The American Hotel - Market Yard Grille — Restaurant in Freehold

Something has definitely changed at the Market Yard Grill at the American Hotel. We have dined here through the years over 100 times. We would customarily eat here twice a month and have always been satisfied even though the prices continue to increase beyond the food and service quality. It is close to home and convenient.

Over the last year or so, we noticed that things have declined a bit. The attitudes of the servers has slipped. The food quality has been less than stellar. Something just isn't right. Our last visit was tonight. It will be our final visit ever. Appalled is the most appropriate way to described the treatment we received. Our anniversary is in two days, so I booked dinner here via Open Table, as I have done for over a decade. It was raining, so I dropped my wife at the door and I then parked the car with a valet service that handles parking for the various restaurants. When I made my way into the restaurant, i was directed to my wife sitting at a table crunched in between a couple others. Our server sensed my displeasure and asked what was the matter. I said I did not like this table, as it was our anniversary dinner and it was far from private. She immediately offered us a larger table next to us that was in a corner and more private. We thanked her and ordered drinks. About ten minutes later, while we waited for those drinks, an obnoxious women who looked like Mrs. Doubtfire, told us that we cannot sit here and basically to get up! Embarrassed and appalled, we made our way back to the front of the restaurant and I insisted on speaking to the manager. He said that they needed that table for a party of four. I explained that we did not make this move on our own. Our server moved us. He then fumbled around and left to verify this! When he returned, I told him that this will be our last visit to this place and he needs to correct his " helpers" attitude. How dare they treat anyone like this. Especially someone who dines here as many times as we have. Luckily we were able to make a call to another local restaurant that we frequent, who appreciated our patronage. Bottom line is the customers pay the bills and if you make internal mistakes, you NEVER, treat customers in a condescending manner. We dine out at least twice per week, and like to give local restaurants the business. Classless! Our friends, family etc, will never spend our money...

Stopped by with my wife and daughter last night. Haven't been back here in several years, but decided to give it another shot after attending a recent event last month.

We sat outside because it was a nice night. I ordered a Longtrail Limbo IPA, it didn't look or taste like it should. We started off with the fried oysters, that was a mistake. Really bad, the worst fried food I've ever had. Once I finished what was supposed to be my beer, I switched to a Sierra Nevada, my wife got one too. When those came out, they didn't look or taste like they should. Dirty tap lines?

Then our food came out.

My wife had the bacon wrapped scallop app. She said the scallops were edible, but the grits were horrible. My daughter's chicken tenders were over cooked. What was supposed to be a medium rare NY strip was well done and like the mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts lacked flavor.

I told the waitress about my steak and she agreed it was over cooked. She offered to replace it, but I told her no, I wasn't going to wait around for another.

I've had better meals in the officer's dining room at the county jail when I worked there. This was by far the worst meal I've ever had. Waitress was alright. Chefs should work at McDonald's. A vegan could grill a better steak. If it was possible to give negative stars I would. It's a shame the food is so bad. Nice place and location is all...

I don't know what happened to this place over the last few years. The last few times we went, it was awful. It's unfortunate that the one great bartender can't clone himself and staff the place.

The last time we went, we just wanted to have a beer. Couldn't get the attention of the two women behind the bar after waiting. No, it wasn't busy. We left. As we were leaving, a server blew right through the door past us. She wasn't holding anything, especially not the door for us. Rude.

The time before that we wanted to sit outside since it was gorgeous out. They had some happy hour dishes that were not available outside. I asked if I could pay extra to sit outside and eat what looked like awesome choices, but no. Ok no problem. None of the happy hour dishes were available on the regular menu (at a higher price that I would have gladly paid) which is a shame because I saw nothing on the regular menu that I wanted.

We had already ordered drinks, but you're not allowed to sit outside at certain tables with just drinks so we moved to the other side of the completely empty patio and went on our way when we finished them. I would think they would want to fill up some of those empty tables out there.

I like the food, so if we decide to go back I hope the...