Cowboy Jack's — Restaurant in New Brighton

I have never had such a poor restaurant customer service experience in my life.

My family and I went to dinner here last night to celebrate my birthday. This was my first time at this location but have been to the Minneapolis one a couple times. We called in advance and originally had an outside spot but since it was rainy we switched to the 'party room'. On the phone when we switched to the party room we were told about the $2 burgers, happy hour specials and my birthday treat (either choice of $6 shot or dessert).

The party room was fine. It was a room in the back with a couple tables that we moved to accommodate the 11 people I invited. We got there about 10 minutes before 6 when our waitress came in. She didn't mention the happy hour specials before she left. When she came back we asked to order a happy hour special and told her we were celebrating my birthday. She came off rude right at the start. She said we couldn't order happy hour drinks and that since we were in the party room, no specials would be honored. (we were not told that on the phone) I was willing to switch seats to be offered the specials and honestly to get a different server, but we stayed. My mother went to the manager and told him that on the phone we were told the specials and there was no knowledge that being seated in the party room affected that... The waitress came back irritated and said the manager would honor the specials. She was very short, especially with my 60 year old mother. When my mom ordered, she asked "what are the lasso fries." The waitress replied fast without looking at her, "they're just our fries." There was a pause after that and my mom just said ok. (the waitress also asked everyone else who ordered a cheeseburger what kind of cheese they wanted and specifically didn't ask my mother) I'm not going to lie, that made my eyebrows shoot up. When you work in costumer service you do not act like that. Our waitress was so rude and short with us. It kind of left me speechless that she acted like that in public to customers. I have worked in customer service for five years and know how difficult situations can be or if you are not feeling up to acting personable. Her attitude was unacceptable. We mentioned it was my birthday a couple times to the waitress and she told me happy birthday. I was waiting for her to ask me if I wanted a shot or dessert. She never asked and dropped the bill off at our table. I was debating whether to ask her because I didn't want to deal with her anymore. My mother went up to pay the bill and asked our waitress for my birthday shot. She came back with a shot and said, "you like water moccasins right?" I was supposed to be able to pick what I wanted under $6 and honestly I'm a tequila girl, but I smiled and said yes.

Dear waitress, pro tips from another customer service worker: Do not work in customer service if you cannot act like an adult and deal with difficult people and/or difficult situations with a good attitude Customers are always right Do not be rude (especially to my mother sitting right next to me)

Cowboy Jack's, New Brighton, seemed like a really cool place and the burgers were good but sadly I will probably...

Great place. Had a fun time. However things seemed to have changed for the worst. It seems I am not welcome anymore at this establishment.

Last night had a brief and awesome conversation with Zach, I presume to be the owner.

Tonight different story. Actions have consequences, context doesn't matter and you can control yourself not others. It seems my humour wasn't taken too kindly. I do not know any of the servers names. They are all great ladies and do their best during the high volume times are kind and courteous. Absolute wonderful servers, not one complaint.

Apparently one did not like my observation about her ears, a couple of months ago. No bad comment, a simple observation. She mentioned that is an insecurity for her, also mentioned that her height, again months ago. Admittedly my mistake for sharing an observation. She is a wonderful server. Another wasn't even directed at again a wonderful server, however with a Lisa Loeb like alike (who I thought I had a positive connection with) whom I shared an admittedly bad joke/comment about my wonderful server and that lead to the events of the evening. My server confronted me about my joke/comment and appropriately chastised me and said she didn't find it funny. Which I agree wasn't funny. Attempted to apologize, however that wasn't going to happen. Do not blame her.

Was informed by the short manager in a hat about the joke/comment/observation, to those two servers which meant more, transgressions that I had crossed a line. The third strike which I wasn't even aware of was telling a wonderful server that her butt was getting big. Who would make such a comment? Even told the short manager with the hat that no such comment was made, was actually surprised when it was mentioned, the short manager in the hat informed me that I was done. He talked about me leaving and not returning. Wanted to be clear so there was no misunderstanding what would happen if I returned tomorrow, he said I would be considered trespassing.

Just a warning: If your comments are perceived as bad you will asked to leave and threatened with trespassing if you return. I'd advise do not chat with the servers. Just order your drinks and food then leave, do not attempt to talk with the servers. I like the place, great staff, a server even asked me to go to a local fair and donate money to an animal shelter. However all that good will and rapport building was for naught. It seems all the great conversation I had with the servers was useless, can't help but to wonder if there is something else going on?

I would have chatted further with the short manager in a hat, however it appeared there was an already foregone conclusion and reason wasn't going to have any purchase. The short manager in a hat simply didn't want anymore conversation.

Again great place, wonderful atmosphere. I have clearly learned a few lessons. Zach, if you are reading this I'd appreciate a conversation so I can continue to be a patron of your awesome...

I was optimistic about this place. It was a much needed makeover for the old Champps restaurant. The decor is awesome. Old bikes sitting around, the rustic wood look inside, the shotgun barrel door handles, etc. The service and the quality of the food/drinks is where I have a problem. I ate here 4 times in order to give a more accurate review. First, the gin and tonics are horrendous. Two times I have ordered one, again to improve accuracy of my review, and two times has the glass been filled with tonic water and a splash of gin poured over that. A good one should have ice, then pour in the gin, pour in lemon and lime juice, then fill with tonic. These tasted nothing like that. Second, the beer comes in plastic cups that look like they were used in a cafeteria in 1983. Scratched, clear but turning white plastic cups. Also, a Summit Oatmeal Stout is $7. Outrageous. Go to Stout's pub for that or find it on happy hour somewhere else. Third, the food on all but one occasion has arrived at my table cold, or didn't arrive at my table at all. Example A: I ordered the meat loaf and my friend ordered a salad. How long does it take to make a salad you might ask? The answer is apparently long enough to make meatloaf and let it cool down as well. Example B: I met a friend after peak hours (8:30pm or so) and we ordered some of their ridiculously priced beer and a side of tater tots. While sitting on the patio, we finished our beers, bought another one, and drank half of those when we began to wonder where our tater tots were. Our server did not return to the patio the entire time we drank our beers and for a while after. When she did return, she said, your tater tots have been sitting on the bar inside the restaurant for about 20 minutes. I thought to myself, you have seen the tots there and that nobody was eating them and you did not think that maybe people sitting outside that you haven't talked to in 40 minutes might not know they are sitting there. Suffice it to say, that type of service was not worth any more than a 15% tip. Just plain rude and why couldn't the tots be consumed on the patio? Did the woman ever think to bring the food to the people that ordered it or did she feel they were in a better place getting cold sitting on the bar. It seems every time I try this place it is something else to go wrong. I have not been back for a while but I do not think another trip is necessary. My conclusion is the building is cool, the beer is way too expensive (only 7 taps and most are cheap domestics), the food is nothing to write home about but it's not terrible, and the service on more than one occasion has just been terrible. It really makes me not want to go back here, especially since there seems to be a problem with...