Evergreen Cafe & Racoon Saloon — Restaurant in Wrightwood

Had a wedding on 6/8 with them as our "liquid caterers" at a local venue. This review is not a reflection on the venue itself but ONLY on Racoon Saloon. The process started out well with them. After looking over their agreement and the menu that they provided, we noticed there was a cork fee listed with no specifics on what was covered under it. My fiance, at the time, called and spoke with a lady who initially was really nice on the phone. They spoke on speakerphone as I listened. My fiance specifically told her that I had a preference on the whiskey I drink and asked if that was a problem. The lady said that would be fine and that if we have a specific alcohol we like to drink, we can bring it, pay a corking fee and they will use what we bring first then use their menu. We chose to host a set dollar amount and figured that would help us extend our hosted bar. Going off what she told my wife (then fiance), we purchased several bottles of good liquor for our wedding party. The day of the wedding, due to everything going on with pictures of the bridal party, I was not able to go into the venue to speak with them directly due to the possibility of me accidentally seeing my bride. I sent in two different people to inquire about the alcohol we brought. The Racoon Saloon employees responded very rudely to both of the individuals. One of the employees even looked at one of them and said "if we let you bring your own alcohol, then what would be the point of us being here?" First off, we paid you a fixed hourly rate for all the bar employees upfront along with a set up and tear down fee. That's why you're there. And on top of that hourly rate, already paid, we agreed to host $3000 for our guests so the corking fees would've been additional. Secondly, if we were misinformed by one of YOUR employees then there is a proper way to communicate that rather than being rude. We were told by several guests, unrelated to the issue, throughout the night how rude the bar staff was. At one point, one of the wedding coordinators for the venue heard and saw how distraught I was so she went to inquire with the bar staff. She came back and told me the misunderstanding was that corking fee only included "alcohol". My response was, "isn't liquor considered alcohol?" She said "no, the bar said that only includes wine and champagne". Again if there was a misunderstanding then there is a polite way to communicate that and make an effort to come to an understanding for your misinformation. To top it off the next day we were walking around downtown to find a place for breakfast and saw some of our family members eating outside at the Evergreen Cafe & Racoon Saloon. We stopped by to say hi and thank them for attending our wedding the previous night. However, we chose to eat somewhere else, due to what we experienced the night before. As we walked by the bar, which the door was open, we heard two individuals (Racoon Saloon employees) laughing and ridiculing us by saying "what would make them think that they could bring their own alcohol in?" along with a few other choice words. How about because we were told we could!?!? This company really put on added stress and a dark cloud on our wedding day. Everything went great at the venue except for our "liquid caterers". From the issues we directly had and the continued guests that have told us how rudely they were treated, I cannot recommend Racoon Saloon. Integrity is defined by our actions when no one is looking. The Racoon Saloon not only demonstrated the unprofessional's they are but the type of integrity they truly...

Warning - this is a long review :)

I do seasonal work in Wrightwood and been to several businesses in the area. I've experienced great customer service at almost all of them. Evergreen Cafe is the exception.

There are about 8 people waiting outside to get in. I walk in, see an empty seat at the counter, sandwiched between two couples on both sides who had just started eating thier meals. I asked the older, gray-haired lady if I could sit at the counter. "No, there are people who have been waiting for 45 minutes and I need to seat them." I hear the counter couple closest to me mumbling what I'm thinking to myself - something along the lines of "she should seat him since nobody's sitting there and he's evidently the only party of one".

Strike 1.

I ask for a menu thinking I'll get a to-go order. After studying the menu, I order some stuffed hash browns and ask: "How much do you charge for scrambled eggs?" She could have simply said: "two for 2.50". But instead, in a rushed and rude tone, the older, gray-haired lady says: "It's in the menu, right down there" and quickly points at the bottom of the menu." Obviously, I didn't see it. And even after she pointed, it still took a moment for me to find it.

Strike 2.

At this point I'm pissed. But the food looks amazing. So I overlook the comment and place and order anyway. Right before paying, I ask: "Can I sit at the empty counter seat while I wait." She replies, "No. I already told you I need to seat people who have been waiting". I say, "But no one is sitting there. So how about I sit there until the people on either side leave and you have enough to actually seat a party?" She says "No. Do you still want to order?" I told her no and politely left.

Strike 3.

It's been YEARS since I've experienced customer service this bad. And it was evidently personal because I'm sure business wouldn't be that good if all the customers were treated in such a rude and...

I went in there for lunch I had a salad while waiting for the rest of my lunch which was their chicken that's called broasted. It's actually in an air fryer I was totally would be ready in 20 minutes but it was ready in 40 minutes when I brought it back to the cabin it was hard as a rock I could not even eat the outside of it and the inside was dry couldn't eat the leg the thigh or the wing picked apart the breast and ate what I could. I'm just saying when the waitresses get busy you need to speak up because I didn't initiative I had Stephanie for a waitress she's a good waitress but she was obviously busy with other people and did not get talking to the cook who was putting out everybody's orders but me. I do not recommend this restaurant there's a better one next door. I called to talk to the manager but I was blindsided and couldn't because the waitress is going to talk to me and not even tell the manager. I will still try to reach the manager because her waitress was pretty much rude to me on the phone when I told her what was going on and how she did me wrong you don't tell somebody you can change it and you don't have to pay for it I didn't want the fries and the coleslaw I wanted a side salad but she didn't tell me I had to pay for it so I paid for all...