Jake O'connor's Public House

Went back again just this Saturday. Had a really big group for a friends birthday. We had ordered some basic ape for the whole group and they were great, but what was actually amazing is that we STILL had great table service despite the crazy packed ""cellar"" we were in. Great, fun, night with good pours and great food!\r \r We actually went here for a post-dinner drink after a meal somewhere else, which oddly I barely remember. What I DO remember is my experience at Jake O'Connors. It was after kitchen closed and I was having a craving for a desert. As most places gf deserts are hard to find that interest me. They had ice cream though, and because I am who I am I also really wanted chocolate sauce. The staff scoured the kitchen and the bar and found me exactly what I wanted and did so in a very hospitable way. It reminded me of a late night snack created for me in Ireland by the host of a B&B. The Irish hospitality is everywhere in this establishment! more

We were told to talk to the owner, Dermot Cowley, when we called a month in advance to cater a large work event. Dermot was great....at first. He provided suggestions to appeal to a large crowd and even offered to provide the lunch at a discount since we were on a budget! Fabulous, right? He soon turned unresponsive when trying to finalize the food and finance just before the event. He would not answer his cell phone, return our phone messages, and did not send follow-up emails when he said he would. The whole ordeal was extremely unprofessional. Dermot should have been straightforward that he was not interested or unable to do it! The committee ended up having to scramble to find other arrangements a week before the event. Horrible customer service and from the owner no less! more

I have been going to JO's for a long time now and honestly can't believe the reviews that say the service is bad. I'm there most Friday's and have always found the service to be excellent, no matter who my server is. The food is very good, though I typically stick to the fish & chips, corned beef sandwich, shepherd's pie, and potato soup. The bartenders know how to pour a solid Guinness and that decor & atmosphere makes you feel like your in Ireland. Slainte! more

Did the chef quit? We were in last week and wanted something special so we asked if the chef could make it, we were told the chef was not in...so we ordered off the menu and it was not good. Pickles on my buffalo chicken sandwich, pickle spears....why would this ever be allowed? So we went back on Saturday night and asked if the chef could make us something special and were told the chef was not in. Does this place not have a chef anymore because when we ordered our food it was terrible again. We will never be back because it's not the same place it was. And if you're going to charge $17 for fish n chips, you better have a chef to cook your other 'entrees.' Really a terrible turn for a place that used to be good. more

This place used to be good, now its a challenge just getting a drink. The staff used to be so friendly and talkative, especially at the bar. Now the manager just wanders around talking to the bartenders about whatever is more important than their customers. I don't know what happened to make a place go downhill so fast, but this place did. I used to go several times per week, now I don't really want to go anymore and choose to spend my money elsewhere in the area, to which there are ample opportunities to eat and drink. I also used to love the late night happy hour but there is usually so much staff in there late at night that its hard to get a drink and impossible to keep the bartenders attention. They better figure out what changed and change it back because its no longer worth my time or money... more

Wonderful food, we have enjoyed lunch and dinner (and wine) at this establishment. Always good. Huge portions! I joined the VIP club and get special deals each month. It gets a little crowded on ladies night but not uncomfortable. Pros: Fantastic happy hour deals Cons: Slightly over priced more

Fun atmosphere in Excelsior and generally busy on weekends. A very good place to meet friends and have a beer. Unfortunately the food is average to below average for most menu items. We have been to the restaurant 4 times since it opened hoping the food quality would improve but this is not the case. The service is even more of a disappointment. The bar tenders work hard and service is good. The hostess, wait staff and manager are sometimes rude and can be lazy. I would limit this to a good local bar and lower your expectations when it comes to the food quality and service. Pros: Fun atmosphere Cons: Poor service more

...... Pros: Ambiance, Service, overall level of fun!!!! more

We had reservations for March 16th at 7:30 pm. We arrived around 7:10 and the hostess met us and took us to the bar to wait for the other couple to arrive. We ordered drinks and as soon as the other couple arrived the hostess took them to meet us at the bar and directed us to our table. Then the hostess brought us our drinks. The waitress and waiters were nice and we received our food hot and it was very tasty. We celebrated our anniversary and had a great time. All of the staff was helpful and prompt with any thing we wanted. We would recommend Jake OConnor's to everyone! Pros: Great service good food more

Came in on New Year's Eve and had a wonderful experience. I am from out of town and wish there was a place like this in Wisconsin!!!! It was packed when we got there, but we were seated promptly at the time of our reservation!! The wait staff, bar staff, and hosts were very professional and prompt!!!!! I had butternut squash ravioli, which usually comes with scallops but since I am allergic the server was completely accomodating and switched it to chicken without a problem. We also stayed after dinner and enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere and the awesome music!!!! It was a great way to ring in the New Year and I can't wait to go back next time I make it to town. Pros: everything was fantastic more

