Krisch's — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

I'd like to leave as honest of a review as possible, highlighting the positives and negatives of my experience at this restaurant. I always out to highlight amazing restaurants and the things they do great, and sometimes not so great.

Me and my friend planned a trip to visit this iconic restaurant. We called a week or two in advance to try and schedule a time to come do their food challenges that would be beneficial and not interfere with a possible busy time at the restaurant. We were told we didn't have to do that and could come in at anytime to do their challenges. I had a 3½ hour trip, and his was over 5. I started getting a little bout of food poisoning from a meal the day before. It was very mild so I continued as planned.

Upon arriving at the restaurant we weren't greeted very kindly but things improved somewhat as time went on. Although not much attention was given to us by the staff, with very minimal stops by a our waitress. One highlight was, she actually took part of my 2lb Burger patty that was slightly undercooked back to the grill to cook a bit more. Otherwise my Burger was absolutely delicious, from the amazing homemade coleslaw to the loads of fresh vegetables, drenching in Russian Dressing, and the nice soft homemade bun. Eventually my friend completed his burger challenge and I got very close, but my stomach just wasn't having it with how I was feeling. Other patrons were very supportive and helped cheer us on along the way! This was definitely a highlight of the evening. I personally tip on service and not on price of items, so I left $5, as I felt that was fair for the service received.

Next evening we returned, andwere told to go back to the same table as before. Before we had a chance to settle in the manager came over & said we're going to have to hurry things up because it's a very busy night. (we tried to avoid this, so a bit rude.) I was feeling 90% better at this point & felt confident with the challenge having beaten bigger ones in the past. Our waitress took our Kitchen Sink orders & started preparing them. With the busyness they actually came out quickly! Through out the challenge patrons were again super into it & cheering us on, & even subscribing to our YouTubes. Many of our friends have completed this already.

These Ice Cream Challenge Sundaes/Sinks came out beautifully! Ice Cream, toppings, & homemade Whipped Cream were all amazing! The food at this restaurant is outstanding. 30 minutes in my buddy must have had a physical dairy issue (unaware of) that caused him to reverse his food without warning into his bowl/sink. Our waitress didn't show up very often to check on us. I recall a couple times asking for hot water & napkins, & she brought them. Almost done and at around 57:28 out 60 min, I made the final push to clean my sink and grab my victory! Finished with a few min to spare. Waiting a couple min for someone to confirm I finished. My stomach was not happy (still recovering) I tried my hardest to hold it in, but reversed minimally into the sink silently & covering my face. Owner almost instantly came over & sternly told us customers were complaining about us throwing up & we should go outside. Immediately after that another employee delivered our check, charging us for both! Even though I had eaten it under 60 min & no rule on holding time. Packed up & went to pay based on service, our treatment, & being charged even though I completed it. I only tipped $1, & the owner proceeded to name call & to leave & never come back.

They have amazing food, but when it comes to management & whether they should be hosting challenges that sometimes have unfortunate outcomes. No. Owner said to get new hobbies, & we should be embarrassed by ourselves. We did nothing but try to attempt a challenge they offer.

Even though I was wronged, I hope the best for the restaurant, but definitely be warned that you could have a issue with management at some point whether with seating or some...

