We come here all the time, it’s amazing. The food and service are stellar! Outdoor and indoor seating, beer, wine, cider. Healthy options and a delicious local plate app that’s always changing.Ask for Emma, she’s an excellent server!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa YadaYada
My daughter came for a visit and wanted to eat somewhere "downtown". I told her that McDowell Local has good food so we went there. I like that many of their ingredients are from local farmers. I have been in a few times prior but have to say the service that Kelen gave us today was the best I have had there. She was super informative about the menu and the ingredients that we had questions about and checked on us the right amount and was very nice. Because of that I will continue to bring my out of town guests to this local establishment. Thanks again Kelen!
Bettina Smoot
We've dined at this restaurant several times. Tonight we drove into Marion (a 30 min drive) to eat dinner but was greeted with "we stop seating at 7:30". It was 7:35. I explained we just drove 1/2 hour but she said there was nothing she could do. So, naturally, i asked to speak to the manager. He gave every reason why he couldn't seat us including "your food wont be served until after 8pm". I didnt expect it any earlier. He made it clear we were not welcome but begrudgingly agreed to seat us. In the end, there was a concern on our end as to what would happen to our food given the exchange we just had. The waitress was nice enough but from my conversation with her it was clear she thought we were from out of town when in fact we have lived in the area for 3 years. It is unfortunate because we like the food but we wont be back given our treatment tonight.
Curt Davis
McDowell Local never disappoints! Food is always on point and the staff is the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bee Shell
Best food, ever! Staff is so wonderful! We just LOVE this place! Always a fun time!
One of the best burgers I've had dining out in a VERY long time. Also, do not miss out on the piemento cheese and pork rind app.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Hamburger
Tony Forshey
Great burgers and even better selection of local brews. Classic small town restaurant charm with more than enough flavor to leave a great lasting impression. Nothing beats the Hunter's livermush either.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeffrey Howard
Hey, it’s local! Good beer/cider selection from nearby breweries, and food was better than most alternatives eat-in places in Marion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickle Plate
Maddie R.
Food is great. Cute atmosphere in downtown too. Have not had great success with their bar/cocktails though. Went once and sat at the bar, one of our group members ordered a drink and around 10 minutes later, with no update we were asked if we even wanted the drink at that point. Decided to close our tab. Last time I went there was a note on the door they would be closing early, however around 6/630 we got drinks and when they came to the table we were told the bartender left so we could only do beer/wine. I'm not too picky about this stuff but know some people are.
linda galloway
We got takeout and it was very good just wish it was hot. So next time will eat at the restaurant. It is a very neat place.
Great local ingredients, creative menu items, yummy specials!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Marion Hot Chicken Sandwich with Tots, Bacon Jam
Pat Smith
Love this place! Very good food and service. Locals recommend it!Kid-friendliness: Took 2 grandkids and it was fine for them!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Bean Dip, Pimento Cheese, Titan Double with Cheese and Fries, Chicken Tenders, Woodstock Pizza, Burger Cheeseburger
Kia Mikhayla
My family and I have come here twice. Both times were disappointing. The first time we came in, stood towards the front for about 5 minutes waiting for somebody to acknowledge us. Finally somebody did, we got seated and waited 20 minutes for a server to ask about drinks or anything else. Through the span of the evening, it took about an hour and a half of being seated before our food was brought out, while tables all around us were given food, ate, checked out, and new tables sat, ordered, and ate. The food was fine the first time.We came back tonight because we really wanted to like the place. Again, stood at the front for 7-8 minutes waiting to be sat, while waitresses moved around but none acknowledged us. Finally we get seated, get drinks, and don’t see our waitress again for 20-25 minutes. Worth noting, too, that my husband was brought the wrong beer. We ended up ordering an appetizer of chips and Queso and our entrees. While waiting, the table next to us was sat, ordered, ate, and checked out. Our drinks sat empty on the table multiple times. And we had to ask for a refill. I ordered a burger tonight and it was good! However, our appetizer didn’t come out until after our food, and only because we asked about it. After we asked, we watched our waitress go ring it in. Which happens sometimes, I get it, but an effort should have been made to apologize or something but nothing was said. We also asked for ketchup for our fries and literally waited 15 minutes for it. And only got it after asking another waitress for it.At the end of the day, the food is good but isn’t good enough to have such horrible service. I don’t know if they’re short staffed or if they just need to retrain but both times we’ve visited, we’ve left feeling like it was a waste of time.This restaurant really has the potential to be so good but the service has lacked both times we went. My husband and I have both been in the restaurant business so we believe in bad nights and second chances but this was honestly just ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Vaughn H.
Disappointed!!! I can only blame myself!!! Th especially are limited!! Steak with cheesy polenta. Everyone tells me it's awesome!! Going for the great standby!!! The titan farmhouse burger with a baked potato!!!
