The Loop - Minneapolis

I hadn't realized it's been so long since my last review. We come here several times a year and…read morethey have built up a solid reputation of excellent service and consistent food. We basically only come on days live music is going on. This time around we went for the bar seating so we wouldn't have to wait to eat since we had no reservations. I pretty much get the same thing every time, which would be eggs Benedict, and I always substitute the pulled bison meat for the bison wild rice sausage patty with one lemon ricotta hot cake on the side, yum.

Not a traditional entrance and a bit confusing but this restaurant is below ground and the hallways…read morelead to other establishments. But once inside, a very cool and big space. Live music on this Saturday afternoon which was a pleasant surprise. Busy place so this was a good sign. Sat at the bar and a lot of interesting options on the menu. I went with one of their signature dishes, the ham and pear crisp sandwich. Comes with fries and they were excellent. And their homemade ranch dressing is Yelplicious! The sandwich was good and the pear is a surprisingly good addition. Tasty all around. As I sat there I kept seeing these monster bloody mary's walking around. As I left I walked out a different way and saw the source of these drinks and what a cool concept. Largest toppings bar that i've ever seen. Incredible and it can't be missed!

0.7 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Event room

Pan Fried Walleye

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Helladazzle!

The Brothers Deli

3.6(101 reviews)

I've been to his place a couple times. Their sandwiches are really good. Service is great very nice…read morevery comfortable and welcoming.

Great, fresh food & fast customer service! I will absolutely be back to try something else on the…read moremenu, everything looked and sounded great!

0.6 mi•Warehouse District, Downtown Minneapolis

Turkey Melt Sandwich - seriously so good!

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Pepe with potato salad

Jimmy John's

1.9(43 reviews)

I got what I expected at Jimmy Johns on a Wednesday afternoon. The staff was attentive, helped us…read moreright away. Sandwiches were made exactly right. They were good, but JJ always is. This location was very clean, which is great for a busy, downtown area. In fact we were there at 1:30 and they were cleaning tables and mopping the floors. Plenty of staff. I counted 9 included a few delivery people. Everyone was busy and working. Not goofing around. I work just 2 blocks away and it's nice having a clean, dependable, reasonably priced place to go for lunch.

We ordered food for three of us. Everything but my wrap was delivered. We called and the guy said…read morehe's send it. 35 minutes later we called again and they said they'd make it the top of the list. The guy we first talked to didn't actually do anything about it.

0.7 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Open Late

Delicious Sandwiches

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Jimmy John's - Open Late on the Weekends

Wood + Paddle Eatery

4.2(129 reviews)

•$$$

The service here is ridiculously fast for the lunch crowd, so quick you will think they started…read morecooking when you walked in. The cornbread is an amazing dish and their smash burgers are also very tasty. On top of it all the server slipped and spilled some food which was not an issue but the manager rushed over to ask if she could help. Not necessary but it was great to see.

Fun spot to visit! An out of towner here, and many in Minneapolis or surrounding haven't tried it…read morethat I mentioned it to. Good menu options, both appetizers and main dishes. Waitress we had was very friendly and attentive. Walleye wasn't incredible, maybe slightly overcooked but overall a good meal. Would recommend!

0.9 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Dining and bar

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Hibiscus Punch

The Local

4.0(872 reviews)

This is a lively irish pub with a midwestern feel. The place had multiple private parties, and the…read morestaff seemed to be running around like chickens, but our group of three didn't have to wait long to be seated in the outdoor patio. The dining space was pretty dark, they could use a little more lighting, but not a deal breaker. Service was sufficient. I ordered the chicken pub pie, and it was delish! The gravy mix with veggie and chicken pieces was so satisfying, and the puff pastry on top was thick and fluffy with a buttery flavor I enjoyed. Also learned what a walleye is, since my coworker got the fish n chips with walleye instead of cod. This plate got a thumbs up too. Overall, we had a positive experience.

