Barnaby's of Northbrook — Restaurant in Northfield Township

My family and I stopped by last Thursday, August 14th. The food service was slower than usual. We are recurring clients at this establishment. Frequently having family dinner there. On this particular day our number hadn’t been called at about 40-45 minutes after placing the order. I went up to the counter in case we had accidentally missed our number being called. I approached the counter and Paul who was calling numbers and throwing pizzzas on the counter was not making eye contact or asking if I needed help or had a question. Kept going back and forth slamming pizzas on the counter and yelling numbers out. After a while I asked him if my order was ready and rudely said my number hadn’t been called. I stood there in shock, but kept waiting patiently. At some point I thought I heard my number and I asked what number he said and yelled that it wasn’t mine. Before walking off I did say I felt like he was being rude and all he responded was “what?”. I said it once more before walking off. There was zero apology and curiosity as to my comment. We waited at our table for several more minutes. We again thought we heard our number. My husband approached the counter and asked if our number had been called, Paul then screamed at my husband and said “I already said no to your wife”. On our way out we asked the young lady at the counter what the worker’s name was and she said Paul and claimed he was the best manager. No one was wondering about our experience. Instead they were both defensive and we felt attacked. When I walked past the counter with my husband and two children he was laughing at us. We have been regular clients of this establishment for the past 3 years and had never had this experience before. I can’t imagine that a “manager” would stand up and yell and scream at paying customers. It was a very disappointing experience and based on conversations I had with other customers waiting around, I wasn’t alone in my sentiment. I can say I had never experience such unprofessional behavior and much less...

This is a place good for locals. Seems like one of those places where people have been coming forever. Very much a family place.

There was a chunky cheese style party going on while I was there.

The service is weird. You walk all the way to the back to the cashier and order your stuff. Then you wait to be called on a speaker for your food. So it is very much self service.

To get a drink of any kind, you have to go to the bar where they will be very happy to sell you a beer at the same premium price you would pay at an airline.

Now for the food. They look busy in that kitchen. But my French onion soup was almost at room temperature. I ordered the "Chicken and spaghetti" and it was soupy, the pasta was a little runny, certainly not fresh pasta. But I didn't expect much for the price. Was not disappointed.

No napkins on the table, go figure yourself where they keep them.

Smiling must be against the law for these folks. So nevermind a friendly service.

I have a suspicion the pizzas are decent here but I didn't get to try a slice. My food was so bland and boring I nearly asked the lady with the loud children's party next to me for a slice.

For a local I imagine this place is a tradition filled with great memories. Looks like a place that belongs in The Sopranos with Tonny and friends eating.

But if you are business traveling and walk across from the Renaissance across the street, better get something at the hotel or something from your...

The customer service was so awful, I ended up canceling my order. Have to order your food and drinks separately? No free refills. Nobody greeted my 2 year old son and I. After getting my own high chair for my son (I guess they don't have servers), I placed my pizza order at the counter, with my son in his high chair at a table maybe 10 feet from the counter. I was then directed to the counter on the other side of the restaurant to order my drinks. Couldn't leave my son alone in his high chair while walking that far, so I had to get him out of his seat and carry him across the restaurant to get our drinks. Paid for my pop, ordered my son a water (after having to wait for the bartender, of course). The guy sets our drinks and straws on a serving tray on the counter "ok, there you go." I had to carry my drink tray in one hand while carrying my 35 lb son in my other arm. Several employees leaning on the counter, 2 of them playing on their phones. I was then told by the first guy, that I ordered my pizza with (who was one of the guys on his phone while I struggled carrying everything) that I had to pay for my pizza before he put the order in, that I had placed several minutes earlier. That was it. I told him "never mind, just cancel it. The customer service here is horrible." And left. I'm surprised they didn't tell me I had to toss my own dough. First time I ever walked out of a...