Mr J's Sports Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Berkley

FYI: I’m a Berkley resident (10+ years).

What’s Good about Mr. J’s? Hmm… What’s Bad about Mr. J’s? Hmm…

Let’s start with…

What’s Good about Mr.J’s: They have booze if getting wasted is your thing. They have a jukebox if music is your idea of a good time. They have pinball, a pool table, and GoldenTee if you’re interested in any of those. They also have “food”* and “restrooms”* should absolute starvation consume you or you’re desperate to relieve yourself. Even if you’re desperate for food or restroom, Mr J’s should be a hard PASS, I’d look elsewhere for both. **more on food/restrooms below. Also under, “What’s Good”, Mr. J’s did have a hand in me quitting drinking alcohol. Mr.J’s, The Blarney Stone (when they were open; now defunct), and The Legion Hall on 12 Mile made me question whether or not I wanted to turn out like the people I saw in each. All 3 are frequented by Alcoholics (no exaggeration, HaRDcOrE BOOzERs) and it got to a point where I couldn’t deny that the service at all 3 was wholly unacceptable, and I decided to rethink things.

What’s Bad about Mr. J’s: First and foremost, the owner’s son, Fred. It seriously appears as if Fred could care less if the place makes any money. I’ve seen Fred berate customers, kick them out for minor indiscretions, tell anyone that has a complaint or point of issue that he does not care and they are welcome to leave. I told him one day, after poor service the day before, that I go to the bar for two things, booze and witty conversation and I really didn’t need the witty conversation and his staff just couldn’t manage to make with the booze. I wondered aloud about getting some bartenders in there that were a tad more “conscious” errr…, “conscientious”. I believe he told me if I brought him someone better he’d hire them. I took that as acknowledgment that the quality of staff was poor but ultimately it went nowhere fast. Honestly, I had a friend and roommate that would frequent Mr. J’s and they would allow him 18 shots. He says 18, I would Not be surprised if that number was light. I don’t know how they can justify such a practice. Last I heard, the guy is awaiting trial for drunk driving(s) and accidents (including hit and run). Like I said, the guy was my roommate, ever have to deal with someone after they have had 18 shots? The “food”**, at Mr.J’s the bartends are the cooks as well. They all seemingly HatE the dual role and go out of their way to hAMMeR that point home. I’ve seen about 7 different bartenders working Mr. J’s over the years and Not one has been a good sport when it comes to Ordering and Obtaining something to eat. I separated the two because IF’ing you get to order food is hit and miss at best and obtaining the food is something I’ve never seemed to accomplish with any sort of consistency. The woman bartender (I’ve really only seen women working the place and there has been one that works there on a more regular basis, which is NOT a good thing. Not at all. Not in the least a good thing) will make a myriad of excuses, delays, and/or downright cancellations. You’ll be told by the woman that she is busy and cannot/will not deal with you, the woman will tell you the grill is off, the woman will get talking to a regular and completely ignore the sound of your stomach rumbling so loud it’s heard over the jukebox, the woman will disappear to smoke for what seems like an eternity, the woman will seemingly take a break (like she is doing a corporate job and it’s her lunch hour), the woman will go to the liquor store that is across the street to do some shopping. I’ve also been told flat out, the woman was Not going to cook me a burger. I begged. Nope. I pleaded. Fell on deaf ears. I offered to pay for it. Denied. I am a bachelor that doesn’t cook much. If I can’t get food, I’m going elsewhere. Mr. J’s has had more than a few chances and I’ve come to the conclusion that Mr. J’s SUCKS and BLOWS at the same time. The Men’s Restroom is AWFUL. Filthy, Smelly, Deplorable. I’ve never seen the women’s restroom but I have seen women using the men’s room...

Went here last night (5/28/16) a quick dinner and cocktail. The place has a nice decor on the inside, but it was really dirty!!!! There were only five customers in the bar plus us. The two ladies working didn't say hello when we came in but said it to what appeared to be "regulars" that came in after us. The first table we sat at almost collapsed when we leaned on it. We moved to one of the other tables that didn't have food all over the seats and grease marks on the table. When the waitress came over we asked to see the menu she went to grab them we waited a while for her to come back but we decided to order anyway. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and my boyfriend ordered a hamburger with fries. When the waitress finally came over to put down the condiments(15 min later) she said the grill was off so it would be at least another 15 min before she could start our food. Then she went out and had a smoke break, came back in and went into the kitchen. I was very grossed out at this point but still willing to at least try the food, until I looked at the condiment tray. It was sticky and greasy then I saw the bottle of goo that they were try to pass off as mayo. It was now in liquid form. Like it had been out all day in the hot kitchen. I was not about to eat anything that came out of that kitchen so we canceled our food ( even though she was just about to bring it out to us) we paid for his pop and my very very weak cocktail and left. There is no reason to go to this bar when there are so many amazing bar and grills in the surrounding area with great food and service. I have no idea how this place is still in business. The staff was not friendly!!!! Plus it is a bar and GRILL why the heck was...

If I could give it a zero, I would. Go anywhere else. Seriously! I have given this place three chances. They managed to get worse each time! The owner/manager lies, blames his staff for everything wrong with the place, and has no idea how to run a bar. It is obvious from the "quality" staff, fruit flies everywhere and the disgusting bathrooms. The outside is very nice looking, but the term "lipstick on a pig" comes to mind.

I'very tried it for lunch twice with my kids. Both times we were the only people there, yet the food took 25 minutes one time and 55 the second. The second time our waitress, while polite, disappeared after dropping the food, leaving us to ask the bartender for our bill.

The final time was prime bar time, 10:30 on a Saturday night, yet there were only three regulars at the bar, talking with the bartender and waitress. We waited 10 minutes for the waitress to come over for our order. 10 after that she brought us our drinks. After that, we were on our own. She never came back over, never asked if we wanted another drink. She was much too busy joking with the regulars. A table of guys came in shortly after us and she did the same to them! It became a bit of a joke between us, "let's see who can get her attention first"! We all lost. For awhile we thought maybe we'really on candid camera! But no, nobody jumped out and yelled gotcha! We left after one drink, the other table left right behind us. We went down the street to a different bar, which I have a feeling is what...