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Royal 350

Royal 350 Tap and Kitchen

350 E Las Olas
Fort Lauderdale FL, 33301
954 617-7447
Overall Rating
2.4
Food
Service
Ambiance
Value
Last Review
09/13/2016

Details

Hours: Mon-Wed 4-11, Thu-Sat 11-11, Sun 11-9
Attire: Neat Casual
Parking: Street Metered, Valet, Garage Self
CC: Yes
Alcohol: Full Bar
Outside Dining: Yes
Reservations: No
Delivery: No

Pros

Great "Pub" Atmosphere
Friendly Service
Big, Close TVs Great for Watching Games
Good Drink Prices

Cons

Weird Menu Recipes
No Buy-Backs
Food is Expensive
No Good Vegetable Sides
Often Close before Closing Time

Critic's Review

Rebranding doesn't help when you have bad food and policies. The burgers got smaller, the menu got weaker and even uber-regulars here never got a buyback. Over time, they lost their regulars and the place was dead even on weekends.


They took the TVs, which is a sign they're not coming back.

I know their initial lease was very favorable as Samba had been closed a while and they were anxious to get a new tenant. But now it seems that the building owner believes he can get someone to pay big time rent. They're lease probably ran out and the new terms were untenable for a struggling pub.

____________________
The Royal Pig Pub has re-branded as Royal 350; Same owners, they just changed the name. The menu has returned to it's piggish roots; there are literally no entrees on the menu at all.

I saw this today:

Royalpig cab

The only thing more astonishing than the fact that they didn't redo the Cab ads is that a restaurant that's been open 10 years is still running cab ads.

-----------------------------------
The Royal Pig Pub has re-opened with some very strange policies; they close at 7pm on Sunday and are closed on Tuesday. The completely revamped menu is very pricey (a cheeseburger with cole slaw or truffle fries is $17.95), and the entrees are so weak as to not even be a consideration. $25 for chicken breast or $35 for "steak" au poivre; an odd choice for their mostly ball cap wearing clientele.

Their Facebook page still says that they're closed on Sunday and Monday; it seems like ownership has left this place for dead. No posts in a month and obviously nobody is even bothering to monitor the page.

Review 5/26/15

I haven't written anything up on the Royal Pig in a long time, mainly because there hasn't been anything good to write about the food. The bar scene here is about the same, except that the crowds are smaller and you can usually get a seat at the bar without much of a wait on a Saturday night. It's a great place to watch a game and most of the servers are pleasant and competent.

When they first opened, I was pretty excited about their menu. They had a bunch of things I liked and their pricing was fair. Unfortunately, the menu is a moving target; they're constantly changing recipes and for the most part they've ruined what used to be some pretty good dishes. I'm not quite sure what the strategy is; I'm not sure if they're trying to lower the cost of the food or if they just have a chef with too much time on his hands, but changing recipes is something that I think is a no-no for a restaurant. I don't want to go to Timpano and order the mussels and find that they're now serving them in a garlic wine sauce. I'm ordering them because I know I like them. If I'm going to pay $13 for an appetizer I don't want there to be a 50% chance I won't like it. Also, if you're going to change a recipe, make the dish taste BETTER. That isn't the case here.

The big thing about the menu is that some of the stuff is downright weird, which some people may consider the point. They've started piling watercress on everything (weeds as I call it). I would have liked to catch the look on the girl's face when she was delivered the Royal Pig BLT:

Royal Pig Pub BLT

Another peeve is the lack of vegetables. No side salads and no normal veggies. I tried the "summer succotash" and decided that it wasn't for me.

Royal Pig Succotash

One thing very sad to me is the duck nachos, which were great when they first opened; served with cheese and jalapeos.

Royal Pig Duck Nachos

They're now made with mango; maybe mango is cheaper than jalapeos? I'm not ordering them.

Royal Pig Pub Duck Nachos (5/15)

Recent Food Experiences

Case in point, we have my last 3 tries at the Royal Pig food. Last night I ordered the Spinach Dip, something I've had a few times before.

Royal Pig Pub Spinach Dip 05/15

At first glance, it looked pretty good. They certainly don't cheat you on the chips or the cheese.

They have substantially shrunk the "extras"; no more onions and a lot less of the pork rinds. A smidgeon of salsa.

