MJ's Tavern — Restaurant in Norfolk

This is a review based on my latest two experiences at this establishment. 3/30/2024, my party and I came for dinner. The food and service was good which I have come to expect. However, the next day 3/31/2024 the same party I came back for Easter Brunch. It was the exact opposite from the day before.

The two overarching emotions we felt were, being rushed and neglected. The server came to the table with menus and took our drink orders. The server then proceeded to ask us what did we want to eat. I kindly asked him to give us time to look over the menu. Meanwhile he had a large table he attended to so it took a while for him to return. I don’t have a problem with that, but he rushed through taking our orders.

Once the orders were delivered to the table my party had the wrong order. The server then brought the correct order without the items my party specifically requested. Instead of re-doing the order they just threw cheese on top of the eggs and grits and it wasn’t even melted. My order then came out after his.

Then the server asked was there a problem and we said don’t worry about it. By that time, I just wanted to eat. But he responded by saying, “Obviously something is wrong and is there a way it can be fixed?” We again replied “Don’t worry about it we will make it work”.

The server did not refill our drink orders and spent lots of time chattering with the large group. Once he returned with the check we paid the bill and left.

I believe the contrast between Saturday and Sunday could be fixed with more training. I was embarrassed because I told my party who was visiting from NY how great this place was. Easter Brunch did...

Each time I've visited M.J.'s it has been early to mid afternoon (I just never seem to be in Norfolk for the nightlife) Jaimie has been on duty handing the bar and the tending to the tables each time. Always with a smile and a very friendly , professional manner. I'm almost always alone and I don't drink alcohol, so my check is never large but I receive the same excellent service as the well known table full of regulars. I'm a proud product of the restaurant/ bar trade, so I notice and appreciate some of the things that most establishments have over the years have allowed to slide. Such as spotless polished bar glassware, and flatware. Topping off soft drinks and iced tea without asking or being asked. Clearing finished dishes quickly and the most pleasant of all, being allowed as the customer to set the pace and not feel rushed. You get all this and more at M.J.'s. Also the food is tasty and well presented, hot when it should be and cold when it should be, nothing worse than a warm salad or cold soup. I'll definitely return and make an effort to do so later in the evening. So as to see the full venue at it's finest. Keep up the...

Absolutely love this tavern! We went here after going to Pride night at the Virginia Zoo and it exceeded our expectations! First of all the food was good and affordable. Second, our waiter was exceptional in terms of service and friendliness! Third, the vibe here is so cool and laid back...two bars, outside dining and hang out, pool tables and board games inside and inside dining tables. There is a front and back bar in this place. Love the sign at the door and love that they give you a church bulletin discount every day of the week and not just on Sunday! Love the rainbow stripes painted in the parking lot. The Buffalo Chicken Dip was phenomenal as I've never had a dip that had more chicken than anything else and it wasn't like a soup. It was mostly chicken with a buffalo taste and some cheese. Kudos! Our party of six all loved it! The hummus was okay, but we all thought it was too bland. We felt like it was missing some salt and lemon to punch it up a notch, but it was definitely home made. Everything else was delicious too! We'll...