Woodies Diner

I took my wife and two daughters (11 and 13) to this establishment in September 2011. When we arrived, we saw that one side of the restaurant was empty and the other was pretty busy. Even so, the manager came and told us to wait a few minutes (??!!). So when the manager was ready to seat us, we asked him politely if we could go over to the empty side. But he said that the area was for adults only (We thought it was a family restaurant); the other half of the restaurant where he wanted to seat us was already busy with families that had very young children. My wife pointed out to him that my daughters were old enough to behave and wouldn't run around disturbing people. Even so, he still insisted that we would have to go to the crowded family side. The table we were going to sit at had been pushed into a corner, squeezed between two other tables with families, making the whole situation too cramped for comfortable dining. I said that I didn't want to sit there and that it was ridiculous. He said that it was the restaurant policy for families to be put together (no matter how uncomfortable it was). I said "this is stupid", meaning the policy, then he demanded us to leave in a very angry manner because we called him stupid. I said that I didn't call him stupid, but the restaurant's policy. Bear in mind that our voices were not raised and we were patiently trying to point out how wrong the policy was. Despite my explanation saying I didn't call him stupid , he still insisted that we leave the restaurant. We were amazed at how rude his treatment of us was. We asked for his details but he refused to give his name and he pushed my wife out of the front door. We will email the restaurant about our bad experience, but after reading the previous reviews, my hopes are not high in getting a response. But at least I can tell my bad experience on other websites.

This is a restaurant that does not care about treating customers properly and has very rude staff.
Comment on this reader review

Matt - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, September 10, 2011

As this is my sons (4 years old) favourite place to eat we decided to have our dinner at Woodys after a day out. A family of 4 we were seated and our order taken. Our daughter who is 18 months old was crying as she was hungry (not that loud I might add) We were then told by the waiter some customers had complained about her crying (by now she had stopped) and was told to take her into the small corridor where the toilets are. I told him i thought this was a family restaurant and was told that it wouldnt normally be a problem but it was busy. There was only 5 tables where people were seated. A family next to us could not believe this and was as outraged as us. We were horrified to be treated like this and left and fed our children at Frankie and Bennys where we were made very welcome. I have emailed the Manager to complain and he has not bothered to reply.
Comment on this reader review

Cindy Crang
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I’ve just come back from lunch at Woodies with my two sons. We arrived at around 1.45 and Woodies was about half full. It soon emptied out.

We were asked about drinks within 5 mins of arrival, but waited over 15 for their delivery during which time we ordered our meals (all burgers).

So drinks now finished, we still waited for food (2.15). when it arrived (2.20) I ordered two glasses of tap water and a glass of wine. These took a further 12 mins to arrive.

OK, so the service was slow.

But the burgers were – Well I now know why you’re called “Woodies”. They were Overcooked – cremated I’d say, hard and blacken to the bottom and sides. This gave the once super beef a sharp burnt taste. If these were home cooked you’d start again.

Of course I complained, the manager said it was no excuse, but we had arrived just after a busy period. Regards the” Woodie Burgers” he said they had been involved in a case that meant all burgers are now well done. He added he quite liked them like that. I told him I did not...

There's is a destination eatery and people come for the experience. Without good cooking you will start to lose market share in this town. For similar money we could have eaten at La Fouchett, Ginger pig or L’glise, but we wanted fun and good food. We got neither.

Recently we’d heard a story of a burger with cheese on top, when the customer had asked for no cheese. When asking the waitress to replace it she said “is the little girl allergic to cheese?” answer “No” Waitress “well, just scrape it off then”

I’ve never been here before and assumed it was an unlucky occurrence, but my experience suggests things are not good at Woodies.

I can’t imagine a reason to return, but suggest that a restaurant that prides it’s all American appeal needs to learn how to cook a burger and remember it’s not call fast food of nothing.
Comment on this reader review

Jeff White
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, August 26, 2010

I ate at Woodies last week. The food is above-average, but the overall experience is bad.

