We stopped in yesterday (Memorial Weekend Sunday) for drinks. We had family in town and decided to show them around Cave Creek. We'd eaten a huge breakfast at Harold's a couple of hours before...so, we weren't looking for food, just drinks and an order of chicken tenders for the kids.
Business was slow. When we got there, two tables were seated and there was one guy at the bar. Our waitress arrived about 5 minutes later to take our drink order (1 iced tea, 2 waters, 1 lemonade, 1 milk, 1 corona and 1 prickly pear margarita...boring, I know...but there were 3 kids, a baby, and a pregnant woman in the party). After 15-20 minutes of waiting, we flagged down another waiter. While, he was taking our order, our original waitress arrived with drinks. So, we placed the chicken tenders order and waited AGAIN. More waiting for the bill to arrive. Once my husband gave her the credit card, I brought the kids outside.
After another 20 minutes, the other adults met me. My husbad was still in there waiting to get his credit card returned. The manager (who was also waiting tables) stopped by to ask if he needed anything. He told her what was happening and said she'd get the owner.
As it turns out, our waitress was also the bar tender. We were the unlucky ones to get the one table that the bar tender is assigned to serve (it was not even in the same room as the bar!). So, they'll be changing that policy.
Did they comp anything? NO
Not that we were looking for free stuff. But, a confused manager, apologetic owner, and waitress with 100 excuses after an hour and a half ordeal doesn't sit well with me. The manager did say, "I hope you didn't tip her!"
With all of the touristy, cowboy restaurants in Cave Creek, I'll pass on the Smokehouse. As newer residents to Cave Creek, we've eaten there once before and the food was not memorable. The main attraction is the location. Oh, and the kids like the piano & dummy in the front room.