Seemingly simply a neighborhood tavern with beer garden, BUT they also have the best onion rings I've ever had, as well as the best hot wings in Bloomington/Normal if not Illinois. It's like tavern food but the best one could imagine. Ice cold beers, too, obviously.
(5)
Theresa N.
The food is typical Midwestern fare. Would you like that fried, fried, or fried? No diner serves a tenderloin sandwich where I live, so that's what I want when I come visit Illinois. I was blown away by the gross enormity of the sandwich....I am not kidding, it's a platter sized piece of tenderloin on a regular sized hamburger bun. My daughter and I got one to share, and we trimmed off enough meat for FOUR more sandwiches. The tenderloin is thick, so be aware if you like your tenderloin thin. It was something like $11 for the sandwich, and an extra charge for another bun. So it came out to $6.00 per meal, not counting the rings. Not too shabby. It's a regular ol' divey restaurant/bar, so dressing as if you just stepped off the tractor is just fine. My sister in law loved her wings. My other sister in law loved her wrap. We also got the onion rings on a recommendation, which are hand cut and battered. Not frozen. They were pretty good.
(3)
Terrance S.
Great wing's and cold beer. Has my favorite beer of Texas on tap! Shiner Boch! Friendly wait staff.
(4)
Casie V.
It's a nice dive bar. Good fish fry and onion rings. The wings are extremely overrated
(3)
KJ V.
Good food! The place to go where locals go. I recommend the onion rings and the fish special. Both are delicious! Decent service. Place could use an update.
(4)
Jake M.
Every time I'm in Bloomington visiting my parents, I head to Schooner's with my dad. It's his local hangout but they do bar food very well. If it's your first time, stick with what they do best: chicken wings and onion rings. I've had wings all over the country and I can't find any that are better. Tender, meaty and perfectly sauced. I prefer the mild with plenty of ranch. I prefer the bar area if a seat is available. Everyone seems to know each other but it's always friendly.
(4)
Mike V.
Had dinner at Schooner's Sunday night. Hard to beat their wild wings, onion rings and a schooner of beer. Not fancy, just tasty and homey. Service is always good.
(4)
Andy T.
Two words: Gebby burger. If for nothing else but the "juice". Great service, award winning wings, a sporty feel makes this neighborhood hangout a place to join with family and friends to celebrate and/or come to discuss weather, politics or religion Just go. It's all good there!
(5)
Dustin F.
Went here with my dad, sister, and grandma. Dad and sister got the onion rings and the supreme tenderloin which they said was just okay. My dad didn't care for the sauce on it as it tasted like pizza sauce. It's not what he remembers either. My grandma got the chili cheese dog and fries which she said was too salty. I, myself, got their Italian beef which was just...meh. It had no good flavor to it at all. I got the aus jus on the side and wanted to try american cheese instead. The fries are gosh darn good, though! The waitress we had was kind and friendly, but beware you only get ONE FREE REFILL. I'd suggest just ordering water if you're low budget. I got a sierra mist which was great! Aside from that I also suggest the bakery right beside this place for dessert as it's much cheaper there. :) Also, it's nice to support bakeries!
(3)
Ann S.
Great wings, onion rings, corn fritters and fried chicken! We have been going here for years. On Wednesday nights they have a fried chicken special and they always have daily lunch and dinner deals.
(5)
Annmarie G.
I went here recently for the first time with a party of 7, and they easily accommodated us. While it was a great place to go with such a large group, I wouldn't say anything special about my experience here. Our waitress went to our table a coupe times to check on us, only to find out that our food hadn't been brought out yet, and both times she apologized for it. It was a little strange, as we probably wouldn't have realized that someone had neglected to give us our food had she not mentioned it. As for food, I ordered a burger and fries, and they were pretty average. My fries were on the cold side. For appetizers, we ordered onion rings, and I those were definitely the best thing I had there. Overall, this was a great place to go given the size of our group and how cheap the food was (my burger was around $7.50), but if I had to rate the experience, I would say it was just "A-OK". Nothing really to write home about.
(3)
Paul H.
I have been in a few times since my original review and the onion rings have been awesome every time! The mozzarella sticks were really good one time and not as good the next time. I like the spicy wings as well, but think Mugsy's are a little better. A co-worker said you have to try the steak sandwich when you come to Schooner's! I will try that next time I go there.
(4)
Cindy H.
We were traveling and I looked on Yelp find a place for lunch. Schooners looked good so we stopped. We were happily rewarded with the special of the day... Pot roast, potatoes and gravy and green beans. The mashed potatoes were crazy good! Pot roast cooked perfectly. For people with salt restrictions this was pretty salty. Overall, the service was fast and friendly...price 6.25!!
(4)
Jamie B.
My husband & I had lunch here while our vehicle was being serviced at Kelly's Automotive. Cute little place. We walked in through the bar by mistake. It appeared to be the front door. The two people working the bar (there were no customers) had no interest in directing us where to go or what to do. A little aggravating. We stumbled upon someone who was taking a liquor order (didn't work for Schooners) who directed us to the dining area around the corner. The staff on this side of the restaurant was much nicer. We were seated right away. Our food came out very quickly. The food was perfectly prepared, very good and a great price! This place filled up about 11:30am and going forward. It was quite packed! If we're ever in this area again, we'll definitely stop in.
(4)
B W.
Wow Delicious! We shared the tenderloin with enough left over for at least two meals, and the onion rings were FANtastic!!!
(4)
Jason H.
Had a great meal, got the full order of onion rings for two of us (still couldn't finish them) and they were awesome! I had the wings which were good and wife got the tenderloin which looked like a meal for four!! Cold beer too, will be coming back here soon!
(5)
Breck S.
The onion rings are great. And by great I mean phenomenal and well within my college student budget. I also had the burger horseshoe which was just what I was looking for. We ha some minor server issues and the soda was flat. All in all a great place for lunch with many good choices for food!!
(4)
Van M.
Schooner's is a local favorite. It's a very segmented space: there's a beer garden, which operates independently (more later), the indoor restaurant seating and bar area. Tap beer inside is served in schooners (see photos) and they do some other things a bit differently. The pork tenderloin is huge -- spilling onto four buns (a must-share item (unless you're trying to prove that you don't care about your health and take pride in how much you can put into your stomach in one sitting)). Corn Fritters are balls of dough/corn kernels, deep-fried and rolled in powdered sugar. Avg size: somewhere between a golf ball and baseball. Schooner's is home to my favorite beer garden in Bloomington-Normal. It's fairly large and has plenty of shade. It's a great place to host a party if you're looking to plan an event. The one oddity is that the beer garden seems to operate independently of the rest of Schooner's. There's a separate beer garden menu, so you're limited on what you can order. For example, if you want a buffalo chicken sandwich, you're out of luck unless your server is willing to make an exception. I'm sure there's some reason for this set-up. If you're reading this and know the reason, by all means, please let me know. Schooner's is an all-around great place though. If you haven't been there and you live in the area, put it high on your list, especially during the summer months. Need-to-know: Schooner's does not accept credit card. They have an ATM machine. Hopefully they'll start taking credit one day soon. Maybe they'll start by taking it only in the beer garden.
(4)
Kevin K.
First of all, a warning. The place only takes cash. There is an ATM inside the place but no credit or checks. The food is very average and not bad but the deep fried corn fritters are amazing. You get 8 per order and that is more than enough for 4-5 people. The fried chicken sandwich is what I had and it wasn't a Chick-fil-a or anything special. The burgers were ok too. Again, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)
Ethan H.
I have never had a bad meal here! The staff is very friendly and the owner is usually around to say hello as well. This bar has a Cheers feel to it. The beer garden is a great spot to enjoy a good meal and a few drinks in the warmer months. They occasionally have live music outside. Inside you can either sit in the bar area or dining area. The dining area is family friendly. I would recommend giving this place a try.
(5)
Christopher A.
Nothing fancy...but great food. Was visiting the area and stopped for the tenderloin and rings...Very good! Cash only though!
(4)
Jim S.
Very local place with loyal customer base. Discovered via yelp when in from out of town. Everyone knew everyone and we totally felt like we were from the neighborhood by the time we left. Burgers were huge and the wings were EXCELLENT!!!
(5)
Katy P.
Great bar food and cheap beer. Cheddar bacon BBQ burger better than many other joints in town. Big beer $3 or $4. Can't beat it!
(4)
Tony B.
Tenderloin was just silly! Very dry and seemed to be cooked earlier in the day. Limited draught beer selection. Other than the reaction when I walked in(of every starring at me) people were having fun and were fine. Onion rings were very good and bartender was friendly.
(2)
Jamie L.
So I've been to Schooner's twice since my last review. I never liked their steak fries that came with each entree, now they have crinkle cut which I like less. But what I do like is that you have an option for your side instead of getting stuck with fries. I still get the onion rings though they are not as good as they once were. The breading is much thicker and I often have onion skin. I like their cheese sticks as an appetizer and both times I've had the ham po'boy and it was really, really good.
(4)
Mike R.
this used to be my favorite lunch time beer garden. The last two visits my chicken sandwich took LITERALLY two hours. The service has become so bad when you sit outside that my coworker and I vowed to never go back. Inside is still good. Typical bar food. A little over priced but generally worth it. Waitresses are usually nice and attentive. Bottom line. Unless you can take a two hour lunch and you are not looking for quick refills - no longer a lunch spot.
(2)
Shannon H.
At the recommendation of a friend and the reviews here on Yelp I gave this place a try for dinner. I must have gotten there right in time as I immediately got a seat, right before the place filled up. I had the wings to start; very good wings, much better than most chain places (Buffalo Wild Wings, I'm looking at you). The smallest size you can order is a pound, which was more wings than I wanted, but whatever. They should offer a smaller order for those dining alone that want some wings to go with their dinner. Bonus points for serving them with blue cheese though (ranch wasn't even offered). I also had the mini tenderloin, as it seemed that the tenderloin was the thing to get here. They were good, but not great. Basically it seemed like I was eating a pork version of Chick-fil-a. The onion rings served with it were great though. The service was a bit off. The waitresses were friendly, but they seemed to expect that I had been there often and knew the routine. Thanks to the previous reviews I knew to bring cash, but they really need to get with the times. Heck, I've seen vending machines that can take cards, so it can't be that hard. Over all I like this place, and will probably be back, just next time I'll try something other than the tenderloin.
(3)
A S.
Good food, hometown restaurant. Order the tenderloin, but bring buddies to share. This place doesn't accept credit cards so Bring cash!
(4)
Aaron H.
I love this bar! I have been a loyal customer to Schooners for more than 8 years and I love it. The food, the staff, the drinks and of course those loud guys in the bar! The wings are great, the soups (always homemade), and the burgers are great. The pricing is fair and although I am not a beer garden person, it is fun. Keep it up Schooners!
(5)
Linda C.
This food is wonderful and has been for the last 25 years. We love the onion rings, Italian sausage sandwich and the pork tenderloin which will feed at least 4 people. I don't believe one penny has been spent on updates but that's O.K. This is a cash only place, be prepared. This place is worth the visit not withstanding how it looks.
(4)
S. C.
We drove two hours to eat at Schooners and I would definitely do it again. My son needed driving hours and that is just one more excuse for a road trip to find a good place to eat. We arrived about two and got a table right away. The place was clean and the service was very good. My son ordered a Horseshoe Sandwich and substituted steak fries; I wasn't going to leave without trying the King Tenderloin. I ordered it with two buns, but found it difficult to pay extra for a tomato, so I did without. We also ordered a whole order of onion rings. The Horseshoe Sandwich was cooked to perfection. The sauce was excellent. The onion rings were greasy and a little too plain. I normally can handle greasy food, but this was a little more than I care for. The King Tenderloin was huge. I had no trouble setting aside half to take home to my husband and still couldn't finish my half. It tasted good, but I guess I need a little seasoning or dressing to give it that "can't put it down" pizazz. It isn't easy getting my 16 year old to say he's full, but he did on this trip. The prices were great for the quantity of food we received and the quality of service we experienced. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Kent K.
I waited after three times visiting this establishment to review. Ate on 2 out of 3. First on the food, wings are good, the all-you-can-eat walleye is average, and the cheeseburger is great. I keep hearing from people this place is a locals only and patrons are not too keen to letting others in their "club". I have not gotten that feeling. Everyone seems very talkative and are having a good time enjoying a schooner a beer and a bite to eat. Good sports vibe to the place. Typical central Illinois Cubs vs. Cards rivalry. The tavern is divided into three parts...dining room, beer garden, and bar room. Each area has a different feel. Dining room is good for groups and may I suggest if your kid is screaming or running around stick to the dining room and stay out of the bar area.
(4)
Angela D.
It's really tough to give Schooner's a 3-star rating, but after eating there with our family over the past year, I'm being generous. 1) Wings are still AWESOME! Best in town, in my opinion!! The rest of the food? Mediocre, at best--burgers are overdone, fries can be purchased at Kroger, chicken is bland and that tenderloin? You know...the one that is supposed to be the size of a pizza pan? Yeah, not so much anymore. Plus, it costs more for less--didn't think we'd notice, eh Schooner's?? We did. 3) Cash only. Come on, Schooner's...get with the program - it's the 21st Century for God's sakes! 4) Cost. WAY TO HIGH for the food. Sorry. I can take my family of four to Rosie's downtown for burgers + fries all around + sodas for the kids, a few beers for the husband and a couple of 'ritas for me = around $55 before tip. Basically that same meal at Schooner's? Our check last Friday was $76. BEFORE TIP! (Only difference was we added 2 lbs. of wings; however, I did NOT have a margarita...just iced tea.) We'll be limiting our visits to Schooner's for carry-out only from now on...sigh.
(3)
Ralph W.
We were faithful followers of this local restaurant. However, THREE times in a row the service was so bad we won't be going back for a while, perhaps never. 20+ minutes to be waited on, long delay until food arrived, and then it was cold. This wasn't a problem in the past, but three times in a row is inexcusable.
(1)
Meghan B.
How have I not reviewed Schooners yet? I took the lead photo! Schooners is a townie-mostly bar, something I crave occasionally to get away from the Medici or Fat Jacks (Tuesday only) crowd. Best beer you'll find is the Sam Adams, but it always tastes good and is served cold. I love, love, love the big glasses that they come in. It can be very crowded, but we've never had too much trouble finding a place to sit and dive in to some onion rings, which I agree may be the best in town. It's not someplace I seek out often, but when I'm in the mood for a super casual spot where I likely won't see anyone I know and want to eat greasy food and gripe about work, this place is magic. Great outdoor patio in summer months, too! Bring cash.
(4)
John B.
Sat on the bar side, Shiner on draft! a little slow with drinks from the bar; Onion rings had great flavor but we're to greasy and tough for me;. I had fried chicken, tender & juicy with great thin crispy crust but lacked seasoning. Came with everyday frozen crinkle fries and store bought dinner roll that I didn't even try. Suz had the Italian Beef that she said compared with 'Johnnies Beef' in Elmwood Park and really liked the Au Jus. Forgot it was CASH ONLY when it was time to pay the bill. Over all, definitely a locals place and with so many other places to try, will look elsewhere next time.
(2)
Tony B.
Tenderloin was just silly! Very dry and seemed to be cooked earlier in the day. Limited draught beer selection. Other than the reaction when I walked in(of every starring at me) people were having fun and were fine. Onion rings were very good and bartender was friendly.
(2)
Shannon H.
At the recommendation of a friend and the reviews here on Yelp I gave this place a try for dinner. I must have gotten there right in time as I immediately got a seat, right before the place filled up. I had the wings to start; very good wings, much better than most chain places (Buffalo Wild Wings, I'm looking at you). The smallest size you can order is a pound, which was more wings than I wanted, but whatever. They should offer a smaller order for those dining alone that want some wings to go with their dinner. Bonus points for serving them with blue cheese though (ranch wasn't even offered). I also had the mini tenderloin, as it seemed that the tenderloin was the thing to get here. They were good, but not great. Basically it seemed like I was eating a pork version of Chick-fil-a. The onion rings served with it were great though. The service was a bit off. The waitresses were friendly, but they seemed to expect that I had been there often and knew the routine. Thanks to the previous reviews I knew to bring cash, but they really need to get with the times. Heck, I've seen vending machines that can take cards, so it can't be that hard. Over all I like this place, and will probably be back, just next time I'll try something other than the tenderloin.
(3)
A S.
Good food, hometown restaurant. Order the tenderloin, but bring buddies to share. This place doesn't accept credit cards so Bring cash!
(4)
Zac B.
I was not impressed and i came with such high hopes. I've seen my share of low bars which are fun, but this wasn't. Ill just list out the problems. 1. Beer specials good, not great 2. Interior super cheap, even for a dive, looks like they robbed a third rate dinning hall to furnish the dinning area. 3. food was alright, way over priced. 4. no credit card, come on give me a break. 5. I can't blame the bar but others mentioned it in their comments. It was really annoying having a bunch of loud men who were well over forty. I don't have any problem with people getting drunk or having fun, but this was just pathetic and annoying.
(2)
Jamie L.
So I've been to Schooner's twice since my last review. I never liked their steak fries that came with each entree, now they have crinkle cut which I like less. But what I do like is that you have an option for your side instead of getting stuck with fries. I still get the onion rings though they are not as good as they once were. The breading is much thicker and I often have onion skin. I like their cheese sticks as an appetizer and both times I've had the ham po'boy and it was really, really good.
(4)
Aaron H.
I love this bar! I have been a loyal customer to Schooners for more than 8 years and I love it. The food, the staff, the drinks and of course those loud guys in the bar! The wings are great, the soups (always homemade), and the burgers are great. The pricing is fair and although I am not a beer garden person, it is fun. Keep it up Schooners!
(5)
Eric G.
I am really torn about this review because it has one really great thing going for it but a few down sides. The great thing up front is the onion rings and corn fritters. They are unique and taste awesome. The Rings have extra batter that is so crispy and flavorful that you have a hard time saving room for the rest of your meal. The down sides are the price, the wait times, and they do not take credit cards. I have had the hot wings and the beer battered chicken and thought both were okay. I would really prefer that they use the same batter used for the onion rings on the fried chicken adding a little more spice for kick, but this tends to be a place I will go back for the onion rings alone maybe once every few months.
(3)
Julie O.
Onion rings and chicken wings.oh my! So I really had no idea this was a full-service restaurant, because as we walked up, all I saw was a beer garden with a guy singing and playing guitar. It was nice out and it was summertime and well, you get the picture. The beer is cheap, the atmosphere great and the onion rings are awesome. Cash only is a bit of a hardship, but I have endured worse.
(4)
Grace S.
Never been here before despite living in the town for 6 years. The food: First off, I don't like buffalo wings, ever, but the buffalo wings here were delicious!! I would get them again. But would probably never venture to try them anywhere else. Like I said, I don't like buffalo wings. Also, the corn fritters are to die for. Amazing amounts of powdered sugar on a HUGE corn fritter? Yes please! Then I had the cheddar, bbq, bacon burger... mmm! It had generous amounts of bacon. Overall, it was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere: Small town restaurant feel. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. Service was prompt and friendly. Very crowded but not overwhelming. Reasonable prices. I think the bill was $50 or so for the 3 us including alcohol, appetizers, and entrees.
(4)
Travis T.
Lunch - Schooner Burger and onion rings... Burger grilled to perfect medium. Onion rings are big and crispy...very light. Great lunch for under $10...cash only (ATM inside)
(3)
Troy S.
Some of my earliest memories of eating out aren't McDonalds, they are getting a tenderloin pizza and some yummy onion rings. Simply put: this is the ultimate divey greasy pub style restaurant. That is what makes it great, their prices are super low and there is an attached bar, if you prefer bar seating.
(4)
Melissa D.
I love big beers. And cold beers. And cheap beers! :) Schooners has 'em. Cash only. Could be worse, right? Pork tenderloin, OMG. Get the one for 4 and it's under 10 bucks and it is so delish. I've never had a pork tenderloin until I tried it at Schooners, and I will never ever have one from somewhere else. Hands down, one of the best sandwiches ever. The onion rings are amazing. Yum yum yum! :) The wings are pretty good too. It's a great bar and I definitely suggest you get over there and get yourself a big ol' beer. :) I really like that indian statue looking guy on the bar too. Awesome.
(5)
Carmello J.
If there was a hall of fame for local awesome sauce resteraunts this place would be a first ballot. Amazing food, friendly staff, love the local/hometown feel to the place. If you wanted to dine at a visually appealing resteraunt go to the olive garden. A must for those who love greasy food and dig the small town local owned type resteraunt. Battered Hot Wings for the win!
(4)
Jessica M.
Excellent!!! First time trying this place. I would highly recommend the onion rings and the battered wings! Possibly the best traditional wings in town. Sorry Hooters but I found a new restaurant with much better wings and service! We did a carryout order but it was still delicious. The only take cash though.
(5)
Kim M.
Oh Schooner's, how I miss thee. Grew up in Bloomington and we would go here every week. I'd play pinball. Parents would drink beer. We'd leave smelling like cigarettes and come back the next week anyways. The owners now are the same owners from when I was growing up, so every time we go back there are always the familiar faces of both the managers and the customers. The place is like frozen in time, I tell you. Minus the smoke, now. I worked here in college for a couple of years as well and yes, the place is a total grease bomb. Having gone back recently, If I had to guess I'd say that there was a change in staff in the kitchen based on the quality of the food. But regardless, the favorites: 1. Chicken Strips - the sauce that comes with them is out of this world. It does have a kick which I love. The strips themselves almost seem double battered. Crunchy batter. 2. Onion Rings - They have the best onion rings there, but be prepared for some major indigestion. 3. Pork Tenderloin - served on a pizza pan, big enough for your entire family. 4. Chicken Wings - This is probably the first place that I ever had chicken wings. They set the bar pretty high. 5. Beer - If you are getting beer here, make sure you get the schooner glass. It's cheap, and freezing cold!! Don't go to Schooner's expecting out of this world service. It's a super casual place. Also don't go there with your kids and then get ticked off if there are people there that are using words that you may not think are appropriate for your children. It's not a family joint unless you are pretty laid back.
(4)
Chef B.
some of the best wings in town. A close 2nd to Mugsy's, IMO. I love, love, love their beergarden. I just wish their full menu was available outside. I don't understand ... the other food is just 15 feet away. Please bring me some of it. Cash only is also annoying. It's 2012. I've paid for groceries with nothing more than my fingerprint, but I need cash to buy wings and beer? It's time to upgrade. I'm picking nits . . . i still really like Schooners. It's a good place to go. Nothing fancy, just good stuff.
(4)
Jessica S.
The tenderloin is over-rated and dried out, HOWEVER... there are two things you have to go there to enjoy. And bring cash... no plastic here. The onion rings. Oh my goodness the onion rings. Best in town. Seriously, lightly beer battered flavor, get the biggest basket you can and don't share. Be greedy and make others get their own. They have a special, I think its the first Tuesday of every month. Chicken Fried Steak, Corn and Mashed Potatoes. Best I've ever had. Beer garden is nice too, shaded with tables, tree cover and umbrellas. Local place with regulars, but don't be afraid to stop here, everyone is more than friendly.
