Fabulous Fern’s Bar & Grill
400 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55102
Fabulous Fern’s Bar & Grill Menu
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Fabulous Starters
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Fabulous Salads
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Fabulous Pizzas
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Dinners
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Fabulous Fern’s Bar & Grill
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Fabulous Starters
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Fabulous Salads
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Fabulous Pizzas
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Dinners
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Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
400 Selby Ave
Saint Paul, MN, 55102 - Phone (651) 225-9414
- Website https://www.fabulousferns.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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M N.
Tried the Sunday Brunch yesterday. Average price and average food. More breakfast than lunch items. For 14 bucks I like to see ham or beef carving station or at least an omelet bar. Food was cooked properly and hot but nothing special. Not worth a repeat in my opinion. Service was very good.
(3)Rick C.
Wow! I mean that in the BEST way. Stopped for Father's Day but did NOT eat the buffet. Instead I ordered one of the BEST meals I've had in NINE YEARS of eating in at least 200 restaurants in the Twin Cities off the menu. Prawn pesto crepe...Excellent! Prawn and scallop pesto pasta...EXCELLENT! The cook on the prawns and scallops was perfect. The sauce was so savoury I couldn't stop eating the delicate balance of pesto and garlic from the plate. I have a palate and this isn't even a 3 star restaurant but served me food better than any of the so-called 3 star restaurants in Minneapolis or Saint Paul!
(5)Vanessa M.
We went here last night. The hostess was friendly and we were seated immediately. Our server was prompt and helpful with suggestions about drinks. The kids loved their cheese pizza and mini corn dogs with fresh fruit. The white chicken flatbread pizza was great. A lot of cheese, but that's a plus in my opinion. My husband love his black and blu burger. On a hot day it was a great and quiet place for a family meal. We will definitely be back.
(5)Kelly R.
I've been here twice for trivia night. Service is good when you can get it, but you may go long stretches of time waiting for your server to come back. I've had the fish and chips twice -- pretty good. I like the regular fries, not the fancy fries. Pretty much a no-man's land for vegetarian options. :-(
(3)Erin G.
I had the lunch special today, which was tilapia with parmesan. I got 2 sides of brussels sprouts instead of the starch. The brussels and onions were good but overly dripping in butter. The tilapia was good. They gave 2 fillets so I took the other one home. Overall was decent but forgetable. Too much oil/butter for me. Service was great.
(3)Faatemah A.
This bar is nestled in a great neighborhood. It reminds me of the TV show Cheers (where everybody knows your name). The staff is very friendly and attentive! I love the people watching here. My hubby and I hang in the bar on date nights and enjoy the patio in the summer. Wednesday nights are Bingo nights which I have recently become addicted to! My favorites on the menu include: BLT Salad, Kalbi Wings, Liver & Onions and the Pub Cob Sandwich. Ferns has a large beer selection, and diverse menu. Pro or Con depending on what you like: Lighting is moody, so I look great with minimal makeup:-) Definite Con:Huge game area, darts pull tabs, trivia and more. Fun atmosphere for hanging with your girls, guys, or after work happy hour. *Warning* This is not a stuffy place so if you are not looking to relax, let your hair down and chill it's not for you. Faatemah
(5)Mary A.
I parked in the open parking spot between two cars. The ground was covered with snow, and no white lines were visible. When I returned to my car after visiting the Fabulous Ferns, there was a notice on my windshield saying that the security company has taken down my license plate number and that my car will be ticketed and towed at my own expense for taking up two parking spaces. I told the security guy in the parking lot that it was unreasonable as there was no way of knowing where the white lines were that day. He obviously didn't care and even spat on me! As I was driving away from the parking lot, I stopped briefly for traffic. The security guy then walked up to my car and kicked it so hard that I could feel my car tremble. I got out of my car to talk to him about the rude and violent behavior. To my amazement, all he could say, however, was, "come on, take me on!" I pulled over and took photos of the damage on my car. I then went to talk with the Blair Arcade's facility manager, who was out for the day. I went back into Ferns to share my concern and frustration with the manager. He took no accountability for a patron of his restaurant. He totally blamed it on the Blair Arcade facility management and said that he had nothing to do with this incident. I eventually located the owner of the security company and shared my experience, which he didn't seem to care. He merely patronized me and told that he would talk to his employee. There was no word of apology for the harassment I endured, concern for the damage to my car, or offer to amend the unfortunate occurrence. I for one will not be going to Ferns.
(1)Andrea W.
We came here for drinks and dinner. It took 10-15 minutes just to get drinks, we waited forever just to get greeted by our waitress. I wasn't impressed with the food either. I have had better restaurant experiences. This place needs major improvement in customer service.
(1)Matt M.
This review is for the bar. Bellied up with coworkers on a Friday night and watched the bartender ignore us for 15 minutes. Horrid service. The bar here is not very big and there was no excuse. We promptly walked out and patronized another local haunt!
(1)Julia K.
I live really close to Fern's so I've given it multiple attempts to enjoy this place. I haven't made my goal. The food is so-so. I've tried multiple things on the menu and so far I haven't loved anything. The wait staff is so-so as well. I'm my asking for people who really love their job and are excited to be there, but I shouldn't feel as if I'm bothering them when giving my drink order. Also, math isn't a strength. My tab was $3.50, I have her a $5, and she have me $2.50 back. I guess I will only go back for the unintentional drink specials!
(2)Ben S.
Last call, and all we got was an 8 oz. plastic cup half full of beer and a rum & coke, minus the rum. But, I did get to see a guy jump across a table and punch another guy. So, that was cool, I guess. Someone probs looked at someone else's girlfriend the wrong way. Probably all winking and such. Or maybe an argument about existentialism vs. pragmatism, or an argument whether or not Smurfette was a slut or not, or, beer.
(5)Linda M.
We went on a weeknight after work and the restaurant was empty. An entire restaurant empty and available for seating and they parked another party right next to our table. That's a strike. Our waitress was pretty forgettable, which can be good or bad, depending on what you're expecting for service. Our food came out reasonably quickly and she kept our drinks full, but she hardly spoke at all. I'm not expecting conversation about the weather, but she seemed nervous. They were VERY accommodating for a member of our party who had food allergy issues, so that was a big plus. The chicken parmesan was good - I brought half of it home there was so much. Another member of our group had a hamburger, and said it was good, too. I wasn't wowed, but it wasn't terrible.
(4)Dakota W.
I was reading other reviews and wondering if I was at a different restaurant because I loved it . My friend and I went to Sunday brunch (of course its always Sunday Brunch). We arrived early so walked around inside of "mall" which is beautiful , the basement with the original rock walls was spectacular. So anyway when we went in we were greeted and seated looking out window. The server was attentive and nice. The food was fresh and good, loved the seafood tortellini ,and eggs were good and sausages were good. Nothing bad to say which is good, my friend gave it four stars (she wanted ham) and I gave it five stars. Would definitely go back.
(4)Givonn L.
Horrible service during Bingo on Wednesday night, December 17, 2014. I would love to rate the restaurant as 0.25 stars but I was forced to give it 1 to provide feedback. Sad to see a strong Pillar Restaurant in Saint Paul slump down in service so badly!
(1)Angela B.
Always nice to go to a place where staff remember your name and what you like on the menu. Favorite bar food. ... dusted wings! Yum!!
(5)Mahva J.
Typical bar fare for happy hour. I don't eat such things on a regular basis, but their's is alright. Nothing special or surprising. The flat bread pizza is ok. Could be more flat to someone like me. The so-called hot wings are certainly not hot for anyone who eats actual hot food. They're doused with something that tastes like Tabasco or Louisiana red hot sauce. Again, nothing to get excited about. My hot wings burn your stomach just smelling the marinade, so I like actual hot food. The service was really slow on this night, which was marginally acceptable. They were busy, yet our waitress seemed a bit more negligent than expected. If you're in the neighborhood and are seeking a place to settle in with friends and have a somewhat quiet chat, then this is your place.
(3)M N.
Tried the Sunday Brunch yesterday. Average price and average food. More breakfast than lunch items. For 14 bucks I like to see ham or beef carving station or at least an omelet bar. Food was cooked properly and hot but nothing special. Not worth a repeat in my opinion. Service was very good.
(3)Laura E.
Fern's was satisfactory in every way. The atmosphere feels like a hotel restaurant, which was fine for our staff lunch but wouldn't be too exciting for a date or a GNO. Service was prompt but nothing special. I had the turkey burger with a side salad; the turkey patty was dry and lacking flavor. Two of my co-workers got salads and those looked much better. I noticed on the way out that the bar has a popcorn machine, so I may have to return to hit that up.
(3)Ellen S.
last time we will ever eat there. we used to go to fabulous ferns often, but after our meal tonight, never again. I ordered a Szechuan chicken salad which was the size of a side salad----5 strips of chicken, 3 peapods, a few strips or red pepper and no cashews which were indicated in the salad description. For $12.95, I should have been able to take some home and not left hungry. the others commented that their food was unmemorable. terrible dining experience.
(1)Elena T.
JUST DON'T. This place is a downer. The happy hour is complicated and the servers don't keep you in the loop very well. Only chardonnay for happy hour wine along with certain draft beers of a certain cost that come out luke warm. The food is blah, way too much cheese on the pizza and I quote from the menu - chicken "wings" - whatever that means. The only way to enjoy this place is for a short time in the bar/patio area after you've already got a buzz and just want to drink a mixed bevie. Highlights: Free parking Patio is small but doable Big bar area Bar games Fabulous Fern's Bar & Grill = I'd rather not
(1)shell c.
My experience was not great. I have come twice and it was not good both times. As I write this letter, I am very sick. After eating the soup, I felt like a ton of bricks were in my stomach. I feel like I have to vomit. When I first arrived there the seats were very dirty so I brushed them off. I don't think the Host was happy with that. When he walked away, a waitress that was sitting down cleaning menus laughed at something he apparently said, then looked over at me. She then quickly turned away. When the soup came it looked rather funny but I was afraid of upsetting the people further. To make a long story short, I did NOT HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
(1)Lorraine N.
i enjoy fabulous ferns as a bar and a great place to grab a little something to eat. I usually sit at the bar or pert near close to it. The bartender is usually friendly and helpful and i love the pinneapple infused vodka they have shaken and strait up..I have had flatbread/pizza appetizers there, artichoke dip, baked potatoes, soup, grilled cheese...it is all good...typically nice and chill inside you can chat with your friends or loved one while enjoying your beverage. It does appear they have a nice busy patio too with little umbrellas...I have never sat outside here...
(4)Linda H.
I haven't been to Ferns since I lived a few blocks away, like 18 years ago so I thought I would give it a whirl. I experienced my first taste of Alligator here. I don't see the Alligator on the menu anymore, surprise, surprise.. Nothing much had changed with the decor, I remember it as being pretty cool back then but now it looks like the dining room of a nicer nursing home... We ordered an appetizer, Buffalo Shrimp, which was the best part of the meal. I might go back just to eat this. Our entrees were a grilled portobello sandwich and some other vegetarian sandwich, I honestly can not even remember what it was called, that's how unremarkable it was. Our waitress was very nice and we had good service but that alone does not warrant three stars. The prices were rather high considering what you get so that, along with having to sit in a nursing home type of atmosphere forces me to give Fern's a Two star rating. I probably won't be back.
(2)William C.
Very good food and well run. I have eaten here many times and it is always a good experience
(4)George N.
Fern's has come back huge in the food area with the team they've put in place in the kitchen. There are plenty of places in the Twin Cities to get a good drink, but the number of places that are the Bar & Grill type that have great food is not even close. We stopped in with family after a long hiatus from this being one of our favorite joints, but all that appears to be changing. On our recent visit the Kalbi wings were perfect, and are highly recommended. The baguette we were served reminded me of eating the bread served in some really tasty French restaurants. The Southern style chicken salad, with grapes and dill, makes me think there might be someone from the Georgia on their staff. It was so good, that next time we might have to have them put it on a croissant and make it a sandwich. I haven't had the hot hoagie there in years, but after this I'll be ready to give it another shot. If you like meatloaf, and not just the variety with ketchup on the top, give the Cajun Meatloaf a try, it was juicy and had just the right amount of spice and a boatload of flavor. The service was there when we needed, but not hovering, and everyone at our table agreed that Ferns had jumped back into our short list of favorites in the area of casual dining in Saint Paul. Kudos on bringing back an old favorite and rejuvenating the kitchen after several years of absolutely crap food that had me only drinking at Ferns, but not eating. The bar still seems like a great place to watch a football game or play some games. Grab one of the seats by the window or a booth for the best dinner seating.
(4)Jim H.
Nice menu selections. We've tried almost everything they offer over the last few visits. Service can be a bit inconsistent, but friendly and accommodating. Bar is kind of loud so we tend to use the dining room here. Hot fudge popover is sure worth a try.
(3)Matthew G.
The only reason we go here is that its close by, and serves dinner somewhat late in the dining room. The food is "Blah" to say the best. Nothing special. The dining room is very "old-lady," but then there is also a bar area that is completely different. It's almost like two venues in one. I hear they have a brunch buffet, but have never been. Service is decent.
(2)Annie D.
I don't know, Fern's. I guess I have indeed experienced better from a neighborhood bar. A group of us cousins came after Thanksgiving dinner for beers. Positives? -Our server was nice, especially considering it was a holiday and sometimes that can mean unhappy servers. She was cool. -There's darts and whatnot. -Free parking lot. The negatives? -My beer wasn't cold, which is a pretty major problem at a bar. It wasn't one of those supposed-to-be-room-temp draughts (I checked), so I let the server know and she kindly brought me another. It was also not cold. It kind of made me worry about their keg cooler while I was drinking my giant lukewarm beer. Or if I was drinking the beer that had been warming in the tap lines all day. I used to bartend and understand that things like this happen, but I was still surprised and disappointed that the bartender didn't do a thorough check... at least on the second beer. -The lighting is t'rrible (That means it's so bad, it doesn't even deserve the "e" in "terrible." Really and truly, so bad that it's actually worth noting in this review.). I realize how weird that sounds, but I had to mention it because it just ruins whatever atmosphere there might be in here.
(2)Victor M.
At first i was not sure about the place.. is fern a guy or a girl?? well when we got there we ordered a guiness it came out right away and they had some type of drawing for some prize well we sat down and got a ticket and we won a vikings jeresy lol every one was mad because they were there all day trying to get more tickets to win and we came in for 5 min and won. well the food was very good and the prices are about the same for the area. thereBBQ is good an pasta was good too
(4)Connie D.