I stopped by The Local for lunch on a Thursday afternoon and was seated right away with no wait…read more There was plenty of patio seating available, but I opted to sit inside--and I absolutely loved the atmosphere! The interior has that classic vintage pub feel with lots of character and natural light. There are tons of booths and different seating areas that could accommodate parties of all sizes. I especially liked the glass dividers between some of the booths, which give you a little extra privacy without making the space feel closed off. My booth also had coat hooks and easy access to outlets, which I appreciated. I could definitely see myself coming here for a working lunch. My server was incredibly friendly and helpful, especially as I was trying to figure out how to use a couple of rewards I had on my account. I specifically came in wanting to try the fish and chips. Their lunch menu offers smaller portions of several dishes from the dinner menu, including a fish and chips option for around $15. I really wanted to try the walleye, though, so I ended up ordering the full dinner portion for around $28. The fish was absolutely the star of the plate. The breading was fantastic--crunchy around the edges while still light and fluffy--and the fish inside practically melted in my mouth. The tartar sauce was also really good and paired perfectly with it. The sides, unfortunately, didn't impress me nearly as much. There were plenty of fries, but they were pretty average, and the coleslaw was mostly cabbage with a light dressing. It felt like it was missing some acidity or lime to give it a little more personality. For almost $30, I also expected the meal to be a bit more substantial. I left satisfied, but found myself hungry again a couple of hours later, so I'm not sure the dinner portion felt worth the price for me. If you're mainly curious about their fish and chips, I'd probably recommend trying the smaller lunch portion first rather than committing to the more expensive dinner version. Would I come back? Absolutely--the atmosphere, service, and location alone make The Local worth another visit, and I noticed several other dishes on the menu I'd be interested in trying. I just don't know that I'd order this particular meal again. The fish itself was excellent, but for me, the sides and overall value didn't quite match it.

0.7 mi•Warehouse District, Downtown Minneapolis

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Dagwood's

4.3(40 reviews)

The food was wonderful. The meat and toppings were plentiful. The bread was fresh. I received…read morethe food quickly and the staff was very nice.

Really nice sandwich at a great price. One of my favorite places in The skyway. Long lines and I…read morewish the building was in a bit better shape but I am happy we have this!

1.0 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Biscuit breakfast Sandwich

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Dave's Downtown

4.3(126 reviews)

Easy breakfast catering, always consistent, and lot of classic options - especially for…read morevegetarians. The catering comes hot, clean, and labeled clearly. The sausage sandwich hits with the melty cheese, chewy English bread muffin, and balance flavors from the egg and sausage. The fruit was sweet, fresh, and juicy.

I decided to check out Dave's Downtown after getting a birthday reward through the Toast app, and…read moreI'm glad it brought me to this little hidden gem in downtown Minneapolis! I stopped in around 1 p.m., and there was a steady flow of people coming in for lunch. It also seemed like there were quite a few regulars, which is always a good sign! I loved that I could get there through the skyway. Once inside, there's plenty of seating, but you'll want to head toward the back to order. They have separate made-to-order lines for wraps and salads and for burgers. I ordered the mushroom and Swiss burger with a side of coleslaw for around $14, which I thought was pretty reasonable for a made-to-order burger downtown. My food came out surprisingly quickly! The burger was juicy with plenty of mushrooms and melted Swiss, plus fresh lettuce and tomato. The coleslaw was also really good--finely chopped, refreshing, well-seasoned, and not overly vinegary. One of my favorite little touches was the complimentary infused-water station. I tried the watermelon water, and after walking around downtown on a summer day, it was SO refreshing! There's plenty of seating, including booths by the windows where you can sit and people-watch while you eat. Between the quick service, good food, reasonable price, and comfortable seating, Dave's is a great option for a casual downtown lunch. I'd definitely stop in again if I'm in the area!

0.6 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Bacon, chicken, ranch wrap!

