Look, if your tastes are closer to sterile corporation directed predictability featuring stale beer, short pour drinks and bad music that seems to never go away, then The Bar Dog isn't likely for your best first choice in a downtown pub. Try the Holiday Inn. If instead you enjoy friendly and welcoming with surprisingly well crafted food emphasizing taste over presentation, Guinness on tap served via a 'proper pour' all while surrounded by staff & patrons that'd rather talk to you than keep to themselves - well then you need to stop reading and get on over to the Bar Dog. I only get to visit when passing through Memphis on business every couple of months and I gotta tell ya, many of the staff (Brittney, et al) recognize and remember me...maybe normal for you but I'm not an especially memorable guy. I've run into several individuals who, like myself are passing through and resumed conversations where we left off on some previous visit. Crazy. Footnote for the non-smokers - unless you're a member of the tobacco Gestapo, it's fine. The air recycles reasonably well and the smoke doesn't hover for days like you're trapped in a cave. Join some people having fun and worry less about how they're having fun - even (God forbid) if they're drinking an IPA.
(5)
Carlos B.
Excellent friendly service. The bar promotes conversations with fellow patrons. They have different special food offerings every night. I noticed that many people mentioned the chicken velvet soup so I tried it. It lived up to the hype. The night we went, it was Mexican style pork tenderloin medallions, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. It's hard to keep tenderloin from drying out; they might have tried some sauce or juice. The flavor was excellent. The mashed potatoes were some of the best I've had. I expected the mixed vegetables to steamed but they were cooked on the flat grill and mixed with butter and spices. I've eaten here before and it's mostly been a 5 star experience. I look forward to eating here again and upping the stars I award.
(4)
Leon B.
Below/average service. Tasty food. Pricey for what you get. Too smokey. My partner had a brunch omelette w hash browns for $10. I had The Rambo w fries for $12. His was all around tasty. Mine had barely any meat on it, but was tasty for what it was. I asked for a side of horseradish sauce and got barely enough for half my sandwich and was warned it was "very strong"-- so weak. Service was so bad we thought she had forgotten about us twice! The he smoke was choking at first- we come from a no smoking city, but we got used to it. The atmosphere was divey, but enjoyable. Seating was comfy. I wouldn't choose this place again over the other places visited while in town, but wouldn't object of my local friends suggested it. An average spot.
(2)
Kaci B.
Great food. They even deliver! They open at 11 on Sunday's for brunch. $4 Bloody Mary/screwdrivers. I had the deluxe grilled cheese and my friend got the burrito and a slider. We loved all of it! Fun atmosphere. There is smoking at the bar but it didn't bother me much while eating. Definitely a place that I will be back to!!
(4)
Gracie C.
Bar Dog breakfast!! That's where it's at. So so good! Make sure you get the breakfast sliders WITH BOLT and the shoe string fries (or you'll end up with the big fat wedge fries which aren't quite as heavenly). And as an added bonus, it's almost like an episode of Cheers because the breakfast crew remembers your name :) makes it that much more welcoming.
(5)
Mary H.
This is one of my all around favorite bars. The Bartenders are all great, super friendly and very efficient. The regular Menu is somewhat limited but there are always Daily Specials on the Blackboard which are usually creative and delicious. The wine list is well priced and well rounded.
(3)
Darryl W.
Slooooooow AF. Great concept and small but interesting menu..... BUT VERY SLOOOOOW SERVICE!
(2)
Bob B.
Great hang is right here. The staff is awesome food is great and drinks are priced good. Had the sliders with a fried egg on top and they made me a order of crab ragoon that was not on the menu by itself, it comes with the sampler plater. Just go here and chill it has a great old school vibe, NOT a lame hipster joint. It's the real deal old school vibe. You won't be disappointed. Now go. Lol
(5)
L P.
The amazing island club knocked my freaking socks off!!! Came here because of the high reviews and wasn't disappointed with the yummy food. The bar/restaurant is small and when we walked in everyone looked at us... non-locals vibe. The waitress was friendly though and attentive and gave us a recommendation on what to eat... the amazing island club. It was spectacular. For a place I wouldn't have particularly gone, since Memphis is filled with BBQ, this restaurant was very yummy!!!
(4)
Dean D.
Cool place and very good bar food with an imaginative twist. Great place to go for the midnight munchies:). This place would definitely be classified by triple D as a dive but in a good way. Try their poo poo platter and there tuna wontons.
(4)
Lynnanne N.
Great casual bar, nothing fancy, but the food is great, and I've never had a bad meal here! I've tried a number of items, but the sliders and fries are a must. They're what keeps me coming back! It gets busy late nights and weekends so sometimes you have to order your food at the bar along with your drinks, but it's usually worth it! Also a tip: smoking is allowed upstairs but it's smoke free downstairs I believe, though downstairs is not always open.
(4)
Heidi P.
On a Monday night when most of Memphis was slow, dead, sleeping.. Bardog at 10 pm was packed. 4 of us squeezed into some seats. And this was the last stop of the evening for yours truly, so it was H2O or death. I needed a bit of goodness in my belly. I ordered their tomato bisque: Uh. Maze. Ing. So much so, that I did lick the bowl. I'm not too proud. Hey, I'm from New Jersey. Anyway, I would have eaten 2 more bowls at least if I could. So smooth, savory, no chunks, just bisque-y delicious and yummy croutons. Love the atmosphere, hate that they allow smoking. I don't wanna deny anyone their rights, especially smokers' late night hangouts, however, if all of their food is as good as people say, it would be even better if they didn't let smoke infiltrate peoples' faces while they're enjoying. Overall I'd go back fo' sho' if I were in the area again and hungry. Check it out!
(4)
Joelle P.
I truly hate places that allow smoking (especially during the day time), but there's no doubt this place has good food. I've been to Bardog a million times in the past couple of years, and was even a regular back in the day...strangely enough though (or not so strangely really), I never ate the food. I was there to drink with my girlfriends and flirt with boys, and drink I did. But everyone knows this is where the younger twenty set hangs and so as I grew older, my visits here became less frequent. However, my boyfriend is completely obsessed with their food and so we popped in here for lunch the other day. We both like sitting at the bar, but I was immediately annoyed that the man sitting next to me was blowing smoke in my face - yuck. We shared the meatloaf sliders (a special of the day), which were phenomenal, and then I dove into the Cobb salad - totally legit, y'all! He had the pimento bacon sandwich, which of course I stole a bite or two from. Bottom line? Great food in a cool atmosphere downtown...just beware of the smoke!
(4)
Tres G.
This review isn't just for Bar Dog, but if you have been to any other restaurants owned by Aldo, then you know the food is amazing and the staff are the best in town. Should Aldo ever decide to get out of the restaurant business, I would love to join forces and open a consulting agency on customer service.
(5)
Michelle K.
Great hangout and bar food! They carry a good selection of beers including local brews. The special today was beer cheese soup- YUM. I also tried the homemade meatball sub. Fantastic meatballs with a salty marinara sauce- perfect mix with a cold beer. Love the friendly vibe here, I would definitely come back.
(4)
RaeLynne S.
Go there on a snow day and buy a $2 Fireball shot for Brett. He'll probably be manning the music. Lots of local beer, which made us happy. Good bar food. We were grounded in Memphis because of ice and stayed at the Peabody. We watched the Ducks, because that's what you do, and we sat next to a owner of a local coffee shop named Pinks, who had come to the Peabody for some ice cream with her kiddos as most everything else was closed because of ice - she said her favorite bar in Memphis was Bardog. I can totally see it. If I was a local I would be there all the time. It was comfortable and had good offerings. Only negative was that they still allow smoking. Brett totally took us in and talked to us about Memphis, where he had grown up his entire life, he was a great ambassador and we had a great time. It was the perfect way to spend a snow day.
(4)
Ken R.
Formerly a diner, Bardog is one of the hottest places in Memphis for people to socialize and party, which is evident every Friday and Saturday night. Plus, the food is first class, from sandwiches to pasta dishes made from recipes passed down from Aldo's grandmother. Among Bardog's best menu items is the Penne alla Vodka, a wonderful mix of penne pasta, vodka sauce, shrimp and parmigiano cheese that blew me away the first time I tasted it. The vodka sauce is thick and creamy, which is the way real Italians make it, with some marinara sauce added to enhance the flavor. Speaking of marinara sauce, the spaghetti and meatballs are some of the best I've ever had, and this is coming from a guy who lived in Italy for almost four years. Overall, the pasta dishes at Bardog can hold its own with any Italian restaurant in town. As for other items on the menu, there many great choices to choose from. One of my favorites is the original slider, a small hamburger made with 100% fresh ground chuck. The slider makes for either a great snack or, if ordering more than one, a hearty meal. As far as burgers go, it is one of the better ones in town. Another great sandwich to try is The "Amazing" Island Club sandwich, consisting of an eclectic combination of ingredients including chicken, ham, eggs, avocado and provolone. I was really "amazed" at how good the sandwich was. In summary, Bardog Tavern is an excellent place to either dine or party with friends. I'm sure that with continued success, the bar will see many more anniversaries in the future. UPDATE: The results are in, and the winner of the poll for Downtown Memphis' Best Slider is Bardog Tavern. With an "overwhelming" total of eight out of twelve votes, the bar boasting the Original Memphis Slider stood out among many worthy restaurants. I'm not surprised, for Bardog's slider is very popular with Downtowners who love eating great burgers in an awesome bar. Its simple approach of using a grilled ground chuck patty topped with only ketchup, white American cheese and mayo makes for a delightfully delicious burger that I can't get enough of. So congratulations to Bardog for winning the first and only poll on this blog. For full details, go to kensfoodfind.com/2013/07…
(5)
Karen S.
Cigarette smoke- enough said.
(2)
Jolynna M.
In my humble little opinion, Bardog Tavern is one of the best bars in the downtown area. I love the vibe in the place and the locals who frequent it. The food is way better than you find in most bars, and as others have mentioned, the grilled cheese is absolutely rockin! The spaghetti and meatballs is also very good, and is made from what is said to be the recipe of the chef's grandmother. Another nice perk this bar offers, is free delivery downtown with orders of $10 or more. Oh - and they serve breakfast here too.
(4)
Raymond B.
Definitely turns into a standing room only bar by 10:00pm. Dining downstairs is nice because it's quiet and I think there is no smoking. Service is pretty solid, the challenge if you're there late is getting up to the bar. Get there at 8:30, get some seats, and people watch for a couple hours. The juke box has a great random selection, and people have it lined up with good tunes all night. The crowd is diverse in age and background, it's a lot of fun. At the end of the night, an order of sliders can really hit the drunken spot. Enjoy!
(4)
Frank B.
Best sliders I ever had.
(4)
Kerry C.
Bardog recently started serving breakfast. Here's the breakdown: Coffee: Again, it was a super cold morning (the windchill was -2), so any warm liquid would have worked. Bardog's coffee was tasty, though, and the server brought the cream in a shot glass. Biscuit: Bardog doesn't serve biscuits, so they'll receive an average score of five points. Bacon: Hey Blue Plate, watch yourself. Bardog's bacon was thinly sliced, delicately crispy and had great, unassuming flavor. Scrambled Eggs: A few weeks ago, I was lamenting that there are only so many ways to describe scrambled eggs, because it's hard to mess them up. Bardog's eggs were possibly the best ones I've had so far. They're the ideal mix of fluffy and yolky and not at all overbeaten. Pancake: The pancake breakfast came with three pancakes. They were manageably sized, had a hint of sweetness (even without syrup) and weren't crazy thick. Yum, pancakes. Grits: Bardog doesn't serve grits, so they'll be given an average score of 5 points. Service: (In the interest of full disclosure, a few of my derby teammates work there. My server today was not one of them.) One of the things that I love the most about Bardog is the service. No matter how busy they get, they never seem unattentive. My server this morning was friendly and charming. This is the sort of place where everyone is treated like a regular. Atmosphere: There's something a little strange about having breakfast in a bar, even a bar with excellent food. It was warm and inviting and the news was on the flat screen TVs. If feel like it's also necessary to point out that even though smoking is allowed inside Bardog, the smell of last night's smoke wasn't lingering this morning. There weren't many people dining in at Bardog this morning, but several people came in to pick up take out orders. Price: The price was reasonable for the huge amount of food, about $10. I took a to-go box full of hash browns back to the office with me for lunch. Two meals in one!
(4)
Erica B.
I've not ever had the pleasure of entering Bardog, but I have had the pleasure of them delivering me one of their piping hot grilled cheese sandwiches while I was working and way too busy to stop and pick something up. Even if the grilled cheese was less than sub-par they'd get major points from me for delivery efforts. I've said it before and I'll say it a few hundred more times, there are very limited options for delivery when you live downtown. More establishments need to pick up on this idea. I digress, the Bardog grilled cheese is just delightful (though it cannot touch my personal fav Automatic Slim's). It is compiled with ham, bacon, cheese and tomato on thick- Texas Toast type bread. As if bacon wasn't good enough,no they didn't stop there they went all the way and added the ham AND tomato. Such a good combo- really. And Bardog, I adore that this sandwich wasn't complete mush in the 2 blocks it took you to walk it to me. Because of this sandwich's lovely delivery, I will be making a special trip to check out the innards of your restaurant very soon.
(4)
Michael D.
Great food I willbe back. Just a cool place with some interesting menu selections. I went for lunch and if i had more time would have stuck around for a few more beers. Cool staff, overall great experience.
(4)
Tara W.
We live right around the corner so it has conveniently become our new jaunt. Bardog has a great atmosphere, and great bartenders that actually remember your name and drink. The owner Aldo, "like the shoes, he's got soul and girls walk all over him", as he jokingly said when someone asked his name, is pretty entertaining! The food is pretty good. The Rambo sandwich "fat man approved" as I was told, is also jersey girl approved. We had the calamari which has room for improvement but the sliders, drummies, dillas and fingers were really good. The meatballs were good also but the Parmesan cheese tasted like the green can kind. Sorry grandma! The bar food type is probably the best to stick with. I am making my way through the middle section of the menu so hopefully I will be presently surprised. Overall a great neighborhood place to frequent for drink and food.
(4)
Tanya T.
One of my favorite bars in Memphis, Bardog Tavern occupies a corner spot on Monroe in downtown Memphis. Not only is this a local happy hour and late night hotspot for the young professional crowd and local residents, but it's also an awesome place to lunch. When you walk into the bar, you definitely don't anticipate the full menu and delicious food that this tavern offers. While it appears to be a smoky little hole in the wall, Bardog has plenty of seating in its downstairs basement as well as the main bar area. My favorite menu item is the deluxe grilled cheese, a yummy combination of ham, bacon, melted cheese and tomato on thick, toasted bread. I'd also recommend the Island Club and the sliders (the original ground chuck or the Woof Woof Chow Chow with Nathan's hot dogs). The shoestring fries come with a side of to die for bourbon mayo, though it's hard to choose between the fries or a tomato bisque soup substitute. Happy hours and evenings get pretty busy, so stop by for a drink after work or come by before a late night out on Beale. And if you want a filling breakfast the morning after, go back for some pancakes, french toast or steak and eggs.
(5)
Caroline T.
My friends and I were downtown looking for a fun bar fairly early last Thursday evening. We had been to one before that was pretty sparse, so we changed the place. Luckily, we had heard great things about Bardog and decided to try it out. The bartender was great, the owner was super nice and friendly, and the ambience left little to be desired. The owner even had our bartender tour us around the facility-I've never had that happen before. Reasonably priced, room for my friends, and we all agreed the fries were great. I'm not a mayo fan, but my friends loved the bourbon mayonnaise. The hot sauce selection was excellent. I'm sure to go back.
(5)
Bob C.
Good good and good vibes. Friendly waitstaff, loud customers, good jukebox (that was mentioned in another review and is seconded here) a comfort food. Calimari was an excellent app - different sauces and three different types. The special - corned beef sliders for St patty's day - was a good find. The Island Club - a staple of the place - was excellent. The fried egg on top of the ham was the winning touch. Desserts looked good. Butter cream pie ?? a little sweet.
(4)
David T.
