I went to Swank this past Friday night and it was incredibly packed. We had to wait a bit to get seated, but we just ordered a couple drinks at the bar. The swamp water was a nice surprise. We ordered the mac n cheese and the pork sliders as our appetizers. The mac was amazing and the sliders were to die for! For my entree I ordered the hanger steak and my wife ordered the shrimp and grits. My steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce that came on top was delicious. My wifes dish was also incredible! I didn't think the combination of shrimp + grits could be so good! The ambiance and decor were also a welcome sight for Davie. I will definitively be coming back!
(5)
Laurel B.
I came here late, 10pm on a Saturday. It was not crowded and no I did not eat the food but my 5 star rating goes out to the bar staff and the drinks. The drinks are to die for. You have to try the caramel apple. It's awesome!!!! The fireball drink is amazing as is the peach drink. I WILL be back to try the rest. The bartender Daniel and the bar manager Ron were incredibly friendly and just all around awesome. They alone make me want to come back. We needed a place like this In between the downtown ftl and Miami scene. Can't wait to be back to check out the food (and the other specialty drinks). I love this place. Thanks Daniel and Ron!!!
(5)
Cindy L.
This was our first time here and we were beyond amazed and happy. First off it was very home feeling and the people that work there were very nice and helpful. The pork sliders were amazing and if u need a kick to them( which u don't) but if so ask for their BBQ sauce and it is absolutely amazing Next is the burger, chicken and waffles, and the corn bread. The food was amazing and tasted amazing. I suggest that if you want to try something new then try this, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
L D.
It was a cute restaurant/bar. They had several TVs playing old western movies in the background.I enjoyed how the food was presented. There was also a little stage area in the front which seemed like there was possibly a live music night, but not during the night I dined. Overall it was OK. It wasn't bad at all, yet not super impressive either. When I arrived with my family, we stood there for a few minutes. Apparently we entered through the bar entrance and not the restaurant entrance (which we didnt notice the difference nor the option of another entrance) and just stood there without initially being acknowledged. The bartender looked at us several times before finally telling us to go to the other side....which was literally three steps to the side of the bar. They couldn't have said something earlier? Obviously we weren't there to kick back some shots given that we had 2 young children standing with us and a bewildered look as no one approached us until serveral minutes later.Keep in mind it was a slow monday night!!!
(3)
Bertha T.
Pork chop was mostly undercooked and had to be returned to the kitchen. Mac and cheese was ok, bread pudding, snickers pudding, and pork sliders were amazing, caramel apple moonshine was sweet and enjoyable, swamp water was all show. Burger was ok and fries were drenched in oil. Place was very packed and loud. Servers were attentive and manager was very apologetic about the raw food (comped part of the bill)
(3)
Nick P.
Food was just okay for those prices. My server was a male which you see less and less of these days and he was awesome and kept my wife and I laughing all night
(3)
Patricia M.
Terrible, slow and inattentive service. Not accommodating for vegetarians, asked to replace all bacon sides with non-vegetarian items - they wouldn't do it and still gave me a plate with bacon potatoes. Even after they asked the cook if it had bacon and the cook said no! Will not be coming back!!
(1)
Felipe F.
Excellent food and excellent service!!
(5)
Kim B.
I was not impressed at all with Southern Swank. When we walked in, it took quite a while to be acknowledged. Everything was very slow and the ribs were terrible! I could barely get them off the bone! Definitely not worth the expensive price. I will NOT go back or recommend this place.
(1)
Rachia G.
On Monday, December 2nd, my mother and two sisters invited me to join them for dinner at Swank Southern. I thought it just some barbeque place however it was absolutely delicious food with an upscale southern twist. The hospitality was warm by not only our server but by the owner, Alex, who stopped by our table. I had the wings with their special sauce. My sister and mother had the beer can chicken and my other sister had their chicken and waffle. Everything was great and we are sure to return. This is a must try.
(5)
M B.
I was shocked on my most recent visit that the menu has been dramatically reduced. No beer can chicken??? The entree's can out one at a time rather than all together. They discounted our meal at-least but we this was at the expense of hyping the place up to a couple of friends that clearly came back at us. I'll give them 6 months to get it together.
(2)
Jim K.
Read about this place in the paper and heard about it from others with rave reviews. Might have hit it on a bad night. Poor service. 45 min to get food and the restaurant was not even full (no wait to get a table). Ordered drinks which came quickly but asked for sugar for our one person not drinking alcohol and it never came even asked another waitress. 15 min later got it from the bar. waitress only checked up on us once during the 45 we waited for food and only with us waving her down. Noticed that she spent most of her time chatting it up with the manager. As mentioned in other posts manager seemed to be a gregarious guy but didnt quite make it to our table. Probably best as we were not very pleased. Also had to flag her down for the bill. Waited 15 min after we were all done eating for her to bring it but at some point have to get a move on. Food is fine but not worth the price. Cheescake factory is better and cheaper. Didnt get the mac and cheese which seems to be the most popular but did get the meatloaf (sucked and tiny) chicken and waffles (good) and beercan chicken (good but nothing special for 18 bucks) Grat was added to the bill at 18% which seems unusual for a party of 5. Lots of staff, great decor, food is not bad but I think they will be out of biz in a year. I will not be returning.
(2)
Barry V.
Found this place by accident and was duly impressed. For a new operation (about one week old) the service was friendly, prompt and attentive. There appeared to be a number of newbies being trained but this only bolstered our impression. The food was flavorful and well prepared. Presentation was upscale and polished. The shrimp and grits was perhaps the best I'd ever had - anywhere! The only constructive criticism I could offer would be to add a small piece of corn bread as an accompaniment to the ribs and provide a moist towel or finger bowl to clean up a it after the finger sucking good S'Wings and ribs. (I will note that our trainee second server provided us with a moistened napkin and lemon wedge when he found they did not have the obligatory foil wrapped "wet-nap" I requested. Also, no mention of dessert - perhaps they were sold out but this would have only capped off a great meal. Needless to say, we will be back.
(4)
Robert F.
What a disaster, from top to bottom. Service was a mess, nearly every order had a mistake. We had a person in our group with a severe allergy to bacon and yet after being instructed several times each and every dish they brought her out had bacon including the fish and the potatoes??? It took them nearly 30 minutes to refire the fish and that entree was brought to the table after we all had finished with our meals. Quality, to say poor is an understatement - all I need to say is you could smell the fish before it hit the table When we addressed it with the manager he was beyond confused and explained that the kitchen was always experimenting and they never know what they are cooking??? Seriously With all that said, not an offer for dessert or a cup of coffee and although one of our guest had to eat after we all were completed no did not even offer to comp or discount her entree - really a disgrace of a meal and we'll never return
(1)
Erick L.
This place was amazing; comfort southern cuisine with a modern and fresh take by some of south florida's most talented in the kitchen. This place is intimate with a relaxed feel atmosphere.
If you are looking for a place for a great date night or with friends...you've found it! The bar drinks were AMAZING and very creative!! From the smoking swamp water to the caramel apple, all delicious! Thanks to Ron the bar manager for your great suggestions!!! We spent 3 hours there on a Saturday night and it was great not to be rushed!! We had fantastic appetizers (pork sliders, mac n cheese and crab hush puppies). All perfectly done. The mac n cheese is especially delish! We had the Cowboy Steak which is huge and cooked to perfection, and the shrimp and grits, which was also great. Our friends also had the steak and tried the ribs, which were awesome and plentiful. We also tried some corn bread on the side. All in all we had a very enjoyable evening. The decor and ambiance are great. So nice to have a place like this which is local! Highly recommended!
(5)
Phil G.
a few months back, the wife and I are driving on university drive and we notice southern swank kitchen. we thought that looks new and interesting...i looked it up here on yelp and the reviews were very mixed and there were a number of very negative well written reviews that kinda scared us off. last week a friend was absolutely raving about her newest find in Davie...southern swank kitchen...great drinks...intriguing menu...chicken and waffles...yada yada yada... we were convinced to give it a try regardless of the sketchy reviews. we went on a Wednesday night and expected it to be quiet. not the case. it was surprisingly busy. a good sign? it's a very nice, very large place with a kinda modern country flair. the hostess was very friendly and seated us immediately. Our server was Olivia and she was great. very friendly and attentive. the strawberry basil martini was delicious and i had a craft beer called breakfast stout that was very good too. we're off to a good start. we decided to try several small plates and thought for our first visit they would give us and opportunity to have a broad sampling of what the kitchen is serving up. we ordered, pork sliders, crab hush puppies, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. According Olivia, these are some of the best sellers. clearly there are some consistency issues at southern swank kitchen. if you look at the photos that have been posted here on yelp everything looks beautifully prepared and presented. that's not the experience we had. the crab hush-puppies are supposed to a crap cake, hush puppy fusion. unfortunately it not a good crab cake and a bland boring hush puppy that was tossed in a basket. (nothing like the photos). they were served with a scallion mayo that was nasty and didn't compliment the dish at all. that chain restaurant with the red crustacean has much better hush puppys. the fried green tomatoes were acceptable even though the tomatoes and the breading were poorly seasoned. the remoulade or aioli they were topped with saved the dish. the pork sliders were the dish i was most looking forward to tasting and that was disappointing too. it felt like they were running out of pork and were under portioning to stretch it out for the night. there was almost no pork on the buns. what was there was quite tasty and the combination with their slaw and the pickle were very good. i think a significantly larger amount of pork would have put it over the top (like what is in the photo's here) the mac and cheese is also delish. but...it wasnt hot enough. it had a panko top that probably was supposed to be browned under the broiler and it would have made a huge difference in both the presentation and the temperature. finally, we had the carrot cake for desert. it was an interesting presentation in a mason jar. the flavors were very nice and figs and walnuts added a pleasant twist from traditional carrot cake, the mascarpone frosting was the weak spot. while tasty the consistency was way to runny and gave the impression maybe this was sitting out too long before being served. I had high hopes for southern swank kitchen. i'll probably go back to try the chicken and waffles...probably not on a weeknight
Stopped in on Saturday night. Just two of us so we decided to sit at the bar. Daniel was friendly and attentive. We tried three appetizers tonight: shells and cheese, pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. Food was delicious. Service was quick. Will definitely be going back to try some of their entrees.
(4)
Gayle L.
Southern Swank's curb appeal as I drove up made me smile. When I went in, I didn't know what to expect, but the decor was amazing. It was Southern with a twist. The artwork on the wall was great!.. I was greeted with a smile and seated. Now, on to the food... My sister and I ordered the small plates: sliders, fried green tomatoes, green bean casserole, and the crab hush puppies. How they were plated was creative and everything was so tasty! I have to say that the green bean casserole was my favorite--so savory. We also had drinks that were infused with herbs. So regular gin and tonic was infused with rosemary.. it gave it more depth. Overall, I was very pleased with Swank! I will be going back!
(5)
Sommer W.
Amazing atmosphere! Yummy food! Good service! Chicken and waffles and crab hushpuppies..... My favorites so far. I will Definately be back to try the rest of the menu! You want something different than your typical chain sports bar.... Come here. Good drinks and the game was on! Love it! Winning in my book! (-;
(5)
Jennifer L.
I am so upset at this place. Our server was Andrew and i tell you he really made the experience horrible not only was he rude but he acted like it was a bother when i had asked questions about the menu. It felt as if he took care of everyone elses table a round us but rolled he's eyes when i was for a refill on my drink. I would have to flag him down just to get him to notice our table, it felt like he was avoiding our table. I would look around at the other serves and wished that they had taken care of us instead. The food came out cold and in my opinion i feel like it didn't taste as good as i thought. I had the beer can chicken which came out dry and tasted l Iike its been just sitting there for a while and my husband had the hanger steak he said it was no big deal he could of had it better some where else. I don't know maybe it was because the server had mad me mad all i wanted to do was leave. I only came to this restaurant because it was new and the decor look intriguing. Truthfully I really wanted to like the place the atmosphere was nice, drinks were awesome, we had something called Swamp water it was nice it had bubbles coming up and smoke, my daughter thought it was cool. I don't know if I'll be back or not
(1)
Kasey P.
I'll keep this short and sweet. The ambiance of the restaurant is charming as well as the staff. Fried green tomatoes and the mac and cheese appetizers were delicious! My fiance and I will order those two each time we stop by. They have an array of beers and specialty drinks to choose from and when we weren't happy with one of the drinks we ordered, they happily replaced it with a new drink. (You know, sometimes you cringe at the thought of sending something back). I ordered the Chicken and Waffles and my fiance ordered the St. Louis ribs. Presentation of the food earns 5/5 stars. My chicken and waffles weren't anything special. The waffle was delicious but the chicken was just...fried chicken, nothing fancy. The ribs were pretty good but again, nothing special. We will be back, but next time we're going to ask the waiter for their suggestions and hope for a perfect outcome on the food.
(4)
Lynn B.
Very disappointing! We had high hopes for this place - its fairly local and the menu sounded great. Our party of 6 arrived at 6:15, and the hostess was completely flummoxed on what to do with us. She said the only available table was a high top in the bar. There were at least 7 four tops available - and when we suggested she put two of them together, she said she'd have to find the servers and ask if they would mind sharing the table. Huh??? Should not have been that difficult. We wound up taking the table in the bar. After ten minutes of not being acknowledged, we started our 60 second count down before we were going to get up and leave. The bartender made it to us just in time, which in retrospect wasn't a great thing. He seemed very busy, but once he took our orders he became a decent server. The timing of the meal was a bit odd - one person was having a wings appetizer as dinner, but it came out at the same time as the other apps. On to the food... very mediocre. Blah. And somewhat expensive for blah. I had chicken and waffles - the two quarters of waffles were the same quality you can get on a free motel breakfast buffet. The chicken was DRY, tasteless and boring. Did I already mention dry? I was actually trying to scrape more of the marshmallow sauce onto it just to get it down. Husband ordered the ribs. When you are ordering $18 ribs, you expect a rack. Or at least a filling portion. There were six ribs, not very meaty, and not very tasty. They were accompanied with cole slaw that was okay. Two others ordered the burgers, which were decent enough but for $14 you would expect "WOW" which they certainly weren't. The wings were so-so. The mac and cheese very good, and the crab hush puppies excellent. There was no kid's menu, so our little one had french fries for dinner. Credit where credit's due - the french fries were wonderful. But seriously - $130 and four of us left hungry. Just not quite sure what this place really is. It's not southern cooking - not a collard green in sight! It's not a barbecue joint. It's not a steak house, or a burger place... Whatever it is, it's definitely off our restaurant radar.
(1)
Annthia P.
HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT. Gave the restaurant 1 star because the waitresses were extremely nice and their services were up to par. came in with a large party of 20 or more and all were upset with the management of this place. Won't be comming back.
(1)
Lillian A.
Food was good but portions were too small and prices were too high. Servers seemed inexperienced. Food took way too long to come out. Begged for more water 4 times. .server was putting the dirty dishes away in an odd spot in the front of the store front. Parking in the back is odd...lots of crap laying around on a picnic table. Had too look at overflowing trash bins.
(2)
Susan P.
Love this place!!! Been her twice now and definitely going back again and again for more. It can't get any better all of the partners are really friendly and appreciate your feedback and that doesn't happen very often. I've tried the mac and cheese, chicken and waffle, swings, ribs, snickers desert. Everything was amazing quality food and definitely a great location. I can't wait to try different things as well next time because there are so many things that I want to try. They also had a live band tonight (Friday) :-)
(5)
Briana B.
Southern comfort food and live music...what more could you ask for?! Went to Swank a couple weekends ago and overall was very satisfied with the experience. Being that they are brand new to the area I didn't expect perfection, but was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant it is tastefully decorated, photo booth and all, and has a great vibe. The large bar makes waiting for a table or grabbing a quick drink a breeze and the great cocktails make the experience even more enjoyable. I had the Georgia Peach, delicious! The food was excellent as well. I tried the Crab Hush Puppies, the Pork Sliders and my new favorite, the Shells & Cheese. Will definitely go back again to try other items off the menu. Yum!
This was the third time I went to Swank and will definitely be my last. Here are the main highlights of my evening... We (party of four) walked in and stood at the front hostess stand for a few minutes while the hostess sat at the bar and watched us. It wasn't until we asked someone else for help that she decided to get off her barstool to seat us with a very unconvincing "sorry". Our waiter, Andrew R., thinking he was hiding it, was texting on his phone while we were trying to order. The food took forever to come out (there was no one else in the restaurant at this point) and, when it finally did, it was brought out one dish at a time. Two $29 prime rib specials, both ordered medium rare, came out well-done. The waiter did not come back to check on us so I went to the back to tell him about the overcooked meat (once again, he was texting). He came over, apologized, and instead of offering to remake it, offered us a free round of drinks. We accepted and a few minutes later he came back to tell us that the bar was closed and my wife could not have her cocktail. A few cheap beers do not make up for $60 of charred prime rib. Then of course, after having a few sips of my beer, I realized there was a fly in it. While all of this was going on, we watched as people entered the restaurant at 11:20pm and were told by the staff that they were closed, even though the restaurant advertises that they are open until midnight. If you are thinking about trying Swank, my advice is don't waste your time and money.
(1)
Stephanie F.
Yelp review before we even leave!! These guys worked out all the kinks from the initial opening and are starting brunch soon. We managed to get a sample of new menu and it is ridiculously good! Fried house made pickles are tender and don't even need the creole mayo, but dang that's good too. We also tried Hangar steak and eggs and the Pulled Pork Rueben. Both were outstanding!!! The sandwich didn't need the side of fries, but again so good, especially with the Tobasco Ketchup. I need a nap and a work out!!
(5)
Isabella B.
I'm at student at Nova University (right next door to swank) and I'm so excited we finally have a restaurant nearby that's nice, not too expensive and delicious. I stopped by with my boyfriend on last night and shared corn bread, Mac and cheese, and the beer can chicken. The corn bread was good, warm and moist. The Mac and cheese were by far the best I've had; they were creamy, cheesy, and had little chunks of a sweet pork belly. The beer can chicken was also really good and flavorful and the presentation of all the dishes are very cute! I had heard a lot about the specialty drink from my classmates and tried the swamp water. Although it was strong for my taste, it was really tasty and refreshing. The cute candy worm coming out of the mason jar served as a good chaser ;) The servers were really sweet, however, they did seem a little flustered from all the commotion in the restaurant. it's safe to give them props since they've only been open for a week. my favorite part was leaving with a cute pic of my boyfriend and I from the photo booth :) we also made it to the "swank bank"... very clever! I'll definitely be back soon.. maybe next time with my girls for a "study session" :)
(5)
Kathi V.
Since we are Foodies, who loooove southern food, we could not wait to have supper at this restaurant. We drove all afternoon to get here, picked up our kids, and headed over for our 7:30 reservation. Stephanie brought our drink order which included bottled 8 oz diet cokes. The bottles were cute, but the price was not listed on the menu and neither was the fact that there are no refills. She came to get our order and said they were out of 3 of the 8 entrees. My husband decided not to order anything. After everyone else had placed orders, she came back to inform us that they were not out of those entrees, the "grill had been down." My husband ordered a pimento burger and two others changed their order since their original choices were suddenly available. The appetizers came and we really liked the crab hushpuppies and shrimp n grits. The fried green tomatoes were cut too thick and the only flavor was from the sauce. We all ordered something different so we could all try each others food. Our entrees came and I had the ribs which were old, tough and I didn't care for the sauce. The slaw had no flavor. My husband did not care for the burger. My son enjoyed the meatloaf and thought the pumpkin puree was awesome; the pumpkin was a perfect compliment for the meatloaf. However, it came in a very small iron dish with no side dish. His wife had the pork chop. She could not eat it and they tried to cut it with a steak knife and could not cut it. She sent it back. She did eat the greens and beans. My other son had the chicken n waffles which was small compared to the other versions we have ever had. It had a marshmallow sauce (unique and delicious) and was satisfactory. His wife had the hanger steak which was excellent; the steak came with fingerling potatoes and bits of thick cut bacon. We ordered dessert and they were out of the one we ordered. The bill came and they added gratuity on a party of 6. The bill was over $180.00 for a party of 6. No soup, no salad, no bread, no refills .....Since a manager never came to see why we sent a plate back, my daughter in law ASKED for to speak to one. A long time later the floor manager walked over and when told about the pork chop said, huh, wow and shrugged. Since our card had already been swiped before he made it to our table, she asked why they didn't remove it, he again hemmed and hawed with no answer. He then went to talk to the owner only after my daughter in law insisted. The owner was walking around all night taking pictures. After we got tired of waiting, we got up and started to leave, the floor manager finally reappeared and handed us a card for a free appetizer.... We handed it back... We are not interested in returning.... Enjoyed the decor, the service from our waitress was excellent. If you go, beware of what you order if you are really hungry or thirsty. Overpriced.
(2)
Dee C.
Delicious food. Definitely recommended the place for a date night as the atmosphere is very nice. Decor is modern chic and the staff is dressed in plaid shirts and boots. The food is served in skillets on top of a cutting board. We ordered mac & cheese, cornbread, chicken & waffles, ribs & wings. Everything was good especially the mac & cheese and the cornbread that comes with this cinnamon butter. Would definitely recommend this place for a nice meal. Service can be a little faster as their menu is not that extensive but overall good food.
(4)
Marlen T.
The food and ambience was great and upbeat. The waitress was very nice and had great suggestions for drinks and food. The shells and cheese/corn bread were to die for! Will definitely be coming back soon! :)
(5)
Lisa R.
Went with a group of 6. Atmosphere is great, cool decor. Menu simple and paper with a little sparkle (nice touch). Drinks good overall, though mine somehow reminded me of a scented candle (caramel apple drink). The appetizers were all delicious-pork sliders, fried green tomatoes. A few of us had the chicken and waffles and hubby hubby got the blue chicken and waffles. Now having had some AMAZING chicken and waffles just last week at a different restaurant, I should have known better than to order the chicken and waffles here. The marshmallow sage sauce just did not hit the spot for me (too sweet), the chicken too greasy. I do have to say that the blue chicken and waffle was much better. The other plates included-shrimp and grits (good shrimp, bad grits), ribs-good, and a burger. We did not try any desserts. I will be back to try a few other things but I was a little disappointed on this first visit. It is nice to have different options in Broward and I would like to support a small business like this one but they will have to step it up a notch.
(2)
Aries R.
So I have this groupon deal so I go with some friends out to this new establishment and when I first arrive they couldn't accommodate my party of 6 with two kids which they tried to convince us that a booth would fit us all which that was a mistake from the beginning and a warning sign this place was in the shambles. So we decided to wait until a better table became available so we decide to grab a drink at the bar and wait but when we stood at the bar waiting for a bartender to approach us a couple that had been sitting there for 25 min decided to leave due to no one has tried to approach them for a drink order which made us again wonder WTH is going on here and when we started to monitor the waiters and tables we noticed almost every table was either pissed off or walking which we than counted 6 table getting up and walking out. I told the manager that we are skeptical about their place and we were going to continue to stay to try them out since we had a groupon deal. Bottom line is the food is good but not wow and not worth the amount they are priced at. Second their times are from 4pm to 2am but the kitchen closes at 10pm which I find strange. Stay away from this place until you see a dramatic review and change of management!
(1)
Andrew I.
I was not expecting to like it here because, in spite of the time I've spent in Atlanta, I'm not a huge fan of southern food. But this place was just outstanding. First, the service was fast and friendly throughout. The wife and I were looking to have a fun night, and the staff was all about bringing us drinks and shots all night. That was fun. As for the food, holy crap. The wife ordered the meatloaf which was delicious; it was served with a pumpkin garnish which was a perfect addition. I ordered the smoked BBQ chicken. Holy crap, I'm crying just thinking about it. It was so smoky, so moist and just so perfect. I ordered a 1/2 but I could easily have had a whole bird. Possibly the best fowl I've ever had, just brilliantly done. We did not have dessert as we saved our calories for booze. Anyway, in conclusion, this is a great addition to the davie restaurant scene and a sorely needed one at that. Hopefully more Miami restauranteurs will follow suit and open in the Cooper City / Davie area.
(4)
Amy H.
Friends liked it, so we tried it. Cute concept. Needs work. Front of house needs some serious training. The place was empty when we got there, as in there were three tables seated. Our waiter had no idea what was in the various drinks. Asked if it was our first time there, and when we said, "yes," proceeded to give us no information about the menu or anything. Some entrees read like they come with sides, others it's not listed. Waiter did not ask if we wanted sides -- upsell! Your tip is reflected in the amount of money we spend at your table. Food was ok, not great. When I ordered a second drink, our waiter disappeared to tend to his one other table. Five minutes later, I could see my drink sitting in the service area of the bar. The bartender had no customers AT the bar and two or three other staff were standing next to my drink, looking at it, then looking toward our table. Not sure why nobody could walk the drink twelve feet to our table, but in the end, I just went and grabbed it myself. At no point did anyone clear away empty glasses or refill beverages without being asked. Waiting tables isn't hard, but the manager clearly needs to spend some time teaching these people how to do the job right.
I was really excited to try this new Restaurant and must say I most likely wont be back. The food happens to be very good and the service is above average but the prices are totally crazy for the portion sizes. Three fried green tomato slices 10 bucks !!! Give me a break. I felt like a tourist being raped in South Beach , If you must eat there , My advice first go to Burger King and get a whopper then you wont feel hungry when you leave . Did the owner realize this is a neighborhood eatery not the Palm or Capital Grille, What a shame Once again greed ruins another potentially great restaurant, We gave it a shot and they struck out
(1)
A.J. H.
1/26/13: Upon walking In I was quoted a wait time that was extremely inaccurate...I was told fourty minutes it was more like 1hour and 20 minutes. We were then called to be seated but when we arrived at out table, some random people had already taken the liberty of seating themselves in our high top table by the bar. The "manager " walked over for what we thought would be an assist, but it seemed more like a welcoming for the freeloading 4 when he allowed them to remain there. So, now our 1hour 20minute wait then became 1 hour and 30 minutes since we now had to wait for a new table to open. Finally, we were seated... The waitress took a while to take our drink order but came by to let us know it would be a few. 10-15 minutes later our drink and appetizer order was taken. We waited about twenty or so minutes for our hush puppies and Mac and cheese; they were awesome. Then came the painstaking wait: sixty plus minutes for our entrees that came out one....at...a...time. Well, actually, my sister's order came out first, with nothing more. We called the waitress and she said the rest was on the way. 10-15 minutes later, sliders still on the table and the rest of the table had nothing. A guy comes by and says he doesn't work there and is new but would try to help. So he takes the sliders and brings us a menu... At which point he proceeded to speak to us like morons who don't understand the difference between small plates and entrees... His attempt to explain why my sisters food came out solo. This would have sufficed as an explanation had we not made it a point to tell the waitress "I want this to come out with the other three entrees, not before!" Round two at dinner service attempt: my sister's plate came out first. Alone. Again. Then, finally the rest came, in 5 minute intervals...with the exception of my wife's plate. Then, finally, the long awaited chicken and waffles my wife orders, the last to come out. And the coldest item on the table; the waffles. They were ICE COLD. The manager (the same one who apparently doesn't work there) was very apologetic,and wanted to make things right, so they took the plate back. He left and promised to return promptly with a hot plate of chicken AND waffles. Another 20 minutes later, still waiting on my wife's chicken and waffles, the table next to us that arrived after us and no food served receives a plate of chicken and waffles. By this time my wife is livid, being that the next plate should have come To us to complete our order...not to another table that had not even been served. We call Mr. I don't work here over again...He apologizes again and promised to take care of us. My wife was having none of it and wanted to leave. Now the "manager" ( guy who graciously gave away our table) said he would take care of us on the bill for all the headache and hassles and my wife not getting to eat any of her dinner. He took off a whopping $16 for two drinks and the chicken and waffles that my wife didn't get to eat because it never made it back to our table! Felt more like and Ef You... With a $120.00 bill. You decide if we were "taken care of for all the headache and hassles." Great food but atrocious service and customer service. Mr I don't work here ambushed us outside the door after we left, even he saw the "manager didn't help the situation on the least" and asked that we give him two months and return. With service like this, it won't be in business in two months. Good luck! Better off going to Yard Bird.. At least the hassle of the drive and parking are worth the customer service.
(1)
Lauren B.
Was HORRIBLE!! Me and my husband were so happy a place like this finally opened but after last night we will not be back. We ordered crab hush puppies for a stArter and they were good but prob because we were starving. Food took over 30 minutes to come and when it did it sucked. Well mine did. Considering I'm 7 months pregnant I got served raw chicken. I ordered beer can chicken which was cold and under cooked. My husband got shrimp and grits which was good but deff not enough of food. When I sent my meal back I had asked to order something else and with my luck they were out of it! I ended up eating coleslaw for dinner :(. It was the waitresses fault but she didn't seem to care that much. I used to serve tables for over 8 yeArs and this place will not last! I'd rather get some home cooking from Popeyes.. Lol yep it was THAT. BAD!
(1)
Jennifer C.
Ok....Yelp makes you give at least one star ...so that's what they got. Cold food.....Mac and cheese with pork belly and fried green tomatoes confused the kitchen. So we had fried green tomatoes with pork belly and Mac and cheese....ok small mistake. Party of 4....one of us orders ribs.....big mistake. Every other table around us got ribs. But after 30 minutes of letting management know that we didn't get our dinner, we still waited only to watch the waitress bring the table next to us a plate of ribs. The co-owner (in pink shirt....he knows who he is) was terrible! No apology..... Only when we stormed out did he said "you still don't have your food?" The 2nd owner was reasonable. But still....won't be back. Don't recommend wasting your Friday night.
(1)
Jorge H.
I went there last night after reading a review in the local paper. the place looks good, I sat at the bar, and I already knew what I was going to eat. Ordered the beer can chicken, and I asked not to bring me french fries, but any kind of greens instead, and I specified " it doesn't matter if you have to charge me for it" when I saw the the no way attitude from the server. I asked for some Collard Greens that is one of the ingredients in another dish they have in the menu. I said "just charge me for it", I was turned down again, but the server brought me a salad instead. The chicken had a good presentation, but it seems the buy their stuff at Sysco, because it was absolutely tasteless. Overall bad experience. By the way two more patrons seating at the bar asked for something different than french fries with their orders and thy were turn down too. I thought a new restaurant in the neighborhood will try to satisfy new customers. I own a business less than 2 minutes from the place, and I could take 100 customers and friends, now I will tell 100 people not to go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(1)
An K.
I ate the chicken & waffles and split the banana pudding for dessert. Food is good but prices are high in comparison to the portions.
(3)
Katie T.
Thought we would go grab a quick Thursday night bite and a drink- we pull in and the parking lot is full- uh-oh!! But we decide to go in and at least see what is going on. We walk in and look around, at least 1/2 the tables have reserved signs...uh-oh. But we brave on... We find the hostess- a 45 minute wait she says oh-no.. but we can wait at the bar... that could work. $3. domestics and wells.. ok looking up. We check out the beer selection. Not bad, many small craft beers represented including our favorite Funky Buddha- things are getting better. After half a beer we find seats at the bar. We look over the drink menu- the specialty drinks look delicious so we figure we will try one. Bartender asks if we would like to order food.. Really? at the bar?? whatever we want??? Yes please!! So we oder the Pork Sliders and the Green tomatoes. We also order the Caramel Apple Moonshine drink and the Ring of Fire. Both delicious! Food come out- awesome! The sliders were a great combination of spicy and sweet and the tomatoes were delicious with a corn meal batter. After drinks we decide we are ready for dinner. He had the chicken and waffles- they have been reviewed and were every bit as goos as reviewed. I had the beer can chicken.. I make this dish at home but I hang my head in shame now. There was GRAVY in a PBR beer can!! Enough said!! I will add tha tthe skin was perfectly crunchy while the meat was super moist and perfectly smoked. Even though the place was packed and they were obviously over staffed our service was great! I have seem the reviews stating otherwise- but it was far from that for us tonight- we had 3 or 4 different bartenders making sure we had whatever we needed.. even with them being extremely busy with 2 huge birthday parties. I would recommend trying this place out. Check them out on FB- they have great drink specials every night. We are looking forward to going to Sunday Funday to try out the Cherry Long Island Ice Tea!
(5)
Jena M.
I wonder if they forgot to put some of the ingredients in my mac n cheez because everyone is raving about it. I think it may be one of the worst mac n cheez I have ever had to pay for. And yes, the service is awful. She was nice, just had no clue. Said she was training. We asked who was training her and she just laughed and said myself. Highly disappointed. Live close by and was looking for a good place that was nearby. The wings were definitely the best thing on the menu.
(1)
Meryl S.
Purchased a Groupon for this new restaurant. when we arrived we were told that the wait was over an hour and we were seated in a half hour. We were given menus but were unable to read them because it was so dark. When the waitress came over we told her that it we were unable to read the menu and she agreed that she couldn't read it either. Then one of the owners came over and asked what we thought. We began to tell him that we couldn't read the menus because of the lack of light and he argued and then walked away while we were talking to him. Very rude. He seemed to be texting on his phone all night. He offered up bottled water which was a refilled from the tap seltzer bottle(our waitress admitted) We ordered the pork sliders for our one allowed appetizer they brought out 3 ice cold dinner rolls with some shredded pork and pickle on them. NOT GOOD. We then waited over an hour. waitresses coming up to the table every 5 min or so to ask what we ordered and to apologize. After about an hour or so the other owner comes over to tell us that they are out of the entree that I ordered. He brings over the menu and I order the shrimp on grits. They bring it out within minutes and still have not served my husband. I send it back saying that I would like to dine with my husband. They bring out both of our dishes a few minutes later. Mine a very small dish of shrimp on grits with 4 raw green beans. Also cold! We finished and ordered our one allowed dessert (choice of pudding or pudding!) we were served a small jar of banana pudding on vanilla wafers. NOT Great. The meal came to $60.00. The value of the Groupon was supposed to be $77.00 however they do not allow you to order any more food such as another appetizer or desert or even a salad or drink. This is a scam. They do not offer any complementary bread or anything. We had to ask for silverware and napkins! I will be calling Groupon on Monday to ask for my $41.00 back. I will not be going to this place again. I don't see this place lasting 6 months. Everyone in the restaurant was complaining.
(1)
Seth K.
Great ambiance with a "Swanky" decor that is both inviting and not overdone. The appetizers we had were amazing (especially the hush puppies and sliders). The unique specialty drinks were both great price and delicious.Very reasonable price and is great date night. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Mark D.
Disastrous Night. Where do I start? Sat night, tried to book in for 2, but they only take 6 or more for rez. OK, turn up, 45 min wait, loads of people hanging around for a table, more than half the tables empty. Hmmm, check back at Host stand after 20-25 mins. Wait is now 1.5 hrs. hmmm. Decide to stay, grabbed last stool at bar plus 1 from empty table (still empty tables, loads of people waiting). Cocktails - OK, Wine List - v ordinary, Shrimp n grits OK (decent diner quality), Fried Gr Tomatoes (OK, nice remoulade), Collards side, swimming in vinegar, filet decent, Hangar Steak sent back twice, in the end meat OK but the composition of the dish reflected the overall performance of the restaurant: a shoddy mess up which made no sense. Could be a good concept if they bother training their staff in ALL aspects of restaurant management. UNTIL THEN, It's Giddy Up to Elsewhere Town Folks....
I was in Davie last week attending a conference and stopped by Swank for for drinks and dinner. The atmosphere had a chill vibe with a variety of music. The decor is southern rustic with some western and modern influences. The photo booth and chalk board paint behind the bar are added fun details to the overall experience. Now the food...I had an assortment of the apps. The pork sliders and Mac and cheese were by far my favorite. They had layers of flavor and weren't overpriced. They were AMAZING! The drinks were both creative and delicious! I tried the Caramel Apple and Raspy Lemonade. Honestly, I could drink them all night they were so good! I went again later in the week, and they had drink specials...can't remember on which day though. There was also a guy playing a variety of live music and he was great! In any case, my first glass of wine was a penny and it was pretty good (the house Cab). I also tried a signature drink called The Swamp Water. If you're intrigued...I recommend it. We ordered the sliders and Mac and Cheese, again, and also tried the chicken and waffles, pork and beans, and hand cut fries. We also tried their desserts - one was created to taste like a snickers bar...calling all chocolate lovers. I live in Miami, and although it's a bit of a drive, I'll definitely be visiting Swank again!
(5)
Sandy B.
The food made the evening better, but so much went wrong. This place needs a lot of help in the service area. Starting from when we made a reservation 2 days in advance. Received a call the next night canceling our reservation for their employee holiday party. Quickly got past that and was able to keep our reservation, well after a quite a discussion. Showed up, had okay bar service. Was seated, had time to review menu with some mouth watering entree choices, just to be told the grill was broken, whoops, not the case, they were just out of 4 of their 7 choices. Finally decided, ordered (with no accommodations for substitutions). Ordered a bottle of wine, white wine, nothing to keep it cold, but they did come through and make it happen :). Next ordered red wine, they were out of the three reasonable choices, but the management was kind enough to honor the lower price on that bottle, mucho appreciated!!! Food was delicious, no major, if any issues there. Overall, service needs work, food is good! Another point to share in case you were wondering, the staff sure does clean up well for their holiday party!!!
(2)
Navene S.
I have been here 3 times before and I always get the amazing chicken and waffles. I absolutely loveeee the marshmallow sauce and the touch of hot sauce they give you on the side. I have tried their country fried steak and their mesquite chicken as well, both very tasty. Their cocktails are very creative but they are super sweet. The service is good too, during my recent dine in (on a Sunday night) the server was extremely nice, checked in on us twice, and always was there to fill up our water glasses but we were the only ones there. The decor is very southern rustic with some dim lighting, its very cute. I think this place just needs a little switching of the menu, add a few more exciting items to get people coming in again.
(4)
Lisa A.
I've been reading mixed reviews on this place for months and finally decided to try it out for myself. We pull up to an empty parking lot on a Friday night. There's a sign on the door, apparently from 7/16/15 that they are closed until further notice. Weird! I wonder what happened....
Should have checked reviews first. Checked their on line menu - saw some interesting items including Shimp and Grits. Disapponted to find Shrimp and Grits were removed from the menu. Inquired as to why...the response was they couldn't get the grits right. That was a big red flag and we should have left right then. Highlights - Blue Cheese dressing. Home made and tasty. Lowlights - everything else. Over priced, very slow service, incorrect order served twice. Even the iced tea tasted bad. Stay clear of this establishment.
(1)
Gina C.
Went there for the first time yesterday for brunch. I was excited to try this place. It was a little strange at first because there were alot of empty tables, but the hostess was telling us and parties after us to wait 15-20 minutes. At first we thought maybe those tables were reserved, but even after the wait and after we were seated for awhile, it didnt appear so. Not sure if they were doing that for the kitchen or what. The brunch menu was small. The food tasted pretty decent. I ordered the Eggs Benedict. One of the guys with me ordered the chicken and biscuits and the portion was pretty small. I'm not going to rave about it, but possibly return to try their dinner to give it another try.
(3)
Tracey K.
Doesn't live up to the hype. All of our friends kept raving about this place, so when there happened to be a Groupon deal, we decided to give it a try. We went on a Wednesday and discovered their penny wines ($5 per glass + 1 cent for each additional glass). It was pretty empty, but they seated everyone in the same general area so it still got rowdy at times. We got crab hush puppies to start with. I don't know if we were just hungry or what, but the first one was amazing. Then all the ones after that were heavy and had practically no crab. Next we had the shrimp and grits which, as a former Southern girl, I was most excited for. Again, it was only good for the first couple of bites with the grits lacking flavor, although the shrimp and pickled greens were a nice touch and made the dish acceptable. And that's where whatever goodness there was stopped. For entrees we had the Danish ribs and Hangar steak. Everything on the ribs plate was way too sweet and lacked barbecue flavor. It felt like I was going to get a cavity if I ate more than a bite. The steak was a little better - it was cooked well, complemented nicely with the pickled onions, and I love the sprouts they used to garnish it with, but it was sooo salty. I had to scrape off all the sauce and even then it was just salt on salt on salt. Given that there weren't very many customers, I would have expected them to take extra care in preparing our food, but it seems as if the opposite happened. Overall, if it wasn't for the Groupon we definitely would've felt jipped. Maybe brunch is better, but we won't be returning to find out if that's the case.
(1)
Mathew T.
I won't be recommending this restaurant to anyone seeking good BBQ. I've always liked the location and the concept for the area, but after dining there, I find the execution to be poor. The restaurant is too spread out, making it seem almost empty no matter how many tables are full. That night's meal consisted of 2 appetizers and 2 entrees: Crab Hush Puppies - tasted good but not the main part of our meal. Still a good buy. Shells and Cheese - nice flavor, great cheesiness, and enjoyable Full Rack of Ribs - came out looking great, not the meatiest, but flavor was good (these were not that great the next day either) Pulled Pork Sandwich - not worth it. Soggy bun that fell apart, pulled pork was lacking in flavor, and just not enjoyable. The experience was an overall okay to good night, but the price for this meal did not merit the quality of food we ate. Our server was quirky to say the least and had some attention issues with prompt response times to water and the like. But, the experience was not ruined by any service issues. My biggest concern is the value for the quality served. NOT LIKELY TO RETURN.
(2)
Kitty K.
I drove from coral gables in 5:30pm traffic,paid $4 in the sunpass lane and paid more tolls on the turnpike. It took over an hour to get here so maybe my expectations were high. I wish I were high. The overall decor I really liked. What killed it was how brightly lit the place was. And it was LOUD,like totally obnoxiously LOUD. They were blasting country music. A great place to bring a pretty person who you don't want to listen to. We ordered to start the shrimp and grits -was tasty. Entrees were the beer can chicken and the hanger steak. Presentation was great but the food was tasteless. Ain't nobody got time for that.
(2)
Anjilyn S.
Chicken and Waffles, shrimp and grits and raspberry vodka lemonade. Brunch just got more exciting.
(5)
Natasha D.
Despite my better judgment having read some of the more critical reviews... I decided to try it out for myself and satisfy the curiosity I've had about this place since it opened. It was Thursday night around 6:30 and we were among the only people there. The first thing I noticed was the almost unbearable heat. Sun was streaming in through the western facing windows even through the dark curtains, and it was like a sauna. Our waitress said the management only turns on the ac at 4:00 each day and while no one is there, they leave the thermostat at 90 degrees. It was sweltering but we powered through... Especially since drinks were half off. Sadly the highlights of the experience were the drinks and then the dessert. Great way to bookend a lackluster meal: -chicken and waffles: I'm sorry but the marshmallow sauce does not belong. The waffle was so dry and screaming for some type of moisture. I have never in my life felt the need to add salt to fried chicken but today was the day. The breading was meh and the meat was completely under seasoned. -fried green tomatoes: again, the tomato was not seasoned properly and the cornmeal breading was soooo dry. It had some kind of mustard sauce the discs sat above that didn't work. -Mac and cheese: pasta was overcooked and under seasoned. The bacon it advertised was more like pork belly which I usually don't mind but not in this preparation. I was so unsatisfied with the food that I ordered dessert which is unusual for me. Glad that I did because the bread pudding was a definite highlight. Came with cinnamon ice cream and a delicious bourbon glaze sauce at the bottom of the cast iron skillet it was cooked and served in. Other than that, our waitress was super nice and didn't rush us at all. We were there for almost 3 hours. My friends water glass was never filled though. Unless the menu dramatically changes I will not return. Had better chicken and waffles at ROK:BGR.
(2)
Ashley B.
Super cute restaurant. I was a bit cold, but it wasn't too busy so that's probably why. Our waiter, Corey, was great. He was very attentive and gave his honest opinions on what he recommended. We ordered the Mac and cheese and the fried green tomatoes to start. I was super disappointed with the fried green tomatoes. They were very plain and the presentation was weak. The sauce on the bottom was good, not great. The Mac and cheese was delicious. It came with big pieces of bacon which added to the flavor. For our entrees, we had the fried country steak and the ribs. Both were delicious, although, I would say the country steak was better! To top it all off as though we hadn't had enough to eat, we finished our meal with their fried Oreos and homemade ice cream. They were delishhhh! All in all, if I was in the area again, I wouldn't mind going back! Enjoy!
(3)
Mary R.
This place has much potential. The atmosphere, overall layout, and design of the restaurant was well thought out. The food was good. We had the hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, Mach n cheese with pork belly and (of course) the chicken and waffles. Everything tasted good, the only thing that really stood out was their Mac and cheese. The service needs A LOT of work. Our waitress was cute and friendly but had no experience what so ever. Service would get two stars. The free photo booth in the end was a delightful, playful touch. Overall I had a good time.
(4)
Joy L.
Thanks to Order the Yelp! I became aware that this restaurant even existed. After celebrating our wedding anniversary a week early, when the actual day rolled around a week seemed like such a lifetime ago. Of course the obvious solution to this predicament would be to go out again! I easily chose Southern Swank. It's not too far from us, and I L-O-V-E southern food. (Also- read through several favorable reviews written by some reputable yelpers!) I called ahead to see about reservations, and was told no need for 2 on a Thursday. We arrived a bit after 7, and we were immediately seated. I love that the waitresses wear cowboy boots! The walls specially designed are a fantastic contrast to the fancy dining area. I started with the raspberry lemonade. It has real raspberries muddled into the drink. It was the perfect combination of just enough sweet and just enough kick! We ordered a couple starters: the mac and cheese and the green beans. Both delicious. The chicken and waffles was amazing. I ordered the marshmallow sauce on the side and bbq sauce. It is obvious that the entire dish is made fresh. The waffles were fantastic!! The hubs ordered the meatloaf. The pumpkin puree was an excellent addition to the dish. We were so full, but the waitress convinced us to order dessert, so glad we did. The mud slide is a chocolate lovers dream. So decadent! We took most of it home with us to enjoy the next day. During our dinner the manager stopped by. He was extremely personable and congratulated us on our anniversary. Thanks!!
(4)
Celine L.
With all the mixed reviews, I wanted to check out this place for myself- plus their Groupon deal was a good motivator too. I ordered their popular Swamp water cocktail, which sadly didn't have dry ice so it didn't have the smokey effect that I loved in the pictures. The drink still tasted good and was strong so I was still happy. I ordered the beer can chicken with a side of fries and cole slaw ($16), which was okay-the skin seems kind of tough but at least the inside was juicy. I got to taste the chicken and waffles & have NO complaints, they were absolutely PERFECT. Who knew marshmallow sauce would go so well with it! Overall it wasn't bad, just didn't knock my socks off. The prices also seemed on the higher side for comfort food--- country fried steak $22, porterhouse $38, and lowest entree was the burger for $14.
(3)
Breana B.
Unlimited minosas on Sundays 11am-4pm! This is what brought me here since it was closer than other places. I ended up ordering the eggs benedict biscuit sandwich which was pretty good. We sat outside and the service was good. We did come in through the wrong door so at first figuring out where to be seated was confusion. All in all I got my share of mimosas and left happy and tipsy.
(5)
Aaron Z.
I spent the entire meal trying to hide a new tattoo from my mother and mother-in-law because it was Mother's Day and I try not to make mothers cry on Mother's Day. So excuse me if there was bigger shit going on than how the food tasted (OK) and how professional the service was (OK).
(3)
Anquanette G.
Yep no change. I still feel the same way about Southern Swank although the food was better this time around. I was having a really crappy day and on the word of Rosario & Brenda, I decided to give these folks a second chance. If these 2 ladies were encouraging me to try it, I knew I had to! I decided to Order the Yelp of course! I have to support the boy Blue so I didn't have to look at the menu at all. Buffalo chicken and waffles with a blue cheese drizzle! It sounded delish. I requested my blue cheese to be on the side. I like to control how much I drown my food in a sauce. Thursdays drink special is $3 well drinks!!! I was already a fan :-) Their well vodka is Pinnacle & the rum is Bacardi so I knew I'd be set for the night! I also ordered the corn bread b/c I was super hungry. That item came out very quickly and it was tasty. The side of cinnamon butter set off the salty/sweet combo in the corn bread. This one is a winner! My Order the Yelp dish came out... drenched in blue cheese drizzle. I asked the waiter to have it taken back b/c just as I expected, there was way too much on it. After 20 minutes, it finally came back out but THIS time, I got plain chicken with the buffalo sauce & the blue cheese drizzle on the side. I'm confused. What part of blue cheese on the side did you NOT get? I don't know if the ball was dropped by the server or the kitchen but either way, I was annoyed. So much so that I had to say something! The waitress apologized over and over again, told the manager and he also came over to apologize and offered to make it right. At this point, I was so hungry and annoyed, I told him straight up that I would eat it and couldn't wait for another one to come out. I told him if he took it back and the food was returned to me and I didn't like the food overall, I'd be even more upset. I even told him I was giving him a second chance b/c my first experience was so horrible. I appreciated the gesture He offered to take it off the bill and apologized again. Not only for the mess up with my food but for me also having a crappy day! In the end, I told the waitress to leave it on the bill b/c I didn't want them to think I wanted something for free. In the end, they still took it off even though I insisted that they didn't. I was torn between giving 2 or 3 stars. I decided on 3 for the fact that this time around, the service from the wait staff was much improved over the last visit & the food was very good! I enjoyed every bite of my order the yelp dish, cornbread & drinks! If only they could figure out my order. Next time, I'll just have something to go...
(3)
Alex L.
Went to this place long before it was serving the Yelp. I was looking for more southern than swank, and that is maybe the problem. The bar area is great, and the drinks are too. You should definitely order something off their specialty cocktail menu. When I was there was a band playing, they were serving smoking drinks in mason jars, and the place was PACKED! My niece (2 yrs) had a blast, and we all enjoyed her Mac n' Cheese. The steak is pretty decent tasting, though though a small portion for a quite a price. The chicken and waffles is a must.
Went there on a recommendation from friends. Not worth it at all. Portions sizes to price are not worth it. Menu online does not reflect the meal options. Things have been removed. Speciality drinks were disgusting. Call John Stafford for a bar/restaurant rescue. Arrived about 7pm. As we ordered our meals, were advised that there is no Pork products left. Only 2 Full rack of ribs. So there went two of our three orders out the window. Silver wear was dirty and had food and greasy fingerprints on them. Ordered with a waitress who was the bartender doing tables. She was pulled because the crowds came in and was making drinks not serving our table. No one covered our table. The so called Manager is a waitress and walked around like her shit didn't stink and she has a format 5 star barbeque joint. Should the manager have assigned someone to take over the service at our table? How the hell do you not have pulled pork or ribs at 7pm only two hours of being open and it was slow when we arrived. I WOULD NEVER EVER RETURN TO THIS RESTAURANT. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND IT EITHER. Go spend you money somewhere else. This place should be closed by end of the year if they don't get their shi together.
(1)
Anna R.
So enjoyed this dining experience! Started with the Fried Green Tomatoes- deliciously perfect appetizer. We decided to share the Chicken & Waffles and the Country Fried Steak. Couldn't tell you which was better! The food was hot, fast and finger- licking! The Apple Pie moonshine hit the spot! Great friendly service- can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jordanna E.
Nothing worse than being excited and...being let down. Every restaurant has a bad night, but not this bad. I almost don't want to write a review, because I don't want to revisit this night again. This LONG night with COLD food. So, let's have a quick review of the experience. Sit down, super sweet waitress greets us and I comment on how sweet she was and I was so excited that we had a great server with a personality. We want wine, and look at the wine list, and OMG, what are all those black lines? Oh..wines they are out of. Wines they are out of on their paper menus. Ummm...is this a regular thing? Do they just run out and cross it out until someone dials the good ole wine rep and places an order? PRINT OUT NEW LISTS. It's tacky. So we order the finest bottle of red on the menu...at their place..a $28 Meritage. The manager presents it. They have GREAT glasses, nice fat thin glasses. AWESOME. Made that cheap bottle of wine less likely to give me a headache tomorrow... So we place our appetizer and entree order, and also an order of chicken fingers for the kids. They were out of chicken fingers......REALLY? Costco too far of a drive to pick up a bag of Tyson?? IN place of the chicken fingers we add on an additional appetizer instead. Five minutes or so later, the waitress comes over and says that they were out of the Hangar steak, too. So now we are at three... GOOD wine, chicken fingers, hangar steak....) At the time I was at the Photo Booth, so my hot date asked if she would come back in a few. My date says she was really looking forward to that steak, the waitress suggests we could just pay for the wine and leave or something to that respect.... yikes. The waitress comes back when she sees me, because she was pretty attentive, and I ask her if I could get the Ribeye steak with the same "set up" as the hangar steak, sauce, sides, etc... She says she would have to check with the kitchen... She says it's not possible..whatever. I order the ribeye, date orders the "Yelp." So the appetizers arrive... BLAH. The Fried Green Tomatoes were soggy and just nothing to write home about. The Pork Sliders were ok, but no where near as good as the previous time my guest had visited. Also, asked for pickles on the side..umm. Yeah, didn't happen. I hate pickles. WE finish up the apps, our forks were filthy from the remoulade sauce that was on the tomatoes, and the waitress came over to clean the table, but kinda hesitates until I take my dirty silverware off of my plate and place it on the "clean" table. yikes again, maybe I am a snob...but can I just get a fresh set of silverware please? Ten or so minutes later she returns to tell us that she can make the hangar steak, they are just out of the potatoes it comes with. No problem, I will take the fries with it. Date says the same. What seemed like an hour later, but realistically was probably about 40 minutes, the steaks came out, with the mysterious 86'd potatoes?!?!?!??!?! Both steaks were cold, but the flavor was good. We chowed down because we were hungry and my little ones needed to get to bed!!! Mid meal she checked on us, and I knew I wanted dessert, so I jumped on ordering it before we finished our meal...so we had time to pick something new, wait for it, etc... Luckily it came out soon after we finished our meals, and it was the best thing we had all night...it was one of the bread puddings...can I suggest maybe staffing up? Not 86'ing products because you ran out of potatoes?! Or did you? The whole experience was weird, and I am not going back anytime soon.
(2)
Harvey D.
My wife and I decided to buy the Groupon and give this place a try. They are trying to bring down home cooking with a gourmet twist to Davie and I'm not totally convinced that it works. My wife hit the nail on the head by saying, "Foodies will think the food is missing something and the non-foodies will think the food is overpriced for what you get." For instance, she ordered the chicken and waffles and instead of syrup, they serve the waffles with marshmallow. She stated, "I'm not sure the marshmallow was enough of the sweet like the syrup would have been." She thought the dish was decent; however, it was missing that extra sweet kick. I ordered the 1/2 chicken with fries and cole slaw. Here leads me into the two X's for this restaurant: they don't offer free refills on soda (they serve the soft drinks in a can or bottle) and they don't substitute at all. I don't like cole slaw and would have preffered to have extra fries or some other side. No can do buckaroo. They will not serve anything other than what the menu says the dish comes with. My meal was decent and the portion size was fine. They did skimp a little bit on the chicken and waffles (in my opinion). The waitress was excellent and she refilled my water glass in a timely manner. The other odd thing about this place is that the food is somewhat overpriced. If they were located on the beach and you were paying for the view, fine. But not on University Avenue....If they don't lower the prices, I believe people will slowly start migrating elsewhere. A place like this needs some sort of way to get people in the door esp. once the Groupon has expired. Lowering the prices is a sure fire way to get people to come back. I probably will not rush back here esp. without a coupon. BTW, the Mississippi Mudslide dessert was fantastic!
(3)
Monica C.
I'm tardy to the Swank party. I didn't even know it existed. How I wish it existed when I was in law-school right next door. First and foremost, I love the decor and atmosphere. It's different, modern and fun. I heard rumors of a photo booth. I love photo booths and somehow I missed this one. I happen to think the food was delish. The fried green tomatoes were to die for! I know the chicken and waffles are tempting but trust me go for the burger. You won't regret it!! I'll definitely be back!
On my second visit to Southern Swank, I was once again underwhelmed. The location is beautifully decorated and "cool," but that's about all it has going for it. First of all, the food is incredibly mediocre for the price. I've now sampled two of their most popular dishes (chicken & waffles, and meatloaf), and both were OK at best. If I was paying $9-$10 per entree, that would be one thing, but Southern Swank charges $16 for each without any sides (but I wouldn't recommend the $4 coleslaw, it was dry and tasteless). The second issue is the service. It has to improve. A lot of the waiters/waitresses are young and are still gaining experience, but that's not the kind of service you want from a restaurant where you're easily paying $40+ per person. Overall, Southern Swank would be much more desirable if they improved the service, decreased their prices by 30%, and traded in the glitz and decor for some better cooking.
(2)
Daniel L.
We're constantly told that we need to check out Swank ("Yardbird in Davie", they said) and so my wife and I stopped in tonight. It was...decent. Right off the bat, I knew we were going to have issues when my sweet tea arrived lukewarm (and in the smallest glass I'd ever seen). My wife actually commented on how small it was. Oddly enough, my wine (first glass $5, second glass for a penny) was HUGE. My chicken and waffles were passable, but nothing to write home about. I've had far better -- Yardbird in Miami and Coolinary Cafe in Jupiter make some of the best C&W imaginable. My wife's hangar steak was good, however. Hate to say it, but I could have easily made this meal at home, and it wouldn't have cost me $65.
(2)
Shelby S.
Amazing Food !!!!!!!! Everything is so fresh and such great flavor ! You can tell it's all quality fresh food they prepare ! They have great music and yummy drinks too !
(5)
MickeyBlue I.
Nice place, lots of TV's and fairly new staff you can tell they're not that experienced. The menu looks good and is small prices seemed fair until your food arrives and you see the incredibly small portions. I had the Chicken & Waffles which was delicious, but extremely small. She had the Shrimp & Grits which I assume she liked and was also a small portion. We had a strawberry lemonade which we thought was just that, turned out to be a alcoholic beverage. For dessert I had the Banana Pudding which comes in a small mason jar and was pretty good. I might come back to try their ribs but at least I know that their portions will be small.
(3)
Cristen S.
After I've been dying to try this place I went for the first time for a friends birthday. Server was very nice and the atmosphere was really cool. The food was amazing, everyone in our party really enjoyed their meal. No worries until the end of our dinner when the computer system shut down, we had to wait almost 45 minutes to receive our checks. No one offered us anything and the manager never came over once to apologize even when he was standing right by our table. When approached, he was incredibly rude and unfriendly. I would say the best thing about this place is the food and atmosphere, as well as the great specials they had. Also, everything seemed to be very fairly priced. However, very disappointed in the management of the restaurant and how poorly our situation was handled.
Let's start with something positive. The Louisiana Swamp Water drink is amazing. It's delivered to you with a mythical fog and gummy worm. I had about 3 of those!! Excellent. I am from Louisiana sooooo when a restaurant lists fried green tomatoes with a REMOULADE sauce, I have expectations. The fried green tomatoes were ok and the remoulade left more tone desired. I then had the shrimp and grits. Not pleased and I didn't feel the grits were properly salted during cooking. I finished with the crab hushpuppies and they were ok. I'll just drink at this place next time.
(1)
Joan L.
A funny thing happened at Swank Southern Kitchen between my first and second visit: a loss of southern hospitality and a huge increase in "attitude". My husband ate here the first week it opened & enjoyed it so much that I promptly purchased 2 Groupons for this new & exciting restaurant right in our neighborhood. I would say my first visit here was a 5. Yes, it is a limited menu, but everything was well prepared (fish, hush puppies, chicken & waffles). Service was a bit slow but everyone was very friendly, our Groupon was taken with a smile, and the owner had plenty of time to stop by our table to chat & welcome us. Fast forward a couple of months....used our 2nd Groupon before it expired & we were made to feel like cheapo pariahs for doing so. Our server knew nothing about the Groupon and had to keep going back to ask the owner which items we were "allowed" to order. We had some controversy about whether or not I could order the fish entree that I had gotten last time (on the Groupon). The owner (we were told he was in house) was supposed to stop by but never did. A manager eventually straightened it out but the whole incident gave me a very uneasy & unwelcome feeling. My husband also had a an offer for a free appetizer from a Yelp check-in. We were told very unapologetically that it was expired & would not be honored. Much has been written about the food. Crab hushpuppies: Nice fried dough but I really did not taste crab. Fried green tomato - not really my thing. My kids LOVE the chicken & waffles and they get it with extra marshmallow sauce. The fried chicken is pretty good & the waffles are okay. Husband got Beer Can Chicken. Not bad for a roasted chicken (I still prefer Costco's). Fries were very flavorful & crispy (beware of the spicy ketchup on the side!). My Snapper was very well prepared, but I am not a fan of the sides it comes with: the black syed peas were very hard & collard greens are really not great. Our server was pleasant & seemed uncomfortable with the Groupon debacle. It was not really her fault that the food was very slow coming out of the kitchen. As a Davie resident I was so excited to see SSK come to our neighborhood. We need more diversity in our dining scene & this is a great addition! A few suggestions from a local to help improve & ensure your longevity ( and yes, I am rooting for you!) 1) If you offer a deal (Groupon, Living Social, Yelp Check In, whatever)...have your manager and servers know about it. Honor it with a smile and please don't make the customer feel badly about using it. Don't change the terms after you sell it (which you did with your Groupon by changing the days of use). 2) Let people substitute sides! If my husband hates cole slaw, what is the big deal about letting him substitute with some beans? I would also frequent your establishment more if I knew I could get the fish with sides other than black eyed peas & collard greens. Please be a little less rigid & more customer friendly in that respect. 3) Diversify your menu a bit or at least have some daily specials. Maybe a soup? Fish prepared another way? There are so many other "southern style" dishes to try. Your current "creative" southern menu gets pretty boring after you have been there a couple of times. 4) Add a luscious southern dessert (maybe a Cobbler with Ice Cream, a fabulous pie?). The Bread Pudding was a nice add. Banana and Snickers Pudding are pretty boring. 5) Appreciate your locals. After many years in Davie I have seen plenty of places come and go. After all the hype has died, we will be your bread & butter. (By the way, no bread & butter served here. With the high price point, an interesting bread basket might be a nice touch!).
(3)
Danielle C.
To say I was dying to come here is an understatement. Because we live all the way in Miami, I was not expecting to go anytime soon, but when we were visiting a friend in the neighborhood, I begged my parents! I would hope that most people would assume by the word southern that this is NOT A PLACE FOR VEGETARIANS!!!! Upon driving up to the location, I was surprised at where it was on University. It seemed a little out in the middle of nowhere (I know its by Nova), but it definitely stands out! Upon walking in I was a little uncomfortable because of the layout. all of the tables are jammed into the restaurant, right on top of each other. The hostess desk is hard to find and weirdly located. Once I found what I assumed to be the hostess desk, a girl greeted me and told me it was a thirty minute wait (it was a Saturday night). We said OK and went to the bar. After perusing the drink list, we were excited to try them out. I definitely appreciated that they put prices on the drink list! After about 5 minutes the hostess told us our table was ready.....Oh ok. However, she sat us about 5 inches from the band that was setting up to play in 45 minutes. I wasn't too excited about that. Service was awesome! We had a really nice girl who was great about water and cleaning off the table. I drank the Ring of Fire, which was delicious and strong! We ordered the Crab Hush Puppies to start. They were delicious! Next time I would ask for more of the sauce they came with though. Our entrees took a long time to come out so we ordered a side of corn bread to munch on. OH MY GOODNESS! This was ALMOST as good as what my Grandma makes in Mississippi! It came with a sweet cinnamon butter that I slathered on the warm bread! Just YUM! I almost ate the whole loaf by myself. I guess I am giving 3 stars instead of 4 because of the entrees and entree selection. I ordered the Shrimp N Grits off the appetizer menu and Shells N Cheese. The shrimp n grits were just ok. The grits were overcooked and some of the flavors in it seemed unnatural, especially with the shrimp. Shells n cheese were just ok as well. The pork belly in it was too large of chunks and incredibly fatty. Most of the pieces were inedible because you couldn't even chew them. Mom ordered the beer can chicken. She didn't like the gravy, but the normal chicken would have been fine. It came with buttermilk coleslaw which was delicious, and french fries which were pretty good. Dad got the St Louis Ribs and said they were just okay. I was a little turned off by the few choices of entrees they had. This is definitely a place for people who crave the sweet and salty type foods. The prices for the entrees were a little steep to me, especially given the portions and in Davie of all places. While I didn't like the setup of the restaurant, it didn't bother me too much because we weren't in Miami with swarms of rude people! And once the band started, it was too much! The restaurant was loud enough as it was, and then the band started and while they were good, the volume was unnerving and we were RIGHT up front. Im glad we finally got to try this place! While the drinks were awesome, and the service was great, the food was average.While I don't think I would make the drive up there just for this place, maybe if we were in the area again we may stop by.
(3)
Natalie M.
Just finished Sunday brunch with my husband at this establishment. Disappointing and average at best. The beginning of my below average experience began before we even arrived...being unsure about where to go for brunch, I looked up this spot due to driving past and seeing the "Sunday brunch 11-3" sign...it wasn't clear if there was a different menu for said brunch, so I called and asked. The girl who answered the phone literally answered it as if I was calling her personal phone...three rings and then an abrupt "Hello?!?" I replied and asked my question..."hi, I was just looking online and was wondering if you offer a different menu for brunch or if it's just the normal menu you have listed on your website..?" To which I received another abrupt response, "online!" I thanked her for her obviously ill-informed response and decided to do more digging, via yelp, and found that they do, in fact, offer an entirely different menu during brunch hours....strike one and I'm not even inside the restaurant... Being as I am very experienced in the service industry, I wanted to give this place the benefit of the doubt...maybe they're busy, maybe brunch is a new thing and they're just trying to get their bearings? (Even though the answer to my brunch menu question was found in a review left four months ago.) So, we went anyway...walking in, we were immediately put off by the loud, mainstream country music blaring through the speakers...not their fault though, we are from nashville and absolutely cannot stand country music but have found it runs rampant everywhere else in the country...we were told to "wait a minute.." as two hostesses turned their backs to us and conversed amongst themselves for a few minutes, not even asking how many we had or if we had a reservation, which we did. We were told to follow a girl who led us to a table. I informed her of our reservation but that we obviously didn't need it...only then were we asked our name and how many we had.. After being seated, we waited almost ten minutes before a server acknowledged our existence..I counted a total of four servers that walked by, looked at our empty table and went on their way before we were given waters and told that our server would be with us shortly... Another seven minutes goes by and finally, a girl greets us. We told her we were completely prepared to order, ordered our drinks and food choices and then she was gone.. We then waited almost twenty minutes for our drinks...one mimosa and one redneck mimosa. Didn't realize it took that long to pour one (pre-made) mimosa and make another? Once we get our drinks, we try to just enjoy them but began to wonder where our food was after another twenty five minutes passed... At this point, we've been told three separate times that "your food is almost up." Not sure who's food she was referring to by the last time but it definitely was not ours.. After a grand total of 56 minutes of waiting, our food finally arrives. My husband ordered the breakfast burger, which looked awesome, and I ordered the chicken and biscuits...now, please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't chicken and biscuits usually served with white gravy? I would've loved to have seen that it was going to come with (barely any) brown gravy and some kind of stuffing underneath..definitely made me feel like I was eating a hearty thanksgiving type meal instead of brunch...disappointing but I guess it's my own fault for assuming and not clarifying. A manager came over to the table and apologized for how long the food took...then informed us that they would comp a dessert for us...which, im sorry if this is rude but, the last thing we wanted to do was wait another 30 minutes for a dessert we didn't even want...but we thanked her and she left. A dessert menu was never brought to us. I flagged down a gentleman in a tie, who I assumed was some sort of manager, and asked him for a dessert menu...to which we were given an eye roll..didn't think we asked for that but hey, who knows? He dropped the menu and walked away. Our server returned and began suggesting desserts...the first she suggested had a disclaimer that it would take at least 15 minutes for it to be made...it took everything in me not to joke that we didn't have another hour to waste while they played around with chocolate and ice cream in the kitchen...so we ordered the carrot cake to go. After waiting for it and it being delivered to us, we were then asked if we wanted our check.........obviously, we do..thanks. All that to say, get your shit together, southern swank! You have a lot of potential but no one with the potential to harness it! We will not be returning.
(2)
Susan C.
I've been to Swank three times and I think last night was my last time since I just got food poisoning from Smoked Chicken & Green Bean Skillet appetizer! It was swimming in oil and I should have sent it back, but did not so I ended up with a host of stomach issues overnight and the next morning. They also pulled a big switcheroo on penny wine night (Wednesdays)! You used to get your first glass of wine for a penny, and the website still advertises this. But, last night, it magically turned into a 2 for 1, with the first glass being $5 and the second one being a penny. I only wanted one glass. If you go, the service is very good and the Shrimp & Grits appetizer is the best thing on the menu. The Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer is good and so is the side of cornbread, oversized with a side of cinnamon butter. The Chicken & Waffles is both good and bad. When I had it, the chicken was moist and crispy and were complimented by the waffles. However, the marshmallow sage sauce overwhelmed the dish - ask for it on the side if that's possible. Eat here informed at at your own risk.
(2)
Nicole K.
Had brunch here for the first time today and will definitely be back. We had Southern Eggs Benedict, Chicken & Waffles, and Country Fried Steak. The drinks and desserts were also very tasty and unique,
(5)
Tina B.
I love a creative menu almost as much as I love world-class service. For these reasons, Southern Swank Kitchen is one of my new local favorites. We arrived a little before our reservation time and enjoyed some appetizers and drinks at the bar. The bartender was friendly and helpful. He was busy but never made us feel rushed or forgotten. Appetizers were amazing (fried green tomatoes and crab hush puppies). We moved to a table for dinner. The tables offer a nice intimate feel. Service, again, was impeccable. We had the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. It was a little on the sweet side but still truly delicious. As an alternative, they offer a blue chicken and waffles which we were told is a little more spicy than sweet. We will definitely try that next time!
(5)
James M.
Hidden gem in davie was driving by and found this place. Great food and even better bar and service. Would recommend to anyone looking for something different with some swank.
(5)
Jessica G.
I purchased the Swank groupon...I think before the restaurant even opened...and finally got around to using it last night. I have debated three or four stars. I decided to go with three, but I don't think I would hesitate to go back to Swank, I would just do things a little differently next time. I went in for dinner on a Sunday night. I had made a reservation through open table, but this this particular night the reservation probably wasn't necessary, though we were on the later end of dinner. We were seated promptly and given the food and drink menus on clipboards...it was kind of a cute menu presentation. I would have liked to have tried one of the specialty cocktails, but I figured I could save a few calories and just do a glass of wine as their specialty drinks look fun and delicious, but they also look pretty sugary. I ordered the Riesling and I really appreciated that it was served very cold in a chilled glass. I like my white wine very cold. With the Groupon, we were to receive an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. I knew I wanted the shells and cheese because it is important to me that if mac and cheese is on the menu I try it. I also decided to add on the chicken wings as my boyfriend was interested in them. There was a little bit of a wait for the appetizers but I was happy because I had my wine. The wait wasn't excessive but if you are in a rush I'm not sure this is the place for you. The shells and cheese were quite good. They had a creamy cheese sauce, which is my favorite kind of mac and cheese, and had an overall smoky flavor that was enhanced by pork belly pieces. I was impressed by the chicken wings also. I am not really a chicken wing person, but I would definitely get these again. They were quite large, the outside was very crispy and the bbq sauce was quite good. The entrees came out very shortly after the appetizers. I ordered the hanger steak and my boyfriend had the ribs. The hangar steak was cooked perfectly and the overall flavor was good. It was served with a potato hash that had somewhat of a gravy to it and there was also a white (I believe horseradish based) sauce on the plate. My complaints with the hanger steak were that the entree as a whole was a little cold...like maybe it wasn't served right off the grill or maybe the sauce/potato wasn't heated properly and had cooled everything down. It was also a little too saucy and overwhelmed the steak a little. My boyfriend had the ribs and as he was eating them I noticed they seemed difficult to eat...as in the meat wasn't easily coming off the bone. I asked to try a bite and I literally had to bite it off the rib and couldn't just pull a piece of pork off with my fingers, I just think that they could have been cooked differently so that they weren't as tough. The ribs came with coleslaw which didn't taste to me like anything special. For dessert we decided to go with the snickers custard. It was good, though very rich. The portion wasn't large, but was easily shared between the two of us as it was very sweet....but it did taste a lot like snickers...and I liked that it had whole peanuts in it. I probably wouldn't order dessert again as their options are pretty limited to custard/pudding type things and that is generally not my go to..but I'm glad I got to try it. Reading the other reviews I was apprehensive and worried about service, but I found our waitress (Jessie I think) to be friendly and attentive, and she seemed to know the menu well and was willing to make a few recommendations when I asked. The main reason I went with three stars was the the entrees are were just not four star material for the price point and definitely could use a little improvement; however, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Swank and do drinks and make a meal out of the starters. I would still like to try the fried green tomatoes and I would definitely order the shells and cheese and chicken wings again.
I am a bit on the fence about this place, but i'll probably say its a solid 3.5. Not sure this place lives up to the southern name food wise, which is the real reason for the 3.5 I do like the atmosphere and decor and staff is very friendly and helpful The food takes a very long time to come out and the seating process seemed like a bit of an organized chaos. When we walked in they told us a 45 minute wait but somehow we got seated within 5 minutes. The drinks: Not a bad selection of beers Drink specials were okay, but most were a bit on the syrupy sweet side The food: Chicken and waffles - chicken and waffles themselves were good but the marshmallow fluff was way to much and killed the flavor of everything, they should have stuck to syrup. I ended up scraping the marshmallow off so I can taste the delicious chicken underneath. Shells and cheese - creamy, velvety and good Crab hush puppies - my favorite of all the items on the menu, flavorful and perfect little bits The sliders - delicious, flavorful St louis ribs - while not fall of the bone, the sauce was delicious and i enjoyed them overall, the rest of the people at our table did not enjoy them as much as me. Caleslaw - was also one of my favorites, tons of flavor and a nice kick The place was a bit on the pricey side for the area and the food but coming from NY seemed pretty standard I think with a wider food selection and some refinement of the food, this place would be the perfect addition to Davie. Being from NY i expect any southern place in the south to destroy our NY southern spots, this place did not, but would be willing to come back here.
(3)
Jennifer B.
After reading some of the negative reviews I was skeptical to dine at Southern Swank. We went on a Thursday night and were seated right away. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant with country music playing! The food was great. We ordered fried green tomatoes, hanger steak, country fried steak, the Mississippi Mud dessert and sweet tea. The fried green tomatoes were very thick and could have been a little riper, but the sauce they put on them is delicious (ask for more!). Both of the entrees were very good! The Mississippi mud dessert was phenomenal! It is the BEST BROWNIE you will ever eat! Their sweet tea is good, which is a staple for a good southern restaurant. My only complaint is that it was warm and I had to ask for more ice half way through our dinner. The reason I am giving it 4 stars is because of the price. With the groupon ($15 for $30) we still spent $40 extra! I would love to come again because of the food, but there is no way I would pay $70 for the meal we ate. I wish they would make their prices a little more reasonable, then there would be no question that we would become regulars at Southern Swank. They do have $5 appetizers at the bar that ends at 7pm ( I think). I would definitely consider doing that for our next visit! You are still able to enjoy the restaurant without leaving broke at the end of the night.
(4)
Sarah S.
I have to say I'm a fan of this place! Wasn't sure what to expect due to mixed yelp reviews but I finally got the groupon and came on in. Wasn't too busy on a weeknight, sat at the bar. I must say that the bartender was extremely accommodating. From what to drink to what to eat he was patient, answered all questions, and was knowledgeable about the selections. The manager came and introduced himself and spoke a little about how all the food is fresh here, nothing is "from the box". He mentioned that even the marshmallow sauce they have is made from real marshmallows that they make in house. I found this interesting. I ordered the old fashioned. I wanted to try the swamp water but wasn't in the mood for blueberry. So I tried the old fashioned swank. It was good but I wish there had been more bourbon in it. My boyfriend and I both ordered the chicken and waffles. Of course we asked for butter, syrup, and extra hot sauce and marshmallow sauce (we are sauce people). As if we weren't already being a pain, the bartender actually added another sauce (the southern swank sweet bbq sauce) for us to try. Offer me more sauces to taste and you become my new favorite person!!! I literally cut a piece of waffle dipped it in syrup and marshmallow sauce, and cut a piece of chicken and dipped in hot sauce and the bbq sauce and ate the two bites at once. Talk about a burst of flavor!!! Not only was it delicious, but the fried chicken was boneless which I really liked and made it easier to eat. I also really liked that it wasn't dripping in grease or soggy. It was made fresh to order and truly cooked to perfection. After we were done the bartender tried to sell us desert and he almost succeeded. The way he described the bread pudding made me think twice about ordering it, maybe next time! I also noticed Tuesday's they have 2-4-1 well drinks, they have a glass of wine for 1 cent.. Yes that's right... Wine for a PENNY on Wednesdays and yelp has an in the biz 50% off on Mondays if you check in! The only downside is for the location and type of food the prices seem a bit steep. Maybe this is because everything is truly from scratch? Either way it is delicious and I will definitely be back for some of their specials and deals!!!
(4)
Navneet S.
I feel like this place could be much better. I want to give it a fourth star for potential, but I don't think that's a thing. We walked in and the place was about halfway occupied. We approached the hostess and asked for a table for 4, and she told us that it would be a 15 minute wait because the kitchen was really backed up. Apparently a large group had just left and another large group had just come in. So...that meant we couldn't sit at one of the many empty tables? We waited around for about 20 minutes and then we were finally seated, starting the night off on a really confusing note. I think the hostess was new (I hope). Otherwise it was a pretty decent experience. The food was your typical southern comfort food. I had the blue cheese chicken and waffles and tried some of the beer can chicken. Mine was a little too heavy with all that cheese, but the beer can chicken was good. Decor was cool and the service was attentive. It's not some place where I'll be dying to come back but in a pinch it's a good choice.
(3)
Lawrence P.
I've been here twice. There was a dinner with friends and a celebration of someone's birthday in the bar area. This restaurant is minutes from the house and that's a big reason to love this place. I don't do chain restaurants (Chilli's, TGIF, Applebee's) so when this place opened, had to try it! This restaurant has a great Davie atmosphere. Very relaxed, simple, spacious, All... SWANK!!! We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes which were great. The creole remoulade was perfect. The Crab Hush Puppies were perfect. We had several as we had to order more. I had the Chicken & Waffles which were solid... the only problem being they don't have syrup. Uh?!?!?!?! (they have to fix that!) The Beer Can Chicken, which is basically a free range chicken cooked perfectly and accompanied with a beer gravy which is presented inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can, was very good and pretty cool in its presentation!!! The Ribs were good as well. For dessert we ordered the Snickers Pudding and Bread Pudding... both good. As for drinks, I didn't but the wife got her butt kicked (that's how she described it) with a very strong Old Fashion Swank. On our second visit, a buddy reserved some tables by the bar and celebrated his wife's bday with some 20 friends. The girl assigned to serve us was slow, full of attitude and generally uninterested. So I ordered my food and drinks at the bar which also made it easier to keep a separate check. That night I drunk some Funky Buddha Hop Gun and Floridian I believe, and we had some light bites. This is a solid neighborhood restaurant and will be back soon and often!
This is a review for the Sunday brunch. Everything was delicious and great presentation but portions were small. The decor inside is also really great. It does feel like a restaurant in the south for sure. They also have a decent breakfast drink menu with a good selection.
(4)
Brianna G.
I went once and wasn't thrilled. I got the chicken and waffles. the waffles were dry and over cooked. the chicken had more fat on it than meat. and the bill for 2 people with only one beer was around $80. I figured I would give it a 2nd try. however I was even more let down the 2nd time. I went yesterday with a friend we got the chicken wings and the sauce was very good. we also got the fried pickles and clearly this place likes to over cook everything not only were they burnt some were stuck together and when I pulled them apart the batter was raw and to top It off there was a hair in the batter of one of the pickles. they also did NOT give us the correct dipping sauce with the pickles. we split an order of mac and cheese. the shell pasta was like mush and the cheese just had a funny taste. we also split a full rack of ribs. the pork was very swiney and made me feel nausea after eating it. the ribs comes with a side of fries and cole slaw. which we only got the fries I had to ask for the cole slaw. the slaw did have celery seed in it which I like very much however it still wasn't great and wasn't fresh the greens were wilted . Not only is the food horrible you would think our waitress would give us two large dinner plates seeing as we were sharing everything but we only had the small appetizer plates to use. needless to say NEVER AGAIN
(1)
David L.
Poor service. When complained to manager, was given poorer excuse. Food was nothing special.Dont waste time or money here.
(3)
Sandra C.
Great food and excellent service! I've heard of this place before but haven't had the opportunity to until yesterday. I had their chicken and waffles and I feel like I died and this is what heaven must be like because it was delicious! I can't wait to tell all my friends about this place.
(5)
Kandyce V.
The food was pretty good but the service was horribly slow! The appetizers were also good.
(4)
Danielle D.
Last night, I dined at SSK with a friend after attending a Yelp event. Steven N was our server and he was great. Very friendly, very attentive. We ordered the "Blue Chicken and Waffles", cornbread, shells and cheese, and a side salad. The only unfavorable dish was the salad. The side salad came dressed with a dressing that has a very distinct bitter spice flavor. I found it to be so unappetizing I had to send the salad away. The manager was very sweet and accommodating. He offered another dish instead but we declined; he did not charge us for the salad. The cornbread was and is FANTASTIC. I love cornbread and this is some of the best. The vanilla icing served with it really takes it to another level. I could eat that cornbread daily! The shells are made with bacon, which I don't eat, but tasting the dish reveals a delicious balance of flavors. The dish was not too cheesy, or over salty. Made with white cheddar, it was very delectable. Saving the best for last, the chicken and waffles was incredible. The chicken was perfectly cooked and sauced. The dish was also served with sriracha which perfectly balances the rich bleu cheese sauce. We also had some drinks! Tried the sweet honey and raspy alcoholic beverages. They were both delicious, but the raspy tea was the best! We each had 3!!! All in all, the experience was great. I look forward to returning and I highly recommend !
(5)
Miranda P.
I really really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Not much on the menu for vegetarians, but I knew that going in. The boyfriend is a Tennessee-born, Georgia-raised BBQ connoisseur and the parents were visiting from South Carolina so a Southern Kitchen seemed to fit the bill. Let's start with how much I admire the ambiance, menu design and custom chalk typography. I'm a designer so I appreciate these kinds of details. Rarely does a restaurant look this good - but looks can be deceiving. Acoustics must have been pretty low on the list because it was loud. Really loud. And the place was only about half full on our side. And we were sat in a booth directly under a vent so I was freezing the whole time. I attempted to fashion a makeshift blanket out of napkins to no avail. (Shoulda kept watching Project Runway - there was probably at least one episode about knitting a napkin scarf using a fork and knife and empty straw wrappers.) My Strawberries and Cream Salad was scrumptious! I just wish there was about twice as much of it. I finished the dish in under 4 minutes due to the 'glorified garnish' portion size. I ordered a side of cornbread, which was amazing and had some kind of honey glaze. After $18 worth of food, I expect a full belly but I was still pretty hungry. I would have ordered more but I still have a car payment to make this month. The rest of the group was less satisfied with their meals. My mom said her mini-sized meatloaf was cold and the beans were bordering on inedible. My dad said his pork was undercooked and the boyfriend had to fight with his ribs to get the meat off the bones. In his words "I'm wrestling these ribs and the ribs are winning." The coleslaw was drowned in pepper but the fries were decent. Pretty disappointing since the total ended up being over $100. Alas, Southern Swank, it wasn't meant to be. I'm going back to Tara and as God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again. BOTTOM LINE: They seem to be off on Sundays so try another night.
(2)
Andrew Z.
I haven't been as excited to go to a restaurant as I was to go to Southern Swank in a very long time. Perhaps that's why I feel the way I do after having been there. I feel cheated, I feel broke and worst of all, I feel hungry. $16 for chewy fried chicken thighs and 3/4 of a waffle? Served with a side of NOTHING?? $9 for a cup of Mac & Cheese? $2.50 for a can of coke? I work too hard for my money to let go of it like that. My waitress asked me "How'd you like your Chicken & Waffles??" I replied, "Honestly, I've had better." Which would have been true even if I had only had it once in life since it was basically horrible. I've had better southern food in some much less southern places, like Coral Springs. This place needs a whole lot more southern and a dang sight less swank.
(2)
Leslie S.
Been here twice. Always had great service, good food. The beer can chicken perfectly cooked. French fries hand cut. Only the cole slaw needs a little more flavor. Ribs and beans good. Can't really say anything bad, not sure why all the negative reviews. Enjoyed it twice and the bar specials can't be beat.
(4)
Natalia F.
Went here for brunch and we all thought it was amazing!!!! I had the pulled pork Benedicts and it was so amazing and full of flavor. I loved the restaurant and how cute the decor was. Looking forward to coming bAck for dinner
(5)
Arthur L.
My daughter and I just had an excellent Sunday brunch at Southern Swank. We were promptly greeted with a smile by a friendly hostess and immediately seated. Sasha our server quickly appeared with water and recommended their bottomless Mimosa for $15 or Long Island Iced Tea for $5. We opted for the Bloody Marys instead - wow. Absolutely perfect. I wanted to try the chicken and waffles but am NOT a fan of marshmallows, so Sasha brought me a selection of four other sauces to try and I fell in love with with the blue cheese and the Swank sauce (a spicy BBQ). Mark the manager came by to check on us and say hello. He noticed our glasses were empty and went to find Sasha. She was obviously busy, so Mark went to the bar and got new drinks for us himself. My daughter raved about the sausage gravy and biscuits - and having lived in Kentucky for six years, she is fairly particular. The country music was just loud enough that we couldn't hear the conversation at the booths adjoining ours but in no way interfered with our own. If I lived here, you can be sure that I would be a regular patron. Well done!
(4)
Elizabeth D.
It's rare to find a restaurant in which the dining experience itself is great and that lends itself for hanging out. Southern Swank is incredibly inviting, which was especially comforting since I don't venture out to Broward often. The space itself is very large without being awkward about its size. The bar area, saloon, and dining areas feel familiar, making it an easy place to spend a long evening at, meeting bar patrons, listening to some live music, and sipping on a great selection of craft beer. The food was an experience in itself - out of several dishes there wasn't a single miss: * Shells & Cheese: I'm a mac and cheese elitist, and this particular dish took me by surprise. Chunks of pork belly in sticky, gooey cheese are what dreams are made of. * 18 Hour Pulled Pork Sliders: I hate pickles. These sliders made me love pickles. Holy crap. I had to ask the server about it and apparently they're sweet pickles made in-house. Anything that changes my mind about a food I don't like deserves ultimate praise. * Crab Hush Puppies: If this sounds even remotely appealing to you - don't hesitate. These were totally up my alley and the type of thing I could eat a million of. Hearts in my eyes. * Shrimp & Grits: Again, another dish that doesn't usually excite me, but Swank's version surprised me yet again. These grits had rich, deep flavor... paired with some perfectly marinated shrimp and you've got a winner. * Beer Can Chicken: This one sounded fun, so we ordered it and were pleased to see it was accompanied with a PBR can full of hot gravy. Clever dish, good execution. The french fries it came with was my carb-hating husband's favorite - especially since they came with a really unique spicy ketchup. * Craft beers: Pleasantly surprised to see their beer list. Some of my fun favorites included Seadog, Shipyard Pumpkinhead, and Monk in the Trunk. * Bread pudding: I can't resist a good bread pudding. This was no different. A great homage to the memory of your grandma's bread pudding. Protip: Check out their specials. We came on a Wednesday and my first glass of wine was a penny. Protip: Leftovers are even more amazing for lunch. After our meal, we moseyed over to the photo booth on our way out and snapped some fun pics. Overall, Swank delivers a perfect 360 dining experience. I'd love to come back for a more bar-oriented night.
(5)
Hayley W.
I went here this past weekend with some friends for the first time and it was excellent. The food was excellent, it truly embodies "Southern Swank"; upscale take on classic southern food, like corn bread, burgers, chicken and waffles, etc. I ordered the Pimento Burger, medium rare, and it was great. It was cooked the way I asked and was a good portion size. The menu is on the smaller side but the quality of the food makes up for the less quantity. The noise level is a bit high, so I felt like I was yelling throughout dinner. The restaurant itself is roomy, I never felt crowded or like I was going to bump into the people at the table behind us. It also seemed to have a nice bar area but I didn't venture over into that section. Admittedly, I didn't spend too much time taking in the decor, but I noticed several televisions around the main dining room and the lighting is low; it seems perfect for a fun first date.
(4)
Danny M.
Last night we came here for a much anticipated birthday party for a friend... We were a party of about 40 and we were all spread out across the bar area and high tops. At first I was a little concerned that they didn't have enough staff to handle Our entire party, but I was wrong... The 2 bartenders that took care of us did an unbelievable job handling our party. Nobody waited too long for food or drinks. They really rocked! Now let's get to the food.... Since there were so many of us, I got to try just about everything on the menu, and every bite was really better than the previous one. Pulled pork sliders... Sinfully good, smoky & tender pulled pork... Great slaw and perfectly home made pickle. I don't even like pickles but damn this slider was god sent. Shrimp n Grits- one of my all time southern favorites and I've had many different renditions of this dish and I must say, Chef Mike hit it out of the park with this one... Creamy/smoky grits were amazing, shrimp cooked to perfection (plump and juicy) and the pickled green beans really put it over the top. They were still crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at the same time. Other reviews Have complained about the price of this dish compared to the size of it (it's an app)... Those people clearly have no clue what the price of shellfish is right now, and how much time and effort goes into making a dish so spectacular. Hanger steak- Simple, easy and elegant plating.. Cooked perfectly, flavors on point. I mean who doesn't love fingerling potatoes with bacon. It's like crack. U can't just have one bite. Chicken n Waffles- So we all know that every new world southern spot is putting chicken and waffles on their menu and yea some of them are pretty good... But this dish was so good that my head was exploding with every bite. The marshmallow sage sauce is brilliant. Very unorthodox but the sage was very pronounced and just out of this world delicious, like I want to slather it on everything. Then I tried the hot sauce and it really put it over the top. This isn't your generic bottle of sriracha crap.. Certainly homemade with love and it definitely shows. Overall this dish was just perfectly balanced and the texture everything was all I could ever ask for. I want to thank the staff and everyone who helped us out last night... We could not have asked for a better over all experience!
(5)
Tommie G.
Good food terrible service. I've been here numerous times and every time there has been issues with service. Today we ordered apps and mains, my main course was missing the marshmallow sauce for the chicken and waffles. When I asked for it, that took another 10 minutes. So the rest of my party had pretty much competed their meal. As for dessert we ordered one knowing it takes 15 minutes to prepare 30 minutes later no where in sight. Finally the manager come by saying it was placed but the paper was out in the back so they never received ticket. You would think some sort of compensation would be done for us waiting, but no. So long story short good food for the area... Bad service.
(2)
Manuel B.
Finally tried this place. Menu very limited. Service very slow. Chicken and waffles was good, except the waitress told us to make sure and ask for the maple syrup for the waffles. After waiting for a while, finally flagged down some one else. Asked for the syrup and guess what he says, sorry we ran out. In a place serving chicken and waffles how do you run out of syrup. After a long wait for the dishes to be cleared, waitress finally came by to offer dessert menu. After another long wait we noticed that some of the desserts took 15 to 30 to be prepared, that was it, we where done .
(3)
Megan L.
I think the prices are still to high for Davie!! Bottomless mimosa are on point for Sundays brunch. $15 all you can drink! You guys are almost there.... Add some Bloody Mary deals to your menu and you guys will truly succeed in this tiny lil town!!! Davie strong
(5)
Adetoun Tina A.
Canyon merlot for wine wed good. Order S' wings, shells and cheese and corn bread! Yummie. Went for wine Wednesday. Great deal two glass for $5.01 . Love all the food I had. Bar areas place to sit to people watch!
(4)
Will K.
Was here on 8/3/2014... it's a nice lively atmosphere. And that's where it stops. My gf and I weren't attended to until after 10 or so minutes. But, no biggie, it's cool. Then my meal took approx 13 minutes to serve -- and that was only my order. Still, no problem (kind of). My meal (biscuits / gravy) was cold (not even lukewarm). My shrimps & grits -- wasn't at all worth $14 -- it lacked flavor, almost as if it were prepared for a diabetic. When I voiced my dislikes to the waitress (who genuinely commiserated with me ) she said "yeah, we've been having taste issues specifically with the shrimp & grits and with the biscuits & gravy coming out cold". I'm like, what? And, were you aware of this - her reply, "no, I'm sorry". Anyways, can't say I'll be back.
(1)
Crystal L.
I know there's no other place in Davie like Swank, for this reason they deserve a five-star rating. From their eminent service to the trendy wall art throughout the interior it's definitely expected to assume that the food is as good as it is. The gator chili and shells-n-cheese are delish! Pair that up with some swamp water and you'll be walking out of their with some swank in your step.
(5)
Brian C.
Heard about this place opening up last week and decided to make the trip up to Davie and check it out. The place was extremely congested Friday evening, apparently there was some Groupon coupon frenzy going on. Decided to just go for some appetizers (I wasn't very hungry) and drinks. I gotta give these guys credit on the masterpiece of a Mac and cheese that they served me. Wow! Also had the fried green tomatoes which were just perfect as well. Ordered a pimento burger cut in 4 to share and was thoroughly impressed with the flavor. I could put that cheese on anything! My favorite drinks were the raspy lemonade and the regular lemonade (I tried their swamp water also, it was too sweet for me but the ladies loved it). I will definitely be back after the Groupon frenzy dies out.
(5)
Lucy K.
Bordering between a 2.5-3. Mostly because of the service. I came here with a party of 10 for a pre-formal party dinner. We needed to be on a bus by 8:00pm and we called the restaurant ahead of time to see what time they recommended we come in. They said 6pm. We all arrived there on time and we all put our orders in almost as soon as we sat down to save on time. They had a gluten free menu which made ordering for me super easy. The drinks came out no problem and were delicious. More then an hour goes by... no food. Its not that the waitstaff forgot about our tables, they were constantly checking in with us about more drinks. We asked the waitress to check on our food again. By about 7:35ish, some of the first people began to get their appetizers. We were given the bill before half our dinner had come. Our party was starving and flustered to say the least. The last people got their food, only after the fifth compliant, at 7:50, giving them no time to eat it. We complained to the manager, who only comped the last two peoples meal because they were unable to eat their food, rather than the rest of us who were lucky to shove pieces of it in our mouths before having to run out the door. The sad thing was is that the food was pretty good, but we weren't able to enjoy it due to the service. Usually with a bad experience like this, I try to give the place a couple chances. However, I have multiple friends who have had separate, similar experiences. Its a shame because this could be a really good place in Davie.
(3)
Pao J.
Oh my goodness SWANK JUST BLEW MY SOCKS OFF ROSCOES better watch out the swanky boys really know how to serve fried chicken and waffles not to mention i was sitting next to one of the heat players haslem was his name i think i didnt wanna bother his family so i didnt ask for a picture the beercan chicken was outstanding and so was my yellowtail snapper we had a happy meal ill be back
(5)
True F.
We Loved it !!! Service and Food was fantastic !!! Limited menu but that is fine. They perfect the dishes they make
(5)
Jeff S.
I love Southern fare, although as someone who eats gluten-free, it can be difficult. A group of us were looking for somewhere fun to eat, none of us had been to Southern Swank Kitchen before, and we were excited about trying a new place. The drink menu is fantastic. I was a bit tepid at ordering a moonshine-based drink (I am a huge fan of whisk(e)y and am open to new variations). It had apple pie moonshine, caramel moonshine and cider. It cost $8.00 and was served in a mason jar glass. Others in my party ordered drinks as well, and everyone seemed to rave about them. We then ordered our meals. On average, the entree price is about $16 - $20, with everything being a la carte. I ordered ribs, my wife ordered a hangar steak, two of our party ordered shrimp and grits. We also ordered some crispy wings for the table. The portions could best be described as "tapas" - small plates. The hangar steak, which was $25, was incredibly small. Hangar steak isn't an expensive cut, which usually makes it an attractive purchase. However, in this case, my wife felt like she ordered filet mignon. My ribs were "meh." The meat was tough, it definitely didn't fall off the bone like good ribs will. The caramel apple BBQ sauce was very spicy (versus the expected sweet), and there was more bone than meat. At $18.00, that's a lot for the six almost ribs served. The inside of the restaurant is very loud. The decor is was attractive for how it was set up. The servers were very friendly. We all left with the feeling that Southern Swank Kitchen would be a great place to have some drinks, but we'd catch a meal beforehand somewhere else.
(2)
Allison S.
Great for appetizers and drinks but things went seriously downhill for the main courses. Fried green tomatoes and pork sliders were good. The hanger steak came with a really strange jus, very unpleasant. The pimento burger was forgettable. Unfortunately it is more Southern "influence" than execution, and the service was a bit slack (more waiter/waitress socialising at the pass than looking after tables). My first cocktail was beautifully made, with whole blueberries and nice colour. My second had a few blueberry skins in it and looked half finished. Just generally a bit slack. Too bad.
(3)
Cristina S.
We went to this restaurant a few months ago & weren't knocked off our rockers. Like other reviews during that time said, service was slow (even mid-week), food was Ok, prices were a little high. We returned Mon. for Moonshine Mondays & sat at the bar. The specials were great, the bartender was really attentive, & our food was really good! The Mac n Cheese is better now, the Green Bean Casoulette, (a delicious little casserole with chicken, slivered almonds, & cheese), the Country friend steak dish was AMAZING, & their bread pudding dessert is a nice ending to this wonderful meal. We'll be back!
(4)
Pedro G.
First time here and definitely not disappointed!! Came with a 15.00 for 30.00 worth of food groupon and decided to bite the bullet and go, was always hesitant because the prices r a tad high. Anyways our waitress was kind and knowledgable and always was around the refill our water. I ordered the blue chicken and waffles (what makes them "blue" is a spicy bbq sriracha sauce). It was soooooo good. My partner had the half beer can chicken with coleslaw and fries. The slaw was a bit dry for my taste and not very flavorful. But the chicken was moist and delicious, crispy on the outside. We decided at the beginning to have an appetizer because we didn't see a dessert menu nor was there one on their site. We had the cornbread with cinnamon butter. Soooooo good but I've had better. Anyway at the end we were offered the dessert menu but declined because we were full. Overall and great first experience and will def recommend!
(4)
Tiffany H.
The outside doesnt do this place justice! Very nice ambiance and staff. We had a very helpful waiter Andrew who was able to recommend his personal favorites. We ordered the Louisina swamp water and a chronic tonic. A slight disappointment when there was no dry ice in the swamp water as we basically ordered it for the novelty. Drinks were good though, could have been a little stronger. We ordered 3 appetizers, shrimp and grits, crab hush puppies and the pork sliders. Everything was tasty but two things were phenomenal. The smoky flavor of the grits was outstanding. My boyfriend doesnt like grits but loved these. And the smoked flavor of the pork was great too. Thanks Southern Swank, we will be back.
(4)
Tony P.
Only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the food was good. The service was horrible, I've had better service in a fast food restaurant and paid much less. The food is way overpriced and takes forever to come out. Manager didn't care much about anything other than making excuses that we didn't care to hear. After an hour and a half she offered a free dessert...how nice. I didn't care to wait another 30-60 minutes for dessert so we paid and left. I would never suggest this year place to anybody I like. If you want good food and service go to SWINE.
(2)
S T.
1st time here..... Service is slow, hard to tell if there is a manager or chef here, folks seem to be wandering around without clearly answering to anyone Food okay, not great. Will try one more time.... Crab hush puppies not evenly cooked - some cooked thru some raw in the middle like crab Rangoon, also lacked seasoning - would not order again. Pork chop was good but completely overwhelmed by a sea of spicy sweet baked beans (I would order the chop agin, but only if I could swap out the beans)
(3)
Rob L.
Some of the best food we have had out in a while. Saw they were open for Sunday brunch while driving by. Popped in and glad we did. Our waiter Jose, took great care of us. Very friendly. We had the Redneck Mimosa, the Cherry Champaign, eggs Benedict and redneck ruben. All paired very well and some of the most exciting flavors. Loved the spicy ketchup!. Price is a little on the up side, but once you taste the flavors you will understand. Seating indoors and out, the atmosphere is wonderful. I highly recommend this place for brunch.
(5)
Bridget F.
My boyfriend and I had dinner at Southern Swank last night. I was so surprised how big the place was! There is ample room for the wraparound bar and dining room. The "upscale cowboy" theme was well done and consistent, so if you like John Wayne, country music, and plaid shirts this place is for you. We started with the crab hush puppies and thought they were delicious. They portion came with 5 hush puppies with large pieces of crab in each one. For dinner, my boyfriend had the chicken and waffles, which came with a marshmallow sauce on top and a hot sauce on the side. He enjoyed them but they were chicken thighs, not breasts- delicious, but a little fattier than I would have expected. I had the chicken fried steak with smashed potatoes and gravy - really, really yummy, I definitely recommend it! I also tried their Chronic Tonic: a mix of blueberries, sage, tonic, and gin. Very unique flavor, but a bit strong for me. Our service was good- everyone was polite and knowledgeable. I'd say this place is a solid 4 stars and we will definitely be visiting again, but will probably wait for another special occasion since its a bit on the pricey side for southern fare.
(4)
Rafael C.
Sunday dinner for Mother's Day tried Southern Swank as a recommendation from a fellow foodie. Seated immediately with a warning the kitchen was backed up even though the place was about 1/2 empty and promptly informed they didn't have 3 items on the menu ( steak, fish and ribs....no ribs at a Southern restaurant???). Order drinks, appetizers and main courses at once . Twenty min later the first appetizer showed up and then all the appetizers and main courses arrived at once. Flavor was great on the food ( fried green tomatoes, sliders, mesquite chicken, po boy) , salads were over dressed with heavy cumin spice . Certainly not worth the wait and disjointed service. Servers very apologetic but manager was too busy walking around the back on his smartphone to do the apologizing himself. I think they tried to copy the name of Yardbird Southern but it's not even close and it's going to take this Southern raised bird to come back. This might be the reason why it was half empty and Tijuana Flats right down the street was packed with no parking spots available and a waiting line outside. Might not be open the next time I venture out this way to eat , with such a big empty space and unfilled covers and no bar activity it can't be financially sustainable.
(2)
Wendy N.
Fantastic! Our plan was the shrimp and grits and short rib meatloaf, unfortunately the meatloaf wasn't available but the shrimp and grits were amazing! The manager Mark recommended the pork sliders and corn bread with cinnamon butter and they were delicious! Jacob our bartender server was also great. Tues are 2 4 1 and $8 Tito's and wed are penny wine nights. So in addition to great food and service the prices are reasonable also. I can't wait to go back for the short rib meatloaf!
(5)
SanDee V.
My girlfriend and I were undecided as where to go. We drive past this little place that woke up our curiosity. I'm disappointed with their menu, not much to choose from. After 30 mins of starring at this one page menu and realizing I really didn't like anything I just opted for the Mac n cheese...lol I know so much time spent to just order Mac n cheese. I ordered a drink called swamp water. I gotta say the presentation of this drink is by far the most creative drink I've ever had. It's presentation lived up to its name "SWAMP WATER" it was green and had smoke coming out with a worm gummy hanging. If only the taste matched the looks. Uggggg this drink tasted just like its name..lol I told the waitress to take it back and just ordered a regular run and coke, I knew I couldn't go wrong with that. Now let's get to the part where i have to literally scream at my girlfriend so she can hear me because the band is way to loud. Oh yea did I mention there was a band playing songs I've never heard of right in front of us. I really think the table setting should be different. I mean who wants to scream at each other at the table due to the heavy noise. My head was being tortured to the point we had to leave.
(2)
Kat V.
Worst experience, cannot substitute fries for anything else. Manager even came out and said no. Was told I had to purchase another side. Then they offered me the side for half price. Came for the $3 fireball shots and they were raised to $6. Menu online is different than actual menu.
(1)
Tina T.
Driven by many times it's always packed. Got a Groupon so we finally tried it. My date was my 12 year old daughter who is planning on owning her own restaurant some day so she is not picky and pretty easy to please. We started off with the grits and shrimp. The shrimp was delicious but she would not eat the grits because she said they tasted funny. I ate them they had cheese in them but kind of bland. For the Main course we ordered the baby back ribs with baked beans, cole slaw, fries, pickled green beans and 2 dinner rolls. Ribs had a bit of a kick to them too spicy for my daughter but I thought they were very good and I ate them all. Baked beans were very weird not like anything I've ever had before they had something spicy in them too maybe hot sauce and had a tart after taste. Kid did not eat them at all. She ate all the Fries, pickled and rolls. Next time I will try something else like the fried chicken with waffles or beer can chicken. My advise is leave your kids at home. They had 2 for 1 on Tuesday night so would be fun with friends. Very expensive but not for children. Kids menu has 3 items on it. Try not to sit back by the kitchen very load with dishes behind wall.
(3)
Emily B.
We came on a Saturday night for date night. Although the reviews weren't that great, we decided to try it anyways. We were seated right away. It's rather small considering only one side of the restaurant has seating, the other is a bar with bar tables. We had the s'wings for appetizer and they were yummy. I had the short ribs dinner, meat was delicious as it fell off the bone, baked beans were different, and coleslaw was ick. He had the porterhouse. For $37 he was expecting a nice piece of meat, but instead it was low quality. Vegetables were bland and the potatoes and gravy were also ick. We wouldn't return, but glad we tried it.
(3)
Maya G.
I recently ventured out to Southern Swank Kitchen in Davie with the fam. I very much was looking forward to it since I thought- a cool interesting restaurant in Broward? I'm in! We pulled up and I was definitely impressed. The decor was very cute- hip and trendy. I was totally feeling it. The attention to detail on the mason jars for drinks, the hostesses/waitresses dressed 'Southern' attire, I was thrilled. We sat down and ordered and unfortunately, the food is where it fell flat for me. I btw was with my 2 yr old, so I was also happy to see it was quite kid friendly (good amount of lighting and not crazy loud music). We ordered: Crab hush puppies- sounds better than they are...not impressed Chicken and Waffles- the Yelp special: I actually had to give it to my husband and switch with him bc I did not like it at all. It was smothered in heavy buffalo sauce that was ok, and the meal was actually not even warm. The waffles were kinda cold, and the chicken luke warm. Country Fried Steak- Really bland and not much flavor at all. Side Salad- spinach and tomato...nothing special to it at all. Kids meal- Chicken fingers and fries. We were actually told it was tator tots (not fries) which I was excited about but it was fries. It was also super generic, crazy breaded and unhealthy. I would've definitely appreciated a healthy option for the little one. It also was forgotten about and came out last even though we made it a point to say, please bring her food as soon as it is ready. So perhaps we got the wrong things and there are better items on the menu, but I doubt I will be venturing back here which is unfortunate because I had high hopes. I also don't imagine this restaurant to last too long with its current menu. Hopefully they make some changes and I will definitely give it another go.
(3)
John L.
very intriguing menu and good enough presentation but far too pricey. service from call for reservations to hostess to wait staff was simply bad. Not rude but uninformed, confused and slow, certainly not representative of our $100 tab. shrimp & grits and chicken fried steak were superb; collard very good. hanger steak good. my 2 beers cold enough but the lemonade vodka drink was far too sweet & Hawaiian Punch-like. train the staff, rethink pricing and you have a real winner.
(2)
Amber M.
I heard about this place and then read the reviews about it. It had pretty good reviews. A few of us decided to try it. All I can say it was awful!! It took forever to get are appetizers. Well over an hour. Then the food came out one by one and cold. The chicken and waffles were so over cooked and no chicken. So much batter that was over cooked. And there was paper in chicken. It was just not me that thought it was gross. From start to finish it took over 3 hours. And the 75.00 dollar bill was not worth what they charge for the food.
Chicken and waffles was my pick. 16 bucks and I am OK with the pricing if the quality is there, after all its two different items. The chicken was bland and tasteless and not crunchy; the waffles were cold and tasted as if done with water and oil versus milk and with some butter instead of oil. Now, the look had great plating minus the scribble of marshmallow sauce all over. The marshmallow sauce did not go well at all, syrup would of been much better. If you want to go finer use real maple and it will taste better than marshmallow. Over all they didn't lie to me. I am a bit ignorant in the sense I read what I was about to eat and still ordered it. The service was mediocre. Only at our table when we need something, mind you we wanted to order cornbread and that didn't happen because he was busy hanging out near the food distribute window which is in the opposite end of the restaurant. By the time our food came no point in ordering. Water refill was on point. Will not be going there again...
(1)
Michelle L.
I went to this establishment because I used to eat at the restaurant that was here before Southern Swank. They have a pretty unique menu for the area. However, I was not happy with the service or food. With less than 10 customers in the whole restaurant, it took 45 minutes for 2 entrees to come out. The Southern Fried steak was not good at all (cheap meat and no flavor) and not worth the $22 price. The staff was friendly but the food is way overpriced for the quality that you receive. Won't be dining here again.
(2)
Jessica C.
My boyfriend found this place through reviews on yelp, and we love a good southern style restaurant. I have to admit, before we arrived we had read some recent reviews that this place had bombed, service was bad, etc. i told him we should be the judge ourselves. We got there and the place was busy. It was Saturday night after all. We got there around 8:30pm and was told it would be a 45 minute wait. We didn't mind, we didn't have nothing else planned for the evening so it wasn't a problem at all. While we waited, we were asked if we wanted water or unsweetened tea. My boyfriend and I both got water. About 30 mins in to our wait, after we drank our water, took in the ambiance, observed the operation, and dissected the menu, we made our way to the bar. I ordered the swamp water and he got the caramel apple. I wasn't there for the order, but I was told the bartender took a while to get around to making our drinks. In that time, I went to ask the hostess the status of our wait, and she told us it would be another 30 minutes. In that moment, I questioned why no one had told us and she told me she didn't know and the kitchen was backed up. In my restaurant experience, you shield that as best as possible and you never tell the customer what's going on. It seemed like a floor manager came to see what was going on and we let him know about the wait, he apologized and let us know we would be sat soon and offered to buy us a drink. We politely declined and made our way to the photo booth to kill some more time. We were finally sat and our server greeted us soon after taking our drink order. The manager once again came to us and wished us a good meal. Once our drinks arrived we ordered our appetizers, crab hush puppies and pork sliders. Entrees ordered were the country fried steak with a side of Mac and cheese and the yelp special - chicken and waffles. Our appetizers came out in a timely manner and were delicious! The flavor in both items were amazing and the dishes very well executed. The manager came to check on us again and offered to buy us drinks, my boyfriend had another caramel apple. I was still babysitting my swamp water. :-). Once we finished our appetizers our food arrived and the presentation was awesome and the taste even better! I tried my boyfriends country fried steak and yum!!! The Mac and cheese was also just as an Amazing not too cheesy and with bits of smoked ham in it. It was perfection. My chicken and waffles were to die for. It had great flavor with the spicy-ness of the chicken balanced out with the marshmallow blue cheese sauce. It sounds weird, but man does it work and the flavors blended so well. We passed on the dessert, but all the choices sounded tempting. I have read all bad reviews for this place and I have to say they were wrongly judged. Swank has not even been open a year and with any new restaurant they have the kinks to workout. I recall yardbird being even more disastrous at the beginning and now they're one of the best places on south beach. My one complaint is that they don't have biscuits on the menu. Lol. Southern style food and biscuits together is like milk and cookies. I also have to say, that with the busy-ness of the restaurant, everyone was working so very hard and trying to help out one another and if people saw how small kitchen was and what the staff had to work with, they would applaud them. I can't wait to go back soon and hopefully they will open for brunch as well. I have to finish off with I have much respect for a new operation that has their floor manager and owner on the floor running food and interacting with their guests. I can't wait to go back! Great job swank!
(4)
Rae K.
I read the Yelp reviews extensively and went in braced for disappointment...and left eager to go back! Here is a list of everything I had an opportunity to try: Swamp Water, various beers, Caramel Apple, Swank Old Fashioned, Jack's Honey Tea, Cornbread, Pulled-pork sliders, Shells and Cheese, Half-Order of Beer Can Chicken, Side salad, Blue Chicken and Waffles (I THINK that's everything). Everything was amazing! I didn't notice anything "bad" about the beer can gravy, but I did use it sparingly due to some reviews, the chicken was outstandingly smokey, moist, and tender on it's own. Caramel Apple was too sweet for my alcohol choice, but if you like sugar it may be for you. Shells and cheese was creamy and bacon-y and delicious. The side salad was so healthy and organic tasting we said we could taste the dirt. The Blue Chicken and Waffles was not my thing, but my friends all LOVED it. The best drink was hands down the Swank Old Fashioned followed by the potent Swamp Water (but I am a bourbon person then a tequila person so that makes sense). Jack's Honey Tea seemed as though it was unsweetened tea and my friend actually poured honey whiskey from her own flask to make it more palatable. Pulled pork sliders were juicy and tender and not a must-do but thoroughly enjoyed. The Cornbread is a MUST DO. The sugar-butter spread was great. It was not at all like my Georgia raised grandmother's but it was definitely still excellent-a new twist on cornbread. We did not eat dessert. The bar looked like a great option to grab some excellent adult beverages on a Happy Hour or before heading to somewhere else. Our sever was Kendall (sp?) and she was a sweetheart. We stayed and talked until late and had a true dining experience. We hadn't even left before we agreed that we were all eager to return. Prices were very reasonable although I did spend more than I normally do on a night out, but I had a true experience that was well worth it.
(4)
Amber S.
Got there when it was empty ordered and our server didn't put in the food for our 2 yr old son! But never apologized for it. When I told her we didn't need it she said it wasn't a problem and the kitchen was short staffed. That's not my problem! Bring what I asked for. Then getting the check. Geez....never again.
(1)
Elizabeth V.
Not sure if we are going back. The place was very nicely decorated, both inside and out. It's in a weird location and the parking is limited but that was ok. The staff seems to be very young and everyone kept excusing themselves because they are in training. It seems like poor staff management. On a Sunday night, no silverware ready or napkins, our server had to go roll silverware while two hostesses just stood there staring at the full tables. Not right! Our appetizers came out and we had no plates ( table of 6 sharing 3 appetizers) nor silverware. Still hadn't gotten our drinks either. Our waitress was extremely nice and excusing herself the whole time. Got there at 7:20 with reservations and didn't get our meals till 9:10 on a Sunday night. I really like the food and the place but if they don't step up the service, they might not be around too long.
(3)
Luis S.
Food was good. Service was pretty bad. They didn't bring out food all together and they brought out plates 30mins apart. Place didn't even look that busy. First time eating here so not sure if it's a one time thing. Manager offered no compensation.
Had a last minute surprise dinner for my bff whos moving away. The staff was sooooo helpful! Fromt the time i called to reserve up all the way to the end. Wyatt and paige i believe were awesome they helped me decorate put away the cake and etc great customer service. The manager on duty ( i think) was helpful as well. Food wise the shells and cheese is reallllly good and i ordered the chicken and waffles, also good my first time trying it. Loved the photobooth they had there, Made for a great experience.
(4)
J W.
Different and good food. Excellent service. Different alcoholic drinks, that are great. Southern idea of food makes it good.
(4)
Mike E.
We came here for drinks and appetizers. The entree's seemed a little overpriced so we decided we'd try appetizers and if they were good, we'd order entree's. The drinks and appetizers were just flat out meh. Overpriced and not great. Not horrible, but not good enough for the price. We had the Old Fashion Swank, the Swanks Honey Tea, and a couple other specialty drinks. They were kind of inconsistent in how strong and tasty they were, so I'll just say they were "eh". Same goes the appetizers. Had the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Crab Hush Puppies. They were both pretty bad.
(3)
Brooke B.
My visit started with the hostess acting rather disgusted by the fact that we weren't happy with the table she wanted to seat us at. The booths have benches that are really far away from the table. The food is expensive for davie! My boyfriend is on a diet and couldn't find anything to eat. He ended up with the porterhouse which was over $35! That is way too expensive for Davie living and it wasn't very good. I asked for a side salad instead of French fries and they forgot and brought out the fries. Overall the food wasn't great, especially not for the prices. This wasn't the restaurant for me...won't go back.
(3)
Emily S.
Gun-shot barrel fountain. Check. Clint Eastwood movies. Check. Loud Top 40 Country countdown. Check. Flannel shirt uniforms. Check. Overpriced low-quality food. Check. Mandated "Howdy Y'all" server greeting. Check. Went for dinner when Southern Swank first opened and was so distracted by the obnoxious circus-like atmosphere and below par drink selection that we decided to give it another go. It was right after the initial opening and we saw promise in an establishment trying to find their place in the food desert of Davie. We returned for Sunday Brunch. They decorated the menu with traditional southern favorites and prices seemed reasonable until our semi-absent server had someone else deliver our plates. We order the omelet and fried chicken and biscuits. Nothing fancy and definitely not work the price. It almost looked as if they had used the omelet makers they advertise on late night television. It lacked flavor, texture, and "swank" and only got tolerably better with salt and pepper. Fried Chicken and Biscuits...I did not think this was possible to mess up. For $12, we got a biscuit and a half and one child-palm sized piece of chicken drenched in a pimento cheese sauce that was more watery than creamy. The chicken was of poor quality and granted I obviously wasn't looking for the healthier option upon ordering, but it was a poor cut of dark meat that had been fried and obviously sat for while in the watery pimento juices because it lacked crispness. Overpriced. Overdone. Southern Swank, you COULD be great. There is not another restaurant in the area trying to do what you are so desperately trying to accomplish. Either cut your prices OR deliver higher quality food. But seriously, chill out on the "southern" of your staff and music. It's an overkill and it is quite frankly annoying.
(1)
Meg K.
We love everything we have tried here. Green bean cassolette could be it's own meal but it nice as an app or a side dish. The country fried steak is amazing but don't forget to order some of their cornbread.
(5)
Elaina M.
We were excited to have a new place in the area and hoped for the best. After 3 dinners there, I can tell you that the food is average, drinks and bar are very nice and atmosphere of the whole restaurant is excellent. If only they could improve the food...dry tasteless corn bread, very tough ribs, over dressed salads. Next time will be only for drinks!
(2)
Kathy W.
Service was slow. Our order which consisted of 3 appetizers took over 30 minutes to get. "There was a mixup in the kitchen, sorry". Fried green tomatoes were bland no taste and were like a rock "you must of gotten a bad batch"! The wings were so so and the hush puppies were burnt outside but they were okay on the inside. Gave this place a chance won't be returning. Overrated and overpriced.
(1)
Eddie S.
Cool place, great concept and just what we were looking for. Would definitely come back for some cocktails, but the food....eh. Lacks any personality with flavor. The presentation is nice but the main courses are rather bland. The kids meal was awesome but we had the Country Fried Steak and Chicken and Waffles. Not exactly satisfying and lacking some basic spice.
(2)
Meli R.
Went to try this place out for the 1st time, with my Groupon offer ($15 for $30). The restaurant itself is beautiful and very trendy. I loved the country music playing while I dined. My server was very sweet and attentive. Now comes the food review: Well, lets just say THANK GOD i purchased the Groupon. I ordered the Country Fried Steak which was cook medium rare? The "sauce" that came on top didn't really offer any flavor. The thin, shoe string fries were just little bits of crunchy fried "things". We ordered the cornbread which was VERY dry....almost as if it was from the day before? the cinnamon butter helped a little, but I was still very disappointed with taste. My boyfriend ordered the baby back ribs, but getting the meat off the bones was just as hard as getting the meat out of crab legs. The baked beans that came with the ribs were just weird...not your grandma's baked beans. It was a weird combination of kidney beans and mexican salsa (but not in a good way). The $6 side of smashed potatoes were mediocre- no "wow" factor. My boyfriend was excited, thinking his entree came with 2 Kings Hawaiian rolls...but NO- just plain ol' dinner roll. Overall this place has soooooo much potential, but they desperately need to change there entire menu around. The prices are too extreme, for the quality of the food. This place cant even compare to "Yardbird" in South Beach...which i think is what they were going for.
(2)
Kelsey D.
I think we need more places like Southern Swank around here. It was such a fun and different place to go for dinner and/or drinks. Our waiter was super friendly and honest about what menu items he liked and disliked (which has my vote for a great waiter) and the food was really good! Great fried green tomatoes. The cocktails were delicious too.
(5)
Maram B.
Good place for dinner. I had the chicken and waffles plate and it was great.. The sauce was a marshmallow base which was a little rich for me but very flavorful. The service was slow and not all that great. They have a little sitting area outside and a photo booth inside for some pictures.
(4)
Zachary K.
Swank brings Miami prices to Davie! Ate here tonight with a groupon and would give this place a solid 3. Had the pulled pork slider appetizer (small but good), hanger steak (again good but pretty small portion for $24), and lastly the free range chicken (again very tasty but at $28 seems expensive for Davie). For two entrees and an appetizer without the groupon would've been over $60. This is simply Miami prices for a little bit better than average food.
(3)
Kristin W.
We started with a crab hush puppies. Those were good but nothing amazing. I ordered 2 apps as my main dish, shells and cheese and the pull pork sliders. None of the entrees really seemed interesting to me. The sliders were dry so I asked for some BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce was surprisingly really good! The shells and cheese were good too. My husband got the hanger steak. He enjoyed it but it wasn't amazing. We went on a Wednesday night. There was this live singer, who was not very good. It's a country restaurant, people want to hear country music! The waitress was very nice and sweet. Overall, I don't think I will be back unless their menu changes a bit.
(3)
Claudia T.
I liked this place. We had the crab hush puppies as an appetizer. Came out hot and quick. Just the right amount of breading. Soft and flavorful inside. I will def order again. I got the beer can chicken, the half order, which is literally half a chicken. It was so good!! Super moist and the BBQ sauce they have is amazing!! It's like a sweet and sour type sauce. So good, I got extra. The fries and coleslaw it came with were good. But nothing special. My boyfriend got the fish of the day, it was swordfish. I can't remember how he said it was cooked, but it was good. Nothing special though. I would def recommend something more on the southern aside. Next time I go I'll want to try the pork sliders and the short rib meatloaf!!
(5)
Susan J.
Was driving by guy on sidewalk with sign about this place walk in and they tell us are closed get it together are you opened or closed tell the guy on your sidewalk disappointed strike 1
(1)
Monica T.
Upon walking in, I noticed the cute "swanky" decor and immediately thought I was going to enjoy my time here. The waitress was very nice, but as others have mention, not very experienced. Service was slow(mainly because she forgot to put in our entree) and also it was a Tuesday night. Anyhow, we ordered fried green tomatoes, Mac n cheese n pull pork sliders for starters. All were quite delicious, the pulled pork really had a nice flavor and was really moist. Fried green tomatoes were a bit bland for my taste but the cheese n shells were amazing!! Who can say no to pork belly. We shared the beer can chicken as entree. So yummy and cooked to perfection! I also ordered some cocktails, they were delicious(and a creeper). Be careful what you order, it's somewhat pricy here and you can really rack up a bill at the end of the night.
(4)
Nikki C.
Had a really awesome time, cute spot. Tried the chicken and waffles because that's what we were craving... I'd get the sauce on the side. The marshmallow sauce drizzled over it just over powers the whole meal which made for a VERY BAD meal. They should definitely just put all sauces on the side and give you the option. Service was great, a little packed on a Friday night but the server let a try the SHRIMP N GRITS for free for our troubles. I'd definitely give this a try again and at least this time I know what I'm in for with the CHICKEN N WAFFLES.
(3)
Janessa A.
Well nothing says Davie more than a country kitchen restaurant.... Definitely feel the southern vibe-something indifferent, artsy,new to the area. Came on Monday night not packed at all so why was the service so slow? Just to bring drinks out I think waitress setup was disorganized some confusion, had two waitresses come to the table. So,lets get down to the food- very good food i have to say shells and cheese were creamy with a touch of bacon and who doesn't love that? Beer can chicken was good ...french fries were seasoned presentation was cool. I have had better chicke and I have had worse. !6.00 for a half a chicken i guess was a decent price maybe a little too pricey for me. Desset- Bread pudding was good topped w a layer of sugared pecans and bourbon--pretty good. Overall I think it is something different-food was good -service could have been better.
(3)
Summer R.
I thought this place was ok but not great. I was expecting the restaurant to be a little more high end as far as dressing up. It was a very casual feel...inside was very dark and not as great as I thought it would be. We ordered the Country Fried Steak, Beer Can Chicken, and their Mac & Cheese appetizer. The steak was really good. It had these straw like French fries on top that were considered a "side" but it barely was anything of the such. That is why we ordered the Mac & Cheese which I did enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't like the chicken. It had a dry rub on it and the actual meat was really dry. There was a side of gravy to pour over it and it tasted awful. The chicken came with cole slaw (good) and French fries (not so good). Normally, we get desserts after dinner but didn't feel like risking it there and left after dinner... I probably will not be going here again unless I am forced due to a birthday party or something like that.
We planned a celebratory dinner here last night and made a reservation for our large group. We arrived early to learn they didn't have the reservation. The pulled a long table tagether pronto. The smells coming from the kitchen were amazing! Our server was frantic trying to get it together but struggling. There was a DJ playing western-themed music at crazy disco level volumne. Why have a horrifically loud DJ in the restaurant when the party people are in the bar??? When we commented about the sound she agreed. We complained several more times before she finally went to the DJ, who turned the music down briefly and then raised it right back up. (We had a family group of 15 and wanted to be able to talk to each other...) When I asked a question about a the Bleu Chicken'n'Waffle with a menu note to ask your server about..., I got a shoulder shrug, "its kinda like chicken with bleu cheese" ( I could have guessed that much.) The food came out in bits and spurts with several "apology" sides sent by the kitchen. The food items were interesting and creative but not all of them hit the mark. For example, the marshmllow sage sauce for the chicken waffles, was an interesting flavor, but a bit sweet and rich for fried chic & bread. The shrimp grits was one of the better hits. The Mac'n'cheese was amazing! The bar couldn't seem to make more than one drink at a time (so we mostly drank water) Suddenly the bill appeared and we were told the kitchen was closed. No head's up in case we wanted coffee and dessert (which by the way we would have ordered)??? The server assumed that with 15 people in the party, we would be splitting the bill and dropped copies of the bill in front of anyone over 30 at the table, leading to several very awkward moments. This place has great potential if they just get their act together.
(3)
Sol O.
I'm editing my review because the owner contacted me and informed me that that employee is no longer there. She was very embarrassed and apologetic. I found this to be a gesture of good customer service. Truly not sure if I will return but I will consider it. Unfortunately what's done is done. Started off as a great evening with good friends and good food. Quickly turned into a nightmare. As we sat, didn't realize how late it was when from afar, a worker yelled for us to get the F@$# Out! When we asked to speak to the manager this employee approached us and put his hands on one of us wanting to know why we wanted to speak to the manager and saying that he didn't give a F@$!. Manager apologized as this person continued to talk back to us. I will be going back; BUT only to check if this person is still allowed to work there. Otherwise I will absolutely NEVER return, nor recommend this establishment. It's a shame!
(2)
Jeffrey Y.
I'm sorry to say that after my last two visits I am downgrading my initial review from 5 to 3 stars. My last two visits the service was pretty bad, my wife and my orders had serious mistakes, and my last visit on 8/29/14 the food came out to half the table cold. This restaurant has been open over a year and has had time to correct some of the communication issues between FOH and the kitchen but has not really done so. Their food is still executed very well and tastes great but when it sits in the window and comes out to the table cold, there is a problem there. Especially when it after the normal dinner rush on a Friday.
(3)
Sarah G.
I had such a fun time at this place. The owner Alex is great to talk to and gave us the best bourbon recommendation. The caramel apple drink is incredible, tart and sweet, plus apple whiskey...A++++. The crab hush puppies were so tasty. You could taste the crab and it had real corn kernels in each bite. This was our first time eating fried tomatoes, and we will be ordering them again. Nice and crispy, with a cornmeal crust and perfect choice of dressing drizzled on top. Just wish the serving was a little bigger, but that's because I wanted more. As for entree, chicken and waffles....OH MY GOD...heaven!!!! The sage marshmallow sauce complements both the juicy fried chicken and hearty belgium waffles. This place just opened so they are still working out some kinks but the food is spot on. Its a bar you eat at and not a restaurant you drink at, if that makes sense. Its a gastropub! Prices are based on the quality which is better than any old bar. The atmosphere was really cool. They had western movies playing on huge flat screen tvs, as well as sports playing and a photo booth. This is a great spot to meet up with friend or have a date night. Already planning my next trip there, and telling all my friends about it.
(4)
Alex W.
Waltzed in on accident a few days after their grand opening. It's a short menu, but what I've had from it so far is robust and flavorful. DO NOT OVERLOOK THE SPECIALTY DRINKS OR THE APPETIZERS. If you come just for the entrees, you might be disappointed by the lack of options, but I think they'll probably add some new items in the coming weeks and months. The interior decor is playfully rustic, a combination of what you might find in a barn and a rundown nightclub, but it doesn't come across as dirty or trashy or unappealing. The menu is predominantly Southern comfort food, but with a flair. Calling it an urbanized flair wouldn't exactly be accurate, but this ain't grandma's cooking, is what I'm saying, but you aren't going to be pissed off about the difference. The staff is incredibly friendly, very enthusiastic, personable, and helpful, and the specialty drinks (this bears mentioning twice) are incredible. Personal favorite, the Caramel Apple. Also, try the shells and cheese -- macaroni will never taste the same way again. Fantastic. Can't wait to go back here, actually.
(4)
Marie H.
I thought this place was really great and a total breath of fresh air for the Davie area. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, which were delicious but not your typical greasy fried green tomato, a little more upscale as it is topped with spring mix and the texture of the tomato was firmer than I've had, the price of $10 was also a bit much for three slices of fried tomato. That's over $3 a piece. The crab hush puppies were amazing. The pork sliders were also good with an awesome crunch from the cole slaw. The fries were like boardwalk fries which is cool. We also ordered the hanger steak which came out cooked to perfection but again not really worth the $24. We will definitely be back to try the meatloaf and the Mac and cheese though.. My only gripe about this place is that the owner, Alex, I think is his name, was walking around talking to everyone in the room, all friendly and buddy-buddy, but when we tried to talk to him he basically just brushed us off. I thought that was rude and a total turn off. You're not hot stuff just because you are in a three-way partnership over a bar/restaurant in DAVIE. Relax buddy, this ain't L.A. and you aren't Brad freakin' Pitt. SO COOL IT.
(3)
Robby M.
Let me start off by saying the atmosphere and decor is great, but that's about all that's great. A party of two, we waited for 15 minutes to have our drink order taken, and then was not provided with sugar for iced tea. The waitress seemed to realize she had started off on the wrong foot and instantly became overly sweet, but it was too little too late. As we looked over the menu we realized that the cheapest thing was $14.......and it was a hamburger. Now, we're not cheapskates but $14 for a hamburger is a little ridiculous. The menus that the overpriced food was on was pretty though. Once we received our food, which was a reasonable amount of time later, the shiny, greasy fries were probably the most appetizing thing on the plate. After eating about half the fries, I realized that this was a mistake and I probably could have received better fries at Wendy's. That's just the fries. The burger had more grease on it than an adolescent who doesn't bathe regularly. The bacon and onion mixture atop the burger was extremely salty. The bun on the burger was stale. After finishing the meal, we paid quickly and left. There was clearly a lot of thought and care put into the design and presentation of the restaurant, but the greasy, overpriced food and subpar service is what really makes Southern Swank a one star.
(1)
Krisitna M.
the decor is so CUTE. I have been wanting to try this place for a long time, i finally got to this week & I was not disappointed. Try there moonshine apple with sprite. UMMM can you say yummy.
(3)
Howard H.
Don't get me wrong. I think this place is got potential. But as they only just opened for business for a few weeks, I think they still got a lot of work to do First off, the service staff is extreme friendly. Greeted us with warm smiles and kept checking with us if we needed anything. We ordered a draft and a cocktail. The beer came fairly quickly but took a while for the cocktail. Given on a Saturday afternoon at 5pm the place isn't very busy, but imagine how soon would you be getting your drink orders at 10pm on a Saturday night. We ordered a few appetizers which were pretty good. Ordered a shrimp and grits entree and the dish didn't come out warm. I am not asking all my dishes be hot straight out of the kitchen, but the dish was just barely above room temperature so I guess it was sitting on the counter for a while before it was delivered to us. Again not asking for a lot but if the dish costs $21.00, I think it better be terrific. I will probably come back again during happy hour ordering just appetizers.
(3)
Tyler D.
The atmosphere here is really cool. It's very southern and swanky ;-), hence the name. The food on the other hand is ridiculously delicious. I've never had home cooking this good in a restaurant. I've had the BBQ pork sliders which were to die for, the chicken and waffles are delicious, the pork belly mac & cheese is amazing, and the crab hush puppies were simply divine. The staff was very friendly and I've only been here twice but each time the food was delicious. I was drinking Buffalo Trace bourbon, and a couple shots of Fireball Whisky... The entire place is clean, neat, and very cool. Don't come for lunch though, because they only open after 5 PM.
(5)
Rosie W.
The one star review is for service. While our server was sweet, she immediately walked over while we still sitting down and asked if we knew what we wanted to drink. We haven't even sat yet, we probably would like to at least look over the drink menu! she had no idea about what beers were on the menu or what Jai Lai was. Or what was in the drinks. Were these servers trained?? When we asked what was good, she responded with a response that was like, um everything obviously! Wow, sorry we asked such a stupid question. Then, we were asked if we needed anything every two minutes by the hostesses. There is a difference between monitoring tables and making sure needs are met and literally asking every minute. Halfway through our meal our server asked if we wanted to order dessert. We are all still eating our main courses! Then, once we finished, we waited about fifteen minutes for a hostess to come and give us to go boxes. We had our entire table full of empty dirty plates for about twenty five minutes. We were pretty sure we were forgotten about at this point. Then someone else came to clear all the plates and about ten minutes later our server brings the check. Guess we aren't getting dessert or going to be offered it since we didn't want to order it halfway through our main courses. This is what really made me angry though. One of our party went to the bathroom, and saw our server flirting at the bar. No wonder we hadn't seen her in forever, she was too busy chatting it up with a dude. This whole time waiting, I got to watch the hostesses organize their host stand. They placed every single menu ON THE FLOOR. And what I'm assuming was the manager was talking to them while they had all these menus on the floor. Total disconnect there, and I'm not blaming them. They were young and sweet they didn't probably even think about it. I'm blaming the manager type looking person standing right there directing them. The food was ok, nothing exciting. For as not busy as it was when we went, we had to endure awful service. Listen, I'm not hard to please. I had been a server for a decade and been a manager at of one of the busiest restaurants in Miami, and I of all people will be easy going and I don't require anything special. But if one of my servers did this at my restaurant, I would have been mortified. This server needs to be trained to have proper knowledge of the beers and drinks, o yes and the menu as well since she didn't have answers to some questions. But most importantly, learn some STEPS OF SERVICE, and don't go off flirting for twenty minutes at a time when you have tables on the floor. Successful restaurants don't just have excellent food, they have excellent service. You want your guests to come back, then make sure they have a memorable positive experience.
(1)
Gigi P.
Love this place the food, drinks, and service was great. Coming back for sure! New favorite place
(5)
Sandy V.
Really liked the crab hush puppies and that sauce it comes with! The chicken and waffles come with this marshmallow sauce that really compliments the dish!The bread pudding was delicious ( not as good as Michys bread pudding) but I will definitely be ordering it every time we come.
(4)
Jessi M.
Last night I met a few friends for dinner, which would have been better if we would have just planned for drinks. We came in around 7:15 and there was a wait of 30-45 minutes for a table (the staff blamed it on the band). So we sat at the bar and decided to wait for the table. After about 25 minutes we asked the hostess how much longer of a wait it would be and she said there were 4 people ahead of us and that it would be 30 minutes so we decided to just order food at the bar. I was surprised at how big the restaurant was because it doesn't look all that big in the photos. Despite the size, as the band was setting up it was VERY loud. This is definitely not a sit down atmosphere where you can enjoy the chef inspired southern cuisine. It was more of a bar type atmosphere to order some drinks, since I don't drink and we came for dinner this was a disappointment. Even sitting far away from the stage it was hard to hold a conversation. All that aside, the wait staff was friendly even though they were super busy and it took a while to get their attention. We decided to order the Yelp offer of the Chicken & Waffles which came out just as expected. The marshmallow sauce was to die for and I'm told the dish was pretty spectacular all together. I had the Shrimp & Grits which were so-so. They must have changed since pictures were uploaded on here (I put a new one). The grits were a little watered down and slightly bland and the shrimp tasted like, well, shrimp. The dish all together was pretty good though. I just wish it were a little bigger for $14. Either way, I liked the experience and I thought it was super cool that they have a photobooth. Definitely a cool place to check out, especially if you are looking to meet up with friends for drinks after class.
(3)
Claudia O.
Just had an amazing dinner at Swank Southern Kitchen! Started with crab hush puppies and wow they were good. I have rarely eaten a hush puppy but these were very good. We also had the Mac and cheese with pork bits in it and were not disappointed. Very tasty. My husband ordered the St. Louis ribs and he loved them! Great dry rub that kept the meat moist. I had the chicken and waffles with a marshmallow sauce. Also very good. When I make fried chicken I make it a little spicier but that's just personal preference. We couldn't decide on dessert so we ordered both the Mississippi mud brownie AND bread pudding. We both preferred the bread pudding, kids at home will eat the brownie. My husband had the apple caramel moonshine and I the mint julep. I'm going back for the moonshine for myself. We had a terrific server named Alicia. All servers were great. Water always filled and we were checked on without being bothered. I recommend Swank Southern Kitchen!!!! Great place for a group dinner or just two. Looking forward to them having music in future.
(4)
Stuart S.
Walked in, liked the decor. Nice ambiance. Ordered only drinks and appetizers, I had the Swamp Water. Which was nice, like a blueberry mojito, girlfriend had chronic tonic, with vodka, not much to mention about that. Had shrimp and grits; which had a very very nice flavor, the pulled pork was also very tasty, and tender, finally crab hush puppies were nothing fantastic but the sauce was addictive. Will be going back to have drinks at the bar.
(4)
Carlucci L.
The food was good... but.... I think it was way overpriced for the TYPE of food you get. Yes, the decor is pretty inside... but I don't think I'll be coming back...
(2)
Charina F.
Went by on Saturday (Oct. 23rd) for the "Swankenstien" (very clever name ;)) Halloween party and have lots to comment on, which is the reason for my review. For one, my girlfriends and I had an awesome time. We got to dress up, have a yummy dinner at a cool restaurant, walk two steps to the bar for drinks, and two steps over to dance! Let's begin with dinner-- we ordered the shells and cheese, fried green tomatoes, sliders, beer can chicken and fries. The shells and cheese were uh-mazing. Granted, to say I love cheese is an under statement, but they were creamy, and cheesy and delicious. The fried green tomatoes were also very good; fried to a crisp and whatever they drizzled on there was really good too. The pulled pork sliders were also a hit at the table. I'm not much of a pork eater, however the girls were begging me to try and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. They weren't "porky".. If that makes sense. In any event, they were sweet and had some pickled spices that gave them a good kick. The beer can chicken was tied for first (with shells and cheese). It was smoky, and VERY flavorful, not like your typical rotisserie chicken. It came it a really big and cute presentation with fries, the sauce in a beer can, and a side of cole slaw. The cole slaw was just like any other cole slaw... The fries were hot and crispy and also had a nice kick of spice that was tasty! At the end of dinner our Wonder Woman waitress brought us each a complimentary "spooky" cupcake which of course, we thought was adorable. Onto the drinks-- we walked over to the bar for some raspy lemonade and swamp water that we heard many people in the restaurant talking about. The referee bartender made us that in addition to a "special" shot that tasted like a big red gum= delish! Needless to say, we were ready for some dancing. They had a really cute stage set up with a DJ dressed up as a witch (the entire restaurant was very nicely decorated with Halloween stuff). We danced by the bar and into the photo booth were we took a million pictures in our costumes along with all the cute props they had set up in the basket. I think we may have made it onto the "swank bank". Look out for Las Vegas show girls! ;) Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
S M.
The dishes on the menu look good, however the dishes I tried weren't the best. The shrimp and grits were over done. Not over cooked but too many garnishes. Tomatoes, fried chips, cold pickled green beans. It just ruin the dish. The smashed potatoes were dry. The greens were good, but the chicken fried stake though a large portion just wasn't well seasoned and all the food was warm, not hot. I didn't understand that since the place wasn't crowded. I hoped for the best but was disappointed. I may try the brunch, since I didn't get a chance to taste the chicken and waffles yet and it's pretty hard to screw up breakfast. Overall this place wasn't horrible, but for the price I paid for the food it was way below my expectations.
