Escalante Outfitters — Restaurant in Escalante

The only reason this establishment can get away with the service that was offered to us because they are one of maybe 3-4 functioning restaurants in Escalante. There are 8 tables inside- with only five of them being able to seat a family of four. The first night we were here, there was no available inside seating and they had no gas heaters for their outdoor seating. On the first time we visited, we left. The second visit, they were very crowded, but while we were in line to order, I had my children sit at a table. The food was good, but really not much from which to choose. Primarily, pizza. The third time we came (again no restaurants in town), I had the boys walk to a table while I got in line. Then a lady ( Manager?? Waitress?? Owner?? Who knows??) literally told me we couldn’t sit down. Keep in mind moments later- that table would likely be gone. She said we can only sit after we order. So naturally, I ordered a soda for my son so we could sit. She was NOT happy. She insisted asking if we were ordering other food. I told her yes we were ordering after my husband got in, we’d be in line. She continued to argue with me. She didn’t stop us from sitting with the soda, but her mannerisms insisted we didn’t have long for my husband to join us (from literally the parking lot) Before we would be evicted from the table.

You don’t order at the table and pay at the end. So be careful if you get up from your table to place any additional orders.

As we left two parties tried to get our table at the same time. It was a hot mess. Rude worker lady told one that the other had been here longer (though I am not sure she could really know because she was all over the place). I felt so sad for the one who was basically told to back off. She tried to speak up for herself and say they had been waiting a long time too, but rude worker just walked off.... this was as I was cleaning off my own table. I am not sure if that is what we were supposed to do or not?? Some people were and some weren't. Anyway?!?

Again, pizza was good, but if there were any other options in town, that would be the choice, unfortunately it is extremely limited and the service is a direct result.

I will add that there was one man who worked there (that allowed the others to stay at their saved table) who was constantly going around trying to help customers. He was really trying hard, but that one sour lady...

With free dispersed camping on public lands only a few miles away, you may be wondering: why spend money to camp here? Yet in fact, we camped here the night before a 7-day canyoneering trip. It's the perfect place to have a little "luxury" camping and chill with new friends before embarking on such a trip! Here's some top reasons for choosing to both stay and eat at Escalante Outfitters:

Free showers included with your camping reservation. The showers are WARM and the bath house is CLEAN and ATTRACTIVE LOOKING. I've spent more money at public campgrounds and gotten less in terms of amenities like this. If you're just needing a shower and not looking to stay overnight, they'll sell you a shower pass for $8. The place is on a bit of a hill such that the campsites have great views of the cliffs etc. in the distance. You don't feel like you're stuck in a corner with no view. Although Escalante Outfitters is on the main highway through town, and it's not the biggest lot size in the world for camping, the landscaping at this location is done so well that you don't really feel like you're too close to a road. One of the best parts: the yummy RESTAURANT is within walking distance of your campsite. Our evening consisted of: (1) meet new friends going on our guided trip, (2) have dinner with them at this restaurant, (3) walk over to our tent when we're done. No need to drive somewhere else. The pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and desserts are all great - we tried them all across multiple meals both before & after our trip. The restaurant has outdoor dining, which was especially important to us because we did not want to catch any sickness before leaving on our 7-day backcountry trip.

If you want a deserted campsite with nobody else nearby, there are better places nearby. But when you want a place to socialize, eat some real food & chill,...

Wow. Only customer in store, pull up out front and they gotta tell from my dirty old bike and all my gear that I’m not from here. I walk in, look around and find that the cafe is down at one end so I head there. No one comes over to take my order (I am the only customer with 6 employees I have seen). I am assuming that the old lady and three sales gals I saw only work the retail side so I wait 7 Minutes studying the menu and still nothing. An old guy walks in (a local) and starts looking in their refrigerated desert glass and so I go to the cook/server window and ask how I can get help at the cafe… “someone will be there” he says. As I return back to wait to my complete surprise the old lady up front at the retail side also runs the counter… she doesn’t acknowledge me and goes to help the local old man with figuring out what cake he wants!!!! I patiently wait (annoyed that no one has even asked to help me or say hello) and this is dragging on. Now I see a lady who looks like a manager come over and I am literally leaning on the counter waiting for someone to get over here and help…. She comes over, passes right by me without a word and guess what, she goes around the counter and grabs a drink out of a cooler and walks right past me again and says nothing…. As I leave another employee is standing at the door and I told her I just stood there and not one person helped…

Oh, did I mention it wasn’t busy??? The old lady who should have helped me was telling the old man how she was bored out of her mind…

I used to love coming to little towns cause it reminded me of the old days where kindness mattered and customer service was...