I have so many good memories of this place when it was under the Woodlands banner, as this was…read morealmost certainly the best barbecue in the High Country in those days. The Pedalin' Pig may reside in the same location that Woodlands once occupied, and the layout may not be different, but nothing feels genuine about the food offered here. The quality and flavor of the offerings seem equivalent to pre-packaged barbecue and sides you'd pick up in a supermarket. I must not be the only one unimpressed, for this place used to be quite popular but now I rarely find many diners present here. Lower demand may be helping the speed of service, and the staff members seem pleasant, but I wonder if such a landmark is destined to fade into failure. Finding that Woodlands magic would be a great way to recover, but it seems unlikely. For the record, I've also eaten at Pedalin' Pig locations in Boone and Banner Elk, and I've never been impressed by them either. If you like those, then maybe the food here will suit you fine. But if you prefer the Woodlands of old, friends, you'd best just rely on your memories rather than trying what's left behind.

The old Woodlands venue and still reminiscent. Friendly staff and plenty of seating and parking…read more Bar located adjacent, upstairs and downstairs venue. Large food menu with a solid variety of items and BBQ sauces. Large portions, reasonable prices, and all the food was tasty. Definitely recommend the fried pickles, BBQ platters, and Mac & Cheese.

Where to start my review of this truly horrible luncheon experience. In a town that is geared…read moretowards tourists (I'm a resident), and where one restaurant tries to outdo the other, this restaurant is sorely lacking, in everything from wait staff to food. What they do have is a lot of different types of beer. So I guess if you just want a beer with tasteless food then this is the place to go. My friend and I had lunch at around 12 noon. There were literally only four other tables with a few people. Our waiter came to take our order and basically gave the impression that he wishes he was anywhere other than in this restaurant working. Not even a smile or a hello how are you doing? He was truly uncaring and answered us in half syllables when we had questions about the menu. OK whatever -/so we ordered a burger and the turkey Gruyère sandwich. At $19 for a burger (most other places in Blowing Rock charge around 12) and another 19 for a turkey sandwich you would expect at least french fries or coleslaw as a side. The sides are potato chips ( how cheap can you get) or green beans?????? if you want anything else like a side salad or fruit you have to pay an additional five dollars. Literally every other restaurant in town that serves sandwiches or burgers gives you a choice of several sides that come with the meal . But here a hamburger with a side of fruit was $23. Our waiter never came back to check on us, but another waitress did come a couple times and filled my tea glass with ice and asked us how everything was and brought samples of the beer. Thank you to whoever that was. Wish you could have been our waitress. Because our waiter was so unconcerned about waiting on us that he apparently forgot we were there. After a half an hour of not receiving our food in a restaurant that was mostly empty, I flagged him down and asked him what happened to our food. He said he would go and check on it. He came back and said that ours was the next ticket up.!! so basically this waiter held onto our ticket and then got reminded that he had to actually put it in for us to get our food. So we waited another 10 minutes. The burger was so tiny you practically needed a magnifying glass to see it. Burned to a crisp because of course the waiter also forgot to ask how we wanted it cooked. We like it medium rare, and definitely not charred and well done. The Turkey sandwich with Gruyère was just some turkey slices and I'm assuming gruyere cheese which I couldn't really taste. The whole sandwich was definitely forgettable. So that's my review. I still gave the waiter 10% tip, which he did not deserve. He did not deserve a tip at all. Needless to say, will never be back at this restaurant again. Nor will I ever recommend it. Because lunch for almost $60 for two people with two disgusting sandwiches was obscene.

Great brewery in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock. There are plenty of places to relax with a…read morecold one, whether you want to be inside, on the front patio or the back patio. We enjoyed some sun on their cozy front patio with some great drink. Bartenders are super friendly, and there is a nice variety of drink options. We didn't eat here on this day, but they have a full food menu as well. Some of the options that came out looked and smelled delicious. We're looking forward to another trip in the future!

