Our last visit, terrible service, out of beer, not a good place to take someone to show them the plus side of "The Villages"

It seems obvious to me that the owners just don't care. How many times do you have to be told there is mold in the ice maker before you clean it? How many times do you have to be told to get a new cutting board? How about cross-contamination of food? It's easy to blame the staff, but IMO the owner needs to step up to the plate and do what needs to be done.

This establishment is in mortal danger and the location could be tainted for years. IMO, nothing short of new ownership(not a sham transfer) will make a difference. I have great respect for the business savy of the "developer" and this problem needs immediate attention, lest it reflect badly on the community and other clubs.

It makes me so sad and angry that Havana is such a mess because I live practically next door and would probably go there almost every day.

If the cc owners read these blogs than the owner of Havanna must be very, very dense. Continuously being slammed on this site and an empty parking lot and restaurant should certainly tell him he needs to do something other than continuously hiring new managers. Or maybe he should hire a manager and get out of his way???

It is sad, when they first opened it was a nice place to go. The food was pretty good at the time but the music, atmosphere and good times is what kept us coming back. We have not been in over a year. It would be nice if they could get their act together.

It appears it has already done that. Reflect badly. I have had a bad impression from the very first month they were opened and appeared to let the chef go who was supposedly famous and the preopening advertisement draw.

The folks who OWN the building (The developers) are in a lease agreement with the people who own the restaurant business and I hope that I am counting correctly and that they have a five year lease that should be up this fall. It is a WONDERFUL location for someone who knows how to do it. I don't get down on things too often but that place is on my avoid list.

You are so right, they must know how badly they fare from criticisms on this forum, and they don't seem to care enough to clean up their act and do something different. I wonder what restaurant they had before Havana?

Kris Brown previously was the general manager of Park Plaza Gardens restaurant in Winter Park, at least that is what I found when doing a web search. As to the lease at the restaurant I have heard that there is a five year lease in effect from the latter part of 2008. Now for the disclaimer; while one of the folks telling me about the lease is a former manager at Havana I have no concrete proof to support it.

Yes, Kris used to be at Park Plaza. I'm fairly sure he has already signed the new lease at Havana.

I sure hope this isn't the case, otherwise we are in for 5 more years of these types of posts.

Whatever the case, I predict a failed business within the next year.

Interesting that this location apparently continues to have problems as the Park Plaza Gardens has been for many years and continues to be an outstanding restaurant.

How long has he been at Havana?

I believe Kris has been there right from the beginning.
Mike & Gina who own City Fire have been over seeing Park Plaza Gardens.

Rumor With Supporting Information
 

Villagers love rumors, so let me start one. A search of the Florida Department of Business Regulation website shows two listings at the Havana Club address. The first is the current business identified as “Havana Club.” The second listing is identified as “Havana Country Club Restaurant” and a status of “Application in progress.” It shows the License Location Address as 2484 Odell Cir The Villages, FL 32162. However the Main Address is 11608 Carmody Ct Orlando, FL 32837. A Google search of that address results in it being a residence, but also the location of Laid Back Gator, Inc.. Another Google search identifies David Hoefer as Director, President, Secretary, Treasurer and Principal at Laid Back Gator, Inc. At least this is a name not previously identified with Havana as far as I know.

I checked several other country clubs including the recently closed Orange Blossom Hills and none has an application in progress. World of Beer, coming soon to Brownwood, also has an application in progress. We can only hope this is more than rumor and change is coming soon.

I really agree!! This man does not belong in business. He must have lots of money, because I don't think he's making much, or holding on to his help

I guess even bad publicity is good publicity. We have never been to Havana, but now with all the negative posts, my wife is asking to go there to see if it is as bad as everyone says. Geez, thanks guys!

We reluctantly went there for lunch on the patio one afternoon 4 weeks ago. The reason we were reluctant was because twice after golf the week before, there was NO BEER. It's so ridiculous!!!!

Personally, if I were working there as I did as a server (elsewhere) for years, if my regulars came in after golf and there was no beer for them, I would have gotten my arse into my car or onto my golf cart and whizzed around the corner to Walgreens to get a couple of 12-packs in 5 minutes flat.

