Stars and Strikes — Restaurant in Myrtle Beach

I had visited Stars and Strikes last April and had a mediocre experience, but I figured the issues I encountered were because the establishment had just recently opened and the staff was still learning.

For a week prior to my visit today, I kept trying to make up my mind whether I wanted to go. I had looked and saw a number of negative reviews recently, and I was terrified of the robot, but I wanted to give the venue another try, and I'm so glad I did!

The staff was wonderful! An extra special thanks to Jazz for going the extra mile and providing exceptional service! I arrived and was panicking about the robot, and she checked on me and I explained my fear to her. She had empathy and compassion and assured me that the robot wouldn't hurt me and explained to me what it does. She offered to bring any food I might order to me if I was too scared of the robot.

I told Jazz I wanted to do the Unlimited Tuesday special with both bowling and games, with the VR/attractions add-on. She had her manager come over and take care of me, and she was likewise very nice and helpful. She sold me my special and I decided to bowl first, and she set me up at Lane 10. I had a great time! The augmented reality was cool, the music was great, and Jazz kept the tables clean.

After bowling, I got my game/VR card. I informed the gentleman at the front desk how when I was there a year ago, I had trouble getting my card to work with both games and VR, and they ended up giving me a card for each, but that glitch had since been corrected, as my card worked for both this time. The desk attendant was likewise friendly.

Slight disappointment that Typhoon was down and the VR with the rabbits wasn't working, but Beat Saber was the BEST!, and there were many other games I really enjoyed, including Fast & Furious, the dancing game, the Mario racing game, Nerf Arcade, the skiing game, and the truck racing game. I had a blast!

After some games, I decided to brave the robot. I had gone over to the kiosk, and Jazz brought me a menu and I chose a table. A few minutes later, she checked on me and I decided on the 3 cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, and onions, with tots and a diet Pepsi. Jazz took my order and forwarded it to the kitchen. I paid her at the bar then and at that time, I told her she could go ahead and have the robot bring it to me. She asked me if I was sure, and I said yes, that I wanted to try to overcome my fear.

Jazz brought me my drink, napkins, and utensils, and I waited. I was really nervous, but I knew Jazz wouldn't steer me wrong, and I had nothing to worry about. She had once again explained to me that the robot would just bring the food, I would take it off and tap a button on the screen, and the robot would go back to the kitchen.

I didn't have to wait very long for my food, 10-15 min. tops. I saw a kitchen worker carrying a tray of food and then the robot started coming toward the restaurant area...I was the only customer there as it wasn't very busy today. As it got closer to my table, I was scared but didn't panic. It came and turned so I could get my food, and I got the button tapped and it headed back to the kitchen. It talked but with the music and noise from the games and bowling, I didn't catch what it was saying. I like the little face on the screen and the eyes blinking was cool.

I really enjoyed my meal! My burger was cheesy, juicy, and delicious! The tots were cooked just right, crispy but not overdone. And I loved that they serve Hellmann's mayonnaise!

Despite my concern about robots taking over human jobs, being served by a robot today was actually kind of fun. And I was proud that I got up the courage to allow the robot to bring me my food. I really appreciated that Jazz took my order and allowed me to pay at the bar...personalized service is important to me. After a few more games, I thanked Jazz once again for her excellent service and caring about a legitimate concern I had. Management, please make sure Jazz is recognized and rewarded for outstanding guest service! I will...

After a long day and work and rushing to get my son to his classmate's birthday. This was our first time at Stars and Stripes, and I was not aware of the birthday party rules.

The server asked all the adults did they want to place an order. Three of us placed our order at 5:15 pm. By 5:30 pm I ask the server where was our food. She said she never place the order someone else did. I ask the server next to her did she place our order, and she said no but she would.

I told the other adults that our order was never place. I told them there was a kiosk and we can place an order there. They decline, but I took a chance and ordered at the kiosk.

I place my order at 6:07 to go. At 6:20 I ask the server could she check on my order she said it was on its way out. 6:30 still no food. I start walking around trying to find out where my food went. I see the server and she said I sent my food to table 11. She shows me table 11, and they are eating wings and fries.

I go to the concession stand to ask for help and the employee start mumbling to a mgr about that’s the order ( I couldn’t hear clearly what he was saying) and pointed to something on the cash register. One of the leads or mgr says ma’am I’ll take care of it.

I say thank you and go over to the bar to wait. I asked the bartender to show me on my ticket where I sent my order to table 11. She was not sure and ask the bar lead or mgr. The bar mgr showed us both and actually got rude with me when I said they are tell me that I sent my order to table 11. She said ma’am there is no way you could have sent your food to table 11 because it would show it on your ticket.

