Kaufman Tavern — Restaurant in Zelienople

I'll admit I'm a newer local (arrived 4 years ago) having grown up in the South Hills, but reading some of these reviews - I can't say my experience is the same.

We live within walking distance and have visited 4 times already since they opened, planning on brunch next weekend. This place is always jam packed as they're newly opened. If you don't enjoy crowds, then maybe you should wait until they've been open for some time or use Open Table and make yourself a reservation. The 4 times we've gone, only once was as a couple - the other two were parties of 4 & 6. We've been seated right away, during dinner hours on Friday and Saturday nights, with or without reservations.

I'll agree, we've only been given bread one of the 4 times - that's something that can be improved on (but who wants to waste carbs on bread when the menu is so appealing?). The front desk and serving staff have otherwise been on point, friendly and capable for service and suggestions - despite learning a brand new restaurant and menu.

For those complaining about cost, sure - you can go somewhere else and eat cheaper. If that's your complaint then I'd recommend that you do so - Burger King is down the street after all.... The owner and his brand (as we've experienced via Breakneck Tavern) is built on local, sustainable, fresh produce. You pay for what you eat, and I appreciate the opportunity to put less processed food on my plate. There are plenty of sandwich and salad options for under $15-20, or split some shareables with your friends if cost is truly a concern.

Everything we've ordered has been prepared correctly and was consistently delicious. We've had a short wait on food two of the times, which is again to be expected for a completely new restaurant and staff:

Kaufman Sour Steamed Pork & Rice Buns Crispy Calamari New Zealand Rack of Lamb Hanger Steak Southern Fried Chicken Zelie Reuben Cherry Cheesecake Strawberry Shortcake

Everything we've had - from drinks, apps, entrees to dessert - have been fresh, cooked as ordered, full of flavor and satisfying.

Thank you for reopening a town landmark with such a high integrity establishment that we enjoy patronizing.

Many birthday celebrations and date nights planned for the future - hoping the cigar bar and afternoon tea ideas take off, would love to...

Been very excited to give this a try as I am a big fan of The Breakneck Tavern. Had reservations last Friday and only had to wait only maybe ten minutes to be seated. We started with cocktails. My friend and I both ordered the Kaufman Sour at her suggestion as she'd had it few times before as she lives in the area and it wasn't her first time. It was yummy but was served in a small rocks glass when she said that they had previously been served in taller water-type glasses. It also took about 15 minutes for us to receive them. The food was quite good. I was especially excited to see rock shrimp on the menu as it was my favorite back when it was on the menu at Breakneck and it did not disappoint. YUM! Now the reason for the 2 stars is because our service was TERRIBLE. It started out sort of okay and then our waitress became increasingly absent; she might have glanced our way when she walked past but never really came over once we ordered; she seemed too hurried to stop. We had empty water glasses for nearly the entire meal (which is just unacceptable, especially when that it the only thing that my husband was drinking) and one of us had to grab her as she passed as two of us wanted to order a couple of beers to go with our food a good 10 minutes after we started eating. (Our bad not asking for water then, we just assumed that she would notice and bring some.) Unfortunately I was brought the wrong style of beer and one that I just do not like at all but hey, it happens. 20 minutes later and we needed to grab her again so that I could send it back and order something else. 10 minutes later and she returns letting me know that the other beer that I wanted was out. Not her fault but we're now 30 minutes past my initial beer order. We had all finished eating at this point so I just asked for water refills (our first) and we ordered a slice of cake to share. So....7:30 reservations and we got out of there just before 9:30 with having water glasses refilled once and I only had the one drink when we first sat down. I know that every place has some growing pains so it won't be a write-off yet BUT for the price-point the service has to be better. We'll go back in another 6-8 weeks...

January 2023- I’m going to have to agree with all the other one star reviews placed in the last 3 to 5 months about the TERRIBLE customer service here! The servers are overworked. The bar manager and bartenders are kinda grouchy and unappreciative, but probably just because they too are understaffed. This used to be a great place that I frequented, happily shared with friends and family, and didn’t mind spending money at on a large party. Not anymore! The service is just embarrassing. It’s sad because the food is on point; the chef put together a great menu from the start. During Covid shut down we would get curbside weekly. He’s celiac friendly and puts out impressive weekly specials. Bat Manager has an excellent craft cocktail menu and liquor selection in general. It goes without saying the cash Butler county and friends dumped into the place gave it a beautiful atmosphere. However, the general manager, Tracy, should be fired immediately. Clearly, she is not only driving away employees, but loyal customers too. Her attitude completely brings the entire vibe down. Even the way she dresses is like she’s representing a truck stop diner. She is terrible at managing her staff, managing her time/reservation times, and at managing people in general. You really just don’t know what you’re going to walk into, even if you planned ahead! She needs a class in simple conflict resolution as the other reviews made quite clear. She could probably use a how-to for communication in general, because my experience was that she talks and behaves like a smart-mouthed teenage girl stuck in the body of a 60 year old woman.

There are plenty of local restaurants to support in Zelienople that value their customers, and treat them with respect!! I will be going to them to spend my money, and taking anyone I know with me. Maybe, when business gets bad enough because of the bully managing the place she can just catch the ‘Kaufman House’ on fire “by accident”, again.

Like others who left reviews, I tried to get a call into the owner as I was curious what his thoughts are on how his manager represents his establishment, but he’s been “on vacation” for the past month. Maybe he’ll read...