Original Joe’s Restaurant & Bar

Half price wine on Thursdays. That’s pretty much all you need to know. Gather some friends. Drink several bottles. Be amazed by a $ 20 tab.

I never write reviews but thanks to Original Joe’s I have created a Unilocal account.
My experience at Original Joes was awful. I was with a group of friends celebrating a birthday and we decided to go to Original Joe’s. When we went inside we weren’t greeted, so we decided to find a seat our selves at the very back because it was crowded in the front. Once we seated our selves it took 10 minutes for a server to come. Nichole is her name, she’s very rude and unprofessional. My friends and I decided to order drinks, I ordered a shot, and when I got my shot I noticed about 8 – 10 little bugs in it. I told my server Nichole and she said «it happens».what do you mean it happens?!
By the end of the night, I had to pay for my nasty shot. The manager didn’t even come to see if everything was okay. I was going to order food there but since I got a bug shot I felt the kitchen was probably not up to standard.
The following day I phone the manager and explained what happened. He didn’t care one bit, he said covered my shot (which they did not) and was being very rude on the phone. I explained to him that I’m a Chef and that you should have standards and if you don’t that get out of the industry.
What happened to me was because of laziness. The bartenders probably don’t cover their liquor bottles at the end of the night which results in bug shots.
If you want to see the picture I have posted it. So people eating/​drinking

After walking up and down Stephen ave to find a place to have lunch with my friend we finally decided on Original Joes. We were greeted at the door by our server and the hostess, and picked a table in the dining room.
The server came over with menus as we sat down and immediately asked for our ID’s. My friend is 37 and I’m 28 and neither look underage in any way. I informed her that neither of us would be drinking today and we were just here for some burgers. She insisted on seeing our ID’s and my friend gave the server his, however after searching for mine realized I didn’t have it with me (didn’t think I’d need it to order a burger and potato salad at 1pm on a Wednesday).
At this point we were asked to leave and told we could not be in the restaurant even if we were not drinking and/​or were not sitting on the bar side of the restaurant, unless we had ID with us. I was flabbergasted and we got up and left, hungry and pissed off.
Since when is this the case? I’ve seen many families and younger looking people eating happily in the restaurant side (back end) of original joes, in many cities. To the best of my knowledge this is not a minors prohibited restaurant so even if i was 17 I should have been able to sit down and eat. I can understand asking for ID if i was trying to get a drink or had already been drinking that day, but having to have ID to get a burger in a family restaurant at lunch time is a bit extreme.

Outstanding place, people drinks and fun especially the manager Emma who was so cordial to our group! A must try place!!!

The place was kind of cool and the food was good. Fish Tacos as good as any I have had. However the staff is/​was terrible. Not sure they cared if I was here or not. Too bad, could have been a very fun night. Instead it was just a missed opportunity!!!

I love the patio on 8^th ave, great for people watching. OJ’s has pretty good drink specials, especially the $ 6 2oz mojito on Monday. The food isn’t amazing. My fries were luke warm and the burger was a bit dry (but big!) but the atmosphere here is really nice. My friends meals seemed really good, especially the fish and chips.

It’s been a long time since I left a restaurant before the food I’d ordered arrived because it was taking too long. We waited 45 minutes, after telling the waitress that we had a time consideration. No food — had to be somewhere so we left. During that time no one checked on us. Apparently you’re not an important customer unless you’re drinking (we weren’t).
The manager apologized but made no attempt to do anything when we said we had to leave. Worst service I’ve had at a restaurant in a very long time.