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Downtown Minneapolis Skyway system

Trieste Café

4.6(169 reviews)

Incredible authentic Middle eastern Cuisine. Had the gyro and pasta salad. Highly recommend.read more

Just started working downtown and tagged along on a lunch run since I'd never been. It's a small,…read moremainly to-go spot with a definite "mom and pop" vibe. Everything is on a chalkboard and prices may or may not end up being what you expect. $22 for a lunch box is highway robbery in my book. Got a Falafel Lunch Box and the salad was the best part; mainly because of all the oil. The falafel (4 small) was pretty bad. Texture and (I assume) taste of a dish sponge. I assume they come frozen from a wholesaler. The hummus (~4Tbsp) was fine, but nothing to write home about. The dolma were also "ok". Not really any flavor other than oil. The pita was also standard packaged type. If this box was $11-12 I would be thrilled, but charging 2x that is criminal. Maybe the shawarma is worth it, but I don't eat much meat so I don't think I'll be back.

0.9 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Feta pasta

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Line to order. Taken at the door.

Scratch Food Truck

3.9(8 reviews)

A couple weeks ago, I was at the Government Center around lunch time, and was excited to be able to…read moretry some food trucks! However, I realized that it was early November, and some of the usual players were done for the season. As I was about to admit defeat and grab something from Panera, I see Scratch Food Truck and I was saved :) They have a nice selection of sandwiches; I was heavily debating between the pork & shrimp patty, the sesame beef, and the fried chicken. The jalapeno slaw on the fried chicken sandwich won me over in the end, though. The fried chicken sandwich comes on a long bun, and is absolutely delicious. The slaw is spicy and tangy, and paired with the crisp fried chicken and mayonnaise, it makes for a very excellent sandwich. They make their own chips here, too, and you get a very generous portion with your sandwich. I'll definitely be coming back here.

Tried Scratch out for lunch and LOVED it! Great addition to the Food Truck industry in Minneapolis!…read moreThe chef incorporates an asian taste to his food. There's a selection of sandwiches and wraps. I went there yesterday and they had rolls on the menu! Two of us ordered the Pork/Shrimp sandwich, and another the sesame beef. The sandwiches are definitely large in size, perfect for any large appetite. Comes with tasty fried chips....not sure what the oil used was but very tasty! Everything is made to order, but still a quick turnaround! The pork/shrimp sandwich came with (what I believe) a tasty mango-type slaw and 'mystery' sauce that really created a 'light' asian taste to it. Not heavy at all, regardless of the size of the sandwich! All of us enjoyed our lunch and plan on coming back for more!

0.8 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

From their site

Always changes

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Coconut chicken slider with chips (guess they ran out of the pickled mango, papaya, carrots that make the sandwich complete)

The Brother's Deli Truck

5.0(1 review)

I stopped by here two weeks ago and I haven't stopped thinking about my sandwich since. I really…read morewaffled on whether I should check out this food cart or the dandelion kitchen one or any of the other food carts I hadn't been to yet... but man, I am so glad I stopped here. I got the bulgogi sandwich, a whole one, of course. Go big or go home. A whole sandwich was only $6, and is definitely a full meal. This was some of the best bulgogi meat I've ever had. A little sweet, a little sour, and a little spicy. And A LOT of it. Even the bread was great! And it didn't get soggy at all, even when I saved half of my sandwich for the inevitable 3pm snack attack. I'm in my best journal article writing mode when I'm continuously eating, you know. They do not skimp on the meat in your sandwich here, so fear not hungry gents and ladies of downtown Minneapolis. This is one of my favorite food carts (which I always seem to say) and a top notch spot to get your hangriness cured. If you have never experienced being hangry, it is the unfortunate combination of very hungry and becoming increasingly angry as a result.

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27 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Jamie V.

