For those who quibble that prices in The Villages restaurants are too high

[senior citizen]

For those who quibble that the prices in THE VILLAGES restaurants are too high, let me tell you.......they are NOT. We thought they were LOW.

Having just returned from a two week vacation in seacoast Maine, the restaurant prices were exhorbitant.......but you pay it as it's part of the experience. If one doesn't want to pay the high prices, just as easy to prepare the stuff at home, courtesy of a good cookbook.

But, folks go out to dine for a reason........to enjoy something different and so that they do not have to cook it themselves.

Restaurants have a lot of overhead, especially in resort areas.........
Plus........food is perishable and has to be restocked daily.
The customer shares in these costs.......

Personally, I can't see quibbling over a few dollars....but that's me.

[Golfingnut]

For those who quibble that the prices in THE VILLAGES restaurants are too high, let me tell you.......they are NOT. We thought they were LOW.

Having just returned from a two week vacation in seacoast Maine, the restaurant prices were exhorbitant.......but you pay it as it's part of the experience. If one doesn't want to pay the high prices, just as easy to prepare the stuff at home, courtesy of a good cookbook.

But, folks go out to dine for a reason........to enjoy something different and so that they do not have to cook it themselves.

Restaurants have a lot of overhead, especially in resort areas.........
Plus........food is perishable and has to be restocked daily.
The customer shares in these costs.......

Personally, I can't see quibbling over a few dollars....but that's me.

You are among thr larger group.

[senior citizen]

You are among thr larger group.


Meaning most TV folks think they get a nice meal for a good price?

[Golfingnut]

Meaning most TV folks think they get a nice meal for a good price?

Yes, I think that is the case also, if they would drop the prices, no split fees and free to kids, there would be a group complaining about that. Pricing is a precise method to gain the customer base that will bring in the best profit. The Villages is not a discount food and drink kind of community. Make this a place tha people will drive 30 miles for due to cheap food and drink and I will move out.

[leftyf]

I feel that The Villages restaurant's prices are very fair. I'm glad there are no "family restaurants" here. If I want fast food, I just go to those restaurants.

[rubicon]

There is only one restaurant where I complain about price and that is Bonefish. And with that its not the prices. It is more that I believe their prices don't equate with quality of food or reasonable portions.

I went to Bonefish twice and both times I was very disappointed.

I also have some empathy for restaurants here because they are dealing with a large potion of the population on a fixed income and dealing with the fact that the population is seasonal. These two factors alone make pricing difficult for them.

In general then I feel the prices here are reasonable. I congratulate those restaurants that have maintained longevity here because they must be doing something right.

[senior citizen]

I feel that The Villages restaurant's prices are very fair. I'm glad there are no "family restaurants" here. If I want fast food, I just go to those restaurants.

Isn't IHOP (International House of Pancakes) and all of those on the
main road in TV considered family restaurants?????

I agree with you that the prices are all fair......in TV's restaurants.

[Villages PL]

Ultimately, I think we would have to believe that prices are "fair" most of the time because most restaurants have to compete with other restaurants. Sometimes we think prices are too high but that's because it's relative to what we are willing to spend. In that case, we can usually find a lower cost alternative.

[buggyone]

There is only one restaurant where I complain about price and that is Bonefish. And with that its not the prices. It is more that I believe their prices don't equate with quality of food or reasonable portions.

I went to Bonefish twice and both times I was very disappointed.


Are you implying the portions of food at Bonefish are too small? I am a pretty hearty eater and I usually take home leftovers from Bonefish - and mighty tasty leftovers, at that. That is from the main menu.

Mrs. Buggy and I now like to go to Bonefish and sit at the hightop tables by the bar. We get the bar menu food with a drink or two each. I like the Bang Bang Tacos (two flour tacos filled with bang bang shrimp and salad) for $6. A couple of vodka & tonics at $3 each and you have very good dinner for about $12 each. With the bar food menu, we do not take food home.

[784caroline]

There is only one restaurant where I complain about price and that is Bonefish. And with that its not the prices. It is more that I believe their prices don't equate with quality of food or reasonable portions.

I went to Bonefish twice and both times I was very disappointed.

I also have some empathy for restaurants here because they are dealing with a large potion of the population on a fixed income and dealing with the fact that the population is seasonal. These two factors alone make pricing difficult for them.

