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Honest John's Bar & Grill
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants Burgers Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Pubs, Burgers, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
488 Selden StDetroit, MI 48201
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Cass Corridor
(313) 832-5646
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 2 am
Sun 9 am - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
59 reviews for Honest John's Bar & Grill
Review Highlights
"...in town, great fries and Black Label in 40-ounce bottles..."
(in 5 reviews)
"Chili cheese fries with meat (omg nom nom nom."
(in 2 reviews)
"Jefferson across from Belle Isle."
(in 3 reviews)
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59 reviews in English
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Review from Emily L.
Detroit, MI
9/12/2011
Today when the waitress asked how I was doing, I said I was hungry and she laughed "you always say that!" And then proceeded to remember my orders from the past 2 visits. Thennn she brought us a huge box of crayons while I was selecting songs off the (5credper$1) juke, which was an awesome Motown/soul/oldies mix. Truly beats the Bronx, or those digital ones that give way to much freedom to "amateur djs" (drunk peeps with bad taste). My momma, my boy and I all enjoyed the crayons until our delicious food came (TRY the spinach dip sandwhich!)). All and all, a great dining experience, this time and every time.
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Review from Molly S.
Melvindale, MI
2/7/2012
This is one of my favorite breakfast places. I've only ever gone for breakfast so I can't say much for any other meals. It's been crowded every time I've gone so be prepared to be patient. The service is pretty quick so you don't have to wait terribly long if there are no available tables. Service is hot and cold. Some of the wait staff is pretty fantastic while others are a little flighty. The place is a little small which doesn't make for a ton of extra room considering how busy it can. I've only ever been on Sunday mornings so maybe it isn't so busy on other days.
The place has a little bit of a hipster feel but don't let that scare you away. The food is really, really great. There are some interesting and different choices on the menu...different than your typical breakfast diner. -
Review from Xiang L.
Livonia, MI
2/5/2012
this was my first time experience and enjoyed the ambiance of the place for the most part. it felt more like a college spot. loved teh humour in the place. the seating was interesting. our bartender, rachel, was great. the rest of the wait -staff had a lot of 'college' 'tude' ....like they didn't care to be there. a couple groups of friends at the end of teh bar being a bit too giddy. the front of the bar was occupied by the 'stodgy' patrons. one seemingly homeless person (who we saw later across the street waving her cane and screaming and who knows...).
so, this was an interesting experience. would look forward to going to be on non-superbowl night. it seems to have a lot of character.
the staff was 'interesting'. our bartender was tremendously sweet - but a bit on the 'laid-back' side of things. made a couple of minor adjustments in our food orders. nothing extreme - but it could have been smoother.
it was the bar-back /other wait staff that seemed clearly annoyed to be working. unless that it is her 'work face' ---
will give this place another try since our server/bartender was great personality and the joint had a lot of flair. my burger was great and my friend's blt was excellent. -
Review from William R.
Birmingham, MI
1/27/2012
Honest Johns is a local favorite for myself and fellow coworkers. Its located a couple blocks from my work so it is extremely convenient and has a very nice, laid back atmosphere.
The wait staff is awesome and their food is equally as good. My go to move is usually the black bean quesadillas. Parking is a little difficult, as the lot in the back is tiny so you may have to courageously park in the street (I've never had any issues). Check out Honest Johns with a frosty glass of Ghettoblaster and have some good conversations with some great people. Deeeeetroit what! -
Review from jenny c.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/2/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Actually the name is Honest John's Bar & No Grill, but whatever.
Their old jalapeno poppers have returned! GO EAT SOME!
also, breakfast til 5 on the weekends icydk.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/1/2011
they loose one star for changing the jalapeno poppers. that was my favorite thing. :,(
we went… Read more »
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Review from Rodger W.
12/26/2011
My favorite bar in the city. Diverse clientele. Relatively douchebag free. Cheap stiff drinks. Good craft beer selection. Food looks good, but I have only came to drink.
