Yard House — Restaurant in Sarasota

Typically a new restaurant with such amazing 👏 new reviews makes me feel great about trying a new venue. But, this experience was less than positive. It could of been a great experience had it not been for an overly unapologetic standoffish manager. Shannon was horrible. I truly think this person was either having a bad day or just needed a break. It all stemmed from something easy and fixable, but turned into something that could of ruined a great experience. Our server Val accidentally rang in a tall captain and Coke when I ordered a short. No problem, I sent it back and they made a new one. Nope they pour it into a small glass and do not compensate for the alcohol. Upon my second drink I get served a tall again. Clearly the server is not as attentive. I send drink back and I requested a manager. This is where It fell apart. The bartender just pours the tall drink into the short glass. I watched her do this. Anyone with any experience in a bar knows this is short changing. What could of been an easy interaction turned into a who has more power struggle Shannon was non apologetic. She was very standoffish. When I attempted to explained my disappointment she was not having it and didn't care to listen. I was appalled at her lack of empathy. Then she tried to give the excuse, sir we have only been open 6 days. We'll that's not my issue. Fix the problem. And listen. She was hired as a manager to manage. Learn to be a better advocate of guest relations. I may return, but this was upsetting as I had brought my best friends here as a treat since they just drove 1200 miles from Cleveland. Food was good and on point. Even though Val messed up she owned her mistake. Her manager could learn something from her. Shannon, the manager on duty, should be coached on guest interactions.

Update 4/18/2023... I was recently called by the store GM Richard. He listened to my concern, he stated he would coach his manager and his staff on the basis of guest relations and proper bar service. I accepted his apology for the interaction. I will assume this may be a one off for the manager interaction we experienced. I will return to this restaurant as I did find the food yummy and the environment inviting. As a result of this interaction with the GM, my 2 star rating will hold, until I have another experience. Thank you Richard for your genuine concern! Update...went in for my return visit. Unfortunately the GM wasn't available. However, I got a beer and an appetizer at the bar. While I was not immediately greeted I was patient and tended to after a few minutes. My drink was not right. Someone connected the wrong line to the Angry Orchid. 😠. I requested a different beer and was obliged! Food was hot and filling. Very good boneless wings. Service was good. Everyone seemed to be happy and enjoying their work. I'll return again 4 stars. Maybe after some.time the bugs will work out and they will get to 5. Give the place a try. It's fun and unique.

8/6/2023 Wow. What a difference 👏. I can say finally I feel welcomed in a restaurant. John greeted me with enthusiasm and a smile at the bar as soon as I sat down. NICO greeted me too. Got me a menu and was friendly and jovial. All the bartenders seemed happy, knowledgeable and friendly. I was served immediately. My food the boneless wings were served as ordered and were fresh and hot. Whatever thso restaurant did to to change this to this positive and fun experience. Keep it up. I am sure I will come back more now to see these guys and feel good about entering a restaurant! Great job and great service. 👍.

9/4 wow 👌. Great job John Nico and Cj and the front door staff. I felt welcomed. John and Nico have such energy. Really makes me enjoy coming back here. I only get the boneless Buffalo wings with an Angry Orchard. service and food has been great.. But if you go, check out the bar. If these guys are working. Sit with them. You will enjoy their hospitality and their energy! Keep smiling. I'm really enjoying this place now Update 3/27. Kacie and Trenton. Shout out....

Yard House Sarasota – A Fantastic Dining Experience for the Whole Family!

Our visit to Yard House in Sarasota was nothing short of amazing! From the moment we stepped inside, we felt welcomed by the inviting atmosphere and friendly staff. This was our first time visiting this location, and we were excited to see if it lived up to the great reputation Yard House has across the country. Spoiler alert: it absolutely did!

