Oak and Embers Tavern — Restaurant in Chester Township

This was a planned outing specifically for lunch after watching an online review of this dining venue. The main focus of this venues 3 locations is Barbecue and Bourbon. I took my son for this adventure to their Chesterland location which I believe I heard was their first restaurant. It is a small chain with 3 locations in Northeast Ohio. Specifically in the greater Cleveland area. The dining area gives off a very welcoming feel as the smells of smoked meats waft through the air. The menu has a nice selection of offerings from appetizer's, lunch, and dinner. They are NOT open for breakfast, although I'd love to try some of their Brisket in an omelet. When trying out a restaurant like this for the very first time. I often find myself wanting to get the full experience in my first visit. We actually limited ourselves, though, trying the smoked chicken taco appetizer (hands down the best I've ever had) and the Brisket Melt. There were so many delicious looking options on the menu. However, the Brisket melt won out on a technicality. You see, my boy and I both LOVE mushrooms, and the melt features a side of Bourbon Mushroom Sauce. OMG, let me tell you something, the sandwich was great! With the sauce, too.... Out of this world. Large pieces of mushroom in a Bourbon gravy like sauce. And I could actually pick up the flavors of the Bourbon. The Brisket melt comes with a side of your choice. I chose the thick cut Onion Rings for a dollar more... Shades of Bishops from the days of the drive-in diners flashed through my head as I devoured the O-rings! We also opted for some fresh cornbread. The kind that actually has kernels of corn in it. It truly reminded me of visiting friends in Jacksonville and going out for some of that delicious Sothern BBQ but with a Northern twist. If you love a good BBQ, this is a must visit. Take your time and savor the flavors, I don't think you'll regret it. Please leave a review of your experiences on Google Maps. I'd love to know about...

Yesterday my friends, their children, husband and I visited for dinner. This was the first time we have been out to dinner in awhile because having young children at restaurants can be hard to coordinate.

The meal started off to a rough start, the drinks two of us wanted were "sold out" I asked what was sold out and our server Anna said we don't have that brand of gin.. I asked if it can be made with a different brand and she said no, even though there was gin available. I thought this was really strange. Whatever, I chalked it up to her not realizing you can still make the drink.

Then we didn't see her for about 20 minutes, she finally brought our drinks and walked away. Then more time went by and she asked how our drinks were.. I asked if we could order. At this point we had already been there for about a half hour. We ordered our food and then we didn't see her for a while. She brought our appetizers and asked if we needed anything. At the time no one did. About twenty minutes later she was back to take our app plates and I asked if I could get another drink, she replied.. "I asked you last time if you needed one" which was incredibly rude and said well it's been 20 minutes and I didn't need one before. My husband and friends said she rolled her eyes at me and was shaking her head. She then was rude to me the rest of the meal.

The manager came out and apologized for the slow kitchen. Which I understand slow kitchens and how that's out of her control but the rest of it isn't. She could've taken our orders and followed up in a more timely manner.

At the end of our meal she thanked us for being patient then walked about 5 feet away and started complaining about me loudly to another server about how I was "an impatient b**" and a lot of things were said too. I understand complaining to a co worker but why in the world would you do it within earshot?

On top of all of this the food was not as good as it used to be....

This is my first time having to write this type of review. It is a mixed review. There were 3 people in our party. The entrance sign when we walked in said happy hour drinks and appetizers were 1/2 price from 3-6. We arrived about 5:30 pm. I asked the waitress about this before we ordered and she said yes the drinks were 1/2 price. Not true at all. Drinks were discounted not 1/2 price. We did not get an appetizer. We ordered onion rings which is a side dish. First person ordered the salmon with green beans and it was great. Perfectly cook and delicious. Second person ordered the meatloaf and it came out burnt and had to be sent back. Second round of meatloaf was good. Third Person ordered the 6oz fillet and they sent out a 10oz steak in its place. Not what was ordered. Talked to the manager and she said that we were making out in the deal because we got a 10oz steak instead of the 6oz fillet. Not true at all. Two very different cuts of meat. But she would discount the meal. And apologized. Third person doesn’t like steak so didn’t even eat it. Meal is over and we get the bill and low and behold, the discount was only 1/2 price for the wrong meal made by the cook and the drinks were full price. Had to call the manger out again to discuss this. She said that they were in process of redoing the menu and they were not going to carry the fillets anymore so they were out of them. They were also out of ribs. How can this be? That is your specialty and you’re out in a Friday night at 5:30pm? She offered to replace his meal when we were trying to leave? Way too late. Maybe she should have offered that in the beginning. Why did our waitress not came back out when we ordered and said that they were out of the fillets and he would have ordered something else? This is just uncalled for and unacceptable. We will never eat here again....