Anyone know a good place for special dinner?

[JohnBoy44]

I know where you're coming from as far as bad experiences in good restaraunts ( Turkey Lake Tavern, Lake of the Woods, the Angola Las Limas ) and never going back. Can't blame you. I find it amazing that Bill's is still going strong, It was really great on my 18th b-day. The drinking age in MI was still 18 at the time.

the las limas restaurants are pretty bad. I'd rather cook.
I like Daves lake Shack on snow lake.
The lake george retreat is open again. I haven't heard how it is

[hairypumper]

the las limas restaurants are pretty bad. I'd rather cook.
I like Daves lake Shack on snow lake.
The lake george retreat is open again. I haven't heard how it is

I really like the Auburn Las Limas, it's not as good when they're busy though. Their drink prices are very reasonable. I've heard good things about Dave's. Not impressed with Lake George Retreat.

[jennyk]

Las Limas in Auburn has gone downhill, I think —*last time I was there with a group of people for lunch, it took us over an hour. Everyone was late back to work, and all they said was "we had a large party in the bar." I sympathize, but the service was abysmal and they were entirely unapologetic. Another time, I was there with a group of people and our waitress left halfway through because she was sick and no one took over our table. We finally had to go up to the cash stand and ask for the check. I also was slightly disturbed by the prospect of our sick waitress handling our food. My husband and I had a fine experience at the Las Limas in Angola, however. We're planning to go there again this summer, eat on the patio and play a round at the putt-putt golf course next to it. If I want Mexican, though, I usually go down to Bandidos or Agaves Mexican Grill in Fort Wayne.

I usually try to give popular restaurants the benefit of the doubt if I have one bad experience. If everyone raves about it and then I have a bad experience, I won't be opposed to going back once more and seeing if maybe the bad experience was a fluke.

Hairypumper, I was sad to see you had a bad experience at Turkey Lake Tavern. We took my in-laws up there Friday night for dinner and we all really enjoyed it! My family and I have been going for years, and I have many fond memories of eating fried fish with my family up there.

[pixiegirl]

When my husband and I are in the mood for spicy food, we go Aculpulco Grill at 4 corners. The food is great and we have always had good service.
I took my husband and friends there for hubby's birthday. We had a great time and everyone enjoyed it. We ALL enjoyed the Marguiritas (sp?) a little too much.

[JohnBoy44]

When my husband and I are in the mood for spicy food, we go Aculpulco Grill at 4 corners. The food is great and we have always had good service.
I took my husband and friends there for hubby's birthday. We had a great time and everyone enjoyed it. We ALL enjoyed the Marguiritas (sp?) a little too much.

Jimmy's right on the 4 corners was decent last time I went also.

what's the deal with sharkey's pizza? any good?

[blue adept]

Sharkey's on the beach in Venice Florida is an amazing restaurant. If you are ever there check it out!

[matt_s]

I agree that the Japanese Steakhouse in FW is great. Slotz, I'm sorry that you've had a bad experience at Shortys. I've nothing but great things to say there, but I understand where you are coming from on the one bad experience.

There is a place on S. Main St. in Auburn whose name is evading me as I sit here in a hotel in NC. Small place, feminine name. The food was very yummy though a bit pricey. Probably not the place for a big group as you'd probably take up the whole restaurant.

Anyway, I'm heading off to Goobers 52 in Mt. Airy NC in about 5 min. If you are ever visiting Mayberry, this is a great place to go.

[hairypumper]

Sandra D's is the name.

[slotz10]

I think you are talking about Sandra D's.

Yes, very good, but not a large establishment.

[slotz10]

St. James is good too. Avilla, IN.
Dang, they have some really good chicken.
Family atmosphere, however, you can go to the roof top and eat in the bar.

[troublesome one]

Club Soda in Ft. Wayne is always good and has live music. We've been for a couple of anniversaries.

http://www.clubsodafortwayne.com/

[Night Owl]

[QUOTE=jennyk;39093] If I want Mexican, though, I usually go down to Bandidos or Agaves Mexican Grill in Fort Wayne.

I usually try to give popular restaurants the benefit of the doubt if I have one bad experience. If everyone raves about it and then I have a bad experience, I won't be opposed to going back once more and seeing if maybe the bad experience was a fluke.
QUOTE]

For Mexican in Fort Wayne, (we have never tried Agaves) we like Cebolla's behind Glenbrook Mall. Their Texas (premium) Margarita's are very good!

Most restaurants should get at least a 2nd chance. Most bad experiences are generally caused by one employee. The bad employees usually don't last very long.
If you have a bad experience, be sure to (in a nice way) let the owner or manager know about it. They can't fix a problem if they aren't aware of it.

