Ryan F.
Yelp
Downstairs steakhouse - 1.5 STARS
Two-story bar (first/second level) - 4 STARS
STEAKHOUSE REVIEW
One of the perks of eating at the Wobbly Barn Steakhouse here is the complimentary cover to the awesome performances at the main/upstairs bar (often a $10-$20pp cover). Unfortunately, we didn't find the food nearly up to snuff.
For starters, there was about a 90-minute wait for a table, which, for President's Day Weekend, was to be expected. My gripe, however (and a pet peeve I have with restaurants in general) is that they don't do call-ahead seating. Seriously, what's the difference if I physically go in and place my name on a list or if I call it in - if I wanted to ditch the restaurant, I could easily do so in either scenario. Fine, so we put in our name in around 6pm, left the restaurant to go back to our hotel, shower, etc. and returned at our assigned 7:30 time slot. We weren't seated until 8:30, and we were given the gamut of excuses by the hostess.
Once seated, things took a turn for the better. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgable of the menu and different cuts of steak available. There's a salad bar add-on option for an additional fee, but she told us to help ourselves to the fresh, homemade bread they had up there for no charge...thanks!
...And now back for the worse. Steak options run between $30 and $40 a plate. My ski bunny ordered the Beef Tenderloin Oscar (topped with asparagus, blue crab, and bernaise) and I selected the Rib Chop (a 16oz bone-in ribeye). We both noticed an odd taste to the crabmeat garnishing her steak - as if it was either fake or expired. Whatever the case, it wasn't good AT ALL. Her medallions beneath were OK, but certainly not worth the price. The same could be said for my Ribeye. Quantity over quality took a whole new meaning when half of my steak was PURE fat. I'm not talking fat nicely marbled in there - It was more like a penned up cow loaded with hormones who probably received little to no exercise...
There are no burgers or sandwiches on the menu here - only appetizers, steaks, and the "world famous" salad bar (which to their credit looked very good by the way). Those looking for a good meal, especially one on the cheap: shop elsewhere.
BAR REVIEW
...Phew, now that that's out of the way, I have high praise for the bar. Despite the fact that it's Killington-owned and laden with Budweiser ads/signs, this place is pretty cool. They've got a nice stage, decent dance floor, and plenty of sitting and standing room on the main floor. Go up a level, and you've got a wraparound "terrace" overlooking the music and all the action.
We saw The Benders here on a Saturday night, and the crowd was a mix of ski tourists in their 20s, 30s and 40s, and a helping of teenage locals who probably had nowhere else to go (Killington has a great nightlife, but remember, THIS IS VERMONT after all!) The Benders covered en eclectic range of songs from Bon Jovi, The Lumineers, Journey, Nicky Minaj and more, and the DJ and band did a great job in handing off the music responsibilities, giving each other props on the mic, and above all else, keeping the music pumping all night! Light and sound technicians set up in the back ensured smooth visual effects and great-sounding music all night. Their work was definitely noticed and appreciated!
OVERALL
If they have a good band scheduled on the calendar (http://www.wobblybarn.net/site/entertainment/events), you may find it worthwhile to also have a meal here prior to save on the cover charges. If I were to do it all over again, however, I'd probably eat elsewhere beforehand and get here before 10pm, when cover is only $10pp...the steaks are just not worth your time or money.