Old Montreal restaurant classics in the heart of Little Burgundy. An homage to Charles "Joe-Beef" McKiernan, 19th century innkeeper and Montreal working class hero. A drunken crawl away from the Historic Atwater market. Steaks and seafood.
Joe Beef is described as a Montreal institution with a bold, indulgent kitchen and a warm, unpretentious vibe that draws crowds and keeps the energy lively. The service is repeatedly praised as attentive, knowledgeable and friendly, with many noting it as a standout part of the experience, though a few visits mention occasional slow pacing or inconsistency during busy nights. The menu is celebrated for rich, butter-forward dishes and crowd-pleasers like foie gras double down, lobster spaghetti, hanger steak, duck and croquettes, with sides and oysters earning praise as well; desserts such as marjolaine and chocolate mousse often shine, while some fish and seafood dishes are described as either extraordinary or a touch salty or under seasoned. The lobster pasta remains a lightning rod for opinion, highly regarded by many but not universally, and price levels are noted as steep, prompting critiques of value on some visits. Overall, it’s viewed as a memorable, sometimes polarizing but quintessential Montreal dining experience, best enjoyed with appetite, an open mind, and a willingness to embrace the theatre and hospitality that define the place.
What a great restaurant. The service was impeccable without being stuffy. The food is amazing - honesty one of the best meals I've had at this price point. The table side beef tartare was a standout, & the lobster spaghetti is something I hope I get to eat again. Our waiter provided a perfect wine recommendation that paired nicely with both. Glad that the hype is deserved.
This was the best dinner I have had in Montreal. The atmosphere was great & the staff was knowledge & attentive. We started the delicious evening with a glass of champagne & fresh oysters, the steak was cooked to perfection & flavorful, even the sides were super fresh! It was truly an unforgettable experience!
Sep 5, 2024
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Great service, some of the best waiters I've ever encountered! The atmosphere is nice & cozy & the food is overall good (we had beef tartare, lobster spaghetti, filet mignon & duck breast). Overall, this restaurant is extremely overpriced (440 dollars in 3 people plus a kid who only got french fries) & at the end of the day it's not worth the wait & the money. The filet mignon was good, but not better than other places & that alone costed 95 dollars. I won't come back.
Outstanding dining experience. Very friendly staff. Efficient & attentive service. But it's the food that stands out. Super fresh oysters. Delectable escargot & piece de la resistance was a beef Wellington with truffle & marrow. From start to finish , it was an exceptional meal. Merci beacoup!
What a fantastic experience! This was recommended to me by a friend of mine & it did not disappoint! Mind you, it is a little expensive, however, it is definitely worth it. I had to make a reservation three weeks before I went to Montreal because I know this restaurant gets booked up pretty quickly. So my advice is to make a reservation as soon as you can, if you are planning a trip to Montreal. The food was exquisite & very delicious. The steak was cooked to perfection as well as the baby potatoes. The ambience was great & the service was even better! This is definitely worth a stop & I highly recommend coming here.
Aug 28, 2024
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My first ever experience was with Nelson & Tristian back in 2018. Since then I've come back almost every year to visit this amazing family that leads the way for hospitality. Recent visit was no less amazing.
Came here for a birthday dinner & had a great time! Food was delicious - we shared a few appetizers & the porterhouse, & desserts were great. The service was impeccable, & the atmosphere in the terrasse was charming. Thank you for a lovely experience.
Aug 26, 2024
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Went for dinner last night & had the best ever table outside in back & beautiful weather. Our server was so attentive & fun! He was so knowledgeable in everything we asked as well as gave us some seriously amazing suggestions! He was a pleasure to be around :) We had the prime steak which was for 3 of us. It was unreal & perfectly cooked. We were super happy with the portion size & definitely were not left hungry. The 2 sauces that accompanied the steak were so savory & went perfectly with the meat. We also had the lamb which was so tender & flavorful & would highly recommend. As for the wine. Worth every penny. Our server made some suggestions which were spot on. He suggested a wine in between our courses so as not to waste the decadent red that we would have with our mains & it was perfect. Oh & if they have the savory éclair for an appetizer...do it! As well as the ham & cheese starter !! The beef tartare is prepared at the table & hands down best I've had & I have had many! There was a slight hiccup in our wine service for the mains, which did not bother us at all, as we are patient people & they gave us the most delicious assortment of desserts to make up for it which was so kind. I've heard people comment on the price of a dinner here but I can guarantee you that if you want high quality food cooked to perfection with the most flavorful combinations then you won't regret it. You pay for what you receive & that is superior service, unbeatable food quality taste & wine.
Did not live up to the hype. The food was a disappointment. This is the first time I've had a tuna app that I did not enjoy. The joe app was also a disappointment. The quality of the beef does not reflect the price point. Overall underwhelming..
Aug 24, 2024
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Excellent resto, faut accepter de mettre un peu le prix (50$ assiette, 100$ total avec entrée, boisson..) mais ça vaut vraiment le coup, la cuisine est excellente, félicitations au chef, & les serveurs se démènent pour un service impeccable, je recommande !
