A lively Bloomfield neighborhood bar with a broad, affordable American menu, strong burgers and sandwiches, and generally friendly service that can become inconsistent or inattentive when busy.
Lot 17 earns its standing through strong food quality, with diners repeatedly praising its burgers, fish sandwiches, and steak and potatoes. Service is often praised, but a notable minority of reports about inattentive staff keeps it just short of the very top tier, and its welcoming neighborhood tavern character, while appealing, is not a true destination draw.
Lot 17 is a lively Bloomfield neighborhood bar that happens to take its food seriously. Expect a bustling room, TVs, a full bar, indoor and patio seating, and a crowd that can feel like it already knows one another. The best visits sound easy and convivial: cold drinks, quick plates, and the kind of local energy that makes a casual stop stretch into the evening. The cooking is broad, familiar American comfort food rather than chef-driven experimentation. Burgers, fish sandwiches, ribs, wraps, salads, and steak-and-potatoes are the reliable anchors, with portions and pricing doing much of the restaurant’s appeal. Burgers and salads receive especially enthusiastic praise, while fish can occasionally arrive overcooked and cocktails are less consistently successful. Service is usually friendly and efficient, but the sample contains several specific accounts of inattentive or openly rude interactions. Families have a strong practical case here: the current menu includes $5 chicken fingers, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, fries, grilled chicken tenders, and a cheese quesadilla, and a reviewer specifically mentions high chairs. It is also a good fit for brunch or an early meal with children, though the lively volume may be tiring for noise-sensitive families.
Area vibe: Working-class, residential streets with a growing foodie and craft-beer scene.
Safety: Generally safe in daytime and early evening; some quieter blocks at night so usual city caution advised.
What's nearby: Near Liberty Avenue dining strip, small shops, Lawrenceville and East Liberty nearby, accessible from Bloomfield and Highland Park.
Burgers, salads, ribs, and fish sandwiches lead the menu, with a few preparations worth approaching selectively.
Expect a casual, energetic neighborhood bar, but plan for noise, potentially difficult parking, and uneven service during busy periods.
The atmosphere is sociable and sports-bar lively, with patio seating and local energy that may come at the expense of quiet conversation.