Sweeney's Saloon — Restaurant in Saint Paul

I'm currently writing this as a 5 star review because I don't think anyone's rating should be hurt just because of one bad experience, but I will say things have changed since the last time I was here and it's not good. Not sure if ownership switched since a few months ago but things have been noticably different. I'm mostly writing this in hopes that the owner (new or old) can hear perspective from someone who's been coming here for 8+ years and fix what will likely inevitably be noticed by everyone else. My chips were soggy and cold, somehow the water was bad? I get water all the time here and it tastes like normal tap. Today it tasted like the cup still had soap in it or it was really awful water from a tap that is never used? I noticed the new menu was missing things and increased by a lot since the last time I was there. A beer on happy hour increased from $3.50-5.50. Wasn't there for happy hour but it seemed extreme to me. Didn't recognize any of the staff which tells me the old servers/bartenders either were forced out or left which isn't a good sign. New menu had a corny star tribune "second best restaurant in st paul 2021" across the front which was a little weird. I feel like this place was great as it was and new menu items and price raises are okay if you are giving a better product or have some reasoning, but it seems like they want to just run this place with worse food, worse service at a higher price and hope people will pay more and I really don't think they will. Start making changes now before you ruin a really great place for the neighborhood. COVID has changed a lot for restaurants but I think there are better ways of navigating this than what you guys are starting to do.

Will gladly delete this as I come more and see things going in a better direction. If it seems like it gets worse than it will probably be a 1star...

Sweeney's is a Old Saint Paul favorite. Pretty sure I've been going here about 38 years. Great college and law school Hangout with a lot of locals as well as small intimate company and family events.

In my younger years the bar and partying part was fun and has a wonderful open deck area and back during the summer. Four stars because they allow smoking in the restaurant / bar area in the open back deck.

At this stage, dinner with the kids for appetizers and Old Saint Paul bistro cuisine. Never disappoints. Best $7 huge french fry plate in St paul. Complimented with tacos, steak sandwich, Caesar salad, homemade fresh sliders, fish and chips, and a homemade gyro.

What other restaurant can provide that much cuisine diversity with excellent time tested quality standards and taste in Old Saint Paul? Rare Crocus Hill gem.

Enjoyable non-drinking family environment for the rare dinner out on a Thursday staycation. More adult bistro than family, but fit the bill for my teen kids and self. Not cheap food, not cheap price, but reasonable prices... Still getting used to inflation.

Great waitress and normal old-school tipping, no funny bill add-ons or service fees will be found here. (Damn...

Have been going here a few times a month for quite some time and have always enjoyed the outdoor patio, food, and service overall. Last night I decided to bring my team in for cocktails and food after work (we were a group of 7) we wanted to be on the patio but very full we spotted 3 tables near each other that hadn't been cleaned yet, we attempted to assist with clean up and move some chairs around, we rudely told it was a hazard, I explained to the young waitress that there was probably a better more accommodating way she could have assisted us- her response was its busy....Terrible customer service. We then were seated inside and a more experienced waitress assisted us (I thought things were looking up) but we waited and waited for drinks and our food order to be taken- all of this could have been easily brushed off as you could easily see just how busy they were but there were two other tables (yes smaller groups) That came in after us and they ordered, ate, and paid and left all before we did which is insane. It will be a while (if at all) before I spend...