Miami Grill — Restaurant in Jacksonville

I’ll share the details, considering the corporate Miami Grill deletes less favorable postings to eliminate the hidden truths to this Restaurant Nightmare! I speak directly from first hand knowledge, being employed for three-weeks of unpaid training as the General Manager of their newly built Gainesville location. And truth be told, I’m still waiting on paycheck that wasn’t produced on payday and no apology given for their mistake. It’s a disgrace, the US Labor Divison was summoned this morning because of these poor and illegal pay practices. Especially those of minorities that are employed with Miami Subs International.

Be careful eating at this Regency Jacksonville location, as I’m baffled that the health department hasn’t closed this location. Trust me, as a seasoned-veteran to the Restaurant business I know better and the endless food handling issues posses a critical danger to both the Enployee Experience and the Guest Experience! I witnessed, unestablished handwashing policies and a clear absence of good handwashing behaviors, especially after smoking and using the restroom. Many smokes extensively and socially very-frequently while tasking with chemicals and filthy restaurant cleaning agents, only to return and have to be reminded to wash their hands almost every time...this highlights an obvious training opportunity and food safety gap! To continue, the Day Dot System is inconsistent and poorly coached so the integrity to the food shelf life is not accurate and extended where convenient, the cultural of the restaurant is to eat at will, meaning employees are allowed to eat in food designated area’s and the open kitchen often becomes the food lounging area for those desiring to eat from guest portioned plates and from left-over/ over produced product..my observations is this happens all the time and many times the managers and employees graze and don’t wash their hands which is filthy and a terrible Food Cultural to have, chemicals and the chemical dispensers are flawed and either dispenses too much chemicals which could cause illness or often not enough which fails to ensure the dishes you are eating from and/or eating on have been properly sanitized, I closed twice during my brief tenature and was appalled at the lack of Safety Food Standards, watched the same pans being filled with new products effortlessly and the failure to change out pans that clearly had cross-contamination and bacteria opportunities but the employees are very-well trained to ensure Serving Safe Food is a priority, the company has video system so the state could easily view my allegations and witness first-hand the opportunities within this dysfunctional restaurant. And although, the restaurant to my surprise advertises “fresh” and “authentic offerings” I’m confused in its totality, especially considering the fresh seafood is frozen and packaged low-grade Mahi-Mahi from Cheney Brothers, a better cut probably could be purchased at your local Walmart easily, the shrimp also packaged 31-35 shrimp, that’s packaged and often thawed incorrectly in a poor thawing practice system with the absence of proper thawing systems posted and followed, produce quality embarrassing and even waged the corporate representatives to constantly argue that the pre-cut product loses freshness value and taste inferior to being cut freshly before serving, can black beans directly from the can, cole slaw directly from a Cheney Brothers carton, diced tomatoes and diced green peppers directly from a vacuum-packaged container, the authentic marinara used for the worlds best meatball sub served straight from a can and heated to serve without any natural ingredients and/chef inspired recipes, from chicken wings unto chicken tenders the processed-line of Cheney Brothers and Miami Grill private-line at best...a total surprise and disappointing food concept to say the least. Even the Gyro-meat is frozen and then heated to order, a total-scam for those wishing to serve a fresh and delightful food experience that awaken your tastebuds and appease...

We've been here 3 times. Each time was quite disappointing. First time after 30 minutes my food still had not come out, went to check on it, and the ticket for my order got misplaced. 2nd time my beans and rice came out cold, and my mahi was supposed to be blackened (even was rang in correctly on the receipt), but instead it was plain. They also missed the cookie that was supposed to come with my toddler's kids meal. Manager could tell that i had a concerned look on my face and came and addressed it. They replaced my platter, but forgot my side of fries. At that point my toddler was done being there so i didn't sweat it. The third visit was the deal breaker. 20 minutes past after I ordered (cuban sandwich for me and kids burger for my toddler), I went and checked on it and I was told there was still a few orders ahead of mine. Another 20 minutes past and still nothing (40 minutes total at this point). While I was checking on it, the two people that ordered ahead of me said they had been waiting for 45 minutes. The entire time I was there I noticed three managers sitting in a booth conducting a "meeting", but it appeared they were really just B.S.'ing. At no point did they realize there was several angry customers within ear shot of them, nor had they realized their kitchen was crashing and they were running 40+ minute ticket times. I'm not one to get angry over food, but I stopped by the booth and told them "hey guys while you guys are just sitting here, whike your kitchen is crashing and running 40+ minute ticket times... you might want to address it". They looked at me dumbfounded and one jumped up to go see what the issue is. A runner eventually brought my food, and was super apologetic, but it wasn't his fought. The food was just slooped on our plates. My toddler's kids burger was well over cooked and came on a full size bun, which made it look like the old where's the beef commercial. My cuban was also dried out. At no point did a manager come by and apologize. I don't look for my meal to be comped, just a simple acknowledgement that they messes up and an apology by the manager. I came here, because it was supposed to be quicker service than a sit down restaurant, since most toddlers don't always have the attention span for sit down restaurants, but by the time my food came out on both those occasions, we could have been done eating at most sit down restaurants.

Something also needs to be done about the floors. They are very slick, especially when a little water gets on them around the soda machine. My toddler has slipped and fell a couple times, and I almost bit it myself. The floors are so slick the tables won't even stay in place. You lean on them just a little but and they move out from under you. Annoying and not safe with a toddler.

We won't be going back, and I don't recommend anyone to give it a shot at all. I tell all my friends and...

I LOVED Miami Subs, and still remember how it tasted as a kid. Miami grill is similar, but I think a few things need to be taken into consideration. 1. When a customer leaves a review, it’s probably best not to use an automated message and say the same things to every customer who has different complaints. 2. A large sized fry should have the same portions To-Go as in house. I barely had any fries in my togo LARGE. This needs to be fixed. 3. ALL BURGERS SHOULD COME WITH CHEESE AS A STANDARD. A part of the flavor of a burger is cheese. I didn’t realize it was a $1 upcharge for a single slice of cheese on a burger where I’m paying for an EXTRA PATTY. So I ate my burger w no cheese like a cheap Fourth of July cookout with barely any fries in my LARGE. Aside from these issues I bring to light, I believe Miami Grill will do okay. I think changes need to be made, especially with portions and with toppings. Your customers are paying a good chunk of change to dine and take-out at your location. Don’t make the experience difficult by using important ingredients as an up sell and jipping portions for people who order take out. My family and myself will not return to Miami grill until we see a menu change for these two main issues I brought up. If I get an automated answer from management, I’ll know you folks don’t much care for hospitality and the customer as you do your reputation. If you send real messages or emails to these customers with complaints, maybe improve your services and your methods, your reputation would be enhanced. Solid 3 for taste and reminisce. Lost 2 stars for the menu issues and...