(4)
Scott B.
Very down to earth place with a friendly atomosphere. Secluded bar area and seperate sit down dine in provide a good time for one person who wants to drink a beer and watch a game, and also a family who just wants to eat good food at a good price. Nicely done, Schooners. (Skoo-ners) CASH ONLY!
(4)
Kyle P.
good time. had a great tenderloin breaded sandwich thing that was the size of tire and some wings....nice little drinking bar and everyone was nice to me
(5)
Mike R.
this used to be my favorite lunch time beer garden. The last two visits my chicken sandwich took LITERALLY two hours. The service has become so bad when you sit outside that my coworker and I vowed to never go back. Inside is still good. Typical bar food. A little over priced but generally worth it. Waitresses are usually nice and attentive. Bottom line. Unless you can take a two hour lunch and you are not looking for quick refills - no longer a lunch spot.
(2)
John S.
My wife and I just returned from Schooner's. It was my 2nd time going there and 2nd time that I wasn't impressed. Today I ordered the 1lb catfish dinner, and boy was I disappointed. The menu does not come close to describing what you get when you order this. I assumed it would be served up like the rest of the world serves up fish.. Filleted. But I was quite wrong. When the waitress rounded the corner I could see the tail and instantly knew this would not go well. Thankfully it didn't have a head or skin, but still it made my stomach turn over instantly seeing the shape and tail. I then took my fork and pulled off a bit of meat to see the bones. I tried to eat, but it just wasn't happening. I took 4 bites and I was done. My wife ordered the buffalo wrap, but took only a few bites because she did not like the blue cheese dressing. She does love the onion rings though, and a half order is still a huge amount. Anyway, our waitress came to refill my drink, at which point I asked for the check. She asked if we wanted a box, my first thought was "so I can take it home and give it a proper burial". I would have expected a waitress seeing people have only taken a couple bites would ask if there was a problem with the food, but that didn't happen. The menu could have only been more vague if it had taken a cue from My Cousin Vinny and only said "Breakfast $1.99, Lunch $2.49, Dinner $3.49" I don't think I will go back to Schooner's again. The fact that the waitress never asked how our food was or if there was something wrong with it when we didn't eat much, that just shows that there is little care on the quality of the service or customer satisfaction. The menu's lack of description is a serious concern, especially for those that could have food allergies or are a bit squimish with certain ways in which foods are prepared. I would also say that accepting cash only is a bit lazy. I mean, this is the 21st century. I would think that if the amish can accept a debit card, then Schooner's should be able to as well.
(2)
Troy J.
Dining area is a little dated and a bit on the small side. If your looking for your daily dose of grease, your in luck. I had the corn fritters, onion rings, and the deep fried pork chop sandwich. The onion rings were great! Hand dipped freshly battered, fried perfectly. The corn fritters were better than than I expected. Fried pork chop was pretty good. A little heavy on the batter but good. Overall a good lunch, service was good. If your in the mood for grease, they can fix you up. Cash only!
(4)
Austin A.
A local gem. Best onion rings, kick ass corn fritters, slammin wings, dank cheese burgers, a tenderloin that could (feed the children) I drive a cab in Bloomington and if I like somebody enough, I might tell them about this place.
(5)
Ema N.
Your neighborhood place to go for great food and friendly faces.
(5)
Jacob B.
Schooners is where you go for wings! Hands down. If I owned a business, it would be cash only by the way......there's a reason for that. The beer, the food, the people, the memories........never had a bad experience here.
(5)
Tim J.
I should like Schooner's more than I do, but that is their fault, not mine. I love divey beer bars with decent food and laid-back places frequented by regular folks who find that five o'clock sometimes comes early. It doesn't bother me if I'm the youngest guy in the bar, and I'm not even that young. But Schooner's does one crucial thing wrong (on purpose), and they get 2 stars from me for it. If you're here with a group, and especially if you are drinking, the tab can go beyond what most folks carry on hand. Unlike every other bar/restaurant that is this big and well-established they only take cash. They are too stingy to take the small percentage rip from the card companies that every other small business does and instead pass that cost on to you, their customer. But wait, it gets worse. They refuse to take the hit that every other similar business does, and then they offer to let you use their on-premises ATM at $2 a pop, plus whatever your bank charges you at the end of the month. Since the ATM is either theirs, leased by them, or leasing space from them, they get a slice of every transaction. Prices on food and drinks here are average to high for the quality before all this nickel and dime garbage. The irony is that (I have a buddy that works with bars to diminish their losses from theft) they probably lose more money doing this because it is easier for staff to steal from them this way than with cards. So, they inconvenience you, cost you extra money, and make money at your expense. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
L F.
Good food, great price! You can't beat schooners if you are looking for greasy good bar food (but they also have healthy options like the Mesquite Chicken Salad!). I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu! But if you go, you must order a rootbeer shooter, it's the bars non-advertised specialty drink - it's a large shot (hints the name shooter) that taste like soda - you become a regular once you try this!!!
(5)
Dodd V.
Not a great place to look at, but a wonderful place to eat. As mentioned by others, their pork tenderloin sandwich is very good and extremely generous. It really is a meal for 2-3 people. You know it is going to be a monster when they ask you how many buns you want with it. It is about a 9-10 inch round tenderloin. Buffalo wings are great, and ordered by the pound. Burgers, other sandwiches and fried chicken are also very good. Go for the food and reasonable prices, not for the atmosphere.
(4)
Ying W.
Having lived in California for 4 years now I've definitely expanded my stomach horizon, but the one thing that you can never find out here is a big, tasty, fried pork tenderloin sandwich, and dammit, Schooner's is the best there is. Now if only they would take credit/debit....
(4)
Russ C.
Like an inside joke when you aren't in on it. It's typical bar food and a subpar beer list, and is cash only (can we say tax evasion). It's crowded and loud which is probably the appeal if you are a regular but not exactly appealing if you aren't part of the crowd.
(1)
Sue R.
Two words....tenderloin and rings. They are both awesome and you can take them home and eat them for days!
(5)
Sean H.
Seemingly simply a neighborhood tavern with beer garden, BUT they also have the best onion rings I've ever had, as well as the best hot wings in Bloomington/Normal if not Illinois. It's like tavern food but the best one could imagine. Ice cold beers, too, obviously.
(5)
Meredith H.
i grew up going to schooners and usually try to make it there when i am back in b-n visiting my parents or friends. definitely a local spot - not typically where the college kids hang out. growing up in the area, i thought "everyone" knew about schooners. i'm glad i was naive - i much prefer the local crowd. the food is greasy, but completely delicious. my family always gets the same appetizers each time we go - corn fritters and onion rings. i'm sure we are taking years off of our lives by eating these things, but i guess you only live once. i've tried to explain schooners onion rings to people who haven't been there and i just can't do them justice. you have to try them for yourself! the beer garden is fun during the summer and now that the smoking ban exists, sitting in the bar isn't bad either!
(4)
Kelly M.
THE place for locals in town...sort of in the middle of a residential area...not easy to find, but worth the hunt!! My husband LOVES the tenderloin...if you go with someone, share it- too much food for one! Great beer garden when the weather is nice.
(5)
Jenna M.
Love this place, although the kitchen hygiene has a reputation for being pretty grotesque (out of sight, out of mind, though). Beer-battered onion rings are the best in town, pork tenderloin spans 3 hamburger buns (each extra bun is $0.25), their burgers are known to be good, but excessively greasy. House dressing is a combo of ranch and bleu cheese - perfect. All meals are around $5. Beer garden outside. This is a local place, incredibly popular with the 40-50 crowd. Every Friday and Saturday night you can count on seeing the same people there (school teachers are a bulk of these regulars). Pin ball machine and a few booths in the small and always back-to-back crowded bar area.
(5)
Andy T.
Two words: Gebby burger. If for nothing else but the "juice". Great service, award winning wings, a sporty feel makes this neighborhood hangout a place to join with family and friends to celebrate and/or come to discuss weather, politics or religion Just go. It's all good there!
(5)
Dustin F.
Went here with my dad, sister, and grandma. Dad and sister got the onion rings and the supreme tenderloin which they said was just okay. My dad didn't care for the sauce on it as it tasted like pizza sauce. It's not what he remembers either. My grandma got the chili cheese dog and fries which she said was too salty. I, myself, got their Italian beef which was just...meh. It had no good flavor to it at all. I got the aus jus on the side and wanted to try american cheese instead. The fries are gosh darn good, though! The waitress we had was kind and friendly, but beware you only get ONE FREE REFILL. I'd suggest just ordering water if you're low budget. I got a sierra mist which was great! Aside from that I also suggest the bakery right beside this place for dessert as it's much cheaper there. :) Also, it's nice to support bakeries!
(3)
Annmarie G.
I went here recently for the first time with a party of 7, and they easily accommodated us. While it was a great place to go with such a large group, I wouldn't say anything special about my experience here. Our waitress went to our table a coupe times to check on us, only to find out that our food hadn't been brought out yet, and both times she apologized for it. It was a little strange, as we probably wouldn't have realized that someone had neglected to give us our food had she not mentioned it. As for food, I ordered a burger and fries, and they were pretty average. My fries were on the cold side. For appetizers, we ordered onion rings, and I those were definitely the best thing I had there. Overall, this was a great place to go given the size of our group and how cheap the food was (my burger was around $7.50), but if I had to rate the experience, I would say it was just "A-OK". Nothing really to write home about.
(3)
Paul H.
I have been in a few times since my original review and the onion rings have been awesome every time! The mozzarella sticks were really good one time and not as good the next time. I like the spicy wings as well, but think Mugsy's are a little better. A co-worker said you have to try the steak sandwich when you come to Schooner's! I will try that next time I go there.
(4)
Cindy H.
We were traveling and I looked on Yelp find a place for lunch. Schooners looked good so we stopped. We were happily rewarded with the special of the day... Pot roast, potatoes and gravy and green beans. The mashed potatoes were crazy good! Pot roast cooked perfectly. For people with salt restrictions this was pretty salty. Overall, the service was fast and friendly...price 6.25!!
(4)
Jamie B.
My husband & I had lunch here while our vehicle was being serviced at Kelly's Automotive. Cute little place. We walked in through the bar by mistake. It appeared to be the front door. The two people working the bar (there were no customers) had no interest in directing us where to go or what to do. A little aggravating. We stumbled upon someone who was taking a liquor order (didn't work for Schooners) who directed us to the dining area around the corner. The staff on this side of the restaurant was much nicer. We were seated right away. Our food came out very quickly. The food was perfectly prepared, very good and a great price! This place filled up about 11:30am and going forward. It was quite packed! If we're ever in this area again, we'll definitely stop in.
(4)
B W.
Wow Delicious! We shared the tenderloin with enough left over for at least two meals, and the onion rings were FANtastic!!!
(4)
Jason H.
Had a great meal, got the full order of onion rings for two of us (still couldn't finish them) and they were awesome! I had the wings which were good and wife got the tenderloin which looked like a meal for four!! Cold beer too, will be coming back here soon!
(5)
Breck S.
The onion rings are great. And by great I mean phenomenal and well within my college student budget. I also had the burger horseshoe which was just what I was looking for. We ha some minor server issues and the soda was flat. All in all a great place for lunch with many good choices for food!!
(4)
Ann S.
Great wings, onion rings, corn fritters and fried chicken! We have been going here for years. On Wednesday nights they have a fried chicken special and they always have daily lunch and dinner deals.
(5)
Ethan H.
I have never had a bad meal here! The staff is very friendly and the owner is usually around to say hello as well. This bar has a Cheers feel to it. The beer garden is a great spot to enjoy a good meal and a few drinks in the warmer months. They occasionally have live music outside. Inside you can either sit in the bar area or dining area. The dining area is family friendly. I would recommend giving this place a try.
(5)
Christopher A.
Nothing fancy...but great food. Was visiting the area and stopped for the tenderloin and rings...Very good! Cash only though!
(4)
Theresa N.
The food is typical Midwestern fare. Would you like that fried, fried, or fried? No diner serves a tenderloin sandwich where I live, so that's what I want when I come visit Illinois. I was blown away by the gross enormity of the sandwich....I am not kidding, it's a platter sized piece of tenderloin on a regular sized hamburger bun. My daughter and I got one to share, and we trimmed off enough meat for FOUR more sandwiches. The tenderloin is thick, so be aware if you like your tenderloin thin. It was something like $11 for the sandwich, and an extra charge for another bun. So it came out to $6.00 per meal, not counting the rings. Not too shabby. It's a regular ol' divey restaurant/bar, so dressing as if you just stepped off the tractor is just fine. My sister in law loved her wings. My other sister in law loved her wrap. We also got the onion rings on a recommendation, which are hand cut and battered. Not frozen. They were pretty good.
(3)
Terrance S.
Great wing's and cold beer. Has my favorite beer of Texas on tap! Shiner Boch! Friendly wait staff.
(4)
Casie V.
It's a nice dive bar. Good fish fry and onion rings. The wings are extremely overrated
(3)
KJ V.
Good food! The place to go where locals go. I recommend the onion rings and the fish special. Both are delicious! Decent service. Place could use an update.
(4)
Van M.
Schooner's is a local favorite. It's a very segmented space: there's a beer garden, which operates independently (more later), the indoor restaurant seating and bar area. Tap beer inside is served in schooners (see photos) and they do some other things a bit differently. The pork tenderloin is huge -- spilling onto four buns (a must-share item (unless you're trying to prove that you don't care about your health and take pride in how much you can put into your stomach in one sitting)). Corn Fritters are balls of dough/corn kernels, deep-fried and rolled in powdered sugar. Avg size: somewhere between a golf ball and baseball. Schooner's is home to my favorite beer garden in Bloomington-Normal. It's fairly large and has plenty of shade. It's a great place to host a party if you're looking to plan an event. The one oddity is that the beer garden seems to operate independently of the rest of Schooner's. There's a separate beer garden menu, so you're limited on what you can order. For example, if you want a buffalo chicken sandwich, you're out of luck unless your server is willing to make an exception. I'm sure there's some reason for this set-up. If you're reading this and know the reason, by all means, please let me know. Schooner's is an all-around great place though. If you haven't been there and you live in the area, put it high on your list, especially during the summer months. Need-to-know: Schooner's does not accept credit card. They have an ATM machine. Hopefully they'll start taking credit one day soon. Maybe they'll start by taking it only in the beer garden.
(4)
Kevin K.
First of all, a warning. The place only takes cash. There is an ATM inside the place but no credit or checks. The food is very average and not bad but the deep fried corn fritters are amazing. You get 8 per order and that is more than enough for 4-5 people. The fried chicken sandwich is what I had and it wasn't a Chick-fil-a or anything special. The burgers were ok too. Again, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)
Jim S.
Very local place with loyal customer base. Discovered via yelp when in from out of town. Everyone knew everyone and we totally felt like we were from the neighborhood by the time we left. Burgers were huge and the wings were EXCELLENT!!!
(5)
Katy P.
Great bar food and cheap beer. Cheddar bacon BBQ burger better than many other joints in town. Big beer $3 or $4. Can't beat it!
(4)
Jake M.
Every time I'm in Bloomington visiting my parents, I head to Schooner's with my dad. It's his local hangout but they do bar food very well. If it's your first time, stick with what they do best: chicken wings and onion rings. I've had wings all over the country and I can't find any that are better. Tender, meaty and perfectly sauced. I prefer the mild with plenty of ranch. I prefer the bar area if a seat is available. Everyone seems to know each other but it's always friendly.
(4)
Mike V.
Had dinner at Schooner's Sunday night. Hard to beat their wild wings, onion rings and a schooner of beer. Not fancy, just tasty and homey. Service is always good.
(4)
Linda C.
This food is wonderful and has been for the last 25 years. We love the onion rings, Italian sausage sandwich and the pork tenderloin which will feed at least 4 people. I don't believe one penny has been spent on updates but that's O.K. This is a cash only place, be prepared. This place is worth the visit not withstanding how it looks.
(4)
S. C.
We drove two hours to eat at Schooners and I would definitely do it again. My son needed driving hours and that is just one more excuse for a road trip to find a good place to eat. We arrived about two and got a table right away. The place was clean and the service was very good. My son ordered a Horseshoe Sandwich and substituted steak fries; I wasn't going to leave without trying the King Tenderloin. I ordered it with two buns, but found it difficult to pay extra for a tomato, so I did without. We also ordered a whole order of onion rings. The Horseshoe Sandwich was cooked to perfection. The sauce was excellent. The onion rings were greasy and a little too plain. I normally can handle greasy food, but this was a little more than I care for. The King Tenderloin was huge. I had no trouble setting aside half to take home to my husband and still couldn't finish my half. It tasted good, but I guess I need a little seasoning or dressing to give it that "can't put it down" pizazz. It isn't easy getting my 16 year old to say he's full, but he did on this trip. The prices were great for the quantity of food we received and the quality of service we experienced. We will definitely be back.
(4)
John B.
Sat on the bar side, Shiner on draft! a little slow with drinks from the bar; Onion rings had great flavor but we're to greasy and tough for me;. I had fried chicken, tender & juicy with great thin crispy crust but lacked seasoning. Came with everyday frozen crinkle fries and store bought dinner roll that I didn't even try. Suz had the Italian Beef that she said compared with 'Johnnies Beef' in Elmwood Park and really liked the Au Jus. Forgot it was CASH ONLY when it was time to pay the bill. Over all, definitely a locals place and with so many other places to try, will look elsewhere next time.
(2)
Kent K.
I waited after three times visiting this establishment to review. Ate on 2 out of 3. First on the food, wings are good, the all-you-can-eat walleye is average, and the cheeseburger is great. I keep hearing from people this place is a locals only and patrons are not too keen to letting others in their "club". I have not gotten that feeling. Everyone seems very talkative and are having a good time enjoying a schooner a beer and a bite to eat. Good sports vibe to the place. Typical central Illinois Cubs vs. Cards rivalry. The tavern is divided into three parts...dining room, beer garden, and bar room. Each area has a different feel. Dining room is good for groups and may I suggest if your kid is screaming or running around stick to the dining room and stay out of the bar area.
(4)
Ralph W.
We were faithful followers of this local restaurant. However, THREE times in a row the service was so bad we won't be going back for a while, perhaps never. 20+ minutes to be waited on, long delay until food arrived, and then it was cold. This wasn't a problem in the past, but three times in a row is inexcusable.
(1)
Angela D.
It's really tough to give Schooner's a 3-star rating, but after eating there with our family over the past year, I'm being generous. 1) Wings are still AWESOME! Best in town, in my opinion!! The rest of the food? Mediocre, at best--burgers are overdone, fries can be purchased at Kroger, chicken is bland and that tenderloin? You know...the one that is supposed to be the size of a pizza pan? Yeah, not so much anymore. Plus, it costs more for less--didn't think we'd notice, eh Schooner's?? We did. 3) Cash only. Come on, Schooner's...get with the program - it's the 21st Century for God's sakes! 4) Cost. WAY TO HIGH for the food. Sorry. I can take my family of four to Rosie's downtown for burgers + fries all around + sodas for the kids, a few beers for the husband and a couple of 'ritas for me = around $55 before tip. Basically that same meal at Schooner's? Our check last Friday was $76. BEFORE TIP! (Only difference was we added 2 lbs. of wings; however, I did NOT have a margarita...just iced tea.) We'll be limiting our visits to Schooner's for carry-out only from now on...sigh.
(3)
Meghan B.
How have I not reviewed Schooners yet? I took the lead photo! Schooners is a townie-mostly bar, something I crave occasionally to get away from the Medici or Fat Jacks (Tuesday only) crowd. Best beer you'll find is the Sam Adams, but it always tastes good and is served cold. I love, love, love the big glasses that they come in. It can be very crowded, but we've never had too much trouble finding a place to sit and dive in to some onion rings, which I agree may be the best in town. It's not someplace I seek out often, but when I'm in the mood for a super casual spot where I likely won't see anyone I know and want to eat greasy food and gripe about work, this place is magic. Great outdoor patio in summer months, too! Bring cash.
(4)
Adam C.
Went with the 2 stars only because I've been here multiple times and had good experiences as well but last trip here will unfortunately be the last trip here.... Was in town visiting family and usually when they say where do you want to go schooners is top of my list. So schooners we went, and boy was I disappointed... Normally food is awesome and service is friendly and great but we didn't have anything good to say about this visit, it started the second we walked in the door and all you could smell was a strong odor of bathroom stalls like you were at an arena for a concert or something. Originally they were going to sit us right by them and we asked for a different table. Not to mention a woman stating it was her first day to a table of patrons as we walked in.... We unfortunately received that waitress as our own, her name was "Amy" ( sorry to bust you out Amy but did so in hopes of you not ruining someone else's experience) She was very slow and you could tell didn't know what she was doing. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted to start with an appetizer, we went with a half order of onion rings. She left for a short period and came back with our drinks. She proceeded to take our order. We had 4 adults and one child. The entire time she took our order she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the tv that was right above us. So much so she took everyone's order but mine and walked away. I had to call out to her for her to come back. Where it all went down hill, the onion rings took forever and came out about 2 minutes before our meal when multiple other tables who had came in after received there's before us. Our order was as followed... One schooner burger with cheddar cheese,tomatoes and lettuce substitute fries for coleslaw. Buffalo chicken wrap minus blue cheese add ranch dressing Pork tenderloin sliders plain ( waitress stated they came that way unless items were added) Chicken with side salad house dressing Grilled cheese with fries........ Burger came with Swiss and no toppings with fries not coleslaw Tenderloin sliders came with onions and pickles And my wrap had blue cheese. When the waitress asked how everything was I couldn't help but laugh. She had got the grilled cheese right at least. When I sent my wrap back due to the blue cheese she came back out stating the chef said it wasn't it was ranch. I never seen ranch come in chunky block like formations. ( I know the difference between ranch and blue cheese) the owner even came to table to tell me that they used a ranch/blue cheese combo. Seriously???? Which is it? Is it on there or not. After a few minutes the owner came back and finally admitted the waitress made yet another mistake and hadn't ordered it without the blue cheese. Btw coleslaw never came out either!!!!! To top it all off the bill was 57.44. We gave her 60$ when she came back to the table she brought a dollar. Now I might not be great at math but 60-57.44 is not a dollar. What a joke and what a disappointment. Owner offered me a free sandwich and beer next time I'm in but that does me no good since I won't be. Needless to say Amy was my first experience not leaving a tip. My only tip to her would be to find another line of work you cost schooners a loyal customer of over 15 years!
(2)
Jim H.
It's 2014 and I couldn't pay via credit card.....come on Schooners. With all the choices in the area...???? We won't be back for this reason alone.
(1)
Eric G.
