Really liked this place. And will definitely go back to try other menu items. Our server mentioned they host beer dinners; so, I am also looking fwd to participate. The service was awesome! Our waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu and patient w questions. Very chill & friendly too! This first visit I got: -Red,White & Blue Meatballs w/ Buffalo Sauce bowl: very good. Great portion for 1 or 2 if you get a cpl sides(what we did) -Boursin Mashed P. - very good; great side to consider -Daily Special: Jalapeño Mac n Chs: good; a bit dry so we topped it w/ a sample of their daily special sauce Jalapeno Cream Chs and ... Thumbs up - garlic bread- normal Went on a Sat for lunch and the place was empty: service was quick. Then more groups came in and they seemed to get great srvc & quick orders out too.
(4)
Angela K.
I've been here a hand full of times for lunch and dinner and the experience has been inconsistent. The last time I was here, I tried the seafood pack (pack of the day) on a pipe (baguette). It was not very good. There was way too much bread to start. They need to choose a different type of bread to serve them on, or pull part of the bread out of the center. The seafood pack was not great. It wasn't disgusting, but it had a sweet flavor and aftertaste that you get with seafood sometimes when it doesn't have the right/enough herbs and seasoning. I also ordered the sauteed peppers, which appear to have been replaced by the broccoli. Anyway, they were SWIMMING in oil. The flavor was ok, but I couldn't get past all the oil they were standing in. I mean, you want to assume that was EVOO but who knows?? It could have been corn oil or plain old vegetable oil, neither of which have the health benefits I am after if I am ordering sauteed veggies instead of potatoes or pasta of some kind! Know what I'm sayin? The service has never been an issue and the beer selection is decent. Sitting outside is awesome too, or even at the front where the door goes up. The menu doesn't bother me, but I agree with other Yelpers that its asking a lot of your customers to try and figure that out! After so many 'meh' experiences here we try to find other places to try in Newport.
(2)
Spencer M.
Really, really great food. Very interesting place considering it is only meatballs. However, they have chicken, turkey, beef, and they also mix the meats with other ingredients such as dried tomatoes and cranberries. The sauces you can choose from are great. Very neat place, and I highly recommend. Also, they have a no tipping standard which is a little different, but tipping is still appreciated.
(5)
Katie M.
Love the concept for this restaurant--you pick the type of meat (or vegetarian alternative), sauce, and bed (mashed potatoes, pasta, salad, sliders, etc). Very customizable and a ton of different options. The portions are very generous and the desserts are great. Staff is friendly and help explain the ordering process. They have a no tipping policy which is also unique. Cool feel inside--reminds me of a lot of the places in OTR.
(4)
Alyssa H.
Packhouse Meats was pretty darn good! The ONE thing I did not like about the food was that the quinoa and veggie balls were deep fried.. One way to ruin a perfectly healthy good. But other than that, everything was awesome!! The decor is fantastic, the staff is super friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. The owner of Packhouse came up and talked to my friend and I, and he was super friendly! Definitely someone who is passionate about his work! My friend (who is a meat eater) was in love with the place, and was extremely happy with their gumbo. But for me, I don't know if it's a place I'll come back to often.
(4)
Dawn B.
I really like this place. Their food is made fresh and it's full of flavor. There are plenty of options on the menu. You can put your pack (meatball) on a salad or in a pasta bowl (or on the side of either). You can build a sandwich or slider. And if you have problems navigating the menu, just ask the servers. They will answer any question you have and even make a helpful suggestion to guide you. They offer ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The cookies are huge and full of baked fresh yummy goodness. The only thing I don't like is that if I pay with credit, I can't include the tip. So bring cash to leave a tip, no matter how you choose to pay.
(4)
Dave M.
I always love the idea of a restaurant picking a type of food and building a restaurant around it. On the outside, this place seemed to have chosen a model that I like(burgers, pizza, etc), with meat. Unfortunately, the meat wasn't much to write home about. The novelty of not tipping wears offer after a few minutes and your left to a somewhat meh experience. I will say that the chicken meatball was definitely the best thing I tried, but unfortunately, not good enough to merit a return trip.
(2)
Jessica P.
Could check in here everyday! Great Craft Beer selections and the menu options are extensive. Great service and fun atmosphere.
(5)
Angela C.
Packhouse has a really cool space and I like the concept. I love meatballs, and there are a lot of tasty sounding meatballs to try! There's even a vegetarian version if you don't eat meat, so bring your vegetarian friends. Definitely ask for help on your first (or second) try. I do think it is possible to end up with a weird combination. Everything tasted great when I went and I definitely want to come back and try some different types of meatballs. I had the turkey sage cranberry meatballs- yum! Really want to go back to try the fried chicken. Packhouse is definitely on my list of NKy lunch spots.
(4)
Michael H.
Special Italian Sausage packs with marinara and mashed potatoes were fresh, hot and plain awesome! Hit the spot with a tasty cold draft craft beer. Great friendly service even late Monday night. This was my first visit. Look forward to going back ASAP!
(5)
Ben E.
Friendly staff. Great draft selection. Red white and blue ball was tasty. Love the tipping policy.
(3)
Stephanie H.
What started out as a really bad experience turned into a mostly good by the end of the visit. Upon arriving, we were told to sit anywhere. We were approached and asked our drink order, nothing else. Two waters were delivered and then no contact from any employee for the next 7 minutes at least when we were approached by a different server who asked if we were ready to order. It was our first visit, so naturally, we had a lot of questions as this is a unique concept where you fill out your own menu with a variety of combinations of packs (meatballs), sauces, and sides or sandwich options. Upon realizing that no one had walked us through the menu, the server apologized and gave us some recommendations. All of the food was tasty! My favorite part of my meal was a beef meatball with marinara and mozzarella slider. The marinara was hearty and the meatball was tender. My friend got a slider with beef and the sauce of the day, jalapeño cream cheese. That sauce was amazing! I wish I had gotten something with that sauce, too. I hope they have it again. I'd like to try a lot more of their gravies/sauces. We also shared a couple different flavors... Fried chicken and red, white, and bleu. We were disappointed there was no spicy pork as listed on their website menu. We didn't care for the chicken or red white and bleu nearly as much as the beef. Ultimately, we were disappointed in how we were greeted and the change in the menu, but the food we had was pretty tasty and I'll probably go back again.
(3)
Cindy G.
I SO wanted to like this place, but I am going to have to agree with the other reviewers. The decor is top notch, the beer is list is OK, but the food and organization is just odd. We came here for a quick bite and a beer. Immediately when you enter you are smacked in the face with dark black walls and dusty chalkboard drawings. It's different and unique. We sat down and ordered up some brews. First glass that came out had a giant red lipstick stain on it. I almost threw up. They were really great about it and replaced my beer and glass. I get it these things happen. Then we moved on to the debacle that is ordering -- the menu is EXTREMELY difficult to navigate. I wonder if the owners know that as a society we are the laziest humans of all time. Especially as Americans, we want things to be quick, easy, clean and with the least amount of decisions possible. Instead you give us a gigantic menu we have to fill out ourself, with little to no guidance. No one explained the menu to us, nor did we know that we had to 'mark it' our selves we just assumed. When it came time to order I didn't even mark it because I couldn't find where to mark where I wanted. I just wanted a beef meatball with the sauce of the day. Simple enough. Also I get that you want to be creative but with such a large menu and so many options that is when you get into trouble with execution. Our beef meatball or "pack" was dry and had so much oregano in it I could barely eat it. The sauce on the other hand was delicious and thank god it was on the plate because it masked the taste of the meatball for a second. Last but not least our bread was stale :( How does this happen? Maybe because we came in for lunch and we were the only people in the restaurant I have no idea. Also their big platform is "no tipping" I asked the server why they would do this and she said she has no idea. Does anyone else know why they would do this? I asked if she got paid higher to compensate the tips (which might have been invasive but I was so curious) and she said no. This is the weirdest thing I have ever heard and thank god we had some cash on hand for once to give her. My takeaways from this experience would be scratch the "write it in yourself menus" tone down the options and deliver in execution and this place will be a hit, especially with the awesome concept, location and decor. I will definitely be back in a few months to see if you guys are listening to these reviews. For now, 2 stars - I've had better.
(2)
Luke S.
I wish when you updated a review Robert Stack from Unsolved Mysteries would come on and say "Update!"... Anyways...it seems like they are working out the kinks and the food and menu was better this time around. I had the daily special of the New Orleans packs and sauce over the boursin mashed potatoes and it was....delicious. Also they have $2.50 PBR cans. I still feel guilty not tipping but... If you're looking for something different and a business that puts passion into what they're doing make your way down to Packhouse.
(4)
Laura S.
Love the laid back but lively atmosphere. On nice days the front is a garage door that opens. I've had great service each time I've gone. Also a fan of the food and beer selection. They have pastas, salads, meat, and hearty vegetarian options that can be combined in any manner to make it a place for any type of eater. It feels expensive for what you get at first, but the restaurant offers its waitresses a fair wage or 20% of sales, whichever is more. With the tip factored in, I think the prices are fair. Parking is never a problem in the area, which makes it a good place to meet before heading out in the downtown area. It won't blow you away, but it's also a solid option.
(4)
Jess B.
While I wouldn't necessarily come to this place all of the time because the food is a little heavy and isn't exactly health food, I am glad Newport got a place like this. I only hope Newport can attract (and sustain) more places like Packhouse. The location for Packhouse is a little surprising as there isn't much around it, but I love what they did with the building. Particularly on hot days, you can enjoy the shade of the indoors while still getting a great breeze from outside. I hope we can expect more restaurants to start cropping up around here on Monmouth, as it is nice to see a little variety coming into the area. It was my boyfriend's birthday in May, and I wanted to find something unique to take him to. This ended up being the spot, and we had a great time. First off, we were a little confused by the menu but quickly caught on to the "build it yourself" concept. They have several craft beers on tap that seem to change occasionally. I am not the biggest beer person and there wasn't a ton to choose from, but the boyfriend seemed satisfied with the selection. They also offer wine and liquor so anyone should be able to find something they like. As for our meals, the boyfriend got a side spinach and arugula salad and ordered the sliders with Hunter sauce for his entree. While I did not get to taste the sliders, they looked great, and the salad was fresh and tasty. I ordered the chicken packs with Marsala sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes. It wasn't remotely healthy, and I felt like I needed to take a nap afterward, but it was delicious nonetheless. For dessert, Packhouse offers a variety of different options from floats, to cookies, to ice cream sandwiches. We opted for the ice cream sandwiches which is essentially your choice of cookie (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, brownie, snicker doodle, cheesecake or the daily special) with your choice of ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, mint, brown sugar, smores) smashed in the middle. Surprisingly, they were out of several cookie choices but our server was sweet enough to comp one of our sandwiches, allowing us to try whatever we wanted. The cookies were soft and warm, and the ice cream was delicious. Everyone seems really pumped up about the "no-tipping" policy but honestly, the tip is built into the price so I'm not so sure it makes much of a difference. I do think it ultimately helps service, however, because the servers aren't jumping all over you every five seconds asking if you need anything. It's nice to be able to enjoy a meal without getting interrupted constantly. Regardless, we had a good experience overall. I can't say this will ever be my very favorite spot, but I certainly will come again, and I would recommend everyone try it at least once.
(3)
Richard K.
Very enjoyable dinning experience. Food was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Only slight draw back was the menu is a little hard to navigate for first timers. But definitely going back.
(4)
J. Paul A.
Solid concept & well executed. Will go back. Wait staff quite attentive. Meatball based menu with a bunch of different ways to get them. Had the pipe with chicken and buffalo sauce. Wife had slider and soup.
(4)
Shae S.
Wow! My meal here was nothing short of memorable. I had the spicy pork meatballs with marinara on cheesy polenta, and it was so incredible I can't quit thinking about it. Tons of other great looking options too -- I can't wait to go back. This would be a great place to show off to out of town friends.
(5)
Stephanie A.
I have been there twice and both times had amazing service and the food was so good! The options available are wide and each delicious with a very large number of healthy and vegetarian and vegan options (shocking considering the name) as well as unique daily specials. I want to try everything on the menu, which itself is fun! You mark down the "pack" you want (including great quinoa and vegetable), the sauce, and how you want it prepared. So many mix and match options but I highly recommend the parmesaen cream or (as a special) the chipotle bbq. They need more advertising.. Great restaurants need to stay in the Newport area!
(5)
Carley M.
I don't understand the bad reviews. Our group loved this place!!! We all got something different and loved every bit. Tip and tax is included so the price on the menu is what you pay, very reasonable pricing!!! Our waitress was slow and not very attentive.
(5)
Lori P.
My husband and I were looking for something different from the traditional fare for our Sunday evening dinner.....and we found it! Packhouse Meats in Newport. This small, but inviting environment was really very different. Open garage door which serves as the entire restaurant front to let in the spring air and No TVs, which provides you with a new sense of having a verbal conversation with your dinner guest. My husband had the chicken meatball pipe (baguette) with sauce and side salad, while I had the Spicy Pork meatballs with the Country Mista salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. The menu was unconventional, but innovative. We both really liked our dinners and plan to be back to sample other items on the menu. Good job, Packhouse Meats!
(3)
Stephanie H.
What started out as a really bad experience turned into a mostly good by the end of the visit. Upon arriving, we were told to sit anywhere. We were approached and asked our drink order, nothing else. Two waters were delivered and then no contact from any employee for the next 7 minutes at least when we were approached by a different server who asked if we were ready to order. It was our first visit, so naturally, we had a lot of questions as this is a unique concept where you fill out your own menu with a variety of combinations of packs (meatballs), sauces, and sides or sandwich options. Upon realizing that no one had walked us through the menu, the server apologized and gave us some recommendations. All of the food was tasty! My favorite part of my meal was a beef meatball with marinara and mozzarella slider. The marinara was hearty and the meatball was tender. My friend got a slider with beef and the sauce of the day, jalapeño cream cheese. That sauce was amazing! I wish I had gotten something with that sauce, too. I hope they have it again. I'd like to try a lot more of their gravies/sauces. We also shared a couple different flavors... Fried chicken and red, white, and bleu. We were disappointed there was no spicy pork as listed on their website menu. We didn't care for the chicken or red white and bleu nearly as much as the beef. Ultimately, we were disappointed in how we were greeted and the change in the menu, but the food we had was pretty tasty and I'll probably go back again.
(3)
Laura S.
Love the laid back but lively atmosphere. On nice days the front is a garage door that opens. I've had great service each time I've gone. Also a fan of the food and beer selection. They have pastas, salads, meat, and hearty vegetarian options that can be combined in any manner to make it a place for any type of eater. It feels expensive for what you get at first, but the restaurant offers its waitresses a fair wage or 20% of sales, whichever is more. With the tip factored in, I think the prices are fair. Parking is never a problem in the area, which makes it a good place to meet before heading out in the downtown area. It won't blow you away, but it's also a solid option.
(4)
Alyssa H.
Packhouse Meats was pretty darn good! The ONE thing I did not like about the food was that the quinoa and veggie balls were deep fried.. One way to ruin a perfectly healthy good. But other than that, everything was awesome!! The decor is fantastic, the staff is super friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. The owner of Packhouse came up and talked to my friend and I, and he was super friendly! Definitely someone who is passionate about his work! My friend (who is a meat eater) was in love with the place, and was extremely happy with their gumbo. But for me, I don't know if it's a place I'll come back to often.
(4)
Dawn B.
I really like this place. Their food is made fresh and it's full of flavor. There are plenty of options on the menu. You can put your pack (meatball) on a salad or in a pasta bowl (or on the side of either). You can build a sandwich or slider. And if you have problems navigating the menu, just ask the servers. They will answer any question you have and even make a helpful suggestion to guide you. They offer ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The cookies are huge and full of baked fresh yummy goodness. The only thing I don't like is that if I pay with credit, I can't include the tip. So bring cash to leave a tip, no matter how you choose to pay.
(4)
Crystal C.
As a vegetarian, going out to eat at a place called Packhouse Meats should rank up there with dining at Steakfried Ribcutlets*. Stay with me though, this story has an almost perfect happy ending. First, the menu(s). There are two large boards on the wall: one with currently circulating adult beverages and the second with the daily specials. Then we have our nicely laminated menu upon which customers mark their dining choices. I know some folks have had issues navigating the menu and at first it seems quite daunting with so many options. Yet for someone who loves the 'build your own' concept this is wonderful. The menu allows you to write directly on it to determine exactly what you want- no lost in translation moments. Want a single pack with a particular sauce? There's a grid for that. If you're really stuck a staff member will help you out. Now on to the food. The Quinoa balls are the only pack I've had, and they have ranged in 'Ohmygawd perfect!' to 'Eh, should have ordered more sides instead'. Sometimes they are smooth inside with a nice exterior crisp to them. Other days they have chunks of vegetables in them and are lukewarm. Inconsistent, but everytime I go I say a silent prayer for the, ahem, smooth balls. The sides rarely fail to satisfy. Any of the roasted root vegetables, polenta, or Brussel sprouts are crowd winners. Order a few different ones and share with your friends. The ice cream they serve used to be made in house but now brought in from Dayton, OH. Still a pretty tasty icecream float. All-in-all Packhouse can be a great place to eat. The prices are affordable (they have a no tipping policy as well), they have an excellent selection of beers, and food almost anyone can eat. Recommended! *not a real restaurant I hope
(4)
Jackie B.
Let me just start this off with I am by far one of the hardest people to please. My meal was way more than I expected, these meatballs are no joke! An let's not forget the amazing atmosphere , kirk an Jessica made the experience. Thank you guys for giving me a new favorite place :)
(5)
Holly A.
I had heard so much about this restaurant on Monmouth and it's unique dining style I couldn't wait to try it out, so my fiance and I went on a Thursday night in early spring with bellies growling to check it out. We loved the concept of the menu and different style of ordering once we figured it out and the atmosphere is fun and inviting as well. Unfortunately, the food was less than exciting. Dry and bland was the best way to describe it and my salad was horrible too. Something on special pear salad that I couldn't take more than one bite of after trying to eat the hardest chunk of pear that has ever existed. Needless to say we left disappointed. We did try again! Recently we went back to Packhouse on a Sunday afternoon to give it another try. Cheesy Polenta hit the spot and the beer selection was mouthwatering. The Packs, meatballs, were much better, but still not what I would expect from a restaurant that is specializing in meatballs? If nothing else on the menu is good, but those meatballs are the shit they'd be in a better place than they are now in my opinion. I hope if I return that my taste buds are blown away and this restaurant is killing it. I might be alone on this, but while the no tipping policy is different and could be working for the staff, I would rather be able to tip for more attentive service. As a former server/bartender/restaurant manager I know I worked harder, faster and friendlier when my take home pay depended on my customers and the quality of their experience; not just the amount of food they ordered.
(2)
Martha K.
My friend and I go to lunch every Friday and try new places. Our husbands came up with a name for us, the Vagablondes. We chose to go to Packhouse because my husband said he heard it was great. Great isn't how we would choose to describe it. It was edible. We ordered a shred, mashed pots and the daily special which was the jalapeno meatball and the jalapeno cream sauce. We were told the red, white and blue was the pack to order for the shred so we did. Server came back and said they were out. This was 12:30ish on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't busy. We got the beef pack on the shred since they were out of the red, white and blue and it was ok but the marinara sauce had an overwhelming oregano flavor. The food came out cold, twice. The server was very nice and aplogetic but the cheese wasn't even metled on top after the 2nd return. They may have been having an off day so we might try it again but it probably won't be anytime soon. Packhouse went on our list of disappointing places to eat.
(2)
Michelle Y.
We loved the food and the atmosphere! I liked the different options and the changing daily specials. They also had a good, modest selection of craft beers.
(5)
Debbie Z.
We have been driving by the location for a while watching it slowly and steadily come together. Watching them put the sign up outside that reads Packhouse; seeing the new glass garage doors that open in the summer to expose the fresh air, and the cool look and feel to the building. I was very excited and was anticipating the opening. Finally, it opened and we waited for a couple weeks in anticipation for the kinks to get ironed out before stopping in. Finally, we were out on a Saturday afternoon and were getting a bit thirsty and hungry for a nibble. We wanted to find a place to watch the golf game while nibbling and having a cold beer. "Let's go to Packhouse"!! **you have to admit, the name sounds cool** We walk in ready to grab a seat at the bar, order a beer and some meatballs. Auugh... no bar!....... no television! We stood there like lost puppies, but we didn't want to just leave (as everyone was looking at us), so we took a seat at a table - all while looking back at the wall full of wine and spirits, but no bar to sit at. Okay, outside of that, the place is charming. The menu is confusing as others have stated. The meatballs are...... meatballs. Good, but nothing to make it a destination spot for me. We did get our beer and a meatball, so it wasn't a complete loss. I had a meatball slider which was very good and filling. I'm sad that I am once again giving another new Newport small business a not-so-good review. I want Newport to thrive with small, locally owned businesses, so I'm still hopeful. Bottom Line: They serve meatballs; they don't have a television, or a bar to sit at. They do have a full bar of drinks and garage doors that open to the sidewalk. I think summer will be a better time to go.
(2)
Wad C.
Six of us went last night, it was amazing! I had the Brussels sprouts topped w beef packs and hunter gravy. It was very rich and flavorful. The ladies had salads, they were good also. My buddy had the special soup, cilantro something and It ruled. Good beer selection, nice staff.
(4)
steve s.
Menu is confusing. But love this place. Daily meatballs are great. Spicy meatball with Jalapeño sauce is the best. Salads with daily meatball are good to
(4)
Chris H.
I ordered the "Pipe Sandwich" with spicy pork. It was very good sandwich. I will say that the menu is difficult at first to navigate. The prices are a little high for what you get. Overall the restaurant is very neat and old school.
(4)
Julie P.
Food selection and presentation was innovative, atmosphere definitely cool, refreshing selection of craft beers, and friendly owner! Not what you might expect from a "meatball place". They apply a "build your own" concept to meatballs (or vegetation balls!), and sides. We sampled both Korean beef and quinoa vegetable meatballs, roasted veggies, spinach salad and a couple not-the-usual craft beers--all delicious! We had heard the service was lacking, but our server was top notch. Maybe they just needed to get into the groove for the novel approach. We will definitely visit again.
(4)
Sean H.
I was really disappointed. The building was so cool and I loved the open air concept. The food was really really bad and only like warm. The very best item we tried was the standard marinara meatball. Everything else was so gross and so blatantly not good that I wanted my money back. Also, the no tipping thing kinda falls apart if when you ask about it your server says "but some people still do" (and smiles at you). Horrible. Never going back.
(1)
Victoria S.
Love the concept and the place is super cool, nice server. We want this place to survive, mostly because of the cool factor and the revitalization of the area..however, the meatballs were dry, drowning in sauce so that you could not taste the actual blue cheese in the meatball :( the potato latkes were just ok. Lacking in flavor. There were 3 of us and none of us liked our meatballs. The French onion soup was great though. My hope is that they stop drowning the meat in so much sauce. Perhaps a little drizzle? Anyways. Will try it one more time. In a few months and hope it gets better
(2)
Marie A.
Very small space, so go early. The place was packed and they had two waitresses who also make drinks and serve the bar. Waited forever to order and get drinks. I like to sit down and enjoy my food and drinks. I don't want to continuously flag the server down. We finally got annoyed and left. Too many other places in the area. The concept is fun, but I'd do more a chipotle style food service. Or better wait staff :)
(2)
Evan B.
Just okay. I thought the portion size was a little small, however the prices where fair. I would have rather not used the "check the box" menu as I found it somewhat difficult to navigate. I did enjoy the atmosphere as the setting is in what looks to be an open air garage. This place brings new ideas and taste Newport!
(3)
Drew J.