13 years ago

Date of visit: 5/11/13, 10-11pm. Holy hell. Dick staff, fair to good bar food. Just popped in after an awesome night of comedy at Acme (Joe Mande, et al). After a couple of friends and I ordered food, we were told by a hired goon that we would need to surrender our bar stools within ten minutes because we were about to be overwhelmed by a "crush of people" (apparently dance party USA was about to occur). When I asked why we couldn't sit at the bar, I was told "what if a large guy were to come in and break the bar stool over my head" (there were many large goon jocks in the place when we walked in, which should have been my first sign to get the hell out). I asked, "what happens to all the dangerous beer GLASSES when that large guy arrives?" (I was enjoying a Surly Furious at the time, the only redeeming quality of the place) He scoffed and walked away without answering my question. *Note to Surly, cut off your distribution to this place* When said goon finally came to retrieve our bar stools, he gave me the stink eye and said "there's always one prick in the bar, and you need to leave now" (outstanding service!). I politely said I would not be coming back (ever), at which point he told me I "better make sure my tab was paid". I assured him my friend had the tab (which he did) and I tried to walk out; he got in my way with his hands, at which point I told him not to touch me. I was followed out the door, and waited for my friends to come out. I told my friend who paid the bill to watch his receipt, because no doubt they were going to screw him over (I have seen other posts here that refer to some bill shenanigans). Other than all of that, I guess it's a great place. read more

Tennille R.

6 years ago

Where do I start... So yesterday was my boyfriend's birthday we had reservations for 7:15 at another restaurant. So, with time to waste I said let's swing to a bar have a few birthday starter drinks. I have never I mean never experienced a bartender that didn't have the people skills or better yet the interest to interact with people yet he seemed to make conversation with those he wanted too. Maybe it was just people of color he wasn't interested in being friendly with or making simple conversation, such as nice for you all to stop in for birthday drinks, plans after? etc We ordered two drinks a piece, he did not ask how they were, we had to signal him for our second round. Mind you it was say a total of 7 people in the restaurant that's including him and two other employees.... Let me tell you I won't be back. While sitting there we watched another paying customer come in and order a meal not once was he asked if his meal was good, or if he happened to need anything etc. He as well was a person of color. Your guess is as good as mine. One thing I do know is when people go to the bar they're coming for a reason, either to celebrate,relax, or make conversation with people at the bar as well as the bartender. If he's not open to doing that and making the experience memorable for the guest that he serves than he should not work in the customer service industry where everyone should be treated equally. Wish I would have gotten his name but I was so ready to get out of there we ended up leaving and arriving to our reservations by 630. read more

Rich C.

13 years ago

With so much late night potential from location, clientele, and staff, not including the d.j., it's sad to see what could be. Not so much a d.j., more of a Clear Chanel employee! Absolutely reprehensible music!!! I requested numerous NEW crowd oriented tracks only to be looked at like I was speaking another language! Having resided in numerous other locales and having been lucky enough to have met real D.J.'s, trust me, playing the " cupid shuffle" would be an immediate career suicide! You don't play the music stupid people request, or we'd all be listening to " free bird" over and over! A REAL D.J. plays NEW music people might not have heard before because they're the EXPERT! For the love GOD, it was an Electric Zoo crowd, and the blind deaf guy with the headphones in the corner kept playing bootie music, and of course with no alternative the masses tried to dance. I'm pretty sure EVERYONE would rather go home talking about that sweet new track they heard rather than having the garbage they've heard a million times before stuck in their heads!!! Stop pandering to the lowest common denominators, and take the high road! That might keep the riffraff out that keeps stealing my drinks! Seriously, I even watched the group of unsavory characters skulk around looking for marks. They only represented a small percentage of the customer base. Bottom line, play better music, get better customers! read more

M D.

11 years ago

They have about 12 tvs in the place, and are really the only option for sports in the north loop outside of The Office, yet they don't take advantage. Most of the TVs are the wrong color, and getting them to change the channel from a black screen to an NFL game is apparently too much to ask. They only get a negative review because of the service. Their food, the nachos, and buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, are great! I see from the reviews I am not the only one that has had issues with the staff. As for the nightlife, again I think a lot of its hype is because there is really no other dancing bar in the north loop. The dance floor is beyond tiny, and the place is usually so crowded it is a mess trying to get to the bar. I can understand the anxiety being a server at that time. I don't understand why they choose to let it out on weekend afternoons to an empty bar trying to watch football or hockey. read more

Josh K.

