Original Joe’s Restaurant & Bar

The Golden Tee Machine’s spin button is not working. How can you expect to make nice shots without controlling your ball?
Also it was The Masters today and they wouldn’t put on the TV noise so we couldn’t hear the announcers. Instead it was some rap type music.
The food and service was fine otherwise though.

Came in on a Wednesday afternoon ro kill some time. I decided to have a bit to eat. Had the Long Beach fish tacos. Gluten free of course. There was a mistake when they came out not gluten free. My server was on top if it she got them to remake them. Once I took my first bite I was in heaven. My fish was grilled perfectly and everything was super fresh. I will definitely be eating this again. I kinda want to order 10 for my home but don’t because I’d rather come back to see the friendly staff and enjoy these environment.

Lovely day for a patio. Trads were on sale… but as usually my veggie burger tasted like crap. Its they type of patty that ruined this burger. I am Vegan so can’t have veggie patties with cheese. This was a SOY patty and although there was lots of topping it was dry and nasty. I even added a ton of mustard and ketchup to juice things up.
So my suggestion is to either make your own really yummy Vegan patty or try some different brands.
Service was good. :)

Considering how busy pubs are in the Marda Loop area, I’ve never had to wait a ridiculous amount of time for a table. The longest I’ve waited was 15 minutes, but we waited near the bar and had a drink. My husband and I often go there on weeknight evenings. It’s usually busier during the summer months. This is a good local pub/​restaurant that has delicious food, excellent service and great prices.

Had a Sunday lunch, service was good, noise level good, food was very good. Konya burger with fries really hit the spot. Decent coffee as well.

Favorite neighbourhood pub with a surprisingly great menu and reasonable prices.
Service is excellent and the staff are the most friendly I’ve ever encountered. The bar staff deserve kudos too for being very friendly and quick to take drink orders.
It is always packed here and for good reason.
I still have huge respect for this place for the way they handled business during the flood. I was one of many who obviously sought refuge here, as it was beyond capacity I’m sure, but the skeleton staff were upbeat, service was still incredibly fast, and they had the news on every tv. The sense of camaraderie and community was simply astonishing.
OJ’s stands out amongst the many drinking establishments of Marda Loop and will remain my #1.

My friend and I went on a busy Friday night so we did expect to wait. Took 25 – 30 minutes to get a table and we had to wait in the front entry entry which was a bit crowded, they don’t really have a waiting area. But when someone left and paid BOOM the tables were cleaned and we were sat down almost immediately.
Our server was good. Our choice cider was not available on this day but the server recommended something similar. Our nachos were delicious and had corn chips that are good for my gluten intolerant friend. The wings were great but only received 9 for $ 10, which is supposed to be a full pound. Wish there were more.
All in all the atmosphere is nice and you can tell the staff works very hard.

Two stars because this place fits the Unilocal description of 2 stars perfectly. Meh, I’ve experienced better. Our server was inattentive and while I was happy there were bear specials going on it took forever to get our drinks, food, and bill. I actually had to ask three times to get the proper cutlery to eat my food. A little frustrating but I feel like it’s your typical pub.

I have never been disappointed in this place. Friendly staff and reasonable prices, it’s usually crowded enough to be fun, but never too packed.

Newly renovated — looks great! Menu is really appealing — meal was fresh and awesome.
Was impressed with the diverse menu — but not overwhelming with loads of items — clearly some thought was put into the menu.
I’ll definitely be back

I’ve only been here a few times, this afternoon included. I’ve never had any complaints and our server today was definitely on the ball. OJ’s has a very inexpensive house wine, which is a treat compared to other restaurants. I like that the outdoor patio is far enough off of the road that you don’t feel like you’re eating dirt or yelling over traffic, despite the nearby intersection which can get pretty busy. It’s clean, casual and you can park during the daytime without having to pay. What else does one need from a neighborhood pub?

I’m really not sure what is with all the bad ratings. OJs has a great atmosphere, the service is always good when I come here, and the food is always the same quality as any other time. I really enjoy the Appies, and the steak sandwich is always good. I am never disappointed here and it’s always a good night with friends and good food :)

Marda Loop is a such a high-​density, quasi-​yuppy area of Calgary, that many of my live in. I also had a condo for a number of years in Bankview, back in the days when I loved living in a high-​density area.
Therefore, I am no stranger to Original Joe‘s, since it has been sitting in Marda Loop for a long time.
I have reviewed a few Original Joe‘s, simply because I know what to expect from them, so they are a comfortable place to go if I am just meeting a friend for a quick drink to catch up. I know I can always get a seat, and even though the food isn’t the best out there, I know what I’m getting.
Marda Loop location specifically, I have two specific examples of why I like to support them.
1. I have done a number of silent auctions for different charities, and they have supported me with a gift certificate on more than one occassion.
2. I threw a suprise party for a friend of mine there in November, 2010, simply because of the proximity to where everyone was, and their staff were EXTREMELY accommodating. Since this place is so busy, I didn’t expect this level of service. Kudos to them!

Found myself here on a Saturday night. The service was good and the food was decent. I was surprised how large the venue was, I almost got lost looking for the washroom. Needed directions to get back to my table! Though the Marda Loop location makes for an interesting mix of clientele, I really didn’t feel like this restaurant is anything special. It had beer, decent nachos, pool tables and people. A-​OK in my books, but not a first choice.
Had a great time at OJ’s, but I think it was more the company than the venue.

There’s nothing unique about Original Joe’s.
Not only has it become a chain, expanding through the West, but the menu is pretty uninspired. While I’ve had a decent meal there (pulled pork sandwich was pretty tasty), I remember that I once ordered a soup that literally tasted like they’d boiled some Ichiban and threw in a few vegetables. $ 12 for Ichiban. Yeah, right.
Their patios are good in summer and very popular across the city so for a drink, it’ll do. Their interior could really use an overhaul and some imagination though. Perhaps it’s because I’m a girl and I just find it lifeless. It lacks a sense of homey-​ness, uniqueness with a feel of independence. Good for guys because let’s face it… many Calgarian guys are the target demographic of OJ’s. So, have at it guys… I’m sure you’ll dig it.

I like Original Joe’s and have always been served a decent meal here. I especially like their hotdog deal. It’s filling and comes loaded with stuff…
This one is the original Original Joe’s in Calgary, they tell me. We showed up there early on a Sunday morning after a very long Saturday night. I was a little out of it, but I think they were serving us booze at 9 am. Could that be? It was early in any case…
So, if you’re looking to avoid church some Sunday morning, swing by Joe’s for a beer and stay to watch the football game.
It’s a good place and the staff are very accommodating…