John Sparr Tavern — Restaurant in Glendale

"Dining with Dills" Radio Review – John Sparr Tavern, Montrose

Good evening, food lovers! Let me take you on a little culinary adventure to a spot that absolutely wowed me: the John Sparr Tavern in Montrose. Now, I didn’t plan on doing a review this week, but sometimes the best discoveries happen when you least expect them. This place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a delightful experience waiting to unfold.

Picture this: I grab a seat at the bar, and who’s there to welcome me? Clyde. Not just your average bartender, mind you. Clyde has the charisma of a host, the skill of a top-notch mixologist, and aspirations to be the George Lucas of directing. With cocktails like his, I’d say he’s already got the creativity part nailed.

But let’s dive into the food, shall we? I started with the deviled eggs—a dish that can go from ordinary to extraordinary depending on the chef. And let me tell you, these were next-level good. Creamy, flavorful, and the perfect way to start the evening. Then came their interpretation of a Chinese chicken salad. Crisp greens, tender chicken, and a dressing so good it might just be magic. It’s the kind of salad that makes you rethink what salads can be.

Now, let’s talk about the vibe. The John Sparr Tavern feels like a home away from home. It’s warm, inviting, and has just the right balance of sophistication and comfort. Whether you’re looking for a place to unwind after work or celebrate something special, this spot fits the bill.

I’ll admit, I’m moving away from week-to-week restaurant reviews. Let’s just say my wallet and my waistline have voiced their opinions. But I’d be remiss not to tell you about this place. The John Sparr Tavern isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a destination. The kind of spot you’ll want to visit again and again, and trust me—I’ll be back.

So, if you’re in Montrose or just looking for an excuse to explore, make your way to the John Sparr Tavern. Tell Clyde I sent you, and who knows—you might even find yourself in one of his future...

e came here afterwork for happy hour because of all the high reviews and the photos which gave the impression that this would be an awesome spot.

However this place is crazy overpriced and with 4+ servers and no customers, it's super uncomfortable in there - no ambience at all.

The place was deadly silent. You could hear a pin drop. And because there was no one really there and the several servers lingering, it felt like our conversation was the main event.

Happy Hour drinks were well made but prices were still really high for being sold as a discount hour. The Happy Hour food menu is a joke. $4 for basic fries?? The menu stated they came with a blue cheese sauce. Our fries were served cold, bland and with ketchup.

The main everyday menu is $20+ for entrees and the food is definitely not worth it. It all tastes under seasoned and frozen / from cans.

Crab cakes are clearly made from canned crab meat. Not sure why everyone on here gushes about them. They were dry and made of shredded grainy crab - definitely not fresh.

Fish and Chips entree was $21 and was soggy. Like they had fried them a half an hour before and let them sit and let the crunch breading become soft and soaked from oil.

The general age of customers seemed to be 60+ and when we asked the server if there was a day or time where we might see a younger crowd, his response was "definitely not".

The server over charged us for drinks - billed a higher price than the listed prices on the menu. And no apologies when we caught it and requested a revision. In fact the bartender seemed annoyed and rolled his eyes at the request.

Definitely skip this place if you are looking for a fun happy hour spot and vibe.

Instead, head up the street to Casa Cordoba where you can get much much much better food, ambience and vibes for...

Friends recommended I try John Sparr Tavern on a recent visit to Los Angeles. I stopped by on a busy, Friday night and immediately felt positive energy. Owners Rick and Dave were on hand to personally welcome guests. The inside dining area was busy. Since I was on my own, I sat at the bar. I ordered a margarita with a modification. The bartender made it perfectly. I ordered a blackened salmon Caesar salad. This is my favorite entree and the dish by which I judge and rank restaurants. John Sparr Tavern’s was excellent. The romaine was fresh and ready to eat. I don’t like having to cut a salad; this one was fork-ready. The dressing was good, plentiful, yet didn’t soak the salad. The croutons were flavorful. The blackened salmon was the star of the dish. It was well-seasoned without being too spicy. It was fully cooked without being too dry. The salmon was cut into long strips which is SO much better than a hunk of salmon dropped on a salad. I also had dinner rolls which were warm and delicious. I definitely plan to visit John Sparr Tavern on my next visit to...