Shoney's — Restaurant in North Carolina

Went to this restaurant today and was expecting it to be amazing. It wasn’t… me and my family ordered, and told them exactly what we wanted, but when the order came out my mother in laws burger had so much mayonnaise on it, it was just disgusting looking even for someone who likes mayonnaise… she said no mayonnaise. I ordered mashed potatoes, and they never asked if I wanted gravy or not so I assumed there wasn’t gravy on them, but when they brought them they was covered in gravy. I hate gravy, and if they would have asked if I prefer gravy or no gravy then I would have said no, but they didn’t. My father in law decided to eat from the all you can eat bar, he got a couple of plates, and when he went back for more the bar was empty… so he waited for a while, but they never put more food out, and while he was waiting on that he was also waiting on a drink refill that never happened. My mother in law finally caught the waitresses and asked if they could replace my potato’s, and her burger. She asked nicely, and the waitress was nice about it. We waited for a while and then some guy came out of the kitchen. My mother in law put her burger on another plate that was already finished, and continued eating her sides, but the guy came storming out and said “so you just threw your burger on this plate?” In a not-so-nice way then stormed off into the kitchen. We waited a while then finally when they brought the new, and better burger than the last one we left. We will never go back there to eat! (PS My husband was not harmed in this ordeal and enjoyed his food ignoring the havoc...

Food was okay, unfortunately as my 8yr old daughter puts it "this place is a bummer". After getting our food from the buffet we alerted the hostess we didn't have a server. A young lady took our drink order and disappeared. After having my food for five minutes, another server heard me ask my husband if we were supposed to collect our own silverware someplace, as I looked around for a utensil station . He kindly brought us utensils and waters and let us know the young lady was still working on drinks. While I was getting seconds 15 to 20 minutes later, husband asked the gentleman bussing our table if he could check on the shake. It was on the counter in the back? I asked if I could also have my sweet tea. No refills until we had all finished eating and asked the manager and told I was also hoping to order dessert. I told her I was unsure if we even had a server as we had just been asking random people to help us. The young lady that took our drink order reappeared and slipped a bill on the table and asked if anyone else had given us a bill. Husband flipped it over saying no, and she said she charged us for 3 adult buffets. After telling her our daughter is 8 she disappeared again. The manager came out with a corrected bill and did not charge for the dessert. We assume the drinks were left off because we actually did not have a server. Maybe they still have to work the opening kinks out but I doubt we'll be giving them a second chance. I think our 8yr is right. This...

I love Shoneys, always have. My family and I went for a late lunch and we all three ordered the hot bar. The food was great. The green beans were phenomenal. The taste was the same as I have known over the years, seasoned perfectly. The fried chicken, most tasty, especially when it's fresh.

However, it was Friday, and the seafood bar was out. The price for the bar is rather expensive on seafood bar days. But I guess some of the cost hurt due to my wife and daughter had decided to get milkshakes after ordering sodas. The milkshakes were well over $5 per shake.

I suppose if there is a reason I score this 4 out of 5 is partly on the overall price of the meal, not necessarily all the restaurant's fault, but a portion of the 4 rating has to be the bar.

I'm sure it was added because the owners wanted to be competitive. I understand that. However, though I am not there as much as I used to due to the distance in my travels, I haven't ever seen drinks being served during the times I have visited.

Again, I have always loved Shoneys and I will continue to be a patron there. But I will have to remember to order from the menu on seafood bar days, and buy McDonald's milkshakes for my ladies if they have the liquid ice...