I've been here twice: once for lunch downstairs (to watch a basketball game) and then upstairs at the bar last night for beer and eats. I had good food both times (mussels at lunch; sliders and fries last night), and having never tasted Magic Hat beers, I tried and enjoyed the #9 on tap (Tuesdays are pint nights - $3 draft beer all night). Over the course of my time there last night, though (9:30 till just before 11:00), the place got REALLY loud--not angry loud or crazy drunk loud, but just noisy (both the patrons and the music). Since I like to combine beer and conversation, the atmosphere, though not unpleasant, wasn't exactly a great fit for me (and/or vice versa), hence the 3-star rating--even though I'd give the food and drink about 4 stars. UPDATE 7/13/12: I finally participated on one of the Monday night Salty Dogs runs. The fact that Bardog hosts this event and then doesn't turn away a bunch of sweaty (and, in this case, rain drenched) runners bumps them up a half star, and the awesome post-race fries merit another half-star lift, hence a new aggregate of 4 stars.
(4)
Elle S.
Some of the staff can be the most unfreindly/rude/we hate our lives so we will power trip on you kind of people. The door guys are always very nice though. I will never come here willingly.
(1)
Sam P.
Great fries. That is my standard for going to the next item on a bar menu. Great soup as well. Good selection of cold, fresh beer. A very local crowd, but were more than friendly to this outsider. Wish this bar was around the corner from my house. Did I mention a good selection of beer?
(4)
Samuel W.
Great food, great beer, great bartenders, poor music selection. Relaxed atmosphere. Good call for lunch and dinner, opens at noon for brunch on weekends. Perfect for late night dining, the kitchen is open as long as the bar is. Definitely come here for the food. The sliders are excellent, as is the sausage hoagie. If the downstairs area is open and you don't feel the need to sit at the bar and smoke, then definitely check it out. Upstairs is smoking, downstairs is not. Good for group events too, as you can get the whole downstairs area.
(5)
jules h.
[I'm not from Memphis] In the icy, desolate wasteland that is the mid-winter, empty, downtown streets of Memphis on a Sunday, Bardog Tavern is a smokey, roaring oasis of unexpected cuisine, warm hospitality and did I mention smoke? I'm not even from Tennessee, I'm mostly from Cali so and so yes, the smoke took me by surprise. But so did the freshly made clam chowder that was not too thick or rich; warm and full of clams. How about the seared ahi on tortilla wafers, with the perfect dab of avocado and Gorgonzola! Or a grilled scallop risotto, with scallops almost the size of ping pong balls, but grilled to perfection and oh so tender, lightly seasoned; delicious. The risotto a little tender, but not salty and formed and garnished at the center of the dish, presented as if being served for guests expecting 4-star service. Such a contrast against the jukebox blaring, drinks spilling and the dull roar of grad students and downtown locals boozing it into the night. If I had to visit Memphis regularly, I'd be a regular at Bardogs Tavern. [end]
(4)
Charles D.
Love this place! Great staff, great food, great bar! ALways packed out, but in a good way. You can't help but run into people you know and meet some you don't. Everyone is very friendly and in the right state of mind to make for a great night out. Bardog can also be great for an after work meal and beer with a friend or group. The food really is exceptional, especially for place that is primarily considered a bar. I only wish there were more bars like this in town.
(5)
Anthony R.
A most excellent jukebox.
(3)
Cee J.
What an amazing local hangout in Memphis, TN. I'm from St. Louis, MO but recently found this gem while visiting. Some locals recommended it and Bardog was the best bar we visited all weekend. Such a laid back atmosphere. Plenty of Jamieson to go around. The Bloody Mary's are homemade and the owner couldn't have been nicer. Great place to watch a game or meet up with friends after work. The main bar is small but cozy with awesome captain chair barstools at the main bar. The staff pumps great music through the place and are very courteous and gracious. The downstairs bar is just as cool. It wasnt open but the owner gladly took us on a quick tour. They host poker nights downstairs as well. Such a cool place to drink and the food was great too. I definitely plan to stop in the next time I'm in Memphis.
(5)
J. L.
I ordered food for delivery - a Cobb salad and an order of mussels. They tasted pretty good but I was a bit turned off by the INSECT I found in the salad halfway through. I emailed them a picture and they didn't bother to respond. In my opinion, they are not worthy of my business or yours.
(1)
David M.
Great new little bar, tucked into the corner next to the Little Tea Shop on Monroe. They've only been open a week, but looks like a dedicated downtown crowd has decided on making this place home, far from touristy Beale St., but nicely near some of the better hotels Bar Dogs could take a bite outta the downtown bar business. The lunch and dinner menu has a lot of tasty snacks to sample.
(4)
Melissa A.
Ah, my favorite place in the neighborhood! I've frequented Bardog since they opened, and have had so many interesting experiences. You will seriously bump into someone you know or met previously (which can be a good or bad thing) and nowadays its always packed. Probably the best barfood in Memphis, hands down, as well as the best staff.
(5)
Sara P.
Food was good and had a great variety for a bar. It was loud though because of the music that it forces the patrons to talk loudly to be heard over the music. There isn't a lot of seating upstairs and we were asked to scoot over on a table so that another couple of people could join their friends. It is nice of them to offer us to move to the other party but kind of sucks as being the party being asked to move as well.
(3)
Lindsey H.
Near sunset, I went to a crowded Bardog with friends to order a quick to go meal and also pass some drinks between us. Got our food in 2 rounds, 3 AMAZING island clubs and delish spaghetti and meatballs. We took it and walked over to the nearby scenic Jefferson Davis park. We sat on a bench and doled out the goods, and began the silence of a highly delicious meal. Meanwhile, the lighted horse buggies of Memphis were on a steady cruise through the park past our bench, "MMMmmm, smells good!" everyone said as they rolled by in lighted glory.
(4)
Kristin B.
Nice place before 9 on the weekend, but too loud after that.The staff is pretty cool.
(3)
Keith M.
Went here because of all the good reviews. Easy walk and easy to find in DT Memphis. It was happy hour but was in the mood for a mixer ordered some double capt n cokes. Then an AMAZING steak sandwich. I have been telling everyone about the sandwich and fries, but followed that by the 4 or 5 drinks I had and a bar bill of 79.00 before tip. YIKES. Drink the cheap tap beer and stay away from any booze. I would probably go back for lunch but probably no more "happy" hours.
(4)
Undergroundfor T.
I first stumbled into Bardog alone this summer, while my husband was in bed, sleeping off some adult beverages. This was July. Beale Street, this time around, was a disappointment- a string of commercial huckster crap. So, walked in late and tipsy from our nearby hotel and was promptly offered roofies by some fine tourists. I had to refuse with my combat boots down on the ground, then ordered carry-out. A fine older goth-fellow kept the wolves at bay. The food rocked We went back for lunch and were awarded golden free PBR nickels. We shall return!!!
(5)
Joe P.
good beer and tequila and Fun times !
(4)
Beer L.
Dug it. Good food, pretty cool mellow bar scene, nice people Could use a bit more decor and an all around ban on smoking indoors otherwise, its pretty tits.
(4)
Jonathon C.
We just got in from Detroit and this was our first stop of the night. Located in downtown Memphis close to Beale Street. Friendly staff and well priced drinks. Crowd was a mixture of young professionals, students and older 40 somethings sprinkled in. If you're not wearing Lacoste, you might feel out of place. Thankfully, no collars were popped. I recommend coming to this place if you're ever in Memphis. Oh and they've got some pretty rad ceiling fans...
(4)
Alex D.
I went here with a friend who lived in Memphis, and I was amazed about how great this bar was. Great food and cold beer, what else do you need? The lobster macaroni and cheese was out of this world. The wait-staff was amazing and helpful, visit bardog if you have a chance while in Memphis!
(5)
Mark S.
Cool atmosphere, lots of beers on tap, popular spot. Did not eat here, but they also offer breakfast and I hear it is good. Very cool spot to take it all in and not as touristy as Beale St.
(4)
Margarette N.
To simply use the word "bar" for this place would be an insult to the food, since it's actually quite good (and not in a 4 am, need-something-greasy-to-soak-up-my-poor-decisions kind of way). I came here with a couple friends for dinner, and was quite pleased. SETTING: Bardog's interior is that of your classic gritty, downtown bar, with dark finishes and low expectations for the bathrooms (To be fair, I never did see the restrooms). You get a good sense of local flavor, with Memphis crafts on tap and a chalkboard filled with a list of pledged donations to St. Jude's in exchange for Amanda (a bartender I assume?) to shave her head. SERVICE: Our server was prompt, although a little too familiar for my tastes. When he brought three beers to our table, he mixed up the two paler ones. What was funny was that he grabbed a straw and did that thing where you put your finger over the top to keep the liquid in through air pressure. He tasted one of the beers that way, but still didn't get it right (a Stella vs. a ginger beer). It wasn't a big deal, my friend and I just switched glasses after I took my first sip and was like "hey, that's not mine." He did redeem himself by pronouncing my name correctly (it never happens) though when handing back credit cards after we paid. FOOD: Their menu is pretty straightforward bar food items, plus pasta and seafood. They have a number of chalkboard specials (my friend ordered the oyster special that night), that I would assume change daily. I ordered the monster veggie burrito. "Monster" made me expect something much larger than what arrived however--it was on par with anything you would get at Chipotle (which is more than enough for me). Wrapped in a spinach tortilla, the burrito was as good as anyone could have hoped for given were not at a Mexican place.
(4)
Luc T.
Ordered sliders and fries. Sliders were ok. Fries were undercooked, soggy & disgusting. Will not eat there again.
(1)
Gary P.
My wife and I have been trying to get into this place for awhile and finally made it last Saturday for lunch. Great atmosphere upstairs where smoking is allowed and a large downstairs with more sit down seating but a smaller bar. Amanda who was the upstairs bartender is bubbly and attentive. I had the "Daily Dog" which on this was a "Grind Dog". A grilled hoagie bun with a huge split, grilled dog with sauteed onions, sauerkraut and Dijon mustard and great thin fries. It really hit the spot. My wife had one of the brunch specials, a Lobster sandwich which she said was delicious. A good selection of cold beers on tap and in the bottle is a definite draw. This is going on my list of favorite "dive bars."
(5)
Cristina H.
Definitely in need of a update review since 2009. I can honestly say I've had everything on the menu and a lot of the chalkboard specials at this point. Bardog is a great bar for FOOD I repeat... FOOD!!! Coming in here like it's Alchemy for specialty cocktails isn't really their thing. Jack and Coke, Jameson, maybe even a Margarita but cosmos, Martinis and such, meh... This place has food like no other bar in Memphis. It's considered to be a Gastropub I think so that means they serve more than hot wings. My classic favorite would have to be the spaghetti and meatballs with a Caesar salad but I must say that Amazing Island Club,the Grilled Cheese Deluxe, & The Rambo are definitely runner ups or maybe even the new champs! They have chalkboard specials every night and they are always something with steak, mussels, hot dogs or fried rice even!! They are always good but definitely read the description bc you might not get jiggy with some stuff!! But overall Bardog I believe is here to stay and it has definitively built a name for itself. It's good for a date night during the week or even weekend before 10pm... Oh and also people still haven't realized that after it's crowded as heck in there servers don't exist so if you want a drink you have to order at the bar otherwise you will be thirsty my friend.
(5)
Jonathan B.
Had a chance to step into this little gem when we found out Rendezvous was slammed. Atmosphere - It's a bar and not a relatively big one at that, but it has a lot of character. Service - We were able to beat the dinner crowd so we snagged a table in the basement right away. Our waitress was very fast and I really did enjoy the random conversations she would join in on when she was able to. Of course as the crowd piled in the service slowed a bit but not worth marking against. Food - The food was about as good as casual bar food gets. I only ordered the wings (because I'm a wing junky) but they were decent. What I really enjoyed was there selection in craft beers. They had a few rarities in there that I had yet to try so that definitely made the experience 10x better otherwise I would've just given it a 3-Star rating. Overall - If you're in town and looking for a casual place then this is your bar.
(4)
Matthieu K.
I think this is the best bar/pub food one can find in Memphis. Probably better food than quite a few actual dedicated restaurants ... Coming from NoVA, the smoking aspect throws me for a loop. "Is that a dinosaur? Is that a smoker?" Stop in, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Richard Y.
Great bar, very friendly staff, food was way above expectations Staff did an excellent job of greeting and saying goodbye to LITERALLY every customer except the one who tried to skip out on his tab, I don't blame them. The sliders were some of the best I've ever had and came with a mustard for the fries that I can't compare to anything, it was just good.
(5)
Joey R.
Food is good, drinks are better! But... Def the coldest place in Memphis! I've had the different things here, the meatballs are amazing! They have awesome beer on tap, def drink some local brews. They have a pretty cool downstairs here. For whatever reason though, I have noticed... They keep the AC here on freezing... The fans don't help when the thermostat is on 72 degrees... But worth it.
(4)
Donna S.
This cute little cozy tavern style bar a couple of blocks from my hotel. We spotted it when we were wandering around and made a point to come back. We stopped in one morning for a bloody mary. So glad we did. It was a great bloody mary. The friendly bartender, Brittany, said it was her own concoction. yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… The menu was also a pleasant surprise. Although it appeared to just be typical, casual bar food, the sandwiches we got were nicely done. The Amazing Island Club was stacked high with all kinds of goodies. BAcon, fried egg, provolone, avo, and mroe. yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… For some reason I decided to get the sliders even though I am usually disappointed by them. But these were good! This wasn't the sad paper thin cheap patty that you usually get with bar food sliders. These juicy little pucks were thick and quality enough to get it ordered medium rare. Niiiice. Look at that juicy little delight in the Memphis Saloon Slider: yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… I also tried the Egg slider with added BOLT (bacon, onion, lettuce, tomato): yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… The bartender felt bad for not having the correct ingredients for my Hot Toddy, so she kindly gave it to me on the house. Very nice. But she did a great job improvising, and it still tasted great. If I lived in the area, I could totally see this becoming one of my regular hang outs.
(4)
Michelle ..
This place is easily missed when you are downtown. It is closer to front st, further away from all the main attractions. I always get the "Amazing" Island Club. Club sandwiches are always huge, but this club is over the top. I always split it with a friend. The club comes with grilled chicken, ham, fried egg, bacon, provolone, white American, avocado, onion, lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo and it is gooood!
(3)
Gill S.
I didn't plan on coming here, but I'm glad I did. There sandwiches are amazing. If I had a bigger appetite, I would have ordered their Island Burger. I ended up ordering their chicken sandwich and I enjoyed every bite. The mayo they have is spectacular, and the sandwich was not greasy (which is sometimes hard to find). I would eat here again if I was in town again.
(4)
Daniel M.
All the great reviews are right! Me and my fiancee were in Memphis on vacation and actually tried to go to a more upscale restaurant (The Majestic Grille) on this block, they had an insane wait time and we felt very under dressed so we left and through Yelp found Bardog. All I have to say is wtf, they had literally the best chili I have ever had in my life, no lie. I also ordered a grilled cheese with bacon and it was also the best grilled cheese I have ever had. My fiance got the chicken tenders and they were also tops. The atmosphere was nice as well maybe not all that family friendly but I loved it. We also had a great waitress who through conversation picked up that we had a 3 and a half hour drive back to Nashville and she gave us to go waters without us asking her to. I highly recommend this place and am seriously craving that chili on a regular basis.
(5)
Chris R.
Great late night bar food. Had the beef sliders which is what they're kinda known for. Shoestring french fries were hot and crispy and the burgers were juicy with great flavor. At $9.99, a great value for or a local restaurant compared to those found in chain restaurants. The bar is two levels. The Street level is smoking. The basement is non-smoking. Good atmosphere and daily specials on beer and food. Definitely would go there again.
(5)
Daniel C.
I went there with really high hopes. The staff was nice and my night started off with a really nice IPA. I ordered one of their specials... A decent pasta dish and my evening is off to a good start. And then I realized that Memphis is one of the back assword towns that still allows smoking in restaurants. I was so disappointed... I had to find a seat as far away from the bar as possible.
(2)
Viola L.
