The Willard
| Address: | 99 N Main St, Franklin, IN 46131, USA |
| Phone: | +1 317-738-9668 |
| Site: | thewillard.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–1AM 11AM–1AM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
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Joel Fedell
I had such high hopes for this place. I cannot remember where I heard about The Willard - but it was rated as one of the best places in Franklin/Johnson County. When you walk in it is a "seat yourself" kind of system. Well the downside to that is you may wait awhile if no one sees you actually sit down at a table. When our server finally did arrive it was anything but stellar service. He wasnt the worst, but he wasnt amazing either. Just meh! We started out with the loaded fries which honestly could have been better. They were just fries with spicy nacho cheese, a dollop of sour cream and some bacon pieces...so nothing special. For the main course I went with a burger, and it also was nothing special. Nothing taste terrible - but nothing that is so amazing that I would come back again. Our server never really cleared the table so it was loaded with dishes by the time we were done. I dont recall my drink going empty but I believe that we had to ask for a refill for my other half. With so many other dinning options - I think itd choose something else next time.
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Kate Bordenkecher
An absolute favorite "best kept secret"! The Willard is tucked right into the corner of downtown Franklin, IN. Totally worth stopping to try their Pizza, appetizers or drinks. The bar staff always pleases with their ability to make drinks (Bloody Mary, Margaritas, and Frozen Strawberry Long Islands) are among my favorites! The setting is a beautiful ambience of low lights, and signs within the old hotel converted restaurant. Several TVs allow for sports fans to watch as they dine, but several other areas are very quiet for the social get togethers or meeting up with an old friend. There is awesome outdoor seating for the warmer months right on the corner of downtown so you can catch all the action. There is also a large back room and separate party room on the side, perfect for hosting parties or celebrations. The Willard has a great menu, specializing in delicious (large) appetizers, cooked to perfection wings, excellent pizza, and other house favorites. The Willard is a huge hit and highly recommended to all!
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A Private User
Weve lived in Franklin for 9 years and have always heard how great The Willard is. So finally we go. We walk in and its smoky. Theres no hostess and no sign saying anything like "Seat Yourself". Another group walks in behind us and wonders what were doing just standing there. We admit that were not sure what else we should be doing and he graciously tells us you just find your own table. So we find one for the five of us. Were not in the bar (obviously since our three young daughters are with us) and yet people are smoking around us. Apparently the Franklin ordinance regulating smoking in public places is not in effect here. Theres a handy ash tray on our table in case our 8-year-old would care to light up. ANYWAY, the food arrives. The two grilled cheese sandwiches are burned. The pizza is tasteless except for the dried oregano sprinkled over the top of it. The bill comes. Its almost $50 for two sandwiches, a pizza, an order of fries, and 5 sodas. I wont be going back here. I suggest that you dont go, either.
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A Private User
My husband and I went to the Willard just tonight for dinner and were very unimpressed. On a Monday night we werent expecting it to be too busy. There was only one waitress taking care of everyones orders outside. It took us over 40 minutes to get our food. Numerous tables ordered pizza after we had gotten there and they were receiving their food before ours. Our meals were the seafood platter which was horribly burnt and a steak salad which I could have made better at home for $2. The salad was half a bag of the store bough salad mix, a tomato quartered a gross "steak" and of all things salad dressing from a plastic "to go" type meals you would get in a fast food restaurant. On top of all that our waitress was incredibly rude. I have to say, we really do not know if we will go back, all we wanted to do was get out of there. The pizzas did look good.. Based on this trip though it might be quite a while before we attempt to revisit.
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Joshua Roberson
WHERE FRIENDS MEET I just have to say; I sincerely love the atmosphere, sincere staff, the GREAT food and I have NEVER had a bad experience, not a one. I am proud to say that I know the owners and they are very accommodating host. My wife and I always recommend The Willard to everyone we meet. The Wings are awesome! The pizza is Fantastic (I personally love their breakfast pizza) and Their Breaded Tenderloin is one of the best, if not the BEST in Indiana. They deserve an award for their soups; Their soups they have for lunch specials (everyday) are very unique and I have never been disappointed. I love ALL of them. ALL the staff is welcoming and prompt. Keep up the good work! We moved out of Franklin, back east in January 2016 and we terribly miss The Willards Food & Fantastic people. AWESOME website too ; )
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Michael Cummings
My wife was doing a little shopping trip in Franklin and we decided to try The Willard for a late lunch. It was not crowded so we didnt have the issue that some people have had with seating and service. I consider myself a bit of a tenderloin connoisseur so thats what I ordered. You can see from the picture that it is not a huge tenderloin like you get at some restaurants but size is not what makes a tenderloin great and this was a great tenderloin! This may be the best restaurant tenderloin I have ever had. It reminded me of the kind my mom made when I was a kid. My wife had the BanginBleu Cheese pizza and really liked it too. Our server was friendly and attentive. I wish I lived closer so I could try their Beef Manhattan Wednesday lunch special! Definitely a place I will go to again when Im in the area.
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Morgan Shoaf
Service is terrible. Kitchen wait times are horrsndous. The management is off awful. Tosha, the swlf-proclaimed ruler of the world is one of the qorst people you will encounter there. She is single handedly running that place to the ground. She will likely be found behind the bar, on her phone or talking about herself as if she were a God. If you want to wait 20 minutes for a beer while this self-righteous bartender talks about herself, look no further! Inside the cooler of the bar there is standing water, which has resulted in a sewer like odor from behind. It is far from clean, it is far from quality, and the only charm it holds is that of historical value. If you want to wait an hour for food, 20 minutes for drinks, only to be greeted by a server of little experience, The Willard is a great place for you.
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Sarah Robinson
The place is beautiful. We walked in and it was seat yourself. The problem with that method is no one knows that you have sat down or do they know which customer has sat down first. The employees are not in uniform they are in street clothes so you have no idea who is who. After we had been sitting at the table for a long time another couple had sat down and within minutes were being helped by a waitress, which is unfair. Also someone else who was sitting near us was complaining about how long they had be waiting for food. Very unorganized. After about 20 minutes we walked out before even being asked what we wanted to drink. If you dont mind not being waited on and unprofessional attire this place is for you. The prices were also a little on the high side.
