Real Seafood Company Bay City

Reviews 4

MI

Michael Taylor

I was given a $100 gift card for my birthday. This place was not what I expected. It had all the window dressing of a high end restaurant, but ultimately presented as an expensive bar. There were far more options on the menu for alcohol than food, approaching an obsessive level. For someone that doesnt drink, that was disconcerting. There were also several televisions on the wall with some kind of sports event playing. That seemed out of place for a restaurant. The food options were extremely limited and lacked many expected items. What kind of seafood restaurant doesnt have lobster on the menu? My wife asked about it and found out it was available, but not advertised. That confused me greatly, especially considering the digital menus on Android tablets, which should be easy to change. The menus being on Android tablets were different, but you couldnt use them to place your order so they seemed like unnecessary, expensive toys. With all the tablets being used, you would think there would be wifi available, but the network was password protected and there was no indication of guest access being available. I know internet browsing should be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether while dining, but I couldnt even get normal cell access. My phone kept saying I was in an international roaming area. We had the coconut shrimp appetizer, which came with a bland mystery sauce. I suspect it had some kind of alcohol in it, and since I dont drink I did not eat it. That kind of thing should be very clearly explained. I ordered the Whitefish, which was delicious, but I was disappointed by the portion size. The fillet I was served would barely make a good sandwich filling. My wife passed on the salad because she cannot eat food with seeds in it, which she explained to our server, but her lobster was served with seed-filled vegetables anyway, which went uneaten. Service was spotty, although our server was very friendly. She offered to crack my wifes lobster, but she got halfway through and couldnt crack the claws. It was at this point she told us she had never done it before. I ended up finishing myself. The lobster meat was somewhat stuck to the shell, indicating it wasnt cooked long enough. I was given a free slice of cheesecake for my birthday, but I never got a refill on my coffee that was gone early into our meal. Since it was the only beverage I ordered, I was forced to resort to my ice water. The atmosphere seemed visibly comfortable, but the tables were crowded together so it was difficult to walk through and the noise level (which included a lot of kitchen sounds) was high enough that I almost had to shout for my wife to be able to hear me. It was a nice night out, but I dont think Ill be back unless I hear changes have been made.

RY

Ryan Wilson

These issues will be brought to the attention of the District Manager, Jeff Ridinger. Issue 1: Server mentioned she was bringing bread on her second appearance at the table. Did not arrive until the 4th trip--with no plates for 15 minutes. Issue 2: Fish tacos are described on the menu as corn tortillas, they were flour. Not a big deal. Issue 3: Miso Glazed Halibut was actually Seabass. We thought we were paying $31.95 for the meal--you know, because thats the pricing for this meal on the menu and all. The tab rang up at $34.95. I decided to check the website to see what the price was there. It does indeed say Miso Glazed SEABASS on their website, so they rectified that mistake--but it was priced $33.95 online! So now three prices are all legitimately possible for this one meal: $31.95 on the paper menu, $33.95 online, or $34.95 on our fkn credit card. I decided that maybe I had misread the menu, so I asked to see a menu. That never happened. Our server, Abbey was novice but this is probably great insight into how the company operates/trains as a whole. The only time the manager came over was to tell me my fish tacos would be compd, but not when the bigger issue of incorrectly priced food arose. Is this manager a genuine leader or just a young buck who received good grades in his Restaurant, Hospitality and Management degree? Sad thing is, it isnt about the money. I didnt need them to comp anything on our tab but theyre going to run themselves into a lawsuit with someone who upholds the Scanner Law. (Which, by the way, is worth more than a $3, comped Bud Light. Price difference of the fish from menu to charged price was $3. Scanner law would have been the maximum $5 reimbursement. But, like I said, its not about the money, its about doing your job. I couldnt ever possibly come back here. Over-priced and clearly over-rated. Clearly.) Fun fact: ask for their "sticky rice" and think to yourself if its at all sticky/steamed or if its just brown Minute Rice. Maybe that was another menu mishap-clowns.

KR

Kris Nelson

ok first of all I want to state I am from Seattle WA so I know a think or two about "real" sea food. so I and my girlfriend have been here twice. the only thing wrong with this experience was I ordered the sword fish and it was vary gritty. and never having sword fish that was gritty I asked how fresh it was. they told me it was vary fresh and never frozen. so I just said ok and proceeded to eat my meal. but thinking it was no big deal about two minutes later there are six people around my table asking me questions about my meal. I was so appalled I couldnt even enjoy my meal for the rest of our stay we had the manger, cook, cook assistant, waitress you name it coming buy our table asking use questions and making sure everything was aright. And after all that they never even did anything about it. no discount no nothing! ok so second visit was a little better staff was vary helpful with our allergen questions, and the oysters had not been properly shucked and were peaces of shell in the flesh witch is vary unpleasant, I believe this is just do to a lack of experience. so we got a frozen margarita and it had not been blended nearly enough and was separating from the large chunks of ice. I got the Main Lobster Roll and the lobster filling was great but and Im not even kidding at it was in a hot dog bun. thats right a hot dog bun! strait white flower hot dog bun! and at 14 dollars a plate (there menu on the website is not accurate to the one in house with prices) It would have been much better with rye bread or sour. but not a hot dog bun!! other then that is was aright. they use tablets for there menus witch are hard to navigate and kind of confusing. the seating is vary crammed together and uncomfortably close to the other tables. bar tenders are unexperienced. and you wait FOREVER to get your food. so in other words the only thing good about our visit was the view of the river and I want to like the oysters sooo bad because they are my favorite!!! but they HAVE to be shucked properly.

CR

Craig Bierlein

I called on 2/9/16 for a reservation for my wife and I on Saturday 2/13/16. Virginia answered the phone and informed me they were booked up. That’s a fair answer and I understood. I then went on to explain how my wife and I haven’t really ventured out of the house since late October 2015 due to some serious complications resulting from the birth of our second son. I asked Virginia if there was anything she could do. I was put on a brief hold, and then I was informed I had a reservation. Virginia doesn’t know me personally but she actually listened, she empathized with me, went the extra mile to explain my situation to her manager, and secured my reservation. I understand it is odd that I am writing a review before I actually experienced the food, drink and atmosphere of the Real Seafood Company, but I was so appreciative and thankful for Virginia’s efforts that I felt compelled to share my experience. I imagine if the receptionist / hostess is willing to go above and beyond to help me the rest of my experience will follow suit. It’s really nice to know there are people who still care and will listen, even though they don’t have to. Thanks again Virginia!