Nancy Lopez Legacy Restaurant slipping
 

We went to Nancy Lopez restaurant for Thanksgiving with nine other folks and it was absolutely awful. The turkey was definitely processed meat and tasteless. This used to be the best restaurant in the Villages. It has slowly gone downhill these past few years and now hit bottom! We went there also about a month ago for the weekly lobster and steak. Smallest tail I've ever seen, hockey puck size portion of potatoes and upcharge to change. We won't b going there again.

We assume you took the issues to the manager at the time to make them fully aware!
What did they say?

We also went to Nancy Lopez on Thanksgiving and were a little disappointed. On Thanksgiving I tend to overeat a bit and the portions were really pretty small for $35. The food was OK. I had the turkey dinner at Bob Evans the week before and I thought it was comparable to Nancy Lopez but with bigger portions for a lot less money. I should mention that this was our first time at Nancy Lopez. We’ll try it again though as I know it gets pretty good reviews.

That is the same group that just closed Havana. The destroyed that restaurant. They also did bad to the pool bar. That's a shame liked all three, not anymore.

we are new here for the holidays and have been asking for weeks where a good spot was for Thanksgiving dinner and heard a lot of horror stories such as this one here on the forum. I saw an ad in the paper for Harbor Lights and took a chance on it at $28 per person. I was a little disappointed in the atmosphere but boy was it a great buffet, well stocked, hot, and included beef and lamb if you chose to add that to your plate. Everything was great including the dessert and the service. I would not hesitate in going back there again. A long drive for those of you up north buy only 15 minutes from Fenney. Great find and I'm surprised that it was not mentioned here somewhere over the prior weeks.

No offense, but going to any restaurant for a holiday meal usually results in disappointment. For less than $50 you can buy a nice sized turkey and all the fixings for 6 people.

What price did you pay for your lobster/steak combo? You might want to check price per pound for maine lobster tails and filet mignon. You probably got what you paid for plus the cooking, service, and no dishes to wash.

GoodLife....many people here just dont want to cook anymore. I suspect that is why many restaurants know they can serve mediocre food.

Havent eaten at Lopez in a while. I had heard they improved but holiday food at any restaurant is a gamble.

Hemingway?...they truly need a lot of help

The owner of lopez & the former hemming way was experiencing some family medical problems, he reliquinshed control to a mgt co., it cost him the loss of Hemingway, the way it sounds he just might lose Lopez

Think I should use my $75 gift card sooner rather than later?

I’ll trade you for $100 in confederate money.


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Kudos to Bonifay
 

I took my family to Bonifay Country Club and it was excellent. I have vegetarians, fussy kids and grand kids in the family and to cook for them at home requires many special dishes. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and t(e Turkey was delicious. That's my main focus. Kudos to Bonifay at only $17.95 per person and $8.95 for kids.

Simp,

We were there last year and again this year. They did a great job. Just to much food !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nancy Lopez wasn’t bad but I was hungry a few hours later. I expected to be full for $35. I wouldn’t be complaining if I could have had seconds. Live and learn.

Lopez slipped a long time ago

Went to Bob Evans at Colony Turkey Feast $14.95. Could not finish all the food . Hot when we got it , tasty, three sides plus stuffing and cranberry relish, pie (so-so) and choice of their breads (pumpkin, banana, biscuits etc. Would definitely go again on holidays.

We’ve been to Bob Evans a few times since we got back here. Don’t think there are any back in Rhode Island. Really good breakfasts and good hearty dinners all for very reasonable prices. Sign up for there email program for coupons and it gets even cheaper.

Don't listen to these nay sayers. If you haven't noticed by now a lot of these negative reviews happen when certain snow birds come back here. They make it a practice of complaining about everything they do or see. The last time Lopez was said to be going down hill we went and ate there. It was great!

There are some people whose sole duty is to tell everyone how horrible things are...ignore them and enjoy.

Hemingway has been replaced
 

The owners of Red Sauce bought the restaurant a t Havana. They changed the menu and the food is very good. Have been there 6 or 7 times since the purchase.

We like to go to Harbor Lights. I like their seafood buffet on the weekends. The owners are very nice and the food is always hot & fresh.

