My buddy and I had a couple of hours to kill before going to the Pearl Jam Concert at the Xcel Energy Center, and I had been to Tom Reid's about 5 years ago with a Groupon and it was very cool for a Sports Bar. Lots of hockey paraphernalia on the walls and a ton of TVs to watch your favorite sports. We sat in the back porch, tented area and our waitress took our order. "Surly Furious please." The nectar of the God's came out in a plastic cup and was enjoyed, with a few more throughout the night. There was a pretty solid menu for a sports bar, I got the buffalo chicken burger with a side salad for an extra couple of bucks. There were 2 or three other healthier options I could have gone for as well. The grilled chicken came out about 15 minutes later and it was awesome! Perfect amount of spiciness and the bun seemed fresh. What I really noticed was how juicy it was. The side salad was just fine for a side salad, and the dressing was A OK. I went to use the restroom about an hour before the concert started and it was PACKED! They must have been printing money on this night. I also liked how they had a pretty extensive beer list, although I stayed with the Surly the 2 or three hours we were there. The bill was about $70 bucks for the two of us after tax and tip. The Surly's were $6 and no happy hour going on, which stunk, but all in all, a fun time with lots of laughs before an amazing concert by Pearl Jam.
(4)
Katie S.
I haven't been here before because we always go to McGovern's, but I'm in town from Denver now and thought I would give it a try. Tom Reid was always one of my favorite hockey guys when I was younger so I wanted to support him. I was really excited that he was actually here when I came in for lunch! I had the traditional walleye sandwich which was amazing. I love walleye and we can't get it in Denver, where I live. This one was cooked about the best I have had. Very light breaking. Service was great, though it was mid afternoon on a Monday in August. I will definitely come back my next trip home!
(4)
Eric H.
Um... I'm an adult now so I like my adult beverages in glasses, not plastic cups designed for keggers (and it wasn't even an event night). The food was OK for bar food and the service was fast and efficient.
(3)
Sonya K.
UPDATE 08/13/2015: Coworkers and I decided to give Tom Reid another try and it was a total hit today! Great service and lots of delicious options at the salad/soup bar. However, only bumping them from a 3-star to a 4-star, because a few of the soup bowls still had crusted soup stuck on them! EW! I came here for lunch with some coworkers. I'll start with the good first - nice patio, nice salad bar, and Tom Reid was there working. The bad - the waitress totally neglected us the entire hour. That's why I'm docking two stars. Tom needs to hire staff that actually care about their job and pleasing their customers versus just having a job, because we went there on a non-busy day and expected better service.
(4)
Rose R.
Went to Tom Reid's for HH before the hockey game last night We needed to go early as we were meeting with clients got there at 4 and all the booths and tables were occupied we ended up in the back heated patio (tent) it was warm and cozy wait staff was friendly and attentive all in all a good outing !
(4)
Paul P.
I learned about Poutine about 5 years ago from some friends north of the border. It sounded so delicious. My wealth does not let me afford me go to a Montreal Wendy's just to try the Poutine. So I had to try my luck making them at home. I can't make french fries well, so I decided on diced potatoes fried in a pan, instead of french fries. I used a beef gravy packet for the gravy. I actually found Cheese Curds at the store. My friends up north told me, if the Curds squeak when bitten into, you got good Curds. My homemade version was OK. But I still needed/wanted to compare it to the Canadian version. Not many places even know what Poutine is, much less having them on the menu. Reading a foodie article in the paper, I found Tom Reid's and a couple other places in the TC area have Poutine. With Tom being a Canadian, I would hope that he knows what Poutine is and can have a good recipe for his employees to follow to make an authentic Poutine, south of the border. Parking is a pia. But you already know that if you know St Paul. I got parked and went in. I was seated promptly. I think I seated myself. Was promptly presented a menu and asked for a beverage order. Ordered my beverage and looked over the menu. I knew I wanted Poutine, but I was also hoping to get a sandwich of some sort. Not gonna happen. Poutine is an appetizer intended to be shared with at least 3 others. I was dining alone. I knew enough to know, Poutine is not something you want to take home in a box for reheating later. Reheated fries does not cut it. I ordered Poutine as my lunch meal. It was served quickly. It looked very good. Then I tasted it. Man oh man, where is the flavor? Fries bland. Gravy needs pepper. Curds need to squeak. Not a single noise coming from the irregular shaped cheese. I was very disappointed. Poutine uses a beef gravy. Get some beef flavor in it. It is not hard. For now, when I want a similar side, I will stick with my Chili Nachos. My homemade version costs about $1.50, plus beverage and tip. I do not charge myself tax. :-)
(2)
Matt G.
I've been going to Tom Reid's as long as I've been going to Wild games. Just something about going into a great hockey bar that pumps you up for some hockey! There is a lot of hockey memorabilia so take a lap around and look at all the cool stuff on the walls. They have the NHL Center Ice package so you can watch games from all around the NHL! They have a fairly sizable menu that is very kid friendly. I had the chicken strip basket the last time I was there. Its was pretty good and just the right size. Friday's they have 2 for 1 happy hour all day (excluding event days) If you go on an event day it can get pretty busy so be prepared to fight crowds. The service can be sketchy at times. I stopped in last Friday afternoon to watch the Gopher hockey game and got a spot at the bar. I sat there a good 10 minuets before I even saw a bartender. The service was ok after that although I'm still waiting for that last drink I ordered.
(4)
Travis L.
Had the cheese curds and fries for an appetizer and thought they were great!! The girlfriend got the Philly steak sandwich and I got the Wild burger. We both really enjoyed our meals. Service was a tad slow at first, but improved. And the waitress was very nice! As it got closer to game time the place really got busy. Everyone was standing by the time we left for the game. If you go before a wild game, get there early!!! It gets very crazy. Overall, good experience. Would love to go back. I wish they had the happy hour specials during game days but they do not
(4)
Shawn S.
Coolio spot on Seventh. In addition to the awesome paraphernalia, great taps, wide open space, tempted patio (in winter) there is a tv in view wherever you sit. Great servers, and guys you can melt ice cubes.
