Shelter Distilling — Restaurant in Mammoth Lakes

Honestly, more of 3.5 stars. So I was their first customer upon opening. So I got good service, which I really can't complain about up until the part in which I was explained what the specials were for the day. And to be clear, I had no complaints about what the specials were for the day. It's just that when I went to check out they didn't match up. But I had kind of a heads up that this was going to be the case as many of you have left similar reviews. So was I shocked that when I was told that all ag drinks were $10 and I paid $18 for my cocktail? Nope not at all but rather disappointed. I know some people have complained about how the ordering system works. But personally I like it and I like that I can keep the tab open. That being said when I went to check out and realized that my total was technically, not correct and I mentioned it to the bartender she basically acted like she was doing me a big favor and actually said to me "ost bartenders wouldn't do this for you"... Well then, I hope that those most other bartenders explained that there was a separate tab that you're supposed to order under for a special. I also hope that most other bartenders also mentioned that not everything on the menu is included in that special, even if it falls under the technical definition of the special. So I know that she felt like she was really going above and beyond for me. But the reality is that the situation could have been completely avoided. Again, as most of you have stated in previous reviews. Overall, I found their menu to be very odd and disjointed. And the food was okay. The shrimp tacos were gross, but the pork belly taco was delicious. The drinks were good but probably not for the quality of what they're charging. I think that they're just getting an up charge because of...

Not pleasant, food, atmosphere, passive aggressive servers - but for good reason...

Food: Fake cheese on nachos. See photo. It's salted oil / calories, not cheese. Tacos were ok. Burger was just ok, insufficient salt, and cost $21 ! ! ! (I've had a burger at Nepenthe's for this cost, but that was the Big Sur coastline on an epic cliff over an impossible seascape with horses running free on the next cliff down through intermittent hanging mist...this distillery does not offer that atmosphere, so it's overpriced)

Atmosphere: Cold vibe - QR code scanned menu / ordering / paying. Pour your own water Wipe your own table No staff interaction. Waitresses taking out frustration about low pay by: Avoiding eye contact in order to save time Rarely wiping a table top to save time When there is time to wipe a table, crumbs or wiped off in one stroke and end up in those seats you see in my photo. The next patrons will sit on those. :(

BOTTOM LINE: The investors bought a great location, but they have completely failed to deliver the atmosphere. They need to pay their staff to put a smile on everyone's faces.

Why do they have to pay more? Because no one is going to tip these servers for the interaction they're not providing. They're overworked.

BONUS: Their app fails when it's time to pay.

OVERALL VIBE AT THE END OF DINNER: Steer clear...

This was my second time visiting. The first visit was in 2023. Much had changed since our first visit and we won’t be back. In fact, I recommend you NOT go until their food handling is improved (see below).

Food: We had the pepperoni pizza (GF and non-GF), pretzel, and crunchy tuna roll. The pizza tasted like frozen pizza. The pretzel was as expected. Cheese sauce was slightly lumpy. The tuna roll was mediocre. I would not recommend any of these.

Drinks: We had the Sierra Wave and foggy Whiskey. The Sierra Wave’s flavors were off balance. The Foggy Whiskey tasted water downed with little flavor. Both were $17-18. Not worth their price at all. I would say that well drinks are much better.

Service: You order everything at the table via your phone. Staff only prepare and deliver food to your table. The service we had was mixed. Some staff were pleasant. Others brisk.

Food handling violation: We sat at the back patio of the restaurant. These seats allow you to see into the kitchen in back. As we finished eating and prepared to leave, I saw a kitchen staff (white woman, brown long hair) tear open sauce packets with her teeth multiple times in order to pour them into small cups that were added onto plates (e.g., soy sauce). I also saw her lick her fingers afterward. She looked at me while doing this. I have never witnessed such blatant disregard for...