We had a very good lunch here. We choose the Flat Bread barbecue chicken and the bacon tomato. Both were very good! Sampled some beer and chose the Double Pull. Portions are huge! Took some home in a box . Would eat here again if I were from this area. We were just passing through.
(5)
Mary Jo P.
I am never disappointed with the food here! Love the flatbreads and Idaho nachos. Tonight the meatloaf dinner was outstanding! Service was fine. Also getting rave reviews at the table were the fish and chips, French onion soup, cheeseburger and Reuben. The Lower level EcconPinot Noir I would not order again, best to go up a notch. I will return! It's a me u full of variety.
(4)
Tina S.
Tonight I wanted a seat at a bar that I could have a beer and a steak. I found both at Granite City Food and Brewery. The Cubs and Blackhawks game was on all of the big screens. My bartender Carson, was a little distracted but did a good job. I wanted to sample the Bennie Bock, which was a lite dark beer, it blended well with my sirloin steak. I have the sirloin steak with garlic lemon butter, and it was medium the perfect amount of pink. It came with a baked potato and green beans almondine. The kitchen said that my steak was done, but they were out of baked potatoes, so I substituted the garlic mashed potatoes. I guess they lied and a baked potato appeared on my plate. It was a little cold, so Carson appeared with a serving of mashed potatoes. Really I need to servings of carbs.... This place was okay.
(3)
Clayton H.
Good eats with good friends! Second night in Peoria, second good meal. Came to GCF&B for the craft beer and the great menu. Ended up having the sweet and spicy calamari to start - very good. Had a lighter meal with the shrimp tacos which were also delicious. Buddies had salmon and fish tacos and craft beers - no complaints from the table. Everything was delicious. Will definitely eat here again soon!
(4)
Cornelius R.
I don't really have any bad things to say about this place but I will post something later to let you know how I feel either way. It reminds me of big river grill in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
(3)
Jennie C.
Had the buffet brunch. Good value for the variety and quality of food offerings. Not super-crowded either. Coffee was a bit weak. Service was fast & friendly. Thumbs up!
(4)
Steve S.
Decent, but not great. The Sunday brunch needs to offer a wider selection. If you are doing low-carb forget about it...it's like a carb nightmare. I feel it's an overpriced brunch for what you get, but it's (sadly) the best brunch in Peoria that I have found. I recommend the the fish tacos or the salmon oscar for dinner.
(3)
Kathleen J.
Amazing service. The manager stopped by our table when he found out it was our first time in the restaurant. He gave us free cookies from the bakery and two coupons for free appetizers on a later visit. Our server, Kaylee, was very helpful picking out our choices. She recommended the Idaho Nachos which were very good. They came with a side called Granite Sauce, which was a sour cream based sauce that was a little off for my taste. My boyfriend and I both got the garlic butter sirloin with loaded baked potatoes. It typically comes with green beans, but we both were able to get a large bowl of fruit instead - seasonal and tasty. My steak had an amazing char on the outside and was perfectly rare on the inside. The garlic butter was scrumptious. My boyfriend's steak was over cooked a bit for the medium rare he asked for. The baked potato lacking a little flavor... Season salt would have gone a long way. The inside looked really cool with a half exposed kitchen, spread out seating, and very comfortable booths. TVs were inside so we were able to watch the Sunday Night Football game.
(4)
David M.
We stopped in after the fair for an appetizer and drink. We were seated immediately at a bar booth. The service was quick, friendly. Thursday soup of the day was served fresh and was good. Not really excellent but good. It arrived 20 minutes before the flat bread. I think what went wrong with the flatbread is that it sat on a counter for 20 minutes as it was cold, flavorless and kind of disgusting. Even the little green things they threw on it to distrtact you from strange cheese was wilted. I've seen reviews saying the apptizers are good but ours, not. Bad in several ways. Totino's is better. My choice for beer was a double ipa. I'm not sure what was wrong with that. Not strong in flavor or body. Not very hoppy for a single ipa. Flat, lifeless, soulless as if from budwiser. My wife tried it and wrinkled her noise and told me it is "bad beer". Given the price for this meal I would not recommend returning. There are several good nearby restaurants that will serve quality ingredients with expertly preparation. There are other several good restaurants in the immediate area; I recommend trying elsewhere. The ambience was dark. I think they have dimmed their lights lately.
(2)
Jim B.
