Freedom Cafe & Pub

User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

I know this is a long one but I want to warn everyone about the UNEXCUSEABLE service at the Freedom Café in Naples Maine. PLEASE READ!!!
My husband and I went away to get married and when we returned it was planned to have a nice family dinner at the Freedom Café. I was in contact with the owner (Darryl) for months in advance to make sure we had the date set and everything in stone. He is extremely hard to get a hold of, doesn’t call you or e-mail you back for days and is very short with you. I questioned whether or not I wanted to work with him or not in the first place. The building is why we did, it is beautiful. Stone fire place, post and beam style, and flat screen TV we could use for a slideshow of our trip pictures. I decided against my gut feeling and went forward with the reservation. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND anyone that is thinking of doing a event here to look ELSEWHERE!!
When we showed up an hour before the event to decorate (as planned with Darryl) I walked in to see the people seated and eating dinner in our room. I had stated to the waitress that greeted us that I was at the understanding we had the room reserved for my family. Darryl (the OWNER) ran right over to me ready to fight “ I can’t close my dining room to the public for 35 people, it would have been ok for the original number of 50 but at 35 I am not able to do that. I will lose money” He was raising his voice at me in front of everyone and I was in shock. What was I going to do now?! I have family from out of state that took time off and flew here to celebrate with us!!! He was insistent that I use the smaller room (which has no TV) and told us the loft area we thought we could use (that had a pool table and stuff for kids) had a roof leak and we were not able to use it. I was speechless!! We went outside to figure it out and started calling other places in the area. He then came out and said “there I kicked everyone out for you” VERY RUDELY! I felt bad for the guests he moved to the other room and can only imagine what he had told them as I was getting a lot of looks. We did stay because we were stuck at this point.
The food was decent (salty) but there were not enough salads for everyone, we never got our cranberry sauce with the turkey nor our hot rolls we were suppose to get. I also paid a per person price so my guests would not have to pay for coffee or soft drinks. My mother came up to me and said the bartender was charging for sodas. I went to straighten it out and I got an attitude and no offer to compensate.
I was told weeks before that they usually do a karaoke on Saturday nights and knew it would start around 8:30. Which was ok, and we were invited to stay. It was around 6:30 when the waitresses started telling us they would be cleaning up and seating for karaoke... 2 hrs in advance!!?? We left to go to another place (where a band was playing) but I was told later they were VERY rude and pushy to whoever stayed, even though they were still buying drinks from the bar! My mom informed me after we left they turned on the lights upstairs and the roof was not leaking (it was pouring out) but there was some water spread out of the floor. Like maybe someone put it there to keep us out??
I think I saw them seat 3 people the whole time we were there. On a Saturday night! Maybe people are starting to see what the Freedom Café is all about? OVERPRICED food for what you get and DISASTEROUS service!!!
All in all we had a great party thanks to my family and friends and NO THANKS to the staff at the Freedom Café!! I have never had service so disgusting in my life and will never return to that restaurant. Nor will all of my family who where there and pushed out the door, which is too bad for him seeing most of us live in the area and love to go out to eat!!!
Darryl, as the owner you should know better, bad news travels fast!! I hope next time you think about how to treat your customers, they are your guests!

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel

User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

We had a terrible experience and I'd avoid this place. Overpriced for what you get and lots of frozen stuff heated up. The jalapeno poppers are straight out of the deep freeze which isn't major sin but not great, the wings were undercooked, not meaty and the sauce was probably the worst I ever had on any buffalo wing I've every had (I'm born and raised in Western NY), the veggie burger was cold on the inside and clearly was frozen right before it was served to us, the chili was very sweet and here's the topper, our one year old's mac and cheese was Kraft straight out of the box (confirmed by our waitress) and was only 1/4 of a box - our one year ate it all and was still hungry - and they charged $6. (While I realize $6 is not a lot of money, it is for 1/4 box of kraft.) When we told the owner/manager we were disappointed in our 1/4 of a box of kraft mac and cheese he argued with us and asked how everything else was. We told him we were unsatisfied with other things, but that was not the point, and he kept repeating what do you want me to do. We didn't want a free or reduced meal but expected a bit more than kraft at a place that has Ahi Tuna and Prime Rib and perhaps a kind apology or acknowledgment.. Basically the guy is a jerk and when telling others (our family has had a lake house in the area for over 100 years) they agreed and told us that's why they avoided the place. There are better choices in Naples. Sandy's and Rick's aren't great but don't have surly management like that. It's too bad as the place has a lot of potential and the young servers are nice and efficient. The owner could use an attitude adjustment and the food could be ratcheted up. We'll be taking our business elsewhere.

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The new chef and staff this spring (2009) have made this restaurant the absolute BEST IN THE LAKES REGION! We had Ahi Tuna which was cooked to perfection, it could not have been better, the Ravioli stuffed with Portabello mushrooms & spinach was to die for and the meatloaf was fantastic. The pasta primavera was raved about. All FRESH and cooked to order. Fresh handmade pasta shined! Without a doubt, a must this year.

We come up every year to our camp in Bridgton from Mass. and are sick of the old pile of french fries with a piece of fried haddock on top. This place will turn heads this year. If you want quanity fried food cheap, this is not for you. If you want high quality, fresh food with a beautiful view on the deck with the fireplace and superior service and great value - THIS IS THE PLACE! Thank you Freedom Cafe - we've been waiting for you!!

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel