Bennigan's

my family and i came here yesterday from chicago because my little sister graduated from lincoln's challenge academy and her ceremony was being held at the convention center across the street. the interior looked really nice i will give them that. our waiter seemed nice but nervous. i got the drunken pot roast with garlic mashed potatoes and added a cup of soup for .99 the clam chowder was fine, the pot roast tasted good but my food was not like hot it was room temperature. and the carrots were dried and crunchy and so were the red onions. my dad got the fish and chips with coleslaw and the coleslaw tasted like just straight up cabbage and carrots. this place food wise was fine but nothing really ' wow' or special. but it was edible not like horrid or anything.

Yes, Virginia, They do exist. I used to LOVE Bennigan's. While the country chicken salad lived up to my expectations and memories, the service was mediocre. We put our name on the waiting list and they said they'd call my cell phone within the 25 minute wait they quoted us. 30 minutes later, we come back, see very little people waiting, and ask where we are on the list. We were crossed out, that's where we were. She claimed to have called us. Nope. So, to cover their butts, they got us seated immediately. Our server was nice, and brought out our food in a timely manner (not so much our drinks), but it was all ruined by one act. We went with two other people. There was one other girl besides me. I did the whole sneak over to her and asked them if they could birthday-ize her ordered desert. I went back and waited for my sneaky surprise.This is what I got.
*Waitress put unadorned desert on the table*
Waitress: I couldn't find a candle, so happy birthday to whoever's birthday it is"
*waitress walks away*
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I wasn't expecting a song, or anything, but maybe a little birthday cheer? You just lost a star, Bennigan's!
Harumph.

I was staying at the Hilton and didnt feel like venturing out my first night in Springfield so since I've eaten at this Bennigans before and it wasn't horrible I figured I'd go downstairs and eat there for dinner.

Service was horrible. There were only two people working the dining room and one guy at the bar. Although it was busy,my waitress never waited long enough to see if I needed anything (table setting maybe?) and basically dumped off my food and drink without stopping even though they took the time to stop of other tables.

I ordered their country salad and was appalled that I received a huge bowl of iceberg lettuce with a few dried up sticks of carrots topped by the chicken. For nearly ten dollars you would think they could spring for something like romaine or something.

Since this restaurant is adjacent to the hotel, it's constantly busy. You would think they'd hire more staff or hire staff that are willing to do their job.

If you're staying in Springfield I'd recommend making the effort and eating/drinking somewhere else, I don't plan on ever going back here again.