In general then I feel the prices here are reasonable. I congratulate those restaurants that have maintained longevity here because they must be doing something right.

Are we talking about the same place..BONEFISH on 466 ?? Based on the crowds there every night, you are definintely in the minority, in my view on every point you made. The food served has always been fresh, good hot and more than adequate portions. Most of the menu itens are under $20 with some specials running up to $25. Just had the Lobster roll with a side for $13 and it was very good...this would easily cost $20+in Maine! Alot of items and combinaions for under $20 and the happy hour menu cant be beat!

Never had a bad meal here and service has always been top notch!

Bonefish is one of the best resturants in TV!!

[eweissenbach]

We definitely fall into the camp that restaurants in TV are, on the whole, a bargain. We eat frequently when we are there at Mallory, NY Athens, Cane Garden, Toojays, Cody's, Oakwood, Sonnys, Lighthouse and others and feel we get great value for our dollar. I don't know where you can get the quality and variety of restaurants in a concentrated area, that compares to TV.

[asianthree]

cheesecake factory for two pasta dinner and two cheesecake with tip...$60

[Mamaderby]

We are from the Cleveland area. We have found the restaurant prices in TV to be very reasonable. in fact, we can eat out cheaper here than in Cleveland. Prices are very fair and in fact a great selling point because it is not "resort" pricing......Love it! I love to cook , but also love it when the hubby "cooks"

[Lbmb24101]

We love Bonefish on Tuesdays w their lobster specials!
Example
Yestersay i had the lobster tail w a side and salad, Larry had TWO tails ( no sides)
We drank water instead of alcohol or soda
Bill came to 30.00
And w the AARP discount, $ 27.00
Where can 2 eat lobster for that price???
And the food is very good!
I hope they continue the lobster Tuesdays and the aarp discounts!

[Bosoxfan]

:bigbow::BigApplause::agree:Are we talking about the same place..BONEFISH on 466 ?? Based on the crowds there every night, you are definintely in the minority, in my view on every point you made. The food served has always been fresh, good hot and more than adequate portions. Most of the menu itens are under $20 with some specials running up to $25. Just had the Lobster roll with a side for $13 and it was very good...this would easily cost $20+in Maine! Alot of items and combinaions for under $20 and the happy hour menu cant be beat!

Never had a bad meal here and service has always been top notch!

Bonefish is one of the best resturants in TV!!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

For those who quibble that the prices in THE VILLAGES restaurants are too high, let me tell you.......they are NOT. We thought they were LOW.

Having just returned from a two week vacation in seacoast Maine, the restaurant prices were exhorbitant.......but you pay it as it's part of the experience. If one doesn't want to pay the high prices, just as easy to prepare the stuff at home, courtesy of a good cookbook.

But, folks go out to dine for a reason........to enjoy something different and so that they do not have to cook it themselves.

Restaurants have a lot of overhead, especially in resort areas.........
Plus........food is perishable and has to be restocked daily.
The customer shares in these costs.......

Personally, I can't see quibbling over a few dollars....but that's me.

I don't really have an opinion on Villages restaurant prices. They always seems about average to me, but I've only eaten at country clubs a few times and they seemed a bit over the top for me. I wasn't real happy paying $16.00 for a plateful of Spaghetti with little else.

I have more of a problem with the service in this entire area. Maybe it's a southern thing but I am very frustrated by how slow the service here is and how much the servers seem to not care about the customers. But that's another discussion.

But what I can say is that you are comparing apples and oranges here. The Villages restaurants are basically neighborhood establishments and comparing them to seasonal resort area restaurants is not really fair. Any time you are in a seasonal resort are you are going to pay top dollar. Establishments in these areas know that they have a captive audience with little choice except to eat out. They are also closed for several months of the year and need to make up for that down time. As the old saying goes, "You need to make hay when the sun is shining". Rents and property values in resort area like the Maine seacoast tend to be higher as well.

[TheCollierCpl]

We agree. TheVillage restaurants are quite reasonable for what you get. Unfortunately, many people are clueless about what it costs to run a restaurant. (And they don't think either.) whoever thinks the prices are exorbitant ought to take advantage of this and open their own. If they can sell for less, then they will make a fortune. Maybe people should have to put their money where their mouth is?