We choose Granite City to sit out on the patio area by the river. The night and temperature were perfect. Margaritas were on special so we order them with an appetizer called Idaho nachos. Service was slow. When the margaritas came they were so sweet they were undrinkable. Never could tell if they had any alcohol in them. All four of us left them after one sip. The Idaho nachos were good but it took 5 minutes to get plates. We ordered 2 of "The Overlake", 1 "Bruschetta Salad" and 1 gluten free summer special rotini. The sandwiches we ok but nothing special and the French fries were tough. It took several more minutes to get ketchup. Our overall service was adequate to poor. Value for the money poor.
(1)
Aundrea L.
Good atmosphere, punctual service. Very reasonably priced beer sampler! Just had apps and beers, definitely a great Thursday night find. Pretzel sticks and loaded waffle fries came out piping hot and just right.
(3)
Kevin D.
Love the beer! Oh, and there's good food too.
(5)
Ann K.
My steak was great, however, the potato wasn't done and had the consistency of a green apple. Our server was nice but acted like all her tables were annoying her by asking for salt/pepper or refills. Last time our meal was better and for the price the meal should've been great.
(3)
Lars G.
Another typical chain place. The Food: Average chain restaurant food. The wedge salad is always pretty good. And of course, they have some very good beer. The Staff: This has been hit and miss. I've been there a couple times when our server was excellent, and then there have been a couple times when the server was next to useless. The Atmosphere: I do like being able to see the brewing tanks, but it is a pretty average looking place other than that. There is nothing overly wrong with this place, just nothing spectacular either. It's a decent enough place to go for a quick lunch.
(3)
Eric L.
One of the best outdoor patios with a view of the Riverfront. A nicely varied menu along with beer selection. The Idaho Nachos or custom flatbreads make for a nice appetizer selection. Mug Club and growlers are available as well. Salads, steak, pasta, seafood, burgers and sandwiches all come highly recommended.
(5)
Jeana B.
We had dinner at Granite City. We have been there a few times in the past and the food was better than this visit. I ordered the simply grilled salmon and while it tasted fine the portion size seemed to have shrunk. My husband ordered the pasta alfredo with chicken and to his disappointment the portion was small and the chicken was sliced chicken lunch meat not chunks of chicken meat like you might expect. My daughter ordered the adult bock mac and cheese and it included the same chicken lunch meat as well. We had the waitress send the manager over whose only defense was that the chicken meat is sliced fresh every morning. That doesn't make any sense, why would they slice chicken breasts into lunch meat every morning, not knowing where it will be used. I believe they are using chicken lunch meat out of a bag. We probably won't be back.
(2)
Stephanie R.
I've been coming to this location for several years. The menu offerings are good (bacon flatbread - yum!), and the servers are courteous. The patio is great when in season, and they put on nice spreads for mug club parties and holidays. If you join the mug club, you can earn rewards good on future purchases.
(3)
Erica S.
We were traveling through on business and stopped in. I had a great wrap but my husband requested a double bison burger and the request was shot down. They didn't have a way to just charge for an extra patty. They would have charged for a whole other entree. Sadly, many restaurants haven't trained their employees to up-sell. We work with many restaurants on the west coast and this is something that they are great at doing. You figure out how to give the customer what they want and make it a memorable experience. Although we travel through here every 3 months, this probably won't be on our go to list again.
(2)
Jim G.
We went in for a late lunch and a drink. After we were seated it took 30 minutes for a server to come by. She was rude talking trash about other employees. The whole thing was pretty frustrating since there were only 4 tables in the place with customers. She took our orders.. another 30 minutes go by.. at this point we are about to get up and leave. Drinks finally come out and I asked to speak to the manager. Inform him that we are now here for an hour.. from that point on he is on top of it. He personally checked on our food order.. came back several times to make sure we were doing good. Food was good. Sampler of their beers was good. Bloody Mary was way overpriced for what it was. I had not been there in years.. that's about right.
(3)
Bill D.
Would probably go 2.5 stars. Food was just there and service was just OK. I had a sandwich as did my guest. Not much flavor and for a warm sandwich on the cool side. Decent building and views, clean restroom. Wish the food was a bit better.
(2)
Carrie E.
Good tried and true. I think the food is slipping a little bit during the slower dining times. It seems like they are focusing more on the beer. Anyway, it's a good, consistent place to go in EP!~
(3)
Jeremy M.
Idaho nachos were awesome. I had a sirloin steak which was the best I have had for a long time. I enjoy there beer but beware that they only serve beer that they make. Two people in my group get the walleye and both said it was bad. But my food and experience was great! Would go back again!!!
(5)
Margaret M.
My family and I went there twice in one weekend because the food was to die for. Quality ingredients and amazing beer and mixed drink selection. The only odd thing was the second day we went, there was a 5 minute wait to be seated but so many open tables which leads me to believe they were understaffed. It was well worth the wait though! Out of my two trips there this weekend I would reccommend the adult mac & cheese and the big show burger. Both absolutely amazing! Our server was very kind and made great reccomendations.
