We went to Honest John's before a performance at the Detroit Public School's Ford theater down the street. I've wanted to come here because it was a place my late mom liked. I thought the saloon-type entry doors were a fun touch. I liked the atmosphere, too. The menu is wide-ranging, from breakfast any time to burgers, salads and sandwiches. I don't drink alcohol often, but I noticed they had a good selection of hard cider. I decided to get the one that was on the top of the menu -- something with pineapple. It was sweet but very good. My sister had the Honest John's hard cider that was on draft. It wasn't as sweet, but it was good as well. I had the grilled johnny john sandwich -- chicken, swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce on grilled pita. It was very filling; I only ate half! My sister had the chicken Caesar wrap, with the same result. We ordered some plain fries to share. Those weren't anything special. All in all, I liked the restaurant and would go back. read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

If you're looking for a fun, high-energy spot with great food and drinks, Honest John's Bar & Grill absolutely delivers. From the moment you walk in, the vibe just hits. It's lively, welcoming, and has that perfect mix of neighborhood bar and downtown cool. The kind of place where you can show up for brunch, dinner, or just drinks and know you're going to have a good time. I ordered the pattie melt, and let me tell you -- it did not disappoint. Perfectly cooked, juicy, and loaded with flavor, with that golden grilled bread and melty goodness that makes every bite better than the last. It's comfort food done right. And the frozen mimosa? So good. Refreshing, smooth, and dangerously easy to sip. It's the kind of drink that makes you want to stay for "just one more." Between the food, the drinks, and the fun atmosphere, Honest John's is a whole vibe. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to -- and bringing friends with me next time. read more

Came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning and it was packed but luckily we got seated right away. I can see how parking may be tricky around here if it's busy but there are a good amount of spots on the street in front of the restaurant. The food was delish. I had a monte cristo & a side of biscuit and gravy. It hit the spot and my friend really enjoyed her meal as well. Prices were great in my opinion. read more

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Had the chicken and waffle at Honest John's and it was delicious -- hot, crispy, and satisfying. Quick service, relaxed vibe, and a solid comfort‑food stop in Detroit. read more

Very cute location, nice dive bar atmosphere inside and great outdoor seating area perfect for summer. Our waitress was very kind and helpful. The menu has a lot of options especially vegan ones. Giving three stars however because we ordered the French toast and it was $6, but what we got was just one piece of toasted white bread with some sugar on it. Handheld sandwiches were good however but slightly expensive and did not come with fries. read more

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A solid 4-star spot for breakfast or lunch in Midtown. Honest John's brings a great local energy and a menu packed with reliable comfort food that won't break the bank. Our food arrived incredibly fast, matching the prompt, efficient pace of the staff. While the service wasn't the friendliest or most welcoming, the speed and fair pricing more than make up for it. It's an easy recommendation if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a classic, straightforward bite read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Biscuits and gravy - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Stopped in for a few drinks - we didn't eat, just grabbed seats at the bar and soaked in the dive bar vibe - casual, unpretentious, and full of character. The graffiti in the bathroom added to the charm. read more

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Last night we had dinner at Honest John, both my wife and I ordered Fish and Chips, the food was so awful that we could not finish our dinner. The fish was mushy and tasteless fried in rancid oil, as for the fries they were eatable . We had been in this restaurant a few years back and it was nice with decent food not so much today sadly. read more

First time in here. What a wonderful experience! "Dive bar" vibes which is a compliment. The food was amazing. Jazz was the bartender and I did my tried and true method of letting the server order for me. It rarely misses and this time was no exception. The corned beef hash was incredible. She was also super cheerful and made me feel at home immediately. This might just become my new regular spot. read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Corned Beef Hash - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

The service is great even whe they are busy, they are checking on you. I love the cool vibe with all the the pictures and stickers everywhere. I love the food I try to get something different but my favorite is a special they serve in the summer Sloppy Joe's . They also have some great vegan options. read more

Great food and drink in a very cool/hip atmosphere with funny neon signs and a bathroom with artistically designed graffiti and stickers. Great quesadillas and service as well, and met with one of my new Detroit friends Joe there. Also open late at night - highly recommended! read more

