It can get a bit loud – the place has been packed since the closing of the Stockbridge Pub just down the street.  I’ve been there when it’s both packed full, and when it’s completely dead.  Big plus: when it was dead, they unlocked the pool table, and my wife and I played for a few hours.  We definitely made up the loss in pool money with the gain in beer sales that day.

When it is very busy, expect slightly poorer service than at a typical “busy” restaurant: Joe V’s has a tendency to under-staff.  You’ll get served, and your food is always right, but when busy, it definitely takes time to get everything going.

This is more bar than restaurant.  That said, they have a decent sized menu, including the typical pub/bar foods: pizza, subs, burgers.  They have several beers on tap, which are always well chilled.  Even in dead times, I’ve never had a stale or warm beer, which really says something in Grand Rapids.

If you expect quick service, this is probably a two or three star restaurant for you.  If you like bars, games, noise, and pizza, five stars.

Graydon’s Crossing is an authentic English Pub on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. They serve quite a few beers (including casked ales – awesome) and they have breakfast, brunch, and lunch / dinner foods, all with at least an English spin if not a full out true English meal.

I am no expert on English food, by the way. Just how authentic it is, I can’t really say – I’ll have to bring my English friend over there sometime and get a report from him.

What I do know is that the food I’ve had there is consistently good. I’ve had both breakfast and lunch there – they make an excellent “Roddy Dodger” sandwich. Sorry if you’re Brittish and finding “Roddy Dodger” in quotes hilarious.

The service is fantastic. Their selection of beer is amazing, and if you can’t decide what to get, their bartenders are extremely knowledgeable. Ask them, and you’ll get something you like, guaranteed.

So, I guess that’s not really a rant, huh? Five out of five, um, “Roddy Dodgers.”