Bar Louie - The Shops at Northfield — Restaurant in Denver

Overall, service is slow, the people aren’t very attentive, and the food is mediocre. I’d rather spend 30$ at McDonald’s for better quality chicken than the food here. I’ve been to this location before. It’s never been terrible but it’s never been great. The hostess was about to seat us in a dead and dark corner of the place. We nicely asked if possible, to sit on the other side where it’s lively, well lit and the games are on. She said no because this section was for X server… okay ?? Well we would like to sit over there… “well this server doesn’t have any tables and I can’t go out of rotation”. Umm… okay. We’ll just sit at the bar then, no worries! The bar tender spent 8 minutes at the other end before even looking in our direction let alone speaking to us. We asked him if we could sit in the section (the hostess was new so we said give her a break). He was weird about it too & eventually a manager came to talk to us. Explained they can’t sit out of rotation but she sat us anyway. Keep in mind there was about 6 other tables and maybe 7 ppl at the bar. It was so weird & they weren’t even busy. Like can we just sit down.. what the heck???

Anyways we ordered French onion soup and loaded tots. 1- the loaded tots aren’t loaded. They’re just drenched in cheese sauce and the bottom portion of the tots are soggy. 2- it took 40 minutes to get the soup. (Our server definitely forgot to put it in) when I asked a second time to check on it, it came out in like 4 minutes. But luke warm, 3 onion chunks (yes literal chunks. Like the core of an onion burnt and thrown into soup base) and no cheese. We asked our server about that and he said “yea that’s odd. I’ll be right back”. Comes back with the same square pan of soup, now more cold and just a slice of cheese thrown in the soup. Haha we sent it back. Paid. And left. Sometimes this place is okay for a beer after work but otherwise I don’t think we’ll be coming back to this place.

So, It's Thanksgiving day and just about everything around is closed. I attempted to go to a place near here, but it was closed. I saw Bar Louie and looked them up. The reviews were not great, but with no other options around, decided to go for it.

Walked in and it was a little busy, but not bad. No sign to wait for staff, but kinda expected it. After just a minute or so, got seated.

During ordering, was advised a large group just put in their orders so it would be a bit. I appreciate the honesty upfront. No root beer, and just basic sodas, just fyi.

After the 30 minute wait (apparently only 2 of the normal 5 cooks were working today), got my meal.

Got the Louise's Cheeseburger (medium), minus pickles and onions,with fries. Fries were cooked well, not greasy and paired perfectly with whatever ketchup they use. Very good.

The burger was delicious as well, although a bit overwhelmed by the spice of the “Louie's sauce”, what that has in it. Had a heck of a time tasting much under that. Was good, but just a bit too over powering.

However, there was a problem. They had cooked a piece of parchment paper with the white cheddar into the burger, so took a bite and it was very obvious. I did advise them and they apologized profusely, along with applying a hefty discount, and I can understand it with how overworked the kitchen staff seemed to be, but will have to dock points and I shudder to think the scene someone less understanding might put on.

Other than that, the meal was good and, while not my first choice, was satisfied with everything else. Will I be coming back? Most likely not, as their reputation of great servers, but issues with the kitchen, definitely seem to come true, and other than minor trauma, it wasn't particularly memorable.

Pretty interesting experience here today around 2pm. I’m giving it 3 stars for the clean bathroom and food being good.

We were sat by the hostess who was wearing half of a shirt, yes, I said it. She was wearing a crop top with her entire belly hanging out mid January in 40 degree weather. Pretty strange and awkwardly inappropriate. Girl, it’s lunch time on a Thursday, not the club. Be smart enough to wear appropriate clothes to work. The manager clearly allows it or is too afraid to address it.

Service was OK but what wasn’t ok was the lack of care you could feel around you. Hostess was eating a hamburger at the back table. Manager was sitting there on his phone. Two others were rolling silverware. Our server was the bartender and had a couple patrons sitting at the bar. He tended to them, and casually checked on us. Not being dramatic but I think it took him 10 minutes to run our check, then 10 more minutes to bring us the receipt. Meanwhile, there is a group of 10 people who walk in. The waitress who would have had them sit in her section, turns her back to the crowd and I see her ROLL her eyes, obviously not happy and then goes to get the table “ready”. The party of 10 is not amused and walks out a minute later after awkwardly standing at the front door, I would’ve done the same. The vibe wasn’t good, the people were so “meh” and I will never return. I’m thankful we only spent $26 on this crummy experience.

However, the best part of the visit was the sandwich and salad. At least something positive was happening in the kitchen.

Everyone else, do better or find a job that makes you happy.