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It has been a while since my last review (wow, I feel like I'm at saying confession) and since today was the first day I've made a ROTD I felt obligated to write another review. I'm shocked I haven't reviewed James Joyce since I've been to this local pub more times than I can count.
What continues to surprise me about J.J. is the excellent menu options that range from your traditional Irish pub fare...fish and chips to healthier options like salmon and salads.
The beer selection is decent. The waitstaff has been consistently nice. Even better, they have all you can eat crab legs on Sundays, and really how can you go wrong with that.
Overall, I'm a fan of James Joyce and recommend others stop by if you've never been.
I'm always impressed with my experience at the James Joyce Pub. While it's a trek to it's location in Avondale Estates from my midtown abode, I'm always ready and willing. The bar tenders are great, and always remember me and my usual guest. The food is good and comes out quickly, and they have great drink prices and a decent selection of beers and booze. It's never really busy, and the crowd is mixed, with college kids, elderly people, and those that you'd find off the street.
I highly recommend the James Joyce Pub in Avondale Estates! Get a beer and some food and enjoy good friends and fun!
"We couldn't remember the name, but remember the Irish theme and location." --Jim S.
It's because of this general attitude of ignorance that I was so terribly disappointed in the James Joyce Pub. I sat near a portrait of Joyce with a caption that read "James Joyce, Author." Come on, now, people. He wrote Ulysses, Dubliners, many many other things. Ring a bell, anyone? Yet the folks at this pub cater to a clientele who doesn't even know who Joyce is. The ceilings are way too high to feel anything like an Irish pub, and their logo is a ridiculous penciled caricature of the serious, thoughtful writer wearing what appears to be a cowboy hat. Not only this, but the night I went, there was some sort of pirate convention that was allowed to take over the entire bar/patio/restaurant area. Some pirate man came up and plopped a half-eaten piece of cake on our table, offering it to us and claiming that there were no germs on it. If Joyce had the power to strike down a person with lightning I'm sure he would've used it at that moment.
Besides the abomination of naming a pub after Joyce and failing to honor him in any way that's even vaguely appropriate, the service was very slow and worse, the waiter was unapologetic about it. Hey, I'm a waitress. If you are up front with me and let me know the kitchen's backed up with corned beef orders for a hundred pirates and wenches, I will understand. But when you don't even drop by except to run my beer and to drop off the check (somebody ELSE ran our food and got the condiments we had requested from our waiter), I'm going to be irritable. Just a tad.
It just goes to show how much goes into a restaurant besides just the food, which wasn't bad at all.
Food is pretty good for pub grub. I grew up on English food and probably have the best Fish and Chips in Atlanta. I also like the Sheppard's Pie and have heard the Club is good. Thursday I think is Trivia night so if that is not your thing try it on another night.
One of the best brunches in Atlanta! This place is awesome.
Their pancakes with pistachio cream cheese are to die for, and the special of two breakfasts and a pitcher of mimosas or bloody Mary's for $25 is just too awesome to resist.
The waiter was awesome, fast, and extremely nice.
I will DEFINITELY be going back here for brunch in the future.
This place has kind of gone downhill in the past year or so -- especially when it comes to service. We tried to have lunch there today... after getting menus and silverware, we sat for about 10 minutes waiting for someone to take a drink order and finally just left. Past two times I've been there I've had similar experiences. A friend of mine went recently and everyone in her group ended up with a random $100 charge on their credit cards. Too bad, because the food is decent -- I particularly like the pistachio-crusted salmon and the "Encounter" appetizer. Not sure we'll be back anytime soon.
Very refreshing! After a bad experience at another restaurant earlier that evening, we decided to drive out to Avondale to try this place that we've seen advertised. We couldn't remember the name, but remember the Irish theme and location.
It was easy to find and very welcoming.
The service (we sat in the bar area) was very attentive and warming. Like most pubs, it was not smoky or nasty mop-water smellling. It was cozy, cool, and roomy.