[HL1968]

Two thumbs waaaaay down for The Lake of the Woods. Last summer DH and I went and had the absolute worst experience EVER - service and food! This was all on a semi-busy weekend evening (meaning the place was not full by any stretch of the imagination). It took 15 minutes after we were seated before our server even acknowledged our presence, fried calamari appetizer was served cold and after our salads, fish entree was severely undercooked, we never recieved a bottle of wine that we ordered to come with our entrees and all of this with no apologies from the staff even after we brought all of our issues to their attention. Never in my life have I "dined and dashed" but it soooo crossed my mind that evening. We will never go back to Lake of the Woods. Back in the day when it was a little dive bar with tables crammed in it was fabulous but since the remodel it's terrible. Maybe they got too big for their britches.

[michael medeski]

For Mexican in Fort Wayne, (we have never tried Agaves) we like Cebolla's behind Glenbrook Mall. Their Texas (premium) Margarita's are very good!

that is my favorite mexican place to go too. aculpulco here has the same food and is owned by the same people, but for some reason the food is always better at cebollas. i've had a few bad expierences out at four corners, but it is still 10 times better than piggys so called mexican food.


if you want a good place in town with great food and service go to the hatchery. i find it's cheaper to eat there than applebees, plus the atmosphere is much better.

[JohnBoy44]

that is my favorite mexican place to go too. aculpulco here has the same food and is owned by the same people, but for some reason the food is always better at cebollas. i've had a few bad expierences out at four corners, but it is still 10 times better than piggys so called mexican food.


if you want a good place in town with great food and service go to the hatchery. i find it's cheaper to eat there than applebees, plus the atmosphere is much better.

El Azteca used to be the best Mexican restaurant in Ft Wayne. Hopefully they still are. Captain's Cabin would be good for a special dinner.

[michael medeski]

El Azteca used to be the best Mexican restaurant in Ft Wayne.

i forgot about them. i have not ate there in years. their food is good too.

[slotz10]

I know the owner of Shorty's. I went to school with her.
She was working the day we had the bad experience.

She knew about our issue and still did not take the sandwich off our bill.

So, sorry, I won't go back.

[jennyk]

For Mexican in Fort Wayne, (we have never tried Agaves) we like Cebolla's behind Glenbrook Mall. Their Texas (premium) Margarita's are very good!

We go to Cebolla's sometimes, too, come to think of it. There's the one behind Glenbrook Mall, but we often go to the one on Dupont because it's closer. They're tasty, too! I like the fact that Bandidos has salsa and bean dip with their chips, though.

Another nice special occasion restaurant, but pricey: Trolley Bar on Dupont Road. Be sure to get the salad bar with your meal - it is very, very good. Although, their Web site makes me cringe when it says: "The north east's fine dinning destination." Spell check is your friend!

[ebbieday]

We go to Cebolla's sometimes, too, come to think of it. There's the one behind Glenbrook Mall, but we often go to the one on Dupont because it's closer. They're tasty, too! I like the fact that Bandidos has salsa and bean dip with their chips, though.

Another nice special occasion restaurant, but pricey: Trolley Bar on Dupont Road. Be sure to get the salad bar with your meal - it is very, very good. Although, their Web site makes me cringe when it says: "The north east's fine dinning destination." Spell check is your friend!

We've been to the Trolley Bar once. The food was good, but it was so dark in there I could hardly read the menu. Petty complaint, I know. But you want to talk about a salad bar to die for...go to Cork 'n' Cleaver. I have never seen so many items on a SB in my life. That could have been my meal in itself. Save your pennies though, it ain't cheap!

[slotz10]

I gave St. James a good plug in here.
Funny, I took my dad and mom out to lunch today. They met me and my husband there for lunch.
I said, My Treat, Get whatever you want.

It took over 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The waitress only had 3 plates to serve. She said, your last order will be here in a second.

That second turned out to be 17 minutes.
We all felt funny eatting as the 4th member of our lunch party did not have their food.
We were all really disappointed. My fish(orderd in broiled) tasted like rubber, my mom swares her hamburger was rubber tasting too. My husband(the last plate served and the most expensive) his shrimp tasted like it had been fried in 2 week old grease.
My dad, perhaps the smart one of our bunch, ordered the special.
He said it tasted like cafetaria food and the meat was mushy.

Keep in mind, we enjoyed our time together. We did not complain to the waitress or staff.
It was that look in all of our eyes, like, WOW, this is really not that good.
I still tipped the waitess 20%.
Will I ever go back there again because of this awful food experience?
I will give them another shot.
This was my first bad experience with them, ie, i have probably been there 50 times out of the last 20 years.