Bad Meal at Turf Club

[Tigger031266]

I really had a very bad meal at Turf Club yesterday and way too much was wrong for it to be an isolated incident:

1. Food was awful (we had Turkey (thanksgiving) and Penne Pasta (Yuk)
2. Service could not have been worse (in every way)
3. Sat outside in uncomfortable cold chairs
4. Deserts were cold and tasteless (apple pie and Pecan Pie)
5. A small thing but no refills on most drinks in dinning plan (raspberry ice tea and shakes)
6. The menu has only like 7-8 selections

Am I the only one hear??? I just think it is time for SSR to get a decent sit down restaurant.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Wow. I am quite surprised. We were there in October before MNSSHP and were VERY impressed. The food was good (we did not have anything you did, though) and the service was pretty much the best we have had anywhere.

We were inside, though. Also, they sat us at the table nearest the entrance, the four top that is RIGHT next to the hostess stand. The manager was standing there talking to us for about 90% of our meal, so that may have encouraged our waiter to step it up.

The meal was long, took a while for the food to come out, but while we waited, I think our waiter checked on us about 4 times.

I am really sorry to hear about your terrible experience. The manager seemed eager for feedback and also seemed to be concerned with making sure we enjoyed our meal and service, so I would say maybe write something to guest relations so he can hear about your bad evening.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Specialty drinks don't usually get refills unless you pay for them.

I don't think they ever planned for a TS restaurant at SSR, but added it after so many owners requested it. They had to find a place for it and used the lounge area for the restaurant. Most of the smaller restaurants only have limited menus as well.

I know we had Thanksgiving dinner at Olivia's once and it was horrible. But everything else we have eaten there was pretty good. Maybe the fact of trying to provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal was a stretch for the Turf Club.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I just came back form SSR today... We ate at he turf on Wednesday night. We had fabulous steaks and the service was wonderful. Perhaps it was just the Thanksgiving menu.

 

[ADP]

Like most WDW restaurants there will be hits and misses. The restaurants that are better than others have more hits than misses. Sounds like the op had one of those bad experiences.

 

[disney-super-mom]

When we ate at the Turf Club, we experienced a little of good and bad.

The good for us: Our service was great. Most of the food was very good.

The bad for us: My mussel appetizer tasted fishy (to say the least). But the worst-worst-worst!!!....was my DH's steak! It was horrible tasting!!! It didn't taste like a steak at all, but rather the taste and texture was like LIVER. BLAHHH!!! And yet we didn't say anything to our server about it because he was just such a nice guy, and we didn't want to make him feel bad. So my DH filled up on desert, which was delicious.

I'm thinking they have two chefs: there's the good chef who works on certain days/nights, and then there's the BAD chef on certain days/nights. The BAD chef MUST GO!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

While I know the Turf Club has a limited menu, we consider it to be one of the better We have eaten there numerous times, and have had a great meal every time. It ranks right up there with Teppanyaki and Artist Point for us.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Sorry your meal was such a bad experience. Probably just as one-time problem associated with the busy holidays. I know that's not an excuse, but we have eaten there many times and love it. The combination of Artist's Palette and Turf Club have made the dining options at SSR very good.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Disney's on site restaurants do offer limited Holiday menus on days such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Also, I think the only beverages that include refills are coffee and sodas at the sit down restaurants. I have never seen shakes nor raspberry ice teas (specialities) included in complimentary refills.

Give it a try another time! We have loved The Turf Club on our trips in the past.

 

[zalansky]

We ate there in Sept and also were seated outside, and you're right the chairs were not comfortable. Back in Sept, it was hot outside! The food was so-so. Not good enough to make us return. There's just too many other good places out there!

 

[graygables]

We were there on 11/12 and had a HORRIBLE meal, too. We'd been there before and it was excellent, so we were surprised. The service was bad beyond words. We were literally left holding our dirty appetizer plates while they set down the entrees and walked off. We were drinking water and tea, and couldn't get refills. They refused to fix a child's caeser salad (never had a problem anywhere else) and served her some horribly bitter lettuce with caeser dressing dumped on top. Then the guy next to us got his caesar and it was basically a head of romaine with dressing dumped on top. He was NOT happy and sent it back to be cut up (so why couldn't they have done that for DD?) It was bad enough that I asked for a manager and wrote a letter afterward. We were on the DDP and the server did NOT deserve the tip.