Great new local restaurant with fantastic service, good beer menu and amazing meatball-based yumminess! I came with a big party, including my Dad who is vegan. They went out of their way to make the vegetarian offering vegan for my Dad. It took a little longer but was well worth it. Server was super-knowledgeable about the menu and checked in well. Dessert was fantastic. Kids ate most of the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream! Really cool to see a solid local restaurant with a new concept in this part of town. I'll definitely be back. Menu can be a little confusing but the server answered all of our questions and once you order once, you'll be a pro! Get over to this little new slice of meatball heaven soon!
(5)
Heather Y.
I crave the veggie meatballs. They are possibly the best, most interesting I have ever enjoyed. No tipping so the prices are not at all high for what you get. Good start. I'll go back. They only bring the giant flat screen TV out for special events, like day times Red's games, which is also a bonus!
(5)
Emory G.
Went to try this place out and was greatly impressed. I ordered the blue cheese salad with the red white and blue pack with the special spicy cream cheese gravy. The pack was amazing and salad was good. A little smaller than expected. My boyfriend got the open faced sandwich with the daily special pack and a fried egg on top. Also delicious. I recommend getting sides as well. It was almost 10 o'clock when we were eating so it ended up filling us up. Beer selections were good as well, the peach cider was amazing. Didn't get any dessert but the floats and ice cream sandwiches highly looked worth it. Will go back and most likely get one of the bowls.
(4)
Renee M.
I really wanted to like this place. Menu was very enticing. Love how they labeled gluten free foods. Interesting idea with "no tipping." Fun ambience. The quinoa/vegetable "meat"balls were really tasty. Flavorful marinara sauce. Skip the Boursin mashed potatoes. Red, white and blue meatball sandwich didn't have much flavor. We waited 40 minutes for our food and it wasn't busy.
(3)
Debbie H.
Fun for a change of pace. Great food. A little confusing the first time you go. The servers do a good job of explaining the menu. Meatballs - any way you like them. Cool atmosphere. Portion size is a little small, so order lots. The only thing I would suggest is - something for kids. And...a few suggestions on what to pick. That is, what meat goes with what sauce, etc.
(4)
David V.
Not tipping is the greatest thing ever. How great is it to just eat and not have to worry about paying someone their wages. I travel throughout Europe and Asia extensively and its refreshing to see someone in the States starting to get it
(5)
Nick B.
The food was great!....the food to price ratio is out of whack (priced on the high side) and the menu took some time to navigate. Hopefully they will take a look at those two things for an adjustment.
(3)
Heather B.
We had tickets to a show in Cincinnati with my brother and sister in law. I didnt want to go to the normal place I head to when in Cincy for dinner. I found an blog thay highlighted Packhouse. The concept was new to us and peaked our interest. The four of us walked in and the smell was a good start to what we were in for. We could have done without the dust from the chalk. The server was very helpful when we were having isues with the flow of the menu. Then had the bad luck of tell us that a few items we ordered were either gone or were no longer offering that item. My husband was the victim of this. He was looking forward to the cinnamon ice cream and oatmeal cookie sandwich. Both items were gone. The salads were fresh and delish with to roasted root veggies and both the packs and hot sides were out at the same time. Will be back in town soon and heading back to try another round of the packs.
Mark, the owner, is a family man who is passionate about his place. It is a family run business; Marks daughters work for him and believe in the vision of this establishment. Meeting and talking with him when we went in was a pleasure. I thought the food was DELICIOUS! I ordered the Red, White and Blue packs with the Hunter gravy over homemade creamy mash potatoes. It was divine. Our waitress was friendly, personable and attentive. We love the decor of the restaurant and are excited to go back as the temperatures warm up because they have a retractable garage door front wall so you can enjoy the outside air while dining in the restaurant or sipping on a unique draft beer. The menu was creative and fun! You have plenty of options but not an overwhelming amount. I love that they are doing something different and doing it with style. I will go back!
(5)
Barbara M.
We are 2 friends who love to eat and go out every Friday for lunch and thought we would start reviewing the places we go. Just call us the restaurant vagablondes. We chose the Packhouse in Newport today and ordered the daily special and a shred with mashed pots. Server was very nice and helpful but food came out cold twice. Meatballs were good but the daily special jalapeño cream cheese sauce was overwhelming and the marinara had too much oregano for our taste. The portions were average but adequate. The atmosphere was cool and comfortable. We will always give places a second chance so stay tuned and we will update. Clean bathroom = clean kitchen and we rate this one an A+.
(2)
Haky M.
"Packs" are meatballs, in case there was any confusion. If the confusion stopped there, Packhouse might have a leg to stand on, but unfortunately that's only the beginning. We would like to go on record as saying that we had one of the nicest and most well informed servers in recent memory. She had a couple too many tables to cover, so things slowed down at times, but it was not for lack of effort. It's hard to say who the target audience of Packhouse Meats is. There's a little bit of something for everyone, which is a given when you have the most comically complex menu we've ever encountered. It's like a poorly designed infographic. There are fewer decisions to be made when buying a car. The menu is literally an order form, where you check off boxes in all the separate categories to eventually build a meal. Decor is like a Brooklyn TGI Friday's location. There's a splash of heart -- with the exposed brick and the tin ceiling -- but that all falls to the wayside in the face of over-the-top blackboards and chain-esque branding. And the food, simply put: inspired but not well executed. Looking at the menu, it seems like they're trying to check all the boxes of a hip, new restaurant, but it never quite comes off. Don't get me wrong; nothing was bad. And the spicy pork meatballs were pretty darn tasty. Just not special. The bread dry, root vegetables undercooked, and salad unimaginative. They're onto something good, it's just not all making it to the table. As far as the service goes, prepare to tip in cash. We're not sure where the owner gets off with this, but he's removed the tip line from checks. With the most complicated menu in town, servers have to be on top of their game -- why not let us reward them?
(3)
Cassie E.
Came to Pack House for their capacity testing night and got to be one of the first people to try them out. I had the chicken packs with Marsala gravy over bow tie pasta with sundries tomatoes. My husband had the spicy pork packs with marinara over linguine. We both really enjoyed our meals. They didn't have their liquor license yet but it seems line it will be a fun place to grab a drink and some food especially in the summer when they can open their overhead garage door storefront. We'll definitely be back to try the many combinations of pasta, salad and Sandwiches available with their delicious packed meats!
(5)
Mark A.
We wanted to rate higher, but meatballs we cold, plate was hot. Staff was confused on who had what tables.
(2)
Austin M.
Place has interesting atmosphere, it seems a weird combination of down to earth, but an upper class appearance from outside. I don't dislike this but I've never really had a place strike me as such before. The owner was quick to greet me on entering and quickly showed me the way the menu worked. It's overly complicated but I can hardly suggest a method to simplify it. Perhaps adding some pictures of the food somewhere. They have some of the better craft beers of the area, no rivertown at this time, which breaks my heart. The crowd is young and full of life which is a needed change for the area. Then the food.... It's trash, the mashed potatoes are drenched in butter, if I tilt the plate I can just watch it swim. Meatballs were super dry, I had to look closely when i cut them open to make sure I wasn't eating fried old bread. Sauce was even sub par, it tastes like store bought chicken marsala with a thick film over the top of it from when it was sitting out since this morning unstirred. I WANT to like this place but it's awful. New chef + fresher food = new favorite local restaurant.
(2)
Vicky T.
Not impressed with food at all but ... love the whole idea behind it, the menu process of choosing your meatballs, gravy, bowl, sides, slider .... all of that is awesome. As for the food: the chicken meatballs were overly salty and pork meatballs were ok (nothing special). All meatballs were extremely heavy & dense (which is fine) BUT there was no moisture. Too dry and too much filler. The bread sticks / focaccia pieces (or whatever that was) was the worst bread i have ever had in my life. Day old? Flavor-less. Hard. The marina sauce wasn't very good ... overwhelming taste of dry herbs - blah. The linguini with herb olive oil? What herbs? Blah, plain, over-cooked. Had the brownie cookies .... day old as well? We got two and only ate one. We didn't even take the other home which is unheard of for us so what does that say? The boursin mashed potatoes were probably the best thing on the table. Last, I think slightly (just a wee bit) over priced for what you get. Would not go again unless someone told me the food had gotten better and they worked out their kinks of being new. Tipping is way confusing - I was unsure what to do so I left a 20% cash tip anyway even though I paid with credit card. Wished they served fountain drinks. Our service was very good.
(2)
Bobbie F.
Packhouse is a welcomed addition to the Newport community. Even though the surrounding area is a little run down, this place is like a warm smile in the midst of a bad day. This area needs something new, fresh and different. Their address must not be claimed on google maps because neither of my apps could locate their coordinates. Use the map on Yelp. I enjoyed the unique, hipster atmosphere. Simple, creative, laid back. The dining room area is open - with no walls or windows to prevent the summer warmth from streaming through. Loved the few tables on the patio (technically, the sidewalk). Chalkboards, exposed brick, wood furniture. The menu is daunting - there's just lots of options. My server was helpful, however. Usually my ears tune out after one minute of instruction. If it takes longer than 30 seconds to explain something - simplify it. I picked one meatball slider with a side salad (dressing was delicious), and asked my server to choose another slider - whatever he wanted. One gets exhausted trying to select their own perfect combo. To heck with that stress - just ask your sever and/or the chef to choose your meal for you. If it sucks, at least it's not your fault for choosing a gross combo (although when you give the consumer options - any choice they make should be good). I enjoyed the daily slider with the daily sauce - not too much sauce and the meat was delicious. I also tried the chicken meatball with a Alfredo-type sauce - also delicious. They come as sort of a mini-sandwich. I had a side salad to accompany everything - the greens were fresh and the dressing was light and served on the side (thank you for not drenching my delicate nutrients in fat-ridden sauce). Really enjoyed the cuisine. Service is slow, but good - but that's ok because as Americans, let's face it: we're not used to taking our time on anything. I wasn't in any hurry, but if I was, this detail would've been cause for concern. For example, during lunch? Quick service is imperative, particularly if this place expects to get business from the working professional community (ie. Downtowners). I enjoyed a nice bottle of wine of Pinot noir on half-priced wine night ($18, Sunday). This was a great option considering that there is only one glass of white and one glass of red on the menu. The beer selection looks very good, however. My server corked and packaged my wine up without me having to ask. Nice. Unique menu, inspiring decor (maybe pass out chalk and invite people to write/draw on the walls - get your guests involved) and a relatively safe location. Service could use a bit of coordination - you can tell that they are simply getting used to the flow of a restaurant and how to multitask. I highly recommend that they start getting some sort of live music on Friday or Saturday nights. This corner could definitely attract some of the crowd from Newport. A good first experience. I'll be back - but only when I'm not in a hurry.
(4)
Steve K.
Service was spotty, location was near sketchy activity and food was mediocre. I can't really see a reason to go back, the restaurant has a no tipping concept, but that lead to no incentive to provide good service. The meal seemed to take forever. The dessert menu featured items that were not available because the "board of health wouldn't allow items be made in house." The ice cream sandwich dessert concept was both poorly conceived and executed- I was left with a $5 mess. The beer selection was very limited.
(2)
Shauna R.
Excellent food and great service. Ask for Kaitlin to be your server. She's awesome!! Prices are right too
(5)
Haky M.
"Packs" are meatballs, in case there was any confusion. If the confusion stopped there, Packhouse might have a leg to stand on, but unfortunately that's only the beginning. We would like to go on record as saying that we had one of the nicest and most well informed servers in recent memory. She had a couple too many tables to cover, so things slowed down at times, but it was not for lack of effort. It's hard to say who the target audience of Packhouse Meats is. There's a little bit of something for everyone, which is a given when you have the most comically complex menu we've ever encountered. It's like a poorly designed infographic. There are fewer decisions to be made when buying a car. The menu is literally an order form, where you check off boxes in all the separate categories to eventually build a meal. Decor is like a Brooklyn TGI Friday's location. There's a splash of heart -- with the exposed brick and the tin ceiling -- but that all falls to the wayside in the face of over-the-top blackboards and chain-esque branding. And the food, simply put: inspired but not well executed. Looking at the menu, it seems like they're trying to check all the boxes of a hip, new restaurant, but it never quite comes off. Don't get me wrong; nothing was bad. And the spicy pork meatballs were pretty darn tasty. Just not special. The bread dry, root vegetables undercooked, and salad unimaginative. They're onto something good, it's just not all making it to the table. As far as the service goes, prepare to tip in cash. We're not sure where the owner gets off with this, but he's removed the tip line from checks. With the most complicated menu in town, servers have to be on top of their game -- why not let us reward them?
(3)
Cassie E.
Came to Pack House for their capacity testing night and got to be one of the first people to try them out. I had the chicken packs with Marsala gravy over bow tie pasta with sundries tomatoes. My husband had the spicy pork packs with marinara over linguine. We both really enjoyed our meals. They didn't have their liquor license yet but it seems line it will be a fun place to grab a drink and some food especially in the summer when they can open their overhead garage door storefront. We'll definitely be back to try the many combinations of pasta, salad and Sandwiches available with their delicious packed meats!
(5)
Mark A.
We wanted to rate higher, but meatballs we cold, plate was hot. Staff was confused on who had what tables.
(2)
Richard K.
Very enjoyable dinning experience. Food was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Only slight draw back was the menu is a little hard to navigate for first timers. But definitely going back.
(4)
Victoria S.
Love the concept and the place is super cool, nice server. We want this place to survive, mostly because of the cool factor and the revitalization of the area..however, the meatballs were dry, drowning in sauce so that you could not taste the actual blue cheese in the meatball :( the potato latkes were just ok. Lacking in flavor. There were 3 of us and none of us liked our meatballs. The French onion soup was great though. My hope is that they stop drowning the meat in so much sauce. Perhaps a little drizzle? Anyways. Will try it one more time. In a few months and hope it gets better
(2)
Shirley A.
Really liked this place. And will definitely go back to try other menu items. Our server mentioned they host beer dinners; so, I am also looking fwd to participate. The service was awesome! Our waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu and patient w questions. Very chill & friendly too! This first visit I got: -Red,White & Blue Meatballs w/ Buffalo Sauce bowl: very good. Great portion for 1 or 2 if you get a cpl sides(what we did) -Boursin Mashed P. - very good; great side to consider -Daily Special: Jalapeño Mac n Chs: good; a bit dry so we topped it w/ a sample of their daily special sauce Jalapeno Cream Chs and ... Thumbs up - garlic bread- normal Went on a Sat for lunch and the place was empty: service was quick. Then more groups came in and they seemed to get great srvc & quick orders out too.
(4)
Angela K.
I've been here a hand full of times for lunch and dinner and the experience has been inconsistent. The last time I was here, I tried the seafood pack (pack of the day) on a pipe (baguette). It was not very good. There was way too much bread to start. They need to choose a different type of bread to serve them on, or pull part of the bread out of the center. The seafood pack was not great. It wasn't disgusting, but it had a sweet flavor and aftertaste that you get with seafood sometimes when it doesn't have the right/enough herbs and seasoning. I also ordered the sauteed peppers, which appear to have been replaced by the broccoli. Anyway, they were SWIMMING in oil. The flavor was ok, but I couldn't get past all the oil they were standing in. I mean, you want to assume that was EVOO but who knows?? It could have been corn oil or plain old vegetable oil, neither of which have the health benefits I am after if I am ordering sauteed veggies instead of potatoes or pasta of some kind! Know what I'm sayin? The service has never been an issue and the beer selection is decent. Sitting outside is awesome too, or even at the front where the door goes up. The menu doesn't bother me, but I agree with other Yelpers that its asking a lot of your customers to try and figure that out! After so many 'meh' experiences here we try to find other places to try in Newport.
(2)
Angela C.
Packhouse has a really cool space and I like the concept. I love meatballs, and there are a lot of tasty sounding meatballs to try! There's even a vegetarian version if you don't eat meat, so bring your vegetarian friends. Definitely ask for help on your first (or second) try. I do think it is possible to end up with a weird combination. Everything tasted great when I went and I definitely want to come back and try some different types of meatballs. I had the turkey sage cranberry meatballs- yum! Really want to go back to try the fried chicken. Packhouse is definitely on my list of NKy lunch spots.
(4)
Michael H.
Special Italian Sausage packs with marinara and mashed potatoes were fresh, hot and plain awesome! Hit the spot with a tasty cold draft craft beer. Great friendly service even late Monday night. This was my first visit. Look forward to going back ASAP!
(5)
Ben E.
Friendly staff. Great draft selection. Red white and blue ball was tasty. Love the tipping policy.
(3)
Luke S.
I wish when you updated a review Robert Stack from Unsolved Mysteries would come on and say "Update!"... Anyways...it seems like they are working out the kinks and the food and menu was better this time around. I had the daily special of the New Orleans packs and sauce over the boursin mashed potatoes and it was....delicious. Also they have $2.50 PBR cans. I still feel guilty not tipping but... If you're looking for something different and a business that puts passion into what they're doing make your way down to Packhouse.
(4)
Jess B.
While I wouldn't necessarily come to this place all of the time because the food is a little heavy and isn't exactly health food, I am glad Newport got a place like this. I only hope Newport can attract (and sustain) more places like Packhouse. The location for Packhouse is a little surprising as there isn't much around it, but I love what they did with the building. Particularly on hot days, you can enjoy the shade of the indoors while still getting a great breeze from outside. I hope we can expect more restaurants to start cropping up around here on Monmouth, as it is nice to see a little variety coming into the area. It was my boyfriend's birthday in May, and I wanted to find something unique to take him to. This ended up being the spot, and we had a great time. First off, we were a little confused by the menu but quickly caught on to the "build it yourself" concept. They have several craft beers on tap that seem to change occasionally. I am not the biggest beer person and there wasn't a ton to choose from, but the boyfriend seemed satisfied with the selection. They also offer wine and liquor so anyone should be able to find something they like. As for our meals, the boyfriend got a side spinach and arugula salad and ordered the sliders with Hunter sauce for his entree. While I did not get to taste the sliders, they looked great, and the salad was fresh and tasty. I ordered the chicken packs with Marsala sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes. It wasn't remotely healthy, and I felt like I needed to take a nap afterward, but it was delicious nonetheless. For dessert, Packhouse offers a variety of different options from floats, to cookies, to ice cream sandwiches. We opted for the ice cream sandwiches which is essentially your choice of cookie (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, brownie, snicker doodle, cheesecake or the daily special) with your choice of ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, mint, brown sugar, smores) smashed in the middle. Surprisingly, they were out of several cookie choices but our server was sweet enough to comp one of our sandwiches, allowing us to try whatever we wanted. The cookies were soft and warm, and the ice cream was delicious. Everyone seems really pumped up about the "no-tipping" policy but honestly, the tip is built into the price so I'm not so sure it makes much of a difference. I do think it ultimately helps service, however, because the servers aren't jumping all over you every five seconds asking if you need anything. It's nice to be able to enjoy a meal without getting interrupted constantly. Regardless, we had a good experience overall. I can't say this will ever be my very favorite spot, but I certainly will come again, and I would recommend everyone try it at least once.
(3)
Dave M.
I always love the idea of a restaurant picking a type of food and building a restaurant around it. On the outside, this place seemed to have chosen a model that I like(burgers, pizza, etc), with meat. Unfortunately, the meat wasn't much to write home about. The novelty of not tipping wears offer after a few minutes and your left to a somewhat meh experience. I will say that the chicken meatball was definitely the best thing I tried, but unfortunately, not good enough to merit a return trip.
(2)
Jessica P.
Could check in here everyday! Great Craft Beer selections and the menu options are extensive. Great service and fun atmosphere.
(5)
Cindy G.
I SO wanted to like this place, but I am going to have to agree with the other reviewers. The decor is top notch, the beer is list is OK, but the food and organization is just odd. We came here for a quick bite and a beer. Immediately when you enter you are smacked in the face with dark black walls and dusty chalkboard drawings. It's different and unique. We sat down and ordered up some brews. First glass that came out had a giant red lipstick stain on it. I almost threw up. They were really great about it and replaced my beer and glass. I get it these things happen. Then we moved on to the debacle that is ordering -- the menu is EXTREMELY difficult to navigate. I wonder if the owners know that as a society we are the laziest humans of all time. Especially as Americans, we want things to be quick, easy, clean and with the least amount of decisions possible. Instead you give us a gigantic menu we have to fill out ourself, with little to no guidance. No one explained the menu to us, nor did we know that we had to 'mark it' our selves we just assumed. When it came time to order I didn't even mark it because I couldn't find where to mark where I wanted. I just wanted a beef meatball with the sauce of the day. Simple enough. Also I get that you want to be creative but with such a large menu and so many options that is when you get into trouble with execution. Our beef meatball or "pack" was dry and had so much oregano in it I could barely eat it. The sauce on the other hand was delicious and thank god it was on the plate because it masked the taste of the meatball for a second. Last but not least our bread was stale :( How does this happen? Maybe because we came in for lunch and we were the only people in the restaurant I have no idea. Also their big platform is "no tipping" I asked the server why they would do this and she said she has no idea. Does anyone else know why they would do this? I asked if she got paid higher to compensate the tips (which might have been invasive but I was so curious) and she said no. This is the weirdest thing I have ever heard and thank god we had some cash on hand for once to give her. My takeaways from this experience would be scratch the "write it in yourself menus" tone down the options and deliver in execution and this place will be a hit, especially with the awesome concept, location and decor. I will definitely be back in a few months to see if you guys are listening to these reviews. For now, 2 stars - I've had better.
(2)
Spencer M.
Really, really great food. Very interesting place considering it is only meatballs. However, they have chicken, turkey, beef, and they also mix the meats with other ingredients such as dried tomatoes and cranberries. The sauces you can choose from are great. Very neat place, and I highly recommend. Also, they have a no tipping standard which is a little different, but tipping is still appreciated.
(5)
Katie M.
Love the concept for this restaurant--you pick the type of meat (or vegetarian alternative), sauce, and bed (mashed potatoes, pasta, salad, sliders, etc). Very customizable and a ton of different options. The portions are very generous and the desserts are great. Staff is friendly and help explain the ordering process. They have a no tipping policy which is also unique. Cool feel inside--reminds me of a lot of the places in OTR.
After reading a few of the reviews of this place, I was a little apprehensive and thought I would not enjoy the food/menu/service but I had a great stomach filling lunch and received great service (believe her name was Kelly). I did have a little trouble navigating the menu, but all my questions were answered by my friendly server and the owner/manager was nearby if I would have had any other questions or issues. I settled on a really yummy salad off the specials board (definitely check that before you order off the regular menu), and had two packs of quinoa and veggie. I really wanted to order something off the dessert list but I was fairly stuffed. So, as others have mentioned, the decor is pretty chic, chalk walls, bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and cool name tag chair that give off an OTR vibe and not a Newport, KY feeling at all. So, I wish them success and hope that others receive the same great experience I had. *Regarding the tipping: I paid in cash and did leave a tip. I feel good service should be compensated and our server deserved it. Now, I certainly don't always have cash on hand so I hope they can get the credit card issue taken care of, as that is not fair to the servers and Yelpers like us will have issue recommending the place.
(4)
Sarah A.
I came here about a month and a half ago. I was in a party of 4, with only 2 other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. I never received my breadstick. I asked my waitress; she apologized and said she would bring one right out. 10 minutes go by and everyone is more than halfway finished with their meals. The waitress didn't check up on us again. I asked another waitress finally, and she brought one out. Out waitress didn't show back up until it was time to bring the check. Perhaps the "don't tip your waitress" thing encourages them to not care as much because they know they will get paid regardless. As for the meal, I got the pork meat packs. They were too dry for my taste. Everyone else got beef and seemed to enjoy them. With all the restaurant options in newport, covington, and downtown, I probably won't be back.
(2)
Michelle L.
This place offered a very different experience that was fun and tasty.
(4)
Charles S.
