The Tamarack

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by tis

I totally agree with you. I find it hard to post a negative which could hurt a business owner.

Believe it or not, but there is a theory that negative feedback is better than no feedback at all.

With negative feedback, the owner has the ability to address the problem and make corrections as appropriate.
With no feedback at all, the owner doesn't know about the poor visit, and can only assume everything is going great.

[tis]

You are right of course, but still I find it hard. And some people as said before have a personal problem so you don't know if you should believe what you read or not. I guess if tons of people complain then something is truly wrong. The thread on the Wolfeboro Inn comes to mind. But that didn't seem to help them improve. However, locally we heard poor comments anyway, so I guess it wouldn't matter. I just hope they get their act together.

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Believe it or not, but there is a theory that negative feedback is better than no feedback at all.

With negative feedback, the owner has the ability to address the problem and make corrections as appropriate.
With no feedback at all, the owner doesn't know about the poor visit, and can only assume everything is going great.

Absolutely. Though there may be some fly by's who are vindictive against a particular establishment for one reason or another, I like to think that most posts are honest opinions...good or bad. And yes, a negative review does give the owner an opportunity to see what may be going on when he/she can not be there.
It has been said that a good customer is one who comes back....it's also said that a great customer is one who provides honest feedback to an owner to give him an opportunity to improve.
But at the end of the day, some restaurant owners get it....some don't...c'est la vie!

[sa meredith]

RG, and RG for that matter...neither of you have any credibility issue. Quite the opposite actually. I would think you both are held in high regard by every member of this forum.
When signing in to post about a positive experience at Tamarack, I read the post about a first time poster writing a positive review, and just started thinking..."how is this any different than a first time poster being negative?" It really is the same. So I made a comment. Was not intending to stir the pot...just making an observation.
Anyway...Sunshine and Pa as good as Georges? On that we'll have to agree to disagree. I rate one a 9, maybe 10...the other, an iffy 6.

[NoBozo]

Some time ago I made a comment about some restaurant..don't remember which one..about the service and was roundly smacked down by another poster who may have been in the restaurant business at one time or another.

The comment they made was ...something like this.. "Since you admit you have never run a restaurant, what makes you an Expert ?" Rather than escalate the situation I never responded. Had I responded, I would have said:.. "I am the one making the purchase, so THAT makes me an expert."

The customer is NOT always right, but the customer IS The One with the money to spend..Or Not.

To get to my original thought.. I suspect some Restaurant Owners/CHEFS consider themselves "Artists", and like some artists may have large egos, and are quite offended when their "work" is brought into question. In such cases, the mere suggestion that something could be improved....is just preposterous..let alone coming from some "person" that just walked in off the street who has no clew what ART is.

This might explain why some restaurants never seem to improve, despite multiple well meaning suggestions from respondants in this forum. NB

[Rattlesnake Guy]

SA,
Pot neither shaken nor stirred. I agree with your point.

We will agree to disagree on George vs Sunshine. That is part of the problem with reviews, they are done by humans with differing taste, preferences and priorities. And we all order different things, go on different days and have different servers and cooks. It is nearly impossible to have equal experiences.

Unfortunately for the restaurant, when it is pretty good to excellent, they get many more chances to show us again. When it is bad, they rarely get a second chance. It must be a very tough business to be good enough times to keep customers coming back enough to experience the average.

Enjoy the day.

[guyfromMA]

My last trip to the Tamarack earlier this week was a bit of a disappointment. My family and I have gone to the Tamarack in years past and have always enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately this year, things have changed.

Those above posters who say the quantity of food has gone down are absolutely right. I remember in years past the hamburger platter would be stuffed with french fries and a large burger, this year it was not that. Instead there were only a small amount of fries and a burger that,although did not taste bad,was not nearly as beastly as it has been in years past. However, the price has remained the same,and in my opinion, that menu item is not worth the price it is listed as on the menu.

Also,it seems like the crowd at the tamarack has declined. In years past there used to be waiting lines for parking spots, and a long line to order. This year during our visit there was only a small line,and plenty of parking,during the 5-6PM hour,and the several times we would pass by, it didn't appear packed, as it has been for as long as I can remember.

As one member pointed out the service and cleanliness of the restaurant. The girls working the counters were friendly and the condiment area did seem relatively clean(people SHOULD pick up after themselves,can't completely fault the restaurant staff).

I'm glad to see the girl who used to make the pizzas is still working there. She is by far one of the best and friendliest workers there. I say used to, because the "tamarack out back" no longer makes Pizza, which is a big disappointment, as finding a quality pizza restaurant in that area with good service is tough.

I think it is great that the owner views the forum to get feedback from customers. The customers may not always be right,but they are the ones bringing in the money and with all due respect, I must say that this years trip to the tamarack was not nearly as good as it has been in years past.

I would like to see the Tamarack make some changes,perhaps reconsider their prices if they are going to lessen the quantity of portions. It also doesn't seem like they advertise like they used to, which COULD be the reason why the pizza restaurant was unsuccessful. The Tamarack has been around for a long time, and has name recognition in the area, but when the weather is beautiful and there aren't long lines like there used to be,something is a miss..Same can be said for Sawyers.