Awful meal
 

Lopez Legacy has definitely gone downhill. We went their last night for our anniversary. It has always been our 'go to' for big events. I ordered a martini with Ketel One Vodka, and the waiter said they don't have Ketel One. What? You've got to be kidding. So I ordered Grey Goose. Again, they don't have Grey Goose. Strange! I ended up with a watered down Titos martini. Things went down hill from there. The Calimari was undercooked and chewey with some sort of weird sweet sauce on it. We couldn't finish it. Our meal came while we were eating the appetizer. The beans were under cooked, or should I say raw. The lobster was just fair, and we get better steak at Sam's Club. It was noisy, to the point we had trouble hearing each other. We spent $100 total, and should have stayed home. What has happened to one of the few good restaurants in The Villages?

Hey give me a break. We just purchased at the end of June. Let me develop a track record first before you label me a complainer. But I stand by my comments. Bob Evans was comparable to Lopez but with larger portions at a third of the price. That said, we will try Lopez again but not on a holiday.

I really don't view those who relay a disappointing dining experience as "complainers" They are actually very helpful to me when I am choosing where to eat! Thanks for the information.

Evans Prairie Country Club is my favorite, excellent food, good portions, clean, lovely decor inside and outside, friendly staff.

We had holiday dinner at the best restaurant wherever (and it was all over the US) we lived, and it was never as good as it was the other days.

I agree. The "senior staff" as in longest there, have asked off to be with their families and they were probably given the time off in many cases.

Turkey is tricky to serve, getting the little bones out etc and cutting it attractively and many, (Maybe ALL) restaurants use pre-prepared and that doesn't do a Turkey any good. Never like fresh out of the oven.

Just all kinds of reasons why the big holiday dinners aren't WONDERFUL at many restaurants.

I LOVE everything about Bob Evans Turkey dinner BUT the Turkey. I love the dressing, the cranberry sauce, the mashed potatoes, the gravy, the rolls, but the Turkey is not up to par with Turkey out of the oven. NOWHERE. Nada. In any restaurant.

This was the first Thanksgiving my wife hasn’t cooked. So wherever we would have eaten, it was going to be a bit of a disappointment. But she didn’t seem that disappointed.

I am so liking your posts. Welcome to The Villages. May you have many wonderful Thanksgivings.

Thank you!

Loving the Villages so far. We sold a small vacation condo in Sarasota to get a place here. I was a little worried that we would miss the beach and I do miss the beach. But The Villages offers so much more. Sarasota never felt like home. This feels like home. That says it all.

:beer3:

Enjoyed one of the best made to order omelets by a lady who knows how to prepare it at Evans as part of their breakfast special.

You can’t beat the breakfast buffets (with made to order omelets) at Evans Prairie, Bonifay and Orange Blossom. We go there often. Unbelievable deal at $7.99 weekdays and $8.99 weekends.

Totally agree on the breakfast buffets and it is coming soon to Belle Glade as well.

Two, I have to agree with you...........that lady is amazing

I suspect the devils in the details. and its difficult given time, limited space and lack of pictorial opportunities to make a fine point. And I don't believe people complain just to complain. and if people didn't ever complain we still be living in caves

When someone says they had bad meal it may have been that that particular chef is not good at that particular meal. or perhaps short handed or perhaps poor management, etc.

Essentially however in the end its the customer that matters. so if X says won't go back I respect that comment and file it away for further reference.

Personal Best Regards:

When is that happening?

I love to to watch her prepare and complete six at a time without missing a beat. And mine is always perfect. She is an act that gets my tip every time at Evans Prairie for the Sunday breakfast buffet.

Seems like nothing has changed at Nancy Lopez for Thanksgiving.
In 2010 we took our family of 11 there for Thanksgiving dinner and they served processed turkey back then.
We are still kicking ourselves for not sending the meals back and complaining to management.
We used to go there often back then but have not gone there since.

I don't think any experience from 7 years ago is relevant today.

Never go out to eat on major holidays, you are going to get the bums rush as far as quality & service

Absolutely correct!

My club, a group of 25, had our holiday dinner last night at Lopez. We all had great food, service and a great time. My wife had the 15 shrimp special and it was excellent as was my roasted duck.

P.S.
The meals came out all at once, not an easy feat for any kitchen or wait staff.

It is when they are still serving the same lousy processed turkey and getting away with it.