Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House — Restaurant in Jacksonville

I used to be a regular, brought myself and friends from work multiple times. Never had a bad experience until I had to order from a new bartender, Caesar. I was there Sunday night, I was having a good time, dancing, hanging out, but being respectful/responsible. I tired to order from Caesar and he tells me “he saw me look for him around the bar and sit down” I didn’t even know what he was talking about. I just sat down, I hadn’t even ordered 1 drink yet. He proceeds to say I need a water, then I try to tell him I’m sober, not intoxicated. (I work in the industry, I know those words are cheap) but, I was not intoxicated. Other people around me were confused. I just saw Caesar become overwhelmed with a bit of a rush, and I saw throne some boxes in a fit behind the bar as well. I could tell he was stressed. He took his frustration out on me, made a fool of me in front of my friends, strangers, and co-workers. He even had security escort me out after I was already leaving amicably, as I wouldn’t want to spend my money there anymore. I had to be escorted out by a security person, my coworkers in tow. Again I work in the industry and understand this review is shallow and very easy to disregard as a drunk patron mad because they were cut off. I’m not mad because I was “cut off”. I didn’t prefer one drink and a frustrated bartender decided to tear into me and proceed to lie on my name. I used to come a lot. I won’t be back untill I talk with management. YES! Great volume. Doubt this review matters. But once your staff believe that and start acting like it, it’s all down hill. I truly feel I’m owed an apology. I understand cutting g people off and it’s difficult to make that choice. But Caesar dug into me, embarrassed me, kicked me out, and I could sense he understood I wasn’t Intoxicated but had to die on HIS sword. Not fair. Not cool. Bad attitude and rude. Again, other people around the bar just as confused as I was. I was made to look a straight FOOL and I’m upset. I will not be back and I will never encourage business here any longer. This places used to be the first place I recommended to other Patron at MY bar/restraunt. I will now be steering them away untill I hear back.

Not happy, straight up unfair and dishonorable. I e never been made to feel as much of a fool. Trash. Resolve this. Again, great process and volume, but the 1-2$ you save here is costing you the attitude of employees that feel invincible. I saw this guy throw a fit and then come to me saying I’m intoxicated. Never in my life have I ever been in this situation. Again, I get where he’s coming from, he handled it wrong, he was turning to be right and had to stand on his world, I get it. BUT I had to pay for. Through undeserving embarrassment and dishonor.

I will never return, I will never steer buiness your way again, I will never have friends/coworkers back there. This is on Caesar. At least, thousands of dollars. Whoops. Again I’m understanding, I get it and I would appreciate an apology and at least a mutual understanding. I’m uncomfortable with this event even in my memory. But untill then. Know this…

Good price drinks. Trashy environment. Bad service. Rude bartender. And they feel free to treat you however they want simply, protected by volume. He literally said that to me. That attitude is infectious in a serving staff and venomous to buisness.

I’ve danced, sang, brought vibes to this place. No linger, I’ll be across the street at BIRDIES. And I will now steer buisness towards them. (I ran into 5 of my regulars I told to come there...

Went here for brunch after my daughter’s graduation. My husband and I went in a week prior to the event to ask if they could accommodate a party of 10 and to set up a reservation. We would told that wouldn’t be a problem, that we didn’t need a reservation, and to just call 45 minutes prior to coming. So come graduation day my husband stepped out of our daughter’s ceremony to make the call to ensure everything went smoothly. Unfortunately, it did not. We we got there, they set a group of ten at an eight person high top. There was no room for us to sit let alone for our food or my daughter’s gifts. We asked repeatedly to be moved since we did as we told and called ahead. We were told no even though there were several tables large enough to accommodate us appropriately and comfortably. After we were told no, we set all her gifts on the empty table next us. The staff then proceeded to tell us we needed to move them so they could use the table (mind you there are several other tables open at this point). When I asked for the manager because I wasn’t going to move anything. The manager told she didn’t care it had to be moved. When trying to explain that everything plus food wouldn’t fit at the 8 top table, she then rudely shrugged hers shoulders and told us to the gifts on the floor. Seriously? Not wanting to ruin my daughter’s day we stayed when we should have left right then. Even after all that in took 30 minutes to get basic drinks and 45 minutes to get our drinks from the bar. Over an hour for the food which wasn’t correct. The waiter then proceeded to argue with everyone about their orders when we sent it back and my 4 year old son’s burger was still bleeding literally. Worst experience I have every had at any restaurant, including fast food. Then after all this they had the nerve to add the tip on the bill. When we questioned it after all the problems and food being sent back the manager refused to remove it. The whole experience was horrible. The service and management staff need to trained in...

Overall: Pass — Fries Were the Highlight

I stopped in because I was staying at a nearby hotel. It’s in a great location and really should be doing better, but unfortunately it just didn’t deliver.

I had already read reviews about the service, so I came in with low expectations. Our server (I wish I remembered her name) was attentive and made an effort, especially since we were seated outside. However, the water she brought had a hair in it—definitely hers. That kind of thing happens, but it took so long to get a replacement that I didn’t get fresh water until after my meal.

She had to make several trips just to bring basic things like napkins, straws, and condiments. We were there during happy hour (4–7 PM), but we were charged full price anyway. She recommended the goat cheese, so I ordered the brats in a blanket, but the oven wasn’t working, so that wasn’t available. We got the cheese curds instead, which arrived at the end of the meal despite being ordered as a starter—and most of them barely had cheese inside.

The burger I had was bland and forgettable. The one bright spot was the fries—crispy, well-seasoned, and honestly the only thing I really enjoyed. I’d come back just for fries and a cheap beer and be satisfied.

Between the hair in the water, the delayed appetizer, and the oven issue, the meal really should have been comped or at least discounted. Also, two tables came in while we were there, looked over the menu, and left—probably expecting seafood, which makes sense for this area. The menu tries to offer too many different things and ends up feeling scattered.

All in all, I’d say pass unless you’re just stopping in for fries...