Loco Jo's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Southport

Kip’s Original Review:

As a local, we normally love to visit Loco Jo's and have been going there well before the "new owners".  However, on my wife's birthday, we tried to get a table for 4 at 5pm on a Tuesday night. If it were only two, we would have been seated.  Instead, we were asked to wait at the bar until the other 2 people arrived.  Upon questioning Nikki's policy, we were ignored and not served.  She purposely pulled an attitude i thought would normally be reserved for tourists. This is unacceptable, and I will never return.

Kip’s Additional Context:

Based on Nikki’s response below, I thought it appropriate to provide additional information as one’s truth does not always get the facts right.  The facts are the following:

• Upon being told we could not have a table; we asked the Host if we could wait at the bar – we were told yes and given menus.  (Incredibly rude and downright nasty, mistreating staff? Really!)

• If the tables became filled, we would indeed need to leave as the couple joining us, due to age, would not have been able to sit at the bar.

• In initial conversations with Nikki we did not yell, we explained our desire to sit at a table and that the Host said no to which Nikki said, “They are doing exactly what I said to do”, quite loud, and very rude.  This was the start of the downfall.  At no time did I (Kip) yell or raise my voice.

• This is indeed the point that Nikki started behaving in a passive-aggressive way, purposely poking the bear.  She started ignoring us but glancing and smiling to her staff.  This was incredibly rude, unprofessional, and unacceptable.  (Yes, the impression was entitled and bitter.)

• It was at this point that we stated that she must not care if she loses us, and my wife wanted to leave.  I wanted to have a beverage.  I asked Nikki directly if I could have a drink only to have her turn her back, smile at her staff, and walk the other way.

• Nikki knew she was irritating her customers and did not care.  Nikki should remember if you are pointing a finger at someone there are three more pointing back at you, Nikki should look in the mirror herself.

• The only thing that can hurt the bottom line is behaving the way Nikki did the other night.  As I stated in my original review, which took 10 minutes to write, this was unacceptable, and I will never return.  However, Nikki owes my wife a personal apology for her behavior and attitude.

• We did have a wonderful diner on my Wife’s Birthday.  Oliver’s provided great service, nice atmosphere, and fantastic food.  The earlier encounter did not take away from our evening.

• And lastly, we totally agree with Nikki’s assessment of Southport as we have lived here for a while.  Nikki should read her words everyday and take...

Tried to take my wife here for dinner. Bar seats are crammed in like sardines. Hostess insisted that we sit at the seats leading up to the corner instead of at the two corner seats. Super narrow bar, so this would mean anyone else sitting at the corner would essentially be on top of your food. Have fun with that if you like, but not for me. Too many other good options in town to get hassled on a Tuesday night.

In response to your response, I wish you would post the surveillance. What you would see was 3 seats open on one side of the corner and two on the other. Help me understand how sitting at the corner is any worse for the restaurant than sitting in the other seats. I guess if a 3 came in, but 3s don’t typically sit at the bar (so unlikely) and we are talking about a Tuesday night in December at 6:40pm. The surveillance would also show that we had already sat down and were then asked to move. Again, since we had left 2 seats open on one side and one on the other, we were confused by the request that you would prefer to keep 3 consecutive seats open instead. Also, does anyone really want to sit at a the corner bar seat with a stranger (not knocking the setup, but the corner is tight)? Didn’t raise my voice, didn’t call anyone names, just confused at the situation (so may definitely have put my hands up in frustration) and decided to go elsewhere. You have my permission to post the video so that everyone can see the massive temper tantrum. I’m willing to admit that I was confused and left (probably a bit gruff). Are you willing to admit that you exaggerated the events in your response and probably should not have asked us to move in the first place? If so, happy to...

I might sound a bit like Guy Fieri on this one because this is just the kind of place Diners,Drive Ins & Dives, and I love to find and talk about. Loco jo's is one of those discreet very small hidden in the corner of a small business complex that you may just walk right past because it looks like it could be just another normal local pub with the same old boaring pub food, but NO, it is anything but that. The menu here may be a bit small to some standards but the elevated and creatively Asian inspired dishes along with some normal pub favorites that are created In the kitchen rivaled many Asian and american restaurants I've had in the past. Every dish that came to our table far exceeded what any of us expected. From the crispy fried ribs to the lemon grass curry with seared tuna and the banh mi sandwich, every dish made to order with the freshest ingredients as possible. I would have loved to be in that kitchen watching the chef and crew working up these meals that were coming out in record time. Along with a great local vibe and an excellent wait staff that is very attentive I'll guarantee you'll fall in love with this place as much as we did, so you ever find yourself in Southport NC or any where remotely close you gotta go give this place a try, #ncfoodie #ncfoodblogger #supportlocal...