Upper Deck Cafe — Restaurant in Spring Hill

I dont like leaving bad reviews. I usually only leave good ones(check my account). I just left this establishment after 2 hours and I'm pissed to say the least. I've been here many times before with 0 issues. We were unable to sit right away as it was busy so we had to wait about 10 minutes. Not a big deal at all. I'm very easy going. After about 10 minutes, we were seated, placed our orders, etc. WE WERE WARNED THE KITCHEN WAS BEHIND AND ORDERS WERE TAKING A LITTLE LONGER THAN NORMAL. This is at AROUND 2:50PM on 07/27/2025. It was me and my two kids. I ordered gator tail and stuffed mushrooms as appetizers. As well as the seafood trio fried and a kids chicken tenders and a mahi basket also fried. I was told by our server the whole hour they're backed up and we should be next, etc. I should mention, she was amazing and did everything she could for us, constantly going back there and checking for us, having the manager go back there and figure out what's going on, etc. I would never fault a server. Then I was told that our appetizers and food will come out all at once. We didn't receive our appetizers UNTIL around 3:50 PM. ONLY THE APPETIZERS. I was aggravated but thought our food would immediately follow after. Please keep in mind I'm watching everyone who was seated after us, with larger parties, get their food (main course) while we just got our appetizers. My kids (8 & 6) were getting restless but they were still phenomenal considering the wait. The server continuously apologized. We didn't get our food until around 4:40 PM. I'm sitting there debating on if I should even say anything or if I should just keep my mouth shut. The longer I think about it, the more upset I got because again, everyone around me got their food and I'm sitting there with 2 kids by myself with nothing the whole time. The server asked me if I wanted to speak to a manager, and I said yeah, actually. It's kind of crazy and unfair what's going on here. I'm watching her go up to the manager and he tells her to get someone else who I dont believe is a manager but another server who has been there longer. There was nothing she could do, of course, as we were told there was an extended wait time and the reason ours came out last was because everything was fried (lol) and the grill is apparently faster. The only thing she could do was apologize. I'm not one to cause a scene. I paid my bill. Tipped over 16%. Less than normal because I was so unhappy and upset but still more than what anyone in my shoes would've tipped as I DO NOT FAULT THE SERVER. The manager should've spoken to me himself instead of dumping it on a more experienced server to tell me there's nothing they can do. I'm genuinely so so disappointed as I did enjoy this place for the view and relaxing atmosphere. But I won't be coming back. I just wish a manager could've came and spoke to me as that should be in his job description. The food is pretty mediocre anyways. Definitely not worth 2 hour wait and being lied to. I don't know if they thought I was stupid or never worked in a restaurant before, but fried food doesn't...

Such a great location, 3 stories overlooking Weeki Wachee River across from Roger's Park. Being able to pull your boat up to theirs dock a major plus, and even the cause for our stop after going up the river. After unloading our boat by 6:45, we were seated at a dirty table looking over our boat. The server or hoast who sat us said they would be by shortly to clear the table, but we ended up clearing the table ourselves. By 7:00 we had our drink and appetizers order in. As our server dropped off our drinks, she took entree orders by 7:15. The cool evening breeze set for a great atmosphere and ability to talk with our whole table. Time flew, as our server kept our drinks full, but when 7:50 had rolled around and still no appetizers, I had to seek or sever to ask what the hold was. By 8:15, our appetizers arrived; the Nachos were crisp and piled high and were devoured in minutes. The stuffed mushrooms were good. There was so much stuffing in, and around the mushrooms, we had plenty to go around. By 8:40 still no entrees. I had to go to the 2nd floor and ask to speak to a manager. A manager quickly showed up to speak with me, only to make excuses; the 2nd and 3rd floors were packed (I would say maybe half the tables were empty), their kitchen was to small to serve so many people, and they did not have enough staff. I explained that was not good reason for explaining why it had taken almost 2 hours and still not getting our food. She stated she understands and would go check personally why our food was not out yet. By 8:50, two managers were delivering our food to our table assisted by our server. Both managers regailed with the same excuses I had upstairs. Simple saying you're sorry and owning your mistakes will take you a long way. Our wings were hot and extra crispy. Their flavor was so good that I could not taste the oil they were fried in. My blue cheese Wedge was just right. There was the perfect amount of dressing for the who salad. My mother reported that the fish tacos were great with flakie fish throughout each taco. My brother said his Paty Melt was sogy and had the managers replace the bread in fear of waiting 2 hours to get a new one. Overall, we were very pleased with our food. The management team comped the party melt and gave us 3 slices of keylime pie. Can't say that we were pleased with all the excuses, and where told they would have compted the hole table, but that would have meant to the owners they were wrong as managers and were not willing to do that. I am sure we will go again, but I will say to everyone, plan on great service, good food, and waiting hours to...

Update May 2025: After reading some recent reviews, we were shocked because we had an amazing experience every day of our 4 night visit. We had lunch and dinner at Upper Deck. The food came out quickly and the drinks were flowing and amazing. Loved seeing some of the same servers and greeters and how friendly everyone was. Erin was our bartender on our second day and she is so wonderful. Made me my best Old Fashioned drink; definitely had to get two of those. She kept us laughing as we did her. It was wonderful. We also had Bri and Skyla wait on us with the same great experience. Wonderful servers and everyone spoke to us coming and going; welcoming us back the next time we visit on vacation. Not sure what all these people were having as a bad day but the reviews reflect their bad day and not this place or these people. Saturdays and Sundays are expected to be busy at almost any restaurant but add in the factor of being right on the beautiful Weeki Wachee River you can expect some additional waiting time. I say grab another drink and smile on. So many people would like to be sitting in your seat right now. We will see you all next year. Have a happy day. Oh, I only grabbed Erin's photo so I'm adding her.

Update on 5-5-23: Same super service. Smiles from the staff. Great drinks and food. Kelsey never disappoints. Kim and Kelsey are great. So happy to see so many smiling faces of staff members that are still working here. So wonderful. We had a great time and definitely looking forward a lot of visits this weekend.

We love this place. The food and drinks are awesome but when you see the staff working together like a team (or family like; you know the good kind) you automatically respect them and just have a better time. The first visit on this trip (as we ate here each day) the girls make drinks and brought us food, making suggestions, etc. Kelsey was awesome. Just loved her energy. We didn't get any other names but there were several staff working on Saturday, Nov 12, 2022. Everyone was smiling and doing a great job. We loved the Wings, Stuffed Mushroom Caps, and Baked Shrimp and Lobster Dip. All were delicious. I ordered the Gator Tail but wasn't a fan of the blackened version. Should have gotten fried. Isn't everything better fried? Let me tell you, the sunset view from this place was breathtaking. Definitely will be back every single time we...