Mugs is one of the true sports bars in Fort Lauderdale; it's a bit hard to believe that it used to be a regular restaurant. Critically acclaimed "Christines" used to be in this space, but it's been completely transformed with a TV in every nook and cranny.
The layout of this place has it's issues, as the bar is the worst spot to watch any game, much less a particular one. The bar is far away from the big screens, and the service area is out front, so you can't sit and face the room. If you're at the bar you won't be able to watch more than a couple of games at once, and you may not be able to watch your game from where you want to sit.
The food here is pretty good, i had the wings when they first opened and they were fine.
They've been touting their $7.50 lunch and the Yankees had a day game today, so I thought I'd check it out. There was no parking in the front so I parked in the back. They have a free parking lot in the rear.
It took longer than expected to make the cheesesteak; I guess I'm used to the cheesesteak places where they make it all on a grill in a couple of minutes
The place was basically empty; there was one table but I think it was all employees or friends of employees as they were just gabbing the entire time I was there. They had tennis on every TV, but they popped on the Yankees game. I looked over their lunch menu and decided on a philly cheesesteak. I didn't realize from their advertising that the lunch menu was all they had at lunch time; or maybe they just didn't show me the full menu. I'd think you could get wings if you wanted, but maybe not.
I had a pretty good seat. They have Samsung flatscreen here and when you're the only one in the place it's a pretty good view.
It took longer then expected to make it; certainly longer than your typical cheesesteak place. I ordered an iced tea which came out in a big plastic glass; no lemon. I had to ask for lemon and she brought me a single sliver. Do people really drink iced tea without lemon? Finally they brought out the cheesesteak.
It was a medium sized sandwich, with a ton of french fries. The fries were better than the usual shoestrings; they were sprinkled with something that added some flavor. The cheesesteak itself was fine; no cheese wiz option but the provolone was good; you're typical Steak Um type sandwich rather than the chop-chop. It had a nice soft roll.
When I got the bill I was a bit surprised; I didn't realize that a beverage was included in the $7.50. Considering an iced tea is usually around $2.50, $5 for a sandwich with fries is a pretty good deal.
In my first review of Mugs I stated "It's a good place to watch a game but It's not the kind of place I'd come for a meal". What I meant is that I wouldn't come here just to eat; if there was no game I wanted to watch. Not necessarily because of the food; but because is just feels like a sports bar and not a restaurant.