Went here based on the websites food and cocktails. Bar staff was rude and dismissive.
Nicole F.
Great vibe, staff and chef! Everything we have had there has been tasty. Menu changes with season - tonight had quick dinner of chicken tinge nachos - generous portion and couldn't stop eating...
Justin Gerner
We just picked up takeout from this place and I wanted to leave a review before I forget how great the food was. We get takeout a few times a week and some of the other local restaurants in Chapel Hill have been disappointing lately. We were really just expecting a decent lunch, but Old East blew us away with how great the food was. We got fried pretzel bites, a chicken sandwich, and the brisket sandwich.Everything was awesome. The pretzel bites were crispy and melted in your mouth. The chicken sandwich is definitely in the top 5 that I've ever had, and the brisket was tender and delicious. The garlic fries that came with the chicken sandwich were also some of the best that I've had. I'm already planning what I'm going to order the next time we visit.
Delonda A.
Hmm .. came here based on FB foodie group recommendations. Pretty disappointing - 2 is mostly for the food - looks better than it tastes. A few good things - made reservation for 5 and was seated in a very nice private dining room - quiet and safe. Wait staff was pretty good. Some of the food was good, some was not. First of all, we were seated at the table with menus for about 15 minutes while ordering drinks, asked us about appetizers, etc. then when we go to order main dishes, friend ordered fried seafood main dish - waitress said oh we don't have that tonight and actually we don't have any of the three main dishes - a big party came in and took them all. Really?? I wanted to leave at that point, but we kept on. One person got nachos - were pretty bit just ok - cheese wasn't good. I got brisket sandwich with mac n cheese. Brisket was ok, kind of dry and very fatty - had to cut about a third off that was just fat. Friend got pulled pork, mac n chhese and baked beans. The mac n cheese was awful - so dry and tasteless like it was sitting all day. Beans were really thick and dry also like they had been sitting awhile. Friend had the chicken sandwich and it was probably the best thing at the table. Got the pretzel bites for appetizer and was disappointed - expected nice, soft great pretzels and cheese dip - pretzels were baked or fried so kind of crunchy and the cheese dip (tiny little cup) was like glue. Friend who ordered salad didn't get the shrimp that she added - didn't bring it out until she was do e. Really was hoping that this was a good place, but unfortunately won't be back.
Doug H.
Simply bad food. Mac and cheese served cold. Philly cheese steak egg rolls are an insult to both Philly cheese steaks and egg rolls. Just flavorless fried dough. The grossest item is the blue cheese potato salad. Potatoes under cooked and served in watery blue cheese dressing with WAY too many chunks of blue cheese. Pulled pork was tender and juicy, but unfortunately covered with black pepper. The pepper was all I could taste. Strawberry shortcake was not light and refreshing, but just really heavy and looked and tasted store bought. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, but it's just a sports bar posing as a fine restaurant.
Jana G.
We were in Chapel Hill for a doctor visit. The OE Tavern was close to our hotel and well worth the visit. The service was excellent. I had wings (OE hot) and a side salad. My husband had the brats and mashed potatoes. It was all wonderful. We also tried a NoDa IPA and a Raleigh porter. Yum! We will definitely be back the next time we're in town.
Stephanie Johnson
I have only ever had fantastic experiences at Old East, including watching the recent Final Four game of UNC vs. Duke. Everything was so well-run, and food and drinks were delicious and delivered in a timely manner. Not to mention, the atmosphere was electric! I’ll be back for many more UNC games and for just regular meals!
Caton J.
I couldn't find a beer I didn't like, an entree I didn't like or an appetizer I didn't like. Modern tavern feel with homage to a classic design. The beer selection is both broad and high in quality. The wings with the honey sauce is a must have. Pretzels with cheese dip is out of this world.
Just Y.
Just no. Messed my order up and didn't fix it, forgot my items, rude staff, overall no.
Lorrayne Wright
Food at Old East Tavern is ok tasting, however mediocre for the high prices. I ordered some garlic Parmesan fries with my Old East burger, and I assumed the garlic would be cooked. What I got was as a mouthful of raw garlic - yuck. My friend had an order of wings, that were extremely bland and under seasoned.My main concern of this place, is hearing all the drama and gossip from staff directly - people not getting paid on time, or AT ALL. This is the second occurrence where I’ve dined in with friends, and heard staff discussing management not paying them timely, or having incorrect hours recorded. I’ve also heard wait staff discussing having inappropriate relations with management, on premises and outside as well. Disgusting practices for such a “great” place, to be having those conversations around guests.I definitely won’t be back. Poor food and poor management, poor service in general.