One of the biggest reasons we chose Yard House was because of its diverse menu and well-known happy hour specials. We arrived just in time to take advantage of their 50% off appetizers during happy hour, which was an incredible deal. We love restaurants that offer high-quality food at great prices, and this was easily one of the best happy hour specials we’ve come across. We ordered several appetizers to share, and each one was delicious. The truffle fries were crispy, perfectly seasoned, and had just the right amount of truffle flavor. The poke nachos were fresh and packed with flavor, combining a perfect balance of crunch, spice, and creaminess. The fried mac & cheese bites were rich, cheesy, and indulgent—definitely a must-try. Every appetizer exceeded our expectations, making it hard to choose a favorite!

Beyond the food, what really stood out to us was the exceptional service. Our server was incredibly friendly, attentive, and accommodating, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout the meal. What truly made the experience special was how family-friendly Yard House was. We were dining with our 19-month-old baby, and the staff went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. They quickly provided a high chair, ensured there was enough space at our table for our little one, and even checked in to see if we needed anything specific for her. Finding a restaurant that balances a vibrant atmosphere with a welcoming approach to families can be challenging, but Yard House did it effortlessly.

The overall ambiance was lively and fun, but not overwhelming, making it a great place for both families and groups of friends. The open layout, modern decor, and energetic yet relaxed vibe made for an enjoyable dining experience. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out, a happy hour spot, or a place to bring the family, Yard House has it all.

Another highlight of our visit was the drink selection. Yard House is well known for its extensive beer list, and they certainly did not disappoint. They offer a great variety of local, craft, and imported beers, along with an impressive selection of cocktails and wine. While we primarily focused on the food during this visit, we definitely look forward to coming back and trying more from their drink menu in the future.

In addition to the food and drinks, we also appreciated the efficiency of the service. Even though the restaurant was fairly busy, our food came out hot and fresh in a timely manner. The kitchen and wait staff worked seamlessly together, ensuring that every dish was well-prepared and delivered with a smile. It’s always a pleasure to dine at a restaurant where the team genuinely seems to enjoy what they do, and that was definitely the case here.

Overall, our experience at Yard House Sarasota was fantastic. From the amazing food and drinks to the attentive service and welcoming atmosphere, everything exceeded our expectations. The 50% off happy hour appetizers alone are reason enough to come back, but the fact that it was such a great experience with our baby made it even better. If you’re in Sarasota and looking for a delicious meal at a great value, whether with family, friends, or colleagues, Yard House is a top-notch choice. We will definitely...

I have a really big issue with what I just went through today with the second part of my interview as an potential employee for the Sarasota Yard House. I met with the general manager on Wednesday August 9th for the line cook position; and the interview went extremely well, so he told me to come in today, Saturday August 12th to have a second interview with the “Executive Chef” . Upon meeting the “EC” from the moment I sat down I was spoken down towards, and I feel treated unfairly. He didn’t even ask my qualifications, he told me that I “really don’t have a passion for cooking and restaurant “ “your not really looking that hard for a restaurant job since this is your first one applying to here lately” “well you really just know a guy who works here and mentioned he works here and figured , hey why not try applying”. He didn’t bother with really anything that I had to say. I currently have a non-related job and he asked me how much I make there , which has no relation with the restaurant industry nor my qualifications. He asked me how much are you expecting, I replied with a low respectable rate of an experienced person within the respective position I was applying for, (25/hr) was what I responded to him ; he told me “that will not happen, and is impossible and I’ll pay you $20/hr is that something your interested in, and I stated “absolutely not” that is when the interview ended. ; knowing he hired the Hispanic employees at a far lower rate the white employees regardless of qualifications or experience. I personally know I have more qualifications and experience then some of the others cooks which are paid at a rate of higher than what I told him i would expect. I felt extremely uncomfortable and discriminated against for he didn’t ask about qualifications or ,why I felt that what I was asking for was applicable; So my question is, what is the difference between me and the other current employees that are in the position I am applying for that have the same if not less qualifications as me , and are making a greater rate than my asking pay? I have been in this industry for over ten years. I know when people are being discriminated against due to other reasons beside job and experience in which he barely cared for. He cared mostly about telling me how I really felt and what I really was interested in and how a below poverty rate of pay is really good. When I tried going into detail of my experience as an explanation of reasonable pay, he cut me off to explain his view of what I really wanted. So I wanted to know is this standard operating procedure for...