WySMart Digital
Started out well and sat down in this cool little spot in Marion we visited for the first time, I even made sure the waitress new this just in case there was anything special about the local vendors or anything we should know..nope. She just said ok, and walked away.So we order and wait for our food. About 20-25 mins goes by and they’re not very busy but it’s al made fresh I’m assuming from the vine and menu, so no problem. Only, when our food came out half was wrong and my dad didn’t get anything. When the server who brought the food (not our server) went back and asked our server about his order she got this ‘oh no!’ Look and immediately went to the pos to ring it in. So when the first server comes back she confirms that his order wasn’t ever entered in the beginning, and even that isn’t a big deal as we all make mistakes.The issue came when our waitress came to the table and said ‘I was just told we are out of mushrooms for your mushroom Swiss burger.’ And so I asked why they wouldn’t have told her this info a long time ago when she rang the order in and they saw the ticket? Trying to give her a chance to just say, I forgot it. She said, I’m always the last to know and walked off with an attitude from me asking her about it. Then, not the end of the world, but the food was a 4-5 out of 10, and after waiting awhile for his remake burger we just told her to remove it and he was going to eat something somewhere else, so she never even apologizes at any point, comes back like nothing has happened and asks one check or separate, and then comes back and drops the check and walks away..no goodbye, thanks, nothing.What did we do?! Why the attitude?Then we get the check and we now know why she didn’t care about the level of food or service we were given..she got her 18% gratuity for our party of 6 that actually was only a party of 5 since dad never got his food..but even after all that she says the machine just makes her add it, and I told her I wasn’t trying to be a jerk, but hoping to help her learn from someone who grew up serving people - to just tell us she forgot the order and be honest. Just fyi. And we thanked her and waited for her to come pick up the payment for probably 7-8 mins which is a long time when you’re waiting for someone.I get her attention and ask if we can please pay and leave, and she just points to the bar and says you pay up there. Like I should’ve known that, and she didn’t have the time to tell me. So I said, remember, we told you this was our first time here and how would I know to take my payment to the bar instead of you taking it? I said it was our first time, and now will be our last time.And when I paid and the other server checking us out apologized for her forgetting his meal, when I asked for a manager she gave me a name and I said may I speak to them? She said oh they’re not here - there’s not a manager here, just the kitchen manager.So sad, without a ton of great food options in this little town we hoped this would be a good one. I wouldn’t recommend it.
We come here all the time, it’s amazing. The food and service are stellar! Outdoor and indoor seating, beer, wine, cider. Healthy options and a delicious local plate app that’s always changing.Ask for Emma, she’s an excellent server!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My daughter came for a visit and wanted to eat somewhere "downtown". I told her that McDowell Local has good food so we went there. I like that many of their ingredients are from local farmers. I have been in a few times prior but have to say the service that Kelen gave us today was the best I have had there. She was super informative about the menu and the ingredients that we had questions about and checked on us the right amount and was very nice. Because of that I will continue to bring my out of town guests to this local establishment. Thanks again Kelen!
We've dined at this restaurant several times. Tonight we drove into Marion (a 30 min drive) to eat dinner but was greeted with "we stop seating at 7:30". It was 7:35. I explained we just drove 1/2 hour but she said there was nothing she could do. So, naturally, i asked to speak to the manager. He gave every reason why he couldn't seat us including "your food wont be served until after 8pm". I didnt expect it any earlier. He made it clear we were not welcome but begrudgingly agreed to seat us. In the end, there was a concern on our end as to what would happen to our food given the exchange we just had. The waitress was nice enough but from my conversation with her it was clear she thought we were from out of town when in fact we have lived in the area for 3 years. It is unfortunate because we like the food but we wont be back given our treatment tonight.
McDowell Local never disappoints! Food is always on point and the staff is the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best food, ever! Staff is so wonderful! We just LOVE this place! Always a fun time!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Jam, Hamburger, Chicken Tenders
One of the best burgers I've had dining out in a VERY long time. Also, do not miss out on the piemento cheese and pork rind app.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Hamburger
Great burgers and even better selection of local brews. Classic small town restaurant charm with more than enough flavor to leave a great lasting impression. Nothing beats the Hunter's livermush either.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hey, it’s local! Good beer/cider selection from nearby breweries, and food was better than most alternatives eat-in places in Marion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickle Plate
Food is great. Cute atmosphere in downtown too. Have not had great success with their bar/cocktails though. Went once and sat at the bar, one of our group members ordered a drink and around 10 minutes later, with no update we were asked if we even wanted the drink at that point. Decided to close our tab. Last time I went there was a note on the door they would be closing early, however around 6/630 we got drinks and when they came to the table we were told the bartender left so we could only do beer/wine. I'm not too picky about this stuff but know some people are.
