My husband and I have always really liked this homey and large diner on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale. We went there last week as a treat before getting on our flight back home. The restaurant was packed, but the waitress took our order and we got our coffees and sat back to wait, and wait, and wait. We finally asked her after 25 minutes what was happening to a sandwich and an omelette, and was told it "was coming." Â After 35 minutes of being told to be patient we needed to hustle to make our flight. The hostess just told us that it was on them, but not a word of apology. Diner's are about fast service, I thought.
No way to treat a customer!
Alice J.
The Florida is fun because its 24/7. It's historic and the menu is endless.
They have a wide range of omelets and eggs Benedicts you can order. A lot of sandwiches and tons of burgers. Whether you're in the mood for breakfast, lunch or dinner this place has it all. It's like Wolfie's minus the old people plus bullet casing that missed Ricky Ross.
The staff is usually very nice and very attentive. The prices are also very nice too. For three people I walked out of there for less than $25. I'll do that all day long if I could.
There isn't anything that is wonderful about the actual food. It's all pretty average to good but it's landmark and because of that its worthy of a visit at least once.
A funny, but a bit creepy waiter started off with a dancing show on the sidewalk and led with great service. A ton of great breakfast options. Their menu has anything you can imagine on it. I had the Ham, Pineapple & eggs and like 5 cups of fresh coffee. All in all, a solid breakfast choice.
Review Source:This place is actually larger than you would think inside. Â It is the typical diner style food that you would ordinarily avoid at all costs but it wasn't that bad here.
There were folks eating outside and having beers and it looked like they were having fun so we thought we would check it out. Â Once inside you see a LOT of clutter. Â Celebrities adorn the walls from floor to ceiling in old picture frames that haven't been dusted in years.
I had Grilled Chicken and potatoes. Â It was okay but I doubt I would order it again. Â In fact I doubt I would revisit this place again. Â I bet this place is really busy after hours when nothing else is open and you have been out drinking at the bar. Â They are 24 hours and don't forget your AMEX card or cash!
After a long 3 hour drive from Orlando, we decided to go here because it was the only place in Fort Lauderdale that was still open! This place is open 24 hours. I typically HATE diner food because it just grosses me out....but the name, "The Floridian" sounded really authentic and Florida-like I thought it would be great to try!
The place is cluttered with old frames. It is spacious, but the place honestly looks like a trashy murder scene waiting to happen. Ok that might be exaggerated, but there were random leather swivel office like chairs surrounding one of the dining tables there....Who uses office chairs to seat customers?! ODD.
I felt really scared to be here. Just because it was late and sort of ghetto. Their menu options are extensive and actually sound tasty! Share the Smoked Salmon Omelette and Buffalo Chicken Wings. The pricing is reasonable...but the taste is oh em gee gross!
Smoked Salmon Omelette: BIG portions. BLAND in taste. Want to hear the grossest part about this dish? The smoked salmon was STRAIGHT UP FROM A CAN. Ever have canned tuna? Uhh yeah their "smoked salmon" tasted so can-like I had to stop eating it. The toast was regular bread nothing ordinary. Hash browns super super oily and plain in taste.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Just greasy! Looked so dead in their "bed of old lettuce".
Our waitress was nice though... I don't know this place is just a NO GO for me.
Went for breakfast and it was everything we were looking for. Reasonable prices and big portions. Could split most of the dishes ... expecially if you order a side. The french toast was very good.
Sat outside. Inside felt a little dated.
Our server was great. By the end of our meal, just about all the tables were sat and she was jumping from one to the next taking care of everyone.
The Floridian is the old standby of downtown Fort Lauderdale, basically a diner type of place with diner tasting food and a diner environment but locally ever popular.
I've been stopping here for years, had just about everything on their menu as well as what they've ever offered as a daily special and can only say that its stomach filling with the only thing I actually enjoy about it being variety of patrons it attracts. It can often be somewhat akin to an amusement park with the varied collection of locals and tourists generally providing the entertainment.
