Smiling Fish Cafe

**rebelprincess06** · 05-09-2007, 01:23 PM

Today my friend and myself went to have a nice lunch at the smiling fish cafe. We orderd the special( angus beef and potatoes and mushrooms.) We got a small piece of steak with 4 squishy potato dumplings,raw peas it was $17.00 each.My two year old eats more than that.We also got lemonaid's they were $2.50 each with out a refill.Our total was around $50.00. We decided we were still hungry,so we went back to the front to get a slamon blt wrap, and the man who appeared to be incharge,acted insulted that we were still hungry.He was insisting we have it to go.We repeated that we wanted to eat it in the resturant.He told us to have a seat and they would bring our change.They brought our change and said togo right?????ummmmm....no we clearly stated we wanted to eat it there.The sad thing is We BOTH LIVE here and they were so rude about it, if anything they should have been fine that we were actully dumb enough to give them more money for LESS food. It was our loss untill the man incharge decided to be a rude ass.Excuse my language.I just don't want anyone else to go there and feel unwelcome,ripped off and hungry when you leave.

**kurt** · 05-09-2007, 03:37 PM

Although a person can complain about prices everywhere in SoWal, I've never heard anything but raves about the food there, and I have always thought it was excellent myself with ample portions. If you search for "Smiling Fish" on these forums you'll read nothing but good reports.

Was this your first time there? Also you make the point that you live here. Just curious to know if you expect better treatment than visitors to our area?

**scooterbug44** · 05-09-2007, 03:52 PM

What you described is the antithesis of my usual dining experience at Smiling Fish!

My office orders lunch from there about once a week and not only are the portions so big that we can't finish them and we get sleepy at our desks, they are very accomodating w/ our special requests (side salad instead of fries, allergies etc.)

Worst experience I've ever had there was when they forgot the side horseradish sauce for my shrimp basket so had to go without.

Perhaps your attitude had something to do with it?

**Mango** · 05-09-2007, 04:07 PM

I went there just for dessert one night and I could have eaten their whiskey bread pudding for dinner the portion was so large.
We were treated extremely well and were only having dessert and coffee.
Our waitress was very sweet and kept refilling my coffee as soon as it got a little low.

**TN2FLA** · 05-09-2007, 04:10 PM

service has always been good there in my opinion...they get a little bogged down right at peak lunch sometimes, but nothing major
and the portions are always large

**peaboy** · 05-09-2007, 04:18 PM

Grreat people and great food one of my favorites.

JB · 05-09-2007, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by rebelprincess06

Today my friend and myself went to have a nice lunch at the smiling fish cafe. We orderd the special( angus beef and potatoes and mushrooms.) We got a small piece of steak with 4 squishy potato dumplings,raw peas it was $17.00 each.My two year old eats more than that.We also got lemonaid's they were $2.50 each with out a refill.Our total was around $50.00. We decided we were still hungry,so we went back to the front to get a slamon blt wrap, and the man who appeared to be incharge,acted insulted that we were still hungry.He was insisting we have it to go.We repeated that we wanted to eat it in the resturant.He told us to have a seat and they would bring our change.They brought our change and said togo right?????ummmmm....no we clearly stated we wanted to eat it there.The sad thing is We BOTH LIVE here and they were so rude about it, if anything they should have been fine that we were actully dumb enough to give them more money for LESS food. It was our loss untill the man incharge decided to be a rude ass.Excuse my language.I just don't want anyone else to go there and feel unwelcome,ripped off and hungry when you leave.

The only complaint I have is the type and color of your font. Thanks for the migrane. You also might want to look up the definition of the word "paragraph."

**dogdaze** · 05-09-2007, 04:52 PM

Just because you don't agree with what someone has to say does not mean one has to insult or make "rude comments..."

**Smiling JOe** · 05-09-2007, 05:40 PM

There was a time when I didn't enjoy Smiling Fish's food. However, for a couple of years now, I have been pleased with my lunches there. I think we are seeing so many good posts about Smiling Fish, because most people are consistently pleased with portion, taste, and service. It doesn't mean that you didn't experience what you say, but on a regular basis, Smiling Fish is great, so maybe this was a fluke. Typically, there is a sweet lady running the register and taking orders. You refer to a guy giving you a hard time, so maybe he was someone filling in for the day, and not happy to be there.

BTW, here is a tip for eating at restaurants:
Never order a steak special with taters at a restaurant with "Fish" in the name.

