05/19/09

Always a good time

by bevyc

The calamari is always good and we enjoy the live bands on week ends. Sometimes the bar gets really packed but it is always fun and the crowd is a good one

• Pros: location and live music on week ends
• Cons: parking - bar area small

11/29/08

A long time favorite

by Bennett74

After reading the previous review I have come to the conclusion that the review was written by a former employee who was terminated or a jealous competitor with nothing better to do than to hate on another restaurant.

We have lived in the raleigh area for 20 + years and have always enjoyed our experience at 42nd Street. We try to make it there atleast 2-3 a month. The staff has always been very courteous, the food has been delicous and the service outstanding. I find it hard to believe that someone has come here for so long and never enjoyed themself. They have it all. Fun atmosphere, great food and spirits, and a vibrant staff. I would reccomend 42nd Street to anyone looking for it all. If you have to wait for a table, there is a lively lounge for you to grab some cocktails and appetizers while you wait. Just writing this review is making me crave those suculent gulf oysters.

• Pros: The whole 9 yards
• Cons: Lengthy waits on weekeds - hints , great place to go

11/27/08

42nd St Oyster Dump -- Do Not Eat Here!

by raleigh4life

Oh My God! I'm just looking over at some of these ridiculous reviews. I have to tell you, I wouldn't eat here for free (I've turned down the offer several times). First and foremost, the general manager and the owner are openly anti-minority. The last time I went there I overheard the GM and the owner exchanging offensive jokes about their own African American staff members, in public at the bar! SERIOUSLY! Maybe thats why the rest of the staff is so rude, especially the dirty guys behind the Oyster Bar who will tell you proudly that they reject any notion of customer service. The cocktail waitresses are not to be excluded from this stereotypical bad waiter phenomenon exuding from every pore of the shoddy cinderblock building. Imagine being run down across the restaurant by a poorly uniformed, sweaty mess who refuses to add your bar tab to your table's tab. It's like being chased by the paper boy from better off dead "I want my two dollars!". So if that wasn't enough, the food is AWFUL. There is only one kind of oyster for sale, the blandest variety of gulf coast oyster available (hell of an oyster bar let me tell you), the seafood is hardly fresh especially the obviously pre-cooked and packaged rubbery stuff they pour on top of a wilted iceberg salad. Before I decided to no longer eat at the dump (don't breathe in too hard in the parking lot, they dump all their stinky oyster shells out there .. isn't that a health hazard?) I found a rather large worm in my swordfish. I've lived in Raleigh 20 years and I have eaten at this "Raleigh tradition" countless times. I recommend you don't waste your time or money, I know I've had enough of the over hyped dive that it is. It's a tradition because we have to do it. Every year that person with disgusting taste at your office suggests it and now we have to go there for the Christmas party, it's that kind of place. Well I'm running out of room and I haven't even mentioned that it's over priced, noisy with bad music, etc/

• Pros: Good Location
• Cons: Poor management, staff & food!