Bar Louie

Slow service, takes over ten minutes to get a refill, food is just okay, and drinks are the only thing they have going for them.

Passing through town, we choose to eat here. I have been to one in Milwaukee expecting average bar fare and was blown away by there awesome food. This location was a total let down. I got the veggie wrap. It was average to gross and overpriced. We also ordered a Lagunitas, which one bartender brought us. It was nicely poured with a thick head. No problem. Before I had time to smell the hops another bartender whisked it away to put it in a smaller glass, loosing the head, wasting the beer, and ruining the pour.

Love this place! Cozy atmosphere, good drinks, and great food. We’ve had the same waiter a couple of times and he is very nice and attentive.

I stand by my first review but can no longer rate it the same due to the change in management that is just running a muck. I had the most antisocial bartender and the service just seemed like I was bothering them ordering. I hope the other Bar Louie’s around do not have the same type of management it’s a shame

I love there burger specials on a certain week day. I also love their martinis, great place to just hang out and grab a drink. Not expensive at all, great staff.

This is a nice place to chill.
We stopped in just to sit back, chat and relax. Our midnight arrival caused us to miss the band, who looked very old-​school cool. Things were just starting to wind down; there was a balanced assortment of youngsters and the older crowd. One table boasted a group of loud cowboys (complete with hats) while the table right next to them held some smooth city chicks, fancy hair and nails and all. I think they cater to everyone.
Service was laid-​back, yet attentive.
If cocktails are your thing, they had an interesting assortment – with the word «Bar» in the name, I guess they’d have to, right?

On Thursday, May 28, 2015. I along with my friends experienced racism at the hands of the general manager Lester Young. At a long bar table that seated 12 four Caucasian middle aged women where seated. My party of sat at the opposite end of the table. We are African American, middle aged and educated ourselves. Clearly, there was an appropriate distance. Waitstaff and the other manager were dressed in black. Mr. Young was not. In fact, he looked like a customer. So when he came over and said to us, «Come with me!» He was stern. I asked why. He said because we where sitting at «their» table in the bar area. He tried to seat us in the restaurant thus moving us out of the bar section. Note that we had no interaction with the other party. None. We opted for another area in the bar which he grudgingly obliged.
One of my friends frequents Bar Louis noted that when that table is reserved there usually is a sign – there wasn’t. We were there several hours.
After putting all this together I spoke to Mr. Young and told him that this was a case of obvious racism because he ordered us to another table. He said it was policy. I told him that was doubtful because he would have explained that fact in our initial interaction. I’m hard pressed to believe the Bar Louis has a corporate policy of racism and discrimination. Then he offered an insincere apology «I’m sorry YOU feel that way» which I refused. I told him that I would contact Unilocal and the Bar Louis’ corporate offices. We spoke to the other manager on duty who was appropriately dressed. Reluctantly, she gave us Bar Louis’ corporate information.
The food and the drinks were acceptable. Our waiter Brittney was exceptional. She had nothing to do with the incident. She was professional and friendly. However, Mr. Young could use anti-​discrimination education. In the end it will hurt their business as the population of Merrillville, IN is multicultural and multiracial. This was the first and last time I will go to Bar Louis.

Service is excellent. I had the bonless wings as an appetizer. Wow! Great light breading and good size portio. Tasted and looked homemade. Had the tuna sandwich for dinner and it was very good. They have outside seating, and are surprisigly good for kids.
I would put the band somewhere else, to loud for the outside seating people to have a conversation. Had to move tables.

Loaded fries and Bloody Mary’s are delicious! Hamburgers and tortilla soup were gourmet and perfectly plated.

I went here to grab a quick bite with a coworker one night. This place is a joke. We waited forever for someone to come over. There were 2 bartenders and it was dead! We had to flag someone over to order every single time we needed something!
I know there isn’t a ton in the immediate area, but there are better options than this. I would never come back here. The food is salty and small portions for the price too. They at least need to hire good bartenders if they are going to continue serving that.

I have enjoyed other Bar Louie locations South Bend, In and Chicago. This however was just awful. Walked in at 2:00 pm to watch the Notre Dame bowl game. It was on most of the tvs. Waited far too long to be acknowledged considering there were maybe 6 people in the entire place. When the very surly bartender did come back it was like we interrupted her nap. Ordered a bottle of beer and a Guinness. Maybe it was her first day, but she should be taught that pooring a Guinness is not like other beers. Asked if the sound for the game could be turned on and was told she couldnt and the music had to stay on. Music wanst exactly my taste but was WAY TOO LOUD.
We were hungry but due to the very rude, slow, untrained bartender and loud music we left.
We did eat elsewhere and the two other people at the bar showed up there as well!
Just wanted a few beers, a bite to eat and catch the game. Sad since the menu looked good and is a cute place.
Tough enough to be in business but when you run out 4 of the 6 customers you have you get one star.