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My brother, dad, and I visited Detroit last month, because that's how we roll. Honestly, we had our reasons. Honest John's honestly, some of those reasons were probably unpersuasive, but all of us enjoyed ourselves, if not all at the same time. One Detroit experience we could all agree on was Honest John's. The signs and menus have it stylized as Honest? John's, which could say everything you need to know about this place. But it doesn't. Because honestly, Honest? John's is really solid. That question mark and its location and a bunch of other intangibles really lean in the direction of taking that question mark seriously, like the bar on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco whose awning reads, "WE CHEAT DRUNKS AND TOURISTS." Or like that burger place in Berkeley that closed a few years back with a "We cheat Dodger fans" sign or some suchness. Bravo to both places, but whereas the bar might be saying the quiet part out loud, that Berkeley institution would never actually cheat a Dodger fan, because a reputable institution wouldn't do that. So is Honest? John's a reputable institution? I'll let you visit and decide, but what it has going for it are five-star ambiance, five-star service, and five-star vegetarian options for a Midwest bar that doesn't advertise itself as a vegetarian place. Did I mention that it was busy but wasn't packed? We got a sweet booth far from the bar, which was perfect for us. There are different seating options, and I'm glad we were sitting where we were, because it was loud by the bar. So this should probably be a five-star review, if John S. is being honest about Honest? John's, but I'm John S., remember? so I'm always honest, even when I want to boost a business because I like it so much. Honest? John's loses an honest star, because my food, while good, wasn't quite what I was expecting. I ordered a Pocket O' Joy and cheese fries. The cheese fries were five stars, but the Pocket O' Joy? More like a Pocket O' Slight Satisfaction. I know, I know: Why did John S. order such a random combo of things at Honest? John's? John S. himself doesn't know, honestly. But I haven't been totally honest, because the most astounding part of our visit occurred within the scope of time we visited Honest? John's on a Saturday night. We were driving down Jefferson Boulevard, and my brother thought he recognized a pickup truck parked on the street. We did a U-turn, and as my brother was looking at the pickup, its owner came out of a nearby store. My brother went to say hi to him. My brother had met him twenty years earlier, when he (this guy) lived in San Francisco. My brother hadn't spoken to him in more than a decade, but he follows him (this guy) on Instagram. So my brother, who has never lived in Detroit, found someone he "knew" on Instagram by recognizing a parked truck. After this awkward reunion, and a few miles away, my brother saw one of the guy's stickers up in the bathroom at Honest? John's. What are the chances? Honestly? Very low. read more

Every time I go to HJ's, I have a good experience. It's definitely on my top 10 Detroit lists for the Black Bean Reuben and it's typically busy, but moves quickly and has a vibe that can't be beat. It's all about sitting at the bar in a dive bar with Christmas lights 365 that rocks it out. The shots are big and they have cocktails to choose from, too. I typically hit a crown and a diet back and go with my veggie option, but the breakfast choices are great, too. Awesome for a first date if you sit at the bar and hit the corner - laidback feels. Enjoy ya'll! read more

The hubs and I are visiting Detroit and we're craving a breakfast burrito. Since recently moving to Kentucky, I have been unable to find a vegan burrito that is worth eating. I googled Vegan breakfast burrito Detroit and the first site that popped up was, "Honest John's Bar & Grill". The site reviews regarding the vegan breakfast burrito were very positive so we decided to give it a go. Located near Wayne State University, the bar has street parking in front but I think there were pay meters, however they offer a parking lot in back that is free parking. The outside of the building is in good condition and is brick. The inside is dated but clean. Nothing fancy here folks, just your basic dive bar with good overhead music. The menu offered many options including breakfast. They also offered many vegan options. The vegan breakfast burrito was warm, fresh, and tasty! Definitely the best breakfast burrito since leaving New Mexico (however very different than a NM breakfast burrito NM has the best breakfast burritos). The hubs had a breakfast burrito & home fries. The service was good, pretty basic bar service. The waitress wasn't overly friendly or excitable, but professional, prompt and attentive. So if you are visiting Detroit & looking for a chill vibe, eats & possibly an adult beverage (we drank water) you may consider this place. I will revisit if ever again in the area. read more

