Winking Lizard Beachwood — Restaurant in Beachwood

Ok so normally when I go to this restaurant I order a to go order, as I work nights 7p-530a up the street and not much is open late. I order the same thing, and pick it up around the same time, and it's usually quite tasty! Today however, I had an unpleasant run in with the manager and I did not like how he treated me. I ordered a Chicken Greek Salad at 1034, because the kitchen closes at 11. I told them I would be there between 1130/1145 because they close at 12. All was good. I got a little tied up at work and was a few mins late. I got there at 1153. I was told my food was thrown away 15 mins ago (which would have been 1138, still within the time frame which I said I'd arrive). The manager goes on about how he does like to keep food a half hr after its been prepared because it lessens the quality. (Mind you when I ordered, I STATED that I would be there between 1130/1145 and nothing was ever stated about the 30 minute time frame). I explained to him that I was a regular and that no one has told this to me before him. (I go there 2-3x a month, minimally, sometimes more. I order the same thing. The bartender - you pick up to go orders at the bar- know me. The one there tonight is the one who usually is, and made a "oh S*!" face when he saw he walk in smiling. Probably because he knew I would have no food). I also noticed he made no eye contact to me while he was speaking to me, looking all around, but not at, me and waving his hands (why i dont know). He tells me I wasn't here when I said I would be. I said yes I am late but when I called in they told me that as long as I come before closing that it is fine, as they always do. PLUS even I HAD come during the time frame that I stated, you had already thrown my food away ANYWAY. He says, "I'm sorry. I don't like to throw away food and lose money, but you were late." I asked him if that was what his concern was? The throwing away of the food and losing money moreso that customer satisfaction? He tells me he already apologized and repeated how he didn't like to throw away food and lose money. It came across as though he was making it as though I was inconveniencing HIM for losing money --money he didn't have to lose had he waited. they had over 20 mins until closing when they pitched my food.-- and cared nothing about the fact that a regular customer was dissatisfied (and lunchless now until 530a...PISSED!). Well as much as he doesn't like to lose money, he did exactly that and then some. I will never go there again. Sure, they have plenty of other customers, and my little money wont bankrupt them, but I refuse to spend my money, regularly at that, somewhere that would throw my food away knowing that I come the same time, every time. So if you choose to go there, be sure you are right on time or not only will your food be pitched, but you will be repeatedly told that you were...

I never usually write reviews online for products or restaurants because sometimes people can be very, particular when it comes to things such as food. Which isn't bad. But I'm just so irritated with my experience at the Winking Lizard in Beachwood Ohio. It was a horrible experience. I absolutely love the Winking Lizard, so it saddens me to write this. My boyfriend and I went to the one located in Beachwood today, about 30 minutes ago. When we got there, the hostess asked us where would we like to be seated, I told her the dining room. There was one other couple in the dining area. When I requested a booth seat the hostess walked us over to the booth right behind the other couple. Turns out, the other couple (a white couple)was uncomfortable with me and my boyfriend being black so they requested another seat away from us. As if we had a disease(and I know this isn't the restaurants fault these asses were racist). Anyway, we ordered our food. I ordered wedges with the bacon and cheese on it, garlic parmesean wings, and a top shelf long island. My boyfriend ordered garlic parmesean wings and fries. Well they brought out the wedges for me and they were very dry and hard. Like maybe they had been made previously but never served, so they just reheated it. And they came out about 5 minutes after I ordered them, maybe less. So I assume they weren't fresh, I could be wrong. Then they brought out my wings. The wings were pink in the middle and not done all he way. Also, they were very bland and didn't taste anything like garlic parmesean. And they brought out 2 orders of fries although only my boyfriend ordered fries. Then a few minutes later they brought out TWO more orders of fries after I had already explained we only ordered one order of fries. The guy who brought the 3 extra orders of fries kind of just dropped them on the table, after I said we didn't order any, and he said "well now you have these too." The ONLY good thing about this place was my nice waitress, whose name I can't remember, and the long Island. Other than that, it was horrible and I'll never go back to this location again. Think twice...

In-depth review of the Winking Lizard, Central Parkway, Beachwood, OH. Celebrating my birthday in July, while staying at The Homewood Suites across the street, I ordered Winking Lizard's 'Party Platters to Go' for my birthday celebration.

The Order: The ordering via the phone was very easy, the pick-up was on time, & the service was courteous & helpful. One suggestion is to have a larger pick-up area. The register counter was not large enough to hold all of my order, & it blocked incoming guests from accessing the counter. I had to carry my order to a table in the restaurant to pack it up.

My order was 50 rib bones, 50 wings, 15- person Spinach Dip, 15-person Garden Salad, 2 quarts of Mac n Cheese & 2 quarts of Baked Beans, along with all the accoutrements. Order totaled about $250. Lots of shopping bags & plastic bags. Luckily, I had a food carrier to pack the food in.

The Food, the Good: The Ribs did not have sauce on them, 2 bottles of sauce were provided. But, I'm glad they didn't because the rub on the ribs was delicious! They were the best ribs I've had in a long time, & will definitely re-order for every summer holiday. The Baked Beans with meat in them were very good. The Garden Salad was excellent! Plenty of toppings and croutons The Spinach Dip was okay. Needed some jazzing up. I added mozzarella cheese & bacon bits to it.

The Food, the Bad: The Mac n Cheese was not creamy and cheesy but dry and flavorless. Again, I had to jazz up an item. I added cheese, milk & butter.

The Wings were the biggest disappointment. They were totally flavorless. I requested mild Buffalo sauce but received none, very disappointing.

Overall, with the excellent service & delicious ribs, I will definitely order some...