Flamboro Downs
Flamboro Downs
2.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
2.5
56 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
13
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
24
Meaghan Edwards
Hamilton, Canada1 contribution
Oct 2021
It's a shame those that go to the track for the horse racing are treated like second class citizens. No plans for when winter arrives? Just leave the horses racing attendees outside in? Indoor access restricted to those who wish to watch the racing. I understand COVID restrictions but why are the horse racing attendees treated as being less important as those in the casino?
Let me state that my family have been going to the track for decades and it has gone down hill fast. No more "family days", nothing to draw families to the track anymore, confusing reconfiguration that started before COVID. If Grand River and Mohawk can find ways to draw in audiences, surely Flamboro can to or hand the track over to someone who cares about the sport, it's spectators and those involved in horse racing!
There isn't even handicapping in between the races. Sorry, but the online betting contest doesn't cut it; it doesn't draw people to the track in person.
Maybe look at how well Grand River Raceway is run, great attendance, family events, even Racing Under Staddle races, etc! This track under its current management is doing a great disservice to this great sport. Tracks need to be beneficial to the sport, not a detriment.
Let me state that my family have been going to the track for decades and it has gone down hill fast. No more "family days", nothing to draw families to the track anymore, confusing reconfiguration that started before COVID. If Grand River and Mohawk can find ways to draw in audiences, surely Flamboro can to or hand the track over to someone who cares about the sport, it's spectators and those involved in horse racing!
There isn't even handicapping in between the races. Sorry, but the online betting contest doesn't cut it; it doesn't draw people to the track in person.
Maybe look at how well Grand River Raceway is run, great attendance, family events, even Racing Under Staddle races, etc! This track under its current management is doing a great disservice to this great sport. Tracks need to be beneficial to the sport, not a detriment.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean G
Mississauga, Canada1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
On arrival to the upper dining area I found the area gloomy and lack lustre. It was not welcoming. I would suggest someone to check out the lighting and decor, perhaps a few pictures on the drab walls.
The brunch buffet was not appealing. The scrambled eggs were dry little lumps. The buffet needs waffles and French toast dusted lightly with powdered sugar and perhaps syrup or fruit sauces would be nice ie strawberry or apple slice sauce. Big broom sized sausages were not appealing. Perhaps serving ham along with the bacon would be nice. A lovely fruit slice selection would add to the eye appeal. Has anyone thought of ice cream with the dessert section. Or maybe toppings for the ice cream would be nice, or even a chocolate fountain would give it pizzazz.
My last comment was I noticed dirty dishes. Hoping if we come back we will see improvements. My heart goes out to the servers working in this drab atmosphere.
The brunch buffet was not appealing. The scrambled eggs were dry little lumps. The buffet needs waffles and French toast dusted lightly with powdered sugar and perhaps syrup or fruit sauces would be nice ie strawberry or apple slice sauce. Big broom sized sausages were not appealing. Perhaps serving ham along with the bacon would be nice. A lovely fruit slice selection would add to the eye appeal. Has anyone thought of ice cream with the dessert section. Or maybe toppings for the ice cream would be nice, or even a chocolate fountain would give it pizzazz.
My last comment was I noticed dirty dishes. Hoping if we come back we will see improvements. My heart goes out to the servers working in this drab atmosphere.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark A
Erie, PA268 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
I found the machines much tighter than the past. Unfortunately new ownership.. so I got a new card.. which did not work.. the line was too long to get another one. I also had a postal card with free play offer.. they were too cheap to offer it up anyway since I forgot the card at home.. it's okay.. I doubt I will stop back. The place has really changed in the last 2 years.. it may looker newer, but its definitely gone down hill.. such a shame I use to love visiting this place. I will be hard pressed to stop again. Actually my travel companion was so disgusted he sat in the car for half an hour waiting for me to lose my $ 50 budget. The problem was finding a machine to play. Then it took and never gave anything back.
Written July 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gelli550
Victoria, Canada2,802 contributions
Jan 2020
We met an aunt and uncle here for lunch and a natter as it's halfway between where we are visiting and where they live.
The parking lot is huge, but we were able to park fairly close to the entrance.
We two first lined up for the visitors card which did not take long with assistance from the helpful staff.
We had a very short line up for the excellent value lunch buffet, and it was here that we ran into the only problem there. Our aunt and uncle insisted on paying and were told that as you pay before you go in, the tip requested is only for the front desk cashiers, and that any tip for the servers must be left on the table! What? Two tips? And if you think this is a daft idea, which we did, you have to enter in 'NO TIP' in front of the people you are not tipping! How awkward is that? Having said that, the staff at the cashiers were both very professional and helpful. To illustrate how confusing this whole process is, our uncle thought he had to pay again when we left!
The buffet itself was really good but basic, with tea, coffee and soft drinks included for $7.95. Soup , salad, eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, baked beans (!) for the brunch part, fried chicken, cottage pie, rice pilaf, veggies, pizza for the lunch side and a good selection of desert, ice cream etc.
The food was all of really good quality, and we had excellent service from Nicole our server. Luckily, we had some cash to show our appreciation.
We played the slots for a short while afterwards and found the payout to be average.
All in all, a good visit, but you do need to change that clumsy tipping process!
The parking lot is huge, but we were able to park fairly close to the entrance.
