Charley's Steakhouse by the Celebration area is one of the best steakhouses around (somewhat pricey) buy a great meal. At least it was the last time we were there.
We did not care for Charley's. The steak was just ok (didn't care for the seasoning, however), certainly not worth the price, and we were very put off by the 'service.'
My husband and I went for an early dinner one evening (ca. 6 pm), prior to planning to go to the cinema at Celebration. We declined pre-dinner cocktails and proceeded to order our steaks. Everything is a la carte, but a salad is included with the steaks. So we decided that steak and salad would be perfect for our appetite that evening. The steaks were very large and we often eat just steak & salad at home. We find portions in U.S. restaurants over the top, so we never order appetizers or dessert, and just didn't need potatoes or extra vegetables over and above the salad. We are often uncomfortably stuffed just with an entree at most restaurants.
Well, the waiter seemed very put out by this. He kept trying to upsell us to get some appetizers or sides, and he was very annoyed that we weren't ordering wine with dinner. We ordered exactly what we wanted to eat for our evening meal. We weren't trying to be deliberately cheap or keep our meal cost down, it was exactly what we wanted. We are big steak fans so wanted to be able to enjoy and finish our steaks without being stuffed by appetizers or potatoes or other extras.
During the meal we were speaking Danish to one another (my husband is Danish and I'm American). About halfway through the meal, the waiter finally ended his snippy attitude and was, in fact, pleasant to us. If we get good service, we always give a good tip, and had planned to tip ca. 20% (despite the initial irritations), especially since we knew he wasn't getting the big tab that he hoped for, even though we shouldn't feel guilty for ordering exactly what we want in a restaurant. It's not like we only ordered salad and didn't even order an entree, and the restaurant was not even half full, so it's not like we took a table away from some bigger spenders. Our tab still came to ca. $80 for dinner for two.
Well, when he came back to the table after running our credit card, he handed it to us and said, "for your convenience, I've added in the 18% gratuity." I was stunned, and so furious! Stupidly, we said nothing, signed the receipt and vowed never to return (we also didn't care for the flavoring they put on the steak, and found it overpriced for the quality, so wouldn't have returned anyway).
I think he thought that since we were "European" that we didn't understand American tipping habits, and since we had ordered what he thought to be a frugal meal, he might have thought we were cheap and might stiff him.
I so wish that I had asked to see a manager and complained. I actually think the waiter had changed his attitude halfway through the meal because he had decided that this was the way he was going to deal with us.
I think Longhorns or Outback serves as good a steak for a more reasonable price. Charley's has a price point like Ruths Chris, Mortons, Shulas, Yachtsman and others, but doesn't deliver the quality.
Susan
For something different try Emerills Tchoup Tchop in Royal Pacific Resort. Park at Universal, again I think its free after 6, enjoy a stroll around CitiWalk taking in the fun atmosphere and then hop on a water taxi to RPR, they are a good way to view the resort. Food different restaurant decor very cool although quite expensive. A nice treat. Have Fun
