The Crazy Gator — Restaurant in Eustis

TERRIBLE SERVICE !!! TERRIBLE SERVER !! Racially DISCRIMINATIVE Establishment?!?

Last night was our very first time in Eustis, FL. We decided to stop for dinner at the Gator Crazy Cafe. Walked in, there wasn’t a host but what seemed to be a bartender politely told us to just grab a table and someone will be with us. Upon our arrival, the restaurant was empty with ONE 5 top table already seated and eating. Every single booth was open as we decided on which one to choose for better view to see the sun set.The time was 7:30ish.

An older lady, the server, came out and greeted us and asked if we were ready. We’d already seated ourselves. We placed our drinks and food order all at the same time. 8:15pm - my daughter needed to use the bathroom. My friend noticed that three other tables behind us looked as if they were already been served drinks and starting to receive food. Sure enough… there were three tables directly behind us both 2 tops, and the third table far back left corner a 4 top.

The elderly couple directly behind us were eating. I went ahead to take my daughter to the restroom and on my way back the server was bringing out food to the 2nd table behind the elderly couple.The time now is 8:20pm.Two table at this point have been served and is eating. We have not even received drinks.

I saw our server going to the front counter and waved her over. I politely asked would our food be out soon? She replied “I put all the orders in at the same time” Confused at her hostile tone I’ve yet to even mentioned anything about any other tables just addressing our food ONLY. I then replied “We understand, but it seems everyone who came in afterwards have already been served and we are still waiting” The server replied “No you did not, Everyone came in at the same time, Plus they got simple things.” She then said, verbatim: “You’ll be ok.. it will be fine”Totally appalled at her aggressive tone, I just replied “When will we be served ma’am?” She said “In a moment”. She walked back what we assumed was the kitchen. At this point she made extremely clear she not only did she not WANT to serve us. She WAS NOT going to serve us. We decided to leave First, we wanted to express our concern to a manager as to why we were being treated like this. Walking out; the sever was no where to be found. We then spoke to the male bartender, as he is telling us there “isn’t a manager on duty tonight” she approaches us with a smirk on her face and with giddyness asked us… “oh you guys will leave?”

Still composing my dignity I replied gently “Ma’am you have been the epitome of poor service, never have we ever been treated so disgustingly in an service establishment”. The elderly couple who came in 20mins after us have now enjoyed their food, paid for their food and is walking out the door as we are complaining and addressing her poor service at 9:30pm. Nearly TWO HOURS! After we told her we’d be calling and speaking the managers… she then apologized and proceeds to tell us there was only one cook. I gently replied again that “it wasn’t your lack of communication it was your lack of care and concern for our family as you showed a much different type of service to every single table you served AFTER us; as were the ONLY people of color in the entire restaurant for 2 hours”.

Do you want to know how she respond?!? She yells loudly and told us to LEAVE NOW! Then walked away. —Wow! What horrific experience for my family last night. More importantly, my little girl who had to be a witness to such lack in humanity. HER behavior was unacceptable!!! This is not an example of what HOSPITALITY nor SERVICE is suppose to be. Very disappointed as a first time guest in the city and...

This establishment does not have active management/ leadership and their server was incredibly rude.

I wish I could tell you how the food was, but we never got it. We came into the restaurant around 8pm and left around 9:30, still hungry. When we sat down, there was only one other party in the restaurant. We ordered our food and waited. I watched as every other party around us ordered and received their food. I tried not to make any assumptions and asked the server why all the parties that showed up long after us received their food first. Her response was that the other parties ordered simpler meals, and she also exclaimed that all parties arrived at the same time. Untrue. There was about a 20 minute period between when we arrived and the other three parties. Not to mention the other parties were holding burgers and fish, while we waited for a grilled cheese, chips and salsa, and a fish and shrimp basket. The server told us "you will be ok", and walked away. We decided since we were hungry, to stay seated since we had time invested. Waited 15-20 minutes, still no food. We decided to leave.

Upon exiting, the server stopped us and apologized for the first time in the entire visit and explained that they only have one chef in and three servers. We explained that from a service standpoint, it would have been great to hear that at the beginning or even throughout the course of our visit. I went to explain (very calmly might I add) to this young woman how this could look as we were the only people of color sitting in the establishment. This woman scoffed, yelled "oh my god, you can leave" and stormed away from me. I would not recommend this restaurant if you are a person of color. I never want to experience this kind of gaslighting again in my life. We asked for the managers name over and over and each employee said they do...

First off, the food is amazing. Hats off to the cooks. I have never had a bad experience at Crazy Gator Whenever I have out of town guest, we all go there. The last time before last night was a couple weeks ago. We had the best waitress. I wish i could remember her name. But I brought my brother and sister in law there for dinner. My brother in law has his wife cut up his foot and basically hand feed him. 😉. The waitress and my brother in law had a great time. Every other time I have gone there, it has been amazing. Last night was a nightmare The waitress acted as though we were diseased. She didn't know much about the menu. Everything my sister asked her about in regards to the menu, she didn't have an answer. First time we I have have had to wait or anything there. It was as though she really didn't want to wait on us. They brought a huge salard out with my brother in laws crab bites. He asked before ordering what came with it. He then called the waitress over and told her he didn't want that salad it was to big and asked what he could get in replace of it. He never touched it. However when our check came she had the salad added on. When he asked her about it, she got angry at us and asked if we wanted to speak to a manager. The manager was very cooperative The nasty waitress walked by us angry and said trying to get free food loud enough for us to hear it. He never touched the salad, just asked for something in place of. This experience left a bitter taste in my mouth. I don't think I will be returning. Always took great pride in bringing my guest...