Gotta start with the food. Every bit of everything anyone at the table had was phenomenal. My pork chop was incredibly flavorful and very juicy. The chimichurri and potatoes were the perfect accouterments. I had never heard of macque choux before, but we ordered it as a side for the table, and everyone loved it, we fought overtime the last bites! The edamame and bacon succotash was mostly corn, and while it was pretty good, we all agreed we wouldnt order it again, two orders of macque choux instead! The rest of my table ordered seafood, and while I don't eat seafood, there wasn't a single complaint about the food. The atmosphere of the restaurant in general isn't thrilling. Its white, clean, and fine, but boring. We got lucky and sat in a secluded-ish area right next to a window with a view of the water, which helped. But of you were just in the middle of the main part of the dining room, I can't imagine thered be anything wonderful to say. Our server was also just fine. He seemed bothered in the beginning, maybe because we brought out own wine (paid the corkage fee, of course, we weren't hiding anything), he seemed less bothered by the end but was not friendly, and never smiled. Overall, I do think the food quality overpowered the meh server, so id probably go back and hope for a different server and the same seat! read more

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Our final stop of the day was dinner aboard the Paddlefish! We had a reservation and were seated early! Our booth was at the stern of the boat and we got in right before it started raining! We had an awesome server with a sweet personality-Noah-how is that for appropriate?! I had the salmon and veggies while Bill had the shrimp pasta with asparagus and crab sauce. Both dishes were super flavorful! We really enjoyed the meal and the experience and the rain had stopped by the time we needed to come off the boat! The noise ebbed and flowed as larger parties left. The decor was true to form and very tasteful! read more

Paddlefish - Salmon - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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We took a stroll around Disney Spring and stopped by the Paddlefish for a light lunch. You all know how much people traffic is around here. But we were in the mood for some light seafood and decided to try. I was not disappointed at all, I enjoyed the fish tacos with salmon, celery and aioli sauce and it was delicious. My wife had herself the shrimp Po Bay sandwich. Awesome and abundant with shrimps. Cat our server was very friendly and attentive to our needs. Overall folks if you are in Disney Springs and in the mood for something special look no further and enjoy here cause the ambience is great and the food wonderful for the budget. read more

Paddlefish - Salmon fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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We did the Disney thing and traveled a long way. It was a blast. But honesty, our experience at Paddlefish was probably the best part of the trip. Our server was Eric and he was easily best server I have ever had in my life. My water never got below half full, he was very kind but also humerus, and his recommendations were on point. My wife had the stuffed cod and had the shrimp pasta. Mini me had the kids pasta and it had really good flavor. My pasta dish was very good and light but also filling. But my wife's stuffed cod is a dish you dream about for years to come. 10/10 would recommend spending the extra money and having a nice dining experience here. And you get to eat on an old paddle boat which is neat! read more

Paddlefish - Stuffed Cod - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The food was amazing. We both loved the fish tacos! I gave it 4 stars because this restaurant does not have GF bread. Our waitress was awesome and worked with me to make what they have available suitable for my diet though. We sat near the water and got to watch little boats go by. read more

Paddlefish - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Cool concept. Massive capacity. Very very tasty food, but pricey. Great for all sizes of party. Staff was welcoming and professional. Definitely worth trying out! read more

Food here was surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because too often Disney property food can be hit or miss. Now I know Paddlefish is not in any of the parks, but it is still in the Disney Bubble. That being said I highly recommend this place. Cool vibe, nice view, many offerings and the food is good. I thoroughly enjoyed the crab cakes. So full of flavor and would have loved more. read more

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The manager saved this review from a 2. They have a menu where all their food has a possibility of cross contamination which makes dining with allergies difficult. So, immediately everything you have been eyeing on the menu is off the table. Our waitress was professional and polite. Due to allergies, one person in our party was able to order a well done steak ( don't judge) and plain potatoes. The steak came out medium. We order a steak medium rare and it came out medium well. The manager compensated our meal as it was clear they failed us on my daughter's birthday. Super disappointed read more

