The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant — Restaurant in Chamblee

Arrived to meet up with family members and was looking forward to a great evening. Unfortunately our waiter Ryan was at first too busy with a large party to pay much attention to us then later just didn't seem to care about our table. I ordered a gin and tonic and that was fine. I ordered the Beer Cheese soup as my appetizer. It arrived barely warmer than room temperature and when I noticed it did not come with any kind of bread or crackers I ordered hush puppies and asked Ryan to please be sure to bring them with the rest of the tables appetizers which he was still bringing to the table. I made sure he knew I didn't want them with my main course. He said that he'd be right back with them.

He brought the rest of the appetizers, without my hush puppies. I figured he'd be back in a moment. After about 15 minutes I had to wave him over and remind him about my hush puppies. By then the soup was cold. A few minutes later he brought the hush puppies, which were soggy with grease and so scorching hot I couldn't touch them for at least 5 or so minutes. So I really couldn't eat them with what was left of my cold soup.

I had ordered the 8oz chuck eye steak cooked medium with broccoli and macaroni as my sides. The steak arrived, barely warm, tough and not very good. The broccoli was crunchy (not fully cooked) room temperature and flavorless. The macaroni was the only thing that actually tasted okay but even it was only slightly warm. I don't send food back, ever. So I soldiered through the meal.

By that point it was impossible to get Ryan, our waiter to return to the table. It was so bad that one of our guests got up to go find him. When he couldn't find Ryan he asked one of the other waiters for him and instead she came over to talk to us as if Ryan was gone. In the midst of telling her what was wrong Ryan suddenly returned smirking and seemed to be amused that half the dining party wasn't happy with his service. Sadly two members of our dining party are the kind of people who you could serve frozen food to and they wouldn't complain about it. The other members of our group are the kind who expect exemplary service when the food cost is so high. One of them actually admitted their steak was awful, but they said nothing to the waiter or management. So needless to say, Ryan and the poor food quality caused a rift between members of our group.

When the check arrived there was a "mandatory" 22% gratuity added. I laughed and notified everyone and they were all pretty shocked. When Ryan came back to collect the checks we asked him what was up with this 22% added gratuity and he said that it's mandatory for all parties of 6 or more. It wasn't stated when we were seated or at any point during the order process. I even told Ryan when I arrived that I would be on a separate check.

So I reminded him that I wasn't even on the main check so technically the other 5 people wouldn't qualify for the mandatory gratuity. He smirked and shrugged. So I laughed and announced to the rest of our party; "Mandatory 22% gratuity on parties of 6 or more, that's why he vanished and didn't care how good his service was, he's getting %22 on the tab regardless." He just took the checks and ran them through.

The mandatory gratuity caused an even further rift in our party, the two aforementioned agreed it wasn't right that we weren't notified in advance but didn't want to say anything. The other members of our group disagreed and it ended up ruining the dinner with the other two leaving early before dessert or coffee.

Needless to say, neither I nor anyone else in our party will ever be returning to the 57th Fighter Group. I've also let all my friends know how our service was, how the food was and the ridiculous mandatory gratuity. So far at least 8 other people I know have confirmed they won't be eating at 57th. I don't give bad ratings or scathing reviews unless they were deserved. Ryan, the cooks and management's policy with checks and gratuity earned 57th Fighter Group...

Let me start off by saying it pains me greatly to be leaving this review. I've dined at this restaurant on a couple occasions years ago, and had incredible food and service, including a nice birthday dinner.

I met my fiancée about three years ago, and have been hyping this place up to her since we've met and eagerly awaited the chance to take her there to experience the amazing atmosphere and sights.

I drove up from Brunswick, GA to pick up my fiancée, who was returning from Europe to Hartsfield in Atlanta.

She was so excited to pull into the driveway, and take in the sights of the military vehicles and the aircraft out front. Was in love with the architecture of the building and its WWII inspired theme.

The hostess that greeted us was very pleasant and helpful in guiding us to our table. Then things went down hill.

Our waiter gave us both the sense that we were inconveniencing him by being there at 2pm that afternoon. We were the only guests there at that time.

When my date excused herself to visit the ladies room, I overheard the waiter asking a coworker something to the effect of, "when we get the interview over, can we..." - which led me to believe maybe he wasn't supposed to be working as part of the wait staff... perhaps someone didn't show up? Maybe someone quit and he got stuck waiting on guests?

Either was the responses to every inquiry we had was very short and almost snappy. When asked how we would like our steak cooked, he immediately blurted out "medium"? Instead of giving us a second or two to contemplate and answer for ourselves.

The menu showed our Ribeye was $40, and I'm nearly certain the side of fries showed $3. When we received the check, we were charged $43 for the steak, and $8 for the side. I'll admit my vision isn't the best reading the small print on the menu, and the font was unique, so the fries may have been on me for not seeing it correctly.

The steak itself was something you'd expect from Applebee's or some other national chain... seemed to be prepackaged, frozen goods that was just warmed up. Was extra chewy.

My previous experiences years ago, served me a steak so tender, I barely laid my knife on top of it and it fell apart.

When my fiancée asked me time and again, "what's wrong?", it was obvious I was disappointed. I've had much better meals at a lower cost, and had much more personable and friendly service elsewhere.

Really took a great day and soured it, making the 5 hour ride home rather solemn. I'm hoping it was just a fluke, maybe just one staff member having a bad day, as we all do from time to time.

It really is such a beautiful and interesting place, so much so in fact that I told my fiancée it was my very favorite place in Atlanta. Sure felt embarrassed after bringing her on her...

This unique restaurant is diffently a show stopper from, the time you turn into the long drive down a private road you are greeted with old military vehicles from the war to see as you wind down the road through the woods. When it opens up, you are greeted with an authentic checkpoint with an actual white wooden or plastic arm raised. Then you see the large parking lot with plenty of parking to this unique restaurant venue.

There is a P51 Mustang mounted out front of the main walkway to the building with lots of different military vehicles and look of an old military fort. There is an actual wind sock flying on top of the lookout.

The best part of this unique restaurant is right next to the PDK private airport runaway. I have personally gone by in a Cirrus SR 20 a few months ago to the end of the taxi way rolling by this restaurant to do a rev up of the props before take of thinking that a great place for a restaurant. I finally came in to check it out. There are outdoor fireplaces with a large patio seating to view the planes going by or smell the jet fuel of the planes going by. The inside is just as unique as you walk in. You will immediately notice an old jukebox and authentic World War two era. Someone went to great lengths to make this place look and feel like you went back in time to this time period. My favorite part was the sand bangs on the walls that you have to curve around to even get to the restaurant and check in the desk. The staff were all very friendly and there were plenty of things to see and fireplaces. It's actually hard to explain everything in this review, which is a first for me in the seven years I've been doing this. All I can say is if you love aviation, old military, or war stuff with authentic 60' s era, this is the place. I found two separate bars and also a dance floor for 80s and 90's music with balloons at times, too.

I was surprised to find this place there is so much here.

I had already eaten at two different restaurants that evening, so I only experienced a drink which they actually carried my favorite Italian wine.

I can say it enough. Go see for yourself.

Would I recommend this restaurant? Absolutely Would I...