I don't know the
exact figures but about 2500 restaurants open in South Florida every
year and in the same period of time 2450 close. About a year ago Allen
and I went to a place called Crocs in a new shopping enclave and we weren't thrilled by it. Another
restaurant we went to in the same area, about the same time, now has a
new "Opening Soon" sign on the side of their building. Crocs closed and a couple of
months later Lauderdale Grill opened in the same site. They had a 2-4-1 lunch coupon in the
paper so we decided to try it for our Wednesday lunch.

They haven't
changed the exterior or interior of the place except to put the name Lauderdale Grill on the tables
and the outside of the building. They have the same menu for lunch and
dinner. Allen had his diet coke ($2.85) and I had coffee ($2.25) and
having been in the restaurant business I  still do not understand the 60
cents difference between the fountain syrup and coffee though I do, to a
point, the high cost to pay the diswasher,
hostess, server, etc.

We both decided to order the 10 ounce prime
ribs ($18.99 each) which is a little pricey considering that the
Quarterdeck, Outback and Chuck's Steak House are all within walking
distance, open for lunch and offer a thicker slice for less money and
the same quality.

I ordered mine
rare with a baked potato and a salad while Allen had his medium with smashed
garlic potatoes and broccoli. Instead of asking if I wanted my salad
first, with or after the meal she just waited and brought it with the
meal. There was no bread service, not that Allen or I needed bread but
once again, at that price for lunch, let alone at dinner, there should
be a bread serving.

Obviously the
prime rib wasn't cooked that morning and was, in all probability, dunked
into au jus and then served. My slice was
more medium than rare and I had to ask for a side of au jus which turned out to be room
temperature so it didn't help.

Considering
there were only 4 parties in the restaurant neither the manager and/or
owner bothered to check on their customers. The check came to $25.53
plus tax and tip after the $18.99 deduction.

I have a feeling this restaurant will be called another name
within a couple of months, if not weeks, as with all the competition
around it didn't offer any.