Key West Diner — Restaurant in Stuart

The Review system compels me to award one star in order to write a review. I would prefer to award zero or less-than-zero stars. I visit this facility infrequently (maybe two or three times) during the three months that I return to the USA from Europe where I am an owner or co-owner of fours restaurants in Italy, Germany and Russia. In 1976 I was trained in "Restaurant Management" by the Berlin Hilton Corporation. I knew the facility restaurant was mediocre. After I spoke with the owner I've changed my opinion from mediocre to miserable. I visited, as I usually do for a late lunch, about 2:00 p.m., when the wait staff is no so frazzled, service is more relaxed and I do not have to listen to cell phone conversations from rude customers who think the place is a private telephone booth and not a restaurant open to the public. The majority of the patrons are senior citizens who are digging their graves with their teeth. Their standard for an acceptable meal is large portions at cheap prices with a free To-Go box included. I seated myself at the counter. Immediately after my glass of house cabernet was served some staff janitor arrived from inside the kitchen and began sweeping around my area then under the stool where I was seated. I told her to "STOP" because I did not want dirt, dust, food particles and particulate matter invading my wine glass. Obviously not a native English speaker I doubt if she understood what I had said and she kept on cleaning. I attempted to address the situation with my server, She told me, "The owner is over there. Speak with him." Some young male, in the image of Steven Bauer, the deputy drug tsar and hit man in "Scarface" (open shirt, exposed chest, gold plated necklaces decorating his image), came over. I told him the issue. his response was, "this is what we always do. We clean at 2:00 p.m." I wasted my time trying to explain restaurant standards of activity when customers are dining, but he repeated the ""we always do this." comment. Stupid, ignorant, and locked in the mentality that denied women the vote and lynched negroes because "that's what we always do." And does anyone believe that the food images on the website resemble anything that is served in this restaurant? ...

I've been a regular customer at Key West Diner for several years. I have a late breakfast 3 or 4 times a week there. I've been ordering the same thing for years. Two eggs, sausage links, home fries. It's always been good, but the last time I went, the sausage had a peculiar taste and I couldn't eat it. I sent it back and got some bacon.

Worried that the restaurant had changed to a different brand of sausage, I called and spoke to the manager about it. It was a friendly, cordial conversation. He assured me that it was the same sausage he's been using for many years. Ok, fine I said. I guess it was an anomaly that one time.

Today, I ordered my usual breakfast and the first sausage was good and tasted normal, but the second sausage had that strange taste again. I asked my waitress if I could speak to the manager. I just wanted to let him know so he could look into it. I saw her go up to the manager and whisper in his ear and he looked across the room at me. And then he walked down the other side of the restaurant and never came to my table. I waited and waited but apparently the manager had decided he didn't want to hear what I had to say, or offer any customer interaction.

I looked over at the kitchen and he was standing there just looking in my direction, but he never came over.

I finally gave up waiting for him and went to the register to pay my bill. My waitress was the one at the register and she apologized for the manager not coming to my table. She said "I'll let him know you're not happy". I told her that I will not be coming back.

Yes, I'm giving up one of my favorite restaurants that was several miles away from my home, but I refuse to be ignored by the manager when all I wanted to do is help him. On another note, the waitresses have always been superb and friendly. I'll miss them.

I've literally spent thousands of dollars at Key West Diner and this is the first time I have ever asked to speak to the manager there. I think it is absolutely wrong for the manager to ignore me like he did.

Fortunately, there are many other good restaurants who...

Worst experience in my life. When I walked in it smelled like old mildew. The receptionist was using in a corner on her cell phone. She finally seated us after we said hello to her. The server clearly catered to her favorite locals. She ignored my husband and me for over 10 minutes. Meanwhile she greeted people that just sat down within seconds and had their drinks to them in minutes. She still ignored our table. My husband had to ask a bus boy for help. He apologized and asked what we would like to drink. Finally the server sauntered over. My husband told her we were waiting for too long while she greeted everyone but us. She copped an attitude. She did not apologize. He told her what he wants for a drink and she proceeded to ask us what we want to drink. He said I just told you. I told her again. He told her again. Then she told my husband he is rude. I could not believe her attitude! Then she went to get the drinks. She came back and asked if we were ready to order. My husband said yes ten minutes ago. The server said he is rude. She went off on him. She never acknowledged her horrible service. And she acted like my husband was the problem. She did not listen, refused to take responsibility , and yelled at us in response to us telling her we have not been served timely or respectfully. Even the locals started getting involved defending this rude server. We got up and left and will NEVER return. This place is disgusting and not worth my time. It stinks. The service sucks. And even the...