3 years ago

I am not sure what happened here. I used to stop here one a week. then my wife and i come back and we are a young couple. and the place is filled with drug dealers. people doing drugs in the bathroom, the staff was great. the fact that my wife didnt feel comfortable going through the bar on a Friday night due to the rude obnoxious customers is ridiculous. The lines down the block and I can't figure out why. it seems the door guys think they are like kings who clearly get kickbacks from regulars to ignore other customers. North loop as a whole is not what it used to be. read more

Melisa P.

8 years ago

This is my spot in the North Loop!! I come here for lunch quite often! My go to are the chicken tacos and they offer a corn shell so that's a bonus. I've come in for dinner a few times because my boyfriend loves the fried chicken sandwich. Today me and my co worker shared the wontons... we ordered another round they were SO good. read more

Brian R.

359

15 years ago

I would not go out in the downtown area without heading into The Loop for lunch, dinner, or a cocktail. I love the neighborhood feel and the service has been good every time. I am mostly there for lunch and it is a popular place to go. The menu is simple and yet there are some tasty surprises. I love their soups too! read more

Grace W.

4 years ago

the security guard looked my friend up and down like meat and i said don't fucking look at her like that and kicked me out! predatory men as security guards is actually so gross! abuse of power is actually so weird. a conversation about why the security guards are there and their purpose would go a long way read more

Minneapolis D.

15 years ago

Normally not my type of place, but after a much maligned visit to Wilde Roast Cafe, we went here for brunch yesterday. Friendly service, decent (consistent) food, and a fun atmosphere contribute to a good environment. Not the best, not the fanciest....but a VERY consistent experience! read more

Jen B.

Elite 11

200

17 years ago

Some how I was talked into going back to this bar after a show down the street at Bunkers. I have to say- it still sucked. It is still a magnet for skanks! Got an extra star cuz one of the dudes from the show Reno 911 was there acting all kinds of douchey and that was entertaining. read more

Harper C.

9 years ago

Service is horrendous. Beware. Food was so so. I guess it's a place I would go only if I was with a group of friends who were set on going here. This place sketches me out a bit. Wish there were more staff on floor to help keep things clean and in order. read more

Ryan F.

1013

8 years ago

Hard to beat this place for a great time! Great people, fun environment, and good looking north loopers everywhere! It's a must check out destination on a Friday or Saturday night, or to watch a sporting event on the big screens! read more

Danielle M.

14 years ago

Love the Dance Floor and Food! Friday and Saturday night however can be over crowded and not enough space since the bar is small. Have to be in the right mood to go in on the weekend. read more

Sadie O.

15 years ago

LOVED this place! Very friendly atmosphere with great food and awesome drinks! If you are looking for something to do before or after a Twins game, hit this place up! read more

Sofi T.

155

5 years ago

They do not support people who are non-binary. They will kick you out for trying to use the mens bathroom.

D T.

9 months ago

Find a place that actually respects its employees. Mass firings on the coldest day of the winter so far.

Chris B.

3 years ago

Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash.

Theresa P.

9 months ago

Demanding employees come into cook food while testing positive for COVID is making you sick.

Matthew H.

11 years ago

With life being so short, and so many other great choices, save your time go to Liquor Lyles

Rob A.

6 years ago

Great food and awesome place to catch a game. The atmosphere for Iowa games is unbeatable!

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The Loop - Minneapolis - newamerican - Updated November 2026

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A great classic dive in downtown Minneapolis. It can get busy on the weekends, but they have a…read moregreat big outdoor space for overflow. I love the dollar bills all over the wall to add character. Cheap beers with a great selection too.

My favorite and least favorite bar all rolled into one. When it's packed and you don't have a seat,…read moreyou can feel like a sardine inside. I love the dive bar feel and reading everyone's dollars on the wall and looking for ones me and my friends have contributed. I am a proud owner of their merch, which I found reasonably priced and very cute. During summer, you can usually find the friend group occupying a table on the patio. I appreciate even on a busy evening there are still servers going around and you don't have to fight your way up to the bar to order something. I've never actually ordered food at Cuzzy's before, but I've heard good things about it. An order of wings that went to folks sitting near us looked good.