We got takeout and it was very good just wish it was hot. So next time will eat at the restaurant. It is a very neat place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Chicken Wrap, Burger Cheeseburger
Restaurantji Recommends
Great local ingredients, creative menu items, yummy specials!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Marion Hot Chicken Sandwich with Tots, Bacon Jam
Love this place! Very good food and service. Locals recommend it!Kid-friendliness: Took 2 grandkids and it was fine for them!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Bean Dip, Pimento Cheese, Titan Double with Cheese and Fries, Chicken Tenders, Woodstock Pizza, Burger Cheeseburger
My family and I have come here twice. Both times were disappointing. The first time we came in, stood towards the front for about 5 minutes waiting for somebody to acknowledge us. Finally somebody did, we got seated and waited 20 minutes for a server to ask about drinks or anything else. Through the span of the evening, it took about an hour and a half of being seated before our food was brought out, while tables all around us were given food, ate, checked out, and new tables sat, ordered, and ate. The food was fine the first time.We came back tonight because we really wanted to like the place. Again, stood at the front for 7-8 minutes waiting to be sat, while waitresses moved around but none acknowledged us. Finally we get seated, get drinks, and don’t see our waitress again for 20-25 minutes. Worth noting, too, that my husband was brought the wrong beer. We ended up ordering an appetizer of chips and Queso and our entrees. While waiting, the table next to us was sat, ordered, ate, and checked out. Our drinks sat empty on the table multiple times. And we had to ask for a refill. I ordered a burger tonight and it was good! However, our appetizer didn’t come out until after our food, and only because we asked about it. After we asked, we watched our waitress go ring it in. Which happens sometimes, I get it, but an effort should have been made to apologize or something but nothing was said. We also asked for ketchup for our fries and literally waited 15 minutes for it. And only got it after asking another waitress for it.At the end of the day, the food is good but isn’t good enough to have such horrible service. I don’t know if they’re short staffed or if they just need to retrain but both times we’ve visited, we’ve left feeling like it was a waste of time.This restaurant really has the potential to be so good but the service has lacked both times we went. My husband and I have both been in the restaurant business so we believe in bad nights and second chances but this was honestly just ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Disappointed!!! I can only blame myself!!! Th especially are limited!! Steak with cheesy polenta. Everyone tells me it's awesome!! Going for the great standby!!! The titan farmhouse burger with a baked potato!!!
Started out well and sat down in this cool little spot in Marion we visited for the first time, I even made sure the waitress new this just in case there was anything special about the local vendors or anything we should know..nope. She just said ok, and walked away.So we order and wait for our food. About 20-25 mins goes by and they’re not very busy but it’s al made fresh I’m assuming from the vine and menu, so no problem. Only, when our food came out half was wrong and my dad didn’t get anything. When the server who brought the food (not our server) went back and asked our server about his order she got this ‘oh no!’ Look and immediately went to the pos to ring it in. So when the first server comes back she confirms that his order wasn’t ever entered in the beginning, and even that isn’t a big deal as we all make mistakes.The issue came when our waitress came to the table and said ‘I was just told we are out of mushrooms for your mushroom Swiss burger.’ And so I asked why they wouldn’t have told her this info a long time ago when she rang the order in and they saw the ticket? Trying to give her a chance to just say, I forgot it. She said, I’m always the last to know and walked off with an attitude from me asking her about it. Then, not the end of the world, but the food was a 4-5 out of 10, and after waiting awhile for his remake burger we just told her to remove it and he was going to eat something somewhere else, so she never even apologizes at any point, comes back like nothing has happened and asks one check or separate, and then comes back and drops the check and walks away..no goodbye, thanks, nothing.What did we do?! Why the attitude?Then we get the check and we now know why she didn’t care about the level of food or service we were given..she got her 18% gratuity for our party of 6 that actually was only a party of 5 since dad never got his food..but even after all that she says the machine just makes her add it, and I told her I wasn’t trying to be a jerk, but hoping to help her learn from someone who grew up serving people - to just tell us she forgot the order and be honest. Just fyi. And we thanked her and waited for her to come pick up the payment for probably 7-8 mins which is a long time when you’re waiting for someone.I get her attention and ask if we can please pay and leave, and she just points to the bar and says you pay up there. Like I should’ve known that, and she didn’t have the time to tell me. So I said, remember, we told you this was our first time here and how would I know to take my payment to the bar instead of you taking it? I said it was our first time, and now will be our last time.And when I paid and the other server checking us out apologized for her forgetting his meal, when I asked for a manager she gave me a name and I said may I speak to them? She said oh they’re not here - there’s not a manager here, just the kitchen manager.So sad, without a ton of great food options in this little town we hoped this would be a good one. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tenders, Hamburger