(4)
Terry M.
Poutine in St Paul. I came mostly to try the poutine. I have been curious. They're poutine is not good. Canned gravy, poured string cheese on commercial fries, no meat, no character. Typical sports bar with annoying music, Coor's lite on special. Nice waitress tho.
(2)
Josh H.
I thought this was a pretty decent place for some beers. It's a great bar before or after a hockey game. I met a lot of really great (random) people at the bar. The waitress was really nice and was always on top of drink requests. Parking can be sticky, but that's city life with limited parking. They have a BAC machine that will test your blood alcohol level which is a great idea. Food was okay, not terrible, not great.
(3)
Susi R.
Great atmosphere great people amazing food!!! Highly recommend for the sports fan [& the norms too ;)]!
(5)
Janet R.
430pm on a tuesday. Plate charge? really? my friend and I ordered two appetizers and a sandwich to share. We were informed by the server that a $2 plate charge would be charged. The food was mediocre....the fries were soggy. You can do better at any number of great bar restaurants in the neighborhood.
(2)
Adam W.
I'm not a huge hockey fan, so until last Sunday I had no reason to enter Tom Reid's . What happened last Sunday? I was hungry and standing in front of the place. So I went in. I chose to dine at the bar and was promptly greeted. My pint of Newcastle arrived cold and tasty. My BLT had the proper amount of bacon and arrived quickly, accompanied by a huge pile of crispy shoestring fries. I'm sure Tom Reid's is slammed during Wild home games. At other times, it would make a good place for some basic grub and a cold beer or two.
(3)
David K.
The 1 pound wild burger is great! 1 pound of beef, bacon, and cheese. Added habanero sauce and it was amazing! Happy hour 2 for 1 specials. A good sports pub with good food decisions.
(4)
Madison A.
Filled with hockey paraphernalia and lots of TV's , this hockey bar can keep any customer pleased. Whether a sports fan or not, the menu has plenty to choose from and the friendly staff keeps you posted on the drink specials going on. Located right on West 7th in downtown St. Paul, within walking distance from the Xcel Energy Center, this would be a great location to stop before/after a Wild game. The patio out back has plenty of seating. Only complaint is the parking situation - a few spots out back, but not many options.
(3)
John O.
Not a lot to say Nice Canadian theme, eh? Go for 2-4-1's I have recently been here a couple times for Friday afternoon happy hours, most recently for the 12-21-2012 Apocalypse. Not sure what is not available on 2-4-1's on Friday's anymore. My Molson Canadians were two for ones, and those with me were getting two for ones on mixed drinks. Told that the 2-4-1's go all day and night on Fridays. One nice thing would be is if they gave you a token or some other type of credit for your second drink. I am not the slammer I once was and like to drink my beer cold. Those with mixed drinks were complaining that their second drink was water by the time they got around to it. The poutine is decent for the two I have had locally, but I would prefer that the curds are more chunky and less melted - cheesy fries are pretty easy to find (just bring in some gravy and DIY poutine - voilà ). Several other Canadian items on the menu. Had the Canadian Melt yesterday (Canadian bacon and melted provolone cheese served on marble rye with banana peppers, mayo and maple syrup)-four stars for this. Really good! Any sandwich with maple syrup on it gets praise in my book. On my way out was told that Tom Reid himself was walking in. I never would have recognized him. Although, he did have quite the entourage.
NOT child friendly, I wish someone would have said that! Wow, had to leave before our food because some drunk idiots were literally screaming obscenities and didn't want my son to hear it.
(1)
Chris M.
Tom's fits the bill of your local sports bar pretty well; plenty of drink specials (though I miss the 2-4-1's of anything on Fridays), decent pub grub and plenty of screens to watch the game. If you're in the area and looking to catch your team on the tube, Tom's is going to be your best bet (though admittedly there isn't much competition nearby). Tom is a former hockey player and commentator, so the first thing you're likely going to notice are the Wild and North Stars paraphernalia adorning just about every inch of the walls. It's a sports bar through and through... They've revamped their menu a bit over the years, though it's pretty much still pub grub with some Canadian and hockey themed items thrown in for good measure (e.g., poutine, puck dogs, etc.). The food is fine, just basic pub and comfort foods, and is reasonably priced. All-in-all it's a fine place to catch a game and a pint (of which there are a couple of decent tap handles) or hideout on their back patio during summer.
(3)
Chris W.
First off, let me say that when I went in here it wasn't really all that busy. It was a Wednesday weeknight, with no special events going on (since hockey IS still on strike.... lame!). I wasn't greeted at the door or from the person working the bar. So I just seated myself at a table near some other patrons right by the front door. It took a while to get a waitress over my way. And it was a different waitress than the table next to me. I asked about this, and she said that unlike most restaurants they don't do "sections". The waitresses just call "dibs" on tables as people walk in. I thought this was pretty dumb. So when a waitress is in my area, at the table next to me I can't ask her for help or condiments - she has to go find my waitress to help me... Who was waiting on a table in the back area - nowhere near me. That's ludicrous. It seems that the wait staff is very catty with each other and very territorial over the tables they've claimed. Why they don't do assigned sections like every other eatery is beyond me. That seems to make so much more sense. The two blonde waitresses fighting over tables in my section were very rude to each other, in front of customers! The bartender seemed to sort of be "in charge" but wasn't a manager apparently and didn't do anything to sort out the drama. Anyway, the food was good. The eggrolls were excellent. I got them as part of the sampler platter. The wings were very good too. Crispy and with a bit of a snap to them. The golden wing sauce was superb. If they could teach the wait staff how to greet customers, and group all of their customers into a section so they aren't running from table to table all over the restaurant like vultures I think the service would improve. Maybe they don't split tips here or something and it's every man for themselves - causing waitresses to try to claim as many tables as possible? Dunno. Was different when I worked at a bar back in the day. Maybe if they didn't hire such young girls and got in some wait staff with experience and maturity. Good food, with a feuding waitress battle royal on the side. Sort of entertaining if it didn't make you wait for your food!
