Iron Horse Steamers — Restaurant in Easley

I’ve only been coming here a couple of months, usually on my free time during the weekends. The staff is always hustling; wiping tables, making coffee, and checking in on customers. The food has always been decent, and the place has a cozy, local feel. But lately, something just seems off.

I’ve noticed employees disappearing. Two employees I was used to seeing in the kitchen every weekend are gone. It seems theres some kind of turnover happening, and during my most recent visit this past Sunday I picked up on a bit of tension in the front area. Nothing too dramatic, just enough to notice.

I saw two female employees interacting at the register, both looking distressed. I was focused on my kids so didn't think much about it at first. Later as we walked back to the car, I saw one of those young women on the phone, she was crying her eyes out that she’d just been fired for throwing away food that had gone bad. I felt terrible for her. As a mother all I wanted to do was go over and hug her to tell her it was okay. I’ve interacted with her several times before and she was always kind, welcoming, and made an effort to make sure I was accommodated every visit Ive seen her. Hard working, responsible and genuine kind workers are hard to come by in 2025.

If an employee was let go for trying to keep the food safe, then what does that mean about the food my children and I are consuming? Is this why staff keeps disappearing? What does this say about management? Im still in shock from what I overheard in that parking lot.

Food quality and safety matter. I now find myself questioning what might be served to customers and how decisions are being made behind the scenes. Are food safety and employee wellbeing really being valued? What about the publics well being?

This place has the potential to be great but this experience left a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended). I used to look forward to visiting, but now I’m...

I don’t like leaving negative reviews. I already feel an urge to find 2 positive reviews to counter this experience. Let’s start at the beginning. I was the only person waiting in line for service. While one of the women behind the counter acknowledged my presence the other continued to tell a story about how a customer called to check on an order and seemed to brag about giving the customer a lashing, “I told them I would call if we had a problem”. I ordered 2 drip coffees that are self service (like a hotel lobbies free blend but worse). The order came to $7.65 (more than 2 20 oz Starbucks blends which are 3.25 per at the closest Starbucks!!). I always leave a tip, however, I immediately regretted my decision to enter this place and didn’t want to make it worse so I declined a tip for what amounted to taking my card and making me listen to complaints about the people paying them. As I filled my coffee myself the one that was complaining started spewing about people that don’t leave tips must not have worked in a service industry! My first job was a dishwasher, second a register clerk at a local supermarket. Folks, all you need to do is minimal effort. Next she cut in front of me as I was serving myself and called me “sweety”. I held my tongue and thought to myself, what would Marcus Aurelius do. So I forgave her, said nothing, and decided to leave this in the hopes that this place gets the message and improves its ways. We will not be back, but I hope that the next person is treated a little better. PS… the coffee...

Iron Horse Steamers is a new restaurant in downtown Easley. I just happened to see it as I was driving by today. Iron Horse Steamers is located at 106 S. Pendleton St. and are open everyday from 7am-2:30pm. Luckily I was off today, they’re closed when I get off from work. Very nice atmosphere, very clean and friendly service. Breakfast is served all day, they have a variety of items, pastries, bagels, cream cheese, croissants, salads, coffees(iced and hot) tea and fountain drinks. I decided on the “Build your own sandwich” not really a bagel fan. You can choose one meat, one cheese, whatever toppings and sauce you want and additional add-ons for an additional fee, depending on what add-on topping you choose. My sandwich was on a croissant with turkey, white American cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomatoes. I ordered a side of potato salad too. The sandwich was really good, the potato salad was ok, a lot of mustard, but not a deal breaker. They do charge a .25 to go fee, but my meal was less than $10.00. I’ll definitely go back and I might even have a bagel with a “Schmear” (cream cheese)!

Update Not a deal breaker, but this was the second time I ordered a classic Turkey on croissant that they left the white American cheese off of the sandwich. I ordered one yesterday after work, August 27, 2021 I didn’t look at it until later, no cheese again. The sandwich comes with your choice of cheese, but for some reason they...