Reviews (28)
MN
Greasy fingerprints on my flatware, and a chip in the rim of my water glass.
Three canape-size slices of garlic toast for six Escargots. Mushroom caps stuffed with small amounts of Crab Imperial and glazed with Hollandaise were tasteless. Sub-par Caesar salad. And, although there was an abundance of vanilla beans present in the Creme Brulee, it was tasteless as well.
Felt abandoned by my server once the dining room began to fill-up. Thank goodness for the helper who kept my iced tea glass filled.
Was very disappointed and just tried to make the best of it. Will not return or recommend.
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Anonymous
Dined there last night for valentines and loved everything about it. We sat near a beautiful fireplace and the place was packed. Loved my salmon and they had these pomegranate martinis that were yummy! I will definitely make this our new go to place. Beats going to the outback and spending almost just as much and getting crappy service. I recommend it to everyone that wants to get out of Frederick.
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Anonymous
No one at the door for 10 minutes as we waited behind another couple. Hostess had us follow her but did not actually know where our reserved table was. Cold garden room table. Our friends arrived. First: Half filled cup of lukewarm thin lobster bisque tasted like canned.$5.50. Garden salad, served on a very small plate. The highpoint of the meal: One warm brown and serve crusty roll per guest at the table. Spouse and I both ordered Prime Rib, medium rare. It was served to us ice cold. After waiting and trying to get our server's attention, I walked over to a busperson to ask her to help us. Cook must have microwaved them or dipped them in a vat of broth to warm them because they came back medium well. Since we were with our friends we decided to just give up trying to get a good meal and eat with them. That would have been easier had there even been salt and pepper in the table. Coffee after dinner was so old it turned gray when cream was added. $80 plus...what a waste! I spent 22 years working in the restaurant business. If i could give it zero stars i would. Never again.
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Frequent diner
Great place, love the atmosphere. I love that the place is still in the antiquity for the age of the building. I wouldn't want them to update anything because it wouldn't be special and different then most restaurants. I saw something about the owners having reserved parking and i'm not sure what that person was talking about. There is lots of parking on the side of the restaurant and around the back, if you want to walk. The 2 signs I saw were all the way around the back of the building and not anywhere near the main entrance. I would keep doing what you are doing and don't change a thing. I will keep coming back and supporting because I love that it's different then any other place around here. God Bless!
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Disappointed
Extremely rude owners. We tried to schedule a rehearsal dinner there, and after being rude and non-accommodating to say the least, we decided to not have the dinner there. They refused to refund our deposit, which we were never informed was "non-refundable", and we never signed anything confirming we were in acknowledgement of. For the event menu, they include cheap appetizers and charge extra for salad dressing. They won't work with you to figure out a middle ground, and will degrade you by saying "We've been doing it this way for 20 years".
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Dave D
It's been several years but we ate there once and loved it. I would rate it a 4+* and can't understand why it only shows 2. The only reason we haven't returned is my eyesight is not that great for evening driving. We hope to go back with another person doing the driving.
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Anonymous
The Sunday brunch is fabulous. I do agree with the comment from william that is a little overrated as my husband had prime rib that wasn't very good and he is a prime rib connosieur!
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localdiner
Quite expensive, and frankly in a bit of disrepair. (The cracked path leading from the parking area to the front entrance on the way in is a lawsuit waiting to happen.) Entrees were $17 to $29. My wife liked her trout, my salmon was over-done. (She and I both agreed on that.) When I told the waitress, I received a quick, Oh, I'm sorry, and then she pointed to another table where customers were eating the same entree without complaint. That didn't make mine any more palatable. There was no adjustment made to the bill. The salads that came our entrees were meager and uninspired. This was in August, so they could have done better. Deserts were good, but like everything else, very expensive. They were child-sized too. I ordered a piece of Key Lime pie. For $6.50 I received a tiny tart. I couldn't believe it. Coffee was available at $6.50 a pop. All in all, disappointing.
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ss
Very expensive, the place is starting to get run down (be careful of the broken cement along the path in the way in)and frankly the food was good, not great. With Frederick so close by you can get better value for your money elsewhere.
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Rick & Michele
The South Mountain Inn is our #1 pick for fine dinning in the tri state area. You can not discribe the great tastes in words.
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Sara
I had my wedding reception at the South Moutain Inn and couldn't have been happier. Every staff member was friendly and efficient. The owners did everything they could to make my special day unforgettable. The food was amazing and the Christmas decorations and atmosphere made it seem like a fairytale.
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SB
This is my favorite place to eat, Even on holidays. Most restruants when the get busy the taste and look of food slacks, but not at old south Mnt Inn, i went on mother's day, (very good present) and had to wait a little bit because we showed up early, but it was completly worth it. There Crab cakes are delicious, along as there French Onion as an appatizer, and every time i visit it's a must that a get the chemise or there Chocolate Fantasy. Highly recomended and going back real soon!
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JK
I am going to write this review in the most respectful manner possible, but I am honestly wondering if the people commenting about the quality of food here are comparing it to a Golden Corral, or other restaurants who actually offer fine dining.
My wife and I made our first (and last) trip here this past Saturday evening. Every single aspect of the experience was horrendous. The first thing you notice about the place is that the two owners have reserved parking spots right up front WITH THEIR NAMES on the sign, and then their names on the license plates of their Blinged out vehicles. If this doesn't give you an idea of what this restaurant is about, then I don't know what else will, b/c it's clearly all about the owners, their profit margin, and not about the customers.
For a white linen type of place such as this, we had a teenager serving us. She was relatively nice, if a little Applebees-ish, but certainly not what you would expect from such a legendarily special type of location.