I’ve been to this location and the Marda Loop one several times, so I know what to expect: good social atmosphere, with generally good service, in a well-​kept interior, with casual (and some business) attired guests, and with an availability of a pretty diverse menu with all sorts of typical bar-​themed and healthy-​themed food options.
This particular location is right in the east edge of 8^th Ave on Stephen Avenue mall. Considering how thin the location is (eg– about 15ft across), the interior is surprisingly spacious with the very high ceilings. The service, normally quite good, was excellent — we were never wanting for anything, especially considering how busy it was on a Friday after work.
I had a steak sandwich which, at $ 17 for the 7oz steak with a side dish, was a decent price. All the food was great, though while the meat was a very good quality cut, it was slightly overcooked. After mentioning to the waitress, she knocked it off the final bill even though I’d not asked for nor expected it.
So, overall, a 4 for the food (3 for the steak) and a 4+ for the service and I would happily come here again.

Just barely a 3 if it wasn’t for virtually the server Jody Vance’s look-​alike sister lol, and not just for the eyeglasses.
It’s so so narrow, almost like a long hall but in a way, great for ppl mingling I suppose.
Probably the only quiet spots are right at the front or way deep in the back. Washrooms are a bit of an ordeal, after fighting through the tables, then it’s a flight down the stairs, as well as a low ceiling but I’ll digress again.
Ordered the usual California cobb salad, a sure winner when you need some greens. Didn’t come with as much candied pecans as I’m used to. Avocado very fresh, the highlight.
Amex yes.

Generally speaking Original Joe’s doesn’t really offer anything different in its genre of restaurant, a mid to high end chain restaurant trying to be unique and different from the rest and in most cases failing. When travelling, a place like this is one I generally avoid. Why go some place I can visit back at home? One evening while visiting Calgary my wife and I found ourselves stopping in for a couple drinks and some appetizers. I did not have my hopes up but they were open and it seemed right at the moment. For various chain type restaurants reviews are always difficult, as these places try for some level of standardization while trying to feel unique. Do you review the restaurant as a chain or an individual place. I think there is sometimes room for both, but in this case I honestly felt this location (Stephen Ave) attempted to be different. A credit to management to really create a nice spot with quality drinks, a nice atmosphere and service. The food fits in with their average fair, not amazing but satisfying. Not horrible but you never know you may just crave that favourite dish of theirs from time to time.
The food and drinks were good, I encourage you to decide for yourself. The real treat from this location was indeed the atmosphere and service. It in no way felt like a chain restaurant and really felt like it belonged on Stephen Ave with the other great niche and unique restaurants. Take a visit and decide for yourself but I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

One of the few places on Stephen Ave where you can get a bottle of wine for under $ 40.00. I drop by with work friends and always enjoyed the food. My picks: chicken lettuce wraps, calamari, and Kim Crawford Sauv Blanc. For the price, you can’t do much better in the downtown core.

Had lunch here with a couple of colleagues. Ordered the steak sandwich with sweet potato fries and topped it up with a crème brûlée.
There was no real wow factor to the food. Dining room itself had the rustic vibe and was pretty noisy. Conversations had to be shouted and service was a little slow for lunch period

Is not terrible for drinks. But nothing really awesome… The appetizers are just ok, and the cocktails too… I would prefer to go to any other bar in the area… However, is not the worst place in the city. Is just ok…

I first went to Original Joe’s when I was attending university in Lethbridge. Since then, Original Joe’s has become prevalent in cities across Alberta. I highly suggest it checking it out. The atmosphere is easy-​going, but still polished. It’s not a dive-​bar by any stretch of the imagination.
Back when I used to eat meat, I loved their burgers. Especially with the pasta salad as one of the sides. All sandwiches also come with two sides – with plenty of choices! It’s an awesome deal! I really enjoy the food, and it’s a great place to chill out and enjoy a drink and meal with friends. I’ve never felt rushed to leave, despite sometimes lingering for several hours.

I never think of this place whenever it’s a last minute decision on where to go for lunch. So when my coworkers suggested OJ’s after we’d aimlessly wandered down Stephen Ave, I figured why not.
We snagged the last table and looked over the menu. I went with the fish & chips, one coworker got chicken strips and the other a chicken sandwich. The pieces of halibut that came for mine were HUGE! They were battered nicely and not greasy at all. I even got to try a chicken strip and omg YUM (I’ve actually gone back to OJ’s a few times just for the chicken strips!)
Seating is limited here (the restaurant is really narrow), so if wanna dine here at lunch I’d suggest coming a bit early.

