Barleycorn's Downtown Deli — Restaurant in Wamego

Normally we go to Barleycorns 1-2 times a week. We LOVED Barleycorns. When we arrived we were rudely greeted. That’s fine I get it Sundays are busy and we had beer questions since the list just changed. Sadly my order was made incorrectly— maybe it was me not being clear or missing a detail. I don’t think I was but I also get it if it was me. Literally 100% not upset about that. When I realized my meal was wrong I went up to the girl at the bar and kindly let her know my sandwich had mayo on it which I unfortunately have a weird aversion to and made a joke about how I’m weird and I know it. She promptly said she was busy but would come over in a bit. I saw her talk with the cook, point me out, showed what looked like my ticket but she never came back. I honestly assumed they were perhaps remaking it. But it became very clear quickly it was not the case. The entire meal our table was entirely avoided. Drinks ran out quickly (and we like to get 2-3 rounds) and no one returned. I’d normally say it’s because they were busy. But they did not seem busy at this point either they were polishing soda cups and hanging out. I didn’t want to go up and confront them at this point. I had some hope that maybe they’d come by. Finally at the end after waiting about 20 minutes my husband went to the bar to pay. Our server Ronnie rudely greeted him and he asked if she was informed about my order she said yes “your wife misordered it’s not our problem she forgot to say no mayo”. He asked why they didn’t come by after I talked to the bartender and she said his total was $61. Then he said so if my wife did misorder and then came to you it’s “tough luck?” And she promptly said Yup not our problem and handed him his receipt. I want to be clear we would have paid for a remake if someone came by saying it was my fault and we didn’t want anything for free or to cause a fuss. We were both tired and just wanted lunch. But the rude experience after it was all said and done, was it for us. All they had to do was pop by and say hey you didn’t say no mayo, want me to remake it and we would have said sure and that we will pay for a new meal if that was the policy. That didn’t happen here...

As part of a recent weekend float trip on the Kaw River from Wamego down to Belvue, I gave Barleycorn's menu a test. Saturday morning at home I had skipped breakfast, so I was pretty hungry come noon. For lunch, then, I ordered two things off their menu that I'd never eaten before -- their Smoked Turkey sandwich and their Queso Blanco appetizer. Both were very good.

Before leaving Barleycorn's and heading to the Wamego river access to commence our float trip, I ordered a takeout item -- their Italian Stallion wrap. The takeout box, I laid it atop the ice in my cooler and enjoyed that wrap for my evening din-din at camp. I must say: their Italian Stallion wrap is shockingly delicious. I had been concerned that it might get soggy and not hold together (given that it took us four hours to paddle downriver to our sandbar campsite). But when I opened the box it was in perfect condition.

Sunday we reached Belvue takeout ramp nine miles downriver. After completing our return shuttle to Wamego our paddling group went right back to Barleycorn's for Sunday lunch. This time I ordered their Italian Chopped Salad and it was good.

So overall I had four different menu items in two days time, and each one was excellent. Barleycorn's is a good place to get something really...

If you dare call in an order or dine in, prepare to be treated like dirt! We have eaten here maybe three times in all the years they have been in business and have been treated like a bother every time. After reading the other reviews and talking to my two best friends about their experiences, it seems to be the Barleycorn norm.

I called in a order tonight for my family only because we had a $50 gift card we wanted to use up. The person that answered the phone, who I believe was the owner, said “Barleycorn’s, hold on.” After she returned and I placed my order, she said “it will be at least 30 minutes” and hung up the phone. No total. No asking my name for the order. No “goodbye.” If only I could imply her tone in typed words.

The food was not terrible which is the only reason for a two star rating. Otherwise it would be a one star rating. I honestly do not know why people still go here or how they are still in business. There are several other restaurants in Wamego where customers are welcomed and treated with respect. We will never again be giving our hard earned money to these...