Royal Pig Pub Thimble of Bacon and Salsa

While I'm glad they don't put artichokes in it, which I've never understood, there's really no concept of flavor here. You can't really taste the spinach; it just tastes like cheese, and not really good cheese. The chips also aren't very salty.

Royal Pig Pub Spinach Dip 05/15

Another annoyance was that half of the chips where stale. It seemed like every other one. By the time I was half done, the cheese was too hard to scoop with the chips. I tried this with the bacon/pork rinds, the salsa. There was just nothing I could do that really made me raise my eyebrows.

I still can't believe that they took the Spinach Formaggio off of the menu at Timpano; easily the best spinach dip I ever had; and exactly the same every time.

Meatballs

A few months ago I tried their "new" meatballs; they used to have Turkey Balls that were OK, but these are made with "Duroc" Pork, which is supposedly better. Two meatballs are $14.

Royal Pig Pub Pork Meatballs ($14)

The balls themselves are very dense, but not very well seasoned or interesting. You need stuff in meatballs; cheese, onions, something. These just tasted like balls of pork.

Royal Pig Pub Pork Meatball

They're served with a "charred tomato sauce"; to me when you char tomato sauce it's because you forgot about it and it cooked way too long. I didn't like anything about the meatballs. Restaurants attempt to convince us that brand name meat products are better, but if it doesn't taste better, it's just more expensive.

BBQ Wings

When they opened they had terrific wings that were a little bit jerk and a little bit buffalo. They were small and they didn't give you enough, but they were good for $11. The wings have changed a few times; none for the better, and are now described as "Mesquite smoked in a Texas BBQ sauce". I just felt like wings one day, and I ordered them.

The first impression is the battered onions; a stack of unwanted stuff to fill the plate.
Royal Pig Pub Wings (1/2015)

They're served with some sort of fancy mayo; I asked for some blue cheese. The wings are saucy, messy and the weeds stick to them and there's no way to get them off.

Royal Pig BBQ Wings 2014

Additionally, the wings were undercooked; pink isn't a good color for poultry.

Royal Pig Wings. A bit Pink.

I've queried a number of long time regulars and we all pretty much agree that the wings were much better when they first opened. Change for the sake of change isn't a good thing for a restaurant. I go to Martorano's for their $20 meatball and it had better be what I had the last time.

Conclusion

Given the widespread incompetence on Las Olas, the Royal Pig remains one of the coolest, most comfortable spots on the street. It's a good place to drink and have some potato chips; and the best place to watch multiple games at once. But I think that their menu has gone off the rails. When they opened the filet was $28; now it's $36. Everything on the menu has a buzzword in front of it; Prime, organic, free range. Higher prices are one thing, but the food isn't as good, and I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Why can't rich people be happy making a lot of money running a really good restaurant? Why must they always have to squeeze out more and more until they become just another place with a mediocre, overpriced menu? Does the ownership group really think that the food is 20% better now to justify the pricing? I find that difficult to believe.

Review 7/24/13

If you haven't figured it out yet; The Royal PIg Pub is the new "it" on Las Olas. Teaming with ex-YOLO regulars, there's a new place in town for the grown ups to hang out, and it's taking Las Olas by a storm. Previously the Samba Room; The Royal Pig is a complete remake of the space, from a dark, clubby space with a smallish bar to a mega bar that runs from the rear kitchen to 20 feet from the front door.

The Royal Pig is the first place since YOLO opened to quality as a suitable hangout; it's as close to a sports bar as you can get without being called a Sports Bar. They have lots of TVs, comfortable bar seating and lots of booths. The bar scene is the big thing here; everything revolves around the huge central bar.

Royal Pig Pub Bar Scene

The Royal Pig is owned by the restaurant group that owns most of the Hooters in South Florida, as well as Lulu's Bait Shack; this concept is intended to be a more sophisticated approach. While they have some cuties working here that I wouldn't mind seeing in tight, orange shorts, the bartender's attire is more refined with vests and purple ties.

One thing I can say without hesitation is that they have the best free bar food in the city; house-made potato chips are served up during the week.

Royal Pig Free Potato Chips

Sometimes they're a bit soggy, but when they're crispy and well-done I have to stop them from giving me refills on these. They usually run out by 10pm.