The drinks are weak and the food is average. Ambiance is typical, there's really nothing special about this place. Went here with my friend one night and a drunk guy sits at our table and hits on my friend. After a few minutes, he got really obnoxious and my friend asks him to leave. He looks at me and tells me to leave because I'm Chinese. WTF. Is this real life? He literally told me to leave because I was Chinese. At first, we asked his friends to get him away from our table. That didn't work. We tried to get the server to get him away. She did it half heartedly and made some comments about how he's a nice guy. I let her know exactly what he said, along with some awkward racial comments. After a few more long minutes, someone took the guy outside. We told the server we were going to leave, didn't feel welcome. We paid and left. I totally understand that Bardog has no control on how their patrons act. However, they can control how they deal with situations like this. In my opinion, they failed terribly. I would have appreciated if a manager had spoken to us or if they had kicked out the guy right away. It wasn't until I made more pointed comments that they really did anything. Bardog, I get that you are loyal to your regulars. Bless your heart. Never coming back. Ever.
(1)
Karen L.
So, this is really a bar with food, which I didn't quite realize before popping in for lunch with the boyfriend. The upstairs was packed -- we managed to grab a couple of stools by the window while the waiter cleared some dishes, but that was pretty much it for available seating. I guess there's more space downstairs, but who wants to sit in a basement? The food was decent, but not spectacular. The boyfriend enjoyed his "amazing" Island club (which really was amazing!), as well as potato hash and the tomato bisque. I was disappointed with my lobster sandwich -- there was a reasonable amount of lobster, but the tomato was pretty anemic-looking, and the bottom of the toast was soggy from sitting on the plate, which is a pet peeve of mine. What really bugged me was the service. Aside from the bartender, there was just one waiter working the entire upstairs. I get that he was pretty busy, but don't bring me water, tell me you'll be back in a minute (when, um, I was ready to order now), and then not return until I think you've forgotten about me. Also, we had an entire conversation about the spicy mayo on my sandwich, ending with me asking for it to be put on the side, When it arrived, of course the mayo was on the sandwich, so I had to send it back and wait some more. I'm not sure if the waiter didn't put it on the ticket or if the kitchen just missed it, but either way, he should have checked my plate before dropping it in front of me and running off. And finally, smoking is allowed upstairs, so they had some overhead fans running, which were creating a very unpleasant cold draft. I was freezing by the time we finished eating! It was fine, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to return here.
(3)
Patrick P.
Thought this was a neat lil dive bar/restaurant. The food was delicious and the server was attentive and friendly. We split the Rambo and it was great. I liked the atmosphere and it was very casual and laid back. They do allow smoking. It doesn't bother me, but if you're one that doesn't like cigarette smoking just know that before you go.
(4)
Brittney H.
We live across the street from Bardog. This is our go to place on week nights and the weekends! Lauren is our girl and will do anything to make your experience at Bardog enjoyable! Yes, it's a bar, but their food is AH-MAZING! Their French fries are to die for! I also love their chicken tenders, penne ala vodka, club sandwich, and their lobster bisque!
(5)
David B.
Bartender hustles hard to bring good service. Great food and service. It's a little confusing when you walk in but you basically sit anywhere. It's a nice place to check out.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Diamond in the rough. Just walked in to get a drink and a bite of food, and had a great experience. They were short staffed, yet the two staff ran their butts off keeping up with everyone. We expected normal bar fare, but were surprised by the a delicious meal. All three of us had great food. crowd was diverse, the ambiance eclectic and comfortable.
(4)
Tyler F.
Simply put. Bardog has good food, good people, and good atmosphere. I will continue to go back & enjoy their wonderful food & drinks.
(4)
Justin L.
Bardog is fantastic. The waitstaff is prompt and courteous, the beer is cold, and the food is delicious. I have been mean to try their homemade meatballs for quite some time, and holy smokes are the delicious! I could write about what I ate (Penne a la Vodka with Shrimp) and tell you that the shrimp were cooked perfectly and the pasta was cooked to an almost perfect al-dente, but I will not bore you with such details. You need to experience bardog for yourself, and just know...there is nothing bad on the menu. Make sure to check out the chalk board for the nightly specials.
(4)
Sheena T.
What a great restaurant and bar in downtown Memphis! They offer an upstairs and downstairs lounge, but my friend and I opted for the lower level where we could watch the game and it would be less crowded. It felt like I was in a cellar, very cool spot! The waiter was attentive, and we ordered some drinks and then had food. I opted for the chicken cutlet sandwich with a side of potato salad. The sandwich was good, I liked that it had roasted red peppers on it and the potato salad was your run of the mill mayo salad. My only complaint is that my cutlet came on white bread, but that might have been the only option (our waiter didn't ask and I didn't either). Overall they serve bar food, but from my sampling I was impressed! Bardog is a fun spot if you are looking for a place to escape the ultra touristy Beale Street for a bit!
(4)
Christina N.
Damn good offerings for downtown dining week. Tuna spring rolls and ramen make it worth it! Superb customer service as always. Had planned on eating at the Madison....thos was such a better deal!
(4)
Rob C.
I hated this bar the first time I came in. Oh how wrong I was. The only bar in Memphis that you can have an alcoholic revival at. This place smells like hopes and dreams. The healthcare night staff orders breakfast shots at 8 in The Morning; breakfast shots are Jamesons with maple (butterscotch liqueur), orange juice in a separate glass with a few pieces of bacon, ordained to be taken in that order. I just played Croce, Passion Pit, Jackie Wilson, Supertramp, and Rod Stewart on the juke box. Brittany will kill yr hangover with sarcastic dimples that will absolutely melt you. Wait, some Ting Tings and Karen O just came on. Hold on while I take these shots with the morning crew. Ok. I'm back. The menu for breakfast leans towards hangover cures; John's dinner specials kill it like bar food you've never ever had. I'm sending the pictures to accompany; way easier. I'm drunk. Play some of that Etta on the jukebox. Long live Memphis. Amanda and Rory and Colin are kickass too. This place is like my second home.
(5)
Mandy H.
SO....FREAKING.....CROWDED. Ugh. All in all, the vibe here is fantastic. You have a wide array of people, you and old, preppy and hipster, frequenting this joint. The drinks are cheap enough and the food is decent. But seriously. Too many people. And not a staff member willing to help can be seen for days. If you aren't a regular, they look right past you. Like, really????? They have an upstairs and a downstairs. Unfortunately, both spaces are obnoxiously small. My friends and I (there were only 3 of us total) had to stand for nearly an hour before even ONE chair came open. As many great things as I've heard about this place, I was sorely disappointed. Not at all capable of handling crowds the size of which they clearly have frequently. Someone needs to teach their staff how to manage so many people! I will NOT be back.
(2)
Hannah G.
The food here is fantastic. I love the sliders. The service is okay, but nothing to brag about. Looking forward to returning and trying some of the other Yelper recommendations.
(4)
Marcus J.
For late night dining the Rambo is on point! The Sunday brunch is really great and the bartenders are always top notch. The beer selection is good and whiskey selection is as well.
(4)
L W.
When you need to experience something totally unexpected, go to Bardog! The Facts: The best food you can find in the city. #thatBourbonMayo The best giggle juice around. #pancakeshot The best staff ever!
(5)
Patrick K.
Bardog ROCKS- THE SHIT OUT OF ME:) Great staff, great environment, great experience, we will be back soon- can't beat it-
So I'm visiting Memphis on business and I want a place to have a couple of craft beers and a burger. Yelp tells me Bardog is a couple blocks from my hotel. OK, I say to myself, it's close and has good reviews. I walk in at 5:45 on a Tuesday evening to find the lovely Amanda behind the bar. She's friendly and helpful (and easy on the eyes). I ask her what's good to drink and she steers me to local saison that's a pretty tasty beer. I ask her for a menu, which she quickly hands over with the comment that I should wait a couple of minutes for the specials to be written on the chalkboard. I wait, and, as I'm finishing my second beer, Amanda, with perfect timing, suggests the Special 2: a lobster and shrimp wrap. I'm not a wrap guy; I eat meat. But she hasn't steered me wrong yet, so what the hey? The wrap is delicious. Fat shrimp and bits of lobster with roasted red peppers, ripe tomatoes, onions and crisp lettuce, all bathed in a light strawberry vinaigrette, wrapped in a spinach tortilla. Delicious! Not too filling, it really hit the spot. Long story short: I had a tasty beer and a delicious meal, and met a lovely person. One word of warning: Bardog is 21 and over, and there is smoking allowed at the bar. If you're not a fan of second-hand smoke, this might be a deal-breaker, especially on a weeknight when the downstairs is closed.
(5)
Brandyjop S.
Food was great even delivered! The amazing island club has so much good stuff on it. My boyfriend had the deluxe grilled cheese and tomato basil soup. All delicious, hot and delivered in less time than they said.
(5)
Gee N.
Even at 11pm at night the Cobb salad was very fresh n filling..lots of food, great people around , good Beer selections
(5)
Will S.
I found this establishment to be pretty good. It's fairly deceptive from it's initial looks, but the food was tasty, reasonably priced, and quick to the table. Our servers were exceptionally nice. It should be noted that upstairs is for the smokers and downstairs (to the right of the entrance) is smoke free. It's got a hole in the wall feel with quality taste. My fiancee is a vegetarian, and found her veggie burrito to be delicious. The fries are amazing. A list more light down stairs and we have a 5 star restaurant in my opinion. Grilled cheese one of the best. Worth a look.
(4)
Jennifer B.
What's a lady to do when she's staying in downtown Memphis and doesn't want to go out by herself? Order some food from Bar Dog for delivery - that's what! I called and placed my order and food was here in a snap! And wow, it is delicious. Yummy ciopinno - mussels, shrimp, calamari and other tasty fish with a fresh simple Caesar salad and warm bread. This is a great way to get a really good meal delivered in downtown Memphis!
(5)
Lisa C.
Good venue for a cheers like feel. Filled with many young professionals and good to meet new people downtown. Sliders are awesome.
(4)
Milton L.
This is the definition of a bar, to me anyways. Small, friendly, cool, great food...GREAT food, good beer selection. It is loud and crowded more often than not, as any good bar would be, right? If you are downtown, you should at least stop in for a drink, but eat there if you can.
(5)
Ryan G.
OK, so this is stop 1 on a 2 person pub crawl. Getting the night started correctly we stopped at Bardog Tavern. I liked this place, it had the feel of a random dive bar but the amount of patrons at the bar it seems like it was pretty much well known. Tried a local Memphis beer, "ESB High Cotton Brewing Company", but I wasn't too impressed. The bar is a smoking bar, which is great for me, but they also have a staircase to go down into the 2nd bar, which is smoke free! I really loved this bar, and wish I could have spent more time there, especially with $3.00 pints! Service: 3/5 (They were very busy, but if you stand there long enough, they will come) Atmosphere: 5/5 (Loved the feel of this bar! Favorite of the night!) Price: 5/5 (4 beers @ $3.00, can't beat it!)
(4)
Nina B.
Completely different place than I had imagined. Cross between dive and casual bar. Be careful you might miss the entrance it is almost hidden. Kind of dark inside. The music was a little loud, but bearable. Good food with reasonable prices. Our waitress Paige was SUPER friendly. Would go back if I knew she was our waitress. I had the chili and my boyfriend had the island club. Chili was filling and had just enough spicyness. The island club was moist and had a variety of nice flavors. We were talked into taking the mud pie home because it was a Bardog favorite. Can't wait to try it when I open up some room after that filling dinner!
(4)
Maggie W.
I love Bardog! I work nights and this is the best place to go for breakfast and mimosas after a long shift! Relaxed atmosphere, amazing food, and great staff! Brittney, the bartender, is always friendly! One of my favorite places in Memphis!
(5)
Stacey H.
We actually ended up here because another restaurant we had intended to visit was closing early due to a kitchen issue (broken oven). The owner of that place recommended this place (I never turn down recs from restaurant owners). We had a group of about 8 and they found us a table and were so friendly. Grabbed our drink orders, owner came over and recommended the sliders so a few of us had them. Easily the best thing I've ever eaten, they were melt in your mouth delicious. The service here was amazing, and the prices are fantastic. Next time I'm in Memphis this will be a must stop place for me.
(5)
Matt D.
Some of the best sliders I've ever had!..was in town from Ca and ended up staying there for hours..great bloody Mary's and great staff too
(5)
Emily T.
Last weekend, I decided to hop down to Memphis to check it out, and in the process, hit up Bardog for a few drinks and dinner on Saturday night. Ignore the horrible name (Bardog?) because the people are so friendly, you'll have a great time! The locals gave me some great Memphis pointers, I tried some (regular-person-strength) flavored moonshine, (moonshine!!!) And then for dinner I had the special hotdog with blue cheese coleslaw (though I didn't taste any blue cheese) and bacon! Bacon on a hot dog! Awesome. Friendly bartenders, too- go!
(4)
Stephanie C.
As of today - there are 47 reviews of Bardog. I don't know what I can tell you that hasn't already been said - so here's what I have - order the grilled cheese (or the deluxe grilled cheese with bacon and ham if you want some meat on your sammich) - dip it in bourbon mayo, then in ketchup - take a bite - and repeat. Eat a few fries on the side - and order a frosty beverage. This is what I do at Bardog - and it makes me happy.
(4)
Sarah L.
I love going here when the downstairs bar area is open because there is more seating and it is non-smoking. However, it's only open after 7 (I think, I usually call before going). The servers are knowledgable and friendly, and the food is delicious. I love their buffalo wings. If you go, you MUST try a "Breakfast Shot." You get a shot of Jamison, a shot of orange juice and finish it off with a piece of maple syrup bacon!
(4)
Ben B.
I have lived in Memphis for two years now and I am mad at myself for waiting this long to try this place. Bardog is an awesome place to both hangout to have a drink AND have a bite to eat. Their food was AWESOME!. I had the "Rambo", which is essentially a steak sandwich, and I would definitely order it again. My wife had the Ahi tuna salad and it was probably one of the best that I had ever tasted. The tuna was fresh and it had a slight kick to it which made it that much better.
(4)
Shaina G.
Not only is this a fun hangout downtown with reasonably priced food and drinks, but they also deliver! We've enjoyed everything we've ordered off the menu and spent several late nights in the downtown basement bar. Fun and convenient.
(3)
Kyle B.
I come to Memphis once every other month for business. This is my go to spot. Good atmosphere, good food, prices, etc. it's also spacious without feeling like you walked into a Buffalo Wild Wings. Big fan of this place. Try it.
(5)
Katherine V.
My boyfriend and I stopped in after getting off a plane and couldn't stay long but swore we would come back and we did on our way out! Loved our server Brittany! The food was great and Bloody Mary's awesome. Good luck on your flight Brittany to Paris. Great place....good food...good drinks....great servers! GO!
(5)
Ilia B.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and this place owns the pancake key to my heart! If you want the joy that only pancakes can bring, then come on down.
The food is usually pretty decent. Had a really good $4 bloody mary on Saturday aft. As any Aldo establishment the fries are very good.
(3)
Holly K.
Not sketchy, friendly service, crazy fun atmosphere and decent bar food! I was in Memphis for a week and went here at least 5 times. So much fun... It gets pretty crowded so it's better to go with just a few people
(4)
TJ H.
I like this place... mostly for lunch because I don't hang out downtown at night any longer, not because I don't like too, I live in the suburbs raising a family. My favorite item is the "Chicken Cutlet" sandwich. A big chicken breast with red peppers and melted cheese... on Texas Toast (the big winner). Their fries are a BIG favorite of mine. Alas they never put enough fries on the plate. It's really one of the better lunch places downtown, along with McEwens. The only problem that I have is that most of the entrees and sandwiches are priced a little too high.
(4)
Candace B.
Just had grilled cheese and French fries they were both great! The fries were good reminded me a lot of McDonalds fries and that is about the only thing I eat at McDonalds! Service was great and it has a great atmosphere would go back for sure.
(3)
Leigh H.