Great neighborhood bar, Kalbi wings are delicious! They always make you feel welcome and they a strong following of fun regulars- which is no surprise to me! They also have drink specials frequently and a pleasant patio!
(5)John O.
Excellent service! Fern's was great for watching football and playing trivia on a Sunday afternoon. Bar food at its best. Everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Pretty good beer selection for a small neighborhood bar - Bell's Two Hearted always hits the spot. The Cajun Meatloaf which I ordered was quite good. Will be going back sooner or later.
(4)Kate B.
I'm giving this place 1 star and that star belongs to the overly attentive waiter we had. As we walked into this restaurant it was very dark and outdated. I felt like I went back in time to about the 70's. There weren't many people dining at 6pm on a Saturday evening. This wasn't our first choice. Our top 3 picks all had long wait times and my kids were "starving." So, we ended up here. As I walked in I glanced at the dishes people were eating and they didn't look appetizing at all. Needless to say I ordered a Cesar salad and even that was sad and lifeless. My husband had the seafood pasta and he was also disappointed. We got out of there ASAP and when we got back to the hotel we ordered a pizza. We won't be visiting Fabulous Ferns again.
(1)Timothy K.
BINGO IS LOUD! BINGO HAPPENS ON WEDNESDAYS! I can get behind the 5 dollar Fat Tires and I love the diversity of the crowd there, but bingo is REALLY, REALLY LOUD.
(3)Danielle G.
Hubs and I stopped in during Happy Hour. Huge beer selection. Its loud and busy with some average choices of appetizers. We just stuck to a couple Guinness which we discovered AFTER we got the bill that it wasn't one of the beers on their Happy Hour list. Maybe if our server would have mentioned it, we would have chosen another.... maybe not, but it was a bit of a shock.
(3)Lu E.
Went on a Sunday (early afternoon) during brunch. A little bit busy, but not over crowded. Ordered off the menu since we were there specifically to try the menu. Dining room is very tidy and well kept. Was seated at a very nice table next to a big beautiful window overlooking Selby. Only downside was that it was right next to the kitchen (lots of activity/noise - kept the baby's attention though). Had Calamari to start with-very good dish. Perfectly cooked, had a nice crispness to it but was still tender and flavorful - I found the seasoning very appealing. Came with 2 aioli's - one lemon (not very fond of this one), one red bell pepper (I liked this one). Ordered the Country Club Sandwich which was good - nothing really memorable, but was a good club sandwich. Came with a Caesar Salad which wasn't too great at all - had very little dressing, and the leaves that did have dressing had no flavor whatsoever (nice crispy croutons though). Overall it was a good experience, but a just a little pricey for me. Will probably return if there wasn't any other readily available options on Selby.
(3)Jaq L.
Great food and a friendly staff, the Sunday Brunch is great
(5)Joseph W.
This place reminds me of Cheers. I like the servers here, but as a bar goes it's about as middle of the road as it gets.
(3)M F.
Food is okay but management and service are lousy. Won't be back ever.
(1)Janie W.
If they served Thai Chicken Salad for school lunch it would taste just like this. The service was good and they are open late. I doubt we will ever go back even though we live within blocks.
(2)Jordan S.
This is a great place to get a beer and chat. I haven't ventured into the dining room yet, but I've sat at both the bar and a table in the bar area thus far and the atmosphere is great. Not too loud to carry on a conversation, but loud enough that you don't have to feel weird about laughing a little to hard. The beer selection is great! They keep a nicely updated beer menu with sufficient descriptions of the beers. Major plus in my book. I've only ever eaten there late-nite, but the menu is a decent one. Pizzas, salads, burgers and I think a couple of appetizers. I'd like to see some more, healthier options (a la Merlin's Rest's hummus platter), but a salad is a good backup. The food is good, and it's a step up from plain Jane bar food which is reflected in the prices. TONS of TVs around the bar area with lots of different sports on. Watch out for dart league night when the bar will fill up, and curling club which causes the parking lot to fill up.
(4)Cathy C.
We started out with Kalbi wings and received half the number than our last visit accompanied by a higher price. My husband ordered the Szechuan salad, which was excellent, and I ordered the fish and chips, which was average. The battered fish was frozen, not freshly made in house, and the chips were room temperature and unsalted. The bread was stale and rewarmed. The iced tea was bitter. Our server was nice and efficient (she still got a good tip), but I won't return for a long while. We used to be regulars, but the food has gone downhill as the prices have increased. Two stars.
(2)Yiling W.
This place gets a solid: Good. Their fries were substantially potatoey, not seasoned, but salted. The bruschetta was piled high with parmesan the way it ought to be. The beer from the bar (Fat Tire on tap!) while we waited to be seated was quite satisfactory. The salmon with dill sauce was pretty good, but nothing to shout about. We did not have room nor time for dessert, but I hope some day to go back and have a taste of their 'Chocolate Obsession': "Dense chocolate cake with a rich chocolate filling and fudge icing. Served with raspberry melba sauce." Service was good, prices were reasonable. The best part of the menu: dessert is listed first.
(3)Michael G.
Between lunches with collegues and dinners family and friends, I've pretty much sampled everything on the menu; most everything is good and several have proven to be addiction producing! Lunch or dinner we always start with the bruschetta -- thick buttery garlicy slabs of good crusty bread slathered with pesto and piled high with tomatoes, basil, and a mountain of shredded Parmasean. Other appetizers worthy of mention include all incarnations of the wings... The entre that REALLY gets me, the entre I get more often then others, the thing I'm certain must be packed with narcotics for potential for addiction is the...Cajun meatloaf! Thick slacks of spicy and uncommononly good meatloaf topped with a tasty onion gravy and sided with baby reds and some of the best sauted vegetables I've every had keep me coming back, even though parking is a battle, again and again and again and again and... Other favorite entres include the pot roast and ribs. The salads and sandwiches, especially the grilled tuna sandwich, are very good too... Desserts are big enough to share though we've not strayed beyond the hot fudge sundae and bread pudding. The wait staff is great -- Bruno and Jessica are our favorite servers and always greet us with a smile and warm hello. I feel genuinely appreciated when staff know who I am and know what I eat...
(4)Annette L.
This place has fairly good food, but a little too pricy for the quality. Also, the place looks like it was decorated by an 80-year-old woman -- lots of old, plastic/fabric flowers, gaudy paintings and outdated wall and table coverings. I'd go back to this place eventually I'm sure. But I haven't been there in about 4 years and haven't had a craving to go back yet.
(3)Leah D.
Letting your date choose the restaurant can speak volumes about them. This was my experience at Fabulous Ferns. It is in a great location, spacious but a little rough around the edges in decor. The place is comfortable and you immediately feel at ease. The staff is friendly and attentive. Relaxing at Fabulous Ferns is easy. The food is ample but overbearing in flavor and fat content. There is something for everyone on the menu but nothing that you would pine for after you leave. The wine list is adequate but not discerning and they do have Guinness on tap which is an unexpected plus. Fabulous Ferns is a great place to go when you are unsure of others tastes or expectations about formality. And when your date starts a conversation about the validity of Barak Obama's birth certificate-they will bring the check quite quickly.
(2)Amy B.
A cozy bar for a good night. Maybe it's the neighborhood. Not sure, but I really like this place. I am only rating the bar portion. They have all the keys - perfect lighting, darts, music, popcorn. PLUS, they gave me a very large sample (as in free of charge) of their sangria and I la-oved it! It wasn't packed with real fruit, but it was a nice mix of flavors. Especially since I had a very poor sangria about an hour earlier. That made me appreciate the service even more! Hats off to Fern!
(4)Nadine Y.
I know a girl named Fern and she's pretty fabulous, so I knew this place would be pretty dees (decent). The decor is pretty schnazzy and you can definitely tell that this is an Irish bar... By that, I mean that the whole place is... green! This place also has pre-dinner bread. Not the best, but hey, it's good to munch on something as you watch some of the drunks across the dining room in the bar area. Dinner consisted of an opened-faced ruben with a side of coleslaw and fish and chips with a baked potatoe. The opened-faced ruben was pretty spectacular but the the coleslaw wasn't really touched. The fish and chips was pretty good with the house-made tartar sauce, but ended up soggy due to the vegetabeles served on the side. Oh, talking about sides - side note: Fern's, you don't need those veggies on the side; no one eats them. Dessert consisted of creme-brulee and whiskey vanilla bread pudding. The creme-brulee was standard and enough for two drunken Irish-folks. And the bread pudding... well, let's just say you only need one dessert. The best part? Dinners and desserts for under 36 bucks! Score! Our server was pretty darn friendly, but also somewhat creepy. The parking is confusing (I don't think we were suppose to park in the lot). But the area is beautiful.
(3)Jeff S.
Gone downhill...big time. I used to frequent this place, so I can understand the reviews on good food, etc. But the last three or four times I've been there (over a period of six months) have been horrible. I'm not even talking about the service; the food was horribly salty, and this "amazing" grilled cheese with bacon and tomato was definitely not made on a regular grill. I mean, how does a grilled cheese come off with the bread not even having a hint of a grill mark or toastedness? It was just strange and really awful. Pizzas used to the best ever, now they are totally different...in the opposite direction. If that weren't bad enough, the menu prices reflect something like they are...I don't know -- something a heck of a lot better than it is. I hope that I dont die of a salt inflicted stroke tonight. Just won't spend another dime at that place.
(1)Sal K.
Sadly, Ferns no longer offers tofu, thus the docking of not one, but TWO stars by me.
(2)Richard H.
One of the few places in Minnesota that knows how to serve ales at the proper temperature.
(4)Adam S.
A solid bar in the Selby/Dale area. Pretty easy for larger groups giving it edge over Muddy Pig, Gnome, or other nearby places (for larger groups). That's really it's best quality. The beer selection is ok and prices are in line with bars nearby. Free oversalted popcorn if you want to munch. Darts, big buck hunter, and Golden Tee all sit in corner. Years ago we'd go their for sunday brunch, the quality detoriated over the years, but I haven't had brunch since probablyl 2007, so it might be back to good standards. Granted a few of my sub par trips were when I was pretty hungover and didn't make it until later in Brunch service when food wasnt fresh and like any buffet/brunch if it's in the off time, you're eating warmed over food. If you're out doing a pub crawl or planning an even over 5 people that other nearby places cant accomdate, good stop. Otherwise I'd head over to the Muddy Pig.
(3)Laura P.
Fabulous Fern's is a bar and grill that has some amazing pasta, soups and sandwiches. I don't feel that it's totally fitting to categorize it under 'American', but it's kind of lack-of-a-better term thing. I ordered the Tortellini Rosa with Chicken and was in complete, blissful heaven. It was the best tortellini I've had in awhile. I ate until I was full. . .and then continued to eat because it was so so so darn tasty! The appearance of the restaurant is charming. It has this sort of old, antique classy feeling. It seems like your grandma would feel right at home here. They have some vintage floral wall paper and decor but it's not too stifling that you can't let loose and have a good time. The waitress we had was a little spacey, but maybe it was our table of 8 that made it hard for her. They have a bar that is a little more low brow then the restaurant. My friend was having a birthday get together, so we were looking for a nice open space that kept the cold beers coming. Fabulous Fern's, you were that place. Their bar is nice and spacious, lots of seating. They have the same o' bar games as any place, pool tables and dart boards. The wait staff are pretty decent. I can't remember the drink prices, but I'm sure they were probably pretty decent. I'd remember if they were hella cheap or too expensive. Those kind of things stick out :) I'd definitely check it out if you're looking for some good food. A friend of mine ordered some chili that looked amazing. Someone got the rib tips and they looked and smelled fantastic.
(3)Noelle H.
Ferns puts a smile on my face. Went there with a gift certificate so we splurged and got an app. Best idea I've ever had. The Kalbi Wings were amazing! The sauce is my new best friend. Then I ordered my main course - shrimp stir fry and was incredibly happy when i realized that the stir fry was made with......wait for it.....KALBI sauce! lol Delicious! Great portions. BF got the pot roast (what they are known for) and it was also delish. And to top it off - since it was Sunday - we enjoy bloody marys and they were awesome! One of the best I've had in a restaurant in quite a while. Think and spicy and yummy! Is the work day over yet so I can go get some kalbi sauce and pour it on pretty much anything???
(5)Anna H.
It's so-so... But Sunday brunch is nice.
(3)Debora J.
Fern's is a great place to eat with wonderful menu choices. I love the food, especially the Sunday Brunch. On most days the atmosphere is nice and friendly...however, there are times when the owner (of Fern's) gets a bit beside him self and mistreats his staff. I have witnessed first hand the "verbal abuse" and "public humiliation"...and frankly, I was appalled. I truly understand that people have good and bad days...but there is such a thing as "professionalism". If you have an issues with your staff take them aside and talk to them in private...not in front of your customers and the other staff. This was a total turn-off for me. Other than that, I would recommend Fern's.
(3)Janna A.
Went here the other night, sat on the bar and had amazing service, it's so helpful when the server can offer modifications to what I order to make it better! Was a good night overall.
(4)Dan P.
We used to go often, until they recently changed their soda brand to Pepsi. As we drink Coke Products, we go to Fern's much less often now. (as for what places charge these days, you may as well go where they serve what ya like to consume.)(otherwise it's just a let down at exorbident prices.) Last few times there has been less than stellar, though they are capable of some very nice meals from time to time. They have extremely good buffalo wings! A fair steak, some good sandwiches, and various other items. Even a pretty darn good pizza! Good hamburger...weak fries. (fake) The restaurant itself, is very nice decor, and generally friendly staff. Service is spotty, and sometimes your entire meal is dumped on you at once. (Not well timed)(a wait staff issue) Other times, it's very nice. These spotty issues are normal attributes of a "non-franchise" restaurant. They are maybe less consistent in process than a franchise, but 9 times out of ten, they'll blow the doors off of any franchise in food and, service quality. As do most independant restaurants! Fern's is in a newly re-developed part of Selby Ave. (@Western Ave.)Part of the Old Blair House Hotel Bldg. Very nicely re-invigorated! There are also some other fine restaurants (some rather upscale) very near in the same area. It's a nice place to stroll with your date! They also have a nice bar at Fern's, for those that consume. Fern's is no slouch of a place either. A VERY nice place! Try it! (it's also very resonably priced)
(4)Erin C.
We had a fun first time visit and will definitely go back for the specials and to watch a game. The waitress was nice, the beers were good and has a great mix of people in the bar.
(4)Kate M.
