Speckled Butterbean -Yuck

[OldDave]

We've eaten at a number of restaurants around the area since we've been here, most very good. This evening The Speckled Butterbean. Read on line sounded pretty interesting. Mostly went for the fried chicken. There were two thighs on the steam table when we got there. (Only piece of chicken I won't eat.) SAid some more would be out in a minute. It came out just as we were leaving 30 minutes later. Instead had several other items. Several of which should have been hot, but were actually near room temperature. I don't know who does health inspections here, but they need to take their thermometer and make a visit. Very disappointing.

[getdul981]

Sumter County Health Department (http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdsumter/index.htm)

[steamdogman]

I too would never go back to Speckle Butter Bean for the same reason. I do not think the response from Greg was appropriate. Who are you to judge what other people think! That is the big problem with this blog too many people knocking others who are expressing their opinions.

[rirlam]

We've been there twice. There won't be a third time.

[Bogie Shooter]

I too would never go back to Speckle Butter Bean for the same reason. I do not think the response from Greg was appropriate. Who are you to judge what other people think! That is the big problem with this blog too many people knocking others who are expressing their opinions.

Whoa, wasn't the question asked "who does the health inspections?".
Greg appropriately responed the Health Department web site. What is wrong with that? I don't see that as judgemental.

[Villageshooter]

They got a chance to go to the plate with us 3 times ,,, and all 3 times was strike out.... For the price it should be outstanding. When we go out to eat we never speak to the manager (not my job to get them to put out a good product) we just move on to another place,,, this is one place moved on from. Others beware very pricey even if they had a decent product.

[nonseniorresident]

I too would never go back to Speckle Butter Bean for the same reason. I do not think the response from Greg was appropriate. Who are you to judge what other people think! That is the big problem with this blog too many people knocking others who are expressing their opinions.

All he did was post the link to the Sumter County Health Dept website.

[nonseniorresident]

I agree. Went once, won't be a 2nd visit.

[ilovetv]

I'm glad Old Dave told us about this. It's need-to-know info, since I've wanted to try it several times but husband didn't like the looks of it.

This sentence keeps making me burst out laughing:

"There were two thighs on the steam table when we got there. (Only piece of chicken I won't eat.)"

ROFLMAO...........!!!!!

[OldDave]

Well, I've been telling you guys about my troubles with vision on this trip, maybe those weren"t CHICKEN thighs and maybe we weren't in Speckled Butterbean at all...I did wonder what the stage with the big brass pole was for.

As to Greg, I think that perhaps you mistook his quotes at the bottom of his page as being directed at me. Those quotes you put on your account automatically go with every message. All he sent was the link to the health department and actually didn't say anything at all. (I will say I couldn't find anything on their site to report food issues.)

[Bonny]

Yes this place is nasty. Also stopped going to City Fire after really noticing the Health Inspector must skip this place when making his/her rounds. It's more of a bar/nightclub (and barely even that - fine if you like wine, beer, or well drinks but don't get a mixed drink like a margarita, martini, manhattan because their bartenders have no idea what they are doing, except some of the ones outside) for residents but NOT a place to eat. Didn't mean to change the topic, just wanted to add a related comment.

Surprised to hear this. I think Alan, the bartender, makes the best martinis in the Villages. I like the food at City Fire. Just had the mussels Monday. They are delicious !

[Taltarzac725]

Well, I've been telling you guys about my troubles with vision on this trip, maybe those weren"t CHICKEN thighs and maybe we weren't in Speckled Butterbean at all...I did wonder what the stage with the big brass pole was for.

As to Greg, I think that perhaps you mistook his quotes at the bottom of his page as being directed at me. Those quotes you put on your account automatically go with every message. All he sent was the link to the health department and actually didn't say anything at all. (I will say I couldn't find anything on their site to report food issues.)

This is the agency you use to file complaints against restaurants for food problems-- https://www.myfloridalicense.com/entercomplaint.asp?SID=

This shows inspections of the Speckled Butter Bean-- https://www.myfloridalicense.com/inspectionDates.asp?licid=4174877

You can then find inspection details for April 27, 2012 inspection-- https://www.myfloridalicense.com/inspectionDetail.asp?InspVisitID=4382924&licid=4174877

[njbchbum]

Well, I've been telling you guys about my troubles with vision on this trip, maybe those weren"t CHICKEN thighs and maybe we weren't in Speckled Butterbean at all...I did wonder what the stage with the big brass pole was for.

As to Greg, I think that perhaps you mistook his quotes at the bottom of his page as being directed at me. Those quotes you put on your account automatically go with every message. All he sent was the link to the health department and actually didn't say anything at all. (I will say I couldn't find anything on their site to report food issues.)

olddave - i took the time to follow-up on your post and found the following info:
"Services Not Covered: The Department of Health does not inspect or license restaurants. Restaurants in the State of Florida are inspected and licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. They may be contacted at 850-487-1395.

"There is also an online submission form available from the Florida Department of Health on their website: Online Food and Waterborne Illness Complaint Form.