Raquel was incredible and we loved having her as our waitress. We were given plenty of suggestions and she spoke with us about what we liked / vs what would be good. Her favorites on the menu also became our favorites. The view from the second floor is great even if the interior feels a tad cramped. I also left my bag and had to go back for it. They already had it waiting for me downstairs! read more

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It was ok. The boat is cool overall and provides a nice scenic view. The server was very good but overall the food was underwhelming for the cost. We ordered snow crab and the filet. The filet was average and the snow crab was eh. We got a mixed drink called the Orange sunset and that was good. Reminded me of a ln alcoholic version of a melted creamsicle. I was disappointed overall with the food. It's a good ambience but lacks in taste. read more

Paddlefish - Snow crab - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The biggest ride at Disney Springs isn't in the parks -- it's the lobster roll at Paddlefish. Dining at Paddlefish is like boarding a floating temple dedicated to seafood and cocktails, permanently docked in the heart of Disney Springs. The three-story riverboat is hard to miss -- part restaurant, part landmark, and part Instagram backdrop for tourists who think they've just discovered the Mississippi River. History check: Paddlefish was originally the Empress Lilly, a 1977 riverboat restaurant named after Walt Disney's wife, Lillian. It's been through a few reinventions since then, but the current incarnation is sleek, modern, and all about fresh seafood and rooftop views that make you forget you're in a shopping complex and not actually cruising down the Mississippi. The menu is a love letter to anyone who worships at the altar of the sea. The lobster guacamole is as over-the-top as it sounds -- creamy avocado with chunks of lobster so generous you start wondering if you should've just ordered a whole crustacean. The crab legs are the stuff of legends -- massive, buttery, and delivered with enough tools to make you feel like a medieval blacksmith cracking into them. The lobster roll? Buttery, rich, and easily one of the best bites in Disney Springs. Drinks? Strong, well-crafted, and best enjoyed on the rooftop deck while the Florida sun melts into the horizon. This is the spot to grab a glass of wine or a cocktail and toast to the fact that you didn't settle for a turkey leg at the park. Service? Disney-level polished. Friendly, efficient, and always ready with extra napkins when you're elbow-deep in crab legs. Yes, it's pricey. Yes, the wait can feel longer than the queue for Space Mountain. But once that first bite of seafood hits, you forgive everything. Paddlefish is one of those rare Disney Springs spots that makes you feel like you're dining out while staying firmly in the bubble. Paddlefish is part history, part floating fantasy, and all seafood indulgence. Come for the boat, stay for the crab legs, and leave convinced you should've worn a bib. read more

My work colleagues and I ate here on a trip to a work conference here in Orlando, and we had a fantastic dinner. The service was great, the atmosphere was nice, and despite the food being pricey (as expected), it was delicious. I had never tried grouper before, and after doing so, I can honestly say I have found my favorite fish I had ever eaten! I would definitely come back while visiting Disney Springs again - would recommend! read more

Waitress was great and food just ok. Probably better tasing options somewhere else. Not super busy and now can see why.

Stuffed cod was outta this world good!! Warm bread with whipped butter...yum. Service was wonderful, never intrusive, water glass always full. Skip: Fried green tomato was good, but sauce was too heavy on the mayo. Boursin crab dip didn't have enough (any?) real crab in it. read more

We chose this place because we assumed it had good fish based on the name of the restaurant. I wasn't expecting it to be the best salmon I ever had (love salmon) but this salmon was "meh". Good size portion of fish but rather dry and a bit fishy tasting. The salmon has a glaze on it, which helped moisten it some. It gave it a little bit of flavor, but not enough to overcome the overall dryness of it. The meal also includes a medley of vegetables and mashed potatoes. I was forewarned by the server that the mashed potatoes had wasabi mixed in them. When I asked if it was overwhelming or hot, the answer was no not really. The wasabi overtook the taste of the mashed potato. This is not something I would ever consider adding to mashed potatoes. The flavor was such that I did not get past three bites of the potatoes. read more

Paddlefish - salmon - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Great experience! Had Ashley R. as our waitress and she did a fantastic job and was very accommodating. One of our favorite meals of the trip. read more

