L & R Soda Bar — Restaurant in Elkton

Thought it was going to be a good experience but I was wrong. We went in (9 of us) they seated us in about 5 min or so, then the chaos followed. Took 10 min or more to get waiter to get us drinks, didn't offer a menu. Got drinks then got offered a menu after asking for one, we immediately put in appetizer order. He didn't come back to bring us our appetizers a lady did. He finally come back after 15 min or so to take order and told us when he walked away "I'm going to go get ya'll some tea". No tea ever arrived. We sat there for 30-35 min and he didn't even come over to check on us to see if we needed anything. One of my family members finally grabbed my glass and hers and had to go ask for tea which we were told it was brewing. How does a restaurant in the south run out of sweet tea. The food comes out and some of the orders were not right,we didn't say anything because of all the other problems we been having. Tea finally comes out and another waiter brings out a HOT pitcher of tea and fills up our glasses and it immediately melts all of our ice. I had to ask for ice. He almost ruined my dinner by spilling tea in my plate but barely escaped that. We start eating and waiter never comes and checks on us. We finish and order ice cream and shakes for dessert. He comes over to ask how are we splitting the bill and says "just point and I'll know how to split it" so we did. He comes back and hands me a bill of $111.00 so I go to investigate and he has several items on my bill that belonged to others but also had a 18% gratuity already on the bill of almost $20. I started to argue it but thought what's the point. I would have personally never left him a tip....ever. I generally start at 10% when I walk in the door and it can go up or down depending on service. There was a guy in a wheelchair that came up to us towards the end to ask us how it was and my sister in law was trying not to throw the dude under the bus but she was just being very nice. Over all food was pretty good not $111 good but pretty good, service...

Location: 4/5: Right across the center of town in Elkton KY. Really cannot miss the place if you take a lap or two around the center of town round-about.

Ambiance: 4/5: The old soda shop is fun and busy. Lots of "back in time" decor and vibe.

Value for $$: 3/5: I understand prices are rising everywhere these days...but it just seems like these prices jumped way up while the quality and quantity regressed.

Cuisine: 3/5: Cannot not go wrong with the pretzel bites and beer cheese! Onion rings and cheese sticks were just okay. My son loved his French fries, but he said his burger was just okay...kinda dry and kinda tasteless. Whoever made my BLT needs to be...I don't know but that was the sorriest BLT I have had in a long time. The coleslaw was left unfinished.

Services: 2/5: The real reason why I am posting this review is because of the service. I completely understand having a bad day. I completely understand being off your game for an evening. However, when you see your server chumming it up with people she knows and ignoring her other tables, that makes for a good reason not to return to a joint. I spoke with the couples seated at the tables behind and across from us, both tables agreed that service was very, very lacking.

Hygiene: 3.5/5: Everything was just okay. Tables, chairs, plates, cups, and utensils were clean. Bathroom was clean enough.

Recommend: At one time, we would have strongly recommend L&R and we would have gladly returned. Today,...

I’m writing this based on not the food, but a charge we got. Monday (March 25, 2024) my parents ordered by phone for a to go order, it was expensive, but they did order a bit, but that isn’t the issue. My step-dad went to get the order and payed with a card, all that. Today, the Wednesday after, my mother looks at the receipt…they charged a 8 dollar tip! They never asked for it (it was for a to go order, you don’t usually tip for that on planet earth) and it wasn’t added to the order beforehand, it was added after the total was made (basically they added it on after the fact). Now I get we are living in hard times and I’d they asked, we’d be annoyed, but I’m sure my stepdad would gave them a tip. But to STEAL from someone is wrong, this isn’t an order in and it wasn’t even asked for. And 8 dollars for what? Holding our order at the store? We live less than 5 minutes away, they could have brung it to us if they wanted a tip that badly. My family for the most part liked the food, that isn’t an issue, but they charged a tip without asking and for a to go order. I URGE ANYONE GETTING A TO-GO ORDER TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE YOUE NOT BEING CHARGED FOR A TIP (OR EVEN IN THE RESTAURANT, NO RESTAURANT SHOULD STEAL MONEY BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY ARE OWED A TIP, THATS NOT HOW...