Under new ownership shift is still in progress. Previously classic mac and cheese has turned into poorly made mac and cheese. Cakes are dry. Service remains slow. Food order today was wrong. If not sure staff, please check with the customer. Ambiance is the same, nice and very clean. A great staff member still works there and location is really convenient. There's always a learning curve with new ownership. Hope they improve.
Sheri M.
I always look forward to getting a sandwich and a cookie from Tailgate Picnic when visiting my daughter at Mount Holyoke. The menu is super vegetarian friendly. My go to is The Orchards: melted Brie, Granny Smith apples, honey mustard and lettuce on a baguette. The home made peanut butter cookies are topped with chunks of peanut butter cups, fresh, and are absolutely delicious. There is seating inside and outside during good weather. The service has been prompt and polite each time I've been. My last visit was during MHC Friends and Family weekend and I was able to get in and out with a relatively short wait. I'll definitely miss visiting Tailgate Picnic when my daughter graduates.
Abbigail Kelly West
I have been many times and it was always great. Today, while being short staffed, they made the most perfect sandwich I have ever had.
Patrick
This place is not what it used to be only a few months ago. The new owners have almost an entirely new staff and the service is terrible. If you order in person you’ll have a long wait and they frequently forget items when you place a phone order. They aren’t very helpful when you mention the forgotten items and tell you to go back in line and order it again. What was once the best lunch spot in town is now simply just a problem. Avoid this place unless you have absolutely no other options
SD
Went for the first time this weekend and unfortunately did not feel welcome..each staff member seemed like we were inconveniencing them by being there and ordering. I’ve worked in a kitchen for over ten years of my life and understand the stress and need for prep time but the woman working the sandwich area could not have seemed any more put off by having to take our order..food was just ok.
Morgan McNulty
Wonderful experience! fantastic service, especially on tuesdays.
Samantha B.
I think it's about time you take your plastic done. Especially when it's causing your employees to misunderstand your customer, causing your employees to get an attitude with the customer when i repeated myself twice of something i didn't want on my wrap. Yet when I saw the chick going to toast my wrap, when i specifically said twice I didn't want it she got an attitude with me, when i was understanding at first until she got the attitude. I've been coming here my entire life. And my mothers sandwich was incorrect and the guy behind us. Covid is over, take the plastic down.
Gerry Stobbe
Having driven by numerous times, today was the day to check it out to buy sides for our annual dose of Shakespeare in West Hartford which starts with a picnic. We could not have been less impressed with the lifeless staff... No one greeted us when we arrived. We passed at least 6 employees with nary a glance our way. We arrived at the pre-made salad case at the back, and we stood for minutes before any of the employees within 10 feet of us asked if they could assist. Someone needs to give this team a shot of warmth and enthusiasm if this business is to grow rather than being utilized by locals based on convenience. No matter how good the salads we bought today are, sadly, it is unlikely we will ever return.
Brianna
Owners changed and it couldn't be worse of a place. I used to go all the time but the whole experience changed. I walk in and get blank stares, no greeting, and a 20 minute wait every single time.
One of their employees illegally advised I can’t have a service animal without a vest one. That is inaccurate and illegal. They legally have to ask if the animal is service, and what duties it performs to qualify. They did not. The woman just said “You can’t have dogs in here,” which I can forgive, and when I did not immediately respond I advised “I’m processing my response” (calmly) but when I advised they’re service they advised “they need to have a vest” when I advised legally they do not she started complaining angrily out loud to all of her employees “she needs to learn the law… we can get shutdown because it’s against health code” etc etc. I am happy to calmly explain to employees, but I did not have the opportunity to as this employee was acting unreasonable, combative and unprofessional. A shame since I’ve visited several times without issue and the rest of the staff thus far have been nice and welcoming to myself and my service animal. Such a hard thing to have an invisible need and others feel that doesn’t qualify based on the stereotype that a service animal must look a certain way. Even if that exists, ask it in a polite way or take your concerns to the manager without it being in ear shot of the customer. For context, my animal is an 11 pound, calm and trained animal that was in my control (for this visit they were in my arms). I’m told that after I left they continued to make derogatory remarks towards people with invisible needs and that I might as well have a “bunny.” While I understand that every have their own opinions, I just wish it was handled better and left to management to discuss versus their whole staff taking out their personal opinions on the matter. We will not be returning.
Melissa R.
Tailgate is one of my fiancé's favorite spots in his hometown. I got the slim chicken (added cucumber and onion) and it was delicious! Nothing crazy at all, but if you want a solid sandwich/wrap it does the trick. My fiancé always gets the chicken tender sandwich and it's his absolute favorite. The quality is nothing amazing, but again when you want a solid sandwich Tailgate does the trick. There's also a ton of drink, chip and bakery options which is great.
Daniel Ware
I've traveled the World and lived in a bunch of places, and nothing compares to Tailgate. I hate to say it, but it's so true, and it keeps me coming back even though I haven't lived in SH for a decade.The ambiance of the place is phenomenal. It's so adorable and warming, like your visiting your favorite family member. Handwritten menus and knick knacks scattered throughout the place to make you feel at home.The food is magnificent. I almost always get The Lumberjack on wheat wrap, and ALWAYS get the pickle ?. Do yourself a favor and get a side of pasta salad, and then pick up some delicious chips as you slide down towards the register.I'm 2 hours away as I write this, and I'm now changing my weekend plans..
Angela Perez
I have been here twice since the new ownership and sad to say I will probably not be back. We used to love stopping here for lunch or a quick snack and coffee. Definitely not the same service. The workers have been so rude. It's unfortunate.
