[Villager Joyce]

We went to Bonifay lsat week. Food was great. I was still eating--fork in hand when the waitress Reached for and had her hand on My plate as she asked if I was Finished. I said to go ahead and take it, otherwise I would finish eating my dinner. She took it. They weren't busy and we were only there an hour. We thought she must be going off shift. No excuse. (My apologies for posting my bonifay experience on an EP thread.)

[Phanatic Luvr]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

You needed a server "over 20 times" during a meal? No wonder they skipped out.

Jayhawk, I think maybe you misunderstood what the OP was saying. I read it as, he/she frequents EP ALOT and over 20 separate visits, the server was nowhere to be found during the meal.

[ukbill70]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

And the Cane Garden Stir fry hit the spot and it was ten bucks I think. The very tender and nicely spiced chicken was crispily fried separately with breading and placed on top of the noodles and veggies and some fresh Cilantro (?) was sprinkled on it.The water chestnuts added crunch and the service was just WONDERFUL. Our server brought sunglasses for daughter Helene who had forgotten hers. We sat outside and it was warm, but breezy.


I must say we could have eaten dog food and enjoyed it with these treasured friends of fifty years, but the food was good.

As far as Villages restaurants go I believe Cane Gardens takes a lot to beat, good food at reasonable prices. It's where we always take our visitors and so far no complaints .

[REDCART]

As long as others have commented about Belle Glade, Bonifay, etc I'll add that we've been to Belle Glade a half dozen times since January, and we've noticed an overall decline in service over time. Our impression is that training, oversight and standards are completely missing in BG. Compare that with the much nicer dining experience at Hemmingway, Lopez and Carrabbas. Now they're doing something right! And I suspect it all boils down to an active manager with high standards and a training program. Yes, I too apologize for going off topic (Evans Prairie).

[newguyintv]

Originally Posted by TomW

They do some things well but for the past year or so the service level has declined significantly while the food prices have jumped by quite a bit. I counted over 20 times when we were completely abandoned by the wait staff during the middle or later part of the meal. We live close to EP and eat there often. I've discussed this with management with detailed specifics on poor customer service but continue to be disappointed. A few years ago, we watched the decline of the Havana restaurant which was then our local CC and now I see the same thing happening at Evans Prairie. I encourage anyone with an interest in the quality of our local CC's to speak to the management when the food or service is excessively below standard.

They and all their other Restaurants were in decline from the day they opened!

[rjn5656]

I sent a nice note to belle glade management about the decline in service. Never heard back from them.

[Jusglenn]

Today I took my brother in law, my daughter and my two nieces to EP... it was wonderful... food was good, beer was cold, service was really good... just saying... !!

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by Jusglenn

Today I took my brother in law, my daughter and my two nieces to EP... it was wonderful... food was good, beer was cold, service was really good... just saying... !!

I'm happy. Evans is my go to place. I did wonder if the decline is because the manager is on medical leave.

[golf2140]

We had a group of 20 at Bonifay, great service great food, cold beer. Folks on this forum want to pay $9.00 for a full course meal. Give the restaurants a break, they need to pay overhead, rent, salaries etc.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

You needed a server "over 20 times" during a meal? No wonder they skipped out.

I was wondering about the same thing. Presumably it's more than one meal!
For us, if a server stops by once during a meal to say "How's it going", that's enough.

[Chatbrat]

Its pretty hard for servers & bar-persons to be up beat, when the snow birds are gone- they are basically making subsistence living during the off season. Also the cheap people who barely tip & eat & drink low price specials don't help things, either

[Jima64]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

Its pretty hard for servers & bar-persons to be up beat, when the snow birds are gone- they are basically making subsistence living during the off season. Also the cheap people who barely tip & eat & drink low price specials don't help things, either

Are the specials to lure the customer in or to fit the budget of the retired folks? Never understood this concept of cheap prices that won't sustain quality service and food.

[Annie01]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

And the Cane Garden Stir fry hit the spot and it was ten bucks I think. The very tender and nicely spiced chicken was crispily fried separately with breading and placed on top of the noodles and veggies and some fresh Cilantro (?) was sprinkled on it.The water chestnuts added crunch and the service was just WONDERFUL. Our server brought sunglasses for daughter Helene who had forgotten hers. We sat outside and it was warm, but breezy.


I must say we could have eaten dog food and enjoyed it with these treasured friends of fifty years, but the food was good.

AND THE LOBSTER ROL.L....YUMMY !!!!! on a creasant roll with fruit...wowwwwwwww

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

You needed a server "over 20 times" during a meal? No wonder they skipped out.

Are you intentionally misunderstanding?

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by jnieman

It doesn't take much to spoil a person's opinion of a restaurant and not want to go back. One bad experience stays in the back of our minds like, oh don't order the chicken, remember what happened last time. That is why restaurants need to be on top of their game all of the time.

This week we went to Gator's Dockside. Have been there about 10 times since they opened and have always had great food and great service. We ordered 10 wings and the early bird special for $8.99 shrimp platter and also ordered two drinks. Our bill with tip was $32.95. There was a photo of numerous beautiful shrimp displayed over a plate of fries. When the meal came I thought they had just brought the fries, then peeping out were 4 tiny battered shrimp. We asked the waitress if it was right and she said you don't get much with the early bird specials. These shrimp were the kind you get at Publix with 45-50 in a bag for $11.00. We sent it back and ordered a burger which was good. The manager came over and we told her about it. She said you get 5 shrimp. I said you realize how small the shrimp are, right and she said yes, it's the early bird. I would suggest not ordering this early bird special at Gator's Dockside unless you eat before you go. The service was great but it kind of ruined it for us to go back there because we felt ripped off.

You sure don't. We went to Sonny's last week to split a rack of Pitmaster's Championship ribs for $13.99; the plate was brought out and there was 6 ribs. I asked the server if this was right and was told yes. Asked for the manager and was told the same thing. Told them 6 ribs is not a rack and to take the ribs back and to bring me the bill for two teas and two side salads.