Hammerheads - It is what it is

...and I can't imagine anything more rude (or air headed) than two people lingering an hour and a half over ice water...in a VERY small restaurant... when 5 feet away, in plain sight, there are eight people waiting to be seated (four of whom ultimately left without being seated).

My comments (and I believe Marks reply) were not directed toward the restaurant per se but rather toward a number of thoughtless patrons. As a patron, there are times when it is appropriate to "linger" and there are times when it is not. A busy Friday night in an extremely small restaurant is NOT one of those times. This is not an issue of someone (me) thinking they "deserve" another patrons table, rather it an issue of common courtesy...Were the shoe on the other foot I (and I believe most thoughtful people) would have recognized the situation for what it was and at least offered to move my conversation to the bar in order to make a table available for the next paying customer...Then again I'm also an old school curmudgeon who's mother taught him to hold the door for ladies and to give up my seat on the bus to the elderly...

Very well said Steve! Like you the comments were not directed to a restaurant but rather the practice and individuals who do it.

Hammerheads was not a bad dining experience, it just was not my kind of BBQ. Even though I am just an "amateur expert" I could tell the brisket, lamb and ribs we ordered actually tasted like and looked like BBQ! You know, they were actually smoked. They have an interesting menu and about 10 or 12 tap beers. The smoked mac and cheese balls are fantastic as were my sweet potato fries. If I found myself back there I would try the pork.

It's a dicey situation with campers, it can be frustrating, but they paid to eat, and at the end of the day it's their decision as to when they want to leave. Discussions on camping seem to often be a lose-lose on here for restaurants. I've seen a lot of people mention how disgusted they were when asked to make room for a waiting table or reservation after camping out for quite a while, and then you get debates like this one.

Jeremy,

Sorry to hear that any folks feel that way. I agree that camping is rude- but have definitely erred in the past when I'm engrossed in conversation with girlfriends, and didn't realize how many people were waiting. I had Mozz handle it superbly back in December: we'd lingered for a while after a large meal, and the Manager approached our table graciously and asked if we would mind moving to the bar, explained that they had reservations waiting. He offered us a drink if we would be kind enough to move. We could have been embarassed that we'd been rude, but he handled it so graciously that everyone ended up happy- and we walked away impressed with how classy Mozz is.

Deb

Sorry to hear that any folks feel that way. I agree that camping is rude- but have definitely erred in the past when I'm engrossed in conversation with girlfriends, and didn't realize how many people were waiting. I had Mozz handle it superbly back in December: we'd lingered for a while after a large meal, and the Manager approached our table graciously and asked if we would mind moving to the bar, explained that they had reservations waiting. He offered us a drink if we would be kind enough to move. We could have been embarassed that we'd been rude, but he handled it so graciously that everyone ended up happy- and we walked away impressed with how classy Mozz is.

Deb

It sounds like they handled it very appropriately and made everyone happy! Exactly what the goal of every restaurant should be.

I remember that post, I thought it was exciting to hear that sentiment on the board.

That's the thing- like I said, I think both Steve AND Matt are right, it's just a tough situation for everyone and it's really great when things work out like they did for you at Mozz.

i cant imagine anything more rude than someone who believes that they deserve to be seated somewhere more than somene else who has already paid to be there.

in conclusion, sir. how does anything we're discussing right now have anything to do with what or how or how good or how bad hammerheads does anything?

Then again I'm also an old school curmudgeon who's mother taught him to hold the door for ladies and to give up my seat on the bus to the elderly...

i do both of those things, literally, on a daily basis... because my momma taught me to as well. so at least we see eye to eye on that. in the sake of fairness, i must admit that i came on a bit strong. i expressed my opinion, you expressed yours, and we each have our rights to them.
but trust me on this, if there is anyone who could spend eons dissecting and criticizing the questionable dining etiquette and behavior of guests who should know better... its me. but i dont because im there to ensure that they enjoy their experience regardless of what i think.

a guest is a guest until they leave.... period.

Re: "campers."

Personally, I find it annoying as well, but that's not my point here. I appreciate that Steve took the time to share what he observed, because it IS absolutely relevant to whether someone who has never been wants to run the risk of having to wait an hour because of campers. If Hammerheads doesn't mind the campers, it's their establishment, and they can certainly do what they want. However, a potential diner has the right to know what they might run into.

We've tried three separate times to eat at Hammerheads, and each time the place was filled with people not eating and lingering over beers. We've tried various days and various times, to no avail. We simply cannot get a table without waiting a very long time. Again, if Hammerheads is okay with that behavior, that's their choice, but I have no plans to try to go back. I would really like to try the food, but I just don't have the time to stand in that cramped entry-way for an hour, a line forming behind me, waiting desperately for a table.

Well Hammerheads is primarily a bar that happens to serve food. It's a neighborhood hangout spot. People are going to camp out in there. I hate that myself but it's to be expected at some places.

