[frayedends]

I’ve always had great meals and drinks at the Chophouse.

Regarding ordering a martini they are all “up” and none are straight unless you don’t want any vermouth at all. I would recommend just ordering it as dry as you want and specify the gin. Unless you are a secret agent. Then you tell them to shake it. Otherwise they should all be stirred.

[Jim1mack]

Last night I made a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with couple of leaves of lettuce from our garden thrown in. Yum. My wife and daughter had tasty meals from Panda Express delivered. Free delivery btw. Yum. Watched a recorded jeapordy episode while we ate.

No wait staff complaints. No food complaints. No drink complaints. Simple. Enjoyable.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by Jim1mack

Last night I made a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with couple of leaves of lettuce from our garden thrown in. Yum. My wife and daughter had tasty meals from Panda Express delivered. Free delivery btw. Yum. Watched a recorded jeapordy episode while we ate.

No wait staff complaints. No food complaints. No drink complaints. Simple. Enjoyable.

Delivery is never free. You have to give a good 20% tip anyhow. But the rest is fine unless you are looking for the experience of eating out. If it was simply a matter of food and drinks quality I’d always stay home as my steak is the best I’ve ever had and I make a better cocktail than, probably, 95% of bartenders. Yet I still go out to eat often.

[H-ned]

Originally Posted by JoMar

So if FMK is sub par.....where do you go for dinner that meets your expectations?

We consistently enjoy delicious food and attentive service at Havana CC restaurant. Also have repeated good experiences at Glenview CC, Nancy Lopez CC, and Palmer Legends CC restaurants. Each of these are definitely “cut above” the FMK restaurants. That said, we do enjoy lunches at Evans Prairie CC.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Delivery is never free. You have to give a good 20% tip anyhow. But the rest is fine unless you are looking for the experience of eating out. If it was simply a matter of food and drinks quality I’d always stay home as my steak is the best I’ve ever had and I make a better cocktail than, probably, 95% of bartenders. Yet I still go out to eat often.

You make a good point. I seldom have a meal out that exceeds the quality of the meal I can prepare at home. When I dine out, I’m looking for excellent service, nice ambiance, and passable food quality. Steaks in particular are rarely better prepared dining out than what I grill at home.

[SoCalGal]

Originally Posted by PompeyKing

Last night was our second visit to Chop within the last 10 days. Just another disappointment from Chop House. We will not likely return there.

While visiting The Villages on a lifestyle tour, we dined at the Chop. Someone needs to instruct the kitchen on how to make a proper Caesar salad. Don't order one here if you're an aficionado of the Caesar salad. Romaine should be chilled, not room temperature, and torn, not cut with a knife. Thirteen dollars for fifty cents worth of warm romaine? Please. Imagine my disappointment when, the next night, we dined at the Harvest Restaurant and the exact same salad appeared before me! Apparently, none of FMK's kitchens know how to make a Caesar salad. Service was slow, but the server Mark made up for it in charm.

[kingofbeer]

Had lunch at The Chop House once. The food and service where superb. Had a steak filet at Harvest which was great. Great service there too. Harvest and Chop House are both FMK owned. FMK is a great organization. Not sure why the OP had so many problems.

[kingofbeer]

Originally Posted by swooner

Just went there for my 50th anniversary. Double Tito’s on the rocks, not diluted. Beef Wellington may be the best I ever had, same for the creamed spinach. Baked potato was perfect. If you don’t like the chop house you can’t possibly like any other joint in TV!

Agreed. Chop House is number one!

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Agreed. Chop House is number one!

In your opinion. Not everyone agrees. Just saying ...

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Agreed. Chop House is number one!

I enjoy Chop House for the convenience. But, as many have posted, restaurants outside of the bubble are MUCH BETTER. I believe there are too many FMK restaurants in the Villages. Basically the same food at each but in a different location. I can understand why the OP has chosen to never return.

[msilagy]

It depends on where you came from up north. or anywhere. Those from small towns might think the Chop House is excellent. From Chicago myself and have eaten all over the US with my job in first class restaurants - the Chop House is rated a 5 to me! Just my experience there.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by msilagy

It depends on where you came from up north. or anywhere. Those from small towns might think the Chop House is excellent. From Chicago myself and have eaten all over the US with my job in first class restaurants - the Chop House is rated a 5 to me! Just my experience there.

5? 5 star, or 5 out of 10? 🤔

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by msilagy

It depends on where you came from up north. or anywhere. Those from small towns might think the Chop House is excellent. From Chicago myself and have eaten all over the US with my job in first class restaurants - the Chop House is rated a 5 to me! Just my experience there.

You hit it on the head.

The Villages is a slice of Middle-America and it's now abundantly clear to me, that "Middle America" is wasteland for food and dining. Not something I was aware of until I came to TV.

Folks who grew up and lived in Blue States may have had lousy government, but they had good food.

Folks who grew up in Red States, seem to have been raised on a diet of Diner Food.

Or maybe it's just small town America vs Metro/Suburban America?

The diversity of America is both fascinating and predictable, at the same time.

The Chop House is a perfect example. Faux "white table cloth dining", with the walls adorned with TV's and a bar full of guys (& gals), wearing madras shorts, sandals and baseball caps.

Folks from NY, Boston, Miami, Seattle & LA, walk into the place and are mortified ... folks from Peoria and Podunk, walk in and think they're in gourmet heaven.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

You hit it on the head.

The Villages is a slice of Middle-America and it's now abundantly clear to me, that "Middle America" is wasteland for food and dining. Not something I was aware of until I came to TV.

Folks who grew up and lived in Blue States may have had lousy government, but they had good food.

Folks who grew up in Red States, seem to have been raised on a diet of Diner Food.

Or maybe it's just small town America vs Metro/Suburban America?

The diversity of America is both fascinating and predictable, at the same time.

The Chop House is a perfect example. Faux "white table cloth dining", with the walls adorned with TV's and a bar full of guys (& gals), wearing madras shorts, sandals and baseball caps.

Folks from NY, Boston, Miami, Seattle & LA, walk into the place and are mortified ... folks from Peoria and Podunk, walk in and think they're in gourmet heaven.

Agree wholeheartedly!