Review: J.P.’s Saloon

My daughter’s basketball game Thursday night in Cadiz afforded us the opportunity to try a restaurant I’ve been itching to make the trip to, but never had the opportunity.

That “restaurant” is J.P.’s Saloon on 47350 Unionvale Rd. in Cadiz. In short, it’s a bar. There’s TV to watch the game, a full-service bar with well drinks and beers, both on tap and in cans. If you’re looking for fancy, this isn’t for you.

HOWEVER, if you’re looking for great food, even greater portions, friendly service and even friendlier prices, then it’s worth the drive out County Road 12 off of U.S. 250 in Cadiz.

Just under an ole train bridge, at the corner of C.R. 12 and C.R. 13 is where you’ll find J.P.’s.

The three of us drove from Harrison Central to J.P.’s after the game Thursday and arrived in the midst of the Steelers-Vikings contest on TV.

There’s plenty of seating, including a back room entirely dedicated to food service that’s off from the main part of the bar.

A friendly member of the wait staff brought us our menus. The first thing I noticed is the Thursday night specials … it’s wing night—which I’ll be returning for—and also $1 cans of beer night. So, I ordered a can of Rolling Rock and later added a second when my meal came. Green Death for a buck a can? Sign me up.

I noticed a lot of items on the menu that I want to try. But what I’d repeatedly heard about, and what I was here to try, was the J.P. Burger.

At the behest of the gf, who’s been to J.P.’s before, I ordered the single J.P. Burger instead of the double. She ordered a bacon cheeseburger, while my daughter ordered a basket of chicken strips.

What first catches your attention is none of the meals come with fries, which is nearly a given at most places. There’s a perfectly good reason for that, which we’ll get too later.

They also serve bacon cheese fries, which wanted to get an order of for everyone to share. Our server cautioned us that it’s an entire basket of fries and suggested to just get a small regular fries and add cheese and bacon.

I took her advice and, in hindsight, I’m glad I did. Because …

The Food

The portions at J.P.’s are huge. I’m not a big vegetable guy, as I’ve said. So, my burger was a little smaller than the usual J.P. Burger. I got it with cheese and bacon, ketchup and horseradish sauce. I think next time I’ll get it with the onions, but for the first time, this was good.

The burger was cooked perfectly, and it was a ton of meat. Not only that, but the bacon was equally as bountiful on the bun. This wasn’t a “here, we’ll slap a slice or two of bacon on your burger” kind of deal. It was a fistful of bacon, and it was good.

I’m a big guy, no secret there, but even I had trouble finishing my burger. I think on a day of no prior eating, I could tackle the double J.P., but no promises. I was full to say the least.

I only ate some of the bacon cheese fries out of sheer pride and stubbornness, all the while with the GF displaying that “I told you so” smile on her face whilst shaking her head.

Her bacon cheeseburger was equally as delicious and she nearly finished it, leaving a good bite or two left.

K’s chicken tenders were devoured quickly, with only one left over. The tenders’ basket came with five giant tenders. I know the flavor was incredible because she rarely, if ever, eats that much of her meal. So, two thumbs up there.

We got a to-go box for the bacon cheese fries and awaited the bill. It was much cheaper than I was expecting. I knew how much my burger cost, plus the beers, but didn’t pay super close attention to everyone else. Safe to say I was pleased and tried to tip accordingly.

One item of note, you can’t pay for your meal with a credit card. It’s cash only. That being said, there is an ATM right by the bar in case you forgot said cash, which I needed to use. It’s a minor inconvenience for how much incredible food you receive, and the little comparative cost you pay to obtain it.

In short, go to J.P.’s, try the burgers and be amazed for yourself.