Under normal circumstances, this would be a 3-​star review. However, this is one of those rare cases when I think Unilocal’s rating is way off. 2 stars is very low for a bar with one of the best atmospheres and better food in the area.
The first time we visited, my boyfriend and I shared the pretzels, he got some sort of chicken sandwich, and I got the portabella burger (which much to my shock is actually TWO portabella caps ON a beef burger). The pretzels were amazing. Entrees were pretty good (BF thought his was a bit greasy). Only complaint really was that I asked for tots and they brought me fries, but I didn’t complain since both are delish. Service was attentive and a good experience overall. (I can’t remember what night we came, but the entire bar as half off! #winning)
My BF and I met some friends here a few weeks later for drinks. No food this time, but again service was attentive. A good selection of beers on draft. They accommodated us moving tables about 3 times without any issue.
The last experience was when we got takeout. The club was amaaazing and this time I got my yummy tots on the side :) Boyfriend realized he had received the wrong burger when he got home but still really enjoyed it.
Again, this would normally be 3 stars (would definitely be 4 except for the few wrong-​order mishaps), but I’m just shocked by the 2-​star rating overall. It seems like many people thought this is something besides a bar, but it is a bar and definitely has some of the best bar food in the area. We always had a great service contrary to many other reviews! I likely will not be in the area much anymore, but would recommend to anyone who is and wants a sandwich and beer.

Dined here twice now. First time was with a group to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Good service and the food was pretty yummy.
The next time I was in the area with my family, so I figured I’d take them in to give it a try too. Service was so so this time, but the food was still good.
Not a bad place overall.

The food was delicious! I had the blue louie burger and I was sad to see it go lol!
The service didn’t thrill me or irritate me it was lackluster at best. You could tell they were used to their regulars and not too interested and new or visiting.

We have gone here probably 4 times. Every time we go we either have terrible service of they screw our order up. My husband ordered a drink from the bar and wanted it «neat» and the bartender made it with ice. She didn’t even know that neat means without ice! Our last time there was a couple days ago. We walked in the bar. There were about 10 people here. Sat at the bar for 10 minutes and we were completely ignored. The bartender asked a lady next to me is she had been waited on, she said yes. Looked right at my husband and I and didn’t say a word… ignored us! If u want bad food and service and bartenders who don’t know simple terms… go here! My advice… spend ur money some place else!!! This place is awful!!!

Carryout has been consistently prompt and delish. Always get the potstickers and chop salad with salmon. The salmon is grilled with a perfect buttery crispy outside and juicy inside. The potstickers have that slightly sweet Asian «zing» and well-​done texture (aka Not Slimy). Beautifully arranged and presented, even when To Go. See my pics of each and Enjoy!

Servers are lackadasical and forgot to bring our drinks.
— veggie wrap was unedible and caused our guest to vomit in the restroom
— service again terrible. We were there on Saturday with only 2 other tables. Took over an hour.
— overpriced drinks for the region. $ 9 a cocktail are Chicago prices. Should be $ 7.50 at most.
— I should say more, but I won’t. However… if you are a new establishment make sure everyone is trained and polished and have a sous/​head chef who knows how to cook before you open doors to the local community.
In my opinion do not waste your money. There are much better options nearby.
To the managers: Take these reviews serious and make sure everyone is on their A game everyday. Unilocal is how everyone makes restaurant decisions nowadays. Change now or you’ll be closing the doors soon.

You know, I love the atmosphere and the menu, but I asked if we could do something about the extremely loud music and they told me that «heads up, there’s nothing that can be done.» Don’t get me wrong. I’m a 23 year old, but it’s too loud in here and they haven’t tried to even help us enjoy ourselves by quieting their loud live music.
Make sure you check their schedule.
Also, my friend returned from the bathroom and explained to the table that the employee he saw did not wash his hands. I will not be returning to this establishment.

I went here last night (Saturday night) around 10:30 P.M. with my husband and a friend. Worst experience ever. Where do I even begin…
First, I looked at the drink menu and I tried to order a few beers that were on the menu, a 3 Floyd’s beer and a fat tire. They didn’t have either of those even though it was on their menu. I ordered the macaroni and cheese plate. I’m not even exaggerating when I say I could literally taste the freezer burn. Disgusting. So, if you like good tasty fresh food and good craft beer you will not find it here.
Second, there was a «Dj» there or whatever you want to call him. The sound was absolutely horrible. Very poor sound equipment. Then I had to hear ridiculous music blasting in my ear, I couldn’t even hear my friends talk. Vulgar and raunchy lyrics such as «sweat dropping down my balls» «you make my pee pee go boing» «areolas» «I never seen an ass like that» and the horrible songs continue one after the other. Very inappropriate and annoying. There was about 5 girls from a Bachelorette party dancing to it, they were wasted. The rest of the restaurant cleared out and so did me and my friends. There was only a few people in there when I left. Nobody wants to hear that garbage. This place is trash and is only for trash.
I just wanted to enjoy a nice dinner and have drinks and good conversation with some friends and I guess I didn’t realize what kind of place this was.

Some of these reviews are (for lack of better terms) whack! @ the lady who wanted to throw a party and HAD friends FLY in for a bar louie birthday bash… really? Your quite aware that the entire space wasn’t rented out just for you? and @ the guy whose group of 14, you didn’t want to inform your waitress that everyone needed a separate tab first? And how inconsiderate to want separate checks anyway. People should bring cash to large functions like that! Keep track of what you ordered.
Okay, this wasn’t suppose to be a review about the reviews… but certain UnilocalERS (bam, right in the kisser!!!) :)
Stop in for drinks with a good friend. Popped up on the bar. Got carded. Ordered over-​priced drinks. Laughed. Left a tip. Done. Nothing special. The bartender never smiled. He did say thank you. I’d definitely come back for Wednesday specials one day. Everyone needs a little help on HUMP day.