This is just basic hotel food in a very nice setting. Please believe me, the buffet is not even remotely worth $23 or whatever it was. It consisted of a limited selection of things like powdered eggs, soggy flavorless potatoes, sausages, etc. Even the coffee was bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Ben Miers
Foodcraft was very crafty! The bread service was the best I have ever had. The food was delicious. The atmosphere was top notch. Located right on the beach and not overcrowded it cannot be beat. I recommend foodcraft! They also take reservations for larger groups. We had a group of 10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips
Kaleb Tramel
WARNING: You will be forced to pay a 20% gratuity…
Honestly, this place was looking pretty good. Food was pretty good, slightly on the pricey side but we checked the menus beforehand so we knew what we were getting into. We ate our food and got our checks and knew something was immediately wrong… a 20% gratuity was automatically added to the total. As far as we could tell, there was zero warning anywhere, and if one did exist we couldn’t find it.
So instead of leaving the restaurant feeling happy about our decision and talking about the otherwise decent food, we left feeling cheated and confused.
Not really sure why the restaurant feels the need to operate this way but regardless it left our entire family feeling regretful about our dinner choice.
This review will most likely never change the way the restaurant operates so hopefully it serves as a warning to those who are thinking about going and they can make a fully informed decision.
Lew Lewis
1 Star
Unfortunately, Food Craft inside The Lodge at Gulf State Park was a major disappointment. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt off. There was no greeting at the door, the restaurant had very few guests, no background music, and the overall atmosphere felt boring and uninviting.
I came with a party of six, and all six of us left disappointed. That almost never happens. Usually at least one person finds something they enjoyed, but this was not the case.
I ordered the blackened red snapper with a side of pasta. It took around 40 minutes to come out, which normally would not bother me much, but when the atmosphere and vibe are not right, you feel every minute. When the food arrived, it was underwhelming. The fish tasted fresh, but it did not deliver the flavor I expect from blackened fish. The pasta was even worse. It tasted like plain pasta with butter and had very little flavor.
The service was okay, but our server could use more training. I asked for help with a wine choice, and she did not seem knowledgeable or prepared to help. I had to suggest that she ask the bartender, when that should have been offered automatically.
Then, in the middle of dinner, loud cleaning started and the lights were brightened. It made the whole table feel like we were being rushed out or kicked out.
Maybe we picked a bad time to visit, but based on this experience, I would not recommend Food Craft, and I definitely will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Macy Parker
I would have given this restaurant zero stars if that had been an option.
Upon walking into the restaurant, the experience got off to a poor start. No one greeted us or directed us to our party, despite us arriving about an hour before closing. Our server eventually came to take our order and was patient with our group, which was appreciated, but unfortunately that was the highlight of the evening.
From the moment we sat down, it was obvious the staff was focused on closing rather than the guests still dining. Throughout our entire meal, employees were sweeping around us, loudly clanging and stacking dishes, and carrying on conversations that echoed through the dining room. Instead of enjoying a relaxing dinner, the soundtrack to our evening was brooms, silverware, and cleanup.
To make matters worse, our food took over 40 minutes to arrive despite there being very few other diners in the restaurant. When it finally came, every member of our party of six had the same reaction: the food was bland and completely underwhelming.
Halfway through our meal, the bright overhead lights were turned on while the staff continued cleaning all around us, making it feel as though we were being rushed out rather than welcomed as paying customers.
We understand restaurants need to close, but guests who arrive during business hours deserve the same level of service and dining experience as everyone else. Unfortunately, this visit felt like an inconvenience to the staff from beginning to end. We will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Beth Patterson
We had a wonderful meal at Foodcraft! We ordered the steamed oysters and scallops, and both were outstanding. The steamed oysters were fresh, hot, and full of flavor, and the scallops were perfectly seared, tender, and delicious.
The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive. Everything from the food to the experience exceeded our expectations. If you’re looking for great seafood in Gulf Shores, Foodcraft is definitely worth a stop. We’ll be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Corley
Our food was average, but our server was really bad. We had to ask other servers for water and other items that our server failed to bring. Really made what could have been a 4 star review a 1 star.
Toni Hayes
We visited Foodcraft for an early dinner with four adults and two kids. The host at the front was welcoming, and our server was sweet and attentive throughout the meal. Unfortunately, our experience got off to a disappointing start with the appetizer. We ordered the oysters, but nowhere on the menu or from our server was it explained that the oysters were “boutique” which meant they would be incredibly small. They were, without question, the tiniest oysters we’ve ever seen, and the price made it even more disappointing. Manager Ryan came over and gave us an explanation about the oysters that we hadn’t asked for, followed by a quick apology, but it didn’t really change the experience. Thankfully, the rest of the meal was excellent. The main courses were delicious and definitely not “boutique” sized! Dessert was also delightful and ended the meal on a high note. Overall, Foodcraft has good food and friendly staff, but the oyster experience at the beginning really put a damper on the evening and affected the overall mood of our dinner. Glad we tried it but sadly ii won't be a restaurant we add to our yearly trips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Terri Preston
Food was good and service was amazing.