A solid neighborhood bar. I frequent here during peak business hours when avoiding a wait at the cow or gnome. For me their strong suit is the laid back yet attentive staff. Food is always pretty solid too. Their liquor prices are on the high end when comparing the variety of awesome neighboring restaurants (W.A. Frost, Moscow, La Grolla, Muddy Pig). I really like that they have bingo and some fun happenings during the week. I All in all - pop in. Have a beer, or five! Patio isn't amazing but it's a patio and we gotta soak in the fresh air when we can eh?
(4)Whitney G.
I love this place. I sat in the restaurant area, which is classy and comfy. I was surprised how affordable everything was on the menu considering the intimate setting and the decor. I feel like this is a sweet "Cheers" vibe of the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. I'll definitely be back!
(4)John M.
Easily my favorite bar. The owners are friendly with all of the regulars, which, I guess is me. Servers are friendly and the bar tenders are as well. I've read complaints on here about their food, but to be honest I've never had a complain myself. As a matter of fact everything I've ever eaten there has been fantastic. They have a new soup of the day every day as well as a weekly specials menu which is 4-5 new food items and a selection of beers and wine to match the food as well. I find myself eating lunch here at least one a week on my lunch break. Friendly place that accepts a wide range of people without thinking twice. Bar bingo on Wednesdays for cash prizes sponsored by the American Veterans, of which I am one so I try to go a few times a month to support both the bar and the AV. As I said, it's my favorite bar on cathedral hill. Stop in and check it out.
(5)Josh K.
Place of last resort when my girlfriend's first few options for her birthday fell through. They at least accommodated the large group request, which was nice. I'll start with we were pretty pissed from the outset. We schedule a time to hit their happy hour so everyone's bill isn't a total mess. Well, apparently there is a force field from the bar to the dining room that prevents the happy hour deals from reaching. No drink specials no food specials could be granted. Must be a magical realm that bar area.... In any event, we order some sangria's which were good... when they actually arrived. One in our party ordered it, waited 20 minutes, never got it, got charged and had to wait around for the manager to fix it on our way out. Wouldn't have been much of an issue had it been happy hour priced. Shots were delivered timely and as ordered, so that was nice. No birthday deal at all was kind of a let down though. But, this is a place that couldn't extend happy hour to another part of their own restaurant, so, not overly shocked. Food... the app dips were totally overpriced and forgettable. Spinach and arty dip was a total blah as was the black bean dip. The chips/crackers were at least fresh though. I went with the blue berry - chicken salad, which was far more salad than berries or chicken. Would have been nice to get more of the name-sake salad item, but, I guess not overly possible. And if that's a whole chicken breast you get, they should probably change vendors to what that can deliver a bigger chicken boob. The tiny splash of the blue berry vinaigrette I got was good. But, a cap full wasn't enough for the copious amounts of lettuce you get. The lady got fish and chips. Extremely forgettable fish and chips. The cole slaw was the best part of the basket. Otherwise, the fries were over salted and fish was utterly tasteless. A huge letdown. Not even their "house" aka Kraft tarter sauce could fix things. Overall the mood was a "meh" around the table for everyone that got food from flat breads to burgers to my salad and their fish and chips. For the area, we thought it'd be better. But, alas, we were all mistaking.
(2)Karen S.
We did their Thanksgiving buffet. It was AWFUL. The turkey was bad. The ham was gristle-y. The gravy looked like it came out of a jar and tasted like it, too. The pie was easily the worst I have ever had. The restaurant was crowded and the staff was ill-equipped to handle the volume of customers. Look, I'm not kidding, this was just so bad that I can't imagine how they did it. How is the pie worse than the frozen pie we buy at Cub foods? How can they reduce roast turkey to little chunks of beige meat floating in barely warm juice? I am in awe of how this restaurant cheaped out on a buffet that cost $16 plus per person. The food was worse than school lunch fare. Oh, did I mention they were out of several things? The woman in front of me in line got to the end of the line, spotted some kid food they'd put out, and grabbed some mini-corn dogs because, damn, they looked better than the rest of the crap on her plate. Shame on this place. People paid a lot to have Thanksgiving with their families here and got ripped off. I felt really bad for the families from out of town who clearly were taking out grandparents or elderly relatives. My sweetie took me out to Keys so I could have real turkey, gravy, and dressing the next day. It was wonderful. So yay Keys and boo Ferns.
(1)Susie M.
The kids took me here for Mother's Day brunch, and we went once for dinner, and I went once alone. We ended up with 3 VERY different experiences each time! Mother's Day Brunch (make a reservation!) was very fairly priced and had lots of fresh fruit and salad along with this amazing mushroom ravioli that should be on the main menu. We couldn't get enough of it! Service was lacking, but, they were really busy, so we let it slide. The second time we went for dinner and the waitress and the host looked crabby, no smiles, no welcomes, nothing. She couldn't keep my son's water glass even half-full, and then told us what NOT to order... I was embarrassed for the owner! The third time, I went alone. I stopped there because everything else nearby was closed already, The waiter was snobbish and acted like I wasn't good enough to be there, the ladies' room was FILTHY and out of toilet paper, and I was really uncomfortable trying to relax and read a book -- like rushed -- even though I was only 1 of 3 tables in there. They had plenty of room and plenty of time before close time. I had ordered an entree, appetizer, drink, and dessert, so it wasn't like I was freeloading their space... If I ever go back, it will be for that mushroom ravioli on the brunch buffet! .
(3)Lawrence H.
The search for the ultimate weekend brunch is an enigma of sorts in Saint Paul, a thing talked about and debated endlessly, sought as if it were a pirate's long lost booty. For anyone having yet to take the Fern's brunch buffet litmus test, stop wasting your time and dive in at your first opportunity. Fern's offers one of very the best values available and completely free of the quality hindrances one might expect from the buffet model. Satisfying and rich, sweet and savory, quiet and boisterous, warm and cozy, be your own judge.
(5)Nancee M.
Stopped into Fern's last night for a light meal. I frequent Fern's often...at least a couple of times a month...but generally I am in the bar. On this particular Friday night, we opted for the dinning room. At 8:00pm, the dining area was nearly deserted. Maybe 6 tables. We were greeted and seated immediately. Water was delivered. About 5 minutes later our server, Abbey, came for our drink order. Martinis. About 20 minutes later, the martinis arrived. We ordered 2 appetizers. Sipped the martinis, having a great conversation. About 20 minutes later the appetizers arrived. I had finished my martini, and 3 refills of water, so I decided to have a glass of wine. About 10 minutes later, Abbey appeared with my wine, asked how we were enjoying the appetizers and asked if we'd like a bread basket to go along with the appetizers. She reappeared promptly with the bread, but we were mostly finished eating, but the offer was appreciated. The appetizers were good. I can recommend the spicy green beans. We also had the special appetizer of the night, kielbasa grilled with onions. It was good and had a great mustard. I'm confused by the glacial speed with which drinks and appetizers were delivered, given the emptiness of the dining room on a Friday night. Abbey was very sweet but I'm guessing she is rather new to waiting tables. But I don't think her inexperience was the issue. She doesn't make the drinks or the food. Don't get me wrong, I like Fern's. But I think the competition in the neighborhood -- WA Frost, Moscow o the Hill, Red Cow, Happy Gnome -- are busy on a Friday night for a reason. It just seems Fern's has lost a step or maybe a little luster. I hope they get it back because I shouldn't be able to just walk up and get a table at prime dining time on a Friday night.
(2)Evan M.
Not a great first impression. In fact, it was so remarkably mediocre I actually felt compelled to write a review about it. Food: The upside is that it didn't look like we were going to get food poisoning. The fish and chips were decent. Albeit you can get better for less elsewhere. Drinks: Liquor drinks were weak and small. Not sure what else to say here. Atmosphere: Bad music playing way too loud and tacky decorations that Bennigan's wouldn't even take (except the miller lite goalie sticks those were cool). Wasn't sure what sort of crowd to expect but it managed to disappoint as well. Service: Slow and inattentive. Don't know if it's an under staffing issue or just an off-night but it might have been the slowest service I've ever had, and I have Comcast for my internet. Overall: It's not the worst place I've ever been, but I probably wouldn't risk any of my personal relationships by recommending it to my friends/family/coworkers.
(1)Annie P.
Last time I was here was about 15 years ago. Sat in the bar, restaurant was dead and felt like a nursing home. Food and service both good but crowd was a bit rough. Don't think I'd back.
(3)Amy R.
I never have the highest expectations when it comes to bar food, but this visit exceeded my expectations. Met a friend for happy hour eats and catch up. Ordered the potato skins which were quite good and loaded with cheese. Also split the 10 inch special pizza which consisted of gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, garlic and knockwurst which was very tasty and had an excellent crust. Our server, Molly was great and attentive. Plenty of refills. Great service. I'll have to remember to not be so judgmental when it comes to bar food.
(4)Jennifer W.
Keep in mind that this review is regarding this visit only, and that I acknowledge that my experience may have been colored by the fact that I ordered food for takeout. Other times when I've sat down in the restaurant, the same entree I ordered today was far superior. That entree was the cheeseburger with bacon. In addition to that I got a fruit side, and the key lime pie for dessert. First, the good news. The key lime pie was fantastic, and the fruit was delicious and fresh. The food was ready for me to pick up in 15 minutes, as quoted to me on the phone (I live in the area, so it was a short walk--7 minutes or so). I mention that because it's not like the food sat there for a long time between kitchen and the bar where I paid for it and picked it up. I left my house a few minutes after I hung up the phone with them. Now, for the bad news. I asked for a burger cooked medium, so I understand that if they heated it any more it would be past that. But it was obvious that that is what the burger was--pre-cooked, and warmed. Not very well-warmed at that. I worked in culinary for a long time, and I know a burger that probably got cooked and held an hour or so before, or maybe par-cooked, cooled, and pulled as needed. Of course, I'd prefer that they'd made it fresh. It wasn't busy at all, so it's not like the kitchen was swamped. But if they're going to use pre-cooked food, figure out a way to give it to the customer the way they ordered it, and HOT. Not room-temp. Also, the bun was stiff, cold, and dry. Would have been fine if they'd brushed it with a little oil and grilled it a bit. The moral of the story is, yes, I know Ferns is more of a sit down destination, but if you're going to offer carryout, it shouldn't mean the customer should expect a dip in quality, especially when the price stays the same.
(2)Rick C.
Wow! I mean that in the BEST way. Stopped for Father's Day but did NOT eat the buffet. Instead I ordered one of the BEST meals I've had in NINE YEARS of eating in at least 200 restaurants in the Twin Cities off the menu. Prawn pesto crepe...Excellent! Prawn and scallop pesto pasta...EXCELLENT! The cook on the prawns and scallops was perfect. The sauce was so savoury I couldn't stop eating the delicate balance of pesto and garlic from the plate. I have a palate and this isn't even a 3 star restaurant but served me food better than any of the so-called 3 star restaurants in Minneapolis or Saint Paul!
(5)Erin G.
I had the lunch special today, which was tilapia with parmesan. I got 2 sides of brussels sprouts instead of the starch. The brussels and onions were good but overly dripping in butter. The tilapia was good. They gave 2 fillets so I took the other one home. Overall was decent but forgetable. Too much oil/butter for me. Service was great.
(3)Nancee M.
Stopped into Fern's last night for a light meal. I frequent Fern's often...at least a couple of times a month...but generally I am in the bar. On this particular Friday night, we opted for the dinning room. At 8:00pm, the dining area was nearly deserted. Maybe 6 tables. We were greeted and seated immediately. Water was delivered. About 5 minutes later our server, Abbey, came for our drink order. Martinis. About 20 minutes later, the martinis arrived. We ordered 2 appetizers. Sipped the martinis, having a great conversation. About 20 minutes later the appetizers arrived. I had finished my martini, and 3 refills of water, so I decided to have a glass of wine. About 10 minutes later, Abbey appeared with my wine, asked how we were enjoying the appetizers and asked if we'd like a bread basket to go along with the appetizers. She reappeared promptly with the bread, but we were mostly finished eating, but the offer was appreciated. The appetizers were good. I can recommend the spicy green beans. We also had the special appetizer of the night, kielbasa grilled with onions. It was good and had a great mustard. I'm confused by the glacial speed with which drinks and appetizers were delivered, given the emptiness of the dining room on a Friday night. Abbey was very sweet but I'm guessing she is rather new to waiting tables. But I don't think her inexperience was the issue. She doesn't make the drinks or the food. Don't get me wrong, I like Fern's. But I think the competition in the neighborhood -- WA Frost, Moscow o the Hill, Red Cow, Happy Gnome -- are busy on a Friday night for a reason. It just seems Fern's has lost a step or maybe a little luster. I hope they get it back because I shouldn't be able to just walk up and get a table at prime dining time on a Friday night.
(2)Evan M.
Not a great first impression. In fact, it was so remarkably mediocre I actually felt compelled to write a review about it. Food: The upside is that it didn't look like we were going to get food poisoning. The fish and chips were decent. Albeit you can get better for less elsewhere. Drinks: Liquor drinks were weak and small. Not sure what else to say here. Atmosphere: Bad music playing way too loud and tacky decorations that Bennigan's wouldn't even take (except the miller lite goalie sticks those were cool). Wasn't sure what sort of crowd to expect but it managed to disappoint as well. Service: Slow and inattentive. Don't know if it's an under staffing issue or just an off-night but it might have been the slowest service I've ever had, and I have Comcast for my internet. Overall: It's not the worst place I've ever been, but I probably wouldn't risk any of my personal relationships by recommending it to my friends/family/coworkers.
(1)Whitney G.
I love this place. I sat in the restaurant area, which is classy and comfy. I was surprised how affordable everything was on the menu considering the intimate setting and the decor. I feel like this is a sweet "Cheers" vibe of the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. I'll definitely be back!
(4)John M.
Easily my favorite bar. The owners are friendly with all of the regulars, which, I guess is me. Servers are friendly and the bar tenders are as well. I've read complaints on here about their food, but to be honest I've never had a complain myself. As a matter of fact everything I've ever eaten there has been fantastic. They have a new soup of the day every day as well as a weekly specials menu which is 4-5 new food items and a selection of beers and wine to match the food as well. I find myself eating lunch here at least one a week on my lunch break. Friendly place that accepts a wide range of people without thinking twice. Bar bingo on Wednesdays for cash prizes sponsored by the American Veterans, of which I am one so I try to go a few times a month to support both the bar and the AV. As I said, it's my favorite bar on cathedral hill. Stop in and check it out.
(5)Susie M.
