I Recommend this restaurant! Great customer service. Friendly staff good eats. Joe our server was excellent!!! Has plenty of outdoor seating! They even plastic wrap their silverware. Wow, over and beyond. read more

John Sparr Tavern - Tavern burger - American Near Me - Glendale, California

Ummmm...my Tavern Tour VI page disappeared...so here we are...attempting twelve Taverns in twelve months! Sixteen Yelpers had a great time at our monthly happy hour event! As usual, we sampled just about everything on the food portion of the appetizer menu. We also had a fair amount of drinks! Shawn was our bartender du jour and he was terrific! I really enjoyed the super frosty cold beer glasses! He also gave me tasters of a few beers before I selected one I liked. I chose the Cutting Bracken Brown Ale by the MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., in faraway Van Nuys! The inside part of the tavern is cozy, small but comfortable. It's dark and pub-like, but due to our numbers, we had to move our party to the back patio area. It was hot and stuffy back there! We did open the back door to let some air circulate - but I do think the owners need to do something about that area! Ceiling fan? Or three? Restrooms are upstairs and there's an elevator too. It has a chair in it for your ride...haha! More fun ensued when we saw what Phillip F. had ordered...it was so PRETTY! Called the Queen's Park Swizzle, it was made with dark rum, lime juice, mint and bitters. Look at the picture...it's photogenic! Laughter. Beer. Cocktails. Snacks. Great bartender. Good friends. All that was lacking was a cooler back patio environment. I'd certainly go back and drink in that cool, dark front room though... Yelp Challenge 2018: 52/100 read more

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I pulled on the beautiful heavy front door and knew we were in for a good visit. Being from the other side of LA, we finally went for the first time for drinks and the crab cakes (we had other long-time dinner reservations that we couldn't give up). Each one of those items was top-notch. Crab cakes were some of the best I've had in decades. Made reservations for another visit to take in the whole experience for dinner soon. Cheers. read more

John Sparr Tavern - American Near Me - Glendale, California

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Just love this old school steak house with great fish and chips, steaks, salads and amazing service at the counter or at the booth.

Excellent from start to finish!! Staff was amazing, like they actually cared... Food was outstanding, Want to try the steak and onion soup next time. Drinks were great. Atmosphere was amazing. loved everything. Cant wait to go back! read more

My husband took me here for our anniversary dinner and I was quite surprised. I thought it was just a bar. The food was delicious. We were given a complimentary dessert. Probably one of the best crème brûlée I have had in a long time. Will definitely be back. read more

My husband and I have been coming to John Spart Tavern for lunch and or dinner over the last several years. Our overall experience has been five stars all the way. Today was a totally different story. The food was mediocre, we didn't get the add ons that we ordered, the onion rings were burnt, we waited 20 minutes for a water and soda and the service all around was just awful. I am not one to normally do a review but because of the circumstances that transpired today during the lunch crowd, I felt like I needed to do this review. Note: Other patrons had no problem vocalizing their dislike of the service they received. Maybe they'll do a yelp review too. read more

We have been coming here for years and everything on the menu is amazing, we were told they have the best Burgers around. We found that we can't find anything on the menu that isn't amazing. The drinks are professionally prepared to perfection. read more

We have been here about three times in the past. We tried it again and it was amazing. Skirt steak was cooked to perfection. Service is always great. We will be frequenting this establishment. read more

Great service! Excited to go back and try more. Had the chips and guac and it was made well then the fish and chips and yummy!

