10/12/07

new owners

by kathelacentra

The new owner does not no what to do. Ever since he took over Bakely's rest has gone down hill . Yes he remodeled and it looks nice but what about the pests? He has a power issue and could not handle a woman that has more pull then him there. I worked there for 10 yrs. and i have seen it all. I am not just upset but alittle grossed out. I watched the pest crawl on the counters and i have helped set up the pest traps. All he has is 1 or 2 faithful employees the rest just want out. hopefully all my friends out there will no what to do and eat some where else.

• Pros: familiar faces, out side seating
• Cons: rodents and pest in food

03/26/09

Good for Breakfast Anytime

by furious12

I have been going regularly for years. Have tried their burger-and been pleasantly surprised. It was not frozen...made fresh. Cooked perfectly. I would, however, recommend breakfast over anything on the menu. If one is concerned about the cleanliness of any establishment, go here and do a search...(my florida license dot com-all one word).

Bakely's is not better or worse than the average restaurant. In fact, I have never been disappointed with anything but the management/service. In fact, just last week, a manager dressed down an employee in the service area and every detail was heard by every single patron. I was put off by this. I hope I never have to feel that level of discomfort again...no chicken fried steak is worth the embarrassment.

• Pros: Reliable Breakfast Entrees
• Cons: Service Can Be Unpredictable/Management Unprofessional

02/06/09

Wanted it to be good. . .

by PSBWP

I've been living in and around Winter Park for over 12 years now, and as many times as Bakely's has changed hands, I don't get why these people don't understand good food. Maybe that's why owners keep coming and going from such a prime and noted location.

I took my wife to eat here after deciding once again to give a new set of owners a try out. The food was very poorly prepared, and several dishes were not anything like the menu described. The menu is overpriced for the quality and portions offered. the waitress seemed confused and overwhelmed. This place is not an authentic diner by any stretch of the imagination. Please do not be fooled by the same locals who think PF Changs is authentic Chinese Food.

The Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Sauce were not home made. They were served out of a can, and microwaved, with a side of greek cucumber sauce that the waitress proclaimed "had tons of lemon in it", after I asked what happenned to the greek lemon sauce the menu described. The Chicken kabob was not a kabob at all, but a pile of tiny minced pieces of white meat chicken that had obviously never seen an open flame and again, was obviously microwaved. The same can be said for the Gyro, which was served cold and with the meat showing no sign or flavor of being broiled. there was more lettuce on this Gyro (why was thre even lettuce??) than meat. Completely lacking in flavor this was the worse Gyro I have ever eaten, hands down. I can't remember thelast time I left an eatery feeling nearly insulted over the food.

Somehow these three lunch items that were totaly void of any pride and skill on the part of the kitchen came to $40 with tax. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place at all costs. There are so many wonderful places to eat in metro orlando, don't waste money here.

07/06/08

changes not so good

by Dawncitysearch

My daughter and I were passing through Winter Park and stopped at one of our favorite old haunts only to find that everything had been changed. Adventurous souls that we are, we decided to give it a try anyway. The decor screamed "Bakely's, baked goods!" okay, actually I think it said that on the window next to our booth: cakes, pastry etc... It was very disappointing to find that all those baked goodies- fabulous cakes! were no longer offered. Instead there was a ton of Greek food offered. I like Greek, but I came to Bakely's because of it's reputation for Baked goodies. We ordered patty melts and they were premade circle burgers that lacked much enthusiasm. The often nonexistant service was a bit lack luster as well. There we only two tables filled in the place and the wait for the bill was much longer then it should be.

Overall it was very disappointing. If you have expectations for the old Bakely's you knew and loved, bypass this new Bakely's that is a little confused about what type of restaurant it wants to be.

07/03/08

Best for family

by m2000

I eat at Bakely s at day by day basis and my experiences from the reaustarant is great. Good food (Lamb phily is UNBELIEVABLE} great people very hospitable.Definately one of the best breakfast in Winter Park.

• Pros: Great people good food
• Cons: music

06/10/08

Never got waited on...

by Anne321

Went in for a weekday Lunch, around 12:15pm. Restaurant was 2/3 empty, so service shouldn't have been an issue (should never be an issue even if it's busy - if managed properly).

We were seated at a booth, and given a menu. We waited 10 minutes, and nothing. During that time, two servers were casually chatting with other patrons, in absolutely no hurry to greet us or even get a drink order. Strange. Just when we thought the server was making her way to us, one of the customers she'd been talking to said "oh hey, can I get some mustard", and off she went, walking right by us (and now another party seated next to us).

During this time, a man (maybe the owner/chef?) kept peeking out from the kitchen looking nervously at our table and others.

After 15 minutes (which was more than generous), we left. In this economy, AND with as much competition as there is out there, this place won't be around long if they can't wait on their customers.

• Pros: Who knows?
• Cons: Non-existent Service

05/08/08

Great Food, Service needs work

by gators81

Great food. The lemon chicken soup is amazing. I've also been very happy with the moussaka, pastisio, and chicken pasta. The breadsticks and other baked goods are all very good.

The owner is extremely friendly and always wants to make sure you enjoyed your meal.

The one downside would have to be the service. I've probably been to Bakely's 10-12 times in the last few months since I have been living in the area and I have only seen the same server twice. Often the servers are new and still learning the menu. It seems like some of them are new to serving as well, as they miss some basic things. The food is always up very quickly though.

Overall it's definitely worth checking out. The food more than makes up for the service. I just wish it was open later so I could go more often.

• Pros: Amazing Food
• Cons: Service

04/30/08

Best Personality and Food

by jmowbo

Very personable owners....quality ingredients in the food such as pure olive oil! The owner insures you are pleased with your meal. Don't be afraid to bring his attention to anything you feel is not prepared right. Great quiet place to enjoy a meal....nice breakfast offerings too. GREAT Cobb salad. A pleasure to visit.

• Pros: Great new owners
• Cons: A few new servers that need a little more practice but definitely try to please!

02/05/08

Best Family restaurant in Winter Park

by RenosAle

This is the Manager of Bakely's restaurant. I can not believe that people can be so hateful. This is a response to Kathie's (an ex- waitress) misleading review who was fired from Bakely's restaurant because of her inappropriate behavior towards our guests. Our restaurant does not have any pest issues.

• Pros: Lots of Parking, Patio seating, good food.

Amped-up diner with a kitschy interior, mouthwatering American standards and tasty desserts.

by Contributor

In Short
Asylum-white tiles with patches of metallic black-and-blue line the walls, mirrors cover the ceiling, and blue checkerboard designs adorn tabletops. Breakfast--served all day--is a favorite starting point for O-Towners. Steak burgers cooked to a perfect griddle-crisp are served on bakery-fresh buns. The herb-roasted chicken is half a succulently cooked hen with hordes of fixings. Portions are large, but leave room for dessert--there are fantastic versions of Death by Chocolate, Key lime pie and Boston creme cake.