Simon's Restaurant — Restaurant in Villa Park

Well unfortunately, not every exploratory dining excursion is a success. Simply put, Simon's Restaurant missed the mark for me.

I had high hopes for this place, considering the volume of customers in the parking lot. Perhaps due to optimal site placement; in the attached photos, I've posted a street-view location shot to corroborate this point. Sadly, I included my dear grandmother in this slight disappointment of an eatery. In the following post, I have expressed her complaints as well.

Considering there were several disappointing aspects to this dining experience, I will once again attempt to retain the reader with a more concise structure of review. My plan is to focus on service-based deficiencies, then briefly comment on the meal.

1. Wait Service; in my opinion, service begins and ends at the door. In the sit-down restaurant environment, everyone from the individual who lays down place settings to the attendant responsible for reception of payment plays a role in the customer's impression of overall service. Inevitably, service is one of the predominant factors in customer retention. Since professionalism was sorely lacking in terms of service, I divvied up the descriptions into two sections (1+2).

The waiter was extremely inattentive, did not give us lids or proper boxes for food packaging, seemed to be bothered with our presence (pressured us to order, did not repeat full order back, rushed away after setting down plates, did not check on us throughout the meal, etc) the list goes on.

2. Front Door Attendant Service; not the best. First and foremost, we were rushed into the diner, with the front door attendant rapidly maneuvering throughout; no directionality or courtesy in this regard. Upon conclusion of our subpar meal, we were not asked how the meal was, we were not bid adieu. The front door attendant rudely brushed off my grandmother with a chuckle when she produced her AARP card and inquired about a potential discount due to her status as a senior citizen (which SHOULD be offered, considering the notable demographic of elderly people in the diner that seemed to be repeated customers). As my grandmother is rather wise monetarily, she ensures to inquire at most eateries, especially those with high volumes of the elderly. Upon entry, she immediately noticed a large volume of visible senior citizens in attendance and happily commented, "I can't wait to use my card for a discount!" Only to be rudely told that was not the case; then rushed out of the door in a manner more abrasive than what we were met with upon entry.

Obviously considering my grandmother is rather important to me, I was devastated at her timid disposition during the solemn car ride home.

In my attempt to remain objective, I have adjusted the rating/ review. I realize I may have rated low out of pure frustration at this circumstance.

Just goes to show, in service of any sort, there is a way to address your customers; how you treat others is what they will remember of you.

The food itself was altogether subpar.

The bread was a bit unappetizing, while both soups ordered (New England clam chowder, Chicken and wild rice) were lukewarm upon first bite. Our appetizer, mozzarella sticks, were cold with hard cheese in the middle, there were no bananas inside of my grandmother's crepes (visibly dry, even after drenched in syrup), and although my salad was satisfactory to the taste (I heavily customized), presentation of most items did not meet the mark (this is secondary to me; presentation is not everything).

Not to mention; slightly inflated prices for diner food. However, portions were well-sized.

Based on the experience in its entirety, I will not be returning.

I must add a disclaimer; this spot may not have been my cup of tea, considering the experience itself was distasteful. I understand Simon's is highly regarded by many. And upon review, realize my post may come across as harsh.

Perhaps if service had been more up to par, our dining experience would have felt more comfortable; leading to a better eating...

The food was ok. But, I have and issue with a certain (female) manager who hollered at one of the workers in front of me, my dad, and other customers because he made a mistake with letting down the end of the table! Well, it's not his fault because it was her LACK OF COMMUNICATION towards him! The young man thought that he was doing the right thing until she made a scene... But, she never told him how she wanted the tables to be...She should have apologized to him and to the customers who heard her.... This was very disrespectful and disturbing to me along with the service (waitress) being very shady as well. ☹

I came here because my dad recommended and was bragging about it. The inside is very nice and the food is good, but after seeing and hearing the above it really turned me off from not coming back because I have a group of family members, friends, and/church family who i told my dad that this place can be new place for us to come and eat at. Just about every week, we go to a different "sit-down" restaurant.

The last thing that I noticed, was how, when a certain group people (customers) come in, they (female manager, waitress, etc ) go all out, to make everything is set up right for them which where she crossed the lined by doing the waiters job instead of instructing him ... My own personal opinion is that they should go-all-out, above and beyond for everyone because you never know when a billionaire can be amongst you and want to bless you and your company!🤗 The attitudes must go along with the shady services as well in Jesus Name! Amen!!!...

Rant mode on: I VERY rarely give negative reviews, but I'm making an exception tonight. We decided to stop by Simon's Restaurant in Villa Park to grab some dinner. We've eaten there many times before and the service and food have always been very good. Until tonight apparently. We arrive about 7:15 - 7:20 and were seated quickly. The waitress took our drink order and left (even though we we ready to order). Afterseveral minutes, she returned (without our drinks) to take our order. I went to order the fried chicken (Which is one of my favorites). I was told I couldn't have it because the kitchen was closing at 7:45 and it would take too long to make. (There was NOTHING in the menu that stated that it wasn't available after X time.). I was upset, but ordered something else. Ultimately the food showed up, but we had to remind the server that we still didn't have our drinks. She finally brought our drinks and we finished our meal. I went to the manager to complain about everything and the 20 - something ex-bus boy, now manager said he would talk to the server. I said fine, but what about the rest of our evening? He could not possibly have cared any less, other than to offer more lame excuses. And then he made us pay the whole check without as much as even comping our drinks. He said the owner wouldn't let him take anything off the bill. Needless to say, we won't be returning to Simon's. I urge all my friends to do the same and spend your hard earned dollars elsewhere. Because apparently, Simon sez...