I am really torn about this review because it has one really great thing going for it but a few down sides. The great thing up front is the onion rings and corn fritters. They are unique and taste awesome. The Rings have extra batter that is so crispy and flavorful that you have a hard time saving room for the rest of your meal. The down sides are the price, the wait times, and they do not take credit cards. I have had the hot wings and the beer battered chicken and thought both were okay. I would really prefer that they use the same batter used for the onion rings on the fried chicken adding a little more spice for kick, but this tends to be a place I will go back for the onion rings alone maybe once every few months.
(3)
Julie O.
Onion rings and chicken wings.oh my! So I really had no idea this was a full-service restaurant, because as we walked up, all I saw was a beer garden with a guy singing and playing guitar. It was nice out and it was summertime and well, you get the picture. The beer is cheap, the atmosphere great and the onion rings are awesome. Cash only is a bit of a hardship, but I have endured worse.
(4)
Grace S.
Never been here before despite living in the town for 6 years. The food: First off, I don't like buffalo wings, ever, but the buffalo wings here were delicious!! I would get them again. But would probably never venture to try them anywhere else. Like I said, I don't like buffalo wings. Also, the corn fritters are to die for. Amazing amounts of powdered sugar on a HUGE corn fritter? Yes please! Then I had the cheddar, bbq, bacon burger... mmm! It had generous amounts of bacon. Overall, it was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere: Small town restaurant feel. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. Service was prompt and friendly. Very crowded but not overwhelming. Reasonable prices. I think the bill was $50 or so for the 3 us including alcohol, appetizers, and entrees.
(4)
Travis T.
Lunch - Schooner Burger and onion rings... Burger grilled to perfect medium. Onion rings are big and crispy...very light. Great lunch for under $10...cash only (ATM inside)
(3)
Troy S.
Some of my earliest memories of eating out aren't McDonalds, they are getting a tenderloin pizza and some yummy onion rings. Simply put: this is the ultimate divey greasy pub style restaurant. That is what makes it great, their prices are super low and there is an attached bar, if you prefer bar seating.
(4)
Melissa D.
I love big beers. And cold beers. And cheap beers! :) Schooners has 'em. Cash only. Could be worse, right? Pork tenderloin, OMG. Get the one for 4 and it's under 10 bucks and it is so delish. I've never had a pork tenderloin until I tried it at Schooners, and I will never ever have one from somewhere else. Hands down, one of the best sandwiches ever. The onion rings are amazing. Yum yum yum! :) The wings are pretty good too. It's a great bar and I definitely suggest you get over there and get yourself a big ol' beer. :) I really like that indian statue looking guy on the bar too. Awesome.
(5)
Carmello J.
If there was a hall of fame for local awesome sauce resteraunts this place would be a first ballot. Amazing food, friendly staff, love the local/hometown feel to the place. If you wanted to dine at a visually appealing resteraunt go to the olive garden. A must for those who love greasy food and dig the small town local owned type resteraunt. Battered Hot Wings for the win!
(4)
Jessica M.
Excellent!!! First time trying this place. I would highly recommend the onion rings and the battered wings! Possibly the best traditional wings in town. Sorry Hooters but I found a new restaurant with much better wings and service! We did a carryout order but it was still delicious. The only take cash though.
(5)
Chef B.
some of the best wings in town. A close 2nd to Mugsy's, IMO. I love, love, love their beergarden. I just wish their full menu was available outside. I don't understand ... the other food is just 15 feet away. Please bring me some of it. Cash only is also annoying. It's 2012. I've paid for groceries with nothing more than my fingerprint, but I need cash to buy wings and beer? It's time to upgrade. I'm picking nits . . . i still really like Schooners. It's a good place to go. Nothing fancy, just good stuff.
(4)
Kim M.
Oh Schooner's, how I miss thee. Grew up in Bloomington and we would go here every week. I'd play pinball. Parents would drink beer. We'd leave smelling like cigarettes and come back the next week anyways. The owners now are the same owners from when I was growing up, so every time we go back there are always the familiar faces of both the managers and the customers. The place is like frozen in time, I tell you. Minus the smoke, now. I worked here in college for a couple of years as well and yes, the place is a total grease bomb. Having gone back recently, If I had to guess I'd say that there was a change in staff in the kitchen based on the quality of the food. But regardless, the favorites: 1. Chicken Strips - the sauce that comes with them is out of this world. It does have a kick which I love. The strips themselves almost seem double battered. Crunchy batter. 2. Onion Rings - They have the best onion rings there, but be prepared for some major indigestion. 3. Pork Tenderloin - served on a pizza pan, big enough for your entire family. 4. Chicken Wings - This is probably the first place that I ever had chicken wings. They set the bar pretty high. 5. Beer - If you are getting beer here, make sure you get the schooner glass. It's cheap, and freezing cold!! Don't go to Schooner's expecting out of this world service. It's a super casual place. Also don't go there with your kids and then get ticked off if there are people there that are using words that you may not think are appropriate for your children. It's not a family joint unless you are pretty laid back.
(4)
Jessica S.
The tenderloin is over-rated and dried out, HOWEVER... there are two things you have to go there to enjoy. And bring cash... no plastic here. The onion rings. Oh my goodness the onion rings. Best in town. Seriously, lightly beer battered flavor, get the biggest basket you can and don't share. Be greedy and make others get their own. They have a special, I think its the first Tuesday of every month. Chicken Fried Steak, Corn and Mashed Potatoes. Best I've ever had. Beer garden is nice too, shaded with tables, tree cover and umbrellas. Local place with regulars, but don't be afraid to stop here, everyone is more than friendly.
(4)
Scott B.
Very down to earth place with a friendly atomosphere. Secluded bar area and seperate sit down dine in provide a good time for one person who wants to drink a beer and watch a game, and also a family who just wants to eat good food at a good price. Nicely done, Schooners. (Skoo-ners) CASH ONLY!
(4)
Kyle P.
good time. had a great tenderloin breaded sandwich thing that was the size of tire and some wings....nice little drinking bar and everyone was nice to me
(5)
Zac B.
I was not impressed and i came with such high hopes. I've seen my share of low bars which are fun, but this wasn't. Ill just list out the problems. 1. Beer specials good, not great 2. Interior super cheap, even for a dive, looks like they robbed a third rate dinning hall to furnish the dinning area. 3. food was alright, way over priced. 4. no credit card, come on give me a break. 5. I can't blame the bar but others mentioned it in their comments. It was really annoying having a bunch of loud men who were well over forty. I don't have any problem with people getting drunk or having fun, but this was just pathetic and annoying.
(2)
John S.
My wife and I just returned from Schooner's. It was my 2nd time going there and 2nd time that I wasn't impressed. Today I ordered the 1lb catfish dinner, and boy was I disappointed. The menu does not come close to describing what you get when you order this. I assumed it would be served up like the rest of the world serves up fish.. Filleted. But I was quite wrong. When the waitress rounded the corner I could see the tail and instantly knew this would not go well. Thankfully it didn't have a head or skin, but still it made my stomach turn over instantly seeing the shape and tail. I then took my fork and pulled off a bit of meat to see the bones. I tried to eat, but it just wasn't happening. I took 4 bites and I was done. My wife ordered the buffalo wrap, but took only a few bites because she did not like the blue cheese dressing. She does love the onion rings though, and a half order is still a huge amount. Anyway, our waitress came to refill my drink, at which point I asked for the check. She asked if we wanted a box, my first thought was "so I can take it home and give it a proper burial". I would have expected a waitress seeing people have only taken a couple bites would ask if there was a problem with the food, but that didn't happen. The menu could have only been more vague if it had taken a cue from My Cousin Vinny and only said "Breakfast $1.99, Lunch $2.49, Dinner $3.49" I don't think I will go back to Schooner's again. The fact that the waitress never asked how our food was or if there was something wrong with it when we didn't eat much, that just shows that there is little care on the quality of the service or customer satisfaction. The menu's lack of description is a serious concern, especially for those that could have food allergies or are a bit squimish with certain ways in which foods are prepared. I would also say that accepting cash only is a bit lazy. I mean, this is the 21st century. I would think that if the amish can accept a debit card, then Schooner's should be able to as well.
(2)
Troy J.
Dining area is a little dated and a bit on the small side. If your looking for your daily dose of grease, your in luck. I had the corn fritters, onion rings, and the deep fried pork chop sandwich. The onion rings were great! Hand dipped freshly battered, fried perfectly. The corn fritters were better than than I expected. Fried pork chop was pretty good. A little heavy on the batter but good. Overall a good lunch, service was good. If your in the mood for grease, they can fix you up. Cash only!
(4)
Austin A.
A local gem. Best onion rings, kick ass corn fritters, slammin wings, dank cheese burgers, a tenderloin that could (feed the children) I drive a cab in Bloomington and if I like somebody enough, I might tell them about this place.
(5)
Ema N.
Your neighborhood place to go for great food and friendly faces.
(5)
Jacob B.
Schooners is where you go for wings! Hands down. If I owned a business, it would be cash only by the way......there's a reason for that. The beer, the food, the people, the memories........never had a bad experience here.
(5)
Tim J.
I should like Schooner's more than I do, but that is their fault, not mine. I love divey beer bars with decent food and laid-back places frequented by regular folks who find that five o'clock sometimes comes early. It doesn't bother me if I'm the youngest guy in the bar, and I'm not even that young. But Schooner's does one crucial thing wrong (on purpose), and they get 2 stars from me for it. If you're here with a group, and especially if you are drinking, the tab can go beyond what most folks carry on hand. Unlike every other bar/restaurant that is this big and well-established they only take cash. They are too stingy to take the small percentage rip from the card companies that every other small business does and instead pass that cost on to you, their customer. But wait, it gets worse. They refuse to take the hit that every other similar business does, and then they offer to let you use their on-premises ATM at $2 a pop, plus whatever your bank charges you at the end of the month. Since the ATM is either theirs, leased by them, or leasing space from them, they get a slice of every transaction. Prices on food and drinks here are average to high for the quality before all this nickel and dime garbage. The irony is that (I have a buddy that works with bars to diminish their losses from theft) they probably lose more money doing this because it is easier for staff to steal from them this way than with cards. So, they inconvenience you, cost you extra money, and make money at your expense. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
L F.
Good food, great price! You can't beat schooners if you are looking for greasy good bar food (but they also have healthy options like the Mesquite Chicken Salad!). I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu! But if you go, you must order a rootbeer shooter, it's the bars non-advertised specialty drink - it's a large shot (hints the name shooter) that taste like soda - you become a regular once you try this!!!
(5)
Dodd V.
Not a great place to look at, but a wonderful place to eat. As mentioned by others, their pork tenderloin sandwich is very good and extremely generous. It really is a meal for 2-3 people. You know it is going to be a monster when they ask you how many buns you want with it. It is about a 9-10 inch round tenderloin. Buffalo wings are great, and ordered by the pound. Burgers, other sandwiches and fried chicken are also very good. Go for the food and reasonable prices, not for the atmosphere.
(4)
Ying W.
Having lived in California for 4 years now I've definitely expanded my stomach horizon, but the one thing that you can never find out here is a big, tasty, fried pork tenderloin sandwich, and dammit, Schooner's is the best there is. Now if only they would take credit/debit....
(4)
Russ C.
Like an inside joke when you aren't in on it. It's typical bar food and a subpar beer list, and is cash only (can we say tax evasion). It's crowded and loud which is probably the appeal if you are a regular but not exactly appealing if you aren't part of the crowd.
(1)
Sue R.
Two words....tenderloin and rings. They are both awesome and you can take them home and eat them for days!
(5)
Meredith H.
i grew up going to schooners and usually try to make it there when i am back in b-n visiting my parents or friends. definitely a local spot - not typically where the college kids hang out. growing up in the area, i thought "everyone" knew about schooners. i'm glad i was naive - i much prefer the local crowd. the food is greasy, but completely delicious. my family always gets the same appetizers each time we go - corn fritters and onion rings. i'm sure we are taking years off of our lives by eating these things, but i guess you only live once. i've tried to explain schooners onion rings to people who haven't been there and i just can't do them justice. you have to try them for yourself! the beer garden is fun during the summer and now that the smoking ban exists, sitting in the bar isn't bad either!
(4)
Kelly M.
THE place for locals in town...sort of in the middle of a residential area...not easy to find, but worth the hunt!! My husband LOVES the tenderloin...if you go with someone, share it- too much food for one! Great beer garden when the weather is nice.
(5)
Jenna M.
Love this place, although the kitchen hygiene has a reputation for being pretty grotesque (out of sight, out of mind, though). Beer-battered onion rings are the best in town, pork tenderloin spans 3 hamburger buns (each extra bun is $0.25), their burgers are known to be good, but excessively greasy. House dressing is a combo of ranch and bleu cheese - perfect. All meals are around $5. Beer garden outside. This is a local place, incredibly popular with the 40-50 crowd. Every Friday and Saturday night you can count on seeing the same people there (school teachers are a bulk of these regulars). Pin ball machine and a few booths in the small and always back-to-back crowded bar area.
(5)
Adam C.
Went with the 2 stars only because I've been here multiple times and had good experiences as well but last trip here will unfortunately be the last trip here.... Was in town visiting family and usually when they say where do you want to go schooners is top of my list. So schooners we went, and boy was I disappointed... Normally food is awesome and service is friendly and great but we didn't have anything good to say about this visit, it started the second we walked in the door and all you could smell was a strong odor of bathroom stalls like you were at an arena for a concert or something. Originally they were going to sit us right by them and we asked for a different table. Not to mention a woman stating it was her first day to a table of patrons as we walked in.... We unfortunately received that waitress as our own, her name was "Amy" ( sorry to bust you out Amy but did so in hopes of you not ruining someone else's experience) She was very slow and you could tell didn't know what she was doing. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted to start with an appetizer, we went with a half order of onion rings. She left for a short period and came back with our drinks. She proceeded to take our order. We had 4 adults and one child. The entire time she took our order she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the tv that was right above us. So much so she took everyone's order but mine and walked away. I had to call out to her for her to come back. Where it all went down hill, the onion rings took forever and came out about 2 minutes before our meal when multiple other tables who had came in after received there's before us. Our order was as followed... One schooner burger with cheddar cheese,tomatoes and lettuce substitute fries for coleslaw. Buffalo chicken wrap minus blue cheese add ranch dressing Pork tenderloin sliders plain ( waitress stated they came that way unless items were added) Chicken with side salad house dressing Grilled cheese with fries........ Burger came with Swiss and no toppings with fries not coleslaw Tenderloin sliders came with onions and pickles And my wrap had blue cheese. When the waitress asked how everything was I couldn't help but laugh. She had got the grilled cheese right at least. When I sent my wrap back due to the blue cheese she came back out stating the chef said it wasn't it was ranch. I never seen ranch come in chunky block like formations. ( I know the difference between ranch and blue cheese) the owner even came to table to tell me that they used a ranch/blue cheese combo. Seriously???? Which is it? Is it on there or not. After a few minutes the owner came back and finally admitted the waitress made yet another mistake and hadn't ordered it without the blue cheese. Btw coleslaw never came out either!!!!! To top it all off the bill was 57.44. We gave her 60$ when she came back to the table she brought a dollar. Now I might not be great at math but 60-57.44 is not a dollar. What a joke and what a disappointment. Owner offered me a free sandwich and beer next time I'm in but that does me no good since I won't be. Needless to say Amy was my first experience not leaving a tip. My only tip to her would be to find another line of work you cost schooners a loyal customer of over 15 years!
(2)
Jim H.
It's 2014 and I couldn't pay via credit card.....come on Schooners. With all the choices in the area...???? We won't be back for this reason alone.
(1)
Andy T.
Two words: Gebby burger. If for nothing else but the "juice". Great service, award winning wings, a sporty feel makes this neighborhood hangout a place to join with family and friends to celebrate and/or come to discuss weather, politics or religion Just go. It's all good there!
(5)
Dustin F.
Went here with my dad, sister, and grandma. Dad and sister got the onion rings and the supreme tenderloin which they said was just okay. My dad didn't care for the sauce on it as it tasted like pizza sauce. It's not what he remembers either. My grandma got the chili cheese dog and fries which she said was too salty. I, myself, got their Italian beef which was just...meh. It had no good flavor to it at all. I got the aus jus on the side and wanted to try american cheese instead. The fries are gosh darn good, though! The waitress we had was kind and friendly, but beware you only get ONE FREE REFILL. I'd suggest just ordering water if you're low budget. I got a sierra mist which was great! Aside from that I also suggest the bakery right beside this place for dessert as it's much cheaper there. :) Also, it's nice to support bakeries!
(3)
Annmarie G.
I went here recently for the first time with a party of 7, and they easily accommodated us. While it was a great place to go with such a large group, I wouldn't say anything special about my experience here. Our waitress went to our table a coupe times to check on us, only to find out that our food hadn't been brought out yet, and both times she apologized for it. It was a little strange, as we probably wouldn't have realized that someone had neglected to give us our food had she not mentioned it. As for food, I ordered a burger and fries, and they were pretty average. My fries were on the cold side. For appetizers, we ordered onion rings, and I those were definitely the best thing I had there. Overall, this was a great place to go given the size of our group and how cheap the food was (my burger was around $7.50), but if I had to rate the experience, I would say it was just "A-OK". Nothing really to write home about.
(3)
Paul H.
I have been in a few times since my original review and the onion rings have been awesome every time! The mozzarella sticks were really good one time and not as good the next time. I like the spicy wings as well, but think Mugsy's are a little better. A co-worker said you have to try the steak sandwich when you come to Schooner's! I will try that next time I go there.
(4)
Cindy H.
We were traveling and I looked on Yelp find a place for lunch. Schooners looked good so we stopped. We were happily rewarded with the special of the day... Pot roast, potatoes and gravy and green beans. The mashed potatoes were crazy good! Pot roast cooked perfectly. For people with salt restrictions this was pretty salty. Overall, the service was fast and friendly...price 6.25!!
(4)
Mike R.
this used to be my favorite lunch time beer garden. The last two visits my chicken sandwich took LITERALLY two hours. The service has become so bad when you sit outside that my coworker and I vowed to never go back. Inside is still good. Typical bar food. A little over priced but generally worth it. Waitresses are usually nice and attentive. Bottom line. Unless you can take a two hour lunch and you are not looking for quick refills - no longer a lunch spot.
(2)
John S.
My wife and I just returned from Schooner's. It was my 2nd time going there and 2nd time that I wasn't impressed. Today I ordered the 1lb catfish dinner, and boy was I disappointed. The menu does not come close to describing what you get when you order this. I assumed it would be served up like the rest of the world serves up fish.. Filleted. But I was quite wrong. When the waitress rounded the corner I could see the tail and instantly knew this would not go well. Thankfully it didn't have a head or skin, but still it made my stomach turn over instantly seeing the shape and tail. I then took my fork and pulled off a bit of meat to see the bones. I tried to eat, but it just wasn't happening. I took 4 bites and I was done. My wife ordered the buffalo wrap, but took only a few bites because she did not like the blue cheese dressing. She does love the onion rings though, and a half order is still a huge amount. Anyway, our waitress came to refill my drink, at which point I asked for the check. She asked if we wanted a box, my first thought was "so I can take it home and give it a proper burial". I would have expected a waitress seeing people have only taken a couple bites would ask if there was a problem with the food, but that didn't happen. The menu could have only been more vague if it had taken a cue from My Cousin Vinny and only said "Breakfast $1.99, Lunch $2.49, Dinner $3.49" I don't think I will go back to Schooner's again. The fact that the waitress never asked how our food was or if there was something wrong with it when we didn't eat much, that just shows that there is little care on the quality of the service or customer satisfaction. The menu's lack of description is a serious concern, especially for those that could have food allergies or are a bit squimish with certain ways in which foods are prepared. I would also say that accepting cash only is a bit lazy. I mean, this is the 21st century. I would think that if the amish can accept a debit card, then Schooner's should be able to as well.
(2)
Troy J.
Dining area is a little dated and a bit on the small side. If your looking for your daily dose of grease, your in luck. I had the corn fritters, onion rings, and the deep fried pork chop sandwich. The onion rings were great! Hand dipped freshly battered, fried perfectly. The corn fritters were better than than I expected. Fried pork chop was pretty good. A little heavy on the batter but good. Overall a good lunch, service was good. If your in the mood for grease, they can fix you up. Cash only!
(4)
Austin A.
A local gem. Best onion rings, kick ass corn fritters, slammin wings, dank cheese burgers, a tenderloin that could (feed the children) I drive a cab in Bloomington and if I like somebody enough, I might tell them about this place.
(5)
Ema N.
Your neighborhood place to go for great food and friendly faces.
(5)
Jacob B.
Schooners is where you go for wings! Hands down. If I owned a business, it would be cash only by the way......there's a reason for that. The beer, the food, the people, the memories........never had a bad experience here.
(5)
Tim J.
I should like Schooner's more than I do, but that is their fault, not mine. I love divey beer bars with decent food and laid-back places frequented by regular folks who find that five o'clock sometimes comes early. It doesn't bother me if I'm the youngest guy in the bar, and I'm not even that young. But Schooner's does one crucial thing wrong (on purpose), and they get 2 stars from me for it. If you're here with a group, and especially if you are drinking, the tab can go beyond what most folks carry on hand. Unlike every other bar/restaurant that is this big and well-established they only take cash. They are too stingy to take the small percentage rip from the card companies that every other small business does and instead pass that cost on to you, their customer. But wait, it gets worse. They refuse to take the hit that every other similar business does, and then they offer to let you use their on-premises ATM at $2 a pop, plus whatever your bank charges you at the end of the month. Since the ATM is either theirs, leased by them, or leasing space from them, they get a slice of every transaction. Prices on food and drinks here are average to high for the quality before all this nickel and dime garbage. The irony is that (I have a buddy that works with bars to diminish their losses from theft) they probably lose more money doing this because it is easier for staff to steal from them this way than with cards. So, they inconvenience you, cost you extra money, and make money at your expense. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
Jamie B.
My husband & I had lunch here while our vehicle was being serviced at Kelly's Automotive. Cute little place. We walked in through the bar by mistake. It appeared to be the front door. The two people working the bar (there were no customers) had no interest in directing us where to go or what to do. A little aggravating. We stumbled upon someone who was taking a liquor order (didn't work for Schooners) who directed us to the dining area around the corner. The staff on this side of the restaurant was much nicer. We were seated right away. Our food came out very quickly. The food was perfectly prepared, very good and a great price! This place filled up about 11:30am and going forward. It was quite packed! If we're ever in this area again, we'll definitely stop in.
(4)
B W.
Wow Delicious! We shared the tenderloin with enough left over for at least two meals, and the onion rings were FANtastic!!!
(4)
Jason H.
Had a great meal, got the full order of onion rings for two of us (still couldn't finish them) and they were awesome! I had the wings which were good and wife got the tenderloin which looked like a meal for four!! Cold beer too, will be coming back here soon!
(5)
Breck S.
The onion rings are great. And by great I mean phenomenal and well within my college student budget. I also had the burger horseshoe which was just what I was looking for. We ha some minor server issues and the soda was flat. All in all a great place for lunch with many good choices for food!!
