Ok, so we’re here now (May 6 2025) and I have to admit that I love that I was wrong about TE. The last time we were here, it was a grab-and-go with options for ice cream and pizza. That was my last impression of the place, and I wasn’t happy.
While it’s not back to the buffet I liked, the Trails End is a lot improved. Our first dinner there was kind of a shock, as there were entree’s one could order, and it was more like a regular counter service diner.
But then we went to Crocket’s Tavern, and had the Pina Colvada (don’t know if that spelling is correct, but then I finished my drink lol), the charcuterie and we shared a fried green tomato sandwich. Our dinner stood up (and maybe surpassed) anything I’d have gotten on property at that price point.
The drink was good, with the raspberry puree and coconut cream making a swirl like a strawberry shake. It was a tad bit sweet for me, but I did like it a LOT. The charcuterie was very good, with a nice selection of meats, the homemade bread and butter pickles were excellent, and the two cheeses were very good as well. The price (if memory serves, $21-ish) was about right for what we got. I’d have to say it was a smallish appetizer for two hungry humans; there were only 4 pieces of the mini-pitas and a few tiny cornbread crunchers. The board would be great for a single hungry grownup. My FGT sandwich was EXCELLENT (intentional caps!). There was just the right amount of bite to the spice; enough to know it was there, not so much that it overwhelmed.
I’m still in kind of a state of shock that the food has changed so much. I’m glad we gave TE another go; it was out of necessity as putting up camp this time was kind of stressful and we were too worn out to travel to a park for eats. But it turned out that I am really glad I was out of date with my estimation of TE, but it _was_ the first time in forever I’ve been wrong
While it’s not back to the buffet I liked, the Trails End is a lot improved. Our first dinner there was kind of a shock, as there were entree’s one could order, and it was more like a regular counter service diner.
But then we went to Crocket’s Tavern, and had the Pina Colvada (don’t know if that spelling is correct, but then I finished my drink lol), the charcuterie and we shared a fried green tomato sandwich. Our dinner stood up (and maybe surpassed) anything I’d have gotten on property at that price point.
The drink was good, with the raspberry puree and coconut cream making a swirl like a strawberry shake. It was a tad bit sweet for me, but I did like it a LOT. The charcuterie was very good, with a nice selection of meats, the homemade bread and butter pickles were excellent, and the two cheeses were very good as well. The price (if memory serves, $21-ish) was about right for what we got. I’d have to say it was a smallish appetizer for two hungry humans; there were only 4 pieces of the mini-pitas and a few tiny cornbread crunchers. The board would be great for a single hungry grownup. My FGT sandwich was EXCELLENT (intentional caps!). There was just the right amount of bite to the spice; enough to know it was there, not so much that it overwhelmed.
I’m still in kind of a state of shock that the food has changed so much. I’m glad we gave TE another go; it was out of necessity as putting up camp this time was kind of stressful and we were too worn out to travel to a park for eats. But it turned out that I am really glad I was out of date with my estimation of TE, but it _was_ the first time in forever I’ve been wrong
It's okay, BarbLynn, it happens ..... You should be good for another 10 years or so until it happens again.
