Talk of The Villages Florida

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-   -   Eatons Beach (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/restaurant-discussions-90/eatons-beach-317479/)

JSmith216 03-15-2021 09:33 PM
Eatons Beach
 
Went to Eatons Beach for dinner with out of town friends.
Was told the wait time would be 40 minutes. After noticing
other parties being seated ahead of us, we ask where we were on the list. Was told 15 more minutes. Other parties were still being seated ahead of us. Was told those people had called in for a table! Left after 1 and a half hour wait, and realized call in parties had priority over guests waiting in person. Even the bartender, if you could call her a bartender, was extremely rude and inattentive.

mixsonci 03-16-2021 12:36 AM
We tried to go there on Sunday around 6:30ish and was told it was an hour and a half wait, we left

wrestle1 03-16-2021 05:08 AM
Ate there once, not impressed

drpepper 03-16-2021 06:20 AM
You didn't miss anything.

Rent From A Villager 03-16-2021 06:23 AM
We love the place and the atmosphere. The view is beautiful, so if we have to wait we grab a drink and sit and enjoy the view.

stanley 03-16-2021 06:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSmith216 (Post 1916103)
. Other parties were still being seated ahead of us. Was told those people had called in for a table! Left after 1 and a half hour wait, and realized call in parties had priority over guests waiting in person..
Isn't that called a "reservation"?

I've been there many times and always "called ahead". I like everything about the place

Marathon Man 03-16-2021 08:00 AM
Why is it that every negative post about a restaurant includes "they were rude to me"?

Stu from NYC 03-16-2021 08:55 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 1916237)
Why is it that every negative post about a restaurant includes "they were rude to me"?
Makes it sound more authentic?

We went there once a few months ago and really enjoyed it.

wisbad1 03-16-2021 09:09 AM
Was not impressed, not worth the drive and wait. Food is ok, service is ok, not worth the hassle.

John_W 03-16-2021 09:09 AM
...

Brwne 03-16-2021 09:52 AM
Eaton's Beach Sandbar & Grill - name says it all...
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSmith216 (Post 1916103)
Went to Eatons Beach for dinner with out of town friends.
Was told the wait time would be 40 minutes. After noticing
other parties being seated ahead of us, we ask where we were on the list. Was told 15 more minutes. Other parties were still being seated ahead of us. Was told those people had called in for a table! Left after 1 and a half hour wait, and realized call in parties had priority over guests waiting in person. Even the bartender, if you could call her a bartender, was extremely rude and inattentive.
We've been there 4 or 5 times over the last 18 months and have enjoyed the meals and the service. While it is a heck of a drive from South of 44, we went without reservations or call ahead and were seated with 15-30 min. There were, 4,6 or 8 of us and it worked out. Having said that, none of the trips were in "snow bird season", which may have something to do with it.

Ben Franklin 03-24-2021 03:57 PM
Other than a nice view, meh!

Dr Winston O Boogie jr 03-26-2021 06:55 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rent From A Villager (Post 1916161)
We love the place and the atmosphere. The view is beautiful, so if we have to wait we grab a drink and sit and enjoy the view.
How long can you "enjoy" a view for?

National Lampoon's Vacation - "The Grand Canyon" - HD - YouTube

Stu from NYC 03-26-2021 08:11 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 1921125)
It is different than the other restaurants around here and a nice place to go from time to time.

tag460 03-26-2021 10:56 AM
Great place to eat never had any issues!

Pairadocs 03-26-2021 11:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wisbad1 (Post 1916315)
Was not impressed, not worth the drive and wait. Food is ok, service is ok, not worth the hassle.
That was exactly our summary, but have to admit we don't go every month like some devotees. It's a nice alternative to driving all the way to the coast, kind of gives that ocean side dining feel, but yes, very average to low average quality food, a lot of variations in the staff's (training ?) behaviors, friendliness, etc, a real "hit and miss" place, you never know, but being realistic, they do a brisk business, always have, and it works for them !

Kahuna32162 03-26-2021 01:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSmith216 (Post 1916103)
Went to Eatons Beach for dinner with out of town friends.
Was told the wait time would be 40 minutes. After noticing
other parties being seated ahead of us, we ask where we were on the list. Was told 15 more minutes. Other parties were still being seated ahead of us. Was told those people had called in for a table! Left after 1 and a half hour wait, and realized call in parties had priority over guests waiting in person. Even the bartender, if you could call her a bartender, was extremely rude and inattentive.

I'm not trying to be rude, but it's called peak season. You have to plan ahead until the snowbirds leave. They should start to take flight shortly after Easter.

LiverpoolWalrus 03-26-2021 02:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1916317)
I've only eaten there once and it was the casual downstairs area. That was Memorial Day weekend about three years ago. They had 3 piece band playing, and they were really good. It's all open, kind of like being at a beach bar since there is really a white sandy beach to look down at while dining. They had jets skis, about 20 young guys and girls were playing volleyball, which was fun to watch. They would come up every now and then and get a drink, so they were all over 21, or at least in the bartenders mind. There was the Cessna aircraft with the skis landing and taking off not far away on the lake. The only negative was, of course being outside it was hot, wear beach clothes, and there was some flies. I can't remember, it was either BBQ or a hamburger with fries and it was good and only about $10.

