Mayflower Seafood Restaurant of Roanoke Rapids — Restaurant in Roanoke Rapids

I am not usually one to complain; however, this is due.

I went and visited this Mayflower location today around noon/12:30 on Sunday 12/29/19 in hopes of enjoying a delicious fish plate. I called in three regular fish plates which totaled a little over $34. One with fries and two with baked potatoes. Upon arriving back home, both the potatoes were cut open and to everyones surprise there was a brown goo in the middle of one (pic posted). I drove back over to Roanoke Rapids and proceeded to explain to the lady at the register and show her the potato (also- the other potato was extremely dry and brown, by the way). Her face looked like she didn’t know how to respond. She then proceeds to ask if I wanted another one (hmm, really) in which I answered, I want my money back and if not then maybe I will get another one. She then tells me they are actually out of potatoes (how convenient since they had only been open MAYBE 2 hours at that point). But as she walks to the back to get her “manager”, I thought, why would I even want to take a chance. There is absolutely no reason. The cashier comes back out with some random person who then tries to look for my check from when I paid earlier because at that point, I advised them I want a refund. When she finds the check she realizes that it was a part of the plate combo and then says she cannot refund me. I ask well can I get another plate. Mind you, I am not requesting a refund because I changed my mind or did not like the taste - there was literally brown fecal looking matter in the middle of the potato that I am sure was/is filled with a plague of some sort. I show this person the picture, asking had she seen the potato, but aparently the cashier tossed the potato BEFORE showing her “manager”. Behind me is a couple, as I am talking with the second person and they are concerned asking me should they not get the potato. I first said no, but then thought, let me try to give this place a chance to rectify the situation so I tell the couple, no I am not saying that (I do eventually show them the picture) then am sitting down for about 5 - 6 mins when some other random person comes out and says we cannot refund you or give you a fresh plate. She also (this is the kicker) proceeds to say, “oh this happens sometimes”. A few issues with that - if in fact your potatoes are coming in filled with TOXINS, you need to seriously consider getting a new produce vendor.; you all sell potatoes individually as SIDES so how could you NOT have refunded me? Secondly, as someone who has worked in food and beverage for over a decade, I know for a fact that the items on that plate, to either refund or give me a new plate, costs what, MAYBE 1/3 of what I paid for it - in addition, as someone who has been in management as well in this industry for the same length of time, the standard is to make sure your business can continue to prosper, even if there is an issue, you can correct it by just simplying saying YES. I am not one to say the customer is always right, but you do what you have to, to keep the business reputation in the best light possible. Your staff today offered me a 4 oz cup of brocolli as compensation for a botulism, brown poop filled potato for having to drive all the way back over to RR, wasting my gas and more importantly my time.

A few things to note-

I will be reaching out to the NC Health Board and Halifax County Health Departmentand requesting a thorough inpection of your establishment. I did not see one ServSafe certificate posted in the carry out area. Also, I am ServSafe Certified and ServSafe Instructor Certified and would be more than happy to come and teach a thorough course for your team on the specifics of adequate food safety.

Also, your team needs some sensitivity training on how to handle difficult customer situations. The nonchalant attitude of the “managers” who were on duty was/is appalling and quite frankly disrespectful.

Reviews will be going up on Yelp and OpenCheck and a complaint will be sent to the Better...

My first experience with Mayflower restaurant was wonderful. I had read some unsavory reviews before like "particles in the salt shaker"...which thru my OWN research was a few bits of pepper left on the inside of the next shaker contsiner in line for being filled with salt. Static electricity within the jars thru the cleaning process can keep a few pepper flakes but NOT enough to cause a seasoning issue. Out of that salt shaker, which also holds grains of raw rice to keep your salt free-flowing and dry, I only tasted salt. No concerns for me. We had Tiffany as our server and she was very sweet and kind in offering me some menu selections that she especially enjoys so I took her up on it and had the best fried Catfish fillet dinner with a side of crispy fried okra and cute hushpuppies! The hush puppies look like onion rings but they were really good. Sweet and tender inside with a nice crispy fried outside My catfish fillets were a very mild flavor and flaked to perfect cooking method when I endeavored past the coating. My dinner extra order was fried jumbo shrimp which I happily split with the best table company EVER, my 80 years young Aunt! She delighted in the daily special of fried trout and popcorn shrimp with hush puppies and both of us had leftovers to carry home! We were there about an hour and a half before close time which is 9 pm at our Roanoke Rapids NC Mayflower. Finishing up our Unsweet Tea, hers hot, mine not, Tiffany came over and offered us a complimentary bowl of chicken noodle soup since the kitchen had leftovers and they wanted to waste less. We accepted her offer and it had truly home-made flavors. Nice chunks of chicken too that weren't canned; it had been roasted and pulled. It waa delicious and a great way to end our meal without a sugary dessert. The bill was under $38.00 for tge 2 of us which is more than we would usually choose to spend anywhere else. But it was a decent price for very decent portions and flavors and I highly recommend you dining here. On the way out the door we saw a posted special that with any lunch entree you can choose a bowl of complimentary soup! The flavor of the soup alone will bring me back again and I will request Tiffanys section. She was an efficient and polite, knowledgeable...

First thing beware.. you will be charged almost 3% fee for debit card and credit card use upon check out. You are not told ahead of time nor are there signs other than a sign at check out on the register.

Very strict rule about children's menu. Adults can not order off of it anymore which is what my family usually does because of the portion size.

Had to ask several different waitresses for menu (not sure if they share tables)

Arrived at 6:10. Order was not taken until 6:30 only 6 other tables had people at them and 3 didn't have their food yet.

1 Waitress was waiting tables, hosting and cashiering. Contributing to the almost 20 minute difference between arrival time and placing order because she was so busy. (Tiffany) She is also the final person who waited on us and continued to give us great service. She is also the only one running around doing everything waiting on all the tables with refills, questions and seating people. Kuddos to her for being an employee who steps up and gets the job done. 1 girl was in training so that is understandable and She also bussed tables.

Ending on a good note though. Food was probably the best I've ever had at this or any other Mayflower. Baby friend shrimp were crispy and very tasty. So review gained another star. Very good food today. Outstanding!

I'm thorough so. Tables were clean, condiments filled and also clean, bathrooms clean, nice decor. Only negative on appearance is ceiling has bad water rings from an apparent water leak but with that negative here's a positive... ceiling fans were clean . Very unusual to see that in a restaurant. Great job:) some people are...