Joe’s American Bar & Grill

Reviews

• Alexandra S.

  star star star star star_border 3 June 2026

  A few weeks ago I had a ticket to attend a book signing event on Newbury Street.  I was going to the event right after work and the timing was such that I had about an hour to kill before it started.  I decided to pop into Joe's for a glass of wine and a nibble while I waited.  Even though this was right around 5pm, the place was packed!  
  
  I was still able to snag a seat at the bar. A helpful bartender came by in short order and allowed me a taste of a particular Chardonnay I was considering before I committed to a full glass. I always appreciate that touch.
  The menu was offered and I decided on an order of fish tacos. I love fish tacos and because I don't make them at home, I almost always will order them when I see them on a menu.
  
  When they arrived I found two lovely soft tacos heavily filled with beautifully battered and fried pieces of cod dressed with slaw and spicy salsa.  Given that Joe's is a big national chain I didn't have particularly high expectations but I was most pleasantly surprised. The tacos were really quite good. The Chardonnay was delicious and slightly oaky which is how I like it.
  The other patrons sitting at the bar were overall a friendly bunch and I struck up an amiable conversation with the couple sitting nearest to me and when the bartender had a moment to spare here and there, she joined in too.
  
  Years ago this same space which is on a busy stretch of Newbury, was home to TGIFridays. The space is identical to the way it looked back then. It's remarkable that so little has changed.  I used to come here more than 30 years ago when I had first moved to Boston to attend graduate school.   I have such fond memories of going to that Fridays with grad school friends at the end of classes on well...Fridays!  My go-to drink during those Friday soirees was a Long Island Iced Tea (god help me) and TGIFridays made a darn good one.  I don't know if Joe's has one of those heavy-hitter drinks on their menu now.  I should have checked and maybe ordered one for old times sake.
   
  But even though a different chain has taken over this spot, I was encouraged by my visit which brought back some of the same good vibes I used to get back in the day.  
  I really enjoyed those fish tacos, that lovely, cold Chardonnay, the company of friendly strangers and the sunlight, fresh air and street noises that were coming through those big inviting front glass door-windows  which were wide open to a beautiful spring evening in Boston.
  All was well with the world.

• Lucy S.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  I would give 0 stars if I could. Only really three Vegan options. Waitress didn't really know the menu.
  My husband subbed out the steak burger for a veggie patty burger- it still cost the original steak burger price.
  I ordered the black bean tacos. Mashed black bean and mashed avocados on top. Chef wasn't very creative with this dish.
  Waitress came over and just dropped our check. Didn't ask for we wanted another drink or anything else. In addition, she dropped the check before bussing the table.
  Not a very good experience with the food and service.

• Taylor H.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  A few weeks ago I went to Joe's with a friend of mine to grab some dinner and some drinks.  We were expecting another friend to show up so we saved him a seat.  After a few minutes at the bar, the bar tender rudely tells us to move over so we can open up two stools together for a couple who just got there.  It wasn't a request, he just barked at us "move over so these people can sit down."  So not only did we loose the seat, no discussion, but we were treated incredibly rudely by the bar tender.  I totally understand if they didn't want us saving a seat at the bar, but there are ways to handle it, and this isn't one of them.
  
  I've been to the restaurant part of the establishment in the past and had no problems.  Seems like the head bartender has a chip on his shoulder.
  
  Learn some communication skills, dude.

• Mary N.

  star star star star star_border 18 May 2026

  Local go to spot in our hood with good amount of space and two bars to serve you while you wait. Always able to strike up a fun conversation with locals at the bar and folks are always happy and in a good mood!! My husband always orders the ribs ( half rack) and I switch it up a bit. The Lobster roll in a grilled buttered bun is awesome and the black bean tacos are tasty too. The summer fish - blackened mahi mahi is way too spicy ( and I like a lot of spice )FYI - we love Brussel sprouts but the appetizer we ordered tasted more like dessert - way too sweet for our liking so keep that in mind.  Service is overall ok - not exceptional but like all places it depends on who you get!

• Shannon B.

  star star star star star_border 7 May 2026

  Came in here and sat at the bar with my husband due to the bench seats being tight and immovable. Our bartender/server was attentive and took care in getting us great drinks and food in a timely fashion. The corned beef hash I had wasn't the best (needed salt and pepper), but it was from scratch and not greasy. This restaurant boasts all items are made from scratch, and you can tell. The water offered is bottled seltzer, which I know is not for everyone.