Goodbye 'Ohana

[Nancyg56]

That doesn't change my opinion.

People are complaining about too fast and too slow.

Only thing you can do to fix either one is communicate with your server.

I can't see how it's a management problem....what? Half the time managers tell them to go slow and half the time management tells them we're in a race? That doesn't sound like any management style I've ever come across.

The reason this has become a problem is because of the lack of consistency. It is a management problem because management drives the staff. Management drives the kitchen to prepare food at a specific pace, the servers to turn tables at a specific pace, and the runners to drop food off at a specific pace. So you tell me: what is the pace? I cannot tell you because I have experienced several different meals at 'Ohana. One time the meal is served in courses, well paced with the food quality excellent. other times a bit haphazard, but okay. The last time was in excess of a 2 hour nightmare, the server practically non existent for us as she ran ragged to service her section. The food dumped, some hot, some cold....and not in a good way. The skewers were not good. SO on mover thatn three occasions we experienced at least three differing experiences, and nothing indicated a change in policy.

Whenever there is a question of how a meal that is served in courses is supposed to be served, and the restaurant has been in business as long as 'Ohana, there is something occurring behind the scene. Rarely can a server determine that they will rush clientele out or leave them parked for hours. That is just not how this business operates. The reason for the overly fast pace many have experienced is because the restaurant is behind and needs to turn tables. It is not an anomaly at 'Ohana so that indicates that this issue is not guest driven that evening, but overbooking in general. That is management, not server directed.

You are correct, you can communicate to your server that you want the pace slowed down, and you may find that works, but I bet you a buck that poor CM is getting grief from the front supervisor to move that table. 'Ohana is clearly not following the policy that Narcoossee or CG has in place to time the meal to the guest preference, but to time to management preference.

 

[North of Mouse]

Family style doesn't mean "all at once". It means everything is served on large platters that each person serves themself as.

That said Most people put the sides on their plate at the same time as the entree e en when serving themselves so the veg and noodles should come at the same time as the meats. The potstickers and so he are apps and should come first.

I thought Ohana was lousy food so we won't ever go back.

Actually 'family style' does mean it is all served at once - just like most families dine at home - don't know anyone that brings out one course at at a time at home (unless formal, and that's not family style). Except for desserts, all dishes are placed at the table, then everyone serves themselves as they'd like.

'Ohana is the only place that we now dine that serves the meals like that. There is a very popular place in the NC mountains that does the same, but the appeal there is not the same for us.

'Ohana actually is a mixture of family style and like a favorite of ours - a Brazilian Steakhouse - with the meats served on skewers.

Again, we love it, and have never felt rushed at all. But, for those that feel that way - it's to each their own, no problems.
We can't all enjoy the same places.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I think this is the only restaurant I have ever heard complaints about food coming out too quickly. We usually pace ourselves since we pay them. At WCC the skillet always hits immediately and we still take our time and enjoy ourselves.

 

[Nancyg56]

Actually 'family style' does mean it is all served at once - just like most families dine at home - don't know anyone that brings out one course at at a time at home (unless formal, and that's not family style). Except for desserts, all dishes are placed at the table, then everyone serves themselves as they'd like.

'Ohana is the only place that we now dine that serves the meals like that. There is a very popular place in the NC mountains that does the same, but the appeal there is not the same for us.

'Ohana actually is a mixture of family style and like a favorite of ours - a Brazilian Steakhouse - with the meats served on skewers.

Again, we love it, and have never felt rushed at all. But, for those that feel that way - it's to each their own, no problems.
We can't all enjoy the same places.

Actually, it does not unless that is the restaurant policy. I served for years and family style meant the courses were served from platters at the table, not individually. If 'Ohana was consistent in serving all courses all at once every time, you would have an argument, however that is not the case. Today you dine and it is plunked all at once. Tomorrow you dine and you are served in individual courses. The next day you get it at once, and your neighbor in courses.

 

[ChadF]

We had the 'hurry up' experience when we went a couple months ago. All the food was served as basically the same time and we felt rushed to eat and leave. Our server was very friendly and joked around but made sure the bread pudding was coming when he delivered the skewers of meat. We are certainly not in a hurry to go back.

 

[North of Mouse]

Actually, it does not unless that is the restaurant policy. I served for years and family style meant the courses were served from platters at the table, not individually. If 'Ohana was consistent in serving all courses all at once every time, you would have an argument, however that is not the case. Today you dine and it is plunked all at once. Tomorrow you dine and you are served in individual courses. The next day you get it at once, and your neighbor in courses.

