Location and atmosphere are nice. Everything else is not so great. I've given this location 2 chances, but I don't think I will be returning again. Service was slow, but the biggest problem is the food - it is mediocre at best.
There is nothing on the menu to get excited about. During my visits I ordered the Chicken Po'Boy and the BBQ Beef sandwich. The chicken po'boy was horrendously dry and bland and the BBQ beef sandwich served with cold fries gave me an instant flashback to school lunch - it was just bad. Friends ordered and were disappointed with the chicken and waffles, reuben, burger, and grilled cheese. Everyone came here really wanting to like this place, but we've left disappointed each time.
Try not to get seated in sightline of the bathrooms - the architecture allows for a full view of the un-partitioned men's urinals when people go in and out. Poor planning here.
I expected more from this upscaled Hamlin. Â
The so called "original Italian" sandwich seemed nothing more than bread and lunchmeat which is odd because the Hamlin in Troy makes a great grinder.
Service isn't bad and it is fun to watch the wait staff climb over the liquor because of a poor design.
This place could have been great but it's just another bar.
Cool place to go to watch sports and hang out. BUT, we went on a Thursday night and were told we would have about a 15-20 minute wait....40 minutes later we finally got a table. Im giving them 3 stars because I wasn't impressed with the food. I got the chicken and waffles and it was more of an appetizer. What was odd is that it didn't come with dipping sauces for the chicken tenders (which were obviously frozen). My fiancé got the Mac and cheese, it was a very small portion and he was hungry afterwards. Ill give it another shot only because they have a great beer selection.
Review Source:The pizza they serve is by primos pizzeria. (You may know the spot in Birmingham)
But I was really excited for this place to open, don't get me wrong the customer service and facility definitely exceeds all expectations. However, in my opinion the food is just average and is similar to any other hamlin pub.
I've had the pizza which is average, the nachos are the typical pile of nachos and the soup was quite tasteless... Improvement opportunities there
Went on a mid-Saturday afternoon with my teenaged son. Very few people there, but my father bragged about the best chicken wings he every tasted, so we tried it. Friendly and attentive wait staff, a small but well-focused menu. My son had the wings with BBQ sauce (no sense of adventure) and by the waitress' recommendation, I tried the french dip. She also recommended a good beer to try along with my sandwich. The food was good, but worth the $38.00 tab? (1 appetizer, 1 sandwich, 1 beer and 1 soft drink) I'm not so sure. But...I will try it again. I like that it's off the beaten path from the downtown mayhem, is roomy and modern. I'll go back.
Review Source:Went here tonight for the first time, for a speed dating event. I was curious to try it too, I go to Emagine RO a lot and this is literally right in front of it.
We had pizzas already ordered for the event, I tried a mushroom/onion/pepper one and it was decent. The restaurant gave us these tiny vodka drinks on the house, tasted kinda cherry-ish - not bad.
The atmosphere was pretty nice, it's a sports bar but isn't super loud (I was there 630-9pm, it might get louder later though). The lights dimmed at around 8 which was a little awkward for speed dating LOL.
I looked at their menu online after, pizzas seemed pricy but they do a happy hour, M-Fri 4-7pm with $1 slices which is pretty cheap. They've got a late night deal that's the same, too, and drink specials for both times. So I will hopefully be back to try that soon.
I wanted to give this four stars, but I cannot think of a justifiable reason. Â I went in to watch some NBA finals action, and every TV was on the game (hopefully, they mix it up more when there are other options) and with sound at that! Â There was no seat in the house without a good view of the game (since every tv was on it). Â They have plenty of beer on tap including seasonals for many Michigan and nearby breweries. Â
The cherry on top was the braised beef nachos. Â They did the cheese right, without drenching everything in cheese sauce (WTF is cheese sauce anyways?). Â This place has definitely solidified a spot on my game day rotation.
Hamlin Pub is the perfect addition to downtown Royal Oak. Lots of big screen TVs for games, spacious comfortable bar area, comfortable outdoor seating if its a nice day. Extensive list of craft beer on tap, there is even a sparkling wine on tap. Â Primo's pizza is great, and also available for late night carry out. Â The burger with Gorgonzola and caramelized onions was very tasty, as was the chicken and waffles with just the right blend of savory and sweet. Â The sauces are all made in-house. We have also had wonderful service. Brandy and John have been our servers and they were both knowledgable and attentive. Very good price point for food & beverages. Â They bring in a DJ late night on weekends so go early if you want a low-key atmosphere.
