Fuel-American Made Bar and Grill

Probably one of the least friendly atmospheres I’ve ever experienced. While this is not traditionally a «sports bar» the staff went out of their way to act annoyed that we wanted to watch a baseball game instead of whatever music videos were on the TVs around them. The food wasn’t bad, the atmosphere quickly turned into a dance club so it was definitely not suited for sports fans. There is a nice patio outside and there is always room for parties of 6+ during sporting events (now we know why) to find a table. The other places around the area seem to keep the same unfriendly customer service experience.
Try Tanner’s down the street at 119^th & Antioch or Johnny’s across the street at 119^th & Glenwood if you are looking for a sports friendly atmosphere with much better customer service.

Randomly came in on a Thursday after work for a beer, while waiting for friends to eat elsewhere. Pleasantly surprised, it was definitely bustling with lots of people but it wasn’t crowded. Which is great because I like to stretch out and relax after work. I took a seat at the bar and was promptly approached. The bartender (s) were friendly and provided great service. I can’t speak for all times of the day but this seems like a really good place for late 20s, 30’s and 40’s to go for a drink and food after work.

I have been coming to Fuel since it opened because my father works for the individuals who own the strip mall and we were trying to support their business. I also happen to work nearby and have enjoyed stopping at Fuel on the way home. Over the years I have invited coworkers to the bar for happy hour, and it sort of became our work hangout. Their happy hour is hard to beat with ½ price everything from 3 — 6. It’s bar food, but decent bar food. The problem is the service, which is hit and miss. Either the service is great, (typically when I get a specific server who has been there for years and knows me) or it’s terrible. By terrible, I mean waiting for over 30 minutes for a drink, then another 30 minutes for anyone to check to see if we need another drink, then orders being incorrect. Unfortunately, this almost always happens when we have a large group of people I have talked into coming to the bar. Tonight I was charged for the wrong thing, and when I asked for it to be corrected the server argued with me and the manager, Sean, got a serious attitude with me and my friend. It’s frustrating because we go there so often, but we were treated like we were lying and trying to get things for free. There are so many times we have put up with slow service, missing orders, wrong orders, etc., but we have continued to go back thinking it will be better next time. There will not be a next time. We enjoy sitting on the patio, and we will continue to do so, but at Red 8 rather than Fuel. Mistakes happen, but making repeat customers feel like they are doing something wrong by asking to pay for what was ordered is terrible customer service and does not deserve our business.

This bar is in a strip mall next to 3 others. My friends and I went to Stanford and sons next door and thought we would check out the bar. It was $ 5 a person to get into the area. We were the only people in fuel and they had a pretty good DJ. One of the guys we were with had on a long white t and just happened to be black. Two bouncers approached him and kicked him out of he bar area because his shirt was too long. He said, «I’ll tuck it in». They said «your sleeves are too long». He said «I’ll roll them up» they said «no». He said «I have a shirt under this» they said «ur still out». I’ve never felt so sad for someone. There was nothing wrong with his shirt. We were the ONLY people in the bar, and of course if our friend is asked to leave, we left with him. Those bouncers should really be ashamed of themselves. I will happily not return.

Waited 15 minutes for a drink. No one at the bar. Had to ask to tab out. Poor service.

My boyfriend and I came into Fuel midday to have a drink to celebrate a great day. There were 4 other people in the bar. We ordered 2 drinks. Mine was really weak and had to ask for another shot for it. I was about half done with my drink and I realized there was a bug in my drink. I told the waitress and she said she would comp the drink. Never asked if I’d like a new one or something else. We got our ticket and it was $ 5.50. We gave her a 20. She gave us $ 5.50 in change when we should have received $ 14.50. We brought it to her attention that we gave her a 20 and she acted like we were trying to scam her. She said ‘are you sure?’ YES! We gave you a 20. Really?! There are 4 other people here and 2 waitresses working. VERY dissatisfied. We have been to Fuel many times before and were shocked by this experience. I doubt we’ll be back!

Was on a trip with my dad and brothers and this place was across the street. We went in to play some pool, the bartender, Riley was great and super friendly. We were never empty on our drinks and she was very, very personable. Ended the low key night with a couple games of pool, some beer and some cocktails and had a good time.
The second night we went back to play pool, this time on a Saturday night. The bar was a little more crowded, however we saw an open table and I went to the bar, waited my turn and then asked the bartender (different girl) if we could have the rack of balls to play and tried to order a couple drinks. Rudely, she told me to ask our server for the pool equipment, even though the balls racks were sitting behind her. I asked her if we could open the tab there and play pool and she ignored me, so I asked again and she turned around and again, rudely told me to talk to the server.
We went to the server who helped us out, albeit interrupting her social session with her non paying friends. We had to go get drinks at the bar every time we were empty, she spent most of her time talking with her friends who were standing at the door of the bar. Her tip was almost non existent.
It’s not hard to do your job and be nice in the process. Places that employ people who lack both abilities aren’t around very long. Go to another bar if there is anyone but Riley working. She’s the only reason this place got two stars.