If you're looking for a solid breakfast/brunch option in Detroit this is your place. My bf and I go here all the time. The food is consistently good and the staff is always friendly. Honest John's beats all the fancy places. You get a huge portion and it doesn't break the bank. They also have really good burgers if you're there for lunch or dinner. read more

Pop in, grab a drink and enjoy the local joint! We stopped in for breakfast it get you right where you need to be! The bartender was doing her thing and still so friendly. Definitely a ma and pa vibe but that works for us! Thanks to the team at Honest John's! read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

My wife and I were very impressed with the vegan friendly fare and our knowledgeable server.

Came here before the Green Day show and loved it! They have fun drinks and it's a dive bar feel but isn't a dive bar imo. Loved all the neon signs and our server was attentive and friendly. I ordered the impossible and my husband the impossible Reuben but they had one patty left so he got it and I did my burger with black bean. We got curly fries as well and frozen mimosas. Overall everything was so delicious! Love all the vegan and vegetarian options. read more

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I've been going to honest John's for years and I have had no problems and they've been an excellent restaurant to dine in. Great food great service until today when the Bartender made a mistake and did not take our to go order 30 minutes prior and when we went there to make a new order, did not serve my boyfriend a drink when he has not even had any drinks. Very disappointing and very disrespectful. The Bartender made a very bad judgment call and we will not be coming back. read more

Stopped here to have breakfast for dinner the other night! The space is super cute and I loved all of the neon signs and decor, bathroom is COVERED in graffiti so bring a Sharpie if you're into that lol. I thought everything was pretty reasonably priced. My french toast was tasty, and they give you a solid amount of bacon. My boyfriend got the fish and chips and he wasn't super amazed by them, they're pretty thick pieces of fish but most of it is breading. Service was fast and friendly. read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Fish & Chips - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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We finally tried Honest John's Bar & Grill for brunch. We arrived around 9am and were seated right away. The decor is hipster divey. The menu is vast with a great cocktail menu available. He opted for the chicken & waffles - delicious, I chose the chicken biscuit- perfect portion for my appetite. Honest John's was an overall great experience- we will definitely be back! read more

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Stopped by Honest John's this morning for brunch. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the vegetarian and vegan options! I tried the patty melt with the impossible meat. It was delicious and I can't wait to come back and try the veggie chicken tenders- it's very rare that I see that on a menu! Sat at the bar, service was excellent and food came out super quick despite the restaurant being fairly busy. Cute little place. Looking forward to returning. read more

we decided to try honest john's because of the multiple vegan breakfast options. vegan breakfast can be hard to come by so when a place has a vegan option that isn't avocado toast it's a must try. the food was good. i got the vegan scramble and half order of french toast. my partner got the vegan breakfast sandwich. the scramble came with toast and potatoes so it was a lot of food. the scramble was pretty good - peppers, onions, cheese. i find fake egg can be a little runny if not cooked long enough and this scramble was definitely on the soft side. the potatoes were very delicious - crispy and seasoned well. the texas toast was fluffy but there is no vegan butter on it so it would be dry without putting the scramble on it. the breakfast sandwich was good but needed a little more flavor. maybe a sauce or something would have taken it to the next level. the french toast was crispy which is hard to do with just egg. we loved it. i don't drink coffee but my mom and my partner wanted me to write in my review how amazing the coffee was. our server told us it was from james oliver coffee co down the street. i enjoyed the ambiance of the place - big wood booths, dim lighting, and some tasteful graffiti. read more

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Amazing vegan French toast. Super friendly wait staff. Crowded and clearly popular with the locals for Sunday brunch. Only mark off is that with vegan options on the menu they should also have nondairy options for coffee add ons. read more