'Ohana says served 'family style'. Just look up the meaning of family style - yes, served just like most families dine at home - all at once! Does not mean served in courses or a little at time! Whatever has been your experience, I don't know, but they have been consistent with our meals in all the years we've dined there.

 

[Cornish Lad]

Ohana was on our "A" list of places to eat during our upcoming trip but after the recent reviews and comments we have removed it from our list and have booked a breakfast at the Kona Café instead. Hope that that lives up to its reputation!

 

[Rich M]

This thread is interesting. We went here in December and before that in November the year before. We have found not rushed on either of those trips but we also get a late reservation to time it to the fireworks. All of the apps have always been great and the chicken as always been good. I don't get the steak because it is always way to rare for me. I know in the style oven they have it is hit or miss so I don't chance it. The shrimp is just too much work with peeling and getting my hands all messy and slimy so I skip that. I love the dessert but agree I miss the pineapple for sure.

Some thoughts of what people have said - I am wondering if the serving quickly is just all about flipping tables or if its a combination of flipping the table and trying to get people back to the parks. So I wonder if the time of day you go would effect all this.

We will continue to go because we really enjoy ourselves there and everyone we take there tells us its there favorite meal. I just had a friend tell me the other day that she wants to go again just to go to 'Ohana.

I think everyone experiences bad stuff at any restaurant at any time. Thank you all for sharing your experiences.

 

[Nancyg56]

'Ohana says served 'family style'. Just look up the meaning of family style - yes, served just like most families dine at home - all at once! Does not mean served in courses or a little at time! Whatever has been your experience, I don't know, but they have been consistent with our meals in all the years we've dined there.

I can't argue as I have no idea what 'Ohana means when they say "family style", since they manage to serve "family style" in all manner of style.

 

[bryanb]

Actually, it does not unless that is the restaurant policy. I served for years and family style meant the courses were served from platters at the table, not individually. If 'Ohana was consistent in serving all courses all at once every time, you would have an argument, however that is not the case. Today you dine and it is plunked all at once. Tomorrow you dine and you are served in individual courses. The next day you get it at once, and your neighbor in courses.

Totally speculation here. Do you think it has to do with the timing of when the meats are ready? Maybe they're prepared in batches, and when the meats are done, it's offered out to people across the restaurant (which means it could be early or late, compared to when the sides are served). The advantage to this being that the food is always just-cooked, even if timing feels off. This is a bit how it's done at a local Brazilian restaurant and it makes the meal occasionally seem random.

 

[Nancyg56]

Totally speculation here. Do you think it has to do with the timing of when the meats are ready? Maybe they're prepared in batches, and when the meats are done, it's offered out to people across the restaurant (which means it could be early or late, compared to when the sides are served). The advantage to this being that the food is always just-cooked, even if timing feels off. This is a bit how it's done at a local Brazilian restaurant and it makes the meal occasionally seem random.

Not really speculation. Perhaps the skewers are controlled by that part of the kitchen schedule, but the rest of the meal should be driven by the guest schedule. If the kitchen is now in the habit of prepping in large batches and then must serve according to that schedule, again there is an issue.
'Ohana runs hot and cold, and that is where the concerns are. There is no consistency what so ever. Not in regards to service, food or food service. Meal service needs to be the same no matter when you go, only changed if requested by a guest, and not based on whatever forces impact the house that night, or any other night. Salads that are soggy and not cold, and sides that are lukewarm at best because they are prepared at the kitchens convenience are a sorry example of restaurant management.

My dad was a chef and we got corralled into service whenever he volunteered to cater for the Church or an organization. I don't care how many people we were serving, if he caught us dressing salads early we were spoken to....and it was not a pleasant chat. Bread was not cut early to make our tasks easy, and goodness knows that our family style meals were served in proper order.

Every restaurant has a method of service, but that is where 'Ohana falls short lately. You and I may be there on the same night and our experiences at the table can be different. That is management, not server driven.

 

[Roxyfire]

Not really speculation. Perhaps the skewers are controlled by that part of the kitchen schedule, but the rest of the meal should be driven by the guest schedule. If the kitchen is now in the habit of prepping in large batches and then must serve according to that schedule, again there is an issue.
'Ohana runs hot and cold, and that is where the concerns are. There is no consistency what so ever. Not in regards to service, food or food service. Meal service needs to be the same no matter when you go, only changed if requested by a guest, and not based on whatever forces impact the house that night, or any other night. Salads that are soggy and not cold, and sides that are lukewarm at best because they are prepared at the kitchens convenience are a sorry example of restaurant management.

