Editor’s note: Reviews are based on a single, unannounced, and anonymous visit. Your experience may differ from what is presented here.
THE ATMOSPHERE
After Dad suggested I write a restaurant review of the newly reopened Town Tavern, I thought, why not make lunch out of it? So, on Thursday, May 22, just before 1 p.m., I took Mom and Dad out for a meal (as any college student on a budget would do for their parents!) We walked into the familiar but refreshed restaurant and were seated right away at a table in the back of the dining room, with a lovely window view
Town Tavern feels much the same as it did before Hurricane Helene swept through Morganton. It’s a laid-back sports bar, the unmistakable Appalachian State University “A” above the entrance threshold, with a World War II-era Cessna emblazoned with the restaurant’s logo still hanging above the long lively bar with the beach boys softly in the background.
The lunch crowd is a friendly mix — families with young kids, coworkers grabbing a bite before heading back to the office, and groups of friends catching reruns of the NBA Finals. At our table, we kept busy with the fun and sometimes frustrating box of riddles and trivia.
The restaurant also features a spacious outdoor patio, where one family stopped to take a group photo with the Catawba River in the background.
One big change since the hurricane is that now, a window seat in the dining room offers a beautiful view of the river, where the Greenway boardwalk once stood.
THE SERVICEOur server was very friendly and checked on us frequently. She stopped by multiple times to make sure our order and drinks were right — something I’d rather have than getting the wrong dish!
We never had an empty glass of water nor had to flag staff down to get our order. Both our appetizer and entrees came out of the kitchen quickly. The only holdup being the waitress confusing the beer I ordered and then telling me that they were out, but I really didn’t mind, and she made the correction seamlessly.
Since Town Tavern had only been open for about a week when we visited, it’s understandable that the staff was still getting comfortable with the large drink menu, especially the rotating beers on tap.
OUR ORDER
The menu has a wide variety: burgers, salads, wings, wraps, and a lineup of appetizers that you could settle for as a meal on their own.
We opted for some traditional favorites instead of the specialties like the Tavern Trash Can Nachos or the JD Bourbon Burger.
I ordered the Cuban sandwich with pub chips, plus a cup of French Onion Soup (a favorite of mine) and a Highland Haze from the draft list.
Mom ordered the French dip with sweet potato fries and water. Dad went for a BLT with onion rings and a Hazy Little Thing on draft.
For the table, we shared chips and queso to start and capped off the meal with the warm brownie sundae.
THE FOOD
The chips and queso were delicious, with just enough for us to snack on without filling up before our entrees. The queso was warm and creamy, even in the center.
My Cuban sandwich in a Milano roll was a fun twist on the classic, and the pub chips were crunchy and flavorful. My French Onion Soup was perfectly warm, topped with a gooey layer of melted cheese.
Mom said her French dip was tasty, and she loved the sweet potato fries. Dad’s BLT was “perfectly crafted,” and he finished every last bite.
The only letdown was Dad’s onion rings — he said they tasted like they’d been left out overnight and then reheated. He rarely complains about food, so this stuck out.
Both Dad and I enjoyed our beers alongside our meals.
We ended lunch by splitting the warm brownie sundae, which was a heavenly mix of chocolaty and sweet — truly the perfect way to finish the meal.
THE VERDICT
The food was quick and tasty — nothing too fancy, but definitely solid pub fare. We all agreed we’d come back again to try more of the menu.
Most of all, it was great to see this space alive again, offering another option for lunch or dinner in Morganton. And this Mountaineer could definitely see himself enjoying a few of Town Tavern’s appetizers and drinks while catching an App State football game in the fall.
I highly recommend bringing the whole family to Town Tavern. Order a few drinks, play some trivia at your table, and save room for dessert — because you don’t want to miss the warm brownie sundae!
(1) comment
I went the twice, the music was loud, the server staff was rude, the people at the bar were drunk and one woman tried to talk above the music, a guy two tables away was talking above the music and complaining about everything
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