Spuds Waterfront Grill — Restaurant in Sandpoint

Good food but service is not great. We came in one day at 2:45 and were told the kitchen will close in 15 minutes and that the dishwasher will have to stay as long as we do so to hurry up. We understandingly said we can come back a different day. Second time we came in at 2, thinking a whole hour should be enough to eat and leave. While we were ordering our food we asked if our kids could sit down at a table as there were several families crowded in the foyer waiting to order ( we had three families in our company with 6 children) Plus two extra separate families/groups behind us. Were denied (they were afraid that if we sat down and others ordered first we would be taking their spot. However one person was taking orders and we were the ones ordering so no logic there) They explained they had a system that has worked for 25 years.... no sitting down until you have paid for your order.. Once we ordered we were again told that we have until 3 oclock to eat and leave because they need to go home. The lady then turned around and left, we were just standing there confused as to where to go and pay for the order. Bewildered we stood there waiting for her to come back. When she came back she informed us that there is a piece of paper on the counter with instructions for where to pay so we could finally sit down... So she bothered to tell us we need to leave in an hour but could not tell us where to pay?? Finally we paid and sat down. Food was good but potatoes were barely warm. Also potatoes are around 10-14$ with no extra sides. Water is also a self serve station.

If the staff was more understanding and would sit the kids down while we ordered ( restaurant was fairly empty) instead of being so stuck on “rules” and was more attentive in explaining things instead of seeming like they wanted to go home and not wanting our business it would have been a cute little place I would have recommended. But the staff just made us feel belittled and uncomfortable. Felt that this place was more about their rules then about people...

I’ve been going to Spuds for over a decade each time I visit family in the area and I don’t know why I’ve never thought to write a review until now, because they’ve always deserved it. This is arguably the best place to eat in town and I always make the biggest point to make sure I eat here at least once each visit, even if we have a packed or complicated schedule. It’s that worth it! My favorite menu item is the twisted BLT and I’ve never had another like it. The Bacon is literally perfect and they aren’t stingy with it, which is so rare. The basal mayonnaise is SUCH an incredible touch that I didn’t know was so necessary! The bread holding it all together is so good and perfect ratio! It’s not overbearing nor is it underwhelming. AND IT DOESNT GET SOGGY. Each bite has a perfect ratio of each ingredient and it’s incredible! I wish we had a Spuds in my home town, because I would go there every day. If I had a personal plane I might even day trip up to Sandpoint to have lunch at Spuds and enjoy the beauty that is the rest of Sandpoint. The service is amazing and the staff are all so kind and attentive. I once ran into a staff that worked here when I was in the Coeur d’Alene Costco. Not only did she recognize my sister and I from our visit at spuds a couple days prior, but she was still so kind, which goes to show she was a genuinely kind person. And I’ve felt that about all of the staff there each time I go. The staff at Spuds don’t bother you by stopping by and checking in too much, but they definitely make sure you’re enjoying your time. Lastly, the view! They are perfectly placed with a beautiful waterfront view and they have an incredible outdoor seating area so you can enjoy the beautiful atmosphere that Sandpoint has to offer. Spuds is a 10/10 for me and my family and I will continue spreading this word to everyone looking for a good eatery, as I have been since the first time I stepped foot in the Spuds...

Pro's-----Good food and a great location. The potatoes were perfectly done.

Con's-----The owner Peter McDaniel. The restaurant has no signage concerning seating, no sign indicating "please wait to be seated" no reserved seating, nothing. On Saturday afternoon at 1:35 my wife and I entered and placed our food order, she asked me to secure a table. At the outside back of the restaurant I found one table empty and two others just about to be finished. I sat at the empty table and moments later was asked to leave (loudly) as this table had been promised to a "large group" I got up (awkward!) and asked if I could sit at another now vacant table and Peter said yes. He then returned, asked me if I had placed an order, as tables were only for guests who have ordered and paid (awkward again!) I explained I had but he clearly didn't believe me. Peter walked away but kept looking in my direction as he seated the "large" group of three (3). Still looking at me as my wife joined me he made NO attempt to soften the the interaction. He simply ignored us as our food was served. No----- "may I refill your drink" or "how was everything?" nothing. Peter, were you merely having a bad day? Maybe you were not socialized by your parents or possibly you were raised by wolves. Could you have grown up in a Soviet orphanage and been mistreated? My wife and I drove 65 miles to visit your potato palace and you ruined the experience. What could you possibly have been thinking? A properly dressed middle aged man is asked to leave (loudly) an unmarked table and then you approached again! Yikes!! Do you have hoards of middle age people storming your restaurant to sit at tables?? Good food but a tone deaf...