Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages?
 

Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages? Over the years I have been to all of the restaurants here in the Villages and have found it difficult to get a good meal. That doesn’t mean I haven’t had a good meal in The Villages but lately it seems to have been hit and miss and mostly miss. Palmer and Lopez are for the most part the exception but they are not immune. The other night I went to EP and against my better judgment I had their prime rib special with au jus. I ordered it two years ago at another restaurant (it was bad) but thought I would give it another try. It was terrible, a thin cut of beef with gravy disguised as the au jus. Granted it was a good price but I am willing to pay extra for a good cut of prime rib. Another night I had the special at MCC, all you can eat tilapia, terrible! Last year we had friends in town and who ordered steak, at I forget where, it was embarrassing what they brought out. I have found that except for the simple stuff like a salad or a sandwich most of the entrees are at best sub par. I realize there are a variables that determine whether a restaurant can turn a profit or not, especially here in The Villages and I didn’t buy a house here for the food but it would be nice not to have to throw the dice every time you order food here in The Villages.

You could always eat at home

We've been in TV just a year. Never had a problem so far. We've even went to restaurants that other posters have complained about and never had an issue.

Everyone who visits me here loves the food. Maybe the food is not for your taste. I eat at home and rarely eat out. Usually when we have out of town visitors.

Never had a bad meal@ Bonefish or The Cotillion.

Do you want some cheese to go with your w... Oh, nevermind.

High end restaurants such as those found in New York, San Francisco, and Paris are supported by many people who live or visit there willing and able to spend big bucks for their ambiance, drinks, wine and meals properly prepared by trained staff using high quality ingredients. Such restaurants depend upon the patronage of people having sizable expense accounts and/or fat wallets. Their chefs are frequently paid in six figures. Although I have been lucky enough to find some tasty eateries in "middle America" communities, none of them have been Michelin five star rated.

We have found some nice restaurants in Ocala and Orlando. We've also had good luck at Bonefish. Its a chain, obviously, but they do a good job, and we've found the service to be excellent.

Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages?
 

We share your experience and understand many have not had the same problems. We eat out a lot and after over two years of trying to eat in The Villages we switched to off-campus resturants. Some we enjoy are the Longhorn Steak House, Outback, Taverna Red, Little Joey's, and Mimi's in Ocala. Good luck.

I really haven't had a bad meal in TV. Maybe it depends on expectations and what you order.

I'm with you. I'm out every night when I'm in TV and I can't remember having a bad dining experience. I know some of my friends like to go to chains for dinner but I tell them I can go to chains back in Western New York....so we usually go to Country Clubs. No complaints!

I thought of that thank you.

Not whining just thought it was a topic for discussion!

True, I have also but the question remains, why is it so difficult to get a good meal in The Villages?

Hey, maybe, Oldyeller, it's because we need a new restaurant.