Trailhead Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Black Mountain

I have lived/worked in the Black Mountain area for the past 20 years, I love my little town, and if there's one thing I really love, it's supporting local businesses. But I cannot give them my support, let alone my money. Even though the following example is the same experience we've had every single time we've eaten there, I have desperately wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I will no longer outstretch my goodwill. First, I arrived before my eldest daughter with my youngest daughter. As soon as I sat down I ordered appetizers (when we got there of the 30+ tables maybe 10 had people at them and most were already eating) because kids get hangry. Within 5 minutes my other daughter sat down and we placed my youngest food order then, again, kids get hangry. 5 minutes after that myself and my oldest daughter ordered our food. 30 minutes went by with no appetizers or kids meal. At the 40 minute mark I asked for some chips because my kid was starving at this point. We received a small, teacup plate of chips about 5 minutes later. At the 1 hour mark our appetizer and all of our food came out within a few moments of each other. I got a salad, my oldest got a BLT, and my youngest got a fried fish kids meal. It was PAINFULLY obvious that my salad and the BLT sat under heat lamps for the entire hour we were there. They were so beyond edible it was almost comical. I will say the fish tasted delicious, we all ended up sharing it... although we all didn't enjoy the fight for the toilet all night long, more on this later. When we expressed our concerns about our food with our server, I was met with a pretty blasé attitude about it. I finally had to directly say "this food is trash, and I won't be paying for it, I understand that you the server has no control over the kitchen, but my god, this is bad." She ultimately did remove mine and my daughters food. I did tip her 25% on the total of the original bill...although her service was subpar, I will never be known for not tipping. Now, let's go back to the second consistent issue: food poisoning. Every. Single. Time. You might ask me then why I continued to go back, and I would say... because I really do understand that sometimes you get an upset tummy from eating out. I've worked in the service industry for 20 years... I'm willing to give a whole lot of grace. The third, and final portion of my diatribe is on the overall service/ambiance/treatment our family. It always starts off normal, great actually, but fairly soon... after we've settled into our seats, it becomes painfully clear that we are not welcome. As a local we tend to run in the same circles, or at least know of each other. I don't drink, I don't do drugs, I don't really do anything but work, raise my kids, garden, and practice my craft...so I know I've not done anything to the owner or employees. But, my daughter did go to school with the owners kids. Our household is openly, LOUDLY: queer, anti racist, anti tRump, and will actively fight for what is right and just. This was not a welcomed ideal while she was in high school. My daughter was a social pariah and outcast as a result. She refused to participate in racist jokes and language... therefore cutting herself out of the "in crowd." I don't know what side of the coin the owners fall on...but it's just so odd that you can physically see the server's point, whisper, and then ignore us as soon as they realize who we are. We are NOT welcome. And that's fine, I will continue to spend my time, energy and money at Thai Basil, Olé Guacamole, My Father's Pizza, Bush Farmhouse and even Taco Bell before we ever step foot in Trailhead. I know I'm in the minority here. I'm sure this will cause huge backlash... but, after our last experience I just couldn't bite my tongue anymore. If you like it, great, I wish you...

Response to owner: I am sure your establishment is wonderful and your restaurant was highly spoken of. However your hostess did take down her mask to speak to me both times. I also find it interesting how you did not acknowledge the fact that someone who had just arrived and had not been waiting was immediately seated while my sister and I continued to wait and we were both parties of two. Maybe it is an internal issue and yes you were busy just not busy enough to seat someone else while we continued to wait. I have no reason to lie about my experience and I thank you for taking the time to read and respond. May 2021 bring you much prosperity and peace.

Not a color friendly restaurant! My sister and I took a random trip to the mountains and while in Asheville a local told us about Black Mountain and the wonderful views. While there we decided to eat and drove across this well lit packed restaurant. While looking for parking we stopped and asked a man about the difference between this restaurant and the Italian restaurant behind it. The man raved about Trail Head so it was decided. We parked the car and went to the restaurant where a young girl told us 20-25 mins. We stood in the corridor and met plenty of the locals who were friendly and excited we were there from Charlotte. While waiting the tables cleared and the group before us was seated. Now here’s where is gets interesting. After waiting about 30 minutes, a Man and his son walked past us waited at the door and was immediately seated (they had not been waiting, they had just arrived as we watched them park, get out and walk right in). He was a party of two and so were my sister and I. So I politely asked the hostess what happened and she said it will be another 20-25 min for y’all with a smirk. My sister and I looked at each other and took off!! You won’t poison us on Black Mountain. We went somewhere else and had a great time!! We felt racially ignored there were no African American people inside and none around from what we saw for miles. I would feel more comfortable with restaurants and places if they had a sign that said we don’t like your kind. My sister and I were in shock as we drove back to Charlotte that we had that experience and I have told everyone I know which is a large amount people not to eat here (no matter their race) and be careful in Black Mountain. The sad part is we were looking to spend more than 100 dollars trying different things on the menu because we are foodies and love to travel. We are also generous tippers. It's a shame that in 2021 after covid and much sadness in this country that you can’t travel and have positive experiences due to the color...

Service last night was atrocious. I had been to trailhead on 3 visits before but I think last night was my last. Was a Friday at 7pm when I went up to Host and was told a 25 minute wait. I said great and Host took my name down for a party of 3. I stood next to entryway and after about 35 min I see host starting to sit people who came in after me. At 45 min host comes up to me and says I've seen you standing there are you waiting for something? I said yes a table. At this point there are at least 2 open tables. Host ask my name looks at paper tablet then says Okay, one minute. Host then goes to back for 5min, comes out cleans up 2 other tables, meanwhile the two other members of my party arrive. The host comes back and seats 2 other parties that showed after I did. I go up to Host and notify I've been waiting an hour and then host seems agitated and puts us at a table then. As we get seated a family of 4 walks in and gets seated promptly that had a zero wait time. We wait 10 minutes and no server has taken a drink order yet. The table that just walked in and was seated has server take their drink order. Host not server comes up and says y'all want drinks? I asked why we waited so long and why we don't have a waiter and was told "we only have two servers." I looked around and nobody had food on their tables and knew it would be at least 45 min till we would see anything so we chose to get up and leave." I had been here before when there were only two servers and service was great and prompt. Not tonight. I was never given an apology for the long wait and I was courteous the entire time. I will not be coming back due to the lack of care and service without even a hint of empathy for such a long wait and...