A cozy restaurant nestled in the downtown area of idyllic Guntersville, Old Town Stock House is known for its delectable food and drinks, beloved chef and impeccable service. Treasured by its tight-knit lakeside community, the North Alabama eatery draws guests from across the state and beyond.
Old Town Stock House tops every must-do list in the region, yet, among locals, it’s still considered the place to go “where everybody knows your name.” It could be the accommodating staff, the personalized service or, quite possibly, the exquisite cuisine, that make Old Town Stock House THE restaurant to frequent. More likely, it’s a harmonious combination of all of the above that makes for a truly remarkable fine dining experience.
At the helm of the Old Town ship is Crystal McKone, owner and head chef. She bought the restaurant in 2015 after training at what is formerly the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and working at several different upscale restaurants in Atlanta, Crystal went back home to Guntersville to open her own restaurant.
“I always felt like a city girl stuck in the country, looking for a way out,” she said. “But I was wasted in the city; there are so many other people doing this. I thought, ‘Why don’t I go back and share what I learned with everybody?’”
Old Town Stock House was a welcomed – if not essential – fixture in downtown Guntersville from the minute its doors were opened in April of 2015.
“I think the big draw is the attention to detail and the personal touches and the relationships we have formed,” Crystal said. “We really try to customize each guest’s experience, depending on their preferences. We sit down every night and talk about each reservation coming in, so every server knows who is going to be at their tables, as well as their likes, dislikes, allergies and if they are celebrating a special occasion.”
Yes, the service is stellar. But the food should not be underestimated. Crystal is a well-trained, experienced chef who knows her way around a kitchen. Entrees can include everything from duck breast with grits and Conecuh sausage to a bone-in pork chop with spiced potatoes, garlic cream sauce, spinach and charred spring onion. She uses fresh, mainly local ingredients in her dishes. Inspired by the season, her specials can change from week to week for maximum freshness and variety.
“We have so much repeat business, we try to keep it interesting for everybody,” she said. ““We let the vegetables speak to us. There are so many variables with the weather and everything, so I would rather not commit and then just figure it out as we go.”
But don’t get too full on the entrée: Scratch-made desserts, such as bananas foster bread pudding and brownie turtle pie, as well as one-of-a-kind craft cocktails should not be missed.
Old Town is now open for lunch during the week. The new, full-service menu will feature heartier meals and include hot bowl specials, the Old Town salad, pizzas made on the outdoor grill and even Taco Tuesdays.
The food is an experience in and of itself, but Crystal insists it’s the guests who truly make Old Town Stock House a success.
“I think people like to come here because they’re going to see everyone they know,” she said. “It’s a great gathering place for the locals and for out-of-town guests. So many people love to sit at the bar. You’ll have a regular seated next to someone here for their first time and they’re trying to make regulars out of them, to sell them Guntersville. All of our guests are very welcoming. We really try to make sure everyone feels special and gets the same great service.”
Old Town Stock House is located at 410 Old Town Street in Guntersville. The full-service restaurant and bar is open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and for dinner Tuesday through Thursday, 5 – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5 – 10 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (256)582-1676.
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