Anyone know if it is closed for some reason? The last few days I've driven past, it is completely empty and looks like a sign on the door. Forgot to check the sign this evening! Any info?

Called, went straight to voicemail no ring "The party you called did not answer (duh) please leave a message"

Sorry, best I could do.

:coffee:

We were there 2 weeks ago. The sign on the door then said that they could not serve alcohol due to liquor license not being renewed in a timely fashion, which can lead to very few cars in parking lot.

Don't know, but went there on Mothers Day evening for dinner and we were the only table in the place of actual customers(there were 2 other tables with people but they turned out to be employees). Paid $30 per person for the buffet, which was the only thing available, no menu available. Was definitely not impressed. The shrimp on the buffet was cold and tough, crab balls were tasteless. Waste of money for sure. Would definitely not go back.

I'm afraid there is so much competition of restaurants now in Leonardtown its going to be very hard for them to succeed. Plus all the other restaurants on 235 now. Its a shame. I was really hoping they could succeed.

Is a tough one too much competition for a mediocre place to survive.

Is a tough one too much competition for a mediocre place to survive.

:yeahthat:

Don't know, but went there on Mothers Day evening for dinner and we were the only table in the place of actual customers(there were 2 other tables with people but they turned out to be employees). Paid $30 per person for the buffet, which was the only thing available, no menu available. Was definitely not impressed. The shrimp on the buffet was cold and tough, crab balls were tasteless. Waste of money for sure. Would definitely not go back.

I would have walked out.

I'm afraid there is so much competition of restaurants now in Leonardtown its going to be very hard for them to succeed. Plus all the other restaurants on 235 now. Its a shame. I was really hoping they could succeed.

I WISH I could continue to support local, non-chain restaurants more. I've worked in the food service industry for 12 years, so I know how hard people work to try and be successful. BUT the last few times I have been to places such as The Willows, The Front Porch, Leonardtown Pub, Rustic River, Reluctant Navigator... Either the service has been terrible, the time it takes to get drinks/food has been too long, or the food has been poor/mediocre at too high of a price. They just can't seem to get it together!!

There are a few exceptions to places that I enjoy going, such as Salsa's, Oga's, Lynn's Cafe, or even Big Larry's comic book shop. Our business is always appreciated there.

I'm anxious to see how a few new places fare, such as Coco Cantina which looks promising and I can't wait to try.

I WISH I could continue to support local, non-chain restaurants more. I've worked in the food service industry for 12 years, so I know how hard people work to try and be successful. BUT the last few times I have been to places such as The Willows, The Front Porch, Leonardtown Pub, Rustic River, Reluctant Navigator... Either the service has been terrible, the time it takes to get drinks/food has been too long, or the food has been poor/mediocre at too high of a price. They just can't seem to get it together!!

Are you saying this never happens at a chain restaurant?

I WISH I could continue to support local, non-chain restaurants more. I've worked in the food service industry for 12 years, so I know how hard people work to try and be successful. BUT the last few times I have been to places such as The Willows, The Front Porch, Leonardtown Pub, Rustic River, Reluctant Navigator... Either the service has been terrible, the time it takes to get drinks/food has been too long, or the food has been poor/mediocre at too high of a price. They just can't seem to get it together!!

There are a few exceptions to places that I enjoy going, such as Salsa's, Oga's, Lynn's Cafe, or even Big Larry's comic book shop. Our business is always appreciated there.

I'm anxious to see how a few new places fare, such as Coco Cantina which looks promising and I can't wait to try.The Pub is doing something right because their parking lot is always overflowing.

Are you saying this never happens at a chain restaurant?

Oh I know it happens at chains as well. We really don't frequent them that much, but the last one we went to was Texas Roadhouse, and it was great from the service to the food to the price ( half price M-T before 6 pm). other than that, I can't think of when I've been to one besides Panera and fast food type places.

Texas Roadhouse, and it was great from the service to the food to the price ( half price M-T before 6 pm).

I went to TR one time and see no reason to ever go back. Our server was pleasant and efficient enough, but the food was nothing to write home about - completely unremarkable slop from a bag, warmed in a microwave.

I just don't get the attraction to chain formula food and never will. But to each their own. :cheers:

I went to TR one time and see no reason to ever go back. Our server was pleasant and efficient enough, but the food was nothing to write home about - completely unremarkable slop from a bag, warmed in a microwave.

