Smitty's Restaurant & Lounge - Brandon Shoppers — Restaurant in Brandon

Always good food and drinks and the employees are fantastic, however the management is absolutely the opposite. I've seen countless employees filter through after being overworked and treated poorly, along with other issues that I've heard the labour board isn't too happy about. It's really sad to see the struggle that these amazing employees are going through at the hands of poor management. It's very obvious when staff are mistreated. Customers will start to notice and stop coming. I certainly did. Do better.

Edit: Although I'm sure this was a tactic to make me delete my review, I choose to leave it up. I used to live in Brandon and have dined at this restaurant numerous times in the past and during my recent visits in the city. This response shows a level of pettiness that I had only assumed before. It certainly says a lot about a business owner when they are willing to talk down to a customer online, and I can only imagine the level of pressure their staff is under when faced with this degree of gaslighting.

I'm not sure what you are referring to in regards to "similar initials", but I can assure you that I have never worked for your establishment, nor have I ever been terminated. I have, however, worked in the restaurant and service industries in the past. Although I am no longer a server, it is very easy to recognize the struggles they go through when you have experienced them yourself.

I'm not sure who you think I am but I do feel bad for whatever you have put that staff member through. Reviews are meant to give honest opinions based on experience. While the food was good and has been in the past, my experience as a whole was not. I think it is incredibly unprofessional to involve strangers in workplace issues. I'm happy to see business is good for you and I sincerely hope your current staff is treated better than you have treated a...

They water down their syrup. I ordered pancakes and they came with the little jug of syrup. I went to pour the syrup on and it came out really fast and soaked my pancakes. When I took a bite there was no flavour, so I poured a bit of syrup out to taste just that. It was sticky but totally flavourless. I told the waitress that the syrup was watery and she told me that they heated it up to pour better. I said no, its actually flavourless. She replaced it with a new one. That one vaguely tasted of maple, but still came out very watery. My pancakes were the wettiest I have ever eaten. Their bacon also had no flavour. Which was bizzare. Hashbrowns were great.

And now the "owner" has written a reply stating how their syrup is definitely not watered down at all. So now, in my opinion, I am being called a liar. The fact is this: I ordered pancakes I got served syrup in a small jug. As is normal. The syrup came out watery and over flowed onto my pancakes. I tasted the syrup, it was flavourless. I got it replaced. The next syrup had a vague hint of maple flavour. Still came out quickly, which is abnormal. Conclusion: they water down their syrup and pass it off as being "warmed" up to account for the "watery consistency". This is not on the wait staff, this has nothing to do with the staff. Its the owner watering down syrup in a restaurant located in Canada and hoping we wont notice. Dear owner: dont reply, i dont care. Make sure your syrup is the proper consistency and dont...

Edit 2, in reply;

So help me understand how this item:

"Red Wine Braised Beef Tender boneless short rib, braised in-house in a red wine demi glaze. Served with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables. $20.99"

which had a known problem with the cook time and the fresh vegetables due to inflation are substituted for a frozen product that is steamed, still makes the cut for a servable meal in your restaurant? Why not take it off the menu if you can't offer what is listed?

Everybody feels the inflation in their daily lives, as a customer I don't mind spending more money for good food. But to list one thing, serve another and blame inflation is absolute incompetence. Imagine buying a brand new 2025 vehicle to receive a used 2020 one with a note that reads: "Sorry! But due to inflation we can't guarantee a brand new model for that price. Thanks for shopping here though!"

I can only hope this reaches people before they have a similar disappointing experience. What a complete and utter joke.

Edit; Gave it another chance. Beef shortrib was dry, "seasonal vegetables" was a sad heap of microwaved freezer carrots and beans. Mashed potatoes were fine. I think we're done coming here, do not recommend.

Breakfast was overpriced. Did not impress our group. Staff was very friendly and fast. Restaurant interior was uninviting...