Blue Collar Restaurant, Bar & Catering — Restaurant in East Hempfield Township

I have mixed feelings about my experience at Blue Collar last night. On one hand, the food that my wife and I ordered was amazing! We started with the soft pretzels and cheese sauce and the pretzels came warm and soft; perfectly baked. Then we had the beet salad which had feta cheese, walnuts, served with a balsamic dressing. For the main course I had the chicken marsala and risotto and my wife had the poke bowl with salmon added. I'm not a guy that normally goes to a restaurant and orders the chicken, but this was a revelation. Sweet marsala sauce over perfectly cooked chicken, over savory creamy risotto. Man! We wrapped up with coffee and a wonderful salted caramel creme brulee Now the negative part of our experience. I ordered a ginger ale and the soda came out clear, and a sip revealed it to be tonic water. They had gotten the lines switch in the back. No big deal, it happens. But the drink was brought back out two more times, and while it was improving each time, why would you serve it without checking to make sure the line was flushed? I eventually just ordered water, which was brought out immediately. Ten minutes later another ginger ale was brought out for me to try. It was the right color, and was recognizable in taste as a ginger ale. When my wife's poke bowl arrived it had raw salmon, in spite of her ordering a grilled salmon. In the end the check came for the full amount with no offer to remove the ginger ale charge or adjust the bill. The server was very nice and apologetic, but the delays and errors did put a mark on what would have been a truly amazing...

We recently traveled from our new home in Texas back to our original home in Lancaster. We met with a group of friends at Blue Collar and spent a lot of money in food and drinks. Typically we do this annually at Loxley's, but we thought we'd try something new. Over time the service people avoided waiting on our group which was not loud, not intoxicated, was freely spending money, just enjoying an evening with old friends. When we inquired, the manager informed us that as we were occupying the few high tops at the bar, their regulars were disgruntled because they couldn't have their usual tables. She continued by saying that they were losing money because some regulars left instead of sitting at tables in the other part of the restaurant. We know that our tab along with 2 others approached $800, not including the other 4-6 couples in our group. I had a quiet conversation with the manager about what we were being told, and she made it quite clear that she just wanted us to leave. I was in the middle of a delicious vegetable risotto which I had to leave there, pay my bill, and vacate my seat. So apparently, if you're not a regular, or if you come in as a small group, this place is not interested in...

What a great place! - a little out of the way, but not to be missed. First off, the staff. Meg & Brittany were taking care of the bar, along with another young man we didn't meet. So kind, so gracious, so friendly. That alone can make for a great experience but when you add delicious food and cocktails, you've got the formula for success. They have quite an extensive liquor selection, more than you might think, and it was nice that there were some things I do not see at many other Lancaster County Restaurants. I had the "Todd" smashburger, double-patty. It was awesome! And no, it's not "just a hamburger". I'm a burger freak and this one was in the top ten for sure. The rosemary potatoes for the side was the right call as well. My wife had their chili and a rack of ribs. Chili was wonderful, just the right amount of heat - and of course if you like it hotter you could always add some extra. Some regulars came in and sat next to us, and we had a blast with them. Others at the bar had the same mood, and I'm sure that's in large part of the friendliness of the staff. I had heard very good things, and they were all proven. Will definitely be back! Thank you all the staff & kitchen for an...