I’ve avoided Stumptown (River Rd., Guerneville, closed Monday and Tuesday) for a while now because someone gave me the erroneous information that they did not serve liquor, only beer and wine. I am happy to report that that is not true. They do have a full bar. I found this out when a friend and I stopped in for lunch on a Sunday. The dark and PacNW style front room is your traditional brewery-style with lots of wood and a little kitsch. The room opens up on a large deck with lots of outdoor seating and another half of the bar. People in flannel were sitting around watching football and a couple was playing air hockey on the table near the bar. We placed a drink and food order at the bar and went to sit outside.

The bartender was nice when we walked in although there was a hint of Bartender Superiority Complex (BSC) which usually manifests in young bartenders, especially those who work in places with lots of locals. They start to feel like they are at home in the bar and thus have the attitude that you, the customer, are a guest in their home (and often an uninvited guest). They give special preference to the regulars, chatting them up and ignoring new customers or being aloof to the interlopers and warm and friendly with the regulars. They have an air of smugness, drunk on the power of wielding a soda gun. Sadly this was the case on Sunday but it wasn’t too over the top and I might not have even mentioned it if it weren’t for the appalling lack of judgment and bad service skills she displayed later in our visit.

On the menu there are two chicken sandwiches (all sandwiches are conveniently priced the same, $9) – a grilled chicken sandwich and southwest chicken sandwich. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and my friend ordered the chicken Cesar. It took easily 30 minutes for us to get our food and when it was brought out, it was the wrong chicken sandwich. I was disappointed but willing to return it and wait for another. I brought the sandwich up to the bar and informed the bartender. She went into the kitchen and came back out. She took the sandwich into the kitchen. When she returned this time, she placed it on the bar and informed me that this was, in fact, the sandwich that I ordered and correct. I’m sure by now you can imagine how well that sat with me.

I know for a fact that I ordered the correct sandwich and that the sandwich presented to me was the wrong sandwich, but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter WHAT I ordered or why I am sending it back. The correct answer is, “I’m so sorry. We’ll replace this sandwich and bring another out to you right away.” So bartender from Stumptown, you FAIL. You never argue with a customer – certainly not to tell them that they are wrong and that you know better than they do what they ordered. FAIL FAIL FAIL.

I was not happy at this point at all and pointed out that NO, that was not the correct sandwich as evidenced by the lack of pesto. To this she replied, “well what do you want? Your money back?”

Uh, NO. I want the right sandwich – I want to eat because I am hungry and I’d like it in less than 30 minutes and sans spit or other bodily fluids. For the love of God, where do bars find these employees?

I will say that the man who brought my sandwich out from the kitchen apologized and was very polite and nice. He should be behind the bar while little Miss BCS is in the back doing prep work. Overall, the food was very good. The Cesar salad had moist grilled chicken and great croutons. My sandwich, both of them actually, were very good with a hearty size. The fries, while bagged, were good as well.

But other than the snafu with the sandwich, I did like the ambiance of Stumptown for a Sunday afternoon.

They carry a few of their own beers and some other locals, plus the obligatory PBR. The liquor selection is small but sufficient for the crowd they serve. Happy hour is until 7pm (+++) but consists of only .50 off pints and well. There’s no drink or food specials. The outside space is really nice especially on warm days and in the summer. The parking lot is small and hard to navigate so plan accordingly. It’s an eclectic River crowd, so your experience may vary.