My dad was a chef and we got corralled into service whenever he volunteered to cater for the Church or an organization. I don't care how many people we were serving, if he caught us dressing salads early we were spoken to....and it was not a pleasant chat. Bread was not cut early to make our tasks easy, and goodness knows that our family style meals were served in proper order.

Every restaurant has a method of service, but that is where 'Ohana falls short lately. You and I may be there on the same night and our experiences at the table can be different. That is management, not server driven.

Yeah I've sat near the grill multiple times now and so I don't know if that's the issue. It seems like people are most frustrated with receiving a salad bowl and then the appetizer tray quickly thereafter. My guess is, they're assembling They probably hold the noodles and veggies in a steam tray and start assembling the appetizer tray while other elements are cooking, then add the dumplings last as they are done being cooked. If your server or their helper is late in grabbing a tray then it's going to be lukewarm at best. So if you had someone plop down a salad and your server or their helper sees a tray left and you look like you need one then there you go! So I can definitely see what you're saying with the process improvement. All people need to do is look at how much salad is on the plate, or crazy talk here, ask if they are ready for their next course. I'm always gonna say yes, but your family might say "not yet" but management wants those tables turned so you get that food as it comes out.

 

[nco91590]

I can't argue as I have no idea what 'Ohana means when they say "family style", since they manage to serve "family style" in all manner of style.

Lol. I agree with this too. Family style in my experience is everything at once. Or salads to start with entrees and sides served at the same time. If that's the case, then why do the servers even have to walk around with meat skewers?? Couldn't they just serve platters of kabobs? Wouldn't that be easier and more efficient? Or you could request from your server to "bring 4 shrimp skewers, 2 chicken, 1 beef" and order additional skewers. I think it's the serving of the food that gives people a "rushed" feeling. Like it should be either spread out more, or everything is brought at once and you can enjoy at your leisure.

 

[DLgal]

Lol. I agree with this too. Family style in my experience is everything at once. Or salads to start with entrees and sides served at the same time. If that's the case, then why do the servers even have to walk around with meat skewers?? Couldn't they just serve platters of kabobs? Wouldn't that be easier and more efficient? Or you could request from your server to "bring 4 shrimp skewers, 2 chicken, 1 beef" and order additional skewers. I think it's the serving of the food that gives people a "rushed" feeling. Like it should be either spread out more, or everything is brought at once and you can enjoy at your leisure.

There would be too much waste if they served full skewers of meat. Plus, the skewers are HUGE and a hazard since they are sharp and often hot out out the fire. The servers handle them with heat resistant gloves.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

The more of these comments I read the more I can't wait for our ADR next month. I love this place.

 

[grumpy28]

Actually 'family style' does mean it is all served at once - just like most families dine at home - don't know anyone that brings out one course at at a time at home (unless formal, and that's not family style). Except for desserts, all dishes are placed at the table, then everyone serves themselves as they'd like.

'Ohana is the only place that we now dine that serves the meals like that. There is a very popular place in the NC mountains that does the same, but the appeal there is not the same for us.

'Ohana actually is a mixture of family style and like a favorite of ours - a Brazilian Steakhouse - with the meats served on skewers.

Again, we love it, and have never felt rushed at all. But, for those that feel that way - it's to each their own, no problems.
We can't all enjoy the same places.

Daniel Boone Inn? Yummmmm.

 

[KMarston]

'Ohana has always been a tradition for our family. Sometimes it's better than others. We were there last January, just my DH, 2 yo GS and me. GS fell asleep in the stroller so the fact that our meal was rushed didn't turn out to be so bad after all! He woke up disoriented just as the bread pudding hit the table. Started crying and DH ran out with him. I was trying to pay the bill, the server is explaining the bill as we were on the dining plan. I'm like, "yeah, I understand, here take my card" he says, "look I have to do this, if we make a mistake we are toast, let go, even if you've been here forever like me". He was a nice guy, probably early 60's but it did sound like management was coming down hard on these guys.

 

[nco91590]

There would be too much waste if they served full skewers of meat. Plus, the skewers are HUGE and a hazard since they are sharp and often hot out out the fire. The servers handle them with heat resistant gloves.

Well they don’t have to be THE actual skewers lol. I was thinking more like the wooden skewers? I don’t know. Seems like their system isn’t working so well.

 

[nco91590]

There would be too much waste if they served full skewers of meat. Plus, the skewers are HUGE and a hazard since they are sharp and often hot out out the fire. The servers handle them with heat resistant gloves.

Double post! Sorry

 

[North of Mouse]

Daniel Boone Inn? Yummmmm.

Yep!!