What on earth happened here?
This Joe's American Bar & Grill in the Pheasant Lane Mall used to be really good. Â It was a great spot to have a relaxing, nice lunch, dinner, or cocktails after shopping all day, or just being in the area. Â I recently went on a Friday night and it was awful. Â Based on other reviews, it seems like they're under new management.
First off, the place was kind of filthy. Â It smelled like old fish and a number of tables weren't bussed. Â
Second off, the waitstaff could not keep up. Â Maybe they were understaffed, though there weren't that many tables. Â We waited an extremely long time in between ordering drinks and getting to order our meals, and then over an hour for our meals to come. During that our, our waitress pretty much ignored us, even though she promised us bread that never arrived. Â I understand that things sometimes take longer than they ought to, but an apology or acknowledgement would have been nice. Â Also bread, because we were starving. Â
Lastly, the food was not good. Â The food used to be really great, but the steak was ok, and they messed up the baked potato somehow. Â It tasted raw and fishy, how does that happen? Â
They need to get it together. Â It's pretty sad when Red Robin provides a more professional and satisfying dining experience. Â They are WAY too expensive to be so unprofessional and disorganized.
This was my third visit, I've always enjoyed it and had great food.  That was not the case today.  We we're seated by a very unwelcoming waitress, after being completely ignored by the manager who saw us waiting for 10 minutes, and our drink orders were placed.  Soda and water was promptly received, but I waited over 15 minutes for my martini (clearly not the waitresses fault, she was waiting on the bartender).  I was very suprised at the price increases since last time we dined here ($9 for a shrimp cocktail with 3 shrimp?  $18 for 2 crab cakes?). I don't  mind paying extra for good food, but it's a chain restaurant!  Food came,  both the margarita pizza and French dip were tasty!  Our waitress was pleasant and efficient, but the staff and manager (?) we're so unprofessional!  Waitstaff complaining about the bussers, and having to clean their own tables, not going to tip out supporting staff etc.  manager was stomping around, huffing and puffing, instead of tending to unhappy patrons, and seemed clearly pissed about something.  I will go bad, because I've had pleasant visits prior.  Hopefully I just caught them on an "off" day....
Review Source:They are OK but in the last year or so their portions became smaller, food not as good and the new waiters are not great. The menu has not changed in a very long time and they really should stop serving stuff their chef can't make well like pizza. Also not liking the beat up tables. The manager tries very hard to fix everything the waiter gets wrong. Â The salads, brunch specials steaks are good just wish they update the menu but we will be back. I have to say that they use fresher, more expensive ingredients than other restaurants in the area.
They do have gluten free bread, pasta from local bakery much better quality than what other places use.
We've tried it several times hoping it was just the staff that day but unfortunately I think we're done trying :(
Seriously. What happened? This place used to be our regular stop when we visited the mall and we always looked forward to eating here.
The menu has been cut down to one page (used to be huge!), the prices have nearly doubled, and the service has consistently been terrible! Either the server didn't know anything about the menu, wasn't attentive (most of the time), or just had a bad attitude (few times).
Bring back Charlies!!
A few months ago, Joes would have had 5 stars from me. Â But they changed management and changed the menu. Â Not too exciting. Â In fact, a little disappointing. Â Was down in that part of town tonight...decided againt Joes...didn't want to endure the sloppy wait staff that has taken over and the lack of control the new manager has.
Review Source:Why is everthing so EXPENSIVE in this place? Â It's in a mall in nashua, not Miami Beach or NYC. Â $7.50 for a rum and coke, obviously they don't want repeat business. Â The cobb salad was good but expensive and there was no egg in it, they need to look up the recipe for cobb salad. Â The calamari was very good. Â The bartender was friendly. Â I won't be back because of the high prices, there are a ton of other restaurants in the area. Â Ever since I've been here, I've been checking my tab for drink prices and the norm is $6 for rum and coke. Â I bet the wine (a few sips) is probably $12
Review Source:I have been to this restaurant a few times in the past and always was pleased, but not today. Â I ordered an appetizer crab cake that came out looking wonderful, but the underside was completely burned - I mean it tasted like ash. Â I sent it back and got another one that still had a burned area on the bottom. Â No manager came by - nothing. Â My drink was not refilled. Â They wanted $15.99 for fish and chips for heaven's sake. Â It will be a very long time before I ever try them again.
Review Source:I could easily trash this restaurant after my initial visit, but the manager turned a disappointing dinner into an okay experience. A very attentive waitress also went far to help earn an extra star.
My wife and I had a gift card that we though we would use at this nearby Joe's American Grill. It was a quiet Saturday night and the place was pretty empty. So we were seated immediately. Our waitress came by within a couple minutes after being seated and let us know she would be back momentarily. True to her word, she came by a few minutes later to take drink orders as we still perused the menu. My wife had a question on an item, and the waitress didn't have the answer then and there, but promptly went to the kitchen and came back with the answer.