Best part: The servers are attentive and friendly. Detroit seems to be a haven for snarky and inattentive servers that feel they are doing you a favor by serving you. I am talking to you Phil Cooley. You need to send your Slows staff to Honest Johns to see how to serve the public. -
Review from Nikki B.
Beverly Hills, MI
12/31/2011
The best breakfast in town. Love the coffee and that they don't use the mini creamers. Service is always excellent. You won't leave hungry!
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Review from kevin j.
Detroit, MI
10/27/2011
The food's pretty good. Good veggie selection - the Southwestern Veggie Wrap and Pocket O'Joy are top notch. The service is good, especially now that John's gone and you don't have to wonder if he's in Play Nice or Be an Asshole mode. It's one of the only places to sit down and eat hot food late in this city. The jukebox has a bunch of great old soul without those rip-off internet jukebox prices. They even usually have a New York Times lying around for me to read. Bar graff is usually worth a chuckle or two.
So why only three stars? Because, at the end of the day... it's just another bar. Drunkenness swallows. -
Review from Ely M.
Detroit, MI
8/24/2011
Honest Johns is a great place for a few drinks and some food. The wait staff is always very friendly but can be a bit slow. The slowness fits with the theme of the place though so it's not a big deal. The "truths" all around the bar are very entertaining, as are the rest rooms.
My suggestions are the breakfast sandwich and turkey dinner Tuesdays. -
Review from Michael W.
Detroit, MI
9/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great Burger, Great RoastBeef/CornedBeef Sandwich!
Nice bar/tavern. Pretty good food, friendly service. No beer specials. All bottles start at $3, so it's a good stop for a bite and a beer before a Tiger's or Lion's game, or a night out bar hoping in Cass Corridor. Would have given 4 stars if pitcher special existed. Yes, it is THAT important =)
Bikes: Thanks to another Yelp'r, I brought a big cable to hookup two rides to the light pole. -
Review from Darin E.
5/25/2011
Just had breakfast there, and got the Poor Richard omelette. Mushrooms, spinach, bacon & cheese. They make an actual omelette too, with the fixins on the inside, rather than cooked into the egg like some of the coney islands around town do. It was gooood.
Prices were fair and service was good.
Definitely going back soon, later in the day next time, to sample from the Michigan-made heavy beer list. This is definitely one of the gems of Midtown. -
Review from Chad C.
Ann Arbor, MI
11/10/2011
The dark and dingy interior is not my kind of place for breakfast. The huge neon sign that proudly states, "Sobriety sucks" is also a bit distasteful (yes, I do drink and probably more than I should), so it's not the place to take your kiddies or any AA friends. Having said that, the breakfast I had was pretty good and filling (omelette with a side of corn beef hash). Omelette was huge, but a little on the dry side.
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Review from colette n.
Huntington Woods, MI
3/16/2011
Honest?John's: One of the really really terrific places you'll wanna keep on your radar.
First of all, big hangout for journalists, hospital staff and WSUers. Very eclectic crowd, great vibe. Juke box certainly doesnt hurt, with quite a lot to choose from - and it's still 5 plays for $1.
Now, Honest John's of old, used to be over by the Belle Isle Bridge. As the neighborhood began to get quite seedy - John decided to move to a better area - the Cass Corridor :) If you can catch John, he will tell you quite the story of his relationship with the "new" area.
John has a history of good deeds, known as the Shakedown Society, and has article upon article to prove it (see walls along the entrace to the bathrooms). Activities have included the Moon Shot, a polar plunge, Thanksgiving day meals, and toy purchasing just to name a few.
When he moved to the new location, a few changes were made:
they added food; they expanded the bar to include more "trendy" choices (like flavored vodkas!) and they take plastic now! The food ROCKS. It's basically bar food - but not all bar food is fresh from Eastern Market (this is). The salads are great, the fries are great, the burgers are great, soups are great, and the BLT is ridiculously delish. AND they keep the kitchen open LATE (I think like 2a). They were also one of the only places serving breakfast in Detroit for many years, but others have caught on and are following suit.. Dont forget abt stopping in during the day, great stop for lunch too. Delish and very reasonably priced any time of day (or night).
