We've been wanting to try this place for some time but they are often full. We got early…read morereservations (parties of 6 or more only) and arrived on time to our table all ready. There are two sides - the bar side and a side with lots of seating. The bar side has seating as well but minimal. We sat on the side with all the seating at a long high top. The chairs had backs so it was very comfortable. They have lots of choices on the menu - I chose the Lemon Herb Ravioli, which sounded light and amazing. Unfortunately, it is swimming in a lemon-y olive oil which ruins the dish completely. If they just drizzled the lemon oil over the pasta, it would be a chef's kiss. I would recommend asking for that on the side - then you can control how much you want on the dish. I also got their "tots" on the side. These aren't your typical tator tots...they are homemade shredded potatoes scooped and fried. My cousin got the same items and when the tots came, it appeared they overly fried one of the orders so just split them up between our two orders. I ate the good ones and my husband sent back the bad ones to have them replaced. They did so without any question, which was nice. My husband had the Gouda Burger with Truffle Fries. He said it was the best burger he'd ever had. The truffle fries were excellent - served with garlic aioli. Highly recommend! So, while my dish was disappointing due to the amount of oil it was swimming in, the pasta and vegees on top tasted good, the staff were friendly and accommodating, and everyone else liked their meals (burgers and fish & chips) so I'm not going to give them a low rating. I'd like to come back and try something different on the menu.

The Ambiance was really nice it's a small place. It's a really busy place as sometimes it's hard…read moretogether into. Our waitress was so nice and made sure our drinks were always filled, checking back a lot which is a plus in our book. The food was good although not a very big menu.

Pizzas are consistently great. Hoagies are low key the best sandwich in Alpena. For years we've…read moreeaten here on vacation. Love it every time

Sunday night, I didn't realize how almost all the restaurants are closed in Alpena. All but 3 were…read morestill open around 8pm so it made sense to go to JJ's Called in my order around 8:20 and the server was joking on the other end which made for a pleasant order experience. Said I ordered the best item currently as his favorite was the Chicken Wrap as well. Said my order would be ready in 30 min. So it gave me time to wrap up some work and walk on over since it was a 10 min walk. Got to the restaurant and I told the lady seating people down I was there for carry out and she redirected me to the bar. Once at the bar the lady took my name and went to the back to grab my meal. When I thought a simple chicken wrap, I didn't think it would be so huge. The portion for it was quite generous. I had also asked for a side of gravy for my fries and damn, it was a whole side tub. If you're eating here, def be ready to be served. As I was leaving they had some Halloween decorations ready for spooky season. I feel like it would be a fun time to be in a small town for Halloween

We were in town for a military event and this was by far the best place we found to eat, highly…read morerecommend, great view, super flavorsome food, very authentic and great staff! Small side note, been using Yelp for 20 years but this is my last time using it today, they block VPN's and my family's security is more important than their corporate greed harvesting my IP. If you're visiting Alpena! Go to Pompeyos! Also, their copy shop had the most friendly folks, And the Base Staff are nuthin' short of miracle workers! Had to give a shout since there's no other way to do so. Peace, Prosperity, Healthy & Happiness to you all and praying for Democracy in America. De Oppresso Liber

Just ok. Not authentic whatsoever. But what can you expect so far north. Was clean inside and had…read morefun interior though.

Cool place. Nothing spectacular inside however the food was good. I see alot of mixed reviews…read morehere. I can see why as this place has the small bar feel but is huge. Could be overwhelming if full. So the burger was cooked perfectly as I requested. Had good seasonings and texture. Its not a fancy burger. That is what makes it a good burger. Onion rings were great. Hot fries too. Great service at the bar...i will be back for the burger for sure.

the best chicken strips known to man kind!!!!!!!!!!!! we are so coming here more offten!!!!!!!!!!!!!read more

John Boy's isn't just a diner--it's a portal. One foot in Americana, one in a dream. The menu reads…read morelike a manifesto: sprawling, obsessive, oddly precise. Every dish arrives like it's been summoned by memory. The bacon is crisp, the toast knows something, and the omelets are heavy with intention. The dining room is small, dimly lit, and full of quiet drama. The regulars speak in half-smiles, and the staff greets you like they've seen your face before--in another life, maybe. Alpena doesn't have many restaurants. That's the mystery. You drive around expecting more, but there's a stillness here. A pause. And then--John Boy's. Waiting. Whether you're just passing through or hiding out for a while, this is your place. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. (Even if you're not hungry.)

