Joe Squared

Joe’s has become another staple when I’m in B-​more! Pizza crust is always light and airy, the coal fired oven gives it a great almost smoky taste. Great non traditional toppings! Their supreme came with Roasted Red Peppers, Red Onion, Kalamata Olives, Ground Sausage (a great touch) and Pepperoni. It was awesome. Also have had the meat lovers with Sopressata, Salami, ground Sausage and Pepperoni. Fantastic ! I’ve had their wings twice, definitely prefer the Honey-​Sriracha sauce, it’s great. Others in the group enjoyed their salads, but after seeing the pizzas, they wished they’d ordered pizza!

I’d give zero stars if it were an option. We went to Joe Squared at the Harbor during business hours. We were standing at their door at precisely 4:55pm. Their website says they are open 11am — 9pm, however, a gentleman came to the door to tell us they were closed (at 4:55pm, mind you). It wasn’t until I inquired why their website says they’re open until 9pm that he said they closed early due to inclement weather. Okay, that would make sense if there were actual inclement weather (but even then, I was expected to go to my job during the Snowpocalypse, so there’s that). Nonetheless, on this day that they were closed for «inclement weather», it was 43* with nothing more than a slight wind from the east. As we were standing at your door, my hair was still damp from my shower and my toddler didn’t even need his mittens or hat, so how inclement could the weather have been? It is now hours later as I write this and still no «inclement weather» has occurred and none is in the forecast. So, what weather were you closed for again, Joe Squared? We happily took our business to your competitor that was opened and had many tables, some even large parties. You don’t want our business during business hours? You got it. We won’t be returning. We vote with our dollars and prefer to support businesses with good customer service.

The food here is still very good. But over the past year or so, the service at this particular location has been garbage. What others have already stated about the bar tenders being more interested in talking to each other, eating behind the bar, and ignoring patrons, is all 100% true. My girlfriend and I were sitting with three other friends at the bar earlier this evening. We arrived while they were ordering, so I waited until they were done before asking for menus. Boy If looks could kill. You would think I had asked this female bar tender something deplorable. I shrugged it off. This same bar tender proceeded to mostly ignore our side of the bar. The few times she bothered coming over, she asked our friends if they needed drinks and completely ignored us, despite us visibly trying to get her attention without being obnoxious. Our friends got their pizza before we could even order drinks. They WERE NOT busy when we were there. Not even close. When they finally brought out our pizza, we had no napkins or plates. The second female bar tender who brought us the pizza practically ran off after shoving it in front of us, and trying to get anyone’s attention to just get napkins was impossible. Ended up just reaching over the bar for cocktail napkins. Sounds silly and trivial, but if you’re going to be an establishment that sells food, well. You know, those things are kind of necessary. I wasn’t asking for the world. Not understanding this «too good for you» attitude. It was prevalent all night. The fastest things we received the whole night were two waters when we arrived, and the check when we were finished. And believe you me, she made very sure to get us that check lightning quick. I don’t want even want to know how she would have reacted had I sent our caipirinhas back. It is not just cacacha poured over ice with one lime wedge, and no sugar. If you don’t know how to make it, tell me and I’ll order something else. That is a rip off to charge me that much for a half hazard drink. Look, I know what this review sounds like. But I’m not that guy. I try hard to be a courteous customer. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. This was just poor all the way around. I’m very angry and disappointed. This location used to have fantastic service. Was one of my favorite spots for a while. Not anymore. I will never be back. I would recommend avoiding it until they remember that skating along on their reputation isn’t the way to go.

Pizza was ok. Drinks was good. The one food item that got my votes was that so dam good shrimps in that finger licking sauce I always order them while the fam gets the pizza.

We ordered the chicken and balsamic pizza. The pizza was decent. Nothing to rave about but satisfied a craving. The service on the other hand was horrible. Not only did the bartender screw up our order twice, but took forever to bring waters he said he would when we first walked in and came back 5 minutes later for our drink order (we sat at the bar). Definitely not worth the price! Better off going across the street to Leinenkugel where they are very attentive.

