The Lazy Turtle Aruba — Restaurant in Aruba

Dismal experience. If I could give 0 stars I would, but as I nonetheless gave a 15% tip, I suppose 1 star is enough of a failing letter grade. I am an understanding person and do not take issue with doing the best an organization can when it is short staffed and that issue is properly addressed to clientele. It took 15 minutes to get seated and get a drink order. The waitress did not know what type of liquor was available at the bar for a simple mixed drink (G+T). We had a different waitress take our order advising us that there was no fresh catch of the day, no lobster, and no ribeye. Again understandable--the market bears what the market bears, especially in these times. Right around placing our food order, drinks came. I was told the gin was a bottom shelf gin, and the order was put in already...because here it was--which was ok, but it was not conveyed to me prior to putting the order in, as I would have gotten a different beverage. Despite the initial foreplay of poor service, we were understanding of short supply and apparently, short staff that evening (though there were only 3 other tables than ours (3 adults, 1 kid, 1 baby). The table behind us was a 8 top and our waitress seemed to personally know them--and it showed in service. We placed our food orders, and requested the children's food be expedited--a normal request (and it was just penne noodles and butter...something that most restaurants with class act service deliver in 15 mins at the most. We sat for over an hour, with out water being refilled even once, or food being brought out while the table behind us received full meals, refills on drinks and new drinks. I personally walked my son around the mall for most of the time. When one of our table was able to get the servers attention for more water and an extra drink order/status on food, it took another 15 minutes to advise that the food was on the way for the children. At which point we advised, if the entrees had not been started yet, please use give us the tab. Another 5-10 mins later, the drink ordered 30-40 mins prior arrived, to the wrong person at our table. We were finally given another update on our food:it is still being prepared and will be plated soon. At this point, at least our kids had food and we were just going to pay and leave. Then shortly after, the food arrived.

0/5 stars on the kuku chicken dish. First immediate impression: frozen dinner. Taste: Dry. Overcoked, low grade and grainy chicken breast served with a flavorless, tactless, unseasoned imitation of a peri peri sauce that was probably frozen along with the children scalloped cut veggies--likewise frozen. I felt like Walt Griswold from My Christmas Family Vacation--though this nightmare was real and my family member who is a dentist left the day prior so it'd be at least another 48 hrs before I could see a professional regarding how hard and dry the chicken was. Again, bland. I am not a foodie, but I could hear Gordon Ramsay screaming from LA or the UK or wherever he is today: DID YOU SEASON THIS YOU IDIOT SANDWICH?? I have burnt things at home or my wife has even burnt things at home that were 10/10 better than this horrible, horrible dish. Here is a small tip: when cutting chicken in the abhorrent way the protein in this dish was prepared: CUT AGAINST THE GRAIN. Idk, google it.

0/5 mandarin shrimp. My wife's words: "the way I would describe this is: if mandarin pooped on my plate." First impressions: frozen dinner. We are all too familiar with the various varieties of frozen veggies that are sold at any number of department stores to bougie co-ops. These veggies were frozen--as was the "mandarin" sauce. Shrimp: overcooked and probably bad. There was an off smell. I ate one of my wife's just to see how bad it was and yes, my stomach is gurgling like a coke bottle that unwillingly had a mentos deposited inside of it prior to the lid being screwed back on. Also Gordon Ramsay may not be screaming this is raw, but he'd be equally mad it was overcooked and unseasoned.

I understand short staffing but this...

The perfect spot for a date night. The food is absolutely amazing! My husband and I wanted to try something new that wasn’t on the main stretch but still offered a great atmosphere and this was the place to go. The service was outstanding hostess was welcoming and our waiter was great. We ordered the mushroom appetizer that was amazing only thing I didn’t like was it only came with one piece of bread when there was two of us that is the only thing bad I could say bad about The Lazy Turtle because the food is phenomenal. My husband ordered the steak and it was cooked perfectly medium rare the steak did come with veggies, rice and mash potatoes, the steak also came with a mushroom cream sauce on the side. The mushroom cream sauce is absolutely amazing it could easily go over a pasta dish because its divine. Hopefully their mushroom sauce becomes like a shrimp or chicken pasta dish in the future because it’s amazing! I ordered the garlic chili shrimp pasta another amazing and delicious dish with a little spicy kick to it. We also ordered a few drinks and they were also really good. I can honestly say The Lazy Turtle is one of our new favorite spots to eat at in Aruba and we are glad we picked...

The Lazy Turtle is a not even close to 3 stars.

Disclaimer: -American tourist from California in town for 5 days -Arrived at restaurant at 9:30 on Sunday. -We are a party of 2 and there were only 3 other tables ranging from 2-4 people. Roughly 12 guests total

Positives: Food well seasoned Food area/Tourist mall it is located in is very nice

Negative: -Two of the most simple dishes on the menu took too long to make. One dish was brought out cold. -I am 100% convinced they put water in their vodka, gin, and white wines to dilute them. Just order red wine -All of the staff was extremely young (25 was the oldest) and there did not appear to be a seasoned manager or owner around to make guests feel at ease or check-in about their dinner.

-This restaurant is equivalent to any chain restaurant at your local pier in America. You stop by because you’re hungry and just spent the whole day walking around with your family and since you refuse to drive somewhere else or cook, you get a table. We spent our 4th dinner in Aruba here and we regretted after the first drink and cold plate of food. *Which was promptly...