Wooden Restaurant Tables: Butcher Block v. Plank

At Miss Restaurant Furniture , we are especially proud of our solid wood restaurant table tops, which are built by talented on-staff Amish craftsmen. We make both butcher block and plank style restaurant table tops; both are great options for food service and will work well in your commercial setting. But which style is right for you? Learn the differences of these wooden restaurant table tops.

Butcher Block Restaurant Tables

Butcher block table tops are constructed by face-gluing blocks of wood together to show the edge grain on top. You can see the individual “blocks” as part of the smooth top, but this process creates a hard surface, which is why historically, butcher block surfaces have been used for food preparation, including cutting. While any wood table top can react to the climate, butcher block tops are less likely to check or split due to temperature conditions. However, this harder surface is more difficult to stain evenly. Overall, the 1 1/2″ thick butcher block table tops offer a more contemporary look to your restaurant decor than their plank style counterparts. At our production facility, butcher block tables ship out in approximately 2 weeks, which is a few weeks quicker than the plank tops.

Plank Restaurant Tables

With the face grain up, plank wooden tables offer a very attractive, somewhat more traditional or rustic appearance, which is easier to stain evenly. However, it’s a softer surface and not recommended for food preparation; it makes a beautiful addition to your restaurant’s dining room. With a 3 – 4 week lead time, this table also demands a more temperature-controlled climate to properly care for and maintain it. We sell both an economy 1″ thickness or a standard 1 1/2″ thickness of plank tops in order to meet many budget needs.

Once you choose between butcher block and plank, there are more options to consider for your new restaurant tables! You can choose the species of wood you prefer: red oak or beech. Both styles are finished with a protective catalyzed lacquer and come in your choice of four house stains (walnut, natural, cherry, mahogany), or we can paint the table black for you. If you would like a custom stain match, there will be a small upcharge. You can also choose your edge profile: square, waterfall, or bull nose. We offer a variety of shapes and sizes, as well. Please note that lead times are approximate, and longer lead times may occur during busy production schedules.

Now that you have compared and contrasted these wooden restaurant table tops, you can find the right selection of tables for your restaurant.