We live locally but had never been in, but it was on our list to try. We had houseguest and watched Restaurant Impossible and I recognized this place. My guest wanted to try it so I thought it was time. We went in on a Tuesday about 11:30. Prime lunch time if not a smidge early. There were 3 tables each with couples- 6 total guests. We were greeted and told to sit wherever we liked. We recognized the decor from the show and sat under the restaurant wall sign against the wood “cabinets “. We received laminated menus quickly and began to look for our lunch. I noticed that the prices were considerably higher than the show prices- but that made sense since the show was a few years old. After placing our order I went to the restroom. Mostly clean, but a long rectangular light fixture had been replaced and the drywall, paint, wires (and wire nuts) were all still exposed. Looked like it was not a new situation from the dust located on the jagged drywall. I returned to my booth and noticed that the wooden wall was splattered with a variety of old food. Gross. There was a caution sign (wet floor) between our booth and the one to the east- yet the floor was not wet. Service was slow- I heard the lone server tell another table that she was the only server because they used to not be open on Tuesday. Since there was only 9 total people (4 tables) I didn’t think this was too much. My water stayed empty most of the meal- when it was filled up, I was so thirsty it was gone quickly. Food- I ordered the meatloaf and hoped it would somewhat resemble the deliciousness that Robert Irvine had plated on the show. It arrived covered with Sysco cheese sauce, surrounded in flavorless green beens (very surrounded) and sitting on a bed of the worst instant mashed potatoes I have ever had the misfortune to stick in my mouth. The “crispy” onion straws on top were limp and chewy- anything but crisp. The meatloaf itself lacked any real flavor, griddle char, and reminded me of canned cat pate’. This entree cost $18. My adult dining companion ordered the “house recommended” pork chop. It was tougher than shoe leather and at one point she just about had to stand up to get enough leverage to cut it. She did say it had a good flavor though. The collards lacked all flavor (I tried them too) and my dining partner could have made them 100 times more flavorful. My little dining partner got a kids hamburger with no toppings. It arrived satisfactorily, with little flair or fuss.
THE ONLY THING that was delicious or even noteworthy was the fried green tomatoes. At about $1 per slice as an additional side, they were heavily breaded in a flour coating, and fried to perfection. They were all pretty uniform in appearance so I wonder if they were done in house or purchased frozen. They were the only reason we left full.
The server was busting her butt, and in walks the owner. He looks around and then goes over to sit down at a table of guest and proceeds to talk to them- while our glasses are all empty and the server is hustling to bring out food. He apparently had little care about his other guests. My plate of food was sitting in front of me 1/2 eaten- and I was done with it. Nobody asked me how my meal was- apparently nobody cared.
I took our uneaten food home for my chickens, and interestingly they would not even eat the meatloaf.
This meal was over $60 for food that was just about inedible. There is no way we will ever return. The one star was solely for the fried...
Read moreOur recent dining experience at Loyd Have Mercy was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed and felt right at home. The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy and inviting, with a beautiful decor that sets the perfect mood for a relaxing meal on a Sunday evening.
However, what truly set this visit apart was the extraordinary service we received from our server, Viviana. From the get-go, it was clear that Viviana was dedicated to making our experience unforgettable. She greeted us with a genuine smile and took the time to explain the menu, offering excellent recommendations and ensuring that we were informed about the specials!
Throughout the evening, Viviana was attentive without being intrusive, striking the perfect balance. She anticipated our needs before we even had to ask, refilling our drinks promptly and checking in just the right amount to make sure everything was perfect. Her warm and friendly demeanor made us feel like we were being taken care of by a family member rather than just a server.
The food was absolutely divine. We started with the fried green tomatoes which was fresh and bursting with flavor. For the main course, we had the Loyd Have Mercy burger and the fried chicken dinner, both of which were cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. Each bite was a testament to the chef's skill and passion for creating outstanding dishes. The portions were generous, and every ingredient tasted fresh and high-quality.
We ended our meal with a delightful dessert, banana pudding and of course the famous peach cobbler, which was the perfect way to conclude our dining experience. It was clear that a lot of thought and care had gone into every aspect of our meal, from the ingredients to the presentation.
What truly made this visit memorable, though, was the incredible service. Viviana went above and beyond to ensure that our evening was special. Her genuine kindness and professionalism turned a regular dinner into an extraordinary experience. It's rare to find such dedicated service in today's fast-paced world, and it made all the difference.
We left Loyd Have Mercy feeling thoroughly satisfied, full, and eager to return. If you're looking for a place with delicious food and impeccable service, look no further. Highly recommend this restaurant, and a special shout-out to Viviana for making our evening truly special. We'll...
Read moreFirst and foremost, our server Viviana was excellent, start to finish.
The food?? OH MY! The best Fried Chicken I've ever had, all of the food was exceptional.
We had a party of 5 and we had the Fried Chicken, Braised Oxtail, Meatloaf, Fried Okra, Collards, Fried Green Tomatoes, Onion Rings, Corn Bread...you name it, it was all exceptional.
The Fried Chicken is seasoned perfectly and just the right amount of batter, I went with the 3 piece mixed. What's even better, is your table gets a condiments tray with Hot Sauce, Honey, Ranch, Vinegar Pepper Sauce and Salt and Pepper. I tried the chicken 1st before adding hot sauce and honey, and again it was perfect, but adding hot sauce and honey....ohhh My! I woofed it down!
The Meatloaf was really tender and flavorful.
The Braised Oxtail, some of the best from Brevard to Orlando, just melted in your mouth.
Of course all the sides were amazing.
We got apps of Onion Rings and Fried Green Tomatoes, both were great, but trust me when I tell you, hands down best Fried Green Tomatoes around, not even close!! Chef Andrew Loyd takes pride in his Fried Green Tomatoes, and it shows!
We took Banana Pudding and Peach Cobbler to go, had a bit once we got home, and just the same, excellent and made in house too.
The best part was at the end of our dinner, Chef/Owner Andrew Loyd came to our table to make small talk and tell us how much he appreciated us stopping by. Andrew Loyd is an amazing dude, and be ready, he's got jokes too.
I highly highly recommend you all go here, some of the best soul food, Fried Chicken, Oxtail and Service you can get.
You will not be...
Read more