Talking with a friend the other day, he mentioned that he really liked the burgers; of course I was skeptical. It's a burger. But I decided to try one, as I've been here many times without ever having tried it. I ordered it on a brioche bun, medium rare with cheddar cheese and cole slaw; it comes with a choice of side for 12. It came out without the cheese (it was ordered correctly), but soon made an appearance properly done.

Royal Pig Burger

I cut it in half to check how it was done; perfect, pink without being raw.

Royal Pig Burger 2013

The cole slaw was very good; more like a cabbage salad, made without mayo. I tried the burger plain, with pickles, with and without ketchup. It was a terrific burger. I didn't need seasoning, and I liked the pickles, which weren't the usual out of the big jar standards.

I'm not one to rant about burgers, but this was great. I'm not sure if it was really 10oz; because I could have eaten more.

The Scene

The Royal Pig has become the new Bar Scene place in Fort Lauderdale; if you remember what Big City Tavern was like 5 years ago you'll know what's going on here. While Big City reigned before there was competition for the "Look at Me" crowd from YOLO, the Pig is the younger, yuppier, rock-and-roll crowd that prefers Tom Petty to the disco beat where they hang out. On Fridays the crowd is decidedly younger, and the place has become the de-facto place to watch Heat games and college sports. Recent grads screaming for their alma-maters; I've never taken to college sports myself. Saturdays are a bit older; with a spattering of YOLO defectors easily identified by the sequins and clutches.

During the week, you can usually get a seat at the bar, although the place is never dead empty. The Big TVs make hanging out and having a drink a comfortable experience.

They push the "schooners", which seem curiously popular considering that they're only 2 ounces bigger than the much more manageable "pub" glasses, which are a pint.

Royalpig glasses

They have a wide selection of beers on tap; drink prices here are fair.

Their outdoor space is much more appealing than previously at the Samba room. There are TVs at the bar and an eclectic array of seating choices, although big fans by the bar will mess up your hairdo.

Royal Pig Pub Patio

Outdoor spaces have become mostly for smokers in modern times, unfortunately, so it's difficult for me to enjoy it with any sort of crowd.

The Service

Service here highly depends on who is working; some of the servers are routinely excellent, and others simply lack a second gear needed to handle the big crowds they get here on weekends. On Fridays and Saturdays the bar is 3 deep and getting a drink can be a challenge.

Eating here on weekends can be 'hectic". There's really no where to hide from the scene. It's part of the charm of the place, but don't expect to have a quiet dinner on a Friday night as there's no escaping the action, except perhaps on the sidewalk tables. During the week it's more tranquil and service ranges from good to top notch.

The Food

I had high hopes for the menu here, with wings, ribs and rotisserie fowl creating some interesting possibilities. But overall, I have to say that I'm underwhelmed. While many of the items can be quite good, inconsistency is a problem. Dishes tend to be too saucy with too much bread. They favor fancy ingredients over portions; 6 wings and 4 ribs just isn't enough. The first time I had the wings they were moist, rotisserie wings; the next time they were finished on the grill and not as good.

Royal Pig Chicken Wings

The same goes for the Spinach Dip, I've seen it 10 times and it never looked the same twice.

Royalpig spindips

The ribs are excellent; easily the best restaurant ribs in the area. The brussels sprouts are good also, but the dish leaves me wanting another rib or 2.

Royal Pig Pub Rib Appetizer

By far my favorite menu item is, surprisingly, the Buffalo Chicken Sliders. With mild buffalo sauce and blue cheese, they're just want I want in a snack. I've gotten these piled high with chicken and with much more modest portions; sometimes they come on onion rolls and sometimes they're plain.

Royalpig buffalo sliders2

I also like the nachos, individual "tostada" style nachos with your choice of pulled pork, chicken or duck. I order them with extra jalepenos. IMO the weeds on top are wholly unnecessary. You gotta love the tiny tabasco, even though I have no use for the stuff.

Royal pig nachos2

Specifically not recommended are the Salmon entree and the "Prime" beef sliders. The other sliders are better.

The Royal Pig Pub is the best addition to Las Olas in years. Whether you're having a meal, grabbing some apps at the bar or watching a big game, the Pig provides a fun, comfortable atmosphere at reasonable prices.

