I was excited to check out this local sports bar in Lodi after seeing all of the positive reviews…read more
Honestly, it was a little underwhelming for me. Maybe I just ordered the "wrong things". Either way, my experience didn't live up to the hype.
I visited on a late Saturday night. There's a parking lot behind the restaurant. The entrance can be tricky to find... It's located in the back on the left-hand side.
The exterior and interior are both pretty dark, dull, and dingy. It's not the most inviting atmosphere at first. It has a divey, industrial, and rustic vibe to it, but hey... sometimes the best food comes from places that don't look like much. So I try not to judge.
It wasn't too busy, and the service was attentive.
The menu has your classic American comfort food - wings, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, etc. They switch it up with daily specials like skirt steak, chicken parm, and pasta. They have a full bar with cocktails, drafts, bottled beers, can ciders, and wines. You can even do a four-beer flight and make it a tasting experience!
I ordered:
*Dark & Stormy Cocktail [Goslings Dark Rum, Ginger Beer, Lime Juice] ($14) - Not the best one I've had, but it was solid. If you like ginger and rum, this is a must try. The dark rum has hints of caramel which works really well with the spicy ginger beer. The lime juice adds a citrus kick, so it's a really refreshing drink.
*Margarita ($18) - As a tequila girly, I've had my fair share of margaritas. This one didn't do it for me. It was a little too sour/tart, which overpowered everything else.
*Cubano Sandwich [includes roast pork, black forest ham, swiss cheese, pickles, mayo, and mustard with side of fries] ($16) - I wasn't expecting an authentic Cubano from an American sports bar, so my expectations weren't super high. This was good, but not great. The pork was flavorful, but could've been more tender. I wish there were more pickles and mayo for that extra tangy crunch. The bread was pressed a little too hard, so it was a bit tough to bite through.
*Double Blackened Chicken Breast Sandwich [includes pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo, red peppers, and red onion on brioche with side of fries] ($18) - This was huge and filling! They did not skimp out on the protein. The brioche bun was soft and buttery. The chicken was well seasoned - smoky and savory with crispy charred edges. BUT... to my disappointment, the inside was dry and not juicy at all. Another small issue was the ratio - There was so much chicken compared to the rest of the toppings, so it wasn't the most cohesive sandwich. It really needed more cheese and chipotle mayo to tie all the flavors together.
The fries were the best part - thick, crispy, and golden!
It's decent bar food, just not the best I've had. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great or memorable. For the price, I didn't feel it was worth it. I do appreciate that their food is served piping hot and fresh.
To be fair, this is probably the perfect spot for beer lovers. I happen to not be one, lol. The burger options sound popular and promising too.
I'd consider giving them another shot for Happy Hour or to try a burger, but it's not at the top of my list. Just because it's not the sports bar for me, doesn't mean it won't be the one for you.
