Metro Diner exploded into the comfort food stratosphere after Guy Fieri visited their original Jacksonville spot in 2010. Their first restaurant had opened in 1992, so it’s not like they were an overnight success.
After the popularity boost, Metro Diner expanded to more than 10 states and over 50 locations. It was during this growth spurt that they began to trickle down to South Florida. Unfortunately, those locations didn’t last. Last year, the Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, and Tamarac restaurants closed as the pandemic began to ravage the food industry.
I did eat at the original Jacksonville Metro Diner with the fellas. We went to town and ordered so much food that four tables were completely covered in plates. There was a *Monte Cristo on the menu, so my greasy spoon code required me to order it. It did not disappoint.
We enjoyed the meal.
The only other spot with a worthy Bennigan’s-style Monte Cristo sandwich is Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
A few months later, Marcela, John, and I had lunch at one of their Orlando-area eateries. Again, I ate the Monte Cristo (still awesome). John ordered boneless, unbreaded chicken, which was an odd choice; it was good for what it was.
Marcela’s meatloaf was great. No wonder it left such an impression on Guy Fieri. I could see someone obsessing over it but not me. My eyes are only for their Monte Cristo.
Metro Diner Food Pictures in Jacksonville, Florida
Metro Diner Food Pictures in Orlando, Florida
*I believe the Monte Cristo was removed from the menu recently.
I agree with your assessment that as far as finding a Bennigan’s-style Monte Cristo, Metro Diner and Cheddar’s are the only the only two spots that come close. A road-trip up to the Melbourne Bennigan’s might be in the future!
I drove to the Bennigan’s in Melbourne and ate a Monte Cristo but was disappointed.