Everytime we eat there whether it be in the restaurant or delivery, it's amazing! I had the beer cheese soup and it was really good. I generally like to eat in the restaurant for the really cool vibe and the service, but the food is so good, we just have a hankering to get it delivered! Everything on the menu is amazing and my favorite potato salad hands down!!
(5)
David M.
I live here at lunch hour. You can get in and out in an hour with consistently good food and sweetheart servers. Get there by 11:45 to avoid the rush. Try the sliders or the cobb salad. If they offer chicken and dumplings as a special that day, jump all over it.
(5)
Amanda S.
Well, I can't actually enter the place for another 6 months when I turn 21 (EVERYONE COME BUY ME DRINKS ON OCTOBER 15TH!); however, I've heard amazing things, so I've gotten it delivered to me at work twice. First time: Cheese ravioli. It's very good for a "tavern," to say the least, but it didn't blow my mind. Still quite delicious, though, and I would get it again if I was feelin' cheesy. Second time: Chicken quesadillas, no peppers. Side of french fries (I was very good that day, alright?!). The chicken quesadillas were amazing; the pieces of chicken were big and very filling. Paired with the sour cream and salsa, it was a great meal. Oh, and the fries are just... I'm speechless. Shoestrings with sugar on 'em, baby! Can't get much better than that, my friend. I can't judge the atmosphere of the place, but the delivery guys have always been very prompt and friendly. Five stars, so far! :) And I'm serious about the drinks, guys....
(5)
Vim I.
Cool neighborhood bar in downtown Memphis. Love the atmosphere. I'm a sucker for exposed brick. I've had a chance to actually try their food during Downtown Dining Week. We had a prix fixe menu--so between the four of us, we were able to taste everything. The highlight for me was the Chicken Chowder--made with Poblano peppers. I got the ahi tuna for entree--and sadly it was overcooked. One of the managers acknowledged it and apologized and was very sweet. At least the food selections were a bit more elevated than normal Tavern-style food so I appreciated their ambition. If they executed it just perfectly, they would have blown me away. I'll definitely go back and try again. Word to the wise: they make their bourbon and cokes really strong--which is not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion.
(4)
Mark S.
Mulled this decision over for a while, before finally settling on 3 stars instead of 4. Came here mainly to watch an NBA game, and was lured in because of the large TV downstairs. But the draft menu is seriously lacking, and the manager came over and told me that I couldn't have a backwards hat on and asked me to turn it around. Now, he did it in the nicest way possible, but it's still very weird. It's not exactly the classiest place, and I'm certainly not the clientele that they're trying to avoid by this rule, but whatever I took my hat off. But the manager continued to talk to me throughout the game, so much so that one of the bartenders came up and asked if the guy was annoying me (Which he kind of was). So yeah, looked like it was a cool place, but took itself a little too seriously.
(3)
Joey M.
This place is consistently good at what it does. First and foremost it's a neighborhood joint. And it offers up not your everyday pub grub. The menu is fine but pro tip: check out the daily specials. Especially on the weekends during brunch. They have two big screens upstairs and a ginormous one downstairs so it's a great place to watch the game. Don't be surprised if somebody offers you a shot of fireball. They have a great selection of beers on tap and a wide variety in bottles plus a full bar. I live downtown and frequent the place often. And whenever I have guest from out of town, it's usually the first place I bring them. Downtown has a lot of good places, and Bardog is one of them. If it's your first time, get the Ghost River Red, and sliders with fries. You'll be back.
(5)
Chain B.
You can avoid the smoke by going downstairs, which is nice. Tried some sliders. They were really good. The Pu Pu Platters was good too, but a little heavy on the fried items.
(4)
Matthew S.
Good bar food and best to go during the day time. The downside is that it gets way crowded at night on the weekends.
(4)
Lauren W.
BarDog. More like BarfDog. Okay, admittedly that isn't entirely fair, but once I thought of that it felt like a crime not to use it. It also isn't really that far from the truth in my case. We were downtown and looking for something that wasn't too fancy, but would still be tasty, and although none of us had eaten at BarDog before we decided to give it a chance. The service was pleasant, and I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere (minus the group of rowdy college kids). Nothing was really amiss... except the food. My boyfriend opted for the Penne alla Vodka with chicken, and while he said that it was good, he admitted that it was nothing exactly special, and definitely not worth the $17 price tag. His friend got the Meatball Hoagie, which he was likewise unimpressed with. I got the "Rambo". This sandwich sounds amazing! Grilled, sliced NY Strip, roasted red pepper, caramelized onion, pepperoncini, white American cheese, and horseradish cream. The sandwich came out open face, with a little plastic army man stuck on a tooth pick. Bonus points for presentation on that one. However that was the only real highlight, as I immediately noticed that everything on the sandwich looked extremely dry. Somehow that included the melted cheese and sprinkled pepperoncini's. As far as taste goes... where to start? First of all, I think that Bardog may not exactly understand what a caramelized onion is. I mean, I'm no Iron Chef or anything, but generally I thought a caramelized onion should be a nice golden brown color, rather than white. Not to mention, that usually caramelized onions have a nice, full sweet flavor, rather than vaguely metallic mush. Also the thing that I was most excited about, the horseradish cream, was nowhere to be found. This was a real disappointment as this sandwich screamed for some kind of sauce, which, if it was there, must have been very insignificant. I didn't even taste a hint of horseradish. The resulting combination was extremely bland and dry. And if that wasn't enough to deter me, the steak had apparently not been trimmed before being put on the sandwich. The very first bite that I took resulted in a mouthful of fat, that I consequently had to spit into a napkin. Not very lady like of me I'll admit, but what's a girl to do? I powered through, hoping it was a fluke. About 2/3rds of the way through the first half of the sandwich I encountered another large piece of fat and decided that was as far as I could go, which left more than half of my sandwich untouched. Thank goodness the fries and that bourbon mayo are good, otherwise I would have left still hungry and 12 bucks poorer. Since I was in the mood, and hadn't eaten much of my real meal, I decided to take a chance and order the tiramisu for dessert. When our waitress brought it out, I literally laughed in her face, which I am sure left her a bit bewildered. Glaring back up at me from the chocolate dust on my dessert was an actual hand print. Seriously, if I'd had a forensics team we could have taken down the perp on a finger print id in no time. However, because I am passive aggressive, really like tiramisu, and I have hope that the perpetrator had been wearing gloves, I went ahead and ate it anyway. I will say that it was delicious. The best part of my meal by far. Overall, I think I would advise against eating a real meal here. Clearly they are going for more upscale bar food, but don't put the time or effort into the meals to make them worth the price. Simple seasoning would go a long way here. Either go with bar food and charge sensible prices, or stick to the upscale idea but do it well, instead of charging more upscale prices for food that is mediocre at best.
(1)
Megan M.
We fell in love with the feel of this cozy little bar. We stopped in after dinner on a Sunday night, and were pleasantly surprised to find the joint jumpin' but by no means over-crowded. I loved the clientele here, because it was all kinds of people. Older guys drinking beers, young couples with martinis, groups of friends just hanging out. It really felt like a casual, anyone's welcome type place. The service was also super friendly. Drinks came quick, and when my boyfriend mentioned to the bartender that he was thinking of moving to Memphis, the bartender took a little time to talk about the pluses and minuses of living in different parts of town. And it's not like the place was empty and the bartender was bored. It was just obvious that he was a really nice guy. In general, this place just felt comfortable, which was cool. If I lived nearby this would so be my neighborhood bar. I'll have to eat here the next time I'm in town.
(4)
david m.
One of my favorite neighborhood bars. Great staff who will remember your name if you introduce yourself. If smoke bothers you: go downstairs. Texas hold 'em tournaments downstairs every Wednesday night
(5)
Emily B.
Bardog is located just off of Main Street in Memphis, and is a good place to have a meal and drinks. The interior is dark wood, with a handsome bar, trendy chalkboards around, and a red leather couch wrapping along one side. The Monster Vegetarian Burrito lacks flavor, but it seems like the healthiest and least expensive meal on the menu. It comes with a side, and the potato salad was ok. The burrito comes with salsa and sour cream, and there is hot sauce on the table to spice up the bland meal. During Happy Hour beers and wells are one dollar off. PBR, or "peebers", served in a large glass stein for $2, very good! A friendly bar atmosphere, good for a bit before going to Beale for the evening.
(3)
Kristin B.
I LOVE Bardog! They have great drinks, service, and FOOD! This place is definitely a bar, but has some of the best food and serves it LATE. They even deliver downtown during certain hours. Some of my favorite things are: the meatball hoagie, seared ahi tuna with wontons, tomato bisque with grilled cheese, the cheese ravioli, and spaghetti and meatballs. This place is very laid back and a great place to hang out with friends. It is very loud inside at times. The only negative is that people can smoke inside, but, hey, it is a bar. Just a bar with some great food and service.
(4)
Amelia P.
Awful! $6.50 for a Stoli Soda with LESS than a one-shot pour. Guys in shorts and flip flips. Girls in that watered down "real jersey house shore wife" look. Overly, yet poorly flat ironed hair. The space would lead one to believe this is a dive, but it's douche central in dive clothing.
(1)
Tomas F.
Way way way too loud. One beer and hit the road. The menu looked way overpriced so that only made it easier to walk.
(2)
Mason H.
Great little downtown place for breakfast. Local flavor and good service. I had the breakfast burrito and really enjoyed it from all the Fru fru dining that surrounds the hotels.
(3)
DeAnna E.
After a long week myself I don't expect anyone to kiss my **hind, but a little pleasant service would be nice. The main bartender upstairs is consistently the rudest woman I have ever met. I cannot begin to understand why she's even in the service industry. The food, mostly typical bar fare, is actually decent. Some of the pricing is off given the finished product. The drink offerings are great. The overall atmosphere is relaxed. It would have merited 3 stars. However, her attitude makes this bar/restaurant some place you should definitely skip. There are many different options to choose from downtown...sans the service issues. Look elsewhere.
(1)
Rick W.
Very good bar food made at a very high skill level. The bar is great and has a juke box with the Talking Heads . Need I say more! I always had a good time at Bardog! They treat you like your a local from down the street. These days you can't ask for much more than that!
(5)
Jes S.
This is one of the places that I wish I lived in Memphis for... Things I loved: - The setup/interior design! I loved the fan design and thought the whole place was just fantastic. The bar stools? SUPER COMFY - The PBR special. It was a Wednesday night we were there, and it was $3 PBRs that came in these chilled Beer Mugs. Awesome. - The food. I got a meatball appetizer. They called it NJ meatballs? I was expecting HUUGE meatballs, cuz as much as I diss on NJ, when they make food, they make it BIG. But the meatballs were, meh, almost 2 inches across at most? It was TASTY though! And someone got the Grilled Cheese, which is easy to make but it was TASTY! :) - The atmosphere. The place was super chill and it wasn't Douche-y, Frat-y, or the kind of place where a girl has to worry about getting hit on by Creepers. - The TVs. They had a baseball game and a football game going on two great sized TVs. I made friends with a guy, after I made some off hand comments about one of the players. The sound wasn't on, but there were captions. So it wasn't a bother at all. - The staff. Super friendly, super nice. So busy, that they weren't always attentive, but still nice. - The prices. Reasonable and Affordable Things I didn't love: - The Beer Selection. I love PBR, but I like other beers too! - The general noise level. I was hoarse by the end of the night from trying to have conversations... Four stars because it was awesome, but I think it can be so much more!
(4)
Tita P.
I THINK I was at Bardog Tavern last night :-) I mean I had a few drinks but I am pretty sure that this was the spot that I spent the remainder of my night. :-) The drinks were right on time!! The people were highly entertaining. There is a downstairs but I did not hang out there. Wayy too many women down there for me :-) This place can get really crowded so be prepared. They also allow men in the place that think its acceptable to High Five grown women..hmmm I still enjoyed this bar and promise to return.
(4)
Dave C.
Great atmosphere great service at the Bardog Tavern. I had a cup of Tomato Bisque and a Yuengling on tap. The food is excellent and the bar tender friendly. This is my favorite place in Memphis so far!
(5)
Mike G.
really really good hangover food. It's also a fun place to go downtown but it can get a litle packed. Good juke box with a lot of variety (local bands, Memphis R&B, some classic rock and country, etc). I love bars that have basements and this is the only one I've found in Memphis. Bartenders know their stuff and treat you right. I really enjoy the fans they've set up as well. They are on a belt driven system which is really neat. I don't recall what my tab was but I don't remember being put off at all when the check came.
(5)
Megan C.
We just wandered in here on a Saturday afternoon and had a pretty good experience. The food was pretty good. I loved the fried calamari. I thought the Sunday brunch sounded pretty awesome. I think if I am ever back in Memphis I will have to give it a try.
(4)
Reece S.
I'll start by saying the "Amazing" Island Club really is amazing. That being said, everything else was just alright. They didn't have Ghost River which was unfortunate for me. I won't knock them for that really, but it seems most places in Memphis have embraced this local brewery. It surprised me that they have not. There was only one waitress working when we rolled in right after they opened on Saturday, but she was really good. She was also very nice and polite even though we couldn't seem to decide what we wanted. My boyfriend ordered a bowl of the duck soup, and it was ok though it really tasted like vegetable beef soup. I and one of my friends ordered the "Rambo" which is a steak sandwich. It tasted fine, though nothing great. It was also a bit on the small side and it was rare. I found it odd they would make the steak on a sandwich rare by default. Most people I would assume wouldn't want that. We also got the meatball appetizer and again it was just alright. Not bad, but really not great either. Finally we also ordered the "Amazing" Island Club and we all shared it. It was definitely the best thing we had. If we go back we are all just going to order that sandwich, but we wouldn't order anything else again. It's really a nice place, but other than that one sandwich there isn't much to bring you back.
(3)
strawberry m.
still loving me bardog...i wish the owner would stop playing meatloaf and let me bring him some great music, but hey, its his bar. Theres still some good music, but i go there all the time and play the same things over and over. and no theres no smoking ban needed..thats what downstairs is for. he kept you nonsmokers in mind too. i do think during the summer there should be some live music..who? i dont know, but its gotta be better than air guitar..whose brilliant idea was that anyway? I'm just sayin...trying to help a brotha out. its still my favorite place to get drunk and be silly..ive tried to move other places and always find myself back there. keep on keepin on bardog.
(5)
Frank M.
This might be my new favorite bar. PBR on tap is hard to beat. Good music, good / friendly service, good atmosphere, good taps, the meatball sub and the sliders were both winners... I can't think of anything else. Oh yea, they gave us a complimentary ice cream cone too. Good times. Ya'll should go!
(5)
Jacob S.
Bardog likes to be known for their food. I'll get to that. Their service is outstanding. You walk in the bar and the bartender is already looking your way. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Bardog quickly became THE neighborhood bar for downtown Memphis. It's usually always packed on the weekends. Smoking upstairs, but not down. Good liquor selection, however they don't serve Red Bull. PBR on tap for $2.5 (mmm) all the time, rotating selection otherwise. In terms of food, Bardog is outstanding. The aptly named Amazing Island Club is one of the best sandwiches in the city. I enjoy Bardog's Deluxe Grilled Cheese late night. Their fries are outstanding, sprinkled with salt and sugar. They also tend to have great daily specials as well. Kudos to Bardog on a great menu.
(5)
Mark A.
Stopped into this place because it was located close to our hotel. Ended up eating and/or drinking there 5 nights in a row. The food was excellent and the bartenders were a lot of fun. The chef/owner came out to ask our opinion of the food then bought us a round. My territory is North America, and this place was exactly what I look for when I'm out of town. I recommend this to anyone going to Memphis!
(5)
Jeremy B.
loved this place when i lived in memphis. lived around the corner from it and frequented as often as possible. friendly staff, decent priced drinks, and could easily stumble home. note: on the weekends, the place fills up with law school kids and frat guys... i prefer it more during the week. still a great place though
(5)
Brintha V.
gooey butter bar!
(5)
James D.
Great bar atmosphere, nicely removed from the tourist traps of downtown Memphis. Memphis needs more places like this.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Brian B.
