my father and i are frequenters here, to the extent that he even has a mug hanging on the ceiling above the bar. now, the food here is always excellent and normally the service is as well.. (were always bar patrons).. we chose riley & jakes for him and i to have dinner on sunday (mothers day).. but the service was far from even decent.. the bartender was completely clueless to her patrons and spent a decent portion of her time chatting with an employee who was sitting at the bar drinking.. the employee (who was off the clock) was never without a full drink and her food order was promptly placed. as a bartender myself, i tend to have a little more patience when someone is clearly busy and or overwhelmed. but the bar wasn't quite half full and there was only one table of two in the bar area she was clearly responsible for. however, (nikki?) i am unsure of her name because she never gave it.. for starters the beer my father was poured was at least 50% foam, and he had to ask for it to be topped off. i understand the mugs aren't clear glass, but someone who knew what they were doing would have been able to tell that it wasn't even close to full (based on the weight).. all the beers were poured foamy, and when the yuengling kicked, she proceeded to somewhat bleed the line into a pitcher, but then proceeded to pour the small amount of beer in the pitcher (from the bled line) into a glass for a customer.. (SO WRONG).. the gentleman sitting next to us had to ask for his bill after his empty pint glass sat there for 10+ minutes. (honestly he probably would have had another had he been offered one in a timely fashion, but that's just the bartender in me).. not to mention it took her at least another 15 before she cashed him out, then he had to ask for change.. after making a martini which obviously was WAY to much alcohol, she threw away almost another full drink.. as an owner id be pretty upset about the waste.. especially if you do the math on that. as i stated earlier the food was great as always, but the service was a complete letdown.. maybe shes new, but had i not been there before and had exceptional service prior i would think twice about returning.. it was just evident that she cared more about talking to the staff and the employee sitting at the bar then she did the paying customers, nor did she seem to have any (or very minimal) bartending experience. read more

Went recently with a party of 9 on a Saturday for lunch. Upon ordering asked waitress to put split check in half. She stated in a rather rude manner that "IF" at the end of our visit the restaurant was not busy she may be able to split the check. From there, food was just okay. Not one in our party felt we would go back for the food.....let alone the service. We eat out often and NEVER have we had a waitress say splitting check would be a problem. In the end she did......making sure to add her 18% gratuity which was undeserved. read more

My wife and I visited this restaurant several times before - typically ordered a burger and a beer but the burgers are small and not very well cooked Tonight I ordered the Fish Taco dinner for $14.00 dollars What was presented was basically an appetizer portion of deep fried frozen fish nuggets and a Sammy side of cole slaw - requested a glass of wine the wine I ordered they ran out of but I could have a Kendall Jackson at $ 9.50 per glass - ouch ! I can purchase KJ at wine store for 12. $$ Food is not worth what they are. Charging Go elsewhere read more

The food was very good, and I am glad that I had read the other 3 new reviews, for someone had mentioned that their fries were the skinny kind. I dislike skinny fries, so I took them up on their offer to substitute their sweet potato fries with their regular fries for an extra charge (I think it was $1.00 more). Very good choice on my part, for the sweet potato fries were excellent, and I would do the same thing on my next visit. However, I had read that the place was nothing like the old place since the renovation, and I must disagree. The inside of the place looks exactly the same as the old place, and replacing some old booths with tables and perhaps changing a few pictures on the walls does not result in a different look at all. Also, the background music was not very pleasant. It consisted of some old radio station, playing the same mundane songs we've heard all of our lives that we've never enjoyed having to listen to. read more

My husband and I have been frequenting Riley & Jake's since the day they opened many years ago. The owner John goes out of his way to greet customers and to accommodate requests. We eat at or in the bar area and love all the bartenders. Great outdoor patio bar area in warmer weather. Food is consistent and they have great happy hour and specials. Our neighborhood "Cheers". read more

Read the reviews so stuck to the burgers and were thrilled. They came on pretzel bread and that was a nice touch. My son got a very plain bacon cheeseburger and said it was the best ever. He eats cheeseburgers constantly, so that means a lot. I had bacon and blue cheese on mine and have to agree about it being that good. I asked for the fries to be well done and they were. They were skinny and cooked to crispy, which I how I prefer them. We were headed home to NY, so kept it simple but were very glad we tried the place. Our waitress was nice and friendly and it made for a good experience. read more

We tried them again... still the same as the last review. I think we are pretty much done w/Riley & Jakes, they've lost it. There had to be a change in the kitchen - that's all I can think of because the overall quality has gone down. Ok for a cocktail but not dinner. read more

