Forget the flux capacitor, Boca Raton has a new time machine, and it’s sending taste buds straight to deliciousville. Yep, I’m talking about Maggie McFly’s at the Town Center Mall, where Legal Seafood (yes, I’m aging myself) used to be. And let me tell you, this ain’t no rerun – it’s a whole new episode of culinary goodness.
My Wednesday night adventure with a friend started with zero wait time, which was music to my hangry ears. The joint was jumpin’, but the hostess navigated us through the buzzing dining room, landing us at a high-top with comfy leather chairs that felt like hugs for my weary tush but those on the “fluffy” side may find constricting.
(By the way, describing someone as “fluffy” comes from working way too many years at Disney.)
Then came John, our waiter, who greeted us with a smile brighter than a fake Boca tan and took our drink orders using an old-school pad and paper. Now, let’s talk about the menu at Maggie McFly’s. Buckle up, buttercup, it’s a Cheesecake Factory-level tome of options, but John said, “the ingredients are way better than that place.” Think salads, burgers, pizzas, pasta, tacos, ribs, steaks, good Lord – you name it, they got it (and mostly made with locally sourced ingredients, because that’s how Maggie McFly’s rolls according to the backstory of the joint).
We started with the Ahi Tuna appetizer. Picture this: wild harvested line-caught ahi encrusted with sesame seeds, cinnamon and spices, crispy rice noodles, garlic ginger soy sauce, ginger, Mandarin oranges, all topped with a creamy balsamic wasabi. Dang! The slices of tuna were so fresh and melt-in-your-mouthy it could’ve been swimming off A1A ten minutes ago.
Next up, fried mozzarella sticks the size of an iPhone that were golden, crispy, and gooey perfection with a marinara dip that had me humming Italian love songs.
For the main event, I dove into the Wagyu burger, cooked medium-well, just like I like it. This wasn’t your average patty – this was Wagyu royalty, nestled on a toasted potato roll with Gouda cheese, Burgundy caramelized onions, and a garlic aioli sauce. Each bite was a symphony of juicy, perfectly seasoned meat and all the other stuff thrown on top of it. Sure, it got a little messy (hey, that’s what napkins are for!), but I wouldn’t trade that glorious mess for anything.
My dining partner conquered the Chicken Costoletta – two colossal chicken breasts, pounded flat, panko breaded, and fried until golden brown. Picture crunchy, crispy perfection nestled next to creamy Asiago mashed potatoes – a match made in carb heaven. The portion was epic, the chicken juicy and flavorful, and trust me, leftovers became breakfast champions the next day I’m sure as half the dish went home in a to-go container.
Now, I’m a sucker for a good cocktail, and since I wasn’t driving, the St. Augustine Manhattan at Maggie McFly’s was calling my name and it did not disappoint. Made with St. Augustine Florida Straight Bourbon, Kozuba Amaro, bitters, and a cherry, it was Smooth, smoky, and had just the right amount of sweet, it was the perfect companion to my burger. And did I mention they have a rotating selection of local craft beers, a huge whiskey, wine, and cocktail list? They also have non-alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing Company which makes some good stuff as well as virgin cocktails.
But hold your horses, the story doesn’t end there. We had to test the dessert waters, so my friend ordered the brownie sundae. Let me tell you, this wasn’t your childhood sundae with a sad scoop of ice cream and a sprinkle of chocolate sauce. This was a sundae! A few scoops of Lilly’s Vanilla Ice Cream from down the road in Delray Beach, nestled atop a warm, gooey brownie, sprinkled with almonds, whipped cream, and enough chocolate sauce to make Willy Wonka jealous. Every bite was a sugary sigh of satisfaction.
Now, here’s the kicker: at Maggie McFly’s, your server isn’t just your food courier, they’re also your dessert chef, smoothie whipper, and latte artist. Talk about multitasking! While it adds a fun layer of “will my server have time for my chocolate fix?”, I kinda admire their hustle. But curious how this works out if an 8-top all orders desserts while another 8-top is wanting to order.
So, my Boca Raton friends, here’s the verdict: Maggie McFly’s is a win. The food is top-notch, the portions are generous, the atmosphere is buzzing, and the prices are surprisingly wallet-friendly for Boca. Whether you’re craving a burger symphony, pizza, tacos, sandwhich or just want to try out some of their desserts, Maggie McFly’s has got your taste buds covered. So grab your friends, your appetite, and maybe a bib (for the burger, not the sundae – although both might be required!), and head down to Maggie McFly’s. You won’t regret it. This new joint is sure to be a Boca Raton hit, and trust me, you won’t need a time machine to travel back for another taste.