(Dined 12/31/17 SU @ 8:00pm): Be a lover not a fighter; stop sparring and visit this neighborhood tavern! I wanted to try John Sparr Tavern since they opened over six months ago. On this New Year's Eve night, I made reservations as I dropped the ball (pun intended!) on plans with a very good friend. With a pre fixe menu https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Zxv3-xe_cI63D_OL2g1bqw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, would my butt be saved or kicked to the curb!? PURCHASE Dinner Rolls (COMP): Warm soft mounds of goodness with a pat of hard butter - 'nuff said https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=D4txEpw-rE8TOjlX-EyVNA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Hopulent IPA Epic Brewing Co. 8.7% ABV & 1903 American Pale Lager Craftsman Brewing Co. 5.6% ABV ($7.00 x2): In a 12 oz glass, the Hopulent IPA was hoppy from start to finish as if I were drinking weeds! In a 16 oz glass, it had a light amber color with a citrus floral aroma followed by equal flavor with a hint of maltiness, and a refreshing quick finish and aftertaste that was enjoyable https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=yWtlwgn4i8b7qTaDuw4UKg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Crab Cakes ($15.00): Delicious deep-fried seafood rounds packed with crab and no fillers served with a nice garlic aioli which wasn't needed https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=HBcm5l0qmI8-Zx1dYPZcJw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Bowl Of Crab Bisque ($9.00 x2): "I mentioned the crab bisque..."! Creamy, seductive, and velvety but could've used more crab and crackers https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=EojIL8D96kynBVuwmIprDg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! Broiled Salmon, Creamed Corn, and Rice Pilaf ($30.00): The salmon fell apart nicely and nearly melted in your mouth! Roasted Duck, Creamed Spinach, and Rice Pilaf ($30.00): A small whole duck with dark crispy skin and juicy meat that wasn't gamey at all; a fine bird! The creamed spinach was plentiful and stuck to your ribs while the rice pilaf was decent but lacked seasoning https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=hR_aNJijTEvJTeGZZA7gSg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Creamed Corn (COMP): A surprise serving for me, the blissful buttery goodness and many corn pieces won me over https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=-NF18gd47fmte_-yaed_FA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! Mighty Dry Hard Cider Golden State Cider 6.9% ABV ($7.00): In a 16 oz glass, it had a clear yellow color with a citrus fruity aroma followed by equal flavor with a hint of tartness, and a clean crisp finish and aftertaste. An apple a day... https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=dzgoZVcnOdOLzQRgeVy0Nw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! Crème Brulee ($8.00 x2): A large serving of rich custard and crackling caramel topping, my sweet teeth were chattering https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Rv7Ymb5etKCldqnq7eZIew&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! Champagne (COMP): Cheers to another surprising touch https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=q_nu3iM7dGrBBtKrtBNAYw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! SERVICE Greeted by an older gentleman whom I imagined was one of the co-owners, he and Francisco the Waiter treated us like royalty with undivided attention, casual conversation, and complimentary cuisine - perfecto! PARKING (FREE) Unsure of the shared medium parking lot next door, I parked right out front along the main drag of Ocean View Blvd. In addition, there appeared to be plenty of metered and timed spots on all nearby side streets (read all posted signs). ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE Located inside an old brick building https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=jpbrA5QmK0AcFf1t2BIOyA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw where the quaint inside was reminiscent of a speakeasy or classic bar from the 30s and 40s with its metallic ceiling, wooden walls, tiled floor, medium-length bar, and a smattering of wooden booths and tables https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=V4UVVvBVMUg1AP9HJ3USBw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. There was a small outdoor back dining patio with Edison string lights. Minimal natural lighting came in through the front decorative stained glass doors and windows while a mix of dimly-lit electric recessed and ceiling light fixtures covered the rest. There were a couple TVs but no background music. ATTIRE Although I was dressed up for this special evening, it was totally casual and would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL New Year's Eve at John Sparr Tavern was a wonderful time spent with a dear friend. The attractive ambiance, fantastic food, palatable prices, and superb service won me over. The prices were elevated for NYE as any other restaurant but reasonable. The menu had something for everyone, and they offered Happy Hour (MO-FR 4pm-6pm). I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $142.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 5.0 STARS read more

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.. good food, really nice space - these guys know their cocktails.. be sure to try any one of the zombies

