The Peddler Steak House — Restaurant in South Carolina

I posted on their page last night about our experience. The first problem we encountered is the disorganized, backward parking lot. There was only 1 handicap ( I have a hangtag) space, in the back of the building where the employees park at the back door. We saw that if we parked there, it would be blocking anyone in front of us from leaving. My put the car in park in the middle of the parking lot because there were no other available spaces, and ran in through the pouring rain to ask if we would be permitted to park there. The lady said yes, the cars in front of it were employees. The next problem, we had to wait over an hour to be seated. Even though the website says they open at 6:00, we arrived about 6:20. While trying to call about the parking space, there is only a recorded message (that’s why my husband had to run through the rainstorm inside to inquire) saying they open at 5:00 for seating and start SERVICE at 6:00. No matter where you sit in the waiting room, there is a strong, cold draft blowing on you. Everyone was trying to stay warm. The room smells old and mildewed with very old carpet. The floors through the whole restaurant are very uneven and there are elevations encountered to every room. Not a very accessible place if a person is handicapped in any way. The restrooms have a step down that you really can’t see the small warning sign. One guest told us a friend of hers fell in there the last time she was there.She was warning people that were headed in that direction. We finally got seated and ordered. When I went to The Peddler last, it was over 30 years ago and had a phenomenal salad bar. Not now. Frozen fruit, Vienna sausages, bottled dressings, just to name a few disappointments . I had to ask where it was this time because the configuration had changed. The waitress pointed through the archway to another room. Of course, there was an incline into this room. As I’ve pointed out, I am handicapped, walk with a cane. This is difficult to negotiate, and then with a plate in hand…. When at the salad bar, I noticed in the room alongside that there were racks contains bags of charcoal. I didn’t realize this was their method of cooking. I ordered the filet mignon, my husband the ribeye. Years ago, they brought out a presentation of meats that you could choose your cut and size. Not even prices on the menu now for steaks. MARKET PRICE. The food came quickly, baked potatoes with NOTHING on them, a small dish with sour cream, cheese, and bacon bits alongside. NO BUTTER.?? We had to ask for it. That’s the only thing my husband puts on his. My steak reeked of starter fluid from the charcoal. Maybe I have sensitive taste buds, but could only eat half of the 6 ounce filet. My husband had about 3 ounces of gristle on his ribeye. Neither steak had any type of seasoning. He had to ask for steak sauce. A good steak doesn’t need any type of sauce. The last problem and the final straw was a service person came into the room and asked who was driving a silver 4 Runner. That was us. I told him we were in the handicapped space. He said we needed to move it because someone in front of us had to get out. My husband explained we weren’t finished with our meal, and didn’t even have the check yet. He said he’d move it for us, but we declined, explaining we had a dog in there. (She’s in a kennel with a battery operated fan). He said he’d tell them it would be about 5 minutes. We hurried and got done and the waitress brought the check. Why would an employee need to leave in the middle of dinner service?? That’s who they had told us were parked in front of the handicapped space. That is one of the most UNPROFESSIONAL occurrences I’ve experienced in my life. The whole evening was very disappointing. My husband had never been there and we were celebrating his birthday. It was my treat for him, and I was so ashamed, I had...

