The Smiling Bison - Sanford

The Smiling Bison - Sanford reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Las Vegas4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 2, 2018

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

   Great place for happy hour! Bison burger deal on Wednesday is great as well.
   

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2. SH

   SamH

   Portland2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 2, 2018

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

   Never had a bad experience at this place! The food is always fresh and delicious, the chef is always willing to accommodate food allergies as well
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Orlando8 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on February 25, 2018

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

   I have eaten at this restaurant 3 times previously and have to say the taste of the food has always been on point. However, tonight, on my fourth visit, my experience was simply mind boggling. After a delicious appetizer of sweated shishito peppers, I was served luke warm grouper on purposefully cold vegetables. I had my friend confirm the temp of the fish was way off and only after that sent the dish back. I was served the same piece of fish reheated on top of new vegetables without a fork to even eat it. Was this an acceptable response for a $30 plate and $100+ bill? When I sent it back Chef Josh came out to “apologize” - loosely offered here’s because, in his paraphrased words: I’m sorry you 1) don’t know how restaurants charging $30 a plate typically just reheat and replate food and you should accept this 2) you don’t appreciate that I am in the restaurant 5 days a week and work hard, 3) you should accept the food served to you a second time because the server indicated you just wanted it reheated, 4) I served at the James Beard awards so bow down to my greatness and accept my “I’m sorry you are unhappy but I’m correct and you are not” “apology”. You offered excuses and arguments versus simply preparing a fresh dish. The sad uneaten whorl of chocolate and overripe banana dessert you offered wasn’t going to cut it after a solid 15 minutes of mansplaining Josh. And, while I appreciate you covering the cost of one of two glasses of wine and my friend’s cocktail and you not charging me for the cold/reheated fish, you could have had a fully paid bill if you just remade the dish. We tipped our enthusiastic waiter for the full cost of the meal but I will not return and cannot recommend anyone else dining there despite my honest love for downtown Sanford and your establishment being a once bright spot to visit. If your margins are so tight I recommend the foodies patronize other places where the sophisticated diner’s expectations can more reliably be met.
   

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4. MS

   MiguelS VIP

   Miami26 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 18, 2018

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

   Overall enjoyed the place. Great drinks. Very unique and fresh. The bison burger with the egg was very unique and cooked perfectly. Service was about 80% what you eiulc expect. Definitely a returnable place. Good vibes.
   

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5. SS

   ScottS

   Orlando3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on February 18, 2018

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

   This place was a big disappointment after reading the reviews. First of all, the service was slooooooow. Three hours for appetizers and burgers? Come on. You gotta do better than that. Yeah, it was a Saturday night, but when we got there there were plenty of tables open, so not really an excuse for slow service. The food? Meh. Nothing to write home about. I had the beef tenderloin app, which was good. Salads were passable. Everyone had bison burgers. Not the best I ever had. And the patty was small for the price. The bread instead of a bun seemed out of place. Give me a big, meaty burger on a real bun and it would have been a lot better. The prices? Way too high for what you get. I keep asking myself, are the portions too small for the prices, or are the prices too high for the portions? I can't decide. While I like the farm-to-table movement, I can't recommend this place to people.
   

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6. K

   Kevin3183

   Orlando3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 15, 2018

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

   Bison burger was amazing. Bison steak was great as well but not sure if that was a regular menu item.
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Orlando2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 10, 2018

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

   The brunch was great! The food was best I’ve had in awhile. The chef is very involved too, bringing food out and talking to customers. Would highly recommend!
   

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8. A

   Amazinggrace

   Tampa2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on January 27, 2018

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

   Dinner with Friends before show - great service, good food, fair price! Especially liked the Mahi Cheeks over grits and the Bison burger. Looking forward to our next visit.
   

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Orlando4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on January 26, 2018

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

   Russ, our server was great. Lots of information about food and wine. The menu is the most creative menu in central Florida, since the closing of K in College Park. And the food was excellent. The revived downtown Sanford historic area was the perfect before-meal backdrop to a truly first rate culinary experience.
   

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10. G

    Galah

    Orlando58 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on January 25, 2018

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

    Great menu choices, wonderful flavors..
    

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