The other good point about this landmark is that it's the cheapest place to eat on Las Olas, but unfortunately the food tastes like it. If you're dinning here my suggestion is to keep it basic, something a short order cook should be incapable of screwing up like one of their burgers (oddly their "American Burger" comes topped with feta cheese), salads, or sandwiches; staying away from anything that may tax their culinary talents since I've found that even decently prepared Buffalo Style Chicken Wings seems to be a bit much over the edge for them to get right; hence I'd shudder to think of what their steamers or fish plate might be like.
I'm a foodie and usually don't expect the best quality food from diners in general. The Floridian, while a diner at heart, has incredible food! Â I ordered the special - mahi-mahi covered in crab meat, smothered in Hollandaise sauce and it was life-altering. The flavors were well-balanced and the fish was cooked perfectly (not too dry with a nice flaky texture). Â A friend ordered the meatloaf and it was by far the best meatloaf I have ever tasted. Wow. I was absolutely awestruck.
Definitely worth the visit. Amazing food, comfortable atmosphere, and quality/timely service.
A friend put me onto this spot and from there I put my sister onto it as well. We came out with a friend and really enjoyed the spot. Although my sister started out with the shrimp scampi with spaghetti pasta she ended up with the wings instead . She said her scampi was bland with no seasoning what so ever. Even with that old rustic look and feel this is a great stop which should be on everyone's Bucket List. Â I myself had the wings and mozzarella sticks which were so tasty.
Review Source:I Â went to the Floridian for breakfast and was disgusted. The potatoes were boiled and cold. Can't they fry them? My friend had eggs over medium that were very runny and my greek omelot was all runny eggs inside. The waitress was so flustered when we brought this to her attention. Management is very poor or they would handle this kind of situation better. I think they get away with murder because they are such an institution. I just moved a couple blocks away and will never go back.
Review Source:When I think of the Floridian I think of 2 things-awesome late night drunk food and BRING CASH, as they don't take credit cards.
It's been here forever and it's great diner food. Â Especially if you are out late boozing it up!!! Â I took a client here for brunch and he was a convert! Â
Breakfast burritos are pretty awesome, name your own omelets, sandwiches, etc
They also have the world's smallest TV's hanging up over the counter, they are pretty comical.
Had breakfast here, after reading online that it was a Fort Laudy institution.
Divey with standard diner fare. Go for the atmosphere and the history or because it's 2:30 a.m. and you're craving pancakes, eggs, bacon, and coffee.
Glad that I got the experience but not sure if it's something to repeat.
THE FLORIDAN  is an old landmark of what was the area like until it turned plush and in fashion the food is good  and fast, you can sit inside or out on the patio and where the show is for free. The apple pie was pretty good and for snacks we shared appetizers . It is authentic and it something like we all remember like Woofies in  Miami which is just a page in history books or the Rascal house. I think one has to judge it for what it is, a place to sit back and enjoy a quick  snack or light lunch. As for parking its where you can find it out on the street. Yes it is a cash business but back in the 50's and 60's how many places did except credit cards. If its good food, good service and a free show then this is the place for you.
Review Source:Not my favorite but our visit served its purpose.
All we needed was a place to eat & relax until heading to the airport. The Floridian seemed appealing since it's open 24 hours and located in a cute neighborhood. A divey diner for sure with walls filled edge to edge with celebrity photos - some were signed and some were not. The room we were seated in seemed to be a shrine for Marilyn Monroe with an entire wall dedicated to only photos of her.
I had the Veggie Burger and Curly Fries. The flavor actually surprised me! Mostly because of its thick slices of cucumber which added a refreshing oomph. <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FNDx0GL&s=61998f5054541c28d184ce3a83e31eb98ce579233de08819e39dc14ca2ed5581" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/NDx0GL</a>
Service was actually good for 2am and our waiter was nice to look at. But there really isn't anything here that's pulling me to come back. We actually left The Floridian earlier then we had planned. We thought it would be more exciting to wait at the airport another 5 hours for our flight. At least there's free wifi at the airport.
3 and a half stars. I first came to the Floridian after a late pageant at a nightclub and all the girls were naturally hungry. The Floridian made us feel at home people were awake at the early morning hours and the wait staff ready to serve.
 Its a real authentic Diner and even during regular hours you can see people sitting on the curbside tables enjoying their breakfast or lunch, or breakfast for lunch, it seems to be busy whatever time.