Look, if your tastes are closer to sterile corporation directed predictability featuring stale beer, short pour drinks and bad music that seems to never go away, then The Bar Dog isn't likely for your best first choice in a downtown pub. Try the Holiday Inn. If instead you enjoy friendly and welcoming with surprisingly well crafted food emphasizing taste over presentation, Guinness on tap served via a 'proper pour' all while surrounded by staff & patrons that'd rather talk to you than keep to themselves - well then you need to stop reading and get on over to the Bar Dog. I only get to visit when passing through Memphis on business every couple of months and I gotta tell ya, many of the staff (Brittney, et al) recognize and remember me...maybe normal for you but I'm not an especially memorable guy. I've run into several individuals who, like myself are passing through and resumed conversations where we left off on some previous visit. Crazy. Footnote for the non-smokers - unless you're a member of the tobacco Gestapo, it's fine. The air recycles reasonably well and the smoke doesn't hover for days like you're trapped in a cave. Join some people having fun and worry less about how they're having fun - even (God forbid) if they're drinking an IPA.
(5)Carlos B.
Excellent friendly service. The bar promotes conversations with fellow patrons. They have different special food offerings every night. I noticed that many people mentioned the chicken velvet soup so I tried it. It lived up to the hype. The night we went, it was Mexican style pork tenderloin medallions, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. It's hard to keep tenderloin from drying out; they might have tried some sauce or juice. The flavor was excellent. The mashed potatoes were some of the best I've had. I expected the mixed vegetables to steamed but they were cooked on the flat grill and mixed with butter and spices. I've eaten here before and it's mostly been a 5 star experience. I look forward to eating here again and upping the stars I award.
(4)Leon B.
Below/average service. Tasty food. Pricey for what you get. Too smokey. My partner had a brunch omelette w hash browns for $10. I had The Rambo w fries for $12. His was all around tasty. Mine had barely any meat on it, but was tasty for what it was. I asked for a side of horseradish sauce and got barely enough for half my sandwich and was warned it was "very strong"-- so weak. Service was so bad we thought she had forgotten about us twice! The he smoke was choking at first- we come from a no smoking city, but we got used to it. The atmosphere was divey, but enjoyable. Seating was comfy. I wouldn't choose this place again over the other places visited while in town, but wouldn't object of my local friends suggested it. An average spot.
(2)Kaci B.
Great food. They even deliver! They open at 11 on Sunday's for brunch. $4 Bloody Mary/screwdrivers. I had the deluxe grilled cheese and my friend got the burrito and a slider. We loved all of it! Fun atmosphere. There is smoking at the bar but it didn't bother me much while eating. Definitely a place that I will be back to!!
(4)Gracie C.
Bar Dog breakfast!! That's where it's at. So so good! Make sure you get the breakfast sliders WITH BOLT and the shoe string fries (or you'll end up with the big fat wedge fries which aren't quite as heavenly). And as an added bonus, it's almost like an episode of Cheers because the breakfast crew remembers your name :) makes it that much more welcoming.
(5)Mary H.
This is one of my all around favorite bars. The Bartenders are all great, super friendly and very efficient. The regular Menu is somewhat limited but there are always Daily Specials on the Blackboard which are usually creative and delicious. The wine list is well priced and well rounded.
(3)Darryl W.
Slooooooow AF. Great concept and small but interesting menu..... BUT VERY SLOOOOOW SERVICE!
(2)Bob B.
Great hang is right here. The staff is awesome food is great and drinks are priced good. Had the sliders with a fried egg on top and they made me a order of crab ragoon that was not on the menu by itself, it comes with the sampler plater. Just go here and chill it has a great old school vibe, NOT a lame hipster joint. It's the real deal old school vibe. You won't be disappointed. Now go. Lol
(5)L P.
The amazing island club knocked my freaking socks off!!! Came here because of the high reviews and wasn't disappointed with the yummy food. The bar/restaurant is small and when we walked in everyone looked at us... non-locals vibe. The waitress was friendly though and attentive and gave us a recommendation on what to eat... the amazing island club. It was spectacular. For a place I wouldn't have particularly gone, since Memphis is filled with BBQ, this restaurant was very yummy!!!
(4)Dean D.
Cool place and very good bar food with an imaginative twist. Great place to go for the midnight munchies:). This place would definitely be classified by triple D as a dive but in a good way. Try their poo poo platter and there tuna wontons.
(4)Lynnanne N.
Great casual bar, nothing fancy, but the food is great, and I've never had a bad meal here! I've tried a number of items, but the sliders and fries are a must. They're what keeps me coming back! It gets busy late nights and weekends so sometimes you have to order your food at the bar along with your drinks, but it's usually worth it! Also a tip: smoking is allowed upstairs but it's smoke free downstairs I believe, though downstairs is not always open.
(4)Heidi P.
On a Monday night when most of Memphis was slow, dead, sleeping.. Bardog at 10 pm was packed. 4 of us squeezed into some seats. And this was the last stop of the evening for yours truly, so it was H2O or death. I needed a bit of goodness in my belly. I ordered their tomato bisque: Uh. Maze. Ing. So much so, that I did lick the bowl. I'm not too proud. Hey, I'm from New Jersey. Anyway, I would have eaten 2 more bowls at least if I could. So smooth, savory, no chunks, just bisque-y delicious and yummy croutons. Love the atmosphere, hate that they allow smoking. I don't wanna deny anyone their rights, especially smokers' late night hangouts, however, if all of their food is as good as people say, it would be even better if they didn't let smoke infiltrate peoples' faces while they're enjoying. Overall I'd go back fo' sho' if I were in the area again and hungry. Check it out!
(4)Joelle P.
I truly hate places that allow smoking (especially during the day time), but there's no doubt this place has good food. I've been to Bardog a million times in the past couple of years, and was even a regular back in the day...strangely enough though (or not so strangely really), I never ate the food. I was there to drink with my girlfriends and flirt with boys, and drink I did. But everyone knows this is where the younger twenty set hangs and so as I grew older, my visits here became less frequent. However, my boyfriend is completely obsessed with their food and so we popped in here for lunch the other day. We both like sitting at the bar, but I was immediately annoyed that the man sitting next to me was blowing smoke in my face - yuck. We shared the meatloaf sliders (a special of the day), which were phenomenal, and then I dove into the Cobb salad - totally legit, y'all! He had the pimento bacon sandwich, which of course I stole a bite or two from. Bottom line? Great food in a cool atmosphere downtown...just beware of the smoke!
(4)Tres G.
This review isn't just for Bar Dog, but if you have been to any other restaurants owned by Aldo, then you know the food is amazing and the staff are the best in town. Should Aldo ever decide to get out of the restaurant business, I would love to join forces and open a consulting agency on customer service.
(5)Michelle K.
Great hangout and bar food! They carry a good selection of beers including local brews. The special today was beer cheese soup- YUM. I also tried the homemade meatball sub. Fantastic meatballs with a salty marinara sauce- perfect mix with a cold beer. Love the friendly vibe here, I would definitely come back.
(4)RaeLynne S.
Go there on a snow day and buy a $2 Fireball shot for Brett. He'll probably be manning the music. Lots of local beer, which made us happy. Good bar food. We were grounded in Memphis because of ice and stayed at the Peabody. We watched the Ducks, because that's what you do, and we sat next to a owner of a local coffee shop named Pinks, who had come to the Peabody for some ice cream with her kiddos as most everything else was closed because of ice - she said her favorite bar in Memphis was Bardog. I can totally see it. If I was a local I would be there all the time. It was comfortable and had good offerings. Only negative was that they still allow smoking. Brett totally took us in and talked to us about Memphis, where he had grown up his entire life, he was a great ambassador and we had a great time. It was the perfect way to spend a snow day.
(4)Ken R.
Formerly a diner, Bardog is one of the hottest places in Memphis for people to socialize and party, which is evident every Friday and Saturday night. Plus, the food is first class, from sandwiches to pasta dishes made from recipes passed down from Aldo's grandmother. Among Bardog's best menu items is the Penne alla Vodka, a wonderful mix of penne pasta, vodka sauce, shrimp and parmigiano cheese that blew me away the first time I tasted it. The vodka sauce is thick and creamy, which is the way real Italians make it, with some marinara sauce added to enhance the flavor. Speaking of marinara sauce, the spaghetti and meatballs are some of the best I've ever had, and this is coming from a guy who lived in Italy for almost four years. Overall, the pasta dishes at Bardog can hold its own with any Italian restaurant in town. As for other items on the menu, there many great choices to choose from. One of my favorites is the original slider, a small hamburger made with 100% fresh ground chuck. The slider makes for either a great snack or, if ordering more than one, a hearty meal. As far as burgers go, it is one of the better ones in town. Another great sandwich to try is The "Amazing" Island Club sandwich, consisting of an eclectic combination of ingredients including chicken, ham, eggs, avocado and provolone. I was really "amazed" at how good the sandwich was. In summary, Bardog Tavern is an excellent place to either dine or party with friends. I'm sure that with continued success, the bar will see many more anniversaries in the future. UPDATE: The results are in, and the winner of the poll for Downtown Memphis' Best Slider is Bardog Tavern. With an "overwhelming" total of eight out of twelve votes, the bar boasting the Original Memphis Slider stood out among many worthy restaurants. I'm not surprised, for Bardog's slider is very popular with Downtowners who love eating great burgers in an awesome bar. Its simple approach of using a grilled ground chuck patty topped with only ketchup, white American cheese and mayo makes for a delightfully delicious burger that I can't get enough of. So congratulations to Bardog for winning the first and only poll on this blog. For full details, go to kensfoodfind.com/2013/07…
(5)Karen S.
Cigarette smoke- enough said.
(2)Jolynna M.
In my humble little opinion, Bardog Tavern is one of the best bars in the downtown area. I love the vibe in the place and the locals who frequent it. The food is way better than you find in most bars, and as others have mentioned, the grilled cheese is absolutely rockin! The spaghetti and meatballs is also very good, and is made from what is said to be the recipe of the chef's grandmother. Another nice perk this bar offers, is free delivery downtown with orders of $10 or more. Oh - and they serve breakfast here too.
(4)Raymond B.
Definitely turns into a standing room only bar by 10:00pm. Dining downstairs is nice because it's quiet and I think there is no smoking. Service is pretty solid, the challenge if you're there late is getting up to the bar. Get there at 8:30, get some seats, and people watch for a couple hours. The juke box has a great random selection, and people have it lined up with good tunes all night. The crowd is diverse in age and background, it's a lot of fun. At the end of the night, an order of sliders can really hit the drunken spot. Enjoy!
(4)Frank B.
Best sliders I ever had.
(4)Kerry C.
Bardog recently started serving breakfast. Here's the breakdown: Coffee: Again, it was a super cold morning (the windchill was -2), so any warm liquid would have worked. Bardog's coffee was tasty, though, and the server brought the cream in a shot glass. Biscuit: Bardog doesn't serve biscuits, so they'll receive an average score of five points. Bacon: Hey Blue Plate, watch yourself. Bardog's bacon was thinly sliced, delicately crispy and had great, unassuming flavor. Scrambled Eggs: A few weeks ago, I was lamenting that there are only so many ways to describe scrambled eggs, because it's hard to mess them up. Bardog's eggs were possibly the best ones I've had so far. They're the ideal mix of fluffy and yolky and not at all overbeaten. Pancake: The pancake breakfast came with three pancakes. They were manageably sized, had a hint of sweetness (even without syrup) and weren't crazy thick. Yum, pancakes. Grits: Bardog doesn't serve grits, so they'll be given an average score of 5 points. Service: (In the interest of full disclosure, a few of my derby teammates work there. My server today was not one of them.) One of the things that I love the most about Bardog is the service. No matter how busy they get, they never seem unattentive. My server this morning was friendly and charming. This is the sort of place where everyone is treated like a regular. Atmosphere: There's something a little strange about having breakfast in a bar, even a bar with excellent food. It was warm and inviting and the news was on the flat screen TVs. If feel like it's also necessary to point out that even though smoking is allowed inside Bardog, the smell of last night's smoke wasn't lingering this morning. There weren't many people dining in at Bardog this morning, but several people came in to pick up take out orders. Price: The price was reasonable for the huge amount of food, about $10. I took a to-go box full of hash browns back to the office with me for lunch. Two meals in one!
(4)Erica B.
I've not ever had the pleasure of entering Bardog, but I have had the pleasure of them delivering me one of their piping hot grilled cheese sandwiches while I was working and way too busy to stop and pick something up. Even if the grilled cheese was less than sub-par they'd get major points from me for delivery efforts. I've said it before and I'll say it a few hundred more times, there are very limited options for delivery when you live downtown. More establishments need to pick up on this idea. I digress, the Bardog grilled cheese is just delightful (though it cannot touch my personal fav Automatic Slim's). It is compiled with ham, bacon, cheese and tomato on thick- Texas Toast type bread. As if bacon wasn't good enough,no they didn't stop there they went all the way and added the ham AND tomato. Such a good combo- really. And Bardog, I adore that this sandwich wasn't complete mush in the 2 blocks it took you to walk it to me. Because of this sandwich's lovely delivery, I will be making a special trip to check out the innards of your restaurant very soon.
(4)Michael D.
Great food I willbe back. Just a cool place with some interesting menu selections. I went for lunch and if i had more time would have stuck around for a few more beers. Cool staff, overall great experience.
(4)Tara W.
We live right around the corner so it has conveniently become our new jaunt. Bardog has a great atmosphere, and great bartenders that actually remember your name and drink. The owner Aldo, "like the shoes, he's got soul and girls walk all over him", as he jokingly said when someone asked his name, is pretty entertaining! The food is pretty good. The Rambo sandwich "fat man approved" as I was told, is also jersey girl approved. We had the calamari which has room for improvement but the sliders, drummies, dillas and fingers were really good. The meatballs were good also but the Parmesan cheese tasted like the green can kind. Sorry grandma! The bar food type is probably the best to stick with. I am making my way through the middle section of the menu so hopefully I will be presently surprised. Overall a great neighborhood place to frequent for drink and food.
(4)Tanya T.
One of my favorite bars in Memphis, Bardog Tavern occupies a corner spot on Monroe in downtown Memphis. Not only is this a local happy hour and late night hotspot for the young professional crowd and local residents, but it's also an awesome place to lunch. When you walk into the bar, you definitely don't anticipate the full menu and delicious food that this tavern offers. While it appears to be a smoky little hole in the wall, Bardog has plenty of seating in its downstairs basement as well as the main bar area. My favorite menu item is the deluxe grilled cheese, a yummy combination of ham, bacon, melted cheese and tomato on thick, toasted bread. I'd also recommend the Island Club and the sliders (the original ground chuck or the Woof Woof Chow Chow with Nathan's hot dogs). The shoestring fries come with a side of to die for bourbon mayo, though it's hard to choose between the fries or a tomato bisque soup substitute. Happy hours and evenings get pretty busy, so stop by for a drink after work or come by before a late night out on Beale. And if you want a filling breakfast the morning after, go back for some pancakes, french toast or steak and eggs.
(5)Caroline T.
My friends and I were downtown looking for a fun bar fairly early last Thursday evening. We had been to one before that was pretty sparse, so we changed the place. Luckily, we had heard great things about Bardog and decided to try it out. The bartender was great, the owner was super nice and friendly, and the ambience left little to be desired. The owner even had our bartender tour us around the facility-I've never had that happen before. Reasonably priced, room for my friends, and we all agreed the fries were great. I'm not a mayo fan, but my friends loved the bourbon mayonnaise. The hot sauce selection was excellent. I'm sure to go back.
(5)Bob C.
Good good and good vibes. Friendly waitstaff, loud customers, good jukebox (that was mentioned in another review and is seconded here) a comfort food. Calimari was an excellent app - different sauces and three different types. The special - corned beef sliders for St patty's day - was a good find. The Island Club - a staple of the place - was excellent. The fried egg on top of the ham was the winning touch. Desserts looked good. Butter cream pie ?? a little sweet.
(4)David T.
