RJ Gators in Sumter Landing (worth trying again?)

[frayedends]

A couple years ago we had a lifestyle visit and went to RJ Gators and it was awful. Now, this was at the very end of Covid. Places were struggling with help and stuff.

In addition to that we probably chose the wrong things to order. Would have had better luck with wings and burgers. Anyhow I had some grouper that had a pineapple glaze. The fish was mushy and gross, the glaze was like pineapple sauce. The worst part was I had broccoli as a side. When I looked at it, it was black in spots. I just assumed it was grilled/roasted. Well, it was rotten. I mean, putrid rotten. I spit it out and told the waitress. She replaced it with green beans that were obviously from a can.

Wife had Shepards pie and it was also horrible. Clearly not made in house. The mashed potatoes were instant, really. Tasted just like KFC mashed.

Now I don't mind trying a place again if I just made a bad choice on the meal. But the rotten broccoli scared me. I had visions of Gordon Ramsey in a refrigerator screaming, "You'll kill someobody!"

So was I just unlucky? Is the place clean and okay? I love the location and atmosphere. Recent experiences?

ETA just looking for experiences of people on the board that have been there recently.

[Papa_lecki]

It’s been 3 years,If you like the atmosphere, get a burger or chicken sandwich, something easy.
It’s not a grouper/shepherds pie type of place.

If not, there a lot’s of places to try again.

If you want shepherds pie, try McGrady’s in Sawgrass.

[Bogie Shooter]

Sometimes I just wonder………….

[frayedends]

Sometimes I just wonder………….

What is it that you wonder? I'm simply asking for experiences of people that have gone recently. Yelp reviews that are negative seem focused on service rather than food/cleanliness.

[frayedends]

It’s been 3 years,If you like the atmosphere, get a burger or chicken sandwich, something easy.
It’s not a grouper/shepherds pie type of place.

If not, there a lot’s of places to try again.

If you want shepherds pie, try McGrady’s in Sawgrass.

You've gone recently and it's good? I don't disagree on the food choices. I don't think we really knew when we went there.

[Bogie Shooter]

What is it that you wonder? I'm simply asking for experiences of people that have gone recently. Yelp reviews that are negative seem focused on service rather than food/cleanliness.

The review of a couple years ago……

[frayedends]

The review of a couple years ago……

Okay I’m not sure what you mean. But my best guess is why I’m mentioning it now. As I said I was on a lifestyle visit. I just signed for a house I close on in 2 weeks. I haven’t seen any recent reviews on the board so I thought I’d ask before trying the place again. Does that clarify what you are asking?

[margaretmattson]

The review of a couple years ago…… Try the YouTube video altemlife rjgators. The videos are done by a young couple who eat at restaurants in our area. I know! It"s boring watching people order food then eat, but this time it might help you decide.

[starflyte1]

Give it another try.

Service is good. The wings and Philly cheese steak sandwiches are great, and their fish and chips are hand breaded in their kitchen.

[frayedends]

Give it another try.

Service is good. The wings and Philly cheese steak sandwiches are great, and their fish and chips are hand breaded in their kitchen.

Thank you for the helpful reply! Glad to hear they handbread the fish. I wouldn’t have expected that.

[shut the front door]

Thank you for the helpful reply! Glad to hear they handbread the fish. I wouldn’t have expected that.

Welcome to TV. As for TOTV, I would suggest using the ignore feature to avoid the harassment from the local cyberbully.

[Papa_lecki]

Give it another try.

Service is good. The wings and Philly cheese steak sandwiches are great, and their fish and chips are hand breaded in their kitchen.

The wings and French fries are probably good, as are all the fried foods
Drinks are good, happy hour drink specials are good
Go for the environment, the music and the drinks.
Plenty of other places with better menus.

[Stu from NYC]

Went with a group of 12 a few months ago.

After ordering and waiting almost an hour had to find a manager to get our food.

Ordered unlimited soup and salad and still waiting on a refill.

Waitress was beyond terrible. Manager never did come back and check on us and waitress took cash and disappeared. Guess she figured otherwise would be no tip and she would have been correct.