Recently, John had to sell the bar due to family health concerns, but it was bought by two of his employees who are determined to keep the same flavor and philosophies - and so far, they certainly are. And if youre lucky, you can still catch the colorful Honest?John himself stopping in.
(btw, it's RIGHT down the street from Old Miami) -
Review from Brandon B.
Shelby Township, MI
9/18/2011
Honest John's is already one of my favorite spots for great food and decent drink selection. Their back patio is fantastic (and you can smoke there! yay!). I'm a huge fan of their brunch... they serve it til 5 on the weekends, and also of their Monte Cristo sandwich. Service is always great here, so I am unsure why so many reviewers took issue with it. They play fantastic music on their playlists. I took away one star because I think their drinks are a bit pricey compared to other Midtown establishments and I also with they had more beer to select from. Overall, though, this place is great!
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Review from Hannah R.
Detroit, MI
6/5/2011
Honest?John's is on the corner of Second and Selden, at an intersection that hasn't needed it's traffic light in 30 years. This is a particularly bombed out section of Cass Corridor, and since parking is in the back, you wouldn't know driving by just how popular this place is. But, the surroundings are what they are, and this place is our go-to place for Sunday brunch, or the occasional quick dinner. They serve breakfast until 5pm, so brunch is a pretty loose term which works for the hangover crowd. We were just there this afternoon and we were SHOCKED that it wasn't completely full. It was busy, but we had our choice of tables for once.
This place has a surprisingly good vegetarian selection - there's actually a veggie SECTION on the menu. (Side note: I recently traveled to my hometown - a medium sized Midwestern town that I remembered having good number of tasty, unique, restaurants. I was surprised to find how many places had menus dominated by meat dishes. Detroit, you've spoiled me).
If it's your first time here, get the fried mac & cheese. Novel AND delicious. The veggie east-sider is a great greasy bar sandwich (as is the carnivore version), and all their breakfast food is great. I've been particularly drawn to the breakfast burrito as of late - eggs, cheese, black beans, corn, onion, and jalapeño served wrapped up in a grilled tortilla (with a breakfast meat of your choice if you want). Also, sweet potato fries. The boyfriend is pleased with their side salad as well - field greens, large chunks of tomato, onion, and cucumber. We're both amused that the BLT is listed under breakfast food and sandwiches.
Service is solid, the wait staff is friendly and pretty much always gets things right. If you're here on a Sunday afternoon, don't be in a hurry. Nothing to do with the staff, there are just only so many omelettes that can be made at a time! -
Review from Todd S.
Royal Oak, MI
4/10/2011
Last night was my first time back at the bar since the sale. The menu is much more veggie friendly than I recall -- and not with weird stuff. Good veggie bar food for very reasonable prices. I was impressed.
We had the artichoke veggie melt and eastsider. Both were served and consumed very quickly. They were both excellent.
Overall, the service and food were great -- and it's a just convenient stroll from Orchestra Hall. -
Review from dea a.
Back before I got used to Detroit's natural sketchiness, I thought this place was a pit. But now, I think this place is a high end "dive bar". I probably like it a lot more now that no one can smoke, and it's been awhile so that stank funky old cigarette smell is officially out of the walls.
It's a bar. It's a REAL bar. I like it! They have tasty bar food. The onion rings are the most win onion rings on this side of 8 mile. The burgers and melts can be hit or miss depending on who is cooking... my last burger was missing salt, but damn it if they don't know how to cook medium rare right! I love 'em bloody and I get 'em bloody. As they should be.
There's ample parking, plenty of places to sit and have your own place to drink with your friends, and a great predictable tap line with Dragonmead and Celis White as well as a few other faves. Don't be asking for anything creative from the bar (other than the listed specialty drinks), but they do wells and they do a generous pour. Can't knock 'em for that.