(2)
Bork K.
Nice place with 2 for 1's. It's not too loud even when there's a lot of people around. I'd love to see more premium beer on tap.
(3)
Lorraine N.
if your a hockey fan you will probably enjoy this place a bit more than me...we are more of a football/soccer family and as far as bars go in the st paul area. I didn't really enjoy the crowd or atmosphere of this place as much as others.
(2)
Nic B.
What saved the rating for them is they have a nice patio. And their poutine is great! Service consistently is non-existent or not very likable. I have wanted to run a tab numerous times and the server comes back asking for payment. It wasn't a busy night, but it must be how they do it.
(3)
Andy G.
Fun, casual place to catch any game, even if it's not hockey. The place has really cool decor that will keep any hockey buff interested for hours. The parking is a bit of a drag but if you circle around a couple times you can find something nearby. The service is very friendly and the food is excellent to keep you going through the evening. Lots of specials and the beer flows freely. Everything you could want in a hockey bar!
(4)
Jason Y.
Hung out here for a night of some drinking with friends. Did not order any food. I did look at the menu though and thought it was a little on the lacking side. Just bar food at best it looks like. They do advertise a specialty burger that I plan to try in the future called the Wild Burger or something like that. We got many drinks and had a good experience overall. The service was good. Our server stopped by many times to check up on us. The music sound system sounded a little over worked and distorted. They could use some better speakers or a higher powered amplifier. We plan to come back and try the food and continue to enjoy the spirits. Check them out. You'll love all the hockey memorabilia on the walls if you're a hockey fan of any kind. Decent amount of seating and a large bar to accommodate yourself to a group of people.
(3)
Peter M.
I have spent hundres of hours at Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub and I don't even play hockey. I don't even watch hockey on T.V. or cable. The staff and patrons are so much fun that they may not be "legal"! There is a wide variety of house prepared food and a fully stocked bar with a good variety of beers. They are conveniently located two blocks away from the Excel Center with parking freely available.
(5)
Amina O.
It's your typical sports bar, but by sports bar it really is just a hockey bar. I went with a group of 6 and we got to enjoy 2 for 1's during the hockey game. Most of the table got Bud Light or Grain Belt (Grain Belt on tap isn't in a pint glass but a small plastic one). I sipped on some UV Blue and Sprite which I haven't had in years. Not my typical scene but it was a fun outing and friendly to my wallet! I don't in St. Paul so probably wouldn't come back if I am not in the area but if you are looking for a place to watch some Hockey and enjoy drinks I would definitely recommend it.
(3)
Tim W.
I came in for drinks and some food one night and was given a pretty poor showing of the service industry. The food was below average bar food. The bartenders and servers were much more interested in playing their favorite song than in doing their job. I also had some shady business go on with my tab. My friend had bought a few rounds and paid and left, I paid my tab, then when i checked out my statements I was charged for both tabs. I wont come here again. I felt unwelcome. It was like i was at a frat bar run by drunk college kids. Too many better quality places to go.
(1)
Katie L.
Fun place! We stopped here last night before the Wild/ Blackhawks game (Go Blackhawks!). Anyway, it was packed, as I expected it would be. Luckily we were meeting friends there so we were able to join them at their table. Don't plan on getting here an hour before the game to grab a bite to eat, because you won't be able to get a table! Good beers, pretty inexpensive, and the wait staff is awesome. Our girl was really on her stuff-- she was fast and precise. I don't think she mixed up anyone's tabs! (We were in a party of about 10 people). I'd defintely head back here before a game again!
(3)
Melissa B.
Hands down my favorite bar in Saint Paul! I'm from St. Paul and spent EVERY friday here... they have 2 4 1s all day, 2 4 1 every day for happy hours (thats right 2 happy hours a day), and during all Wild games! The bartenders are AMAZING!!! They know how to make GOOD STIFF drinks! Josh is the best bartender around with a GREAT personality!! They have a great patio out back that's very spacious, and lots of seating indoors! They have LOTS of tvs for sports and they have darts. I was a regular here for 4 years before I moved to CA and I miss this bar more than any other bar in the cities! The only bad thing here is the food... its regular ole' bar food. Nothing special... not much to choose from. I did have the habenero burger here once and it was pretty good... just too much sauce. I recommend this bar to anyone and everyone! Cant go wrong here, plus they always play GREAT music!!! ALWAYS! :)
(5)
Whitney G.
Okay so the decor was fabulous, I absolutely love hockey. The sad thing was that the menu and the food were mediocre at best. Could hit it up another time if I'm in the area, but I'd have to be in a pretty bland mood.
(2)
Holly M.
Dear Tom Reid's, As far as Hockey memorabilia themed sports bars on West 7th street go, you guys have the market cornered. Also, Ludacris has been known to party here and KDWB has the pictures to prove it. Here's the deal, if you don't like sports bars, um, you might not like this place because as the name states, it's a sports bar. More specifically, a hockey pub. But if you're a fan of steel blades on ice, this place can be your warming house 365 days a year. If you cut your teeth on the ice and go bonkers over old North Stars & NHL memorabilia, this place is a real deal museum that will take you back to the olden days of helmet-less hockey. But even if you don't care for the sport, there's at least one thing on the menu that alone is well worth the mileage of traveling to West 7th. The Grain Belt Premium Mini Brats (3 to be exact) with a side order of kraut. Granted, I'm partial to anything marinated in beer, but these are actually some of the best brats I've ever had. I asked T Reid himself and he confirmed it's a special menu item only featured at his bar's namesake. I know the Wild's season is over (believe me I know...why do you think I have so much time to Yelp) but there's no better spot in the Twin Cities to catch the remainder of this year's run for the Stanley Cup. For daily food and drink specials, skip the website and go straight to their Twitter feed (@TomReidsPub). Lastly, you have to respect a namesake bar whose owner is there any night the Wild aren't playing at home or on the road. Keep up the good work T Reid! Love, Holly
(4)
Ashley F.