[eweissenbach]

I don't really have an opinion on Villages restaurant prices. They always seems about average to me, but I've only eaten at country clubs a few times and they seemed a bit over the top for me. I wasn't real happy paying $16.00 for a plateful of Spaghetti with little else.
.

Doc, it sounds like the country club restaurants you have tried would be Lopez, Palmer, and maybe Evan's Prairie. The prices at Mallory, Cane, and Bonifay are much more reasonable than you describe. Mallory has specials every night for under ten dollars and they are consistently good.

[Pturner]

The ones I've been to seem reasonably priced to me.

[manaboutown]

I checked out the Bonefish menu. It seemed quite inexpensive to me compared to what I am accustomed to paying for similar fare in states other than Florida.

[TomOB]

I think it all depends on where you come from and what you expect. The chain restaurants are pretty much the same everywhere. Otherwise, the drinks and food are very reasonable to me. I moved here from Hawaii...try to afford to live there!

[bmarlo767]

You are among thr larger group.
I agree you are among the larger group but not the most vocal.
:agree:

[keithwand]

There's an AARP discount at Bonefish?

[graciegirl]

Doc. I can't think what Country Club you went to get pasta and paid $16.00 for it.

It wasn't Mallory, Cane, Glenview, Havana, Evans Prarie, Bonifay or Tierra del Sol.

I love to go to those restaurants. The food may not be as good as the east coast gourmets are used to, but it is decent and often much more than that...and again I say..the servers are the best. If you have to wait for food, blame someone else.

[Lbmb24101]

Are we talking about the same place..BONEFISH on 466 ?? Based on the crowds there every night, you are definintely in the minority, in my view on every point you made. The food served has always been fresh, good hot and more than adequate portions. Most of the menu itens are under $20 with some specials running up to $25. Just had the Lobster roll with a side for $13 and it was very good...this would easily cost $20+in Maine! Alot of items and combinaions for under $20 and the happy hour menu cant be beat!

Never had a bad meal here and service has always been top notch!

Bonefish is one of the best resturants in TV!!

There's an AARP discount at Bonefish?

Yes there s.
Furthermore, Outback ( which is owned by the same corporation as Bonefish) has aarp discount on MONDAYS.
Bon app�tit!!

[Sal D]

Here is a quick way of looking at it. Go to your kitchen and look @ the tiles on the floor (or anywhere you may have 12X12 tiles). next imagine paying $40 - 60 for each one. every month. Imagine that cost for the square footage of your home. then you will be able to understand how expensive rent alone is in the villages. Oh and did I forget to mention the 3 - 5% TV gets on your sales too.

[rubicon]

Are you implying the portions of food at Bonefish are too small? I am a pretty hearty eater and I usually take home leftovers from Bonefish - and mighty tasty leftovers, at that. That is from the main menu.

Mrs. Buggy and I now like to go to Bonefish and sit at the hightop tables by the bar. We get the bar menu food with a drink or two each. I like the Bang Bang Tacos (two flour tacos filled with bang bang shrimp and salad) for $6. A couple of vodka & tonics at $3 each and you have very good dinner for about $12 each. With the bar food menu, we do not take food home.

Hi buggy. This thread just appeared again...don't know where they disappear to but anyway to answer your questions.

Based on my comments I know bonefish has a loyal following. I just happen not to be one of them.

The last time I was there I ordered steak and shrimp. The shrimp on the skewer was that tiny shrimp restaurants usually put in salads for accent
The steaks was consumed in about three bites. I can't recall the exact price but then I was over bonefish when the waitress set my plate down in front of me and I knew I would be cooking something when I got home.

and yes I did say that given price to quality the place is overpriced. I am no longer a big eater so that is not my issue. My issue is utility for my dollar and frankly I gotten better steak and shrimp at golden corral then bonefish.

Perhaps my taste buds are going bad. I am not saying I am right I am just saying that bonefish is not right for me.

Bon Appetit'

[eweissenbach]

Hi buggy. This thread just appeared again...don't know where they disappear to but anyway to answer your questions.

Based on my comments I know bonefish has a loyal following. I just happen not to be one of them.

The last time I was there I ordered steak and shrimp. The shrimp on the skewer was that tiny shrimp restaurants usually put in salads for accent
The steaks was consumed in about three bites. I can't recall the exact price but then I was over bonefish when the waitress set my plate down in front of me and I knew I would be cooking something when I got home.

and yes I did say that given price to quality the place is overpriced. I am no longer a big eater so that is not my issue. My issue is utility for my dollar and frankly I gotten better steak and shrimp at golden corral then bonefish.