Haven't tried many things at R&J's, well maybe because, they have a very limited menu! They need to add some variety, other food options. The burgers are OK.. the fries are familiar- hmm, something I can make at home. They taste like the frozen Ore-Ida brand "fast food" fries you buy from the supermarket. The interior needs updating bigtime! The decor is very 80s-ish - likely from the previous establishment which I've never been to. The owners and staff are friendly. read more

Went there on a Sunday in the early evening and sat at the bar. Food was not very good but the worst part was the bartender. Dresses in tights and a sweat shirt (not a good choice for her) she spent more time talking, entertaining her friends and texting than servicing the patrons. Had to continually ask for service. Bar supervision is lacking. read more

Extremely average food, bad service, and overpriced.

Definitely a step up from the Sunset Grill. Burgers are fairly decent. Not the best I've had but good. Fries were very good. Have not tried anything else than burgers so far. read more

Went there Saturday night 8-15-15 about 4:30 figuring we would beat the dinner rush. The place was still pretty crowed but we were immediately seated in the dining room in the back overlooking the backyard and parking. It's a pretty cool room. It was way too hot to eat outside although that area looked cool. We ordered the buffalo perogues (sp) as an app and a few beers. My wife loved them. I thought they were so so. My wife had the sirloin tips with mushrooms, my daughter had the fish tacos and I had a salad with chicken. All where very good and we will be back. read more

I don't review much because there is nothing like fresh good home cooked meals especially if you loved to cook! This restaurant is all of the above. It's not a fancy place but their selection and quality of food is one to come back for! Good job 5 stars! read more

Good beer and better food than other pubs in the area. Could have been better at keeping the draft beer list up to date.

We just left riley & jakes our server was Denise F. Polite informative,offered alterative to ff sweet potato ff but did not tell us there was an up charge.I ordered butternut squash ravioli dinner delicious,but came with nothing not even bread for $16.00.Dessert upside down apple pie with walnut Topping one walnut.All in all everything tasted good,but for value would not return.Total check $56.00 thanks but no thanks read more

It's basic american food, nothing special, decent value for food and drinks. Needs updating.

The food is good and the drinks are decent (the wine is ok). It's a fun place to be on the weekend, I enjoy it most for the atmosphere!

Excellent value and very good food. We have stopped here a few times and always have found the food to be good and the service to be friendly and effiecient. read more

We went there 8 days ago on a Sunday and decided to eat on the patio. The patio is very nice but I was hesitant to go because every time we do go, outside service is poor. They are always understaffed on the patio and the poor bartender is expected to bartend and wait tables at the same time. The latest visit was the worst yet. When we arrived, half of the tables were reserved for people that were arriving much later, so that made no sense at all. Nobody came to sit at any of the reserved tables in the hour+ that we spent there. We waited 10 minutes to be acknowledged, another 5 minutes to get menus, and another 15 minutes to have our order taken. We waited 40 minutes after that, and no food came out. Food then came out for other tables around us, people who got there after us. When I politely asked the waitress if our food was on it's way she only replied "yes" with no apology or anything, and she didnt go to check on it either. Needless to say, we got up and left, and went to McDonalds where the food was fast, fresh, and served with a smile. If you go to riley's sit inside and you will be fine. If you are in no hurry and don't mind being ignored for extended periods of time, sit outside. read more

Food was O.K. Service was good, friendly waitress. What I didn't expect and this was a first, I was charged extra for no ice in my martini. A $7 Matini became $9 when ordered Straight Up. It was on the bill $2.00 per UP. When I asked about the UP on the bill the waitress's answer it was the charge is for the extra alcohol taking place of the ice. read more

I really only go for the football specials. Cheap beer, cheap wings, can't complain. All the food I ever had was really good, friendly staff, i would recommend it to anyone. read more

They have good food, consistent and decently priced. Love the onion straws, I don't know of any other restaurant around here that has that! I really like their specialty cocktail the fruity loopy too- YUM! Overall, consistently good food and decent pricing. read more

first experience here and I'm happy to say I will be back Stopped in after playing a round of golf. very friendly. Chicken pot pie was great!! read more

Stay away! I came here because I read the reviews and I'm wondering who is writing them. We ordered the calamari based on the review and it came out greasy and limp soaked through the paper. Plus that's the first time ever I've had a piece of calamari that tasted fishy. We could not even eat it. My Dad had the fish and chips which were touted in a previous review as not greasy and they were so browned it had all the signs of old grease and the taste proved it. Probably why the calamari was brown. My balsamic chicken sandwich was suppose to be on a focaccia bread and instead it was a roll without any flavor. The wait service was no better. They took forever to get our drinks. Twice someone tried to give us food before we even ordered and the place was not that busy. My recommendation - stay away. There are so many better places in Clinton than this place. Please try another. read more

Reasonable food, reasonable prices, staff helpful and friendly. I recommend the French dip.

