Franklin Café at the Gibson Inn

Review summary

1. R

   RICHARD

   Central Georgia

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   The FRANKLIN CAFE at the GIBSON INN has an ever-worsening reputation under the new ownership/management, but because we've loved the Gibson since beginning to dine there in the 1990s, and we own a second home just blocks away and live here part of the year, we decided to bring another couple with us and give it a try for their special prix fixe VALENTINE'S DINNER, at $125 per person. Nearly everything that could go wrong did go wrong: they seated us at the table closest to the kitchen door, so we could see and hear all the hubbub; the service was slow from the very beginning, then when the first wine arrived the server spilled it onto our table, and--when my wife used her dinner napkin to cover the spill, the server failed to remove or replace the wine-soaked napkin; our main courses were very slow to arrive, well over half an hour & when they were brought out, all four were wrong, not at all what we ordered, and it was another half hour or so before our entrees were served again, and again one of those was not what we ordered; when we finally were served, most of the food was good, though the lobster tail tasted like chlorine; the checks were itemized in an utterly confusing way, and with unintelligible general descriptors, instead of simply the $125 prix fixe + automatic 20% gratuity (I generally tip 30% or more, but not for this disaster); 3.5% was added for using credit cards (a growing practice these days, but at a supposed fine dining restaurant?--why not inflate the prices even further?). The worst Valentine's dinner ever, the worst dining experience in Apalachicola ever, in nearly 35 years. Fewer tables, better service might have helped; seemed overbooked, under-staffed, and severely under-orchestrated. I am in no way a "complainer," quite the opposite--we always praise the staff and tip generously--but this was a simply horrendous experience, for us and for the friends we brought with us.
   

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2. T

   Teresa

   Nashville

   21 reviews

   4.0

   21 reviews

   Dined on 28 January 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We ate at the Franklin Cafe twice while staying at the Gibson Inn in Apalachicola. The evening we arrived we had dinner at the Franklin Cafe. After traveling we appreciated the convenience. We shared a dozen raw oysters (this IS Apalachicola!) to begin. My husband followed with the Fried oyster Caesar salad. He was delighted to find nearly a dozen oysters topping the dressed greens. I am happy he shared. I ordered the Steakhouse wedge salad which was also generously sized. Our server was pleasant and with very few other diners, the restaurant was quiet, although we could hear the lively crowd in the adjacent Parlor bar. One morning we ate breakfast at the Franklin Cafe. They begin serving at 8:00 AM. The standard breakfast with eggs, bacon, grits and biscuit was filling. The French toast came with fresh berries and paired with a side of eggs was great.
   

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3. E

   Elisabeth

   Milwaukee

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 27 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We loved our dinner at the Franklin Cafe. After driving for two days to get there the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Our waitress was so sweet we just wanted to keep her at our table to chat. Food was delicious and they were very accommodating when we wanted to switch up our order. The Gibson inn is a lovely place to spend some time. Make sure you play some pool with your giant alligator host after dinner! We will make it a point to return, Thank you,
   

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4. G

   Gary

   Orlando

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 23 January 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Main courses were brought out before soup and salad starters. We had almost finished mains when asked if we wanted salad we had ordered (we said no). My steak was good but side vegetables were way overcooked. My wife’s fish was good but sides were raw. Seems like restaurant was way understaffed. Maybe due to cold weather condition?
   

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5. B

   Bill

   VIP

   San Francisco

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 19 January 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   We had a terrible experience. Our server gave us the wrong wine and when we raised the issue, she completely dismissed us and didn’t bother offering to make it right. She made no effort to talk with us and only did the bare minimum. On top of it all, the food was overly salty and average at best (although the redfish was admittedly good). The lack of warmth in the service was what was really disappointing. We would urge the owners to consider investing in hospitality training for their servers. Wholly disappointed and unlikely to return.
   

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6. K

   Kate

   Milwaukee

   10 reviews

   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on 2 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Wonderful beautiful building, excellent and flavorful food. Quality Kids menu (not just hot dogs or pizza) and very accommodating staff. We enjoyed it so much we came back for a second evening on our vacation in the area!
   

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7. L

   Larry

   Orlando

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on 28 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was pretty good, the service was not bad as far as the waitress goes, however they only offer me vegetarian option and they were out of it! They were also out of several other menu items effectively limiting what you could order! I’m not sure how you don’t plan for plenty of options on a Friday evening but it was very limited and my wife when eats little to no meat had to order side items to accommodate her diet! Very disappointed in the options being so limited.
   

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8. E

   Elizabeth

   Raleigh

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on 25 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Was looking forward to a special Xmas dinner but very disappointed. Food was overcooked, likely prepared ahead and just heated up. Unorganized staff, never really knew who our waitress was. Been waiting to eat at the ‘fancy’ hotel restaurant for years and sadly will not return. A lot of confusion and workers looked like they were not trained.
   

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9. R

   Robert

   Atlanta

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on 25 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Only place open on Christmas day. Food was ok but over-priced.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 December 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5

    This meal was a fixed.price holiday meal so I expected to pay more, but this is one of the worst meals I've ever had. $160 for two people (one glass of wine each). Miniscule portion sizes (about two tablespoons of soup), tiny salad with one thin baguette slice, food wasn't hot, even the wine pours and deserts were small. Clearly understaffed but staff was nice so that's OK. I just wish I had eaten elsewhere for a lot less money and better food. We both thought maybe the kitchen was running low on food and that's why there was so little of it, but then they should have reflected that in the price.
    

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