BUT, that would take initiative and a willingness to get off one's butt to please their patron. Apparently no bartender, server nor manager knew nor cared that in a pinch, there is beer one could buy around the corner, at Walgreens, Publix, etc.

So, getting back to our last attempt 4 weeks ago.....when we sat down we were greeted by a server with a work ethic and brains. When we stated our reluctance to come back, she assured us she would make sure we got good food and service, and then carefully said, "Well....we finally are getting a new manager, and finally it's the right combination of what it takes: A woman.....and she's New Yorker".

So if that was the case, this woman supposedly hired to manage either had the b@ll$ to not put up with the owner who seems to like wasting one of the best locations/physical plants in all of TV and she quit.....or the owner decided not to hire her because she might want to have money to pay for cleaning, ongoing pest control, and enough petty cash on hand to run to Walgreens and buy a couple of 12-packs in a pinch, when they run out of beer!!

How can TV and developers POSSIBLY sign another lease with this kind of lame-brain outfit infecting the place for 5 years now???

I have had good food at havana but I have had a lot of bad meals also.

I hope the rumor of him renewing the lease isn't true. Used to go there ALL the time as it's only up the block. Spoke with Kris many times and defended the place as many times. Hate to say I haven't been there in quite some time as there are to many other places although not as close as Havana. Great location, nice decor, love the outside area but had to leave.

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Bad restaurant leads to fewer patrons leads to reduced revenue leads to poorer meals and service leads to fewer patrons which ends in failure. Although it appears it has already failed.

Whoever takes over that place, if it does change hands, has a real mountain of an uphill climb to regain our business. When it first opened, they had a prime rib special that was excellent. Somewhat later, we stopped in after golf for lunch and they had a hot dog special with quarter pound hot dogs for lunch. A few of the guys ordered the special. They got two regular hot dogs, not the quarter pound dogs. And no notice so they could have changed their orders. We asked what happened and they told us they ran out. It was noon!! And Publix is just down the street. Geez, just send someone down and buy some.

...

Get ready for the "singing servers".

Havana
 

I miss Havana and The Villages--for sure!

Thanks, George

[I] RECENTLY received an email with a copy of a recent State inspection of Havana attached. Repeated, repeated voilations for filth, fire hazards and cock roaches, cock roaches and more cockroaches. Stated they were all repeat offenses. We wont eat there any longer - their food, and service is severely lacking compared to other restaurants.

More Facts!!
 

Okay folks...recently a few folks have posted facts on here about a few things related to Havana...and for the most part they know not of what they speak, so please let me enlighten you.

I am the David Hoefer that a few people have mentioned in recent posts in regards to Havana. Yes, I was the original Assistant General Manager when the restaurant first opened. Yes, I am a lifelong friend of Kris Brown the owner at Havana. Other than that, and the information shown in regards to my address and previous corporation information, the truth seems to take a dubious bend. The reason my previous corporations address and information is shown associated with Havana is that my previous company owned and operated a food truck/trailer and I used Havana as the central location/commisary where the state inspectors could view the trailer. The state requires food trucks/trailers to have a "commissary" for grease disposal, etc, hence why my trailer was there. Nothing more, nothing less. I currently have, have never had, and have no intent to go into any licensing or lease within The Villages or at Havana. Please know that all food trucks/trailers have the same requirements and use a variety of restaurants for that purpose.

I will not get in to any mud slinging about the situation up there. One post by "someone in the know" stated that Kris fired me and that is 110% FALSE!! I chose to leave for my own reasons and nothing more. I know that Kris is a fine restarateur, and I would be more than happy to enter into a restaurant partnership with him at anytime if I was lucky enough to be extended that opportunity.

Running a restaurant is a very tough business. Most restaurants do not last a year. Kris has kept Havana up and running through incredibly dire economic times for 5 years now. Quite an achievement. Despite multiple attempts by multiple people with personal vendettas to make Havana fail, it's doors will open again today.

Restaurants average a yearly turnover rate of 44% or thereabouts. So when a few of you say, all the owner is doing is bringing in new managers, that is true of most restaurants. Hopefully you find the right chemistry between guests, staff and management. The few that keep managers and staff for any real length of time are few and far between.