Came here after waiting at Joe Benny’s for a twenty minutes and no service (we left) and was welcomed and seated instantly! Staff was fun, friendly, and explained the menu well!
Was served our entire meal within 15 minutes! Not to mention that it was incredible pizza! Will most definitely be back to try more of their menu!

Service was horrible. What’s with the whole «I’m too cool to acknowledge a customer» attitude? All I’m asking for is a quick «I’ll be right with you sir». It’s not that complicated. Also, my wings have FEATHERS on them. Wtf?

Came here for some late night eats. It was nice and breezy outside with plenty of seating.
Love the fact you can order most pizzas half and half. It’s always the hardest part to choose.
Staff is friendly and the service is quick.
It’s just a simple place for pizza and beer, no complaints on either.

Loved, Loved, Loved the pizza. I had heard so much about this pizza. The crust was just right. I stopped in on a Friday night about 11pm

THE ABSOLUTE WORST.
My husband, his father, and I were in town for Legion convention and there was a post parade after party in the Power Point complex. My father in law is 100% disabled from the effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam and uses a Hoverround because he cannot walk more than 100 feet without risking a heart attack. We had already moved our group to the neighboring Tin Roof (5 stars) when my father in law realized he left his chair behind (he was moving from seat to seat, chatting-​he does not drink at all). I went back to the door and knocked. The bartenders were at the far end, and one brunette was giving the cut off motion in a very obnoxious way. I tried to tell/​motion to them that we didn’t want a drink, we just wanted to know if anyone turned in a power chair. She roller her eyes and finally came to the door; but refused to open it. So, it became me yelling at her and not hearing her responses, only thing I heard was «you have to come back in the morning». She was 100% condescending. Security came and tried to assist. She refused to release the chair because we didn’t have the serial number (cause, you know, everyone carries those). Apparently, there’s been a rash of Hoverround thefts in the Inner Harbor area and we were trying to claim one that was lost not even 2 hours prior. Hoverround was closed, of course (it was a Sunday) and there was no way to get said serial number. Security accused my father in law of being drunk when in reality, he has not had a drink since 1992. He did remove his shirt to show his pace maker scars and his ostomy bag from bladder cancer, but they still would not release it.
The bartender so graciously offered to get a wheelchair from her car («because my dad is disabled») and wheel him back to our hotel. She mentioned twice that she would do this «free of charge». I asked if she normally charged for these services. I asked her who would pick him up in the AM to retrieve his chair (no one). She then tried to claim that the law prevented her from releasing the chair. I asked her to show me where in Maryland law this is stated. When I called her on her bluff and she could not present the law, she ‘rescinded her offer’.

There was no sympathy or empathy given from this business and we ended up walking back to our hotel which took a bit of time because there were no cabs available, our cell phones were dead, so we couldn’t get an Über, and my father in law had to stop at practically every 50 feet.
So, stay away. Stay far away. They don’t give a crap about the handicapped or veterans.
I wish negative stars were an option.

This is not the type of place I would normally hang out, very plain and boring décor, and a boring vibe. Why the four stars, then? Because of all the places in power plant live, this is the go to for take out after drinking everywhere else, and they have maybe the best potato skins I have ever had in life. Bacon cheddar potato skins as big as your face, and packed with a flavor punch that will take you to culinary heaven and back. Get that food, y’all.

Ok pizza spot within the Powerplant Live! complex. Our grilled margarita was ok but not mind blowing. My mojito was pretty tasty but quite expensive. They have a pretty extensive beer list which is cool if you’re grabbing a drink before RamsHead. I would perhaps come back if I didn’t have enough time to eat elsewhere in Baltimore during MDF week.