I've been here twice: once for lunch downstairs (to watch a basketball game) and then upstairs at the bar last night for beer and eats. I had good food both times (mussels at lunch; sliders and fries last night), and having never tasted Magic Hat beers, I tried and enjoyed the #9 on tap (Tuesdays are pint nights - $3 draft beer all night). Over the course of my time there last night, though (9:30 till just before 11:00), the place got REALLY loud--not angry loud or crazy drunk loud, but just noisy (both the patrons and the music). Since I like to combine beer and conversation, the atmosphere, though not unpleasant, wasn't exactly a great fit for me (and/or vice versa), hence the 3-star rating--even though I'd give the food and drink about 4 stars. UPDATE 7/13/12: I finally participated on one of the Monday night Salty Dogs runs. The fact that Bardog hosts this event and then doesn't turn away a bunch of sweaty (and, in this case, rain drenched) runners bumps them up a half star, and the awesome post-race fries merit another half-star lift, hence a new aggregate of 4 stars.
(4)Elle S.
Some of the staff can be the most unfreindly/rude/we hate our lives so we will power trip on you kind of people. The door guys are always very nice though. I will never come here willingly.
(1)Sam P.
Great fries. That is my standard for going to the next item on a bar menu. Great soup as well. Good selection of cold, fresh beer. A very local crowd, but were more than friendly to this outsider. Wish this bar was around the corner from my house. Did I mention a good selection of beer?
(4)Samuel W.
Great food, great beer, great bartenders, poor music selection. Relaxed atmosphere. Good call for lunch and dinner, opens at noon for brunch on weekends. Perfect for late night dining, the kitchen is open as long as the bar is. Definitely come here for the food. The sliders are excellent, as is the sausage hoagie. If the downstairs area is open and you don't feel the need to sit at the bar and smoke, then definitely check it out. Upstairs is smoking, downstairs is not. Good for group events too, as you can get the whole downstairs area.
(5)jules h.
[I'm not from Memphis] In the icy, desolate wasteland that is the mid-winter, empty, downtown streets of Memphis on a Sunday, Bardog Tavern is a smokey, roaring oasis of unexpected cuisine, warm hospitality and did I mention smoke? I'm not even from Tennessee, I'm mostly from Cali so and so yes, the smoke took me by surprise. But so did the freshly made clam chowder that was not too thick or rich; warm and full of clams. How about the seared ahi on tortilla wafers, with the perfect dab of avocado and Gorgonzola! Or a grilled scallop risotto, with scallops almost the size of ping pong balls, but grilled to perfection and oh so tender, lightly seasoned; delicious. The risotto a little tender, but not salty and formed and garnished at the center of the dish, presented as if being served for guests expecting 4-star service. Such a contrast against the jukebox blaring, drinks spilling and the dull roar of grad students and downtown locals boozing it into the night. If I had to visit Memphis regularly, I'd be a regular at Bardogs Tavern. [end]
(4)Charles D.
Love this place! Great staff, great food, great bar! ALways packed out, but in a good way. You can't help but run into people you know and meet some you don't. Everyone is very friendly and in the right state of mind to make for a great night out. Bardog can also be great for an after work meal and beer with a friend or group. The food really is exceptional, especially for place that is primarily considered a bar. I only wish there were more bars like this in town.
(5)Anthony R.
A most excellent jukebox.
(3)Cee J.
What an amazing local hangout in Memphis, TN. I'm from St. Louis, MO but recently found this gem while visiting. Some locals recommended it and Bardog was the best bar we visited all weekend. Such a laid back atmosphere. Plenty of Jamieson to go around. The Bloody Mary's are homemade and the owner couldn't have been nicer. Great place to watch a game or meet up with friends after work. The main bar is small but cozy with awesome captain chair barstools at the main bar. The staff pumps great music through the place and are very courteous and gracious. The downstairs bar is just as cool. It wasnt open but the owner gladly took us on a quick tour. They host poker nights downstairs as well. Such a cool place to drink and the food was great too. I definitely plan to stop in the next time I'm in Memphis.
(5)J. L.
I ordered food for delivery - a Cobb salad and an order of mussels. They tasted pretty good but I was a bit turned off by the INSECT I found in the salad halfway through. I emailed them a picture and they didn't bother to respond. In my opinion, they are not worthy of my business or yours.
(1)David M.
Great new little bar, tucked into the corner next to the Little Tea Shop on Monroe. They've only been open a week, but looks like a dedicated downtown crowd has decided on making this place home, far from touristy Beale St., but nicely near some of the better hotels Bar Dogs could take a bite outta the downtown bar business. The lunch and dinner menu has a lot of tasty snacks to sample.
(4)Melissa A.
Ah, my favorite place in the neighborhood! I've frequented Bardog since they opened, and have had so many interesting experiences. You will seriously bump into someone you know or met previously (which can be a good or bad thing) and nowadays its always packed. Probably the best barfood in Memphis, hands down, as well as the best staff.
(5)Sara P.
Food was good and had a great variety for a bar. It was loud though because of the music that it forces the patrons to talk loudly to be heard over the music. There isn't a lot of seating upstairs and we were asked to scoot over on a table so that another couple of people could join their friends. It is nice of them to offer us to move to the other party but kind of sucks as being the party being asked to move as well.
(3)Lindsey H.
Near sunset, I went to a crowded Bardog with friends to order a quick to go meal and also pass some drinks between us. Got our food in 2 rounds, 3 AMAZING island clubs and delish spaghetti and meatballs. We took it and walked over to the nearby scenic Jefferson Davis park. We sat on a bench and doled out the goods, and began the silence of a highly delicious meal. Meanwhile, the lighted horse buggies of Memphis were on a steady cruise through the park past our bench, "MMMmmm, smells good!" everyone said as they rolled by in lighted glory.
(4)Kristin B.
Nice place before 9 on the weekend, but too loud after that.The staff is pretty cool.
(3)Keith M.
Went here because of all the good reviews. Easy walk and easy to find in DT Memphis. It was happy hour but was in the mood for a mixer ordered some double capt n cokes. Then an AMAZING steak sandwich. I have been telling everyone about the sandwich and fries, but followed that by the 4 or 5 drinks I had and a bar bill of 79.00 before tip. YIKES. Drink the cheap tap beer and stay away from any booze. I would probably go back for lunch but probably no more "happy" hours.
(4)Undergroundfor T.
I first stumbled into Bardog alone this summer, while my husband was in bed, sleeping off some adult beverages. This was July. Beale Street, this time around, was a disappointment- a string of commercial huckster crap. So, walked in late and tipsy from our nearby hotel and was promptly offered roofies by some fine tourists. I had to refuse with my combat boots down on the ground, then ordered carry-out. A fine older goth-fellow kept the wolves at bay. The food rocked We went back for lunch and were awarded golden free PBR nickels. We shall return!!!
(5)Joe P.
good beer and tequila and Fun times !
(4)Beer L.
Dug it. Good food, pretty cool mellow bar scene, nice people Could use a bit more decor and an all around ban on smoking indoors otherwise, its pretty tits.
(4)Jonathon C.
We just got in from Detroit and this was our first stop of the night. Located in downtown Memphis close to Beale Street. Friendly staff and well priced drinks. Crowd was a mixture of young professionals, students and older 40 somethings sprinkled in. If you're not wearing Lacoste, you might feel out of place. Thankfully, no collars were popped. I recommend coming to this place if you're ever in Memphis. Oh and they've got some pretty rad ceiling fans...
(4)Alex D.
I went here with a friend who lived in Memphis, and I was amazed about how great this bar was. Great food and cold beer, what else do you need? The lobster macaroni and cheese was out of this world. The wait-staff was amazing and helpful, visit bardog if you have a chance while in Memphis!
(5)Mark S.
Cool atmosphere, lots of beers on tap, popular spot. Did not eat here, but they also offer breakfast and I hear it is good. Very cool spot to take it all in and not as touristy as Beale St.
(4)Margarette N.
To simply use the word "bar" for this place would be an insult to the food, since it's actually quite good (and not in a 4 am, need-something-greasy-to-soak-up-my-poor-decisions kind of way). I came here with a couple friends for dinner, and was quite pleased. SETTING: Bardog's interior is that of your classic gritty, downtown bar, with dark finishes and low expectations for the bathrooms (To be fair, I never did see the restrooms). You get a good sense of local flavor, with Memphis crafts on tap and a chalkboard filled with a list of pledged donations to St. Jude's in exchange for Amanda (a bartender I assume?) to shave her head. SERVICE: Our server was prompt, although a little too familiar for my tastes. When he brought three beers to our table, he mixed up the two paler ones. What was funny was that he grabbed a straw and did that thing where you put your finger over the top to keep the liquid in through air pressure. He tasted one of the beers that way, but still didn't get it right (a Stella vs. a ginger beer). It wasn't a big deal, my friend and I just switched glasses after I took my first sip and was like "hey, that's not mine." He did redeem himself by pronouncing my name correctly (it never happens) though when handing back credit cards after we paid. FOOD: Their menu is pretty straightforward bar food items, plus pasta and seafood. They have a number of chalkboard specials (my friend ordered the oyster special that night), that I would assume change daily. I ordered the monster veggie burrito. "Monster" made me expect something much larger than what arrived however--it was on par with anything you would get at Chipotle (which is more than enough for me). Wrapped in a spinach tortilla, the burrito was as good as anyone could have hoped for given were not at a Mexican place.
(4)Luc T.
Ordered sliders and fries. Sliders were ok. Fries were undercooked, soggy & disgusting. Will not eat there again.
(1)Gary P.
My wife and I have been trying to get into this place for awhile and finally made it last Saturday for lunch. Great atmosphere upstairs where smoking is allowed and a large downstairs with more sit down seating but a smaller bar. Amanda who was the upstairs bartender is bubbly and attentive. I had the "Daily Dog" which on this was a "Grind Dog". A grilled hoagie bun with a huge split, grilled dog with sauteed onions, sauerkraut and Dijon mustard and great thin fries. It really hit the spot. My wife had one of the brunch specials, a Lobster sandwich which she said was delicious. A good selection of cold beers on tap and in the bottle is a definite draw. This is going on my list of favorite "dive bars."
(5)Cristina H.
Definitely in need of a update review since 2009. I can honestly say I've had everything on the menu and a lot of the chalkboard specials at this point. Bardog is a great bar for FOOD I repeat... FOOD!!! Coming in here like it's Alchemy for specialty cocktails isn't really their thing. Jack and Coke, Jameson, maybe even a Margarita but cosmos, Martinis and such, meh... This place has food like no other bar in Memphis. It's considered to be a Gastropub I think so that means they serve more than hot wings. My classic favorite would have to be the spaghetti and meatballs with a Caesar salad but I must say that Amazing Island Club,the Grilled Cheese Deluxe, & The Rambo are definitely runner ups or maybe even the new champs! They have chalkboard specials every night and they are always something with steak, mussels, hot dogs or fried rice even!! They are always good but definitely read the description bc you might not get jiggy with some stuff!! But overall Bardog I believe is here to stay and it has definitively built a name for itself. It's good for a date night during the week or even weekend before 10pm... Oh and also people still haven't realized that after it's crowded as heck in there servers don't exist so if you want a drink you have to order at the bar otherwise you will be thirsty my friend.
(5)Jonathan B.
Had a chance to step into this little gem when we found out Rendezvous was slammed. Atmosphere - It's a bar and not a relatively big one at that, but it has a lot of character. Service - We were able to beat the dinner crowd so we snagged a table in the basement right away. Our waitress was very fast and I really did enjoy the random conversations she would join in on when she was able to. Of course as the crowd piled in the service slowed a bit but not worth marking against. Food - The food was about as good as casual bar food gets. I only ordered the wings (because I'm a wing junky) but they were decent. What I really enjoyed was there selection in craft beers. They had a few rarities in there that I had yet to try so that definitely made the experience 10x better otherwise I would've just given it a 3-Star rating. Overall - If you're in town and looking for a casual place then this is your bar.
(4)Matthieu K.
I think this is the best bar/pub food one can find in Memphis. Probably better food than quite a few actual dedicated restaurants ... Coming from NoVA, the smoking aspect throws me for a loop. "Is that a dinosaur? Is that a smoker?" Stop in, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Richard Y.
Great bar, very friendly staff, food was way above expectations Staff did an excellent job of greeting and saying goodbye to LITERALLY every customer except the one who tried to skip out on his tab, I don't blame them. The sliders were some of the best I've ever had and came with a mustard for the fries that I can't compare to anything, it was just good.
(5)Joey R.
Food is good, drinks are better! But... Def the coldest place in Memphis! I've had the different things here, the meatballs are amazing! They have awesome beer on tap, def drink some local brews. They have a pretty cool downstairs here. For whatever reason though, I have noticed... They keep the AC here on freezing... The fans don't help when the thermostat is on 72 degrees... But worth it.
(4)Donna S.
This cute little cozy tavern style bar a couple of blocks from my hotel. We spotted it when we were wandering around and made a point to come back. We stopped in one morning for a bloody mary. So glad we did. It was a great bloody mary. The friendly bartender, Brittany, said it was her own concoction. yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… The menu was also a pleasant surprise. Although it appeared to just be typical, casual bar food, the sandwiches we got were nicely done. The Amazing Island Club was stacked high with all kinds of goodies. BAcon, fried egg, provolone, avo, and mroe. yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… For some reason I decided to get the sliders even though I am usually disappointed by them. But these were good! This wasn't the sad paper thin cheap patty that you usually get with bar food sliders. These juicy little pucks were thick and quality enough to get it ordered medium rare. Niiiice. Look at that juicy little delight in the Memphis Saloon Slider: yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… I also tried the Egg slider with added BOLT (bacon, onion, lettuce, tomato): yelp.com/biz_photos/bard… The bartender felt bad for not having the correct ingredients for my Hot Toddy, so she kindly gave it to me on the house. Very nice. But she did a great job improvising, and it still tasted great. If I lived in the area, I could totally see this becoming one of my regular hang outs.
(4)Michelle ..
This place is easily missed when you are downtown. It is closer to front st, further away from all the main attractions. I always get the "Amazing" Island Club. Club sandwiches are always huge, but this club is over the top. I always split it with a friend. The club comes with grilled chicken, ham, fried egg, bacon, provolone, white American, avocado, onion, lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo and it is gooood!
(3)Gill S.
I didn't plan on coming here, but I'm glad I did. There sandwiches are amazing. If I had a bigger appetite, I would have ordered their Island Burger. I ended up ordering their chicken sandwich and I enjoyed every bite. The mayo they have is spectacular, and the sandwich was not greasy (which is sometimes hard to find). I would eat here again if I was in town again.
(4)Daniel M.
All the great reviews are right! Me and my fiancee were in Memphis on vacation and actually tried to go to a more upscale restaurant (The Majestic Grille) on this block, they had an insane wait time and we felt very under dressed so we left and through Yelp found Bardog. All I have to say is wtf, they had literally the best chili I have ever had in my life, no lie. I also ordered a grilled cheese with bacon and it was also the best grilled cheese I have ever had. My fiance got the chicken tenders and they were also tops. The atmosphere was nice as well maybe not all that family friendly but I loved it. We also had a great waitress who through conversation picked up that we had a 3 and a half hour drive back to Nashville and she gave us to go waters without us asking her to. I highly recommend this place and am seriously craving that chili on a regular basis.
(5)Chris R.
Great late night bar food. Had the beef sliders which is what they're kinda known for. Shoestring french fries were hot and crispy and the burgers were juicy with great flavor. At $9.99, a great value for or a local restaurant compared to those found in chain restaurants. The bar is two levels. The Street level is smoking. The basement is non-smoking. Good atmosphere and daily specials on beer and food. Definitely would go there again.
(5)Daniel C.
I went there with really high hopes. The staff was nice and my night started off with a really nice IPA. I ordered one of their specials... A decent pasta dish and my evening is off to a good start. And then I realized that Memphis is one of the back assword towns that still allows smoking in restaurants. I was so disappointed... I had to find a seat as far away from the bar as possible.
(2)Viola L.
