11th-Street-Diner-Trend Mag Online-Trav Review-Nov.'16

Now back to the matter at hand. I arrived at approximately 12:10 PM (EST) after my walking tour commenced a few blocks away off Washington Avenue. The diner was packed so I did my usual and grabbed a seat at the bar which also very busy. I guess some of these folks learned of this place the same way that I did; via word of mouth. Others, I learned, were finishing up a benefit run with connections to champion tennis player Serena Williams who has a place on the beach I heard. The interior was traditional for this type diner and I appreciated that the AC (Air conditioning) was working and properly set for maximum comfort. It only took about 5 minutes for me to be recognized by the server so I ordered a dine-in meal at about 12:15 PM. I decided to try their breakfast since our guide mentioned it during our walking tour. You gotta listen to those people you know! Smile!

I ordered my favorite Mexican omelet with grits and wheat toast. I typically check out the men's room while waiting for my order but decided against it because I did not want someone else to steal my stool at the bar. Then things may have gotten real ugly. The dining room area was not kept very clean which may have been because of the large crowd. I have worked in the restaurant industry both here and in North Carolina and you have to figure out a way to keep the dining area clean even when it gets very busy. There is an art to that, it is called organization. I blame the manager. I did, however, appreciate the funky music playing in the back ground.

My meal was up at approximately 12:43 PM, 28 minutes from the time that I placed at 12:15 PM. Another two minutes and I would have had something to say like -- that was too long even with a large crowd. My omelet was good, the eggs nice and fluffy with a pleasurable blend of cheddar cheese, onions and tomatoes. It could have used more bell peppers to give it that extra southwest flavor like they do at my favorite Waffle House. The grits were not too bad for South Florida; not too watery but a bit on the lumpy side. The art is to make them not too lumpy or watery. My wheat toast was not toasted enough for my liking; it was a bit too soft as if it was not toasted at all. My total came to $11.42 with tax and a self-imposed gratuity which I am vehemently opposed to because it creates a sense of server complacency.

All in all it was an okay experience at this diner with the tasty omelet, slightly lumpy grits, un-toasted toast, messy dining area, and the fact that I was not given the opportunity to "self-reward" my server.

The 11^th Street Diner is located at 1065 Washington Avenue, Miami (South) Beach, FL, 33139. Their website is eleventhstreetdiner.com and phone number is (305) 534-6373. Tell 'em that you read about them in Trend Magazine Online^tm.

Trend Magazine Online™ Travel Review November 2016 11th Street Diner South Beach Florida

Trend Magazine Online™
Travel Review November 2016
11^th Street Diner South Beach Florida