(4)
Ann S.
Great wings, onion rings, corn fritters and fried chicken! We have been going here for years. On Wednesday nights they have a fried chicken special and they always have daily lunch and dinner deals.
(5)
Theresa N.
The food is typical Midwestern fare. Would you like that fried, fried, or fried? No diner serves a tenderloin sandwich where I live, so that's what I want when I come visit Illinois. I was blown away by the gross enormity of the sandwich....I am not kidding, it's a platter sized piece of tenderloin on a regular sized hamburger bun. My daughter and I got one to share, and we trimmed off enough meat for FOUR more sandwiches. The tenderloin is thick, so be aware if you like your tenderloin thin. It was something like $11 for the sandwich, and an extra charge for another bun. So it came out to $6.00 per meal, not counting the rings. Not too shabby. It's a regular ol' divey restaurant/bar, so dressing as if you just stepped off the tractor is just fine. My sister in law loved her wings. My other sister in law loved her wrap. We also got the onion rings on a recommendation, which are hand cut and battered. Not frozen. They were pretty good.
(3)
Terrance S.
Great wing's and cold beer. Has my favorite beer of Texas on tap! Shiner Boch! Friendly wait staff.
(4)
Casie V.
It's a nice dive bar. Good fish fry and onion rings. The wings are extremely overrated
(3)
KJ V.
Good food! The place to go where locals go. I recommend the onion rings and the fish special. Both are delicious! Decent service. Place could use an update.
(4)
Van M.
Schooner's is a local favorite. It's a very segmented space: there's a beer garden, which operates independently (more later), the indoor restaurant seating and bar area. Tap beer inside is served in schooners (see photos) and they do some other things a bit differently. The pork tenderloin is huge -- spilling onto four buns (a must-share item (unless you're trying to prove that you don't care about your health and take pride in how much you can put into your stomach in one sitting)). Corn Fritters are balls of dough/corn kernels, deep-fried and rolled in powdered sugar. Avg size: somewhere between a golf ball and baseball. Schooner's is home to my favorite beer garden in Bloomington-Normal. It's fairly large and has plenty of shade. It's a great place to host a party if you're looking to plan an event. The one oddity is that the beer garden seems to operate independently of the rest of Schooner's. There's a separate beer garden menu, so you're limited on what you can order. For example, if you want a buffalo chicken sandwich, you're out of luck unless your server is willing to make an exception. I'm sure there's some reason for this set-up. If you're reading this and know the reason, by all means, please let me know. Schooner's is an all-around great place though. If you haven't been there and you live in the area, put it high on your list, especially during the summer months. Need-to-know: Schooner's does not accept credit card. They have an ATM machine. Hopefully they'll start taking credit one day soon. Maybe they'll start by taking it only in the beer garden.
(4)
Kevin K.
First of all, a warning. The place only takes cash. There is an ATM inside the place but no credit or checks. The food is very average and not bad but the deep fried corn fritters are amazing. You get 8 per order and that is more than enough for 4-5 people. The fried chicken sandwich is what I had and it wasn't a Chick-fil-a or anything special. The burgers were ok too. Again, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)
Ethan H.
I have never had a bad meal here! The staff is very friendly and the owner is usually around to say hello as well. This bar has a Cheers feel to it. The beer garden is a great spot to enjoy a good meal and a few drinks in the warmer months. They occasionally have live music outside. Inside you can either sit in the bar area or dining area. The dining area is family friendly. I would recommend giving this place a try.
(5)
Christopher A.
Nothing fancy...but great food. Was visiting the area and stopped for the tenderloin and rings...Very good! Cash only though!
(4)
Jim S.
Very local place with loyal customer base. Discovered via yelp when in from out of town. Everyone knew everyone and we totally felt like we were from the neighborhood by the time we left. Burgers were huge and the wings were EXCELLENT!!!
(5)
Katy P.
Great bar food and cheap beer. Cheddar bacon BBQ burger better than many other joints in town. Big beer $3 or $4. Can't beat it!
(4)
Jake M.
Every time I'm in Bloomington visiting my parents, I head to Schooner's with my dad. It's his local hangout but they do bar food very well. If it's your first time, stick with what they do best: chicken wings and onion rings. I've had wings all over the country and I can't find any that are better. Tender, meaty and perfectly sauced. I prefer the mild with plenty of ranch. I prefer the bar area if a seat is available. Everyone seems to know each other but it's always friendly.
(4)
Mike V.
Had dinner at Schooner's Sunday night. Hard to beat their wild wings, onion rings and a schooner of beer. Not fancy, just tasty and homey. Service is always good.
(4)
Linda C.
This food is wonderful and has been for the last 25 years. We love the onion rings, Italian sausage sandwich and the pork tenderloin which will feed at least 4 people. I don't believe one penny has been spent on updates but that's O.K. This is a cash only place, be prepared. This place is worth the visit not withstanding how it looks.
(4)
S. C.
We drove two hours to eat at Schooners and I would definitely do it again. My son needed driving hours and that is just one more excuse for a road trip to find a good place to eat. We arrived about two and got a table right away. The place was clean and the service was very good. My son ordered a Horseshoe Sandwich and substituted steak fries; I wasn't going to leave without trying the King Tenderloin. I ordered it with two buns, but found it difficult to pay extra for a tomato, so I did without. We also ordered a whole order of onion rings. The Horseshoe Sandwich was cooked to perfection. The sauce was excellent. The onion rings were greasy and a little too plain. I normally can handle greasy food, but this was a little more than I care for. The King Tenderloin was huge. I had no trouble setting aside half to take home to my husband and still couldn't finish my half. It tasted good, but I guess I need a little seasoning or dressing to give it that "can't put it down" pizazz. It isn't easy getting my 16 year old to say he's full, but he did on this trip. The prices were great for the quantity of food we received and the quality of service we experienced. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Kent K.
I waited after three times visiting this establishment to review. Ate on 2 out of 3. First on the food, wings are good, the all-you-can-eat walleye is average, and the cheeseburger is great. I keep hearing from people this place is a locals only and patrons are not too keen to letting others in their "club". I have not gotten that feeling. Everyone seems very talkative and are having a good time enjoying a schooner a beer and a bite to eat. Good sports vibe to the place. Typical central Illinois Cubs vs. Cards rivalry. The tavern is divided into three parts...dining room, beer garden, and bar room. Each area has a different feel. Dining room is good for groups and may I suggest if your kid is screaming or running around stick to the dining room and stay out of the bar area.
(4)
Ralph W.
We were faithful followers of this local restaurant. However, THREE times in a row the service was so bad we won't be going back for a while, perhaps never. 20+ minutes to be waited on, long delay until food arrived, and then it was cold. This wasn't a problem in the past, but three times in a row is inexcusable.
(1)
Angela D.
It's really tough to give Schooner's a 3-star rating, but after eating there with our family over the past year, I'm being generous. 1) Wings are still AWESOME! Best in town, in my opinion!! The rest of the food? Mediocre, at best--burgers are overdone, fries can be purchased at Kroger, chicken is bland and that tenderloin? You know...the one that is supposed to be the size of a pizza pan? Yeah, not so much anymore. Plus, it costs more for less--didn't think we'd notice, eh Schooner's?? We did. 3) Cash only. Come on, Schooner's...get with the program - it's the 21st Century for God's sakes! 4) Cost. WAY TO HIGH for the food. Sorry. I can take my family of four to Rosie's downtown for burgers + fries all around + sodas for the kids, a few beers for the husband and a couple of 'ritas for me = around $55 before tip. Basically that same meal at Schooner's? Our check last Friday was $76. BEFORE TIP! (Only difference was we added 2 lbs. of wings; however, I did NOT have a margarita...just iced tea.) We'll be limiting our visits to Schooner's for carry-out only from now on...sigh.
(3)
Meghan B.
How have I not reviewed Schooners yet? I took the lead photo! Schooners is a townie-mostly bar, something I crave occasionally to get away from the Medici or Fat Jacks (Tuesday only) crowd. Best beer you'll find is the Sam Adams, but it always tastes good and is served cold. I love, love, love the big glasses that they come in. It can be very crowded, but we've never had too much trouble finding a place to sit and dive in to some onion rings, which I agree may be the best in town. It's not someplace I seek out often, but when I'm in the mood for a super casual spot where I likely won't see anyone I know and want to eat greasy food and gripe about work, this place is magic. Great outdoor patio in summer months, too! Bring cash.
(4)
John B.
Sat on the bar side, Shiner on draft! a little slow with drinks from the bar; Onion rings had great flavor but we're to greasy and tough for me;. I had fried chicken, tender & juicy with great thin crispy crust but lacked seasoning. Came with everyday frozen crinkle fries and store bought dinner roll that I didn't even try. Suz had the Italian Beef that she said compared with 'Johnnies Beef' in Elmwood Park and really liked the Au Jus. Forgot it was CASH ONLY when it was time to pay the bill. Over all, definitely a locals place and with so many other places to try, will look elsewhere next time.
(2)
Tony B.
Tenderloin was just silly! Very dry and seemed to be cooked earlier in the day. Limited draught beer selection. Other than the reaction when I walked in(of every starring at me) people were having fun and were fine. Onion rings were very good and bartender was friendly.
(2)
Jamie L.
So I've been to Schooner's twice since my last review. I never liked their steak fries that came with each entree, now they have crinkle cut which I like less. But what I do like is that you have an option for your side instead of getting stuck with fries. I still get the onion rings though they are not as good as they once were. The breading is much thicker and I often have onion skin. I like their cheese sticks as an appetizer and both times I've had the ham po'boy and it was really, really good.
(4)
Adam C.
Went with the 2 stars only because I've been here multiple times and had good experiences as well but last trip here will unfortunately be the last trip here.... Was in town visiting family and usually when they say where do you want to go schooners is top of my list. So schooners we went, and boy was I disappointed... Normally food is awesome and service is friendly and great but we didn't have anything good to say about this visit, it started the second we walked in the door and all you could smell was a strong odor of bathroom stalls like you were at an arena for a concert or something. Originally they were going to sit us right by them and we asked for a different table. Not to mention a woman stating it was her first day to a table of patrons as we walked in.... We unfortunately received that waitress as our own, her name was "Amy" ( sorry to bust you out Amy but did so in hopes of you not ruining someone else's experience) She was very slow and you could tell didn't know what she was doing. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted to start with an appetizer, we went with a half order of onion rings. She left for a short period and came back with our drinks. She proceeded to take our order. We had 4 adults and one child. The entire time she took our order she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the tv that was right above us. So much so she took everyone's order but mine and walked away. I had to call out to her for her to come back. Where it all went down hill, the onion rings took forever and came out about 2 minutes before our meal when multiple other tables who had came in after received there's before us. Our order was as followed... One schooner burger with cheddar cheese,tomatoes and lettuce substitute fries for coleslaw. Buffalo chicken wrap minus blue cheese add ranch dressing Pork tenderloin sliders plain ( waitress stated they came that way unless items were added) Chicken with side salad house dressing Grilled cheese with fries........ Burger came with Swiss and no toppings with fries not coleslaw Tenderloin sliders came with onions and pickles And my wrap had blue cheese. When the waitress asked how everything was I couldn't help but laugh. She had got the grilled cheese right at least. When I sent my wrap back due to the blue cheese she came back out stating the chef said it wasn't it was ranch. I never seen ranch come in chunky block like formations. ( I know the difference between ranch and blue cheese) the owner even came to table to tell me that they used a ranch/blue cheese combo. Seriously???? Which is it? Is it on there or not. After a few minutes the owner came back and finally admitted the waitress made yet another mistake and hadn't ordered it without the blue cheese. Btw coleslaw never came out either!!!!! To top it all off the bill was 57.44. We gave her 60$ when she came back to the table she brought a dollar. Now I might not be great at math but 60-57.44 is not a dollar. What a joke and what a disappointment. Owner offered me a free sandwich and beer next time I'm in but that does me no good since I won't be. Needless to say Amy was my first experience not leaving a tip. My only tip to her would be to find another line of work you cost schooners a loyal customer of over 15 years!
(2)
Jim H.
It's 2014 and I couldn't pay via credit card.....come on Schooners. With all the choices in the area...???? We won't be back for this reason alone.
(1)
Shannon H.
At the recommendation of a friend and the reviews here on Yelp I gave this place a try for dinner. I must have gotten there right in time as I immediately got a seat, right before the place filled up. I had the wings to start; very good wings, much better than most chain places (Buffalo Wild Wings, I'm looking at you). The smallest size you can order is a pound, which was more wings than I wanted, but whatever. They should offer a smaller order for those dining alone that want some wings to go with their dinner. Bonus points for serving them with blue cheese though (ranch wasn't even offered). I also had the mini tenderloin, as it seemed that the tenderloin was the thing to get here. They were good, but not great. Basically it seemed like I was eating a pork version of Chick-fil-a. The onion rings served with it were great though. The service was a bit off. The waitresses were friendly, but they seemed to expect that I had been there often and knew the routine. Thanks to the previous reviews I knew to bring cash, but they really need to get with the times. Heck, I've seen vending machines that can take cards, so it can't be that hard. Over all I like this place, and will probably be back, just next time I'll try something other than the tenderloin.
(3)
A S.
Good food, hometown restaurant. Order the tenderloin, but bring buddies to share. This place doesn't accept credit cards so Bring cash!
(4)
Aaron H.
I love this bar! I have been a loyal customer to Schooners for more than 8 years and I love it. The food, the staff, the drinks and of course those loud guys in the bar! The wings are great, the soups (always homemade), and the burgers are great. The pricing is fair and although I am not a beer garden person, it is fun. Keep it up Schooners!
(5)
Eric G.
I am really torn about this review because it has one really great thing going for it but a few down sides. The great thing up front is the onion rings and corn fritters. They are unique and taste awesome. The Rings have extra batter that is so crispy and flavorful that you have a hard time saving room for the rest of your meal. The down sides are the price, the wait times, and they do not take credit cards. I have had the hot wings and the beer battered chicken and thought both were okay. I would really prefer that they use the same batter used for the onion rings on the fried chicken adding a little more spice for kick, but this tends to be a place I will go back for the onion rings alone maybe once every few months.
(3)
Julie O.
Onion rings and chicken wings.oh my! So I really had no idea this was a full-service restaurant, because as we walked up, all I saw was a beer garden with a guy singing and playing guitar. It was nice out and it was summertime and well, you get the picture. The beer is cheap, the atmosphere great and the onion rings are awesome. Cash only is a bit of a hardship, but I have endured worse.
(4)
Grace S.
Never been here before despite living in the town for 6 years. The food: First off, I don't like buffalo wings, ever, but the buffalo wings here were delicious!! I would get them again. But would probably never venture to try them anywhere else. Like I said, I don't like buffalo wings. Also, the corn fritters are to die for. Amazing amounts of powdered sugar on a HUGE corn fritter? Yes please! Then I had the cheddar, bbq, bacon burger... mmm! It had generous amounts of bacon. Overall, it was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere: Small town restaurant feel. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. Service was prompt and friendly. Very crowded but not overwhelming. Reasonable prices. I think the bill was $50 or so for the 3 us including alcohol, appetizers, and entrees.
(4)
Travis T.
Lunch - Schooner Burger and onion rings... Burger grilled to perfect medium. Onion rings are big and crispy...very light. Great lunch for under $10...cash only (ATM inside)
(3)
Troy S.
Some of my earliest memories of eating out aren't McDonalds, they are getting a tenderloin pizza and some yummy onion rings. Simply put: this is the ultimate divey greasy pub style restaurant. That is what makes it great, their prices are super low and there is an attached bar, if you prefer bar seating.
(4)
Melissa D.
I love big beers. And cold beers. And cheap beers! :) Schooners has 'em. Cash only. Could be worse, right? Pork tenderloin, OMG. Get the one for 4 and it's under 10 bucks and it is so delish. I've never had a pork tenderloin until I tried it at Schooners, and I will never ever have one from somewhere else. Hands down, one of the best sandwiches ever. The onion rings are amazing. Yum yum yum! :) The wings are pretty good too. It's a great bar and I definitely suggest you get over there and get yourself a big ol' beer. :) I really like that indian statue looking guy on the bar too. Awesome.
(5)
Carmello J.
If there was a hall of fame for local awesome sauce resteraunts this place would be a first ballot. Amazing food, friendly staff, love the local/hometown feel to the place. If you wanted to dine at a visually appealing resteraunt go to the olive garden. A must for those who love greasy food and dig the small town local owned type resteraunt. Battered Hot Wings for the win!
(4)
Jessica M.
Excellent!!! First time trying this place. I would highly recommend the onion rings and the battered wings! Possibly the best traditional wings in town. Sorry Hooters but I found a new restaurant with much better wings and service! We did a carryout order but it was still delicious. The only take cash though.
(5)
Chef B.
some of the best wings in town. A close 2nd to Mugsy's, IMO. I love, love, love their beergarden. I just wish their full menu was available outside. I don't understand ... the other food is just 15 feet away. Please bring me some of it. Cash only is also annoying. It's 2012. I've paid for groceries with nothing more than my fingerprint, but I need cash to buy wings and beer? It's time to upgrade. I'm picking nits . . . i still really like Schooners. It's a good place to go. Nothing fancy, just good stuff.
(4)
Kim M.
Oh Schooner's, how I miss thee. Grew up in Bloomington and we would go here every week. I'd play pinball. Parents would drink beer. We'd leave smelling like cigarettes and come back the next week anyways. The owners now are the same owners from when I was growing up, so every time we go back there are always the familiar faces of both the managers and the customers. The place is like frozen in time, I tell you. Minus the smoke, now. I worked here in college for a couple of years as well and yes, the place is a total grease bomb. Having gone back recently, If I had to guess I'd say that there was a change in staff in the kitchen based on the quality of the food. But regardless, the favorites: 1. Chicken Strips - the sauce that comes with them is out of this world. It does have a kick which I love. The strips themselves almost seem double battered. Crunchy batter. 2. Onion Rings - They have the best onion rings there, but be prepared for some major indigestion. 3. Pork Tenderloin - served on a pizza pan, big enough for your entire family. 4. Chicken Wings - This is probably the first place that I ever had chicken wings. They set the bar pretty high. 5. Beer - If you are getting beer here, make sure you get the schooner glass. It's cheap, and freezing cold!! Don't go to Schooner's expecting out of this world service. It's a super casual place. Also don't go there with your kids and then get ticked off if there are people there that are using words that you may not think are appropriate for your children. It's not a family joint unless you are pretty laid back.
(4)
Jessica S.
The tenderloin is over-rated and dried out, HOWEVER... there are two things you have to go there to enjoy. And bring cash... no plastic here. The onion rings. Oh my goodness the onion rings. Best in town. Seriously, lightly beer battered flavor, get the biggest basket you can and don't share. Be greedy and make others get their own. They have a special, I think its the first Tuesday of every month. Chicken Fried Steak, Corn and Mashed Potatoes. Best I've ever had. Beer garden is nice too, shaded with tables, tree cover and umbrellas. Local place with regulars, but don't be afraid to stop here, everyone is more than friendly.
(4)
Scott B.
Very down to earth place with a friendly atomosphere. Secluded bar area and seperate sit down dine in provide a good time for one person who wants to drink a beer and watch a game, and also a family who just wants to eat good food at a good price. Nicely done, Schooners. (Skoo-ners) CASH ONLY!
(4)
Kyle P.
good time. had a great tenderloin breaded sandwich thing that was the size of tire and some wings....nice little drinking bar and everyone was nice to me
(5)
Zac B.
I was not impressed and i came with such high hopes. I've seen my share of low bars which are fun, but this wasn't. Ill just list out the problems. 1. Beer specials good, not great 2. Interior super cheap, even for a dive, looks like they robbed a third rate dinning hall to furnish the dinning area. 3. food was alright, way over priced. 4. no credit card, come on give me a break. 5. I can't blame the bar but others mentioned it in their comments. It was really annoying having a bunch of loud men who were well over forty. I don't have any problem with people getting drunk or having fun, but this was just pathetic and annoying.
(2)
L F.
Good food, great price! You can't beat schooners if you are looking for greasy good bar food (but they also have healthy options like the Mesquite Chicken Salad!). I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu! But if you go, you must order a rootbeer shooter, it's the bars non-advertised specialty drink - it's a large shot (hints the name shooter) that taste like soda - you become a regular once you try this!!!
(5)
Dodd V.
Not a great place to look at, but a wonderful place to eat. As mentioned by others, their pork tenderloin sandwich is very good and extremely generous. It really is a meal for 2-3 people. You know it is going to be a monster when they ask you how many buns you want with it. It is about a 9-10 inch round tenderloin. Buffalo wings are great, and ordered by the pound. Burgers, other sandwiches and fried chicken are also very good. Go for the food and reasonable prices, not for the atmosphere.
(4)
Ying W.
Having lived in California for 4 years now I've definitely expanded my stomach horizon, but the one thing that you can never find out here is a big, tasty, fried pork tenderloin sandwich, and dammit, Schooner's is the best there is. Now if only they would take credit/debit....
(4)
Russ C.
Like an inside joke when you aren't in on it. It's typical bar food and a subpar beer list, and is cash only (can we say tax evasion). It's crowded and loud which is probably the appeal if you are a regular but not exactly appealing if you aren't part of the crowd.
(1)
Sue R.
Two words....tenderloin and rings. They are both awesome and you can take them home and eat them for days!
(5)
Sean H.
Seemingly simply a neighborhood tavern with beer garden, BUT they also have the best onion rings I've ever had, as well as the best hot wings in Bloomington/Normal if not Illinois. It's like tavern food but the best one could imagine. Ice cold beers, too, obviously.
(5)
Meredith H.
i grew up going to schooners and usually try to make it there when i am back in b-n visiting my parents or friends. definitely a local spot - not typically where the college kids hang out. growing up in the area, i thought "everyone" knew about schooners. i'm glad i was naive - i much prefer the local crowd. the food is greasy, but completely delicious. my family always gets the same appetizers each time we go - corn fritters and onion rings. i'm sure we are taking years off of our lives by eating these things, but i guess you only live once. i've tried to explain schooners onion rings to people who haven't been there and i just can't do them justice. you have to try them for yourself! the beer garden is fun during the summer and now that the smoking ban exists, sitting in the bar isn't bad either!
(4)
Kelly M.
THE place for locals in town...sort of in the middle of a residential area...not easy to find, but worth the hunt!! My husband LOVES the tenderloin...if you go with someone, share it- too much food for one! Great beer garden when the weather is nice.
(5)
Jenna M.
Love this place, although the kitchen hygiene has a reputation for being pretty grotesque (out of sight, out of mind, though). Beer-battered onion rings are the best in town, pork tenderloin spans 3 hamburger buns (each extra bun is $0.25), their burgers are known to be good, but excessively greasy. House dressing is a combo of ranch and bleu cheese - perfect. All meals are around $5. Beer garden outside. This is a local place, incredibly popular with the 40-50 crowd. Every Friday and Saturday night you can count on seeing the same people there (school teachers are a bulk of these regulars). Pin ball machine and a few booths in the small and always back-to-back crowded bar area.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : Yes
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Sean H.
