La Fogata BBQ — Restaurant in Florida

Yesterday we visited this restaurant.. For years we go there or order to pick up. We even used to buy their churrasco for our catering business of 33 years to serve, we never had an issue, 100% satisfied with that. But yesterday was the second bad experience with the same employee. The 1st bad experience was a while back my husband went to pick up food and this same server refused to let him in to order, because of almost closing time (10 min) my husband had called to place the order but no one answered, besides my husband got there before their door posting closing time. He told the waiter no one picked up the phone. When we went yesterday the waiter remembered my husband. The quality of their food has diminish a lot since years ago when they started. Their beef soup is very good but yesterday they served it warm which took part of the flavor out, shame. We both ordered the churrasco, the size had nothing to do with what they served before yet it is more expensive $$$. It was tasteless, I had to pour their side sauce over it to make it eatable. They served my husband’s ‘gallo pinto’ rice cold, he politely asked the server if he could bring him a little ‘gallo pinto rice’ that was hot, because the one he brought before was very cold. He said ‘sure’ my husband had to wait long, then the server came with microwaved rice ,over heated, that tasted different because it lost it’s original taste. When we were leaving the server asked if we wanted to take the rice, my husband said no, he ate the cold one which at least tasted better. Then when I looked in the bill, they charge $3.70 for the second cup of rice because the first one was cold!!!! The fried sweet bananas were hard and also cold. We ordered 2 tostones (green plantains) with Shrimp’ but they brought 3 orders, they charged for the 3 but we ordered 2…well… you needed a magnifying glass to see the shrimp. The sitting is super uncomfortable, tight, you can hardly slide in to sit. The air conditioner is so strong, you freeze every where you sit. To top the ongoing bad experience.. when the bill arrived, besides charging for the little cup of rice which my husband finally left them both in his plate, they charged automatically an $11 ‘tip’ saying it was included, my husband was furious because we dine out a lot, usually, they ask when paying what % percent you which to add 15, 18, 20, etc. Tipping is earned with the service you receive and how satisfied you feel, it is not imposed, I even think it’s ilegal to add any amount to the bill without your permission. We think that is tasteless specially if they don’t deserve it. Although, we did not complaint for the cold rice, 3 ‘tostones’ instead 2 (1 for ea. of us) they brought 3 and the imposed tip, the worst was the tip amount, without asking us first what amount we wish to add. Overall, stay away from this place, there are plenty better...

I juts picked a delivery order and was the worst experience ever from the guy working on the picking up location. I usually order and I can tell you from the moment your heard this guy on the phone that is the RUDEST person you can ever deal with . He take the order and ALWAYS throw the phone without thank you or any nice out of his mouth. Today was not the first time I experience but was the worse one. I got into the counter and patience wait like a good 7 - 8 minutes, there was a ladies behind me also waiting. This guy was packing , yes was working and I can understand that but I least he can say something, i would be with you soon or anything, at least to acknowledge I was there. You can say from his face that he is not trained and doe nit like his job. Ok, I continue waiting until I decide to say something, ME- hello , to pick up please, his face turned red and he say OK DO NOT SEE I AM PACKING YOU HAVE TO WAIT, the lady behind me and I were far from surprise with this unexpected response from a customer service employee, she said to me why he juts do not say one moment please or anything similar. She and the other employees there can corroborate what I just said. Of course I did not stay quiet and I respond WHAT A NICE WAY TO RESPOND TO A CUSTOMER, well, to a former customer because today was the last time and everything because this person. I do not have to mention that of course he did not apologies or anything. if you do not want to lose more client please coach this person or move him to the back of the house where he does not have to deal with customer since it is more than clear that he does not enjoy his job. Again , today was not the first time , you can check my google reviews , I am not the person who only write negative review, in fact I have only positive on my profile , but this one was more...

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

I’ve been a loyal customer at La Fogata, ordering at least once a week either online or in person. Their food definitely has flavor, and that’s what keeps me coming back—but there’s inconsistency in the quality.

My go-to orders are the carne asada and chicken chimichurri. I usually leave tips even on takeout, and the staff is always polite. Recently, I asked if the chicken could be kept juicy and not dry. The gentleman at the front kindly relayed my request to the kitchen, but unfortunately, the chicken still came out burned and very dry.

Another issue that made me stop dining in is the closing hours. If you arrive about 45 minutes before they close (9:30 p.m.), you get the feeling that everything is rushed. It makes the experience stressful, and my husband especially doesn’t enjoy it. That’s why I switched to ordering takeout.

I’m sharing this because I really like La Fogata, and I hope they can improve these areas. A bit more consistency in the kitchen and a more welcoming dine-in experience close to closing time would make a...