I'm surprised to see so many negative reviews on here as I went here to meet up with a half-dozen people and had a good experience. I had the beef,blue cheese and sun dried tomato meatballs with the hunter sauce along with the root vegetables. The food was tasty and I was tempted to lick the hunter sauce off my plate. I thought it was a great place for a lunch or snack. I probably wouldn't come here for dinner. I was tempted to give it a four but the menu is pretty limited so it's not the kind of place I can imagine wanting to go to frequently. It's been said already but the menu system throws everybody off and can stand to be changed. I don't think it's that bad personally but several members of our party were confounded by it and basically had the waitress walk them through their orders. Deserts aren't really a thing here. The no tipping thing is nice and our service didn't suffer for it. There's a lot behind the building that looks like it's for a government building but is labeled,"general parking". I was worried about whether I could park there and our waitress said I could. I heard 4 other customers ask the same question. So yeah the parking situation seems too good to be true.
(3)
Jack W.
Really great food and really great service. Admittedly we were there during lunch and the crowd was small, but I will be back. I had three sliders: fried chicken with buffalo sauce, red, white and blue (meatballs with sun dried tomatoes and blue cheese) with the hunter gravy (think thick stew) and the daily special which was chicken curry meatballs and a curry cream sauce. I finished the order with the mashed potatoes (like a potato had an orgy with some delicious cheese) and a coke. While eating I spent some time talking to the owner and our server, Jess. Apparently the owner's two daughters also work there as servers, which is part of the reason there is no tipping. Packhouse pays their servers the greater of $10/hr or 20% of their gross receipts! Pretty fantastic. I am a fan!
(5)
Suzy W.
I like the feel of this place, it is confusing with the menus at first but once you get used to it then you're good to go. The spicy pork pack is amazing with the linguini. I love the chalkboard selection of the day where they write down what specials they have. When I was there they had a bacon maple syrup ice cream, it was amazing.
(4)
Dimitri H.
I hate to be a negative nancy but I was not very impressed with this establishment. to be honest, one of the reasons that I was disappointed is because I feel like the theme of the reasturant (meatballs) could be taken super far but it just fell short I had the daily special (Fried Lasagna Meatball), Pork and Beef. The wife ordered Standard Beef in a gravy type sauce and a one in marinara. I wanted just the meatballs with no bread and she wanted sliders. They mixed our orders up so neither one of us really got what we wanted. the Pork was dry... very Dry. the Fried Lasagna was AMAZING, so much that I wanted to order more, but as soon as we placed our order... they ran out. Beer offerings were strong. It was ok... but I will not be going back
(2)
Camilla W.
I really like the atmosphere here....chalk drawings on the walls, funky arm chairs with name badges all over them and the openness out onto the sidewalk. The food and service is good. And it's unique in that there's no tipping!
(4)
Lyle S.
Have been to Packhouse four times. Each time was a very good experience. Only one time did they miss the mark just a touch by adding too much pepper to the parmesan sauce, so much that only one of the three of were able to eat it. Beyond that the packs (meatballs) are wonderful and fun. The waitstaff has always been informative and courteous. Laid back atmosphere. Give it a try.
(5)
Lynn N.
After perusing Monmouth for a lunch spot we stopped here out if pure curiosity. The facade of the building is a flat black garage with a Packhouse sign, so I HAD to go inside and see what's up. Immediately the atmosphere was really cool, chalkboard walls and clear bulb lights. We were greeted by the owner who seemed really enthused we were there! We told them we were first timers and were immediately seated. The tried to navigate the menu on our own until our server came back with drinks, even after explanation it was still confusing. You can order "packs" of meatballs on pasta, salad or as a sandwich. Seemingly easy concept but the menu consisted of 6-7 types of "packs" and every option had 4 or more other options. I like the idea of "building your own creation" but this cascade of options was overwhelming. I asked the server what the daily specials were, to which she replied, "specials for the day, you know,...a daily special just for today" pretty informative. Aided by the server I ended up with the red white a blue packs on a mista salad and the spicy sweet potato soup, and my bf tried out three sliders with the daily side- asparagus and peppers. We got our food in a timely fashion but my salad was wrong.It had beets on it and came with a thick dressing. The mista is supposed to come with blue cheese and balsamic dressing. I mentioned it to the server, and she told me that's what I ordered, the mista. It was ok, the packs were good, really bready, and the soup was delicious! Once we finally asked for a spoon. My bfs sliders were good too. You had to pick one type of "pack" and sauce but the cheese and other fixings you could mix up. The bread was really tasty too, I dk if they make it themselves or not, but it tasted like O'charleys bread rolls which are AMAZING. They had dessert but we opted out and got our bill. Less than $30 for hrs both of us, but they surprised us by charging 75 cents for each cheese my bf got on his sliders. It wasn't mentioned to us so we asked about it. Given the sliders each at $3, 75 cents is kinda steep per slider. Our server said it was correct, and that "I really ought to mention that to customers." They have top shelf liquor and brews and dessert which we opted out of. I have hopes for this place to do well but service, was weird and the menu is hard to work through. The food wasn't really memorable and The fact they have prices with hidden prices on certain options which was pretty annoying. Also their core stuff like "packs" and the types of sauces you can get weren't very descriptive. What is the heck is "hunter" sauce?! Also, what's the deal about no tipping? I would've liked to know the story behind this place.
(2)
Sarah K.
Absolutely delicious food and wonderful service! This place is just great. I got a fried chicken pack slider with Parmesan cream sauce and it was delicious. My husband and I had a perfect meal. The service was just awesome. This restaurant has an interesting no tipping policy. I couldn't be happier with our experience and food.
(5)
Carley M.
I don't understand the bad reviews. Our group loved this place!!! We all got something different and loved every bit. Tip and tax is included so the price on the menu is what you pay, very reasonable pricing!!! Our waitress was slow and not very attentive.
I had heard so much about this restaurant on Monmouth and it's unique dining style I couldn't wait to try it out, so my fiance and I went on a Thursday night in early spring with bellies growling to check it out. We loved the concept of the menu and different style of ordering once we figured it out and the atmosphere is fun and inviting as well. Unfortunately, the food was less than exciting. Dry and bland was the best way to describe it and my salad was horrible too. Something on special pear salad that I couldn't take more than one bite of after trying to eat the hardest chunk of pear that has ever existed. Needless to say we left disappointed. We did try again! Recently we went back to Packhouse on a Sunday afternoon to give it another try. Cheesy Polenta hit the spot and the beer selection was mouthwatering. The Packs, meatballs, were much better, but still not what I would expect from a restaurant that is specializing in meatballs? If nothing else on the menu is good, but those meatballs are the shit they'd be in a better place than they are now in my opinion. I hope if I return that my taste buds are blown away and this restaurant is killing it. I might be alone on this, but while the no tipping policy is different and could be working for the staff, I would rather be able to tip for more attentive service. As a former server/bartender/restaurant manager I know I worked harder, faster and friendlier when my take home pay depended on my customers and the quality of their experience; not just the amount of food they ordered.
(2)
Lynn N.
After perusing Monmouth for a lunch spot we stopped here out if pure curiosity. The facade of the building is a flat black garage with a Packhouse sign, so I HAD to go inside and see what's up. Immediately the atmosphere was really cool, chalkboard walls and clear bulb lights. We were greeted by the owner who seemed really enthused we were there! We told them we were first timers and were immediately seated. The tried to navigate the menu on our own until our server came back with drinks, even after explanation it was still confusing. You can order "packs" of meatballs on pasta, salad or as a sandwich. Seemingly easy concept but the menu consisted of 6-7 types of "packs" and every option had 4 or more other options. I like the idea of "building your own creation" but this cascade of options was overwhelming. I asked the server what the daily specials were, to which she replied, "specials for the day, you know,...a daily special just for today" pretty informative. Aided by the server I ended up with the red white a blue packs on a mista salad and the spicy sweet potato soup, and my bf tried out three sliders with the daily side- asparagus and peppers. We got our food in a timely fashion but my salad was wrong.It had beets on it and came with a thick dressing. The mista is supposed to come with blue cheese and balsamic dressing. I mentioned it to the server, and she told me that's what I ordered, the mista. It was ok, the packs were good, really bready, and the soup was delicious! Once we finally asked for a spoon. My bfs sliders were good too. You had to pick one type of "pack" and sauce but the cheese and other fixings you could mix up. The bread was really tasty too, I dk if they make it themselves or not, but it tasted like O'charleys bread rolls which are AMAZING. They had dessert but we opted out and got our bill. Less than $30 for hrs both of us, but they surprised us by charging 75 cents for each cheese my bf got on his sliders. It wasn't mentioned to us so we asked about it. Given the sliders each at $3, 75 cents is kinda steep per slider. Our server said it was correct, and that "I really ought to mention that to customers." They have top shelf liquor and brews and dessert which we opted out of. I have hopes for this place to do well but service, was weird and the menu is hard to work through. The food wasn't really memorable and The fact they have prices with hidden prices on certain options which was pretty annoying. Also their core stuff like "packs" and the types of sauces you can get weren't very descriptive. What is the heck is "hunter" sauce?! Also, what's the deal about no tipping? I would've liked to know the story behind this place.
(2)
Sarah K.
Absolutely delicious food and wonderful service! This place is just great. I got a fried chicken pack slider with Parmesan cream sauce and it was delicious. My husband and I had a perfect meal. The service was just awesome. This restaurant has an interesting no tipping policy. I couldn't be happier with our experience and food.
(5)
Camilla W.
I really like the atmosphere here....chalk drawings on the walls, funky arm chairs with name badges all over them and the openness out onto the sidewalk. The food and service is good. And it's unique in that there's no tipping!
(4)
Lyle S.
Have been to Packhouse four times. Each time was a very good experience. Only one time did they miss the mark just a touch by adding too much pepper to the parmesan sauce, so much that only one of the three of were able to eat it. Beyond that the packs (meatballs) are wonderful and fun. The waitstaff has always been informative and courteous. Laid back atmosphere. Give it a try.
(5)
Laura B.
Decor is fun and funky-- that was the only part of the experience I did enjoy. The meatballs or packs as they call them were dry and needed more seasoning. We came here thinking it was kid friendly but there was not a highchair in the place. If this place wants to stay in business for dinners, a place that specializes in meatballs would be smart to invest in a few high chairs. I would only come back if someone said to meet them there, I would not plan on coming back on my own volition.
(1)
Amanda H.
I had heard of Packhouse before, but didn't know anyone who had been there. I love the decor and atmosphere. The chalkboard walls and wharehouse vibe laid a nice backdrop to the type of food they serve. Essentially its meatballs and sauce. But there are a few different types of meat to choose from. Then different sauces. Do you want it in a slider, bowl, salad, ect. Its a simple concept with a lot of choices. You mark what you want down on the menu and the waiter comes and takes it. Easy Peasy. I tried the sliders so I could get a few different tastes. I opted for beef and marinara (classic combo), the special, Tandori Chicken and Parmesan, Then made one up with beef, feta, and raspberry vinaigrette. The special side of the day was Mac and cheese- and hello I will never pass that up! The food was good and tasty. A little heavy for lunch, but that was my fault for ordering it that way. These are meant to be hearty meals, so I'd probably gravitate to here in the winter/fall instead of the hot summer. There are a few things I LOVED about this place. You don't tip your server. I was a little geeked out by this because I received great service. I asked the other waiter, and he said they are paid well on the hour so the patrons are encouraged to NOT tip. There is not even a place on the credit card slip for it. In fact, it tells you not to. I think its really cool that an owner cares enough about their employees to pay them a good wage. So even when they are slow, they still make a good hourly salary. The waiters seemed to prefer it this way because they were excellent! One of the best staffs I'd seen in a while. Another love was the owner himself. He pulled up a chair and chatted with the customers. Commenting that he'd seen the one lady the night before, making sure everything was tasting o.k. He introduced himself to me and just made sure everything was to my liking. You don't get that often. Not even at little local restaurants. I can count on one hand how many times the owner has ever talked to me; let alone been genuinely interested. For this alone, I will be back. So my only Con on this place is the soft drinks. Water is free, but soda comes in bottles for $2.50 each. I drink a lot when I eat, racking up usually two refills. Three bites into my first sandwich I ran out of pop and had to get water because I didn't want to buy another one. But thats really it. Everything else was great. If you're in Newport check this place out. Its right by the courthouse.
(4)
Denianne B.
As a vegan I wouldn't have expected a meatball joint to have any options for me. I was so pleasantly surprised! I had quinoa/vegetable ball with marinara sauce, with a side of roasted root vegetables. Really, really good. My favorite part of all was that the coke is served in glass bottles. The atmosphere was awesome, the service was great, and to top it off, there's no tipping. This one will be in heavy rotation!
(4)
Heidi F.
I think I was expecting a lot out of Packhouse, so my high expectations may be the reason I'm only giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. My first impression: I was incredibly overwhelmed by the menu. There were so many options/combinations. I'm also a big fan of menu descriptions, which their menu really lacked. Luckily, my lunch companion was a seasoned-Packhouse go-er so they were able to give me the run down a bit. Still overwhelmed and unable to make up my mind, I asked the waitress what she would recommend, and the two things she suggested where items I had completely ruled out, so that wasn't very helpful. (She only gave one combination suggestion.) I'm sure I will be back, but I'm in no rush. The food was O.K. However, the desserts are what I noticed first on the menu, my crazy sweet tooth just never stops! They had some really yummy (and unique) sounding ice cream and cookie (and ice cream cookie sandwich combo) options. My experience here, was similar to what many others have said... "Oh, sorry. We're out of _____." Even though I didn't get my first or second choice of cookie/ice cream combo. It was still delicious. Two chocolate chip cookies with s'more ice cream sandwiched in the middle. (This was HUGE, and definitely big enough to share!)
(3)
Red P.
I was looking forward to checking out Packhouse Meats when I heard they were all about meatballs. Me and my dinning buddy Tom cruised in on a Tuesday night to see what it was all about. I loved the layout and the "industrial" vibe of the place and we settled into one of the two booths. I had to switch seats with Tom though because the light from the kitchen was shining right in my face and I didn't like looking into the server area. I also wished they had a bar to sit at but they did serve alcohol so I decided to stay. The menu was a checklist theme that I found exhausting so I chose to let my server assist me. The concept was to chose the type of meatball, sauce and how you wanted it placed; on pasta, hoagie or with sides. I picked the meatball sliders (Beef and Pork) and they were good, but not great. I ordered a side of pasta with sundried tomatoes that was dry. I think I was supposed to have ordered a sauce to go with it but assumed it was a pasta salad Oops.Tom Ordered the meatballs with brown gravy, broccoli and mashed potatoes. He was pretty happy with his choice. Overall I think it's a good option for a quick bite but I probably won't rush back. Cia Red Pearl
(2)
J M.
I give this restaurant five stars because of a lovely experience there today. First of all, our community greatly benefits from the success of businesses like these. And this particular business offers a good atmosphere, good beer list, good food and excellent service. Good for families too. The owner went above and beyond today, and we'll recommend the pack house highly from now on.
(5)
Bobbie F.
Packhouse is a welcomed addition to the Newport community. Even though the surrounding area is a little run down, this place is like a warm smile in the midst of a bad day. This area needs something new, fresh and different. Their address must not be claimed on google maps because neither of my apps could locate their coordinates. Use the map on Yelp. I enjoyed the unique, hipster atmosphere. Simple, creative, laid back. The dining room area is open - with no walls or windows to prevent the summer warmth from streaming through. Loved the few tables on the patio (technically, the sidewalk). Chalkboards, exposed brick, wood furniture. The menu is daunting - there's just lots of options. My server was helpful, however. Usually my ears tune out after one minute of instruction. If it takes longer than 30 seconds to explain something - simplify it. I picked one meatball slider with a side salad (dressing was delicious), and asked my server to choose another slider - whatever he wanted. One gets exhausted trying to select their own perfect combo. To heck with that stress - just ask your sever and/or the chef to choose your meal for you. If it sucks, at least it's not your fault for choosing a gross combo (although when you give the consumer options - any choice they make should be good). I enjoyed the daily slider with the daily sauce - not too much sauce and the meat was delicious. I also tried the chicken meatball with a Alfredo-type sauce - also delicious. They come as sort of a mini-sandwich. I had a side salad to accompany everything - the greens were fresh and the dressing was light and served on the side (thank you for not drenching my delicate nutrients in fat-ridden sauce). Really enjoyed the cuisine. Service is slow, but good - but that's ok because as Americans, let's face it: we're not used to taking our time on anything. I wasn't in any hurry, but if I was, this detail would've been cause for concern. For example, during lunch? Quick service is imperative, particularly if this place expects to get business from the working professional community (ie. Downtowners). I enjoyed a nice bottle of wine of Pinot noir on half-priced wine night ($18, Sunday). This was a great option considering that there is only one glass of white and one glass of red on the menu. The beer selection looks very good, however. My server corked and packaged my wine up without me having to ask. Nice. Unique menu, inspiring decor (maybe pass out chalk and invite people to write/draw on the walls - get your guests involved) and a relatively safe location. Service could use a bit of coordination - you can tell that they are simply getting used to the flow of a restaurant and how to multitask. I highly recommend that they start getting some sort of live music on Friday or Saturday nights. This corner could definitely attract some of the crowd from Newport. A good first experience. I'll be back - but only when I'm not in a hurry.
(4)
Steve K.
Service was spotty, location was near sketchy activity and food was mediocre. I can't really see a reason to go back, the restaurant has a no tipping concept, but that lead to no incentive to provide good service. The meal seemed to take forever. The dessert menu featured items that were not available because the "board of health wouldn't allow items be made in house." The ice cream sandwich dessert concept was both poorly conceived and executed- I was left with a $5 mess. The beer selection was very limited.
(2)
Shauna R.
Excellent food and great service. Ask for Kaitlin to be your server. She's awesome!! Prices are right too
(5)
Lisa S.
Updating my review since we had arrived too late to eat the day before. Soooo glad we decided to come back for lunch the next day! We absolutely loved this new little place and will definitely be back very soon. Can't wait to bring my kids - they'll love the little meatball sliders! Yes, i'll agree with the other reviews in that the menu is difficult to maneuver for newbies. However the waitress took time to explain things and it quickly made sense. I ordered the chicken "pack" with marinara and mozzarella sliders (x2). They were delicious!! My husband ordered the daily specials - spicy chicken "pack" with the chipotle BBQ sauce. He loved them and said they were very spicy, just perfect to his liking. I also ordered the mini cupcakes special of the day - chocolate with salted caramel icing. They were actually what I would describe as "petite" vs mini, since they were very small, but divine to say the least!!! Well worth the $3 for 2. Before we left the manager (owner?) stopped by to ask how we liked it, which was nice. Of course we told him we loved it and will be back! Can't wait to go back and try something else!!
(5)
Alyssa F.
The second of two new meatball restaurants in the area, Packhouse has some tough competition, and unfortunately, doesn't live up to it, yet. I read some reviews before going here, so I was prepared to be overwhelmed by the menu- but it actually took us a while to even get a menu. Our overall service experience left a lot to be desired, and maybe that's because of the "no tipping" "policy." I put that in quotes because, after talking to our waitress, it seems like less of a policy and more of a convenience for the business owner. She explained that the credit card machine they have doesn't have a way to add a tip on after the transaction, but that she could accept a cash tip. To me, that doesn't sound like a policy, it sounds like your owner didn't buy a credit card machine that has the appropriate functions for a restaurant... Back to my point about the service-we consistently had to ask for things throughout our experience: menus, silverware/napkins (after our food came), and we had to flag down our waitress at the end to ask for our check. As frustrating as that was, I kept mentioning to my boyfriend that if the servers aren't expecting a tip at the end, it doesn't really matter whether they provide adequate service or not. After we filled out our own menus, and the waitress checked it before leaving the table, our food did not come out as ordered. It seems kind of silly to go through the trouble of customizing a meal so much if it's not even going to come out of the kitchen correctly. And in the end, the food wasn't even that good. The meatballs were a very dense, meatloaf type texture, whereas I prefer more meat in my ball and less "stuff". When I cut into my spicy pork meatballs, there was a lot of filler and little pieces of pork dispersed throughout it. Boyfriend did like his traditional beef sliders with marinara sauce- that was the highlight of the meal. We also tried the buffalo sauce on the side(it was supposed to be on one of the sliders but we ended up with two with marinara), and it was thin and the flavors were off, kind of citrusy. Overall, I wouldn't go back, and wouldn't reccommend Packhouse.
(2)
Laura B.
Decor is fun and funky-- that was the only part of the experience I did enjoy. The meatballs or packs as they call them were dry and needed more seasoning. We came here thinking it was kid friendly but there was not a highchair in the place. If this place wants to stay in business for dinners, a place that specializes in meatballs would be smart to invest in a few high chairs. I would only come back if someone said to meet them there, I would not plan on coming back on my own volition.
(1)
Lisa S.
Updating my review since we had arrived too late to eat the day before. Soooo glad we decided to come back for lunch the next day! We absolutely loved this new little place and will definitely be back very soon. Can't wait to bring my kids - they'll love the little meatball sliders! Yes, i'll agree with the other reviews in that the menu is difficult to maneuver for newbies. However the waitress took time to explain things and it quickly made sense. I ordered the chicken "pack" with marinara and mozzarella sliders (x2). They were delicious!! My husband ordered the daily specials - spicy chicken "pack" with the chipotle BBQ sauce. He loved them and said they were very spicy, just perfect to his liking. I also ordered the mini cupcakes special of the day - chocolate with salted caramel icing. They were actually what I would describe as "petite" vs mini, since they were very small, but divine to say the least!!! Well worth the $3 for 2. Before we left the manager (owner?) stopped by to ask how we liked it, which was nice. Of course we told him we loved it and will be back! Can't wait to go back and try something else!!
(5)
Alyssa F.
The second of two new meatball restaurants in the area, Packhouse has some tough competition, and unfortunately, doesn't live up to it, yet. I read some reviews before going here, so I was prepared to be overwhelmed by the menu- but it actually took us a while to even get a menu. Our overall service experience left a lot to be desired, and maybe that's because of the "no tipping" "policy." I put that in quotes because, after talking to our waitress, it seems like less of a policy and more of a convenience for the business owner. She explained that the credit card machine they have doesn't have a way to add a tip on after the transaction, but that she could accept a cash tip. To me, that doesn't sound like a policy, it sounds like your owner didn't buy a credit card machine that has the appropriate functions for a restaurant... Back to my point about the service-we consistently had to ask for things throughout our experience: menus, silverware/napkins (after our food came), and we had to flag down our waitress at the end to ask for our check. As frustrating as that was, I kept mentioning to my boyfriend that if the servers aren't expecting a tip at the end, it doesn't really matter whether they provide adequate service or not. After we filled out our own menus, and the waitress checked it before leaving the table, our food did not come out as ordered. It seems kind of silly to go through the trouble of customizing a meal so much if it's not even going to come out of the kitchen correctly. And in the end, the food wasn't even that good. The meatballs were a very dense, meatloaf type texture, whereas I prefer more meat in my ball and less "stuff". When I cut into my spicy pork meatballs, there was a lot of filler and little pieces of pork dispersed throughout it. Boyfriend did like his traditional beef sliders with marinara sauce- that was the highlight of the meal. We also tried the buffalo sauce on the side(it was supposed to be on one of the sliders but we ended up with two with marinara), and it was thin and the flavors were off, kind of citrusy. Overall, I wouldn't go back, and wouldn't reccommend Packhouse.
(2)
Chris H.
I ordered the "Pipe Sandwich" with spicy pork. It was very good sandwich. I will say that the menu is difficult at first to navigate. The prices are a little high for what you get. Overall the restaurant is very neat and old school.
(4)
Julie P.
Food selection and presentation was innovative, atmosphere definitely cool, refreshing selection of craft beers, and friendly owner! Not what you might expect from a "meatball place". They apply a "build your own" concept to meatballs (or vegetation balls!), and sides. We sampled both Korean beef and quinoa vegetable meatballs, roasted veggies, spinach salad and a couple not-the-usual craft beers--all delicious! We had heard the service was lacking, but our server was top notch. Maybe they just needed to get into the groove for the novel approach. We will definitely visit again.
