The Mad Hatter Tavern & Mad Platter Pizza — Restaurant in Spruce Pine

Would have liked to have tried it. Unfortunately, while we were picking our selections from the menu, our fussy 3-year-old is crying and extremely hungry and couldn’t wait.

I had a tiny bowl of white rice for him in the car. Went and got it and while we stood (in the doorway, not even seated yet) simply perusing the menu (for all anyone knew, we were browsing to order takeout), tattooed fella (owner, maybe. Manager?) rushes over probably not even a minute after I got back and tells us no outside food due to Health Department regulations (not true, I’ve worked in the industry before and we’ve not had issues with this anywhere else). He offered no solutions or anything, just basically rushed over like Barney Fife for the modern generation and made us feel super put off.

Even if that somehow was the case that he would be in some kind of violation, was not allowing a toddler-sized serving of Jasmine rice worth losing a customer over forever? Hopefully it was.

I managed a restaurant and when I would see this situation (and I would, from time to time with infants and toddlers), I’d look the other way and let my guests enjoy themselves. It never, ever burned me allowing some apple slices or boiled rice at my tables. And trust me, I did it regularly.

Hopefully, this review will give folks a more accurate picture of this establishment’s clear absence of understanding, hospitality and compassion toward guests with families and children.

We could’ve ordered to-go but I decided I’d rather not show them any support. Unfortunate and not a very welcoming family atmosphere for this small town, especially considering we’re talking about feeding a toddler here. If it was a defiant teen trying to smuggle in some Wendy’s, I’d get it. But really, dude? A hungry, fussy 3-year-old with some rice.

Won’t try again. Terrible first impression and it’ll be the only impression.

Careful if you try to bring little ones who might need a snack while you wait!

Recommend Hef’s directly next door. More family friendly and hospitable and great food.

For pizza, take a short drive down the road to Pizza Hut or Babe’s (Spruce Pine and Burnsville). Ambered Jack of Yancey (short drive down 19) also does a fantastic job of pizza with a smile. Titan Pizza of Marion is wonderful and great folks. All worth checking out before this one!

I’m a local. I’ll now drive past this every time and would just as soon trek to Burnsville or Marion before I go back through these doors.

Edit: was fairly certain the male in question had tattoos. But maybe not. At any rate, it was a male at the front of house. Ask your staff. The guy in question will certainly remember the toddler with a small container of rice and the customers he lost when they walked out...

Just tried The Mad Platter Pizza for the first time, and wow—hands down the best pizza I've had in the area! Don’t let the fact that it’s run out of a food truck fool you—the flavor, quality, and freshness rival any brick-and-mortar spot. You can tell they take pride in what they do. Can’t wait for them to open their permanent location in July… I’ll definitely be a regular. Highly recommend giving them a try if you...

Legitimately some of the best Pizza I've ever had and I'm not just a mountain boy that's never had good pizza.. I've had Pizza from New York and Chicago alike. This Pizza doesn't only beat the competition locally here in Spruce Pine but brings shame to them as well. It's just that good. I hope they continue to maintain the quality...