I didn’t get her name but she wasn’t trying to listen either. She went straight into defense and solve the problem mode. if she would listen she would have known the problem was being taken care of already.

At this time 2 robots came out and they are going in circle because they don’t know where to go. The mangers stop the robot and takes one of the plates to table 11.

There is no one sitting at table 11. They ate my wings and fries and left. At this point I am not upset, I get it. New restaurant and everyone is either new or a trainer.

Here is when I get upset my food comes out and I just paid $23 and waited an 1 hr for a hand full of fries and my ranch dressing was missing. The kitchen manger said is there anything else I can get you. I said yes more fries and ranch. She said the fries are weight out. I said I have waited an hr for this food if I need to pay for the fries I will. She goes to get the fries and here comes “Dani”.

I am trying to explain to her about my visit and she would not let me speak. I didn’t even ask for her. Everything was under control up until she came over.

Management 101 the customer talks, the manager listens, shows empathy, then solves the problem. She didn’t hear two words I had to say because she went straight into defense mode. She was rude. Even my 9 year old son said mom she didn’t let you say anything. I felt like I waited an hr for food and this is what came out?

Not for $23 dollars. She told me that the people at the party should have told me that I couldn't order food through the server that asked me for my order. The servers can only take food orders for the birthday party, and not individual adult orders.

She then explain how it was my fault that the people at table 11 ate my food ( even though the bar manager said that my ticket did not state that my order should have gone to table 11). At this point it is 7 pm. I couldn’t do it anymore. The fries came out. I no longer wanted them. I no longer had the energy entertain this impertinent manager. Needless to say, I was disappointed with my first visit to Stars and Stripes...

This is only my 2nd less than favorable review and I hate having to do it. We still had an OK time BUT there are a few very important things that people need to know before going in. First, this is definitely an expensive experience. Like hundreds of dollars expensive. You need to be prepared for that going in. Also, they DO NOT accept cash for arcade cards at the counter (I don't know about other activities because I used credit when I figured out I didn't bring nearly enough cash!). So for cash, you can only use one of the kiosks which DO NOT give change and DO NOT allow you to divide your play package onto multiple cards. So you lose all those extra plays. And since you can't put the money back into the bank while you're standing there, you're left with no choice but to either dip into your bank account yet again and use debit/credit, or lose all the extra plays by using the kiosk.

And that brings me to point number 2 - Stars and Strikes is literally the most expensive center we've ever been to and we've been to them ALL! The arcade is actually more expensive than Dave & Busters, which I didn't think was possible. Yes it's a really big arcade, but I literally had 4 different machines shut down on me and lost all of my tickets. And after the first time I tried to get help, I realized they don't care. They're grossly overwhelmed and a lot of the employees don't seem to know what they're doing. The machines are actually even stingier on tickets than Dave & Busters too, and the redemption center is tiny and way overpriced. It was mostly plastic dollar store junk like at Chuck E Cheese, and a couple rows of small plushies. We had almost 2,000 tickets (which is really low for us) and walked away with one tiny little shopping bag. Tho my son did get a giant ball from the claw machine...that was harder than it should've been to win. Dave & Busters at least makes sure you can get some cool stuff even if you don't have a lot of tickets.

If you want a great arcade experience without spending a fortune, go to the Boardwalk arcade on Ocean Blvd and there's another one right next to them. They use tokens and actual tickets but the games give out lots of them and the prizes are awesome. Also Lulu's at Bearfoot Landing. Lulu's uses cards, the machines give good ticket amounts, and the prizes are also top notch! These places may not be "10,000 square feet" of arcades, but you get a whole lot more for your money!

In regards to the bowling - don't listen to Facebook or the price lists online. Bowling on a regular night is $50 + tax Per Hour! Yes, your shoes are included, but I know of at least 2 other places in town that are half that + a couple bucks for shoes. And the bowling lanes were not any better than the average place. With all the hype online I thought it was going to be like an amusement park or something but it was literally exactly the same as anywhere else. The "spark" thing is just projections on the floor. They do list special days online where it's cheaper so maybe you won't feel so empty inside if you do one of those.

If you're not from here (or even if you are) all the flashy flashy probably seems enticing but there's better arcades and fun centers in town. Some of them may be a little campy, like Fun Warehouse but that's what coming to Myrtle Beach is all about! It's the history and the nostalgia that makes our town so great!

But if you want that Dave & Busters experience at an even more expensive rate, then you'll love Stars...