We settled on their two cuts of prime rib, with my wife going with the 12oz cut, and I going with the larger 24oz on bone cut. We both ordered them medium rare, the proper temp for prime rib. I also ordered a crock if their onion soup.
The soup was very good. It had a flavorful beef broth with melted gruyere cheese. It could have used more onions, but there were enough flavor to make this a good and promising start.
While I was working my way through the soup, the manager came by. He introduced himself, and then went on to let us know there was an issue with our entrees. Due to an oven issue, the ribs were more medium than medium rare. He apologized and offered us a choice to go with the prime ribs at that temp, or change to a different steak. If we stayed with the prime rib, he would check with us after a few minutes, and if we were unhappy then, he would allow us to reorder and not charge for the prime ribs. This was a nice gesture, and although I knew medium is not proper for this steak, we decided to keep the prime ribs.
Steaks came out and yes, they were medium as mentioned. But they were nicely seasoned and sitting in a tasty au jus. If they were only medium rare they would have been perfect. During this time, our server asked us if we were okay with the steaks as is, which we both said we were. But the manager did not, as he said he would.
The baked potato side was okay. It was hot and the butter melted nicely, but it was nothing special.
I washed it down with a nicely done fresh brewed iced tea. I did have to ask for a refill.
When the check came, I was anticipating a discount due to the steak temp issue. There was none. We paid up and went into the mall for last minute shopping. I finished first and sat in chairs at the entrance, just outside of Joe's. To my surprise, the manager came out, apologized for not checking in with us inside, as promised, and gave me a card for a free 12oz prime rib on a return visit, a $24 value. This was very much appreciated.
So, I give this restaurant 3 stars, but it could gave been less had it not been for the good service, and also the action of the manager for making an unpleasant experience, pleasant. Had the steaks been medium rare, it very well could have gone to 4 stars. We will go back and make use of that free steak card.
Tomato and rice soup and a house salad. Joe's is a good standby even though I think the prices have crept up a bit much in the last few years. The soup came piping hot as requested and the house salad was much bigger than I thought.
You can always get a table and the service is always good.
I hate shopping. I hate shoppers. As a rule of thumb I usually attempt to avoid any restaurant situated in or near a mall. This is the exception. I would eat here even if it was located inside an Abercrombie and Fitch, with all of the loud music, pretentious @ssholes and cologne that would entail. That means the food is awesome, and every time I've eaten here, it was consistently so.
Review Source:I know things are a little slower in NH, but come on.
Aside from the staff, the food was delicious. Â The bread was warm and toasty and my salad was awesome. Â I got the Roasted Chicken salad over field greens. Â It had green apples, walnuts, cranberries with chicken and field greens. Â The dressing was a light cranberry balsamic. Â
For the staff...one manager seated us (she was ok) our waiter barely came back to the table, had to wait a while for a refill, food check, bill, etc. and a different manager walked by our table about 10 times with a blank face, messy hair-do and an outfit that looked like she rolled out of bed and threw a blazer on over her pj's. Â
The table...one setting was perfectly fine, my setting had a serving spoon (probably the size of my fist) next to my fork and knife and the manager who seated us didn't remove it (when she took the extra settings away). It was pretty awkward looking.
I guess I can't complain too much, afterall I did go to the mall and this was the only free-standing restaurant there.
One of the worst and overpriced American meals I've ever had.
Took family here for Mother's Day lunch. I'm fine with the long wait, but the meal is just no that good.
First, I ordered Nacho Grande and the waitress confirmed with me that we'll have that as appetizer, but it never came, toward the end, it's not even on the check ... where did it go? You confirmed it!!!!
The dishes are just over priced over cooked food. My parents got fishes, $17 for a piece of salmon and $18 for a piece of cod, I had much better and much cheaper grilled fish at Fishbone in Chelmsford, and the fish were not burned.
I got the Ahi Tuna, the tuna was cooked below average and the dipping sauce would kill all my tastebuds as it's super strong in flavor. They might dumped a large bottle of wocestershire sauce in instead of few spoons.
My wife got the Steak and Egg brunch plate, the meat is overcooked and the worst is the potato cubes. Eating the potato is like playing Russian roulette. One piece would have no flavor and the next piece would be full of salt. Come on, you can't even cook your potato right??
The lunch for 4 with 2 ice tea, 1 lemonade, 4 not so good plates, plus tips cost $100!!! I think we'll NEVER go back again.
Your average chain. Â Would I eat here again? Â Yes, but only if someone else insisted on going. Â Would I ever suggest eating here? Â No. Â
I've been here for dinner and brunch. Â For dinner I had a hamburger, which was alright, and for brunch I ordered pancakes (with a side of eggs). Â The pancakes were somewhat of a disappointment (boring and small), but at least the dish came with a mountain of bacon.