(2)
Julia S.
I was so excited to try this place. I'm a big foodie and when I went I was sadly disappointed. It was a beautiful sunday afternoon and they had seating outside available so the hostess sat us and told us "someone would be right with us." We waited 10mins and then went back inside informing the hostess that no one acknowledged us, so we would take a table inside. We heard the servers arguing over who would take the table and then we finally got greeted. It's $15 bottomless mimosas so I order that my boyfriend ordered a blue long island, they were $5. It took another 10mins for his drink to come. The food wasn't anything special. Ordered the chicken and waffles and it was falling off the plate when it was presented at the table. We asked for a manager and he came by spoke to us and said he would take care of us...he took $8 off the bill. Thank you southern swank kitchen, maybe some other time...or never again.
(1)
Tina G.
I had a very pleasant meal tonight with my server Fallon. We got offered the specials as soon as we were greeted at the table. We ended up getting the 50% off the reserved wine list. It was delightful. We also had the shells n cheese for our side dish, so yummy! We couldn't decide on what to have for the main course and she suggested the hanger steak and country fried steak. The hanger steak was bomb, one of the best steaks I've had but the country fried steak was still a bit greasy, but the potatoes that came with it were great. She also made a point to offer us a dessert but we were too full and we're going to definitely try it next time. All over, a great experience! Definitely will be coming back!
(4)
Carlos D.
The Southern concept has never really sat easy with me. This genre of food that includes biscuits, gravy, shrimps, grits, and fried chicken doesn't feel like it naturally complements each other as much as I'd like. That said, starving in Davie the other night, I chanced upon a little slice of Wynwood in the suburban desert. Southern-themed, but beautifully decorated, Swank wouldn't seem out of place in Williamsburg. If the food were bad, I'd still be thankful to enter a such an interesting space. But here's the thing, the food isn't bad, it's pretty damn great. I'm a sucker for execution. In every piece of Swank I encountered, from the menu selections (not too many, but not too confusing either), to the portions, to the appetizers and desserts - it reeked of careful planning and preparation, optimized to offer the perfect Southern experience. Highlights include: Monk in the Trunk on draft, Templeton Rye, and Crab Hush Puppies. I'd undoubtedly be a regular here if it weren't in Davie, but I at least now know where I'm eating next time I'm around those parts.
(5)
My-Oanh N.
It's a very cute restaurant. The decor is adorable. My boyfriend and I went for dinner on a Friday night, which is when they do their $2 Fireball whiskey shot specials. There was about a half an hour wait to seat us two. While we waited the manager offered us free beverages. Their sweet tea is delicious, the pork sliders were yummy. I had the filet mignon which wasn't anything special however it was cooked to my liking. My boyfriend had the blue chicken and waffles which were very good. Although the server was not very attentive, we will be returning to try more things from their menu :)
(3)
Gabriela C.
The only reason I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was decent. The service on the other hand was a nightmare. It was so bad that another table next to us was refusing to pay their bill and the cops had to come. I wish I could have refused to pay also. Our server was rude, our food took forever, and when the food finally came out, the last meal was 25 min behind the first one. We spoke to the manager who must have spoken to our server, and instead of apologizing or just not saying anything, he made a point to say "you didn't really wait 15 min for bbq sauce it was more like 5." Next time I want bbq I'll make sure to go to Arby's.
(2)
Diane H.
Mmmm outstanding menu, great food, lovely atmosphere, and exceptional service! It's dark inside with lots of great art. The 2 rooms were fairly large and there were 2 bars I believe. The menu had a lot of good food too that you can always expect from a gastropub! I had a beer can chicken dish which was a half chicken smoked and served with gravy made with PBR. the chicken was juicy and the only thing I can complain about were my soggy fries. Otherwise my friends Mac and cheese and fried chicken were ON SPOT. They did in out of a few salads thought which was interesting becUse it wasn't that late when we got there but they happily came over and told us about other dishes. I also say good service cuz we made friends with the waitress! She was so energetic and friendly which put our whole group in a good mood. She got us to order shots but they were pretty frikin weak...very nommy but weak. Otherwise, this is prob going to be my favorite (and only) local gastropub!
(5)
Eva M.
Needs experienced staff 911. The Mac n cheese was pretty on-point flavorwise but I feel as if I would have better things to say about it had it come out of the kitchen at some point before the manager realized my food order never made it to the kitchen. The delightful pork belly garnishing was its saving grace. Was given a free salad after the meal finally came out as an apology (weird touch) but it was incredible as far as salad wedges go. The ranch dressing was homemade, and what I mistakingly took as croutons were a juicy pork belly surprise that mixed well with the avocado. I will go again to give it another opportunity. I went on a very busy Friday night and was able to find a seat at the bar fairly quickly. The bartender announced she could not offer an opinion on some of the appetizers we inquired about, seeing as to how she did not permanently work there and was most mainly vegan. Nothing says the antithesis of southern cuisine like a vegetarian bartender. It is worth mentioning the staff felt bad, alerted the manager, and he was very apologetic and comped a round of drinks for us.
(3)
B H.
The staff is ok, not the most detail oriented...our server rang in the wrong order for one of our items. The decor is cool. The food and drink is extremely lacking. The brisket was cooked really well, but the bun it was served on was soggy. The fries were great. The green bean casserole thing was disgusting...like should not even be served gross, with drippy cheese and oil filling up most of the dish. My boyfriend ordered the Funky Buddha IPA and ended up sending it back because it tasted, well, funky. I ordered an Old Fashion and it was not made correctly...way too sweet. Overall, I would not recommend, nor will I be going back.
(2)
Joshua A.
Decent food, bad service... 50/50 on going back. The service was utterly, truly terrible! We went with a groupon (which said nothing about needing reservations). We were forced to sit at the bar because we didn't have a reservation, even though half the tables were empty the whole two hours we were there. At the bar it took 10 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us, once they did we ordered a few "specialty" drinks. They were good but nothing special or spectacular. When we mentioned having a groupon they looked at us like extraterrestrials but said that was fine. We ordered appetizers, the cornbread and fried green tomatoes were VERY good, but small portions (3 slices of tomatoes and a 3x3 of cornbread). When we were ready to order they told us we could not order entrees from the bar (even though the hostess said we could and so did the bartender when we mentioned the groupon). After asking 3 people they agreed to let us order but could not guarantee how long it would take. After waiting long enough to have another round of drinks (good but not special) we got our food. The chicken and waffles were very good (though our neighbor at the bar got undercooked chicken), worth going back for (even with the bad service). The cowboy steak was also very good, but nothing about it was overly out of this world, they were served with a heap of overly fried fries. The sweet pepper hot sauce was the only thing that saved them. Overall it was a bad experience made a little better by some good food.
(3)
Jonelle P.
I've been passing by this place on my way home for the past couple of months, and have been dying to get inside. After reading the reviews, I decided to go on a weekday when I knew it wasn't going to be busy. The decor and atmosphere is very welcoming. The food choices are very interesting. I ordered the chicken and marshmallow waffles, and it was delicious but very sweet.
(4)
Ken R.
If you don't mind waiting 45 min for a burger this is your place. The management makes a lot of excuses for the slow kitchen . They need new management . The wait staff and kitchen are doing the best they can but something has changed and they can't handle a crowed!! Too bad .... Was a nice local place
(1)
Robert A.
I went to Swank earlier this week with a friend. We both walked up to the bar and were able to find seating without much of a wait. The bartenders were friendly and as attentive as we needed, and they were speedy to serve us our orders and never skipped a beat. The food was awesome. We ordered a few of the appetizers which were the mac n cheese (on the menu it's the Shells n Cheese) and the Pork Sliders. Both were delicious. The presentation was great on the cutting board, branded. Great drinks and great food are all we could have asked for. We definitely want to come back again on a different night and see how the night plays out, but definitely coming back very often.
(5)
Alexander E.
Came by this evening for Dinner, and as usual this place never dissapoints , Cowboy Steak, crab hush puppies, mac and shells , corn bread , meatloaf!!!! AWESOME!!!!
(5)
Leslee G.
I don't usually do this but I felt the need to share my experience here for the second time. My boyfriend and I tried this place about 8 months ago. When we walked in, the hostess told us there'd be a 30-45 minute wait. There were at least 5 open tables. So we waited and looked around at all the empty tables only to see that another 2 top walked in without reservations and got seated immediately. The food was good but by the time we ate, the meal experience was already ruined. So we decided to try it again tonight. Thinking that maybe things would be different. We really liked the food and they were newly opened when we went so we hoped that the place would've improved. Low and behold, we walked in and were once again told there would be a 30 minute wait for two. Mind you, there were at least 4 tables and a booth open. The hostess, who spoke very insecurely told us that they were short staffed and had a huge party but basically begged us to stay. I worked in the food industry for over 10 years and I cannot understand how this place is still in business. I don't mind waiting, if a wait it needed. As they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. We will never go back here and I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)
Sheryl K.
Ate there last week with the family - had a groupon and had been meaning to try this place so we found ourselves there on a Tuesday night for dinner - very cute place - music was too loud but that's ok. Food was a little overpriced but if it would have delivered what I expected I wouldn't complain. Smoked chicken green bean skillet appetiZer was excellent - I would go back just for that and the watermelon salad which was yummy. However - our entrees were not that good. Son has the chicken and waffles which should have been amazing- waffles yummy as well as sage marshmallow Drizzle but the chicken was too fatty to eat. I understand they use chicken thighs but when I make them at home I buy skinless boneless thighs and I still trim the fat. The hanger steak was way too salty and my husband's ribs were stingy on the neat, he was still hungry! I would try again because I loved the idea of the place, maybe the chef had an off night?
(3)
Fernando G.
Wow. The food was great and the service was pretty good too. My wife and I ate here last week and it was awesome, I mean like "last-meal-on-earth" awesome. I had the chicken and waffles. It was perfect. And that marshmallow sauce... I'm finding myself drooling as I type this just thinking about this dish. We also had the fried green tomatoes and the shells-n-cheese. I could eat the shells-n-cheese for every meal for the rest of my life and die a happy man. Definitely going back to try some of the other things on the menu.
(5)
Chris S.
Went there for the first time last Sunday for brunch. The Apple Stuffed French Toast was phenomenal, the southern omelette was just so-so, but what made the meal was the biscuits with sharp cheddar butter and bacon jam...yum! We will come back but I think next time we want to come for dinner, the dinner menu looks really good. I love that everything is home cooked.
(4)
Enrique C.
Southern Swank Kitchen's delicious food, friendly staff, and great service will always amount to a pleasing dining experience. This is definitely a spot you need to experience. Pulled pork sliders and the mac and cheese were it for me. Go order that right NOW!!!!
(5)
Catherine P.
Southern Swank kitchen is a great find! Service was friendly, atmosphere was great and the food was awesome. The Crab Hush Puppies were amazing. The Mac and Cheese Holy cheesy goodness!!! Yum. Yum. Yum. Chicken and waffles with blue cheese so tasty. Looking forward to my next visit!!
(3)
Shante L.
If your starving I wouldn't recommend going because the portions are small.But the food itself is absolutely delicious!!!! The restaurant is very nice and trendy, I would definitely go again just eat before I go. The staff was very nice and friendly and well versed with the menu. The drinks are strong as hell and put you out (which is not a bad thing) I would recommend the hanger steak and the chicken and waffles!!!! My favorite starter was the fried green tomatoes.
(4)
Chelle M.
Pretty good place. Atmosphere is more country chic than country BBQ - no BBQ on menus actually. It has nice big TVs to watch a game if it's your season. The food wasn't to die for but definitely good. Had crab hush puppies that were good with the sauce. I had the fish (salmon)with black eye peas and greens. Salmon was wonderful perfectly seasoned with slight crisp around edges. The green though could have been more - No real flavor but ok when you mix it with other stuff. Boyfriend had the chicken and waffles he said were pretty good and he's had them at a lot if places. Now the drinks were. Great I had the raspy lemonade it's like a raspberry mojito kinda - delicious ! Bf had signature swamp drink it was cool with the dry ice and green color it also tasted very good. In essence -- nice decor great drinks ! Not the place if you want soul food but good food. A little more pricey that any country themed place I've ever been but would recommend to try at least once.
(3)
Chris R.
Service was the worst I've ever encountered. Waited an hour an fifteen minutes for chicken and waffles before having to get up and walk out. Every time we would try to find the server he would make eye contact and hide in the kitchen or a back room. We spoke with a manager who said he would get our food but after another 20 minutes we gave up. I looked forward to eating here and after being a server for a number of years I am sympathetic to servers but this whole experience was the worst I can ever recall. Drinks were ok. Can't comment on the food because we were never served. ...
(1)
Stephanie L.
Great place for drinks and great food with friends.. Inside is loud, but a fun atmosphere for a group gathering. No complaints when it came to the food except that it did take a little while to get, but worth the wait. Very friendly service as well.. Will defenitly go back :)
(4)
Sara L.
Went to Swank on the recommendation of my sister. My husband and I are very southern being that he is from Texas and Im a hometown Davie girl. Swank is TRYING to be southern, but they need to up the hospitality and maybe work on some more experienced servers, Both the husband and I are in the industry and have been in both the server and management positions. Walking in, the entrance is a little obscured. There are two entries, and one is a "side" door where the courtyard is. If I didnt know better, I would have believed this was the main and been confused upon entry. The host was very sweet and accommodating, offering to seat us on the other side of the restaurant. Upon being sat, they give out two menus and a drink menu that we looked at but was never guided to. What I believe was a manager checked to see if we had been greeted after a few minutes, when we had not, he got our drink order and assigned us a server, who was behind us at another table, and then disappeared for a while to get the other table situated. Upon returning, she simply took our order. No suggestive sell and I never got a name. Our drinks were delivered and it was simply that. More along the lines of being an order taker and not really a "Hospitality" that is expected from Davie or a place boasting "Southern" theme. *Shells & Cheese = Creamy and tasty, however, my mac and cheese loving husband didnt necessarily enjoy it. 4 out of 5 on that one. *Fried Green Tomatoes = Tasty and Amazing. Portion is very small for an app and the price point ($10 for three tomatoes?) but overall very good. *Ribs = Not my favorite, but they were decent. Husband said they were a little spicy and SUPER SWEET. * Hanger Steak = This was rather disappointing for the steak lover that I am. The hanger was more along the lines of a thick Churrasco than a Hanger. Ordered medium, it came out more MW and was definitely on the Pittsburgh (charred) side. The sauce on it was very flavorful,however was blobbed on the center of the steak instead of a nice even layer to accommodate for added flavor. Potatoes were bland at best Dish could have used salt, however there was none on the table and we didnt have a check back until our meals were gone. *Beer & Tea were good. Bill was $80.00 (Thats with the tip) and honestly, it wasnt a stellar meal. Maybe 7 out of 10 on the ranking. Might come back for some snacks and pick at some apps...But overall for the price point, we can find better places. Best advice I can give is, enjoy the specials (Penny Wine, $4 drinks, ect...) but its not a staple place being the price point and quality/quantity of the food. Small apps. Servers need to push on table turns, multitasking and most importantly that Southern Hospitality of engaging your guest. Good Luck!
(3)
Barbara G.
Very overpriced food. Many of my friends were raving about this place, so I decided to try it. Very disappointed, will never go back, very loud, could barely hear my friends, the waitress taking my order or myself think. Left with a head ache and hungry at that. The Mac n cheese was good but the chicken wings were pink on the inside, the chicken and waffles were not that great (waffles were cold and chicken had no flavor and the marshmallow sauce was overwhelming bad) the bucket of fries tasted like pure salt (thought my heart was going to stop). Save your money and eat at the Mexican restaurant down the street or at a real southern spot called "yardbird" in Miami beach
(1)
Maritza C.
So excited we got a nice restaurant in the Davie area for those times u wanna eat out but don't want to drive all the way down to Miami or Ft Lauderdale for a decent dinner... Well, not that exciting anymore. I was really hoping the previous reviews were wrong and written too harshly by undercover food critics but... They were right!! It's such a shame this place left me disappointed, it ha so much potential!! First, coming in u enter the bar area which is large, u take in the space, the decor and say wow, this is gonna be good! Friday night with my son and they have live music, guy on his guitar singing, GREAT! Entrance is a little awkward cause the hostess stand is around the corner and unless you've been there before you're not quite sure where to go. We are directed to our seats and our waitress comes, nice and sweet enough. Takes out order. Our food comes pretty quickly. We ordered the wings to start and they were the best thing we ordered!! Sweet and spicy and an amazing blue cheese sauce! Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. Ordered the Cobb salad which had 1 fried scotch quail egg and 3 cubes of avocado of which I asked for more and the waitress was happy to oblige I just don't think I should've had to ask for more, it should've come with it. We also ordered the shrimp and grits which I was the most excited about and most disappointed about as well... It had absolutely no flavor!! :-(. The shrimp were a tad greasy and left little pools where they were nestled into the grits which my son usually loves but refused to eat. To top it all off it was so cold in there we were shivering, if they took it a little easier on the a/c then they may be able to charge less... Overall $40 for 3 dishes for mother and son including tip and that was with the free appetizer offer from yelp and no alcohol!! I gave my son the choice to go and eat at the food trucks tonight or come here and he chose this place. When we finished he said we should've gone to the trucks!! :-(
(2)
Michael K.
Its deceivingly expensive. Dishes are small but artfully arranged. Food is overly salted for the most part. Decor is nice but its an odd building in an odd location that doesn't seem to fit. Our server was attentive.
(2)
Susan M.
We went tonight because it was a new place and we had a Groupon. We made reservations but when we arrived we were told we had to wait. They said they weren't usually this busy on a Thursday night. Luckily we only had to wait 10 minutes. They had a new bartender and it showed Took a long time to get drinks at the bar and at the table. The fried green tomatoes were bland and no flavor to the breading/coating. The sauce was good. The ribs were good, liked the sauce but they were lukewarm. The fries were limp and also lukewarm. The hangar steak was $25 and worth maybe 1/2 the price. There was no demi-glaze on top of the meat, as stated in the menu and there was no flavor to the meat. The fingerling hash browns were only sliced fingerlings with no flavor. The positive was the staff was very friendly and the management listened to our complaints and gave us a small discount on our check. The decor and ambiance was very nice We will probably not be returning.
(2)
Casey M.
Oh boy.. not sure where to start or stop with this one. Unfortunately, the night that we went they were insanely short staffed, so the whole evening was tainted with SLOW service. However, when we did get service they were nice enough. So, all the food tasted ok, but for the price they are asking I just don't think it's that good. I would probably skip entrees and just do appetizers. Best part of the night for my husband and I were the fun drinks (the caramel apple is awesome), but no one ever stopped by to offer us a second round! I think that most likely the lack of waitors was a fluke that will get fixed, but there was nothing great enough to cause us to come back.
(3)
Heather M.
This review comes from a true Southern gal who grew up in Charleston, SC with some of the best Southern food known to man-kind. Now, I don't consider "South Florida" as part of the United States "South", so I was a little apprehensive after hearing mixed reviews about Swank from friends. After enjoying an incredibly delicious meal there, I can proudly say Swank is the real-deal for good Southern cuisine. My boyfriend and I went there for an early dinner on a Thursday night right after I got off work. We started off with cocktails. It was hard to choose because they all sounded great (and are VERY reasonably priced compared to many drinks you would get in the area). I decided on a Raspy Lemonade (dangerously good!) and he got a Caramel Apple moonshine drink (very sweet, but it definitely tasted like a caramel apple without the sharp "bite" you can get from a lot of moonshines). After ordering drinks, we moved on to the dinner menu. I read down the menu exclaiming "Oh no..." after every single item because I knew the further down I read, the harder it was going to be to decide what I wanted to order. Everything sounded delicious. We decided to get a few small plates and share. We had fried green tomatoes, chicken and biscuits with a gator andouille sausage gravy, and the St. Louis Ribs. The ribs were tender with a nice tangy sauce on them. The fried chicken that came with the biscuits was perfectly crispy and not at all greasy. Usually you can only get that kind of fried chicken in your dreams. The gravy was very flavorful and the texture of the gator was very tender - not chewy like it can get after cooked. Those two dishes were great, but the star of the dinner were the fried green tomatoes. Ladies and gents, please note again that this review is coming from a true Southern woman, I can confidently say those fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had in my life. The cornmeal didn't fall apart or slide of the tomatoes, they weren't greasy, and the creole remoulade didn't overpower the taste of the tomatoes. Nothing short of utter perfection. As God as my witness, I shall never go hungry (for good Southern food) again!
(5)
Daniel T.
Not many places serve collards or black eyed peas around here anymore (if so, please do tell!). Also, this place is not a chain and I encourage that. I've eaten here several times and have not been disappointed. The country fried steak is great.
(4)
Marilyn M.
The place was pretty empty for a Saturday night. I now know why. It's nice inside but just a huge room with little atmosphere. Our waitress was slow and goofy and had very little knowledge of the menu. Very pricey for what you get. One lady in our party didn't get her meal until the rest of us were done eating!! They burnt her meatloaf. One lowly piece of meatloaf slapped on a pile of mashed pumpkin. Glad I ordered the country fried steak, although it was really pricey and a thin pretty tough steak. Expensive meals don't come with a veggie beside the starch, they're ala cart. Fried green tomatoes were as hard as a rock and bland. Crab hush puppies were very fishy. To end all, the manager offered free dessert to comp for the late meal for our friend. She asked the waitress twice if they could leave the pecans off the mudslide and the waitress assured her it would be done. You guessed it!! the mudslide ( which requires a 15 minute wait time when ordering) arrived covered in pecans!!!! They took it back and the waitress brought a selection of two already prepared crappy looking desserts for her to chose from. My bread budding was floating in an inch of butter. When the bill came, the manager only comped us for two of our crappy desserts!! Probably people have had a great meal here, but we sure didn't and for $140.00 for 4 people ( no alchoholic drinks) it was way over priced. Could easily get the same meal but much much better and way cheaper at CRACKER BARREL!!
(1)
Helene L.
Very good food-except coleslaw- and great service. Decor very nice. Bbq beer chicken smoked well and chicken waffles. Don't leave without dessert'n
(3)
Janice D.
I read the reviews prior to going here so I wasn't sure what to expect, which was a good thing because my expectation were minimal. I enjoyed my experience at the Swank and the loud country music did not bother me since I was too busy trying to eat. I was seated and serviced immediately. The starters came out pretty quickly, the entree and dessert didn't come out as quickly. I had several different dishes the Crab Hush Puppies (okay), Shrimp and Grits (loved it better than Yardbird I think), Cornbread (good), Meatloaf (didn't like it in the beginning but it ended up being okay), Chicken and Waffles (loved it), bread pudding (delicious) and Caramel Apple drink (love it but needs a little more liquor). My overall experience was great, the only thing I had a problem with was the long drive but it was worth the trip. I will make another trip here and next time with a group of friends.
(5)
Elenis C.
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!! I had the country friend steak and my husband had the chicken and waffles. WOW SO GOOD!! We went on the first night that they had some local artists singing live country music and it was very cool. The owner was nice and again the food was sooooo delicious. I wish I could have some right now and I wish they were closer to my house. Must try this place if you are nearby!
(5)
Joshua B.
Walked in at 615pm on a Saturday and place 1/4 full. They see my 4 yr old and decide that we deserve a table for 2 with an extra chair rather then 1 of the 5 available tables for 4, so not a great start. Server was excellent I can say that as positive, hostesses not so much. End of the day the food was not great. Fried green tomatoes were undercooked, crab hush puppies smelled like crab but no crab to be found. Gravy on country friend steak was super salty, batter was very good. Desert was presented well but bland (carrot cake). Drinks were excellent, quality and funky mixed drinks. A star for drinks and star for server. Ps. Even kids chicken fingers were dry and bland. Too bad.
(2)
Earl K.
The beer chicken I had was undercooked. The cole slaw was ok. The Mac and cheese was the best thing I had. But what got them a one star was Mark the general manager and his lack of professionalism. I attempted to use a groupon that I purchased. The waitress asked me for my groupon number and I gave it to her. Thinking everything was fine I redeemed it on my phone before she could make it to the computer. She then comes over and tells me the groupon number isn't working. I show her where it says redeemed exactly 2 min after she leaves my table originally with the groupon number. Then Mark the general manager comes over and tells me it's my fault for redeeming it before she could put it in the system and he won't honor my groupon. I'm like are you kidding me! Before that he insults my integrity by asking "are you sure you haven't used this before?" It took everything in me not to give him a verbal smacking. He stated he had to make a call to the owner to see if they would honor it. In thinking, why do you have to call the owner, aren't you the general manager!!! He resolved it but it took an additional 30 min. It was a waste of my time for what amounted to $15 in savings. I will never go here again and will encourage the hundreds if people that I know to never go here and to spread the word/truth about this place.
(1)
Jonny E.
Chicken came out cold twice and undercooked on the inside. The owner/manager came back to apologize after the first time it came out cold and offered us a free dessert to compensate (which it never really does). Waiting for the waitress to drop and pick up the check took almost 40 minutes, when it wasn't even that busy! Food was average and the menu wasn't impressive. Unfortunately, I won't be going back anytime soon.
(1)
Amy C.
Incredible food!! This is fancy southern. We had shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork sliders, wings and corn bread. There were also fun, inventive drinks. It's a must-go!!
(5)
Michelle L.
Not worth it...prices are wrong on menu and the 30% off is for chicken & waffles only even though it says no where on the menu or in the ad!! Won't be back!!! Sorry Oscar but your wine prices are different we were charged $2 more per glass and had to tell the server about the discrepancy!! Also if the coupon was only towards chicken & waffles wouldn't your wait staff be aware of this and not have pushed the redeemed coupon when it was obvious we did not eat chicken & waffles... Just sayin'!!!!
(1)
Michelle F.
I was very excited to go on a date night with my boyfriend to Swank. I had been to the other "southern style" restaurants in Miami so the bar was set pretty high. In lieu of of some of the negative comments we had read on here, we went with an open mind and a huge appetite. Let's start with the service, I won't say terrible because our server was a very sweet girl but I find it unacceptable to be seated for nearly 10 minutes without anyone taking our drink order. The restaurant was fairly empty, most of the staff was hanging out in the back of the restaurant chatting or at the bar chatting with the bartenders. I was ready to walk out when our waitress finally approached our table. Then another 10 minutes passed before our drinks arrived, the bar maybe had 2 patrons & there were 2 bartenders chatting with other staff, so not sure my my Raspy Lemonade and my boyfriends 8oz bottled coke took that long. My drink was tasty and appropriately served in a mason jar. I thought the sodas being served in a bottle was also a nice touch, however at $2.50/ 8oz bottle it is way too steep for the area. Just pour it over ice in a mason jar & offer free refills. My disappointment came with our food. We started with the shells and cheese. Again keeping with the southern-country theme, it came in a cute little cast-iron skillet. Yes it was creamy but warm at most, i expected piping hot, i had to make sure i scooped up a piece of bacon with each bite otherwise the pasta itself was bland. We didn't finish it because ultimately it was too cold and bland. For dinner the waitress recommended I go with the blue chicken and waffles, my boyfriend ordered the meatloaf and our sides were cornbread and fries. Sadly, the best part of our dinner may have been the cornbread. My blue chicken and waffles were again, warm at most. I expect my food to be hot, especially when i cut into it. Although the buffalo sauce the chicken is tossed in was flavorful, my chicken was warm almost too cold to enjoy, it was very chewy, almost tough. The waffles were not crispy, also warm not hot. The dish tasted like it may have been left over from last night's service and was nuked just enough to take the cold off from being stored in the fridge. My food was too cold to finish eating it Or maybe it just sat there until one of their servers decided to interrupt their conversation & bring our food. My boyfriend's meatloaf was more like a meatball sitting in a bed of, warm sauce. His fries were salty and soggy, at 16$ for this entree thats acceptable, oh and 6$ for the soggy fries. We didn't bother to complain, we couldn't really designate a manager anyway. For being a fairly new restaurant on a slow night I expected for a manager to go around each table & ask how service was but we didn't see any of that. At the end of our meal we paid $64 plus tip because our server was friendly but left unsatisfied due to our extremely overpriced, sub-par dining experience. I have better food and better service at our local Flanigan's than here. It is a shame because it is a very nice establishment. Their staff needs further training, their menu needs revamping to accommodate the steep pricing for the area it is located in. Otherwise I do not see a bright future for Swank.
(1)
Dean W.
okay...I am definitely one who looks at reviews first before I try a place I've never been to before. A lot of reviews give this place a negative for a few reasons so I almost didn't go but glad we did and here's why. A lot of reviewers say the service isn't up to par and not good. We had a young lady who was our waitress who was fantastic. The place has a bar side on the left and a smaller bar on the right with a lot of tables and booths to eat at. The bar side does have about 2 booths but mostly high-tops to sit at which we didn't want. Seated the four of us right away with no reservation around 8 o'clock on a Saturday night. A waitress came to take our drink order within 2 minutes and explained the specials to us mostly for the drinks since we hadn't even opened the menu yet. Now, some say the waitress ignored them when they needed a refill on water. Ours left a carafe of ice cold water on our table so no problem there. Next, explained the food specials when she brought our drinks. Appetizers were amazing. Being that there were four of us and two of us were wives (who don't eat much), we wound up ordering the fried green tomatoes, the pulled pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. All appetizers were delicious and came out soon after we ordered. One was $9, one $10 and one $11 so I don't know what people are complaining about it being expensive. We ordered the hanger steak, the meatloaf and the fish special of the day. Of those, the meatloaf was probably the one I cared about least but still very good. A little soft for me but after all it was made of short rib meat so that's to be expected somewhat...still very tasty and had a great pumpkin mash underneath the whole piece of meat. Where I was really surprised was the marinated peppers and tomatoes cut up on top of the meatloaf. I didn't expect those but they were outstanding as well. The hanger steak I tried was very good...came out just as ordered and the small cut up potatoes were also very good. We also tried the smashed potatoes which came with the fish of the day and they were very tasty...very creamy and had some nice chunks of potato in it but cooked enough so as not to be crunchy but tasted very good. For dessert, we really didn't want anything but did try the bread pudding just to try something. It was average. Not as good as the bread pudding they serve at one of my favorite restaurants in Ft Lauderdale, Canyon restaurant. The waitress, when we ordered 4 cups of coffee told us she was going to make us a fresh pot which be the way...the coffee was EXCELLENT too. Now, I'm not a Starbucks kind of coffee guy. I much prefer Dunkin' Donuts coffee to the SBUX. I don't like my coffee so strong that when I put two things of cream in it it doesn't change color at all and this coffee was spot on delicious. We did order some cups of wine and some kind of alcohol pink lemonade drink which was good ($9) and served in a glass jar (Southern style I guess). Overall, it was a great experience. A manager type of guy came over towards the end of our meal to ask if everything was good tonight and we told him it was. I also saw standing against the back wall him when he left with about 3 other guys who looked like they could also be managers/part-owners looking around to make sure everything was okay in the place. So, as far as is it overpriced...I'm going to have to say not really. I'm not sure where the people who are knocking it go out to eat but if you've been to S Beach or Mid-Town lately and had tapas...where they serve you a small plate which doesn't even wet your appetite so you wind up buying a bunch of them at %10-$15 a pop...now that's expensive to me...and at these tapas places I always wind up paying a big check and leave hungry. I can tell you we did not leave hungry from Swan Kitchen and if you do...you are doing something wrong. We would definitely be back to dine at Swank Kitchen...by the way, with one drink and two glasses of wine...we all ate with coffee and shared one dessert for $138 including tax but not tip Oh, forgot to mention...they also have a cool photo booth in the back that you can use (FREE) to take a picture and post on the wall for a chance to win something or take with you...just a little fun thing that's there...good for kids or adults.
(5)
Michelle W.
Drove by many times and said we needed to try it. Few friends have gone but more views one way or another. Well, I kind if understand why. You are so perplexed at the whole experience you just don't know whether to say you liked it or not. From the moment we walked in we felt it was a mistake. Not very busy, no one waiting, but we stood for an awkward amount if time while the manage and hostess went back and forth about where to seat us. Tried to push us to take high top in the bar area when many tables were open in DR. Waitress pleasant but super young and inexperienced. Wine list has very very few options by the glass- probably because they want to push you to a pricey specialty swamp water drink. Menu was limited and unappealing. Two menu items were scratched and it was only 6:30. Like another reviewer, I ended up ordering shells and cheese and took a few bites of hub's beer can chicken. It was moist and tasty. Did not like the gravy. Black eyes peas were tasteless. Coleslaw was bitter. If you leave a place spending $65 only commending their Mac n cheese and their fresh cut fries , you've gone to the wrong place. They have quite a few kinks to work out.
(2)
Rick S.
Southern college bar feel oddly mixed with south beach portion menu. Pricy trendy food with small portions is what they mean by "swank". Ultimately you are Paton too much for too little BBQ and beer. Very cool atmosphere but you pay too much for what you get. My wife and I were excited to finally get a chance to try the place out. We loved the atmosphere so much we really wanted to like the place. The inside was very friendly and felt like a Southern college town type of feel. We liked that they had craft beers. But when it came to ordering food we were orally disappointed. The menu shows they were trying really hard to be trendy but it just didn't quite work for us. We decided to try the pork sliders appetizer. They brag that it is cooked for 8-12 hours or whatever it was. When the appetizer came we couldn't believe it. There was nothing to it. Three sandwiches the size of two quarters each for $10. It was kind a silly. We decided to eat elsewhere. I would go back again to have a beer but I wouldn't eat there again.
(3)
Angelica O.
I went for brunch didnt like that the menu was so limited besides that portion size was small. GUESS I NEED TO GO FOR DINNER !!
(3)
Ikam A.
We have come here twice and loved both times. The drinks are great. Our bartender Thomas took good care of us the second time, when we sat in the lounge. He explained how he makes all the delicious drinks featured on the menu. The first time we went we tried the raspberry lemonade and the cinnamon apple, and the second time we got the tea-lemonade one and the chronic tonic. All drinks were amazing. The first time we went I got the burger and my husband got the St. Louis ribs. Last night I got the potluck salad with kale and pulled pork and my husband got the chicken fried steak. For appetizers we tried the fried green tomatoes and the crab hush puppies. Everything was delicious. I would highly recommend this place. The atmosphere is great and the dishes are original and hearty. The collard greens are amazing.
(5)
Lia T.
Upon entering the restaurant I was surprised with how cool the place looks in comparison with local places. As for drinks, I had no complaints with the iced tea and my mother said the lemonade was amazing. Unfortunately, the positive comments end there. I am always willing to shell out money for good food but this place was incredibly overpriced for what they offer. We split the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and after eating half of one slice (4 slices = $10) i decided eating more of the sour, completely unseasoned tomato was a waste of calories. I sampled my mother's dish, the Pork Chop and Baked Beans ($18), which was decent but the beans were barely warm and the pork was missing any of the searing I've come to expect from any restaurant. I ordered the Country-Fried Steak for myself ($22), which was literally just a steak with a mass of super crispy shoestring potatoes on top. The steak was okay, but it was kind of like eating steak and potato chips for dinner. I don't think I've ever paid so much ($60+ including a basic tip for the basic service) for such yawn-inducing, small portioned, dissatisfying food. But I won't ever again.
(2)
Ana L.
I recently attended this place with a large group of friends. I did not enjoyed this restaurant. First of all, we had made reservations and their sitting arrangement was very uncomfortable. They squeezed twenty of us in in a few tiny tables with high chairs. It was very uncomfortable and after a while I couldn't wait to leave. There were a couple of people with disabilities and it was very hard for them to get in and out of the high chairs. Second, the food is overpriced. One of my friends had the pork chops with beans and a soft drink and her bill was almost $40. I had the water melon salad, only because i couldn't find anything else in their menu that was reasonably priced. I didn't enjoy the salad. They just put a big piece of water melon on your plate and lettuce on top. It had no flavor at all and it costed me $10. The service is not so good. They didn't bring all the orders at the same time and one person in our group had to wait long for her meal because they mixed up her order and brought her food when everyone else was done eating. I do not recommend this place ,mainly because it's overpriced.
(1)
Aggie M.
So I want out, I want food, but not just anything... comfort food! I try that in the search & JACKPOT! I've got a whole list of places to check out. The first one, though was Southern Swank. I thought it was cool that it had what seemed like two 'feels'. The more open, cool format & then the cozy, fun, bar area! We sampled because we couldn't decide. The macaroni & cheese.... Ohhh. So many times I get recommendations for mac & cheese & I'm disappointed, but not here!! (My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) the rest of the food was yummy & really hit that 'comfort food' spot for me. I'm excited to go back again soon! The only reason I didn't go with 5 stars was that our server missed a dish & seemed to forget us. I'm convinced it was just an 'off' night for him, & am sure the service is usually spectacular. When he did check on us, he was definitely helpful...
(4)
Kirsten V.
I had made reservations here two weeks in advanced, when my party began arriving at the restaurant they were informed the system has been changed and therefore the reservations were lost. Oops! They then told them they would have to wait for a table as we were a large party. No remorse. Once we were seated it took 30 minutes for a server to attend our table for drinks and then another 35 minutes to receive our drinks which did not come as we ordered. We waited over an hour and a half for our 1 appetizer! Let's just say the service is beyond slow, they are clearly in a southern state of mind, nothing but time. By the time we received our entrees it was at least 2.5 hours after sitting down. In general, we were informing the waiter in how to do his job all night long. Can we have lemons and lines for our cocktails that we asked for? Can we have silverware and napkins? Appetizer plates? Silverware and napkins for the other half of the table? More water? The remainder of our entrees? For my friends that were eating there for the first time, this was a horrible experience! They really need to step up the quality of their service!
(1)
Robert M.
The service was great and the staff were very accommodating to our needs. We shared the mac n cheese appetizer, a little to oily for my taste but good. My partner had the chicken and waffles drizzled with a marshmallow sauce which he raved about. I had the pulled pork sliders which were very good.
(4)
Jorge H.
I was really looking forward to this place. Unfortunately it wasn't what I expected. If you're thinking this place is gonna be like Yardbird on SOBE it ain't. Don't get me wrong it's good, it's ok. The portions are small, overpriced and are nothing special. When the waiter says "meatloaf is a small portion, if you're hungry get something else" makes you think?? Overall Southern Swank has a decent vibe and the staff are very friendly and nice. There's no background music only TV's playing sports. (???) There's just something missing. It's in Davie right by all the college campus's so you'd think they would cater to a hipper crowd but I don't see it with those prices. I'd cautiously go again.
(3)
Andrea W.
I liked it as soon as I walked in the door. Not a big menu but everything looks really interesting. My friend and I had the wings, pulled pork sliders, shrimp and grits, and baked beans. Everything was delish and can't wait to come back to try more. And our server Nicole was a delight.
(4)
Robyn M.
Sadly, one & done... While our waitress was animated & sweet, it didn't make up for the service & food sucking! Drinks took forever! A beer in a bottle?! Food came at a good pace but one dish was worse than the next. If they're even remotely trying to be southern comfort, they should visit Yardbird & Swine to see how it's done! I give it a short lifeline. There's nothing to fix, it just does not work! Wait, I did have fun in the random photo booth by the bathroom! As my kids would say... Epic Fail!!!
(1)
Edward M.
Girlfriend and I went to Southern Swank on a friends recommendation. We weren't impressed. The place was very loud. They also had live music which just made the noise level almost intolerable. Although the place was crowded we were seated right away. It took about 15 minutes for the waitress to show up to take order. After about 20 minutes our first appetizer showed up. We had the Fried Green Tomatoes. We had to wait another 10 minutes to get plates and utensils. The Fried Tomatoes were great though. We had finished the 1st appetizer and yet we were still missing our drinks. We had to get a different waitress to bring us our drinks (30 min after ordering them). Waitress then came to take the appetizer plates. We told her that we needed them for the chicken wings we had ordered. She told us that she was going to bring us clean plates. Long story short, the wings came, the plates didn't. After 10 minutes of waiting, I had to ask a bus boy to bring us plates. The wings were actually pretty good but not very meaty. Finally our entrees arrived. (I took this opportunity to order another round of drinks. I ordered myself 2 swamp waters. i didnt want to wait 30 min for the 2nd drink should i have wanted it. My girlfriend ordered the chronic tonic. My drinks came pretty quick while my GF had to wait another 15 min for hers). My girlfriend ordered the Chicken and Waffles. Not bad. The chicken was a little overdone though. I ordered the Country Fried Steak. I had no complaints. It was very good. Not sure if either was actually worth the price though. Although the food tasted really great I'm not sure if we'll be returning to the Southern Swank anytime soon. Maybe try again one day for an early lunch but probably never for dinner again.
(1)
Cathy D.
Food was delicious. Very unique entrees. Not your boring, run of the mill. Very cool decor. Waiter was excellent and very personable. Maybe a slight bit pricey, but you can get a discount on Groupon. Definitely worth a try.
(5)
Jose V.
Food is very good but a little pricey. Our server was nice but we didn't see her very often. I'd eat there again.
(3)
Alex B.
Food depends on what you pick - the prime rib was amazing, while the pork chop was a bit dry and the baked beans a bit too sweet. Service was just ok, not stellar - but of course that will depend on your service person and I've only been here once
(4)
Randi W.
Won't be back. The $14 shrimp & grits was a 4×6 inch dish of a poor attempt. I asked about the market fish dish, and was explained that the yellow tail snapper was served on kale with black eyed peas. The menu says it's served with collards. I asked the waitress (who never gave her name) why not collards. She proceeded to tell me they were the same thing. LMAO! Imagine going to a "southern" restaurant, and ordering collards, but getting Kale??? I. Can't. Anyway, for those who love it, great - but there are better "southern" places to enjoy. The dishes are overpriced and I got the feeling they are trying too hard to be "cool". $7 cornbread? Really? Oh, and "swank" should be taken out of the name. This place doesn't have an ounce of swank. I really wanted to like this place. :-(
(1)
Alexii N.
Came here on a quiet Tuesday night around 7:30 and left feeling completely underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The restaurant's decor is a little much- reminiscent of a Disney theme park in that there is too much of it and nothing is authentic. That pretty much carried over the the food too. We ordered the meatloaf, but were told that they were out of it after we ordered (on a Tuesday night?!)- seriously that is just poor management. We ended up ordering: Chicken and Waffles: I've had many versions of this dish. It is one of my favorite southern foods. Swank's version is the worst I have ever had. Two waffle quarters and two pieces of friend chicken thigh are topped with a "marshmallow sauce" and garnished with hot sauce. Well, the chicken was ok but was fried too long and overly crispy. Better waffles come in the frozen section and Publix, and, the alleged marshmallow sauce is actually from Publix. Marshmallow sauce = watered down marshmallow fluff, which, when mixed with hot sauce (tasted like Franks hot sauce) is just not a combo that's tasty. Overall an epic chicken and waffle fail. It tasted like a dish they were experimenting with that needs a lot of work. Ribs and Cole Slaw- not bad. Ribs had a good flavor and the sauce was ok. Not very much meat on the bones though. Honestly, I have made far better ribs at home and they were nothing special. Coleslaw, however was fantastic. Tangy and really yummy. Corn Bread- you get one square as a side item. It was $6. It was dry. Are you kidding me? You could make two 13 x 9 pans of it for $6!! It was just eh. All of the food was served on some kind of wood/cast iron/mason jar type thing and was just a little too much. I would have rather had better food and less country crap. To make matters worse our server was extremely awkward and inexperienced. She was a nice girl, but kept hovering around the table, didn't know the menu, and was, quite frankly, annoying. I also noticed who I would assume is the manager walking back and fourth across the length of the bar like he had nothing to do. Maybe you should check in and see how your customers like your food, and you would have more than 6 tables sat in your restaurant.
(2)
Christopher M.
This place was exactly what you'd expect when you walk into a place named Southern Swank Kitchen. Great vibe & atmosphere place has a good feel to it. The food was outstanding, shells & cheese, wings and cornbread are a must. There uniquely crafted cocktails are also worth a try. The only thing I didn't like about this place that much was the customer service, wasn't great and the prices were a little steep. All in and all I did enjoy myself and will be returning at some point in the near future.
(4)
Amy Jo A.
Needs more and better atmosphere. Would like to see Davie residents give this place a try. Menu okay. Happy hour? Not sure it's working.
(2)
Jelly W.
It's hard to find good southern style cuisine down here so we were excited to try this place out. The sliders and almond butter with the cornbread were pretty good. We tried the chicken and waffles and ribs. I think chicken and waffles would've been better without the marshmallow sauce (way to sweet, better to ask for it on the side). The ribs were just ehhhh, nothing special. Glad we went with a Groupon, nice place but I wouldn't pay regular menu price for the food.
(3)
Eric W.
Let me start by saying I wanted to give Southern Swank Kitchen 5 stars Soooo much! But the service was so bad I just couldn't do it Me, my girlfriend my brother and my girlfriend's best friend came for dinner. There was live music which I enjoy but it was just a tad bit too loud, I would have liked to be able talk a little bit, but it wasnt a big deal. The hostess sat us in the bar room and I asked for a booth, she told me "I put you at this table, its good" I dont understand why we couldn't just have a booth since there was an open one right next to us. Anyways after waiting for 30mins my brother and girlfriend's best friend decided they couldn't wait any longer and told me they were leaving, so I had to actually get up and ask the hostess what the deal was. About 8-10 minutes later a waitress finally got our drink orders but not our food. After 45 minutes we knew what we wanted so as she left I had to call her back to let her know we were ready. The table shared the crab hush puppies which were good but not great. I ordered the pork chop and beans. The pork chop was excellent but the beans were a little too sweet for me. My girlfriend got the chicken and waffles and told me she enjoyed them. My brother had the country fried steak, I had a bite it, was really good and my brother told me he really enjoyed it. My girlfriend's friend ordered the shells and cheese but by the time it came out she told us she had lost her appetite. For dessert we shared the carrot cake which I did not care for but my brother liked, it just seemed like a little bit of food and was not anything special for $7. But let me tell you this was probably the worst service I have ever had. Not once were any of our drinks refilled. My brother asked 3 times for a water, which never came. The food was very good but it was cold because the waitress's were too busy having fun and talking rather than simply bringing out food on time. Seriously I dont think im asking a lot here. Not once did the waitress even say sorry which to be honest would have made me feel like she cared, but she didn't. My girlfriend's friend even went to complain to a manager, which I have never seen her do. She told me he said "o really". Lol im sorry ive been a manager and whoever this guy is had no control over the restaurant and did not seem to care one bit, our poor service was just as much his fault for under staffing and not keeping his staff in line as it was the waitress for overall horrible service. It really is a shame I love the food and the atmosphere but im embarrassed to recommend this place because of the service. I live in the area and have for years now, the spot this restaurant is in has been a death trap for business for years, but I think if Southern Swank Kitchen can get its service issue in line they will be around for a very long time. If I were the owner I would fire the entire staff except for the cooking staff, the service and overall management was that bad and that big a mess. The food is pretty expensive, im not complaining about that im just saying if im going to spend $50+ On me and my girlfriend when I come in I think I at least deserve a refill on my water, warm food, and the opportunity to order another beer which I didnt have since the waitress never asked or came back to the table to check up on us. In her defense it didn't really seem like the bartenders or managers were helping very much. We arrived at around 9:30 and didn't leave till around 11:30, there is no reason we should have had to wait around that long. I really hope Southern Swank Kitchen can get it together because the food is great, it really is a shame I couldn't give them the 5 I feel they deserve. The service really was just that bad. Food-A Atmosphere-B Pricing-B Service-F
(2)
Dennis F.
Ho hum. I hate being Dennis Downer...... Southern style partially means large portions. I was immediately turned off by the $2.50 8 ounce bottles of soda. I have 2 kids so a restaurant having fountain soda with refills seems like a no brainer. We were here with a large party so we got to try out a lot of the menu. For apps we had the shrimp and grits (yummy and I don't really like grits), fried green tomatoes (still don't like these), crab hush puppies (very good) and the pulled pork sliders (very good as well). For our entrees, we had the hanger steak $24 (tasted great), pimento burger $14 (just good), chicken wings $8 for 6 (average), chicken and waffles $16 ( good) and the meatloaf $16 (good). My biggest beef (no pun intended) would be the meatloaf, it was about the size of a large meatball and didn't come with any sides? The burger was a $9 burger for $14, the hanger steak was good but not worth $24. I like to spend money to eat out but I don't feel like this place has good value. We tried 4 of their specialty drinks, ($8-$9), the Jacked up Rita and Swamp water were good but skip the caramel apple and the ring of fire. Oh, don't serve your drinks in mini sized mason jars. It gives real mason jars a bad name! The positives were our service (we had 9 people and Nicole didn't miss a beat and the decor which is nice as well.
(3)
L F.
I went to Swank on a Saturday night for a friends birthday with a party of 6. We had called earlier to make reservations and were told they don't take reservations. So we got to the restaurant around 7:40pm and were told it would be a 2 hour wait. We see plenty of tables open and we're told they were all reserved. (But we were already told they didn't take reservations... Whatever) Around 9pm we finally get seated. We all order drinks and they take about 20 minutes to come back with them. Our waitress then informs us that the kitchen has just closed... It is 9:30pm. We ask to speak to the manager since that is completely ridiculous especially since we waited so long for a table. The owner came to the table and didn't let us get a word in. He said they were having "shortages" in the kitchen but he was going to bring out plenty of plates our way of whatever he could and we "wouldn't leave hungry." Our food and drinks were all on the house. We were served two plates of pork and beans with two small sides of Mac and cheese. FOR SIX PEOPLE. It's hard to even rate the food cause the service was so horrible. The Mac and cheese was good but nothing out of this world. We sat around waiting for more food to come because obviously those plates would not fill a party of six. We ask the waitress if there was anyway we could have cornbread and she says "they're just bringing out whatever they have they won't even talk to me." Mind you, tables all around us that were sat after us are all getting food... Chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, steak, hush puppies, etc. I don't know what was the deal with us. So I guess the waitress noticed we were still hungry and brings one bowl of chili for the table. She says in a baby voice "has anyone tried the chili?... Here have some." We all felt like dogs being fed scraps. That was the only food we were given, no dessert. We finally left and went over to Flanigans since we were all still hungry and wanted drinks. All in all, the service in this place is awful. If I could give it zero stars I would. Why open til 2am when your kitchen closes at 9:30? Never going back.
(1)
Sophia M.
Completely serviceable food but not good by any stretch. You can find more tasty barbecue at smaller hometown shops (or even some decent chains). Needs less swank and more focus on flavor.
(2)
Thomas P.
I went here for a friends birthday with about 13 other people. The server was very attentive and accommodating, considering we moved chairs a couple times in order to fit new guests as they arrived. The drinks were ok, nothing special besides the names. I only was able to try one of the appetizers, but it was pretty good. I had the shells and cheese with bacon, very tasty! Now here is where this story takes a turn. All of the entrees seemed a little pricey, which is perfectly fine for me, if the food is worth it, but it was not. I ordered the country fried steak, which itself was nothing spectacular. It was decent, but came with nothing. So basically I paid $22 for a little piece of meat on a plate, by iteself. I also tried the ribs, they too were decent, but tasted more like ribs you get at a Chinese food restaurant. The ribs came with coleslaw....I love coleslaw, its one of my favorite BBQ sides, but this was the worst coleslaw I've ever had in my entire life. Several people at the table tried the coleslaw and agreed. The server was more than happy to replace this with another side at no additional cost, which was nice. I also got to try the hanger steak, which in my opinion, was the best meal that anyone at the table had ordered. Although it too, was a $25 meal, the steak tasted amazing and was accompanied by some pretty good fingerling potatoes. All in all this place is ok, the atmosphere was nice, but that's about it. I probably wont be coming back here... the food was just too pricey and not good enough.
(2)
Lorraine H.
Food was ok- maybe a bit on the high side (3 sliders for $10) and I would say more except I had such an uncomfortable time trying to shout over the VERY LOUD MUSIC to talk to my friends that and I still have a headache
(2)
Mark F.
Place is OVERPRICED and mediocre to say the least.
(1)
Daniel G.
Service: The service is poor. The hostess sat us down and we waited for 15 min without menus or being visited by our waitress. After waiting I finally got up and went to the hostess to get our menus and demanded to have a waitress come. We order drinks which took way to long. After that the food took a great deal of time. I enjoy sitting and speaking to others at the table but it took way to long. When someone thinks about leaving it is way to long. They need more experienced people not inexperienced high school students. Drinks: Their signature drjnks are pretty bad. Swamps tastes like Sprite with dry ice, Old fashioned - they overpoured, it was not drinkable we sent it back. Stick with the wine by the bottle is reasonably priced and beer - reasonable prices. Food: Good overall but takes way to long I feel like this is a poor attempt to copy a real restaurant - Swine southern kitchen in coral gables, that restaurant has excellent food, excellent service, excellent drinks. Consider me one and done - will never go back
(2)
Kim R.
I went with a friend on a Monday night and the place was nearly empty. We ordered the pork sliders, shells and mac, french fries, and the buffalo chicken and waffles. The french fries were just french fries, nothing special. But everything else was delicious! Ill be going back :)
(4)
Steve W.
Food was good, served very quickly with a nice presentation. Not sure why it was so empty.
(4)
Desiree F.
I have been to Swank now a couple of times! If you are looking for a local place to go and relax, have a good time...this is it! The food was great! From their mac n cheese to the pork sliders! Delicious! Now..THE DRINKS. Im in love with the peach moonshine. And moonshine mondays is the best way to try it out. They have plenty of specials throughout the week which is great when you are on a budget! You just have to go and try it...and see for yourself. JUST GO. Enjoy...YOU'RE WELCOME.
(5)
Gato G.
Wow , OMG!! A real southern swank restaurant has come to davie , we had family members from South Carolina stop by and we invited them for dinner at southern swank, we were all very very impressed my uncle Timmy had the hanger steak he said it was to die for so we all had to share and ordered an extra one it was really tender and juicy . I personally liked the shrimp and grits it seemed like if it was homemade. Mamma had the pimento burger and she was thrilled I am going to stop by this weekend again can't wait ! ...
(5)
Kypps P.
We got a Group On one of the best that we have used. The service was very good so was food. We really enjoyed our selves.
(5)
Haroula P.
Food is really good. Great appetizers and really nice drink menu. Nice new place, great area for a restaurant since there aren't a lot of good places around there. Loved the chicken and waffles and fried green tomatoes. Good baked beans too!
(5)
Frank D.
....................very very busy on SAT PM (8/1/2014) @ 9PM which was NOT my idea but i planned to drop in on a birthday party - bought a round of drinks - and go home coming into the LOT i literally parked in the LAST spot available way in the back of the property - what luck - SWANK was full busy but our waitress did come by quite often especially behind newbies arriving like me to keep the party going - some did order food and some just drinks IT IS NOT YARDBIRD according to the expert, my daughter, who shared her pork chop ($26), which was thick juicy and very tasty - the best i have had in a while and want to go back for again - DRINKs were standard and crazy concoctions of smoking green swamp water and colorful fruity things along with some goofy florida canned beer - a very wide variety - i stuck with jack on the rocks IT IS expensive (and how worth it is up to each patron to decided on the details - if hyper noisy is where you want to be - go SAT PM for sure), BUT, i understand deals can be had like WINE WEDNESDAY which would be my next visit - and i wouldn't use it but i have heard GROUPON stuff was honored - and maybe that visit will make me a FAN !
(3)
Eddie N.
The Mac & Cheese is amazing! That being said, it just seems that the menu continues to improve and get better and better. Soon it will difficult to get through the Swank doors! I will be taking advantages of this place until the secret gets out!
(5)
Lauren R.
Didn't live up to expectations. Food was alright, slightly over-priced. Nice presentation tho
(3)
Andres P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a trendy southern restaurant in south Florida. I was pleased to find it had a very cool atmosphere. The food and service were great, especially the pimento burger (medium/medium rare was VERY flavorful). The restaurant is nice enough for a date but casual enough for dinner and drinks with friends or family (the swamp water went down pretty well too, I'll say). Will definitely be checking it out again soon!
(5)
Oscar L.
I've been hearing about this place and decided to give it a try last night. The first impression is great. I love the decor down to the butcher paper as the table cover. Very trendy place. Let's get to the important stuff. We ordered the pork sliders as an appetizer. They were phenomenal! I wish I would have ordered these for my entree. We also ordered the cornbread ($6!) and it was nothing special. My buddy ordered the country fried steak and that was huge and delicious. My wife ordered the pimento burger (she said nothing special) and I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was truly excited for this but was let down. My only complaint is that the chicken thighs are extremely fatty. Other than that, it's good, not delicious but good. My only issue with this place is the pricing. Everything is a la carte and for the type of food they're serving you can easily go elsewhere and get the same type of food. The entrees are fairly priced with the large portions you get but the little things quickly add up. I could understand the pricing if this place was in a trendy area like downtown Fort Lauderdale or Downtown Brickell or coral gables but it's not. It's in a parking lot off of University Drive in Davie. All in all the food was good but nothing special to justify it's pricing. It was good to try but I can't see myself going back.
(3)
Marvin K.
So being new to YELP, though using it as a reference for years, this is a hard one to write! We did take advantage of a Groupon being offered. We went to Swank Saturday night at 8:15pm with a reservation for 8:15pm. We were asked to move aside as they were looking for the table to sit us. Within 3 minutes another couple came into the restaurant and were seated. When we asked why they were seated, we were told they had a reservation. As soon as I pointed out our reservation on their screen, they apologized and sat us immediately. I just chalked that up to hostess inexperience. We then were seated less than 25 feet from the "entertainment". IT WAS LOUD (sorry for screaming, but that is what you will have to do to listen to the people at your table!). They gentleman playing the electric piano was very into his music, unfortunately the decibel count would angry most otolaryngologists! Jessie, a newbie waitress was very sweet and dutifully took our orders (that would be Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab Hush Puppies, Shrimp and Grits and 22 oz Cowboy steak) and explained that the kitchen was behind and thanked us for our patience. So fast forward some Funky Buddah's (great Craft beer menu) and unlimited glasses of water later (or to be specific ONE HOUR AND 15 minutes), a server brought our Shrimp and Grits and Cowboy steak to the table. OOPSY, no APPS!! At that point our patience was diminished and we asked the manager to please get our APPS out ASAP. To their benefit, within 5 minutes we had our APPS at our table, but now our meal was cold - we just knew going back to the kitchen with our main courses was not an option. That said, the Fried Green Tomatoes were great! Loved the pancetta on top. The Hushpuppies had a good base, but lacked the crab advertised. The Shrimp and Grits were very flavorful and a nice amount of shrimp. The Cowboy steak was huge and well cooked (recommend medium rare to medium for that pink color), unfortunately, they loaded the steak onto the once crispy fries that quickly wilted! Sad face. So we started to feel much better about the restaurant, until we asked about the dessert. So now it is about 10:30pm and we were told the kitchen ran out of food (and dessert) - never got to see the dessert menu! To their credit, they immediately offered a glass of wine and an apology. We really wanted to love this place. We think we will - eventually. The issue is that they have been open less than two weeks and there are a LOT of kinks to work out. My suggestion is to take advantage of the GROUPON available and not go for at least a month or longer so that they can perfect what seems like a great idea! Also, near the restrooms they have a PHOTO booth to take pictures with fun hats ! Make the time to take a picture. It prints two, one to take and one to post on the wall. We took both so that there was no evidence we were at this restaurant during the first week! I hope to take another photo there and be proud to leave it next time!
(2)
G K.
I dont get the bad reviews at all. Went here the day after Valetines on a Friday night. Got there around 7:00. Dining room was packed. Hostess was very nice and greeted us immediately. Told us 30 minute wait for the dining room or we could sit at a high top right away. My wife had no problem with the high top so we took that route. I am glad we did because the high tops filled up very quickly and the place just kept getting busier. Our waiter was a very polite guy who clearly understood the term "southern hospitality". He immediately offered us water and suggested we take our time looking over the menu. The menu was not a huge offering, but every item on it was something worth pondering. All very well thought out offerings, and certainly not things that you are going to see at Outback or Chilli's. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer and the waiter did not rush us to place our dinner order which was VERY nice because we were having fund browsing the menu. $10 bucks I think for about 10 slices nicely breaded with a DELICIOUS creamy sauce that had smoked pork in it. YUMMMMMMM. The word appetizer was definitely appropriate, because my taste buds were awakened. I came in knowing they had chicken and waffles, and despite being tempted to get the chicken in beer can gravy, I was staying with the chicken and waffles. The standard chicken and waffles is fried chicken thights over the waffles with a sage marshmellow sauce. Sounded very good, but then I saw the words. "ask your server about BLUE waffles". So I did. He said they coat the fried thighs in wing sauce and then pour a blue cheese dressing over them. I was hesitant but went for it. I WAS NOT SORRY. The blue cheese dressing is a slightly sweet take on blue cheese, so the waffles still had a bit of sweet to go with the tang of the wing sauce. I would not have every thought the flavors would marry as well as they did, but it was GREAT. We finished off with a small piece of red velvet cake for $6 bucks ( that was extremely moist and yummy but not a regular offering. (apparently it was from Valentines Day) The entire experience from entrance to exit was great. Wait staff was GREAT, despite the place being packed. Was it a cheap night out for dinner. NO. But if that is what you want go to Pollo Tropical not Southern Swank. Give it a try. You wont be sorry.
(4)
Special K.
Penny Wine night. Just left. When we ask about it to our waiter, we are excited about and plan to do it, You don't tell the people when the bill comes and charge your customers $40 for 4 glasses of terrible wine. Whats that after we ordered and got our bill now you tell us that its only on house wine while you charge $10 a glass for $10 a bottle terrible store wines. The food was good enough were we would have easily come back, but this will be a one stop shop thanks to the terrible service.
(1)
Jorge L.
Swank is a great cool option for dinner and drinks in the broward area. The sliders were awesome and they have a great beer selection both craft bottles and draft.
(3)
Lori G.
Very disappointed. Food was ok but it took over 30 minutes to get our meals. When it finally came out, it was far from hot. Was decent tasting but over priced for location and what it is. Server was average.....had to ask twice for water and never got it. My husband is willing to give it another try but me, not so much.
(2)
Lynn P.
My Valentine and I had tickets for a South Florida Jazz concert at Nova's nearby Miniachi Performing Arts Center on February 14 and decided to try Southern Swank Kitchen for dinner beforehand, which was perfect because the concert did not start until 8. Our 6 p.m. dinner reservation gave us plenty of time for a relaxed dinner in advance of the show. It didn't look like we needed reservations, though, which was a surprise given that it was Saturday night and Valentine's day to boot. The restaurant seemed about 1/3 full the whole time we were there. The cocktails look and taste delicious, but I ordered two different drinks and couldn't taste a hint of alcohol in either one. The first was the Swank's version of an old fashioned, and the second was a bourbon lemonade. Given their price, over $10 each, it would seem that alcohol should be included in the drinks. We shared the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and they were delicious. The cornmeal breading was paper thin and shattered when I bit into the tomatoes, which had been sliced at just the right thickness.. Loved them. It's too bad, though, that they set these lovely fried tomatoes into a mayonnaise based sauce. It was OK, but might have been more thoughtfully placed on the side, so that purists like me could have enjoyed the tomatoes au naturel. For entrees, having been put off by the pricey drinks, I decided on something moderate but that had received good reviews online, the pulled pork sandwich. I set aside the sliced roll (whose top was branded with the word "Swank") and couldn't even begin to make a dent in French fry mountain. Between the large sandwich roll and the fries, there wasn't much else on the plate. The meat was flavorful, but definitely needed the thimbleful of sauce that the server brought with it and for which I needed a refill. Slices of fresh pickle came with the pork, but only two slices. A mouthful of meat, pickle and sauce made for the perfect bite, but alas, Swank pickles, I hardly knew ye. My dining companion got meatloaf served atop a squash puree and it was a bit weird. Both of our dishes arrived warm only, and warm closer to cold than warm closer to hot. Tepid meatloaf atop tepid squash puree is about like is sounds. I ordered collards a la carte to make sure I'd get something green, and am glad I did. They were superb. I got a laugh when the server did not know what I was talking about when I asked for vinegar peppers though, and tried to describe the tiny peppers in the Texas Pete bottle. She offered to bring me green bell peppers. Word to the wise: Swank's Southernness goes only so far. The banana pudding (not my choice, but was pleasantly surprised) was really good to share as a dessert, and nicely presented in the requisite Ball mason jar. As far as entertainment goes, SSK has A LOT of TV's all around, and that night "The Outlaw Josey Wales" was playing on a continuous loop on all of the ones in the dining room. Nothing like seeing scenes of the Union army dragging Josey's wife out of her burning house, and him sobbing on her grave, and a Gatling gun massacre to say "Happy Valentine's Day." Because I was so sober having had $20 worth of alcohol-free drinks, I was able to read on my phone about the author who wrote the book on which the film was based. He was a KKK member and a speechwriter for George Wallace. I sincerely recommend pulling that film out of the rotation, Southern Swank Kitchen.
(3)
Phil K.
Perfect bear food! Excellent service Excellent pork chop, watermelon salad, chicken n waffles w/ marshmallow. We Will return yo
(5)
Bianca P.
Mixed feelings = mixed reviews. I decided to give them 3 stars overall because I have mixed feelings for everything. So the place is some what hidden to the side. The decoration from the outside is pretty cool and cute. The outside patio had a cute little fountain We walked in and were greeted by two ladies. The place seemed a bit empty. There was probably half the tables seated. We were seated on a larger table for four but we were two. We had the crab hush puppies and corn bread for an appetizer. The hush puppies were well seasoned. The corn bread was very plain, if you don't use the cinnamon butter not good. (Got a little upset that the waitress didn't take it off the bill when we stated we didn't like it and only tasted it) As our entrees, we got the pork sliders, Mac and cheese, and chicken and waffles. Everything was pretty good I did not like the marshmallow sauce that came with the chicken and waffles. Mac and cheese was okay creamy lacked flavor. I title this review mixed feelings = mixed reviews idk.
(3)
Charolette J.
1. They took shrimp and grits off the menu, MAJOR problem!!! You need to put it back. 2. I went for the chicken and waffles instead. IT was Soooooo salty that it LITERALLY made me sick. I had such a high view of their food, until today. I will definitely NOT be coming back for a while if things stay like this. Please fix these problems ASAP! PS. The young lady at the front, I think her name is Amy ,was super nice and accommodating. Dylan was good with his service recovery, but nothing can fix BAD food.
(1)
Ronald L.
I want to start by saying most of the bad reviews must have been either haters or when they first opened. I have eaten here 3 times and had something different each time. The first time I ate here I ate the shrimp and grits. I'm a big guy and the portion size was just about right. Flavor was very interesting and made a nice combination. The 2nd time that I ate here I had the Chicken & Waffles. WOW, these were amazing. Dark meat chicken, waffles with a sweet drizzle...Yummy! (My kids are addicted). The last time that I ate here I had a cowboy steak that was cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the flavor of the steak and how tender it was. As for the service, the manager spends a lot of time on the floor stopping by each table. The servers were very friendly & talkative. The way that I judge how well I am being taken care of is by how fast they keep my ice tea filled (I drink about 3-4 glasses per dinner). I do enjoy this restaurant but I only want to give management my only thought...in order for them to be able to exist for the long haul, they must expand the menu.
(5)
Anna Marie P.
Excellent beer can chicken. Pour the brown gravy on everything. Large bar on Saloon side. Dark and tough for me to read the menu but I had looked online before I got there. Mac and cheese was rich and filling. Service was good Deco was fun and interesting. I will be back.
(4)
Brenda P.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye There's a new sheriff in town When it comes to finger lickin' good Southern Swank takes the crown I finally made my way to the SSK and I'm so happy I did. We absolutely loved it. They don't take themselves too seriously. It's not Southern, it's Southern SWANK! They dabble on this and they dabble on that. A little bit of everything here goes a long way. This restaurant is like Swine and Yardbird's first cousin. I find it a little bit less put together than those mentioned but good nonetheless. I can say with 100% certainty that there is nothing else in the area that even comes close and therefore, a much needed addition to Broward! It's spacious yet cozy, and full of personality. Now, here's the scoop on the goods: Fried Green Tomatoes- Very fresh and very good. Loved their creole remoulade and savory smoked tasco. Crab Hush Puppies- Breading was a little thick and fried a little too long for my taste but the inside was heavenly. The charred scallion mayo rocked! I wish there was more of it. Chicken & Waffles- This was great except they don't offer syrup for the waffles. 'Sup with that?I found that really odd. Instead, it comes with a marshmallow sage sauce. Beer Can Chicken- I officially cheated on my vegetarian diet for this and the payoff was big. Free range chicken that was absolute perfection! It is served with addicting fries everyone kept stealing and a scrumptious buttermilk slaw (and I usually pass on this). I ordered 1/2 the chicken and could not even finish it. (total wuss move, I know). The beer gravy is served inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can for your pouring convenience. I wish it was another type of beer but...... St. Louis Ribs- I did not try this but my girlfriend finished every single one. I thought they could have been a little meatier. The BBQ is enhanced with apple cinnamon. Snickers Pudding- Not a speck left of it. Bread Pudding- Not a speck left of this either. Old Fashion Swank- Punched me in the face and left a huge bruise. They are not shy about their pours! Yikes! Mojito- Didn't try it but there were multiple rounds going on in our party so it must have been good. Funky Buddha Hop Gun- Always a good choice Note that all of the side hot sauces are truly H O T! (and I could not stop having them). I felt the portions were good on the entrees and on the smaller side for the appetizers. Service was prompt and attentive. When we were done, we had a little photo booth fun. They have several props for you to play around with inside the booth. The photo prints out for you immediately or you can also get it off their Flickr account. I am adding this to my list of preferred local hangout spots. Welcome to town Southern Swank!
(4)
Oscar M.
I drive by this place often and always wondered if it was any good, now I know that it is not. I went on a Sunday evening for dinner and had the ribs with a side of baked beans and spent $52 with tax and tip. The ribs were bland, cold and served with a poor substitute for barbecue sauce. The baked beans had a strange tart flavor, it seems like they had pickles in them which I find to be an odd culinary decision. I can't recommend anyone spend their hard earned money in this place, especially when you have so many great barbecue places with good ribs all around the area.
My boyfriend and I went on Monday night. The place was slow (8 tables including us for the hour and a half that we were there). Our server was the bartender and the service was pretty bad. She never checked on us after we got our food and I had to walk up to the bar to ask for ketchup and bbq- we were the ONLY people she was serving. It took her about 10 minutes to realize we were done with our food to come with our bill. The food was pretty good. I had the brisket sandwich and my boyfriend had the po boy shrimp sandwich. I was disappointed that my only side is fries-no option for upgrade even with a charge. However, the hand cut fries were delicious. The corn bread was a little dry. I also think they are a little over priced. The only reason the review has 3 stars is because the food was good. Everything else was bad.
(3)
Alica D.
My first time at Southern Swank and I loved it! Great food and nice decor. Will definitely be back, best chicken-n-waffles I have ever had.
(4)
Richard M.
They try hard. Good service and good attitudes. The ribs were dry and the chicken and waffles were drowning in some marshmallow sauce concoction. This restaurant is promising. The dishes are creative, but they have serious kitchen work to do. I recommend that they get rid of the electric smoker they are using. Their a are dry as a bone and the meat is overcooked. They need a real pitt-master back there getting the grilling done right! Davie is a southern style town and I do not expect this place to last long without some serious changes.
(2)
Ahmed D.
Decided to check out thus new place, atmosphere seems nice. Wait for it, BUT host told us they are completely booked and that you can only get a table if you have a reservation. BUT there was at least 6 completely open tables that were so close yet so far away.
(1)
Blue A.
Have you ever had chicken and waffles? Yea, most of us have. Have you ever had chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce instead of syrup? No? I bet your mind is racing right now reading this thinking - WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING MY WHOLE LIFE?! I have been to Swank twice now and I must say I am SO excited to have a place like this in Davie. Not to knock Davie but it isn't really known for it's awesome restaurants and creative cocktails. Swank is down south cooking. You will find fired goodness, delicious southern desserts and a nice list of bourbons. The highlights: 1) Penny Wednesdays - Yea. A glass of wine for a penny. It's only the first glass but did you read the part that it was a PENNY? 2) Mac & Cheese - Aged Vermont cheddar, peccorino, pork belly, herb garlic breadcrumbs. Get this. Thank me later. 3) Fried Green Tomatoes - Get them. They are amazing. 4) Chicken Wings - a great thing to start - and share. I hate eating wings in public because I like really getting in there and getting all the meat - but these were finger licking good. 5) Salad - What? Wait...Salad? Yea my wife had a salad. Well I use the term salad loosely because it's half a head of lettuce (uncut? Interesting way to serve it.) and has chunks (I mean CHUNKS) of cheese and chunks (I MEAN CHUNKS) of bacon. The Cobb salad - won't save you any calories but will satisfy your hunger. 6) Desserts - I have only had the banana cream but this is a party in your mouth! Served in a mason jar the layers of banana cream (hint of banana without an over powering taste), graham cracker crumbs and whip cream make this a little piece of heaven in a jar. 7) Chicken & Waffles - this dish has kept me up at night. It haunts my dreams (in a good way) and is something I will probably ALWAYS order (and reccommend people order) when they come her. I had done Chicken and Waffles before - but never like this. Delicious pieces of chicken fried on the outside and super moist on the inside. Waffles cut into triangles and speared with a stick in order: waffle, chicken, waffle, chicken, waffle. Then smothered with (HOMEMADE) marshmallow sauce and a drop of hot sauce. These flavors blend so well together...my mouth is watering, excuse me......yea, blend so well together that you want to high five the chef. Cut a piece of chicken, a piece of waffle, dip in marshmallow, then in the hot sauce...stick in your mouth. Smile. Cheeks about to burst because of the huge bite. Chew. Swallow. Smile. Repeat. 8) Drinks - great beer selection (local brews on tap!) and a cool cocktail called Swamp Water which bubbles and has fog coming out of it. Get it for the presentation / instagram photo op alone. They also have an in house photobooth with a ton of props! Haven't tried it yet but super cool! There is also something called the "Dukes Challenge" From the website: Seven layer burger comprised of two patties, two chicken thighs, pulled pork, and a waffle. Served with a bucket of handcut fries and fiery hot chili. Free if you finish under 30 minutes! WHOA!
(5)
Abbie B.
Our server was Jessica and she was totally awesome she's also the bartender request her she's great! Our experience initially was challenging because they ran out of chicken. However, luckily they found some for those great chicken and waffles which are excellent! I was extremely skeptical about the marshmallow sauce but the marshmallow sauce outs actually have to be very good and I recommended it. The ambience is awesome it's decorated really, really nice. My guest got the pull pork with swank sauce which was also very good. I enjoyed the experience.
(4)
Emilee M.
I really really wanted to like this place. After driving past it for almost a year, I finally got myself together and made it in time for a Sunday brunch. Walking up to it is probably the most exciting element this place has to offer, the patio is beautiful and the lights overhead tie it all together quite nicely. Entering the restaurant is pleasant as well. The decor does a great job of sticking to their theme and assists in any enjoyment you might find there. However. And the most important part, it took 16 minutes for any server to ever address and acknowledge that we were there for more than just the sights. I recognized that not one server in the building spent any more than 3 seconds at a table, our server was right along with them. With no table side approach, or knowledge of the menu, or even a simple recommendation, it made for a kind of awkward experience. The best way I can describe the feel of it, is it was as if they grabbed the bus boy, who has never been trained as a server, and sent him over just to scribble down whatever we said and pass it on to someone who might know what to do with it. It was strange. The food took a great deal of time. But I was in good company luckily, so it wasn't so bad. Once the food arrived it looked delicious, but for who knows how this could have happened after waiting so long, it was cold. My swamp water was also missing it's gummy worm which made it a lot less alluring for 10 bucks. We also got verbally assaulted at the photo booth because another family walked up after us, and were not happy with the amount of time that they had to wait behind us. Because that's obviously a serious matter for a nice carefree Sunday afternoon. Won't be doing brunch there ever again. For 45 dollars I'd rather head to Fort Lauderdale and have endless mimosas with whatever I purchase for 15 dollars.
(2)
Marly F.
I walked in with high expectations and was far from disappointed. Determined to try as much from the menu as possible, I stuck to ordering appetizers and luckily my friends ordered different items from the menu so I was able to sample a little more. To start, I just had to order the fried green tomatoes: lightly breaded and fried. Three come per order. I also ordered the 18 hour pulled pork sliders topped with coleslaw and pickles. Also three sliders per order. Both apps deserve five stars. Then, came what was probably the best version of mac and cheese I have ever had. Called shells and cheese here, this version has aged Vermont cheese, pork belly and herb garlic bread crumbs. Holy Moly! If you're not yelling yeehaw midway through your first bite, then consider your taste buds useless. New to the menu that night was the meatloaf and pumpkin mash. Delicious! I wasn't planning on having dessert that night, but our server (who was extremely attentive) brought over pumpkin bread pudding for us to sample. Who can say no to bread pudding? The service was quick and the waitstaff was friendly. Our server wasn't too familiar with the menu, but it's a new place, so this didn't weigh down my experience at all. After paying, we went to the photo booth and took a few silly pictures with wacky hats and glasses. Fun way to end the evening.
(5)
DeSha M.
Love the wings and shell & cheese topped with shrimp yum! Cool spot for the area.
(4)
Ali H.
When I yelped this place before we went here tonight I wondered why all the reviews were so long... Now I understand. Let me start this review off by saying I'm giving it a 2 because I just feel bad for all the staff/owners managers in this place... It seems like they've given up/don't know what to do. Also, about a year ago a friend went here and had her cellphone stolen by their waitress, that issue was resolved-she got her phone back and I'm pretty sure the waitress was fired, but because of this I haven't tried southern swank until tonight.. We were seated right away in the back right by kitchen/prep area that is open to the dining room.. Normally when this is the way a restaurant is set this way, the kitchen is clean, you can see a chef, etc... The only thing I saw was a guy standing next to the deep frier with paint all over his shirt. The kitchen was pretty grimy looking too- southern swank if you're reading this please close the back wall or clean up. My boyfriend ordered the brisket sandwich, and I had the shrimp po boy. The po boy shrimp was the consistency of rubber, and the bread was stale. My boyfriends brisket was steak-ums. And after picking through his food he found what appeared to be a piece of paper/cardboard. The waitress did a drive-by to see if we were ok, We said we were (we really try not to complain at restaurants). Then the owner(?) or the manager stopped by looked down at the table and asked what the paper was. She just seemed defeated. She apologized a few times and said she didn't know what it was that he found in his food, or why it was there. I told her I didn't know either... She ended up taking the brisket off the bill, but in the hour we were at dinner, of the 7 tables sitting, we heard 4 complaining, or being apologized to. I'd like to see this place succeed but it's really struggling with life. I won't be going back anytime soon. P.S. Just got an email from opentable, they didn't check us into our reservation so no points, the opentable points were literally the best part of this entire evening.
(2)
Grayson M.
Tonight was my first time at Southern Swank. My sister has raved about this place to me for months and now I see why! Upon entry, you're greeted by polite hostess' and the restaurant is very country chic modern. The ambiance is nice, and features both a saloon side (where the bar is located) and a dining side (presumably for families). My boyfriend and I chose the saloon side, the ambiance was very nice. We both ordered the All-American burger with an order of shells and cheese. The food arrived in a timely manner, and very hot. And it was so gosh darn amazing. The shells had bacon and oh-em-gee! Thick cut and juicy goodness. The burger was cooked to perfection and also had the awesome bacon on it! The server was also really good and made sure everything was right for us. Definitely going to make another trip!
I really, really wanted to love this restaurant. Had the crab hush puppies that were just this side of burnt. Despite the breading, the crab was very good. The mac and cheese looked amazing, but was cold in the center. The country fried steak was fried alright. It was really fried...to within an inch of its life. It matched the hush puppies in its ability to make perfectly healthy gums bleed. The steak was hot and the potatoes cold. Nothing was horrible, but each dish missed the mark. I don't know if the dishes were made too far in advance or the chef just didn't care and was simply going through the motions without any thought. On the up side, the manager stopped by our table to ask if we enjoyed our meal. She explained that they were under new management and finding their way. She was very nice and very receptive to not so positive comments. I only wish they didn't have to find their way with our $75.00 check. Southern Swank really does have potential and being the eternal optimist I'll probably go back in a couple of months...with my fingers crossed.
(2)
Shazza M.
One of the worst dining experiences I can remember in living memory, yes, it is that bad. Service is clueless, food wretched, the place is worn around the edges and is only a little over a year old. It has the general air of a business having been given up on. There were four of us and we order three burgers with fries and a summer salad with shrimp. Crab hush puppies are out within 5 minutes as an appetizer. Not bad It took 45 minutes to get the burgers, way too long on a quiet night in a mostly empty restaurant. Waitress says the salad wasn't ready and wasn't brought to the table for another 7 minutes after the burgers. As we were waiting for the last plate to start eating, the burgers were getting colder than the tepid temperature that they arrived at. To makes matters worse, a table who seated behind us 20 minutes after we arrived were received enormous plates of delicious looking food before us! Not only that, a chef who turned out to be kitchen manger was chatting with them and introducing people to them fur around 15 min, all the while we are waiting to be served. Well turns out they were his parents getting the VIP while us plebs were getting the shaft. My suspicion is that the full force of the kitchen went towards catering towards them The burgers were completely blah, soggy bun underneath, and my girl's burger bun was stale. To make matters worse, the bacon on the burger had a thick sweet cloying taste that included way too much smoke flavour that tasted like it came straight from a bottle. And the fries on two of the burger plates appeared to be old fried re-cooked in old smelly grease and burned to a crisp. The other burger was served with nice light golden fresh cooked fries. I put one from each burned and fresh pile on a side dish to show the waitress, it looked like a yin yang they were so obviously different. I asked her to take it to the kitchen to show the chef, expecting a reaction from management. I asked her after another 10 minutes what the chef said and she just decided to bring us a fresh batch of fries. At this point I asked to see a manager, who doesn't show up for another 10 minutes after the waitress quickly hands is the bill. So the kitchen manager is the same guy who was chatting with his parents instead of taking care of our meal and his crappy kitchen. He agreed the fries were awful and they were double cooked from an old batch and the kitchen had messed up our salad order. He promised he would apply a $30 off groupon for the meal, said he would remove two entrees from the bill and give us 10% off. It took another 30 minutes to organize all this and finally a floor manager arrived to apologize, an hour after our first complaints. She said they had taken over 2 weeks ago and fired bunch of servers and kitchen staff and that more needed to go. Instead of the $30 off they gave us a coupon for $30 off a future meal. We laughed and said we doubted we would ever be back. Right after she left us she went to another table to apologize and was comping a portion of their meal since they had major issues with theirs too. Basically avoid this place like the plague, they have almost as many staff as client but you will see litter on the floor that no one bothers to pick up, the food sucks, service is shitty, and there is not even any soap in the bathrooms, I wonder how the staff clean themselves after a toilet visit and before touching your plates and food. The place is a complete disaster and should just close down already. My Mum who doesn't even eat junk food said that McDonalds is better. And she is right!!!
(1)
Daniel M.
I'm not a big chicken and waffles guy, but the chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy is off the chain, ridiculously good. Best sausage gravy I've had.
(4)
Rachel F.
It's a cute place, but the prices are a little high for what it is.
(3)
Brian C.
Great food! The employees know the menu and are happy to be there. Good atmosphere with live music. Watch out for the construction in the parking lot.
(5)
Ryan D.
The place looks nice on the inside. Food tastes decent but it's overpriced. The waitress seemed rude and didn't care that we were there. Overall I don't think I will return.
(2)
Sandra B.
I thought this restaurant stood out amongst others in the area. The food was really good (every item we ordered was great), and the atmosphere was awesome.
(5)
Christine P.
Great food and service! Went their for my bday dinner and they were very nice accommodating my party of 12. The Bleau chicken and waffles are a most have!! For appetizers a must have the pork sliders and ask to have them with their wings sauce. It's amazing ! Service was kind of slow but it was also very busy. Overall my experience was great! Definitely revisiting.
(4)
Rosabel T.
I'm going to start off, that I'm from Texas and am very familiar with southern food and BBQ. Okay, upon entrance it was semi empty on a Thursday evening. The place is decorated very interestingly. Modern art take on western/cowboy look. They have western movies playing on several tv's too. Parking is free and not hard to access. Service is great! I give her a 5/5 stars! That's what I enjoyed the most about the restaurant . I had heard they were so slow and bad service. We had a groupon to this place btw. No one was rude! Great customer service! Appetizer: crab hush puppies . Those were great! 5/5! It is served with a scallion dip. Don't be afraid to try it. It's good. The hush puppies are good without the sauce too. They had the perfect amount of breading to crab ratio and outer surface was cooked well. Entrees: I got the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. Ohh those were yummy! Although I must admit this was not the best chicken and waffles I had. What I really liked was the marshmallow sauce. The sauce gets: 5/5 and the chicken gets 4/5 (the breading around chicken lacked flavor ) , waffles were average . My boyfriend got BBQ baby back ribs. This is where we both were disappointed. The BBQ sauce that was drizzled over it was not our idea of BBQ/southern tasty BBQ sauce. The ribs themselves were very fatty and seem to lack prep that most smoked/BBQ meats take. BBQ beans were average. My boyfriend loves ribs and he has had plenty of experience with them and rates them 2/5 Unfortunately we didn't have the drinks or desserts. We are going back to try other things and give it a second shot. Only reason this review gets 3/5 today which is harsh from me. I really hesitate to put that, because great service, creative art, great appetizers and the potential it has. It just is a southern place and it didn't live up to its expectations in the chicken and waffles and ribs. Now I'm not saying do not come to the place. We are coming back to try their swamp drink and desserts and other menu items. :-)
(3)
Yannick N.
I wanted to give this place such a good review just like the other yelpers but there were so many little things that would just piss you off while dining that probably wouldn't make me return. Walked in by the side entrance; no Hostess there so I walked to the front entrance to grab a menu and WAIT to be seated just like a majority of people have stated in their reviews. Tsk tsk! Got seated in the booth with the most water spilled underneath the table* w/e Started off with the crab hush puppies and the shell mac & cheese; they both we're actually good! Ordered the Chicken & Waffles (Mind you; it's DARK meat) honestly I've never seen a C&W I didn't completely smash but this was THE FIRST!!! Friggin just puzzles me of the dark meat choice but the waffles w/ the marshmallow sauce aka "Icing" we're great. But damn I coulda just order waffles ONLY if I knew that the chicken wasn't WHITE MEAT! The $5 drink special we're good but the bartender was being lazy that night and didn't think to put any lemons on the sides of the Margaritas or Raspberry lemonades glasses until I asked. Just being LAZY! And not to be petty but one of the waffles fell off my baes plate while the server was serving us and she said she's sorry and go get another one and.. (you guessed it!) she DIDN'T (frowns)... I'm not cheap but pricing could be better for the portions... I AIN'T COMING BACK! (gotta drag me back to this place) and I'm not saying don't go but honestly this place just needs a lil work.
(2)
Henry A.
NPS = 3 I was really disappointed with this place. Finally...a good-looking, kind of trendy BBQ place in Davie that resembles something that would be found in Wynwood. Everything was Southern themed from the glass mason jars for drinks to the tray they served BBQ ribs on. You would think it would make for a great time but you would be wrong. One thing really bothered me about this place: No substitutions on dishes!! When I asked why, the server just shrugged. I wish the servers were better equipped to answer questions with more than just a shrug. This is particularly true when my girlfriend has an allergy to potatoes but still has to get the French fries because "THAT IS HOW THE MEAL COMES." Something else that really bothered me was that they brought out food for all the guests at our table and did not bring my girlfriend's plate until approximately 10 minutes later. And of course, it was loaded with fries which she is allergic to...because THAT IS THE WAY THE MEAL COMES. It took forever to get water refills and I looked at some tables and they had a jar full of ice-tea while our table had to keep asking for refills in our cups for sweet tea. I did not like the preference of treatment to one table over another. And it would be fine to lot get a jar to serve ourselves if the drinks were brought out in a timely manner. The food was actually pretty good, and that's why this place does not get 1 star. The St. Louis ribs with apple BBQ were good and smokey. The baby backs were crispier but with less meat on them so I recommend the St. Louis ones better. The appetizer wings were also plump and caramelized and the hush puppies were moist and delicious. The issue with this place is the service and customer friendliness. If they could just tweak a few things, this restaurant would be a lot better.
(2)
Edward P.
Delicious food!! Amazing tastes!! Great selection of crafts/drafts/bottles..Corey, who was the best bartender I've had in south florida when it comes to restaurants..I've passed by this place many many times ans it wasnt until I got their $30 coupon that I decided to stop by and check it out..I came in on a monday night..sitting at the bar, we get the $5 bar bites and I got wings and sliders..the swank sauce is amazing..a must have! Its like honey, hot, but not too hot and some hint of bbq..even that description doesn't do it justice..great appetizers. I decided to go do the chicken and waffles, and this was also another excellent choice..sweet-savory-well prepared- it is a great entree. Corey helped out the most with his knowledge on crafts and everything beer. He definitely made me feel welcomed and helped me find a new favorite beer in the Shark Bait Coconut...it is not sold in many stores and Corey was able to provide me a whole description and history behind the beers I would feel curious to try out. It was not packed at all as I sat down at the bar with many tables available and everyone else also see me to enjoy the environment plus tvs watching the world series.. This place is a must try out and many will enjoy the food and drinks it provides..plus the service!
(5)
Crystal A.
I don't understand how anyone could give this place 5 stars. This place is far from "Southern". You must come here knowing that this isn't true southern food. The idea on some of their meals is southern inspired but no where near taste or quality of authentic southern food. This was my second time coming here and I only went because my boyfriend really enjoys their chicken and waffles. And when I say enjoy, it's the closest chicken n waffles spot to our home if not we would go elsewhere. This business took over a billiard spot and I have driven by for years wanting to try it. My first visit was a disappointment but I think it was mostly because of my food choice that night. But since it has been a couple of months, I decided to give it another try before really making that final decision of hating it (lol). I don't know if our waiter was new but we had to constantly repeat ourselves "ketchup, refill, straws, syrup" omg it was quite annoying. How can you place drinks without straws? Give waffles with no syrup? Provide fries with our meals and no ketchup? And mind you, we had two orders of waffles and she came with ONE syrup so we had to ask to bring for the other. I don't know, a lot of things are common sense as a waitress. Don't get me wrong, really nice girl but I don't know if she understands what waiting a table is. I got ribs this time and they were eh... Definitely have had way better- ribs and chicken/waffles that is. When we asked for to go boxes, we told her we would be taking my boyfriends chicken & waffles with my left over ribs, she came back with one box. Why would we want rib bbq sauce all over the other meal? We had to tell her we need an additional box. Long story short- we ended up leaving it but since we live about 5 minutes away, we called about half an hour later. Hannah answered the phone and said she would check but to come regardless. As we are on route, she ended up calling us to tell us the boxes had been thrown away by our waiter, Amanda, and there was nothing they could do about it. Hannah then told us how if this was her table, she would hold onto the boxes until the end of the night because people come back most of the time but that our waiter didn't do that. Great way of not making your co-worker look good...We spent over $70 bucks here and this is the service you provide? Making us drive back to basically tell us to turn around? ::Sigh:: What I really like about this business is their decor. It's very modern & dim lighting. There is a photo booth near the restrooms. They have creative drinks but I don't know if they are good or bad. This isn't a place I would ever suggest to go or my first thought when I am hungry. If you think about it, they don't even have large varieties of meal options. Their first page is food than alcoholic drinks. Don't come here for Southern food, maybe come to try their marshmallow sauce on their chicken & waffles. I hope I don't end up back here sometime in the future.
(2)
Crystal C.
Tried chicken and waffles... Made me sick, ended up returning it...... However that bread pudding is by far the best bread pudding you can get in SFL! It's so close to the ohana bread pudding at disneys Polynesian resort. Holy macaroni! We only stop in here to hit the bar and grab that dessert
(3)
Danielle R.
I have to update my review after my Groupon/ Bar Experience. I tried this place for Brunch with moms and was not impressed, but they had a Groupon deal that came out for Monday-Thursday dinner so I thought I'd try it again. I have a friend that lives in Davie so we decided to meet here for dinner. I got there a tad early and sat at the bar. I was greeted by Jacob, he was the best. Great service from this guy! He informed me they had $5 vodka specials and $5 bar eats...I ordered a drink and the $5 fried green tomatoes as I know my friend likes them. When she arrived she ordered a drink and we polished off the tomatoes. At this point, we decided to stay up at the bar and enjoy more bar eats and Jacob's great service. We ordered (all $5 at the bar) -the pulled pork sliders- 2 an order-delicious with homemade pickles -chicken wings- really good, 5 to an order we were impressed -mac 'n cheese- our least favorite but to share for $5 why not AT this point, I had to ask myself if this was the same restaurant? I was very full and our meal cost $20 for 2! Great value, great food, and great service #boom And they allowed me to use my Groupon to boot
(5)
Jade A.
I REALLY wanted to like this place. I really did! I went for brunch on Father's Day because I'd been twice before for dinner and each time was fantastic! I started with the biscuits and bacon jam -- it was $7 so my expectations were high. Turns out it ended up being PILLSBURY instant biscuits with a decent bacon-y, onion-y jam. And you only get 2. I could buy two whole rolls of those biscuits from public for $7-- rip off #1. For my meal I ordered the southern French toast with apple pie filling. TERRIBLE! The French toast was thin and tasteless. It was probably Aunt Jemima French toast if you ask me and only came with two teaspoons of syrup-- ripoff #2. My friends ordered the shrimp and grits and both were returned due to lack of flavor, and ultimately, lack of effort. Very underwhelming.
(2)
Mark A.
I don't think it quite met the hype I had. I expected pretentious bbq. Check. I expected the swanky ambiance for a southern joint. Check. I ordered the St. Louis Ribs. I'm no fan of saucy bbq so that was a plus for me. The apple cinnamon was nice. The meat was tender and came right off the bone. It had a bit of a kick though. I was not expecting it based on the description in the menu. No big deal. I tried Acelyn B's pulled pork sliders. Pretty solid. Our friend ordered the Blue chicken & waffles. To me, that was the highlight of the food on our table. Though, I don't think I'd enjoy the whole plate. The sample was sufficient enough for me. I like the sweet flavor it brought. Where it went south... not in a good way. Service was fine... until our water glasses went empty. Mine was the last to drain so I didn't notice it as soon as my dining mates. Their glasses had been empty for a much longer duration of time. Tsk tsk. Another downfall was my ole fashion. I had high expectations with the bourbon. I mean, it is a southern joint. My drink came out with muddled cherries, an orange slice, and ice chips. Strike 1. Strike 2. Strike 3. You're out! I was sorely disappointed with the "old fashioned". For me, this is a HUGE hit to my rating. There is one slightly saving grace though. There's a photo booth in the back. Have some fun with your company and take some pictures. Post them up on their walls or keep it for yourself. Whatever tickles your fancy.
(3)
Sandra D.
I was so excited to finally go to Southern Swank. I wanted to try the food; which looks and is delicious but most of all I wanted to try their drinks :-P We went there for brunch on Sunday. The hostess sat us down in a booth and there was loud country music playing; which I loved. The music is loud enough to where you can have a conversation and no one will hear you but still peaceful enough to enjoy a meal. Their brunch menu was very small and little expensive but looked tasty. Our waitress came and introduced herself and she seemed a bit cold; not welcoming and friendly. She wasn't rude but didn't give off that "superstar waitress vibe." To start off we ordered drinks. The caramel apple moonshine and Louisiana swamp water. The drinks came and long behold my Louisiana Swamp Water had no swamp to it. Trying to get her attention was hell. She could not stop chatting with the bartenders. It was a legit 10 minutes of me trying to flag her down. Finally I showed her my phone and asked her "Why my drink looks different?" her excuse was "We ran out of dry ice." I didn't argue but I think the reason the majority of people order this drink is because of presentation and the fact that our waitress was so nonchalant about it disappointed me. The swamp was not bad but not amazing. Tasted like $10 orange juice and liquor. They also put orange pulp in it. The caramel apple moonshine was very sweet but tasty. I think it was a little stronger than the swamp water; which I enjoyed. I would not order neither drink again though. We then ordered blue long islands. Can't go wrong with that right? We also ordered our meals which consisted of a redneck rueben and a breakfast burger. The redneck reuben was delicious so was the breakfast burger. No complaints whatever. Both sandwiches were amazing. So were the blue long islands. My only complaint were the fries they were a little too crispy for my liking. Both sandwiches with fries were $14; which seems a little pricey to me. All in all. I walked out of there with a full tummy and an amazing buzz. I will be back for dinner and the pork belly mac and cheese :)
(3)
Joey B.
The burger was cooked medium just as requested. My fries were heat lamp temperature. The server wasn't too knowledgeable about the dishes or prices of the specials. The atmosphere is nice but it's just missing something. Seems like they just don't have it together yet. Drinks were half off but the board says 2-4-1. This makes it a guessing game when your bill comes. The bar should have more lighting to make it more welcoming. This place has huge potential. I've been here 4 times and have yet to be impressed. I come back every couple months with hope but haven't been wowed yet.
(3)
Kimberly P.
Pretty good. Love the brunch items but eggs overdone on the benedict. Love the homemade BBQ sauce. The Reuben is a weird name and doesn't go w the sandwich at all - it's more a "country bbq breakfast sandwich" and the one we got needed more collard greens. Overall good but something in the vibe of the place doesn't work 100%. Place needs a piece of woman or a woman's touch to give it some comfort. I mean it is comfort food, right??!
(4)
Natalie H.
We went here for my mom's birthday brunch and we are all glad that we did! The atmosphere is southern but in a chic way not a dated way, from the decor to the music, and they even played an old Clint Eastwood movie in all four corners. The corn bread was hot and delicious with the cinnamon butter on the side. Everyone loved the grits (my mom is native to Virginia as far south as you can get before crossing the state line into NC - she knows her grits) and everything else we got there was equally delicious! After chatting with our waiter, Mike (who was very gracious and charmingly humble) we learned that the owners recently replaced just about their entire staff. I've never been here to experience the old staff, but it seems like they made the right move because we were very satisfied.
I read the Yelp reviews before I went here and almost changed my mind. I read them again after looking at a few other options and almost changed my mind again. I then went against my best judgement -- and the "average at best" consensus of Yelpers -- and went to Southern Swank anyway for dinner on a Friday. It was exactly as the Yelpers had said: Average, At Best. I am a Chicken-n-Waffles connoisseur/snob. So I ordered their version (which is prominently noted on the menu to have ben rated Top 10 by Miami New Times -- who and why, I have no idea. Small sample size, I guess). NOTICE: Putting chicken and waffles on the same plate, makes a chicken-n-raffles dish, not. Our waitress was as bad as she could possible be, not suggestive-selling us anything (as there were some indecisive people in our party) and making no meal- or check-enhancing suggestions when we did order. The place looks fine, nice spacious restaurant and large-sized bar. Very hick-ish looking front staff but I like the flannel shirt look. i wont be eating here again; for average food and average service I can spend 50% less on KFC or Boston Market. Yelp, i will listen to you next time.
(2)
Debra C.
I just came back here a few weeks ago with a couple of friends. I bought a Groupon for the place months ago, and it was set to expire in mid-January. I think Southern Swank is trying to step it up again. They beefed up their serving sizes for everything. I got their burger and it was huge. I also think they increased the size of their chicken and waffles. Since I'm Asian, I take pictures of food and my friend's choice of chicken and waffles was bigger than the one I had last year. Dessert is always awesome (I think I have a thing for desserts that come in jars). Service has also improved vastly, with the waiters and hosts being more aware of customers' needs. Perhaps we came on a good day, but I've found Florida to be slow on average so I'm always surprised when it's not. They also serve brunch now on the weekend! I haven't been yet, but I intend to when I get the chance. My friend who has been here for brunch, says it's her favorite part of the Swank menu. If you see a Groupon for this place, grab it! Regardless, the food is reasonable for the price, but I always like to save money when I can.
(4)
Jenn E.
Good but honestly for the price it could be better! The layout was weird, there was too much room making it feel cold and un-intimate. Ribs were awesome, but I felt like everything was overpriced for being mediocre- good. They have a good concept but its being executed wrong.
(3)
Diana C.
Went for brunch and was not disappointed! My husband had the country fried steak and bottom-less mimosas and I had the French toast with a side of biscuit and gravy. The gravy wasn't my style but the French toast was awesome and our server was really great.
(4)
Jack A.
What the hell was that? Are you kidding me!? Jesus Christ that was disgusting! I don't believe it. I shoulda walked outta there without paying the bill. Just garbage. Pure garbage on a plate. They're thieves with the prices they charge! Then I woke up with my stomach hurting in the middle of the night. Thought I was gonna puke. I should have.
(1)
Marcia S.
I went there last night, as I saw a lot of reviews for this place. FYI it's pretty casual, you can easily wear jeans and a nice top, definitely like not like your Miami or Fort Lauderdale scene, it almost felt like I was in Denver or somewhere like that. We started with the crab hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes they both were good and came out very quickly the Hush Puppies could have had a little bit more crab. We ordered a pork chop and ribs and those took forever to come out. We never complained as we thought it was pretty busy and the waitress kept on coming by and apologizing. Shocking a man came over to our table and apologized and told us he was going to give us 15 percent off our dinner. He apologized and thanked us for coming and hoped we would come back. That was the first time that's ever happened in any restaurant where they took responsibility before us even bringing it up, WOWWWWW, I WAS IMPRESSED, but as I mentioned it definitely did not have a Miami or Fort Lauderdale feel. Definitely give it a try if you like southern food a lot of salt though.
(4)
Megan M.
Been to Southern Swank a few times now, and I'm a fan. Their drinks are fantastic, and probably my favorite thing about Swank. It's hard to think of a place in that area that has such unique cocktails. On my last visit, they had changed up some of the drinks, but they were still delicious. The food is also tasty. The mac and cheese is a must, and I the sliders are pretty killer. Not my favorite chicken and waffles, but not bad at all. The waffles are perfect. Each time I've been, service has been stellar. Everyone was friendly, and accommodating. They're a little on the slow side, but not so noticeable to deduct stars for. Make sure you check out their photo booth in the back. It's a hoot! On busy nights, parking can be a pain, but be patient and wait it out for a spot.
(4)
Johane M.
The decor was better than the food and if you are a vegetarian it does not offer much meatless options on their menu. I went shortly after they opened but have not been back.
(2)
Damon D.
Southern Swank was a disappointment for us. We had high expectations from the menu and from the marketing around the restaurant, but they really didn't even come close to meeting our expectations. The food was mediocre at best, and the service was abysmal. My country fried steak that was supposed to be topped in shoestring potatoes was actually covered by them, so much so that it made the breading on the steak soggy. The steak itself was a very cheap cut (which is normal), but I haven't run into that much gristle in years. That is not what I expect for $22. Our server spent most of his time up at the pass, obviously trying to chat up some of the other servers there. We won't be going back.
(1)
Katrina G.
After driving by over and over again I finally suggested going here with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. She was in the mood for BBQ and I suggested this place because it's upscale southern and I heard good things about it. Mondays and Tuesdays they have half off cocktails, I had the Raspy Lemonade and it was sweet and strong, very good. I ordered the Southern Swank Brisket Sandwich and it was delicious, I ate the whole thing within a few minutes. Other members of my family had the ribs, chicken and waffles, and the brisket burger and they all loved it. Our waiter John was very friendly and attentive. Over all great experience, my only complaint is that they don't have shrimp and grits, or any grits on their menu. Other than that it was a great dinner!
(4)
Amber S.
Southern Surprise! While looking for a place to grab a quick bite we stopped into Swank and what a delightful experience. We ordered the beer can chicken, collard greens, fish special, fried green tomatoes, & a kids burger. The waitress was too sweet and answered all of the questions expertly about the menu and especially the drinks. Everything was fantastic and the chronic tonic a mix of gin and blueberries was to die for. I wish I could have tried the other specialty drinks especially the raspberry ones which were recommended. Unfortunately the fried green tomatoes arrived after our dinner which were the appetizer thus the 4 stars. Great for foodies, out of town guests, and even kids! They tolerated my 3 year old dancing on the stage and didn't even bat an eye! Bravo! We will be back!
(4)
Claudine J.
I read too many mixed reviews about this place. Here's how I see Southern Swank Kitchen... overall it is a nice place, nice laid back atmosphere with average food... it was good, but not great. Except maybe for the cornbread, but think that may have been because of the honey butter. The others in my party liked their food, but can't say if they'd be back. Especially for those who live in Miami, too long a drive for overpriced shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. IJS. If it wasn't for Doug, not sure if my time at SSK would have been a 3 star. He kept those bottomless mimosas coming.
(3)
Myrleia M.
This place just started brunch and it's already perfected! They have brunch like drink specials and still carry their full regular menu. The presentation of every plate is phenomenal and the taste is unforgettable. Even though this is a 40 minute drive for me, I try to make it out when I can because it's a good environment. Food is on point and drinks are made nice and strong. Owner or manager is always very welcoming and make you feel the family vibe they have going. I HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)
Yi L.
Decided to give this place a second try. What a fail! The waiter screwed up my order. Screwed up my check. He is so rude. He even took our orders from one spot. Across the table. Didn't walk around to get our orders. And we were at a long table. Every time he brought anything over, I said thank you and he didn't acknowledge me. I will not be returning here. Horrible service. Mediocre food.
(1)
Omar H.
Had a great after work date night. We really enjoyed the high quality food and pleasant service. The ribs are some of the best I've ever had (and I love Jenkins). I think it's great that they have classic western movies playing and still have a few extra TVs in case there's a game on.
(4)
Patrick M.
noisy....fun....brought my kids and 80 year old mom....everybody had a good time limited menu..kinda of a trendy dining spin on southern cooking...but everything was excellent...
(4)
Diane N.
My husband and I went to the grand opening celebration on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Their food is southern style and the ambiance is kind of western. Servers were constantly coming around with trays of appetizers for everyone to try. Everything we tried was very tasty. We were served crab hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, shells and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. The crab hush puppies were served on sticks. They were plump and delicious, but I didn't taste or see any crab Everyone was saying how delicious the pulled pork sliders were. They were served on a soft bun. The pork had a tangy sauce and was topped with cole slaw. The shells and cheese was served in little cups. They were delicious and I grabbed another serving every time a tray came around. Last was my favorite, the fried green tomatoes. They were served in small pieces, I would have liked a whole slice of tomato. They were covered in a remoulade and tasso sauce that was delicious. Later our table got a metal pail filled with popcorn. It was sweet, had nuts, and was very delicious. I'm not sure what all was in the popcorn, but I want more. Some specialty drinks were free and there was also a cash bar. They had a band and a DJ. The owner came around, introduced himself and welcomed us. It was a nice touch. He gave us his business card in case we wanted to get in touch with him. Based on how much we enjoyed the grand opening, I know we'll be back. I saw the menu and the prices didn't seem to be very expensive.
(4)
Lindsey G.
Came here for a going away dinner with 8 people. Service was incredibly bad, waited 40 minutes for drinks after order was put in. A friend ordered an app for dinner and she brought it out as an app 30 min before anyone had there dinner. I ordered chicken and waffles which were ok but not awesome. Moonshine drink concoctions were cool but too strong for me!
(2)
Sabrina F.
I love this place. I wish it weren't so far away. We went in a big group when my mom was in town and it was a phenomenal experience. The beer can chicken is to die for, the pulled pork sliders, wow. I don't even eat pork, but I did that night. Their chicken wings are out of this world. The service was impeccable, their beer selection is on point. It's a relaxed environment, pretty big with a large bar, cool hang out place, not expensive either. If this place were closer I would be here much more often.
(5)
Marina S.
I was so excited for the chicken and waffles but WHY would one put marshmallow fluff on top?? So weird and unnecessary. The Crab Hush Puppies were soo good! The sliders and cole slaw were very tasty! The St. Louis ribs were not true St. Louis ribs. Not fall off the bone, not crazy about their sauce. The drinks were fun and yummy, served in mason jars to add to the southern rustic vibe in here. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I have a feeling they like yelpers because when we checked in, all of a sudden the 40 minute wait time was forgotten, we were seated and offered shots lol.
(3)
Donna C.
Overpriced. ..small portions. ..good customer service. My food was cold they did heat it but I won't comeback.
(3)
Jonathan M.
The food was pretty good. All the plates are shareable so Id recommend to get a few things to share. The watermelon salad is very good - better than at other southern kitchens in soflo. Simple dish but tasty The shells and cheese with shrimp super yum - it makes a really good side but it's even good enough to have as a main dish for one person. The place needs work on the decor and the layout though. It's cute from the outside but inside it looks like they just threw a bunch of random tables in a big empty space w a bar in the middle. It had great potential to be really cute inside and they wasted it. Not sure if they ran out of money or something. Now a days it's not just good to have great food you also have to provide a good ambiance or it kind of kills it. Work on that and you'll have a great place this side of 95.
(3)
Jimmi L.
Bad Service To loud Ordered Pork chops and Beans and Beer can chicken Both came out RAW!!!!! Waited forever for the waitress and she comes back with a Hostess who proceeds to argue with me about getting more food! After telling her the Fourth time No she goes and get a guy that might be the chef/cook So he asked "what the Problem" Really? Well if You made one mistake that could slide But you had both Chicken and Pork come out and Both were RAW! Reading other reviews it seems this is a common thing at Southern Swank Kitchen So he asked if we were Interested in returning for a meal on the House. I said not a chance! After reading all the other reviews and it seems like they do not take care of anything! Went to Knucklehead Burger up the Street! Good burger their! Best to avoid Southern Swank Kitchen all together!
(1)
Vincent S.
Best pork sliders on the planet, great spare rib meatloaf. Service is attentive and friendly. Place is spotless clean, great bar area and TV's too for games. It has it all if you're looking for a great place with great food in West Broward. You want great food served with a smile in a comfortable setting? Southern Swank is the place to go.
Went for brunch around 2 pm. We were seated right away and had a great server. The chicken and waffles was the best I've ever had. The chicken wasn't too greasy, it was cooked really well. And the waffles were great with the marshmallow sauce. My boyfriend had the fried steak and eggs, he liked it as well but he liked the chicken and waffles better. We also had the biscuits with bacon jam, it was really good! And I don't even like bacon lol can't wait to go back and try other things in the menu
(4)
Holly O.
Went here on a Tuesday evening with another couple and used a Groupon. Decor was kind of cute and casual... could have used just a little more refining but okay. The restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated quickly in a booth. Our server was a little more concerned with being "in character" than being a really good server... not terrible but not great either (and I think he was new and in training so I'll give him a pass). We asked about bar specials and he told us that most bar drinks were half price so we ordered 3 different drafts and a glass of wine. Later he asked if we wanted another round so we ordered 2 more drafts and another glass of wine... only to be told AFTER they were delivered to our table that the bar special was now over and the drinks were full price. Also when checking the bill at the end we realized that we were charged for a different (more expensive) draft than we ordered. When we pointed this out the server admitted that he had brought the wrong draft... and not only that he gave the wrong drafts to the wrong people. He made no offer to adjust the price and quite honestly didn't really apologize. Not very good customer service... but maybe that was a training issue... who knows. Now for the food... we wanted to order the fried green tomatoes but were told that they were taken off the menu. Disappointing since I saw some good reviews for them and had never tried them before but we ordered the fried pickles instead. I had only just tried fried pickles at another establishment about 2 weeks earlier and liked them. Swank's fried pickles were very light on the pickles... All I could really taste was the very thick and slightly overdone breading. Like I said not terrible but not very good. Based on reviews I wanted to order the short rib meatloaf but guess what.... taken off the menu(do you see a trend here?). So I ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was pretty good but would have preferred something other than fries on the side... no substitutions though. I think my husband had some type of steak which was okay. My friend ordered the wedge salad and was told that they were out of blue cheese so they could not make the blue cheese dressing... for goodness sake how could you run out of a basic ingredient on a Tuesday night? In the end somehow they managed to bring her a wedge salad with the blue cheese dressing... who knows how. Our other friend ordered the chicken and waffles which he said were okay. All in all it wasn't terrible but I'm not sure I'd go back... which is a shame because I love the idea and theme of this restaurant and I normally love down home country cooking. Also, they should change their online menu to reflect their menu changes... fried green tomatoes and meatloaf are still listed.
(2)
Erick O.
I am a big fan of southern food. Being a regular of Yardbird and Swine, my expectations were high I'll be honest. I wanted to see how this restaurant stacked up against my go-to locations for southern food. Upon arrival I wasn't impressed with the parking situation. There was a bus in the back that I was wondering why was it there. In addition, 2 vehicles that were not properly parked that made it quite difficult to get out of the last row of parking, you don't need to be Jeff Gordan but it was tricky. I wonder if that area can be expanded maybe valet to a different location? Missis said the wait was 45min. No worries we can explorer the location, see the photo booth and watch the ambiance and habits of waiters and guests. Upon arrival I was greeted by a younger girl. She apologized for the long wait and asked us if we wanted water or tea. We opted for water and she gave us the menu's so we can glance. That was a plus. Very nice gesture by Swank. The young girl was very nice girl don't get me wrong she was a sweet heart. However, I think to host or be at the forefront of the entrance she needs to be a bit more assertive, we observed how she was a bit shaken or rattled by some of the questions on the menu and drinks or patrons asking her for updates. Nothing some training and some polishing can't cure. I ordered Swamp water for my girlfriend and Caramel Apple Moonshine. The dry ice made the name of the drink stand out for swamp water, it almost looked like it came out of one of the canals in the back minus the infested water with what looked like a gummy worm, but it was tasty and the presentation was very good. The caramel apple was delicious. I really enjoyed it, the caramel/ dulce leche type candy in the small plastic fork gave it presentation points. But the taste! Wow. It took me a while to order drinks, seems between the people eating at the bar and others lounging made it difficult for other attempting to order drinks. I also noticed it was very difficult for the servers and the severs assistant to bring out the food due to a small narrow walk way next to the kitchen that is congested by people at the bar lounging and others trying to order. I saw the servers bumping into each other quite often and telling patrons to excuse them, or having to wait to bring food to the tables because of the congestion in that area. Maybe something can me done there help expedite the service and maximize efficiency. Would be easier for everyone to come up with space in that area or change the layout for the servers there. I am sure they have noticed it. I also noticed or maybe its me, but the kitchen seems a little small. Don't get me wrong, the kitchen is like my grandmother, she may be tiny but man she can pack a punch of flavor in her food. It just seems like the kitchen staff and the servers are drowning them selves in a cup because of the lack of space. Maybe there is more space inside the kitchen that I can't see. Don't know but maybe this is one of the reason for some of the most recent bad reviews of slow service? Not sure but it would help to maximize that space somehow. Servers for the most part look like they know what there doing, I give them credit that stretch from 8:30 or so to about 11:00pm that we were there WAS busy. I saw several of them busting there butt so credit to them. So after my 45 mins, my girlfriend ask one of the managers or senior staff a young man in a black polo with thin black hair for a status on the wait. He said 30 min or so? She looked at him in disbelief and asked him was that on top of the 45 minutes that we had already been waiting and were told when we first arrived? He looked perplexed, he apologized kinda cheesy salesmen and said he would get us a table in about 10 minutes as they were clearing out and bringing checks to several tables, I said no problem. Let me tell you it did not help there were two girls in a table we observed clearly finished eating several minutes ago. The waiter did everything she could to offer more drinks, dessert, food, etc but the girls would not bite, they just stayed taking and taking space. The guy in the polo game back and apologized again and offered to buy us drinks. I was very impressed, not even at a fancy steak house have I gotten that gesture. We thanked him but declined. I understand it was very busy. As he promised in 10 minutes we were sat. Country fried steak and Mac for me Misses had The Yelp, we also ordered Crab Hush Puppies and Pork Sliders. WOW WOW WOW. This is was did it for me. The food was delicious! A+ Worth the wait. Sliders on point, the pickle made the pork stand out more dry tender, That marshmallow on the Yelp, WOW. Steak was juicy and the shoe string fries gave it spunk. That crab!! Flakey. The guy in polo came back with a free Caramel Moonshine. You sir showed this customer Swank means something to you and you want it to prosper. Showed me this place wants to thrive. Impressed.
(4)
Ana Cristina P.
Southern Shank. That's what it SHOULD be called after my first (and most likely ONLY) experience at this restaurant. What a disaster. From start to finish. The waitress, albeit pleasant, could not handle such a large party (there were around 12 of us). The restaurant couldn't handle a typical Saturday night either. They ran out of glasses for water, so half of our table never got any (despite the waitress repeatedly telling us there was water on its way). We never got utensils, so one of us had to get up, go to the bar, and grab silverware for our whole table. How embarassing, Southern Swank. The disaster continues... Our drinks took forever, so we were experiencing this mess of a meal completely sober. Good thing we were in good company. There's no people I would rather have had by my side than the folks I was with! The excuse for some of the drinks taking forever? "They're right there, at the bar, but I had no one to run them". (the bar is about 10 feet from our table). I'd love to give that excuse to my patients at work: "I'm sorry ma'am, your medication is RIGHT THERE (can't you see it?!), but the ER pharmacy tech hasn't brought it in here yet". That would go over QUITE well, don't you think? After an hour and change, we FINALLY get our food. Well, most of us do. One of us was completely forgotten, the waitress stating that our friend "never ordered any food", when we all heard her order with the rest of us. I (and one other person at the table) ordered the meatloaf. I bite into it, and there's a mysterious "crunch", audible but not exactly palpable in my mouth. Strange, I thought to myself. We both dissect our meatloaf, only to discover it was raw. COMPLETELY. RAW. *heaves* We proceed to tell the waitress, who took them back to the kitchen. We tell her to forget the order entirely. Except, when the check arrives at our table, there they are: two raw, poisonous meatloaves still on the check. Cue manager. Manager makes up some story about how he "JUST took them off the check 2 minutes ago, which is why you didn't see it reflected here". Riiiight. OK. Took another 10 years for the bill to get squared away. I rarely go on a tirade of this magnitude when I write a review, but it was a completely failure of a meal from start to finish. One star for the free photobooth. So there's that. Get your act together, Southern Swank...and do it quickly, before you become just another ghost of a dining establishment.
(1)
Adrienne K.
I love this restaurant's unique twist on Southern style cook'in! The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. I have eaten here twice so far and due to the generous friends at my table I think I've tried almost everything on the menu. My husband's favorites are the pork sliders and the mac and cheese, great for an appetizer or a snack at the bar. The St. Louis ribs have the perfect smoky flavor. The cowboy steak is big enough to share but you'll want all of the deliciously rich herb butter that comes on top for yourself. For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, my favorite is the chicken and waffles which successfully balances sweet with savory, love the subtle sage in the sauce. The Snickers Mason Jar is a truly unique dessert and is something I will get every time it go. I don't particularly like peanuts, but they are not overwhelming. The buttery caramel sauce is to die for! Don't forget to take your pic in the photo booth in the back of the restaurant ;)
(5)
Erica K.
Weird place. Kind of had a chain feel to it... it was empty when my friend and I went and the service was very slow and the food wasn't good. Had high hopes because I love southern style food but this just failed.
(2)
Annamarie T.
Food was very plain. It appears that swank might be closing. Ordered chicken wings. Took 45 minutes for my food to be served. Wings were OK. Have had much better many times at other restaurants. I now pretty much understand why reviews are so unkind. Sorry, swank. Maybe you are not closing and maybe you can get it together.
(1)
Donald W.
Southern Swank is a fun Restaurant with tasty drinks, fun takes on Southern classics and even a Photo Booth. We went on a wednesday, which had a great promotion going which allowed ladies to get their first glass of wine for a penny. My friends and I ordered the crab hush puppies, there macaroni and cheese, and a bunch of their recommended specialty dishes. Some of their popular dishes are: their chicken waffles, (with marshmallow spread). They also are known for their chicken fried steak and those sweet St. Louis ribs. Once you get past the dining hall area the back is a well lit fun factory filled with a Photo Booth, music and TV screens for you to watch shows that are being played (hopefully it's sports related). I recommend going if you want a modern take on some southern comforts foods. Although the wait time can be pretty long, due to the lack of tables, the food is worth the wait and it's filled with delicious flavors.
(4)
Lenya S.
This place was a good first impression. Nicely decorated with the southern look. The staff is dressed in cowboy boots with different platted shirts. We were attended to right away, no wait. Our waiter was very nice and was familiar with the menu. He mentioned the special of the day; and gave us three menus to look at wine , cocktails, and the food. I have to say they should consider consolidating the menus. For appetizers we ordered fried green tomatoes and hush puppies. The fried breaded green tomatoes didn't have any taste whatsoever, on the other hand the hush puppies were okay, at least it had taste. For the main entree, my hubby ordered the meatloaf and I ordered the ribs, with a side of fries and cole slaw. The ribs were really good. Best ribs I've had, soft and not too saucy. My hubby loved his meatloaf. The cole slaw was salty instead of sweet/tangy. Very bad taste in my mouth. For my daughter we ordered the mini burger and the patty was overcooked and hard as a rock. Not my fav place, but wouldn't mind going back to have the ribs again.
(3)
Hilda H.
It's a high scale, BBQ/country food restaurant. The service is great. The drinks I love. Their swamp water is awesome. We eat in wood planks and steel pots. The service is great, when I came in I had the swamp water, they didn't have the dry ice because it was coming from Miami, apparently I got there first, coming from the same place, bummer. I ordered my meal the beer can chicken, which I had with cole slaw and fries, and I definitely had to order their Mac and cheese shells (to die for). My friend ordered their meat loaf which sits nicely in a pumpkin mash and some arugula. Our server was supper nice and attentive. The owner came around a couple of time to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Before I finished my meal, the ice arrived and Michael, the manager treated me to another swamp water on the house but with the full effect. I like a little far but every time I find myself venturing through Dania, I have a nice restaurant to come to, where the drinks are tough, the food is good and the the service is friendly.
(4)
Danelia N.
First impression, place was nice, liked the atmosphere. Ordered the mac and cheese shells which was awesome! And the crab hush puppies were yummy too. Ordered the country fried steak and chicken and waffles and both didnt disappoint. Portion was big. Only downfall was that no fountain drinks which i think for a place that carries mainly fried entrees, you would prefer refills and not a tiny coke bottle that will finish in 2 sips which is over priced! Also the selection of food was pretty small, not much to choose from. Definitely better to go there just for drinks at the bar and to eat the mac and cheese! Will be back eventually but didnt live up to the hype.
(4)
Angie S.
Swank is near where I work so I stop in sometimes for a drink at the bar and their bar bites. Their mac n' cheese is one of my favorites. Served in a little cast iron skillet. Really rich and delicious. Pork sliders and wings are also really good. Pretty good beer selection and the cocktails aren't bad. The caramel apple one is good if I'm looking for something sweet. Sean the bartender is really friendly. He's engaging which helped when I was there having dinner by myself. My only complaint is I wish they stayed open a little later on the weekend. The bar is big so it would be nice to hang out a little longer on a Saturday night.
(4)
Kristina K.
Let me start off with the food is really good. Its a shame that their staff is really disappointing. 1 hour at the bar and spent most of it watching the bartenders talk and flirt with each other. Then the managers were having mtgs and talking to everyone again preventing extra drinks from being sold:( Definitely try the pork sliders and ask about specials at least three time because each bartender told us something different or forgot something. If they could get their act together this place could be great. The wings were
(2)
MICHELLE C.
Southern food, well I have to disagree, their food is not very Southern IMO. Debating on two or three stars but I just had to stick with my original feelings of two. Why? First this trend of Southern food is killing me lately. Most of these places are not very Southern. Sure the decor is. When we arrived we walked in and I immediately did not like the layout of this restaurant at all. It's an open dining room with tables very close to each other and a very few booths lined up against the wall. They have a deer head on one wall, a bar area that is small with a stage at the front of the dining area. We got seated right in front of the stage which was awkward but I did not want to try and attempt to wait for a better table for 30 minutes. Our server was great, she was super friendly and kept checking on us. We started with the crab hush puppies and I had no complaints, they were good. As I sat their looking over the menu I had a very hard time finding something to order. The menu is limited and small. Shoot after ordering a swamp water cocktail I had to choose something so I figured I would be safe with the beer can chicken. The swamp water cocktail was OK, at first I enjoyed it but after a few gulps I realized it was not for me. When our food arrived the band started to play. Sure it was loud but I really did not mind. They were a lovely band playing old school tunes that most people would have no clue unless you were born in the 60's. I did enjoy listening to them. Off to the side of my plate was a PBR beer can filled with gravy. I like gravy so I rushed to pour it all over my chicken. First bite, oh no no no! This gravy was just wrong. I quickly looked at my husband and daughter and said no way can I eat this so please help yourselves. Hubby had ordered the ribs which he said was just OK so he ate my entree as well. The cole slaw was good and the fries were not bad so I did eat them. What exactly was it in the gravy that I did not like at all. Not quite sure but it had the strangest taste ever, very bitter and super rich which over powered the chicken. The chicken was just chicken, nothing stood out to me. I thought well maybe I ordered the wrong thing but there was literally nothing on the menu that I liked. So for me this is not a place I would ever visit again. Having a Southern father born and bred in Kentucky and my mother who cooks amazing Southern food and lives in the South. ll I can say is this was NOT no where near what I am use to. Trendy, awful dining area, and a huge disappointment in the food. And I found the prices to be ridiculous.
(2)
Savanna M.
Wow, I was actually plesantly surprised by Swank!! I waited until the last possible day to use my groupon since it sounded from the other reviews that they had some initial groupon hickups that I wanted to avoid. I wasn't sure what to expect when walking in, but it's clear that they've put a lot of work in to remodeling this place. One side has a large bar area and many tvs, the other side is a more formal dining area. We chose to sit on the dining side at one of the booths. My biggest complaint is that the table was a bit small for the booth and I ended up sitting on the edge of my chair to reach my food. After sitting our waitress came over to take our orders. The wine list had two prices for some - I'm assuming glass and bottle, if so the bottle prices are insanely cheap...perhaps it's for a carafe or something else, I should have asked but decided to order the swamp water. The waitress did warn me that this drink is strong but I assured her that tequila is my thing. Well, yes, it was strong lol, borderline too strong but still good and I appreciated the presentation. On to the food, we started with the fried green tomatoes and the shrimp and grits. Both were good, though I discovered I'm not much a fan of remoulade sauce - I googled and it's a tartar sauce relative which explains it, but still the fried green tomatoes were tasty. For entrees we went with the bone in pork chop over baked beans and the hangar steak. I loved my steak and it came out perfectly cooked. The plate itself was a little bit on the lukewarm side but the pork chop was piping hot. The bf proclaimed it was the best pork chop he ever had and proceeded to chew on the bone. For a dessert we shared the bread pudding, excellent and perfect sized portion where we didn't feel guilty for getting dessert! I think Swank may still need some find tuning, the menu is a bit limited and may be a bit pricey for the area, but the service I received was great (our water glasses were promptly filled) and the manager even stopped by at the end of our meal to check on us.
(4)
Jessica T.
Decent food. Ambiance seemed a little cold, they needed to play music or something. They had a Photo Booth which was a unique touch for a restaurant. Great cocktails.
(3)
Amber M.
I heard about this place and then read the reviews about it. It had pretty good reviews. A few of us decided to try it. All I can say it was awful!! It took forever to get are appetizers. Well over an hour. Then the food came out one by one and cold. The chicken and waffles were so over cooked and no chicken. So much batter that was over cooked. And there was paper in chicken. It was just not me that thought it was gross. From start to finish it took over 3 hours. And the 75.00 dollar bill was not worth what they charge for the food.
Penny Wine night. Just left. When we ask about it to our waiter, we are excited about and plan to do it, You don't tell the people when the bill comes and charge your customers $40 for 4 glasses of terrible wine. Whats that after we ordered and got our bill now you tell us that its only on house wine while you charge $10 a glass for $10 a bottle terrible store wines. The food was good enough were we would have easily come back, but this will be a one stop shop thanks to the terrible service.
(1)
Jorge L.
Swank is a great cool option for dinner and drinks in the broward area. The sliders were awesome and they have a great beer selection both craft bottles and draft.
(3)
Mary R.
This place has much potential. The atmosphere, overall layout, and design of the restaurant was well thought out. The food was good. We had the hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, Mach n cheese with pork belly and (of course) the chicken and waffles. Everything tasted good, the only thing that really stood out was their Mac and cheese. The service needs A LOT of work. Our waitress was cute and friendly but had no experience what so ever. Service would get two stars. The free photo booth in the end was a delightful, playful touch. Overall I had a good time.
(4)
Navene S.
I have been here 3 times before and I always get the amazing chicken and waffles. I absolutely loveeee the marshmallow sauce and the touch of hot sauce they give you on the side. I have tried their country fried steak and their mesquite chicken as well, both very tasty. Their cocktails are very creative but they are super sweet. The service is good too, during my recent dine in (on a Sunday night) the server was extremely nice, checked in on us twice, and always was there to fill up our water glasses but we were the only ones there. The decor is very southern rustic with some dim lighting, its very cute. I think this place just needs a little switching of the menu, add a few more exciting items to get people coming in again.
(4)
Lisa A.
I've been reading mixed reviews on this place for months and finally decided to try it out for myself. We pull up to an empty parking lot on a Friday night. There's a sign on the door, apparently from 7/16/15 that they are closed until further notice. Weird! I wonder what happened....
Doesn't live up to the hype. All of our friends kept raving about this place, so when there happened to be a Groupon deal, we decided to give it a try. We went on a Wednesday and discovered their penny wines ($5 per glass + 1 cent for each additional glass). It was pretty empty, but they seated everyone in the same general area so it still got rowdy at times. We got crab hush puppies to start with. I don't know if we were just hungry or what, but the first one was amazing. Then all the ones after that were heavy and had practically no crab. Next we had the shrimp and grits which, as a former Southern girl, I was most excited for. Again, it was only good for the first couple of bites with the grits lacking flavor, although the shrimp and pickled greens were a nice touch and made the dish acceptable. And that's where whatever goodness there was stopped. For entrees we had the Danish ribs and Hangar steak. Everything on the ribs plate was way too sweet and lacked barbecue flavor. It felt like I was going to get a cavity if I ate more than a bite. The steak was a little better - it was cooked well, complemented nicely with the pickled onions, and I love the sprouts they used to garnish it with, but it was sooo salty. I had to scrape off all the sauce and even then it was just salt on salt on salt. Given that there weren't very many customers, I would have expected them to take extra care in preparing our food, but it seems as if the opposite happened. Overall, if it wasn't for the Groupon we definitely would've felt jipped. Maybe brunch is better, but we won't be returning to find out if that's the case.
(1)
Erica K.
Weird place. Kind of had a chain feel to it... it was empty when my friend and I went and the service was very slow and the food wasn't good. Had high hopes because I love southern style food but this just failed.
(2)
Annamarie T.
Food was very plain. It appears that swank might be closing. Ordered chicken wings. Took 45 minutes for my food to be served. Wings were OK. Have had much better many times at other restaurants. I now pretty much understand why reviews are so unkind. Sorry, swank. Maybe you are not closing and maybe you can get it together.
(1)
Mathew T.
I won't be recommending this restaurant to anyone seeking good BBQ. I've always liked the location and the concept for the area, but after dining there, I find the execution to be poor. The restaurant is too spread out, making it seem almost empty no matter how many tables are full. That night's meal consisted of 2 appetizers and 2 entrees: Crab Hush Puppies - tasted good but not the main part of our meal. Still a good buy. Shells and Cheese - nice flavor, great cheesiness, and enjoyable Full Rack of Ribs - came out looking great, not the meatiest, but flavor was good (these were not that great the next day either) Pulled Pork Sandwich - not worth it. Soggy bun that fell apart, pulled pork was lacking in flavor, and just not enjoyable. The experience was an overall okay to good night, but the price for this meal did not merit the quality of food we ate. Our server was quirky to say the least and had some attention issues with prompt response times to water and the like. But, the experience was not ruined by any service issues. My biggest concern is the value for the quality served. NOT LIKELY TO RETURN.
(2)
Natasha D.
Despite my better judgment having read some of the more critical reviews... I decided to try it out for myself and satisfy the curiosity I've had about this place since it opened. It was Thursday night around 6:30 and we were among the only people there. The first thing I noticed was the almost unbearable heat. Sun was streaming in through the western facing windows even through the dark curtains, and it was like a sauna. Our waitress said the management only turns on the ac at 4:00 each day and while no one is there, they leave the thermostat at 90 degrees. It was sweltering but we powered through... Especially since drinks were half off. Sadly the highlights of the experience were the drinks and then the dessert. Great way to bookend a lackluster meal: -chicken and waffles: I'm sorry but the marshmallow sauce does not belong. The waffle was so dry and screaming for some type of moisture. I have never in my life felt the need to add salt to fried chicken but today was the day. The breading was meh and the meat was completely under seasoned. -fried green tomatoes: again, the tomato was not seasoned properly and the cornmeal breading was soooo dry. It had some kind of mustard sauce the discs sat above that didn't work. -Mac and cheese: pasta was overcooked and under seasoned. The bacon it advertised was more like pork belly which I usually don't mind but not in this preparation. I was so unsatisfied with the food that I ordered dessert which is unusual for me. Glad that I did because the bread pudding was a definite highlight. Came with cinnamon ice cream and a delicious bourbon glaze sauce at the bottom of the cast iron skillet it was cooked and served in. Other than that, our waitress was super nice and didn't rush us at all. We were there for almost 3 hours. My friends water glass was never filled though. Unless the menu dramatically changes I will not return. Had better chicken and waffles at ROK:BGR.
(2)
Ashley B.
Super cute restaurant. I was a bit cold, but it wasn't too busy so that's probably why. Our waiter, Corey, was great. He was very attentive and gave his honest opinions on what he recommended. We ordered the Mac and cheese and the fried green tomatoes to start. I was super disappointed with the fried green tomatoes. They were very plain and the presentation was weak. The sauce on the bottom was good, not great. The Mac and cheese was delicious. It came with big pieces of bacon which added to the flavor. For our entrees, we had the fried country steak and the ribs. Both were delicious, although, I would say the country steak was better! To top it all off as though we hadn't had enough to eat, we finished our meal with their fried Oreos and homemade ice cream. They were delishhhh! All in all, if I was in the area again, I wouldn't mind going back! Enjoy!
(3)
Joy L.
Thanks to Order the Yelp! I became aware that this restaurant even existed. After celebrating our wedding anniversary a week early, when the actual day rolled around a week seemed like such a lifetime ago. Of course the obvious solution to this predicament would be to go out again! I easily chose Southern Swank. It's not too far from us, and I L-O-V-E southern food. (Also- read through several favorable reviews written by some reputable yelpers!) I called ahead to see about reservations, and was told no need for 2 on a Thursday. We arrived a bit after 7, and we were immediately seated. I love that the waitresses wear cowboy boots! The walls specially designed are a fantastic contrast to the fancy dining area. I started with the raspberry lemonade. It has real raspberries muddled into the drink. It was the perfect combination of just enough sweet and just enough kick! We ordered a couple starters: the mac and cheese and the green beans. Both delicious. The chicken and waffles was amazing. I ordered the marshmallow sauce on the side and bbq sauce. It is obvious that the entire dish is made fresh. The waffles were fantastic!! The hubs ordered the meatloaf. The pumpkin puree was an excellent addition to the dish. We were so full, but the waitress convinced us to order dessert, so glad we did. The mud slide is a chocolate lovers dream. So decadent! We took most of it home with us to enjoy the next day. During our dinner the manager stopped by. He was extremely personable and congratulated us on our anniversary. Thanks!!
(4)
Celine L.
With all the mixed reviews, I wanted to check out this place for myself- plus their Groupon deal was a good motivator too. I ordered their popular Swamp water cocktail, which sadly didn't have dry ice so it didn't have the smokey effect that I loved in the pictures. The drink still tasted good and was strong so I was still happy. I ordered the beer can chicken with a side of fries and cole slaw ($16), which was okay-the skin seems kind of tough but at least the inside was juicy. I got to taste the chicken and waffles & have NO complaints, they were absolutely PERFECT. Who knew marshmallow sauce would go so well with it! Overall it wasn't bad, just didn't knock my socks off. The prices also seemed on the higher side for comfort food--- country fried steak $22, porterhouse $38, and lowest entree was the burger for $14.
(3)
Rosabel T.
I'm going to start off, that I'm from Texas and am very familiar with southern food and BBQ. Okay, upon entrance it was semi empty on a Thursday evening. The place is decorated very interestingly. Modern art take on western/cowboy look. They have western movies playing on several tv's too. Parking is free and not hard to access. Service is great! I give her a 5/5 stars! That's what I enjoyed the most about the restaurant . I had heard they were so slow and bad service. We had a groupon to this place btw. No one was rude! Great customer service! Appetizer: crab hush puppies . Those were great! 5/5! It is served with a scallion dip. Don't be afraid to try it. It's good. The hush puppies are good without the sauce too. They had the perfect amount of breading to crab ratio and outer surface was cooked well. Entrees: I got the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. Ohh those were yummy! Although I must admit this was not the best chicken and waffles I had. What I really liked was the marshmallow sauce. The sauce gets: 5/5 and the chicken gets 4/5 (the breading around chicken lacked flavor ) , waffles were average . My boyfriend got BBQ baby back ribs. This is where we both were disappointed. The BBQ sauce that was drizzled over it was not our idea of BBQ/southern tasty BBQ sauce. The ribs themselves were very fatty and seem to lack prep that most smoked/BBQ meats take. BBQ beans were average. My boyfriend loves ribs and he has had plenty of experience with them and rates them 2/5 Unfortunately we didn't have the drinks or desserts. We are going back to try other things and give it a second shot. Only reason this review gets 3/5 today which is harsh from me. I really hesitate to put that, because great service, creative art, great appetizers and the potential it has. It just is a southern place and it didn't live up to its expectations in the chicken and waffles and ribs. Now I'm not saying do not come to the place. We are coming back to try their swamp drink and desserts and other menu items. :-)
(3)
Yannick N.
I wanted to give this place such a good review just like the other yelpers but there were so many little things that would just piss you off while dining that probably wouldn't make me return. Walked in by the side entrance; no Hostess there so I walked to the front entrance to grab a menu and WAIT to be seated just like a majority of people have stated in their reviews. Tsk tsk! Got seated in the booth with the most water spilled underneath the table* w/e Started off with the crab hush puppies and the shell mac & cheese; they both we're actually good! Ordered the Chicken & Waffles (Mind you; it's DARK meat) honestly I've never seen a C&W I didn't completely smash but this was THE FIRST!!! Friggin just puzzles me of the dark meat choice but the waffles w/ the marshmallow sauce aka "Icing" we're great. But damn I coulda just order waffles ONLY if I knew that the chicken wasn't WHITE MEAT! The $5 drink special we're good but the bartender was being lazy that night and didn't think to put any lemons on the sides of the Margaritas or Raspberry lemonades glasses until I asked. Just being LAZY! And not to be petty but one of the waffles fell off my baes plate while the server was serving us and she said she's sorry and go get another one and.. (you guessed it!) she DIDN'T (frowns)... I'm not cheap but pricing could be better for the portions... I AIN'T COMING BACK! (gotta drag me back to this place) and I'm not saying don't go but honestly this place just needs a lil work.
(2)
Henry A.
NPS = 3 I was really disappointed with this place. Finally...a good-looking, kind of trendy BBQ place in Davie that resembles something that would be found in Wynwood. Everything was Southern themed from the glass mason jars for drinks to the tray they served BBQ ribs on. You would think it would make for a great time but you would be wrong. One thing really bothered me about this place: No substitutions on dishes!! When I asked why, the server just shrugged. I wish the servers were better equipped to answer questions with more than just a shrug. This is particularly true when my girlfriend has an allergy to potatoes but still has to get the French fries because "THAT IS HOW THE MEAL COMES." Something else that really bothered me was that they brought out food for all the guests at our table and did not bring my girlfriend's plate until approximately 10 minutes later. And of course, it was loaded with fries which she is allergic to...because THAT IS THE WAY THE MEAL COMES. It took forever to get water refills and I looked at some tables and they had a jar full of ice-tea while our table had to keep asking for refills in our cups for sweet tea. I did not like the preference of treatment to one table over another. And it would be fine to lot get a jar to serve ourselves if the drinks were brought out in a timely manner. The food was actually pretty good, and that's why this place does not get 1 star. The St. Louis ribs with apple BBQ were good and smokey. The baby backs were crispier but with less meat on them so I recommend the St. Louis ones better. The appetizer wings were also plump and caramelized and the hush puppies were moist and delicious. The issue with this place is the service and customer friendliness. If they could just tweak a few things, this restaurant would be a lot better.
