Original Joe's — Restaurant in St. Albert

Update After posting this review, I received an email from the Guest Experience Office for OJ's and in turn they shared my comments with the GM of the OJ's we had visited. I was very pleased with the GM's response to my concerns, and he has asked that I give them another try, which I will do so in the near future. I do believe their willingness to take feedback says who they are as a company and definitely the GM for this OJ's location is very serious on providing the best possible service for their customers! Thank you, Clint! +++++++++++++++++

We decided to drop in to OJ's for a bite to eat and a drink. It was not really busy so seating was no issue. Our server Julia was very friendly and helpful. The beer was great!! Nice and Cold! The food was just ok. Normally I don't bother ordering burgers when I go out as they can be messy, however I decided to try one during this visit. I ordered the Original and my wife ordered the Baja Fish Taco's. My wife thought the tacos were fine but not the expected taste (usually they have a bit of a kick). The fries (I thought the serving of fries was small) and onion rings were good. The burger tasted like it was a frozen commercial type that was overcooked. There was a very small dollop of sauce and lettuce. Overall, it was very dry. I did ask for ketchup and mustard to help but by the time I got it, the burger was no longer warm and overall, it was very disappointing. Our server apologized and did ask if she could replace it, but I declined as it was getting late. I thought the presentation of the food was good. Our server did provide a discount on the bill, so I know she tried to help. We are thankful of her kindness. I have had much worse food at other places, so we will...

This used to be the best restaurant/pub/bar in St. Albert in my humble opinion. It used to be my friends' local but they are currently looking for a new one. The problem arises first with their current bartender. The last three times I have visited over the summer he has fully lived up to my first impression of being the World's Most Miserable Bartender. I have never seen him crack a smile. He greeted us and others like they depressed him. This behaviour and attitude is night and day versus the old bartender that worked at this location for many many years (name begins with a D). Second, the waitresses seem to all mimic the bartender. I never saw one smile in the whole house. This was due partly to them being understaffed. Our waitress explained that this was due to a busier than expected Saturday and many orders through online ordering. But I feel the tone of the restaurant begins and ends with the manager on the floor, the bartender. Third, the food has taken a serious hit. Portions seem to have shrunk but the main issue is the taste. It is somewhat of a joke. I rate the food 2.5-3 out of 5 for the prices you pay and versus how it used to be - maybe a 4.3/5. Management/the owner need to urgently address these issues. I sadly won't be coming back until I hear of changes to the above (which is terrible because this has been my local since it opened ten years ago and I struggle to think of a replacement in St Albert). In summary, it's deplorable compared to how it used to be for...

Take out was extremely slow taking an extra 20 minutes after arriving at designated time of 25 minutes after ordering. Was comp’d a drink at the bar which was nice. Got home with food and my wife’s $20 chicken tenders consisted of 3 puny overcooked strips barely equating to one Costco chicken tender (where we originally thought about picking up from…regrets) the coleslaw was unmixed (had onions in it 🧐 and was very bland) My ghost pepper chicken burger didn’t disappoint but definitely wasn’t “ghost pepper” level of spiciness by any means, maybe 6 out of 10. We ordered a slice of the red velvet cake as the online picture looked great…but what we got was what seemed liked a child size portion of dry cake for the steal of a price of about $10 (9.45$ if you want specifics). Not even the thickness of a small plastic fork prong. Overall, pretty disappointing showing for this restaurant tonight on the easiest of the meals. Generally this hasn’t been our experience here when dining in but we’ll probably avoid taking out again. Only they cake is pictured as it was the the final straw to actually come...