I stopped at Hellbender while visiting Blowing Rock during a motorcycle trip through the Blue Ridge…read moreMountains and had a very enjoyable meal. Traveling solo, I sat at the bar and found the service friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout my visit. My drink stayed filled, and the staff did a great job making a solo diner feel comfortable. I started with the soup, which was excellent and a great way to begin the meal. For my entrée, I ordered the large mac and cheese. The portion was generous, rich, and very satisfying after a long day of riding in the mountains. Everything was served hot and prepared with care. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, making it a great place to unwind after spending the day exploring the area. The restaurant felt welcoming without being overly formal, and I never felt rushed during my meal. Overall, I had a very good experience. Good food, attentive service, and a comfortable atmosphere. I would gladly return the next time I'm in Blowing Rock.

Hidden Gem in Blowing Rock…read more After spending the morning at Grandfather Mountain, I took the scenic route into Blowing Rock and stumbled onto an absolute gem. Hellbender Bed & Beverage and Bistro Roca share the same space now, and the result is one of the most charming spots I've found in the High Country. The outdoor patio was beautiful, with flowers everywhere, cozy seating areas, fire pits, and plenty of dogs lounging alongside their owners. The gravel patio was a little uneven, so my table had a slight tilt, but honestly, the atmosphere more than made up for it. I started with a glass of Crémant de Loire. Crisp, cold, refreshing, and exactly what I wanted after a morning of mountain exploring. For lunch, I ordered the Moules Frites. The mussels arrived swimming in a rich, flavorful broth with basil and sun-dried tomatoes, alongside a generous pile of perfectly cooked fries. The combination with the sparkling wine was fantastic. I cleaned the plate. The service was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely pleasant. My only suggestion is a little more attention to the details. If you're serving mussels, a spoon is almost essential for enjoying that incredible broth. A smaller seafood fork would also make fishing out the mussels easier. Minor things, but details that can elevate a great meal into an exceptional one. The prices were surprisingly reasonable. My entrée and glass of bubbles came in around $23, which felt like a great value considering the quality, portion size, and setting. I skipped dessert only because I was determined to finish every last fry, then headed into town to walk off lunch and hunt for something sweet. If I return--and I absolutely would--I might even stay at the inn. The cottages looked adorable, and the whole property felt warm and inviting. Just a short walk from downtown Blowing Rock, this place delivers on atmosphere, food, and mountain-town charm. Five stars for the food. Four stars for service. Five stars overall because I'd happily come back tomorrow. Life is too short to eat mediocre food. Get out there and stuff your face.

On Labor Day weekend, was told our party of 9 would be about 25 min wait for a table - it was only…read more15 minutes! Our server Tish was outstanding dealing with our large party including rowdy kids. Food was good and service was great. Thank you for a great meal!

I always love eating at The Speckled Trout when visiting Blowing Rock!…read more My family and I had a lovely lunch on the screened porch. We all ordered the trout, which was a perfect lunch portion. I appreciate that you can order trout in a variety of styles. The almond-crusted trout was superb! They also have a great beer selection, especially local brews to the NC mountains. Not only is their beer and food always great, but their service is always friendly. :)

We were killing time and decided to try out a new place that was "local". Reviews said it was a…read moreheavy student place, but we didn't see many students during a midweek lunch time. Cute little place in the middle of a quasi "mall". Easy to get in, no wait, and the staff were incredibly friendly. Food was typical "American" sandwich, salad, and flatbreads and we had no complaints.

We stopped by ELEVEN80 EATERY and really enjoyed our visit. I had a pizza paired with a Bud Light,…read morewhile my husband went for the burger, fries, and a local cider. The food was pretty good--nothing mind-blowing but definitely satisfying. The ambience was nice and comfortable, perfect for a casual date night. Our server was friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. Would come back for a relaxed night out!

