Lefty's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Ketchum

A couple of things here:

First of all, the conduct of the woman at the counter. The younger woman who served us was fine. Not out of this world, but not bad either. However, the young couple in front of us received a very different experience. There was an older, heavyset woman "serving" them if you can call it that. They ordered, paid, and went to walk away. This woman leans across the counter with their receipt, and very loudly says "Hey, if you wanted to tip your receipt is right here." They said something to the effect that they hadn't heard or hadn't understood. So she repeated that statement more loudly and pointedly. The poor couple came back very awkwardly, and signed their receipt. Then they walked out. The woman at the counter took a look, and crumpled it up with a disgusted look. "And they didn't tip us anyway," she said, and proceeded to talk about Lefty's being one of the few places open on Sunday and how inconsiderate the couple was. It was one of the most wildly unprofessional, entitled displays I've seen exhibited by any employee at any restaurant. That was absolutely unacceptable. I left a small tip for the younger woman who served us out of a desire not to punish her for her co-worker's conduct, but that needs addressing.

Second of all one of the main reasons we came here is because of a 2018 review where some guy engaged in a heavy whining and mewling session here for the audacity this restaurant had in allowing smoking on their back patio. Something to the effect of, "I can't believe I have to say this in 2018." The owner at the time (I presume) responded apologetically stating he allowed it out of a desire to be welcoming to all types of customers. Evidently Lefty's has caved to pressure since then as smoking is no longer allowed. I am not the only person who enjoys a cigar or similar at dinner. I am sick and tired of the anti-smoking crowd bullying every business in a city into forbidding the activity on any part of every property. I think they can give up the back patio of one restaurant in a resort town of 3,000+ people. I was very disappointed to discover Lefty's backed down on this. As in many similar circumstances the smoking crowd isn't very good at pitching temper tantrums like the anti-smoking crowd. I think that's why we lose things like this. For that reason - stick to your guns, and don't cave to bullying, Lefty's.

Restaurant earned a star back for the quality of the food....

I was checking out the town of Ketchum Sunday 7/9/2023 and wanting to sample the local fares, I happened upon Lefty’s. I am so glad that I did! It’s a quaint little joint at the foot of a ski slope, and it was quite busy which I read as a good sign. Although I had to stand in line waiting to order, the staff was doing their best to move things along. I noticed that the special was elk burgers, and when it was my turn to order, that’s what I chose. As a side I chose the “monkeys” which are spiced potato slices, like a waffle fry. I also chose bleu cheese for the burger which was the best choice I could have made. The order was ready in a short time, impressive considering the volume of food the cook was dealing with. The burger was absolutely delicious, the bleu cheese combined with fresh elk, made for an incredible savory experience, no condiments were needed and the burger was done to the best possible consistency combining flavors and retaining the natural juiciness yet not being over or undercooked. The burger’s bun was fresh, light, and wonderful. The monkeys were also spot on, not greasy, not dry, and spiced just right. I won’t pass through Ketchum again without stopping in and I look forward to my next visit. My apologies for the food pic, it does not portray the burger as well as it should have. I will fix that on...

It makes me really sad to write this review. I've been going to Lefty's since I was little, and always loved it. I tell people about Lefty's. I don't live in the valley anymore, but when I visit I always have to go to Lefty's, and I bring people with me because they HAVE to try it. I understand this weekend is a busy weekend. The line when we got there was backed up to the door, and we waited about 40 minutes to order, but usually the food would be worth the wait. It wasn't. The fries (the best part, we even ordered an extra basket) were cold yet somehow also overdone and the basket of monkeys we ordered were also overdone. I hate complaining, and don't usually send food back. But cold fries are never good. We took them back to the counter and let them know they were cold. They said they'd bring us new ones. I think all they did was throw them back in the fryer though. The fries were hot, but so overdone and hard that you could snap them in half, and the now burnt monkeys were the same way. I left feeling so disappointed in a place that's been one of my favorites for...