Zeke's Reincarnated: Lincoln Road's Rio Station

By Hannah Sentenac Mon., Jul. 9 2012 at 7:01 AM

Reincarnation.

In what might be the quickest transition since Superman's wardrobe change in the phone booth, Zeke's Roadhouse has been replaced.

Rio Station is a family-owned, five-branch food-and-drink biz that swooped in to occupy the old Zeke's spot on Lincoln Road. Established as a juice bar in Sunrise in 2007, the restaurant has since opened additional locations and expanded into the food/booze market.

Like Zeke's, Rio Station offers "200 Beers of the World" at $4.

Beers of the world are still available.

Unlike Zeke's, it serves food, and quite an extensive variety -- everything from smoothies and French toast to lobster bisque and calamari salad. While not the most unique menu, it's certainly broad.

Though the place looks like Zeke's, acts like Zeke's, and prices itself like Zeke's, it's not Zeke's. The vibe at Rio Station is noticeably different. Zeke's was a beer bar and not much else; Rio Station is a café/smoothie stand/breakfast joint/beer bar.

The beer cooler hasn't changed.

The new occupants are still toying with the hours, so stay tuned. The full menu is pictured below.

While the "KISS" (keep it simple stupid) concept (i.e., do one thing and do it well) may generally be best when it comes to the restaurant biz, Rio Station could be a pleasant addition to Lincoln Road. Smoothies are nice in the sweltering heat. Breakfast is served all day. And the beers are still $4.

So despite our still-fresh wounds from the death of Zeke's, let's try to look at the bright side.

Location Info

Venue

Map

Rio Station

625 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL

Category: Restaurant

0 user reviews	Write A Review
Save to foursquare

Show additional locations »

Zeke's Roadhouse

625 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL

Category: Music

Tags:

Lincoln Road, Rio Station, Zeke's Roadhouse

We Recommend

Darrel

200 beers at $4 served to your table and they now take credit cards , I think it's an improvement from before! I have not tried the food or smoothies but I had 4 beers and it only cost me $16 bucks on Lincoln Rd, fine in my book!

Smagnoloa

Being from Eugene Oregon I have the privilege Of drinking some of the best craft beer in the country, at very reasonable prices. I read about Zeeks on yelp and decided to give it a try. I arrived at the counter around 5 pm and felt like I entered a bad episode of the Twilight Zone. I was surrounded by 5 large flat screen TV's that depicted images of different types of smoothies, Empanadas, and sandwiches. I thought to myself am I in the right place?, is this a beer bar, or a kiosk in a South American Airport? The bartender then appeared and in broken English asked me "what da you wann"! I asked for a beer beer menu and he pointed at the super market style cooler. I ordered a stale Lagunitas and got on my smart phone to find another place. I found a beer bar called the Abbey, walked the 6 blocks and the bad trip was over! I drank their 3 house beers, the 12% Quad being my favorite, and at $4.50 the prices could not be beat. Then I finished off my night with 2 of the best American Small batch whiskey's I have ever tried, The High West Double Rye and the Resovour Bourbon. I was also directed to go to Abraxis and The Room, two other good recommendations, thank God for the Abbey, I will be back soon! For the Abbey, I will be back:)

Hcoolj

Went there yesterday to try the Lobster B soup special. I sat at the bar and was informed by the bartender that I had to sit outside at a table in the 100+ degree heat, to order food. I informed him that I was ordering beer as well and he said ok then, with a bitter look on his face. I was then informed that there was no soup at all and it was decided that it would be off the menu forever! I found this bizarre considering they just opened less then a week ago! I asked the angry bartender who made this decision considering they were only open for a few days and he said I was mistaken and that they have been open for 3 months! At this point I left my beer and left, I have never experienced such bad service in my life!!!!!!

Boxcarwillie

Last few comments are bogus

Johnfish

I liked the concept of this place. Was a Zeke's lover as well but was fed up with hot dogs and popcorn with my beers. The bartenders and servers (at least with me) were very helpful. Besides, it is still the best and cheaper place to have a beer on lincoln.

Joe

I agree. styrofoam plates is a barlike plate.. I wouldnt want any fancy square plate taking up space while i'm having beer.. doesnt make any sense. i have high hopes for this place. It's a change, I miss zeke's too, but I think it was a good change..

Brian

I've been going to zeke's for a longggg time and yes, it has been a quiet the change but I went in with an open mind and actually liked it.. The beer is still $4 (which you CANT beat anywhere) and they add food! fine by me. i'll keep coming...

Rob

I was just at Rio over the weekend to find it wasn't Zekes anymore. Being they still had the 4 dollar beer sign out front I was curious. Once inside I realized how much it sucked! I finished my beer and left. Fuck this.place!! It is not zekes nor is it anything like zekes. Zekes bar tenders were cool people. The 3 guys at this place were tools. The atmosphere that was zekes is not there. In an overpriced tourist trap Zekes was a cool change. If your lived a few blocks away like I do don't give these ass hats your money. Hit up Deuce Purdy Kill Your Idol Teds Hideaway

Aside from the outdoor tables and chairs this isn't Zeke's. I hope it stays because there aren't many places w/ $4 beers on Lincoln, but it has instantly taken the prize for worst food on Lincoln. Everything that came out looked awful and was served on styrofoam plates. I tried to insulate myself in my Zeke's bubble by sitting at the bar and talking to one of the bartenders that held over but the 5 flat screen TV's above the bar showing with a repeating video of the animated menu made it tough. This place is gonna alienate Zeke lovers and given the quality of their food offering, probably won't be finding replacements. As a bright spot for cheap beer, 100 Montaditos is opening by the old Lincoln Theater.

ZekesFormerLover

Its definately not Zeke's. The service is marginal at best. Our waitress, barely spoke English, which is not surprising down here but she couldn't even take our order or let us know if they had this beer or that one. RIP Zeke's. You will be missed. :(