The kids took me here for Mother's Day brunch, and we went once for dinner, and I went once alone. We ended up with 3 VERY different experiences each time! Mother's Day Brunch (make a reservation!) was very fairly priced and had lots of fresh fruit and salad along with this amazing mushroom ravioli that should be on the main menu. We couldn't get enough of it! Service was lacking, but, they were really busy, so we let it slide. The second time we went for dinner and the waitress and the host looked crabby, no smiles, no welcomes, nothing. She couldn't keep my son's water glass even half-full, and then told us what NOT to order... I was embarrassed for the owner! The third time, I went alone. I stopped there because everything else nearby was closed already, The waiter was snobbish and acted like I wasn't good enough to be there, the ladies' room was FILTHY and out of toilet paper, and I was really uncomfortable trying to relax and read a book -- like rushed -- even though I was only 1 of 3 tables in there. They had plenty of room and plenty of time before close time. I had ordered an entree, appetizer, drink, and dessert, so it wasn't like I was freeloading their space... If I ever go back, it will be for that mushroom ravioli on the brunch buffet! .
(3)Faatemah A.
This bar is nestled in a great neighborhood. It reminds me of the TV show Cheers (where everybody knows your name). The staff is very friendly and attentive! I love the people watching here. My hubby and I hang in the bar on date nights and enjoy the patio in the summer. Wednesday nights are Bingo nights which I have recently become addicted to! My favorites on the menu include: BLT Salad, Kalbi Wings, Liver & Onions and the Pub Cob Sandwich. Ferns has a large beer selection, and diverse menu. Pro or Con depending on what you like: Lighting is moody, so I look great with minimal makeup:-) Definite Con:Huge game area, darts pull tabs, trivia and more. Fun atmosphere for hanging with your girls, guys, or after work happy hour. *Warning* This is not a stuffy place so if you are not looking to relax, let your hair down and chill it's not for you. Faatemah
(5)Mary A.
I parked in the open parking spot between two cars. The ground was covered with snow, and no white lines were visible. When I returned to my car after visiting the Fabulous Ferns, there was a notice on my windshield saying that the security company has taken down my license plate number and that my car will be ticketed and towed at my own expense for taking up two parking spaces. I told the security guy in the parking lot that it was unreasonable as there was no way of knowing where the white lines were that day. He obviously didn't care and even spat on me! As I was driving away from the parking lot, I stopped briefly for traffic. The security guy then walked up to my car and kicked it so hard that I could feel my car tremble. I got out of my car to talk to him about the rude and violent behavior. To my amazement, all he could say, however, was, "come on, take me on!" I pulled over and took photos of the damage on my car. I then went to talk with the Blair Arcade's facility manager, who was out for the day. I went back into Ferns to share my concern and frustration with the manager. He took no accountability for a patron of his restaurant. He totally blamed it on the Blair Arcade facility management and said that he had nothing to do with this incident. I eventually located the owner of the security company and shared my experience, which he didn't seem to care. He merely patronized me and told that he would talk to his employee. There was no word of apology for the harassment I endured, concern for the damage to my car, or offer to amend the unfortunate occurrence. I for one will not be going to Ferns.
(1)Andrea W.
We came here for drinks and dinner. It took 10-15 minutes just to get drinks, we waited forever just to get greeted by our waitress. I wasn't impressed with the food either. I have had better restaurant experiences. This place needs major improvement in customer service.
(1)Matt M.
This review is for the bar. Bellied up with coworkers on a Friday night and watched the bartender ignore us for 15 minutes. Horrid service. The bar here is not very big and there was no excuse. We promptly walked out and patronized another local haunt!
(1)Lawrence H.
The search for the ultimate weekend brunch is an enigma of sorts in Saint Paul, a thing talked about and debated endlessly, sought as if it were a pirate's long lost booty. For anyone having yet to take the Fern's brunch buffet litmus test, stop wasting your time and dive in at your first opportunity. Fern's offers one of very the best values available and completely free of the quality hindrances one might expect from the buffet model. Satisfying and rich, sweet and savory, quiet and boisterous, warm and cozy, be your own judge.
(5)Josh K.
Place of last resort when my girlfriend's first few options for her birthday fell through. They at least accommodated the large group request, which was nice. I'll start with we were pretty pissed from the outset. We schedule a time to hit their happy hour so everyone's bill isn't a total mess. Well, apparently there is a force field from the bar to the dining room that prevents the happy hour deals from reaching. No drink specials no food specials could be granted. Must be a magical realm that bar area.... In any event, we order some sangria's which were good... when they actually arrived. One in our party ordered it, waited 20 minutes, never got it, got charged and had to wait around for the manager to fix it on our way out. Wouldn't have been much of an issue had it been happy hour priced. Shots were delivered timely and as ordered, so that was nice. No birthday deal at all was kind of a let down though. But, this is a place that couldn't extend happy hour to another part of their own restaurant, so, not overly shocked. Food... the app dips were totally overpriced and forgettable. Spinach and arty dip was a total blah as was the black bean dip. The chips/crackers were at least fresh though. I went with the blue berry - chicken salad, which was far more salad than berries or chicken. Would have been nice to get more of the name-sake salad item, but, I guess not overly possible. And if that's a whole chicken breast you get, they should probably change vendors to what that can deliver a bigger chicken boob. The tiny splash of the blue berry vinaigrette I got was good. But, a cap full wasn't enough for the copious amounts of lettuce you get. The lady got fish and chips. Extremely forgettable fish and chips. The cole slaw was the best part of the basket. Otherwise, the fries were over salted and fish was utterly tasteless. A huge letdown. Not even their "house" aka Kraft tarter sauce could fix things. Overall the mood was a "meh" around the table for everyone that got food from flat breads to burgers to my salad and their fish and chips. For the area, we thought it'd be better. But, alas, we were all mistaking.
(2)Karen S.
We did their Thanksgiving buffet. It was AWFUL. The turkey was bad. The ham was gristle-y. The gravy looked like it came out of a jar and tasted like it, too. The pie was easily the worst I have ever had. The restaurant was crowded and the staff was ill-equipped to handle the volume of customers. Look, I'm not kidding, this was just so bad that I can't imagine how they did it. How is the pie worse than the frozen pie we buy at Cub foods? How can they reduce roast turkey to little chunks of beige meat floating in barely warm juice? I am in awe of how this restaurant cheaped out on a buffet that cost $16 plus per person. The food was worse than school lunch fare. Oh, did I mention they were out of several things? The woman in front of me in line got to the end of the line, spotted some kid food they'd put out, and grabbed some mini-corn dogs because, damn, they looked better than the rest of the crap on her plate. Shame on this place. People paid a lot to have Thanksgiving with their families here and got ripped off. I felt really bad for the families from out of town who clearly were taking out grandparents or elderly relatives. My sweetie took me out to Keys so I could have real turkey, gravy, and dressing the next day. It was wonderful. So yay Keys and boo Ferns.
(1)Vanessa M.
We went here last night. The hostess was friendly and we were seated immediately. Our server was prompt and helpful with suggestions about drinks. The kids loved their cheese pizza and mini corn dogs with fresh fruit. The white chicken flatbread pizza was great. A lot of cheese, but that's a plus in my opinion. My husband love his black and blu burger. On a hot day it was a great and quiet place for a family meal. We will definitely be back.
(5)Kelly R.
I've been here twice for trivia night. Service is good when you can get it, but you may go long stretches of time waiting for your server to come back. I've had the fish and chips twice -- pretty good. I like the regular fries, not the fancy fries. Pretty much a no-man's land for vegetarian options. :-(
(3)Kate M.
A solid neighborhood bar. I frequent here during peak business hours when avoiding a wait at the cow or gnome. For me their strong suit is the laid back yet attentive staff. Food is always pretty solid too. Their liquor prices are on the high end when comparing the variety of awesome neighboring restaurants (W.A. Frost, Moscow, La Grolla, Muddy Pig). I really like that they have bingo and some fun happenings during the week. I All in all - pop in. Have a beer, or five! Patio isn't amazing but it's a patio and we gotta soak in the fresh air when we can eh?
(4)Julia K.
I live really close to Fern's so I've given it multiple attempts to enjoy this place. I haven't made my goal. The food is so-so. I've tried multiple things on the menu and so far I haven't loved anything. The wait staff is so-so as well. I'm my asking for people who really love their job and are excited to be there, but I shouldn't feel as if I'm bothering them when giving my drink order. Also, math isn't a strength. My tab was $3.50, I have her a $5, and she have me $2.50 back. I guess I will only go back for the unintentional drink specials!
(2)Ben S.
Last call, and all we got was an 8 oz. plastic cup half full of beer and a rum & coke, minus the rum. But, I did get to see a guy jump across a table and punch another guy. So, that was cool, I guess. Someone probs looked at someone else's girlfriend the wrong way. Probably all winking and such. Or maybe an argument about existentialism vs. pragmatism, or an argument whether or not Smurfette was a slut or not, or, beer.
(5)Linda M.
We went on a weeknight after work and the restaurant was empty. An entire restaurant empty and available for seating and they parked another party right next to our table. That's a strike. Our waitress was pretty forgettable, which can be good or bad, depending on what you're expecting for service. Our food came out reasonably quickly and she kept our drinks full, but she hardly spoke at all. I'm not expecting conversation about the weather, but she seemed nervous. They were VERY accommodating for a member of our party who had food allergy issues, so that was a big plus. The chicken parmesan was good - I brought half of it home there was so much. Another member of our group had a hamburger, and said it was good, too. I wasn't wowed, but it wasn't terrible.
(4)Dakota W.
I was reading other reviews and wondering if I was at a different restaurant because I loved it . My friend and I went to Sunday brunch (of course its always Sunday Brunch). We arrived early so walked around inside of "mall" which is beautiful , the basement with the original rock walls was spectacular. So anyway when we went in we were greeted and seated looking out window. The server was attentive and nice. The food was fresh and good, loved the seafood tortellini ,and eggs were good and sausages were good. Nothing bad to say which is good, my friend gave it four stars (she wanted ham) and I gave it five stars. Would definitely go back.
(4)Annie D.
I don't know, Fern's. I guess I have indeed experienced better from a neighborhood bar. A group of us cousins came after Thanksgiving dinner for beers. Positives? -Our server was nice, especially considering it was a holiday and sometimes that can mean unhappy servers. She was cool. -There's darts and whatnot. -Free parking lot. The negatives? -My beer wasn't cold, which is a pretty major problem at a bar. It wasn't one of those supposed-to-be-room-temp draughts (I checked), so I let the server know and she kindly brought me another. It was also not cold. It kind of made me worry about their keg cooler while I was drinking my giant lukewarm beer. Or if I was drinking the beer that had been warming in the tap lines all day. I used to bartend and understand that things like this happen, but I was still surprised and disappointed that the bartender didn't do a thorough check... at least on the second beer. -The lighting is t'rrible (That means it's so bad, it doesn't even deserve the "e" in "terrible." Really and truly, so bad that it's actually worth noting in this review.). I realize how weird that sounds, but I had to mention it because it just ruins whatever atmosphere there might be in here.
(2)Connie D.
Great neighborhood bar, Kalbi wings are delicious! They always make you feel welcome and they a strong following of fun regulars- which is no surprise to me! They also have drink specials frequently and a pleasant patio!
(5)John O.
Excellent service! Fern's was great for watching football and playing trivia on a Sunday afternoon. Bar food at its best. Everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Pretty good beer selection for a small neighborhood bar - Bell's Two Hearted always hits the spot. The Cajun Meatloaf which I ordered was quite good. Will be going back sooner or later.
(4)Kate B.
I'm giving this place 1 star and that star belongs to the overly attentive waiter we had. As we walked into this restaurant it was very dark and outdated. I felt like I went back in time to about the 70's. There weren't many people dining at 6pm on a Saturday evening. This wasn't our first choice. Our top 3 picks all had long wait times and my kids were "starving." So, we ended up here. As I walked in I glanced at the dishes people were eating and they didn't look appetizing at all. Needless to say I ordered a Cesar salad and even that was sad and lifeless. My husband had the seafood pasta and he was also disappointed. We got out of there ASAP and when we got back to the hotel we ordered a pizza. We won't be visiting Fabulous Ferns again.
(1)Timothy K.
BINGO IS LOUD! BINGO HAPPENS ON WEDNESDAYS! I can get behind the 5 dollar Fat Tires and I love the diversity of the crowd there, but bingo is REALLY, REALLY LOUD.
(3)Danielle G.
Hubs and I stopped in during Happy Hour. Huge beer selection. Its loud and busy with some average choices of appetizers. We just stuck to a couple Guinness which we discovered AFTER we got the bill that it wasn't one of the beers on their Happy Hour list. Maybe if our server would have mentioned it, we would have chosen another.... maybe not, but it was a bit of a shock.
(3)Amy R.
I never have the highest expectations when it comes to bar food, but this visit exceeded my expectations. Met a friend for happy hour eats and catch up. Ordered the potato skins which were quite good and loaded with cheese. Also split the 10 inch special pizza which consisted of gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, garlic and knockwurst which was very tasty and had an excellent crust. Our server, Molly was great and attentive. Plenty of refills. Great service. I'll have to remember to not be so judgmental when it comes to bar food.
(4)Annie P.
Last time I was here was about 15 years ago. Sat in the bar, restaurant was dead and felt like a nursing home. Food and service both good but crowd was a bit rough. Don't think I'd back.
(3)Jennifer W.
Keep in mind that this review is regarding this visit only, and that I acknowledge that my experience may have been colored by the fact that I ordered food for takeout. Other times when I've sat down in the restaurant, the same entree I ordered today was far superior. That entree was the cheeseburger with bacon. In addition to that I got a fruit side, and the key lime pie for dessert. First, the good news. The key lime pie was fantastic, and the fruit was delicious and fresh. The food was ready for me to pick up in 15 minutes, as quoted to me on the phone (I live in the area, so it was a short walk--7 minutes or so). I mention that because it's not like the food sat there for a long time between kitchen and the bar where I paid for it and picked it up. I left my house a few minutes after I hung up the phone with them. Now, for the bad news. I asked for a burger cooked medium, so I understand that if they heated it any more it would be past that. But it was obvious that that is what the burger was--pre-cooked, and warmed. Not very well-warmed at that. I worked in culinary for a long time, and I know a burger that probably got cooked and held an hour or so before, or maybe par-cooked, cooled, and pulled as needed. Of course, I'd prefer that they'd made it fresh. It wasn't busy at all, so it's not like the kitchen was swamped. But if they're going to use pre-cooked food, figure out a way to give it to the customer the way they ordered it, and HOT. Not room-temp. Also, the bun was stiff, cold, and dry. Would have been fine if they'd brushed it with a little oil and grilled it a bit. The moral of the story is, yes, I know Ferns is more of a sit down destination, but if you're going to offer carryout, it shouldn't mean the customer should expect a dip in quality, especially when the price stays the same.
