Rooney's — Restaurant in Palm Bay

First off I have to say I never write reviews I usually tell a manager on site. But I've noticed lately that management & owners don't appreciate hard workers, they don't care, and usually that employee never knows they were recognized. With that said let me share my experience on Wednesday night at Rooney's of palm bay. If you're visiting the surface of the sun and are from the tri-state area don't be fooled by the Rooney's name, this isn't Rooney's of the shore or part of the McCloones fine dining family. I mention that as a lot of people don't read and just assume. Walking into this establishment it seems like your good ole hole in the wall bar to kick it, but it's actually a full service restaurant. You walk in front and like any bar there's no direction on where to go, again for a bar cool, but as a restaurant this was kind of lazy, and makes the first impression be of, that the establishment doesn't care about new guests, you should know what to do where to sit etc. We sat in what we thought was the "restaurant" section of the establishment, and we sat, and sat. I saw what I thought was a server, but was unsure because they def didn't care a table sat. I mean even if it's not your table just acknowledge the guests. Running out of patience for the disregard of guests we moved to the bar, and boy are we happy we did. The bartender Lexi is what saved this experience, why I'm writing a review, and why this small town shanty is getting more than 3 stars (service deserves 10+ because of Lexi). She apologized to us profusely how our first impression went, mind you she didn't have to, most hospitality workers today don't care and are rude. She immediately focused her attention while running a full bar. Got drinks to us fast, and when we asked about menu recommendations you would think she wrote the menu. Honesty goes a long way and she gave us her honest recommendations. Out of all her recommendations, even with an amazing peel & eat shrimp special going on ( I digress but they have awesome daily specials), we went with her recommendations of some wings to start and the burrito rice bowl (but we had them both as entrees). First I am a wings & pizza gal, so I am particular about both, and these were some of the best wings I've had in Brevard & Orange County, here's the bonus, they have a wing night special!!!! The burrito bowl was flavorful, hearty, looked appetizing, and I had it come with shrimp. Besides the food that was great based off Lexi's recommendations, the conversation was a great time. Lexi made us feel seen, took her time with us, and she even had some of the local insight on other hidden gems or things to do. Now and days you don't find many establishments who care about customer retention, especially businesses who've been in business this long, they have their regulars and they can make rent, so they don't go that extra mile. This bartender Lexi went above and beyond when she didn't have to, I should also mention her service wasn't just this way towards us, I listened and watched her with her other guests as well. We will def be back to see her, and will be telling others to visit when she's working to get the best experience from this establishment. I am dumbfounded that she was not the manager that night, because she was the only one there that seemed like she cared, wanted to be there, was passionate about Rooneys, the guests, and had extensive menu knowledge, while making a mean drink. If only every restaurant had an employee like this. Again I wish I could give 10+ stars for service, but for her service, not the other staff when we first arrived. Environment they need to clean the mold & mildew from the HVAC system & change the filters, but chill divey ambiance. Food I can tell you get the wings!! Service go when Lexi is there!!!! She's blond with glasses. I don't have food pics because I was too busy...

Rooney's - Palm Bay - 1 Star

Top 5 Worst - Number 1

Never have I had two top 5 worst meals in the same week - this was a first. What made it more bizarre is my friend, who accompanied me, had the same reaction I did upon simultaneously taking our first bite of the meal served us: we both spit it quickly into our respective napkins. It all started when I was meeting two friends for a business meeting. They suggested Rooney's, so I said, "Sounds good, I have not yet reviewed it."

When I entered the restaurant, I had a feeling of positive excitement. The decor is a dated 1970s-80s bar, musty and full of the scent of stale beer that hangs in the air. It hearkens back to a time when drunks and power drinkers would crouch over the bar with a cigarette lodged between their fingers as fusty smoke rose to the nearest light. Tara, our server, had the energy of a patient doing the Thorazine shuffle through the halls of the local care facility. I suspect this day was not her finest hour. She asked for our drink order and then disappeared for 12 minutes. This would not have been so unusual except there were no other patrons in the place. When she finally returned I asked if I could still get the iced tea. She sputtered, "sure," and brought the tea from the soda fountain - so it was that gross carbonated iced tea restaurants serve that are too lazy to boil water and insert tea bags. Anyway, I digress.

We both ordered pot roast. When it arrived, the "house specialty" was smothered in a thick brown lumpy gravy that I leaned down to smell. A slight stench wafted to my nostrils. At that point I should have stopped, but my friend growled "don't be a priss." So I cut a piece off. My friend and I took our first bite and, well, I already told you what we did. The clueless Tara asked if we wanted it wrapped up to go. We both chuckled "no" and politely asked for the check. If that was the end of it, I could finish this review but the owner had the temerity to come out and ask what our problem was with the food. This time I kept my mouth shut because I did not want a repeat of earlier in the week. However, my friend blurted out that our food tasted spoiled. At that point the owner chose to verbally duel with my buddy. I stopped them both and asked for the check. We paid and left, without being compensated by the manager for rotten food.

This place is depressing and the food we had was absolutely the worst I have had so far in the last 9 months since this crazy journey began. Big Boy says to...

My husband and I have been to Rooney's many times with friends. The haddock fish fry was always so delicious and affordable. We visited Rooney's yesterday around 5 o'clock. We were shocked when we received the bill, $17.99 for a fish fry with no warning on how much the price jumped up. Nothing was written on the Special Board, as a haddock fish fry is a special on Fridays. Not to mention my husband's fish was over done. Three in our party had the fish fry and clearly the fish was much smaller than in the past and not fried to a golden brown, it was dark and thin. No hush puppies and no explanation as to why they were missing. $17.99! That explains why you decided not to post it on a Special Board.

Now for my dinner. I mistakenly ordered a French Dip instead of Roast Beef on Kimmelweck with a side of mashed potatoes no gravy. The plate came and the mashed potatoes had gravy. No big deal as I ordered the wrong sandwich. The waitress returned with the Beef on Weck and mashed potatoes which was very good. Later to find out that the sandwich came with macaroni salad or swapped out for coleslaw. The waitress didn't explain that option when I chose mashed potatoes as a side, and that it would cost $3.00 extra. I surely would have chosen coleslaw. When the bill arrived and I questioned the $3.00 charge for a side is when she explained it to me. She did offer to give me a take home container of mac salad which I declined. I would have liked the $3.00 taken off our bill.

Sorry to say you have lost 4 customers. We can get a much better meal elsewhere for $17.99. That is an outrageous price for a fish fry, especially one that has shrunk and is overcooked, plus missing...