The Saloon at The Jack London Lodge

13740 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen
(707) 996-3100

Recent Reviews

D

Fun place but loud inside.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

bruce shindel

Delightful setting in historic building with outdoor seating along the river.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Burger

David Ohara

Great place. If you don't have lunch or dinner, at least sit at the bar and have a drink. You will want to stay longer than you know you should.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Brad Fargo

Only had drinks here, so can't comment on the food, but it did look good!This place has a nice homey feel to it. The bartenders were very nice and the prices were less than expected based on location.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Chris I

Fun place. Nice bar tenders. Decent food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish & Chips

David Hinman

Great staff! Fun people! Fabulous wines!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

John K.

We stayed at the lodge 10/1-10/2 2023. Went over to the saloon for an early dinner. We are from out of town so know nothing of the local "vibe". It seems like a small quaint little town, which it is. We thought the atmosphere would feel the same. Well...it didn't. I cant tell you exactly why, but nothing felt welcoming.We entered, and there is no direction as to whether you seat yourself, proceed out to the patio on your own, wait for a hostess...or what? I admit I am not a bar person, or familiar with "saloon" etiquette. But is it too much to ask for any kind of direction? Is a small printed sign saying order at bar, or something similar so out of line? Eventually we meandered out by the back door to the patio area, kind of hung around looking "lost" expecting someone to notice that we needed some kind of help....nothing...no eye contact, no acknowledgement....do we even exist?We seated ourselves at a table (which I hate to do, in case that isn't the way it works), and waited to see if we would be assisted. We were not. After noticing others at tables holding what seemed like numbers of some sort, my wife suggested maybe you need to order at a counter. I went inside, and saw nothing to indicate where to order....stood near the bar for several minutes trying to get bartenders attention....no luck...she was engaged in much obvious talk with familiar regulars....at one point did "glance" at me and tossed a couple of menus at me on the bar, but hustled away before I could ask her the protocol. I admit I was tired and irritable, so maybe it was me, but this just isn't my thing. Enough of this ****.I returned to the table, voiced my desire to leave but my wife asked me to "chill". She noticed what appeared to be a serve yourself "water station" to obtain your own water, so my wife got us waters. Meanwhile servers of some sort walked by us numerous times as if we didn't exist, with foods for various different tables, so someone was ordering food from someone somewhere!I have to say, this kind of thing annoys me no end generally speaking. I do not like uncertainty. I do not care for murky wishy washy policy. I am a perfectionist, and expect ( I know stupidly) some degree of clarity from those supposedly serving others as their job. For example I never warmed up to Panera (the fast casual chain), because I never know where you are supposed to place your order, for a drink, versus, a sandwich, versus, a salad, etc.! Different counter locations for different things. How do I know the drinks are ordered at the other end...you as a cashier are right in front of me, but when I attempt to order I get an eye roll and made to feel as if I'm an idiot because I don't know the procedures that make sense to YOU corporate Panera. I know I sound like a pain, which I probably am, but for those like me of a similar ilk, maybe this review is for you!Anyway, since I was entering a surly mood my wife decided to take the bull by the horns ( I just wanted to leave), and went inside and deciphered the ordering process, and placed our food orders with the bartender, (which she had to figure out by watching others do so...oh so no patience for this myself!). Of course it didn't help, that after all of this, the items listed on their website that I had planned to order, really are NO LONGER AVAILABLE, because the menu has changed! Will it never end?!In any case she found the bartender friendly, and helpful. Maybe I was putting off some kind of vibe? Anyway, eventually, we did receive our food which was unremarkable, and even my wife said "it's okay", but acknowledged she wouldn't be too excited to return either.So take this review for what its worth. I'm not a fan as you can tell.

Gillian K.

Great staff & backyard setting for larger groups without dinner reservations. Small interior venue with huge outdoor space in the back

v w

Enjoyed lunch on the large, beautiful deck! Fish & chips & beer.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jen E.

This place is otherwise great, but so sad management changed their food menu. We used to love to come for the menu and especially the great hotdogs. In an area that desperately needs restaurant food options and some good bar eats (apart from the froufrou tourist spots), I think this is a real opportunity missed.We won't be coming here as often to drink as a result.

Tran W.

woooah did this place have a change of ownership? The new menu sucks!Super expensive menu for a bar experience and the new food is yuck. I wish they'd bring the old menu back.

Randall Fairchild

We enjoyed this bar! Staff and patrons are friendly!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Barbara M.

Great fun to eat outside on their deck. And they often have live music. Perfect for an early summer dinner.

Jansen Wendlandt

Excellent outdoor seating area along the creek. Plenty of seats available. Indoor seating is also nice. Food and drinks are quickly prepared, and filling.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 3

Stephanie B.

I love their patio along the creek. It's the perfect place to grab a fairly cheap ($9-10) glass of wine and sit in a beautiful setting. The bathroom is generally very clean for a bar as well. My recommendation stops about there though.I cannot recommend the food here, as it's simply mediocre bar food at restaurant prices. The fish and chips are below average and the margherita flatbread is the worst food I've had at a restaurant in as long as I can remember. I would suggest no food or sticking with just a snack like a side of fries or chips to have with your drink, and having a full meal elsewhere. Literally anywhere else in a reasonable radius would offer better food.I am thinking this place could try reducing the length of the menu in order to focus more attention on improving fewer items. I think using fresher, homemade ingredients would be a place to start. I also think the bartender could try to be nicer to customers. She is always so cold. The food runners are always very nice though. Lastly, on my most recent visit, I was either given the incorrect beer, or the beer was old, or tap was dirty. I ordered a common beer I've had numerous times but what I got tasted completely off. I ended up with a stomach ache later, though it could've easily been from the bad food instead of the bad beer.

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The Saloon at The Jack London Lodge

13740 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
(707) 996-3100