Buckeye Tavern — Restaurant in Lower Macungie Township

Never really felt the need to write a review on a restaurant until tonight’s unprofessional experience at the buckeye tavern. Their waitress Patrice and manager Abbie think that it is acceptable behavior for grown adults and children to throw used napkins and spitballs across their tables and booths. They seem to be okay with any type of behavior regardless of how it affects other customers meals as long as they are making money. I’ve eaten here many times previously and never had any issues but tonight’s experience with the staff failing to control their customers and their restaurant atmosphere ruined any chance of me ever returning again. I used to eat here every Tuesday with people from work. I will never return again or recommend this place. During our meal there was a large group of adults and children that took up two booths in the corner. Throughout their meal they (multiple adults who were drinking and children) were throwing napkins, shooting spit balls and other paper products across their tables and over wall between their booths. The trash was landing in the aisle between our table and theirs and came very close to hitting our table multiple times. This activity happened throughout our entire meal and in front of their waitress Patrice who on multiple occasions saw what was happening and joked with them and laughed about the behavior. I however did not find it as funny as they did and thought it was very rude and disrespectful to act like this (especially as adults) in a public restaurant with other paying customers. We asked the hostess if she could talk to the manager and ask them to stop. A group of waitresses and their manager Abbie had a meeting outside of the kitchen door and decided the best solution would be to have their/our waitress approach OUR table and ask US if there was a problem. We explained what was going on (even though she was well aware of the situation) and why we were unhappy with the behavior. She did talk to them I’m not sure what she actually said but this should have never been an issue for us or any of the other customers that night. The waitress Patrice should have told them to stop the first time she saw this herself instead of making light of it for most of our meal. Had she nipped it in the butt earlier in the evening they never would have carried on as long as they did. Their manager Abbie handled the situation very poorly and told us “I don’t know what you wanted us to do. We can’t really control our customers or ask them to leave.” It seemed like they didn’t want to rock the boat with the larger party and hold them accountable for their actions. It is 100% unfair to other paying customers to have to experience this while dining. Patrice and Abbie both need to grow backbones and take pride in their restaurant and control their atmosphere. I will also add that some of the adults who were participating in this behavior were still being served alcohol during and after these events. Perhaps they should have cut them off once they saw and heard about the behavior. This restaurant seems to be ok with everything and anything as long as you keep buying drinks and have a large bill. Will never return and will always speak poorly of this restaurant...

This place is a great place to satisfy your hunger cause after you eat here you won’t want to eat again. Firstly while this is non food related I feel like I should bring this up cause apparently this is common knowledge for anyone coming to this restaurant but unless everyone in your party is over 21 no one can order alcohol. It’s a weird rule I just wish that was communicated much better than it was. Moving on, our party of 3 ordered the nachos as a starter. These nachos were quite possibly the WORST nachos any of us had ever had in our lives. The nachos came out room temperature, the nacho cheese was gross and the string cheese they had put on there was not even melted. The chicken, tomato’s, lettuce, and jalapeños had literally no flavor. They must be allergic to seasoning. The salsa literally tasted like black pepper and that was it. After the nachos we were wishing that the alcohol rule didn’t exist cause a couple shots may have made them at least tolerable. Our party then ordered our main course which was a Reuban, chicken quesadilla, and the buckeye burger. I ordered the reuban and I love a good reuban sandwhich and let me tell you it is probably the saddest reuban I’ve ever had. The bread was soggy, the meat had no flavor they put no sauce on and the sauerkraut was old. Makes me sad to have even ordering it. The chicken quesadilla had no flavor whatsoever other than black pepper and half melted cheese. It came out room temp at best and the new salsa they brought out tasted like black pepper only. Clearly they need a new salsa recipe cause it was not a one time thing. The burger had old tomato and onions cause there was but a hint of flavor from them. The bun was super greasy the meat was some how cold on one side and well done on the other. A feat I cannot possibly comprehend. Best part of the meal was the soda and the store bought chips they gave me with my sandwhich that made me want to never try new food again. Please save your time and your money and go eat the road kill of the road because that at least might have some flavor from...

We arrived last night and saw plenty of folks waiting inside and outside, put out name in and they said it would be about 15 minutes, then called out name after about 5 minutes so already they're underpromising and overdelivering. We sit down and the chairs are really comfortable, and the table is squeaky clean. I ordered a blackberry and cucumber cocktail that was insanely refreshing, instantly I'm just sinking into my seat and watching a baseball game on a corner TV. We order some apps the onion petals and fried cauliflower, so crispy and piping hot, not to mention crazy delicious! Then I decide to really push it and I order a steak which I don't usually do because its almost never right and I wish I had made it myself instead at home... this was the first time in years I've ordered a steak and been completely satisfied, the crust and char on the outside with a perfectly medium rare inside that was very much hot and juicy, along with my asparagus being super hot and crispy... I was FLOORED! The service was exactly what you want too, the apps came out in max 10 minutes and the entrees about 8 minutes after that and we never had to wait for water refills, everyone was extremely friendly but not at all over attentive. I wish I had room to try dessert but I was painfully full and hadn't even come close to finishing all my food. I also couldn't believe the prices, everything easily could have been twice as expensive and I might still be writing this review, but they clearly know their audience and hopefully that's me, because I will be back there to get the best steak within an hour drive for about $20.... that's just absurd! I could literally cry I'm so happy I can go somewhere to relax and have a perfect meal when I don't feel like cooking without having to sacrifice anything, they make you feel right at home! This is my new favorite restaurant HANDS DOWN! Why are you still reading this? Get your keys, call your friends, go now! I don't care if they're not open, go and wait,...