Daniel Payton Humphries
I love going to this restaurant. I actually meet a business client here every time he's in town. They have great coffee and breakfast options. The staff is extremely friendly, the place is very clean, and the view is absolutely amazing.
We went to The Lodge at Gulf State Park for brunch and had an absolutely wonderful experience. The food was delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented, and the atmosphere was inviting and relaxing.
What truly made our brunch memorable was our server, Victoria. She went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. We had forgotten a candle and lighter for our friend’s birthday cake, and Victoria took it upon herself to track both down so we could still celebrate properly. It was such a thoughtful gesture that meant so much to all of us.
Her attentiveness, kindness, and exceptional service turned a great brunch into a truly special occasion. Thank you, Victoria, for helping make our friend’s birthday celebration so memorable. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara Underwood
Amazing service and spectacular food. We had an amazing server, April who took such good care of us. There is a full menu to order off or you can choose buffet. Both were great options!! Perfect for families or large parties.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mansi Patel
Wow, what a fantastic meal! We tried a bit of everything and were thoroughly impressed by the quality and presentation. The whipped feta with pistachios and crustini and the crispy goat cheese over marinara made for perfect starters. For the mains, the savory crab cakes with grilled asparagus, the perfectly seared scallops in a creamy pea and mushroom sauce, and the unique watermelon-feta sweet tea brined chicken tenders were all outstanding. Fresh ingredients, great atmosphere, and wonderful flavors. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Brian Crow
I was on a work trip to be a speaker at a conference and landed in paradise. This restaurant is located on a gulf shore resort. I had a whole red snapper on the recommendation of my barkeep Larocca. I’ve never had a whole fish before but visiting from Chicago, I wanted to try new things. I enjoyed margaritas and personalized attention at the bar since I was traveling alone. Thank you for adding to my experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Kyzer
Would have loved to eat here. Google says open 7 am to 9 pm. The front door of the restaurant states the same hours. We walk in (doors are open) at 3:30 pm to be seated and immediately told they are closed from 2 pm to 5 pm to reset from breakfast. Fix your posted times. We took our business elsewhere.
This is just basic hotel food in a very nice setting. Please believe me, the buffet is not even remotely worth $23 or whatever it was. It consisted of a limited selection of things like powdered eggs, soggy flavorless potatoes, sausages, etc. Even the coffee was bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Foodcraft was very crafty! The bread service was the best I have ever had. The food was delicious. The atmosphere was top notch. Located right on the beach and not overcrowded it cannot be beat. I recommend foodcraft! They also take reservations for larger groups. We had a group of 10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips
WARNING: You will be forced to pay a 20% gratuity…
Honestly, this place was looking pretty good. Food was pretty good, slightly on the pricey side but we checked the menus beforehand so we knew what we were getting into. We ate our food and got our checks and knew something was immediately wrong… a 20% gratuity was automatically added to the total. As far as we could tell, there was zero warning anywhere, and if one did exist we couldn’t find it.
So instead of leaving the restaurant feeling happy about our decision and talking about the otherwise decent food, we left feeling cheated and confused.
Not really sure why the restaurant feels the need to operate this way but regardless it left our entire family feeling regretful about our dinner choice.
This review will most likely never change the way the restaurant operates so hopefully it serves as a warning to those who are thinking about going and they can make a fully informed decision.
1 Star
Unfortunately, Food Craft inside The Lodge at Gulf State Park was a major disappointment. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt off. There was no greeting at the door, the restaurant had very few guests, no background music, and the overall atmosphere felt boring and uninviting.
I came with a party of six, and all six of us left disappointed. That almost never happens. Usually at least one person finds something they enjoyed, but this was not the case.
I ordered the blackened red snapper with a side of pasta. It took around 40 minutes to come out, which normally would not bother me much, but when the atmosphere and vibe are not right, you feel every minute. When the food arrived, it was underwhelming. The fish tasted fresh, but it did not deliver the flavor I expect from blackened fish. The pasta was even worse. It tasted like plain pasta with butter and had very little flavor.
The service was okay, but our server could use more training. I asked for help with a wine choice, and she did not seem knowledgeable or prepared to help. I had to suggest that she ask the bartender, when that should have been offered automatically.
Then, in the middle of dinner, loud cleaning started and the lights were brightened. It made the whole table feel like we were being rushed out or kicked out.