The food was adequate. For bar fare, it was a step up. Nice menu, decent prices, and great beer selection.
Thanks!
Naturally, the James Joyce was my first stop after I became settled into my new place. A sign advertising trivia gets me every time...
I enjoy the atmosphere - the interior is handsome, and while I have seen children there they've never outnumbered even the group I was with.
The service is only speedy if the pub itself is hopping, and that was on Thursday trivia night.
I've been four other times and the service was unnecessarily slow.
I'm a fan of most of their food. I was a jerk I suppose and ordered a grilled cheese sandwich off the kids menu one night and it was terrible. I feel it is kind of hard to screw up a grilled cheese sandwich - but they didn't even melt the cheese...
Overall it is so close & the atmosphere is nice for catching up.
I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure this is a sister restaurant/bar of Brewhouse Café in L5P. If that is true, then it is a homely Irish stepsister. The places have kind of a similar feel, but Brewhouse is better. Not bad, but I would never go here unless I was already right in Avondale.
2.5
I am a fan of Irish pubs and this one is pretty good. Of course, there was Guinness on tap. However, being new to the area and not knowing anyone, it is sometimes intimidating to go into a place that you are unfamiliar with. I'm happy to say that the bartender introduced himself and I got into a conversation with a couple of the patrons there. Oh, and the wings were good, too.
It is a nice unpretentious and friendly place with a decent menu. I will be going back.
Mr. Ivan S. ate with relish the eggs and sausage made of beasts and fowls. He liked the potatoes and the soda bread. Most of all, he liked the bacon, which gave his palate a taste of smokiness and the scent of cooked pork. The baked beans, however, tasted as from a can.
Beer was in his mind as he moved about the pub softly, righting his brunch things on the humpy table. He toyed with Smithwicks, but followed the traditional path of Guinness as the air swirled out of doors gentle summer afternoon everywhere. Made him feel a bit peckish.
Another slice of bread and butter: three, four: right. Another pull from his pint and his head set sideways watching the soccer match on the flatscreen. A young lady nearby purred mewed softly. Mr. S. watched curiously, kindly at the lithe form. He moved to buy her a drink. "Milk for pussens," he thought, but then thought twice. Mr. S. examined the space surrounding him. Dark woods, pictures of a peculiar fellow named Joyce, and a Golden Tee machine rounded out the authenticity of this Irish pub. Well done space, Mr. S. thought. Where was the dart board? He glanced round him. No.
He sought to pay the man with the trays. He had eaten and drank with his friends and enjoyed their conversation:
-A good day to you!
-Lovely weather sir!
-Tis all that.
He dug into his pocket, ten, fifteen pence perhaps, instead drawing out his credit card. The man with the trays tendered his card, smiling broadly. And Mr. S took his card from the man and, fingering his car keys, proceeded to the remainder of his day. The day had bloomed forth and he stepped forward into the sun.
In the wake of all the newly sprouted "gastro pubs' , I would like to clarify that this is just a pub. Pubs are fantastic little watering holes with a variety of drinks and food. Hopefully with a nice comfortable place to enjoy both.
JJ's is exactly that. The menu offers a variety of tasty morsels to fill your gullet and a surprising array of unexpected libations.
I particularly enjoy the patio in summer. It is usually the least crowded outdoor grub spot in the ITP. Now that I've said that it won't be for long.
I've tried most of the dining options. And thoroughly enjoyed everything that I've tried so far. I recommend the fish and chips, it is an Irish pub after all. And for a lighter option, the salmon salad is outstanding.
Surprisingly they offer Tiki drinks as well. I am a huge fan of umbrella topped girlie drinks. And they even have a Scorpion Bowl. A half gallon of frothy pink flaming booze, is my idea of fun. So these buggers disappear with me around.
The only downside is that the patio attracts a varied crowd. Including those who drag their kids everywhere they go. So, some days there is a contingent of crumb snatchers on hand. With their parents giving the stink eye to anyone smoking or being raucous. It's a bar, don't bring your ankle biters. Adults go to bars to drink, smoke and cuss. Just saying.