Never again. Plenty of better choices

[tophcfa]

We have been going there for years, not often, but 2 - 3 times per year. We like sitting outside with a beautiful view of Lake Sumter and the finishing holes of Riley Grove across the lake. The food is nothing spectacular, but it’s not bad either. I always get the same thing and it’s always good, a cup of she crab soup and the Cajun redfish with rice and beans (last year they changed it from redfish to sea bass and it’s still good). When we have guests we often take them there on an evening when there is an OK band playing and they like the place and enjoy the view. It seems guests always want to order the gator bites just so they can say they ate some gator (they taste like chicken nuggets). If there is a wait for an outside table they give you a beeper so you can walk around the square until your table is ready. If you want fairly consistent dinning with a beautiful view of the lake the place blows away the Lighthouse in my opinion.

[DonH57]

I've given them 5 visits. The staff were nice. The small mugs of beer were cold. I've just never enjoyed the taste of the various meals I've tried and I've never went back.

[Keefelane66]

RJ’s was a one and done for us

[Battlebasset]

Been a couple of times. Pub grub type place. Go during the happy hours if you want to drink. Otherwise, there are better places.

[Babubhat]

The fact they were surprised the cheese on Nachos should be melted was the last straw.

[Michael 61]

It’s cheap bar food - not a fan.

[tophcfa]

Go during the happy hours if you want to drink.

If you drink house wine or draft beer it’s happy hour (two for the price of one) there all day, every day.

[Smalley]

If you drink house wine or draft beer it’s happy hour (two for the price of one) there all day, every day.

Also among those on this forum who have NO plans to eat here. There are so many better choices in Lake Sumter Landing or elsewhere in TV. I felt the cleanliness was lacking and the noise level was excessive.

[PugMom]

A couple years ago we had a lifestyle visit and went to RJ Gators and it was awful. Now, this was at the very end of Covid. Places were struggling with help and stuff.

In addition to that we probably chose the wrong things to order. Would have had better luck with wings and burgers. Anyhow I had some grouper that had a pineapple glaze. The fish was mushy and gross, the glaze was like pineapple sauce. The worst part was I had broccoli as a side. When I looked at it, it was black in spots. I just assumed it was grilled/roasted. Well, it was rotten. I mean, putrid rotten. I spit it out and told the waitress. She replaced it with green beans that were obviously from a can.

Wife had Shepards pie and it was also horrible. Clearly not made in house. The mashed potatoes were instant, really. Tasted just like KFC mashed.

Now I don't mind trying a place again if I just made a bad choice on the meal. But the rotten broccoli scared me. I had visions of Gordon Ramsey in a refrigerator screaming, "You'll kill someobody!"

So was I just unlucky? Is the place clean and okay? I love the location and atmosphere. Recent experiences?

ETA just looking for experiences of people on the board that have been there recently.

my opinion only here: Gator's is good for a quick bite or bar food. it's not the place i'd really go to for dinner, because i hate salty foods.

[Pairadocs]

Give it another try.

Service is good. The wings and Philly cheese steak sandwiches are great, and their fish and chips are hand breaded in their kitchen.

And... this is NOT a place to order grouper. Once you move here, you'll find out where to get genuine grouper, and once around native Floridians you'll find out all that is passed off as "grouper". By the way, what used to run $25-$27 a pound, is now $39 a pound at the coast fresh off the boat, so keep that in mind when you see it on the menu for $22, $26. A LOT of things are passed off as grouper, just a tip from one whose brother in law has brought our family many a fresh rock, black, and other Florida species of grouper... fresh off the spear gun ! As others have suggested, stick to wings and burgers at such places.

[Stu from NYC]

Give it another try.

Service is good. The wings and Philly cheese steak sandwiches are great, and their fish and chips are hand breaded in their kitchen.

Normally I would but so many things went terribly wrong that no way do I go back.

