The Watering Hole — Restaurant in California

*again the owner displays how rude and disrespectful he and his staff are. Twisting facts and placing blame and painting customers in a bad light when the owner and staff are called out for their rude behavior, labeling and poor management. The owner always has a rude response and has to have the last word. There are better places to eat [with my service dog] and won’t ever give this place my money while under current management. It’s a place in the mountains. Nothing more; nothing special. The owner and the staff do not write the facts of what really happens , belittles customers and misconstrues actual events. It’s like talking to a two-year old…he wants the last word, sees what he wants, and gets mean when someone doesn’t like him (his unoriginal rap room). Ps…my husband and I cancelled our order (never ate or drank anything) after your rude and aggressive staff gave us and my service dog a hard time and we left. There was nothing for you to absorb. But you would have known that if you were there. Get the facts straight. As with all your negative complaints: your responses are unprofessional and rude. Hence the treatment from your staff. Trying to school customers on what a service dog is evidence in itself of how rude and unprofessional the owner (and staff) are. I’m sure the owner will reply AGAIN, but I don’t have time to entertain toddlers. The owner should use his spare time to train himself and staff on proper etiquette. The Watering Hole is just that: a hole in the mountain. There’s nothing spectacular about that place. Been there, done that. Edit: I see the unfriendly, defensive nature, and accusation attitude comes straight from the top (the owner) and trickles down to the staff. The owner minimizes their terrible behavior towards customers, even schooling customers and twisting facts of the events to make a bad review look unjustified. The owner then replies with a rude, demeaning, aggressive reply. That does not resolve anything. Ps owner, you were not there, you didn’t call me to hear what happened, it was pouring rain outside and the patio was closed, I am not falsifying my service dog and have proof of such. We would have been happy to enjoy your business if your front staff didn’t aggressively ask about my service dog. And because of that they triggered me and I was very upset. I was hurt. There was no time nor empathy from your front staff to hear me because they were dead set on hurting me emotionally, mentally and caused an episode for me. Please consider being kinder to those of us with service dogs and to train your staff to do the same. And those of us with service dogs know the difference between emotional support animals and service animals and don’t need a link to any site you provide on the subject matter. Copying and pasting a threading sentence of what fines etc. there are is very aggressive, antagonistic and really not needed. Remember: you’ll be more with honey than vinegar. To have a successful business the owner and staff must be kind and approachable to all. You may have great beer and food, but that won’t mean anything if your attitude towards people is negative. *Not service dog accepting/friendly. Very rude, not friendly, disrespectful and antagonizing front staff. Aggressively questioning about what my service dog does for me; didn’t want us there; caused triggers for me. We canceled our order after being harassed about my service dog and left. They still are trying to charge us. My bank is aware and will dispute with the merchant if they try to process our canceled order! Don’t go here if you: have a service dog, have a dog in general, want to be welcomed and treated with respect! Would be better to have a Lazy Dog restaurant next door...

My husband and my brother in law just returned from The Watering Hole and were profusely harassed by the cashier/joke of a bartender. They hadn't had a drop of any alcohol whatsoever when they walked in but they were told that they both were "too drunk already" to be served. This was because after my husband ordered a drink the cashier repeated the wrong drink name back to him ,so my husband asked to clarify which drink he was getting.. The cashier then told my brother in law that my husband looked like he "hadn't slept in weeks" and he needed to get some rest and wouldn't be serving him anything else to drink other than the initial beer he gave him . He then questioned how many beers they had already had. Um. NONE! They were flabbergasted to be falsely accused and judged based on his physical appearance. The cashier then told my brother in law to sign the tab for my husband (against the law by the way). To insinuate that someone who doesn't even drink very often looks like " he hasn't slept in weeks" is such a disgusting remark to make about someone's natural physical appearance and even insinuates that he's on some kind of bender or something. They were offered a free beer by the owner but ultimately the owner stated that the bartender had the right to judge people however he wants. So, if you are in the mood to be falsely accused and judged, go ahead and give them business. If not, try a different location.

EDIT: Reply to owner. Your reply verifies that your company and yourself are once again falsely judging people based on their looks. No, my husband hasn't been told he looks drunk before previously. If that were true, I would not be writing this review so angrily.Once again judging someone based on their natural appearance. And it sounds like you also weren't there for the conversation so that is also hearsay on your behalf as well. They assumed the older bartender was the owner. They did not apologize but they did say thank you for the free beer. They stayed classy, unlike your establishment. I think your other 1 star reviews speak louder than your...

If you weren’t born and raised in Murphys the owner Chris doesn't want your business. He went out of hisway to interrupt a conversation between myself and another patron to let me know. Then reminded me later that he meant what he said. All unsolicited, worst customer service I’ve ever experienced.

Editing this review after e-mailing with the owner Jason.

I do believe Jason cares about his business and has the best intentions. He has explained to me that he has worked with Chris for approximately 15 years and he understands that Chris can be offensive, his explanation is this is due to being jaded/calloused from working in the industry for so long. However, some patrons enjoy Chris's vociferous nature. Jason feels it's worth it to keep Chris around. His restaurant, his decision I can respect that. I will say that if you read reviews from the other popular review site there are many people who leave detailed reviews of interactions with Chris that will downright floor you. I believe them after my experience.

I will add that I am not easily offended, I work in Agriculture around a lot of crass individuals and being sensitive will not get you far. I brushed off the first couple of offensive things Chris said to me about not liking non locals and just didn't engage him. However, the third time when he looked me in the eye and said "I meant what I said earlier about non locals" with no laughing, no smile, and a straight face I took him at his word. Not sure anyone else wouldn't have either.

Jason apologized and said that Chris would like to apologize as well. I have no intentions of going back while Chris is there and I a may not return at all.

I have had other good interactions at the location, Megan is a delight to talk to and the food is usually good. I'm just not sure it's worth chancing showing up and dealing with Chris because you order before you sit down. I'll be trying the other spots like...