Simply Seafood — Restaurant in Ross Township

On 12/17/24 i called simply seafood, on 54th n Broadway in Merriville Ind at about 3:45pm to find out what time they're closing because I'd never been there before not even close to when they close. So I had no way of knowing their closing time, so I asked to find out, and the person that answered the phone, a young lady, tells me at 7pm. So I said, well, look what time do I need to be up there because my wife gets off of work at 7pm and She probably will be home at 7:15ish pm. So I would like to come up there and order 2 pounds of shrimp and order fries at about, 6:45pm so I can make it as close as I can so the food would be hot when she got home. Okay. So after this conversation, I asked the young lady very politely, I said, Hey, what is your name If you don't mind me asking and she replied to me "why" and I was taken back by that response because in buisness, whenever you call a business, you're supposed to find out who you're talking to, so when she said that it took me by surprise, and I said in case something goes wrong, I don't know, but I would like to know who I'm talking to. So if I have any kind of problems or questions Then I would know who I talked to and she said, "well, I'm not giving you my name in a very rude manner". and so I said, you know that's very unprofessional. I said you need to practice your customer service skills, and so little. Did she know that I was recording this conversation, and in case for those that don't know, in Indiana, their's a one rule notification law, which means that, only one person needs to know that your're recording, which it could be you or it could be the other party, but at least one person within that conversation needs to have that knowledge, by Indiana law, and so I was recording, but she didn't know that, and I caught her being I guess, her nasty natural attitude ways, and so, when I went up there to their establishment, I tried to speak to the heavy black guy who at that time I thought was the manager. But it turned out, he wasn't, to make matters worse, when I came to him with the complaint about our interaction earlier in the day ,what he did was ran and told the caucassion lady that I recorded the conversation from earlier that day. whom I later was told was the manager, and it was her I had talked to earlier that day who was very rude. I couldn't believe it, and so I tried to reason with her, but she was so upset that I recorded her, she continued being rude, then she gave me my money back and told me to get out and for me not to come back. So I don't appreciate the treatment I recieved at all, being a 70 yr old black man that was a loyal customer, and patronized this eststablisment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at least 4 times a month for quite some time now to buy their shrimp. So I am a very good customer. They've never had a problem out of me, So whatever you do, if you call, please don't ask their name, because you will get blacklisted as I have away from their establishment like I did, and they also called the police on me, as I was trying to understand why and what was the reasoning for them To to treat me in such a manner. Next thing you know, I look up and there's 5 police cars like I was a harden criminal covered by 4 officers, as if I could do something ,so I don't know what to say, but I feel totally used, because as I say, I was coming up there all the time spending my retirement money with them and for them to do me like this was definitely uncalled for, just because I recorded her being a rude, obnoxious, and unprofessional, and lacking customer service skills indivual. I guess this is what happens when your'er a 70 yr old black man excersing his rights as a citizen of Indiana to hold employees such as this woman accountable for her actions !!! Obviously no one cares about their Elders in any walk of life...

It's a little hole in the wall right on the edge of the ghetto, so you can't really expect it to look like anything but what it is. I have never gone in there and felt like the place was dirty or dangerous or anything so I still give it a 'good' rating for decor even though it really doesn't have much to speak of: It's a little walk in, with a few chairs, a counter, and a clear view to the kitchen. Which I actually like that they'll gladly prepare your food in plain view. Something about that is very respectable to me.

Aside from the vibe of the location though, everyone inside is always welcoming and willing to chat a bit as they very quickly prepare whatever you order. I've had large orders handled in ten minutes flat and to top it off the food is amazing every single time, and although nearly everything you get there is going to be fried you absolutely never get that 'bad grease' taste. It simply doesn't happen. As a kicker, the sauces are amazing. They come in two flavors, hot or mild. I recommend mild for pretty much everything as the hot can be a bit overpowering, especially when used on fish like Orange Roughy, but the hot sauce on the Cat Fish is just a winning combination every time.

If you're in the area and you actually want good food as opposed to the hype of yuppie restaurants ( which this area has no shortage of ), I strongly recommend...

The parking is trash, the service is minimal, and the food isn't the bargain I thought I was getting. Let me eplain. My wife used to rave about the seafood they serve so I finally had a chance to try it. In order to park you have to navigate an alley off of a busy street and park behind the building. I went while the sun was out so I'm not sure of how well it's lit, but its an alley! I phoned in my order. The person that took it was very short with her words and direct. I thought it was because they were really busy, but she was the same way in person in the empty carry out only restaurant. I take my food home, 1lb of shrimp and french fries. I was not impressed with the appearance or taste. The shrimp were already coated, but clumps of cornmeal from what tasted like batches of fish beforehand had stuck to the shrimp. The shrimp itself tasted like it went straight from the freezer into the grease. The fries were okay and the tartar sauce I asked for had a hair in it. I might give them another chance in the future, but I'm in no...