Never a bad meal!  Very upscale but quaint and friendly. You'd never know it  was here!  This wonderful place is 4.5 hours from me and we make a point of visiting.  I have never been more impressed with an establishment than I have been with this one.  I urge everyone who has a chance to please eat a meal here.  You will never judge a book by its cover again.  Open the front door and its a whole new world!
Review Source:I'm going to echo some of the other reviews. Yes, without yelp I would have never found this place... it's very unassuming. Yes, it's connected to a gas station. Yes, the food is great. Yes, you should try it. I've been back a few times now and it has been consistent with regard to the quality of the food as well as how busy it is. Unless you plan on trying to find a seat in the bar (there is one table for two and about 6 barstools) you should make a reservation. I plan on returning on my next trip to Spokane.
Review Source:Staying the night at the Best Western next door, and after reading the reviews, I couldn't resist walking over to give it a try. It was a thoroughly delightful experience.
I was thrilled that they had a Seghesio Zinfandel available, and we started with the tapas platter. It was a lovely variety of tasty things - cilantro hummus, roasted garlic, goat cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olive and anchovy mix, and little toasted French bread squares. We split the seared ahi entree, and it was spectacular...the wasabi sauce totally put it over the top. Dessert was the B-52 Bites...3 layers of chocolate with strawberries and caramel drizzle...a perfect treat that wasn't overwhelming.
Our server was so friendly and attentive, and everyone who worked there shared similar spirits.
As the reviews have predominantly said, this place is a little gem. Check it out if you find yourself in the Spokane area! Â I definitely think the price point is worth the value.
I had heard several good reviews of this restaurant, so as my wife and I were out on our last "Date Night" of 2012 we decided to venture out to Liberty Lake and give this a try. I had heard it was in a Gas Station, but I really didn't expect to see what I did as I pulled up. Cars were literally parked across the street in the dirt (some were probably for the very busy bar on the other side as well). We were a little worried that it was going to be too crazy for our date night, but we had made a reservation so we figured we would go ahead and try. We were very glad that we did. The place was full, and a bit noisy, but the staff seated us quickly and our server explained that they had taken some drapes that usually dampen the noise down for cleaning. He recommended the top 2 sellers and his personal favorite. We chose the top 2 items, which were amazing! Overall experience-- Parking was a mess, the place was loud and a little odd, but the food and service made up for all of that. We will be back!
Review Source:I have been to Hay J's a number of times, and while the food is good, the service is lacking. Â My most recent experience was the worst. Â We went for a late lunch (not very many people in the restaurant). Â We ordered a number of dishes and they all came out at the same time.....then the two people working stood behind the bar and talked, and talked, and talked, and talked (not only about things that they thought about the procedures at the restaurant, but also about people they knew, personal opinions, etc). Â We were not eating at the bar and could hear EVERY word! Â I finally had to step out and say "Excuse me......could be get some bread please?" Â Aauugg! Â Not a very relaxing lunch :(
Review Source:Basically at the gas station! The inside is very warm and modern. This just surprised me... it was in an awkward and it seemed remote location, yet the crowd for lunch was sizable and mostly professionals. Â Parking is limited since it shares space with a Gas station and some other store, they do have a bar as soon as you walk in, the dining room is a fair size for a small local place.
Service was good albeit a little slow, the food though was pretty good. Â I had the fried Mozzarella for an Appetizer and that was pretty good. Â I then had the Seafood Cobb Salad (16$?!) and that was a little disappointing. Â The shrimp was overcooked, the crab looked shredded and unrecognizable (tasteless too) and then there were some elements on the plate that just didn't blend, like the pile of blue cheese... really??
Anyway, I would go back to try something different next time.
Best food I've ever had. The tapas platter was sublime. The Medallions of Beef and Sea Bass were superb. Everything cooked perfectly. Â Flavors were a feast for the taste buds. The key lime tart was just too sweet. It's a bit dark, but very pleasant atmosphere. Â Definitely will come here again.
Review Source:Do not be fooled by the exterior- the food is good and inside its surprisingly nice! My family thought about turning around when we pulled into the parking lot, but we were so glad we came in for lunch. They had a good selection of salads which is just what we were looking for. The ingredients were fresh and everyone in my group liked what they ordered.
Review Source:Who would have guessed such a gem in a strip mall next to a gas station? Ended up here on a whim and will definitely be back. The food was amazing. I had the Parmesan crusted halibut. I'm not really a fish eater but thought I would be daring and it was easily one of the best meals I've had in my life. The cocktails were good and service was decent. Nice atmosphere though it felt slightly pretentious. Only complaint was that the wait for our food was rather long and there was only one other couple there.
Review Source:This is the best restaurant with the highest quality food  in Spokane. Â
I've never had a food disappointment here. Â I enjoy taking people to HayJ's just for the surprise. Â Â The restaurant is in a small strip mall anchored by a gas station. Â No one would ever imagine such a fine restaurant in this location! Â Seeing the shock on their face as we walk in is always entertaining. Â I've never taken someone here without them absolutely raving about the meal.