Seemingly simply a neighborhood tavern with beer garden, BUT they also have the best onion rings I've ever had, as well as the best hot wings in Bloomington/Normal if not Illinois. It's like tavern food but the best one could imagine. Ice cold beers, too, obviously.
(5)Theresa N.
The food is typical Midwestern fare. Would you like that fried, fried, or fried? No diner serves a tenderloin sandwich where I live, so that's what I want when I come visit Illinois. I was blown away by the gross enormity of the sandwich....I am not kidding, it's a platter sized piece of tenderloin on a regular sized hamburger bun. My daughter and I got one to share, and we trimmed off enough meat for FOUR more sandwiches. The tenderloin is thick, so be aware if you like your tenderloin thin. It was something like $11 for the sandwich, and an extra charge for another bun. So it came out to $6.00 per meal, not counting the rings. Not too shabby. It's a regular ol' divey restaurant/bar, so dressing as if you just stepped off the tractor is just fine. My sister in law loved her wings. My other sister in law loved her wrap. We also got the onion rings on a recommendation, which are hand cut and battered. Not frozen. They were pretty good.
(3)Terrance S.
Great wing's and cold beer. Has my favorite beer of Texas on tap! Shiner Boch! Friendly wait staff.
(4)Casie V.
It's a nice dive bar. Good fish fry and onion rings. The wings are extremely overrated
(3)KJ V.
Good food! The place to go where locals go. I recommend the onion rings and the fish special. Both are delicious! Decent service. Place could use an update.
(4)Jake M.
Every time I'm in Bloomington visiting my parents, I head to Schooner's with my dad. It's his local hangout but they do bar food very well. If it's your first time, stick with what they do best: chicken wings and onion rings. I've had wings all over the country and I can't find any that are better. Tender, meaty and perfectly sauced. I prefer the mild with plenty of ranch. I prefer the bar area if a seat is available. Everyone seems to know each other but it's always friendly.
(4)Mike V.
Had dinner at Schooner's Sunday night. Hard to beat their wild wings, onion rings and a schooner of beer. Not fancy, just tasty and homey. Service is always good.
(4)Andy T.
Two words: Gebby burger. If for nothing else but the "juice". Great service, award winning wings, a sporty feel makes this neighborhood hangout a place to join with family and friends to celebrate and/or come to discuss weather, politics or religion Just go. It's all good there!
(5)Dustin F.
Went here with my dad, sister, and grandma. Dad and sister got the onion rings and the supreme tenderloin which they said was just okay. My dad didn't care for the sauce on it as it tasted like pizza sauce. It's not what he remembers either. My grandma got the chili cheese dog and fries which she said was too salty. I, myself, got their Italian beef which was just...meh. It had no good flavor to it at all. I got the aus jus on the side and wanted to try american cheese instead. The fries are gosh darn good, though! The waitress we had was kind and friendly, but beware you only get ONE FREE REFILL. I'd suggest just ordering water if you're low budget. I got a sierra mist which was great! Aside from that I also suggest the bakery right beside this place for dessert as it's much cheaper there. :) Also, it's nice to support bakeries!
(3)Ann S.
Great wings, onion rings, corn fritters and fried chicken! We have been going here for years. On Wednesday nights they have a fried chicken special and they always have daily lunch and dinner deals.
(5)Annmarie G.
I went here recently for the first time with a party of 7, and they easily accommodated us. While it was a great place to go with such a large group, I wouldn't say anything special about my experience here. Our waitress went to our table a coupe times to check on us, only to find out that our food hadn't been brought out yet, and both times she apologized for it. It was a little strange, as we probably wouldn't have realized that someone had neglected to give us our food had she not mentioned it. As for food, I ordered a burger and fries, and they were pretty average. My fries were on the cold side. For appetizers, we ordered onion rings, and I those were definitely the best thing I had there. Overall, this was a great place to go given the size of our group and how cheap the food was (my burger was around $7.50), but if I had to rate the experience, I would say it was just "A-OK". Nothing really to write home about.
(3)Paul H.
I have been in a few times since my original review and the onion rings have been awesome every time! The mozzarella sticks were really good one time and not as good the next time. I like the spicy wings as well, but think Mugsy's are a little better. A co-worker said you have to try the steak sandwich when you come to Schooner's! I will try that next time I go there.
(4)Cindy H.
We were traveling and I looked on Yelp find a place for lunch. Schooners looked good so we stopped. We were happily rewarded with the special of the day... Pot roast, potatoes and gravy and green beans. The mashed potatoes were crazy good! Pot roast cooked perfectly. For people with salt restrictions this was pretty salty. Overall, the service was fast and friendly...price 6.25!!
(4)Jamie B.
My husband & I had lunch here while our vehicle was being serviced at Kelly's Automotive. Cute little place. We walked in through the bar by mistake. It appeared to be the front door. The two people working the bar (there were no customers) had no interest in directing us where to go or what to do. A little aggravating. We stumbled upon someone who was taking a liquor order (didn't work for Schooners) who directed us to the dining area around the corner. The staff on this side of the restaurant was much nicer. We were seated right away. Our food came out very quickly. The food was perfectly prepared, very good and a great price! This place filled up about 11:30am and going forward. It was quite packed! If we're ever in this area again, we'll definitely stop in.
(4)B W.
Wow Delicious! We shared the tenderloin with enough left over for at least two meals, and the onion rings were FANtastic!!!
(4)Jason H.
Had a great meal, got the full order of onion rings for two of us (still couldn't finish them) and they were awesome! I had the wings which were good and wife got the tenderloin which looked like a meal for four!! Cold beer too, will be coming back here soon!
(5)Breck S.
The onion rings are great. And by great I mean phenomenal and well within my college student budget. I also had the burger horseshoe which was just what I was looking for. We ha some minor server issues and the soda was flat. All in all a great place for lunch with many good choices for food!!
(4)Van M.
Schooner's is a local favorite. It's a very segmented space: there's a beer garden, which operates independently (more later), the indoor restaurant seating and bar area. Tap beer inside is served in schooners (see photos) and they do some other things a bit differently. The pork tenderloin is huge -- spilling onto four buns (a must-share item (unless you're trying to prove that you don't care about your health and take pride in how much you can put into your stomach in one sitting)). Corn Fritters are balls of dough/corn kernels, deep-fried and rolled in powdered sugar. Avg size: somewhere between a golf ball and baseball. Schooner's is home to my favorite beer garden in Bloomington-Normal. It's fairly large and has plenty of shade. It's a great place to host a party if you're looking to plan an event. The one oddity is that the beer garden seems to operate independently of the rest of Schooner's. There's a separate beer garden menu, so you're limited on what you can order. For example, if you want a buffalo chicken sandwich, you're out of luck unless your server is willing to make an exception. I'm sure there's some reason for this set-up. If you're reading this and know the reason, by all means, please let me know. Schooner's is an all-around great place though. If you haven't been there and you live in the area, put it high on your list, especially during the summer months. Need-to-know: Schooner's does not accept credit card. They have an ATM machine. Hopefully they'll start taking credit one day soon. Maybe they'll start by taking it only in the beer garden.
(4)Kevin K.
First of all, a warning. The place only takes cash. There is an ATM inside the place but no credit or checks. The food is very average and not bad but the deep fried corn fritters are amazing. You get 8 per order and that is more than enough for 4-5 people. The fried chicken sandwich is what I had and it wasn't a Chick-fil-a or anything special. The burgers were ok too. Again, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)Ethan H.
I have never had a bad meal here! The staff is very friendly and the owner is usually around to say hello as well. This bar has a Cheers feel to it. The beer garden is a great spot to enjoy a good meal and a few drinks in the warmer months. They occasionally have live music outside. Inside you can either sit in the bar area or dining area. The dining area is family friendly. I would recommend giving this place a try.
(5)Christopher A.
Nothing fancy...but great food. Was visiting the area and stopped for the tenderloin and rings...Very good! Cash only though!
(4)Jim S.
Very local place with loyal customer base. Discovered via yelp when in from out of town. Everyone knew everyone and we totally felt like we were from the neighborhood by the time we left. Burgers were huge and the wings were EXCELLENT!!!
(5)Katy P.
Great bar food and cheap beer. Cheddar bacon BBQ burger better than many other joints in town. Big beer $3 or $4. Can't beat it!
(4)Tony B.
Tenderloin was just silly! Very dry and seemed to be cooked earlier in the day. Limited draught beer selection. Other than the reaction when I walked in(of every starring at me) people were having fun and were fine. Onion rings were very good and bartender was friendly.
(2)Jamie L.
So I've been to Schooner's twice since my last review. I never liked their steak fries that came with each entree, now they have crinkle cut which I like less. But what I do like is that you have an option for your side instead of getting stuck with fries. I still get the onion rings though they are not as good as they once were. The breading is much thicker and I often have onion skin. I like their cheese sticks as an appetizer and both times I've had the ham po'boy and it was really, really good.
(4)Mike R.
this used to be my favorite lunch time beer garden. The last two visits my chicken sandwich took LITERALLY two hours. The service has become so bad when you sit outside that my coworker and I vowed to never go back. Inside is still good. Typical bar food. A little over priced but generally worth it. Waitresses are usually nice and attentive. Bottom line. Unless you can take a two hour lunch and you are not looking for quick refills - no longer a lunch spot.
(2)Shannon H.
At the recommendation of a friend and the reviews here on Yelp I gave this place a try for dinner. I must have gotten there right in time as I immediately got a seat, right before the place filled up. I had the wings to start; very good wings, much better than most chain places (Buffalo Wild Wings, I'm looking at you). The smallest size you can order is a pound, which was more wings than I wanted, but whatever. They should offer a smaller order for those dining alone that want some wings to go with their dinner. Bonus points for serving them with blue cheese though (ranch wasn't even offered). I also had the mini tenderloin, as it seemed that the tenderloin was the thing to get here. They were good, but not great. Basically it seemed like I was eating a pork version of Chick-fil-a. The onion rings served with it were great though. The service was a bit off. The waitresses were friendly, but they seemed to expect that I had been there often and knew the routine. Thanks to the previous reviews I knew to bring cash, but they really need to get with the times. Heck, I've seen vending machines that can take cards, so it can't be that hard. Over all I like this place, and will probably be back, just next time I'll try something other than the tenderloin.
(3)A S.
Good food, hometown restaurant. Order the tenderloin, but bring buddies to share. This place doesn't accept credit cards so Bring cash!
(4)Aaron H.
I love this bar! I have been a loyal customer to Schooners for more than 8 years and I love it. The food, the staff, the drinks and of course those loud guys in the bar! The wings are great, the soups (always homemade), and the burgers are great. The pricing is fair and although I am not a beer garden person, it is fun. Keep it up Schooners!
(5)Linda C.
This food is wonderful and has been for the last 25 years. We love the onion rings, Italian sausage sandwich and the pork tenderloin which will feed at least 4 people. I don't believe one penny has been spent on updates but that's O.K. This is a cash only place, be prepared. This place is worth the visit not withstanding how it looks.
(4)S. C.
We drove two hours to eat at Schooners and I would definitely do it again. My son needed driving hours and that is just one more excuse for a road trip to find a good place to eat. We arrived about two and got a table right away. The place was clean and the service was very good. My son ordered a Horseshoe Sandwich and substituted steak fries; I wasn't going to leave without trying the King Tenderloin. I ordered it with two buns, but found it difficult to pay extra for a tomato, so I did without. We also ordered a whole order of onion rings. The Horseshoe Sandwich was cooked to perfection. The sauce was excellent. The onion rings were greasy and a little too plain. I normally can handle greasy food, but this was a little more than I care for. The King Tenderloin was huge. I had no trouble setting aside half to take home to my husband and still couldn't finish my half. It tasted good, but I guess I need a little seasoning or dressing to give it that "can't put it down" pizazz. It isn't easy getting my 16 year old to say he's full, but he did on this trip. The prices were great for the quantity of food we received and the quality of service we experienced. We will definitely be back.
(4)Kent K.
I waited after three times visiting this establishment to review. Ate on 2 out of 3. First on the food, wings are good, the all-you-can-eat walleye is average, and the cheeseburger is great. I keep hearing from people this place is a locals only and patrons are not too keen to letting others in their "club". I have not gotten that feeling. Everyone seems very talkative and are having a good time enjoying a schooner a beer and a bite to eat. Good sports vibe to the place. Typical central Illinois Cubs vs. Cards rivalry. The tavern is divided into three parts...dining room, beer garden, and bar room. Each area has a different feel. Dining room is good for groups and may I suggest if your kid is screaming or running around stick to the dining room and stay out of the bar area.
(4)Angela D.
It's really tough to give Schooner's a 3-star rating, but after eating there with our family over the past year, I'm being generous. 1) Wings are still AWESOME! Best in town, in my opinion!! The rest of the food? Mediocre, at best--burgers are overdone, fries can be purchased at Kroger, chicken is bland and that tenderloin? You know...the one that is supposed to be the size of a pizza pan? Yeah, not so much anymore. Plus, it costs more for less--didn't think we'd notice, eh Schooner's?? We did. 3) Cash only. Come on, Schooner's...get with the program - it's the 21st Century for God's sakes! 4) Cost. WAY TO HIGH for the food. Sorry. I can take my family of four to Rosie's downtown for burgers + fries all around + sodas for the kids, a few beers for the husband and a couple of 'ritas for me = around $55 before tip. Basically that same meal at Schooner's? Our check last Friday was $76. BEFORE TIP! (Only difference was we added 2 lbs. of wings; however, I did NOT have a margarita...just iced tea.) We'll be limiting our visits to Schooner's for carry-out only from now on...sigh.
(3)Ralph W.
We were faithful followers of this local restaurant. However, THREE times in a row the service was so bad we won't be going back for a while, perhaps never. 20+ minutes to be waited on, long delay until food arrived, and then it was cold. This wasn't a problem in the past, but three times in a row is inexcusable.
(1)Meghan B.
How have I not reviewed Schooners yet? I took the lead photo! Schooners is a townie-mostly bar, something I crave occasionally to get away from the Medici or Fat Jacks (Tuesday only) crowd. Best beer you'll find is the Sam Adams, but it always tastes good and is served cold. I love, love, love the big glasses that they come in. It can be very crowded, but we've never had too much trouble finding a place to sit and dive in to some onion rings, which I agree may be the best in town. It's not someplace I seek out often, but when I'm in the mood for a super casual spot where I likely won't see anyone I know and want to eat greasy food and gripe about work, this place is magic. Great outdoor patio in summer months, too! Bring cash.
(4)John B.
Sat on the bar side, Shiner on draft! a little slow with drinks from the bar; Onion rings had great flavor but we're to greasy and tough for me;. I had fried chicken, tender & juicy with great thin crispy crust but lacked seasoning. Came with everyday frozen crinkle fries and store bought dinner roll that I didn't even try. Suz had the Italian Beef that she said compared with 'Johnnies Beef' in Elmwood Park and really liked the Au Jus. Forgot it was CASH ONLY when it was time to pay the bill. Over all, definitely a locals place and with so many other places to try, will look elsewhere next time.
(2)Tony B.
Tenderloin was just silly! Very dry and seemed to be cooked earlier in the day. Limited draught beer selection. Other than the reaction when I walked in(of every starring at me) people were having fun and were fine. Onion rings were very good and bartender was friendly.
(2)Shannon H.
At the recommendation of a friend and the reviews here on Yelp I gave this place a try for dinner. I must have gotten there right in time as I immediately got a seat, right before the place filled up. I had the wings to start; very good wings, much better than most chain places (Buffalo Wild Wings, I'm looking at you). The smallest size you can order is a pound, which was more wings than I wanted, but whatever. They should offer a smaller order for those dining alone that want some wings to go with their dinner. Bonus points for serving them with blue cheese though (ranch wasn't even offered). I also had the mini tenderloin, as it seemed that the tenderloin was the thing to get here. They were good, but not great. Basically it seemed like I was eating a pork version of Chick-fil-a. The onion rings served with it were great though. The service was a bit off. The waitresses were friendly, but they seemed to expect that I had been there often and knew the routine. Thanks to the previous reviews I knew to bring cash, but they really need to get with the times. Heck, I've seen vending machines that can take cards, so it can't be that hard. Over all I like this place, and will probably be back, just next time I'll try something other than the tenderloin.
(3)A S.
Good food, hometown restaurant. Order the tenderloin, but bring buddies to share. This place doesn't accept credit cards so Bring cash!
(4)Zac B.
I was not impressed and i came with such high hopes. I've seen my share of low bars which are fun, but this wasn't. Ill just list out the problems. 1. Beer specials good, not great 2. Interior super cheap, even for a dive, looks like they robbed a third rate dinning hall to furnish the dinning area. 3. food was alright, way over priced. 4. no credit card, come on give me a break. 5. I can't blame the bar but others mentioned it in their comments. It was really annoying having a bunch of loud men who were well over forty. I don't have any problem with people getting drunk or having fun, but this was just pathetic and annoying.
(2)Jamie L.
So I've been to Schooner's twice since my last review. I never liked their steak fries that came with each entree, now they have crinkle cut which I like less. But what I do like is that you have an option for your side instead of getting stuck with fries. I still get the onion rings though they are not as good as they once were. The breading is much thicker and I often have onion skin. I like their cheese sticks as an appetizer and both times I've had the ham po'boy and it was really, really good.
(4)Aaron H.
I love this bar! I have been a loyal customer to Schooners for more than 8 years and I love it. The food, the staff, the drinks and of course those loud guys in the bar! The wings are great, the soups (always homemade), and the burgers are great. The pricing is fair and although I am not a beer garden person, it is fun. Keep it up Schooners!
(5)Eric G.
I am really torn about this review because it has one really great thing going for it but a few down sides. The great thing up front is the onion rings and corn fritters. They are unique and taste awesome. The Rings have extra batter that is so crispy and flavorful that you have a hard time saving room for the rest of your meal. The down sides are the price, the wait times, and they do not take credit cards. I have had the hot wings and the beer battered chicken and thought both were okay. I would really prefer that they use the same batter used for the onion rings on the fried chicken adding a little more spice for kick, but this tends to be a place I will go back for the onion rings alone maybe once every few months.
(3)Julie O.
Onion rings and chicken wings.oh my! So I really had no idea this was a full-service restaurant, because as we walked up, all I saw was a beer garden with a guy singing and playing guitar. It was nice out and it was summertime and well, you get the picture. The beer is cheap, the atmosphere great and the onion rings are awesome. Cash only is a bit of a hardship, but I have endured worse.
(4)Grace S.
Never been here before despite living in the town for 6 years. The food: First off, I don't like buffalo wings, ever, but the buffalo wings here were delicious!! I would get them again. But would probably never venture to try them anywhere else. Like I said, I don't like buffalo wings. Also, the corn fritters are to die for. Amazing amounts of powdered sugar on a HUGE corn fritter? Yes please! Then I had the cheddar, bbq, bacon burger... mmm! It had generous amounts of bacon. Overall, it was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere: Small town restaurant feel. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. Service was prompt and friendly. Very crowded but not overwhelming. Reasonable prices. I think the bill was $50 or so for the 3 us including alcohol, appetizers, and entrees.
(4)Travis T.
Lunch - Schooner Burger and onion rings... Burger grilled to perfect medium. Onion rings are big and crispy...very light. Great lunch for under $10...cash only (ATM inside)
(3)Troy S.
Some of my earliest memories of eating out aren't McDonalds, they are getting a tenderloin pizza and some yummy onion rings. Simply put: this is the ultimate divey greasy pub style restaurant. That is what makes it great, their prices are super low and there is an attached bar, if you prefer bar seating.
(4)Melissa D.
I love big beers. And cold beers. And cheap beers! :) Schooners has 'em. Cash only. Could be worse, right? Pork tenderloin, OMG. Get the one for 4 and it's under 10 bucks and it is so delish. I've never had a pork tenderloin until I tried it at Schooners, and I will never ever have one from somewhere else. Hands down, one of the best sandwiches ever. The onion rings are amazing. Yum yum yum! :) The wings are pretty good too. It's a great bar and I definitely suggest you get over there and get yourself a big ol' beer. :) I really like that indian statue looking guy on the bar too. Awesome.
(5)Carmello J.
If there was a hall of fame for local awesome sauce resteraunts this place would be a first ballot. Amazing food, friendly staff, love the local/hometown feel to the place. If you wanted to dine at a visually appealing resteraunt go to the olive garden. A must for those who love greasy food and dig the small town local owned type resteraunt. Battered Hot Wings for the win!
(4)Jessica M.
Excellent!!! First time trying this place. I would highly recommend the onion rings and the battered wings! Possibly the best traditional wings in town. Sorry Hooters but I found a new restaurant with much better wings and service! We did a carryout order but it was still delicious. The only take cash though.
(5)Kim M.
Oh Schooner's, how I miss thee. Grew up in Bloomington and we would go here every week. I'd play pinball. Parents would drink beer. We'd leave smelling like cigarettes and come back the next week anyways. The owners now are the same owners from when I was growing up, so every time we go back there are always the familiar faces of both the managers and the customers. The place is like frozen in time, I tell you. Minus the smoke, now. I worked here in college for a couple of years as well and yes, the place is a total grease bomb. Having gone back recently, If I had to guess I'd say that there was a change in staff in the kitchen based on the quality of the food. But regardless, the favorites: 1. Chicken Strips - the sauce that comes with them is out of this world. It does have a kick which I love. The strips themselves almost seem double battered. Crunchy batter. 2. Onion Rings - They have the best onion rings there, but be prepared for some major indigestion. 3. Pork Tenderloin - served on a pizza pan, big enough for your entire family. 4. Chicken Wings - This is probably the first place that I ever had chicken wings. They set the bar pretty high. 5. Beer - If you are getting beer here, make sure you get the schooner glass. It's cheap, and freezing cold!! Don't go to Schooner's expecting out of this world service. It's a super casual place. Also don't go there with your kids and then get ticked off if there are people there that are using words that you may not think are appropriate for your children. It's not a family joint unless you are pretty laid back.
(4)Chef B.
some of the best wings in town. A close 2nd to Mugsy's, IMO. I love, love, love their beergarden. I just wish their full menu was available outside. I don't understand ... the other food is just 15 feet away. Please bring me some of it. Cash only is also annoying. It's 2012. I've paid for groceries with nothing more than my fingerprint, but I need cash to buy wings and beer? It's time to upgrade. I'm picking nits . . . i still really like Schooners. It's a good place to go. Nothing fancy, just good stuff.
(4)Jessica S.
