Town Tavern of Morganton — Restaurant in Morganton

Great variety of beer but diminished morality runs rampid amongst staff. I have seen things come and go since they've opened this location. From their first GM and all of his intimate relations with multiple bartenders, to the bartenders coming and going with patrons for manicures and blue-bills at the local Hampton Inn. Things are well aligned with any "Waiting" movie scene. They've missed the mark time and time again. Where to even begin? Hunter was one of the best employees they had on staff. As barback he was doing everything he could without touching liquor and and outworking the bartenders on many evenings with a smile on his face and positive attitude to boot. The establishment lacked the leadership to retain him, leaving many of the customers disappointed. The day staff is left with the manic tendencies of Zoe who's general demeanor of entitlement and lack of respect and customer focus has caused multitudes to conveign for lunch & libations elsewhere. Back of the house is inconsistent in the evenings but doable in a pinch as long as your fillings are in good and snug. Its disappointing to see a place with such potential backslide for so long in so many unexcusable ways. On a good note - The hostesses are always attentive and proactive in helping where they can. Though they may have their phones out at times or have something constructive going on at the hostess stand as they wait for the next customer, this has never been an issue at all when it is time for them to extend a friendly greeting and offer seating to myself or my party. On wing night, we've found that its best to not expect any fresh or hot chicken products. Even if you ask for another round "fresh this time" because last time they'd missed the mark. And when my wife or I have said anything about the cold/hard/overcooked wings being served it has been met multiple times with "well they're cheap so...". A few weeks when we went, we just grabbed a few McDoubles on the way home since half of the boneless wings were more like Chicharrones and we left unfulfilled in every way imaginable. During the day there seems to be more attention to detail from the back of the house. The young lady they call "Momma" seems to be what built the place and the backbone of their kitchen operations. Seeing her smiling face and friendly demeanor has always been a treat when visiting. She's the only willing to actually season the food. When your potato skins come out ready to send you to the dentist, you can rest assured that she isn't back there. Hopefully they will embrace a mindset of change and growth and cut the cancer out before it continues to metastasize into up and coming employees that have better attitudes, sincerity, and to seem to genuinely care about the...

IF BEYONCÉ AND A WHISKEY SOUR HAD A BABY IT WOULD BE ZOEY!

Listen. I don’t write reviews often, but after last Wednesday , I felt compelled to sing the gospel of Zoey, the best bartender in Morganton. This woman is not just slinging drinks she’s out here saving lives, fixing moods, and raising spirits (pun intended).

From the moment I stumbled I mean, walked in, Zoey greeted me like I was her favorite cousin at a family reunion. You know, the cool cousin who brings the good snacks and doesn’t judge your life choices. She had a sparkly eyeliner situation going on that said, “I mix drinks and break hearts,” and I knew I was in the right place.

I asked her for something “strong but flirty,” and she handed me a concoction so smooth, so delicious, that I blacked out briefly and had a vision of my ex apologizing for everything he ever did wrong. (He did not. But the drink made it feel like he might someday.)

Zoey doesn’t just pour drinks she crafts masterpieces. She’s a cocktail Picasso. A mixology Mozart. A liquid therapist in a Town Tavern T-shirt. She remembered people’s names, drink orders, and weird allergies like a damn wizard. I saw her make three espresso martinis, pour two beers, shake a margarita, and still have time to call someone out (lovingly) for flirting with their phone more than their date.

And let’s talk speed. Blink, and she’s already got your next drink waiting like she read your mind. I actually tested this by THINKING about a vodka cranberry, and I swear she started pouring it before I even opened my mouth. Witchcraft? Possibly. Am I mad about it? Absolutely not.

When the crowd got rowdy and one guy tried to pay with Canadian money and vibes, Zoey handled it like a pro. She gave him that look you know the one that says “I will take you out with a muddler if you test me again” and somehow he just backed away and left a $10 tip in U.S. dollars.

Also, major bonus: she’s funny as hell. At one point she roasted a group of guys for ordering “fireball shots like it’s 2013,” and I haven’t seen a group of grown men shrink so fast since the last cold front.

In short: GO TO TOWN TAVERN. ASK FOR ZOEY. TIP GENEROUSLY. Because once you’ve had a drink from her, no one else will ever measure up. Your expectations for bartenders will be permanently ruined. You will dream of her old fashioned during work meetings and consider naming your future child after her.

10/10. Would let her choose my drink, my therapist, and possibly my next...

Took my mom and mother in law to lunch today at the new Town Tavern by the river in morganton. Before I start I want to start by saying this new restaurant has only been open for 4 days. We went for lunch. There was a small wait which is very common for a new restaurant. There were 3 empty chairs at the bar and they were very open to us taking those seats. The staff was absolutely amazing and kind. We over heard them say they only had 4 wait staff and 2 bartenders. The drinks came very fast. Our food didn't come out like lightning but let me just say it was very tasty. Anyways, this man came and sat beside my mom and ordered his drink in which he got very fast. Eventually the man demanded to the staff that he wanted a TV with the Basketball games on it. The staff explained to him that the manager was the only one able to change it and that he was very busy. (Of course he is!!!! It's a very new establishment) The man was being extended hateful to the staff and that staff worker handled the situation wonderfully. He kindly explained again apologized and told the man that re really hoped he enjoyed his time at the restaurant. Told him to have a wonderful day and carried on about what he was doing. I was very impressed of how the worker handled the situation. About 15 mins went by and the same man yelled at the bartender and said " where is my food!" The bartender explained that the kitchen was handling his food and it would be out very shortly. She then explained that the restaurant was busy, staff was short and they were working quickly to get his meal and others out as fast as possible. The man was rude and laughed in her face and said there goes your tip.. The employee kindly said she would check on his meal and came back with his food. Point of this post is! DON'T BE THAT MAN!!!!! DON'T GO INTO A NEWLY OPENED RESTAURANT AND DEMAND TO BE SAT ON A PETAL STOOL!!! BE KIND, SHOW LOVE, TIP WELL!! THESE WORKERS ARE PAYING THEIR BILLS BY SERVING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. DON'T BE HATEFUL. IF YOU DON'T HAVE PATIENTS, GIVE THEM SOME TIME TO WORK OUT THE BUMPS. DON'T THREATEN THEM WITH THEIR PAYCHECKS. SO, AGAIN DON'T BE THIS MAN. ALSO, CHECK OUT THIS NEW JEWEL OF A RESTAURANT. VERY KIND STAFF, GREAT FOOD AND...