Golden Corral Buffet & Grill — Restaurant in Jacksonville

This location is not service animal friendly, and very ableist! Visited here with my family and my service dog. Immediately on entry, we were asked for papers for my SD, which is illegal per federal law. As stated in the ADA, establishments are allowed to ask two questions: "Is that a service animal?" and "What tasks are they trained to perform?" Never are they allowed to ask for papers, proof of disability, medical conditions, etc. My family and I informed them, and we were allowed in with the condition that my service dog stay under the table, which I took to mean he stay under the table while I eat (entirely reasonable request). What I did NOT realize is that they were asking I leave my medical alert SD at the table whenever I went up to the buffet. When I went up to the buffet to get food, I brought my SD with me; he was in a focused heel, and I put him in a sit behind me and to my left whenever I needed to stop to get food. I was approached by an employee, who told me I'd need to leave him at the table; I informed the employee that my SD needed to stay with me, that he is considered medical equipment and is permitted to be with me. After sitting down, I was approached by the manager who informed me that customers claimed my SD was getting into the tableware and food (a lie), and that he needed to stay under the table when I went to get food. He only reluctantly left after being informed of federal law, wanf my cousin having to ask if we needed to have JSO come to the location to explain the law to him. This was a restaurant filled with loud and screaming children. Numerous children and adults alike were at the buffet poking the food, grabbing things and putting it back, licking their fingers, and so on. The floors were dirty and covered in food, and it didn't have a clean appearance. This is far more unsanitary than my task-trained service animal. And unlike the parents of those children, I kept a close eye on my dog to ensure that no food nor tableware were touched. Ironically, we were also accompanied by someone who is in a wheelchair; yet no one made a fuss over her nor her mobility aid. However, the moment I brought my legally permitted service dog into the place, the employees acted as if hell had opened its gates and rained down fire on the establishment.

While I do tend to be wary of buffets due to ableism being such a common attitude, this is the worst experience I've had. Two stars simply because I did enjoy the food, and they have a variety of gluten free options available.

Edit: I did forget to mention that our waitress was beyond wonderful. She made sure our drinks were filled throughout the meal, and had no problem with my SD being at the table. She was sure to help accommodate us to the best of her abilities, and was...

I want to file a complaint against the general manager of the Golden Coral restaurant named Jan on Merrill Street. He spoke to me very rudely because today, Saturday 9/7/2024, my family and I came at 3 o'clock and I wanted to eat a burger before the time is over because we know that dinner starts at 4 o'clock and we always come at this time if we want a burger, but today he said that the burger time is over. He spoke to me very rudely and when I told him that you have time until 4 o'clock, he shouted at me and said to me that I have no more burgers. If you want to eat, eat the hot dogs. All the workers in the restaurant know me and my family. We have been coming to this restaurant every week for many years. I cried and everyone apologized to me. He just looked at me with contempt and I did not say anything to him. I just wanted a burger and the second manager saw me and spoke to me. She went to talk to him about making the burger because the time was not over yet, but he stubbornly refused. I want to take my right from him and punish him for what he did to me. All the workers can testify to what I am saying and they all told me that the time is not over. Why does he not want to make any burgers and why he talk to you with ugly way.and also he left the restaurant before the end of his working hours because he knew what he did to me and ran away from me. He does not want me to talk to him. He must learn how to talk with customers, especially the customers who come to the restaurant all the time. But now this restaurant has lost four customers who visit the restaurant weekly because of his rude behavior. I hope that someone will call me on the phone I want explain everything because until now I am nervous and trembling and crying. He has...

Watched the manger for a hr while I was here eating she picked her ear 4 times and scratched her face and hair line a bunch all she did was grab and eat chicken and eat it in front of the line in front of us all eating and touching her self with no gloves on then grabbing food and serving it on the line it was gross and then she’s on her phone talking and touching her phone and food gross 🤮 nasty folks she did not wash her hands at all !! ( Edit ) ✍️ Then she came back too me and asked to talk to me ??( I said no ! ) and trying to explain to me that she was eating her own chicken ?( Watched her grab it …. ) and she wash’s her hands all the time (she touched everything but the sink lol ) while sitting next to my table basically try to bully me in to why I left a review lol ! 😆 you got no respect 🫡 don’t fall for this nasty attitude and women! Doing this all sitting next to me talk about how she washed her hands 🙌 to a customer buddy ! This lady! Aww you’re big mad 😡 but you ask how how did she know you left your review ? Please let me explain. I’m just a guy sitting here mind my own business and eating lunch but when I notice all this, imagine what everyone else notices so all the waitresses are standing around my table, cause I’m close to where the manager’s office door is and there asking each other where is the manager? That’s when I tell them yeah where is she I am leaving a review about her nasty behavior and they say we’re losing customers they’re leaving the line because the cashier can’t handle it so the manager left, walked across the street to the store and got energy drinks for her and her buddies. If you don’t believe me pull up the camera.you can’t make this up lmfao 🤣 any ways enjoy 😉 hey...