Talk of The Villages Florida
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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   Restaurant Discussions (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/restaurant-discussions-90/)
-   -   RJ Gators in Sumter Landing (worth trying again?) (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/restaurant-discussions-90/rj-gators-sumter-landing-worth-trying-again-343735/)

Keefelane66 08-29-2023 11:27 AM
RJ’s was a one and done for us

Battlebasset 08-29-2023 11:30 AM
Been a couple of times. Pub grub type place. Go during the happy hours if you want to drink. Otherwise, there are better places.

Babubhat 08-29-2023 02:48 PM
The fact they were surprised the cheese on Nachos should be melted was the last straw.

Michael 61 08-29-2023 03:47 PM
It’s cheap bar food - not a fan.

tophcfa 08-29-2023 06:42 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Battlebasset (Post 2250902)
Go during the happy hours if you want to drink.
If you drink house wine or draft beer it’s happy hour (two for the price of one) there all day, every day.

Smalley 08-29-2023 07:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2251010)
If you drink house wine or draft beer it’s happy hour (two for the price of one) there all day, every day.
Also among those on this forum who have NO plans to eat here. There are so many better choices in Lake Sumter Landing or elsewhere in TV. I felt the cleanliness was lacking and the noise level was excessive.

PugMom 08-29-2023 08:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrogers4649 (Post 2250748)
A couple years ago we had a lifestyle visit and went to RJ Gators and it was awful. Now, this was at the very end of Covid. Places were struggling with help and stuff.

In addition to that we probably chose the wrong things to order. Would have had better luck with wings and burgers. Anyhow I had some grouper that had a pineapple glaze. The fish was mushy and gross, the glaze was like pineapple sauce. The worst part was I had broccoli as a side. When I looked at it, it was black in spots. I just assumed it was grilled/roasted. Well, it was rotten. I mean, putrid rotten. I spit it out and told the waitress. She replaced it with green beans that were obviously from a can.

Wife had Shepards pie and it was also horrible. Clearly not made in house. The mashed potatoes were instant, really. Tasted just like KFC mashed.

Now I don't mind trying a place again if I just made a bad choice on the meal. But the rotten broccoli scared me. I had visions of Gordon Ramsey in a refrigerator screaming, "You'll kill someobody!"

So was I just unlucky? Is the place clean and okay? I love the location and atmosphere. Recent experiences?

ETA just looking for experiences of people on the board that have been there recently.
my opinion only here: Gator's is good for a quick bite or bar food. it's not the place i'd really go to for dinner, because i hate salty foods.

Pairadocs 08-30-2023 12:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by starflyte1 (Post 2250823)
Give it another try.

Service is good. The wings and Philly cheese steak sandwiches are great, and their fish and chips are hand breaded in their kitchen.
And... this is NOT a place to order grouper. Once you move here, you'll find out where to get genuine grouper, and once around native Floridians you'll find out all that is passed off as "grouper". By the way, what used to run $25-$27 a pound, is now $39 a pound at the coast fresh off the boat, so keep that in mind when you see it on the menu for $22, $26. A LOT of things are passed off as grouper, just a tip from one whose brother in law has brought our family many a fresh rock, black, and other Florida species of grouper... fresh off the spear gun ! As others have suggested, stick to wings and burgers at such places.

Stu from NYC 08-30-2023 04:56 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by starflyte1 (Post 2250823)
Give it another try.

Service is good. The wings and Philly cheese steak sandwiches are great, and their fish and chips are hand breaded in their kitchen.
Normally I would but so many things went terribly wrong that no way do I go back.

frayedends 08-30-2023 05:27 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pairadocs (Post 2251054)
And... this is NOT a place to order grouper. Once you move here, you'll find out where to get genuine grouper, and once around native Floridians you'll find out all that is passed off as "grouper". By the way, what used to run $25-$27 a pound, is now $39 a pound at the coast fresh off the boat, so keep that in mind when you see it on the menu for $22, $26. A LOT of things are passed off as grouper, just a tip from one whose brother in law has brought our family many a fresh rock, black, and other Florida species of grouper... fresh off the spear gun ! As others have suggested, stick to wings and burgers at such places.
Funny because I had "grouper" exactly 2 times on that visit. IIRC once was at Bluefin and they had these blackened grouper bites that were very thick (as I'd expect for grouper) and really awesome. The filet at RJ Gators was like a thin tilapia type fish and I wasn't convinced it was grouper at all. But I'm no expert on that.

Oh and a few weeks ago at Bluefin again (when we were buying our home, sort of the biggest impulse buy I've ever made), they had deep fried grouper bites that were awesome.

I think it will be a long time before I end up back at RJ Gators. But I drink a lot, so who knows. :D

Sandy and Ed 08-30-2023 05:33 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2250828)
The wings and French fries are probably good, as are all the fried foods
Drinks are good, happy hour drink specials are good
Go for the environment, the music and the drinks.
Plenty of other places with better menus.
Agree. I don’t believe the food is the draw there. If you want a dining experience rather than a quick bite while enjoying the music and drinks, go elsewhere. Your experience, however, does sound extraordinary. Food not great but, wow, not that bad!

msilagy 08-30-2023 06:01 AM
Eating out in TV is not equal to NY or Chicago type fare although the Chop House may get close. Blue Fin and places like that are overpriced with small portions, great for the delicate eater. There is a Facebook page called something like The Villages Restaurant reviews you might find interesting. Although what's good for one may not be for another. Wings in TV are not at all like what I am used to with many places spraying on the flavor you pick. Can't find a good charcoal broiled 1/2# burger anywhere even outside the villages. Maybe Mark's in Ocala close to a Chicago prime steakhouse. Anyway I would never move to TV for the food - overpriced and nothing special.

retiredguy123 08-30-2023 06:07 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by msilagy (Post 2251092)
Eating out in TV is not equal to NY or Chicago type fare although the Chop House may get close. Blue Fin and places like that are overpriced with small portions, great for the delicate eater. There is a Facebook page called something like The Villages Restaurant reviews you might find interesting. Although what's good for one may not be for another. Wings in TV are not at all like what I am used to with many places spraying on the flavor you pick. Can't find a good charcoal broiled 1/2# burger anywhere even outside the villages. Maybe Mark's in Ocala close to a Chicago prime steakhouse. Anyway I would never move to TV for the food - overpriced and nothing special.
If you are looking for a USDA Prime filet mignon, you won't find it at the Chop House or Mark's. You need to go to Ruth Chris in Orlando.

Bilyclub 08-30-2023 06:46 AM
Gators and City Fire are bars disguised as restaurants. The food gets better the more you drink.

bowlingal 08-30-2023 06:48 AM
Shepards pie at McCalls in Spanish Springs is AWESOME. So is the fried chicken. Try it if you haven't already


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