I have to give a huge shout out to Old East Tavern, who I had never heard of until they partnered with the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault(NCCASA)! As a NCASA board member who lives and works in Durham, I made the drive over to Chapel Hill to support a cause that I am very passionate about while having myself a great meal! The staff had fliers posted on the door and the hostess stand and information about today's fundraiser and statistics/information from NCCASA were placed in each and every menu! I arrived a little before 4:00pm and had myself an early dinner at the bar area due to another commitment this evening. I had myself a burger and it is was very good! I also upgraded to the garlic frites, which were delicious too! Jenna the bar tender was attentive and kept my water full(sadly, I couldn't drink an alcoholic beverage bc I had an evening work meeting). The staff were great, nice atmosphere, and reasonably priced! I am extremely grateful for the partnership in brining awareness to issues of sexual violence and supporting a statewide coalition!
Courtney W.
I love this restaurant.... I truly enjoyed the food in particularly Calabash Seafood Tray..... I will come back just moved here.
emily Tysinger
The atmosphere was lovely as was the food and service. Delicious Nachos and Tatum, my server, was great to check on us and provide quality service! Will be back!
Alexander Rivette
Service was great, food is so far from what is acceptable for these prices.They put jalapeños on my fries not the burger (what?)Deviled eggs were just Mayo and the pork belly was badly cooked porkchopPortions were insanely small.Couldn't be more surprised and dissapointed for these prices.Insane.Even the water is straight out of the tap
K L.
Visited Old East Tavern after an 11 hour day in waiting rooms at the UNC medical center. I asked for a quiet table and was seated immediately in the "board game" room. Sara D. was my server. Had the 7 layer salad, Asian brussels, a "Naked Baptist" Imperial Stout, and pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. It was exactly what I needed. The beer showed up first and the food arrived promptly thereafter. The brussel sprouts were hot and well-spiced, the 7-layer salad was chilled and the leafy green parts were fresh and crispy. Dessert topped it all off nicely and was nicely portioned considering that I had not eaten anything prior to dinner. Sara did an excellent job of making recommendations, making conversation, and ensuring that my expectations were met. I can recommend Old East Tavern based on the entire experience and will return.
Went here based on the websites food and cocktails. Bar staff was rude and dismissive.
Great vibe, staff and chef! Everything we have had there has been tasty. Menu changes with season - tonight had quick dinner of chicken tinge nachos - generous portion and couldn't stop eating...
We just picked up takeout from this place and I wanted to leave a review before I forget how great the food was. We get takeout a few times a week and some of the other local restaurants in Chapel Hill have been disappointing lately. We were really just expecting a decent lunch, but Old East blew us away with how great the food was. We got fried pretzel bites, a chicken sandwich, and the brisket sandwich.Everything was awesome. The pretzel bites were crispy and melted in your mouth. The chicken sandwich is definitely in the top 5 that I've ever had, and the brisket was tender and delicious. The garlic fries that came with the chicken sandwich were also some of the best that I've had. I'm already planning what I'm going to order the next time we visit.
Hmm .. came here based on FB foodie group recommendations. Pretty disappointing - 2 is mostly for the food - looks better than it tastes. A few good things - made reservation for 5 and was seated in a very nice private dining room - quiet and safe. Wait staff was pretty good. Some of the food was good, some was not. First of all, we were seated at the table with menus for about 15 minutes while ordering drinks, asked us about appetizers, etc. then when we go to order main dishes, friend ordered fried seafood main dish - waitress said oh we don't have that tonight and actually we don't have any of the three main dishes - a big party came in and took them all. Really?? I wanted to leave at that point, but we kept on. One person got nachos - were pretty bit just ok - cheese wasn't good. I got brisket sandwich with mac n cheese. Brisket was ok, kind of dry and very fatty - had to cut about a third off that was just fat. Friend got pulled pork, mac n chhese and baked beans. The mac n cheese was awful - so dry and tasteless like it was sitting all day. Beans were really thick and dry also like they had been sitting awhile. Friend had the chicken sandwich and it was probably the best thing at the table. Got the pretzel bites for appetizer and was disappointed - expected nice, soft great pretzels and cheese dip - pretzels were baked or fried so kind of crunchy and the cheese dip (tiny little cup) was like glue. Friend who ordered salad didn't get the shrimp that she added - didn't bring it out until she was do e. Really was hoping that this was a good place, but unfortunately won't be back.