JAKE O'CONNERS is a great place to go... beautiful construction and quality throughout... a treat for anyone with any Irish heritage... Great choices of the very best beers from Ireland and Europe and Canada... The Irish pies, all of them are outstanding, the seafood dishes are fresh and abundant, the burgers are great and the service is first class... I brought a friend of mine there last week , he is from Scotland and he raved about the place... great, committed employees, comfortable atmosphere... I am taking wife, my inlaws and parents there tomorrow for dinner.... my mom is Irish and I look forward to her opinion... The one thing I can say is that I have been there once a week or more for the past year is has been opened and the one word that jumps out is CONSISTANCY... that is very important to me and Jake O'Conners delivers hot, great food every time.... TRY it, it is a fun place... and don't forget about the lower level pub for big screen sports and true irish pub atmosphere... Pros: Great atmosphere, great food, great beer more

Upon arrival, we asked the host if they had room for two adults and one child and whether they were busy - He abruptly replied ""we will be"" and stated that we could sit at a table in the back as long as we ""guaranteed to be out of there by 6:30 pm"" (we arrived a 5pm). This requirement was strange and not necessary since it was clear that we made a bad choice and we were not inclined to stay. The host was otherwise smug and unhelpful - there was no offer for a high-chair for our little one. We had to seek out a server to assist us. Service was disinterested and the food was mediocre and no better than cheap chain restaurants. The much-touted ""beef burger"" was overdone (I requested ""medium"") and flavorless on a dry roll. We will certainly not be back and will spread the word. This is the first time that I have ever posted a comment (positive or negative) with respect to a restaurant, but felt that our experience was so poor that I should inform others. Best of luck to Jake's. Pros: Comfortable appearing Irish pub in the suburbs Cons: Rude staff, poor service, tasteless and low quality food more

This is a tough review for me to write. After consistent visits as a secret critic always does, I have such a mixed review for this place. The ambience is unreal. It's awesome, genuine irish pub feel -they pulled out all the stops and if you forgot you were in Minnesota vs. Dublin it wouldn't be surprising. For the ambience alone - I say you must go and have an irish beer. BUT, expect to wait for it - even if the place is completely empty. On one of my visits, we were the only people at the bar. The only people. There were 4 servers standing around at the end of the bar and after oh, about 25 minutes I walked up to one of them and asked if we could be assisted. No apologies, no nothing from them. Appalling at best. I am sad to say this happened on every one of my visits, every single one. Some of the worst service i have witnessed in a while. Get it together Jakes or it's not going to work. Unfortunately for them, everyone talks about this as well when you are in the neighboring bars and restaurants. The food is ok. Some things are very good - the salmon for example. Skip the oysters as if your life depended on it - they were terrible. They had nice shepherd pie, etc. But no stew. When in Ireland, it's all about the stew? Go for a beer, but bring your patience with. Cheers. more

I took my daughters for lunch the other day. It was a lovely treat for all of us. We were escorted to our table right away. The area is quite spacious, something a bit different from old Ireland, and the seating was comfortable. Our server was very friendly and helpful. The Guinness was drawn quite well! Foam just above the top of the harp on the pint glass and lovely rings all the way to the bottom as I enjoyed my beverage! Cheers! Our food was hot and delicious and came promptly. Our server came back often to check on our needs or if we wanted anything refilled. The music playing softly in the background was lovely Irish tunes. The only thing I would have liked to see would have been a traditional Irish Stew on the menu. I have been blessed with quite a few trips to the Emerald Isle and that is one staple on most pub menus over there. I would recommend Jake O'Connor's to all who would enjoy a fairly close rendition of the Irish pub experience this side of the big blue pond! Pricing is moderate to high, depending on your tastes and what you end up ordering. Well worth the treat! It was Grand! Slainte! Pros: Everything in my review! Beautiful authentic Irish bar! Cons: Nothing worth mentioning; except maybe that lack of stew. Plenty of goodies on menu. more

I went here last week with a group of friends we got sat down early had to wait 20 mins for the waiter to get there. He took the table behinde us drink oder first the sat down 10 mins after we did it was like pulling an arm just to get more water or pop. Got our dinner messed up luke warm food. I would not go back again very poor service the place smelled bad in there. Pros: burger was ok Cons: waiter staff is bad more