(4)
Amanda H.
I had heard of Packhouse before, but didn't know anyone who had been there. I love the decor and atmosphere. The chalkboard walls and wharehouse vibe laid a nice backdrop to the type of food they serve. Essentially its meatballs and sauce. But there are a few different types of meat to choose from. Then different sauces. Do you want it in a slider, bowl, salad, ect. Its a simple concept with a lot of choices. You mark what you want down on the menu and the waiter comes and takes it. Easy Peasy. I tried the sliders so I could get a few different tastes. I opted for beef and marinara (classic combo), the special, Tandori Chicken and Parmesan, Then made one up with beef, feta, and raspberry vinaigrette. The special side of the day was Mac and cheese- and hello I will never pass that up! The food was good and tasty. A little heavy for lunch, but that was my fault for ordering it that way. These are meant to be hearty meals, so I'd probably gravitate to here in the winter/fall instead of the hot summer. There are a few things I LOVED about this place. You don't tip your server. I was a little geeked out by this because I received great service. I asked the other waiter, and he said they are paid well on the hour so the patrons are encouraged to NOT tip. There is not even a place on the credit card slip for it. In fact, it tells you not to. I think its really cool that an owner cares enough about their employees to pay them a good wage. So even when they are slow, they still make a good hourly salary. The waiters seemed to prefer it this way because they were excellent! One of the best staffs I'd seen in a while. Another love was the owner himself. He pulled up a chair and chatted with the customers. Commenting that he'd seen the one lady the night before, making sure everything was tasting o.k. He introduced himself to me and just made sure everything was to my liking. You don't get that often. Not even at little local restaurants. I can count on one hand how many times the owner has ever talked to me; let alone been genuinely interested. For this alone, I will be back. So my only Con on this place is the soft drinks. Water is free, but soda comes in bottles for $2.50 each. I drink a lot when I eat, racking up usually two refills. Three bites into my first sandwich I ran out of pop and had to get water because I didn't want to buy another one. But thats really it. Everything else was great. If you're in Newport check this place out. Its right by the courthouse.
(4)
Denianne B.
As a vegan I wouldn't have expected a meatball joint to have any options for me. I was so pleasantly surprised! I had quinoa/vegetable ball with marinara sauce, with a side of roasted root vegetables. Really, really good. My favorite part of all was that the coke is served in glass bottles. The atmosphere was awesome, the service was great, and to top it off, there's no tipping. This one will be in heavy rotation!
(4)
Heidi F.
I think I was expecting a lot out of Packhouse, so my high expectations may be the reason I'm only giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. My first impression: I was incredibly overwhelmed by the menu. There were so many options/combinations. I'm also a big fan of menu descriptions, which their menu really lacked. Luckily, my lunch companion was a seasoned-Packhouse go-er so they were able to give me the run down a bit. Still overwhelmed and unable to make up my mind, I asked the waitress what she would recommend, and the two things she suggested where items I had completely ruled out, so that wasn't very helpful. (She only gave one combination suggestion.) I'm sure I will be back, but I'm in no rush. The food was O.K. However, the desserts are what I noticed first on the menu, my crazy sweet tooth just never stops! They had some really yummy (and unique) sounding ice cream and cookie (and ice cream cookie sandwich combo) options. My experience here, was similar to what many others have said... "Oh, sorry. We're out of _____." Even though I didn't get my first or second choice of cookie/ice cream combo. It was still delicious. Two chocolate chip cookies with s'more ice cream sandwiched in the middle. (This was HUGE, and definitely big enough to share!)
(3)
Red P.
I was looking forward to checking out Packhouse Meats when I heard they were all about meatballs. Me and my dinning buddy Tom cruised in on a Tuesday night to see what it was all about. I loved the layout and the "industrial" vibe of the place and we settled into one of the two booths. I had to switch seats with Tom though because the light from the kitchen was shining right in my face and I didn't like looking into the server area. I also wished they had a bar to sit at but they did serve alcohol so I decided to stay. The menu was a checklist theme that I found exhausting so I chose to let my server assist me. The concept was to chose the type of meatball, sauce and how you wanted it placed; on pasta, hoagie or with sides. I picked the meatball sliders (Beef and Pork) and they were good, but not great. I ordered a side of pasta with sundried tomatoes that was dry. I think I was supposed to have ordered a sauce to go with it but assumed it was a pasta salad Oops.Tom Ordered the meatballs with brown gravy, broccoli and mashed potatoes. He was pretty happy with his choice. Overall I think it's a good option for a quick bite but I probably won't rush back. Cia Red Pearl
(2)
J M.
I give this restaurant five stars because of a lovely experience there today. First of all, our community greatly benefits from the success of businesses like these. And this particular business offers a good atmosphere, good beer list, good food and excellent service. Good for families too. The owner went above and beyond today, and we'll recommend the pack house highly from now on.
(5)
steve s.
Menu is confusing. But love this place. Daily meatballs are great. Spicy meatball with Jalapeño sauce is the best. Salads with daily meatball are good to
(4)
Sean H.
I was really disappointed. The building was so cool and I loved the open air concept. The food was really really bad and only like warm. The very best item we tried was the standard marinara meatball. Everything else was so gross and so blatantly not good that I wanted my money back. Also, the no tipping thing kinda falls apart if when you ask about it your server says "but some people still do" (and smiles at you). Horrible. Never going back.
(1)
Martha K.
My friend and I go to lunch every Friday and try new places. Our husbands came up with a name for us, the Vagablondes. We chose to go to Packhouse because my husband said he heard it was great. Great isn't how we would choose to describe it. It was edible. We ordered a shred, mashed pots and the daily special which was the jalapeno meatball and the jalapeno cream sauce. We were told the red, white and blue was the pack to order for the shred so we did. Server came back and said they were out. This was 12:30ish on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't busy. We got the beef pack on the shred since they were out of the red, white and blue and it was ok but the marinara sauce had an overwhelming oregano flavor. The food came out cold, twice. The server was very nice and aplogetic but the cheese wasn't even metled on top after the 2nd return. They may have been having an off day so we might try it again but it probably won't be anytime soon. Packhouse went on our list of disappointing places to eat.
(2)
Michelle Y.
We loved the food and the atmosphere! I liked the different options and the changing daily specials. They also had a good, modest selection of craft beers.
(5)
Debbie Z.
We have been driving by the location for a while watching it slowly and steadily come together. Watching them put the sign up outside that reads Packhouse; seeing the new glass garage doors that open in the summer to expose the fresh air, and the cool look and feel to the building. I was very excited and was anticipating the opening. Finally, it opened and we waited for a couple weeks in anticipation for the kinks to get ironed out before stopping in. Finally, we were out on a Saturday afternoon and were getting a bit thirsty and hungry for a nibble. We wanted to find a place to watch the golf game while nibbling and having a cold beer. "Let's go to Packhouse"!! **you have to admit, the name sounds cool** We walk in ready to grab a seat at the bar, order a beer and some meatballs. Auugh... no bar!....... no television! We stood there like lost puppies, but we didn't want to just leave (as everyone was looking at us), so we took a seat at a table - all while looking back at the wall full of wine and spirits, but no bar to sit at. Okay, outside of that, the place is charming. The menu is confusing as others have stated. The meatballs are...... meatballs. Good, but nothing to make it a destination spot for me. We did get our beer and a meatball, so it wasn't a complete loss. I had a meatball slider which was very good and filling. I'm sad that I am once again giving another new Newport small business a not-so-good review. I want Newport to thrive with small, locally owned businesses, so I'm still hopeful. Bottom Line: They serve meatballs; they don't have a television, or a bar to sit at. They do have a full bar of drinks and garage doors that open to the sidewalk. I think summer will be a better time to go.
(2)
Wad C.
Six of us went last night, it was amazing! I had the Brussels sprouts topped w beef packs and hunter gravy. It was very rich and flavorful. The ladies had salads, they were good also. My buddy had the special soup, cilantro something and It ruled. Good beer selection, nice staff.
(4)
David V.
Not tipping is the greatest thing ever. How great is it to just eat and not have to worry about paying someone their wages. I travel throughout Europe and Asia extensively and its refreshing to see someone in the States starting to get it
(5)
Austin M.
Place has interesting atmosphere, it seems a weird combination of down to earth, but an upper class appearance from outside. I don't dislike this but I've never really had a place strike me as such before. The owner was quick to greet me on entering and quickly showed me the way the menu worked. It's overly complicated but I can hardly suggest a method to simplify it. Perhaps adding some pictures of the food somewhere. They have some of the better craft beers of the area, no rivertown at this time, which breaks my heart. The crowd is young and full of life which is a needed change for the area. Then the food.... It's trash, the mashed potatoes are drenched in butter, if I tilt the plate I can just watch it swim. Meatballs were super dry, I had to look closely when i cut them open to make sure I wasn't eating fried old bread. Sauce was even sub par, it tastes like store bought chicken marsala with a thick film over the top of it from when it was sitting out since this morning unstirred. I WANT to like this place but it's awful. New chef + fresher food = new favorite local restaurant.
(2)
Drew J.
Great new local restaurant with fantastic service, good beer menu and amazing meatball-based yumminess! I came with a big party, including my Dad who is vegan. They went out of their way to make the vegetarian offering vegan for my Dad. It took a little longer but was well worth it. Server was super-knowledgeable about the menu and checked in well. Dessert was fantastic. Kids ate most of the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream! Really cool to see a solid local restaurant with a new concept in this part of town. I'll definitely be back. Menu can be a little confusing but the server answered all of our questions and once you order once, you'll be a pro! Get over to this little new slice of meatball heaven soon!
(5)
Renee M.
I really wanted to like this place. Menu was very enticing. Love how they labeled gluten free foods. Interesting idea with "no tipping." Fun ambience. The quinoa/vegetable "meat"balls were really tasty. Flavorful marinara sauce. Skip the Boursin mashed potatoes. Red, white and blue meatball sandwich didn't have much flavor. We waited 40 minutes for our food and it wasn't busy.
(3)
Nick B.
The food was great!....the food to price ratio is out of whack (priced on the high side) and the menu took some time to navigate. Hopefully they will take a look at those two things for an adjustment.
(3)
Heather B.
We had tickets to a show in Cincinnati with my brother and sister in law. I didnt want to go to the normal place I head to when in Cincy for dinner. I found an blog thay highlighted Packhouse. The concept was new to us and peaked our interest. The four of us walked in and the smell was a good start to what we were in for. We could have done without the dust from the chalk. The server was very helpful when we were having isues with the flow of the menu. Then had the bad luck of tell us that a few items we ordered were either gone or were no longer offering that item. My husband was the victim of this. He was looking forward to the cinnamon ice cream and oatmeal cookie sandwich. Both items were gone. The salads were fresh and delish with to roasted root veggies and both the packs and hot sides were out at the same time. Will be back in town soon and heading back to try another round of the packs.
(4)
Merilee M.
Mark, the owner, is a family man who is passionate about his place. It is a family run business; Marks daughters work for him and believe in the vision of this establishment. Meeting and talking with him when we went in was a pleasure. I thought the food was DELICIOUS! I ordered the Red, White and Blue packs with the Hunter gravy over homemade creamy mash potatoes. It was divine. Our waitress was friendly, personable and attentive. We love the decor of the restaurant and are excited to go back as the temperatures warm up because they have a retractable garage door front wall so you can enjoy the outside air while dining in the restaurant or sipping on a unique draft beer. The menu was creative and fun! You have plenty of options but not an overwhelming amount. I love that they are doing something different and doing it with style. I will go back!
(5)
Barbara M.
We are 2 friends who love to eat and go out every Friday for lunch and thought we would start reviewing the places we go. Just call us the restaurant vagablondes. We chose the Packhouse in Newport today and ordered the daily special and a shred with mashed pots. Server was very nice and helpful but food came out cold twice. Meatballs were good but the daily special jalapeño cream cheese sauce was overwhelming and the marinara had too much oregano for our taste. The portions were average but adequate. The atmosphere was cool and comfortable. We will always give places a second chance so stay tuned and we will update. Clean bathroom = clean kitchen and we rate this one an A+.
(2)
J. Paul A.
Solid concept & well executed. Will go back. Wait staff quite attentive. Meatball based menu with a bunch of different ways to get them. Had the pipe with chicken and buffalo sauce. Wife had slider and soup.
(4)
Shae S.
Wow! My meal here was nothing short of memorable. I had the spicy pork meatballs with marinara on cheesy polenta, and it was so incredible I can't quit thinking about it. Tons of other great looking options too -- I can't wait to go back. This would be a great place to show off to out of town friends.
(5)
Stephanie A.
I have been there twice and both times had amazing service and the food was so good! The options available are wide and each delicious with a very large number of healthy and vegetarian and vegan options (shocking considering the name) as well as unique daily specials. I want to try everything on the menu, which itself is fun! You mark down the "pack" you want (including great quinoa and vegetable), the sauce, and how you want it prepared. So many mix and match options but I highly recommend the parmesaen cream or (as a special) the chipotle bbq. They need more advertising.. Great restaurants need to stay in the Newport area!
(5)
Marie A.
Very small space, so go early. The place was packed and they had two waitresses who also make drinks and serve the bar. Waited forever to order and get drinks. I like to sit down and enjoy my food and drinks. I don't want to continuously flag the server down. We finally got annoyed and left. Too many other places in the area. The concept is fun, but I'd do more a chipotle style food service. Or better wait staff :)
(2)
Evan B.
Just okay. I thought the portion size was a little small, however the prices where fair. I would have rather not used the "check the box" menu as I found it somewhat difficult to navigate. I did enjoy the atmosphere as the setting is in what looks to be an open air garage. This place brings new ideas and taste Newport!
(3)
Heather Y.
I crave the veggie meatballs. They are possibly the best, most interesting I have ever enjoyed. No tipping so the prices are not at all high for what you get. Good start. I'll go back. They only bring the giant flat screen TV out for special events, like day times Red's games, which is also a bonus!
(5)
Emory G.
Went to try this place out and was greatly impressed. I ordered the blue cheese salad with the red white and blue pack with the special spicy cream cheese gravy. The pack was amazing and salad was good. A little smaller than expected. My boyfriend got the open faced sandwich with the daily special pack and a fried egg on top. Also delicious. I recommend getting sides as well. It was almost 10 o'clock when we were eating so it ended up filling us up. Beer selections were good as well, the peach cider was amazing. Didn't get any dessert but the floats and ice cream sandwiches highly looked worth it. Will go back and most likely get one of the bowls.
(4)
Debbie H.
Fun for a change of pace. Great food. A little confusing the first time you go. The servers do a good job of explaining the menu. Meatballs - any way you like them. Cool atmosphere. Portion size is a little small, so order lots. The only thing I would suggest is - something for kids. And...a few suggestions on what to pick. That is, what meat goes with what sauce, etc.
(4)
Lori P.
My husband and I were looking for something different from the traditional fare for our Sunday evening dinner.....and we found it! Packhouse Meats in Newport. This small, but inviting environment was really very different. Open garage door which serves as the entire restaurant front to let in the spring air and No TVs, which provides you with a new sense of having a verbal conversation with your dinner guest. My husband had the chicken meatball pipe (baguette) with sauce and side salad, while I had the Spicy Pork meatballs with the Country Mista salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. The menu was unconventional, but innovative. We both really liked our dinners and plan to be back to sample other items on the menu. Good job, Packhouse Meats!
(3)
Vicky T.
Not impressed with food at all but ... love the whole idea behind it, the menu process of choosing your meatballs, gravy, bowl, sides, slider .... all of that is awesome. As for the food: the chicken meatballs were overly salty and pork meatballs were ok (nothing special). All meatballs were extremely heavy & dense (which is fine) BUT there was no moisture. Too dry and too much filler. The bread sticks / focaccia pieces (or whatever that was) was the worst bread i have ever had in my life. Day old? Flavor-less. Hard. The marina sauce wasn't very good ... overwhelming taste of dry herbs - blah. The linguini with herb olive oil? What herbs? Blah, plain, over-cooked. Had the brownie cookies .... day old as well? We got two and only ate one. We didn't even take the other home which is unheard of for us so what does that say? The boursin mashed potatoes were probably the best thing on the table. Last, I think slightly (just a wee bit) over priced for what you get. Would not go again unless someone told me the food had gotten better and they worked out their kinks of being new. Tipping is way confusing - I was unsure what to do so I left a 20% cash tip anyway even though I paid with credit card. Wished they served fountain drinks. Our service was very good.
After reading a few of the reviews of this place, I was a little apprehensive and thought I would not enjoy the food/menu/service but I had a great stomach filling lunch and received great service (believe her name was Kelly). I did have a little trouble navigating the menu, but all my questions were answered by my friendly server and the owner/manager was nearby if I would have had any other questions or issues. I settled on a really yummy salad off the specials board (definitely check that before you order off the regular menu), and had two packs of quinoa and veggie. I really wanted to order something off the dessert list but I was fairly stuffed. So, as others have mentioned, the decor is pretty chic, chalk walls, bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and cool name tag chair that give off an OTR vibe and not a Newport, KY feeling at all. So, I wish them success and hope that others receive the same great experience I had. *Regarding the tipping: I paid in cash and did leave a tip. I feel good service should be compensated and our server deserved it. Now, I certainly don't always have cash on hand so I hope they can get the credit card issue taken care of, as that is not fair to the servers and Yelpers like us will have issue recommending the place.
(4)
Sarah A.
I came here about a month and a half ago. I was in a party of 4, with only 2 other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. I never received my breadstick. I asked my waitress; she apologized and said she would bring one right out. 10 minutes go by and everyone is more than halfway finished with their meals. The waitress didn't check up on us again. I asked another waitress finally, and she brought one out. Out waitress didn't show back up until it was time to bring the check. Perhaps the "don't tip your waitress" thing encourages them to not care as much because they know they will get paid regardless. As for the meal, I got the pork meat packs. They were too dry for my taste. Everyone else got beef and seemed to enjoy them. With all the restaurant options in newport, covington, and downtown, I probably won't be back.
(2)
Michelle L.
This place offered a very different experience that was fun and tasty.
(4)
Charles S.
I'm surprised to see so many negative reviews on here as I went here to meet up with a half-dozen people and had a good experience. I had the beef,blue cheese and sun dried tomato meatballs with the hunter sauce along with the root vegetables. The food was tasty and I was tempted to lick the hunter sauce off my plate. I thought it was a great place for a lunch or snack. I probably wouldn't come here for dinner. I was tempted to give it a four but the menu is pretty limited so it's not the kind of place I can imagine wanting to go to frequently. It's been said already but the menu system throws everybody off and can stand to be changed. I don't think it's that bad personally but several members of our party were confounded by it and basically had the waitress walk them through their orders. Deserts aren't really a thing here. The no tipping thing is nice and our service didn't suffer for it. There's a lot behind the building that looks like it's for a government building but is labeled,"general parking". I was worried about whether I could park there and our waitress said I could. I heard 4 other customers ask the same question. So yeah the parking situation seems too good to be true.
(3)
Jack W.
Really great food and really great service. Admittedly we were there during lunch and the crowd was small, but I will be back. I had three sliders: fried chicken with buffalo sauce, red, white and blue (meatballs with sun dried tomatoes and blue cheese) with the hunter gravy (think thick stew) and the daily special which was chicken curry meatballs and a curry cream sauce. I finished the order with the mashed potatoes (like a potato had an orgy with some delicious cheese) and a coke. While eating I spent some time talking to the owner and our server, Jess. Apparently the owner's two daughters also work there as servers, which is part of the reason there is no tipping. Packhouse pays their servers the greater of $10/hr or 20% of their gross receipts! Pretty fantastic. I am a fan!
(5)
Suzy W.
I like the feel of this place, it is confusing with the menus at first but once you get used to it then you're good to go. The spicy pork pack is amazing with the linguini. I love the chalkboard selection of the day where they write down what specials they have. When I was there they had a bacon maple syrup ice cream, it was amazing.
(4)
Dimitri H.
I hate to be a negative nancy but I was not very impressed with this establishment. to be honest, one of the reasons that I was disappointed is because I feel like the theme of the reasturant (meatballs) could be taken super far but it just fell short I had the daily special (Fried Lasagna Meatball), Pork and Beef. The wife ordered Standard Beef in a gravy type sauce and a one in marinara. I wanted just the meatballs with no bread and she wanted sliders. They mixed our orders up so neither one of us really got what we wanted. the Pork was dry... very Dry. the Fried Lasagna was AMAZING, so much that I wanted to order more, but as soon as we placed our order... they ran out. Beer offerings were strong. It was ok... but I will not be going back
(2)
Crystal C.
As a vegetarian, going out to eat at a place called Packhouse Meats should rank up there with dining at Steakfried Ribcutlets*. Stay with me though, this story has an almost perfect happy ending. First, the menu(s). There are two large boards on the wall: one with currently circulating adult beverages and the second with the daily specials. Then we have our nicely laminated menu upon which customers mark their dining choices. I know some folks have had issues navigating the menu and at first it seems quite daunting with so many options. Yet for someone who loves the 'build your own' concept this is wonderful. The menu allows you to write directly on it to determine exactly what you want- no lost in translation moments. Want a single pack with a particular sauce? There's a grid for that. If you're really stuck a staff member will help you out. Now on to the food. The Quinoa balls are the only pack I've had, and they have ranged in 'Ohmygawd perfect!' to 'Eh, should have ordered more sides instead'. Sometimes they are smooth inside with a nice exterior crisp to them. Other days they have chunks of vegetables in them and are lukewarm. Inconsistent, but everytime I go I say a silent prayer for the, ahem, smooth balls. The sides rarely fail to satisfy. Any of the roasted root vegetables, polenta, or Brussel sprouts are crowd winners. Order a few different ones and share with your friends. The ice cream they serve used to be made in house but now brought in from Dayton, OH. Still a pretty tasty icecream float. All-in-all Packhouse can be a great place to eat. The prices are affordable (they have a no tipping policy as well), they have an excellent selection of beers, and food almost anyone can eat. Recommended! *not a real restaurant I hope
(4)
Jackie B.
Let me just start this off with I am by far one of the hardest people to please. My meal was way more than I expected, these meatballs are no joke! An let's not forget the amazing atmosphere , kirk an Jessica made the experience. Thank you guys for giving me a new favorite place :)
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : No Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Shirley A.
Really liked this place. And will definitely go back to try other menu items. Our server mentioned they host beer dinners; so, I am also looking fwd to participate. The service was awesome! Our waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu and patient w questions. Very chill & friendly too! This first visit I got: -Red,White & Blue Meatballs w/ Buffalo Sauce bowl: very good. Great portion for 1 or 2 if you get a cpl sides(what we did) -Boursin Mashed P. - very good; great side to consider -Daily Special: Jalapeño Mac n Chs: good; a bit dry so we topped it w/ a sample of their daily special sauce Jalapeno Cream Chs and ... Thumbs up - garlic bread- normal Went on a Sat for lunch and the place was empty: service was quick. Then more groups came in and they seemed to get great srvc & quick orders out too.
(4)Angela K.
I've been here a hand full of times for lunch and dinner and the experience has been inconsistent. The last time I was here, I tried the seafood pack (pack of the day) on a pipe (baguette). It was not very good. There was way too much bread to start. They need to choose a different type of bread to serve them on, or pull part of the bread out of the center. The seafood pack was not great. It wasn't disgusting, but it had a sweet flavor and aftertaste that you get with seafood sometimes when it doesn't have the right/enough herbs and seasoning. I also ordered the sauteed peppers, which appear to have been replaced by the broccoli. Anyway, they were SWIMMING in oil. The flavor was ok, but I couldn't get past all the oil they were standing in. I mean, you want to assume that was EVOO but who knows?? It could have been corn oil or plain old vegetable oil, neither of which have the health benefits I am after if I am ordering sauteed veggies instead of potatoes or pasta of some kind! Know what I'm sayin? The service has never been an issue and the beer selection is decent. Sitting outside is awesome too, or even at the front where the door goes up. The menu doesn't bother me, but I agree with other Yelpers that its asking a lot of your customers to try and figure that out! After so many 'meh' experiences here we try to find other places to try in Newport.
