Wok by d'Bay — Restaurant in Fairhope

This was our first time ever going to Wok'd By the Bay. It was about 7:10pm on a Monday night when we walked in. We were quickly greeted by the hostess but noticed in the rough guesstimate of a 5'x5' hostess/pos area there were at least 3-4 people in total. (It looked like a lot of standing around) As we looked around the restaurant while the hostess gathered our menus and silverware we noticed that just about every unoccupied table with the exception of the one we were being seated at and one directly behind us, we're still filthy with dishes and glasses. I thought that was a little odd considering all the people standing at the hostess stand doing what appeared to be nothing. We chalked it up to maybe they just got through a rush?!

We were promptly greeted by our server who was very sweet and decently attentive. We ordered the Crab Rangoon as an appetizer. They were fairly decent, can't complain! My husband and I ordered the Kung Pao chicken entree to split, I got a side of fried rice, he got a side of white rice. The Kung Pao chicken was not what I was expecting for Kung Pao, it was so very spicy, like Cajun crawfish boil, lips burning spicy. We love spicy food too however, this was over the top. If you've ever ordered Thai food "Thai hot", this was Thai HOTTT! Being in the restaurant industry ourselves we noticed that the ambience was very lacking. Lights were super bright, many many tables stayed dirty, most of the front of the house employees were now sitting at the bar chumming it up over ice cream and talking very loudly. It was quite annoying and because of the smaller space, it was very loud! I guess I was expecting something a little more cozy, warm and intimate and instead I felt like my husband and I were on a date with our teenage kids tagging along. I don't think...

I can’t comment on the food because we didn’t get that far. We arrived at about 7:30 on a Thursday night and it was about half full. The hostess seated us immediately and left us with food and beverage menus and no information about who would wait our table. We quickly decided on beverage and food items. After 10 minutes we had not been acknowledged and certainly not given water by any wait staff walking by our table - so we inquired if perhaps one might give a heads up to whomever was assigned our table. We saw her speak with another waitress who looked aggravated and walked in the opposite direction. No one came in the next 5 minutes. No one looked pleasant or happy to be working and certainly not interested in efficiency or hospitality. My wife and I put on our coats and walked out the door with no one ever acknowledging our presence after 15 minutes. Dreadful service and experience for someone who has never before left a restaurant...

I’m not sure why it is required to tip for a to-go order and a water. Coworker and I ordered some fried rice to go and then decided we would like to sit on the patio. They said it was fine for us to sit outside. We never asked to be served. But we realized we didn’t have anything to drink so I walked inside and asked for two waters. What I am guessing is the manager went to the back and came back out to say they didn’t have any to-go cups. I said that was fine and walked back outside. She followed me out and came to our table and told us that since we were sitting outside and that we asked for water that we were now being served. She said it was rude to not leave a tip because their workers only make $2 an hour. We wanted some water and that was it. We got up and left, completely appalled at the fact that she actually came outside and was rude about not leaving a tip on what was originally a...