Known for its intentionally (and entertainingly) rude service, Dick’s Last Resort has twelve locations currently in operation, and its next two are both planned for Florida. There’s a new location launching in Orlando next year, and another is headed for Pinellas County, opening before the end of the summer at 111 Boardwalk Place in Madeira Beach.
“We’re looking to open in mid-to-late August,” brand president Joe Hartsock told What Now on Friday. “We’ve been looking at this market for a few years. It’s one of the tourist spots in the Tampa area, and a spot finally opened up.”
Dick’s Last Resort has a colorful history. As the story goes, when restaurateur Dick Chase founded a fine-dining restaurant in Dallas in 1985, he was met with the perfect disaster. The restaurant dove straight to bankruptcy, leading the would-be restaurateur to abandon the fine dining approach in favor of something sloppier. Dick’s Last Resort, the chain now owned by Deja Vu and famous for its obnoxious staff, was born.
The brand is sometimes misunderstood, however, Hartsock told What Now.
“Sometimes we get this bad rap where people assume we’re not family-friendly. But we are. Kids love us, teenagers love us, families on vacation love us.”
Dick’s menu of “Grub & Booze” features finger foods like BBQ Nachos Spinach and Kale Artichoke Dip, along with entrees like Grilled Salmon, a New York Strip, and Country Fried Steak. Also on offer is a Bacon Cheddar Burger and Dick’s Big Pig, a pulled pork sandwich topped with Carolina BBQ sauce and slaw.
On the booze side, Dick’s offers plenty of beer, cocktails like the Strawberry Margarita and the American Mule, and Boozy Milkshakes in varieties like Caramel Bourbon and Strawberry Shortcake.
You can keep up with Dick’s Last Resort news by following @dicks_lastresort on Instagram.
