JD's Tavern — Restaurant in Apex

JD's Tavern is a rather average bar/pub environment with fairly decent food. The vibe that I get is that JD's is a place for regulars and sporty-types; which is a good thing, if you're either of these things! For an obvious-tavern/pub, I will have to say that their food was superb. Mind you, I wouldn't suggest going here for that greatest food in the universe/galaxy; but, I do think that if you're in the mood for that type of environment that it's a great option.

Environment Three Stars (*)

There's something about JD's Tavern that kind of rubbed me the wrong way when it comes to the overall environment. Considering the atmosphere, I knew it was going to be loud. Unfortunately, the vast majority of noise wasn't that of conversations but of the 80's and 90's music videos that they were playing near the left-side bar. The lack of lighting was the main concern for me, though (as the noise was to be expected). Most of the light in the area was given by the televisions that were flashing around between different channels, sports, and trivia/game screens. I would suggest bumping up the light a notch or two. Other than that, I would say that JD's Tavern is laid out in a very open/spacious way for the type of restaurant/pub it is.

Food Four Stars (**)

As I mentioned, JD's Tavern isn't going to give you food that leaves you weak in the knees. That's not to say that their food is bad, but it isn't going to be "knee-wobbly" either - it kind of sits right in the middle of "okay" and "good". I would like to try more dishes here to get a better feel for their overall menu, if I were to be honest. I simply had the "Bowtie Asiago Chicken" and a "Not Your Father's Root Beer" - nothing extravagant nor their shining forces when it comes to food or drinks. I will say that they have a significant drink menu; everything from craft beers to regular favourites of the masses.

Customer Service Five Stars (*)

And this is where JD's Tavern really shines. The waiter was consistently making sure that there was nothing he could do for us. Not only that, he was friendly and personal as well. As others have mentioned, the staff want to get to know you - they want you to feel welcomed and that you could come back without any reservations. That's the shining white knight among some of my critical comments. JD's Tavern is the type of place that you can sit and relax when you least expect it. Whether you've decided to come here with your friends to watch a game, to come with your significant other for a quick bite, or just wanting to have a few drinks while you play trivia - you'll be fine. I'm almost certain that, given a few visits, that the staff would even begin to recognize me (personally).

Overall Four Stars (**)

JD's Tavern doesn't have "out of this world" food; but they do offer something that many restaurants or pubs do not - a local culture/vibe. They want you to know that you can come to JD's for just about any occasion you can think of without any reservations. They want you to feel welcomed and embrace everything they have to offer you. You'll have access to food that's pretty good, staff that will treat you as kindly as you expect from locals, and an environment that's laid out/designed for the sports or...

Overall Score: 7.4/10 – A solid tavern-style restaurant with generous portions, good food, friendly service, and a clean, casual atmosphere that delivers a satisfying experience.

Atmosphere and Service: 7.3/10 – The interior follows a classic tavern setup with high-top tables and a straightforward, no-frills style. Outdoor seating was available and decent. Everything felt clean and well-kept. The server was attentive and personable, providing genuine service rather than just taking orders. Pricing was fair, and portion sizes were more than generous.

Nachos: 7.6/10 – A fantastic plate of nachos loaded with queso, seasoned chips, and plenty of beef and chopped jalapeños. Every bite was flavorful and well-balanced. The portion size was enormous—enough to feed a group—so a half-size option would be helpful for smaller parties. The price felt a bit high but was justified by how much food was served.

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger: 7.2/10 – A well-executed burger with a bold, seasoned patty that delivered strong flavor. The bun was standard but held up well, and the burger was surprisingly filling. Served with onion rings that were nicely crisp, this was a great...

Sitting in JD's I was taken in by the relaxed atmosphere and eventually the warm service and food. Focus on eventually. I know with the pandemic service is slower, so I definitely gave my server and food more time to come out.

I was warmly greeted and decided on their house old fashioned and ten of their grilled with bone wings. I decided to get their sweet Asian and Garlic Parmesian on the side. I am so glad that I did as their grilled wings were fine just by themselves. The ranch and blue cheese helped the flavor a bit, but the other sauces were just not doing it for me. I waited about 30 minutes for the wings and my waitress checked on me once to bring me a water and then again for the check.

Would I go back, maybe for their nachos that looked delicious and definitely for their old fashioned that had just the right amount of sweet. The wings were just...