Harry's Grill — Restaurant in Anna Maria island

My response is in reference to my initial evaluation and a follow-up to your response. Please note that I complimented you on your fine quality of food and the high professionalism of our server, in addition to giving your business an excellent 4 star rating. I would like to add an additional compliment with respect to your willingness to respond to evaluations, whether positive or negative !!! Although you are in a very “busy time” of the year, the fact that I received a response is very much appreciated. My only disappointment was with your ability to clearly communicate with your staff (ex—your pouring expectations) and your customers via the inaccurate menu declaration that implied you offered a daily “Happy Hour”. Both of these examples put your excellent staff in a position of repeated embarrassment. I would suggest that, rather than going into a long history lesson on building occupancy, you address the issue at hand—something that all of us need to continually work at---improving our communication between ourselves and others. As far as the “Happy Hour” issue, simply correct the inaccuracy on the menu. If you have Happy Hour, but only on certain days, communicate that to your customers. On the light side, I would like to offer a comparison of your menu to that of the now defunct “Rotten Ralph’s’. Rotten Ralphs announced on their menu---FREE BEER---TOMORROW!!!! As it now exists, your menu offers the “free beer” without the clear promise of WHEN one gets the FREE BEER !!!!! LOL You invited me to give Harry’s “another shot”. That certainly is a fair request. I will do that. In turn I would like the assurance of being greeted with a server you have clearly communicated with and understands your expectations. Also, a Menu that accurately depicts what is available to me on any “given night”. Upon my re-visit, it would be nice to meet you in person. By all accounts, you seem to be a diligent, well intentioned Manager who has a promising future on Anna Maria Island.

ALTHOUGH, WE HAVE LIVED ON THE ISLAND FOR OVER 20 YEARS, THIS WAS OUR FIRST VISIT TO HARRY'S. FOOD WAS GOOD, OUR WAITRESS WAS EXCELLENT!!!!!!! HOWEVER, "COMMUNICATION" FROM MANAGEMENT WAS TERRIBLE!!!! FIRST THE WAITRESS SERVED US A GLASS OF WINE. LATER, SHE RETURNED AND FELT SHE NEEDED TO TELL US THAT MANAGEMENT INFORMED HER SHE POURED TOO MUCH WINE IN THE GLASS AND IF WE ORDERED A SECOND ONE THERE WOULD BE LESS WINE THAN IN THE FIRST GLASS. CLEARLY, THIS WAS NOT HER FAULT !!! MANAGEMENT SHOULD HAVE COMMUNICATED, IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHAT A PROPER "POUR" WAS? SHE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PUT IN THAT POSITION!! NEXT, WHEN I ASKED IF THEY HAD HAPPY HOUR, THE WAITRESS POINTED TO THE DRINK MENU AND CONFIRMED, AS PER THE MENU, THAT "YES"---THERE IS $1 OFF FOR WINE DURING HAPPY HOUR !!! LATER, SHE HAD TO RETURN AND INFORM US THERE WAS NO HAPPY HOUR ON WEEKENDS. THE MENU SIMPLY STATED "HAPPY HOUR" $1 OFF WINE?? IT NEVER STATED THAT IT WAS ONLY ON CERTAIN DAYS??? AGAIN---VERY POOR COMMUNICATIONS ON MANAGEMENT'S PART !!!! WE FELT TERRIBLE FOR OUR EXCELLENT WAITRESS WHO SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PUT IN THAT EMBARRASSING POSITION. I AM NOT SURE WE WILL RETURN TO HARRY'S !!! THE EXPERIENCE WAS "LESS THAN...

We were on vacation in West Bradenton and had family visit us from Central Florida. We decided to treat them to lunch on the Island. I searched for pet friendly restaurants so that we would not need leave our pets in the rental home. I opted for Harry's Grill because they were pet friendly AND their website showcased images of their establishment (entertainment, food, patio and an amazing view of the ocean) it looked perfect. We drove nearly 40 minutes (actually the traffic was so bad we could have walked faster) and finally found the restaurant. Immediately I was let down because it has a run down look/feel and they are several blocks from the ocean so for sure no ocean view (why put that on your website if not on the ocean?)

At least the patio looked decent with tables, umbrellas and tropical greenery so I had some hope that we may enjoy the lunch anyway. However rather than seat us on the patio they put us behind the restaurant (outside) in the blaring sun, no sun umbrellas, no cute tables surrounded with tropical greenery but rather old and splintered picnic tables with a view of the trash, propane tanks, storage sheds and parking. It was absolutely 'ugly'. They said our party was too big for the patio (we had 7 adults and 3 children). While we sat in the back trying to laugh at the whole ordeal one of their staff members decided it was time for a smoke break and garbage run. This occurred within a two feet from our table. We had to smell his smoke and the garbage. . . not very appetizing.

The food was 'average' at best. The total with tip was about $200.00 (no alcohol). So if you do the math that was about $20 a person (of which 3 of the plates were kiddie meals).

NOTE: I read the reviews prior to choosing, most were great but did notice a few bad reviews. I figured those people were just overly picky. The owner is very defensive toward those negative reviews and suggested to those who complained about the food that they should have looked at the website menu before dining. I want to point out that I looked at the website; which showed an ocean view. You are located on an island, we know the ocean is "nearby", but when you put it on your website sliding banner along with other restaurant features it would imply is where your establishment is located. Websites aren't always truthful. I would skip if we choose to return...

Just a bad experience. First night on the island, we decided to go to Harrys. Was told it would be at least a 20min wait to sit outside. We had zero problem with this as we just came from Michigan, its been all of 5 months since we enjoyed a meal outside..haha. Overall vibe of the restaurant staff was agitated from the get go. I know, we all have hectic days, they were busy, we could easily overlook this. The first ....very minor....issue came when we watched a few customers bypass those of us waiting for the outside seating. Us and another group waiting mentioned this to a bartender/waiter. Now, please know.....this was not mentioned angrily, i mean we were bothered by it but more of a ......."hey guys, so you know....". This waiter, grabbed a table, hastily carried outside, placing it an empty corner, and said to me : "Here. You want a table outside, there's your table!!. We honestly just thought; what the hell is going on...lol. So there was 4 in our group. He pulled two chairs from the corner. Two chairs! And left...again...wth!!! Oh and the tables location....was laughably uneven. Most likely the reason why there was not a table there initially..lol We sat for 25 min, no service. Finally asked another server to get our server. Now mind you, the entire time we sat there, the waiter that seated us...waited on tables ALL AROUND us. After asking to see our server.... the waiter who'd been ignoring us .....walked over. And ironically, he was very nice, very professional. He informed us they'd run out of food. The owner had mistakenly not ordered in enough. So at 8;30, after waiting more than an hour, we would not be able to order food. Listen, i know things happen, just felt i needed to pass along my experience to the unknowing. Please note...this is the very fist time i felt it necessary to write a poor review. Evening ended on a good night though. WE walked down to the Sand Bar. Which was very...