You come here for the vibes and drinks, not the food. I've been here several times and I can safely say that if you can't cook, but want to eat a lot of food at a decent price, come here. It is very unpretentious. I would say a majority of their food is pre-prepared from a food distributor and the cooks in the back heat it up. It does the trick to scratch that itch. The biscuits and gravy tasted the same as what you get from the free continental breakfasts served at hotels. The gravy tasted like it came out from a can, with no additional twists or flair. Ditto about the biscuits-they definitely don't make these in house. (Then again, they don't make any claims to be the best food or anything like that). The curly fries are generous. One could make an entire meal of curly fries. They were cooked just right with a good crunch on the outsides and fluffy insides. Of course, it's obvious it came straight from a frozen bag, but that's not bad per se. As a side note, there's a lot of people who come here after they finish work in the nearby hospitals, so if you want to try to pick someone up in the medical field, try your luck here. read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Biscuits and gravy - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Really enjoyed our meal here today. We sat for a bit outside in their yard"" while we waited. And when we were seated, we had friendly service and we really liked the brunch menu. My daughter, and I shared the Greek scramble, which was pretty tasty and the chicken and waffles, which we really liked. The hot honey made it extra tasty. The prices were reasonable, considering how things are these days. It's not a bargain, but it's also not one of the pricier brunch places. My husband had a sandwich and really enjoyed it as well. read more

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My friend and I had a good experience at Honest John's. I liked their diverse menu and that they had vegan options. I love breakfast food and my friend doesn't so it helped that they had more than just breakfast items. I got the monte cristo and my friend got a chicken caesar wrap and cheesy fries. It's a sit yourself situation and a casual environment. I loved the glow up signs they had on the walls and there were writings everywhere in the bathrooms to add onto the divey atmosphere. Our server was nice attentive. I would like to go back during the bar hours and see how things are then as opposed to when we went there during lunch hour. read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Chicken caesar wrap and cheese fries - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Went for Sunday breakfast before heading out of town ended up staying for awhile because the atmosphere was amazing! The bar was full of folks laughing and chatting over some delicious looking food. Our server Jeff was absolutely top notch. Make sure if he's your server ask about his Grandma Gloria. His energy personality and overall service was 110% he made our day and gave great food and drink recommendations. Definitely ask him to make you the Fromo(frozen mimosa) the way he likes it. read more

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After multiple occasions at this location, since going to Wayne state and living in midtown. This is the first time I've felt unwelcome. This is also the first time I've come in contact with the little faux army action figure with the DIY buzz cut. I never would've thought a table of 3 couples would warrant him to stopping sweeping the floors and make us aware that "i hope you guys hurry up and leave" his words. That was a first and the undertone was loud and clear. John was covertly honest on this night. I appreciate it. I prefer to know the sentiment up front. read more

OK, so who doesn't love a place that serves breakfast all day and into the night? Swung by for lunch. She enjoyed a PBR and we had some solid breakfast. But the winner here was the cheese grits. We're Florida kids, and we know our Southern culture foods. These were some of the best cheese grits I've ever had. read more

We stopped here after a work event in the area. There are plenty of big tables and booths, so that worked well for the groups. It's got a cool vibe inside, industrial meets bar decor. Our server came over quick and let us know what they were out of, and was very attentive. The menu has plenty of choices for everyone, both breakfast and lunch choices, without being overwhelming. Our food came out pretty quickly as soon as it was ready, and was very tasty. While there are plenty of options in the area, this is a good one if the menu tickles your fancy. read more

They offer vegan options but they are disgustingly over priced . I always get the vegan sausage and French toast which is overpriced the sausage two patties is 7.95 and then two pieces of bread for 13.00 so I'm spending 20.00 on a 6.00 meal . Because I don't eat animals which is disgusting disheartening because the customer service is a 20/10. read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

A great dive bar to head to after dinner or before/after a game...good bar food and good pours on drinks. They have plenty of space if you want to stop by with a group, which is what we did. I love the neon signs. read more