**rebelprincess06** · 05-09-2007, 06:28 PM

I have had lunch there tons of times.It has always been excellent.Today was just diffrent.I did not expect to be treated diffrently because I live here,I was just making note of the fact that i was not a rude tourist.I was just stopping in with my friend for lunch and wanted her to try it out.It just didnt end up as expected.The man may have possibly not wanted to be there,that is mostly likley a true statement.I was just surprised to not have the same experence as all the time before,and let down my friend was dissapointed.I wanted her to see where my previous bragging had came from.I will have to say that my final thought is that everyone has a bad day here and there.And to me today was their bad day.

**RiverOtter** · 05-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

What you described is the antithesis of my usual dining experience at Smiling Fish!

My office orders lunch from there about once a week and not only are the portions so big that we can't finish them and we get sleepy at our desks, they are very accomodating w/ our special requests (side salad instead of fries, allergies etc.)

Worst experience I've ever had there was when they forgot the side horseradish sauce for my shrimp basket so had to go without.

Perhaps your attitude had something to do with it?

Smiling Fish has never disappointed us either. We eat there every time we're in the area.

And BTW.....

do you have a job opening? I am courteous, well groomed and punctual.

**lindatat** · 05-09-2007, 07:32 PM

I've only eaten there once - for dinner. Last year on "locals night." They were just overwhelmed and service was horribly slow. They didn't end up bringing the bottle of wine I ordered until I was almost done with dinner. I could see my server was running around like a chicken with her head cut off and knew she was doing the best she could. I very nicely asked her if her manager would do anything about the wine - they very graciously comped me for it and also comped dessert for my entire party so they would have something to eat while I finished my wine. All the food we ordered was awesome and I look forward to returning there on our next visit. I hope you'll give them another chance, too. Like you said, every one has a bad day sometimes.

**Allifunn** · 05-09-2007, 07:42 PM

I have always had a good dining experience at "SF"...but every establishment is due a "down" day...sorry it happened to you. Posting about it is what this board is all about...and I hope you will give them another chance...and BTW..I have found that most of the eating establishments in the SoWal area would like to know when service has not been up to par...it is their lively hood, so constructive criticism is alway welcomed.

**Sheila** · 05-09-2007, 08:18 PM

I

me some fish tacos at SF! YUM-E!!!

**Allifunn** · 05-09-2007, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by gotothebeachmom

I

me some fish tacos at SF! YUM-E!!!

you are so easy......

**Sheila** · 05-09-2007, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Allifunn

you are so easy......

Don't tell FBB!

I do truly love the fish tacos there.

**rebelprincess06** · 05-10-2007, 01:32 AM

I will go back. But I will take someone's advice on "Dont eat steak at a place with the name FISH in it." lol

**Miss Kitty** · 05-10-2007, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by rebelprincess06

I will go back. But I will take someone's advice on "Dont eat steak at a place with the name FISH in it." lol

**RiverOtter** · 05-10-2007, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by rebelprincess06

I will go back. But I will take someone's advice on "Dont eat steak at a place with the name FISH in it." lol

LOL!! I almost mentioned this

..... NEVER order steak at a seafood restaurant

Reminds me of a time at Ruth's Chris in Nashville. A young lady dinning with us asked the waiter if the fish (don't remember what fish) was good. His reply (and this is a true story) "Ma'am, this is a steak house".

I nearly fell out of my chair

**Miss Kitty** · 05-10-2007, 05:34 AM

...

**John R** · 05-10-2007, 06:53 AM

Call and ask for George, he will want to know about your experience. Hopefully this was an isolated incident.

Space bar twice after a period.

**jessifunn** · 05-10-2007, 09:50 AM

2 spaces please.

**Kimmifunn** · 05-10-2007, 11:09 AM

I never noticed the food. Just the yummy owner.

**ItzKatzTime** · 05-10-2007, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Allifunn

I have always had a good dining experience at "SF"...but every establishment is due a "down" day...sorry it happened to you. Posting about it is what this board is all about...and I hope you will give them another chance...and BTW..I have found that most of the eating establishments in the SoWal area would like to know when service has not been up to par...it is their lively hood, so constructive criticism is alway welcomed.

Doug and I can second that!!!! Constructive criticism is welcomed by most restaurants....it's when people get down right ugly and mean that it hurts.

Most definitely YOU must give them another chance. Until you've walked in their shoes....don't throw too many stones. Just a thought.

Kat

**rebelprincess06** · 05-10-2007, 01:08 PM

i walk in there shoes every day.I work in a resturant here in Sowal. Perhaps thats why i felt the way i did.
I have worked there for 6 years and going.So i know all about how the shoe fits,despite the issues i keep a smile on my face. I will go back,despite the crappy day they had.I like the Salmon Blt wrap. :)