I have been here a few times over the last year for happy hour with folks from work. They have a great happy hour — 3 – 6 Monday through Friday. Drinks and food are half price. The pours are fine — and I’ve tried several different appetizers which are good — excellent for the price. This is bar food — not gourmet food — and the drinks are simple — nothing fancy. However, it’s a hard-​to-​beat value for happy hour. The service has always been good for us — but it’s never been that busy when we were there.

The American icon burger with side (Monday special $ 5.00) and a drink ($ 2.25) is a great deal. I ordered at my table, and my order was ready in about eight minutes. The burger patty was thick, and tasty. It was served on a toasted bun with fresh veggies, delicious, nicely seasoned fries and rings, and a delicious fried oreo dessert. The service was friendly, and attentive. The interior was clean, and nicely decorated, with 13 TVs and music playing.

Fun place for live music — good food and decent prices. Would love to see the band Coldwater return to Fuel — Bring back Coldwater please!

I have been to Fuel one time and will never go back.
Service was horrible! food was mediocre.
The reason I will NEVER go back is my final bill with tip was $ 75.75. When I received my credit card statement they charged my card $ 143.50

Great location to hang out, large patio.
Morgan our waitress was very attentive.
Service level drops off when they get busy.
Hard to find if you have never been here before, tucked away in a strip mall.

Really good service and reasonable drink prices at $ 4. The waitresses were really friendly. The crowd was definitely older when we were there from about 9 to 10. Id say we were the only ones under 30 & the majority were 40 & up. Maybe it was the band that was getting ready to play.
It wasn’t terrible but I’d much rather go to one of the other three bars where it was more my style. If you’re really liberal, I would feel out of place here (like I did). :)

I agree with some of the reviews here. The wait staff is consistently without a clue. It’s as if they try to make sure your dining experience is complicated.
This place isn’t understaffed by any means. They’ve got enough manpower. Just not enough intellectual wherewithal.
That being said, after a few drinks it actually becomes quite entertaining.

Nice band last night and alright drink prices. People watching was the best part. =D

Honky Tonk meets a biker bar and has an ugly kid… hello fuel.

I’ve heard about Fuel for years, but this was my first time checking it out. There are some positives and negatives, so here we go.
The positives here have to be the large, open patio. It’s basically just a huge slab of concrete with high top tables, but you aren’t bumping elbows with the table next to you so that is always nice. The service was also good. The waitresses wear next to nothing and for some girls that’s a good thing, not so good for others. Either way, they are prompt and friendly.
The negative is the d-​bag factor along with the interior. While there were probably 50 people outside, there were no more than 10 inside. Most of the guys here ranged from cowboy types driving jacked up F-150’s to guys wearing sleeveless shirts and chain smoking Marlboro Reds.
Overall, not a bad spot to meet up and have a few drinks, but not somebody I’d seek out to be my destination for the night.

Compared to Raoul’s next door, this place is freakin’ amazing. However, in the scheme of things… it isn’t. The drinks here are expensive and mixed poorly. Service is mediocre at best, bordering on rude, even when the place is pretty quiet and the bartenders are not working all that hard. Their liquor selection is pretty good, their beer selection… not so much. It’s roomy and clean though, so I’ll give them that.
The music there can be OK, but it isn’t worth it in my mind. I’ll probably not be rushing back here anytime soon.

Just make sure you have some drinks before you go, and you will be able to adjust accordingly to the ear popping loudness of Fuel. You will also be better prepared to fight the many squealing girls for a place at the bar.
The patio area is a nice alternative to hang out and actually be able to have a conversation. They have some heaters and a fire pit for the chilly patrons. The obnoxious motorcyclists always feel the need to flex their egos, and their male parts, by revving their engines to an extremely irritating level. If you are outside, be prepared to jump slightly when said motorcycles are being started.
The drink prices are actually reasonable. I think that Fuel caters to the younger crowd, and they know we like us some $ 1 tube shots and some $ 3 well drinks. So bonus for that.
The cover charge is $ 5 which allows you access to Fuel and it’s sleazy brother next door, Raoul’s Velvet Room.
This is quite an awkward location for a place like this, but it’s OK in my book if you want to get your drink on for cheap and have a fairly good time.

I stopped in here on a Friday night with my girlfriend and her friend for a few drinks. I had no idea what to expect. Upon entering, we picked a table near the bar and sat. After waiting a good 5 minutes for a server to come over to us, it then took about 10 minutes to be served our first drinks. It wasn’t *that* busy, and they were bottles, not mixed drinks.
The next thing I know, an AC/​DC song came on and then there were girls… All kinds of girls dancing on the bar. Some of them hot. some of them, well, not. In any case, it was fun watching them. It was also fun watching my girlfriend get up there and dance with them. Of course being one of only a few lesbian couples in this place full of guys, we were oggled at all night long.
We did at least get a few free drinks out of the whole ordeal, and we did have a lot of fun. Honestly, I figured this type of place would be a lot busier, but it was kind of slow. We spent a lot of time out on the heated patio, which was a nice escape from the creepers who were inside staring at us. This place certainly has the potential to be awesome, but I think it needs a revamp and better service.