I am a hockey fan, and it makes me sad that this place is associated with hockey. Our food was completly flavorless. Our waitress looked more like a cocktail waitress at the Vu than a resturant server. And how can a place that calls itself a "pub" have absolutly zero atmosphere? I don't even know how I ended up here in the first place. There are so many good places around it. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
Jason W.
Was here the other night for the Stanley Cup Finals so the place was absolutely packed. I wasn't even planning on going out that night, but after getting the call from a friend I thought I would give it a try. Not a hockey fan, but I can appreciate the place for what it is. It was cool to see all the hockey items on the walls. 2 -for 1 drinks that night so that was a good thing. I ordered the chicken fingers for dinner and the portion size was huge. They are the type of chicken fingers I like, thick pieces of chicken with little battering on the outside. I enjoyed the food and the cheap drinks, but my major disappointment was with the server. I know she was extremely busy, but there were some large time gaps between ordering drinks and getting them and the time between her visits to the table. I saw other servers around us coming back to their tables 3 times for every 1 for us. Other than that I had to relieve my bladder of the four beers I had so I used the bathroom and yup they have a trough!
(3)
Kristi C.
It would be interesting to be at this place on a game night. Alas, I was there early on a Sunday night, staff was friendly. For as few people as where there, towards the end of the meal service could have been more attentive. Buffalo Chicken Salad was average, for a bar. Not the worst I've had, but nothing to write home about. Nice atmosphere for watching whatever sport happend to be on the many TV's scattered around.
(3)
Jill L.
I've eaten at this place a couple times. Always delicious. Great drinks specials as well. 2 for 1s during wild games.
(5)
Dawn F.
This isn't my regular kind of bar to hang out in, but alas the food and beer (and nice staff) always make it a good experience. Definitely a nice mainstay in the DT area of St Paul. A great alternative to some of the other choices near the Xcel on any busy night at the Rivercenter
(3)
Marissa P.
Cheap beer, awesome place to watch any sport but particularly hockey! Waitresses are awesome and if you stick around after a Wild home game you'll usually see Tom himself - great guy. Go Wild!
(5)
Nathan L.
I've been here a couple of times and this time I actually had more than just beer so I'm guessing its time for a review. I had the bleu cheese burger and fries and it was good. Nothing too spectacular but it was a good burger. The fries are the thin shoe string type which I like quite a bit so those were a tasty addition. Also, we were there during the Wild game, which not only brought a large crowd, but also gave us 2 for 1 drinks which is always a nice perk. And they are one of the few places that has Molson on tap which always gets an extra point in my book. So overall it was good bar food, and a decent beer. I'm a pretty big hockey fan so it is also cool to see a bar dedicated to hockey as much as this place. I'm sure I'll be back.
(4)
Britini R.
I am a fan of theirs simply because of their 2-4-1s on Fridays. Their servers are usually non-existent but I attribute that to the fact that it's busy. This is especially true if you sit on the outdoor patio. Do not be surprised if you find yourself going to the bar to get your own drinks. The food portions are great but the accompanying prices are a bit steep. Happy Hours every day including a nacho bar twice a week. The decor is fun and nostalgic, with hockey teams and memorabilia scattered across the walls. Large TVs throughout the place make for a fun game once you've had a few too many and you start to notice the time delay between all of them :o)
(4)
Rob R.
On the eternal quest in the Twin Cities for MLB Extra Innings, we came across Tom Reid's. Not only was there baseball, but also 2 for 1's. Damn straight! Outside of the db old man at the bar grabbing at the servers and just generally being inappropriate with women, the staff and the remaining patrons were fun and having a good time. The bartenders were very accommodating of our baseball request on a playoff hockey night. The service was good and fast, it felt as though they were genuinely happy to serve us. We can't wait for hockey playoffs to be done, not because we don't like hockey, but because we enjoy baseball more. See you soon, Tom Reid.
(4)
Colin C.
Bartenders and waitresses are friendly. 2 - for - 1s rule! Hockey is greatest sport and they have every game. Also has NFL package so if your from out of town you can watch your home team there. Best wings in town, especially during the happy hour.
(5)
Rachel K.
I stopped in here the other night after the Swarm/MN Rollergirls doubleheader for a few drinks and thought it was okay. It has a fun casual vibe about it where you're there to catch a game or just have some drinks with friends. They passed my White Russian test which the made was real milk/cream and not with the crappy non dairy creamer some other places use. Our table got steak bites and some wings which were good. I would suggest though for the steak bites that they get rid of the yellow pus looking sauce that they serve with them. The sauce really doesn't do anything for the bites and it is just a weird unappetizing color. The guys in our group ended up getting a large beer portable beer tap which was about 22.50 since they upgraded to a beer just above the normal domestics. I think the beer tap thing would be worth getting as you get about 8 12 oz glasses which comes out to be less than $4 a beer. If I'm down at Xcel again, I would stop in again.
(3)
Matt C.
So visiting for the NHL draft everyone kept telling us we had to go to Tom Reid's. We finally got there after day 1 was over. The place was a zoo. We were of course decked in Blues gear and most people were pretty cool about it, however... One guy, a regular I presumed (as all the bartenders seemed to know him) kept coming up to me and my friend and trying to pick a fight (bumping us with his shoulder then just staring- at one point he just flat out shoved my friend in the chest and only one person- a patron- said anything to the man). I wouldn't include this in a review except the staff did nothing about it and it significantly contributed to our experience here. We only stayed 30-40 minutes because of this man (and the staff's refusal to do anything about it). I did get a plate of boneless buffalo wings in this time which were great (and a ridiculous portion- i don't think I even finished half of them). I'll try the place next time I'm in town and consider a higher review, but 2 of 5 is generous for the experience we had.
(2)
Michael N.
been here a few times for drinks. basic sports bar with some good drink deals. $0.75 tacos on a thursday wasn't bad either. i usually don't make a point to come here but if i'm walking by, its hard not to stop in for a drink.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jason K.