[frayedends]

And... this is NOT a place to order grouper. Once you move here, you'll find out where to get genuine grouper, and once around native Floridians you'll find out all that is passed off as "grouper". By the way, what used to run $25-$27 a pound, is now $39 a pound at the coast fresh off the boat, so keep that in mind when you see it on the menu for $22, $26. A LOT of things are passed off as grouper, just a tip from one whose brother in law has brought our family many a fresh rock, black, and other Florida species of grouper... fresh off the spear gun ! As others have suggested, stick to wings and burgers at such places.

Funny because I had "grouper" exactly 2 times on that visit. IIRC once was at Bluefin and they had these blackened grouper bites that were very thick (as I'd expect for grouper) and really awesome. The filet at RJ Gators was like a thin tilapia type fish and I wasn't convinced it was grouper at all. But I'm no expert on that.

Oh and a few weeks ago at Bluefin again (when we were buying our home, sort of the biggest impulse buy I've ever made), they had deep fried grouper bites that were awesome.

I think it will be a long time before I end up back at RJ Gators. But I drink a lot, so who knows. :D

[Sandy and Ed]

The wings and French fries are probably good, as are all the fried foods
Drinks are good, happy hour drink specials are good
Go for the environment, the music and the drinks.
Plenty of other places with better menus.
Agree. I don’t believe the food is the draw there. If you want a dining experience rather than a quick bite while enjoying the music and drinks, go elsewhere. Your experience, however, does sound extraordinary. Food not great but, wow, not that bad!

[msilagy]

Eating out in TV is not equal to NY or Chicago type fare although the Chop House may get close. Blue Fin and places like that are overpriced with small portions, great for the delicate eater. There is a Facebook page called something like The Villages Restaurant reviews you might find interesting. Although what's good for one may not be for another. Wings in TV are not at all like what I am used to with many places spraying on the flavor you pick. Can't find a good charcoal broiled 1/2# burger anywhere even outside the villages. Maybe Mark's in Ocala close to a Chicago prime steakhouse. Anyway I would never move to TV for the food - overpriced and nothing special.

[retiredguy123]

Eating out in TV is not equal to NY or Chicago type fare although the Chop House may get close. Blue Fin and places like that are overpriced with small portions, great for the delicate eater. There is a Facebook page called something like The Villages Restaurant reviews you might find interesting. Although what's good for one may not be for another. Wings in TV are not at all like what I am used to with many places spraying on the flavor you pick. Can't find a good charcoal broiled 1/2# burger anywhere even outside the villages. Maybe Mark's in Ocala close to a Chicago prime steakhouse. Anyway I would never move to TV for the food - overpriced and nothing special.
If you are looking for a USDA Prime filet mignon, you won't find it at the Chop House or Mark's. You need to go to Ruth Chris in Orlando.

[Bilyclub]

Gators and City Fire are bars disguised as restaurants. The food gets better the more you drink.

[bowlingal]

Shepards pie at McCalls in Spanish Springs is AWESOME. So is the fried chicken. Try it if you haven't already

[banjobob]

My opinion is quick dinner or lunch the sports bars are OK , in that category Millers Ale House is our choice , nice dinner with proper setting for dinner, Lopez Legacy , or Havana CC ,Bluefin is good , Chop House mixed review.

[MandoMan]

A couple years ago we had a lifestyle visit and went to RJ Gators and it was awful. Now, this was at the very end of Covid. Places were struggling with help and stuff.

In addition to that we probably chose the wrong things to order. Would have had better luck with wings and burgers. Anyhow I had some grouper that had a pineapple glaze. The fish was mushy and gross, the glaze was like pineapple sauce. The worst part was I had broccoli as a side. When I looked at it, it was black in spots. I just assumed it was grilled/roasted. Well, it was rotten. I mean, putrid rotten. I spit it out and told the waitress. She replaced it with green beans that were obviously from a can.

Wife had Shepards pie and it was also horrible. Clearly not made in house. The mashed potatoes were instant, really. Tasted just like KFC mashed.

Now I don't mind trying a place again if I just made a bad choice on the meal. But the rotten broccoli scared me. I had visions of Gordon Ramsey in a refrigerator screaming, "You'll kill someobody!"

So was I just unlucky? Is the place clean and okay? I love the location and atmosphere. Recent experiences?