 The food was good everyone was satisfied and happy and great value its a great break from the typical IHOP or Denny's so Im all for it!  Check it out if you already haven't.
I can't thank the floridian enough for serving a giant group of partygoers breakfast at 4 am! The service was somewhat slow, and they only take cash or AMEX. Â However, the decor hasn't been touched since the 80's, which is funny, and the food portions are giant, and so so so good! It's just what the doctor ordered after a long night. Will absolutely be back, wish I had known about this place sooner!
Review Source:When I lived here...I was one of those gals wandering around after 5am looking for some drunk after club/bar treats. I would pick up one of my girlfriends from MIA...then pick up the Jetblue girls in FLL...then we would go out. Its funny how history kind of repeated itself!!
I cant believe this place is still here!! Its still open 24/7...and only accepts cash!! They have the same cheese decor...and huge portions. I ordered the philly cheese steak with enormous amounts of mayo on the side. They actually just brought me the squeeze bottle. The service is still slow....hard to get a seat since they have no staff....but it really didnt bother me since I was having a great time hanging with my friends. Plus I am drunk and just wanted to eat and flirt with other patrons. I dont think I have ever been here during the day....but always a great place to hit up after cruising the nightlife of Las Olas.
When in FLL...and on Las Olas...you have to go to The Floridian. You walk in and feel like you are back in the 80s...like time has stopped.
If you want cheap eats on Las Olas, this is the place to go. Â I tend to only come here during "I want breakfast food at 3 in the afternoon" type of moments. The food is okay, the prices are very cheap and the service is hit or miss. Don't go if you're in a hurry to get anywhere. Also, bring cash because they don't accept credit cards.
Review Source:The Floridian is the consolation prize of Las Olas eateries. Â Need some food after hours before heading home? Â The Floridian has you covered 24/7. Â Seeking some very unfancy grub? Â You'll find plenty here. Â Have plenty of time to kill and want an indoor seat? Â You'll find that seat and support from very slow service at The Floridian. Â Don't have a lot of cash? Â Don't worry, you won't need it. Â Only have credit cards? Â Sorry, The Floridian is cash only.
The menu is heavy on BBQ items, burgers, salads and simply prepared fish dishes, but also has conch fritters and salads and a few diner classics. Â Nothing here is good enough to single-out, but if you're here for a quality dining experience, you've received some very bad advice. Â The food is a shade above subsistence grade.
Clientele at The Floridian present an interesting assortment of local characters.
Avoid the musty back room.
We were wandering down Las Olas Blvd looking for some seafood and a place to watch a basketball game. Â This was the closest and least packed.
Claiming to be opened 24/7/365, this establishment has a timeless feel to it, like it belongs in the scene of a cheesy 80s crime drama. Â Speaking of timeless, we waited a long time for our food- mainly because there was just one waiter. Â
I don't even remember what we ordered as I have no complaints.... Â BUT OH MAN was there a lot of it! Â I there is one thing that I can say about this place is THEY HAVE SOME GENEROUS PORTIONS! Â You could train for competitive eating there. Â More realistically, you could take a date and split a meal. Â You'd probably spend less than $20. Â You may not see that girl again but, hey, you have priorities!
I LOVE the Flo'!
Open around the clock, and depending on the time or day you go in, you never know who you might run into. It's like a Hemingway novel!
Don't love that you can only pay with cash or AMEX, but as I am a regular, that is no longer an issue.
Avoid the joint on Sunday mornings if you, like me, do not like to wait.
This place is real popular with the Gays (like dad used to call 'em), so keep that in mind if you aren't open minded.
The service is sometime spotty, but I'm good with it because of all the healthy materials that they serve for breakfast. I like my egg-white omelets with spinach and feta cheese and turkey, when its not ham and broccoli. Breakfast is the only attraction here for me. And they do it well. The place is famous in Fort Lauderdale.
Enjoy. Plenty of street parking. News stand next door so you can grab a paper.
I've heard that this is one of the oldest diners in the area, and it doesn't surprise me at all. When I visited about 9.30 AM, the clientele were all over 50 and it the patrons looked as they were just 'a-hangin' out at the place.
