[kb8tpw]

In a year here we have tried twice - both times similar to outlined above. One question that comes to my mind that has not been mentioned. You would think that the retail leasing function of The Villages would do some sort of a survey before they leased their prime locations at least. The "Quality" aspect of their total operation seems to be above reproach. If they are not that interested in the initial lease process one would think they would do some follow up. Perhaps they rely on the annual survey? Johnny Rockets certainly does nothing to lend itself to the overall villages environment and needs to be made to answer.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Originally Posted by John_W

We ate at JR last Saturday afternoon about 4:00. It was a little busy but not bad, two waitresses were handling all the tables while two others (a guy and a girl in uniform) sat at the counter just talking, I figured they must be on break but was strange they were sitting there.

The good: While waiting for our order a Beegees disco song came on and they turned the music very loud and the guy and girl got up from the counter and stood in the middle of the room and started clapping their hands and dancing around, it was pretty cool.

The bad: We had several.

After waiting about 15 minutes for our order, I heard the cook yell 'order up' and watched our food sit at the window for several more minutes while our waitress seated many customers and took a few orders, she seemed totally oblivious to what was going on around her.

After delivering the food I asked the waitress for ketchup for the fries, she came back with a small cardboard dish and was pouring ketchup into the dish as she walked, I thought, that's not a bad idea for dipping. However the bottle was almost empty and she left hardly any ketchup, I asked for some more but she never returned, so I went to the counter and asked another clerk for some ketchup.

My wife had requested mustard on her burgers and they arrived without any, so she asked the waitress. The waitress did finally return with mustard in a small paper cup, but by then she had already finished one slider, and my wife is not a fast eater.

Later I had to ask for my check and when our waitress brought it I asked if I pay at the cashier and she said no, I must pay her. I then noticed that our $12 order had only 70 cents deducted and we had given her a 10% off LSV coupon. She went to the manager and then retured to inform us that my wife's sliders, fries and a drink was on sale and they don't discount sale items.

As I was getting out my money to give her, the manager came over and told her to go outside and start helping. After about five minutes of waiting and she still hadn't returned, I walked to the counter and asked another waitress if she could take my money, she said no, it had to be my waitress. Then after a few more minutes I saw the manager return so I asked him if he could take my money because I wanted to leave. He then went outside and got my waitress who came in and took my money.

Needles to say, Johnny Rockets has gotten the last of my business and in fact, we ate twice at Steak & Shake and it was great, both food and service.

I see you had a good and and na bad but did you have an UGLY?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by kb8tpw

In a year here we have tried twice - both times similar to outlined above. One question that comes to my mind that has not been mentioned. You would think that the retail leasing function of The Villages would do some sort of a survey before they leased their prime locations at least. The "Quality" aspect of their total operation seems to be above reproach. If they are not that interested in the initial lease process one would think they would do some follow up. Perhaps they rely on the annual survey? Johnny Rockets certainly does nothing to lend itself to the overall villages environment and needs to be made to answer.

I agree and I betcha that Johnny Rockets nationally must be floundering, but a few years ago they were found in prestigious malls and high class areas.

But,I can't think how the Retail Leasing department could dictate how a person runs their business. I'd guess the reputation of Johnny Rockets was positive when they began their lease. They would have to prove their credit worthiness.

If they are crummy and lose business the rent is still due. Obviously that franchise has serious management problems.

A lease is a contract between a renter and a landlord. Unless they damage the property or put someone in danger I can't think legally how you would word a contract to evaluate quality service although I completely agree it would be best to do so.

It is a problem throughout The Villages to find good food managers it seems. There are more issues reported about poor management in restaurants than any other problem. I then would assume that they do not offer enough money to get really highly experienced help and I guess that is because we villagers would not frequent these places if they had higher prices for food and service.

Follow the money. Maybe the rent is really high and they have to cut cost somehow....

[ilovetv]

Personally, I like the food at Chik-Fil-A, and their breakfasts are better than Steak and Shake, I think. I'd like to see Chik at LSL in place of JR.

Chik-Fil-A corp. management emphasizes hiring people who are clean-cut with decent values and manners.

It seems to me that the problem with most restaurants getting complaints here is the work ethic (or lack of it) of the servers and some shift managers.

Attitude is very important and goes a long way toward easing a problem with something that went wrong. We've seen the "I don't care" attitude at JR and other places in LSL and it's hard to understand in this economy where so many people are out of work and would love to have any kind of job.

[starflyte1]

I think that all Chick A Fills are closed on Sundays. That could be a problem for leasing in TV.

A Steak and Shake would be nice and would love to have a Hooters. Since the Hooters closed in Ocala, I still haven't found any wings I like as well.

[Challenger]

Chick Fil A or Hooters- now there is an interesting ideoligical choice.

[Pturner]

I'd love to see an excellent local eatery. National franchise box meals just don't ...cut the mustard.

Yes, I realize I'm in the minority.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by Pturner

.......National franchise box meals just don't ...cut the mustard. ...........

Better than..........cutting.............the.............

Bill

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by Tbugs

Why in the world would anyone over the age of 21 go to Johnny Rockets when you can go to Cody's Roadhouse (1 block away) for a "bar burger" which is a quarter pound of fresh ground sirloin on a bun with the good fixings for $1.99 and a large (34 oz) or two 16 oz beers for $3.50? Johnny Rockets has no view of Lake Sumter like Cody's nor do they offer free peanuts.

I suspect those Cody's bar burgers are not pure hamburger. The ones we had had a meatloaf-like texture...as if some bread crumbs incorporated into make the burger more profitable.

That and a couple microwaved rotisserie chickens caused us to cross Cody's off our list of restaurants to frequent in TV.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

Better than..........cutting.............the.............

Bill

Especially downwind.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Especially downwind.

Boy howdy!!!

Bill

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Challenger

Chick Fil A or Hooters- now there is an interesting ideoligical choice.

Wings or.............?

[BookBarb]

Originally Posted by Pturner

I'd love to see an excellent local eatery. National franchise box meals just don't ...cut the mustard.

Yes, I realize I'm in the minority.

We were down in March to check out TV, and were waiting to see our salesperson after lunch. We were trying to decide between Johnny Rockets and Urban Flats. Guess we made the right choice, because my husband, Tom, thought Urban Flats was great. I agree with him. From the post, it sounds as if JR would have been a disappoinment. I noticed people referring to JR, but didn't know what that was (I'm not the Rocket Scientist in our family, that's our son).

We're looking forward to checking out more GOOD places when we come down in July to "get our house started"

[Tbugs]

Dirigo,

I have had the Bar Burgers at Cody's many times. Never had one that had a meat-loaf texture or looked as though bread crumbs were added to stretch it. Always looks and tastes like 100% top quality beef.

Do you mean that the rotisserie chicken was done in a microwave oven or was heated up in a microwave oven? Once again, I have had the rotisserie chicken many times and never had a problem with it. It is great on their "After Church" special at only $7.99 on Sundays from 11 am until 3 pm. I always get there just about 11 (after church) so the chickens are fresh off the rotisserie, I guess.

[Mudder]

For the first time ever we ate at a JR last week. It was in Providence, RI airport. Wow, we loved it and said we need to go to the one right here at home in TV. Thanks to all for saving us the trip ! Will wait for airport again.