Norma Jean’s Sports Bar & Grill Room — Restaurant in Florida

On April 7, 2025, my wife and I arrived at Norma Jeans (Venice) and took two seats at the far end of the bar. We frequent Norma Jeans often and over 25 years (with one exception also dealing with a different female bartender) have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. In fact my wife recently posted a review applauding it and a specific waitress.

On this visit the female bartender timely approached us and asked what drinks we’d like. I responded that I’d like a Landshark at which point the bartender said something about “I wasn’t asking, you I was asking your wife.” That was humorous and that’s the way my wife and I interpreted it. The drinks were served and the bartender then began a prolonged discussion with a waiter at the end and behind the bar, just a couple feet away. I could hear bits and pieces much of which consisted of criticism of either management or ownership. At some point I turned to my wife and said this isn’t appropriate- we can hear their complaints about their employer all the while we’re sitting and waiting to place our food order. Eventually, the conversation ended and the bartender began hurriedly walking by us when my wife raised her hand, waived her down and stated we were ready to place our food order. The bartender stated that the kitchen was backed up so we’d have to wait. I responded OK, understood. The bartender then belligerently stated, “I told you that.” I told her that in fact she had not. She continued to belligerently engage me insisting that she had told us that kitchen was slow and we’d have to wait. At this point I was uncomfortable, didn’t desire further escalation and got up a left.

As noted above, over many years we’ve enjoyed Norma Jeans. Employing, training and retaining good people in this business is difficult. This person needs some attention from management if she is going to continue as a representative of the business.

Reply to response:

Contrary to the response, the sequence and facts set forth above are accurate and honest.

As to the statement regarding my history of dissatisfaction with my experience with Norma Jeans, nothing could be further from that. As noted above, my wife and I have frequented Norma Jeans for 30 years and have always enjoyed the experience. We have never complained. In fact recently we posted a glowing review of one of your waitresses. Where this allegation comes from is dumbfounding. You must be confusing us/me with someone else.

As far as meeting standards, the employees at Norma Jeans have always been friendly, professional and efficient. Of course with the exception of the bartenders conduct last Monday.

At the end of the dispute after having been confronted by the bartender and basically been accused of lying I probably did slightly raise my voice when I decided not to further escalate but just leave.

From the response I can only surmise that the subject bartender wrote it or contributed most of it. It’s your business but I’d take a closer look.

Supplemental Reply:

You are correct- Norma Jeans hasn’t been in existence for 30 years. I’m not sure how long you’ve been the manager but for certain we’ve patronized the bar since 2009.

If you have the video from the cameras, I have the time. I’d be happy to come in and review to...

OMG!!! Where do I begin.. this was by far one of the best dining experiences I've had in a really long time! When you walk in you are enveloped in a warm inviting atmosphere that sets a mood for a great night. We were greeted by Tom who turns out is the best waiter in Florida. He made what was an outstanding dining experience even better. He was attentive, charming, and his witty personality was the cherry on the Sundae. My main course was the prime rib. Now, in the past month I've had prime rib at three different restaurants and they have all been great. Well this particular cut was by far the absolute best pice of meat I've ever had!! Each section had a distinct personality of taste. I also had roasted potatoes and macaroni and cheese as side dishes... also top shelf 👌. Even the coffee after dinner was awesome. Please take some time and goes experience this hidden gem. You won't be disappointed.

SECOND VISIT Well its with a heavy heart I say, our 2nd visit to the grill was not quite as good. We decided to go for a birthday celebration. We invited friends and even had folks from out of town. We talked up this place like it was the greatest meal we ever ate. Now.. please understand, the staff still outperformed and the atmosphere was all first class. Service.. flawless!! Every detail perfect. Piano player sang happy birthday. Overall still a great night. Here's the problem... the meal was lackluster at best. I literally ordered the same meal as last time and wound up with a complete different piece of prime rib. I even showed my friend a picture of the one I had last time and he was convinced to order it with me. When it arrived at the table I was mortified. Of course everyone politely ate and enjoyed the meal. The prime rib was the main culprit. And for some reason the mac and cheese was also absolutely terrible. Looked like kraft. Salads were great, dessert awesome, and my other friend had filet minion which seemed ok. But the meal was a far cry from the standard that was set previously. It saddens me to even write this review. Tom was a great waiter, I left a generous tip. But for the money we spent... I left very...

This is disgusting and shows lack of respect for your customers. Nobody should ever go to a restaurant with a report like this.

High Priority - Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Corrected On-Site Warning -- High Priority - Dish machine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Warning -- High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before changing gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food. All three food preparation cooks. Warning -- Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use due to items stored in the sink. Cutting board and chefs knife. Cook line. Warning -- Intermediate - Interior of reach-in cooler soiled with accumulation of food residue. Tall reach in prep room. Warning -- Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at hand wash sink. Cook line hand sink. Dining room bar. Warning -- Intermediate - No soap provided at hand wash sink. Dining room bar. Warning -- Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup in bar ice. Warning -- Basic - Build-up of grease on nonfood-contact surface. Under grill top of low boy unit. Warning -- Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area. Wireless speakers Corrected On-Site Warning -- Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Three cooks doing food prep. Warning -- Basic - Floor tiles cracked, broken or in disrepair. Warning -- Basic - Hole in wall. Dish room area. Warning -- Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Top of ice machine. Warning -- Basic - No hand washing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Cook line hand sink. Warning -- Basic - Reach-in cooler gasket torn/in disrepair. Make table. Warning -- Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in...