Was hear last week during the beginning of the snow storm. It was fairly busy, but I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door. The draft beer selection is extensive and they also have a rum bar. The pizza here is FANTASTIC! I love the crust. that’s what makes it. That and the gourmet toppings. Short Ribs, Braised Lamb, caramelized onions, and yes even apples. They also have several different types of risotto. This stuff is awesome. When I go here I always get a pizza (obviously) but I can’t leave without taking risotto home with me.
It’s a great place for a nice lunch or dinner, and you can lose yourself there sitting at the bar drinking high end rum and craft beers at night. They even host live music on the weekends. I used to live right down the street in Harbor East, but recently moved to northern Baltimore County. I still make the trip to visit. Great Staff, Great Crowd, Great Food, Great Beer. The only complaint I have is that the spot is a bit cramped. Otherwise, I couldn’t ask for much more.

Came here last night very late. The service was the worst we have ever received. Their backs (the bartenders) were facing us (and everyone else at the bar) for most of the night. They were cursing and talking trash about other employees. The pizza was okay but we really wanted Johnny Rad’s. With that in mind it was just «okay.» The potato wedges we ordered just because we were starving and the pizza was taking forever, also the beers we ordered were NOT yummy. We won’t be back again. Plus** There were chicken bones on the ground of the bar… No one was picking them up. I even took a picture with the flash on so it would grab their attention, not one bartender cared about it. Wouldn’t want them working for me that’s for sure…

Went here on a snowy cold evening before the concert next door last week. This is defines average. While nothing was horrible, nothing was memorable or very good. Started with a salad with shrimp and avocado. Bland. Lifeless.
Then shared a 12 inch square pizza with my daughter with two different topping. Basically thin crust very average pizza with some topping. I had to load on the crushed red peppers. Very little flavor. Canned mushrooms and a cheap food service quality chees blend.
The best thing? Got a quick seat and only had to walk step to the concert on a sub zero night. Filled us up. That was it.

Saw this place on Diners, Drive-​Ins, and Dives and had to come. The dough takes like 2 days to make and it shows. His was the best pizza I have ever had. I got the Chicken Balsamic 10″ pizza. It was the favorite of the whole table. Everyone else’s pizza was exceptional as well, but the balsamic reduction drizzle really set off the whole pie.
It was busy. We had to wait about 20 mins. Service was good, and I am sure in the summer the outside dining will double the number of seats.
We will be back for certain!!!

I came in prepared to hate it because, you know, pizza isn’t supposed to be square, but it was an excellent pie.
This kids wanted pizza and this was the closest place so we gave it a try. Pizza crust, sauce and cheese mix was spot on. Very good pizza. Just the right thinness of the crust so it was crispy but there was also some chewy dough to it. Proper mix of everything else. The only fail was the price. A plain small cheese pizza was $ 11. It was about the size of one of the typical jumbo slices of pizza you’d get on a boardwalk, or maybe two normal slices. So a bit steep at $ 11.
We also had the greek salad which was excellent. Great dressing, greens, toppings and plenty of feta. I saw a different salad at the next table that looked good also.
Then I got the 18 spice buffalo wings. It was billed as extremely spicy wings on the menu. I don’t know how he did it, but Joe somehow found the 18 least spicy peppers in existence and that must be what he makes the sauce from. It came out looking like a dark thin BBQ sauce on the wing which was less spicy than a standard «hot» buffalo wing. It wasn’t totally unexpected, though, as the waitress told me they wouldn’t be too hot. They were cooked perfect, though.
Nice service, good beer selection and a comfortable interior. I’d come back and try more options on the menu. If that small plain pizza was $ 7 instead of $ 11…this would be a 4 star review… a spicy wing sauce wouldn’t hurt either.