I made a reservation for Mother's Day. I called in advance to change my reservation when the weather forecast was poor. I reserved the back room no problem. We arrived and the room was double booked. Upon telling the manager the table was wrong, the manager John was extremely rude and unapologetic. He was standoffish and acted as if we were inconveniencing him by saying our reservation wasn't right. I explained to him that I spoke to a gentleman and I could tell him what time we spoke and that the man said 'let me ask John. Okay you're all set for the back room'. John said well I'm John and that doesn't help me. I cannot explain how rude this manager John was and I have a table of nine. If it wasn't Mother's Day I would walk out. I will never be back, as a frequent customer. John brought me to near tears with his attitude. All I would've appreciated was 'I'm so sorry. The room was booked incorrectly on accident'. Never came. We are now seated right next to the door and it's cold and damp. I am so disappointed and my day is ruined personally by one mans attitude. Shameful representation of a restaurant with excellent menu and staff otherwise. read more

The food was average, we were not impressed. We visited in January not long after the place reopened under the Riley and Jake's name. We ordered a Cajun Chicken Sandwich and a cheeseburger with bacon. The Cajun Chicken Sandwich was average at best, and came with no dressing on it. The sandwich was devoid of flavor and was nothing you couldn't easily make at home, and probably much better. The cheeseburger was also average - to get a better cheeseburger one simply needs to go down to Finnagel's (yes, the Irish place) in Clinton. It was dry and lacking of any flavor. The only plus were the french fries which were good - but obviously the frozen supermarket kind. There are better food options around, including Finnagel's. We won't be back anytime soon. read more

Everything about the place is "Up Tempo" ! From the owners who greet you with smiles, the waitresses with smiles, the great menu with the best "pot stickers" & a great sauce, outstanding fish & chips and crab cakes ! We have become "regulars" here and it's one of the best eateries in Clinton ! read more

First thing I noticed was how gross the mens bathroom was, this should've been my sign out of there. Once seated I just happened to look up and noticed what looked like years of dust caked on the light fixture above our table. I hung in there like a trooper and stayed for the meal. I had the pretzel burger. In all honesty it wasn't the worst burger but by far not the best. Once I picked it up it it was an avalanche of Russian dressing. Way too much. The sweet potato fries tasted very frozenish. We will not try it again. read more

A very down home pub. Nothing fancy but a great place for a quick dinner and a drink!

A little better than 3stars. Food good but Nothing spectacular. Service excellent and great setting for kids

So......VERY DISAPPOINTED!My family of four went tonight, a Tues. EVERYTHING WAS TERRIBLE!Super greasy fish and chicken fingers. My husband's burger was burnt, bun was burnt. Dehydrated pickle. A lousy 2 pieces of bacon on the burger. I had quesadillas that were so visibly burnt. One was black and falling apart and with it being broken because it was over cooked u could see the chicken inside was burnt of course too. I did even say something to our waitress. And she just said a quick sorry, but did not take it back or offer any resolution. What a disgrace!!!They should be embarrassed to serve what so visibly was burnt. Thought it would come to maybe $50+, it was a ridiculous overpriced $85 with tip. What a waste especially since we ate maybe a 1/4 of what was on our plates because it was that bad. Never go there again. I don't know what "cooks" you have back there, but we would have been better off buying some steaks at the store and cooking at home or even Burger King!Poor example of a restaurant, sorry...Blek read more

10 people, 2 families with teenaged kids and the in-laws, that has got to be a restaurateur's nightmare. By the end of dinner we were all happy and full. An incredibly courteous and helpful staff from making the reservation to seating and serving a large party. Two orders of ribs left the table as only bare bones. Flaky fish and chips my wife loved, Mac & Cheese with sausage and shrimp gave a whole new dimension to comfort food. Burgers aren't rocket science but we had 3, each exactly the way it was ordered. I like my chicken wings overdone so you can just put the wing in your mouth, roll it around and spit out the bone/bones. the wings here are not that well done but we fought over all 18 with the jerk wings being my favorite. The fiesta calamari was a miss but that might just be my taste. Riley & Jake's is certainly a comfortable, friendly place to have an excellent dinner with attentive service. I will be back. Thank you Riley & Jake's. read more