Manuel's Tavern Responds To Criticism Of Service

The owner of Manuel's Tavern has responded on Facebook to a customer who complained about lack of service at the iconic bar/restaurant in Poncey-Highland.

"To say that I am disturbed or angry at the staff working at that time is a terrible understatement. I am having one of my fathers angry moments," Brian Maloof, son of tavern founder Manuel Maloof, wrote Monday on the Manuel's Tavern Facebook page.

"Manuel's is not a pretty place, it is not fancy or modern. What we have always tried to be is comfortable and friendly. We strive to know our customers their families and friends. What we lack in modern trendiness and fancy foods is supposed to made up with personal service. We failed in a big way with Mr. Mears."
 
Michael Mears of Decatur, a lawyer and professor at John Marshall Law School, wrote on the tavern FB page that he went to Manuel's June 30 for a take-out order and sat at the bar 17 minutes without being acknowledged by two waitresses. He left without placing an order.

"I had fallen into that class of people that Manuel's tavern no longer recognizes," Mears wrote. "White men over the age of 60. Sad, I don't think I will ever go back, and that is sad for me, but I am sure that the current management and certainly the two bar tenders could care less."

Both Mears' complaint and Maloof's response generated more than 30 comments by 10 a.m. Monday.

Why is this customer complaint such a big deal? Because Manuel's Tavern is more than a run-of-the-mill bar.

For decades it's been a gathering place where politicians (mostly of a liberal bent) and journalists gather in a casual atmosphere.

It's one of the best places in Atlanta to watch the votes come in on Election Night or to watch the Braves play in a big game.

The bar was taken over by the film crew of "Anchorman II" in May because Manuel's has a frozen-in-time 1970s look.

What's been your service experience at Manuel's? Tell us in the comments box below.