My buddy and I had a couple of hours to kill before going to the Pearl Jam Concert at the Xcel Energy Center, and I had been to Tom Reid's about 5 years ago with a Groupon and it was very cool for a Sports Bar. Lots of hockey paraphernalia on the walls and a ton of TVs to watch your favorite sports. We sat in the back porch, tented area and our waitress took our order. "Surly Furious please." The nectar of the God's came out in a plastic cup and was enjoyed, with a few more throughout the night. There was a pretty solid menu for a sports bar, I got the buffalo chicken burger with a side salad for an extra couple of bucks. There were 2 or three other healthier options I could have gone for as well. The grilled chicken came out about 15 minutes later and it was awesome! Perfect amount of spiciness and the bun seemed fresh. What I really noticed was how juicy it was. The side salad was just fine for a side salad, and the dressing was A OK. I went to use the restroom about an hour before the concert started and it was PACKED! They must have been printing money on this night. I also liked how they had a pretty extensive beer list, although I stayed with the Surly the 2 or three hours we were there. The bill was about $70 bucks for the two of us after tax and tip. The Surly's were $6 and no happy hour going on, which stunk, but all in all, a fun time with lots of laughs before an amazing concert by Pearl Jam.
(4)Katie S.
I haven't been here before because we always go to McGovern's, but I'm in town from Denver now and thought I would give it a try. Tom Reid was always one of my favorite hockey guys when I was younger so I wanted to support him. I was really excited that he was actually here when I came in for lunch! I had the traditional walleye sandwich which was amazing. I love walleye and we can't get it in Denver, where I live. This one was cooked about the best I have had. Very light breaking. Service was great, though it was mid afternoon on a Monday in August. I will definitely come back my next trip home!
(4)Eric H.
Um... I'm an adult now so I like my adult beverages in glasses, not plastic cups designed for keggers (and it wasn't even an event night). The food was OK for bar food and the service was fast and efficient.
(3)Sonya K.
UPDATE 08/13/2015: Coworkers and I decided to give Tom Reid another try and it was a total hit today! Great service and lots of delicious options at the salad/soup bar. However, only bumping them from a 3-star to a 4-star, because a few of the soup bowls still had crusted soup stuck on them! EW! I came here for lunch with some coworkers. I'll start with the good first - nice patio, nice salad bar, and Tom Reid was there working. The bad - the waitress totally neglected us the entire hour. That's why I'm docking two stars. Tom needs to hire staff that actually care about their job and pleasing their customers versus just having a job, because we went there on a non-busy day and expected better service.
(4)Rose R.
Went to Tom Reid's for HH before the hockey game last night We needed to go early as we were meeting with clients got there at 4 and all the booths and tables were occupied we ended up in the back heated patio (tent) it was warm and cozy wait staff was friendly and attentive all in all a good outing !
(4)Paul P.
I learned about Poutine about 5 years ago from some friends north of the border. It sounded so delicious. My wealth does not let me afford me go to a Montreal Wendy's just to try the Poutine. So I had to try my luck making them at home. I can't make french fries well, so I decided on diced potatoes fried in a pan, instead of french fries. I used a beef gravy packet for the gravy. I actually found Cheese Curds at the store. My friends up north told me, if the Curds squeak when bitten into, you got good Curds. My homemade version was OK. But I still needed/wanted to compare it to the Canadian version. Not many places even know what Poutine is, much less having them on the menu. Reading a foodie article in the paper, I found Tom Reid's and a couple other places in the TC area have Poutine. With Tom being a Canadian, I would hope that he knows what Poutine is and can have a good recipe for his employees to follow to make an authentic Poutine, south of the border. Parking is a pia. But you already know that if you know St Paul. I got parked and went in. I was seated promptly. I think I seated myself. Was promptly presented a menu and asked for a beverage order. Ordered my beverage and looked over the menu. I knew I wanted Poutine, but I was also hoping to get a sandwich of some sort. Not gonna happen. Poutine is an appetizer intended to be shared with at least 3 others. I was dining alone. I knew enough to know, Poutine is not something you want to take home in a box for reheating later. Reheated fries does not cut it. I ordered Poutine as my lunch meal. It was served quickly. It looked very good. Then I tasted it. Man oh man, where is the flavor? Fries bland. Gravy needs pepper. Curds need to squeak. Not a single noise coming from the irregular shaped cheese. I was very disappointed. Poutine uses a beef gravy. Get some beef flavor in it. It is not hard. For now, when I want a similar side, I will stick with my Chili Nachos. My homemade version costs about $1.50, plus beverage and tip. I do not charge myself tax. :-)
(2)Matt G.
I've been going to Tom Reid's as long as I've been going to Wild games. Just something about going into a great hockey bar that pumps you up for some hockey! There is a lot of hockey memorabilia so take a lap around and look at all the cool stuff on the walls. They have the NHL Center Ice package so you can watch games from all around the NHL! They have a fairly sizable menu that is very kid friendly. I had the chicken strip basket the last time I was there. Its was pretty good and just the right size. Friday's they have 2 for 1 happy hour all day (excluding event days) If you go on an event day it can get pretty busy so be prepared to fight crowds. The service can be sketchy at times. I stopped in last Friday afternoon to watch the Gopher hockey game and got a spot at the bar. I sat there a good 10 minuets before I even saw a bartender. The service was ok after that although I'm still waiting for that last drink I ordered.
(4)Travis L.
Had the cheese curds and fries for an appetizer and thought they were great!! The girlfriend got the Philly steak sandwich and I got the Wild burger. We both really enjoyed our meals. Service was a tad slow at first, but improved. And the waitress was very nice! As it got closer to game time the place really got busy. Everyone was standing by the time we left for the game. If you go before a wild game, get there early!!! It gets very crazy. Overall, good experience. Would love to go back. I wish they had the happy hour specials during game days but they do not
(4)Shawn S.
Coolio spot on Seventh. In addition to the awesome paraphernalia, great taps, wide open space, tempted patio (in winter) there is a tv in view wherever you sit. Great servers, and guys you can melt ice cubes.
(4)Terry M.
Poutine in St Paul. I came mostly to try the poutine. I have been curious. They're poutine is not good. Canned gravy, poured string cheese on commercial fries, no meat, no character. Typical sports bar with annoying music, Coor's lite on special. Nice waitress tho.
