Any info or review of Pandora's in GB?

Yes, it is possible, but if it was a regular occurance, there would not be a full parking lot every night. The Prime Rib night is popular because it is cheap and filling.

Pandora's has great tasting steaks and the service is as decent as most places around here.

I seem to recall RiverOtter mentioning that their fish was some of the best he has ever eaten. Why people order fish at a steak house, I will never know.

I've been there probably a half-dozen or so times over the last five years. The outside seating area is a cool spot to hang out and drink. Always an interesting crowd. Quite a few locals. I think most of the cars mentioned by SJ belong to folks sitting outside drinking (but probably not eating). The food is (how can I say this)...hit and miss. The service is not particularly noteworthy (but not really bad either, just kind of indifferent).

I certainly think there are better steaks to be had in Walton County, but if you are staying in Grayton, and want to walk somewhere and have a steak, I guess it would be a decent option.

Overall, I would say it is passable, but nothing to write home about. Now the original Pandoras in Ft. Walton was awesome. But I haven't been there in more than 15 years. I have no idea if it even exists anymore.

Went there about 3 weeks ago and had the surf and turf!:clap_1: Very good. They were grayt with the kids. The have wood burning stoves they cook over or somthing like that. Great flavor! They are closed 1 day during the week (Mon. or Wed.??) so call first. We usually go there every time we are in SoWal. Never had a bad experience

We ate there only once and had such horrible food that it will be a long time till we go there again - however that was 1.5 years ago and if management has changed I would go because there are not enough places here where one can sit outdoors! - service was OK though. I always feel really bad about that combination of poor food but good service because you never ever want to punish the hard working waiters and waitresses for food but you somehow want to send a message to management. Anyone out there know how one can do that without cutting back on tipping??

we have been eating there for the past 5 or 6 yrs now, and have always had good food (esp. the fried strawberries for dessert). service can be hit or miss, but we usually go early before it gets too crowded

We ate there only once and had such horrible food that it will be a long time till we go there again - however that was 1.5 years ago and if management has changed I would go because there are not enough places here where one can sit outdoors! - service was OK though. I always feel really bad about that combination of poor food but good service because you never ever want to punish the hard working waiters and waitresses for food but you somehow want to send a message to management. Anyone out there know how one can do that without cutting back on tipping??

Yeah, just quote Rodney Dangerfield from "Caddyshack" to the waiter:

"Tell the chef this is low-grade dog food." or "This steak still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it."

Yeah, just quote Rodney Dangerfield from "Caddyshack" to the waiter:

"Tell the chef this is low-grade dog food." or "This steak still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it."

And then someone urinates or spits in our food!!

And then someone urinates or spits in our food!!

Uh, how could they do that if the food is already in front of you?

I seem to recall RiverOtter mentioning that their fish was some of the best he has ever eaten. Why people order fish at a steak house, I will never know.

Cause he's an Otter and Otter's fish?

Uh, how could they do that if the food is already in front of you?

You're right!! :clap_1:

And we skip dessert!

I always feel really bad about that combination of poor food but good service because you never ever want to punish the hard working waiters and waitresses for food but you somehow want to send a message to management. Anyone out there know how one can do that without cutting back on tipping??

<VERY DIPLOMATICALLY> ask your waiter to send over the manager, tell the manager you're disappointed in the food and give them specifics (but don't wait until you finish the entire meal). The manager should offer to redo the meal--then it is up to you to either say yes or no. If you say yes, the manager should offer some sort of consolation for the bother (wine, dessert, cut in price). If you say no, and eat the food, the manager should again offer you some sort of consolation (a dessert, wine, or cut in price). If you refuse to either eat the food or re-order the food, the manager should strike the cost from the bill and maybe offer some type of gift certificate. You may want to offer a "suggestion" as to what would be reasonable compensation for your ruined evening. (Tip the waiter accordingly if you believe they deserve it.)