Well Hammerheads is primarily a bar that happens to serve food. It's a neighborhood hangout spot. People are going to camp out in there. I hate that myself but it's to be expected at some places.

Mike,
Put that way, ( a bar that serves food) I'd have to agree to expect it.
Different even to me than tying up a table at a restaurant. Not sure where the line is there, but there is a difference...
Thanks,
Deb

Well Hammerheads is primarily a bar that happens to serve food. It's a neighborhood hangout spot. People are going to camp out in there. I hate that myself but it's to be expected at some places.

If this is what the owners had in mind when they opened the doors, great. If not, then I kinda feel bad for them. My disappointment with the ribs aside, there is obviously quite a bit of talent and creativity in the kitchen and it's a shame to see them not reach their full potential. What the hell though...if they'd rather serve up $1.50 PBR's to a table full of hipsters and watch the big $$$ walk back out the front door, that's their business (literally and figuratively). Personally, I'd like to see this place located down on Whiskey Row by the YUM.

Personally, I'd like to see this place located down on Whiskey Row by the YUM.

And lose the Germantown " hippie feel "... NEVER !!!

Well Hammerheads is primarily a bar that happens to serve food. It's a neighborhood hangout spot. People are going to camp out in there. I hate that myself but it's to be expected at some places.

If this is what the owners had in mind when they opened the doors, great. If not, then I kinda feel bad for them. My disappointment with the ribs aside, there is obviously quite a bit of talent and creativity in the kitchen and it's a shame to see them not reach their full potential. What the hell though...if they'd rather serve up $1.50 PBR's to a table full of hipsters and watch the big $$$ walk back out the front door, that's their business (literally and figuratively). Personally, I'd like to see this place located down on Whiskey Row by the YUM.

SO it can turn into Eat Street?

In spite of all the convo here, I think there's a little more to this than has been gotten into, though I'll admit I only scanned about half the preceding posts.

First of all, let me say that I love Hammerheads. It's pretty much at the top of my wife's and my "go to" list. We can get great food at a fair price there, and sure, the place is a dive/dump, whatever you want to call it, but we do not go out without 2 very young kids in tow, and they have handled them admirably every time we're in there, which I can't say for many places in town. They represent something to me that I have found sorely lacking in Louisville after having moved here from Chicago a little over a year ago: affordable, casual dining that at least references if not outright attempts to be very elevated food (and in some cases, drink). For my money, places that fit that description number around half a dozen. And, yes, I have done my homework.

I don't think the people behind Hammerheads want to just have a bar with good food. It's all folks from Seviche after all. I will say their "seat yourself" approach to managing the FOH is probably some part of the problem. Because I'm going out with my kids, I don't run into that problem, since we get anyplace so early the kitchen is still usually finishing prep rather than in full swing when we put our orders in. If you roll in there around 8 on a Friday or Saturday. . . well, I hope you have some fun apps on your smartphone to keep you busy.

I'm not sure what the breakout is on how much of their margin is coming off the bar (in spite of it being a bar, I'd guess the minority) or from the kitchen, but in the long run, they'll likely benefit from some more active management of the dining room. In part, the problem might be that when you open a place, and you have this more informed food approach that gets you traction on the internet or even print reviews, your demographic may be slightly skewed from what you imagined. Hopefully they'll respond in a way that brings folks back in that may have been alientated now, without losing their appeal to the unwashed art school dropouts.

Sorry to hear that any folks feel that way. I agree that camping is rude- but have definitely erred in the past when I'm engrossed in conversation with girlfriends, and didn't realize how many people were waiting. I had Mozz handle it superbly back in December: we'd lingered for a while after a large meal, and the Manager approached our table graciously and asked if we would mind moving to the bar, explained that they had reservations waiting. He offered us a drink if we would be kind enough to move. We could have been embarassed that we'd been rude, but he handled it so graciously that everyone ended up happy- and we walked away impressed with how classy Mozz is.

Deb

How odd for Mozz. I once called to make a reservation and asked why they didn't take reservations for between 7:00 and 8:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. She explained that (roughly)"we're not a turn and burn type of establishment. We want you to linger and enjoy the food, drink and music."

Nevertheless, it is indeed a classy restaurant.

Ordering ribs at a smokehouse "not falling off the bone" seems odd to me. If you want ribs your way im sure the chefs wouldnt mind taking 8 hours to smoke them to your liking. Just have a seat and get comfy.im not saying which way is best I just dont understand the logic. Its like saying " I will have your house bread but hold the gluten" after its already been proofed.
Also the burger was a frozen patty but that has recently been changed. The elk, chorizo, venison, angus, and veggie burgers are in fact house made.
I say kudos to holy grale and hammerheads for bringing great food and beer to louisville at an affordable price! These places and others should have our full support and be embraced for a solid mid-ranged dining spot or for a night of extending your beer palate...that is unless busch light and frozen chicken tenders is your thing