The Grumpy Monk Carolina Forest — Restaurant in South Carolina

11/2022: Food is excellent and priced comparable and the drinks are great. The waitstaff...not so much. Would still go back though.

8/2023: Went back for 3rd time. My previous complaints have been about service. This time the waitstaff was amazing. I made the mistake of ordering burger well done though the menu tells you not to in a "jokey" way. I cannot eat ground beef unless it is fully cooked- otherwise I can't "process" it properly (read: I'm terrified I'll get mad cow disease and it will be the burger that did me in). The burger came out med rare. I returned it, refusing a second chance at it being done well because life and the interweb have taught me never to upset the people cooking your food behind closed doors. I just enjoyed my iced tea while my husband ate his properly prepared fish stuff. He thoroughly enjoyed his fish sandwich meal. The waiter was apologetic and kind. They have a huge menu with interesting specials and a beer list most lagerphiles would drool over. I will most likely not be returning to eat here as I find it kind of arrogant for a restaurant to dictate how I should like my food cooked and also because, three strikes you're out (which I learned while watching all the sports games on the tvs as I listened to my better half salivate over his beer and foods). They already serve sushi. Why cant they just let meat eaters have their fully cooked burgers?!?! Gee wiz! Would still recommend the place, as many people seem to enjoy the atmosphere and extensive beer lists. Expect to wait as there is almost always at least 25 minute wait to be seated, even when not busy, as this creates the atmosphere most gastro pubs aim for- too good for you but they'll let you in anyway while they roll thier eyes at your attire and wonder why your mother dressed you so funny. They may just be too cool for me and I've learned to...

Went here on Friday March 28th 2025 with my mom, Aunt, uncle and few cousins. My mom had made a reservation for a party of 7. We hit some traffic, but when we got there all of our party was sat down in the dining room. This is our First time at this location. First off, Happy Hour deals such as $4.00 Titos with sprite was happening until 7, and they also had happy hour food deals, that are daily from 4-7. They also have plenty of TVs to watch your favorite sport! Our server Daniel was very nice and greeted us right away. We all started with waters, and we also asked for separate checks, and told him who was on which check. My mom and I also ordered a titos with sprite. Our party also started with some appetizers such as spinach dip, and coconut shrimp. My mom and I shared the Southwestern spring rolls, which were good, as well as the spinach dip. The menu consists of a build your own salad, sandwiches, burgers, and sushi! Finally we decided what we wanted to order, My mom ordered a mushroom swiss burger with a house salad, and i ordered the california roll sushi. Some people in our party got the mahi mahi tacos (2 of them!), and a bunch of burgers and sandwiches. I definetely enjoyed my sushi! loved the taste of the california roll! Oh, and daniel did a good job checking on us, and getting the orders correct. And there was live music there, so we both had to communicate loudly. But enjoyed the live music as well! Got our checks and some paid via credit card (2 orders did), and another paid via cash. I left a cash tip with our credit card order. Food was good, and i'd definitely come back! Even if it's just...

If 0 was an option, this is what I'd choose! My daughter & I were the only 2 people on the patio... Saw a server looking around about the time we arrived and he never addressed us. We sat patiently, nothing! I went inside, happened to walk past the same server to the front of the bar where the bartender addressed me. I said "I'm sitting on the patio, but can I go ahead and order a couple of cocktails and grab a couple of menus?" . He was happy to give some to me, although he did not have the cocktails I asked for, so I told him I'd take the menus and decide on something else. Server never opened his mouth! Saw this server 2-3 more times on the patio where we were sitting and he never came to our table or even made eye contact! 5-10 minutes later, my daughter went back to the bar to ask for a cocktail menu from the bartender. 5-10 minutes later, NO SERVICE! I walked back inside, past 2 servers that were chit chatting, resolved that I'd have to order at the bar myself. Fine! Servers never addressed that I was standing there and this time, the bartender walked right past me, never opening his mouth! My daughter and I were there a total of about 25-30 minutes, without ever being waited on or approached by a server. As if we were invisible!!! As a local, this angers me tremendously. I support the local spots as often as possible.. I've been here many times in the past and never had issues at all. But, after last night, I took my $100 elsewhere. I will NEVER visit this place again and will share my negative experience...