I know the group hates negative reviews, but I'm writing this in case the owner of Krisch's is in the group or paying attention. I have probably gone to this restaurant 80 to 100 times and have noticed a severe downtick for the past 4 or 5 years. Yesterday, however, was likely the last straw. We will visit again over the summer, and if there is no improvement, we'll find someplace else. The restaurant needs proper management and staffing. There was no one in the restaurant that remotely reflected management ability or control. First, upon arrival the place looked closed. It was dark inside and the shades were pulled down. If we weren't meeting for a friend's birthday, we would have driven away. Even if you aren't seating in the annex, put the lights on so people know you are open. Second, service was abysmal. They sat us promptly as the restaurant was not crowded but then took ten minutes to bring menus, and another 15 to 20 minutes, to bring the waters and take our orders. Our assigned waiter had a few other tables, but spent a lot of time loitering with other employees. Our order consisted of staples - burgers, an omelette and a grilled cheese. Everyone thought that the food was fine, not exceptional, but fine. It was diner food, which is what we expected. After we were finished with empty plates for 20 minutes, the waiter came back and asked if we wanted desert. He did not refill the sodas, nor did he ask. Two of us ordered one scoop Massapequa Sundaes, which were advertised on a large sign on the wall. The waiter said that they no longer carry "marshmallow" topping, so they can't make Massapequa Sundaes. Ridiculous, but ok, you aren't making your signature sundae anymore (but leave up the ads and keep it on the menu) , so I ordered a single scoop hot fudge sundae with extra whipped cream. Two others ordered single scoop vanilla plates. The single scoop vanilla plates came out ten minutes before the sundaes. For 6.99 excluding tax and tip (so $8 - $9 in total) our friends received a "scoop" of ice cream much smaller than a tennis ball (sort of like the size of those old pink spalding balls). It was ridiculous. (Note the menu prices on the web are all cheaper than those in the restaurant, and that annoys some people, but not us.) After they had finished, the waiter brought over the two one scoop hot fudge sundaes. He put a candle in my friends. We sang Happy Birthday, and the waiter then removed the candle from my friends Sundae and threw it behind the counter. I guess they are re-using them. The Sundaes had the same tiny ball size scoop of ice cream a large tablespoon dollop of whipped cream, which the waiter rudely claimed was indeed the "extra" I had requested and an inadequate drizzle of fudge. It looked like a child's portion. I've had the burgundy cherry ice cream at least 30 times, and maybe it was just my scoop, but this one was seriously lacking in cherries. I guess that's why they are calling it Burgundy Cherry and not Burgundy Cherries. For my last 6 birthdays my office has specially ordered Krisch's burgundy cherry ice cream cakes, but that's now ended. The ice creame seriously has lost everything that was special. The desserts bear no resemblance to what they were, what is pictured on their menu, or what is advertised and yet, premium prices are still being charged. I hate leaving this review, but Krisch's is a shell of what it was. I've hoped against hope that it would come back, but it doesn't look like that is going to be the case. It mostly needs management, nor...

Ordered online. They have the nerve to default a 20% tip onto your order that I'm sure a lot of people click through. I don't see the merit in a 20% tip for a pick up order where you'll never see a server and bug them for extra napkins or ketchup ect. And yes, I have worked as a server in a restaurant and would never expect a big tip for a pick up order. Then they charge a service fee for using the online ordering saying it's so their servers can make a living wage and background checks can be done for their employees. Never seen that before either. But fine. Was told the food would be ready in 20 minutes. Arrived at the designated time and had to wait an additional 40 minutes. The people were rude and snappy when asked for an estimate for how much longer for the food.. can I just go back to my car and check back in 15 minutes? NO, IT'S COMING NOW! OBVIOUSLY WE'RE BUSY!!! Unfortunately, they had already charged my card or I would of just left based on the nasty treatment. But, by far the worst part was the food, oh wow, it was awful. I could forgive the long wait and even the unnecessary, viscous behavior if the food was actually edible. Everything was over or undercooked. Medium rare burgers were burnt, fries were white and soggy, one sandwich was soggy and the other was dry as a shoe. Nothing was seasoned at all. They messed up our order giving the wrong burger to one of our party. Milkshakes were the consistency of water. There was a woman in line that said she had been going there for years and they were always rude and took too long but the icecream made it worth the hassle. I must disagree.

Edit x2: You want to change your reply for a 3rd time? And yes, I get a notification for that.. but I do grow bored of your ever changing story. Which is it? You don't charge extra fees and I'm crazy or you do but it's another companies fault? No response to the issue of the 1 hour wait, bad food, yelling employees and messed up order? Just that I need to "smile", that I complain too much and that "humanity" needs me to get a hobby? Get real and take some responsibility for the business you own, stop deflecting with weird comments about paying customers. Maybe my "hobby" is making sure people don't waste their hard earned money in places where they're treated poorly and served "food" not fit for consumption. And I don't want your hugs, there's probably a 20% fee for them. Grow up.

Edit: No. My online order for PICK UP added a 20% tip to my order, seen right under the $10+ taxes & ADDITIONAL PROCESSING FEE line. It says, in small print, 20% is the recommended gratuity for my order, putting the tip over $20. The second I unchecked the 20% box to remove it from my total, I see red script saying my order can't be processed because required missing fields of TIP. Everything on your menu nickles and dimes customers for extra "fees", $5 to add a handful of soggy fries, tomatoe and lettuce to your burger order... Or $2+ to add whip cream to your ice cream. Want ice in your drink? There's a fee for that! You may find it profitable to gouge people for the slop you call food but that's awfully shortsighted. You'll make the money off them today but they won't be back tomorrow. Good luck with that business model! And after reading a few of your replies, I can see why your employees are so nasty. You reap...