Jo’s...as always — Restaurant in Pensacola

Ultimately, I was put down and treated disrespectfully, when all I had intended to do was bring Jo more business through a work meeting. I regret to say that if I ever do return, it will not be soon. This can be fixed, but that depends on Jo.

I don’t usually write negative reviews, but this needs to be said.

The food and ambiance are excellent. The staff are usually quite friendly. In general, I’ve always had a very pleasant experience, with my only complaints being the limited hours and not displaying their opening time at the entrance.

Regretfully, today was different. I knew I would have a meeting at noon, and decided to work on my computer until that meeting, which I have done in the past.

I had a lunch meeting scheduled at noon, and decided to work on my computer, in the corner at a small table, until our appointed time. I’ve done this on multiple occasions and never had any issue.

This time, I had a business call, which I was on, while waiting for my meeting. However, the person who was meeting me was delayed by about 45 minutes, due to a work situation, on his end.

I often work remotely and in coffee shops or cafes, and always make a point not to be in a restaurant when they are busy. That would be rude and I’m very conscientious about this. I even discussed this with the management of Jo’s, when I first discovered them.

Today, there were open tables up until noon. Guests could be seated. But the person I was meeting was delayed. So, I continued on my phone call. Over the next 20 minutes or so it did get busy, but there was nothing I could do, since my meeting was delayed but would arrive shortly.

Then, Jo herself, who had been very friendly at the beginning of the day, approached me. She interrupted my call and made a point that I was causing her to turn away guests because I was inconsiderately hogging a table during prime lunch-time. I told her I understood and was sorry, but that I was waiting for someone who was supposed to have met me at noon, and that he was unavoidably delayed, but would be arriving shorting [which he did]. Rather than saying “oh, okay. I understand, sorry for interrupting your call, and I hope you enjoy your meal” she continued to stress that I was causing her to turn away a lot of business. I assured her I understood, and she seemed somewhat appeased but still unhappy with me.

I understand from her perspective, she may have assumed I only intended to work at her restaurant all day and only get coffee. Though if she had asked the waitress, or listened to me, she would have known my intensions were good.

The truth is that she may have missed out on having one more party sit down, because of my delayed lunch meeting. But it was only a two-topper, and it didn’t truly get busy until around 12:20.

What disappoints me the most is how poorly she thinks of me, when the reality is that I’m not rude and that while she may have lost $40 because of the situation, I have personally brought her significantly more business than she lost today. But that stops as of today.

However, the way she treated me, and making me feel as though I’m unwanted and rude, and trying to make me feel bad, without understanding my perspective or that it was a situation outside my control, that hurt. Even the person on my call heard it, which was embarrassing.

I think there were a combination of factors that led to her interrupting and belittling me. In most situations I would say this is an amazing place. But unfortunately I am very disappointed with my experience today and even more disappointed when I realized it was Jo who treated me this way. I understand where she was coming from, but she didn’t take the time to understand the situation was outside my control, or to realize that I always make a point NOT to be rude in the way she clearly made me out to be. She didn’t apologize for interrupting my call, or apologize when she saw that I did indeed have someone join me a few minutes later. Nor did she even...

I had been hearing about the chicken salad at Jo's so my friend and I decided to stop by one day. But first, let me tell you about the atmosphere. The restaurant is located in what I can only describe as an oasis of beauty and tranquility known as DUH. There is also a retail store and furniture store located there. The grounds are reminiscent of maybe a beautiful place in Europe, I just love it. Please make an effort to visit if you're ever at 9th Ave and Wright St. The restaurant is small and intimate, with a bar and it's quite lovely. We were seated quickly, I would recommend a seat in the room to the right as it's a little removed from the front door and a little more intimate. We started off with cups of really delicious and well seasoned gumbo and I decided to order the salad sampler which consisted of a scoop of chicken salad, tuna and egg salad. It also came with a slice of poppyseed bread that was divine and you can even purchase a whole loaf. The chicken salad was everything I heard about, delicious with just a hint if sweetness from apple chunks. The tuna and egg salads were also first rate. My bestie had a chicken salad sandwich and a side salad and she was very pleased. But, let's talk about the bread pudding. Ohhhh my, it was Heavenly! It was soft, warm and it melted in my mouth. I had the whiskey sauce and my friend ordered the amaretto sauce and we both ordered extra to go, it's that good, probably the best I've EVER tasted! Don't pass it up! Service was spot on, we never had to ask for a thing! Jo's is also a perfect spot for a baby shower or bridal shower, it has a very feminine touch. Do yourself a...

Normas bread pudding was always my favorite thing to eat. I remembered moving back to Florida and I want my family to taste Normas. When I found out they were closed, I knew I would never find a place like that ever again.

Fast forward now to couple of weeks...I am scrolling through FB and someone commented about bread pudding and Jos and the connection to Normas. I have lived in Pensacola for 6yrs now and never heard of Jos.

Well, I had to go check this place out. The parking lot is very small, so be prepared to park on the street. Its right on the corner of 9th and Wright St.

We walked in to this cute little fancy café style place. The inside was kinda loud and thankfully the weather was amazing, so we sat outside.

The service was amazing....the entire staff were professional and so kind. I am vegetarian and she helped me to figure out what to order and even custom made me a sandwich.

I missed missed my poppyseed dressing....I can drink that stuff. It was so amazing on my salad and fruit. The real test was the bread pudding...OMG!! I finally found my long lost bread pudding.

So many memories of my past came back to life! I highly recommend this place to everyone. Its a great light lunch place.....great place for a girls lunch....babyshower...bridal shower....basically anything!

I am glad I connected to this place and I can not wait to tell everyone that remembers Normas to go try this place out! My new...