Love this hideaway spot for its dark and cozy atmosphere, welcoming staff and great fresh food. I had the Turkey Rueben which I'd highly recommend! read more

We came for a weekend dinner and really enjoyed the ambiance and food. Our attendant was knowledgeable and helpful, as well as efficient. Our food was good and fairly interesting for pub food. The owners were on site and visited with many patrons, including us. I liked that the environment was so cozy and clean. This is a tucked away gem for comfort food and friends. As we came alone and don't drink, my review is missing some important information! read more

Pleasantly surprised by the quality of food here. When you first enter, it looks like a dive bar with a facelift, but they use cloth napkins and really friendly servers. Yelp is right! They serve really good (and affordable) french onion soup. Most restaurants charge in the neighborhood of $13-$15 for a bowl of French onion soup and sadly some places serve salty onion flavored water hidden under some melted gruyere, but the broth here is really thick and not overly salty. I hate to quote Guy Fieri, but this soup is "flavortown." I ordered an almond encrusted trout ($29) and my husband got the 14 oz NY steak ($36) which I also tried. NY is one of my least favorite cuts (but my husband's fave), however, they cook and season it very well here. My trout was also seasoned and cooked perfectly. One thing to note is that most of the time I've order almond encrusted trout at restaurants, I see slivered almonds but here they used chopped almonds. This gives it a nice crunchy crust. Unfortunately the sides are just average but since the proteins were perfect and well portioned, I'm not holding this against them. We had a choice of potatoes--mashed or au gratin and honestly they were just so-so. Maybe we should have gotten the rice pilaf? I just think both types of potato were too heavy for my trout dish. My dish would have been perfect with a parsnip puree. I also got the creamed corn and my husband got the green bean and carrot mix. There were enough green beans but there was only three small thin carrots. Looking forward to trying more food at this little neighborhood tavern. read more

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Food and service are unmatched! Love Ruben and Francisco always provide excellent service!

Oh, Man!!!!!!! I can't believe it has taken me this long and so many, many AMAZING visits to let the world know how the new owner has transformed the John Sparr Tavern! The food and service are EPIC. I swear I hear the theme to the classic CHEER'S sitcom in my head every time I walk in. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came...." The decor is admittedly MUCH nicer than the TV show and did I mention the FOOD?! I found out the new owner is a chef who has a pedigree second to none. I can't believe how lucky we are to have her here in Glendale. She has fed the biggest celebrities in the world for decades and yet, when you walk into her passion-project-of-a-neighborhood-hang-out, she makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world. Don't wait another day to go. Maybe I will see you there! read more

I think if I was more well off this would be a regular haunt, but as it stands, John Sparr is just a teensy bit outta the price range of a recently engaged 20-something. That being said, I really enjoy the feel, the vibe of this tavern. It's very old school, traditional, feels like it belongs in The Shape of Water or The Great Gatsby. My gal and I were here early on a Saturday evening, roundabout 5pm, so the waitstaff and bartender were bored out of their minds (I even saw a waiter hold the door open for customers coming in, which underscored just how little they had to do). The food here is unmistakably American faire, and the space itself is not very large, so if you are coming on a weekend night (which I assume is when it gets busy?) I would advise you to come early if possible. The seating only holds about 50 people at the absolute most. All in all, a great experience, and I love that this spot is tucked away behind La Cabinita, and away from the more busy main street of Montrose. read more

My family and I have been going here for a while, but this time has been a huge disappointment. Ordered two corn beefs and cabbage for St.Patrick's Day. The total was $64 and just look at the size of this!!! I cannot believe how much they charged for this small portion. It was tasty, but the price is insane. I hope it was at least blessed by St. Patrick himself. read more

