Magpie & Stump Hotel, MINTARO, SA

I have never encountered such an arrogant, rude and disrespectful person in all my travels. The service was disgraceful. The attitude of the publician was astonishing. I left with a feeling of sadness, sorrow and numbness. To be avoided at all costs

Hubby and I enjoyed waiting for our meals (not too long) chatting with the locals by the fire. Were politely served a lovely meal, and enjoyed the experience.

We took our family group of 11 to lunch there today and was absolutely appalled by the owner's rudeness. He told us to sit outside (it was freezing and drizzly) saying there was no room inside. We noted that all tables inside were vacant and remained so apart from a group of 12 that arrived after us. When we lined up to order we were gruffly told that some of the meals on the menu weren't available. Then said "YOu know there will be at least a 50 min wait for ÿour meals." We waited an hour and a half and our kids were beside themselves by then. We asked if we could sit inside again as our meals arrived as the tables were still all vacant and he firstly ummmed and ahhhd then said the tables weren't made up (which they were all set, half even had reserved on them but no-one came at all) and eventually I said the women were all freezing and there were obviously free tables inside so he reluctantly allowed us to move. What an arsehole! The waitress complained at every opportunity at how busy she was - quite amazing as no-one else was eating there and the meals were very simple (and ordinary) Our visit to this pub really spoilt our day as Mintaro is such a lovely little town with real character and well worth a day's visit and a stay in one of the beautiful B & B's. The sooner this guy moves on the better - eat at Riley's across the road instead.

Yes I heard the owner has no customer service skills .He has no idea of how to maximise the potential of his business. The pub is up for sale so the sooner he leaves the happier people will be.

The Magpie and Stump would play Fawlty Towers on a break.

The Owner/Publican is not just rude but is totally out of control.

If he wishes to attract customers to his establishment then he has a funny way of going about it.

You do not abuse customers as soon as they walk through the door.

You do not give customers a list of strict orders as to where you will sit howmany will sit at a table and threaten you with dire consequenses if you shift his tables to make a bigger one

You do not throw menus at them and tell them to order immediately

You do not tell people to piss off when they decide not to eat at his establishment when you are visiting the town as a tourist and scream at abuse at you when you are trying to leave.

Over all this PUB should be banned from any tourist handbook.

PUBLIC BEWARE