Republic Kitchen+Taphouse — Restaurant in Post Falls

I've been to this restaurant many times without issue, but my recent visit was disappointing enough to warrant this review.

My 11-year-old son and I went for dinner, as we have many times before. I usually get the shrimp bowl, and he gets the republic burger (not the kids' version, which is too small). I asked for his burger plain with ketchup only, all toppings and fry sauce on the side, and jalapeño chips instead of fries. The menu for my bowl had a confusing substitution note, so I asked the server, Emma, to clarify. Unfortunately, she couldn't explain it and instead referenced Brussels sprouts—which weren’t in the description—while still failing to answer my basic question about cauliflower. When I asked her to check with the kitchen, she became visibly irritated, interrupted me, and walked off, saying she’d "just tell the kitchen what I wanted." I had little confidence she understood my order. I should’ve left at that point.

When the food arrived, my bowl wasn’t as requested, but I let it go. My son’s burger had fry sauce on it and came with fries, not chips. I asked another server if it could be remade. She said it would take 10 minutes. Ok. But Emma returned with the same plate 10 minutes later, insisting I had ordered it that way and ignoring the wrong side. When I told her I hadn’t, she rolled her eyes, dropped the plate at the edge of the table, and stormed off without a word.

Another 10+ minutes later, Emma brought a new burger with a massive pile of chips and snarkily said, “Our kids' burgers come with nothing on them, so maybe next time you need to order a kid’s burger.” She then smirked and walked to the next table to take their order, and again looked over at me with a smirk. I said nothing. My son opened the burger to add ketchup—and found a paper-thin, oval-shaped patty with a hole in the center. It looked deliberately thrown together. I told him not to eat it.

I went inside to speak with a manager or the owner—none were present. The other server (who took the first plate back) asked what was wrong. Emma showed up again, pretending not to understand, interrupting constantly, and refusing to listen. Then a cook came out from the kitchen and began berating me, accusing me of being inappropriate and telling me to take my business elsewhere. She claimed to have heard my patio order—somehow from the kitchen—and insisted I was lying and had “changed my mind.” Wow!

It was clear no one on staff that night cared to listen or take responsibility. As I waited to pay for my (incorrect) bowl and get a to-go box, I chatted with another customer, mainly about my own business. Meanwhile, the staff loudly mocked me from the front bar, yelling back to the kitchen, “She’s talking to other customers!” Truly unprofessional.

I’ve never had my integrity or character questioned like this. For the past week, I’ve tried to reach the owner privately, hoping to resolve this without leaving a public review. As a successful small business owner myself, I wanted to offer that courtesy. No response. So here we are.

If you're looking for great food and respectful service in Post Falls, I recommend trying other locally owned spots where the owners take pride in their staff and customer experience. Oval, White House Grill (Raci is awesome), Embers by the Lake, Embers Green (Rob and Allison are great), Sawmill Grill, and Gathered are all solid choices.

Emma and the other two women working that night have a lot of growing to do. Rather than trying to understand the customer, they gaslight and argue. Emma, in particular, seemed immature and entitled—traits that explain her lack of decency and defensiveness throughout the meal. In today’s tough restaurant climate, there’s no room for customer mistreatment or calling patrons liars.

I will never return to Republic. I’ll gladly take my business to places that value their customers, and I suspect others will start doing the same if this...

We are on an 30+ mile round trip cycling adventure from Spokane, WA to Post Falls, ID. @republickitchen&taphouse was our half way point. We visited pre-pandemic and wondered what post pandemic would be like.

Wonder no more - it is not only better it was relaxing and so friendly that we wanted to stay longer but time is flying and the bikes are calling.

The menu has changed, for the better I might add. Our fan favorite of hummus was gone and they added a Relish Extravaganza in its place for those of us with alternative dietary requirements.

We had plain sweet potato fries that were more like fried sweet potato than French fries. It was a great move and they were meatier and more delicious if that is even possible.

The relish extravaganza was phenomenal! We had pickled beets and peppers with fresh toasted olives, a lively bed of fresh greens and lightly roasted asparagus. The dip with the plate was wicked good or so the husband says with all of the goodies and including the sweet potato fries.

Then because all of that was not enough they served us house made potato chips - thick cut mind you! They were wicked good without the dip. Again hubby says with dip they were mmmm good! 🤣

Oh and we were so hungry and pleased with the food that I forgot to take before photos. Sorry but you will do the same 😎!

The tap beer selection was sufficient to touch in every palette. I had an Irish Death Stout and hubby had Sofa King Dreamy IPA. He drank the first so fast a second was needed to pacify his thirst.

Mike was a sweet professional waitstaff that acknowledged us quickly and with only two got us seated fast. Service was as good as we anticipated and appreciated it again!

We...

Got the twice fried chicken sandwich korean style to go.

Upon calling in the sandwich I was asked what side I wanted with it. I picked the special fries they have there. I assumed it was included with the sandwich since I was asked. Told the total was 19 and some change. I was buying it to try this place out and see if I would come back to spend more of my money there. So I assumed maybe a to go charge was included which is the workers tips so no biggie. So I get there and in fact the side was a 3 dollar upcharge which upon being asked to pick a side I was never told it was a upcharge. Already the chicken sandwich is 15.00 so having a side with this to go makes it over priced for what you get in my eyes.

I wasn't going to ruin the experience by complaining about the 3 dollar upcharge for the side which I was asked to pick. Just to keep it classy I left a 10% to go tip which is standard for to go orders. I get in my car and I try some of their special fries which were good but I don't ever see myself buying them again they weren't memorable. There was no napkin put in the bag or plastic fork which is standard with these type of fries since they are drenched in feta, hot sauce, cilatro, roasted garlic and moutain of jalapeños on the side. Enough jalapeños for me to use for a week straight at my house. I wasnt going to go inside to complain becauese the longer i take to get home the less fresh my sandwich and fries taste. Good to try 1 time in my eyes. Too much going on with their fries. I would never buy anything to go there or sit down and eat inside. Not worth...