Fernando's — Restaurant in East Ridge

This was our 1st trip to Fernando's. I'm nit sure we will go back. Yet I want to explain why. Let's start with the good. Upon walking in. There were 3 ladies at the register & 1 went out to clean tables. Good sign. The other 2 seemed confused about seating but quickly explained they had a bigger crowd that had just left. So it was understandable. I was surprised as the place is smaller than I'd expected. We sat a couple of tables from the bar area. It was rather drafty today, but it's expected with temps only being in mid 30s right now. I heard a lady across from us speaking on how cold the bathroom was. I hadn't noticed when we sat down but you have to go out of the actual restaurant to go to the bathroom in the waiting area. The waitress that seated us was very polite & friendly, even asking if that particular table was ok. She offered us a menu & told us we could even have a look at the buffet before making up our minds. So we checked it out walking around it to view the items. It appeared the food may have been there for a bit of time but we noticed a young lady putting a new dish out & assumed they would be restocking all of the foods. When we got back up to the buffet, nothing but one dish had been restocked. I got the corn, mashed potatoes, Mac n cheese with what I'm assuming was a hamburger patty. It wasn't what I'd consider really good food. Basic but maybe it was an off day. I wished I'd have ordered breakfast. I read many reviews stating how good it is. I wasn't impressed with the pizza. It tasted and looked old. The best part of the entire meal was the salad & dessert. I had a basic salad though and for dessert I had the banana pudding & chocolate pudding. Banana was the winner 🥇 The staff were very nice, attentive to the customers. I did notice the fried chicken was being eaten like crazy (too bad I can't eat it). The place is clean and very laid back. Seemed to be a mostly older crowd which is fine as it seemed more calm, less of a loud atmosphere. Which I prefer. I just wish the buffet had been better stocked as far as fresher items. Otherwise, I'd recommend going when a larger crowd hasn't been there prior to...

Yesterday I called to see if they by chance had opened the breakfast bar back up & what time it would be taken down. And a person named Shannon had answered the phone & said, We’ve never had the breakfast bar. I said oh yes ma’am they have. We loved it. And she said Uh no they haven’t and hung up. This isn’t our first issue with her. We’ve had problems with her every time we’ve came in. We will either not come back or if we do, call to make sure she isn’t there. She’s horrible. I can’t believe they would employee someone like her. Weve overheard her gossiping, talking trash about her boss and co workers. It’s disgusting. ALSO As I was reading though some of these responses back to unhappy customers, it’s always a response of, we were short staffed, or we make everything from scratch or we’re not fast food and don’t pretend to be. No one is claiming that. We know you’re short staffed but people shouldn’t be left without a server or even their food. We just want our experience to be that of the “regulars” that get better treatment. And this isn’t the first time I’ve had issues with Shannon. Other people have too but they don’t want to complain bec they are afraid something would get done to their food. She might have her regulars who like her, but ALOT of people I know that have had to interact with her, does not like her. She gossips and talks bad about the others and the boss. I don’t see how that’s appropriate. If myself or anyone I know comes back, we will definitely make sure Shannon isn’t there. And as for she didn’t work there when the breakfast buffet was there, I TOTALLY understand that but she should have asked or be better educated about the type of establishment that is. We LOVED when Fernando worked at the Family Table and have loved all our experiences there until we...

I called and specifically asked if the buffet was $10.99 on the weekends like it is during the week days and I was told it was. I felt like I was intentionally misled.The bill came up to almost $30.00 for two people before tip. Plus they charge a fee for using a card. When I asked why I was told that the cashier goes the weekend dinner price is the same as the week day dinner price which makes no sense because it was like 12pm. No dessert really. Pizza wasnt out and no cranberry sauce. And its always a debate if the cornbread is available. Probably won't be back. I wouldn't have came for that price. Might as well went on to another buffet.

Update: There was no menus on the table when my party came in and why would I be looking for signs or a menu when I called ahead of time before I drove across town to restaurant. And I came for the buffet. It's a small restaurant so there's no reason why anyone answering the phone wouldn't know the current price of the meal. Especially a cashier. She literally paused and thought about what she was saying. Could've made sure if she didn't know. I'm sure most people are paying cash. There was nothing on the bar that you don't see during the week. And if you add pizza ever 7 to 8 minutes why was the bar completely out of every kind of pizza. You shouldn't wait till it's completely out to put some out. And I'm confused at dinner time vs lunch time because you don't open till 11 most days and I was there early. No was it was...