Overall JJ's is easy going , cool place to grab a bite or just hang on the patio and catch a buzz. Good times.
I love the James Joyce! 99 times out of 100 the service is awesome and the food is great. I highly recommend the Bangers and Mash. The Sheapherd's Pie isn't what most people would expect so it's disappointing if you don't know that...but if you're not expecting baked mashed potatoes over Irish Stew then it's pretty tastey. Fish and Chip are awesome as are their burgers. We have our Burlesque Meet-up there the first Wed of the month and they're very accomidating and willing to seperate checks wish is awesome! I do not recommend this place for kids even though people bring their kids there all the time. Maybe during lunch, but at the end of the day it's a full bar that allows smoking after 9pm, it's for adults in the evenings.
I love to grab a pint of Strongbow at James Joyce. I can walk there, so we go there all the time.
Can't hardly eat there, though. I keep forgetting that, and each time I wish I hadn't.
BUT the service is great: personable and great at remembering regulars' preferences. Fireplaces outside rock.
Nice joint. Seemed to have a great selection of wines and beers. Some TV's, but not in your face.
Just hung out with some friends, and had a good time. The wait staff was nice and took care of us well.
James Joyce Pub is a quaint little pub in Avondale Estates. They have a fantastic patio which is great during the Spring and Fall.
Service is attentive. The menu offers good pub fare and even some higher end choices (grilled salmon and risotto). I love a place that offers tots (tater not children) and JJ offers this as a side instead of fries. Their tap menu is excellent.
This is a great place for brunch, trivia, lunch, dinner - anytime.
I don't like the word "gastropub", but I can't think of anything better to call it. The corned beef is usually good, and the shepherd's pie is tasty as well. Other favorites: bangers & mash and fish & chips. They have trivia nights and occaisional music if you're looking for more than dinner. Service is typically good, but is sometimes lacking.
Nice light smokey Pub.. the place had descent music, ample seating, and some loud boysterous locals. waiter service was descent.. but it's not a very memorable place.. The inside looks like a chain restaurant..
Better than average bar food! And if you are hungry at midnight, this is a good choice, since Atlanta seems to be limited on late night eateries..... I love their soysage bangers and mash!
Friendly service, a fantastic beer selection, good hearty pub fare and a nice atmosphere. I love that they have an outside patio with a fireplace. It's an easy, go-to place if you're in the mood for all of the above.
There's 4 grubber items that I seek endlessly and tirelessly for...and they are buffalo wings, nyc 'ZA, phility cheezsteak and fish n chips. I went not too long ago to J.J.'s to sample their fishy chips. I heard good things from grubbers but until I actually put in my piehole, I can only dream about it. I like this place, been there a few times. The atmosphere and beer selection are nice. The menu is standard "Irish" pub grub with many items that tries too hard for a pub...it's like a redheaded step child. Some dishes just don't belong on a pub menu. But let's talk turkey...fish in this case. The standard fish n chips is cod and really only should be cod. JJ's uses haddock, not a bad substitute but it really has to be done right. The plate came out and right away I look at that piece of fried thing. It was longer than the plate. I poked at it and it was as limp as Bob Dole's right hand. I like smaller pieces of fish b/c it will cook correctly inside and hold it's crispy outside. This thing could be a replacement handle for a hammer! The fish wasn't bad, it just wasn't cooked fully from head to tail. Some really crispy dry parts to wet n mushy parts. The "chips" were your standard fries.
I would like to try the bangers n mash, shepherd's pie and fried yardbird. I don't get gyros at Irish pubs. The Irish and Greeks aren't exactly the bosum buddies, more like Oscar and Felix. The gyros tend to be dry and chewy and without flavor...blah.
Overall, I still like it for what it is...a place to drink and nibble.
Decatur, GA
Category: Pubs
Decatur, GA
Category: Restaurants
Smyrna, GA
Category: American (Traditional)
Atlanta, GA
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Inman Park
Category: Restaurants
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