Big Mike’s Healthy Choices- Breakfast - Lunch - Brunch — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

I was (am) staying at the adjoining Renaissance Hotel and I needed a quick bite for lunch and came in here earlier today. Once I was seated and had looked at their menu, I did have the urge to get up and leave but (a) it would have been impolite and (b) I didn't have enough time on my hands to go elsewhere, be seated, and finish my lunch on time so I decided to stick it out here at this place. And to some extent, my initial reservations about this place were confirmed during my meal.

My main issue with the restaurant and its offerings was that it seemed to be talking to only health freaks and "tree huggers" - not regular individuals like myself. I do like (OK, make that LOVE) seafood and Florida isn't short of good seafood, so even if this place were nothing more than a regular soup & sandwich shop, I would have loved to have something like a shrimp po-boy or a fried fish filet sandwich. But none of those choices exist on the menu and so of all the available options, I went with the tuna melt sandwich. With a sandwich I would personally have preferred to get fries but alas, that option did not exist too; the only options available were either slaw or salad or a cup of soup. And that did not please my hungry soul or its desire to have fries along with a sandwich.

Coming to the food itself, the sandwich was accurately described on the menu as tuna salad topped with cheddar cheese and served open-faced on waffle bread. Now while it is OK to read that description on a menu, I still was a bit surprised by the look of it because well when you picture a sandwich in your head, I can bet that it doesn't look anything like the tuna melt sandwich that I was served. And as far as the taste goes, it was unremarkable - nothing to be upset about but nothing to wow my taste buds either.

The service was unremarkable too. During a quick lunch one doesn't expect to engage in a ton of conversation with one's server, but my impressions were that the servers I came in touch with were perhaps just a tad less friendlier than the median server at a median restaurant. Maybe it was the case that I was not falling in love with their non-GMO, gluten-free, peanut-free hype and they could tell that from my face.

Lastly, if all of this had come at a somewhat lower price - say somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 - 9, I would have considered awarding the place a 3-star. But then for a small-ish portion size, served in a pretty bare-bones restaurant that is located towards the end of an obscure shopping plaza, and just past a parking garage, a price of $11.75 for the food did feel slightly on the higher side.

All in all, I view the place as having a limited menu that looks and feels too preachy for a price that's perhaps 10-15% higher than where I would like it to be. Don't get me wrong - I also like food that is minimally processed, locally grown, etc. and have seen from personal experience at least in some instances that such food tastes better than the alternatives, but I don't need a place to be preachy and create in me the feeling that I don't...

I went there today with my coworkers. One of them ordered a Grilled Chicken Wrap. However, she got a Cedar Chicken Wrap. Long story short, the dressing was made from cashews even though neither of the items are labeled as vegan. My friend got a horrible allergic reaction and we had to run out to the pharmacy.

We went back to pick up the rest of my coworkers and nobody showed any concern for my friend’ health condition (is not like it was busy, we were the only people there) neither tried to make it up in any way.

They are completely apathetic, and lacking of any sensitivity to her almost dying in there.

They do not have any nuts allergy warning anywhere on their “menus” (if you can even call them that).

They don’t want to spend any money in a formal menu large enough to actually write useful information. They are inconsistent labeling their products also on display.

I asked if a muffin I wanted was gluten free and vegan and they said it was, even though the label only says gluten free.

They really need to get their s%8# together and be consistent. They need to make clear distinctions between their vegan, non-vegan, gluten-free and allergy warnings as any good restaurants.

As a matter of fact, these days people use icons to reference these things.

I guess the manager, I am assuming an older guy with grey hair and glasses is too ignorant, too old and too selfish to even care about other people’s health needs.

I cannot feel more disappointed and embarrassed to have taken my friends there.

I will make sure they...

I have a lot to say because when it comes to Big Mikes Gluten free you can never really say enough. I constantly promote wellness as I’m a wellness coach I can, will, and have referred everyone to Big Mikes whether you have to avoid gluten, sugar, dairy, harmful dyes, nuts, meat etc. Fortunately, I do not have celiac or any allergies but I’ve met countless people that do and have finally been able to enjoy delicious foods without worrying about ending up in the hospital or at a Dr. Office. I’ve met so many other customers in passing some even traveling from other countries just to get a taste, and of course to meet Big Mike himself. His vibrant and caring personality certainly matches the business, which I can honestly say is a pillar to the community. When I bring the donuts and muffins to work they’re gone in a few minutes lol. Some of my favorites are the sugar free gluten free dairy free cupcakes, the all day energy muffins, the perfectly seasoned slow roasted salmon, and the gluten free Chicken Parmesan, and believe it or not even the grilled cheese! I almost forgot the pineapple upside down cake will melt in your mouth ! I look forward to trying everything on the menu. I’m desperately anticipating the transition to a full restaurant, hopefully later hours, and delivery as well! If you haven’t tried Big Mike’s Gluten-free yet, I can guarantee you that you’re missing out! Just had to return the greatness!!! Thanks Big Mike ! Keep doing what...