Simply Southern Bistro — Restaurant in Sumter

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

I recently had a very disappointing experience with Simply Southern Bistro when I ordered takeout. Unfortunately, my overall experience was marred by burnt food and extremely poor customer service. As a military spouse, I was particularly disappointed with how I was treated during my attempt to get a replacement meal.

When I initially received my takeout order, I was shocked to find that the food was severely burnt. The quality was far below the standard I expected from Simply Southern Bistro. I promptly contacted the restaurant to express my concerns and was informed that they would replace the meal. However, due to my military commitments, I was not going to be in town for a while.

The person I spoke to on the phone assured me that the replacement meal could be arranged at my convenience. Unfortunately, when I returned to the restaurant to get the replacement meal, the staff treated me in an incredibly disrespectful manner. It felt as if they were making assumptions based on my race and financial status, insinuating that I was both black and broke.

The condescending attitude I encountered was completely uncalled for and unprofessional. I was shocked and deeply disappointed by the lack of respect and courtesy shown to me as a customer. It is disheartening to experience such prejudice and discrimination, especially when the initial mistake was on their end.

I strongly urge the management of Simply Southern Bistro to address their customer service issues and work towards fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment for all customers. Discrimination of any kind should never be tolerated, and it is crucial to treat all customers equally, regardless of their background.

Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Simply Southern Bistro. The burnt food and the disrespectful treatment I received during my attempt to get a replacement meal have left a lasting negative impression. I hope the restaurant takes this feedback seriously and takes steps to improve their service quality and customer relations.

As a military spouse, I understand the importance of supporting local businesses, but it is imperative that these businesses treat their customers with dignity...

Went in on Saturday night. About 730 ish. 3 or 4 tables occupied at best. Ordered my entree with side salad. It all came out at once. Ordered pork chops and mashed potatoes and salad. Food was just warm. Nowhere near hot. Time as I ate my salad it was even colder.Salad was pretty pale. My wife asked about the appetizer oysters which where 15$ and could she get it on a sandwich like a po boy sandwich. Just a roll n lettuce and tomato basically would make what she wanted.Waitress went n asked kitchen. They answered no . Don’t know why. But… she ordered turkey and Mac and cheese and cukes and tomato’s in dressing which was vinegar. Hers was warm at best. We set at a booth. Wall had food splatters all on it and beside of us. Not from just today. So much for thorough Covid cleaning. The men’s room door looked like super dirty inside and it was only dirt that needed cleaning off. A good baseboard cleaning n dusting goes a long way too.The toilet seat was so old that the paint was wore off.They are cheap. Replace those kind of things . Toilet and sink could have used some good cleaning stuff on them. My wife said same of the ladies. She cleans for a living. I been to cleaner rest rooms in garages. No decor of any kind in rest room. Not typical for a higher end restaurant. Waitress was good . Food was fair . Chincy decorated place for a “higher quality “ eatery. Would I repeat? Only if I was invited n someone else was paying. Food taste was good. They need to clean that place good and work...

Just had the most disappointing experience at Simply Southern Bistro.

I went in today to pick up a large takeout order, and the hostess at the front was so sweet—she greeted me kindly and even suggested I move my car to the carryout door to make things easier. I really appreciated that little bit of extra help.

But when I got to the back, everything went downhill. Two women were at the carryout station. One asked what order I was picking up, and I repeated what the hostess had told me—that I was there for the large order. When she asked which one, I said it was for (Business Name) . Then both women walked behind the wall and started mocking me—saying things like, “Oh, she thinks she’s the only one ordering food, how entitled,” and “So rude,” followed by laughter.

Right then, the owner happened to walk up and introduced himself to me. I shook his hand and let him know what I had just heard. One of the women came back up front and told me my order would be another 15 minutes, and the owner told her, “She can hear y’all talking about her in the back.” The woman tried to brush it off, saying they were just trying to figure out which order I had.

The owner turned to me and said, “They just don’t understand.”

That was honestly such an awful experience. I was nothing but polite and just repeating what the hostess had told me, and I was treated like I was some kind of burden. I’ll never go back there again. Kindness matters—and so does professionalism.

Do better,...