R.j.’s Place - Hartford

Grest staff quiet lil place...just the way we like it. Yay way to go!!!

RJ's is a true neighborhood dive bar. It's just down the street from all the refineries in Hartford, so it caters to a true blue collar crowd. When a bar caters to a blue collar crowd, you know the drinks are going to be good and the food is going to be delicious comfort bar food. I discovered RJ's from a local monthly coupon magazine that is delivered in the mail. On my first visit, I glanced over the menu and then noticed a flier with daily specials for the month. By chance, the day I was visiting the special was 8 piece wings and fries. I was sold, especially because I got decide between breaded or naked. I prefer my wings naked, so that was a win. They offered four different sauces available. I asked the bartender which one she recommended and she suggested the one I was leaning towards Sweet Spicy. I'm a counter, I like to have the same amount of flats and drums. I favor drums, so I wasn't too disappointed when my order had 5 drums and 3 flats. The sauce lived up to its name, it had a nice tang and my fingers didn't get too sticky while eating. The fries were crinkle, which is my favorite right behind house cut. They were super crispy and not overly salty. Wings for lunch is always a win for me. They didn't have much of a selection of craft beers and had no IPA's. So I enjoyed a, Blue Moon. The bartender was attentive, but not overly friendly. The staff looked at me as if I didn't belong. It was my first time, I am sure once I return, they'll be warmer. I'm learning as I adjust to my new hood, that the neighborhood places are truly neighborhood favorites. I did get a giggle that they sold Yankee Candles behind the bar. They also made me smile, by having hooks under the bar. The charms of a dive bar will always surprise.

My boss took me to RJs for lunch. We both had the Hoolie ,1/2 pound hamburger .Wow

Hoolie burger, onion rings and fried mushrooms were awesome!

Seemingly innocuous facade outside but once you walk into the unassuming front entrance it's a pleasant surprise. We didn't eat and it was our first experience. We stopped by out of curiousity and a night cap- coupled with a little slot action. The bartender was pretty great and the bar was clean, well lit maintained. The mixed drink my partner got was affordable and the PBR was cold. Overall, I can't wait to support this unique, lo al, popular business in the future. Being a chef, I'm VERY curious about the food so we'll definitely be back for that!!!