(2)Givonn L.
Horrible service during Bingo on Wednesday night, December 17, 2014. I would love to rate the restaurant as 0.25 stars but I was forced to give it 1 to provide feedback. Sad to see a strong Pillar Restaurant in Saint Paul slump down in service so badly!
(1)Angela B.
Always nice to go to a place where staff remember your name and what you like on the menu. Favorite bar food. ... dusted wings! Yum!!
(5)Mahva J.
Typical bar fare for happy hour. I don't eat such things on a regular basis, but their's is alright. Nothing special or surprising. The flat bread pizza is ok. Could be more flat to someone like me. The so-called hot wings are certainly not hot for anyone who eats actual hot food. They're doused with something that tastes like Tabasco or Louisiana red hot sauce. Again, nothing to get excited about. My hot wings burn your stomach just smelling the marinade, so I like actual hot food. The service was really slow on this night, which was marginally acceptable. They were busy, yet our waitress seemed a bit more negligent than expected. If you're in the neighborhood and are seeking a place to settle in with friends and have a somewhat quiet chat, then this is your place.
(3)Laura E.
Fern's was satisfactory in every way. The atmosphere feels like a hotel restaurant, which was fine for our staff lunch but wouldn't be too exciting for a date or a GNO. Service was prompt but nothing special. I had the turkey burger with a side salad; the turkey patty was dry and lacking flavor. Two of my co-workers got salads and those looked much better. I noticed on the way out that the bar has a popcorn machine, so I may have to return to hit that up.
(3)Ellen S.
last time we will ever eat there. we used to go to fabulous ferns often, but after our meal tonight, never again. I ordered a Szechuan chicken salad which was the size of a side salad----5 strips of chicken, 3 peapods, a few strips or red pepper and no cashews which were indicated in the salad description. For $12.95, I should have been able to take some home and not left hungry. the others commented that their food was unmemorable. terrible dining experience.
(1)Elena T.
JUST DON'T. This place is a downer. The happy hour is complicated and the servers don't keep you in the loop very well. Only chardonnay for happy hour wine along with certain draft beers of a certain cost that come out luke warm. The food is blah, way too much cheese on the pizza and I quote from the menu - chicken "wings" - whatever that means. The only way to enjoy this place is for a short time in the bar/patio area after you've already got a buzz and just want to drink a mixed bevie. Highlights: Free parking Patio is small but doable Big bar area Bar games Fabulous Fern's Bar & Grill = I'd rather not
(1)shell c.
My experience was not great. I have come twice and it was not good both times. As I write this letter, I am very sick. After eating the soup, I felt like a ton of bricks were in my stomach. I feel like I have to vomit. When I first arrived there the seats were very dirty so I brushed them off. I don't think the Host was happy with that. When he walked away, a waitress that was sitting down cleaning menus laughed at something he apparently said, then looked over at me. She then quickly turned away. When the soup came it looked rather funny but I was afraid of upsetting the people further. To make a long story short, I did NOT HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
(1)Lorraine N.
i enjoy fabulous ferns as a bar and a great place to grab a little something to eat. I usually sit at the bar or pert near close to it. The bartender is usually friendly and helpful and i love the pinneapple infused vodka they have shaken and strait up..I have had flatbread/pizza appetizers there, artichoke dip, baked potatoes, soup, grilled cheese...it is all good...typically nice and chill inside you can chat with your friends or loved one while enjoying your beverage. It does appear they have a nice busy patio too with little umbrellas...I have never sat outside here...
(4)Yiling W.
This place gets a solid: Good. Their fries were substantially potatoey, not seasoned, but salted. The bruschetta was piled high with parmesan the way it ought to be. The beer from the bar (Fat Tire on tap!) while we waited to be seated was quite satisfactory. The salmon with dill sauce was pretty good, but nothing to shout about. We did not have room nor time for dessert, but I hope some day to go back and have a taste of their 'Chocolate Obsession': "Dense chocolate cake with a rich chocolate filling and fudge icing. Served with raspberry melba sauce." Service was good, prices were reasonable. The best part of the menu: dessert is listed first.
(3)Linda H.
I haven't been to Ferns since I lived a few blocks away, like 18 years ago so I thought I would give it a whirl. I experienced my first taste of Alligator here. I don't see the Alligator on the menu anymore, surprise, surprise.. Nothing much had changed with the decor, I remember it as being pretty cool back then but now it looks like the dining room of a nicer nursing home... We ordered an appetizer, Buffalo Shrimp, which was the best part of the meal. I might go back just to eat this. Our entrees were a grilled portobello sandwich and some other vegetarian sandwich, I honestly can not even remember what it was called, that's how unremarkable it was. Our waitress was very nice and we had good service but that alone does not warrant three stars. The prices were rather high considering what you get so that, along with having to sit in a nursing home type of atmosphere forces me to give Fern's a Two star rating. I probably won't be back.
(2)William C.
Very good food and well run. I have eaten here many times and it is always a good experience
(4)George N.
Fern's has come back huge in the food area with the team they've put in place in the kitchen. There are plenty of places in the Twin Cities to get a good drink, but the number of places that are the Bar & Grill type that have great food is not even close. We stopped in with family after a long hiatus from this being one of our favorite joints, but all that appears to be changing. On our recent visit the Kalbi wings were perfect, and are highly recommended. The baguette we were served reminded me of eating the bread served in some really tasty French restaurants. The Southern style chicken salad, with grapes and dill, makes me think there might be someone from the Georgia on their staff. It was so good, that next time we might have to have them put it on a croissant and make it a sandwich. I haven't had the hot hoagie there in years, but after this I'll be ready to give it another shot. If you like meatloaf, and not just the variety with ketchup on the top, give the Cajun Meatloaf a try, it was juicy and had just the right amount of spice and a boatload of flavor. The service was there when we needed, but not hovering, and everyone at our table agreed that Ferns had jumped back into our short list of favorites in the area of casual dining in Saint Paul. Kudos on bringing back an old favorite and rejuvenating the kitchen after several years of absolutely crap food that had me only drinking at Ferns, but not eating. The bar still seems like a great place to watch a football game or play some games. Grab one of the seats by the window or a booth for the best dinner seating.
(4)Amy B.
A cozy bar for a good night. Maybe it's the neighborhood. Not sure, but I really like this place. I am only rating the bar portion. They have all the keys - perfect lighting, darts, music, popcorn. PLUS, they gave me a very large sample (as in free of charge) of their sangria and I la-oved it! It wasn't packed with real fruit, but it was a nice mix of flavors. Especially since I had a very poor sangria about an hour earlier. That made me appreciate the service even more! Hats off to Fern!
(4)Lu E.
Went on a Sunday (early afternoon) during brunch. A little bit busy, but not over crowded. Ordered off the menu since we were there specifically to try the menu. Dining room is very tidy and well kept. Was seated at a very nice table next to a big beautiful window overlooking Selby. Only downside was that it was right next to the kitchen (lots of activity/noise - kept the baby's attention though). Had Calamari to start with-very good dish. Perfectly cooked, had a nice crispness to it but was still tender and flavorful - I found the seasoning very appealing. Came with 2 aioli's - one lemon (not very fond of this one), one red bell pepper (I liked this one). Ordered the Country Club Sandwich which was good - nothing really memorable, but was a good club sandwich. Came with a Caesar Salad which wasn't too great at all - had very little dressing, and the leaves that did have dressing had no flavor whatsoever (nice crispy croutons though). Overall it was a good experience, but a just a little pricey for me. Will probably return if there wasn't any other readily available options on Selby.
(3)Jaq L.
Great food and a friendly staff, the Sunday Brunch is great
(5)Jordan S.
This is a great place to get a beer and chat. I haven't ventured into the dining room yet, but I've sat at both the bar and a table in the bar area thus far and the atmosphere is great. Not too loud to carry on a conversation, but loud enough that you don't have to feel weird about laughing a little to hard. The beer selection is great! They keep a nicely updated beer menu with sufficient descriptions of the beers. Major plus in my book. I've only ever eaten there late-nite, but the menu is a decent one. Pizzas, salads, burgers and I think a couple of appetizers. I'd like to see some more, healthier options (a la Merlin's Rest's hummus platter), but a salad is a good backup. The food is good, and it's a step up from plain Jane bar food which is reflected in the prices. TONS of TVs around the bar area with lots of different sports on. Watch out for dart league night when the bar will fill up, and curling club which causes the parking lot to fill up.
(4)Cathy C.
We started out with Kalbi wings and received half the number than our last visit accompanied by a higher price. My husband ordered the Szechuan salad, which was excellent, and I ordered the fish and chips, which was average. The battered fish was frozen, not freshly made in house, and the chips were room temperature and unsalted. The bread was stale and rewarmed. The iced tea was bitter. Our server was nice and efficient (she still got a good tip), but I won't return for a long while. We used to be regulars, but the food has gone downhill as the prices have increased. Two stars.
(2)Michael G.
Between lunches with collegues and dinners family and friends, I've pretty much sampled everything on the menu; most everything is good and several have proven to be addiction producing! Lunch or dinner we always start with the bruschetta -- thick buttery garlicy slabs of good crusty bread slathered with pesto and piled high with tomatoes, basil, and a mountain of shredded Parmasean. Other appetizers worthy of mention include all incarnations of the wings... The entre that REALLY gets me, the entre I get more often then others, the thing I'm certain must be packed with narcotics for potential for addiction is the...Cajun meatloaf! Thick slacks of spicy and uncommononly good meatloaf topped with a tasty onion gravy and sided with baby reds and some of the best sauted vegetables I've every had keep me coming back, even though parking is a battle, again and again and again and again and... Other favorite entres include the pot roast and ribs. The salads and sandwiches, especially the grilled tuna sandwich, are very good too... Desserts are big enough to share though we've not strayed beyond the hot fudge sundae and bread pudding. The wait staff is great -- Bruno and Jessica are our favorite servers and always greet us with a smile and warm hello. I feel genuinely appreciated when staff know who I am and know what I eat...
(4)Annette L.
This place has fairly good food, but a little too pricy for the quality. Also, the place looks like it was decorated by an 80-year-old woman -- lots of old, plastic/fabric flowers, gaudy paintings and outdated wall and table coverings. I'd go back to this place eventually I'm sure. But I haven't been there in about 4 years and haven't had a craving to go back yet.
(3)Leah D.
Letting your date choose the restaurant can speak volumes about them. This was my experience at Fabulous Ferns. It is in a great location, spacious but a little rough around the edges in decor. The place is comfortable and you immediately feel at ease. The staff is friendly and attentive. Relaxing at Fabulous Ferns is easy. The food is ample but overbearing in flavor and fat content. There is something for everyone on the menu but nothing that you would pine for after you leave. The wine list is adequate but not discerning and they do have Guinness on tap which is an unexpected plus. Fabulous Ferns is a great place to go when you are unsure of others tastes or expectations about formality. And when your date starts a conversation about the validity of Barak Obama's birth certificate-they will bring the check quite quickly.
(2)Jim H.
Nice menu selections. We've tried almost everything they offer over the last few visits. Service can be a bit inconsistent, but friendly and accommodating. Bar is kind of loud so we tend to use the dining room here. Hot fudge popover is sure worth a try.
(3)Matthew G.
The only reason we go here is that its close by, and serves dinner somewhat late in the dining room. The food is "Blah" to say the best. Nothing special. The dining room is very "old-lady," but then there is also a bar area that is completely different. It's almost like two venues in one. I hear they have a brunch buffet, but have never been. Service is decent.
(2)Nadine Y.
I know a girl named Fern and she's pretty fabulous, so I knew this place would be pretty dees (decent). The decor is pretty schnazzy and you can definitely tell that this is an Irish bar... By that, I mean that the whole place is... green! This place also has pre-dinner bread. Not the best, but hey, it's good to munch on something as you watch some of the drunks across the dining room in the bar area. Dinner consisted of an opened-faced ruben with a side of coleslaw and fish and chips with a baked potatoe. The opened-faced ruben was pretty spectacular but the the coleslaw wasn't really touched. The fish and chips was pretty good with the house-made tartar sauce, but ended up soggy due to the vegetabeles served on the side. Oh, talking about sides - side note: Fern's, you don't need those veggies on the side; no one eats them. Dessert consisted of creme-brulee and whiskey vanilla bread pudding. The creme-brulee was standard and enough for two drunken Irish-folks. And the bread pudding... well, let's just say you only need one dessert. The best part? Dinners and desserts for under 36 bucks! Score! Our server was pretty darn friendly, but also somewhat creepy. The parking is confusing (I don't think we were suppose to park in the lot). But the area is beautiful.
(3)Jeff S.
Gone downhill...big time. I used to frequent this place, so I can understand the reviews on good food, etc. But the last three or four times I've been there (over a period of six months) have been horrible. I'm not even talking about the service; the food was horribly salty, and this "amazing" grilled cheese with bacon and tomato was definitely not made on a regular grill. I mean, how does a grilled cheese come off with the bread not even having a hint of a grill mark or toastedness? It was just strange and really awful. Pizzas used to the best ever, now they are totally different...in the opposite direction. If that weren't bad enough, the menu prices reflect something like they are...I don't know -- something a heck of a lot better than it is. I hope that I dont die of a salt inflicted stroke tonight. Just won't spend another dime at that place.
(1)Sal K.
Sadly, Ferns no longer offers tofu, thus the docking of not one, but TWO stars by me.
(2)Richard H.
One of the few places in Minnesota that knows how to serve ales at the proper temperature.
(4)Adam S.
A solid bar in the Selby/Dale area. Pretty easy for larger groups giving it edge over Muddy Pig, Gnome, or other nearby places (for larger groups). That's really it's best quality. The beer selection is ok and prices are in line with bars nearby. Free oversalted popcorn if you want to munch. Darts, big buck hunter, and Golden Tee all sit in corner. Years ago we'd go their for sunday brunch, the quality detoriated over the years, but I haven't had brunch since probablyl 2007, so it might be back to good standards. Granted a few of my sub par trips were when I was pretty hungover and didn't make it until later in Brunch service when food wasnt fresh and like any buffet/brunch if it's in the off time, you're eating warmed over food. If you're out doing a pub crawl or planning an even over 5 people that other nearby places cant accomdate, good stop. Otherwise I'd head over to the Muddy Pig.
