We fell in love with the town of Marshall before Hurricane Helene, and that love hasn't…read morechanged--but the town certainly feels different now. The impact of Helene was profound, and it's hard not to feel the weight of that change. Given Marshall's long and rich history, we doubt anyone could have anticipated something so devastating.
We believe this moment calls for reflection--gratitude for what we still have, and commitment to preserving the character and history of this special place for future generations.
The town is slowly recovering, and we were thankful to be able to visit. Some businesses and buildings are clearly still struggling, while others appear nearly back to normal.
While in town, we stopped for a bite at Mad Co. Brew House. Parking was easy and convenient on the street, and the open-air concept was inviting. Because of the heat, we opted to sit inside.
Upon entering, the bar is immediately to the right--that's where you grab a menu and place your order. We picked up laminated menus, found a large table, and returned to the bar to order once we'd made our selections. After paying, we were given a vibrating coaster to alert us when our food was ready for pickup at the kitchen window.
It's worth noting that tipping was prompted at the point of sale. We don't mind tipping--20% or more is typical for us--but it was frustrating to realize that, in this case, there was virtually no service. We placed our own orders, grabbed our own utensils, water, and napkins, and picked up our food when the pager buzzed. Additionally, multiple signs reminded customers to bus their own tables after dining. No one ever checked on us, and we struggled to find a clean table when we arrived. During our visit, we saw several employees either behind the bar or in the open concept kitchen, but none seemed to be sanitizing or tidying up, despite it not being particularly busy.
We recognize that the community has endured a lot since the flooding, and our visit was, in part, a way to support local businesses. Still, basic service standards matter--and without improvement, we worry that some visitors may not return.
That said, the food itself was excellent--easily a five-star experience. The setting, the charm of the location, and the overall potential of the place are solid. With a little more attention to cleanliness and service, this could be a true gem.
For now, we're giving it three stars, hoping it was just an off night--and wishing the best for everyone continuing to rebuild in this resilient town.
