Cow Palace — Restaurant in Shelbyville

They had a pretty big party when we first got there. Either the servers were new, or just didn't really know how to serve a decent size group and other tables. I've been a server, so I say this as nice as I can. At first, they tried telling us 25-30 minute wait, and when we said ok, no problem... Ironically, we were then sat instantly. The girl from the front who does the ice cream, she took our drink order, brought our drinks, refilled our drinks, and then made our shake that the server said they didn't do... I wanted banana, but was told they couldn't mash bananas up in the mixer, but they could do pineapple..... Anyway, I ended up with both, and they were great, thanks to the girl from the front. The table behind us, sat about 10 minutes after us, ordered after us, received their food way before us, received their check before our food, and when our food was finally brought out, we stole the ketchup from their now empty table...

I always try to give the benefit of the doubt, but I know we were told 30 minutes thinking we would leave, then received very minot service from the server, except when time for that check, it was brought very promptly.

If they upped their service quality, they wouldn't be half bad. The table behind us sat almost 20 minutes before being greeted, and I heard multiple times how they had never been here, and at one point they even thought they had to go up to the server to order. I also heard how they would NEVER be back.... In defense of the server, they did seat themselves, but she still could have greeted them, acknowledged that she knew they existed, and then came back. Once they were greeted, they were very rushed to order, and I know they had questions they didn't ask, but I guess to each their own.

My last issue is about the Pepsi versus Coke issue I have. I remember making special trips to the cow palace to get a vanilla COKE.... vanilla Pepsi is definitely NOT THE SAME THING, AND DOES NOT TASTE ANYTHING CLOSE TO IT, as I was told. How could you do this? That's the one thing I could always count on in Shelbyville... now that's gone also........

To the girl who makes the ice cream products, thank you for your help, and being so sweet. Just keep being you and you have nothing to worry about.... except not having Coke for vanilla cokes........

Great service, so-so food. Went for lunch on a Sunday, and the place was very busy. There were no open tables, so we waited a couple of minutes. Several servers came by and explained we would be seated shortly and apologized for the wait. Soon, a table was open, and after wiping clean, we were seated. Waitress again apologized (and again, it was just a few minutes), then gave us menus. We got the fried shrimp poor boy plate and the fried clam strip plate. Both came with cole slaw, which was served first. I liked it as it was crisp, and without too much dressing. We soon got the rest of our orders, which is when things went downhill a bit. The shrimp for the poor boy was over fried and too dark to be appealing, but was eatable. The fried clam strips looked very good and were light and crunchy. However, they forgot the clams. I would occasionally get a bit of clam flavor, but it was mainly bits of precisely cook coating. The French fries might have been plated first, then covered, as they were warm but lifeless. Almost limp. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. When I declined a refill on my soda, she offered to prepare me one to go...

Came to Shelbyville on the wrong day, and found the right place to eat! Classic BLT was great as well as the fries. My son loved his bacon cheese burger, and chocolate milkshake. Staff was very friendly, prices were affordable, food was excellent. Stopped here because my 15yr old loved the name, best and delicious. whoops this week!

Update:

Came back with my now 19yr old son and my aunt. What can I say other than we hit the jackpot again!

Our server was beautiful, serving us so well. The Sweet Tea was spot on.

My son had a bacon burger with fries, I had the Tenderloin Lunch Platter Special with Cole Slaw and fries. My aunt had the Country Breakfast Platter.

The fries were perfect. Great crunch to it that we loved with ranch for dipping. The large Tenderloin and Cole slaw were spot on. And my aunt couldnt get over how great her breakfast was and that the country gravy was amazing.

Thank you again, Cow Palace for a wonderful experience,...