Yard House — Restaurant in Wayne

I was pleasantly surprised by this place. I've been aware of Yard House pretty much since it opened a few years ago, and I'm at the BJ's next door on a regular basis. This is the one section of Willowbrook that I can tolerate popping in and out of since it's right on the end and has minimal traffic drama (life pro tip: approach the mall from 46 westbound if you can). Maybe because of the Dave & Buster's nearby, I've always assumed this was sort of a bro offshoot/hangout, but as it turns out, it's basically a very modern/upscale sports bar with high quality food and drink options. Who knew?

I took my noble chum here around noonish on a Saturday for a belated birthday lunch. The first takeaway I had the minute I stepped inside was that this place is VAST. It's a gigantic space, and Yard House has clearly made the decision to keep it very spacious and spartan, which, if you have the ability to, why not? You don't need to squeeze past other tables to get to the restroom, and for me it felt very comfortable, especially compared to basically every other restaurant in this densely populated section of NJ. Since we were there pretty early in the day, we had no issue obtaining a very comfortable booth in the back, which could have easily fit another three or four people at least. Also, apparently Yard House has teleported to the future (or I've been lingering massively in the past) because they have a very impressive ordering setup with these remote kiosky things at the table that the server can just input items into immediately upon verbally receiving them. I imagine that cuts down on human error as well, with the servers not having to remember orders for an extra minute or two, and being able to confirm details and finalize literally a second later. Welcome to 2023.

The booze menu was probably 80% beer (no thanks), but there was a pretty legit cocktail and wine menu. I opted for the strawberry mule ($11.79), which was served in a container that reminded me of those tubes you shoot back at the bank teller from the drive-thru. Wild stuff. They were very tasty, with a nice little nip to them. We also split the Firecracker Shrimp app ($13.99) - perfect portion for two hungrier people, and interesting presentation. There was a rice patty or something underneath the shrimp to give it some added texture goodness. I also went with the Ahi Tuna entrée ($24.99); good but not the best I've had. I think this is the first time I've gotten this particular dish where it didn't come with some type of drizzle (usually a soy sauce or chipotle mayo-type condiment). As a result, it seemed a little dry and flavorless to me.

One other pet peeve - and to be clear, Yard House is by no means the only offender here - was the presentation of the calorie counts next to each menu item. I'm a law-abiding citizen, and I've earned the right not to make direct eye contact with the calorie information. Why can't that just be available on a secondary page, where, if you want to see it, you can, but you don't have to? I just want the option of blissful ignorance. I hope society sees the error of their ways in this regard.

Our server was fantastic. Very personable guy who didn't hesitate to give his recommendations and disclaimers about various sections of the menu. Sometimes having different employees handling the orders, the food, etc. can create delays/chaos, but it ended up working out here - everything arrived in a very timely fashion.

It's a little pricey even without taking the inflationary environment into consideration, but it's definitely a cut above a lot of the mini/local chain options...

I came her on a Friday night for the first time. It wasn’t overly packed. We were seated right away. The music was so fun and the vibes were amazing. Immediately our server Patrick greeted us. Throughout dinner he gave us wonderful suggestions and kept on checking in. He was super awesome! I got the blackberry cider and I’m not a fan of beers but this cider was so good a hint of fruitiness but not overpowering. The peach fuzz was bubbly and tasted great too. Our appetizers were brought out quickly and were delicious. The spinach dip was creamy which fit perfectly with the chips. You can tell the chips are homemade as they had a bit of a buttery taste but fit so well with the dip. The wings were so tender. The bbq sauce was not spicy and flavorful. The buffalo was your typical sauce but great! We ordered our entree and my in-laws and boyfriends food came out first. I was greeted unexpectedly by one of the managers Greg. He apologized that my steak wasn’t out with the rest and offered me a salad. However, I don’t like salad so he gave me fries. I was so shocked by that wonderful gesture. The fries were perfect. Just enough crispy, not too much potato and just the right amount of salt. Once the steak came out. Man, it was probably one of the hands down best steaks I’ve had. It was perfectly charred and cooked right. It was super tender and flavorful with each bite. I LOVED the broccoli. It had the perfect amount of garlic and salt. The mashed potatoes were good as well but not my type of thing. My in law got the mac and cheese and oh my word! It was so creamy, filling, and cheesy. He would rate it 8.5/10. I loved the mix of different flavors from the chicken to the mushrooms. My BF got the carne asada tacos. He would rate it 8/10 and the kimchi was 8/10. The carne asada was perfect blend meat and spice. It did have a little bit more fat than I liked but it was great. The kimchi Korean bbq was too spicy for my liking but my bf said it had a good kick to it. Long and be hold dessert, I got the bread pudding and it was so good. Creamy with every bite and very light. My Bf Brookie was good. He rated it an 8/10. It was a bit dry but the Icecream made up for it but it tasted wonderful. Just like a cookie nestle and a brownie. My in laws cheesecake creme brûlée was to die for. It was so creamy, rich, and tasted very flavorful like vanilla. BEST CHEESECAKE. I will 100% be back. The service, food, and atmosphere were all welcoming. They do 1/2 off during happy hour so I think I’ll be back to try more then as that’s a good opportunity to try different meals for 1/2 off! Thank you Patrick for making our dining experience wonderful, thank you Greg for surprising us and making our meal even more pleasant. Plenty...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Yard House restaurant, and I must say it was an incredible experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's modern decor and spacious layout created a comfortable and enjoyable dining environment.

The menu at Yard House is truly impressive. With a wide variety of options to choose from, there is something to satisfy every palate. Whether you're in the mood for a juicy burger, fresh seafood, or a flavorful vegetarian dish, Yard House has it all. The menu also features a fantastic selection of craft beers from around the world, making it a perfect spot for beer enthusiasts.

One thing that really stood out to me was the exceptional service. The staff at Yard House were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They took the time to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was top-notch. The waitstaff provided excellent recommendations and were always available when we needed anything.

The quality of the food at Yard House is truly outstanding. Each dish is expertly crafted using the finest ingredients, resulting in delicious and memorable flavors. The presentation of the dishes is also noteworthy, as each plate is beautifully arranged and visually appealing.

Another aspect that I appreciated about Yard House is the attention to detail. The restaurant is impeccably clean, and everything from the table settings to the restroom facilities is well-maintained. This level of cleanliness and attention to detail enhances the overall dining experience and shows the restaurant's commitment to excellence.

Overall, Yard House restaurant is a fantastic place to dine. The combination of great atmosphere, diverse menu, exceptional service, and high-quality food make it a standout choice. Whether you're looking for a casual lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a place to enjoy drinks with friends, Yard House is sure to exceed your expectations. I highly recommend...