Inspirational Story at the End of a Disappointing Meal

We were staying on Indian Rocks beach, in a timeshare, and had friends come and stay a night with us. I checked on restaurants nearby, and several including a Village Inn, had closed. There were several catering for seafood, being on/near the beach, but the only one I could find that I thought we would all find something we liked, was Cody's Original Roadhouse.

It was around a 2 mile drive. We are early eaters, so left the apartment at Camaron Cove, just before 5 p.m. Just a short trip, that we were there by 5 p.m. There were half a dozen people waiting outside, and I assumed that they were smokers.

We headed into the entrance of Cody's, and there were quite a few people waiting. I went up to the desk, and asked the hostess, how long a wait? She told me 25 to 30 minutes. Normally we wouldn't wait, but as we didn't know the area, and some had closed, we decided to wait.

People were standing half in the restaurant, and half out, and the wind just blew through us. After 20 minutes of rude people pushing us, we asked where we were on the list, and were told it could be another 35 minutes. This frustrated us, because we wouldn't have stayed if we had known.

They gave out playing cards to each party, and they didn't run in sequence so we had no idea of who was before us.

At 5.45 p.m. our card was called. We were taken into the dining room, and were pleased that we were by a wall. People in the middle, or near the door, didn't have any privacy.

We had our menus in front of us, and one early bird menu, between us. There was also a blue plate special for the day.

Our server came and asked for our drinks orders. We had decaffeinated coffee, coffee, diet coke, and water. While she was there we asked her about the menu. She told us that the special was 'Beer battered fish'. Being English, my husband was so happy. He said "Fish 'n' chips". The server said "No, fish with mashed potatoes, and green beans. What an insult to an Englishman. We asked if the mash could be substituted for fries, and she said "Yes". Len told her that he didn't eat green beans, so I suggested coleslaw instead. Our server, who's name was Kathy, told us that they didn't have any coleslaw in the place. This blew me away.

Once she came back with our drinks, Kathy asked if we were ready to order. Ron wanted the fajitas, and so did I, so we got the B.O.G.O.F. @ $10.98. We both went for the combo, chicken and steak. Sandy, and Len decided on the blue plate special. They both had the beer battered fish, French fries, and the green beans, which we won't talk about.

Kathy asked Len and Sandy if they wanted a house salad for 99 cents. Len said "No", but I immediately said "Yes". She told me that it would be $2.99. I said that Len was having it, but I would be eating it, that way it only cost 99 cents. She went to walk away so I asked what salad dressing they had. I was told that it came with the house Ranch dressing. Good job Sandy and I liked it.

While we sat I looked at the checkered tablecloths with the plastic paper on the top. There were peanuts in the entrance way, and also on the tables. We didn't eat any, but there were shells everywhere.

We only waited a few minutes for the two salads, and rolls to arrive. I have to say that the salads were big, and had plenty in them. it is nice to get a side salad with egg in it. So many restaurants have cut back to lettuce, cucumber, and tomato. The rolls were hot, and came with cinnamon butter. Kathy brought Len regular butter.

I was about half into my salad when our entrees came out. Len and Sandy looked at their beer battered fish, @ $7.98, and it was the size of fish fingers. Len asked if the dinner was a child's size, they both got about a dozen French fries, and one spoon of green beans, but Kathy didn't answer.

They both said that the small amount of fish they had was good, and she did bring malt vinegar without us asking for it, but I could see how disappointed they were.

Ron thought his fajitas to be very bland. Mine were okay, but I had much better ones at Chili's earlier in the week. Yes, they were $10, but I got to share an appetizer too.

The chicken and steak, came with just onions, no green peppers. They did come with flour tortilla, shredded lettuce, Jack & cheddar cheeses, pica de gallo and sour cream. This wasn't plentiful, and didn't look overly fresh. Mine were okay for $5.49, but if I had paid full price, I wouldn't have been happy.

Kathy did come back and gave us refills on our drinks.

When we were almost done, she came back again, and asked if there was anything else. Ron, Sandy, and I decided to split a New York style strawberry cheesecake @ $5.98 a slice. When it was delivered it was a nice size. We enjoyed it.

As we were finishing it up, Kathy came up to us, and told us that the gentleman with the cap, had paid for our meals. Our mouths fell open. The gentleman had a cap with Army on it. Both my husband Len, and Ron had been in the service, so they went up to the gentleman, and he thanked them both for their service. They couldn't get him to change his mind, because he had already treated the 4 of us to dinner.

We left Kathy a tip, and then went to the gentleman before we left. The men shook hands, and both Sandy and I thanked him, and gave him a hug. He hadn't known whether our bill was $45. which I thought it to be, or $100, when he asked to pay it.

I just wished that we had enjoyed the meal more, because this was truly an inspirational visit. If you go there, the salad, rolls, and dessert were good. Remember not to go at 5 p.m., as it is like a cattle market. Also Wednesday is the B.O.G.O.F., so if you are in a hurry, you may wish to avoid it.

Cody's Original Roadhouse,
2890 West Bay Drive,
Belleair Bluffs,
Fl 33770.
Telephone 727-584-8473.

Check locations, specials, menus, etc., at http://www.codysoriginalroadhouse.com/come_on_in.asp