(2)Josh H.
I thought this was a pretty decent place for some beers. It's a great bar before or after a hockey game. I met a lot of really great (random) people at the bar. The waitress was really nice and was always on top of drink requests. Parking can be sticky, but that's city life with limited parking. They have a BAC machine that will test your blood alcohol level which is a great idea. Food was okay, not terrible, not great.
(3)Susi R.
Great atmosphere great people amazing food!!! Highly recommend for the sports fan [& the norms too ;)]!
(5)Janet R.
430pm on a tuesday. Plate charge? really? my friend and I ordered two appetizers and a sandwich to share. We were informed by the server that a $2 plate charge would be charged. The food was mediocre....the fries were soggy. You can do better at any number of great bar restaurants in the neighborhood.
(2)Adam W.
I'm not a huge hockey fan, so until last Sunday I had no reason to enter Tom Reid's . What happened last Sunday? I was hungry and standing in front of the place. So I went in. I chose to dine at the bar and was promptly greeted. My pint of Newcastle arrived cold and tasty. My BLT had the proper amount of bacon and arrived quickly, accompanied by a huge pile of crispy shoestring fries. I'm sure Tom Reid's is slammed during Wild home games. At other times, it would make a good place for some basic grub and a cold beer or two.
(3)David K.
The 1 pound wild burger is great! 1 pound of beef, bacon, and cheese. Added habanero sauce and it was amazing! Happy hour 2 for 1 specials. A good sports pub with good food decisions.
(4)Madison A.
Filled with hockey paraphernalia and lots of TV's , this hockey bar can keep any customer pleased. Whether a sports fan or not, the menu has plenty to choose from and the friendly staff keeps you posted on the drink specials going on. Located right on West 7th in downtown St. Paul, within walking distance from the Xcel Energy Center, this would be a great location to stop before/after a Wild game. The patio out back has plenty of seating. Only complaint is the parking situation - a few spots out back, but not many options.
(3)John O.
Not a lot to say Nice Canadian theme, eh? Go for 2-4-1's I have recently been here a couple times for Friday afternoon happy hours, most recently for the 12-21-2012 Apocalypse. Not sure what is not available on 2-4-1's on Friday's anymore. My Molson Canadians were two for ones, and those with me were getting two for ones on mixed drinks. Told that the 2-4-1's go all day and night on Fridays. One nice thing would be is if they gave you a token or some other type of credit for your second drink. I am not the slammer I once was and like to drink my beer cold. Those with mixed drinks were complaining that their second drink was water by the time they got around to it. The poutine is decent for the two I have had locally, but I would prefer that the curds are more chunky and less melted - cheesy fries are pretty easy to find (just bring in some gravy and DIY poutine - voilà ). Several other Canadian items on the menu. Had the Canadian Melt yesterday (Canadian bacon and melted provolone cheese served on marble rye with banana peppers, mayo and maple syrup)-four stars for this. Really good! Any sandwich with maple syrup on it gets praise in my book. On my way out was told that Tom Reid himself was walking in. I never would have recognized him. Although, he did have quite the entourage.
(3)Dave F.
Good place for drinks and watching sports. 2-for-1s from 3 to 6 pm weekdays (non-event). The food is average- serviceable but forgettable. The best bets are the deep fried items and sandwiches; I personally would not spring for an entrée here, as just about everything is straight off the Sysco truck. Staff is hit-or-miss... either really friendly or fairly indifferent. Mr. Reid himself is a very nice gentleman.
(3)Katie C.
NOT child friendly, I wish someone would have said that! Wow, had to leave before our food because some drunk idiots were literally screaming obscenities and didn't want my son to hear it.
(1)Chris M.
Tom's fits the bill of your local sports bar pretty well; plenty of drink specials (though I miss the 2-4-1's of anything on Fridays), decent pub grub and plenty of screens to watch the game. If you're in the area and looking to catch your team on the tube, Tom's is going to be your best bet (though admittedly there isn't much competition nearby). Tom is a former hockey player and commentator, so the first thing you're likely going to notice are the Wild and North Stars paraphernalia adorning just about every inch of the walls. It's a sports bar through and through... They've revamped their menu a bit over the years, though it's pretty much still pub grub with some Canadian and hockey themed items thrown in for good measure (e.g., poutine, puck dogs, etc.). The food is fine, just basic pub and comfort foods, and is reasonably priced. All-in-all it's a fine place to catch a game and a pint (of which there are a couple of decent tap handles) or hideout on their back patio during summer.
(3)Chris W.
First off, let me say that when I went in here it wasn't really all that busy. It was a Wednesday weeknight, with no special events going on (since hockey IS still on strike.... lame!). I wasn't greeted at the door or from the person working the bar. So I just seated myself at a table near some other patrons right by the front door. It took a while to get a waitress over my way. And it was a different waitress than the table next to me. I asked about this, and she said that unlike most restaurants they don't do "sections". The waitresses just call "dibs" on tables as people walk in. I thought this was pretty dumb. So when a waitress is in my area, at the table next to me I can't ask her for help or condiments - she has to go find my waitress to help me... Who was waiting on a table in the back area - nowhere near me. That's ludicrous. It seems that the wait staff is very catty with each other and very territorial over the tables they've claimed. Why they don't do assigned sections like every other eatery is beyond me. That seems to make so much more sense. The two blonde waitresses fighting over tables in my section were very rude to each other, in front of customers! The bartender seemed to sort of be "in charge" but wasn't a manager apparently and didn't do anything to sort out the drama. Anyway, the food was good. The eggrolls were excellent. I got them as part of the sampler platter. The wings were very good too. Crispy and with a bit of a snap to them. The golden wing sauce was superb. If they could teach the wait staff how to greet customers, and group all of their customers into a section so they aren't running from table to table all over the restaurant like vultures I think the service would improve. Maybe they don't split tips here or something and it's every man for themselves - causing waitresses to try to claim as many tables as possible? Dunno. Was different when I worked at a bar back in the day. Maybe if they didn't hire such young girls and got in some wait staff with experience and maturity. Good food, with a feuding waitress battle royal on the side. Sort of entertaining if it didn't make you wait for your food!
