I bought this as a father's day present for my step-dad while visiting him in Idaho. He has done many murder mystery dinners and loved them so we invited a few other couples that were friends of his, and about 8 of us went. I didn't think the ticket cost was high for dinner and a show, until I got there.
The good- The hotel itself is fine and what you would expect. The actors are trying their hardest to create a funny atmosphere and the main guy detective was fantastic. Checking in was easy enough and check-in staff was friendly. The cheesecake was good at the end of the dinner, but rest of food not so much.
The bad- However, the food was awful. The chicken that most of our party received was overcooked, cold, and dry. It was chicken parm, but there was NO PARM....not even a sprinkle. I guess they needed to conserve costs so they nixed the cheese and it should really be called chicken w/red sauce. I had the salmon and so did my partner. The salmon was also very overcooked, but at least more edible than the chicken yet still cold. When we arrived, there was an actor at our table eating my moms salad. We thought it was funny and knew it was part of the show so no biggie. Well 20 mins later and she has to ask 2 different people to please get her a salad that she can eat and replace the place setting he had drank from and used. The server was unpleasant and took another 8 mins to come back....if this is part of the show, why is a replacement not readily available. We also got a ton of attitude when asking for more coffee. There are 8 people at a table, 4 of us had enough to fill our cups and the rest of the table wanted some...why would only half the table be allowed coffee, especially if you were seated with people you didn't know that would be awkward. The rolls were so hard we could have thrown it at someone and it would have cracked. The tickets state gratuity was included in the cost of the purchase yet at the end the staff asks for additional gratuity in the envelope on the table. I am someone that actually tips everyone wherever I go, but did not bring cash because I was told it was included in my total cost. I felt this was tacky and misguiding. Let us know ahead of time so we can bring extra if we want to leave it. The show itself was meh, honestly if I was not in such a large group I might have left halfway through. I do not think it is nearly worth what they charge. They should do away with the dinner (except the cheesecake, that was good!) and just charge $20 per person to watch the hokey show. Wish I could get a refund, but that is just a couple hundred...
   Read moreI recently attended The Dinner Detective with a group of friends, and while we appreciated certain aspects, several areas left us disappointed.
Food: The meal was underwhelming. The chicken was dry and lacked flavor, and the absence of beverage options like lemonade or iced tea was noticeable. Water was the only drink provided, which felt inadequate for the price paid. Yelp
Storyline: The plot was overly complex, with multiple storylines that were hard to follow. Simplifying the narrative to focus on a single murder would have made the experience more engaging. Despite our efforts, none of us fully understood the motive behind the murder, which was frustrating.
Duration: The event lasted approximately three and a half hours, which felt too long. We lost interest and struggled to keep track of the story midway through. A two-hour format with a streamlined storyline would have been more enjoyable.
Actors: The actors were talented and engaging, but the script could benefit from trimming. Reducing the dialogue by about half would help maintain audience attention and improve pacing.
Overall Impression: While the concept has potential, the execution fell short. If the food quality improved, the story was clearer, and the event duration was shorter, I would consider returning and recommending it to others. I hope the organizers take this feedback constructively to enhance future...
   Read moreAn Evening of Fun, Mystery, and Delicious Food! âââââ
I recently attended The Dinner Detective, and it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, the energy was electric. The interactive format made it so much fun to engage with the performers and fellow guests as we tried to unravel the mystery.
The actors were phenomenalâwitty, charismatic, and incredibly convincing. Their ability to weave humor and suspense kept us entertained throughout the evening. The twists and turns in the story were well thought out, keeping everyone guessing until the very end.
The dinner itself was delightful, with well-prepared dishes that complemented the experience perfectly. The staff were attentive and professional, ensuring that every aspect of the evening ran smoothly.
This is a fantastic event for couples, groups of friends, or anyone looking to do something out of the ordinary. If you're a fan of mystery, comedy, or just a great night out, I highly recommend The Dinner Detective. I'll definitely be returning for another round...
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