Denny's — Restaurant in Saint Augustine

We were on vacay, bestie and I, and was hungry after being at the beach all day. We didn't want to dress up to go into a restaurant nor travel way out to patronize any another venue so after google search we can upon Denny's which was only 4 mins from our hotel. WONDERFUL 😊. But then we began to read all reviews (common practice for us for anything new, businesses, products, doctors, etc) and they weren't pretty. However, they all had a common tread, "the service slow but it was due to the lack of staff, only one waitperson but her personality sparkles, management lacks tact and personality and the food is amazing". Because we were carrying out, we figured, how bad can it be if the food is good. Wellllllllll all of this was TRUE. They were very short staff, but the ONLY waitress on shift was Superwoman! She was handling the in house patrons, walk-ins and call-in. She was as efficient as she could possibly be. By the time the manager got involved, the had lost 2 customers and almost 2 more (not us). Every time the waitress walked past us she reminded us she's on her way to take our order, that went a long way with us, not so much with others. The manager, SMH, was a piece of work, but we believe she's recently attended "character building courses". The customers she waited were very patient with her because had it been us, SMH. He asked her, "is the steak good", her reply, "it's alright, we aren't a steakhouse". WHAT did she just say to him? But somewhere between "steakhouse" and "but let me check to make sure we have some", she had a shift in her attitude. Ooooh let me mention, they were out of a LIST of things, including chicken fingers and steamed veggies. HOWEVER, I know you're waiting on this, our wait may have been 30 mins, not bad for homestyle cooked food. We ordered the Homestyle fried chicken chicken, I think that's what it's called, Chicken Fried Chicken, that's it. We both had the mashed potatoes (mashed red potatoes with skin), she the corn and I of course, I had to have fries, don't judge me, I'm on vacation. People let me tell you THIS food was so freaking delicious 😋 😋 😋. Hot, fresh and cooked to perfection! The chicken was the perfect kind of crispy crunchy, not so hard you crack your tooth but not as soggy as a sponge, the fries got and crispy and surprisingly, not greasy, the potatoes could have been a less soupy but that could have been due to the gravy on top. This Denny's overall deserves a 3½, but I'm giving it a 5 BECAUSE I understand what's going on with the economy and staffing, consistent staffing of many restaurants has been a major issue since the COVID pandemic and I wish patrons would have a little more patience and understanding. To reiterate, our meal was SO worth the wait, 🔥 and delish. Ohh and the Sweet Tea, was real SWEET TEA,...

Immediately upon entered the building and walking to the bathroom to wash my hands before being seated. First thing I noticed on my way down the hall to the bathroom was the heavily soiled floor I’m not talking a couple days without seeing a mop but visibly audibly and physically noticeable months of neglect you can see the dirt and I mean heavy dirt build up you can hear your shoes sticking as you step your way down the hall and can physically feel the floor trying to hold you down. The bathroom was ridiculously disgusting when I washed my hands I noticed the bathroom door handle had buildup just absolutely disgusting. On the way out of the bathroom looking around I noticed kick plates on entryway doors are heavily soiled. There is organic growth on air vents. Customer contact areas dirty. As I walked through the lobby and looked around. A blonde lady in a rude manner and tone said “we are not self seating we pick your table.” To which I replied “ with a lobby this dirty I wouldn’t eat here. I would hate to see the kitchen.” I promptly exited the restaurant. This location is in need of a real manager that takes responsibility and accountability for their restaurant serious. Someone who will delegate tasks to be completed by their employees every scheduled shift. As a manager of a restaurant my self. I would be embarrassed if my restaurant looked even the slightest bit dirty. If it was as filthy as this location i would be changing the culture of the store (terminating employees who set bad example and ethics for new staff) I would spend every woken hour there cleaning and making sure employees are completing cleaning tasks. Until I felt confident telling customers I was the person in control of the restaurant. Who ever is over this restaurant should be embarrassed and upper management should take control immediately and start looking for candidates to replace current management. Current management has obviously failed at the execution of...

Lady who was a waitress that knew people were waiting for tables and said" I can't deal with this no more, I'm going out for a cigarette 🚬," 3 party's left because there was no one to seat me or them and they were parties of 3 or more in each group, that's sad! I stayed and it was 15 minute's More before I was seated and that's too long! Even if you have to clean the table to keep the flow going or short staffed, that is your job of satisfying your customers, not your stress level. Even after I was seated I was barely served or asked if I wanted more coffee or creamer's or sugar packets since there were none on my table ; yet the waitresses want you to leave big tip's for them even though they are doing nothing! , That's not fair to the customer! The other thing I want people to know is that they are not opened 24 hours a day anymore, due to lack of staff, but I don't know if this will eventually change, so please call them before going. You really need to look at all the reviews,maybe 🤔 other people are treated better because they know people there, or work there, but I was a guest from California and my experience was just horrible and I only speak the truth on my reviews. I still left a tip, but I was disappointed. If you are not able to get worker's to fulfilll position's or you are short staffed, then even management needs to come out and help to keep this business running , you can't blame customers for a lack of business or professionalism or that someone is not running your business properly, and waitresses can't be mad, when customers don't leave a...