Hennessey's Tavern — Restaurant in Carlsbad

My friend and I ended up stoping here for dinner, it was about 8:20 PM when we walked in. To me it seemed like a typical bar and grill type restaurant. Bar on one side dinning room for the restaurant on the other side separated by a half wall. We were greeted by a young lady, and when I say greeted I mean she yelled at us from the other side of the room and told us to sit anywhere we liked. All the booths were taken so we found a table and sat down. Mind you we were in the dinning room of the restaurant. The young lady that "greeted" us brought us menus and silverware. She took our drink order, which was a iced tea and a coke and left. When she came back with the drinks she asked for our ID's and told us that her boss asked her to card us and to let us know that the establishment was 21 and over at 9 PM. I asked her if it was 21 and over in the restaurant? She told us yes. We just wanted food after our long day. My friend is only 20 so thats why we were considered. I hate being rushed when I eat. After my day I was looking forward to sitting down to a nice meal, starter, salad entree, couple of glasses of ice cold iced tea. Well so much for that. We opted to stay, we already had our drinks so we ordered. I got the Ruben with my fries well done. My friend got the butter bacon cheese burger with fries. Food came out in a timely manner. Ruben was good,  burger was perfectly cooked medium rare, fries cooked properly everything was seasoned properly. All in all the food was great. Once our food was brought out to us we were basically forgotten about. Service here sucks. Maybe post a sign somewhere your gusts can read that states 21 and older after 9PM or tell your customers prior to the drink order. I mean it was a Wednesday night for Chirst sake. Next time you find yourself in Carlsbad and want a burger go to In N Out, service and quality will be leaps and bounds better than this bar with...

Attractive and tasty Philly cheesesteak sandwich was especially nice with some au jus. Savory beef and complimenting peppers. The reuben might look somewhat pedestrian, but it was surprisingly flavorful. Tangy and tart kraut, vividly flavored corned beef, a subtle richness from the Thousand Island, and the rye toast itself was impressive. The beef was thickly sliced (I prefer thin or shaved), but it was tender and juicy.

Open late, even on a Tuesday, which made nearby curbside parking easy (can be very challenging to park at peak times), but the small lot behind the restaurant is plenty for the non-busy hours. For my late Tuesday visit, the dining room was tranquil with only a few families present, but it was not dead. A nice playlist of classic rock (Rolling Stones, ELO, Rush, ...) was piping in at a comfortable, room-filling volume. Service was friendly and attentive. 10-minute wait for two sandwiches ordered at the register. For a take-out order it was a quick first visit but pleasant and delicious. Looking forward to a chance to dine in and try one of the burgers and...

So I went to Hennessy's tonight to Sing karaoke and have dinner. Not one waitress asked me if I wanted a menu or something to drink. I waited over an hour. I was very disappointed in the laziness of the of the service staff tonight. I usually go on Tuesday morning and have breakfast and Amanda waits on me and David. She is an excellent waitress and I always tip her very well. I also observed the few times have gone to karaoke that the waitress staff play favorites. I own my own business I have my favorites but everybody gets the same great service from me. I had a very nice conversation with the lady manager as I was coming in. I told her I was impressed with her example on how she helps out her staff. It's too bad her waitress staff has not learned anything from her. When I've eaten the food there the food has always been excellent. Maybe the ownership should ask the night crew if they really want to wait tables and make money? It seems like they do not. I gave Hennessy's an F for service tonight. Hopefully it will improve the next time I go if I decide I want...