The Orbit — Restaurant in Ambridge

Avoid this place*

We just got home from the fish fry at Orbits restaurant in Ambridge. Our party of six all agreed that we should have stopped at McDonald's for a filet-o-fish.

The place is a dive bar- usually my favorite for fish or wings- but this place is beyond awful.

Friday is the only day the place is non-smoking, so it smelled like a dirty ashtray. Dimly lit- and thank goodness for that- it obviously was not very clean.

We arrived and were glad that the only area to seat more than 4 was available (though I honestly wish it were not, and we had been forced to go elsewhere).

They don't serve iced tea, except for cans of Lipton, and that should have tipped me off.

We ordered after only a few minutes of being seated, but then the wait began.

After an HOUR AND A HALF, we noticed other tables being served before us, despite arriving well after we had. The waitress then told us that our order was next in line, but a full 20 minutes later, the same waitress told us that she had two more orders, "and then ours would be right out."

I am NEVER one to complain about my meal to the owners. I figure that if I get lousy service or bad food, I simply won't go back.

For the first time, EVER, I was forced to knock on the kitchen door to get an answer. The manager was INCREDIBLY RUDE, and failed to even apologize. She just said that the regulars get served first, and that I should have known that, somehow. At the time I was invited into the kitchen, the ladies were cracking up and eating French fries from an order. Probably ours.

Eventually, we got our fish, which was nothing special. Far greasier than average, fish with a bonus-- soggy black skin was visible under the breading.

We will never return to this disgusting hole-in-the-wall. Rude management and sub-par food make this...

The Orbit has fantastic fried cod on Fridays. Probably the best in the area. Unfortunately, my past four visits to the restaurant the coleslaw has been served room temperature. My last visit was on the last Friday of lent. The restaurant was overwhelmed with business. My coleslaw was served to me warm-hot, sour, & spoiled. The customer next to me complained about the same issue. I was told the coleslaw is pre-scooped setting on a sheet tray, and not refrigerated. Nevertheless, the spoiled coleslaw should have been taken off the menu. I was offered jalapeño coleslaw as a replacement, it was better but room temperature aswell. My mac & cheese was colder than the coleslaw. Nevertheless, we waited 1hour & 45 minutes for two meals. My wife's smashed burger was also cold. It is too bad a wonderful fried fish dinner was...

Though the decor is a little outdated and dark, it did not take away from the atmosphere of friendliness. The employees were very friendly and everyone of them were smiling. I had a special order and the server made sure it came out exactly as I ordered it. The food was good. I went for the fish but they were sold out. No problem, I hot a steak sandwich and it was real steak. Not steakums. I just wish there was another entrance to the restaurant other than walking through bar. Good place to eat and meet. Stop on by and grab a bite. You...