RANT – Endolyne Joe's

[Jasperblu]

Ok, I KNOW they’re the only game in town at this end of the peninsula (other than the g-d awful Mexican restaurant across the street), but dammit I’ve had just about enough of being nickled and dimed to death for food that is most often hit or miss, not to mention at a much higher price point than it SHOULD be for what it actually is…

But you know, this is where we live, and sometimes convenience wins over substance/quality. And the service HAS at least gotten a little better than it’s been in the past, which is saying something b/c service hasn’t been Joe’s forte ever IMO.

Anyway, the last 2 times I’ve been into Joe’s (which were in the last week and 1/2) I’ve been charged $1 each for two sides of salad dressing (one which I used on my hamburger and the other on my french fries), as well as $7.00 for a Kettle One vodka and cranberry drink (at LUNCH!), which they then also charged me $0.50 for as a separate line item. Really? Kettle One is not that premium a vodka people. And as a lunch time beverage, that’s a pretty obscene price for the lunch hour. Just sayin’.

Anyway, they’ve got the market cornered for places to eat down here on the south end of WS, and they know it… but I’ve noticed that they aren’t as packed as they used to be. Which is why I’m sure they’ve FINALLY added a Happy Hour to their repertoire, but if they don’t get it together, there will be fewer of us making Joe’s a regular stop. I already know MANY people that just refuse to go there altogether. I’m not quite ready to give them up, mostly b/c my kid LOVES their Mac & Cheese, but I sure wish they’d show a little more love for their customers. Especially in this crappy economy.

Besides, there are FAR better places to eat in West Seattle that are kid friendly, with great happy hour pricing, much better food, and equal or better service.

The end.

[Jasperblu]

P.S. That Kettle and Cran btw? It was in a SHORT glass. So that’s $7.50 for a 2 oz pour of Kettle, and maybe 4 oz of cranberry juice. Next time, I’m bringing my own mixer!

[velo_nut]

Hey, I love the Mexican place across from Joe’s

[j]

We love the Mexican place too! Can’t stand Joe’s.

[JoB]

haven’t been into the mexican place

and twice was enough for joes…

but the bakery :)))

[MrJT]

I have been to the church up the street

[flowerpetal]

Agreed on the bakery! I have never been a fan of E. Joes and have said so here. I accompanied some friends there last fall… same disappointing kind of fare. I’m always surprised that this place survives.

There’s got to be other places to get Mac n Cheese. Or make it at home. Mine is hands down better; I’m sure.

[WesCAddle]

Lesson learned…never eat south of Holly St. ;)

[Jasperblu]

Per West Seattle Blog rules, I do want to state for the record that I HAVE spoken to numerous staff at Endolyne Joe’s over the past year, and in particular during the visits mentioned above, of my concerns regarding pricing, quality of food for price, and service. I’ve ALWAYS been treated w/ respect & felt my complaints were heard. I *DO* intend to write a letter to the manager of Joe’s to follow up w/ my last two experiences.

Also, many are probably wondering why I still go into Joe’s at all if my experiences have been, at best hit or miss. In the nearly 2 yrs I’ve been going there (I’ve owned a house at this end of the peninsula since fall 2008), there have been enough GOOD food moments to keep me going back. When Joe’s gets it right, they are really worth a visit. And there are MANY items on their menu (seasonal menu items included) that have literally blown me & my taste buds away. Really, that’s why I keep going back. I am ETERNALLY HOPEFUL that I’ll have a good experience again.

This wasn’t meant to be a “You Suck Endolyne Joe’s” post. I can easily do that on Yelp, my blog, Urbanspoon, Twitter, etc. This was more of a “I’m really frustrated w/ a business that doesn’t seem to be paying attention to the CONSISTENCY of what they produce” kind of rant. And in a place where I know locals, i.e. people who live/work/play in West Seattle would see it, and either validate my experience, or refute it.

That’s what I love about the WSB.

And for those who lambasted me on Twitter for my comments HERE, you’re doing it wrong.

Peace and hair grease.

