Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar
| Address: | 1006 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880, USA |
| Phone: | +1 863-662-5948 |
| Site: | tannerslakeside.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | Closed Closed 4–9PM 4–9PM 4–11PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
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Brenda Petersen
Disappointment would be the best way to describe our 1st experience at the new location. We have been fans of Tanners for years, but this certainly did not match up to our expectations. We enjoyed the new atmosphere. Love the on the chain of lakes. But unsure if we will give it another try. When entering we stood at an empty hostess station? for about 10 minutes before we were greeted. She then, did promptly seat us. We waited at least another 10 minutes before a server came to our table. We ordered drinks and an appetizer.(Cajun Popcorn) Drinks were served right away. When placing our order, I asked our server what he would recommend. The grouper special. We only saw our server a total 4 times the whole night. 15-20 minutes later, a "food runner" ? brought our salads. Wilted and old. The blue cheese dressing had a film over it. Our appetizer? About 5 minutes later, that was brought out by another runner. It was okay. Our server who happened to be at another table behind us, the only other table that I could see he was attending to, stopped by to see if he could get us a drink. OK. Another 10-15 minutes; dinner is delivered. I ordered the grouper special. It was very good. My husband had the Lobster Mac & Cheese, one of your signature dishes. (the main reason he ordered it). Great mac & cheese, but still looking for the lobster. Our server returned with our bill. The end.... Service was poor. It wasnt that busy, and I was constantly wondering where was our server? There were a lot of "employees but it seemed they either had no clue or just werent good workers. We kept asking ourselves where was a manager? Who was checking on their patrons? We did see one gentleman dressed in a Tanners polo shirt opposed to t-shirt, talk to a nearby couple and then stood at a computer station at the bar the rest of the time we were there. Was he the manager? I also overheard another server go over a "list of nightly specials upon greeting her table. Stone crab claws? Hmm, Didnt know you had them... When we asked friends,coworkers, etc. about their dining experiences with you, ALL have stated the same: service is POOR, food is inconsistent, good one time, not the next, and are unsure if they will return. Its really too bad. Your place could be a gold mine here in Winter Haven. Its got great potential! I would recommend some good staff training and a manager overseeing your dining room. Good luck. Were not giving up on you yet.
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Olivia Roberts
I have been there twice total in the past few months, and unfortunately it really has not met my expectations of what it would be. The only great thing about it is the atmosphere. The service could definitely improve. When asking the hostess if there was a table available outside, she said "no it just filled up". So I asked when something would open up, she replied with "I dont know, you can talk to your server about moving there if something opens up". After being seated in the back dining room (which is like a sauna with all the windows and no ventilation), I noticed that two tables were paying their bills and about to leave. The hostess could have put forth much more effort to accomodate us by seeing if anyone was about to leave, then giving us an estimated time we would have to wait for an outside table. Your hostess gives your guests the first impression of your operation, and should be welcoming and accomodating. When you see a drink menu listing specialty cocktails, you expect that the bartenders really know how to make them. I ordered the mojito, and it was so awful that I sent it back and ordered a beer. This was on a Saturday night, so to not have a bartender on that knows how to make something as traditional as a mojito, is really troubling. The mint was not muddled, and I do not believe that they even used simple syrup. It tasted like straight club soda. Food wise, it is ok. I was not very impressed with the smoked fish dip, but the cajun popcorn is pretty good. My mom really like the baked avocado appetizer, and my daughter loved the macoroni and cheese, which tasted like it was made from scratch. Tanners will not be my first choice for dinner, but probably just a spot to look at the water and have a beer.
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Crystal Silvestro
Their service is at most very poor. We waited for over an hour. Tables were available, however not being bussed for over 15 minutes. Several people were mad and left tonight, without being seated before us. I spoke with the owner. He said I should be happy with a half hour wait and most people were waiting for two hours. He said he would not "buy me anything". We had several beers while we waited. We went to the front desk several times and had to remind them that we were waiting. People came in after us and got seated. The staff had no idea what they were doing. After the owners disrespectful response we left immediately. He lost over $150.00 from us alone. I frequent restaurants that are a lot bigger and better, with a lot more people waiting for service. He spoke to me as though I were white trash. I am a college professor, I can afford a $10 appetizer. The point was it was poor service by the OWNER and if they wanted me to come back I feel they should have made it right. Tanners closed once for a reason and I am sure they will close again. Its called poor ownership. Check their Facebook page. Poor service seems to be the norm.
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Dave Courtney
Going there for only 5 minutes could possibly be the smartest move Ive ever made in my life. Im seriously going to try and not lose this opportunity, like I already did once. My eyes are wide open and life truly is short, I now know I have to seize the moment for it was all placed in my lap,, Its like God is trying to give me that one and only chance, Im starting to believe in him more now. I know that some of these decisions will hurt some people and for that Im truly sorry, but it was nice to have known, than not to have known, as is that it has been better to have loved than not to.. I need to stop wasting other peoples time, grow up and start living my life, but Im glad I waited because this opportunity would have passed me by also, having patience is truly one of the greatest virtues to acquire, a shout out to everyone whom I learned from, and truly, thank you.
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Gabriella Rebello
Total disappointment! Went and was impressed when they first opened. Came back today and it was TERRIBLE. Started with a order of ahi tuna, they brought out something covered in creole seasoning, although it was advertised as traditional sesame. Returned it and got back what was advertised- still not great but we were starving. My husband and I ordered a blackened grouper sandwich and a firecracker shrimp burger... when it finally came to us we both took a bite to find his shrimp and my grouper were not a little raw but close to completely raw. To add insult to injury our bill was still $24 (two coronas and the appetizer of tuna) waitress Katy damn near threw the bill to me as she went to go take an order from another table. sad to say we wont be back. Consistency is key.
