Bobarino's Pizzeria — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

From below, the Sky Deck (which is actually an extension of Bobarino’s) look impressive with its swooping sun screens and almost circus-like tent poles. We take the elevator up to the second floor then scout around until we spot the door leading to the deck. There are many waitresses milling about, probably prepping for later dinner service when the nightlife picks up. (We are early birds, it appears, though it’s nearly 7p.) One server tells us to sit anywhere we like, so we take one of the many vacant tables at the far end. The furniture is a mix of lounge booth-couches and utilitarian chairs and tables. I notice there is a bit of neon that has blown out near the top of the building. The sun screens and poles seem more industrial up here than from below.

Since I’m a mug club member, I order a Hopsun for $2. Yeah, you heard me right. For $25, you get a LIFETIME membership to the mug club with all kinds of perks and discounts. If you’re a beer lover like me, you’d be foolish not to join. And there’s nothing better than a cold Hopsun on a warm deck in summer!

Juliet and I decide to keep it simple tonight, with a single appetizer and mains. The Buffalo Chicken Rolls look promising, though I’m a little wary of deep fried foods these days. To my surprise, the app is like three giant egg rolls, split at an angle so the interior is exposed. Bright orange buffalo chicken meat has been topped with melty cheddar jack. The rolls sit on bleu cheese sauce and are sprinkled with scallion bits, but also some clever shards of celery. It’s got a little kick, but not too much. All of the components are well-balanced. The celery adds a crisp, clean punch and the eggroll is not too greasy or crunchy. This is probably one of the best appetizers I’ve ever had. Simply put: great.

Excited now, we both decide to get a different burger and share halfsies. We ask our waitress—who has been very friendly and prompt, though not the most efficient server we’ve had—if the meat has been ground in-house? Unfortunately, no, but the Angus beef has been purchased from a reputable butcher. Juliet gets the Olive Burger and I opt for the Beer Burger. We both order them on pretzel buns with fries, and medium rare. The fries are just plain awful, tasting like the frozen crinkle cut variety you can get in a bag at the grocery store. The beef patties are juicy but not medium rare; they’ve been overcooked to at least medium. Nothing appetizing about grey, tasteless beef despite grill marks. Halfway through my meal, I start to feel the heaviness in the bottom of my gut and know I’ve just had The Burger of Regret.

We leave with mixed feelings. This particular adventure sums up our experiences at The B.O.B. and other Gilmore restaurants: inconsistent. How can you go from a fantastic starter to such a disappointing sandwich? At least the...

I've never written a review before, but I feel like I need to share my experience. Went to Bobarino's on a Wednesday night where all night is happy hour. Here is what is listed on their website:

• $3 BOB's Crimson King, Blondie, Full On IPA, Spaceboy Stout • $4 Wells • $5 Calls • Food Specials (5pm–7pm)

Called to confirm, they said yes to all. Asked what the food specials were, said they that they didn't know and we'd have to ask the server. Went in because it's walking distance, but it took forever for the server to come to us (btw - Wednesday night, maybe a total of 5 other parties). Finally came, so we asked what the food specials were. They told us there were none, and I said that the food specials were the reason we came in the first place.

Proceeded to order drinks off the happy hour special, I had a stout at the price advertised, but every "well" drink that my girlfriend asked for was up-charged. Of the ones I remember, tequila sunrise had a $2 extra charge, OJ and vodka had 75 cents extra charge. So she got the OJ/vodka because she was sick of asking the prices of everything.

I then complained to our server since I felt like I was lied to on the phone, and she offered to talk to the manager to see what they can do. Server seemed beyond irritated at this request, which then just irritated me because there should be no reason for her to be upset with us. Came back and said they would give 20% off of any food ordered. Fingers crossed that I didn't eat someone's spit.

Then went to order an appetizer, the loaded fries. Some of the worst fries I've ever had. $10 for cheap fries, bar cheese, and 5 jalapeños. After this food was brought out by the waitress, we didn't see them for another 20 minutes. Finally they come over, with the bill already in their hand, as if they were trying to get rid of us. It's as if they were under the assumption that our total experience would be 2 drinks and fries for the both of us (originally wanted to go as a date night, so the plan was to at least get a pizza or 2).

Very disappointed in the place GR is supposedly known for. Been to many other restaurants since moving here which have all been really good experiences, so I highly recommend going somewhere else. Overpriced, poor service, low quality food. Not sure I'll...

I'm writing this review but have to make it clear that our server Reuben was wonderful and he is no part of this two star review - we give him a 5! We sat on the patio and it was super nice out there, drinks were good. We ordered the appetizer with the wonton chips & buffalo chicken dip, there was no where near enough for even an appetizer. Way more wonton chips than the dip, by far. Next our order arrives, we both ordered a sandwich. Both sandwiches were overall small/thin for what you'd expect at a restaurant and the amount of sweet potato fries we both got for paying the extra side upgrade was a joke. We both planned on mentioning this to our waiter but the fact that I went to eat my panini and there was a mold patch took precedence. Our waiter took it back and the manager came out and told us that they looked it over and it was a blue sprinkle. Honestly, I'm not sure how a blue sprinkle makes it over a panini maker but having a six year old child, I know how sprinkles look when you melt them and it was not a sprinkle. I seriously melted a blue sprinkle today to see if it was a match, no. Sprinkles don't melt down flat at all and they are a chocolate colored inside. I didn't want to be confrontational so I didn't argue with her and just took the charge of the sandwich off and brought us chips and guac.. The guac was clearly frozen. It tasted like water, zero flavor and was freezing cold. Honestly, we were really looking forward to an evening out being that it's rare for us.. and this place blew. A sandwich, two drinks, and paying extra for fries... $50...