The Galaxy Restaurant

Let me start out by saying my experience here has mostly been take-out for lunch and not dining in the restaurant. I'm not sure if that matters, or if the food really loses its freshness and flavor in the 5 minutes it takes me to drive back to work with it. This place tries really hard to look all upscale, from the bar, to the "market", to the banquet rooms. Honestly, it does look really nice inside, but the food and service is a different story.

I often used to pick up lunch for clients at work here. Personally, I never really liked much of anything on the menu. The only thing I liked is the Reuben, but it is so salty you feel like you can't breathe after you eat it and I usually ended up drinking about 4 bottles of water in the afternoon to quench my thirst. Most things are either very greasy or salty, (in fact, we have had meals literally SWIMMING in grease) or they are extremely bland. They do have daily specials that change every day, and it is very hit or miss - sometimes you end up with something not so bad. Some of the clients really love it here though, it seems like any of the fish dishes or salads are a favorite with them. And since I really don't like fish or salads, maybe that's why I can't wrap my mind around it.

The service, at least for takeout, is consistently terrible. They would usually tell me a pickup time, and I would often wait 10-20 minutes after they said it would be ready. The orders have had many problems with them as well, from missing sides, to wrong sides, to missing meat in the salads, to wrong dishes completely.

So, like I said, don't let your eyes fool you. Some people love it here, but I think there are much better choices nearby.

We stopped in at around 1:30pm on a Friday afternoon, after seeing the restaurant from the highway. The hostess gave us a tour of the restaurant, which is actually 3 restaurants in one: a sports bar, a steak house, and a wine room. You can order from the same menu in all three rooms, but we chose the steak house for its quiet atmosphere.

The steak house section is absolutely beautiful and romantic, with a waterfall and nature scenes on the big-screen televisions.

Our server (Jerry) was very helpful and gave us excellent service.

The fresh-baked bread was delicious, and so was the rest of the food.

Awesome food and people make this an excellent place to relax and have a great meal.

So, I haven't been to the sports bar in awhile so I can't comment to much. Except for the fact that the food is way over priced. The food is...ok. Things are generally cooked correctly, but they leave a lot of room for improvement for the price. Some of the servers and bartenders have been here for ages, and they are all great!

I recently contacted the Banquet center about throwing a catered 50th birthday party in February. I just started off by asking them what their options would be for a party of 25-30. They e-mailed me a "banquet menu" where prices started at $30+ per person for a buffet style dining.  While I waited for more details from The Galaxy I went ahead and got price quotes from Bravo in Fairlawn and Cafe Bricco at The DoubleTree hotel in Fairlawn. Both places quoted me far more food, for around $20-$22 per person. I've eaten at all 3 of these places, and I've been far more impressed with Bravo and Bricco's food! They are all close in price in their general menus, but The Galaxy's food doesn't even compare. So, when I called around and I found out that Bravo and Bricco were willing to give me better quality and more variety for less money I went back to The Galaxy to see what we could work out.

I wrote them an e-mail that basically explained I had received quotes from other places which were offering me more food for less money. In addition, Bricco has offered to let me choose the color of my linens, center pieces and they even waived the $50 room fee. I asked them if we could work on a menu for my guests that would stay around my $20-$25 per person budget. I even offered to look at options from the less expensive sports bar menu. I went on to explain that the location of the restaurant is really ideal since I have family traveling from north and south. Even some coming from out of state, so how convenient is it that there are 2 hotels next to the restaurant.

The response I got: "I spoke with David in regards to offering a dinner for around the $20 price and unfortunately we are unable to match that price at this time."

Really?! I didn't ask for them to give me the $30 buffet for $20, I asked what they would be willing to offer for $20.

Needless to say, I won't be having my birthday party at the Galaxy, or any party for that matter. Their lack of flexibility and customer service is appalling.  

It's unfortunate that in today's economy where any business is struggling to stay a float, coupled with the struggles of keeping any restaurant alive, they would not consider a more affordable option.

I have taken my $700 dinner budget to cafe Bricco, and they have been a gem! Look for that review after the party!