This kitchen is as close to 24 hours as you can get in the D. Screw you, Cass Cafe with your hipster collection and veggie sandwiches -- Honest John's is open just as late and opens even earlier. Close at 2am, the kitchen stops taking orders around 130am, and they re-open for those coming off their night shifts at the DMC at 7am. Cuz they got just what the doctor ordered: BOOZE and BURGERS.
Wins:
Chili cheese fries with meat (omg nom nom nom)
Onion rings
Burgers
Taco Salad
Chicken and Waffles (yeah, you read that right! And you can get them with wings or with tenders)
Semi-fail:
Burger melt (no idea why, it sounds good, but it's ... not so good) -
Review from Eve B.
Detroit, MI
1/17/2011
Honest John's, i ain't mad at it!
I used to know this place back in the DAYYYY day. Like when it was still located on Jefferson, because it was one of my parent's favorite bars. Then i think the original one burned down or something, but neither here nor there, i just went for sunday brunch and absolutely LOVED it.
Here are the things that I love about Honest John's and why you should too:
1. Didn't feel judged for coming in lookin a hot mess and ungodly hungover at 1pm on a Sunday.
2. Really good menu with decent prices. i mean like huge vegetarian selection (not that i'm an herbie-vore, but still), awesome burgers, lots-o-variety.
3. Cute little outdoor patio good for summer time bike pub crawls
4. endless supply of bathroom grafitti which could keep one occupied for hours
5. off the beaten path
6. tagline at the bar reads: Sobriety Sucks.
That's all i got! -
Review from David D.
Detroit, MI
4/12/2011
Our neighborhood go-to. Open virtually 24 hrs. Solid menu- highlights for me are the gumbo, veggie eastsider, and pancakes.
Good jukebox and usually a decent crowd- mix of folks who live or work close by and suburbanites in for a night out. Staff is always friendly and attentive. -
Review from Marco P.
Detroit, MI
7/17/2011
I have gone here several times over the past 10 yrs. I would have never given this place anything less than 4 stars... Use to have a "must have" burger and fries. Now the burger is not half as good. Seems to be way over cooked and are they using frozen patties now??? Shame if they are... Also use to have a great lasagna on Wednesday nights. The pasta being served now is bland and boring.
The service sucks. Not friendly. Never has been.
Breakfast is still a bright spot. The Poor Richard is great.
Also the Gumbo is really tasty. -
Review from Erin O.
Detroit, MI
6/8/2011
I'm in love. The drinks are strong and cheap, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it's just a hop, skip and a jump away from my little apartment. I plan on becoming a regular here. It's the perfect place to unwind after work, either with friends or by yourself. I don't say this often, but I like how small it is. Honest John's, you are honestly the bomb dot com.
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Review from Kristin G.
Royal Oak, MI
I liked Honest John's immediately, the carved wood around the bar, the no nonsense feeling of the place. It was all so welcoming. So casual.
So, I wanted a tasty burger before going to a show at the Magic Stick. I got the whopping half pound burger on an onion roll (an additional $1 and well worth the extra cost) with provolone. It was cooked just right and piled high with fresh toppings of onion, lettuce, tomato and pickles. I had one of those bun disappears quicker than the burger things and ended up with quite the mess. But a delicious mess none-the-less. Burger lovers, are you listening? This place knows how to make 'em! I personally would have opted for a 1/4 lb, but that is really my only complaint. The quality and the taste was definitely there.
In addition to the delicious juicy burgers, my buddies and I split two types of fries both sweet potato and regular. Their regular fries are really good! They keep the skin on, which I personally love but they're nice and thin and long and crispy. Just delicious. That paired with a nice cool Oberon and you've won my love.
Thanks Honest Johns, for an honestly great burger experience. Next time, Breakfast!Listed in: Experience Detroit, Watering Holes
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Review from Ryan L.
Fancy Breakfast Thursday was at Honest John's in Detroit and included Jeffrey B., Pinecone and SGS John P. This was a nice FBT because we went back into the City, tried a new place and had a great time. I just saw that Lisa C. lives right across the street! I wish I would have known I would have invited her. Alas....
