Description: Erika, Todd, and I had arrived in Tampa in the late afternoon and were looking for a place to eat. Erika noticed that there was a Hard Rock in Tampa, and we decided to go and check it out because the food is good there.
Todd thought he had seen the sign for the Hard Rock on Route 275 on the way into Tampa/St. Petersburg, so we headed back onto the highway. After a while with Erika and I playing navigators, we couldn't find the sign or exit and got off at the Hillsboro Avenue exit. We needed gas and stopped at the Citgo station for gas and directions. The guy working there said that the Hard Rock was down the road and on Orient Avenue.
All gassed up, we hit the road again. We found the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near the I-4 on-ramp, and at first, we were disappointed that it was a casino/hotel and not a cafe like many of the other Hard Rock establishments are.
Erika, Todd, and I walked around the casino looking for a Hard Rock Cafe and found none. We saw the Green Room and thought, "What the hell, we would be stuck waiting for a table elsewhere, so we might as well give it a try."
After a short wait, we were seated at our table in the middle, which made us feel like the center of attention, but we kept to ourselves.
The prices in the Green Room were very reasonable. I ordered the lobster special, which was only $12.99. I thought I was hearing things when our waitress mentioned the price. I ordered the lobster, while Erika and Todd ordered steaks. Our meals came with good salads with spring greens and veggies and yummy croutons. Shortly after we finished our salads, the main courses came. I was shocked to see a tiny whole lobster on my plate, all red and shiny. As I picked up my nut crackers, I joked to Todd and Erika, "I wouldn't order this on a first date." The lobster was heavenly and came with fries and green beans. Todd and Erika said their dead cow was good, too. Our bill came to about $65 + tip, and it was worth it!
The Green Room is open 24 hours a day and serves reasonably priced breakfasts all day along with dinners and sandwiches. It is well worth a dinner when you visit Tampa.
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