The Prospector

Refused to serve a group of Deaf people. Their policy was to serve less than 6 people and there were 8 of us including three kids. We offered to split into two tables which meant two different checks. They STILL refused to serve. PURE DISCRIMINATION!!!

I have been to this establishment twice, and I don’t mind the quirky rules that they have. I like that there are no young children running around or parents scolding «Now Epperson — Put that down. PUT THAT DOWN!» and, I don’t mind getting my own water or wine. The proprietor is not rude, rather he just knows what type of restaurant he wants to run, and that’s just what he’s doing.
My issue is that for the price, the food is not that great. The first time I went with a friend and we got a pizza. I love the pizza in Italy, and like that it has an-​ultra thin crust. However, $ 24 was far to much to ask for a smallish pizza with just a smattering of the selected items on top. (It could not have had more than $ 4.00 of ingredients on it, including the dough.) Although we were still quite hungry, we did not order a second pizza, as we agreed that we’d probably still be hungry after the second one, and then we’d also be in for over $ 50.00, and that’s before a tip and without a single drink!
This summer, another friend really wanted to try it, and I thought I’d try an entrée. The spicy beef was $ 26.00 and it says «shared entrée» — however the portion was just for one. My friend wanted to try the duck, and it was more even expensive. There were maybe six small slices of duck on a bed of rice noodles. It seriously was the size of an appetizer. Almost $ 30 for a smattering of duck meat over a small bed of rice noodles? How much can rice noodles cost? Seems like at the very least there would be an abundance of rice noodles in some attempt to make you feel full. They don’t even provide bread with these over-​priced «meals.» The food was good, not great, and definitely not filling.
Also, there was a cat that came in and out of the restaurant. I didn’t mind the first time seeing the cat, but when I found a cat hair in the dust lodged in a groove in old wooden table we were at, I thought twice about thinking having a cat there, was cute.

The pizza wasn’t bad but it definitely was not worth it! If we wanted to serve ourself and eat from PAPER plates we could have just done that from home/​cabin instead of going out to eat. We had to pick up our own paper plates and pour our own wine into glasses that were lined to show you the amount to pour. Not to mention all the silverware and glasses were dusty from sitting outside. We had to wipe them down before eating and drinking. Again the pizza wasn’t bad but it definitely wasn’t worth the price for poor service. We have a cabin here in Twain Harte and been coming here for years so wanted to try a new pizza place but was disappointed. We definitely prefer going to another pizza place not too far from here which also has a better menu selection and beverage list. Don’t go here unless you are willing to bare the poor service and dingy seating environment. Not worth the price.

I just came back from dinner at the prospector and can not stop raving about how amazing the food is. The best food I’ve had in Tuolumne counties actually even better then food I’ve had in the bay. The flavors are so delicious and I can’t believe how much flavor he packed into one meal. The restaurant itself is very cute and cozy with good music. you feel like you’re in a villa in italy, and the owner was super polite and gracious. I don’t understand some of the negative reviews I’ve seen and I would say do not let that detour you from this place. I can’t wait to go back and I’ll be sharing with everyone I know!

Was up there working the RIM Fire in 2013. After a long shift Robert and his family welcomed us I with open arms just before closing. He took out menus from us, asked us what we don’t like on our pizzas and floored is with his pizza making skills! This was some of the best pizza I’ve ever had, great guy and a great family!

This was an unexpected surprise. Fantastic wood fired pizza… Crispy edges, nice Caesar salad, wine. We had the margarita, Quattro formaggio, and chefs surprise– which had artichoke, olives, prosciutto. Yes, it’s self service with wine, minimal staff. It is authentic Italian pizza… Delicious. Just relax, get over yourself, eat good food. His rules are no parties over 6, no to go food, and don’t be in a rush— food is to be shared and will come out as it is made. Don’t pass this up.

