The Watering Hole

223 Big Trees Rd, Murphys
(209) 890-7146

Recent Reviews

Jeff Witteborg

Great place to stop for lunch. Food was plentiful, I saved half my sandwich for later. It was a great day to sit on the patio outside by a creek and let the sun hit my face.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Audrey W

They don't wait tables. They make you line up to order drinks, which seems inefficient. The ambience and vibe is cool though. The Old Fashioned was mediocre.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 2

MV Crow

Awesome Vegetarian and Vegan options available! Rotating menu makes us keep coming back for delicious meals!Vegetarian options: Rotating menu!Dietary restrictions: Awesome Vegetarian and Vegan options available!Kid-friendliness: Kid friendlyWheelchair accessibility: Yes

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Garlic Crusted Cheddar Cheese Curds, Garlic Sautéed Mushrooms, The Impossible Double Cheeseburger, All American Potato Salad

Cliff

Wow, what an overbearing owner who basically tells you where to sit and that you must order first. I patronized this place, past tense, many times before, at least a dozen, and for some reason she reminded me of having to order first and even after I told her my partner is in line and already has my order. She still repeated herself. At this time 11:17am, it wasn’t busy. They only had 4 other people inside. I don’t expect you to remember if I’ve come here before, but don’t treat your customers like your son who didn’t make his bed. What a shame, even other patrons came up to us as they were leaving and shared similar experiences. Perhaps, draw a line on the floor that says “do not cross this line until you place your order.” Time to go to any of the Main Street restaurants who will treat you much better. After all, I spent $40+ and left a 20% tip, I think you could recognize that the people who come and eat your food are the ones who are paying. I’m not asking you to kiss my butt, I’m just saying you can be polite. I wasn’t rude to you despite the treatment I received. As I read other reviews I see that you often come back and reply with some excuse or another… I don’t think that you can continue doing that and have people believe that it’s not you. You are the problem, it’s you.

D P Jordan

A great stop for a bite and a pint. Food was tasty and well executed. 40 beers on tap, what can be said. Give it a try!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Travis Kinney (T.Kinney)

If you weren’t born and raised in Murphys the owner Chris doesn't want your business. He went out of hisway to interrupt a conversation between myself and another patron to let me know. Then reminded me later that he meant what he said. All unsolicited, worst customer service I’ve ever experienced.Editing this review after e-mailing with the owner Jason.I do believe Jason cares about his business and has the best intentions. He has explained to me that he has worked with Chris for approximately 15 years and he understands that Chris can be offensive, his explanation is this is due to being jaded/calloused from working in the industry for so long. However, some patrons enjoy Chris's vociferous nature. Jason feels it's worth it to keep Chris around. His restaurant, his decision I can respect that. I will say that if you read reviews from the other popular review site there are many people who leave detailed reviews of interactions with Chris that will downright floor you. I believe them after my experience.I will add that I am not easily offended, I work in Agriculture around a lot of crass individuals and being sensitive will not get you far. I brushed off the first couple of offensive things Chris said to me about not liking non locals and just didn't engage him. However, the third time when he looked me in the eye and said "I meant what I said earlier about non locals" with no laughing, no smile, and a straight face I took him at his word. Not sure anyone else wouldn't have either.Jason apologized and said that Chris would like to apologize as well. I have no intentions of going back while Chris is there and I a may not return at all.I have had other good interactions at the location, Megan is a delight to talk to and the food is usually good. I'm just not sure it's worth chancing showing up and dealing with Chris because you order before you sit down. I'll be trying the other spots like the Pour House.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Barbara D.

My family went there a couple of weeks ago. My husband and son went to the counter to place the order while my daughter in law (DIL) with my two grandkids (both under six) sat down at a table. A member of the staff came over and yelled at them and told them they had to leave since they didn't have food. My DIL explained that her husband was at the counter ordering. He then told them that they had to get up from the table until their food was ready. BTW: According to my husband, there were lots of open tables that day. My DIL was so upset that she couldn't eat her lunch when it finally arrived and they were then able to sit at a table. I just heard this story today when I suggested to my husband that we have lunch there. He told me the story and said he would NEVER eat there again. I was appalled when I heard what happened.

Travis K.

Rating is strictly for Chris one of the owners. I've been vacationing in the area for years and recently bought a home here. Chris made it clear upon my visit he only welcomed locals after another patron asked where I was from and he overheard. I had some great conversation with the other folks there but Chris made me feel anything but welcome even though the only thing he needed to do for me was serve my beer. It felt like Chris went out of his way to make me feel unwelcome even though I wasn't interacting with him. Your spot just got a little more local Chris, I won't be back Strange encounter, and I believe the only negative reviews I've ever given.

Lara K.

Wandered around town looking for a spot to eat and also watch the football game. This place has an amazing selection of beer, hard kombucha and alternative brews. New, fresh, friendly crowd and servers. Special attention to our needs. Plenty of seating. Wide, open spaces, with plenty of light. We ordered spareribs, teriyaki salmon, and yucca fries -- everything was fresh and delicious!

Bing B.

Place is amazing, r Sit outside right next to the river and enjoy great beers and food! A must on our way up to Arnold!

Robby C.

This is my go to bar restaurant because awesome staff,great food, and the fact that I can come in to get water while im going for a walk and chat with staff and the people right next to me and the ambiance is amazing

Kyrie Hubbard

The owner is friendly and knowledgeable. Vegan/vegetarian options are DELICIOUS! The Hole cheeseburger filled up my hubby!Vegetarian options: The Korean Sweet, Sour and Hot Tofu is fantastic ?, highly recommend!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: The Hole Double Burger

zebulon hull

Really good burger really

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Mick Dimas

Rude staff don't bother.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Danielle Aslaner

Very nice place with a great selection of beer and the kitchen has a nice menu but I think they can make the energy and atmosphere a bit better by a few simple things - playing some background music that you can actually hear, having a fire going in their huge beautiful fireplace on cold winter days/nights and lowering the lights a bit. Very, very bright lights for a brewery.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

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