Simply bad food. Mac and cheese served cold. Philly cheese steak egg rolls are an insult to both Philly cheese steaks and egg rolls. Just flavorless fried dough. The grossest item is the blue cheese potato salad. Potatoes under cooked and served in watery blue cheese dressing with WAY too many chunks of blue cheese. Pulled pork was tender and juicy, but unfortunately covered with black pepper. The pepper was all I could taste. Strawberry shortcake was not light and refreshing, but just really heavy and looked and tasted store bought. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, but it's just a sports bar posing as a fine restaurant.
We were in Chapel Hill for a doctor visit. The OE Tavern was close to our hotel and well worth the visit. The service was excellent. I had wings (OE hot) and a side salad. My husband had the brats and mashed potatoes. It was all wonderful. We also tried a NoDa IPA and a Raleigh porter. Yum! We will definitely be back the next time we're in town.
I have only ever had fantastic experiences at Old East, including watching the recent Final Four game of UNC vs. Duke. Everything was so well-run, and food and drinks were delicious and delivered in a timely manner. Not to mention, the atmosphere was electric! I’ll be back for many more UNC games and for just regular meals!
I couldn't find a beer I didn't like, an entree I didn't like or an appetizer I didn't like. Modern tavern feel with homage to a classic design. The beer selection is both broad and high in quality. The wings with the honey sauce is a must have. Pretzels with cheese dip is out of this world.
Just no. Messed my order up and didn't fix it, forgot my items, rude staff, overall no.
Food at Old East Tavern is ok tasting, however mediocre for the high prices. I ordered some garlic Parmesan fries with my Old East burger, and I assumed the garlic would be cooked. What I got was as a mouthful of raw garlic - yuck. My friend had an order of wings, that were extremely bland and under seasoned.My main concern of this place, is hearing all the drama and gossip from staff directly - people not getting paid on time, or AT ALL. This is the second occurrence where I’ve dined in with friends, and heard staff discussing management not paying them timely, or having incorrect hours recorded. I’ve also heard wait staff discussing having inappropriate relations with management, on premises and outside as well. Disgusting practices for such a “great” place, to be having those conversations around guests.I definitely won’t be back. Poor food and poor management, poor service in general.
Restaurantji Recommends
I have to give a huge shout out to Old East Tavern, who I had never heard of until they partnered with the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault(NCCASA)! As a NCASA board member who lives and works in Durham, I made the drive over to Chapel Hill to support a cause that I am very passionate about while having myself a great meal! The staff had fliers posted on the door and the hostess stand and information about today's fundraiser and statistics/information from NCCASA were placed in each and every menu! I arrived a little before 4:00pm and had myself an early dinner at the bar area due to another commitment this evening. I had myself a burger and it is was very good! I also upgraded to the garlic frites, which were delicious too! Jenna the bar tender was attentive and kept my water full(sadly, I couldn't drink an alcoholic beverage bc I had an evening work meeting). The staff were great, nice atmosphere, and reasonably priced! I am extremely grateful for the partnership in brining awareness to issues of sexual violence and supporting a statewide coalition!
I love this restaurant.... I truly enjoyed the food in particularly Calabash Seafood Tray..... I will come back just moved here.
The atmosphere was lovely as was the food and service. Delicious Nachos and Tatum, my server, was great to check on us and provide quality service! Will be back!
Service was great, food is so far from what is acceptable for these prices.They put jalapeños on my fries not the burger (what?)Deviled eggs were just Mayo and the pork belly was badly cooked porkchopPortions were insanely small.Couldn't be more surprised and dissapointed for these prices.Insane.Even the water is straight out of the tap
Visited Old East Tavern after an 11 hour day in waiting rooms at the UNC medical center. I asked for a quiet table and was seated immediately in the "board game" room. Sara D. was my server. Had the 7 layer salad, Asian brussels, a "Naked Baptist" Imperial Stout, and pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. It was exactly what I needed. The beer showed up first and the food arrived promptly thereafter. The brussel sprouts were hot and well-spiced, the 7-layer salad was chilled and the leafy green parts were fresh and crispy. Dessert topped it all off nicely and was nicely portioned considering that I had not eaten anything prior to dinner. Sara did an excellent job of making recommendations, making conversation, and ensuring that my expectations were met. I can recommend Old East Tavern based on the entire experience and will return.