(2)Bork K.
Nice place with 2 for 1's. It's not too loud even when there's a lot of people around. I'd love to see more premium beer on tap.
(3)Lorraine N.
if your a hockey fan you will probably enjoy this place a bit more than me...we are more of a football/soccer family and as far as bars go in the st paul area. I didn't really enjoy the crowd or atmosphere of this place as much as others.
(2)Nic B.
What saved the rating for them is they have a nice patio. And their poutine is great! Service consistently is non-existent or not very likable. I have wanted to run a tab numerous times and the server comes back asking for payment. It wasn't a busy night, but it must be how they do it.
(3)Andy G.
Fun, casual place to catch any game, even if it's not hockey. The place has really cool decor that will keep any hockey buff interested for hours. The parking is a bit of a drag but if you circle around a couple times you can find something nearby. The service is very friendly and the food is excellent to keep you going through the evening. Lots of specials and the beer flows freely. Everything you could want in a hockey bar!
(4)Jason Y.
Hung out here for a night of some drinking with friends. Did not order any food. I did look at the menu though and thought it was a little on the lacking side. Just bar food at best it looks like. They do advertise a specialty burger that I plan to try in the future called the Wild Burger or something like that. We got many drinks and had a good experience overall. The service was good. Our server stopped by many times to check up on us. The music sound system sounded a little over worked and distorted. They could use some better speakers or a higher powered amplifier. We plan to come back and try the food and continue to enjoy the spirits. Check them out. You'll love all the hockey memorabilia on the walls if you're a hockey fan of any kind. Decent amount of seating and a large bar to accommodate yourself to a group of people.
(3)Peter M.
I have spent hundres of hours at Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub and I don't even play hockey. I don't even watch hockey on T.V. or cable. The staff and patrons are so much fun that they may not be "legal"! There is a wide variety of house prepared food and a fully stocked bar with a good variety of beers. They are conveniently located two blocks away from the Excel Center with parking freely available.
(5)Amina O.
It's your typical sports bar, but by sports bar it really is just a hockey bar. I went with a group of 6 and we got to enjoy 2 for 1's during the hockey game. Most of the table got Bud Light or Grain Belt (Grain Belt on tap isn't in a pint glass but a small plastic one). I sipped on some UV Blue and Sprite which I haven't had in years. Not my typical scene but it was a fun outing and friendly to my wallet! I don't in St. Paul so probably wouldn't come back if I am not in the area but if you are looking for a place to watch some Hockey and enjoy drinks I would definitely recommend it.
(3)Tim W.
I came in for drinks and some food one night and was given a pretty poor showing of the service industry. The food was below average bar food. The bartenders and servers were much more interested in playing their favorite song than in doing their job. I also had some shady business go on with my tab. My friend had bought a few rounds and paid and left, I paid my tab, then when i checked out my statements I was charged for both tabs. I wont come here again. I felt unwelcome. It was like i was at a frat bar run by drunk college kids. Too many better quality places to go.
(1)Katie L.
Fun place! We stopped here last night before the Wild/ Blackhawks game (Go Blackhawks!). Anyway, it was packed, as I expected it would be. Luckily we were meeting friends there so we were able to join them at their table. Don't plan on getting here an hour before the game to grab a bite to eat, because you won't be able to get a table! Good beers, pretty inexpensive, and the wait staff is awesome. Our girl was really on her stuff-- she was fast and precise. I don't think she mixed up anyone's tabs! (We were in a party of about 10 people). I'd defintely head back here before a game again!
(3)Melissa B.
Hands down my favorite bar in Saint Paul! I'm from St. Paul and spent EVERY friday here... they have 2 4 1s all day, 2 4 1 every day for happy hours (thats right 2 happy hours a day), and during all Wild games! The bartenders are AMAZING!!! They know how to make GOOD STIFF drinks! Josh is the best bartender around with a GREAT personality!! They have a great patio out back that's very spacious, and lots of seating indoors! They have LOTS of tvs for sports and they have darts. I was a regular here for 4 years before I moved to CA and I miss this bar more than any other bar in the cities! The only bad thing here is the food... its regular ole' bar food. Nothing special... not much to choose from. I did have the habenero burger here once and it was pretty good... just too much sauce. I recommend this bar to anyone and everyone! Cant go wrong here, plus they always play GREAT music!!! ALWAYS! :)
(5)Whitney G.
Okay so the decor was fabulous, I absolutely love hockey. The sad thing was that the menu and the food were mediocre at best. Could hit it up another time if I'm in the area, but I'd have to be in a pretty bland mood.
(2)Holly M.
Dear Tom Reid's, As far as Hockey memorabilia themed sports bars on West 7th street go, you guys have the market cornered. Also, Ludacris has been known to party here and KDWB has the pictures to prove it. Here's the deal, if you don't like sports bars, um, you might not like this place because as the name states, it's a sports bar. More specifically, a hockey pub. But if you're a fan of steel blades on ice, this place can be your warming house 365 days a year. If you cut your teeth on the ice and go bonkers over old North Stars & NHL memorabilia, this place is a real deal museum that will take you back to the olden days of helmet-less hockey. But even if you don't care for the sport, there's at least one thing on the menu that alone is well worth the mileage of traveling to West 7th. The Grain Belt Premium Mini Brats (3 to be exact) with a side order of kraut. Granted, I'm partial to anything marinated in beer, but these are actually some of the best brats I've ever had. I asked T Reid himself and he confirmed it's a special menu item only featured at his bar's namesake. I know the Wild's season is over (believe me I know...why do you think I have so much time to Yelp) but there's no better spot in the Twin Cities to catch the remainder of this year's run for the Stanley Cup. For daily food and drink specials, skip the website and go straight to their Twitter feed (@TomReidsPub). Lastly, you have to respect a namesake bar whose owner is there any night the Wild aren't playing at home or on the road. Keep up the good work T Reid! Love, Holly
(4)Ashley F.
