Whitefish Sandwich
Oaks Grill

Oaks Grill

108 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, 33511, Brandon, United States

Fish • Meat • Grill • Seafood


"When our waitress finally appeared to take our food order, we requested the BLT sandwiches and decided to try their clam strips as an appetizer since we love clams. One of the things I appreciate about this place is that the sandwiches are generously portioned, and you get a large side of fries for just $6 — unbeatable! Unfortunately, we didn’t see anyone again until our clam strips were ready. Now, I understand that they were only $7, but everyone knows that overcooked clam strips can ruin a dish. Not only were they overcooked, but they also lacked flavor and were so hard that a fork couldn’t penetrate them. We only encountered our waitress one more time as she rushed by. What happened to good old-fashioned customer service? After finishing our meal, we waited a solid 10 minutes before our waitress finally noticed we were done; apparently, wiping down a table was more important to her than checking on her customers. The restaurant was not even half-full, so the lack of attention was surprising. When she eventually came over, I mentioned the clam strips to her. She dismissed my concerns, saying they weren’t hard and that they were always made that way, all while carelessly tossing pieces back onto the plate. My sister and I exchanged incredulous looks as she walked away. Another employee, dressed in pool shorts and a t-shirt, was trying to adjust the TV nearby. I asked if the manager was available, and he replied that yes, they were there. When I requested to see the manager, he asked, “What do you need?” I inquired if he was the manager, and he responded, “Sort of.” Seriously, either you are or you’re not. Anyway, I relayed our experience with the clam strips to him. He was only half-listening as he fiddled with the TV, but at least he acknowledged the piece I showed him and said he would have her remove it from our bill. While the sandwich was great, the service was disappointing, which is very important to me. My sister and I work hard for our money, and we understand that sometimes things might not be cooked perfectly in the restaurant business. However, providing good service, checking on customers often, and ensuring customer satisfaction should be a priority. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be returning here as frequently in the future."