~M.M. Cloutier
Details: 191 Bradley Place, Palm Beach. meatmarket.net/location/meat-market
Swifty’s at The Colony Hotel
The meatloaf at Swifty’s at The Colony is said to be made from a recipe by American couturier Bill Blass.
Remember when Swifty’s debuted at The Colony in 2019?
Of all of the menu items it offered then, a few were big headliners and continue as best-sellers today: among them, “designer” meatloaf.
It’s said to be made from a recipe by American couturier Bill Blass.
The dish ($47) is served with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.
~M.M. Cloutier
Details: 155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach. thecolonypalmbeach.com/dining
Bricktop’s
Bricktop’s meatloaf is made with Prime sirloin and glazed with a tangy house sauce.
Skip trying to decide between the Prime rib with au jus or the finger-lickin’ baby-back ribs with slaw; go ahead and try the meatloaf, Bricktop’s fans say.
Made with Prime sirloin, Bricktop’s meatloaf ($42) is glazed with a tangy house sauce and served with creamy whipped potatoes.
It’s just the sort of dish one might want to enjoy after a nostalgia-nudging appetizer of Bricktop’s deviled eggs ($18) served with “millionaire’s” bacon.
~M.M. Cloutier
Details: 375 S. County Road, Palm Beach. bricktops.com/palm-beach
M.M. Cloutier, special correspondent to the Palm Beach Daily News, contributed to this report.
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Get your meatloaf fix at these West Palm Beach, Palm Beach restaurants
