Vera's White Sands - Mother's Day Buffet: ONCE is ENOUGH!

[Jennalynn]

I saw reviews on FB that Vera’s White Sands had a terrific Easter buffet. Since I’ve not been there, I thought, “What the heeeee? Let’s give it a go!” What a poor choice! Most of the food was terrible, especially the snow crab. I had two clusters that were definitely “bad”! Literally had to spit it out! Steamed shrimp tasted like it was leftover from Easter…. The so-called “steamship round” (which is roast beef) looked much more like prime rib, which is a different cut all together. Texture, flavor and FAT, FAT, FAT! We were given ONE cup of water. Asked several times, and couldn’t get them to bring us more. I finally grabbed some from the ladies room! We asked for our check, and waited almost 15 minutes before asking for it again, at which time the server said… “Would you like some more water?” And “no”, the place was not hopping! There were plenty of empty tables… For $35 a person… we had hoped for better. Won’t go back…

 

[vraiblonde]

Vera's annoys me because it is one of the best restaurant locations in SoMD - right there on the water, big ol' deck for outdoor dining, room for a band and dancing - and the food is mediocre at best. It used to be really good, not sure what happened but over a winter a few years ago they went to hell and never came back.

 

[SamSpade]

Vera's annoys me because it is one of the best restaurant locations in SoMD - right there on the water, big ol' deck for outdoor dining, room for a band and dancing - and the food is mediocre at best.

Agreed. I don't KNOW of another place in Southern Maryland that has that much going for it. I don't know of one that has as much room for boats or as huge a floor.
The only downside of its location is access via any other means other than water.

And the food and service is meh.

 

[LightRoasted]

If I may ...

They really should change the name. Been riding that coattail for far too long. Also, looks like Sysco, or other food distributors, may be increasing their prices to the point that the owners are getting the absolute cheapest food like stuff to sell. Really, $35 for snow crab legs and shrimp and cow? Seen the prices in the store for these items lately? At these prices, they were offering the lowest possible quality. Only been there once after Vera died... Will never be the same.

 

[Gilligan]

Meanwhile, the brunch at Tall Timbers continues to be the best around and....the new addition to their restaurant is really nice!

 

[vraiblonde]

Meanwhile, the brunch at Tall Timbers continues to be the best around and....the new addition to their restaurant is really nice!

I love Tall Timbers. Right there on the water, food is good, sit on the patio and have a drinkie, bands and plenty of room to dance, everybody is like family. Their Sunday brunch is always one of my favorite treats when I'm in town.

 

[Hank]

Vera's annoys me because it is one of the best restaurant locations in SoMD - right there on the water, big ol' deck for outdoor dining, room for a band and dancing - and the food is mediocre at best. It used to be really good, not sure what happened but over a winter a few years ago they went to hell and never came back.

Jerry's would be perfect at that location!

 

[vraiblonde]

Jerry's would be perfect at that location!

I think some of the appeal of Jerry's is its intimacy. Plus Jerry would have a stroke trying to cover all that floor to chat with everyone who walks in.

 

[RoseRed]

Stoney's at Clarke's Landing really sucks now, too.

 

[Hank]

Plus Jerry would have a stroke trying to cover all that floor to chat with everyone who walks in.

Good Point.

 

[SamSpade]

Stoney's at Clarke's Landing really sucks now, too.

Yeah, what happened? Wife and I went there about a week ago - but I can't put my finger on it.

 

[Gilligan]

I love Tall Timbers. Right there on the water, food is good, sit on the patio and have a drinkie, bands and plenty of room to dance, everybody is like family. Their Sunday brunch is always one of my favorite treats when I'm in town.

The patio is now a beautiful enclosed room, but with lots of glass.

 

[munacra]

I have to agree.. The entertainment can be FUN FUN FUN and the drinks are good to go.. But I have never had any luck AT ALL when it comes to the food department at Vera's... Fixing that would make Vera's an AWESOME location to come back to again and again...

..g..

 

[vraiblonde]

The patio is now a beautiful enclosed room, but with lots of glass.

What?? You mean I can't smoke out there anymore?? How are the neighbor dogs supposed to get in???

 

[Gilligan]

What?? You mean I can't smoke out there anymore?? How are the neighbor dogs supposed to get in???

Yeah, there are downsides....

 

[Jennalynn]

If I may ...
Really, $35 for snow crab legs and shrimp and cow? Seen the prices in the store for these items lately? At these prices, they were offering the lowest possible quality. Only been there once after Vera died... Will never be the same.

I agree with you. $35 IS low... We kind of expected "not the best"... We didn't expect spoiled/inedible food. Thank heaven RITA's on the way home... Yummy Twizzler's flavored Italian ice calmed my growling stomach!

I see people mentioning Tall Timbers... Have to give that a try!

 

[vraiblonde]

I have to agree.. The entertainment can be FUN FUN FUN and the drinks are good to go.. But I have never had any luck AT ALL when it comes to the food department at Vera's... Fixing that would make Vera's an AWESOME location to come back to again and again...

..g..

And they *used* to be good. Right after they re-opened it from when Vera's people had it, the food was good and the service was on point. It was excellent for a couple of years, then took a dramatic nose dive. Maybe a change in management, but you'd think the owners would straighten that place back out.

 

[Forkian]

I agree with you. $35 IS low... We kind of expected "not the best"... We didn't expect spoiled/inedible food. Thank heaven RITA's on the way home... Yummy Twizzler's flavored Italian ice calmed my growling stomach!

I see people mentioning Tall Timbers... Have to give that a try!

For $35 I had better have a damn good meal! There is never any excuse to serve old seafood that can make a person very sick.

 

[Restitution]

Did you demand your money back?

If not.... then you can expect it to happen over and over again. The whole "suck it up" or "it must have been on off day" attitude is the reason why these places charge big bucks and deliver garbage.

If more people held them accountable instead of victim blaming and/or just "letting it go" then the quality of service might go up around here!

 

[black dog]

For $35 I had better have a damn good meal! There is never any excuse to serve old seafood that can make a person very sick.

I was going to say, for me to spend 35 bucks on a buffet it better be amazing.
I can go to either casinos within a hour of me on the weekends and get the snow crab, steamed srimp, cow, oysters and vasts amounts of other eats for 25 bucks and they do a great job.
I haven't eaten at Vera's since Vera died. I never really was a big fan.