The Tavern In Old Salem — Restaurant in Winston-Salem

DO NOT GO HERE. I had the most humiliating and racist experience in my life at this restaurant by the host staff and the manager of this restaurant (since he is a tall old white man who is standing at the door to greet customers). This happened last year during thanksgiving holidays. I visited Old Salem to experience the old American history with my friends. We just had a great time strolling around the town and decided to dine here since it was #1 on Tripadvisor. There were many people since it was thanksgiving holiday, so we had to wait for 40min to get a table. Since there were eight of us, they divided us into two groups which we didn't mind since the place was packed. Then after we sat at the table waiting to order, our next table just left, so when we requested the host staff (all dressed in old fashion dress) to use the next table so that we can sit altogether, she just said no. When we finally got food, it was tasteless like plastic, and it wasn't something I expected of Southern food. Moreover, the price was not cheap. But anyway we thought we paid for the history of the place. Then after the meal, I went to the manager to ask where the bathroom is, and he just stared at me and asked "Did you eat here today?" without any "excuse me" or "pardon me" or "sorry for asking" which at that time already surprised me by his rudeness, especially by the "front" guy of the restaurant. I said yes, and he told me it's on the second floor. There was still no apology or excuse even after I said I just dined there and spent $30 for a lunch meal. At this point, I was wondering whether I took it in wrong way, so I came out to meet other friends and told them what just happened there. Then I found out that when one of my friends asked him, he didn't even ask whether she dined there but told her straight away to go out and use the public bathroom down the street. I have studied and worked in US for a few years, but this was the first time I experienced racism or simply very horrible hostility and service and food. So please DO...

The food was good and the server was excellent, but the host staff and management made me sorry I was there. We entered on a hot summer afternoon about 45 mins. before their closing time (they close in between lunch and dinner) and after being told there would be no waiting, then we were asked to sit and wait for a table. We requested an indoor seat (yes, people are seated outside in the back, even on a very hot day), and we were told, in no uncertain terms, that we had to take the first available table -- no choice. Seeing plenty of empty tables inside and plenty of servers, and requesting one of those empty inside tables, we were then told that the various dining rooms were closing and only two small rooms were available. We felt very unwelcome and a little put out at the thought of having to eat outside in the heat (we were willing to splurge a bit to escape the heat - this restaurant is not cheap). We decided to leave and eat somewhere else, but then found the only other restaurant in Old Salem has closed down, so we went back, but shared our concerns about the unfriendly host staff with the manager (owner) -- and he was even more rude and unwelcoming! Very unprofessional. Management acted more concerned with closing dining rooms than making their guests feel welcome. If you can get past the rude host staff and are lucky enough to be allowed to eat inside, you will...

Good food but the service is very slow and it is not a good place for families. Anytime we have been without our children vs with them, we have noticed we are treated much differently. Today we went as a last time before they close for my husbands birthday. I had called to make reservations but they said they weren't taking anymore and recommended we get there before opening so we could get in. We were the second people there and arrived more than 30 minutes before they opened. They came out to take names and deliberately skipped over my family with our two small children despite that we had been there before the long line of the people. I brought it to the attention of the hostess (who I know from my previous visits can be extremely rude) because I thought they just hadn't seen us (not sure how you miss a family of 4) and then the manager who told me he wasn't going to "ruin his day by talking to me." We were the only people there with children which is why I suspect we were deliberately skipped over. Doesn't surprise me they are closing seeing as Old Salem is a family friendly place and this is how they treat families. We waited almost an hour with 2 kids for a special occasion and ended up just having to leave despite everyone else being seated. Would definitely...