First...great atmosphere! Next...wonderful service without being overbearing....yet when asked…read moreabout items, very patient and real, great recommendations. And of course...the food....was excellent. The Sea Bass was amazing and cooked perfectly. The Bison short ribs were so good and the compliments to each dish (sauces, risotto, poblano sauce, kale, bok choy....superb! What a great decision to reserve a table...I hope to return if in the area again I think you will also be very glad you went.

Delicious food, lovely service…read more I was visiting the area and this place and the menu caught my attention. 'The Gamekeeper', what name could be more intriguing for a unique dining experience? I was not disappointed in the food. All selections were ideally prepared, seasonally balanced, and well paired. What I was really pleased about was the service. The staff elevate the entire experience. To name one or two would leave out what was an incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and cohesive Team. I would certainly recommend The Gamekeeper to anyone looking for the complete dining experience.

Here's the break down. Tuna: 5 stars…read moreChicken and waffles sandwich: 4.5 stars Cali flatbread: 4.25 stars There was a mistake when our flatbread was brought out. but waitress was more than willing to fix the mistake. However, we liked it well enough to keep it (adding balsamic glaze). Quaint little spot. Entrance is inside the mall for those who may be confused. Would go back.

Great. Food Great service…read moreA wonderful lunch place to eat. Clean and neat. Good adult beverages as well.

We weren't quite certain before we entered what type of restaurant this was going to be. Don't let…read morethe exterior dissuade you from entering. What a beautiful and unique restaurant. The food was top notch. Very high end. . Service was spot on. It was very unexpected. Ask for Burlene. She is fabulous. We will definitely be back again.

Food is generally good, however they do have there bad days. The service is hit or miss and the…read moreattitude of the staff is generally arrogant and could be unfriendly. The place can be loud specially in the bar area as the local seniors think it's the "cool" place to be heard & be seen. Really the bar area is not that "cool" as it's uncomfortable loud with tight spaces and sometimes hot and not pristine. Sometime you have over served folks who get loud and annoying and make the dining experience not as pleasant even in the regular dining area. Been there many times as we are locals so it's a coin flip on the experience. Again food tends to be generally good. Trout , Liver ( one of the few places that makes very good liver) lamb chops and shrimp & grits with some very good apps specialty the oysters and the shrimp cocktail. However, service is challenging so you have to be patient and not in a hurry. The desserts are fabulous specially the pecan option!!

Had lunch Wednesday. Great staff and outstanding food…read more Had the steak burger very good. Others in our party had a Rubin sandwich, fish sandwich and the Tavern burger. All were out standing. Our waitress was Sara and she was great.

We stopped here on a beautiful spring Sunday morning, and it was the perfect way to start the day…read morebefore exploring Blowing Rock. There's so much to do in the area, and this was a great first stop. The food was excellent, the service was excellent, and the menu had a really nice variety. We sat outside on the patio, which made the whole experience even better on such a nice morning. I ordered the blackened shrimp salad, and it was outstanding. It was a very large salad loaded with fresh vegetables, some fruit, and plenty of blackened shrimp. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and well prepared.

They make amazing food every time! Servers are so friendly. Sometimes it's a wait for a table, but…read moreit's worth it. I love that they have modifications you can make if you have food allergies or you don't particular ingredient.

We ate here last night and sat in the bar area. After about 10 minutes, I went to the hostess and…read moreasked who our server was supposed to be, I.e., maybe this place was different than others and the bar tender didn't service the tables (she did). The hostess took our drink and food order, and took care of us because the bartender was *that* inattentive. I ordered a double Maker's Mark neat, and my wife ordered a Manhattan. My drink came neat, but it was a Manhattan. My wife'sa Manhattan came on ice, as ordered. The pours were really, really tiny. We both ordered bowls, which were decent. Nothing to write home about. Bottom line - food okay; service terrible, but saved by Sadie, the hostess. She got a nice tip. The bartender got nothing, which I hadn't done for decades.