We went a couple weeks ago on a Monday night and I was looking forward to trying it. I was impressed with the variety and selection in the burger section of the menu. For a place to offer half price burgers every Monday, it's surprising to see so many on the menu you can choose from. Some of the options include: The Wisconsin Cheeseburger (pepper jack, cheddar, & provolone), Philly Cheeseburger (mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, & provolone), Bistro Burger (havarti, mushrooms, whole grain mustard on an English muffin), and The Pitts-burger (coleslaw, French fries, tomato, & provolone). I ordered The Western - a burger topped with smoked bacon, house BBQ sauce, cheddar, and an onion ring. They also have good variety with their side dishes, but I ordered the traditional staple - French fries.
The presentation of the burger was great. The combination of the onion ring, bacon, and BBQ sauce made for a nice picture with lots of different color. Unfortunately, I wish it had tasted as good as it looked. For as many different flavors as I had on the burger, I was hoping I would be able to taste more of them. The meat seemed to lack seasoning or any sort of grilled flavor and the BBQ sauce was relatively bland. The hamburger bun also didn't do much for me - it tasted a little stale and could have used a minute in the toaster. I had high hopes as I was seeing people's orders delivered to the table and even higher when my plate was served, but it just didn't live up to expectations. However, the size of the burger was great, and for $5.50, it's a very good deal.
Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the food for my first experience, I'm definitely willing to give Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill another chance. I think the Pitts-Burger has good potential and there are a number of other things on the menu that look good besides the burgers. The first visit might have been a let-down, but I'm confident my next meal there will be a better experience.
My wife and I came here last night to their outdoor festival to see Tobacco Apache, because the guitarist works for the same company as me. Â The band was great, but we'll never spend a damn dime in Martin's, ever.... Â
The band was going to play outside, so we came in to grab a bit to eat before they started. Â were told to take a seat anywhere, so we found an empty table smack in the middle so we could get a bite to eat and a beer before the band started. Â We sat for 10 minutes and in that time, 3 different servers walked directly past our table several times each. Â I made eye contact each time, and we expected, since we were sitting there with no drinks and no menus, that one of them would bring us menus and ask us what we'd like to drink. Â Sorry, no such luck.... Â
As we were sitting there, we saw another couple come in and sit down, and the waitress was at their table within about 30 seconds. Â Their drinks came back, their orders were in, and the waitress came back by their table again to check on them. Â My wife was doing "the countdown" (when we get tired of waiting, we count to 100, and if we hit 100, we get up and leave), and she finished up just as the waitress at that table turned to leave. Â
I waved at the girl, and beckoned her to our table. Â I explained that we'd been sitting for quite some time, and in that time, she and several other wait staff people had walked right by us several times each, but it was like we were invisible. Â She apologized and asked me if I wanted a drink, but by that time, my wife was at the door leaving. Â I told her absolutely not, that we were over it, and she tried to pass it off that they were busy and short-staffed. Â I told her that was no excuse, and she asked if there was anything she could do to get us to stay. Â I have to give her points for trying, but really, it was a day late and a dollar short by that point. Â I told her that we'd be outisde to see the band but that we'd not be spending any money there, ever. Â
By that time my wife was waiting out front for me, so we went around the corner, watched the band, and had a great time hearing them play. Â After that, we left and went to Grace's Place for pizza and beer.
Seems to me, from reading other reviews, that the service problem is a recurrent theme at Martin's. Â That's a problem they need to solve.....
We always love coming to Martin's...everyone there always seems to be having such a good time. Â 1/2 price burgers on Monday (including side item!) Â can't be beat! Â The staff is kinda funky, which I appreciate cause it gives the place character. Â I've seen a lot of really good local and touring bands here. Â AND, I was thrilled when I came in for lunch last week to see outdoor dining! Â The owner, Jason, came by to check on our lunch and he seriously couldn't be nicer or more genuine. Â I enjoy seeing local, family owned businesses surviving and thriving in today's day and age.
