Joseph's Restaurant and Bar

Write a Review773-445-5637

CLOSED NOW - Opens at 3:00pm

As an ex-employee, I think my opinion counts. I had worked there since they opened and have seen it all.



Let's me just start by saying J, the owner, has the personality of a snail. He hides at the end of the bar, furthest from the door and very rarely greets customers. He is more content making fun of people, to anyone in earshot, as they walk in or out of his establishment. Only after other employees thank the patrons for coming, will he chime in a half-hearted thank you.



With that said, MOST of the food is ok, when it is prepared properly. Most of the dishes are your standard Italian restaurant fare, nothing out of the ordinary. Many of dishes portion sizes are SMALL with a capital S. I once served a 6 oz. Chilean Sea Bass that the gent ate in one bite. This was priced at $25, pretty ridiculous right.



They could expand on their side dishes as well, as the french fries they offer are the bottom of the barrel. You can get that crinkle cut garbage at any hot dog stand for a dollar a bag. A few times we ran out of fries and they fresh cut them. The customers loved them but J and John, the cook, complained it was too much work to prepare them each day, REALLY! People have requested mashed potatoes as well, and that is also J's argument, too hard to prepare daily. Give me a break.



The bread is a joke and half the time it is undercooked or overcooked. The TREND HERE IS THEY CUT CORNERS A LOT and definitely do so here. Stay away from the bread. These people are paying top dollar in your establishment, give them what they want.



Well aware the cost of food is rising. Why not add a dish like corned beef sandwiches, which many of the people in the area have clamored for. He won't because he is too proud. GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT!!!



The prices they charge should reflect the work they put into each dish. I'm a cook myself and know cooking is labor intensive. but If your charging someone top dollar, they should get what they pay for. They charge way too much for much of the food, as well as the booze.



Side note: If you're looking to drink a couple of beers, go somewhere else. 4 bucks a beer is too high. This is not downtown, THIS IS A NEIGHBORHOOD JOINT in Mt Greenwood.



J, the owner, doesn't get this. He thinks he is some gourmand bringing culture to the people. When in fact these are working neighborhood folk that just want a decent meal for a decent price.



The service is wonderful in the dining room, especially Adam's piano playing, not so much in the bar. Brittany, the hillbilly behind the bar does not keep it very clean and usually you have to request a rag, because of someone else's mess. You usually get your food and have to ask for silverware because she is too busy texting someone on her phone. It is pretty ridiculous. Countless patrons have told me she might as well be talking on the phone. She's that rude and doesn't even know it.



All and all I would stay away from this place. Definitely not worth the money spent. Can think of a dozen other places to spend your money and get a better dining experience.