The Quarterdeck Seafood Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Arroyo Grande

I have been here times with my in-laws and wife over the past 3 years when I moved to the area. My in-laws go pretty frequently because they live nearby and have been going for ages (they do agree the food has declined since then).

However, my wife (also from the area) and I, both in our early 30's, find it pretty outdated and really needs a menu overhaul. Every time I have eaten there in the past few years; the patrons were mostly folks aged 50+ and tourists. I assume because this place was great years back from what I'm told, but has declined in recent years.

I have ordered fish & chips, tri-tip sandwich, and the quarterdeck combo. The fish is mediocre, but frozen and overcooked. Same with the other seafood on the combo. The tri-tip was pretty disappointing. Very overcooked and received possibly the worst cuts possible, very fatty and nearly burnt like they were scraps, re-cooked from their 10oz. tri-tip steak.

The fries (also frozen) are mediocre, and always arrive slightly soggy like the oil temp wasn't hot enough and without seasoning (from too many requests for no salt from elderly and blood pressure I assume?). Not a big deal...but they generally taste better if lightly salted after frying.

Overall, the food was fair. Fresh fish/seafood, freshly made fries/chips made daily, and overall better quality control from the expediter would drastically improve the food.

The decor was fair. Some people may hate it if you're into interior design or place a lot of emphasis on decor, but I don't care too much about that. Even if it is very outdated, I just prefer it being clean. With that being said, the carpets needed to be deep cleaned, and the Men's restroom needed some TLC.

Good points: I do like the breading on the fish, it's a nice change from typical battered fish. Our servers were also very friendly and attentive each visit. The friendly service is really the only reason why I occasionally dine here with family.

In my humble opinion, this place has a lot of potential if it would try catering to a wider range of clients by having fresher food and updating the decor. Just being able to honestly serve "Fresh fish caught daily" would bring in a LOT more diners, of all ages.

Lastly, I know I'll probably receive some heat from this, but I will point out the owner bashes most negative reviews and hurls personal insults to people on Yelp and other sites for providing constructive criticism (she does resolve a few issues too). I would suggest trying not to take any criticism personally and realize that eventhough you have owned this establishment for close to 20 years, you do need to listen to the negatives that people provide so you know what areas need to be improved. Criticism is a very valuable thing. Most people will say "the food is good" in the restaurant for fear of insulting the manager, bringing attention to themselves from other patrons, and/or sending food back, so online criticism is where people's true feelings are shown, good or bad. Also, since you're representing the restaurant that you own, I would suggest a more professional approach when dealing with criticism online rather than insulting people for voicing their opinion. A lot of people use the internet to find reviews restaurants in the area to determine if it's worthy of a visit, so a "kill 'em with kindness" attitude will go a long way in any type of customer service role. Just some...

Ridiculous. Manager was rude and mean.

Took over and hour and the ranch tasted like mustard. After I had dumped it on my salad the waitress never came back so I picked out my tritip and ate some of that. Sat for another 20 mins after we were done and then waitress finally came back. Told her it tasted like mustard so she got her manager who rudely walked up us to and said "she said you wanted something from me?" I said "no, I just let her know the ranch tasted like mustard" she kinda argued for a sec and walked off. Came back a few minutes later, slammed our check on the table and walked off. Are you kidding me? I look at the bill and she took 3$ off. Basically a slap in the face. I was trying to help your business out and you act rude. Between the manager and the missing waitress, wont be going back. And we have plenty of family and friends who come here also. Sure they wont be back either.

And to top it all off, I WASNT FINISHED! I WANTED CHOCOLATE MUSSE. Thanks for slamming that check down. Saved me 6.99 appitite lost. Rude rude rude.

I am pretty sure the date was around the 20th of october. Had been there 2 weeks before and loved it. This really upset me. It was very disrespectful. I wasnt asking for any money off the bill, i just let the waitress know incase someone else ordered it. That wasnt the only problem a young waitress served all her "friends" and everyone else that came in after us in about 10 mins. We waited 40 just for an appitizer. The resturant wasnt even half full. Maybe not...

Very very bad service. Are waitress keep rolling her eyes. She didnt want to be at work it seems. She threw my bowl of clam chowder at me. Not once did we get ask if u need a refills on drinks. Or how guyz doing. We keep counting on the other table how many time they ask them how are they doing. At least 3 time they went to other tables around us. We felt discrimanted cause we where hispanic. Never saw are waitress again after my bowl of clam chowder. Then we ask to speak to the manager. She came my wife told her what had happen she apologize and said she sent are waitress home do to bad service. But not once did she come and tell us anything on what happen to are waitress just brought are food and walk off. All she did was took 10 off are bill but that was'nt the point on getting a discount or whatever it was about the serivce we got. We should of just walk out and left the food there. Never again will we go back after they recommended us to go there. I felt discrimanted. The only employe's that where working and busting butt was the guy that was cleaning tables and 1 waitress with the long blk hair or brunette she had a very friendly personaltiy. With the other tables she was waiting on, wish we could of had her. The food was uhmm ok my kids burger was the only thing that was good my fish tacos look like mush. My wifes fish n chips to dry.... I should of went with my gut feeling and shoot over to ventana grill.. way better service n food... May 27...