(3)Laura P.
Fabulous Fern's is a bar and grill that has some amazing pasta, soups and sandwiches. I don't feel that it's totally fitting to categorize it under 'American', but it's kind of lack-of-a-better term thing. I ordered the Tortellini Rosa with Chicken and was in complete, blissful heaven. It was the best tortellini I've had in awhile. I ate until I was full. . .and then continued to eat because it was so so so darn tasty! The appearance of the restaurant is charming. It has this sort of old, antique classy feeling. It seems like your grandma would feel right at home here. They have some vintage floral wall paper and decor but it's not too stifling that you can't let loose and have a good time. The waitress we had was a little spacey, but maybe it was our table of 8 that made it hard for her. They have a bar that is a little more low brow then the restaurant. My friend was having a birthday get together, so we were looking for a nice open space that kept the cold beers coming. Fabulous Fern's, you were that place. Their bar is nice and spacious, lots of seating. They have the same o' bar games as any place, pool tables and dart boards. The wait staff are pretty decent. I can't remember the drink prices, but I'm sure they were probably pretty decent. I'd remember if they were hella cheap or too expensive. Those kind of things stick out :) I'd definitely check it out if you're looking for some good food. A friend of mine ordered some chili that looked amazing. Someone got the rib tips and they looked and smelled fantastic.
(3)Noelle H.
Ferns puts a smile on my face. Went there with a gift certificate so we splurged and got an app. Best idea I've ever had. The Kalbi Wings were amazing! The sauce is my new best friend. Then I ordered my main course - shrimp stir fry and was incredibly happy when i realized that the stir fry was made with......wait for it.....KALBI sauce! lol Delicious! Great portions. BF got the pot roast (what they are known for) and it was also delish. And to top it off - since it was Sunday - we enjoy bloody marys and they were awesome! One of the best I've had in a restaurant in quite a while. Think and spicy and yummy! Is the work day over yet so I can go get some kalbi sauce and pour it on pretty much anything???
(5)Anna H.
It's so-so... But Sunday brunch is nice.
(3)Debora J.
Fern's is a great place to eat with wonderful menu choices. I love the food, especially the Sunday Brunch. On most days the atmosphere is nice and friendly...however, there are times when the owner (of Fern's) gets a bit beside him self and mistreats his staff. I have witnessed first hand the "verbal abuse" and "public humiliation"...and frankly, I was appalled. I truly understand that people have good and bad days...but there is such a thing as "professionalism". If you have an issues with your staff take them aside and talk to them in private...not in front of your customers and the other staff. This was a total turn-off for me. Other than that, I would recommend Fern's.
(3)Janna A.
Went here the other night, sat on the bar and had amazing service, it's so helpful when the server can offer modifications to what I order to make it better! Was a good night overall.
(4)Victor M.
At first i was not sure about the place.. is fern a guy or a girl?? well when we got there we ordered a guiness it came out right away and they had some type of drawing for some prize well we sat down and got a ticket and we won a vikings jeresy lol every one was mad because they were there all day trying to get more tickets to win and we came in for 5 min and won. well the food was very good and the prices are about the same for the area. thereBBQ is good an pasta was good too
(4)Joseph W.
This place reminds me of Cheers. I like the servers here, but as a bar goes it's about as middle of the road as it gets.
(3)M F.
Food is okay but management and service are lousy. Won't be back ever.
(1)Janie W.
If they served Thai Chicken Salad for school lunch it would taste just like this. The service was good and they are open late. I doubt we will ever go back even though we live within blocks.
(2)Dan P.
We used to go often, until they recently changed their soda brand to Pepsi. As we drink Coke Products, we go to Fern's much less often now. (as for what places charge these days, you may as well go where they serve what ya like to consume.)(otherwise it's just a let down at exorbident prices.) Last few times there has been less than stellar, though they are capable of some very nice meals from time to time. They have extremely good buffalo wings! A fair steak, some good sandwiches, and various other items. Even a pretty darn good pizza! Good hamburger...weak fries. (fake) The restaurant itself, is very nice decor, and generally friendly staff. Service is spotty, and sometimes your entire meal is dumped on you at once. (Not well timed)(a wait staff issue) Other times, it's very nice. These spotty issues are normal attributes of a "non-franchise" restaurant. They are maybe less consistent in process than a franchise, but 9 times out of ten, they'll blow the doors off of any franchise in food and, service quality. As do most independant restaurants! Fern's is in a newly re-developed part of Selby Ave. (@Western Ave.)Part of the Old Blair House Hotel Bldg. Very nicely re-invigorated! There are also some other fine restaurants (some rather upscale) very near in the same area. It's a nice place to stroll with your date! They also have a nice bar at Fern's, for those that consume. Fern's is no slouch of a place either. A VERY nice place! Try it! (it's also very resonably priced)
(4)Erin C.
We had a fun first time visit and will definitely go back for the specials and to watch a game. The waitress was nice, the beers were good and has a great mix of people in the bar.
(4)Rick C.
Wow! I mean that in the BEST way. Stopped for Father's Day but did NOT eat the buffet. Instead I ordered one of the BEST meals I've had in NINE YEARS of eating in at least 200 restaurants in the Twin Cities off the menu. Prawn pesto crepe...Excellent! Prawn and scallop pesto pasta...EXCELLENT! The cook on the prawns and scallops was perfect. The sauce was so savoury I couldn't stop eating the delicate balance of pesto and garlic from the plate. I have a palate and this isn't even a 3 star restaurant but served me food better than any of the so-called 3 star restaurants in Minneapolis or Saint Paul!
(5)Lawrence H.
The search for the ultimate weekend brunch is an enigma of sorts in Saint Paul, a thing talked about and debated endlessly, sought as if it were a pirate's long lost booty. For anyone having yet to take the Fern's brunch buffet litmus test, stop wasting your time and dive in at your first opportunity. Fern's offers one of very the best values available and completely free of the quality hindrances one might expect from the buffet model. Satisfying and rich, sweet and savory, quiet and boisterous, warm and cozy, be your own judge.
(5)Vanessa M.
We went here last night. The hostess was friendly and we were seated immediately. Our server was prompt and helpful with suggestions about drinks. The kids loved their cheese pizza and mini corn dogs with fresh fruit. The white chicken flatbread pizza was great. A lot of cheese, but that's a plus in my opinion. My husband love his black and blu burger. On a hot day it was a great and quiet place for a family meal. We will definitely be back.
(5)Kelly R.
I've been here twice for trivia night. Service is good when you can get it, but you may go long stretches of time waiting for your server to come back. I've had the fish and chips twice -- pretty good. I like the regular fries, not the fancy fries. Pretty much a no-man's land for vegetarian options. :-(
(3)Erin G.
I had the lunch special today, which was tilapia with parmesan. I got 2 sides of brussels sprouts instead of the starch. The brussels and onions were good but overly dripping in butter. The tilapia was good. They gave 2 fillets so I took the other one home. Overall was decent but forgetable. Too much oil/butter for me. Service was great.
(3)Nancee M.
Stopped into Fern's last night for a light meal. I frequent Fern's often...at least a couple of times a month...but generally I am in the bar. On this particular Friday night, we opted for the dinning room. At 8:00pm, the dining area was nearly deserted. Maybe 6 tables. We were greeted and seated immediately. Water was delivered. About 5 minutes later our server, Abbey, came for our drink order. Martinis. About 20 minutes later, the martinis arrived. We ordered 2 appetizers. Sipped the martinis, having a great conversation. About 20 minutes later the appetizers arrived. I had finished my martini, and 3 refills of water, so I decided to have a glass of wine. About 10 minutes later, Abbey appeared with my wine, asked how we were enjoying the appetizers and asked if we'd like a bread basket to go along with the appetizers. She reappeared promptly with the bread, but we were mostly finished eating, but the offer was appreciated. The appetizers were good. I can recommend the spicy green beans. We also had the special appetizer of the night, kielbasa grilled with onions. It was good and had a great mustard. I'm confused by the glacial speed with which drinks and appetizers were delivered, given the emptiness of the dining room on a Friday night. Abbey was very sweet but I'm guessing she is rather new to waiting tables. But I don't think her inexperience was the issue. She doesn't make the drinks or the food. Don't get me wrong, I like Fern's. But I think the competition in the neighborhood -- WA Frost, Moscow o the Hill, Red Cow, Happy Gnome -- are busy on a Friday night for a reason. It just seems Fern's has lost a step or maybe a little luster. I hope they get it back because I shouldn't be able to just walk up and get a table at prime dining time on a Friday night.
(2)Evan M.
Not a great first impression. In fact, it was so remarkably mediocre I actually felt compelled to write a review about it. Food: The upside is that it didn't look like we were going to get food poisoning. The fish and chips were decent. Albeit you can get better for less elsewhere. Drinks: Liquor drinks were weak and small. Not sure what else to say here. Atmosphere: Bad music playing way too loud and tacky decorations that Bennigan's wouldn't even take (except the miller lite goalie sticks those were cool). Wasn't sure what sort of crowd to expect but it managed to disappoint as well. Service: Slow and inattentive. Don't know if it's an under staffing issue or just an off-night but it might have been the slowest service I've ever had, and I have Comcast for my internet. Overall: It's not the worst place I've ever been, but I probably wouldn't risk any of my personal relationships by recommending it to my friends/family/coworkers.
(1)Josh K.
Place of last resort when my girlfriend's first few options for her birthday fell through. They at least accommodated the large group request, which was nice. I'll start with we were pretty pissed from the outset. We schedule a time to hit their happy hour so everyone's bill isn't a total mess. Well, apparently there is a force field from the bar to the dining room that prevents the happy hour deals from reaching. No drink specials no food specials could be granted. Must be a magical realm that bar area.... In any event, we order some sangria's which were good... when they actually arrived. One in our party ordered it, waited 20 minutes, never got it, got charged and had to wait around for the manager to fix it on our way out. Wouldn't have been much of an issue had it been happy hour priced. Shots were delivered timely and as ordered, so that was nice. No birthday deal at all was kind of a let down though. But, this is a place that couldn't extend happy hour to another part of their own restaurant, so, not overly shocked. Food... the app dips were totally overpriced and forgettable. Spinach and arty dip was a total blah as was the black bean dip. The chips/crackers were at least fresh though. I went with the blue berry - chicken salad, which was far more salad than berries or chicken. Would have been nice to get more of the name-sake salad item, but, I guess not overly possible. And if that's a whole chicken breast you get, they should probably change vendors to what that can deliver a bigger chicken boob. The tiny splash of the blue berry vinaigrette I got was good. But, a cap full wasn't enough for the copious amounts of lettuce you get. The lady got fish and chips. Extremely forgettable fish and chips. The cole slaw was the best part of the basket. Otherwise, the fries were over salted and fish was utterly tasteless. A huge letdown. Not even their "house" aka Kraft tarter sauce could fix things. Overall the mood was a "meh" around the table for everyone that got food from flat breads to burgers to my salad and their fish and chips. For the area, we thought it'd be better. But, alas, we were all mistaking.
(2)Karen S.
We did their Thanksgiving buffet. It was AWFUL. The turkey was bad. The ham was gristle-y. The gravy looked like it came out of a jar and tasted like it, too. The pie was easily the worst I have ever had. The restaurant was crowded and the staff was ill-equipped to handle the volume of customers. Look, I'm not kidding, this was just so bad that I can't imagine how they did it. How is the pie worse than the frozen pie we buy at Cub foods? How can they reduce roast turkey to little chunks of beige meat floating in barely warm juice? I am in awe of how this restaurant cheaped out on a buffet that cost $16 plus per person. The food was worse than school lunch fare. Oh, did I mention they were out of several things? The woman in front of me in line got to the end of the line, spotted some kid food they'd put out, and grabbed some mini-corn dogs because, damn, they looked better than the rest of the crap on her plate. Shame on this place. People paid a lot to have Thanksgiving with their families here and got ripped off. I felt really bad for the families from out of town who clearly were taking out grandparents or elderly relatives. My sweetie took me out to Keys so I could have real turkey, gravy, and dressing the next day. It was wonderful. So yay Keys and boo Ferns.
(1)Kate M.
A solid neighborhood bar. I frequent here during peak business hours when avoiding a wait at the cow or gnome. For me their strong suit is the laid back yet attentive staff. Food is always pretty solid too. Their liquor prices are on the high end when comparing the variety of awesome neighboring restaurants (W.A. Frost, Moscow, La Grolla, Muddy Pig). I really like that they have bingo and some fun happenings during the week. I All in all - pop in. Have a beer, or five! Patio isn't amazing but it's a patio and we gotta soak in the fresh air when we can eh?
(4)Whitney G.
I love this place. I sat in the restaurant area, which is classy and comfy. I was surprised how affordable everything was on the menu considering the intimate setting and the decor. I feel like this is a sweet "Cheers" vibe of the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. I'll definitely be back!
(4)John M.
Easily my favorite bar. The owners are friendly with all of the regulars, which, I guess is me. Servers are friendly and the bar tenders are as well. I've read complaints on here about their food, but to be honest I've never had a complain myself. As a matter of fact everything I've ever eaten there has been fantastic. They have a new soup of the day every day as well as a weekly specials menu which is 4-5 new food items and a selection of beers and wine to match the food as well. I find myself eating lunch here at least one a week on my lunch break. Friendly place that accepts a wide range of people without thinking twice. Bar bingo on Wednesdays for cash prizes sponsored by the American Veterans, of which I am one so I try to go a few times a month to support both the bar and the AV. As I said, it's my favorite bar on cathedral hill. Stop in and check it out.
(5)Susie M.
The kids took me here for Mother's Day brunch, and we went once for dinner, and I went once alone. We ended up with 3 VERY different experiences each time! Mother's Day Brunch (make a reservation!) was very fairly priced and had lots of fresh fruit and salad along with this amazing mushroom ravioli that should be on the main menu. We couldn't get enough of it! Service was lacking, but, they were really busy, so we let it slide. The second time we went for dinner and the waitress and the host looked crabby, no smiles, no welcomes, nothing. She couldn't keep my son's water glass even half-full, and then told us what NOT to order... I was embarrassed for the owner! The third time, I went alone. I stopped there because everything else nearby was closed already, The waiter was snobbish and acted like I wasn't good enough to be there, the ladies' room was FILTHY and out of toilet paper, and I was really uncomfortable trying to relax and read a book -- like rushed -- even though I was only 1 of 3 tables in there. They had plenty of room and plenty of time before close time. I had ordered an entree, appetizer, drink, and dessert, so it wasn't like I was freeloading their space... If I ever go back, it will be for that mushroom ravioli on the brunch buffet! .