My brother comes here all the time and loves their chicken tenders and fries and the chicken biscuit. I was wanting to get the fruity pebbles french toast, but he said he tried it before and it wasn't good. Instead, I got the chicken and waffles and opted for wings. (They give you a choice of wings or tenders) The waffle was SO good. The wings were not. They were dry and bland and hard so I did not eat them. My biggest yuck about this place was the bathroom. Disgusting and very STANK...Like it was so bad that I couldn't stay in there long enough to go and ended up just holding it until we got home. I feel sorry that employees are subjected to using those facilities while they're on the clock ): Our server was also pretty mid. While ordering, my brother's gf asked for her chicken to come on a separate plate than her waffle and the waitress literally replied "It comes on top"...Again, she clarified that she would like it to come on the side, the waitress moved to the next order and guess what? It still came on top. After we got our food, we weren't checked on at all. Not even once. She didn't ask how we were liking things. After eating only a waffle and no protein, I was still hungry and wanted to add on something, but she checked out from us so long that the next time she returned, she was offering take out boxes. read more

Honest John's Bar & Grill - Chicken Wings + waffle - Pubs Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

But the bartender. Arguing with customers. Apathetic. Bored to be waiting on you. But no charm to back that up. Wow. She makes you feel less than for being there. Tried to order food, she never asked or cared. We f ally got a menu. She could have cared less. Old school vibe with a why are you here service. Someone please help her. read more

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Yeah, not bad. We tried the biscuits & gravy, pork sausage, and chicken & waffles. The biscuits & gravy were good enough. Not amazing, but not bad. I'm glad I added a side of sausage, though, as it it was good. The chicken & waffles were quite good and the somewhat spicy syrupy sauce served (hot honey, I guess?) with it was surprisingly good and complimented it well. The service was great and the atmosphere about what I'd expect for what it is. It has a somewhat gentrified young urban hipster vibe. Fun, I understand. I'd like to try it for dinner, as the menu is interesting, so possible future updates may be warranted. read more

Being six months pregnant at the time I was on the hunt for some good waffles. This is how I stumbled across honest John's. we were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere. There's really cute lights, fun, decorations, and a very friendly staff. We seated within five minutes of entering the business and the tables were very big and comfortable. What I was most impressed with was the variety in the menu I came in for waffles but I soon found that I was able to have the most delicious fries. I've been able to eat here in Detroit in addition to getting a side of eggs with my choice of meat on my waffle, and I could not have been happier . I was so excited about all my food that I neglected to take the pictures that I normally do but will update with pictures as I do go to John's about once a week now as it is one of my favorite restaurants here in Detroit. Another nice thing about honest John's is that they do not close early and you can get a late night menu that has all the staples, including the waffle, which is one of my favorite things. We have gone now at all different times of the day from brunch to lunch to dinner to late nights, and each time is always a pleasure. I've introduced my Mom & Dad and sister and brother in law to a new restaurant in our family's rotation. We definitely will be back. read more

Stopped in for a drink & snack before the 1 pm Lions game. The hostess said there was a 35 minute wait for a table and we were about to leave when we were able to get a spot at the bar for 2. Unclear why the long wait, we saw several empty tables. Anyways - my bf ordered a jim beam/coke and I ordered a draft beer. His drink came pronto, mine was a no show. We were at the 2 end spots and she stayed at the other end. After 5 minutes of trying to catch the barmaids eye I was getting pretty irritable. She literally would not turn our way. I watched her wait on several people, wash glasses, and then finally pour my beer, and she still stopped on the way down to do a few more things. Passive/aggressive? Doesn't like other women? Beats me. They're going for the 'dive bar' feel, trying to match their old location. That means the walls and the bathroom in particular are covered in graffiti to the point you can't even use the mirrors. Kind of gross really. So - not a destination for me, I don't need to be treated poorly when I'm out for a drink and especially since I'm always willing to tip well for good service. read more

This restaurant is a solid staple in downtown Detroit. The food is always better than average and you can be guaranteed that you will get good food at a fair price. read more

Divey pub. A fair amount of paid street parking nearby, paid lots and garages are much further. I don't blame the pub, but there as a busker outside spinning a long story about how her apartment burned and she just needs some money until the insurance kicks in. Inside is a crowded pub with o0ts of funny signs on the walls. The restrooms are so heavily graffitied nothing can be read. The food was all good, so were the drinks. Decent tap menu. Friendly fast staff. Pretty good prices. A huge Santa pub crawl came in and the staff got them off to the end of the bar pretty quick, and took care of them quickly. read more

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