(5)
Jay Z.
Hadn't been there in several years. Went in to try it again with my girlfriend and I'm not sure I'll be back. Mushy meatloaf with a gigantic pile of deep fried onions on it.... Not very appetizing.
(2)
Jeffery P.
I really like this place. The food is great and the service is friendly and fast. I got the pecan crusted pork chops last time and they were so damn good. Of course the beer selection is great too.
(5)
Lane M.
I love all their food! My suggestion would be to start with the Idaho natchos (big plate/bowl) of awesome waffle fries covered in cheese! As far as the beers go I enjoy the Bennie. Best Ruben in the peoria area and the meatloaf is amazing!
(5)
Nani D.
Great food and service, fun atmosphere. Very confusing time while paying my bill. I thought I was adding a tip for my waiter but in reality I was donating to some charity for employees' kids. It was a little embarrassing once the waiter thanked me for my donation and I had to tell him that was suppose to be a tip...next time notify me of this fundraiser before I pay my bill.
(3)
Josh P.
Were seated on a Friday at 2 PM with a party of 9, at that point there was only 1 other table in the place with a family of four... and we didn't receive our food until 3:15 PM, to say the service was slow is an understatement. The food was average, pretzel rolls were the highlight. Asked the waiter to split the bill evenly, giving him two cards, and he came back with two receipts not split evenly and both were charged against one card, which I didn't mind too much as it wasn't mine. Talked to the manager who apologized, but didn't offer any discount on the total bill for the poor service. Would avoid this place.
(1)
Elise M.
I have been doing to Granite City for a few years now, because their food and beers are good. I would recommend it to anyone visiting in the East Peoria area. They offer a huge brunch on Sunday, which I haven't personally done before, but it always looks delicious and extensive. I have had some experiences with horrible waiters at the restaurant, but when I addressed the concerns with the manager, they did a very good job of handling it. (I would not recommend going on Sundays for lunch, because this is when I have always had bad service. The waiters are not happy when you choose to have lunch instead of the brunch/buffet.)
(4)
Michael N.
I had the prime rib sandwich and beer sampler- all were delicious. You sample 8 of their house brewed beers for only $5. If you eat outside you get a nice view of the river and city in the background. Worth the trip!
(5)
David C.
Had a party of 6 dine here on 3/14/15. It was quite possibly the worst dining experience I have ever encountered. The waitress could barely speak English and got 4 out of 6 drink orders wrong. We ordered the potato nachos for the table and the helping was quite small and was not seasoned at all. We've had it in the past and this time it did not compare to the quality or quantity we've had previously. All 6 of our meals were cold and not at proper serving temperatures. I ordered the salmon Oscar and when it was brought out, there was no crab or asparagus on it. I returned it and it came back corrected, but the broccoli on the plate was refrigerator cold as was the asparagus. The salmon was overcooked, dry and yet cold not to mention a very small portion. One of our party had ordered soup, but the waitress didn't bring it until he asked for it after he had gotten his meal which included cold mashed potatoes. They did bring him another portion after he complained, but considering everyone in our party had a lukewarm or cold dish we were surprised they got that right. I do not expect this place to remain open much longer as it seems they have lost all sense of quality and pride in their product. There are plenty of restaurants in the area that still care about their customers and product more than making more money.
(1)
Ray B.
Carson provided nice service at the bar. Being a member of the beer club certainly helped with some savings tonight.
(4)
Sherry F.
I absolutely love this place, every time I have gone with family it was a good experience. Big building, good seating and very clean. Great atmosphere. Waitress/waiter always very attentive, we've never really gone on a super busy day so we get good service. The food is always fresh and delicious and never has taken that long to bring out, but I'd rather have them take longer making it as best as they can than to bring it out totally a mess. Great place to go, I recommend it.
(4)
Matt B.
On a recent visit to the Peoria area we stopped at Granite City. All in all the experience was good, but no better than a trip to Chilis. Their craft beer was pretty good but nothing exceptional. The best thing I've eaten there was the Brewery Cheese soup. It was pretty tasty and their local beer was a good addition.
(3)
Trista T.
