Burger King — Restaurant in Ocala

On 6-18-24 it was the second time in the same month that we visited this BK to dine in. Our first visit we had two coupon specials, sandwich, fries and drink. We ordered our food and then looked for a clean area to sit. The restaurant was not busy at this time but every table was filthy. After my wife cleaned a table with napkins and water, we sat down. Then our name was called to "return" to the counter to pick up our meals in bags. We got our bags, got our drinks and sat down. Upon opening the bag, one of the large fries had a few fries on the top and the rest was onion rings. Some people might like this, but we are not them. We "returned" to the counter to "return" the onion rings to get fries. I was told that fries were not ready, so I sat back down waiting for them to bring(?) us our fries. A few minutes later they yell from the counter, "Fries", and I "return" to the counter. We are both in our 60's and I had recently had total hip replacement and was dealing with sciatica pain, but I had to "return" to their counter because they are too entitled to bring the food to you when THEY make a mistake. On 6-18-24 we ate there again as we again had coupons. Upon entering the location, our shoes were sticking to the floor throughout the entire dining room. (Please see the attached video.) At the counter we were greeted with, "What do you want?" Honestly! Not welcome to BK or what can we make for you, but what do you want. We ordered our two specials, sandwich, fries and drink, and looked for a place to sit. Again, EVERY table was filthy, the floors were filthy, and the seating was filthy. Again, my wife got napkins and water and cleaned both our table and our seats. Our number was called to "return" to the counter to pick up our food. Going back to sit, upon opening the bags of food, I noticed that my Whopper just didn't feel right. Now BK is Home of the Whopper right? I received a Whopper with no mayo, no onion and no tomato. So, I "returned" to the counter with my open face Whopper to show them what they gave me. So the girl yelled back at the grill and told them to make another Whopper. Before I walked away I said, "You can bring that out to our table." The girl at the counter then told me, "We don't bring food out beyond the counter." As I started to walk away not at all pleased with our service, I decided to turn around and ask to speak to the manager, and I use this term for this person VERY, VERY lightly. I'm a big boy and when I've got something to say I usually say it with passion. Some people mistake this for angry and loud. Nope, it's just passion. So, I passionately explained to this female manager exactly what you have just read here about both visits. Her first response to me was don't yell at me, I'm pregnant. I apologized for the volume of my voice but I was really sick and tired of this total lack of service, kindness, and humanity within this establishment. I explained to the mgr that I had recent hip surgery and was suffering with sciatica and if they were going to continue to screw up the orders they can bring the food to us. She yelled to everyone in the restaurant, "You need to understand, we're not waitresses here. We do not go beyond the counter." Hence the problem with their dining area. Per the manager(s), apparently they are not allowed to go beyond the counter to go pick up the trash, clean the dirty seats, clean the dirty tables and mop the filthy floor. I then asked for her name. She refused to give me her name and I know why. If I had a restaurant in the pathetic shape like her restaurant, I would be ashamed to be identified as the manager also. It is clear that management is completely lacking at this location and from reading the last few years of reviews on Google, it has been an ongoing problem. I will follow up with the Marion County Health Dept. and Ocala City Depts. about this location and I will identify and contact Burger King Corporate to address these issues with this location or revoke their franchise. This location needs to clean up its act if it wants to do...

This location is consistently disorganized—food littered on the floor, tables left uncleaned, and the fountain area is cluttered with cup lids and straws thrown about. While I can overlook the mess if I'm just grabbing food to go, the real issue is the unprofessional behavior of the employees working the front counter.

The staff, many of whom seem to be teenagers, act as if they're more interested in socializing than doing their job. They move at a snails pace and often whisper and giggle on their headsets, as if they’re back in middle school and it's a fun game to make the customers wait as long as possible.

The heating tray was full of food, the girl who was making it was doing her job, the problem was the kid working the counter absolutely did not want to fill the orders. He was purposely going incredibly slow as if he wanted to get fired.

Many customers returned to report that their orders were wrong when they finally received it which by then was ice cold.

You have to go up to the counter yourself to ask them to either fix the mistake or if they're even trying to fill the order. Even then, their behavior remains childish, as if it’s some sort of game. It should be noted that the girl making the burgers was going as fast as possible and not participating in the childish games like the others. There was another employee back there who was also doing his job with no issues.

At one point, the teenager working the drive-thru came over and noticed everyone's frustration. He asked the worker at the counter what he was doing, clearly signaling to him that people were not going to tolerate the antics. I asked the drive-thru employee for a refund and requested to speak to a manager.

Suddenly, the mood shifted. They came up with an excuse that the manager was in the back, making burgers, and couldn’t come to the front to address the situation. I ended up getting my refund and went to McDonald's instead.

The employees there were polite, and even though they were busier than Burger King, my food was prepared quickly and with no issues.

I understand that these "Burger King" kids may not be earning much, but that doesn’t excuse taking it out on customers. All I ask for is a little respect and even if you can't manage that, at least fill the order.

IMO I would say Burger King is probably hiring teens on some sort of work release program or maybe they have some sort of mental issue. This location has new employees every week.

Horrible place, bad attitudes, purposely very slow...

Review of Burger King – Ocala, FL (SR 200 Location)

Absolutely unacceptable and unprofessional experience tonight at the Burger King on State Road 200 in Ocala, Florida. My wife, a vegetarian for years, specifically ordered an Impossible Whopper—as she always does—only to receive a regular Whopper with real beef.

She took a bite before realizing the mistake, which is incredibly distressing for someone who avoids meat for personal and ethical reasons. Not only was this a careless and serious mix-up on their part, but when she went back to address the issue, the staff refused to refund her money. They offered no real apology, no accountability, and certainly no professionalism.

How does a fast food chain as big as Burger King still not have their systems and staff trained well enough to clearly distinguish a vegetarian product from a beef burger? This isn't just a minor inconvenience—this is a serious lapse in food handling and customer service.

If you're vegetarian, vegan, or have dietary restrictions of any kind, I strongly advise you to avoid this location. Clearly, accuracy, respect, and proper customer service are not priorities here.

Shameful.

Review of Burger King – Ocala, FL (SR 200 Location)

Absolutely unacceptable and unprofessional experience tonight at the Burger King on State Road 200 in Ocala, Florida. My wife, a vegetarian for years, specifically ordered an Impossible Whopper—as she always does—only to receive a regular Whopper with real beef.

She took a bite before realizing the mistake, which is incredibly distressing for someone who avoids meat for personal and ethical reasons. Not only was this a careless and serious mix-up on their part, but when she went back to address the issue, the staff refused to refund her money. They offered no real apology, no accountability, and certainly no professionalism.

How does a fast food chain as big as Burger King still not have their systems and staff trained well enough to clearly distinguish a vegetarian product from a beef burger? This isn't just a minor inconvenience—this is a serious lapse in food handling and customer service.

If you're vegetarian, vegan, or have dietary restrictions of any kind, I strongly advise you to avoid this location. Clearly, accuracy, respect, and proper customer service are not priorities...