Paddlefish is one those go to spots in Disney Springs for celebratory meal - whether you desire a special occasion with a significant other or want to enjoy a classy round of drinks and some seafood fair with friends, Paddlefish will definitely deliver. You can enjoy some pristine views of the DS waterfront all while getting your salty fix of mussels or fresh catch fish. The restaurant has a significant and diverse array of seating and dining areas that span from low light and intimate to vibrant and fun and nearly everything in between. Of course the menu has seafood but there's also many classic steakhouse and bistro style offerings, so everyone's palate is covered here - even the kiddos. Don't sleep on this one, if you've never given it a try - make your next Disney Springs trip that much more special by dining at the Paddlefish. read more

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The service is amazing Thai you Kevin!! The ribeye steak is amazing. Asparagus with the steak is amazing. They have a flight of Knob Creek whiskey you must have! They also have red wine. That's really really good. And although as if it's a fish place, the steak is amazing!! Must try!!! read more

Paddlefish - Calamari!!! Great with the green pepper! - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Paddlefish has the best clam chowder I've ever had, YUM. My sister and I got in without a reservation around 2pm on a Friday. Lovely service and a nice view of Disney Springs. read more

Paddlefish - Shrimp Pasta - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The food was really good, including the drinks (no pics). Zero negative comments. If the weather is decent, you can opt to sit outside. Great views! The service offered from the bottom to the top was excellent. Servers from other stations were open to provide service when needed. If you don't want to take the stairs, there is an elevator. read more

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I love Disney Springs so much, but eating there when it's busy can be very overwhelming. We stopped in to Paddlefish with a very large party and they were able to accommodate us and seat us with barely any wait time. Our server was so kind and attentive, and was able to make accommodations for someone in our party. The food came out relatively quickly. We ordered pretty much everything on the menu! Out of the starters, we were obsessed with the fried green tomatoes. The Remoulade on top was so delicious. We got a couple of the entrees like the salmon, the grouper, shrimp pasta, the ceviche, and of course the star of the show which was the seafood tower. Everyone in our party enjoyed their respective meals! Overall a nice time and a sigh of relief on such a busy night in Disney Springs read more

**INITIAL REVIEW** The weekend of my stepdad's birthday was filled with trying out new restaurants as a means to spend time together, but there was one restaurant that was highly-anticipated amongst my family, and that is Paddlefish. Located on the northside of Disney Springs, Paddlefish is a unique-looking restaurant, at least from the exterior. Given this is Disney property, Paddlefish definitely gave me vibes of the animated classic, "Disney and the Frog" with its riverboat design, with its two smoke stacks and paddle wheel, reminiscent of riverboat paddle steamers in classic Southern lore. Inside, however, Paddlefish looks more like a classic five-star restaurant on the river ith its simplistic circle patterns and use of blues and gold to have a modern accompany to the river, a design contrast from its exterior. Nothing wrong with it, just a sudden change from what you initially see. I was expecting more of the riverboat theme, actually. My family and I sat at the bow of the first floor of what seemed to be a three-floor restaurant which I discerned from the three stories of stairs outside of the restaurant. We sat at a table for six and the space was thoroughly used well. At times, there are tight squeezes between tables, but nothing that cannot be managed especially with a bigger person such as I. Besides the exterior aesthetics, the service and food truly shine here at Paddlefish. Now to be fair, some of the dishes are a dime a dozen, but there are some that have enough of a uniqueness compared to others. This is defiitely true for their bread, calamari, and etouffee. We also ordered watercress salad with salmon, stuffed cod, Florida little neck clams in a seafood boil, and linguine with clams. For dessert, we got both Florida's iconic dessert, key lime pie, and a chocolate mousse. There is one note of caution and one actual gripe that must be stressed. The note of caution: Paddlefish is expensive. I would say the average on each dish was over $25, but that is to be expected with seafood. As for my one gripe, the design for restrooms is really bad. With the number of people in the restaurant, there are not enough stalls in the restroom for patrons to use. Ultimately, Paddlefish is a fine restaurant, one of the better high-end dining establishments in Disney Springs. If you have the money, the occassion to be there, and like seafood, I suggest at least trying it once. If you like it, you've found another great place to eat for high-end special occassions on Disney property. If not, you would have at least tried and you would know it isn't your preference. I will definitely return for special occassions and if Paddlefish is just as good as they were my initial visit, I'll grant them their fifth star for consistency. read more