We two first lined up for the visitors card which did not take long with assistance from the helpful staff.
We had a very short line up for the excellent value lunch buffet, and it was here that we ran into the only problem there. Our aunt and uncle insisted on paying and were told that as you pay before you go in, the tip requested is only for the front desk cashiers, and that any tip for the servers must be left on the table! What? Two tips? And if you think this is a daft idea, which we did, you have to enter in 'NO TIP' in front of the people you are not tipping! How awkward is that? Having said that, the staff at the cashiers were both very professional and helpful. To illustrate how confusing this whole process is, our uncle thought he had to pay again when we left!
The buffet itself was really good but basic, with tea, coffee and soft drinks included for $7.95. Soup , salad, eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, baked beans (!) for the brunch part, fried chicken, cottage pie, rice pilaf, veggies, pizza for the lunch side and a good selection of desert, ice cream etc.
The food was all of really good quality, and we had excellent service from Nicole our server. Luckily, we had some cash to show our appreciation.
We played the slots for a short while afterwards and found the payout to be average.
All in all, a good visit, but you do need to change that clumsy tipping process!
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice S
Hamilton, Canada3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
My husband is retired, but had a 40 year career working in casinos, including being the casino manager in a few. We visited the casino in Flamborough for the first time tonight and had a wonderful eating, as well as gambling, experience. The prime rib and lobster in the buffet were A-1 and the customer service was exceptional. Nicole was our server and couldn't do enough for us, always cheerful and polite. The manager of the restaurant, John, showed the utmost customer service, constantly mingling with the patrons, chatting and making sure all surfaces were wiped and shining. It was a pleasure to dine in the buffet! All casino employees seemed helpful and pleasant as we gambled for a couple hours after dinner. Yes, we will definitely go back again. It was a very pleasurable experience and I can't think of anything negative to put in my review.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tom h
5 contributions
Apr 2022 • Business
Tote board doesn't work #1 .... If you sit inside, to go outside to watch the race you have to exit the building and go around the building outside.
Outside you can't bet no totes out there..
To top it off had to get track manageri involved to let a child to use bathroom, which is setup before you enter casino portion.... security unaware of rules..
You know it's great when you complain and the staff thank you for doing so...
Outside you can't bet no totes out there..
To top it off had to get track manageri involved to let a child to use bathroom, which is setup before you enter casino portion.... security unaware of rules..
You know it's great when you complain and the staff thank you for doing so...
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john g
Mississauga, Canada1 contribution
Jan 2020
Sorry but your Brunch Buffet isn't up to scratch, compared to others we have experienced. First the reception cashier, should not be the hostess that takes you to your table, it makes the next patrons wait too long in line. The cashier should not be asking for a specific tip amount, before you have your meal. Tips are a way of rewarding staff for good and friendly service, and the tip amount will determine the value of that service. The hot breakfast food has metal covers over every container, which means a lot of people handling the covers and the serving utensils. The serving utensils end up all over the place in the food and all covered with food, as well as a lot of other patrons DNA. The sausages looked undercooked and some overcooked, the salmon meat pie looked good until you ate some, it had a colourless substance in it that looked like something you would find outside a bar at two in the morning. The crispy bacon was great, scrambled eggs ok, the place where you make specialty eggs was abandoned. For breakfast I would have liked some waffles with strawberries sauce, or some whip cream, or fresh berries, and syrup? Salad bar was average, I think your whole selection was more lunch than breakfast by about 70%. It would be a good idea to send the Buffet managers to Fallsview or almost any Casino in Vegas, especially Cesars, to see how a Buffet should be set up. Our sever (Gordon) was great. Overall the experience was disappointing, and until your reviews are better we will eat elsewhere. Elements, appears to be a cut rate outfit, so you will not make it for too much longer.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david a
Brantford, Canada4 contributions
May 2022
I first went to Flamboro racing the week it opened in about 1976. WHAT a disgrace the Casino management has allowed this to die a slow death in favour of a slots only place
NO access to indoor seats / washroom (have to use an OUTHOUSE!!! ) or eats NO access to see odds / exacta prices!
NO photographer if your horse wins (as owner). I wrote an e-mail to lady on Web site page complaining OFCOUSE no response.
Mr. Juravinski would spin in his grave if he saw such a horrid disgrace !!
NO access to indoor seats / washroom (have to use an OUTHOUSE!!! ) or eats NO access to see odds / exacta prices!
NO photographer if your horse wins (as owner). I wrote an e-mail to lady on Web site page complaining OFCOUSE no response.
Mr. Juravinski would spin in his grave if he saw such a horrid disgrace !!
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tscot1
Hamilton, On2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
If no stars was an option, I’d give it that. Service was terrible. Food was worse. I wouldn’t have paid $5.00 for what was offered. Drinks took forever to come. All around not worth it. Definitely won’t be back.
Written March 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saft1st
Stoney Creek, Canada5 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Ive been playing here for years, However since the new group ELEMENTS are now running the show the place has gone steadily DOWNHILL. The payouts on the slots are horrible at best ,food service was disgusting, staff are miserable ( demoted and hours cut) and the new managers have a take it or leave it arrogance .
Im done . Stay asway and save your money
Im done . Stay asway and save your money
Written October 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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