Checker Bar Detroit
| Address: | 124 Cadillac Square, Detroit, MI 48226, USA |
| Phone: | +1 313-961-9249 |
| Site: | checkerbar.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
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Stevo Reeno
A co-worker and I came here for burgers about 18 months ago. I dont remember the level of service, but do remember a very good burger. Unfortunately, my subsequent visits since then (three more times) have gotten so bad that I will NEVER go back there again. On my second visit, my medium-rare burger I ordered came back medium. Disappointed, I still gave this business the benefit of the doubt. On the third visit here several months ago, the food was mediocre, but what struck me was the level of customer service: The sister/waitress/cook was rude and acted like we were an intrusion to her in the middle of the day. And the place was nearly empty. But what really sealed the deal for me was stopping in on the Sunday of the Detroit Jazz Festival, a day that should have had this establishment doing good business. We walked in and the place was empty other than a table of what I assumed were friends of the sisters/owners having their own little private party along with the owners (who appeared to be partying while on the job). We were not greeted. After waiting a while for the waitress/cook to come over to our table and bring us menus, she came over to the table and referenced the just-ended Tiger game (a loss) while using profanity. We had to wait a while for her to come back to take our order. When my daughter inquired if she could get a substitute for the coleslaw that came with her order, the waitress/cook rudely told her "Well then dont eat it". Wow. When my fiancé stressed that she wanted her burger rare, the waitress/cook told her "Ive been cooking a long time. I know how to cook a burger rare". Wow again. I ordered mine medium rare. Well, you guessed it. Both burgers came cooked medium/well. She never returned during the meal to ask us how everything was or if we needed anything. We finished our meal very disappointed and waited another ten minutes after that to get our check, which was brought to us by the sister/bartender/owner. And the check wasnt even broken down for each item, so I had no idea how they arrived at the one total that was written on it. I left there vowing to never return. You would think that with all the other negative reviews out here on the web that those two ladies would take a hint and clean up their act and change their ways. A shame that they continue to lose peoples business because they evidently know very little about running a successful restaurant. Please take my advice: SAVE YOUR TIME AND MONEY! NEVER EAT HERE!
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Kevin Gross
Checker Bar treated my friend and I like regulars when we were there for a night in Detroit. We stopped in before a show and also afterwards and the bartenders treated us GREAT!! First time I had an amazing burger with blue cheese and a tomato that tasted like it was plucked from a garden ten minutes prior. It was really a great burger! (And Im picky). For our 4th meal after the show we had some checker dogs, which were fantastic. Cant say more for how great the staff was and how prompt our service was. The place is much bigger than it looks. Some great karaoke that night and just a super friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Ill be telling everyone about my fun night in Detroit for a long time, thanks (in no small part) to Checker Bar!!
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Nacho Man Randy Sandwich
It seems fairly common that people feel obligated to call some hole-in-the-wall bar a "great place to get a burger", or saying it has the "best burger in town". This place is a dump with 1-person restrooms, terrible staff that treats the public like scumbags when closing time is near. A group of friends and I were there and they screamed at my friends (who brought in a ton of business) to "Get the #u##k out!", over and over and shoved them out the door. This is the least professional bar Ive ever seen. As for food, they just might have the "best potato chips in town", because theyre $1 bags of Better Made brand. Avoid this place at all costs if you can - or at least dont say I didnt tell you so.
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Kelsey Waugh
I would call my two experiences at Checker Bar average. Pro: drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Even though the space is large, it has the feel of a small-town bar. Con: service is slow and just a tad underwhelming. I dont expect all my waiters and waitresses to sport ear-to-ear smiles while they are waiting tables, but it would be nice if you could at least pretend to be happy. I am much happier giving a generous tip to someone who is happy helping me out with a drink or two. I hear they have karaoke and arcade games which I havent explored yet so maybe I will give it another shot in the near future.
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Miss Faith
I went to this bar about 2 weeks ago with my cousin and some of his colleagues. We had a good time. It was my first time there. The sliders came highly recommended. They come out pretty rare so if you dont like your meat red, make sure you tell the waiter what grade to cook it. Our waiter was a little slow to take our orders but was friendly. The atmosphere is pretty much like a dive bar and they have karaoke on Thursdays but we left before they started. It was clean and it resembled a college hangout without the college crowd. I enjoyed it.
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Vera DeVera
Weve come here on a few Thursdays to enjoy the Pop pop-up a la carte dining events. After eating, we head downstairs to belt out karaoke and snack on fries and cheap beer. The karaokers are generally above average, so it can be intimidating and also entertaining. Downstairs, those who like action can play a few games of pinball at the other end of the bar. The atmosphere is casual and laidback; service is fast and friendly.
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Ryan VanDorp
A solid option if youre looking for a good burger and beer (or well drink) at a reasonable price. The bartenders were busy but noticed us and took our orders almost immediately after we sat down. My friend wasnt especially impressed with their hot dog, but enjoyed the burger. I havent been here for happy hour specials, but the drink and food deals they had posted for the weekend looked awfully tempting.
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Joe Stierman
Checker Bar is a reliable go-to when looking to save some cash or just a chill place. One of the best happy hours in the city - with $2 sloppy joes (much better than you are imagining!), and $2 wells/strohs cans. Outdoor seating, events, trivia, down-to-earth people, and an upstairs thats opening "soon" (as of July 2017). Arcade machines! Offworld Arcade once a month pop-up event is excellent.
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Jeff Demske
Great drink and food prices for downtown, patio offers a unique view of the old Wayne Country Building and Cadillac Square. Classic arcade games including Ms PacMan, Burgertime, and Street Fighter II. Food is quality and local, burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken sandwiches, and sloppy joes. Craft and domestic beers along with a full bar. Service here has always been quick and professional.
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Domany Washington
Checked out karaoke night on Thursday it started off kind of slow but got much better as the night went on. Did notice that earlier the glass for the long islands I had were larger but by the end of the night it was a slightly smaller glass. The karaoke and the crowd was nice. The lot parking was a bit expensive but I believe you can park on the street for free.