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+.5 for service I guess if we're talking about Disney food quality, this place isn't bad. You even get a good ambiance here too, as you're dining on a "boat". Paddlefish was our first stop after arriving at Disney, as it was dinner time. My expectations weren't set too high given the location. I had the linguine and clams, and my group shared a crab cake, PEI mussels, and grilled octopus. The crab cake and grilled octopus were both actually not bad. The mussels unfortunately lacked any flavour outside the sauce that came with it. The linguine with clams was nothing spectacular, but good for what it was worth. Service was excellent here. For Disney food quality I'd say this place is good. Not gonna push it any further than that. read more

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Less than desirable. Service was sub par drinks were hardly refilled. Decent wait even for reservations. The bathrooms were disgusting by dinner time - no toilet paper or seat covers, smelled disgusting. Inside was aromatic and ok waiting area both inside and out. The food was just ok for seafood. Nice location of the Disney Springs area. read more

We got a beautiful seat on the water side where we can watch the car boats drive around. 12 minute wait for our party of 3 which was good given how busy it was. Waitress was nice but very busy. Bread had a fun presentation like a flower but was average. I got filet and prawns both were very good. Filet was a very good size and cooked to my medium request. It had a bit of gristle which I don't prefer but the flavor and sauce was a nice pairing. My son had the seafood pasta and said it was very good as well. read more

Paddlefish - Bread was fun! - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Excellent ambience by the water Standout dishes Crabcake Complimentary bread Paddlefish blonde Average quality Mahi and potatoes Some of the potatoes were overcooked read more

This is specifically a review of a private event we hosted here recently, but I had to share about it. Definitely book your next party at Paddlefish!! The team who helped set up the event was easy to work with and kind, and the staff working the bar were excellent and attentive! Paddlefish has a great private room on their top deck that fit our party of about 20 comfortably, with access to the outside top deck area as well. I loved the ambiance, and since we did a lunchtime party, the deck was empty for us to enjoy despite being open to the public. I was so pleasantly surprised by the food - it was amazing, and everyone raved about it! I feel like party food can be hit or miss in bigger quantities, but everything hit the mark. I chose things from their party menu like a vegetable couscous, mashed potatoes, bbq chicken, and a salmon in a Dijon sauce that was to die for. The salmon may have been a fan favorite! Everything had awesome flavor and was refilled consistently for our group. The drinks were also very well-made by our bartenders, and they made sure we were always served quickly. I had such a great time at my party here, and I would recommend the private events here to anyone looking for a high quality small event! Now to return for dinner. read more

Paddlefish - Outside upper deck - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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came here with family. food was terrible. My cousin ordered the mahi. it was so dry the potatoes were rubbery and burnt like they've been sitting under a heat lamp. our waitress brought out a "fresh" order of potatoes and they were still rubbery, burnt and cold. my seafood boil was bland and just gross. my potatoes taste like dirt and were a little gritty. i gave my food to my husband. my husbands sword fish was over cooked and hard. taste like canned tuna. 6 of us $280 and 2 of us left hungry. the manager did comp my cousins meal. i really wanted to like this place. read more

Paddlefish - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This place fell short on every turn. Actually the oysters were on point but that's where it ended. We came for a birthday dinner on Saturday night and the atmosphere was severely lacking. I felt like I was in a cafeteria with the brightness of the lights. And the table next to us was practically sitting at our table with us. Not sure why because there is loads of space on the 3rd floor.... They didn't seem to notice or care. The wait staff nor the guests. We waited to see if bread and butter would come and when we realized it wasn't we asked for it. That was actually good too. Our waiter was nice but we didn't see him much. The grouper was awful. I asked to have it taken off the bill and they did but I should have also asked to take off the octopus (beyond tough) and the filet mignon was completely dried out. We paid $100 per person including tip for below average food. Bleh! Such a tourist trap. I would avoid this place if I were you. read more

Paddlefish - No flavor grouper. No sauce. Just boring basic and tasted like an old piece of fish. - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Everything about Paddlefish was awesome! Our server was so sweet, everything we ordered was delicious, and the atmosphere was so relaxed yet upscale. Would absolutely come back and recommend to anyone in Disney Springs! read more

