Description: Before Nick and I head back home, we decided to stop in at the Hard Rock in Tampa for some dining and gambling for Nick.
We pull into the parking deck, park the car, and make our way through the casino trying to find the café. Nick wanted to gamble but we were both starving so we wanted lunch first. Just like in Hollywood, you have to go way back in the casino before you find the café. We finally found it and thankfully it was mid day so it wasn’t very crowded so we were able to get right in.
Jennifer came over and took our drink orders while we perused the menu. We ordered two teas and decided we wanted dessert so we skipped appetizers. Our drinks come out quickly, we order our food, and Nick heads for the bar to smoke.
I am still tired of burgers so I go with the Honey Citrus Grilled Chicken Salad and Nick (who apparently never tires of burgers) gets the mushroom and Swiss burger. We are seated near the open kitchen so I am having fun watching the kitchen staff while Nick is smoking. It doesn’t take long before our lunch arrives. My salad comes on a bed of lettuce with onions, with a spicy Cajun grilled chicken, oranges, dried cranberries, pecans, red peppers, and blue cheese crumbles, with an amazing honey-citrus vinaigrette dressing. Nick’s burger comes on a chibatta bun and is smoothed with sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese. He gets the seasoned fries.
My heavens my salad is yummy. Actually I could have done without the chicken and ended up giving most of it to Nick. Nick said his burger was great, but I took his word for it. I was about to stuffed for dessert, but they have small desserts so we went with those. I get the chocolate mouse and Nick gets chocolate peanut butter pie and we get them in the souvenir glasses. My mouse is served with a chocolate sauce and Nick’s is topped with peanuts. They were sinfully delish and hot the spot.
They do have a kids menu. They offer plenty of space for your next big event or group. They do have a gift shop but unlike the Hollywood one, I only seen the one gift shop. You can do priority seating up to 30 days in advanced. Smoking is permitted only at the bar. They do have a full service bar.
The café is part of the massive complex also owned the Seminole Indian Tribe which includes the casino, hotel, and live venue. The casino covers over 190,000 square feet of gambling fun with 4100 games for your donating pleasure. They have slots, Blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and more. They have 50 poker tables and for VIP’s a high limit table.
You can also hold you next big event here. They have several bars and lounges. And if the Hard Rock Café ain’t your thing, they also offer the Council Oak Steak and Seafood restaurant. There is free parking in the parking deck and there is bus parking.
After having lunch and getting my Hard Rick pin, Nick heads to the Black Jack table while I go around and take pictures. Now you can’t take pictures of the games, but you’re welcome to take pictures of the memorabilia. Some of my favorites here include Eddie Van Halens drum set as you enter the café, lingerie from Dolly Parton, a guitar from Mick Mars of Motley Crue, one from Tom Kiffer of Cinderella (and who was on the cruise with us) that for what ever reason was hung upside down! My favorite though was a costume worn by the late Ronnie James Dio. I had the chance to meet him many years ago and he was without a doubt one of the nicest people on the planet. He greeted every fan with a handshake or hug, posed for every picture, signed every autograph, and spoke with every person in line. Cancer may have taken him way too early, but the impact he left on his fans will always be around. Also at the VIP bar on each corner is a costume from each of the original members of Kiss. I have to take one for my Kiss loving friend John. And when I get to Gene’s, Nick has to have his pictures taken with it since everyone calls him Gene Simmons when he has his hair down (personally I don’t see it).
After Nick makes his donation to the casino, he make our way and head for our 8 hour drive to Spartanburg.
Recommendation: Very highly recommended
Cuisine: American
Price range: $10-20 pp
Website: www.hardrock.com
I always love going to the Hard Rock, and I have yet to find one I didn’t like. And after visiting Tampa Hard Rock, I am still keeping with I love the place! So when you’re in Tampa come soak up some sun, rock and roll, and make your donation to the casino!
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