Joe's Sports Cafe — Restaurant in Faribault

This was our 3rd time at Joes as I really want this place to succeed. The first time we were there(April of 2025), we stood in the entry way for 20 mins while the only server ran between the 3 tables she had, and the bartender just kept looking at us, saying nothing. Finally the server shouted “Just sit anywhere”; so we did. The food was great but we spent around 2 hours in total as things took a loooong time. The server had a breakdown at our table and began crying. It was awkward.

2nd visit, that server was not there with the understanding she’d left. Stood for about 10 mins but the “Please wait to be seated sign” and again, 1 server running tables and the bartender looking at us awkwardly. Service was still super slow, but the place was pretty full so it was understandable this time around as it’s not the servers fault they’re short staffed… but never saw that bartender come out from being the bar once to help… and no one was sitting at the bar. Food again was GREAT!!!!

Now, for our most recent experience. Walked in and stood by the “Please wait to be seated sign” for around 5 mins as the one and only server ran tables. The bartender saw us… but just looked at us awkwardly. After 5 mins the server told us to “sit anywhere we wanted”; which brings me to the biggest question: Why have a wait to be seated sign if the inevitable is just sit anywhere you want??? It would cut down on a lot of the issues of standing there waiting, and there not rotation of server’s areas because there’s only 1 server. So… why the sign??

Anyway… the server was definitely not in a rush and it did take some time to get some things here and there. She remembered all our requests and honestly did a great job. She was extremely friendly and didn’t mess anything up with our order; but definitely took her time fulfilling requests (only 3 tables filled with patrons). The food again was delicious and that is the main reason we come. Hopefully staffing will increase or reflect the periods of “rush” so people aren’t waiting forever or servers are having breakdowns from the stress of being the only one.

Thanks...

Food is good, but ordering for pickup is a nightmare. Ordered through DoorDash on 8/29 to get something to take back for a meeting, only to get there and be told (after waiting 20 minutes for them to open; they decided to open late that day) they weren't doing DoorDash anymore, didn't have my order, and that I'd need to contact DoorDash for a refund.

Fast forward to today (11/14) when I'm back in town for work and I wanted to give them another chance. Went to their website this time and saw DoorDash as an ordering option. Interesting. Clicked through to DoorDash only to be told they're closed (as in not taking any orders at all, not just not open yet). Fine. Went back to their website and chose the other ordering option. All went well, selected curbside pickup, entered my credit card and vehicle info, and checkout was a breeze.

So .,. I went to the restaurant a few minutes early so I could get my food the minute it was ready. Waited until five minutes past the scheduled pickup time and finally called to find out if I was supposed to let them know I was there. "What? We don't do curbside pickup." Went in to get my food and the receipt stapled to the bag said "Curbside" in huge letters right at the top with my name, number, and car description right below it. Could they not at least call and tell me I needed to come in? 🤦‍♂️

By the time I got my food back to the office a mile away, the burger was cold and the fries were limp and soggy. If I'd had the food at the restaurant, I'm sure it would have been delicious. Instead, I could have gotten hot food faster for less money and hassle by going to the Burger King across the street.

Bottom line: If as a restaurant you can't even handle a basic takeout order, don't offer it. If you're a potential customer, do yourself a favor and only visit if you have time to sit down and eat at the restaurant. I'm sure the food is lovely, but I'll probably never...

We had a party of 5 girls and we had Heidi for our waitress and she was very rude, slamming dishes on the table trying to rush us out because she closed at 9:30 & the bar had no customers, well what were we? We were drinking beer and wanted more but never came back much. We wanted food and she said we had to hurry up because kitchen was closing so she came got the order, then one of us wanted a desert to go and ran up to find her and ask if she could get 3 to go and she looked at the clock very annoyed and said she would ask. Her attitude was terrible and I have personally went there before and had her confront us at our table wanting was her service good because we left a low tip because of the same issues tonight. They were all just sitting at the bar looking at us to leave. When I come in there I go right to the back and have Nellie wait on us. None of us had anything good to say about her service or comprehension to see if we needed anything else. It wasn't busy so she had plenty of time to help us. We still had beer left and they shut the lights off and wanted us to leave. I also was told there were no more lemons for my summer Shandy and bartender was cutting them and limes up. Then she said so lives in the cities so why is she working here for less and giving snotty crappie service and not friendly at all. I don't leave tips for people who act like that and disrespect our group and tried to russ us out but we stayed til we were ready to go. She needs to be talked to about attitude and common sense! I have waitresed for years and would never treated customers like that. Our group will not return the this place. Whoever is a manager should be around to witness her behavior it's like a chore to have to...