The low reviews are from people who expect a customer is always right experience. This place earns its five stars for not only the food, but the character. Emphasis is entirely on the food.
We were there when it had only pizza and salad as offerings, so I felt like it was a truly pure experience. The salad was fresh, we’ll seasoned, simple, but good. The pizza! The chef took his time, but watch him. Here’s a man who knows what he’s doing. He’s making truly beautiful, authentic Italian pizza.
You help yourself to everything else. There really is minimalistic service, as in take your order, take your card. But that’s the five star character. You’re forced to focus on the food and your companion.
Ambiance is poor, but I tell you, that pizza…

Great Food and a really fun experience! Definitely will be back

I have a vacation rental in the area and eaten at the Prospector four times each time hoping for a better experience in order to recommend it to my guests. The pizza is just okay. When prepared by Robert it is better than the times he is not in attendance. I have ordered a chicken dish which was tasty but came with horribly overdone spinach. I ordered a duck entrée which was incredibly dry, I didn’t even know that was possible for duck. On my last visit I ordered the dessert pizza and was told they were out of honey. Really, at 6:30 pm on a Friday evening??? Twain Harte Market is a mile away.
I find the location not rustic but dingy. With the self service approach you would think the owner would be able to spend some additional time cleaning the tables and bathroom.
I also had the most unfortunately experience; albeit entertaining, of watching Robert dress down one of his staff, which I believe was his wife. Completely unprofessional in an open environment and during dinner service. I have also overheard very rude comments to patron’s regarding «the rules». There are better ways to communicate than demeaning people.
The Prospector is not respected by his fellow Twain Harte businesses. His off-​putting manner has the locals boycotting the business and mostly stays afloat through visitors and people outside of the immediate community.

We went here on the recommendation of a pizza snob and we were not let down. The ambiance was very warm and quaint. Rob, the owner, personally took care of the wine pairing for the evening and we ordered the chefs choice pizza which was a surprise until it came out. It was incredible and I’m still thinking about it the next day. If you’re looking for a quantity over quality pizza parlor this is not your place. It’s a unique and special dining experience with top notch food and one of only a few VPN certified pizza places in the state. If you’re in the area be sure to check it out and bring an open mind ready to enjoy a few hours of relaxed fine dining wood oven pizza. Can’t wait to go back.

This is not for the unadventurous. It’s awesome food served differently. I think I’ve had one of the most delicious meals of my life at this place — and my husband is a ExChef, so that’s really saying something! It’s a different dining experience in a nontraditional space.
Thursday — Sunday they have shared plates. Check their FB page or website for the daily specials.
Fundamentally you may end up sharing a table with someone else. There is no table service. You pour your own wine (buy the bottle if you drink a few glasses.) Salad, small plate entrees and pizza are all designed to share. We order the Fantasy pizza as its always different. Love, love love the dessert pizzas too.
I’ve found the younger Chef as wonderful as Chef Robert. I believe his name is Tyler and we’ve eaten there when he is alone running the place. Fabulous pizza.
This is a non traditional place using fabulous ingredients which cause the prices to be what they are. If you just want mediocre American pizza, go elsewhere. This is something unique and delicious, but not for everyone. Most definitely it is for us. I’m looking forward to returning.

Pretty good pizza, but expensive. There also is no service. You go up to order, and you get your own paper plates, which is a little strange. Broken bathroom… Still, everyone seemed nice and the pizza was good.

I honestly just don’t know what to say. I just can’t believe this place is in business. It is dirty, you have to get your own EVERYTHING (beer from a cooler), paper plates, paper napkins, etc. And the cups are are SMALL dixie cups. Now this is all just fine if you are at a snack bar etc. but we paid over $ 100 for a family of four and not only was the food completely bland but we we walked away still hungry. $ 24 for a pizza the size of a small plate. My 9 yr old blew threw that and was wondering what was next. And then the ‘rules’…yes, this restaurant has ‘rules’. They want you to sit, relax, and enjoy the food and the drink pairing. The WHAT? They only have 2 wines to choose from and again… you are eating off of cheap, flimsy paper plates and dixie cups. They want you to be quiet, no young kids, no parties bigger than 6, etc. Unbelievable.

