Park Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Highlands

I really can't understand the 4.5 rating for this place. As a resident of Highland Falls, I've eaten at most of the restaurants in town at least two times or more, so I am not basing my review on one single visit to this restaurant. The only reason I'm affording it two stars instead of just one is because it's probably one of the best of the bad, as Highland Falls is home to some of the worst rejects in the culinary business that I've had the displeasure of eating at/from throughout my life. As I said, The Park is probably the better out of the rest of them, but that's a really low bar.

The fries are always undercooked and have a gritty texture. Not that I'd really want to eat MORE of their sub par fries, but the portion could certainly be more generous, especially for the price. With any chicken dish I order, the chicken always has gristly chunks, and the meals are not always as advertised on their menu. For example, "The Park Chicken Sandwich" claims to be served on a fresh onion roll, though both times I've ordered it, it was served on half of a sub roll, and the bread wasn't even of good quality. Their burgers taste like they come in pre-formed and frozen. They're OKAY, but again... overpriced for what you're getting.

Every time I've ordered, it's been to pick up. I've never actually sat down in the place to eat, especially now through the pandemic. However, the staff does seem nice, they've always been pleasant when picking up food, at least. I suppose it's the staff that's really earned that second star. If I was basing it on the food you get for your money alone, and not in comparison to the other garbage eateries around, I wouldn't even give it one star. Most of the time I order out, which is usually 3+ times per week, because work saps me of my free time, I order out of town. It's worth the drive up to New Windsor, Vails Gate, or one of the other nearby towns to pick up dinner, if you have the time, and don't want to cook. Heck, if you're planning on getting burgers at The Park, go to Cortland or Newburgh and grab yourself some Five...

Sounds like the park just reopened - and with this experience - I’m happy about it. They have a limited and small menu right now, but according to the waitress the menu will continue to expand, as will their dining area with the back dining room planned to open in another few weeks. My husband and I shared the wings, I got the cheese and steak stuffed sandwich, and he got the smash burger.

Wings: some of the best I’ve had in awhile, well cooked, good meat, and great buffalo sauce. May try to snag some for takeout once football season starts back up.

Steak and cheese: I was thinking this would be more philly style, but when it came with some greens and balsamic dressing, i was surprised.The taste was great! Again tasted like good cuts of meat, tasty, and filling. Got the tots on the side which were also delicious.

Smashburger: Exactly what you’d think for a smashburger - maybe could’ve used some acid/pickles, to help balance, but nothing a little ketchup didn’t help. Overall tasty and well seasoned though! Waffle fries on the side were crunchy and tasty (we think seasoned with some ranch powder maybe too).

While the place can use some more ambiance, i’m sure it will as business continues to build. Service was kind and attentive.

We will be back - and you should stop in too!

UPDATE

Back again, and better than ever. The Park Restaurant has reopened its dining room - although we opted for the bar. Now with an official menu, some new adds, and specials - another great visit.

The tots continue to be a necessary order. New tries this time was the caesar stuffed sandwich, philly egg rolls, and a crab cake special. All great! Crab cake special came with a saffron aioli, fancy and tasty - but try dipping it in their thai sauce that comes with the egg rolls for a great combo.

See...

We were at Bear mountain and wanted something to eat. We found The Park and when we first walked in. we literally stood there for a long time and no one acknowledged us. Then when someone mentioned they needed to sit... the waitress took them and us all together, "assuming that we were all together." Then she realized that we were two separate groups. The place was empty and it just didn't start off well. We finally sat down, it was darkish and meh. We decided to order something you cant mess up. So we all got burgers with fries. I got sweet potato fries. They were actually very good and crispy. The burgers were good but very plain tasting. Kind of like the meat needed a little seasoning but it was not bad. The waitress was nice to everyone. It got a little bit better -versus- a little bit worse. So i gave them 3 stars. The atmosphere and the attentiveness need work. FIRST...