Review Source:Went to Hamlin Corner for lunch to check out the new spot in Royal Oak. Â The place is nice with plenty of monitors to watch the game. Â The decor is sharp and the lighting is nice. Â Those are the only reasons this place is getting 2 stars because everything else was terrible. Â I have 2 words for the cook... salt and pepper. Â Every thing that came out of kitchen was bland and unseasoned, Â like nursing home food unseasoned. Â Also the service was a bit sketchy as it took a very long time for our food to come out and the place was not busy at all. Â I probably will give it one more try to see if the pizza is any good. Â I have a bad feeling that this place is going to be in trouble with the mediocre food.
Review Source:Hamlin Corner is a welcomed addition to Royal Oak.
It's always nice to have a new place to go and watch a game or grab a drink.
I went on a Thursday night for a glass of wine and the spinach artichoke dip. The place was packed and had a good atmosphere.
Lots of tvs, a huge interior space and outside seating and what looks like a good menu. I think this place won't have a problem doing business in Royal Oak and will only get better as wait staff gets more experienced.
I will definitely be back!
It started off well, got there around 745-8p, were told that we would have about an hour wait. So we got a few drinks at the bar, which I was really impressed by the great selection they have had. We then we seating a little before 9p and were told we would have to be done by 10p, since we they were seating us on what turns into a dance floor at 10p. We made sure to order as soon as we sat down so we could make sure that we were done by 10p.
After we ordered it was all downhill. 40 mintutes had passed since ordered our food and we hadn't even received our soups or salads that were ordered. All other tables that were around us when we sat down had been cleared, the DJ was setting up and people were starting to sit down around us in what looks to be a VIP seating area around the dance floor. While this is happening we keep seeing the hostess and managers point to our table, so naturally we are wondering if they are going to move us or what. Finally someone comes over to the table, I'm not sure if he was a manager or anything since he never introduced himself and says, "so what's the problem guys." I was a little shocked since we hadn't said anything to anyone but then my girlfriend jumped in and said we still have not gotten any food that we have ordered about 45 minutes ago. The guy says he will go check on everything and get it out as soon as he can.
Then we have another gentlemen come over to the table, he throws a business card on the table and says he is very sorry for what is happening and he "will take care of you," he also added on how he didn't want this to be put on Yelp. After looking at the business card, we see it is Anthony Owner/Partner of the Hamlin Corner. We all thought it was strange that he just throw his business card on the table without introducing himself.
So we finally get our food which is not all that great, we got an italian sub which is about the same quality you get from Subway but for triple the price and without being toasted. We also got the mac and cheese which I thought would be baked and not just with adding a couple of cheeses to a Kraft box.
Once we were ready to leave we had to ask multiple times for to go boxes, which by the way are very nice. We get our check and see that Anthony took care of us by taking $8 off our bill. Not sure how that was "taking care of you" but he did make our decision to never go back there easier.
-Had to edit since I can't use the owners full name
I had high hopes for this place, in spite of the fact that I feared it would be just like Black Finn as far as "reputation." Â Maybe you already know what I mean there...
We had a large party of around 10-12 people and we came to snack and drink. Â We were there to spend money and planned on staying for a while. Â We arrived late afternoon/early evening and were able to score one of the nice large tables in the bar area just inside the patio doors - prime location to enjoy both indoors and outdoors. Â Our server was pleasant but clearly way too busy to handle all of the tables she was expected to service. Â We didnt see enough of her honestly but we were understanding because of the "newness" of the business. Â (In contrast, friend of ours opted to go to the dining room and have dinner, and there server was by every 90 seconds, appearing like the servers in that area were only assigned 2 tables (??). Â Perhaps they should have distributed the servers better.
The really "bad" part of our experience was that one of the people in our party ordered an appetizer and promptly found the longest hair cooked into it - it was at least 12" long. Â After that, the party was over - and we took our business to Ronin instead.
