Tacky Jacks Fort Morgan — Restaurant in Alabama

My wife and I were there a few days ago during our yearly vacation. We and our extended family have stayed nearby in one of the condo complexes for over 25 years.

Every year we always try to get away from our large group and eat at least once at Tacky Jacks. The food, drinks, and service are consistently good for the most part, although we did notice that the past 3 years or so the wait staff seemed to be a little sub-par, but it wasn't a major thing. Those other times, we just chalked it up to someone having an off day, and forgot it.

This time, we got there on purpose around 2pm, which is typically a good, post-lunch rush time where it isn't quite so crowded. The hostess was very pleasant and led us into the restaurant, there were plenty of open tables, one larger group, but mostly scattered groups with 2 or 3 each. Not busy at all, in fact, even though we expected it to be less crowded than peak times, we didn't expect it to be that empty. The hostess seated us at a nice table right in the middle of the room, where the staff walked right past when they were bring food out.

We both sat down and commented that was good, we came at a good time.

There were at least 3 or 4 staff waiting on tables.

We checked out the menu and decided to get a couple of top shelf margaritas and some nachos, a pretty standard order for us.

The bartender and 3 other staff were obsessed with watching a soccer game on a TV above the bar, that seemed to be the center of attention, not the customers.

So, long story short, no one acknowledged we were even there. No one took an order, said something like, " I'm so sorry, we are short handed today, I will be right back to take your order", nothing at all. Two of the waitresses looked at us each time they passed our table and didn't even smile or anything, they just looked away.

I noticed one other gentleman walk over to to bar and place a drink order, so apparently we weren't the only ones being ignored.

I started to do that, and then said, no, I want to see how long it takes for them to notice we are sitting here with menus still on the table before they realized we exist.

17 minutes later, I said "that's it". We got up and left. The hostess said " I hope you enjoyed your meal", we said we never even had our order taken, and they never even acknowledged. She said I'm sorry. That was it. I am not a complainer. I am typically very tolerant of restaurant staff, because I know they have a difficult job.

But, unless this place hires a complete new staff and/or comes under new management, I am...

First, no one can argue anything other than a spectacular sunset - but like the sun, it goes down from there. Two of us ate inside after watching the sunset from the outside balcony. We were seated immediately but with only 3 tables busy, it took 20 minutes before the waitress took our drink order that arrived 10 minutes later. We then ordered our meal at that time. The table had ketchup, salt and pepper and napkin wrapped silverware. We had shrimp and grits / deep fried flaky fish / bowl of gumbo and a baked potato side. Drinks were, Gulf Cost brew and a peach margarita. Food orders and beverages were served quickly by a very nice young man and another fella who weren't our waitress. The Deep Fried Fish and French fries were hot / good - 3* - comparable to Captain D's (maybe the chief works there too). The Shrimp and Grits plate was runny with the grits not fully cooked or creamy - dish was hot, flavor was good - 31/2* (we're from Charleston and our city prides itself with this dish). From here, it becomes terrible - potato was cold and under cooked. Service was poor - it continues to amaze me that waiters and waitresses demand higher tips especially after the end of Covid but have limited training or don't care because they expect it. Dress and appearance is important - you don't want your food served by a waitress that looks dirty (stained shirt, dirty hands from cleaning tables). Water should be offered, also, sour cream and butter with a baked potato (not a vegetable oil spread looking like a butter pack - that should be an insult to the chef) and tarter sauce with fish! Adding, hot sauce should come with any type of Cajun - it's a sin not to. Lastly, charging a credit card fee on the bill is cheap! In this industry, a credit card fee should be incorporated in the meal - showing on the billing statement looks like your nickel-and-diming me and leaves a bad taste in my mouth just before leaving. My advice, buy a beer or two, watch the sunset,...

My husband and I went here our first night in Ft Morgan. It was an hour wait to be seated. We watched the sunset which was breathtaking. We were told if we were in the bar downstairs we wouldn’t hear our name for seating in the restaurant so we opted to hang out on the back deck and wait. The hostess was not very pleasant and was actually a little rude. We chose to sit outside as inside was very crowed from what we could see. The seating outside was nice and cool especially since they have large fans to cool you off. We each ordered a drink and an appetizer to start. The crab claws were $30 for a basket. Drinks were ok. Mine left an after taste of fish. Not sure what made it taste this way but I def didn’t order another. The waitress was pleasant and very attentive. I ordered the 1/2 fish 1/2 shrimp platter blackened instead of fries I got cheese grits almost $30 and came with 1 piece of thin fish and about 5-6 small blacked shrimp. Kinda pricey for what you get. Food was good but way overpriced. The appetizer which was crab claws and a salad took over 30 min to get to us. A table next to us with 8 people got theirs the same time we got ours (table of 2) and they got there after us. When I inquired about some gumbo the waitress looked at me as if it would be another hr before she could bring that so I opted out. Our main food was brought out right after the appetizer. It was good food not superb and def not worth the amount of money we paid for the portion sizes. I’d have to say the crab claws were my fav. I also took home a piece of key lime pie which was very tart and delicious. If we do go back we won’t go for dinner....