This place is pretty good. We planned it perfectly to watch the sunset across the river, beautiful view from the patio. Service was great. Food was pretty average for me, not bad...no foodgasms for me though. I had the Mediterranean chicken dish that I felt was a fairly healthy choice. It came with steamed broccoli, tomatoes, and wild rice. Although I found it odd that someone else at my table got the same thing and they go 2 chicken breast and I got one...hmm. The menu did have a lot of other options that sounded good though, I would def return to try something else. O, and the beer. I'm not a beer drinker, but you will be happy to know the mug club gets oversized mugs of golden delight. The guys at my table were very happy. I would def suggest this place for a date night. The river is just beautiful at night.
(4)
Kenyon J.
Best Sunday brunch you will ever have! I wouldn't say there are many choices (it was a Sunday brunch buffet), but you will not be disappointed no matter what you get! Best brunch in Peoria!
(5)
Catherine T.
Would've given GC Brewery 5 stars if they hadn't made some noticeable changes to Their service in the last few months. We've been coming for years and have always lived our favorite dishes- and the sides that make the meals extraordinary. Unfortunately the corporation is downgrading their menu- while holding prices high- and skimping on ingredients (ie cheese, etc). Manager inquired as to our satisfaction and we were honest. She Offered no apology. Pretty disappointed, and will likely choose another restaurant for a 'nicer' evening out.
(3)
Dave B.
We have always liked this restaurant for weekend brunch and decided to come for a regular menu dinner. The food and service were both excellent. I had the grilled salmon Oscar which was fresh and well prepared, and the asparagus was perfect! Kevin had the Bedda Chedda burger and it was also well prepared, the fries were excellent. We definitely recommend this place for lunch, dinner or an outstanding weekend brunch.
(4)
Pat D.
I really, really WANT to like this place but I just can't. We have eaten here multiple times and with the exception of 1 time when our server was excellent (her service basically salvaged the entire meal - it was horrible!) it's all been pretty bad. The hostess acts like she belongs in a truck stop diner, the food is bland and pretentious, and the service tends towards distracted and slow. Yes, they are a microbrewery, but even that selection is pedestrian. They had a couple styles that intrigued me, none in production at this time or out. The ones they had left were just average at best. They have a horrible fruit fly problem right now, and while I will admit they are working on it, they swarm your food so bad you're better off sitting outside to get away from the bugs. How often can you say that about a restaurant. The decor is nice, and the setting is nice, but drive north a few miles and find another restaurant on the water if that's what you're looking for. Don't bother.
(1)
Terence S.
I ordered the Rueben. I watched it sit under the warmer for 10 minutes before it was brought to the table. Thus, it was soggy on one side. My son ordered the fish and chips. It came out late with only 1 piece of fish. The manager stopped by the table, and we let him know. He brought out 2 more pieces. I think this visit was a fluke. We will be back. It was probably just an off night.
(3)
Meredith E.
Ah, Applebees with a brewery. The menu items look a lot tastier than they actually are. The presentation is usually pretty fancy, but over the top and unnecessary for being a chain restaurant with beer. On my first visit, the server talked me through the beers with some great insight. I ordered the sampler, one of each beer and a few mixes. The lager was impressive and I'm not a lager fan. Two of the beers were out, so the server just gave me what they had, and left the two off. Then charged me the full amount... I enjoy the vegetarian options. The portabella sandwich is tasty. If I'm with clients, sure I will return; but probably not on my own. There are too many other restaurants with better food and beer in the area.
(3)
Kathy A.
We has to wait 40 minutes on a Friday night but it was completely worth it. The Cajun pasta was incredible. My husband had the Overlake Sandwich. It was warm and tasty. No room for dessert!
(5)
Bryan W.
It is what it is . . . Pretty acceptable food in a nice environment. Place was full so that says something . . . Beer was decent, but my fried fish tacos left something to be desired. Spanish rice was hair like the stuff you get for $1.00 at the grocery store. Strangely I was hungry once I got home - go with a sandwich and you'd probably be okay.
(3)
Gared G.
Great food. I've never had a bad experience at this restaurant and I make an effort to visit every time I'm in town.
(4)
Tony H.
I'll probably never suggest going back to GC under my own devices. I returned here again last fall for an end of semester banquet for a university group I'm still involved with. I was skeptical of how they'd put together a group of 25 for us. So we start to arrive. I got there 5 mins before our reservation time, and I was the first (college kids run on their own time). As more started to arrive, the host staff started to look puzzled. Finally the reservation maker checked in, and we were told it would just be a few minutes. I didn't see another spot in the place that could have accommodated us at that time. Finally, after about a half hour past the reservation time, word came down that they had canceled it earlier in the day. Supposedly, they had called the student who made the reservation to confirm, and didn't receive a callback. Then they had the audacity to say that a parent of one of the students in the group had called them to cancel the reservation. Even if that was true, they apparently just took that at face value and didn't bother to follow up with anyone else. Almost an hour after our scheduled time, we were finally seated, and it was service as usual. We were staffed with two or three servers, and the food did come out promptly, but many in the group and I were very underwhelmed with the overall experience. The group leader had to basically beg for a discount, as we were not offered anything to compensate for the breakdown in service. And if you've ever seen a college kid file a complaint with management, it's awkward. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me....can't get fooled again!" --George W. Bush. In this case, I actually agree with him.
