It’s Grand Opening Weekend for Salutes American Meat Market, the new restaurant / bar at 4802 Gunn Highway (former location of Goodfellas). A military-themed joint, Salutes is decorated with flags representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard branches, and pledges community involvement:
Salutes will also be part of the community in donations to non profit organizations. Their [sic] will be two standard non profit organizations receiving the funds and weekly “specials” for other non profit organizations. This donation mechanism is very transparent to all parties involved.
The menu features items like “Surrender Soup” (their version of French Onion), “Congressional Soup” (chicken noodle), “The Clinton Split” (a banana split), and the “Atomic Bomb” chili bowl.
This sounds fantastic, but you might want to check their list of “unwelcome elements” before heading up Gunn (or down Gunn, depending on where you live). Salutes, according to their radio spots, will refuse service to:
liberals, communists, fascists, and other enemies…
Photos of the “Enemy of the Week” appear as targets in the men’s room urinals. (This week, your national enemies are Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.)
I applaud any new business in our area, but is it really smart to openly exclude so many possible patrons? Only in Florida, I guess.
Meredith
2 years ago
After watching them cave this week, I’m ready to whiz on Pelosi & Reid.
WP
2 years ago
If it’s in good fun, it might be a hoot. A bouncer at the door will be checking voter ID cards, I hope. If they take themselves too seriously, well then Semper Leviculus.
stogie
2 years ago
Will they just play country music?
tim
2 years ago
The “calander” (http://www.salutesus.com/calander.htm) suggests Karaoke is the main entertainment.
Justin
2 years ago
I wonder how many communists (Cubans) were hired to help build this restaurant. I know if I were to open a restaurant, I would welcome anyone who is a paying customer, no matter your beliefs. Just like Bill Clintons dream of building the worlds first McDonalds/Hooters (McHooters).
David
2 years ago
Its disgusting . I am already organizing some media involvement. Most minorites are liberal. This is backdoor racism .
Gamzu
2 years ago
Hey David you better organize fast. A brilliant business venture like this won’t last more than 6 months.
tim
2 years ago
Clear Channel is already on their side; Salutes has been spending a lot of money on WDAE and everyone’s favorite racist/sexist Steve Duemig was broadcasting live from Salutes all last week.
David
2 years ago
People go to restaurants to have a good time , to bring politics into it reeks. Their food must suck since they have to bring irrelevent issues on the table[pardon da pun] . Gazmo I hope you are correct
WP
2 years ago
Methinks that’s exactly the sort of moral indignation they’re aiming for. Media involvement=advertising, and there’s rarely such thing as bad publicity.
james
2 years ago
I agree with WP, it’s a gimmic. Lighten up folks!
David
2 years ago
They have already stopped sponsoring Chris Landrys Friday show on DAE. Maybe DAE got many complaints. I hear an ad from them now and than since I listen to radio when I work and they do not advertise the no liberals allowed . I hope they fail they deserve it.
J Mo
2 years ago
HA! Exactly! Lighten up folks. I am a democrat and I go frequently. Also, I know the owner and the GM…beleive me…this is NOT a racist bunch nor a racist theme. Period. It is, however, very clever and a great time.
The food is excellent.
No press is bad press. In an age when 1 outa 10 restaurants make it, I think you have to have something to draw attention.
Also, as a liberal, I find it VERY entertaining to go to eat and drink at Salutes. Its an excellent opportunity to annoy right wingers if you are so inclined.
Therefore, I say it is a mandate to all Dems and Liberals to go, fill the restaurant, and evangelize to those poor misguided few that take the theme too seriously. Somebody call up MoveOn and tell ‘em we need a meeting at Salutes every week!!!!
See you all there on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Hagman
2 years ago
As a Democrat I could care less if this particular business wants to draw attention to themselves this way. It just makes me laugh because its run by the type of people who would scream to high heaven if someone opened a diner that discouraged Republicans, right wing religious wackos or Fox News viewers. I can just imagine how pissed they would be if the urinals had photos of Katherine Harris, Tom Delay or Condi Rice (even I wouldn’t suggest Bush, for as much as I despise the man, the office of the President is still something to take seriously). I say go, have a good time and if the place isn’t to your taste, don’t go back. They have just as much right to do business as anyone, so more power to them. Just don’t mention that the backwards ass customer preference they wish to adopt is less than American, lest you get some strange condiments in your burgers.
So basically, eat there as their beloved administration loves for you to live: silently, obediently and in fear
tim
2 years ago
I have noticed the new radio ad campaign is much less “in-your-face” and encourages patrons to “vote” on the next “enemy of the state.”
Don
2 years ago
This is just a wild guess but I’ll bet the owner of this restaurant has never served in the military.
David
2 years ago
I am a moderate democrat that but I still would not go. Why would I frequent any business that discriminates against anyone…. yes that includes republicans as well. From what I understand this restaurant is struggling. Good they deserve it. Evidently these owners do not understand their history because the French were our allies in ww2 and HELLO , they did give us the STATUE OF LIBERTY, talk about blatant racism right there. I do believe Bill Clinton won Florida by a landslide twice, hmmm. It really makes me wonder the stupidity of my fellow Floridians. Just when you think it can not get any dumber, I am suprised. LOL
crack ho
1 year ago
they are closed! look for soemthing good to rise from the ashes!
David
1 year ago
I love it. Closed down that is great.
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD !!!
David
1 year ago
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD !!!
TheBunker
1 year ago
How long was this place open? Their website said February, but the article was written June of 2004. So I’m wondering what year it opened.
David
1 year ago
I think they were open a grand total of about 10 months. There first ad was really a welcome mat…. IF YOU ARE A LIBERAL YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE . Gee what a surpise. lmao. Only in Florida do you get dumb business people like this. The military theme is fine but why point fingers at different political groups. I just want some grub and maybe a beer lol.