(2)
Edward P.
Delicious food!! Amazing tastes!! Great selection of crafts/drafts/bottles..Corey, who was the best bartender I've had in south florida when it comes to restaurants..I've passed by this place many many times ans it wasnt until I got their $30 coupon that I decided to stop by and check it out..I came in on a monday night..sitting at the bar, we get the $5 bar bites and I got wings and sliders..the swank sauce is amazing..a must have! Its like honey, hot, but not too hot and some hint of bbq..even that description doesn't do it justice..great appetizers. I decided to go do the chicken and waffles, and this was also another excellent choice..sweet-savory-well prepared- it is a great entree. Corey helped out the most with his knowledge on crafts and everything beer. He definitely made me feel welcomed and helped me find a new favorite beer in the Shark Bait Coconut...it is not sold in many stores and Corey was able to provide me a whole description and history behind the beers I would feel curious to try out. It was not packed at all as I sat down at the bar with many tables available and everyone else also see me to enjoy the environment plus tvs watching the world series.. This place is a must try out and many will enjoy the food and drinks it provides..plus the service!
(5)
Crystal A.
I don't understand how anyone could give this place 5 stars. This place is far from "Southern". You must come here knowing that this isn't true southern food. The idea on some of their meals is southern inspired but no where near taste or quality of authentic southern food. This was my second time coming here and I only went because my boyfriend really enjoys their chicken and waffles. And when I say enjoy, it's the closest chicken n waffles spot to our home if not we would go elsewhere. This business took over a billiard spot and I have driven by for years wanting to try it. My first visit was a disappointment but I think it was mostly because of my food choice that night. But since it has been a couple of months, I decided to give it another try before really making that final decision of hating it (lol). I don't know if our waiter was new but we had to constantly repeat ourselves "ketchup, refill, straws, syrup" omg it was quite annoying. How can you place drinks without straws? Give waffles with no syrup? Provide fries with our meals and no ketchup? And mind you, we had two orders of waffles and she came with ONE syrup so we had to ask to bring for the other. I don't know, a lot of things are common sense as a waitress. Don't get me wrong, really nice girl but I don't know if she understands what waiting a table is. I got ribs this time and they were eh... Definitely have had way better- ribs and chicken/waffles that is. When we asked for to go boxes, we told her we would be taking my boyfriends chicken & waffles with my left over ribs, she came back with one box. Why would we want rib bbq sauce all over the other meal? We had to tell her we need an additional box. Long story short- we ended up leaving it but since we live about 5 minutes away, we called about half an hour later. Hannah answered the phone and said she would check but to come regardless. As we are on route, she ended up calling us to tell us the boxes had been thrown away by our waiter, Amanda, and there was nothing they could do about it. Hannah then told us how if this was her table, she would hold onto the boxes until the end of the night because people come back most of the time but that our waiter didn't do that. Great way of not making your co-worker look good...We spent over $70 bucks here and this is the service you provide? Making us drive back to basically tell us to turn around? ::Sigh:: What I really like about this business is their decor. It's very modern & dim lighting. There is a photo booth near the restrooms. They have creative drinks but I don't know if they are good or bad. This isn't a place I would ever suggest to go or my first thought when I am hungry. If you think about it, they don't even have large varieties of meal options. Their first page is food than alcoholic drinks. Don't come here for Southern food, maybe come to try their marshmallow sauce on their chicken & waffles. I hope I don't end up back here sometime in the future.
(2)
Danelia N.
First impression, place was nice, liked the atmosphere. Ordered the mac and cheese shells which was awesome! And the crab hush puppies were yummy too. Ordered the country fried steak and chicken and waffles and both didnt disappoint. Portion was big. Only downfall was that no fountain drinks which i think for a place that carries mainly fried entrees, you would prefer refills and not a tiny coke bottle that will finish in 2 sips which is over priced! Also the selection of food was pretty small, not much to choose from. Definitely better to go there just for drinks at the bar and to eat the mac and cheese! Will be back eventually but didnt live up to the hype.
(4)
Danielle R.
I have to update my review after my Groupon/ Bar Experience. I tried this place for Brunch with moms and was not impressed, but they had a Groupon deal that came out for Monday-Thursday dinner so I thought I'd try it again. I have a friend that lives in Davie so we decided to meet here for dinner. I got there a tad early and sat at the bar. I was greeted by Jacob, he was the best. Great service from this guy! He informed me they had $5 vodka specials and $5 bar eats...I ordered a drink and the $5 fried green tomatoes as I know my friend likes them. When she arrived she ordered a drink and we polished off the tomatoes. At this point, we decided to stay up at the bar and enjoy more bar eats and Jacob's great service. We ordered (all $5 at the bar) -the pulled pork sliders- 2 an order-delicious with homemade pickles -chicken wings- really good, 5 to an order we were impressed -mac 'n cheese- our least favorite but to share for $5 why not AT this point, I had to ask myself if this was the same restaurant? I was very full and our meal cost $20 for 2! Great value, great food, and great service #boom And they allowed me to use my Groupon to boot
(5)
Jade A.
I REALLY wanted to like this place. I really did! I went for brunch on Father's Day because I'd been twice before for dinner and each time was fantastic! I started with the biscuits and bacon jam -- it was $7 so my expectations were high. Turns out it ended up being PILLSBURY instant biscuits with a decent bacon-y, onion-y jam. And you only get 2. I could buy two whole rolls of those biscuits from public for $7-- rip off #1. For my meal I ordered the southern French toast with apple pie filling. TERRIBLE! The French toast was thin and tasteless. It was probably Aunt Jemima French toast if you ask me and only came with two teaspoons of syrup-- ripoff #2. My friends ordered the shrimp and grits and both were returned due to lack of flavor, and ultimately, lack of effort. Very underwhelming.
(2)
Joan L.
A funny thing happened at Swank Southern Kitchen between my first and second visit: a loss of southern hospitality and a huge increase in "attitude". My husband ate here the first week it opened & enjoyed it so much that I promptly purchased 2 Groupons for this new & exciting restaurant right in our neighborhood. I would say my first visit here was a 5. Yes, it is a limited menu, but everything was well prepared (fish, hush puppies, chicken & waffles). Service was a bit slow but everyone was very friendly, our Groupon was taken with a smile, and the owner had plenty of time to stop by our table to chat & welcome us. Fast forward a couple of months....used our 2nd Groupon before it expired & we were made to feel like cheapo pariahs for doing so. Our server knew nothing about the Groupon and had to keep going back to ask the owner which items we were "allowed" to order. We had some controversy about whether or not I could order the fish entree that I had gotten last time (on the Groupon). The owner (we were told he was in house) was supposed to stop by but never did. A manager eventually straightened it out but the whole incident gave me a very uneasy & unwelcome feeling. My husband also had a an offer for a free appetizer from a Yelp check-in. We were told very unapologetically that it was expired & would not be honored. Much has been written about the food. Crab hushpuppies: Nice fried dough but I really did not taste crab. Fried green tomato - not really my thing. My kids LOVE the chicken & waffles and they get it with extra marshmallow sauce. The fried chicken is pretty good & the waffles are okay. Husband got Beer Can Chicken. Not bad for a roasted chicken (I still prefer Costco's). Fries were very flavorful & crispy (beware of the spicy ketchup on the side!). My Snapper was very well prepared, but I am not a fan of the sides it comes with: the black syed peas were very hard & collard greens are really not great. Our server was pleasant & seemed uncomfortable with the Groupon debacle. It was not really her fault that the food was very slow coming out of the kitchen. As a Davie resident I was so excited to see SSK come to our neighborhood. We need more diversity in our dining scene & this is a great addition! A few suggestions from a local to help improve & ensure your longevity ( and yes, I am rooting for you!) 1) If you offer a deal (Groupon, Living Social, Yelp Check In, whatever)...have your manager and servers know about it. Honor it with a smile and please don't make the customer feel badly about using it. Don't change the terms after you sell it (which you did with your Groupon by changing the days of use). 2) Let people substitute sides! If my husband hates cole slaw, what is the big deal about letting him substitute with some beans? I would also frequent your establishment more if I knew I could get the fish with sides other than black eyed peas & collard greens. Please be a little less rigid & more customer friendly in that respect. 3) Diversify your menu a bit or at least have some daily specials. Maybe a soup? Fish prepared another way? There are so many other "southern style" dishes to try. Your current "creative" southern menu gets pretty boring after you have been there a couple of times. 4) Add a luscious southern dessert (maybe a Cobbler with Ice Cream, a fabulous pie?). The Bread Pudding was a nice add. Banana and Snickers Pudding are pretty boring. 5) Appreciate your locals. After many years in Davie I have seen plenty of places come and go. After all the hype has died, we will be your bread & butter. (By the way, no bread & butter served here. With the high price point, an interesting bread basket might be a nice touch!).
(3)
Danielle C.
To say I was dying to come here is an understatement. Because we live all the way in Miami, I was not expecting to go anytime soon, but when we were visiting a friend in the neighborhood, I begged my parents! I would hope that most people would assume by the word southern that this is NOT A PLACE FOR VEGETARIANS!!!! Upon driving up to the location, I was surprised at where it was on University. It seemed a little out in the middle of nowhere (I know its by Nova), but it definitely stands out! Upon walking in I was a little uncomfortable because of the layout. all of the tables are jammed into the restaurant, right on top of each other. The hostess desk is hard to find and weirdly located. Once I found what I assumed to be the hostess desk, a girl greeted me and told me it was a thirty minute wait (it was a Saturday night). We said OK and went to the bar. After perusing the drink list, we were excited to try them out. I definitely appreciated that they put prices on the drink list! After about 5 minutes the hostess told us our table was ready.....Oh ok. However, she sat us about 5 inches from the band that was setting up to play in 45 minutes. I wasn't too excited about that. Service was awesome! We had a really nice girl who was great about water and cleaning off the table. I drank the Ring of Fire, which was delicious and strong! We ordered the Crab Hush Puppies to start. They were delicious! Next time I would ask for more of the sauce they came with though. Our entrees took a long time to come out so we ordered a side of corn bread to munch on. OH MY GOODNESS! This was ALMOST as good as what my Grandma makes in Mississippi! It came with a sweet cinnamon butter that I slathered on the warm bread! Just YUM! I almost ate the whole loaf by myself. I guess I am giving 3 stars instead of 4 because of the entrees and entree selection. I ordered the Shrimp N Grits off the appetizer menu and Shells N Cheese. The shrimp n grits were just ok. The grits were overcooked and some of the flavors in it seemed unnatural, especially with the shrimp. Shells n cheese were just ok as well. The pork belly in it was too large of chunks and incredibly fatty. Most of the pieces were inedible because you couldn't even chew them. Mom ordered the beer can chicken. She didn't like the gravy, but the normal chicken would have been fine. It came with buttermilk coleslaw which was delicious, and french fries which were pretty good. Dad got the St Louis Ribs and said they were just okay. I was a little turned off by the few choices of entrees they had. This is definitely a place for people who crave the sweet and salty type foods. The prices for the entrees were a little steep to me, especially given the portions and in Davie of all places. While I didn't like the setup of the restaurant, it didn't bother me too much because we weren't in Miami with swarms of rude people! And once the band started, it was too much! The restaurant was loud enough as it was, and then the band started and while they were good, the volume was unnerving and we were RIGHT up front. Im glad we finally got to try this place! While the drinks were awesome, and the service was great, the food was average.While I don't think I would make the drive up there just for this place, maybe if we were in the area again we may stop by.
(3)
Natalie M.
Just finished Sunday brunch with my husband at this establishment. Disappointing and average at best. The beginning of my below average experience began before we even arrived...being unsure about where to go for brunch, I looked up this spot due to driving past and seeing the "Sunday brunch 11-3" sign...it wasn't clear if there was a different menu for said brunch, so I called and asked. The girl who answered the phone literally answered it as if I was calling her personal phone...three rings and then an abrupt "Hello?!?" I replied and asked my question..."hi, I was just looking online and was wondering if you offer a different menu for brunch or if it's just the normal menu you have listed on your website..?" To which I received another abrupt response, "online!" I thanked her for her obviously ill-informed response and decided to do more digging, via yelp, and found that they do, in fact, offer an entirely different menu during brunch hours....strike one and I'm not even inside the restaurant... Being as I am very experienced in the service industry, I wanted to give this place the benefit of the doubt...maybe they're busy, maybe brunch is a new thing and they're just trying to get their bearings? (Even though the answer to my brunch menu question was found in a review left four months ago.) So, we went anyway...walking in, we were immediately put off by the loud, mainstream country music blaring through the speakers...not their fault though, we are from nashville and absolutely cannot stand country music but have found it runs rampant everywhere else in the country...we were told to "wait a minute.." as two hostesses turned their backs to us and conversed amongst themselves for a few minutes, not even asking how many we had or if we had a reservation, which we did. We were told to follow a girl who led us to a table. I informed her of our reservation but that we obviously didn't need it...only then were we asked our name and how many we had.. After being seated, we waited almost ten minutes before a server acknowledged our existence..I counted a total of four servers that walked by, looked at our empty table and went on their way before we were given waters and told that our server would be with us shortly... Another seven minutes goes by and finally, a girl greets us. We told her we were completely prepared to order, ordered our drinks and food choices and then she was gone.. We then waited almost twenty minutes for our drinks...one mimosa and one redneck mimosa. Didn't realize it took that long to pour one (pre-made) mimosa and make another? Once we get our drinks, we try to just enjoy them but began to wonder where our food was after another twenty five minutes passed... At this point, we've been told three separate times that "your food is almost up." Not sure who's food she was referring to by the last time but it definitely was not ours.. After a grand total of 56 minutes of waiting, our food finally arrives. My husband ordered the breakfast burger, which looked awesome, and I ordered the chicken and biscuits...now, please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't chicken and biscuits usually served with white gravy? I would've loved to have seen that it was going to come with (barely any) brown gravy and some kind of stuffing underneath..definitely made me feel like I was eating a hearty thanksgiving type meal instead of brunch...disappointing but I guess it's my own fault for assuming and not clarifying. A manager came over to the table and apologized for how long the food took...then informed us that they would comp a dessert for us...which, im sorry if this is rude but, the last thing we wanted to do was wait another 30 minutes for a dessert we didn't even want...but we thanked her and she left. A dessert menu was never brought to us. I flagged down a gentleman in a tie, who I assumed was some sort of manager, and asked him for a dessert menu...to which we were given an eye roll..didn't think we asked for that but hey, who knows? He dropped the menu and walked away. Our server returned and began suggesting desserts...the first she suggested had a disclaimer that it would take at least 15 minutes for it to be made...it took everything in me not to joke that we didn't have another hour to waste while they played around with chocolate and ice cream in the kitchen...so we ordered the carrot cake to go. After waiting for it and it being delivered to us, we were then asked if we wanted our check.........obviously, we do..thanks. All that to say, get your shit together, southern swank! You have a lot of potential but no one with the potential to harness it! We will not be returning.
(2)
Susan C.
I've been to Swank three times and I think last night was my last time since I just got food poisoning from Smoked Chicken & Green Bean Skillet appetizer! It was swimming in oil and I should have sent it back, but did not so I ended up with a host of stomach issues overnight and the next morning. They also pulled a big switcheroo on penny wine night (Wednesdays)! You used to get your first glass of wine for a penny, and the website still advertises this. But, last night, it magically turned into a 2 for 1, with the first glass being $5 and the second one being a penny. I only wanted one glass. If you go, the service is very good and the Shrimp & Grits appetizer is the best thing on the menu. The Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer is good and so is the side of cornbread, oversized with a side of cinnamon butter. The Chicken & Waffles is both good and bad. When I had it, the chicken was moist and crispy and were complimented by the waffles. However, the marshmallow sage sauce overwhelmed the dish - ask for it on the side if that's possible. Eat here informed at at your own risk.
(2)
Nicole K.
Had brunch here for the first time today and will definitely be back. We had Southern Eggs Benedict, Chicken & Waffles, and Country Fried Steak. The drinks and desserts were also very tasty and unique,
(5)
Tina B.
I love a creative menu almost as much as I love world-class service. For these reasons, Southern Swank Kitchen is one of my new local favorites. We arrived a little before our reservation time and enjoyed some appetizers and drinks at the bar. The bartender was friendly and helpful. He was busy but never made us feel rushed or forgotten. Appetizers were amazing (fried green tomatoes and crab hush puppies). We moved to a table for dinner. The tables offer a nice intimate feel. Service, again, was impeccable. We had the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. It was a little on the sweet side but still truly delicious. As an alternative, they offer a blue chicken and waffles which we were told is a little more spicy than sweet. We will definitely try that next time!
(5)
James M.
Hidden gem in davie was driving by and found this place. Great food and even better bar and service. Would recommend to anyone looking for something different with some swank.
(5)
Jessica G.
I purchased the Swank groupon...I think before the restaurant even opened...and finally got around to using it last night. I have debated three or four stars. I decided to go with three, but I don't think I would hesitate to go back to Swank, I would just do things a little differently next time. I went in for dinner on a Sunday night. I had made a reservation through open table, but this this particular night the reservation probably wasn't necessary, though we were on the later end of dinner. We were seated promptly and given the food and drink menus on clipboards...it was kind of a cute menu presentation. I would have liked to have tried one of the specialty cocktails, but I figured I could save a few calories and just do a glass of wine as their specialty drinks look fun and delicious, but they also look pretty sugary. I ordered the Riesling and I really appreciated that it was served very cold in a chilled glass. I like my white wine very cold. With the Groupon, we were to receive an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. I knew I wanted the shells and cheese because it is important to me that if mac and cheese is on the menu I try it. I also decided to add on the chicken wings as my boyfriend was interested in them. There was a little bit of a wait for the appetizers but I was happy because I had my wine. The wait wasn't excessive but if you are in a rush I'm not sure this is the place for you. The shells and cheese were quite good. They had a creamy cheese sauce, which is my favorite kind of mac and cheese, and had an overall smoky flavor that was enhanced by pork belly pieces. I was impressed by the chicken wings also. I am not really a chicken wing person, but I would definitely get these again. They were quite large, the outside was very crispy and the bbq sauce was quite good. The entrees came out very shortly after the appetizers. I ordered the hanger steak and my boyfriend had the ribs. The hangar steak was cooked perfectly and the overall flavor was good. It was served with a potato hash that had somewhat of a gravy to it and there was also a white (I believe horseradish based) sauce on the plate. My complaints with the hanger steak were that the entree as a whole was a little cold...like maybe it wasn't served right off the grill or maybe the sauce/potato wasn't heated properly and had cooled everything down. It was also a little too saucy and overwhelmed the steak a little. My boyfriend had the ribs and as he was eating them I noticed they seemed difficult to eat...as in the meat wasn't easily coming off the bone. I asked to try a bite and I literally had to bite it off the rib and couldn't just pull a piece of pork off with my fingers, I just think that they could have been cooked differently so that they weren't as tough. The ribs came with coleslaw which didn't taste to me like anything special. For dessert we decided to go with the snickers custard. It was good, though very rich. The portion wasn't large, but was easily shared between the two of us as it was very sweet....but it did taste a lot like snickers...and I liked that it had whole peanuts in it. I probably wouldn't order dessert again as their options are pretty limited to custard/pudding type things and that is generally not my go to..but I'm glad I got to try it. Reading the other reviews I was apprehensive and worried about service, but I found our waitress (Jessie I think) to be friendly and attentive, and she seemed to know the menu well and was willing to make a few recommendations when I asked. The main reason I went with three stars was the the entrees are were just not four star material for the price point and definitely could use a little improvement; however, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Swank and do drinks and make a meal out of the starters. I would still like to try the fried green tomatoes and I would definitely order the shells and cheese and chicken wings again.
This is a review for the Sunday brunch. Everything was delicious and great presentation but portions were small. The decor inside is also really great. It does feel like a restaurant in the south for sure. They also have a decent breakfast drink menu with a good selection.
(4)
Leo K.
I am a bit on the fence about this place, but i'll probably say its a solid 3.5. Not sure this place lives up to the southern name food wise, which is the real reason for the 3.5 I do like the atmosphere and decor and staff is very friendly and helpful The food takes a very long time to come out and the seating process seemed like a bit of an organized chaos. When we walked in they told us a 45 minute wait but somehow we got seated within 5 minutes. The drinks: Not a bad selection of beers Drink specials were okay, but most were a bit on the syrupy sweet side The food: Chicken and waffles - chicken and waffles themselves were good but the marshmallow fluff was way to much and killed the flavor of everything, they should have stuck to syrup. I ended up scraping the marshmallow off so I can taste the delicious chicken underneath. Shells and cheese - creamy, velvety and good Crab hush puppies - my favorite of all the items on the menu, flavorful and perfect little bits The sliders - delicious, flavorful St louis ribs - while not fall of the bone, the sauce was delicious and i enjoyed them overall, the rest of the people at our table did not enjoy them as much as me. Caleslaw - was also one of my favorites, tons of flavor and a nice kick The place was a bit on the pricey side for the area and the food but coming from NY seemed pretty standard I think with a wider food selection and some refinement of the food, this place would be the perfect addition to Davie. Being from NY i expect any southern place in the south to destroy our NY southern spots, this place did not, but would be willing to come back here.
(3)
Jennifer B.
After reading some of the negative reviews I was skeptical to dine at Southern Swank. We went on a Thursday night and were seated right away. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant with country music playing! The food was great. We ordered fried green tomatoes, hanger steak, country fried steak, the Mississippi Mud dessert and sweet tea. The fried green tomatoes were very thick and could have been a little riper, but the sauce they put on them is delicious (ask for more!). Both of the entrees were very good! The Mississippi mud dessert was phenomenal! It is the BEST BROWNIE you will ever eat! Their sweet tea is good, which is a staple for a good southern restaurant. My only complaint is that it was warm and I had to ask for more ice half way through our dinner. The reason I am giving it 4 stars is because of the price. With the groupon ($15 for $30) we still spent $40 extra! I would love to come again because of the food, but there is no way I would pay $70 for the meal we ate. I wish they would make their prices a little more reasonable, then there would be no question that we would become regulars at Southern Swank. They do have $5 appetizers at the bar that ends at 7pm ( I think). I would definitely consider doing that for our next visit! You are still able to enjoy the restaurant without leaving broke at the end of the night.
(4)
Sarah S.
I have to say I'm a fan of this place! Wasn't sure what to expect due to mixed yelp reviews but I finally got the groupon and came on in. Wasn't too busy on a weeknight, sat at the bar. I must say that the bartender was extremely accommodating. From what to drink to what to eat he was patient, answered all questions, and was knowledgeable about the selections. The manager came and introduced himself and spoke a little about how all the food is fresh here, nothing is "from the box". He mentioned that even the marshmallow sauce they have is made from real marshmallows that they make in house. I found this interesting. I ordered the old fashioned. I wanted to try the swamp water but wasn't in the mood for blueberry. So I tried the old fashioned swank. It was good but I wish there had been more bourbon in it. My boyfriend and I both ordered the chicken and waffles. Of course we asked for butter, syrup, and extra hot sauce and marshmallow sauce (we are sauce people). As if we weren't already being a pain, the bartender actually added another sauce (the southern swank sweet bbq sauce) for us to try. Offer me more sauces to taste and you become my new favorite person!!! I literally cut a piece of waffle dipped it in syrup and marshmallow sauce, and cut a piece of chicken and dipped in hot sauce and the bbq sauce and ate the two bites at once. Talk about a burst of flavor!!! Not only was it delicious, but the fried chicken was boneless which I really liked and made it easier to eat. I also really liked that it wasn't dripping in grease or soggy. It was made fresh to order and truly cooked to perfection. After we were done the bartender tried to sell us desert and he almost succeeded. The way he described the bread pudding made me think twice about ordering it, maybe next time! I also noticed Tuesday's they have 2-4-1 well drinks, they have a glass of wine for 1 cent.. Yes that's right... Wine for a PENNY on Wednesdays and yelp has an in the biz 50% off on Mondays if you check in! The only downside is for the location and type of food the prices seem a bit steep. Maybe this is because everything is truly from scratch? Either way it is delicious and I will definitely be back for some of their specials and deals!!!
(4)
Navneet S.
I feel like this place could be much better. I want to give it a fourth star for potential, but I don't think that's a thing. We walked in and the place was about halfway occupied. We approached the hostess and asked for a table for 4, and she told us that it would be a 15 minute wait because the kitchen was really backed up. Apparently a large group had just left and another large group had just come in. So...that meant we couldn't sit at one of the many empty tables? We waited around for about 20 minutes and then we were finally seated, starting the night off on a really confusing note. I think the hostess was new (I hope). Otherwise it was a pretty decent experience. The food was your typical southern comfort food. I had the blue cheese chicken and waffles and tried some of the beer can chicken. Mine was a little too heavy with all that cheese, but the beer can chicken was good. Decor was cool and the service was attentive. It's not some place where I'll be dying to come back but in a pinch it's a good choice.
(3)
Lawrence P.
I've been here twice. There was a dinner with friends and a celebration of someone's birthday in the bar area. This restaurant is minutes from the house and that's a big reason to love this place. I don't do chain restaurants (Chilli's, TGIF, Applebee's) so when this place opened, had to try it! This restaurant has a great Davie atmosphere. Very relaxed, simple, spacious, All... SWANK!!! We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes which were great. The creole remoulade was perfect. The Crab Hush Puppies were perfect. We had several as we had to order more. I had the Chicken & Waffles which were solid... the only problem being they don't have syrup. Uh?!?!?!?! (they have to fix that!) The Beer Can Chicken, which is basically a free range chicken cooked perfectly and accompanied with a beer gravy which is presented inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can, was very good and pretty cool in its presentation!!! The Ribs were good as well. For dessert we ordered the Snickers Pudding and Bread Pudding... both good. As for drinks, I didn't but the wife got her butt kicked (that's how she described it) with a very strong Old Fashion Swank. On our second visit, a buddy reserved some tables by the bar and celebrated his wife's bday with some 20 friends. The girl assigned to serve us was slow, full of attitude and generally uninterested. So I ordered my food and drinks at the bar which also made it easier to keep a separate check. That night I drunk some Funky Buddha Hop Gun and Floridian I believe, and we had some light bites. This is a solid neighborhood restaurant and will be back soon and often!
I went once and wasn't thrilled. I got the chicken and waffles. the waffles were dry and over cooked. the chicken had more fat on it than meat. and the bill for 2 people with only one beer was around $80. I figured I would give it a 2nd try. however I was even more let down the 2nd time. I went yesterday with a friend we got the chicken wings and the sauce was very good. we also got the fried pickles and clearly this place likes to over cook everything not only were they burnt some were stuck together and when I pulled them apart the batter was raw and to top It off there was a hair in the batter of one of the pickles. they also did NOT give us the correct dipping sauce with the pickles. we split an order of mac and cheese. the shell pasta was like mush and the cheese just had a funny taste. we also split a full rack of ribs. the pork was very swiney and made me feel nausea after eating it. the ribs comes with a side of fries and cole slaw. which we only got the fries I had to ask for the cole slaw. the slaw did have celery seed in it which I like very much however it still wasn't great and wasn't fresh the greens were wilted . Not only is the food horrible you would think our waitress would give us two large dinner plates seeing as we were sharing everything but we only had the small appetizer plates to use. needless to say NEVER AGAIN
(1)
David L.
Poor service. When complained to manager, was given poorer excuse. Food was nothing special.Dont waste time or money here.
(3)
Sandra C.
Great food and excellent service! I've heard of this place before but haven't had the opportunity to until yesterday. I had their chicken and waffles and I feel like I died and this is what heaven must be like because it was delicious! I can't wait to tell all my friends about this place.
(5)
Kandyce V.
The food was pretty good but the service was horribly slow! The appetizers were also good.
(4)
Danielle D.
Last night, I dined at SSK with a friend after attending a Yelp event. Steven N was our server and he was great. Very friendly, very attentive. We ordered the "Blue Chicken and Waffles", cornbread, shells and cheese, and a side salad. The only unfavorable dish was the salad. The side salad came dressed with a dressing that has a very distinct bitter spice flavor. I found it to be so unappetizing I had to send the salad away. The manager was very sweet and accommodating. He offered another dish instead but we declined; he did not charge us for the salad. The cornbread was and is FANTASTIC. I love cornbread and this is some of the best. The vanilla icing served with it really takes it to another level. I could eat that cornbread daily! The shells are made with bacon, which I don't eat, but tasting the dish reveals a delicious balance of flavors. The dish was not too cheesy, or over salty. Made with white cheddar, it was very delectable. Saving the best for last, the chicken and waffles was incredible. The chicken was perfectly cooked and sauced. The dish was also served with sriracha which perfectly balances the rich bleu cheese sauce. We also had some drinks! Tried the sweet honey and raspy alcoholic beverages. They were both delicious, but the raspy tea was the best! We each had 3!!! All in all, the experience was great. I look forward to returning and I highly recommend !
(5)
Miranda P.
I really really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Not much on the menu for vegetarians, but I knew that going in. The boyfriend is a Tennessee-born, Georgia-raised BBQ connoisseur and the parents were visiting from South Carolina so a Southern Kitchen seemed to fit the bill. Let's start with how much I admire the ambiance, menu design and custom chalk typography. I'm a designer so I appreciate these kinds of details. Rarely does a restaurant look this good - but looks can be deceiving. Acoustics must have been pretty low on the list because it was loud. Really loud. And the place was only about half full on our side. And we were sat in a booth directly under a vent so I was freezing the whole time. I attempted to fashion a makeshift blanket out of napkins to no avail. (Shoulda kept watching Project Runway - there was probably at least one episode about knitting a napkin scarf using a fork and knife and empty straw wrappers.) My Strawberries and Cream Salad was scrumptious! I just wish there was about twice as much of it. I finished the dish in under 4 minutes due to the 'glorified garnish' portion size. I ordered a side of cornbread, which was amazing and had some kind of honey glaze. After $18 worth of food, I expect a full belly but I was still pretty hungry. I would have ordered more but I still have a car payment to make this month. The rest of the group was less satisfied with their meals. My mom said her mini-sized meatloaf was cold and the beans were bordering on inedible. My dad said his pork was undercooked and the boyfriend had to fight with his ribs to get the meat off the bones. In his words "I'm wrestling these ribs and the ribs are winning." The coleslaw was drowned in pepper but the fries were decent. Pretty disappointing since the total ended up being over $100. Alas, Southern Swank, it wasn't meant to be. I'm going back to Tara and as God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again. BOTTOM LINE: They seem to be off on Sundays so try another night.
(2)
Andrew Z.
I haven't been as excited to go to a restaurant as I was to go to Southern Swank in a very long time. Perhaps that's why I feel the way I do after having been there. I feel cheated, I feel broke and worst of all, I feel hungry. $16 for chewy fried chicken thighs and 3/4 of a waffle? Served with a side of NOTHING?? $9 for a cup of Mac & Cheese? $2.50 for a can of coke? I work too hard for my money to let go of it like that. My waitress asked me "How'd you like your Chicken & Waffles??" I replied, "Honestly, I've had better." Which would have been true even if I had only had it once in life since it was basically horrible. I've had better southern food in some much less southern places, like Coral Springs. This place needs a whole lot more southern and a dang sight less swank.
(2)
Erick O.
I am a big fan of southern food. Being a regular of Yardbird and Swine, my expectations were high I'll be honest. I wanted to see how this restaurant stacked up against my go-to locations for southern food. Upon arrival I wasn't impressed with the parking situation. There was a bus in the back that I was wondering why was it there. In addition, 2 vehicles that were not properly parked that made it quite difficult to get out of the last row of parking, you don't need to be Jeff Gordan but it was tricky. I wonder if that area can be expanded maybe valet to a different location? Missis said the wait was 45min. No worries we can explorer the location, see the photo booth and watch the ambiance and habits of waiters and guests. Upon arrival I was greeted by a younger girl. She apologized for the long wait and asked us if we wanted water or tea. We opted for water and she gave us the menu's so we can glance. That was a plus. Very nice gesture by Swank. The young girl was very nice girl don't get me wrong she was a sweet heart. However, I think to host or be at the forefront of the entrance she needs to be a bit more assertive, we observed how she was a bit shaken or rattled by some of the questions on the menu and drinks or patrons asking her for updates. Nothing some training and some polishing can't cure. I ordered Swamp water for my girlfriend and Caramel Apple Moonshine. The dry ice made the name of the drink stand out for swamp water, it almost looked like it came out of one of the canals in the back minus the infested water with what looked like a gummy worm, but it was tasty and the presentation was very good. The caramel apple was delicious. I really enjoyed it, the caramel/ dulce leche type candy in the small plastic fork gave it presentation points. But the taste! Wow. It took me a while to order drinks, seems between the people eating at the bar and others lounging made it difficult for other attempting to order drinks. I also noticed it was very difficult for the servers and the severs assistant to bring out the food due to a small narrow walk way next to the kitchen that is congested by people at the bar lounging and others trying to order. I saw the servers bumping into each other quite often and telling patrons to excuse them, or having to wait to bring food to the tables because of the congestion in that area. Maybe something can me done there help expedite the service and maximize efficiency. Would be easier for everyone to come up with space in that area or change the layout for the servers there. I am sure they have noticed it. I also noticed or maybe its me, but the kitchen seems a little small. Don't get me wrong, the kitchen is like my grandmother, she may be tiny but man she can pack a punch of flavor in her food. It just seems like the kitchen staff and the servers are drowning them selves in a cup because of the lack of space. Maybe there is more space inside the kitchen that I can't see. Don't know but maybe this is one of the reason for some of the most recent bad reviews of slow service? Not sure but it would help to maximize that space somehow. Servers for the most part look like they know what there doing, I give them credit that stretch from 8:30 or so to about 11:00pm that we were there WAS busy. I saw several of them busting there butt so credit to them. So after my 45 mins, my girlfriend ask one of the managers or senior staff a young man in a black polo with thin black hair for a status on the wait. He said 30 min or so? She looked at him in disbelief and asked him was that on top of the 45 minutes that we had already been waiting and were told when we first arrived? He looked perplexed, he apologized kinda cheesy salesmen and said he would get us a table in about 10 minutes as they were clearing out and bringing checks to several tables, I said no problem. Let me tell you it did not help there were two girls in a table we observed clearly finished eating several minutes ago. The waiter did everything she could to offer more drinks, dessert, food, etc but the girls would not bite, they just stayed taking and taking space. The guy in the polo game back and apologized again and offered to buy us drinks. I was very impressed, not even at a fancy steak house have I gotten that gesture. We thanked him but declined. I understand it was very busy. As he promised in 10 minutes we were sat. Country fried steak and Mac for me Misses had The Yelp, we also ordered Crab Hush Puppies and Pork Sliders. WOW WOW WOW. This is was did it for me. The food was delicious! A+ Worth the wait. Sliders on point, the pickle made the pork stand out more dry tender, That marshmallow on the Yelp, WOW. Steak was juicy and the shoe string fries gave it spunk. That crab!! Flakey. The guy in polo came back with a free Caramel Moonshine. You sir showed this customer Swank means something to you and you want it to prosper. Showed me this place wants to thrive. Impressed.
(4)
Ana Cristina P.
Southern Shank. That's what it SHOULD be called after my first (and most likely ONLY) experience at this restaurant. What a disaster. From start to finish. The waitress, albeit pleasant, could not handle such a large party (there were around 12 of us). The restaurant couldn't handle a typical Saturday night either. They ran out of glasses for water, so half of our table never got any (despite the waitress repeatedly telling us there was water on its way). We never got utensils, so one of us had to get up, go to the bar, and grab silverware for our whole table. How embarassing, Southern Swank. The disaster continues... Our drinks took forever, so we were experiencing this mess of a meal completely sober. Good thing we were in good company. There's no people I would rather have had by my side than the folks I was with! The excuse for some of the drinks taking forever? "They're right there, at the bar, but I had no one to run them". (the bar is about 10 feet from our table). I'd love to give that excuse to my patients at work: "I'm sorry ma'am, your medication is RIGHT THERE (can't you see it?!), but the ER pharmacy tech hasn't brought it in here yet". That would go over QUITE well, don't you think? After an hour and change, we FINALLY get our food. Well, most of us do. One of us was completely forgotten, the waitress stating that our friend "never ordered any food", when we all heard her order with the rest of us. I (and one other person at the table) ordered the meatloaf. I bite into it, and there's a mysterious "crunch", audible but not exactly palpable in my mouth. Strange, I thought to myself. We both dissect our meatloaf, only to discover it was raw. COMPLETELY. RAW. *heaves* We proceed to tell the waitress, who took them back to the kitchen. We tell her to forget the order entirely. Except, when the check arrives at our table, there they are: two raw, poisonous meatloaves still on the check. Cue manager. Manager makes up some story about how he "JUST took them off the check 2 minutes ago, which is why you didn't see it reflected here". Riiiight. OK. Took another 10 years for the bill to get squared away. I rarely go on a tirade of this magnitude when I write a review, but it was a completely failure of a meal from start to finish. One star for the free photobooth. So there's that. Get your act together, Southern Swank...and do it quickly, before you become just another ghost of a dining establishment.
(1)
Leslie S.
Been here twice. Always had great service, good food. The beer can chicken perfectly cooked. French fries hand cut. Only the cole slaw needs a little more flavor. Ribs and beans good. Can't really say anything bad, not sure why all the negative reviews. Enjoyed it twice and the bar specials can't be beat.
(4)
Natalia F.
Went here for brunch and we all thought it was amazing!!!! I had the pulled pork Benedicts and it was so amazing and full of flavor. I loved the restaurant and how cute the decor was. Looking forward to coming bAck for dinner
(5)
Arthur L.
My daughter and I just had an excellent Sunday brunch at Southern Swank. We were promptly greeted with a smile by a friendly hostess and immediately seated. Sasha our server quickly appeared with water and recommended their bottomless Mimosa for $15 or Long Island Iced Tea for $5. We opted for the Bloody Marys instead - wow. Absolutely perfect. I wanted to try the chicken and waffles but am NOT a fan of marshmallows, so Sasha brought me a selection of four other sauces to try and I fell in love with with the blue cheese and the Swank sauce (a spicy BBQ). Mark the manager came by to check on us and say hello. He noticed our glasses were empty and went to find Sasha. She was obviously busy, so Mark went to the bar and got new drinks for us himself. My daughter raved about the sausage gravy and biscuits - and having lived in Kentucky for six years, she is fairly particular. The country music was just loud enough that we couldn't hear the conversation at the booths adjoining ours but in no way interfered with our own. If I lived here, you can be sure that I would be a regular patron. Well done!
(4)
Elizabeth D.
It's rare to find a restaurant in which the dining experience itself is great and that lends itself for hanging out. Southern Swank is incredibly inviting, which was especially comforting since I don't venture out to Broward often. The space itself is very large without being awkward about its size. The bar area, saloon, and dining areas feel familiar, making it an easy place to spend a long evening at, meeting bar patrons, listening to some live music, and sipping on a great selection of craft beer. The food was an experience in itself - out of several dishes there wasn't a single miss: * Shells & Cheese: I'm a mac and cheese elitist, and this particular dish took me by surprise. Chunks of pork belly in sticky, gooey cheese are what dreams are made of. * 18 Hour Pulled Pork Sliders: I hate pickles. These sliders made me love pickles. Holy crap. I had to ask the server about it and apparently they're sweet pickles made in-house. Anything that changes my mind about a food I don't like deserves ultimate praise. * Crab Hush Puppies: If this sounds even remotely appealing to you - don't hesitate. These were totally up my alley and the type of thing I could eat a million of. Hearts in my eyes. * Shrimp & Grits: Again, another dish that doesn't usually excite me, but Swank's version surprised me yet again. These grits had rich, deep flavor... paired with some perfectly marinated shrimp and you've got a winner. * Beer Can Chicken: This one sounded fun, so we ordered it and were pleased to see it was accompanied with a PBR can full of hot gravy. Clever dish, good execution. The french fries it came with was my carb-hating husband's favorite - especially since they came with a really unique spicy ketchup. * Craft beers: Pleasantly surprised to see their beer list. Some of my fun favorites included Seadog, Shipyard Pumpkinhead, and Monk in the Trunk. * Bread pudding: I can't resist a good bread pudding. This was no different. A great homage to the memory of your grandma's bread pudding. Protip: Check out their specials. We came on a Wednesday and my first glass of wine was a penny. Protip: Leftovers are even more amazing for lunch. After our meal, we moseyed over to the photo booth on our way out and snapped some fun pics. Overall, Swank delivers a perfect 360 dining experience. I'd love to come back for a more bar-oriented night.
(5)
Hayley W.
I went here this past weekend with some friends for the first time and it was excellent. The food was excellent, it truly embodies "Southern Swank"; upscale take on classic southern food, like corn bread, burgers, chicken and waffles, etc. I ordered the Pimento Burger, medium rare, and it was great. It was cooked the way I asked and was a good portion size. The menu is on the smaller side but the quality of the food makes up for the less quantity. The noise level is a bit high, so I felt like I was yelling throughout dinner. The restaurant itself is roomy, I never felt crowded or like I was going to bump into the people at the table behind us. It also seemed to have a nice bar area but I didn't venture over into that section. Admittedly, I didn't spend too much time taking in the decor, but I noticed several televisions around the main dining room and the lighting is low; it seems perfect for a fun first date.
(4)
Danny M.
Last night we came here for a much anticipated birthday party for a friend... We were a party of about 40 and we were all spread out across the bar area and high tops. At first I was a little concerned that they didn't have enough staff to handle Our entire party, but I was wrong... The 2 bartenders that took care of us did an unbelievable job handling our party. Nobody waited too long for food or drinks. They really rocked! Now let's get to the food.... Since there were so many of us, I got to try just about everything on the menu, and every bite was really better than the previous one. Pulled pork sliders... Sinfully good, smoky & tender pulled pork... Great slaw and perfectly home made pickle. I don't even like pickles but damn this slider was god sent. Shrimp n Grits- one of my all time southern favorites and I've had many different renditions of this dish and I must say, Chef Mike hit it out of the park with this one... Creamy/smoky grits were amazing, shrimp cooked to perfection (plump and juicy) and the pickled green beans really put it over the top. They were still crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at the same time. Other reviews Have complained about the price of this dish compared to the size of it (it's an app)... Those people clearly have no clue what the price of shellfish is right now, and how much time and effort goes into making a dish so spectacular. Hanger steak- Simple, easy and elegant plating.. Cooked perfectly, flavors on point. I mean who doesn't love fingerling potatoes with bacon. It's like crack. U can't just have one bite. Chicken n Waffles- So we all know that every new world southern spot is putting chicken and waffles on their menu and yea some of them are pretty good... But this dish was so good that my head was exploding with every bite. The marshmallow sage sauce is brilliant. Very unorthodox but the sage was very pronounced and just out of this world delicious, like I want to slather it on everything. Then I tried the hot sauce and it really put it over the top. This isn't your generic bottle of sriracha crap.. Certainly homemade with love and it definitely shows. Overall this dish was just perfectly balanced and the texture everything was all I could ever ask for. I want to thank the staff and everyone who helped us out last night... We could not have asked for a better over all experience!
(5)
Cristen S.
After I've been dying to try this place I went for the first time for a friends birthday. Server was very nice and the atmosphere was really cool. The food was amazing, everyone in our party really enjoyed their meal. No worries until the end of our dinner when the computer system shut down, we had to wait almost 45 minutes to receive our checks. No one offered us anything and the manager never came over once to apologize even when he was standing right by our table. When approached, he was incredibly rude and unfriendly. I would say the best thing about this place is the food and atmosphere, as well as the great specials they had. Also, everything seemed to be very fairly priced. However, very disappointed in the management of the restaurant and how poorly our situation was handled.
(2)
Tommie G.
Good food terrible service. I've been here numerous times and every time there has been issues with service. Today we ordered apps and mains, my main course was missing the marshmallow sauce for the chicken and waffles. When I asked for it, that took another 10 minutes. So the rest of my party had pretty much competed their meal. As for dessert we ordered one knowing it takes 15 minutes to prepare 30 minutes later no where in sight. Finally the manager come by saying it was placed but the paper was out in the back so they never received ticket. You would think some sort of compensation would be done for us waiting, but no. So long story short good food for the area... Bad service.
(2)
Manuel B.
Finally tried this place. Menu very limited. Service very slow. Chicken and waffles was good, except the waitress told us to make sure and ask for the maple syrup for the waffles. After waiting for a while, finally flagged down some one else. Asked for the syrup and guess what he says, sorry we ran out. In a place serving chicken and waffles how do you run out of syrup. After a long wait for the dishes to be cleared, waitress finally came by to offer dessert menu. After another long wait we noticed that some of the desserts took 15 to 30 to be prepared, that was it, we where done .
(3)
Megan L.
I think the prices are still to high for Davie!! Bottomless mimosa are on point for Sundays brunch. $15 all you can drink! You guys are almost there.... Add some Bloody Mary deals to your menu and you guys will truly succeed in this tiny lil town!!! Davie strong
(5)
Adetoun Tina A.
Canyon merlot for wine wed good. Order S' wings, shells and cheese and corn bread! Yummie. Went for wine Wednesday. Great deal two glass for $5.01 . Love all the food I had. Bar areas place to sit to people watch!
(4)
Will K.
Was here on 8/3/2014... it's a nice lively atmosphere. And that's where it stops. My gf and I weren't attended to until after 10 or so minutes. But, no biggie, it's cool. Then my meal took approx 13 minutes to serve -- and that was only my order. Still, no problem (kind of). My meal (biscuits / gravy) was cold (not even lukewarm). My shrimps & grits -- wasn't at all worth $14 -- it lacked flavor, almost as if it were prepared for a diabetic. When I voiced my dislikes to the waitress (who genuinely commiserated with me ) she said "yeah, we've been having taste issues specifically with the shrimp & grits and with the biscuits & gravy coming out cold". I'm like, what? And, were you aware of this - her reply, "no, I'm sorry". Anyways, can't say I'll be back.
(1)
Crystal L.
I know there's no other place in Davie like Swank, for this reason they deserve a five-star rating. From their eminent service to the trendy wall art throughout the interior it's definitely expected to assume that the food is as good as it is. The gator chili and shells-n-cheese are delish! Pair that up with some swamp water and you'll be walking out of their with some swank in your step.
(5)
Brian C.
Heard about this place opening up last week and decided to make the trip up to Davie and check it out. The place was extremely congested Friday evening, apparently there was some Groupon coupon frenzy going on. Decided to just go for some appetizers (I wasn't very hungry) and drinks. I gotta give these guys credit on the masterpiece of a Mac and cheese that they served me. Wow! Also had the fried green tomatoes which were just perfect as well. Ordered a pimento burger cut in 4 to share and was thoroughly impressed with the flavor. I could put that cheese on anything! My favorite drinks were the raspy lemonade and the regular lemonade (I tried their swamp water also, it was too sweet for me but the ladies loved it). I will definitely be back after the Groupon frenzy dies out.
(5)
Lucy K.
Bordering between a 2.5-3. Mostly because of the service. I came here with a party of 10 for a pre-formal party dinner. We needed to be on a bus by 8:00pm and we called the restaurant ahead of time to see what time they recommended we come in. They said 6pm. We all arrived there on time and we all put our orders in almost as soon as we sat down to save on time. They had a gluten free menu which made ordering for me super easy. The drinks came out no problem and were delicious. More then an hour goes by... no food. Its not that the waitstaff forgot about our tables, they were constantly checking in with us about more drinks. We asked the waitress to check on our food again. By about 7:35ish, some of the first people began to get their appetizers. We were given the bill before half our dinner had come. Our party was starving and flustered to say the least. The last people got their food, only after the fifth compliant, at 7:50, giving them no time to eat it. We complained to the manager, who only comped the last two peoples meal because they were unable to eat their food, rather than the rest of us who were lucky to shove pieces of it in our mouths before having to run out the door. The sad thing was is that the food was pretty good, but we weren't able to enjoy it due to the service. Usually with a bad experience like this, I try to give the place a couple chances. However, I have multiple friends who have had separate, similar experiences. Its a shame because this could be a really good place in Davie.
(3)
Jeff S.
I love Southern fare, although as someone who eats gluten-free, it can be difficult. A group of us were looking for somewhere fun to eat, none of us had been to Southern Swank Kitchen before, and we were excited about trying a new place. The drink menu is fantastic. I was a bit tepid at ordering a moonshine-based drink (I am a huge fan of whisk(e)y and am open to new variations). It had apple pie moonshine, caramel moonshine and cider. It cost $8.00 and was served in a mason jar glass. Others in my party ordered drinks as well, and everyone seemed to rave about them. We then ordered our meals. On average, the entree price is about $16 - $20, with everything being a la carte. I ordered ribs, my wife ordered a hangar steak, two of our party ordered shrimp and grits. We also ordered some crispy wings for the table. The portions could best be described as "tapas" - small plates. The hangar steak, which was $25, was incredibly small. Hangar steak isn't an expensive cut, which usually makes it an attractive purchase. However, in this case, my wife felt like she ordered filet mignon. My ribs were "meh." The meat was tough, it definitely didn't fall off the bone like good ribs will. The caramel apple BBQ sauce was very spicy (versus the expected sweet), and there was more bone than meat. At $18.00, that's a lot for the six almost ribs served. The inside of the restaurant is very loud. The decor is was attractive for how it was set up. The servers were very friendly. We all left with the feeling that Southern Swank Kitchen would be a great place to have some drinks, but we'd catch a meal beforehand somewhere else.
(2)
Allison S.
Great for appetizers and drinks but things went seriously downhill for the main courses. Fried green tomatoes and pork sliders were good. The hanger steak came with a really strange jus, very unpleasant. The pimento burger was forgettable. Unfortunately it is more Southern "influence" than execution, and the service was a bit slack (more waiter/waitress socialising at the pass than looking after tables). My first cocktail was beautifully made, with whole blueberries and nice colour. My second had a few blueberry skins in it and looked half finished. Just generally a bit slack. Too bad.
(3)
Cristina S.
We went to this restaurant a few months ago & weren't knocked off our rockers. Like other reviews during that time said, service was slow (even mid-week), food was Ok, prices were a little high. We returned Mon. for Moonshine Mondays & sat at the bar. The specials were great, the bartender was really attentive, & our food was really good! The Mac n Cheese is better now, the Green Bean Casoulette, (a delicious little casserole with chicken, slivered almonds, & cheese), the Country friend steak dish was AMAZING, & their bread pudding dessert is a nice ending to this wonderful meal. We'll be back!
(4)
Pedro G.
First time here and definitely not disappointed!! Came with a 15.00 for 30.00 worth of food groupon and decided to bite the bullet and go, was always hesitant because the prices r a tad high. Anyways our waitress was kind and knowledgable and always was around the refill our water. I ordered the blue chicken and waffles (what makes them "blue" is a spicy bbq sriracha sauce). It was soooooo good. My partner had the half beer can chicken with coleslaw and fries. The slaw was a bit dry for my taste and not very flavorful. But the chicken was moist and delicious, crispy on the outside. We decided at the beginning to have an appetizer because we didn't see a dessert menu nor was there one on their site. We had the cornbread with cinnamon butter. Soooooo good but I've had better. Anyway at the end we were offered the dessert menu but declined because we were full. Overall and great first experience and will def recommend!
(4)
Tiffany H.
The outside doesnt do this place justice! Very nice ambiance and staff. We had a very helpful waiter Andrew who was able to recommend his personal favorites. We ordered the Louisina swamp water and a chronic tonic. A slight disappointment when there was no dry ice in the swamp water as we basically ordered it for the novelty. Drinks were good though, could have been a little stronger. We ordered 3 appetizers, shrimp and grits, crab hush puppies and the pork sliders. Everything was tasty but two things were phenomenal. The smoky flavor of the grits was outstanding. My boyfriend doesnt like grits but loved these. And the smoked flavor of the pork was great too. Thanks Southern Swank, we will be back.
(4)
Tony P.
Only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the food was good. The service was horrible, I've had better service in a fast food restaurant and paid much less. The food is way overpriced and takes forever to come out. Manager didn't care much about anything other than making excuses that we didn't care to hear. After an hour and a half she offered a free dessert...how nice. I didn't care to wait another 30-60 minutes for dessert so we paid and left. I would never suggest this year place to anybody I like. If you want good food and service go to SWINE.
(2)
S T.
1st time here..... Service is slow, hard to tell if there is a manager or chef here, folks seem to be wandering around without clearly answering to anyone Food okay, not great. Will try one more time.... Crab hush puppies not evenly cooked - some cooked thru some raw in the middle like crab Rangoon, also lacked seasoning - would not order again. Pork chop was good but completely overwhelmed by a sea of spicy sweet baked beans (I would order the chop agin, but only if I could swap out the beans)
(3)
Rob L.
Some of the best food we have had out in a while. Saw they were open for Sunday brunch while driving by. Popped in and glad we did. Our waiter Jose, took great care of us. Very friendly. We had the Redneck Mimosa, the Cherry Champaign, eggs Benedict and redneck ruben. All paired very well and some of the most exciting flavors. Loved the spicy ketchup!. Price is a little on the up side, but once you taste the flavors you will understand. Seating indoors and out, the atmosphere is wonderful. I highly recommend this place for brunch.
(5)
Bridget F.
My boyfriend and I had dinner at Southern Swank last night. I was so surprised how big the place was! There is ample room for the wraparound bar and dining room. The "upscale cowboy" theme was well done and consistent, so if you like John Wayne, country music, and plaid shirts this place is for you. We started with the crab hush puppies and thought they were delicious. They portion came with 5 hush puppies with large pieces of crab in each one. For dinner, my boyfriend had the chicken and waffles, which came with a marshmallow sauce on top and a hot sauce on the side. He enjoyed them but they were chicken thighs, not breasts- delicious, but a little fattier than I would have expected. I had the chicken fried steak with smashed potatoes and gravy - really, really yummy, I definitely recommend it! I also tried their Chronic Tonic: a mix of blueberries, sage, tonic, and gin. Very unique flavor, but a bit strong for me. Our service was good- everyone was polite and knowledgeable. I'd say this place is a solid 4 stars and we will definitely be visiting again, but will probably wait for another special occasion since its a bit on the pricey side for southern fare.
(4)
Rafael C.
Sunday dinner for Mother's Day tried Southern Swank as a recommendation from a fellow foodie. Seated immediately with a warning the kitchen was backed up even though the place was about 1/2 empty and promptly informed they didn't have 3 items on the menu ( steak, fish and ribs....no ribs at a Southern restaurant???). Order drinks, appetizers and main courses at once . Twenty min later the first appetizer showed up and then all the appetizers and main courses arrived at once. Flavor was great on the food ( fried green tomatoes, sliders, mesquite chicken, po boy) , salads were over dressed with heavy cumin spice . Certainly not worth the wait and disjointed service. Servers very apologetic but manager was too busy walking around the back on his smartphone to do the apologizing himself. I think they tried to copy the name of Yardbird Southern but it's not even close and it's going to take this Southern raised bird to come back. This might be the reason why it was half empty and Tijuana Flats right down the street was packed with no parking spots available and a waiting line outside. Might not be open the next time I venture out this way to eat , with such a big empty space and unfilled covers and no bar activity it can't be financially sustainable.
(2)
Wendy N.
Fantastic! Our plan was the shrimp and grits and short rib meatloaf, unfortunately the meatloaf wasn't available but the shrimp and grits were amazing! The manager Mark recommended the pork sliders and corn bread with cinnamon butter and they were delicious! Jacob our bartender server was also great. Tues are 2 4 1 and $8 Tito's and wed are penny wine nights. So in addition to great food and service the prices are reasonable also. I can't wait to go back for the short rib meatloaf!
(5)
SanDee V.
My girlfriend and I were undecided as where to go. We drive past this little place that woke up our curiosity. I'm disappointed with their menu, not much to choose from. After 30 mins of starring at this one page menu and realizing I really didn't like anything I just opted for the Mac n cheese...lol I know so much time spent to just order Mac n cheese. I ordered a drink called swamp water. I gotta say the presentation of this drink is by far the most creative drink I've ever had. It's presentation lived up to its name "SWAMP WATER" it was green and had smoke coming out with a worm gummy hanging. If only the taste matched the looks. Uggggg this drink tasted just like its name..lol I told the waitress to take it back and just ordered a regular run and coke, I knew I couldn't go wrong with that. Now let's get to the part where i have to literally scream at my girlfriend so she can hear me because the band is way to loud. Oh yea did I mention there was a band playing songs I've never heard of right in front of us. I really think the table setting should be different. I mean who wants to scream at each other at the table due to the heavy noise. My head was being tortured to the point we had to leave.
(2)
Kat V.
Worst experience, cannot substitute fries for anything else. Manager even came out and said no. Was told I had to purchase another side. Then they offered me the side for half price. Came for the $3 fireball shots and they were raised to $6. Menu online is different than actual menu.
(1)
Tina T.
Driven by many times it's always packed. Got a Groupon so we finally tried it. My date was my 12 year old daughter who is planning on owning her own restaurant some day so she is not picky and pretty easy to please. We started off with the grits and shrimp. The shrimp was delicious but she would not eat the grits because she said they tasted funny. I ate them they had cheese in them but kind of bland. For the Main course we ordered the baby back ribs with baked beans, cole slaw, fries, pickled green beans and 2 dinner rolls. Ribs had a bit of a kick to them too spicy for my daughter but I thought they were very good and I ate them all. Baked beans were very weird not like anything I've ever had before they had something spicy in them too maybe hot sauce and had a tart after taste. Kid did not eat them at all. She ate all the Fries, pickled and rolls. Next time I will try something else like the fried chicken with waffles or beer can chicken. My advise is leave your kids at home. They had 2 for 1 on Tuesday night so would be fun with friends. Very expensive but not for children. Kids menu has 3 items on it. Try not to sit back by the kitchen very load with dishes behind wall.
(3)
Emily B.
We came on a Saturday night for date night. Although the reviews weren't that great, we decided to try it anyways. We were seated right away. It's rather small considering only one side of the restaurant has seating, the other is a bar with bar tables. We had the s'wings for appetizer and they were yummy. I had the short ribs dinner, meat was delicious as it fell off the bone, baked beans were different, and coleslaw was ick. He had the porterhouse. For $37 he was expecting a nice piece of meat, but instead it was low quality. Vegetables were bland and the potatoes and gravy were also ick. We wouldn't return, but glad we tried it.
(3)
Jessica C.
My boyfriend found this place through reviews on yelp, and we love a good southern style restaurant. I have to admit, before we arrived we had read some recent reviews that this place had bombed, service was bad, etc. i told him we should be the judge ourselves. We got there and the place was busy. It was Saturday night after all. We got there around 8:30pm and was told it would be a 45 minute wait. We didn't mind, we didn't have nothing else planned for the evening so it wasn't a problem at all. While we waited, we were asked if we wanted water or unsweetened tea. My boyfriend and I both got water. About 30 mins in to our wait, after we drank our water, took in the ambiance, observed the operation, and dissected the menu, we made our way to the bar. I ordered the swamp water and he got the caramel apple. I wasn't there for the order, but I was told the bartender took a while to get around to making our drinks. In that time, I went to ask the hostess the status of our wait, and she told us it would be another 30 minutes. In that moment, I questioned why no one had told us and she told me she didn't know and the kitchen was backed up. In my restaurant experience, you shield that as best as possible and you never tell the customer what's going on. It seemed like a floor manager came to see what was going on and we let him know about the wait, he apologized and let us know we would be sat soon and offered to buy us a drink. We politely declined and made our way to the photo booth to kill some more time. We were finally sat and our server greeted us soon after taking our drink order. The manager once again came to us and wished us a good meal. Once our drinks arrived we ordered our appetizers, crab hush puppies and pork sliders. Entrees ordered were the country fried steak with a side of Mac and cheese and the yelp special - chicken and waffles. Our appetizers came out in a timely manner and were delicious! The flavor in both items were amazing and the dishes very well executed. The manager came to check on us again and offered to buy us drinks, my boyfriend had another caramel apple. I was still babysitting my swamp water. :-). Once we finished our appetizers our food arrived and the presentation was awesome and the taste even better! I tried my boyfriends country fried steak and yum!!! The Mac and cheese was also just as an Amazing not too cheesy and with bits of smoked ham in it. It was perfection. My chicken and waffles were to die for. It had great flavor with the spicy-ness of the chicken balanced out with the marshmallow blue cheese sauce. It sounds weird, but man does it work and the flavors blended so well. We passed on the dessert, but all the choices sounded tempting. I have read all bad reviews for this place and I have to say they were wrongly judged. Swank has not even been open a year and with any new restaurant they have the kinks to workout. I recall yardbird being even more disastrous at the beginning and now they're one of the best places on south beach. My one complaint is that they don't have biscuits on the menu. Lol. Southern style food and biscuits together is like milk and cookies. I also have to say, that with the busy-ness of the restaurant, everyone was working so very hard and trying to help out one another and if people saw how small kitchen was and what the staff had to work with, they would applaud them. I can't wait to go back soon and hopefully they will open for brunch as well. I have to finish off with I have much respect for a new operation that has their floor manager and owner on the floor running food and interacting with their guests. I can't wait to go back! Great job swank!
(4)
Rae K.
I read the Yelp reviews extensively and went in braced for disappointment...and left eager to go back! Here is a list of everything I had an opportunity to try: Swamp Water, various beers, Caramel Apple, Swank Old Fashioned, Jack's Honey Tea, Cornbread, Pulled-pork sliders, Shells and Cheese, Half-Order of Beer Can Chicken, Side salad, Blue Chicken and Waffles (I THINK that's everything). Everything was amazing! I didn't notice anything "bad" about the beer can gravy, but I did use it sparingly due to some reviews, the chicken was outstandingly smokey, moist, and tender on it's own. Caramel Apple was too sweet for my alcohol choice, but if you like sugar it may be for you. Shells and cheese was creamy and bacon-y and delicious. The side salad was so healthy and organic tasting we said we could taste the dirt. The Blue Chicken and Waffles was not my thing, but my friends all LOVED it. The best drink was hands down the Swank Old Fashioned followed by the potent Swamp Water (but I am a bourbon person then a tequila person so that makes sense). Jack's Honey Tea seemed as though it was unsweetened tea and my friend actually poured honey whiskey from her own flask to make it more palatable. Pulled pork sliders were juicy and tender and not a must-do but thoroughly enjoyed. The Cornbread is a MUST DO. The sugar-butter spread was great. It was not at all like my Georgia raised grandmother's but it was definitely still excellent-a new twist on cornbread. We did not eat dessert. The bar looked like a great option to grab some excellent adult beverages on a Happy Hour or before heading to somewhere else. Our sever was Kendall (sp?) and she was a sweetheart. We stayed and talked until late and had a true dining experience. We hadn't even left before we agreed that we were all eager to return. Prices were very reasonable although I did spend more than I normally do on a night out, but I had a true experience that was well worth it.
(4)
Amber S.
Got there when it was empty ordered and our server didn't put in the food for our 2 yr old son! But never apologized for it. When I told her we didn't need it she said it wasn't a problem and the kitchen was short staffed. That's not my problem! Bring what I asked for. Then getting the check. Geez....never again.
(1)
Elizabeth V.
Not sure if we are going back. The place was very nicely decorated, both inside and out. It's in a weird location and the parking is limited but that was ok. The staff seems to be very young and everyone kept excusing themselves because they are in training. It seems like poor staff management. On a Sunday night, no silverware ready or napkins, our server had to go roll silverware while two hostesses just stood there staring at the full tables. Not right! Our appetizers came out and we had no plates ( table of 6 sharing 3 appetizers) nor silverware. Still hadn't gotten our drinks either. Our waitress was extremely nice and excusing herself the whole time. Got there at 7:20 with reservations and didn't get our meals till 9:10 on a Sunday night. I really like the food and the place but if they don't step up the service, they might not be around too long.
(3)
Luis S.
Food was good. Service was pretty bad. They didn't bring out food all together and they brought out plates 30mins apart. Place didn't even look that busy. First time eating here so not sure if it's a one time thing. Manager offered no compensation.
(2)
Diane N.
My husband and I went to the grand opening celebration on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Their food is southern style and the ambiance is kind of western. Servers were constantly coming around with trays of appetizers for everyone to try. Everything we tried was very tasty. We were served crab hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, shells and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. The crab hush puppies were served on sticks. They were plump and delicious, but I didn't taste or see any crab Everyone was saying how delicious the pulled pork sliders were. They were served on a soft bun. The pork had a tangy sauce and was topped with cole slaw. The shells and cheese was served in little cups. They were delicious and I grabbed another serving every time a tray came around. Last was my favorite, the fried green tomatoes. They were served in small pieces, I would have liked a whole slice of tomato. They were covered in a remoulade and tasso sauce that was delicious. Later our table got a metal pail filled with popcorn. It was sweet, had nuts, and was very delicious. I'm not sure what all was in the popcorn, but I want more. Some specialty drinks were free and there was also a cash bar. They had a band and a DJ. The owner came around, introduced himself and welcomed us. It was a nice touch. He gave us his business card in case we wanted to get in touch with him. Based on how much we enjoyed the grand opening, I know we'll be back. I saw the menu and the prices didn't seem to be very expensive.
(4)
Lindsey G.
Came here for a going away dinner with 8 people. Service was incredibly bad, waited 40 minutes for drinks after order was put in. A friend ordered an app for dinner and she brought it out as an app 30 min before anyone had there dinner. I ordered chicken and waffles which were ok but not awesome. Moonshine drink concoctions were cool but too strong for me!
(2)
Sabrina F.
I love this place. I wish it weren't so far away. We went in a big group when my mom was in town and it was a phenomenal experience. The beer can chicken is to die for, the pulled pork sliders, wow. I don't even eat pork, but I did that night. Their chicken wings are out of this world. The service was impeccable, their beer selection is on point. It's a relaxed environment, pretty big with a large bar, cool hang out place, not expensive either. If this place were closer I would be here much more often.
(5)
Marina S.
I was so excited for the chicken and waffles but WHY would one put marshmallow fluff on top?? So weird and unnecessary. The Crab Hush Puppies were soo good! The sliders and cole slaw were very tasty! The St. Louis ribs were not true St. Louis ribs. Not fall off the bone, not crazy about their sauce. The drinks were fun and yummy, served in mason jars to add to the southern rustic vibe in here. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I have a feeling they like yelpers because when we checked in, all of a sudden the 40 minute wait time was forgotten, we were seated and offered shots lol.
(3)
Donna C.
Overpriced. ..small portions. ..good customer service. My food was cold they did heat it but I won't comeback.
(3)
Jonathan M.
The food was pretty good. All the plates are shareable so Id recommend to get a few things to share. The watermelon salad is very good - better than at other southern kitchens in soflo. Simple dish but tasty The shells and cheese with shrimp super yum - it makes a really good side but it's even good enough to have as a main dish for one person. The place needs work on the decor and the layout though. It's cute from the outside but inside it looks like they just threw a bunch of random tables in a big empty space w a bar in the middle. It had great potential to be really cute inside and they wasted it. Not sure if they ran out of money or something. Now a days it's not just good to have great food you also have to provide a good ambiance or it kind of kills it. Work on that and you'll have a great place this side of 95.
(3)
Jimmi L.
Bad Service To loud Ordered Pork chops and Beans and Beer can chicken Both came out RAW!!!!! Waited forever for the waitress and she comes back with a Hostess who proceeds to argue with me about getting more food! After telling her the Fourth time No she goes and get a guy that might be the chef/cook So he asked "what the Problem" Really? Well if You made one mistake that could slide But you had both Chicken and Pork come out and Both were RAW! Reading other reviews it seems this is a common thing at Southern Swank Kitchen So he asked if we were Interested in returning for a meal on the House. I said not a chance! After reading all the other reviews and it seems like they do not take care of anything! Went to Knucklehead Burger up the Street! Good burger their! Best to avoid Southern Swank Kitchen all together!
(1)
Vincent S.
Best pork sliders on the planet, great spare rib meatloaf. Service is attentive and friendly. Place is spotless clean, great bar area and TV's too for games. It has it all if you're looking for a great place with great food in West Broward. You want great food served with a smile in a comfortable setting? Southern Swank is the place to go.
(5)
Pao J.
Oh my goodness SWANK JUST BLEW MY SOCKS OFF ROSCOES better watch out the swanky boys really know how to serve fried chicken and waffles not to mention i was sitting next to one of the heat players haslem was his name i think i didnt wanna bother his family so i didnt ask for a picture the beercan chicken was outstanding and so was my yellowtail snapper we had a happy meal ill be back
(5)
True F.
We Loved it !!! Service and Food was fantastic !!! Limited menu but that is fine. They perfect the dishes they make
(5)
Rachel F.
It's a cute place, but the prices are a little high for what it is.
Went for brunch around 2 pm. We were seated right away and had a great server. The chicken and waffles was the best I've ever had. The chicken wasn't too greasy, it was cooked really well. And the waffles were great with the marshmallow sauce. My boyfriend had the fried steak and eggs, he liked it as well but he liked the chicken and waffles better. We also had the biscuits with bacon jam, it was really good! And I don't even like bacon lol can't wait to go back and try other things in the menu
(4)
Kristina K.
Let me start off with the food is really good. Its a shame that their staff is really disappointing. 1 hour at the bar and spent most of it watching the bartenders talk and flirt with each other. Then the managers were having mtgs and talking to everyone again preventing extra drinks from being sold:( Definitely try the pork sliders and ask about specials at least three time because each bartender told us something different or forgot something. If they could get their act together this place could be great. The wings were
(2)
Holly O.
Went here on a Tuesday evening with another couple and used a Groupon. Decor was kind of cute and casual... could have used just a little more refining but okay. The restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated quickly in a booth. Our server was a little more concerned with being "in character" than being a really good server... not terrible but not great either (and I think he was new and in training so I'll give him a pass). We asked about bar specials and he told us that most bar drinks were half price so we ordered 3 different drafts and a glass of wine. Later he asked if we wanted another round so we ordered 2 more drafts and another glass of wine... only to be told AFTER they were delivered to our table that the bar special was now over and the drinks were full price. Also when checking the bill at the end we realized that we were charged for a different (more expensive) draft than we ordered. When we pointed this out the server admitted that he had brought the wrong draft... and not only that he gave the wrong drafts to the wrong people. He made no offer to adjust the price and quite honestly didn't really apologize. Not very good customer service... but maybe that was a training issue... who knows. Now for the food... we wanted to order the fried green tomatoes but were told that they were taken off the menu. Disappointing since I saw some good reviews for them and had never tried them before but we ordered the fried pickles instead. I had only just tried fried pickles at another establishment about 2 weeks earlier and liked them. Swank's fried pickles were very light on the pickles... All I could really taste was the very thick and slightly overdone breading. Like I said not terrible but not very good. Based on reviews I wanted to order the short rib meatloaf but guess what.... taken off the menu(do you see a trend here?). So I ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was pretty good but would have preferred something other than fries on the side... no substitutions though. I think my husband had some type of steak which was okay. My friend ordered the wedge salad and was told that they were out of blue cheese so they could not make the blue cheese dressing... for goodness sake how could you run out of a basic ingredient on a Tuesday night? In the end somehow they managed to bring her a wedge salad with the blue cheese dressing... who knows how. Our other friend ordered the chicken and waffles which he said were okay. All in all it wasn't terrible but I'm not sure I'd go back... which is a shame because I love the idea and theme of this restaurant and I normally love down home country cooking. Also, they should change their online menu to reflect their menu changes... fried green tomatoes and meatloaf are still listed.
(2)
Joey B.
The burger was cooked medium just as requested. My fries were heat lamp temperature. The server wasn't too knowledgeable about the dishes or prices of the specials. The atmosphere is nice but it's just missing something. Seems like they just don't have it together yet. Drinks were half off but the board says 2-4-1. This makes it a guessing game when your bill comes. The bar should have more lighting to make it more welcoming. This place has huge potential. I've been here 4 times and have yet to be impressed. I come back every couple months with hope but haven't been wowed yet.
(3)
Natalie H.
We went here for my mom's birthday brunch and we are all glad that we did! The atmosphere is southern but in a chic way not a dated way, from the decor to the music, and they even played an old Clint Eastwood movie in all four corners. The corn bread was hot and delicious with the cinnamon butter on the side. Everyone loved the grits (my mom is native to Virginia as far south as you can get before crossing the state line into NC - she knows her grits) and everything else we got there was equally delicious! After chatting with our waiter, Mike (who was very gracious and charmingly humble) we learned that the owners recently replaced just about their entire staff. I've never been here to experience the old staff, but it seems like they made the right move because we were very satisfied.
I read the Yelp reviews before I went here and almost changed my mind. I read them again after looking at a few other options and almost changed my mind again. I then went against my best judgement -- and the "average at best" consensus of Yelpers -- and went to Southern Swank anyway for dinner on a Friday. It was exactly as the Yelpers had said: Average, At Best. I am a Chicken-n-Waffles connoisseur/snob. So I ordered their version (which is prominently noted on the menu to have ben rated Top 10 by Miami New Times -- who and why, I have no idea. Small sample size, I guess). NOTICE: Putting chicken and waffles on the same plate, makes a chicken-n-raffles dish, not. Our waitress was as bad as she could possible be, not suggestive-selling us anything (as there were some indecisive people in our party) and making no meal- or check-enhancing suggestions when we did order. The place looks fine, nice spacious restaurant and large-sized bar. Very hick-ish looking front staff but I like the flannel shirt look. i wont be eating here again; for average food and average service I can spend 50% less on KFC or Boston Market. Yelp, i will listen to you next time.
(2)
Debra C.
I just came back here a few weeks ago with a couple of friends. I bought a Groupon for the place months ago, and it was set to expire in mid-January. I think Southern Swank is trying to step it up again. They beefed up their serving sizes for everything. I got their burger and it was huge. I also think they increased the size of their chicken and waffles. Since I'm Asian, I take pictures of food and my friend's choice of chicken and waffles was bigger than the one I had last year. Dessert is always awesome (I think I have a thing for desserts that come in jars). Service has also improved vastly, with the waiters and hosts being more aware of customers' needs. Perhaps we came on a good day, but I've found Florida to be slow on average so I'm always surprised when it's not. They also serve brunch now on the weekend! I haven't been yet, but I intend to when I get the chance. My friend who has been here for brunch, says it's her favorite part of the Swank menu. If you see a Groupon for this place, grab it! Regardless, the food is reasonable for the price, but I always like to save money when I can.
(4)
Jenn E.
Good but honestly for the price it could be better! The layout was weird, there was too much room making it feel cold and un-intimate. Ribs were awesome, but I felt like everything was overpriced for being mediocre- good. They have a good concept but its being executed wrong.
(3)
M B.
I was shocked on my most recent visit that the menu has been dramatically reduced. No beer can chicken??? The entree's can out one at a time rather than all together. They discounted our meal at-least but we this was at the expense of hyping the place up to a couple of friends that clearly came back at us. I'll give them 6 months to get it together.
(2)
Marcia S.
I went there last night, as I saw a lot of reviews for this place. FYI it's pretty casual, you can easily wear jeans and a nice top, definitely like not like your Miami or Fort Lauderdale scene, it almost felt like I was in Denver or somewhere like that. We started with the crab hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes they both were good and came out very quickly the Hush Puppies could have had a little bit more crab. We ordered a pork chop and ribs and those took forever to come out. We never complained as we thought it was pretty busy and the waitress kept on coming by and apologizing. Shocking a man came over to our table and apologized and told us he was going to give us 15 percent off our dinner. He apologized and thanked us for coming and hoped we would come back. That was the first time that's ever happened in any restaurant where they took responsibility before us even bringing it up, WOWWWWW, I WAS IMPRESSED, but as I mentioned it definitely did not have a Miami or Fort Lauderdale feel. Definitely give it a try if you like southern food a lot of salt though.
(4)
Megan M.
Been to Southern Swank a few times now, and I'm a fan. Their drinks are fantastic, and probably my favorite thing about Swank. It's hard to think of a place in that area that has such unique cocktails. On my last visit, they had changed up some of the drinks, but they were still delicious. The food is also tasty. The mac and cheese is a must, and I the sliders are pretty killer. Not my favorite chicken and waffles, but not bad at all. The waffles are perfect. Each time I've been, service has been stellar. Everyone was friendly, and accommodating. They're a little on the slow side, but not so noticeable to deduct stars for. Make sure you check out their photo booth in the back. It's a hoot! On busy nights, parking can be a pain, but be patient and wait it out for a spot.
(4)
Johane M.
The decor was better than the food and if you are a vegetarian it does not offer much meatless options on their menu. I went shortly after they opened but have not been back.
(2)
Breana B.
Unlimited minosas on Sundays 11am-4pm! This is what brought me here since it was closer than other places. I ended up ordering the eggs benedict biscuit sandwich which was pretty good. We sat outside and the service was good. We did come in through the wrong door so at first figuring out where to be seated was confusion. All in all I got my share of mimosas and left happy and tipsy.
(5)
Jay T.
Should have checked reviews first. Checked their on line menu - saw some interesting items including Shimp and Grits. Disapponted to find Shrimp and Grits were removed from the menu. Inquired as to why...the response was they couldn't get the grits right. That was a big red flag and we should have left right then. Highlights - Blue Cheese dressing. Home made and tasty. Lowlights - everything else. Over priced, very slow service, incorrect order served twice. Even the iced tea tasted bad. Stay clear of this establishment.
(1)
Anquanette G.
Yep no change. I still feel the same way about Southern Swank although the food was better this time around. I was having a really crappy day and on the word of Rosario & Brenda, I decided to give these folks a second chance. If these 2 ladies were encouraging me to try it, I knew I had to! I decided to Order the Yelp of course! I have to support the boy Blue so I didn't have to look at the menu at all. Buffalo chicken and waffles with a blue cheese drizzle! It sounded delish. I requested my blue cheese to be on the side. I like to control how much I drown my food in a sauce. Thursdays drink special is $3 well drinks!!! I was already a fan :-) Their well vodka is Pinnacle & the rum is Bacardi so I knew I'd be set for the night! I also ordered the corn bread b/c I was super hungry. That item came out very quickly and it was tasty. The side of cinnamon butter set off the salty/sweet combo in the corn bread. This one is a winner! My Order the Yelp dish came out... drenched in blue cheese drizzle. I asked the waiter to have it taken back b/c just as I expected, there was way too much on it. After 20 minutes, it finally came back out but THIS time, I got plain chicken with the buffalo sauce & the blue cheese drizzle on the side. I'm confused. What part of blue cheese on the side did you NOT get? I don't know if the ball was dropped by the server or the kitchen but either way, I was annoyed. So much so that I had to say something! The waitress apologized over and over again, told the manager and he also came over to apologize and offered to make it right. At this point, I was so hungry and annoyed, I told him straight up that I would eat it and couldn't wait for another one to come out. I told him if he took it back and the food was returned to me and I didn't like the food overall, I'd be even more upset. I even told him I was giving him a second chance b/c my first experience was so horrible. I appreciated the gesture He offered to take it off the bill and apologized again. Not only for the mess up with my food but for me also having a crappy day! In the end, I told the waitress to leave it on the bill b/c I didn't want them to think I wanted something for free. In the end, they still took it off even though I insisted that they didn't. I was torn between giving 2 or 3 stars. I decided on 3 for the fact that this time around, the service from the wait staff was much improved over the last visit & the food was very good! I enjoyed every bite of my order the yelp dish, cornbread & drinks! If only they could figure out my order. Next time, I'll just have something to go...
(3)
Alex L.
Went to this place long before it was serving the Yelp. I was looking for more southern than swank, and that is maybe the problem. The bar area is great, and the drinks are too. You should definitely order something off their specialty cocktail menu. When I was there was a band playing, they were serving smoking drinks in mason jars, and the place was PACKED! My niece (2 yrs) had a blast, and we all enjoyed her Mac n' Cheese. The steak is pretty decent tasting, though though a small portion for a quite a price. The chicken and waffles is a must.
Went there on a recommendation from friends. Not worth it at all. Portions sizes to price are not worth it. Menu online does not reflect the meal options. Things have been removed. Speciality drinks were disgusting. Call John Stafford for a bar/restaurant rescue. Arrived about 7pm. As we ordered our meals, were advised that there is no Pork products left. Only 2 Full rack of ribs. So there went two of our three orders out the window. Silver wear was dirty and had food and greasy fingerprints on them. Ordered with a waitress who was the bartender doing tables. She was pulled because the crowds came in and was making drinks not serving our table. No one covered our table. The so called Manager is a waitress and walked around like her shit didn't stink and she has a format 5 star barbeque joint. Should the manager have assigned someone to take over the service at our table? How the hell do you not have pulled pork or ribs at 7pm only two hours of being open and it was slow when we arrived. I WOULD NEVER EVER RETURN TO THIS RESTAURANT. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND IT EITHER. Go spend you money somewhere else. This place should be closed by end of the year if they don't get their shi together.
(1)
Anna R.
So enjoyed this dining experience! Started with the Fried Green Tomatoes- deliciously perfect appetizer. We decided to share the Chicken & Waffles and the Country Fried Steak. Couldn't tell you which was better! The food was hot, fast and finger- licking! The Apple Pie moonshine hit the spot! Great friendly service- can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jordanna E.
Nothing worse than being excited and...being let down. Every restaurant has a bad night, but not this bad. I almost don't want to write a review, because I don't want to revisit this night again. This LONG night with COLD food. So, let's have a quick review of the experience. Sit down, super sweet waitress greets us and I comment on how sweet she was and I was so excited that we had a great server with a personality. We want wine, and look at the wine list, and OMG, what are all those black lines? Oh..wines they are out of. Wines they are out of on their paper menus. Ummm...is this a regular thing? Do they just run out and cross it out until someone dials the good ole wine rep and places an order? PRINT OUT NEW LISTS. It's tacky. So we order the finest bottle of red on the menu...at their place..a $28 Meritage. The manager presents it. They have GREAT glasses, nice fat thin glasses. AWESOME. Made that cheap bottle of wine less likely to give me a headache tomorrow... So we place our appetizer and entree order, and also an order of chicken fingers for the kids. They were out of chicken fingers......REALLY? Costco too far of a drive to pick up a bag of Tyson?? IN place of the chicken fingers we add on an additional appetizer instead. Five minutes or so later, the waitress comes over and says that they were out of the Hangar steak, too. So now we are at three... GOOD wine, chicken fingers, hangar steak....) At the time I was at the Photo Booth, so my hot date asked if she would come back in a few. My date says she was really looking forward to that steak, the waitress suggests we could just pay for the wine and leave or something to that respect.... yikes. The waitress comes back when she sees me, because she was pretty attentive, and I ask her if I could get the Ribeye steak with the same "set up" as the hangar steak, sauce, sides, etc... She says she would have to check with the kitchen... She says it's not possible..whatever. I order the ribeye, date orders the "Yelp." So the appetizers arrive... BLAH. The Fried Green Tomatoes were soggy and just nothing to write home about. The Pork Sliders were ok, but no where near as good as the previous time my guest had visited. Also, asked for pickles on the side..umm. Yeah, didn't happen. I hate pickles. WE finish up the apps, our forks were filthy from the remoulade sauce that was on the tomatoes, and the waitress came over to clean the table, but kinda hesitates until I take my dirty silverware off of my plate and place it on the "clean" table. yikes again, maybe I am a snob...but can I just get a fresh set of silverware please? Ten or so minutes later she returns to tell us that she can make the hangar steak, they are just out of the potatoes it comes with. No problem, I will take the fries with it. Date says the same. What seemed like an hour later, but realistically was probably about 40 minutes, the steaks came out, with the mysterious 86'd potatoes?!?!?!??!?! Both steaks were cold, but the flavor was good. We chowed down because we were hungry and my little ones needed to get to bed!!! Mid meal she checked on us, and I knew I wanted dessert, so I jumped on ordering it before we finished our meal...so we had time to pick something new, wait for it, etc... Luckily it came out soon after we finished our meals, and it was the best thing we had all night...it was one of the bread puddings...can I suggest maybe staffing up? Not 86'ing products because you ran out of potatoes?! Or did you? The whole experience was weird, and I am not going back anytime soon.
(2)
Harvey D.
My wife and I decided to buy the Groupon and give this place a try. They are trying to bring down home cooking with a gourmet twist to Davie and I'm not totally convinced that it works. My wife hit the nail on the head by saying, "Foodies will think the food is missing something and the non-foodies will think the food is overpriced for what you get." For instance, she ordered the chicken and waffles and instead of syrup, they serve the waffles with marshmallow. She stated, "I'm not sure the marshmallow was enough of the sweet like the syrup would have been." She thought the dish was decent; however, it was missing that extra sweet kick. I ordered the 1/2 chicken with fries and cole slaw. Here leads me into the two X's for this restaurant: they don't offer free refills on soda (they serve the soft drinks in a can or bottle) and they don't substitute at all. I don't like cole slaw and would have preffered to have extra fries or some other side. No can do buckaroo. They will not serve anything other than what the menu says the dish comes with. My meal was decent and the portion size was fine. They did skimp a little bit on the chicken and waffles (in my opinion). The waitress was excellent and she refilled my water glass in a timely manner. The other odd thing about this place is that the food is somewhat overpriced. If they were located on the beach and you were paying for the view, fine. But not on University Avenue....If they don't lower the prices, I believe people will slowly start migrating elsewhere. A place like this needs some sort of way to get people in the door esp. once the Groupon has expired. Lowering the prices is a sure fire way to get people to come back. I probably will not rush back here esp. without a coupon. BTW, the Mississippi Mudslide dessert was fantastic!
(3)
Monica C.
I'm tardy to the Swank party. I didn't even know it existed. How I wish it existed when I was in law-school right next door. First and foremost, I love the decor and atmosphere. It's different, modern and fun. I heard rumors of a photo booth. I love photo booths and somehow I missed this one. I happen to think the food was delish. The fried green tomatoes were to die for! I know the chicken and waffles are tempting but trust me go for the burger. You won't regret it!! I'll definitely be back!
On my second visit to Southern Swank, I was once again underwhelmed. The location is beautifully decorated and "cool," but that's about all it has going for it. First of all, the food is incredibly mediocre for the price. I've now sampled two of their most popular dishes (chicken & waffles, and meatloaf), and both were OK at best. If I was paying $9-$10 per entree, that would be one thing, but Southern Swank charges $16 for each without any sides (but I wouldn't recommend the $4 coleslaw, it was dry and tasteless). The second issue is the service. It has to improve. A lot of the waiters/waitresses are young and are still gaining experience, but that's not the kind of service you want from a restaurant where you're easily paying $40+ per person. Overall, Southern Swank would be much more desirable if they improved the service, decreased their prices by 30%, and traded in the glitz and decor for some better cooking.
(2)
Gina C.
Went there for the first time yesterday for brunch. I was excited to try this place. It was a little strange at first because there were alot of empty tables, but the hostess was telling us and parties after us to wait 15-20 minutes. At first we thought maybe those tables were reserved, but even after the wait and after we were seated for awhile, it didnt appear so. Not sure if they were doing that for the kitchen or what. The brunch menu was small. The food tasted pretty decent. I ordered the Eggs Benedict. One of the guys with me ordered the chicken and biscuits and the portion was pretty small. I'm not going to rave about it, but possibly return to try their dinner to give it another try.
(3)
Daniel L.
We're constantly told that we need to check out Swank ("Yardbird in Davie", they said) and so my wife and I stopped in tonight. It was...decent. Right off the bat, I knew we were going to have issues when my sweet tea arrived lukewarm (and in the smallest glass I'd ever seen). My wife actually commented on how small it was. Oddly enough, my wine (first glass $5, second glass for a penny) was HUGE. My chicken and waffles were passable, but nothing to write home about. I've had far better -- Yardbird in Miami and Coolinary Cafe in Jupiter make some of the best C&W imaginable. My wife's hangar steak was good, however. Hate to say it, but I could have easily made this meal at home, and it wouldn't have cost me $65.
(2)
Shelby S.
Amazing Food !!!!!!!! Everything is so fresh and such great flavor ! You can tell it's all quality fresh food they prepare ! They have great music and yummy drinks too !
(5)
Christine P.
Great food and service! Went their for my bday dinner and they were very nice accommodating my party of 12. The Bleau chicken and waffles are a most have!! For appetizers a must have the pork sliders and ask to have them with their wings sauce. It's amazing ! Service was kind of slow but it was also very busy. Overall my experience was great! Definitely revisiting.
Had a last minute surprise dinner for my bff whos moving away. The staff was sooooo helpful! Fromt the time i called to reserve up all the way to the end. Wyatt and paige i believe were awesome they helped me decorate put away the cake and etc great customer service. The manager on duty ( i think) was helpful as well. Food wise the shells and cheese is reallllly good and i ordered the chicken and waffles, also good my first time trying it. Loved the photobooth they had there, Made for a great experience.
(4)
J W.
Different and good food. Excellent service. Different alcoholic drinks, that are great. Southern idea of food makes it good.
(4)
Mike E.
We came here for drinks and appetizers. The entree's seemed a little overpriced so we decided we'd try appetizers and if they were good, we'd order entree's. The drinks and appetizers were just flat out meh. Overpriced and not great. Not horrible, but not good enough for the price. We had the Old Fashion Swank, the Swanks Honey Tea, and a couple other specialty drinks. They were kind of inconsistent in how strong and tasty they were, so I'll just say they were "eh". Same goes the appetizers. Had the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Crab Hush Puppies. They were both pretty bad.
(3)
Brooke B.
My visit started with the hostess acting rather disgusted by the fact that we weren't happy with the table she wanted to seat us at. The booths have benches that are really far away from the table. The food is expensive for davie! My boyfriend is on a diet and couldn't find anything to eat. He ended up with the porterhouse which was over $35! That is way too expensive for Davie living and it wasn't very good. I asked for a side salad instead of French fries and they forgot and brought out the fries. Overall the food wasn't great, especially not for the prices. This wasn't the restaurant for me...won't go back.
(3)
Emily S.
Gun-shot barrel fountain. Check. Clint Eastwood movies. Check. Loud Top 40 Country countdown. Check. Flannel shirt uniforms. Check. Overpriced low-quality food. Check. Mandated "Howdy Y'all" server greeting. Check. Went for dinner when Southern Swank first opened and was so distracted by the obnoxious circus-like atmosphere and below par drink selection that we decided to give it another go. It was right after the initial opening and we saw promise in an establishment trying to find their place in the food desert of Davie. We returned for Sunday Brunch. They decorated the menu with traditional southern favorites and prices seemed reasonable until our semi-absent server had someone else deliver our plates. We order the omelet and fried chicken and biscuits. Nothing fancy and definitely not work the price. It almost looked as if they had used the omelet makers they advertise on late night television. It lacked flavor, texture, and "swank" and only got tolerably better with salt and pepper. Fried Chicken and Biscuits...I did not think this was possible to mess up. For $12, we got a biscuit and a half and one child-palm sized piece of chicken drenched in a pimento cheese sauce that was more watery than creamy. The chicken was of poor quality and granted I obviously wasn't looking for the healthier option upon ordering, but it was a poor cut of dark meat that had been fried and obviously sat for while in the watery pimento juices because it lacked crispness. Overpriced. Overdone. Southern Swank, you COULD be great. There is not another restaurant in the area trying to do what you are so desperately trying to accomplish. Either cut your prices OR deliver higher quality food. But seriously, chill out on the "southern" of your staff and music. It's an overkill and it is quite frankly annoying.
(1)
Meg K.
We love everything we have tried here. Green bean cassolette could be it's own meal but it nice as an app or a side dish. The country fried steak is amazing but don't forget to order some of their cornbread.
(5)
Elaina M.
We were excited to have a new place in the area and hoped for the best. After 3 dinners there, I can tell you that the food is average, drinks and bar are very nice and atmosphere of the whole restaurant is excellent. If only they could improve the food...dry tasteless corn bread, very tough ribs, over dressed salads. Next time will be only for drinks!
(2)
Kathy W.
Service was slow. Our order which consisted of 3 appetizers took over 30 minutes to get. "There was a mixup in the kitchen, sorry". Fried green tomatoes were bland no taste and were like a rock "you must of gotten a bad batch"! The wings were so so and the hush puppies were burnt outside but they were okay on the inside. Gave this place a chance won't be returning. Overrated and overpriced.
(1)
Eddie S.
Cool place, great concept and just what we were looking for. Would definitely come back for some cocktails, but the food....eh. Lacks any personality with flavor. The presentation is nice but the main courses are rather bland. The kids meal was awesome but we had the Country Fried Steak and Chicken and Waffles. Not exactly satisfying and lacking some basic spice.
(2)
Meli R.
Went to try this place out for the 1st time, with my Groupon offer ($15 for $30). The restaurant itself is beautiful and very trendy. I loved the country music playing while I dined. My server was very sweet and attentive. Now comes the food review: Well, lets just say THANK GOD i purchased the Groupon. I ordered the Country Fried Steak which was cook medium rare? The "sauce" that came on top didn't really offer any flavor. The thin, shoe string fries were just little bits of crunchy fried "things". We ordered the cornbread which was VERY dry....almost as if it was from the day before? the cinnamon butter helped a little, but I was still very disappointed with taste. My boyfriend ordered the baby back ribs, but getting the meat off the bones was just as hard as getting the meat out of crab legs. The baked beans that came with the ribs were just weird...not your grandma's baked beans. It was a weird combination of kidney beans and mexican salsa (but not in a good way). The $6 side of smashed potatoes were mediocre- no "wow" factor. My boyfriend was excited, thinking his entree came with 2 Kings Hawaiian rolls...but NO- just plain ol' dinner roll. Overall this place has soooooo much potential, but they desperately need to change there entire menu around. The prices are too extreme, for the quality of the food. This place cant even compare to "Yardbird" in South Beach...which i think is what they were going for.
(2)
Kelsey D.
I think we need more places like Southern Swank around here. It was such a fun and different place to go for dinner and/or drinks. Our waiter was super friendly and honest about what menu items he liked and disliked (which has my vote for a great waiter) and the food was really good! Great fried green tomatoes. The cocktails were delicious too.
(5)
Maram B.
Good place for dinner. I had the chicken and waffles plate and it was great.. The sauce was a marshmallow base which was a little rich for me but very flavorful. The service was slow and not all that great. They have a little sitting area outside and a photo booth inside for some pictures.
(4)
Zachary K.
Swank brings Miami prices to Davie! Ate here tonight with a groupon and would give this place a solid 3. Had the pulled pork slider appetizer (small but good), hanger steak (again good but pretty small portion for $24), and lastly the free range chicken (again very tasty but at $28 seems expensive for Davie). For two entrees and an appetizer without the groupon would've been over $60. This is simply Miami prices for a little bit better than average food.
(3)
Kristin W.
We started with a crab hush puppies. Those were good but nothing amazing. I ordered 2 apps as my main dish, shells and cheese and the pull pork sliders. None of the entrees really seemed interesting to me. The sliders were dry so I asked for some BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce was surprisingly really good! The shells and cheese were good too. My husband got the hanger steak. He enjoyed it but it wasn't amazing. We went on a Wednesday night. There was this live singer, who was not very good. It's a country restaurant, people want to hear country music! The waitress was very nice and sweet. Overall, I don't think I will be back unless their menu changes a bit.
(3)
Kitty K.
I drove from coral gables in 5:30pm traffic,paid $4 in the sunpass lane and paid more tolls on the turnpike. It took over an hour to get here so maybe my expectations were high. I wish I were high. The overall decor I really liked. What killed it was how brightly lit the place was. And it was LOUD,like totally obnoxiously LOUD. They were blasting country music. A great place to bring a pretty person who you don't want to listen to. We ordered to start the shrimp and grits -was tasty. Entrees were the beer can chicken and the hanger steak. Presentation was great but the food was tasteless. Ain't nobody got time for that.
(2)
Anjilyn S.
Chicken and Waffles, shrimp and grits and raspberry vodka lemonade. Brunch just got more exciting.
(5)
Claudia T.
I liked this place. We had the crab hush puppies as an appetizer. Came out hot and quick. Just the right amount of breading. Soft and flavorful inside. I will def order again. I got the beer can chicken, the half order, which is literally half a chicken. It was so good!! Super moist and the BBQ sauce they have is amazing!! It's like a sweet and sour type sauce. So good, I got extra. The fries and coleslaw it came with were good. But nothing special. My boyfriend got the fish of the day, it was swordfish. I can't remember how he said it was cooked, but it was good. Nothing special though. I would def recommend something more on the southern aside. Next time I go I'll want to try the pork sliders and the short rib meatloaf!!
(5)
Susan J.
Was driving by guy on sidewalk with sign about this place walk in and they tell us are closed get it together are you opened or closed tell the guy on your sidewalk disappointed strike 1
(1)
Monica T.
Upon walking in, I noticed the cute "swanky" decor and immediately thought I was going to enjoy my time here. The waitress was very nice, but as others have mention, not very experienced. Service was slow(mainly because she forgot to put in our entree) and also it was a Tuesday night. Anyhow, we ordered fried green tomatoes, Mac n cheese n pull pork sliders for starters. All were quite delicious, the pulled pork really had a nice flavor and was really moist. Fried green tomatoes were a bit bland for my taste but the cheese n shells were amazing!! Who can say no to pork belly. We shared the beer can chicken as entree. So yummy and cooked to perfection! I also ordered some cocktails, they were delicious(and a creeper). Be careful what you order, it's somewhat pricy here and you can really rack up a bill at the end of the night.
(4)
Nikki C.
Had a really awesome time, cute spot. Tried the chicken and waffles because that's what we were craving... I'd get the sauce on the side. The marshmallow sauce drizzled over it just over powers the whole meal which made for a VERY BAD meal. They should definitely just put all sauces on the side and give you the option. Service was great, a little packed on a Friday night but the server let a try the SHRIMP N GRITS for free for our troubles. I'd definitely give this a try again and at least this time I know what I'm in for with the CHICKEN N WAFFLES.
(3)
Janessa A.
Well nothing says Davie more than a country kitchen restaurant.... Definitely feel the southern vibe-something indifferent, artsy,new to the area. Came on Monday night not packed at all so why was the service so slow? Just to bring drinks out I think waitress setup was disorganized some confusion, had two waitresses come to the table. So,lets get down to the food- very good food i have to say shells and cheese were creamy with a touch of bacon and who doesn't love that? Beer can chicken was good ...french fries were seasoned presentation was cool. I have had better chicke and I have had worse. !6.00 for a half a chicken i guess was a decent price maybe a little too pricey for me. Desset- Bread pudding was good topped w a layer of sugared pecans and bourbon--pretty good. Overall I think it is something different-food was good -service could have been better.
(3)
Summer R.
I thought this place was ok but not great. I was expecting the restaurant to be a little more high end as far as dressing up. It was a very casual feel...inside was very dark and not as great as I thought it would be. We ordered the Country Fried Steak, Beer Can Chicken, and their Mac & Cheese appetizer. The steak was really good. It had these straw like French fries on top that were considered a "side" but it barely was anything of the such. That is why we ordered the Mac & Cheese which I did enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't like the chicken. It had a dry rub on it and the actual meat was really dry. There was a side of gravy to pour over it and it tasted awful. The chicken came with cole slaw (good) and French fries (not so good). Normally, we get desserts after dinner but didn't feel like risking it there and left after dinner... I probably will not be going here again unless I am forced due to a birthday party or something like that.
(3)
Jeffrey Y.
I'm sorry to say that after my last two visits I am downgrading my initial review from 5 to 3 stars. My last two visits the service was pretty bad, my wife and my orders had serious mistakes, and my last visit on 8/29/14 the food came out to half the table cold. This restaurant has been open over a year and has had time to correct some of the communication issues between FOH and the kitchen but has not really done so. Their food is still executed very well and tastes great but when it sits in the window and comes out to the table cold, there is a problem there. Especially when it after the normal dinner rush on a Friday.
(3)
Sandy V.
Really liked the crab hush puppies and that sauce it comes with! The chicken and waffles come with this marshmallow sauce that really compliments the dish!The bread pudding was delicious ( not as good as Michys bread pudding) but I will definitely be ordering it every time we come.
The only reason I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was decent. The service on the other hand was a nightmare. It was so bad that another table next to us was refusing to pay their bill and the cops had to come. I wish I could have refused to pay also. Our server was rude, our food took forever, and when the food finally came out, the last meal was 25 min behind the first one. We spoke to the manager who must have spoken to our server, and instead of apologizing or just not saying anything, he made a point to say "you didn't really wait 15 min for bbq sauce it was more like 5." Next time I want bbq I'll make sure to go to Arby's.
(2)
Anne S.
We planned a celebratory dinner here last night and made a reservation for our large group. We arrived early to learn they didn't have the reservation. The pulled a long table tagether pronto. The smells coming from the kitchen were amazing! Our server was frantic trying to get it together but struggling. There was a DJ playing western-themed music at crazy disco level volumne. Why have a horrifically loud DJ in the restaurant when the party people are in the bar??? When we commented about the sound she agreed. We complained several more times before she finally went to the DJ, who turned the music down briefly and then raised it right back up. (We had a family group of 15 and wanted to be able to talk to each other...) When I asked a question about a the Bleu Chicken'n'Waffle with a menu note to ask your server about..., I got a shoulder shrug, "its kinda like chicken with bleu cheese" ( I could have guessed that much.) The food came out in bits and spurts with several "apology" sides sent by the kitchen. The food items were interesting and creative but not all of them hit the mark. For example, the marshmllow sage sauce for the chicken waffles, was an interesting flavor, but a bit sweet and rich for fried chic & bread. The shrimp grits was one of the better hits. The Mac'n'cheese was amazing! The bar couldn't seem to make more than one drink at a time (so we mostly drank water) Suddenly the bill appeared and we were told the kitchen was closed. No head's up in case we wanted coffee and dessert (which by the way we would have ordered)??? The server assumed that with 15 people in the party, we would be splitting the bill and dropped copies of the bill in front of anyone over 30 at the table, leading to several very awkward moments. This place has great potential if they just get their act together.
(3)
Sol O.
I'm editing my review because the owner contacted me and informed me that that employee is no longer there. She was very embarrassed and apologetic. I found this to be a gesture of good customer service. Truly not sure if I will return but I will consider it. Unfortunately what's done is done. Started off as a great evening with good friends and good food. Quickly turned into a nightmare. As we sat, didn't realize how late it was when from afar, a worker yelled for us to get the F@$# Out! When we asked to speak to the manager this employee approached us and put his hands on one of us wanting to know why we wanted to speak to the manager and saying that he didn't give a F@$!. Manager apologized as this person continued to talk back to us. I will be going back; BUT only to check if this person is still allowed to work there. Otherwise I will absolutely NEVER return, nor recommend this establishment. It's a shame!
(2)
Tyler D.
The atmosphere here is really cool. It's very southern and swanky ;-), hence the name. The food on the other hand is ridiculously delicious. I've never had home cooking this good in a restaurant. I've had the BBQ pork sliders which were to die for, the chicken and waffles are delicious, the pork belly mac & cheese is amazing, and the crab hush puppies were simply divine. The staff was very friendly and I've only been here twice but each time the food was delicious. I was drinking Buffalo Trace bourbon, and a couple shots of Fireball Whisky... The entire place is clean, neat, and very cool. Don't come for lunch though, because they only open after 5 PM.
(5)
Sarah G.
I had such a fun time at this place. The owner Alex is great to talk to and gave us the best bourbon recommendation. The caramel apple drink is incredible, tart and sweet, plus apple whiskey...A++++. The crab hush puppies were so tasty. You could taste the crab and it had real corn kernels in each bite. This was our first time eating fried tomatoes, and we will be ordering them again. Nice and crispy, with a cornmeal crust and perfect choice of dressing drizzled on top. Just wish the serving was a little bigger, but that's because I wanted more. As for entree, chicken and waffles....OH MY GOD...heaven!!!! The sage marshmallow sauce complements both the juicy fried chicken and hearty belgium waffles. This place just opened so they are still working out some kinks but the food is spot on. Its a bar you eat at and not a restaurant you drink at, if that makes sense. Its a gastropub! Prices are based on the quality which is better than any old bar. The atmosphere was really cool. They had western movies playing on huge flat screen tvs, as well as sports playing and a photo booth. This is a great spot to meet up with friend or have a date night. Already planning my next trip there, and telling all my friends about it.
(4)
Alex W.
Waltzed in on accident a few days after their grand opening. It's a short menu, but what I've had from it so far is robust and flavorful. DO NOT OVERLOOK THE SPECIALTY DRINKS OR THE APPETIZERS. If you come just for the entrees, you might be disappointed by the lack of options, but I think they'll probably add some new items in the coming weeks and months. The interior decor is playfully rustic, a combination of what you might find in a barn and a rundown nightclub, but it doesn't come across as dirty or trashy or unappealing. The menu is predominantly Southern comfort food, but with a flair. Calling it an urbanized flair wouldn't exactly be accurate, but this ain't grandma's cooking, is what I'm saying, but you aren't going to be pissed off about the difference. The staff is incredibly friendly, very enthusiastic, personable, and helpful, and the specialty drinks (this bears mentioning twice) are incredible. Personal favorite, the Caramel Apple. Also, try the shells and cheese -- macaroni will never taste the same way again. Fantastic. Can't wait to go back here, actually.
(4)
Marie H.
I thought this place was really great and a total breath of fresh air for the Davie area. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, which were delicious but not your typical greasy fried green tomato, a little more upscale as it is topped with spring mix and the texture of the tomato was firmer than I've had, the price of $10 was also a bit much for three slices of fried tomato. That's over $3 a piece. The crab hush puppies were amazing. The pork sliders were also good with an awesome crunch from the cole slaw. The fries were like boardwalk fries which is cool. We also ordered the hanger steak which came out cooked to perfection but again not really worth the $24. We will definitely be back to try the meatloaf and the Mac and cheese though.. My only gripe about this place is that the owner, Alex, I think is his name, was walking around talking to everyone in the room, all friendly and buddy-buddy, but when we tried to talk to him he basically just brushed us off. I thought that was rude and a total turn off. You're not hot stuff just because you are in a three-way partnership over a bar/restaurant in DAVIE. Relax buddy, this ain't L.A. and you aren't Brad freakin' Pitt. SO COOL IT.
(3)
Robby M.
Let me start off by saying the atmosphere and decor is great, but that's about all that's great. A party of two, we waited for 15 minutes to have our drink order taken, and then was not provided with sugar for iced tea. The waitress seemed to realize she had started off on the wrong foot and instantly became overly sweet, but it was too little too late. As we looked over the menu we realized that the cheapest thing was $14.......and it was a hamburger. Now, we're not cheapskates but $14 for a hamburger is a little ridiculous. The menus that the overpriced food was on was pretty though. Once we received our food, which was a reasonable amount of time later, the shiny, greasy fries were probably the most appetizing thing on the plate. After eating about half the fries, I realized that this was a mistake and I probably could have received better fries at Wendy's. That's just the fries. The burger had more grease on it than an adolescent who doesn't bathe regularly. The bacon and onion mixture atop the burger was extremely salty. The bun on the burger was stale. After finishing the meal, we paid quickly and left. There was clearly a lot of thought and care put into the design and presentation of the restaurant, but the greasy, overpriced food and subpar service is what really makes Southern Swank a one star.
(1)
Krisitna M.
the decor is so CUTE. I have been wanting to try this place for a long time, i finally got to this week & I was not disappointed. Try there moonshine apple with sprite. UMMM can you say yummy.
(3)
Howard H.
Don't get me wrong. I think this place is got potential. But as they only just opened for business for a few weeks, I think they still got a lot of work to do First off, the service staff is extreme friendly. Greeted us with warm smiles and kept checking with us if we needed anything. We ordered a draft and a cocktail. The beer came fairly quickly but took a while for the cocktail. Given on a Saturday afternoon at 5pm the place isn't very busy, but imagine how soon would you be getting your drink orders at 10pm on a Saturday night. We ordered a few appetizers which were pretty good. Ordered a shrimp and grits entree and the dish didn't come out warm. I am not asking all my dishes be hot straight out of the kitchen, but the dish was just barely above room temperature so I guess it was sitting on the counter for a while before it was delivered to us. Again not asking for a lot but if the dish costs $21.00, I think it better be terrific. I will probably come back again during happy hour ordering just appetizers.
(3)
Carlucci L.
The food was good... but.... I think it was way overpriced for the TYPE of food you get. Yes, the decor is pretty inside... but I don't think I'll be coming back...
(2)
Rosie W.
The one star review is for service. While our server was sweet, she immediately walked over while we still sitting down and asked if we knew what we wanted to drink. We haven't even sat yet, we probably would like to at least look over the drink menu! she had no idea about what beers were on the menu or what Jai Lai was. Or what was in the drinks. Were these servers trained?? When we asked what was good, she responded with a response that was like, um everything obviously! Wow, sorry we asked such a stupid question. Then, we were asked if we needed anything every two minutes by the hostesses. There is a difference between monitoring tables and making sure needs are met and literally asking every minute. Halfway through our meal our server asked if we wanted to order dessert. We are all still eating our main courses! Then, once we finished, we waited about fifteen minutes for a hostess to come and give us to go boxes. We had our entire table full of empty dirty plates for about twenty five minutes. We were pretty sure we were forgotten about at this point. Then someone else came to clear all the plates and about ten minutes later our server brings the check. Guess we aren't getting dessert or going to be offered it since we didn't want to order it halfway through our main courses. This is what really made me angry though. One of our party went to the bathroom, and saw our server flirting at the bar. No wonder we hadn't seen her in forever, she was too busy chatting it up with a dude. This whole time waiting, I got to watch the hostesses organize their host stand. They placed every single menu ON THE FLOOR. And what I'm assuming was the manager was talking to them while they had all these menus on the floor. Total disconnect there, and I'm not blaming them. They were young and sweet they didn't probably even think about it. I'm blaming the manager type looking person standing right there directing them. The food was ok, nothing exciting. For as not busy as it was when we went, we had to endure awful service. Listen, I'm not hard to please. I had been a server for a decade and been a manager at of one of the busiest restaurants in Miami, and I of all people will be easy going and I don't require anything special. But if one of my servers did this at my restaurant, I would have been mortified. This server needs to be trained to have proper knowledge of the beers and drinks, o yes and the menu as well since she didn't have answers to some questions. But most importantly, learn some STEPS OF SERVICE, and don't go off flirting for twenty minutes at a time when you have tables on the floor. Successful restaurants don't just have excellent food, they have excellent service. You want your guests to come back, then make sure they have a memorable positive experience.
(1)
Gigi P.
Love this place the food, drinks, and service was great. Coming back for sure! New favorite place
(5)
Jessi M.
Last night I met a few friends for dinner, which would have been better if we would have just planned for drinks. We came in around 7:15 and there was a wait of 30-45 minutes for a table (the staff blamed it on the band). So we sat at the bar and decided to wait for the table. After about 25 minutes we asked the hostess how much longer of a wait it would be and she said there were 4 people ahead of us and that it would be 30 minutes so we decided to just order food at the bar. I was surprised at how big the restaurant was because it doesn't look all that big in the photos. Despite the size, as the band was setting up it was VERY loud. This is definitely not a sit down atmosphere where you can enjoy the chef inspired southern cuisine. It was more of a bar type atmosphere to order some drinks, since I don't drink and we came for dinner this was a disappointment. Even sitting far away from the stage it was hard to hold a conversation. All that aside, the wait staff was friendly even though they were super busy and it took a while to get their attention. We decided to order the Yelp offer of the Chicken & Waffles which came out just as expected. The marshmallow sauce was to die for and I'm told the dish was pretty spectacular all together. I had the Shrimp & Grits which were so-so. They must have changed since pictures were uploaded on here (I put a new one). The grits were a little watered down and slightly bland and the shrimp tasted like, well, shrimp. The dish all together was pretty good though. I just wish it were a little bigger for $14. Either way, I liked the experience and I thought it was super cool that they have a photobooth. Definitely a cool place to check out, especially if you are looking to meet up with friends for drinks after class.
(3)
Claudia O.
Just had an amazing dinner at Swank Southern Kitchen! Started with crab hush puppies and wow they were good. I have rarely eaten a hush puppy but these were very good. We also had the Mac and cheese with pork bits in it and were not disappointed. Very tasty. My husband ordered the St. Louis ribs and he loved them! Great dry rub that kept the meat moist. I had the chicken and waffles with a marshmallow sauce. Also very good. When I make fried chicken I make it a little spicier but that's just personal preference. We couldn't decide on dessert so we ordered both the Mississippi mud brownie AND bread pudding. We both preferred the bread pudding, kids at home will eat the brownie. My husband had the apple caramel moonshine and I the mint julep. I'm going back for the moonshine for myself. We had a terrific server named Alicia. All servers were great. Water always filled and we were checked on without being bothered. I recommend Swank Southern Kitchen!!!! Great place for a group dinner or just two. Looking forward to them having music in future.
(4)
Stuart S.
Walked in, liked the decor. Nice ambiance. Ordered only drinks and appetizers, I had the Swamp Water. Which was nice, like a blueberry mojito, girlfriend had chronic tonic, with vodka, not much to mention about that. Had shrimp and grits; which had a very very nice flavor, the pulled pork was also very tasty, and tender, finally crab hush puppies were nothing fantastic but the sauce was addictive. Will be going back to have drinks at the bar.
(4)
Charina F.
Went by on Saturday (Oct. 23rd) for the "Swankenstien" (very clever name ;)) Halloween party and have lots to comment on, which is the reason for my review. For one, my girlfriends and I had an awesome time. We got to dress up, have a yummy dinner at a cool restaurant, walk two steps to the bar for drinks, and two steps over to dance! Let's begin with dinner-- we ordered the shells and cheese, fried green tomatoes, sliders, beer can chicken and fries. The shells and cheese were uh-mazing. Granted, to say I love cheese is an under statement, but they were creamy, and cheesy and delicious. The fried green tomatoes were also very good; fried to a crisp and whatever they drizzled on there was really good too. The pulled pork sliders were also a hit at the table. I'm not much of a pork eater, however the girls were begging me to try and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. They weren't "porky".. If that makes sense. In any event, they were sweet and had some pickled spices that gave them a good kick. The beer can chicken was tied for first (with shells and cheese). It was smoky, and VERY flavorful, not like your typical rotisserie chicken. It came it a really big and cute presentation with fries, the sauce in a beer can, and a side of cole slaw. The cole slaw was just like any other cole slaw... The fries were hot and crispy and also had a nice kick of spice that was tasty! At the end of dinner our Wonder Woman waitress brought us each a complimentary "spooky" cupcake which of course, we thought was adorable. Onto the drinks-- we walked over to the bar for some raspy lemonade and swamp water that we heard many people in the restaurant talking about. The referee bartender made us that in addition to a "special" shot that tasted like a big red gum= delish! Needless to say, we were ready for some dancing. They had a really cute stage set up with a DJ dressed up as a witch (the entire restaurant was very nicely decorated with Halloween stuff). We danced by the bar and into the photo booth were we took a million pictures in our costumes along with all the cute props they had set up in the basket. I think we may have made it onto the "swank bank". Look out for Las Vegas show girls! ;) Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
S M.
The dishes on the menu look good, however the dishes I tried weren't the best. The shrimp and grits were over done. Not over cooked but too many garnishes. Tomatoes, fried chips, cold pickled green beans. It just ruin the dish. The smashed potatoes were dry. The greens were good, but the chicken fried stake though a large portion just wasn't well seasoned and all the food was warm, not hot. I didn't understand that since the place wasn't crowded. I hoped for the best but was disappointed. I may try the brunch, since I didn't get a chance to taste the chicken and waffles yet and it's pretty hard to screw up breakfast. Overall this place wasn't horrible, but for the price I paid for the food it was way below my expectations.
(2)
Julia S.
I was so excited to try this place. I'm a big foodie and when I went I was sadly disappointed. It was a beautiful sunday afternoon and they had seating outside available so the hostess sat us and told us "someone would be right with us." We waited 10mins and then went back inside informing the hostess that no one acknowledged us, so we would take a table inside. We heard the servers arguing over who would take the table and then we finally got greeted. It's $15 bottomless mimosas so I order that my boyfriend ordered a blue long island, they were $5. It took another 10mins for his drink to come. The food wasn't anything special. Ordered the chicken and waffles and it was falling off the plate when it was presented at the table. We asked for a manager and he came by spoke to us and said he would take care of us...he took $8 off the bill. Thank you southern swank kitchen, maybe some other time...or never again.
(1)
Tina G.
I had a very pleasant meal tonight with my server Fallon. We got offered the specials as soon as we were greeted at the table. We ended up getting the 50% off the reserved wine list. It was delightful. We also had the shells n cheese for our side dish, so yummy! We couldn't decide on what to have for the main course and she suggested the hanger steak and country fried steak. The hanger steak was bomb, one of the best steaks I've had but the country fried steak was still a bit greasy, but the potatoes that came with it were great. She also made a point to offer us a dessert but we were too full and we're going to definitely try it next time. All over, a great experience! Definitely will be coming back!
(4)
Carlos D.
The Southern concept has never really sat easy with me. This genre of food that includes biscuits, gravy, shrimps, grits, and fried chicken doesn't feel like it naturally complements each other as much as I'd like. That said, starving in Davie the other night, I chanced upon a little slice of Wynwood in the suburban desert. Southern-themed, but beautifully decorated, Swank wouldn't seem out of place in Williamsburg. If the food were bad, I'd still be thankful to enter a such an interesting space. But here's the thing, the food isn't bad, it's pretty damn great. I'm a sucker for execution. In every piece of Swank I encountered, from the menu selections (not too many, but not too confusing either), to the portions, to the appetizers and desserts - it reeked of careful planning and preparation, optimized to offer the perfect Southern experience. Highlights include: Monk in the Trunk on draft, Templeton Rye, and Crab Hush Puppies. I'd undoubtedly be a regular here if it weren't in Davie, but I at least now know where I'm eating next time I'm around those parts.
(5)
My-Oanh N.
It's a very cute restaurant. The decor is adorable. My boyfriend and I went for dinner on a Friday night, which is when they do their $2 Fireball whiskey shot specials. There was about a half an hour wait to seat us two. While we waited the manager offered us free beverages. Their sweet tea is delicious, the pork sliders were yummy. I had the filet mignon which wasn't anything special however it was cooked to my liking. My boyfriend had the blue chicken and waffles which were very good. Although the server was not very attentive, we will be returning to try more things from their menu :)
(3)
Diane H.
Mmmm outstanding menu, great food, lovely atmosphere, and exceptional service! It's dark inside with lots of great art. The 2 rooms were fairly large and there were 2 bars I believe. The menu had a lot of good food too that you can always expect from a gastropub! I had a beer can chicken dish which was a half chicken smoked and served with gravy made with PBR. the chicken was juicy and the only thing I can complain about were my soggy fries. Otherwise my friends Mac and cheese and fried chicken were ON SPOT. They did in out of a few salads thought which was interesting becUse it wasn't that late when we got there but they happily came over and told us about other dishes. I also say good service cuz we made friends with the waitress! She was so energetic and friendly which put our whole group in a good mood. She got us to order shots but they were pretty frikin weak...very nommy but weak. Otherwise, this is prob going to be my favorite (and only) local gastropub!
(5)
Eva M.
Needs experienced staff 911. The Mac n cheese was pretty on-point flavorwise but I feel as if I would have better things to say about it had it come out of the kitchen at some point before the manager realized my food order never made it to the kitchen. The delightful pork belly garnishing was its saving grace. Was given a free salad after the meal finally came out as an apology (weird touch) but it was incredible as far as salad wedges go. The ranch dressing was homemade, and what I mistakingly took as croutons were a juicy pork belly surprise that mixed well with the avocado. I will go again to give it another opportunity. I went on a very busy Friday night and was able to find a seat at the bar fairly quickly. The bartender announced she could not offer an opinion on some of the appetizers we inquired about, seeing as to how she did not permanently work there and was most mainly vegan. Nothing says the antithesis of southern cuisine like a vegetarian bartender. It is worth mentioning the staff felt bad, alerted the manager, and he was very apologetic and comped a round of drinks for us.
(3)
Joshua A.
Decent food, bad service... 50/50 on going back. The service was utterly, truly terrible! We went with a groupon (which said nothing about needing reservations). We were forced to sit at the bar because we didn't have a reservation, even though half the tables were empty the whole two hours we were there. At the bar it took 10 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us, once they did we ordered a few "specialty" drinks. They were good but nothing special or spectacular. When we mentioned having a groupon they looked at us like extraterrestrials but said that was fine. We ordered appetizers, the cornbread and fried green tomatoes were VERY good, but small portions (3 slices of tomatoes and a 3x3 of cornbread). When we were ready to order they told us we could not order entrees from the bar (even though the hostess said we could and so did the bartender when we mentioned the groupon). After asking 3 people they agreed to let us order but could not guarantee how long it would take. After waiting long enough to have another round of drinks (good but not special) we got our food. The chicken and waffles were very good (though our neighbor at the bar got undercooked chicken), worth going back for (even with the bad service). The cowboy steak was also very good, but nothing about it was overly out of this world, they were served with a heap of overly fried fries. The sweet pepper hot sauce was the only thing that saved them. Overall it was a bad experience made a little better by some good food.
(3)
Jonelle P.
I've been passing by this place on my way home for the past couple of months, and have been dying to get inside. After reading the reviews, I decided to go on a weekday when I knew it wasn't going to be busy. The decor and atmosphere is very welcoming. The food choices are very interesting. I ordered the chicken and marshmallow waffles, and it was delicious but very sweet.
(4)
Ken R.
If you don't mind waiting 45 min for a burger this is your place. The management makes a lot of excuses for the slow kitchen . They need new management . The wait staff and kitchen are doing the best they can but something has changed and they can't handle a crowed!! Too bad .... Was a nice local place
(1)
Robert A.
I went to Swank earlier this week with a friend. We both walked up to the bar and were able to find seating without much of a wait. The bartenders were friendly and as attentive as we needed, and they were speedy to serve us our orders and never skipped a beat. The food was awesome. We ordered a few of the appetizers which were the mac n cheese (on the menu it's the Shells n Cheese) and the Pork Sliders. Both were delicious. The presentation was great on the cutting board, branded. Great drinks and great food are all we could have asked for. We definitely want to come back again on a different night and see how the night plays out, but definitely coming back very often.
(5)
Alexander E.
Came by this evening for Dinner, and as usual this place never dissapoints , Cowboy Steak, crab hush puppies, mac and shells , corn bread , meatloaf!!!! AWESOME!!!!
(5)
Leslee G.
I don't usually do this but I felt the need to share my experience here for the second time. My boyfriend and I tried this place about 8 months ago. When we walked in, the hostess told us there'd be a 30-45 minute wait. There were at least 5 open tables. So we waited and looked around at all the empty tables only to see that another 2 top walked in without reservations and got seated immediately. The food was good but by the time we ate, the meal experience was already ruined. So we decided to try it again tonight. Thinking that maybe things would be different. We really liked the food and they were newly opened when we went so we hoped that the place would've improved. Low and behold, we walked in and were once again told there would be a 30 minute wait for two. Mind you, there were at least 4 tables and a booth open. The hostess, who spoke very insecurely told us that they were short staffed and had a huge party but basically begged us to stay. I worked in the food industry for over 10 years and I cannot understand how this place is still in business. I don't mind waiting, if a wait it needed. As they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. We will never go back here and I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)
Sheryl K.
Ate there last week with the family - had a groupon and had been meaning to try this place so we found ourselves there on a Tuesday night for dinner - very cute place - music was too loud but that's ok. Food was a little overpriced but if it would have delivered what I expected I wouldn't complain. Smoked chicken green bean skillet appetiZer was excellent - I would go back just for that and the watermelon salad which was yummy. However - our entrees were not that good. Son has the chicken and waffles which should have been amazing- waffles yummy as well as sage marshmallow Drizzle but the chicken was too fatty to eat. I understand they use chicken thighs but when I make them at home I buy skinless boneless thighs and I still trim the fat. The hanger steak was way too salty and my husband's ribs were stingy on the neat, he was still hungry! I would try again because I loved the idea of the place, maybe the chef had an off night?
(3)
Fernando G.
Wow. The food was great and the service was pretty good too. My wife and I ate here last week and it was awesome, I mean like "last-meal-on-earth" awesome. I had the chicken and waffles. It was perfect. And that marshmallow sauce... I'm finding myself drooling as I type this just thinking about this dish. We also had the fried green tomatoes and the shells-n-cheese. I could eat the shells-n-cheese for every meal for the rest of my life and die a happy man. Definitely going back to try some of the other things on the menu.
(5)
Chris S.
Went there for the first time last Sunday for brunch. The Apple Stuffed French Toast was phenomenal, the southern omelette was just so-so, but what made the meal was the biscuits with sharp cheddar butter and bacon jam...yum! We will come back but I think next time we want to come for dinner, the dinner menu looks really good. I love that everything is home cooked.
(4)
B H.
The staff is ok, not the most detail oriented...our server rang in the wrong order for one of our items. The decor is cool. The food and drink is extremely lacking. The brisket was cooked really well, but the bun it was served on was soggy. The fries were great. The green bean casserole thing was disgusting...like should not even be served gross, with drippy cheese and oil filling up most of the dish. My boyfriend ordered the Funky Buddha IPA and ended up sending it back because it tasted, well, funky. I ordered an Old Fashion and it was not made correctly...way too sweet. Overall, I would not recommend, nor will I be going back.
(2)
Enrique C.
Southern Swank Kitchen's delicious food, friendly staff, and great service will always amount to a pleasing dining experience. This is definitely a spot you need to experience. Pulled pork sliders and the mac and cheese were it for me. Go order that right NOW!!!!
(5)
Diana C.
Went for brunch and was not disappointed! My husband had the country fried steak and bottom-less mimosas and I had the French toast with a side of biscuit and gravy. The gravy wasn't my style but the French toast was awesome and our server was really great.
(4)
Jack A.
What the hell was that? Are you kidding me!? Jesus Christ that was disgusting! I don't believe it. I shoulda walked outta there without paying the bill. Just garbage. Pure garbage on a plate. They're thieves with the prices they charge! Then I woke up with my stomach hurting in the middle of the night. Thought I was gonna puke. I should have.
(1)
Lori G.
Very disappointed. Food was ok but it took over 30 minutes to get our meals. When it finally came out, it was far from hot. Was decent tasting but over priced for location and what it is. Server was average.....had to ask twice for water and never got it. My husband is willing to give it another try but me, not so much.
(2)
Maya G.
I recently ventured out to Southern Swank Kitchen in Davie with the fam. I very much was looking forward to it since I thought- a cool interesting restaurant in Broward? I'm in! We pulled up and I was definitely impressed. The decor was very cute- hip and trendy. I was totally feeling it. The attention to detail on the mason jars for drinks, the hostesses/waitresses dressed 'Southern' attire, I was thrilled. We sat down and ordered and unfortunately, the food is where it fell flat for me. I btw was with my 2 yr old, so I was also happy to see it was quite kid friendly (good amount of lighting and not crazy loud music). We ordered: Crab hush puppies- sounds better than they are...not impressed Chicken and Waffles- the Yelp special: I actually had to give it to my husband and switch with him bc I did not like it at all. It was smothered in heavy buffalo sauce that was ok, and the meal was actually not even warm. The waffles were kinda cold, and the chicken luke warm. Country Fried Steak- Really bland and not much flavor at all. Side Salad- spinach and tomato...nothing special to it at all. Kids meal- Chicken fingers and fries. We were actually told it was tator tots (not fries) which I was excited about but it was fries. It was also super generic, crazy breaded and unhealthy. I would've definitely appreciated a healthy option for the little one. It also was forgotten about and came out last even though we made it a point to say, please bring her food as soon as it is ready. So perhaps we got the wrong things and there are better items on the menu, but I doubt I will be venturing back here which is unfortunate because I had high hopes. I also don't imagine this restaurant to last too long with its current menu. Hopefully they make some changes and I will definitely give it another go.
(3)
John L.
very intriguing menu and good enough presentation but far too pricey. service from call for reservations to hostess to wait staff was simply bad. Not rude but uninformed, confused and slow, certainly not representative of our $100 tab. shrimp & grits and chicken fried steak were superb; collard very good. hanger steak good. my 2 beers cold enough but the lemonade vodka drink was far too sweet & Hawaiian Punch-like. train the staff, rethink pricing and you have a real winner.
Chicken and waffles was my pick. 16 bucks and I am OK with the pricing if the quality is there, after all its two different items. The chicken was bland and tasteless and not crunchy; the waffles were cold and tasted as if done with water and oil versus milk and with some butter instead of oil. Now, the look had great plating minus the scribble of marshmallow sauce all over. The marshmallow sauce did not go well at all, syrup would of been much better. If you want to go finer use real maple and it will taste better than marshmallow. Over all they didn't lie to me. I am a bit ignorant in the sense I read what I was about to eat and still ordered it. The service was mediocre. Only at our table when we need something, mind you we wanted to order cornbread and that didn't happen because he was busy hanging out near the food distribute window which is in the opposite end of the restaurant. By the time our food came no point in ordering. Water refill was on point. Will not be going there again...
(1)
Michelle L.
I went to this establishment because I used to eat at the restaurant that was here before Southern Swank. They have a pretty unique menu for the area. However, I was not happy with the service or food. With less than 10 customers in the whole restaurant, it took 45 minutes for 2 entrees to come out. The Southern Fried steak was not good at all (cheap meat and no flavor) and not worth the $22 price. The staff was friendly but the food is way overpriced for the quality that you receive. Won't be dining here again.
(2)
Catherine P.
Southern Swank kitchen is a great find! Service was friendly, atmosphere was great and the food was awesome. The Crab Hush Puppies were amazing. The Mac and Cheese Holy cheesy goodness!!! Yum. Yum. Yum. Chicken and waffles with blue cheese so tasty. Looking forward to my next visit!!
(3)
Shante L.
If your starving I wouldn't recommend going because the portions are small.But the food itself is absolutely delicious!!!! The restaurant is very nice and trendy, I would definitely go again just eat before I go. The staff was very nice and friendly and well versed with the menu. The drinks are strong as hell and put you out (which is not a bad thing) I would recommend the hanger steak and the chicken and waffles!!!! My favorite starter was the fried green tomatoes.
(4)
Chelle M.
Pretty good place. Atmosphere is more country chic than country BBQ - no BBQ on menus actually. It has nice big TVs to watch a game if it's your season. The food wasn't to die for but definitely good. Had crab hush puppies that were good with the sauce. I had the fish (salmon)with black eye peas and greens. Salmon was wonderful perfectly seasoned with slight crisp around edges. The green though could have been more - No real flavor but ok when you mix it with other stuff. Boyfriend had the chicken and waffles he said were pretty good and he's had them at a lot if places. Now the drinks were. Great I had the raspy lemonade it's like a raspberry mojito kinda - delicious ! Bf had signature swamp drink it was cool with the dry ice and green color it also tasted very good. In essence -- nice decor great drinks ! Not the place if you want soul food but good food. A little more pricey that any country themed place I've ever been but would recommend to try at least once.
(3)
Casey M.
Oh boy.. not sure where to start or stop with this one. Unfortunately, the night that we went they were insanely short staffed, so the whole evening was tainted with SLOW service. However, when we did get service they were nice enough. So, all the food tasted ok, but for the price they are asking I just don't think it's that good. I would probably skip entrees and just do appetizers. Best part of the night for my husband and I were the fun drinks (the caramel apple is awesome), but no one ever stopped by to offer us a second round! I think that most likely the lack of waitors was a fluke that will get fixed, but there was nothing great enough to cause us to come back.
(3)
Helene L.
Very good food-except coleslaw- and great service. Decor very nice. Bbq beer chicken smoked well and chicken waffles. Don't leave without dessert'n
(3)
Janice D.
I read the reviews prior to going here so I wasn't sure what to expect, which was a good thing because my expectation were minimal. I enjoyed my experience at the Swank and the loud country music did not bother me since I was too busy trying to eat. I was seated and serviced immediately. The starters came out pretty quickly, the entree and dessert didn't come out as quickly. I had several different dishes the Crab Hush Puppies (okay), Shrimp and Grits (loved it better than Yardbird I think), Cornbread (good), Meatloaf (didn't like it in the beginning but it ended up being okay), Chicken and Waffles (loved it), bread pudding (delicious) and Caramel Apple drink (love it but needs a little more liquor). My overall experience was great, the only thing I had a problem with was the long drive but it was worth the trip. I will make another trip here and next time with a group of friends.
(5)
Sara L.
Went to Swank on the recommendation of my sister. My husband and I are very southern being that he is from Texas and Im a hometown Davie girl. Swank is TRYING to be southern, but they need to up the hospitality and maybe work on some more experienced servers, Both the husband and I are in the industry and have been in both the server and management positions. Walking in, the entrance is a little obscured. There are two entries, and one is a "side" door where the courtyard is. If I didnt know better, I would have believed this was the main and been confused upon entry. The host was very sweet and accommodating, offering to seat us on the other side of the restaurant. Upon being sat, they give out two menus and a drink menu that we looked at but was never guided to. What I believe was a manager checked to see if we had been greeted after a few minutes, when we had not, he got our drink order and assigned us a server, who was behind us at another table, and then disappeared for a while to get the other table situated. Upon returning, she simply took our order. No suggestive sell and I never got a name. Our drinks were delivered and it was simply that. More along the lines of being an order taker and not really a "Hospitality" that is expected from Davie or a place boasting "Southern" theme. *Shells & Cheese = Creamy and tasty, however, my mac and cheese loving husband didnt necessarily enjoy it. 4 out of 5 on that one. *Fried Green Tomatoes = Tasty and Amazing. Portion is very small for an app and the price point ($10 for three tomatoes?) but overall very good. *Ribs = Not my favorite, but they were decent. Husband said they were a little spicy and SUPER SWEET. * Hanger Steak = This was rather disappointing for the steak lover that I am. The hanger was more along the lines of a thick Churrasco than a Hanger. Ordered medium, it came out more MW and was definitely on the Pittsburgh (charred) side. The sauce on it was very flavorful,however was blobbed on the center of the steak instead of a nice even layer to accommodate for added flavor. Potatoes were bland at best Dish could have used salt, however there was none on the table and we didnt have a check back until our meals were gone. *Beer & Tea were good. Bill was $80.00 (Thats with the tip) and honestly, it wasnt a stellar meal. Maybe 7 out of 10 on the ranking. Might come back for some snacks and pick at some apps...But overall for the price point, we can find better places. Best advice I can give is, enjoy the specials (Penny Wine, $4 drinks, ect...) but its not a staple place being the price point and quality/quantity of the food. Small apps. Servers need to push on table turns, multitasking and most importantly that Southern Hospitality of engaging your guest. Good Luck!
(3)
Barbara G.
Very overpriced food. Many of my friends were raving about this place, so I decided to try it. Very disappointed, will never go back, very loud, could barely hear my friends, the waitress taking my order or myself think. Left with a head ache and hungry at that. The Mac n cheese was good but the chicken wings were pink on the inside, the chicken and waffles were not that great (waffles were cold and chicken had no flavor and the marshmallow sauce was overwhelming bad) the bucket of fries tasted like pure salt (thought my heart was going to stop). Save your money and eat at the Mexican restaurant down the street or at a real southern spot called "yardbird" in Miami beach
(1)
Maritza C.
So excited we got a nice restaurant in the Davie area for those times u wanna eat out but don't want to drive all the way down to Miami or Ft Lauderdale for a decent dinner... Well, not that exciting anymore. I was really hoping the previous reviews were wrong and written too harshly by undercover food critics but... They were right!! It's such a shame this place left me disappointed, it ha so much potential!! First, coming in u enter the bar area which is large, u take in the space, the decor and say wow, this is gonna be good! Friday night with my son and they have live music, guy on his guitar singing, GREAT! Entrance is a little awkward cause the hostess stand is around the corner and unless you've been there before you're not quite sure where to go. We are directed to our seats and our waitress comes, nice and sweet enough. Takes out order. Our food comes pretty quickly. We ordered the wings to start and they were the best thing we ordered!! Sweet and spicy and an amazing blue cheese sauce! Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. Ordered the Cobb salad which had 1 fried scotch quail egg and 3 cubes of avocado of which I asked for more and the waitress was happy to oblige I just don't think I should've had to ask for more, it should've come with it. We also ordered the shrimp and grits which I was the most excited about and most disappointed about as well... It had absolutely no flavor!! :-(. The shrimp were a tad greasy and left little pools where they were nestled into the grits which my son usually loves but refused to eat. To top it all off it was so cold in there we were shivering, if they took it a little easier on the a/c then they may be able to charge less... Overall $40 for 3 dishes for mother and son including tip and that was with the free appetizer offer from yelp and no alcohol!! I gave my son the choice to go and eat at the food trucks tonight or come here and he chose this place. When we finished he said we should've gone to the trucks!! :-(
(2)
Michael K.
Its deceivingly expensive. Dishes are small but artfully arranged. Food is overly salted for the most part. Decor is nice but its an odd building in an odd location that doesn't seem to fit. Our server was attentive.
(2)
Susan M.
We went tonight because it was a new place and we had a Groupon. We made reservations but when we arrived we were told we had to wait. They said they weren't usually this busy on a Thursday night. Luckily we only had to wait 10 minutes. They had a new bartender and it showed Took a long time to get drinks at the bar and at the table. The fried green tomatoes were bland and no flavor to the breading/coating. The sauce was good. The ribs were good, liked the sauce but they were lukewarm. The fries were limp and also lukewarm. The hangar steak was $25 and worth maybe 1/2 the price. There was no demi-glaze on top of the meat, as stated in the menu and there was no flavor to the meat. The fingerling hash browns were only sliced fingerlings with no flavor. The positive was the staff was very friendly and the management listened to our complaints and gave us a small discount on our check. The decor and ambiance was very nice We will probably not be returning.
(2)
Heather M.
This review comes from a true Southern gal who grew up in Charleston, SC with some of the best Southern food known to man-kind. Now, I don't consider "South Florida" as part of the United States "South", so I was a little apprehensive after hearing mixed reviews about Swank from friends. After enjoying an incredibly delicious meal there, I can proudly say Swank is the real-deal for good Southern cuisine. My boyfriend and I went there for an early dinner on a Thursday night right after I got off work. We started off with cocktails. It was hard to choose because they all sounded great (and are VERY reasonably priced compared to many drinks you would get in the area). I decided on a Raspy Lemonade (dangerously good!) and he got a Caramel Apple moonshine drink (very sweet, but it definitely tasted like a caramel apple without the sharp "bite" you can get from a lot of moonshines). After ordering drinks, we moved on to the dinner menu. I read down the menu exclaiming "Oh no..." after every single item because I knew the further down I read, the harder it was going to be to decide what I wanted to order. Everything sounded delicious. We decided to get a few small plates and share. We had fried green tomatoes, chicken and biscuits with a gator andouille sausage gravy, and the St. Louis Ribs. The ribs were tender with a nice tangy sauce on them. The fried chicken that came with the biscuits was perfectly crispy and not at all greasy. Usually you can only get that kind of fried chicken in your dreams. The gravy was very flavorful and the texture of the gator was very tender - not chewy like it can get after cooked. Those two dishes were great, but the star of the dinner were the fried green tomatoes. Ladies and gents, please note again that this review is coming from a true Southern woman, I can confidently say those fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had in my life. The cornmeal didn't fall apart or slide of the tomatoes, they weren't greasy, and the creole remoulade didn't overpower the taste of the tomatoes. Nothing short of utter perfection. As God as my witness, I shall never go hungry (for good Southern food) again!
(5)
Marilyn M.
