Gator's Dockside DeLand

The food was horrible. The service was even worse. Waited forever just to be greeted after being sat. The food wasn't too horrible but I anticipated it would be better than what it was. We ordered mixed drinks, a rum runner and a wicked witch, and both tasted absolutely disgusting. I couldn't even finish the rum runner, which is my favorite go to drink when out drinking. After finishing our food, we set waiting to see the waitress to ask for our bill for a good 20 minutes before my husband had to get off and literally go look for her. There was not one single server on the floor or a bartender behind the bar. After finally locating our server, my husband just handed her the cash so we could leave. I could understand if it was slammed busy but there was only three other tables occupied in the whole restaurant and a few gentlemen having drinks at the bar. Unfortunately, we will not be going back again.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We stopped and ate at this Gator’s while on the way home and were disappointed to say the least with the place. It definitely needs some work. We had only been there one previous time and hadn’t been back due to bad food and service. I’m sorry to say that tonight wasn’t any better

For starters, the restaurant was dirty. What I mean by that is even the tables that had been cleared still appeared to be dirty - they had not been wiped down. Throughout our visit, there were a lot of tables with dirty dishes, trash, etc. on them, which doesn’t do much to promote the restaurant. What was odd is that the place wasn’t busy. There weren’t a lot of people there, which leads me to believe they must have a staffing issue. Having said that, for the people who were eating, the place seemed understaffed. The place seemed old and run down, like it hadn’t been updated since the 80s. The menus were dirty and outdated and even the table signs needed to be cleaned.

Upon being seated, we asked the hostess if they had any drink specials. She said that she didn’t know. Anyone seating or serving should know these things. When the waitress finally showed up, we learned that there were not any drink specials, which for a Saturday night, I thought was odd considering the fact that NCAA football was on.
We did find one special…a pitcher of domestic beer and 10 wings for $28. I asked the waitress which beers were included with that and she said that she didn’t know. Domestic beers are fairly universal in this line of business but again, it’s something a server should know. For the record, $28 for 10 wings and pitcher of domestic beer is highway robbery. But we were there and chose to order. Upon receiving the pitcher of Miller Lite, it tasted both sour and watered down. True that Miller a lite isn’t exactly the highest quality brew to begin with, but it still tasted watered down and sour.

Apparently, this Gator’s charges to grill wings, something that the others do not. We ordered all flats as that’s what my wife prefers. We also ordered an additional 10 wings on top of what came with the pitcher of Miller Lite. So combined, we were uncharged $8 for all flats on two orders of wings and having all 20 grilled. That’s insane. $16.99 for 10 wings is crazy to begin with but $2 for grilled and another $2 for flags meant paying $20.99 for 10 wings. When we received the food, it was charred as if it had been broiled, not grilled. There wasn’t much flavor and whatever flavor was there , had been burned onto them.

When the waitress brought us our check, I asked if the restaurant was a franchise, to which she said yes and that it was only loosely connected to the other Gator’s in Central Florida. Considering the menu price differences (I compared it to the one in Lake Mary), differences in dishes offered, items they upcharge for, the the overall decor of the restaurant and lack of cleanliness, it was easy to see that this place apparently adheres to its own standards or lack there of. Sorry but this place needs a lot of work.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Ribs are excellent. Bartender was very polite.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Delicious with great service. 👍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips, Sandwich

Service.. Kennedy was freaking awesome! She even washed my celery for me, which she shouldn't have to do. Prep, cook etc...expediter shouldn't have let that plate go or caught the dirty celery, last resort is food runner catching it...I asked her to please wash it, w/o telling cook. What's the point, they didn't care. She was courteous and professional. I will be back! No celery next time! 🤣 love all the tvs!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Great family place. Good food and service!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: blt, Honey BBQ, Sandwich

Always a good choice. Nice casual setting. Food and service are excellent, and a good variety of options without being overwhelming.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Gator Bites, Boneless Wings

Great bat with Kareoke and fun football Sundays and Momdays. Best chicken wings in Deland for sure.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options like salads and chicken wings available.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Potato Skins

Place is underrated

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Beware of the Cheesesteak all 8" of it for $12.99. Greasy and served on a sausage bun.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 5

They serve you Kraft box Mac and cheese and charge $4 for the side. I asked the waitress if this was a joke and she said no, that some people love it. I about died. And then didn’t offer to take it off the bill.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

We came in the waitress, didn’t even know she had her table. Then they brought my sister salad out and had rotten tomatoes on it so when she sent it back, they brought her another one and when she came out, there was no tomatoes, and when we asked she goes, I thought you would want them since all we had were the same ones you got Cut cut I then asked can they cut new ones for her and this and the server seem kind of dumbfounded. Bad food that service no manager in sight and we got no refills or an offer refill on our drinks poor poor service. Also would’ve been nice for them to do something on the check concerning the rotten tomatoes, but nothing

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

We waited for 15 min to take our order, than we order side salads to have before our fish and chips. 10 min later still no salads and the attitude she gave us was oh you want the salads first and still didn't bring them out. VERY disappointed in service and the attitude of the server. We left after waiting 45 minutes from the time we walked in, and no food. Do not recommend this place!!!!

Service: 1

Adriana was fantastic and attentive! Friendly and fun!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We just went for lunch for our 20yr deland high school reunion ,had the best time the service was on point even though it seemed that they were understaffed and overwhelmed they still provided the best service with a smile. I asked for names, raylane, aeriell and sterling were absolute amazing. With only 3 people on the floor they handled it with a smile and were great food was hot and great, koodos to the back of the house also.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5