We revisited this restaurant for lunch on Saturday while having a new windshield installed down the street. Since we live 100 miles out of town this was only our fourth visit here but have had several great experiences previously and already wrote a nice review after our first visit last year. The menu is still excellent with at least 10 versions of 1/3 pound burgers with fries and a drink for only $5 and steaks available for under $10. An 8 oz prime rib with eggs, hash browns and toast was on special for less than $9. It was hard to turn down that special but my wife and I both went for the burger deal just to see how they could offer such a great deal for less than fast food prices. She chose the Philly Burger with grilled onions, peppers and cheese. I chose the Mushroom Burger with grilled mushrooms and cheese. Both were outstanding values and far exceeded our expectations for quality and serving size and the fires were plentiful and perfectly cooked.
The down side of service started with our drink selection of iced tea. After we were served we discovered there was no sweeteners on the table and non brought with the teas. I had to get up and find our server to ask for some. She was very polite and helpful and brought it right away. After she brought our burgers we discovered that there was no napkins or silverware available. I found her busily wrapping silverware and napkins at the bar and asked if I could have a couple. Again she was polite and handed me two sets. About half way through the meal we both ran out of tea and I noticed the check had already been left on the table when she brought the food. She had left two mints with it and signed her name on the check with a thank you. Since the check was already presented it was obvious that a return visit for a desert request or a drink refill was probably not going to occur. We waiting for a while until she was in the area and flagged her down to get a refill which she politely handled.
She was very friendly but did not offer an apology for the lack of service because I don't believe she even realized the three straight service inconveniences that must be simply part of their standard routine. The menu did warn that only one drink refill was offered for the burger special which we were happy to comply with but it did not say that it was only upon special request. When we finished we realized that the check was to be paid at a separate cashier station but she did stop by at that point and ask if we wanted her to take our payment which she politely handled. In her defense it was fairly busy and she had many other duties at the counter area which she was handling. She was always very friendly and accommodating when asked so I really don't think she was even aware of the poor service from the viewpoint of the guest.
Overall the inconveniences of the service on this visit paled in comparison to the great menu and excellent food and we would continue to recommend that others try this restaurant. It is in an older hotel and a needs some updating and minor touches which would improve the first impression and total atmosphere (like giving the ceiling tiles a second coat of brown paint which looks unfinished and removing some of the signage and clutter at the bar counter) but it is a diamond in the rough which is a well hidden secret since most people would not even know it exists and that is unfortunate because it deserves to be better known.
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