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Love the Mediterranean Bowl I have been here before but it's been a few years. I was more than I…read moreexpected from a Bar & Grill. What a lovely surprise! The Gyro meat was on point. I wasn't sure if I would like the chickpeas but the spices were a perfect match with all the other flavors that all worked together with the brown rice with bits of kale, fresh tomatoes, red onion and Kalamata olives. The cucumber sauce just took to another level of flavor! 5/5!

They are not very welcoming if you're not a regular or a senior citizen for that matter. I ordered…read morea can of beer from a bartender that cost $7.22. I gave him a $20 and he gave me my change. I left the coins as a tip and I guess that wasn't enough for all the hard work he put in handing me a can of beer. As I was walking around the bar to look for my friends, the aforementioned bartender purposely sought me out to give me back the 75 cents and said, "Here, I don't want this." Really? Donkey hole. At least our waitress was polite.

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Well as vegetarians, we have definitely been snoozing on this place! We finally went for brunch on…read morea lovely summer morning and had a really nice meal on the sidewalk patio. We were blown away by the vegetarian options. They use Herbivorous Butcher for most of the meat substitutes, so it was really good. I do find too much of that vital wheat gluten heavy, so next time I probably won't order the sausage which was like a hockey puck. But the food, service and ambience were wonderful and the menu looked so good. We wanted to try everything on it so we will definitely be back!

such an awesome spot in the heart of northeast! Absolutely loved all of the artwork inside, it was…read moreso fun. Lots of seating and bar space. Due to the location, they offer several Kramurcyks products which was a great addition to their menu. We had a sandwich and a burger and they were both delicious. Service was nice and attentive. They also had plenty of beer options to choose from, including options from other local breweries. Paid street parking only at this location. Super close to a bunch of other fun bars and restaurants as well!

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This place is decidedly and consistently mediocre. I live like four blocks away so I really want…read moreto like it but it's just mehhh. Their chicken tinga taco bowl is pretty darn good but the pizza is meh. Today I came and had a glass of Sauvignon blanc and a small house salad with dressing on the side. The wine was lukewarm which, first world problems right? But if I'm paying $9 for a glass of white wine, come on bro serve it chilled. The dressing came on the side but they omitted the croutons and roasted pecans for some unknown reason and there was a small black hair at the very bottom. Plus you have to serve yourself water, no one checks on you, you submit your order via an app (not a problem I just don't see expecting a twenty percent tip for near non service despite society moving that way) and no one asks, hey is your salad shittier than expected? They don't care. Lol. Patio is cute though.

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3.4

(169 reviews)

JJ's Clubhouse was such a refreshing reminder of what a neighborhood bar and restaurant should feel…read morelike. After a really disappointing experience at a longtime neighborhood favorite, the contrast at JJ's couldn't have been greater. From the minute we walked in, the atmosphere felt welcoming, relaxed and genuinely neighborhood-friendly. The food is good, but if I'm being fair, it's not the reason I'd tell someone to go to JJ's. They have great happy hours, good drinks, and, most importantly, consistently outstanding service. Every time we've been there, I'm impressed by how the staff manages to hold it all down while still being attentive, friendly and genuinely warm. Shout out to the energy behind the bar yesterday, Olivia! JJ's would probably become one of our regular go-to spots if they expanded the drink menu to include THC beverages. JJ's gets the neighborhood-bar part right.

It's fine, I just never have a great time here. Still worth a try…read more *This ISNT a dive bar* A bar with $6 rails, pastas, salmon, steak, and updated interior is nowhere near a dive bar. Apologies, I saw many reviews calling it one... Service was friendly but if you aren't someone who is going to yell for them vs. make eye contact with an empty glass in front of you- may not be for you. Food has always been fine. Sometimes the portion is terrible. The pasta dish I just had the noodles were cooked perfectly al dente and I thought it was a fair enough amount of steak for the price. But the sauce was flavorless and it was advertised as cajun. Clean bathrooms and updated medium scale Americana bar decor. I'd like to emphasize nothing was wrong/bad. But it also isn't good and it isn't a cheap place where I don't mind it just being *fine.*

Tavern 4 & 5

4.1

(691 reviews)