The Honest John's breakfast menu isn't huge but they have some interesting omelettes and chicken & waffles. I tried the Ruben Omelette which had corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss and thousand island. I was a little skeptical about the dressing but I braved it. I thought the omelette was delicious. It was full of corned beef and cheese and then flavored well with the dressing and kraut. The toast was delicious. The hash browns weren't special, but were good.
According to John P, they made a good Bloody Mary, the right balance of vodka and spice. I got coffee and it was decent "diner" coffee. The best part is that it was only $1.00 for a bottomless cup. You rarely see that anymore, and certainly not at fancy brunch spots.
Our server was nice and attentive. She was clearly tired and didn't joke around with us as we're used to. We're a fun group and she wasn't up for all the humor. I figured she had to work the night before and was just exhausted. I would be too.
In addition, there is a jukebox with a lot of motown. There is a pool table.
Valerie G Bathroom Review: Valerie, check out the photos I took. The bathroom is impressive completely covered in graffiti. It's really done in a fun tasteful way so it's pretty cool. The bathroom was clean enough for a bar. There were no paper towels in the dispenser.Listed in: Best Breakfasts, Fancy Breakfast Thursday
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Review from Jessica C.
Ferndale, MI
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really liked this place, I've only been there on a Sunday afternoon but their prices are good, the veggie black bean burger that I had was delicious and the bartender was really nice, it was a really good time
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Review from Jeffrey B.
Oak Park, MI
5/14/2010
When the debate of this weeks Fancy Breakfast Thursday came about this week, we decided to explore new territory and kick it in the D. Having read favorable reviews and hearing good things about Honest John's we decided we would give it a go. It naturally didn't take that long to get down town and street parking was more than prevalent.
Walking into the restaurant was already exciting by their usage of saloon doors at the end of the air-lock--fabulous. We were seated and introduced to our rather dour waitress and then I was nothing but distracted by the glowing beauty in the corner. I quickly rifled through the many receipts in my wallet and found a dollar so I could play some morning music on the jukebox which had such a pleasant and random variety of offerings. I opted for The Fifth Dimension's Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side, Etta James' Stormy Weather, Tina Turner's We Don't Need Another Hero, and the Beatles' Octopus' Garden (I'm a sucker for Ringo).
With mood music selected I was able to turn my attention to the menu which was huge and had a lot of tempting possibilities. I, like the creature of habit I am, ordered an omelet with spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, and feta cheese. Served with hash-browns and toast, the meal was huge. Everything was heated properly and all the vegetables tasted nothing but fresh. The coffee was also quite pleasant and was only a dollar! Their omelet construction looks like they concentrate on the egg layer and then add the magic stuffings. I swear that the egg layer was about half an inch thick; I was seriously full after breakfast.
Another point of whimsy is their use of neon. I love that they have a large sign stating a lesson that everyone should know: Men Lie. The bathroom was quite "colorful" and reminded me of a scene of Candyman. Our SGS John pointed out some of the thoughtful prose on the walls.
I loved my breakfast and would be quite eager to go back and try more of their fare. I would hope that next time our server might be a little bright eyed and bushy tailed but we can't have it all. . .
Also, their bar is huge and fabulous, like physically. And their pool table has purple felt.
Note: I loved checking Smoking: No. Tee-hee! As well, the menu says they can't do separate checks and there's a minimum for using a credit card. Our waitress did rebel against policies so despite her cloudy demeanor.Listed in: Fancy Breakfast Thursday, Distinctly Detroit.
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Review from Barry W.