The only reason to hold off on 5 stars is service. Â Often I've had poor wait-service. Â I've been here so many times and way too many times service has been beyond disappointing. Â This has been the case for years. Â Fixing this would make this the best place in the region for both lunch and dinner.
This was a great escape for a couple NYers while visiting family. Â We ordered brie and a salad to start. Â We ended up sharing both and not finishing either - these portions are BIG. Â The salad was surprisingly complex and delicious, the brie was accompanied by this great grilled bread, but personally I would have liked the cheese a little warmer/softer.
I ordered the special (breaded veal and risotto)- the server said it was the chef's favorite dish so of course I had to try it. Â The mushroom risotto was very good...maybe a little too salty, and the veal could have used a bit more seasoning. Â In the end I was jealous of my husband's tuna steak, which was seared perfectly and accompanied by the best wasabi and soy sauce I've had since Chinatown.
Did I mention the servings were huge? Â We took home half of our entrees and split a creme-brule (so divine!).
The cocktail list is markedly more sugary than what we're use to, but the Side Car was great.....my husband ordered some scotch on the rocks and they must have brought out 4 ounces in a glass....it looked like iced tea! Â How these westerners drink like this without public transportation is beyond me.
Came here with two coworkers while traveling on business. This place is pricey ($20-30 entrees), but I felt like I got what I paid for. I had halibut with risotto which was amazing. One of my coworkers had herb crusted lamb shanks, which was reported very good as well.
Service was very good, ambiance was nice, noise levels low. We came around 7 on a Wednesday night and the place was almost at capacity - would keep that in mind if coming on a weekend. If I find myself back in the Spokane area in the future, I would like to come back again. Would definitely recommend this place to other friends and coworkers.
5 stars for food
5 stars for service
5 stars for ambiance
4.5 stars for value
really liked this place. weird name. very nice place. good atmosphere. the salad we had was great and they split it for us. champagne something or other. the wine was great. my pasta was fabulous. seafood, sausage, creamy sauce, yum. would have loved another scallop. perfectly cooked. I would definitely go back next time I'm in town.
Review Source:Love this place, best in Liberty Lake! If they knew better, they would get a new bigger building as they are always packed & can make more money. Â Guess its the best kept secret of this little town.
Food is pricey though quality is high. ordered a glass of Pinot and almost fell down... $10, whoa! Â Most of their dinners are 20+
Their seafood salad is the best, the half order is enough for me and reasonably priced!!!
Love their decor and style. Â
If you can't afford this place, check em out for lunch at least.
Located next to a gas station, and mini mart, it's in an odd location, but inside it is spacious with a dozen or so booths and tables, and a bar area.
The service is great, and the food portions are large. The fries were served hot, but the tomato bisque soup was just warm.
The hummus wraps, and hummus appetizers were fresh and tasty. They have a kids menu, and once inside, you quickly forget you're right next to a gas station.
The prices are reasonable, and it's just off the freeway between Post Falls and the Spokane Valley, so there isn't much out here. It's one of just a few non fast food places to choose from, so I'm giving it 4 stars. If it were located more centrally, I'd probably rate it a 3/3.5. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
I was out this neck of the woods on a business trip. Â One of the people I was visiting took me here for dinner. Â She raves about this place. Â I had crab cakes and a small mediterranean salad. Â I have to say the crab cakes were very good. Â I got three 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inch diameter babies that were lightly packed. Â Made perfectly. Â The salad was tasty. Â The decor was very nice. Â I wanted to find out where the grape vine wrought iron wine bottle holders came from... Â I want one.
Review Source:Had a little difficulty finding the place. In an unusual location right next to a gas station. Anyway, the food was great. My husband and I shared the mixed grill and the fish and beef and the veggies were done very well and tasted wonderful. They have a kids menu with a good selection of kids' favorites as well. The chocolate bread pudding was excellent. Â The service was prompt and very pleasant. Don't miss the opportunity to try this out of the way place. It is worthwhile.
Review Source:This is a tough review to write. The service was fine, the restaurant has a nice ambience. I sat at the bar and watched the plasma TV. Â The food was good. Â Not out of this world, but very good. Â The beef medallion on my mixed grill plate was by far the best, and all the seafood I had was OK.
If money is no object I would say that based on taste, this restaurant deserves 3.5 stars. Â But money is an object for most people and this place is way over priced. Â They are charging $7 for a well gin and tonic which is too much for a place like this. Â The mixed grill was $31! Â Wow. Â I think overall it was about 25% too much money. Â I was actually mad at myself for eating here. It was not in the budget. I spent less at the space needle which is an overpriced tourist trap. Â They views are better at the space needle! Â This place is next to a gas station! Â (though to be fair, you wouldn't know it once inside)
Anyway, it's a tough call. It may be the best meal in town (I was just in town for a day) but I would not eat here again.
