RJ's On The Lake — Restaurant in Lindenhurst

We went in because we were in town visiting for the weekend and I've always wanted to try this place. So this review isn't great but it isn't all bad either. As I said, we went in and we started with the firecracker shrimp to start and it was ok. I got the salmon for dinner and it was so bland that I just couldn't finish it, my husband got the Asian bowl with teriyaki chicken and that was much better so he let me finish it. Our server was great and I have absolutely zero complaints about her. This restaurant is under-staffed is an understatement. We finished and then left. A few hours later my teens were hungry and we decided to order their pizza. I began with a call so we could just pick it up, the phone just rang and rang. Ok, they must be busy. So we were close enough to make the short walk and I went in and went to the pick up window and waited for about 10 minutes. The kitchen was in full view of me and I was completely ignored. I rang the bell, still no one. Finally a staff member who was off the clock came in and saw me and the phone was ringing and took the phone call. Honestly, I'm glad she did that first! She then got off and began to take my order. I mentioned that you guys must be ready busy and she said, "no, it's really slow". Mkay.... That tells me what I thought earlier, this restaurant needs more staff. Like yesterday! The pizza was some of the best we've ever had and in fact we ordered from them again the following night. My husband and I went to the bar and they rocked it there. So all together, just order the pizza, in person and get yourself a drink! LOL Management, help your staff. They look unhappy...

First thing, the sign outside says under new management or something similar, so figured I would see if it made a difference on a weekday afternoon.

The bartender was the only person waiting tables and the bar, so that was my first red flag. She was kind, polite and wonderful.

Wish I could say the same about the food and wait time for the food.

Took almost 45 minutes for a salmon filet and a burger, even though we were literally the ONLY people seated in the restaurant. Asked for medium well done, got a burger that was pink inside everywhere. And barely warm. I know people exaggerate or act like Karens in these reviews, but I am being honest here. The food tasted like it had been sitting there for like ten minutes before being brought out.

Fries were bland and tasted like stale fryer oil, may want to change that more often or use fresher fries.

My son said he liked the salmon, but told me the soup tasted like someone dropped an entire salt shaker in it.

$51 plus tax for the burger, filet, and a bowl of soup on the side. Plus a $12 tip.

If this is what new management looks like, this place is in trouble. It has a great atmosphere, but what I got for what I paid was a criminal overpay for cold, bland food.

Owners of this place could turn this into a spectacular spot if they gave it some attention, but it's no better now than I remember it being years ago, which is sad, because it's a...

Okay, here's a detailed review about a server named Carissa:

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a local spot, and I must say, the service I received from our server, Carissa, was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we were seated, Carissa greeted us with a warm and genuine smile, setting a positive tone for the entire meal.

What truly stood out was Carissa's extensive knowledge of the menu. She didn't just recite the dishes; she described them with such detail and enthusiasm that it made choosing our meals an exciting experience. When I asked about a particular wine pairing, she offered a thoughtful recommendation that perfectly complemented my dish. It's clear that Carissa takes pride in her work and is committed to providing guests with an outstanding dining experience.

Beyond her knowledge, Carissa was incredibly attentive and intuitive. She anticipated our needs before we even had to ask, refilling our drinks, clearing plates promptly, and checking in at just the right moments without being intrusive. Her friendly demeanor and genuine care made us feel valued and appreciated as customers. Carissa's exceptional service truly elevated our dining experience, and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a memorable meal.

I will be coming back for not only the great food but the...