The place was pretty empty for a Saturday night. I now know why. It's nice inside but just a huge room with little atmosphere. Our waitress was slow and goofy and had very little knowledge of the menu. Very pricey for what you get. One lady in our party didn't get her meal until the rest of us were done eating!! They burnt her meatloaf. One lowly piece of meatloaf slapped on a pile of mashed pumpkin. Glad I ordered the country fried steak, although it was really pricey and a thin pretty tough steak. Expensive meals don't come with a veggie beside the starch, they're ala cart. Fried green tomatoes were as hard as a rock and bland. Crab hush puppies were very fishy. To end all, the manager offered free dessert to comp for the late meal for our friend. She asked the waitress twice if they could leave the pecans off the mudslide and the waitress assured her it would be done. You guessed it!! the mudslide ( which requires a 15 minute wait time when ordering) arrived covered in pecans!!!! They took it back and the waitress brought a selection of two already prepared crappy looking desserts for her to chose from. My bread budding was floating in an inch of butter. When the bill came, the manager only comped us for two of our crappy desserts!! Probably people have had a great meal here, but we sure didn't and for $140.00 for 4 people ( no alchoholic drinks) it was way over priced. Could easily get the same meal but much much better and way cheaper at CRACKER BARREL!!
(1)
Elenis C.
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!! I had the country friend steak and my husband had the chicken and waffles. WOW SO GOOD!! We went on the first night that they had some local artists singing live country music and it was very cool. The owner was nice and again the food was sooooo delicious. I wish I could have some right now and I wish they were closer to my house. Must try this place if you are nearby!
(5)
Joshua B.
Walked in at 615pm on a Saturday and place 1/4 full. They see my 4 yr old and decide that we deserve a table for 2 with an extra chair rather then 1 of the 5 available tables for 4, so not a great start. Server was excellent I can say that as positive, hostesses not so much. End of the day the food was not great. Fried green tomatoes were undercooked, crab hush puppies smelled like crab but no crab to be found. Gravy on country friend steak was super salty, batter was very good. Desert was presented well but bland (carrot cake). Drinks were excellent, quality and funky mixed drinks. A star for drinks and star for server. Ps. Even kids chicken fingers were dry and bland. Too bad.
(2)
Earl K.
The beer chicken I had was undercooked. The cole slaw was ok. The Mac and cheese was the best thing I had. But what got them a one star was Mark the general manager and his lack of professionalism. I attempted to use a groupon that I purchased. The waitress asked me for my groupon number and I gave it to her. Thinking everything was fine I redeemed it on my phone before she could make it to the computer. She then comes over and tells me the groupon number isn't working. I show her where it says redeemed exactly 2 min after she leaves my table originally with the groupon number. Then Mark the general manager comes over and tells me it's my fault for redeeming it before she could put it in the system and he won't honor my groupon. I'm like are you kidding me! Before that he insults my integrity by asking "are you sure you haven't used this before?" It took everything in me not to give him a verbal smacking. He stated he had to make a call to the owner to see if they would honor it. In thinking, why do you have to call the owner, aren't you the general manager!!! He resolved it but it took an additional 30 min. It was a waste of my time for what amounted to $15 in savings. I will never go here again and will encourage the hundreds if people that I know to never go here and to spread the word/truth about this place.
(1)
Chris R.
Service was the worst I've ever encountered. Waited an hour an fifteen minutes for chicken and waffles before having to get up and walk out. Every time we would try to find the server he would make eye contact and hide in the kitchen or a back room. We spoke with a manager who said he would get our food but after another 20 minutes we gave up. I looked forward to eating here and after being a server for a number of years I am sympathetic to servers but this whole experience was the worst I can ever recall. Drinks were ok. Can't comment on the food because we were never served. ...
(1)
Stephanie L.
Great place for drinks and great food with friends.. Inside is loud, but a fun atmosphere for a group gathering. No complaints when it came to the food except that it did take a little while to get, but worth the wait. Very friendly service as well.. Will defenitly go back :)
(4)
Michelle F.
I was very excited to go on a date night with my boyfriend to Swank. I had been to the other "southern style" restaurants in Miami so the bar was set pretty high. In lieu of of some of the negative comments we had read on here, we went with an open mind and a huge appetite. Let's start with the service, I won't say terrible because our server was a very sweet girl but I find it unacceptable to be seated for nearly 10 minutes without anyone taking our drink order. The restaurant was fairly empty, most of the staff was hanging out in the back of the restaurant chatting or at the bar chatting with the bartenders. I was ready to walk out when our waitress finally approached our table. Then another 10 minutes passed before our drinks arrived, the bar maybe had 2 patrons & there were 2 bartenders chatting with other staff, so not sure my my Raspy Lemonade and my boyfriends 8oz bottled coke took that long. My drink was tasty and appropriately served in a mason jar. I thought the sodas being served in a bottle was also a nice touch, however at $2.50/ 8oz bottle it is way too steep for the area. Just pour it over ice in a mason jar & offer free refills. My disappointment came with our food. We started with the shells and cheese. Again keeping with the southern-country theme, it came in a cute little cast-iron skillet. Yes it was creamy but warm at most, i expected piping hot, i had to make sure i scooped up a piece of bacon with each bite otherwise the pasta itself was bland. We didn't finish it because ultimately it was too cold and bland. For dinner the waitress recommended I go with the blue chicken and waffles, my boyfriend ordered the meatloaf and our sides were cornbread and fries. Sadly, the best part of our dinner may have been the cornbread. My blue chicken and waffles were again, warm at most. I expect my food to be hot, especially when i cut into it. Although the buffalo sauce the chicken is tossed in was flavorful, my chicken was warm almost too cold to enjoy, it was very chewy, almost tough. The waffles were not crispy, also warm not hot. The dish tasted like it may have been left over from last night's service and was nuked just enough to take the cold off from being stored in the fridge. My food was too cold to finish eating it Or maybe it just sat there until one of their servers decided to interrupt their conversation & bring our food. My boyfriend's meatloaf was more like a meatball sitting in a bed of, warm sauce. His fries were salty and soggy, at 16$ for this entree thats acceptable, oh and 6$ for the soggy fries. We didn't bother to complain, we couldn't really designate a manager anyway. For being a fairly new restaurant on a slow night I expected for a manager to go around each table & ask how service was but we didn't see any of that. At the end of our meal we paid $64 plus tip because our server was friendly but left unsatisfied due to our extremely overpriced, sub-par dining experience. I have better food and better service at our local Flanigan's than here. It is a shame because it is a very nice establishment. Their staff needs further training, their menu needs revamping to accommodate the steep pricing for the area it is located in. Otherwise I do not see a bright future for Swank.
(1)
Dean W.
okay...I am definitely one who looks at reviews first before I try a place I've never been to before. A lot of reviews give this place a negative for a few reasons so I almost didn't go but glad we did and here's why. A lot of reviewers say the service isn't up to par and not good. We had a young lady who was our waitress who was fantastic. The place has a bar side on the left and a smaller bar on the right with a lot of tables and booths to eat at. The bar side does have about 2 booths but mostly high-tops to sit at which we didn't want. Seated the four of us right away with no reservation around 8 o'clock on a Saturday night. A waitress came to take our drink order within 2 minutes and explained the specials to us mostly for the drinks since we hadn't even opened the menu yet. Now, some say the waitress ignored them when they needed a refill on water. Ours left a carafe of ice cold water on our table so no problem there. Next, explained the food specials when she brought our drinks. Appetizers were amazing. Being that there were four of us and two of us were wives (who don't eat much), we wound up ordering the fried green tomatoes, the pulled pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. All appetizers were delicious and came out soon after we ordered. One was $9, one $10 and one $11 so I don't know what people are complaining about it being expensive. We ordered the hanger steak, the meatloaf and the fish special of the day. Of those, the meatloaf was probably the one I cared about least but still very good. A little soft for me but after all it was made of short rib meat so that's to be expected somewhat...still very tasty and had a great pumpkin mash underneath the whole piece of meat. Where I was really surprised was the marinated peppers and tomatoes cut up on top of the meatloaf. I didn't expect those but they were outstanding as well. The hanger steak I tried was very good...came out just as ordered and the small cut up potatoes were also very good. We also tried the smashed potatoes which came with the fish of the day and they were very tasty...very creamy and had some nice chunks of potato in it but cooked enough so as not to be crunchy but tasted very good. For dessert, we really didn't want anything but did try the bread pudding just to try something. It was average. Not as good as the bread pudding they serve at one of my favorite restaurants in Ft Lauderdale, Canyon restaurant. The waitress, when we ordered 4 cups of coffee told us she was going to make us a fresh pot which be the way...the coffee was EXCELLENT too. Now, I'm not a Starbucks kind of coffee guy. I much prefer Dunkin' Donuts coffee to the SBUX. I don't like my coffee so strong that when I put two things of cream in it it doesn't change color at all and this coffee was spot on delicious. We did order some cups of wine and some kind of alcohol pink lemonade drink which was good ($9) and served in a glass jar (Southern style I guess). Overall, it was a great experience. A manager type of guy came over towards the end of our meal to ask if everything was good tonight and we told him it was. I also saw standing against the back wall him when he left with about 3 other guys who looked like they could also be managers/part-owners looking around to make sure everything was okay in the place. So, as far as is it overpriced...I'm going to have to say not really. I'm not sure where the people who are knocking it go out to eat but if you've been to S Beach or Mid-Town lately and had tapas...where they serve you a small plate which doesn't even wet your appetite so you wind up buying a bunch of them at %10-$15 a pop...now that's expensive to me...and at these tapas places I always wind up paying a big check and leave hungry. I can tell you we did not leave hungry from Swan Kitchen and if you do...you are doing something wrong. We would definitely be back to dine at Swank Kitchen...by the way, with one drink and two glasses of wine...we all ate with coffee and shared one dessert for $138 including tax but not tip Oh, forgot to mention...they also have a cool photo booth in the back that you can use (FREE) to take a picture and post on the wall for a chance to win something or take with you...just a little fun thing that's there...good for kids or adults.
(5)
Michelle W.
Drove by many times and said we needed to try it. Few friends have gone but more views one way or another. Well, I kind if understand why. You are so perplexed at the whole experience you just don't know whether to say you liked it or not. From the moment we walked in we felt it was a mistake. Not very busy, no one waiting, but we stood for an awkward amount if time while the manage and hostess went back and forth about where to seat us. Tried to push us to take high top in the bar area when many tables were open in DR. Waitress pleasant but super young and inexperienced. Wine list has very very few options by the glass- probably because they want to push you to a pricey specialty swamp water drink. Menu was limited and unappealing. Two menu items were scratched and it was only 6:30. Like another reviewer, I ended up ordering shells and cheese and took a few bites of hub's beer can chicken. It was moist and tasty. Did not like the gravy. Black eyes peas were tasteless. Coleslaw was bitter. If you leave a place spending $65 only commending their Mac n cheese and their fresh cut fries , you've gone to the wrong place. They have quite a few kinks to work out.
(2)
Rick S.
Southern college bar feel oddly mixed with south beach portion menu. Pricy trendy food with small portions is what they mean by "swank". Ultimately you are Paton too much for too little BBQ and beer. Very cool atmosphere but you pay too much for what you get. My wife and I were excited to finally get a chance to try the place out. We loved the atmosphere so much we really wanted to like the place. The inside was very friendly and felt like a Southern college town type of feel. We liked that they had craft beers. But when it came to ordering food we were orally disappointed. The menu shows they were trying really hard to be trendy but it just didn't quite work for us. We decided to try the pork sliders appetizer. They brag that it is cooked for 8-12 hours or whatever it was. When the appetizer came we couldn't believe it. There was nothing to it. Three sandwiches the size of two quarters each for $10. It was kind a silly. We decided to eat elsewhere. I would go back again to have a beer but I wouldn't eat there again.
(3)
Angelica O.
I went for brunch didnt like that the menu was so limited besides that portion size was small. GUESS I NEED TO GO FOR DINNER !!
(3)
Ikam A.
We have come here twice and loved both times. The drinks are great. Our bartender Thomas took good care of us the second time, when we sat in the lounge. He explained how he makes all the delicious drinks featured on the menu. The first time we went we tried the raspberry lemonade and the cinnamon apple, and the second time we got the tea-lemonade one and the chronic tonic. All drinks were amazing. The first time we went I got the burger and my husband got the St. Louis ribs. Last night I got the potluck salad with kale and pulled pork and my husband got the chicken fried steak. For appetizers we tried the fried green tomatoes and the crab hush puppies. Everything was delicious. I would highly recommend this place. The atmosphere is great and the dishes are original and hearty. The collard greens are amazing.
(5)
Daniel T.
Not many places serve collards or black eyed peas around here anymore (if so, please do tell!). Also, this place is not a chain and I encourage that. I've eaten here several times and have not been disappointed. The country fried steak is great.
(4)
Lia T.
Upon entering the restaurant I was surprised with how cool the place looks in comparison with local places. As for drinks, I had no complaints with the iced tea and my mother said the lemonade was amazing. Unfortunately, the positive comments end there. I am always willing to shell out money for good food but this place was incredibly overpriced for what they offer. We split the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and after eating half of one slice (4 slices = $10) i decided eating more of the sour, completely unseasoned tomato was a waste of calories. I sampled my mother's dish, the Pork Chop and Baked Beans ($18), which was decent but the beans were barely warm and the pork was missing any of the searing I've come to expect from any restaurant. I ordered the Country-Fried Steak for myself ($22), which was literally just a steak with a mass of super crispy shoestring potatoes on top. The steak was okay, but it was kind of like eating steak and potato chips for dinner. I don't think I've ever paid so much ($60+ including a basic tip for the basic service) for such yawn-inducing, small portioned, dissatisfying food. But I won't ever again.
(2)
Ana L.
I recently attended this place with a large group of friends. I did not enjoyed this restaurant. First of all, we had made reservations and their sitting arrangement was very uncomfortable. They squeezed twenty of us in in a few tiny tables with high chairs. It was very uncomfortable and after a while I couldn't wait to leave. There were a couple of people with disabilities and it was very hard for them to get in and out of the high chairs. Second, the food is overpriced. One of my friends had the pork chops with beans and a soft drink and her bill was almost $40. I had the water melon salad, only because i couldn't find anything else in their menu that was reasonably priced. I didn't enjoy the salad. They just put a big piece of water melon on your plate and lettuce on top. It had no flavor at all and it costed me $10. The service is not so good. They didn't bring all the orders at the same time and one person in our group had to wait long for her meal because they mixed up her order and brought her food when everyone else was done eating. I do not recommend this place ,mainly because it's overpriced.
(1)
Aggie M.
So I want out, I want food, but not just anything... comfort food! I try that in the search & JACKPOT! I've got a whole list of places to check out. The first one, though was Southern Swank. I thought it was cool that it had what seemed like two 'feels'. The more open, cool format & then the cozy, fun, bar area! We sampled because we couldn't decide. The macaroni & cheese.... Ohhh. So many times I get recommendations for mac & cheese & I'm disappointed, but not here!! (My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) the rest of the food was yummy & really hit that 'comfort food' spot for me. I'm excited to go back again soon! The only reason I didn't go with 5 stars was that our server missed a dish & seemed to forget us. I'm convinced it was just an 'off' night for him, & am sure the service is usually spectacular. When he did check on us, he was definitely helpful...
(4)
Kirsten V.
I had made reservations here two weeks in advanced, when my party began arriving at the restaurant they were informed the system has been changed and therefore the reservations were lost. Oops! They then told them they would have to wait for a table as we were a large party. No remorse. Once we were seated it took 30 minutes for a server to attend our table for drinks and then another 35 minutes to receive our drinks which did not come as we ordered. We waited over an hour and a half for our 1 appetizer! Let's just say the service is beyond slow, they are clearly in a southern state of mind, nothing but time. By the time we received our entrees it was at least 2.5 hours after sitting down. In general, we were informing the waiter in how to do his job all night long. Can we have lemons and lines for our cocktails that we asked for? Can we have silverware and napkins? Appetizer plates? Silverware and napkins for the other half of the table? More water? The remainder of our entrees? For my friends that were eating there for the first time, this was a horrible experience! They really need to step up the quality of their service!
(1)
Robert M.
The service was great and the staff were very accommodating to our needs. We shared the mac n cheese appetizer, a little to oily for my taste but good. My partner had the chicken and waffles drizzled with a marshmallow sauce which he raved about. I had the pulled pork sliders which were very good.
(4)
Jorge H.
I was really looking forward to this place. Unfortunately it wasn't what I expected. If you're thinking this place is gonna be like Yardbird on SOBE it ain't. Don't get me wrong it's good, it's ok. The portions are small, overpriced and are nothing special. When the waiter says "meatloaf is a small portion, if you're hungry get something else" makes you think?? Overall Southern Swank has a decent vibe and the staff are very friendly and nice. There's no background music only TV's playing sports. (???) There's just something missing. It's in Davie right by all the college campus's so you'd think they would cater to a hipper crowd but I don't see it with those prices. I'd cautiously go again.
(3)
Andrea W.
I liked it as soon as I walked in the door. Not a big menu but everything looks really interesting. My friend and I had the wings, pulled pork sliders, shrimp and grits, and baked beans. Everything was delish and can't wait to come back to try more. And our server Nicole was a delight.
(4)
Robyn M.
Sadly, one & done... While our waitress was animated & sweet, it didn't make up for the service & food sucking! Drinks took forever! A beer in a bottle?! Food came at a good pace but one dish was worse than the next. If they're even remotely trying to be southern comfort, they should visit Yardbird & Swine to see how it's done! I give it a short lifeline. There's nothing to fix, it just does not work! Wait, I did have fun in the random photo booth by the bathroom! As my kids would say... Epic Fail!!!
(1)
Edward M.
Girlfriend and I went to Southern Swank on a friends recommendation. We weren't impressed. The place was very loud. They also had live music which just made the noise level almost intolerable. Although the place was crowded we were seated right away. It took about 15 minutes for the waitress to show up to take order. After about 20 minutes our first appetizer showed up. We had the Fried Green Tomatoes. We had to wait another 10 minutes to get plates and utensils. The Fried Tomatoes were great though. We had finished the 1st appetizer and yet we were still missing our drinks. We had to get a different waitress to bring us our drinks (30 min after ordering them). Waitress then came to take the appetizer plates. We told her that we needed them for the chicken wings we had ordered. She told us that she was going to bring us clean plates. Long story short, the wings came, the plates didn't. After 10 minutes of waiting, I had to ask a bus boy to bring us plates. The wings were actually pretty good but not very meaty. Finally our entrees arrived. (I took this opportunity to order another round of drinks. I ordered myself 2 swamp waters. i didnt want to wait 30 min for the 2nd drink should i have wanted it. My girlfriend ordered the chronic tonic. My drinks came pretty quick while my GF had to wait another 15 min for hers). My girlfriend ordered the Chicken and Waffles. Not bad. The chicken was a little overdone though. I ordered the Country Fried Steak. I had no complaints. It was very good. Not sure if either was actually worth the price though. Although the food tasted really great I'm not sure if we'll be returning to the Southern Swank anytime soon. Maybe try again one day for an early lunch but probably never for dinner again.
(1)
Cathy D.
Food was delicious. Very unique entrees. Not your boring, run of the mill. Very cool decor. Waiter was excellent and very personable. Maybe a slight bit pricey, but you can get a discount on Groupon. Definitely worth a try.
(5)
Jose V.
Food is very good but a little pricey. Our server was nice but we didn't see her very often. I'd eat there again.
(3)
Alex B.
Food depends on what you pick - the prime rib was amazing, while the pork chop was a bit dry and the baked beans a bit too sweet. Service was just ok, not stellar - but of course that will depend on your service person and I've only been here once
(4)
Randi W.
Won't be back. The $14 shrimp & grits was a 4×6 inch dish of a poor attempt. I asked about the market fish dish, and was explained that the yellow tail snapper was served on kale with black eyed peas. The menu says it's served with collards. I asked the waitress (who never gave her name) why not collards. She proceeded to tell me they were the same thing. LMAO! Imagine going to a "southern" restaurant, and ordering collards, but getting Kale??? I. Can't. Anyway, for those who love it, great - but there are better "southern" places to enjoy. The dishes are overpriced and I got the feeling they are trying too hard to be "cool". $7 cornbread? Really? Oh, and "swank" should be taken out of the name. This place doesn't have an ounce of swank. I really wanted to like this place. :-(
(1)
Alexii N.
Came here on a quiet Tuesday night around 7:30 and left feeling completely underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The restaurant's decor is a little much- reminiscent of a Disney theme park in that there is too much of it and nothing is authentic. That pretty much carried over the the food too. We ordered the meatloaf, but were told that they were out of it after we ordered (on a Tuesday night?!)- seriously that is just poor management. We ended up ordering: Chicken and Waffles: I've had many versions of this dish. It is one of my favorite southern foods. Swank's version is the worst I have ever had. Two waffle quarters and two pieces of friend chicken thigh are topped with a "marshmallow sauce" and garnished with hot sauce. Well, the chicken was ok but was fried too long and overly crispy. Better waffles come in the frozen section and Publix, and, the alleged marshmallow sauce is actually from Publix. Marshmallow sauce = watered down marshmallow fluff, which, when mixed with hot sauce (tasted like Franks hot sauce) is just not a combo that's tasty. Overall an epic chicken and waffle fail. It tasted like a dish they were experimenting with that needs a lot of work. Ribs and Cole Slaw- not bad. Ribs had a good flavor and the sauce was ok. Not very much meat on the bones though. Honestly, I have made far better ribs at home and they were nothing special. Coleslaw, however was fantastic. Tangy and really yummy. Corn Bread- you get one square as a side item. It was $6. It was dry. Are you kidding me? You could make two 13 x 9 pans of it for $6!! It was just eh. All of the food was served on some kind of wood/cast iron/mason jar type thing and was just a little too much. I would have rather had better food and less country crap. To make matters worse our server was extremely awkward and inexperienced. She was a nice girl, but kept hovering around the table, didn't know the menu, and was, quite frankly, annoying. I also noticed who I would assume is the manager walking back and fourth across the length of the bar like he had nothing to do. Maybe you should check in and see how your customers like your food, and you would have more than 6 tables sat in your restaurant.
(2)
Christopher M.
This place was exactly what you'd expect when you walk into a place named Southern Swank Kitchen. Great vibe & atmosphere place has a good feel to it. The food was outstanding, shells & cheese, wings and cornbread are a must. There uniquely crafted cocktails are also worth a try. The only thing I didn't like about this place that much was the customer service, wasn't great and the prices were a little steep. All in and all I did enjoy myself and will be returning at some point in the near future.
(4)
Jonny E.
Chicken came out cold twice and undercooked on the inside. The owner/manager came back to apologize after the first time it came out cold and offered us a free dessert to compensate (which it never really does). Waiting for the waitress to drop and pick up the check took almost 40 minutes, when it wasn't even that busy! Food was average and the menu wasn't impressive. Unfortunately, I won't be going back anytime soon.
(1)
Amy C.
Incredible food!! This is fancy southern. We had shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork sliders, wings and corn bread. There were also fun, inventive drinks. It's a must-go!!
(5)
Michelle L.
Not worth it...prices are wrong on menu and the 30% off is for chicken & waffles only even though it says no where on the menu or in the ad!! Won't be back!!! Sorry Oscar but your wine prices are different we were charged $2 more per glass and had to tell the server about the discrepancy!! Also if the coupon was only towards chicken & waffles wouldn't your wait staff be aware of this and not have pushed the redeemed coupon when it was obvious we did not eat chicken & waffles... Just sayin'!!!!
(1)
Dennis F.
Ho hum. I hate being Dennis Downer...... Southern style partially means large portions. I was immediately turned off by the $2.50 8 ounce bottles of soda. I have 2 kids so a restaurant having fountain soda with refills seems like a no brainer. We were here with a large party so we got to try out a lot of the menu. For apps we had the shrimp and grits (yummy and I don't really like grits), fried green tomatoes (still don't like these), crab hush puppies (very good) and the pulled pork sliders (very good as well). For our entrees, we had the hanger steak $24 (tasted great), pimento burger $14 (just good), chicken wings $8 for 6 (average), chicken and waffles $16 ( good) and the meatloaf $16 (good). My biggest beef (no pun intended) would be the meatloaf, it was about the size of a large meatball and didn't come with any sides? The burger was a $9 burger for $14, the hanger steak was good but not worth $24. I like to spend money to eat out but I don't feel like this place has good value. We tried 4 of their specialty drinks, ($8-$9), the Jacked up Rita and Swamp water were good but skip the caramel apple and the ring of fire. Oh, don't serve your drinks in mini sized mason jars. It gives real mason jars a bad name! The positives were our service (we had 9 people and Nicole didn't miss a beat and the decor which is nice as well.
(3)
Gato G.
Wow , OMG!! A real southern swank restaurant has come to davie , we had family members from South Carolina stop by and we invited them for dinner at southern swank, we were all very very impressed my uncle Timmy had the hanger steak he said it was to die for so we all had to share and ordered an extra one it was really tender and juicy . I personally liked the shrimp and grits it seemed like if it was homemade. Mamma had the pimento burger and she was thrilled I am going to stop by this weekend again can't wait ! ...
(5)
Kypps P.
We got a Group On one of the best that we have used. The service was very good so was food. We really enjoyed our selves.
(5)
Haroula P.
Food is really good. Great appetizers and really nice drink menu. Nice new place, great area for a restaurant since there aren't a lot of good places around there. Loved the chicken and waffles and fried green tomatoes. Good baked beans too!
(5)
L F.
I went to Swank on a Saturday night for a friends birthday with a party of 6. We had called earlier to make reservations and were told they don't take reservations. So we got to the restaurant around 7:40pm and were told it would be a 2 hour wait. We see plenty of tables open and we're told they were all reserved. (But we were already told they didn't take reservations... Whatever) Around 9pm we finally get seated. We all order drinks and they take about 20 minutes to come back with them. Our waitress then informs us that the kitchen has just closed... It is 9:30pm. We ask to speak to the manager since that is completely ridiculous especially since we waited so long for a table. The owner came to the table and didn't let us get a word in. He said they were having "shortages" in the kitchen but he was going to bring out plenty of plates our way of whatever he could and we "wouldn't leave hungry." Our food and drinks were all on the house. We were served two plates of pork and beans with two small sides of Mac and cheese. FOR SIX PEOPLE. It's hard to even rate the food cause the service was so horrible. The Mac and cheese was good but nothing out of this world. We sat around waiting for more food to come because obviously those plates would not fill a party of six. We ask the waitress if there was anyway we could have cornbread and she says "they're just bringing out whatever they have they won't even talk to me." Mind you, tables all around us that were sat after us are all getting food... Chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, steak, hush puppies, etc. I don't know what was the deal with us. So I guess the waitress noticed we were still hungry and brings one bowl of chili for the table. She says in a baby voice "has anyone tried the chili?... Here have some." We all felt like dogs being fed scraps. That was the only food we were given, no dessert. We finally left and went over to Flanigans since we were all still hungry and wanted drinks. All in all, the service in this place is awful. If I could give it zero stars I would. Why open til 2am when your kitchen closes at 9:30? Never going back.
(1)
Sophia M.
Completely serviceable food but not good by any stretch. You can find more tasty barbecue at smaller hometown shops (or even some decent chains). Needs less swank and more focus on flavor.
(2)
Steve W.
Food was good, served very quickly with a nice presentation. Not sure why it was so empty.
(4)
Desiree F.
I have been to Swank now a couple of times! If you are looking for a local place to go and relax, have a good time...this is it! The food was great! From their mac n cheese to the pork sliders! Delicious! Now..THE DRINKS. Im in love with the peach moonshine. And moonshine mondays is the best way to try it out. They have plenty of specials throughout the week which is great when you are on a budget! You just have to go and try it...and see for yourself. JUST GO. Enjoy...YOU'RE WELCOME.
(5)
Thomas P.
I went here for a friends birthday with about 13 other people. The server was very attentive and accommodating, considering we moved chairs a couple times in order to fit new guests as they arrived. The drinks were ok, nothing special besides the names. I only was able to try one of the appetizers, but it was pretty good. I had the shells and cheese with bacon, very tasty! Now here is where this story takes a turn. All of the entrees seemed a little pricey, which is perfectly fine for me, if the food is worth it, but it was not. I ordered the country fried steak, which itself was nothing spectacular. It was decent, but came with nothing. So basically I paid $22 for a little piece of meat on a plate, by iteself. I also tried the ribs, they too were decent, but tasted more like ribs you get at a Chinese food restaurant. The ribs came with coleslaw....I love coleslaw, its one of my favorite BBQ sides, but this was the worst coleslaw I've ever had in my entire life. Several people at the table tried the coleslaw and agreed. The server was more than happy to replace this with another side at no additional cost, which was nice. I also got to try the hanger steak, which in my opinion, was the best meal that anyone at the table had ordered. Although it too, was a $25 meal, the steak tasted amazing and was accompanied by some pretty good fingerling potatoes. All in all this place is ok, the atmosphere was nice, but that's about it. I probably wont be coming back here... the food was just too pricey and not good enough.
(2)
Lorraine H.
Food was ok- maybe a bit on the high side (3 sliders for $10) and I would say more except I had such an uncomfortable time trying to shout over the VERY LOUD MUSIC to talk to my friends that and I still have a headache
(2)
Mark F.
Place is OVERPRICED and mediocre to say the least.
(1)
Daniel G.
Service: The service is poor. The hostess sat us down and we waited for 15 min without menus or being visited by our waitress. After waiting I finally got up and went to the hostess to get our menus and demanded to have a waitress come. We order drinks which took way to long. After that the food took a great deal of time. I enjoy sitting and speaking to others at the table but it took way to long. When someone thinks about leaving it is way to long. They need more experienced people not inexperienced high school students. Drinks: Their signature drjnks are pretty bad. Swamps tastes like Sprite with dry ice, Old fashioned - they overpoured, it was not drinkable we sent it back. Stick with the wine by the bottle is reasonably priced and beer - reasonable prices. Food: Good overall but takes way to long I feel like this is a poor attempt to copy a real restaurant - Swine southern kitchen in coral gables, that restaurant has excellent food, excellent service, excellent drinks. Consider me one and done - will never go back
(2)
Kim R.
I went with a friend on a Monday night and the place was nearly empty. We ordered the pork sliders, shells and mac, french fries, and the buffalo chicken and waffles. The french fries were just french fries, nothing special. But everything else was delicious! Ill be going back :)
(4)
Frank D.
....................very very busy on SAT PM (8/1/2014) @ 9PM which was NOT my idea but i planned to drop in on a birthday party - bought a round of drinks - and go home coming into the LOT i literally parked in the LAST spot available way in the back of the property - what luck - SWANK was full busy but our waitress did come by quite often especially behind newbies arriving like me to keep the party going - some did order food and some just drinks IT IS NOT YARDBIRD according to the expert, my daughter, who shared her pork chop ($26), which was thick juicy and very tasty - the best i have had in a while and want to go back for again - DRINKs were standard and crazy concoctions of smoking green swamp water and colorful fruity things along with some goofy florida canned beer - a very wide variety - i stuck with jack on the rocks IT IS expensive (and how worth it is up to each patron to decided on the details - if hyper noisy is where you want to be - go SAT PM for sure), BUT, i understand deals can be had like WINE WEDNESDAY which would be my next visit - and i wouldn't use it but i have heard GROUPON stuff was honored - and maybe that visit will make me a FAN !
(3)
Eddie N.
The Mac & Cheese is amazing! That being said, it just seems that the menu continues to improve and get better and better. Soon it will difficult to get through the Swank doors! I will be taking advantages of this place until the secret gets out!
(5)
Lauren R.
Didn't live up to expectations. Food was alright, slightly over-priced. Nice presentation tho
(3)
Andres P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a trendy southern restaurant in south Florida. I was pleased to find it had a very cool atmosphere. The food and service were great, especially the pimento burger (medium/medium rare was VERY flavorful). The restaurant is nice enough for a date but casual enough for dinner and drinks with friends or family (the swamp water went down pretty well too, I'll say). Will definitely be checking it out again soon!
(5)
Laurel B.
I came here late, 10pm on a Saturday. It was not crowded and no I did not eat the food but my 5 star rating goes out to the bar staff and the drinks. The drinks are to die for. You have to try the caramel apple. It's awesome!!!! The fireball drink is amazing as is the peach drink. I WILL be back to try the rest. The bartender Daniel and the bar manager Ron were incredibly friendly and just all around awesome. They alone make me want to come back. We needed a place like this In between the downtown ftl and Miami scene. Can't wait to be back to check out the food (and the other specialty drinks). I love this place. Thanks Daniel and Ron!!!
(5)
Brian C.
Great food! The employees know the menu and are happy to be there. Good atmosphere with live music. Watch out for the construction in the parking lot.
(5)
Ryan D.
The place looks nice on the inside. Food tastes decent but it's overpriced. The waitress seemed rude and didn't care that we were there. Overall I don't think I will return.
(2)
Marvin K.
So being new to YELP, though using it as a reference for years, this is a hard one to write! We did take advantage of a Groupon being offered. We went to Swank Saturday night at 8:15pm with a reservation for 8:15pm. We were asked to move aside as they were looking for the table to sit us. Within 3 minutes another couple came into the restaurant and were seated. When we asked why they were seated, we were told they had a reservation. As soon as I pointed out our reservation on their screen, they apologized and sat us immediately. I just chalked that up to hostess inexperience. We then were seated less than 25 feet from the "entertainment". IT WAS LOUD (sorry for screaming, but that is what you will have to do to listen to the people at your table!). They gentleman playing the electric piano was very into his music, unfortunately the decibel count would angry most otolaryngologists! Jessie, a newbie waitress was very sweet and dutifully took our orders (that would be Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab Hush Puppies, Shrimp and Grits and 22 oz Cowboy steak) and explained that the kitchen was behind and thanked us for our patience. So fast forward some Funky Buddah's (great Craft beer menu) and unlimited glasses of water later (or to be specific ONE HOUR AND 15 minutes), a server brought our Shrimp and Grits and Cowboy steak to the table. OOPSY, no APPS!! At that point our patience was diminished and we asked the manager to please get our APPS out ASAP. To their benefit, within 5 minutes we had our APPS at our table, but now our meal was cold - we just knew going back to the kitchen with our main courses was not an option. That said, the Fried Green Tomatoes were great! Loved the pancetta on top. The Hushpuppies had a good base, but lacked the crab advertised. The Shrimp and Grits were very flavorful and a nice amount of shrimp. The Cowboy steak was huge and well cooked (recommend medium rare to medium for that pink color), unfortunately, they loaded the steak onto the once crispy fries that quickly wilted! Sad face. So we started to feel much better about the restaurant, until we asked about the dessert. So now it is about 10:30pm and we were told the kitchen ran out of food (and dessert) - never got to see the dessert menu! To their credit, they immediately offered a glass of wine and an apology. We really wanted to love this place. We think we will - eventually. The issue is that they have been open less than two weeks and there are a LOT of kinks to work out. My suggestion is to take advantage of the GROUPON available and not go for at least a month or longer so that they can perfect what seems like a great idea! Also, near the restrooms they have a PHOTO booth to take pictures with fun hats ! Make the time to take a picture. It prints two, one to take and one to post on the wall. We took both so that there was no evidence we were at this restaurant during the first week! I hope to take another photo there and be proud to leave it next time!
(2)
Bertha T.
Pork chop was mostly undercooked and had to be returned to the kitchen. Mac and cheese was ok, bread pudding, snickers pudding, and pork sliders were amazing, caramel apple moonshine was sweet and enjoyable, swamp water was all show. Burger was ok and fries were drenched in oil. Place was very packed and loud. Servers were attentive and manager was very apologetic about the raw food (comped part of the bill)
(3)
Nick P.
Food was just okay for those prices. My server was a male which you see less and less of these days and he was awesome and kept my wife and I laughing all night
(3)
Oscar L.
I've been hearing about this place and decided to give it a try last night. The first impression is great. I love the decor down to the butcher paper as the table cover. Very trendy place. Let's get to the important stuff. We ordered the pork sliders as an appetizer. They were phenomenal! I wish I would have ordered these for my entree. We also ordered the cornbread ($6!) and it was nothing special. My buddy ordered the country fried steak and that was huge and delicious. My wife ordered the pimento burger (she said nothing special) and I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was truly excited for this but was let down. My only complaint is that the chicken thighs are extremely fatty. Other than that, it's good, not delicious but good. My only issue with this place is the pricing. Everything is a la carte and for the type of food they're serving you can easily go elsewhere and get the same type of food. The entrees are fairly priced with the large portions you get but the little things quickly add up. I could understand the pricing if this place was in a trendy area like downtown Fort Lauderdale or Downtown Brickell or coral gables but it's not. It's in a parking lot off of University Drive in Davie. All in all the food was good but nothing special to justify it's pricing. It was good to try but I can't see myself going back.
(3)
G K.
I dont get the bad reviews at all. Went here the day after Valetines on a Friday night. Got there around 7:00. Dining room was packed. Hostess was very nice and greeted us immediately. Told us 30 minute wait for the dining room or we could sit at a high top right away. My wife had no problem with the high top so we took that route. I am glad we did because the high tops filled up very quickly and the place just kept getting busier. Our waiter was a very polite guy who clearly understood the term "southern hospitality". He immediately offered us water and suggested we take our time looking over the menu. The menu was not a huge offering, but every item on it was something worth pondering. All very well thought out offerings, and certainly not things that you are going to see at Outback or Chilli's. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer and the waiter did not rush us to place our dinner order which was VERY nice because we were having fund browsing the menu. $10 bucks I think for about 10 slices nicely breaded with a DELICIOUS creamy sauce that had smoked pork in it. YUMMMMMMM. The word appetizer was definitely appropriate, because my taste buds were awakened. I came in knowing they had chicken and waffles, and despite being tempted to get the chicken in beer can gravy, I was staying with the chicken and waffles. The standard chicken and waffles is fried chicken thights over the waffles with a sage marshmellow sauce. Sounded very good, but then I saw the words. "ask your server about BLUE waffles". So I did. He said they coat the fried thighs in wing sauce and then pour a blue cheese dressing over them. I was hesitant but went for it. I WAS NOT SORRY. The blue cheese dressing is a slightly sweet take on blue cheese, so the waffles still had a bit of sweet to go with the tang of the wing sauce. I would not have every thought the flavors would marry as well as they did, but it was GREAT. We finished off with a small piece of red velvet cake for $6 bucks ( that was extremely moist and yummy but not a regular offering. (apparently it was from Valentines Day) The entire experience from entrance to exit was great. Wait staff was GREAT, despite the place being packed. Was it a cheap night out for dinner. NO. But if that is what you want go to Pollo Tropical not Southern Swank. Give it a try. You wont be sorry.
(4)
Adrienne K.
I love this restaurant's unique twist on Southern style cook'in! The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. I have eaten here twice so far and due to the generous friends at my table I think I've tried almost everything on the menu. My husband's favorites are the pork sliders and the mac and cheese, great for an appetizer or a snack at the bar. The St. Louis ribs have the perfect smoky flavor. The cowboy steak is big enough to share but you'll want all of the deliciously rich herb butter that comes on top for yourself. For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, my favorite is the chicken and waffles which successfully balances sweet with savory, love the subtle sage in the sauce. The Snickers Mason Jar is a truly unique dessert and is something I will get every time it go. I don't particularly like peanuts, but they are not overwhelming. The buttery caramel sauce is to die for! Don't forget to take your pic in the photo booth in the back of the restaurant ;)
(5)
Richard M.
They try hard. Good service and good attitudes. The ribs were dry and the chicken and waffles were drowning in some marshmallow sauce concoction. This restaurant is promising. The dishes are creative, but they have serious kitchen work to do. I recommend that they get rid of the electric smoker they are using. Their a are dry as a bone and the meat is overcooked. They need a real pitt-master back there getting the grilling done right! Davie is a southern style town and I do not expect this place to last long without some serious changes.
(2)
Ahmed D.
Decided to check out thus new place, atmosphere seems nice. Wait for it, BUT host told us they are completely booked and that you can only get a table if you have a reservation. BUT there was at least 6 completely open tables that were so close yet so far away.
(1)
Omar H.
Had a great after work date night. We really enjoyed the high quality food and pleasant service. The ribs are some of the best I've ever had (and I love Jenkins). I think it's great that they have classic western movies playing and still have a few extra TVs in case there's a game on.
(4)
Patrick M.
noisy....fun....brought my kids and 80 year old mom....everybody had a good time limited menu..kinda of a trendy dining spin on southern cooking...but everything was excellent...
(4)
Djamel M.
I went to Swank this past Friday night and it was incredibly packed. We had to wait a bit to get seated, but we just ordered a couple drinks at the bar. The swamp water was a nice surprise. We ordered the mac n cheese and the pork sliders as our appetizers. The mac was amazing and the sliders were to die for! For my entree I ordered the hanger steak and my wife ordered the shrimp and grits. My steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce that came on top was delicious. My wifes dish was also incredible! I didn't think the combination of shrimp + grits could be so good! The ambiance and decor were also a welcome sight for Davie. I will definitively be coming back!
(5)
Jim K.
Read about this place in the paper and heard about it from others with rave reviews. Might have hit it on a bad night. Poor service. 45 min to get food and the restaurant was not even full (no wait to get a table). Ordered drinks which came quickly but asked for sugar for our one person not drinking alcohol and it never came even asked another waitress. 15 min later got it from the bar. waitress only checked up on us once during the 45 we waited for food and only with us waving her down. Noticed that she spent most of her time chatting it up with the manager. As mentioned in other posts manager seemed to be a gregarious guy but didnt quite make it to our table. Probably best as we were not very pleased. Also had to flag her down for the bill. Waited 15 min after we were all done eating for her to bring it but at some point have to get a move on. Food is fine but not worth the price. Cheescake factory is better and cheaper. Didnt get the mac and cheese which seems to be the most popular but did get the meatloaf (sucked and tiny) chicken and waffles (good) and beercan chicken (good but nothing special for 18 bucks) Grat was added to the bill at 18% which seems unusual for a party of 5. Lots of staff, great decor, food is not bad but I think they will be out of biz in a year. I will not be returning.
(2)
Barry V.
Found this place by accident and was duly impressed. For a new operation (about one week old) the service was friendly, prompt and attentive. There appeared to be a number of newbies being trained but this only bolstered our impression. The food was flavorful and well prepared. Presentation was upscale and polished. The shrimp and grits was perhaps the best I'd ever had - anywhere! The only constructive criticism I could offer would be to add a small piece of corn bread as an accompaniment to the ribs and provide a moist towel or finger bowl to clean up a it after the finger sucking good S'Wings and ribs. (I will note that our trainee second server provided us with a moistened napkin and lemon wedge when he found they did not have the obligatory foil wrapped "wet-nap" I requested. Also, no mention of dessert - perhaps they were sold out but this would have only capped off a great meal. Needless to say, we will be back.
(4)
Robert F.
What a disaster, from top to bottom. Service was a mess, nearly every order had a mistake. We had a person in our group with a severe allergy to bacon and yet after being instructed several times each and every dish they brought her out had bacon including the fish and the potatoes??? It took them nearly 30 minutes to refire the fish and that entree was brought to the table after we all had finished with our meals. Quality, to say poor is an understatement - all I need to say is you could smell the fish before it hit the table When we addressed it with the manager he was beyond confused and explained that the kitchen was always experimenting and they never know what they are cooking??? Seriously With all that said, not an offer for dessert or a cup of coffee and although one of our guest had to eat after we all were completed no did not even offer to comp or discount her entree - really a disgrace of a meal and we'll never return
(1)
Erick L.
This place was amazing; comfort southern cuisine with a modern and fresh take by some of south florida's most talented in the kitchen. This place is intimate with a relaxed feel atmosphere.
If you are looking for a place for a great date night or with friends...you've found it! The bar drinks were AMAZING and very creative!! From the smoking swamp water to the caramel apple, all delicious! Thanks to Ron the bar manager for your great suggestions!!! We spent 3 hours there on a Saturday night and it was great not to be rushed!! We had fantastic appetizers (pork sliders, mac n cheese and crab hush puppies). All perfectly done. The mac n cheese is especially delish! We had the Cowboy Steak which is huge and cooked to perfection, and the shrimp and grits, which was also great. Our friends also had the steak and tried the ribs, which were awesome and plentiful. We also tried some corn bread on the side. All in all we had a very enjoyable evening. The decor and ambiance are great. So nice to have a place like this which is local! Highly recommended!
(5)
Phil G.
a few months back, the wife and I are driving on university drive and we notice southern swank kitchen. we thought that looks new and interesting...i looked it up here on yelp and the reviews were very mixed and there were a number of very negative well written reviews that kinda scared us off. last week a friend was absolutely raving about her newest find in Davie...southern swank kitchen...great drinks...intriguing menu...chicken and waffles...yada yada yada... we were convinced to give it a try regardless of the sketchy reviews. we went on a Wednesday night and expected it to be quiet. not the case. it was surprisingly busy. a good sign? it's a very nice, very large place with a kinda modern country flair. the hostess was very friendly and seated us immediately. Our server was Olivia and she was great. very friendly and attentive. the strawberry basil martini was delicious and i had a craft beer called breakfast stout that was very good too. we're off to a good start. we decided to try several small plates and thought for our first visit they would give us and opportunity to have a broad sampling of what the kitchen is serving up. we ordered, pork sliders, crab hush puppies, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. According Olivia, these are some of the best sellers. clearly there are some consistency issues at southern swank kitchen. if you look at the photos that have been posted here on yelp everything looks beautifully prepared and presented. that's not the experience we had. the crab hush-puppies are supposed to a crap cake, hush puppy fusion. unfortunately it not a good crab cake and a bland boring hush puppy that was tossed in a basket. (nothing like the photos). they were served with a scallion mayo that was nasty and didn't compliment the dish at all. that chain restaurant with the red crustacean has much better hush puppys. the fried green tomatoes were acceptable even though the tomatoes and the breading were poorly seasoned. the remoulade or aioli they were topped with saved the dish. the pork sliders were the dish i was most looking forward to tasting and that was disappointing too. it felt like they were running out of pork and were under portioning to stretch it out for the night. there was almost no pork on the buns. what was there was quite tasty and the combination with their slaw and the pickle were very good. i think a significantly larger amount of pork would have put it over the top (like what is in the photo's here) the mac and cheese is also delish. but...it wasnt hot enough. it had a panko top that probably was supposed to be browned under the broiler and it would have made a huge difference in both the presentation and the temperature. finally, we had the carrot cake for desert. it was an interesting presentation in a mason jar. the flavors were very nice and figs and walnuts added a pleasant twist from traditional carrot cake, the mascarpone frosting was the weak spot. while tasty the consistency was way to runny and gave the impression maybe this was sitting out too long before being served. I had high hopes for southern swank kitchen. i'll probably go back to try the chicken and waffles...probably not on a weeknight
Stopped in on Saturday night. Just two of us so we decided to sit at the bar. Daniel was friendly and attentive. We tried three appetizers tonight: shells and cheese, pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. Food was delicious. Service was quick. Will definitely be going back to try some of their entrees.
(4)
Gayle L.
Southern Swank's curb appeal as I drove up made me smile. When I went in, I didn't know what to expect, but the decor was amazing. It was Southern with a twist. The artwork on the wall was great!.. I was greeted with a smile and seated. Now, on to the food... My sister and I ordered the small plates: sliders, fried green tomatoes, green bean casserole, and the crab hush puppies. How they were plated was creative and everything was so tasty! I have to say that the green bean casserole was my favorite--so savory. We also had drinks that were infused with herbs. So regular gin and tonic was infused with rosemary.. it gave it more depth. Overall, I was very pleased with Swank! I will be going back!
(5)
Sommer W.
Amazing atmosphere! Yummy food! Good service! Chicken and waffles and crab hushpuppies..... My favorites so far. I will Definately be back to try the rest of the menu! You want something different than your typical chain sports bar.... Come here. Good drinks and the game was on! Love it! Winning in my book! (-;
(5)
Jennifer L.
I am so upset at this place. Our server was Andrew and i tell you he really made the experience horrible not only was he rude but he acted like it was a bother when i had asked questions about the menu. It felt as if he took care of everyone elses table a round us but rolled he's eyes when i was for a refill on my drink. I would have to flag him down just to get him to notice our table, it felt like he was avoiding our table. I would look around at the other serves and wished that they had taken care of us instead. The food came out cold and in my opinion i feel like it didn't taste as good as i thought. I had the beer can chicken which came out dry and tasted l Iike its been just sitting there for a while and my husband had the hanger steak he said it was no big deal he could of had it better some where else. I don't know maybe it was because the server had mad me mad all i wanted to do was leave. I only came to this restaurant because it was new and the decor look intriguing. Truthfully I really wanted to like the place the atmosphere was nice, drinks were awesome, we had something called Swamp water it was nice it had bubbles coming up and smoke, my daughter thought it was cool. I don't know if I'll be back or not
(1)
Kasey P.
I'll keep this short and sweet. The ambiance of the restaurant is charming as well as the staff. Fried green tomatoes and the mac and cheese appetizers were delicious! My fiance and I will order those two each time we stop by. They have an array of beers and specialty drinks to choose from and when we weren't happy with one of the drinks we ordered, they happily replaced it with a new drink. (You know, sometimes you cringe at the thought of sending something back). I ordered the Chicken and Waffles and my fiance ordered the St. Louis ribs. Presentation of the food earns 5/5 stars. My chicken and waffles weren't anything special. The waffle was delicious but the chicken was just...fried chicken, nothing fancy. The ribs were pretty good but again, nothing special. We will be back, but next time we're going to ask the waiter for their suggestions and hope for a perfect outcome on the food.
(4)
Cindy L.
This was our first time here and we were beyond amazed and happy. First off it was very home feeling and the people that work there were very nice and helpful. The pork sliders were amazing and if u need a kick to them( which u don't) but if so ask for their BBQ sauce and it is absolutely amazing Next is the burger, chicken and waffles, and the corn bread. The food was amazing and tasted amazing. I suggest that if you want to try something new then try this, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
L D.
It was a cute restaurant/bar. They had several TVs playing old western movies in the background.I enjoyed how the food was presented. There was also a little stage area in the front which seemed like there was possibly a live music night, but not during the night I dined. Overall it was OK. It wasn't bad at all, yet not super impressive either. When I arrived with my family, we stood there for a few minutes. Apparently we entered through the bar entrance and not the restaurant entrance (which we didnt notice the difference nor the option of another entrance) and just stood there without initially being acknowledged. The bartender looked at us several times before finally telling us to go to the other side....which was literally three steps to the side of the bar. They couldn't have said something earlier? Obviously we weren't there to kick back some shots given that we had 2 young children standing with us and a bewildered look as no one approached us until serveral minutes later.Keep in mind it was a slow monday night!!!
(3)
Sandra B.
I thought this restaurant stood out amongst others in the area. The food was really good (every item we ordered was great), and the atmosphere was awesome.
(5)
Amy Jo A.
Needs more and better atmosphere. Would like to see Davie residents give this place a try. Menu okay. Happy hour? Not sure it's working.
(2)
Jelly W.
It's hard to find good southern style cuisine down here so we were excited to try this place out. The sliders and almond butter with the cornbread were pretty good. We tried the chicken and waffles and ribs. I think chicken and waffles would've been better without the marshmallow sauce (way to sweet, better to ask for it on the side). The ribs were just ehhhh, nothing special. Glad we went with a Groupon, nice place but I wouldn't pay regular menu price for the food.
(3)
Rachia G.
On Monday, December 2nd, my mother and two sisters invited me to join them for dinner at Swank Southern. I thought it just some barbeque place however it was absolutely delicious food with an upscale southern twist. The hospitality was warm by not only our server but by the owner, Alex, who stopped by our table. I had the wings with their special sauce. My sister and mother had the beer can chicken and my other sister had their chicken and waffle. Everything was great and we are sure to return. This is a must try.
(5)
Eric W.
Let me start by saying I wanted to give Southern Swank Kitchen 5 stars Soooo much! But the service was so bad I just couldn't do it Me, my girlfriend my brother and my girlfriend's best friend came for dinner. There was live music which I enjoy but it was just a tad bit too loud, I would have liked to be able talk a little bit, but it wasnt a big deal. The hostess sat us in the bar room and I asked for a booth, she told me "I put you at this table, its good" I dont understand why we couldn't just have a booth since there was an open one right next to us. Anyways after waiting for 30mins my brother and girlfriend's best friend decided they couldn't wait any longer and told me they were leaving, so I had to actually get up and ask the hostess what the deal was. About 8-10 minutes later a waitress finally got our drink orders but not our food. After 45 minutes we knew what we wanted so as she left I had to call her back to let her know we were ready. The table shared the crab hush puppies which were good but not great. I ordered the pork chop and beans. The pork chop was excellent but the beans were a little too sweet for me. My girlfriend got the chicken and waffles and told me she enjoyed them. My brother had the country fried steak, I had a bite it, was really good and my brother told me he really enjoyed it. My girlfriend's friend ordered the shells and cheese but by the time it came out she told us she had lost her appetite. For dessert we shared the carrot cake which I did not care for but my brother liked, it just seemed like a little bit of food and was not anything special for $7. But let me tell you this was probably the worst service I have ever had. Not once were any of our drinks refilled. My brother asked 3 times for a water, which never came. The food was very good but it was cold because the waitress's were too busy having fun and talking rather than simply bringing out food on time. Seriously I dont think im asking a lot here. Not once did the waitress even say sorry which to be honest would have made me feel like she cared, but she didn't. My girlfriend's friend even went to complain to a manager, which I have never seen her do. She told me he said "o really". Lol im sorry ive been a manager and whoever this guy is had no control over the restaurant and did not seem to care one bit, our poor service was just as much his fault for under staffing and not keeping his staff in line as it was the waitress for overall horrible service. It really is a shame I love the food and the atmosphere but im embarrassed to recommend this place because of the service. I live in the area and have for years now, the spot this restaurant is in has been a death trap for business for years, but I think if Southern Swank Kitchen can get its service issue in line they will be around for a very long time. If I were the owner I would fire the entire staff except for the cooking staff, the service and overall management was that bad and that big a mess. The food is pretty expensive, im not complaining about that im just saying if im going to spend $50+ On me and my girlfriend when I come in I think I at least deserve a refill on my water, warm food, and the opportunity to order another beer which I didnt have since the waitress never asked or came back to the table to check up on us. In her defense it didn't really seem like the bartenders or managers were helping very much. We arrived at around 9:30 and didn't leave till around 11:30, there is no reason we should have had to wait around that long. I really hope Southern Swank Kitchen can get it together because the food is great, it really is a shame I couldn't give them the 5 I feel they deserve. The service really was just that bad. Food-A Atmosphere-B Pricing-B Service-F
(2)
Kathi V.
Since we are Foodies, who loooove southern food, we could not wait to have supper at this restaurant. We drove all afternoon to get here, picked up our kids, and headed over for our 7:30 reservation. Stephanie brought our drink order which included bottled 8 oz diet cokes. The bottles were cute, but the price was not listed on the menu and neither was the fact that there are no refills. She came to get our order and said they were out of 3 of the 8 entrees. My husband decided not to order anything. After everyone else had placed orders, she came back to inform us that they were not out of those entrees, the "grill had been down." My husband ordered a pimento burger and two others changed their order since their original choices were suddenly available. The appetizers came and we really liked the crab hushpuppies and shrimp n grits. The fried green tomatoes were cut too thick and the only flavor was from the sauce. We all ordered something different so we could all try each others food. Our entrees came and I had the ribs which were old, tough and I didn't care for the sauce. The slaw had no flavor. My husband did not care for the burger. My son enjoyed the meatloaf and thought the pumpkin puree was awesome; the pumpkin was a perfect compliment for the meatloaf. However, it came in a very small iron dish with no side dish. His wife had the pork chop. She could not eat it and they tried to cut it with a steak knife and could not cut it. She sent it back. She did eat the greens and beans. My other son had the chicken n waffles which was small compared to the other versions we have ever had. It had a marshmallow sauce (unique and delicious) and was satisfactory. His wife had the hanger steak which was excellent; the steak came with fingerling potatoes and bits of thick cut bacon. We ordered dessert and they were out of the one we ordered. The bill came and they added gratuity on a party of 6. The bill was over $180.00 for a party of 6. No soup, no salad, no bread, no refills .....Since a manager never came to see why we sent a plate back, my daughter in law ASKED for to speak to one. A long time later the floor manager walked over and when told about the pork chop said, huh, wow and shrugged. Since our card had already been swiped before he made it to our table, she asked why they didn't remove it, he again hemmed and hawed with no answer. He then went to talk to the owner only after my daughter in law insisted. The owner was walking around all night taking pictures. After we got tired of waiting, we got up and started to leave, the floor manager finally reappeared and handed us a card for a free appetizer.... We handed it back... We are not interested in returning.... Enjoyed the decor, the service from our waitress was excellent. If you go, beware of what you order if you are really hungry or thirsty. Overpriced.
(2)
Dee C.
Delicious food. Definitely recommended the place for a date night as the atmosphere is very nice. Decor is modern chic and the staff is dressed in plaid shirts and boots. The food is served in skillets on top of a cutting board. We ordered mac & cheese, cornbread, chicken & waffles, ribs & wings. Everything was good especially the mac & cheese and the cornbread that comes with this cinnamon butter. Would definitely recommend this place for a nice meal. Service can be a little faster as their menu is not that extensive but overall good food.
(4)
Marlen T.
The food and ambience was great and upbeat. The waitress was very nice and had great suggestions for drinks and food. The shells and cheese/corn bread were to die for! Will definitely be coming back soon! :)
(5)
Lisa R.
Went with a group of 6. Atmosphere is great, cool decor. Menu simple and paper with a little sparkle (nice touch). Drinks good overall, though mine somehow reminded me of a scented candle (caramel apple drink). The appetizers were all delicious-pork sliders, fried green tomatoes. A few of us had the chicken and waffles and hubby hubby got the blue chicken and waffles. Now having had some AMAZING chicken and waffles just last week at a different restaurant, I should have known better than to order the chicken and waffles here. The marshmallow sage sauce just did not hit the spot for me (too sweet), the chicken too greasy. I do have to say that the blue chicken and waffle was much better. The other plates included-shrimp and grits (good shrimp, bad grits), ribs-good, and a burger. We did not try any desserts. I will be back to try a few other things but I was a little disappointed on this first visit. It is nice to have different options in Broward and I would like to support a small business like this one but they will have to step it up a notch.
(2)
Aries R.
So I have this groupon deal so I go with some friends out to this new establishment and when I first arrive they couldn't accommodate my party of 6 with two kids which they tried to convince us that a booth would fit us all which that was a mistake from the beginning and a warning sign this place was in the shambles. So we decided to wait until a better table became available so we decide to grab a drink at the bar and wait but when we stood at the bar waiting for a bartender to approach us a couple that had been sitting there for 25 min decided to leave due to no one has tried to approach them for a drink order which made us again wonder WTH is going on here and when we started to monitor the waiters and tables we noticed almost every table was either pissed off or walking which we than counted 6 table getting up and walking out. I told the manager that we are skeptical about their place and we were going to continue to stay to try them out since we had a groupon deal. Bottom line is the food is good but not wow and not worth the amount they are priced at. Second their times are from 4pm to 2am but the kitchen closes at 10pm which I find strange. Stay away from this place until you see a dramatic review and change of management!
(1)
Andrew I.
I was not expecting to like it here because, in spite of the time I've spent in Atlanta, I'm not a huge fan of southern food. But this place was just outstanding. First, the service was fast and friendly throughout. The wife and I were looking to have a fun night, and the staff was all about bringing us drinks and shots all night. That was fun. As for the food, holy crap. The wife ordered the meatloaf which was delicious; it was served with a pumpkin garnish which was a perfect addition. I ordered the smoked BBQ chicken. Holy crap, I'm crying just thinking about it. It was so smoky, so moist and just so perfect. I ordered a 1/2 but I could easily have had a whole bird. Possibly the best fowl I've ever had, just brilliantly done. We did not have dessert as we saved our calories for booze. Anyway, in conclusion, this is a great addition to the davie restaurant scene and a sorely needed one at that. Hopefully more Miami restauranteurs will follow suit and open in the Cooper City / Davie area.
(4)
Amy H.
Friends liked it, so we tried it. Cute concept. Needs work. Front of house needs some serious training. The place was empty when we got there, as in there were three tables seated. Our waiter had no idea what was in the various drinks. Asked if it was our first time there, and when we said, "yes," proceeded to give us no information about the menu or anything. Some entrees read like they come with sides, others it's not listed. Waiter did not ask if we wanted sides -- upsell! Your tip is reflected in the amount of money we spend at your table. Food was ok, not great. When I ordered a second drink, our waiter disappeared to tend to his one other table. Five minutes later, I could see my drink sitting in the service area of the bar. The bartender had no customers AT the bar and two or three other staff were standing next to my drink, looking at it, then looking toward our table. Not sure why nobody could walk the drink twelve feet to our table, but in the end, I just went and grabbed it myself. At no point did anyone clear away empty glasses or refill beverages without being asked. Waiting tables isn't hard, but the manager clearly needs to spend some time teaching these people how to do the job right.
I was really excited to try this new Restaurant and must say I most likely wont be back. The food happens to be very good and the service is above average but the prices are totally crazy for the portion sizes. Three fried green tomato slices 10 bucks !!! Give me a break. I felt like a tourist being raped in South Beach , If you must eat there , My advice first go to Burger King and get a whopper then you wont feel hungry when you leave . Did the owner realize this is a neighborhood eatery not the Palm or Capital Grille, What a shame Once again greed ruins another potentially great restaurant, We gave it a shot and they struck out
(1)
A.J. H.
1/26/13: Upon walking In I was quoted a wait time that was extremely inaccurate...I was told fourty minutes it was more like 1hour and 20 minutes. We were then called to be seated but when we arrived at out table, some random people had already taken the liberty of seating themselves in our high top table by the bar. The "manager " walked over for what we thought would be an assist, but it seemed more like a welcoming for the freeloading 4 when he allowed them to remain there. So, now our 1hour 20minute wait then became 1 hour and 30 minutes since we now had to wait for a new table to open. Finally, we were seated... The waitress took a while to take our drink order but came by to let us know it would be a few. 10-15 minutes later our drink and appetizer order was taken. We waited about twenty or so minutes for our hush puppies and Mac and cheese; they were awesome. Then came the painstaking wait: sixty plus minutes for our entrees that came out one....at...a...time. Well, actually, my sister's order came out first, with nothing more. We called the waitress and she said the rest was on the way. 10-15 minutes later, sliders still on the table and the rest of the table had nothing. A guy comes by and says he doesn't work there and is new but would try to help. So he takes the sliders and brings us a menu... At which point he proceeded to speak to us like morons who don't understand the difference between small plates and entrees... His attempt to explain why my sisters food came out solo. This would have sufficed as an explanation had we not made it a point to tell the waitress "I want this to come out with the other three entrees, not before!" Round two at dinner service attempt: my sister's plate came out first. Alone. Again. Then, finally the rest came, in 5 minute intervals...with the exception of my wife's plate. Then, finally, the long awaited chicken and waffles my wife orders, the last to come out. And the coldest item on the table; the waffles. They were ICE COLD. The manager (the same one who apparently doesn't work there) was very apologetic,and wanted to make things right, so they took the plate back. He left and promised to return promptly with a hot plate of chicken AND waffles. Another 20 minutes later, still waiting on my wife's chicken and waffles, the table next to us that arrived after us and no food served receives a plate of chicken and waffles. By this time my wife is livid, being that the next plate should have come To us to complete our order...not to another table that had not even been served. We call Mr. I don't work here over again...He apologizes again and promised to take care of us. My wife was having none of it and wanted to leave. Now the "manager" ( guy who graciously gave away our table) said he would take care of us on the bill for all the headache and hassles and my wife not getting to eat any of her dinner. He took off a whopping $16 for two drinks and the chicken and waffles that my wife didn't get to eat because it never made it back to our table! Felt more like and Ef You... With a $120.00 bill. You decide if we were "taken care of for all the headache and hassles." Great food but atrocious service and customer service. Mr I don't work here ambushed us outside the door after we left, even he saw the "manager didn't help the situation on the least" and asked that we give him two months and return. With service like this, it won't be in business in two months. Good luck! Better off going to Yard Bird.. At least the hassle of the drive and parking are worth the customer service.
(1)
Lauren B.
Was HORRIBLE!! Me and my husband were so happy a place like this finally opened but after last night we will not be back. We ordered crab hush puppies for a stArter and they were good but prob because we were starving. Food took over 30 minutes to come and when it did it sucked. Well mine did. Considering I'm 7 months pregnant I got served raw chicken. I ordered beer can chicken which was cold and under cooked. My husband got shrimp and grits which was good but deff not enough of food. When I sent my meal back I had asked to order something else and with my luck they were out of it! I ended up eating coleslaw for dinner :(. It was the waitresses fault but she didn't seem to care that much. I used to serve tables for over 8 yeArs and this place will not last! I'd rather get some home cooking from Popeyes.. Lol yep it was THAT. BAD!
(1)
Jennifer C.
Ok....Yelp makes you give at least one star ...so that's what they got. Cold food.....Mac and cheese with pork belly and fried green tomatoes confused the kitchen. So we had fried green tomatoes with pork belly and Mac and cheese....ok small mistake. Party of 4....one of us orders ribs.....big mistake. Every other table around us got ribs. But after 30 minutes of letting management know that we didn't get our dinner, we still waited only to watch the waitress bring the table next to us a plate of ribs. The co-owner (in pink shirt....he knows who he is) was terrible! No apology..... Only when we stormed out did he said "you still don't have your food?" The 2nd owner was reasonable. But still....won't be back. Don't recommend wasting your Friday night.
(1)
Jorge H.
I went there last night after reading a review in the local paper. the place looks good, I sat at the bar, and I already knew what I was going to eat. Ordered the beer can chicken, and I asked not to bring me french fries, but any kind of greens instead, and I specified " it doesn't matter if you have to charge me for it" when I saw the the no way attitude from the server. I asked for some Collard Greens that is one of the ingredients in another dish they have in the menu. I said "just charge me for it", I was turned down again, but the server brought me a salad instead. The chicken had a good presentation, but it seems the buy their stuff at Sysco, because it was absolutely tasteless. Overall bad experience. By the way two more patrons seating at the bar asked for something different than french fries with their orders and thy were turn down too. I thought a new restaurant in the neighborhood will try to satisfy new customers. I own a business less than 2 minutes from the place, and I could take 100 customers and friends, now I will tell 100 people not to go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(1)
An K.
I ate the chicken & waffles and split the banana pudding for dessert. Food is good but prices are high in comparison to the portions.
(3)
Katie T.
Thought we would go grab a quick Thursday night bite and a drink- we pull in and the parking lot is full- uh-oh!! But we decide to go in and at least see what is going on. We walk in and look around, at least 1/2 the tables have reserved signs...uh-oh. But we brave on... We find the hostess- a 45 minute wait she says oh-no.. but we can wait at the bar... that could work. $3. domestics and wells.. ok looking up. We check out the beer selection. Not bad, many small craft beers represented including our favorite Funky Buddha- things are getting better. After half a beer we find seats at the bar. We look over the drink menu- the specialty drinks look delicious so we figure we will try one. Bartender asks if we would like to order food.. Really? at the bar?? whatever we want??? Yes please!! So we oder the Pork Sliders and the Green tomatoes. We also order the Caramel Apple Moonshine drink and the Ring of Fire. Both delicious! Food come out- awesome! The sliders were a great combination of spicy and sweet and the tomatoes were delicious with a corn meal batter. After drinks we decide we are ready for dinner. He had the chicken and waffles- they have been reviewed and were every bit as goos as reviewed. I had the beer can chicken.. I make this dish at home but I hang my head in shame now. There was GRAVY in a PBR beer can!! Enough said!! I will add tha tthe skin was perfectly crunchy while the meat was super moist and perfectly smoked. Even though the place was packed and they were obviously over staffed our service was great! I have seem the reviews stating otherwise- but it was far from that for us tonight- we had 3 or 4 different bartenders making sure we had whatever we needed.. even with them being extremely busy with 2 huge birthday parties. I would recommend trying this place out. Check them out on FB- they have great drink specials every night. We are looking forward to going to Sunday Funday to try out the Cherry Long Island Ice Tea!
(5)
Jena M.
I wonder if they forgot to put some of the ingredients in my mac n cheez because everyone is raving about it. I think it may be one of the worst mac n cheez I have ever had to pay for. And yes, the service is awful. She was nice, just had no clue. Said she was training. We asked who was training her and she just laughed and said myself. Highly disappointed. Live close by and was looking for a good place that was nearby. The wings were definitely the best thing on the menu.
(1)
Kim B.
I was not impressed at all with Southern Swank. When we walked in, it took quite a while to be acknowledged. Everything was very slow and the ribs were terrible! I could barely get them off the bone! Definitely not worth the expensive price. I will NOT go back or recommend this place.
(1)
Meryl S.
Purchased a Groupon for this new restaurant. when we arrived we were told that the wait was over an hour and we were seated in a half hour. We were given menus but were unable to read them because it was so dark. When the waitress came over we told her that it we were unable to read the menu and she agreed that she couldn't read it either. Then one of the owners came over and asked what we thought. We began to tell him that we couldn't read the menus because of the lack of light and he argued and then walked away while we were talking to him. Very rude. He seemed to be texting on his phone all night. He offered up bottled water which was a refilled from the tap seltzer bottle(our waitress admitted) We ordered the pork sliders for our one allowed appetizer they brought out 3 ice cold dinner rolls with some shredded pork and pickle on them. NOT GOOD. We then waited over an hour. waitresses coming up to the table every 5 min or so to ask what we ordered and to apologize. After about an hour or so the other owner comes over to tell us that they are out of the entree that I ordered. He brings over the menu and I order the shrimp on grits. They bring it out within minutes and still have not served my husband. I send it back saying that I would like to dine with my husband. They bring out both of our dishes a few minutes later. Mine a very small dish of shrimp on grits with 4 raw green beans. Also cold! We finished and ordered our one allowed dessert (choice of pudding or pudding!) we were served a small jar of banana pudding on vanilla wafers. NOT Great. The meal came to $60.00. The value of the Groupon was supposed to be $77.00 however they do not allow you to order any more food such as another appetizer or desert or even a salad or drink. This is a scam. They do not offer any complementary bread or anything. We had to ask for silverware and napkins! I will be calling Groupon on Monday to ask for my $41.00 back. I will not be going to this place again. I don't see this place lasting 6 months. Everyone in the restaurant was complaining.
(1)
Seth K.
Great ambiance with a "Swanky" decor that is both inviting and not overdone. The appetizers we had were amazing (especially the hush puppies and sliders). The unique specialty drinks were both great price and delicious.Very reasonable price and is great date night. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Mark D.
Disastrous Night. Where do I start? Sat night, tried to book in for 2, but they only take 6 or more for rez. OK, turn up, 45 min wait, loads of people hanging around for a table, more than half the tables empty. Hmmm, check back at Host stand after 20-25 mins. Wait is now 1.5 hrs. hmmm. Decide to stay, grabbed last stool at bar plus 1 from empty table (still empty tables, loads of people waiting). Cocktails - OK, Wine List - v ordinary, Shrimp n grits OK (decent diner quality), Fried Gr Tomatoes (OK, nice remoulade), Collards side, swimming in vinegar, filet decent, Hangar Steak sent back twice, in the end meat OK but the composition of the dish reflected the overall performance of the restaurant: a shoddy mess up which made no sense. Could be a good concept if they bother training their staff in ALL aspects of restaurant management. UNTIL THEN, It's Giddy Up to Elsewhere Town Folks....
I was in Davie last week attending a conference and stopped by Swank for for drinks and dinner. The atmosphere had a chill vibe with a variety of music. The decor is southern rustic with some western and modern influences. The photo booth and chalk board paint behind the bar are added fun details to the overall experience. Now the food...I had an assortment of the apps. The pork sliders and Mac and cheese were by far my favorite. They had layers of flavor and weren't overpriced. They were AMAZING! The drinks were both creative and delicious! I tried the Caramel Apple and Raspy Lemonade. Honestly, I could drink them all night they were so good! I went again later in the week, and they had drink specials...can't remember on which day though. There was also a guy playing a variety of live music and he was great! In any case, my first glass of wine was a penny and it was pretty good (the house Cab). I also tried a signature drink called The Swamp Water. If you're intrigued...I recommend it. We ordered the sliders and Mac and Cheese, again, and also tried the chicken and waffles, pork and beans, and hand cut fries. We also tried their desserts - one was created to taste like a snickers bar...calling all chocolate lovers. I live in Miami, and although it's a bit of a drive, I'll definitely be visiting Swank again!
(5)
Sandy B.
The food made the evening better, but so much went wrong. This place needs a lot of help in the service area. Starting from when we made a reservation 2 days in advance. Received a call the next night canceling our reservation for their employee holiday party. Quickly got past that and was able to keep our reservation, well after a quite a discussion. Showed up, had okay bar service. Was seated, had time to review menu with some mouth watering entree choices, just to be told the grill was broken, whoops, not the case, they were just out of 4 of their 7 choices. Finally decided, ordered (with no accommodations for substitutions). Ordered a bottle of wine, white wine, nothing to keep it cold, but they did come through and make it happen :). Next ordered red wine, they were out of the three reasonable choices, but the management was kind enough to honor the lower price on that bottle, mucho appreciated!!! Food was delicious, no major, if any issues there. Overall, service needs work, food is good! Another point to share in case you were wondering, the staff sure does clean up well for their holiday party!!!
(2)
Lynn B.
Very disappointing! We had high hopes for this place - its fairly local and the menu sounded great. Our party of 6 arrived at 6:15, and the hostess was completely flummoxed on what to do with us. She said the only available table was a high top in the bar. There were at least 7 four tops available - and when we suggested she put two of them together, she said she'd have to find the servers and ask if they would mind sharing the table. Huh??? Should not have been that difficult. We wound up taking the table in the bar. After ten minutes of not being acknowledged, we started our 60 second count down before we were going to get up and leave. The bartender made it to us just in time, which in retrospect wasn't a great thing. He seemed very busy, but once he took our orders he became a decent server. The timing of the meal was a bit odd - one person was having a wings appetizer as dinner, but it came out at the same time as the other apps. On to the food... very mediocre. Blah. And somewhat expensive for blah. I had chicken and waffles - the two quarters of waffles were the same quality you can get on a free motel breakfast buffet. The chicken was DRY, tasteless and boring. Did I already mention dry? I was actually trying to scrape more of the marshmallow sauce onto it just to get it down. Husband ordered the ribs. When you are ordering $18 ribs, you expect a rack. Or at least a filling portion. There were six ribs, not very meaty, and not very tasty. They were accompanied with cole slaw that was okay. Two others ordered the burgers, which were decent enough but for $14 you would expect "WOW" which they certainly weren't. The wings were so-so. The mac and cheese very good, and the crab hush puppies excellent. There was no kid's menu, so our little one had french fries for dinner. Credit where credit's due - the french fries were wonderful. But seriously - $130 and four of us left hungry. Just not quite sure what this place really is. It's not southern cooking - not a collard green in sight! It's not a barbecue joint. It's not a steak house, or a burger place... Whatever it is, it's definitely off our restaurant radar.
(1)
Annthia P.
HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT. Gave the restaurant 1 star because the waitresses were extremely nice and their services were up to par. came in with a large party of 20 or more and all were upset with the management of this place. Won't be comming back.
(1)
Lillian A.
Food was good but portions were too small and prices were too high. Servers seemed inexperienced. Food took way too long to come out. Begged for more water 4 times. .server was putting the dirty dishes away in an odd spot in the front of the store front. Parking in the back is odd...lots of crap laying around on a picnic table. Had too look at overflowing trash bins.
(2)
Susan P.
Love this place!!! Been her twice now and definitely going back again and again for more. It can't get any better all of the partners are really friendly and appreciate your feedback and that doesn't happen very often. I've tried the mac and cheese, chicken and waffle, swings, ribs, snickers desert. Everything was amazing quality food and definitely a great location. I can't wait to try different things as well next time because there are so many things that I want to try. They also had a live band tonight (Friday) :-)
(5)
Briana B.
Southern comfort food and live music...what more could you ask for?! Went to Swank a couple weekends ago and overall was very satisfied with the experience. Being that they are brand new to the area I didn't expect perfection, but was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant it is tastefully decorated, photo booth and all, and has a great vibe. The large bar makes waiting for a table or grabbing a quick drink a breeze and the great cocktails make the experience even more enjoyable. I had the Georgia Peach, delicious! The food was excellent as well. I tried the Crab Hush Puppies, the Pork Sliders and my new favorite, the Shells & Cheese. Will definitely go back again to try other items off the menu. Yum!
This was the third time I went to Swank and will definitely be my last. Here are the main highlights of my evening... We (party of four) walked in and stood at the front hostess stand for a few minutes while the hostess sat at the bar and watched us. It wasn't until we asked someone else for help that she decided to get off her barstool to seat us with a very unconvincing "sorry". Our waiter, Andrew R., thinking he was hiding it, was texting on his phone while we were trying to order. The food took forever to come out (there was no one else in the restaurant at this point) and, when it finally did, it was brought out one dish at a time. Two $29 prime rib specials, both ordered medium rare, came out well-done. The waiter did not come back to check on us so I went to the back to tell him about the overcooked meat (once again, he was texting). He came over, apologized, and instead of offering to remake it, offered us a free round of drinks. We accepted and a few minutes later he came back to tell us that the bar was closed and my wife could not have her cocktail. A few cheap beers do not make up for $60 of charred prime rib. Then of course, after having a few sips of my beer, I realized there was a fly in it. While all of this was going on, we watched as people entered the restaurant at 11:20pm and were told by the staff that they were closed, even though the restaurant advertises that they are open until midnight. If you are thinking about trying Swank, my advice is don't waste your time and money.
(1)
Stephanie F.
Yelp review before we even leave!! These guys worked out all the kinks from the initial opening and are starting brunch soon. We managed to get a sample of new menu and it is ridiculously good! Fried house made pickles are tender and don't even need the creole mayo, but dang that's good too. We also tried Hangar steak and eggs and the Pulled Pork Rueben. Both were outstanding!!! The sandwich didn't need the side of fries, but again so good, especially with the Tobasco Ketchup. I need a nap and a work out!!
(5)
Isabella B.
I'm at student at Nova University (right next door to swank) and I'm so excited we finally have a restaurant nearby that's nice, not too expensive and delicious. I stopped by with my boyfriend on last night and shared corn bread, Mac and cheese, and the beer can chicken. The corn bread was good, warm and moist. The Mac and cheese were by far the best I've had; they were creamy, cheesy, and had little chunks of a sweet pork belly. The beer can chicken was also really good and flavorful and the presentation of all the dishes are very cute! I had heard a lot about the specialty drink from my classmates and tried the swamp water. Although it was strong for my taste, it was really tasty and refreshing. The cute candy worm coming out of the mason jar served as a good chaser ;) The servers were really sweet, however, they did seem a little flustered from all the commotion in the restaurant. it's safe to give them props since they've only been open for a week. my favorite part was leaving with a cute pic of my boyfriend and I from the photo booth :) we also made it to the "swank bank"... very clever! I'll definitely be back soon.. maybe next time with my girls for a "study session" :)
(5)
Mark A.
I don't think it quite met the hype I had. I expected pretentious bbq. Check. I expected the swanky ambiance for a southern joint. Check. I ordered the St. Louis Ribs. I'm no fan of saucy bbq so that was a plus for me. The apple cinnamon was nice. The meat was tender and came right off the bone. It had a bit of a kick though. I was not expecting it based on the description in the menu. No big deal. I tried Acelyn B's pulled pork sliders. Pretty solid. Our friend ordered the Blue chicken & waffles. To me, that was the highlight of the food on our table. Though, I don't think I'd enjoy the whole plate. The sample was sufficient enough for me. I like the sweet flavor it brought. Where it went south... not in a good way. Service was fine... until our water glasses went empty. Mine was the last to drain so I didn't notice it as soon as my dining mates. Their glasses had been empty for a much longer duration of time. Tsk tsk. Another downfall was my ole fashion. I had high expectations with the bourbon. I mean, it is a southern joint. My drink came out with muddled cherries, an orange slice, and ice chips. Strike 1. Strike 2. Strike 3. You're out! I was sorely disappointed with the "old fashioned". For me, this is a HUGE hit to my rating. There is one slightly saving grace though. There's a photo booth in the back. Have some fun with your company and take some pictures. Post them up on their walls or keep it for yourself. Whatever tickles your fancy.
(3)
Sandra D.
I was so excited to finally go to Southern Swank. I wanted to try the food; which looks and is delicious but most of all I wanted to try their drinks :-P We went there for brunch on Sunday. The hostess sat us down in a booth and there was loud country music playing; which I loved. The music is loud enough to where you can have a conversation and no one will hear you but still peaceful enough to enjoy a meal. Their brunch menu was very small and little expensive but looked tasty. Our waitress came and introduced herself and she seemed a bit cold; not welcoming and friendly. She wasn't rude but didn't give off that "superstar waitress vibe." To start off we ordered drinks. The caramel apple moonshine and Louisiana swamp water. The drinks came and long behold my Louisiana Swamp Water had no swamp to it. Trying to get her attention was hell. She could not stop chatting with the bartenders. It was a legit 10 minutes of me trying to flag her down. Finally I showed her my phone and asked her "Why my drink looks different?" her excuse was "We ran out of dry ice." I didn't argue but I think the reason the majority of people order this drink is because of presentation and the fact that our waitress was so nonchalant about it disappointed me. The swamp was not bad but not amazing. Tasted like $10 orange juice and liquor. They also put orange pulp in it. The caramel apple moonshine was very sweet but tasty. I think it was a little stronger than the swamp water; which I enjoyed. I would not order neither drink again though. We then ordered blue long islands. Can't go wrong with that right? We also ordered our meals which consisted of a redneck rueben and a breakfast burger. The redneck reuben was delicious so was the breakfast burger. No complaints whatever. Both sandwiches were amazing. So were the blue long islands. My only complaint were the fries they were a little too crispy for my liking. Both sandwiches with fries were $14; which seems a little pricey to me. All in all. I walked out of there with a full tummy and an amazing buzz. I will be back for dinner and the pork belly mac and cheese :)
(3)
Damon D.
Southern Swank was a disappointment for us. We had high expectations from the menu and from the marketing around the restaurant, but they really didn't even come close to meeting our expectations. The food was mediocre at best, and the service was abysmal. My country fried steak that was supposed to be topped in shoestring potatoes was actually covered by them, so much so that it made the breading on the steak soggy. The steak itself was a very cheap cut (which is normal), but I haven't run into that much gristle in years. That is not what I expect for $22. Our server spent most of his time up at the pass, obviously trying to chat up some of the other servers there. We won't be going back.
(1)
Katrina G.
After driving by over and over again I finally suggested going here with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. She was in the mood for BBQ and I suggested this place because it's upscale southern and I heard good things about it. Mondays and Tuesdays they have half off cocktails, I had the Raspy Lemonade and it was sweet and strong, very good. I ordered the Southern Swank Brisket Sandwich and it was delicious, I ate the whole thing within a few minutes. Other members of my family had the ribs, chicken and waffles, and the brisket burger and they all loved it. Our waiter John was very friendly and attentive. Over all great experience, my only complaint is that they don't have shrimp and grits, or any grits on their menu. Other than that it was a great dinner!
(4)
Donald W.
Southern Swank is a fun Restaurant with tasty drinks, fun takes on Southern classics and even a Photo Booth. We went on a wednesday, which had a great promotion going which allowed ladies to get their first glass of wine for a penny. My friends and I ordered the crab hush puppies, there macaroni and cheese, and a bunch of their recommended specialty dishes. Some of their popular dishes are: their chicken waffles, (with marshmallow spread). They also are known for their chicken fried steak and those sweet St. Louis ribs. Once you get past the dining hall area the back is a well lit fun factory filled with a Photo Booth, music and TV screens for you to watch shows that are being played (hopefully it's sports related). I recommend going if you want a modern take on some southern comforts foods. Although the wait time can be pretty long, due to the lack of tables, the food is worth the wait and it's filled with delicious flavors.
(4)
Lenya S.
This place was a good first impression. Nicely decorated with the southern look. The staff is dressed in cowboy boots with different platted shirts. We were attended to right away, no wait. Our waiter was very nice and was familiar with the menu. He mentioned the special of the day; and gave us three menus to look at wine , cocktails, and the food. I have to say they should consider consolidating the menus. For appetizers we ordered fried green tomatoes and hush puppies. The fried breaded green tomatoes didn't have any taste whatsoever, on the other hand the hush puppies were okay, at least it had taste. For the main entree, my hubby ordered the meatloaf and I ordered the ribs, with a side of fries and cole slaw. The ribs were really good. Best ribs I've had, soft and not too saucy. My hubby loved his meatloaf. The cole slaw was salty instead of sweet/tangy. Very bad taste in my mouth. For my daughter we ordered the mini burger and the patty was overcooked and hard as a rock. Not my fav place, but wouldn't mind going back to have the ribs again.
(3)
Crystal C.
Tried chicken and waffles... Made me sick, ended up returning it...... However that bread pudding is by far the best bread pudding you can get in SFL! It's so close to the ohana bread pudding at disneys Polynesian resort. Holy macaroni! We only stop in here to hit the bar and grab that dessert
(3)
Hilda H.
It's a high scale, BBQ/country food restaurant. The service is great. The drinks I love. Their swamp water is awesome. We eat in wood planks and steel pots. The service is great, when I came in I had the swamp water, they didn't have the dry ice because it was coming from Miami, apparently I got there first, coming from the same place, bummer. I ordered my meal the beer can chicken, which I had with cole slaw and fries, and I definitely had to order their Mac and cheese shells (to die for). My friend ordered their meat loaf which sits nicely in a pumpkin mash and some arugula. Our server was supper nice and attentive. The owner came around a couple of time to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Before I finished my meal, the ice arrived and Michael, the manager treated me to another swamp water on the house but with the full effect. I like a little far but every time I find myself venturing through Dania, I have a nice restaurant to come to, where the drinks are tough, the food is good and the the service is friendly.
(4)
Angie S.
Swank is near where I work so I stop in sometimes for a drink at the bar and their bar bites. Their mac n' cheese is one of my favorites. Served in a little cast iron skillet. Really rich and delicious. Pork sliders and wings are also really good. Pretty good beer selection and the cocktails aren't bad. The caramel apple one is good if I'm looking for something sweet. Sean the bartender is really friendly. He's engaging which helped when I was there having dinner by myself. My only complaint is I wish they stayed open a little later on the weekend. The bar is big so it would be nice to hang out a little longer on a Saturday night.
(4)
MICHELLE C.
Southern food, well I have to disagree, their food is not very Southern IMO. Debating on two or three stars but I just had to stick with my original feelings of two. Why? First this trend of Southern food is killing me lately. Most of these places are not very Southern. Sure the decor is. When we arrived we walked in and I immediately did not like the layout of this restaurant at all. It's an open dining room with tables very close to each other and a very few booths lined up against the wall. They have a deer head on one wall, a bar area that is small with a stage at the front of the dining area. We got seated right in front of the stage which was awkward but I did not want to try and attempt to wait for a better table for 30 minutes. Our server was great, she was super friendly and kept checking on us. We started with the crab hush puppies and I had no complaints, they were good. As I sat their looking over the menu I had a very hard time finding something to order. The menu is limited and small. Shoot after ordering a swamp water cocktail I had to choose something so I figured I would be safe with the beer can chicken. The swamp water cocktail was OK, at first I enjoyed it but after a few gulps I realized it was not for me. When our food arrived the band started to play. Sure it was loud but I really did not mind. They were a lovely band playing old school tunes that most people would have no clue unless you were born in the 60's. I did enjoy listening to them. Off to the side of my plate was a PBR beer can filled with gravy. I like gravy so I rushed to pour it all over my chicken. First bite, oh no no no! This gravy was just wrong. I quickly looked at my husband and daughter and said no way can I eat this so please help yourselves. Hubby had ordered the ribs which he said was just OK so he ate my entree as well. The cole slaw was good and the fries were not bad so I did eat them. What exactly was it in the gravy that I did not like at all. Not quite sure but it had the strangest taste ever, very bitter and super rich which over powered the chicken. The chicken was just chicken, nothing stood out to me. I thought well maybe I ordered the wrong thing but there was literally nothing on the menu that I liked. So for me this is not a place I would ever visit again. Having a Southern father born and bred in Kentucky and my mother who cooks amazing Southern food and lives in the South. ll I can say is this was NOT no where near what I am use to. Trendy, awful dining area, and a huge disappointment in the food. And I found the prices to be ridiculous.
(2)
Savanna M.
Wow, I was actually plesantly surprised by Swank!! I waited until the last possible day to use my groupon since it sounded from the other reviews that they had some initial groupon hickups that I wanted to avoid. I wasn't sure what to expect when walking in, but it's clear that they've put a lot of work in to remodeling this place. One side has a large bar area and many tvs, the other side is a more formal dining area. We chose to sit on the dining side at one of the booths. My biggest complaint is that the table was a bit small for the booth and I ended up sitting on the edge of my chair to reach my food. After sitting our waitress came over to take our orders. The wine list had two prices for some - I'm assuming glass and bottle, if so the bottle prices are insanely cheap...perhaps it's for a carafe or something else, I should have asked but decided to order the swamp water. The waitress did warn me that this drink is strong but I assured her that tequila is my thing. Well, yes, it was strong lol, borderline too strong but still good and I appreciated the presentation. On to the food, we started with the fried green tomatoes and the shrimp and grits. Both were good, though I discovered I'm not much a fan of remoulade sauce - I googled and it's a tartar sauce relative which explains it, but still the fried green tomatoes were tasty. For entrees we went with the bone in pork chop over baked beans and the hangar steak. I loved my steak and it came out perfectly cooked. The plate itself was a little bit on the lukewarm side but the pork chop was piping hot. The bf proclaimed it was the best pork chop he ever had and proceeded to chew on the bone. For a dessert we shared the bread pudding, excellent and perfect sized portion where we didn't feel guilty for getting dessert! I think Swank may still need some find tuning, the menu is a bit limited and may be a bit pricey for the area, but the service I received was great (our water glasses were promptly filled) and the manager even stopped by at the end of our meal to check on us.
(4)
Jessica T.
Decent food. Ambiance seemed a little cold, they needed to play music or something. They had a Photo Booth which was a unique touch for a restaurant. Great cocktails.
(3)
Alica D.
My first time at Southern Swank and I loved it! Great food and nice decor. Will definitely be back, best chicken-n-waffles I have ever had.
(4)
MickeyBlue I.
Nice place, lots of TV's and fairly new staff you can tell they're not that experienced. The menu looks good and is small prices seemed fair until your food arrives and you see the incredibly small portions. I had the Chicken & Waffles which was delicious, but extremely small. She had the Shrimp & Grits which I assume she liked and was also a small portion. We had a strawberry lemonade which we thought was just that, turned out to be a alcoholic beverage. For dessert I had the Banana Pudding which comes in a small mason jar and was pretty good. I might come back to try their ribs but at least I know that their portions will be small.
(3)
Lynn P.
My Valentine and I had tickets for a South Florida Jazz concert at Nova's nearby Miniachi Performing Arts Center on February 14 and decided to try Southern Swank Kitchen for dinner beforehand, which was perfect because the concert did not start until 8. Our 6 p.m. dinner reservation gave us plenty of time for a relaxed dinner in advance of the show. It didn't look like we needed reservations, though, which was a surprise given that it was Saturday night and Valentine's day to boot. The restaurant seemed about 1/3 full the whole time we were there. The cocktails look and taste delicious, but I ordered two different drinks and couldn't taste a hint of alcohol in either one. The first was the Swank's version of an old fashioned, and the second was a bourbon lemonade. Given their price, over $10 each, it would seem that alcohol should be included in the drinks. We shared the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and they were delicious. The cornmeal breading was paper thin and shattered when I bit into the tomatoes, which had been sliced at just the right thickness.. Loved them. It's too bad, though, that they set these lovely fried tomatoes into a mayonnaise based sauce. It was OK, but might have been more thoughtfully placed on the side, so that purists like me could have enjoyed the tomatoes au naturel. For entrees, having been put off by the pricey drinks, I decided on something moderate but that had received good reviews online, the pulled pork sandwich. I set aside the sliced roll (whose top was branded with the word "Swank") and couldn't even begin to make a dent in French fry mountain. Between the large sandwich roll and the fries, there wasn't much else on the plate. The meat was flavorful, but definitely needed the thimbleful of sauce that the server brought with it and for which I needed a refill. Slices of fresh pickle came with the pork, but only two slices. A mouthful of meat, pickle and sauce made for the perfect bite, but alas, Swank pickles, I hardly knew ye. My dining companion got meatloaf served atop a squash puree and it was a bit weird. Both of our dishes arrived warm only, and warm closer to cold than warm closer to hot. Tepid meatloaf atop tepid squash puree is about like is sounds. I ordered collards a la carte to make sure I'd get something green, and am glad I did. They were superb. I got a laugh when the server did not know what I was talking about when I asked for vinegar peppers though, and tried to describe the tiny peppers in the Texas Pete bottle. She offered to bring me green bell peppers. Word to the wise: Swank's Southernness goes only so far. The banana pudding (not my choice, but was pleasantly surprised) was really good to share as a dessert, and nicely presented in the requisite Ball mason jar. As far as entertainment goes, SSK has A LOT of TV's all around, and that night "The Outlaw Josey Wales" was playing on a continuous loop on all of the ones in the dining room. Nothing like seeing scenes of the Union army dragging Josey's wife out of her burning house, and him sobbing on her grave, and a Gatling gun massacre to say "Happy Valentine's Day." Because I was so sober having had $20 worth of alcohol-free drinks, I was able to read on my phone about the author who wrote the book on which the film was based. He was a KKK member and a speechwriter for George Wallace. I sincerely recommend pulling that film out of the rotation, Southern Swank Kitchen.
(3)
Phil K.
Perfect bear food! Excellent service Excellent pork chop, watermelon salad, chicken n waffles w/ marshmallow. We Will return yo
(5)
Bianca P.
Mixed feelings = mixed reviews. I decided to give them 3 stars overall because I have mixed feelings for everything. So the place is some what hidden to the side. The decoration from the outside is pretty cool and cute. The outside patio had a cute little fountain We walked in and were greeted by two ladies. The place seemed a bit empty. There was probably half the tables seated. We were seated on a larger table for four but we were two. We had the crab hush puppies and corn bread for an appetizer. The hush puppies were well seasoned. The corn bread was very plain, if you don't use the cinnamon butter not good. (Got a little upset that the waitress didn't take it off the bill when we stated we didn't like it and only tasted it) As our entrees, we got the pork sliders, Mac and cheese, and chicken and waffles. Everything was pretty good I did not like the marshmallow sauce that came with the chicken and waffles. Mac and cheese was okay creamy lacked flavor. I title this review mixed feelings = mixed reviews idk.
(3)
Charolette J.
1. They took shrimp and grits off the menu, MAJOR problem!!! You need to put it back. 2. I went for the chicken and waffles instead. IT was Soooooo salty that it LITERALLY made me sick. I had such a high view of their food, until today. I will definitely NOT be coming back for a while if things stay like this. Please fix these problems ASAP! PS. The young lady at the front, I think her name is Amy ,was super nice and accommodating. Dylan was good with his service recovery, but nothing can fix BAD food.
(1)
Ronald L.
I want to start by saying most of the bad reviews must have been either haters or when they first opened. I have eaten here 3 times and had something different each time. The first time I ate here I ate the shrimp and grits. I'm a big guy and the portion size was just about right. Flavor was very interesting and made a nice combination. The 2nd time that I ate here I had the Chicken & Waffles. WOW, these were amazing. Dark meat chicken, waffles with a sweet drizzle...Yummy! (My kids are addicted). The last time that I ate here I had a cowboy steak that was cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the flavor of the steak and how tender it was. As for the service, the manager spends a lot of time on the floor stopping by each table. The servers were very friendly & talkative. The way that I judge how well I am being taken care of is by how fast they keep my ice tea filled (I drink about 3-4 glasses per dinner). I do enjoy this restaurant but I only want to give management my only thought...in order for them to be able to exist for the long haul, they must expand the menu.
(5)
Anna Marie P.
Excellent beer can chicken. Pour the brown gravy on everything. Large bar on Saloon side. Dark and tough for me to read the menu but I had looked online before I got there. Mac and cheese was rich and filling. Service was good Deco was fun and interesting. I will be back.
(4)
Brenda P.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye There's a new sheriff in town When it comes to finger lickin' good Southern Swank takes the crown I finally made my way to the SSK and I'm so happy I did. We absolutely loved it. They don't take themselves too seriously. It's not Southern, it's Southern SWANK! They dabble on this and they dabble on that. A little bit of everything here goes a long way. This restaurant is like Swine and Yardbird's first cousin. I find it a little bit less put together than those mentioned but good nonetheless. I can say with 100% certainty that there is nothing else in the area that even comes close and therefore, a much needed addition to Broward! It's spacious yet cozy, and full of personality. Now, here's the scoop on the goods: Fried Green Tomatoes- Very fresh and very good. Loved their creole remoulade and savory smoked tasco. Crab Hush Puppies- Breading was a little thick and fried a little too long for my taste but the inside was heavenly. The charred scallion mayo rocked! I wish there was more of it. Chicken & Waffles- This was great except they don't offer syrup for the waffles. 'Sup with that?I found that really odd. Instead, it comes with a marshmallow sage sauce. Beer Can Chicken- I officially cheated on my vegetarian diet for this and the payoff was big. Free range chicken that was absolute perfection! It is served with addicting fries everyone kept stealing and a scrumptious buttermilk slaw (and I usually pass on this). I ordered 1/2 the chicken and could not even finish it. (total wuss move, I know). The beer gravy is served inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can for your pouring convenience. I wish it was another type of beer but...... St. Louis Ribs- I did not try this but my girlfriend finished every single one. I thought they could have been a little meatier. The BBQ is enhanced with apple cinnamon. Snickers Pudding- Not a speck left of it. Bread Pudding- Not a speck left of this either. Old Fashion Swank- Punched me in the face and left a huge bruise. They are not shy about their pours! Yikes! Mojito- Didn't try it but there were multiple rounds going on in our party so it must have been good. Funky Buddha Hop Gun- Always a good choice Note that all of the side hot sauces are truly H O T! (and I could not stop having them). I felt the portions were good on the entrees and on the smaller side for the appetizers. Service was prompt and attentive. When we were done, we had a little photo booth fun. They have several props for you to play around with inside the booth. The photo prints out for you immediately or you can also get it off their Flickr account. I am adding this to my list of preferred local hangout spots. Welcome to town Southern Swank!
(4)
Oscar M.
I drive by this place often and always wondered if it was any good, now I know that it is not. I went on a Sunday evening for dinner and had the ribs with a side of baked beans and spent $52 with tax and tip. The ribs were bland, cold and served with a poor substitute for barbecue sauce. The baked beans had a strange tart flavor, it seems like they had pickles in them which I find to be an odd culinary decision. I can't recommend anyone spend their hard earned money in this place, especially when you have so many great barbecue places with good ribs all around the area.
My boyfriend and I went on Monday night. The place was slow (8 tables including us for the hour and a half that we were there). Our server was the bartender and the service was pretty bad. She never checked on us after we got our food and I had to walk up to the bar to ask for ketchup and bbq- we were the ONLY people she was serving. It took her about 10 minutes to realize we were done with our food to come with our bill. The food was pretty good. I had the brisket sandwich and my boyfriend had the po boy shrimp sandwich. I was disappointed that my only side is fries-no option for upgrade even with a charge. However, the hand cut fries were delicious. The corn bread was a little dry. I also think they are a little over priced. The only reason the review has 3 stars is because the food was good. Everything else was bad.
(3)
Aaron Z.
I spent the entire meal trying to hide a new tattoo from my mother and mother-in-law because it was Mother's Day and I try not to make mothers cry on Mother's Day. So excuse me if there was bigger shit going on than how the food tasted (OK) and how professional the service was (OK).
(3)
DeVaria H.
Let's start with something positive. The Louisiana Swamp Water drink is amazing. It's delivered to you with a mythical fog and gummy worm. I had about 3 of those!! Excellent. I am from Louisiana sooooo when a restaurant lists fried green tomatoes with a REMOULADE sauce, I have expectations. The fried green tomatoes were ok and the remoulade left more tone desired. I then had the shrimp and grits. Not pleased and I didn't feel the grits were properly salted during cooking. I finished with the crab hushpuppies and they were ok. I'll just drink at this place next time.
(1)
Blue A.
Have you ever had chicken and waffles? Yea, most of us have. Have you ever had chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce instead of syrup? No? I bet your mind is racing right now reading this thinking - WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING MY WHOLE LIFE?! I have been to Swank twice now and I must say I am SO excited to have a place like this in Davie. Not to knock Davie but it isn't really known for it's awesome restaurants and creative cocktails. Swank is down south cooking. You will find fired goodness, delicious southern desserts and a nice list of bourbons. The highlights: 1) Penny Wednesdays - Yea. A glass of wine for a penny. It's only the first glass but did you read the part that it was a PENNY? 2) Mac & Cheese - Aged Vermont cheddar, peccorino, pork belly, herb garlic breadcrumbs. Get this. Thank me later. 3) Fried Green Tomatoes - Get them. They are amazing. 4) Chicken Wings - a great thing to start - and share. I hate eating wings in public because I like really getting in there and getting all the meat - but these were finger licking good. 5) Salad - What? Wait...Salad? Yea my wife had a salad. Well I use the term salad loosely because it's half a head of lettuce (uncut? Interesting way to serve it.) and has chunks (I mean CHUNKS) of cheese and chunks (I MEAN CHUNKS) of bacon. The Cobb salad - won't save you any calories but will satisfy your hunger. 6) Desserts - I have only had the banana cream but this is a party in your mouth! Served in a mason jar the layers of banana cream (hint of banana without an over powering taste), graham cracker crumbs and whip cream make this a little piece of heaven in a jar. 7) Chicken & Waffles - this dish has kept me up at night. It haunts my dreams (in a good way) and is something I will probably ALWAYS order (and reccommend people order) when they come her. I had done Chicken and Waffles before - but never like this. Delicious pieces of chicken fried on the outside and super moist on the inside. Waffles cut into triangles and speared with a stick in order: waffle, chicken, waffle, chicken, waffle. Then smothered with (HOMEMADE) marshmallow sauce and a drop of hot sauce. These flavors blend so well together...my mouth is watering, excuse me......yea, blend so well together that you want to high five the chef. Cut a piece of chicken, a piece of waffle, dip in marshmallow, then in the hot sauce...stick in your mouth. Smile. Cheeks about to burst because of the huge bite. Chew. Swallow. Smile. Repeat. 8) Drinks - great beer selection (local brews on tap!) and a cool cocktail called Swamp Water which bubbles and has fog coming out of it. Get it for the presentation / instagram photo op alone. They also have an in house photobooth with a ton of props! Haven't tried it yet but super cool! There is also something called the "Dukes Challenge" From the website: Seven layer burger comprised of two patties, two chicken thighs, pulled pork, and a waffle. Served with a bucket of handcut fries and fiery hot chili. Free if you finish under 30 minutes! WHOA!
(5)
Abbie B.
Our server was Jessica and she was totally awesome she's also the bartender request her she's great! Our experience initially was challenging because they ran out of chicken. However, luckily they found some for those great chicken and waffles which are excellent! I was extremely skeptical about the marshmallow sauce but the marshmallow sauce outs actually have to be very good and I recommended it. The ambience is awesome it's decorated really, really nice. My guest got the pull pork with swank sauce which was also very good. I enjoyed the experience.
(4)
Emilee M.
I really really wanted to like this place. After driving past it for almost a year, I finally got myself together and made it in time for a Sunday brunch. Walking up to it is probably the most exciting element this place has to offer, the patio is beautiful and the lights overhead tie it all together quite nicely. Entering the restaurant is pleasant as well. The decor does a great job of sticking to their theme and assists in any enjoyment you might find there. However. And the most important part, it took 16 minutes for any server to ever address and acknowledge that we were there for more than just the sights. I recognized that not one server in the building spent any more than 3 seconds at a table, our server was right along with them. With no table side approach, or knowledge of the menu, or even a simple recommendation, it made for a kind of awkward experience. The best way I can describe the feel of it, is it was as if they grabbed the bus boy, who has never been trained as a server, and sent him over just to scribble down whatever we said and pass it on to someone who might know what to do with it. It was strange. The food took a great deal of time. But I was in good company luckily, so it wasn't so bad. Once the food arrived it looked delicious, but for who knows how this could have happened after waiting so long, it was cold. My swamp water was also missing it's gummy worm which made it a lot less alluring for 10 bucks. We also got verbally assaulted at the photo booth because another family walked up after us, and were not happy with the amount of time that they had to wait behind us. Because that's obviously a serious matter for a nice carefree Sunday afternoon. Won't be doing brunch there ever again. For 45 dollars I'd rather head to Fort Lauderdale and have endless mimosas with whatever I purchase for 15 dollars.
(2)
Marly F.
I walked in with high expectations and was far from disappointed. Determined to try as much from the menu as possible, I stuck to ordering appetizers and luckily my friends ordered different items from the menu so I was able to sample a little more. To start, I just had to order the fried green tomatoes: lightly breaded and fried. Three come per order. I also ordered the 18 hour pulled pork sliders topped with coleslaw and pickles. Also three sliders per order. Both apps deserve five stars. Then, came what was probably the best version of mac and cheese I have ever had. Called shells and cheese here, this version has aged Vermont cheese, pork belly and herb garlic bread crumbs. Holy Moly! If you're not yelling yeehaw midway through your first bite, then consider your taste buds useless. New to the menu that night was the meatloaf and pumpkin mash. Delicious! I wasn't planning on having dessert that night, but our server (who was extremely attentive) brought over pumpkin bread pudding for us to sample. Who can say no to bread pudding? The service was quick and the waitstaff was friendly. Our server wasn't too familiar with the menu, but it's a new place, so this didn't weigh down my experience at all. After paying, we went to the photo booth and took a few silly pictures with wacky hats and glasses. Fun way to end the evening.
(5)
DeSha M.
Love the wings and shell & cheese topped with shrimp yum! Cool spot for the area.
(4)
Ali H.
When I yelped this place before we went here tonight I wondered why all the reviews were so long... Now I understand. Let me start this review off by saying I'm giving it a 2 because I just feel bad for all the staff/owners managers in this place... It seems like they've given up/don't know what to do. Also, about a year ago a friend went here and had her cellphone stolen by their waitress, that issue was resolved-she got her phone back and I'm pretty sure the waitress was fired, but because of this I haven't tried southern swank until tonight.. We were seated right away in the back right by kitchen/prep area that is open to the dining room.. Normally when this is the way a restaurant is set this way, the kitchen is clean, you can see a chef, etc... The only thing I saw was a guy standing next to the deep frier with paint all over his shirt. The kitchen was pretty grimy looking too- southern swank if you're reading this please close the back wall or clean up. My boyfriend ordered the brisket sandwich, and I had the shrimp po boy. The po boy shrimp was the consistency of rubber, and the bread was stale. My boyfriends brisket was steak-ums. And after picking through his food he found what appeared to be a piece of paper/cardboard. The waitress did a drive-by to see if we were ok, We said we were (we really try not to complain at restaurants). Then the owner(?) or the manager stopped by looked down at the table and asked what the paper was. She just seemed defeated. She apologized a few times and said she didn't know what it was that he found in his food, or why it was there. I told her I didn't know either... She ended up taking the brisket off the bill, but in the hour we were at dinner, of the 7 tables sitting, we heard 4 complaining, or being apologized to. I'd like to see this place succeed but it's really struggling with life. I won't be going back anytime soon. P.S. Just got an email from opentable, they didn't check us into our reservation so no points, the opentable points were literally the best part of this entire evening.
(2)
Grayson M.
Tonight was my first time at Southern Swank. My sister has raved about this place to me for months and now I see why! Upon entry, you're greeted by polite hostess' and the restaurant is very country chic modern. The ambiance is nice, and features both a saloon side (where the bar is located) and a dining side (presumably for families). My boyfriend and I chose the saloon side, the ambiance was very nice. We both ordered the All-American burger with an order of shells and cheese. The food arrived in a timely manner, and very hot. And it was so gosh darn amazing. The shells had bacon and oh-em-gee! Thick cut and juicy goodness. The burger was cooked to perfection and also had the awesome bacon on it! The server was also really good and made sure everything was right for us. Definitely going to make another trip!
(4)
Patricia M.
Terrible, slow and inattentive service. Not accommodating for vegetarians, asked to replace all bacon sides with non-vegetarian items - they wouldn't do it and still gave me a plate with bacon potatoes. Even after they asked the cook if it had bacon and the cook said no! Will not be coming back!!
I really, really wanted to love this restaurant. Had the crab hush puppies that were just this side of burnt. Despite the breading, the crab was very good. The mac and cheese looked amazing, but was cold in the center. The country fried steak was fried alright. It was really fried...to within an inch of its life. It matched the hush puppies in its ability to make perfectly healthy gums bleed. The steak was hot and the potatoes cold. Nothing was horrible, but each dish missed the mark. I don't know if the dishes were made too far in advance or the chef just didn't care and was simply going through the motions without any thought. On the up side, the manager stopped by our table to ask if we enjoyed our meal. She explained that they were under new management and finding their way. She was very nice and very receptive to not so positive comments. I only wish they didn't have to find their way with our $75.00 check. Southern Swank really does have potential and being the eternal optimist I'll probably go back in a couple of months...with my fingers crossed.
(2)
Shazza M.
One of the worst dining experiences I can remember in living memory, yes, it is that bad. Service is clueless, food wretched, the place is worn around the edges and is only a little over a year old. It has the general air of a business having been given up on. There were four of us and we order three burgers with fries and a summer salad with shrimp. Crab hush puppies are out within 5 minutes as an appetizer. Not bad It took 45 minutes to get the burgers, way too long on a quiet night in a mostly empty restaurant. Waitress says the salad wasn't ready and wasn't brought to the table for another 7 minutes after the burgers. As we were waiting for the last plate to start eating, the burgers were getting colder than the tepid temperature that they arrived at. To makes matters worse, a table who seated behind us 20 minutes after we arrived were received enormous plates of delicious looking food before us! Not only that, a chef who turned out to be kitchen manger was chatting with them and introducing people to them fur around 15 min, all the while we are waiting to be served. Well turns out they were his parents getting the VIP while us plebs were getting the shaft. My suspicion is that the full force of the kitchen went towards catering towards them The burgers were completely blah, soggy bun underneath, and my girl's burger bun was stale. To make matters worse, the bacon on the burger had a thick sweet cloying taste that included way too much smoke flavour that tasted like it came straight from a bottle. And the fries on two of the burger plates appeared to be old fried re-cooked in old smelly grease and burned to a crisp. The other burger was served with nice light golden fresh cooked fries. I put one from each burned and fresh pile on a side dish to show the waitress, it looked like a yin yang they were so obviously different. I asked her to take it to the kitchen to show the chef, expecting a reaction from management. I asked her after another 10 minutes what the chef said and she just decided to bring us a fresh batch of fries. At this point I asked to see a manager, who doesn't show up for another 10 minutes after the waitress quickly hands is the bill. So the kitchen manager is the same guy who was chatting with his parents instead of taking care of our meal and his crappy kitchen. He agreed the fries were awful and they were double cooked from an old batch and the kitchen had messed up our salad order. He promised he would apply a $30 off groupon for the meal, said he would remove two entrees from the bill and give us 10% off. It took another 30 minutes to organize all this and finally a floor manager arrived to apologize, an hour after our first complaints. She said they had taken over 2 weeks ago and fired bunch of servers and kitchen staff and that more needed to go. Instead of the $30 off they gave us a coupon for $30 off a future meal. We laughed and said we doubted we would ever be back. Right after she left us she went to another table to apologize and was comping a portion of their meal since they had major issues with theirs too. Basically avoid this place like the plague, they have almost as many staff as client but you will see litter on the floor that no one bothers to pick up, the food sucks, service is shitty, and there is not even any soap in the bathrooms, I wonder how the staff clean themselves after a toilet visit and before touching your plates and food. The place is a complete disaster and should just close down already. My Mum who doesn't even eat junk food said that McDonalds is better. And she is right!!!
(1)
Daniel M.
I'm not a big chicken and waffles guy, but the chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy is off the chain, ridiculously good. Best sausage gravy I've had.
(4)
Amber S.
Southern Surprise! While looking for a place to grab a quick bite we stopped into Swank and what a delightful experience. We ordered the beer can chicken, collard greens, fish special, fried green tomatoes, & a kids burger. The waitress was too sweet and answered all of the questions expertly about the menu and especially the drinks. Everything was fantastic and the chronic tonic a mix of gin and blueberries was to die for. I wish I could have tried the other specialty drinks especially the raspberry ones which were recommended. Unfortunately the fried green tomatoes arrived after our dinner which were the appetizer thus the 4 stars. Great for foodies, out of town guests, and even kids! They tolerated my 3 year old dancing on the stage and didn't even bat an eye! Bravo! We will be back!
(4)
Claudine J.
I read too many mixed reviews about this place. Here's how I see Southern Swank Kitchen... overall it is a nice place, nice laid back atmosphere with average food... it was good, but not great. Except maybe for the cornbread, but think that may have been because of the honey butter. The others in my party liked their food, but can't say if they'd be back. Especially for those who live in Miami, too long a drive for overpriced shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. IJS. If it wasn't for Doug, not sure if my time at SSK would have been a 3 star. He kept those bottomless mimosas coming.
(3)
Myrleia M.
This place just started brunch and it's already perfected! They have brunch like drink specials and still carry their full regular menu. The presentation of every plate is phenomenal and the taste is unforgettable. Even though this is a 40 minute drive for me, I try to make it out when I can because it's a good environment. Food is on point and drinks are made nice and strong. Owner or manager is always very welcoming and make you feel the family vibe they have going. I HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)
Yi L.
Decided to give this place a second try. What a fail! The waiter screwed up my order. Screwed up my check. He is so rude. He even took our orders from one spot. Across the table. Didn't walk around to get our orders. And we were at a long table. Every time he brought anything over, I said thank you and he didn't acknowledge me. I will not be returning here. Horrible service. Mediocre food.
(1)
Kimberly P.
Pretty good. Love the brunch items but eggs overdone on the benedict. Love the homemade BBQ sauce. The Reuben is a weird name and doesn't go w the sandwich at all - it's more a "country bbq breakfast sandwich" and the one we got needed more collard greens. Overall good but something in the vibe of the place doesn't work 100%. Place needs a piece of woman or a woman's touch to give it some comfort. I mean it is comfort food, right??!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Djamel M.
I went to Swank this past Friday night and it was incredibly packed. We had to wait a bit to get seated, but we just ordered a couple drinks at the bar. The swamp water was a nice surprise. We ordered the mac n cheese and the pork sliders as our appetizers. The mac was amazing and the sliders were to die for! For my entree I ordered the hanger steak and my wife ordered the shrimp and grits. My steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce that came on top was delicious. My wifes dish was also incredible! I didn't think the combination of shrimp + grits could be so good! The ambiance and decor were also a welcome sight for Davie. I will definitively be coming back!
(5)Laurel B.
I came here late, 10pm on a Saturday. It was not crowded and no I did not eat the food but my 5 star rating goes out to the bar staff and the drinks. The drinks are to die for. You have to try the caramel apple. It's awesome!!!! The fireball drink is amazing as is the peach drink. I WILL be back to try the rest. The bartender Daniel and the bar manager Ron were incredibly friendly and just all around awesome. They alone make me want to come back. We needed a place like this In between the downtown ftl and Miami scene. Can't wait to be back to check out the food (and the other specialty drinks). I love this place. Thanks Daniel and Ron!!!
(5)Cindy L.
This was our first time here and we were beyond amazed and happy. First off it was very home feeling and the people that work there were very nice and helpful. The pork sliders were amazing and if u need a kick to them( which u don't) but if so ask for their BBQ sauce and it is absolutely amazing Next is the burger, chicken and waffles, and the corn bread. The food was amazing and tasted amazing. I suggest that if you want to try something new then try this, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)L D.
It was a cute restaurant/bar. They had several TVs playing old western movies in the background.I enjoyed how the food was presented. There was also a little stage area in the front which seemed like there was possibly a live music night, but not during the night I dined. Overall it was OK. It wasn't bad at all, yet not super impressive either. When I arrived with my family, we stood there for a few minutes. Apparently we entered through the bar entrance and not the restaurant entrance (which we didnt notice the difference nor the option of another entrance) and just stood there without initially being acknowledged. The bartender looked at us several times before finally telling us to go to the other side....which was literally three steps to the side of the bar. They couldn't have said something earlier? Obviously we weren't there to kick back some shots given that we had 2 young children standing with us and a bewildered look as no one approached us until serveral minutes later.Keep in mind it was a slow monday night!!!
(3)Bertha T.
Pork chop was mostly undercooked and had to be returned to the kitchen. Mac and cheese was ok, bread pudding, snickers pudding, and pork sliders were amazing, caramel apple moonshine was sweet and enjoyable, swamp water was all show. Burger was ok and fries were drenched in oil. Place was very packed and loud. Servers were attentive and manager was very apologetic about the raw food (comped part of the bill)
(3)Nick P.
Food was just okay for those prices. My server was a male which you see less and less of these days and he was awesome and kept my wife and I laughing all night
(3)Patricia M.
Terrible, slow and inattentive service. Not accommodating for vegetarians, asked to replace all bacon sides with non-vegetarian items - they wouldn't do it and still gave me a plate with bacon potatoes. Even after they asked the cook if it had bacon and the cook said no! Will not be coming back!!
(1)Felipe F.
Excellent food and excellent service!!
(5)Kim B.
I was not impressed at all with Southern Swank. When we walked in, it took quite a while to be acknowledged. Everything was very slow and the ribs were terrible! I could barely get them off the bone! Definitely not worth the expensive price. I will NOT go back or recommend this place.
(1)Rachia G.
On Monday, December 2nd, my mother and two sisters invited me to join them for dinner at Swank Southern. I thought it just some barbeque place however it was absolutely delicious food with an upscale southern twist. The hospitality was warm by not only our server but by the owner, Alex, who stopped by our table. I had the wings with their special sauce. My sister and mother had the beer can chicken and my other sister had their chicken and waffle. Everything was great and we are sure to return. This is a must try.
(5)M B.
I was shocked on my most recent visit that the menu has been dramatically reduced. No beer can chicken??? The entree's can out one at a time rather than all together. They discounted our meal at-least but we this was at the expense of hyping the place up to a couple of friends that clearly came back at us. I'll give them 6 months to get it together.
(2)Jim K.
Read about this place in the paper and heard about it from others with rave reviews. Might have hit it on a bad night. Poor service. 45 min to get food and the restaurant was not even full (no wait to get a table). Ordered drinks which came quickly but asked for sugar for our one person not drinking alcohol and it never came even asked another waitress. 15 min later got it from the bar. waitress only checked up on us once during the 45 we waited for food and only with us waving her down. Noticed that she spent most of her time chatting it up with the manager. As mentioned in other posts manager seemed to be a gregarious guy but didnt quite make it to our table. Probably best as we were not very pleased. Also had to flag her down for the bill. Waited 15 min after we were all done eating for her to bring it but at some point have to get a move on. Food is fine but not worth the price. Cheescake factory is better and cheaper. Didnt get the mac and cheese which seems to be the most popular but did get the meatloaf (sucked and tiny) chicken and waffles (good) and beercan chicken (good but nothing special for 18 bucks) Grat was added to the bill at 18% which seems unusual for a party of 5. Lots of staff, great decor, food is not bad but I think they will be out of biz in a year. I will not be returning.
(2)Barry V.
Found this place by accident and was duly impressed. For a new operation (about one week old) the service was friendly, prompt and attentive. There appeared to be a number of newbies being trained but this only bolstered our impression. The food was flavorful and well prepared. Presentation was upscale and polished. The shrimp and grits was perhaps the best I'd ever had - anywhere! The only constructive criticism I could offer would be to add a small piece of corn bread as an accompaniment to the ribs and provide a moist towel or finger bowl to clean up a it after the finger sucking good S'Wings and ribs. (I will note that our trainee second server provided us with a moistened napkin and lemon wedge when he found they did not have the obligatory foil wrapped "wet-nap" I requested. Also, no mention of dessert - perhaps they were sold out but this would have only capped off a great meal. Needless to say, we will be back.
(4)Robert F.
What a disaster, from top to bottom. Service was a mess, nearly every order had a mistake. We had a person in our group with a severe allergy to bacon and yet after being instructed several times each and every dish they brought her out had bacon including the fish and the potatoes??? It took them nearly 30 minutes to refire the fish and that entree was brought to the table after we all had finished with our meals. Quality, to say poor is an understatement - all I need to say is you could smell the fish before it hit the table When we addressed it with the manager he was beyond confused and explained that the kitchen was always experimenting and they never know what they are cooking??? Seriously With all that said, not an offer for dessert or a cup of coffee and although one of our guest had to eat after we all were completed no did not even offer to comp or discount her entree - really a disgrace of a meal and we'll never return
(1)Erick L.
This place was amazing; comfort southern cuisine with a modern and fresh take by some of south florida's most talented in the kitchen. This place is intimate with a relaxed feel atmosphere.
(5)Regina S.
Today was my lucky day! I was checking my email this morning and looked through the Groupons which I never do. I saw the offer and decided to check out their menu. I did not buy the Groupon, but immediately texted my husband to tell him we were going to try that for dinner tonight. I've lived in Pembroke Pines for over 15 years and we never have any good restaurants in the area. The only place that I love is Mustard Seed which is in Plantation. All we have in the area, is either "computer, chain food" or pretty lousy mom and pop restaurants. When I read the reviews on yelp and then read their menu on the website, I knew that I would have to check it out myself. I've been to several higher end southern restaurants, such as Whisk in South Miami, Yardbirds in South Beach, Swine in the Gables, and a few in North Carolina. Swank did not disappoint me at all. Quite the contrary. I was nervous that my husband wouldn't like it, but now he's their biggest fan. We had the fried green tomatoes with a delicious remoulade, yummy white cheddar macaroni and cheese, pulled pork sliders, fried chicken and waffles, banana pudding, and snickers pudding. I also had the peach schnapps ice tea. My ten year old son had chicken tenders that were actually delicious and homemade French fries, not frozen, that tasted just like the ones my mom used to make me. The have quite an interesting drink menu and I can't wait to try another one my next visit. The ambiance was very cute. I loved the décor, the drinks in mason jars, the bill in the honey jar, the branded wood boards. There was so much attention to detail that I picked up on and really enjoyed. I could tell that this was a labor of love. It was nice enough for a date night, but comfortable enough if you have a well behaved kid with you. The staff was very friendly. The bar manager and the restaurant manager both approach us to welcome us to the restaurant. FAR from the horrible reviews that I had read on line. My opinion is that they should have never gone on Groupon, because that is what you do when your business is low so you can drum it up, not when you are starting out. I will DEFINITELY be going back and I will make sure I recommend only the friends that I have that will truly appreciate real food, not computer food, or food in bulk. But a true foodie who enjoys casual dining from real chefs, not short order cooks. I wish you guys luck and welcome to the neighborhood. I hope you do very well!
(5)Debbie L.
If you are looking for a place for a great date night or with friends...you've found it! The bar drinks were AMAZING and very creative!! From the smoking swamp water to the caramel apple, all delicious! Thanks to Ron the bar manager for your great suggestions!!! We spent 3 hours there on a Saturday night and it was great not to be rushed!! We had fantastic appetizers (pork sliders, mac n cheese and crab hush puppies). All perfectly done. The mac n cheese is especially delish! We had the Cowboy Steak which is huge and cooked to perfection, and the shrimp and grits, which was also great. Our friends also had the steak and tried the ribs, which were awesome and plentiful. We also tried some corn bread on the side. All in all we had a very enjoyable evening. The decor and ambiance are great. So nice to have a place like this which is local! Highly recommended!
(5)Phil G.
a few months back, the wife and I are driving on university drive and we notice southern swank kitchen. we thought that looks new and interesting...i looked it up here on yelp and the reviews were very mixed and there were a number of very negative well written reviews that kinda scared us off. last week a friend was absolutely raving about her newest find in Davie...southern swank kitchen...great drinks...intriguing menu...chicken and waffles...yada yada yada... we were convinced to give it a try regardless of the sketchy reviews. we went on a Wednesday night and expected it to be quiet. not the case. it was surprisingly busy. a good sign? it's a very nice, very large place with a kinda modern country flair. the hostess was very friendly and seated us immediately. Our server was Olivia and she was great. very friendly and attentive. the strawberry basil martini was delicious and i had a craft beer called breakfast stout that was very good too. we're off to a good start. we decided to try several small plates and thought for our first visit they would give us and opportunity to have a broad sampling of what the kitchen is serving up. we ordered, pork sliders, crab hush puppies, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. According Olivia, these are some of the best sellers. clearly there are some consistency issues at southern swank kitchen. if you look at the photos that have been posted here on yelp everything looks beautifully prepared and presented. that's not the experience we had. the crab hush-puppies are supposed to a crap cake, hush puppy fusion. unfortunately it not a good crab cake and a bland boring hush puppy that was tossed in a basket. (nothing like the photos). they were served with a scallion mayo that was nasty and didn't compliment the dish at all. that chain restaurant with the red crustacean has much better hush puppys. the fried green tomatoes were acceptable even though the tomatoes and the breading were poorly seasoned. the remoulade or aioli they were topped with saved the dish. the pork sliders were the dish i was most looking forward to tasting and that was disappointing too. it felt like they were running out of pork and were under portioning to stretch it out for the night. there was almost no pork on the buns. what was there was quite tasty and the combination with their slaw and the pickle were very good. i think a significantly larger amount of pork would have put it over the top (like what is in the photo's here) the mac and cheese is also delish. but...it wasnt hot enough. it had a panko top that probably was supposed to be browned under the broiler and it would have made a huge difference in both the presentation and the temperature. finally, we had the carrot cake for desert. it was an interesting presentation in a mason jar. the flavors were very nice and figs and walnuts added a pleasant twist from traditional carrot cake, the mascarpone frosting was the weak spot. while tasty the consistency was way to runny and gave the impression maybe this was sitting out too long before being served. I had high hopes for southern swank kitchen. i'll probably go back to try the chicken and waffles...probably not on a weeknight
(2)Bryan S.
My wife and I decided to try out Swank after I flew back in from Dallas on a Thursday night Dec 19. We were very excited, and really were looking forward to some southern cooking for modern flair - my wife had a craving for comfort food and Shrimp and Grits since Creolina's and Hi-Life Cafe closed. I do want to say we were using a Groupon - some people may be turned off by my review because it was a discounted meal, but that had no bearing (PS - please remember to tip wait staff on FULL price of meal, not the discounted price when you use Groupon). 1st Impressions Swank took over the old Guardian Pools location on South University Drive, not hard to find....but real difficulty wit parking. Be careful about parking in the back - it looks like there is a repair or dealership back there, and there is no turnaround - so you have to back out...into cars coming in trying to find a spot. Better to park just south in the little office building next door, next to the construction. They don't tow. Many people have complained about the décor, layout, and noise - I actually liked the urban feel inside, and the patio outside. My wife thought it was noisy, I liked the vibe. Tables were laid out well, did not fee like I was on top of my neighbors. Bar had specialty drinks listed (I didn't try any) - and nice they put the prices with them (nothing like trying a special drink and getting hit with a $15 charge because no one told you price!). I am still trying to figure out why western movies were playing in a southern restaurant, and why they asked you for your favorite John Wayne quotes. Something amiss there. Service Our waitress was nice with a southern/western name. She was very nice, but needs more training. My wife had arrived before me, and it was nice that the waitress left us a bit to talk. My wife was disappointed that Shrimp and Grits were moved from dinner to appetizer and asked if we could do an entrée portion, we would pay the difference. Waitress said yes we could have as an entrée - but portion size would be the same. So answer was really "no". We asked about specials of the day, and were told there were none.She never asked management. When appetizer came out, there we no plates, they came back 2 minutes later with plates. We then placed our order,. and had to ask what the fish of the day was (remember we had asked about specials already). When my ribeye came, there was no steak knife, and when we ordered a shared dessert they only brought one spoon. There was a lack of attention during the meal and after - such as getting refills on ice tea - and difficult getting the bill. Waitress was good about asking manager if we could do an upsell on the Groupon so that I could get the ribeye, and it was not a problem. Overall, service needs to be improved. Food Menu is VERY limited, we expected more options, and we wanted to try a few things and share them. And since the shrimp and grits were not an entrée that left us with mostly meat decisions. We also did not really care for the Shrimp and Grits - overcooked, and swam in the sauce. It was more Shrimp on top of Grits. We ordered the St Louis Ribs and the bone-in ribeye. Ribs were hit and miss: I had two that were fall of the bone tender, and then more that were gristly, hard to chew. I liked the sauce, but my wife prefers drier ribs. The rib eye was cooked perfectly, but was tough - and they didn't bring a steak knife to cut it...I had to ask for one. Funny part I liked my wife's ribs better than my ribeye, and vice versa. the steak was bland with little seasoning other than the butter. We ordered a banana pudding for dessert - which came in a glass. Way too much whipped cream before finding the pudding, and as mentioned above only came with one spoon. By the way, it seems all desserts were pudding or bread puddings when we were there. Prices We felt the prices were reasonable for an upscale casual restaurant. Some people have mentioned the Davie location and that the prices should be lower - remember Armadillo Café used to be in Davie as well. Drinks were reasonably priced. Overall Impression Not impressed, had high expectations based on the other reviews. Was it terrible? No - but the combination of service issues and food issues means we probably will not be back. More misses than hits, and we waited till Swank had been open a while before trying it. I did send an email to the management about the service issues, feeling they should be aware so that they could improve, but have not heard back from them. I think that is more disappointing than the meal we had - but perhaps this is a reason why service inside was not up to level of standards we expected. We were hoping for a replacement for Creolina's and Hi-Life Café, it looks like we will have to continue to search.
(2)Melanie S.
Stopped in on Saturday night. Just two of us so we decided to sit at the bar. Daniel was friendly and attentive. We tried three appetizers tonight: shells and cheese, pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. Food was delicious. Service was quick. Will definitely be going back to try some of their entrees.
(4)Gayle L.
Southern Swank's curb appeal as I drove up made me smile. When I went in, I didn't know what to expect, but the decor was amazing. It was Southern with a twist. The artwork on the wall was great!.. I was greeted with a smile and seated. Now, on to the food... My sister and I ordered the small plates: sliders, fried green tomatoes, green bean casserole, and the crab hush puppies. How they were plated was creative and everything was so tasty! I have to say that the green bean casserole was my favorite--so savory. We also had drinks that were infused with herbs. So regular gin and tonic was infused with rosemary.. it gave it more depth. Overall, I was very pleased with Swank! I will be going back!
(5)Sommer W.
Amazing atmosphere! Yummy food! Good service! Chicken and waffles and crab hushpuppies..... My favorites so far. I will Definately be back to try the rest of the menu! You want something different than your typical chain sports bar.... Come here. Good drinks and the game was on! Love it! Winning in my book! (-;
(5)Jennifer L.
I am so upset at this place. Our server was Andrew and i tell you he really made the experience horrible not only was he rude but he acted like it was a bother when i had asked questions about the menu. It felt as if he took care of everyone elses table a round us but rolled he's eyes when i was for a refill on my drink. I would have to flag him down just to get him to notice our table, it felt like he was avoiding our table. I would look around at the other serves and wished that they had taken care of us instead. The food came out cold and in my opinion i feel like it didn't taste as good as i thought. I had the beer can chicken which came out dry and tasted l Iike its been just sitting there for a while and my husband had the hanger steak he said it was no big deal he could of had it better some where else. I don't know maybe it was because the server had mad me mad all i wanted to do was leave. I only came to this restaurant because it was new and the decor look intriguing. Truthfully I really wanted to like the place the atmosphere was nice, drinks were awesome, we had something called Swamp water it was nice it had bubbles coming up and smoke, my daughter thought it was cool. I don't know if I'll be back or not
(1)Kasey P.
I'll keep this short and sweet. The ambiance of the restaurant is charming as well as the staff. Fried green tomatoes and the mac and cheese appetizers were delicious! My fiance and I will order those two each time we stop by. They have an array of beers and specialty drinks to choose from and when we weren't happy with one of the drinks we ordered, they happily replaced it with a new drink. (You know, sometimes you cringe at the thought of sending something back). I ordered the Chicken and Waffles and my fiance ordered the St. Louis ribs. Presentation of the food earns 5/5 stars. My chicken and waffles weren't anything special. The waffle was delicious but the chicken was just...fried chicken, nothing fancy. The ribs were pretty good but again, nothing special. We will be back, but next time we're going to ask the waiter for their suggestions and hope for a perfect outcome on the food.
(4)Lynn B.
Very disappointing! We had high hopes for this place - its fairly local and the menu sounded great. Our party of 6 arrived at 6:15, and the hostess was completely flummoxed on what to do with us. She said the only available table was a high top in the bar. There were at least 7 four tops available - and when we suggested she put two of them together, she said she'd have to find the servers and ask if they would mind sharing the table. Huh??? Should not have been that difficult. We wound up taking the table in the bar. After ten minutes of not being acknowledged, we started our 60 second count down before we were going to get up and leave. The bartender made it to us just in time, which in retrospect wasn't a great thing. He seemed very busy, but once he took our orders he became a decent server. The timing of the meal was a bit odd - one person was having a wings appetizer as dinner, but it came out at the same time as the other apps. On to the food... very mediocre. Blah. And somewhat expensive for blah. I had chicken and waffles - the two quarters of waffles were the same quality you can get on a free motel breakfast buffet. The chicken was DRY, tasteless and boring. Did I already mention dry? I was actually trying to scrape more of the marshmallow sauce onto it just to get it down. Husband ordered the ribs. When you are ordering $18 ribs, you expect a rack. Or at least a filling portion. There were six ribs, not very meaty, and not very tasty. They were accompanied with cole slaw that was okay. Two others ordered the burgers, which were decent enough but for $14 you would expect "WOW" which they certainly weren't. The wings were so-so. The mac and cheese very good, and the crab hush puppies excellent. There was no kid's menu, so our little one had french fries for dinner. Credit where credit's due - the french fries were wonderful. But seriously - $130 and four of us left hungry. Just not quite sure what this place really is. It's not southern cooking - not a collard green in sight! It's not a barbecue joint. It's not a steak house, or a burger place... Whatever it is, it's definitely off our restaurant radar.
(1)Annthia P.
HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT. Gave the restaurant 1 star because the waitresses were extremely nice and their services were up to par. came in with a large party of 20 or more and all were upset with the management of this place. Won't be comming back.
(1)Lillian A.
Food was good but portions were too small and prices were too high. Servers seemed inexperienced. Food took way too long to come out. Begged for more water 4 times. .server was putting the dirty dishes away in an odd spot in the front of the store front. Parking in the back is odd...lots of crap laying around on a picnic table. Had too look at overflowing trash bins.
(2)Susan P.
Love this place!!! Been her twice now and definitely going back again and again for more. It can't get any better all of the partners are really friendly and appreciate your feedback and that doesn't happen very often. I've tried the mac and cheese, chicken and waffle, swings, ribs, snickers desert. Everything was amazing quality food and definitely a great location. I can't wait to try different things as well next time because there are so many things that I want to try. They also had a live band tonight (Friday) :-)
(5)Briana B.
Southern comfort food and live music...what more could you ask for?! Went to Swank a couple weekends ago and overall was very satisfied with the experience. Being that they are brand new to the area I didn't expect perfection, but was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant it is tastefully decorated, photo booth and all, and has a great vibe. The large bar makes waiting for a table or grabbing a quick drink a breeze and the great cocktails make the experience even more enjoyable. I had the Georgia Peach, delicious! The food was excellent as well. I tried the Crab Hush Puppies, the Pork Sliders and my new favorite, the Shells & Cheese. Will definitely go back again to try other items off the menu. Yum!
(5)Randall S.
I was very excited at the site of the menu and presence of a restaurant like this in Davie. It's usually only found in FTL or Miami. Made a reservation for 7 pm, the table wasn't ready so we were seated at a bar height table on the bar side. We weren't greeted by anyone for a minimum 10 min. The table wasn't set. A bartender eventually came to greet us after we mentioned to the hostess that we hadn't been seen yet. She took out drink order, and 5-7 minutes later 3/4 drinks came. We held out on the cheers for another 5 minutes before approaching the bar to remind them of the 4th drink. We reminded them 3 minutes later. Eventually we get the drink. For appetizers - fried green tomatoes (good but not crispy), shells and cheese (good), and hot wings (very good; tangy, sweet, and spicy all at the same time). However, we were served this food without flatware. Entrees - chicken and waffles with marshmallow sage sauce- crispy, good chicken, I wish I had more waffle. Hangar steak- very good, great flavor, a bit of char on the outside. Filet mignon was tender and interesting jalapeño sauce/purée. Slow roasted BBQ pork sliders- good but not great. Through all of this, we asked 3 different people for a round of waters and eventually got one glass. Plates were left empty in front of us way too long despite visits from service staff. Bottom line, I'll give it one more try because the area needs a place like this, but if the service doesn't improve DRAMATICALLY, I won't return and I suspect others won't either.
(3)David G.
This was the third time I went to Swank and will definitely be my last. Here are the main highlights of my evening... We (party of four) walked in and stood at the front hostess stand for a few minutes while the hostess sat at the bar and watched us. It wasn't until we asked someone else for help that she decided to get off her barstool to seat us with a very unconvincing "sorry". Our waiter, Andrew R., thinking he was hiding it, was texting on his phone while we were trying to order. The food took forever to come out (there was no one else in the restaurant at this point) and, when it finally did, it was brought out one dish at a time. Two $29 prime rib specials, both ordered medium rare, came out well-done. The waiter did not come back to check on us so I went to the back to tell him about the overcooked meat (once again, he was texting). He came over, apologized, and instead of offering to remake it, offered us a free round of drinks. We accepted and a few minutes later he came back to tell us that the bar was closed and my wife could not have her cocktail. A few cheap beers do not make up for $60 of charred prime rib. Then of course, after having a few sips of my beer, I realized there was a fly in it. While all of this was going on, we watched as people entered the restaurant at 11:20pm and were told by the staff that they were closed, even though the restaurant advertises that they are open until midnight. If you are thinking about trying Swank, my advice is don't waste your time and money.
(1)Stephanie F.
Yelp review before we even leave!! These guys worked out all the kinks from the initial opening and are starting brunch soon. We managed to get a sample of new menu and it is ridiculously good! Fried house made pickles are tender and don't even need the creole mayo, but dang that's good too. We also tried Hangar steak and eggs and the Pulled Pork Rueben. Both were outstanding!!! The sandwich didn't need the side of fries, but again so good, especially with the Tobasco Ketchup. I need a nap and a work out!!
(5)Isabella B.
I'm at student at Nova University (right next door to swank) and I'm so excited we finally have a restaurant nearby that's nice, not too expensive and delicious. I stopped by with my boyfriend on last night and shared corn bread, Mac and cheese, and the beer can chicken. The corn bread was good, warm and moist. The Mac and cheese were by far the best I've had; they were creamy, cheesy, and had little chunks of a sweet pork belly. The beer can chicken was also really good and flavorful and the presentation of all the dishes are very cute! I had heard a lot about the specialty drink from my classmates and tried the swamp water. Although it was strong for my taste, it was really tasty and refreshing. The cute candy worm coming out of the mason jar served as a good chaser ;) The servers were really sweet, however, they did seem a little flustered from all the commotion in the restaurant. it's safe to give them props since they've only been open for a week. my favorite part was leaving with a cute pic of my boyfriend and I from the photo booth :) we also made it to the "swank bank"... very clever! I'll definitely be back soon.. maybe next time with my girls for a "study session" :)
(5)Kathi V.
