Cotton's Seafood of Lincolnton — Restaurant in North Carolina

I rarely post reviews on dining experiences because I feel everyone should make their own decisions but after the meal I just had at this place, a meal we decided to have because of the reviews that have been posted on how wonderful it is, I had to post my own. My experience definitely does not come close to what everyone is saying. We were unable to order the meals we had actually planned to have because we were told "inflation" had impacted their ability to serve off their menu. In fact, we were told this multiple times during the ordering process. We had to settle on the seafood platter in order for my husband to get the oysters he wanted. He was served four of them; and said they were too small for him to tell whether they were good or not. The rest of the fish on the platter were just so-so. No seasoning is added to the batter, which meant I had a bland, mushy piece of flounder. The perch were ok, again no seasoning to the batter but at least they weren't mushy. One deviled crab that started out ok but near the bottom, began to have a burnt taste. I never came across any crab, just the stuffing. We were told we could not have baked potatoes because of "inflation", so we were forced to choose the only other thing on the menu, which were fries. I didn't try them so I cannot say how they tasted. Green slaw also comes with the platter; it was ok but I am not a fan of mayo based slaw; others may like it. Multiple signs both inside and outside the restaurant were reporting staff issues due to "inflation". There were two waitresses who were attentive to their customers but since they didn't have but a few, they didn't appear overworked. The person checking us out did not thank us for coming in, simply processed our card and walked away. As my husband likes to say about restaurants like this, we had two visits in one...first and last. I get it, inflation is hitting all of us. But hearing this repeatedly during my visit made me believe this may have been more of a statement of discontent with other things. That is not something I want to be served during a meal that did not turn out to be what I was led to believe...

Beware there will be an extra ten percent added to your order once arriving.. plus 3 percent if using card.... They said they can't put that in their posts on Facebook or tell you when you call it n the order... Why not I don't know...they haven't been able to get new menus printed yet. That I understand but they could make you aware by telling you on phone or on Facebook when they post about all the desserts and things they put on there.... I did not know until I got there to pick up and it's written on a cardboard sign beside the pickup door... I understand price increase has hit us all hard and what if I had not had the money to pay the extra ten percent then it would have been wasted food and more lost money.... Bad business... The owner has a very bad attitude and I'm guessing her son. He does too... Coming out and hollering someone cussing his daughter... We never said anything out of the way to the young girl... She asked if we wanted to talk to owner and we said no and we knew it wasn't her fault.. but owner came out and said they couldn't put it in posts on Facebook or tell us when we called in because she wouldn't be able to keep her business running.... But losing business because you just won't tell us about the price increase is good for business... Uhhh noooo..... Bad business at that point.... Then big guy had to come out and say someone cussing his daughter... Nobody said anything bad to her or even asked to talk to either one of them ...... Will not be back.... Food was good.... Stars for the kitchen ... Owners...

First there were empty tables and took too long for someone to notice me to seat me. Then was never approached by a waitress for a drink order. I finally asked the girl at the cash register what was going on that I could understand if they were busy but more than half the tables were empty. She explains pained they were busy the night before but I pointed out that this was a different night. So the girl got my drink. Then I waited and still no waitress so once again the girl at the cash register came and took my order. I should've walked out but I didn't. Well I was NEVER offered or checked on to see if I needed anything. Finally at the very end my waitress showed up and I asked for a box to put my leftovers in. She never came back so I asked another lady walking by. Then again the waitress who I do not know her name but she has long black hair came by and I asked her for a lid for my cup. She said sure, walked to where they bring your drinks from and after 5 minutes I saw her going into the kitchen. So I went to pay and again asked the girl behind the counter to get me one. If your family cannot provide better service than this then maybe you should consider hiring from outside. Needless to say I will never return again to this restaurant. If they don't appreciate me when I do go then I won't oblige them with...