Review Source:I made a habit of going here for lunch while in town. Â So I can't really complain about it, nor rave about it though. Â But here are some things I've noticed so you can make up your own mind:
-Service varies from server to server, it's almost like they're people...with differing personalities. Â Some days we had servers bending over backwards for our group of 6 with complimentary to go drinks, others days, it was hard to get our order taken despite the same level of crowd. Â I don't think we were a pain of table either. Â That said, I expect uniformity in my servers...I mean service. Â Although I did notice that all the waitresses had lopsided haircuts.
-The food was 'meh'. Â I mean this place falls into the same trap that other bar/restaurants get themselves into: Â "Our profit margins are made a drinks, so food is secondary". Â Not to say Martin's wasn't eager to give the appearance of a funky eatery. Â The menu was fairly extensive, but it just seemed thrown together. Â Just because you have 'herb butter' on your menu, doesn't make you a good eatery. Â I wish I could say what my best meal was here, but I can't. Â I never finished any of them.
-I never stopped here at night though, and it seems to be a great local music venue though. Â Maybe the next time I'm placed in Roanoke, I'd consider coming here for a show and hopefully microbrews or imports, which I'm sure they'll have to accommodate snobby obnoxious yankees like me.
My wife has eaten here several times but this was my first trip. my initial impression is that this place is probably a better bar than restaurant. We went on a Thursday evening. A band was setting up. I got the feeling the place wouldn't come to.life until 10pm when the band would start.
I had the cheese steak hoagie. there was nothing special about this sandwich whatsoever. I was really disappointed. My wife had the petite crab cakes off the appetizer list. Like my sandwich, they were just ok, nothing to get excited about.
As popular as this restaurant is, I expected a lot more. It was just ok. Our meals could have come from Applebees, logans or just about any Chain restaurant. Â Martins will have to do better to get my repeat business.
Martin's Downtown is always my default bar for three reasons: the live music, the staff, and the low key atmosphere. The food is all very delicious, though admittedly I don't walk in the door early enough to really sit down and eat in many cases, but I'm a picky eater in many cases (though you wouldn't know it looking at me! haha) and I have absolutely no complaints about anything I've tried to eat at Martin's Downtown. None! It was all great.
Now, back to the music... There are several venues in the Roanoke Valley that cater to live music, and I have nothing but good things to say about each and every one of them, but this is the one that I find myself the most comfortable at--and the booking manager tends to bring in music that I always love and enjoy. We're not talking about The Worx here... If you want to see a cover band, you're going to have to find another bar. If you want to hear music, this place should be ranking high on your list!
Aside from the music, and the food, I'll briefly mention the staff: the staff is amazing! I did say brief, didn't I? ;) Â I have nothing but good things to say about Martin's Downtown. See you all there!
I must begin by reiterating that this is not the restaurant that you want to come to. The restaurant waitstaff is rude and unacceptable - see my previous review.
But! This is a more-than-decent place to see a show and grab a drink. I've been here for several shows, and except for the time mentioned above, I've been treated well each time.
Last Saturday, I came here for my bachelorette party to see Ella Riot. The bouncers let me in for free because I'm getting married, the atmosphere was fun, and the drinks and bartenders were terrific. I had a wonderful time that went a long way towards making up for past bad experiences. This place is (mostly) cool with me, and I look forward to my next visit.
I came here to check out a friends band who was in town. Â I loved there was no cover considering in DC area- if there's a band, you're paying at least $10 to get in. Â The bartenders were great, attentive and looking like they actually enjoyed what they were doing. Â (A nice change from the pretentious bartenders I've run into throughout my days.) Â Worth going and checking out some live music!
Review Source:So the burgers at Martin's are super yummy, but what sweetens the burger deal even more is that ALL (yes I said ALL) burgers are 1/2 price on Monday night! Usually when you find a place that serves 1/2 price burgers it's a burger that has been sitting all day - not here! Always hot, always fresh! And yummy martinis too. Â If you're in ROA be sure to check out Martin's!
Review Source:
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