Rocky Top Beer BBQ — Restaurant in Blackman Charter Township

We arrived at Rocky top beer and BBQ around 7:20 p.m. last night. Please keep in mind that they close at 9:00. We got sat immediately. Our server did not come to the table for at least 15 minutes after we arrived. By then we were ready to order our food. We ordered prime rib and a cheeseburger. Our drinks arrived approximately 10 minutes later. I know good food usually takes time to get, especially when they're busy. The server Regina, came back and told us that they didn't have any prime rib left. So we ordered another dish instead a few minutes later. The server should of put a hold on my food, so my boyfriend's food would be put in at the same time as mine. She went ahead and put my order in. The server. Should have told to chef when the replacement dish was order for the Prime Rib, So that the cheeseburger and the new choice should would have came out at the same time or at least a couple minutes after. Of course you know that's not what happened. 17 minutes later my boyfriend's food arrive. We go to the restaurant to have dinner together and instead I'm eating my food alone, which I did not want to do. Because I wanted to eat together. The server never told us anything about the delay, or that there was a problem. The hostess aka food runner brought the replacement dish. My boyfriend remarked that it took a long time. The male host aka food runner just smiled big and said yes it did, then proceeded to walk away. His response was so odd. No apology for it taking so long Just an awkward response. When my Boyfriend's food did arrive, and it wasn't even hot.

Keep in mind I said that the restaurant closed at 9:00. They started turning people away at 822 and telling the guests that they were closed. Then they should stay open till 8:00, so they can leave by 9pm. I've been in the restaurant industry for a very long time. You close at 9:00 but you don't close until the last guest leaves. I of course am not one of those people who arrive 20 minutes before the restaurant closes. We arrived an hour and 40 minutes before the restaurant closed.

So to recap I got my meal 17 minutes prior to my boyfriend getting his meal which was cold. The lack communication not only with us but with the chef. The male host or food runner was lacking in in communication as well.

So I highly recommend that you do not come here unless you plan on eating alone and not being told anything about what's going on. I didn't appreciate the servers and hostesses acting aloof.

Obviously the server never spoke to the manager to let them know that there was a delay. Regina came and asked how my food was, and that's when we asked where was my boyfriend's food at. Not once did they ask how his food was or how the service was, not once! To Say that we were extremely disappointed is an understatement.

You really need to work on communication between your server, host/hostess, food runner and your the chef, but most importantly you need to let your manager know what's going on. Communicating with your guest will make a world of difference in customer service.

And also don't get me wrong. I know what it's like to work at a restaurant and to be a chef. So I know that delays happen. We understand when places are busy and things take time. But communication is the key.

So unfortunately we won't be back.

Side note ... Other tables were getting upset with the delays...

THIS REVIEW IS STRICTLY FOR THE CATERING SIDE OF THE BUSINESS.

I contacted and "hired" Rocky Top to be my wedding caterer in Sept 2021; event is 10/22/2022. At first, communication was questionable, but since the event was more than a year out I didn't think much of it.

Fast forward to the end of August of this year (2 months before my event) I have spent the last several weeks trying to get a hold of someone to discuss critical pieces of my event such as: what quality of paper plates/utensils are provided, how much time do they need for set up on the day and consequently what time they will be arriving on site, and what options do they have/can we get for vegetarian meals. I have sent multiple emails both asking these questions and asking for a phone call to discuss - never got an answer of any sort. I have called and "pressed 3 for catering" more times than I can count and every time the phone rang and rang until a voicemail message chimed in asking me to leave a message which I was unable to do because the voicemail box is full. This happened EVERY TIME I called over the last few weeks.

Finally, last week on 8/30 I called the restaurant side and asked to speak to catering manager. After a brief hold someone came to the phone, I gave my name/date of event and he said "Huh, I don't have you down for that date.." I'M SORRY WHAT?!? He says "maybe the owner has your info in the office, I'll go talk to him and one of us will call you right back." I anxiously wait over an hour then call back because hello, this is my wedding. I need to know what is going on. I again speak to the supposed catering manager who very rudely tells me "I'm not sure what you want to know. He said he gave you all of the info he has and that he has your info. I'm sure he'll call you later or tomorrow." Since then, exactly 1 week, I have not heard a PEEP from anyone at Rocky Top.

I was extremely excited to support a local, one of one, restaurant for my wedding meal. They had EVERYTHING we wanted and the food there was amazing the one time we were able to stop in and try it. But I refuse to be ignored and risk something going wrong for my big day. Hopefully this warning either protects people planning special events or encourages the Rocky Top team be better. I understand people are busy and short staffed, but there are 24 hours in a day. Running a successful business cannot be strictly a 11am - 9pm task. Especially when dealing with people's...

TLDR/Bottom line up front: If you're looking for a poor pass off of BBQ, go someplace else, as this isn't even worthwhile for bad BBQ.

We dined here tonight, and it is with great sadness that I write this review, though obligated, as I feel as though we've been robbed. This was truly what I can only describe as "false advertisement at its worst." The place was jam packed, not sure why after having experienced the food; guess we arrived too sober to enjoy it. I'm not dissatisfied with the wait, as it is a Saturday night, so it is to be expected. We ordered the "tomato pesto cheese sticks" which would be the highlight of the visit, even though they are nothing as advertised. They should be called cheese stick egg rolls, no pesto, none. The "pesto ranch" we received I can only describe as some sort of watery orange chipotle ranch stuff...and it was not good . My son ordered the "Spicy Asian wings," and he thought they were ok, my wife and I weren't fans, but at least he ate them. My wife got the "Pork Belly Tacos." These were definitely nothing like as advertised, maybe they had been day dreaming when they described them, and then the corner bum "prepared" them after a few rocks. Also, for some reason they smelled of fish, and the pork belly was most definitely not done by anyone of competence, bc it was horrible. I got the beef brisket dinner....any "BBQ place" passing this off as smoked meat should be ashamed, as this brisket was disgraceful. Never in my adult life have I so quickly reached for some sauce to choke down food at a "BBQ place." The brisket is dry and tough, and covered with a thick layer of fat that hadn't rendered the least bit. The sides, Mac and cheese and baked beans, both of which were of comparative quality to off brand store junk, nothing that a "BBQ place" should offer. To summarize, every part of my existence was saddened after having dined at this place. I felt complete shame...