Spring Lake Tap House — Restaurant in Spring Lake Heights

I will start by stating that we have been frequent customers of this establishment since open. Generally we received “mids” in terms of food and drink. It has been a serviceable local spot for meeting friends and entertaining guests in town, catching a game on one of their tv’s or escaping extreme weather for a quick reprieve. We have spent THOUSANDS here easily-and easily hit 4 figures “seasonally”. Then came last evening, July 6, 2024. Which I will refer to as the last day I will ever enter or recommend this or any of the co-owned establishments to any friend or enemy. I will begin with the Spring Lake Tap House not honoring our pre-made, well in advance reservation for 6 people. This rese was made, confirmed and even re-confirmed. (We had tried to ask to be seated with/near another group - which they could not guarantee; and we were fine.). I will also add that we made this reservation as the plan was-as we had done for several years, to eat and drink off the menu leading up to the Spring Lake CC fireworks display. When we entered the restaurant we were greeted by a confused at best worker; (not the problem, kudos for working your summer and dealing with loco customers, or even worse disorganized and chaotic management/leadership as is the root cause in this case!). He told us our reservation could not be honored and the Tap House was “trying something different and would (unannounced) be charging $50 for Adults and $30 for children to “watch the fireworks” amd be served “passed hors d'oeuvres and drinks. I was surprised to say the least, first by our reservation (inside) not being honored. Second that if we wanted to wait and/or “squeeze in” with some friends we would incur the charge! And third, there was no clarity as to if we could order off the menu, if the $50/30 went towards the order of food drink. Additionally, I was the designated driver and why should I pay $50 for whatever “drink” would be provided. (To the host credit he did say he would make an exception and charge me the “kid” charge as I wasnt drinking). So seemingly last minute, ownership tried to hatch an ill conceived plan deciding to try and monetarily benefit themselves off the back of not only Spring Lake CC’s fireworks display (who should be aware that a local establishment is trying to monetize their member event) but most egregiously undermining and upsetting their loyal customer base. We, and other left and ate elsewhere only to return to see how it played out. To our delight, the lot was EMPTY - although the street and adjacent professional building lot was filled with what normally would have been SL Tap House patrons enjoying the fireworks whilst ROASTING their failed attempt to pull some kind of scheme to charge loyal now EX-customers a viewing fee of fireworks that aren't even financed by them. A truly pathetic, short sighted, poorly planned and incompetently executed ideation of how to commercially run a successful business…into the ground. If you have stuck this essay out until conclusion-this place is now on my blocked list and I would recommend avoiding the establishment at all cost, as well as their affiliated businesses in town (which you can look up as I will keep this Tap House focused).

Spring Lake Tap House, you should be ashamed as you have failed miserably in an attempt at a one night “beer money”...

I will always think of this location as The Porch, but it was explained to me that it's completely different because it's new owners. I was excited to try a new place, so I jumped on the lunch order.

We all got boneless wings, which were large tenderloins, perfectly cooked, juicy, lightly fried, not over battered, they were exceptional. I got the General Tso's and it was not overly spicy, very sweet, delicious sauce. I watched my coworker eat giant pretzels, which looked epic. They were dark, salty and had 2 dips. The food was excellent, which is why it got 4 stars.

Ordering was difficult, but I think that's the person we got on the phones fault, I've never ordered from here before so I have nothing to compare it to. We placed 4 orders over the phone, I was the last person to order. She told the first person she could not take a credit card number over the phone. The next person orders, has a card, again, can't take it. Next person is cash and specifies and finally me, a card. The very annoyed woman on the other end took my order and gave me a grand total for all 4 orders. I told her they were all seperate, 3 cards, 1 cash and that we'd pay seperate when we get there because they can't take cards over the phone. She snapped at me that no one specified that they were seperate orders when we started this. I told her that we each tried giving card numbers and she wouldn't take them. That to me alone is common sense that if we're all trying to give you seperate cards, they must be seperate orders. Apparently not. I said, one person is not paying for all 4 lunches, we want seperate orders. She huffed and replied, fine, I guess, but next time you need to tell me first. She wasn't nice about any of this. The bottom line is specify right from the get go, as clear as humanly possible that you would like to order seperate lunch orders or you will probably have a frustrating experience. Or, just go there. I'd eat this again, but I won't be ordering to go anytime soon, I'd go there next time.

Side note: When the person went to pick it up, it was still rang as one order. He had to pay for all our...

A group of friends and I just checked in at Doolan's Shore House down the street for a wedding. Being hungry from fighting the shore traffic, we decided we needed a quick bite before the rehearsal dinner. Since the Spring Lake Tap House is in walking distance, we decided to give it a try. I came for drinks here once before, years ago, when it was the Patio. (Actually, it was also for down time during a wedding.) This visit would be my first time trying the food, since last time it was purely for drinks.

The place had a name change and was freshened up quite a bit from my last visit. It looked, in general, a lot brighter and friendlier than before. I also can't say for sure, but I believe there were more TV's, as well as more beer options. Even though I did not eat there on my previous visit, the menu has changed and it appears that there is a new chef as well.

Since I was expecting a big prepaid meal later on for the rehearsal dinner, all I was looking for was a quick appetizer and a beer. The beer selection I was quite impressed with. I like almost every beer, but usually stay away from the fruity ones, with one exception. One of my all-time favorite beers is Schofferhofer Grapefruit beer. And guess what they have available! So, right away I was in a happy place. Unfortunately, my appetizer kind of turned that around. I ordered the Wasabi Mahi Bites, and they came out fast. The taste wasn't that bad, but I was expecting more heat from the wasabi. It is one of those tastes that are highly distinguishable, and quite frankly I didn't taste it all. Like I said, it still tasted good, but struck me as missing something.

Over all, I had a good experience. The service was nice and fast, the place was clean, and the prices were good. I guess I just picked the wrong appetizer this time. Personally, I doubt I'll return since I don't live close by, but you never know. I do suggest to stop by if for nothing else than to get a grapefruit beer. I would say the Spring Lake Tap House is fat kid tested fat kid approved. Stay...