Tides Inn Steak & Seafood — Restaurant in Greensboro

Tides Inn used to be my favorite seafood restaurant. The owner has multiple locations (Greensboro, Charlotte, Burlington) and I frequented them often. The owners' sons operate the restaurant in Charlotte and are wonderful and kind young men who always made sure that me and my sisters enjoyed our dining experience. In the Greensboro restaurant, if I ever had an issue with the food (which was very rare) they would take of it.

My family and I have celebrated milestone events at Tides Inn including graduations and I would happily recommend them to friends and co-workers. My problem stemmed from a takeout order that I placed several months ago. My custom is not to write negative reviews about restaurants, and as you will note, it has taken me months to write this one.

Tides Inn can be a little pricey when you when not ordering specials, but the quality of the food and the portion size were well worth it. Anyway, I placed an order one evening for takeout for 3 people, and the tab came to around $45.00. I waited over 30 minutes for my order, which I expected because the restaurant was very busy. I returned to my car anticipating the sample that I was going to sneak on my way home. My first surprise came when I tasted the smokiness that comes from oil cooking at temperatures that are too high . Everything was overcooked and flavorless, and I was grateful that I had not left the parking lot as I had to exchange my order.

My next surprise came from the cashier when I told her of my desire to have the order replaced. She told me I had to speak to the owner. I had never returned a takeout order before, and even though this had not been my experience when dining in, I said okay.

When the owner appeared, I had to repeat the issues I had with the food. My surprise turned into shock when the owner asked the cashier for the days receipts. While holding a fistful of receipts, he proceeded to "inform" me that none of the other customers had complained about their food. For a second I was speechless, as what did that have to do with the order that I had just received. Keep in mind, I was not asking for money back from a half-eaten meal. I just wanted the order replaced.

I informed the owner that I was shocked at his response, as I had been a loyal customer for over 20 years. He asked me in a non-conciliatory tone whether I wanted my money back or the meal replaced. He pointed out that the replacement order would not necessarily be different; so I asked him to just refund my money. He instructed the cashier to refund my order, and proceeded to dis-invite me from future visits. I advised him that was the plan.

I decided to write this review because I cannot be the only person that this has happened to. I wondered if his behavior stemmed from the fact that I was a woman? An African American? Or was he just having a bad day? Ultimately, I decided that I didn't really care why. I just wanted to let current and potential customers know what happened to me because I dared to return...

I wish I could insert this review with out adding a single star they do not deserve any. The menu shown online is inaccurate while the items listed are available the price is incorrect as to menu pricing inside the restaraunt. I placed an order over the phone based off the online menu pricing. The order was rather large 3 large plates an 3 children's plates. I asked the lady placing the order how much the order total came to an she's claimed she wasn't able to give me a price cause she wasn't near the menu an all of this an that. So I go to pick up my order an it comes to a little over $60. Ten bucks over the price I was expecting to pay, I asked to speak to a manager who only came up to listen to me. He went into a spill about cost of seafood rising and a whole bunch of other excuses. I paid for my huge order only to get home an notice that the jumbo shrimps were overcooked an chewy. The fries were damp an rubbery and a salad instead of slaw I requested wasn't with my order. A complete waste of money and my time. A good manager would have taking $3 off my order or honored the online price list that is still shown online; seeing that I wanted my food an had every intention of paying for the food. All could have been avoiding had the tacky unprofessional unskilled staff had taken tge time to tell me the price of my order before I got to the restaraunt. The service, quality an taste has diminished...

Bad experience overall, bad business, rude manager..

Party of 3 seated in restaurant at 9:10pm.. after asking for a minute to order we were informed the kitchen would be closing in 3-4 minutes.. so we went ahead and ordered. 2 people in our party ordered baked potatoes as their side item... when our food came we learned they were out of baked potatoes and they had given them fries instead.. we also learned they were out of cole slaw... (Each meal comes with your meat choice, slaw, hush puppies, & your choice of fries or baked potato) The server didn't mention the missing baked potatoes until they did.. While finishing up our food, someone walked by and asked if we were paying with cash or card... (not sure why) Then the manager came over to tell us the machine would be turned off soon... so does that mean you don't want us to pay? While he was there we figured we would inquire about the baked potato and slaw issue and his response was "it's all the same thing"..

Then while checking out.. we were told NO credit cards, so you're forced to pay cash or debit.. just overall a bad experience.

If you're going to force people out of your establishment on your time , don't allow them to come in at all after a...