Urban Johnnie

[onthestrip]

Pretty much what everyone else says. Great for games because of a ton of TVs and every time I've been its been busy but not busy enough to not get a seat. Food is satisfying enough too for a sports bar.

[Bullbear]

we always enjoy it and it is pretty busy for games. made the mistake of going to watch the Game sunday there however and it was closed for Easter.

[soonerguru]

I like it.

[Tundra]

Had lunch at Johnnies on south 240 today and noticed they are closed now on Monday and Tuesday, that seems weird to me anyone else noticed that on their other locations?

[Anonymous.]

Been a while since someone posted in here.

I have gone here somewhat often over the last year or so, and am in the area daily. Some of my observations as a passerby and a patron: hardly anyone uses the patio anymore, the restaurant inside seems to be struggling, too.

I don't know if I am always catching it at a bad time, but I am not sure how this place is going to survive past 2017 with the current concept.

In my opinion there is several problems here:
1. Advertising
Seems to be almost non-existent, I know some people who frequent downtown that didn't even know there was a restaurant in Level.

2. Promotions/Pricing
Sort-of like advertising, but there is a lot of competition now - and having daily deals or certain alcohol specials currently seems to be heavily driving the entire bar/restaurant game in OKC. The prices @ UJ are pretty high considering it is sports bar food with a linen napkin.

3. Patio
It is awkward when no one is on it. It is too bland... The fire pit hasn't been used since I think week 2 of being open, and the only attempt @ activating the space seems to be uncovering the TVs outside each day. Needs more umbrellas, maybe try to line up some local artists for some live music. Literally do anything other than letting it sit there with a sign saying "See Hostess for patio seating" while tumbleweeds blow through it.

[sbs]

I agree on all parts. I have been a few times myself. Food is decent but not worth the price they charge. They need to advertise more and get some activities going on there. Trivia night seems to be popular around the metro. Something like that might help bring in some new customers.

[no1cub17]

We live literally right next door and almost never go there. Not really sure why - probably because we pretty much just go to sidecar exclusively now. I know we could branch out but oh well haha. As others have said their food is good but not great, and there are just other options out there now. Oh - and they were closed last night! We had a group of 8 that would've stayed for the first half at least. I know it's a Sunday night but really? Not even going to open for a Thunder playoff game? It's like they've given up at this point.

[shawnw]

Last night was easter, lots of places were closed, even Target, which bit me as well. Just sayin.

[JarrodH]

Ate here last Saturday night for the first time in probably a year. We were one of 2 tables at 8 pm and the service was less than stellar. The food was decent but not for what they charge. I had a burger and beer and my tab was $20 with tip.

I can't imagine this lasting much longer, They would have been better off being a true sports bar.

[no1cub17]

Last night was easter, lots of places were closed, even Target, which bit me as well. Just sayin.

Wow even Target was closed? Interesting. I expect lots of places to close in a theocracy like OKC but I wouldn't put target on that list. Interesting.

[shawnw]

Yep, went to Trader Joe's first, they had a sign saying they were closing at 5 for easter, so good thing I went earlier. Then went to Target and the parking lot was completely empty.

[bchris02]

Yeah, Easter Sunday isn't a good day to judge the health of a specific business. A lot of places are closed and those that are open have a much thinner crowd than they typically do.

[Mississippi Blues]

A lot of places in California were closed as well. I had to drive to multiple places last night to find somewhere to eat.

[JarrodH]

Yeah, Easter Sunday isn't a good day to judge the health of a specific business. A lot of places are closed and those that are open have a much thinner crowd than they typically do.

I was there the Saturday before when Bricktown was absolutely insane and UJ was dead at prime dining hours. Its not just on Easter, Its been every time I've driven by.

[catch22]

Wow even Target was closed? Interesting. I expect lots of places to close in a theocracy like OKC but I wouldn't put target on that list. Interesting.

Ton of places in Denver too were closed. Which was disappointing because I had the afternoon off and had some retail errands I was trying to run.

It's a religious holiday, yes, but OKC isn't the only city that had mass closings for it.

[bchris02]

I was there the Saturday before when Bricktown was absolutely insane and UJ was dead at prime dining hours. Its not just on Easter, Its been every time I've driven by.

I think the developers of Level made a large mistake when they did not put the entrance at the corner. It would make much more sense if the restaurant was at the corner of Oklahoma and 2nd instead of in the center. Being in the center, they are going to have to do a lot more work to make the restaurant visible. The way they currently are doing their patio just isn't going to cut it.

[Plutonic Panda]

Ton of places in Denver too were closed. Which was disappointing because I had the afternoon off and had some retail errands I was trying to run.

It's a religious holiday, yes, but OKC isn't the only city that had mass closings for it.

Hardly any place was closed in LA.

[AP]

Apparently, they are permanently closed, effective today.

[Pete]

Ugh.

From the UJ Facebook page:

Effective September 17, 2018, Urban Johnnie, located at 121 NE 2nd St in Deep Deuce closed permanently.

“It has been our pleasure to serve the people of Deep Deuce and Downtown Oklahoma City. We will forever be grateful for our time here,” Co-Owner Rick Haynes said.

“We would like to thank all of our past patrons, especially those who made Urban Johnnie their neighborhood sports bar. Look for a new and exciting concept at this location in the future.”

Employees will have the opportunity to transfer their employment to one of the other restaurants in the Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler family. Haynes said he does not want his employees to feel stranded without
employment.

The decision to close Urban Johnnie comes at a time when the restaurant group’s flagship brand, Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler, is experiencing significant growth. Plans to expand into Midwest City are slated for Fall of 2018 and the tenth Johnnie’s location on Northwest Expressway will reopen in the Spring of 2019.

[David]

Oh dang. I guess I shouldn't have fallen out of the habit of going.

[Pete]

As I've said many times, as all these new places continue to open, some of those that have been open for a few years are going to start dropping off, as many have been clinging to a thread for a while.

Expect more closures.

[Urbanized]

What a bummer. I had recently started going back some because I really like their salads and I'm working on weight loss. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but I always felt like they never connected with the location. I love Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler - as I know other OKC folks do - and thought it was a good idea to tune the brand a bit for that location as the Johnnie's demo tends to be a bit older and suburban. So I felt they got off to a great start.

But where I saw problems was in a quickness to close on holidays, weekends, early evenings, etc., as if they were on Memorial Road or Northwest Expressway or whatever. Same with being quick to not serving on the patio. I always felt the way a place in that location on second survives is by catering to the neighborhood first and foremost. Deep Deuce Grill has this down to an art. I really think the secret to to operating downtown is to be adaptable, and to take what the area gives you rather than trying to force your own expectations on the neighborhood.

Regarding the FB announcement, does it not sound like they would be the ones behind the new and exciting concept to open at that location in the future? Why else would they say that? Maybe just a rebrand?

[GoldFire]

It seemed like they were quite busy every time I was there, pretty surprised to hear this. I really enjoyed having a place within walking distance to get dinner. It mentions "a new concept in the future," does that mean they are working on something new or just that Level is looking for a new operator to take the space?

[Pete]

This is where you start to feel bad for not going more often but then realize there are a bunch of places that you like pretty well...

And even if you go out as much as I do, you simply can't get to them all.

[kukblue1]

There are becoming way to many restaurants in OKC.