Since we are Foodies, who loooove southern food, we could not wait to have supper at this restaurant. We drove all afternoon to get here, picked up our kids, and headed over for our 7:30 reservation. Stephanie brought our drink order which included bottled 8 oz diet cokes. The bottles were cute, but the price was not listed on the menu and neither was the fact that there are no refills. She came to get our order and said they were out of 3 of the 8 entrees. My husband decided not to order anything. After everyone else had placed orders, she came back to inform us that they were not out of those entrees, the "grill had been down." My husband ordered a pimento burger and two others changed their order since their original choices were suddenly available. The appetizers came and we really liked the crab hushpuppies and shrimp n grits. The fried green tomatoes were cut too thick and the only flavor was from the sauce. We all ordered something different so we could all try each others food. Our entrees came and I had the ribs which were old, tough and I didn't care for the sauce. The slaw had no flavor. My husband did not care for the burger. My son enjoyed the meatloaf and thought the pumpkin puree was awesome; the pumpkin was a perfect compliment for the meatloaf. However, it came in a very small iron dish with no side dish. His wife had the pork chop. She could not eat it and they tried to cut it with a steak knife and could not cut it. She sent it back. She did eat the greens and beans. My other son had the chicken n waffles which was small compared to the other versions we have ever had. It had a marshmallow sauce (unique and delicious) and was satisfactory. His wife had the hanger steak which was excellent; the steak came with fingerling potatoes and bits of thick cut bacon. We ordered dessert and they were out of the one we ordered. The bill came and they added gratuity on a party of 6. The bill was over $180.00 for a party of 6. No soup, no salad, no bread, no refills .....Since a manager never came to see why we sent a plate back, my daughter in law ASKED for to speak to one. A long time later the floor manager walked over and when told about the pork chop said, huh, wow and shrugged. Since our card had already been swiped before he made it to our table, she asked why they didn't remove it, he again hemmed and hawed with no answer. He then went to talk to the owner only after my daughter in law insisted. The owner was walking around all night taking pictures. After we got tired of waiting, we got up and started to leave, the floor manager finally reappeared and handed us a card for a free appetizer.... We handed it back... We are not interested in returning.... Enjoyed the decor, the service from our waitress was excellent. If you go, beware of what you order if you are really hungry or thirsty. Overpriced.
(2)Dee C.
Delicious food. Definitely recommended the place for a date night as the atmosphere is very nice. Decor is modern chic and the staff is dressed in plaid shirts and boots. The food is served in skillets on top of a cutting board. We ordered mac & cheese, cornbread, chicken & waffles, ribs & wings. Everything was good especially the mac & cheese and the cornbread that comes with this cinnamon butter. Would definitely recommend this place for a nice meal. Service can be a little faster as their menu is not that extensive but overall good food.
(4)Marlen T.
The food and ambience was great and upbeat. The waitress was very nice and had great suggestions for drinks and food. The shells and cheese/corn bread were to die for! Will definitely be coming back soon! :)
(5)Lisa R.
Went with a group of 6. Atmosphere is great, cool decor. Menu simple and paper with a little sparkle (nice touch). Drinks good overall, though mine somehow reminded me of a scented candle (caramel apple drink). The appetizers were all delicious-pork sliders, fried green tomatoes. A few of us had the chicken and waffles and hubby hubby got the blue chicken and waffles. Now having had some AMAZING chicken and waffles just last week at a different restaurant, I should have known better than to order the chicken and waffles here. The marshmallow sage sauce just did not hit the spot for me (too sweet), the chicken too greasy. I do have to say that the blue chicken and waffle was much better. The other plates included-shrimp and grits (good shrimp, bad grits), ribs-good, and a burger. We did not try any desserts. I will be back to try a few other things but I was a little disappointed on this first visit. It is nice to have different options in Broward and I would like to support a small business like this one but they will have to step it up a notch.
(2)Aries R.
So I have this groupon deal so I go with some friends out to this new establishment and when I first arrive they couldn't accommodate my party of 6 with two kids which they tried to convince us that a booth would fit us all which that was a mistake from the beginning and a warning sign this place was in the shambles. So we decided to wait until a better table became available so we decide to grab a drink at the bar and wait but when we stood at the bar waiting for a bartender to approach us a couple that had been sitting there for 25 min decided to leave due to no one has tried to approach them for a drink order which made us again wonder WTH is going on here and when we started to monitor the waiters and tables we noticed almost every table was either pissed off or walking which we than counted 6 table getting up and walking out. I told the manager that we are skeptical about their place and we were going to continue to stay to try them out since we had a groupon deal. Bottom line is the food is good but not wow and not worth the amount they are priced at. Second their times are from 4pm to 2am but the kitchen closes at 10pm which I find strange. Stay away from this place until you see a dramatic review and change of management!
(1)Andrew I.
I was not expecting to like it here because, in spite of the time I've spent in Atlanta, I'm not a huge fan of southern food. But this place was just outstanding. First, the service was fast and friendly throughout. The wife and I were looking to have a fun night, and the staff was all about bringing us drinks and shots all night. That was fun. As for the food, holy crap. The wife ordered the meatloaf which was delicious; it was served with a pumpkin garnish which was a perfect addition. I ordered the smoked BBQ chicken. Holy crap, I'm crying just thinking about it. It was so smoky, so moist and just so perfect. I ordered a 1/2 but I could easily have had a whole bird. Possibly the best fowl I've ever had, just brilliantly done. We did not have dessert as we saved our calories for booze. Anyway, in conclusion, this is a great addition to the davie restaurant scene and a sorely needed one at that. Hopefully more Miami restauranteurs will follow suit and open in the Cooper City / Davie area.
(4)Amy H.
Friends liked it, so we tried it. Cute concept. Needs work. Front of house needs some serious training. The place was empty when we got there, as in there were three tables seated. Our waiter had no idea what was in the various drinks. Asked if it was our first time there, and when we said, "yes," proceeded to give us no information about the menu or anything. Some entrees read like they come with sides, others it's not listed. Waiter did not ask if we wanted sides -- upsell! Your tip is reflected in the amount of money we spend at your table. Food was ok, not great. When I ordered a second drink, our waiter disappeared to tend to his one other table. Five minutes later, I could see my drink sitting in the service area of the bar. The bartender had no customers AT the bar and two or three other staff were standing next to my drink, looking at it, then looking toward our table. Not sure why nobody could walk the drink twelve feet to our table, but in the end, I just went and grabbed it myself. At no point did anyone clear away empty glasses or refill beverages without being asked. Waiting tables isn't hard, but the manager clearly needs to spend some time teaching these people how to do the job right.
(2)Lourdes C.
We had dinner last night at the restaurant and loved it! The pork sliders as appetizers (they give you three) were divine, so much so that we ordered a second dish. Shredded pork with smoky taste and creamy Cole slaw and dill pickle on a sweet King's Hawaiian bun. Then I had Shrimp and Grits, which again had that smoky barbecue flavor on the shrimp and the grits were delicious. My husband had the Ribs with Cole Slaw and it was plentiful and real good too. I had to have the bread pudding with Bourbon sauce and it did not disappoint, it was heavenly. Also the Raspberry Lemonade with Raspberry Vodka were great. The décor is very casual and for a Wednesday it had a lot of people. We had a southern style singer who was great. But what topped our night was the service!! I cannot say enough of Alana our waitress, and the manager and Alex the owner. All three of them were constantly going by making sure everyone was pleased, the plates were perfect, etc. That shows people who really care that their business does well and that they please their clientele. I couldn't thank them enough!! What more can you ask, great food, great fun, and great service!
(5)Bart P.
I was really excited to try this new Restaurant and must say I most likely wont be back. The food happens to be very good and the service is above average but the prices are totally crazy for the portion sizes. Three fried green tomato slices 10 bucks !!! Give me a break. I felt like a tourist being raped in South Beach , If you must eat there , My advice first go to Burger King and get a whopper then you wont feel hungry when you leave . Did the owner realize this is a neighborhood eatery not the Palm or Capital Grille, What a shame Once again greed ruins another potentially great restaurant, We gave it a shot and they struck out
(1)A.J. H.
1/26/13: Upon walking In I was quoted a wait time that was extremely inaccurate...I was told fourty minutes it was more like 1hour and 20 minutes. We were then called to be seated but when we arrived at out table, some random people had already taken the liberty of seating themselves in our high top table by the bar. The "manager " walked over for what we thought would be an assist, but it seemed more like a welcoming for the freeloading 4 when he allowed them to remain there. So, now our 1hour 20minute wait then became 1 hour and 30 minutes since we now had to wait for a new table to open. Finally, we were seated... The waitress took a while to take our drink order but came by to let us know it would be a few. 10-15 minutes later our drink and appetizer order was taken. We waited about twenty or so minutes for our hush puppies and Mac and cheese; they were awesome. Then came the painstaking wait: sixty plus minutes for our entrees that came out one....at...a...time. Well, actually, my sister's order came out first, with nothing more. We called the waitress and she said the rest was on the way. 10-15 minutes later, sliders still on the table and the rest of the table had nothing. A guy comes by and says he doesn't work there and is new but would try to help. So he takes the sliders and brings us a menu... At which point he proceeded to speak to us like morons who don't understand the difference between small plates and entrees... His attempt to explain why my sisters food came out solo. This would have sufficed as an explanation had we not made it a point to tell the waitress "I want this to come out with the other three entrees, not before!" Round two at dinner service attempt: my sister's plate came out first. Alone. Again. Then, finally the rest came, in 5 minute intervals...with the exception of my wife's plate. Then, finally, the long awaited chicken and waffles my wife orders, the last to come out. And the coldest item on the table; the waffles. They were ICE COLD. The manager (the same one who apparently doesn't work there) was very apologetic,and wanted to make things right, so they took the plate back. He left and promised to return promptly with a hot plate of chicken AND waffles. Another 20 minutes later, still waiting on my wife's chicken and waffles, the table next to us that arrived after us and no food served receives a plate of chicken and waffles. By this time my wife is livid, being that the next plate should have come To us to complete our order...not to another table that had not even been served. We call Mr. I don't work here over again...He apologizes again and promised to take care of us. My wife was having none of it and wanted to leave. Now the "manager" ( guy who graciously gave away our table) said he would take care of us on the bill for all the headache and hassles and my wife not getting to eat any of her dinner. He took off a whopping $16 for two drinks and the chicken and waffles that my wife didn't get to eat because it never made it back to our table! Felt more like and Ef You... With a $120.00 bill. You decide if we were "taken care of for all the headache and hassles." Great food but atrocious service and customer service. Mr I don't work here ambushed us outside the door after we left, even he saw the "manager didn't help the situation on the least" and asked that we give him two months and return. With service like this, it won't be in business in two months. Good luck! Better off going to Yard Bird.. At least the hassle of the drive and parking are worth the customer service.
(1)Lauren B.
Was HORRIBLE!! Me and my husband were so happy a place like this finally opened but after last night we will not be back. We ordered crab hush puppies for a stArter and they were good but prob because we were starving. Food took over 30 minutes to come and when it did it sucked. Well mine did. Considering I'm 7 months pregnant I got served raw chicken. I ordered beer can chicken which was cold and under cooked. My husband got shrimp and grits which was good but deff not enough of food. When I sent my meal back I had asked to order something else and with my luck they were out of it! I ended up eating coleslaw for dinner :(. It was the waitresses fault but she didn't seem to care that much. I used to serve tables for over 8 yeArs and this place will not last! I'd rather get some home cooking from Popeyes.. Lol yep it was THAT. BAD!
(1)Jennifer C.
Ok....Yelp makes you give at least one star ...so that's what they got. Cold food.....Mac and cheese with pork belly and fried green tomatoes confused the kitchen. So we had fried green tomatoes with pork belly and Mac and cheese....ok small mistake. Party of 4....one of us orders ribs.....big mistake. Every other table around us got ribs. But after 30 minutes of letting management know that we didn't get our dinner, we still waited only to watch the waitress bring the table next to us a plate of ribs. The co-owner (in pink shirt....he knows who he is) was terrible! No apology..... Only when we stormed out did he said "you still don't have your food?" The 2nd owner was reasonable. But still....won't be back. Don't recommend wasting your Friday night.
(1)Jorge H.
I went there last night after reading a review in the local paper. the place looks good, I sat at the bar, and I already knew what I was going to eat. Ordered the beer can chicken, and I asked not to bring me french fries, but any kind of greens instead, and I specified " it doesn't matter if you have to charge me for it" when I saw the the no way attitude from the server. I asked for some Collard Greens that is one of the ingredients in another dish they have in the menu. I said "just charge me for it", I was turned down again, but the server brought me a salad instead. The chicken had a good presentation, but it seems the buy their stuff at Sysco, because it was absolutely tasteless. Overall bad experience. By the way two more patrons seating at the bar asked for something different than french fries with their orders and thy were turn down too. I thought a new restaurant in the neighborhood will try to satisfy new customers. I own a business less than 2 minutes from the place, and I could take 100 customers and friends, now I will tell 100 people not to go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(1)An K.
I ate the chicken & waffles and split the banana pudding for dessert. Food is good but prices are high in comparison to the portions.
(3)Katie T.
Thought we would go grab a quick Thursday night bite and a drink- we pull in and the parking lot is full- uh-oh!! But we decide to go in and at least see what is going on. We walk in and look around, at least 1/2 the tables have reserved signs...uh-oh. But we brave on... We find the hostess- a 45 minute wait she says oh-no.. but we can wait at the bar... that could work. $3. domestics and wells.. ok looking up. We check out the beer selection. Not bad, many small craft beers represented including our favorite Funky Buddha- things are getting better. After half a beer we find seats at the bar. We look over the drink menu- the specialty drinks look delicious so we figure we will try one. Bartender asks if we would like to order food.. Really? at the bar?? whatever we want??? Yes please!! So we oder the Pork Sliders and the Green tomatoes. We also order the Caramel Apple Moonshine drink and the Ring of Fire. Both delicious! Food come out- awesome! The sliders were a great combination of spicy and sweet and the tomatoes were delicious with a corn meal batter. After drinks we decide we are ready for dinner. He had the chicken and waffles- they have been reviewed and were every bit as goos as reviewed. I had the beer can chicken.. I make this dish at home but I hang my head in shame now. There was GRAVY in a PBR beer can!! Enough said!! I will add tha tthe skin was perfectly crunchy while the meat was super moist and perfectly smoked. Even though the place was packed and they were obviously over staffed our service was great! I have seem the reviews stating otherwise- but it was far from that for us tonight- we had 3 or 4 different bartenders making sure we had whatever we needed.. even with them being extremely busy with 2 huge birthday parties. I would recommend trying this place out. Check them out on FB- they have great drink specials every night. We are looking forward to going to Sunday Funday to try out the Cherry Long Island Ice Tea!
(5)Jena M.
I wonder if they forgot to put some of the ingredients in my mac n cheez because everyone is raving about it. I think it may be one of the worst mac n cheez I have ever had to pay for. And yes, the service is awful. She was nice, just had no clue. Said she was training. We asked who was training her and she just laughed and said myself. Highly disappointed. Live close by and was looking for a good place that was nearby. The wings were definitely the best thing on the menu.
(1)Meryl S.
Purchased a Groupon for this new restaurant. when we arrived we were told that the wait was over an hour and we were seated in a half hour. We were given menus but were unable to read them because it was so dark. When the waitress came over we told her that it we were unable to read the menu and she agreed that she couldn't read it either. Then one of the owners came over and asked what we thought. We began to tell him that we couldn't read the menus because of the lack of light and he argued and then walked away while we were talking to him. Very rude. He seemed to be texting on his phone all night. He offered up bottled water which was a refilled from the tap seltzer bottle(our waitress admitted) We ordered the pork sliders for our one allowed appetizer they brought out 3 ice cold dinner rolls with some shredded pork and pickle on them. NOT GOOD. We then waited over an hour. waitresses coming up to the table every 5 min or so to ask what we ordered and to apologize. After about an hour or so the other owner comes over to tell us that they are out of the entree that I ordered. He brings over the menu and I order the shrimp on grits. They bring it out within minutes and still have not served my husband. I send it back saying that I would like to dine with my husband. They bring out both of our dishes a few minutes later. Mine a very small dish of shrimp on grits with 4 raw green beans. Also cold! We finished and ordered our one allowed dessert (choice of pudding or pudding!) we were served a small jar of banana pudding on vanilla wafers. NOT Great. The meal came to $60.00. The value of the Groupon was supposed to be $77.00 however they do not allow you to order any more food such as another appetizer or desert or even a salad or drink. This is a scam. They do not offer any complementary bread or anything. We had to ask for silverware and napkins! I will be calling Groupon on Monday to ask for my $41.00 back. I will not be going to this place again. I don't see this place lasting 6 months. Everyone in the restaurant was complaining.
(1)Seth K.
Great ambiance with a "Swanky" decor that is both inviting and not overdone. The appetizers we had were amazing (especially the hush puppies and sliders). The unique specialty drinks were both great price and delicious.Very reasonable price and is great date night. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)Mark D.
Disastrous Night. Where do I start? Sat night, tried to book in for 2, but they only take 6 or more for rez. OK, turn up, 45 min wait, loads of people hanging around for a table, more than half the tables empty. Hmmm, check back at Host stand after 20-25 mins. Wait is now 1.5 hrs. hmmm. Decide to stay, grabbed last stool at bar plus 1 from empty table (still empty tables, loads of people waiting). Cocktails - OK, Wine List - v ordinary, Shrimp n grits OK (decent diner quality), Fried Gr Tomatoes (OK, nice remoulade), Collards side, swimming in vinegar, filet decent, Hangar Steak sent back twice, in the end meat OK but the composition of the dish reflected the overall performance of the restaurant: a shoddy mess up which made no sense. Could be a good concept if they bother training their staff in ALL aspects of restaurant management. UNTIL THEN, It's Giddy Up to Elsewhere Town Folks....
(1)Roxanne H.
We had mixed feelings after reading the reviews but very glad we chose to try it. The service is very prompt and friendly and our apps arrived quite quickly. The fried green tomatoes were exceptional - slightly al dente and came with a very nice remoulade sauce with an interesting kick. The pulled pork sliders were also quite tasty and had a hidden little surprise under the pickle (jalapeño). The cornbread was good and comes with a cinnamon icing in place of butter - curious combo. Prices are consistent with the quality of food in my opinion - the chicken fried steak is tenderloin so I don't understand what all the bitching is about from other reviewers. It was quite delicious but could have been trimmed a little better. The meatloaf with pumpkin purée has a very unique flavor and was the best part of the meal. Our only complaint is the collard greens did not have enough fat and needed to be cooked much longer. We will definitely be back for more!
(4)Michelle L.
I was in Davie last week attending a conference and stopped by Swank for for drinks and dinner. The atmosphere had a chill vibe with a variety of music. The decor is southern rustic with some western and modern influences. The photo booth and chalk board paint behind the bar are added fun details to the overall experience. Now the food...I had an assortment of the apps. The pork sliders and Mac and cheese were by far my favorite. They had layers of flavor and weren't overpriced. They were AMAZING! The drinks were both creative and delicious! I tried the Caramel Apple and Raspy Lemonade. Honestly, I could drink them all night they were so good! I went again later in the week, and they had drink specials...can't remember on which day though. There was also a guy playing a variety of live music and he was great! In any case, my first glass of wine was a penny and it was pretty good (the house Cab). I also tried a signature drink called The Swamp Water. If you're intrigued...I recommend it. We ordered the sliders and Mac and Cheese, again, and also tried the chicken and waffles, pork and beans, and hand cut fries. We also tried their desserts - one was created to taste like a snickers bar...calling all chocolate lovers. I live in Miami, and although it's a bit of a drive, I'll definitely be visiting Swank again!
(5)Sandy B.
The food made the evening better, but so much went wrong. This place needs a lot of help in the service area. Starting from when we made a reservation 2 days in advance. Received a call the next night canceling our reservation for their employee holiday party. Quickly got past that and was able to keep our reservation, well after a quite a discussion. Showed up, had okay bar service. Was seated, had time to review menu with some mouth watering entree choices, just to be told the grill was broken, whoops, not the case, they were just out of 4 of their 7 choices. Finally decided, ordered (with no accommodations for substitutions). Ordered a bottle of wine, white wine, nothing to keep it cold, but they did come through and make it happen :). Next ordered red wine, they were out of the three reasonable choices, but the management was kind enough to honor the lower price on that bottle, mucho appreciated!!! Food was delicious, no major, if any issues there. Overall, service needs work, food is good! Another point to share in case you were wondering, the staff sure does clean up well for their holiday party!!!
(2)Navene S.
I have been here 3 times before and I always get the amazing chicken and waffles. I absolutely loveeee the marshmallow sauce and the touch of hot sauce they give you on the side. I have tried their country fried steak and their mesquite chicken as well, both very tasty. Their cocktails are very creative but they are super sweet. The service is good too, during my recent dine in (on a Sunday night) the server was extremely nice, checked in on us twice, and always was there to fill up our water glasses but we were the only ones there. The decor is very southern rustic with some dim lighting, its very cute. I think this place just needs a little switching of the menu, add a few more exciting items to get people coming in again.
(4)Lisa A.
I've been reading mixed reviews on this place for months and finally decided to try it out for myself. We pull up to an empty parking lot on a Friday night. There's a sign on the door, apparently from 7/16/15 that they are closed until further notice. Weird! I wonder what happened....
(1)James P.
The décor was nice, and the concept seems popular right now (especially in Urban settings, but it's a little too at home in Davie), so I'd give it another shot if we happened to pass by, but there seems to be a need for improved service and variety in the menu. We walked in at about 8 pm on a Saturday and were seated immediately, about half the tables were filled. My wife went to use the restroom, which gave me time to read the menu - it wasn't very unique to me for the price, but I was still willing to give it a shot. After 10 minutes, my wife came back and read the menu. Same reaction, but we stayed put because we were starving. After another 10 minutes of staring down each passing waiter, we had not yet been greeted or offered drinks. We then decided to head to our favorite little restaurant down the street, where we were served and half way through our meal in the same time it took us to walk out of this place.
(1)Jay T.
Should have checked reviews first. Checked their on line menu - saw some interesting items including Shimp and Grits. Disapponted to find Shrimp and Grits were removed from the menu. Inquired as to why...the response was they couldn't get the grits right. That was a big red flag and we should have left right then. Highlights - Blue Cheese dressing. Home made and tasty. Lowlights - everything else. Over priced, very slow service, incorrect order served twice. Even the iced tea tasted bad. Stay clear of this establishment.
(1)Gina C.
Went there for the first time yesterday for brunch. I was excited to try this place. It was a little strange at first because there were alot of empty tables, but the hostess was telling us and parties after us to wait 15-20 minutes. At first we thought maybe those tables were reserved, but even after the wait and after we were seated for awhile, it didnt appear so. Not sure if they were doing that for the kitchen or what. The brunch menu was small. The food tasted pretty decent. I ordered the Eggs Benedict. One of the guys with me ordered the chicken and biscuits and the portion was pretty small. I'm not going to rave about it, but possibly return to try their dinner to give it another try.
(3)Tracey K.
Doesn't live up to the hype. All of our friends kept raving about this place, so when there happened to be a Groupon deal, we decided to give it a try. We went on a Wednesday and discovered their penny wines ($5 per glass + 1 cent for each additional glass). It was pretty empty, but they seated everyone in the same general area so it still got rowdy at times. We got crab hush puppies to start with. I don't know if we were just hungry or what, but the first one was amazing. Then all the ones after that were heavy and had practically no crab. Next we had the shrimp and grits which, as a former Southern girl, I was most excited for. Again, it was only good for the first couple of bites with the grits lacking flavor, although the shrimp and pickled greens were a nice touch and made the dish acceptable. And that's where whatever goodness there was stopped. For entrees we had the Danish ribs and Hangar steak. Everything on the ribs plate was way too sweet and lacked barbecue flavor. It felt like I was going to get a cavity if I ate more than a bite. The steak was a little better - it was cooked well, complemented nicely with the pickled onions, and I love the sprouts they used to garnish it with, but it was sooo salty. I had to scrape off all the sauce and even then it was just salt on salt on salt. Given that there weren't very many customers, I would have expected them to take extra care in preparing our food, but it seems as if the opposite happened. Overall, if it wasn't for the Groupon we definitely would've felt jipped. Maybe brunch is better, but we won't be returning to find out if that's the case.
(1)Mathew T.
I won't be recommending this restaurant to anyone seeking good BBQ. I've always liked the location and the concept for the area, but after dining there, I find the execution to be poor. The restaurant is too spread out, making it seem almost empty no matter how many tables are full. That night's meal consisted of 2 appetizers and 2 entrees: Crab Hush Puppies - tasted good but not the main part of our meal. Still a good buy. Shells and Cheese - nice flavor, great cheesiness, and enjoyable Full Rack of Ribs - came out looking great, not the meatiest, but flavor was good (these were not that great the next day either) Pulled Pork Sandwich - not worth it. Soggy bun that fell apart, pulled pork was lacking in flavor, and just not enjoyable. The experience was an overall okay to good night, but the price for this meal did not merit the quality of food we ate. Our server was quirky to say the least and had some attention issues with prompt response times to water and the like. But, the experience was not ruined by any service issues. My biggest concern is the value for the quality served. NOT LIKELY TO RETURN.
(2)Kitty K.
I drove from coral gables in 5:30pm traffic,paid $4 in the sunpass lane and paid more tolls on the turnpike. It took over an hour to get here so maybe my expectations were high. I wish I were high. The overall decor I really liked. What killed it was how brightly lit the place was. And it was LOUD,like totally obnoxiously LOUD. They were blasting country music. A great place to bring a pretty person who you don't want to listen to. We ordered to start the shrimp and grits -was tasty. Entrees were the beer can chicken and the hanger steak. Presentation was great but the food was tasteless. Ain't nobody got time for that.
(2)Anjilyn S.
Chicken and Waffles, shrimp and grits and raspberry vodka lemonade. Brunch just got more exciting.
(5)Natasha D.
Despite my better judgment having read some of the more critical reviews... I decided to try it out for myself and satisfy the curiosity I've had about this place since it opened. It was Thursday night around 6:30 and we were among the only people there. The first thing I noticed was the almost unbearable heat. Sun was streaming in through the western facing windows even through the dark curtains, and it was like a sauna. Our waitress said the management only turns on the ac at 4:00 each day and while no one is there, they leave the thermostat at 90 degrees. It was sweltering but we powered through... Especially since drinks were half off. Sadly the highlights of the experience were the drinks and then the dessert. Great way to bookend a lackluster meal: -chicken and waffles: I'm sorry but the marshmallow sauce does not belong. The waffle was so dry and screaming for some type of moisture. I have never in my life felt the need to add salt to fried chicken but today was the day. The breading was meh and the meat was completely under seasoned. -fried green tomatoes: again, the tomato was not seasoned properly and the cornmeal breading was soooo dry. It had some kind of mustard sauce the discs sat above that didn't work. -Mac and cheese: pasta was overcooked and under seasoned. The bacon it advertised was more like pork belly which I usually don't mind but not in this preparation. I was so unsatisfied with the food that I ordered dessert which is unusual for me. Glad that I did because the bread pudding was a definite highlight. Came with cinnamon ice cream and a delicious bourbon glaze sauce at the bottom of the cast iron skillet it was cooked and served in. Other than that, our waitress was super nice and didn't rush us at all. We were there for almost 3 hours. My friends water glass was never filled though. Unless the menu dramatically changes I will not return. Had better chicken and waffles at ROK:BGR.
(2)Ashley B.
Super cute restaurant. I was a bit cold, but it wasn't too busy so that's probably why. Our waiter, Corey, was great. He was very attentive and gave his honest opinions on what he recommended. We ordered the Mac and cheese and the fried green tomatoes to start. I was super disappointed with the fried green tomatoes. They were very plain and the presentation was weak. The sauce on the bottom was good, not great. The Mac and cheese was delicious. It came with big pieces of bacon which added to the flavor. For our entrees, we had the fried country steak and the ribs. Both were delicious, although, I would say the country steak was better! To top it all off as though we hadn't had enough to eat, we finished our meal with their fried Oreos and homemade ice cream. They were delishhhh! All in all, if I was in the area again, I wouldn't mind going back! Enjoy!
(3)Mary R.
This place has much potential. The atmosphere, overall layout, and design of the restaurant was well thought out. The food was good. We had the hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, Mach n cheese with pork belly and (of course) the chicken and waffles. Everything tasted good, the only thing that really stood out was their Mac and cheese. The service needs A LOT of work. Our waitress was cute and friendly but had no experience what so ever. Service would get two stars. The free photo booth in the end was a delightful, playful touch. Overall I had a good time.
(4)Joy L.
Thanks to Order the Yelp! I became aware that this restaurant even existed. After celebrating our wedding anniversary a week early, when the actual day rolled around a week seemed like such a lifetime ago. Of course the obvious solution to this predicament would be to go out again! I easily chose Southern Swank. It's not too far from us, and I L-O-V-E southern food. (Also- read through several favorable reviews written by some reputable yelpers!) I called ahead to see about reservations, and was told no need for 2 on a Thursday. We arrived a bit after 7, and we were immediately seated. I love that the waitresses wear cowboy boots! The walls specially designed are a fantastic contrast to the fancy dining area. I started with the raspberry lemonade. It has real raspberries muddled into the drink. It was the perfect combination of just enough sweet and just enough kick! We ordered a couple starters: the mac and cheese and the green beans. Both delicious. The chicken and waffles was amazing. I ordered the marshmallow sauce on the side and bbq sauce. It is obvious that the entire dish is made fresh. The waffles were fantastic!! The hubs ordered the meatloaf. The pumpkin puree was an excellent addition to the dish. We were so full, but the waitress convinced us to order dessert, so glad we did. The mud slide is a chocolate lovers dream. So decadent! We took most of it home with us to enjoy the next day. During our dinner the manager stopped by. He was extremely personable and congratulated us on our anniversary. Thanks!!
(4)Celine L.
With all the mixed reviews, I wanted to check out this place for myself- plus their Groupon deal was a good motivator too. I ordered their popular Swamp water cocktail, which sadly didn't have dry ice so it didn't have the smokey effect that I loved in the pictures. The drink still tasted good and was strong so I was still happy. I ordered the beer can chicken with a side of fries and cole slaw ($16), which was okay-the skin seems kind of tough but at least the inside was juicy. I got to taste the chicken and waffles & have NO complaints, they were absolutely PERFECT. Who knew marshmallow sauce would go so well with it! Overall it wasn't bad, just didn't knock my socks off. The prices also seemed on the higher side for comfort food--- country fried steak $22, porterhouse $38, and lowest entree was the burger for $14.
(3)Breana B.
Unlimited minosas on Sundays 11am-4pm! This is what brought me here since it was closer than other places. I ended up ordering the eggs benedict biscuit sandwich which was pretty good. We sat outside and the service was good. We did come in through the wrong door so at first figuring out where to be seated was confusion. All in all I got my share of mimosas and left happy and tipsy.
(5)Aaron Z.
I spent the entire meal trying to hide a new tattoo from my mother and mother-in-law because it was Mother's Day and I try not to make mothers cry on Mother's Day. So excuse me if there was bigger shit going on than how the food tasted (OK) and how professional the service was (OK).
(3)Anquanette G.
Yep no change. I still feel the same way about Southern Swank although the food was better this time around. I was having a really crappy day and on the word of Rosario & Brenda, I decided to give these folks a second chance. If these 2 ladies were encouraging me to try it, I knew I had to! I decided to Order the Yelp of course! I have to support the boy Blue so I didn't have to look at the menu at all. Buffalo chicken and waffles with a blue cheese drizzle! It sounded delish. I requested my blue cheese to be on the side. I like to control how much I drown my food in a sauce. Thursdays drink special is $3 well drinks!!! I was already a fan :-) Their well vodka is Pinnacle & the rum is Bacardi so I knew I'd be set for the night! I also ordered the corn bread b/c I was super hungry. That item came out very quickly and it was tasty. The side of cinnamon butter set off the salty/sweet combo in the corn bread. This one is a winner! My Order the Yelp dish came out... drenched in blue cheese drizzle. I asked the waiter to have it taken back b/c just as I expected, there was way too much on it. After 20 minutes, it finally came back out but THIS time, I got plain chicken with the buffalo sauce & the blue cheese drizzle on the side. I'm confused. What part of blue cheese on the side did you NOT get? I don't know if the ball was dropped by the server or the kitchen but either way, I was annoyed. So much so that I had to say something! The waitress apologized over and over again, told the manager and he also came over to apologize and offered to make it right. At this point, I was so hungry and annoyed, I told him straight up that I would eat it and couldn't wait for another one to come out. I told him if he took it back and the food was returned to me and I didn't like the food overall, I'd be even more upset. I even told him I was giving him a second chance b/c my first experience was so horrible. I appreciated the gesture He offered to take it off the bill and apologized again. Not only for the mess up with my food but for me also having a crappy day! In the end, I told the waitress to leave it on the bill b/c I didn't want them to think I wanted something for free. In the end, they still took it off even though I insisted that they didn't. I was torn between giving 2 or 3 stars. I decided on 3 for the fact that this time around, the service from the wait staff was much improved over the last visit & the food was very good! I enjoyed every bite of my order the yelp dish, cornbread & drinks! If only they could figure out my order. Next time, I'll just have something to go...
(3)Alex L.
Went to this place long before it was serving the Yelp. I was looking for more southern than swank, and that is maybe the problem. The bar area is great, and the drinks are too. You should definitely order something off their specialty cocktail menu. When I was there was a band playing, they were serving smoking drinks in mason jars, and the place was PACKED! My niece (2 yrs) had a blast, and we all enjoyed her Mac n' Cheese. The steak is pretty decent tasting, though though a small portion for a quite a price. The chicken and waffles is a must.
(4)Joe G.
Stopped in on a Thursday night with my wife. The décor is very hip and trendy and the bar is huge with plenty of TVs and cool memorabilia on the walls. They were doing Happy Hour which was 2-1 well drinks, Draft Beers and house wines as well as $5.00 Bar Bite Appetizers which is just a slightly smaller version off the appetizer menu. We decided to order the Pulled Pork Sliders app as well as the Crab Hush Puppies that came with an awesome dipping sauce. The sliders came 2 to an order and were so good we ended up ordering another. With the second order the bartender suggested accompanying it with their special sauce which made the sliders even better. These are an absolute must! The hush puppies were also very good but didn't have as much of a crab taste as we were hoping but for $5.00 were excellent and a great value. We split an order of the Chicken and Waffles which came out on 2 skewers drizzled with maple Syrup and a thin Marshmallow sauce. This was the first time either of us ever ordered chicken and waffles. The chicken was cook very well and was super tender with not too much breading. The waffles were also very good so the overall dish was a thumbs up but since its not exactly healthy I'd probably never order a dish like this again. Loved the place and I'm glad its not far from the house. I highly suggested to try it because its very unique with not many others places offering a similar dining experience.
(4)Jason F.
Went there on a recommendation from friends. Not worth it at all. Portions sizes to price are not worth it. Menu online does not reflect the meal options. Things have been removed. Speciality drinks were disgusting. Call John Stafford for a bar/restaurant rescue. Arrived about 7pm. As we ordered our meals, were advised that there is no Pork products left. Only 2 Full rack of ribs. So there went two of our three orders out the window. Silver wear was dirty and had food and greasy fingerprints on them. Ordered with a waitress who was the bartender doing tables. She was pulled because the crowds came in and was making drinks not serving our table. No one covered our table. The so called Manager is a waitress and walked around like her shit didn't stink and she has a format 5 star barbeque joint. Should the manager have assigned someone to take over the service at our table? How the hell do you not have pulled pork or ribs at 7pm only two hours of being open and it was slow when we arrived. I WOULD NEVER EVER RETURN TO THIS RESTAURANT. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND IT EITHER. Go spend you money somewhere else. This place should be closed by end of the year if they don't get their shi together.
(1)Anna R.
So enjoyed this dining experience! Started with the Fried Green Tomatoes- deliciously perfect appetizer. We decided to share the Chicken & Waffles and the Country Fried Steak. Couldn't tell you which was better! The food was hot, fast and finger- licking! The Apple Pie moonshine hit the spot! Great friendly service- can't wait to go back!
(5)Jordanna E.
Nothing worse than being excited and...being let down. Every restaurant has a bad night, but not this bad. I almost don't want to write a review, because I don't want to revisit this night again. This LONG night with COLD food. So, let's have a quick review of the experience. Sit down, super sweet waitress greets us and I comment on how sweet she was and I was so excited that we had a great server with a personality. We want wine, and look at the wine list, and OMG, what are all those black lines? Oh..wines they are out of. Wines they are out of on their paper menus. Ummm...is this a regular thing? Do they just run out and cross it out until someone dials the good ole wine rep and places an order? PRINT OUT NEW LISTS. It's tacky. So we order the finest bottle of red on the menu...at their place..a $28 Meritage. The manager presents it. They have GREAT glasses, nice fat thin glasses. AWESOME. Made that cheap bottle of wine less likely to give me a headache tomorrow... So we place our appetizer and entree order, and also an order of chicken fingers for the kids. They were out of chicken fingers......REALLY? Costco too far of a drive to pick up a bag of Tyson?? IN place of the chicken fingers we add on an additional appetizer instead. Five minutes or so later, the waitress comes over and says that they were out of the Hangar steak, too. So now we are at three... GOOD wine, chicken fingers, hangar steak....) At the time I was at the Photo Booth, so my hot date asked if she would come back in a few. My date says she was really looking forward to that steak, the waitress suggests we could just pay for the wine and leave or something to that respect.... yikes. The waitress comes back when she sees me, because she was pretty attentive, and I ask her if I could get the Ribeye steak with the same "set up" as the hangar steak, sauce, sides, etc... She says she would have to check with the kitchen... She says it's not possible..whatever. I order the ribeye, date orders the "Yelp." So the appetizers arrive... BLAH. The Fried Green Tomatoes were soggy and just nothing to write home about. The Pork Sliders were ok, but no where near as good as the previous time my guest had visited. Also, asked for pickles on the side..umm. Yeah, didn't happen. I hate pickles. WE finish up the apps, our forks were filthy from the remoulade sauce that was on the tomatoes, and the waitress came over to clean the table, but kinda hesitates until I take my dirty silverware off of my plate and place it on the "clean" table. yikes again, maybe I am a snob...but can I just get a fresh set of silverware please? Ten or so minutes later she returns to tell us that she can make the hangar steak, they are just out of the potatoes it comes with. No problem, I will take the fries with it. Date says the same. What seemed like an hour later, but realistically was probably about 40 minutes, the steaks came out, with the mysterious 86'd potatoes?!?!?!??!?! Both steaks were cold, but the flavor was good. We chowed down because we were hungry and my little ones needed to get to bed!!! Mid meal she checked on us, and I knew I wanted dessert, so I jumped on ordering it before we finished our meal...so we had time to pick something new, wait for it, etc... Luckily it came out soon after we finished our meals, and it was the best thing we had all night...it was one of the bread puddings...can I suggest maybe staffing up? Not 86'ing products because you ran out of potatoes?! Or did you? The whole experience was weird, and I am not going back anytime soon.
(2)Harvey D.
My wife and I decided to buy the Groupon and give this place a try. They are trying to bring down home cooking with a gourmet twist to Davie and I'm not totally convinced that it works. My wife hit the nail on the head by saying, "Foodies will think the food is missing something and the non-foodies will think the food is overpriced for what you get." For instance, she ordered the chicken and waffles and instead of syrup, they serve the waffles with marshmallow. She stated, "I'm not sure the marshmallow was enough of the sweet like the syrup would have been." She thought the dish was decent; however, it was missing that extra sweet kick. I ordered the 1/2 chicken with fries and cole slaw. Here leads me into the two X's for this restaurant: they don't offer free refills on soda (they serve the soft drinks in a can or bottle) and they don't substitute at all. I don't like cole slaw and would have preffered to have extra fries or some other side. No can do buckaroo. They will not serve anything other than what the menu says the dish comes with. My meal was decent and the portion size was fine. They did skimp a little bit on the chicken and waffles (in my opinion). The waitress was excellent and she refilled my water glass in a timely manner. The other odd thing about this place is that the food is somewhat overpriced. If they were located on the beach and you were paying for the view, fine. But not on University Avenue....If they don't lower the prices, I believe people will slowly start migrating elsewhere. A place like this needs some sort of way to get people in the door esp. once the Groupon has expired. Lowering the prices is a sure fire way to get people to come back. I probably will not rush back here esp. without a coupon. BTW, the Mississippi Mudslide dessert was fantastic!
(3)Monica C.
I'm tardy to the Swank party. I didn't even know it existed. How I wish it existed when I was in law-school right next door. First and foremost, I love the decor and atmosphere. It's different, modern and fun. I heard rumors of a photo booth. I love photo booths and somehow I missed this one. I happen to think the food was delish. The fried green tomatoes were to die for! I know the chicken and waffles are tempting but trust me go for the burger. You won't regret it!! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Erick R.
Second visiting this Southern BBQ establishment... The first visit was nice. We ( wife and daughter) came in on a Friday night, we were told that reservations were highly needed between 6:30 and 9:00. I rolled the dice at 8:00 and was immediately seated. The scene has a real home town feel to it, western décor across the board, waiters/ waitresses, saddles, the works... Now the good stuff. I had the Short Rib Meatloaf that was absolutely the best Meatloaf I have ever had. In fact I don't consider ever having meatloaf after enjoying it here the Southern Swank way. My wife had the St. Louis style ribs, that were fall off the bone soft and fall off your chair good! Although it was all good off the menu, The staff could use some brushing up on customer service. If im paying $120 for BBQ for 3 people, a higher level of waiting is expected. Love it!!
(3)Anthony B.
On my second visit to Southern Swank, I was once again underwhelmed. The location is beautifully decorated and "cool," but that's about all it has going for it. First of all, the food is incredibly mediocre for the price. I've now sampled two of their most popular dishes (chicken & waffles, and meatloaf), and both were OK at best. If I was paying $9-$10 per entree, that would be one thing, but Southern Swank charges $16 for each without any sides (but I wouldn't recommend the $4 coleslaw, it was dry and tasteless). The second issue is the service. It has to improve. A lot of the waiters/waitresses are young and are still gaining experience, but that's not the kind of service you want from a restaurant where you're easily paying $40+ per person. Overall, Southern Swank would be much more desirable if they improved the service, decreased their prices by 30%, and traded in the glitz and decor for some better cooking.
(2)Daniel L.
We're constantly told that we need to check out Swank ("Yardbird in Davie", they said) and so my wife and I stopped in tonight. It was...decent. Right off the bat, I knew we were going to have issues when my sweet tea arrived lukewarm (and in the smallest glass I'd ever seen). My wife actually commented on how small it was. Oddly enough, my wine (first glass $5, second glass for a penny) was HUGE. My chicken and waffles were passable, but nothing to write home about. I've had far better -- Yardbird in Miami and Coolinary Cafe in Jupiter make some of the best C&W imaginable. My wife's hangar steak was good, however. Hate to say it, but I could have easily made this meal at home, and it wouldn't have cost me $65.
(2)Shelby S.
Amazing Food !!!!!!!! Everything is so fresh and such great flavor ! You can tell it's all quality fresh food they prepare ! They have great music and yummy drinks too !
(5)MickeyBlue I.
Nice place, lots of TV's and fairly new staff you can tell they're not that experienced. The menu looks good and is small prices seemed fair until your food arrives and you see the incredibly small portions. I had the Chicken & Waffles which was delicious, but extremely small. She had the Shrimp & Grits which I assume she liked and was also a small portion. We had a strawberry lemonade which we thought was just that, turned out to be a alcoholic beverage. For dessert I had the Banana Pudding which comes in a small mason jar and was pretty good. I might come back to try their ribs but at least I know that their portions will be small.
(3)Cristen S.
After I've been dying to try this place I went for the first time for a friends birthday. Server was very nice and the atmosphere was really cool. The food was amazing, everyone in our party really enjoyed their meal. No worries until the end of our dinner when the computer system shut down, we had to wait almost 45 minutes to receive our checks. No one offered us anything and the manager never came over once to apologize even when he was standing right by our table. When approached, he was incredibly rude and unfriendly. I would say the best thing about this place is the food and atmosphere, as well as the great specials they had. Also, everything seemed to be very fairly priced. However, very disappointed in the management of the restaurant and how poorly our situation was handled.
(2)Jo W.
My desire for some Southern Swank since leaving New Orleans left me no choice but to check out the new spot in town. The location was not in an area I would have expected this restaurant to be, but it is near my hood so I embrace it. I mean it is really quite odd to find a modern Southern eatery such as this outside of Miami, much less in Davie and on this stretch of University Drive. Beyond my excitement to find a spot like this in my area, I was equally impressed by the restaurant decor and atmosphere as well as the service. The decor was a modern take on the saloon yet offered that inviting Southern charm. The charm extended to the employees, although I can only really speak about our server who was super sweet and a pleasure the entire meal. As if it couldn't get any better, since it was a Monday night, they were offering shots of moonshine (as a shot or mixed in a cocktail) for Moonshine Monday! The alcoholic in me definitely took part, and while it wasn't the high-proof drink I was expecting or a beautifully crafted drink, it was $3 and worth it. I hate when a menu has so many good and interested choices and you have to choose one (you don't have to but if you don't, you are just being greedy). After some going back and forth and some consultation from our server, we settled on the S'Wings. They came out super hot and I was pissed because I was so hungry and I was being forced to wait to started eating. I ended up not waiting and just using a knife and fork but anyway that I ate them, they were tasty. This was not your typical buffalo sauce or blue cheese, it was if you didn't like any of these two sauces before, you might have to reconsider that now. They have a dish called Beer Can Chicken on the menu, so it was not right that at least one of us try it. The fries and the cole slaw weren't stars, but the gravy was beerrific and the chicken was ridiculously moist. Add a little bit of their hot sauce to the mix and you got a superstar dish on your hand. Even though I would have went for the ribs, since I knew my fiancé was ordering the Beer Can Chicken, I decided to order something that wasn't out of the smoker and went with the Hanger Steak. It was well prepared and cooked just to my liking. The house jus and the horseradish cream were the perfect quantity and compliment. We also ordered cornbread which was not only a huge piece but good. I wish it were warm, but it did come with this really amazing butter that I think I may have liked even more than the cornbread itself. Dessert has always been my favorite part of a meal, but today it was my least favorite. We ordered the Walnut Bread Pudding and although the flavor was there, the consistency was too mushy and I had trouble enjoying it. What I like about Swank Southern is that the food wasn't ordinary and that creativity was involved in creating the menu. I loved the chill atmosphere and despite my lack of love for my dessert choice, I can see myself going there again and again.
(4)DeVaria H.
Let's start with something positive. The Louisiana Swamp Water drink is amazing. It's delivered to you with a mythical fog and gummy worm. I had about 3 of those!! Excellent. I am from Louisiana sooooo when a restaurant lists fried green tomatoes with a REMOULADE sauce, I have expectations. The fried green tomatoes were ok and the remoulade left more tone desired. I then had the shrimp and grits. Not pleased and I didn't feel the grits were properly salted during cooking. I finished with the crab hushpuppies and they were ok. I'll just drink at this place next time.
(1)Joan L.
A funny thing happened at Swank Southern Kitchen between my first and second visit: a loss of southern hospitality and a huge increase in "attitude". My husband ate here the first week it opened & enjoyed it so much that I promptly purchased 2 Groupons for this new & exciting restaurant right in our neighborhood. I would say my first visit here was a 5. Yes, it is a limited menu, but everything was well prepared (fish, hush puppies, chicken & waffles). Service was a bit slow but everyone was very friendly, our Groupon was taken with a smile, and the owner had plenty of time to stop by our table to chat & welcome us. Fast forward a couple of months....used our 2nd Groupon before it expired & we were made to feel like cheapo pariahs for doing so. Our server knew nothing about the Groupon and had to keep going back to ask the owner which items we were "allowed" to order. We had some controversy about whether or not I could order the fish entree that I had gotten last time (on the Groupon). The owner (we were told he was in house) was supposed to stop by but never did. A manager eventually straightened it out but the whole incident gave me a very uneasy & unwelcome feeling. My husband also had a an offer for a free appetizer from a Yelp check-in. We were told very unapologetically that it was expired & would not be honored. Much has been written about the food. Crab hushpuppies: Nice fried dough but I really did not taste crab. Fried green tomato - not really my thing. My kids LOVE the chicken & waffles and they get it with extra marshmallow sauce. The fried chicken is pretty good & the waffles are okay. Husband got Beer Can Chicken. Not bad for a roasted chicken (I still prefer Costco's). Fries were very flavorful & crispy (beware of the spicy ketchup on the side!). My Snapper was very well prepared, but I am not a fan of the sides it comes with: the black syed peas were very hard & collard greens are really not great. Our server was pleasant & seemed uncomfortable with the Groupon debacle. It was not really her fault that the food was very slow coming out of the kitchen. As a Davie resident I was so excited to see SSK come to our neighborhood. We need more diversity in our dining scene & this is a great addition! A few suggestions from a local to help improve & ensure your longevity ( and yes, I am rooting for you!) 1) If you offer a deal (Groupon, Living Social, Yelp Check In, whatever)...have your manager and servers know about it. Honor it with a smile and please don't make the customer feel badly about using it. Don't change the terms after you sell it (which you did with your Groupon by changing the days of use). 2) Let people substitute sides! If my husband hates cole slaw, what is the big deal about letting him substitute with some beans? I would also frequent your establishment more if I knew I could get the fish with sides other than black eyed peas & collard greens. Please be a little less rigid & more customer friendly in that respect. 3) Diversify your menu a bit or at least have some daily specials. Maybe a soup? Fish prepared another way? There are so many other "southern style" dishes to try. Your current "creative" southern menu gets pretty boring after you have been there a couple of times. 4) Add a luscious southern dessert (maybe a Cobbler with Ice Cream, a fabulous pie?). The Bread Pudding was a nice add. Banana and Snickers Pudding are pretty boring. 5) Appreciate your locals. After many years in Davie I have seen plenty of places come and go. After all the hype has died, we will be your bread & butter. (By the way, no bread & butter served here. With the high price point, an interesting bread basket might be a nice touch!).
(3)Danielle C.
To say I was dying to come here is an understatement. Because we live all the way in Miami, I was not expecting to go anytime soon, but when we were visiting a friend in the neighborhood, I begged my parents! I would hope that most people would assume by the word southern that this is NOT A PLACE FOR VEGETARIANS!!!! Upon driving up to the location, I was surprised at where it was on University. It seemed a little out in the middle of nowhere (I know its by Nova), but it definitely stands out! Upon walking in I was a little uncomfortable because of the layout. all of the tables are jammed into the restaurant, right on top of each other. The hostess desk is hard to find and weirdly located. Once I found what I assumed to be the hostess desk, a girl greeted me and told me it was a thirty minute wait (it was a Saturday night). We said OK and went to the bar. After perusing the drink list, we were excited to try them out. I definitely appreciated that they put prices on the drink list! After about 5 minutes the hostess told us our table was ready.....Oh ok. However, she sat us about 5 inches from the band that was setting up to play in 45 minutes. I wasn't too excited about that. Service was awesome! We had a really nice girl who was great about water and cleaning off the table. I drank the Ring of Fire, which was delicious and strong! We ordered the Crab Hush Puppies to start. They were delicious! Next time I would ask for more of the sauce they came with though. Our entrees took a long time to come out so we ordered a side of corn bread to munch on. OH MY GOODNESS! This was ALMOST as good as what my Grandma makes in Mississippi! It came with a sweet cinnamon butter that I slathered on the warm bread! Just YUM! I almost ate the whole loaf by myself. I guess I am giving 3 stars instead of 4 because of the entrees and entree selection. I ordered the Shrimp N Grits off the appetizer menu and Shells N Cheese. The shrimp n grits were just ok. The grits were overcooked and some of the flavors in it seemed unnatural, especially with the shrimp. Shells n cheese were just ok as well. The pork belly in it was too large of chunks and incredibly fatty. Most of the pieces were inedible because you couldn't even chew them. Mom ordered the beer can chicken. She didn't like the gravy, but the normal chicken would have been fine. It came with buttermilk coleslaw which was delicious, and french fries which were pretty good. Dad got the St Louis Ribs and said they were just okay. I was a little turned off by the few choices of entrees they had. This is definitely a place for people who crave the sweet and salty type foods. The prices for the entrees were a little steep to me, especially given the portions and in Davie of all places. While I didn't like the setup of the restaurant, it didn't bother me too much because we weren't in Miami with swarms of rude people! And once the band started, it was too much! The restaurant was loud enough as it was, and then the band started and while they were good, the volume was unnerving and we were RIGHT up front. Im glad we finally got to try this place! While the drinks were awesome, and the service was great, the food was average.While I don't think I would make the drive up there just for this place, maybe if we were in the area again we may stop by.
(3)Natalie M.
Just finished Sunday brunch with my husband at this establishment. Disappointing and average at best. The beginning of my below average experience began before we even arrived...being unsure about where to go for brunch, I looked up this spot due to driving past and seeing the "Sunday brunch 11-3" sign...it wasn't clear if there was a different menu for said brunch, so I called and asked. The girl who answered the phone literally answered it as if I was calling her personal phone...three rings and then an abrupt "Hello?!?" I replied and asked my question..."hi, I was just looking online and was wondering if you offer a different menu for brunch or if it's just the normal menu you have listed on your website..?" To which I received another abrupt response, "online!" I thanked her for her obviously ill-informed response and decided to do more digging, via yelp, and found that they do, in fact, offer an entirely different menu during brunch hours....strike one and I'm not even inside the restaurant... Being as I am very experienced in the service industry, I wanted to give this place the benefit of the doubt...maybe they're busy, maybe brunch is a new thing and they're just trying to get their bearings? (Even though the answer to my brunch menu question was found in a review left four months ago.) So, we went anyway...walking in, we were immediately put off by the loud, mainstream country music blaring through the speakers...not their fault though, we are from nashville and absolutely cannot stand country music but have found it runs rampant everywhere else in the country...we were told to "wait a minute.." as two hostesses turned their backs to us and conversed amongst themselves for a few minutes, not even asking how many we had or if we had a reservation, which we did. We were told to follow a girl who led us to a table. I informed her of our reservation but that we obviously didn't need it...only then were we asked our name and how many we had.. After being seated, we waited almost ten minutes before a server acknowledged our existence..I counted a total of four servers that walked by, looked at our empty table and went on their way before we were given waters and told that our server would be with us shortly... Another seven minutes goes by and finally, a girl greets us. We told her we were completely prepared to order, ordered our drinks and food choices and then she was gone.. We then waited almost twenty minutes for our drinks...one mimosa and one redneck mimosa. Didn't realize it took that long to pour one (pre-made) mimosa and make another? Once we get our drinks, we try to just enjoy them but began to wonder where our food was after another twenty five minutes passed... At this point, we've been told three separate times that "your food is almost up." Not sure who's food she was referring to by the last time but it definitely was not ours.. After a grand total of 56 minutes of waiting, our food finally arrives. My husband ordered the breakfast burger, which looked awesome, and I ordered the chicken and biscuits...now, please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't chicken and biscuits usually served with white gravy? I would've loved to have seen that it was going to come with (barely any) brown gravy and some kind of stuffing underneath..definitely made me feel like I was eating a hearty thanksgiving type meal instead of brunch...disappointing but I guess it's my own fault for assuming and not clarifying. A manager came over to the table and apologized for how long the food took...then informed us that they would comp a dessert for us...which, im sorry if this is rude but, the last thing we wanted to do was wait another 30 minutes for a dessert we didn't even want...but we thanked her and she left. A dessert menu was never brought to us. I flagged down a gentleman in a tie, who I assumed was some sort of manager, and asked him for a dessert menu...to which we were given an eye roll..didn't think we asked for that but hey, who knows? He dropped the menu and walked away. Our server returned and began suggesting desserts...the first she suggested had a disclaimer that it would take at least 15 minutes for it to be made...it took everything in me not to joke that we didn't have another hour to waste while they played around with chocolate and ice cream in the kitchen...so we ordered the carrot cake to go. After waiting for it and it being delivered to us, we were then asked if we wanted our check.........obviously, we do..thanks. All that to say, get your shit together, southern swank! You have a lot of potential but no one with the potential to harness it! We will not be returning.
(2)Susan C.
I've been to Swank three times and I think last night was my last time since I just got food poisoning from Smoked Chicken & Green Bean Skillet appetizer! It was swimming in oil and I should have sent it back, but did not so I ended up with a host of stomach issues overnight and the next morning. They also pulled a big switcheroo on penny wine night (Wednesdays)! You used to get your first glass of wine for a penny, and the website still advertises this. But, last night, it magically turned into a 2 for 1, with the first glass being $5 and the second one being a penny. I only wanted one glass. If you go, the service is very good and the Shrimp & Grits appetizer is the best thing on the menu. The Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer is good and so is the side of cornbread, oversized with a side of cinnamon butter. The Chicken & Waffles is both good and bad. When I had it, the chicken was moist and crispy and were complimented by the waffles. However, the marshmallow sage sauce overwhelmed the dish - ask for it on the side if that's possible. Eat here informed at at your own risk.
(2)Nicole K.
Had brunch here for the first time today and will definitely be back. We had Southern Eggs Benedict, Chicken & Waffles, and Country Fried Steak. The drinks and desserts were also very tasty and unique,
(5)Tina B.
I love a creative menu almost as much as I love world-class service. For these reasons, Southern Swank Kitchen is one of my new local favorites. We arrived a little before our reservation time and enjoyed some appetizers and drinks at the bar. The bartender was friendly and helpful. He was busy but never made us feel rushed or forgotten. Appetizers were amazing (fried green tomatoes and crab hush puppies). We moved to a table for dinner. The tables offer a nice intimate feel. Service, again, was impeccable. We had the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. It was a little on the sweet side but still truly delicious. As an alternative, they offer a blue chicken and waffles which we were told is a little more spicy than sweet. We will definitely try that next time!
(5)James M.
Hidden gem in davie was driving by and found this place. Great food and even better bar and service. Would recommend to anyone looking for something different with some swank.
(5)Jessica G.
I purchased the Swank groupon...I think before the restaurant even opened...and finally got around to using it last night. I have debated three or four stars. I decided to go with three, but I don't think I would hesitate to go back to Swank, I would just do things a little differently next time. I went in for dinner on a Sunday night. I had made a reservation through open table, but this this particular night the reservation probably wasn't necessary, though we were on the later end of dinner. We were seated promptly and given the food and drink menus on clipboards...it was kind of a cute menu presentation. I would have liked to have tried one of the specialty cocktails, but I figured I could save a few calories and just do a glass of wine as their specialty drinks look fun and delicious, but they also look pretty sugary. I ordered the Riesling and I really appreciated that it was served very cold in a chilled glass. I like my white wine very cold. With the Groupon, we were to receive an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. I knew I wanted the shells and cheese because it is important to me that if mac and cheese is on the menu I try it. I also decided to add on the chicken wings as my boyfriend was interested in them. There was a little bit of a wait for the appetizers but I was happy because I had my wine. The wait wasn't excessive but if you are in a rush I'm not sure this is the place for you. The shells and cheese were quite good. They had a creamy cheese sauce, which is my favorite kind of mac and cheese, and had an overall smoky flavor that was enhanced by pork belly pieces. I was impressed by the chicken wings also. I am not really a chicken wing person, but I would definitely get these again. They were quite large, the outside was very crispy and the bbq sauce was quite good. The entrees came out very shortly after the appetizers. I ordered the hanger steak and my boyfriend had the ribs. The hangar steak was cooked perfectly and the overall flavor was good. It was served with a potato hash that had somewhat of a gravy to it and there was also a white (I believe horseradish based) sauce on the plate. My complaints with the hanger steak were that the entree as a whole was a little cold...like maybe it wasn't served right off the grill or maybe the sauce/potato wasn't heated properly and had cooled everything down. It was also a little too saucy and overwhelmed the steak a little. My boyfriend had the ribs and as he was eating them I noticed they seemed difficult to eat...as in the meat wasn't easily coming off the bone. I asked to try a bite and I literally had to bite it off the rib and couldn't just pull a piece of pork off with my fingers, I just think that they could have been cooked differently so that they weren't as tough. The ribs came with coleslaw which didn't taste to me like anything special. For dessert we decided to go with the snickers custard. It was good, though very rich. The portion wasn't large, but was easily shared between the two of us as it was very sweet....but it did taste a lot like snickers...and I liked that it had whole peanuts in it. I probably wouldn't order dessert again as their options are pretty limited to custard/pudding type things and that is generally not my go to..but I'm glad I got to try it. Reading the other reviews I was apprehensive and worried about service, but I found our waitress (Jessie I think) to be friendly and attentive, and she seemed to know the menu well and was willing to make a few recommendations when I asked. The main reason I went with three stars was the the entrees are were just not four star material for the price point and definitely could use a little improvement; however, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Swank and do drinks and make a meal out of the starters. I would still like to try the fried green tomatoes and I would definitely order the shells and cheese and chicken wings again.
(3)Serg C.
Nice décor, atmosphere, music. the staff was friendly. I think the beer and food prices are a bit to high compared to competitors. the food and plate presentation was great. Our table had the fresh catch and ribs which were very nice. Not sure if I'll go back due to the prices.
(3)Leo K.
I am a bit on the fence about this place, but i'll probably say its a solid 3.5. Not sure this place lives up to the southern name food wise, which is the real reason for the 3.5 I do like the atmosphere and decor and staff is very friendly and helpful The food takes a very long time to come out and the seating process seemed like a bit of an organized chaos. When we walked in they told us a 45 minute wait but somehow we got seated within 5 minutes. The drinks: Not a bad selection of beers Drink specials were okay, but most were a bit on the syrupy sweet side The food: Chicken and waffles - chicken and waffles themselves were good but the marshmallow fluff was way to much and killed the flavor of everything, they should have stuck to syrup. I ended up scraping the marshmallow off so I can taste the delicious chicken underneath. Shells and cheese - creamy, velvety and good Crab hush puppies - my favorite of all the items on the menu, flavorful and perfect little bits The sliders - delicious, flavorful St louis ribs - while not fall of the bone, the sauce was delicious and i enjoyed them overall, the rest of the people at our table did not enjoy them as much as me. Caleslaw - was also one of my favorites, tons of flavor and a nice kick The place was a bit on the pricey side for the area and the food but coming from NY seemed pretty standard I think with a wider food selection and some refinement of the food, this place would be the perfect addition to Davie. Being from NY i expect any southern place in the south to destroy our NY southern spots, this place did not, but would be willing to come back here.
(3)Jennifer B.
After reading some of the negative reviews I was skeptical to dine at Southern Swank. We went on a Thursday night and were seated right away. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant with country music playing! The food was great. We ordered fried green tomatoes, hanger steak, country fried steak, the Mississippi Mud dessert and sweet tea. The fried green tomatoes were very thick and could have been a little riper, but the sauce they put on them is delicious (ask for more!). Both of the entrees were very good! The Mississippi mud dessert was phenomenal! It is the BEST BROWNIE you will ever eat! Their sweet tea is good, which is a staple for a good southern restaurant. My only complaint is that it was warm and I had to ask for more ice half way through our dinner. The reason I am giving it 4 stars is because of the price. With the groupon ($15 for $30) we still spent $40 extra! I would love to come again because of the food, but there is no way I would pay $70 for the meal we ate. I wish they would make their prices a little more reasonable, then there would be no question that we would become regulars at Southern Swank. They do have $5 appetizers at the bar that ends at 7pm ( I think). I would definitely consider doing that for our next visit! You are still able to enjoy the restaurant without leaving broke at the end of the night.
(4)Sarah S.
I have to say I'm a fan of this place! Wasn't sure what to expect due to mixed yelp reviews but I finally got the groupon and came on in. Wasn't too busy on a weeknight, sat at the bar. I must say that the bartender was extremely accommodating. From what to drink to what to eat he was patient, answered all questions, and was knowledgeable about the selections. The manager came and introduced himself and spoke a little about how all the food is fresh here, nothing is "from the box". He mentioned that even the marshmallow sauce they have is made from real marshmallows that they make in house. I found this interesting. I ordered the old fashioned. I wanted to try the swamp water but wasn't in the mood for blueberry. So I tried the old fashioned swank. It was good but I wish there had been more bourbon in it. My boyfriend and I both ordered the chicken and waffles. Of course we asked for butter, syrup, and extra hot sauce and marshmallow sauce (we are sauce people). As if we weren't already being a pain, the bartender actually added another sauce (the southern swank sweet bbq sauce) for us to try. Offer me more sauces to taste and you become my new favorite person!!! I literally cut a piece of waffle dipped it in syrup and marshmallow sauce, and cut a piece of chicken and dipped in hot sauce and the bbq sauce and ate the two bites at once. Talk about a burst of flavor!!! Not only was it delicious, but the fried chicken was boneless which I really liked and made it easier to eat. I also really liked that it wasn't dripping in grease or soggy. It was made fresh to order and truly cooked to perfection. After we were done the bartender tried to sell us desert and he almost succeeded. The way he described the bread pudding made me think twice about ordering it, maybe next time! I also noticed Tuesday's they have 2-4-1 well drinks, they have a glass of wine for 1 cent.. Yes that's right... Wine for a PENNY on Wednesdays and yelp has an in the biz 50% off on Mondays if you check in! The only downside is for the location and type of food the prices seem a bit steep. Maybe this is because everything is truly from scratch? Either way it is delicious and I will definitely be back for some of their specials and deals!!!
(4)Navneet S.
I feel like this place could be much better. I want to give it a fourth star for potential, but I don't think that's a thing. We walked in and the place was about halfway occupied. We approached the hostess and asked for a table for 4, and she told us that it would be a 15 minute wait because the kitchen was really backed up. Apparently a large group had just left and another large group had just come in. So...that meant we couldn't sit at one of the many empty tables? We waited around for about 20 minutes and then we were finally seated, starting the night off on a really confusing note. I think the hostess was new (I hope). Otherwise it was a pretty decent experience. The food was your typical southern comfort food. I had the blue cheese chicken and waffles and tried some of the beer can chicken. Mine was a little too heavy with all that cheese, but the beer can chicken was good. Decor was cool and the service was attentive. It's not some place where I'll be dying to come back but in a pinch it's a good choice.
(3)Lawrence P.
I've been here twice. There was a dinner with friends and a celebration of someone's birthday in the bar area. This restaurant is minutes from the house and that's a big reason to love this place. I don't do chain restaurants (Chilli's, TGIF, Applebee's) so when this place opened, had to try it! This restaurant has a great Davie atmosphere. Very relaxed, simple, spacious, All... SWANK!!! We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes which were great. The creole remoulade was perfect. The Crab Hush Puppies were perfect. We had several as we had to order more. I had the Chicken & Waffles which were solid... the only problem being they don't have syrup. Uh?!?!?!?! (they have to fix that!) The Beer Can Chicken, which is basically a free range chicken cooked perfectly and accompanied with a beer gravy which is presented inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can, was very good and pretty cool in its presentation!!! The Ribs were good as well. For dessert we ordered the Snickers Pudding and Bread Pudding... both good. As for drinks, I didn't but the wife got her butt kicked (that's how she described it) with a very strong Old Fashion Swank. On our second visit, a buddy reserved some tables by the bar and celebrated his wife's bday with some 20 friends. The girl assigned to serve us was slow, full of attitude and generally uninterested. So I ordered my food and drinks at the bar which also made it easier to keep a separate check. That night I drunk some Funky Buddha Hop Gun and Floridian I believe, and we had some light bites. This is a solid neighborhood restaurant and will be back soon and often!
(4)Stephen C.
Went to this place twice and while I usually try to ode different items I order both times the chicken and waffles. Both times the dish was very flavorful and while I thought initially the marshmallow sauce would be off for me I think it worked. The slight sweetness from the sauce was a great contrast to the savor chicken and of course paired well with the waffles. I also like the hot sauce that they pair it with. It brings another depth of flavor to the dish. My only draw back is the waffle are always room temperature and chicken never really hot like you would expect fried chicken to be which usually is due to a timing issue with the kitchen maybe once but not twice. We also had the short rib meatloaf which I enjoyed but not my wife. My only negative about the meatloaf would be that the texture needed to be a little firmer. A tad bit soft but very flavorful paired well with the pumpkin purée. The Resturant get 5 Stars for decor and atmosphere
(4)Tammy B.
Very good Gourmet Southern food. Delicious drinks that range between $9 and $11. Cool Vibe and décor. Great place to go with friends. The only complaint is that I have been twice and both times they have been out of one or two things that someone at the table ordered once by 8:30pm and once by 10:00. I thought that was a little strange. Still the place is work the trip and a current favorite to dine and to recommend.
(4)Jo B.
This is a review for the Sunday brunch. Everything was delicious and great presentation but portions were small. The decor inside is also really great. It does feel like a restaurant in the south for sure. They also have a decent breakfast drink menu with a good selection.
(4)Brianna G.
I went once and wasn't thrilled. I got the chicken and waffles. the waffles were dry and over cooked. the chicken had more fat on it than meat. and the bill for 2 people with only one beer was around $80. I figured I would give it a 2nd try. however I was even more let down the 2nd time. I went yesterday with a friend we got the chicken wings and the sauce was very good. we also got the fried pickles and clearly this place likes to over cook everything not only were they burnt some were stuck together and when I pulled them apart the batter was raw and to top It off there was a hair in the batter of one of the pickles. they also did NOT give us the correct dipping sauce with the pickles. we split an order of mac and cheese. the shell pasta was like mush and the cheese just had a funny taste. we also split a full rack of ribs. the pork was very swiney and made me feel nausea after eating it. the ribs comes with a side of fries and cole slaw. which we only got the fries I had to ask for the cole slaw. the slaw did have celery seed in it which I like very much however it still wasn't great and wasn't fresh the greens were wilted . Not only is the food horrible you would think our waitress would give us two large dinner plates seeing as we were sharing everything but we only had the small appetizer plates to use. needless to say NEVER AGAIN
(1)David L.
Poor service. When complained to manager, was given poorer excuse. Food was nothing special.Dont waste time or money here.
(3)Sandra C.
Great food and excellent service! I've heard of this place before but haven't had the opportunity to until yesterday. I had their chicken and waffles and I feel like I died and this is what heaven must be like because it was delicious! I can't wait to tell all my friends about this place.
(5)Kandyce V.
The food was pretty good but the service was horribly slow! The appetizers were also good.
(4)Danielle D.
Last night, I dined at SSK with a friend after attending a Yelp event. Steven N was our server and he was great. Very friendly, very attentive. We ordered the "Blue Chicken and Waffles", cornbread, shells and cheese, and a side salad. The only unfavorable dish was the salad. The side salad came dressed with a dressing that has a very distinct bitter spice flavor. I found it to be so unappetizing I had to send the salad away. The manager was very sweet and accommodating. He offered another dish instead but we declined; he did not charge us for the salad. The cornbread was and is FANTASTIC. I love cornbread and this is some of the best. The vanilla icing served with it really takes it to another level. I could eat that cornbread daily! The shells are made with bacon, which I don't eat, but tasting the dish reveals a delicious balance of flavors. The dish was not too cheesy, or over salty. Made with white cheddar, it was very delectable. Saving the best for last, the chicken and waffles was incredible. The chicken was perfectly cooked and sauced. The dish was also served with sriracha which perfectly balances the rich bleu cheese sauce. We also had some drinks! Tried the sweet honey and raspy alcoholic beverages. They were both delicious, but the raspy tea was the best! We each had 3!!! All in all, the experience was great. I look forward to returning and I highly recommend !
(5)Miranda P.
I really really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Not much on the menu for vegetarians, but I knew that going in. The boyfriend is a Tennessee-born, Georgia-raised BBQ connoisseur and the parents were visiting from South Carolina so a Southern Kitchen seemed to fit the bill. Let's start with how much I admire the ambiance, menu design and custom chalk typography. I'm a designer so I appreciate these kinds of details. Rarely does a restaurant look this good - but looks can be deceiving. Acoustics must have been pretty low on the list because it was loud. Really loud. And the place was only about half full on our side. And we were sat in a booth directly under a vent so I was freezing the whole time. I attempted to fashion a makeshift blanket out of napkins to no avail. (Shoulda kept watching Project Runway - there was probably at least one episode about knitting a napkin scarf using a fork and knife and empty straw wrappers.) My Strawberries and Cream Salad was scrumptious! I just wish there was about twice as much of it. I finished the dish in under 4 minutes due to the 'glorified garnish' portion size. I ordered a side of cornbread, which was amazing and had some kind of honey glaze. After $18 worth of food, I expect a full belly but I was still pretty hungry. I would have ordered more but I still have a car payment to make this month. The rest of the group was less satisfied with their meals. My mom said her mini-sized meatloaf was cold and the beans were bordering on inedible. My dad said his pork was undercooked and the boyfriend had to fight with his ribs to get the meat off the bones. In his words "I'm wrestling these ribs and the ribs are winning." The coleslaw was drowned in pepper but the fries were decent. Pretty disappointing since the total ended up being over $100. Alas, Southern Swank, it wasn't meant to be. I'm going back to Tara and as God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again. BOTTOM LINE: They seem to be off on Sundays so try another night.
(2)Andrew Z.
I haven't been as excited to go to a restaurant as I was to go to Southern Swank in a very long time. Perhaps that's why I feel the way I do after having been there. I feel cheated, I feel broke and worst of all, I feel hungry. $16 for chewy fried chicken thighs and 3/4 of a waffle? Served with a side of NOTHING?? $9 for a cup of Mac & Cheese? $2.50 for a can of coke? I work too hard for my money to let go of it like that. My waitress asked me "How'd you like your Chicken & Waffles??" I replied, "Honestly, I've had better." Which would have been true even if I had only had it once in life since it was basically horrible. I've had better southern food in some much less southern places, like Coral Springs. This place needs a whole lot more southern and a dang sight less swank.
(2)Leslie S.
Been here twice. Always had great service, good food. The beer can chicken perfectly cooked. French fries hand cut. Only the cole slaw needs a little more flavor. Ribs and beans good. Can't really say anything bad, not sure why all the negative reviews. Enjoyed it twice and the bar specials can't be beat.
(4)Natalia F.
Went here for brunch and we all thought it was amazing!!!! I had the pulled pork Benedicts and it was so amazing and full of flavor. I loved the restaurant and how cute the decor was. Looking forward to coming bAck for dinner
(5)Arthur L.
My daughter and I just had an excellent Sunday brunch at Southern Swank. We were promptly greeted with a smile by a friendly hostess and immediately seated. Sasha our server quickly appeared with water and recommended their bottomless Mimosa for $15 or Long Island Iced Tea for $5. We opted for the Bloody Marys instead - wow. Absolutely perfect. I wanted to try the chicken and waffles but am NOT a fan of marshmallows, so Sasha brought me a selection of four other sauces to try and I fell in love with with the blue cheese and the Swank sauce (a spicy BBQ). Mark the manager came by to check on us and say hello. He noticed our glasses were empty and went to find Sasha. She was obviously busy, so Mark went to the bar and got new drinks for us himself. My daughter raved about the sausage gravy and biscuits - and having lived in Kentucky for six years, she is fairly particular. The country music was just loud enough that we couldn't hear the conversation at the booths adjoining ours but in no way interfered with our own. If I lived here, you can be sure that I would be a regular patron. Well done!
(4)Elizabeth D.
It's rare to find a restaurant in which the dining experience itself is great and that lends itself for hanging out. Southern Swank is incredibly inviting, which was especially comforting since I don't venture out to Broward often. The space itself is very large without being awkward about its size. The bar area, saloon, and dining areas feel familiar, making it an easy place to spend a long evening at, meeting bar patrons, listening to some live music, and sipping on a great selection of craft beer. The food was an experience in itself - out of several dishes there wasn't a single miss: * Shells & Cheese: I'm a mac and cheese elitist, and this particular dish took me by surprise. Chunks of pork belly in sticky, gooey cheese are what dreams are made of. * 18 Hour Pulled Pork Sliders: I hate pickles. These sliders made me love pickles. Holy crap. I had to ask the server about it and apparently they're sweet pickles made in-house. Anything that changes my mind about a food I don't like deserves ultimate praise. * Crab Hush Puppies: If this sounds even remotely appealing to you - don't hesitate. These were totally up my alley and the type of thing I could eat a million of. Hearts in my eyes. * Shrimp & Grits: Again, another dish that doesn't usually excite me, but Swank's version surprised me yet again. These grits had rich, deep flavor... paired with some perfectly marinated shrimp and you've got a winner. * Beer Can Chicken: This one sounded fun, so we ordered it and were pleased to see it was accompanied with a PBR can full of hot gravy. Clever dish, good execution. The french fries it came with was my carb-hating husband's favorite - especially since they came with a really unique spicy ketchup. * Craft beers: Pleasantly surprised to see their beer list. Some of my fun favorites included Seadog, Shipyard Pumpkinhead, and Monk in the Trunk. * Bread pudding: I can't resist a good bread pudding. This was no different. A great homage to the memory of your grandma's bread pudding. Protip: Check out their specials. We came on a Wednesday and my first glass of wine was a penny. Protip: Leftovers are even more amazing for lunch. After our meal, we moseyed over to the photo booth on our way out and snapped some fun pics. Overall, Swank delivers a perfect 360 dining experience. I'd love to come back for a more bar-oriented night.
(5)Hayley W.
I went here this past weekend with some friends for the first time and it was excellent. The food was excellent, it truly embodies "Southern Swank"; upscale take on classic southern food, like corn bread, burgers, chicken and waffles, etc. I ordered the Pimento Burger, medium rare, and it was great. It was cooked the way I asked and was a good portion size. The menu is on the smaller side but the quality of the food makes up for the less quantity. The noise level is a bit high, so I felt like I was yelling throughout dinner. The restaurant itself is roomy, I never felt crowded or like I was going to bump into the people at the table behind us. It also seemed to have a nice bar area but I didn't venture over into that section. Admittedly, I didn't spend too much time taking in the decor, but I noticed several televisions around the main dining room and the lighting is low; it seems perfect for a fun first date.
(4)Danny M.
Last night we came here for a much anticipated birthday party for a friend... We were a party of about 40 and we were all spread out across the bar area and high tops. At first I was a little concerned that they didn't have enough staff to handle Our entire party, but I was wrong... The 2 bartenders that took care of us did an unbelievable job handling our party. Nobody waited too long for food or drinks. They really rocked! Now let's get to the food.... Since there were so many of us, I got to try just about everything on the menu, and every bite was really better than the previous one. Pulled pork sliders... Sinfully good, smoky & tender pulled pork... Great slaw and perfectly home made pickle. I don't even like pickles but damn this slider was god sent. Shrimp n Grits- one of my all time southern favorites and I've had many different renditions of this dish and I must say, Chef Mike hit it out of the park with this one... Creamy/smoky grits were amazing, shrimp cooked to perfection (plump and juicy) and the pickled green beans really put it over the top. They were still crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at the same time. Other reviews Have complained about the price of this dish compared to the size of it (it's an app)... Those people clearly have no clue what the price of shellfish is right now, and how much time and effort goes into making a dish so spectacular. Hanger steak- Simple, easy and elegant plating.. Cooked perfectly, flavors on point. I mean who doesn't love fingerling potatoes with bacon. It's like crack. U can't just have one bite. Chicken n Waffles- So we all know that every new world southern spot is putting chicken and waffles on their menu and yea some of them are pretty good... But this dish was so good that my head was exploding with every bite. The marshmallow sage sauce is brilliant. Very unorthodox but the sage was very pronounced and just out of this world delicious, like I want to slather it on everything. Then I tried the hot sauce and it really put it over the top. This isn't your generic bottle of sriracha crap.. Certainly homemade with love and it definitely shows. Overall this dish was just perfectly balanced and the texture everything was all I could ever ask for. I want to thank the staff and everyone who helped us out last night... We could not have asked for a better over all experience!
(5)Tommie G.
Good food terrible service. I've been here numerous times and every time there has been issues with service. Today we ordered apps and mains, my main course was missing the marshmallow sauce for the chicken and waffles. When I asked for it, that took another 10 minutes. So the rest of my party had pretty much competed their meal. As for dessert we ordered one knowing it takes 15 minutes to prepare 30 minutes later no where in sight. Finally the manager come by saying it was placed but the paper was out in the back so they never received ticket. You would think some sort of compensation would be done for us waiting, but no. So long story short good food for the area... Bad service.
(2)Manuel B.
Finally tried this place. Menu very limited. Service very slow. Chicken and waffles was good, except the waitress told us to make sure and ask for the maple syrup for the waffles. After waiting for a while, finally flagged down some one else. Asked for the syrup and guess what he says, sorry we ran out. In a place serving chicken and waffles how do you run out of syrup. After a long wait for the dishes to be cleared, waitress finally came by to offer dessert menu. After another long wait we noticed that some of the desserts took 15 to 30 to be prepared, that was it, we where done .
(3)Megan L.
I think the prices are still to high for Davie!! Bottomless mimosa are on point for Sundays brunch. $15 all you can drink! You guys are almost there.... Add some Bloody Mary deals to your menu and you guys will truly succeed in this tiny lil town!!! Davie strong
(5)Adetoun Tina A.
Canyon merlot for wine wed good. Order S' wings, shells and cheese and corn bread! Yummie. Went for wine Wednesday. Great deal two glass for $5.01 . Love all the food I had. Bar areas place to sit to people watch!
(4)Will K.
Was here on 8/3/2014... it's a nice lively atmosphere. And that's where it stops. My gf and I weren't attended to until after 10 or so minutes. But, no biggie, it's cool. Then my meal took approx 13 minutes to serve -- and that was only my order. Still, no problem (kind of). My meal (biscuits / gravy) was cold (not even lukewarm). My shrimps & grits -- wasn't at all worth $14 -- it lacked flavor, almost as if it were prepared for a diabetic. When I voiced my dislikes to the waitress (who genuinely commiserated with me ) she said "yeah, we've been having taste issues specifically with the shrimp & grits and with the biscuits & gravy coming out cold". I'm like, what? And, were you aware of this - her reply, "no, I'm sorry". Anyways, can't say I'll be back.
(1)Crystal L.
I know there's no other place in Davie like Swank, for this reason they deserve a five-star rating. From their eminent service to the trendy wall art throughout the interior it's definitely expected to assume that the food is as good as it is. The gator chili and shells-n-cheese are delish! Pair that up with some swamp water and you'll be walking out of their with some swank in your step.
(5)Brian C.
Heard about this place opening up last week and decided to make the trip up to Davie and check it out. The place was extremely congested Friday evening, apparently there was some Groupon coupon frenzy going on. Decided to just go for some appetizers (I wasn't very hungry) and drinks. I gotta give these guys credit on the masterpiece of a Mac and cheese that they served me. Wow! Also had the fried green tomatoes which were just perfect as well. Ordered a pimento burger cut in 4 to share and was thoroughly impressed with the flavor. I could put that cheese on anything! My favorite drinks were the raspy lemonade and the regular lemonade (I tried their swamp water also, it was too sweet for me but the ladies loved it). I will definitely be back after the Groupon frenzy dies out.
(5)Lucy K.
Bordering between a 2.5-3. Mostly because of the service. I came here with a party of 10 for a pre-formal party dinner. We needed to be on a bus by 8:00pm and we called the restaurant ahead of time to see what time they recommended we come in. They said 6pm. We all arrived there on time and we all put our orders in almost as soon as we sat down to save on time. They had a gluten free menu which made ordering for me super easy. The drinks came out no problem and were delicious. More then an hour goes by... no food. Its not that the waitstaff forgot about our tables, they were constantly checking in with us about more drinks. We asked the waitress to check on our food again. By about 7:35ish, some of the first people began to get their appetizers. We were given the bill before half our dinner had come. Our party was starving and flustered to say the least. The last people got their food, only after the fifth compliant, at 7:50, giving them no time to eat it. We complained to the manager, who only comped the last two peoples meal because they were unable to eat their food, rather than the rest of us who were lucky to shove pieces of it in our mouths before having to run out the door. The sad thing was is that the food was pretty good, but we weren't able to enjoy it due to the service. Usually with a bad experience like this, I try to give the place a couple chances. However, I have multiple friends who have had separate, similar experiences. Its a shame because this could be a really good place in Davie.
(3)Pao J.
Oh my goodness SWANK JUST BLEW MY SOCKS OFF ROSCOES better watch out the swanky boys really know how to serve fried chicken and waffles not to mention i was sitting next to one of the heat players haslem was his name i think i didnt wanna bother his family so i didnt ask for a picture the beercan chicken was outstanding and so was my yellowtail snapper we had a happy meal ill be back
(5)True F.
We Loved it !!! Service and Food was fantastic !!! Limited menu but that is fine. They perfect the dishes they make
(5)Jeff S.
I love Southern fare, although as someone who eats gluten-free, it can be difficult. A group of us were looking for somewhere fun to eat, none of us had been to Southern Swank Kitchen before, and we were excited about trying a new place. The drink menu is fantastic. I was a bit tepid at ordering a moonshine-based drink (I am a huge fan of whisk(e)y and am open to new variations). It had apple pie moonshine, caramel moonshine and cider. It cost $8.00 and was served in a mason jar glass. Others in my party ordered drinks as well, and everyone seemed to rave about them. We then ordered our meals. On average, the entree price is about $16 - $20, with everything being a la carte. I ordered ribs, my wife ordered a hangar steak, two of our party ordered shrimp and grits. We also ordered some crispy wings for the table. The portions could best be described as "tapas" - small plates. The hangar steak, which was $25, was incredibly small. Hangar steak isn't an expensive cut, which usually makes it an attractive purchase. However, in this case, my wife felt like she ordered filet mignon. My ribs were "meh." The meat was tough, it definitely didn't fall off the bone like good ribs will. The caramel apple BBQ sauce was very spicy (versus the expected sweet), and there was more bone than meat. At $18.00, that's a lot for the six almost ribs served. The inside of the restaurant is very loud. The decor is was attractive for how it was set up. The servers were very friendly. We all left with the feeling that Southern Swank Kitchen would be a great place to have some drinks, but we'd catch a meal beforehand somewhere else.
(2)Allison S.
Great for appetizers and drinks but things went seriously downhill for the main courses. Fried green tomatoes and pork sliders were good. The hanger steak came with a really strange jus, very unpleasant. The pimento burger was forgettable. Unfortunately it is more Southern "influence" than execution, and the service was a bit slack (more waiter/waitress socialising at the pass than looking after tables). My first cocktail was beautifully made, with whole blueberries and nice colour. My second had a few blueberry skins in it and looked half finished. Just generally a bit slack. Too bad.
(3)Cristina S.
We went to this restaurant a few months ago & weren't knocked off our rockers. Like other reviews during that time said, service was slow (even mid-week), food was Ok, prices were a little high. We returned Mon. for Moonshine Mondays & sat at the bar. The specials were great, the bartender was really attentive, & our food was really good! The Mac n Cheese is better now, the Green Bean Casoulette, (a delicious little casserole with chicken, slivered almonds, & cheese), the Country friend steak dish was AMAZING, & their bread pudding dessert is a nice ending to this wonderful meal. We'll be back!
(4)Pedro G.
First time here and definitely not disappointed!! Came with a 15.00 for 30.00 worth of food groupon and decided to bite the bullet and go, was always hesitant because the prices r a tad high. Anyways our waitress was kind and knowledgable and always was around the refill our water. I ordered the blue chicken and waffles (what makes them "blue" is a spicy bbq sriracha sauce). It was soooooo good. My partner had the half beer can chicken with coleslaw and fries. The slaw was a bit dry for my taste and not very flavorful. But the chicken was moist and delicious, crispy on the outside. We decided at the beginning to have an appetizer because we didn't see a dessert menu nor was there one on their site. We had the cornbread with cinnamon butter. Soooooo good but I've had better. Anyway at the end we were offered the dessert menu but declined because we were full. Overall and great first experience and will def recommend!
(4)Tiffany H.
The outside doesnt do this place justice! Very nice ambiance and staff. We had a very helpful waiter Andrew who was able to recommend his personal favorites. We ordered the Louisina swamp water and a chronic tonic. A slight disappointment when there was no dry ice in the swamp water as we basically ordered it for the novelty. Drinks were good though, could have been a little stronger. We ordered 3 appetizers, shrimp and grits, crab hush puppies and the pork sliders. Everything was tasty but two things were phenomenal. The smoky flavor of the grits was outstanding. My boyfriend doesnt like grits but loved these. And the smoked flavor of the pork was great too. Thanks Southern Swank, we will be back.
(4)Tony P.
Only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the food was good. The service was horrible, I've had better service in a fast food restaurant and paid much less. The food is way overpriced and takes forever to come out. Manager didn't care much about anything other than making excuses that we didn't care to hear. After an hour and a half she offered a free dessert...how nice. I didn't care to wait another 30-60 minutes for dessert so we paid and left. I would never suggest this year place to anybody I like. If you want good food and service go to SWINE.
(2)S T.
1st time here..... Service is slow, hard to tell if there is a manager or chef here, folks seem to be wandering around without clearly answering to anyone Food okay, not great. Will try one more time.... Crab hush puppies not evenly cooked - some cooked thru some raw in the middle like crab Rangoon, also lacked seasoning - would not order again. Pork chop was good but completely overwhelmed by a sea of spicy sweet baked beans (I would order the chop agin, but only if I could swap out the beans)
(3)Rob L.
Some of the best food we have had out in a while. Saw they were open for Sunday brunch while driving by. Popped in and glad we did. Our waiter Jose, took great care of us. Very friendly. We had the Redneck Mimosa, the Cherry Champaign, eggs Benedict and redneck ruben. All paired very well and some of the most exciting flavors. Loved the spicy ketchup!. Price is a little on the up side, but once you taste the flavors you will understand. Seating indoors and out, the atmosphere is wonderful. I highly recommend this place for brunch.
(5)Bridget F.
My boyfriend and I had dinner at Southern Swank last night. I was so surprised how big the place was! There is ample room for the wraparound bar and dining room. The "upscale cowboy" theme was well done and consistent, so if you like John Wayne, country music, and plaid shirts this place is for you. We started with the crab hush puppies and thought they were delicious. They portion came with 5 hush puppies with large pieces of crab in each one. For dinner, my boyfriend had the chicken and waffles, which came with a marshmallow sauce on top and a hot sauce on the side. He enjoyed them but they were chicken thighs, not breasts- delicious, but a little fattier than I would have expected. I had the chicken fried steak with smashed potatoes and gravy - really, really yummy, I definitely recommend it! I also tried their Chronic Tonic: a mix of blueberries, sage, tonic, and gin. Very unique flavor, but a bit strong for me. Our service was good- everyone was polite and knowledgeable. I'd say this place is a solid 4 stars and we will definitely be visiting again, but will probably wait for another special occasion since its a bit on the pricey side for southern fare.
(4)Rafael C.
Sunday dinner for Mother's Day tried Southern Swank as a recommendation from a fellow foodie. Seated immediately with a warning the kitchen was backed up even though the place was about 1/2 empty and promptly informed they didn't have 3 items on the menu ( steak, fish and ribs....no ribs at a Southern restaurant???). Order drinks, appetizers and main courses at once . Twenty min later the first appetizer showed up and then all the appetizers and main courses arrived at once. Flavor was great on the food ( fried green tomatoes, sliders, mesquite chicken, po boy) , salads were over dressed with heavy cumin spice . Certainly not worth the wait and disjointed service. Servers very apologetic but manager was too busy walking around the back on his smartphone to do the apologizing himself. I think they tried to copy the name of Yardbird Southern but it's not even close and it's going to take this Southern raised bird to come back. This might be the reason why it was half empty and Tijuana Flats right down the street was packed with no parking spots available and a waiting line outside. Might not be open the next time I venture out this way to eat , with such a big empty space and unfilled covers and no bar activity it can't be financially sustainable.
(2)Wendy N.
Fantastic! Our plan was the shrimp and grits and short rib meatloaf, unfortunately the meatloaf wasn't available but the shrimp and grits were amazing! The manager Mark recommended the pork sliders and corn bread with cinnamon butter and they were delicious! Jacob our bartender server was also great. Tues are 2 4 1 and $8 Tito's and wed are penny wine nights. So in addition to great food and service the prices are reasonable also. I can't wait to go back for the short rib meatloaf!
(5)SanDee V.
My girlfriend and I were undecided as where to go. We drive past this little place that woke up our curiosity. I'm disappointed with their menu, not much to choose from. After 30 mins of starring at this one page menu and realizing I really didn't like anything I just opted for the Mac n cheese...lol I know so much time spent to just order Mac n cheese. I ordered a drink called swamp water. I gotta say the presentation of this drink is by far the most creative drink I've ever had. It's presentation lived up to its name "SWAMP WATER" it was green and had smoke coming out with a worm gummy hanging. If only the taste matched the looks. Uggggg this drink tasted just like its name..lol I told the waitress to take it back and just ordered a regular run and coke, I knew I couldn't go wrong with that. Now let's get to the part where i have to literally scream at my girlfriend so she can hear me because the band is way to loud. Oh yea did I mention there was a band playing songs I've never heard of right in front of us. I really think the table setting should be different. I mean who wants to scream at each other at the table due to the heavy noise. My head was being tortured to the point we had to leave.
(2)Kat V.
Worst experience, cannot substitute fries for anything else. Manager even came out and said no. Was told I had to purchase another side. Then they offered me the side for half price. Came for the $3 fireball shots and they were raised to $6. Menu online is different than actual menu.
(1)Tina T.
Driven by many times it's always packed. Got a Groupon so we finally tried it. My date was my 12 year old daughter who is planning on owning her own restaurant some day so she is not picky and pretty easy to please. We started off with the grits and shrimp. The shrimp was delicious but she would not eat the grits because she said they tasted funny. I ate them they had cheese in them but kind of bland. For the Main course we ordered the baby back ribs with baked beans, cole slaw, fries, pickled green beans and 2 dinner rolls. Ribs had a bit of a kick to them too spicy for my daughter but I thought they were very good and I ate them all. Baked beans were very weird not like anything I've ever had before they had something spicy in them too maybe hot sauce and had a tart after taste. Kid did not eat them at all. She ate all the Fries, pickled and rolls. Next time I will try something else like the fried chicken with waffles or beer can chicken. My advise is leave your kids at home. They had 2 for 1 on Tuesday night so would be fun with friends. Very expensive but not for children. Kids menu has 3 items on it. Try not to sit back by the kitchen very load with dishes behind wall.
(3)Emily B.
We came on a Saturday night for date night. Although the reviews weren't that great, we decided to try it anyways. We were seated right away. It's rather small considering only one side of the restaurant has seating, the other is a bar with bar tables. We had the s'wings for appetizer and they were yummy. I had the short ribs dinner, meat was delicious as it fell off the bone, baked beans were different, and coleslaw was ick. He had the porterhouse. For $37 he was expecting a nice piece of meat, but instead it was low quality. Vegetables were bland and the potatoes and gravy were also ick. We wouldn't return, but glad we tried it.
(3)Maya G.
I recently ventured out to Southern Swank Kitchen in Davie with the fam. I very much was looking forward to it since I thought- a cool interesting restaurant in Broward? I'm in! We pulled up and I was definitely impressed. The decor was very cute- hip and trendy. I was totally feeling it. The attention to detail on the mason jars for drinks, the hostesses/waitresses dressed 'Southern' attire, I was thrilled. We sat down and ordered and unfortunately, the food is where it fell flat for me. I btw was with my 2 yr old, so I was also happy to see it was quite kid friendly (good amount of lighting and not crazy loud music). We ordered: Crab hush puppies- sounds better than they are...not impressed Chicken and Waffles- the Yelp special: I actually had to give it to my husband and switch with him bc I did not like it at all. It was smothered in heavy buffalo sauce that was ok, and the meal was actually not even warm. The waffles were kinda cold, and the chicken luke warm. Country Fried Steak- Really bland and not much flavor at all. Side Salad- spinach and tomato...nothing special to it at all. Kids meal- Chicken fingers and fries. We were actually told it was tator tots (not fries) which I was excited about but it was fries. It was also super generic, crazy breaded and unhealthy. I would've definitely appreciated a healthy option for the little one. It also was forgotten about and came out last even though we made it a point to say, please bring her food as soon as it is ready. So perhaps we got the wrong things and there are better items on the menu, but I doubt I will be venturing back here which is unfortunate because I had high hopes. I also don't imagine this restaurant to last too long with its current menu. Hopefully they make some changes and I will definitely give it another go.
(3)John L.
very intriguing menu and good enough presentation but far too pricey. service from call for reservations to hostess to wait staff was simply bad. Not rude but uninformed, confused and slow, certainly not representative of our $100 tab. shrimp & grits and chicken fried steak were superb; collard very good. hanger steak good. my 2 beers cold enough but the lemonade vodka drink was far too sweet & Hawaiian Punch-like. train the staff, rethink pricing and you have a real winner.
(2)Amber M.
I heard about this place and then read the reviews about it. It had pretty good reviews. A few of us decided to try it. All I can say it was awful!! It took forever to get are appetizers. Well over an hour. Then the food came out one by one and cold. The chicken and waffles were so over cooked and no chicken. So much batter that was over cooked. And there was paper in chicken. It was just not me that thought it was gross. From start to finish it took over 3 hours. And the 75.00 dollar bill was not worth what they charge for the food.
(1)Maria R.
I had the meatloaf and the flavor was decent but it had a watery texture? The chicken was dry and it's just really over priced for not including sides with the entrée. I would try it again though and yes the ambiance is nice.
(3)Keara D.
Pissed just left after asking for a box for the left over bread pudding that took 15 min to make. The waitress insisted on boxing it herself. Brought us the bill but no boxed dessert. I asked where my dessert was and she said oh yeah and took off again came back and told me that the bus boy threw it out and if we wanted to wait another 15 min she could make us a fresh one no thanks. How does someone throw out a box with food in it? She was too busy talking to the table next to us about a show on tv instead of getting my dessert. My thing is the service was excellent cause we were the first ones there she was around all the time almost too much. Once our waitress had more tables she was gone for a long time my fiancée ordered another drink and she didn't come back for a long time actually someone else brought his drink and I still was waiting to ask for the bill. The food was good not worth the prices didn't care for the chicken wings which our waitress recommended and neither did my fiancée they were very spicy to me as I am just starting to experiment with a little spice and sweet my fiancée doesn't like sweet. You almost don't taste the sweet after 2 wings cause your mouth is burning and nose is running. The crab hush puppies were good and so was the Mac or shells and cheese. Fried green tomatoes were ok. Bread pudding good but doesn't have a whiskey cream sauce like mine. I drove pretty far to try it as a bartender from a restaurant near me told me about it I'm not sure if he's been here or not. We shared appetizers and did not have the individual meals.
(2)Cubby C.
Chicken and waffles was my pick. 16 bucks and I am OK with the pricing if the quality is there, after all its two different items. The chicken was bland and tasteless and not crunchy; the waffles were cold and tasted as if done with water and oil versus milk and with some butter instead of oil. Now, the look had great plating minus the scribble of marshmallow sauce all over. The marshmallow sauce did not go well at all, syrup would of been much better. If you want to go finer use real maple and it will taste better than marshmallow. Over all they didn't lie to me. I am a bit ignorant in the sense I read what I was about to eat and still ordered it. The service was mediocre. Only at our table when we need something, mind you we wanted to order cornbread and that didn't happen because he was busy hanging out near the food distribute window which is in the opposite end of the restaurant. By the time our food came no point in ordering. Water refill was on point. Will not be going there again...
(1)Michelle L.
I went to this establishment because I used to eat at the restaurant that was here before Southern Swank. They have a pretty unique menu for the area. However, I was not happy with the service or food. With less than 10 customers in the whole restaurant, it took 45 minutes for 2 entrees to come out. The Southern Fried steak was not good at all (cheap meat and no flavor) and not worth the $22 price. The staff was friendly but the food is way overpriced for the quality that you receive. Won't be dining here again.
(2)Jessica C.
My boyfriend found this place through reviews on yelp, and we love a good southern style restaurant. I have to admit, before we arrived we had read some recent reviews that this place had bombed, service was bad, etc. i told him we should be the judge ourselves. We got there and the place was busy. It was Saturday night after all. We got there around 8:30pm and was told it would be a 45 minute wait. We didn't mind, we didn't have nothing else planned for the evening so it wasn't a problem at all. While we waited, we were asked if we wanted water or unsweetened tea. My boyfriend and I both got water. About 30 mins in to our wait, after we drank our water, took in the ambiance, observed the operation, and dissected the menu, we made our way to the bar. I ordered the swamp water and he got the caramel apple. I wasn't there for the order, but I was told the bartender took a while to get around to making our drinks. In that time, I went to ask the hostess the status of our wait, and she told us it would be another 30 minutes. In that moment, I questioned why no one had told us and she told me she didn't know and the kitchen was backed up. In my restaurant experience, you shield that as best as possible and you never tell the customer what's going on. It seemed like a floor manager came to see what was going on and we let him know about the wait, he apologized and let us know we would be sat soon and offered to buy us a drink. We politely declined and made our way to the photo booth to kill some more time. We were finally sat and our server greeted us soon after taking our drink order. The manager once again came to us and wished us a good meal. Once our drinks arrived we ordered our appetizers, crab hush puppies and pork sliders. Entrees ordered were the country fried steak with a side of Mac and cheese and the yelp special - chicken and waffles. Our appetizers came out in a timely manner and were delicious! The flavor in both items were amazing and the dishes very well executed. The manager came to check on us again and offered to buy us drinks, my boyfriend had another caramel apple. I was still babysitting my swamp water. :-). Once we finished our appetizers our food arrived and the presentation was awesome and the taste even better! I tried my boyfriends country fried steak and yum!!! The Mac and cheese was also just as an Amazing not too cheesy and with bits of smoked ham in it. It was perfection. My chicken and waffles were to die for. It had great flavor with the spicy-ness of the chicken balanced out with the marshmallow blue cheese sauce. It sounds weird, but man does it work and the flavors blended so well. We passed on the dessert, but all the choices sounded tempting. I have read all bad reviews for this place and I have to say they were wrongly judged. Swank has not even been open a year and with any new restaurant they have the kinks to workout. I recall yardbird being even more disastrous at the beginning and now they're one of the best places on south beach. My one complaint is that they don't have biscuits on the menu. Lol. Southern style food and biscuits together is like milk and cookies. I also have to say, that with the busy-ness of the restaurant, everyone was working so very hard and trying to help out one another and if people saw how small kitchen was and what the staff had to work with, they would applaud them. I can't wait to go back soon and hopefully they will open for brunch as well. I have to finish off with I have much respect for a new operation that has their floor manager and owner on the floor running food and interacting with their guests. I can't wait to go back! Great job swank!
(4)Rae K.
I read the Yelp reviews extensively and went in braced for disappointment...and left eager to go back! Here is a list of everything I had an opportunity to try: Swamp Water, various beers, Caramel Apple, Swank Old Fashioned, Jack's Honey Tea, Cornbread, Pulled-pork sliders, Shells and Cheese, Half-Order of Beer Can Chicken, Side salad, Blue Chicken and Waffles (I THINK that's everything). Everything was amazing! I didn't notice anything "bad" about the beer can gravy, but I did use it sparingly due to some reviews, the chicken was outstandingly smokey, moist, and tender on it's own. Caramel Apple was too sweet for my alcohol choice, but if you like sugar it may be for you. Shells and cheese was creamy and bacon-y and delicious. The side salad was so healthy and organic tasting we said we could taste the dirt. The Blue Chicken and Waffles was not my thing, but my friends all LOVED it. The best drink was hands down the Swank Old Fashioned followed by the potent Swamp Water (but I am a bourbon person then a tequila person so that makes sense). Jack's Honey Tea seemed as though it was unsweetened tea and my friend actually poured honey whiskey from her own flask to make it more palatable. Pulled pork sliders were juicy and tender and not a must-do but thoroughly enjoyed. The Cornbread is a MUST DO. The sugar-butter spread was great. It was not at all like my Georgia raised grandmother's but it was definitely still excellent-a new twist on cornbread. We did not eat dessert. The bar looked like a great option to grab some excellent adult beverages on a Happy Hour or before heading to somewhere else. Our sever was Kendall (sp?) and she was a sweetheart. We stayed and talked until late and had a true dining experience. We hadn't even left before we agreed that we were all eager to return. Prices were very reasonable although I did spend more than I normally do on a night out, but I had a true experience that was well worth it.
(4)Amber S.
Got there when it was empty ordered and our server didn't put in the food for our 2 yr old son! But never apologized for it. When I told her we didn't need it she said it wasn't a problem and the kitchen was short staffed. That's not my problem! Bring what I asked for. Then getting the check. Geez....never again.
(1)Elizabeth V.
Not sure if we are going back. The place was very nicely decorated, both inside and out. It's in a weird location and the parking is limited but that was ok. The staff seems to be very young and everyone kept excusing themselves because they are in training. It seems like poor staff management. On a Sunday night, no silverware ready or napkins, our server had to go roll silverware while two hostesses just stood there staring at the full tables. Not right! Our appetizers came out and we had no plates ( table of 6 sharing 3 appetizers) nor silverware. Still hadn't gotten our drinks either. Our waitress was extremely nice and excusing herself the whole time. Got there at 7:20 with reservations and didn't get our meals till 9:10 on a Sunday night. I really like the food and the place but if they don't step up the service, they might not be around too long.
(3)Luis S.
Food was good. Service was pretty bad. They didn't bring out food all together and they brought out plates 30mins apart. Place didn't even look that busy. First time eating here so not sure if it's a one time thing. Manager offered no compensation.
(2)Sylvia C.
Was really excited to come here, even with some mixed reviews on Yelp. We sat in the back bar side. Thomas, the bartender took care of us. Felt a little bad for him because he was the only bartender and was taking tables as well and it was a bit busy. He forgot some things, water, a diet coke, but he was busy and told us he worked a double that day. He was super nice, shook both our hands, really sweet guy. Ok..now the food. We had the Mac and Cheese and pork sliders as apps, both delicious! For entrées we had the hanger steak and ribs. Very good. Only complaint about the food was that everything we were served wasn't hot (temp wise). Still it was a good experience, good food, and right next to the crib!
(4)Jennifer Q.
Had a last minute surprise dinner for my bff whos moving away. The staff was sooooo helpful! Fromt the time i called to reserve up all the way to the end. Wyatt and paige i believe were awesome they helped me decorate put away the cake and etc great customer service. The manager on duty ( i think) was helpful as well. Food wise the shells and cheese is reallllly good and i ordered the chicken and waffles, also good my first time trying it. Loved the photobooth they had there, Made for a great experience.
(4)J W.
Different and good food. Excellent service. Different alcoholic drinks, that are great. Southern idea of food makes it good.
(4)Mike E.
We came here for drinks and appetizers. The entree's seemed a little overpriced so we decided we'd try appetizers and if they were good, we'd order entree's. The drinks and appetizers were just flat out meh. Overpriced and not great. Not horrible, but not good enough for the price. We had the Old Fashion Swank, the Swanks Honey Tea, and a couple other specialty drinks. They were kind of inconsistent in how strong and tasty they were, so I'll just say they were "eh". Same goes the appetizers. Had the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Crab Hush Puppies. They were both pretty bad.
(3)Brooke B.
My visit started with the hostess acting rather disgusted by the fact that we weren't happy with the table she wanted to seat us at. The booths have benches that are really far away from the table. The food is expensive for davie! My boyfriend is on a diet and couldn't find anything to eat. He ended up with the porterhouse which was over $35! That is way too expensive for Davie living and it wasn't very good. I asked for a side salad instead of French fries and they forgot and brought out the fries. Overall the food wasn't great, especially not for the prices. This wasn't the restaurant for me...won't go back.
(3)Emily S.
Gun-shot barrel fountain. Check. Clint Eastwood movies. Check. Loud Top 40 Country countdown. Check. Flannel shirt uniforms. Check. Overpriced low-quality food. Check. Mandated "Howdy Y'all" server greeting. Check. Went for dinner when Southern Swank first opened and was so distracted by the obnoxious circus-like atmosphere and below par drink selection that we decided to give it another go. It was right after the initial opening and we saw promise in an establishment trying to find their place in the food desert of Davie. We returned for Sunday Brunch. They decorated the menu with traditional southern favorites and prices seemed reasonable until our semi-absent server had someone else deliver our plates. We order the omelet and fried chicken and biscuits. Nothing fancy and definitely not work the price. It almost looked as if they had used the omelet makers they advertise on late night television. It lacked flavor, texture, and "swank" and only got tolerably better with salt and pepper. Fried Chicken and Biscuits...I did not think this was possible to mess up. For $12, we got a biscuit and a half and one child-palm sized piece of chicken drenched in a pimento cheese sauce that was more watery than creamy. The chicken was of poor quality and granted I obviously wasn't looking for the healthier option upon ordering, but it was a poor cut of dark meat that had been fried and obviously sat for while in the watery pimento juices because it lacked crispness. Overpriced. Overdone. Southern Swank, you COULD be great. There is not another restaurant in the area trying to do what you are so desperately trying to accomplish. Either cut your prices OR deliver higher quality food. But seriously, chill out on the "southern" of your staff and music. It's an overkill and it is quite frankly annoying.
(1)Meg K.
We love everything we have tried here. Green bean cassolette could be it's own meal but it nice as an app or a side dish. The country fried steak is amazing but don't forget to order some of their cornbread.
(5)Elaina M.
We were excited to have a new place in the area and hoped for the best. After 3 dinners there, I can tell you that the food is average, drinks and bar are very nice and atmosphere of the whole restaurant is excellent. If only they could improve the food...dry tasteless corn bread, very tough ribs, over dressed salads. Next time will be only for drinks!
(2)Kathy W.
Service was slow. Our order which consisted of 3 appetizers took over 30 minutes to get. "There was a mixup in the kitchen, sorry". Fried green tomatoes were bland no taste and were like a rock "you must of gotten a bad batch"! The wings were so so and the hush puppies were burnt outside but they were okay on the inside. Gave this place a chance won't be returning. Overrated and overpriced.
(1)Eddie S.
Cool place, great concept and just what we were looking for. Would definitely come back for some cocktails, but the food....eh. Lacks any personality with flavor. The presentation is nice but the main courses are rather bland. The kids meal was awesome but we had the Country Fried Steak and Chicken and Waffles. Not exactly satisfying and lacking some basic spice.
(2)Meli R.
Went to try this place out for the 1st time, with my Groupon offer ($15 for $30). The restaurant itself is beautiful and very trendy. I loved the country music playing while I dined. My server was very sweet and attentive. Now comes the food review: Well, lets just say THANK GOD i purchased the Groupon. I ordered the Country Fried Steak which was cook medium rare? The "sauce" that came on top didn't really offer any flavor. The thin, shoe string fries were just little bits of crunchy fried "things". We ordered the cornbread which was VERY dry....almost as if it was from the day before? the cinnamon butter helped a little, but I was still very disappointed with taste. My boyfriend ordered the baby back ribs, but getting the meat off the bones was just as hard as getting the meat out of crab legs. The baked beans that came with the ribs were just weird...not your grandma's baked beans. It was a weird combination of kidney beans and mexican salsa (but not in a good way). The $6 side of smashed potatoes were mediocre- no "wow" factor. My boyfriend was excited, thinking his entree came with 2 Kings Hawaiian rolls...but NO- just plain ol' dinner roll. Overall this place has soooooo much potential, but they desperately need to change there entire menu around. The prices are too extreme, for the quality of the food. This place cant even compare to "Yardbird" in South Beach...which i think is what they were going for.
(2)Kelsey D.
I think we need more places like Southern Swank around here. It was such a fun and different place to go for dinner and/or drinks. Our waiter was super friendly and honest about what menu items he liked and disliked (which has my vote for a great waiter) and the food was really good! Great fried green tomatoes. The cocktails were delicious too.
(5)Maram B.
Good place for dinner. I had the chicken and waffles plate and it was great.. The sauce was a marshmallow base which was a little rich for me but very flavorful. The service was slow and not all that great. They have a little sitting area outside and a photo booth inside for some pictures.
(4)Zachary K.
Swank brings Miami prices to Davie! Ate here tonight with a groupon and would give this place a solid 3. Had the pulled pork slider appetizer (small but good), hanger steak (again good but pretty small portion for $24), and lastly the free range chicken (again very tasty but at $28 seems expensive for Davie). For two entrees and an appetizer without the groupon would've been over $60. This is simply Miami prices for a little bit better than average food.
(3)Kristin W.
We started with a crab hush puppies. Those were good but nothing amazing. I ordered 2 apps as my main dish, shells and cheese and the pull pork sliders. None of the entrees really seemed interesting to me. The sliders were dry so I asked for some BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce was surprisingly really good! The shells and cheese were good too. My husband got the hanger steak. He enjoyed it but it wasn't amazing. We went on a Wednesday night. There was this live singer, who was not very good. It's a country restaurant, people want to hear country music! The waitress was very nice and sweet. Overall, I don't think I will be back unless their menu changes a bit.
(3)Claudia T.
I liked this place. We had the crab hush puppies as an appetizer. Came out hot and quick. Just the right amount of breading. Soft and flavorful inside. I will def order again. I got the beer can chicken, the half order, which is literally half a chicken. It was so good!! Super moist and the BBQ sauce they have is amazing!! It's like a sweet and sour type sauce. So good, I got extra. The fries and coleslaw it came with were good. But nothing special. My boyfriend got the fish of the day, it was swordfish. I can't remember how he said it was cooked, but it was good. Nothing special though. I would def recommend something more on the southern aside. Next time I go I'll want to try the pork sliders and the short rib meatloaf!!
(5)Susan J.
Was driving by guy on sidewalk with sign about this place walk in and they tell us are closed get it together are you opened or closed tell the guy on your sidewalk disappointed strike 1
(1)Monica T.
Upon walking in, I noticed the cute "swanky" decor and immediately thought I was going to enjoy my time here. The waitress was very nice, but as others have mention, not very experienced. Service was slow(mainly because she forgot to put in our entree) and also it was a Tuesday night. Anyhow, we ordered fried green tomatoes, Mac n cheese n pull pork sliders for starters. All were quite delicious, the pulled pork really had a nice flavor and was really moist. Fried green tomatoes were a bit bland for my taste but the cheese n shells were amazing!! Who can say no to pork belly. We shared the beer can chicken as entree. So yummy and cooked to perfection! I also ordered some cocktails, they were delicious(and a creeper). Be careful what you order, it's somewhat pricy here and you can really rack up a bill at the end of the night.
(4)Nikki C.
Had a really awesome time, cute spot. Tried the chicken and waffles because that's what we were craving... I'd get the sauce on the side. The marshmallow sauce drizzled over it just over powers the whole meal which made for a VERY BAD meal. They should definitely just put all sauces on the side and give you the option. Service was great, a little packed on a Friday night but the server let a try the SHRIMP N GRITS for free for our troubles. I'd definitely give this a try again and at least this time I know what I'm in for with the CHICKEN N WAFFLES.
(3)Janessa A.
Well nothing says Davie more than a country kitchen restaurant.... Definitely feel the southern vibe-something indifferent, artsy,new to the area. Came on Monday night not packed at all so why was the service so slow? Just to bring drinks out I think waitress setup was disorganized some confusion, had two waitresses come to the table. So,lets get down to the food- very good food i have to say shells and cheese were creamy with a touch of bacon and who doesn't love that? Beer can chicken was good ...french fries were seasoned presentation was cool. I have had better chicke and I have had worse. !6.00 for a half a chicken i guess was a decent price maybe a little too pricey for me. Desset- Bread pudding was good topped w a layer of sugared pecans and bourbon--pretty good. Overall I think it is something different-food was good -service could have been better.
(3)Summer R.
I thought this place was ok but not great. I was expecting the restaurant to be a little more high end as far as dressing up. It was a very casual feel...inside was very dark and not as great as I thought it would be. We ordered the Country Fried Steak, Beer Can Chicken, and their Mac & Cheese appetizer. The steak was really good. It had these straw like French fries on top that were considered a "side" but it barely was anything of the such. That is why we ordered the Mac & Cheese which I did enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't like the chicken. It had a dry rub on it and the actual meat was really dry. There was a side of gravy to pour over it and it tasted awful. The chicken came with cole slaw (good) and French fries (not so good). Normally, we get desserts after dinner but didn't feel like risking it there and left after dinner... I probably will not be going here again unless I am forced due to a birthday party or something like that.
(3)Raymond M.
The atmosphere was contemporary like a gastropub, southern modern twist. If you are looking for traditional Southern cuisine this is not the place to find it. It is more of a southern modern fusion of cuisine. While they have your typical chicken and waffles served with a marshmallow sage sauce, you can find hanger steaks as well served with pickled onions, fingerling hash, bacon, horseradish cream and house jus. The menu is not vast but simple and small ranging for their entrées from $14 - $38. Cocktails are whimsical and very good, my wife had Carmel Apple (Carmel moonshine, apple pie moonshine and Carmel cider ) I had Louisiana Swamp Water with gummy worm and dry ice. The cocktails were quite tasty, can't wait to go back and try some more. They have a full bar also if you want to take advantage of that. The bar set up is more of a watering hole for social connections than a sports bar - God only knows how many of those we have in our fair community. My wife had beer can chicken, which is free range chicken served with beer can smokey gravy, hand cut fries and buttermilk slaw. While the chicken was little bit dry, it is also served with ketchup and hot sauce, presented on a wooden cutting board as your plate ($18 for the half portion of chicken)While I had the pork chop and beans, 8 oz grilled sweet tea brined bone in pork chop on a bed of BBQ baked beans, collard greens, topped with house made apple butter. The pork chop was moist and tasted outstanding with burst of flavor that complimented the whole dish ($18). While my wife and I wrote many of reviews for other establishments, I can say that this establishment was a refreshing departure from your typical chain restaurants. Reading some reviews about the cole slaw, IT IS NOT KFC style people! So don't come expecting that from them. If you are looking for that style go to your local KFC and order a double portion for yourself. The cole slaw is freshly made and not saturated in dressing. You can taste all of the components of the slaw and the dressing draws it together by complimenting the meal well by refreshing the palette. Our server was great and noticing all of the others during our meal, they were all cordial and always with a smile. All in all our experience at the Southern Swank Kitchen was great and we will be looking forward to coming back. Was this restaurant a gourmet 5 star? No it it I not. I can safely recommend 4 four stars out of five. Set your expectations accordingly and you will not be disappointed at all. If you looking for a 5 star experience then this is not the place for you, while it is not a dive it is certainly a refreshing departure from the norm with a small menu and whimsical ambiance. We did set our expectation, and we thoroughly enjoined ourselves and our company also. Cheers!
(4)Anne S.
We planned a celebratory dinner here last night and made a reservation for our large group. We arrived early to learn they didn't have the reservation. The pulled a long table tagether pronto. The smells coming from the kitchen were amazing! Our server was frantic trying to get it together but struggling. There was a DJ playing western-themed music at crazy disco level volumne. Why have a horrifically loud DJ in the restaurant when the party people are in the bar??? When we commented about the sound she agreed. We complained several more times before she finally went to the DJ, who turned the music down briefly and then raised it right back up. (We had a family group of 15 and wanted to be able to talk to each other...) When I asked a question about a the Bleu Chicken'n'Waffle with a menu note to ask your server about..., I got a shoulder shrug, "its kinda like chicken with bleu cheese" ( I could have guessed that much.) The food came out in bits and spurts with several "apology" sides sent by the kitchen. The food items were interesting and creative but not all of them hit the mark. For example, the marshmllow sage sauce for the chicken waffles, was an interesting flavor, but a bit sweet and rich for fried chic & bread. The shrimp grits was one of the better hits. The Mac'n'cheese was amazing! The bar couldn't seem to make more than one drink at a time (so we mostly drank water) Suddenly the bill appeared and we were told the kitchen was closed. No head's up in case we wanted coffee and dessert (which by the way we would have ordered)??? The server assumed that with 15 people in the party, we would be splitting the bill and dropped copies of the bill in front of anyone over 30 at the table, leading to several very awkward moments. This place has great potential if they just get their act together.
(3)Sol O.
I'm editing my review because the owner contacted me and informed me that that employee is no longer there. She was very embarrassed and apologetic. I found this to be a gesture of good customer service. Truly not sure if I will return but I will consider it. Unfortunately what's done is done. Started off as a great evening with good friends and good food. Quickly turned into a nightmare. As we sat, didn't realize how late it was when from afar, a worker yelled for us to get the F@$# Out! When we asked to speak to the manager this employee approached us and put his hands on one of us wanting to know why we wanted to speak to the manager and saying that he didn't give a F@$!. Manager apologized as this person continued to talk back to us. I will be going back; BUT only to check if this person is still allowed to work there. Otherwise I will absolutely NEVER return, nor recommend this establishment. It's a shame!
(2)Jeffrey Y.
I'm sorry to say that after my last two visits I am downgrading my initial review from 5 to 3 stars. My last two visits the service was pretty bad, my wife and my orders had serious mistakes, and my last visit on 8/29/14 the food came out to half the table cold. This restaurant has been open over a year and has had time to correct some of the communication issues between FOH and the kitchen but has not really done so. Their food is still executed very well and tastes great but when it sits in the window and comes out to the table cold, there is a problem there. Especially when it after the normal dinner rush on a Friday.
(3)Sarah G.
I had such a fun time at this place. The owner Alex is great to talk to and gave us the best bourbon recommendation. The caramel apple drink is incredible, tart and sweet, plus apple whiskey...A++++. The crab hush puppies were so tasty. You could taste the crab and it had real corn kernels in each bite. This was our first time eating fried tomatoes, and we will be ordering them again. Nice and crispy, with a cornmeal crust and perfect choice of dressing drizzled on top. Just wish the serving was a little bigger, but that's because I wanted more. As for entree, chicken and waffles....OH MY GOD...heaven!!!! The sage marshmallow sauce complements both the juicy fried chicken and hearty belgium waffles. This place just opened so they are still working out some kinks but the food is spot on. Its a bar you eat at and not a restaurant you drink at, if that makes sense. Its a gastropub! Prices are based on the quality which is better than any old bar. The atmosphere was really cool. They had western movies playing on huge flat screen tvs, as well as sports playing and a photo booth. This is a great spot to meet up with friend or have a date night. Already planning my next trip there, and telling all my friends about it.
(4)Alex W.
Waltzed in on accident a few days after their grand opening. It's a short menu, but what I've had from it so far is robust and flavorful. DO NOT OVERLOOK THE SPECIALTY DRINKS OR THE APPETIZERS. If you come just for the entrees, you might be disappointed by the lack of options, but I think they'll probably add some new items in the coming weeks and months. The interior decor is playfully rustic, a combination of what you might find in a barn and a rundown nightclub, but it doesn't come across as dirty or trashy or unappealing. The menu is predominantly Southern comfort food, but with a flair. Calling it an urbanized flair wouldn't exactly be accurate, but this ain't grandma's cooking, is what I'm saying, but you aren't going to be pissed off about the difference. The staff is incredibly friendly, very enthusiastic, personable, and helpful, and the specialty drinks (this bears mentioning twice) are incredible. Personal favorite, the Caramel Apple. Also, try the shells and cheese -- macaroni will never taste the same way again. Fantastic. Can't wait to go back here, actually.
(4)Marie H.
I thought this place was really great and a total breath of fresh air for the Davie area. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, which were delicious but not your typical greasy fried green tomato, a little more upscale as it is topped with spring mix and the texture of the tomato was firmer than I've had, the price of $10 was also a bit much for three slices of fried tomato. That's over $3 a piece. The crab hush puppies were amazing. The pork sliders were also good with an awesome crunch from the cole slaw. The fries were like boardwalk fries which is cool. We also ordered the hanger steak which came out cooked to perfection but again not really worth the $24. We will definitely be back to try the meatloaf and the Mac and cheese though.. My only gripe about this place is that the owner, Alex, I think is his name, was walking around talking to everyone in the room, all friendly and buddy-buddy, but when we tried to talk to him he basically just brushed us off. I thought that was rude and a total turn off. You're not hot stuff just because you are in a three-way partnership over a bar/restaurant in DAVIE. Relax buddy, this ain't L.A. and you aren't Brad freakin' Pitt. SO COOL IT.
(3)Robby M.
Let me start off by saying the atmosphere and decor is great, but that's about all that's great. A party of two, we waited for 15 minutes to have our drink order taken, and then was not provided with sugar for iced tea. The waitress seemed to realize she had started off on the wrong foot and instantly became overly sweet, but it was too little too late. As we looked over the menu we realized that the cheapest thing was $14.......and it was a hamburger. Now, we're not cheapskates but $14 for a hamburger is a little ridiculous. The menus that the overpriced food was on was pretty though. Once we received our food, which was a reasonable amount of time later, the shiny, greasy fries were probably the most appetizing thing on the plate. After eating about half the fries, I realized that this was a mistake and I probably could have received better fries at Wendy's. That's just the fries. The burger had more grease on it than an adolescent who doesn't bathe regularly. The bacon and onion mixture atop the burger was extremely salty. The bun on the burger was stale. After finishing the meal, we paid quickly and left. There was clearly a lot of thought and care put into the design and presentation of the restaurant, but the greasy, overpriced food and subpar service is what really makes Southern Swank a one star.
(1)Krisitna M.
the decor is so CUTE. I have been wanting to try this place for a long time, i finally got to this week & I was not disappointed. Try there moonshine apple with sprite. UMMM can you say yummy.
(3)Howard H.
Don't get me wrong. I think this place is got potential. But as they only just opened for business for a few weeks, I think they still got a lot of work to do First off, the service staff is extreme friendly. Greeted us with warm smiles and kept checking with us if we needed anything. We ordered a draft and a cocktail. The beer came fairly quickly but took a while for the cocktail. Given on a Saturday afternoon at 5pm the place isn't very busy, but imagine how soon would you be getting your drink orders at 10pm on a Saturday night. We ordered a few appetizers which were pretty good. Ordered a shrimp and grits entree and the dish didn't come out warm. I am not asking all my dishes be hot straight out of the kitchen, but the dish was just barely above room temperature so I guess it was sitting on the counter for a while before it was delivered to us. Again not asking for a lot but if the dish costs $21.00, I think it better be terrific. I will probably come back again during happy hour ordering just appetizers.
(3)Tyler D.
The atmosphere here is really cool. It's very southern and swanky ;-), hence the name. The food on the other hand is ridiculously delicious. I've never had home cooking this good in a restaurant. I've had the BBQ pork sliders which were to die for, the chicken and waffles are delicious, the pork belly mac & cheese is amazing, and the crab hush puppies were simply divine. The staff was very friendly and I've only been here twice but each time the food was delicious. I was drinking Buffalo Trace bourbon, and a couple shots of Fireball Whisky... The entire place is clean, neat, and very cool. Don't come for lunch though, because they only open after 5 PM.
(5)Rosie W.
The one star review is for service. While our server was sweet, she immediately walked over while we still sitting down and asked if we knew what we wanted to drink. We haven't even sat yet, we probably would like to at least look over the drink menu! she had no idea about what beers were on the menu or what Jai Lai was. Or what was in the drinks. Were these servers trained?? When we asked what was good, she responded with a response that was like, um everything obviously! Wow, sorry we asked such a stupid question. Then, we were asked if we needed anything every two minutes by the hostesses. There is a difference between monitoring tables and making sure needs are met and literally asking every minute. Halfway through our meal our server asked if we wanted to order dessert. We are all still eating our main courses! Then, once we finished, we waited about fifteen minutes for a hostess to come and give us to go boxes. We had our entire table full of empty dirty plates for about twenty five minutes. We were pretty sure we were forgotten about at this point. Then someone else came to clear all the plates and about ten minutes later our server brings the check. Guess we aren't getting dessert or going to be offered it since we didn't want to order it halfway through our main courses. This is what really made me angry though. One of our party went to the bathroom, and saw our server flirting at the bar. No wonder we hadn't seen her in forever, she was too busy chatting it up with a dude. This whole time waiting, I got to watch the hostesses organize their host stand. They placed every single menu ON THE FLOOR. And what I'm assuming was the manager was talking to them while they had all these menus on the floor. Total disconnect there, and I'm not blaming them. They were young and sweet they didn't probably even think about it. I'm blaming the manager type looking person standing right there directing them. The food was ok, nothing exciting. For as not busy as it was when we went, we had to endure awful service. Listen, I'm not hard to please. I had been a server for a decade and been a manager at of one of the busiest restaurants in Miami, and I of all people will be easy going and I don't require anything special. But if one of my servers did this at my restaurant, I would have been mortified. This server needs to be trained to have proper knowledge of the beers and drinks, o yes and the menu as well since she didn't have answers to some questions. But most importantly, learn some STEPS OF SERVICE, and don't go off flirting for twenty minutes at a time when you have tables on the floor. Successful restaurants don't just have excellent food, they have excellent service. You want your guests to come back, then make sure they have a memorable positive experience.
(1)Gigi P.
Love this place the food, drinks, and service was great. Coming back for sure! New favorite place
(5)Sandy V.
Really liked the crab hush puppies and that sauce it comes with! The chicken and waffles come with this marshmallow sauce that really compliments the dish!The bread pudding was delicious ( not as good as Michys bread pudding) but I will definitely be ordering it every time we come.
(4)Jessi M.
Last night I met a few friends for dinner, which would have been better if we would have just planned for drinks. We came in around 7:15 and there was a wait of 30-45 minutes for a table (the staff blamed it on the band). So we sat at the bar and decided to wait for the table. After about 25 minutes we asked the hostess how much longer of a wait it would be and she said there were 4 people ahead of us and that it would be 30 minutes so we decided to just order food at the bar. I was surprised at how big the restaurant was because it doesn't look all that big in the photos. Despite the size, as the band was setting up it was VERY loud. This is definitely not a sit down atmosphere where you can enjoy the chef inspired southern cuisine. It was more of a bar type atmosphere to order some drinks, since I don't drink and we came for dinner this was a disappointment. Even sitting far away from the stage it was hard to hold a conversation. All that aside, the wait staff was friendly even though they were super busy and it took a while to get their attention. We decided to order the Yelp offer of the Chicken & Waffles which came out just as expected. The marshmallow sauce was to die for and I'm told the dish was pretty spectacular all together. I had the Shrimp & Grits which were so-so. They must have changed since pictures were uploaded on here (I put a new one). The grits were a little watered down and slightly bland and the shrimp tasted like, well, shrimp. The dish all together was pretty good though. I just wish it were a little bigger for $14. Either way, I liked the experience and I thought it was super cool that they have a photobooth. Definitely a cool place to check out, especially if you are looking to meet up with friends for drinks after class.
(3)Claudia O.
Just had an amazing dinner at Swank Southern Kitchen! Started with crab hush puppies and wow they were good. I have rarely eaten a hush puppy but these were very good. We also had the Mac and cheese with pork bits in it and were not disappointed. Very tasty. My husband ordered the St. Louis ribs and he loved them! Great dry rub that kept the meat moist. I had the chicken and waffles with a marshmallow sauce. Also very good. When I make fried chicken I make it a little spicier but that's just personal preference. We couldn't decide on dessert so we ordered both the Mississippi mud brownie AND bread pudding. We both preferred the bread pudding, kids at home will eat the brownie. My husband had the apple caramel moonshine and I the mint julep. I'm going back for the moonshine for myself. We had a terrific server named Alicia. All servers were great. Water always filled and we were checked on without being bothered. I recommend Swank Southern Kitchen!!!! Great place for a group dinner or just two. Looking forward to them having music in future.
(4)Stuart S.
Walked in, liked the decor. Nice ambiance. Ordered only drinks and appetizers, I had the Swamp Water. Which was nice, like a blueberry mojito, girlfriend had chronic tonic, with vodka, not much to mention about that. Had shrimp and grits; which had a very very nice flavor, the pulled pork was also very tasty, and tender, finally crab hush puppies were nothing fantastic but the sauce was addictive. Will be going back to have drinks at the bar.
(4)Carlucci L.
The food was good... but.... I think it was way overpriced for the TYPE of food you get. Yes, the decor is pretty inside... but I don't think I'll be coming back...
(2)Charina F.
Went by on Saturday (Oct. 23rd) for the "Swankenstien" (very clever name ;)) Halloween party and have lots to comment on, which is the reason for my review. For one, my girlfriends and I had an awesome time. We got to dress up, have a yummy dinner at a cool restaurant, walk two steps to the bar for drinks, and two steps over to dance! Let's begin with dinner-- we ordered the shells and cheese, fried green tomatoes, sliders, beer can chicken and fries. The shells and cheese were uh-mazing. Granted, to say I love cheese is an under statement, but they were creamy, and cheesy and delicious. The fried green tomatoes were also very good; fried to a crisp and whatever they drizzled on there was really good too. The pulled pork sliders were also a hit at the table. I'm not much of a pork eater, however the girls were begging me to try and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. They weren't "porky".. If that makes sense. In any event, they were sweet and had some pickled spices that gave them a good kick. The beer can chicken was tied for first (with shells and cheese). It was smoky, and VERY flavorful, not like your typical rotisserie chicken. It came it a really big and cute presentation with fries, the sauce in a beer can, and a side of cole slaw. The cole slaw was just like any other cole slaw... The fries were hot and crispy and also had a nice kick of spice that was tasty! At the end of dinner our Wonder Woman waitress brought us each a complimentary "spooky" cupcake which of course, we thought was adorable. Onto the drinks-- we walked over to the bar for some raspy lemonade and swamp water that we heard many people in the restaurant talking about. The referee bartender made us that in addition to a "special" shot that tasted like a big red gum= delish! Needless to say, we were ready for some dancing. They had a really cute stage set up with a DJ dressed up as a witch (the entire restaurant was very nicely decorated with Halloween stuff). We danced by the bar and into the photo booth were we took a million pictures in our costumes along with all the cute props they had set up in the basket. I think we may have made it onto the "swank bank". Look out for Las Vegas show girls! ;) Will definitely be back soon!
(5)S M.
The dishes on the menu look good, however the dishes I tried weren't the best. The shrimp and grits were over done. Not over cooked but too many garnishes. Tomatoes, fried chips, cold pickled green beans. It just ruin the dish. The smashed potatoes were dry. The greens were good, but the chicken fried stake though a large portion just wasn't well seasoned and all the food was warm, not hot. I didn't understand that since the place wasn't crowded. I hoped for the best but was disappointed. I may try the brunch, since I didn't get a chance to taste the chicken and waffles yet and it's pretty hard to screw up breakfast. Overall this place wasn't horrible, but for the price I paid for the food it was way below my expectations.
(2)Julia S.
I was so excited to try this place. I'm a big foodie and when I went I was sadly disappointed. It was a beautiful sunday afternoon and they had seating outside available so the hostess sat us and told us "someone would be right with us." We waited 10mins and then went back inside informing the hostess that no one acknowledged us, so we would take a table inside. We heard the servers arguing over who would take the table and then we finally got greeted. It's $15 bottomless mimosas so I order that my boyfriend ordered a blue long island, they were $5. It took another 10mins for his drink to come. The food wasn't anything special. Ordered the chicken and waffles and it was falling off the plate when it was presented at the table. We asked for a manager and he came by spoke to us and said he would take care of us...he took $8 off the bill. Thank you southern swank kitchen, maybe some other time...or never again.
(1)Tina G.
I had a very pleasant meal tonight with my server Fallon. We got offered the specials as soon as we were greeted at the table. We ended up getting the 50% off the reserved wine list. It was delightful. We also had the shells n cheese for our side dish, so yummy! We couldn't decide on what to have for the main course and she suggested the hanger steak and country fried steak. The hanger steak was bomb, one of the best steaks I've had but the country fried steak was still a bit greasy, but the potatoes that came with it were great. She also made a point to offer us a dessert but we were too full and we're going to definitely try it next time. All over, a great experience! Definitely will be coming back!
(4)Carlos D.
The Southern concept has never really sat easy with me. This genre of food that includes biscuits, gravy, shrimps, grits, and fried chicken doesn't feel like it naturally complements each other as much as I'd like. That said, starving in Davie the other night, I chanced upon a little slice of Wynwood in the suburban desert. Southern-themed, but beautifully decorated, Swank wouldn't seem out of place in Williamsburg. If the food were bad, I'd still be thankful to enter a such an interesting space. But here's the thing, the food isn't bad, it's pretty damn great. I'm a sucker for execution. In every piece of Swank I encountered, from the menu selections (not too many, but not too confusing either), to the portions, to the appetizers and desserts - it reeked of careful planning and preparation, optimized to offer the perfect Southern experience. Highlights include: Monk in the Trunk on draft, Templeton Rye, and Crab Hush Puppies. I'd undoubtedly be a regular here if it weren't in Davie, but I at least now know where I'm eating next time I'm around those parts.
(5)My-Oanh N.
It's a very cute restaurant. The decor is adorable. My boyfriend and I went for dinner on a Friday night, which is when they do their $2 Fireball whiskey shot specials. There was about a half an hour wait to seat us two. While we waited the manager offered us free beverages. Their sweet tea is delicious, the pork sliders were yummy. I had the filet mignon which wasn't anything special however it was cooked to my liking. My boyfriend had the blue chicken and waffles which were very good. Although the server was not very attentive, we will be returning to try more things from their menu :)
(3)Gabriela C.
The only reason I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was decent. The service on the other hand was a nightmare. It was so bad that another table next to us was refusing to pay their bill and the cops had to come. I wish I could have refused to pay also. Our server was rude, our food took forever, and when the food finally came out, the last meal was 25 min behind the first one. We spoke to the manager who must have spoken to our server, and instead of apologizing or just not saying anything, he made a point to say "you didn't really wait 15 min for bbq sauce it was more like 5." Next time I want bbq I'll make sure to go to Arby's.
(2)Diane H.
Mmmm outstanding menu, great food, lovely atmosphere, and exceptional service! It's dark inside with lots of great art. The 2 rooms were fairly large and there were 2 bars I believe. The menu had a lot of good food too that you can always expect from a gastropub! I had a beer can chicken dish which was a half chicken smoked and served with gravy made with PBR. the chicken was juicy and the only thing I can complain about were my soggy fries. Otherwise my friends Mac and cheese and fried chicken were ON SPOT. They did in out of a few salads thought which was interesting becUse it wasn't that late when we got there but they happily came over and told us about other dishes. I also say good service cuz we made friends with the waitress! She was so energetic and friendly which put our whole group in a good mood. She got us to order shots but they were pretty frikin weak...very nommy but weak. Otherwise, this is prob going to be my favorite (and only) local gastropub!
(5)Eva M.
Needs experienced staff 911. The Mac n cheese was pretty on-point flavorwise but I feel as if I would have better things to say about it had it come out of the kitchen at some point before the manager realized my food order never made it to the kitchen. The delightful pork belly garnishing was its saving grace. Was given a free salad after the meal finally came out as an apology (weird touch) but it was incredible as far as salad wedges go. The ranch dressing was homemade, and what I mistakingly took as croutons were a juicy pork belly surprise that mixed well with the avocado. I will go again to give it another opportunity. I went on a very busy Friday night and was able to find a seat at the bar fairly quickly. The bartender announced she could not offer an opinion on some of the appetizers we inquired about, seeing as to how she did not permanently work there and was most mainly vegan. Nothing says the antithesis of southern cuisine like a vegetarian bartender. It is worth mentioning the staff felt bad, alerted the manager, and he was very apologetic and comped a round of drinks for us.
(3)B H.
The staff is ok, not the most detail oriented...our server rang in the wrong order for one of our items. The decor is cool. The food and drink is extremely lacking. The brisket was cooked really well, but the bun it was served on was soggy. The fries were great. The green bean casserole thing was disgusting...like should not even be served gross, with drippy cheese and oil filling up most of the dish. My boyfriend ordered the Funky Buddha IPA and ended up sending it back because it tasted, well, funky. I ordered an Old Fashion and it was not made correctly...way too sweet. Overall, I would not recommend, nor will I be going back.
(2)Joshua A.
Decent food, bad service... 50/50 on going back. The service was utterly, truly terrible! We went with a groupon (which said nothing about needing reservations). We were forced to sit at the bar because we didn't have a reservation, even though half the tables were empty the whole two hours we were there. At the bar it took 10 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us, once they did we ordered a few "specialty" drinks. They were good but nothing special or spectacular. When we mentioned having a groupon they looked at us like extraterrestrials but said that was fine. We ordered appetizers, the cornbread and fried green tomatoes were VERY good, but small portions (3 slices of tomatoes and a 3x3 of cornbread). When we were ready to order they told us we could not order entrees from the bar (even though the hostess said we could and so did the bartender when we mentioned the groupon). After asking 3 people they agreed to let us order but could not guarantee how long it would take. After waiting long enough to have another round of drinks (good but not special) we got our food. The chicken and waffles were very good (though our neighbor at the bar got undercooked chicken), worth going back for (even with the bad service). The cowboy steak was also very good, but nothing about it was overly out of this world, they were served with a heap of overly fried fries. The sweet pepper hot sauce was the only thing that saved them. Overall it was a bad experience made a little better by some good food.
(3)Jonelle P.