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Paddlefish is a great option for a nice, tasty and classy dinner for a busy week at Disney parks! At Disney springs sometimes it can be hard to find something more "upscale" and paddlefish can be the option! Very varied and tasty menu, pricey but you get quality food, so definitely this is a part to consider... I would say that is not the best "kid friendly" option as it can feel pretty boring for the kiddos. But for ambiance (especially outside) is fantastic! read more

Paddlefish at Disney Springs was overall a good experience, but it did not quite stand out the way I hoped it would. The atmosphere is nice, and the location on the water is beautiful. The restaurant itself is clean, comfortable, and has a great view, especially if you are seated near a window or on the upper deck. The service was friendly and the staff was attentive, which I appreciated. Nothing was bad, it just did not feel especially memorable or above average. The food was decent and everything we ordered was cooked properly, but the flavors were pretty basic for the price point. It was not bad at all, just not impressive. With so many amazing dining options at Disney Springs, I expected it to have more of a "wow" factor. Overall, I would call it good but mediocre. It is a solid choice if you want a relaxing meal with a nice view, but it would not be my first pick next time with all the other great restaurants nearby. Not a bad experience by any means, just not one that stood out. read more

The view was amazing! We were on the second floor of the restaurant. Our food was great. Was it worth the price tag? No. I've had much better food for the price.... But that's alright... it's all for the experience, right. We had an amazing view of the water. The driving cars in the water was the highlight. I loved that so much. I had the ribeye and the others at the table had the filet, the salmon, and the shrimp linguine. No one really had any complaints for the food. It was tender. One of my favorite foods is fried green tomatoes... and although they were fried perfectly, the sauce that they sit in was just okay. I would not order that again. The lobster corn dog was so delicious! That was worth the price tag. The shrimp cocktail... well... it was shrimp cocktail, nothing really stood out about it. Our waitress had to be one of the sweetest people on this earth... BUT... she needs a little help being a waitress... it was like we almost had to track her down just to get beverage refills. I have a drink with my Disney dining plan that she told me that I could get but couldn't because she NEVER CAME BACK TO THE TABLE!! She never came back once to ask if everything was okay. So although she had a great personality, she needed some help with managing the tables she had. Cuz eventually came back to bring us the check.... Not to ask if there was anything else we needed or wanted. We were thinking that going on a Wednesday night it wouldn't be too packed... lol... boy were we wrong! It's Disney Springs! Of course it was packed! read more

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Everything was good, but I don't know if it's worth the high prices. I got the stuffed cod and it was amazing, but the potatoes and asparagus it came with weren't very well seasoned. The fried green tomatoes were also amazing. We got a side of parmesan herbed fries to share but they honestly just tasted like regular fries, they weren't anything special. I think here you're more paying for the view and novelty of dining on a boat, but it's still a good option for good food if you're ok with the higher prices! read more

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The atmosphere here is fantastic! I've been to Disney springs a few times and would always walk past this restaurant. The decor and style is very unique and you really do feel like you are on a boat! I came for sunset and was seated in the rooftop. Very beautiful scenery with the skyline view of Disney Springs. Beware it does get chilly with the wind after sunset. We ordered the lobster corn dogs (Amazing!!), crab cakes which were ok, and the stuffed cod (Not my favourite but my husband liked it). The seafood was cooked perfectly and everything was very well seasoned. I will definitely be returning for the views and lobster corn dogs!! read more

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The food did not disappoint. The chef came to our table to insure diet preferences were met for zero refined sugar. They delivered on all points! There is snow crab service with bib placement! And the internal and external vibe is upscale nautical ambiance with nice high end touches within the dining room. Great for celebrations meetups or date nights! read more

