Rachael S.
Yelp
A long-time & repeat customer, I've delighted in & talked up the T Bar to friends & family for years, until now. I have (now distant) memories of quality food, beer & bar menu, and locally-driven fare.
Rest assured, my business will go to other reliable (& radically kinder) local eateries such as Rex's, Winona's, Freshie's, Back Door Grill, and more. This recent experience at the T Bar was the most sour and off-putting of any interaction I've had in Steamboat.
Being in the restaurant and hospitality industry myself, I understand the implications and flows of a small kitchen, overworked staff, and the occasional woes of customer service. That said, basic front of house interaction usually entails setting simple expectations around these logistics, including letting customers know how long food may take if there's a wait or the kitchen is super busy. We get it!
After a day on the slopes with a large party of friends and family tailing us to a fun aprés stop, we piled in the adirondack chairs on the patio to take a load off. Inside at the TBar, my boyfriend and I ordered drinks and food with the intention of bringing the food to our seats out on the snow to share with our party.
When we ordered at the bar, we were rudely reminded that food would not be delivered outside, but rather to sit here and wait for it because, "the kitchen is small," and not much else.
After about 20 min or so and no indication of the flatbread, side salad and bowl of soup, we politely asked if they had an eta, and if we should come back for our food so as not to abandon our large group on the snow. The response was, "If you do that I can't guarantee that your food won't get spit in." What? Who says this to anyone? I replied, "no thanks, I'd rather just wait for it," met with snickers from the staff. At this point I regret not demanding a refund and walking out.
We then asked if they had any idea how long our items would be, and were again gruffly replied with, "I don't know, it's busy, too bad." Following this, another 10 or so minutes later, our food was slammed down loudly and forcefully in front of us. I can't believe I dared ask for extra plates - & utensils to share, as those were slammed down too.
If you don't like people, don't work in a recreation-driven town. If you don't like customer service, don't make a fool of yourself and stand behind the bar acting like you own the town with your d**k nose hanging out over your mask insinuating that we're inconveniencing you by attempting to support your business instead of another corporate giant in town.