Red Lobster — Restaurant in Florence

Upon entering the building we said we had a party of 8. The hostess stated they would add a 20% gratuity to our check and we were fine with that. We got to our table and ordered drinks. I requested a beer from the menu and was told very rudely that they didn't sale it. I made a statement that it was on the menu and the server said she had never heard of it. Another waitress called out that yes the restaurant did have it and it would be no problem. Our waitress brought everyone their drinks completely leaving my order out. She brought a glass of water so I asked again for the beer I had requested. She made an excuse and just walked away. The then came back with non alcoholic drinks with 2 additional sweet teas so I asked again for the beer I originally requested. She ignored my request so I stated I would just drink the sweet tea that she had brought. That seemed to be a problem, now that I had no longer wanted the beer. We ordered our appetizers and entrees. Our appetizers were served, salads and other things. Our silverware had yet to be brought to the table. One of the guys that was with us requested silverware and seemed to be ignored so he started eating his salad with his fingers. It wasn't until our entrees were brought to the table that another server brought us. The food was decent and upon requesting the check I was told by our waitress repetitively that I was required to leave her a 20% tip. She was standing immediately over my shoulder as I was filling out the receipt and once again reached over my shoulder to point out the suggested 20% amount on the receipt. I had already become frustrated, after already agreeing to the original 20% gratuity from the restaurant, and was planning on adding 20% to the server tip as well, but was not going to be told I was required to leave a 20% tip. I did calculate a 15% tip added to the card, as our party had already left cash tips as well for the drinks. The tip on the card totaled 34 dollars and she had the nerve to stop me and be rude stating that I left her the wrong tip. I initially respectfully stated that the restaurants initial 20% gratuity added was separate from the individual tip I was leaving and she continued to be rude and argued stating I was required to leave another 20%. I simply stated the tip amount I left was the tip I intended to leave on the card and that it was illegal for her to attempt to scam me or tell me I was required to leave a tip at all. Upon leaving the restaurant we had 3 people on another separate bill and she told them that she was going to add another 20% to my receipt which I had already filled out completely. We shall wait and see if she changes what I originally wrote down and is lucky I left anything at all with the service...

We live out of town and have no Red Lobster in our town so we decided to have a late lunch early dinner while in Florence at this location. We have been to this location before and enjoyed it. We arrived a little after 3:30 in the afternoon. The store was not busy and had a few tables. A young lady came out and said someone will be will you shortly. Brittany came out and seated us, gave us our menus and asked if we would like anything from the bar. We declined the offer and she took our drink orders of a sweet tea and diet Coke. She told us she would be back with some biscuits and to please take a look at the appetizers on the menu to see if would like to start with any of those. Upon returning with our drinks she asked if we were ready and as always we were not and she told us to take our time. The menu had a large selection and almost all had excellent photos of the food. The colors and presentation of the photos were very well presented. I say this for a reason. Our server returned with the signature biscuits and WOW is all I can say. The biscuits were hot fresh and soft. I pulled one apart and the cheese was still melting creating a web of cheddar strands across my plate. I have never received biscuits this fresh at any Red Lobster.

Super start to the meal. After taking our time to make a selection we ordered as first meal the ”create your own ultimate feast” that came two premium items of your choice and two shrimp items of your choice with two sides and the for the second meal we ordered “shrimp your way” which allowed you to pick two or three types of shrimp as well as one side. We sat and talked as the server checked in on us refilling our drinks as well as bringing us more biscuits. Again the same results as the first batch. Fresh soft piping hot!!! Our meals arrived and I almost asked the server to bring me a menu. I wish I would have taken a photo as BOTH of our plates looked EXACTLY like the menu pictures. The food was prepared and presented in a very appealing manner. We throughly enjoyed each and every item that came with our meal. OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCE, service was great, food was great, clean dining room and we both used restrooms and found them to be clean as well. Granted I have never had a bad experience at this location at lunch or dinner. But I truly say on this day we were blown away. We have drifted from Red Lobster because of a some poor experiences but at Florence never a bad experience and this was the best we have ever had at any Red Lobster. Was totally full and satisfied. The only down side was had no room for dessert and the pictures of the desserts were mighty tempting. We will be...

I am going with a 2 because not our entire meal was bad. They were not crowded, but it took forever for our meals to come, and when they did, they were wrong. I ordered the Friday special (Fish & Chips, pictured) and they have some nerve charging 19.00 for that dish (it's 15.00 on Friday) They need to take some tips from Cracker Barrel regarding fish & chips) One overcooked greasy piece of fish that I had to use napkins to soak up the oil, 2 miniature hush puppies & about a cup of fries. (They forgot my Cole slaw) My wife and daughter both ordered triple shrimp dishes. (They forgot my daughter's french fries.) My wife eats like a bird and takes her food home, and she realized when she was done that they had omitted one of the shrimps choices (scampi). Now for the beverage. Against my better judgement, I ordered a "Lobsterita," which I didn't realize how large it was and was 14.00. The WORST margarita I have ever had. Tasted like rubbing alcohol, very little lime taste, not sweet at all and no salt, but it did have the Lobster Mardi Gras beads, which my daughter loved and confiscated. Now I don't remember her saying this, but my daughter said the waitress claimed that she had made it when she brought it to the table. When I finally had enough , I addressed all my complaints with the waitress. She stated that other people had filled her orders for her, and that was the reason they were incorrect. As far as i'm concerned, she is the one relying on a good tip and should make sure our orders are complete. When I said something about the Margarita, she stated that her manager had made it, and I told her that the manager should not make any more margaritas or learn how to make one properly. I need to add at one point when the waitress came to the table for a beverage refill (which she was faithful with) she must have just taken a smoke break because she stunk like and ashtray, which turns my stomach when I am eating. After voicing my complaint, she offered to remove my food from the bill, but I declined as I had eaten it and I was not looking for a free meal. We finally agreed to remove the margarita because I had not taken but three sips out of that and couldn't drink it if I forced myself too. My wife got her scampi to go. The waitress earned an 18% tip, not our normal 20-25%.(My wife is a former waitress, and she tips well) It's no wonder that Red Lobster has closed so many stores if this is how patrons...