I've been passing by this place on my way home for the past couple of months, and have been dying to get inside. After reading the reviews, I decided to go on a weekday when I knew it wasn't going to be busy. The decor and atmosphere is very welcoming. The food choices are very interesting. I ordered the chicken and marshmallow waffles, and it was delicious but very sweet.
(4)Ken R.
If you don't mind waiting 45 min for a burger this is your place. The management makes a lot of excuses for the slow kitchen . They need new management . The wait staff and kitchen are doing the best they can but something has changed and they can't handle a crowed!! Too bad .... Was a nice local place
(1)Robert A.
I went to Swank earlier this week with a friend. We both walked up to the bar and were able to find seating without much of a wait. The bartenders were friendly and as attentive as we needed, and they were speedy to serve us our orders and never skipped a beat. The food was awesome. We ordered a few of the appetizers which were the mac n cheese (on the menu it's the Shells n Cheese) and the Pork Sliders. Both were delicious. The presentation was great on the cutting board, branded. Great drinks and great food are all we could have asked for. We definitely want to come back again on a different night and see how the night plays out, but definitely coming back very often.
(5)Alexander E.
Came by this evening for Dinner, and as usual this place never dissapoints , Cowboy Steak, crab hush puppies, mac and shells , corn bread , meatloaf!!!! AWESOME!!!!
(5)Leslee G.
I don't usually do this but I felt the need to share my experience here for the second time. My boyfriend and I tried this place about 8 months ago. When we walked in, the hostess told us there'd be a 30-45 minute wait. There were at least 5 open tables. So we waited and looked around at all the empty tables only to see that another 2 top walked in without reservations and got seated immediately. The food was good but by the time we ate, the meal experience was already ruined. So we decided to try it again tonight. Thinking that maybe things would be different. We really liked the food and they were newly opened when we went so we hoped that the place would've improved. Low and behold, we walked in and were once again told there would be a 30 minute wait for two. Mind you, there were at least 4 tables and a booth open. The hostess, who spoke very insecurely told us that they were short staffed and had a huge party but basically begged us to stay. I worked in the food industry for over 10 years and I cannot understand how this place is still in business. I don't mind waiting, if a wait it needed. As they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. We will never go back here and I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)Sheryl K.
Ate there last week with the family - had a groupon and had been meaning to try this place so we found ourselves there on a Tuesday night for dinner - very cute place - music was too loud but that's ok. Food was a little overpriced but if it would have delivered what I expected I wouldn't complain. Smoked chicken green bean skillet appetiZer was excellent - I would go back just for that and the watermelon salad which was yummy. However - our entrees were not that good. Son has the chicken and waffles which should have been amazing- waffles yummy as well as sage marshmallow Drizzle but the chicken was too fatty to eat. I understand they use chicken thighs but when I make them at home I buy skinless boneless thighs and I still trim the fat. The hanger steak was way too salty and my husband's ribs were stingy on the neat, he was still hungry! I would try again because I loved the idea of the place, maybe the chef had an off night?
(3)Fernando G.
Wow. The food was great and the service was pretty good too. My wife and I ate here last week and it was awesome, I mean like "last-meal-on-earth" awesome. I had the chicken and waffles. It was perfect. And that marshmallow sauce... I'm finding myself drooling as I type this just thinking about this dish. We also had the fried green tomatoes and the shells-n-cheese. I could eat the shells-n-cheese for every meal for the rest of my life and die a happy man. Definitely going back to try some of the other things on the menu.
(5)Chris S.
Went there for the first time last Sunday for brunch. The Apple Stuffed French Toast was phenomenal, the southern omelette was just so-so, but what made the meal was the biscuits with sharp cheddar butter and bacon jam...yum! We will come back but I think next time we want to come for dinner, the dinner menu looks really good. I love that everything is home cooked.
(4)Enrique C.
Southern Swank Kitchen's delicious food, friendly staff, and great service will always amount to a pleasing dining experience. This is definitely a spot you need to experience. Pulled pork sliders and the mac and cheese were it for me. Go order that right NOW!!!!
(5)Catherine P.
Southern Swank kitchen is a great find! Service was friendly, atmosphere was great and the food was awesome. The Crab Hush Puppies were amazing. The Mac and Cheese Holy cheesy goodness!!! Yum. Yum. Yum. Chicken and waffles with blue cheese so tasty. Looking forward to my next visit!!
(3)Shante L.
If your starving I wouldn't recommend going because the portions are small.But the food itself is absolutely delicious!!!! The restaurant is very nice and trendy, I would definitely go again just eat before I go. The staff was very nice and friendly and well versed with the menu. The drinks are strong as hell and put you out (which is not a bad thing) I would recommend the hanger steak and the chicken and waffles!!!! My favorite starter was the fried green tomatoes.
(4)Chelle M.
Pretty good place. Atmosphere is more country chic than country BBQ - no BBQ on menus actually. It has nice big TVs to watch a game if it's your season. The food wasn't to die for but definitely good. Had crab hush puppies that were good with the sauce. I had the fish (salmon)with black eye peas and greens. Salmon was wonderful perfectly seasoned with slight crisp around edges. The green though could have been more - No real flavor but ok when you mix it with other stuff. Boyfriend had the chicken and waffles he said were pretty good and he's had them at a lot if places. Now the drinks were. Great I had the raspy lemonade it's like a raspberry mojito kinda - delicious ! Bf had signature swamp drink it was cool with the dry ice and green color it also tasted very good. In essence -- nice decor great drinks ! Not the place if you want soul food but good food. A little more pricey that any country themed place I've ever been but would recommend to try at least once.
(3)Chris R.
Service was the worst I've ever encountered. Waited an hour an fifteen minutes for chicken and waffles before having to get up and walk out. Every time we would try to find the server he would make eye contact and hide in the kitchen or a back room. We spoke with a manager who said he would get our food but after another 20 minutes we gave up. I looked forward to eating here and after being a server for a number of years I am sympathetic to servers but this whole experience was the worst I can ever recall. Drinks were ok. Can't comment on the food because we were never served. ...
(1)Stephanie L.
Great place for drinks and great food with friends.. Inside is loud, but a fun atmosphere for a group gathering. No complaints when it came to the food except that it did take a little while to get, but worth the wait. Very friendly service as well.. Will defenitly go back :)
(4)Sara L.
Went to Swank on the recommendation of my sister. My husband and I are very southern being that he is from Texas and Im a hometown Davie girl. Swank is TRYING to be southern, but they need to up the hospitality and maybe work on some more experienced servers, Both the husband and I are in the industry and have been in both the server and management positions. Walking in, the entrance is a little obscured. There are two entries, and one is a "side" door where the courtyard is. If I didnt know better, I would have believed this was the main and been confused upon entry. The host was very sweet and accommodating, offering to seat us on the other side of the restaurant. Upon being sat, they give out two menus and a drink menu that we looked at but was never guided to. What I believe was a manager checked to see if we had been greeted after a few minutes, when we had not, he got our drink order and assigned us a server, who was behind us at another table, and then disappeared for a while to get the other table situated. Upon returning, she simply took our order. No suggestive sell and I never got a name. Our drinks were delivered and it was simply that. More along the lines of being an order taker and not really a "Hospitality" that is expected from Davie or a place boasting "Southern" theme. *Shells & Cheese = Creamy and tasty, however, my mac and cheese loving husband didnt necessarily enjoy it. 4 out of 5 on that one. *Fried Green Tomatoes = Tasty and Amazing. Portion is very small for an app and the price point ($10 for three tomatoes?) but overall very good. *Ribs = Not my favorite, but they were decent. Husband said they were a little spicy and SUPER SWEET. * Hanger Steak = This was rather disappointing for the steak lover that I am. The hanger was more along the lines of a thick Churrasco than a Hanger. Ordered medium, it came out more MW and was definitely on the Pittsburgh (charred) side. The sauce on it was very flavorful,however was blobbed on the center of the steak instead of a nice even layer to accommodate for added flavor. Potatoes were bland at best Dish could have used salt, however there was none on the table and we didnt have a check back until our meals were gone. *Beer & Tea were good. Bill was $80.00 (Thats with the tip) and honestly, it wasnt a stellar meal. Maybe 7 out of 10 on the ranking. Might come back for some snacks and pick at some apps...But overall for the price point, we can find better places. Best advice I can give is, enjoy the specials (Penny Wine, $4 drinks, ect...) but its not a staple place being the price point and quality/quantity of the food. Small apps. Servers need to push on table turns, multitasking and most importantly that Southern Hospitality of engaging your guest. Good Luck!
(3)Barbara G.
Very overpriced food. Many of my friends were raving about this place, so I decided to try it. Very disappointed, will never go back, very loud, could barely hear my friends, the waitress taking my order or myself think. Left with a head ache and hungry at that. The Mac n cheese was good but the chicken wings were pink on the inside, the chicken and waffles were not that great (waffles were cold and chicken had no flavor and the marshmallow sauce was overwhelming bad) the bucket of fries tasted like pure salt (thought my heart was going to stop). Save your money and eat at the Mexican restaurant down the street or at a real southern spot called "yardbird" in Miami beach
(1)Maritza C.
So excited we got a nice restaurant in the Davie area for those times u wanna eat out but don't want to drive all the way down to Miami or Ft Lauderdale for a decent dinner... Well, not that exciting anymore. I was really hoping the previous reviews were wrong and written too harshly by undercover food critics but... They were right!! It's such a shame this place left me disappointed, it ha so much potential!! First, coming in u enter the bar area which is large, u take in the space, the decor and say wow, this is gonna be good! Friday night with my son and they have live music, guy on his guitar singing, GREAT! Entrance is a little awkward cause the hostess stand is around the corner and unless you've been there before you're not quite sure where to go. We are directed to our seats and our waitress comes, nice and sweet enough. Takes out order. Our food comes pretty quickly. We ordered the wings to start and they were the best thing we ordered!! Sweet and spicy and an amazing blue cheese sauce! Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. Ordered the Cobb salad which had 1 fried scotch quail egg and 3 cubes of avocado of which I asked for more and the waitress was happy to oblige I just don't think I should've had to ask for more, it should've come with it. We also ordered the shrimp and grits which I was the most excited about and most disappointed about as well... It had absolutely no flavor!! :-(. The shrimp were a tad greasy and left little pools where they were nestled into the grits which my son usually loves but refused to eat. To top it all off it was so cold in there we were shivering, if they took it a little easier on the a/c then they may be able to charge less... Overall $40 for 3 dishes for mother and son including tip and that was with the free appetizer offer from yelp and no alcohol!! I gave my son the choice to go and eat at the food trucks tonight or come here and he chose this place. When we finished he said we should've gone to the trucks!! :-(
(2)Michael K.
Its deceivingly expensive. Dishes are small but artfully arranged. Food is overly salted for the most part. Decor is nice but its an odd building in an odd location that doesn't seem to fit. Our server was attentive.
(2)Susan M.
We went tonight because it was a new place and we had a Groupon. We made reservations but when we arrived we were told we had to wait. They said they weren't usually this busy on a Thursday night. Luckily we only had to wait 10 minutes. They had a new bartender and it showed Took a long time to get drinks at the bar and at the table. The fried green tomatoes were bland and no flavor to the breading/coating. The sauce was good. The ribs were good, liked the sauce but they were lukewarm. The fries were limp and also lukewarm. The hangar steak was $25 and worth maybe 1/2 the price. There was no demi-glaze on top of the meat, as stated in the menu and there was no flavor to the meat. The fingerling hash browns were only sliced fingerlings with no flavor. The positive was the staff was very friendly and the management listened to our complaints and gave us a small discount on our check. The decor and ambiance was very nice We will probably not be returning.
(2)Casey M.
Oh boy.. not sure where to start or stop with this one. Unfortunately, the night that we went they were insanely short staffed, so the whole evening was tainted with SLOW service. However, when we did get service they were nice enough. So, all the food tasted ok, but for the price they are asking I just don't think it's that good. I would probably skip entrees and just do appetizers. Best part of the night for my husband and I were the fun drinks (the caramel apple is awesome), but no one ever stopped by to offer us a second round! I think that most likely the lack of waitors was a fluke that will get fixed, but there was nothing great enough to cause us to come back.
(3)Heather M.
This review comes from a true Southern gal who grew up in Charleston, SC with some of the best Southern food known to man-kind. Now, I don't consider "South Florida" as part of the United States "South", so I was a little apprehensive after hearing mixed reviews about Swank from friends. After enjoying an incredibly delicious meal there, I can proudly say Swank is the real-deal for good Southern cuisine. My boyfriend and I went there for an early dinner on a Thursday night right after I got off work. We started off with cocktails. It was hard to choose because they all sounded great (and are VERY reasonably priced compared to many drinks you would get in the area). I decided on a Raspy Lemonade (dangerously good!) and he got a Caramel Apple moonshine drink (very sweet, but it definitely tasted like a caramel apple without the sharp "bite" you can get from a lot of moonshines). After ordering drinks, we moved on to the dinner menu. I read down the menu exclaiming "Oh no..." after every single item because I knew the further down I read, the harder it was going to be to decide what I wanted to order. Everything sounded delicious. We decided to get a few small plates and share. We had fried green tomatoes, chicken and biscuits with a gator andouille sausage gravy, and the St. Louis Ribs. The ribs were tender with a nice tangy sauce on them. The fried chicken that came with the biscuits was perfectly crispy and not at all greasy. Usually you can only get that kind of fried chicken in your dreams. The gravy was very flavorful and the texture of the gator was very tender - not chewy like it can get after cooked. Those two dishes were great, but the star of the dinner were the fried green tomatoes. Ladies and gents, please note again that this review is coming from a true Southern woman, I can confidently say those fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had in my life. The cornmeal didn't fall apart or slide of the tomatoes, they weren't greasy, and the creole remoulade didn't overpower the taste of the tomatoes. Nothing short of utter perfection. As God as my witness, I shall never go hungry (for good Southern food) again!
(5)Daniel T.
Not many places serve collards or black eyed peas around here anymore (if so, please do tell!). Also, this place is not a chain and I encourage that. I've eaten here several times and have not been disappointed. The country fried steak is great.
(4)Marilyn M.
The place was pretty empty for a Saturday night. I now know why. It's nice inside but just a huge room with little atmosphere. Our waitress was slow and goofy and had very little knowledge of the menu. Very pricey for what you get. One lady in our party didn't get her meal until the rest of us were done eating!! They burnt her meatloaf. One lowly piece of meatloaf slapped on a pile of mashed pumpkin. Glad I ordered the country fried steak, although it was really pricey and a thin pretty tough steak. Expensive meals don't come with a veggie beside the starch, they're ala cart. Fried green tomatoes were as hard as a rock and bland. Crab hush puppies were very fishy. To end all, the manager offered free dessert to comp for the late meal for our friend. She asked the waitress twice if they could leave the pecans off the mudslide and the waitress assured her it would be done. You guessed it!! the mudslide ( which requires a 15 minute wait time when ordering) arrived covered in pecans!!!! They took it back and the waitress brought a selection of two already prepared crappy looking desserts for her to chose from. My bread budding was floating in an inch of butter. When the bill came, the manager only comped us for two of our crappy desserts!! Probably people have had a great meal here, but we sure didn't and for $140.00 for 4 people ( no alchoholic drinks) it was way over priced. Could easily get the same meal but much much better and way cheaper at CRACKER BARREL!!
(1)Helene L.
Very good food-except coleslaw- and great service. Decor very nice. Bbq beer chicken smoked well and chicken waffles. Don't leave without dessert'n
(3)Janice D.
I read the reviews prior to going here so I wasn't sure what to expect, which was a good thing because my expectation were minimal. I enjoyed my experience at the Swank and the loud country music did not bother me since I was too busy trying to eat. I was seated and serviced immediately. The starters came out pretty quickly, the entree and dessert didn't come out as quickly. I had several different dishes the Crab Hush Puppies (okay), Shrimp and Grits (loved it better than Yardbird I think), Cornbread (good), Meatloaf (didn't like it in the beginning but it ended up being okay), Chicken and Waffles (loved it), bread pudding (delicious) and Caramel Apple drink (love it but needs a little more liquor). My overall experience was great, the only thing I had a problem with was the long drive but it was worth the trip. I will make another trip here and next time with a group of friends.
(5)Elenis C.
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!! I had the country friend steak and my husband had the chicken and waffles. WOW SO GOOD!! We went on the first night that they had some local artists singing live country music and it was very cool. The owner was nice and again the food was sooooo delicious. I wish I could have some right now and I wish they were closer to my house. Must try this place if you are nearby!
(5)Joshua B.
Walked in at 615pm on a Saturday and place 1/4 full. They see my 4 yr old and decide that we deserve a table for 2 with an extra chair rather then 1 of the 5 available tables for 4, so not a great start. Server was excellent I can say that as positive, hostesses not so much. End of the day the food was not great. Fried green tomatoes were undercooked, crab hush puppies smelled like crab but no crab to be found. Gravy on country friend steak was super salty, batter was very good. Desert was presented well but bland (carrot cake). Drinks were excellent, quality and funky mixed drinks. A star for drinks and star for server. Ps. Even kids chicken fingers were dry and bland. Too bad.
(2)Earl K.
The beer chicken I had was undercooked. The cole slaw was ok. The Mac and cheese was the best thing I had. But what got them a one star was Mark the general manager and his lack of professionalism. I attempted to use a groupon that I purchased. The waitress asked me for my groupon number and I gave it to her. Thinking everything was fine I redeemed it on my phone before she could make it to the computer. She then comes over and tells me the groupon number isn't working. I show her where it says redeemed exactly 2 min after she leaves my table originally with the groupon number. Then Mark the general manager comes over and tells me it's my fault for redeeming it before she could put it in the system and he won't honor my groupon. I'm like are you kidding me! Before that he insults my integrity by asking "are you sure you haven't used this before?" It took everything in me not to give him a verbal smacking. He stated he had to make a call to the owner to see if they would honor it. In thinking, why do you have to call the owner, aren't you the general manager!!! He resolved it but it took an additional 30 min. It was a waste of my time for what amounted to $15 in savings. I will never go here again and will encourage the hundreds if people that I know to never go here and to spread the word/truth about this place.
(1)Jonny E.
Chicken came out cold twice and undercooked on the inside. The owner/manager came back to apologize after the first time it came out cold and offered us a free dessert to compensate (which it never really does). Waiting for the waitress to drop and pick up the check took almost 40 minutes, when it wasn't even that busy! Food was average and the menu wasn't impressive. Unfortunately, I won't be going back anytime soon.
(1)Amy C.
Incredible food!! This is fancy southern. We had shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork sliders, wings and corn bread. There were also fun, inventive drinks. It's a must-go!!
(5)Michelle L.
Not worth it...prices are wrong on menu and the 30% off is for chicken & waffles only even though it says no where on the menu or in the ad!! Won't be back!!! Sorry Oscar but your wine prices are different we were charged $2 more per glass and had to tell the server about the discrepancy!! Also if the coupon was only towards chicken & waffles wouldn't your wait staff be aware of this and not have pushed the redeemed coupon when it was obvious we did not eat chicken & waffles... Just sayin'!!!!
(1)Michelle F.
I was very excited to go on a date night with my boyfriend to Swank. I had been to the other "southern style" restaurants in Miami so the bar was set pretty high. In lieu of of some of the negative comments we had read on here, we went with an open mind and a huge appetite. Let's start with the service, I won't say terrible because our server was a very sweet girl but I find it unacceptable to be seated for nearly 10 minutes without anyone taking our drink order. The restaurant was fairly empty, most of the staff was hanging out in the back of the restaurant chatting or at the bar chatting with the bartenders. I was ready to walk out when our waitress finally approached our table. Then another 10 minutes passed before our drinks arrived, the bar maybe had 2 patrons & there were 2 bartenders chatting with other staff, so not sure my my Raspy Lemonade and my boyfriends 8oz bottled coke took that long. My drink was tasty and appropriately served in a mason jar. I thought the sodas being served in a bottle was also a nice touch, however at $2.50/ 8oz bottle it is way too steep for the area. Just pour it over ice in a mason jar & offer free refills. My disappointment came with our food. We started with the shells and cheese. Again keeping with the southern-country theme, it came in a cute little cast-iron skillet. Yes it was creamy but warm at most, i expected piping hot, i had to make sure i scooped up a piece of bacon with each bite otherwise the pasta itself was bland. We didn't finish it because ultimately it was too cold and bland. For dinner the waitress recommended I go with the blue chicken and waffles, my boyfriend ordered the meatloaf and our sides were cornbread and fries. Sadly, the best part of our dinner may have been the cornbread. My blue chicken and waffles were again, warm at most. I expect my food to be hot, especially when i cut into it. Although the buffalo sauce the chicken is tossed in was flavorful, my chicken was warm almost too cold to enjoy, it was very chewy, almost tough. The waffles were not crispy, also warm not hot. The dish tasted like it may have been left over from last night's service and was nuked just enough to take the cold off from being stored in the fridge. My food was too cold to finish eating it Or maybe it just sat there until one of their servers decided to interrupt their conversation & bring our food. My boyfriend's meatloaf was more like a meatball sitting in a bed of, warm sauce. His fries were salty and soggy, at 16$ for this entree thats acceptable, oh and 6$ for the soggy fries. We didn't bother to complain, we couldn't really designate a manager anyway. For being a fairly new restaurant on a slow night I expected for a manager to go around each table & ask how service was but we didn't see any of that. At the end of our meal we paid $64 plus tip because our server was friendly but left unsatisfied due to our extremely overpriced, sub-par dining experience. I have better food and better service at our local Flanigan's than here. It is a shame because it is a very nice establishment. Their staff needs further training, their menu needs revamping to accommodate the steep pricing for the area it is located in. Otherwise I do not see a bright future for Swank.
(1)Dean W.
okay...I am definitely one who looks at reviews first before I try a place I've never been to before. A lot of reviews give this place a negative for a few reasons so I almost didn't go but glad we did and here's why. A lot of reviewers say the service isn't up to par and not good. We had a young lady who was our waitress who was fantastic. The place has a bar side on the left and a smaller bar on the right with a lot of tables and booths to eat at. The bar side does have about 2 booths but mostly high-tops to sit at which we didn't want. Seated the four of us right away with no reservation around 8 o'clock on a Saturday night. A waitress came to take our drink order within 2 minutes and explained the specials to us mostly for the drinks since we hadn't even opened the menu yet. Now, some say the waitress ignored them when they needed a refill on water. Ours left a carafe of ice cold water on our table so no problem there. Next, explained the food specials when she brought our drinks. Appetizers were amazing. Being that there were four of us and two of us were wives (who don't eat much), we wound up ordering the fried green tomatoes, the pulled pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. All appetizers were delicious and came out soon after we ordered. One was $9, one $10 and one $11 so I don't know what people are complaining about it being expensive. We ordered the hanger steak, the meatloaf and the fish special of the day. Of those, the meatloaf was probably the one I cared about least but still very good. A little soft for me but after all it was made of short rib meat so that's to be expected somewhat...still very tasty and had a great pumpkin mash underneath the whole piece of meat. Where I was really surprised was the marinated peppers and tomatoes cut up on top of the meatloaf. I didn't expect those but they were outstanding as well. The hanger steak I tried was very good...came out just as ordered and the small cut up potatoes were also very good. We also tried the smashed potatoes which came with the fish of the day and they were very tasty...very creamy and had some nice chunks of potato in it but cooked enough so as not to be crunchy but tasted very good. For dessert, we really didn't want anything but did try the bread pudding just to try something. It was average. Not as good as the bread pudding they serve at one of my favorite restaurants in Ft Lauderdale, Canyon restaurant. The waitress, when we ordered 4 cups of coffee told us she was going to make us a fresh pot which be the way...the coffee was EXCELLENT too. Now, I'm not a Starbucks kind of coffee guy. I much prefer Dunkin' Donuts coffee to the SBUX. I don't like my coffee so strong that when I put two things of cream in it it doesn't change color at all and this coffee was spot on delicious. We did order some cups of wine and some kind of alcohol pink lemonade drink which was good ($9) and served in a glass jar (Southern style I guess). Overall, it was a great experience. A manager type of guy came over towards the end of our meal to ask if everything was good tonight and we told him it was. I also saw standing against the back wall him when he left with about 3 other guys who looked like they could also be managers/part-owners looking around to make sure everything was okay in the place. So, as far as is it overpriced...I'm going to have to say not really. I'm not sure where the people who are knocking it go out to eat but if you've been to S Beach or Mid-Town lately and had tapas...where they serve you a small plate which doesn't even wet your appetite so you wind up buying a bunch of them at %10-$15 a pop...now that's expensive to me...and at these tapas places I always wind up paying a big check and leave hungry. I can tell you we did not leave hungry from Swan Kitchen and if you do...you are doing something wrong. We would definitely be back to dine at Swank Kitchen...by the way, with one drink and two glasses of wine...we all ate with coffee and shared one dessert for $138 including tax but not tip Oh, forgot to mention...they also have a cool photo booth in the back that you can use (FREE) to take a picture and post on the wall for a chance to win something or take with you...just a little fun thing that's there...good for kids or adults.
(5)Michelle W.
Drove by many times and said we needed to try it. Few friends have gone but more views one way or another. Well, I kind if understand why. You are so perplexed at the whole experience you just don't know whether to say you liked it or not. From the moment we walked in we felt it was a mistake. Not very busy, no one waiting, but we stood for an awkward amount if time while the manage and hostess went back and forth about where to seat us. Tried to push us to take high top in the bar area when many tables were open in DR. Waitress pleasant but super young and inexperienced. Wine list has very very few options by the glass- probably because they want to push you to a pricey specialty swamp water drink. Menu was limited and unappealing. Two menu items were scratched and it was only 6:30. Like another reviewer, I ended up ordering shells and cheese and took a few bites of hub's beer can chicken. It was moist and tasty. Did not like the gravy. Black eyes peas were tasteless. Coleslaw was bitter. If you leave a place spending $65 only commending their Mac n cheese and their fresh cut fries , you've gone to the wrong place. They have quite a few kinks to work out.
(2)Rick S.
Southern college bar feel oddly mixed with south beach portion menu. Pricy trendy food with small portions is what they mean by "swank". Ultimately you are Paton too much for too little BBQ and beer. Very cool atmosphere but you pay too much for what you get. My wife and I were excited to finally get a chance to try the place out. We loved the atmosphere so much we really wanted to like the place. The inside was very friendly and felt like a Southern college town type of feel. We liked that they had craft beers. But when it came to ordering food we were orally disappointed. The menu shows they were trying really hard to be trendy but it just didn't quite work for us. We decided to try the pork sliders appetizer. They brag that it is cooked for 8-12 hours or whatever it was. When the appetizer came we couldn't believe it. There was nothing to it. Three sandwiches the size of two quarters each for $10. It was kind a silly. We decided to eat elsewhere. I would go back again to have a beer but I wouldn't eat there again.
(3)Angelica O.
I went for brunch didnt like that the menu was so limited besides that portion size was small. GUESS I NEED TO GO FOR DINNER !!
(3)Ikam A.
We have come here twice and loved both times. The drinks are great. Our bartender Thomas took good care of us the second time, when we sat in the lounge. He explained how he makes all the delicious drinks featured on the menu. The first time we went we tried the raspberry lemonade and the cinnamon apple, and the second time we got the tea-lemonade one and the chronic tonic. All drinks were amazing. The first time we went I got the burger and my husband got the St. Louis ribs. Last night I got the potluck salad with kale and pulled pork and my husband got the chicken fried steak. For appetizers we tried the fried green tomatoes and the crab hush puppies. Everything was delicious. I would highly recommend this place. The atmosphere is great and the dishes are original and hearty. The collard greens are amazing.
(5)Lia T.
Upon entering the restaurant I was surprised with how cool the place looks in comparison with local places. As for drinks, I had no complaints with the iced tea and my mother said the lemonade was amazing. Unfortunately, the positive comments end there. I am always willing to shell out money for good food but this place was incredibly overpriced for what they offer. We split the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and after eating half of one slice (4 slices = $10) i decided eating more of the sour, completely unseasoned tomato was a waste of calories. I sampled my mother's dish, the Pork Chop and Baked Beans ($18), which was decent but the beans were barely warm and the pork was missing any of the searing I've come to expect from any restaurant. I ordered the Country-Fried Steak for myself ($22), which was literally just a steak with a mass of super crispy shoestring potatoes on top. The steak was okay, but it was kind of like eating steak and potato chips for dinner. I don't think I've ever paid so much ($60+ including a basic tip for the basic service) for such yawn-inducing, small portioned, dissatisfying food. But I won't ever again.
(2)Ana L.
I recently attended this place with a large group of friends. I did not enjoyed this restaurant. First of all, we had made reservations and their sitting arrangement was very uncomfortable. They squeezed twenty of us in in a few tiny tables with high chairs. It was very uncomfortable and after a while I couldn't wait to leave. There were a couple of people with disabilities and it was very hard for them to get in and out of the high chairs. Second, the food is overpriced. One of my friends had the pork chops with beans and a soft drink and her bill was almost $40. I had the water melon salad, only because i couldn't find anything else in their menu that was reasonably priced. I didn't enjoy the salad. They just put a big piece of water melon on your plate and lettuce on top. It had no flavor at all and it costed me $10. The service is not so good. They didn't bring all the orders at the same time and one person in our group had to wait long for her meal because they mixed up her order and brought her food when everyone else was done eating. I do not recommend this place ,mainly because it's overpriced.
(1)Aggie M.
So I want out, I want food, but not just anything... comfort food! I try that in the search & JACKPOT! I've got a whole list of places to check out. The first one, though was Southern Swank. I thought it was cool that it had what seemed like two 'feels'. The more open, cool format & then the cozy, fun, bar area! We sampled because we couldn't decide. The macaroni & cheese.... Ohhh. So many times I get recommendations for mac & cheese & I'm disappointed, but not here!! (My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) the rest of the food was yummy & really hit that 'comfort food' spot for me. I'm excited to go back again soon! The only reason I didn't go with 5 stars was that our server missed a dish & seemed to forget us. I'm convinced it was just an 'off' night for him, & am sure the service is usually spectacular. When he did check on us, he was definitely helpful...
(4)Kirsten V.
I had made reservations here two weeks in advanced, when my party began arriving at the restaurant they were informed the system has been changed and therefore the reservations were lost. Oops! They then told them they would have to wait for a table as we were a large party. No remorse. Once we were seated it took 30 minutes for a server to attend our table for drinks and then another 35 minutes to receive our drinks which did not come as we ordered. We waited over an hour and a half for our 1 appetizer! Let's just say the service is beyond slow, they are clearly in a southern state of mind, nothing but time. By the time we received our entrees it was at least 2.5 hours after sitting down. In general, we were informing the waiter in how to do his job all night long. Can we have lemons and lines for our cocktails that we asked for? Can we have silverware and napkins? Appetizer plates? Silverware and napkins for the other half of the table? More water? The remainder of our entrees? For my friends that were eating there for the first time, this was a horrible experience! They really need to step up the quality of their service!
(1)Robert M.
The service was great and the staff were very accommodating to our needs. We shared the mac n cheese appetizer, a little to oily for my taste but good. My partner had the chicken and waffles drizzled with a marshmallow sauce which he raved about. I had the pulled pork sliders which were very good.
(4)Jorge H.
I was really looking forward to this place. Unfortunately it wasn't what I expected. If you're thinking this place is gonna be like Yardbird on SOBE it ain't. Don't get me wrong it's good, it's ok. The portions are small, overpriced and are nothing special. When the waiter says "meatloaf is a small portion, if you're hungry get something else" makes you think?? Overall Southern Swank has a decent vibe and the staff are very friendly and nice. There's no background music only TV's playing sports. (???) There's just something missing. It's in Davie right by all the college campus's so you'd think they would cater to a hipper crowd but I don't see it with those prices. I'd cautiously go again.
(3)Andrea W.
I liked it as soon as I walked in the door. Not a big menu but everything looks really interesting. My friend and I had the wings, pulled pork sliders, shrimp and grits, and baked beans. Everything was delish and can't wait to come back to try more. And our server Nicole was a delight.
(4)Robyn M.
Sadly, one & done... While our waitress was animated & sweet, it didn't make up for the service & food sucking! Drinks took forever! A beer in a bottle?! Food came at a good pace but one dish was worse than the next. If they're even remotely trying to be southern comfort, they should visit Yardbird & Swine to see how it's done! I give it a short lifeline. There's nothing to fix, it just does not work! Wait, I did have fun in the random photo booth by the bathroom! As my kids would say... Epic Fail!!!
(1)Edward M.
Girlfriend and I went to Southern Swank on a friends recommendation. We weren't impressed. The place was very loud. They also had live music which just made the noise level almost intolerable. Although the place was crowded we were seated right away. It took about 15 minutes for the waitress to show up to take order. After about 20 minutes our first appetizer showed up. We had the Fried Green Tomatoes. We had to wait another 10 minutes to get plates and utensils. The Fried Tomatoes were great though. We had finished the 1st appetizer and yet we were still missing our drinks. We had to get a different waitress to bring us our drinks (30 min after ordering them). Waitress then came to take the appetizer plates. We told her that we needed them for the chicken wings we had ordered. She told us that she was going to bring us clean plates. Long story short, the wings came, the plates didn't. After 10 minutes of waiting, I had to ask a bus boy to bring us plates. The wings were actually pretty good but not very meaty. Finally our entrees arrived. (I took this opportunity to order another round of drinks. I ordered myself 2 swamp waters. i didnt want to wait 30 min for the 2nd drink should i have wanted it. My girlfriend ordered the chronic tonic. My drinks came pretty quick while my GF had to wait another 15 min for hers). My girlfriend ordered the Chicken and Waffles. Not bad. The chicken was a little overdone though. I ordered the Country Fried Steak. I had no complaints. It was very good. Not sure if either was actually worth the price though. Although the food tasted really great I'm not sure if we'll be returning to the Southern Swank anytime soon. Maybe try again one day for an early lunch but probably never for dinner again.
(1)Cathy D.
Food was delicious. Very unique entrees. Not your boring, run of the mill. Very cool decor. Waiter was excellent and very personable. Maybe a slight bit pricey, but you can get a discount on Groupon. Definitely worth a try.
(5)Jose V.
Food is very good but a little pricey. Our server was nice but we didn't see her very often. I'd eat there again.
(3)Alex B.
Food depends on what you pick - the prime rib was amazing, while the pork chop was a bit dry and the baked beans a bit too sweet. Service was just ok, not stellar - but of course that will depend on your service person and I've only been here once
(4)Randi W.
Won't be back. The $14 shrimp & grits was a 4×6 inch dish of a poor attempt. I asked about the market fish dish, and was explained that the yellow tail snapper was served on kale with black eyed peas. The menu says it's served with collards. I asked the waitress (who never gave her name) why not collards. She proceeded to tell me they were the same thing. LMAO! Imagine going to a "southern" restaurant, and ordering collards, but getting Kale??? I. Can't. Anyway, for those who love it, great - but there are better "southern" places to enjoy. The dishes are overpriced and I got the feeling they are trying too hard to be "cool". $7 cornbread? Really? Oh, and "swank" should be taken out of the name. This place doesn't have an ounce of swank. I really wanted to like this place. :-(
(1)Alexii N.
Came here on a quiet Tuesday night around 7:30 and left feeling completely underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The restaurant's decor is a little much- reminiscent of a Disney theme park in that there is too much of it and nothing is authentic. That pretty much carried over the the food too. We ordered the meatloaf, but were told that they were out of it after we ordered (on a Tuesday night?!)- seriously that is just poor management. We ended up ordering: Chicken and Waffles: I've had many versions of this dish. It is one of my favorite southern foods. Swank's version is the worst I have ever had. Two waffle quarters and two pieces of friend chicken thigh are topped with a "marshmallow sauce" and garnished with hot sauce. Well, the chicken was ok but was fried too long and overly crispy. Better waffles come in the frozen section and Publix, and, the alleged marshmallow sauce is actually from Publix. Marshmallow sauce = watered down marshmallow fluff, which, when mixed with hot sauce (tasted like Franks hot sauce) is just not a combo that's tasty. Overall an epic chicken and waffle fail. It tasted like a dish they were experimenting with that needs a lot of work. Ribs and Cole Slaw- not bad. Ribs had a good flavor and the sauce was ok. Not very much meat on the bones though. Honestly, I have made far better ribs at home and they were nothing special. Coleslaw, however was fantastic. Tangy and really yummy. Corn Bread- you get one square as a side item. It was $6. It was dry. Are you kidding me? You could make two 13 x 9 pans of it for $6!! It was just eh. All of the food was served on some kind of wood/cast iron/mason jar type thing and was just a little too much. I would have rather had better food and less country crap. To make matters worse our server was extremely awkward and inexperienced. She was a nice girl, but kept hovering around the table, didn't know the menu, and was, quite frankly, annoying. I also noticed who I would assume is the manager walking back and fourth across the length of the bar like he had nothing to do. Maybe you should check in and see how your customers like your food, and you would have more than 6 tables sat in your restaurant.
(2)Christopher M.
This place was exactly what you'd expect when you walk into a place named Southern Swank Kitchen. Great vibe & atmosphere place has a good feel to it. The food was outstanding, shells & cheese, wings and cornbread are a must. There uniquely crafted cocktails are also worth a try. The only thing I didn't like about this place that much was the customer service, wasn't great and the prices were a little steep. All in and all I did enjoy myself and will be returning at some point in the near future.
(4)Amy Jo A.
Needs more and better atmosphere. Would like to see Davie residents give this place a try. Menu okay. Happy hour? Not sure it's working.
(2)Jelly W.
It's hard to find good southern style cuisine down here so we were excited to try this place out. The sliders and almond butter with the cornbread were pretty good. We tried the chicken and waffles and ribs. I think chicken and waffles would've been better without the marshmallow sauce (way to sweet, better to ask for it on the side). The ribs were just ehhhh, nothing special. Glad we went with a Groupon, nice place but I wouldn't pay regular menu price for the food.
(3)Eric W.
Let me start by saying I wanted to give Southern Swank Kitchen 5 stars Soooo much! But the service was so bad I just couldn't do it Me, my girlfriend my brother and my girlfriend's best friend came for dinner. There was live music which I enjoy but it was just a tad bit too loud, I would have liked to be able talk a little bit, but it wasnt a big deal. The hostess sat us in the bar room and I asked for a booth, she told me "I put you at this table, its good" I dont understand why we couldn't just have a booth since there was an open one right next to us. Anyways after waiting for 30mins my brother and girlfriend's best friend decided they couldn't wait any longer and told me they were leaving, so I had to actually get up and ask the hostess what the deal was. About 8-10 minutes later a waitress finally got our drink orders but not our food. After 45 minutes we knew what we wanted so as she left I had to call her back to let her know we were ready. The table shared the crab hush puppies which were good but not great. I ordered the pork chop and beans. The pork chop was excellent but the beans were a little too sweet for me. My girlfriend got the chicken and waffles and told me she enjoyed them. My brother had the country fried steak, I had a bite it, was really good and my brother told me he really enjoyed it. My girlfriend's friend ordered the shells and cheese but by the time it came out she told us she had lost her appetite. For dessert we shared the carrot cake which I did not care for but my brother liked, it just seemed like a little bit of food and was not anything special for $7. But let me tell you this was probably the worst service I have ever had. Not once were any of our drinks refilled. My brother asked 3 times for a water, which never came. The food was very good but it was cold because the waitress's were too busy having fun and talking rather than simply bringing out food on time. Seriously I dont think im asking a lot here. Not once did the waitress even say sorry which to be honest would have made me feel like she cared, but she didn't. My girlfriend's friend even went to complain to a manager, which I have never seen her do. She told me he said "o really". Lol im sorry ive been a manager and whoever this guy is had no control over the restaurant and did not seem to care one bit, our poor service was just as much his fault for under staffing and not keeping his staff in line as it was the waitress for overall horrible service. It really is a shame I love the food and the atmosphere but im embarrassed to recommend this place because of the service. I live in the area and have for years now, the spot this restaurant is in has been a death trap for business for years, but I think if Southern Swank Kitchen can get its service issue in line they will be around for a very long time. If I were the owner I would fire the entire staff except for the cooking staff, the service and overall management was that bad and that big a mess. The food is pretty expensive, im not complaining about that im just saying if im going to spend $50+ On me and my girlfriend when I come in I think I at least deserve a refill on my water, warm food, and the opportunity to order another beer which I didnt have since the waitress never asked or came back to the table to check up on us. In her defense it didn't really seem like the bartenders or managers were helping very much. We arrived at around 9:30 and didn't leave till around 11:30, there is no reason we should have had to wait around that long. I really hope Southern Swank Kitchen can get it together because the food is great, it really is a shame I couldn't give them the 5 I feel they deserve. The service really was just that bad. Food-A Atmosphere-B Pricing-B Service-F
(2)Dennis F.
Ho hum. I hate being Dennis Downer...... Southern style partially means large portions. I was immediately turned off by the $2.50 8 ounce bottles of soda. I have 2 kids so a restaurant having fountain soda with refills seems like a no brainer. We were here with a large party so we got to try out a lot of the menu. For apps we had the shrimp and grits (yummy and I don't really like grits), fried green tomatoes (still don't like these), crab hush puppies (very good) and the pulled pork sliders (very good as well). For our entrees, we had the hanger steak $24 (tasted great), pimento burger $14 (just good), chicken wings $8 for 6 (average), chicken and waffles $16 ( good) and the meatloaf $16 (good). My biggest beef (no pun intended) would be the meatloaf, it was about the size of a large meatball and didn't come with any sides? The burger was a $9 burger for $14, the hanger steak was good but not worth $24. I like to spend money to eat out but I don't feel like this place has good value. We tried 4 of their specialty drinks, ($8-$9), the Jacked up Rita and Swamp water were good but skip the caramel apple and the ring of fire. Oh, don't serve your drinks in mini sized mason jars. It gives real mason jars a bad name! The positives were our service (we had 9 people and Nicole didn't miss a beat and the decor which is nice as well.
(3)L F.
I went to Swank on a Saturday night for a friends birthday with a party of 6. We had called earlier to make reservations and were told they don't take reservations. So we got to the restaurant around 7:40pm and were told it would be a 2 hour wait. We see plenty of tables open and we're told they were all reserved. (But we were already told they didn't take reservations... Whatever) Around 9pm we finally get seated. We all order drinks and they take about 20 minutes to come back with them. Our waitress then informs us that the kitchen has just closed... It is 9:30pm. We ask to speak to the manager since that is completely ridiculous especially since we waited so long for a table. The owner came to the table and didn't let us get a word in. He said they were having "shortages" in the kitchen but he was going to bring out plenty of plates our way of whatever he could and we "wouldn't leave hungry." Our food and drinks were all on the house. We were served two plates of pork and beans with two small sides of Mac and cheese. FOR SIX PEOPLE. It's hard to even rate the food cause the service was so horrible. The Mac and cheese was good but nothing out of this world. We sat around waiting for more food to come because obviously those plates would not fill a party of six. We ask the waitress if there was anyway we could have cornbread and she says "they're just bringing out whatever they have they won't even talk to me." Mind you, tables all around us that were sat after us are all getting food... Chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, steak, hush puppies, etc. I don't know what was the deal with us. So I guess the waitress noticed we were still hungry and brings one bowl of chili for the table. She says in a baby voice "has anyone tried the chili?... Here have some." We all felt like dogs being fed scraps. That was the only food we were given, no dessert. We finally left and went over to Flanigans since we were all still hungry and wanted drinks. All in all, the service in this place is awful. If I could give it zero stars I would. Why open til 2am when your kitchen closes at 9:30? Never going back.
(1)Sophia M.
Completely serviceable food but not good by any stretch. You can find more tasty barbecue at smaller hometown shops (or even some decent chains). Needs less swank and more focus on flavor.
(2)Thomas P.
I went here for a friends birthday with about 13 other people. The server was very attentive and accommodating, considering we moved chairs a couple times in order to fit new guests as they arrived. The drinks were ok, nothing special besides the names. I only was able to try one of the appetizers, but it was pretty good. I had the shells and cheese with bacon, very tasty! Now here is where this story takes a turn. All of the entrees seemed a little pricey, which is perfectly fine for me, if the food is worth it, but it was not. I ordered the country fried steak, which itself was nothing spectacular. It was decent, but came with nothing. So basically I paid $22 for a little piece of meat on a plate, by iteself. I also tried the ribs, they too were decent, but tasted more like ribs you get at a Chinese food restaurant. The ribs came with coleslaw....I love coleslaw, its one of my favorite BBQ sides, but this was the worst coleslaw I've ever had in my entire life. Several people at the table tried the coleslaw and agreed. The server was more than happy to replace this with another side at no additional cost, which was nice. I also got to try the hanger steak, which in my opinion, was the best meal that anyone at the table had ordered. Although it too, was a $25 meal, the steak tasted amazing and was accompanied by some pretty good fingerling potatoes. All in all this place is ok, the atmosphere was nice, but that's about it. I probably wont be coming back here... the food was just too pricey and not good enough.
(2)Lorraine H.
Food was ok- maybe a bit on the high side (3 sliders for $10) and I would say more except I had such an uncomfortable time trying to shout over the VERY LOUD MUSIC to talk to my friends that and I still have a headache
(2)Mark F.
Place is OVERPRICED and mediocre to say the least.
(1)Daniel G.
Service: The service is poor. The hostess sat us down and we waited for 15 min without menus or being visited by our waitress. After waiting I finally got up and went to the hostess to get our menus and demanded to have a waitress come. We order drinks which took way to long. After that the food took a great deal of time. I enjoy sitting and speaking to others at the table but it took way to long. When someone thinks about leaving it is way to long. They need more experienced people not inexperienced high school students. Drinks: Their signature drjnks are pretty bad. Swamps tastes like Sprite with dry ice, Old fashioned - they overpoured, it was not drinkable we sent it back. Stick with the wine by the bottle is reasonably priced and beer - reasonable prices. Food: Good overall but takes way to long I feel like this is a poor attempt to copy a real restaurant - Swine southern kitchen in coral gables, that restaurant has excellent food, excellent service, excellent drinks. Consider me one and done - will never go back
(2)Kim R.
I went with a friend on a Monday night and the place was nearly empty. We ordered the pork sliders, shells and mac, french fries, and the buffalo chicken and waffles. The french fries were just french fries, nothing special. But everything else was delicious! Ill be going back :)
(4)Steve W.
Food was good, served very quickly with a nice presentation. Not sure why it was so empty.
(4)Desiree F.
I have been to Swank now a couple of times! If you are looking for a local place to go and relax, have a good time...this is it! The food was great! From their mac n cheese to the pork sliders! Delicious! Now..THE DRINKS. Im in love with the peach moonshine. And moonshine mondays is the best way to try it out. They have plenty of specials throughout the week which is great when you are on a budget! You just have to go and try it...and see for yourself. JUST GO. Enjoy...YOU'RE WELCOME.
(5)Gato G.
Wow , OMG!! A real southern swank restaurant has come to davie , we had family members from South Carolina stop by and we invited them for dinner at southern swank, we were all very very impressed my uncle Timmy had the hanger steak he said it was to die for so we all had to share and ordered an extra one it was really tender and juicy . I personally liked the shrimp and grits it seemed like if it was homemade. Mamma had the pimento burger and she was thrilled I am going to stop by this weekend again can't wait ! ...
(5)Kypps P.
We got a Group On one of the best that we have used. The service was very good so was food. We really enjoyed our selves.
(5)Haroula P.
Food is really good. Great appetizers and really nice drink menu. Nice new place, great area for a restaurant since there aren't a lot of good places around there. Loved the chicken and waffles and fried green tomatoes. Good baked beans too!
(5)Frank D.
....................very very busy on SAT PM (8/1/2014) @ 9PM which was NOT my idea but i planned to drop in on a birthday party - bought a round of drinks - and go home coming into the LOT i literally parked in the LAST spot available way in the back of the property - what luck - SWANK was full busy but our waitress did come by quite often especially behind newbies arriving like me to keep the party going - some did order food and some just drinks IT IS NOT YARDBIRD according to the expert, my daughter, who shared her pork chop ($26), which was thick juicy and very tasty - the best i have had in a while and want to go back for again - DRINKs were standard and crazy concoctions of smoking green swamp water and colorful fruity things along with some goofy florida canned beer - a very wide variety - i stuck with jack on the rocks IT IS expensive (and how worth it is up to each patron to decided on the details - if hyper noisy is where you want to be - go SAT PM for sure), BUT, i understand deals can be had like WINE WEDNESDAY which would be my next visit - and i wouldn't use it but i have heard GROUPON stuff was honored - and maybe that visit will make me a FAN !
(3)Eddie N.
The Mac & Cheese is amazing! That being said, it just seems that the menu continues to improve and get better and better. Soon it will difficult to get through the Swank doors! I will be taking advantages of this place until the secret gets out!
(5)Lauren R.
Didn't live up to expectations. Food was alright, slightly over-priced. Nice presentation tho
(3)Andres P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a trendy southern restaurant in south Florida. I was pleased to find it had a very cool atmosphere. The food and service were great, especially the pimento burger (medium/medium rare was VERY flavorful). The restaurant is nice enough for a date but casual enough for dinner and drinks with friends or family (the swamp water went down pretty well too, I'll say). Will definitely be checking it out again soon!
(5)Oscar L.
I've been hearing about this place and decided to give it a try last night. The first impression is great. I love the decor down to the butcher paper as the table cover. Very trendy place. Let's get to the important stuff. We ordered the pork sliders as an appetizer. They were phenomenal! I wish I would have ordered these for my entree. We also ordered the cornbread ($6!) and it was nothing special. My buddy ordered the country fried steak and that was huge and delicious. My wife ordered the pimento burger (she said nothing special) and I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was truly excited for this but was let down. My only complaint is that the chicken thighs are extremely fatty. Other than that, it's good, not delicious but good. My only issue with this place is the pricing. Everything is a la carte and for the type of food they're serving you can easily go elsewhere and get the same type of food. The entrees are fairly priced with the large portions you get but the little things quickly add up. I could understand the pricing if this place was in a trendy area like downtown Fort Lauderdale or Downtown Brickell or coral gables but it's not. It's in a parking lot off of University Drive in Davie. All in all the food was good but nothing special to justify it's pricing. It was good to try but I can't see myself going back.
(3)Marvin K.
So being new to YELP, though using it as a reference for years, this is a hard one to write! We did take advantage of a Groupon being offered. We went to Swank Saturday night at 8:15pm with a reservation for 8:15pm. We were asked to move aside as they were looking for the table to sit us. Within 3 minutes another couple came into the restaurant and were seated. When we asked why they were seated, we were told they had a reservation. As soon as I pointed out our reservation on their screen, they apologized and sat us immediately. I just chalked that up to hostess inexperience. We then were seated less than 25 feet from the "entertainment". IT WAS LOUD (sorry for screaming, but that is what you will have to do to listen to the people at your table!). They gentleman playing the electric piano was very into his music, unfortunately the decibel count would angry most otolaryngologists! Jessie, a newbie waitress was very sweet and dutifully took our orders (that would be Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab Hush Puppies, Shrimp and Grits and 22 oz Cowboy steak) and explained that the kitchen was behind and thanked us for our patience. So fast forward some Funky Buddah's (great Craft beer menu) and unlimited glasses of water later (or to be specific ONE HOUR AND 15 minutes), a server brought our Shrimp and Grits and Cowboy steak to the table. OOPSY, no APPS!! At that point our patience was diminished and we asked the manager to please get our APPS out ASAP. To their benefit, within 5 minutes we had our APPS at our table, but now our meal was cold - we just knew going back to the kitchen with our main courses was not an option. That said, the Fried Green Tomatoes were great! Loved the pancetta on top. The Hushpuppies had a good base, but lacked the crab advertised. The Shrimp and Grits were very flavorful and a nice amount of shrimp. The Cowboy steak was huge and well cooked (recommend medium rare to medium for that pink color), unfortunately, they loaded the steak onto the once crispy fries that quickly wilted! Sad face. So we started to feel much better about the restaurant, until we asked about the dessert. So now it is about 10:30pm and we were told the kitchen ran out of food (and dessert) - never got to see the dessert menu! To their credit, they immediately offered a glass of wine and an apology. We really wanted to love this place. We think we will - eventually. The issue is that they have been open less than two weeks and there are a LOT of kinks to work out. My suggestion is to take advantage of the GROUPON available and not go for at least a month or longer so that they can perfect what seems like a great idea! Also, near the restrooms they have a PHOTO booth to take pictures with fun hats ! Make the time to take a picture. It prints two, one to take and one to post on the wall. We took both so that there was no evidence we were at this restaurant during the first week! I hope to take another photo there and be proud to leave it next time!
(2)G K.
I dont get the bad reviews at all. Went here the day after Valetines on a Friday night. Got there around 7:00. Dining room was packed. Hostess was very nice and greeted us immediately. Told us 30 minute wait for the dining room or we could sit at a high top right away. My wife had no problem with the high top so we took that route. I am glad we did because the high tops filled up very quickly and the place just kept getting busier. Our waiter was a very polite guy who clearly understood the term "southern hospitality". He immediately offered us water and suggested we take our time looking over the menu. The menu was not a huge offering, but every item on it was something worth pondering. All very well thought out offerings, and certainly not things that you are going to see at Outback or Chilli's. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer and the waiter did not rush us to place our dinner order which was VERY nice because we were having fund browsing the menu. $10 bucks I think for about 10 slices nicely breaded with a DELICIOUS creamy sauce that had smoked pork in it. YUMMMMMMM. The word appetizer was definitely appropriate, because my taste buds were awakened. I came in knowing they had chicken and waffles, and despite being tempted to get the chicken in beer can gravy, I was staying with the chicken and waffles. The standard chicken and waffles is fried chicken thights over the waffles with a sage marshmellow sauce. Sounded very good, but then I saw the words. "ask your server about BLUE waffles". So I did. He said they coat the fried thighs in wing sauce and then pour a blue cheese dressing over them. I was hesitant but went for it. I WAS NOT SORRY. The blue cheese dressing is a slightly sweet take on blue cheese, so the waffles still had a bit of sweet to go with the tang of the wing sauce. I would not have every thought the flavors would marry as well as they did, but it was GREAT. We finished off with a small piece of red velvet cake for $6 bucks ( that was extremely moist and yummy but not a regular offering. (apparently it was from Valentines Day) The entire experience from entrance to exit was great. Wait staff was GREAT, despite the place being packed. Was it a cheap night out for dinner. NO. But if that is what you want go to Pollo Tropical not Southern Swank. Give it a try. You wont be sorry.
(4)Special K.
Penny Wine night. Just left. When we ask about it to our waiter, we are excited about and plan to do it, You don't tell the people when the bill comes and charge your customers $40 for 4 glasses of terrible wine. Whats that after we ordered and got our bill now you tell us that its only on house wine while you charge $10 a glass for $10 a bottle terrible store wines. The food was good enough were we would have easily come back, but this will be a one stop shop thanks to the terrible service.
(1)Jorge L.
Swank is a great cool option for dinner and drinks in the broward area. The sliders were awesome and they have a great beer selection both craft bottles and draft.
(3)Lori G.
Very disappointed. Food was ok but it took over 30 minutes to get our meals. When it finally came out, it was far from hot. Was decent tasting but over priced for location and what it is. Server was average.....had to ask twice for water and never got it. My husband is willing to give it another try but me, not so much.
(2)Lynn P.
My Valentine and I had tickets for a South Florida Jazz concert at Nova's nearby Miniachi Performing Arts Center on February 14 and decided to try Southern Swank Kitchen for dinner beforehand, which was perfect because the concert did not start until 8. Our 6 p.m. dinner reservation gave us plenty of time for a relaxed dinner in advance of the show. It didn't look like we needed reservations, though, which was a surprise given that it was Saturday night and Valentine's day to boot. The restaurant seemed about 1/3 full the whole time we were there. The cocktails look and taste delicious, but I ordered two different drinks and couldn't taste a hint of alcohol in either one. The first was the Swank's version of an old fashioned, and the second was a bourbon lemonade. Given their price, over $10 each, it would seem that alcohol should be included in the drinks. We shared the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and they were delicious. The cornmeal breading was paper thin and shattered when I bit into the tomatoes, which had been sliced at just the right thickness.. Loved them. It's too bad, though, that they set these lovely fried tomatoes into a mayonnaise based sauce. It was OK, but might have been more thoughtfully placed on the side, so that purists like me could have enjoyed the tomatoes au naturel. For entrees, having been put off by the pricey drinks, I decided on something moderate but that had received good reviews online, the pulled pork sandwich. I set aside the sliced roll (whose top was branded with the word "Swank") and couldn't even begin to make a dent in French fry mountain. Between the large sandwich roll and the fries, there wasn't much else on the plate. The meat was flavorful, but definitely needed the thimbleful of sauce that the server brought with it and for which I needed a refill. Slices of fresh pickle came with the pork, but only two slices. A mouthful of meat, pickle and sauce made for the perfect bite, but alas, Swank pickles, I hardly knew ye. My dining companion got meatloaf served atop a squash puree and it was a bit weird. Both of our dishes arrived warm only, and warm closer to cold than warm closer to hot. Tepid meatloaf atop tepid squash puree is about like is sounds. I ordered collards a la carte to make sure I'd get something green, and am glad I did. They were superb. I got a laugh when the server did not know what I was talking about when I asked for vinegar peppers though, and tried to describe the tiny peppers in the Texas Pete bottle. She offered to bring me green bell peppers. Word to the wise: Swank's Southernness goes only so far. The banana pudding (not my choice, but was pleasantly surprised) was really good to share as a dessert, and nicely presented in the requisite Ball mason jar. As far as entertainment goes, SSK has A LOT of TV's all around, and that night "The Outlaw Josey Wales" was playing on a continuous loop on all of the ones in the dining room. Nothing like seeing scenes of the Union army dragging Josey's wife out of her burning house, and him sobbing on her grave, and a Gatling gun massacre to say "Happy Valentine's Day." Because I was so sober having had $20 worth of alcohol-free drinks, I was able to read on my phone about the author who wrote the book on which the film was based. He was a KKK member and a speechwriter for George Wallace. I sincerely recommend pulling that film out of the rotation, Southern Swank Kitchen.
(3)Phil K.
Perfect bear food! Excellent service Excellent pork chop, watermelon salad, chicken n waffles w/ marshmallow. We Will return yo
(5)Bianca P.
Mixed feelings = mixed reviews. I decided to give them 3 stars overall because I have mixed feelings for everything. So the place is some what hidden to the side. The decoration from the outside is pretty cool and cute. The outside patio had a cute little fountain We walked in and were greeted by two ladies. The place seemed a bit empty. There was probably half the tables seated. We were seated on a larger table for four but we were two. We had the crab hush puppies and corn bread for an appetizer. The hush puppies were well seasoned. The corn bread was very plain, if you don't use the cinnamon butter not good. (Got a little upset that the waitress didn't take it off the bill when we stated we didn't like it and only tasted it) As our entrees, we got the pork sliders, Mac and cheese, and chicken and waffles. Everything was pretty good I did not like the marshmallow sauce that came with the chicken and waffles. Mac and cheese was okay creamy lacked flavor. I title this review mixed feelings = mixed reviews idk.
(3)Charolette J.
1. They took shrimp and grits off the menu, MAJOR problem!!! You need to put it back. 2. I went for the chicken and waffles instead. IT was Soooooo salty that it LITERALLY made me sick. I had such a high view of their food, until today. I will definitely NOT be coming back for a while if things stay like this. Please fix these problems ASAP! PS. The young lady at the front, I think her name is Amy ,was super nice and accommodating. Dylan was good with his service recovery, but nothing can fix BAD food.
(1)Ronald L.
I want to start by saying most of the bad reviews must have been either haters or when they first opened. I have eaten here 3 times and had something different each time. The first time I ate here I ate the shrimp and grits. I'm a big guy and the portion size was just about right. Flavor was very interesting and made a nice combination. The 2nd time that I ate here I had the Chicken & Waffles. WOW, these were amazing. Dark meat chicken, waffles with a sweet drizzle...Yummy! (My kids are addicted). The last time that I ate here I had a cowboy steak that was cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the flavor of the steak and how tender it was. As for the service, the manager spends a lot of time on the floor stopping by each table. The servers were very friendly & talkative. The way that I judge how well I am being taken care of is by how fast they keep my ice tea filled (I drink about 3-4 glasses per dinner). I do enjoy this restaurant but I only want to give management my only thought...in order for them to be able to exist for the long haul, they must expand the menu.
(5)Anna Marie P.
Excellent beer can chicken. Pour the brown gravy on everything. Large bar on Saloon side. Dark and tough for me to read the menu but I had looked online before I got there. Mac and cheese was rich and filling. Service was good Deco was fun and interesting. I will be back.
(4)Brenda P.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye There's a new sheriff in town When it comes to finger lickin' good Southern Swank takes the crown I finally made my way to the SSK and I'm so happy I did. We absolutely loved it. They don't take themselves too seriously. It's not Southern, it's Southern SWANK! They dabble on this and they dabble on that. A little bit of everything here goes a long way. This restaurant is like Swine and Yardbird's first cousin. I find it a little bit less put together than those mentioned but good nonetheless. I can say with 100% certainty that there is nothing else in the area that even comes close and therefore, a much needed addition to Broward! It's spacious yet cozy, and full of personality. Now, here's the scoop on the goods: Fried Green Tomatoes- Very fresh and very good. Loved their creole remoulade and savory smoked tasco. Crab Hush Puppies- Breading was a little thick and fried a little too long for my taste but the inside was heavenly. The charred scallion mayo rocked! I wish there was more of it. Chicken & Waffles- This was great except they don't offer syrup for the waffles. 'Sup with that?I found that really odd. Instead, it comes with a marshmallow sage sauce. Beer Can Chicken- I officially cheated on my vegetarian diet for this and the payoff was big. Free range chicken that was absolute perfection! It is served with addicting fries everyone kept stealing and a scrumptious buttermilk slaw (and I usually pass on this). I ordered 1/2 the chicken and could not even finish it. (total wuss move, I know). The beer gravy is served inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can for your pouring convenience. I wish it was another type of beer but...... St. Louis Ribs- I did not try this but my girlfriend finished every single one. I thought they could have been a little meatier. The BBQ is enhanced with apple cinnamon. Snickers Pudding- Not a speck left of it. Bread Pudding- Not a speck left of this either. Old Fashion Swank- Punched me in the face and left a huge bruise. They are not shy about their pours! Yikes! Mojito- Didn't try it but there were multiple rounds going on in our party so it must have been good. Funky Buddha Hop Gun- Always a good choice Note that all of the side hot sauces are truly H O T! (and I could not stop having them). I felt the portions were good on the entrees and on the smaller side for the appetizers. Service was prompt and attentive. When we were done, we had a little photo booth fun. They have several props for you to play around with inside the booth. The photo prints out for you immediately or you can also get it off their Flickr account. I am adding this to my list of preferred local hangout spots. Welcome to town Southern Swank!
(4)Oscar M.
I drive by this place often and always wondered if it was any good, now I know that it is not. I went on a Sunday evening for dinner and had the ribs with a side of baked beans and spent $52 with tax and tip. The ribs were bland, cold and served with a poor substitute for barbecue sauce. The baked beans had a strange tart flavor, it seems like they had pickles in them which I find to be an odd culinary decision. I can't recommend anyone spend their hard earned money in this place, especially when you have so many great barbecue places with good ribs all around the area.
(1)Reixa C.
On June 11th, my friend and I went there for an early dinner. We were pretty excited since we read they were going to be in the food network and as foodies, we had to try it. From the moment you walk in, you fall in love with the place. The hostess was friendly and sat us down right away (only 2 tables). We ordered the Mint Julep cocktail ($10) and the Louisiana Swamp Water. The presentation and taste of the drinks were right on point, So far 5 STARS. Then we ordered the pulled pork sliders, friend green tomatoes and shrimp and grits. It was disappointing. The pork sliders were ok, the corn meal from the green tomatoes had no taste, very bland. The shrimp and grits had a smoky taste. Then it got worse when we ordered the entrée, Country Fried Steak, which was a huge piece of steak but completely dry and tasteless. The collard greens were A-OK. This place is great to come and hang out at the bar, the drinks are stellar. I would skip the food all together. However, I will give it a second try. I hear they do brunch. ANOTHER REVIEW: Went to Brunch on Sunday, June 15th. We sat at the bar where we met TJ, the most awesome mixologist in town. His drinks are perfection. We shared the chicken and waffles which were a large portion. However, the chicken was bland, the waffles were stiff and there was no maple syrup. The crab hushpuppies were burnt on the outside, but the crab inside was tasty. Again, a great place to go and hit the bar. TJ was awesome, very entertaining. Very friendly staff. 4 Stars!
(3)Morgan G.
My boyfriend and I went on Monday night. The place was slow (8 tables including us for the hour and a half that we were there). Our server was the bartender and the service was pretty bad. She never checked on us after we got our food and I had to walk up to the bar to ask for ketchup and bbq- we were the ONLY people she was serving. It took her about 10 minutes to realize we were done with our food to come with our bill. The food was pretty good. I had the brisket sandwich and my boyfriend had the po boy shrimp sandwich. I was disappointed that my only side is fries-no option for upgrade even with a charge. However, the hand cut fries were delicious. The corn bread was a little dry. I also think they are a little over priced. The only reason the review has 3 stars is because the food was good. Everything else was bad.
(3)Alica D.
My first time at Southern Swank and I loved it! Great food and nice decor. Will definitely be back, best chicken-n-waffles I have ever had.
(4)Richard M.
They try hard. Good service and good attitudes. The ribs were dry and the chicken and waffles were drowning in some marshmallow sauce concoction. This restaurant is promising. The dishes are creative, but they have serious kitchen work to do. I recommend that they get rid of the electric smoker they are using. Their a are dry as a bone and the meat is overcooked. They need a real pitt-master back there getting the grilling done right! Davie is a southern style town and I do not expect this place to last long without some serious changes.
(2)Ahmed D.
Decided to check out thus new place, atmosphere seems nice. Wait for it, BUT host told us they are completely booked and that you can only get a table if you have a reservation. BUT there was at least 6 completely open tables that were so close yet so far away.
(1)Blue A.
Have you ever had chicken and waffles? Yea, most of us have. Have you ever had chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce instead of syrup? No? I bet your mind is racing right now reading this thinking - WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING MY WHOLE LIFE?! I have been to Swank twice now and I must say I am SO excited to have a place like this in Davie. Not to knock Davie but it isn't really known for it's awesome restaurants and creative cocktails. Swank is down south cooking. You will find fired goodness, delicious southern desserts and a nice list of bourbons. The highlights: 1) Penny Wednesdays - Yea. A glass of wine for a penny. It's only the first glass but did you read the part that it was a PENNY? 2) Mac & Cheese - Aged Vermont cheddar, peccorino, pork belly, herb garlic breadcrumbs. Get this. Thank me later. 3) Fried Green Tomatoes - Get them. They are amazing. 4) Chicken Wings - a great thing to start - and share. I hate eating wings in public because I like really getting in there and getting all the meat - but these were finger licking good. 5) Salad - What? Wait...Salad? Yea my wife had a salad. Well I use the term salad loosely because it's half a head of lettuce (uncut? Interesting way to serve it.) and has chunks (I mean CHUNKS) of cheese and chunks (I MEAN CHUNKS) of bacon. The Cobb salad - won't save you any calories but will satisfy your hunger. 6) Desserts - I have only had the banana cream but this is a party in your mouth! Served in a mason jar the layers of banana cream (hint of banana without an over powering taste), graham cracker crumbs and whip cream make this a little piece of heaven in a jar. 7) Chicken & Waffles - this dish has kept me up at night. It haunts my dreams (in a good way) and is something I will probably ALWAYS order (and reccommend people order) when they come her. I had done Chicken and Waffles before - but never like this. Delicious pieces of chicken fried on the outside and super moist on the inside. Waffles cut into triangles and speared with a stick in order: waffle, chicken, waffle, chicken, waffle. Then smothered with (HOMEMADE) marshmallow sauce and a drop of hot sauce. These flavors blend so well together...my mouth is watering, excuse me......yea, blend so well together that you want to high five the chef. Cut a piece of chicken, a piece of waffle, dip in marshmallow, then in the hot sauce...stick in your mouth. Smile. Cheeks about to burst because of the huge bite. Chew. Swallow. Smile. Repeat. 8) Drinks - great beer selection (local brews on tap!) and a cool cocktail called Swamp Water which bubbles and has fog coming out of it. Get it for the presentation / instagram photo op alone. They also have an in house photobooth with a ton of props! Haven't tried it yet but super cool! There is also something called the "Dukes Challenge" From the website: Seven layer burger comprised of two patties, two chicken thighs, pulled pork, and a waffle. Served with a bucket of handcut fries and fiery hot chili. Free if you finish under 30 minutes! WHOA!
(5)Abbie B.
Our server was Jessica and she was totally awesome she's also the bartender request her she's great! Our experience initially was challenging because they ran out of chicken. However, luckily they found some for those great chicken and waffles which are excellent! I was extremely skeptical about the marshmallow sauce but the marshmallow sauce outs actually have to be very good and I recommended it. The ambience is awesome it's decorated really, really nice. My guest got the pull pork with swank sauce which was also very good. I enjoyed the experience.
(4)Emilee M.
I really really wanted to like this place. After driving past it for almost a year, I finally got myself together and made it in time for a Sunday brunch. Walking up to it is probably the most exciting element this place has to offer, the patio is beautiful and the lights overhead tie it all together quite nicely. Entering the restaurant is pleasant as well. The decor does a great job of sticking to their theme and assists in any enjoyment you might find there. However. And the most important part, it took 16 minutes for any server to ever address and acknowledge that we were there for more than just the sights. I recognized that not one server in the building spent any more than 3 seconds at a table, our server was right along with them. With no table side approach, or knowledge of the menu, or even a simple recommendation, it made for a kind of awkward experience. The best way I can describe the feel of it, is it was as if they grabbed the bus boy, who has never been trained as a server, and sent him over just to scribble down whatever we said and pass it on to someone who might know what to do with it. It was strange. The food took a great deal of time. But I was in good company luckily, so it wasn't so bad. Once the food arrived it looked delicious, but for who knows how this could have happened after waiting so long, it was cold. My swamp water was also missing it's gummy worm which made it a lot less alluring for 10 bucks. We also got verbally assaulted at the photo booth because another family walked up after us, and were not happy with the amount of time that they had to wait behind us. Because that's obviously a serious matter for a nice carefree Sunday afternoon. Won't be doing brunch there ever again. For 45 dollars I'd rather head to Fort Lauderdale and have endless mimosas with whatever I purchase for 15 dollars.
(2)Marly F.
I walked in with high expectations and was far from disappointed. Determined to try as much from the menu as possible, I stuck to ordering appetizers and luckily my friends ordered different items from the menu so I was able to sample a little more. To start, I just had to order the fried green tomatoes: lightly breaded and fried. Three come per order. I also ordered the 18 hour pulled pork sliders topped with coleslaw and pickles. Also three sliders per order. Both apps deserve five stars. Then, came what was probably the best version of mac and cheese I have ever had. Called shells and cheese here, this version has aged Vermont cheese, pork belly and herb garlic bread crumbs. Holy Moly! If you're not yelling yeehaw midway through your first bite, then consider your taste buds useless. New to the menu that night was the meatloaf and pumpkin mash. Delicious! I wasn't planning on having dessert that night, but our server (who was extremely attentive) brought over pumpkin bread pudding for us to sample. Who can say no to bread pudding? The service was quick and the waitstaff was friendly. Our server wasn't too familiar with the menu, but it's a new place, so this didn't weigh down my experience at all. After paying, we went to the photo booth and took a few silly pictures with wacky hats and glasses. Fun way to end the evening.
(5)DeSha M.
Love the wings and shell & cheese topped with shrimp yum! Cool spot for the area.
(4)Ali H.
When I yelped this place before we went here tonight I wondered why all the reviews were so long... Now I understand. Let me start this review off by saying I'm giving it a 2 because I just feel bad for all the staff/owners managers in this place... It seems like they've given up/don't know what to do. Also, about a year ago a friend went here and had her cellphone stolen by their waitress, that issue was resolved-she got her phone back and I'm pretty sure the waitress was fired, but because of this I haven't tried southern swank until tonight.. We were seated right away in the back right by kitchen/prep area that is open to the dining room.. Normally when this is the way a restaurant is set this way, the kitchen is clean, you can see a chef, etc... The only thing I saw was a guy standing next to the deep frier with paint all over his shirt. The kitchen was pretty grimy looking too- southern swank if you're reading this please close the back wall or clean up. My boyfriend ordered the brisket sandwich, and I had the shrimp po boy. The po boy shrimp was the consistency of rubber, and the bread was stale. My boyfriends brisket was steak-ums. And after picking through his food he found what appeared to be a piece of paper/cardboard. The waitress did a drive-by to see if we were ok, We said we were (we really try not to complain at restaurants). Then the owner(?) or the manager stopped by looked down at the table and asked what the paper was. She just seemed defeated. She apologized a few times and said she didn't know what it was that he found in his food, or why it was there. I told her I didn't know either... She ended up taking the brisket off the bill, but in the hour we were at dinner, of the 7 tables sitting, we heard 4 complaining, or being apologized to. I'd like to see this place succeed but it's really struggling with life. I won't be going back anytime soon. P.S. Just got an email from opentable, they didn't check us into our reservation so no points, the opentable points were literally the best part of this entire evening.
(2)Grayson M.
Tonight was my first time at Southern Swank. My sister has raved about this place to me for months and now I see why! Upon entry, you're greeted by polite hostess' and the restaurant is very country chic modern. The ambiance is nice, and features both a saloon side (where the bar is located) and a dining side (presumably for families). My boyfriend and I chose the saloon side, the ambiance was very nice. We both ordered the All-American burger with an order of shells and cheese. The food arrived in a timely manner, and very hot. And it was so gosh darn amazing. The shells had bacon and oh-em-gee! Thick cut and juicy goodness. The burger was cooked to perfection and also had the awesome bacon on it! The server was also really good and made sure everything was right for us. Definitely going to make another trip!
(4)Marqus R.
For a restaurant specializing in Southern, I found Southern Swank to be somewhat on the goofy side of the fence between what is true Southern, what may be qualified as Western or something more novo, sort of dreamed up, like a surrealistic painting, more intended to represent what may think to be Southern rather than to actually be Southern. I had really great meal of fried green tomatoes and one terrific hanger steak (a difficult to find cut of meat) but was somewhat disappointed in their overall menu which really didn't seem to me to actually be all that Southern. Like what happened to the cocktails? No mint julep or Sazerac. St. Louis style ribs instead being a southern sweet tea brined or a Carolina, no red eye ham, no black eye peas, no Southern Fried Chicken, steaks, seafood, catfish, frog legs or oysters and then, to my Southern astonishment, no okra? Instead real straight forward Southern, there seems to be a menu confusion between what might be termed as Classical Southern and what may be something more recently contrived as such or in fact Western, having nothing whatsoever to do with the culinary comforts of the South. The cocktail offering seem to be more a bunch of amateurish wussy drinker's concoctions with silly little tag titles such as "Swamp Water," being a combination of tequila, blue curacao and orange juice. Tequila a Southern drink.....really now....not even by a stretch. Other items such as cowboy steak seem more Western than Southern (it certain isn't a South Beach Yardbird Restaurant when it comes to Southern), along with much of the décor, such as a wall mural of someone, maybe John Wayne, dressed more Western rather than a Southern attire. Also, for entertainment, I have a difficult time thinking Southern when listening to deafeningly loud rendition of Motown. Another thing on the negative side is the service. When I entered I had to ask two waitress for whoever was in charge of seating people. There isn't any maître d' stand or anyone standing near the entrance so you end up hunting whoever down that might be in charge. The bartenders are also rather inept, slow, can't even do a simple high pour from a bottle and other than their in house custom drinks, don't seem to know much about their trade. To stumble round when someone orders a very common rather standard drink like a bourbon Manhattan is pretty much a clue of that being a fact. For the food I had, I have no problem going Four Stars but for the service, goofy somewhat offbeat menu Two Stars. So averaging it out, taking in for the totality of what it is, I can only go Three Stars.
(3)De G.
I really, really wanted to love this restaurant. Had the crab hush puppies that were just this side of burnt. Despite the breading, the crab was very good. The mac and cheese looked amazing, but was cold in the center. The country fried steak was fried alright. It was really fried...to within an inch of its life. It matched the hush puppies in its ability to make perfectly healthy gums bleed. The steak was hot and the potatoes cold. Nothing was horrible, but each dish missed the mark. I don't know if the dishes were made too far in advance or the chef just didn't care and was simply going through the motions without any thought. On the up side, the manager stopped by our table to ask if we enjoyed our meal. She explained that they were under new management and finding their way. She was very nice and very receptive to not so positive comments. I only wish they didn't have to find their way with our $75.00 check. Southern Swank really does have potential and being the eternal optimist I'll probably go back in a couple of months...with my fingers crossed.
(2)Shazza M.
One of the worst dining experiences I can remember in living memory, yes, it is that bad. Service is clueless, food wretched, the place is worn around the edges and is only a little over a year old. It has the general air of a business having been given up on. There were four of us and we order three burgers with fries and a summer salad with shrimp. Crab hush puppies are out within 5 minutes as an appetizer. Not bad It took 45 minutes to get the burgers, way too long on a quiet night in a mostly empty restaurant. Waitress says the salad wasn't ready and wasn't brought to the table for another 7 minutes after the burgers. As we were waiting for the last plate to start eating, the burgers were getting colder than the tepid temperature that they arrived at. To makes matters worse, a table who seated behind us 20 minutes after we arrived were received enormous plates of delicious looking food before us! Not only that, a chef who turned out to be kitchen manger was chatting with them and introducing people to them fur around 15 min, all the while we are waiting to be served. Well turns out they were his parents getting the VIP while us plebs were getting the shaft. My suspicion is that the full force of the kitchen went towards catering towards them The burgers were completely blah, soggy bun underneath, and my girl's burger bun was stale. To make matters worse, the bacon on the burger had a thick sweet cloying taste that included way too much smoke flavour that tasted like it came straight from a bottle. And the fries on two of the burger plates appeared to be old fried re-cooked in old smelly grease and burned to a crisp. The other burger was served with nice light golden fresh cooked fries. I put one from each burned and fresh pile on a side dish to show the waitress, it looked like a yin yang they were so obviously different. I asked her to take it to the kitchen to show the chef, expecting a reaction from management. I asked her after another 10 minutes what the chef said and she just decided to bring us a fresh batch of fries. At this point I asked to see a manager, who doesn't show up for another 10 minutes after the waitress quickly hands is the bill. So the kitchen manager is the same guy who was chatting with his parents instead of taking care of our meal and his crappy kitchen. He agreed the fries were awful and they were double cooked from an old batch and the kitchen had messed up our salad order. He promised he would apply a $30 off groupon for the meal, said he would remove two entrees from the bill and give us 10% off. It took another 30 minutes to organize all this and finally a floor manager arrived to apologize, an hour after our first complaints. She said they had taken over 2 weeks ago and fired bunch of servers and kitchen staff and that more needed to go. Instead of the $30 off they gave us a coupon for $30 off a future meal. We laughed and said we doubted we would ever be back. Right after she left us she went to another table to apologize and was comping a portion of their meal since they had major issues with theirs too. Basically avoid this place like the plague, they have almost as many staff as client but you will see litter on the floor that no one bothers to pick up, the food sucks, service is shitty, and there is not even any soap in the bathrooms, I wonder how the staff clean themselves after a toilet visit and before touching your plates and food. The place is a complete disaster and should just close down already. My Mum who doesn't even eat junk food said that McDonalds is better. And she is right!!!
(1)Daniel M.
I'm not a big chicken and waffles guy, but the chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy is off the chain, ridiculously good. Best sausage gravy I've had.
(4)Rachel F.
It's a cute place, but the prices are a little high for what it is.
(3)Brian C.
Great food! The employees know the menu and are happy to be there. Good atmosphere with live music. Watch out for the construction in the parking lot.
(5)Ryan D.
The place looks nice on the inside. Food tastes decent but it's overpriced. The waitress seemed rude and didn't care that we were there. Overall I don't think I will return.
(2)Sandra B.
I thought this restaurant stood out amongst others in the area. The food was really good (every item we ordered was great), and the atmosphere was awesome.
(5)Christine P.
Great food and service! Went their for my bday dinner and they were very nice accommodating my party of 12. The Bleau chicken and waffles are a most have!! For appetizers a must have the pork sliders and ask to have them with their wings sauce. It's amazing ! Service was kind of slow but it was also very busy. Overall my experience was great! Definitely revisiting.
(4)Rosabel T.
I'm going to start off, that I'm from Texas and am very familiar with southern food and BBQ. Okay, upon entrance it was semi empty on a Thursday evening. The place is decorated very interestingly. Modern art take on western/cowboy look. They have western movies playing on several tv's too. Parking is free and not hard to access. Service is great! I give her a 5/5 stars! That's what I enjoyed the most about the restaurant . I had heard they were so slow and bad service. We had a groupon to this place btw. No one was rude! Great customer service! Appetizer: crab hush puppies . Those were great! 5/5! It is served with a scallion dip. Don't be afraid to try it. It's good. The hush puppies are good without the sauce too. They had the perfect amount of breading to crab ratio and outer surface was cooked well. Entrees: I got the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. Ohh those were yummy! Although I must admit this was not the best chicken and waffles I had. What I really liked was the marshmallow sauce. The sauce gets: 5/5 and the chicken gets 4/5 (the breading around chicken lacked flavor ) , waffles were average . My boyfriend got BBQ baby back ribs. This is where we both were disappointed. The BBQ sauce that was drizzled over it was not our idea of BBQ/southern tasty BBQ sauce. The ribs themselves were very fatty and seem to lack prep that most smoked/BBQ meats take. BBQ beans were average. My boyfriend loves ribs and he has had plenty of experience with them and rates them 2/5 Unfortunately we didn't have the drinks or desserts. We are going back to try other things and give it a second shot. Only reason this review gets 3/5 today which is harsh from me. I really hesitate to put that, because great service, creative art, great appetizers and the potential it has. It just is a southern place and it didn't live up to its expectations in the chicken and waffles and ribs. Now I'm not saying do not come to the place. We are coming back to try their swamp drink and desserts and other menu items. :-)
(3)Yannick N.
I wanted to give this place such a good review just like the other yelpers but there were so many little things that would just piss you off while dining that probably wouldn't make me return. Walked in by the side entrance; no Hostess there so I walked to the front entrance to grab a menu and WAIT to be seated just like a majority of people have stated in their reviews. Tsk tsk! Got seated in the booth with the most water spilled underneath the table* w/e Started off with the crab hush puppies and the shell mac & cheese; they both we're actually good! Ordered the Chicken & Waffles (Mind you; it's DARK meat) honestly I've never seen a C&W I didn't completely smash but this was THE FIRST!!! Friggin just puzzles me of the dark meat choice but the waffles w/ the marshmallow sauce aka "Icing" we're great. But damn I coulda just order waffles ONLY if I knew that the chicken wasn't WHITE MEAT! The $5 drink special we're good but the bartender was being lazy that night and didn't think to put any lemons on the sides of the Margaritas or Raspberry lemonades glasses until I asked. Just being LAZY! And not to be petty but one of the waffles fell off my baes plate while the server was serving us and she said she's sorry and go get another one and.. (you guessed it!) she DIDN'T (frowns)... I'm not cheap but pricing could be better for the portions... I AIN'T COMING BACK! (gotta drag me back to this place) and I'm not saying don't go but honestly this place just needs a lil work.
(2)Henry A.
NPS = 3 I was really disappointed with this place. Finally...a good-looking, kind of trendy BBQ place in Davie that resembles something that would be found in Wynwood. Everything was Southern themed from the glass mason jars for drinks to the tray they served BBQ ribs on. You would think it would make for a great time but you would be wrong. One thing really bothered me about this place: No substitutions on dishes!! When I asked why, the server just shrugged. I wish the servers were better equipped to answer questions with more than just a shrug. This is particularly true when my girlfriend has an allergy to potatoes but still has to get the French fries because "THAT IS HOW THE MEAL COMES." Something else that really bothered me was that they brought out food for all the guests at our table and did not bring my girlfriend's plate until approximately 10 minutes later. And of course, it was loaded with fries which she is allergic to...because THAT IS THE WAY THE MEAL COMES. It took forever to get water refills and I looked at some tables and they had a jar full of ice-tea while our table had to keep asking for refills in our cups for sweet tea. I did not like the preference of treatment to one table over another. And it would be fine to lot get a jar to serve ourselves if the drinks were brought out in a timely manner. The food was actually pretty good, and that's why this place does not get 1 star. The St. Louis ribs with apple BBQ were good and smokey. The baby backs were crispier but with less meat on them so I recommend the St. Louis ones better. The appetizer wings were also plump and caramelized and the hush puppies were moist and delicious. The issue with this place is the service and customer friendliness. If they could just tweak a few things, this restaurant would be a lot better.
(2)Edward P.
Delicious food!! Amazing tastes!! Great selection of crafts/drafts/bottles..Corey, who was the best bartender I've had in south florida when it comes to restaurants..I've passed by this place many many times ans it wasnt until I got their $30 coupon that I decided to stop by and check it out..I came in on a monday night..sitting at the bar, we get the $5 bar bites and I got wings and sliders..the swank sauce is amazing..a must have! Its like honey, hot, but not too hot and some hint of bbq..even that description doesn't do it justice..great appetizers. I decided to go do the chicken and waffles, and this was also another excellent choice..sweet-savory-well prepared- it is a great entree. Corey helped out the most with his knowledge on crafts and everything beer. He definitely made me feel welcomed and helped me find a new favorite beer in the Shark Bait Coconut...it is not sold in many stores and Corey was able to provide me a whole description and history behind the beers I would feel curious to try out. It was not packed at all as I sat down at the bar with many tables available and everyone else also see me to enjoy the environment plus tvs watching the world series.. This place is a must try out and many will enjoy the food and drinks it provides..plus the service!
(5)Crystal A.
I don't understand how anyone could give this place 5 stars. This place is far from "Southern". You must come here knowing that this isn't true southern food. The idea on some of their meals is southern inspired but no where near taste or quality of authentic southern food. This was my second time coming here and I only went because my boyfriend really enjoys their chicken and waffles. And when I say enjoy, it's the closest chicken n waffles spot to our home if not we would go elsewhere. This business took over a billiard spot and I have driven by for years wanting to try it. My first visit was a disappointment but I think it was mostly because of my food choice that night. But since it has been a couple of months, I decided to give it another try before really making that final decision of hating it (lol). I don't know if our waiter was new but we had to constantly repeat ourselves "ketchup, refill, straws, syrup" omg it was quite annoying. How can you place drinks without straws? Give waffles with no syrup? Provide fries with our meals and no ketchup? And mind you, we had two orders of waffles and she came with ONE syrup so we had to ask to bring for the other. I don't know, a lot of things are common sense as a waitress. Don't get me wrong, really nice girl but I don't know if she understands what waiting a table is. I got ribs this time and they were eh... Definitely have had way better- ribs and chicken/waffles that is. When we asked for to go boxes, we told her we would be taking my boyfriends chicken & waffles with my left over ribs, she came back with one box. Why would we want rib bbq sauce all over the other meal? We had to tell her we need an additional box. Long story short- we ended up leaving it but since we live about 5 minutes away, we called about half an hour later. Hannah answered the phone and said she would check but to come regardless. As we are on route, she ended up calling us to tell us the boxes had been thrown away by our waiter, Amanda, and there was nothing they could do about it. Hannah then told us how if this was her table, she would hold onto the boxes until the end of the night because people come back most of the time but that our waiter didn't do that. Great way of not making your co-worker look good...We spent over $70 bucks here and this is the service you provide? Making us drive back to basically tell us to turn around? ::Sigh:: What I really like about this business is their decor. It's very modern & dim lighting. There is a photo booth near the restrooms. They have creative drinks but I don't know if they are good or bad. This isn't a place I would ever suggest to go or my first thought when I am hungry. If you think about it, they don't even have large varieties of meal options. Their first page is food than alcoholic drinks. Don't come here for Southern food, maybe come to try their marshmallow sauce on their chicken & waffles. I hope I don't end up back here sometime in the future.
(2)Crystal C.
Tried chicken and waffles... Made me sick, ended up returning it...... However that bread pudding is by far the best bread pudding you can get in SFL! It's so close to the ohana bread pudding at disneys Polynesian resort. Holy macaroni! We only stop in here to hit the bar and grab that dessert
(3)Danielle R.
I have to update my review after my Groupon/ Bar Experience. I tried this place for Brunch with moms and was not impressed, but they had a Groupon deal that came out for Monday-Thursday dinner so I thought I'd try it again. I have a friend that lives in Davie so we decided to meet here for dinner. I got there a tad early and sat at the bar. I was greeted by Jacob, he was the best. Great service from this guy! He informed me they had $5 vodka specials and $5 bar eats...I ordered a drink and the $5 fried green tomatoes as I know my friend likes them. When she arrived she ordered a drink and we polished off the tomatoes. At this point, we decided to stay up at the bar and enjoy more bar eats and Jacob's great service. We ordered (all $5 at the bar) -the pulled pork sliders- 2 an order-delicious with homemade pickles -chicken wings- really good, 5 to an order we were impressed -mac 'n cheese- our least favorite but to share for $5 why not AT this point, I had to ask myself if this was the same restaurant? I was very full and our meal cost $20 for 2! Great value, great food, and great service #boom And they allowed me to use my Groupon to boot
(5)Jade A.
I REALLY wanted to like this place. I really did! I went for brunch on Father's Day because I'd been twice before for dinner and each time was fantastic! I started with the biscuits and bacon jam -- it was $7 so my expectations were high. Turns out it ended up being PILLSBURY instant biscuits with a decent bacon-y, onion-y jam. And you only get 2. I could buy two whole rolls of those biscuits from public for $7-- rip off #1. For my meal I ordered the southern French toast with apple pie filling. TERRIBLE! The French toast was thin and tasteless. It was probably Aunt Jemima French toast if you ask me and only came with two teaspoons of syrup-- ripoff #2. My friends ordered the shrimp and grits and both were returned due to lack of flavor, and ultimately, lack of effort. Very underwhelming.
(2)Mark A.
I don't think it quite met the hype I had. I expected pretentious bbq. Check. I expected the swanky ambiance for a southern joint. Check. I ordered the St. Louis Ribs. I'm no fan of saucy bbq so that was a plus for me. The apple cinnamon was nice. The meat was tender and came right off the bone. It had a bit of a kick though. I was not expecting it based on the description in the menu. No big deal. I tried Acelyn B's pulled pork sliders. Pretty solid. Our friend ordered the Blue chicken & waffles. To me, that was the highlight of the food on our table. Though, I don't think I'd enjoy the whole plate. The sample was sufficient enough for me. I like the sweet flavor it brought. Where it went south... not in a good way. Service was fine... until our water glasses went empty. Mine was the last to drain so I didn't notice it as soon as my dining mates. Their glasses had been empty for a much longer duration of time. Tsk tsk. Another downfall was my ole fashion. I had high expectations with the bourbon. I mean, it is a southern joint. My drink came out with muddled cherries, an orange slice, and ice chips. Strike 1. Strike 2. Strike 3. You're out! I was sorely disappointed with the "old fashioned". For me, this is a HUGE hit to my rating. There is one slightly saving grace though. There's a photo booth in the back. Have some fun with your company and take some pictures. Post them up on their walls or keep it for yourself. Whatever tickles your fancy.
(3)Sandra D.
I was so excited to finally go to Southern Swank. I wanted to try the food; which looks and is delicious but most of all I wanted to try their drinks :-P We went there for brunch on Sunday. The hostess sat us down in a booth and there was loud country music playing; which I loved. The music is loud enough to where you can have a conversation and no one will hear you but still peaceful enough to enjoy a meal. Their brunch menu was very small and little expensive but looked tasty. Our waitress came and introduced herself and she seemed a bit cold; not welcoming and friendly. She wasn't rude but didn't give off that "superstar waitress vibe." To start off we ordered drinks. The caramel apple moonshine and Louisiana swamp water. The drinks came and long behold my Louisiana Swamp Water had no swamp to it. Trying to get her attention was hell. She could not stop chatting with the bartenders. It was a legit 10 minutes of me trying to flag her down. Finally I showed her my phone and asked her "Why my drink looks different?" her excuse was "We ran out of dry ice." I didn't argue but I think the reason the majority of people order this drink is because of presentation and the fact that our waitress was so nonchalant about it disappointed me. The swamp was not bad but not amazing. Tasted like $10 orange juice and liquor. They also put orange pulp in it. The caramel apple moonshine was very sweet but tasty. I think it was a little stronger than the swamp water; which I enjoyed. I would not order neither drink again though. We then ordered blue long islands. Can't go wrong with that right? We also ordered our meals which consisted of a redneck rueben and a breakfast burger. The redneck reuben was delicious so was the breakfast burger. No complaints whatever. Both sandwiches were amazing. So were the blue long islands. My only complaint were the fries they were a little too crispy for my liking. Both sandwiches with fries were $14; which seems a little pricey to me. All in all. I walked out of there with a full tummy and an amazing buzz. I will be back for dinner and the pork belly mac and cheese :)
(3)Joey B.
The burger was cooked medium just as requested. My fries were heat lamp temperature. The server wasn't too knowledgeable about the dishes or prices of the specials. The atmosphere is nice but it's just missing something. Seems like they just don't have it together yet. Drinks were half off but the board says 2-4-1. This makes it a guessing game when your bill comes. The bar should have more lighting to make it more welcoming. This place has huge potential. I've been here 4 times and have yet to be impressed. I come back every couple months with hope but haven't been wowed yet.
(3)Kimberly P.
Pretty good. Love the brunch items but eggs overdone on the benedict. Love the homemade BBQ sauce. The Reuben is a weird name and doesn't go w the sandwich at all - it's more a "country bbq breakfast sandwich" and the one we got needed more collard greens. Overall good but something in the vibe of the place doesn't work 100%. Place needs a piece of woman or a woman's touch to give it some comfort. I mean it is comfort food, right??!
(4)Natalie H.
We went here for my mom's birthday brunch and we are all glad that we did! The atmosphere is southern but in a chic way not a dated way, from the decor to the music, and they even played an old Clint Eastwood movie in all four corners. The corn bread was hot and delicious with the cinnamon butter on the side. Everyone loved the grits (my mom is native to Virginia as far south as you can get before crossing the state line into NC - she knows her grits) and everything else we got there was equally delicious! After chatting with our waiter, Mike (who was very gracious and charmingly humble) we learned that the owners recently replaced just about their entire staff. I've never been here to experience the old staff, but it seems like they made the right move because we were very satisfied.
(5)Andrea A.
I was really excited about this place, after a review from a friend. Unfortunately, it only gets three 'mehs'. I guess since it didn't live up to my expectations... I was left wanting real southern food. So we show up and there's a lake in the front parking lot. No joke. It was flooded and I'm unsure why. Prob not their fault, but def not good for biz. Then the outdoor decor was pretty flashy and not so southern. Inside it was decorated nice but completely empty. Besides some drunken dinosaurs at the bar, there was one other table. The server approached and told us that all wine bottles were half off ( thank you Jesus!) so we ordered one. I'm pretty familiar with wine and can safely say that most were priced way too high for what I pay in other restaurants. Then we ordered the shells n cheese with bacon. It came in a skillet and the shells were very good from first bite. At the bottom they were drowning in oil. Also, WITH BACON means that you have more than two flakes of bacon. Don't skimp on the bacon-- that's dangerous territory. Plus it makes you look cheap. Before we ordered, we were told there were no specials, no fish and absolutely no substitutions. That's interesting because I never saw pumpkin purée as southern, but that's what they served on the side of my meatloaf. Rather, there was a splotch of it--- cheap again. I was ok with the splotch because I didn't care for it anyhow. The short rib meatloaf was pretty good... I would've liked some firmness. It fell apart. Ordered a side of slaw (because they are hardly southern enough to know that meatloaf should come with slaw... And they are cheap) and the slaw was good. My man got chicken and waffles, which he ordered with a bleu cheese sauce. It was good. For the price, I expected more. The manager came over to check on us and he was just a little off. No real manager presence, didn't speak with much restaurant knowledge or authority and just seemed pretty uncomfortable speaking at all. I would suggest that he beef up the confidence and the conversational skills. Maybe he had a bad night- who knows. They all wanted us to come back for brunch-- which seems to be exact same menu items. Once again- cheap. I know restaurants need to make a living, but when you blatantly rip customers off- your restaurant will be empty. I don't for see this establishment withstanding the test of time.
(3)Dre B.
I read the Yelp reviews before I went here and almost changed my mind. I read them again after looking at a few other options and almost changed my mind again. I then went against my best judgement -- and the "average at best" consensus of Yelpers -- and went to Southern Swank anyway for dinner on a Friday. It was exactly as the Yelpers had said: Average, At Best. I am a Chicken-n-Waffles connoisseur/snob. So I ordered their version (which is prominently noted on the menu to have ben rated Top 10 by Miami New Times -- who and why, I have no idea. Small sample size, I guess). NOTICE: Putting chicken and waffles on the same plate, makes a chicken-n-raffles dish, not. Our waitress was as bad as she could possible be, not suggestive-selling us anything (as there were some indecisive people in our party) and making no meal- or check-enhancing suggestions when we did order. The place looks fine, nice spacious restaurant and large-sized bar. Very hick-ish looking front staff but I like the flannel shirt look. i wont be eating here again; for average food and average service I can spend 50% less on KFC or Boston Market. Yelp, i will listen to you next time.
(2)Debra C.
I just came back here a few weeks ago with a couple of friends. I bought a Groupon for the place months ago, and it was set to expire in mid-January. I think Southern Swank is trying to step it up again. They beefed up their serving sizes for everything. I got their burger and it was huge. I also think they increased the size of their chicken and waffles. Since I'm Asian, I take pictures of food and my friend's choice of chicken and waffles was bigger than the one I had last year. Dessert is always awesome (I think I have a thing for desserts that come in jars). Service has also improved vastly, with the waiters and hosts being more aware of customers' needs. Perhaps we came on a good day, but I've found Florida to be slow on average so I'm always surprised when it's not. They also serve brunch now on the weekend! I haven't been yet, but I intend to when I get the chance. My friend who has been here for brunch, says it's her favorite part of the Swank menu. If you see a Groupon for this place, grab it! Regardless, the food is reasonable for the price, but I always like to save money when I can.
(4)Jenn E.
Good but honestly for the price it could be better! The layout was weird, there was too much room making it feel cold and un-intimate. Ribs were awesome, but I felt like everything was overpriced for being mediocre- good. They have a good concept but its being executed wrong.
(3)Diana C.
Went for brunch and was not disappointed! My husband had the country fried steak and bottom-less mimosas and I had the French toast with a side of biscuit and gravy. The gravy wasn't my style but the French toast was awesome and our server was really great.
(4)Jack A.
What the hell was that? Are you kidding me!? Jesus Christ that was disgusting! I don't believe it. I shoulda walked outta there without paying the bill. Just garbage. Pure garbage on a plate. They're thieves with the prices they charge! Then I woke up with my stomach hurting in the middle of the night. Thought I was gonna puke. I should have.
(1)Marcia S.
I went there last night, as I saw a lot of reviews for this place. FYI it's pretty casual, you can easily wear jeans and a nice top, definitely like not like your Miami or Fort Lauderdale scene, it almost felt like I was in Denver or somewhere like that. We started with the crab hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes they both were good and came out very quickly the Hush Puppies could have had a little bit more crab. We ordered a pork chop and ribs and those took forever to come out. We never complained as we thought it was pretty busy and the waitress kept on coming by and apologizing. Shocking a man came over to our table and apologized and told us he was going to give us 15 percent off our dinner. He apologized and thanked us for coming and hoped we would come back. That was the first time that's ever happened in any restaurant where they took responsibility before us even bringing it up, WOWWWWW, I WAS IMPRESSED, but as I mentioned it definitely did not have a Miami or Fort Lauderdale feel. Definitely give it a try if you like southern food a lot of salt though.
(4)Megan M.
Been to Southern Swank a few times now, and I'm a fan. Their drinks are fantastic, and probably my favorite thing about Swank. It's hard to think of a place in that area that has such unique cocktails. On my last visit, they had changed up some of the drinks, but they were still delicious. The food is also tasty. The mac and cheese is a must, and I the sliders are pretty killer. Not my favorite chicken and waffles, but not bad at all. The waffles are perfect. Each time I've been, service has been stellar. Everyone was friendly, and accommodating. They're a little on the slow side, but not so noticeable to deduct stars for. Make sure you check out their photo booth in the back. It's a hoot! On busy nights, parking can be a pain, but be patient and wait it out for a spot.
(4)Johane M.
The decor was better than the food and if you are a vegetarian it does not offer much meatless options on their menu. I went shortly after they opened but have not been back.
(2)Damon D.
Southern Swank was a disappointment for us. We had high expectations from the menu and from the marketing around the restaurant, but they really didn't even come close to meeting our expectations. The food was mediocre at best, and the service was abysmal. My country fried steak that was supposed to be topped in shoestring potatoes was actually covered by them, so much so that it made the breading on the steak soggy. The steak itself was a very cheap cut (which is normal), but I haven't run into that much gristle in years. That is not what I expect for $22. Our server spent most of his time up at the pass, obviously trying to chat up some of the other servers there. We won't be going back.
(1)Katrina G.
After driving by over and over again I finally suggested going here with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. She was in the mood for BBQ and I suggested this place because it's upscale southern and I heard good things about it. Mondays and Tuesdays they have half off cocktails, I had the Raspy Lemonade and it was sweet and strong, very good. I ordered the Southern Swank Brisket Sandwich and it was delicious, I ate the whole thing within a few minutes. Other members of my family had the ribs, chicken and waffles, and the brisket burger and they all loved it. Our waiter John was very friendly and attentive. Over all great experience, my only complaint is that they don't have shrimp and grits, or any grits on their menu. Other than that it was a great dinner!
(4)Amber S.
Southern Surprise! While looking for a place to grab a quick bite we stopped into Swank and what a delightful experience. We ordered the beer can chicken, collard greens, fish special, fried green tomatoes, & a kids burger. The waitress was too sweet and answered all of the questions expertly about the menu and especially the drinks. Everything was fantastic and the chronic tonic a mix of gin and blueberries was to die for. I wish I could have tried the other specialty drinks especially the raspberry ones which were recommended. Unfortunately the fried green tomatoes arrived after our dinner which were the appetizer thus the 4 stars. Great for foodies, out of town guests, and even kids! They tolerated my 3 year old dancing on the stage and didn't even bat an eye! Bravo! We will be back!
(4)Claudine J.
I read too many mixed reviews about this place. Here's how I see Southern Swank Kitchen... overall it is a nice place, nice laid back atmosphere with average food... it was good, but not great. Except maybe for the cornbread, but think that may have been because of the honey butter. The others in my party liked their food, but can't say if they'd be back. Especially for those who live in Miami, too long a drive for overpriced shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. IJS. If it wasn't for Doug, not sure if my time at SSK would have been a 3 star. He kept those bottomless mimosas coming.
(3)Myrleia M.
This place just started brunch and it's already perfected! They have brunch like drink specials and still carry their full regular menu. The presentation of every plate is phenomenal and the taste is unforgettable. Even though this is a 40 minute drive for me, I try to make it out when I can because it's a good environment. Food is on point and drinks are made nice and strong. Owner or manager is always very welcoming and make you feel the family vibe they have going. I HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)Yi L.
Decided to give this place a second try. What a fail! The waiter screwed up my order. Screwed up my check. He is so rude. He even took our orders from one spot. Across the table. Didn't walk around to get our orders. And we were at a long table. Every time he brought anything over, I said thank you and he didn't acknowledge me. I will not be returning here. Horrible service. Mediocre food.
(1)Omar H.
Had a great after work date night. We really enjoyed the high quality food and pleasant service. The ribs are some of the best I've ever had (and I love Jenkins). I think it's great that they have classic western movies playing and still have a few extra TVs in case there's a game on.
(4)Patrick M.
noisy....fun....brought my kids and 80 year old mom....everybody had a good time limited menu..kinda of a trendy dining spin on southern cooking...but everything was excellent...
(4)Diane N.
My husband and I went to the grand opening celebration on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Their food is southern style and the ambiance is kind of western. Servers were constantly coming around with trays of appetizers for everyone to try. Everything we tried was very tasty. We were served crab hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, shells and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. The crab hush puppies were served on sticks. They were plump and delicious, but I didn't taste or see any crab Everyone was saying how delicious the pulled pork sliders were. They were served on a soft bun. The pork had a tangy sauce and was topped with cole slaw. The shells and cheese was served in little cups. They were delicious and I grabbed another serving every time a tray came around. Last was my favorite, the fried green tomatoes. They were served in small pieces, I would have liked a whole slice of tomato. They were covered in a remoulade and tasso sauce that was delicious. Later our table got a metal pail filled with popcorn. It was sweet, had nuts, and was very delicious. I'm not sure what all was in the popcorn, but I want more. Some specialty drinks were free and there was also a cash bar. They had a band and a DJ. The owner came around, introduced himself and welcomed us. It was a nice touch. He gave us his business card in case we wanted to get in touch with him. Based on how much we enjoyed the grand opening, I know we'll be back. I saw the menu and the prices didn't seem to be very expensive.
(4)Lindsey G.
Came here for a going away dinner with 8 people. Service was incredibly bad, waited 40 minutes for drinks after order was put in. A friend ordered an app for dinner and she brought it out as an app 30 min before anyone had there dinner. I ordered chicken and waffles which were ok but not awesome. Moonshine drink concoctions were cool but too strong for me!
(2)Sabrina F.
I love this place. I wish it weren't so far away. We went in a big group when my mom was in town and it was a phenomenal experience. The beer can chicken is to die for, the pulled pork sliders, wow. I don't even eat pork, but I did that night. Their chicken wings are out of this world. The service was impeccable, their beer selection is on point. It's a relaxed environment, pretty big with a large bar, cool hang out place, not expensive either. If this place were closer I would be here much more often.
(5)Marina S.
I was so excited for the chicken and waffles but WHY would one put marshmallow fluff on top?? So weird and unnecessary. The Crab Hush Puppies were soo good! The sliders and cole slaw were very tasty! The St. Louis ribs were not true St. Louis ribs. Not fall off the bone, not crazy about their sauce. The drinks were fun and yummy, served in mason jars to add to the southern rustic vibe in here. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I have a feeling they like yelpers because when we checked in, all of a sudden the 40 minute wait time was forgotten, we were seated and offered shots lol.
(3)Donna C.
Overpriced. ..small portions. ..good customer service. My food was cold they did heat it but I won't comeback.
(3)Jonathan M.
The food was pretty good. All the plates are shareable so Id recommend to get a few things to share. The watermelon salad is very good - better than at other southern kitchens in soflo. Simple dish but tasty The shells and cheese with shrimp super yum - it makes a really good side but it's even good enough to have as a main dish for one person. The place needs work on the decor and the layout though. It's cute from the outside but inside it looks like they just threw a bunch of random tables in a big empty space w a bar in the middle. It had great potential to be really cute inside and they wasted it. Not sure if they ran out of money or something. Now a days it's not just good to have great food you also have to provide a good ambiance or it kind of kills it. Work on that and you'll have a great place this side of 95.
(3)Jimmi L.
Bad Service To loud Ordered Pork chops and Beans and Beer can chicken Both came out RAW!!!!! Waited forever for the waitress and she comes back with a Hostess who proceeds to argue with me about getting more food! After telling her the Fourth time No she goes and get a guy that might be the chef/cook So he asked "what the Problem" Really? Well if You made one mistake that could slide But you had both Chicken and Pork come out and Both were RAW! Reading other reviews it seems this is a common thing at Southern Swank Kitchen So he asked if we were Interested in returning for a meal on the House. I said not a chance! After reading all the other reviews and it seems like they do not take care of anything! Went to Knucklehead Burger up the Street! Good burger their! Best to avoid Southern Swank Kitchen all together!
(1)Vincent S.
Best pork sliders on the planet, great spare rib meatloaf. Service is attentive and friendly. Place is spotless clean, great bar area and TV's too for games. It has it all if you're looking for a great place with great food in West Broward. You want great food served with a smile in a comfortable setting? Southern Swank is the place to go.
(5)Bryan N.
Let me start by saying I live walking distance from this place and had extremely high hopes this place would be our new go to spot. I've been to this restaurant on a two occasions over the course of a year hoping that any issues would be resolved being a newer restaurant at that time. On our first visit me and my fiancé ordered fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. One of the tomatoes was actually green and had the classic tart flavor associated with green tomatoes. The other tomatoes on the plate were completely red and had little to no flavor. When we asked to speak to the manager he began to give us a very long spiel about "heirloom" and "green" tomatoes. He even went to the point of bringing out tomatoes from the kitchen and began babbling even more. First off all I was born and raised in North Carolina and I am a huge cook. I have a full understanding of how to cook this dish and what it's supposed to taste like. The situation could have been easily resolved by preparing us another dish of GREEN tomatoes as advertised on the menu and went about his way. Shortly after we received our entree of chicken and waffles. When my fiancé cut into her chicken it was RAW. Not slightly pink, not a pale hue of red, I mean completely raw! The manager then came back to our table and we showed him the what almost looked purple chicken. He looked extremely nervous at this point and then took our dishes back to the kitchen. When he came back he had us check our food which seemed to be cooked to a safe temperature this time. We vented our frustrations to this manager who then proceeded to tell us that he "just fired" the chef who cooked our dish. My fiancé then lost it and proceeded to tell him about his poor management skills and how he reprimands his employees is none of our concern. He then apologized again and states that he didn't fire the employee "he just had a serious talking to". So you lied basically?? In closing the only dish that was actually pretty delicious was the bread pudding for desert. Overall: ok food at best, horrible management, descent drink selection. If your looking for a place to come have a drink and don't mind the blaring country music this might be an ok spot. It is very unfortunate being that the decor is very nice and has a nice rustic feel. With better/NEW management, some culinary guidance and new well informed staff this place could have potential. Until then I will not be going back
(1)Lina A.
Went for brunch around 2 pm. We were seated right away and had a great server. The chicken and waffles was the best I've ever had. The chicken wasn't too greasy, it was cooked really well. And the waffles were great with the marshmallow sauce. My boyfriend had the fried steak and eggs, he liked it as well but he liked the chicken and waffles better. We also had the biscuits with bacon jam, it was really good! And I don't even like bacon lol can't wait to go back and try other things in the menu
(4)Holly O.
Went here on a Tuesday evening with another couple and used a Groupon. Decor was kind of cute and casual... could have used just a little more refining but okay. The restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated quickly in a booth. Our server was a little more concerned with being "in character" than being a really good server... not terrible but not great either (and I think he was new and in training so I'll give him a pass). We asked about bar specials and he told us that most bar drinks were half price so we ordered 3 different drafts and a glass of wine. Later he asked if we wanted another round so we ordered 2 more drafts and another glass of wine... only to be told AFTER they were delivered to our table that the bar special was now over and the drinks were full price. Also when checking the bill at the end we realized that we were charged for a different (more expensive) draft than we ordered. When we pointed this out the server admitted that he had brought the wrong draft... and not only that he gave the wrong drafts to the wrong people. He made no offer to adjust the price and quite honestly didn't really apologize. Not very good customer service... but maybe that was a training issue... who knows. Now for the food... we wanted to order the fried green tomatoes but were told that they were taken off the menu. Disappointing since I saw some good reviews for them and had never tried them before but we ordered the fried pickles instead. I had only just tried fried pickles at another establishment about 2 weeks earlier and liked them. Swank's fried pickles were very light on the pickles... All I could really taste was the very thick and slightly overdone breading. Like I said not terrible but not very good. Based on reviews I wanted to order the short rib meatloaf but guess what.... taken off the menu(do you see a trend here?). So I ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was pretty good but would have preferred something other than fries on the side... no substitutions though. I think my husband had some type of steak which was okay. My friend ordered the wedge salad and was told that they were out of blue cheese so they could not make the blue cheese dressing... for goodness sake how could you run out of a basic ingredient on a Tuesday night? In the end somehow they managed to bring her a wedge salad with the blue cheese dressing... who knows how. Our other friend ordered the chicken and waffles which he said were okay. All in all it wasn't terrible but I'm not sure I'd go back... which is a shame because I love the idea and theme of this restaurant and I normally love down home country cooking. Also, they should change their online menu to reflect their menu changes... fried green tomatoes and meatloaf are still listed.
(2)Erick O.
I am a big fan of southern food. Being a regular of Yardbird and Swine, my expectations were high I'll be honest. I wanted to see how this restaurant stacked up against my go-to locations for southern food. Upon arrival I wasn't impressed with the parking situation. There was a bus in the back that I was wondering why was it there. In addition, 2 vehicles that were not properly parked that made it quite difficult to get out of the last row of parking, you don't need to be Jeff Gordan but it was tricky. I wonder if that area can be expanded maybe valet to a different location? Missis said the wait was 45min. No worries we can explorer the location, see the photo booth and watch the ambiance and habits of waiters and guests. Upon arrival I was greeted by a younger girl. She apologized for the long wait and asked us if we wanted water or tea. We opted for water and she gave us the menu's so we can glance. That was a plus. Very nice gesture by Swank. The young girl was very nice girl don't get me wrong she was a sweet heart. However, I think to host or be at the forefront of the entrance she needs to be a bit more assertive, we observed how she was a bit shaken or rattled by some of the questions on the menu and drinks or patrons asking her for updates. Nothing some training and some polishing can't cure. I ordered Swamp water for my girlfriend and Caramel Apple Moonshine. The dry ice made the name of the drink stand out for swamp water, it almost looked like it came out of one of the canals in the back minus the infested water with what looked like a gummy worm, but it was tasty and the presentation was very good. The caramel apple was delicious. I really enjoyed it, the caramel/ dulce leche type candy in the small plastic fork gave it presentation points. But the taste! Wow. It took me a while to order drinks, seems between the people eating at the bar and others lounging made it difficult for other attempting to order drinks. I also noticed it was very difficult for the servers and the severs assistant to bring out the food due to a small narrow walk way next to the kitchen that is congested by people at the bar lounging and others trying to order. I saw the servers bumping into each other quite often and telling patrons to excuse them, or having to wait to bring food to the tables because of the congestion in that area. Maybe something can me done there help expedite the service and maximize efficiency. Would be easier for everyone to come up with space in that area or change the layout for the servers there. I am sure they have noticed it. I also noticed or maybe its me, but the kitchen seems a little small. Don't get me wrong, the kitchen is like my grandmother, she may be tiny but man she can pack a punch of flavor in her food. It just seems like the kitchen staff and the servers are drowning them selves in a cup because of the lack of space. Maybe there is more space inside the kitchen that I can't see. Don't know but maybe this is one of the reason for some of the most recent bad reviews of slow service? Not sure but it would help to maximize that space somehow. Servers for the most part look like they know what there doing, I give them credit that stretch from 8:30 or so to about 11:00pm that we were there WAS busy. I saw several of them busting there butt so credit to them. So after my 45 mins, my girlfriend ask one of the managers or senior staff a young man in a black polo with thin black hair for a status on the wait. He said 30 min or so? She looked at him in disbelief and asked him was that on top of the 45 minutes that we had already been waiting and were told when we first arrived? He looked perplexed, he apologized kinda cheesy salesmen and said he would get us a table in about 10 minutes as they were clearing out and bringing checks to several tables, I said no problem. Let me tell you it did not help there were two girls in a table we observed clearly finished eating several minutes ago. The waiter did everything she could to offer more drinks, dessert, food, etc but the girls would not bite, they just stayed taking and taking space. The guy in the polo game back and apologized again and offered to buy us drinks. I was very impressed, not even at a fancy steak house have I gotten that gesture. We thanked him but declined. I understand it was very busy. As he promised in 10 minutes we were sat. Country fried steak and Mac for me Misses had The Yelp, we also ordered Crab Hush Puppies and Pork Sliders. WOW WOW WOW. This is was did it for me. The food was delicious! A+ Worth the wait. Sliders on point, the pickle made the pork stand out more dry tender, That marshmallow on the Yelp, WOW. Steak was juicy and the shoe string fries gave it spunk. That crab!! Flakey. The guy in polo came back with a free Caramel Moonshine. You sir showed this customer Swank means something to you and you want it to prosper. Showed me this place wants to thrive. Impressed.
(4)Ana Cristina P.
Southern Shank. That's what it SHOULD be called after my first (and most likely ONLY) experience at this restaurant. What a disaster. From start to finish. The waitress, albeit pleasant, could not handle such a large party (there were around 12 of us). The restaurant couldn't handle a typical Saturday night either. They ran out of glasses for water, so half of our table never got any (despite the waitress repeatedly telling us there was water on its way). We never got utensils, so one of us had to get up, go to the bar, and grab silverware for our whole table. How embarassing, Southern Swank. The disaster continues... Our drinks took forever, so we were experiencing this mess of a meal completely sober. Good thing we were in good company. There's no people I would rather have had by my side than the folks I was with! The excuse for some of the drinks taking forever? "They're right there, at the bar, but I had no one to run them". (the bar is about 10 feet from our table). I'd love to give that excuse to my patients at work: "I'm sorry ma'am, your medication is RIGHT THERE (can't you see it?!), but the ER pharmacy tech hasn't brought it in here yet". That would go over QUITE well, don't you think? After an hour and change, we FINALLY get our food. Well, most of us do. One of us was completely forgotten, the waitress stating that our friend "never ordered any food", when we all heard her order with the rest of us. I (and one other person at the table) ordered the meatloaf. I bite into it, and there's a mysterious "crunch", audible but not exactly palpable in my mouth. Strange, I thought to myself. We both dissect our meatloaf, only to discover it was raw. COMPLETELY. RAW. *heaves* We proceed to tell the waitress, who took them back to the kitchen. We tell her to forget the order entirely. Except, when the check arrives at our table, there they are: two raw, poisonous meatloaves still on the check. Cue manager. Manager makes up some story about how he "JUST took them off the check 2 minutes ago, which is why you didn't see it reflected here". Riiiight. OK. Took another 10 years for the bill to get squared away. I rarely go on a tirade of this magnitude when I write a review, but it was a completely failure of a meal from start to finish. One star for the free photobooth. So there's that. Get your act together, Southern Swank...and do it quickly, before you become just another ghost of a dining establishment.
(1)Adrienne K.
I love this restaurant's unique twist on Southern style cook'in! The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. I have eaten here twice so far and due to the generous friends at my table I think I've tried almost everything on the menu. My husband's favorites are the pork sliders and the mac and cheese, great for an appetizer or a snack at the bar. The St. Louis ribs have the perfect smoky flavor. The cowboy steak is big enough to share but you'll want all of the deliciously rich herb butter that comes on top for yourself. For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, my favorite is the chicken and waffles which successfully balances sweet with savory, love the subtle sage in the sauce. The Snickers Mason Jar is a truly unique dessert and is something I will get every time it go. I don't particularly like peanuts, but they are not overwhelming. The buttery caramel sauce is to die for! Don't forget to take your pic in the photo booth in the back of the restaurant ;)
(5)Erica K.
Weird place. Kind of had a chain feel to it... it was empty when my friend and I went and the service was very slow and the food wasn't good. Had high hopes because I love southern style food but this just failed.
(2)Annamarie T.
Food was very plain. It appears that swank might be closing. Ordered chicken wings. Took 45 minutes for my food to be served. Wings were OK. Have had much better many times at other restaurants. I now pretty much understand why reviews are so unkind. Sorry, swank. Maybe you are not closing and maybe you can get it together.
(1)Donald W.
Southern Swank is a fun Restaurant with tasty drinks, fun takes on Southern classics and even a Photo Booth. We went on a wednesday, which had a great promotion going which allowed ladies to get their first glass of wine for a penny. My friends and I ordered the crab hush puppies, there macaroni and cheese, and a bunch of their recommended specialty dishes. Some of their popular dishes are: their chicken waffles, (with marshmallow spread). They also are known for their chicken fried steak and those sweet St. Louis ribs. Once you get past the dining hall area the back is a well lit fun factory filled with a Photo Booth, music and TV screens for you to watch shows that are being played (hopefully it's sports related). I recommend going if you want a modern take on some southern comforts foods. Although the wait time can be pretty long, due to the lack of tables, the food is worth the wait and it's filled with delicious flavors.
(4)Lenya S.
This place was a good first impression. Nicely decorated with the southern look. The staff is dressed in cowboy boots with different platted shirts. We were attended to right away, no wait. Our waiter was very nice and was familiar with the menu. He mentioned the special of the day; and gave us three menus to look at wine , cocktails, and the food. I have to say they should consider consolidating the menus. For appetizers we ordered fried green tomatoes and hush puppies. The fried breaded green tomatoes didn't have any taste whatsoever, on the other hand the hush puppies were okay, at least it had taste. For the main entree, my hubby ordered the meatloaf and I ordered the ribs, with a side of fries and cole slaw. The ribs were really good. Best ribs I've had, soft and not too saucy. My hubby loved his meatloaf. The cole slaw was salty instead of sweet/tangy. Very bad taste in my mouth. For my daughter we ordered the mini burger and the patty was overcooked and hard as a rock. Not my fav place, but wouldn't mind going back to have the ribs again.
(3)Hilda H.
It's a high scale, BBQ/country food restaurant. The service is great. The drinks I love. Their swamp water is awesome. We eat in wood planks and steel pots. The service is great, when I came in I had the swamp water, they didn't have the dry ice because it was coming from Miami, apparently I got there first, coming from the same place, bummer. I ordered my meal the beer can chicken, which I had with cole slaw and fries, and I definitely had to order their Mac and cheese shells (to die for). My friend ordered their meat loaf which sits nicely in a pumpkin mash and some arugula. Our server was supper nice and attentive. The owner came around a couple of time to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Before I finished my meal, the ice arrived and Michael, the manager treated me to another swamp water on the house but with the full effect. I like a little far but every time I find myself venturing through Dania, I have a nice restaurant to come to, where the drinks are tough, the food is good and the the service is friendly.
(4)Danelia N.
First impression, place was nice, liked the atmosphere. Ordered the mac and cheese shells which was awesome! And the crab hush puppies were yummy too. Ordered the country fried steak and chicken and waffles and both didnt disappoint. Portion was big. Only downfall was that no fountain drinks which i think for a place that carries mainly fried entrees, you would prefer refills and not a tiny coke bottle that will finish in 2 sips which is over priced! Also the selection of food was pretty small, not much to choose from. Definitely better to go there just for drinks at the bar and to eat the mac and cheese! Will be back eventually but didnt live up to the hype.
(4)Angie S.
Swank is near where I work so I stop in sometimes for a drink at the bar and their bar bites. Their mac n' cheese is one of my favorites. Served in a little cast iron skillet. Really rich and delicious. Pork sliders and wings are also really good. Pretty good beer selection and the cocktails aren't bad. The caramel apple one is good if I'm looking for something sweet. Sean the bartender is really friendly. He's engaging which helped when I was there having dinner by myself. My only complaint is I wish they stayed open a little later on the weekend. The bar is big so it would be nice to hang out a little longer on a Saturday night.
(4)Kristina K.
Let me start off with the food is really good. Its a shame that their staff is really disappointing. 1 hour at the bar and spent most of it watching the bartenders talk and flirt with each other. Then the managers were having mtgs and talking to everyone again preventing extra drinks from being sold:( Definitely try the pork sliders and ask about specials at least three time because each bartender told us something different or forgot something. If they could get their act together this place could be great. The wings were
(2)MICHELLE C.
Southern food, well I have to disagree, their food is not very Southern IMO. Debating on two or three stars but I just had to stick with my original feelings of two. Why? First this trend of Southern food is killing me lately. Most of these places are not very Southern. Sure the decor is. When we arrived we walked in and I immediately did not like the layout of this restaurant at all. It's an open dining room with tables very close to each other and a very few booths lined up against the wall. They have a deer head on one wall, a bar area that is small with a stage at the front of the dining area. We got seated right in front of the stage which was awkward but I did not want to try and attempt to wait for a better table for 30 minutes. Our server was great, she was super friendly and kept checking on us. We started with the crab hush puppies and I had no complaints, they were good. As I sat their looking over the menu I had a very hard time finding something to order. The menu is limited and small. Shoot after ordering a swamp water cocktail I had to choose something so I figured I would be safe with the beer can chicken. The swamp water cocktail was OK, at first I enjoyed it but after a few gulps I realized it was not for me. When our food arrived the band started to play. Sure it was loud but I really did not mind. They were a lovely band playing old school tunes that most people would have no clue unless you were born in the 60's. I did enjoy listening to them. Off to the side of my plate was a PBR beer can filled with gravy. I like gravy so I rushed to pour it all over my chicken. First bite, oh no no no! This gravy was just wrong. I quickly looked at my husband and daughter and said no way can I eat this so please help yourselves. Hubby had ordered the ribs which he said was just OK so he ate my entree as well. The cole slaw was good and the fries were not bad so I did eat them. What exactly was it in the gravy that I did not like at all. Not quite sure but it had the strangest taste ever, very bitter and super rich which over powered the chicken. The chicken was just chicken, nothing stood out to me. I thought well maybe I ordered the wrong thing but there was literally nothing on the menu that I liked. So for me this is not a place I would ever visit again. Having a Southern father born and bred in Kentucky and my mother who cooks amazing Southern food and lives in the South. ll I can say is this was NOT no where near what I am use to. Trendy, awful dining area, and a huge disappointment in the food. And I found the prices to be ridiculous.
(2)Savanna M.
Wow, I was actually plesantly surprised by Swank!! I waited until the last possible day to use my groupon since it sounded from the other reviews that they had some initial groupon hickups that I wanted to avoid. I wasn't sure what to expect when walking in, but it's clear that they've put a lot of work in to remodeling this place. One side has a large bar area and many tvs, the other side is a more formal dining area. We chose to sit on the dining side at one of the booths. My biggest complaint is that the table was a bit small for the booth and I ended up sitting on the edge of my chair to reach my food. After sitting our waitress came over to take our orders. The wine list had two prices for some - I'm assuming glass and bottle, if so the bottle prices are insanely cheap...perhaps it's for a carafe or something else, I should have asked but decided to order the swamp water. The waitress did warn me that this drink is strong but I assured her that tequila is my thing. Well, yes, it was strong lol, borderline too strong but still good and I appreciated the presentation. On to the food, we started with the fried green tomatoes and the shrimp and grits. Both were good, though I discovered I'm not much a fan of remoulade sauce - I googled and it's a tartar sauce relative which explains it, but still the fried green tomatoes were tasty. For entrees we went with the bone in pork chop over baked beans and the hangar steak. I loved my steak and it came out perfectly cooked. The plate itself was a little bit on the lukewarm side but the pork chop was piping hot. The bf proclaimed it was the best pork chop he ever had and proceeded to chew on the bone. For a dessert we shared the bread pudding, excellent and perfect sized portion where we didn't feel guilty for getting dessert! I think Swank may still need some find tuning, the menu is a bit limited and may be a bit pricey for the area, but the service I received was great (our water glasses were promptly filled) and the manager even stopped by at the end of our meal to check on us.
(4)Jessica T.
Decent food. Ambiance seemed a little cold, they needed to play music or something. They had a Photo Booth which was a unique touch for a restaurant. Great cocktails.
(3)Amber M.
I heard about this place and then read the reviews about it. It had pretty good reviews. A few of us decided to try it. All I can say it was awful!! It took forever to get are appetizers. Well over an hour. Then the food came out one by one and cold. The chicken and waffles were so over cooked and no chicken. So much batter that was over cooked. And there was paper in chicken. It was just not me that thought it was gross. From start to finish it took over 3 hours. And the 75.00 dollar bill was not worth what they charge for the food.
(1)Maria R.
I had the meatloaf and the flavor was decent but it had a watery texture? The chicken was dry and it's just really over priced for not including sides with the entrée. I would try it again though and yes the ambiance is nice.
(3)Special K.
Penny Wine night. Just left. When we ask about it to our waiter, we are excited about and plan to do it, You don't tell the people when the bill comes and charge your customers $40 for 4 glasses of terrible wine. Whats that after we ordered and got our bill now you tell us that its only on house wine while you charge $10 a glass for $10 a bottle terrible store wines. The food was good enough were we would have easily come back, but this will be a one stop shop thanks to the terrible service.
(1)Jorge L.
Swank is a great cool option for dinner and drinks in the broward area. The sliders were awesome and they have a great beer selection both craft bottles and draft.
(3)Mary R.
This place has much potential. The atmosphere, overall layout, and design of the restaurant was well thought out. The food was good. We had the hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, Mach n cheese with pork belly and (of course) the chicken and waffles. Everything tasted good, the only thing that really stood out was their Mac and cheese. The service needs A LOT of work. Our waitress was cute and friendly but had no experience what so ever. Service would get two stars. The free photo booth in the end was a delightful, playful touch. Overall I had a good time.
(4)Navene S.
I have been here 3 times before and I always get the amazing chicken and waffles. I absolutely loveeee the marshmallow sauce and the touch of hot sauce they give you on the side. I have tried their country fried steak and their mesquite chicken as well, both very tasty. Their cocktails are very creative but they are super sweet. The service is good too, during my recent dine in (on a Sunday night) the server was extremely nice, checked in on us twice, and always was there to fill up our water glasses but we were the only ones there. The decor is very southern rustic with some dim lighting, its very cute. I think this place just needs a little switching of the menu, add a few more exciting items to get people coming in again.
(4)Lisa A.
I've been reading mixed reviews on this place for months and finally decided to try it out for myself. We pull up to an empty parking lot on a Friday night. There's a sign on the door, apparently from 7/16/15 that they are closed until further notice. Weird! I wonder what happened....
(1)James P.
The décor was nice, and the concept seems popular right now (especially in Urban settings, but it's a little too at home in Davie), so I'd give it another shot if we happened to pass by, but there seems to be a need for improved service and variety in the menu. We walked in at about 8 pm on a Saturday and were seated immediately, about half the tables were filled. My wife went to use the restroom, which gave me time to read the menu - it wasn't very unique to me for the price, but I was still willing to give it a shot. After 10 minutes, my wife came back and read the menu. Same reaction, but we stayed put because we were starving. After another 10 minutes of staring down each passing waiter, we had not yet been greeted or offered drinks. We then decided to head to our favorite little restaurant down the street, where we were served and half way through our meal in the same time it took us to walk out of this place.
(1)Tracey K.
Doesn't live up to the hype. All of our friends kept raving about this place, so when there happened to be a Groupon deal, we decided to give it a try. We went on a Wednesday and discovered their penny wines ($5 per glass + 1 cent for each additional glass). It was pretty empty, but they seated everyone in the same general area so it still got rowdy at times. We got crab hush puppies to start with. I don't know if we were just hungry or what, but the first one was amazing. Then all the ones after that were heavy and had practically no crab. Next we had the shrimp and grits which, as a former Southern girl, I was most excited for. Again, it was only good for the first couple of bites with the grits lacking flavor, although the shrimp and pickled greens were a nice touch and made the dish acceptable. And that's where whatever goodness there was stopped. For entrees we had the Danish ribs and Hangar steak. Everything on the ribs plate was way too sweet and lacked barbecue flavor. It felt like I was going to get a cavity if I ate more than a bite. The steak was a little better - it was cooked well, complemented nicely with the pickled onions, and I love the sprouts they used to garnish it with, but it was sooo salty. I had to scrape off all the sauce and even then it was just salt on salt on salt. Given that there weren't very many customers, I would have expected them to take extra care in preparing our food, but it seems as if the opposite happened. Overall, if it wasn't for the Groupon we definitely would've felt jipped. Maybe brunch is better, but we won't be returning to find out if that's the case.
(1)Erica K.
Weird place. Kind of had a chain feel to it... it was empty when my friend and I went and the service was very slow and the food wasn't good. Had high hopes because I love southern style food but this just failed.
(2)Annamarie T.
Food was very plain. It appears that swank might be closing. Ordered chicken wings. Took 45 minutes for my food to be served. Wings were OK. Have had much better many times at other restaurants. I now pretty much understand why reviews are so unkind. Sorry, swank. Maybe you are not closing and maybe you can get it together.
(1)Mathew T.
I won't be recommending this restaurant to anyone seeking good BBQ. I've always liked the location and the concept for the area, but after dining there, I find the execution to be poor. The restaurant is too spread out, making it seem almost empty no matter how many tables are full. That night's meal consisted of 2 appetizers and 2 entrees: Crab Hush Puppies - tasted good but not the main part of our meal. Still a good buy. Shells and Cheese - nice flavor, great cheesiness, and enjoyable Full Rack of Ribs - came out looking great, not the meatiest, but flavor was good (these were not that great the next day either) Pulled Pork Sandwich - not worth it. Soggy bun that fell apart, pulled pork was lacking in flavor, and just not enjoyable. The experience was an overall okay to good night, but the price for this meal did not merit the quality of food we ate. Our server was quirky to say the least and had some attention issues with prompt response times to water and the like. But, the experience was not ruined by any service issues. My biggest concern is the value for the quality served. NOT LIKELY TO RETURN.
(2)Natasha D.
Despite my better judgment having read some of the more critical reviews... I decided to try it out for myself and satisfy the curiosity I've had about this place since it opened. It was Thursday night around 6:30 and we were among the only people there. The first thing I noticed was the almost unbearable heat. Sun was streaming in through the western facing windows even through the dark curtains, and it was like a sauna. Our waitress said the management only turns on the ac at 4:00 each day and while no one is there, they leave the thermostat at 90 degrees. It was sweltering but we powered through... Especially since drinks were half off. Sadly the highlights of the experience were the drinks and then the dessert. Great way to bookend a lackluster meal: -chicken and waffles: I'm sorry but the marshmallow sauce does not belong. The waffle was so dry and screaming for some type of moisture. I have never in my life felt the need to add salt to fried chicken but today was the day. The breading was meh and the meat was completely under seasoned. -fried green tomatoes: again, the tomato was not seasoned properly and the cornmeal breading was soooo dry. It had some kind of mustard sauce the discs sat above that didn't work. -Mac and cheese: pasta was overcooked and under seasoned. The bacon it advertised was more like pork belly which I usually don't mind but not in this preparation. I was so unsatisfied with the food that I ordered dessert which is unusual for me. Glad that I did because the bread pudding was a definite highlight. Came with cinnamon ice cream and a delicious bourbon glaze sauce at the bottom of the cast iron skillet it was cooked and served in. Other than that, our waitress was super nice and didn't rush us at all. We were there for almost 3 hours. My friends water glass was never filled though. Unless the menu dramatically changes I will not return. Had better chicken and waffles at ROK:BGR.
(2)Ashley B.
Super cute restaurant. I was a bit cold, but it wasn't too busy so that's probably why. Our waiter, Corey, was great. He was very attentive and gave his honest opinions on what he recommended. We ordered the Mac and cheese and the fried green tomatoes to start. I was super disappointed with the fried green tomatoes. They were very plain and the presentation was weak. The sauce on the bottom was good, not great. The Mac and cheese was delicious. It came with big pieces of bacon which added to the flavor. For our entrees, we had the fried country steak and the ribs. Both were delicious, although, I would say the country steak was better! To top it all off as though we hadn't had enough to eat, we finished our meal with their fried Oreos and homemade ice cream. They were delishhhh! All in all, if I was in the area again, I wouldn't mind going back! Enjoy!
(3)Joy L.
Thanks to Order the Yelp! I became aware that this restaurant even existed. After celebrating our wedding anniversary a week early, when the actual day rolled around a week seemed like such a lifetime ago. Of course the obvious solution to this predicament would be to go out again! I easily chose Southern Swank. It's not too far from us, and I L-O-V-E southern food. (Also- read through several favorable reviews written by some reputable yelpers!) I called ahead to see about reservations, and was told no need for 2 on a Thursday. We arrived a bit after 7, and we were immediately seated. I love that the waitresses wear cowboy boots! The walls specially designed are a fantastic contrast to the fancy dining area. I started with the raspberry lemonade. It has real raspberries muddled into the drink. It was the perfect combination of just enough sweet and just enough kick! We ordered a couple starters: the mac and cheese and the green beans. Both delicious. The chicken and waffles was amazing. I ordered the marshmallow sauce on the side and bbq sauce. It is obvious that the entire dish is made fresh. The waffles were fantastic!! The hubs ordered the meatloaf. The pumpkin puree was an excellent addition to the dish. We were so full, but the waitress convinced us to order dessert, so glad we did. The mud slide is a chocolate lovers dream. So decadent! We took most of it home with us to enjoy the next day. During our dinner the manager stopped by. He was extremely personable and congratulated us on our anniversary. Thanks!!
(4)Celine L.
With all the mixed reviews, I wanted to check out this place for myself- plus their Groupon deal was a good motivator too. I ordered their popular Swamp water cocktail, which sadly didn't have dry ice so it didn't have the smokey effect that I loved in the pictures. The drink still tasted good and was strong so I was still happy. I ordered the beer can chicken with a side of fries and cole slaw ($16), which was okay-the skin seems kind of tough but at least the inside was juicy. I got to taste the chicken and waffles & have NO complaints, they were absolutely PERFECT. Who knew marshmallow sauce would go so well with it! Overall it wasn't bad, just didn't knock my socks off. The prices also seemed on the higher side for comfort food--- country fried steak $22, porterhouse $38, and lowest entree was the burger for $14.
(3)Rosabel T.
I'm going to start off, that I'm from Texas and am very familiar with southern food and BBQ. Okay, upon entrance it was semi empty on a Thursday evening. The place is decorated very interestingly. Modern art take on western/cowboy look. They have western movies playing on several tv's too. Parking is free and not hard to access. Service is great! I give her a 5/5 stars! That's what I enjoyed the most about the restaurant . I had heard they were so slow and bad service. We had a groupon to this place btw. No one was rude! Great customer service! Appetizer: crab hush puppies . Those were great! 5/5! It is served with a scallion dip. Don't be afraid to try it. It's good. The hush puppies are good without the sauce too. They had the perfect amount of breading to crab ratio and outer surface was cooked well. Entrees: I got the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. Ohh those were yummy! Although I must admit this was not the best chicken and waffles I had. What I really liked was the marshmallow sauce. The sauce gets: 5/5 and the chicken gets 4/5 (the breading around chicken lacked flavor ) , waffles were average . My boyfriend got BBQ baby back ribs. This is where we both were disappointed. The BBQ sauce that was drizzled over it was not our idea of BBQ/southern tasty BBQ sauce. The ribs themselves were very fatty and seem to lack prep that most smoked/BBQ meats take. BBQ beans were average. My boyfriend loves ribs and he has had plenty of experience with them and rates them 2/5 Unfortunately we didn't have the drinks or desserts. We are going back to try other things and give it a second shot. Only reason this review gets 3/5 today which is harsh from me. I really hesitate to put that, because great service, creative art, great appetizers and the potential it has. It just is a southern place and it didn't live up to its expectations in the chicken and waffles and ribs. Now I'm not saying do not come to the place. We are coming back to try their swamp drink and desserts and other menu items. :-)
(3)Yannick N.
I wanted to give this place such a good review just like the other yelpers but there were so many little things that would just piss you off while dining that probably wouldn't make me return. Walked in by the side entrance; no Hostess there so I walked to the front entrance to grab a menu and WAIT to be seated just like a majority of people have stated in their reviews. Tsk tsk! Got seated in the booth with the most water spilled underneath the table* w/e Started off with the crab hush puppies and the shell mac & cheese; they both we're actually good! Ordered the Chicken & Waffles (Mind you; it's DARK meat) honestly I've never seen a C&W I didn't completely smash but this was THE FIRST!!! Friggin just puzzles me of the dark meat choice but the waffles w/ the marshmallow sauce aka "Icing" we're great. But damn I coulda just order waffles ONLY if I knew that the chicken wasn't WHITE MEAT! The $5 drink special we're good but the bartender was being lazy that night and didn't think to put any lemons on the sides of the Margaritas or Raspberry lemonades glasses until I asked. Just being LAZY! And not to be petty but one of the waffles fell off my baes plate while the server was serving us and she said she's sorry and go get another one and.. (you guessed it!) she DIDN'T (frowns)... I'm not cheap but pricing could be better for the portions... I AIN'T COMING BACK! (gotta drag me back to this place) and I'm not saying don't go but honestly this place just needs a lil work.
(2)Henry A.
