Star Bar and Grille

I’m super glad that star bar is back, but most importantly… I’m just so glad it’s no longer «burger bar» anymore.

I consider myself and expert when it comes to sizing up a place, having been a chef myself for many years.
They advertise that Sunday’s, kids under 10 eat free.
What they don’t tell you: is 1 child per 1 paying adult.
The atmosphere: Quite friendly and very open as you can see through to the patio.
Perfect place to eat and watch the game.
Service was pleasant and consistent.
My poor rating, is towards the food…
I ordered fried pickled spears, they were good except for the dressing it was served with. Ranch tasted much better!
Coleslaw was more like soup.
My boyfriend ordered a medium rare burger, and received a raw mangled mess of a sandwich.
He’s too nice to say anything.
The kids ordered off the kids menu, and seemed pleased. Yay, but also easy to accomplish.
This place rates AVERAGE

I was very dissapointed by my whole experiance. Was seated at the entrance okay, ordered food, okay, then the trouble began. The calamari was tough, frozen from a bag I could tell, shrimp was still cold and raw. When asked how it was going by our third waitress, I could not hold back (and I used to cook at the Willows) I told her that the calamari was tough, she then tried and agreed, and the shrimp was raw and cold. Alright she took back the shrimp and calamari (please dont bring any of that back) She brought back another shrimp kabob and that one I waited for my sister to try, cold and raw again. Was told we would not have to pay for it. No kidding. the owner was there and to busy to say sorry will try harder next time. Needless to say will not be back.

Pretentious club hopping type of place located out of the way on Monroe street. This type of bar is not for me but it may be for you, if you’re a douche bag.

Came here with an expired Groupon food was medeoker in flavor, but service was friendly and good. When we got the bill noticed the price gave her the Groupon and received bill back and it was even more. They didn’t mention the price hike bit thought it was because she originally took off ½ appetizer then she changed it to full price without explaining what they did. That was kind of a turn off and unprofessional. We ordered crab cakes which were all right for the appetizer. I had jerk chicken tacos which had an odd flavor and my other half had a Cuban sandwich which he thought was prepared differently than your normal Cuban sandwich and shoestring fries with it which he thought were pretty good and had a nice seasoning. Had dessert which they called French toast cheesecake with fresh fruit and infused bacon sauce that had a weird flavor in a bad way and sucks because we love cheesecake.

My first experience here was a real pleasure. It took a bit of doing to find the resMy first experience here was a real pleasure. It took a bit of doing to find the restaurant because it is in the back of a plaza in a very commercial area. Better signage would help all involved. The décor is contemporary and inviting. Lauren, our waitstaff, was very helpful in suggesting items. Attentive service without feeling rushed. Started with the Startini and it was delicious and well balanced. Next, a large salad with a fresh, tender spring mix variety properly rinsed, no doubt. My main course was filet of beef with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The beef cut like butter, was perfectly prepared rare, well seasoned and very flavorful. Dare I say one of the best I’ve ever had. The potatoes were disappointing. They were dry and probably held too long. Flavor was so– so. They had a DJ gearing up as we left and large bar area. Three was a large inviting looking patio awaiting the return of warm weather and the adjoining wall can open as weather permits. taurant because it is in the back of a plaza in a very commercial area. Better signage would help all involved. The décor is contemporary and inviting. Lauren, our waitstaff, was very helpful in suggesting items. Attentive service without feeling rushed. Started with the Startini and it was delicious and well balanced. Next, a large salad with a fresh, tender spring mix variety properly rinsed, no doubt. My main course was filet of beef with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The beef cut like butter, was perfectly prepared rare, well seasoned and very flavorful. Dare I say one of the best I’ve ever had. The potatoes were disappointing. They were dry and probably held too long. Flavor was so– so.

I love it! It is one of my favorie bars in the area. I have eaten there 4 times and will continue to do so. The food is yummy and prices reasonable. The portions are a bit small, but it is worth it. I never had an issue with the bartenders. I always get my drinks on time.

The bartenders were awful. I felt like they were being inconvenienced when my friends were ordering rounds of drink. One of the bartenders couldn’t even uncork our bottle of wine. The crowd gets a little «iffy» later on and causes problems. A pitcher of beer was $ 16…I paid cheaper and at better places in Chicago and New York!

Ok we have been fans thus far… until this past Sat night. My salmon came out not at all blackened as ordered. They offer only one vegetable now apparently although other evenings we were pleasantly rewarded with other choices. I did not want any of their starch sides and requested a salad instead. «Sure no problem but it will cost you another 2.95» seems petty considering we were bringing friends who had never eaten there before and we had said how good the food and service was before. I was disappointed to say the least as were our friends. My friend’s husband said «why nickel and dime a happy patron of your place when you are the new kid on the block with many other places to pick from right in the same area?» I agree! Shame on you Star Bar!

Service is great, the décor and atmosphere are okay. The food is absolutely terrible. Where did they find this chef? Mcdonalds is a better choice than the star bar until they can find someone who knows what they are doing in the kitchen. I had the crab cakes and they were pathetically small with very little crab meat (mostly breading). I then ordered the margarita pizza due to a friends suggestion. I picked up the first piece and it was dripping water (I assume from the tomatoes). The pie lacked in flavor, cheese was watery, just awful. The owner should stick to what he knows best, breakfast food!

Dined for lunch 5 times. Prices are very reasonable. Food tasty. Portions shrinking each subsequent trip so i think the prices are bound to come up soon. Very slow lunch time crowd. Very nice décor and renovation. Don’t intend to make it a regular stop but I’ll keep it in mind for the occasional lunch.

5 star service, 3 star food=4 star review
Let me say I was extremely skeptical of this place. It was my wife’s birthday and it was packed at 7 for our 730 reservation. We also requested to add two more people and push the reservation back to 8. They said no problem… still skeptical because every seat in the place was filled.
However! They made it work, at 810 when I walked up to ask about being sat they called me by my first name and had our table waiting. Food came out fast, it was hot for the most part and nothing was too sloppy. Great job by the front staff.
Now, the food.
Three apps, calamari, quest, relleno. Only one to critique was the relleno, they would have hit it out of the park if the cheese filling was melted and hot. The cornmeal crust was great, just not cooked long enough.
Burgers were good but our friends chicken sandwich and tuna salad were way to salty.
We will give them another try because you can’t beat the prices and we will give them the benefit of the doubt for being so busy in their opening month.

I have gone twice. Nice décor. Food lacked seasoning. I have had the pizza, short ribs, and spinach dip. No flavor; nice presentation. Service was good; decent drink prices… for the price, they will have to really get a cook who can produce a tasty food as described… Looking nice is one thing; tasting good is another. Their pizza sauce had NO FLAVOR whatsoever. We had to ask for granulated garlic! The music was inconsistent and come to find out, the bartender was operating it via her cellphone using Pandora… she kept skipping songs… not ok…

Joey has done an incredible job with his new place. Menu is great, priced right with food that is hard to pick because everything sounds awesome. I’ll be back!

Wonderful, friendly and attentive service. Excellent dishes with high quality food, fun and exciting flavors, and good value