As for the food-- the portions are huge, but after about three bites of my *ahem* omelet, I just couldn't eat anymore. It tasted as though the whole thing had been cooked in spray cooking oil and then left out for a bit. The food wasn't visually appealing and though my two companions seemed satisfied with their choices, I was done with mine. Portions were about $8.00 a plate, which seems in line with the rest of these types of places in Fort Lauderdale. I have no desire to return here, nor do I encourage people to visit here.
At this time, It was true that the diner only accepts cash and AMEX cards; I'm not quite sure why they haven't switched to every type of card, but it would be handy to have more choices.
Pretty good breakfast place on Las Olas. Its been around forever and you can tell...in both good and bad ways. You sit basically right on top of each other and there is always a wait on the weekends but if you're nursing a hangover this is the spot for you.
Note: they only accept cash! There is an ATM inside but there is a surcharge.
One of the oldest diners in the area. The menu has a lot of variety and the portions are large. The service, in spite of the grumblers I'm seeing on my right, was OUTSTANDING. The waitress was attentive and made sure that my coffee stayed hot and full. Food came out in a timely manner. The quality was very good. I had the biscuits and gravy with some scrambled eggs. Â It was just fine. Â
The only complaint was possibly that they might want to replace the carpet. It's developed that smell that you get when restaurant flooring has been cleaned a few billion times too many and still starts to retain that old-food smell. Â The rest of the place is historic and charming, and this wasn't that big of a deal. Just saying.
Of the diners in the area, Duffy's still is the best for freshness and menu. If I'm over around Las Olas, though, or needing a bite late at night, after Duffy's has gone to bed, I definitely would come here first. It's the king of the 24 hour diners, by far. Â
Word of warning. They only take AMEX or CASH. Â This should keep you from being surprised. Â They do have the ATM if you are caught off guard though.
Also, WiFi would be nice :D
Late night unbelievable dirt bags, I was having a nice time and then they told me it is 'cash only' and that I had to use that ATM!!! this is a huge high volume dinner with automated cash machines, blah blah blah .... so of course they take credit cards, basically these scum bags are trying to scam late night customers and pocket the cash!!! unbelievable!!!
So i gave the ATM receipt $2.25 surcharge to the waitress as the tip, told her to collect it from her boss! Â unbelievable first class scum!
I will even call the owner during that day.
and I would have eaten there every morning and late night as it is close to the hotel, what a bunch of losers 'oh we don't take credit cards', we will never eat there again. Period.
I honestly don't even know where to start. I'm giving them 2 stars purely based on price in comparison to location. Brunch for 2 under $20 on Las Olas seems like a good deal. Unfortunately it really wasn't worth it.
From a taste bud perspective - the food wasn't terrible. But it was far from great. I ordered an egg white omelet with veggies, and a bowl of fruit. The fruit was sent back and taken off our check as it was essentially a hacked up orange (miscellaneous chunks with the rind still on) and some slimy cantaloupe and mushy grapes.
The omelet was undercooked, mushy and falling apart. The "Home fries" was diced potato with onions, green bell peppers, and HUGE chunks of unidentifiable charred objects. I opted for the biscuit, over toast, cause I'm a sucker for homemade biscuits.... big mistake! Their biscuits are beyond dry and crumbly. I told my boyfriend I felt like I was eating a fist full of flour.
The service left much to be desired. I don't expect my server to be my new best friend, but I do have a problem with my beverage being empty for 20+ minutes and finally having to stop someone to get me some water. Drink refills are basic, that's Serving Tables 101. Refills should be delivered, or at least offered, before the cup is even empty.
My fork was dirty, the table was greasy.... and the woman at the counter where you pay was fairly rude and abrupt. (Excuse me for interrupting your personal conversation with a co-worker!!)
BE AWARE: They only accept cash and AmEx (who doesn't take Visa!?!?)
Now, from the perspective of a restaurant manager - I hate seeing places like this. The Floridian will probably never go out of business. Even though there are over a dozen things critically wrong with it. Because of the location, and the fact that the walls are covered with random memorabilia and pictures, tourists are going to assume this is a favorite of locals. Besides easily luring in tourists, my guess is The Floridian makes a lot of money between midnight and 6am as they are open 24hrs and can cater to drunk club goers, or restaurant employees getting off work from neighboring establishments and craving something quick and cheap.