4/15/2009
*** my Cass Corridor fave ... i wish it was still a dive! ***
i do enjoy Honest John's. i first became a fan years ago.
when it was located on E. Jefferson across from Belle Isle.
it was a dive then, very comfy dive, perfect for drinks anytime.
the new location here is comfy too, but with a very different vibe.
its original edge is lost, replaced by more space and furnishings.
i suppose this can be attributed to the WSU students living nearby.
i always see more students and far less professionals in this spot.
most notably about HJ's is their annual fundraiser in the winter.
volunteers strip/dress-up and jump into the Detroit River for fun.
why? they take donations for their craziness to benefit charity. ;)
*** now HJ is more of an eatery, less a bar, but i dig it nonetheless. ***Listed in: Dig'n Detroit?
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Review from Kelley W.
Farmington, MI
4/14/2009 ROTD 4/14/2010
We went to Honest John's before Tigers Opening Day on April 10. It was a Friday around 9:30am and the place was pretty full. The beer list included local favs and a variety of other options! I personally enjoyed the spicy bloody mary. Coffee was great for a diner/bar restaurant. The waitress told us they used Cadillac Coffee Co.
The service was friendly and funny. Our waitress was prompt with greeting, drink refills and checking in. The breakfast menu was small but offered a nice variety of options. I opted for the Poor Richard omelet (mushrooms, bacon, spinach, swiss) and my friends went with the regular breakfast special, make your own omelet and a breakfast sandwich. I really enjoyed my omelet and would rate it among one of the best I've had in a while. Everyone else was very satisfied with their food.
The pricing was appropriate for what they were offering. We stayed around long enough that they switched to the lunch menu which was much larger and had a lot of great sounding options. They actually serve food until 2am which would be great after a night out!
I wouldn't have known about this place if not for Yelp! I'm so grateful to have found it and plan on going back many many times! -
Review from Michelle I.
Farmington, MI
2/14/2011
I always feel like I have to preface my one-star reviews. Maybe I'm too nice or maybe I feel bad giving such a crappy rating to a business where I know someone has poured their lifeblood into. The experience has to be really bad to warrant a single, lonely star....I either have to find hair in the food, be treated like shit, or never want to return, to feel completely comfortable to shame a business with a one-star review.
Unfortunately, I experienced all three of the aforementioned no-no's when brunching at Honest John's this past weekend.
Party of Five....we had to wait for a while for a booth. That's cool, its to be expected on a Sunday morning. We secure a booth, got menus and begin the deciding process. The breakfast menu looks fantastic! I do love a good breakfast...and this place had plenty to choose from.
Waitress comes by, "ummmm, what do you want to drink?" in the "hello-I-hate-you-because-I-have-to-help-you" tone. Coffee and waters all around. OJ for a friend, Crown for another and a Bloody Mary for me.
Same tone when it was time to order. Dining mate asks for no balsamic on his usual vegetarian sandwich selection. She tells him that they don't have balsamic, so he said no brown stuff that they put on the sandwich. "Do you mean hummus? that's brown, but it doesn't come on the sandwich" He clearly says no, he knows it not hummus on the sandwich, its a brown liquid and he doesn't want it on the 'wich. Whatever the debated condiment is, he doesn't want it...why argue with him and pretty much act like he's the idiot because he doesn't know the difference between balsamic and hummus. And guess what? His f'ing sandwich comes out with the balsamic that she claimed that they didn't have. He sends it back. Boyfriend's food comes out cold and with toast that is still bread. He sends it back but only after she snarkingly says, "what do you want to me to do with this?" My egg white omelet still looks runny and undercooked and I find corned beef in it (big no-no for me since I'm a non-beef eater). I send it back. Boyfriend's comes back out, but this time with a hair in it...its sent back again and taken off the bill. Mine never comes out, and at this point the rest of the table is done eating except the sandwich friend who just wanted this to go because he was D-O-N-E. Where is my food, I question. We get a bitchy response that the kitchen is really busy. Too bad, take it off the bill. At that point it was an hour and some after we ordered and I was D-O-N-E as well.
During this whole fiasco, coffees were refilled at the same rate that a blue moon occurs, waters were left empty, no updates were offered on our food (ie, I'm sorry, it'll be up in a minute...); instead our waitress stood at the bar and chatted while the other waitresses were busting their asses on the floor and actually earning their well-deserved 20%.
