Restaurant review: Something-for-everyone menu ranges from Asian to Mexican to Southern

Readers may recall several previous restaurants that have inhabited the north end of the South Vero Square shopping center, including Arturo’s American Grill, Blue 42 Sports Bar and Grill, JR’s American Bar & Grill, and YNOT Restaurant and Night Club.

Florida restaurateur Gary Sofen and his managing partner Kevin Foster have recruited Chef Ryan Fitton to reign over the Vero Beach kitchen now. They have partnered in bringing food from several cuisines; comfortable dining in a cheery ambiance featuring lively murals created by Kenny McGuire Studio of Tallahassee; and two large bars — one inside and one outside.

A separate party room, called the Citrus Room, seats over 100, and a smaller private room holds about 20 guests.

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Twisted Lime in South Vero Square has two large bars: one inside and one outside.
Twisted Lime in South Vero Square has two large bars: one inside and one outside.

I would have to guess that the Twisted Lime menu has something for everyone. Just in our party, we sampled delicacies from Asia and Mexico as well as traditional Southern fare. Plenty of menu items were perfect for vegetarians.

Starting off with the Southern favorite, fried green tomatoes ($10), we all shared sliced green tomatoes, breaded in a spicy, crunchy coating and deep fried, then topped with chipotle ranch and cotija cheese. They were a hit, along with a spicy, perfectly smooth Mexican queso blanco ($9) served with nacho chips and the crispy, creamy yuca fries ($4).

My burger-eater passed over the assortment of smash burgers and surprised me by choosing instead the Asian garlic shrimp soba noodles ($23). He enjoyed the sauteed shrimp in a sweet and sour garlic sauce with onions, bell peppers, ginger and scallions.

At Twisted Lime in South Vero Square, the Korean fried cauliflower taco is a very nice vegetarian option.
At Twisted Lime in South Vero Square, the Korean fried cauliflower taco is a very nice vegetarian option.

A very nice "no-meat" option is the Korean fried cauliflower tacos ($13 for two). Although they were a bit "juicier" than my vegetarian friend had imagined they would be, she absolutely loved them. She had them with a side of Mexican street corn that is served cold and flavorful.

Another friend had recommended Twisted Lime’s chicken tortilla soup ($6), telling me it was loaded with chicken and oh-so delicious. She was right. I also had a Southern Cobb salad ($15) with crisp greens and veggies, a hard-boiled egg, and cold, chopped fried chicken, which I would have enjoyed a lot more had the chicken been warm.

We all shared not one, but two delicious desserts. Twisted Lime’s fried ice cream ($10) is a very large ball of vanilla ice cream with a delicious coating fried and drizzled with chocolate and caramel. But the best was the churro waffle ($8). This is a must for anyone who loves cinnamon sugar. You won’t be sorry.

At Twisted Lime in South Vero Square,
At Twisted Lime in South Vero Square,

Twisted Lime service is fast and friendly, prices are fair, the menu is varied, food is good, and dining is cheerful and comfortable. We give Twisted Lime a thumbs up.

Twisted Lime

  • Cuisine: Eclectic

  • Address: 710 S. U.S. 1, Vero Beach

  • Hours: 11 am. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

  • Phone: 772-539-0300

  • Online: TwistedLimevero.com

  • Alcohol: Full bar

Maribeth Renne dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm. Contact her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Restaurant review: Twisted Lime in South Vero Square, Vero Beach