Our first... and last... visit. We went with friends. Had a reservation for 8 of us. The parking lot was a NIGHTMARE! The parking lot is a serious uphill climb to the entrance door, and parking is very tight. I saw only one handicapped spot. Someone with mobility issues would NOT make the climb. It's hard to "drop off" by door as there's only one way in and out, and you have to back down parking lot after dropping off....while avoiding other cars jockying for position! Inside is wood beams and stone like a summer camp house, it's a very old building so the rustic theme is expected.... but it was like being in the home of a reclusive, widower "uncle" who hadn't vacuumed or dusted in decades. The seating is old and worn, and there is NO cushioning left in the seat "cushions." It's bone against wood as you all jam into the small waiting room and wait for your table. There were small "ramps", step downstairs, area rugs/mats scattered all around. Tripping hazards abound. The bathroom was worse than the parking lot. 3 scarry steps down a NARROW entrance into a COLD 2 stall room. There was a handicapped stall for one of them, but unless they are going to carry you in and out, there's NO WAY that it could be accessed. Older ladies were having an AWFUL time getting in and out. It's honestly staggering how inaccessible this entire place is. I don't recall reading anything about this on their website, and while I understand it's a historic, old building, people need to know this! I am an amputee, and accessabilty is important to me. Had I known it was like this, I'd have not chosen to go. Had I been in my wheelchair, I would not have been able to dine with my friends or use the bathroom. We were seated out in a large open room in the back that had beams and reminded me of the mess hall at my old Girl Scout summer camp! Now, that isn't necessarily a bad thing as I reminisced fond memories... but there were gobs of cobwebs in the rafters and windows that gave a more haunted and neglected than "rustic" vibe. For the prices they charge, we expected clean at least! The salad bar was good, nothing new or spectacular, but it was fresh and neatly kept. You are given a very small salad plate. Think oval tea saucer! But salad is unlimited. Beware the fruit at salad bar is frozen solid and my hubs hurt his teeth biting down on a grape he thought was soft! Crazy! The fruit was all frozen and hard! The waiter ( Ian) was very nice and took our orders. It took over 1 hour and 30 mins to get our meals!! It was a ridiculously long wait. I had the chicken breast and sweet potato. Hubs had pork tenderloin and baked potato. He enjoyed his entree. It was a large portion. My sweet potato was great, but chicken was very tough and inedible! I couldn't even cut it with a steak knife! It took forever to wait to see Ian again, where I could let him know about chicken. He was apologetic and took it back to get it replaced. It was about 40 mins, and now everyone was boxing up their leftovers. Ian brought it finally, and I said we could box it up. He had me check, and it was better than the first inedible chicken, so I boxed it up. Waiting over 2 hours for a meal, I had to box up because our entire party was finished eating! They was a service fee, credit card use fee, and hospitality tax added to the bill. The whole experience was just terrible for me, honestly. 2 couples in our party did enjoy the prime rib, but the other's steaks were not cooked as ordered. This was a very subpar experience at a premium cost and was not worth it! I wanted to like this place because I love rustic, antique decor, etc....but this place needs some serious work and cleaning! Sorry, can not...

My first time ever eating here (8/22/2020), but not sure I will return. The atmosphere is warming but the service is lacking and the price tag of the meal does not match the quality.

Pros: atmosphere decent steak

Cons: service management interaction price vs. quality small parking area

Service - felt rushed, server (Guilana) had no knowledge of beer / wine selection. Many times drinks were empty, items were missing and had to ask repeatedly about a missing beer order (waited 20 mins). Our server had two parties of 6 (one being mine) and two 2-tops. As a suggestion, treat all tables as one big table. You will continue to run yourself to death and miss items if you try to address one table, head to the kitchen, deliver and then address the next table. Poor training by management.

Management interaction - if you see that your servers are in the weeds, help them out. Management could see that we were sitting and not eating are meal due to missing items. She said she would get those for us (baked potatoe fixings, steak sauce) but never delivered them. Had to flag down a second manager to finally get our items.

Price vs. Quality - I know this restaurant has been around for some quite time and is a staple of Greenville. The selection of meat cuts and additional items are small but this is not a bad thing. Usually this means the items that are available are done incredibly well. I tried to order a T-Bone but was told "we are out." (7:15 pm). My friend ordered the New York Strip, but was never able to choose her cut because no one from the staff brought around the carving station. I didn't get a chance to experience the salad bar that most reviews give praise to (COVID) but the small salad I did receive was tasty. For two 8oz filets and one glass of wine, automatically added gratuity ($15 / party of 6), my bill total was $122. I would rather spend my money at a "Texas" style restaurant that offers an overall better experience for the price and quality.

Small parking area - I get it...The Peddler has been around for a while and in the same location. With the popularity of this restaurant, a larger parking lot should have been built by now. I had to park in overflow behind a random building about 100 yards away with no street lights and downed power lines. Walking back to the car after our meal was very dangerous. Traffic was constant on the two lane road between the restaurant and overflow parking. Members of our party had to turn on flashlights, via their phones, to ensure that we would not be ran over by...