(2)Spencer M.
Really, really great food. Very interesting place considering it is only meatballs. However, they have chicken, turkey, beef, and they also mix the meats with other ingredients such as dried tomatoes and cranberries. The sauces you can choose from are great. Very neat place, and I highly recommend. Also, they have a no tipping standard which is a little different, but tipping is still appreciated.
(5)Katie M.
Love the concept for this restaurant--you pick the type of meat (or vegetarian alternative), sauce, and bed (mashed potatoes, pasta, salad, sliders, etc). Very customizable and a ton of different options. The portions are very generous and the desserts are great. Staff is friendly and help explain the ordering process. They have a no tipping policy which is also unique. Cool feel inside--reminds me of a lot of the places in OTR.
(4)Alyssa H.
Packhouse Meats was pretty darn good! The ONE thing I did not like about the food was that the quinoa and veggie balls were deep fried.. One way to ruin a perfectly healthy good. But other than that, everything was awesome!! The decor is fantastic, the staff is super friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. The owner of Packhouse came up and talked to my friend and I, and he was super friendly! Definitely someone who is passionate about his work! My friend (who is a meat eater) was in love with the place, and was extremely happy with their gumbo. But for me, I don't know if it's a place I'll come back to often.
(4)Dawn B.
I really like this place. Their food is made fresh and it's full of flavor. There are plenty of options on the menu. You can put your pack (meatball) on a salad or in a pasta bowl (or on the side of either). You can build a sandwich or slider. And if you have problems navigating the menu, just ask the servers. They will answer any question you have and even make a helpful suggestion to guide you. They offer ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The cookies are huge and full of baked fresh yummy goodness. The only thing I don't like is that if I pay with credit, I can't include the tip. So bring cash to leave a tip, no matter how you choose to pay.
(4)Dave M.
I always love the idea of a restaurant picking a type of food and building a restaurant around it. On the outside, this place seemed to have chosen a model that I like(burgers, pizza, etc), with meat. Unfortunately, the meat wasn't much to write home about. The novelty of not tipping wears offer after a few minutes and your left to a somewhat meh experience. I will say that the chicken meatball was definitely the best thing I tried, but unfortunately, not good enough to merit a return trip.
(2)Jessica P.
Could check in here everyday! Great Craft Beer selections and the menu options are extensive. Great service and fun atmosphere.
(5)Angela C.
Packhouse has a really cool space and I like the concept. I love meatballs, and there are a lot of tasty sounding meatballs to try! There's even a vegetarian version if you don't eat meat, so bring your vegetarian friends. Definitely ask for help on your first (or second) try. I do think it is possible to end up with a weird combination. Everything tasted great when I went and I definitely want to come back and try some different types of meatballs. I had the turkey sage cranberry meatballs- yum! Really want to go back to try the fried chicken. Packhouse is definitely on my list of NKy lunch spots.
(4)Michael H.
Special Italian Sausage packs with marinara and mashed potatoes were fresh, hot and plain awesome! Hit the spot with a tasty cold draft craft beer. Great friendly service even late Monday night. This was my first visit. Look forward to going back ASAP!
(5)Ben E.
Friendly staff. Great draft selection. Red white and blue ball was tasty. Love the tipping policy.
(3)Stephanie H.
What started out as a really bad experience turned into a mostly good by the end of the visit. Upon arriving, we were told to sit anywhere. We were approached and asked our drink order, nothing else. Two waters were delivered and then no contact from any employee for the next 7 minutes at least when we were approached by a different server who asked if we were ready to order. It was our first visit, so naturally, we had a lot of questions as this is a unique concept where you fill out your own menu with a variety of combinations of packs (meatballs), sauces, and sides or sandwich options. Upon realizing that no one had walked us through the menu, the server apologized and gave us some recommendations. All of the food was tasty! My favorite part of my meal was a beef meatball with marinara and mozzarella slider. The marinara was hearty and the meatball was tender. My friend got a slider with beef and the sauce of the day, jalapeño cream cheese. That sauce was amazing! I wish I had gotten something with that sauce, too. I hope they have it again. I'd like to try a lot more of their gravies/sauces. We also shared a couple different flavors... Fried chicken and red, white, and bleu. We were disappointed there was no spicy pork as listed on their website menu. We didn't care for the chicken or red white and bleu nearly as much as the beef. Ultimately, we were disappointed in how we were greeted and the change in the menu, but the food we had was pretty tasty and I'll probably go back again.
(3)Cindy G.
I SO wanted to like this place, but I am going to have to agree with the other reviewers. The decor is top notch, the beer is list is OK, but the food and organization is just odd. We came here for a quick bite and a beer. Immediately when you enter you are smacked in the face with dark black walls and dusty chalkboard drawings. It's different and unique. We sat down and ordered up some brews. First glass that came out had a giant red lipstick stain on it. I almost threw up. They were really great about it and replaced my beer and glass. I get it these things happen. Then we moved on to the debacle that is ordering -- the menu is EXTREMELY difficult to navigate. I wonder if the owners know that as a society we are the laziest humans of all time. Especially as Americans, we want things to be quick, easy, clean and with the least amount of decisions possible. Instead you give us a gigantic menu we have to fill out ourself, with little to no guidance. No one explained the menu to us, nor did we know that we had to 'mark it' our selves we just assumed. When it came time to order I didn't even mark it because I couldn't find where to mark where I wanted. I just wanted a beef meatball with the sauce of the day. Simple enough. Also I get that you want to be creative but with such a large menu and so many options that is when you get into trouble with execution. Our beef meatball or "pack" was dry and had so much oregano in it I could barely eat it. The sauce on the other hand was delicious and thank god it was on the plate because it masked the taste of the meatball for a second. Last but not least our bread was stale :( How does this happen? Maybe because we came in for lunch and we were the only people in the restaurant I have no idea. Also their big platform is "no tipping" I asked the server why they would do this and she said she has no idea. Does anyone else know why they would do this? I asked if she got paid higher to compensate the tips (which might have been invasive but I was so curious) and she said no. This is the weirdest thing I have ever heard and thank god we had some cash on hand for once to give her. My takeaways from this experience would be scratch the "write it in yourself menus" tone down the options and deliver in execution and this place will be a hit, especially with the awesome concept, location and decor. I will definitely be back in a few months to see if you guys are listening to these reviews. For now, 2 stars - I've had better.
(2)Luke S.
I wish when you updated a review Robert Stack from Unsolved Mysteries would come on and say "Update!"... Anyways...it seems like they are working out the kinks and the food and menu was better this time around. I had the daily special of the New Orleans packs and sauce over the boursin mashed potatoes and it was....delicious. Also they have $2.50 PBR cans. I still feel guilty not tipping but... If you're looking for something different and a business that puts passion into what they're doing make your way down to Packhouse.
(4)Laura S.
Love the laid back but lively atmosphere. On nice days the front is a garage door that opens. I've had great service each time I've gone. Also a fan of the food and beer selection. They have pastas, salads, meat, and hearty vegetarian options that can be combined in any manner to make it a place for any type of eater. It feels expensive for what you get at first, but the restaurant offers its waitresses a fair wage or 20% of sales, whichever is more. With the tip factored in, I think the prices are fair. Parking is never a problem in the area, which makes it a good place to meet before heading out in the downtown area. It won't blow you away, but it's also a solid option.
(4)Jess B.
While I wouldn't necessarily come to this place all of the time because the food is a little heavy and isn't exactly health food, I am glad Newport got a place like this. I only hope Newport can attract (and sustain) more places like Packhouse. The location for Packhouse is a little surprising as there isn't much around it, but I love what they did with the building. Particularly on hot days, you can enjoy the shade of the indoors while still getting a great breeze from outside. I hope we can expect more restaurants to start cropping up around here on Monmouth, as it is nice to see a little variety coming into the area. It was my boyfriend's birthday in May, and I wanted to find something unique to take him to. This ended up being the spot, and we had a great time. First off, we were a little confused by the menu but quickly caught on to the "build it yourself" concept. They have several craft beers on tap that seem to change occasionally. I am not the biggest beer person and there wasn't a ton to choose from, but the boyfriend seemed satisfied with the selection. They also offer wine and liquor so anyone should be able to find something they like. As for our meals, the boyfriend got a side spinach and arugula salad and ordered the sliders with Hunter sauce for his entree. While I did not get to taste the sliders, they looked great, and the salad was fresh and tasty. I ordered the chicken packs with Marsala sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes. It wasn't remotely healthy, and I felt like I needed to take a nap afterward, but it was delicious nonetheless. For dessert, Packhouse offers a variety of different options from floats, to cookies, to ice cream sandwiches. We opted for the ice cream sandwiches which is essentially your choice of cookie (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, brownie, snicker doodle, cheesecake or the daily special) with your choice of ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, mint, brown sugar, smores) smashed in the middle. Surprisingly, they were out of several cookie choices but our server was sweet enough to comp one of our sandwiches, allowing us to try whatever we wanted. The cookies were soft and warm, and the ice cream was delicious. Everyone seems really pumped up about the "no-tipping" policy but honestly, the tip is built into the price so I'm not so sure it makes much of a difference. I do think it ultimately helps service, however, because the servers aren't jumping all over you every five seconds asking if you need anything. It's nice to be able to enjoy a meal without getting interrupted constantly. Regardless, we had a good experience overall. I can't say this will ever be my very favorite spot, but I certainly will come again, and I would recommend everyone try it at least once.
(3)Richard K.
Very enjoyable dinning experience. Food was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Only slight draw back was the menu is a little hard to navigate for first timers. But definitely going back.
(4)J. Paul A.
Solid concept & well executed. Will go back. Wait staff quite attentive. Meatball based menu with a bunch of different ways to get them. Had the pipe with chicken and buffalo sauce. Wife had slider and soup.
(4)Shae S.
Wow! My meal here was nothing short of memorable. I had the spicy pork meatballs with marinara on cheesy polenta, and it was so incredible I can't quit thinking about it. Tons of other great looking options too -- I can't wait to go back. This would be a great place to show off to out of town friends.
(5)Stephanie A.
I have been there twice and both times had amazing service and the food was so good! The options available are wide and each delicious with a very large number of healthy and vegetarian and vegan options (shocking considering the name) as well as unique daily specials. I want to try everything on the menu, which itself is fun! You mark down the "pack" you want (including great quinoa and vegetable), the sauce, and how you want it prepared. So many mix and match options but I highly recommend the parmesaen cream or (as a special) the chipotle bbq. They need more advertising.. Great restaurants need to stay in the Newport area!
(5)Carley M.
I don't understand the bad reviews. Our group loved this place!!! We all got something different and loved every bit. Tip and tax is included so the price on the menu is what you pay, very reasonable pricing!!! Our waitress was slow and not very attentive.
(5)Lori P.
My husband and I were looking for something different from the traditional fare for our Sunday evening dinner.....and we found it! Packhouse Meats in Newport. This small, but inviting environment was really very different. Open garage door which serves as the entire restaurant front to let in the spring air and No TVs, which provides you with a new sense of having a verbal conversation with your dinner guest. My husband had the chicken meatball pipe (baguette) with sauce and side salad, while I had the Spicy Pork meatballs with the Country Mista salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. The menu was unconventional, but innovative. We both really liked our dinners and plan to be back to sample other items on the menu. Good job, Packhouse Meats!
(3)Stephanie H.
What started out as a really bad experience turned into a mostly good by the end of the visit. Upon arriving, we were told to sit anywhere. We were approached and asked our drink order, nothing else. Two waters were delivered and then no contact from any employee for the next 7 minutes at least when we were approached by a different server who asked if we were ready to order. It was our first visit, so naturally, we had a lot of questions as this is a unique concept where you fill out your own menu with a variety of combinations of packs (meatballs), sauces, and sides or sandwich options. Upon realizing that no one had walked us through the menu, the server apologized and gave us some recommendations. All of the food was tasty! My favorite part of my meal was a beef meatball with marinara and mozzarella slider. The marinara was hearty and the meatball was tender. My friend got a slider with beef and the sauce of the day, jalapeño cream cheese. That sauce was amazing! I wish I had gotten something with that sauce, too. I hope they have it again. I'd like to try a lot more of their gravies/sauces. We also shared a couple different flavors... Fried chicken and red, white, and bleu. We were disappointed there was no spicy pork as listed on their website menu. We didn't care for the chicken or red white and bleu nearly as much as the beef. Ultimately, we were disappointed in how we were greeted and the change in the menu, but the food we had was pretty tasty and I'll probably go back again.
(3)Laura S.
Love the laid back but lively atmosphere. On nice days the front is a garage door that opens. I've had great service each time I've gone. Also a fan of the food and beer selection. They have pastas, salads, meat, and hearty vegetarian options that can be combined in any manner to make it a place for any type of eater. It feels expensive for what you get at first, but the restaurant offers its waitresses a fair wage or 20% of sales, whichever is more. With the tip factored in, I think the prices are fair. Parking is never a problem in the area, which makes it a good place to meet before heading out in the downtown area. It won't blow you away, but it's also a solid option.
(4)Alyssa H.
Packhouse Meats was pretty darn good! The ONE thing I did not like about the food was that the quinoa and veggie balls were deep fried.. One way to ruin a perfectly healthy good. But other than that, everything was awesome!! The decor is fantastic, the staff is super friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. The owner of Packhouse came up and talked to my friend and I, and he was super friendly! Definitely someone who is passionate about his work! My friend (who is a meat eater) was in love with the place, and was extremely happy with their gumbo. But for me, I don't know if it's a place I'll come back to often.
(4)Dawn B.
I really like this place. Their food is made fresh and it's full of flavor. There are plenty of options on the menu. You can put your pack (meatball) on a salad or in a pasta bowl (or on the side of either). You can build a sandwich or slider. And if you have problems navigating the menu, just ask the servers. They will answer any question you have and even make a helpful suggestion to guide you. They offer ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The cookies are huge and full of baked fresh yummy goodness. The only thing I don't like is that if I pay with credit, I can't include the tip. So bring cash to leave a tip, no matter how you choose to pay.
(4)Crystal C.
As a vegetarian, going out to eat at a place called Packhouse Meats should rank up there with dining at Steakfried Ribcutlets*. Stay with me though, this story has an almost perfect happy ending. First, the menu(s). There are two large boards on the wall: one with currently circulating adult beverages and the second with the daily specials. Then we have our nicely laminated menu upon which customers mark their dining choices. I know some folks have had issues navigating the menu and at first it seems quite daunting with so many options. Yet for someone who loves the 'build your own' concept this is wonderful. The menu allows you to write directly on it to determine exactly what you want- no lost in translation moments. Want a single pack with a particular sauce? There's a grid for that. If you're really stuck a staff member will help you out. Now on to the food. The Quinoa balls are the only pack I've had, and they have ranged in 'Ohmygawd perfect!' to 'Eh, should have ordered more sides instead'. Sometimes they are smooth inside with a nice exterior crisp to them. Other days they have chunks of vegetables in them and are lukewarm. Inconsistent, but everytime I go I say a silent prayer for the, ahem, smooth balls. The sides rarely fail to satisfy. Any of the roasted root vegetables, polenta, or Brussel sprouts are crowd winners. Order a few different ones and share with your friends. The ice cream they serve used to be made in house but now brought in from Dayton, OH. Still a pretty tasty icecream float. All-in-all Packhouse can be a great place to eat. The prices are affordable (they have a no tipping policy as well), they have an excellent selection of beers, and food almost anyone can eat. Recommended! *not a real restaurant I hope
(4)Jackie B.
Let me just start this off with I am by far one of the hardest people to please. My meal was way more than I expected, these meatballs are no joke! An let's not forget the amazing atmosphere , kirk an Jessica made the experience. Thank you guys for giving me a new favorite place :)
(5)Holly A.
I had heard so much about this restaurant on Monmouth and it's unique dining style I couldn't wait to try it out, so my fiance and I went on a Thursday night in early spring with bellies growling to check it out. We loved the concept of the menu and different style of ordering once we figured it out and the atmosphere is fun and inviting as well. Unfortunately, the food was less than exciting. Dry and bland was the best way to describe it and my salad was horrible too. Something on special pear salad that I couldn't take more than one bite of after trying to eat the hardest chunk of pear that has ever existed. Needless to say we left disappointed. We did try again! Recently we went back to Packhouse on a Sunday afternoon to give it another try. Cheesy Polenta hit the spot and the beer selection was mouthwatering. The Packs, meatballs, were much better, but still not what I would expect from a restaurant that is specializing in meatballs? If nothing else on the menu is good, but those meatballs are the shit they'd be in a better place than they are now in my opinion. I hope if I return that my taste buds are blown away and this restaurant is killing it. I might be alone on this, but while the no tipping policy is different and could be working for the staff, I would rather be able to tip for more attentive service. As a former server/bartender/restaurant manager I know I worked harder, faster and friendlier when my take home pay depended on my customers and the quality of their experience; not just the amount of food they ordered.
(2)Martha K.
My friend and I go to lunch every Friday and try new places. Our husbands came up with a name for us, the Vagablondes. We chose to go to Packhouse because my husband said he heard it was great. Great isn't how we would choose to describe it. It was edible. We ordered a shred, mashed pots and the daily special which was the jalapeno meatball and the jalapeno cream sauce. We were told the red, white and blue was the pack to order for the shred so we did. Server came back and said they were out. This was 12:30ish on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't busy. We got the beef pack on the shred since they were out of the red, white and blue and it was ok but the marinara sauce had an overwhelming oregano flavor. The food came out cold, twice. The server was very nice and aplogetic but the cheese wasn't even metled on top after the 2nd return. They may have been having an off day so we might try it again but it probably won't be anytime soon. Packhouse went on our list of disappointing places to eat.
(2)Michelle Y.
We loved the food and the atmosphere! I liked the different options and the changing daily specials. They also had a good, modest selection of craft beers.
(5)Debbie Z.
We have been driving by the location for a while watching it slowly and steadily come together. Watching them put the sign up outside that reads Packhouse; seeing the new glass garage doors that open in the summer to expose the fresh air, and the cool look and feel to the building. I was very excited and was anticipating the opening. Finally, it opened and we waited for a couple weeks in anticipation for the kinks to get ironed out before stopping in. Finally, we were out on a Saturday afternoon and were getting a bit thirsty and hungry for a nibble. We wanted to find a place to watch the golf game while nibbling and having a cold beer. "Let's go to Packhouse"!! **you have to admit, the name sounds cool** We walk in ready to grab a seat at the bar, order a beer and some meatballs. Auugh... no bar!....... no television! We stood there like lost puppies, but we didn't want to just leave (as everyone was looking at us), so we took a seat at a table - all while looking back at the wall full of wine and spirits, but no bar to sit at. Okay, outside of that, the place is charming. The menu is confusing as others have stated. The meatballs are...... meatballs. Good, but nothing to make it a destination spot for me. We did get our beer and a meatball, so it wasn't a complete loss. I had a meatball slider which was very good and filling. I'm sad that I am once again giving another new Newport small business a not-so-good review. I want Newport to thrive with small, locally owned businesses, so I'm still hopeful. Bottom Line: They serve meatballs; they don't have a television, or a bar to sit at. They do have a full bar of drinks and garage doors that open to the sidewalk. I think summer will be a better time to go.
(2)Wad C.
Six of us went last night, it was amazing! I had the Brussels sprouts topped w beef packs and hunter gravy. It was very rich and flavorful. The ladies had salads, they were good also. My buddy had the special soup, cilantro something and It ruled. Good beer selection, nice staff.
(4)steve s.
Menu is confusing. But love this place. Daily meatballs are great. Spicy meatball with Jalapeño sauce is the best. Salads with daily meatball are good to
(4)Chris H.
I ordered the "Pipe Sandwich" with spicy pork. It was very good sandwich. I will say that the menu is difficult at first to navigate. The prices are a little high for what you get. Overall the restaurant is very neat and old school.
(4)Julie P.
Food selection and presentation was innovative, atmosphere definitely cool, refreshing selection of craft beers, and friendly owner! Not what you might expect from a "meatball place". They apply a "build your own" concept to meatballs (or vegetation balls!), and sides. We sampled both Korean beef and quinoa vegetable meatballs, roasted veggies, spinach salad and a couple not-the-usual craft beers--all delicious! We had heard the service was lacking, but our server was top notch. Maybe they just needed to get into the groove for the novel approach. We will definitely visit again.
(4)Sean H.
I was really disappointed. The building was so cool and I loved the open air concept. The food was really really bad and only like warm. The very best item we tried was the standard marinara meatball. Everything else was so gross and so blatantly not good that I wanted my money back. Also, the no tipping thing kinda falls apart if when you ask about it your server says "but some people still do" (and smiles at you). Horrible. Never going back.
(1)Victoria S.
Love the concept and the place is super cool, nice server. We want this place to survive, mostly because of the cool factor and the revitalization of the area..however, the meatballs were dry, drowning in sauce so that you could not taste the actual blue cheese in the meatball :( the potato latkes were just ok. Lacking in flavor. There were 3 of us and none of us liked our meatballs. The French onion soup was great though. My hope is that they stop drowning the meat in so much sauce. Perhaps a little drizzle? Anyways. Will try it one more time. In a few months and hope it gets better
(2)Marie A.
Very small space, so go early. The place was packed and they had two waitresses who also make drinks and serve the bar. Waited forever to order and get drinks. I like to sit down and enjoy my food and drinks. I don't want to continuously flag the server down. We finally got annoyed and left. Too many other places in the area. The concept is fun, but I'd do more a chipotle style food service. Or better wait staff :)
(2)Evan B.
Just okay. I thought the portion size was a little small, however the prices where fair. I would have rather not used the "check the box" menu as I found it somewhat difficult to navigate. I did enjoy the atmosphere as the setting is in what looks to be an open air garage. This place brings new ideas and taste Newport!
(3)Drew J.
Great new local restaurant with fantastic service, good beer menu and amazing meatball-based yumminess! I came with a big party, including my Dad who is vegan. They went out of their way to make the vegetarian offering vegan for my Dad. It took a little longer but was well worth it. Server was super-knowledgeable about the menu and checked in well. Dessert was fantastic. Kids ate most of the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream! Really cool to see a solid local restaurant with a new concept in this part of town. I'll definitely be back. Menu can be a little confusing but the server answered all of our questions and once you order once, you'll be a pro! Get over to this little new slice of meatball heaven soon!
(5)Heather Y.
I crave the veggie meatballs. They are possibly the best, most interesting I have ever enjoyed. No tipping so the prices are not at all high for what you get. Good start. I'll go back. They only bring the giant flat screen TV out for special events, like day times Red's games, which is also a bonus!
(5)Emory G.
Went to try this place out and was greatly impressed. I ordered the blue cheese salad with the red white and blue pack with the special spicy cream cheese gravy. The pack was amazing and salad was good. A little smaller than expected. My boyfriend got the open faced sandwich with the daily special pack and a fried egg on top. Also delicious. I recommend getting sides as well. It was almost 10 o'clock when we were eating so it ended up filling us up. Beer selections were good as well, the peach cider was amazing. Didn't get any dessert but the floats and ice cream sandwiches highly looked worth it. Will go back and most likely get one of the bowls.
(4)Renee M.
I really wanted to like this place. Menu was very enticing. Love how they labeled gluten free foods. Interesting idea with "no tipping." Fun ambience. The quinoa/vegetable "meat"balls were really tasty. Flavorful marinara sauce. Skip the Boursin mashed potatoes. Red, white and blue meatball sandwich didn't have much flavor. We waited 40 minutes for our food and it wasn't busy.
