Hays City Store & Ice House — Restaurant in Texas

We had a very frustrating and awkward experience last night at Hay City Store. My girlfriend and I are both in the service industry and work for one of the most prestigious restaurants in the Austin metro area so admittedly our standards are very high. That being said, I wouldn’t have expected this kind of treatment from an employee at McDonald’s. As I had mentioned, we both work hard as servers in the industry and, seeing as we live 45 minutes apart and work a lot, we don’t have time to go out together very often. When we do, we try to make it special. We heard live music coming from Hay City after we left the restaurant next door where we had dinner and thought it would be a nice way to end the evening. Upon arriving, the host was very sweet, however, perhaps a bit unclear. She had said that we could sit in the bar area without going through the host stand so we proceeded forward and sat at one of the high top tables near the lawn in the bar area. I didn’t see a server around so I walked towards the bar to grab us a couple of drinks. I was stopped by a server who said, “hey, we do table service.” I apologized and said that would be great. She said, “well, I saw you walk past the host stand and you’re not supposed to go to the tables but I’ll grab you some menus.” Awkward. Her response was curt and unfriendly especially given the fact that the host said we could sit in the “bar area.” I have worked in the industry for 13 years and as far as I’ve been made aware, the bar is the bar and the bar area is the bar plus the tables surrounding it. Her correction of my error was rude and riddled with attitude. I went back to my seat and told my girlfriend that a waitress would be right over. She came over and in an effort to save her some trouble I quickly mentioned we would not be eating but we would like a drink and before I had the chance to mention “…and also some dessert” she interrupted me and said, “oh and you didn’t think to sit at the bar?” I was blown away. What a ridiculous, inhospitable thing to say. I said no, I’m sorry we just wanted to be closer to the music. She ripped the menus off of the table and said, “…k, what do you want?” I reeled for a moment and said we’re not sure. She said, “okay, I’ll just get you some waters,” and proceeded to walk off. My girlfriend and I both looked at each other shocked at how this waitress acted. It took less than 5 minutes to feel totally unwelcome. As if we were an unparalleled inconvenience to her. It turned us off so much that we got up and left immediately. What a terribly disappointing experience to punctuate the evening. Being in the industry, I’ve always stuck to the live and let live policy. I do not leave reviews like this because I don’t want it to create a problem for any of my fellows in the industry. After waking up this morning and still feeling so disrespected by this servers attitude last night I decided to write a review. I have had my bad days in this industry. I have had long days. Guests have treated me poorly and the kitchen has messed up my food. I have done the doubles and the 14 hour long days. I’ve been stiffed on checks and been tipped poorly. I get it. But I have never acted that way towards someone in my section. It’s...

We went here on Monday 3/11/2024 for lunch, it was BUSY as it was the first Monday of spring break, we knew it was busy so we were patient about our food order.

After a LONG wait, I finally asked, "I know you guys are busy, but can you check on our order?" One of the bartenders (they were nice) went and checked on our order and brought the food back right away, the food was cold, we didn't complain about that, they were busy and we were hunger, my wife ordered fish tacos, the plate was just sloppy looking all around, the fish was the size of a fish stick from the frozen food section.

The fish tacos had a very small amount of coleslaw that came with it, my wife aske the bartender/server if she could possibly have a little more, after showing her there wasn't much on her tacos. The bartender/server comes back with a side of coleslaw.

At this point it was time to just pay and leave, we knew they were busy, so no complaints, I pay with my card and then look at the bill, we were charged $2.99 for a side of coleslaw, I comment to the bartender/server about it, she tells me that the kitchen made her ring it up as a side of coleslaw, I explain to her that were weren't requesting a side of coleslaw, we just want a little more because the tacos didn't have much on them.

At this point she offered to remove them from the bill, but I had already paid out and didn't want to wait longer after the long wait for the food, the thing I couldn't understand is that, as I pointed out to her, we didn't order a plate that didn't come with coleslaw and then ask for a side of it.

A manager comes over, but same thing, it was like they were basically saying it was our fault for ordering a "side of coleslaw" and I could not get him to also understand as well that, we didn't order a plate that didn't come with coleslaw and then ask for a side of it. He offered to take it off the bill as well, but at this point, after a pointless conversation with both of them, I just wanted to leave.

I know everything is expensive these days, but the garnish on the fish tacos and the chicken sandwich were very lacking, sandwich had one tomato and a couple of small pieces of onion and a couple of wilted pickles, I guess if I would have asked for more tomato or onions I would have been charged for a side salad.

The problem I have is that in my conversation with the bartender/server and the manager, it was NEVER, "Oh you just wanted a little more coleslaw for your tacos, that already come with it, sorry for the misunderstanding" NO, it was just an attitude of, you ordered it, they weren't very professional about it all around and were just placing the blame on us.

So basically, LONG wait (we know they were busy), cold food, the $17.99 tacos became the $20.98 tacos and then the entire conversation after being, we'll take it off the bill, but you ordered, just a COMPLETE turn off and another reason to just stay home and...

If your one of those people like me who live out in the middle of nowhere and like to eat better than fast food when your hungry, you have got to try this place. Dont b fooled by the name. This place and its name have history behind them. Its a quaint little story and have been feeding people for decades. Theres a reason for both. I had actually stopped in originally cuz it said "Store" on it, and since i drove by this corner three times a wk taking the ol man bk n forth to Kyle for dialsys, ive gotten to see this intersection grow like crazy. After moving to Driftwood 12yrs ago i thought great a store out in the middle of nowhere- how convenient. So i stopped in and to my SURPRISE it was a bar n restaurant. Even better! Food n a drink i dont have to cook. So the ol man n i tried it for date night. Since we had such a great meal - just like home style cookin only a lil better- i have referred alot of friends n family to chk it out. They too have referred many people to try it out. Its not a cheap meal mind you but lets face it neither is anything else out there in the world. I took my sister n her hubby in over the fourth, for our birthday dinners. Mine on the fourth of July n hers on the seventh two yrs apart- her being the oldest- lol lol. It doesnt matter what your looking for:; sandwich, salad, steak, shrimp, chicken fried chicken, chicken fried steak, drinks, cocktails, desserts, whatever you desire. From formal dine in or shorts n flip flops either are acceptable. Cash or credit or gift card they take it all. Dine in or take it home. Live bands , go alone or go to drink n people watch. What ever the reason may be - trust me - go at least once ! Id put money on the fact you will go again. The portions are plentiful, drinks go down real smooth, and the desserts were to die for. So my advice is be hungry when you go, get a togo container if you have anything left, and please remember to tip cuz this experience is well worth it. Cindylu and her family too give Hays City Store two thumbs up n i think...