Stubborn Mule Restaurant and Brewery opens in Landrum

Published 1:03 pm Wednesday, June 18, 2025

LANDRUM—Stubborn Mule Restaurant and Brewery, located at 501 N. Howard Avenue, officially opened its doors to the public recently and is already receiving massive support from the community, setting itself up to become a beloved gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

Manager Mitch Bartling expressed excitement about the offerings that Stubborn Mule has in store. 

“We’re going to do eleven beers made in-house,” he shared, noting that the brewery would also feature its signature house-made ginger beer. “That takes up our twelfth tap. Our menu will be complemented by light, refreshing cocktails for the summer, all while enjoying a stunning view of Hogback Mountain.”

The heart and soul of Stubborn Mule are its owners, Tom and Kelly Quantrille. The couple, who have eight kids and a variety of pets at home, understand the importance of family, hard work, and community.

“We’ve always dreamed of working together on a project that would bring people together and contribute to the community we love,” they explained. 

Stubborn Mule proudly carries the spirit of its namesake, Rosie, a rescue mule who is blind in one eye and was abandoned by her previous owner. Rosie went unsold at auction, facing a grim fate typical for mules in her situation. Recognizing her plight, the owners of Stubborn Mule adopted her, ensuring she would never encounter such a fate again. To honor Rosie and give back to the community, the restaurant features a signature beverage, Rosie’s Red Ale, with 10% of every sale going directly to local charities.

“We wanted to craft a space that celebrates those same qualities—strong, reliable, and a little playful. Our goal is to share our love of craft beer and delicious food with the people of Landrum,” the Quantrilles added. 

The team behind Stubborn Mule includes Bartling, who brings over 17 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, along with Executive Chef Stephen Adams, who has a culinary background that began at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, TX. His experience includes working in celebrated kitchens recognized by the James Beard Foundation and the Michelin Guide. 

The new establishment’s menu features hand-tossed pizza, which it promises will be “dangerously delicious.” It also serves salads and a selection of appetizers, including wings, Bavarian pretzels, and more.

The Stubborn Mule’s hours are currently Thursday, Sunday, and Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.