13848 Tilden Rd
Ste 192
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 614-8328
www.caveinnbbq.com
In a part of town where large chain restaurants and fast food eateries are everywhere, I am always pleased to see a new, non-chain dining establishment open up and I will go out of my way to patronize them at least once. Such was the case when I received a whimsical looking menu in the mail recently that featured a cartoon caveman on it.
The Cave Inn BBQ restaurant is housed in a new strip mall at the corner of Tilden Road and CR 535 (tucked behind a Walgreens.) Within walking distance of Summerport, a very large residential area, as well as several other neighboring subdivisions, they are in a good location. Unfortunately, it is one thing to get customers in the first time but quite another to get them to return.
First, let me start by saying that if I could rate the Cave Inn on ambience and service alone, they would get five whole stars. The décor is very reminiscent of the Flintstones which will please those of us who grew up watching Fred, Barney and the gang. My son, who was with us, said it also reminded him of a Disney restaurant (probably the T-Rex Café). My husband, said that the cool caveman theme was carried on into the restroom. Overall, the place was very clean and looked great.
The service was very attentive and pleasant. We never had to ask for anything. Both waitresses who were on duty during our visit were professional and gave a very good impression of the restaurant.
Unfortunately, the most important aspect of the visit (the food) is where the Cave Inn falls short. Here are a few observations we made:- Kitchen Running Out of Food So Early in the Day - Oddly enough, even though the restaurant had just opened an hour before we got there, we were informed that they were out of the pulled pork. After we placed our order, the waitress came back shortly afterwards and apologized because they were also out of the stuffed mushrooms that we had ordered.
- Communal Platter: For some reason, the food is brought out on one platter that is plopped in the middle of the table. So you have to pick up your meats and fries either with your utensils or with your fingers. (See my note below on "Tacky Fingers.") I understand that this probably ties in with the whole caveman theme but some of us prefer not to eat with our hands. I think the entrees should be delivered on separate plates.
- Heavily Sweetened Dishes: Luckily, the restaurant was giving away small portions of their onion ring appetizers that day so we didn't mind them not having the mushrooms we ordered. The onion rings were DELICIOUS at first bite. But by the third or fourth onion ring, you realize that they are a bit too sweet. We all agreed that the tiny serving was just the right size or else we would have been in sugar shock. The side order of baked beans were HUGE and super sweet. They also had a slight cinnamon note which, again after the third or fourth spoonful, made us not want to eat any more.
- Tacky Fingers: Packets of wet wipes should either be available on the tables or offered with the check. (A la Sonny's.) There were none to be seen here and, unless you visit the restroom before leaving, you'll be walking out with sticky digits.
- Pricing: A bit pricey for what we got.
Will I return? As much as I would to say yes, I probably will not. The good news is that I saw where someone who works at the restaurant responded to a complaint on Yelp and it sounds like they are open to constructive criticism. So hopefully with a few minor adjustments, they will manage to bring back some of the clientele and make them regulars. Time will tell....
Ste 192
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 614-8328
www.caveinnbbq.com
In a part of town where large chain restaurants and fast food eateries are everywhere, I am always pleased to see a new, non-chain dining establishment open up and I will go out of my way to patronize them at least once. Such was the case when I received a whimsical looking menu in the mail recently that featured a cartoon caveman on it.
The Cave Inn BBQ restaurant is housed in a new strip mall at the corner of Tilden Road and CR 535 (tucked behind a Walgreens.) Within walking distance of Summerport, a very large residential area, as well as several other neighboring subdivisions, they are in a good location. Unfortunately, it is one thing to get customers in the first time but quite another to get them to return.
First, let me start by saying that if I could rate the Cave Inn on ambience and service alone, they would get five whole stars. The décor is very reminiscent of the Flintstones which will please those of us who grew up watching Fred, Barney and the gang. My son, who was with us, said it also reminded him of a Disney restaurant (probably the T-Rex Café). My husband, said that the cool caveman theme was carried on into the restroom. Overall, the place was very clean and looked great.
The service was very attentive and pleasant. We never had to ask for anything. Both waitresses who were on duty during our visit were professional and gave a very good impression of the restaurant.
Unfortunately, the most important aspect of the visit (the food) is where the Cave Inn falls short. Here are a few observations we made:- Kitchen Running Out of Food So Early in the Day - Oddly enough, even though the restaurant had just opened an hour before we got there, we were informed that they were out of the pulled pork. After we placed our order, the waitress came back shortly afterwards and apologized because they were also out of the stuffed mushrooms that we had ordered.
- Communal Platter: For some reason, the food is brought out on one platter that is plopped in the middle of the table. So you have to pick up your meats and fries either with your utensils or with your fingers. (See my note below on "Tacky Fingers.") I understand that this probably ties in with the whole caveman theme but some of us prefer not to eat with our hands. I think the entrees should be delivered on separate plates.
- Heavily Sweetened Dishes: Luckily, the restaurant was giving away small portions of their onion ring appetizers that day so we didn't mind them not having the mushrooms we ordered. The onion rings were DELICIOUS at first bite. But by the third or fourth onion ring, you realize that they are a bit too sweet. We all agreed that the tiny serving was just the right size or else we would have been in sugar shock. The side order of baked beans were HUGE and super sweet. They also had a slight cinnamon note which, again after the third or fourth spoonful, made us not want to eat any more.
- Tacky Fingers: Packets of wet wipes should either be available on the tables or offered with the check. (A la Sonny's.) There were none to be seen here and, unless you visit the restroom before leaving, you'll be walking out with sticky digits.
- Pricing: A bit pricey for what we got.
Will I return? As much as I would to say yes, I probably will not. The good news is that I saw where someone who works at the restaurant responded to a complaint on Yelp and it sounds like they are open to constructive criticism. So hopefully with a few minor adjustments, they will manage to bring back some of the clientele and make them regulars. Time will tell....
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