The Hitching Post — Restaurant in Bern Township

Tonight was my second visit to the Hitching Post. Unfortunately, it was a significant let down in comparison to my first visit.

I’ll start off with the restaurant itself, staff, and how my first visit went.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is very classy and nice, the perfect type of place for a casual date night. The interior design is appropriately subtle and the decor isn’t too over the top like many places these days. Additionally, it’s kept very clean and tidy. I did not visit the restroom while there either time, but I can only assume it would match accordingly.

The staff are all very friendly and attentive. Both times, each table in the section we were seated in had their own waitress. Because of this, drinks were refilled quickly and any extra requests were handled promptly as well. Their uniform is standard black dress attire and everyone looked very professional, like their clothing was freshly pressed that day.

My first visit at the Hitching Post was flawless. We were sat down and greeted by our server in a timely manner. Drinks and bread were refilled quickly and without having to ask for it. The food was incredible! We all ordered the prime rib and it was the best I had honestly ever had. Their carrots were amazing too. We shared a piece of chocolate cake for dessert. It was fresh, rich in flavor, and perfectly balanced between the icing and actual cake. I was thoroughly pleased with this experience and it certainly warranted 5 stars.

Today’s visit however was not as good. The hostesses were still very polite and attentive, as was our server, however I was disappointed with how the manager chose to handle our particular situation. My family and I all ordered the prime rib again since it was so outstanding the last time. It arrived rather quickly, which I was a bit suspicious about, but figured it was probably because we were one of the first parties there that evening after they opened. I took the first bite and immediately was hit with a sour, metallic-like taste. I looked more closely at the inside of the meat just to notice that it was almost completely raw. Each of my family members all had the same issue as well. For transparency purposes, we all ordered ours to be cooked medium, so it’s not like we asked for rare and were just being picky. The server quickly took our plates back and the manager came by to apologize, stating new dishes would be out soon. They delivered the new plates fast, however mine was now unfortunately well done. The manager came back around to check-in on us and I mentioned this to her, however she did not offer to do anything about it or ask if I’d like to order something else. I told her well done is better than raw, but still heavily implied that I was not happy. Seeing as nothing was going to be done and I really didn’t feel like waiting any longer, I continued eating it regardless having about 1/3 of it. The smashed potatoes and green beans were great, although one of my green beans still had a full stem on them. When it came time for the bill I was anticipating that the manager would have done something to compensate serving all four of us raw food, as well as my second prime rib being well done. Sadly, no such discount was offered on the check and we were charged full price for a very unsatisfactory meal.

At this point, I’m at a loss on whether or not I’d go back again. It’s hard to decide when one visit was awesome and the next was awful. The thing that would save this place for me, would be some eventual consistency. I hope this review helps potential diners...

My husband and I were visiting the area, and decided to treat ourselves to a nice meal. After reading the reviews, we thought this restaurant would be perfect.

We were wrong. I don’t know where the people giving the five star reviews ate, but it COULDN’T have been the same place we did. We ordered drinks: my husband got a draft Guinness that was perfectly fine. I ordered a Cosmopolitan, and the server responded by saying “Okay, we have Ketel One, Grey Goose, or Absolute.” Myfault, I didn’t ask her if those were ALL they had. I should have known better: her job is to sell. So, my drink was more expensive than listed on their menu.

Notice that I said the server’s job was to sell? Yeah. Good thing she was good at that, because she was a horrible server. In a nearly empty restaurant, it took her forever to come over to take our drink order, then nearly as long to take our meal order. When she dropped off the appetizer, she asked if we wanted more drinks. She asked that again before she dropped off our food. Then again when she did drop off the food. Then, again, when she came to clear our plates. She never stopped by to ask how the meal was, or if we needed anything else - even though she had to pass us repeatedly. She was only interested in whether or not we wanted more liquor. Like I said: a salesperson, not a server.

As to the food: he ordered the Mediterranean chicken, and I got the pecan chicken. Both came with risotto and veg: sautéed spinach for him, and green beans for me. Well, the green beans weren’t horrible. That is, literally, the most positive thing I can say about that meal. It truly was so bad that he and I discussed calling the server over (since she wasn’t coming by on her own) and ordering something else. We both decided not to do so, because we were, frankly, afraid of what that kitchen would produce. We both had chicken dishes, and the chicken was so dry and stringy that a sheet of cardboard could have had more moisture. And probably would have tasted better. His Mediterranean chicken had about two olives and three tiny crumbles of feta cheese. And his spinach looked and tasted boiled, not sautéed. My chicken was supposed to come with pecans, Brie, and a sweet sauce. There were some pecans, but the sweet sauce must have been dripped onto the chicken with an eye dropper, there was so little. And the dish had obviously sat in the kitchen because the Brie, which had melted, had already started to congeal into a thick, cloying mess. As I said, both dishes came with risotto. I’m guessing the dishwasher made the rice. I refuse to dignify that gloppy, bland, thick, disgusting mess with the name ‘risotto’. Risotto should be creamy, loose enough to puddle (but not pour), and rich. This had the consistency of over cooked rice pudding, but with less flavor.

I’ve worked in restaurants: many types, in many positions. At a time well after a lunch rush and we’ll before a dinner rush, serving meals that are on both lunch and dinner menus, that level of terrible food should not even be possible. I don’t know WHAT was wrong with the kitchen at this place, but it needs a massive overhaul. With the service nearly as bad, maybe the management needs the overhaul.

Save your money. There are plenty of places worth spending it. Go over to Lititz, and eat at The Tomato Pie Cafe. It’s well worth the drive, your money, and your time. Your wallet and your mouth will thank you.

This place? Sure, give them another shot ... after a major change in staff. Food = 1 Service =...

The salmon dish was better on my birthday 2 years ago. The cut this time was smaller, Risotto side was skimpy - NO side salad was included this time (pay extra if wanted) / cream cheese appetizer was extremely SALTY / could they spare the chocolate sauce on the ice cream? / Bartender needs to learn the correct measurements for a Rusty Nail cocktail (withOUT the lemon twist) / and sorry if I offended the current chef but I like my salmon well done withOUT being black on top ((and I always request it NOT to be served on a hunk of fish skin = after all steak is NOT served on a hunk of cow hide)) The waitress service was fantastic; entertainment was nice; and we love the seating and atmosphere ~ but I really wonder if the chef was different on this occasion from the last visit.? Because the one 2 years ago served the salmon to perfection, without being intimidated by my requests.👏👍I have worked in hospitality previously so am well aware of how things are prepared in fine dining establishments

❓Other then salads, they do NOT offer Vegetarian Options so two of our friends can NOT be included with us. Vegetarians do mot...