Laura's Family - Poughkeepsie

I had a half sandwich and chicken and rice soup during my first visit to this restaurant. The ambiance is quite pleasant—definitely not a dive. The place is very clean, and the service is good. I would definitely come back. The prices are reasonable, too.

Inexpensive food that tastes like frozen leftovers but comes with a premium price tag. I suggest avoiding this place to save your money.

The Ponderosa was not a thin steak as described; instead, it resembled cheap roast beef sandwich meat smothered in gravy, cheese, and onions—definitely not worth the $19 price tag. The salmon looked nothing like what was advertised; it was a tiny piece, possibly frozen and of low quality, resembling the end of a tail and about a quarter-inch thick—definitely not worth the $22 we paid. The shrimp were just okay, but they tasted pre-cooked and frozen; a portion that should have cost around $10 was priced at $18. The cod was merely cod bites. The restaurant was practically empty, yet they were out of half the menu and various sides. With only one other table occupied, it took 45 minutes for our food to arrive. I initially wanted potato salad, but when they ran out, I settled for macaroni salad, which I had to send back. It was an unappetizing orange color and tasted overwhelmingly of turmeric, making me question the quality of the potato salad as well. I would NEVER return to this place. We spent over $130 on meals, and not a single person enjoyed their food. We joked that we should have just gone to Five Guys instead. I dislike complaining and sending back dishes, but my husband was ready to pay the bill and leave without eating. I seriously considered returning all the food and walking out. A dining experience shouldn't make you feel frustrated over bad food. My 14-year-old even remarked that it was so unappetizing he hoped he wouldn’t get food poisoning afterward. People of all ages—10, 14, 32, 38, 76, and 78—dined here, and no one was satisfied with their meal. Everyone agreed that for the poor quality, it was vastly overpriced. The older diners suggested we should have chosen Cracker Barrel instead, as it certainly would have been better. The photos posted by the restaurant are either misleading or were taken under a different chef or owner, as they bear no resemblance to what we were served. My husband chose this restaurant based on positive reviews and enticing online images, and I feel completely duped. I will NEVER come back here. If this is what Poughkeepsie considers acceptable dining, it makes me reluctant to try other places or believe the reviews. By contrast, Texas Roadhouse down the street felt like fine dining. I wonder if the nearby liquor store contributes to their high ratings; perhaps customers are too intoxicated to notice the poor food quality. PLEASE heed my advice and avoid this establishment. Go to a place like Mill House Brewing Company instead. I completely regret choosing this restaurant.

The most frustrating part was when we went to pay; the server mentioned there would be a surcharge for using a credit card, which was not mentioned anywhere on the menu or communicated to us beforehand. We also had no idea what the surcharge amount would be, as our receipt only showed the total without a breakdown of charges. Considering the price we paid for our meal, this was extremely disappointing. As for parking, the restaurant is located in a strip mall with 15-minute parking spots right in front. Overall, it was not an inexpensive dinner, and I would not recommend this dining experience. **Service:** Dine-in **Meal Type:** Dinner **Price per person:** $20–30 **Parking:** Plenty of options in a free parking lot.

**Wheelchair Accessibility:** There is disabled parking available directly across the street, and the front entrance features a recessed curb for easier access. **Service:** We dined in for lunch. **Price Per Person:** $20–30 **Food Rating:** 5/5 **Service Rating:** 5/5 **Atmosphere Rating:** 5/5 **Recommended Dish:** Sandwich