Jeff B.
Yelp
(Dined 10/31/2023 TU @ 3:45pm): This station was kind of standard for a sports bar!
A friend suggested a bunch of us caught up with each other at The Standard Station Sports Bar & Grill to accommodate another friend who lived closer to the area and apparently they had a decent happy hour menu. This was definitely out of my usual range, but I haven't hung out with this group of buds for awhile, and someone did say "happy hour"! When my friend mentioned this place, my first thought was, "Isn't that an oil company"? Sure enough, I was correct, although I couldn't determine what the connection was outside of the respective logos being similar. Would this place be your standard sports bar!?
PURCHASE
Pabst Blue Ribbon "PBR" American Lager Beer Schooner 33.8floz Draft ($9.00 HH): Golden amber color, malty aroma, low body, light malty watery flavor, clean finish, and light malty watery aftertaste - it was this or a Coors Light! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=NNbAvyijPnfWJdSeearr0Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Popcorn Shrimp ($7.00 HH): A plate filled with lightly-battered crunchy fried ocean bottom feeders served with a side of marinara dipping sauce (not remoulade as advertised), this was a nice way to start the grubbing and sharing although I elt these were simply frozen from a bag. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=hzkF1Wnt1YpWlngroGkGaA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Green Chili Chicken Street Tacos 2pc ($7.00 HH): Each of these were packed with a ton of chicken and other ingredients, I wished they were more flavorful and spicier (I added Tapatio), but they were filling and did the job. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=cnMbpi39i7pScpfwr38pdg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
All American Sliders 2pc ($7.00 HH): Your "standard" sliders of beef patties, cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, and some kind of sauce. They lacked significant flavor, the meat was a tad dry, but they satisfied me enough. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=_ETufC357yrbswZumqljrg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Standard Margarita ($7.00 HH): It wet my whistle, but the ingredients used definitely were bottom shelf stuff. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=LI1qd1F7AQYMEifto9Qghw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Baked Italian Meatball Platter 3pc ($7.00): These balls were sizable, juicy, laid in a puddle of marinara sauce with a side of thin bread, and was probably my favorite of the bunch. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=v7mm_zFIE3B8wXEwCEgA9Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Bavarian Churros 4pc ($8.00): Dry and lukewarm, the inside cream was lovely. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=B94fkFgvbaFAVejKAIkTww&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
SERVICE
Two friends were already there and it wasn't quite busy yet, so I was able to place my first order quickly and everything came out within minutes of each other. Once it got busier and a shit in servers, my second order took longer to place and receive. It was all good since it seemed they were short-staffed like all restaurants these days - no worries!
PARKING (FREE)
Only timed 2-hour street parking until 6pm everywhere, I ended-up parking next door at the spacious Rite Aid lot - 'nuff said!
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A neighborhood bar feel where the inside with its various booths, bar seating, and high tables/chairs quickly got packed once the crowd came in. There was also a front patio area with a ton of places to sit. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=b139ngMZdwzgfjdqGnDTaw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw I was surprised by the minimum amount of displayed promotional things. Plenty of natural lighting came in through the large windows and doorway during the daytime while dim ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were more than ten TVs throughout but couldn't recall if there was any background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=0ibYjKdsMWvCxJcj2GSqcg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I enjoyed The Standard Station Sports Bar & Grill for what it offered having caught up with some friends. However, I was generally disappointed with the food (I guess I shouldn't have expected too much), the lack of parking (thank goodness I didn't get a ticket from Rite Aid), and the service was decent enough. However, I always appreciated happy hour. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Mk3SnRr-7KOtmlOlYVsCzg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw The regular menu was varied enough as an alternative. Plus, I always enjoyed supporting mom & pop businesses. I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $56.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 3.0 STARS