Bar Louie - The Promenade at Downey — Restaurant in Downey

Worst service I've seen in a while. We waited a good 15 minutes before someone actually came to our table and asked if we've been helped? When we said "no" we waited another 10 minutes before our waiter showed and got our drink order. Came back with our drinks and got our appetizers in, the guy was actually cool and was good with our order. The fun began when he went on break and his relief showed up. He introduced him and said he'll be covering him on his break. We literally flagged him down to get another beer and our entree order and asked for 2 waters, mind you my first beer was empty when the introduction happened, we flagged him down because he would walk around the bar and he wouldn't even look in our direction, he wasn't even helping other tables. What really put me over the edge is that I can see my beer at the bar sitting there for the next 20 minutes while no one would even have some kind of curiosity of who's table it belonged to. Our waiter finally came out from the kitchen with nachos for another table, picked up the beer at the bar and started walking towards us only to stop and proceed to have a conversation at the other side of the bar with a coworker. I finally got the beer but was waiting for the 2 waters and entree, we asked about the waters "oh that's right" was the response. Our empty plates from the appetizers where still in front of us this whole time, he didn't even bother to clear the table. When our flat bread showed up I intentionally didn't move any empty plates to see the girl's reaction. She moved only the necessary plate that was in the way to drop the flatbread and left the rest of the dirty plates on our table. At that point our rare date night I get to have with my wife was ruined. We were just trying to get out of there. The cherry on top was when I noticed something floating in my beer and then realized that when he had the nachos and beer and was completely ignoring us, a bit of guacamole fell in my beer from the nachos. I didn't finish my beer. I walked to the bar to ask for my bill because the waiter went back to ignoring us. We got the bill from the original waiter because he was back from his break. I let him know what happened and was apologetic and claimed he was gonna tell his manager about him, but by the way he didn't want to hear the whole story, I knew he wasn't gonna do it. I paid full price, because I'd hate for people to think that the all I'm trying to do is get a free meal or discount. I work in a restaurant so I don't complain about restaurants, but this experience was the worst I've seen. I had thoughts of flagging down a manager and letting them know, but everyone there is so nonchalant and walking around that I couldn't distinguish if there was even a manager there. It was a Monday 6/10 it wasn't busy. Only the bar seemed busy and the bartenders seem to be the only ones hustling. While the rest of the staff is at a 6 seat table in the back of the restaurant folding napkins and silverware, counting money and laughing, picking their teeth. YES. PICKING THEIR TEETH IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS. The thing is, I'm pretty sure there was a manager at that table but if that person allowed that in front of them then what real good would come from bringing my complaint to that person. Either that place has no management or it has the worst managers because all this is noticeable and easy to remedy. Looks trendy but it definitely is the worst place to go eat and enjoy a night out. Doesn't even deserve 1...

It was my first time at Bar Louie, and I came to meet up with friends who were excited about a special Love Island episode viewing. I'm not really familiar with the show, but I came along for the vibes — and I wasn’t disappointed.

The place was very lively and busy, but also impressively clean. I was greeted as soon as I walked in, which made for a nice first impression. Once I got to our table, our server was super attentive and genuinely friendly. He checked in often and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the night — great service!

I ordered the Mushroom Swiss Burger without the bun, since I’ve recently been diagnosed with celiac disease. While they don’t offer lettuce wraps (which I understand — not every place does), they were accommodating. However, for others with celiac or strict gluten intolerance, it’s important to know that cross-contamination is still a concern here. Their burgers are cooked alongside other items, so it’s not exactly a gluten-free safe kitchen. I took the risk since I’m still figuring things out, but for those who need to be extra cautious, this might not be the best spot.

That said, the burger itself was actually really tasty — juicy, flavorful, and had a nice, thick patty. I also ordered the spinach artichoke dip, and I was pleasantly surprised! It came with a generous portion of dip (not just a mountain of chips and a tiny cup, like some other places). It had great flavor and was definitely worth the price.

Overall, I had a great time. The atmosphere was fun and energetic, the staff was welcoming, and the food was solid. Even though I had to make a few adjustments for dietary reasons, I’d come back again — especially for the good vibes and friendly service. It was my first time at Bar Louie, and I came to meet up with friends who were excited about a special Love Island episode viewing. I'm not really familiar with the show, but I came along for the vibes — and I wasn’t disappointed.

The place was very lively and busy, but also impressively clean. I was greeted as soon as I walked in, which made for a nice first impression. Once I got to our table, our server was super attentive and genuinely friendly. He checked in often and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the night — great service!

I ordered the Mushroom Swiss Burger without the bun, since I’ve recently been diagnosed with celiac disease. While they don’t offer lettuce wraps (which I understand — not every place does), they were accommodating. However, for others with celiac or strict gluten intolerance, it’s important to know that cross-contamination is still a concern here. Their burgers are cooked alongside other items, so it’s not exactly a gluten-free safe kitchen. I took the risk since I’m still figuring things out, but for those who need to be extra cautious, this might not be the best spot.

That said, the burger itself was actually really tasty — juicy, flavorful, and had a nice, thick patty. I also ordered the spinach artichoke dip, and I was pleasantly surprised! It came with a generous portion of dip (not just a mountain of chips and a tiny cup, like some other places). It had great flavor and was definitely worth the price.

Overall, I had a great time. The atmosphere was fun and energetic, the staff was welcoming, and the food was solid. Even though I had to make a few adjustments for dietary reasons, I’d come back again — especially for the good vibes and...

Our server 🧑‍🍳💋

Elevated Gastropub Vibes at Bar Louie Downey – A Culinary Hit with Stellar Service by Vida

Bar Louie Downey is the kind of spot that redefines what it means to be a neighborhood gastropub. Tucked into the Apollo Way plaza, this location delivers not only ambiance but a menu that balances comfort classics with bold twists—and my latest visit left no room for disappointment.

Let’s talk about the spread.

We kicked off with the Chicken Nachos, and I must say—Bar Louie doesn’t play around with portions or flavor. The layering was generous, with well-melted queso, crisp chips, and a satisfying mix of grilled chicken, black beans, guacamole, and pico. This was far from your standard bar nacho—each bite was fresh and crave-worthy.

For mains, we dove into two of their standout Craft Burgers. The All-Nighter burger lived up to its name: a perfectly cooked beef patty topped with melty cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, and a sunnyside-up egg. The creamy garlic aioli tied everything together into a rich, indulgent experience. This was comfort food, executed with finesse.

Then came the Chipotle BBQ Burger—a smoky, sweet, and tangy beauty layered with pepper jack, bacon, onion strings, and a delightful chipotle mayo that added just the right amount of heat. Both burgers were served with a small Caesar salad upon request, and the crisp romaine and bold parmesan did not disappoint as a side pairing.

Drinks? Absolutely. We ordered the Rock & Rita and the Bull Rush. Both cocktails were balanced, smooth, and a perfect mid-day complement to our savory feast. The Rock & Rita in particular was citrusy and fresh—ideal for spring sipping.

But what truly elevated the experience was our server, Vida. Her energy was warm, her timing impeccable, and her attentiveness made us feel genuinely taken care of. When an appetizer card needed redeeming, she handled it with ease and ensured our bill reflected the discount with no fuss. Vida’s service struck the perfect balance of friendly and professional, adding a personal touch that made our lunch feel like more than just a meal.

Final Thoughts: Bar Louie Downey nails the upscale-casual vibe. From standout burgers to perfectly executed apps and handcrafted drinks, this is a place I’ll revisit when I want bold flavors without the pretense. Ask for Vida—her service alone is worth the visit.

Rating: 5/5 – Come for the food, stay...