I just don't get the attraction to chain formula food and never will. But to each their own. :cheers:

Do you have any favorite places that you like to go?? We're always willing to try!

Do you have any favorite places that you like to go?? We're always willing to try!

I'm scared to recommend anything because you liked Texas Roadhouse and didn't like Front Porch. :lol:

How about Ruddy Duck? I've never had a bad meal or service there.

Anyone know if it is closed for some reason? The last few days I've driven past, it is completely empty and looks like a sign on the door. Forgot to check the sign this evening! Any info?

It closed down. spoke to a friend of mine who worked there.

I went to TR one time and see no reason to ever go back. Our server was pleasant and efficient enough, but the food was nothing to write home about - completely unremarkable slop from a bag, warmed in a microwave.

I just don't get the attraction to chain formula food and never will. But to each their own. :cheers:

:yeahthat: Been once to TR myself - don't plan on going back unless outvoted by the other members of the family...

Willows founder John Nucci died a couple months ago. I believe he still owned the property and was leasing it.

Willows founder John Nucci died a couple months ago. I believe he still owned the property and was leasing it.

Founder?...I had been going to the Willows for years off and on before John came along and turned it in to a great place for a while there.

But I wouldn't be surprised to hear he did still own it though..it's never really been much since he stopped running it IMHO. Sorry to hear that John Passed.

John's sister owns it now.

Founder?...I had been going to the Willows for years off and on before John came along and turned it in to a great place for a while there.

But I wouldn't be surprised to hear he did still own it though..it's never really been much since he stopped running it IMHO. Sorry to hear that John Passed.

John was not the "founder" of Willows - I want to say the original owner was one of the Dukes way back in the day, but it had several owners between him and Nucci.

John had been trying to sell Willows for years, then he just became too sick to deal with it. My understanding, don't quote me, is that he sold the actual restaurant but not the property itself. As far as I'm aware, he was still living out back before he went into the hospital.

Founder?...I had been going to the Willows for years off and on before John came along and turned it in to a great place for a while there.
:yeahthat:
But I wouldn't be surprised to hear he did still own it though..it's never really been much since he stopped running it IMHO. Sorry to hear that John Passed.

The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.

The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.

You can get the Black Diamond at Gridiron Grill.

I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, .

Me too. My number-one favorite spot..with Evans a very close second; a virtual tie even.


Miss those days.

Oakwood, was that the place down by Piney Point, on the road to the lighthouse?

Oakwood, was that the place down by Piney Point, on the road to the lighthouse?

Yes.

Yes.

Never got there before it vanished... :ohwell:

Never got there before it vanished... :ohwell:

It was good and a nice ride down, too.

Went there three times while under the current management. Once right after they opened, one in the middle somewhere and once last December just before Christmas.

Can't say I didn't give 'em a chance.:whistle:

John was not the "founder" of Willows - I want to say the original owner was one of the Dukes way back in the day, but it had several owners between him and Nucci.



You're much, much older than I am so I don't have any knowledge of it before he came around. Either way, he's still dead.

I went to TR one time and see no reason to ever go back. Our server was pleasant and efficient enough, but the food was nothing to write home about - completely unremarkable slop from a bag, warmed in a microwave.

I just don't get the attraction to chain formula food and never will. But to each their own. :cheers:

I ordered the Prime Rib from there and it actually tasted like ham. It was horrible. I asked the waitress wtf was wrong w/ it and she said oh it is the rub they put on it. I have never heard anyone complain before. It was horrid.

There little rolls w/ butter are delish though.

You're much, much older than I am .

Brown noser.

Oh..wait..that's not right..:whistle:

i will never go back to texas roadhouse again. The prime rib is nasty outback steakhouse makes the best out of the 2 places.

John was not the "founder" of Willows - I want to say the original owner was one of the Dukes way back in the day, but it had several owners between him and Nucci.

John had been trying to sell Willows for years, then he just became too sick to deal with it. My understanding, don't quote me, is that he sold the actual restaurant but not the property itself. As far as I'm aware, he was still living out back before he went into the hospital.

One of the original owners was John Sheaffer and either a Bailey or Gardiner was his partner. Then the Fenwicks owned it for years, and I think they sold it to John.

i will never go back to texas roadhouse again. The prime rib is nasty outback steakhouse makes the best out of the 2 places.

If Outback is an example of what's better than TR, then I think I might as welll turn vegetarian. I have vowed never to step foot in Outback again after 4 bad experiences in a row at different Outbacks (I kept thinking it had to be an anomaly or a bad restaurant).