When we drove by later that night, the place was jumping. Â But honestly, I couldn't help think it was nothing more than another douche-y bar. Â And hey, the food ting ---- we probably won't be back just because of that.
It's really pretty though.
I was excited to see a new place open up in that spot and I am willing to try them again but my first experience there on May 27th was mixed. Our party of 7 was seated quickly which was nice, they put us in the banquet room but it didn't feel like we were taken out of the mix of the restaurant.
I got the Thai chili wings with a side of the "hotter" sauce and I loved them.
My boyfriend got the bucket of mussels which he liked as well.
My fish and chips though came out soggy as did the fries and his pizza tasted like "it came from a gas station".
Our server Brandi was cheerful and attentive. Liked her alot.
I'm willing to go back, getting Matt back in there is going to be a struggle.
Hamlin Corner is a fun addition to Royal Oak nightlife.  Our party of seven was quickly  seated despite a packed house, which was pretty impressive.  Hamlin Corner's beer menu is extensive, with over 50 choices that include a good number of Michigan craft beers.  Pizza is only $1.79/slice, but be aware that it's "party store" pizza, as a couple members of our party noted.  Other menu choices were tastier, including chicken and waffles with buffalo syrup, mac & cheese, and steak tips with Gorgonzola zip sauce.
Review Source:My first gripe: Branding difficulty. Is it "Hamlin's Corner," "Hamlin Corners," "Hamlin Corner" or god forbid "Hamlin Corner's?" I've seen all four used in the establishment's promotional materials and for those us who know better, it's kind of infuriating.
Waited 15 minutes for three mimosas on a Sunday afternoon when the place was hardly busy. Although the food came out efficiently, the server was either too slow to be on top of her game or was somehow in the weeds...
The food was good, not a bad deal all around, but something about this place rubbed me the wrong way. Not sure whether it was the poor marketing and the big "opening weekend" fuss they put out on the social media (trust me, all hype), or the to-be-expected service hiccups on opening weekend.
I'll give it another shot when they fire their marketing and social media person and/or iron out their service issues.
OK, first time opening night, sort of. This is a decor/food review only. If it turns out to be a Black Finn later night crowd, my apologies in advance. Food was great! Salmon on grits was awesome and finally, drumroll please.........a downtown Royal Oak bar/restaurant with the best wings for miles! If you're a serious wing guy or gal, and I don't mean Detroit Red Wings, your prayers have been answered. Flat out no better anywhere. And a generous portion. Cobb salad was a bit wet and not thrilling. Need to work on that for $10. Great beers, OK wines. Service, loved our waitress, but had to ask for bread and still never received it and not certain they want you to ask for it. Bread's a staple so not sure what's up with that. The place was beautiful, they really did a wonderful job, TV's obviously EVERYWHERE. Because of the salad thing and no bread, going with a 3 star. First night can't be too critical. Hell, I'd give them 3 stars for the wings but seriously, a bar that can serve a salmon that good for $17. They have some mojo.
Review Source:A welcome addition to the downtown Royal Oak scene! Â My husband and I had dinner and drinks before a movie and caught a Tigers game on as well. Â The decor inside is sharp and there are lots of TVs. Â Looking around, I couldn't see any seats where you wouldn't have a view of what's on. Â I love the sports ticker marquee behind the bar--very cool!
We started with the nachos for an appetizer.  They had the usual fixins except for the meat--delicious braised beef.  Yum!  There are plenty of other appetizers, all slightly different takes on the standard American offerings.  They've got build-your-own burgers, sandwiches, salads, entrees, and good-looking pizza.  My husband opted for the cheesesteak sandwich and I had the cherry  chicken salad.  Both were delicious!  My salad had Cabernet-soaked cherries and pulled, not grilled, chicken.  See what I mean about a slightly different take on traditional food?  I really want to try that pizza next time.  Tables around us were ordering it like crazy.
And the beer, the star of the show. Â They have 48 beers on tap and two wines as well. Â There are a ton of bottled choices too. Â We did learn that they won't rotate their taps as frequently as Betty's or the Berkley Front (bummer!) but I did love the selection. Â It's enough to come here more than those two because of their food menu. Â But please, Hamlin Corner, consider rotating them once you've found your groove!
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