The drinks are weak and the food is average. Ambiance is typical, there's really nothing special about this place. Went here with my friend one night and a drunk guy sits at our table and hits on my friend. After a few minutes, he got really obnoxious and my friend asks him to leave. He looks at me and tells me to leave because I'm Chinese. WTF. Is this real life? He literally told me to leave because I was Chinese. At first, we asked his friends to get him away from our table. That didn't work. We tried to get the server to get him away. She did it half heartedly and made some comments about how he's a nice guy. I let her know exactly what he said, along with some awkward racial comments. After a few more long minutes, someone took the guy outside. We told the server we were going to leave, didn't feel welcome. We paid and left. I totally understand that Bardog has no control on how their patrons act. However, they can control how they deal with situations like this. In my opinion, they failed terribly. I would have appreciated if a manager had spoken to us or if they had kicked out the guy right away. It wasn't until I made more pointed comments that they really did anything. Bardog, I get that you are loyal to your regulars. Bless your heart. Never coming back. Ever.
(1)Karen L.
So, this is really a bar with food, which I didn't quite realize before popping in for lunch with the boyfriend. The upstairs was packed -- we managed to grab a couple of stools by the window while the waiter cleared some dishes, but that was pretty much it for available seating. I guess there's more space downstairs, but who wants to sit in a basement? The food was decent, but not spectacular. The boyfriend enjoyed his "amazing" Island club (which really was amazing!), as well as potato hash and the tomato bisque. I was disappointed with my lobster sandwich -- there was a reasonable amount of lobster, but the tomato was pretty anemic-looking, and the bottom of the toast was soggy from sitting on the plate, which is a pet peeve of mine. What really bugged me was the service. Aside from the bartender, there was just one waiter working the entire upstairs. I get that he was pretty busy, but don't bring me water, tell me you'll be back in a minute (when, um, I was ready to order now), and then not return until I think you've forgotten about me. Also, we had an entire conversation about the spicy mayo on my sandwich, ending with me asking for it to be put on the side, When it arrived, of course the mayo was on the sandwich, so I had to send it back and wait some more. I'm not sure if the waiter didn't put it on the ticket or if the kitchen just missed it, but either way, he should have checked my plate before dropping it in front of me and running off. And finally, smoking is allowed upstairs, so they had some overhead fans running, which were creating a very unpleasant cold draft. I was freezing by the time we finished eating! It was fine, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to return here.
(3)Patrick P.
Thought this was a neat lil dive bar/restaurant. The food was delicious and the server was attentive and friendly. We split the Rambo and it was great. I liked the atmosphere and it was very casual and laid back. They do allow smoking. It doesn't bother me, but if you're one that doesn't like cigarette smoking just know that before you go.
(4)Brittney H.
We live across the street from Bardog. This is our go to place on week nights and the weekends! Lauren is our girl and will do anything to make your experience at Bardog enjoyable! Yes, it's a bar, but their food is AH-MAZING! Their French fries are to die for! I also love their chicken tenders, penne ala vodka, club sandwich, and their lobster bisque!
(5)David B.
Bartender hustles hard to bring good service. Great food and service. It's a little confusing when you walk in but you basically sit anywhere. It's a nice place to check out.
(4)Jeremy P.
Diamond in the rough. Just walked in to get a drink and a bite of food, and had a great experience. They were short staffed, yet the two staff ran their butts off keeping up with everyone. We expected normal bar fare, but were surprised by the a delicious meal. All three of us had great food. crowd was diverse, the ambiance eclectic and comfortable.
(4)Tyler F.
Simply put. Bardog has good food, good people, and good atmosphere. I will continue to go back & enjoy their wonderful food & drinks.
(4)Justin L.
Bardog is fantastic. The waitstaff is prompt and courteous, the beer is cold, and the food is delicious. I have been mean to try their homemade meatballs for quite some time, and holy smokes are the delicious! I could write about what I ate (Penne a la Vodka with Shrimp) and tell you that the shrimp were cooked perfectly and the pasta was cooked to an almost perfect al-dente, but I will not bore you with such details. You need to experience bardog for yourself, and just know...there is nothing bad on the menu. Make sure to check out the chalk board for the nightly specials.
(4)Sheena T.
What a great restaurant and bar in downtown Memphis! They offer an upstairs and downstairs lounge, but my friend and I opted for the lower level where we could watch the game and it would be less crowded. It felt like I was in a cellar, very cool spot! The waiter was attentive, and we ordered some drinks and then had food. I opted for the chicken cutlet sandwich with a side of potato salad. The sandwich was good, I liked that it had roasted red peppers on it and the potato salad was your run of the mill mayo salad. My only complaint is that my cutlet came on white bread, but that might have been the only option (our waiter didn't ask and I didn't either). Overall they serve bar food, but from my sampling I was impressed! Bardog is a fun spot if you are looking for a place to escape the ultra touristy Beale Street for a bit!
(4)Christina N.
Damn good offerings for downtown dining week. Tuna spring rolls and ramen make it worth it! Superb customer service as always. Had planned on eating at the Madison....thos was such a better deal!
(4)Rob C.
I hated this bar the first time I came in. Oh how wrong I was. The only bar in Memphis that you can have an alcoholic revival at. This place smells like hopes and dreams. The healthcare night staff orders breakfast shots at 8 in The Morning; breakfast shots are Jamesons with maple (butterscotch liqueur), orange juice in a separate glass with a few pieces of bacon, ordained to be taken in that order. I just played Croce, Passion Pit, Jackie Wilson, Supertramp, and Rod Stewart on the juke box. Brittany will kill yr hangover with sarcastic dimples that will absolutely melt you. Wait, some Ting Tings and Karen O just came on. Hold on while I take these shots with the morning crew. Ok. I'm back. The menu for breakfast leans towards hangover cures; John's dinner specials kill it like bar food you've never ever had. I'm sending the pictures to accompany; way easier. I'm drunk. Play some of that Etta on the jukebox. Long live Memphis. Amanda and Rory and Colin are kickass too. This place is like my second home.
(5)Mandy H.
SO....FREAKING.....CROWDED. Ugh. All in all, the vibe here is fantastic. You have a wide array of people, you and old, preppy and hipster, frequenting this joint. The drinks are cheap enough and the food is decent. But seriously. Too many people. And not a staff member willing to help can be seen for days. If you aren't a regular, they look right past you. Like, really????? They have an upstairs and a downstairs. Unfortunately, both spaces are obnoxiously small. My friends and I (there were only 3 of us total) had to stand for nearly an hour before even ONE chair came open. As many great things as I've heard about this place, I was sorely disappointed. Not at all capable of handling crowds the size of which they clearly have frequently. Someone needs to teach their staff how to manage so many people! I will NOT be back.
(2)Hannah G.
The food here is fantastic. I love the sliders. The service is okay, but nothing to brag about. Looking forward to returning and trying some of the other Yelper recommendations.
(4)Marcus J.
For late night dining the Rambo is on point! The Sunday brunch is really great and the bartenders are always top notch. The beer selection is good and whiskey selection is as well.
(4)L W.
When you need to experience something totally unexpected, go to Bardog! The Facts: The best food you can find in the city. #thatBourbonMayo The best giggle juice around. #pancakeshot The best staff ever!
(5)Patrick K.
Bardog ROCKS- THE SHIT OUT OF ME:) Great staff, great environment, great experience, we will be back soon- can't beat it-
(5)Tiffini B.
Today's Prime Rib Slider special was absolutely delicious. The mushrooms,onions, and peppers were sautéed very nicely. Small seating area, but the food made up for it.
(4)Tom V.
So I'm visiting Memphis on business and I want a place to have a couple of craft beers and a burger. Yelp tells me Bardog is a couple blocks from my hotel. OK, I say to myself, it's close and has good reviews. I walk in at 5:45 on a Tuesday evening to find the lovely Amanda behind the bar. She's friendly and helpful (and easy on the eyes). I ask her what's good to drink and she steers me to local saison that's a pretty tasty beer. I ask her for a menu, which she quickly hands over with the comment that I should wait a couple of minutes for the specials to be written on the chalkboard. I wait, and, as I'm finishing my second beer, Amanda, with perfect timing, suggests the Special 2: a lobster and shrimp wrap. I'm not a wrap guy; I eat meat. But she hasn't steered me wrong yet, so what the hey? The wrap is delicious. Fat shrimp and bits of lobster with roasted red peppers, ripe tomatoes, onions and crisp lettuce, all bathed in a light strawberry vinaigrette, wrapped in a spinach tortilla. Delicious! Not too filling, it really hit the spot. Long story short: I had a tasty beer and a delicious meal, and met a lovely person. One word of warning: Bardog is 21 and over, and there is smoking allowed at the bar. If you're not a fan of second-hand smoke, this might be a deal-breaker, especially on a weeknight when the downstairs is closed.
(5)Brandyjop S.
Food was great even delivered! The amazing island club has so much good stuff on it. My boyfriend had the deluxe grilled cheese and tomato basil soup. All delicious, hot and delivered in less time than they said.
(5)Gee N.
Even at 11pm at night the Cobb salad was very fresh n filling..lots of food, great people around , good Beer selections
(5)Will S.
I found this establishment to be pretty good. It's fairly deceptive from it's initial looks, but the food was tasty, reasonably priced, and quick to the table. Our servers were exceptionally nice. It should be noted that upstairs is for the smokers and downstairs (to the right of the entrance) is smoke free. It's got a hole in the wall feel with quality taste. My fiancee is a vegetarian, and found her veggie burrito to be delicious. The fries are amazing. A list more light down stairs and we have a 5 star restaurant in my opinion. Grilled cheese one of the best. Worth a look.
(4)Jennifer B.
What's a lady to do when she's staying in downtown Memphis and doesn't want to go out by herself? Order some food from Bar Dog for delivery - that's what! I called and placed my order and food was here in a snap! And wow, it is delicious. Yummy ciopinno - mussels, shrimp, calamari and other tasty fish with a fresh simple Caesar salad and warm bread. This is a great way to get a really good meal delivered in downtown Memphis!
(5)Lisa C.
Good venue for a cheers like feel. Filled with many young professionals and good to meet new people downtown. Sliders are awesome.
(4)Milton L.
This is the definition of a bar, to me anyways. Small, friendly, cool, great food...GREAT food, good beer selection. It is loud and crowded more often than not, as any good bar would be, right? If you are downtown, you should at least stop in for a drink, but eat there if you can.
(5)Ryan G.
OK, so this is stop 1 on a 2 person pub crawl. Getting the night started correctly we stopped at Bardog Tavern. I liked this place, it had the feel of a random dive bar but the amount of patrons at the bar it seems like it was pretty much well known. Tried a local Memphis beer, "ESB High Cotton Brewing Company", but I wasn't too impressed. The bar is a smoking bar, which is great for me, but they also have a staircase to go down into the 2nd bar, which is smoke free! I really loved this bar, and wish I could have spent more time there, especially with $3.00 pints! Service: 3/5 (They were very busy, but if you stand there long enough, they will come) Atmosphere: 5/5 (Loved the feel of this bar! Favorite of the night!) Price: 5/5 (4 beers @ $3.00, can't beat it!)
(4)Nina B.
Completely different place than I had imagined. Cross between dive and casual bar. Be careful you might miss the entrance it is almost hidden. Kind of dark inside. The music was a little loud, but bearable. Good food with reasonable prices. Our waitress Paige was SUPER friendly. Would go back if I knew she was our waitress. I had the chili and my boyfriend had the island club. Chili was filling and had just enough spicyness. The island club was moist and had a variety of nice flavors. We were talked into taking the mud pie home because it was a Bardog favorite. Can't wait to try it when I open up some room after that filling dinner!
(4)Maggie W.
I love Bardog! I work nights and this is the best place to go for breakfast and mimosas after a long shift! Relaxed atmosphere, amazing food, and great staff! Brittney, the bartender, is always friendly! One of my favorite places in Memphis!
(5)Stacey H.
We actually ended up here because another restaurant we had intended to visit was closing early due to a kitchen issue (broken oven). The owner of that place recommended this place (I never turn down recs from restaurant owners). We had a group of about 8 and they found us a table and were so friendly. Grabbed our drink orders, owner came over and recommended the sliders so a few of us had them. Easily the best thing I've ever eaten, they were melt in your mouth delicious. The service here was amazing, and the prices are fantastic. Next time I'm in Memphis this will be a must stop place for me.
(5)Matt D.
Some of the best sliders I've ever had!..was in town from Ca and ended up staying there for hours..great bloody Mary's and great staff too
(5)Emily T.
Last weekend, I decided to hop down to Memphis to check it out, and in the process, hit up Bardog for a few drinks and dinner on Saturday night. Ignore the horrible name (Bardog?) because the people are so friendly, you'll have a great time! The locals gave me some great Memphis pointers, I tried some (regular-person-strength) flavored moonshine, (moonshine!!!) And then for dinner I had the special hotdog with blue cheese coleslaw (though I didn't taste any blue cheese) and bacon! Bacon on a hot dog! Awesome. Friendly bartenders, too- go!
(4)Stephanie C.
As of today - there are 47 reviews of Bardog. I don't know what I can tell you that hasn't already been said - so here's what I have - order the grilled cheese (or the deluxe grilled cheese with bacon and ham if you want some meat on your sammich) - dip it in bourbon mayo, then in ketchup - take a bite - and repeat. Eat a few fries on the side - and order a frosty beverage. This is what I do at Bardog - and it makes me happy.
(4)Sarah L.
I love going here when the downstairs bar area is open because there is more seating and it is non-smoking. However, it's only open after 7 (I think, I usually call before going). The servers are knowledgable and friendly, and the food is delicious. I love their buffalo wings. If you go, you MUST try a "Breakfast Shot." You get a shot of Jamison, a shot of orange juice and finish it off with a piece of maple syrup bacon!
(4)Ben B.
I have lived in Memphis for two years now and I am mad at myself for waiting this long to try this place. Bardog is an awesome place to both hangout to have a drink AND have a bite to eat. Their food was AWESOME!. I had the "Rambo", which is essentially a steak sandwich, and I would definitely order it again. My wife had the Ahi tuna salad and it was probably one of the best that I had ever tasted. The tuna was fresh and it had a slight kick to it which made it that much better.
(4)Shaina G.
Not only is this a fun hangout downtown with reasonably priced food and drinks, but they also deliver! We've enjoyed everything we've ordered off the menu and spent several late nights in the downtown basement bar. Fun and convenient.
(3)Kyle B.
I come to Memphis once every other month for business. This is my go to spot. Good atmosphere, good food, prices, etc. it's also spacious without feeling like you walked into a Buffalo Wild Wings. Big fan of this place. Try it.
(5)Katherine V.
My boyfriend and I stopped in after getting off a plane and couldn't stay long but swore we would come back and we did on our way out! Loved our server Brittany! The food was great and Bloody Mary's awesome. Good luck on your flight Brittany to Paris. Great place....good food...good drinks....great servers! GO!
(5)Ilia B.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and this place owns the pancake key to my heart! If you want the joy that only pancakes can bring, then come on down.
(5)Charles M.
We had an awesome lunch here! Relaxed atmosphere, fun staff and cool concise menu. My fiancé had the meatballs and a salad whileI had the sliders. She is Italian and was very impressed; the sliders were the best I have ever had! Super moist, crispy buns and excellent condiments. Good drink options. A must visit
(5)Chris M.
The food is usually pretty decent. Had a really good $4 bloody mary on Saturday aft. As any Aldo establishment the fries are very good.
(3)Holly K.
Not sketchy, friendly service, crazy fun atmosphere and decent bar food! I was in Memphis for a week and went here at least 5 times. So much fun... It gets pretty crowded so it's better to go with just a few people
(4)TJ H.
I like this place... mostly for lunch because I don't hang out downtown at night any longer, not because I don't like too, I live in the suburbs raising a family. My favorite item is the "Chicken Cutlet" sandwich. A big chicken breast with red peppers and melted cheese... on Texas Toast (the big winner). Their fries are a BIG favorite of mine. Alas they never put enough fries on the plate. It's really one of the better lunch places downtown, along with McEwens. The only problem that I have is that most of the entrees and sandwiches are priced a little too high.
(4)Candace B.
Just had grilled cheese and French fries they were both great! The fries were good reminded me a lot of McDonalds fries and that is about the only thing I eat at McDonalds! Service was great and it has a great atmosphere would go back for sure.