(3)Debbie H.
Fun for a change of pace. Great food. A little confusing the first time you go. The servers do a good job of explaining the menu. Meatballs - any way you like them. Cool atmosphere. Portion size is a little small, so order lots. The only thing I would suggest is - something for kids. And...a few suggestions on what to pick. That is, what meat goes with what sauce, etc.
(4)David V.
Not tipping is the greatest thing ever. How great is it to just eat and not have to worry about paying someone their wages. I travel throughout Europe and Asia extensively and its refreshing to see someone in the States starting to get it
(5)Nick B.
The food was great!....the food to price ratio is out of whack (priced on the high side) and the menu took some time to navigate. Hopefully they will take a look at those two things for an adjustment.
(3)Heather B.
We had tickets to a show in Cincinnati with my brother and sister in law. I didnt want to go to the normal place I head to when in Cincy for dinner. I found an blog thay highlighted Packhouse. The concept was new to us and peaked our interest. The four of us walked in and the smell was a good start to what we were in for. We could have done without the dust from the chalk. The server was very helpful when we were having isues with the flow of the menu. Then had the bad luck of tell us that a few items we ordered were either gone or were no longer offering that item. My husband was the victim of this. He was looking forward to the cinnamon ice cream and oatmeal cookie sandwich. Both items were gone. The salads were fresh and delish with to roasted root veggies and both the packs and hot sides were out at the same time. Will be back in town soon and heading back to try another round of the packs.
(4)Sarah D.
Impressed with this restaurant! We weren't sure what to expect after reading a lot of complaints about their menu. But, once the server explained how to choose the options it was just a matter of deciding what we wanted. I had the red, white, and blue pack with Marinara and a country mista salad as my side. Fiancée had same pack over mashed potatoes and hunters sauce. All the dishes were delicious and full of flavor. Great beer selection and service was great too! Prices were very reasonable. Will definitely return!
(4)Merilee M.
Mark, the owner, is a family man who is passionate about his place. It is a family run business; Marks daughters work for him and believe in the vision of this establishment. Meeting and talking with him when we went in was a pleasure. I thought the food was DELICIOUS! I ordered the Red, White and Blue packs with the Hunter gravy over homemade creamy mash potatoes. It was divine. Our waitress was friendly, personable and attentive. We love the decor of the restaurant and are excited to go back as the temperatures warm up because they have a retractable garage door front wall so you can enjoy the outside air while dining in the restaurant or sipping on a unique draft beer. The menu was creative and fun! You have plenty of options but not an overwhelming amount. I love that they are doing something different and doing it with style. I will go back!
(5)Barbara M.
We are 2 friends who love to eat and go out every Friday for lunch and thought we would start reviewing the places we go. Just call us the restaurant vagablondes. We chose the Packhouse in Newport today and ordered the daily special and a shred with mashed pots. Server was very nice and helpful but food came out cold twice. Meatballs were good but the daily special jalapeño cream cheese sauce was overwhelming and the marinara had too much oregano for our taste. The portions were average but adequate. The atmosphere was cool and comfortable. We will always give places a second chance so stay tuned and we will update. Clean bathroom = clean kitchen and we rate this one an A+.
(2)Haky M.
"Packs" are meatballs, in case there was any confusion. If the confusion stopped there, Packhouse might have a leg to stand on, but unfortunately that's only the beginning. We would like to go on record as saying that we had one of the nicest and most well informed servers in recent memory. She had a couple too many tables to cover, so things slowed down at times, but it was not for lack of effort. It's hard to say who the target audience of Packhouse Meats is. There's a little bit of something for everyone, which is a given when you have the most comically complex menu we've ever encountered. It's like a poorly designed infographic. There are fewer decisions to be made when buying a car. The menu is literally an order form, where you check off boxes in all the separate categories to eventually build a meal. Decor is like a Brooklyn TGI Friday's location. There's a splash of heart -- with the exposed brick and the tin ceiling -- but that all falls to the wayside in the face of over-the-top blackboards and chain-esque branding. And the food, simply put: inspired but not well executed. Looking at the menu, it seems like they're trying to check all the boxes of a hip, new restaurant, but it never quite comes off. Don't get me wrong; nothing was bad. And the spicy pork meatballs were pretty darn tasty. Just not special. The bread dry, root vegetables undercooked, and salad unimaginative. They're onto something good, it's just not all making it to the table. As far as the service goes, prepare to tip in cash. We're not sure where the owner gets off with this, but he's removed the tip line from checks. With the most complicated menu in town, servers have to be on top of their game -- why not let us reward them?
(3)Cassie E.
Came to Pack House for their capacity testing night and got to be one of the first people to try them out. I had the chicken packs with Marsala gravy over bow tie pasta with sundries tomatoes. My husband had the spicy pork packs with marinara over linguine. We both really enjoyed our meals. They didn't have their liquor license yet but it seems line it will be a fun place to grab a drink and some food especially in the summer when they can open their overhead garage door storefront. We'll definitely be back to try the many combinations of pasta, salad and Sandwiches available with their delicious packed meats!
(5)Mark A.
We wanted to rate higher, but meatballs we cold, plate was hot. Staff was confused on who had what tables.
(2)Austin M.
Place has interesting atmosphere, it seems a weird combination of down to earth, but an upper class appearance from outside. I don't dislike this but I've never really had a place strike me as such before. The owner was quick to greet me on entering and quickly showed me the way the menu worked. It's overly complicated but I can hardly suggest a method to simplify it. Perhaps adding some pictures of the food somewhere. They have some of the better craft beers of the area, no rivertown at this time, which breaks my heart. The crowd is young and full of life which is a needed change for the area. Then the food.... It's trash, the mashed potatoes are drenched in butter, if I tilt the plate I can just watch it swim. Meatballs were super dry, I had to look closely when i cut them open to make sure I wasn't eating fried old bread. Sauce was even sub par, it tastes like store bought chicken marsala with a thick film over the top of it from when it was sitting out since this morning unstirred. I WANT to like this place but it's awful. New chef + fresher food = new favorite local restaurant.
(2)Vicky T.
Not impressed with food at all but ... love the whole idea behind it, the menu process of choosing your meatballs, gravy, bowl, sides, slider .... all of that is awesome. As for the food: the chicken meatballs were overly salty and pork meatballs were ok (nothing special). All meatballs were extremely heavy & dense (which is fine) BUT there was no moisture. Too dry and too much filler. The bread sticks / focaccia pieces (or whatever that was) was the worst bread i have ever had in my life. Day old? Flavor-less. Hard. The marina sauce wasn't very good ... overwhelming taste of dry herbs - blah. The linguini with herb olive oil? What herbs? Blah, plain, over-cooked. Had the brownie cookies .... day old as well? We got two and only ate one. We didn't even take the other home which is unheard of for us so what does that say? The boursin mashed potatoes were probably the best thing on the table. Last, I think slightly (just a wee bit) over priced for what you get. Would not go again unless someone told me the food had gotten better and they worked out their kinks of being new. Tipping is way confusing - I was unsure what to do so I left a 20% cash tip anyway even though I paid with credit card. Wished they served fountain drinks. Our service was very good.
(2)Bobbie F.
Packhouse is a welcomed addition to the Newport community. Even though the surrounding area is a little run down, this place is like a warm smile in the midst of a bad day. This area needs something new, fresh and different. Their address must not be claimed on google maps because neither of my apps could locate their coordinates. Use the map on Yelp. I enjoyed the unique, hipster atmosphere. Simple, creative, laid back. The dining room area is open - with no walls or windows to prevent the summer warmth from streaming through. Loved the few tables on the patio (technically, the sidewalk). Chalkboards, exposed brick, wood furniture. The menu is daunting - there's just lots of options. My server was helpful, however. Usually my ears tune out after one minute of instruction. If it takes longer than 30 seconds to explain something - simplify it. I picked one meatball slider with a side salad (dressing was delicious), and asked my server to choose another slider - whatever he wanted. One gets exhausted trying to select their own perfect combo. To heck with that stress - just ask your sever and/or the chef to choose your meal for you. If it sucks, at least it's not your fault for choosing a gross combo (although when you give the consumer options - any choice they make should be good). I enjoyed the daily slider with the daily sauce - not too much sauce and the meat was delicious. I also tried the chicken meatball with a Alfredo-type sauce - also delicious. They come as sort of a mini-sandwich. I had a side salad to accompany everything - the greens were fresh and the dressing was light and served on the side (thank you for not drenching my delicate nutrients in fat-ridden sauce). Really enjoyed the cuisine. Service is slow, but good - but that's ok because as Americans, let's face it: we're not used to taking our time on anything. I wasn't in any hurry, but if I was, this detail would've been cause for concern. For example, during lunch? Quick service is imperative, particularly if this place expects to get business from the working professional community (ie. Downtowners). I enjoyed a nice bottle of wine of Pinot noir on half-priced wine night ($18, Sunday). This was a great option considering that there is only one glass of white and one glass of red on the menu. The beer selection looks very good, however. My server corked and packaged my wine up without me having to ask. Nice. Unique menu, inspiring decor (maybe pass out chalk and invite people to write/draw on the walls - get your guests involved) and a relatively safe location. Service could use a bit of coordination - you can tell that they are simply getting used to the flow of a restaurant and how to multitask. I highly recommend that they start getting some sort of live music on Friday or Saturday nights. This corner could definitely attract some of the crowd from Newport. A good first experience. I'll be back - but only when I'm not in a hurry.
(4)Steve K.
Service was spotty, location was near sketchy activity and food was mediocre. I can't really see a reason to go back, the restaurant has a no tipping concept, but that lead to no incentive to provide good service. The meal seemed to take forever. The dessert menu featured items that were not available because the "board of health wouldn't allow items be made in house." The ice cream sandwich dessert concept was both poorly conceived and executed- I was left with a $5 mess. The beer selection was very limited.
(2)Shauna R.
Excellent food and great service. Ask for Kaitlin to be your server. She's awesome!! Prices are right too
(5)Haky M.
"Packs" are meatballs, in case there was any confusion. If the confusion stopped there, Packhouse might have a leg to stand on, but unfortunately that's only the beginning. We would like to go on record as saying that we had one of the nicest and most well informed servers in recent memory. She had a couple too many tables to cover, so things slowed down at times, but it was not for lack of effort. It's hard to say who the target audience of Packhouse Meats is. There's a little bit of something for everyone, which is a given when you have the most comically complex menu we've ever encountered. It's like a poorly designed infographic. There are fewer decisions to be made when buying a car. The menu is literally an order form, where you check off boxes in all the separate categories to eventually build a meal. Decor is like a Brooklyn TGI Friday's location. There's a splash of heart -- with the exposed brick and the tin ceiling -- but that all falls to the wayside in the face of over-the-top blackboards and chain-esque branding. And the food, simply put: inspired but not well executed. Looking at the menu, it seems like they're trying to check all the boxes of a hip, new restaurant, but it never quite comes off. Don't get me wrong; nothing was bad. And the spicy pork meatballs were pretty darn tasty. Just not special. The bread dry, root vegetables undercooked, and salad unimaginative. They're onto something good, it's just not all making it to the table. As far as the service goes, prepare to tip in cash. We're not sure where the owner gets off with this, but he's removed the tip line from checks. With the most complicated menu in town, servers have to be on top of their game -- why not let us reward them?
(3)Cassie E.
Came to Pack House for their capacity testing night and got to be one of the first people to try them out. I had the chicken packs with Marsala gravy over bow tie pasta with sundries tomatoes. My husband had the spicy pork packs with marinara over linguine. We both really enjoyed our meals. They didn't have their liquor license yet but it seems line it will be a fun place to grab a drink and some food especially in the summer when they can open their overhead garage door storefront. We'll definitely be back to try the many combinations of pasta, salad and Sandwiches available with their delicious packed meats!
(5)Mark A.
We wanted to rate higher, but meatballs we cold, plate was hot. Staff was confused on who had what tables.
(2)Richard K.
Very enjoyable dinning experience. Food was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Only slight draw back was the menu is a little hard to navigate for first timers. But definitely going back.
(4)Victoria S.
Love the concept and the place is super cool, nice server. We want this place to survive, mostly because of the cool factor and the revitalization of the area..however, the meatballs were dry, drowning in sauce so that you could not taste the actual blue cheese in the meatball :( the potato latkes were just ok. Lacking in flavor. There were 3 of us and none of us liked our meatballs. The French onion soup was great though. My hope is that they stop drowning the meat in so much sauce. Perhaps a little drizzle? Anyways. Will try it one more time. In a few months and hope it gets better
(2)Shirley A.
Really liked this place. And will definitely go back to try other menu items. Our server mentioned they host beer dinners; so, I am also looking fwd to participate. The service was awesome! Our waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu and patient w questions. Very chill & friendly too! This first visit I got: -Red,White & Blue Meatballs w/ Buffalo Sauce bowl: very good. Great portion for 1 or 2 if you get a cpl sides(what we did) -Boursin Mashed P. - very good; great side to consider -Daily Special: Jalapeño Mac n Chs: good; a bit dry so we topped it w/ a sample of their daily special sauce Jalapeno Cream Chs and ... Thumbs up - garlic bread- normal Went on a Sat for lunch and the place was empty: service was quick. Then more groups came in and they seemed to get great srvc & quick orders out too.
(4)Angela K.
I've been here a hand full of times for lunch and dinner and the experience has been inconsistent. The last time I was here, I tried the seafood pack (pack of the day) on a pipe (baguette). It was not very good. There was way too much bread to start. They need to choose a different type of bread to serve them on, or pull part of the bread out of the center. The seafood pack was not great. It wasn't disgusting, but it had a sweet flavor and aftertaste that you get with seafood sometimes when it doesn't have the right/enough herbs and seasoning. I also ordered the sauteed peppers, which appear to have been replaced by the broccoli. Anyway, they were SWIMMING in oil. The flavor was ok, but I couldn't get past all the oil they were standing in. I mean, you want to assume that was EVOO but who knows?? It could have been corn oil or plain old vegetable oil, neither of which have the health benefits I am after if I am ordering sauteed veggies instead of potatoes or pasta of some kind! Know what I'm sayin? The service has never been an issue and the beer selection is decent. Sitting outside is awesome too, or even at the front where the door goes up. The menu doesn't bother me, but I agree with other Yelpers that its asking a lot of your customers to try and figure that out! After so many 'meh' experiences here we try to find other places to try in Newport.
(2)Angela C.
Packhouse has a really cool space and I like the concept. I love meatballs, and there are a lot of tasty sounding meatballs to try! There's even a vegetarian version if you don't eat meat, so bring your vegetarian friends. Definitely ask for help on your first (or second) try. I do think it is possible to end up with a weird combination. Everything tasted great when I went and I definitely want to come back and try some different types of meatballs. I had the turkey sage cranberry meatballs- yum! Really want to go back to try the fried chicken. Packhouse is definitely on my list of NKy lunch spots.
(4)Michael H.
Special Italian Sausage packs with marinara and mashed potatoes were fresh, hot and plain awesome! Hit the spot with a tasty cold draft craft beer. Great friendly service even late Monday night. This was my first visit. Look forward to going back ASAP!
(5)Ben E.
Friendly staff. Great draft selection. Red white and blue ball was tasty. Love the tipping policy.
(3)Luke S.
I wish when you updated a review Robert Stack from Unsolved Mysteries would come on and say "Update!"... Anyways...it seems like they are working out the kinks and the food and menu was better this time around. I had the daily special of the New Orleans packs and sauce over the boursin mashed potatoes and it was....delicious. Also they have $2.50 PBR cans. I still feel guilty not tipping but... If you're looking for something different and a business that puts passion into what they're doing make your way down to Packhouse.
(4)Jess B.
While I wouldn't necessarily come to this place all of the time because the food is a little heavy and isn't exactly health food, I am glad Newport got a place like this. I only hope Newport can attract (and sustain) more places like Packhouse. The location for Packhouse is a little surprising as there isn't much around it, but I love what they did with the building. Particularly on hot days, you can enjoy the shade of the indoors while still getting a great breeze from outside. I hope we can expect more restaurants to start cropping up around here on Monmouth, as it is nice to see a little variety coming into the area. It was my boyfriend's birthday in May, and I wanted to find something unique to take him to. This ended up being the spot, and we had a great time. First off, we were a little confused by the menu but quickly caught on to the "build it yourself" concept. They have several craft beers on tap that seem to change occasionally. I am not the biggest beer person and there wasn't a ton to choose from, but the boyfriend seemed satisfied with the selection. They also offer wine and liquor so anyone should be able to find something they like. As for our meals, the boyfriend got a side spinach and arugula salad and ordered the sliders with Hunter sauce for his entree. While I did not get to taste the sliders, they looked great, and the salad was fresh and tasty. I ordered the chicken packs with Marsala sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes. It wasn't remotely healthy, and I felt like I needed to take a nap afterward, but it was delicious nonetheless. For dessert, Packhouse offers a variety of different options from floats, to cookies, to ice cream sandwiches. We opted for the ice cream sandwiches which is essentially your choice of cookie (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, brownie, snicker doodle, cheesecake or the daily special) with your choice of ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, mint, brown sugar, smores) smashed in the middle. Surprisingly, they were out of several cookie choices but our server was sweet enough to comp one of our sandwiches, allowing us to try whatever we wanted. The cookies were soft and warm, and the ice cream was delicious. Everyone seems really pumped up about the "no-tipping" policy but honestly, the tip is built into the price so I'm not so sure it makes much of a difference. I do think it ultimately helps service, however, because the servers aren't jumping all over you every five seconds asking if you need anything. It's nice to be able to enjoy a meal without getting interrupted constantly. Regardless, we had a good experience overall. I can't say this will ever be my very favorite spot, but I certainly will come again, and I would recommend everyone try it at least once.
(3)Dave M.
I always love the idea of a restaurant picking a type of food and building a restaurant around it. On the outside, this place seemed to have chosen a model that I like(burgers, pizza, etc), with meat. Unfortunately, the meat wasn't much to write home about. The novelty of not tipping wears offer after a few minutes and your left to a somewhat meh experience. I will say that the chicken meatball was definitely the best thing I tried, but unfortunately, not good enough to merit a return trip.
(2)Jessica P.
Could check in here everyday! Great Craft Beer selections and the menu options are extensive. Great service and fun atmosphere.
(5)Cindy G.
I SO wanted to like this place, but I am going to have to agree with the other reviewers. The decor is top notch, the beer is list is OK, but the food and organization is just odd. We came here for a quick bite and a beer. Immediately when you enter you are smacked in the face with dark black walls and dusty chalkboard drawings. It's different and unique. We sat down and ordered up some brews. First glass that came out had a giant red lipstick stain on it. I almost threw up. They were really great about it and replaced my beer and glass. I get it these things happen. Then we moved on to the debacle that is ordering -- the menu is EXTREMELY difficult to navigate. I wonder if the owners know that as a society we are the laziest humans of all time. Especially as Americans, we want things to be quick, easy, clean and with the least amount of decisions possible. Instead you give us a gigantic menu we have to fill out ourself, with little to no guidance. No one explained the menu to us, nor did we know that we had to 'mark it' our selves we just assumed. When it came time to order I didn't even mark it because I couldn't find where to mark where I wanted. I just wanted a beef meatball with the sauce of the day. Simple enough. Also I get that you want to be creative but with such a large menu and so many options that is when you get into trouble with execution. Our beef meatball or "pack" was dry and had so much oregano in it I could barely eat it. The sauce on the other hand was delicious and thank god it was on the plate because it masked the taste of the meatball for a second. Last but not least our bread was stale :( How does this happen? Maybe because we came in for lunch and we were the only people in the restaurant I have no idea. Also their big platform is "no tipping" I asked the server why they would do this and she said she has no idea. Does anyone else know why they would do this? I asked if she got paid higher to compensate the tips (which might have been invasive but I was so curious) and she said no. This is the weirdest thing I have ever heard and thank god we had some cash on hand for once to give her. My takeaways from this experience would be scratch the "write it in yourself menus" tone down the options and deliver in execution and this place will be a hit, especially with the awesome concept, location and decor. I will definitely be back in a few months to see if you guys are listening to these reviews. For now, 2 stars - I've had better.
(2)Spencer M.
Really, really great food. Very interesting place considering it is only meatballs. However, they have chicken, turkey, beef, and they also mix the meats with other ingredients such as dried tomatoes and cranberries. The sauces you can choose from are great. Very neat place, and I highly recommend. Also, they have a no tipping standard which is a little different, but tipping is still appreciated.
(5)Katie M.
Love the concept for this restaurant--you pick the type of meat (or vegetarian alternative), sauce, and bed (mashed potatoes, pasta, salad, sliders, etc). Very customizable and a ton of different options. The portions are very generous and the desserts are great. Staff is friendly and help explain the ordering process. They have a no tipping policy which is also unique. Cool feel inside--reminds me of a lot of the places in OTR.
(4)Laura T.
Despite the negative reviews, I was overall pretty happy with this place- but, I'm a low carber so anything dedicated to meat is up my alley. Ok, I came here on a Sunday afternoon just after a snow storm, so there wasn't much of a crowd. The menu was a bit complicated, but the server quickly offered to explain. No big deal, I like options. The décor is great. I'm not a beer drinker so I cant judge the beer. Wish they had fountain soda rather than bottles, but not a complaint. So I had the daily special- beef with coconut and a red pepper coconut sauce. Loved it! Probably wasn't low carb but it was worth the splurge. I had a side of brussel sprouts and plenty of low carb options. I will admit that the brussel sprouts could have been more exciting- they were just sautéed with olive oil and salt- gimme some balsamic, bacon bits or roast them. But, again, im not complaining, I'm happy to have more than just potato side options. I had a really hard time deciding between the special and the regular menu item, turkey sage cranberry meatball. Decided on the special since, well, its special : ) Its pretty inexpensive and I like the no tipping policy. Probably more aligned with a good lunch place rather than somewhere you would go in the evening to enjoy a beer. So now, just open one in Blue Ash and I will eat here every week for lunch.
(4)John B.
After reading a few of the reviews of this place, I was a little apprehensive and thought I would not enjoy the food/menu/service but I had a great stomach filling lunch and received great service (believe her name was Kelly). I did have a little trouble navigating the menu, but all my questions were answered by my friendly server and the owner/manager was nearby if I would have had any other questions or issues. I settled on a really yummy salad off the specials board (definitely check that before you order off the regular menu), and had two packs of quinoa and veggie. I really wanted to order something off the dessert list but I was fairly stuffed. So, as others have mentioned, the decor is pretty chic, chalk walls, bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and cool name tag chair that give off an OTR vibe and not a Newport, KY feeling at all. So, I wish them success and hope that others receive the same great experience I had. *Regarding the tipping: I paid in cash and did leave a tip. I feel good service should be compensated and our server deserved it. Now, I certainly don't always have cash on hand so I hope they can get the credit card issue taken care of, as that is not fair to the servers and Yelpers like us will have issue recommending the place.
(4)Sarah A.
I came here about a month and a half ago. I was in a party of 4, with only 2 other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. I never received my breadstick. I asked my waitress; she apologized and said she would bring one right out. 10 minutes go by and everyone is more than halfway finished with their meals. The waitress didn't check up on us again. I asked another waitress finally, and she brought one out. Out waitress didn't show back up until it was time to bring the check. Perhaps the "don't tip your waitress" thing encourages them to not care as much because they know they will get paid regardless. As for the meal, I got the pork meat packs. They were too dry for my taste. Everyone else got beef and seemed to enjoy them. With all the restaurant options in newport, covington, and downtown, I probably won't be back.
(2)Michelle L.
This place offered a very different experience that was fun and tasty.
(4)Charles S.