I will not say I will not return to the Tamarack next year, because I don't know, but I don't think I'll make it a "must" during my vacation like I would have in years past.

I do hope everyone(the owner included) understands my post. I have read this forum for a long time, and finally felt I should contribute as much as I can.

[VtSteve]

I always seem to be in the minority on the Quantity issue. Big portions are not something I cherish. Not meaning tiny portions, but no need for tons of fries and other starch crud

If the quality and taste of the food is great, I rarely even think about quantity.

[sa meredith]

Well, this place gets discussed just about every year, and it usually seems about 50/50. Without posting a long winded review, I feel compelled to post the following.
I want to like this place, I really do. Mostly because it is so convienient for me to grab something on the fly. I drive by it very regularly, and if time does not permit a long stop for a meal, it is a nice alternative to McD's up the street (yep, I like McD's...so kill me).
Well, twice this year I stopped to grab the simplest of simple meals...cheeseburger and fries, to eat as I drove. Both times, the deal was the same...just me, and only me at the window. 3 or 4 groups eating at the tables. The first time, as I drove to the marina, I grabbed a handful of the grossest, cold, soggy, cooked an hour ago fries. And thought, well that sukcs...but whatever...they probably wanted to sell what was already made, and I timed it wrong. Free pass for them.
But then, two Mondays back (in case they are reading this, the girl may remember) I was meeting some friends from out of town at Funspot, before hitting the Drive In ( "TED"...if you have not seen it, SEE IT...enough about that) ...and was running late and was hungry. Well, I thought, I have enough McD's in my life, so I'll hit Tamarack. Me, only me at the window. I order the same thing, I leave, and same deal. Gross, cold, cooked a very long time ago fries. Well, kinda pissed, so I swing a quick uturn and go back to tell them I was all set with them. The girl checked the fries herself, and seemed quite embarressed. Offered a new order...but really??!! I'm going to stand there, let the burger get cold, and become even later than I already am, while they make me fresh fires, to make up for serving me the left overs from earlier in the night? No thanks. I just told her I have really bad luck there, and was done.
Hey, really, say what you want about McDonalds (probably not good for you...in fact bad) but I ask you..When was the last time you reached into the bag to grab a handful of McD's fires, and they were not fresh, very hot, and freakishy yummy? 1PM, 3PM, 9PM, 2:30AM...doesn't matter...always hot, and fresh.

[Shore Driver]

I was there last week (also pre-"Ted" LOL), and was impressed with the food. Chicken chunks were especially juicy and meaty. Clams strips were tasty.

I do think fries are their weak spot and an kind of an afterthought.

[barefootbay]

Sad, Tamarack used to be an awesome place in a former life. We quit going a few yrs ago and haven' t been back.

[Charlie T]

I too was at Tamarack today for the first (and last) time in a few years.
I spent $60.00 + for a small lunch for 3 adults and 2 small children. 2 hot dogs for the kids ICE COLD centers, we brought them back and got them replaced, by the time we got to our hamburgers that were virtually RAW in the middle, one bite each and in the trash. We all decided never again!

It's such a shame this place for many years was a "must have" in the lakes.

Count me as another never return vote.

C T

[Altonbayicefishingfool]

I stopped here today with a craving for fried clams. I must say I was very pleased with the quality of the food. Service was great, food was cooked to perfection,not greasy and very tasty. Prices are right in check with pops, sawyers etc. I will definitly be back again!

[Legionnaire70]

So I drive by today and see there sign by the road that said "crab roll with fries $8.99" so I go up the road and turn around.. Sounds like a deal to me!

I get to the window and order and the girl says " oh, we don't have that special anymore" so I asked, how much is just a crab roll then? She replies "oh we don't have crab"??!!!?? What? Ok.... She says " we have lobster rolls"
I said no thanks and left... Here's a thought, how bout taking 30 seconds out of your not so busy day and changing the sign!!!
Haven't stopped here for a while, well think this is the last. What a joke! No wonder they don't do any business....

[Pineedles]

The old bait and switch. What a crock.

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

The old bait and switch. What a crock.

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

[phoenix]

There was a time when I would go to Tammerac at least twice a year for lobster rolls I now just drive by haven't gone in several years based on the reviews

[moose tracks]

We drove past the Tammerac about 7:00 PM Friday night, prime time, and there were no cars in the parking lot. We thought at first they were closed but all the lights were on and we could see the workers inside. We remembered when this was the place to stop for a lobster roll or fresh seafood. It is a shame they let the quality of their food and service side.

[MaidenCove07]

Originally Posted by phoenix

There was a time when I would go to Tammerac at least twice a year for lobster rolls I now just drive by haven't gone in several years based on the reviews

Same here and I live very close to there. It would be convenient, but just not worth the high prices and the crappy food. So sad - they were a staple for decades for me and my family.