It is important that you keep your conversation with the staff as private and polite as possible--if you start ranting and raving, you've lost your edge with the staff and with the diners around you.

If the manager is not forthcoming, ask for the name of the owner and the names of the people involved. Send the owner a detailed letter and give specific facts of the problem with the food and/or service. Again, suggest a reasonable compensation for your trouble if you feel it is necessary. The owner should be tickled pink that you gave them the opportunity to know what their customers think--especially if you are a local in the SoWal area (the lifeblood of these places when the tourists go away for the winter).

This is especially true for places with entrees that are in the $19-$35 range...but just as important for the "chain" places.

For example, we once went to the Red Lobster in Ft Walton Beach for lunch (we've eaten there before and have had very good food and service for lunch) and were put at a table with a "trainee" who essentially gave us water, took our order and disappeared into a black hole. After several attempts to have other staff find this guy, he appeared with our salads--and went back to his cave. After a reasonable wait, we summoned the manager, but after 5 minutes they didn't appear. We got up and went to the front desk where the Assistant Manager was hanging out checking people in. We told them the problem and said we were leaving. They apologized profusely and offered us $20 in gift certificates. We said, "no thanks, that's alright," I told her "I know these things happen with trainees, I just want you pass along the situation to the staff so they know not to allow this to happen to another diner." We turned around and walked out and the Asst Manager ran up to us as we were pulling out of the parking lot and said, "Here's $30 (!) in certificates, please come back and let us make this up to you!" Again, we thanked her and refused the offer--did we go back? Absolutely! (and it was a good experience). Did we tell others about it? --- I just did.

Overall, I would say it is passable, but nothing to write home about. Now the original Pandoras in Ft. Walton was awesome. But I haven't been there in more than 15 years. I have no idea if it even exists anymore.

The "original" Pandoras was razed to make room for....a CONDO <surprise!>. They moved their operation to another area on the island (don't know where).

Back in the olden days they were very good. The last time I ate there was well over a year ago (at the original site--which was a pretty neat place) after they were notified that they were given "the boot" -- it certainly wasn't as good as I remembered it to be.

We always have a great steak at Pandora's. If there is a better steak in Sowal, I would like to know where! Also, we enjoy the outdoor bar for a drink or two before dinner. I've had other entrees - such as seafood - okay but not memorable.

I would definitely recommend giving Pandora's a try!

Have been there several times. It is a 50/50 split for me. Sometimes good and sometimes bad....I would give it a try.....

The "original" Pandoras was razed to make room for....a CONDO <surprise!>. They moved their operation to another area on the island (don't know where).

Back in the olden days they were very good. The last time I ate there was well over a year ago (at the original site--which was a pretty neat place) after they were notified that they were given "the boot" -- it certainly wasn't as good as I remembered it to be.

If you remember Pandora's in the old days, you probably also remember:
The Seagull
The Sand Flea
The Blue Room in Destin
Perri's
The Wharf
The Quarterdeck

Ah, memories.

It wasn't that long ago. Pandora's on the Island was still kicking when we lived down the street from there until early 2001.

I'm actually kind of glad they're putting in a condo in that area because it also means that the Subway that gave me "I hope I'll die because I'll be out my my misery" food poisoning got reduced to tiny little bits of cement block and tinder.

Never ate at Pandora's because we're not steak/beef eaters, but the Ft. Walton Beach Red Lobster got a lot of our business. They had some good managers for a while that kept the food and service Impressively Good for a Chain Restaurant. Haven't been back there in a couple of years though since these days if we're needing to eat when we're in that part of FWB, Mr. Mouse really likes the Magnolia Grill.

Someone who knows the owner of Pandoras may want to recommend the owner take a look at this thread. Some of the problems mentioned shouldn't be hard to fix if the owner wants to fix them and knows about them. I'll have to try Pandora's myself sometime for the first-hand experience.

We ate there once and my order was awful...overgrilled shrimp. The fried strawberries were very good though...haven't been back because of the experience.

