Cooper's Barn — Restaurant in Town of Hartwick

We, as others have posted, we were drawn in by the BBQ sign. I should have known what this place is, but soon learned. My mistake for ordering before looking around the grounds a bit. It was a busy Saturday afternoon and quite a few parents of young ball players enjoying Cooperstown were enjoying hard ciders, wines and beers. I began to understand that this is an outdoor beer garden type venue for parents who want drinks while their children play ball. After I waited about 10 minutes to order through the window of a Amish built little cabin with a micro prep kitchen I was told to take my number and display it on our vehicle, as we were expecting a quick bite in our convertible and back on the road. We had our large dog with us, and he is very well mannered and rarely barks at all. As I waited another 20 minutes for our food I questioned where their smoker for BBQ was. The woman seemed surprised and said "way back there" gesturing towards fields of 5 foot high grasses. I grew more suspicious, connecting the dots. A micro prep kitchen, no active smoker on one of the busiest days of the week, and no smoker apparent on sight. They use a commercial food service products seller. It's admitted by management in other replies to posts complaining. I again approached the window to seek a refund before I was about to eat preservatives and corn syrup on processed food. I asked if they used Sysco and got a blank look. I reminded her she lied to my face about the smoker, and asked for a refund. I did get a refund. Or was told I have been. We'll see how long it takes for it to post. Avoid it all costs unless you want to get boozy in an outdoor beer garden and eat processed microwaved commercial products. By the way, one middle aged couple left an infant in their running Escalade with AC on while they imbibed. I don't care about anyone's drinking, but come on, how badly do you need to...

We saw their “BBQ” sign so we pulled in and saw that all of their food was placed in a huge outdoor refrigerator and then warmed up in the microwave where things are prepared. Nothing is cooked fresh. The food sucked bad and seemed like it was just bought at Walmart, marked up in price, and sold. Our entire party including kids would have rather bought the same stuff at Walmart and put in the microwave for more than half the cost. Don’t believe me ask them when you go in if it’s all microwaved. 🤮

update As you can see, they do not deny that it’s just brought in from their refrigerator and warmed up in the microwave. Other industries have refrigerators for ingredients, not fully cooked meals that they throw into the microwave for the price you are charging! We would have headed to McDonald’s for that type of service. No on-site cooking takes place at time of order for BBQ. Once again save time and money and head to a place that will do it right. If you want ice cream then it’s great! You can’t mess...

Lying. Lying. Lying. Went with a family of 4. Spent over $100 and asked for three cups of water for the two kids that were sweating from running around playing and one for myself. Had the owner/manager come over to tell me their water contaminated and we needed to purchase bottled water. Went to purchase, and as I’m waiting to buy, I see three workers in the back drinking directly from the tap water from their plastic cups. I’m furious at this point and ask the poor girl working the register to give me one of the same cups the employees are using and she obliges. This is where it gets even more fun…. When we leave the restaurant I go to speak with the manager/owner how it just hurts being lied to directly to my face. She then goes on to tell me, the workers were having a “contest” to see who would get sick from the water. What a bunch of nonsense.!! I turned my back so I didn’t have to listen to anymore lies. Go spend your money where they treat you...