Johan's Joe Swedish Restaurant — Restaurant in West Palm Beach

Disturbing approach to food safety

I've been to Johan's Joe many times in the past, and my wife and I wanted to treat my Mother in law to breakfast today. Unfortunately when our food arrived it turned out it was served with onions, which my wife is severely allergic to. These sorts of issues will occasionally happen, and typically restaurants are happy to remake the order. I brought the issue to the attention of the manager Hal Ritchie. He said that they were busy and told us to just remove the onion. For the second time I explained to him that my wife was allergic, and the food needed to be remade. He takes the food into the back room for 30 seconds, and immediately reserves it.

I asked him if he just removed the allergens or if he remade the food like I asked him to. He confirmed he just removed the onion but didn't remake the food. For the third time I explained to him that my wife has a severe onion allergy and the food needs to be remade. Hal replied that that they were very busy and we were going to be waiting a while. He took the food into the back room once again.

After 5 minutes, he serves the food for the third time, I ask him if they remade the food like I asked, again telling him my wife has a severe allergy. He assures me they remade it. We ate our food and left. Minutes after finishing the food, my wife's tongue and throat started tingling, and she began to have trouble breathing. Hal lied to us.

I don't know if Hal Ritchie wasn't trained in food safety, didn't believe us when we explained my wife's allergy, or just didn't care. But his cavalier approach to food safety has permanently lost a customer. I'm disappointed to say that while Johan's Joe built up trust with my family over years, Hal managed to destroy that trust in 45 minutes. My families health it too important to risk it at Johan's Joe when there are so many other options available.

Honestly... It was a egg and chees on a bagel with some vegetables... Why wouldn't he just remake...

To my knowledge the Treasure Coast has no Swedish restaurants. I had to travel a little shy under an hour to downtown West Palm Beach to get my fix of Swedish cuisine. Parking was easy. When you walk in, the atmosphere is swanky, and definitely Swedish decor..very Scandinavian.

I ordered the Swedish meatballs from the lunch menu. It consists of beef and pork hand rolled meatballs, cucumber salad, mashed potatoes, herbed cream sauce and wild Lingonberries. The meatballs were delicious, moist and seasoned to perfection. I was served 8 of them, so they did well on the quantity of meat portion and were not stingy at all.

The mashed potatoes were lightly sprinkled with parsley and the consistency was neither soupy or clumpy. The taste was superb, however, I must complain that my portion was not to satisfaction. I estimate my serving of potatoes was no more than 6 ounces hence why I rated only 4 stars instead of 5. Given I paid $17 for my lunch, I felt there should have been a proportional amount of potatoes with my meatballs.

The cream sauce was fantastic. My meatballs were lightly drizzled with it and did not taste salty or spicy whatsoever. The cucumber salad was fresh, cold and plentiful. The Lingonberries were served cold and possessed it's usual sweet/tart flavor that is like no other.

For dessert, I had this cream filled tart topped with sliced strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and raspberries. Very delicious! The name of it escapes me, but it is located inside the refrigerated counter display with numerous other Swedish pastries. By all means, when you visit, please indulge!

In conclusion, I highly recommend this establishment if you are in the mood for authentic Swedish food. The owner, Laura is friendly, seen visible greeting the patrons, and supervising employees which is always a great attribute to such a fine restaurant. I will be...

Johan's Joe Swedish Restaurant in Palm Beach is a culinary haven that deserves every bit of acclaim. Having dined there three times, I am compelled to share the delightful experiences that unfolded within this Scandinavian gem.

The standout feature at Johan's Joe is undoubtedly the freshness infused into every dish, with a special nod to the daily soup and meatballs. The daily soup presents a tantalizing array of flavors, always prepared with a commitment to using the freshest ingredients. The meatballs, a Swedish classic, are a testament to culinary mastery, delivering a perfect blend of tenderness and savory goodness.

The staff at Johan's Joe complements the culinary excellence with their warmth and attentiveness. Their genuine friendliness creates an inviting atmosphere, making each visit feel like a homecoming. Whether offering recommendations or catering to specific requests, the staff consistently contributes to the overall positive dining experience.

The continuity of wonderful experiences across my three visits attests to the restaurant's commitment to maintaining high standards. Consistency in both quality and service is a rare find, and Johan's Joe excels in delivering it with finesse.

In conclusion, Johan's Joe Swedish Restaurant in Palm Beach is a haven for those seeking a fresh and authentic Scandinavian culinary experience. From the daily soup to the meatballs, every bite is a journey through Swedish flavors. With a staff that goes above and beyond to ensure satisfaction, Johan's Joe has undoubtedly secured its place as a must-visit for those who appreciate quality dining in a warm and...