The menu is overloaded with options. Sometimes restaurant owners want to make sure everyone's happy and so they offer tons and tons of dishes. What ultimately happens is that it overwhelms the consumer. Additionally, it's murder on your food cost, and your kitchen staff. It means having to remember way more recipes than is possible, and there are undoubtedly dishes you don't sell much of in a given week, meaning you are either holding on to, and using, expired product (big no-no!) or you are throwing it away and decreasing your bottom line controllable profit.
The staff is not professional. I'm not going to go into this, because whoever is running this place has to be aware of it. Just know that it does leave an impression on your customers.
I wont be eating here again. Waffle House is just as cheap, with better tasting food, and a cleaner environment.
This place has been in business for 60 years....I also think that might be the last time they made a fresh pot of coffee. Â
I've been here three times in my business travels and each time the food has been pretty average. Â
They lose a star for how gross the bathroom is and how long it takes them to clean up a dirty table after someone leaves.
The food is ok its just that the whole thing seems dirty and gross.
I'm not opposed to kitchyness or real old-school places but when they take it to the level of being filthy I can't deal.
I probably won't be back but then again there's a good chance I'll fall into some sort of depression and begin not caring about where I eat anymore....so I really can't say for sure.
Ew!!
This places gets worse every time I come here. Â I just can't get past how dirty the entire places is - the tables and menus are so coated in grease I was afraid to use my napkin. Â I was even more embarrassed because I brought out-of-towners here one day for breakfast. Â I don't even need to mention the service - awful, always has been.
None of us finished our food even though everyone was recovering from a hangover - and that's saying something!
I've been coming here on and off for three years now - always bad, without exception. Â The one mystery is why I keep coming here. Â Maybe because they're one of only four 24hr restaurants in town. Â Go to Lester's Diner around the corner for a 24hr alternative. Â At least their menus don't stick to your hands.
YUCK
The Floridian has been around for more than 60 years, and you know the hurricane's predicted to be bad when the diner that never closes boards up.
Food:
It's diner food, but it's mostly very good diner food. Breakfast all day, every day if you want it. The menu just keeps unfolding because there so much to choose from. If you ask nicely they'll make you anything, but that's their secret. They'll never admit it.
Some of the best biscuits in town, and make sure to get some bubbly with you eggs benedict or felix omelette. They have other options for some champagne instead of the $199 breakfast with Dom Perignon. Forget fake comfort food, this is real and this is good; it doesn't try to be any more haute than it is, but yummy and delicious.
Now it's true, that like any diner, sometime the food and service can be hit or miss. But I can tell you, after over 10 years of eating here, The Floridian might falter occasionally, but it's consistently good. This is old Florida at it's best, so take your time and relax.
Venue:
The Floridian's not Denny's- or IHOP-like, it's a clutter of years of memorabilia and pictures. Look closely enough and you'll see the same Las Olas and Fort Lauderdale but with older cars and thinner people. There's a lot of knick-knacks and clutter, and while the space is big you may feel cramped. Just enjoy the experience, because you'll notice that it's always busy for a reason.
It's personable and friendly, and a real Fort Lauderdale spot, so whether your in town for a short visit or a long time with relatives, go eat and feel like a real Floridian.
1.5 stars for the breakfast items. Â I came here once for breakfast -- simple stuff like eggs, home fries, bacon, etc. Â How can you be a diner serving breakfast all day when you can't cook an egg? Â My sunny side ups were undercooked, with raw egg white floating all over their tops. Â Just remembering them makes me feel nauseated. Â
Also, the "country ham" listed all over the menu is not really country ham. Â Rather, they use the fully-cooked, processed, chunked and formed variety of ham.
It's conveniently open 24 hours. Â I'll give it that. Â And it has a cool local, old Florida diner feel. Â It's too bad; I wanted to like it since it's been around since 1937.
Go down to Le Bonne Crepe instead for a much better breakfast. Â Even Lester's Diner on SR 84 is better than The Flo, if only because they don't mislead you or take the unacceptable shortcuts that The Flo does.
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