Jer Graul
Google
My wife and I visited Gatlinburg and wanted to eat at a "hidden gem". We try to patronize the places off the beaten path, away from the hustle and bustle.
We chose to dine at Crystelle Creek Restaurant and upon arriving, we were immediately seated next to a window. It wasnt a bad spot, but my chair was like an old office rolling chair with wheels. Still not bad but where we were seated, there appeared to be, what I can assume, an old vent that had been blocked off with wood and my chair kept rolling into it, preventing me from moving my chair as I liked. Still, not terrible, just a minor inconvenience.
We ordered the Appalachian Smoked chicken, a salad, and a baked potato for the wife and I to share. The chicken and salad were great. The thousand island dressing is made in house and I promise you wont find better in Gatlinburg! The baked potato could use some work. Maybe season the outside of the skin with some sea salt or other seasoning before baking.
Now, the deal breaker for me, and the reason for the negative review is.... this place is potentially stealing from customers. Let me explain. If you look at my pictures, you will see what the prices are on the menu. Notice the Appalachian smoked chicken is $23? I had a glass of wine too at $6.50/ glass. Whe the bill came, as you can see, its higher than the prices listed on the menu. When I brought this to the waitress attention, she said it was "tax". I asked how this could be if there is a separate line for tax further down. Her reply then was, "its Tennessee, thats just the way it is." She also didnt get a manager or anything as requested either to try and understand.
This doesnt sit well with me. If there is a charge on the bill that isnt exactly what the menu price says, you should fix it. If you cant fix it, have an explanation for it instead of just saying, "Thats the way it is." It wasnt much higher than what the bill listed the price for, but thats not the point. If they do this on 200 different guest checks per day, how much money are they stealing from customers over the course of the year?
I would not recommend this places simply because they are messing with your money. The food is ok, but the fact they upcharge you without explanation is shady business practice and needs to stop immediately!
If management sees this and the want to provide a reasonable explanation, id be happy to update my review.
Always watch your checks people! Take pictures of the menu before they take them away and compare it with that of your bill!
Edit:
Owner states its due to their point of sale system and claims the bill is higher when paying with a card vs paying cash. Many places have a policy where the price is more if you pay with a card to offset the fees of the credit card company. Here is the thing tho.... the waitress didnt know how I was paying, didnt ask if paying by cash or card, just brought me the check with the mismatching prices. Im familiar with how POS systems work, and of all the places in Gatlinburg that we have eaten at, yours was the only one different from what the menu said.
Something is seriously amiss at Crystelle Creek Restaurant. I think they are stealing from the customers.... just be warned if you choose to eat here.