NPS = 3 I was really disappointed with this place. Finally...a good-looking, kind of trendy BBQ place in Davie that resembles something that would be found in Wynwood. Everything was Southern themed from the glass mason jars for drinks to the tray they served BBQ ribs on. You would think it would make for a great time but you would be wrong. One thing really bothered me about this place: No substitutions on dishes!! When I asked why, the server just shrugged. I wish the servers were better equipped to answer questions with more than just a shrug. This is particularly true when my girlfriend has an allergy to potatoes but still has to get the French fries because "THAT IS HOW THE MEAL COMES." Something else that really bothered me was that they brought out food for all the guests at our table and did not bring my girlfriend's plate until approximately 10 minutes later. And of course, it was loaded with fries which she is allergic to...because THAT IS THE WAY THE MEAL COMES. It took forever to get water refills and I looked at some tables and they had a jar full of ice-tea while our table had to keep asking for refills in our cups for sweet tea. I did not like the preference of treatment to one table over another. And it would be fine to lot get a jar to serve ourselves if the drinks were brought out in a timely manner. The food was actually pretty good, and that's why this place does not get 1 star. The St. Louis ribs with apple BBQ were good and smokey. The baby backs were crispier but with less meat on them so I recommend the St. Louis ones better. The appetizer wings were also plump and caramelized and the hush puppies were moist and delicious. The issue with this place is the service and customer friendliness. If they could just tweak a few things, this restaurant would be a lot better.
(2)Edward P.
Delicious food!! Amazing tastes!! Great selection of crafts/drafts/bottles..Corey, who was the best bartender I've had in south florida when it comes to restaurants..I've passed by this place many many times ans it wasnt until I got their $30 coupon that I decided to stop by and check it out..I came in on a monday night..sitting at the bar, we get the $5 bar bites and I got wings and sliders..the swank sauce is amazing..a must have! Its like honey, hot, but not too hot and some hint of bbq..even that description doesn't do it justice..great appetizers. I decided to go do the chicken and waffles, and this was also another excellent choice..sweet-savory-well prepared- it is a great entree. Corey helped out the most with his knowledge on crafts and everything beer. He definitely made me feel welcomed and helped me find a new favorite beer in the Shark Bait Coconut...it is not sold in many stores and Corey was able to provide me a whole description and history behind the beers I would feel curious to try out. It was not packed at all as I sat down at the bar with many tables available and everyone else also see me to enjoy the environment plus tvs watching the world series.. This place is a must try out and many will enjoy the food and drinks it provides..plus the service!
(5)Crystal A.
I don't understand how anyone could give this place 5 stars. This place is far from "Southern". You must come here knowing that this isn't true southern food. The idea on some of their meals is southern inspired but no where near taste or quality of authentic southern food. This was my second time coming here and I only went because my boyfriend really enjoys their chicken and waffles. And when I say enjoy, it's the closest chicken n waffles spot to our home if not we would go elsewhere. This business took over a billiard spot and I have driven by for years wanting to try it. My first visit was a disappointment but I think it was mostly because of my food choice that night. But since it has been a couple of months, I decided to give it another try before really making that final decision of hating it (lol). I don't know if our waiter was new but we had to constantly repeat ourselves "ketchup, refill, straws, syrup" omg it was quite annoying. How can you place drinks without straws? Give waffles with no syrup? Provide fries with our meals and no ketchup? And mind you, we had two orders of waffles and she came with ONE syrup so we had to ask to bring for the other. I don't know, a lot of things are common sense as a waitress. Don't get me wrong, really nice girl but I don't know if she understands what waiting a table is. I got ribs this time and they were eh... Definitely have had way better- ribs and chicken/waffles that is. When we asked for to go boxes, we told her we would be taking my boyfriends chicken & waffles with my left over ribs, she came back with one box. Why would we want rib bbq sauce all over the other meal? We had to tell her we need an additional box. Long story short- we ended up leaving it but since we live about 5 minutes away, we called about half an hour later. Hannah answered the phone and said she would check but to come regardless. As we are on route, she ended up calling us to tell us the boxes had been thrown away by our waiter, Amanda, and there was nothing they could do about it. Hannah then told us how if this was her table, she would hold onto the boxes until the end of the night because people come back most of the time but that our waiter didn't do that. Great way of not making your co-worker look good...We spent over $70 bucks here and this is the service you provide? Making us drive back to basically tell us to turn around? ::Sigh:: What I really like about this business is their decor. It's very modern & dim lighting. There is a photo booth near the restrooms. They have creative drinks but I don't know if they are good or bad. This isn't a place I would ever suggest to go or my first thought when I am hungry. If you think about it, they don't even have large varieties of meal options. Their first page is food than alcoholic drinks. Don't come here for Southern food, maybe come to try their marshmallow sauce on their chicken & waffles. I hope I don't end up back here sometime in the future.
(2)Danelia N.
First impression, place was nice, liked the atmosphere. Ordered the mac and cheese shells which was awesome! And the crab hush puppies were yummy too. Ordered the country fried steak and chicken and waffles and both didnt disappoint. Portion was big. Only downfall was that no fountain drinks which i think for a place that carries mainly fried entrees, you would prefer refills and not a tiny coke bottle that will finish in 2 sips which is over priced! Also the selection of food was pretty small, not much to choose from. Definitely better to go there just for drinks at the bar and to eat the mac and cheese! Will be back eventually but didnt live up to the hype.
(4)Danielle R.
I have to update my review after my Groupon/ Bar Experience. I tried this place for Brunch with moms and was not impressed, but they had a Groupon deal that came out for Monday-Thursday dinner so I thought I'd try it again. I have a friend that lives in Davie so we decided to meet here for dinner. I got there a tad early and sat at the bar. I was greeted by Jacob, he was the best. Great service from this guy! He informed me they had $5 vodka specials and $5 bar eats...I ordered a drink and the $5 fried green tomatoes as I know my friend likes them. When she arrived she ordered a drink and we polished off the tomatoes. At this point, we decided to stay up at the bar and enjoy more bar eats and Jacob's great service. We ordered (all $5 at the bar) -the pulled pork sliders- 2 an order-delicious with homemade pickles -chicken wings- really good, 5 to an order we were impressed -mac 'n cheese- our least favorite but to share for $5 why not AT this point, I had to ask myself if this was the same restaurant? I was very full and our meal cost $20 for 2! Great value, great food, and great service #boom And they allowed me to use my Groupon to boot
(5)Jade A.
I REALLY wanted to like this place. I really did! I went for brunch on Father's Day because I'd been twice before for dinner and each time was fantastic! I started with the biscuits and bacon jam -- it was $7 so my expectations were high. Turns out it ended up being PILLSBURY instant biscuits with a decent bacon-y, onion-y jam. And you only get 2. I could buy two whole rolls of those biscuits from public for $7-- rip off #1. For my meal I ordered the southern French toast with apple pie filling. TERRIBLE! The French toast was thin and tasteless. It was probably Aunt Jemima French toast if you ask me and only came with two teaspoons of syrup-- ripoff #2. My friends ordered the shrimp and grits and both were returned due to lack of flavor, and ultimately, lack of effort. Very underwhelming.
(2)Joan L.
A funny thing happened at Swank Southern Kitchen between my first and second visit: a loss of southern hospitality and a huge increase in "attitude". My husband ate here the first week it opened & enjoyed it so much that I promptly purchased 2 Groupons for this new & exciting restaurant right in our neighborhood. I would say my first visit here was a 5. Yes, it is a limited menu, but everything was well prepared (fish, hush puppies, chicken & waffles). Service was a bit slow but everyone was very friendly, our Groupon was taken with a smile, and the owner had plenty of time to stop by our table to chat & welcome us. Fast forward a couple of months....used our 2nd Groupon before it expired & we were made to feel like cheapo pariahs for doing so. Our server knew nothing about the Groupon and had to keep going back to ask the owner which items we were "allowed" to order. We had some controversy about whether or not I could order the fish entree that I had gotten last time (on the Groupon). The owner (we were told he was in house) was supposed to stop by but never did. A manager eventually straightened it out but the whole incident gave me a very uneasy & unwelcome feeling. My husband also had a an offer for a free appetizer from a Yelp check-in. We were told very unapologetically that it was expired & would not be honored. Much has been written about the food. Crab hushpuppies: Nice fried dough but I really did not taste crab. Fried green tomato - not really my thing. My kids LOVE the chicken & waffles and they get it with extra marshmallow sauce. The fried chicken is pretty good & the waffles are okay. Husband got Beer Can Chicken. Not bad for a roasted chicken (I still prefer Costco's). Fries were very flavorful & crispy (beware of the spicy ketchup on the side!). My Snapper was very well prepared, but I am not a fan of the sides it comes with: the black syed peas were very hard & collard greens are really not great. Our server was pleasant & seemed uncomfortable with the Groupon debacle. It was not really her fault that the food was very slow coming out of the kitchen. As a Davie resident I was so excited to see SSK come to our neighborhood. We need more diversity in our dining scene & this is a great addition! A few suggestions from a local to help improve & ensure your longevity ( and yes, I am rooting for you!) 1) If you offer a deal (Groupon, Living Social, Yelp Check In, whatever)...have your manager and servers know about it. Honor it with a smile and please don't make the customer feel badly about using it. Don't change the terms after you sell it (which you did with your Groupon by changing the days of use). 2) Let people substitute sides! If my husband hates cole slaw, what is the big deal about letting him substitute with some beans? I would also frequent your establishment more if I knew I could get the fish with sides other than black eyed peas & collard greens. Please be a little less rigid & more customer friendly in that respect. 3) Diversify your menu a bit or at least have some daily specials. Maybe a soup? Fish prepared another way? There are so many other "southern style" dishes to try. Your current "creative" southern menu gets pretty boring after you have been there a couple of times. 4) Add a luscious southern dessert (maybe a Cobbler with Ice Cream, a fabulous pie?). The Bread Pudding was a nice add. Banana and Snickers Pudding are pretty boring. 5) Appreciate your locals. After many years in Davie I have seen plenty of places come and go. After all the hype has died, we will be your bread & butter. (By the way, no bread & butter served here. With the high price point, an interesting bread basket might be a nice touch!).
(3)Danielle C.
To say I was dying to come here is an understatement. Because we live all the way in Miami, I was not expecting to go anytime soon, but when we were visiting a friend in the neighborhood, I begged my parents! I would hope that most people would assume by the word southern that this is NOT A PLACE FOR VEGETARIANS!!!! Upon driving up to the location, I was surprised at where it was on University. It seemed a little out in the middle of nowhere (I know its by Nova), but it definitely stands out! Upon walking in I was a little uncomfortable because of the layout. all of the tables are jammed into the restaurant, right on top of each other. The hostess desk is hard to find and weirdly located. Once I found what I assumed to be the hostess desk, a girl greeted me and told me it was a thirty minute wait (it was a Saturday night). We said OK and went to the bar. After perusing the drink list, we were excited to try them out. I definitely appreciated that they put prices on the drink list! After about 5 minutes the hostess told us our table was ready.....Oh ok. However, she sat us about 5 inches from the band that was setting up to play in 45 minutes. I wasn't too excited about that. Service was awesome! We had a really nice girl who was great about water and cleaning off the table. I drank the Ring of Fire, which was delicious and strong! We ordered the Crab Hush Puppies to start. They were delicious! Next time I would ask for more of the sauce they came with though. Our entrees took a long time to come out so we ordered a side of corn bread to munch on. OH MY GOODNESS! This was ALMOST as good as what my Grandma makes in Mississippi! It came with a sweet cinnamon butter that I slathered on the warm bread! Just YUM! I almost ate the whole loaf by myself. I guess I am giving 3 stars instead of 4 because of the entrees and entree selection. I ordered the Shrimp N Grits off the appetizer menu and Shells N Cheese. The shrimp n grits were just ok. The grits were overcooked and some of the flavors in it seemed unnatural, especially with the shrimp. Shells n cheese were just ok as well. The pork belly in it was too large of chunks and incredibly fatty. Most of the pieces were inedible because you couldn't even chew them. Mom ordered the beer can chicken. She didn't like the gravy, but the normal chicken would have been fine. It came with buttermilk coleslaw which was delicious, and french fries which were pretty good. Dad got the St Louis Ribs and said they were just okay. I was a little turned off by the few choices of entrees they had. This is definitely a place for people who crave the sweet and salty type foods. The prices for the entrees were a little steep to me, especially given the portions and in Davie of all places. While I didn't like the setup of the restaurant, it didn't bother me too much because we weren't in Miami with swarms of rude people! And once the band started, it was too much! The restaurant was loud enough as it was, and then the band started and while they were good, the volume was unnerving and we were RIGHT up front. Im glad we finally got to try this place! While the drinks were awesome, and the service was great, the food was average.While I don't think I would make the drive up there just for this place, maybe if we were in the area again we may stop by.
(3)Natalie M.
Just finished Sunday brunch with my husband at this establishment. Disappointing and average at best. The beginning of my below average experience began before we even arrived...being unsure about where to go for brunch, I looked up this spot due to driving past and seeing the "Sunday brunch 11-3" sign...it wasn't clear if there was a different menu for said brunch, so I called and asked. The girl who answered the phone literally answered it as if I was calling her personal phone...three rings and then an abrupt "Hello?!?" I replied and asked my question..."hi, I was just looking online and was wondering if you offer a different menu for brunch or if it's just the normal menu you have listed on your website..?" To which I received another abrupt response, "online!" I thanked her for her obviously ill-informed response and decided to do more digging, via yelp, and found that they do, in fact, offer an entirely different menu during brunch hours....strike one and I'm not even inside the restaurant... Being as I am very experienced in the service industry, I wanted to give this place the benefit of the doubt...maybe they're busy, maybe brunch is a new thing and they're just trying to get their bearings? (Even though the answer to my brunch menu question was found in a review left four months ago.) So, we went anyway...walking in, we were immediately put off by the loud, mainstream country music blaring through the speakers...not their fault though, we are from nashville and absolutely cannot stand country music but have found it runs rampant everywhere else in the country...we were told to "wait a minute.." as two hostesses turned their backs to us and conversed amongst themselves for a few minutes, not even asking how many we had or if we had a reservation, which we did. We were told to follow a girl who led us to a table. I informed her of our reservation but that we obviously didn't need it...only then were we asked our name and how many we had.. After being seated, we waited almost ten minutes before a server acknowledged our existence..I counted a total of four servers that walked by, looked at our empty table and went on their way before we were given waters and told that our server would be with us shortly... Another seven minutes goes by and finally, a girl greets us. We told her we were completely prepared to order, ordered our drinks and food choices and then she was gone.. We then waited almost twenty minutes for our drinks...one mimosa and one redneck mimosa. Didn't realize it took that long to pour one (pre-made) mimosa and make another? Once we get our drinks, we try to just enjoy them but began to wonder where our food was after another twenty five minutes passed... At this point, we've been told three separate times that "your food is almost up." Not sure who's food she was referring to by the last time but it definitely was not ours.. After a grand total of 56 minutes of waiting, our food finally arrives. My husband ordered the breakfast burger, which looked awesome, and I ordered the chicken and biscuits...now, please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't chicken and biscuits usually served with white gravy? I would've loved to have seen that it was going to come with (barely any) brown gravy and some kind of stuffing underneath..definitely made me feel like I was eating a hearty thanksgiving type meal instead of brunch...disappointing but I guess it's my own fault for assuming and not clarifying. A manager came over to the table and apologized for how long the food took...then informed us that they would comp a dessert for us...which, im sorry if this is rude but, the last thing we wanted to do was wait another 30 minutes for a dessert we didn't even want...but we thanked her and she left. A dessert menu was never brought to us. I flagged down a gentleman in a tie, who I assumed was some sort of manager, and asked him for a dessert menu...to which we were given an eye roll..didn't think we asked for that but hey, who knows? He dropped the menu and walked away. Our server returned and began suggesting desserts...the first she suggested had a disclaimer that it would take at least 15 minutes for it to be made...it took everything in me not to joke that we didn't have another hour to waste while they played around with chocolate and ice cream in the kitchen...so we ordered the carrot cake to go. After waiting for it and it being delivered to us, we were then asked if we wanted our check.........obviously, we do..thanks. All that to say, get your shit together, southern swank! You have a lot of potential but no one with the potential to harness it! We will not be returning.
(2)Susan C.
I've been to Swank three times and I think last night was my last time since I just got food poisoning from Smoked Chicken & Green Bean Skillet appetizer! It was swimming in oil and I should have sent it back, but did not so I ended up with a host of stomach issues overnight and the next morning. They also pulled a big switcheroo on penny wine night (Wednesdays)! You used to get your first glass of wine for a penny, and the website still advertises this. But, last night, it magically turned into a 2 for 1, with the first glass being $5 and the second one being a penny. I only wanted one glass. If you go, the service is very good and the Shrimp & Grits appetizer is the best thing on the menu. The Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer is good and so is the side of cornbread, oversized with a side of cinnamon butter. The Chicken & Waffles is both good and bad. When I had it, the chicken was moist and crispy and were complimented by the waffles. However, the marshmallow sage sauce overwhelmed the dish - ask for it on the side if that's possible. Eat here informed at at your own risk.
(2)Nicole K.
Had brunch here for the first time today and will definitely be back. We had Southern Eggs Benedict, Chicken & Waffles, and Country Fried Steak. The drinks and desserts were also very tasty and unique,
(5)Tina B.
I love a creative menu almost as much as I love world-class service. For these reasons, Southern Swank Kitchen is one of my new local favorites. We arrived a little before our reservation time and enjoyed some appetizers and drinks at the bar. The bartender was friendly and helpful. He was busy but never made us feel rushed or forgotten. Appetizers were amazing (fried green tomatoes and crab hush puppies). We moved to a table for dinner. The tables offer a nice intimate feel. Service, again, was impeccable. We had the chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce. It was a little on the sweet side but still truly delicious. As an alternative, they offer a blue chicken and waffles which we were told is a little more spicy than sweet. We will definitely try that next time!
(5)James M.
Hidden gem in davie was driving by and found this place. Great food and even better bar and service. Would recommend to anyone looking for something different with some swank.
(5)Jessica G.
I purchased the Swank groupon...I think before the restaurant even opened...and finally got around to using it last night. I have debated three or four stars. I decided to go with three, but I don't think I would hesitate to go back to Swank, I would just do things a little differently next time. I went in for dinner on a Sunday night. I had made a reservation through open table, but this this particular night the reservation probably wasn't necessary, though we were on the later end of dinner. We were seated promptly and given the food and drink menus on clipboards...it was kind of a cute menu presentation. I would have liked to have tried one of the specialty cocktails, but I figured I could save a few calories and just do a glass of wine as their specialty drinks look fun and delicious, but they also look pretty sugary. I ordered the Riesling and I really appreciated that it was served very cold in a chilled glass. I like my white wine very cold. With the Groupon, we were to receive an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. I knew I wanted the shells and cheese because it is important to me that if mac and cheese is on the menu I try it. I also decided to add on the chicken wings as my boyfriend was interested in them. There was a little bit of a wait for the appetizers but I was happy because I had my wine. The wait wasn't excessive but if you are in a rush I'm not sure this is the place for you. The shells and cheese were quite good. They had a creamy cheese sauce, which is my favorite kind of mac and cheese, and had an overall smoky flavor that was enhanced by pork belly pieces. I was impressed by the chicken wings also. I am not really a chicken wing person, but I would definitely get these again. They were quite large, the outside was very crispy and the bbq sauce was quite good. The entrees came out very shortly after the appetizers. I ordered the hanger steak and my boyfriend had the ribs. The hangar steak was cooked perfectly and the overall flavor was good. It was served with a potato hash that had somewhat of a gravy to it and there was also a white (I believe horseradish based) sauce on the plate. My complaints with the hanger steak were that the entree as a whole was a little cold...like maybe it wasn't served right off the grill or maybe the sauce/potato wasn't heated properly and had cooled everything down. It was also a little too saucy and overwhelmed the steak a little. My boyfriend had the ribs and as he was eating them I noticed they seemed difficult to eat...as in the meat wasn't easily coming off the bone. I asked to try a bite and I literally had to bite it off the rib and couldn't just pull a piece of pork off with my fingers, I just think that they could have been cooked differently so that they weren't as tough. The ribs came with coleslaw which didn't taste to me like anything special. For dessert we decided to go with the snickers custard. It was good, though very rich. The portion wasn't large, but was easily shared between the two of us as it was very sweet....but it did taste a lot like snickers...and I liked that it had whole peanuts in it. I probably wouldn't order dessert again as their options are pretty limited to custard/pudding type things and that is generally not my go to..but I'm glad I got to try it. Reading the other reviews I was apprehensive and worried about service, but I found our waitress (Jessie I think) to be friendly and attentive, and she seemed to know the menu well and was willing to make a few recommendations when I asked. The main reason I went with three stars was the the entrees are were just not four star material for the price point and definitely could use a little improvement; however, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Swank and do drinks and make a meal out of the starters. I would still like to try the fried green tomatoes and I would definitely order the shells and cheese and chicken wings again.
(3)Tammy B.
Very good Gourmet Southern food. Delicious drinks that range between $9 and $11. Cool Vibe and décor. Great place to go with friends. The only complaint is that I have been twice and both times they have been out of one or two things that someone at the table ordered once by 8:30pm and once by 10:00. I thought that was a little strange. Still the place is work the trip and a current favorite to dine and to recommend.
(4)Jo B.
This is a review for the Sunday brunch. Everything was delicious and great presentation but portions were small. The decor inside is also really great. It does feel like a restaurant in the south for sure. They also have a decent breakfast drink menu with a good selection.
(4)Leo K.
I am a bit on the fence about this place, but i'll probably say its a solid 3.5. Not sure this place lives up to the southern name food wise, which is the real reason for the 3.5 I do like the atmosphere and decor and staff is very friendly and helpful The food takes a very long time to come out and the seating process seemed like a bit of an organized chaos. When we walked in they told us a 45 minute wait but somehow we got seated within 5 minutes. The drinks: Not a bad selection of beers Drink specials were okay, but most were a bit on the syrupy sweet side The food: Chicken and waffles - chicken and waffles themselves were good but the marshmallow fluff was way to much and killed the flavor of everything, they should have stuck to syrup. I ended up scraping the marshmallow off so I can taste the delicious chicken underneath. Shells and cheese - creamy, velvety and good Crab hush puppies - my favorite of all the items on the menu, flavorful and perfect little bits The sliders - delicious, flavorful St louis ribs - while not fall of the bone, the sauce was delicious and i enjoyed them overall, the rest of the people at our table did not enjoy them as much as me. Caleslaw - was also one of my favorites, tons of flavor and a nice kick The place was a bit on the pricey side for the area and the food but coming from NY seemed pretty standard I think with a wider food selection and some refinement of the food, this place would be the perfect addition to Davie. Being from NY i expect any southern place in the south to destroy our NY southern spots, this place did not, but would be willing to come back here.
(3)Jennifer B.
After reading some of the negative reviews I was skeptical to dine at Southern Swank. We went on a Thursday night and were seated right away. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant with country music playing! The food was great. We ordered fried green tomatoes, hanger steak, country fried steak, the Mississippi Mud dessert and sweet tea. The fried green tomatoes were very thick and could have been a little riper, but the sauce they put on them is delicious (ask for more!). Both of the entrees were very good! The Mississippi mud dessert was phenomenal! It is the BEST BROWNIE you will ever eat! Their sweet tea is good, which is a staple for a good southern restaurant. My only complaint is that it was warm and I had to ask for more ice half way through our dinner. The reason I am giving it 4 stars is because of the price. With the groupon ($15 for $30) we still spent $40 extra! I would love to come again because of the food, but there is no way I would pay $70 for the meal we ate. I wish they would make their prices a little more reasonable, then there would be no question that we would become regulars at Southern Swank. They do have $5 appetizers at the bar that ends at 7pm ( I think). I would definitely consider doing that for our next visit! You are still able to enjoy the restaurant without leaving broke at the end of the night.
(4)Sarah S.
I have to say I'm a fan of this place! Wasn't sure what to expect due to mixed yelp reviews but I finally got the groupon and came on in. Wasn't too busy on a weeknight, sat at the bar. I must say that the bartender was extremely accommodating. From what to drink to what to eat he was patient, answered all questions, and was knowledgeable about the selections. The manager came and introduced himself and spoke a little about how all the food is fresh here, nothing is "from the box". He mentioned that even the marshmallow sauce they have is made from real marshmallows that they make in house. I found this interesting. I ordered the old fashioned. I wanted to try the swamp water but wasn't in the mood for blueberry. So I tried the old fashioned swank. It was good but I wish there had been more bourbon in it. My boyfriend and I both ordered the chicken and waffles. Of course we asked for butter, syrup, and extra hot sauce and marshmallow sauce (we are sauce people). As if we weren't already being a pain, the bartender actually added another sauce (the southern swank sweet bbq sauce) for us to try. Offer me more sauces to taste and you become my new favorite person!!! I literally cut a piece of waffle dipped it in syrup and marshmallow sauce, and cut a piece of chicken and dipped in hot sauce and the bbq sauce and ate the two bites at once. Talk about a burst of flavor!!! Not only was it delicious, but the fried chicken was boneless which I really liked and made it easier to eat. I also really liked that it wasn't dripping in grease or soggy. It was made fresh to order and truly cooked to perfection. After we were done the bartender tried to sell us desert and he almost succeeded. The way he described the bread pudding made me think twice about ordering it, maybe next time! I also noticed Tuesday's they have 2-4-1 well drinks, they have a glass of wine for 1 cent.. Yes that's right... Wine for a PENNY on Wednesdays and yelp has an in the biz 50% off on Mondays if you check in! The only downside is for the location and type of food the prices seem a bit steep. Maybe this is because everything is truly from scratch? Either way it is delicious and I will definitely be back for some of their specials and deals!!!
(4)Navneet S.
I feel like this place could be much better. I want to give it a fourth star for potential, but I don't think that's a thing. We walked in and the place was about halfway occupied. We approached the hostess and asked for a table for 4, and she told us that it would be a 15 minute wait because the kitchen was really backed up. Apparently a large group had just left and another large group had just come in. So...that meant we couldn't sit at one of the many empty tables? We waited around for about 20 minutes and then we were finally seated, starting the night off on a really confusing note. I think the hostess was new (I hope). Otherwise it was a pretty decent experience. The food was your typical southern comfort food. I had the blue cheese chicken and waffles and tried some of the beer can chicken. Mine was a little too heavy with all that cheese, but the beer can chicken was good. Decor was cool and the service was attentive. It's not some place where I'll be dying to come back but in a pinch it's a good choice.
(3)Lawrence P.
I've been here twice. There was a dinner with friends and a celebration of someone's birthday in the bar area. This restaurant is minutes from the house and that's a big reason to love this place. I don't do chain restaurants (Chilli's, TGIF, Applebee's) so when this place opened, had to try it! This restaurant has a great Davie atmosphere. Very relaxed, simple, spacious, All... SWANK!!! We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes which were great. The creole remoulade was perfect. The Crab Hush Puppies were perfect. We had several as we had to order more. I had the Chicken & Waffles which were solid... the only problem being they don't have syrup. Uh?!?!?!?! (they have to fix that!) The Beer Can Chicken, which is basically a free range chicken cooked perfectly and accompanied with a beer gravy which is presented inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can, was very good and pretty cool in its presentation!!! The Ribs were good as well. For dessert we ordered the Snickers Pudding and Bread Pudding... both good. As for drinks, I didn't but the wife got her butt kicked (that's how she described it) with a very strong Old Fashion Swank. On our second visit, a buddy reserved some tables by the bar and celebrated his wife's bday with some 20 friends. The girl assigned to serve us was slow, full of attitude and generally uninterested. So I ordered my food and drinks at the bar which also made it easier to keep a separate check. That night I drunk some Funky Buddha Hop Gun and Floridian I believe, and we had some light bites. This is a solid neighborhood restaurant and will be back soon and often!
(4)Stephen C.
Went to this place twice and while I usually try to ode different items I order both times the chicken and waffles. Both times the dish was very flavorful and while I thought initially the marshmallow sauce would be off for me I think it worked. The slight sweetness from the sauce was a great contrast to the savor chicken and of course paired well with the waffles. I also like the hot sauce that they pair it with. It brings another depth of flavor to the dish. My only draw back is the waffle are always room temperature and chicken never really hot like you would expect fried chicken to be which usually is due to a timing issue with the kitchen maybe once but not twice. We also had the short rib meatloaf which I enjoyed but not my wife. My only negative about the meatloaf would be that the texture needed to be a little firmer. A tad bit soft but very flavorful paired well with the pumpkin purée. The Resturant get 5 Stars for decor and atmosphere
(4)Brianna G.
I went once and wasn't thrilled. I got the chicken and waffles. the waffles were dry and over cooked. the chicken had more fat on it than meat. and the bill for 2 people with only one beer was around $80. I figured I would give it a 2nd try. however I was even more let down the 2nd time. I went yesterday with a friend we got the chicken wings and the sauce was very good. we also got the fried pickles and clearly this place likes to over cook everything not only were they burnt some were stuck together and when I pulled them apart the batter was raw and to top It off there was a hair in the batter of one of the pickles. they also did NOT give us the correct dipping sauce with the pickles. we split an order of mac and cheese. the shell pasta was like mush and the cheese just had a funny taste. we also split a full rack of ribs. the pork was very swiney and made me feel nausea after eating it. the ribs comes with a side of fries and cole slaw. which we only got the fries I had to ask for the cole slaw. the slaw did have celery seed in it which I like very much however it still wasn't great and wasn't fresh the greens were wilted . Not only is the food horrible you would think our waitress would give us two large dinner plates seeing as we were sharing everything but we only had the small appetizer plates to use. needless to say NEVER AGAIN
(1)David L.
Poor service. When complained to manager, was given poorer excuse. Food was nothing special.Dont waste time or money here.
(3)Sandra C.
Great food and excellent service! I've heard of this place before but haven't had the opportunity to until yesterday. I had their chicken and waffles and I feel like I died and this is what heaven must be like because it was delicious! I can't wait to tell all my friends about this place.
(5)Kandyce V.
The food was pretty good but the service was horribly slow! The appetizers were also good.
(4)Danielle D.
Last night, I dined at SSK with a friend after attending a Yelp event. Steven N was our server and he was great. Very friendly, very attentive. We ordered the "Blue Chicken and Waffles", cornbread, shells and cheese, and a side salad. The only unfavorable dish was the salad. The side salad came dressed with a dressing that has a very distinct bitter spice flavor. I found it to be so unappetizing I had to send the salad away. The manager was very sweet and accommodating. He offered another dish instead but we declined; he did not charge us for the salad. The cornbread was and is FANTASTIC. I love cornbread and this is some of the best. The vanilla icing served with it really takes it to another level. I could eat that cornbread daily! The shells are made with bacon, which I don't eat, but tasting the dish reveals a delicious balance of flavors. The dish was not too cheesy, or over salty. Made with white cheddar, it was very delectable. Saving the best for last, the chicken and waffles was incredible. The chicken was perfectly cooked and sauced. The dish was also served with sriracha which perfectly balances the rich bleu cheese sauce. We also had some drinks! Tried the sweet honey and raspy alcoholic beverages. They were both delicious, but the raspy tea was the best! We each had 3!!! All in all, the experience was great. I look forward to returning and I highly recommend !
(5)Miranda P.
I really really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Not much on the menu for vegetarians, but I knew that going in. The boyfriend is a Tennessee-born, Georgia-raised BBQ connoisseur and the parents were visiting from South Carolina so a Southern Kitchen seemed to fit the bill. Let's start with how much I admire the ambiance, menu design and custom chalk typography. I'm a designer so I appreciate these kinds of details. Rarely does a restaurant look this good - but looks can be deceiving. Acoustics must have been pretty low on the list because it was loud. Really loud. And the place was only about half full on our side. And we were sat in a booth directly under a vent so I was freezing the whole time. I attempted to fashion a makeshift blanket out of napkins to no avail. (Shoulda kept watching Project Runway - there was probably at least one episode about knitting a napkin scarf using a fork and knife and empty straw wrappers.) My Strawberries and Cream Salad was scrumptious! I just wish there was about twice as much of it. I finished the dish in under 4 minutes due to the 'glorified garnish' portion size. I ordered a side of cornbread, which was amazing and had some kind of honey glaze. After $18 worth of food, I expect a full belly but I was still pretty hungry. I would have ordered more but I still have a car payment to make this month. The rest of the group was less satisfied with their meals. My mom said her mini-sized meatloaf was cold and the beans were bordering on inedible. My dad said his pork was undercooked and the boyfriend had to fight with his ribs to get the meat off the bones. In his words "I'm wrestling these ribs and the ribs are winning." The coleslaw was drowned in pepper but the fries were decent. Pretty disappointing since the total ended up being over $100. Alas, Southern Swank, it wasn't meant to be. I'm going back to Tara and as God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again. BOTTOM LINE: They seem to be off on Sundays so try another night.
(2)Andrew Z.
I haven't been as excited to go to a restaurant as I was to go to Southern Swank in a very long time. Perhaps that's why I feel the way I do after having been there. I feel cheated, I feel broke and worst of all, I feel hungry. $16 for chewy fried chicken thighs and 3/4 of a waffle? Served with a side of NOTHING?? $9 for a cup of Mac & Cheese? $2.50 for a can of coke? I work too hard for my money to let go of it like that. My waitress asked me "How'd you like your Chicken & Waffles??" I replied, "Honestly, I've had better." Which would have been true even if I had only had it once in life since it was basically horrible. I've had better southern food in some much less southern places, like Coral Springs. This place needs a whole lot more southern and a dang sight less swank.
(2)Erick O.
I am a big fan of southern food. Being a regular of Yardbird and Swine, my expectations were high I'll be honest. I wanted to see how this restaurant stacked up against my go-to locations for southern food. Upon arrival I wasn't impressed with the parking situation. There was a bus in the back that I was wondering why was it there. In addition, 2 vehicles that were not properly parked that made it quite difficult to get out of the last row of parking, you don't need to be Jeff Gordan but it was tricky. I wonder if that area can be expanded maybe valet to a different location? Missis said the wait was 45min. No worries we can explorer the location, see the photo booth and watch the ambiance and habits of waiters and guests. Upon arrival I was greeted by a younger girl. She apologized for the long wait and asked us if we wanted water or tea. We opted for water and she gave us the menu's so we can glance. That was a plus. Very nice gesture by Swank. The young girl was very nice girl don't get me wrong she was a sweet heart. However, I think to host or be at the forefront of the entrance she needs to be a bit more assertive, we observed how she was a bit shaken or rattled by some of the questions on the menu and drinks or patrons asking her for updates. Nothing some training and some polishing can't cure. I ordered Swamp water for my girlfriend and Caramel Apple Moonshine. The dry ice made the name of the drink stand out for swamp water, it almost looked like it came out of one of the canals in the back minus the infested water with what looked like a gummy worm, but it was tasty and the presentation was very good. The caramel apple was delicious. I really enjoyed it, the caramel/ dulce leche type candy in the small plastic fork gave it presentation points. But the taste! Wow. It took me a while to order drinks, seems between the people eating at the bar and others lounging made it difficult for other attempting to order drinks. I also noticed it was very difficult for the servers and the severs assistant to bring out the food due to a small narrow walk way next to the kitchen that is congested by people at the bar lounging and others trying to order. I saw the servers bumping into each other quite often and telling patrons to excuse them, or having to wait to bring food to the tables because of the congestion in that area. Maybe something can me done there help expedite the service and maximize efficiency. Would be easier for everyone to come up with space in that area or change the layout for the servers there. I am sure they have noticed it. I also noticed or maybe its me, but the kitchen seems a little small. Don't get me wrong, the kitchen is like my grandmother, she may be tiny but man she can pack a punch of flavor in her food. It just seems like the kitchen staff and the servers are drowning them selves in a cup because of the lack of space. Maybe there is more space inside the kitchen that I can't see. Don't know but maybe this is one of the reason for some of the most recent bad reviews of slow service? Not sure but it would help to maximize that space somehow. Servers for the most part look like they know what there doing, I give them credit that stretch from 8:30 or so to about 11:00pm that we were there WAS busy. I saw several of them busting there butt so credit to them. So after my 45 mins, my girlfriend ask one of the managers or senior staff a young man in a black polo with thin black hair for a status on the wait. He said 30 min or so? She looked at him in disbelief and asked him was that on top of the 45 minutes that we had already been waiting and were told when we first arrived? He looked perplexed, he apologized kinda cheesy salesmen and said he would get us a table in about 10 minutes as they were clearing out and bringing checks to several tables, I said no problem. Let me tell you it did not help there were two girls in a table we observed clearly finished eating several minutes ago. The waiter did everything she could to offer more drinks, dessert, food, etc but the girls would not bite, they just stayed taking and taking space. The guy in the polo game back and apologized again and offered to buy us drinks. I was very impressed, not even at a fancy steak house have I gotten that gesture. We thanked him but declined. I understand it was very busy. As he promised in 10 minutes we were sat. Country fried steak and Mac for me Misses had The Yelp, we also ordered Crab Hush Puppies and Pork Sliders. WOW WOW WOW. This is was did it for me. The food was delicious! A+ Worth the wait. Sliders on point, the pickle made the pork stand out more dry tender, That marshmallow on the Yelp, WOW. Steak was juicy and the shoe string fries gave it spunk. That crab!! Flakey. The guy in polo came back with a free Caramel Moonshine. You sir showed this customer Swank means something to you and you want it to prosper. Showed me this place wants to thrive. Impressed.
(4)Ana Cristina P.
Southern Shank. That's what it SHOULD be called after my first (and most likely ONLY) experience at this restaurant. What a disaster. From start to finish. The waitress, albeit pleasant, could not handle such a large party (there were around 12 of us). The restaurant couldn't handle a typical Saturday night either. They ran out of glasses for water, so half of our table never got any (despite the waitress repeatedly telling us there was water on its way). We never got utensils, so one of us had to get up, go to the bar, and grab silverware for our whole table. How embarassing, Southern Swank. The disaster continues... Our drinks took forever, so we were experiencing this mess of a meal completely sober. Good thing we were in good company. There's no people I would rather have had by my side than the folks I was with! The excuse for some of the drinks taking forever? "They're right there, at the bar, but I had no one to run them". (the bar is about 10 feet from our table). I'd love to give that excuse to my patients at work: "I'm sorry ma'am, your medication is RIGHT THERE (can't you see it?!), but the ER pharmacy tech hasn't brought it in here yet". That would go over QUITE well, don't you think? After an hour and change, we FINALLY get our food. Well, most of us do. One of us was completely forgotten, the waitress stating that our friend "never ordered any food", when we all heard her order with the rest of us. I (and one other person at the table) ordered the meatloaf. I bite into it, and there's a mysterious "crunch", audible but not exactly palpable in my mouth. Strange, I thought to myself. We both dissect our meatloaf, only to discover it was raw. COMPLETELY. RAW. *heaves* We proceed to tell the waitress, who took them back to the kitchen. We tell her to forget the order entirely. Except, when the check arrives at our table, there they are: two raw, poisonous meatloaves still on the check. Cue manager. Manager makes up some story about how he "JUST took them off the check 2 minutes ago, which is why you didn't see it reflected here". Riiiight. OK. Took another 10 years for the bill to get squared away. I rarely go on a tirade of this magnitude when I write a review, but it was a completely failure of a meal from start to finish. One star for the free photobooth. So there's that. Get your act together, Southern Swank...and do it quickly, before you become just another ghost of a dining establishment.
(1)Leslie S.
Been here twice. Always had great service, good food. The beer can chicken perfectly cooked. French fries hand cut. Only the cole slaw needs a little more flavor. Ribs and beans good. Can't really say anything bad, not sure why all the negative reviews. Enjoyed it twice and the bar specials can't be beat.
(4)Natalia F.
Went here for brunch and we all thought it was amazing!!!! I had the pulled pork Benedicts and it was so amazing and full of flavor. I loved the restaurant and how cute the decor was. Looking forward to coming bAck for dinner
(5)Arthur L.
My daughter and I just had an excellent Sunday brunch at Southern Swank. We were promptly greeted with a smile by a friendly hostess and immediately seated. Sasha our server quickly appeared with water and recommended their bottomless Mimosa for $15 or Long Island Iced Tea for $5. We opted for the Bloody Marys instead - wow. Absolutely perfect. I wanted to try the chicken and waffles but am NOT a fan of marshmallows, so Sasha brought me a selection of four other sauces to try and I fell in love with with the blue cheese and the Swank sauce (a spicy BBQ). Mark the manager came by to check on us and say hello. He noticed our glasses were empty and went to find Sasha. She was obviously busy, so Mark went to the bar and got new drinks for us himself. My daughter raved about the sausage gravy and biscuits - and having lived in Kentucky for six years, she is fairly particular. The country music was just loud enough that we couldn't hear the conversation at the booths adjoining ours but in no way interfered with our own. If I lived here, you can be sure that I would be a regular patron. Well done!
(4)Elizabeth D.
It's rare to find a restaurant in which the dining experience itself is great and that lends itself for hanging out. Southern Swank is incredibly inviting, which was especially comforting since I don't venture out to Broward often. The space itself is very large without being awkward about its size. The bar area, saloon, and dining areas feel familiar, making it an easy place to spend a long evening at, meeting bar patrons, listening to some live music, and sipping on a great selection of craft beer. The food was an experience in itself - out of several dishes there wasn't a single miss: * Shells & Cheese: I'm a mac and cheese elitist, and this particular dish took me by surprise. Chunks of pork belly in sticky, gooey cheese are what dreams are made of. * 18 Hour Pulled Pork Sliders: I hate pickles. These sliders made me love pickles. Holy crap. I had to ask the server about it and apparently they're sweet pickles made in-house. Anything that changes my mind about a food I don't like deserves ultimate praise. * Crab Hush Puppies: If this sounds even remotely appealing to you - don't hesitate. These were totally up my alley and the type of thing I could eat a million of. Hearts in my eyes. * Shrimp & Grits: Again, another dish that doesn't usually excite me, but Swank's version surprised me yet again. These grits had rich, deep flavor... paired with some perfectly marinated shrimp and you've got a winner. * Beer Can Chicken: This one sounded fun, so we ordered it and were pleased to see it was accompanied with a PBR can full of hot gravy. Clever dish, good execution. The french fries it came with was my carb-hating husband's favorite - especially since they came with a really unique spicy ketchup. * Craft beers: Pleasantly surprised to see their beer list. Some of my fun favorites included Seadog, Shipyard Pumpkinhead, and Monk in the Trunk. * Bread pudding: I can't resist a good bread pudding. This was no different. A great homage to the memory of your grandma's bread pudding. Protip: Check out their specials. We came on a Wednesday and my first glass of wine was a penny. Protip: Leftovers are even more amazing for lunch. After our meal, we moseyed over to the photo booth on our way out and snapped some fun pics. Overall, Swank delivers a perfect 360 dining experience. I'd love to come back for a more bar-oriented night.
(5)Hayley W.
I went here this past weekend with some friends for the first time and it was excellent. The food was excellent, it truly embodies "Southern Swank"; upscale take on classic southern food, like corn bread, burgers, chicken and waffles, etc. I ordered the Pimento Burger, medium rare, and it was great. It was cooked the way I asked and was a good portion size. The menu is on the smaller side but the quality of the food makes up for the less quantity. The noise level is a bit high, so I felt like I was yelling throughout dinner. The restaurant itself is roomy, I never felt crowded or like I was going to bump into the people at the table behind us. It also seemed to have a nice bar area but I didn't venture over into that section. Admittedly, I didn't spend too much time taking in the decor, but I noticed several televisions around the main dining room and the lighting is low; it seems perfect for a fun first date.
(4)Danny M.
Last night we came here for a much anticipated birthday party for a friend... We were a party of about 40 and we were all spread out across the bar area and high tops. At first I was a little concerned that they didn't have enough staff to handle Our entire party, but I was wrong... The 2 bartenders that took care of us did an unbelievable job handling our party. Nobody waited too long for food or drinks. They really rocked! Now let's get to the food.... Since there were so many of us, I got to try just about everything on the menu, and every bite was really better than the previous one. Pulled pork sliders... Sinfully good, smoky & tender pulled pork... Great slaw and perfectly home made pickle. I don't even like pickles but damn this slider was god sent. Shrimp n Grits- one of my all time southern favorites and I've had many different renditions of this dish and I must say, Chef Mike hit it out of the park with this one... Creamy/smoky grits were amazing, shrimp cooked to perfection (plump and juicy) and the pickled green beans really put it over the top. They were still crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at the same time. Other reviews Have complained about the price of this dish compared to the size of it (it's an app)... Those people clearly have no clue what the price of shellfish is right now, and how much time and effort goes into making a dish so spectacular. Hanger steak- Simple, easy and elegant plating.. Cooked perfectly, flavors on point. I mean who doesn't love fingerling potatoes with bacon. It's like crack. U can't just have one bite. Chicken n Waffles- So we all know that every new world southern spot is putting chicken and waffles on their menu and yea some of them are pretty good... But this dish was so good that my head was exploding with every bite. The marshmallow sage sauce is brilliant. Very unorthodox but the sage was very pronounced and just out of this world delicious, like I want to slather it on everything. Then I tried the hot sauce and it really put it over the top. This isn't your generic bottle of sriracha crap.. Certainly homemade with love and it definitely shows. Overall this dish was just perfectly balanced and the texture everything was all I could ever ask for. I want to thank the staff and everyone who helped us out last night... We could not have asked for a better over all experience!
(5)Cristen S.
After I've been dying to try this place I went for the first time for a friends birthday. Server was very nice and the atmosphere was really cool. The food was amazing, everyone in our party really enjoyed their meal. No worries until the end of our dinner when the computer system shut down, we had to wait almost 45 minutes to receive our checks. No one offered us anything and the manager never came over once to apologize even when he was standing right by our table. When approached, he was incredibly rude and unfriendly. I would say the best thing about this place is the food and atmosphere, as well as the great specials they had. Also, everything seemed to be very fairly priced. However, very disappointed in the management of the restaurant and how poorly our situation was handled.
(2)Tommie G.
Good food terrible service. I've been here numerous times and every time there has been issues with service. Today we ordered apps and mains, my main course was missing the marshmallow sauce for the chicken and waffles. When I asked for it, that took another 10 minutes. So the rest of my party had pretty much competed their meal. As for dessert we ordered one knowing it takes 15 minutes to prepare 30 minutes later no where in sight. Finally the manager come by saying it was placed but the paper was out in the back so they never received ticket. You would think some sort of compensation would be done for us waiting, but no. So long story short good food for the area... Bad service.
(2)Manuel B.
Finally tried this place. Menu very limited. Service very slow. Chicken and waffles was good, except the waitress told us to make sure and ask for the maple syrup for the waffles. After waiting for a while, finally flagged down some one else. Asked for the syrup and guess what he says, sorry we ran out. In a place serving chicken and waffles how do you run out of syrup. After a long wait for the dishes to be cleared, waitress finally came by to offer dessert menu. After another long wait we noticed that some of the desserts took 15 to 30 to be prepared, that was it, we where done .
(3)Megan L.
I think the prices are still to high for Davie!! Bottomless mimosa are on point for Sundays brunch. $15 all you can drink! You guys are almost there.... Add some Bloody Mary deals to your menu and you guys will truly succeed in this tiny lil town!!! Davie strong
(5)Adetoun Tina A.
Canyon merlot for wine wed good. Order S' wings, shells and cheese and corn bread! Yummie. Went for wine Wednesday. Great deal two glass for $5.01 . Love all the food I had. Bar areas place to sit to people watch!
(4)Will K.
Was here on 8/3/2014... it's a nice lively atmosphere. And that's where it stops. My gf and I weren't attended to until after 10 or so minutes. But, no biggie, it's cool. Then my meal took approx 13 minutes to serve -- and that was only my order. Still, no problem (kind of). My meal (biscuits / gravy) was cold (not even lukewarm). My shrimps & grits -- wasn't at all worth $14 -- it lacked flavor, almost as if it were prepared for a diabetic. When I voiced my dislikes to the waitress (who genuinely commiserated with me ) she said "yeah, we've been having taste issues specifically with the shrimp & grits and with the biscuits & gravy coming out cold". I'm like, what? And, were you aware of this - her reply, "no, I'm sorry". Anyways, can't say I'll be back.
(1)Crystal L.
I know there's no other place in Davie like Swank, for this reason they deserve a five-star rating. From their eminent service to the trendy wall art throughout the interior it's definitely expected to assume that the food is as good as it is. The gator chili and shells-n-cheese are delish! Pair that up with some swamp water and you'll be walking out of their with some swank in your step.
(5)Brian C.
Heard about this place opening up last week and decided to make the trip up to Davie and check it out. The place was extremely congested Friday evening, apparently there was some Groupon coupon frenzy going on. Decided to just go for some appetizers (I wasn't very hungry) and drinks. I gotta give these guys credit on the masterpiece of a Mac and cheese that they served me. Wow! Also had the fried green tomatoes which were just perfect as well. Ordered a pimento burger cut in 4 to share and was thoroughly impressed with the flavor. I could put that cheese on anything! My favorite drinks were the raspy lemonade and the regular lemonade (I tried their swamp water also, it was too sweet for me but the ladies loved it). I will definitely be back after the Groupon frenzy dies out.
(5)Lucy K.
Bordering between a 2.5-3. Mostly because of the service. I came here with a party of 10 for a pre-formal party dinner. We needed to be on a bus by 8:00pm and we called the restaurant ahead of time to see what time they recommended we come in. They said 6pm. We all arrived there on time and we all put our orders in almost as soon as we sat down to save on time. They had a gluten free menu which made ordering for me super easy. The drinks came out no problem and were delicious. More then an hour goes by... no food. Its not that the waitstaff forgot about our tables, they were constantly checking in with us about more drinks. We asked the waitress to check on our food again. By about 7:35ish, some of the first people began to get their appetizers. We were given the bill before half our dinner had come. Our party was starving and flustered to say the least. The last people got their food, only after the fifth compliant, at 7:50, giving them no time to eat it. We complained to the manager, who only comped the last two peoples meal because they were unable to eat their food, rather than the rest of us who were lucky to shove pieces of it in our mouths before having to run out the door. The sad thing was is that the food was pretty good, but we weren't able to enjoy it due to the service. Usually with a bad experience like this, I try to give the place a couple chances. However, I have multiple friends who have had separate, similar experiences. Its a shame because this could be a really good place in Davie.
(3)Jeff S.
I love Southern fare, although as someone who eats gluten-free, it can be difficult. A group of us were looking for somewhere fun to eat, none of us had been to Southern Swank Kitchen before, and we were excited about trying a new place. The drink menu is fantastic. I was a bit tepid at ordering a moonshine-based drink (I am a huge fan of whisk(e)y and am open to new variations). It had apple pie moonshine, caramel moonshine and cider. It cost $8.00 and was served in a mason jar glass. Others in my party ordered drinks as well, and everyone seemed to rave about them. We then ordered our meals. On average, the entree price is about $16 - $20, with everything being a la carte. I ordered ribs, my wife ordered a hangar steak, two of our party ordered shrimp and grits. We also ordered some crispy wings for the table. The portions could best be described as "tapas" - small plates. The hangar steak, which was $25, was incredibly small. Hangar steak isn't an expensive cut, which usually makes it an attractive purchase. However, in this case, my wife felt like she ordered filet mignon. My ribs were "meh." The meat was tough, it definitely didn't fall off the bone like good ribs will. The caramel apple BBQ sauce was very spicy (versus the expected sweet), and there was more bone than meat. At $18.00, that's a lot for the six almost ribs served. The inside of the restaurant is very loud. The decor is was attractive for how it was set up. The servers were very friendly. We all left with the feeling that Southern Swank Kitchen would be a great place to have some drinks, but we'd catch a meal beforehand somewhere else.
(2)Allison S.
Great for appetizers and drinks but things went seriously downhill for the main courses. Fried green tomatoes and pork sliders were good. The hanger steak came with a really strange jus, very unpleasant. The pimento burger was forgettable. Unfortunately it is more Southern "influence" than execution, and the service was a bit slack (more waiter/waitress socialising at the pass than looking after tables). My first cocktail was beautifully made, with whole blueberries and nice colour. My second had a few blueberry skins in it and looked half finished. Just generally a bit slack. Too bad.
(3)Cristina S.
We went to this restaurant a few months ago & weren't knocked off our rockers. Like other reviews during that time said, service was slow (even mid-week), food was Ok, prices were a little high. We returned Mon. for Moonshine Mondays & sat at the bar. The specials were great, the bartender was really attentive, & our food was really good! The Mac n Cheese is better now, the Green Bean Casoulette, (a delicious little casserole with chicken, slivered almonds, & cheese), the Country friend steak dish was AMAZING, & their bread pudding dessert is a nice ending to this wonderful meal. We'll be back!
(4)Pedro G.
First time here and definitely not disappointed!! Came with a 15.00 for 30.00 worth of food groupon and decided to bite the bullet and go, was always hesitant because the prices r a tad high. Anyways our waitress was kind and knowledgable and always was around the refill our water. I ordered the blue chicken and waffles (what makes them "blue" is a spicy bbq sriracha sauce). It was soooooo good. My partner had the half beer can chicken with coleslaw and fries. The slaw was a bit dry for my taste and not very flavorful. But the chicken was moist and delicious, crispy on the outside. We decided at the beginning to have an appetizer because we didn't see a dessert menu nor was there one on their site. We had the cornbread with cinnamon butter. Soooooo good but I've had better. Anyway at the end we were offered the dessert menu but declined because we were full. Overall and great first experience and will def recommend!
(4)Tiffany H.
The outside doesnt do this place justice! Very nice ambiance and staff. We had a very helpful waiter Andrew who was able to recommend his personal favorites. We ordered the Louisina swamp water and a chronic tonic. A slight disappointment when there was no dry ice in the swamp water as we basically ordered it for the novelty. Drinks were good though, could have been a little stronger. We ordered 3 appetizers, shrimp and grits, crab hush puppies and the pork sliders. Everything was tasty but two things were phenomenal. The smoky flavor of the grits was outstanding. My boyfriend doesnt like grits but loved these. And the smoked flavor of the pork was great too. Thanks Southern Swank, we will be back.
(4)Tony P.
Only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the food was good. The service was horrible, I've had better service in a fast food restaurant and paid much less. The food is way overpriced and takes forever to come out. Manager didn't care much about anything other than making excuses that we didn't care to hear. After an hour and a half she offered a free dessert...how nice. I didn't care to wait another 30-60 minutes for dessert so we paid and left. I would never suggest this year place to anybody I like. If you want good food and service go to SWINE.
(2)S T.
1st time here..... Service is slow, hard to tell if there is a manager or chef here, folks seem to be wandering around without clearly answering to anyone Food okay, not great. Will try one more time.... Crab hush puppies not evenly cooked - some cooked thru some raw in the middle like crab Rangoon, also lacked seasoning - would not order again. Pork chop was good but completely overwhelmed by a sea of spicy sweet baked beans (I would order the chop agin, but only if I could swap out the beans)
(3)Rob L.
Some of the best food we have had out in a while. Saw they were open for Sunday brunch while driving by. Popped in and glad we did. Our waiter Jose, took great care of us. Very friendly. We had the Redneck Mimosa, the Cherry Champaign, eggs Benedict and redneck ruben. All paired very well and some of the most exciting flavors. Loved the spicy ketchup!. Price is a little on the up side, but once you taste the flavors you will understand. Seating indoors and out, the atmosphere is wonderful. I highly recommend this place for brunch.
(5)Bridget F.
My boyfriend and I had dinner at Southern Swank last night. I was so surprised how big the place was! There is ample room for the wraparound bar and dining room. The "upscale cowboy" theme was well done and consistent, so if you like John Wayne, country music, and plaid shirts this place is for you. We started with the crab hush puppies and thought they were delicious. They portion came with 5 hush puppies with large pieces of crab in each one. For dinner, my boyfriend had the chicken and waffles, which came with a marshmallow sauce on top and a hot sauce on the side. He enjoyed them but they were chicken thighs, not breasts- delicious, but a little fattier than I would have expected. I had the chicken fried steak with smashed potatoes and gravy - really, really yummy, I definitely recommend it! I also tried their Chronic Tonic: a mix of blueberries, sage, tonic, and gin. Very unique flavor, but a bit strong for me. Our service was good- everyone was polite and knowledgeable. I'd say this place is a solid 4 stars and we will definitely be visiting again, but will probably wait for another special occasion since its a bit on the pricey side for southern fare.
(4)Rafael C.
Sunday dinner for Mother's Day tried Southern Swank as a recommendation from a fellow foodie. Seated immediately with a warning the kitchen was backed up even though the place was about 1/2 empty and promptly informed they didn't have 3 items on the menu ( steak, fish and ribs....no ribs at a Southern restaurant???). Order drinks, appetizers and main courses at once . Twenty min later the first appetizer showed up and then all the appetizers and main courses arrived at once. Flavor was great on the food ( fried green tomatoes, sliders, mesquite chicken, po boy) , salads were over dressed with heavy cumin spice . Certainly not worth the wait and disjointed service. Servers very apologetic but manager was too busy walking around the back on his smartphone to do the apologizing himself. I think they tried to copy the name of Yardbird Southern but it's not even close and it's going to take this Southern raised bird to come back. This might be the reason why it was half empty and Tijuana Flats right down the street was packed with no parking spots available and a waiting line outside. Might not be open the next time I venture out this way to eat , with such a big empty space and unfilled covers and no bar activity it can't be financially sustainable.
(2)Wendy N.
Fantastic! Our plan was the shrimp and grits and short rib meatloaf, unfortunately the meatloaf wasn't available but the shrimp and grits were amazing! The manager Mark recommended the pork sliders and corn bread with cinnamon butter and they were delicious! Jacob our bartender server was also great. Tues are 2 4 1 and $8 Tito's and wed are penny wine nights. So in addition to great food and service the prices are reasonable also. I can't wait to go back for the short rib meatloaf!
(5)SanDee V.
My girlfriend and I were undecided as where to go. We drive past this little place that woke up our curiosity. I'm disappointed with their menu, not much to choose from. After 30 mins of starring at this one page menu and realizing I really didn't like anything I just opted for the Mac n cheese...lol I know so much time spent to just order Mac n cheese. I ordered a drink called swamp water. I gotta say the presentation of this drink is by far the most creative drink I've ever had. It's presentation lived up to its name "SWAMP WATER" it was green and had smoke coming out with a worm gummy hanging. If only the taste matched the looks. Uggggg this drink tasted just like its name..lol I told the waitress to take it back and just ordered a regular run and coke, I knew I couldn't go wrong with that. Now let's get to the part where i have to literally scream at my girlfriend so she can hear me because the band is way to loud. Oh yea did I mention there was a band playing songs I've never heard of right in front of us. I really think the table setting should be different. I mean who wants to scream at each other at the table due to the heavy noise. My head was being tortured to the point we had to leave.
(2)Kat V.
Worst experience, cannot substitute fries for anything else. Manager even came out and said no. Was told I had to purchase another side. Then they offered me the side for half price. Came for the $3 fireball shots and they were raised to $6. Menu online is different than actual menu.
(1)Tina T.
Driven by many times it's always packed. Got a Groupon so we finally tried it. My date was my 12 year old daughter who is planning on owning her own restaurant some day so she is not picky and pretty easy to please. We started off with the grits and shrimp. The shrimp was delicious but she would not eat the grits because she said they tasted funny. I ate them they had cheese in them but kind of bland. For the Main course we ordered the baby back ribs with baked beans, cole slaw, fries, pickled green beans and 2 dinner rolls. Ribs had a bit of a kick to them too spicy for my daughter but I thought they were very good and I ate them all. Baked beans were very weird not like anything I've ever had before they had something spicy in them too maybe hot sauce and had a tart after taste. Kid did not eat them at all. She ate all the Fries, pickled and rolls. Next time I will try something else like the fried chicken with waffles or beer can chicken. My advise is leave your kids at home. They had 2 for 1 on Tuesday night so would be fun with friends. Very expensive but not for children. Kids menu has 3 items on it. Try not to sit back by the kitchen very load with dishes behind wall.
(3)Emily B.
We came on a Saturday night for date night. Although the reviews weren't that great, we decided to try it anyways. We were seated right away. It's rather small considering only one side of the restaurant has seating, the other is a bar with bar tables. We had the s'wings for appetizer and they were yummy. I had the short ribs dinner, meat was delicious as it fell off the bone, baked beans were different, and coleslaw was ick. He had the porterhouse. For $37 he was expecting a nice piece of meat, but instead it was low quality. Vegetables were bland and the potatoes and gravy were also ick. We wouldn't return, but glad we tried it.
(3)Jessica C.
My boyfriend found this place through reviews on yelp, and we love a good southern style restaurant. I have to admit, before we arrived we had read some recent reviews that this place had bombed, service was bad, etc. i told him we should be the judge ourselves. We got there and the place was busy. It was Saturday night after all. We got there around 8:30pm and was told it would be a 45 minute wait. We didn't mind, we didn't have nothing else planned for the evening so it wasn't a problem at all. While we waited, we were asked if we wanted water or unsweetened tea. My boyfriend and I both got water. About 30 mins in to our wait, after we drank our water, took in the ambiance, observed the operation, and dissected the menu, we made our way to the bar. I ordered the swamp water and he got the caramel apple. I wasn't there for the order, but I was told the bartender took a while to get around to making our drinks. In that time, I went to ask the hostess the status of our wait, and she told us it would be another 30 minutes. In that moment, I questioned why no one had told us and she told me she didn't know and the kitchen was backed up. In my restaurant experience, you shield that as best as possible and you never tell the customer what's going on. It seemed like a floor manager came to see what was going on and we let him know about the wait, he apologized and let us know we would be sat soon and offered to buy us a drink. We politely declined and made our way to the photo booth to kill some more time. We were finally sat and our server greeted us soon after taking our drink order. The manager once again came to us and wished us a good meal. Once our drinks arrived we ordered our appetizers, crab hush puppies and pork sliders. Entrees ordered were the country fried steak with a side of Mac and cheese and the yelp special - chicken and waffles. Our appetizers came out in a timely manner and were delicious! The flavor in both items were amazing and the dishes very well executed. The manager came to check on us again and offered to buy us drinks, my boyfriend had another caramel apple. I was still babysitting my swamp water. :-). Once we finished our appetizers our food arrived and the presentation was awesome and the taste even better! I tried my boyfriends country fried steak and yum!!! The Mac and cheese was also just as an Amazing not too cheesy and with bits of smoked ham in it. It was perfection. My chicken and waffles were to die for. It had great flavor with the spicy-ness of the chicken balanced out with the marshmallow blue cheese sauce. It sounds weird, but man does it work and the flavors blended so well. We passed on the dessert, but all the choices sounded tempting. I have read all bad reviews for this place and I have to say they were wrongly judged. Swank has not even been open a year and with any new restaurant they have the kinks to workout. I recall yardbird being even more disastrous at the beginning and now they're one of the best places on south beach. My one complaint is that they don't have biscuits on the menu. Lol. Southern style food and biscuits together is like milk and cookies. I also have to say, that with the busy-ness of the restaurant, everyone was working so very hard and trying to help out one another and if people saw how small kitchen was and what the staff had to work with, they would applaud them. I can't wait to go back soon and hopefully they will open for brunch as well. I have to finish off with I have much respect for a new operation that has their floor manager and owner on the floor running food and interacting with their guests. I can't wait to go back! Great job swank!
(4)Rae K.
I read the Yelp reviews extensively and went in braced for disappointment...and left eager to go back! Here is a list of everything I had an opportunity to try: Swamp Water, various beers, Caramel Apple, Swank Old Fashioned, Jack's Honey Tea, Cornbread, Pulled-pork sliders, Shells and Cheese, Half-Order of Beer Can Chicken, Side salad, Blue Chicken and Waffles (I THINK that's everything). Everything was amazing! I didn't notice anything "bad" about the beer can gravy, but I did use it sparingly due to some reviews, the chicken was outstandingly smokey, moist, and tender on it's own. Caramel Apple was too sweet for my alcohol choice, but if you like sugar it may be for you. Shells and cheese was creamy and bacon-y and delicious. The side salad was so healthy and organic tasting we said we could taste the dirt. The Blue Chicken and Waffles was not my thing, but my friends all LOVED it. The best drink was hands down the Swank Old Fashioned followed by the potent Swamp Water (but I am a bourbon person then a tequila person so that makes sense). Jack's Honey Tea seemed as though it was unsweetened tea and my friend actually poured honey whiskey from her own flask to make it more palatable. Pulled pork sliders were juicy and tender and not a must-do but thoroughly enjoyed. The Cornbread is a MUST DO. The sugar-butter spread was great. It was not at all like my Georgia raised grandmother's but it was definitely still excellent-a new twist on cornbread. We did not eat dessert. The bar looked like a great option to grab some excellent adult beverages on a Happy Hour or before heading to somewhere else. Our sever was Kendall (sp?) and she was a sweetheart. We stayed and talked until late and had a true dining experience. We hadn't even left before we agreed that we were all eager to return. Prices were very reasonable although I did spend more than I normally do on a night out, but I had a true experience that was well worth it.
(4)Amber S.
Got there when it was empty ordered and our server didn't put in the food for our 2 yr old son! But never apologized for it. When I told her we didn't need it she said it wasn't a problem and the kitchen was short staffed. That's not my problem! Bring what I asked for. Then getting the check. Geez....never again.
(1)Elizabeth V.
Not sure if we are going back. The place was very nicely decorated, both inside and out. It's in a weird location and the parking is limited but that was ok. The staff seems to be very young and everyone kept excusing themselves because they are in training. It seems like poor staff management. On a Sunday night, no silverware ready or napkins, our server had to go roll silverware while two hostesses just stood there staring at the full tables. Not right! Our appetizers came out and we had no plates ( table of 6 sharing 3 appetizers) nor silverware. Still hadn't gotten our drinks either. Our waitress was extremely nice and excusing herself the whole time. Got there at 7:20 with reservations and didn't get our meals till 9:10 on a Sunday night. I really like the food and the place but if they don't step up the service, they might not be around too long.
(3)Luis S.
Food was good. Service was pretty bad. They didn't bring out food all together and they brought out plates 30mins apart. Place didn't even look that busy. First time eating here so not sure if it's a one time thing. Manager offered no compensation.
(2)Diane N.
My husband and I went to the grand opening celebration on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Their food is southern style and the ambiance is kind of western. Servers were constantly coming around with trays of appetizers for everyone to try. Everything we tried was very tasty. We were served crab hush puppies, pulled pork sliders, shells and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. The crab hush puppies were served on sticks. They were plump and delicious, but I didn't taste or see any crab Everyone was saying how delicious the pulled pork sliders were. They were served on a soft bun. The pork had a tangy sauce and was topped with cole slaw. The shells and cheese was served in little cups. They were delicious and I grabbed another serving every time a tray came around. Last was my favorite, the fried green tomatoes. They were served in small pieces, I would have liked a whole slice of tomato. They were covered in a remoulade and tasso sauce that was delicious. Later our table got a metal pail filled with popcorn. It was sweet, had nuts, and was very delicious. I'm not sure what all was in the popcorn, but I want more. Some specialty drinks were free and there was also a cash bar. They had a band and a DJ. The owner came around, introduced himself and welcomed us. It was a nice touch. He gave us his business card in case we wanted to get in touch with him. Based on how much we enjoyed the grand opening, I know we'll be back. I saw the menu and the prices didn't seem to be very expensive.
(4)Lindsey G.
Came here for a going away dinner with 8 people. Service was incredibly bad, waited 40 minutes for drinks after order was put in. A friend ordered an app for dinner and she brought it out as an app 30 min before anyone had there dinner. I ordered chicken and waffles which were ok but not awesome. Moonshine drink concoctions were cool but too strong for me!
(2)Sabrina F.
I love this place. I wish it weren't so far away. We went in a big group when my mom was in town and it was a phenomenal experience. The beer can chicken is to die for, the pulled pork sliders, wow. I don't even eat pork, but I did that night. Their chicken wings are out of this world. The service was impeccable, their beer selection is on point. It's a relaxed environment, pretty big with a large bar, cool hang out place, not expensive either. If this place were closer I would be here much more often.
(5)Marina S.
I was so excited for the chicken and waffles but WHY would one put marshmallow fluff on top?? So weird and unnecessary. The Crab Hush Puppies were soo good! The sliders and cole slaw were very tasty! The St. Louis ribs were not true St. Louis ribs. Not fall off the bone, not crazy about their sauce. The drinks were fun and yummy, served in mason jars to add to the southern rustic vibe in here. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I have a feeling they like yelpers because when we checked in, all of a sudden the 40 minute wait time was forgotten, we were seated and offered shots lol.
(3)Donna C.
Overpriced. ..small portions. ..good customer service. My food was cold they did heat it but I won't comeback.
(3)Jonathan M.
The food was pretty good. All the plates are shareable so Id recommend to get a few things to share. The watermelon salad is very good - better than at other southern kitchens in soflo. Simple dish but tasty The shells and cheese with shrimp super yum - it makes a really good side but it's even good enough to have as a main dish for one person. The place needs work on the decor and the layout though. It's cute from the outside but inside it looks like they just threw a bunch of random tables in a big empty space w a bar in the middle. It had great potential to be really cute inside and they wasted it. Not sure if they ran out of money or something. Now a days it's not just good to have great food you also have to provide a good ambiance or it kind of kills it. Work on that and you'll have a great place this side of 95.
(3)Jimmi L.
Bad Service To loud Ordered Pork chops and Beans and Beer can chicken Both came out RAW!!!!! Waited forever for the waitress and she comes back with a Hostess who proceeds to argue with me about getting more food! After telling her the Fourth time No she goes and get a guy that might be the chef/cook So he asked "what the Problem" Really? Well if You made one mistake that could slide But you had both Chicken and Pork come out and Both were RAW! Reading other reviews it seems this is a common thing at Southern Swank Kitchen So he asked if we were Interested in returning for a meal on the House. I said not a chance! After reading all the other reviews and it seems like they do not take care of anything! Went to Knucklehead Burger up the Street! Good burger their! Best to avoid Southern Swank Kitchen all together!
(1)Vincent S.
Best pork sliders on the planet, great spare rib meatloaf. Service is attentive and friendly. Place is spotless clean, great bar area and TV's too for games. It has it all if you're looking for a great place with great food in West Broward. You want great food served with a smile in a comfortable setting? Southern Swank is the place to go.
(5)Pao J.
Oh my goodness SWANK JUST BLEW MY SOCKS OFF ROSCOES better watch out the swanky boys really know how to serve fried chicken and waffles not to mention i was sitting next to one of the heat players haslem was his name i think i didnt wanna bother his family so i didnt ask for a picture the beercan chicken was outstanding and so was my yellowtail snapper we had a happy meal ill be back
(5)True F.
We Loved it !!! Service and Food was fantastic !!! Limited menu but that is fine. They perfect the dishes they make
(5)Rachel F.
It's a cute place, but the prices are a little high for what it is.
(3)Bryan N.
Let me start by saying I live walking distance from this place and had extremely high hopes this place would be our new go to spot. I've been to this restaurant on a two occasions over the course of a year hoping that any issues would be resolved being a newer restaurant at that time. On our first visit me and my fiancé ordered fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. One of the tomatoes was actually green and had the classic tart flavor associated with green tomatoes. The other tomatoes on the plate were completely red and had little to no flavor. When we asked to speak to the manager he began to give us a very long spiel about "heirloom" and "green" tomatoes. He even went to the point of bringing out tomatoes from the kitchen and began babbling even more. First off all I was born and raised in North Carolina and I am a huge cook. I have a full understanding of how to cook this dish and what it's supposed to taste like. The situation could have been easily resolved by preparing us another dish of GREEN tomatoes as advertised on the menu and went about his way. Shortly after we received our entree of chicken and waffles. When my fiancé cut into her chicken it was RAW. Not slightly pink, not a pale hue of red, I mean completely raw! The manager then came back to our table and we showed him the what almost looked purple chicken. He looked extremely nervous at this point and then took our dishes back to the kitchen. When he came back he had us check our food which seemed to be cooked to a safe temperature this time. We vented our frustrations to this manager who then proceeded to tell us that he "just fired" the chef who cooked our dish. My fiancé then lost it and proceeded to tell him about his poor management skills and how he reprimands his employees is none of our concern. He then apologized again and states that he didn't fire the employee "he just had a serious talking to". So you lied basically?? In closing the only dish that was actually pretty delicious was the bread pudding for desert. Overall: ok food at best, horrible management, descent drink selection. If your looking for a place to come have a drink and don't mind the blaring country music this might be an ok spot. It is very unfortunate being that the decor is very nice and has a nice rustic feel. With better/NEW management, some culinary guidance and new well informed staff this place could have potential. Until then I will not be going back
(1)Lina A.
Went for brunch around 2 pm. We were seated right away and had a great server. The chicken and waffles was the best I've ever had. The chicken wasn't too greasy, it was cooked really well. And the waffles were great with the marshmallow sauce. My boyfriend had the fried steak and eggs, he liked it as well but he liked the chicken and waffles better. We also had the biscuits with bacon jam, it was really good! And I don't even like bacon lol can't wait to go back and try other things in the menu
(4)Kristina K.
Let me start off with the food is really good. Its a shame that their staff is really disappointing. 1 hour at the bar and spent most of it watching the bartenders talk and flirt with each other. Then the managers were having mtgs and talking to everyone again preventing extra drinks from being sold:( Definitely try the pork sliders and ask about specials at least three time because each bartender told us something different or forgot something. If they could get their act together this place could be great. The wings were
(2)Holly O.
Went here on a Tuesday evening with another couple and used a Groupon. Decor was kind of cute and casual... could have used just a little more refining but okay. The restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated quickly in a booth. Our server was a little more concerned with being "in character" than being a really good server... not terrible but not great either (and I think he was new and in training so I'll give him a pass). We asked about bar specials and he told us that most bar drinks were half price so we ordered 3 different drafts and a glass of wine. Later he asked if we wanted another round so we ordered 2 more drafts and another glass of wine... only to be told AFTER they were delivered to our table that the bar special was now over and the drinks were full price. Also when checking the bill at the end we realized that we were charged for a different (more expensive) draft than we ordered. When we pointed this out the server admitted that he had brought the wrong draft... and not only that he gave the wrong drafts to the wrong people. He made no offer to adjust the price and quite honestly didn't really apologize. Not very good customer service... but maybe that was a training issue... who knows. Now for the food... we wanted to order the fried green tomatoes but were told that they were taken off the menu. Disappointing since I saw some good reviews for them and had never tried them before but we ordered the fried pickles instead. I had only just tried fried pickles at another establishment about 2 weeks earlier and liked them. Swank's fried pickles were very light on the pickles... All I could really taste was the very thick and slightly overdone breading. Like I said not terrible but not very good. Based on reviews I wanted to order the short rib meatloaf but guess what.... taken off the menu(do you see a trend here?). So I ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was pretty good but would have preferred something other than fries on the side... no substitutions though. I think my husband had some type of steak which was okay. My friend ordered the wedge salad and was told that they were out of blue cheese so they could not make the blue cheese dressing... for goodness sake how could you run out of a basic ingredient on a Tuesday night? In the end somehow they managed to bring her a wedge salad with the blue cheese dressing... who knows how. Our other friend ordered the chicken and waffles which he said were okay. All in all it wasn't terrible but I'm not sure I'd go back... which is a shame because I love the idea and theme of this restaurant and I normally love down home country cooking. Also, they should change their online menu to reflect their menu changes... fried green tomatoes and meatloaf are still listed.
(2)Joey B.
The burger was cooked medium just as requested. My fries were heat lamp temperature. The server wasn't too knowledgeable about the dishes or prices of the specials. The atmosphere is nice but it's just missing something. Seems like they just don't have it together yet. Drinks were half off but the board says 2-4-1. This makes it a guessing game when your bill comes. The bar should have more lighting to make it more welcoming. This place has huge potential. I've been here 4 times and have yet to be impressed. I come back every couple months with hope but haven't been wowed yet.
(3)Natalie H.
We went here for my mom's birthday brunch and we are all glad that we did! The atmosphere is southern but in a chic way not a dated way, from the decor to the music, and they even played an old Clint Eastwood movie in all four corners. The corn bread was hot and delicious with the cinnamon butter on the side. Everyone loved the grits (my mom is native to Virginia as far south as you can get before crossing the state line into NC - she knows her grits) and everything else we got there was equally delicious! After chatting with our waiter, Mike (who was very gracious and charmingly humble) we learned that the owners recently replaced just about their entire staff. I've never been here to experience the old staff, but it seems like they made the right move because we were very satisfied.
(5)Andrea A.
I was really excited about this place, after a review from a friend. Unfortunately, it only gets three 'mehs'. I guess since it didn't live up to my expectations... I was left wanting real southern food. So we show up and there's a lake in the front parking lot. No joke. It was flooded and I'm unsure why. Prob not their fault, but def not good for biz. Then the outdoor decor was pretty flashy and not so southern. Inside it was decorated nice but completely empty. Besides some drunken dinosaurs at the bar, there was one other table. The server approached and told us that all wine bottles were half off ( thank you Jesus!) so we ordered one. I'm pretty familiar with wine and can safely say that most were priced way too high for what I pay in other restaurants. Then we ordered the shells n cheese with bacon. It came in a skillet and the shells were very good from first bite. At the bottom they were drowning in oil. Also, WITH BACON means that you have more than two flakes of bacon. Don't skimp on the bacon-- that's dangerous territory. Plus it makes you look cheap. Before we ordered, we were told there were no specials, no fish and absolutely no substitutions. That's interesting because I never saw pumpkin purée as southern, but that's what they served on the side of my meatloaf. Rather, there was a splotch of it--- cheap again. I was ok with the splotch because I didn't care for it anyhow. The short rib meatloaf was pretty good... I would've liked some firmness. It fell apart. Ordered a side of slaw (because they are hardly southern enough to know that meatloaf should come with slaw... And they are cheap) and the slaw was good. My man got chicken and waffles, which he ordered with a bleu cheese sauce. It was good. For the price, I expected more. The manager came over to check on us and he was just a little off. No real manager presence, didn't speak with much restaurant knowledge or authority and just seemed pretty uncomfortable speaking at all. I would suggest that he beef up the confidence and the conversational skills. Maybe he had a bad night- who knows. They all wanted us to come back for brunch-- which seems to be exact same menu items. Once again- cheap. I know restaurants need to make a living, but when you blatantly rip customers off- your restaurant will be empty. I don't for see this establishment withstanding the test of time.
(3)Dre B.
I read the Yelp reviews before I went here and almost changed my mind. I read them again after looking at a few other options and almost changed my mind again. I then went against my best judgement -- and the "average at best" consensus of Yelpers -- and went to Southern Swank anyway for dinner on a Friday. It was exactly as the Yelpers had said: Average, At Best. I am a Chicken-n-Waffles connoisseur/snob. So I ordered their version (which is prominently noted on the menu to have ben rated Top 10 by Miami New Times -- who and why, I have no idea. Small sample size, I guess). NOTICE: Putting chicken and waffles on the same plate, makes a chicken-n-raffles dish, not. Our waitress was as bad as she could possible be, not suggestive-selling us anything (as there were some indecisive people in our party) and making no meal- or check-enhancing suggestions when we did order. The place looks fine, nice spacious restaurant and large-sized bar. Very hick-ish looking front staff but I like the flannel shirt look. i wont be eating here again; for average food and average service I can spend 50% less on KFC or Boston Market. Yelp, i will listen to you next time.
(2)Debra C.
I just came back here a few weeks ago with a couple of friends. I bought a Groupon for the place months ago, and it was set to expire in mid-January. I think Southern Swank is trying to step it up again. They beefed up their serving sizes for everything. I got their burger and it was huge. I also think they increased the size of their chicken and waffles. Since I'm Asian, I take pictures of food and my friend's choice of chicken and waffles was bigger than the one I had last year. Dessert is always awesome (I think I have a thing for desserts that come in jars). Service has also improved vastly, with the waiters and hosts being more aware of customers' needs. Perhaps we came on a good day, but I've found Florida to be slow on average so I'm always surprised when it's not. They also serve brunch now on the weekend! I haven't been yet, but I intend to when I get the chance. My friend who has been here for brunch, says it's her favorite part of the Swank menu. If you see a Groupon for this place, grab it! Regardless, the food is reasonable for the price, but I always like to save money when I can.
(4)Jenn E.
Good but honestly for the price it could be better! The layout was weird, there was too much room making it feel cold and un-intimate. Ribs were awesome, but I felt like everything was overpriced for being mediocre- good. They have a good concept but its being executed wrong.
(3)M B.
I was shocked on my most recent visit that the menu has been dramatically reduced. No beer can chicken??? The entree's can out one at a time rather than all together. They discounted our meal at-least but we this was at the expense of hyping the place up to a couple of friends that clearly came back at us. I'll give them 6 months to get it together.
(2)Marcia S.
I went there last night, as I saw a lot of reviews for this place. FYI it's pretty casual, you can easily wear jeans and a nice top, definitely like not like your Miami or Fort Lauderdale scene, it almost felt like I was in Denver or somewhere like that. We started with the crab hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes they both were good and came out very quickly the Hush Puppies could have had a little bit more crab. We ordered a pork chop and ribs and those took forever to come out. We never complained as we thought it was pretty busy and the waitress kept on coming by and apologizing. Shocking a man came over to our table and apologized and told us he was going to give us 15 percent off our dinner. He apologized and thanked us for coming and hoped we would come back. That was the first time that's ever happened in any restaurant where they took responsibility before us even bringing it up, WOWWWWW, I WAS IMPRESSED, but as I mentioned it definitely did not have a Miami or Fort Lauderdale feel. Definitely give it a try if you like southern food a lot of salt though.
(4)Megan M.
Been to Southern Swank a few times now, and I'm a fan. Their drinks are fantastic, and probably my favorite thing about Swank. It's hard to think of a place in that area that has such unique cocktails. On my last visit, they had changed up some of the drinks, but they were still delicious. The food is also tasty. The mac and cheese is a must, and I the sliders are pretty killer. Not my favorite chicken and waffles, but not bad at all. The waffles are perfect. Each time I've been, service has been stellar. Everyone was friendly, and accommodating. They're a little on the slow side, but not so noticeable to deduct stars for. Make sure you check out their photo booth in the back. It's a hoot! On busy nights, parking can be a pain, but be patient and wait it out for a spot.
(4)Johane M.
The decor was better than the food and if you are a vegetarian it does not offer much meatless options on their menu. I went shortly after they opened but have not been back.
(2)Breana B.
Unlimited minosas on Sundays 11am-4pm! This is what brought me here since it was closer than other places. I ended up ordering the eggs benedict biscuit sandwich which was pretty good. We sat outside and the service was good. We did come in through the wrong door so at first figuring out where to be seated was confusion. All in all I got my share of mimosas and left happy and tipsy.
(5)Jay T.
Should have checked reviews first. Checked their on line menu - saw some interesting items including Shimp and Grits. Disapponted to find Shrimp and Grits were removed from the menu. Inquired as to why...the response was they couldn't get the grits right. That was a big red flag and we should have left right then. Highlights - Blue Cheese dressing. Home made and tasty. Lowlights - everything else. Over priced, very slow service, incorrect order served twice. Even the iced tea tasted bad. Stay clear of this establishment.
(1)Anquanette G.
Yep no change. I still feel the same way about Southern Swank although the food was better this time around. I was having a really crappy day and on the word of Rosario & Brenda, I decided to give these folks a second chance. If these 2 ladies were encouraging me to try it, I knew I had to! I decided to Order the Yelp of course! I have to support the boy Blue so I didn't have to look at the menu at all. Buffalo chicken and waffles with a blue cheese drizzle! It sounded delish. I requested my blue cheese to be on the side. I like to control how much I drown my food in a sauce. Thursdays drink special is $3 well drinks!!! I was already a fan :-) Their well vodka is Pinnacle & the rum is Bacardi so I knew I'd be set for the night! I also ordered the corn bread b/c I was super hungry. That item came out very quickly and it was tasty. The side of cinnamon butter set off the salty/sweet combo in the corn bread. This one is a winner! My Order the Yelp dish came out... drenched in blue cheese drizzle. I asked the waiter to have it taken back b/c just as I expected, there was way too much on it. After 20 minutes, it finally came back out but THIS time, I got plain chicken with the buffalo sauce & the blue cheese drizzle on the side. I'm confused. What part of blue cheese on the side did you NOT get? I don't know if the ball was dropped by the server or the kitchen but either way, I was annoyed. So much so that I had to say something! The waitress apologized over and over again, told the manager and he also came over to apologize and offered to make it right. At this point, I was so hungry and annoyed, I told him straight up that I would eat it and couldn't wait for another one to come out. I told him if he took it back and the food was returned to me and I didn't like the food overall, I'd be even more upset. I even told him I was giving him a second chance b/c my first experience was so horrible. I appreciated the gesture He offered to take it off the bill and apologized again. Not only for the mess up with my food but for me also having a crappy day! In the end, I told the waitress to leave it on the bill b/c I didn't want them to think I wanted something for free. In the end, they still took it off even though I insisted that they didn't. I was torn between giving 2 or 3 stars. I decided on 3 for the fact that this time around, the service from the wait staff was much improved over the last visit & the food was very good! I enjoyed every bite of my order the yelp dish, cornbread & drinks! If only they could figure out my order. Next time, I'll just have something to go...
(3)Alex L.
Went to this place long before it was serving the Yelp. I was looking for more southern than swank, and that is maybe the problem. The bar area is great, and the drinks are too. You should definitely order something off their specialty cocktail menu. When I was there was a band playing, they were serving smoking drinks in mason jars, and the place was PACKED! My niece (2 yrs) had a blast, and we all enjoyed her Mac n' Cheese. The steak is pretty decent tasting, though though a small portion for a quite a price. The chicken and waffles is a must.
(4)Joe G.
Stopped in on a Thursday night with my wife. The décor is very hip and trendy and the bar is huge with plenty of TVs and cool memorabilia on the walls. They were doing Happy Hour which was 2-1 well drinks, Draft Beers and house wines as well as $5.00 Bar Bite Appetizers which is just a slightly smaller version off the appetizer menu. We decided to order the Pulled Pork Sliders app as well as the Crab Hush Puppies that came with an awesome dipping sauce. The sliders came 2 to an order and were so good we ended up ordering another. With the second order the bartender suggested accompanying it with their special sauce which made the sliders even better. These are an absolute must! The hush puppies were also very good but didn't have as much of a crab taste as we were hoping but for $5.00 were excellent and a great value. We split an order of the Chicken and Waffles which came out on 2 skewers drizzled with maple Syrup and a thin Marshmallow sauce. This was the first time either of us ever ordered chicken and waffles. The chicken was cook very well and was super tender with not too much breading. The waffles were also very good so the overall dish was a thumbs up but since its not exactly healthy I'd probably never order a dish like this again. Loved the place and I'm glad its not far from the house. I highly suggested to try it because its very unique with not many others places offering a similar dining experience.
(4)Jason F.
Went there on a recommendation from friends. Not worth it at all. Portions sizes to price are not worth it. Menu online does not reflect the meal options. Things have been removed. Speciality drinks were disgusting. Call John Stafford for a bar/restaurant rescue. Arrived about 7pm. As we ordered our meals, were advised that there is no Pork products left. Only 2 Full rack of ribs. So there went two of our three orders out the window. Silver wear was dirty and had food and greasy fingerprints on them. Ordered with a waitress who was the bartender doing tables. She was pulled because the crowds came in and was making drinks not serving our table. No one covered our table. The so called Manager is a waitress and walked around like her shit didn't stink and she has a format 5 star barbeque joint. Should the manager have assigned someone to take over the service at our table? How the hell do you not have pulled pork or ribs at 7pm only two hours of being open and it was slow when we arrived. I WOULD NEVER EVER RETURN TO THIS RESTAURANT. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND IT EITHER. Go spend you money somewhere else. This place should be closed by end of the year if they don't get their shi together.
(1)Anna R.
So enjoyed this dining experience! Started with the Fried Green Tomatoes- deliciously perfect appetizer. We decided to share the Chicken & Waffles and the Country Fried Steak. Couldn't tell you which was better! The food was hot, fast and finger- licking! The Apple Pie moonshine hit the spot! Great friendly service- can't wait to go back!
(5)Jordanna E.
Nothing worse than being excited and...being let down. Every restaurant has a bad night, but not this bad. I almost don't want to write a review, because I don't want to revisit this night again. This LONG night with COLD food. So, let's have a quick review of the experience. Sit down, super sweet waitress greets us and I comment on how sweet she was and I was so excited that we had a great server with a personality. We want wine, and look at the wine list, and OMG, what are all those black lines? Oh..wines they are out of. Wines they are out of on their paper menus. Ummm...is this a regular thing? Do they just run out and cross it out until someone dials the good ole wine rep and places an order? PRINT OUT NEW LISTS. It's tacky. So we order the finest bottle of red on the menu...at their place..a $28 Meritage. The manager presents it. They have GREAT glasses, nice fat thin glasses. AWESOME. Made that cheap bottle of wine less likely to give me a headache tomorrow... So we place our appetizer and entree order, and also an order of chicken fingers for the kids. They were out of chicken fingers......REALLY? Costco too far of a drive to pick up a bag of Tyson?? IN place of the chicken fingers we add on an additional appetizer instead. Five minutes or so later, the waitress comes over and says that they were out of the Hangar steak, too. So now we are at three... GOOD wine, chicken fingers, hangar steak....) At the time I was at the Photo Booth, so my hot date asked if she would come back in a few. My date says she was really looking forward to that steak, the waitress suggests we could just pay for the wine and leave or something to that respect.... yikes. The waitress comes back when she sees me, because she was pretty attentive, and I ask her if I could get the Ribeye steak with the same "set up" as the hangar steak, sauce, sides, etc... She says she would have to check with the kitchen... She says it's not possible..whatever. I order the ribeye, date orders the "Yelp." So the appetizers arrive... BLAH. The Fried Green Tomatoes were soggy and just nothing to write home about. The Pork Sliders were ok, but no where near as good as the previous time my guest had visited. Also, asked for pickles on the side..umm. Yeah, didn't happen. I hate pickles. WE finish up the apps, our forks were filthy from the remoulade sauce that was on the tomatoes, and the waitress came over to clean the table, but kinda hesitates until I take my dirty silverware off of my plate and place it on the "clean" table. yikes again, maybe I am a snob...but can I just get a fresh set of silverware please? Ten or so minutes later she returns to tell us that she can make the hangar steak, they are just out of the potatoes it comes with. No problem, I will take the fries with it. Date says the same. What seemed like an hour later, but realistically was probably about 40 minutes, the steaks came out, with the mysterious 86'd potatoes?!?!?!??!?! Both steaks were cold, but the flavor was good. We chowed down because we were hungry and my little ones needed to get to bed!!! Mid meal she checked on us, and I knew I wanted dessert, so I jumped on ordering it before we finished our meal...so we had time to pick something new, wait for it, etc... Luckily it came out soon after we finished our meals, and it was the best thing we had all night...it was one of the bread puddings...can I suggest maybe staffing up? Not 86'ing products because you ran out of potatoes?! Or did you? The whole experience was weird, and I am not going back anytime soon.
(2)Harvey D.
My wife and I decided to buy the Groupon and give this place a try. They are trying to bring down home cooking with a gourmet twist to Davie and I'm not totally convinced that it works. My wife hit the nail on the head by saying, "Foodies will think the food is missing something and the non-foodies will think the food is overpriced for what you get." For instance, she ordered the chicken and waffles and instead of syrup, they serve the waffles with marshmallow. She stated, "I'm not sure the marshmallow was enough of the sweet like the syrup would have been." She thought the dish was decent; however, it was missing that extra sweet kick. I ordered the 1/2 chicken with fries and cole slaw. Here leads me into the two X's for this restaurant: they don't offer free refills on soda (they serve the soft drinks in a can or bottle) and they don't substitute at all. I don't like cole slaw and would have preffered to have extra fries or some other side. No can do buckaroo. They will not serve anything other than what the menu says the dish comes with. My meal was decent and the portion size was fine. They did skimp a little bit on the chicken and waffles (in my opinion). The waitress was excellent and she refilled my water glass in a timely manner. The other odd thing about this place is that the food is somewhat overpriced. If they were located on the beach and you were paying for the view, fine. But not on University Avenue....If they don't lower the prices, I believe people will slowly start migrating elsewhere. A place like this needs some sort of way to get people in the door esp. once the Groupon has expired. Lowering the prices is a sure fire way to get people to come back. I probably will not rush back here esp. without a coupon. BTW, the Mississippi Mudslide dessert was fantastic!
(3)Monica C.
I'm tardy to the Swank party. I didn't even know it existed. How I wish it existed when I was in law-school right next door. First and foremost, I love the decor and atmosphere. It's different, modern and fun. I heard rumors of a photo booth. I love photo booths and somehow I missed this one. I happen to think the food was delish. The fried green tomatoes were to die for! I know the chicken and waffles are tempting but trust me go for the burger. You won't regret it!! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Erick R.
Second visiting this Southern BBQ establishment... The first visit was nice. We ( wife and daughter) came in on a Friday night, we were told that reservations were highly needed between 6:30 and 9:00. I rolled the dice at 8:00 and was immediately seated. The scene has a real home town feel to it, western décor across the board, waiters/ waitresses, saddles, the works... Now the good stuff. I had the Short Rib Meatloaf that was absolutely the best Meatloaf I have ever had. In fact I don't consider ever having meatloaf after enjoying it here the Southern Swank way. My wife had the St. Louis style ribs, that were fall off the bone soft and fall off your chair good! Although it was all good off the menu, The staff could use some brushing up on customer service. If im paying $120 for BBQ for 3 people, a higher level of waiting is expected. Love it!!
(3)Anthony B.
On my second visit to Southern Swank, I was once again underwhelmed. The location is beautifully decorated and "cool," but that's about all it has going for it. First of all, the food is incredibly mediocre for the price. I've now sampled two of their most popular dishes (chicken & waffles, and meatloaf), and both were OK at best. If I was paying $9-$10 per entree, that would be one thing, but Southern Swank charges $16 for each without any sides (but I wouldn't recommend the $4 coleslaw, it was dry and tasteless). The second issue is the service. It has to improve. A lot of the waiters/waitresses are young and are still gaining experience, but that's not the kind of service you want from a restaurant where you're easily paying $40+ per person. Overall, Southern Swank would be much more desirable if they improved the service, decreased their prices by 30%, and traded in the glitz and decor for some better cooking.
(2)Gina C.
Went there for the first time yesterday for brunch. I was excited to try this place. It was a little strange at first because there were alot of empty tables, but the hostess was telling us and parties after us to wait 15-20 minutes. At first we thought maybe those tables were reserved, but even after the wait and after we were seated for awhile, it didnt appear so. Not sure if they were doing that for the kitchen or what. The brunch menu was small. The food tasted pretty decent. I ordered the Eggs Benedict. One of the guys with me ordered the chicken and biscuits and the portion was pretty small. I'm not going to rave about it, but possibly return to try their dinner to give it another try.
(3)Daniel L.
We're constantly told that we need to check out Swank ("Yardbird in Davie", they said) and so my wife and I stopped in tonight. It was...decent. Right off the bat, I knew we were going to have issues when my sweet tea arrived lukewarm (and in the smallest glass I'd ever seen). My wife actually commented on how small it was. Oddly enough, my wine (first glass $5, second glass for a penny) was HUGE. My chicken and waffles were passable, but nothing to write home about. I've had far better -- Yardbird in Miami and Coolinary Cafe in Jupiter make some of the best C&W imaginable. My wife's hangar steak was good, however. Hate to say it, but I could have easily made this meal at home, and it wouldn't have cost me $65.
(2)Shelby S.
Amazing Food !!!!!!!! Everything is so fresh and such great flavor ! You can tell it's all quality fresh food they prepare ! They have great music and yummy drinks too !
(5)Christine P.
Great food and service! Went their for my bday dinner and they were very nice accommodating my party of 12. The Bleau chicken and waffles are a most have!! For appetizers a must have the pork sliders and ask to have them with their wings sauce. It's amazing ! Service was kind of slow but it was also very busy. Overall my experience was great! Definitely revisiting.
(4)Serg C.
Nice décor, atmosphere, music. the staff was friendly. I think the beer and food prices are a bit to high compared to competitors. the food and plate presentation was great. Our table had the fresh catch and ribs which were very nice. Not sure if I'll go back due to the prices.
(3)Jo W.
My desire for some Southern Swank since leaving New Orleans left me no choice but to check out the new spot in town. The location was not in an area I would have expected this restaurant to be, but it is near my hood so I embrace it. I mean it is really quite odd to find a modern Southern eatery such as this outside of Miami, much less in Davie and on this stretch of University Drive. Beyond my excitement to find a spot like this in my area, I was equally impressed by the restaurant decor and atmosphere as well as the service. The decor was a modern take on the saloon yet offered that inviting Southern charm. The charm extended to the employees, although I can only really speak about our server who was super sweet and a pleasure the entire meal. As if it couldn't get any better, since it was a Monday night, they were offering shots of moonshine (as a shot or mixed in a cocktail) for Moonshine Monday! The alcoholic in me definitely took part, and while it wasn't the high-proof drink I was expecting or a beautifully crafted drink, it was $3 and worth it. I hate when a menu has so many good and interested choices and you have to choose one (you don't have to but if you don't, you are just being greedy). After some going back and forth and some consultation from our server, we settled on the S'Wings. They came out super hot and I was pissed because I was so hungry and I was being forced to wait to started eating. I ended up not waiting and just using a knife and fork but anyway that I ate them, they were tasty. This was not your typical buffalo sauce or blue cheese, it was if you didn't like any of these two sauces before, you might have to reconsider that now. They have a dish called Beer Can Chicken on the menu, so it was not right that at least one of us try it. The fries and the cole slaw weren't stars, but the gravy was beerrific and the chicken was ridiculously moist. Add a little bit of their hot sauce to the mix and you got a superstar dish on your hand. Even though I would have went for the ribs, since I knew my fiancé was ordering the Beer Can Chicken, I decided to order something that wasn't out of the smoker and went with the Hanger Steak. It was well prepared and cooked just to my liking. The house jus and the horseradish cream were the perfect quantity and compliment. We also ordered cornbread which was not only a huge piece but good. I wish it were warm, but it did come with this really amazing butter that I think I may have liked even more than the cornbread itself. Dessert has always been my favorite part of a meal, but today it was my least favorite. We ordered the Walnut Bread Pudding and although the flavor was there, the consistency was too mushy and I had trouble enjoying it. What I like about Swank Southern is that the food wasn't ordinary and that creativity was involved in creating the menu. I loved the chill atmosphere and despite my lack of love for my dessert choice, I can see myself going there again and again.
(4)Sylvia C.
Was really excited to come here, even with some mixed reviews on Yelp. We sat in the back bar side. Thomas, the bartender took care of us. Felt a little bad for him because he was the only bartender and was taking tables as well and it was a bit busy. He forgot some things, water, a diet coke, but he was busy and told us he worked a double that day. He was super nice, shook both our hands, really sweet guy. Ok..now the food. We had the Mac and Cheese and pork sliders as apps, both delicious! For entrées we had the hanger steak and ribs. Very good. Only complaint about the food was that everything we were served wasn't hot (temp wise). Still it was a good experience, good food, and right next to the crib!
(4)Jennifer Q.
Had a last minute surprise dinner for my bff whos moving away. The staff was sooooo helpful! Fromt the time i called to reserve up all the way to the end. Wyatt and paige i believe were awesome they helped me decorate put away the cake and etc great customer service. The manager on duty ( i think) was helpful as well. Food wise the shells and cheese is reallllly good and i ordered the chicken and waffles, also good my first time trying it. Loved the photobooth they had there, Made for a great experience.
(4)J W.
Different and good food. Excellent service. Different alcoholic drinks, that are great. Southern idea of food makes it good.
(4)Mike E.
We came here for drinks and appetizers. The entree's seemed a little overpriced so we decided we'd try appetizers and if they were good, we'd order entree's. The drinks and appetizers were just flat out meh. Overpriced and not great. Not horrible, but not good enough for the price. We had the Old Fashion Swank, the Swanks Honey Tea, and a couple other specialty drinks. They were kind of inconsistent in how strong and tasty they were, so I'll just say they were "eh". Same goes the appetizers. Had the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Crab Hush Puppies. They were both pretty bad.
(3)Brooke B.
My visit started with the hostess acting rather disgusted by the fact that we weren't happy with the table she wanted to seat us at. The booths have benches that are really far away from the table. The food is expensive for davie! My boyfriend is on a diet and couldn't find anything to eat. He ended up with the porterhouse which was over $35! That is way too expensive for Davie living and it wasn't very good. I asked for a side salad instead of French fries and they forgot and brought out the fries. Overall the food wasn't great, especially not for the prices. This wasn't the restaurant for me...won't go back.
(3)Emily S.
Gun-shot barrel fountain. Check. Clint Eastwood movies. Check. Loud Top 40 Country countdown. Check. Flannel shirt uniforms. Check. Overpriced low-quality food. Check. Mandated "Howdy Y'all" server greeting. Check. Went for dinner when Southern Swank first opened and was so distracted by the obnoxious circus-like atmosphere and below par drink selection that we decided to give it another go. It was right after the initial opening and we saw promise in an establishment trying to find their place in the food desert of Davie. We returned for Sunday Brunch. They decorated the menu with traditional southern favorites and prices seemed reasonable until our semi-absent server had someone else deliver our plates. We order the omelet and fried chicken and biscuits. Nothing fancy and definitely not work the price. It almost looked as if they had used the omelet makers they advertise on late night television. It lacked flavor, texture, and "swank" and only got tolerably better with salt and pepper. Fried Chicken and Biscuits...I did not think this was possible to mess up. For $12, we got a biscuit and a half and one child-palm sized piece of chicken drenched in a pimento cheese sauce that was more watery than creamy. The chicken was of poor quality and granted I obviously wasn't looking for the healthier option upon ordering, but it was a poor cut of dark meat that had been fried and obviously sat for while in the watery pimento juices because it lacked crispness. Overpriced. Overdone. Southern Swank, you COULD be great. There is not another restaurant in the area trying to do what you are so desperately trying to accomplish. Either cut your prices OR deliver higher quality food. But seriously, chill out on the "southern" of your staff and music. It's an overkill and it is quite frankly annoying.
(1)Meg K.
We love everything we have tried here. Green bean cassolette could be it's own meal but it nice as an app or a side dish. The country fried steak is amazing but don't forget to order some of their cornbread.
(5)Elaina M.
We were excited to have a new place in the area and hoped for the best. After 3 dinners there, I can tell you that the food is average, drinks and bar are very nice and atmosphere of the whole restaurant is excellent. If only they could improve the food...dry tasteless corn bread, very tough ribs, over dressed salads. Next time will be only for drinks!
(2)Kathy W.
Service was slow. Our order which consisted of 3 appetizers took over 30 minutes to get. "There was a mixup in the kitchen, sorry". Fried green tomatoes were bland no taste and were like a rock "you must of gotten a bad batch"! The wings were so so and the hush puppies were burnt outside but they were okay on the inside. Gave this place a chance won't be returning. Overrated and overpriced.
(1)Eddie S.
Cool place, great concept and just what we were looking for. Would definitely come back for some cocktails, but the food....eh. Lacks any personality with flavor. The presentation is nice but the main courses are rather bland. The kids meal was awesome but we had the Country Fried Steak and Chicken and Waffles. Not exactly satisfying and lacking some basic spice.
(2)Meli R.
Went to try this place out for the 1st time, with my Groupon offer ($15 for $30). The restaurant itself is beautiful and very trendy. I loved the country music playing while I dined. My server was very sweet and attentive. Now comes the food review: Well, lets just say THANK GOD i purchased the Groupon. I ordered the Country Fried Steak which was cook medium rare? The "sauce" that came on top didn't really offer any flavor. The thin, shoe string fries were just little bits of crunchy fried "things". We ordered the cornbread which was VERY dry....almost as if it was from the day before? the cinnamon butter helped a little, but I was still very disappointed with taste. My boyfriend ordered the baby back ribs, but getting the meat off the bones was just as hard as getting the meat out of crab legs. The baked beans that came with the ribs were just weird...not your grandma's baked beans. It was a weird combination of kidney beans and mexican salsa (but not in a good way). The $6 side of smashed potatoes were mediocre- no "wow" factor. My boyfriend was excited, thinking his entree came with 2 Kings Hawaiian rolls...but NO- just plain ol' dinner roll. Overall this place has soooooo much potential, but they desperately need to change there entire menu around. The prices are too extreme, for the quality of the food. This place cant even compare to "Yardbird" in South Beach...which i think is what they were going for.
(2)Kelsey D.
I think we need more places like Southern Swank around here. It was such a fun and different place to go for dinner and/or drinks. Our waiter was super friendly and honest about what menu items he liked and disliked (which has my vote for a great waiter) and the food was really good! Great fried green tomatoes. The cocktails were delicious too.
(5)Maram B.
Good place for dinner. I had the chicken and waffles plate and it was great.. The sauce was a marshmallow base which was a little rich for me but very flavorful. The service was slow and not all that great. They have a little sitting area outside and a photo booth inside for some pictures.
(4)Zachary K.
Swank brings Miami prices to Davie! Ate here tonight with a groupon and would give this place a solid 3. Had the pulled pork slider appetizer (small but good), hanger steak (again good but pretty small portion for $24), and lastly the free range chicken (again very tasty but at $28 seems expensive for Davie). For two entrees and an appetizer without the groupon would've been over $60. This is simply Miami prices for a little bit better than average food.
(3)Kristin W.
We started with a crab hush puppies. Those were good but nothing amazing. I ordered 2 apps as my main dish, shells and cheese and the pull pork sliders. None of the entrees really seemed interesting to me. The sliders were dry so I asked for some BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce was surprisingly really good! The shells and cheese were good too. My husband got the hanger steak. He enjoyed it but it wasn't amazing. We went on a Wednesday night. There was this live singer, who was not very good. It's a country restaurant, people want to hear country music! The waitress was very nice and sweet. Overall, I don't think I will be back unless their menu changes a bit.
(3)Kitty K.
I drove from coral gables in 5:30pm traffic,paid $4 in the sunpass lane and paid more tolls on the turnpike. It took over an hour to get here so maybe my expectations were high. I wish I were high. The overall decor I really liked. What killed it was how brightly lit the place was. And it was LOUD,like totally obnoxiously LOUD. They were blasting country music. A great place to bring a pretty person who you don't want to listen to. We ordered to start the shrimp and grits -was tasty. Entrees were the beer can chicken and the hanger steak. Presentation was great but the food was tasteless. Ain't nobody got time for that.
(2)Anjilyn S.
Chicken and Waffles, shrimp and grits and raspberry vodka lemonade. Brunch just got more exciting.
(5)Claudia T.
I liked this place. We had the crab hush puppies as an appetizer. Came out hot and quick. Just the right amount of breading. Soft and flavorful inside. I will def order again. I got the beer can chicken, the half order, which is literally half a chicken. It was so good!! Super moist and the BBQ sauce they have is amazing!! It's like a sweet and sour type sauce. So good, I got extra. The fries and coleslaw it came with were good. But nothing special. My boyfriend got the fish of the day, it was swordfish. I can't remember how he said it was cooked, but it was good. Nothing special though. I would def recommend something more on the southern aside. Next time I go I'll want to try the pork sliders and the short rib meatloaf!!
(5)Susan J.
Was driving by guy on sidewalk with sign about this place walk in and they tell us are closed get it together are you opened or closed tell the guy on your sidewalk disappointed strike 1
(1)Monica T.
Upon walking in, I noticed the cute "swanky" decor and immediately thought I was going to enjoy my time here. The waitress was very nice, but as others have mention, not very experienced. Service was slow(mainly because she forgot to put in our entree) and also it was a Tuesday night. Anyhow, we ordered fried green tomatoes, Mac n cheese n pull pork sliders for starters. All were quite delicious, the pulled pork really had a nice flavor and was really moist. Fried green tomatoes were a bit bland for my taste but the cheese n shells were amazing!! Who can say no to pork belly. We shared the beer can chicken as entree. So yummy and cooked to perfection! I also ordered some cocktails, they were delicious(and a creeper). Be careful what you order, it's somewhat pricy here and you can really rack up a bill at the end of the night.
(4)Nikki C.
Had a really awesome time, cute spot. Tried the chicken and waffles because that's what we were craving... I'd get the sauce on the side. The marshmallow sauce drizzled over it just over powers the whole meal which made for a VERY BAD meal. They should definitely just put all sauces on the side and give you the option. Service was great, a little packed on a Friday night but the server let a try the SHRIMP N GRITS for free for our troubles. I'd definitely give this a try again and at least this time I know what I'm in for with the CHICKEN N WAFFLES.
(3)Janessa A.
Well nothing says Davie more than a country kitchen restaurant.... Definitely feel the southern vibe-something indifferent, artsy,new to the area. Came on Monday night not packed at all so why was the service so slow? Just to bring drinks out I think waitress setup was disorganized some confusion, had two waitresses come to the table. So,lets get down to the food- very good food i have to say shells and cheese were creamy with a touch of bacon and who doesn't love that? Beer can chicken was good ...french fries were seasoned presentation was cool. I have had better chicke and I have had worse. !6.00 for a half a chicken i guess was a decent price maybe a little too pricey for me. Desset- Bread pudding was good topped w a layer of sugared pecans and bourbon--pretty good. Overall I think it is something different-food was good -service could have been better.
(3)Summer R.
I thought this place was ok but not great. I was expecting the restaurant to be a little more high end as far as dressing up. It was a very casual feel...inside was very dark and not as great as I thought it would be. We ordered the Country Fried Steak, Beer Can Chicken, and their Mac & Cheese appetizer. The steak was really good. It had these straw like French fries on top that were considered a "side" but it barely was anything of the such. That is why we ordered the Mac & Cheese which I did enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't like the chicken. It had a dry rub on it and the actual meat was really dry. There was a side of gravy to pour over it and it tasted awful. The chicken came with cole slaw (good) and French fries (not so good). Normally, we get desserts after dinner but didn't feel like risking it there and left after dinner... I probably will not be going here again unless I am forced due to a birthday party or something like that.
(3)Jeffrey Y.
I'm sorry to say that after my last two visits I am downgrading my initial review from 5 to 3 stars. My last two visits the service was pretty bad, my wife and my orders had serious mistakes, and my last visit on 8/29/14 the food came out to half the table cold. This restaurant has been open over a year and has had time to correct some of the communication issues between FOH and the kitchen but has not really done so. Their food is still executed very well and tastes great but when it sits in the window and comes out to the table cold, there is a problem there. Especially when it after the normal dinner rush on a Friday.
(3)Sandy V.
Really liked the crab hush puppies and that sauce it comes with! The chicken and waffles come with this marshmallow sauce that really compliments the dish!The bread pudding was delicious ( not as good as Michys bread pudding) but I will definitely be ordering it every time we come.
(4)Raymond M.
The atmosphere was contemporary like a gastropub, southern modern twist. If you are looking for traditional Southern cuisine this is not the place to find it. It is more of a southern modern fusion of cuisine. While they have your typical chicken and waffles served with a marshmallow sage sauce, you can find hanger steaks as well served with pickled onions, fingerling hash, bacon, horseradish cream and house jus. The menu is not vast but simple and small ranging for their entrées from $14 - $38. Cocktails are whimsical and very good, my wife had Carmel Apple (Carmel moonshine, apple pie moonshine and Carmel cider ) I had Louisiana Swamp Water with gummy worm and dry ice. The cocktails were quite tasty, can't wait to go back and try some more. They have a full bar also if you want to take advantage of that. The bar set up is more of a watering hole for social connections than a sports bar - God only knows how many of those we have in our fair community. My wife had beer can chicken, which is free range chicken served with beer can smokey gravy, hand cut fries and buttermilk slaw. While the chicken was little bit dry, it is also served with ketchup and hot sauce, presented on a wooden cutting board as your plate ($18 for the half portion of chicken)While I had the pork chop and beans, 8 oz grilled sweet tea brined bone in pork chop on a bed of BBQ baked beans, collard greens, topped with house made apple butter. The pork chop was moist and tasted outstanding with burst of flavor that complimented the whole dish ($18). While my wife and I wrote many of reviews for other establishments, I can say that this establishment was a refreshing departure from your typical chain restaurants. Reading some reviews about the cole slaw, IT IS NOT KFC style people! So don't come expecting that from them. If you are looking for that style go to your local KFC and order a double portion for yourself. The cole slaw is freshly made and not saturated in dressing. You can taste all of the components of the slaw and the dressing draws it together by complimenting the meal well by refreshing the palette. Our server was great and noticing all of the others during our meal, they were all cordial and always with a smile. All in all our experience at the Southern Swank Kitchen was great and we will be looking forward to coming back. Was this restaurant a gourmet 5 star? No it it I not. I can safely recommend 4 four stars out of five. Set your expectations accordingly and you will not be disappointed at all. If you looking for a 5 star experience then this is not the place for you, while it is not a dive it is certainly a refreshing departure from the norm with a small menu and whimsical ambiance. We did set our expectation, and we thoroughly enjoined ourselves and our company also. Cheers!
(4)Gabriela C.
The only reason I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was decent. The service on the other hand was a nightmare. It was so bad that another table next to us was refusing to pay their bill and the cops had to come. I wish I could have refused to pay also. Our server was rude, our food took forever, and when the food finally came out, the last meal was 25 min behind the first one. We spoke to the manager who must have spoken to our server, and instead of apologizing or just not saying anything, he made a point to say "you didn't really wait 15 min for bbq sauce it was more like 5." Next time I want bbq I'll make sure to go to Arby's.
(2)Anne S.
We planned a celebratory dinner here last night and made a reservation for our large group. We arrived early to learn they didn't have the reservation. The pulled a long table tagether pronto. The smells coming from the kitchen were amazing! Our server was frantic trying to get it together but struggling. There was a DJ playing western-themed music at crazy disco level volumne. Why have a horrifically loud DJ in the restaurant when the party people are in the bar??? When we commented about the sound she agreed. We complained several more times before she finally went to the DJ, who turned the music down briefly and then raised it right back up. (We had a family group of 15 and wanted to be able to talk to each other...) When I asked a question about a the Bleu Chicken'n'Waffle with a menu note to ask your server about..., I got a shoulder shrug, "its kinda like chicken with bleu cheese" ( I could have guessed that much.) The food came out in bits and spurts with several "apology" sides sent by the kitchen. The food items were interesting and creative but not all of them hit the mark. For example, the marshmllow sage sauce for the chicken waffles, was an interesting flavor, but a bit sweet and rich for fried chic & bread. The shrimp grits was one of the better hits. The Mac'n'cheese was amazing! The bar couldn't seem to make more than one drink at a time (so we mostly drank water) Suddenly the bill appeared and we were told the kitchen was closed. No head's up in case we wanted coffee and dessert (which by the way we would have ordered)??? The server assumed that with 15 people in the party, we would be splitting the bill and dropped copies of the bill in front of anyone over 30 at the table, leading to several very awkward moments. This place has great potential if they just get their act together.
(3)Sol O.
I'm editing my review because the owner contacted me and informed me that that employee is no longer there. She was very embarrassed and apologetic. I found this to be a gesture of good customer service. Truly not sure if I will return but I will consider it. Unfortunately what's done is done. Started off as a great evening with good friends and good food. Quickly turned into a nightmare. As we sat, didn't realize how late it was when from afar, a worker yelled for us to get the F@$# Out! When we asked to speak to the manager this employee approached us and put his hands on one of us wanting to know why we wanted to speak to the manager and saying that he didn't give a F@$!. Manager apologized as this person continued to talk back to us. I will be going back; BUT only to check if this person is still allowed to work there. Otherwise I will absolutely NEVER return, nor recommend this establishment. It's a shame!
(2)Tyler D.
The atmosphere here is really cool. It's very southern and swanky ;-), hence the name. The food on the other hand is ridiculously delicious. I've never had home cooking this good in a restaurant. I've had the BBQ pork sliders which were to die for, the chicken and waffles are delicious, the pork belly mac & cheese is amazing, and the crab hush puppies were simply divine. The staff was very friendly and I've only been here twice but each time the food was delicious. I was drinking Buffalo Trace bourbon, and a couple shots of Fireball Whisky... The entire place is clean, neat, and very cool. Don't come for lunch though, because they only open after 5 PM.
(5)Sarah G.
I had such a fun time at this place. The owner Alex is great to talk to and gave us the best bourbon recommendation. The caramel apple drink is incredible, tart and sweet, plus apple whiskey...A++++. The crab hush puppies were so tasty. You could taste the crab and it had real corn kernels in each bite. This was our first time eating fried tomatoes, and we will be ordering them again. Nice and crispy, with a cornmeal crust and perfect choice of dressing drizzled on top. Just wish the serving was a little bigger, but that's because I wanted more. As for entree, chicken and waffles....OH MY GOD...heaven!!!! The sage marshmallow sauce complements both the juicy fried chicken and hearty belgium waffles. This place just opened so they are still working out some kinks but the food is spot on. Its a bar you eat at and not a restaurant you drink at, if that makes sense. Its a gastropub! Prices are based on the quality which is better than any old bar. The atmosphere was really cool. They had western movies playing on huge flat screen tvs, as well as sports playing and a photo booth. This is a great spot to meet up with friend or have a date night. Already planning my next trip there, and telling all my friends about it.
(4)Alex W.
Waltzed in on accident a few days after their grand opening. It's a short menu, but what I've had from it so far is robust and flavorful. DO NOT OVERLOOK THE SPECIALTY DRINKS OR THE APPETIZERS. If you come just for the entrees, you might be disappointed by the lack of options, but I think they'll probably add some new items in the coming weeks and months. The interior decor is playfully rustic, a combination of what you might find in a barn and a rundown nightclub, but it doesn't come across as dirty or trashy or unappealing. The menu is predominantly Southern comfort food, but with a flair. Calling it an urbanized flair wouldn't exactly be accurate, but this ain't grandma's cooking, is what I'm saying, but you aren't going to be pissed off about the difference. The staff is incredibly friendly, very enthusiastic, personable, and helpful, and the specialty drinks (this bears mentioning twice) are incredible. Personal favorite, the Caramel Apple. Also, try the shells and cheese -- macaroni will never taste the same way again. Fantastic. Can't wait to go back here, actually.
(4)Marie H.
I thought this place was really great and a total breath of fresh air for the Davie area. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, which were delicious but not your typical greasy fried green tomato, a little more upscale as it is topped with spring mix and the texture of the tomato was firmer than I've had, the price of $10 was also a bit much for three slices of fried tomato. That's over $3 a piece. The crab hush puppies were amazing. The pork sliders were also good with an awesome crunch from the cole slaw. The fries were like boardwalk fries which is cool. We also ordered the hanger steak which came out cooked to perfection but again not really worth the $24. We will definitely be back to try the meatloaf and the Mac and cheese though.. My only gripe about this place is that the owner, Alex, I think is his name, was walking around talking to everyone in the room, all friendly and buddy-buddy, but when we tried to talk to him he basically just brushed us off. I thought that was rude and a total turn off. You're not hot stuff just because you are in a three-way partnership over a bar/restaurant in DAVIE. Relax buddy, this ain't L.A. and you aren't Brad freakin' Pitt. SO COOL IT.
(3)Robby M.
Let me start off by saying the atmosphere and decor is great, but that's about all that's great. A party of two, we waited for 15 minutes to have our drink order taken, and then was not provided with sugar for iced tea. The waitress seemed to realize she had started off on the wrong foot and instantly became overly sweet, but it was too little too late. As we looked over the menu we realized that the cheapest thing was $14.......and it was a hamburger. Now, we're not cheapskates but $14 for a hamburger is a little ridiculous. The menus that the overpriced food was on was pretty though. Once we received our food, which was a reasonable amount of time later, the shiny, greasy fries were probably the most appetizing thing on the plate. After eating about half the fries, I realized that this was a mistake and I probably could have received better fries at Wendy's. That's just the fries. The burger had more grease on it than an adolescent who doesn't bathe regularly. The bacon and onion mixture atop the burger was extremely salty. The bun on the burger was stale. After finishing the meal, we paid quickly and left. There was clearly a lot of thought and care put into the design and presentation of the restaurant, but the greasy, overpriced food and subpar service is what really makes Southern Swank a one star.
(1)Krisitna M.
the decor is so CUTE. I have been wanting to try this place for a long time, i finally got to this week & I was not disappointed. Try there moonshine apple with sprite. UMMM can you say yummy.
(3)Howard H.
Don't get me wrong. I think this place is got potential. But as they only just opened for business for a few weeks, I think they still got a lot of work to do First off, the service staff is extreme friendly. Greeted us with warm smiles and kept checking with us if we needed anything. We ordered a draft and a cocktail. The beer came fairly quickly but took a while for the cocktail. Given on a Saturday afternoon at 5pm the place isn't very busy, but imagine how soon would you be getting your drink orders at 10pm on a Saturday night. We ordered a few appetizers which were pretty good. Ordered a shrimp and grits entree and the dish didn't come out warm. I am not asking all my dishes be hot straight out of the kitchen, but the dish was just barely above room temperature so I guess it was sitting on the counter for a while before it was delivered to us. Again not asking for a lot but if the dish costs $21.00, I think it better be terrific. I will probably come back again during happy hour ordering just appetizers.
(3)Carlucci L.
The food was good... but.... I think it was way overpriced for the TYPE of food you get. Yes, the decor is pretty inside... but I don't think I'll be coming back...
(2)Rosie W.
The one star review is for service. While our server was sweet, she immediately walked over while we still sitting down and asked if we knew what we wanted to drink. We haven't even sat yet, we probably would like to at least look over the drink menu! she had no idea about what beers were on the menu or what Jai Lai was. Or what was in the drinks. Were these servers trained?? When we asked what was good, she responded with a response that was like, um everything obviously! Wow, sorry we asked such a stupid question. Then, we were asked if we needed anything every two minutes by the hostesses. There is a difference between monitoring tables and making sure needs are met and literally asking every minute. Halfway through our meal our server asked if we wanted to order dessert. We are all still eating our main courses! Then, once we finished, we waited about fifteen minutes for a hostess to come and give us to go boxes. We had our entire table full of empty dirty plates for about twenty five minutes. We were pretty sure we were forgotten about at this point. Then someone else came to clear all the plates and about ten minutes later our server brings the check. Guess we aren't getting dessert or going to be offered it since we didn't want to order it halfway through our main courses. This is what really made me angry though. One of our party went to the bathroom, and saw our server flirting at the bar. No wonder we hadn't seen her in forever, she was too busy chatting it up with a dude. This whole time waiting, I got to watch the hostesses organize their host stand. They placed every single menu ON THE FLOOR. And what I'm assuming was the manager was talking to them while they had all these menus on the floor. Total disconnect there, and I'm not blaming them. They were young and sweet they didn't probably even think about it. I'm blaming the manager type looking person standing right there directing them. The food was ok, nothing exciting. For as not busy as it was when we went, we had to endure awful service. Listen, I'm not hard to please. I had been a server for a decade and been a manager at of one of the busiest restaurants in Miami, and I of all people will be easy going and I don't require anything special. But if one of my servers did this at my restaurant, I would have been mortified. This server needs to be trained to have proper knowledge of the beers and drinks, o yes and the menu as well since she didn't have answers to some questions. But most importantly, learn some STEPS OF SERVICE, and don't go off flirting for twenty minutes at a time when you have tables on the floor. Successful restaurants don't just have excellent food, they have excellent service. You want your guests to come back, then make sure they have a memorable positive experience.
(1)Gigi P.
Love this place the food, drinks, and service was great. Coming back for sure! New favorite place
(5)Jessi M.
Last night I met a few friends for dinner, which would have been better if we would have just planned for drinks. We came in around 7:15 and there was a wait of 30-45 minutes for a table (the staff blamed it on the band). So we sat at the bar and decided to wait for the table. After about 25 minutes we asked the hostess how much longer of a wait it would be and she said there were 4 people ahead of us and that it would be 30 minutes so we decided to just order food at the bar. I was surprised at how big the restaurant was because it doesn't look all that big in the photos. Despite the size, as the band was setting up it was VERY loud. This is definitely not a sit down atmosphere where you can enjoy the chef inspired southern cuisine. It was more of a bar type atmosphere to order some drinks, since I don't drink and we came for dinner this was a disappointment. Even sitting far away from the stage it was hard to hold a conversation. All that aside, the wait staff was friendly even though they were super busy and it took a while to get their attention. We decided to order the Yelp offer of the Chicken & Waffles which came out just as expected. The marshmallow sauce was to die for and I'm told the dish was pretty spectacular all together. I had the Shrimp & Grits which were so-so. They must have changed since pictures were uploaded on here (I put a new one). The grits were a little watered down and slightly bland and the shrimp tasted like, well, shrimp. The dish all together was pretty good though. I just wish it were a little bigger for $14. Either way, I liked the experience and I thought it was super cool that they have a photobooth. Definitely a cool place to check out, especially if you are looking to meet up with friends for drinks after class.
(3)Claudia O.
Just had an amazing dinner at Swank Southern Kitchen! Started with crab hush puppies and wow they were good. I have rarely eaten a hush puppy but these were very good. We also had the Mac and cheese with pork bits in it and were not disappointed. Very tasty. My husband ordered the St. Louis ribs and he loved them! Great dry rub that kept the meat moist. I had the chicken and waffles with a marshmallow sauce. Also very good. When I make fried chicken I make it a little spicier but that's just personal preference. We couldn't decide on dessert so we ordered both the Mississippi mud brownie AND bread pudding. We both preferred the bread pudding, kids at home will eat the brownie. My husband had the apple caramel moonshine and I the mint julep. I'm going back for the moonshine for myself. We had a terrific server named Alicia. All servers were great. Water always filled and we were checked on without being bothered. I recommend Swank Southern Kitchen!!!! Great place for a group dinner or just two. Looking forward to them having music in future.
(4)Stuart S.
Walked in, liked the decor. Nice ambiance. Ordered only drinks and appetizers, I had the Swamp Water. Which was nice, like a blueberry mojito, girlfriend had chronic tonic, with vodka, not much to mention about that. Had shrimp and grits; which had a very very nice flavor, the pulled pork was also very tasty, and tender, finally crab hush puppies were nothing fantastic but the sauce was addictive. Will be going back to have drinks at the bar.
(4)Charina F.
Went by on Saturday (Oct. 23rd) for the "Swankenstien" (very clever name ;)) Halloween party and have lots to comment on, which is the reason for my review. For one, my girlfriends and I had an awesome time. We got to dress up, have a yummy dinner at a cool restaurant, walk two steps to the bar for drinks, and two steps over to dance! Let's begin with dinner-- we ordered the shells and cheese, fried green tomatoes, sliders, beer can chicken and fries. The shells and cheese were uh-mazing. Granted, to say I love cheese is an under statement, but they were creamy, and cheesy and delicious. The fried green tomatoes were also very good; fried to a crisp and whatever they drizzled on there was really good too. The pulled pork sliders were also a hit at the table. I'm not much of a pork eater, however the girls were begging me to try and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. They weren't "porky".. If that makes sense. In any event, they were sweet and had some pickled spices that gave them a good kick. The beer can chicken was tied for first (with shells and cheese). It was smoky, and VERY flavorful, not like your typical rotisserie chicken. It came it a really big and cute presentation with fries, the sauce in a beer can, and a side of cole slaw. The cole slaw was just like any other cole slaw... The fries were hot and crispy and also had a nice kick of spice that was tasty! At the end of dinner our Wonder Woman waitress brought us each a complimentary "spooky" cupcake which of course, we thought was adorable. Onto the drinks-- we walked over to the bar for some raspy lemonade and swamp water that we heard many people in the restaurant talking about. The referee bartender made us that in addition to a "special" shot that tasted like a big red gum= delish! Needless to say, we were ready for some dancing. They had a really cute stage set up with a DJ dressed up as a witch (the entire restaurant was very nicely decorated with Halloween stuff). We danced by the bar and into the photo booth were we took a million pictures in our costumes along with all the cute props they had set up in the basket. I think we may have made it onto the "swank bank". Look out for Las Vegas show girls! ;) Will definitely be back soon!
(5)S M.
The dishes on the menu look good, however the dishes I tried weren't the best. The shrimp and grits were over done. Not over cooked but too many garnishes. Tomatoes, fried chips, cold pickled green beans. It just ruin the dish. The smashed potatoes were dry. The greens were good, but the chicken fried stake though a large portion just wasn't well seasoned and all the food was warm, not hot. I didn't understand that since the place wasn't crowded. I hoped for the best but was disappointed. I may try the brunch, since I didn't get a chance to taste the chicken and waffles yet and it's pretty hard to screw up breakfast. Overall this place wasn't horrible, but for the price I paid for the food it was way below my expectations.
(2)Julia S.
I was so excited to try this place. I'm a big foodie and when I went I was sadly disappointed. It was a beautiful sunday afternoon and they had seating outside available so the hostess sat us and told us "someone would be right with us." We waited 10mins and then went back inside informing the hostess that no one acknowledged us, so we would take a table inside. We heard the servers arguing over who would take the table and then we finally got greeted. It's $15 bottomless mimosas so I order that my boyfriend ordered a blue long island, they were $5. It took another 10mins for his drink to come. The food wasn't anything special. Ordered the chicken and waffles and it was falling off the plate when it was presented at the table. We asked for a manager and he came by spoke to us and said he would take care of us...he took $8 off the bill. Thank you southern swank kitchen, maybe some other time...or never again.
(1)Tina G.
I had a very pleasant meal tonight with my server Fallon. We got offered the specials as soon as we were greeted at the table. We ended up getting the 50% off the reserved wine list. It was delightful. We also had the shells n cheese for our side dish, so yummy! We couldn't decide on what to have for the main course and she suggested the hanger steak and country fried steak. The hanger steak was bomb, one of the best steaks I've had but the country fried steak was still a bit greasy, but the potatoes that came with it were great. She also made a point to offer us a dessert but we were too full and we're going to definitely try it next time. All over, a great experience! Definitely will be coming back!
(4)Carlos D.
The Southern concept has never really sat easy with me. This genre of food that includes biscuits, gravy, shrimps, grits, and fried chicken doesn't feel like it naturally complements each other as much as I'd like. That said, starving in Davie the other night, I chanced upon a little slice of Wynwood in the suburban desert. Southern-themed, but beautifully decorated, Swank wouldn't seem out of place in Williamsburg. If the food were bad, I'd still be thankful to enter a such an interesting space. But here's the thing, the food isn't bad, it's pretty damn great. I'm a sucker for execution. In every piece of Swank I encountered, from the menu selections (not too many, but not too confusing either), to the portions, to the appetizers and desserts - it reeked of careful planning and preparation, optimized to offer the perfect Southern experience. Highlights include: Monk in the Trunk on draft, Templeton Rye, and Crab Hush Puppies. I'd undoubtedly be a regular here if it weren't in Davie, but I at least now know where I'm eating next time I'm around those parts.
(5)My-Oanh N.
It's a very cute restaurant. The decor is adorable. My boyfriend and I went for dinner on a Friday night, which is when they do their $2 Fireball whiskey shot specials. There was about a half an hour wait to seat us two. While we waited the manager offered us free beverages. Their sweet tea is delicious, the pork sliders were yummy. I had the filet mignon which wasn't anything special however it was cooked to my liking. My boyfriend had the blue chicken and waffles which were very good. Although the server was not very attentive, we will be returning to try more things from their menu :)
(3)Diane H.
Mmmm outstanding menu, great food, lovely atmosphere, and exceptional service! It's dark inside with lots of great art. The 2 rooms were fairly large and there were 2 bars I believe. The menu had a lot of good food too that you can always expect from a gastropub! I had a beer can chicken dish which was a half chicken smoked and served with gravy made with PBR. the chicken was juicy and the only thing I can complain about were my soggy fries. Otherwise my friends Mac and cheese and fried chicken were ON SPOT. They did in out of a few salads thought which was interesting becUse it wasn't that late when we got there but they happily came over and told us about other dishes. I also say good service cuz we made friends with the waitress! She was so energetic and friendly which put our whole group in a good mood. She got us to order shots but they were pretty frikin weak...very nommy but weak. Otherwise, this is prob going to be my favorite (and only) local gastropub!
(5)Eva M.
Needs experienced staff 911. The Mac n cheese was pretty on-point flavorwise but I feel as if I would have better things to say about it had it come out of the kitchen at some point before the manager realized my food order never made it to the kitchen. The delightful pork belly garnishing was its saving grace. Was given a free salad after the meal finally came out as an apology (weird touch) but it was incredible as far as salad wedges go. The ranch dressing was homemade, and what I mistakingly took as croutons were a juicy pork belly surprise that mixed well with the avocado. I will go again to give it another opportunity. I went on a very busy Friday night and was able to find a seat at the bar fairly quickly. The bartender announced she could not offer an opinion on some of the appetizers we inquired about, seeing as to how she did not permanently work there and was most mainly vegan. Nothing says the antithesis of southern cuisine like a vegetarian bartender. It is worth mentioning the staff felt bad, alerted the manager, and he was very apologetic and comped a round of drinks for us.
(3)Joshua A.
Decent food, bad service... 50/50 on going back. The service was utterly, truly terrible! We went with a groupon (which said nothing about needing reservations). We were forced to sit at the bar because we didn't have a reservation, even though half the tables were empty the whole two hours we were there. At the bar it took 10 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us, once they did we ordered a few "specialty" drinks. They were good but nothing special or spectacular. When we mentioned having a groupon they looked at us like extraterrestrials but said that was fine. We ordered appetizers, the cornbread and fried green tomatoes were VERY good, but small portions (3 slices of tomatoes and a 3x3 of cornbread). When we were ready to order they told us we could not order entrees from the bar (even though the hostess said we could and so did the bartender when we mentioned the groupon). After asking 3 people they agreed to let us order but could not guarantee how long it would take. After waiting long enough to have another round of drinks (good but not special) we got our food. The chicken and waffles were very good (though our neighbor at the bar got undercooked chicken), worth going back for (even with the bad service). The cowboy steak was also very good, but nothing about it was overly out of this world, they were served with a heap of overly fried fries. The sweet pepper hot sauce was the only thing that saved them. Overall it was a bad experience made a little better by some good food.
(3)Jonelle P.
I've been passing by this place on my way home for the past couple of months, and have been dying to get inside. After reading the reviews, I decided to go on a weekday when I knew it wasn't going to be busy. The decor and atmosphere is very welcoming. The food choices are very interesting. I ordered the chicken and marshmallow waffles, and it was delicious but very sweet.
(4)Ken R.
If you don't mind waiting 45 min for a burger this is your place. The management makes a lot of excuses for the slow kitchen . They need new management . The wait staff and kitchen are doing the best they can but something has changed and they can't handle a crowed!! Too bad .... Was a nice local place
(1)Robert A.
I went to Swank earlier this week with a friend. We both walked up to the bar and were able to find seating without much of a wait. The bartenders were friendly and as attentive as we needed, and they were speedy to serve us our orders and never skipped a beat. The food was awesome. We ordered a few of the appetizers which were the mac n cheese (on the menu it's the Shells n Cheese) and the Pork Sliders. Both were delicious. The presentation was great on the cutting board, branded. Great drinks and great food are all we could have asked for. We definitely want to come back again on a different night and see how the night plays out, but definitely coming back very often.
(5)Alexander E.
Came by this evening for Dinner, and as usual this place never dissapoints , Cowboy Steak, crab hush puppies, mac and shells , corn bread , meatloaf!!!! AWESOME!!!!
(5)Leslee G.
I don't usually do this but I felt the need to share my experience here for the second time. My boyfriend and I tried this place about 8 months ago. When we walked in, the hostess told us there'd be a 30-45 minute wait. There were at least 5 open tables. So we waited and looked around at all the empty tables only to see that another 2 top walked in without reservations and got seated immediately. The food was good but by the time we ate, the meal experience was already ruined. So we decided to try it again tonight. Thinking that maybe things would be different. We really liked the food and they were newly opened when we went so we hoped that the place would've improved. Low and behold, we walked in and were once again told there would be a 30 minute wait for two. Mind you, there were at least 4 tables and a booth open. The hostess, who spoke very insecurely told us that they were short staffed and had a huge party but basically begged us to stay. I worked in the food industry for over 10 years and I cannot understand how this place is still in business. I don't mind waiting, if a wait it needed. As they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. We will never go back here and I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)Sheryl K.
Ate there last week with the family - had a groupon and had been meaning to try this place so we found ourselves there on a Tuesday night for dinner - very cute place - music was too loud but that's ok. Food was a little overpriced but if it would have delivered what I expected I wouldn't complain. Smoked chicken green bean skillet appetiZer was excellent - I would go back just for that and the watermelon salad which was yummy. However - our entrees were not that good. Son has the chicken and waffles which should have been amazing- waffles yummy as well as sage marshmallow Drizzle but the chicken was too fatty to eat. I understand they use chicken thighs but when I make them at home I buy skinless boneless thighs and I still trim the fat. The hanger steak was way too salty and my husband's ribs were stingy on the neat, he was still hungry! I would try again because I loved the idea of the place, maybe the chef had an off night?
(3)Fernando G.
Wow. The food was great and the service was pretty good too. My wife and I ate here last week and it was awesome, I mean like "last-meal-on-earth" awesome. I had the chicken and waffles. It was perfect. And that marshmallow sauce... I'm finding myself drooling as I type this just thinking about this dish. We also had the fried green tomatoes and the shells-n-cheese. I could eat the shells-n-cheese for every meal for the rest of my life and die a happy man. Definitely going back to try some of the other things on the menu.
(5)Chris S.
Went there for the first time last Sunday for brunch. The Apple Stuffed French Toast was phenomenal, the southern omelette was just so-so, but what made the meal was the biscuits with sharp cheddar butter and bacon jam...yum! We will come back but I think next time we want to come for dinner, the dinner menu looks really good. I love that everything is home cooked.
(4)B H.
The staff is ok, not the most detail oriented...our server rang in the wrong order for one of our items. The decor is cool. The food and drink is extremely lacking. The brisket was cooked really well, but the bun it was served on was soggy. The fries were great. The green bean casserole thing was disgusting...like should not even be served gross, with drippy cheese and oil filling up most of the dish. My boyfriend ordered the Funky Buddha IPA and ended up sending it back because it tasted, well, funky. I ordered an Old Fashion and it was not made correctly...way too sweet. Overall, I would not recommend, nor will I be going back.
(2)Enrique C.
Southern Swank Kitchen's delicious food, friendly staff, and great service will always amount to a pleasing dining experience. This is definitely a spot you need to experience. Pulled pork sliders and the mac and cheese were it for me. Go order that right NOW!!!!
(5)Diana C.
Went for brunch and was not disappointed! My husband had the country fried steak and bottom-less mimosas and I had the French toast with a side of biscuit and gravy. The gravy wasn't my style but the French toast was awesome and our server was really great.
(4)Jack A.
What the hell was that? Are you kidding me!? Jesus Christ that was disgusting! I don't believe it. I shoulda walked outta there without paying the bill. Just garbage. Pure garbage on a plate. They're thieves with the prices they charge! Then I woke up with my stomach hurting in the middle of the night. Thought I was gonna puke. I should have.
(1)Lori G.
Very disappointed. Food was ok but it took over 30 minutes to get our meals. When it finally came out, it was far from hot. Was decent tasting but over priced for location and what it is. Server was average.....had to ask twice for water and never got it. My husband is willing to give it another try but me, not so much.
(2)Maya G.
I recently ventured out to Southern Swank Kitchen in Davie with the fam. I very much was looking forward to it since I thought- a cool interesting restaurant in Broward? I'm in! We pulled up and I was definitely impressed. The decor was very cute- hip and trendy. I was totally feeling it. The attention to detail on the mason jars for drinks, the hostesses/waitresses dressed 'Southern' attire, I was thrilled. We sat down and ordered and unfortunately, the food is where it fell flat for me. I btw was with my 2 yr old, so I was also happy to see it was quite kid friendly (good amount of lighting and not crazy loud music). We ordered: Crab hush puppies- sounds better than they are...not impressed Chicken and Waffles- the Yelp special: I actually had to give it to my husband and switch with him bc I did not like it at all. It was smothered in heavy buffalo sauce that was ok, and the meal was actually not even warm. The waffles were kinda cold, and the chicken luke warm. Country Fried Steak- Really bland and not much flavor at all. Side Salad- spinach and tomato...nothing special to it at all. Kids meal- Chicken fingers and fries. We were actually told it was tator tots (not fries) which I was excited about but it was fries. It was also super generic, crazy breaded and unhealthy. I would've definitely appreciated a healthy option for the little one. It also was forgotten about and came out last even though we made it a point to say, please bring her food as soon as it is ready. So perhaps we got the wrong things and there are better items on the menu, but I doubt I will be venturing back here which is unfortunate because I had high hopes. I also don't imagine this restaurant to last too long with its current menu. Hopefully they make some changes and I will definitely give it another go.