Honestly, Honest John's, I have never felt so unwelcome, so unappreciated as a customer, such an inconvenience as I did that fateful Sunday morning. I seriously feel like our table was a huge annoyance to her from start to end with nothing to trigger it except for us actually having the gall to walk into the restaurant and choose her section.
One bright note...the drinks. I had the perfect bloody mary, spicy and strong. So I will be back for drinks (and my rating will hopefully be updated and improved). I may try brunch again if I feel like I'm in a self-mutilating mood and I will hope for, pray for and expect a server who actually feels like acting a like a normal human being that will change my tainted outlook on this supposed Detroit legend. -
Review from Dave H.
Berkley, MI
2/2/2009 ROTD 4/2/2009
Honest John's is a staple neighborhood Detroit bar. HJ's has everything you need in a really great bar - high back booths for privacy and long tables for big groups; a pool table; eclectic owner who is entertaining and always happy to share his opinion; great grub, including a terrific breakfast menu; outstanding jukebox with the best selection of old school R&B and blues in town; plus they do a lot of unique community events to raise money for charities!
Oh, yeah, can't forget that they also carry a great selection of beers and liquor including local beers, local wines, and even the cheap beer you'd expect (strohs, pabst, even 40's of black label) in a neighborhood bar.
It can get pretty packed on a saturday night, but it never seems to get so busy that you can't find a chair. -
Review from Lisa C.
Detroit, MI
1/31/2010
I live across the street from HoJo's and really recommend breakfast, which goes until noon Monday-Friday, and until 3pm on weekends. They have turkey sausage which is a rare and lovely surprise for us non-pork munchers. I don't understand why everyone loves the burgers here; I've had better for cheaper in the same neighborhood. However, HJ's has a great wait/bar staff that are attentive, friendly, and don't rat you out to your date for being at the same table two nights prior with a different date. If you want your money's worth, stick to the specialty drinks menu. The ladies' room is a wreck; tons of graffiti, drafty, and cockroach traps in plain sight. Yet, there is something to seeing some dumb quip you so wittily scribbled in the stall a year prior untouched.
I don't usually come here in the evenings, as the night attracts a different crowd of 30+ adults in small groups...But it's usually pretty quiet all the same. Come during the day when it's dead and hog the Wi-Fi and talk to the pretty waitresses. The jukebox is free (last time I checked anyway) early in the afternoon, so play some Prince and do your homework/taxes/excessive Yelping at Honest John?s. -
Review from Aric M.
Detroit, MI
9/20/2010
I'd say this is the best sporty bar in Midtown. But I don't go for the sports.
I like there decent vegetarian selection. Veggie burgers are great, and so is the pocket-o-joy pita. The fries are also amazing, I love how small they are and they give so many I can hardly eat them all.
This is also the best place in the city to get vegan or vegetarian chilly fries.
The extremely long booths are perfect for a large group, and they serve food till 2:00 AM every day so this is a good place to go after a show, or game or movie or whatever you are into.
Also, the memorabilia is pretty cool, they have a neon "MEN LIE" sign that is pretty funny.
Don't judge this place by it's block... which it is the only inhabitant. Honest ? Johns brings life and good food to this little section of midtown. -
Review from Christine R.
Northville, MI
12/1/2008
For what it is, Honest Johns ROCKS! I know I have a lot of people with me on this, especially those of us who work at the DMC and sometimes need a 7am beer (after working all night, not before a day shift). They have an interesting variety of on tap beer and a great selection of bottled. I am happy to report that the food is also quite good! I have been there for lunch and breakfast and have always left happy. The service is great, John make frequent appearances and has been known to make sure your beer glass does not run dry. Even interim mayor, Ken Cochrel Jr. stopped by for a minute to show his face around town last time I was there.
The atmosphere of Honest Johns is great. This place is simple, unassuming, and you just have to take it for what it is: a great place to kick back, enjoy some food and beer, and hang out with friends. Sobriety sucks.... :) -
Review from drew k.