Perhaps my taste buds are going bad. I am not saying I am right I am just saying that bonefish is not right for me.

Bon Appetit'

I am not sure what the appeal of Bonefish is either rubi. It is just fine, but not exceptional IMHO. I have eaten at Bonefish in Des Moines, Kansas City, and TV and found no difference. Seems to me fresh seafood would be better, cheaper, and more available an hour away from either coast, but that's just me. I never hear anyone extolling the virtues of Red Lobster, but for my money it is just as good, less expensive, and easier to get seated than Bonefish. I am not knocking bonefish, just don't see why it is such a go-to destination for so many. By the way, if you like lobster, Lopez on Mondays, and NY Athens have very good lobster at great prices.

[LuckySevens]

For those who quibble that the prices in THE VILLAGES restaurants are too high, let me tell you.......they are NOT. We thought they were LOW.

Having just returned from a two week vacation in seacoast Maine, the restaurant prices were exhorbitant.......but you pay it as it's part of the experience. If one doesn't want to pay the high prices, just as easy to prepare the stuff at home, courtesy of a good cookbook.

But, folks go out to dine for a reason........to enjoy something different and so that they do not have to cook it themselves.

Restaurants have a lot of overhead, especially in resort areas.........
Plus........food is perishable and has to be restocked daily.
The customer shares in these costs.......

Personally, I can't see quibbling over a few dollars....but that's me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's just say that this is YOUR opinion. Where I moved from (The midwest), restaurant food was 20-25% lower than in TV.... for the same food,. I would imagine they have pretty much the same overhead in both places, (minus what the Villages takes from the restaurant). Also, grocery store food is 20-25% HIGHER in TV. Having said this, it is what it is. It's just that we all hail from different places before moving here, and obviously the cost of living differs from place to place, so to say that it is not high here, just doesn't apply to everyone.

[eweissenbach]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's just say that this is YOUR opinion. Where I moved from (The midwest), restaurant food was 20-25% lower than in TV.... for the same food,. I would imagine they have pretty much the same overhead in both places, (minus what the Villages takes from the restaurant). Also, grocery store food is 20-25% HIGHER in TV. Having said this, it is what it is. It's just that we all hail from different places before moving here, and obviously the cost of living differs from place to place, so to say that it is not high here, just doesn't apply to everyone.

I too am a Midwesterner (Mo., Ks, ND, Mn) and I think the restaurant prices are comparable if not slightly cheaper in TV for similar food choices and ambience. Now the groceries are a different story. Publix is the most expensive regular grocery (not including Whole Foods or Fresh Market) that I have shopped. We do most of our grocery shopping at ALDI when in TV and save big time compared to Publix and even Wal Mart.

[billethkid]

Here is a quick way of looking at it. Go to your kitchen and look @ the tiles on the floor (or anywhere you may have 12X12 tiles). next imagine paying $40 - 60 for each one. every month. Imagine that cost for the square footage of your home. then you will be able to understand how expensive rent alone is in the villages. Oh and did I forget to mention the 3 - 5% TV gets on your sales too.

Here we go again with the rent is too high to succeded in TV ....urban legend.

Once again all these businesses knew what the rent was going to be when they signed on the bottom line. To blame the rent for high prices is not the reason. To say TV gets 3-5% of sales is a myth for almost all the retailers renting in TV.
Yes most leases contain a clause that if sales excede a certain level...AGREED TO BY THE SIGNER OF THE LEASE!!!.....there is a graduated percentage of the amount over the estimate. The reason folks sign is because the estimated level of sales is so high that if the owner would ever hit that level they would be quite happy to pay TV or anybody else the so called 3-5%.

The rent being called the problem is usually third party or more hear say.....or an renting retailer that did not make it work adverizing that it was the rent that did it....they knew how much the rent was before going in....their business dream just did not pan out to be what they thought it would be!!!!

It ain't the rent!!!!!!!!!!!! Ask any of the ones that have been here since day one!!

btk

[buggyone]

Not too long ago, I was talking with the owner of City Fire and he told me of his many experiences of owning restaurants. He said the Developer is the second best landlord he has had in over 30 years. Speaks pretty good when a tenant gives that kind of a statement.