The tenderloin is over-rated and dried out, HOWEVER... there are two things you have to go there to enjoy. And bring cash... no plastic here. The onion rings. Oh my goodness the onion rings. Best in town. Seriously, lightly beer battered flavor, get the biggest basket you can and don't share. Be greedy and make others get their own. They have a special, I think its the first Tuesday of every month. Chicken Fried Steak, Corn and Mashed Potatoes. Best I've ever had. Beer garden is nice too, shaded with tables, tree cover and umbrellas. Local place with regulars, but don't be afraid to stop here, everyone is more than friendly.
(4)Scott B.
Very down to earth place with a friendly atomosphere. Secluded bar area and seperate sit down dine in provide a good time for one person who wants to drink a beer and watch a game, and also a family who just wants to eat good food at a good price. Nicely done, Schooners. (Skoo-ners) CASH ONLY!
(4)Kyle P.
good time. had a great tenderloin breaded sandwich thing that was the size of tire and some wings....nice little drinking bar and everyone was nice to me
(5)Mike R.
this used to be my favorite lunch time beer garden. The last two visits my chicken sandwich took LITERALLY two hours. The service has become so bad when you sit outside that my coworker and I vowed to never go back. Inside is still good. Typical bar food. A little over priced but generally worth it. Waitresses are usually nice and attentive. Bottom line. Unless you can take a two hour lunch and you are not looking for quick refills - no longer a lunch spot.
(2)John S.
My wife and I just returned from Schooner's. It was my 2nd time going there and 2nd time that I wasn't impressed. Today I ordered the 1lb catfish dinner, and boy was I disappointed. The menu does not come close to describing what you get when you order this. I assumed it would be served up like the rest of the world serves up fish.. Filleted. But I was quite wrong. When the waitress rounded the corner I could see the tail and instantly knew this would not go well. Thankfully it didn't have a head or skin, but still it made my stomach turn over instantly seeing the shape and tail. I then took my fork and pulled off a bit of meat to see the bones. I tried to eat, but it just wasn't happening. I took 4 bites and I was done. My wife ordered the buffalo wrap, but took only a few bites because she did not like the blue cheese dressing. She does love the onion rings though, and a half order is still a huge amount. Anyway, our waitress came to refill my drink, at which point I asked for the check. She asked if we wanted a box, my first thought was "so I can take it home and give it a proper burial". I would have expected a waitress seeing people have only taken a couple bites would ask if there was a problem with the food, but that didn't happen. The menu could have only been more vague if it had taken a cue from My Cousin Vinny and only said "Breakfast $1.99, Lunch $2.49, Dinner $3.49" I don't think I will go back to Schooner's again. The fact that the waitress never asked how our food was or if there was something wrong with it when we didn't eat much, that just shows that there is little care on the quality of the service or customer satisfaction. The menu's lack of description is a serious concern, especially for those that could have food allergies or are a bit squimish with certain ways in which foods are prepared. I would also say that accepting cash only is a bit lazy. I mean, this is the 21st century. I would think that if the amish can accept a debit card, then Schooner's should be able to as well.
(2)Troy J.
Dining area is a little dated and a bit on the small side. If your looking for your daily dose of grease, your in luck. I had the corn fritters, onion rings, and the deep fried pork chop sandwich. The onion rings were great! Hand dipped freshly battered, fried perfectly. The corn fritters were better than than I expected. Fried pork chop was pretty good. A little heavy on the batter but good. Overall a good lunch, service was good. If your in the mood for grease, they can fix you up. Cash only!
(4)Austin A.
A local gem. Best onion rings, kick ass corn fritters, slammin wings, dank cheese burgers, a tenderloin that could (feed the children) I drive a cab in Bloomington and if I like somebody enough, I might tell them about this place.
(5)Ema N.
Your neighborhood place to go for great food and friendly faces.
(5)Jacob B.
Schooners is where you go for wings! Hands down. If I owned a business, it would be cash only by the way......there's a reason for that. The beer, the food, the people, the memories........never had a bad experience here.
(5)Tim J.
I should like Schooner's more than I do, but that is their fault, not mine. I love divey beer bars with decent food and laid-back places frequented by regular folks who find that five o'clock sometimes comes early. It doesn't bother me if I'm the youngest guy in the bar, and I'm not even that young. But Schooner's does one crucial thing wrong (on purpose), and they get 2 stars from me for it. If you're here with a group, and especially if you are drinking, the tab can go beyond what most folks carry on hand. Unlike every other bar/restaurant that is this big and well-established they only take cash. They are too stingy to take the small percentage rip from the card companies that every other small business does and instead pass that cost on to you, their customer. But wait, it gets worse. They refuse to take the hit that every other similar business does, and then they offer to let you use their on-premises ATM at $2 a pop, plus whatever your bank charges you at the end of the month. Since the ATM is either theirs, leased by them, or leasing space from them, they get a slice of every transaction. Prices on food and drinks here are average to high for the quality before all this nickel and dime garbage. The irony is that (I have a buddy that works with bars to diminish their losses from theft) they probably lose more money doing this because it is easier for staff to steal from them this way than with cards. So, they inconvenience you, cost you extra money, and make money at your expense. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)L F.
Good food, great price! You can't beat schooners if you are looking for greasy good bar food (but they also have healthy options like the Mesquite Chicken Salad!). I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu! But if you go, you must order a rootbeer shooter, it's the bars non-advertised specialty drink - it's a large shot (hints the name shooter) that taste like soda - you become a regular once you try this!!!
(5)Dodd V.
Not a great place to look at, but a wonderful place to eat. As mentioned by others, their pork tenderloin sandwich is very good and extremely generous. It really is a meal for 2-3 people. You know it is going to be a monster when they ask you how many buns you want with it. It is about a 9-10 inch round tenderloin. Buffalo wings are great, and ordered by the pound. Burgers, other sandwiches and fried chicken are also very good. Go for the food and reasonable prices, not for the atmosphere.
(4)Ying W.
Having lived in California for 4 years now I've definitely expanded my stomach horizon, but the one thing that you can never find out here is a big, tasty, fried pork tenderloin sandwich, and dammit, Schooner's is the best there is. Now if only they would take credit/debit....
(4)Russ C.
Like an inside joke when you aren't in on it. It's typical bar food and a subpar beer list, and is cash only (can we say tax evasion). It's crowded and loud which is probably the appeal if you are a regular but not exactly appealing if you aren't part of the crowd.
(1)Sue R.
Two words....tenderloin and rings. They are both awesome and you can take them home and eat them for days!
(5)Sean H.
Seemingly simply a neighborhood tavern with beer garden, BUT they also have the best onion rings I've ever had, as well as the best hot wings in Bloomington/Normal if not Illinois. It's like tavern food but the best one could imagine. Ice cold beers, too, obviously.
(5)Meredith H.
i grew up going to schooners and usually try to make it there when i am back in b-n visiting my parents or friends. definitely a local spot - not typically where the college kids hang out. growing up in the area, i thought "everyone" knew about schooners. i'm glad i was naive - i much prefer the local crowd. the food is greasy, but completely delicious. my family always gets the same appetizers each time we go - corn fritters and onion rings. i'm sure we are taking years off of our lives by eating these things, but i guess you only live once. i've tried to explain schooners onion rings to people who haven't been there and i just can't do them justice. you have to try them for yourself! the beer garden is fun during the summer and now that the smoking ban exists, sitting in the bar isn't bad either!
(4)Kelly M.
THE place for locals in town...sort of in the middle of a residential area...not easy to find, but worth the hunt!! My husband LOVES the tenderloin...if you go with someone, share it- too much food for one! Great beer garden when the weather is nice.
(5)Jenna M.
Love this place, although the kitchen hygiene has a reputation for being pretty grotesque (out of sight, out of mind, though). Beer-battered onion rings are the best in town, pork tenderloin spans 3 hamburger buns (each extra bun is $0.25), their burgers are known to be good, but excessively greasy. House dressing is a combo of ranch and bleu cheese - perfect. All meals are around $5. Beer garden outside. This is a local place, incredibly popular with the 40-50 crowd. Every Friday and Saturday night you can count on seeing the same people there (school teachers are a bulk of these regulars). Pin ball machine and a few booths in the small and always back-to-back crowded bar area.
(5)Andy T.
Two words: Gebby burger. If for nothing else but the "juice". Great service, award winning wings, a sporty feel makes this neighborhood hangout a place to join with family and friends to celebrate and/or come to discuss weather, politics or religion Just go. It's all good there!
(5)Dustin F.
Went here with my dad, sister, and grandma. Dad and sister got the onion rings and the supreme tenderloin which they said was just okay. My dad didn't care for the sauce on it as it tasted like pizza sauce. It's not what he remembers either. My grandma got the chili cheese dog and fries which she said was too salty. I, myself, got their Italian beef which was just...meh. It had no good flavor to it at all. I got the aus jus on the side and wanted to try american cheese instead. The fries are gosh darn good, though! The waitress we had was kind and friendly, but beware you only get ONE FREE REFILL. I'd suggest just ordering water if you're low budget. I got a sierra mist which was great! Aside from that I also suggest the bakery right beside this place for dessert as it's much cheaper there. :) Also, it's nice to support bakeries!
(3)Annmarie G.
I went here recently for the first time with a party of 7, and they easily accommodated us. While it was a great place to go with such a large group, I wouldn't say anything special about my experience here. Our waitress went to our table a coupe times to check on us, only to find out that our food hadn't been brought out yet, and both times she apologized for it. It was a little strange, as we probably wouldn't have realized that someone had neglected to give us our food had she not mentioned it. As for food, I ordered a burger and fries, and they were pretty average. My fries were on the cold side. For appetizers, we ordered onion rings, and I those were definitely the best thing I had there. Overall, this was a great place to go given the size of our group and how cheap the food was (my burger was around $7.50), but if I had to rate the experience, I would say it was just "A-OK". Nothing really to write home about.
(3)Paul H.
I have been in a few times since my original review and the onion rings have been awesome every time! The mozzarella sticks were really good one time and not as good the next time. I like the spicy wings as well, but think Mugsy's are a little better. A co-worker said you have to try the steak sandwich when you come to Schooner's! I will try that next time I go there.
(4)Cindy H.
We were traveling and I looked on Yelp find a place for lunch. Schooners looked good so we stopped. We were happily rewarded with the special of the day... Pot roast, potatoes and gravy and green beans. The mashed potatoes were crazy good! Pot roast cooked perfectly. For people with salt restrictions this was pretty salty. Overall, the service was fast and friendly...price 6.25!!
(4)Jamie B.
My husband & I had lunch here while our vehicle was being serviced at Kelly's Automotive. Cute little place. We walked in through the bar by mistake. It appeared to be the front door. The two people working the bar (there were no customers) had no interest in directing us where to go or what to do. A little aggravating. We stumbled upon someone who was taking a liquor order (didn't work for Schooners) who directed us to the dining area around the corner. The staff on this side of the restaurant was much nicer. We were seated right away. Our food came out very quickly. The food was perfectly prepared, very good and a great price! This place filled up about 11:30am and going forward. It was quite packed! If we're ever in this area again, we'll definitely stop in.
(4)B W.
Wow Delicious! We shared the tenderloin with enough left over for at least two meals, and the onion rings were FANtastic!!!
(4)Jason H.
Had a great meal, got the full order of onion rings for two of us (still couldn't finish them) and they were awesome! I had the wings which were good and wife got the tenderloin which looked like a meal for four!! Cold beer too, will be coming back here soon!
(5)Breck S.
The onion rings are great. And by great I mean phenomenal and well within my college student budget. I also had the burger horseshoe which was just what I was looking for. We ha some minor server issues and the soda was flat. All in all a great place for lunch with many good choices for food!!
(4)Ann S.
Great wings, onion rings, corn fritters and fried chicken! We have been going here for years. On Wednesday nights they have a fried chicken special and they always have daily lunch and dinner deals.
(5)Ethan H.
I have never had a bad meal here! The staff is very friendly and the owner is usually around to say hello as well. This bar has a Cheers feel to it. The beer garden is a great spot to enjoy a good meal and a few drinks in the warmer months. They occasionally have live music outside. Inside you can either sit in the bar area or dining area. The dining area is family friendly. I would recommend giving this place a try.
(5)Christopher A.
Nothing fancy...but great food. Was visiting the area and stopped for the tenderloin and rings...Very good! Cash only though!
(4)Theresa N.
The food is typical Midwestern fare. Would you like that fried, fried, or fried? No diner serves a tenderloin sandwich where I live, so that's what I want when I come visit Illinois. I was blown away by the gross enormity of the sandwich....I am not kidding, it's a platter sized piece of tenderloin on a regular sized hamburger bun. My daughter and I got one to share, and we trimmed off enough meat for FOUR more sandwiches. The tenderloin is thick, so be aware if you like your tenderloin thin. It was something like $11 for the sandwich, and an extra charge for another bun. So it came out to $6.00 per meal, not counting the rings. Not too shabby. It's a regular ol' divey restaurant/bar, so dressing as if you just stepped off the tractor is just fine. My sister in law loved her wings. My other sister in law loved her wrap. We also got the onion rings on a recommendation, which are hand cut and battered. Not frozen. They were pretty good.
(3)Terrance S.
Great wing's and cold beer. Has my favorite beer of Texas on tap! Shiner Boch! Friendly wait staff.
(4)Casie V.
It's a nice dive bar. Good fish fry and onion rings. The wings are extremely overrated
(3)KJ V.
Good food! The place to go where locals go. I recommend the onion rings and the fish special. Both are delicious! Decent service. Place could use an update.
(4)Van M.
Schooner's is a local favorite. It's a very segmented space: there's a beer garden, which operates independently (more later), the indoor restaurant seating and bar area. Tap beer inside is served in schooners (see photos) and they do some other things a bit differently. The pork tenderloin is huge -- spilling onto four buns (a must-share item (unless you're trying to prove that you don't care about your health and take pride in how much you can put into your stomach in one sitting)). Corn Fritters are balls of dough/corn kernels, deep-fried and rolled in powdered sugar. Avg size: somewhere between a golf ball and baseball. Schooner's is home to my favorite beer garden in Bloomington-Normal. It's fairly large and has plenty of shade. It's a great place to host a party if you're looking to plan an event. The one oddity is that the beer garden seems to operate independently of the rest of Schooner's. There's a separate beer garden menu, so you're limited on what you can order. For example, if you want a buffalo chicken sandwich, you're out of luck unless your server is willing to make an exception. I'm sure there's some reason for this set-up. If you're reading this and know the reason, by all means, please let me know. Schooner's is an all-around great place though. If you haven't been there and you live in the area, put it high on your list, especially during the summer months. Need-to-know: Schooner's does not accept credit card. They have an ATM machine. Hopefully they'll start taking credit one day soon. Maybe they'll start by taking it only in the beer garden.
(4)Kevin K.
First of all, a warning. The place only takes cash. There is an ATM inside the place but no credit or checks. The food is very average and not bad but the deep fried corn fritters are amazing. You get 8 per order and that is more than enough for 4-5 people. The fried chicken sandwich is what I had and it wasn't a Chick-fil-a or anything special. The burgers were ok too. Again, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)Jim S.
Very local place with loyal customer base. Discovered via yelp when in from out of town. Everyone knew everyone and we totally felt like we were from the neighborhood by the time we left. Burgers were huge and the wings were EXCELLENT!!!
(5)Katy P.
Great bar food and cheap beer. Cheddar bacon BBQ burger better than many other joints in town. Big beer $3 or $4. Can't beat it!
(4)Jake M.
Every time I'm in Bloomington visiting my parents, I head to Schooner's with my dad. It's his local hangout but they do bar food very well. If it's your first time, stick with what they do best: chicken wings and onion rings. I've had wings all over the country and I can't find any that are better. Tender, meaty and perfectly sauced. I prefer the mild with plenty of ranch. I prefer the bar area if a seat is available. Everyone seems to know each other but it's always friendly.
(4)Mike V.
Had dinner at Schooner's Sunday night. Hard to beat their wild wings, onion rings and a schooner of beer. Not fancy, just tasty and homey. Service is always good.
(4)Linda C.
This food is wonderful and has been for the last 25 years. We love the onion rings, Italian sausage sandwich and the pork tenderloin which will feed at least 4 people. I don't believe one penny has been spent on updates but that's O.K. This is a cash only place, be prepared. This place is worth the visit not withstanding how it looks.
(4)S. C.
We drove two hours to eat at Schooners and I would definitely do it again. My son needed driving hours and that is just one more excuse for a road trip to find a good place to eat. We arrived about two and got a table right away. The place was clean and the service was very good. My son ordered a Horseshoe Sandwich and substituted steak fries; I wasn't going to leave without trying the King Tenderloin. I ordered it with two buns, but found it difficult to pay extra for a tomato, so I did without. We also ordered a whole order of onion rings. The Horseshoe Sandwich was cooked to perfection. The sauce was excellent. The onion rings were greasy and a little too plain. I normally can handle greasy food, but this was a little more than I care for. The King Tenderloin was huge. I had no trouble setting aside half to take home to my husband and still couldn't finish my half. It tasted good, but I guess I need a little seasoning or dressing to give it that "can't put it down" pizazz. It isn't easy getting my 16 year old to say he's full, but he did on this trip. The prices were great for the quantity of food we received and the quality of service we experienced. We will definitely be back.
(4)John B.
Sat on the bar side, Shiner on draft! a little slow with drinks from the bar; Onion rings had great flavor but we're to greasy and tough for me;. I had fried chicken, tender & juicy with great thin crispy crust but lacked seasoning. Came with everyday frozen crinkle fries and store bought dinner roll that I didn't even try. Suz had the Italian Beef that she said compared with 'Johnnies Beef' in Elmwood Park and really liked the Au Jus. Forgot it was CASH ONLY when it was time to pay the bill. Over all, definitely a locals place and with so many other places to try, will look elsewhere next time.
(2)Kent K.
I waited after three times visiting this establishment to review. Ate on 2 out of 3. First on the food, wings are good, the all-you-can-eat walleye is average, and the cheeseburger is great. I keep hearing from people this place is a locals only and patrons are not too keen to letting others in their "club". I have not gotten that feeling. Everyone seems very talkative and are having a good time enjoying a schooner a beer and a bite to eat. Good sports vibe to the place. Typical central Illinois Cubs vs. Cards rivalry. The tavern is divided into three parts...dining room, beer garden, and bar room. Each area has a different feel. Dining room is good for groups and may I suggest if your kid is screaming or running around stick to the dining room and stay out of the bar area.
(4)Ralph W.
We were faithful followers of this local restaurant. However, THREE times in a row the service was so bad we won't be going back for a while, perhaps never. 20+ minutes to be waited on, long delay until food arrived, and then it was cold. This wasn't a problem in the past, but three times in a row is inexcusable.
(1)Angela D.
It's really tough to give Schooner's a 3-star rating, but after eating there with our family over the past year, I'm being generous. 1) Wings are still AWESOME! Best in town, in my opinion!! The rest of the food? Mediocre, at best--burgers are overdone, fries can be purchased at Kroger, chicken is bland and that tenderloin? You know...the one that is supposed to be the size of a pizza pan? Yeah, not so much anymore. Plus, it costs more for less--didn't think we'd notice, eh Schooner's?? We did. 3) Cash only. Come on, Schooner's...get with the program - it's the 21st Century for God's sakes! 4) Cost. WAY TO HIGH for the food. Sorry. I can take my family of four to Rosie's downtown for burgers + fries all around + sodas for the kids, a few beers for the husband and a couple of 'ritas for me = around $55 before tip. Basically that same meal at Schooner's? Our check last Friday was $76. BEFORE TIP! (Only difference was we added 2 lbs. of wings; however, I did NOT have a margarita...just iced tea.) We'll be limiting our visits to Schooner's for carry-out only from now on...sigh.
(3)Meghan B.
How have I not reviewed Schooners yet? I took the lead photo! Schooners is a townie-mostly bar, something I crave occasionally to get away from the Medici or Fat Jacks (Tuesday only) crowd. Best beer you'll find is the Sam Adams, but it always tastes good and is served cold. I love, love, love the big glasses that they come in. It can be very crowded, but we've never had too much trouble finding a place to sit and dive in to some onion rings, which I agree may be the best in town. It's not someplace I seek out often, but when I'm in the mood for a super casual spot where I likely won't see anyone I know and want to eat greasy food and gripe about work, this place is magic. Great outdoor patio in summer months, too! Bring cash.
(4)Adam C.
Went with the 2 stars only because I've been here multiple times and had good experiences as well but last trip here will unfortunately be the last trip here.... Was in town visiting family and usually when they say where do you want to go schooners is top of my list. So schooners we went, and boy was I disappointed... Normally food is awesome and service is friendly and great but we didn't have anything good to say about this visit, it started the second we walked in the door and all you could smell was a strong odor of bathroom stalls like you were at an arena for a concert or something. Originally they were going to sit us right by them and we asked for a different table. Not to mention a woman stating it was her first day to a table of patrons as we walked in.... We unfortunately received that waitress as our own, her name was "Amy" ( sorry to bust you out Amy but did so in hopes of you not ruining someone else's experience) She was very slow and you could tell didn't know what she was doing. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted to start with an appetizer, we went with a half order of onion rings. She left for a short period and came back with our drinks. She proceeded to take our order. We had 4 adults and one child. The entire time she took our order she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the tv that was right above us. So much so she took everyone's order but mine and walked away. I had to call out to her for her to come back. Where it all went down hill, the onion rings took forever and came out about 2 minutes before our meal when multiple other tables who had came in after received there's before us. Our order was as followed... One schooner burger with cheddar cheese,tomatoes and lettuce substitute fries for coleslaw. Buffalo chicken wrap minus blue cheese add ranch dressing Pork tenderloin sliders plain ( waitress stated they came that way unless items were added) Chicken with side salad house dressing Grilled cheese with fries........ Burger came with Swiss and no toppings with fries not coleslaw Tenderloin sliders came with onions and pickles And my wrap had blue cheese. When the waitress asked how everything was I couldn't help but laugh. She had got the grilled cheese right at least. When I sent my wrap back due to the blue cheese she came back out stating the chef said it wasn't it was ranch. I never seen ranch come in chunky block like formations. ( I know the difference between ranch and blue cheese) the owner even came to table to tell me that they used a ranch/blue cheese combo. Seriously???? Which is it? Is it on there or not. After a few minutes the owner came back and finally admitted the waitress made yet another mistake and hadn't ordered it without the blue cheese. Btw coleslaw never came out either!!!!! To top it all off the bill was 57.44. We gave her 60$ when she came back to the table she brought a dollar. Now I might not be great at math but 60-57.44 is not a dollar. What a joke and what a disappointment. Owner offered me a free sandwich and beer next time I'm in but that does me no good since I won't be. Needless to say Amy was my first experience not leaving a tip. My only tip to her would be to find another line of work you cost schooners a loyal customer of over 15 years!
(2)Jim H.
It's 2014 and I couldn't pay via credit card.....come on Schooners. With all the choices in the area...???? We won't be back for this reason alone.
(1)Eric G.