We had a $12 crab dip appetizer that came with approximately 4 oz. of crab dip, and SIX crackers for dipping. $12 people. $12 (can I say profit margin?)!
The "salads" that came with our entrees were TWO pieces of iceburg lettuce, and a cherry tomato. You had to pay $4 EXTRA to substitute the garden "salad" with a caesar salad. The owners clearly don't care that every other restaurant offers a garden or caesar salad with no extra mark-up (can I say profit margin?).
The reference above regarding the "Prime Rib" is absolutely laughable. I ordered the prime rib b/c it's one of my favorite cuts of steak, and I get it just about anywhere I can. Old South Mtn Inn had it as a "special" that night. I ordered the 12 oz. Queen cut. What I received was roughly 8 oz. and what appeared to be 1/2 of an inch thick. It was, quite simply, the thinnest, dryest, most bland tasting prime rib I have ever had in my entire life. The comments above about their "top shelf" meat are baffling to me.
My wife ordered the Filet Mignon w/ Bernaise sauce and bacon, cooked to medium. She received a well done brick of approximately 6 oz. of meat with a piece of bacon lying on top of the steak. I repeat, A PIECE OF BACON LYING ON TOP OF THE STEAK!!! LOL!
If you want to pay prices comparable to Dutch's Daughter, but receive quality roundabout Bob Evans, this is your place. Keep padding their pockets while depriving yourself of fine dining and great food currently being offered at countless other locations in the Frederick area.
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Great or cheap, either 1
Simply fantastic. A real chef. One of two restaurants in Frederick I would give 5 stars for food. Reasonably priced for what you get, though not cheap. VERY ROMANTIC SEATING IF YOU ASK. Don't skip dessert.
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Geoff
I went here for Valentine's Day with my Fiance recently. Both of us agreed that the food was absolutely wonderful! The Prime Rib was perfectly prepared and was oh so tasty! I highly recommend coming here for any special occasion.
P.S. Don't forget about the cheesecake for desert.
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Ove Johansen
My family and I, recently dined at Old South Mountain Inn, after we were seated, it took the waitress about twenty minutes to come back around, to take our drink order. From the time we ordered our dinner, until we received it, one and a half hour passed. The food was ok, nothing spectacular, as a matter of fact we had a much better experience at Long Horn restaurant recently, where the service was speedy promt, and the food was much better, and cheaper, and the place was full of patrons, on a Saturday evening. South Mountain Inn, managed to make our experience, a negative one, on a Friday, with only a few patrons to care for in the dining area. I will never recommend this place to anyone, nor will I ever patronize this establishment again. I feel this place is a major waste of ambiance.
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Edward
On November 28th 1993 I proposed to my wife at the Old South Mountain Inn. It was an awesome experience. We currently live 6 hours away, but I plan to take my wife back this year. The atmosphere and the food were awesome, so we are really looking forward to it.
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Norbert A. Simon
Coming off the AT dirty and hungry. We were welcomed and made to feel comfortable. My hiking partner and I celebrated our birthdays with a truly fourstar meal.
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Ethnic Eater
The best sauces in the state. This is true chef work, here. Brother is a chef and this is what he pays twice the amount for in New England. Save room for Godiva chocolate cake. Recommend going on a weekend ht for a romantic dinner that you will not forget.
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monty
South mountain has always been a wonderful place to eat. And it still lives up to the most descrimanating taste. I accualy worked there many years ago and they purchased and prepared only top shelf meat and produce. One of the line cooks I worked with in the early 90s is now the owner and he is carrieing on The South Mountain Tradition of excelence. Best prime rib you wil ever eat.
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AE
We eat here three times a year. Valentines day, my birthday, and our anniversary. Their crab cakes are TO DIE FOR! Harldy a single filler... sweet lump MARYLAND style crabcakes!!! OH YUMMY! Oh and the buffalo is REALLY good as well... i was a little hesitant.. but WOW!
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Kendra
My favorite restaurant in the Frederick County area. Service is excellent, and the food is delicious. I always have the seafood... crab cakes and salmon dishes are wonderfully prepared. But leave room for dessert... the chocolate mousse is incredible! I highly recommend Old South Mountain Inn for any special occasion, as well as any time you just want a fabulous meal.
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Denny Metzer
While we've eaten at Old South Mountain on many occasions - and have ALWAYS had superb food and service - we were absolutely thrilled when we had our wedding reception for 75-80 people in their garden room. Superb service, prompt and painless. Kudos to the entire staff and management. Would HIGHLY recommend for either a special night out or for a reception/party for a wedding/birthday/anniversary.
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Susan
The BEST place for special occasion dinners. Delicious everytime! I disagree with the others that have commented previously...the superbly made, and generous portions are worth every bit of the price. Highly recommended for Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays, etc. From couples to large groups, they accomadate it all! Making each group feel special, and each couple feel romantic. They also have wonderful lunches on Saturday and Brunch on Sunday, that are very reasonably priced for all that they have.
The owners are really sweet people. God Bless and Good Luck to them.
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JoAnna
One of my favorites! The atmosphere and food are wonderful! Definately worth the drive out of town. My only concern is that the menu is short, but they normally have something that I want to try. Their old fashioned bar is something to check out!
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RMiles
This place has one of the best steaks I have ever had. There is a lot of sea food like things here as well, along with soups and whatnot. It is a great place for a nice dinner, say Prom or such, if you have the money for the pricing is really high.
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MB
This is one of the finest restaurants anywhere around. The meats are of highest quality. It is not hard to see why reservations are highly recommended. Many great Americans have visited, and this grand establishment abounds in history.
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william
This place has a lot of local fame. The food and atmosphere is good, but I do think it is a little exagerated to some extent.
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