BTK is absolutely right. It is not the rent that causes some businesses to fail.

[rubicon]

I am not sure what the appeal of Bonefish is either rubi. It is just fine, but not exceptional IMHO. I have eaten at Bonefish in Des Moines, Kansas City, and TV and found no difference. Seems to me fresh seafood would be better, cheaper, and more available an hour away from either coast, but that's just me. I never hear anyone extolling the virtues of Red Lobster, but for my money it is just as good, less expensive, and easier to get seated than Bonefish. I am not knocking bonefish, just don't see why it is such a go-to destination for so many. By the way, if you like lobster, Lopez on Mondays, and NY Athens have very good lobster at great prices.

Hi coach: My feelings exactly and that was my point. I am not complaining about the prices anywhere in TV including bonefish.

[rubicon]

I too am a Midwesterner (Mo., Ks, ND, Mn) and I think the restaurant prices are comparable if not slightly cheaper in TV for similar food choices and ambience. Now the groceries are a different story. Publix is the most expensive regular grocery (not including Whole Foods or Fresh Market) that I have shopped. We do most of our grocery shopping at ALDI when in TV and save big time compared to Publix and even Wal Mart.

Hi again Coach: We go to ALDI's also for a number of items. I told my wife that one of these days I would be a spendthrift and forego by quarter and leave the shopping cart in the parking lot. Joking of course. as you will often see me pulling stray shopping carts backinto the store.

[collie1228]

We had a delicious dinner Friday at Red Sauce - Seafood Spaghetti in red clam sauce and Pan Seared Grouper with risotto, with two glasses of wine each. Total bill including tax and tip was a reasonable $62.00. Food and service were outstanding. We are heading for Key West this week and I'm betting we won't have anything better down there, but the prices will be at least 25% higher. We eat out at least twice a week and I think restaurant prices in TV are generally reasonable.

[jblum315]

Your restaurant tab in Key West is likely to be at least 50% higher. Gas too.

[keithwand]

Just had lunch at Bar Harbor in Harbor Springs, MI.
2 olive burgers with fries and 2 Fat Tire beers.
$40.00 dollars and Priceless.
Best burger this summer at The Boathouse in Traverse City.
$16.00 per and MMM.

[butterfly sue]

Just do some traveling up Pacific Northwest or Western Canada down to San Francisco and see what the prices are. We innocently went for breakfast to pay $5 for bacon each. Duh! We should have looked for the price. It was a small town in northern California. Food is reasonable here for what you get or the restaurant just doesn't stay in business. There are plenty of deals here too. Love the $5, $6 and $7 menu at Gators in LSL. So cut the coupons too! I love and dread everyone coming back. That means packed restaurants and for me, I just eat dinner by 4pm and seem to avoid that.

[rvrsnwbird]

I'm pleasantly pleased that the restaurants in the villages have higher standards (better food) than up in Ocala. Prices are the same just better food and service.

[buggyone]

I'm pleasantly pleased that the restaurants in the villages have higher standards (better food) than up in Ocala. Prices are the same just better food and service.

Please specify which restaurants in Ocala you mean. Personally, I love Harry's Seafood in Ocala.

Here in The Villages, Glenview CC and Lopez CC are the two best restaurants.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Not too long ago, I was talking with the owner of City Fire and he told me of his many experiences of owning restaurants. He said the Developer is the second best landlord he has had in over 30 years. Speaks pretty good when a tenant gives that kind of a statement.

BTK is absolutely right. It is not the rent that causes some businesses to fail.

No, rent is not the reason that businesses fail, but high rent will contribute to higher prices. You are going to pay more for a cup of coffee outside the busiest subway station in the world than you are in the middle of nowhere Kansas. The other side of the coin is that the reason that the rents are higher is that people are wiling to pay more for that cup of coffee because of the convenience of the location.
Prices in Manhattan are higher than a lot of places because the rents are higher. And the millions of people that live and work there are willing to pay more. So, location also contributes to higher prices and higher rents.
If prices are set too high a business will fold. And, if they are set too low a business will also fold. Economic 101.

[zonerboy]

If you think restaurant prices are high here in the villages, travel on down to Disney Word and try to find a hamburger at a sit down restaurant for less than 15 bucks.