(3)Faatemah A.
This bar is nestled in a great neighborhood. It reminds me of the TV show Cheers (where everybody knows your name). The staff is very friendly and attentive! I love the people watching here. My hubby and I hang in the bar on date nights and enjoy the patio in the summer. Wednesday nights are Bingo nights which I have recently become addicted to! My favorites on the menu include: BLT Salad, Kalbi Wings, Liver & Onions and the Pub Cob Sandwich. Ferns has a large beer selection, and diverse menu. Pro or Con depending on what you like: Lighting is moody, so I look great with minimal makeup:-) Definite Con:Huge game area, darts pull tabs, trivia and more. Fun atmosphere for hanging with your girls, guys, or after work happy hour. *Warning* This is not a stuffy place so if you are not looking to relax, let your hair down and chill it's not for you. Faatemah
(5)Ellen S.
last time we will ever eat there. we used to go to fabulous ferns often, but after our meal tonight, never again. I ordered a Szechuan chicken salad which was the size of a side salad----5 strips of chicken, 3 peapods, a few strips or red pepper and no cashews which were indicated in the salad description. For $12.95, I should have been able to take some home and not left hungry. the others commented that their food was unmemorable. terrible dining experience.
(1)Elena T.
JUST DON'T. This place is a downer. The happy hour is complicated and the servers don't keep you in the loop very well. Only chardonnay for happy hour wine along with certain draft beers of a certain cost that come out luke warm. The food is blah, way too much cheese on the pizza and I quote from the menu - chicken "wings" - whatever that means. The only way to enjoy this place is for a short time in the bar/patio area after you've already got a buzz and just want to drink a mixed bevie. Highlights: Free parking Patio is small but doable Big bar area Bar games Fabulous Fern's Bar & Grill = I'd rather not
(1)Kate B.
I'm giving this place 1 star and that star belongs to the overly attentive waiter we had. As we walked into this restaurant it was very dark and outdated. I felt like I went back in time to about the 70's. There weren't many people dining at 6pm on a Saturday evening. This wasn't our first choice. Our top 3 picks all had long wait times and my kids were "starving." So, we ended up here. As I walked in I glanced at the dishes people were eating and they didn't look appetizing at all. Needless to say I ordered a Cesar salad and even that was sad and lifeless. My husband had the seafood pasta and he was also disappointed. We got out of there ASAP and when we got back to the hotel we ordered a pizza. We won't be visiting Fabulous Ferns again.
(1)Timothy K.
BINGO IS LOUD! BINGO HAPPENS ON WEDNESDAYS! I can get behind the 5 dollar Fat Tires and I love the diversity of the crowd there, but bingo is REALLY, REALLY LOUD.
(3)Danielle G.
Hubs and I stopped in during Happy Hour. Huge beer selection. Its loud and busy with some average choices of appetizers. We just stuck to a couple Guinness which we discovered AFTER we got the bill that it wasn't one of the beers on their Happy Hour list. Maybe if our server would have mentioned it, we would have chosen another.... maybe not, but it was a bit of a shock.
(3)Lu E.
Went on a Sunday (early afternoon) during brunch. A little bit busy, but not over crowded. Ordered off the menu since we were there specifically to try the menu. Dining room is very tidy and well kept. Was seated at a very nice table next to a big beautiful window overlooking Selby. Only downside was that it was right next to the kitchen (lots of activity/noise - kept the baby's attention though). Had Calamari to start with-very good dish. Perfectly cooked, had a nice crispness to it but was still tender and flavorful - I found the seasoning very appealing. Came with 2 aioli's - one lemon (not very fond of this one), one red bell pepper (I liked this one). Ordered the Country Club Sandwich which was good - nothing really memorable, but was a good club sandwich. Came with a Caesar Salad which wasn't too great at all - had very little dressing, and the leaves that did have dressing had no flavor whatsoever (nice crispy croutons though). Overall it was a good experience, but a just a little pricey for me. Will probably return if there wasn't any other readily available options on Selby.
(3)Jaq L.
Great food and a friendly staff, the Sunday Brunch is great
(5)Victor M.
At first i was not sure about the place.. is fern a guy or a girl?? well when we got there we ordered a guiness it came out right away and they had some type of drawing for some prize well we sat down and got a ticket and we won a vikings jeresy lol every one was mad because they were there all day trying to get more tickets to win and we came in for 5 min and won. well the food was very good and the prices are about the same for the area. thereBBQ is good an pasta was good too
(4)Mary A.
I parked in the open parking spot between two cars. The ground was covered with snow, and no white lines were visible. When I returned to my car after visiting the Fabulous Ferns, there was a notice on my windshield saying that the security company has taken down my license plate number and that my car will be ticketed and towed at my own expense for taking up two parking spaces. I told the security guy in the parking lot that it was unreasonable as there was no way of knowing where the white lines were that day. He obviously didn't care and even spat on me! As I was driving away from the parking lot, I stopped briefly for traffic. The security guy then walked up to my car and kicked it so hard that I could feel my car tremble. I got out of my car to talk to him about the rude and violent behavior. To my amazement, all he could say, however, was, "come on, take me on!" I pulled over and took photos of the damage on my car. I then went to talk with the Blair Arcade's facility manager, who was out for the day. I went back into Ferns to share my concern and frustration with the manager. He took no accountability for a patron of his restaurant. He totally blamed it on the Blair Arcade facility management and said that he had nothing to do with this incident. I eventually located the owner of the security company and shared my experience, which he didn't seem to care. He merely patronized me and told that he would talk to his employee. There was no word of apology for the harassment I endured, concern for the damage to my car, or offer to amend the unfortunate occurrence. I for one will not be going to Ferns.
(1)Andrea W.
We came here for drinks and dinner. It took 10-15 minutes just to get drinks, we waited forever just to get greeted by our waitress. I wasn't impressed with the food either. I have had better restaurant experiences. This place needs major improvement in customer service.
(1)Matt M.
This review is for the bar. Bellied up with coworkers on a Friday night and watched the bartender ignore us for 15 minutes. Horrid service. The bar here is not very big and there was no excuse. We promptly walked out and patronized another local haunt!
(1)Julia K.
I live really close to Fern's so I've given it multiple attempts to enjoy this place. I haven't made my goal. The food is so-so. I've tried multiple things on the menu and so far I haven't loved anything. The wait staff is so-so as well. I'm my asking for people who really love their job and are excited to be there, but I shouldn't feel as if I'm bothering them when giving my drink order. Also, math isn't a strength. My tab was $3.50, I have her a $5, and she have me $2.50 back. I guess I will only go back for the unintentional drink specials!
(2)Ben S.
Last call, and all we got was an 8 oz. plastic cup half full of beer and a rum & coke, minus the rum. But, I did get to see a guy jump across a table and punch another guy. So, that was cool, I guess. Someone probs looked at someone else's girlfriend the wrong way. Probably all winking and such. Or maybe an argument about existentialism vs. pragmatism, or an argument whether or not Smurfette was a slut or not, or, beer.
(5)Linda M.
We went on a weeknight after work and the restaurant was empty. An entire restaurant empty and available for seating and they parked another party right next to our table. That's a strike. Our waitress was pretty forgettable, which can be good or bad, depending on what you're expecting for service. Our food came out reasonably quickly and she kept our drinks full, but she hardly spoke at all. I'm not expecting conversation about the weather, but she seemed nervous. They were VERY accommodating for a member of our party who had food allergy issues, so that was a big plus. The chicken parmesan was good - I brought half of it home there was so much. Another member of our group had a hamburger, and said it was good, too. I wasn't wowed, but it wasn't terrible.
(4)Jennifer W.
Keep in mind that this review is regarding this visit only, and that I acknowledge that my experience may have been colored by the fact that I ordered food for takeout. Other times when I've sat down in the restaurant, the same entree I ordered today was far superior. That entree was the cheeseburger with bacon. In addition to that I got a fruit side, and the key lime pie for dessert. First, the good news. The key lime pie was fantastic, and the fruit was delicious and fresh. The food was ready for me to pick up in 15 minutes, as quoted to me on the phone (I live in the area, so it was a short walk--7 minutes or so). I mention that because it's not like the food sat there for a long time between kitchen and the bar where I paid for it and picked it up. I left my house a few minutes after I hung up the phone with them. Now, for the bad news. I asked for a burger cooked medium, so I understand that if they heated it any more it would be past that. But it was obvious that that is what the burger was--pre-cooked, and warmed. Not very well-warmed at that. I worked in culinary for a long time, and I know a burger that probably got cooked and held an hour or so before, or maybe par-cooked, cooled, and pulled as needed. Of course, I'd prefer that they'd made it fresh. It wasn't busy at all, so it's not like the kitchen was swamped. But if they're going to use pre-cooked food, figure out a way to give it to the customer the way they ordered it, and HOT. Not room-temp. Also, the bun was stiff, cold, and dry. Would have been fine if they'd brushed it with a little oil and grilled it a bit. The moral of the story is, yes, I know Ferns is more of a sit down destination, but if you're going to offer carryout, it shouldn't mean the customer should expect a dip in quality, especially when the price stays the same.
(2)Givonn L.
Horrible service during Bingo on Wednesday night, December 17, 2014. I would love to rate the restaurant as 0.25 stars but I was forced to give it 1 to provide feedback. Sad to see a strong Pillar Restaurant in Saint Paul slump down in service so badly!
(1)Angela B.
Always nice to go to a place where staff remember your name and what you like on the menu. Favorite bar food. ... dusted wings! Yum!!
(5)Mahva J.
Typical bar fare for happy hour. I don't eat such things on a regular basis, but their's is alright. Nothing special or surprising. The flat bread pizza is ok. Could be more flat to someone like me. The so-called hot wings are certainly not hot for anyone who eats actual hot food. They're doused with something that tastes like Tabasco or Louisiana red hot sauce. Again, nothing to get excited about. My hot wings burn your stomach just smelling the marinade, so I like actual hot food. The service was really slow on this night, which was marginally acceptable. They were busy, yet our waitress seemed a bit more negligent than expected. If you're in the neighborhood and are seeking a place to settle in with friends and have a somewhat quiet chat, then this is your place.
(3)Dakota W.
I was reading other reviews and wondering if I was at a different restaurant because I loved it . My friend and I went to Sunday brunch (of course its always Sunday Brunch). We arrived early so walked around inside of "mall" which is beautiful , the basement with the original rock walls was spectacular. So anyway when we went in we were greeted and seated looking out window. The server was attentive and nice. The food was fresh and good, loved the seafood tortellini ,and eggs were good and sausages were good. Nothing bad to say which is good, my friend gave it four stars (she wanted ham) and I gave it five stars. Would definitely go back.
(4)Amy R.
I never have the highest expectations when it comes to bar food, but this visit exceeded my expectations. Met a friend for happy hour eats and catch up. Ordered the potato skins which were quite good and loaded with cheese. Also split the 10 inch special pizza which consisted of gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, garlic and knockwurst which was very tasty and had an excellent crust. Our server, Molly was great and attentive. Plenty of refills. Great service. I'll have to remember to not be so judgmental when it comes to bar food.
(4)Annie P.
Last time I was here was about 15 years ago. Sat in the bar, restaurant was dead and felt like a nursing home. Food and service both good but crowd was a bit rough. Don't think I'd back.
(3)M N.
Tried the Sunday Brunch yesterday. Average price and average food. More breakfast than lunch items. For 14 bucks I like to see ham or beef carving station or at least an omelet bar. Food was cooked properly and hot but nothing special. Not worth a repeat in my opinion. Service was very good.
(3)Laura E.
Fern's was satisfactory in every way. The atmosphere feels like a hotel restaurant, which was fine for our staff lunch but wouldn't be too exciting for a date or a GNO. Service was prompt but nothing special. I had the turkey burger with a side salad; the turkey patty was dry and lacking flavor. Two of my co-workers got salads and those looked much better. I noticed on the way out that the bar has a popcorn machine, so I may have to return to hit that up.
(3)shell c.
My experience was not great. I have come twice and it was not good both times. As I write this letter, I am very sick. After eating the soup, I felt like a ton of bricks were in my stomach. I feel like I have to vomit. When I first arrived there the seats were very dirty so I brushed them off. I don't think the Host was happy with that. When he walked away, a waitress that was sitting down cleaning menus laughed at something he apparently said, then looked over at me. She then quickly turned away. When the soup came it looked rather funny but I was afraid of upsetting the people further. To make a long story short, I did NOT HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
(1)Lorraine N.
i enjoy fabulous ferns as a bar and a great place to grab a little something to eat. I usually sit at the bar or pert near close to it. The bartender is usually friendly and helpful and i love the pinneapple infused vodka they have shaken and strait up..I have had flatbread/pizza appetizers there, artichoke dip, baked potatoes, soup, grilled cheese...it is all good...typically nice and chill inside you can chat with your friends or loved one while enjoying your beverage. It does appear they have a nice busy patio too with little umbrellas...I have never sat outside here...
(4)Linda H.
I haven't been to Ferns since I lived a few blocks away, like 18 years ago so I thought I would give it a whirl. I experienced my first taste of Alligator here. I don't see the Alligator on the menu anymore, surprise, surprise.. Nothing much had changed with the decor, I remember it as being pretty cool back then but now it looks like the dining room of a nicer nursing home... We ordered an appetizer, Buffalo Shrimp, which was the best part of the meal. I might go back just to eat this. Our entrees were a grilled portobello sandwich and some other vegetarian sandwich, I honestly can not even remember what it was called, that's how unremarkable it was. Our waitress was very nice and we had good service but that alone does not warrant three stars. The prices were rather high considering what you get so that, along with having to sit in a nursing home type of atmosphere forces me to give Fern's a Two star rating. I probably won't be back.
(2)William C.
Very good food and well run. I have eaten here many times and it is always a good experience
(4)Joseph W.
This place reminds me of Cheers. I like the servers here, but as a bar goes it's about as middle of the road as it gets.
(3)M F.
Food is okay but management and service are lousy. Won't be back ever.
(1)Janie W.
If they served Thai Chicken Salad for school lunch it would taste just like this. The service was good and they are open late. I doubt we will ever go back even though we live within blocks.
(2)George N.