They open all these garage doors and it's pretty nice.

https://cdn.usarestaurants.info/asse...r-grillhtm.jpg

This is your view, throw in a bunch of young adults, airplanes, jet skis, boats, it's quite a scene. The air conditioned main restaurant is upstairs.

https://www.ocalastyle.com/wp-conten...atonsBeach.jpg
I love the downstairs restaurant. One of the best places around. Nothing like it in the Villages and it’s not far at all from TV’s north end. Key is to go off peak. But if you want the band, it’ll probably be mobbed so you have to bite the bullet.

I think we’re lucky to have the place.

Northwoods 03-26-2021 08:49 PM
I love Eaton's Beach. I realize they get busy so I either go early or I call ahead. I think their food is very good. The Washday Special and 3c's Mac and Cheese are amazing.
If it wasn't such a long drive I would go there more often. To me, it beats all the Country Clubs (except Lopez and Havana).

pauld315 03-28-2021 06:46 PM
Scott, the upstairs bartender is the best in the area!

coffeebean 04-07-2021 10:56 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by stanley (Post 1916176)
Isn't that called a "reservation"?

I've been there many times and always "called ahead". I like everything about the place
I still can not figure out the difference between a "reservation" and "call ahead seating".

CFrance 04-07-2021 02:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 1927293)
I still can not figure out the difference between a "reservation" and "call ahead seating".
With call ahead, they know you're coming. And it's not really a reservation; there's no guaranteed seating time. You just get a spot in line, and hopefully by the time you get there, a table will have opened up for you.

justjim 04-07-2021 05:27 PM
Went to Eaton’s beach restaurant 3 weeks ago, arrived about 4:30 and we were seated immediately. There were five of us. It was our first time in over a year. Food/service was good and the atmosphere great. May go again before we go north for this summer. It’s different from any place in TV.

stanley 04-07-2021 05:34 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by justjim (Post 1927370)
Went to Eaton’s beach restaurant 3 weeks ago, arrived about 4:30 and we were seated immediately. There were five of us. It was our first time in over a year. Food/service was good and the atmosphere great. May go again before we go north for this summer. It’s different from any place in TV.

Open seating is going to get a lot better in the next few months.

ithos 04-07-2021 06:57 PM
[

With Call ahead typically that means you are put on the waiting list just as if you walked in the door.

A reservation as we all know means they intend to seat you near the time that you requested.

The OP has a legitimate complaint. They should give you an estimated wait time that is ALWAYS conservatively estimated so that actual wait time will be less. Thank you for giving others a heads up. It is already a long drive for most.

The negative responses were quite unfair and WRONG.

asianthree 04-08-2021 06:36 AM
So downfall is long drive, how long is it? To get to a restaurant that meal doesn’t come in a bag takes us 45 minutes.
We are so used to call ahead, not only does it put you on the list as if you were there in person. It gives the restaurant a chance to move people up if the call ahead is later than expected.

LiverpoolWalrus 04-08-2021 10:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by asianthree (Post 1927473)
So downfall is long drive, how long is it? To get to a restaurant that meal doesn’t come in a bag takes us 45 minutes.
We are so used to call ahead, not only does it put you on the list as if you were there in person. It gives the restaurant a chance to move people up if the call ahead is later than expected.
The restaurant is a whopping 5.7 miles from Spanish Springs town square and takes 12 minutes.

We are lucky to have a sandy lakeside beach with decent restaurant so close.

Joepearson55804@gmail.com 04-08-2021 10:52 AM
Great Place! I go often, always great staff, and good food. Great atmosphere!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSmith216 (Post 1916103)
Went to Eatons Beach for dinner with out of town friends.
Was told the wait time would be 40 minutes. After noticing
other parties being seated ahead of us, we ask where we were on the list. Was told 15 more minutes. Other parties were still being seated ahead of us. Was told those people had called in for a table! Left after 1 and a half hour wait, and realized call in parties had priority over guests waiting in person. Even the bartender, if you could call her a bartender, was extremely rude and inattentive.
Here in the States some folks get angry if they have to wait, then they say the staff was rude, probably not you, but some folks do.....but I always see where the real customer says, "nah, they were busy, but not rude"..... sometimes you wait for the good stuff.....

Bogie Shooter 04-08-2021 03:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joepearson55804@gmail.com (Post 1927650)
Here in the States some folks get angry if they have to wait, then they say the staff was rude, probably not you, but some folks do.....but I always see where the real customer says, "nah, they were busy, but not rude"..... sometimes you wait for the good stuff.....
So, is it different elsewhere?

CFrance 04-08-2021 04:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 1927767)
So, is it different elsewhere?
Yes. Some places in France the wait is two months.


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