Has Johnny Mack's Jumped the Shark?

apple pants

Subject: Has Johnny Mack's Jumped the Shark?

I used to love eating at Johnny Mack's. I could get a burger, wings and a beer, and my wife could get her salad, fish or pasta. So the question I have is this:

Has my stomach become less able to handle greasy food, or
Has Johnny Mack's jumped the shark?

The last couple of times we have gone, everything except the wings and the beer have been terrible. The fish was dry, the pasta was just horrible and we waited about 15 minutes for them to cut us a piece of pie and bring coffee (the service was always good before). The burger sat like a rock in my stomach.

So, what do other Slopers think?

garfunky

never ate there,
but the fonz reference is priceless

veets

I like this place a lot and have eaten there recently. I am off gluten so asked them to leave the roll in the kitchen. The waiter got the idea and offered to put string beans on the plate. the burger was moist and flavorful. I appreciated the gesture and tipped to show it. So, I have not noticed a change.

apple pants

veets,

I have always had good experiences too (at least 30-40), it was just the last couple of visits that we left feeling that the food and service were not good. Maybe we will try again.

I like your tip about the string beans, maybe my wife and I will do that so she gets the turkey burger and string beans, I get a burger and fries, and we share. Heck, my wife eats half my fries anyway!

The place across the street is real good for burgers (the bar part), but the service can be really slow.

the chipster

I guess I like that place for what it is. Wings and Beer. Service has always been good; so I'd give em another chance.

longtimesloper

never been

sharpie

It's fine for a place to eat close by the Pavilion but there are far better burgers to be had in the nearby vicinity. I once had them present me with a bill, I gave them my debit card which they swiped and then charged me for someone else's (higher) bill. They corrected it when I pointed it out but it did highlight the rather sloppy service you sometimes get.

brooklynpotter

we had a really great meal there a couple of weeks ago: giant burgers and fries, onion soup, chocolate mousse. it was really good! i prefer the burgers/fries at 12th street--i find them a notch about johnny macks--but they don't have mousse.

bluecat

Darn I thought this thread was about tennis!

modsquad

bluecat wrote: Darn I thought this thread was about tennis!

Not those furry balls, Bluecat! Apple pants' furry balls!

duffyssis

I just like to drink beer there. Used to be the place to smoke to. Ah memories.

carmen

Duffy'sSis wrote: I just like to drink beer there. Used to be the place to smoke to. Ah memories.

is this a new happyhour spot for us?!

rockergirl77

I stopped in on a whim & had a great chicken club from there a couple of weeks ago. The fries were some of the best I've had in the hood & the service was good. I keep thinking about ordering take-out from there and then I re-read the citysearch reviews and decide against it. But everyone on yelp and urban spoon seems to think it's at least mid-range, I dont know whats up with citysearch people and their 1 star reviews.

duffyssis

Yes! Let's try it for happy hour. Who is in?

turtle95

Their wings are great, but I think the burgers are a great bet there. Very reasonably priced and much better than Flipsters. It's hard to compare it to 12th St Bar & Grill, because that's on a different level.

carmen

Duffy'sSis wrote: Yes! Let's try it for happy hour. Who is in?

Is there actually a happy hour? I bet Scarlett would come, she lives up that way. Mamacita is kind of far, Ana might come since she's in sunset park. Moug is an alchy so Im sure he'll come.

mougar

It wouldn't be hard to convince me to go since it is right across the street from the apartment I want. And I'm not an alcoholic, I just naturally smell that way.

apple pants

Turtle,

You wrote, "It's hard to compare it to 12th St Bar & Grill, because that's on a different level."

As far as price goes, Johnny Mack's and the bar at 12 St. Bar and Grill are about the same.

Another problem with Johnny Mack's is that it is way overpriced. I have gone there many times to drink and get burgers and can't recall ever getting a buy back. After you and your buddies buy 5, 6, 7 beers each, a buy back is pretty standard.

It is a really nice place to sit outside though on a nice day.

raw

Johnny Mack's food is just OK. The place has charm and can be enjoyed as a bar.

cabaki

I forgot this place existed, how are their pool tables?

apple pants

They have one pool table with a lot of traffic going through the area including the kitchen door about 3 feet away. Always a good pinball game too. But Johnny Mack's has a nice family vibe and bar vibe. And, during baseball season the Yankees are always on the tv. The music is really not good though. It has a real sports bar selection of music. Johnny Macks works, I just have gotten a few bad meals there. Is Key Lime pie supposed to be yellow?

modsquad

apple pants wrote: Another problem with Johnny Mack's is that it is way overpriced. I have gone there many times to drink and get burgers and can't recall ever getting a buy back. After you and your buddies buy 5, 6, 7 beers each, a buy back is pretty standard.

I am of the school that buy backs are for people the bartender wants to keep as an indication of image and coolness, not an expected financial reward for dribbling Bud Lite down your NKOTB wifebeater.

apple pants

Mod,

I do not know why you have to be so negative, but I will not respond in kind.

Your friend,

Apple

modsquad

apple pants wrote: Mod,

I do not know why you have to be so negative, but I will not respond in kind.

Your friend,

Apple

You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just bored with all the drivel that Brooklynian has become. I didn't mean that you were wearing a NKOTB wifebeater, just that someone, somewhere in Park Slope probably is, and nothing else.

Welcome home Apple pants,
Modsquad

santa

my good friends live above Johnny Mack's and ive spent plenty of times hanging out with the regulars who smoke outside.

never eaten there tho.

brooklynpotter

good mousse

scarlett

Carmen wrote: [quote=Duffy'sSis]Yes! Let's try it for happy hour. Who is in?

Is there actually a happy hour? I bet Scarlett would come, she lives up that way. Mamacita is kind of far, Ana might come since she's in sunset park. Moug is an alchy so Im sure he'll come.

Is this that greasy place on 8th and 12th that I wandered into accidentally one time? I think they do have happy hour. Decent wine selection for cheap wine drinkers. Someone should check out their specials and you know I will be there!