Half price wine on Thursdays, holla! I’ve been two thursdays in a row now… I can buy a bottle of wine for the same price as the liquor store and walk home with half the bottle… or less.
I’ve also had two great waitresses in a row — very friendly, a bit funny and really attentive and helpful.
Food… I enjoyed the cajun chicken burger, and the fish tacos w/​salad. I also tried the market soup — it was exactly Chunky vegetable soup, meh.

been here a few times for drinks/​small eats when im downtown calgary
its a friendly bar with good vibe! it’s chill and all the girls working there seem nice and friendly
they just need to serve mimosas in the early pm :)

Four of us stopped by for dinner on Wednesday evening. We looked at the beverage menu and liked that there only local craft beers available. The beers were offered on a special menu that isn’t available on-​line, so I really don’t remember what we ordered. I tried a raspberry flavored beer that was refreshing and excellent.
We ordered the Mediterranean Short Ribs as an appetizer for the table –it was listed in the menu for $ 10, but was being offered as a $ 5 special tonight. Our dinner order was two of the Saigon Subs ($ 12.50 for «roasted chicken breast, simmered in a hoisin peanut sauce with melted provolone, matchstick carrots, cucumber and chopped cilantro. served on a toasted baguette with chili garlic mayonnaise and sweet soy sauce»), one Pacific Rim Noodle Bowl ($ 13 for «an asian inspired noodle soup; with chicken, prawns and steamed vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth. served with your choice of shanghai or rice noodles»), and for me, a Shanghai Noodle Bowl ($ 14.50 for pan-​seared chicken or prawns and fresh cut veggies, sautéed in a spicy szechuan sauce over steamed shanghai noodles. garnished with chopped cashews and fresh pea shoots”).
It took s while for any of the food to come out, and when the entrees started appearing before the ribs appetizer, we figured something was not right. Our waitress apologized and said she didn’t turn I the ribs order, so we cancelled it.
The food was very good, my friend that ordered the Pacific Rim Noodle Soup loved it, and we were all impressed at the mammoth size of the serving. Every square inch of the Saigon Subs were inhaled. They were served with a choice of two sides, and sides of fries, mango pasta salad, a Caesar salad and roast vegetables also disappeared. My Shanghai Noodle Bowl was very good– six nicely cooked shrimp tossed with noodles, veggies, cashews in a savory sauce.
The atmosphere was fun, maybe a little loud with televisions showing sports all over the room. The service was good, except for the missing appetizer. Our server checked on us a lot, refilled our beverages, and was nice and friendly.

Came here for the first time tonight. It was fairly busy, although there were still tables left here and there. It’s loud inside. Pub loud, but with the live music, almost intolerably loud. I would suggest sticking to the patio (especially when it’s nice out), if you can.
The service is alright. The food is alright. I shared the fish tacos and a Desperados pizza (bbq chicken, onions, three cheeses) with a friend and that was certainly more than enough for both of us.
Overall, it’s your standard fare. Would I come back? If somebody else suggested it, maybe. I hear OJ’s chicken wings are good so likely a wing night sometime in the future.

Just having experienced Charcut #alleyburger. if you don’t know what that is, you should look up Charcut & find out :)…
Needed something to eat, friends were gathering at Original Joe’s, so I met them there.
Interesting place — very long and quite narrow. It was so-​so busy for a late Thursday nite. Staff was quick to help our group get seated and quick to get a drink order in.
For tonite, I just wanted an appetizer and decided on the chicked (sliced think, breaded, served with chili sauze, cucumber & noodlels). It tasted great. Nice size order — reasonablly priced — served quickly. Doesn’t get better than that.
Memorable Thursday nite of a long weekend. Thanks Original Joe’s for helping to end the evening with a great experience. :)