Hickory Tavern — Restaurant in Charlotte

On the evening of November 8th, my wife and I stopped into Hickory Tavern for supper, not knowing what was about to happen. I had just been released from the local hospital after a heart procedure, and thought we would enjoy a celebratory supper. During the dinner, I had a medical event, which led me to lose consciousness and end up laid out on the stage. From there I recall nothing, pretty much. Who knew that a supper would lead to an interaction with angels on Earth. To those who stepped up and assisted my wife during this very stressful time I cannot thank you enough. To the patrons and staff, there are no words that I could possibly express that would come close to my thanks. My wife told me of a patron, who was not only assisting, but taking control of the situation, a young lady with long black hair. Ma’am, you are our Angel in the dark. Miss Ashley, employee of Hickory Tavern, we were able to meet with the following night after being released. We thank you so very much for your assistance, your absolute kindness, caring, and your prayers. What an amazing heart you have. That meeting with you will last a lifetime for my wife and I. Stay forever who you are. What a blessing you are. To the Hickory Tavern floor manager, Chris, (I hope I have that right) thank you so very much for stepping up and being there and being so kind, to my wife during such a stressful time. She will never forget your kindness at that moment. For my wife, and for I, you all are Angels to us. For her, she had watched me suffer a heart attack the month before, so for her she was reliving the event all over again. We thank all those mentioned, and any and all who stepped in and assisted that evening. Thank you to the first responders and all those who were vital in saving my life that night. No words can come close, so thank you. Miss Claire, our server, I didn’t mean to leave without leaving our gratuity, so we returned the next evening to see you, and to make things right. Thank you for your great service, and sweetness that evening. Thank you all, and God...

I came in at 9 pm on 3/18, sat at the bar to order food to go and waited until 9:12 pm with no one ever coming behind the bar. I had to get up and ask someone if anyone was working the bar. There were 3 other guest waiting as well. It took another several minutes for the waitress to get the bartender. I over heard her save that I’ve been there a while. The frustrating part is that you could hear them talking in the back. After they came out I got the look of death like I’m the problem. How do you leave a bar unattended for that long.

This place got a little better but is again back to old form. You wonder why a place like this is dead at 9 pm…it’s the service. It’s easily the worst service in the area. The only time that thing seem to go well here is when they have musical Bingo. It’s literally the only thing that keeps me coming back because the family enjoys it.

9:00 pm sat at bar 9:13 pm order placed chili for appetizer and salad 9:30 pm drink is empty, nothing. No food. No drink. 9:32 pm new drink 9:35 contemplating if I actually need to eat 9:40 guy that came in 5 minutes ago get his wings. I have to ask what’s going on. This is insane. 9:42 I got my chili app 9:42 update…the chili is cold 9:50 still nothing. Talked to the manager and I am leaving hungry.

Just...

Have been going to this Hickory Tavern for years. Recently went on a Sunday late afternoon to watch NFL game. The food and wait staff were good, per usual, however the manager was a stubborn oaf. The bar emptied out after the 1pm games. Maybe 20-25 people left in there. Of those, there were 16 people watching the Bills/Patriots game on one of the small televisions with no sound. There were zero, zilch, nada watching the Seahawks/Vikings game on the big screen with sound. NOT ONE PERSON. Bills/Patriots fans asked servers repeatedly to have their game put on the big screen. Servers repeatedly went to back room and asked manager to change game on big screen. Manager repeatedly refused. One server said that the manger told her that Seahawk/Vikings was a better game, because the teams had better record, so he would not change it. I cannot express enough that there were ZERO people watching the big screen. Not one cheer or groan when a touchdown was scored. NO ONE WAS WATCHING IT. Hickory Tavern Ballantyne lost business that day. Four Bills fans left at halftime to find another bar. Two Patriots fans said it was their first time at HT, and they would never go back. Lesson: You can have good food and good wait staff, but a bad manager will ruin...