Detroit, MI
Updated - 4/27/2011
I sitll think it's overpriced and that most of the menu is garbage. A friend recently turned me on to the black bean burger veggie pita. Pretty tight late night hook up. Still not a fan outside of the service, breakfast and the juke box. Maybe one day hj's will win me over.
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3/31/2011
the only reason i eat here is because it's the only food after midnight in the city that isn't… Read more »
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Review from Natalie M.
Ferndale, MI
8/15/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I had the hottest, freshest French Fries and fried catfish sandwich with cajun aioli here the other night, and it was fabulous. They also serve 40 ounces of Black Label. CAN'T GO WRONG.
Though I know they're known for their veggie fare, next time I'm trying the Chicken and Waffles.
Lots of great G.W.Bush graffiti in the girls bathroom and a few numbers for a good time. Love the Honest John's tagline, too... "Sobriety sucks." -
Review from Haroun K.
Updated - 4/8/2011
I appreciate this place a whole lot more after lunch today. After working a graveyard shift with nothing much to eat, I was super hungry for something with cheese and grease. At 11 a.m. it was full of Tigers fans and a great vibe. The veggie eastsider sandwich was pretty tasty, as were the fries. Service was friendly. So, I probably won't be brunching here, but I will be back, I'm sure.
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3/27/2011
Honest John's Had been on my to-try list for a while. There was quite a booming Sunday brunch… Read more »
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Review from Kelly B.
Detroit, MI
3/6/2009
I LOVE Honest?John's! It's a great place any time of the day. They always have a few local seasonals on tap, as well as awesome food any time of the day. It's a great place for night-shifters to grab some delish beer and breakfast.
Lunch time get a little busy. The food and service is great (not bar food at all, at least for the most part!) but the kitchen is smaller than the bathrooms so when it's crowded you'll have to wait a bit for your order (usually no more than 15 minutes, so not a big deal at all!)
I frequently recommend this place to friends and love to hang there myself. The prices are reasonable, the food is amazing and the crowd is one of a kind. Also, they are very active in the community sponsoring multiple charity events every year. I think that their new motto should be "drink for a cause" ;) -
Review from Cecilia P.
Detroit, MI
9/14/2010 ROTD 12/10/2010
We've had many a weekend morning, started with good intentions of being productive, totally waylaid by a breakfast at Honest John's. The breakfast is pretty standard, certainly better than a Denny's and fairly inexpensive. And oh - if you have cocktails with breakfast on the weekend it's brunch. It's totally respectable. And look - there all these other people doing it to. It's practically expected! I generally get the standard breakfast and A. gets the eggs and hash. It isn't the most gourmet of mornings, but it's a good cozy feeling brunch that basically makes you want to go right back to bed and take a nice nap- and oh wait, you can - it's Saturday!
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Review from megan t.
Oakland, CA
6/28/2006
I live across the street from honest john's, and while john seems to be a lovely man, i swear they just bumped up their prices. I understand it's a business and these things happen, but i am a grumpy little girl and fear change. Aside from this, it's bar food, and the grilled cheese is not worth $7 in my mind.
While the mixed drinks are weak and also overpriced, they sell forties in the bottle, which will forever retain a warm spot in my otherwise cold, lifeless heart. -
Review from Linda T.
Oakland, CA
3/26/2007
I used to go here every once in a while for liver rounds with coworkers when it was located on Jefferson near Belle Isle. It was one of the few places we could actually walk to from work.
It was basically a dive. I don't think I ever ate there, just had a couple of drinks. But some good times with coworkers--work hard & party hard...quite the bonding experiences.
I think there also was some sort of Polar Bear club type of thing where people go running into the water in the middle of winter...eeek, not for me! Not to mention, if the body of water used was the Detroit River, bleh! -
Review from Duke A.
Detroit, MI
3/19/2007
Good bar and good bar food (hamburgers, etc.). I usually come here for Sunday breakfast, and it provides good hangover cure.
The jukebox has a lot of good soul music.
