We Review J.O.B Public House

With more than a decade of business under its belt, it’s safe to say J.O.B. Public House holds countless memories within its four walls. When former owner Danny Schlink passed away in December 2022, there was suddenly a gaping hole in the downtown Springfield food and beverage scene. Schlink was known for his jovial and kind spirit and always made his patrons instantly feel at home.

As a Grad School and J.O.B. patron myself, I completely understand why the re-opening was a major cause for celebration. Now, Chris and Nicole Brown, owners of MudLounge, and Clayton and Anne Baker, who own a slew of other downtown spots, including Finnegan’s Wake, Civil Kitchen and Tinga Tacos, have taken over the reins. 

The bar officially reopened this past April, and you can tell the new crew was very careful not to shake things up too much. When I walked in for the first time after the closure, I was met with instant nostalgia. All the same interior details, including the artwork and beautiful wood bar, remained. 

But first glance at the menu, I noticed one change. The beverage menu now includes several whiskey-based cocktails. Schlink was known for his impressive collection of rare whisky, so I thought that was a nice nod to him. My husband Chandler ordered The Second Interview, which he said is a great choice if you’re a fan of Manhattans.

J.O.B. just released an expansive mocktail menu designed by Sophie Liffick, who previously worked the bar at the now-shuttered Progress. On our visit, the mocktail menu wasn’t quite ready yet, but I was still eager to try one of her concoctions. I told her to surprise me, and she brought out a refreshing citrus and ginger sipper. I was so impressed with what she whipped up on the spot, so I can’t wait to try one of her finalized creations.

With an opening hour of 11 a.m., it’s obvious that J.O.B. is much more than a bar. It also serves a hefty food menu fit for lunch or dinner. Schlink formerly owned Grad School, and when it closed in 2020, he started serving some of its greatest hits at the pub. The new team brought back several of the trusty dishes, and we kicked off our meal with a familiar appetizer: a round of cheese pizza balls with marinara. I was super impressed with how the cheese was perfectly melted and not too chewy.

For our main dishes, Chandler went the classic route and ordered The Full Ride. After years of enjoying this burger, we think we finally cracked the code on what makes it so craveable, and it’s the super soft sharp white cheddar cheese spread on the burger. I went with the Codi Brah, which is a veggie burger made with falafel. Each bite left me wanting more, as did the hand-cut fries. It all just goes to show that sometimes things really are as good as you remember them.