I'm surprised to see so many negative reviews on here as I went here to meet up with a half-dozen people and had a good experience. I had the beef,blue cheese and sun dried tomato meatballs with the hunter sauce along with the root vegetables. The food was tasty and I was tempted to lick the hunter sauce off my plate. I thought it was a great place for a lunch or snack. I probably wouldn't come here for dinner. I was tempted to give it a four but the menu is pretty limited so it's not the kind of place I can imagine wanting to go to frequently. It's been said already but the menu system throws everybody off and can stand to be changed. I don't think it's that bad personally but several members of our party were confounded by it and basically had the waitress walk them through their orders. Deserts aren't really a thing here. The no tipping thing is nice and our service didn't suffer for it. There's a lot behind the building that looks like it's for a government building but is labeled,"general parking". I was worried about whether I could park there and our waitress said I could. I heard 4 other customers ask the same question. So yeah the parking situation seems too good to be true.
(3)Jack W.
Really great food and really great service. Admittedly we were there during lunch and the crowd was small, but I will be back. I had three sliders: fried chicken with buffalo sauce, red, white and blue (meatballs with sun dried tomatoes and blue cheese) with the hunter gravy (think thick stew) and the daily special which was chicken curry meatballs and a curry cream sauce. I finished the order with the mashed potatoes (like a potato had an orgy with some delicious cheese) and a coke. While eating I spent some time talking to the owner and our server, Jess. Apparently the owner's two daughters also work there as servers, which is part of the reason there is no tipping. Packhouse pays their servers the greater of $10/hr or 20% of their gross receipts! Pretty fantastic. I am a fan!
(5)Suzy W.
I like the feel of this place, it is confusing with the menus at first but once you get used to it then you're good to go. The spicy pork pack is amazing with the linguini. I love the chalkboard selection of the day where they write down what specials they have. When I was there they had a bacon maple syrup ice cream, it was amazing.
(4)Dimitri H.
I hate to be a negative nancy but I was not very impressed with this establishment. to be honest, one of the reasons that I was disappointed is because I feel like the theme of the reasturant (meatballs) could be taken super far but it just fell short I had the daily special (Fried Lasagna Meatball), Pork and Beef. The wife ordered Standard Beef in a gravy type sauce and a one in marinara. I wanted just the meatballs with no bread and she wanted sliders. They mixed our orders up so neither one of us really got what we wanted. the Pork was dry... very Dry. the Fried Lasagna was AMAZING, so much that I wanted to order more, but as soon as we placed our order... they ran out. Beer offerings were strong. It was ok... but I will not be going back
(2)Camilla W.
I really like the atmosphere here....chalk drawings on the walls, funky arm chairs with name badges all over them and the openness out onto the sidewalk. The food and service is good. And it's unique in that there's no tipping!
(4)Lyle S.
Have been to Packhouse four times. Each time was a very good experience. Only one time did they miss the mark just a touch by adding too much pepper to the parmesan sauce, so much that only one of the three of were able to eat it. Beyond that the packs (meatballs) are wonderful and fun. The waitstaff has always been informative and courteous. Laid back atmosphere. Give it a try.
(5)Lynn N.
After perusing Monmouth for a lunch spot we stopped here out if pure curiosity. The facade of the building is a flat black garage with a Packhouse sign, so I HAD to go inside and see what's up. Immediately the atmosphere was really cool, chalkboard walls and clear bulb lights. We were greeted by the owner who seemed really enthused we were there! We told them we were first timers and were immediately seated. The tried to navigate the menu on our own until our server came back with drinks, even after explanation it was still confusing. You can order "packs" of meatballs on pasta, salad or as a sandwich. Seemingly easy concept but the menu consisted of 6-7 types of "packs" and every option had 4 or more other options. I like the idea of "building your own creation" but this cascade of options was overwhelming. I asked the server what the daily specials were, to which she replied, "specials for the day, you know,...a daily special just for today" pretty informative. Aided by the server I ended up with the red white a blue packs on a mista salad and the spicy sweet potato soup, and my bf tried out three sliders with the daily side- asparagus and peppers. We got our food in a timely fashion but my salad was wrong.It had beets on it and came with a thick dressing. The mista is supposed to come with blue cheese and balsamic dressing. I mentioned it to the server, and she told me that's what I ordered, the mista. It was ok, the packs were good, really bready, and the soup was delicious! Once we finally asked for a spoon. My bfs sliders were good too. You had to pick one type of "pack" and sauce but the cheese and other fixings you could mix up. The bread was really tasty too, I dk if they make it themselves or not, but it tasted like O'charleys bread rolls which are AMAZING. They had dessert but we opted out and got our bill. Less than $30 for hrs both of us, but they surprised us by charging 75 cents for each cheese my bf got on his sliders. It wasn't mentioned to us so we asked about it. Given the sliders each at $3, 75 cents is kinda steep per slider. Our server said it was correct, and that "I really ought to mention that to customers." They have top shelf liquor and brews and dessert which we opted out of. I have hopes for this place to do well but service, was weird and the menu is hard to work through. The food wasn't really memorable and The fact they have prices with hidden prices on certain options which was pretty annoying. Also their core stuff like "packs" and the types of sauces you can get weren't very descriptive. What is the heck is "hunter" sauce?! Also, what's the deal about no tipping? I would've liked to know the story behind this place.
(2)Sarah K.
Absolutely delicious food and wonderful service! This place is just great. I got a fried chicken pack slider with Parmesan cream sauce and it was delicious. My husband and I had a perfect meal. The service was just awesome. This restaurant has an interesting no tipping policy. I couldn't be happier with our experience and food.
(5)Carley M.
I don't understand the bad reviews. Our group loved this place!!! We all got something different and loved every bit. Tip and tax is included so the price on the menu is what you pay, very reasonable pricing!!! Our waitress was slow and not very attentive.
(5)Sarah D.
Impressed with this restaurant! We weren't sure what to expect after reading a lot of complaints about their menu. But, once the server explained how to choose the options it was just a matter of deciding what we wanted. I had the red, white, and blue pack with Marinara and a country mista salad as my side. Fiancée had same pack over mashed potatoes and hunters sauce. All the dishes were delicious and full of flavor. Great beer selection and service was great too! Prices were very reasonable. Will definitely return!
(4)Holly A.
I had heard so much about this restaurant on Monmouth and it's unique dining style I couldn't wait to try it out, so my fiance and I went on a Thursday night in early spring with bellies growling to check it out. We loved the concept of the menu and different style of ordering once we figured it out and the atmosphere is fun and inviting as well. Unfortunately, the food was less than exciting. Dry and bland was the best way to describe it and my salad was horrible too. Something on special pear salad that I couldn't take more than one bite of after trying to eat the hardest chunk of pear that has ever existed. Needless to say we left disappointed. We did try again! Recently we went back to Packhouse on a Sunday afternoon to give it another try. Cheesy Polenta hit the spot and the beer selection was mouthwatering. The Packs, meatballs, were much better, but still not what I would expect from a restaurant that is specializing in meatballs? If nothing else on the menu is good, but those meatballs are the shit they'd be in a better place than they are now in my opinion. I hope if I return that my taste buds are blown away and this restaurant is killing it. I might be alone on this, but while the no tipping policy is different and could be working for the staff, I would rather be able to tip for more attentive service. As a former server/bartender/restaurant manager I know I worked harder, faster and friendlier when my take home pay depended on my customers and the quality of their experience; not just the amount of food they ordered.
(2)Lynn N.
After perusing Monmouth for a lunch spot we stopped here out if pure curiosity. The facade of the building is a flat black garage with a Packhouse sign, so I HAD to go inside and see what's up. Immediately the atmosphere was really cool, chalkboard walls and clear bulb lights. We were greeted by the owner who seemed really enthused we were there! We told them we were first timers and were immediately seated. The tried to navigate the menu on our own until our server came back with drinks, even after explanation it was still confusing. You can order "packs" of meatballs on pasta, salad or as a sandwich. Seemingly easy concept but the menu consisted of 6-7 types of "packs" and every option had 4 or more other options. I like the idea of "building your own creation" but this cascade of options was overwhelming. I asked the server what the daily specials were, to which she replied, "specials for the day, you know,...a daily special just for today" pretty informative. Aided by the server I ended up with the red white a blue packs on a mista salad and the spicy sweet potato soup, and my bf tried out three sliders with the daily side- asparagus and peppers. We got our food in a timely fashion but my salad was wrong.It had beets on it and came with a thick dressing. The mista is supposed to come with blue cheese and balsamic dressing. I mentioned it to the server, and she told me that's what I ordered, the mista. It was ok, the packs were good, really bready, and the soup was delicious! Once we finally asked for a spoon. My bfs sliders were good too. You had to pick one type of "pack" and sauce but the cheese and other fixings you could mix up. The bread was really tasty too, I dk if they make it themselves or not, but it tasted like O'charleys bread rolls which are AMAZING. They had dessert but we opted out and got our bill. Less than $30 for hrs both of us, but they surprised us by charging 75 cents for each cheese my bf got on his sliders. It wasn't mentioned to us so we asked about it. Given the sliders each at $3, 75 cents is kinda steep per slider. Our server said it was correct, and that "I really ought to mention that to customers." They have top shelf liquor and brews and dessert which we opted out of. I have hopes for this place to do well but service, was weird and the menu is hard to work through. The food wasn't really memorable and The fact they have prices with hidden prices on certain options which was pretty annoying. Also their core stuff like "packs" and the types of sauces you can get weren't very descriptive. What is the heck is "hunter" sauce?! Also, what's the deal about no tipping? I would've liked to know the story behind this place.
(2)Sarah K.
Absolutely delicious food and wonderful service! This place is just great. I got a fried chicken pack slider with Parmesan cream sauce and it was delicious. My husband and I had a perfect meal. The service was just awesome. This restaurant has an interesting no tipping policy. I couldn't be happier with our experience and food.
(5)Camilla W.
I really like the atmosphere here....chalk drawings on the walls, funky arm chairs with name badges all over them and the openness out onto the sidewalk. The food and service is good. And it's unique in that there's no tipping!
(4)Lyle S.
Have been to Packhouse four times. Each time was a very good experience. Only one time did they miss the mark just a touch by adding too much pepper to the parmesan sauce, so much that only one of the three of were able to eat it. Beyond that the packs (meatballs) are wonderful and fun. The waitstaff has always been informative and courteous. Laid back atmosphere. Give it a try.
(5)Laura B.
Decor is fun and funky-- that was the only part of the experience I did enjoy. The meatballs or packs as they call them were dry and needed more seasoning. We came here thinking it was kid friendly but there was not a highchair in the place. If this place wants to stay in business for dinners, a place that specializes in meatballs would be smart to invest in a few high chairs. I would only come back if someone said to meet them there, I would not plan on coming back on my own volition.
(1)Amanda H.
I had heard of Packhouse before, but didn't know anyone who had been there. I love the decor and atmosphere. The chalkboard walls and wharehouse vibe laid a nice backdrop to the type of food they serve. Essentially its meatballs and sauce. But there are a few different types of meat to choose from. Then different sauces. Do you want it in a slider, bowl, salad, ect. Its a simple concept with a lot of choices. You mark what you want down on the menu and the waiter comes and takes it. Easy Peasy. I tried the sliders so I could get a few different tastes. I opted for beef and marinara (classic combo), the special, Tandori Chicken and Parmesan, Then made one up with beef, feta, and raspberry vinaigrette. The special side of the day was Mac and cheese- and hello I will never pass that up! The food was good and tasty. A little heavy for lunch, but that was my fault for ordering it that way. These are meant to be hearty meals, so I'd probably gravitate to here in the winter/fall instead of the hot summer. There are a few things I LOVED about this place. You don't tip your server. I was a little geeked out by this because I received great service. I asked the other waiter, and he said they are paid well on the hour so the patrons are encouraged to NOT tip. There is not even a place on the credit card slip for it. In fact, it tells you not to. I think its really cool that an owner cares enough about their employees to pay them a good wage. So even when they are slow, they still make a good hourly salary. The waiters seemed to prefer it this way because they were excellent! One of the best staffs I'd seen in a while. Another love was the owner himself. He pulled up a chair and chatted with the customers. Commenting that he'd seen the one lady the night before, making sure everything was tasting o.k. He introduced himself to me and just made sure everything was to my liking. You don't get that often. Not even at little local restaurants. I can count on one hand how many times the owner has ever talked to me; let alone been genuinely interested. For this alone, I will be back. So my only Con on this place is the soft drinks. Water is free, but soda comes in bottles for $2.50 each. I drink a lot when I eat, racking up usually two refills. Three bites into my first sandwich I ran out of pop and had to get water because I didn't want to buy another one. But thats really it. Everything else was great. If you're in Newport check this place out. Its right by the courthouse.
(4)Denianne B.
As a vegan I wouldn't have expected a meatball joint to have any options for me. I was so pleasantly surprised! I had quinoa/vegetable ball with marinara sauce, with a side of roasted root vegetables. Really, really good. My favorite part of all was that the coke is served in glass bottles. The atmosphere was awesome, the service was great, and to top it off, there's no tipping. This one will be in heavy rotation!
(4)Heidi F.
I think I was expecting a lot out of Packhouse, so my high expectations may be the reason I'm only giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. My first impression: I was incredibly overwhelmed by the menu. There were so many options/combinations. I'm also a big fan of menu descriptions, which their menu really lacked. Luckily, my lunch companion was a seasoned-Packhouse go-er so they were able to give me the run down a bit. Still overwhelmed and unable to make up my mind, I asked the waitress what she would recommend, and the two things she suggested where items I had completely ruled out, so that wasn't very helpful. (She only gave one combination suggestion.) I'm sure I will be back, but I'm in no rush. The food was O.K. However, the desserts are what I noticed first on the menu, my crazy sweet tooth just never stops! They had some really yummy (and unique) sounding ice cream and cookie (and ice cream cookie sandwich combo) options. My experience here, was similar to what many others have said... "Oh, sorry. We're out of _____." Even though I didn't get my first or second choice of cookie/ice cream combo. It was still delicious. Two chocolate chip cookies with s'more ice cream sandwiched in the middle. (This was HUGE, and definitely big enough to share!)
(3)Red P.
I was looking forward to checking out Packhouse Meats when I heard they were all about meatballs. Me and my dinning buddy Tom cruised in on a Tuesday night to see what it was all about. I loved the layout and the "industrial" vibe of the place and we settled into one of the two booths. I had to switch seats with Tom though because the light from the kitchen was shining right in my face and I didn't like looking into the server area. I also wished they had a bar to sit at but they did serve alcohol so I decided to stay. The menu was a checklist theme that I found exhausting so I chose to let my server assist me. The concept was to chose the type of meatball, sauce and how you wanted it placed; on pasta, hoagie or with sides. I picked the meatball sliders (Beef and Pork) and they were good, but not great. I ordered a side of pasta with sundried tomatoes that was dry. I think I was supposed to have ordered a sauce to go with it but assumed it was a pasta salad Oops.Tom Ordered the meatballs with brown gravy, broccoli and mashed potatoes. He was pretty happy with his choice. Overall I think it's a good option for a quick bite but I probably won't rush back. Cia Red Pearl
(2)J M.
I give this restaurant five stars because of a lovely experience there today. First of all, our community greatly benefits from the success of businesses like these. And this particular business offers a good atmosphere, good beer list, good food and excellent service. Good for families too. The owner went above and beyond today, and we'll recommend the pack house highly from now on.
(5)Bobbie F.
Packhouse is a welcomed addition to the Newport community. Even though the surrounding area is a little run down, this place is like a warm smile in the midst of a bad day. This area needs something new, fresh and different. Their address must not be claimed on google maps because neither of my apps could locate their coordinates. Use the map on Yelp. I enjoyed the unique, hipster atmosphere. Simple, creative, laid back. The dining room area is open - with no walls or windows to prevent the summer warmth from streaming through. Loved the few tables on the patio (technically, the sidewalk). Chalkboards, exposed brick, wood furniture. The menu is daunting - there's just lots of options. My server was helpful, however. Usually my ears tune out after one minute of instruction. If it takes longer than 30 seconds to explain something - simplify it. I picked one meatball slider with a side salad (dressing was delicious), and asked my server to choose another slider - whatever he wanted. One gets exhausted trying to select their own perfect combo. To heck with that stress - just ask your sever and/or the chef to choose your meal for you. If it sucks, at least it's not your fault for choosing a gross combo (although when you give the consumer options - any choice they make should be good). I enjoyed the daily slider with the daily sauce - not too much sauce and the meat was delicious. I also tried the chicken meatball with a Alfredo-type sauce - also delicious. They come as sort of a mini-sandwich. I had a side salad to accompany everything - the greens were fresh and the dressing was light and served on the side (thank you for not drenching my delicate nutrients in fat-ridden sauce). Really enjoyed the cuisine. Service is slow, but good - but that's ok because as Americans, let's face it: we're not used to taking our time on anything. I wasn't in any hurry, but if I was, this detail would've been cause for concern. For example, during lunch? Quick service is imperative, particularly if this place expects to get business from the working professional community (ie. Downtowners). I enjoyed a nice bottle of wine of Pinot noir on half-priced wine night ($18, Sunday). This was a great option considering that there is only one glass of white and one glass of red on the menu. The beer selection looks very good, however. My server corked and packaged my wine up without me having to ask. Nice. Unique menu, inspiring decor (maybe pass out chalk and invite people to write/draw on the walls - get your guests involved) and a relatively safe location. Service could use a bit of coordination - you can tell that they are simply getting used to the flow of a restaurant and how to multitask. I highly recommend that they start getting some sort of live music on Friday or Saturday nights. This corner could definitely attract some of the crowd from Newport. A good first experience. I'll be back - but only when I'm not in a hurry.
(4)Steve K.
Service was spotty, location was near sketchy activity and food was mediocre. I can't really see a reason to go back, the restaurant has a no tipping concept, but that lead to no incentive to provide good service. The meal seemed to take forever. The dessert menu featured items that were not available because the "board of health wouldn't allow items be made in house." The ice cream sandwich dessert concept was both poorly conceived and executed- I was left with a $5 mess. The beer selection was very limited.
(2)Shauna R.
Excellent food and great service. Ask for Kaitlin to be your server. She's awesome!! Prices are right too
(5)Lisa S.
Updating my review since we had arrived too late to eat the day before. Soooo glad we decided to come back for lunch the next day! We absolutely loved this new little place and will definitely be back very soon. Can't wait to bring my kids - they'll love the little meatball sliders! Yes, i'll agree with the other reviews in that the menu is difficult to maneuver for newbies. However the waitress took time to explain things and it quickly made sense. I ordered the chicken "pack" with marinara and mozzarella sliders (x2). They were delicious!! My husband ordered the daily specials - spicy chicken "pack" with the chipotle BBQ sauce. He loved them and said they were very spicy, just perfect to his liking. I also ordered the mini cupcakes special of the day - chocolate with salted caramel icing. They were actually what I would describe as "petite" vs mini, since they were very small, but divine to say the least!!! Well worth the $3 for 2. Before we left the manager (owner?) stopped by to ask how we liked it, which was nice. Of course we told him we loved it and will be back! Can't wait to go back and try something else!!
(5)Alyssa F.
The second of two new meatball restaurants in the area, Packhouse has some tough competition, and unfortunately, doesn't live up to it, yet. I read some reviews before going here, so I was prepared to be overwhelmed by the menu- but it actually took us a while to even get a menu. Our overall service experience left a lot to be desired, and maybe that's because of the "no tipping" "policy." I put that in quotes because, after talking to our waitress, it seems like less of a policy and more of a convenience for the business owner. She explained that the credit card machine they have doesn't have a way to add a tip on after the transaction, but that she could accept a cash tip. To me, that doesn't sound like a policy, it sounds like your owner didn't buy a credit card machine that has the appropriate functions for a restaurant... Back to my point about the service-we consistently had to ask for things throughout our experience: menus, silverware/napkins (after our food came), and we had to flag down our waitress at the end to ask for our check. As frustrating as that was, I kept mentioning to my boyfriend that if the servers aren't expecting a tip at the end, it doesn't really matter whether they provide adequate service or not. After we filled out our own menus, and the waitress checked it before leaving the table, our food did not come out as ordered. It seems kind of silly to go through the trouble of customizing a meal so much if it's not even going to come out of the kitchen correctly. And in the end, the food wasn't even that good. The meatballs were a very dense, meatloaf type texture, whereas I prefer more meat in my ball and less "stuff". When I cut into my spicy pork meatballs, there was a lot of filler and little pieces of pork dispersed throughout it. Boyfriend did like his traditional beef sliders with marinara sauce- that was the highlight of the meal. We also tried the buffalo sauce on the side(it was supposed to be on one of the sliders but we ended up with two with marinara), and it was thin and the flavors were off, kind of citrusy. Overall, I wouldn't go back, and wouldn't reccommend Packhouse.
(2)Laura B.
Decor is fun and funky-- that was the only part of the experience I did enjoy. The meatballs or packs as they call them were dry and needed more seasoning. We came here thinking it was kid friendly but there was not a highchair in the place. If this place wants to stay in business for dinners, a place that specializes in meatballs would be smart to invest in a few high chairs. I would only come back if someone said to meet them there, I would not plan on coming back on my own volition.
(1)Lisa S.
Updating my review since we had arrived too late to eat the day before. Soooo glad we decided to come back for lunch the next day! We absolutely loved this new little place and will definitely be back very soon. Can't wait to bring my kids - they'll love the little meatball sliders! Yes, i'll agree with the other reviews in that the menu is difficult to maneuver for newbies. However the waitress took time to explain things and it quickly made sense. I ordered the chicken "pack" with marinara and mozzarella sliders (x2). They were delicious!! My husband ordered the daily specials - spicy chicken "pack" with the chipotle BBQ sauce. He loved them and said they were very spicy, just perfect to his liking. I also ordered the mini cupcakes special of the day - chocolate with salted caramel icing. They were actually what I would describe as "petite" vs mini, since they were very small, but divine to say the least!!! Well worth the $3 for 2. Before we left the manager (owner?) stopped by to ask how we liked it, which was nice. Of course we told him we loved it and will be back! Can't wait to go back and try something else!!
(5)Alyssa F.
The second of two new meatball restaurants in the area, Packhouse has some tough competition, and unfortunately, doesn't live up to it, yet. I read some reviews before going here, so I was prepared to be overwhelmed by the menu- but it actually took us a while to even get a menu. Our overall service experience left a lot to be desired, and maybe that's because of the "no tipping" "policy." I put that in quotes because, after talking to our waitress, it seems like less of a policy and more of a convenience for the business owner. She explained that the credit card machine they have doesn't have a way to add a tip on after the transaction, but that she could accept a cash tip. To me, that doesn't sound like a policy, it sounds like your owner didn't buy a credit card machine that has the appropriate functions for a restaurant... Back to my point about the service-we consistently had to ask for things throughout our experience: menus, silverware/napkins (after our food came), and we had to flag down our waitress at the end to ask for our check. As frustrating as that was, I kept mentioning to my boyfriend that if the servers aren't expecting a tip at the end, it doesn't really matter whether they provide adequate service or not. After we filled out our own menus, and the waitress checked it before leaving the table, our food did not come out as ordered. It seems kind of silly to go through the trouble of customizing a meal so much if it's not even going to come out of the kitchen correctly. And in the end, the food wasn't even that good. The meatballs were a very dense, meatloaf type texture, whereas I prefer more meat in my ball and less "stuff". When I cut into my spicy pork meatballs, there was a lot of filler and little pieces of pork dispersed throughout it. Boyfriend did like his traditional beef sliders with marinara sauce- that was the highlight of the meal. We also tried the buffalo sauce on the side(it was supposed to be on one of the sliders but we ended up with two with marinara), and it was thin and the flavors were off, kind of citrusy. Overall, I wouldn't go back, and wouldn't reccommend Packhouse.
(2)Chris H.
I ordered the "Pipe Sandwich" with spicy pork. It was very good sandwich. I will say that the menu is difficult at first to navigate. The prices are a little high for what you get. Overall the restaurant is very neat and old school.
