Original Joe's — Restaurant in Winnipeg

My fiancé and I came here for dinner this evening around 7:30 pm. We were greeted promptly seated by a gentleman who I think was the manager. Our server was Cassidy. She was friendly but not very knowledgeable about the menu and made several mistakes that thankfully the manager caught. I have a gluten and lactose intolerance which I informed her about. I ordered the Cajun chicken burger with a gluten free bun, mixed green salad and fries with dill dip. Prior to the salad coming out the gentleman who seated us came by our table and asked if I still wanted cheese on the salad since I asked for no cheese on the burger. This surprised me since Cassidy neglected to mention that the mixed green salad contains goat cheese. When my burger and fries came out the gentleman came back and asked if I have a dairy allergy. I said yes and he then informed me that the dill dip I ordered contains dairy. This made me angry because I specifically asked Cassidy if the dill dip contains dairy and she said “no, it’s mayo based.”

In terms of the food itself, the salad and fries were good but my burger was very soggy. In fact, the bottom on my bun was so wet that it broke apart when I picked up my burger.

Overall, the food and service was a big disappointment. I’m very thankful that manager (or whoever he is) was there or I would have eaten that dill dip thinking it was dairy free. The only reason I’m giving 3 stars instead of 1 is because he was on the ball with catching Cassidy’s mistakes. That being said, these are mistakes that SHOULD NOT happen. I informed her that I have a lactose intolerance and she still let me order a salad with cheese in it and misinformed me about the dip being dairy free. This is extremely poor service and actually dangerous people...

So this review is based on the fact that OJ is no longer an 18+ place. Food is good, drinks are wonderful but the main attraction of this place over Boston Pizza, Smitty's, Montana's, etc. was that they catered exclusively to the drinking age crowd and one didn't have to deal with the part family restaurant/part lounge atmosphere. There is a big difference between the atmosphere of an 18+ establishment and the family restaurants with a lounge.

There are so many places that accept children (pretty much anywhere), but none in Winnipeg that cater only to the older crowd. So why did this place have to change? This is a private business so what forced the change? In major cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver one can easily find places for only those over the drinking age without issue, so what's the problem with Winnipeg having a few places? And what type of parent is so determined to have their child in a bar that they would push this agenda on a business, which I am guessing is the reason for the change?

Unfortunately this means that so many people, like myself will be heading back to the dreaded restaurants with separated Lounges in order to be able to enjoy a night out without having to worry about misbehaving children, to keep it down (as conversation and laughter are generally allowed to be more gregarious in 18+ places), or more commonly so being told to modify our conversation topics "Because there are children present".

I think in the long run losing the business from the crowd that went to OJ because it was only 18+ is not going to be offset by the amount of business brought in...

I ordered a fish and chips and found they put sea salt on their food aka fish and chips and they don't explain it in their orders and when you told them at the call say you have a allergic reaction problem pluz you want extra stuff there isn't a butter for click on it for extra charges to this order was done with Uber eats and the uber eats doesnt have a buttons for it to fix the orders or any issues. when I called their restaurant told them what happen and they will get the Manger her name is Ashley told her what happen she said they can't do anything about it to fix it and send me new order out and said "NO" I already sent report to their head office got a reference number and when I called the Manger Ashely again after i called their head office and give their report number and requested a new meal still not helping me. Now it's under investigation to this restaurant Don't go here you will get treat harsh here. Ashley the manger is so rude and mean. I have no respect to people treat people bad. I give them one out of...