The prices here are on the high side for the quality of the food. Â If I'm going out to a chain with mediocre food, I don't expect to be dropping $12-14 for pancakes with 2 eggs or $15-24 for a main entree. Â If I wanted to pay $15-24 for an entree, I could go to one of many gourmet restaurants where the quality is high and the dishes are memorable. Â At least the bacon cheeseburger is around $10. Â Oh, and did I mention these prices don't include tax or tip?
My girlfriend, on the other hand, seems to enjoy the place especially for brunch. Â She's been to this location and others multiple times and keeps coming back. Â
If you are in the Pheasant Lane Mall and looking for something to eat, I strongly suggest visiting Appleseed Crepes instead.
I had been to a couple of their locations in Boston several years ago, but I gave up on them because everything was so mediocre. Â But today we were shopping at the Pheasant Lane Mall, and when we checked the directory for dining options, we were met with a list of crappy food court joints and Joe's. Â So we opted for Joe's. Â Later, while walking through the food court to use the restroom, we noticed The Apple and Bread Crepe Company, which wasn't listed on the directory, and which looked like it would have been way better than Joe's. Â But it was too late.
We were seated quickly, which was nice, but I was starving and looking forward to the bread basket. Â All of the tables around us got the bread basket, but we didn't get any bread basket. Â We figured that it would come after we ordered the food, but the server went MIA at that point so we couldn't even ask. Â The menu was sorely lacking in vegetarian options. Â We asked if they had a veggie burger, since it wasn't listed on the menu, and were told that they did, so we both ordered that. Â It was like a mediocre veggie burger you might expect in a college dining hall. Â And not cheap, either - $10/each. Â
The only saving grace of the whole thing was the iced tea, which was admittedly delicious. Â But that was it. Â This was certainly my last time dining at this establishment, as I think if they haven't cleaned up their act by now, it's hopeless.
I met up with lady friends here last weekend upon the suggestion of Sandy, who now resides in Nashua. Â She didn't lead us astray and made sure we had a good, solid brunch. Â First off, we had a reservation, and didn't really need one, which was amazing since you would have to wait for an hour if you didn't have a reservation for brunch in Boston. Â It was nice that it wasn't crowded beyond belief as well.......BUT, screaming children reside in Nashua. Â It ends up being a wash right there.
The decor is mainly composed of dark wood furniture and some old Americana prints, and the service leaves something to be desired. Â One delightful thing is that if you come here for brunch, your cocktail is included when you order a brunch entree-score! Â Minus one point for being in New Hampshire and not within walking distance home....I gave half of my bloody mary to my friend because I have no tolerance.
The food: Â really solid, surprisingly. Â I ordered the eggs benedict after some contemplating, and it was a good move. Â All brunch orders are supposed to come with a bread basket, but we had to ask. Â My eggs were cooked to perfection and my hollendaise sauce was buttery perfection. Â The ham was fine, but I Â was really just into the eggs and the english muffin. Â The bread basket, once we got it, was complete heaven. Â The basket was filled with little mini muffins that tasted pumpkiny, and there was a round loaf of crusty bread my broke on our own. Â The home fries were good and fried to a crusty perfection, and the fruit was pretty fresh. Â The coffee was also really good, and they give you a little reserve pot for the table.....probably so they don't have to come back again.
Again, in regards to the service, it felt like the staff really didn't want to be there....none of them. Â Our waitress wasn't very patient or friendly, and neither were the hostesses. Â The food was decent, the place was clean, and it was a good brunch.
Joe's American Bar & Grill serves a basic menu of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, salads, steaks, chicken, pastas, comfort dishes, and desserts. However, this place should be renamed 'Average Joe's' because the food I've had here on each visit was just that (not great, but not bad).
The place has wood finish walls, hardwood floors, and is fairly dark with nice table & booth seating surrounding the raised bar area with seating and TVs in the center. There's also outdoor patio seating facing into Tyngsboro, MA (mall parking lot).
On my last recent visit for dinner, I tried the Sliced London Broil ($13.95), which included rice pilaf, salad, & warm bread. The bread was very crusty, good. The Sliced London Broil was drowned in au jus, which made the taste of the food very salty. The side of rice pilaf was a decent side to soak up the au jus. I probably would not order the London Broil here again. However, the entree salads I've had here were decent.
Overall, the meal was just okay and the service was good since it was late night. I would've given this place 3 STARS, but keep reading.
NOTE: If you're going to dine here, I recommend bringing some cash!! I paid for my meal by credit card and I was charged the check amount plus 20 percent (which is standard at some restaurants), but my card was also charged an additional $22.00 for no reason. Over the next few days, I spoke with two managers regarding the charges with no clear explanation and eventually the check amount plus gratuity was posted and the additional $22.00 held on my account was reversed after six days. Minus 1 STAR for this credit card fiasco and inconvenience.
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