John Sparr Tavern - American Near Me - Glendale, California

Been wanting to try this place for a while now and excited for us to finally make our way down. This quaint and nicely personalized tavern/restaurant is located at the tail end of Ocean View in Montrose. We sat in their outdoor patio where it was cozy peaceful, and pet-friendly. The high tables were placed nicely so guests were not crowding one another. We ordered the crab cake appetizer that was fresh and delicious. You can tell they were not frozen or store bought by any means. The corn chowder was an absolute hit! The corn was lightly roasted, with sliced bacon, finely chopped peppers and blended spices. The chowder came out piping hot which was perfect for me. Their halibut special was flaky and creamed spinach was the best I've ever had. Cream corn was also a delight and not heavy or overly sweet. Their beverages were really good. I could hardly taste the alcohol (wink), but it really did its job. John Sparr has an awards program that we highly recommend. It'll be great to use on special occasions. Especially on anniversaries, birthdays etcetera. read more

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Good food but the owner is a grumpy old guy who's idea of customer service is a little strange. He'd rather sit at the end of the bar pounding down drinks than figure out how to run his restaurant properly. For the prices they charge, he needs to just disappear during dinner and let his waiters and bartenders do their thing. My wife and I love going to local restaurants and go out often enough to become regulars. We thought John Sparr looked like a great little place to frequent on a regular basis. Not so much. I remember when we are treated poorly at a restaurant and it takes a long time to remove that bad taste (pardon the pun) read more

Quaint and quiet tavern. We only stopped for drinks. They have a very attentive staff. We'll want to try their food next time. Great to know this classy, clean place is in our neighborhood. read more

John Sparr Tavern - Mai Tai {1956) - American Near Me - Glendale, California

I previously had a 5 star rating. Unfortunately, my wife and I made reservations for our anniversary, we are 65 and 64 years young. When we arrived, first we were told we had reservations and that they couldn't accommodate us. They offered 2 seats that were at the end of the bar. Obviously, this was not the 'anniversary' experienced we desired. Finally, the owner was very rude to us. (we were return customers). He told us that they had chosen no to honor our reservations since there were only 2 of use. We decided to call Taylors in La Canada. They were able to put us in a nice booth. We ended up spending over $200 for our meal and cocktails. Sorry John Sparr - you lost the night and our future business. read more

We got hungry after visiting the Descanso garden. Their cafe was closed so we decided to find somewhere nearby to eat. Luckily, we found this gem only 7 minutes away. Located in a nice neighborhood, parking may be hard to find if that street gets crowded. We found a spot right away so it was no biggie. At first, I thought it would be a casual bar place. Little do I know, I stepped in a nice looking, cozy vibe restaurant. Our table has real flower vase and our food was served with great manners and a funny waiter. He has good sense of humor. We are very satisfied with our plates. Even my picky mom agrees that she likes this place's salmon. The duck and sea bass are also full of flavor. We love it!!! read more

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Amazing place! Love the vibe. Logan made us some of the best cocktails I've had, and believe you me I've had a couple in my time. Cheers! read more

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Run by a family of 2 brothers, I believe, this is a hidden gem! The creamy bedeviled eggs are amazing. The steak is to die for. Beer selection ain't bad either. It's a very cozy place. Feels warm; reminds me of the TV show Cheers bar, but a bit tinier version of it. The owners are very gracious; they always stop by to check on their guests and do take suggestions very seriously. There is an outdoor patio in the back, which is very cute at night. Highly recommend. read more

Oh can I fall in love? My mediocre new neighborhood is full of please kill me now restaurants BUT then I find this gem. Craft cocktails? Yes! Not stupid prices? Yes! Great atmosphere? Yes! Lighting, decor, music, staff spot on. Need to eat here ASAP. Stopped here after a disappointing meal meal and cocktail after lunch to shake off the wtfk was that vibe! Entered a haven. This is a hidden gem that I will be going to at least twice a week. read more

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Absolutely the best service and food and adult beverages there are. Love this place and always look forward to going.