 

[summergolf]

We have eaten there 4 times and never had a bad experience.

 

[RLRDA]

It seems like 7-8 choices is an adequate amount. I know when we've looked online at all the different restaurant menus, that's about what you get. Maybe it's just that the choices didn't appeal to your group? Are there restaurants that have many more entrees from which to choose? I do agree that if you're eating somewhere on Thanksgiving....there's no reason to have to eat an inedible turkey dinner! And I think there should be only 2 types of service....good and GREAT. I'm sure, had your service been good, the overall experience would not have been so awful. Sorry to the OP

 

[Esmerelda]

You know...I can't explain it. I just posted the other day on a question about Narcossee's. We ate there in June of this year with great expectations as we had heard so many great things. Out of 7 days and 7 sit down dinners, Narcossee's was the utmost worst meal. We had the worst service and we would not ever return there. I've been going to Disney for 12 years now and never been more disappointed. We both left with our jaws dropped.

While there in June, we ate at the Turf Club twice. Our first meal was so great, we cancelled another place later and the week and went back! Our server was Rudy and he was absolutely fabulous!! The steak was to die for. I cannot say enough about our food nor our service. (we even requested Rudy the 2nd time he was so great)

As a Disboard reader for many years, I always find it fascinating how experiences differ so much at restaurants and hotels at Disney. I truly enjoy reading everyone's takes on all at the "world".

I'm sorry that your meal wasn't up to par. I know how disappointing that can be.

here's to better future Disney meals
Esmerelda

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I believe we had Rudy as our server, as well. GREAT guy, cannot say enough about him.

Perhaps that is the key....request Rudy.

 

[Dean]

I've read and heard a lot of negative feedback as well as positive. So much so that of the 3 times we had reservations there, we ended up opting for other options and canceling so others could get in if they wanted. I do want this to be very good option long term as I think it has implications on future DVC restaurant choices including present resorts.

I don't think they ever planned for a TS restaurant at SSR, but added it after so many owners requested it. They had to find a place for it and used the lounge area for the restaurant. Most of the smaller restaurants only have limited menus as well.

I know that area was the Seasons restaurant previously. I wonder how much of the infrastructure was still in place, esp the kitchen and serving facilities.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I must admit, I am thinking about canceling for tonight as well. I have had some major digestive issues for several months now, and I have a limited diet. I remember what I had before, but now recall it was an appetizer only.

 

[DMKEDM]

We love the Turf Club...and have eaten there 4 times total...one time was as bad as the OP described...but I let my disappointment show (I did not complain...just "looked unhappy")...our CM asked what was wrong...I noted that it had taken 45 minutes to get our food; when it came it was wrong and tasted bad...the CM "went nuts"...offered us a free meal (irrelevant as we were on the dining plan), called his manager over to see if there was anything at all he could give us to make up for the bad experience...generally made me feel bad for making them feel so bad...in short, after about 10 minutes everything was fixed...we did not accept any "compensation" and left still loving the Turf Club and planning to return to it...

So...maybe the key is "let it show" (but nicely)...I've always believed that even the best of services/places (and that includes Disney!) sometimes deliver badly or make mistakes...for me, the key is how they react when I show/express my unhappiness...the Turf Club excelled at that and made everthing right even faster than I'd have thought possible.

So we are and remain big Turf Club fans...

 

[dvcnewgirl]

We love the Turf Club as well. We always get great food and service.

 

[rantnnravin]

Wow. we really enjoyed the Turf Club this past August, so much so that we considered IT the "best kept secret" on Disney property. We only wished that we had more time to go back there again. We had a superb meal and very attentive service. The only drawback was that there was a family of yahoos who didn't think it was necessary to control their child (so much so that the lady at the table next to us actually got so fed up that she addressed the mother and the family left very shortly after that) - but that had notheing to do with kitchen or wait staff. We'd go back there in a heartbeat.
Sorry OP had such a bad time. I guess if word spreads enough, it will remain the "best kept secret" - more ADRs for us!