ETA just looking for experiences of people on the board that have been there recently.

You still remember your order from a couple years ago? Impressive. I’ve eaten there maybe a dozen times in the past three years, and I’ve always had a good meal (and I remember how tough it was there during Covid, with seating restrictions and not enough help). I love their onion rings, and the house salads made in a big bowl at the table are excellent. Really, everything I’ve had there has been good. Try it again, then maybe publish a retraction, as your “restaurant review” may have cost them thousands of dollars in business.

[Bogie Shooter]

You still remember your order from a couple years ago? Impressive. I’ve eaten there maybe a dozen times in the past three years, and I’ve always had a good meal (and I remember how tough it was there during Covid, with seating restrictions and not enough help). I love their onion rings, and the house salads made in a big bowl at the table are excellent. Really, everything I’ve had there has been good. Try it again, then maybe publish a retraction, as your “restaurant review” may have cost them thousands of dollars in business.

I agree.
(Your statement is not cyber bullying!)

[Gator_Girl]

A couple years ago we had a lifestyle visit and went to RJ Gators and it was awful. Now, this was at the very end of Covid. Places were struggling with help and stuff.

In addition to that we probably chose the wrong things to order. Would have had better luck with wings and burgers. Anyhow I had some grouper that had a pineapple glaze. The fish was mushy and gross, the glaze was like pineapple sauce. The worst part was I had broccoli as a side. When I looked at it, it was black in spots. I just assumed it was grilled/roasted. Well, it was rotten. I mean, putrid rotten. I spit it out and told the waitress. She replaced it with green beans that were obviously from a can.

Wife had Shepards pie and it was also horrible. Clearly not made in house. The mashed potatoes were instant, really. Tasted just like KFC mashed.

Now I don't mind trying a place again if I just made a bad choice on the meal. But the rotten broccoli scared me. I had visions of Gordon Ramsey in a refrigerator screaming, "You'll kill someobody!"

So was I just unlucky? Is the place clean and okay? I love the location and atmosphere. Recent experiences?

ETA just looking for experiences of people on the board that have been there recently.

I can't remember what I ate last week and you remember every detail from 3 years ago?! Props to you

[frayedends]

Unfortunately we tend to remember bad experiences more than good ones. At least long term. I had written a detailed Yelp review on this back when we had just gone. Recently saw my review when looking at Villages restaurants and that’s what prompted me to ask on here. I can’t be sure I’d remember that level of detail if I hadn’t seen my review recently. But the rotten broccoli will never leave my mind because it wasn’t just not great food. It was putrid.

I’m sure for beers and entertainment I’ll try them again. Maybe I’ll make a point of it and retract my old review. You all don’t seemed concerned with the cleanliness and that is my main concern. So another try may be in order.

[jparsoneau@aol.com]

You should always given establishment the second try. You never know what happened.
But another one to stay far from is WOB world of beer. Absolute terrible service terrible food OK beers

[frayedends]

You should always given establishment the second try. You never know what happened.
But another one to stay far from is WOB world of beer. Absolute terrible service terrible food OK beers

We tried WOB back then too. I wasn’t impressed. I think we only had appetizers and honestly have no recollection of the food. But I seem to recall mostly mass produced beers and I was expecting a lot more microbrews. Again that was at the end of covid so maybe the beer choices are better now.

[Stu from NYC]

Unfortunately we tend to remember bad experiences more than good ones. At least long term. I had written a detailed Yelp review on this back when we had just gone. Recently saw my review when looking at Villages restaurants and that’s what prompted me to ask on here. I can’t be sure I’d remember that level of detail if I hadn’t seen my review recently. But the rotten broccoli will never leave my mind because it wasn’t just not great food. It was putrid.

I’m sure for beers and entertainment I’ll try them again. Maybe I’ll make a point of it and retract my old review. You all don’t seemed concerned with the cleanliness and that is my main concern. So another try may be in order.

If the experience was excellent or horrible people tend to remember longer, especially the horrible experience at Gators.

[chrisinva]

No.

[frayedends]

No.

Direct answer, I like that.