The Watering Trough Food & Spirits

When we moved right down the street from the Trough, my husband was stoked. He wanted this to become our new regular spot. He’d been a few times with guys from work for wings and really enjoyed it. I wasn’t quite convinced I wanted to go there (and take our children), as it looks like a dive. Well, a year later and we never went once. We just moved out of Mount Joy and needed dinner. My husband gave me those puppy dog eyes and I agreed to go. I was hugely surprised at our experience.
At first, service was slow. It took over 5 minutes just to get a table and then our waiter didn’t stop by for several more minutes. However, once our waiter stopped by, the whole experience changed. He was very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious! I had the cheesesteak and my son had a bacon cheeseburger. My daughter had pizza off the children’s menu, which she said was OK, and would get something else next time. My husband enjoyed the wings, as he expected from previous experience. We look forward to returning.

We have been here twice within the last month. The place is nice, but the service is SLOooooOW & not friendly. Food was ok, my daughter’s mashed potatoes, where not good (she said thwy were «stale»). My wings were NOT hot coming out & the fries were mediocre (cheese was to dry & fires were not crispy). Waitress was nice but she took forever to deliver anything. Our daughter got a free ice cream & it took her 12 minutes to deliver, a prepackaged cup (not needing to scoop it, I’m not sure why it took so long?). They need a lot of work and should put more focus on their non-​smoking front end restaurant! I want to come back because the atmosphere is nice, but I’m not sure… they are 0 – 2.

For twenty some years the Watering Trough was owned by one family and run as a local Mount Joy bar and restaurant. In 2011 it was purchased by a family that owns two other places (two MJ pizza places) and since then, it’s undergone an interesting (and much needed) rejuvenation.
It’s still a casual, very local place for a drink and/​or some food. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, burgers and more assorted fare. The portions are hearty. The preparation is simple and tastes good. The service is typically good as well.
I’ve only ever been in for lunch for I can’t speak to the dinner menu or service quality. From what I’ve seen I would be very surprised if it was markedly different.
All in all, the Watering Trough is a good, reliable place for nice, value oriented lunch in Mount Joy. I’m sure I’ll be back there again. And again.

we’ve been there twice now and its becoming our favourite! the salads are yummy, and the prime rib is to die for. the bar is well equipped with deliciousness. Chip and Donna, the two main bartenders in the non-​smoking bar area are fantastic. You never wait long for a refill, and they make the best mimosas!

Prices are great, food is good. I’ll definitely be returning to eat.

Not sure what the bad reviews are for, but the front non-​smoking bar/​restaurant was great. Clean and open, the service was excellent. Ranch dressing for the salad was full flavored and not bland at all. Lasagna special on Monday was very well portioned and delicious. Great tasting wings special and very affordable prices. definitely coming back.

New management, same old small town meat market. I’ll pass