T K's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Upper Mount Bethel Township

I liked nothing about it. Service was terrible, food was awful, and even management was rude. I would not even send my worst enemy to eat at this place.

I am new to the area and decided to take my family for dinner on a Wednesday night to give my wife a break from coming given that we have a one month old. When we arrived at TK's I felt like the two young travelers in American Werewolf in London must have felt when they wandered in to the Slaughtered Lamb. We were stated at for over thirty seconds (I showered prior to going if you are wondering), happily, the drinks at the bar eventually turned away from us and went back to cursing and caring on.

When were seated we realized that only one other table was occupied. That should have been warning enough to run for it, but we stick it out. The waitress seemed completely bothered by having to attend to us. She took forever to bring our food and drinks and then seemed to hide in the back room until we were done eating so as to avoid bringing us ketchup or second drinks.

She magically appeared after we had been finished for over fifteen minutes and we asked for a plate for my wife's over cooked chicken and under cooked pasta (our dogs are NOT discerning diners). We were refused a take out box. RIDICULOUS! The dinner was not an all you can eat dinner ir any other type of dinner that would preclude a take home box...When I asked why the waitress started yelling, "Dinner is eat in only!" Ive eaten in dives in kentucky, the Plaza in New York, italian restaurants in front of the Pantheon, and seafood places in Maui, but I have never heard of anything more without reason.

The upside.....our dogs Alpo was definitely better tasting then anything we would have...

I've been going to TK's in Upper Mt. Bethel off and on for 25 years. It used to be a pretty good place. A few months ago, I went in for a nightcap. The bartender was very pretty, and seemed nice enough, but she was glued to the only other person in the place. Only two people in the whole place, and after 15 minutes, I had to call her over to finally get me a drink....Cool enough...kids, right? The weirdly strange music was oppressively loud. People were walking in, turning around and walking right out. No kidding. I'm sure she didn't last very long there. She was literally driving customers away.

Today, I decided to give it another try, this time for supper. First, the cheap house wine was poured into a measured glass with lines and numbers on it. My double Dewars scotch barely covered the bottom of the glass. OK. They're still cheap...got it, no surprise there.

My soup, salad and burger were all brought out and set before me at the same time. The bartender thought that was stupidly funny. She was right. The un-melted cheese and stale roll were expected. (Like I said, I've been there many times before).

Then, the capper...another girl steps behind the bar and starts discussing, in a loud voice, the big boil on her face with the accompanying running puss that she recently had lanced. I must have had a look of disgust on my face while I was trying to eat. They thought it was funny.

Now, for the bad news. It's the best show in town. My advice? Cross the bridge into Jersey and try the Log Cabin. It doesn't suck. Or, if you're heading South, try Five Points. Do not go to...

Local who used to go to TK's about once to twice per week.

-----There are one or two servers who have been there awhile, the rest seem to get churned through every few weeks.

-----The salad bar has been scaled down, with slightly lower grade veggies, but still par.Never had an issue with the food.

-----TK's must be having financial issues, as they appear to be trying to convert to a cash oriented facility as there is now a $25 minimum credit card charge that causes headaches. If you go for their specials or for a few beers, you must take into account bringing enough cash or you will be whacked with the $3.00 ATM charge to pay the bill.

-----I realize that due to the area, businesses need to do what they have to do to earn money, however refusing to take my credit card OR debit card (Why not take that? There is no charge for debit) until I either spent more money or paid the ATM machine does not make for good business. I'll probably go to the Mt. Bethel diner now because I never carry cash and don't want to spend $25 on myself for dinner.

------To the owners; (one of which is usually there) Be friendly, especially to the locals! At least feign interest in being there. People take notice of your attitude. I have heard yelling from the kitchen more than once (which may explain the turnover) and the waitress must have been scared poopless of you to come back to me and have to "explain" that I was a few bucks under on my bill and there was nothing she could...