I don't usually do reviews of chain restaurants but I felt like this one being very new to the Ocala area deserves one. We came in a few times before I decided I should write a review. This place is super packed since it's the newest place in Ocala. We usually come in and get told it's a 30-45 minute wait when we give our names. Now that what we get told but the longest we've actually ever waited was 20 minutes. The first visit I had the chicken tenders and shrimp with broccoli and a house salad. My boyfriend ordered the chicken buffalo wrap. I was really blown away with the shrimp. It was only a few pieces but they were good and didn't have a frozen taste which, even though it's a made from scratch kitchen, I was honestly not expecting it to be that fresh. The chicken tenders were just as good. They had a flavor of their own but not like a weird kfc or overly peppered friend chicken tender it had flavor without having to be spicy. The buffalo chicken wrap was just simply devine. I have to confess I hate the left over later that night and I wasn't hungry I just really liked the flavor of them. We came back a few days Later for lunch and I had the lunch buffalo wrap and my boyfriend had the burger and half Monty Cristo. The burger was great and juicy. The Monty cristo was different. Not bad by any means just different in the sense of it's deep fried, usually it's not deep fried so it was just kind of unusual to see. It tasted great and came with a raspberry sauce to dip it in. The third time we came in we had a coupon for free queso and salsa so we wanted to use that before it expired. The queso and salsa were good but nothing to really write home about. I ordered the salmon and broccoli while my boyfriend had the chicken tender Parmesan. The Parmesan was okay and he salmon was great it was the lighter side salmon so it wasn't dressed up but still had a great flavor. This place is good for different things but I think it just has to find its bearings. I do have an issue with the service though which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. When this place first opened I was a little put off when we called with a few questioned and the girl hung up mid sentence which turned me off when it first opened. Now the dinner service is perfect but the lunch service is definitely not their A-team. Overall it's worth the food to come here. read more

Most of my trips to this location have been amazing, but the last one was disappointing. The food wasn't as good as before, my group were neglected By the waitress, and the order was wrong. read more

We ordered, didn't see our waitress for almost an hour until another lady asked us if we were doing ok. Half an hour later, my baked potato soup with no bacon arrived cold with bacon in it. read more

I've never been to a cheddars so we decided to go last night, there was really no wait however waiting for a waitress took a while. I'm always open to any type of new food. I ended up having a cheeseburger, the menu is mostly fried items fried sandwiches fried chicken pretty much fried.I was really underwhelmed with the Presentation of the food basically it was thrown on a plate with some french fries, and the french fries were cold in the limp. I definitely will not be going back there again too much hype for nothing. read more

So my boyfriend and I went In for date night and it was a disaster! We ordered painkillers which are some alcoholic drinks. Then we placed an order for the buffalo chicken wrappers with a baked potato, they were AMAZING! It started off being a good night although we didn't get our Croissants until after the wrappers were out. Waiter didn't even remember if he gave them to us or not. They were so hard, I asked for some fresh ones.....those were hard too so I gave up. Anywho, we place our orders for shrimp and steak & ribs and steak. We each ate one of our wrappers and then our food came out maybe 20 minutes later. For $100 I was livid! These ribs were so hard and burnt and we ordered the steak medium rare. It was sooooo chewy I actually got tired of chewing. The shrimp were rubbery and cooked too long. We couldn't complain much because our waiter only asked us if we were ok when It was time to pay and leave! I left a review on their kiosk because they were quite busy that night but I was so unsatisfied because I had just spent $100 on food I gave to my dog when we got home. I think they need to reevaluate their staff! Last but not least we were leaving and 3 girls were standing at the podium up front. They stared my boyfriend and I down so hard and were giggling and laughing for some reason and it felt weird because I said have a good night they were so into their conversation they just ignored me. I have never been so irritated in my life. I do not recommend this cheddar's at all! read more

Went for the first time for date night & was highly impressed with not only the amazing service but about how very well prepared the food was & how welcoming all the staff was. Very nice, clean environment, & well mannered staff. Definitely going to be returning here more often for date nights. read more