Your typical small town diner! Everyone was so friendly…read more Don't make my mistake and make sure you get their fresh bread!!! My husband got it and gave me a bite, and I regretted not getting my own! It was amazing.

As many of you that follow me know, I'm partial to family-owned restaurants over commercial chains…read more-- and what a nice family it is! Incredible service! You won't be made to wave your arms here. The buffet was well stocked and they kept refreshing it the whole time we were there. No over-steamed food here. It looked great and even included assorted desserts. Because the menu was new to us, we skipped the buffet and ordered from the menu. The pan-fried dumplings, hot and sour soup, and egg roll were each delicious. The Chow Mein and Hunan Beef were delicious! And when ordering an entree from the menu, dessert from the buffet is included. We'll DEFINITELY be back!

Good food, friendly service in a pleasant atmosphere. Buffet is good and the kitchen is very good…read morewith special orders, dish modifications and accommodating food sensitivities and preferences. Their sweet and sour sauce and plum sauces are above average (my favorites). The owner is available for advice and complaints, very friendly with both.

Went in on Thursday evening with parents, sister, and grandparents…read more Customer Service was lackluster. When we finished our appetizer they didn't take the plates away and when they served the main course the table got crowded quick. We asked to change the tv channel to the baseball game but we had to ask twice, and then they were not able to change the channel and it took them a long time to change it. We got to see the last out of the game but when we asked it was the 8th inning. Seemed to be an issue between the bartender (where the tv remotes were stored) and the waitresses. This is mainly an issue of management (or lack thereof) since staff did not seem to be on the same page. Appetizer: Cheese Bread Sticks: - Comes with ranch and marinara sauce - Oily, to the point where the cheese was not cooked to where it should be - Crust is nice Usually places that serve "cheese sticks" are mostly bread with some cheese, this place is the opposite where you get a bite full of pure cheese. At least it's a better problem but if they cooked it with much less oil and had a little more bread underneath, it would taste fantastic. Main Dish: Made our own Pepperoni and Pineapple Pizza: - Oily, same as cheese sticks - Slightly undercooked (because of excess oil) - Crust was nice, good dough The reason I gave this a 4/5 was because I have eaten here before and my experience was better. Positives: Seem to have the right ingredients and recipe for success, they just need to pull it together. Good place and atmosphere. Negatives: Oily food (easy to fix), and lack of management. There seems to be no real sense of passion for the food they make, which could be a problem down the road. (Perhaps the chefs are passionate as they have the right ingredients, just need to make the complete dish if you know what I mean, but that is not in the public eye)

Three tables with people , 5 people at the bar, three had just come in as we were seated by the…read morehostesses. table of 6 next to us food was delivered after a minute of us being put at our booth.. The waitress left without asking what we wanted to drink or acknowledging they we were there. mean time Hosteses kid stood at end bar, the owner behind bar chitchat with a customer who was leaving. After ten minutes we left. I am not sure how you don't actually take at least drink order and send out with the hostess. Maybe stop standing behind the bar and ask if we like a drink, two Diet Coke would have been it. I heard place has sold. To the new owner, good service or any service is better then customer not being helped. Maybe hire another waiter and not have a hostess. Or train the hostess to multi task. This place could be a valuable restaurant. We will wait to we hear it has new owners to return

Good was ok. Service, well they were nice but their method of payment was slow!! It took us almost…read morehalf an hour to check out. Makes me definitely not interested in returning.

so it's kind of interesting I ask for crispy fries they bring me burnt, I asked for a medium rare…read moresteak they bring meat raw and opaque in the middle, and then the surprise when I give back to them! so if anyone find some selves in the same exact position, there is a McDonald's across the parking lot the 15 year olds know how to cook!