Photo Gallery


Comment Policy Add Comment
Mike
Reply
Yeah that place a joke now. Frozen bar food
Administrator
Reply
Menu revamped yet again. They've given up on being a restaurant altogether as the serious entrees have disappeared; not that a double order of ribs was serious. You can no longer get a steak at the RPP.
Jack
Reply
Their Facebook page says they're closed Sunday and Monday but they were open yesterday. You wonder how well these places could do if they were run by competent people.
Administrator
Reply
If only. Their hours are correct on their website and wrong on Facebook. Crackerjack marketing.
Carlton C
Reply
How does Adobo fit in with the theme? A pub without a decent steak on the menu? What are they using for the Au Poivre, sirloin?
Administrator
Reply
Adobo is like what Lemon Pepper was in the 80s. When you don't know how to cook, you buy Adobo powder and sprinkle it on the chicken.
Administrator
Reply
The Pig has re-opened with a new menu.
Administrator
Reply
I doubt this place makes money in the summer; these guys are likely focused on re-opening their Hooter's restaurants. Most places don't make money in the summer; it will be interesting to see how long these big restaurant groups keep their underperforming places closed.
Administrator
Reply
The Royal Pig has closed and is no longer offering take out. Seems kind of odd the day before the Governor outlines his reopening plan, but I guess they ran out of cash. They just announced new menu items on April 24 and then shut down on the 26th.
Administrator
Reply
In the Holiday spirit, The Royal Pig has canceled their late-night weekend happy hour. No mention of this on their social media.
Jenkins
Reply
Saturday night, everyone is watching NFL playoffs, and they have a DJ cranking stupid music. It's like they have no idea what's going on.
mike
Reply
this place has gotten very dreary and depressing,can't even muster burger monday anymore
Administrator
Reply
Imagine if they didn't have the good TVs ...
mike
Reply
barely even worth it for that anymore, and the food has never been worse, an absolute joke at those prices. i have this place officially on death watch
Administrator
Reply
You've described most restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. They won't close it, because it's the only decent place that the owners can take the Hooters girls and be big shots. When your portfolio is Hooters and LuLu's Bait Shack you have a very low bar.
mike
Reply
yea, you're right. they could at least refresh the place, it's time. really gotten bad in there
Administrator
Reply
Let's just hope that DelFriscos and Tuscan Prime don't suck.
Administrator
Reply
RPP has some new menus including a new lunch menu. Another place to get Tacos in Fort Lauderdale.

Just $15 for a Cuban Sandwich.
Rob
Reply
Whoever the brunette bartender was at night on March 11 needs to GO. Worst service I've ever received at the pig. She spent the whole time serving one group of assholes.
mike
Reply
this is also referred to a standard visit to the Pig
Jade
Reply
I'm amazed at all of the people here who order the "truffle" fries for over $10. I mean seriously!
Administrator
Reply
RPP has a DJ on weekends now, so expect loud house music rather than a pubby atmosphere.
Administrator
Reply
Watching a Ranger game and a bunch of NYers come in and sit next to me. Guy asks me who my favorite Ranger is. I like hockey but I really don't have favorite players. I ask him who his favorite was. "Nick Fotiu", he says. Odd answer; who's favorite player is an enforcer from the 70s and 80s? "Why is that', I asked. "I am Nick Fotiu". And indeed he was.
Greg
Reply
WHAT HAPPENED to the female bartenders?
Administrator
Reply
Don't put money in the Jukebox here. It will take your money even when the restaurant is playing from an ipod, so your song with never play. It's also $1 for 1 song, which is totally absurd.
Administrator
Reply
Dear management. Don't pour people drinks at 11:50pm if you're going to turn off the TVs and turn up the lights and kick everyone out at 12am sharp. Ever hear of "Last Call"?
kingmaker
Reply
They always want to shake your hand when you sit down and i say no thanks my hands are clean...
Janice
Reply
What happened to the bartenders that used to work here? These people have no idea what they're doing.
Mike
Reply
So I went in for the Monday Burger Deal, $10.00 for burger and a beer, sat at the bar. The tab was $10.60. I added a $3 tip, made the total $13.60 and left. I pull up Amex the next day and see a charge for $20.60 - the bartender had replaced my $3 tip with a $10.00 tip! I call to speak to a manager explaining what happened - they say he is busy doing orders, will call me back. No one has called back, also emailed thru their site - nothing. What is going on at this place??
Bob
Reply
What's with the dance music lately? It doesn't go with watching the World Series.
Administrator
Reply
New menu is up. They have a "creole" chicken sandwich with cheddar, avocado and "chipotle" aioli which is very curiously un-creole.
Rita
Reply
$27 for Gumbo?
Administrator
Reply
It's "chefs" gumbo. It's too bad they can't serve it in human-size portions. It comes in a big pot and it's probably 3000 calories.
Sherry
Reply
Asshole Irish drunks have infested the place
Administrator
Reply
So there's this young couple sitting next to me one day and the girl is buying drinks for random people at the bar, telling everyone how "hard" she works. She was asking people what they did for a living but wouldn't divulge her income source. This was her way of "giving back".

