TrYSeafood Grill in Cary — Restaurant in Cary

I try to refrain from giving anything less than 5 stars, but this place has so much potential- just small things that made my experience a bit frustrating.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, they were extremely busy so it took a few minutes to be acknowledged. The man and woman (presumably husband + wife owner duo) were doing almost everything except for cooking; front counter, serving/packing orders, communicating with the kitchen, restocking items, and communicating with guests. I understand from experience how difficult it can be coming from the fast-casual business myself, and could tell they’re still ironing out the kinks within their business.

I placed an order online, and the item I ordered had no indication it was served on a particular day. My friend and I were acknowledged; his food was ready, and I was told it will be 10 more minutes for my order. We went to the car to wait due to the place was so packed with space constraints be default. I went back into the restaurant closer to the 10-minute mark and the gentleman at the register asked for my name again. The woman kind of intervened and advised they don’t serve the particular dish I ordered on Saturday’s. Instinctively I had a “WTF” moment because that could’ve been told to me at check-in AND/OR someone could have called me during my extended wait, when they realized the order couldn’t be fulfilled.

Suggestions were offered, yes, but it was nowhere near what I initially ordered. By the time I had a question, the woman was on her phone (could have been using for business purposes), and already waited 40+ minutes from the time of ordering- I was frustrated. I asked the other gentleman a question when he returned because she was still on the phone, then got my order relayed to the kitchen. HOWEVER, the woman came back maybe 2 minutes later and asked what my side substitution would be because they were sold out of what I initially ordered. So, had to replace yet another item after the fact. Another “WTF” moment, and was tempted to just ask for my money back at this point.

I was sitting down in their waiting area, and was told to get up kind of rudely so the woman could get into one of their cabinets… huh?

I WILL SAY the gentleman primarily at the front was extremely apologetic and did everything he could to rectify the situation in the midst of serving others. I also noticed how he treated every other customer in the restaurant- with respect, understanding, and ready to satisfy their needs. A true customer service professional.

My food was finally ready after about 10 minutes (they had to prepare the order, which I was okay with). I’m not sure if the gentleman was reading my mind, but he included the banana pudding I was thinking about purchasing as a courtesy for the inconvenience. I didn’t tell him I wanted anything extra, nor did I indicate I was particularly interested- he just did it with no fuss or question about it. Although my friend’s food was ice cold by the time we could sit down and eat, I can’t negate the fact that the food was great. I do wish there was a bit more seasoning on the mixed vegetables and really didn’t taste the butter they mentioned when offering suggestions (maybe it was forgotten?).

Although the overall experience was a 3/5 (for the food), it was turned around with the exceptional customer service provided by the gentleman who primarily assisted me. Shoutout to the woman as well, but I would suggest her tone and awareness of situations be evaluated because I didn’t receive an apology, and earlier in the interaction she made a comment as if ordering something they don’t serve on a particular day is my fault.

Suggestions: Review menu and put indicators on items that may not be served everyday; Call customers if something runs out PRIOR to them arriving at the restaurant; Create a communication funnel/process so things don’t slip through the cracks; maybe hire an extra person to specifically verify orders, serve/pack, stock, etc.

Don’t worry, I’ll be back when I move to Cary. I’ll be looking for...

My family and I ate here on June 6 2024. Upon ordering, the menu states the seafood boil, or “Bucket of Gold” comes with two lobster tails. Since my Mother, sister, and I were sharing, and the menu stated 2-3 people, I ordered this. The so-called lobster tails, was only one lobster tail split in half. The pound of crab legs, had very little meat, with some of them having NO meat in them. I found one upon cracking with no meat. My sister commented there was no meat in a couple of them. At this time, I thought maybe the server had placed the order for the “Mini pot for one”, however when I went to pay, I was charged $120 for the bucket. I tried explaining to the server that the plate only had one lobster tail split, not two lobster tails, she called the owner. When I explained that I only got one that was split, she tells me that is how it was. I asked if you split a person down the middle, does that make it two people? She got upset and demanded that I hand the phone back to the server. I hung up the phone and told the server I guess I will pay, but I will not come back. The menu specifically states 2 lobster tails, yet this business is trying to cut one lobster tail in half and say it is two. For $120, there is no need to cut them in half when the customer is paying for 2, as menu states. This restaurant is getting over on a lot of people, and they (the actual owners) argued they were in the right. I am not one of those that complain when I eat out, however this was ridiculously handled by the owner yelling at me, “Well that is how we do it!” If that is how they do it, they need to reflect their “DOINGS” in the wording of the menu: If it comes with a single “split tail” lobster, then the menu should state just that and not 2 Lobster tails, because for $120 a plate, I definitely paid for the whole Two Lobster Tails and not a split. I will NEVER go back to eat here. The food was not worth it, the a/c was turned down to a point of freezing, and the owner’s bad attitude about the situation let me know they did not care about the customers; they are thieves taking advantage of people. This business needs to...

Dined in with my family of four, one being my mother, who knows what river to the fire catfish should taste like. She’s been huntin’ for a new seafood spot to broaden her fried fish portfolio. She was not disappointed, nor was I. The food was on point…all of it.

Being a deep fried southerner, we take great pride in the culinary traditions that course through our veins. From the creole capital of New Orleans, the low country shrimp and crab boils of Charleston, NC seafood harvested fresh from our salty shores, to the mom and pop, small town fish huts that dot coastal towns, being partial to our way of sustenance is not much of a stretch. Like a mama bear should, we believe our seafood is the best and brightest. With that said, others who find our beloved geographical anomaly along their path of new discovery should not wave the hand of persecution as a means of introduction. As I sit there, a new customer, eager to support a new business and provide my mother with a catfish sandwich, my southern ways were offended. No sweet tea at a NC fish joint!? I was perplexed, but was ok. And then, the words from the owner, as she hovered over our table, “you all do not not have good seafood down here”. LAWD have mercy! Me, my mother, and every southern chef went straight into a conniption. A come-a-part of epic proportion. I believe she said she hailed from New York, but who knows, as all I heard after was the likes of Charlie Brown’s teacher. My hope is, as she meets others who call this place home, her opening line is not of a similar pejorative tone. Heaven help us all as we coexist with those who have misunderstood our gracious southern ways. I give Tryseafood four stars for their excellent food, which bruises my ego, but they deserve it. Will I return? Many do not care. But, I do wish them well. Even though they do not serve sweet tea, the nectar of the south, nor do they believe we have good seafood, we can still be...