Big Bertha's Fish Joint

EDIT 3/4/09 -- The food portion of Big Bertha's has closed. Typhoon Saloon is now run by Fred's Mexican Cafe next door and Fred's will expand to the dining area during busy times (Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Fred's). Sad Day. They should keep the good stuff and get rid of the crappy stuff, not the other way around.


I'm reviewing the actual restaurant portion of this place, not Typhoon Saloon which would have many less stars on the sheer fact that douchebros and brohos love it.

Big Bertha's has a decent happy hour, and thus, I plan on returning from 4-8pm Monday-Thursday and 4-9pm on Fridays. Many appetizers are $3 including Angus Sliders, Buffalo Chicken tenders and mini-corn dogs. Typical bar food, sure, but at $3 it's great for the recessionista(o). Also available is the champagne of beer, in a bottle, for $1. For those not in the know, it's Miller High Life. Not exactly quality, but hey, it's a buck. Other more robust brews are a mere $3 for a draft. Well drinks are $2.

Basically, you can have a drink and some comfort food (I define fried food as comforting) for $5 plus tip. It's a recessionista's dream.

I can't stand this place, Typhoon Saloon; been here multiple times, but it never is that good.

First of all, the bouncers are total bastards, selectively enforcing the 'upscale' dress code when there is never a line and the place is usually empty on every night. Completely goes against the entire PB atmosphere.

Second of all, the place is huge. It's actually a very nice space; great semi-outdoor bar in the front and a large multi-level dance area in the back. Yet it always feels empty. And unfortunately they never can seem to get a good DJ, so while there is plenty of space to enjoy dancing, the music is never actually good enough to enjoy it.

Lastly, and perhaps most important: total cockfest. Seriously, every time. It's a wienie roast, a veritable sausage party, penis parade, schlongapalooza, phallus expo, willie convention, the dong show, the nut house, testosterone overload, the he-man-woman-haters club. And ladies, please be kind and don't drag your straight male friend with you to be 'Designated Cock Blocker'; trust me, from personal experience, he really won't like it here.

+1 star for nice bartenders and 32oz beer mugs for $4. You'll need it to drink away the boredom that this place offers.

This is the place within Typhoon Saloon.

All I need to say really is : Taco Tuesday.

I'm not going to a restaurant inside a bar expecting gourmet food. But I am pleasantly surprised here with the tacos.

Trivia Night! I'm an unabashed know-it-all, and I can't turn down any chance to show my talents and then be rewarded by test tubes of tequila. Bonus points to the "wheel of fortune" because I won one of their famous "Kiss My Taco" tank tops. I own one, and it sits at the bottom of my closet because I dare never wear it in public. Oh, but you can bet I bust it out during house parties to impress people with my BB trivia.

And no, Big Bertha's is NOT Typhoon. It's the little taco shop attached to Typhoon. They are separate entities, and BB's Triva/Taco Tuesdays are wonderful. Not overly crowded and their margaritas are the best on Garnet.

EDIT 3/9/07: I must've been really out of it when I did this review. This is a review of Fred's - the taco shop next door to Typhoon. Big Bertha's, however, is a lovely little burger place within Typhoon that provides patrons with an unending supply of bar peanuts. And no, I would not recommend their Irish Lunch/Dinner that they offer on St. Patrick's Day. Bar food does not generally include corned beef, thanks.

I think this is actually known as Typhoon Saloon as I can't find the Typhoon anywhere here.

So I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I've actually had some pretty good times here. It's kind of funny since it's in PB and they try to act like they're some hot club type place (i.e. no college logo shirts, no flip flops, etc.) but cmon, this IS PB after all.

Huge dance floor area, but also a nice sort of bar/patio area for people to chill out (and of course a lot of smoking). Sometimes though they actually have these kind of cirque du soleil type performers come by and perform on stage which is kind of cool.

All in all, kind of the only place you can go in PB for that kind of clubby feel while not having to leave PB.

OK, so I have been known to frequent this place at night when it goes by the name of Typhoon Saloon. I'm ashamed. I hate myself. I also live close by.
But Big Bertha's (another name with cheesy alliteration) is the Typhoon Saloon of the daytime.
It is not unlike the nightclub: Guys go there to because they think they are going to meet their next one night stand and the drinks are watered down.
Yet Big Bertha's is a whole different animal because it serves ... food! Big disgusting food!
OK so I have been there and had some terrible lunches, but I keep coming back because like Typhoon, it is my guilty pleasure. There are very few healthy items on the menu, but the drinks are cheap, more or less .
The place just always seems to exceed my low expectations.

Big Bertha's is my favorite spot for Taco Tuesday. Same awesome menu as Fred's (next door), but unlike Fred's you never have to wait for a table. The winning combo is the Cheeseburger Taco and Shrimp Taco. Sooooo good. Easy to accommodate big groups if you get there before 7/7:30pm. Be sure to leave before Big Bertha's transforms into Typhoon Saloon and the sketchy crowd arrives.