I am really torn about this review because it has one really great thing going for it but a few down sides. The great thing up front is the onion rings and corn fritters. They are unique and taste awesome. The Rings have extra batter that is so crispy and flavorful that you have a hard time saving room for the rest of your meal. The down sides are the price, the wait times, and they do not take credit cards. I have had the hot wings and the beer battered chicken and thought both were okay. I would really prefer that they use the same batter used for the onion rings on the fried chicken adding a little more spice for kick, but this tends to be a place I will go back for the onion rings alone maybe once every few months.
(3)Julie O.
Onion rings and chicken wings.oh my! So I really had no idea this was a full-service restaurant, because as we walked up, all I saw was a beer garden with a guy singing and playing guitar. It was nice out and it was summertime and well, you get the picture. The beer is cheap, the atmosphere great and the onion rings are awesome. Cash only is a bit of a hardship, but I have endured worse.
(4)Grace S.
Never been here before despite living in the town for 6 years. The food: First off, I don't like buffalo wings, ever, but the buffalo wings here were delicious!! I would get them again. But would probably never venture to try them anywhere else. Like I said, I don't like buffalo wings. Also, the corn fritters are to die for. Amazing amounts of powdered sugar on a HUGE corn fritter? Yes please! Then I had the cheddar, bbq, bacon burger... mmm! It had generous amounts of bacon. Overall, it was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere: Small town restaurant feel. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. Service was prompt and friendly. Very crowded but not overwhelming. Reasonable prices. I think the bill was $50 or so for the 3 us including alcohol, appetizers, and entrees.
(4)Travis T.
Lunch - Schooner Burger and onion rings... Burger grilled to perfect medium. Onion rings are big and crispy...very light. Great lunch for under $10...cash only (ATM inside)
(3)Troy S.
Some of my earliest memories of eating out aren't McDonalds, they are getting a tenderloin pizza and some yummy onion rings. Simply put: this is the ultimate divey greasy pub style restaurant. That is what makes it great, their prices are super low and there is an attached bar, if you prefer bar seating.
(4)Melissa D.
I love big beers. And cold beers. And cheap beers! :) Schooners has 'em. Cash only. Could be worse, right? Pork tenderloin, OMG. Get the one for 4 and it's under 10 bucks and it is so delish. I've never had a pork tenderloin until I tried it at Schooners, and I will never ever have one from somewhere else. Hands down, one of the best sandwiches ever. The onion rings are amazing. Yum yum yum! :) The wings are pretty good too. It's a great bar and I definitely suggest you get over there and get yourself a big ol' beer. :) I really like that indian statue looking guy on the bar too. Awesome.
(5)Carmello J.
If there was a hall of fame for local awesome sauce resteraunts this place would be a first ballot. Amazing food, friendly staff, love the local/hometown feel to the place. If you wanted to dine at a visually appealing resteraunt go to the olive garden. A must for those who love greasy food and dig the small town local owned type resteraunt. Battered Hot Wings for the win!
(4)Jessica M.
Excellent!!! First time trying this place. I would highly recommend the onion rings and the battered wings! Possibly the best traditional wings in town. Sorry Hooters but I found a new restaurant with much better wings and service! We did a carryout order but it was still delicious. The only take cash though.
(5)Chef B.
some of the best wings in town. A close 2nd to Mugsy's, IMO. I love, love, love their beergarden. I just wish their full menu was available outside. I don't understand ... the other food is just 15 feet away. Please bring me some of it. Cash only is also annoying. It's 2012. I've paid for groceries with nothing more than my fingerprint, but I need cash to buy wings and beer? It's time to upgrade. I'm picking nits . . . i still really like Schooners. It's a good place to go. Nothing fancy, just good stuff.
(4)Kim M.
Oh Schooner's, how I miss thee. Grew up in Bloomington and we would go here every week. I'd play pinball. Parents would drink beer. We'd leave smelling like cigarettes and come back the next week anyways. The owners now are the same owners from when I was growing up, so every time we go back there are always the familiar faces of both the managers and the customers. The place is like frozen in time, I tell you. Minus the smoke, now. I worked here in college for a couple of years as well and yes, the place is a total grease bomb. Having gone back recently, If I had to guess I'd say that there was a change in staff in the kitchen based on the quality of the food. But regardless, the favorites: 1. Chicken Strips - the sauce that comes with them is out of this world. It does have a kick which I love. The strips themselves almost seem double battered. Crunchy batter. 2. Onion Rings - They have the best onion rings there, but be prepared for some major indigestion. 3. Pork Tenderloin - served on a pizza pan, big enough for your entire family. 4. Chicken Wings - This is probably the first place that I ever had chicken wings. They set the bar pretty high. 5. Beer - If you are getting beer here, make sure you get the schooner glass. It's cheap, and freezing cold!! Don't go to Schooner's expecting out of this world service. It's a super casual place. Also don't go there with your kids and then get ticked off if there are people there that are using words that you may not think are appropriate for your children. It's not a family joint unless you are pretty laid back.
(4)Jessica S.
The tenderloin is over-rated and dried out, HOWEVER... there are two things you have to go there to enjoy. And bring cash... no plastic here. The onion rings. Oh my goodness the onion rings. Best in town. Seriously, lightly beer battered flavor, get the biggest basket you can and don't share. Be greedy and make others get their own. They have a special, I think its the first Tuesday of every month. Chicken Fried Steak, Corn and Mashed Potatoes. Best I've ever had. Beer garden is nice too, shaded with tables, tree cover and umbrellas. Local place with regulars, but don't be afraid to stop here, everyone is more than friendly.
(4)Scott B.
Very down to earth place with a friendly atomosphere. Secluded bar area and seperate sit down dine in provide a good time for one person who wants to drink a beer and watch a game, and also a family who just wants to eat good food at a good price. Nicely done, Schooners. (Skoo-ners) CASH ONLY!
(4)Kyle P.
good time. had a great tenderloin breaded sandwich thing that was the size of tire and some wings....nice little drinking bar and everyone was nice to me
(5)Zac B.
I was not impressed and i came with such high hopes. I've seen my share of low bars which are fun, but this wasn't. Ill just list out the problems. 1. Beer specials good, not great 2. Interior super cheap, even for a dive, looks like they robbed a third rate dinning hall to furnish the dinning area. 3. food was alright, way over priced. 4. no credit card, come on give me a break. 5. I can't blame the bar but others mentioned it in their comments. It was really annoying having a bunch of loud men who were well over forty. I don't have any problem with people getting drunk or having fun, but this was just pathetic and annoying.
(2)John S.
My wife and I just returned from Schooner's. It was my 2nd time going there and 2nd time that I wasn't impressed. Today I ordered the 1lb catfish dinner, and boy was I disappointed. The menu does not come close to describing what you get when you order this. I assumed it would be served up like the rest of the world serves up fish.. Filleted. But I was quite wrong. When the waitress rounded the corner I could see the tail and instantly knew this would not go well. Thankfully it didn't have a head or skin, but still it made my stomach turn over instantly seeing the shape and tail. I then took my fork and pulled off a bit of meat to see the bones. I tried to eat, but it just wasn't happening. I took 4 bites and I was done. My wife ordered the buffalo wrap, but took only a few bites because she did not like the blue cheese dressing. She does love the onion rings though, and a half order is still a huge amount. Anyway, our waitress came to refill my drink, at which point I asked for the check. She asked if we wanted a box, my first thought was "so I can take it home and give it a proper burial". I would have expected a waitress seeing people have only taken a couple bites would ask if there was a problem with the food, but that didn't happen. The menu could have only been more vague if it had taken a cue from My Cousin Vinny and only said "Breakfast $1.99, Lunch $2.49, Dinner $3.49" I don't think I will go back to Schooner's again. The fact that the waitress never asked how our food was or if there was something wrong with it when we didn't eat much, that just shows that there is little care on the quality of the service or customer satisfaction. The menu's lack of description is a serious concern, especially for those that could have food allergies or are a bit squimish with certain ways in which foods are prepared. I would also say that accepting cash only is a bit lazy. I mean, this is the 21st century. I would think that if the amish can accept a debit card, then Schooner's should be able to as well.
(2)Troy J.
Dining area is a little dated and a bit on the small side. If your looking for your daily dose of grease, your in luck. I had the corn fritters, onion rings, and the deep fried pork chop sandwich. The onion rings were great! Hand dipped freshly battered, fried perfectly. The corn fritters were better than than I expected. Fried pork chop was pretty good. A little heavy on the batter but good. Overall a good lunch, service was good. If your in the mood for grease, they can fix you up. Cash only!
(4)Austin A.
A local gem. Best onion rings, kick ass corn fritters, slammin wings, dank cheese burgers, a tenderloin that could (feed the children) I drive a cab in Bloomington and if I like somebody enough, I might tell them about this place.
(5)Ema N.
Your neighborhood place to go for great food and friendly faces.
(5)Jacob B.
Schooners is where you go for wings! Hands down. If I owned a business, it would be cash only by the way......there's a reason for that. The beer, the food, the people, the memories........never had a bad experience here.
(5)Tim J.
I should like Schooner's more than I do, but that is their fault, not mine. I love divey beer bars with decent food and laid-back places frequented by regular folks who find that five o'clock sometimes comes early. It doesn't bother me if I'm the youngest guy in the bar, and I'm not even that young. But Schooner's does one crucial thing wrong (on purpose), and they get 2 stars from me for it. If you're here with a group, and especially if you are drinking, the tab can go beyond what most folks carry on hand. Unlike every other bar/restaurant that is this big and well-established they only take cash. They are too stingy to take the small percentage rip from the card companies that every other small business does and instead pass that cost on to you, their customer. But wait, it gets worse. They refuse to take the hit that every other similar business does, and then they offer to let you use their on-premises ATM at $2 a pop, plus whatever your bank charges you at the end of the month. Since the ATM is either theirs, leased by them, or leasing space from them, they get a slice of every transaction. Prices on food and drinks here are average to high for the quality before all this nickel and dime garbage. The irony is that (I have a buddy that works with bars to diminish their losses from theft) they probably lose more money doing this because it is easier for staff to steal from them this way than with cards. So, they inconvenience you, cost you extra money, and make money at your expense. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)L F.
Good food, great price! You can't beat schooners if you are looking for greasy good bar food (but they also have healthy options like the Mesquite Chicken Salad!). I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu! But if you go, you must order a rootbeer shooter, it's the bars non-advertised specialty drink - it's a large shot (hints the name shooter) that taste like soda - you become a regular once you try this!!!
(5)Dodd V.
Not a great place to look at, but a wonderful place to eat. As mentioned by others, their pork tenderloin sandwich is very good and extremely generous. It really is a meal for 2-3 people. You know it is going to be a monster when they ask you how many buns you want with it. It is about a 9-10 inch round tenderloin. Buffalo wings are great, and ordered by the pound. Burgers, other sandwiches and fried chicken are also very good. Go for the food and reasonable prices, not for the atmosphere.
(4)Ying W.
Having lived in California for 4 years now I've definitely expanded my stomach horizon, but the one thing that you can never find out here is a big, tasty, fried pork tenderloin sandwich, and dammit, Schooner's is the best there is. Now if only they would take credit/debit....
(4)Russ C.
Like an inside joke when you aren't in on it. It's typical bar food and a subpar beer list, and is cash only (can we say tax evasion). It's crowded and loud which is probably the appeal if you are a regular but not exactly appealing if you aren't part of the crowd.
(1)Sue R.
Two words....tenderloin and rings. They are both awesome and you can take them home and eat them for days!
(5)Meredith H.
i grew up going to schooners and usually try to make it there when i am back in b-n visiting my parents or friends. definitely a local spot - not typically where the college kids hang out. growing up in the area, i thought "everyone" knew about schooners. i'm glad i was naive - i much prefer the local crowd. the food is greasy, but completely delicious. my family always gets the same appetizers each time we go - corn fritters and onion rings. i'm sure we are taking years off of our lives by eating these things, but i guess you only live once. i've tried to explain schooners onion rings to people who haven't been there and i just can't do them justice. you have to try them for yourself! the beer garden is fun during the summer and now that the smoking ban exists, sitting in the bar isn't bad either!
(4)Kelly M.
THE place for locals in town...sort of in the middle of a residential area...not easy to find, but worth the hunt!! My husband LOVES the tenderloin...if you go with someone, share it- too much food for one! Great beer garden when the weather is nice.
(5)Jenna M.
Love this place, although the kitchen hygiene has a reputation for being pretty grotesque (out of sight, out of mind, though). Beer-battered onion rings are the best in town, pork tenderloin spans 3 hamburger buns (each extra bun is $0.25), their burgers are known to be good, but excessively greasy. House dressing is a combo of ranch and bleu cheese - perfect. All meals are around $5. Beer garden outside. This is a local place, incredibly popular with the 40-50 crowd. Every Friday and Saturday night you can count on seeing the same people there (school teachers are a bulk of these regulars). Pin ball machine and a few booths in the small and always back-to-back crowded bar area.
(5)Adam C.
Went with the 2 stars only because I've been here multiple times and had good experiences as well but last trip here will unfortunately be the last trip here.... Was in town visiting family and usually when they say where do you want to go schooners is top of my list. So schooners we went, and boy was I disappointed... Normally food is awesome and service is friendly and great but we didn't have anything good to say about this visit, it started the second we walked in the door and all you could smell was a strong odor of bathroom stalls like you were at an arena for a concert or something. Originally they were going to sit us right by them and we asked for a different table. Not to mention a woman stating it was her first day to a table of patrons as we walked in.... We unfortunately received that waitress as our own, her name was "Amy" ( sorry to bust you out Amy but did so in hopes of you not ruining someone else's experience) She was very slow and you could tell didn't know what she was doing. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted to start with an appetizer, we went with a half order of onion rings. She left for a short period and came back with our drinks. She proceeded to take our order. We had 4 adults and one child. The entire time she took our order she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the tv that was right above us. So much so she took everyone's order but mine and walked away. I had to call out to her for her to come back. Where it all went down hill, the onion rings took forever and came out about 2 minutes before our meal when multiple other tables who had came in after received there's before us. Our order was as followed... One schooner burger with cheddar cheese,tomatoes and lettuce substitute fries for coleslaw. Buffalo chicken wrap minus blue cheese add ranch dressing Pork tenderloin sliders plain ( waitress stated they came that way unless items were added) Chicken with side salad house dressing Grilled cheese with fries........ Burger came with Swiss and no toppings with fries not coleslaw Tenderloin sliders came with onions and pickles And my wrap had blue cheese. When the waitress asked how everything was I couldn't help but laugh. She had got the grilled cheese right at least. When I sent my wrap back due to the blue cheese she came back out stating the chef said it wasn't it was ranch. I never seen ranch come in chunky block like formations. ( I know the difference between ranch and blue cheese) the owner even came to table to tell me that they used a ranch/blue cheese combo. Seriously???? Which is it? Is it on there or not. After a few minutes the owner came back and finally admitted the waitress made yet another mistake and hadn't ordered it without the blue cheese. Btw coleslaw never came out either!!!!! To top it all off the bill was 57.44. We gave her 60$ when she came back to the table she brought a dollar. Now I might not be great at math but 60-57.44 is not a dollar. What a joke and what a disappointment. Owner offered me a free sandwich and beer next time I'm in but that does me no good since I won't be. Needless to say Amy was my first experience not leaving a tip. My only tip to her would be to find another line of work you cost schooners a loyal customer of over 15 years!
(2)Jim H.
It's 2014 and I couldn't pay via credit card.....come on Schooners. With all the choices in the area...???? We won't be back for this reason alone.
(1)Andy T.
Two words: Gebby burger. If for nothing else but the "juice". Great service, award winning wings, a sporty feel makes this neighborhood hangout a place to join with family and friends to celebrate and/or come to discuss weather, politics or religion Just go. It's all good there!
(5)Dustin F.
Went here with my dad, sister, and grandma. Dad and sister got the onion rings and the supreme tenderloin which they said was just okay. My dad didn't care for the sauce on it as it tasted like pizza sauce. It's not what he remembers either. My grandma got the chili cheese dog and fries which she said was too salty. I, myself, got their Italian beef which was just...meh. It had no good flavor to it at all. I got the aus jus on the side and wanted to try american cheese instead. The fries are gosh darn good, though! The waitress we had was kind and friendly, but beware you only get ONE FREE REFILL. I'd suggest just ordering water if you're low budget. I got a sierra mist which was great! Aside from that I also suggest the bakery right beside this place for dessert as it's much cheaper there. :) Also, it's nice to support bakeries!
(3)Annmarie G.
I went here recently for the first time with a party of 7, and they easily accommodated us. While it was a great place to go with such a large group, I wouldn't say anything special about my experience here. Our waitress went to our table a coupe times to check on us, only to find out that our food hadn't been brought out yet, and both times she apologized for it. It was a little strange, as we probably wouldn't have realized that someone had neglected to give us our food had she not mentioned it. As for food, I ordered a burger and fries, and they were pretty average. My fries were on the cold side. For appetizers, we ordered onion rings, and I those were definitely the best thing I had there. Overall, this was a great place to go given the size of our group and how cheap the food was (my burger was around $7.50), but if I had to rate the experience, I would say it was just "A-OK". Nothing really to write home about.
(3)Paul H.
I have been in a few times since my original review and the onion rings have been awesome every time! The mozzarella sticks were really good one time and not as good the next time. I like the spicy wings as well, but think Mugsy's are a little better. A co-worker said you have to try the steak sandwich when you come to Schooner's! I will try that next time I go there.
(4)Cindy H.
We were traveling and I looked on Yelp find a place for lunch. Schooners looked good so we stopped. We were happily rewarded with the special of the day... Pot roast, potatoes and gravy and green beans. The mashed potatoes were crazy good! Pot roast cooked perfectly. For people with salt restrictions this was pretty salty. Overall, the service was fast and friendly...price 6.25!!
(4)Mike R.
this used to be my favorite lunch time beer garden. The last two visits my chicken sandwich took LITERALLY two hours. The service has become so bad when you sit outside that my coworker and I vowed to never go back. Inside is still good. Typical bar food. A little over priced but generally worth it. Waitresses are usually nice and attentive. Bottom line. Unless you can take a two hour lunch and you are not looking for quick refills - no longer a lunch spot.
(2)John S.
My wife and I just returned from Schooner's. It was my 2nd time going there and 2nd time that I wasn't impressed. Today I ordered the 1lb catfish dinner, and boy was I disappointed. The menu does not come close to describing what you get when you order this. I assumed it would be served up like the rest of the world serves up fish.. Filleted. But I was quite wrong. When the waitress rounded the corner I could see the tail and instantly knew this would not go well. Thankfully it didn't have a head or skin, but still it made my stomach turn over instantly seeing the shape and tail. I then took my fork and pulled off a bit of meat to see the bones. I tried to eat, but it just wasn't happening. I took 4 bites and I was done. My wife ordered the buffalo wrap, but took only a few bites because she did not like the blue cheese dressing. She does love the onion rings though, and a half order is still a huge amount. Anyway, our waitress came to refill my drink, at which point I asked for the check. She asked if we wanted a box, my first thought was "so I can take it home and give it a proper burial". I would have expected a waitress seeing people have only taken a couple bites would ask if there was a problem with the food, but that didn't happen. The menu could have only been more vague if it had taken a cue from My Cousin Vinny and only said "Breakfast $1.99, Lunch $2.49, Dinner $3.49" I don't think I will go back to Schooner's again. The fact that the waitress never asked how our food was or if there was something wrong with it when we didn't eat much, that just shows that there is little care on the quality of the service or customer satisfaction. The menu's lack of description is a serious concern, especially for those that could have food allergies or are a bit squimish with certain ways in which foods are prepared. I would also say that accepting cash only is a bit lazy. I mean, this is the 21st century. I would think that if the amish can accept a debit card, then Schooner's should be able to as well.
(2)Troy J.
Dining area is a little dated and a bit on the small side. If your looking for your daily dose of grease, your in luck. I had the corn fritters, onion rings, and the deep fried pork chop sandwich. The onion rings were great! Hand dipped freshly battered, fried perfectly. The corn fritters were better than than I expected. Fried pork chop was pretty good. A little heavy on the batter but good. Overall a good lunch, service was good. If your in the mood for grease, they can fix you up. Cash only!
(4)Austin A.
A local gem. Best onion rings, kick ass corn fritters, slammin wings, dank cheese burgers, a tenderloin that could (feed the children) I drive a cab in Bloomington and if I like somebody enough, I might tell them about this place.
(5)Ema N.
Your neighborhood place to go for great food and friendly faces.
(5)Jacob B.
Schooners is where you go for wings! Hands down. If I owned a business, it would be cash only by the way......there's a reason for that. The beer, the food, the people, the memories........never had a bad experience here.
(5)Tim J.
I should like Schooner's more than I do, but that is their fault, not mine. I love divey beer bars with decent food and laid-back places frequented by regular folks who find that five o'clock sometimes comes early. It doesn't bother me if I'm the youngest guy in the bar, and I'm not even that young. But Schooner's does one crucial thing wrong (on purpose), and they get 2 stars from me for it. If you're here with a group, and especially if you are drinking, the tab can go beyond what most folks carry on hand. Unlike every other bar/restaurant that is this big and well-established they only take cash. They are too stingy to take the small percentage rip from the card companies that every other small business does and instead pass that cost on to you, their customer. But wait, it gets worse. They refuse to take the hit that every other similar business does, and then they offer to let you use their on-premises ATM at $2 a pop, plus whatever your bank charges you at the end of the month. Since the ATM is either theirs, leased by them, or leasing space from them, they get a slice of every transaction. Prices on food and drinks here are average to high for the quality before all this nickel and dime garbage. The irony is that (I have a buddy that works with bars to diminish their losses from theft) they probably lose more money doing this because it is easier for staff to steal from them this way than with cards. So, they inconvenience you, cost you extra money, and make money at your expense. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Jamie B.
My husband & I had lunch here while our vehicle was being serviced at Kelly's Automotive. Cute little place. We walked in through the bar by mistake. It appeared to be the front door. The two people working the bar (there were no customers) had no interest in directing us where to go or what to do. A little aggravating. We stumbled upon someone who was taking a liquor order (didn't work for Schooners) who directed us to the dining area around the corner. The staff on this side of the restaurant was much nicer. We were seated right away. Our food came out very quickly. The food was perfectly prepared, very good and a great price! This place filled up about 11:30am and going forward. It was quite packed! If we're ever in this area again, we'll definitely stop in.
(4)B W.
Wow Delicious! We shared the tenderloin with enough left over for at least two meals, and the onion rings were FANtastic!!!
(4)Jason H.
Had a great meal, got the full order of onion rings for two of us (still couldn't finish them) and they were awesome! I had the wings which were good and wife got the tenderloin which looked like a meal for four!! Cold beer too, will be coming back here soon!
(5)Breck S.
The onion rings are great. And by great I mean phenomenal and well within my college student budget. I also had the burger horseshoe which was just what I was looking for. We ha some minor server issues and the soda was flat. All in all a great place for lunch with many good choices for food!!
(4)Ann S.