Went here for lunch today. Have been once before and liked it. Today it was packed at noon, good sign indeed. However, after being seated we waited 55 mins. before our order was taken. We then waited about 35 mins. before our meal came. Would have appreciated the waitress coming by to let us know our meal was on its way. The lunch itself, mine was a veggie wrap, was beautifully plated. It was average, was supposed to have hummus in it but sure didn't taste it. The restaurant is extremely loud so it was very hard to visit with my lunch companions. As we left the front of the house manager was primping in the mirror in the bar area so no "thank you for coming" comments were made. This is a great local spot so it was very dissapointing to receive this sloppy service. Perhaps it was just a bad day to go?
Review Source:This place is a fantastic little place tucked into a corner of a small city, adjacent to a Best Western, a gas station, and Interstate 90. However, it's an excellent little place with a friendly staff and tasty food. I came here with a friend, and we both had an great time.
The only qualms I have with it are probably its location, which is probably not exactly under their control, and its price. Next to Liberty Lake, a minuscule residential area, it doesn't draw huge patronage, but it is a tad unappealing from the outside. The price is also pretty hefty for the quality of food there, but manageable.
Overall, a wonderful little place tucked away in a not so wonderful location. If business is good, I could imagine it moving to a lakeside facility - that would be fantastic! But perhaps I'm a tad too optimistic.
Hay J's is by far the best restaurant that has taken over its space. The building's history isnt too great.....but Hay J's is looking like it's gonna stay with the awesome Yelp reviews! I went here when they first opened and I remember the service being good, welcoming and efficient. The food was really good and the funds go to a good cause, the owner opened it as a way to gain funds for his kid's college education. I remember there was one aspect my family didn't like. With the concrete walls and open floor plan, the restaurant got extremely loud making it hard to hear people at your own table. Aside from noise issues, we loved the place and loved helping out a local-yocal.
A return trip is definitely in order, and hopefully it will elevate from a 4 star to a 5 star
I really enjoy this place. My friend plays here on Wednesday nights (cheers to Hay J's for supporting local music!) and they have great food.
Though its a little pricey for my taste, I am willing to splurge and go here because the service is good, the food is delicious, and I love the "bistro-like" ambience, for lack of a better way to explain it.
How serendipitous to find this place on the recommendation of the helpful guy at the gas station beside my Best Western :D Â I had the Ladieu salad (greens, candied pecans, sliced red grapes, goat cheese, huckleberry dressing) with some juicy grilled scallops on top. Â One of the best salads I have ever had.
The gentleman who seated me and the lady serving the food were nice and checked in once in a while (not pushy though).
What a joy to end up here after a long day travelling. Â To think all I thought I would have for dinner was some cereal bars from the store.
I've been to Hay J's 3 times and have had very good meals each time. Only once were we not absolutely with one entrée, not that there was anything wrong with it, it was just rather plain.
We have had great service, the food is good and I like the casual atmosphere, sans the gas station several doors away. Overall I would not hesitate recommending it for a casual lunch or dinner out.
I am the consummate  foodie, and we tried this restaurant last night, as recommended by my junior high school friend from upstate ny. I must say, each and every thing we ate was perfect, and I'm a very harsh critic. The seafood cobb salad is to die for. They are generous with their portions, and it is very appetizingly presented. Our friend opted for the mixed grill (for a second night in a row). One of the selections were beef medallions, my favorites ever. My husband and I shared the London broil special and it was perfect. We 3 split a key lime pie, and without missing a beat ordered a second piece as we liked our forks from the first piece. don't miss this. True, the service is slow, but to me it's way worth it for food of this caliber. We'll be back! And a word to the wise, don't let the totally nothing exterior deter you.
Review Source:what a joke.  the service was so bad it actually became funny.  despite having reservations, we waited for an hour for our table.  two hours passed and we still hadn't gotten our entrees.  i asked for our wine to be served with dinner, but it was served an hour before we got dinner - a ploy to run up the bill, perhaps?  not one, but two beef orders came out over cooked and tough.  when they brought out a redone dish, they literally brought just the meat - not the mashed potatoes that my 83 year old mother ate while waiting for them to get the order close to right.  have  you ever seen less than the full plate served when the restaurant is trying to make it right?  have you have seen a waitress say, with a straight face, your order will be right out -when the other six people at the table were more than half way done with their meal?  i haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
the restaurant graciously comped the meal that wasn't eaten and our appetizers, which they had said they'd comp during the hour we waited for our reserved table, so really -  big deal. the restaurant also comped 4 desserts for 7 people - without actually asking what we preferred.  the topper was staff sweeping the floor while we waited to pay our check  it was the worst birthday dinner ever - it was so bad it actually became funny.  well, except for the bill. they should have comped the whole meal and waited to clean up after  we left - it wasn't our fault it was almost 10:30 p.m.  we did arrive at 6:45.....
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