(3)Leigh H.
Everytime we eat there whether it be in the restaurant or delivery, it's amazing! I had the beer cheese soup and it was really good. I generally like to eat in the restaurant for the really cool vibe and the service, but the food is so good, we just have a hankering to get it delivered! Everything on the menu is amazing and my favorite potato salad hands down!!
(5)David M.
I live here at lunch hour. You can get in and out in an hour with consistently good food and sweetheart servers. Get there by 11:45 to avoid the rush. Try the sliders or the cobb salad. If they offer chicken and dumplings as a special that day, jump all over it.
(5)Amanda S.
Well, I can't actually enter the place for another 6 months when I turn 21 (EVERYONE COME BUY ME DRINKS ON OCTOBER 15TH!); however, I've heard amazing things, so I've gotten it delivered to me at work twice. First time: Cheese ravioli. It's very good for a "tavern," to say the least, but it didn't blow my mind. Still quite delicious, though, and I would get it again if I was feelin' cheesy. Second time: Chicken quesadillas, no peppers. Side of french fries (I was very good that day, alright?!). The chicken quesadillas were amazing; the pieces of chicken were big and very filling. Paired with the sour cream and salsa, it was a great meal. Oh, and the fries are just... I'm speechless. Shoestrings with sugar on 'em, baby! Can't get much better than that, my friend. I can't judge the atmosphere of the place, but the delivery guys have always been very prompt and friendly. Five stars, so far! :) And I'm serious about the drinks, guys....
(5)Vim I.
Cool neighborhood bar in downtown Memphis. Love the atmosphere. I'm a sucker for exposed brick. I've had a chance to actually try their food during Downtown Dining Week. We had a prix fixe menu--so between the four of us, we were able to taste everything. The highlight for me was the Chicken Chowder--made with Poblano peppers. I got the ahi tuna for entree--and sadly it was overcooked. One of the managers acknowledged it and apologized and was very sweet. At least the food selections were a bit more elevated than normal Tavern-style food so I appreciated their ambition. If they executed it just perfectly, they would have blown me away. I'll definitely go back and try again. Word to the wise: they make their bourbon and cokes really strong--which is not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion.
(4)Mark S.
Mulled this decision over for a while, before finally settling on 3 stars instead of 4. Came here mainly to watch an NBA game, and was lured in because of the large TV downstairs. But the draft menu is seriously lacking, and the manager came over and told me that I couldn't have a backwards hat on and asked me to turn it around. Now, he did it in the nicest way possible, but it's still very weird. It's not exactly the classiest place, and I'm certainly not the clientele that they're trying to avoid by this rule, but whatever I took my hat off. But the manager continued to talk to me throughout the game, so much so that one of the bartenders came up and asked if the guy was annoying me (Which he kind of was). So yeah, looked like it was a cool place, but took itself a little too seriously.
(3)Joey M.
This place is consistently good at what it does. First and foremost it's a neighborhood joint. And it offers up not your everyday pub grub. The menu is fine but pro tip: check out the daily specials. Especially on the weekends during brunch. They have two big screens upstairs and a ginormous one downstairs so it's a great place to watch the game. Don't be surprised if somebody offers you a shot of fireball. They have a great selection of beers on tap and a wide variety in bottles plus a full bar. I live downtown and frequent the place often. And whenever I have guest from out of town, it's usually the first place I bring them. Downtown has a lot of good places, and Bardog is one of them. If it's your first time, get the Ghost River Red, and sliders with fries. You'll be back.
(5)Chain B.
You can avoid the smoke by going downstairs, which is nice. Tried some sliders. They were really good. The Pu Pu Platters was good too, but a little heavy on the fried items.
(4)Matthew S.
Good bar food and best to go during the day time. The downside is that it gets way crowded at night on the weekends.
(4)Lauren W.
BarDog. More like BarfDog. Okay, admittedly that isn't entirely fair, but once I thought of that it felt like a crime not to use it. It also isn't really that far from the truth in my case. We were downtown and looking for something that wasn't too fancy, but would still be tasty, and although none of us had eaten at BarDog before we decided to give it a chance. The service was pleasant, and I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere (minus the group of rowdy college kids). Nothing was really amiss... except the food. My boyfriend opted for the Penne alla Vodka with chicken, and while he said that it was good, he admitted that it was nothing exactly special, and definitely not worth the $17 price tag. His friend got the Meatball Hoagie, which he was likewise unimpressed with. I got the "Rambo". This sandwich sounds amazing! Grilled, sliced NY Strip, roasted red pepper, caramelized onion, pepperoncini, white American cheese, and horseradish cream. The sandwich came out open face, with a little plastic army man stuck on a tooth pick. Bonus points for presentation on that one. However that was the only real highlight, as I immediately noticed that everything on the sandwich looked extremely dry. Somehow that included the melted cheese and sprinkled pepperoncini's. As far as taste goes... where to start? First of all, I think that Bardog may not exactly understand what a caramelized onion is. I mean, I'm no Iron Chef or anything, but generally I thought a caramelized onion should be a nice golden brown color, rather than white. Not to mention, that usually caramelized onions have a nice, full sweet flavor, rather than vaguely metallic mush. Also the thing that I was most excited about, the horseradish cream, was nowhere to be found. This was a real disappointment as this sandwich screamed for some kind of sauce, which, if it was there, must have been very insignificant. I didn't even taste a hint of horseradish. The resulting combination was extremely bland and dry. And if that wasn't enough to deter me, the steak had apparently not been trimmed before being put on the sandwich. The very first bite that I took resulted in a mouthful of fat, that I consequently had to spit into a napkin. Not very lady like of me I'll admit, but what's a girl to do? I powered through, hoping it was a fluke. About 2/3rds of the way through the first half of the sandwich I encountered another large piece of fat and decided that was as far as I could go, which left more than half of my sandwich untouched. Thank goodness the fries and that bourbon mayo are good, otherwise I would have left still hungry and 12 bucks poorer. Since I was in the mood, and hadn't eaten much of my real meal, I decided to take a chance and order the tiramisu for dessert. When our waitress brought it out, I literally laughed in her face, which I am sure left her a bit bewildered. Glaring back up at me from the chocolate dust on my dessert was an actual hand print. Seriously, if I'd had a forensics team we could have taken down the perp on a finger print id in no time. However, because I am passive aggressive, really like tiramisu, and I have hope that the perpetrator had been wearing gloves, I went ahead and ate it anyway. I will say that it was delicious. The best part of my meal by far. Overall, I think I would advise against eating a real meal here. Clearly they are going for more upscale bar food, but don't put the time or effort into the meals to make them worth the price. Simple seasoning would go a long way here. Either go with bar food and charge sensible prices, or stick to the upscale idea but do it well, instead of charging more upscale prices for food that is mediocre at best.
(1)Megan M.
We fell in love with the feel of this cozy little bar. We stopped in after dinner on a Sunday night, and were pleasantly surprised to find the joint jumpin' but by no means over-crowded. I loved the clientele here, because it was all kinds of people. Older guys drinking beers, young couples with martinis, groups of friends just hanging out. It really felt like a casual, anyone's welcome type place. The service was also super friendly. Drinks came quick, and when my boyfriend mentioned to the bartender that he was thinking of moving to Memphis, the bartender took a little time to talk about the pluses and minuses of living in different parts of town. And it's not like the place was empty and the bartender was bored. It was just obvious that he was a really nice guy. In general, this place just felt comfortable, which was cool. If I lived nearby this would so be my neighborhood bar. I'll have to eat here the next time I'm in town.
(4)david m.
One of my favorite neighborhood bars. Great staff who will remember your name if you introduce yourself. If smoke bothers you: go downstairs. Texas hold 'em tournaments downstairs every Wednesday night
(5)Emily B.
Bardog is located just off of Main Street in Memphis, and is a good place to have a meal and drinks. The interior is dark wood, with a handsome bar, trendy chalkboards around, and a red leather couch wrapping along one side. The Monster Vegetarian Burrito lacks flavor, but it seems like the healthiest and least expensive meal on the menu. It comes with a side, and the potato salad was ok. The burrito comes with salsa and sour cream, and there is hot sauce on the table to spice up the bland meal. During Happy Hour beers and wells are one dollar off. PBR, or "peebers", served in a large glass stein for $2, very good! A friendly bar atmosphere, good for a bit before going to Beale for the evening.
(3)Kristin B.
I LOVE Bardog! They have great drinks, service, and FOOD! This place is definitely a bar, but has some of the best food and serves it LATE. They even deliver downtown during certain hours. Some of my favorite things are: the meatball hoagie, seared ahi tuna with wontons, tomato bisque with grilled cheese, the cheese ravioli, and spaghetti and meatballs. This place is very laid back and a great place to hang out with friends. It is very loud inside at times. The only negative is that people can smoke inside, but, hey, it is a bar. Just a bar with some great food and service.
(4)Amelia P.
Awful! $6.50 for a Stoli Soda with LESS than a one-shot pour. Guys in shorts and flip flips. Girls in that watered down "real jersey house shore wife" look. Overly, yet poorly flat ironed hair. The space would lead one to believe this is a dive, but it's douche central in dive clothing.
(1)Tomas F.
Way way way too loud. One beer and hit the road. The menu looked way overpriced so that only made it easier to walk.
(2)Mason H.
Great little downtown place for breakfast. Local flavor and good service. I had the breakfast burrito and really enjoyed it from all the Fru fru dining that surrounds the hotels.
(3)DeAnna E.
After a long week myself I don't expect anyone to kiss my **hind, but a little pleasant service would be nice. The main bartender upstairs is consistently the rudest woman I have ever met. I cannot begin to understand why she's even in the service industry. The food, mostly typical bar fare, is actually decent. Some of the pricing is off given the finished product. The drink offerings are great. The overall atmosphere is relaxed. It would have merited 3 stars. However, her attitude makes this bar/restaurant some place you should definitely skip. There are many different options to choose from downtown...sans the service issues. Look elsewhere.
(1)Rick W.
Very good bar food made at a very high skill level. The bar is great and has a juke box with the Talking Heads . Need I say more! I always had a good time at Bardog! They treat you like your a local from down the street. These days you can't ask for much more than that!
(5)Jes S.
This is one of the places that I wish I lived in Memphis for... Things I loved: - The setup/interior design! I loved the fan design and thought the whole place was just fantastic. The bar stools? SUPER COMFY - The PBR special. It was a Wednesday night we were there, and it was $3 PBRs that came in these chilled Beer Mugs. Awesome. - The food. I got a meatball appetizer. They called it NJ meatballs? I was expecting HUUGE meatballs, cuz as much as I diss on NJ, when they make food, they make it BIG. But the meatballs were, meh, almost 2 inches across at most? It was TASTY though! And someone got the Grilled Cheese, which is easy to make but it was TASTY! :) - The atmosphere. The place was super chill and it wasn't Douche-y, Frat-y, or the kind of place where a girl has to worry about getting hit on by Creepers. - The TVs. They had a baseball game and a football game going on two great sized TVs. I made friends with a guy, after I made some off hand comments about one of the players. The sound wasn't on, but there were captions. So it wasn't a bother at all. - The staff. Super friendly, super nice. So busy, that they weren't always attentive, but still nice. - The prices. Reasonable and Affordable Things I didn't love: - The Beer Selection. I love PBR, but I like other beers too! - The general noise level. I was hoarse by the end of the night from trying to have conversations... Four stars because it was awesome, but I think it can be so much more!
(4)Tita P.
I THINK I was at Bardog Tavern last night :-) I mean I had a few drinks but I am pretty sure that this was the spot that I spent the remainder of my night. :-) The drinks were right on time!! The people were highly entertaining. There is a downstairs but I did not hang out there. Wayy too many women down there for me :-) This place can get really crowded so be prepared. They also allow men in the place that think its acceptable to High Five grown women..hmmm I still enjoyed this bar and promise to return.
(4)Dave C.
Great atmosphere great service at the Bardog Tavern. I had a cup of Tomato Bisque and a Yuengling on tap. The food is excellent and the bar tender friendly. This is my favorite place in Memphis so far!
(5)Mike G.
really really good hangover food. It's also a fun place to go downtown but it can get a litle packed. Good juke box with a lot of variety (local bands, Memphis R&B, some classic rock and country, etc). I love bars that have basements and this is the only one I've found in Memphis. Bartenders know their stuff and treat you right. I really enjoy the fans they've set up as well. They are on a belt driven system which is really neat. I don't recall what my tab was but I don't remember being put off at all when the check came.
(5)Megan C.
We just wandered in here on a Saturday afternoon and had a pretty good experience. The food was pretty good. I loved the fried calamari. I thought the Sunday brunch sounded pretty awesome. I think if I am ever back in Memphis I will have to give it a try.
(4)Reece S.
I'll start by saying the "Amazing" Island Club really is amazing. That being said, everything else was just alright. They didn't have Ghost River which was unfortunate for me. I won't knock them for that really, but it seems most places in Memphis have embraced this local brewery. It surprised me that they have not. There was only one waitress working when we rolled in right after they opened on Saturday, but she was really good. She was also very nice and polite even though we couldn't seem to decide what we wanted. My boyfriend ordered a bowl of the duck soup, and it was ok though it really tasted like vegetable beef soup. I and one of my friends ordered the "Rambo" which is a steak sandwich. It tasted fine, though nothing great. It was also a bit on the small side and it was rare. I found it odd they would make the steak on a sandwich rare by default. Most people I would assume wouldn't want that. We also got the meatball appetizer and again it was just alright. Not bad, but really not great either. Finally we also ordered the "Amazing" Island Club and we all shared it. It was definitely the best thing we had. If we go back we are all just going to order that sandwich, but we wouldn't order anything else again. It's really a nice place, but other than that one sandwich there isn't much to bring you back.
(3)strawberry m.
still loving me bardog...i wish the owner would stop playing meatloaf and let me bring him some great music, but hey, its his bar. Theres still some good music, but i go there all the time and play the same things over and over. and no theres no smoking ban needed..thats what downstairs is for. he kept you nonsmokers in mind too. i do think during the summer there should be some live music..who? i dont know, but its gotta be better than air guitar..whose brilliant idea was that anyway? I'm just sayin...trying to help a brotha out. its still my favorite place to get drunk and be silly..ive tried to move other places and always find myself back there. keep on keepin on bardog.
(5)Frank M.
This might be my new favorite bar. PBR on tap is hard to beat. Good music, good / friendly service, good atmosphere, good taps, the meatball sub and the sliders were both winners... I can't think of anything else. Oh yea, they gave us a complimentary ice cream cone too. Good times. Ya'll should go!
(5)Jacob S.
Bardog likes to be known for their food. I'll get to that. Their service is outstanding. You walk in the bar and the bartender is already looking your way. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Bardog quickly became THE neighborhood bar for downtown Memphis. It's usually always packed on the weekends. Smoking upstairs, but not down. Good liquor selection, however they don't serve Red Bull. PBR on tap for $2.5 (mmm) all the time, rotating selection otherwise. In terms of food, Bardog is outstanding. The aptly named Amazing Island Club is one of the best sandwiches in the city. I enjoy Bardog's Deluxe Grilled Cheese late night. Their fries are outstanding, sprinkled with salt and sugar. They also tend to have great daily specials as well. Kudos to Bardog on a great menu.
(5)Mark A.
Stopped into this place because it was located close to our hotel. Ended up eating and/or drinking there 5 nights in a row. The food was excellent and the bartenders were a lot of fun. The chef/owner came out to ask our opinion of the food then bought us a round. My territory is North America, and this place was exactly what I look for when I'm out of town. I recommend this to anyone going to Memphis!
(5)Jeremy B.
loved this place when i lived in memphis. lived around the corner from it and frequented as often as possible. friendly staff, decent priced drinks, and could easily stumble home. note: on the weekends, the place fills up with law school kids and frat guys... i prefer it more during the week. still a great place though
(5)Brintha V.
gooey butter bar!
(5)James D.
Great bar atmosphere, nicely removed from the tourist traps of downtown Memphis. Memphis needs more places like this.
(5)