Boxcar Grille — Restaurant in Claremont

This Boxcar Grille is located just off of Interstate 40 at exit 135 in Claremont, NC. During our travel to Asheville, it was time for lunch, but wanted to try something that we don't find at home, so this place fit the bill. After getting off of the interstate, the building becomes fairly easy to spot with the blue color to the building.

We came inside around 11:15 am on July 30, 2018. The place wasn't too busy yet, but was likely due to the early hour for lunch. However, the place was much busier by the time we were done and leaving. The first thing you'll notice when you come in is that the place has the theme of trains and train stations. The host/hostess counter to be seated is at the "Ticket" window. We were immediately seated and our server Daniel was at the table within seconds after we were seated. He took our drink orders and gave us some time to figure out what we wanted from the menu. Because the menu had a nice assortment of options, it took us longer than normal to decide, but Daniel was very patient and checked on us a few times until we were ready, even asking if we had any questions about the menu. In the meantime, he brought out fried yeast rolls with butter, which were so good.

After taking our time looking over the menu, we decided to go with some items on the 2 for $20 menu. The 2 for $20 menu includes an appetizer and two entrees. For the appetizer, we went with the Cactus Petals. For the entrees, I went with the Trainwreck's Calabash Shrimp with macaroni and cheese as the side. My mom went with the Pot Roast entree with mashed potatoes and gravy as the side. Within a few minutes of ordering everything, the cactus petals came out with a ranch sauce for dipping. The cactus petals were quite good and they weren't greasy either like I've experienced in other places in the past. Well done on the appetizer.

Daniel did quite well on timing as well. Once we were slowing down on the appetizer, a few minutes after that our entrees were coming to the table. The shrimp were essentially fried popcorn shrimp, but were so good and not greasy. It came with tartar and cocktail sauce, but I don't use tartar sauce so our server brought another cocktail sauce for me as well. The macaroni and cheese was great as well. My mom said the pot roast and mashed potatoes were quite good as well.

Overall, we did have a great experience here. Service was on point, the food was good, and there were no other issues. There's quite the variety on the menu, so this place would be good for anyone. If your travels take you this way, be sure to check this place out. ...

2017-They caterered my daughter’s birthday. Best soups ever! We had a salad bar and potato bar also which were exceptional. Communication kind of needs work because we had duplicate cups, bowls, etc. but in all fairness our event got moved to another staff due to an emergency with our first contact. All in all very happy and so were my very full guests.

2018-Called to go get the same plan for last years birthday for this year since last year got snowed out. Got the first lady that I dealt with that needed communication help. Thought it was because of personal issues last year.........Yeah, it's not. And now, she's plan rude too. Asked if they had the menu from last year on file. She advised she would check and call me back the next day. Three days go by with no word. Followed up myself and she got angry because she was busy with inventory and hadn't really had time to check. She said get around to it and call me back in a few days. First, I didn't ask for her to call me back the next day; she made that suggestion and should have known about inventory. If she had called back the next day and said, "sorry I've been swamped but I'm working on it", I wouldn't have followed up and apparently annoyed her. Now, I'm just getting ignored. But it's all good because I have found someone else that is extremely nice and helpful to cater my kid's birthday party. I'll never ever ever even consider using them again or stepping foot in their restaurant. As a repeat customer, you'd think maybe, just maybe, good customer service would be priority....

I am quite disappointed took a ride from Hickory thought we'd have a nice date night out enjoy a meal place was not busy we ordered 2 appetizers and a Burger each the waiter asked if we wanted the appetizers before the meal we said yes I also asked the waiter if he could bring Brown gravy with my meal and melt cheese on my fries he looked at me and barely said I'm not sure they can do that and walked away note there is an appetizer with cheese and bacon Normally when they sit you they bring you a basket of bread with butter we were there for over 20 minutes and he finally brought the bread didn't say anything we just assumes they ran out and had to bake fresh bread We waited a really long time for the appetizers they finally brought them out after we were told there was a huge party that we didn't actually see and they were backed up before we can even start eating our appetizers which I have to say we're huge about a minute later he brought out our burgers I ordered the Patty melt which is supposed to come on toast the bread was not toasted and the burger Basically soaked through the bread and I ended up taking the burger off the bread the burgers were dry. My husband didn't even eat. Such a wasted night. I hate to say we will...