(3)John L.
very intriguing menu and good enough presentation but far too pricey. service from call for reservations to hostess to wait staff was simply bad. Not rude but uninformed, confused and slow, certainly not representative of our $100 tab. shrimp & grits and chicken fried steak were superb; collard very good. hanger steak good. my 2 beers cold enough but the lemonade vodka drink was far too sweet & Hawaiian Punch-like. train the staff, rethink pricing and you have a real winner.
(2)Keara D.
Pissed just left after asking for a box for the left over bread pudding that took 15 min to make. The waitress insisted on boxing it herself. Brought us the bill but no boxed dessert. I asked where my dessert was and she said oh yeah and took off again came back and told me that the bus boy threw it out and if we wanted to wait another 15 min she could make us a fresh one no thanks. How does someone throw out a box with food in it? She was too busy talking to the table next to us about a show on tv instead of getting my dessert. My thing is the service was excellent cause we were the first ones there she was around all the time almost too much. Once our waitress had more tables she was gone for a long time my fiancée ordered another drink and she didn't come back for a long time actually someone else brought his drink and I still was waiting to ask for the bill. The food was good not worth the prices didn't care for the chicken wings which our waitress recommended and neither did my fiancée they were very spicy to me as I am just starting to experiment with a little spice and sweet my fiancée doesn't like sweet. You almost don't taste the sweet after 2 wings cause your mouth is burning and nose is running. The crab hush puppies were good and so was the Mac or shells and cheese. Fried green tomatoes were ok. Bread pudding good but doesn't have a whiskey cream sauce like mine. I drove pretty far to try it as a bartender from a restaurant near me told me about it I'm not sure if he's been here or not. We shared appetizers and did not have the individual meals.
(2)Cubby C.
Chicken and waffles was my pick. 16 bucks and I am OK with the pricing if the quality is there, after all its two different items. The chicken was bland and tasteless and not crunchy; the waffles were cold and tasted as if done with water and oil versus milk and with some butter instead of oil. Now, the look had great plating minus the scribble of marshmallow sauce all over. The marshmallow sauce did not go well at all, syrup would of been much better. If you want to go finer use real maple and it will taste better than marshmallow. Over all they didn't lie to me. I am a bit ignorant in the sense I read what I was about to eat and still ordered it. The service was mediocre. Only at our table when we need something, mind you we wanted to order cornbread and that didn't happen because he was busy hanging out near the food distribute window which is in the opposite end of the restaurant. By the time our food came no point in ordering. Water refill was on point. Will not be going there again...
(1)Michelle L.
I went to this establishment because I used to eat at the restaurant that was here before Southern Swank. They have a pretty unique menu for the area. However, I was not happy with the service or food. With less than 10 customers in the whole restaurant, it took 45 minutes for 2 entrees to come out. The Southern Fried steak was not good at all (cheap meat and no flavor) and not worth the $22 price. The staff was friendly but the food is way overpriced for the quality that you receive. Won't be dining here again.
(2)Catherine P.
Southern Swank kitchen is a great find! Service was friendly, atmosphere was great and the food was awesome. The Crab Hush Puppies were amazing. The Mac and Cheese Holy cheesy goodness!!! Yum. Yum. Yum. Chicken and waffles with blue cheese so tasty. Looking forward to my next visit!!
(3)Shante L.
If your starving I wouldn't recommend going because the portions are small.But the food itself is absolutely delicious!!!! The restaurant is very nice and trendy, I would definitely go again just eat before I go. The staff was very nice and friendly and well versed with the menu. The drinks are strong as hell and put you out (which is not a bad thing) I would recommend the hanger steak and the chicken and waffles!!!! My favorite starter was the fried green tomatoes.
(4)Chelle M.
Pretty good place. Atmosphere is more country chic than country BBQ - no BBQ on menus actually. It has nice big TVs to watch a game if it's your season. The food wasn't to die for but definitely good. Had crab hush puppies that were good with the sauce. I had the fish (salmon)with black eye peas and greens. Salmon was wonderful perfectly seasoned with slight crisp around edges. The green though could have been more - No real flavor but ok when you mix it with other stuff. Boyfriend had the chicken and waffles he said were pretty good and he's had them at a lot if places. Now the drinks were. Great I had the raspy lemonade it's like a raspberry mojito kinda - delicious ! Bf had signature swamp drink it was cool with the dry ice and green color it also tasted very good. In essence -- nice decor great drinks ! Not the place if you want soul food but good food. A little more pricey that any country themed place I've ever been but would recommend to try at least once.
(3)Casey M.
Oh boy.. not sure where to start or stop with this one. Unfortunately, the night that we went they were insanely short staffed, so the whole evening was tainted with SLOW service. However, when we did get service they were nice enough. So, all the food tasted ok, but for the price they are asking I just don't think it's that good. I would probably skip entrees and just do appetizers. Best part of the night for my husband and I were the fun drinks (the caramel apple is awesome), but no one ever stopped by to offer us a second round! I think that most likely the lack of waitors was a fluke that will get fixed, but there was nothing great enough to cause us to come back.
(3)Helene L.
Very good food-except coleslaw- and great service. Decor very nice. Bbq beer chicken smoked well and chicken waffles. Don't leave without dessert'n
(3)Janice D.
I read the reviews prior to going here so I wasn't sure what to expect, which was a good thing because my expectation were minimal. I enjoyed my experience at the Swank and the loud country music did not bother me since I was too busy trying to eat. I was seated and serviced immediately. The starters came out pretty quickly, the entree and dessert didn't come out as quickly. I had several different dishes the Crab Hush Puppies (okay), Shrimp and Grits (loved it better than Yardbird I think), Cornbread (good), Meatloaf (didn't like it in the beginning but it ended up being okay), Chicken and Waffles (loved it), bread pudding (delicious) and Caramel Apple drink (love it but needs a little more liquor). My overall experience was great, the only thing I had a problem with was the long drive but it was worth the trip. I will make another trip here and next time with a group of friends.
(5)Sara L.
Went to Swank on the recommendation of my sister. My husband and I are very southern being that he is from Texas and Im a hometown Davie girl. Swank is TRYING to be southern, but they need to up the hospitality and maybe work on some more experienced servers, Both the husband and I are in the industry and have been in both the server and management positions. Walking in, the entrance is a little obscured. There are two entries, and one is a "side" door where the courtyard is. If I didnt know better, I would have believed this was the main and been confused upon entry. The host was very sweet and accommodating, offering to seat us on the other side of the restaurant. Upon being sat, they give out two menus and a drink menu that we looked at but was never guided to. What I believe was a manager checked to see if we had been greeted after a few minutes, when we had not, he got our drink order and assigned us a server, who was behind us at another table, and then disappeared for a while to get the other table situated. Upon returning, she simply took our order. No suggestive sell and I never got a name. Our drinks were delivered and it was simply that. More along the lines of being an order taker and not really a "Hospitality" that is expected from Davie or a place boasting "Southern" theme. *Shells & Cheese = Creamy and tasty, however, my mac and cheese loving husband didnt necessarily enjoy it. 4 out of 5 on that one. *Fried Green Tomatoes = Tasty and Amazing. Portion is very small for an app and the price point ($10 for three tomatoes?) but overall very good. *Ribs = Not my favorite, but they were decent. Husband said they were a little spicy and SUPER SWEET. * Hanger Steak = This was rather disappointing for the steak lover that I am. The hanger was more along the lines of a thick Churrasco than a Hanger. Ordered medium, it came out more MW and was definitely on the Pittsburgh (charred) side. The sauce on it was very flavorful,however was blobbed on the center of the steak instead of a nice even layer to accommodate for added flavor. Potatoes were bland at best Dish could have used salt, however there was none on the table and we didnt have a check back until our meals were gone. *Beer & Tea were good. Bill was $80.00 (Thats with the tip) and honestly, it wasnt a stellar meal. Maybe 7 out of 10 on the ranking. Might come back for some snacks and pick at some apps...But overall for the price point, we can find better places. Best advice I can give is, enjoy the specials (Penny Wine, $4 drinks, ect...) but its not a staple place being the price point and quality/quantity of the food. Small apps. Servers need to push on table turns, multitasking and most importantly that Southern Hospitality of engaging your guest. Good Luck!
(3)Barbara G.
Very overpriced food. Many of my friends were raving about this place, so I decided to try it. Very disappointed, will never go back, very loud, could barely hear my friends, the waitress taking my order or myself think. Left with a head ache and hungry at that. The Mac n cheese was good but the chicken wings were pink on the inside, the chicken and waffles were not that great (waffles were cold and chicken had no flavor and the marshmallow sauce was overwhelming bad) the bucket of fries tasted like pure salt (thought my heart was going to stop). Save your money and eat at the Mexican restaurant down the street or at a real southern spot called "yardbird" in Miami beach
(1)Maritza C.
So excited we got a nice restaurant in the Davie area for those times u wanna eat out but don't want to drive all the way down to Miami or Ft Lauderdale for a decent dinner... Well, not that exciting anymore. I was really hoping the previous reviews were wrong and written too harshly by undercover food critics but... They were right!! It's such a shame this place left me disappointed, it ha so much potential!! First, coming in u enter the bar area which is large, u take in the space, the decor and say wow, this is gonna be good! Friday night with my son and they have live music, guy on his guitar singing, GREAT! Entrance is a little awkward cause the hostess stand is around the corner and unless you've been there before you're not quite sure where to go. We are directed to our seats and our waitress comes, nice and sweet enough. Takes out order. Our food comes pretty quickly. We ordered the wings to start and they were the best thing we ordered!! Sweet and spicy and an amazing blue cheese sauce! Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. Ordered the Cobb salad which had 1 fried scotch quail egg and 3 cubes of avocado of which I asked for more and the waitress was happy to oblige I just don't think I should've had to ask for more, it should've come with it. We also ordered the shrimp and grits which I was the most excited about and most disappointed about as well... It had absolutely no flavor!! :-(. The shrimp were a tad greasy and left little pools where they were nestled into the grits which my son usually loves but refused to eat. To top it all off it was so cold in there we were shivering, if they took it a little easier on the a/c then they may be able to charge less... Overall $40 for 3 dishes for mother and son including tip and that was with the free appetizer offer from yelp and no alcohol!! I gave my son the choice to go and eat at the food trucks tonight or come here and he chose this place. When we finished he said we should've gone to the trucks!! :-(
(2)Michael K.
Its deceivingly expensive. Dishes are small but artfully arranged. Food is overly salted for the most part. Decor is nice but its an odd building in an odd location that doesn't seem to fit. Our server was attentive.
(2)Susan M.
We went tonight because it was a new place and we had a Groupon. We made reservations but when we arrived we were told we had to wait. They said they weren't usually this busy on a Thursday night. Luckily we only had to wait 10 minutes. They had a new bartender and it showed Took a long time to get drinks at the bar and at the table. The fried green tomatoes were bland and no flavor to the breading/coating. The sauce was good. The ribs were good, liked the sauce but they were lukewarm. The fries were limp and also lukewarm. The hangar steak was $25 and worth maybe 1/2 the price. There was no demi-glaze on top of the meat, as stated in the menu and there was no flavor to the meat. The fingerling hash browns were only sliced fingerlings with no flavor. The positive was the staff was very friendly and the management listened to our complaints and gave us a small discount on our check. The decor and ambiance was very nice We will probably not be returning.
(2)Heather M.
This review comes from a true Southern gal who grew up in Charleston, SC with some of the best Southern food known to man-kind. Now, I don't consider "South Florida" as part of the United States "South", so I was a little apprehensive after hearing mixed reviews about Swank from friends. After enjoying an incredibly delicious meal there, I can proudly say Swank is the real-deal for good Southern cuisine. My boyfriend and I went there for an early dinner on a Thursday night right after I got off work. We started off with cocktails. It was hard to choose because they all sounded great (and are VERY reasonably priced compared to many drinks you would get in the area). I decided on a Raspy Lemonade (dangerously good!) and he got a Caramel Apple moonshine drink (very sweet, but it definitely tasted like a caramel apple without the sharp "bite" you can get from a lot of moonshines). After ordering drinks, we moved on to the dinner menu. I read down the menu exclaiming "Oh no..." after every single item because I knew the further down I read, the harder it was going to be to decide what I wanted to order. Everything sounded delicious. We decided to get a few small plates and share. We had fried green tomatoes, chicken and biscuits with a gator andouille sausage gravy, and the St. Louis Ribs. The ribs were tender with a nice tangy sauce on them. The fried chicken that came with the biscuits was perfectly crispy and not at all greasy. Usually you can only get that kind of fried chicken in your dreams. The gravy was very flavorful and the texture of the gator was very tender - not chewy like it can get after cooked. Those two dishes were great, but the star of the dinner were the fried green tomatoes. Ladies and gents, please note again that this review is coming from a true Southern woman, I can confidently say those fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had in my life. The cornmeal didn't fall apart or slide of the tomatoes, they weren't greasy, and the creole remoulade didn't overpower the taste of the tomatoes. Nothing short of utter perfection. As God as my witness, I shall never go hungry (for good Southern food) again!
(5)Marilyn M.
The place was pretty empty for a Saturday night. I now know why. It's nice inside but just a huge room with little atmosphere. Our waitress was slow and goofy and had very little knowledge of the menu. Very pricey for what you get. One lady in our party didn't get her meal until the rest of us were done eating!! They burnt her meatloaf. One lowly piece of meatloaf slapped on a pile of mashed pumpkin. Glad I ordered the country fried steak, although it was really pricey and a thin pretty tough steak. Expensive meals don't come with a veggie beside the starch, they're ala cart. Fried green tomatoes were as hard as a rock and bland. Crab hush puppies were very fishy. To end all, the manager offered free dessert to comp for the late meal for our friend. She asked the waitress twice if they could leave the pecans off the mudslide and the waitress assured her it would be done. You guessed it!! the mudslide ( which requires a 15 minute wait time when ordering) arrived covered in pecans!!!! They took it back and the waitress brought a selection of two already prepared crappy looking desserts for her to chose from. My bread budding was floating in an inch of butter. When the bill came, the manager only comped us for two of our crappy desserts!! Probably people have had a great meal here, but we sure didn't and for $140.00 for 4 people ( no alchoholic drinks) it was way over priced. Could easily get the same meal but much much better and way cheaper at CRACKER BARREL!!
(1)Elenis C.
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!! I had the country friend steak and my husband had the chicken and waffles. WOW SO GOOD!! We went on the first night that they had some local artists singing live country music and it was very cool. The owner was nice and again the food was sooooo delicious. I wish I could have some right now and I wish they were closer to my house. Must try this place if you are nearby!
(5)Joshua B.
Walked in at 615pm on a Saturday and place 1/4 full. They see my 4 yr old and decide that we deserve a table for 2 with an extra chair rather then 1 of the 5 available tables for 4, so not a great start. Server was excellent I can say that as positive, hostesses not so much. End of the day the food was not great. Fried green tomatoes were undercooked, crab hush puppies smelled like crab but no crab to be found. Gravy on country friend steak was super salty, batter was very good. Desert was presented well but bland (carrot cake). Drinks were excellent, quality and funky mixed drinks. A star for drinks and star for server. Ps. Even kids chicken fingers were dry and bland. Too bad.
(2)Earl K.
The beer chicken I had was undercooked. The cole slaw was ok. The Mac and cheese was the best thing I had. But what got them a one star was Mark the general manager and his lack of professionalism. I attempted to use a groupon that I purchased. The waitress asked me for my groupon number and I gave it to her. Thinking everything was fine I redeemed it on my phone before she could make it to the computer. She then comes over and tells me the groupon number isn't working. I show her where it says redeemed exactly 2 min after she leaves my table originally with the groupon number. Then Mark the general manager comes over and tells me it's my fault for redeeming it before she could put it in the system and he won't honor my groupon. I'm like are you kidding me! Before that he insults my integrity by asking "are you sure you haven't used this before?" It took everything in me not to give him a verbal smacking. He stated he had to make a call to the owner to see if they would honor it. In thinking, why do you have to call the owner, aren't you the general manager!!! He resolved it but it took an additional 30 min. It was a waste of my time for what amounted to $15 in savings. I will never go here again and will encourage the hundreds if people that I know to never go here and to spread the word/truth about this place.
(1)Chris R.
Service was the worst I've ever encountered. Waited an hour an fifteen minutes for chicken and waffles before having to get up and walk out. Every time we would try to find the server he would make eye contact and hide in the kitchen or a back room. We spoke with a manager who said he would get our food but after another 20 minutes we gave up. I looked forward to eating here and after being a server for a number of years I am sympathetic to servers but this whole experience was the worst I can ever recall. Drinks were ok. Can't comment on the food because we were never served. ...
(1)Stephanie L.
Great place for drinks and great food with friends.. Inside is loud, but a fun atmosphere for a group gathering. No complaints when it came to the food except that it did take a little while to get, but worth the wait. Very friendly service as well.. Will defenitly go back :)
(4)Michelle F.
I was very excited to go on a date night with my boyfriend to Swank. I had been to the other "southern style" restaurants in Miami so the bar was set pretty high. In lieu of of some of the negative comments we had read on here, we went with an open mind and a huge appetite. Let's start with the service, I won't say terrible because our server was a very sweet girl but I find it unacceptable to be seated for nearly 10 minutes without anyone taking our drink order. The restaurant was fairly empty, most of the staff was hanging out in the back of the restaurant chatting or at the bar chatting with the bartenders. I was ready to walk out when our waitress finally approached our table. Then another 10 minutes passed before our drinks arrived, the bar maybe had 2 patrons & there were 2 bartenders chatting with other staff, so not sure my my Raspy Lemonade and my boyfriends 8oz bottled coke took that long. My drink was tasty and appropriately served in a mason jar. I thought the sodas being served in a bottle was also a nice touch, however at $2.50/ 8oz bottle it is way too steep for the area. Just pour it over ice in a mason jar & offer free refills. My disappointment came with our food. We started with the shells and cheese. Again keeping with the southern-country theme, it came in a cute little cast-iron skillet. Yes it was creamy but warm at most, i expected piping hot, i had to make sure i scooped up a piece of bacon with each bite otherwise the pasta itself was bland. We didn't finish it because ultimately it was too cold and bland. For dinner the waitress recommended I go with the blue chicken and waffles, my boyfriend ordered the meatloaf and our sides were cornbread and fries. Sadly, the best part of our dinner may have been the cornbread. My blue chicken and waffles were again, warm at most. I expect my food to be hot, especially when i cut into it. Although the buffalo sauce the chicken is tossed in was flavorful, my chicken was warm almost too cold to enjoy, it was very chewy, almost tough. The waffles were not crispy, also warm not hot. The dish tasted like it may have been left over from last night's service and was nuked just enough to take the cold off from being stored in the fridge. My food was too cold to finish eating it Or maybe it just sat there until one of their servers decided to interrupt their conversation & bring our food. My boyfriend's meatloaf was more like a meatball sitting in a bed of, warm sauce. His fries were salty and soggy, at 16$ for this entree thats acceptable, oh and 6$ for the soggy fries. We didn't bother to complain, we couldn't really designate a manager anyway. For being a fairly new restaurant on a slow night I expected for a manager to go around each table & ask how service was but we didn't see any of that. At the end of our meal we paid $64 plus tip because our server was friendly but left unsatisfied due to our extremely overpriced, sub-par dining experience. I have better food and better service at our local Flanigan's than here. It is a shame because it is a very nice establishment. Their staff needs further training, their menu needs revamping to accommodate the steep pricing for the area it is located in. Otherwise I do not see a bright future for Swank.
(1)Dean W.
okay...I am definitely one who looks at reviews first before I try a place I've never been to before. A lot of reviews give this place a negative for a few reasons so I almost didn't go but glad we did and here's why. A lot of reviewers say the service isn't up to par and not good. We had a young lady who was our waitress who was fantastic. The place has a bar side on the left and a smaller bar on the right with a lot of tables and booths to eat at. The bar side does have about 2 booths but mostly high-tops to sit at which we didn't want. Seated the four of us right away with no reservation around 8 o'clock on a Saturday night. A waitress came to take our drink order within 2 minutes and explained the specials to us mostly for the drinks since we hadn't even opened the menu yet. Now, some say the waitress ignored them when they needed a refill on water. Ours left a carafe of ice cold water on our table so no problem there. Next, explained the food specials when she brought our drinks. Appetizers were amazing. Being that there were four of us and two of us were wives (who don't eat much), we wound up ordering the fried green tomatoes, the pulled pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. All appetizers were delicious and came out soon after we ordered. One was $9, one $10 and one $11 so I don't know what people are complaining about it being expensive. We ordered the hanger steak, the meatloaf and the fish special of the day. Of those, the meatloaf was probably the one I cared about least but still very good. A little soft for me but after all it was made of short rib meat so that's to be expected somewhat...still very tasty and had a great pumpkin mash underneath the whole piece of meat. Where I was really surprised was the marinated peppers and tomatoes cut up on top of the meatloaf. I didn't expect those but they were outstanding as well. The hanger steak I tried was very good...came out just as ordered and the small cut up potatoes were also very good. We also tried the smashed potatoes which came with the fish of the day and they were very tasty...very creamy and had some nice chunks of potato in it but cooked enough so as not to be crunchy but tasted very good. For dessert, we really didn't want anything but did try the bread pudding just to try something. It was average. Not as good as the bread pudding they serve at one of my favorite restaurants in Ft Lauderdale, Canyon restaurant. The waitress, when we ordered 4 cups of coffee told us she was going to make us a fresh pot which be the way...the coffee was EXCELLENT too. Now, I'm not a Starbucks kind of coffee guy. I much prefer Dunkin' Donuts coffee to the SBUX. I don't like my coffee so strong that when I put two things of cream in it it doesn't change color at all and this coffee was spot on delicious. We did order some cups of wine and some kind of alcohol pink lemonade drink which was good ($9) and served in a glass jar (Southern style I guess). Overall, it was a great experience. A manager type of guy came over towards the end of our meal to ask if everything was good tonight and we told him it was. I also saw standing against the back wall him when he left with about 3 other guys who looked like they could also be managers/part-owners looking around to make sure everything was okay in the place. So, as far as is it overpriced...I'm going to have to say not really. I'm not sure where the people who are knocking it go out to eat but if you've been to S Beach or Mid-Town lately and had tapas...where they serve you a small plate which doesn't even wet your appetite so you wind up buying a bunch of them at %10-$15 a pop...now that's expensive to me...and at these tapas places I always wind up paying a big check and leave hungry. I can tell you we did not leave hungry from Swan Kitchen and if you do...you are doing something wrong. We would definitely be back to dine at Swank Kitchen...by the way, with one drink and two glasses of wine...we all ate with coffee and shared one dessert for $138 including tax but not tip Oh, forgot to mention...they also have a cool photo booth in the back that you can use (FREE) to take a picture and post on the wall for a chance to win something or take with you...just a little fun thing that's there...good for kids or adults.
(5)Michelle W.
Drove by many times and said we needed to try it. Few friends have gone but more views one way or another. Well, I kind if understand why. You are so perplexed at the whole experience you just don't know whether to say you liked it or not. From the moment we walked in we felt it was a mistake. Not very busy, no one waiting, but we stood for an awkward amount if time while the manage and hostess went back and forth about where to seat us. Tried to push us to take high top in the bar area when many tables were open in DR. Waitress pleasant but super young and inexperienced. Wine list has very very few options by the glass- probably because they want to push you to a pricey specialty swamp water drink. Menu was limited and unappealing. Two menu items were scratched and it was only 6:30. Like another reviewer, I ended up ordering shells and cheese and took a few bites of hub's beer can chicken. It was moist and tasty. Did not like the gravy. Black eyes peas were tasteless. Coleslaw was bitter. If you leave a place spending $65 only commending their Mac n cheese and their fresh cut fries , you've gone to the wrong place. They have quite a few kinks to work out.
(2)Rick S.
Southern college bar feel oddly mixed with south beach portion menu. Pricy trendy food with small portions is what they mean by "swank". Ultimately you are Paton too much for too little BBQ and beer. Very cool atmosphere but you pay too much for what you get. My wife and I were excited to finally get a chance to try the place out. We loved the atmosphere so much we really wanted to like the place. The inside was very friendly and felt like a Southern college town type of feel. We liked that they had craft beers. But when it came to ordering food we were orally disappointed. The menu shows they were trying really hard to be trendy but it just didn't quite work for us. We decided to try the pork sliders appetizer. They brag that it is cooked for 8-12 hours or whatever it was. When the appetizer came we couldn't believe it. There was nothing to it. Three sandwiches the size of two quarters each for $10. It was kind a silly. We decided to eat elsewhere. I would go back again to have a beer but I wouldn't eat there again.
(3)Angelica O.
I went for brunch didnt like that the menu was so limited besides that portion size was small. GUESS I NEED TO GO FOR DINNER !!
(3)Ikam A.
We have come here twice and loved both times. The drinks are great. Our bartender Thomas took good care of us the second time, when we sat in the lounge. He explained how he makes all the delicious drinks featured on the menu. The first time we went we tried the raspberry lemonade and the cinnamon apple, and the second time we got the tea-lemonade one and the chronic tonic. All drinks were amazing. The first time we went I got the burger and my husband got the St. Louis ribs. Last night I got the potluck salad with kale and pulled pork and my husband got the chicken fried steak. For appetizers we tried the fried green tomatoes and the crab hush puppies. Everything was delicious. I would highly recommend this place. The atmosphere is great and the dishes are original and hearty. The collard greens are amazing.
(5)Daniel T.
Not many places serve collards or black eyed peas around here anymore (if so, please do tell!). Also, this place is not a chain and I encourage that. I've eaten here several times and have not been disappointed. The country fried steak is great.
(4)Lia T.
Upon entering the restaurant I was surprised with how cool the place looks in comparison with local places. As for drinks, I had no complaints with the iced tea and my mother said the lemonade was amazing. Unfortunately, the positive comments end there. I am always willing to shell out money for good food but this place was incredibly overpriced for what they offer. We split the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and after eating half of one slice (4 slices = $10) i decided eating more of the sour, completely unseasoned tomato was a waste of calories. I sampled my mother's dish, the Pork Chop and Baked Beans ($18), which was decent but the beans were barely warm and the pork was missing any of the searing I've come to expect from any restaurant. I ordered the Country-Fried Steak for myself ($22), which was literally just a steak with a mass of super crispy shoestring potatoes on top. The steak was okay, but it was kind of like eating steak and potato chips for dinner. I don't think I've ever paid so much ($60+ including a basic tip for the basic service) for such yawn-inducing, small portioned, dissatisfying food. But I won't ever again.
(2)Ana L.
I recently attended this place with a large group of friends. I did not enjoyed this restaurant. First of all, we had made reservations and their sitting arrangement was very uncomfortable. They squeezed twenty of us in in a few tiny tables with high chairs. It was very uncomfortable and after a while I couldn't wait to leave. There were a couple of people with disabilities and it was very hard for them to get in and out of the high chairs. Second, the food is overpriced. One of my friends had the pork chops with beans and a soft drink and her bill was almost $40. I had the water melon salad, only because i couldn't find anything else in their menu that was reasonably priced. I didn't enjoy the salad. They just put a big piece of water melon on your plate and lettuce on top. It had no flavor at all and it costed me $10. The service is not so good. They didn't bring all the orders at the same time and one person in our group had to wait long for her meal because they mixed up her order and brought her food when everyone else was done eating. I do not recommend this place ,mainly because it's overpriced.
(1)Aggie M.
So I want out, I want food, but not just anything... comfort food! I try that in the search & JACKPOT! I've got a whole list of places to check out. The first one, though was Southern Swank. I thought it was cool that it had what seemed like two 'feels'. The more open, cool format & then the cozy, fun, bar area! We sampled because we couldn't decide. The macaroni & cheese.... Ohhh. So many times I get recommendations for mac & cheese & I'm disappointed, but not here!! (My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) the rest of the food was yummy & really hit that 'comfort food' spot for me. I'm excited to go back again soon! The only reason I didn't go with 5 stars was that our server missed a dish & seemed to forget us. I'm convinced it was just an 'off' night for him, & am sure the service is usually spectacular. When he did check on us, he was definitely helpful...
(4)Kirsten V.
I had made reservations here two weeks in advanced, when my party began arriving at the restaurant they were informed the system has been changed and therefore the reservations were lost. Oops! They then told them they would have to wait for a table as we were a large party. No remorse. Once we were seated it took 30 minutes for a server to attend our table for drinks and then another 35 minutes to receive our drinks which did not come as we ordered. We waited over an hour and a half for our 1 appetizer! Let's just say the service is beyond slow, they are clearly in a southern state of mind, nothing but time. By the time we received our entrees it was at least 2.5 hours after sitting down. In general, we were informing the waiter in how to do his job all night long. Can we have lemons and lines for our cocktails that we asked for? Can we have silverware and napkins? Appetizer plates? Silverware and napkins for the other half of the table? More water? The remainder of our entrees? For my friends that were eating there for the first time, this was a horrible experience! They really need to step up the quality of their service!
(1)Robert M.
The service was great and the staff were very accommodating to our needs. We shared the mac n cheese appetizer, a little to oily for my taste but good. My partner had the chicken and waffles drizzled with a marshmallow sauce which he raved about. I had the pulled pork sliders which were very good.
(4)Jorge H.
I was really looking forward to this place. Unfortunately it wasn't what I expected. If you're thinking this place is gonna be like Yardbird on SOBE it ain't. Don't get me wrong it's good, it's ok. The portions are small, overpriced and are nothing special. When the waiter says "meatloaf is a small portion, if you're hungry get something else" makes you think?? Overall Southern Swank has a decent vibe and the staff are very friendly and nice. There's no background music only TV's playing sports. (???) There's just something missing. It's in Davie right by all the college campus's so you'd think they would cater to a hipper crowd but I don't see it with those prices. I'd cautiously go again.
(3)Andrea W.
I liked it as soon as I walked in the door. Not a big menu but everything looks really interesting. My friend and I had the wings, pulled pork sliders, shrimp and grits, and baked beans. Everything was delish and can't wait to come back to try more. And our server Nicole was a delight.
(4)Robyn M.
Sadly, one & done... While our waitress was animated & sweet, it didn't make up for the service & food sucking! Drinks took forever! A beer in a bottle?! Food came at a good pace but one dish was worse than the next. If they're even remotely trying to be southern comfort, they should visit Yardbird & Swine to see how it's done! I give it a short lifeline. There's nothing to fix, it just does not work! Wait, I did have fun in the random photo booth by the bathroom! As my kids would say... Epic Fail!!!
(1)Edward M.
Girlfriend and I went to Southern Swank on a friends recommendation. We weren't impressed. The place was very loud. They also had live music which just made the noise level almost intolerable. Although the place was crowded we were seated right away. It took about 15 minutes for the waitress to show up to take order. After about 20 minutes our first appetizer showed up. We had the Fried Green Tomatoes. We had to wait another 10 minutes to get plates and utensils. The Fried Tomatoes were great though. We had finished the 1st appetizer and yet we were still missing our drinks. We had to get a different waitress to bring us our drinks (30 min after ordering them). Waitress then came to take the appetizer plates. We told her that we needed them for the chicken wings we had ordered. She told us that she was going to bring us clean plates. Long story short, the wings came, the plates didn't. After 10 minutes of waiting, I had to ask a bus boy to bring us plates. The wings were actually pretty good but not very meaty. Finally our entrees arrived. (I took this opportunity to order another round of drinks. I ordered myself 2 swamp waters. i didnt want to wait 30 min for the 2nd drink should i have wanted it. My girlfriend ordered the chronic tonic. My drinks came pretty quick while my GF had to wait another 15 min for hers). My girlfriend ordered the Chicken and Waffles. Not bad. The chicken was a little overdone though. I ordered the Country Fried Steak. I had no complaints. It was very good. Not sure if either was actually worth the price though. Although the food tasted really great I'm not sure if we'll be returning to the Southern Swank anytime soon. Maybe try again one day for an early lunch but probably never for dinner again.
(1)Cathy D.
Food was delicious. Very unique entrees. Not your boring, run of the mill. Very cool decor. Waiter was excellent and very personable. Maybe a slight bit pricey, but you can get a discount on Groupon. Definitely worth a try.
(5)Jose V.
Food is very good but a little pricey. Our server was nice but we didn't see her very often. I'd eat there again.
(3)Alex B.
Food depends on what you pick - the prime rib was amazing, while the pork chop was a bit dry and the baked beans a bit too sweet. Service was just ok, not stellar - but of course that will depend on your service person and I've only been here once
(4)Randi W.
Won't be back. The $14 shrimp & grits was a 4×6 inch dish of a poor attempt. I asked about the market fish dish, and was explained that the yellow tail snapper was served on kale with black eyed peas. The menu says it's served with collards. I asked the waitress (who never gave her name) why not collards. She proceeded to tell me they were the same thing. LMAO! Imagine going to a "southern" restaurant, and ordering collards, but getting Kale??? I. Can't. Anyway, for those who love it, great - but there are better "southern" places to enjoy. The dishes are overpriced and I got the feeling they are trying too hard to be "cool". $7 cornbread? Really? Oh, and "swank" should be taken out of the name. This place doesn't have an ounce of swank. I really wanted to like this place. :-(
(1)Alexii N.
Came here on a quiet Tuesday night around 7:30 and left feeling completely underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The restaurant's decor is a little much- reminiscent of a Disney theme park in that there is too much of it and nothing is authentic. That pretty much carried over the the food too. We ordered the meatloaf, but were told that they were out of it after we ordered (on a Tuesday night?!)- seriously that is just poor management. We ended up ordering: Chicken and Waffles: I've had many versions of this dish. It is one of my favorite southern foods. Swank's version is the worst I have ever had. Two waffle quarters and two pieces of friend chicken thigh are topped with a "marshmallow sauce" and garnished with hot sauce. Well, the chicken was ok but was fried too long and overly crispy. Better waffles come in the frozen section and Publix, and, the alleged marshmallow sauce is actually from Publix. Marshmallow sauce = watered down marshmallow fluff, which, when mixed with hot sauce (tasted like Franks hot sauce) is just not a combo that's tasty. Overall an epic chicken and waffle fail. It tasted like a dish they were experimenting with that needs a lot of work. Ribs and Cole Slaw- not bad. Ribs had a good flavor and the sauce was ok. Not very much meat on the bones though. Honestly, I have made far better ribs at home and they were nothing special. Coleslaw, however was fantastic. Tangy and really yummy. Corn Bread- you get one square as a side item. It was $6. It was dry. Are you kidding me? You could make two 13 x 9 pans of it for $6!! It was just eh. All of the food was served on some kind of wood/cast iron/mason jar type thing and was just a little too much. I would have rather had better food and less country crap. To make matters worse our server was extremely awkward and inexperienced. She was a nice girl, but kept hovering around the table, didn't know the menu, and was, quite frankly, annoying. I also noticed who I would assume is the manager walking back and fourth across the length of the bar like he had nothing to do. Maybe you should check in and see how your customers like your food, and you would have more than 6 tables sat in your restaurant.
(2)Christopher M.
This place was exactly what you'd expect when you walk into a place named Southern Swank Kitchen. Great vibe & atmosphere place has a good feel to it. The food was outstanding, shells & cheese, wings and cornbread are a must. There uniquely crafted cocktails are also worth a try. The only thing I didn't like about this place that much was the customer service, wasn't great and the prices were a little steep. All in and all I did enjoy myself and will be returning at some point in the near future.
(4)Jonny E.
Chicken came out cold twice and undercooked on the inside. The owner/manager came back to apologize after the first time it came out cold and offered us a free dessert to compensate (which it never really does). Waiting for the waitress to drop and pick up the check took almost 40 minutes, when it wasn't even that busy! Food was average and the menu wasn't impressive. Unfortunately, I won't be going back anytime soon.
(1)Amy C.
Incredible food!! This is fancy southern. We had shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork sliders, wings and corn bread. There were also fun, inventive drinks. It's a must-go!!
(5)Michelle L.
Not worth it...prices are wrong on menu and the 30% off is for chicken & waffles only even though it says no where on the menu or in the ad!! Won't be back!!! Sorry Oscar but your wine prices are different we were charged $2 more per glass and had to tell the server about the discrepancy!! Also if the coupon was only towards chicken & waffles wouldn't your wait staff be aware of this and not have pushed the redeemed coupon when it was obvious we did not eat chicken & waffles... Just sayin'!!!!
(1)Dennis F.
Ho hum. I hate being Dennis Downer...... Southern style partially means large portions. I was immediately turned off by the $2.50 8 ounce bottles of soda. I have 2 kids so a restaurant having fountain soda with refills seems like a no brainer. We were here with a large party so we got to try out a lot of the menu. For apps we had the shrimp and grits (yummy and I don't really like grits), fried green tomatoes (still don't like these), crab hush puppies (very good) and the pulled pork sliders (very good as well). For our entrees, we had the hanger steak $24 (tasted great), pimento burger $14 (just good), chicken wings $8 for 6 (average), chicken and waffles $16 ( good) and the meatloaf $16 (good). My biggest beef (no pun intended) would be the meatloaf, it was about the size of a large meatball and didn't come with any sides? The burger was a $9 burger for $14, the hanger steak was good but not worth $24. I like to spend money to eat out but I don't feel like this place has good value. We tried 4 of their specialty drinks, ($8-$9), the Jacked up Rita and Swamp water were good but skip the caramel apple and the ring of fire. Oh, don't serve your drinks in mini sized mason jars. It gives real mason jars a bad name! The positives were our service (we had 9 people and Nicole didn't miss a beat and the decor which is nice as well.
(3)Gato G.
Wow , OMG!! A real southern swank restaurant has come to davie , we had family members from South Carolina stop by and we invited them for dinner at southern swank, we were all very very impressed my uncle Timmy had the hanger steak he said it was to die for so we all had to share and ordered an extra one it was really tender and juicy . I personally liked the shrimp and grits it seemed like if it was homemade. Mamma had the pimento burger and she was thrilled I am going to stop by this weekend again can't wait ! ...
(5)Kypps P.
We got a Group On one of the best that we have used. The service was very good so was food. We really enjoyed our selves.
(5)Haroula P.
Food is really good. Great appetizers and really nice drink menu. Nice new place, great area for a restaurant since there aren't a lot of good places around there. Loved the chicken and waffles and fried green tomatoes. Good baked beans too!
(5)L F.
I went to Swank on a Saturday night for a friends birthday with a party of 6. We had called earlier to make reservations and were told they don't take reservations. So we got to the restaurant around 7:40pm and were told it would be a 2 hour wait. We see plenty of tables open and we're told they were all reserved. (But we were already told they didn't take reservations... Whatever) Around 9pm we finally get seated. We all order drinks and they take about 20 minutes to come back with them. Our waitress then informs us that the kitchen has just closed... It is 9:30pm. We ask to speak to the manager since that is completely ridiculous especially since we waited so long for a table. The owner came to the table and didn't let us get a word in. He said they were having "shortages" in the kitchen but he was going to bring out plenty of plates our way of whatever he could and we "wouldn't leave hungry." Our food and drinks were all on the house. We were served two plates of pork and beans with two small sides of Mac and cheese. FOR SIX PEOPLE. It's hard to even rate the food cause the service was so horrible. The Mac and cheese was good but nothing out of this world. We sat around waiting for more food to come because obviously those plates would not fill a party of six. We ask the waitress if there was anyway we could have cornbread and she says "they're just bringing out whatever they have they won't even talk to me." Mind you, tables all around us that were sat after us are all getting food... Chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, steak, hush puppies, etc. I don't know what was the deal with us. So I guess the waitress noticed we were still hungry and brings one bowl of chili for the table. She says in a baby voice "has anyone tried the chili?... Here have some." We all felt like dogs being fed scraps. That was the only food we were given, no dessert. We finally left and went over to Flanigans since we were all still hungry and wanted drinks. All in all, the service in this place is awful. If I could give it zero stars I would. Why open til 2am when your kitchen closes at 9:30? Never going back.
(1)Sophia M.
Completely serviceable food but not good by any stretch. You can find more tasty barbecue at smaller hometown shops (or even some decent chains). Needs less swank and more focus on flavor.
(2)Steve W.
Food was good, served very quickly with a nice presentation. Not sure why it was so empty.
(4)Desiree F.
I have been to Swank now a couple of times! If you are looking for a local place to go and relax, have a good time...this is it! The food was great! From their mac n cheese to the pork sliders! Delicious! Now..THE DRINKS. Im in love with the peach moonshine. And moonshine mondays is the best way to try it out. They have plenty of specials throughout the week which is great when you are on a budget! You just have to go and try it...and see for yourself. JUST GO. Enjoy...YOU'RE WELCOME.
(5)Thomas P.
I went here for a friends birthday with about 13 other people. The server was very attentive and accommodating, considering we moved chairs a couple times in order to fit new guests as they arrived. The drinks were ok, nothing special besides the names. I only was able to try one of the appetizers, but it was pretty good. I had the shells and cheese with bacon, very tasty! Now here is where this story takes a turn. All of the entrees seemed a little pricey, which is perfectly fine for me, if the food is worth it, but it was not. I ordered the country fried steak, which itself was nothing spectacular. It was decent, but came with nothing. So basically I paid $22 for a little piece of meat on a plate, by iteself. I also tried the ribs, they too were decent, but tasted more like ribs you get at a Chinese food restaurant. The ribs came with coleslaw....I love coleslaw, its one of my favorite BBQ sides, but this was the worst coleslaw I've ever had in my entire life. Several people at the table tried the coleslaw and agreed. The server was more than happy to replace this with another side at no additional cost, which was nice. I also got to try the hanger steak, which in my opinion, was the best meal that anyone at the table had ordered. Although it too, was a $25 meal, the steak tasted amazing and was accompanied by some pretty good fingerling potatoes. All in all this place is ok, the atmosphere was nice, but that's about it. I probably wont be coming back here... the food was just too pricey and not good enough.
(2)Lorraine H.
Food was ok- maybe a bit on the high side (3 sliders for $10) and I would say more except I had such an uncomfortable time trying to shout over the VERY LOUD MUSIC to talk to my friends that and I still have a headache
(2)Mark F.
Place is OVERPRICED and mediocre to say the least.
(1)Daniel G.
Service: The service is poor. The hostess sat us down and we waited for 15 min without menus or being visited by our waitress. After waiting I finally got up and went to the hostess to get our menus and demanded to have a waitress come. We order drinks which took way to long. After that the food took a great deal of time. I enjoy sitting and speaking to others at the table but it took way to long. When someone thinks about leaving it is way to long. They need more experienced people not inexperienced high school students. Drinks: Their signature drjnks are pretty bad. Swamps tastes like Sprite with dry ice, Old fashioned - they overpoured, it was not drinkable we sent it back. Stick with the wine by the bottle is reasonably priced and beer - reasonable prices. Food: Good overall but takes way to long I feel like this is a poor attempt to copy a real restaurant - Swine southern kitchen in coral gables, that restaurant has excellent food, excellent service, excellent drinks. Consider me one and done - will never go back
(2)Kim R.
I went with a friend on a Monday night and the place was nearly empty. We ordered the pork sliders, shells and mac, french fries, and the buffalo chicken and waffles. The french fries were just french fries, nothing special. But everything else was delicious! Ill be going back :)
(4)Frank D.
....................very very busy on SAT PM (8/1/2014) @ 9PM which was NOT my idea but i planned to drop in on a birthday party - bought a round of drinks - and go home coming into the LOT i literally parked in the LAST spot available way in the back of the property - what luck - SWANK was full busy but our waitress did come by quite often especially behind newbies arriving like me to keep the party going - some did order food and some just drinks IT IS NOT YARDBIRD according to the expert, my daughter, who shared her pork chop ($26), which was thick juicy and very tasty - the best i have had in a while and want to go back for again - DRINKs were standard and crazy concoctions of smoking green swamp water and colorful fruity things along with some goofy florida canned beer - a very wide variety - i stuck with jack on the rocks IT IS expensive (and how worth it is up to each patron to decided on the details - if hyper noisy is where you want to be - go SAT PM for sure), BUT, i understand deals can be had like WINE WEDNESDAY which would be my next visit - and i wouldn't use it but i have heard GROUPON stuff was honored - and maybe that visit will make me a FAN !
(3)Eddie N.
The Mac & Cheese is amazing! That being said, it just seems that the menu continues to improve and get better and better. Soon it will difficult to get through the Swank doors! I will be taking advantages of this place until the secret gets out!
(5)Lauren R.
Didn't live up to expectations. Food was alright, slightly over-priced. Nice presentation tho
(3)Andres P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a trendy southern restaurant in south Florida. I was pleased to find it had a very cool atmosphere. The food and service were great, especially the pimento burger (medium/medium rare was VERY flavorful). The restaurant is nice enough for a date but casual enough for dinner and drinks with friends or family (the swamp water went down pretty well too, I'll say). Will definitely be checking it out again soon!
(5)Laurel B.
I came here late, 10pm on a Saturday. It was not crowded and no I did not eat the food but my 5 star rating goes out to the bar staff and the drinks. The drinks are to die for. You have to try the caramel apple. It's awesome!!!! The fireball drink is amazing as is the peach drink. I WILL be back to try the rest. The bartender Daniel and the bar manager Ron were incredibly friendly and just all around awesome. They alone make me want to come back. We needed a place like this In between the downtown ftl and Miami scene. Can't wait to be back to check out the food (and the other specialty drinks). I love this place. Thanks Daniel and Ron!!!
(5)Brian C.
Great food! The employees know the menu and are happy to be there. Good atmosphere with live music. Watch out for the construction in the parking lot.
(5)Ryan D.
The place looks nice on the inside. Food tastes decent but it's overpriced. The waitress seemed rude and didn't care that we were there. Overall I don't think I will return.
(2)Marvin K.
So being new to YELP, though using it as a reference for years, this is a hard one to write! We did take advantage of a Groupon being offered. We went to Swank Saturday night at 8:15pm with a reservation for 8:15pm. We were asked to move aside as they were looking for the table to sit us. Within 3 minutes another couple came into the restaurant and were seated. When we asked why they were seated, we were told they had a reservation. As soon as I pointed out our reservation on their screen, they apologized and sat us immediately. I just chalked that up to hostess inexperience. We then were seated less than 25 feet from the "entertainment". IT WAS LOUD (sorry for screaming, but that is what you will have to do to listen to the people at your table!). They gentleman playing the electric piano was very into his music, unfortunately the decibel count would angry most otolaryngologists! Jessie, a newbie waitress was very sweet and dutifully took our orders (that would be Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab Hush Puppies, Shrimp and Grits and 22 oz Cowboy steak) and explained that the kitchen was behind and thanked us for our patience. So fast forward some Funky Buddah's (great Craft beer menu) and unlimited glasses of water later (or to be specific ONE HOUR AND 15 minutes), a server brought our Shrimp and Grits and Cowboy steak to the table. OOPSY, no APPS!! At that point our patience was diminished and we asked the manager to please get our APPS out ASAP. To their benefit, within 5 minutes we had our APPS at our table, but now our meal was cold - we just knew going back to the kitchen with our main courses was not an option. That said, the Fried Green Tomatoes were great! Loved the pancetta on top. The Hushpuppies had a good base, but lacked the crab advertised. The Shrimp and Grits were very flavorful and a nice amount of shrimp. The Cowboy steak was huge and well cooked (recommend medium rare to medium for that pink color), unfortunately, they loaded the steak onto the once crispy fries that quickly wilted! Sad face. So we started to feel much better about the restaurant, until we asked about the dessert. So now it is about 10:30pm and we were told the kitchen ran out of food (and dessert) - never got to see the dessert menu! To their credit, they immediately offered a glass of wine and an apology. We really wanted to love this place. We think we will - eventually. The issue is that they have been open less than two weeks and there are a LOT of kinks to work out. My suggestion is to take advantage of the GROUPON available and not go for at least a month or longer so that they can perfect what seems like a great idea! Also, near the restrooms they have a PHOTO booth to take pictures with fun hats ! Make the time to take a picture. It prints two, one to take and one to post on the wall. We took both so that there was no evidence we were at this restaurant during the first week! I hope to take another photo there and be proud to leave it next time!
(2)Bertha T.
Pork chop was mostly undercooked and had to be returned to the kitchen. Mac and cheese was ok, bread pudding, snickers pudding, and pork sliders were amazing, caramel apple moonshine was sweet and enjoyable, swamp water was all show. Burger was ok and fries were drenched in oil. Place was very packed and loud. Servers were attentive and manager was very apologetic about the raw food (comped part of the bill)
(3)Nick P.
Food was just okay for those prices. My server was a male which you see less and less of these days and he was awesome and kept my wife and I laughing all night
(3)Oscar L.
I've been hearing about this place and decided to give it a try last night. The first impression is great. I love the decor down to the butcher paper as the table cover. Very trendy place. Let's get to the important stuff. We ordered the pork sliders as an appetizer. They were phenomenal! I wish I would have ordered these for my entree. We also ordered the cornbread ($6!) and it was nothing special. My buddy ordered the country fried steak and that was huge and delicious. My wife ordered the pimento burger (she said nothing special) and I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was truly excited for this but was let down. My only complaint is that the chicken thighs are extremely fatty. Other than that, it's good, not delicious but good. My only issue with this place is the pricing. Everything is a la carte and for the type of food they're serving you can easily go elsewhere and get the same type of food. The entrees are fairly priced with the large portions you get but the little things quickly add up. I could understand the pricing if this place was in a trendy area like downtown Fort Lauderdale or Downtown Brickell or coral gables but it's not. It's in a parking lot off of University Drive in Davie. All in all the food was good but nothing special to justify it's pricing. It was good to try but I can't see myself going back.
(3)G K.
I dont get the bad reviews at all. Went here the day after Valetines on a Friday night. Got there around 7:00. Dining room was packed. Hostess was very nice and greeted us immediately. Told us 30 minute wait for the dining room or we could sit at a high top right away. My wife had no problem with the high top so we took that route. I am glad we did because the high tops filled up very quickly and the place just kept getting busier. Our waiter was a very polite guy who clearly understood the term "southern hospitality". He immediately offered us water and suggested we take our time looking over the menu. The menu was not a huge offering, but every item on it was something worth pondering. All very well thought out offerings, and certainly not things that you are going to see at Outback or Chilli's. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer and the waiter did not rush us to place our dinner order which was VERY nice because we were having fund browsing the menu. $10 bucks I think for about 10 slices nicely breaded with a DELICIOUS creamy sauce that had smoked pork in it. YUMMMMMMM. The word appetizer was definitely appropriate, because my taste buds were awakened. I came in knowing they had chicken and waffles, and despite being tempted to get the chicken in beer can gravy, I was staying with the chicken and waffles. The standard chicken and waffles is fried chicken thights over the waffles with a sage marshmellow sauce. Sounded very good, but then I saw the words. "ask your server about BLUE waffles". So I did. He said they coat the fried thighs in wing sauce and then pour a blue cheese dressing over them. I was hesitant but went for it. I WAS NOT SORRY. The blue cheese dressing is a slightly sweet take on blue cheese, so the waffles still had a bit of sweet to go with the tang of the wing sauce. I would not have every thought the flavors would marry as well as they did, but it was GREAT. We finished off with a small piece of red velvet cake for $6 bucks ( that was extremely moist and yummy but not a regular offering. (apparently it was from Valentines Day) The entire experience from entrance to exit was great. Wait staff was GREAT, despite the place being packed. Was it a cheap night out for dinner. NO. But if that is what you want go to Pollo Tropical not Southern Swank. Give it a try. You wont be sorry.
(4)Adrienne K.
I love this restaurant's unique twist on Southern style cook'in! The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. I have eaten here twice so far and due to the generous friends at my table I think I've tried almost everything on the menu. My husband's favorites are the pork sliders and the mac and cheese, great for an appetizer or a snack at the bar. The St. Louis ribs have the perfect smoky flavor. The cowboy steak is big enough to share but you'll want all of the deliciously rich herb butter that comes on top for yourself. For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, my favorite is the chicken and waffles which successfully balances sweet with savory, love the subtle sage in the sauce. The Snickers Mason Jar is a truly unique dessert and is something I will get every time it go. I don't particularly like peanuts, but they are not overwhelming. The buttery caramel sauce is to die for! Don't forget to take your pic in the photo booth in the back of the restaurant ;)
(5)Richard M.
They try hard. Good service and good attitudes. The ribs were dry and the chicken and waffles were drowning in some marshmallow sauce concoction. This restaurant is promising. The dishes are creative, but they have serious kitchen work to do. I recommend that they get rid of the electric smoker they are using. Their a are dry as a bone and the meat is overcooked. They need a real pitt-master back there getting the grilling done right! Davie is a southern style town and I do not expect this place to last long without some serious changes.
(2)Ahmed D.
Decided to check out thus new place, atmosphere seems nice. Wait for it, BUT host told us they are completely booked and that you can only get a table if you have a reservation. BUT there was at least 6 completely open tables that were so close yet so far away.
(1)Omar H.
Had a great after work date night. We really enjoyed the high quality food and pleasant service. The ribs are some of the best I've ever had (and I love Jenkins). I think it's great that they have classic western movies playing and still have a few extra TVs in case there's a game on.
(4)Patrick M.
noisy....fun....brought my kids and 80 year old mom....everybody had a good time limited menu..kinda of a trendy dining spin on southern cooking...but everything was excellent...
(4)Djamel M.
I went to Swank this past Friday night and it was incredibly packed. We had to wait a bit to get seated, but we just ordered a couple drinks at the bar. The swamp water was a nice surprise. We ordered the mac n cheese and the pork sliders as our appetizers. The mac was amazing and the sliders were to die for! For my entree I ordered the hanger steak and my wife ordered the shrimp and grits. My steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce that came on top was delicious. My wifes dish was also incredible! I didn't think the combination of shrimp + grits could be so good! The ambiance and decor were also a welcome sight for Davie. I will definitively be coming back!
(5)Jim K.
Read about this place in the paper and heard about it from others with rave reviews. Might have hit it on a bad night. Poor service. 45 min to get food and the restaurant was not even full (no wait to get a table). Ordered drinks which came quickly but asked for sugar for our one person not drinking alcohol and it never came even asked another waitress. 15 min later got it from the bar. waitress only checked up on us once during the 45 we waited for food and only with us waving her down. Noticed that she spent most of her time chatting it up with the manager. As mentioned in other posts manager seemed to be a gregarious guy but didnt quite make it to our table. Probably best as we were not very pleased. Also had to flag her down for the bill. Waited 15 min after we were all done eating for her to bring it but at some point have to get a move on. Food is fine but not worth the price. Cheescake factory is better and cheaper. Didnt get the mac and cheese which seems to be the most popular but did get the meatloaf (sucked and tiny) chicken and waffles (good) and beercan chicken (good but nothing special for 18 bucks) Grat was added to the bill at 18% which seems unusual for a party of 5. Lots of staff, great decor, food is not bad but I think they will be out of biz in a year. I will not be returning.
(2)Barry V.
Found this place by accident and was duly impressed. For a new operation (about one week old) the service was friendly, prompt and attentive. There appeared to be a number of newbies being trained but this only bolstered our impression. The food was flavorful and well prepared. Presentation was upscale and polished. The shrimp and grits was perhaps the best I'd ever had - anywhere! The only constructive criticism I could offer would be to add a small piece of corn bread as an accompaniment to the ribs and provide a moist towel or finger bowl to clean up a it after the finger sucking good S'Wings and ribs. (I will note that our trainee second server provided us with a moistened napkin and lemon wedge when he found they did not have the obligatory foil wrapped "wet-nap" I requested. Also, no mention of dessert - perhaps they were sold out but this would have only capped off a great meal. Needless to say, we will be back.
(4)Robert F.
What a disaster, from top to bottom. Service was a mess, nearly every order had a mistake. We had a person in our group with a severe allergy to bacon and yet after being instructed several times each and every dish they brought her out had bacon including the fish and the potatoes??? It took them nearly 30 minutes to refire the fish and that entree was brought to the table after we all had finished with our meals. Quality, to say poor is an understatement - all I need to say is you could smell the fish before it hit the table When we addressed it with the manager he was beyond confused and explained that the kitchen was always experimenting and they never know what they are cooking??? Seriously With all that said, not an offer for dessert or a cup of coffee and although one of our guest had to eat after we all were completed no did not even offer to comp or discount her entree - really a disgrace of a meal and we'll never return
(1)Erick L.
This place was amazing; comfort southern cuisine with a modern and fresh take by some of south florida's most talented in the kitchen. This place is intimate with a relaxed feel atmosphere.
(5)Regina S.
Today was my lucky day! I was checking my email this morning and looked through the Groupons which I never do. I saw the offer and decided to check out their menu. I did not buy the Groupon, but immediately texted my husband to tell him we were going to try that for dinner tonight. I've lived in Pembroke Pines for over 15 years and we never have any good restaurants in the area. The only place that I love is Mustard Seed which is in Plantation. All we have in the area, is either "computer, chain food" or pretty lousy mom and pop restaurants. When I read the reviews on yelp and then read their menu on the website, I knew that I would have to check it out myself. I've been to several higher end southern restaurants, such as Whisk in South Miami, Yardbirds in South Beach, Swine in the Gables, and a few in North Carolina. Swank did not disappoint me at all. Quite the contrary. I was nervous that my husband wouldn't like it, but now he's their biggest fan. We had the fried green tomatoes with a delicious remoulade, yummy white cheddar macaroni and cheese, pulled pork sliders, fried chicken and waffles, banana pudding, and snickers pudding. I also had the peach schnapps ice tea. My ten year old son had chicken tenders that were actually delicious and homemade French fries, not frozen, that tasted just like the ones my mom used to make me. The have quite an interesting drink menu and I can't wait to try another one my next visit. The ambiance was very cute. I loved the décor, the drinks in mason jars, the bill in the honey jar, the branded wood boards. There was so much attention to detail that I picked up on and really enjoyed. I could tell that this was a labor of love. It was nice enough for a date night, but comfortable enough if you have a well behaved kid with you. The staff was very friendly. The bar manager and the restaurant manager both approach us to welcome us to the restaurant. FAR from the horrible reviews that I had read on line. My opinion is that they should have never gone on Groupon, because that is what you do when your business is low so you can drum it up, not when you are starting out. I will DEFINITELY be going back and I will make sure I recommend only the friends that I have that will truly appreciate real food, not computer food, or food in bulk. But a true foodie who enjoys casual dining from real chefs, not short order cooks. I wish you guys luck and welcome to the neighborhood. I hope you do very well!
(5)Debbie L.
If you are looking for a place for a great date night or with friends...you've found it! The bar drinks were AMAZING and very creative!! From the smoking swamp water to the caramel apple, all delicious! Thanks to Ron the bar manager for your great suggestions!!! We spent 3 hours there on a Saturday night and it was great not to be rushed!! We had fantastic appetizers (pork sliders, mac n cheese and crab hush puppies). All perfectly done. The mac n cheese is especially delish! We had the Cowboy Steak which is huge and cooked to perfection, and the shrimp and grits, which was also great. Our friends also had the steak and tried the ribs, which were awesome and plentiful. We also tried some corn bread on the side. All in all we had a very enjoyable evening. The decor and ambiance are great. So nice to have a place like this which is local! Highly recommended!
(5)Phil G.
a few months back, the wife and I are driving on university drive and we notice southern swank kitchen. we thought that looks new and interesting...i looked it up here on yelp and the reviews were very mixed and there were a number of very negative well written reviews that kinda scared us off. last week a friend was absolutely raving about her newest find in Davie...southern swank kitchen...great drinks...intriguing menu...chicken and waffles...yada yada yada... we were convinced to give it a try regardless of the sketchy reviews. we went on a Wednesday night and expected it to be quiet. not the case. it was surprisingly busy. a good sign? it's a very nice, very large place with a kinda modern country flair. the hostess was very friendly and seated us immediately. Our server was Olivia and she was great. very friendly and attentive. the strawberry basil martini was delicious and i had a craft beer called breakfast stout that was very good too. we're off to a good start. we decided to try several small plates and thought for our first visit they would give us and opportunity to have a broad sampling of what the kitchen is serving up. we ordered, pork sliders, crab hush puppies, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. According Olivia, these are some of the best sellers. clearly there are some consistency issues at southern swank kitchen. if you look at the photos that have been posted here on yelp everything looks beautifully prepared and presented. that's not the experience we had. the crab hush-puppies are supposed to a crap cake, hush puppy fusion. unfortunately it not a good crab cake and a bland boring hush puppy that was tossed in a basket. (nothing like the photos). they were served with a scallion mayo that was nasty and didn't compliment the dish at all. that chain restaurant with the red crustacean has much better hush puppys. the fried green tomatoes were acceptable even though the tomatoes and the breading were poorly seasoned. the remoulade or aioli they were topped with saved the dish. the pork sliders were the dish i was most looking forward to tasting and that was disappointing too. it felt like they were running out of pork and were under portioning to stretch it out for the night. there was almost no pork on the buns. what was there was quite tasty and the combination with their slaw and the pickle were very good. i think a significantly larger amount of pork would have put it over the top (like what is in the photo's here) the mac and cheese is also delish. but...it wasnt hot enough. it had a panko top that probably was supposed to be browned under the broiler and it would have made a huge difference in both the presentation and the temperature. finally, we had the carrot cake for desert. it was an interesting presentation in a mason jar. the flavors were very nice and figs and walnuts added a pleasant twist from traditional carrot cake, the mascarpone frosting was the weak spot. while tasty the consistency was way to runny and gave the impression maybe this was sitting out too long before being served. I had high hopes for southern swank kitchen. i'll probably go back to try the chicken and waffles...probably not on a weeknight
(2)Bryan S.
My wife and I decided to try out Swank after I flew back in from Dallas on a Thursday night Dec 19. We were very excited, and really were looking forward to some southern cooking for modern flair - my wife had a craving for comfort food and Shrimp and Grits since Creolina's and Hi-Life Cafe closed. I do want to say we were using a Groupon - some people may be turned off by my review because it was a discounted meal, but that had no bearing (PS - please remember to tip wait staff on FULL price of meal, not the discounted price when you use Groupon). 1st Impressions Swank took over the old Guardian Pools location on South University Drive, not hard to find....but real difficulty wit parking. Be careful about parking in the back - it looks like there is a repair or dealership back there, and there is no turnaround - so you have to back out...into cars coming in trying to find a spot. Better to park just south in the little office building next door, next to the construction. They don't tow. Many people have complained about the décor, layout, and noise - I actually liked the urban feel inside, and the patio outside. My wife thought it was noisy, I liked the vibe. Tables were laid out well, did not fee like I was on top of my neighbors. Bar had specialty drinks listed (I didn't try any) - and nice they put the prices with them (nothing like trying a special drink and getting hit with a $15 charge because no one told you price!). I am still trying to figure out why western movies were playing in a southern restaurant, and why they asked you for your favorite John Wayne quotes. Something amiss there. Service Our waitress was nice with a southern/western name. She was very nice, but needs more training. My wife had arrived before me, and it was nice that the waitress left us a bit to talk. My wife was disappointed that Shrimp and Grits were moved from dinner to appetizer and asked if we could do an entrée portion, we would pay the difference. Waitress said yes we could have as an entrée - but portion size would be the same. So answer was really "no". We asked about specials of the day, and were told there were none.She never asked management. When appetizer came out, there we no plates, they came back 2 minutes later with plates. We then placed our order,. and had to ask what the fish of the day was (remember we had asked about specials already). When my ribeye came, there was no steak knife, and when we ordered a shared dessert they only brought one spoon. There was a lack of attention during the meal and after - such as getting refills on ice tea - and difficult getting the bill. Waitress was good about asking manager if we could do an upsell on the Groupon so that I could get the ribeye, and it was not a problem. Overall, service needs to be improved. Food Menu is VERY limited, we expected more options, and we wanted to try a few things and share them. And since the shrimp and grits were not an entrée that left us with mostly meat decisions. We also did not really care for the Shrimp and Grits - overcooked, and swam in the sauce. It was more Shrimp on top of Grits. We ordered the St Louis Ribs and the bone-in ribeye. Ribs were hit and miss: I had two that were fall of the bone tender, and then more that were gristly, hard to chew. I liked the sauce, but my wife prefers drier ribs. The rib eye was cooked perfectly, but was tough - and they didn't bring a steak knife to cut it...I had to ask for one. Funny part I liked my wife's ribs better than my ribeye, and vice versa. the steak was bland with little seasoning other than the butter. We ordered a banana pudding for dessert - which came in a glass. Way too much whipped cream before finding the pudding, and as mentioned above only came with one spoon. By the way, it seems all desserts were pudding or bread puddings when we were there. Prices We felt the prices were reasonable for an upscale casual restaurant. Some people have mentioned the Davie location and that the prices should be lower - remember Armadillo Café used to be in Davie as well. Drinks were reasonably priced. Overall Impression Not impressed, had high expectations based on the other reviews. Was it terrible? No - but the combination of service issues and food issues means we probably will not be back. More misses than hits, and we waited till Swank had been open a while before trying it. I did send an email to the management about the service issues, feeling they should be aware so that they could improve, but have not heard back from them. I think that is more disappointing than the meal we had - but perhaps this is a reason why service inside was not up to level of standards we expected. We were hoping for a replacement for Creolina's and Hi-Life Café, it looks like we will have to continue to search.
(2)Melanie S.
Stopped in on Saturday night. Just two of us so we decided to sit at the bar. Daniel was friendly and attentive. We tried three appetizers tonight: shells and cheese, pork sliders and the crab hush puppies. Food was delicious. Service was quick. Will definitely be going back to try some of their entrees.
(4)Gayle L.
Southern Swank's curb appeal as I drove up made me smile. When I went in, I didn't know what to expect, but the decor was amazing. It was Southern with a twist. The artwork on the wall was great!.. I was greeted with a smile and seated. Now, on to the food... My sister and I ordered the small plates: sliders, fried green tomatoes, green bean casserole, and the crab hush puppies. How they were plated was creative and everything was so tasty! I have to say that the green bean casserole was my favorite--so savory. We also had drinks that were infused with herbs. So regular gin and tonic was infused with rosemary.. it gave it more depth. Overall, I was very pleased with Swank! I will be going back!
(5)Sommer W.
Amazing atmosphere! Yummy food! Good service! Chicken and waffles and crab hushpuppies..... My favorites so far. I will Definately be back to try the rest of the menu! You want something different than your typical chain sports bar.... Come here. Good drinks and the game was on! Love it! Winning in my book! (-;
(5)Jennifer L.
I am so upset at this place. Our server was Andrew and i tell you he really made the experience horrible not only was he rude but he acted like it was a bother when i had asked questions about the menu. It felt as if he took care of everyone elses table a round us but rolled he's eyes when i was for a refill on my drink. I would have to flag him down just to get him to notice our table, it felt like he was avoiding our table. I would look around at the other serves and wished that they had taken care of us instead. The food came out cold and in my opinion i feel like it didn't taste as good as i thought. I had the beer can chicken which came out dry and tasted l Iike its been just sitting there for a while and my husband had the hanger steak he said it was no big deal he could of had it better some where else. I don't know maybe it was because the server had mad me mad all i wanted to do was leave. I only came to this restaurant because it was new and the decor look intriguing. Truthfully I really wanted to like the place the atmosphere was nice, drinks were awesome, we had something called Swamp water it was nice it had bubbles coming up and smoke, my daughter thought it was cool. I don't know if I'll be back or not
(1)Kasey P.
I'll keep this short and sweet. The ambiance of the restaurant is charming as well as the staff. Fried green tomatoes and the mac and cheese appetizers were delicious! My fiance and I will order those two each time we stop by. They have an array of beers and specialty drinks to choose from and when we weren't happy with one of the drinks we ordered, they happily replaced it with a new drink. (You know, sometimes you cringe at the thought of sending something back). I ordered the Chicken and Waffles and my fiance ordered the St. Louis ribs. Presentation of the food earns 5/5 stars. My chicken and waffles weren't anything special. The waffle was delicious but the chicken was just...fried chicken, nothing fancy. The ribs were pretty good but again, nothing special. We will be back, but next time we're going to ask the waiter for their suggestions and hope for a perfect outcome on the food.
(4)Cindy L.
This was our first time here and we were beyond amazed and happy. First off it was very home feeling and the people that work there were very nice and helpful. The pork sliders were amazing and if u need a kick to them( which u don't) but if so ask for their BBQ sauce and it is absolutely amazing Next is the burger, chicken and waffles, and the corn bread. The food was amazing and tasted amazing. I suggest that if you want to try something new then try this, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)L D.
It was a cute restaurant/bar. They had several TVs playing old western movies in the background.I enjoyed how the food was presented. There was also a little stage area in the front which seemed like there was possibly a live music night, but not during the night I dined. Overall it was OK. It wasn't bad at all, yet not super impressive either. When I arrived with my family, we stood there for a few minutes. Apparently we entered through the bar entrance and not the restaurant entrance (which we didnt notice the difference nor the option of another entrance) and just stood there without initially being acknowledged. The bartender looked at us several times before finally telling us to go to the other side....which was literally three steps to the side of the bar. They couldn't have said something earlier? Obviously we weren't there to kick back some shots given that we had 2 young children standing with us and a bewildered look as no one approached us until serveral minutes later.Keep in mind it was a slow monday night!!!
(3)Sandra B.
I thought this restaurant stood out amongst others in the area. The food was really good (every item we ordered was great), and the atmosphere was awesome.
(5)Amy Jo A.
Needs more and better atmosphere. Would like to see Davie residents give this place a try. Menu okay. Happy hour? Not sure it's working.
(2)Jelly W.
It's hard to find good southern style cuisine down here so we were excited to try this place out. The sliders and almond butter with the cornbread were pretty good. We tried the chicken and waffles and ribs. I think chicken and waffles would've been better without the marshmallow sauce (way to sweet, better to ask for it on the side). The ribs were just ehhhh, nothing special. Glad we went with a Groupon, nice place but I wouldn't pay regular menu price for the food.
(3)Rachia G.
On Monday, December 2nd, my mother and two sisters invited me to join them for dinner at Swank Southern. I thought it just some barbeque place however it was absolutely delicious food with an upscale southern twist. The hospitality was warm by not only our server but by the owner, Alex, who stopped by our table. I had the wings with their special sauce. My sister and mother had the beer can chicken and my other sister had their chicken and waffle. Everything was great and we are sure to return. This is a must try.
(5)Eric W.
Let me start by saying I wanted to give Southern Swank Kitchen 5 stars Soooo much! But the service was so bad I just couldn't do it Me, my girlfriend my brother and my girlfriend's best friend came for dinner. There was live music which I enjoy but it was just a tad bit too loud, I would have liked to be able talk a little bit, but it wasnt a big deal. The hostess sat us in the bar room and I asked for a booth, she told me "I put you at this table, its good" I dont understand why we couldn't just have a booth since there was an open one right next to us. Anyways after waiting for 30mins my brother and girlfriend's best friend decided they couldn't wait any longer and told me they were leaving, so I had to actually get up and ask the hostess what the deal was. About 8-10 minutes later a waitress finally got our drink orders but not our food. After 45 minutes we knew what we wanted so as she left I had to call her back to let her know we were ready. The table shared the crab hush puppies which were good but not great. I ordered the pork chop and beans. The pork chop was excellent but the beans were a little too sweet for me. My girlfriend got the chicken and waffles and told me she enjoyed them. My brother had the country fried steak, I had a bite it, was really good and my brother told me he really enjoyed it. My girlfriend's friend ordered the shells and cheese but by the time it came out she told us she had lost her appetite. For dessert we shared the carrot cake which I did not care for but my brother liked, it just seemed like a little bit of food and was not anything special for $7. But let me tell you this was probably the worst service I have ever had. Not once were any of our drinks refilled. My brother asked 3 times for a water, which never came. The food was very good but it was cold because the waitress's were too busy having fun and talking rather than simply bringing out food on time. Seriously I dont think im asking a lot here. Not once did the waitress even say sorry which to be honest would have made me feel like she cared, but she didn't. My girlfriend's friend even went to complain to a manager, which I have never seen her do. She told me he said "o really". Lol im sorry ive been a manager and whoever this guy is had no control over the restaurant and did not seem to care one bit, our poor service was just as much his fault for under staffing and not keeping his staff in line as it was the waitress for overall horrible service. It really is a shame I love the food and the atmosphere but im embarrassed to recommend this place because of the service. I live in the area and have for years now, the spot this restaurant is in has been a death trap for business for years, but I think if Southern Swank Kitchen can get its service issue in line they will be around for a very long time. If I were the owner I would fire the entire staff except for the cooking staff, the service and overall management was that bad and that big a mess. The food is pretty expensive, im not complaining about that im just saying if im going to spend $50+ On me and my girlfriend when I come in I think I at least deserve a refill on my water, warm food, and the opportunity to order another beer which I didnt have since the waitress never asked or came back to the table to check up on us. In her defense it didn't really seem like the bartenders or managers were helping very much. We arrived at around 9:30 and didn't leave till around 11:30, there is no reason we should have had to wait around that long. I really hope Southern Swank Kitchen can get it together because the food is great, it really is a shame I couldn't give them the 5 I feel they deserve. The service really was just that bad. Food-A Atmosphere-B Pricing-B Service-F
(2)Kathi V.
Since we are Foodies, who loooove southern food, we could not wait to have supper at this restaurant. We drove all afternoon to get here, picked up our kids, and headed over for our 7:30 reservation. Stephanie brought our drink order which included bottled 8 oz diet cokes. The bottles were cute, but the price was not listed on the menu and neither was the fact that there are no refills. She came to get our order and said they were out of 3 of the 8 entrees. My husband decided not to order anything. After everyone else had placed orders, she came back to inform us that they were not out of those entrees, the "grill had been down." My husband ordered a pimento burger and two others changed their order since their original choices were suddenly available. The appetizers came and we really liked the crab hushpuppies and shrimp n grits. The fried green tomatoes were cut too thick and the only flavor was from the sauce. We all ordered something different so we could all try each others food. Our entrees came and I had the ribs which were old, tough and I didn't care for the sauce. The slaw had no flavor. My husband did not care for the burger. My son enjoyed the meatloaf and thought the pumpkin puree was awesome; the pumpkin was a perfect compliment for the meatloaf. However, it came in a very small iron dish with no side dish. His wife had the pork chop. She could not eat it and they tried to cut it with a steak knife and could not cut it. She sent it back. She did eat the greens and beans. My other son had the chicken n waffles which was small compared to the other versions we have ever had. It had a marshmallow sauce (unique and delicious) and was satisfactory. His wife had the hanger steak which was excellent; the steak came with fingerling potatoes and bits of thick cut bacon. We ordered dessert and they were out of the one we ordered. The bill came and they added gratuity on a party of 6. The bill was over $180.00 for a party of 6. No soup, no salad, no bread, no refills .....Since a manager never came to see why we sent a plate back, my daughter in law ASKED for to speak to one. A long time later the floor manager walked over and when told about the pork chop said, huh, wow and shrugged. Since our card had already been swiped before he made it to our table, she asked why they didn't remove it, he again hemmed and hawed with no answer. He then went to talk to the owner only after my daughter in law insisted. The owner was walking around all night taking pictures. After we got tired of waiting, we got up and started to leave, the floor manager finally reappeared and handed us a card for a free appetizer.... We handed it back... We are not interested in returning.... Enjoyed the decor, the service from our waitress was excellent. If you go, beware of what you order if you are really hungry or thirsty. Overpriced.
(2)Dee C.
Delicious food. Definitely recommended the place for a date night as the atmosphere is very nice. Decor is modern chic and the staff is dressed in plaid shirts and boots. The food is served in skillets on top of a cutting board. We ordered mac & cheese, cornbread, chicken & waffles, ribs & wings. Everything was good especially the mac & cheese and the cornbread that comes with this cinnamon butter. Would definitely recommend this place for a nice meal. Service can be a little faster as their menu is not that extensive but overall good food.
(4)Marlen T.
The food and ambience was great and upbeat. The waitress was very nice and had great suggestions for drinks and food. The shells and cheese/corn bread were to die for! Will definitely be coming back soon! :)
(5)Lisa R.
Went with a group of 6. Atmosphere is great, cool decor. Menu simple and paper with a little sparkle (nice touch). Drinks good overall, though mine somehow reminded me of a scented candle (caramel apple drink). The appetizers were all delicious-pork sliders, fried green tomatoes. A few of us had the chicken and waffles and hubby hubby got the blue chicken and waffles. Now having had some AMAZING chicken and waffles just last week at a different restaurant, I should have known better than to order the chicken and waffles here. The marshmallow sage sauce just did not hit the spot for me (too sweet), the chicken too greasy. I do have to say that the blue chicken and waffle was much better. The other plates included-shrimp and grits (good shrimp, bad grits), ribs-good, and a burger. We did not try any desserts. I will be back to try a few other things but I was a little disappointed on this first visit. It is nice to have different options in Broward and I would like to support a small business like this one but they will have to step it up a notch.
(2)Aries R.
So I have this groupon deal so I go with some friends out to this new establishment and when I first arrive they couldn't accommodate my party of 6 with two kids which they tried to convince us that a booth would fit us all which that was a mistake from the beginning and a warning sign this place was in the shambles. So we decided to wait until a better table became available so we decide to grab a drink at the bar and wait but when we stood at the bar waiting for a bartender to approach us a couple that had been sitting there for 25 min decided to leave due to no one has tried to approach them for a drink order which made us again wonder WTH is going on here and when we started to monitor the waiters and tables we noticed almost every table was either pissed off or walking which we than counted 6 table getting up and walking out. I told the manager that we are skeptical about their place and we were going to continue to stay to try them out since we had a groupon deal. Bottom line is the food is good but not wow and not worth the amount they are priced at. Second their times are from 4pm to 2am but the kitchen closes at 10pm which I find strange. Stay away from this place until you see a dramatic review and change of management!
(1)Andrew I.
I was not expecting to like it here because, in spite of the time I've spent in Atlanta, I'm not a huge fan of southern food. But this place was just outstanding. First, the service was fast and friendly throughout. The wife and I were looking to have a fun night, and the staff was all about bringing us drinks and shots all night. That was fun. As for the food, holy crap. The wife ordered the meatloaf which was delicious; it was served with a pumpkin garnish which was a perfect addition. I ordered the smoked BBQ chicken. Holy crap, I'm crying just thinking about it. It was so smoky, so moist and just so perfect. I ordered a 1/2 but I could easily have had a whole bird. Possibly the best fowl I've ever had, just brilliantly done. We did not have dessert as we saved our calories for booze. Anyway, in conclusion, this is a great addition to the davie restaurant scene and a sorely needed one at that. Hopefully more Miami restauranteurs will follow suit and open in the Cooper City / Davie area.
(4)Amy H.
Friends liked it, so we tried it. Cute concept. Needs work. Front of house needs some serious training. The place was empty when we got there, as in there were three tables seated. Our waiter had no idea what was in the various drinks. Asked if it was our first time there, and when we said, "yes," proceeded to give us no information about the menu or anything. Some entrees read like they come with sides, others it's not listed. Waiter did not ask if we wanted sides -- upsell! Your tip is reflected in the amount of money we spend at your table. Food was ok, not great. When I ordered a second drink, our waiter disappeared to tend to his one other table. Five minutes later, I could see my drink sitting in the service area of the bar. The bartender had no customers AT the bar and two or three other staff were standing next to my drink, looking at it, then looking toward our table. Not sure why nobody could walk the drink twelve feet to our table, but in the end, I just went and grabbed it myself. At no point did anyone clear away empty glasses or refill beverages without being asked. Waiting tables isn't hard, but the manager clearly needs to spend some time teaching these people how to do the job right.
(2)Lourdes C.
We had dinner last night at the restaurant and loved it! The pork sliders as appetizers (they give you three) were divine, so much so that we ordered a second dish. Shredded pork with smoky taste and creamy Cole slaw and dill pickle on a sweet King's Hawaiian bun. Then I had Shrimp and Grits, which again had that smoky barbecue flavor on the shrimp and the grits were delicious. My husband had the Ribs with Cole Slaw and it was plentiful and real good too. I had to have the bread pudding with Bourbon sauce and it did not disappoint, it was heavenly. Also the Raspberry Lemonade with Raspberry Vodka were great. The décor is very casual and for a Wednesday it had a lot of people. We had a southern style singer who was great. But what topped our night was the service!! I cannot say enough of Alana our waitress, and the manager and Alex the owner. All three of them were constantly going by making sure everyone was pleased, the plates were perfect, etc. That shows people who really care that their business does well and that they please their clientele. I couldn't thank them enough!! What more can you ask, great food, great fun, and great service!
(5)Bart P.
I was really excited to try this new Restaurant and must say I most likely wont be back. The food happens to be very good and the service is above average but the prices are totally crazy for the portion sizes. Three fried green tomato slices 10 bucks !!! Give me a break. I felt like a tourist being raped in South Beach , If you must eat there , My advice first go to Burger King and get a whopper then you wont feel hungry when you leave . Did the owner realize this is a neighborhood eatery not the Palm or Capital Grille, What a shame Once again greed ruins another potentially great restaurant, We gave it a shot and they struck out
(1)A.J. H.
1/26/13: Upon walking In I was quoted a wait time that was extremely inaccurate...I was told fourty minutes it was more like 1hour and 20 minutes. We were then called to be seated but when we arrived at out table, some random people had already taken the liberty of seating themselves in our high top table by the bar. The "manager " walked over for what we thought would be an assist, but it seemed more like a welcoming for the freeloading 4 when he allowed them to remain there. So, now our 1hour 20minute wait then became 1 hour and 30 minutes since we now had to wait for a new table to open. Finally, we were seated... The waitress took a while to take our drink order but came by to let us know it would be a few. 10-15 minutes later our drink and appetizer order was taken. We waited about twenty or so minutes for our hush puppies and Mac and cheese; they were awesome. Then came the painstaking wait: sixty plus minutes for our entrees that came out one....at...a...time. Well, actually, my sister's order came out first, with nothing more. We called the waitress and she said the rest was on the way. 10-15 minutes later, sliders still on the table and the rest of the table had nothing. A guy comes by and says he doesn't work there and is new but would try to help. So he takes the sliders and brings us a menu... At which point he proceeded to speak to us like morons who don't understand the difference between small plates and entrees... His attempt to explain why my sisters food came out solo. This would have sufficed as an explanation had we not made it a point to tell the waitress "I want this to come out with the other three entrees, not before!" Round two at dinner service attempt: my sister's plate came out first. Alone. Again. Then, finally the rest came, in 5 minute intervals...with the exception of my wife's plate. Then, finally, the long awaited chicken and waffles my wife orders, the last to come out. And the coldest item on the table; the waffles. They were ICE COLD. The manager (the same one who apparently doesn't work there) was very apologetic,and wanted to make things right, so they took the plate back. He left and promised to return promptly with a hot plate of chicken AND waffles. Another 20 minutes later, still waiting on my wife's chicken and waffles, the table next to us that arrived after us and no food served receives a plate of chicken and waffles. By this time my wife is livid, being that the next plate should have come To us to complete our order...not to another table that had not even been served. We call Mr. I don't work here over again...He apologizes again and promised to take care of us. My wife was having none of it and wanted to leave. Now the "manager" ( guy who graciously gave away our table) said he would take care of us on the bill for all the headache and hassles and my wife not getting to eat any of her dinner. He took off a whopping $16 for two drinks and the chicken and waffles that my wife didn't get to eat because it never made it back to our table! Felt more like and Ef You... With a $120.00 bill. You decide if we were "taken care of for all the headache and hassles." Great food but atrocious service and customer service. Mr I don't work here ambushed us outside the door after we left, even he saw the "manager didn't help the situation on the least" and asked that we give him two months and return. With service like this, it won't be in business in two months. Good luck! Better off going to Yard Bird.. At least the hassle of the drive and parking are worth the customer service.
(1)Lauren B.
Was HORRIBLE!! Me and my husband were so happy a place like this finally opened but after last night we will not be back. We ordered crab hush puppies for a stArter and they were good but prob because we were starving. Food took over 30 minutes to come and when it did it sucked. Well mine did. Considering I'm 7 months pregnant I got served raw chicken. I ordered beer can chicken which was cold and under cooked. My husband got shrimp and grits which was good but deff not enough of food. When I sent my meal back I had asked to order something else and with my luck they were out of it! I ended up eating coleslaw for dinner :(. It was the waitresses fault but she didn't seem to care that much. I used to serve tables for over 8 yeArs and this place will not last! I'd rather get some home cooking from Popeyes.. Lol yep it was THAT. BAD!
(1)Jennifer C.
Ok....Yelp makes you give at least one star ...so that's what they got. Cold food.....Mac and cheese with pork belly and fried green tomatoes confused the kitchen. So we had fried green tomatoes with pork belly and Mac and cheese....ok small mistake. Party of 4....one of us orders ribs.....big mistake. Every other table around us got ribs. But after 30 minutes of letting management know that we didn't get our dinner, we still waited only to watch the waitress bring the table next to us a plate of ribs. The co-owner (in pink shirt....he knows who he is) was terrible! No apology..... Only when we stormed out did he said "you still don't have your food?" The 2nd owner was reasonable. But still....won't be back. Don't recommend wasting your Friday night.
(1)Jorge H.
I went there last night after reading a review in the local paper. the place looks good, I sat at the bar, and I already knew what I was going to eat. Ordered the beer can chicken, and I asked not to bring me french fries, but any kind of greens instead, and I specified " it doesn't matter if you have to charge me for it" when I saw the the no way attitude from the server. I asked for some Collard Greens that is one of the ingredients in another dish they have in the menu. I said "just charge me for it", I was turned down again, but the server brought me a salad instead. The chicken had a good presentation, but it seems the buy their stuff at Sysco, because it was absolutely tasteless. Overall bad experience. By the way two more patrons seating at the bar asked for something different than french fries with their orders and thy were turn down too. I thought a new restaurant in the neighborhood will try to satisfy new customers. I own a business less than 2 minutes from the place, and I could take 100 customers and friends, now I will tell 100 people not to go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(1)An K.
I ate the chicken & waffles and split the banana pudding for dessert. Food is good but prices are high in comparison to the portions.
(3)Katie T.
Thought we would go grab a quick Thursday night bite and a drink- we pull in and the parking lot is full- uh-oh!! But we decide to go in and at least see what is going on. We walk in and look around, at least 1/2 the tables have reserved signs...uh-oh. But we brave on... We find the hostess- a 45 minute wait she says oh-no.. but we can wait at the bar... that could work. $3. domestics and wells.. ok looking up. We check out the beer selection. Not bad, many small craft beers represented including our favorite Funky Buddha- things are getting better. After half a beer we find seats at the bar. We look over the drink menu- the specialty drinks look delicious so we figure we will try one. Bartender asks if we would like to order food.. Really? at the bar?? whatever we want??? Yes please!! So we oder the Pork Sliders and the Green tomatoes. We also order the Caramel Apple Moonshine drink and the Ring of Fire. Both delicious! Food come out- awesome! The sliders were a great combination of spicy and sweet and the tomatoes were delicious with a corn meal batter. After drinks we decide we are ready for dinner. He had the chicken and waffles- they have been reviewed and were every bit as goos as reviewed. I had the beer can chicken.. I make this dish at home but I hang my head in shame now. There was GRAVY in a PBR beer can!! Enough said!! I will add tha tthe skin was perfectly crunchy while the meat was super moist and perfectly smoked. Even though the place was packed and they were obviously over staffed our service was great! I have seem the reviews stating otherwise- but it was far from that for us tonight- we had 3 or 4 different bartenders making sure we had whatever we needed.. even with them being extremely busy with 2 huge birthday parties. I would recommend trying this place out. Check them out on FB- they have great drink specials every night. We are looking forward to going to Sunday Funday to try out the Cherry Long Island Ice Tea!
(5)Jena M.
I wonder if they forgot to put some of the ingredients in my mac n cheez because everyone is raving about it. I think it may be one of the worst mac n cheez I have ever had to pay for. And yes, the service is awful. She was nice, just had no clue. Said she was training. We asked who was training her and she just laughed and said myself. Highly disappointed. Live close by and was looking for a good place that was nearby. The wings were definitely the best thing on the menu.
(1)Kim B.
I was not impressed at all with Southern Swank. When we walked in, it took quite a while to be acknowledged. Everything was very slow and the ribs were terrible! I could barely get them off the bone! Definitely not worth the expensive price. I will NOT go back or recommend this place.
(1)Meryl S.
Purchased a Groupon for this new restaurant. when we arrived we were told that the wait was over an hour and we were seated in a half hour. We were given menus but were unable to read them because it was so dark. When the waitress came over we told her that it we were unable to read the menu and she agreed that she couldn't read it either. Then one of the owners came over and asked what we thought. We began to tell him that we couldn't read the menus because of the lack of light and he argued and then walked away while we were talking to him. Very rude. He seemed to be texting on his phone all night. He offered up bottled water which was a refilled from the tap seltzer bottle(our waitress admitted) We ordered the pork sliders for our one allowed appetizer they brought out 3 ice cold dinner rolls with some shredded pork and pickle on them. NOT GOOD. We then waited over an hour. waitresses coming up to the table every 5 min or so to ask what we ordered and to apologize. After about an hour or so the other owner comes over to tell us that they are out of the entree that I ordered. He brings over the menu and I order the shrimp on grits. They bring it out within minutes and still have not served my husband. I send it back saying that I would like to dine with my husband. They bring out both of our dishes a few minutes later. Mine a very small dish of shrimp on grits with 4 raw green beans. Also cold! We finished and ordered our one allowed dessert (choice of pudding or pudding!) we were served a small jar of banana pudding on vanilla wafers. NOT Great. The meal came to $60.00. The value of the Groupon was supposed to be $77.00 however they do not allow you to order any more food such as another appetizer or desert or even a salad or drink. This is a scam. They do not offer any complementary bread or anything. We had to ask for silverware and napkins! I will be calling Groupon on Monday to ask for my $41.00 back. I will not be going to this place again. I don't see this place lasting 6 months. Everyone in the restaurant was complaining.
(1)Seth K.
Great ambiance with a "Swanky" decor that is both inviting and not overdone. The appetizers we had were amazing (especially the hush puppies and sliders). The unique specialty drinks were both great price and delicious.Very reasonable price and is great date night. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)Mark D.
Disastrous Night. Where do I start? Sat night, tried to book in for 2, but they only take 6 or more for rez. OK, turn up, 45 min wait, loads of people hanging around for a table, more than half the tables empty. Hmmm, check back at Host stand after 20-25 mins. Wait is now 1.5 hrs. hmmm. Decide to stay, grabbed last stool at bar plus 1 from empty table (still empty tables, loads of people waiting). Cocktails - OK, Wine List - v ordinary, Shrimp n grits OK (decent diner quality), Fried Gr Tomatoes (OK, nice remoulade), Collards side, swimming in vinegar, filet decent, Hangar Steak sent back twice, in the end meat OK but the composition of the dish reflected the overall performance of the restaurant: a shoddy mess up which made no sense. Could be a good concept if they bother training their staff in ALL aspects of restaurant management. UNTIL THEN, It's Giddy Up to Elsewhere Town Folks....
(1)Roxanne H.
We had mixed feelings after reading the reviews but very glad we chose to try it. The service is very prompt and friendly and our apps arrived quite quickly. The fried green tomatoes were exceptional - slightly al dente and came with a very nice remoulade sauce with an interesting kick. The pulled pork sliders were also quite tasty and had a hidden little surprise under the pickle (jalapeño). The cornbread was good and comes with a cinnamon icing in place of butter - curious combo. Prices are consistent with the quality of food in my opinion - the chicken fried steak is tenderloin so I don't understand what all the bitching is about from other reviewers. It was quite delicious but could have been trimmed a little better. The meatloaf with pumpkin purée has a very unique flavor and was the best part of the meal. Our only complaint is the collard greens did not have enough fat and needed to be cooked much longer. We will definitely be back for more!
(4)Michelle L.
I was in Davie last week attending a conference and stopped by Swank for for drinks and dinner. The atmosphere had a chill vibe with a variety of music. The decor is southern rustic with some western and modern influences. The photo booth and chalk board paint behind the bar are added fun details to the overall experience. Now the food...I had an assortment of the apps. The pork sliders and Mac and cheese were by far my favorite. They had layers of flavor and weren't overpriced. They were AMAZING! The drinks were both creative and delicious! I tried the Caramel Apple and Raspy Lemonade. Honestly, I could drink them all night they were so good! I went again later in the week, and they had drink specials...can't remember on which day though. There was also a guy playing a variety of live music and he was great! In any case, my first glass of wine was a penny and it was pretty good (the house Cab). I also tried a signature drink called The Swamp Water. If you're intrigued...I recommend it. We ordered the sliders and Mac and Cheese, again, and also tried the chicken and waffles, pork and beans, and hand cut fries. We also tried their desserts - one was created to taste like a snickers bar...calling all chocolate lovers. I live in Miami, and although it's a bit of a drive, I'll definitely be visiting Swank again!
(5)Sandy B.
The food made the evening better, but so much went wrong. This place needs a lot of help in the service area. Starting from when we made a reservation 2 days in advance. Received a call the next night canceling our reservation for their employee holiday party. Quickly got past that and was able to keep our reservation, well after a quite a discussion. Showed up, had okay bar service. Was seated, had time to review menu with some mouth watering entree choices, just to be told the grill was broken, whoops, not the case, they were just out of 4 of their 7 choices. Finally decided, ordered (with no accommodations for substitutions). Ordered a bottle of wine, white wine, nothing to keep it cold, but they did come through and make it happen :). Next ordered red wine, they were out of the three reasonable choices, but the management was kind enough to honor the lower price on that bottle, mucho appreciated!!! Food was delicious, no major, if any issues there. Overall, service needs work, food is good! Another point to share in case you were wondering, the staff sure does clean up well for their holiday party!!!
(2)Lynn B.
Very disappointing! We had high hopes for this place - its fairly local and the menu sounded great. Our party of 6 arrived at 6:15, and the hostess was completely flummoxed on what to do with us. She said the only available table was a high top in the bar. There were at least 7 four tops available - and when we suggested she put two of them together, she said she'd have to find the servers and ask if they would mind sharing the table. Huh??? Should not have been that difficult. We wound up taking the table in the bar. After ten minutes of not being acknowledged, we started our 60 second count down before we were going to get up and leave. The bartender made it to us just in time, which in retrospect wasn't a great thing. He seemed very busy, but once he took our orders he became a decent server. The timing of the meal was a bit odd - one person was having a wings appetizer as dinner, but it came out at the same time as the other apps. On to the food... very mediocre. Blah. And somewhat expensive for blah. I had chicken and waffles - the two quarters of waffles were the same quality you can get on a free motel breakfast buffet. The chicken was DRY, tasteless and boring. Did I already mention dry? I was actually trying to scrape more of the marshmallow sauce onto it just to get it down. Husband ordered the ribs. When you are ordering $18 ribs, you expect a rack. Or at least a filling portion. There were six ribs, not very meaty, and not very tasty. They were accompanied with cole slaw that was okay. Two others ordered the burgers, which were decent enough but for $14 you would expect "WOW" which they certainly weren't. The wings were so-so. The mac and cheese very good, and the crab hush puppies excellent. There was no kid's menu, so our little one had french fries for dinner. Credit where credit's due - the french fries were wonderful. But seriously - $130 and four of us left hungry. Just not quite sure what this place really is. It's not southern cooking - not a collard green in sight! It's not a barbecue joint. It's not a steak house, or a burger place... Whatever it is, it's definitely off our restaurant radar.
(1)Annthia P.
HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT. Gave the restaurant 1 star because the waitresses were extremely nice and their services were up to par. came in with a large party of 20 or more and all were upset with the management of this place. Won't be comming back.
(1)Lillian A.
Food was good but portions were too small and prices were too high. Servers seemed inexperienced. Food took way too long to come out. Begged for more water 4 times. .server was putting the dirty dishes away in an odd spot in the front of the store front. Parking in the back is odd...lots of crap laying around on a picnic table. Had too look at overflowing trash bins.
(2)Susan P.
Love this place!!! Been her twice now and definitely going back again and again for more. It can't get any better all of the partners are really friendly and appreciate your feedback and that doesn't happen very often. I've tried the mac and cheese, chicken and waffle, swings, ribs, snickers desert. Everything was amazing quality food and definitely a great location. I can't wait to try different things as well next time because there are so many things that I want to try. They also had a live band tonight (Friday) :-)
(5)Briana B.
Southern comfort food and live music...what more could you ask for?! Went to Swank a couple weekends ago and overall was very satisfied with the experience. Being that they are brand new to the area I didn't expect perfection, but was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant it is tastefully decorated, photo booth and all, and has a great vibe. The large bar makes waiting for a table or grabbing a quick drink a breeze and the great cocktails make the experience even more enjoyable. I had the Georgia Peach, delicious! The food was excellent as well. I tried the Crab Hush Puppies, the Pork Sliders and my new favorite, the Shells & Cheese. Will definitely go back again to try other items off the menu. Yum!
(5)Randall S.
I was very excited at the site of the menu and presence of a restaurant like this in Davie. It's usually only found in FTL or Miami. Made a reservation for 7 pm, the table wasn't ready so we were seated at a bar height table on the bar side. We weren't greeted by anyone for a minimum 10 min. The table wasn't set. A bartender eventually came to greet us after we mentioned to the hostess that we hadn't been seen yet. She took out drink order, and 5-7 minutes later 3/4 drinks came. We held out on the cheers for another 5 minutes before approaching the bar to remind them of the 4th drink. We reminded them 3 minutes later. Eventually we get the drink. For appetizers - fried green tomatoes (good but not crispy), shells and cheese (good), and hot wings (very good; tangy, sweet, and spicy all at the same time). However, we were served this food without flatware. Entrees - chicken and waffles with marshmallow sage sauce- crispy, good chicken, I wish I had more waffle. Hangar steak- very good, great flavor, a bit of char on the outside. Filet mignon was tender and interesting jalapeño sauce/purée. Slow roasted BBQ pork sliders- good but not great. Through all of this, we asked 3 different people for a round of waters and eventually got one glass. Plates were left empty in front of us way too long despite visits from service staff. Bottom line, I'll give it one more try because the area needs a place like this, but if the service doesn't improve DRAMATICALLY, I won't return and I suspect others won't either.
(3)David G.
This was the third time I went to Swank and will definitely be my last. Here are the main highlights of my evening... We (party of four) walked in and stood at the front hostess stand for a few minutes while the hostess sat at the bar and watched us. It wasn't until we asked someone else for help that she decided to get off her barstool to seat us with a very unconvincing "sorry". Our waiter, Andrew R., thinking he was hiding it, was texting on his phone while we were trying to order. The food took forever to come out (there was no one else in the restaurant at this point) and, when it finally did, it was brought out one dish at a time. Two $29 prime rib specials, both ordered medium rare, came out well-done. The waiter did not come back to check on us so I went to the back to tell him about the overcooked meat (once again, he was texting). He came over, apologized, and instead of offering to remake it, offered us a free round of drinks. We accepted and a few minutes later he came back to tell us that the bar was closed and my wife could not have her cocktail. A few cheap beers do not make up for $60 of charred prime rib. Then of course, after having a few sips of my beer, I realized there was a fly in it. While all of this was going on, we watched as people entered the restaurant at 11:20pm and were told by the staff that they were closed, even though the restaurant advertises that they are open until midnight. If you are thinking about trying Swank, my advice is don't waste your time and money.
(1)Stephanie F.
Yelp review before we even leave!! These guys worked out all the kinks from the initial opening and are starting brunch soon. We managed to get a sample of new menu and it is ridiculously good! Fried house made pickles are tender and don't even need the creole mayo, but dang that's good too. We also tried Hangar steak and eggs and the Pulled Pork Rueben. Both were outstanding!!! The sandwich didn't need the side of fries, but again so good, especially with the Tobasco Ketchup. I need a nap and a work out!!
(5)Isabella B.
I'm at student at Nova University (right next door to swank) and I'm so excited we finally have a restaurant nearby that's nice, not too expensive and delicious. I stopped by with my boyfriend on last night and shared corn bread, Mac and cheese, and the beer can chicken. The corn bread was good, warm and moist. The Mac and cheese were by far the best I've had; they were creamy, cheesy, and had little chunks of a sweet pork belly. The beer can chicken was also really good and flavorful and the presentation of all the dishes are very cute! I had heard a lot about the specialty drink from my classmates and tried the swamp water. Although it was strong for my taste, it was really tasty and refreshing. The cute candy worm coming out of the mason jar served as a good chaser ;) The servers were really sweet, however, they did seem a little flustered from all the commotion in the restaurant. it's safe to give them props since they've only been open for a week. my favorite part was leaving with a cute pic of my boyfriend and I from the photo booth :) we also made it to the "swank bank"... very clever! I'll definitely be back soon.. maybe next time with my girls for a "study session" :)
(5)Mark A.
I don't think it quite met the hype I had. I expected pretentious bbq. Check. I expected the swanky ambiance for a southern joint. Check. I ordered the St. Louis Ribs. I'm no fan of saucy bbq so that was a plus for me. The apple cinnamon was nice. The meat was tender and came right off the bone. It had a bit of a kick though. I was not expecting it based on the description in the menu. No big deal. I tried Acelyn B's pulled pork sliders. Pretty solid. Our friend ordered the Blue chicken & waffles. To me, that was the highlight of the food on our table. Though, I don't think I'd enjoy the whole plate. The sample was sufficient enough for me. I like the sweet flavor it brought. Where it went south... not in a good way. Service was fine... until our water glasses went empty. Mine was the last to drain so I didn't notice it as soon as my dining mates. Their glasses had been empty for a much longer duration of time. Tsk tsk. Another downfall was my ole fashion. I had high expectations with the bourbon. I mean, it is a southern joint. My drink came out with muddled cherries, an orange slice, and ice chips. Strike 1. Strike 2. Strike 3. You're out! I was sorely disappointed with the "old fashioned". For me, this is a HUGE hit to my rating. There is one slightly saving grace though. There's a photo booth in the back. Have some fun with your company and take some pictures. Post them up on their walls or keep it for yourself. Whatever tickles your fancy.
(3)Sandra D.
I was so excited to finally go to Southern Swank. I wanted to try the food; which looks and is delicious but most of all I wanted to try their drinks :-P We went there for brunch on Sunday. The hostess sat us down in a booth and there was loud country music playing; which I loved. The music is loud enough to where you can have a conversation and no one will hear you but still peaceful enough to enjoy a meal. Their brunch menu was very small and little expensive but looked tasty. Our waitress came and introduced herself and she seemed a bit cold; not welcoming and friendly. She wasn't rude but didn't give off that "superstar waitress vibe." To start off we ordered drinks. The caramel apple moonshine and Louisiana swamp water. The drinks came and long behold my Louisiana Swamp Water had no swamp to it. Trying to get her attention was hell. She could not stop chatting with the bartenders. It was a legit 10 minutes of me trying to flag her down. Finally I showed her my phone and asked her "Why my drink looks different?" her excuse was "We ran out of dry ice." I didn't argue but I think the reason the majority of people order this drink is because of presentation and the fact that our waitress was so nonchalant about it disappointed me. The swamp was not bad but not amazing. Tasted like $10 orange juice and liquor. They also put orange pulp in it. The caramel apple moonshine was very sweet but tasty. I think it was a little stronger than the swamp water; which I enjoyed. I would not order neither drink again though. We then ordered blue long islands. Can't go wrong with that right? We also ordered our meals which consisted of a redneck rueben and a breakfast burger. The redneck reuben was delicious so was the breakfast burger. No complaints whatever. Both sandwiches were amazing. So were the blue long islands. My only complaint were the fries they were a little too crispy for my liking. Both sandwiches with fries were $14; which seems a little pricey to me. All in all. I walked out of there with a full tummy and an amazing buzz. I will be back for dinner and the pork belly mac and cheese :)
(3)Damon D.
Southern Swank was a disappointment for us. We had high expectations from the menu and from the marketing around the restaurant, but they really didn't even come close to meeting our expectations. The food was mediocre at best, and the service was abysmal. My country fried steak that was supposed to be topped in shoestring potatoes was actually covered by them, so much so that it made the breading on the steak soggy. The steak itself was a very cheap cut (which is normal), but I haven't run into that much gristle in years. That is not what I expect for $22. Our server spent most of his time up at the pass, obviously trying to chat up some of the other servers there. We won't be going back.
(1)Katrina G.
After driving by over and over again I finally suggested going here with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. She was in the mood for BBQ and I suggested this place because it's upscale southern and I heard good things about it. Mondays and Tuesdays they have half off cocktails, I had the Raspy Lemonade and it was sweet and strong, very good. I ordered the Southern Swank Brisket Sandwich and it was delicious, I ate the whole thing within a few minutes. Other members of my family had the ribs, chicken and waffles, and the brisket burger and they all loved it. Our waiter John was very friendly and attentive. Over all great experience, my only complaint is that they don't have shrimp and grits, or any grits on their menu. Other than that it was a great dinner!
(4)Donald W.
Southern Swank is a fun Restaurant with tasty drinks, fun takes on Southern classics and even a Photo Booth. We went on a wednesday, which had a great promotion going which allowed ladies to get their first glass of wine for a penny. My friends and I ordered the crab hush puppies, there macaroni and cheese, and a bunch of their recommended specialty dishes. Some of their popular dishes are: their chicken waffles, (with marshmallow spread). They also are known for their chicken fried steak and those sweet St. Louis ribs. Once you get past the dining hall area the back is a well lit fun factory filled with a Photo Booth, music and TV screens for you to watch shows that are being played (hopefully it's sports related). I recommend going if you want a modern take on some southern comforts foods. Although the wait time can be pretty long, due to the lack of tables, the food is worth the wait and it's filled with delicious flavors.
(4)Lenya S.
This place was a good first impression. Nicely decorated with the southern look. The staff is dressed in cowboy boots with different platted shirts. We were attended to right away, no wait. Our waiter was very nice and was familiar with the menu. He mentioned the special of the day; and gave us three menus to look at wine , cocktails, and the food. I have to say they should consider consolidating the menus. For appetizers we ordered fried green tomatoes and hush puppies. The fried breaded green tomatoes didn't have any taste whatsoever, on the other hand the hush puppies were okay, at least it had taste. For the main entree, my hubby ordered the meatloaf and I ordered the ribs, with a side of fries and cole slaw. The ribs were really good. Best ribs I've had, soft and not too saucy. My hubby loved his meatloaf. The cole slaw was salty instead of sweet/tangy. Very bad taste in my mouth. For my daughter we ordered the mini burger and the patty was overcooked and hard as a rock. Not my fav place, but wouldn't mind going back to have the ribs again.
(3)Crystal C.
Tried chicken and waffles... Made me sick, ended up returning it...... However that bread pudding is by far the best bread pudding you can get in SFL! It's so close to the ohana bread pudding at disneys Polynesian resort. Holy macaroni! We only stop in here to hit the bar and grab that dessert
(3)Hilda H.
It's a high scale, BBQ/country food restaurant. The service is great. The drinks I love. Their swamp water is awesome. We eat in wood planks and steel pots. The service is great, when I came in I had the swamp water, they didn't have the dry ice because it was coming from Miami, apparently I got there first, coming from the same place, bummer. I ordered my meal the beer can chicken, which I had with cole slaw and fries, and I definitely had to order their Mac and cheese shells (to die for). My friend ordered their meat loaf which sits nicely in a pumpkin mash and some arugula. Our server was supper nice and attentive. The owner came around a couple of time to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Before I finished my meal, the ice arrived and Michael, the manager treated me to another swamp water on the house but with the full effect. I like a little far but every time I find myself venturing through Dania, I have a nice restaurant to come to, where the drinks are tough, the food is good and the the service is friendly.
(4)Angie S.
Swank is near where I work so I stop in sometimes for a drink at the bar and their bar bites. Their mac n' cheese is one of my favorites. Served in a little cast iron skillet. Really rich and delicious. Pork sliders and wings are also really good. Pretty good beer selection and the cocktails aren't bad. The caramel apple one is good if I'm looking for something sweet. Sean the bartender is really friendly. He's engaging which helped when I was there having dinner by myself. My only complaint is I wish they stayed open a little later on the weekend. The bar is big so it would be nice to hang out a little longer on a Saturday night.
(4)MICHELLE C.
Southern food, well I have to disagree, their food is not very Southern IMO. Debating on two or three stars but I just had to stick with my original feelings of two. Why? First this trend of Southern food is killing me lately. Most of these places are not very Southern. Sure the decor is. When we arrived we walked in and I immediately did not like the layout of this restaurant at all. It's an open dining room with tables very close to each other and a very few booths lined up against the wall. They have a deer head on one wall, a bar area that is small with a stage at the front of the dining area. We got seated right in front of the stage which was awkward but I did not want to try and attempt to wait for a better table for 30 minutes. Our server was great, she was super friendly and kept checking on us. We started with the crab hush puppies and I had no complaints, they were good. As I sat their looking over the menu I had a very hard time finding something to order. The menu is limited and small. Shoot after ordering a swamp water cocktail I had to choose something so I figured I would be safe with the beer can chicken. The swamp water cocktail was OK, at first I enjoyed it but after a few gulps I realized it was not for me. When our food arrived the band started to play. Sure it was loud but I really did not mind. They were a lovely band playing old school tunes that most people would have no clue unless you were born in the 60's. I did enjoy listening to them. Off to the side of my plate was a PBR beer can filled with gravy. I like gravy so I rushed to pour it all over my chicken. First bite, oh no no no! This gravy was just wrong. I quickly looked at my husband and daughter and said no way can I eat this so please help yourselves. Hubby had ordered the ribs which he said was just OK so he ate my entree as well. The cole slaw was good and the fries were not bad so I did eat them. What exactly was it in the gravy that I did not like at all. Not quite sure but it had the strangest taste ever, very bitter and super rich which over powered the chicken. The chicken was just chicken, nothing stood out to me. I thought well maybe I ordered the wrong thing but there was literally nothing on the menu that I liked. So for me this is not a place I would ever visit again. Having a Southern father born and bred in Kentucky and my mother who cooks amazing Southern food and lives in the South. ll I can say is this was NOT no where near what I am use to. Trendy, awful dining area, and a huge disappointment in the food. And I found the prices to be ridiculous.
(2)Savanna M.
Wow, I was actually plesantly surprised by Swank!! I waited until the last possible day to use my groupon since it sounded from the other reviews that they had some initial groupon hickups that I wanted to avoid. I wasn't sure what to expect when walking in, but it's clear that they've put a lot of work in to remodeling this place. One side has a large bar area and many tvs, the other side is a more formal dining area. We chose to sit on the dining side at one of the booths. My biggest complaint is that the table was a bit small for the booth and I ended up sitting on the edge of my chair to reach my food. After sitting our waitress came over to take our orders. The wine list had two prices for some - I'm assuming glass and bottle, if so the bottle prices are insanely cheap...perhaps it's for a carafe or something else, I should have asked but decided to order the swamp water. The waitress did warn me that this drink is strong but I assured her that tequila is my thing. Well, yes, it was strong lol, borderline too strong but still good and I appreciated the presentation. On to the food, we started with the fried green tomatoes and the shrimp and grits. Both were good, though I discovered I'm not much a fan of remoulade sauce - I googled and it's a tartar sauce relative which explains it, but still the fried green tomatoes were tasty. For entrees we went with the bone in pork chop over baked beans and the hangar steak. I loved my steak and it came out perfectly cooked. The plate itself was a little bit on the lukewarm side but the pork chop was piping hot. The bf proclaimed it was the best pork chop he ever had and proceeded to chew on the bone. For a dessert we shared the bread pudding, excellent and perfect sized portion where we didn't feel guilty for getting dessert! I think Swank may still need some find tuning, the menu is a bit limited and may be a bit pricey for the area, but the service I received was great (our water glasses were promptly filled) and the manager even stopped by at the end of our meal to check on us.
(4)Jessica T.
Decent food. Ambiance seemed a little cold, they needed to play music or something. They had a Photo Booth which was a unique touch for a restaurant. Great cocktails.
(3)Alica D.
My first time at Southern Swank and I loved it! Great food and nice decor. Will definitely be back, best chicken-n-waffles I have ever had.
(4)MickeyBlue I.
Nice place, lots of TV's and fairly new staff you can tell they're not that experienced. The menu looks good and is small prices seemed fair until your food arrives and you see the incredibly small portions. I had the Chicken & Waffles which was delicious, but extremely small. She had the Shrimp & Grits which I assume she liked and was also a small portion. We had a strawberry lemonade which we thought was just that, turned out to be a alcoholic beverage. For dessert I had the Banana Pudding which comes in a small mason jar and was pretty good. I might come back to try their ribs but at least I know that their portions will be small.
(3)Lynn P.
My Valentine and I had tickets for a South Florida Jazz concert at Nova's nearby Miniachi Performing Arts Center on February 14 and decided to try Southern Swank Kitchen for dinner beforehand, which was perfect because the concert did not start until 8. Our 6 p.m. dinner reservation gave us plenty of time for a relaxed dinner in advance of the show. It didn't look like we needed reservations, though, which was a surprise given that it was Saturday night and Valentine's day to boot. The restaurant seemed about 1/3 full the whole time we were there. The cocktails look and taste delicious, but I ordered two different drinks and couldn't taste a hint of alcohol in either one. The first was the Swank's version of an old fashioned, and the second was a bourbon lemonade. Given their price, over $10 each, it would seem that alcohol should be included in the drinks. We shared the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and they were delicious. The cornmeal breading was paper thin and shattered when I bit into the tomatoes, which had been sliced at just the right thickness.. Loved them. It's too bad, though, that they set these lovely fried tomatoes into a mayonnaise based sauce. It was OK, but might have been more thoughtfully placed on the side, so that purists like me could have enjoyed the tomatoes au naturel. For entrees, having been put off by the pricey drinks, I decided on something moderate but that had received good reviews online, the pulled pork sandwich. I set aside the sliced roll (whose top was branded with the word "Swank") and couldn't even begin to make a dent in French fry mountain. Between the large sandwich roll and the fries, there wasn't much else on the plate. The meat was flavorful, but definitely needed the thimbleful of sauce that the server brought with it and for which I needed a refill. Slices of fresh pickle came with the pork, but only two slices. A mouthful of meat, pickle and sauce made for the perfect bite, but alas, Swank pickles, I hardly knew ye. My dining companion got meatloaf served atop a squash puree and it was a bit weird. Both of our dishes arrived warm only, and warm closer to cold than warm closer to hot. Tepid meatloaf atop tepid squash puree is about like is sounds. I ordered collards a la carte to make sure I'd get something green, and am glad I did. They were superb. I got a laugh when the server did not know what I was talking about when I asked for vinegar peppers though, and tried to describe the tiny peppers in the Texas Pete bottle. She offered to bring me green bell peppers. Word to the wise: Swank's Southernness goes only so far. The banana pudding (not my choice, but was pleasantly surprised) was really good to share as a dessert, and nicely presented in the requisite Ball mason jar. As far as entertainment goes, SSK has A LOT of TV's all around, and that night "The Outlaw Josey Wales" was playing on a continuous loop on all of the ones in the dining room. Nothing like seeing scenes of the Union army dragging Josey's wife out of her burning house, and him sobbing on her grave, and a Gatling gun massacre to say "Happy Valentine's Day." Because I was so sober having had $20 worth of alcohol-free drinks, I was able to read on my phone about the author who wrote the book on which the film was based. He was a KKK member and a speechwriter for George Wallace. I sincerely recommend pulling that film out of the rotation, Southern Swank Kitchen.
(3)Phil K.
Perfect bear food! Excellent service Excellent pork chop, watermelon salad, chicken n waffles w/ marshmallow. We Will return yo
(5)Bianca P.
Mixed feelings = mixed reviews. I decided to give them 3 stars overall because I have mixed feelings for everything. So the place is some what hidden to the side. The decoration from the outside is pretty cool and cute. The outside patio had a cute little fountain We walked in and were greeted by two ladies. The place seemed a bit empty. There was probably half the tables seated. We were seated on a larger table for four but we were two. We had the crab hush puppies and corn bread for an appetizer. The hush puppies were well seasoned. The corn bread was very plain, if you don't use the cinnamon butter not good. (Got a little upset that the waitress didn't take it off the bill when we stated we didn't like it and only tasted it) As our entrees, we got the pork sliders, Mac and cheese, and chicken and waffles. Everything was pretty good I did not like the marshmallow sauce that came with the chicken and waffles. Mac and cheese was okay creamy lacked flavor. I title this review mixed feelings = mixed reviews idk.
(3)Charolette J.
1. They took shrimp and grits off the menu, MAJOR problem!!! You need to put it back. 2. I went for the chicken and waffles instead. IT was Soooooo salty that it LITERALLY made me sick. I had such a high view of their food, until today. I will definitely NOT be coming back for a while if things stay like this. Please fix these problems ASAP! PS. The young lady at the front, I think her name is Amy ,was super nice and accommodating. Dylan was good with his service recovery, but nothing can fix BAD food.
(1)Ronald L.
I want to start by saying most of the bad reviews must have been either haters or when they first opened. I have eaten here 3 times and had something different each time. The first time I ate here I ate the shrimp and grits. I'm a big guy and the portion size was just about right. Flavor was very interesting and made a nice combination. The 2nd time that I ate here I had the Chicken & Waffles. WOW, these were amazing. Dark meat chicken, waffles with a sweet drizzle...Yummy! (My kids are addicted). The last time that I ate here I had a cowboy steak that was cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the flavor of the steak and how tender it was. As for the service, the manager spends a lot of time on the floor stopping by each table. The servers were very friendly & talkative. The way that I judge how well I am being taken care of is by how fast they keep my ice tea filled (I drink about 3-4 glasses per dinner). I do enjoy this restaurant but I only want to give management my only thought...in order for them to be able to exist for the long haul, they must expand the menu.
(5)Anna Marie P.
Excellent beer can chicken. Pour the brown gravy on everything. Large bar on Saloon side. Dark and tough for me to read the menu but I had looked online before I got there. Mac and cheese was rich and filling. Service was good Deco was fun and interesting. I will be back.
(4)Brenda P.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye There's a new sheriff in town When it comes to finger lickin' good Southern Swank takes the crown I finally made my way to the SSK and I'm so happy I did. We absolutely loved it. They don't take themselves too seriously. It's not Southern, it's Southern SWANK! They dabble on this and they dabble on that. A little bit of everything here goes a long way. This restaurant is like Swine and Yardbird's first cousin. I find it a little bit less put together than those mentioned but good nonetheless. I can say with 100% certainty that there is nothing else in the area that even comes close and therefore, a much needed addition to Broward! It's spacious yet cozy, and full of personality. Now, here's the scoop on the goods: Fried Green Tomatoes- Very fresh and very good. Loved their creole remoulade and savory smoked tasco. Crab Hush Puppies- Breading was a little thick and fried a little too long for my taste but the inside was heavenly. The charred scallion mayo rocked! I wish there was more of it. Chicken & Waffles- This was great except they don't offer syrup for the waffles. 'Sup with that?I found that really odd. Instead, it comes with a marshmallow sage sauce. Beer Can Chicken- I officially cheated on my vegetarian diet for this and the payoff was big. Free range chicken that was absolute perfection! It is served with addicting fries everyone kept stealing and a scrumptious buttermilk slaw (and I usually pass on this). I ordered 1/2 the chicken and could not even finish it. (total wuss move, I know). The beer gravy is served inside a Pabst Blue Ribbon can for your pouring convenience. I wish it was another type of beer but...... St. Louis Ribs- I did not try this but my girlfriend finished every single one. I thought they could have been a little meatier. The BBQ is enhanced with apple cinnamon. Snickers Pudding- Not a speck left of it. Bread Pudding- Not a speck left of this either. Old Fashion Swank- Punched me in the face and left a huge bruise. They are not shy about their pours! Yikes! Mojito- Didn't try it but there were multiple rounds going on in our party so it must have been good. Funky Buddha Hop Gun- Always a good choice Note that all of the side hot sauces are truly H O T! (and I could not stop having them). I felt the portions were good on the entrees and on the smaller side for the appetizers. Service was prompt and attentive. When we were done, we had a little photo booth fun. They have several props for you to play around with inside the booth. The photo prints out for you immediately or you can also get it off their Flickr account. I am adding this to my list of preferred local hangout spots. Welcome to town Southern Swank!
(4)Oscar M.
I drive by this place often and always wondered if it was any good, now I know that it is not. I went on a Sunday evening for dinner and had the ribs with a side of baked beans and spent $52 with tax and tip. The ribs were bland, cold and served with a poor substitute for barbecue sauce. The baked beans had a strange tart flavor, it seems like they had pickles in them which I find to be an odd culinary decision. I can't recommend anyone spend their hard earned money in this place, especially when you have so many great barbecue places with good ribs all around the area.
(1)Reixa C.
On June 11th, my friend and I went there for an early dinner. We were pretty excited since we read they were going to be in the food network and as foodies, we had to try it. From the moment you walk in, you fall in love with the place. The hostess was friendly and sat us down right away (only 2 tables). We ordered the Mint Julep cocktail ($10) and the Louisiana Swamp Water. The presentation and taste of the drinks were right on point, So far 5 STARS. Then we ordered the pulled pork sliders, friend green tomatoes and shrimp and grits. It was disappointing. The pork sliders were ok, the corn meal from the green tomatoes had no taste, very bland. The shrimp and grits had a smoky taste. Then it got worse when we ordered the entrée, Country Fried Steak, which was a huge piece of steak but completely dry and tasteless. The collard greens were A-OK. This place is great to come and hang out at the bar, the drinks are stellar. I would skip the food all together. However, I will give it a second try. I hear they do brunch. ANOTHER REVIEW: Went to Brunch on Sunday, June 15th. We sat at the bar where we met TJ, the most awesome mixologist in town. His drinks are perfection. We shared the chicken and waffles which were a large portion. However, the chicken was bland, the waffles were stiff and there was no maple syrup. The crab hushpuppies were burnt on the outside, but the crab inside was tasty. Again, a great place to go and hit the bar. TJ was awesome, very entertaining. Very friendly staff. 4 Stars!
(3)Morgan G.
My boyfriend and I went on Monday night. The place was slow (8 tables including us for the hour and a half that we were there). Our server was the bartender and the service was pretty bad. She never checked on us after we got our food and I had to walk up to the bar to ask for ketchup and bbq- we were the ONLY people she was serving. It took her about 10 minutes to realize we were done with our food to come with our bill. The food was pretty good. I had the brisket sandwich and my boyfriend had the po boy shrimp sandwich. I was disappointed that my only side is fries-no option for upgrade even with a charge. However, the hand cut fries were delicious. The corn bread was a little dry. I also think they are a little over priced. The only reason the review has 3 stars is because the food was good. Everything else was bad.
(3)Aaron Z.
I spent the entire meal trying to hide a new tattoo from my mother and mother-in-law because it was Mother's Day and I try not to make mothers cry on Mother's Day. So excuse me if there was bigger shit going on than how the food tasted (OK) and how professional the service was (OK).
(3)DeVaria H.
Let's start with something positive. The Louisiana Swamp Water drink is amazing. It's delivered to you with a mythical fog and gummy worm. I had about 3 of those!! Excellent. I am from Louisiana sooooo when a restaurant lists fried green tomatoes with a REMOULADE sauce, I have expectations. The fried green tomatoes were ok and the remoulade left more tone desired. I then had the shrimp and grits. Not pleased and I didn't feel the grits were properly salted during cooking. I finished with the crab hushpuppies and they were ok. I'll just drink at this place next time.
(1)Blue A.
Have you ever had chicken and waffles? Yea, most of us have. Have you ever had chicken and waffles with marshmallow sauce instead of syrup? No? I bet your mind is racing right now reading this thinking - WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING MY WHOLE LIFE?! I have been to Swank twice now and I must say I am SO excited to have a place like this in Davie. Not to knock Davie but it isn't really known for it's awesome restaurants and creative cocktails. Swank is down south cooking. You will find fired goodness, delicious southern desserts and a nice list of bourbons. The highlights: 1) Penny Wednesdays - Yea. A glass of wine for a penny. It's only the first glass but did you read the part that it was a PENNY? 2) Mac & Cheese - Aged Vermont cheddar, peccorino, pork belly, herb garlic breadcrumbs. Get this. Thank me later. 3) Fried Green Tomatoes - Get them. They are amazing. 4) Chicken Wings - a great thing to start - and share. I hate eating wings in public because I like really getting in there and getting all the meat - but these were finger licking good. 5) Salad - What? Wait...Salad? Yea my wife had a salad. Well I use the term salad loosely because it's half a head of lettuce (uncut? Interesting way to serve it.) and has chunks (I mean CHUNKS) of cheese and chunks (I MEAN CHUNKS) of bacon. The Cobb salad - won't save you any calories but will satisfy your hunger. 6) Desserts - I have only had the banana cream but this is a party in your mouth! Served in a mason jar the layers of banana cream (hint of banana without an over powering taste), graham cracker crumbs and whip cream make this a little piece of heaven in a jar. 7) Chicken & Waffles - this dish has kept me up at night. It haunts my dreams (in a good way) and is something I will probably ALWAYS order (and reccommend people order) when they come her. I had done Chicken and Waffles before - but never like this. Delicious pieces of chicken fried on the outside and super moist on the inside. Waffles cut into triangles and speared with a stick in order: waffle, chicken, waffle, chicken, waffle. Then smothered with (HOMEMADE) marshmallow sauce and a drop of hot sauce. These flavors blend so well together...my mouth is watering, excuse me......yea, blend so well together that you want to high five the chef. Cut a piece of chicken, a piece of waffle, dip in marshmallow, then in the hot sauce...stick in your mouth. Smile. Cheeks about to burst because of the huge bite. Chew. Swallow. Smile. Repeat. 8) Drinks - great beer selection (local brews on tap!) and a cool cocktail called Swamp Water which bubbles and has fog coming out of it. Get it for the presentation / instagram photo op alone. They also have an in house photobooth with a ton of props! Haven't tried it yet but super cool! There is also something called the "Dukes Challenge" From the website: Seven layer burger comprised of two patties, two chicken thighs, pulled pork, and a waffle. Served with a bucket of handcut fries and fiery hot chili. Free if you finish under 30 minutes! WHOA!
(5)Abbie B.
Our server was Jessica and she was totally awesome she's also the bartender request her she's great! Our experience initially was challenging because they ran out of chicken. However, luckily they found some for those great chicken and waffles which are excellent! I was extremely skeptical about the marshmallow sauce but the marshmallow sauce outs actually have to be very good and I recommended it. The ambience is awesome it's decorated really, really nice. My guest got the pull pork with swank sauce which was also very good. I enjoyed the experience.
(4)Emilee M.
I really really wanted to like this place. After driving past it for almost a year, I finally got myself together and made it in time for a Sunday brunch. Walking up to it is probably the most exciting element this place has to offer, the patio is beautiful and the lights overhead tie it all together quite nicely. Entering the restaurant is pleasant as well. The decor does a great job of sticking to their theme and assists in any enjoyment you might find there. However. And the most important part, it took 16 minutes for any server to ever address and acknowledge that we were there for more than just the sights. I recognized that not one server in the building spent any more than 3 seconds at a table, our server was right along with them. With no table side approach, or knowledge of the menu, or even a simple recommendation, it made for a kind of awkward experience. The best way I can describe the feel of it, is it was as if they grabbed the bus boy, who has never been trained as a server, and sent him over just to scribble down whatever we said and pass it on to someone who might know what to do with it. It was strange. The food took a great deal of time. But I was in good company luckily, so it wasn't so bad. Once the food arrived it looked delicious, but for who knows how this could have happened after waiting so long, it was cold. My swamp water was also missing it's gummy worm which made it a lot less alluring for 10 bucks. We also got verbally assaulted at the photo booth because another family walked up after us, and were not happy with the amount of time that they had to wait behind us. Because that's obviously a serious matter for a nice carefree Sunday afternoon. Won't be doing brunch there ever again. For 45 dollars I'd rather head to Fort Lauderdale and have endless mimosas with whatever I purchase for 15 dollars.
(2)Marly F.
I walked in with high expectations and was far from disappointed. Determined to try as much from the menu as possible, I stuck to ordering appetizers and luckily my friends ordered different items from the menu so I was able to sample a little more. To start, I just had to order the fried green tomatoes: lightly breaded and fried. Three come per order. I also ordered the 18 hour pulled pork sliders topped with coleslaw and pickles. Also three sliders per order. Both apps deserve five stars. Then, came what was probably the best version of mac and cheese I have ever had. Called shells and cheese here, this version has aged Vermont cheese, pork belly and herb garlic bread crumbs. Holy Moly! If you're not yelling yeehaw midway through your first bite, then consider your taste buds useless. New to the menu that night was the meatloaf and pumpkin mash. Delicious! I wasn't planning on having dessert that night, but our server (who was extremely attentive) brought over pumpkin bread pudding for us to sample. Who can say no to bread pudding? The service was quick and the waitstaff was friendly. Our server wasn't too familiar with the menu, but it's a new place, so this didn't weigh down my experience at all. After paying, we went to the photo booth and took a few silly pictures with wacky hats and glasses. Fun way to end the evening.
(5)DeSha M.
Love the wings and shell & cheese topped with shrimp yum! Cool spot for the area.
(4)Ali H.
When I yelped this place before we went here tonight I wondered why all the reviews were so long... Now I understand. Let me start this review off by saying I'm giving it a 2 because I just feel bad for all the staff/owners managers in this place... It seems like they've given up/don't know what to do. Also, about a year ago a friend went here and had her cellphone stolen by their waitress, that issue was resolved-she got her phone back and I'm pretty sure the waitress was fired, but because of this I haven't tried southern swank until tonight.. We were seated right away in the back right by kitchen/prep area that is open to the dining room.. Normally when this is the way a restaurant is set this way, the kitchen is clean, you can see a chef, etc... The only thing I saw was a guy standing next to the deep frier with paint all over his shirt. The kitchen was pretty grimy looking too- southern swank if you're reading this please close the back wall or clean up. My boyfriend ordered the brisket sandwich, and I had the shrimp po boy. The po boy shrimp was the consistency of rubber, and the bread was stale. My boyfriends brisket was steak-ums. And after picking through his food he found what appeared to be a piece of paper/cardboard. The waitress did a drive-by to see if we were ok, We said we were (we really try not to complain at restaurants). Then the owner(?) or the manager stopped by looked down at the table and asked what the paper was. She just seemed defeated. She apologized a few times and said she didn't know what it was that he found in his food, or why it was there. I told her I didn't know either... She ended up taking the brisket off the bill, but in the hour we were at dinner, of the 7 tables sitting, we heard 4 complaining, or being apologized to. I'd like to see this place succeed but it's really struggling with life. I won't be going back anytime soon. P.S. Just got an email from opentable, they didn't check us into our reservation so no points, the opentable points were literally the best part of this entire evening.
(2)Grayson M.
Tonight was my first time at Southern Swank. My sister has raved about this place to me for months and now I see why! Upon entry, you're greeted by polite hostess' and the restaurant is very country chic modern. The ambiance is nice, and features both a saloon side (where the bar is located) and a dining side (presumably for families). My boyfriend and I chose the saloon side, the ambiance was very nice. We both ordered the All-American burger with an order of shells and cheese. The food arrived in a timely manner, and very hot. And it was so gosh darn amazing. The shells had bacon and oh-em-gee! Thick cut and juicy goodness. The burger was cooked to perfection and also had the awesome bacon on it! The server was also really good and made sure everything was right for us. Definitely going to make another trip!
(4)Patricia M.
Terrible, slow and inattentive service. Not accommodating for vegetarians, asked to replace all bacon sides with non-vegetarian items - they wouldn't do it and still gave me a plate with bacon potatoes. Even after they asked the cook if it had bacon and the cook said no! Will not be coming back!!
(1)Felipe F.
Excellent food and excellent service!!
(5)Marqus R.
For a restaurant specializing in Southern, I found Southern Swank to be somewhat on the goofy side of the fence between what is true Southern, what may be qualified as Western or something more novo, sort of dreamed up, like a surrealistic painting, more intended to represent what may think to be Southern rather than to actually be Southern. I had really great meal of fried green tomatoes and one terrific hanger steak (a difficult to find cut of meat) but was somewhat disappointed in their overall menu which really didn't seem to me to actually be all that Southern. Like what happened to the cocktails? No mint julep or Sazerac. St. Louis style ribs instead being a southern sweet tea brined or a Carolina, no red eye ham, no black eye peas, no Southern Fried Chicken, steaks, seafood, catfish, frog legs or oysters and then, to my Southern astonishment, no okra? Instead real straight forward Southern, there seems to be a menu confusion between what might be termed as Classical Southern and what may be something more recently contrived as such or in fact Western, having nothing whatsoever to do with the culinary comforts of the South. The cocktail offering seem to be more a bunch of amateurish wussy drinker's concoctions with silly little tag titles such as "Swamp Water," being a combination of tequila, blue curacao and orange juice. Tequila a Southern drink.....really now....not even by a stretch. Other items such as cowboy steak seem more Western than Southern (it certain isn't a South Beach Yardbird Restaurant when it comes to Southern), along with much of the décor, such as a wall mural of someone, maybe John Wayne, dressed more Western rather than a Southern attire. Also, for entertainment, I have a difficult time thinking Southern when listening to deafeningly loud rendition of Motown. Another thing on the negative side is the service. When I entered I had to ask two waitress for whoever was in charge of seating people. There isn't any maître d' stand or anyone standing near the entrance so you end up hunting whoever down that might be in charge. The bartenders are also rather inept, slow, can't even do a simple high pour from a bottle and other than their in house custom drinks, don't seem to know much about their trade. To stumble round when someone orders a very common rather standard drink like a bourbon Manhattan is pretty much a clue of that being a fact. For the food I had, I have no problem going Four Stars but for the service, goofy somewhat offbeat menu Two Stars. So averaging it out, taking in for the totality of what it is, I can only go Three Stars.
(3)De G.
I really, really wanted to love this restaurant. Had the crab hush puppies that were just this side of burnt. Despite the breading, the crab was very good. The mac and cheese looked amazing, but was cold in the center. The country fried steak was fried alright. It was really fried...to within an inch of its life. It matched the hush puppies in its ability to make perfectly healthy gums bleed. The steak was hot and the potatoes cold. Nothing was horrible, but each dish missed the mark. I don't know if the dishes were made too far in advance or the chef just didn't care and was simply going through the motions without any thought. On the up side, the manager stopped by our table to ask if we enjoyed our meal. She explained that they were under new management and finding their way. She was very nice and very receptive to not so positive comments. I only wish they didn't have to find their way with our $75.00 check. Southern Swank really does have potential and being the eternal optimist I'll probably go back in a couple of months...with my fingers crossed.
(2)Shazza M.
One of the worst dining experiences I can remember in living memory, yes, it is that bad. Service is clueless, food wretched, the place is worn around the edges and is only a little over a year old. It has the general air of a business having been given up on. There were four of us and we order three burgers with fries and a summer salad with shrimp. Crab hush puppies are out within 5 minutes as an appetizer. Not bad It took 45 minutes to get the burgers, way too long on a quiet night in a mostly empty restaurant. Waitress says the salad wasn't ready and wasn't brought to the table for another 7 minutes after the burgers. As we were waiting for the last plate to start eating, the burgers were getting colder than the tepid temperature that they arrived at. To makes matters worse, a table who seated behind us 20 minutes after we arrived were received enormous plates of delicious looking food before us! Not only that, a chef who turned out to be kitchen manger was chatting with them and introducing people to them fur around 15 min, all the while we are waiting to be served. Well turns out they were his parents getting the VIP while us plebs were getting the shaft. My suspicion is that the full force of the kitchen went towards catering towards them The burgers were completely blah, soggy bun underneath, and my girl's burger bun was stale. To make matters worse, the bacon on the burger had a thick sweet cloying taste that included way too much smoke flavour that tasted like it came straight from a bottle. And the fries on two of the burger plates appeared to be old fried re-cooked in old smelly grease and burned to a crisp. The other burger was served with nice light golden fresh cooked fries. I put one from each burned and fresh pile on a side dish to show the waitress, it looked like a yin yang they were so obviously different. I asked her to take it to the kitchen to show the chef, expecting a reaction from management. I asked her after another 10 minutes what the chef said and she just decided to bring us a fresh batch of fries. At this point I asked to see a manager, who doesn't show up for another 10 minutes after the waitress quickly hands is the bill. So the kitchen manager is the same guy who was chatting with his parents instead of taking care of our meal and his crappy kitchen. He agreed the fries were awful and they were double cooked from an old batch and the kitchen had messed up our salad order. He promised he would apply a $30 off groupon for the meal, said he would remove two entrees from the bill and give us 10% off. It took another 30 minutes to organize all this and finally a floor manager arrived to apologize, an hour after our first complaints. She said they had taken over 2 weeks ago and fired bunch of servers and kitchen staff and that more needed to go. Instead of the $30 off they gave us a coupon for $30 off a future meal. We laughed and said we doubted we would ever be back. Right after she left us she went to another table to apologize and was comping a portion of their meal since they had major issues with theirs too. Basically avoid this place like the plague, they have almost as many staff as client but you will see litter on the floor that no one bothers to pick up, the food sucks, service is shitty, and there is not even any soap in the bathrooms, I wonder how the staff clean themselves after a toilet visit and before touching your plates and food. The place is a complete disaster and should just close down already. My Mum who doesn't even eat junk food said that McDonalds is better. And she is right!!!
(1)Daniel M.
I'm not a big chicken and waffles guy, but the chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy is off the chain, ridiculously good. Best sausage gravy I've had.
(4)Amber S.
Southern Surprise! While looking for a place to grab a quick bite we stopped into Swank and what a delightful experience. We ordered the beer can chicken, collard greens, fish special, fried green tomatoes, & a kids burger. The waitress was too sweet and answered all of the questions expertly about the menu and especially the drinks. Everything was fantastic and the chronic tonic a mix of gin and blueberries was to die for. I wish I could have tried the other specialty drinks especially the raspberry ones which were recommended. Unfortunately the fried green tomatoes arrived after our dinner which were the appetizer thus the 4 stars. Great for foodies, out of town guests, and even kids! They tolerated my 3 year old dancing on the stage and didn't even bat an eye! Bravo! We will be back!
(4)Claudine J.
I read too many mixed reviews about this place. Here's how I see Southern Swank Kitchen... overall it is a nice place, nice laid back atmosphere with average food... it was good, but not great. Except maybe for the cornbread, but think that may have been because of the honey butter. The others in my party liked their food, but can't say if they'd be back. Especially for those who live in Miami, too long a drive for overpriced shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. IJS. If it wasn't for Doug, not sure if my time at SSK would have been a 3 star. He kept those bottomless mimosas coming.
(3)Myrleia M.
This place just started brunch and it's already perfected! They have brunch like drink specials and still carry their full regular menu. The presentation of every plate is phenomenal and the taste is unforgettable. Even though this is a 40 minute drive for me, I try to make it out when I can because it's a good environment. Food is on point and drinks are made nice and strong. Owner or manager is always very welcoming and make you feel the family vibe they have going. I HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)Yi L.
Decided to give this place a second try. What a fail! The waiter screwed up my order. Screwed up my check. He is so rude. He even took our orders from one spot. Across the table. Didn't walk around to get our orders. And we were at a long table. Every time he brought anything over, I said thank you and he didn't acknowledge me. I will not be returning here. Horrible service. Mediocre food.
(1)Kimberly P.
Pretty good. Love the brunch items but eggs overdone on the benedict. Love the homemade BBQ sauce. The Reuben is a weird name and doesn't go w the sandwich at all - it's more a "country bbq breakfast sandwich" and the one we got needed more collard greens. Overall good but something in the vibe of the place doesn't work 100%. Place needs a piece of woman or a woman's touch to give it some comfort. I mean it is comfort food, right??!
(4)