Sunrise Grille — Restaurant in Jekyll Island

Unfortunately our experience was a pretty bad one. Based on other reviews on here it would appear we are the exception which is reassuring. It’s a reflection on leadership within the restaurant not the food or our server.

Walking into a half full restaurant at around 2pm with our two (beach tired) kids under 5, myself and my wife was greeted by “the manager”. “How many” was the initial question. “Good afternoon, 4 please was my response”. A little taken aback by the initial inability to greet someone with common manners I was informed there would be a 40 minute wait unless we sit outside. Confused I asked if we could sit at a number of different open tables and was told abruptly they where a fire hazard. We then asked if we could sit at two separate tables “the manager” sat us without speaking and walked away seemingly angry. I have never ever been made to feel so unwelcome at any restaurant I’ve visited in my life.

Our food was decent and our server friendly. At the end of our meal my wife was still tense from the initial “greeting” from “the manager”. Although we have never complained and have only written a few reviews based on having an exceptionally good experience. I suggested to my wife we write a review to highlight our negative experience. My wife’s response was “to just say it to their faces”. In these tough times it’s an opportunity to do better. We had hoped “the manager” was just having a bad day.

Asking the closest server for a manager we stepped outside as to not disrupt the restaurant. “The manager” appeared. “Yes”? We was abruptly asked. The server outside next to us started laughing loudly at us as to indicate we shouldn’t be messing with said manager. I informed “the manager” of our experience only to be told “we are not rude” and that “my family owns the restaurant” which was highly irrelevant, but I can only presume was to empower dominance over us mere customers / vacationers. We smiled and walked away as to not heighten the already tense situation.

All in all, decent food but a rude / abrasive manager that made us feel incredibly unwelcome. To be laughed at is degrading. Especially in front of our children. I’m sure there is a different story from the perception of the restaurant, but unfortunately (and in my opinion) as a paying customer our perception should be reality in the eyes of the restaurant. I’ll never return or recommend this place ever after the humiliation...

My family and I were on Jekyll again this past weekend. We dined at the Sunrise Grille. Sam was extra nice. The restaurant is not too big, but it's a nice environment right on the beach. I had the 14 oz. Ribeye steak that was really good. I generally like Heinz 57 on my, but they were out. It was fine, because the steak was so well seasoned and tender. It didn't need anything on it. I also had a taste for fish, so I added 1 piece of fish. It was given to me fresh and hot. It was a red fish. It was ok. It could have used a little more seasoning. My sister had the onion straws that I love. They were fresh, hot, and we'll seasoned. My sister n law had a burger, and my brother had the Philly cheese steak. Although the burger looked good, she said it could have used more seasoning. My brother and sister n law said the Philly cheese steak was delicious. So delicious, they got another one the next day. Sam remembered us from the night before, which mawe us feel good. We will be dining here again. Thanks for the great hospitality Sam. Menu and prices are subject to change. 10/3/20 We're back here on Jekyll again this weekend. We went back to Sunrise Grill after having such a wonderful experience last time. We were disappointed to learn that Sam was no longer with them. However, the cashier, whose name I did not get, and who also did a wonderful job serving my family the last time check us in. Anisa, our server was great!!! They both have great customer service. We were disappointed in the food this time. I had another steak, but the surf and turf with fried shrimp, hush puppies, coleslaw, and a side of mac and cheese. The shrimp were awesome. The steak was no where as good as the last steak I had. It wasn't at all seasoned. The Mac and cheese, and hushpuppies were cold. Anisa offered some blackened season to put on it, and some A-1. It didn't help much. Seasonings are better when they are cooked into the meat, not to put on after it's cooked. My sister n law left her steak on the table. You win some, you lose some. $38 is a lot for your meal to...

I hate posting reviews like this but I read so many positives and my family and I ate here on our only night on the island because of the positive reviews. The entire time we were there the staff was arguing and fighting. They were completely inappropriate and because they were too busy fighting, our table was rarely checked on. They were fighting mostly because tables were sitting there for 10-15 minutes without having a drink order taken. Limited staff can’t be an issue because we saw at least 7 waitresses and the place wasn’t busy and had no wait. The food tasted like hospital food. They charge higher costs for random items and don’t tell you until you check out. They are not helpful when they completely botch your order. I would absolutely not recommend this place to anyone. Save yourself a negative vacation experience and skip it.

Edit: the owner responded and I can’t reply. We did bring up the charge issues with staff and was told “oh sorry” and when we brought up the lack of communication and our incorrect order we were told “well she’s new so give her some slack do you still want this part of your order? When of course we did. I am very forgiving and often look over a lot of issues but this place having so many positive reviews just isn’t something I think is sincere. We never became disgruntled while in the restaurant because this isn’t something I agree with and it’s such a small area I would have been embarrassed by the attention. But I felt others should know that this isn’t a place my family would return to for a meal. When we went back to our hotel and talked with other guests, they also mentioned negative experiences. I hope they leave reviews too!

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