Surfside Bistro (Formerly The Market & Dine In Deli) — Restaurant in Florence

I booked a room at Driftwood Shores for my family to stay the weekend. I figured we’d utilize the little market. The high prices and very mediocre food isn’t what turned me off - but one extremely rude employee, Tammy, did. If I ever come back (because the resort itself was a great place to stay with kids), I will fully avoid the on-site market and stop at nearby Fred Meyer for any food and beverages.

My 5 year old daughter and I walked down to the market on a Saturday evening at about 7:30 pm, after swimming. They have a cold deli case with meats and cheeses, and a sandwich menu. The “kitchen” closes at 8. I stepped up to the deli case to look at the options and as I did so, the woman behind the counter stepped into the back without offering to help me, so I walked around for a few minutes and gathered some other items we needed, waiting for her to reappear. I walked back to the counter at about 7:45 and a man and woman had stepped in front of me. They wanted sliced deli meat and cheese. The employee who had walked to the back when I approached earlier went out of her way to get them the exact (turkey) meat and (cheddar) cheese that they wanted. It took her a long time - first she sliced the wrong kind of cheese (havarti dill) for them and they wanted something different. Nonetheless, my daughter and I were right next to them at the counter, patiently waiting our turn, hoping to order a sandwich. After they got their meat and cheese, the employee was so helpful to them she even asked if they wanted bread to go with it. They declined. For the record, the sandwich I wanted was turkey with cheese, on some bread, with mayo and mustard. That’s it.

As they walked away, she looked at me and asked if I needed something. I told her I’d like to order a quick sandwich if I could. By this time, it was 8:02. I had been standing there with my daughter for the last ten minutes watching her prepare sandwich makings for the other people. She simply said “no”, and I guess my confused stare prompted her to add that the kitchen closes at 8. I looked at my phone, showing 8:02, and she said “well, you have to be here to order your food before that because we get the kitchen cleaned up at 10 minutes before 8”. So I said, “so you’re telling me the kitchen closes at 10 minutes before 8, then? Because I read everywhere else that the kitchen closes at 8, and I was here way before 8, waiting while you helped those other people”. Tammy was steadfast that I was not getting my sandwich that night since I “didn’t have my order in more than 10 minutes BEFORE 8”. Real family friendly customer service, Tammy.

I confirmed with the friendlier employee manning the register that the kitchen closed at 8, and there is no policy that you have to have your order in before 10 minutes to 8 because that’s when they clean things up. He apologized for Tammy’s made up hours and rules, but I ended up ordering Doordash anyway, which was cheaper in...

Dining review: First time customers at the market. We have been to the Driftwood Shores several times throughout the years however, we do remember the old restaurant that existed prior. Upon entering the "Market", my wife and I were Immediately confused on what to do or where to go. There's a coffee stand with a coffee menu, but no directions on where to order. Behind that appears to be seating. Adjacent to the coffee stand is a sandwich counter with a menu behind it. Throughout the entire restaurant area is convenience items such as snacks sundries, and toiletries.

We just couldn't figure out what to do when we got there.And we were finally instructed by the Host in the coffee shop to order food there, and then find seating.

While we ate dinner, I was staring at gummy worms and pringles in the snack shelf next to our seating.

Food is not bad, just ok. Service is good, but setup is confusing.

It's not a restaurant.

It's not really a market.

It's not really a coffee shop.

It's not really a deli.

It's a business that has a little bit of everything, but struggling to find an identity.

The experience was so strange that we won't go back...

Cute beachside restaurant with views of the dunes and ocean, and lots of potential. We got a variety of things to try and were extremely underwhelmed with the bland flavors, some of the strange flavor combinations, quality of the preparation, and freshness of the ingredients. It was really below fast food for quality.

Everyone was extremely friendly including the chef who helped handle customers. He was the nicest guy wearing the most offensively dirty chef’s jacket I’ve ever seen, which is why I’m rating the atmosphere low. Covered in food, even on his shoulders and back, his kitchen hygiene is questionable and it was just gross.

With knowledgeable management and a disciplined chef it could be good. As it is it’s not even okay, even...