Candlelite Inn Restaurant — Restaurant in Arlington

The food was bad. And not just bad but falsely labeled. I'm not sure where many of these reviewers were eating but I can only guess that they are either lying or have no sense of taste.

So, we arrive at the Candlelite Inn and the first thing that struck me was how dark it was. I suppose they were going for some form of atmosphere but the decor is ancient, the booths claustrophobic, and it just put us at a general sense of unease.

The hostess and waitress were pleasant enough and we were seated and given drinks without a fuss. Then I opened the menu and I knew we should have left right then and there. The cuisine was a mix of their version of Italian and Tex-Mex. There was also an insert for yet another style of food they were serving but I forget what it was. This is not a good thing for a restaurant to do. But, we had a Groupon so even if the meal was bad we'd gotten a discount; right?

I ordered the chicken parmesan which came with a salad and a vinaigrette dressing. My wife ordered the chicken enchiladas. While we waited for the food we were served chips and salsa. Even though the told us the chips were freshly cooked they had a very stale texture to them. The salsa flavorless and bland.

Soon, the salad arrived; red flag number two. The salad was shredded lettuce, a few cubes of tomato, and a few shreds of what I guess was cheddar cheese. The dressing came in a hair dresser bottle instead of tossed on the salad. With dread I shook the dressing, squirted it on, and tasted it. It wasn't horrible. Needed salt and more herbs but it wasn't too bad. I started to have a glimmer of hope that the meal would be decent or at least edible.

After another short wait the entrees were served. Now, any idiot knows that chicken parmesan contains a minimum of two ingredients; chicken and parmesan cheese. This was not the case. Their version was a dried, grilled (not breaded and fried) chicken breast that looks like it came strait from Costco, was nuked for 45 seconds, and thrown on the plate. Next, a kind of spicy red, tomato-like sauce was placed on the breast and the spaghetti. Finally, a slice of cheap provolone topped the dish. I had two bites and gave up. The flavor was wretched, the texture horrid, and the chicken managed to be dry even with the tomato-like sauce helping it out.

Out of morbid curiosity I tasted my wife's dish of chicken enchiladas with cheese sauce. The sauce was flavorless, the tortillas were flavorless, and the chicken was oddly colored and dry. There was simply no taste to be had except some horrid after taste. It wasn't strong but it stopped my wife after three bites and me after only one.

Now, when we went to pay the waitress informed us she needed a manager to accept the groupon. The manager came up, asked us how the meal was, and seemed genuinely shocked when I explained how horrid it was. To her credit she did not give us a hard time, was very polite the whole way through my complaint, and comped us the meal considering we only ate roughly six bites of it.

Bottom line; this was the worst sit down restaurant I've ever been to. I have never had to give up on a meal before. Save your money and go somewhere the food is actually either edible or they know how to prepare whatever they are serving;...

So heard about this place from some of my co-workers. They said the food was really good. Decided to try ot out because a BBQ joint we went to was running out of BBQ when we arrived. Walked into the location and it's nice but very dim inside.

Waiter came by and took my co-workers order and my order. Co-worker ordered the surf and turf which is steak and shrimp 🍤 and I ordered the mushrooms burger with onion rings. I was hesitant about the onion rings because I hate the batter dipped ones I like the crunchy ones but ordered them anyways. Ordered my burger medium well and Co worker order his steak medium. Here is where it takes a turn for the not so good.

It took forever to get food and there wasn't alot of people. When we finally got the food my burger was well done and co-workers steak was on the well done side no pink. Wasn't gonna send it back because we had been waiting for a while so it would have taken that much longer. On the plus side the burger tasted very good enough for it being pretty dry, bun was tasty and the burger reminded me of when I was a kid in the military bases and would go to the chow hall and get burgers loved them. Brought back memories of when my dad was station on the bases. Onion rings were great crunch and warm

Steak 3 outa 10 just on the fact that it was well done Shrimps ? Outa 10 didn't taste them Burger 4 outa 10 again due to well done Onion rings 5 outa 10

Location is more a 2 1/2 for me but it won't let me put half stars. This is def not the place to come on a lunch break you might...

Eaten here for years, at least 2-3 times a month. Food great, big variety, daily specials etc. Would run into the owner of my company etc. Today, due to recent stomach issues I just wanted something bland and I ordered the kids mac and cheese. Was immediately told NO, only 12 and under. (Due to my issues I have NEVER been told I could not order off the kids menu at other restaurants)! The hostess always recognizes us (this waitress I have never seen before). I asked for a larger portion and I would pay more. She left and came back, telling me I could order two. I agreed and said to pack one to go. My in restaurant one was a good sized portion and I only ate half of it. I get back to work and take the lid off the to-go container (which was almost the same size of the restaurant bowl...just a tiny bit smaller). See the picture and how there is a very small amount in this cup. I called and the manager said they come in packets and she would talk to the kitchen. After hearing that, I personally think they made ONE packet, filled my restaurant bowl and put the remainder in the to-go. MEANWHILE, charging me 2 x $7.99 for the two orders and a tip. Total rip off! I was offered to come back for a replacement but, I am going to pass and never return. Was suggested to let my owner know so, he can decide if he wants to continue to support such an establishment that treats their customers like that. Especially regulars! Good luck and will miss ya. You are close by and always a good go-to for...