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After three packed days at the parks, I came to Paddlefish in Disney Springs with a friend for an early lunch to end our trip. The restaurant had just barely opened at the time we arrived and we basically had the place to ourselves. The menu at Paddlefish was fantastic, making it difficult to choose. I ordered the crab-topped fries to start, which was exactly what it sounds like: a generous portion of lump crab meat piled on fries with Louie sauce (basically thousand island dressing but less sweet) and green onions. This had so much flavor and was very filling. I also ordered the muffuletta hoagie, which an open-faced baguette with mortadella, salami, ham, provolone cheese, diced olive salad, and shaved asiago cheese. This was, in fact, the most Asiago cheese I have ever seen on a sandwich. It was verging on too much but it gave the sandwich such a sharp, nutty flavor. It came with their homemade potato chips that were incredibly crispy and crunchy. My friend ordered the wedge salad and they did not skimp on the blue cheese dressing or the big, thick cuts of bacon. Our server was friendly and our food was prepared quickly. Overall, Paddlefish was a great choice and I would not hesitate to return the next time I am in Disney Springs. read more

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I like this place. The food is quite good and the service is good as well, but the ambiance is why you would come here. It's shaped like a river boat and it is massive inside. The views of the lake is beautiful and the interior decor is what I would put in my own house, it's clean modern and beautiful read more

Reservations were made the day of just in case they were going to fully booked but be careful when making them because for some odd reason the timezone was wrong and therefore so were the reservations. Luckily I was still able to rebook on their website directly so just be aware of that. Since we had gotten there slightly early, we utilized their rooftop bar and admired the beautiful view of the sunset and the water. For drinks we tried their pink cosmo and dirty martini, both were great! We shared the mussel boil which was a relatively good size but I was not a huge fan of the flavor since it was pretty bland having mostly (or only) used Old Bay seasoning. Oysters were fresh and cleaned well with fresh horseradish, vinegar, and shrimp cocktail sauce. My sister enjoyed her flounder while I was very satisfied with my ettoufee. There was lots of crawfish and shrimp in their decadent and thick sauce over a bed of white rice. Overall, my sister and I had a perfect experience. We were in love with our waitress Lily who was beyond kind providing her personal recommendations and exceptional service. I would love to come and get all the same items again, besides the mussels, and highly recommend others to come here as well! read more

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The Paddlefish: a restaurant on a literal boat in the middle of Disney Springs. On a packed Friday night in November, we expected a two-hour wait everywhere... but Paddlefish had no wait. Were we fated mates? Read on, baby. We were seated on the second floor with a nice, seemingly knowledgeable server. We browsed the menu, ordered drinks, and then waited. And waited. When the drinks finally arrived (20 minutes later), my blackberry whiskey smash was great, but my friends' "very spicy" margaritas were so mild they had to muddle an extra side of jalapeños with their forks. Still vibin', we move on. Bread eventually appeared & the same amount given to the table of two next to us, even though we had six people. Still fine. We were here for friendship, okay? Food ordering took a while, but the real plot twist was my friend's medium-rare steak. When it finally arrived after everyone else's dishes were brought by runners; the steak was medium-well and cold. Fries? Cold. Green beans? Cold. I know because I took my friend tax. We couldn't find our server, so I asked someone to send her over. She was apologetic, my friend apologized back (she's a saint), and they sent the steak to be fixed. Twenty minutes later, the corrected steak arrived, hot and cooked properly... but now my friend had to eat alone while we all sat there done with our meals. We were ready to pay and escape for a Gideon's. This is where it went from mildly chaotic to unhinged. We used the QR code to pay by seat; amazing in theory. But the system dumped the ENTIRE table's gratuity onto Steak Friend, even though we each had receipts showing we paid our own portions. We flagged the server again. The manager arrived with security, telling someone on her walkie to "stand down," which was insane because we were sitting there calmly, exhausted and confused. We explained the situation repeatedly. The manager didn't understand, didn't believe us, or both. Even after seeing a friend's transaction as proof, nothing changed. She said she'd wipe the auto-gratuity and let Steak Friend tip manually. She did not do this. She even told the server, right in front of us, that she wouldn't get a tip. Shockingly unprofessional. After several rounds of confusion and incorrect math, my friend finally just paid whatever amount remained, even though it was still wrong. Nothing was comped. Not the cold steak, not the wait, not the billing mess, nothing. We left and stood in a long line at Gideon's for less time than it took Paddlefish to bring us bread. I have never seen such committed, weaponized incompetence. I hope future researchers study it. read more