now this is a juicy lucy and a fun experience. i have heard about this place for years and finally experienced it on a beautiful saturday in september. the area is a bit sketchy to me, but in the sunlight hours i was fine. parking on the street less than a block from the front door. when we arrived the line was long, but as we come to find out, the line was rather short. during our 70 minutes here the line never died down and in fact kept growing. when we exited it was wrapping around the side of the building. one college aged man said, "why don't we just go to mcdonalds!". the answer is obvious, this place is an experience. but i think he makes a good point, you do not want to be hungry when you get to matts. you want to be starting to get hungry. the line to be seated was twenty minutes. there are booths and tables and stools at the bar. we ended up at the bar. the bar stools were very comfortable. we were immediately greeted by a friendly bartender who pour a glass of grainbelt premium and kept our water glasses full. we ordered two juicy lucy burgers. one with and one without onions. we ordered a half basket of fries. as we waited in line, the fries looked and smelled awesome. they are the thin style of french fries. then the wait begins. 25 minutes later our food arrives.
a note to parents, this is not the place to bring children. first, it is a bar full of adults who are drinking and speaking like adults speak. second there is not much room for strollers. finally, kids need food now and cry as they wait. they will have plenty of time to cry as it is a long wait for food. i read a sign at the door saying matt's bans the use of e-cigs. they should also ban children. get a sitter. bringing your children is unfair to the kids and the patrons. and they do not have a kiddie menu!
when the burgers arrived the smell was beyond words. they were so good that ketchup and mustard would have ruined the flavor. i do not recall the last time i had aburgerwhere the quality of the meat and how it was prepared, tasted this good. amazing. the $6.50burgerwas worth it. here is my suggestion how to eat your food. enjoy the fries first while they are hot and give yourburgertime to cool down before you bite into the hot cheese center. my guess is that many patrons leave with a burnt mouth. the fastest part of the experience was eating. by the time the food arrives you are hungry and the long line at the door gives you the feel that someone needs your seat. the tab for two juicy lucy burgers (they also offer less expensive burgers, grilled cheese and a chicken sandwich), a half order of fries which was plenty for two people and two tap beers was $22. the place is small, but large enough so you do not feel cramped. i am glad to have experienced the best juicy lucy ever. it is better then 5-8 or blue door. it is an original. no frills and perfectly prepared. would i go back? doubtful. while the food was great, the circus like environment is not something i enjoy when i am dining out. if you have never been to matt' bar, you must go. you will have a wonderful time. you will be in many pictures as smartphones are recording and taking pictures constantly.