My husband and I were enjoying a night out in Cape Girardeau this past Saturday evening (August 1) and decided to stop in for dinner.
When we arrived, the young lady at the host stand let us know there would be a short wait because they were a little short-staffed. We ended up waiting only about five minutes, but she was so friendly and apologetic that we assured her it was no problem at all.
Shortly after we were seated, our server, Tanner, came by to take our drink and appetizer order. We ordered a Bloomin’ Onion, coffees, and water, and everything—including the warm, fresh bread and butter—arrived incredibly fast.
The Bloomin’ Onion was as tasty as ever. It seemed a little smaller than I remembered and was just a bit greasy, but it was still very enjoyable.
For my entrée, I ordered the Coconut Shrimp with their signature Creole marmalade sauce. The shrimp were plump, perfectly coated in a crispy coconut batter, and fried to a beautiful golden brown. The marmalade dipping sauce had just the right balance of sweetness with a touch of spice—it was absolutely delicious.
My husband ordered the steak with grilled shrimp. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium-well, just as requested, although we both felt it could have used a little more seasoning. The grilled shrimp, however, were well-cooked, flavorful, and a great complement to the meal.
What truly made our dining experience stand out was our server, Tanner. He was genuinely kind, attentive, and professional from beginning to end. Even though the restaurant was short-staffed, you never would have known it by the way he handled everything. He kept a smile on his face, checked on us regularly without being intrusive, and made us feel like valued guests.
For us, great service can make all the difference. Even if a meal isn’t perfect, exceptional customer service is what brings us back. Thanks to Tanner and the welcoming staff, we wouldn’t hesitate to dine here again the next time we’re in Cape Girardeau.