mcmenamins on the columbia

this restaurant was in walking distance to our hotel and we decided to try it for dinner. the waitingtimewas longer than they suggested (about half an hour rather than 15 minutes despite the fact that we didn’t specifically ask for sitting outside). finally we were seated. our waitress attended to us immediately and was very nice and respectful. but from the moment we sat down our dining experience (and all the tables around) was ruined by a table of five very intoxicated, loud and obnoxious adults sitting with an innocent toddler. this went on for a very longtimewithout any attention by the witttress or the manager. as the drinking continued and one of the adults was literally passing out at the table i became alarmingly concerned about the safety of the child. i want to the front desk and told them about my concern. i was told “they would be leaving soon”. i emphasized again that my major concern was the safety of the child. i was told they would talk to the manager (who happened to be the bar tender as well). then i was told he will follow “the protocol”. i asked what their protocol was. they said the manager would come and speak to me. i saw him come to the door and then returned to the bar. instead our own waitress came and told me “the mom only had one drink and she would be driving”.i told her i saw them exchanging drinks and she couldn’t rely on what the had ordered. i also told her she didn’t have a breathalyzer to know for sure if she was able to drive the child safely. she didn’t have anything to say. i told her it seemed like they were not going to do the right thing so i was going to call the police myself and i did so. police said they would be sending someone. when i returned to the table, i saw our waitress at their tables and one of the guys staring at me. shortly after that guy, a lady (presumably his wife) and the child left and as they were passing by our table he murmured some insulting words i couldn’t completely figure out. i only heard the “freaking” part of it. the other three adults remained for a while and left later. it was obvious they were tipped of by our waitress. it was extremely disturbing to witness the bartender/manager would continue serve these very obviously intoxicated men alcohol and even when brought to his attention showed blatant disregard for the safety of the baby and even when i took the initiative to call the police they tipped these irresponsible drunken adults off to drive off before the police showed up.

but......the vegetarian patty with gluten-free bun was great.

what's happened?. i have loved going to mcmenamins on the columbia every since it opened. its burgers were always juicy and not over-cooked on the outside. it's fries were the old-fashioned double fried in grease and, while not exactly pc they were great! i ate there a couple of weeks ago and again night before last and it was a waste of money and time.

i was waited on quickly but sat for almost 45 minutes for my order to cook last night. i had asked very clearly...a plain and dry burger,, med-well and not charred on the outside. i got it...with dressing and vegetables on the bun and burned char black on outside..especially around the edges. the bun which used to be soft and moist even when done "plain" was dried out verging on stale side...there was nothing juicy about the burger to add a little moistness. fries both thistimeand last were kind of chopped up and tasted oven fried instead of "greasy". burgertimebefore last was also not very good...not juicy and blackened outside. fries were also like overn fried. what a disappointment since i have to "wheedle" to get to go there because it takes at least an hour in and out. i know it's not a "fast-food" place but last night there weren't that many in there at 8:15.

i have had much better luck at the one on 162/4th in east vancouver. please don't change the way you were cooking your burgers and fries and maybe retrain your cooks.

thanks for listening...i hate to lose one more restaurant when we have few left that are (or were) any good.

waste oftimeand money. walked in the other night for a quick bite and a beer. it was a few minutes after 9, and i thought i might grab some late night happy hour food. i guessed wrong, as usual the service was beyond terrible. i pulled up to the bar and noticed the other two people sitting there, waiting also. out came my phone and i started the timer, 11 minutes passed before the bartender even noticed i was even there. granted i understand that the two other guests at the bar had probably overloaded kitchen and bar, but 11 minutes for a simple greeting? i politely explained how long i had been waiting and he shortly told me how busy it was and he was sorry. ok a grand total of three guests at a bar designed to seat 25 means "busy"? it'stimefor this place to close down so a proper management company can take it over. epic fail again. rather than waste money,order food, and risk retaliation, i walked next door and had a drink-in-hand in under two minutes. this will be my last "review" of the place as i've decided to cure the insanity and never enter the door again.


-----16 may, 2012-----

waste of time. i've been going there for years (insanity i guess) and i must say that if you're looking for a nice place to look at, go. if you want service (at all) don't go. the food is typical of the other properties, ok on a good day. the service is also typical of the other properties, horrible/none. $5+ for a draft beer made on sight is a bit much too. also they charge tax on beer separately, anybody else do that? i keep going back because it is on the river and pretty to look at but i refrain from ordering any big ticket items. this place could be so much better. imho the only reason it's still open is the location and view.