Spirit of '52 — Restaurant in Hamilton

This restaurant and lounge used to be more formal, all dark wood, even had pool tables way back. Felt like one of those felt jacket, cigar and a whiskey kind of places. A couple of years ago they updated the lounge into a sports bar feel. Painted all the wood light, added TV's everywhere, refreshed the whole look. They offer your typical sports bar fare like sandwiches and chicken fingers. The bar is well stocked. The price is up there for what it is but all things associated with Callaway tend to be towards proud. Something to note is that the location is almost always dead. I haven't been for dinner in a while, we typically get a late lunch after seeing the gardens. The food, fries, etc. are almost always on a cook to order standing and I have not personally ever seen more than three people on staff at a time. In the past several years we have seen the same waitress each time. She is gracious and friendly. We are of an understanding that nothing is going to happen quick and it shouldn't. It offers a good time to hang out and enjoy the ambiance and talk to your company. Given the choices in this area not involving a long drive...

Slow service and subpar bar food

I want to note that our server, Jude, was very nice and helpful. But the rest of our experience was disappointing.

We got there early, around 5:45, and only four other tables were occupied when we sat down. I ordered a beer flight and my girlfriend ordered a single prosecco. Her drink was brought out right away, but I had to wait ten minutes or more for my beer.

For dinner, she ordered a bowl of chili. Once she got it, she said it was definitely hot dog chili out of a can and quite awful. We asked the server to take it back and bring her crab cakes instead. They were better than the chili, but still not very good.

I had the shrimp tacos. The menu described them as crispy fried shrimp. It turns out it was basically Mrs. Paul's microwave popcorn shrimp put into a tortilla with some avocado and pico de gallo. It was edible but not very good.

I will say the onion rings I had on the side were quite good.

Overall, the food and speed of service were very disappointing, especially at the inflated...

While there is a nod to the 1950's retro design, the general appeal is quite modern, open. light and inviting in building aesthetic.

Oddly, the restaurant is more visible from the road than the much larger motel behind it, the Mountain Creek Inn, also very charming.

If you're staying at the inn, you have no excuse not to eat here, because the food is delicious, the service is professional and friendly and if you want to indulge, you're only a short walk from your room.

Our server was Ada, and she was an excellent wait staffer.

Even if you're not staying at the inn, if you're passing through Pine Mountain, you'll want to eat here for lunch or dinner.

Restrooms are clean.

What more can you ask for when you're eating out?

Pictures show the restaurant in the morning...