I am a hockey fan, and it makes me sad that this place is associated with hockey. Our food was completly flavorless. Our waitress looked more like a cocktail waitress at the Vu than a resturant server. And how can a place that calls itself a "pub" have absolutly zero atmosphere? I don't even know how I ended up here in the first place. There are so many good places around it. Avoid at all costs.
(1)Jason W.
Was here the other night for the Stanley Cup Finals so the place was absolutely packed. I wasn't even planning on going out that night, but after getting the call from a friend I thought I would give it a try. Not a hockey fan, but I can appreciate the place for what it is. It was cool to see all the hockey items on the walls. 2 -for 1 drinks that night so that was a good thing. I ordered the chicken fingers for dinner and the portion size was huge. They are the type of chicken fingers I like, thick pieces of chicken with little battering on the outside. I enjoyed the food and the cheap drinks, but my major disappointment was with the server. I know she was extremely busy, but there were some large time gaps between ordering drinks and getting them and the time between her visits to the table. I saw other servers around us coming back to their tables 3 times for every 1 for us. Other than that I had to relieve my bladder of the four beers I had so I used the bathroom and yup they have a trough!
(3)Kristi C.
It would be interesting to be at this place on a game night. Alas, I was there early on a Sunday night, staff was friendly. For as few people as where there, towards the end of the meal service could have been more attentive. Buffalo Chicken Salad was average, for a bar. Not the worst I've had, but nothing to write home about. Nice atmosphere for watching whatever sport happend to be on the many TV's scattered around.
(3)Jill L.
I've eaten at this place a couple times. Always delicious. Great drinks specials as well. 2 for 1s during wild games.
(5)Dawn F.
This isn't my regular kind of bar to hang out in, but alas the food and beer (and nice staff) always make it a good experience. Definitely a nice mainstay in the DT area of St Paul. A great alternative to some of the other choices near the Xcel on any busy night at the Rivercenter
(3)Marissa P.
Cheap beer, awesome place to watch any sport but particularly hockey! Waitresses are awesome and if you stick around after a Wild home game you'll usually see Tom himself - great guy. Go Wild!
(5)Nathan L.
I've been here a couple of times and this time I actually had more than just beer so I'm guessing its time for a review. I had the bleu cheese burger and fries and it was good. Nothing too spectacular but it was a good burger. The fries are the thin shoe string type which I like quite a bit so those were a tasty addition. Also, we were there during the Wild game, which not only brought a large crowd, but also gave us 2 for 1 drinks which is always a nice perk. And they are one of the few places that has Molson on tap which always gets an extra point in my book. So overall it was good bar food, and a decent beer. I'm a pretty big hockey fan so it is also cool to see a bar dedicated to hockey as much as this place. I'm sure I'll be back.
(4)Britini R.
I am a fan of theirs simply because of their 2-4-1s on Fridays. Their servers are usually non-existent but I attribute that to the fact that it's busy. This is especially true if you sit on the outdoor patio. Do not be surprised if you find yourself going to the bar to get your own drinks. The food portions are great but the accompanying prices are a bit steep. Happy Hours every day including a nacho bar twice a week. The decor is fun and nostalgic, with hockey teams and memorabilia scattered across the walls. Large TVs throughout the place make for a fun game once you've had a few too many and you start to notice the time delay between all of them :o)
(4)Rob R.
On the eternal quest in the Twin Cities for MLB Extra Innings, we came across Tom Reid's. Not only was there baseball, but also 2 for 1's. Damn straight! Outside of the db old man at the bar grabbing at the servers and just generally being inappropriate with women, the staff and the remaining patrons were fun and having a good time. The bartenders were very accommodating of our baseball request on a playoff hockey night. The service was good and fast, it felt as though they were genuinely happy to serve us. We can't wait for hockey playoffs to be done, not because we don't like hockey, but because we enjoy baseball more. See you soon, Tom Reid.
(4)Colin C.
Bartenders and waitresses are friendly. 2 - for - 1s rule! Hockey is greatest sport and they have every game. Also has NFL package so if your from out of town you can watch your home team there. Best wings in town, especially during the happy hour.
(5)Rachel K.
I stopped in here the other night after the Swarm/MN Rollergirls doubleheader for a few drinks and thought it was okay. It has a fun casual vibe about it where you're there to catch a game or just have some drinks with friends. They passed my White Russian test which the made was real milk/cream and not with the crappy non dairy creamer some other places use. Our table got steak bites and some wings which were good. I would suggest though for the steak bites that they get rid of the yellow pus looking sauce that they serve with them. The sauce really doesn't do anything for the bites and it is just a weird unappetizing color. The guys in our group ended up getting a large beer portable beer tap which was about 22.50 since they upgraded to a beer just above the normal domestics. I think the beer tap thing would be worth getting as you get about 8 12 oz glasses which comes out to be less than $4 a beer. If I'm down at Xcel again, I would stop in again.
(3)Matt C.
So visiting for the NHL draft everyone kept telling us we had to go to Tom Reid's. We finally got there after day 1 was over. The place was a zoo. We were of course decked in Blues gear and most people were pretty cool about it, however... One guy, a regular I presumed (as all the bartenders seemed to know him) kept coming up to me and my friend and trying to pick a fight (bumping us with his shoulder then just staring- at one point he just flat out shoved my friend in the chest and only one person- a patron- said anything to the man). I wouldn't include this in a review except the staff did nothing about it and it significantly contributed to our experience here. We only stayed 30-40 minutes because of this man (and the staff's refusal to do anything about it). I did get a plate of boneless buffalo wings in this time which were great (and a ridiculous portion- i don't think I even finished half of them). I'll try the place next time I'm in town and consider a higher review, but 2 of 5 is generous for the experience we had.
(2)Michael N.
been here a few times for drinks. basic sports bar with some good drink deals. $0.75 tacos on a thursday wasn't bad either. i usually don't make a point to come here but if i'm walking by, its hard not to stop in for a drink.
(3)