Carmels at one time was great - food, service, bartenders, attitude. We've watched it slide steadily downhill over the last couple of years. First the food (which seems to be swinging back up, to their credit), then the overall attitude of staff, specifically "it's going to cost you". Last night (11/7/2014), we asked about substituting a side and it was: "$2.50" to do so, no option to upgrade the side to a salad at a reduced cost (never been anywhere that wouldn't do that), and the very expensive pimento cheese appetizer ($8.00) cost $1.50 more for 6 more small crostinis needed to finish the cheese off. It might have cost them 25 cents but what it cost was the waiter a reduction in his tip. Pathetic. From the moment we asked about any accommodation it was either "We don't do that" or "it's going to cost you". Seems the accountant is managing the place, too bad, the food is decent, especially the crab cake. But I want some common sense discretion, not a constant dipping into my wallet. Sad.

The best hamburger downtown by far, have not had dinner here but have never heard anything negative. My friend had the catfish reuben and it was killer too....the catfish is crunchy and deepfried with the rest of the sandwich being a classic reuben without the pastrami...really creative sandwich. We sat outside and listened to a street musician play on the opposite corner...what a great spot, would hightly recommend to anyone.