Critic's Review
Much of the lore of old Fort Lauderdale is just that, and frankly I don't find much of it to be appealing. The Cypress Nook as been serving breakfast and lunch since 1948; a time when there were more alligators than people in the area. The restaurant does live up to its name, sort of, as it surely is a nook. Its not, however, on Cypress Road as you might suspect, so it can be a bit hard to find. Its on McNab, just east of Cypress Road. Drive slowly or you might miss it.
There are a few tables outside but there was no evidence that you were allowed to sit there or that there was any service outside. Inside the little house sports 2 rooms; a small dining room and a kitchen, where you can see a refrigerator not unlike the one you might have in a modest home. There's no hostess; you just sit down and they can't help but notice you.jump-->
Cypress Nook Interior
I haven't been here in 2 years, and the service was much better this time. Their menu is better now also; previously you had to know how to order things like brats with your eggs, and now they have a more organized menu. The place is mostly regulars; the servers seemed to know most of the people in the place to the point of sitting down with them and having personal discussions.
They still only take cash at breakfast and lunch, and they still have no splenda. I don't get why they'll give you 5 pats of extra butter but they won't offer splenda. Good thing I wasn't having Iced Tea. I ordered the German Combo; 2 eggs with Bratwurst and Kielbasa, with home fries and rye toast. There's light music in the background but I couldn't make much out except for "I will survive". No Oom-Pah music here. The food came out quickly.
Cypress Nook Brat/Kielbasa Combo
They certainly give plenty of food. The brats were overdone, particularly the Kielbasa, which was burned through in one place. Well done sausages are healthier but not as good. The eggs and potatoes were fine, but it was funny rye bread. It had rye seeds, but it had the consistency of wheat bread. Coffee was filled when needed.
Not a bad breakfast, but frankly I think that good pork sausages are better with eggs than brats and kielbasa. At least it was something different.
They serve breakfast until 2pm and I was there just before noon, so most other people were eating lunch. They give big portions for lunch, and big mugs of iced tea.
