Glory Days Grill — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

This was my first visit to Glory Days - some friends wanted to go for the Nacho Thursday special, so I tagged along. I'm not a fan of chains, but my first impression was pretty good - how can you go wrong when Bruce Springsteen is playing in the car park? . The restaurant was very clean and very cold (think arctic circle). It was a weeknight, and fairly early, so it wasn't noisy, but the cavernous ceiling might make it bad on a weekend. I don't know if we were seated by a hostess - one of our party was already at a table. Our server came over immediately for our drink order ( usually a good thing, but we later wished we'd had an opportunity to see what looked to be some yummy lemonade mixes on the menu) . My friends opted out of the nachos after having seen them delivered to the table beside us - mostly chips, very little anything else. The menu was predictable and everyone found something that appealed to them, with one exception...me. There were virtually no vegetarian choices, and no vegan options. (Note to staff: Caesar salad is not vegetarian). I get it - sports bar - but there could/should be some alternative options that don't involve asking the kitchen to make special accommodations - particularly in a restaurant where one expects line cooks, not chefs. Our food arrived in a timely manner and most of our party was pleased - the buffalo chx sandwich got great reviews, as did the meatloaf. I had the Mediterranean flatbread appetizer and it was a bit of a disappointment. The presentation was great, but it had that super-tough texture that hints at microwaving, and it had clearly been under the heat lamp while the rest of my party's food was prepped. The edges were singed black and the exposed pesto incinerated. What saved the experience was the staff. Our server, Kayla, was charming and attentive. The food runner was polite and engaged. There was a large party next to us, including kids and an infant , who were quite indecisive and their server managed them with kindness and patience. The restrooms were clean and stocked (don't quite understand the thinking behind playing a tape of a sports event AS LOUDLY AS POSSIBLE in the ladies room, but it was clean, so....) All in all, not a bad experience, but no reason for me to return.

Edited to add location - 4th Street,...

On Friday night, I was allowed to go home to check on my place. I had no power at home, so I found a place to get a shower, and then I looked for a place to get something to eat. Not a lot of places open. I stopped at Glory Days, and I was told by a manager that I couldn't do a to go order unless I was sitting at the bar. I told him there were no seats at the bar, and all I wanted was a hot meal. I told him I had been working shelter duty all week, and they let me come home to clean up, but I was still working the shelter a few more days. I lost power during the storm, and I hadn't been able to get anything. He very rudely said "yeah everybody got a story."

I wrote in and received a message back that staff was under a lot of stress. Really? On the day of the storm, I walked outside across campus several times to pick up and deliver food to over 300 + clients with special needs and staff. I handed every meal and cup of coffee with a smile because everyone there had a story to why they were there at a shelter during the storm. I didn't have a choice. I was there to help others in need.

Other restaurants all over town are giving away free meals to families and this place wouldn't let me purchase a meal. I ended up not getting anything to eat that night. I still had two more 12-hour shifts of shelter duty after that. What a true disappointment.

As I told the person who wrote me back, there is no glory at Glory Days. I was offered a free meal that I turned down. I was never looking for a free meal, just a hot one on a day that I...

I used to come here often during COVID for OU Club and always raved about Glory Days. I even brought friends back with me this time — but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing at first. We showed up right at the start of the Tampa game (around 1:00) and placed our order at 1:33. Service was slow and it felt like the servers outside were being selective, which was frustrating. Going out to eat is a luxury these days, and we work hard for our money — so when a place is as busy and successful as Glory Days, the service should reflect that. That being said, once we finally got our waitress, Abby, she completely redeemed the experience. She was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service. It’s not the hostess’s fault, but overall service needs to step up — especially in a competitive restaurant scene where many places are struggling. A spot like this should always deliver the best.

Regulars get preference over how long one has been waiting. Witnessed it twice... While waiting.

Update Asked to speak to GM He was more worried about what to say than hear me. He interrupted me from jump of me talking. So, I told him never mind "that he wanted to talk, if listen" He was shocked indeed.. Abby came back out to say thank you. She needs to be in management! Exceptional customer service skill she redeemed Old Glory And the guy behind us who offered us, gift cards. Said he does work for the owner. Thanks guy!

Will try the other...