Under new ownership shift is still in progress. Previously classic mac and cheese has turned into poorly made mac and cheese. Cakes are dry. Service remains slow. Food order today was wrong. If not sure staff, please check with the customer. Ambiance is the same, nice and very clean. A great staff member still works there and location is really convenient. There's always a learning curve with new ownership. Hope they improve.
I always look forward to getting a sandwich and a cookie from Tailgate Picnic when visiting my daughter at Mount Holyoke. The menu is super vegetarian friendly. My go to is The Orchards: melted Brie, Granny Smith apples, honey mustard and lettuce on a baguette. The home made peanut butter cookies are topped with chunks of peanut butter cups, fresh, and are absolutely delicious. There is seating inside and outside during good weather. The service has been prompt and polite each time I've been. My last visit was during MHC Friends and Family weekend and I was able to get in and out with a relatively short wait. I'll definitely miss visiting Tailgate Picnic when my daughter graduates.
I have been many times and it was always great. Today, while being short staffed, they made the most perfect sandwich I have ever had.
This place is not what it used to be only a few months ago. The new owners have almost an entirely new staff and the service is terrible. If you order in person you’ll have a long wait and they frequently forget items when you place a phone order. They aren’t very helpful when you mention the forgotten items and tell you to go back in line and order it again. What was once the best lunch spot in town is now simply just a problem. Avoid this place unless you have absolutely no other options
Went for the first time this weekend and unfortunately did not feel welcome..each staff member seemed like we were inconveniencing them by being there and ordering. I’ve worked in a kitchen for over ten years of my life and understand the stress and need for prep time but the woman working the sandwich area could not have seemed any more put off by having to take our order..food was just ok.
Wonderful experience! fantastic service, especially on tuesdays.
I think it's about time you take your plastic done. Especially when it's causing your employees to misunderstand your customer, causing your employees to get an attitude with the customer when i repeated myself twice of something i didn't want on my wrap. Yet when I saw the chick going to toast my wrap, when i specifically said twice I didn't want it she got an attitude with me, when i was understanding at first until she got the attitude. I've been coming here my entire life. And my mothers sandwich was incorrect and the guy behind us. Covid is over, take the plastic down.
Having driven by numerous times, today was the day to check it out to buy sides for our annual dose of Shakespeare in West Hartford which starts with a picnic. We could not have been less impressed with the lifeless staff... No one greeted us when we arrived. We passed at least 6 employees with nary a glance our way. We arrived at the pre-made salad case at the back, and we stood for minutes before any of the employees within 10 feet of us asked if they could assist. Someone needs to give this team a shot of warmth and enthusiasm if this business is to grow rather than being utilized by locals based on convenience. No matter how good the salads we bought today are, sadly, it is unlikely we will ever return.
Owners changed and it couldn't be worse of a place. I used to go all the time but the whole experience changed. I walk in and get blank stares, no greeting, and a 20 minute wait every single time.
Awesome sandwiches and everything else!
Restaurantji Recommends
Good quality sandwiches, Huge menu.
One of their employees illegally advised I can’t have a service animal without a vest one. That is inaccurate and illegal. They legally have to ask if the animal is service, and what duties it performs to qualify. They did not. The woman just said “You can’t have dogs in here,” which I can forgive, and when I did not immediately respond I advised “I’m processing my response” (calmly) but when I advised they’re service they advised “they need to have a vest” when I advised legally they do not she started complaining angrily out loud to all of her employees “she needs to learn the law… we can get shutdown because it’s against health code” etc etc. I am happy to calmly explain to employees, but I did not have the opportunity to as this employee was acting unreasonable, combative and unprofessional. A shame since I’ve visited several times without issue and the rest of the staff thus far have been nice and welcoming to myself and my service animal. Such a hard thing to have an invisible need and others feel that doesn’t qualify based on the stereotype that a service animal must look a certain way. Even if that exists, ask it in a polite way or take your concerns to the manager without it being in ear shot of the customer. For context, my animal is an 11 pound, calm and trained animal that was in my control (for this visit they were in my arms). I’m told that after I left they continued to make derogatory remarks towards people with invisible needs and that I might as well have a “bunny.” While I understand that every have their own opinions, I just wish it was handled better and left to management to discuss versus their whole staff taking out their personal opinions on the matter. We will not be returning.
Tailgate is one of my fiancé's favorite spots in his hometown. I got the slim chicken (added cucumber and onion) and it was delicious! Nothing crazy at all, but if you want a solid sandwich/wrap it does the trick. My fiancé always gets the chicken tender sandwich and it's his absolute favorite. The quality is nothing amazing, but again when you want a solid sandwich Tailgate does the trick. There's also a ton of drink, chip and bakery options which is great.
I've traveled the World and lived in a bunch of places, and nothing compares to Tailgate. I hate to say it, but it's so true, and it keeps me coming back even though I haven't lived in SH for a decade.The ambiance of the place is phenomenal. It's so adorable and warming, like your visiting your favorite family member. Handwritten menus and knick knacks scattered throughout the place to make you feel at home.The food is magnificent. I almost always get The Lumberjack on wheat wrap, and ALWAYS get the pickle ?. Do yourself a favor and get a side of pasta salad, and then pick up some delicious chips as you slide down towards the register.I'm 2 hours away as I write this, and I'm now changing my weekend plans..
I have been here twice since the new ownership and sad to say I will probably not be back. We used to love stopping here for lunch or a quick snack and coffee. Definitely not the same service. The workers have been so rude. It's unfortunate.