Maybe we picked a bad time to visit, but based on this experience, I would not recommend Food Craft, and I definitely will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I would have given this restaurant zero stars if that had been an option.
Upon walking into the restaurant, the experience got off to a poor start. No one greeted us or directed us to our party, despite us arriving about an hour before closing. Our server eventually came to take our order and was patient with our group, which was appreciated, but unfortunately that was the highlight of the evening.
From the moment we sat down, it was obvious the staff was focused on closing rather than the guests still dining. Throughout our entire meal, employees were sweeping around us, loudly clanging and stacking dishes, and carrying on conversations that echoed through the dining room. Instead of enjoying a relaxing dinner, the soundtrack to our evening was brooms, silverware, and cleanup.
To make matters worse, our food took over 40 minutes to arrive despite there being very few other diners in the restaurant. When it finally came, every member of our party of six had the same reaction: the food was bland and completely underwhelming.
Halfway through our meal, the bright overhead lights were turned on while the staff continued cleaning all around us, making it feel as though we were being rushed out rather than welcomed as paying customers.
We understand restaurants need to close, but guests who arrive during business hours deserve the same level of service and dining experience as everyone else. Unfortunately, this visit felt like an inconvenience to the staff from beginning to end. We will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We had a wonderful meal at Foodcraft! We ordered the steamed oysters and scallops, and both were outstanding. The steamed oysters were fresh, hot, and full of flavor, and the scallops were perfectly seared, tender, and delicious.
The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive. Everything from the food to the experience exceeded our expectations. If you’re looking for great seafood in Gulf Shores, Foodcraft is definitely worth a stop. We’ll be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our food was average, but our server was really bad. We had to ask other servers for water and other items that our server failed to bring. Really made what could have been a 4 star review a 1 star.
We visited Foodcraft for an early dinner with four adults and two kids. The host at the front was welcoming, and our server was sweet and attentive throughout the meal.
Unfortunately, our experience got off to a disappointing start with the appetizer. We ordered the oysters, but nowhere on the menu or from our server was it explained that the oysters were “boutique” which meant they would be incredibly small. They were, without question, the tiniest oysters we’ve ever seen, and the price made it even more disappointing. Manager Ryan came over and gave us an explanation about the oysters that we hadn’t asked for, followed by a quick apology, but it didn’t really change the experience.
Thankfully, the rest of the meal was excellent. The main courses were delicious and definitely not “boutique” sized! Dessert was also delightful and ended the meal on a high note.
Overall, Foodcraft has good food and friendly staff, but the oyster experience at the beginning really put a damper on the evening and affected the overall mood of our dinner. Glad we tried it but sadly ii won't be a restaurant we add to our yearly trips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Food was good and service was amazing.
I love going to this restaurant. I actually meet a business client here every time he's in town. They have great coffee and breakfast options. The staff is extremely friendly, the place is very clean, and the view is absolutely amazing.
Restaurantji Recommends
We went to The Lodge at Gulf State Park for brunch and had an absolutely wonderful experience. The food was delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented, and the atmosphere was inviting and relaxing.
What truly made our brunch memorable was our server, Victoria. She went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. We had forgotten a candle and lighter for our friend’s birthday cake, and Victoria took it upon herself to track both down so we could still celebrate properly. It was such a thoughtful gesture that meant so much to all of us.
Her attentiveness, kindness, and exceptional service turned a great brunch into a truly special occasion. Thank you, Victoria, for helping make our friend’s birthday celebration so memorable. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing service and spectacular food. We had an amazing server, April who took such good care of us. There is a full menu to order off or you can choose buffet. Both were great options!! Perfect for families or large parties.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow, what a fantastic meal! We tried a bit of everything and were thoroughly impressed by the quality and presentation. The whipped feta with pistachios and crustini and the crispy goat cheese over marinara made for perfect starters. For the mains, the savory crab cakes with grilled asparagus, the perfectly seared scallops in a creamy pea and mushroom sauce, and the unique watermelon-feta sweet tea brined chicken tenders were all outstanding. Fresh ingredients, great atmosphere, and wonderful flavors. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
I was on a work trip to be a speaker at a conference and landed in paradise. This restaurant is located on a gulf shore resort. I had a whole red snapper on the recommendation of my barkeep Larocca. I’ve never had a whole fish before but visiting from Chicago, I wanted to try new things. I enjoyed margaritas and personalized attention at the bar since I was traveling alone. Thank you for adding to my experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Would have loved to eat here. Google says open 7 am to 9 pm. The front door of the restaurant states the same hours. We walk in (doors are open) at 3:30 pm to be seated and immediately told they are closed from 2 pm to 5 pm to reset from breakfast. Fix your posted times. We took our business elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
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