Red Lobster — Restaurant in Sumter

We visited tonight for the first time in a long while. We are Sumter natives but our last few experiences here haven’t been up to par. Tonight was not much different. We were a party of 10, celebrating by sons birthday. Our waitress was assigned to our area which was the farthest corner in the restaurant and her normal tables on the other side of the restaurant. Multiple times we had to go find someone for refills, drink orders, and to let them know we were ready to order. There was not another waitress assigned to help this waitress out since this was a larger group. One time even the manager was requested she came back and asked if we had asked for a manager in a snarky voice we had but our need at that time had been taken care of because she had taken so long to get back there. She never followed up with us or checked on us again. I can say our food did come out all together and was all fairly correct, just minor issues with sides and sauces that didn’t take too long to resolve so we could eat.

We watched several others in the restaurant have their birthdays be recognized however my son was not after being informed it was his birthday.

We visited the women’s restroom and found one stall was out of toilet paper which the employees knew about so they just handed the roll of toilet paper to my mother in law. One of the sinks in the bathroom had no running water at all. As walking to the restroom their were at least 4 employees and the manager sitting at a a booth at the bar talking/gossiping but not helping the waitresses and waiters in the back. It was pretty pathetic.

I felt very bad for our waitress because I feel that she tried hard as she could given her situation and she always remained polite, courteous, and respectful.

We did make sure she was recognized for her hard work but the way that restaurant is being ran and handle behind the scenes is running it...

Went with a wedding party, and saw that the seating was congested. The staff had already explained that they may not have had enough seating. We elected to go back to the front to be seated separately. They told us it would be a 30 minute wait never took our name when we politely sat to the side waiting on them. I didn't know any better, but they saw us sit to the side and litterally say "Okay" when they mentioned the half hour wait. Then we began to see people who came in behind us being told the same thing and then after waiting a short time, getting seated. I expressed to them that my wife and I were waiting longer than anybody else. They smiled and pretended I didn't just complain about their miscommunication. We just left. I had planned to spend close to $120 because I scoped out the surf and turfs online and my wife was gonne try the chicken alfredo and a salad. We were ready, but considering the wedding party had already been seated and they flippantly took our name and never apologized nor explained that they would do their best to seat us (seeing as they were placing us at the back of the line), I left very...

Note: The owner changed the original response made when I gave my updated my response. The "Owner" had the audacity to thank me for giving 5 stars although I had nothing nice to say about the quality of their food/service.

Update: To the Owner. The original review gave 5 stars even though I'm more than sure I gave only 1 star, but I have corrected that huge oversight since you were so happy to address that in your response. Your response truly shows where your priorities are, and why your location is a disappointment no matter how many opportunities y'all are given to redeem your patrons repeat business.

I don't know how this location is still in business. Quality control is non existent!!!! Seafood is bland!!!! Crab legs texture have a crumbly texture, I'm not even sure how that is possible. Alfredo pasta was horrible, just horrible. Not even enough sauce to penetrate the bottom layer of pasta. My clam chowder soup looked like a literal cup of milk. Called three times to speak to a manager and was put on hold until the recording said I needed to hang up b/c no one is available. Stop waisting people time...