Visiting here from AZ and wanted to get some food before heading back to our cabin after visiting Yosemite. This place had good reviews and only 2 $$ so I thought this would be a good place.
First got there on a Thursday evening around 7:15, first thing I noticed was the very quiet nature of the place. Of the two tables occupied, nobody was talking or smiling or laughing with each other. So then we went to our table which was dusty. The owner wasn’t there, and instead there were three high school/​college age guys that weren’t all that active. My family (of 3 people) ordered 2 sodas and 2 pizzas, with the pizzas being $ 22 and $ 24 each.
The pizzas came out and were only about 12″ and also somewhat burnt, but it was fine. The cheese seemed to be put on sparingly, and I actually measured a pizza slice to be about an inch of just crust, inch of sauce, then an inch and a half or two of pizza.
The bill ended up being around $ 70 (including tax and a small tip) for three people, and we left far from full. Last but not least, when I went to the bathroom before leaving, there was 8 (I counted) live, moving spiders on the ceiling.
Overall, the food was overpriced, the quality of service was dissatisfying, and the upkeep was very subpar. I had told my family that we should go there because of the good reviews, and left embarrassed to have done so.
I would not recommend to anyone.

I can live with the lack of table service. I can deal with getting my own water in a Dixie cup or eating my food on paper plates. I have no issue paying $ 20 – 30 for a good Neapolitan pizza any day of the week. Heck, I don’t even mind the «perceived» reputation of the proprietor of this establishment which is probably more of a draw then a discouragement to patrons at this point.
The Chef (Robert) maybe a fantastic cook and be certified whatever but I’ll tell you, he isn’t the one always making the pizza. During this last visit, the pizza crust was underdone. Maybe he hasn’t taught the HS kids, he’s hired, the proper techniques but I do know it wasn’t him cooking the pizza in the wood oven. I know I could do better and have!
And honestly, I don’t get how some reviewers equate «rustic» to flat out dusty and dingy. Ant’s crawling over me while I eat isn’t a good experience and seeing the same old cobwebs, with trapped dead bugs in the corners, just doesn’t call out «charm» to me.
I think I’ve been here three times and I can say that I won’t be coming back. The bottomline is the pizza I get here just hasn’t been worth it and I do leave here still hungry each time.

If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I would! Absolutely fantastic!
The people are very friendly. Wine by the glass is pour it yourself! The pizza is PHENOMENAL! They’re VPN certified
Robert, the owner, is extremely friendly.
I wish I lived closer, and could go all the time!

Great place. My wife and I love the pizza. Especially the dessert pizza. In the summer you can sit outside and when it gets cold they have a small cozy room. They do table sharing when it gets crowded. It is fun to meet new people when this happens. The menu changes daily from what I can tell, so you can try something new each time you visit.

Absolutely the strangest call I have made to a restaurant. The person on the call was unusually picky about rules. They were super unaccommodating.
Me: Can I place a to go order?
Host: No, we are a sit down restaurant only.
Me: OK, up to what time can I come in?
Host: Last table is at 815 pm (sat)
Me: OK, do I need a reservation? I am a party of six adults an three toddlers
Host: We don’t do parties larger than six. Please don’t come!
Me: Hmm. The three toddlers won’t be eating.
Host: We are a very small restaurant and we cannot do parties bigger than six
Me: The kids won’t be eating and they’ll be sitting in their car seats. They won’t occupy your chairs.
Host: We have only one table of six and its currently occupied.
Me: Oh its only 600 pm and I won’t come in until 815pm. Also we don’t mind being split up if that helps.
Host: Please don’t come. We will send you back. We will not let you split up your group. I cannot allow it else I have to allow it for everyone. We just can’t make it work.
Me: This is strange.

Always changing menu never disappoints. It’s wonderful to watch the pasta for your meal being hand made fresh right before your eyes!
Atmosphere and self serve attitude is a bit funky but the food delicious.
Don’t be afraid it’s awesome!

The Prospector is a very eclectic restaurant in Twain Harte.
It has somewhat a mythical stature in the foodie community given its remote location and unique food.
We ordered a pizza, pork shank dish, and salad.
All the food was excellent. The pizza ranks in one of the best I have tried.
The pork shank was moist and tender served with tasty polenta cake.
This is a very unique experience.
It is a small restaurant, and I enjoyed smelling the aroma of the food and wood burning oven.
Chef Robert was nice when I placed my order. But I can tell he has a somewhat ‘moody’ demeanor that may put people off.
Based off the stories that I’ve heard he can be abrasive, which is unfortunate since most diners come in with the best of intentions and may not know his ‘rules’.
I look forward to returning the Prospector and trying more of Chef Robert’s excellent food.