I hate to write a bad review. Being that this is the first place I am going to write it on. Barleycorns is a neighborhood chain of sorts in NKY. The location in Highland Heights has always been a work in progress. This place is finally looking a little respectable. But.... I probably just had one of the worst lunches of my life. I pushed my co-workers to stop going to that soul crushing Applebee's and go to Barleycorns for a change. What a mistake. I ordered the juicy lousy burger. A take on the famous one. You think they would be able to cook a burger stuffed with jalapenos and cheese. Boy was I wrong. It was dry as a sock. Way overcooked and the cheese... where the hell was it? Pretty much the most disappointing meal I have had in 2012. Now, I would still go back here just not for a meal. The only thing good here is the fried eggplant. Which this is not even their own recipe. It came from F&N steakhouse after they closed. Fried eggplant and beer. That's it.
I was also annoyed by the screaming child behind e while I was trying eat. I just don't understand this people. Why do you bring your kids to a restaurant? Not only are you stressed out and yelling the whole time, but ruining the experience for the people around you. Please, stay at home or visit your local drive through.
Instead of smoking or non?.... It's " ahh please just not next to a baby."
Service was decent - actually it was a little intrusive. Server wouldn't leave us alone long enough to talk.
We went for lunch. Their salmon salad was decent. It is basic bar food and in this location they still allow smoking which is bothersome but right now in KY all restaurants and bars still do this.
The food was OK, the service was OK. Nothing off-putting but I won't be using this as a lunch destination very often.
Barleycorn's is a great place for some casual dining, drinking, sports watching, or just hanging out with family and friends. Â
The food is on par with other sports/casual spots. Â We started with the pretzel sticks and fried pickles. Â We had to send the sticks back as they were still cool in the middle but were delicious after being re-heated. The fried pickles were piping hot and also very good. Â I got the fried shrimp basket and I wasn't blown away or anything but it was what I expected. Â I should have tried one of the burgers, which apparently get high praise according to a wall poster on the bathroom mirror. Â I should say that the dumpling soup got two big thumbs up from someone else in our party.
They have skee ball, pinball, and even a mini basketball court and hoop to keep the kids occupied. Â We were there with a couple toddlers so I can say they had a great time.
Barleycorns is worth putting on anyone's dining out rotation.
I have only been to this restaurant twice, but we were happy with the service and food both times. Â I had the half fried chicken dinner and it was very tasty. Â My son loves the little racket ball court turned into basketball court while we wait.
Both times we experienced good food.and good service, and the prices are reasonable.
Here's the deal with this place--you can have a 2 star experience or a 4 star (thus the 3 rating as an average); here's how:
4 star: sit on the patio (in nicer weather) and order a blackened grouper sandwich. It's not on the menu, but they'll make it for you (same price as the fried grouper sandwich), but make sure to ask for the hoagie roll instead of the rye bread. Enjoy!
2 star: sit inside, breathe the second-smoke, and order anything else.
Earlier in the day, a Saturday, I'd had a craving for Buffalo style sauce and since we were going to be at the Porter Paint in Alexandria, I thought we'd go to BW3's. Â Then I remembered there was a UK game on...so I elected that we try out Barleycorns where, yes, there would be sports, but perhaps less of it, and surely, buffalo style something.
Like the other reviewer, I found their "charge" for everything a bit offputting. Â I ordered the appetizer portion of buffalo tenders, and a side of the saratoga chips. Â My dining partner ordered a burger ($1.50 higher than my appetizer order) and a side of the pasta salad. Â When we got our food, mine had turned into a "platter" with coleslaw, which I didn't ask for...and I was charged $10.00 for what would have been a $8.25 meal MAX--just like my dining partner. Â When I asked about the price jack-up, our server, who had only been back by the table once to see if we were alright, said, "um...I don't know...I guess when you add all those things together, it's more expensive." Â
How about: I didn't add cole slaw or a platter price--that was your doing! Â So, I tipped her for the price of the meal that I actually ORDERED.
The food was fine--it was sportsbar food and that's what I wanted. Â But as far as attentive, accomodating service, meh. Â I've experience WAY better.
Best Feature: Pretty good food!
Worst Feature: They charge for everything and not sure the prices are quite worth it.
We'd heard of Barleycorn's but after we moved to the Northern Kentucky area, we decided to turn myth into reality and actually visit this restaurant. It's almost hidden away on a road that runs right off Alexandria Pike, but the big "Barleycorn's" sign keeps people from wandering aimlessly.
We walked in to find plenty of seating. They have outdoor seating during seasonal times of the year and inside they have a full bar with seating as well as an assortment of booths and tables. In the back of the restaurant they also have arcade games and a small room with a basketball hoop for sporting fun and gaming.
Our first visit was a bit weird as far as service. Our waitress was very inattentive and not very helpful in clarifying/modifying our order. Subsequent visits have yielded better service experiences, but none of which have been anything more than just average.
The food is pretty good, and I had a yummy burger as well as some nachoes. I was unhappy to see when I asked for a side of BBQ sauce with my saratoga chips that we were charged for it. I know many places do this, but I've been to several places that do not charge for extra side sauces and I would've liked to know that before receiving it. The waitress made no mention of this, so I was not impressed.
Overall it's a pretty good restaurant, but I wouldn't it chalk it up to anything more than okay. I've certainly had better and I don't like all the prices and extra charges, so I won't be returning too often.
Barleycorn's was one of my watering holes back in the college days at Northern Kentucky University, and after a recent visit I remember why I always felt welcome at the place. With plasma screens galore and kitchy local sports memorabilia blanketing the walls, this place is a great spot to watch the Reds and Bengals play.
They offer happy hour from 4-7 and 10 to close during the week, though the price reductions are fairly modest. However, ask about drink specials because I nabbed a large Long Island Iced Tea for $3.50. Also, they have college night geared toward NKU students that features drink specials.
They've recently revamped their menu to include paninis, though I usually stick to my favorite, the Grilled Salmon Salad, which is Caribbean spiced salmon atop a bed of salad greens.
If you're sitting at the bar, see if Andy is working. He's an outstanding bartender, who will make you feel like a regular.
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