So sad this place has gone down hill. Often go there a few times a month. Couple weeks ago service was poor and had to send the mooing steak back that was cold only to get something over done, though was hot. Manager corrected the bill and was appreciated. Today came in and sat the bar as always. Was 10 minutes before any staff showed up. Another customer showed up and placed their order before we even received drinks or taking our order. So rude and didn't even acknowledge us after that. . 5-10 minutes later while being ignored, we left and maybe never to return. We understand staffing is an issue everywhere. Not an excuse to ignore customers who where there before maybe a regular. After leaving the wait staff was complaining about not enough customers? Who's running this place into the ground? Food is good for the most part though these days service is awful. Ran down the road and had the complete opposite experience. Go figure maybe not a chain? Local is where it's at. Used to feel this way though not no more. read more

We were seated, were brought our drinks, then sat and sat as we watched one family across from us arrive after us and get their food, then another family after them get their food, both from our server, while we were still waiting and waiting! Not a good thing anytime, but especially not good since this is our first time at Cheddar's, leaving us with the impression that this business is partial. We, of course, reported this as we left, just arrived at another restaurant down the road, and are now about to eat, served immediately! Our waiter will be tipped well! read more

I went there last night for my birthday and had Nachos and Cajun Pasta. After returning home about 2 hours later my stomach was turning and in extremely bad pain . I was on the toilet the whole night and following day . I cannot eat anything as of now and will never go back to this restaurant again. Unless you want to be in the bathroom for two days and counting don't eat there. read more

Let me say that I really have enjoyed Cheddars in Melbourne, Fl and Tampa, fl. The new one in Ocala, Fl is nowhere close to being great like those two restaurants, first off the service I received was like typical Ocala, Fl, not very good. I ordered cheese fries and never received it to start. We waited over twenty minutes with no refills on my drink at all? Our food came out and you would think that it would be nice and hot, do to the wait but NO it was cold and my chicken was like a brick, old and over cooked. The mash potatoes were not even warm. I will say the broccoli casserole was warm and fine. My sweetheart had the grilled fish and she said it was very good, the green beans were not cooked and crunchy cold and not very good. She asked for blackened fish but received the regular grilled fish. She is afraid to complain so she ate it. I waited awhile and finally received my check and guess what, the waitress charged me for my cheese fries that I never received, she was like are you sure you did not get it? I'm very disappointed with this one and will not go back again. read more

We got there at 5:30 pm, wait not a problem. Server took about 10 minutes to even come to the table. The food didn't come as ordered, very disappointing and poor service. The manager came to the table and wasn't happy with our experience. When we were ready to leave, I went to the bathroom and while I was in the stall I heard the waitress bitching about us! Won't go back, this was the second time, poor service. read more

Food and service were okay. They sent me a coupon for a free queso and did not let me redeem it. Won't be back

Went here for the first time it was awesome. I would say be careful on the floors it's like ice if there is water. Definitely recommend the country fried chicken - seriously feeds at least 4. The beverages are awesome as well! read more

If I could give them zero stars I would! We were traveling for an emergency to Gainesville and called in to order ahead so we wouldn't be delayed long. Called in and immediately placed on hold. Waited quite a while and eventually hung up. Called in again and told them no to being placed on hold, placed on hold anyway. Called back and got connected to the hostess instead and explained our situation that we were traveling for an emergency and we needed to place an order to go quickly because we were at this point only 15 minutes away from the restaurant. She said hold just one minute I will get my take out order person. Guess what?! No one came on the line. So needless to say we never got to place our order! You would certainly think that when you explain your situation they would have a little more compassion and take the order! read more

Monday lunch. Lotsa parking. Staff very friendly and attentive. Can't complain about the food. Nothing outstanding but it was tasty. The chicken alfredo was o.k. but could have more sauce- kinda dry. The baked potato soup is outstanding! Actually, my only complaint - menus felt dirty and table top was sticky. Need to use clean rags or clean water.! Wanted to wash my hands before eating. I live 17 miles from Cheddars and plan to return again. The prices were very reasonable. read more

Called to make reservations for a birthday party for 13 people and was told not only will they not accept a reservation but that they can only (uncomfortably) accommodate parties of 10 or less. It's 2019 and your restaurant was built from the ground up and you're telling me you're too fancy to push tables together. Smh. read more

Very disappointed I will not come back again the food was served lukewarm on all plates and the Salmon was undercooked on two different plates. The wait was long and the food was not good I expected better food. read more