For good food, I'll stick to Silver Skewers or Brasa's - both in Waldorf and privately owned.

The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.

That is a blast from the past for sure !

The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.

You can buy Black Diamond Steaks at BJ's in the frozen isle....
Rick now cooks at Chiefs Bar in Tall Timbers, his family owned Oakwood..

You can buy Black Diamond Steaks at BJ's in the frozen isle....
Rick now cooks at Chiefs Bar in Tall Timbers, his family owned Oakwood..

Thanks, I'll have to give it a try. Been to Chiefs for beer but never food.
Does anyone remember the restaurant in Leonardtown,I think it was Baileys, on the corner where the pet store is now. Went there several times in my younger days after going out to Harbor View Inn. Always good breakfast. But then, Maryhelen always made us sandwiches (Stuffed ham) after we would finish drinking and dancing. Ahhh...the good ole days. Didnt kill anybody driving, always had a car full and the party would just move from one bar to the other. I think it was on Friday's, we would always go to T"s Cove for mexican food and margaritas and Sunday Trish and Tommy would have a brunch. My dad would take us over on the boat. Love those days and alot of good memories. Also, Johnny Hall, always ready to carry a crowd over to Coles Point,VA. Okay, I know there are some of you still out there that remember those times. :buddies:

Thanks, I'll have to give it a try. Been to Chiefs for beer but never food.
Does anyone remember the restaurant in Leonardtown,I think it was Baileys, on the corner where the pet store is now. Went there several times in my younger days after going out to Harbor View Inn. Always good breakfast. But then, Maryhelen always made us sandwiches (Stuffed ham) after we would finish drinking and dancing. Ahhh...the good ole days. Didnt kill anybody driving, always had a car full and the party would just move from one bar to the other. I think it was on Friday's, we would always go to T"s Cove for mexican food and margaritas and Sunday Trish and Tommy would have a brunch. My dad would take us over on the boat. Love those days and alot of good memories. Also, Johnny Hall, always ready to carry a crowd over to Coles Point,VA. Okay, I know there are some of you still out there that remember those times. :buddies:

my husband spent a lot of time at T's Cove back in the 80's. Good friends with Tom. Tom's brother, David recently died.
I never went to T's, but did go to Harbor View a few times. Good times.

Then the Fenwicks owned it for years, and I think they sold it to John.

Fenwick! I thought he was the original owner (not Duke). Before Nucci it was Geoff whatsherface, then Timbo Bryant, but a couple of others before that.

Fenwick! I thought he was the original owner (not Duke). Before Nucci it was Geoff whatsherface, then Timbo Bryant, but a couple of others before that.
Oh yeah! I forgot about Timbo, he had the chef who made the best damn bernaise sauce I've ever tasted. I think his name was Kendall.

You can buy Black Diamond Steaks at BJ's in the frozen isle....


Really? Are they any good?

Fenwick! I thought he was the original owner (not Duke). Before Nucci it was Geoff whatsherface, then Timbo Bryant, but a couple of others before that.

The Fenwicks owned Fenwick Ford where Big Eds is now and their son Chip ran the Willows for them... long time ago, when the food was great..

Really? Are they any good?

From what I hear they are.. Just to let you know. Oakwood ordered those Black Diamond Steaks from Sysco, Frank led everyone to believe he had a secret marinade....either way, they were awesome at Oakwood.. I miss that place...

From what I hear they are.. Just to let you know. Oakwood ordered those Black Diamond Steaks from Sysco, Frank led everyone to believe he had a secret marinade....either way, they were awesome at Oakwood.. I miss that place...

Who knew! :lol:

I think I mentioned earlier that they can be had at Gridiron.

Bah. The myth of the BDS - busted. :mad:

Oh well, it was still good. And I know for fact that the cheesecake was Mrs. Toth's recipe because I stood there and watched her make it. So that's something.

my husband spent a lot of time at T's Cove back in the 80's. Good friends with Tom. .

I'm sure I would know him then; Tommy's place was "home base" for me back then. Dart team..dinners..brunch on Sundays. Good times.

I was usually in the company of a couple other 7D characters and we came and went by boat about as often as by car or truck. A typical Friday-night-loop went like this: St.Patricks Creek to T's to Cobb Island (plural) to Coles Point Tavern to Frank Morris', to....well you get the picture. Good times..