Joey C's Boathouse Cantina & Grill — Restaurant in Stratford

My name is Raemisha I am a DSP (Direct Support Staff). Earlier today on 7/13 I dined in at about 12 noon with three of my co workers and three of my clients. We thought it’s was a beautiful setting to eat lunch by the water and boats being that our behavioral clients don’t really get to experience community outings like this often. It started off great, Nicole was very helpful and did all she could to accommodate us. I asked if bjlshe can do 7 separate checks wcompan credit card because that’s what I was instructed to do by management and she agreed. I knew I could not tip Nicole with the company card so I decided to give her a tip out of my own personal money. Before I was able to do so another Joey C employee approached my table and asked how the service was. We answered “Great” the gentleman then as was there an issue with the service after he was already given positive feedback. He then went on to say that he didn’t understand why Nicole did not receive a tip along with mentioning that it wasn’t right because myself and co workers had her running around crazy and that she should’ve been tipped. When I began to explain why she was not tipped on the card he turned his back on me and completely shunned me. I said Sir multiple times because I did not receive his name, to grab his attention again but he ignored me with attitude. I never been so embarrassed and publicly humiliated in my entire life. Myself along with coworkers felt the same way. Other customers we just staring at us as if we’ve done something wrong. I left my table and approached where this man stood and request to speak with management. I asked his name and he refused to give. Another waiter intervened and asked if we can settle the matter in person. I refused because at that point I’m upset, embarrassed, and my feelings were hurt. I only wanted to speak to a higher up at that point. While trying to get this information the gentleman that approached my table started becoming very confrontational. He was over talking me while speaking to another employee reminding me over and over how I was wrong for not leaving a tip and that this is how they pay their bills. I started to tear up because he completely had me mistaken and did not know what my plan was. The other staff refused to give me Joeys information or even the manager. They rather resolve the issue then and there because they knew they wanted to keep the situation quiet. However I disagreed. They left me on the patio looking extremely foolish. Nicole then came to me as a woman and said she told the gentleman that she felt some sort of a way and that there was an issue because she did not see the tip. Although I felt completely violated I still gave her a tip because those were my intentions to begin with. I just could not do it with the company’s card. So I chose to pay her with cash. I walked inside because I still wanted info for management that I still have not received after about 20 minutes. When I walked in I was the topic of discussion by about 4 staff. They didn’t realize I heard was was being said and when they noticed me I head one say “shhhh she’s right there” at that point I lost my mind because I couldn’t believe what was happening before me. I had to lie and say my co worker recorded everything and that’s when I was able to get the info I asked for. Nicole never said thank you for her tip and gave me a uncomfortable facial expression. I wasn’t sure if she was still upset and did not want the tip anymore or she just wanted to ride the bandwagon of her rude unprofessional co worker. It made me regret even giving her a tip at the point. I should have never been confronted or pressured to leave a tip. I was afraid of the gentleman and called my Bf to defend me because he was so argumentative. At the end of the day I am a woman arguing with a man so I did what I felt was necessary. But I then texted him and told him not to come because I did not know how it could have turned out. My clients were sad and my co workers said they would never come back. I hope someone reaches out...

Went with a friend for her birthday. There was no parking immediately around the building, but ample in other areas of the shopping park. We were met by a sign outside there door that read, ask host to be seated, with an arrow pointing inside. But outside on the deck was a booth with staff seating people. So we weren't very clear if we were to ask them or inside staff, or if it mattered. We asked the ones outdoor, it was 2 ladies and a guy. Between the three of them, we couldn't get their attention. Finally we were able to ask and they said if yoo....i want to sit indoors ask the host inside, and vice versa. Ok, now that's clear. We told them sure then, we'll sit outside. 'Just give us 2 minutes', we were told, as they stood there in a conversation about tables and staff and confusion, etc,etc... we waited patiently. After a while we decided it was too humid outccx and we'lljust go inside after all. My friend tried to get their attention again to tell them we'd changed our minds, but they couldn't care less. Anyway, inside was not much better at first. We were seated quickly, it was cool and air conditioned. But as we sat conversating, we noticed we hadn't been attended to for a good 20 minutes. We tried to flag someone down and no one knew who seated us or who was serving us. In comes Kareem (I hope I got it right! )to the rescue who told us it wasn't his table, but he'll take care of us. And he did the rest of the night. We ordered drinks and apps and our main meal. I was thrilled to see the impossible burger on the menu. It was cooked very well. My friend got the lobster roll sans bun. She also got a salad that looked amazing and ther brussel sprouts(which I wanted, but it has bacon in it and they couldn't do it without). I could've used more alcohol in my twisted mule but overall I was very happy with the food! Bill was reasonable. As we were finishing up my sister texted me she and her husband were there outside. Well they had a totally different experience. Said they were grated and serrated right away. Nice seat by the stage with umbrella. Their order was taken quickly by their server. So whether it was hit or miss this night or often, I don't know. Maybe my friend and I caught them in a shift change, or maybe they get busy preparing for the live music and we came at a bad time. We wound up sitting with my sister and BIL for a few minutes. The band was great! They have live events regularly. I'll be back for sure and will hope we have the experience closer to what my sister had!

Note: we went back for a reggae band weeks later. Service was even worse. If their goal is to turn people off, they are succeeding. It's a shame bc they have great events. I'll probably still go back for music and drinks, but I doubt I'll ever just go back there to eat in. It seems like some of the staff is trying though. Even my sister, who had a great experience last time, this time was complete opposite and she felt my pain. They just need more organization on nights with live events. Need to be more attentive to their customers no matter what...

Visited this establishment today to celebrate Father’s Day, and upon entering I should’ve walked back to the car and not waste my time nor money.. As I waited to be seated, I noticed they were very unorganized with seating guest. After seated, our order was taken 15min later.. Our drink order was delivered to the table and 2 drinks were incorrect. We originally ordered 2 frozen strawberry margaritas, and 2 margaritas on the rocks were delivered. We reminded our waiter of our order and his response was “We aren’t serving frozen drinks today”.. As soon as the waiter left, we checked out nearby tables and noticed frozen drinks at other tables. We took our drinks to the bar located inside the restaurant to complain about the waiter and our drinks. The bartender who helped us apologized on the waiters behalf and remade our drinks. We received our drinks and sat back down at the table to wait for our food. The food arrived to the table and our party of 5 was not impressed. The food was delivered cold, fries were heavily salty, and the lobster roll tasted like rubber. Our waiter came back to the table after noticing we weren’t eating and asked if our food was okay. We were honest and told him we did not like the food. The waiter brought the restaurant manager over to discuss the issue and he did not take accountability of the food quality, freshness and the waiter’s unwillingness to correct the drink issue. The manager said we were the only table to complain and compromised to allow us to keep the food and provide a discount. I told the manager we will leave the food on the table because my complaint was entirely focused on quality and freshness. Our bill was $169, and the manager reduced it by $53.. We paid $116 for absolutely nothing! We weren’t looking for free food or a discount, only accountability!! After paying and leaving the table (food left behind), the tables nearby stopped us to say their food was also cold, and they had to send their food back to the kitchen. The only positive experience was the bartender who remade our drinks.. Other than this, if I can give this place zero stars, I WOULD!! The owners only concern was to nickel and dime guest, and does not care about customer service, food quality and freshness. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AT JOEY C’S...