Great wings, onion rings, corn fritters and fried chicken! We have been going here for years. On Wednesday nights they have a fried chicken special and they always have daily lunch and dinner deals.
(5)Theresa N.
The food is typical Midwestern fare. Would you like that fried, fried, or fried? No diner serves a tenderloin sandwich where I live, so that's what I want when I come visit Illinois. I was blown away by the gross enormity of the sandwich....I am not kidding, it's a platter sized piece of tenderloin on a regular sized hamburger bun. My daughter and I got one to share, and we trimmed off enough meat for FOUR more sandwiches. The tenderloin is thick, so be aware if you like your tenderloin thin. It was something like $11 for the sandwich, and an extra charge for another bun. So it came out to $6.00 per meal, not counting the rings. Not too shabby. It's a regular ol' divey restaurant/bar, so dressing as if you just stepped off the tractor is just fine. My sister in law loved her wings. My other sister in law loved her wrap. We also got the onion rings on a recommendation, which are hand cut and battered. Not frozen. They were pretty good.
(3)Terrance S.
Great wing's and cold beer. Has my favorite beer of Texas on tap! Shiner Boch! Friendly wait staff.
(4)Casie V.
It's a nice dive bar. Good fish fry and onion rings. The wings are extremely overrated
(3)KJ V.
Good food! The place to go where locals go. I recommend the onion rings and the fish special. Both are delicious! Decent service. Place could use an update.
(4)Van M.
Schooner's is a local favorite. It's a very segmented space: there's a beer garden, which operates independently (more later), the indoor restaurant seating and bar area. Tap beer inside is served in schooners (see photos) and they do some other things a bit differently. The pork tenderloin is huge -- spilling onto four buns (a must-share item (unless you're trying to prove that you don't care about your health and take pride in how much you can put into your stomach in one sitting)). Corn Fritters are balls of dough/corn kernels, deep-fried and rolled in powdered sugar. Avg size: somewhere between a golf ball and baseball. Schooner's is home to my favorite beer garden in Bloomington-Normal. It's fairly large and has plenty of shade. It's a great place to host a party if you're looking to plan an event. The one oddity is that the beer garden seems to operate independently of the rest of Schooner's. There's a separate beer garden menu, so you're limited on what you can order. For example, if you want a buffalo chicken sandwich, you're out of luck unless your server is willing to make an exception. I'm sure there's some reason for this set-up. If you're reading this and know the reason, by all means, please let me know. Schooner's is an all-around great place though. If you haven't been there and you live in the area, put it high on your list, especially during the summer months. Need-to-know: Schooner's does not accept credit card. They have an ATM machine. Hopefully they'll start taking credit one day soon. Maybe they'll start by taking it only in the beer garden.
(4)Kevin K.
First of all, a warning. The place only takes cash. There is an ATM inside the place but no credit or checks. The food is very average and not bad but the deep fried corn fritters are amazing. You get 8 per order and that is more than enough for 4-5 people. The fried chicken sandwich is what I had and it wasn't a Chick-fil-a or anything special. The burgers were ok too. Again, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)Ethan H.
I have never had a bad meal here! The staff is very friendly and the owner is usually around to say hello as well. This bar has a Cheers feel to it. The beer garden is a great spot to enjoy a good meal and a few drinks in the warmer months. They occasionally have live music outside. Inside you can either sit in the bar area or dining area. The dining area is family friendly. I would recommend giving this place a try.
(5)Christopher A.
Nothing fancy...but great food. Was visiting the area and stopped for the tenderloin and rings...Very good! Cash only though!
(4)Jim S.
Very local place with loyal customer base. Discovered via yelp when in from out of town. Everyone knew everyone and we totally felt like we were from the neighborhood by the time we left. Burgers were huge and the wings were EXCELLENT!!!
(5)Katy P.
Great bar food and cheap beer. Cheddar bacon BBQ burger better than many other joints in town. Big beer $3 or $4. Can't beat it!
(4)Jake M.
Every time I'm in Bloomington visiting my parents, I head to Schooner's with my dad. It's his local hangout but they do bar food very well. If it's your first time, stick with what they do best: chicken wings and onion rings. I've had wings all over the country and I can't find any that are better. Tender, meaty and perfectly sauced. I prefer the mild with plenty of ranch. I prefer the bar area if a seat is available. Everyone seems to know each other but it's always friendly.
(4)Mike V.
Had dinner at Schooner's Sunday night. Hard to beat their wild wings, onion rings and a schooner of beer. Not fancy, just tasty and homey. Service is always good.
(4)Linda C.
This food is wonderful and has been for the last 25 years. We love the onion rings, Italian sausage sandwich and the pork tenderloin which will feed at least 4 people. I don't believe one penny has been spent on updates but that's O.K. This is a cash only place, be prepared. This place is worth the visit not withstanding how it looks.
(4)S. C.
We drove two hours to eat at Schooners and I would definitely do it again. My son needed driving hours and that is just one more excuse for a road trip to find a good place to eat. We arrived about two and got a table right away. The place was clean and the service was very good. My son ordered a Horseshoe Sandwich and substituted steak fries; I wasn't going to leave without trying the King Tenderloin. I ordered it with two buns, but found it difficult to pay extra for a tomato, so I did without. We also ordered a whole order of onion rings. The Horseshoe Sandwich was cooked to perfection. The sauce was excellent. The onion rings were greasy and a little too plain. I normally can handle greasy food, but this was a little more than I care for. The King Tenderloin was huge. I had no trouble setting aside half to take home to my husband and still couldn't finish my half. It tasted good, but I guess I need a little seasoning or dressing to give it that "can't put it down" pizazz. It isn't easy getting my 16 year old to say he's full, but he did on this trip. The prices were great for the quantity of food we received and the quality of service we experienced. We will definitely be back.
(4)Kent K.
I waited after three times visiting this establishment to review. Ate on 2 out of 3. First on the food, wings are good, the all-you-can-eat walleye is average, and the cheeseburger is great. I keep hearing from people this place is a locals only and patrons are not too keen to letting others in their "club". I have not gotten that feeling. Everyone seems very talkative and are having a good time enjoying a schooner a beer and a bite to eat. Good sports vibe to the place. Typical central Illinois Cubs vs. Cards rivalry. The tavern is divided into three parts...dining room, beer garden, and bar room. Each area has a different feel. Dining room is good for groups and may I suggest if your kid is screaming or running around stick to the dining room and stay out of the bar area.
(4)Ralph W.
We were faithful followers of this local restaurant. However, THREE times in a row the service was so bad we won't be going back for a while, perhaps never. 20+ minutes to be waited on, long delay until food arrived, and then it was cold. This wasn't a problem in the past, but three times in a row is inexcusable.
(1)Angela D.
It's really tough to give Schooner's a 3-star rating, but after eating there with our family over the past year, I'm being generous. 1) Wings are still AWESOME! Best in town, in my opinion!! The rest of the food? Mediocre, at best--burgers are overdone, fries can be purchased at Kroger, chicken is bland and that tenderloin? You know...the one that is supposed to be the size of a pizza pan? Yeah, not so much anymore. Plus, it costs more for less--didn't think we'd notice, eh Schooner's?? We did. 3) Cash only. Come on, Schooner's...get with the program - it's the 21st Century for God's sakes! 4) Cost. WAY TO HIGH for the food. Sorry. I can take my family of four to Rosie's downtown for burgers + fries all around + sodas for the kids, a few beers for the husband and a couple of 'ritas for me = around $55 before tip. Basically that same meal at Schooner's? Our check last Friday was $76. BEFORE TIP! (Only difference was we added 2 lbs. of wings; however, I did NOT have a margarita...just iced tea.) We'll be limiting our visits to Schooner's for carry-out only from now on...sigh.
(3)Meghan B.
How have I not reviewed Schooners yet? I took the lead photo! Schooners is a townie-mostly bar, something I crave occasionally to get away from the Medici or Fat Jacks (Tuesday only) crowd. Best beer you'll find is the Sam Adams, but it always tastes good and is served cold. I love, love, love the big glasses that they come in. It can be very crowded, but we've never had too much trouble finding a place to sit and dive in to some onion rings, which I agree may be the best in town. It's not someplace I seek out often, but when I'm in the mood for a super casual spot where I likely won't see anyone I know and want to eat greasy food and gripe about work, this place is magic. Great outdoor patio in summer months, too! Bring cash.
(4)John B.
Sat on the bar side, Shiner on draft! a little slow with drinks from the bar; Onion rings had great flavor but we're to greasy and tough for me;. I had fried chicken, tender & juicy with great thin crispy crust but lacked seasoning. Came with everyday frozen crinkle fries and store bought dinner roll that I didn't even try. Suz had the Italian Beef that she said compared with 'Johnnies Beef' in Elmwood Park and really liked the Au Jus. Forgot it was CASH ONLY when it was time to pay the bill. Over all, definitely a locals place and with so many other places to try, will look elsewhere next time.
(2)Tony B.
Tenderloin was just silly! Very dry and seemed to be cooked earlier in the day. Limited draught beer selection. Other than the reaction when I walked in(of every starring at me) people were having fun and were fine. Onion rings were very good and bartender was friendly.
(2)Jamie L.
So I've been to Schooner's twice since my last review. I never liked their steak fries that came with each entree, now they have crinkle cut which I like less. But what I do like is that you have an option for your side instead of getting stuck with fries. I still get the onion rings though they are not as good as they once were. The breading is much thicker and I often have onion skin. I like their cheese sticks as an appetizer and both times I've had the ham po'boy and it was really, really good.
(4)Adam C.
Went with the 2 stars only because I've been here multiple times and had good experiences as well but last trip here will unfortunately be the last trip here.... Was in town visiting family and usually when they say where do you want to go schooners is top of my list. So schooners we went, and boy was I disappointed... Normally food is awesome and service is friendly and great but we didn't have anything good to say about this visit, it started the second we walked in the door and all you could smell was a strong odor of bathroom stalls like you were at an arena for a concert or something. Originally they were going to sit us right by them and we asked for a different table. Not to mention a woman stating it was her first day to a table of patrons as we walked in.... We unfortunately received that waitress as our own, her name was "Amy" ( sorry to bust you out Amy but did so in hopes of you not ruining someone else's experience) She was very slow and you could tell didn't know what she was doing. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted to start with an appetizer, we went with a half order of onion rings. She left for a short period and came back with our drinks. She proceeded to take our order. We had 4 adults and one child. The entire time she took our order she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the tv that was right above us. So much so she took everyone's order but mine and walked away. I had to call out to her for her to come back. Where it all went down hill, the onion rings took forever and came out about 2 minutes before our meal when multiple other tables who had came in after received there's before us. Our order was as followed... One schooner burger with cheddar cheese,tomatoes and lettuce substitute fries for coleslaw. Buffalo chicken wrap minus blue cheese add ranch dressing Pork tenderloin sliders plain ( waitress stated they came that way unless items were added) Chicken with side salad house dressing Grilled cheese with fries........ Burger came with Swiss and no toppings with fries not coleslaw Tenderloin sliders came with onions and pickles And my wrap had blue cheese. When the waitress asked how everything was I couldn't help but laugh. She had got the grilled cheese right at least. When I sent my wrap back due to the blue cheese she came back out stating the chef said it wasn't it was ranch. I never seen ranch come in chunky block like formations. ( I know the difference between ranch and blue cheese) the owner even came to table to tell me that they used a ranch/blue cheese combo. Seriously???? Which is it? Is it on there or not. After a few minutes the owner came back and finally admitted the waitress made yet another mistake and hadn't ordered it without the blue cheese. Btw coleslaw never came out either!!!!! To top it all off the bill was 57.44. We gave her 60$ when she came back to the table she brought a dollar. Now I might not be great at math but 60-57.44 is not a dollar. What a joke and what a disappointment. Owner offered me a free sandwich and beer next time I'm in but that does me no good since I won't be. Needless to say Amy was my first experience not leaving a tip. My only tip to her would be to find another line of work you cost schooners a loyal customer of over 15 years!
(2)Jim H.
It's 2014 and I couldn't pay via credit card.....come on Schooners. With all the choices in the area...???? We won't be back for this reason alone.
(1)Shannon H.
At the recommendation of a friend and the reviews here on Yelp I gave this place a try for dinner. I must have gotten there right in time as I immediately got a seat, right before the place filled up. I had the wings to start; very good wings, much better than most chain places (Buffalo Wild Wings, I'm looking at you). The smallest size you can order is a pound, which was more wings than I wanted, but whatever. They should offer a smaller order for those dining alone that want some wings to go with their dinner. Bonus points for serving them with blue cheese though (ranch wasn't even offered). I also had the mini tenderloin, as it seemed that the tenderloin was the thing to get here. They were good, but not great. Basically it seemed like I was eating a pork version of Chick-fil-a. The onion rings served with it were great though. The service was a bit off. The waitresses were friendly, but they seemed to expect that I had been there often and knew the routine. Thanks to the previous reviews I knew to bring cash, but they really need to get with the times. Heck, I've seen vending machines that can take cards, so it can't be that hard. Over all I like this place, and will probably be back, just next time I'll try something other than the tenderloin.
(3)A S.
Good food, hometown restaurant. Order the tenderloin, but bring buddies to share. This place doesn't accept credit cards so Bring cash!
(4)Aaron H.
I love this bar! I have been a loyal customer to Schooners for more than 8 years and I love it. The food, the staff, the drinks and of course those loud guys in the bar! The wings are great, the soups (always homemade), and the burgers are great. The pricing is fair and although I am not a beer garden person, it is fun. Keep it up Schooners!
(5)Eric G.
I am really torn about this review because it has one really great thing going for it but a few down sides. The great thing up front is the onion rings and corn fritters. They are unique and taste awesome. The Rings have extra batter that is so crispy and flavorful that you have a hard time saving room for the rest of your meal. The down sides are the price, the wait times, and they do not take credit cards. I have had the hot wings and the beer battered chicken and thought both were okay. I would really prefer that they use the same batter used for the onion rings on the fried chicken adding a little more spice for kick, but this tends to be a place I will go back for the onion rings alone maybe once every few months.
(3)Julie O.
Onion rings and chicken wings.oh my! So I really had no idea this was a full-service restaurant, because as we walked up, all I saw was a beer garden with a guy singing and playing guitar. It was nice out and it was summertime and well, you get the picture. The beer is cheap, the atmosphere great and the onion rings are awesome. Cash only is a bit of a hardship, but I have endured worse.
(4)Grace S.
Never been here before despite living in the town for 6 years. The food: First off, I don't like buffalo wings, ever, but the buffalo wings here were delicious!! I would get them again. But would probably never venture to try them anywhere else. Like I said, I don't like buffalo wings. Also, the corn fritters are to die for. Amazing amounts of powdered sugar on a HUGE corn fritter? Yes please! Then I had the cheddar, bbq, bacon burger... mmm! It had generous amounts of bacon. Overall, it was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere: Small town restaurant feel. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. Service was prompt and friendly. Very crowded but not overwhelming. Reasonable prices. I think the bill was $50 or so for the 3 us including alcohol, appetizers, and entrees.
(4)Travis T.
Lunch - Schooner Burger and onion rings... Burger grilled to perfect medium. Onion rings are big and crispy...very light. Great lunch for under $10...cash only (ATM inside)
(3)Troy S.
Some of my earliest memories of eating out aren't McDonalds, they are getting a tenderloin pizza and some yummy onion rings. Simply put: this is the ultimate divey greasy pub style restaurant. That is what makes it great, their prices are super low and there is an attached bar, if you prefer bar seating.
(4)Melissa D.
I love big beers. And cold beers. And cheap beers! :) Schooners has 'em. Cash only. Could be worse, right? Pork tenderloin, OMG. Get the one for 4 and it's under 10 bucks and it is so delish. I've never had a pork tenderloin until I tried it at Schooners, and I will never ever have one from somewhere else. Hands down, one of the best sandwiches ever. The onion rings are amazing. Yum yum yum! :) The wings are pretty good too. It's a great bar and I definitely suggest you get over there and get yourself a big ol' beer. :) I really like that indian statue looking guy on the bar too. Awesome.
(5)Carmello J.
If there was a hall of fame for local awesome sauce resteraunts this place would be a first ballot. Amazing food, friendly staff, love the local/hometown feel to the place. If you wanted to dine at a visually appealing resteraunt go to the olive garden. A must for those who love greasy food and dig the small town local owned type resteraunt. Battered Hot Wings for the win!
(4)Jessica M.
Excellent!!! First time trying this place. I would highly recommend the onion rings and the battered wings! Possibly the best traditional wings in town. Sorry Hooters but I found a new restaurant with much better wings and service! We did a carryout order but it was still delicious. The only take cash though.
(5)Chef B.
some of the best wings in town. A close 2nd to Mugsy's, IMO. I love, love, love their beergarden. I just wish their full menu was available outside. I don't understand ... the other food is just 15 feet away. Please bring me some of it. Cash only is also annoying. It's 2012. I've paid for groceries with nothing more than my fingerprint, but I need cash to buy wings and beer? It's time to upgrade. I'm picking nits . . . i still really like Schooners. It's a good place to go. Nothing fancy, just good stuff.
(4)Kim M.
Oh Schooner's, how I miss thee. Grew up in Bloomington and we would go here every week. I'd play pinball. Parents would drink beer. We'd leave smelling like cigarettes and come back the next week anyways. The owners now are the same owners from when I was growing up, so every time we go back there are always the familiar faces of both the managers and the customers. The place is like frozen in time, I tell you. Minus the smoke, now. I worked here in college for a couple of years as well and yes, the place is a total grease bomb. Having gone back recently, If I had to guess I'd say that there was a change in staff in the kitchen based on the quality of the food. But regardless, the favorites: 1. Chicken Strips - the sauce that comes with them is out of this world. It does have a kick which I love. The strips themselves almost seem double battered. Crunchy batter. 2. Onion Rings - They have the best onion rings there, but be prepared for some major indigestion. 3. Pork Tenderloin - served on a pizza pan, big enough for your entire family. 4. Chicken Wings - This is probably the first place that I ever had chicken wings. They set the bar pretty high. 5. Beer - If you are getting beer here, make sure you get the schooner glass. It's cheap, and freezing cold!! Don't go to Schooner's expecting out of this world service. It's a super casual place. Also don't go there with your kids and then get ticked off if there are people there that are using words that you may not think are appropriate for your children. It's not a family joint unless you are pretty laid back.
(4)Jessica S.
The tenderloin is over-rated and dried out, HOWEVER... there are two things you have to go there to enjoy. And bring cash... no plastic here. The onion rings. Oh my goodness the onion rings. Best in town. Seriously, lightly beer battered flavor, get the biggest basket you can and don't share. Be greedy and make others get their own. They have a special, I think its the first Tuesday of every month. Chicken Fried Steak, Corn and Mashed Potatoes. Best I've ever had. Beer garden is nice too, shaded with tables, tree cover and umbrellas. Local place with regulars, but don't be afraid to stop here, everyone is more than friendly.
(4)Scott B.
Very down to earth place with a friendly atomosphere. Secluded bar area and seperate sit down dine in provide a good time for one person who wants to drink a beer and watch a game, and also a family who just wants to eat good food at a good price. Nicely done, Schooners. (Skoo-ners) CASH ONLY!
(4)Kyle P.
good time. had a great tenderloin breaded sandwich thing that was the size of tire and some wings....nice little drinking bar and everyone was nice to me
(5)Zac B.
I was not impressed and i came with such high hopes. I've seen my share of low bars which are fun, but this wasn't. Ill just list out the problems. 1. Beer specials good, not great 2. Interior super cheap, even for a dive, looks like they robbed a third rate dinning hall to furnish the dinning area. 3. food was alright, way over priced. 4. no credit card, come on give me a break. 5. I can't blame the bar but others mentioned it in their comments. It was really annoying having a bunch of loud men who were well over forty. I don't have any problem with people getting drunk or having fun, but this was just pathetic and annoying.
(2)L F.
Good food, great price! You can't beat schooners if you are looking for greasy good bar food (but they also have healthy options like the Mesquite Chicken Salad!). I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu! But if you go, you must order a rootbeer shooter, it's the bars non-advertised specialty drink - it's a large shot (hints the name shooter) that taste like soda - you become a regular once you try this!!!
(5)Dodd V.
Not a great place to look at, but a wonderful place to eat. As mentioned by others, their pork tenderloin sandwich is very good and extremely generous. It really is a meal for 2-3 people. You know it is going to be a monster when they ask you how many buns you want with it. It is about a 9-10 inch round tenderloin. Buffalo wings are great, and ordered by the pound. Burgers, other sandwiches and fried chicken are also very good. Go for the food and reasonable prices, not for the atmosphere.
(4)Ying W.
Having lived in California for 4 years now I've definitely expanded my stomach horizon, but the one thing that you can never find out here is a big, tasty, fried pork tenderloin sandwich, and dammit, Schooner's is the best there is. Now if only they would take credit/debit....
(4)Russ C.
Like an inside joke when you aren't in on it. It's typical bar food and a subpar beer list, and is cash only (can we say tax evasion). It's crowded and loud which is probably the appeal if you are a regular but not exactly appealing if you aren't part of the crowd.
(1)Sue R.
Two words....tenderloin and rings. They are both awesome and you can take them home and eat them for days!
(5)Sean H.
Seemingly simply a neighborhood tavern with beer garden, BUT they also have the best onion rings I've ever had, as well as the best hot wings in Bloomington/Normal if not Illinois. It's like tavern food but the best one could imagine. Ice cold beers, too, obviously.
(5)Meredith H.
i grew up going to schooners and usually try to make it there when i am back in b-n visiting my parents or friends. definitely a local spot - not typically where the college kids hang out. growing up in the area, i thought "everyone" knew about schooners. i'm glad i was naive - i much prefer the local crowd. the food is greasy, but completely delicious. my family always gets the same appetizers each time we go - corn fritters and onion rings. i'm sure we are taking years off of our lives by eating these things, but i guess you only live once. i've tried to explain schooners onion rings to people who haven't been there and i just can't do them justice. you have to try them for yourself! the beer garden is fun during the summer and now that the smoking ban exists, sitting in the bar isn't bad either!
(4)Kelly M.
THE place for locals in town...sort of in the middle of a residential area...not easy to find, but worth the hunt!! My husband LOVES the tenderloin...if you go with someone, share it- too much food for one! Great beer garden when the weather is nice.
(5)Jenna M.
Love this place, although the kitchen hygiene has a reputation for being pretty grotesque (out of sight, out of mind, though). Beer-battered onion rings are the best in town, pork tenderloin spans 3 hamburger buns (each extra bun is $0.25), their burgers are known to be good, but excessively greasy. House dressing is a combo of ranch and bleu cheese - perfect. All meals are around $5. Beer garden outside. This is a local place, incredibly popular with the 40-50 crowd. Every Friday and Saturday night you can count on seeing the same people there (school teachers are a bulk of these regulars). Pin ball machine and a few booths in the small and always back-to-back crowded bar area.
(5)