My second time to a Cheddars, we only had a 10 minute wait and a great waiter. I wanted the salad with candied pecans, was told they were out of pecans. (They really could have candied any kind of nut in about 15 minutes), so I went with a salad with tenders. My wife had chicken fried chicken, with lightly fried fries. And I screwed up and ordered an appetizer with tenders on the side. App came, dip was great, tenders were way over fried. My salad came and same thing. My wife's dinner arrived with very dark chicken. She sent hers back. When it came, nice golden fried chicken, warm and moist. Apparently a lot of food sits under warmers and dries up, I don't want that, would like it fresh and warm. Manager made an adjustment. Lesson learned, brief the wait staff that you want it served when ready. At that time not overly busy. read more

Wife and I visited on Jan. 1, 1919, at 1:30 pm. Told wait time was about 20 minutes, ok. After 25 minutes and 4 groups of 3 to 4 people who came in after us were seated, I asked about our place on the wait list; was told a table for two would open up soon. What about those seated before us who came in after us? I asked. Our policy is to seat larger groups ahead of groups of two if there is no table for two. We immediately left. When the novelty of a new restaurant wears off, they will be wishing parties of two would return - we will not. read more

It's decent kind of reminded me of a poor mans Cheese Cake Factory. However well worth it for the price.

The cheddars in Orlando had my whole heart, the first time we went service and food was AMAZING so when they opened in Ocala I was very happy, until I went to eat there. Service was terrible our waitress had no idea what was going on she forgot to bring out our apps and my daughters drink, was our food arrived the fish was terrible way overly seasoned, my friend got country fried steak which had so much breading on it, the overlay was well over a inch, my steak came out raw and had to be sent back the whole table had been done by the time I got my steak to the table and it was raw again. This made my whole out take on cheddars negative I will never waste time for the wait or money on the food again, I will drive the 45min to Orlando before coming to the Ocala one. read more

They have a great steak and cheese sandwich. Enjoyed it so much I brought one home for my husband. We had went when they first opened and thought it was way to noisy, glad we decided to give it another try. read more

I ordered a margarita first off it was water down and tasted like water and alcohol mixed send it back they made another one the same way the Salmon and I ordered was half cooked Center, Raw. read more

I am so disappointed and sad because we came with our friends in hopes of a nice dinner...we got the opposite...sobbing as I write this we are very disappointed we will not be back. Ps.nothing happened except bad dinner....very dissatisfied:( read more

greeter at desk has you wait then sits multiple other people, then doesn't acknowledge that she told us to wait . incompetence in new hires! ate there before decent food. apparently staff customer service has declined as management had nothing to say not even sorry. but door greater said sorry for the issue. read more

I wanted to go somewhere my mom and I haven't been for lunch as a new experience, and when we walked into this restaurant it was nice and it looked amazing and classy- but that's all on the outside. We were seated and it was 20 minutes before we had to bug someone to ask who our server was because we were never greeted or asked if we needed a drink or anything. When our server finally came after we requested one, she didn't introduce herself and just stood there, waiting for us to start ordering. It was 30 minutes before we got our food and i have to say, our food was AMAZING. I order the Cheddar Club and the Baked Potato Soup and it was heaven on my tastebuds. The bread was toasted to a perfect crisp, the bacon was not too greasy, there was just enough meat on the sandwich, it was just so good. The soup was just as good and was thick- just how i like it! My mom also enjoyed her Veggie Plate :) Although i did just want to have a good lunch experience with my mom which started off bad with the agonizing waiting and rude service, overall the food was amazing. My compliments to the chef. read more

Disappointed: First visit was not bad, food was good but staff did not seem professional. Had a member of the kitchen staff come out and take his lunch break sitting at a table next to us eating from a to-go container and playing on his phone (wasn't presentable). Second trip (5/18/19) I pulled a piece of packaging out of my food, it was a piece card type paper that frozen spinach sold at the grocery store is wrapped it. This piece was in a side of the broccoli cheese casserole and measured about an inch square. After pulling it out my mouth I put it on a small plate and made the waitress aware. Waitress apologized and said she would make management aware, she came back to inform me that my entree would be comped and got my wife and I a large piece of chocolate cake. Never offered to bring me another side of the item I pulled the foreign object from. I was disappointed that a member of management or a supervisor of any type never came to the table. The cake was nice but I would have. Even much happier to have spoken to a member of management as opposed to my waitress who was only concerned about how this would affect her tip. read more