Spring & Main Café — Restaurant in Zelienople

**EDIT: The Manager called me to discuss my experience. He started off apologetic but then turned to blaming Covid and lack of workers. I quickly stopped him and explained again that my issue was with a certain server and not my wait time. He was slightly arrogant and “was sure that I would return and change my rating to a five-star because he was sending me a gift card.” I haven’t received a gift card and I am changing my review from a 3-star to a 1-star. Don’t promise something and not follow thru.

We chose this restaurant because it’s newer and we like to give local businesses our patronage. I should have gotten the names of both staff members but unfortunately, I didn’t. As first time customers, we asked an older, very short-haired server the process. I could see people being served their meals yet the huge counter suggested maybe we order there. But, because that may be for takeout service only, I asked. “Hi, this is our first time here. Do we wait to be seated?” She responds no, that we should use our camera to download the menu and order online. That seemed odd so I asked again if we should pick a table first. She answered with “That’s your call. We’ll let you know when it’s ready.” So, we stood at the small, separate counter and ordered online like she said. Then we chose our table, caddy-corner from the counter. All in plain sight of that same server. We waited for almost 15 minutes for our drinks and place settings when another young, very long-haired, sweet as pie, server walked past. I asked her what the process was because it still seemed odd. I explained that we ordered online as instructed but we’ve been waiting for our coffees. She too thought that was odd. She asked my name and checked in the kitchen. She came back explaining that it was just about ready and would get our drinks. When she brought out our food it was packed in to-go containers. She offered to have it replated which we declined. The older, very short-haired server was hovering behind her. And as the young server apologized, I told her this was not her fault but had the other server actually listened to us, perhaps welcomed us as first time guests, this wouldn’t have happened. The older server walked away without saying a word. The food was good. And I tipped the young server 20% because it wasn’t her fault. But had I not stopped the young server, our food would have been packaged in bags, ready for us to leave the restaurant. I doubt...

I really wanted to love this place but they just did everything possible to make lunch memorable, but not in a positive light. Went on a late lunch date with hubby - he ordered a salmon wrap with a side of onion rings, I ordered a Pittsburgh salad and upgraded to include meat (doesn’t a Pittsburgh salad always come with meat?).

We were seated for a few minutes when one of the staff came over and told us they were out of smoked salmon, could he pick out something else. He picked a hamburger.

Few minutes later they came back, they were out of hamburgers (?!?), could he order something else. Okay, he orders a Reuben.

While later, I get my salad (sans meat that I paid extra for) and he gets not one but two Reubens, and sweet potato tater tots, but no onion rings.

The salad was okay, the Reubens were very skimpy, hardly any meat and no sauerkraut. Okay, I get “chef interpretation” but in the menu it said there would be braised cabbage....didn’t mention it would be invisible braised cabbage.

Finally the onion rings came out (dessert onion rings?), my husband asked for ketchup. Staff says “sure” and never comes back, he has to go to the counter and ask again.

Finally a staff came to address the dismal service and meal. They gave us a gift certificate for half the amount of the meal. Nice but cheap gesture when you didn’t get a single item right.

Like I said, we really wanted to like it, and love supporting the new expanding restaurant choices in our home town, they just made...

My review has two parts: 1. the service and 2. the food/drink

The service - 1/5. My finance & I walked into this establishment for the first time today about 30 minutes before they were closing to grab a hot drink. The woman who was working the register was visibly annoyed by our presence as we walked into the establishment (assuming this is because it appeared they had already started to clean equipment, etc. in prep to close), never greeted us and basically huffed at me when I asked a couple of normal questions with it being our first time there. Again, 30 minutes prior to close which seems like plenty of time to grab a drink and pastry, not to mention the door wasn't locked yet for the day! Unfortunately, not a great first impression and kind of sad when we were trying to patronize a local, small business.

The food/drink - 4/5. We each had a hot drink and a pastry. The blueberry muffin was very fresh and loaded with blueberries. The chocolate cherry scone also had a good consistency and was tasty. Thankfully the order came out great and outweighed the nasty first experience we had here.

Overall, I would go back if in the vicinity, but only because the food...