Restaurant Review: The Red Fox Diner, Lighthouse Point, Florida

Our favorite place to have breakfast on the week ends is the Red Fox Diner in Lighthouse Point, Florida. It's off Federal Highway in the Venetian Isles Plaza shopping center. It's owned by Lou Petrone and his wife,Patti. It's a family owned place, you'll see his son Nico there now and then helping out as well.

There is outside eating available which is very nice if you are dog owners as we are. I love the fact that the waitresses will bring out a bowl of water for your pooch. Inside, you can sit at the bar area or eat at the tables.

When you walk in the atmosphere is friendly and cheery. There are so many regulars that it's always a meet and greet. It reminds me of the program "Cheers" where part of the me was the fact that at Cheers everybody knows your name. Lou knows everyone and everyone knows Lou. He's there to chat , make sure your food is good and to help you enjoy your day. The waitresses seem like family after awhile. There's Robin, Mary, Desiree and Sherry, the Manager. They are all friendly and attentive and seem to learn everyone's particular likes and dislikes immediately.

The Chef is Serge. He's from Russia. He is becoming very well known for his excellent food. His Sunday specials are gourmet. You can have a Three egg Crab Omelette with Avocado and Jack Cheese in a Hollandaise Sauce or try his outrageous Stuffed Coconut French Toast with Cherry Crunch Jelly. Even his Grits are a taste treat. For a down home SOuthern feel try the biscuits and gravy. Hubby is particularly fond of the Gourmet Breakfast Wraps.One particularly funny breakfast is called "Atkins It's Not" featuring French Toast, pancakes, two eggs, bacon, sausage or ham and home fries or grits. My husband is so fond of the Red Fox he eats breakfast there every morning before going to work and we're back there on the week ends..

The Red Fox makes it's own home made soups and salad dressings and their ground beef is never frozen. The well known Lighthouse Point Burger is topped with sauteed mushrooms, onions, bacon and melted cheese on a Kaiser roll and is available lunch or dinner. It has a following of it's own.

The Red Fox offers lunch with your typical selection of lunches, they are all very tasty. This is offered Monday thru Saturday. It includes ice tea or coffee, soup or salad, entree and dessert - all for under $10.00.The Red Fox has dinner specialties like Cajun Chicken Breast or Country Fried Steak, as well as traditional wraps, burgers, salads and Quesadillas. You can get a complete Early Bird dinner for $12.50 to $14.50. It includes soup or salad, entree tea or coffee and is served from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.as an eat in only. If you order two early birds specials you get one free dessert to share.

The Red Fox Diner has been around for 40 years but Lou will be celebrating his second year of ownership this coming February 2008. The decor is brand new, Lou hired an artist to paint the walls and pillars in a Nautical theme really brightening up the place. The pillars have red buoys and the walls are sponged bright yellow with white rope railing. Be sure to look for a little Red Fox on one of the buoys. On one side of the restaurant there are actual photographs of old Lighthouse Point scenes that are really charming.

The Red Fox offers delivery during 11-2 for lunches on a $10 minimum order. You can eat in, take out, have a private party with buffet , family style or individual platters. This is available Saturday or Sunday nights for 10 to 60 guests or have catering done for your at home private party. Beer and Wine are available. The Catering Manager is Sherry Daru she would be the one to speak to about this. You can also arrange to have your order delivered to your boat, this area has a lot of boaters. This past Thanksgiving, Lou opened his restaurant to anyone who had no place to go for a Turkey Dinner.He's an extremely generous, thoughtful guy.

The Fox offers children's menus for children under 12. Stop in, have some great food and make some friends.