PJ's Tavern — Restaurant in Kirkwood

This is decent place - don't let the 3-star rating dissuade you from going. I went on a weekday afternoon, around 2:30. The place was mostly empty as you'd expect at this time of day. It is appropriately dark inside, as it is a tavern; it has a comfortable feel to it. I sat at the bar in front of a small TV with sports on. They keep ketchup, mustard, salt & pepper on the bar every few feet, which I like; it's convenient. The bartender was very nice.

They have standard bar fare and 10 different specialty burgers to choose from. I ordered a regular cheeseburger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and extra pickles. The burger was fine; not great, not bad. One thing that I found really odd for a place that has so many burgers on the menu: they don't have pickles as a burger condiment (like the little round "pickle chips" that are so common...think of a McDonalds hamburger). They serve a pickle spear on the side, but do not have pickles that fit on a burger. Very odd to me. No biggie - I cut up my pickle spear and put it on the burger, and the bartender was happy to give me another pickle on the side. The beer I had was cold.

All in all, I found PJ's to be very average and middle of the road...not particularly remarkable. Clean enough, friendly enough, decent food, but nothing really memorable except for the pleasant bartender and the no pickles on the burgers. I'd go back, but would try some place I haven't...

Paul Cartier, owner, has some health issues. He allows Mike, a manager, to run the place, unfortunately.

On a whim Mike banishes regular customers. He appears to favor the better heeled and gentrifying customers like what you find at the deafening "see and be seen" Billy G's, yet don't be too loud.

As a result, and due to COVID, there business has decline and on weekend evenings it is not full of patrons.

While we appreciate their menu, and bright and sunny Jane (on Saturdays), the feeling inside changes when Mike the manager arrives, barking at patrons to not do this or that. So we go to places in Webster Groves, Ladue, and Town and Country for adult beverages and nosh with nice patrons there, primarily.

Please Kirkwood City, new concepts in the locations for the aged and tired PJ's and Mike Duffy's? Sort of the same, yet nicer, newer, with calm if fun patrons.

Paul Cartier and wife, sorry for your recent health issues. We phoned you yet no answer. We left our concerns with Jane and asked Jane that you were getting better. I wish you would reign Mike in. He is exceptionally heavy-handed with patrons. Please recover and return to your Tavern. All is well when you are at the helm. You are an epitome of a professional restaurateur and enjoy seeing and speaking with you. Always keep Jane, please. Jane...

A local bar/restaurant as a mainstay of trendy downtown Kirkwood. Unpretentious but reliable. Serves, I mean actually serves, until 10pm or later on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Quirky part of interior displays High School letter jackets from the late 1950's to 1960's era probably belonging to some of the patrons. The wholesomely attractive young women servers barely old enough to serve alcohol compliment the quirky part of the eatery reminding some of a certain age of their personal, local history. Probably enough live T.V. sports to qualify as a sports bar. Hard not to feel comfortable here with the owner usually greeting long-time as well as new customers. Kind of a burger place including bison burger but still a broad menu for healthier eating customers.

Hard to find a parking space for any restaurant on this street or adjoining City parking lots from 6-7. Recommend eating later. Hookup for one electric vehicle in lot adjoining building. After dinner walk over to the train station or visit the close by ice cream stand or just...