Frankie & Benny's

absolutely awful service from the manager – clearly has no idea how to run a restaurant. 75% of the tables were empty, yet he sat us at the bar for 45minutes, before putting us on an uncleared table, and ignored us for 30 minutes. At this point I complained to him, and my friends and I left having wasted well over an hour without even ordering. 1 star is too many.

I’m afraid I don’t even want to give this one star as the whole experience was truely terrible but it won’t let me sign off without entering something! From the moment we walked in and had to wait 15 mins for someone to even acknowledge us then take us to the area to be seated only to be told “oh sorry there don’t seem to be any tables ready, would you mind waiting 10 minutes at the bar”!!!! Then when we finally did get taken to a table we had to walk over a filthy floor covered in somebody elses dinner which clearly hadn’t been cleared up (no one had left the restaurant in the half hour we had been there) and then taken to a table that clearly hadn’t been cleaned!!! I then asked if the waiter would mind cleaning the table, he then got a disinfectant spray and started squirting all around the knives and forks on the table and all over the husbands hands. Unfortunately after that we had had enough and left. I don’t blame the waiter – he was about 17 and didn’t seem to have a clue but there was clearly no one in charge and the place was in Chaos. My advice don’t bother – we ended up at the Arkle Manor which is a bit pricer but then again the service and food were fantastic – you definately pay for what you get!

Myself 2 friends went a couple of months ago - Never again - It's only plus was free parking!!!

We have tried many places to eat as we all try and meet up regually as a family. There are six of us and a range of ages and expect good food and good friendy sevice. We can be very hard to please and don't hesitate to show if we are displeased with either the sevice or the food and will not be shy to send back food if it is not right. We descided to try Frankie and Benny's in Dorking as we have been to others in the past, and i am glad to say we had a very enjoyable time. The food was up to a high standard and the staff were very happy and willing to please. We found the music was a bit loud and we found it hard to hear each other talk but as soon as we asked them to turn it down they did so without hesitation and it was soon to a level which was pleasent as background music. A good time was had by all and would go back with even more of the family without giving it a second thought

I went to Frankie and Bennys on 16th September 2010 for breakfast as we were staying at the travellodge next door.

There were 4 of us and we had a truly awful experiance. The staff were miserable and rude, and our food was dreadful. We ordered 2 veggie breakfasts and 2 traditional. All the fried eggs were hard and when we asked for new ones (twice) we were ignored and never did get tham. This has definaley put us off staying at a travel lodge where there is a Frankie and Bennys and I will never be seen dead in a Frankie and Bennys ever again. Pull your socks up!!

Certainly cheap but the food isn’t fantastic and neither is the service. It’s ironic really because this place used to be a Little Chef and Frankie and Benny’s is a modern day version of that.
We took 13 girls aged 10 or 11 and they loved it, but if you have any respect for your health, don’t eat here to often!

The food was as good as other frankie and bennie places but the service was slow and care free. It was difficult to make yourself known and our waitor made 3 mistakes albeit small ones and at one point one of the chefs brought some food out to one of the tables as all of the table staff were near the front enterence. They had 2 kids parties during the time we were there and the staff did seem to make more of an effort with those guests. We went there as it is located next door to the local travlodge.

While Dorking has no shortage of nice places to eat, it was sorely lacking somewhere families could go without getting the death stare from other tables if your wee ones made so much as a peep. They bring a fun pack to keep kids of most ages entertained, and the kids menu is very nice, including a portion of steamed veg (but you must ask for it). Warning--the kids’ pizza is enormous, save yourself some money and share between two.

As for the adult fare, it’s pretty good, solid food. Not fine dining in any way, but there are things I look forward to having; the Tiger Prawn Diavolo is my absolute favourite. I’ve tried a variety of things off the menu: salads, chicken parmesan, various pasta dishes, hamburgers, never was I disappointed.

The service at this branch could not be faulted. Granted, I think we were one of two filled tables, but the attention the waitress gave--stopping back to ask if we needed anything, making sure the kids were okay, etc--made me, as a former waitress in my student days, think it was a standard level of service rather than having too much time on her hands.

All in all, I’d definitely recommend Frankie & Benny’s as a place for a fun lunch or dinner (they also do brunch, but I’ve never been) with the family.