I just ate there for the first time last Friday night.
I had the prime rib--it was good, but not the best I have had. My husband had the blackened Mahi Mahi, which is what I wish I had ordered. That was the best I have ever had!

Oh, and the fried strawberries were a hit!

If you remember Pandora's in the old days, you probably also remember:
The Seagull
The Sand Flea
The Blue Room in Destin
Perri's
The Wharf
The Quarterdeck

Ah, memories.

Flashback!! (Goodness! Perri's--there's a name I long ago forgot)

Called the Seagull the "Dirty Bird"--nice location till it burned down.

Liollio's (FWB's "upscale" gangsta hangout)

The Landing (for "the best" prime rib!)

The Sound

Bacon's by the Sea (of Gen Doolittle fame)

And the old Summerhouse they just "moved" to make way for....<drum roll> a CONDO!

Was 25 years younger and broker back then--but as I recall...a couple bucks bought lots more beer and oysters!

The fried strawberrys are really good. The have a nice Prime Rib night Wed & Sun for 10.95. Not the best prime rib, but hey, for 10.95 cut them some slack. The petite filet mignon cooked med rare, with Lump Crabmeat and Bernaise Sauce is really good. They have decent wine list, and each meal comes with a hot loaf of bread and a salad.

Service is hit or miss, but really nowdays it is hard to find, train and keep good people. Not making excuses, just telling it like it is.

The owners are 50/50 - Alan Laird of AJ's fame and Sam Montalto, owner of the original Pandora's on Okaloosa Island are the owners, or were the last I heard. As far as reading this thread post and either of them really being overly concerned about it - I doubt it.

Alan Laird makes his annual millions off of AJ's, and also the Swamp, Floyd's Fish House and Nighttown and Sam Montalto has Pandora's and the Summerhouse on Okaloosa Isle and a ton of money from the land sale for the condo's. While both are professionals and care about customer service, the Pandora's of Grayton Beach is really far removed from their daily lives and core business operation locations for either of them to get overly concerned about it, in my opinion.

Thanks for all the great replies folks. I knew I could count on you.
Sounds to me like we'll try the prime rib night "if" we don't have other plans. From reading the other posts I DO think we'll definetely try Amores Pizzeria. We're big fans of Bruno's pizza but maybe this year we'll do pizza night with Amory.

The fried strawberrys are really good. The have a nice Prime Rib night Wed & Sun for 10.95. Not the best prime rib, but hey, for 10.95 cut them some slack. The petite filet mignon cooked med rare, with Lump Crabmeat and Bernaise Sauce is really good. They have decent wine list, and each meal comes with a hot loaf of bread and a salad.

Service is hit or miss, but really nowdays it is hard to find, train and keep good people. Not making excuses, just telling it like it is.

The owners are 50/50 - Alan Laird of AJ's fame and Sam Montalto, owner of the original Pandora's on Okaloosa Island are the owners, or were the last I heard. As far as reading this thread post and either of them really being overly concerned about it - I doubt it.

Alan Laird makes his annual millions off of AJ's, and also the Swamp, Floyd's Fish House and Nighttown and Sam Montalto has Pandora's and the Summerhouse on Okaloosa Isle and a ton of money from the land sale for the condo's. While both are professionals and care about customer service, the Pandora's of Grayton Beach is really far removed from their daily lives and core business operation locations for either of them to get overly concerned about it, in my opinion.

Jhbeebe..I think you are probably correct. The only time I have ever heard the owners involving themselves with Pandora's was when a personal friend complained about the food and service. Also , heard they are interested in selling. Surprise, surprise!!

I am a fan of Pandora's T-bone and easy to please for service. I have also enjoyed the grilled Tuna.

The only time I have ever heard the owners involving themselves with Pandora's was when a personal friend complained about the food and service. Also , heard they are interested in selling. Surprise, surprise!!

Goodness knows we can use another condo here on the 'handle.