Apollo Family Restaurant — Restaurant in City of Lackawanna

Based on the reviews and the crowds that visit the Apollo Family Restaurant, I am pretty confident that the food the restaurant serves is good, but we have never eaten there. I do have a complaint though based on a less than appealing experience in hopes other customers do not run into the same problem.

We moved to the area not long ago outside of Hamburg, My wife was working in north Buffalo for the morning and decided to pick up two meals on the way back home, about a 30 minute drive from The Apollo, so when she was ready, I called in the take out order, totalling about $49.

When I talked to the lady who took my order, she told me the cost and said my wife could pick up the order soon. She did not tell me that payment required cash or check, no credit cards accepted. The employee advised me only of the cost.

When my wife got to the restaurant, a waitress told my wife that the order was not ready, but the bill was $49. My wife handed her a credit card. The waitress informed my wife that the restaurant does not accept any credit cards. She was told payment could only be made in cash or check, but no credit card.

My wife did not have a check with her, so she started to look in her purse for the amount of cash needed. When she realized that she did not have enough cash with her to cover the bill, she was never told by the waitress, or any other employee, that there was an ATM machine in the entrance area.

My wife had not seen the ATM when she entered the restaurant with a group of other customers and was not looking for one. Upon leaving the restaurant, she still did not see an ATM, but again, was not looking for one.

I looked at the restaurant website and no where does it mention that the restaurant only accepts payment with cash or a check, but no credit cards accepted. It does not appear on the website or on the online menu.

I discussed the situation with a manager and she said that my wife should have been told by employees that she could use the ATM. She was not told that by any employee that an ATM was on site.

The manager said my wife should have seen the ATM. My wife did not see the ATM entering or leaving. Many customers come and go through the entrance way at the same time, and why would anyone be looking for an ATM in a restaurant in 2025? Especially since no restaurant employee had even mentioned an ATM to my wife.

Needless to say, we were disappointed in not being able to enjoy a meal from The Apollo, but the restaurant's lack of notification to call-in customers of not accepting credit cards is at best poor business practice. In addition to no employee advising an ATM was in the restaurant.

The manager said that there is a sign on the door relating to no credit cards accepted. However, that doesn't do much good for someone who called in a takeout order and is there to pick up the order, but has no check or sufficient amount of cash with them and was not told by any employee in advance of the policy.

Poor...

Update: A few renovations were done while they were shut down the beginning of the month. The place looks wonderful! I had the meatloaf, potato and I chose apple sauce instead of corn. Plus they were serving my favorite soup: split pea!!! I was full and took home some of my meal, had to get dessert to enjoy later. The chocolate cake and Peanut butter pie.. so yummy.

Always great service, took family from out of town here last week & they loved it!

Worked late last night so I called and ordered take out. Gabbie took my phone order and I didn't catch the girls name that cashed me out because it was a very long day for me. Being in the foodservice industry can be very tiring and stressful.

My takeout meal was delicious, the roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and Italian sausage sub and fries were excellent.

Was worried I wasn't going to have enough cash on hand for my meal. I ran home from work, quickly changed, called my order in and it was readty in 12 minutes. I did have enough cash for my meal and a tip as I know how little servers make. They don't take credit cards here but there is an ATM in the foyer. Always tip your servers, they work very hard.

Thank you for multiple great experiences over the past few weeks!

Stopped by on 6/22/2022 around 10 pm for a quick bite and some takeout to have for today's lunch. My server was Lisa and she was great!...

We have been eating here for a number of years and I am sorry to say that Friday nights there have gone down hill. We have had a couple bad experiences in the last few weeks. Including waiting for 1 1/2 hrs for our meal only to be told that fried chicken takes longer, as we watched 2 booths next to us get served fried chicken dinner and they arrived after us!!! And when we confronted the waitress she told us...talk to management, I dont want to hear it!!!! We have been back a couple times since then and the people at the front counter leave a lot to be desired. YES they are very busy on Fridays, but they spin around in circles and just act panicked. Tonight we gave it another try and waited about 20 minutes for a table when we could clearly see 3 open booths. When we were finally seated we ordered plain and simple fish dinner. Waited another 30 minutes and finally we were served COLD OVERDONE FISH AND COLD ONION RINGS!! We have enjoyed this restaurant for several years but I must say that the current help leaves alot to be desired!!! 99% of the time the food is great BUT poor service will eventually out weigh the good food and your business...