Toby's Tavern — Restaurant in Coupeville

08/17/24

Interesting how you walk into an establishment, looking forward to a great atmosphere, great food and a great cheerful staff… and instead you’re giving a civics lesson on what the 1st Amendment Rights, mean to a bartender or a server.

As the rest of the party arrived, and we began to have a conversation, inadvertently, the subject of Childless cat ladies, came up WITHIN our group. Just then, an unsolicited “Ahh we don’t talk politics in this bar” was interjected by the server, passing through the ‘behind the bar’ area.

NOTE; that the conversation was calm…. respectful…. and contained within OUR GROUP of three @ the bar. The three of us jointly looked at one another, with a stymied look of disbelief that essentially, we are being mandated to, if not almost dictated to, as to what we could speak about within our group in a public setting, calmly and respectfully. The same server was almost indignant, in disbelief, that we weren’t understanding how we were being thwarted, the right to speak….. so she reiterated the ‘no politics’ mandate as she buzzed by, heading out to her tables.

Just then, a male, fellow employee, walked by and I respectfully reached out to him and asked if he was an owner…. at which time he replied, he’s ‘just an employee’. I told him of our alienating experience with this female server, and mentioned the freedom of speech, as given to all of us, through the first amendment, and his response was quite inaccurate and very elementary… stating…. “ ah…the first amendment only applies to government officials and not citizens’…..🤔🧐 for as much as I would’ve loved to of stayed around and had a battle of wits with these two, now past the desire to sit there, and enjoy a meal, we chose to leave, as it’s not fair to have that battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

For the record: First Amendment protects you (everyone) and your rights to freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.…

To think we live in a country that is born out of the constitutional rights that so many have fought for, have argued over….. and not be able to discuss, at freedom, in a public place…. aggressively, slaps ‘contradiction’ right in the face..

Left, Right, Red or Blue…. The mindset of censorship does nothing to build up a community, a country, or a global community… The close mindedness, that prohibits open conversations in a calm, respectful manner, keeps us burdened with that closed mindedness versus a growth oriented mindset.

A few doors down, Molka Xete, an authentic Mexican stop, a true depiction of ‘hole in the wall’ great food and service was an easy choice upon our leaving Toby’s.

We certainly understand the exhaustion of food and beverage staff in a resort, destination, island community… but we also understand, that you never know who you’re speaking to. In this case, it could be a local, that during the winter months has few selections to be made for an afternoon or evening out. Believe me, from a local, Toby’s won’t be on my short list, as we host numerous visitors, here, to our home on Whidbey…. Gotta love the 1st...

Stopped in for a later lunch and the place was busy and we thought that would be a good sign. There was a, “wait to be seated sign,”wedged into the bar you could see if you jockeyed yourself just right. So we waited, to be greeted, to be seated, anything. Finally we were acknowledged as other patrons entered behind us. The greeting, “Move forward so they can close the door. I’ve got the air conditioning on.” Two other groups were seated before us and then we were asked, “Do you want to be put on my list.” This bartender’s attitude made it clear to me I did not want to be put on any list of hers. However, my husband said yes and gave his name. After we were put on the list, we were seated quickly because the other patron whose name was being screeched was nowhere to be found, weird with the environment being so inviting and all. 🙄 Anyway we were told “their loss” and were then seated at a tattered booth with a slightly slanted table.

The place itself is filled with vintage pieces that fit the area’s history and then random Sponge Bob stuffies and similar eclectic decor. All are slathered with a coating of dust. The back wall provides natural sunlight but for some reason it was very dark in there.

The waitress was a little friendlier and quick to take our order, bringing the check was a different story. We all ordered something from the taps. My husband ordered the mushroom Swiss burger, my friend a medium rare steak, and I ordered the Reuben. Husband says the burger was “alright” but nothing to write home about. My friend said his steak was good but over cooked. My Reuben was good with the exception of an old oil taste on the bread. We waited but our gal never came by again so we flagged her down for the bill. Again, she didn’t return. We left the $$ on the table and yes, we still left a tip because work was done and some effort put in.

If you’re a local, I can see how this would be a place to hangout and the familiarity/attitude from the staff would be acceptable. (Btw, I once was a local to the area.) However, this visit was disappointing on many levels and I would only recommend this place if a dark, dusty atmosphere, poor hospitality, and mediocre food are what you’re...

I have been coming here for over 5 years since I moved to the Island, my friend Mo, has been coming here for decades....

The food and atmosphere have always been 4 star until we came on Labor Day. My calamari was BURNT, hard too bit into, and I tried giving it away, and couldn't. I would've said something, but the Mgr on duty, Cynthia, was so rude, not nice, grumpy and we almost left too begin with, but we stayed, big mistake! I've eaten the calamari about 40-50 times, and it's always been perfect.....not today!

It wasn't that busy, we got a seat right away at the bar, but it took probably 10 minutes or more before we were even offered a drink! We were stared at, but no welcome, and I finally said something, I was snapped at by Cynthia, and given the excuse they were training someone......

The girl they were training, was a sweet young lady, and we wanted too tip her, but we were attacked by sue saying we can't do that cause all tips are shared, and the said if we did, slipped her a tip, she would be fired for theft!

We were shocked, and talked about never coming back, but did yesterday.....Sat at the Bar, we were talking with another off duty employee who was there and Mo sat next too her, and was telling her about our last visit, when Mo was rudely interrupted by Sue, who was sitting next too the other employee, because Mo got the names mixed up, thought it was Cynthia that had snapped at us about the new employee getting fired if we tipped her.

I doubt we will be back, because we don't need that negativity! When we were telling Sue, she said, "well welcome to Toby's!

I seriously doubt that any business wants too be known as hard asses, and if we don't like the nasty attitudes, tough shit because that's how we are! I know in my almost 40 years running my businesses, I sure would't tolerate that behavior from any employee, and I didn't!

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