One thing I find ironically funny is that in my many years in the hospitality industry, I have heard these words often from guests..."I have never worked a day in a restaurant, but let me tell you how to fix yours". Did anyone ever tell you that about your business? Probably not! Words to chew on.

:BigApplause:

The plot thickens. Maybe, just maybe ALL of us who have complained about Havana should give them another try. I understand from someone who works there things have changed and for the better. Maybe he deserves another chance to see IF it's true. Game on, whose up to the challenge? Try it and report back. JMO

Yep, we go there. Hubby works there quite a bit helping to get everything all ship shape.

Running a restaurant is a very tough business. Most restaurants do not last a year. Kris has kept Havana up and running through incredibly dire economic times for 5 years now. Quite an achievement. Despite multiple attempts by multiple people with personal vendettas to make Havana fail, it's doors will open again today.


I don't believe The Villages experienced the hard economic times for 5 years that you speak of - remember the lines this winter to get into restuarants???

:popcorn: :popcorn::popcorn:

Dire times for 5 years in TV? Don't think so.

Went to Evans last night and the outside patio was almost full and the inside seating was about 50%. Not bad for the slowest night of the week in one of the slowest times of the year in TV. It's about service and quality (and cleanliness)

But I'll give Havana another try - just not anytime soon.

"Incredibly dire economic times for 5 years now".....in The Villages?????

Anybody with eyes can see that the market here in TV has been almost immune to the slump the rest of the nation has been in. Any person running restaurants and food service should know the facts contained in The Villages Commercial Property website linked below.

Anyone doing business here should know a couple of key facts about the "economic times" of the people here who would LIKE to frequent Havana CC, but have been served food literally unfit for a dog within the same week in which we had really good food and decent service!

If anybody has caused dire economic straits at Havana, it's been the management itself, that has allowed this sloppy customer service to continue for so long.

Take a look at the "incredibly dire economics" of the customers of Havana CC and all its competitor clubs here:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...1&d=1372860291

Attachment 16677

The excuse of "incredibly dire economic times" in TV and right around Havana is incredibly lame. For one thing, it is surrounded by hundreds of homes that cost over $200,000 with many being over $500,000, and they're filled with people who have money who do not want to cook and they have disposable income to go out to dine 4-5 times a week, at least!

The lameness of this claim explains EVERYTHING about why Havana has been dying for 5 years!

And by the way, I have worked in restaurants and know it's no easy job, but that's why you have to look for staff with brains that look at facts and listen to the customer!

And hire staff that have the brains and ambition to go over to Walgreens in 2 minutes flat and buy some 12-packs of BEER instead of telling golfers coming in from 18 holes in 90 degree heat that "we're out of beer"!!

Great rant:) Love it!

Especially the run over to Walgreens (or Publix for that matter) idea. Idiotic to say you are out of something so basic. Maybe no draft beer (bad pumps etc.) but you could at least say "But we do have some nice ice cold cans and bottles!"

Well thanks for nothing!

Before reading the info in the charts you put up, I thought I was doing great. Sigh!!! Anyone know who is hiring in The Villages.


Only kidding. Nice information. I did think the average income would be less here since so many complain about the price of beer

“We are not rich by what we possess but by what we can do without.”

― Immanuel Kant

And many of us here in TV are doing very nicely without those great big houses....I mean Money Pits!!

You must have picked that silly tidbit up at Woodstock. LOL. Don't bogart that joint my friend.

Sorry, David H., I Remember
 

I remember the day Kris fired George.

I remember the day he fired Damon.

I remember the day he fired you.

I remember the day he fired Don.

I remember all the days he fired so many servers, bartenders, hostesses, cooks, who wanted Havana to succeed. It is difficult today not to meet many of Havana's alumni working at another Villages restaurant. They do not have fond memories of life with Kris.

It will take much more than singing wannabes to lure me into giving him some of my hard-earned dollars.

Wow... I have no doubt you speak like kemosabi on this, BUT I want this club to be better because it is so close and such nice atmospher.

The pattern of firing motivated employees listed above sounds like further proof that

"Money can't buy class."!!!!