"Grocery Stores and Convenience Stores in our state are permitted by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. They may be contacted at
850-245-5520."

Department of Business and Professional Regulation:
DBPR: Home Page (http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/)
butter bean's health insp rpt:
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/inspectionDates.asp?SID=&id=4174877

maybe you didn't have time to research the restaurant inspection process - but i did - so i hope this helps you and others with checking restaurants and filing your complaints. ciao!

[OldDave]

Thanks again.

[getdul981]

Sorry to post a misleading link. Guess I should have checked a little closer. I just know that in VA, the Health Department did the inspections of restaurants. I just assumed that was the case here. Guess I should not assume anything.

[njbchbum]

Sorry to post a misleading link. Guess I should have checked a little closer. I just know that in VA, the Health Department did the inspections of restaurants. I just assumed that was the case here. Guess I should not assume anything.

i never would have thought to look beyond the dept of health, either! ;)

guess we could say we learned something new today - makin' wakin' up worth while! also learned that florida does position some state programs in places i never would have thought to look! ;)

[Ragman]

:agree: :yuck::yuck::yuck:

Plus the cashier was pretty unfriendly both times there.

[Schaumburger]

Surprised to hear this. I think Alan, the bartender, makes the best martinis in the Villages. I like the food at City Fire. Just had the mussels Monday. They are delicious !

I agree with Bonny -- I have eaten at City Fire (and whatever it was called before the name change) on each of my visits to TV. I wouldn't go back if I didn't like the food.

[JeffBorn]

Have to say that City Fire does an excellent job in my book. You won't find a better trained and polite staff anywhere in the villages, particularly at the Country clubs including Palmer. The menu is creative and we always enjoy our food and drink. Flat breads are outstanding and the French Dip sandwich is excellent. I've had the pleasure of talking to Scott who is the GM and an owner on site most of the time. He'd love to know if something isn't right and would take the appropriate remedy. I have to say that I consider myself a foodie that has traveled quite a bit. We really enjoy our dining options here in TV, however I've had many less than perfect experiences at the country clubs. Sometimes food and often servers that just don't care. Hacienda is consistently good as well as Lopez. Keep the faith...

[Warren Kiefer]

We've eaten at a number of restaurants around the area since we've been here, most very good. This evening The Speckled Butterbean. Read on line sounded pretty interesting. Mostly went for the fried chicken. There were two thighs on the steam table when we got there. (Only piece of chicken I won't eat.) SAid some more would be out in a minute. It came out just as we were leaving 30 minutes later. Instead had several other items. Several of which should have been hot, but were actually near room temperature. I don't know who does health inspections here, but they need to take their thermometer and make a visit. Very disappointing.

We had dinner there for the first time and also the last time. You nearly have to beg for the food containers to be replentished. Very over priced for poor food.

[gatherer47]

i agree with Bonny,City Fire is fine with food,drinks,and entertainment.I agree with poster about the Speckled Butterbean.I think the food stinks.You would think with the chicken they serve they would have a chiken based gravy for the mashed potatoes.No both times I was there just a very dark strong beef gravy.I've had better buffets at the old Ponderosa chain.

[Grill Meister]

I was raised in the South by a real Southern mamma that knew how to really cook fantastic Southern food and buttermilk biscuits good enuf to slap yo mamma. We went to Speckle Butterbean, thinking we would have some great Southern cooking....ain't so. Nothing they had was Southern food and wasn't fittin' to eat. Tried their collards....yuk...fried chicken....you gotta be kiddin'. Accidentally drop one of the biscuits and it cracked a hole in the concrete floor. Now don't git offended, but the cook must be from New Yawk City.

[Bogie Shooter]

I was raised in the South by a real Southern mamma that knew how to really cook fantastic Southern food and buttermilk biscuits good enuf to slap yo mamma. We went to Speckle Butterbean, thinking we would have some great Southern cooking....ain't so. Nothing they had was Southern food and wasn't fittin' to eat. Tried their collards....yuk...fried chicken....you gotta be kiddin'. Accidentally drop one of the biscuits and it cracked a hole in the concrete floor. Now don't git offended, but the cook must be from New Yawk City.

Spoken like a true southern'er.

[Skip2MySue]

I was raised in the South by a real Southern mamma that knew how to really cook fantastic Southern food and buttermilk biscuits good enuf to slap yo mamma. We went to Speckle Butterbean, thinking we would have some great Southern cooking....ain't so. Nothing they had was Southern food and wasn't fittin' to eat. Tried their collards....yuk...fried chicken....you gotta be kiddin'. Accidentally drop one of the biscuits and it cracked a hole in the concrete floor. Now don't git offended, but the cook must be from New Yawk City.

He's from the "South" Bronx:D
Skip 2

[looneycat]

I too would never go back to Speckle Butter Bean for the same reason. I do not think the response from Greg was appropriate. Who are you to judge what other people think! That is the big problem with this blog too many people knocking others who are expressing their opinions.

and you're not knocking their opinions? :shrug: just saying......:-)