We’re of mixed opinions on the other Joe Squared location — I like the pizza but feel ordering anxiety because of the number of times they’ve gotten it just a bit wrong, and he doesn’t like their pizza but likes the fries. We’ve also gotten pretty bad service there, though it improves if you pay the beer tax (keep ordering alcohol regardless of whether you’re thirsty, as that’s the only way to get servers to return to your table with your requests even if they’re as simple as silverware).
But this one, really, we’re not of mixed opinions on. We have had bad food and bad service there twice — and the only reason we’d come back the second time was that we really believed the first time was an anomaly.
The first time, pizza was good but fries were burned.
The second time, pizza was undercooked (and ENTIRELY missing that coal char flavor), and wings were overcooked and glommed with gross sweet sauce.
Both visits, we had to ask multiple times for red pepper flakes, napkins, water refills…
The cocktails, which were ordered mainly defensively to ensure that a waiter would come back to ask if we wanted another, were… atrocious. The Moscow Mule tasted like a flat energy drink.
Stick to the other location if you’re so inclined.

Went here with some friends who had planned on attending the football kick off concert at Power Plant Live. Note: This isn’t really my scene anymore as the crowd is younger and it’s pretty touristy there.
We parked in the parking garage adjacent to PPL. After having a few at Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden but wanting something else for dinner we decided on Joe’s.
My friend said the risotto and pizza was great. We split a margarita pizza that feeds about 3 – 4. It was nothing mind blowing but then again it’s very hard for me to appreciate pizza as I consider myself an expert. Carbs and cheese are basically everything so…
Service was scattered but the gals working were pretty busy and did their best to accommodate the larger crowd with not enough servers ratio.
Luckily we didn’t have to wait and snagged a table by the small wrap around bar overlooking the pizza station and near the bathrooms (not ideal but it was busy).
If anything I would try their other location and order a different pie, though they were closed on the Tuesday after Labor Day which irked me. I get it, the staff needs a day off from the holiday but driving parking and then realizing they were closed was a downer.
If you’re a local artist they might feature some of your work which is pretty cool from the menu design to paintings and drawings on the wall.

It wasn’t until a few days ago when I was catching up on shows I had DVR’d that I saw the episode of Joe Squared on Diners, Drive-​ins & Dives that I remembered how good the pizza is there. It’s square, thin crust and they have tons of crazy toppings which is always fun. With all the different menu options, it’s a great reason to keep coming back for more.
Joe Squared has two locations. One in Power Plant Live and one in Station North. On this particular visit we went to the location near the Inner Harbor because it’s closer to my apartment.
The interior is set up like a regular pizza joint/​bar with a nice beer selection and plenty of tables for you to enjoy your food. They have a nice selection of local beers on tap so my friend and I each ordered a drink because few things pair better with pizza than a nice cold beer.
We ordered a Caesar Salad to share and it was good, but nothing special. It’s rare that a Caesar Salad has anything special to it but it’s nice to have some veggies with the meal.
We also shared the Garlic Bread because I really loved that last time I was here. It’s a large piece of french bread topped with a garlic spread and then melted cheese. It is a pretty big portion which was nice because it was so amazing. It came served with marinara sauce for dipping. I personally don’t dip my garlic bread into sauce because then it turns into a deconstructed pizza.
My friend and I could not decide on the same pizza for the life of us so we each decided to order our own pie and then have leftovers for lunch the next day. This was a brilliant plan. My friend ordered the traditional Cheese Pizza which she loved, to make it a little less boring she topped it with pineapples. The pizza came out piping hot and she loved every bite of it.
I decided to try one of Joe Squared Signature Pizzas. I ordered the Flag Pizza. It was a pizza split into thirds with three different kinds of pizza. The first third was crushed tomato with mozzarella, provolone, romano, parmigiano and asiago; the second, roasted garlic cream with mozzarella, cheddar and ricotta; and finally pesto sauce with fresh mozzarella. My favorite was probably the pesto section but I loved the whole thing. The idea of three different pizza’s in one is great and this is definitely something I would order again.
Some of their other menu options also looked really good like their wings and risottos. I will definitely be back to try more things.