Plaza Grill

Wendy Petty

a month ago · ★ 5

First, I was born and raised in Arcata, I moved to Oregon in 1990. I LOVE coming back to visit this sweet city! I always have to visit the Jacoby Storehouse every time and want to eat at the Plaza Grill. I was a little disappointed that you have to wait on yourself. However, the staff were super kind and helpful. The food was so good!! The drinks?!?! Amazing! I had two of their signature cocktails (can’t remember the name of it. Started with a “D” and had tequila in it. I TOTALLY recommend this cocktail!!) One was made by one bartender and the other by the other bar tender. Both bartenders made the same exact drink! You know how sometimes you have two bartenders and each kinda make it their own way? One is good and one is not so good. Damn! These guys were spot on!! Next time I’m in town I’m coming here again! Even if I have to wait on myself. It’s worth it! Thank you Plaza Grill for a really good time. 🩷

Brook Buehler

3 months ago · ★ 3

Gorgeous, historical restaurant. Food was great however, constructively, it is no longer fine dining. This new tactic of getting up and standing in a line to order your food steals the enjoyment and relaxation right out of the experience. I hope Plaza can wise up and offer the old kind of service they use to provide. Now, you have to get up from your table, walk across the room and go order your food with a person standing in a corner, or you can scan a code and put in your own order, and you better know your table number while servers are just standing around board. Felt like a cafeteria style experience. I understand many places have begun cutting the servers, ( 6 Rivers Brewery, lighthouse Grill, ) I think it’s a huge mistake. No one enjoys that. We were so excited to have Plaza back, but the do it yourself approach does not belong in that sort of establishment, and how slow it was on a Saturday night is reflecting those poor business decisions. We hope you will correct this concern, as the people are clearly not enjoying the self ordering.

Jonathon W

4 months ago · ★ 1

We were genuinely excited to try Arcata Plaza after hearing it had reopened, especially because this was our first night out without the kids in quite some time. We arrived at the Jacoby Storefront at 7:50 on a Friday night. We walked through and slowed for a few moments at the art before going upstairs. As we walked up the stairs, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming, and the smell of the food coming from the restaurant was incredible. It honestly made us even more excited for what we thought was going to be a great evening. When we walked in, the hostess was friendly and told us that we would be seated by then it was 8:02. Then, without warning, we were told we would not be seated because we were supposedly four minutes late for seating. Four minutes 8:04. The restaurant was still open for another hour, there were only a handful of couples dining, and there were clearly empty tables available. I've never experienced a restaurant turning away paying customers over four minutes while still being open and having plenty of room to accommodate guests. What made it even more frustrating was that we had spent the drive there looking forward to a nice meal and a rare night out together, only to be turned away over something that seemed so minor and easily manageable. The complete lack of flexibility and customer service was incredibly disappointing. What started as excitement quickly turned into frustration, and we left feeling embarrassed, unwelcome, and confused. For a restaurant that has recently reopened and is trying to build goodwill in the community, this was not the experience we expected. Unfortunately, despite the inviting atmosphere and amazing aromas, we won't be returning.

Brenna Schlagenhauf

5 months ago · ★ 1

The new Plaza Grill re-opened in April 2026, and honestly… you might want to keep driving. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Customer service is basically a DIY project. You sit down, get comfortable—and then immediately realize you’re actually your own server. Want food? Back to the kiosk. Want a drink? Head to the bar. Thirsty? There’s a cafeteria-style water jug waiting for you like it’s middle school lunch. And after all that effort? The food lands squarely in the “meh” category. Not terrible, not memorable—just there. To top it off, the bussing staff seemed deeply committed to doing the absolute minimum, clearing plates with all the enthusiasm of someone folding laundry they didn’t wear. Sorry, Plaza Grill—but if you’re going to lean this hard into self-service, at least make the experience (or the food) worth it. Right now, it feels like the customers are doing half the job without the paycheck.

Jessie Walkner

4 months ago · ★ 2

Brussels sprouts appetizer was soggy. Cottage pie was over seasoned. Fries were limp. Food was edible but not good like we’ve experienced in the past. The staff woman that asked if if we liked our food refunded the sprouts but when we gave her feedback about the entrées, she just looked at us blankly and said no one else had voiced an issue with the food and slinked away, never to return. My fiancée was exceeding polite and friendly in his feedback and we were in no way rude to her. It was curious with their new set up (where you order the food directly from the cashier’s stand) there seemed to be no management and no “adult” in charge. Plaza Grill has been a standard go to for years and this was disappointing. You can do better! Have the chef taste the food and train your staff to handle constructive feedback politely.