Cody's Original Roadhouse - Bradenton — Restaurant in Florida

Edit. It appears the reply trying to reach out and make things right by Codys is nothing more than a farce. I reached out to Cody's after they replied to my review and have yet to receive an email back. Showing how little Cody's cares about customer relations.

Update: its been 4 months, and they have still not responded back to the email. Showing fake concern for the sake of saving face is a huge red flag as a business.

A sincere evaluation, drawing from a 19-year patronage and past server experience, reflects on a longstanding relationship with Cody's. Unfortunately, the once-favored establishment has seen a decline since the onset of the pandemic. A recent dining experience, marked by a series of unfortunate events, has led me to the regrettable decision of not returning.

The discomfort arose during dinner when our waiter, Matt, displayed impoliteness and rushed service, particularly with my elderly grandfather. To compound matters, after salads and appetizers, three out of our five drinks were left empty, seemingly unnoticed by Matt. A polite request for a new waiter led to an unexpected condition - we had to move to a different seat in a not particularly busy restaurant.

As the evening unfolded, I couldn't help but notice Matt and the manager, Emerick, engaged in a discussion near the point-of-sale terminal, periodically glancing in my direction. A strange atmosphere began to pervade, leaving me with an uneasy feeling. Manager Emerick later approached our table, tersely inquiring about any issues, only to walk away without introduction or further discussion.

Feeling uneasy, I decided to forgo further consumption, anticipating potential issues with the food. When Matt returned, I sent the food back. However, Emerick reappeared, insisting the food was fine and demanding payment. This unfortunate experience, contrary to cherished memories, solidified my decision to seek dining alternatives.

Among the options nearby, Texas Roadhouse, a mere 20 minutes away, offers a more appealing choice with excellent food and service at a comparable price. Given the local dining landscape, it's prudent for discerning diners to explore alternatives, avoiding the disappointing trajectory witnessed at Cody's in my...

Let me start off by saying we soooo wanted this place to be great! It sadly failed. While it's not bad, it's not "good" it's just ok. Best part of this place is the atmosphere, which is cool. It's basically a copy cat of Texas Roadhouse, even down to the Rolls, although they both seem to have been in existence for about the same amount of time (Cody's 1994 Texas RH 1993). We were super nicely greeted by the host (Kudos to her, she was the nicest employee we had all night) only to be rudly greeted/served by the bartender, he made it a point to say "ya I can tell" when we mentioned never having been there, my wife and cousin were almost ready to leave at that point, but we stuck in and waited for our table at the bar. Once seated our server was ok, but seemed overly stressed and made it known, although I will say he kept checking in and provided decent service, just not the friendly type you'd expect on a Saturday night (yes, I was a server in College at the 2nd most busiest Olive Garden in the United States (at the time) so I know busy and I know service). All of that might've been looked over had the food been great, but it just wasn't. We ordered Filet (one with Bacon one without) and while the cook was correct (medium) the tasted bland and dry and weren't hot. I got the sirloin and that came out slightly over cooked but also dry, and I actually needed to add salt & pepper along with a ton of steak sauce to eat it. I realize this isn't a Chop House, or a Ruth Chris, but it should be on the same level AS A TX RH, maybe their cooks were off that night because I see people raving about their food, or maybe none of these people ever had a decent steak and this is where the bar was set. If you're looking for a decently priced meal with decent service check them out, but if you're expecting a good hearty steak with friendly service and a good dining experience this (from our 1st and only visit) just isn't the place. I will say, we'll try them again (just not order steaks this time) and see if it was a one off, should our 2nd visit be different or better yet better, I'll happily update this review. My son did say he Loved the wings, thus why I gave 3...

This Florida based restaurant chain's local footprint found in Cortez Plaza competes against the larger nationwide restaurant such as Texas Roadhouse, Logan's Roadhouse, Outback and Longhorn steak houses.

During this visit there were noticeable renovations in the the dining room, booth banquete were reappointed with updates to some wall decor and a consolidated menu, from multiple pages to only 2 and a specialty placard. Their menu contains weekly daily specials, and monthly changing Sunday Featured meals. Unlike the other larger chains this sets Cody's Roadhouse apart and slightly above them. A variety of reasonably priced meals mostly meat centrist options, seafood, combination and burger choices. Most meal entrée come with 'bottomless' house salad and fresh made in house yeast dinner rolls.

On this visit here ordered an appetizer of onion rings. Main courses chicken tenders platter with French fries. chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes and coconut shrimp platter with coleslaw. The ordered appetizer and complementary basket of yeast rolls as well as the "bottomless" house salad arrived in a timely manner. Our waiter was very attentive, even though he was a relatively new hire he was very good at service, comprable to other more seasoned employees. He was at first unsure of the procedures to apply a credit for a birthday discount. (His only shortcoming) The meals (and rolls) were delivered hot to our table. The only major disappointment was the the appetizer onoin ring tower. The rings were overly greasy, seemingly they were not drained properly before being stacked on the stand. The grease pooled at the base and the paper around their stand, kind of off putting. But the meals far surpassed this issue. Continuous updates keep the restaurant vibrant and freamsh always begging us to return regularly. During this visit there were noticeable renovations in the the dining room, booth banquete were reappointed with updates to some wall decor. Our next visit will hopefully be just as surprised with the same level of hospitality...