Fern's has come back huge in the food area with the team they've put in place in the kitchen. There are plenty of places in the Twin Cities to get a good drink, but the number of places that are the Bar & Grill type that have great food is not even close. We stopped in with family after a long hiatus from this being one of our favorite joints, but all that appears to be changing. On our recent visit the Kalbi wings were perfect, and are highly recommended. The baguette we were served reminded me of eating the bread served in some really tasty French restaurants. The Southern style chicken salad, with grapes and dill, makes me think there might be someone from the Georgia on their staff. It was so good, that next time we might have to have them put it on a croissant and make it a sandwich. I haven't had the hot hoagie there in years, but after this I'll be ready to give it another shot. If you like meatloaf, and not just the variety with ketchup on the top, give the Cajun Meatloaf a try, it was juicy and had just the right amount of spice and a boatload of flavor. The service was there when we needed, but not hovering, and everyone at our table agreed that Ferns had jumped back into our short list of favorites in the area of casual dining in Saint Paul. Kudos on bringing back an old favorite and rejuvenating the kitchen after several years of absolutely crap food that had me only drinking at Ferns, but not eating. The bar still seems like a great place to watch a football game or play some games. Grab one of the seats by the window or a booth for the best dinner seating.
(4)Annie D.
I don't know, Fern's. I guess I have indeed experienced better from a neighborhood bar. A group of us cousins came after Thanksgiving dinner for beers. Positives? -Our server was nice, especially considering it was a holiday and sometimes that can mean unhappy servers. She was cool. -There's darts and whatnot. -Free parking lot. The negatives? -My beer wasn't cold, which is a pretty major problem at a bar. It wasn't one of those supposed-to-be-room-temp draughts (I checked), so I let the server know and she kindly brought me another. It was also not cold. It kind of made me worry about their keg cooler while I was drinking my giant lukewarm beer. Or if I was drinking the beer that had been warming in the tap lines all day. I used to bartend and understand that things like this happen, but I was still surprised and disappointed that the bartender didn't do a thorough check... at least on the second beer. -The lighting is t'rrible (That means it's so bad, it doesn't even deserve the "e" in "terrible." Really and truly, so bad that it's actually worth noting in this review.). I realize how weird that sounds, but I had to mention it because it just ruins whatever atmosphere there might be in here.
(2)Connie D.
Great neighborhood bar, Kalbi wings are delicious! They always make you feel welcome and they a strong following of fun regulars- which is no surprise to me! They also have drink specials frequently and a pleasant patio!
(5)John O.
Excellent service! Fern's was great for watching football and playing trivia on a Sunday afternoon. Bar food at its best. Everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Pretty good beer selection for a small neighborhood bar - Bell's Two Hearted always hits the spot. The Cajun Meatloaf which I ordered was quite good. Will be going back sooner or later.
(4)Jordan S.
This is a great place to get a beer and chat. I haven't ventured into the dining room yet, but I've sat at both the bar and a table in the bar area thus far and the atmosphere is great. Not too loud to carry on a conversation, but loud enough that you don't have to feel weird about laughing a little to hard. The beer selection is great! They keep a nicely updated beer menu with sufficient descriptions of the beers. Major plus in my book. I've only ever eaten there late-nite, but the menu is a decent one. Pizzas, salads, burgers and I think a couple of appetizers. I'd like to see some more, healthier options (a la Merlin's Rest's hummus platter), but a salad is a good backup. The food is good, and it's a step up from plain Jane bar food which is reflected in the prices. TONS of TVs around the bar area with lots of different sports on. Watch out for dart league night when the bar will fill up, and curling club which causes the parking lot to fill up.
(4)Cathy C.
We started out with Kalbi wings and received half the number than our last visit accompanied by a higher price. My husband ordered the Szechuan salad, which was excellent, and I ordered the fish and chips, which was average. The battered fish was frozen, not freshly made in house, and the chips were room temperature and unsalted. The bread was stale and rewarmed. The iced tea was bitter. Our server was nice and efficient (she still got a good tip), but I won't return for a long while. We used to be regulars, but the food has gone downhill as the prices have increased. Two stars.
(2)Michael G.
Between lunches with collegues and dinners family and friends, I've pretty much sampled everything on the menu; most everything is good and several have proven to be addiction producing! Lunch or dinner we always start with the bruschetta -- thick buttery garlicy slabs of good crusty bread slathered with pesto and piled high with tomatoes, basil, and a mountain of shredded Parmasean. Other appetizers worthy of mention include all incarnations of the wings... The entre that REALLY gets me, the entre I get more often then others, the thing I'm certain must be packed with narcotics for potential for addiction is the...Cajun meatloaf! Thick slacks of spicy and uncommononly good meatloaf topped with a tasty onion gravy and sided with baby reds and some of the best sauted vegetables I've every had keep me coming back, even though parking is a battle, again and again and again and again and... Other favorite entres include the pot roast and ribs. The salads and sandwiches, especially the grilled tuna sandwich, are very good too... Desserts are big enough to share though we've not strayed beyond the hot fudge sundae and bread pudding. The wait staff is great -- Bruno and Jessica are our favorite servers and always greet us with a smile and warm hello. I feel genuinely appreciated when staff know who I am and know what I eat...
(4)Annette L.
This place has fairly good food, but a little too pricy for the quality. Also, the place looks like it was decorated by an 80-year-old woman -- lots of old, plastic/fabric flowers, gaudy paintings and outdated wall and table coverings. I'd go back to this place eventually I'm sure. But I haven't been there in about 4 years and haven't had a craving to go back yet.
(3)Leah D.
Letting your date choose the restaurant can speak volumes about them. This was my experience at Fabulous Ferns. It is in a great location, spacious but a little rough around the edges in decor. The place is comfortable and you immediately feel at ease. The staff is friendly and attentive. Relaxing at Fabulous Ferns is easy. The food is ample but overbearing in flavor and fat content. There is something for everyone on the menu but nothing that you would pine for after you leave. The wine list is adequate but not discerning and they do have Guinness on tap which is an unexpected plus. Fabulous Ferns is a great place to go when you are unsure of others tastes or expectations about formality. And when your date starts a conversation about the validity of Barak Obama's birth certificate-they will bring the check quite quickly.
(2)Nadine Y.
I know a girl named Fern and she's pretty fabulous, so I knew this place would be pretty dees (decent). The decor is pretty schnazzy and you can definitely tell that this is an Irish bar... By that, I mean that the whole place is... green! This place also has pre-dinner bread. Not the best, but hey, it's good to munch on something as you watch some of the drunks across the dining room in the bar area. Dinner consisted of an opened-faced ruben with a side of coleslaw and fish and chips with a baked potatoe. The opened-faced ruben was pretty spectacular but the the coleslaw wasn't really touched. The fish and chips was pretty good with the house-made tartar sauce, but ended up soggy due to the vegetabeles served on the side. Oh, talking about sides - side note: Fern's, you don't need those veggies on the side; no one eats them. Dessert consisted of creme-brulee and whiskey vanilla bread pudding. The creme-brulee was standard and enough for two drunken Irish-folks. And the bread pudding... well, let's just say you only need one dessert. The best part? Dinners and desserts for under 36 bucks! Score! Our server was pretty darn friendly, but also somewhat creepy. The parking is confusing (I don't think we were suppose to park in the lot). But the area is beautiful.
(3)Jeff S.
Gone downhill...big time. I used to frequent this place, so I can understand the reviews on good food, etc. But the last three or four times I've been there (over a period of six months) have been horrible. I'm not even talking about the service; the food was horribly salty, and this "amazing" grilled cheese with bacon and tomato was definitely not made on a regular grill. I mean, how does a grilled cheese come off with the bread not even having a hint of a grill mark or toastedness? It was just strange and really awful. Pizzas used to the best ever, now they are totally different...in the opposite direction. If that weren't bad enough, the menu prices reflect something like they are...I don't know -- something a heck of a lot better than it is. I hope that I dont die of a salt inflicted stroke tonight. Just won't spend another dime at that place.
(1)Sal K.
Sadly, Ferns no longer offers tofu, thus the docking of not one, but TWO stars by me.
(2)Richard H.
One of the few places in Minnesota that knows how to serve ales at the proper temperature.
(4)Adam S.
A solid bar in the Selby/Dale area. Pretty easy for larger groups giving it edge over Muddy Pig, Gnome, or other nearby places (for larger groups). That's really it's best quality. The beer selection is ok and prices are in line with bars nearby. Free oversalted popcorn if you want to munch. Darts, big buck hunter, and Golden Tee all sit in corner. Years ago we'd go their for sunday brunch, the quality detoriated over the years, but I haven't had brunch since probablyl 2007, so it might be back to good standards. Granted a few of my sub par trips were when I was pretty hungover and didn't make it until later in Brunch service when food wasnt fresh and like any buffet/brunch if it's in the off time, you're eating warmed over food. If you're out doing a pub crawl or planning an even over 5 people that other nearby places cant accomdate, good stop. Otherwise I'd head over to the Muddy Pig.
(3)Laura P.
Fabulous Fern's is a bar and grill that has some amazing pasta, soups and sandwiches. I don't feel that it's totally fitting to categorize it under 'American', but it's kind of lack-of-a-better term thing. I ordered the Tortellini Rosa with Chicken and was in complete, blissful heaven. It was the best tortellini I've had in awhile. I ate until I was full. . .and then continued to eat because it was so so so darn tasty! The appearance of the restaurant is charming. It has this sort of old, antique classy feeling. It seems like your grandma would feel right at home here. They have some vintage floral wall paper and decor but it's not too stifling that you can't let loose and have a good time. The waitress we had was a little spacey, but maybe it was our table of 8 that made it hard for her. They have a bar that is a little more low brow then the restaurant. My friend was having a birthday get together, so we were looking for a nice open space that kept the cold beers coming. Fabulous Fern's, you were that place. Their bar is nice and spacious, lots of seating. They have the same o' bar games as any place, pool tables and dart boards. The wait staff are pretty decent. I can't remember the drink prices, but I'm sure they were probably pretty decent. I'd remember if they were hella cheap or too expensive. Those kind of things stick out :) I'd definitely check it out if you're looking for some good food. A friend of mine ordered some chili that looked amazing. Someone got the rib tips and they looked and smelled fantastic.
(3)Noelle H.
Ferns puts a smile on my face. Went there with a gift certificate so we splurged and got an app. Best idea I've ever had. The Kalbi Wings were amazing! The sauce is my new best friend. Then I ordered my main course - shrimp stir fry and was incredibly happy when i realized that the stir fry was made with......wait for it.....KALBI sauce! lol Delicious! Great portions. BF got the pot roast (what they are known for) and it was also delish. And to top it off - since it was Sunday - we enjoy bloody marys and they were awesome! One of the best I've had in a restaurant in quite a while. Think and spicy and yummy! Is the work day over yet so I can go get some kalbi sauce and pour it on pretty much anything???
(5)Anna H.
It's so-so... But Sunday brunch is nice.
(3)Debora J.
Fern's is a great place to eat with wonderful menu choices. I love the food, especially the Sunday Brunch. On most days the atmosphere is nice and friendly...however, there are times when the owner (of Fern's) gets a bit beside him self and mistreats his staff. I have witnessed first hand the "verbal abuse" and "public humiliation"...and frankly, I was appalled. I truly understand that people have good and bad days...but there is such a thing as "professionalism". If you have an issues with your staff take them aside and talk to them in private...not in front of your customers and the other staff. This was a total turn-off for me. Other than that, I would recommend Fern's.
(3)Janna A.
Went here the other night, sat on the bar and had amazing service, it's so helpful when the server can offer modifications to what I order to make it better! Was a good night overall.
(4)Jim H.
Nice menu selections. We've tried almost everything they offer over the last few visits. Service can be a bit inconsistent, but friendly and accommodating. Bar is kind of loud so we tend to use the dining room here. Hot fudge popover is sure worth a try.
(3)Matthew G.
The only reason we go here is that its close by, and serves dinner somewhat late in the dining room. The food is "Blah" to say the best. Nothing special. The dining room is very "old-lady," but then there is also a bar area that is completely different. It's almost like two venues in one. I hear they have a brunch buffet, but have never been. Service is decent.
(2)Amy B.
A cozy bar for a good night. Maybe it's the neighborhood. Not sure, but I really like this place. I am only rating the bar portion. They have all the keys - perfect lighting, darts, music, popcorn. PLUS, they gave me a very large sample (as in free of charge) of their sangria and I la-oved it! It wasn't packed with real fruit, but it was a nice mix of flavors. Especially since I had a very poor sangria about an hour earlier. That made me appreciate the service even more! Hats off to Fern!
(4)Yiling W.
This place gets a solid: Good. Their fries were substantially potatoey, not seasoned, but salted. The bruschetta was piled high with parmesan the way it ought to be. The beer from the bar (Fat Tire on tap!) while we waited to be seated was quite satisfactory. The salmon with dill sauce was pretty good, but nothing to shout about. We did not have room nor time for dessert, but I hope some day to go back and have a taste of their 'Chocolate Obsession': "Dense chocolate cake with a rich chocolate filling and fudge icing. Served with raspberry melba sauce." Service was good, prices were reasonable. The best part of the menu: dessert is listed first.
(3)Dan P.
We used to go often, until they recently changed their soda brand to Pepsi. As we drink Coke Products, we go to Fern's much less often now. (as for what places charge these days, you may as well go where they serve what ya like to consume.)(otherwise it's just a let down at exorbident prices.) Last few times there has been less than stellar, though they are capable of some very nice meals from time to time. They have extremely good buffalo wings! A fair steak, some good sandwiches, and various other items. Even a pretty darn good pizza! Good hamburger...weak fries. (fake) The restaurant itself, is very nice decor, and generally friendly staff. Service is spotty, and sometimes your entire meal is dumped on you at once. (Not well timed)(a wait staff issue) Other times, it's very nice. These spotty issues are normal attributes of a "non-franchise" restaurant. They are maybe less consistent in process than a franchise, but 9 times out of ten, they'll blow the doors off of any franchise in food and, service quality. As do most independant restaurants! Fern's is in a newly re-developed part of Selby Ave. (@Western Ave.)Part of the Old Blair House Hotel Bldg. Very nicely re-invigorated! There are also some other fine restaurants (some rather upscale) very near in the same area. It's a nice place to stroll with your date! They also have a nice bar at Fern's, for those that consume. Fern's is no slouch of a place either. A VERY nice place! Try it! (it's also very resonably priced)
(4)Erin C.
We had a fun first time visit and will definitely go back for the specials and to watch a game. The waitress was nice, the beers were good and has a great mix of people in the bar.
(4)