Cheryl ~

[biankat]

Just last week my husband and I gave Joes another try after a couple years absence. I only wanted a salad, and husband got the burger. Salad was fine. Burger had to be sent back for being over-done the first time. When we told the waitress about it her response was ‘do you want another?’ Umm, yeah we do. Was fine when it came out again. Big props for the bun, however. Not sure if we’ll go back. Inconsistency seems to be the name of the game with them.

[CMP]

I went there for brunch yesterday and was pretty happy with my meal and service, although that’s not the norm for me when I do dine there. I’ll agree that they’re overpriced, especially the drinks! My friends were having bloody marys that cost over $7. That might be normal, but seemed steep to frugal me. Happy hour seems decent so I’ll have to remember that’s a new option next time I go out.

[Kimberley]

West 5 has excellent bloody marys CMP and I don’t recall them being expensive.

[JustSarah]

The JaK’s bloody mary is… $4, I believe (?) during their delicious weekend brunch.

[biankat]

JaK’s BM is $3.50 @ brunch. Tasty too.

[francis57]

When my husband and I moved here last year, Joes is one of the places we kept hearing good things about. We went there for dinner within the first two weeks, and were impressed by the food and the service because we didn’t have anything like this over in Spokane.

We’ve been back at least once a month since then and have had a good experience every time.

I’m surprised to read so many negative comments about this wonderful little gem and had no idea there was this kind of attitude here in such a beautiful upbeat place.

[kellym]

JAK’s brunch is the best in West Seattle IMO.

[JoB]

francis57

there are so many really good options for dining out in the West Seattle area that we have really high expectations for the places we rave about.

Endolyne Joes used to get far more thumbs up than thumbs down… lately, that just isn’t the case.

[JustSarah]

I don’t think criticism of a restaurant means we have a “negative attitude.” I know very little about dining in Spokane, but it seems entirely possible that your bar for “good” food is a lot lower than that of others, francis57 (and probably higher than others; I’ve known people who think Chili’s and The Olive Garden are great, so maybe they’d think Endolyne Joe’s is top-notch). Anyway, I’ve never been to EJ’s, so I’ve sidestepped this discussion, mostly, but I think it’s unfair to label those who don’t think the food and service are good enough to justify the prices as people with “negative attitudes.” Discerning =/= negative.

(As an aside, I’ve actually never eaten at any of the Chow Foods restaurants, as I’ve never heard any rave reviews from people with tastebuds I trust. My dad’s worked as a chef in the industry for years and does remember when their restaurants, most notably Coastal Kitchen, were good, but he’s said the last time he truly enjoyed one of their meals was in the mid-’90s.)

[flowerpetal]

Couldn’t Francis57’s “bar for good food” just be different rather than lower? I don’t like EJ’s but I don’t think of their fans as having a lower bar than myself.

It reminds me of the large hoopla on the food network about competing chefs. So silly to dwell on which restaurant is on top. I eat what’s good to me.

[JoB]

flowerpetal…

very good point…

i ate at an unnamed Seattle restaurant that got raves for it’s cutting edge food and has been lauded by one of our local foodies.

I was really glad i wasn’t picking up the bill… not just because i am cheap… but because i didn’t think the food was compelling enough to want to eat there again at any price.

and i have some pretty educated taste buds :)))

we all have different expectations when we eat out… i doubt that 5 foodies could agree on the “best” restaurant in West Seattle.

I know 5 foodies didn’t agree on the best Pizza:)

as for Spokane…

i suspect SarahScoot would be surprised at the quality of food available there.

I certainly was.

[francis57]

Wow, call me kooky but I feel a bit insulted by that “lowered the bar” comment. I would like to think I know good food and service when I experience it, even if I’m from Spokane.

[rudy]

Shout out to Spokane – making my mouth water for some pizza at Catacombs Pub! I have yet to eat anywhere in Seattle quite like that place.

[odroku]

Complain all you want, but if you continue to patronize them, the message to the bottom line is clear.

Also, the Mexican place across the street didn’t deserve that shot. I enjoy their food and the people who own and run it are especially pleasant.

[datamuse]

I had one of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten in my life in Spokane. Smaller town doesn’t necessarily mean lower bar (though, in my experience, it usually does mean less variety).

[bluebird]

Love the Mexican place too. Always treated exceptionally well there. Decent food, great drinks and the staff are very nice. Thought calling them god awful was pretty rude.

[Author]

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