Duffy's Sports Grill opens first Miami location

[freakerdude]

Duffy's just opened a 25,000 sq. foot location on the Intracoastal in N. Miami Beach on Friday. This is their first Dade county location and are well respected in Palm Beach county.

200 HDTVs, 600 seats, dock space for 50 boats, a pool, 40 beers in the old Water Club location.

This location looks really nice.

http://www.duffysmvp.com/NorthMiami/i...

[Blind Mind]

I guess I'm the only one wondering if this is really "Chow-worthy"??

[nikklos]

Duffy's "Death Dog" is definitely "Chow-worthy"!

[The Chowfather]

Hey Blind Mice, of course sports bars can be chow-worthy

[GatorFL]

The Original Duffy's near UM in Miami is better than the chain-store Duffy's migrating down from Palm Beach.

[The Chowfather]

Agree that the UM one is a cool spot but that's not really what this post is about. #RIF

[CFByrne]

There's probably a "Duffy's Bar" in every major area of the country.

So I'm not sure about labelling one near UM "the original".

[GatorFL]

Well, it's been there since the 40's. So for Miami, I'd say that's pretty original.

[CFByrne]

Wow, that is pretty impressive. And I thought only joints like Tobacco Road have been around that long.

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Tobacco Road
626 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130

[GatorFL]

Yeah it is. That's why I called it the "original." I can vouch for the food and the beer at the original. The beer is ice-cold and the food is great. It's still family owned; the owner often tends bar.

I live in Palm Beach and like the Duffy's chain, it is consistent and the beer is always cold . I've been to a few different locations. None have the ambiance of the original in Miami.

[Frodnesor]

If you're thinking of the Duffy's Tavern (a fine little place) on Red Road I don't think it has anything to do with the Duffy's chain.

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Duffy's Tavern
2108 SW 57th Ave, Miami, FL 33155

[The Chowfather]

I've heard very good things about their food as far as sports bars go. I've been to the one in Boca but only for drinks.

Going to try the new location later today, Any recs?

[CFByrne]

Wings not that great. The chicken parm is actually not bad and a huge portion, you won't be able to finish it. They also recently added of all things chicken curry which also is really pretty darn good. My wife and others like the veggie burger, with a big slice of avacado. Ribs are decent too. Another new addition is a steamed mussels app which was pretty good as well.

[OysterHo]

Probably too late for you. Their burgers and salads are great. Love their flatiron steak and cobb salads. Also the fish tacos are good. Lobster bisque is the only thing i didn' t like.

[freakerdude]

Wings are average, burgers are good, and their blackened mahi sandwich is even better.

[LargeLife]

We have Duffy's here in the PSL / Ft. Pierce area....I've been to Duffy's a handful of times....never had a bad experience.....then again....I've always left there thinking it should have been better.....Duffy's is OK....Not a place you dream about or really pre-plan to go to....Just so-so.....

EMac
Ft. Pierce, FL

[smartie]

I agree with you LL, nothing special. Actually I've never had a great meal at Duffys and we have a few in PBC. Average at best.

[Jenaclaree]

I personally don't get why they are always so busy. Nothing special. Just a place I go to if co-workers want to go for happy hour. Now Bru's room I get excited for!

[CFByrne]

> I personally don't get why they are always so busy

Three reasons:

1) The VIP card loyalty program. They give 1 pt for every dollar you spend and a pt is worth 10 cents. So basically frequent diners end up getting "10% cash back" over time. More frequent diners can up this to 15%. This is a powerful incentive for folks such as retirees/senior citizens who basically want a simple meal out several times a week - if not every night.

2) 40% off all food from 2 to 4PM and 2 for 1 happy hour from 4PM on. Again for retirees and other folks with time on their hands - of which Florida has many - if you "game" this system, you can eat and drink at a big discount.

3) Good service. well run stores, consistency.

That's their formula as far as I can tell, and it works. Go to a Duffy's any weeknight at 5PM then go to any similar place. Duffy's will be crowded, the others empty.

[CFByrne]

Duffy's is essentially a family-friendly Sports bar/restaurant

If you go here looking for gourmet dining, you're going to be disappointed and judge them "average at best".

If you go here looking for sports bar food, you're probably going to be satisfied and judge them "average to above average".

The franchise and stores are well managed and so they get extra points for consistency and service in my book.

[OysterHo]

Well said Charlie. All of it!

I'm not a huge fan of sports bar food but if I had to choose one it would be them. I wish they sold oysters though lol.

Plus since it's my birthday month, I get a free appetizer. Fish tacos have my name on them!

[freakerdude]

Yes, you never go to a sports bar just for the food.

[Jenaclaree]

I get all that except that none of their food stands out. Brus's has good wings and pizza, Alehouse has Zingers. What on earth does Duffy's have that I would go for? Those discounts don't really make me want to eat there when I feel the food is not just average, but below.

[The Chowfather]

Never followed up on this post, sorry. Place was packed during my visit. The staff size was comical and easily 3 to 1patron. On the positive side, I've never seen more TV's in a bar/restaurant, thought I walked into Best Buy. The outside bar/pool area was on the low life/dirt ball side during my Sat. afternoon visit though.

I unfortunately didn't get to sample enough of the food to render a meaningful opinion. I ordered the mixed regular wings but they arrived boneless and in a tower. They were just ok. Nice beers selection and my 3 year olds loved the make your own Sunday which was a bargain.

I need to go back and try more food offerings. Their numerous wall to wall TV's are an obvious draw. Their dockage space is also a draw for all boaters out there. Just keep the hood rats away

[freakerdude]

At every Duffy's I have been to, they always have plenty of staff on hand at all times.