My family and I waited an hour to be seated. Although it's a family restaurant, they have a 'adults section' where they only seat parties without children - ridiculous. So if you're visiting with your kids, be prepared to wait in line (for a long time) whilst adults who join the queue behind you are ushered forward and seated before you.

When queuing, don't expect to be given a menu to browse, or be given any idea how long your wait might be, or get an apology when you've been waiting an hour. Poor communication added to a poor table allocation system.

When seated, service is quite slow from initially being given menus and served drinks, to taking food orders, serving desserts and processing payments. This means they turn the tables slowly in the family section, which adds to the waiting time for everyone else. Nobody wants to be rushed eating in a restaurant, but the service could certainly be a bit slicker for what is effectively 'fast-food' (we entered at 1.40pm and left at 4pm - for lunch!!).

Things Woodies needs to improve:

1. Ditch the adults section, and seat people first-come, first-served

2. Take pre-bookings over the phone or online

3. Hire an experienced restaurant manager to direct the teenagers who seem to running front-of-house

4. Hire an extra person to make smoothies, milkshakes and ice-cream sundaes – these are in great demand but the one person making these can’t cope with the demand

5. Serve other drinks as they are ready, rather than waiting for smoothies/ milkshakes to be ready (see above)

6.Turn the tables more quickly

7. Respond - comments submitted via their website have been ignored
Comment on this reader review

David Copeland
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Saturday, May 08, 2010

Ate here in Feb 2010. Waiter was attentive however a bit in your face friendly (enough already!). Music was WAY TOO LOUD. The helpings were huge, but of average quality. The chips tasted of fish?! Nice apple soda though! Over priced for sure. But if you are one of Hoves yummy mummies you will enjoy! Very child friendly.
Comment on this reader review

R Morse - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Saturday, March 27, 2010

I ate here in Feb 2010.

Staff were friendly, service was fine although they did serve a couple that arrived after us, before us.

Food was lovely but way overpriced.

2 adults, no starters, 2 drinks each, main course, no pudding = £40!

Wouldn't bother going back as i can get food just as good elsewhere for a much cheaper price.
Comment on this reader review

Widget
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Monday, March 01, 2010

I think that that Woodies is the most over priced and horrible restaurant my family and i have ever eaten at. The food is overpriced, the staff rude and nasty and the over all ambiance is one of getting as much money off the customer as possible with minimal effort. My family were kept waiting for over an hour and even then they got the order wrong and the chips were cold, my children were practically in tears when one of the staff was rude to us. My friends have had similar experiences.
Comment on this reader review

John Batemer
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, October 15, 2009

Reading the first very poor review i was completely shocked! My family and I eat at Woodies regularly and have had nothing but excellent food and service!

You will often find a queue at the door, but the waiting reflects how popular Woodies has become.

Its child friendly, and has a fun atmosphere with the neon lights and surfing decor.. including regular showings of Grease on the flat screen!

Id recommend the Baja Chicken Enchiladas and old fashioned style soda for drinks.

They are open for breakfast, so for a treat and something a little different you could try a breakfast burrito or pancakes!

Id advise everyone to visit Woodies, its a little gem on the Hove seafront :)
Comment on this reader review

Michelle
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 01, 2009

Went there for Brunch on Sunday and it was the worst experiance. The staff were compleatly incompitant and rude even though there was at least 7 of them and it wasn't busy. They made us stand for 15 minutes in the corner while they cleared a table. We eventually had to ask again if we could sit down. We waited another ten mins for a menu, had to go and get it ourselves. We had to go up to the counter again to order our food. The man behind the counter looked at me like a piece of rubbish and told me that he was a bit busy at the moment.... 5 minutes later he was sat down himself eating a fry up. When the food eventually came i ordered chips and beans. There was approximately 12 chips and a spoon full of beans. I then ordered some white toast. It arrived after 15 minutes (i again had to ask for it again and it was stone cold and brown). Without doubt the worst meal ever. They even got my bill wrong and charged me too much. Unfortunately service WAS included....

I haven't even mentioned everything here....it was terrible!
View/Add comments (1)

Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, April 27, 2009