Such a charming neighborhood tavern! Found this place through Yelp and was surprised how we never noticed it considering the thousand times we have passed this street ... Anyways my husband and I came here on a Saturday night and were able to sit immediately. The interior is very clean and charming and takes you to another location and time. We originally wanted to only get appetizers and drinks and just hang out but since the appetizers menu was a bit limited we also ordered an entree to share. Our order included: Aviation cocktail: A Gin based cocktail, which was good Whiskey Sour: too strong! My husband is a whiskey drinker but this cocktail was too strong and the ratios were off Deviled egg: very big portion and overall good but I did not care for the amount of horseradish in the dressing French onion soup: very tasty, will definitely order again Sesame and Almond encrusted Halibut: Huge! It could easily be shared by two people. Everything was good in this dish except that the fish was under-seasoned. We had to ask for salt and pepper to bring the flavors to life. The gentleman who I think is the owner, mentioned the fish was from Fish King in Glendale and was purchased on the same day. At the end we were too full to order a dessert but will definitely plan to get one next time as they seem very tempting. Service was Ok, the server could overdo her check ups sometimes but it was not too annoying. Overall we liked our visit to this place and happy to have it in the neighborhood. We'll definitely come back! read more

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Love the vibe here, but the food exceeds expectations!! Fresh, well cooked and fantastic tasting. Service is friendly and you always feel so welcomed! I recommend a reservation so you are disappointed if they are full! And, they have the best creamed spinach I have ever had!! read more

This place is a jewel! I am surprised I have never been here. I watched it being remodeled. That was 5 years ago! The food was delicious! I had the Parmesan crusted Halibut with Pesto. The New York Steak was HUGE and amazing. I couldn't eat it all. HUGE PORTIONS. The service was so attentive and friendly. It felt like I walked into the "Cheers" tv show but totally remodeled elegant. I am so glad we decided to peek inside! read more

I've dined here several times now and it's safe to say it's my go-to for a nice dinner. The service has always been excellent (friendly and attentive servers). The ambiance is charming and cozy. The cocktails are great and the food is always cooked and seasoned perfectly. I recommend the rib eye, open-faced steak sandwich, and trout, and the creamed spinach and onion rings are a must! read more

Love John Sparr! Delicious food, excellent service, wonderful ambiance! We're so lucky to have them in our neighborhood!

This place is absolute heaven. As a Hawaii girl it's hard to find insanely good drinks from the islands and this place executes. Also the burger is fucking delicious. Bartenders nice regulars are awesome.... Shout-out to Ron and Aldo! My hubs and I love this neighborhood and dig the shit outta this spot!!!! read more