(4)Julie P.
Food selection and presentation was innovative, atmosphere definitely cool, refreshing selection of craft beers, and friendly owner! Not what you might expect from a "meatball place". They apply a "build your own" concept to meatballs (or vegetation balls!), and sides. We sampled both Korean beef and quinoa vegetable meatballs, roasted veggies, spinach salad and a couple not-the-usual craft beers--all delicious! We had heard the service was lacking, but our server was top notch. Maybe they just needed to get into the groove for the novel approach. We will definitely visit again.
(4)Amanda H.
I had heard of Packhouse before, but didn't know anyone who had been there. I love the decor and atmosphere. The chalkboard walls and wharehouse vibe laid a nice backdrop to the type of food they serve. Essentially its meatballs and sauce. But there are a few different types of meat to choose from. Then different sauces. Do you want it in a slider, bowl, salad, ect. Its a simple concept with a lot of choices. You mark what you want down on the menu and the waiter comes and takes it. Easy Peasy. I tried the sliders so I could get a few different tastes. I opted for beef and marinara (classic combo), the special, Tandori Chicken and Parmesan, Then made one up with beef, feta, and raspberry vinaigrette. The special side of the day was Mac and cheese- and hello I will never pass that up! The food was good and tasty. A little heavy for lunch, but that was my fault for ordering it that way. These are meant to be hearty meals, so I'd probably gravitate to here in the winter/fall instead of the hot summer. There are a few things I LOVED about this place. You don't tip your server. I was a little geeked out by this because I received great service. I asked the other waiter, and he said they are paid well on the hour so the patrons are encouraged to NOT tip. There is not even a place on the credit card slip for it. In fact, it tells you not to. I think its really cool that an owner cares enough about their employees to pay them a good wage. So even when they are slow, they still make a good hourly salary. The waiters seemed to prefer it this way because they were excellent! One of the best staffs I'd seen in a while. Another love was the owner himself. He pulled up a chair and chatted with the customers. Commenting that he'd seen the one lady the night before, making sure everything was tasting o.k. He introduced himself to me and just made sure everything was to my liking. You don't get that often. Not even at little local restaurants. I can count on one hand how many times the owner has ever talked to me; let alone been genuinely interested. For this alone, I will be back. So my only Con on this place is the soft drinks. Water is free, but soda comes in bottles for $2.50 each. I drink a lot when I eat, racking up usually two refills. Three bites into my first sandwich I ran out of pop and had to get water because I didn't want to buy another one. But thats really it. Everything else was great. If you're in Newport check this place out. Its right by the courthouse.
(4)Denianne B.
As a vegan I wouldn't have expected a meatball joint to have any options for me. I was so pleasantly surprised! I had quinoa/vegetable ball with marinara sauce, with a side of roasted root vegetables. Really, really good. My favorite part of all was that the coke is served in glass bottles. The atmosphere was awesome, the service was great, and to top it off, there's no tipping. This one will be in heavy rotation!
(4)Heidi F.
I think I was expecting a lot out of Packhouse, so my high expectations may be the reason I'm only giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. My first impression: I was incredibly overwhelmed by the menu. There were so many options/combinations. I'm also a big fan of menu descriptions, which their menu really lacked. Luckily, my lunch companion was a seasoned-Packhouse go-er so they were able to give me the run down a bit. Still overwhelmed and unable to make up my mind, I asked the waitress what she would recommend, and the two things she suggested where items I had completely ruled out, so that wasn't very helpful. (She only gave one combination suggestion.) I'm sure I will be back, but I'm in no rush. The food was O.K. However, the desserts are what I noticed first on the menu, my crazy sweet tooth just never stops! They had some really yummy (and unique) sounding ice cream and cookie (and ice cream cookie sandwich combo) options. My experience here, was similar to what many others have said... "Oh, sorry. We're out of _____." Even though I didn't get my first or second choice of cookie/ice cream combo. It was still delicious. Two chocolate chip cookies with s'more ice cream sandwiched in the middle. (This was HUGE, and definitely big enough to share!)
(3)Red P.
I was looking forward to checking out Packhouse Meats when I heard they were all about meatballs. Me and my dinning buddy Tom cruised in on a Tuesday night to see what it was all about. I loved the layout and the "industrial" vibe of the place and we settled into one of the two booths. I had to switch seats with Tom though because the light from the kitchen was shining right in my face and I didn't like looking into the server area. I also wished they had a bar to sit at but they did serve alcohol so I decided to stay. The menu was a checklist theme that I found exhausting so I chose to let my server assist me. The concept was to chose the type of meatball, sauce and how you wanted it placed; on pasta, hoagie or with sides. I picked the meatball sliders (Beef and Pork) and they were good, but not great. I ordered a side of pasta with sundried tomatoes that was dry. I think I was supposed to have ordered a sauce to go with it but assumed it was a pasta salad Oops.Tom Ordered the meatballs with brown gravy, broccoli and mashed potatoes. He was pretty happy with his choice. Overall I think it's a good option for a quick bite but I probably won't rush back. Cia Red Pearl
(2)J M.
I give this restaurant five stars because of a lovely experience there today. First of all, our community greatly benefits from the success of businesses like these. And this particular business offers a good atmosphere, good beer list, good food and excellent service. Good for families too. The owner went above and beyond today, and we'll recommend the pack house highly from now on.
(5)steve s.
Menu is confusing. But love this place. Daily meatballs are great. Spicy meatball with Jalapeño sauce is the best. Salads with daily meatball are good to
(4)Sean H.
I was really disappointed. The building was so cool and I loved the open air concept. The food was really really bad and only like warm. The very best item we tried was the standard marinara meatball. Everything else was so gross and so blatantly not good that I wanted my money back. Also, the no tipping thing kinda falls apart if when you ask about it your server says "but some people still do" (and smiles at you). Horrible. Never going back.
(1)Martha K.
My friend and I go to lunch every Friday and try new places. Our husbands came up with a name for us, the Vagablondes. We chose to go to Packhouse because my husband said he heard it was great. Great isn't how we would choose to describe it. It was edible. We ordered a shred, mashed pots and the daily special which was the jalapeno meatball and the jalapeno cream sauce. We were told the red, white and blue was the pack to order for the shred so we did. Server came back and said they were out. This was 12:30ish on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't busy. We got the beef pack on the shred since they were out of the red, white and blue and it was ok but the marinara sauce had an overwhelming oregano flavor. The food came out cold, twice. The server was very nice and aplogetic but the cheese wasn't even metled on top after the 2nd return. They may have been having an off day so we might try it again but it probably won't be anytime soon. Packhouse went on our list of disappointing places to eat.
(2)Michelle Y.
We loved the food and the atmosphere! I liked the different options and the changing daily specials. They also had a good, modest selection of craft beers.
(5)Debbie Z.
We have been driving by the location for a while watching it slowly and steadily come together. Watching them put the sign up outside that reads Packhouse; seeing the new glass garage doors that open in the summer to expose the fresh air, and the cool look and feel to the building. I was very excited and was anticipating the opening. Finally, it opened and we waited for a couple weeks in anticipation for the kinks to get ironed out before stopping in. Finally, we were out on a Saturday afternoon and were getting a bit thirsty and hungry for a nibble. We wanted to find a place to watch the golf game while nibbling and having a cold beer. "Let's go to Packhouse"!! **you have to admit, the name sounds cool** We walk in ready to grab a seat at the bar, order a beer and some meatballs. Auugh... no bar!....... no television! We stood there like lost puppies, but we didn't want to just leave (as everyone was looking at us), so we took a seat at a table - all while looking back at the wall full of wine and spirits, but no bar to sit at. Okay, outside of that, the place is charming. The menu is confusing as others have stated. The meatballs are...... meatballs. Good, but nothing to make it a destination spot for me. We did get our beer and a meatball, so it wasn't a complete loss. I had a meatball slider which was very good and filling. I'm sad that I am once again giving another new Newport small business a not-so-good review. I want Newport to thrive with small, locally owned businesses, so I'm still hopeful. Bottom Line: They serve meatballs; they don't have a television, or a bar to sit at. They do have a full bar of drinks and garage doors that open to the sidewalk. I think summer will be a better time to go.
(2)Wad C.
Six of us went last night, it was amazing! I had the Brussels sprouts topped w beef packs and hunter gravy. It was very rich and flavorful. The ladies had salads, they were good also. My buddy had the special soup, cilantro something and It ruled. Good beer selection, nice staff.
(4)David V.
Not tipping is the greatest thing ever. How great is it to just eat and not have to worry about paying someone their wages. I travel throughout Europe and Asia extensively and its refreshing to see someone in the States starting to get it
(5)Austin M.
Place has interesting atmosphere, it seems a weird combination of down to earth, but an upper class appearance from outside. I don't dislike this but I've never really had a place strike me as such before. The owner was quick to greet me on entering and quickly showed me the way the menu worked. It's overly complicated but I can hardly suggest a method to simplify it. Perhaps adding some pictures of the food somewhere. They have some of the better craft beers of the area, no rivertown at this time, which breaks my heart. The crowd is young and full of life which is a needed change for the area. Then the food.... It's trash, the mashed potatoes are drenched in butter, if I tilt the plate I can just watch it swim. Meatballs were super dry, I had to look closely when i cut them open to make sure I wasn't eating fried old bread. Sauce was even sub par, it tastes like store bought chicken marsala with a thick film over the top of it from when it was sitting out since this morning unstirred. I WANT to like this place but it's awful. New chef + fresher food = new favorite local restaurant.
(2)Drew J.
Great new local restaurant with fantastic service, good beer menu and amazing meatball-based yumminess! I came with a big party, including my Dad who is vegan. They went out of their way to make the vegetarian offering vegan for my Dad. It took a little longer but was well worth it. Server was super-knowledgeable about the menu and checked in well. Dessert was fantastic. Kids ate most of the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream! Really cool to see a solid local restaurant with a new concept in this part of town. I'll definitely be back. Menu can be a little confusing but the server answered all of our questions and once you order once, you'll be a pro! Get over to this little new slice of meatball heaven soon!
(5)Renee M.
I really wanted to like this place. Menu was very enticing. Love how they labeled gluten free foods. Interesting idea with "no tipping." Fun ambience. The quinoa/vegetable "meat"balls were really tasty. Flavorful marinara sauce. Skip the Boursin mashed potatoes. Red, white and blue meatball sandwich didn't have much flavor. We waited 40 minutes for our food and it wasn't busy.
(3)Nick B.
The food was great!....the food to price ratio is out of whack (priced on the high side) and the menu took some time to navigate. Hopefully they will take a look at those two things for an adjustment.
(3)Heather B.
We had tickets to a show in Cincinnati with my brother and sister in law. I didnt want to go to the normal place I head to when in Cincy for dinner. I found an blog thay highlighted Packhouse. The concept was new to us and peaked our interest. The four of us walked in and the smell was a good start to what we were in for. We could have done without the dust from the chalk. The server was very helpful when we were having isues with the flow of the menu. Then had the bad luck of tell us that a few items we ordered were either gone or were no longer offering that item. My husband was the victim of this. He was looking forward to the cinnamon ice cream and oatmeal cookie sandwich. Both items were gone. The salads were fresh and delish with to roasted root veggies and both the packs and hot sides were out at the same time. Will be back in town soon and heading back to try another round of the packs.
(4)Merilee M.
Mark, the owner, is a family man who is passionate about his place. It is a family run business; Marks daughters work for him and believe in the vision of this establishment. Meeting and talking with him when we went in was a pleasure. I thought the food was DELICIOUS! I ordered the Red, White and Blue packs with the Hunter gravy over homemade creamy mash potatoes. It was divine. Our waitress was friendly, personable and attentive. We love the decor of the restaurant and are excited to go back as the temperatures warm up because they have a retractable garage door front wall so you can enjoy the outside air while dining in the restaurant or sipping on a unique draft beer. The menu was creative and fun! You have plenty of options but not an overwhelming amount. I love that they are doing something different and doing it with style. I will go back!
(5)Barbara M.
We are 2 friends who love to eat and go out every Friday for lunch and thought we would start reviewing the places we go. Just call us the restaurant vagablondes. We chose the Packhouse in Newport today and ordered the daily special and a shred with mashed pots. Server was very nice and helpful but food came out cold twice. Meatballs were good but the daily special jalapeño cream cheese sauce was overwhelming and the marinara had too much oregano for our taste. The portions were average but adequate. The atmosphere was cool and comfortable. We will always give places a second chance so stay tuned and we will update. Clean bathroom = clean kitchen and we rate this one an A+.
(2)J. Paul A.
Solid concept & well executed. Will go back. Wait staff quite attentive. Meatball based menu with a bunch of different ways to get them. Had the pipe with chicken and buffalo sauce. Wife had slider and soup.
(4)Shae S.
Wow! My meal here was nothing short of memorable. I had the spicy pork meatballs with marinara on cheesy polenta, and it was so incredible I can't quit thinking about it. Tons of other great looking options too -- I can't wait to go back. This would be a great place to show off to out of town friends.
(5)Stephanie A.
I have been there twice and both times had amazing service and the food was so good! The options available are wide and each delicious with a very large number of healthy and vegetarian and vegan options (shocking considering the name) as well as unique daily specials. I want to try everything on the menu, which itself is fun! You mark down the "pack" you want (including great quinoa and vegetable), the sauce, and how you want it prepared. So many mix and match options but I highly recommend the parmesaen cream or (as a special) the chipotle bbq. They need more advertising.. Great restaurants need to stay in the Newport area!
(5)Marie A.
Very small space, so go early. The place was packed and they had two waitresses who also make drinks and serve the bar. Waited forever to order and get drinks. I like to sit down and enjoy my food and drinks. I don't want to continuously flag the server down. We finally got annoyed and left. Too many other places in the area. The concept is fun, but I'd do more a chipotle style food service. Or better wait staff :)
(2)Evan B.
Just okay. I thought the portion size was a little small, however the prices where fair. I would have rather not used the "check the box" menu as I found it somewhat difficult to navigate. I did enjoy the atmosphere as the setting is in what looks to be an open air garage. This place brings new ideas and taste Newport!
(3)Heather Y.
I crave the veggie meatballs. They are possibly the best, most interesting I have ever enjoyed. No tipping so the prices are not at all high for what you get. Good start. I'll go back. They only bring the giant flat screen TV out for special events, like day times Red's games, which is also a bonus!
(5)Emory G.
Went to try this place out and was greatly impressed. I ordered the blue cheese salad with the red white and blue pack with the special spicy cream cheese gravy. The pack was amazing and salad was good. A little smaller than expected. My boyfriend got the open faced sandwich with the daily special pack and a fried egg on top. Also delicious. I recommend getting sides as well. It was almost 10 o'clock when we were eating so it ended up filling us up. Beer selections were good as well, the peach cider was amazing. Didn't get any dessert but the floats and ice cream sandwiches highly looked worth it. Will go back and most likely get one of the bowls.
(4)Debbie H.
Fun for a change of pace. Great food. A little confusing the first time you go. The servers do a good job of explaining the menu. Meatballs - any way you like them. Cool atmosphere. Portion size is a little small, so order lots. The only thing I would suggest is - something for kids. And...a few suggestions on what to pick. That is, what meat goes with what sauce, etc.
(4)Lori P.
My husband and I were looking for something different from the traditional fare for our Sunday evening dinner.....and we found it! Packhouse Meats in Newport. This small, but inviting environment was really very different. Open garage door which serves as the entire restaurant front to let in the spring air and No TVs, which provides you with a new sense of having a verbal conversation with your dinner guest. My husband had the chicken meatball pipe (baguette) with sauce and side salad, while I had the Spicy Pork meatballs with the Country Mista salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. The menu was unconventional, but innovative. We both really liked our dinners and plan to be back to sample other items on the menu. Good job, Packhouse Meats!
(3)Vicky T.
Not impressed with food at all but ... love the whole idea behind it, the menu process of choosing your meatballs, gravy, bowl, sides, slider .... all of that is awesome. As for the food: the chicken meatballs were overly salty and pork meatballs were ok (nothing special). All meatballs were extremely heavy & dense (which is fine) BUT there was no moisture. Too dry and too much filler. The bread sticks / focaccia pieces (or whatever that was) was the worst bread i have ever had in my life. Day old? Flavor-less. Hard. The marina sauce wasn't very good ... overwhelming taste of dry herbs - blah. The linguini with herb olive oil? What herbs? Blah, plain, over-cooked. Had the brownie cookies .... day old as well? We got two and only ate one. We didn't even take the other home which is unheard of for us so what does that say? The boursin mashed potatoes were probably the best thing on the table. Last, I think slightly (just a wee bit) over priced for what you get. Would not go again unless someone told me the food had gotten better and they worked out their kinks of being new. Tipping is way confusing - I was unsure what to do so I left a 20% cash tip anyway even though I paid with credit card. Wished they served fountain drinks. Our service was very good.
(2)Laura T.
Despite the negative reviews, I was overall pretty happy with this place- but, I'm a low carber so anything dedicated to meat is up my alley. Ok, I came here on a Sunday afternoon just after a snow storm, so there wasn't much of a crowd. The menu was a bit complicated, but the server quickly offered to explain. No big deal, I like options. The décor is great. I'm not a beer drinker so I cant judge the beer. Wish they had fountain soda rather than bottles, but not a complaint. So I had the daily special- beef with coconut and a red pepper coconut sauce. Loved it! Probably wasn't low carb but it was worth the splurge. I had a side of brussel sprouts and plenty of low carb options. I will admit that the brussel sprouts could have been more exciting- they were just sautéed with olive oil and salt- gimme some balsamic, bacon bits or roast them. But, again, im not complaining, I'm happy to have more than just potato side options. I had a really hard time deciding between the special and the regular menu item, turkey sage cranberry meatball. Decided on the special since, well, its special : ) Its pretty inexpensive and I like the no tipping policy. Probably more aligned with a good lunch place rather than somewhere you would go in the evening to enjoy a beer. So now, just open one in Blue Ash and I will eat here every week for lunch.
(4)John B.
After reading a few of the reviews of this place, I was a little apprehensive and thought I would not enjoy the food/menu/service but I had a great stomach filling lunch and received great service (believe her name was Kelly). I did have a little trouble navigating the menu, but all my questions were answered by my friendly server and the owner/manager was nearby if I would have had any other questions or issues. I settled on a really yummy salad off the specials board (definitely check that before you order off the regular menu), and had two packs of quinoa and veggie. I really wanted to order something off the dessert list but I was fairly stuffed. So, as others have mentioned, the decor is pretty chic, chalk walls, bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and cool name tag chair that give off an OTR vibe and not a Newport, KY feeling at all. So, I wish them success and hope that others receive the same great experience I had. *Regarding the tipping: I paid in cash and did leave a tip. I feel good service should be compensated and our server deserved it. Now, I certainly don't always have cash on hand so I hope they can get the credit card issue taken care of, as that is not fair to the servers and Yelpers like us will have issue recommending the place.
(4)Sarah A.
I came here about a month and a half ago. I was in a party of 4, with only 2 other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. I never received my breadstick. I asked my waitress; she apologized and said she would bring one right out. 10 minutes go by and everyone is more than halfway finished with their meals. The waitress didn't check up on us again. I asked another waitress finally, and she brought one out. Out waitress didn't show back up until it was time to bring the check. Perhaps the "don't tip your waitress" thing encourages them to not care as much because they know they will get paid regardless. As for the meal, I got the pork meat packs. They were too dry for my taste. Everyone else got beef and seemed to enjoy them. With all the restaurant options in newport, covington, and downtown, I probably won't be back.
(2)Michelle L.
This place offered a very different experience that was fun and tasty.
(4)Charles S.
I'm surprised to see so many negative reviews on here as I went here to meet up with a half-dozen people and had a good experience. I had the beef,blue cheese and sun dried tomato meatballs with the hunter sauce along with the root vegetables. The food was tasty and I was tempted to lick the hunter sauce off my plate. I thought it was a great place for a lunch or snack. I probably wouldn't come here for dinner. I was tempted to give it a four but the menu is pretty limited so it's not the kind of place I can imagine wanting to go to frequently. It's been said already but the menu system throws everybody off and can stand to be changed. I don't think it's that bad personally but several members of our party were confounded by it and basically had the waitress walk them through their orders. Deserts aren't really a thing here. The no tipping thing is nice and our service didn't suffer for it. There's a lot behind the building that looks like it's for a government building but is labeled,"general parking". I was worried about whether I could park there and our waitress said I could. I heard 4 other customers ask the same question. So yeah the parking situation seems too good to be true.
(3)Jack W.
Really great food and really great service. Admittedly we were there during lunch and the crowd was small, but I will be back. I had three sliders: fried chicken with buffalo sauce, red, white and blue (meatballs with sun dried tomatoes and blue cheese) with the hunter gravy (think thick stew) and the daily special which was chicken curry meatballs and a curry cream sauce. I finished the order with the mashed potatoes (like a potato had an orgy with some delicious cheese) and a coke. While eating I spent some time talking to the owner and our server, Jess. Apparently the owner's two daughters also work there as servers, which is part of the reason there is no tipping. Packhouse pays their servers the greater of $10/hr or 20% of their gross receipts! Pretty fantastic. I am a fan!
(5)Suzy W.
I like the feel of this place, it is confusing with the menus at first but once you get used to it then you're good to go. The spicy pork pack is amazing with the linguini. I love the chalkboard selection of the day where they write down what specials they have. When I was there they had a bacon maple syrup ice cream, it was amazing.
(4)Dimitri H.
I hate to be a negative nancy but I was not very impressed with this establishment. to be honest, one of the reasons that I was disappointed is because I feel like the theme of the reasturant (meatballs) could be taken super far but it just fell short I had the daily special (Fried Lasagna Meatball), Pork and Beef. The wife ordered Standard Beef in a gravy type sauce and a one in marinara. I wanted just the meatballs with no bread and she wanted sliders. They mixed our orders up so neither one of us really got what we wanted. the Pork was dry... very Dry. the Fried Lasagna was AMAZING, so much that I wanted to order more, but as soon as we placed our order... they ran out. Beer offerings were strong. It was ok... but I will not be going back
(2)Crystal C.
As a vegetarian, going out to eat at a place called Packhouse Meats should rank up there with dining at Steakfried Ribcutlets*. Stay with me though, this story has an almost perfect happy ending. First, the menu(s). There are two large boards on the wall: one with currently circulating adult beverages and the second with the daily specials. Then we have our nicely laminated menu upon which customers mark their dining choices. I know some folks have had issues navigating the menu and at first it seems quite daunting with so many options. Yet for someone who loves the 'build your own' concept this is wonderful. The menu allows you to write directly on it to determine exactly what you want- no lost in translation moments. Want a single pack with a particular sauce? There's a grid for that. If you're really stuck a staff member will help you out. Now on to the food. The Quinoa balls are the only pack I've had, and they have ranged in 'Ohmygawd perfect!' to 'Eh, should have ordered more sides instead'. Sometimes they are smooth inside with a nice exterior crisp to them. Other days they have chunks of vegetables in them and are lukewarm. Inconsistent, but everytime I go I say a silent prayer for the, ahem, smooth balls. The sides rarely fail to satisfy. Any of the roasted root vegetables, polenta, or Brussel sprouts are crowd winners. Order a few different ones and share with your friends. The ice cream they serve used to be made in house but now brought in from Dayton, OH. Still a pretty tasty icecream float. All-in-all Packhouse can be a great place to eat. The prices are affordable (they have a no tipping policy as well), they have an excellent selection of beers, and food almost anyone can eat. Recommended! *not a real restaurant I hope
(4)Jackie B.
Let me just start this off with I am by far one of the hardest people to please. My meal was way more than I expected, these meatballs are no joke! An let's not forget the amazing atmosphere , kirk an Jessica made the experience. Thank you guys for giving me a new favorite place :)
(5)