Avoid Eating Here.
I remember about 10 years or so ago when the origional restraunt (mysteriously?) burnt down. I ate there once or twice, it wasn't bad, but it is gone, gone, gone.
The insurance money must have been pretty good, because the new building is at least 3 times as big, and for the 300 or so times I have passed by I never stopped until yesterday. I had been curious to see the inside, I'd heard it had been decorated in the style of Disney's Rainforest Cafe, and I wanted to see for myself how they did.
Well....
They must have spent all the money on the building, some for decor, and none on the staff or the menu. Yes, the tall slanted open ceiling is all covered in fake flowers, and that side of the room is a forest theme with a redwood mural. The 8 foot ceilinged "Underwater" side of the room is like being on the bottom of a pond looking up at the bottom side of ducks, with an underwater mural on the wall. A couple of ducks have lost a leg, and one had bandaids covering the hole.
There is a fountain in the room, and the tables are resin coated redwood slabs with oddities like shells and plastic birds encased in cracks and knot holes; that is, where you can see them, as the resin has yellowed and clouded. I think they may have been from before the fire, but I can't recall for certain, maybe they had been spared from the flames because they were in storage that day? Hard to say. Blue Casino carpet on the floor. So the concept was nice, and they did a pretty good job of it. Enough about the decor.
The Menu: Sandwiches. No Entree's, Just Sandwiches.
Sandwiches with fries so skinny and greasy I have never even imagined such a icky yucky thing. Club Sandwich, Grilled Turkey, Grilled Chicken, French Dip, Grilled 'Cheese'. You pick, $9.95. Ugh.
Salad bar : Luttice, 3 bean mix, potato salad, cottage cheese and peaches. That's All. One time through with the smallest bowl I have ever seen, $9.95. Seriously. You could have them make you a salad with some of the lunch meat on it, also $9.95.
Soup: Clam Chowder - Home Made (I'll Bet) . Also Chili.
We asked about the soup of the day, our waitress said "Tortilla and chicken soup, but I don't recommend it. It hasn't been good for a couple of weeks." I wonder how many more weeks they'll keep it around?
$9.95. Good Luck.
Various Deep Fried "Appitizers", Onion Rings, Motzarella Sticks, Mushrooms. $6.95.
Some Kind of Desert $6.95
.
Kids Menu was about the same, about 1/2 the food for about 1/2 the price, - 1/2 a grilled american cheese on white bread, 1/2 a pbj, stuff like that.
I overheard a man at another table complaining about the coffee, I couldn't hear everything he said but I did pick up "burnt," "curdled," and "grounds," and then I heard the waitress say something about how it had only been made a couple of hours ago, and she could make another pot if he wanted...He declined. I drank water.
So a terrible meal, terrible service, and get this, the reciept comes with a print out of how much you should tip, figured for 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%. Seriously!
There were a few families seated and waiting when we came in, but as my time there passed I saw the parents look grumpier and more frustrated, and then really pissed when the bills came. As was I.
My curiousity satisfied, I will NEVER stop there again.
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