Bama Bucks - Sardis City, Alabama

BNB

First time visit during a baseball tournament. The staff was overly accommodating even when they had 3 large tops before us. We choose to sit outside on the deck. The deck area had 2 fans already but they came and put out another fan just to ensure we were not hot. Our waitress was amazing. She never once got overwhelmed with dealing with 20+ and a 13 U baseball team. She was very attentive and kept all our cups filled throughout the entire visit. All the food was hot and accurate. The boys enjoyed seeing the animals come up to the balcony.
We will definitely be back when in the area.
I can’t say enough how amazing our waitress was.

Bone Tactical

Essentially an overpriced tourist trap. The food is average at best. The only thing I can recommend on the menu is the pheasant, with the cowboy beans as a side. The animals are the attraction here… honestly, it’s hard to see them in the sad state they are in. With limited freedom of movement and not as well cared for as I’d like to see. But this is a money making operation, they don’t hide it, and they do it well. One time deal for me, I enjoyed the experience but won’t continue to support them simply because this type of operation is not in line with my morals and beliefs.

J Rock

So I had multiple orders starting with the appetizers. They were excellent. I ordered the porter house for my birthday and it was very bland and very bony. We also ordered the bison steak and that was excellent. Had a known the bison steak was the best. I would have ordered that instead. I did not expect bones to be in a porter house. While I was happy to get in there without a line or wait I did see some people get seated and get their food faster. For example, the first table I saw had about 12 people we came in ate everything and left before they even got served. I've also seen other people with just two order and get food faster than us and we were seated before them. I have no idea how their kitchen set up but it was very strange to see orders come out different for other people seated after us.

Again the steak wasn't good and I also let somebody else try it and they agreed. So for me I will not do that again. Unfortunately it was my birthday also. I'm disappointed.

Grace Monique Dykstra - Quillen

Great place and we were excited to try it since we were so far from home (Madison is 1 hr 35 min away) and it was so well known.

Spent the 40 minutes waiting for a table shopping the store, rocking on the porch and checking things out. Such a beautiful place!

Seated and placed our food order before the Auburn game started. 1 hour later!!!... And still no food. Watched people come and go, eating and then leaving and we still had no food. Decided to go ask and was told the "new system" had not sent the food order to the kitchen. Wish we had been told when the issue had been caught.

Once we stood up to leave, all of a sudden our food was ready. We were told it was "hot and fresh". Well - that wasn't the truth! Whipped cream was melted. Fries were cold. Onion rings were cold as well.

Ate and enjoyed although it wasn't quite the experience I expected and hoped for. It was still good though.

I thought this was an isolated incident until I read reviews below stating the same, and the manager commented that they shuffle food orders around in the kitchen based on what grill, flat top, etc is open. Not a great way of doing business!

IF THE FOOD WAS HOT AND FRESH, this could be the most amazing restaurant. Maybe I'll try it again when I get this way.

Crissy Harris Faulkner

We loved everything. They were super busy and packed. It was Saturday the afternoon before Father's Day. When we arrived, they said there would be 2 hour wait but they got us in much quicker than that. The kids loved seeing the animals and visiting the gift store. I will mention this just in case anyone wonders, there is a charge to visit the animals, but it was very reasonable. Most of us in our group loved their food. They were also going around to the tables, giving samples of fresh honey straight from the honey comb. Our waitress was great, too. It's definitely worth a visit.

Wesley Juron

The overall theme of restaurant was incredibly fun and inviting. We felt as if were eating in a hunting lodge. The service was friendly and accommodating. They were on the ball and I don't think we ever had to ask for a refill. Now, the food. I got the elk steak with the mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Having never had elk before I was not used to the taste and texture and it was not great, but I understand why it came with the blackberry reduction. Still good, but next time I go, I will probably get something else. The sides, rolls and, appetizer gator bites were amazing, top notch.

We did go to the zoo portion and as a guy who always gives a critical eye to the care of animals, I am mostly pleased. Most of the animals had acceptable space for their enclosures, mainly the hoofed creatures. I noticed the raccoons and black bears were pacing which is not a good sign. I do not know what enrichment programs they have for the animals, but I think the bears would benefit from a larger space.

While we were eating got to meet a juvenile alligator named Darth Vader. He was really chill for a guy named after a sith lord.

Overall a great experience and we cannot wait to go back.

Chris Sharpe

This place is pretty awesome! Service was great, the atmosphere is awesome, and it's just peaceful. Sat right by a window and got to enjoy some wildlife while we ate. Bison steak was great. The cowboy potatoes(forgot what they were called) were amazing, and the smoked gouda macaroni and cheese bites were marvelous(while they were still hot).

After eating or even before, you can go out and check out some beautiful animals. From bears to Kangaroos. They have some truly beautiful animals in the preserve.

Kassey Epperson

Great food and service. Very popular, so if its a peak time you may have a bit of a wait. In the meantime there is a wildlife area to roam and look at some beautiful animals. Well worth the fee to go in and look at the animals!