Here's my advice: If you have some extra cash lying around, instead of buying people who may very well be multi-millionaires drinks in a bar, give some money to charity. There are a lot of people in real need.
Administrator
Reply
They added a Chianti to their menu. $8. A decent drinking wine. Goes well with Potato Chips.
Bob
Reply
Walked out last night. Girl behind the bar was serving people randomly without regard to when they arrived.
Sherry
Reply
Now the Official Jewish hangout on Friday nights.
Ryan
Reply
What does that mean exactly?
Sherry
Reply
It's the place to be!
Susie
Reply
True statement
Bradshaw
Reply
Jerry Rice was at Timpanos chowing down on Mussels and giving autographs...Class Act...
Anonymous
Reply
Joe Montana was here on Thursday. He was a dickhead. Sitting with a couple of 22yo girls and throwing cloth napkins at people trying to take pictures. Maybe he didn't want his wife finding out.
Mike
Reply
I really love the Pig, but they need to be careful to maintain quality control for the long haul. After a few great experiences here, i was disappointed this past Sunday night - very messy bar with discarded glasses and plates not being cleared after people left (not very appetizing atmosphere to eat at the bar) , and sub-par food as well on the same dishes that were previously very good. Hope its not a trend.
Jiggers O'Malley
Reply
Great Looking Place. Bartenders not perfect. My Martini was not as I asked. Beer selection terrific. Pork sliders A+. Comfortable. I'd come back.

Pam
Reply
I love the bar, but the schooners are better suited for ice cream sundaes than beer.
Janey
Reply
The Anti YOLO. I like it.
Zoe
Reply
Hooters, chicken fried steaks, New Orleans--this place is trying to be everything but a proper royal pub. Way too much going on. Call Gordon Ramsey before it is too late!
Goldilocks
Reply
I seriously hope I can get a thick sliced freshly cooked pork sandwich, crispy lettuce and mayo on a top quality bun. If not, why bother?
Native
Reply
"Thick sliced pork" ... Your not from around here are you?
annie
Reply
Stopped in today and spoke to someone who said they'll open mid-July. It's a great-looking place.
Fat Hand
Reply
Flatbreads and sliders would be my guess.
Administrator
Reply
I hate flatbreads. Why does everyone have to do the same thing? Mussels, sliders and flatbreads. It's a culinary wasteland.
Fat Hand
Reply
Indeed. It's sliders as far as the eye can see.
BOBBY EYES
Reply
They have hired 5-6 hot Hooters girls from their other places....Should be nice Eyes CANDY....
Native
Reply
What about hot guys?!? Not fair!
Administrator
Reply
Last time I went to Hooters 2 of the girls were "expecting" and there weren't any "Hot" ones. Hopefully some of the old VIBE cheerleaders will apply.
Barbie
Reply
Another Yes, Hooter Girls as your service staff.. When will Las Olas Restaurants learn that Model servers are often the worst ones..
Administrator
Reply
They make bad wives too, but who wants to marry an ugly chick?
Royal pig pub
Reply
Looking to find out who is adding the pictures
Administrator
Reply
We take our own pictures.
Ryan B
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I hope this place is good. Downtown really needs another place or 2. YOLO is getting so boring, and the crowd at Timpano is too old.
Marqus
Reply
Hey! I may be old but "too old?" Not only do I disagree with you but so does my life insurance carrier.