This review is for their Happy Hour (HH) Menu only. Met up with some cool Yelpers for our monthly UYE Tavern Tours, and this one will be our (sixth) Tavern Tour VI. Parking: Two-hour street metered parking (watch out for signs). After 6pm, it's free. First and foremost, I love the location that John Sparr Tavern is in. Nestled in Montrose, I dig this area. Montrose reminds me very much of Old Town Monrovia, filled with delicious eateries, shops and great for families and friends to hang out at. Best of all, the parking is a breeze here! No worries about having to get here super early to find a spot or worrying about coughing up the extra cash for valet, woohoo! I also loved that the tavern is easy to find and the curb appeal is eye-pleasing. Upon entering inside, it was cool, dark and pretty chilled around 5pm on a Friday evening. Lol, the servers saw my confused face when I had entered since the dining room area was so small and compacted, I didn't see any of my friends. Luckily, one of them had pointed out that they were all in the back patio-area. Coming back there, omg, what a difference! The back-patio area was not only tight and smaller than the small and cozy dining room inside, but it was extremely hot too! Even with the door opened in the back to the let the nice breeze in, that definitely did not help! Management really needs to invest in some ceiling fans! I felt my face burning and so I ended up not drinking any alcoholic. I was hoping the food and non-alcoholic drinks would help distract me from the heat, but it didn't. Some of the food and drinks that I got here was: Beef Taquito (1) - $2 each. One taquito cut in half. Topped with melted cheese and guacamole, and underneath a bed of shredded lettuce, it was gross! The shredded beef inside had an odd, flavor to it. It didn't tasted fresh, thank goodness, I only gotten one. BBQ Short Rib Slider (1) - $2 each. This one I did like at least. The short rib was tender and moist and the BBQ sauce wasn't too sweet. The coleslaw and horseradish balanced out the sweet BBQ sauce nicely by providing the tangy and savory elements. Served on an onion poppy slider, this tasted so much better than the taquito! French Fries served with Blue Cheese Dressing - $2. FANTASTIC! Served with Blue Cheese Dressing, this was my actual favorite dish! The fries were plentiful and crunchy. When dipped into the Blue Cheese Dressing, the combination of fried food and blue cheese worked perfectly! I would definitely get this again! I also tried their Guacamole and Chips $6 from another Yelper, who had ordered them. The chips were plentiful, fresh and crunchy. I loved the guacamole! It was fresh and seasoned nicely. You can't go wrong with chips and guacamole! For Drinks: Iced water and $3 Non-Alcoholic Beer: Erdinger Wheat Beer. The Wheat Beer tasted like crap. After a couple of sips, I felt so bloated and left about half of the beer remaining. What a waste of $3! Service: The servers were nice, but it felt disorganized. Half of the time they forgot our orders or water. The restrooms are up on the second floor. You take the elevator up there, and in case you're feeling a bit tipsy or tired, there's even a chair to sit on in there too! Overall, it was nice to try out this place, but the HH menu, I wouldn't come back for. Five Stars for Yelper Tora M. for organizing this his HH Shindig, but Three Stars for the HH Menu overall. read more

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Hidden gem in our neighborhood, authentic steakhouse. Classic cocktails, management welcoming. Priced like most steak houses. Recommend for sure! Great ambiance, experienced staff! Will visit again. read more

My favorite dining destination. I live near here and have driven by it many times, thinking it was a new bar. My wife had a girls night out and came here. She raced and insisted I come. We came with our two young daughters, as she convinced me it wasn't a bar but a nice dining establishment with a nice bar (a tavern :-). My girls, my wife and myself love this place. This is also my daughter's favorite restaurant as they tell me it has the best Hamburger. Not only is decor beautiful but food is excellent, drinks are excellent and classic. Don't expect a gummy bear martini. But they make the classics to perfection. And sorry hipsters no PBR on tap. Fransisco and all the staff are amazingly attentive. Don't be surprised when the owners stops by your table to inquire as to your experience and actually takes personal interest in your presence. I just came on yelp this morning and saw that this review never posted, I thought I posted this a couple of years ago. Well, nothing has changed, still our favorite dining destination. Even with the Covid Crimp on dining excursion, they have made all the efforts to stay on top of keeping your dining out as safe as possible with plenty of outdoor tables. Even for the two weeks they were allowed to open indoors they had placed plexiglass shielding between booths and minimized table to maintain safe spacing guidelines. I always recommend to friends and family you will not be disappointed. read more

Thanks for a wonderful lunch and gracious welcome to our guests from South Korea. The food and beverages were excellent and we really appreciated the greeting from staff members who know us as well as.the new owner. Great experience!! read more

Amazing food best service and delicious food I really wanna come here again and again

I had a group of 6 people and a dog. We called ahead to make sure we could bring the dog with us and they said no problem. We sat outside on the back patio, had a wonderful experience with the servers and bartenders and spent over $300 on drinks and food. The servers had been bringing our dog food and water, telling us what a sweet boy he was. Right when we were about to pay, the owner of the restaurant came out and said that we had to leave because our dog was scaring people. We were the only people on the patio. This is not my first time dealing with the owner. I've given this restaurant multiple chances and the owner consistently ruins our experience. When I told him that I was upset he said "well, you don't have to spend your money here then." As a small business downer myself I am absolutely appalled at the owner's behavior and will never be back. read more