Blackhorse Pub & Brewery Alcoa — Restaurant in Alcoa

Visit to location 1800 to 2130 – 9 August 2024

I normally do not write reviews for restaurants, but the conduct from the manager ‘Jake’ to one of the members of the staff is why I am writing.

Let me make this as clear as possible – DO NOT THREATEN TO FIRE MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF IN FRONT OF PATRONS.

I cannot begin to stress the level of unprofessionalism this reflects upon any establishment, because it demonstrates a fundamental lack of respect for the staff.

This is a basic 101-level rule in leadership/management - that you praise in public and reprimand in private. Anyone who does not know this, or cannot adhere to this principle, should not be given the responsibility of being a manager.

Moreover, what compounds the issue was that the situation which precipitated the threat of termination to the staff member was the result of the aforementioned manager’s aloofness to what was occurring on the floor.

Never, during peak hours when it is extremely busy, should a manager watch a patron physically lie completely horizontal on the bench of a table, and close their eyes, and hold up a table long after completing their meal – especially at a table meant to accommodate larger parties.

Perhaps, as a manager, it should be suggested to the owners that “maybe we should let our patrons know before seating, that during peak times, we adhere closer to estimated table turnover times; and ask that currently seated patrons be considerate of other patrons waiting to be seated.” to mitigate nuisance lingering patrons.

Or maybe use managerial discretion in incentivizing those patrons, who do linger during peak times, to move to the patio seating at your establishment with a complementary set of tacos and drink(s).

Let it be known that the threatened staff member was working hard and was extremely busy. And given the two points of entry to the establishment, it is wholly unreasonable to expect any staff member in that role to monitor whether or not anyone is stopping on the patio to eat a “to go” order.

But you know who could monitor that – a manager.

And you know who could ask the patrons why they were eating “to go” orders on the patio – a manager.

And you know what a manager would have found out by asking that question – that turnover times were grossly missed And who’s responsible for ensuring those turnover times are not missed – a manager.

So, what I am incredibly fired up about is that not only was this manager the reason why the turnover was being missed, they then also tried to blame a staff member for an area of responsibility that also belonged to the manager, and instead of taking responsibility for either of their failures, they proceeded to incorrectly address the issue by blaming and threatening to terminate the staff member, but then added insult to injury by making this threat in front of patrons!

All that said, I do not wish for 'Jake' to be fired.

What I would like is for 'Jake' is to 1) own his mistakes and improve, 2) apologize to the member he threatened, and 3) have a plan in place to help avoid creating the circumstances which allowed this event to happen.

It’s pretty simple, the measure of respect given to staff is the measure of respect that is going to be shown to patrons – and contempt is not...

08/27/2025 We stopped at Blackhorse on our way home, from the airport, for a late night dinner. The host quickly sested us in a comfortable booth. Our waitress, Kylie, was congenial and took our order without haste. We had a huge pretzel as an appetizer. It was delicious! Our drinks and entrees were very good- size portions. Excellent flavor! For all of the food we received, we thought the price was reasonable.

12/27/2024 we had an excellent meal and great drinks.Add black horse, after a day of doing after-Christmas shopping. Our server was so friendly. She really made her experience wonderful.

We tried the Blackhorse Pub yesterday. We were pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it is. The atmosphere is very nice. The bar is a dark color and looks beautiful. This seating is plentiful and not crowded. The mirrors on the wall give the restaurant dimension. There is a merchandise area with many shirts to choose from, for purchase. Our waitress, Hannah, was excellent. She had a great disposition and provided us with excellent service. The food was delicious. We started with the pretzels and did not realize we'd get three huge pretzels. They were served hot. The dipping sauce of cheese and another of mustard were very good. The prime rib sandwich was delicious, Adding the aujou on the side was a hit. The brussels sprouts were excellent. The Patty melt sandwich was very good, as was the loaded baked potato. I ordered my hamburger medium well. It came out medium. I'm not one to eat red, raw meat, so I left a little on the plate, but the rest of the hamburger was very good. The cocktails are fantastic. I had a strawberry drink that was like a strawberry lemonade with alcohol; it was delicious. They have a good selection of beer. The vanilla cream ale smells good and tastes good. If I had to give suggestions on how to make the restaurant better, I have a couple. Be sure the meat is cooked to order. Have any employees who want to set at the bar or a table after they get off work to change their shirt. It was odd to see employees working and then going to sit at the bar. I didn't know if they were just taking a break and having a drink while working or if they were off work and having a drink with friends. For an outsider, seeing an employee at the bar drinking is a little off-putting. All in all, this restaurant is great for...

I recently visited Blackhorse Brewery with my family, and we had an enjoyable experience overall. This brewery offers a family-friendly atmosphere, delicious flatbread pizza for the kids, and a selection of delightful beers. While there were a few areas for improvement, we found our visit to be quite satisfying.

Let's start with the food. The flatbread pizza at Blackhorse Brewery is a hit with the kids. The crust is thin and crispy, topped with a flavorful sauce and generous amounts of cheese. The variety of toppings available cater to different tastes, ensuring everyone in the family finds something they enjoy. It's evident that the kitchen puts effort into crafting these pizzas, and they truly hit the mark.

Moving on to the pub club, we found it to be somewhat average. The bread used was a bit hard, which affected the overall experience. Additionally, the meats were poorly stacked, resulting in a less-than-ideal presentation. While the flavors were decent, these small details could use some improvement to elevate the sandwich to the same level as the fantastic pizza.

When it comes to the beer selection, Blackhorse Brewery shines. The vanilla and blonde beers are consistently excellent. The vanilla beer offers a smooth and creamy flavor with a hint of sweetness, making it a delightful choice. The blonde beer, on the other hand, is refreshing, crisp, and perfect for those who prefer a lighter brew. You can always count on these beers to deliver a satisfying drinking experience.

One aspect of Blackhorse Brewery that we thoroughly enjoyed was the atmosphere. The brewery exudes a welcoming and cozy vibe, with friendly staff and rustic decor. Whether you're looking to enjoy a relaxed afternoon with your family or catch up with friends, the atmosphere here is conducive to both.

Overall, Blackhorse Brewery is a great place to visit, especially for families with kids who adore flatbread pizza. The delicious pizza, alongside the consistently excellent vanilla and blonde beers, make it a worthwhile stop. While the pub club could use some improvements in terms of bread texture and meat stacking, the overall experience and pleasant atmosphere make up for it. We look forward to visiting again and trying out more of what Blackhorse Brewery...