(2)
Barb Horn H.
On a super busy Saturday night, we were seated within 20 minutes! We had a fantastic table with a gorgeous city and river view. It was snowing which added to the romance. Our food was delish (Cuban sandwich for hubby, Chicken chopped salad for me, and we split a yummy French onion soup)! He really enjoyed their microbrew and I had an amazing Hypno Martini! All food and drinks were priced right. We will be back!
(5)
Jon P.
Food is typically Applebee's or chilis like, only more costly. However, the brunch buffet on Sundays is phenomenal. However, this is not a brewery. They do not brew. The tanks contain beer brewed elsewhere and simply there to ferment.
(2)
Patience S.
Our waiter was great. He was polite, prompt and accurate with our order. I really loved the mimosa. They are awesome... Loved the atmosphere and food.
(5)
Kurt K.
Beer selection is great. Food is ok. Service could be better. All said this is a good place to get together with friends
(4)
Julia S.
This place is cool. Start out with a beer sampler. We went out for a girls night and it was my first time dining here. Our waitress was awesome and attentive. We started out with the spinach artichoke dip and fries with cheese and bacon on top. The fries were a heaping heaping pile, enough to feed 4-6! Everyone loved both apps. I got the salmon with double asparagus and it was awesome! Only complaint is side salads came the same time as our meals. Other than that it was awesome. We will be back!
(4)
Adam O.
Well, compared to the Granite City in Davenport, IA or Cedar Rapids, IA, hands down, this is the worst one. We attended on a Sunday, for the wonderful brunch they always have at Granite City. Talk about disappointment. Tacky setup/layout; unprofessional staff; and to top it off, the food was horribly overcooked, without flavor and simply disgusting. Do yourself a favor and drive the 90 miles to Davenport, IA for a real Granite City experience.
(1)
Jeffrey W.
The beer list on the website was not accurate, and I was not able to sample the beers I really wanted to try. Alas. The burger and fries were decent, though.
(3)
Benjamin U.
went here with my girlfriend a few days ago and got the ribeye. the sides were good but the steak was rare if not pretty much raw when I ordered it medium rare. It was so bad I had to take it home and recook it just to make it edible. the waitress said that it was cooked as I ordered it. the only reason this gets 2 stars was because the the beer that is brewed on site is to die for. we had the summer shanty.
(2)
Steve S.
Beers are great and they have a HUGE menu to choose from. Love the outside garden dining in the summer. We've been there at least 12 times. They can get very busy so we've always had longer than promised wait times. Service has always been friendly but not detail oriented. Overall Granite City is very good.
(4)
Ben G.
This place used to be good. Good food, good service, nice atmosphere. However, the last time we visited, the food was very bland, the food temperature was lukewarm, and the service was terribly slow. Plus, they got the check wrong by $12 for our group of 3. The manager seemed only slightly concerned when we told him it was the worst experience we'd had there. Disappointing.
(1)
Tom C.
I've only been here once and didn't have a beer or anything fancy so take this review for what it's worth - service was good, and my "adult mac & cheese" was probably the best mac & cheese I've ever had so yes, I'm a fan and would go back.
(4)
Phil R.
While the food was great, the service was severely lacking. The waitress never checked on us after delivering the food, and we sat for most of the meal with empty glasses. Complaints to the manager were met with a stale, rehearsed response with no action towards salvaging our evening or encouraging repeat business.
(2)
Larry C.
Well, yes this is a chain. But, my experience is that the local management makes or breaks a chain. Fortunately, the management here seems to be on top of things. We were in East Peoria for a family visit, and wound up eating here 2 nights in a row. Bot experiences were very pleasant. The food is not groundbreaking, but the steak I ordered the first night was cooked properly. One concern in Illinois is that steaks tend to be overcooked. Not here. My wife's salmon was similar cooked right, and not over cooked. The staff were professional and helpful. The manager stopped by our table to chat and we expressed our satisfaction with our experience. the second night we were not as hungry and we both ordered salads. Both salads were generous portions and thankfully not over-dressed. Again, service was prompt, friendly and efficient. Over all, this was a positive experience and I feel it is a good restaurant for its type. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Jim V.
Patio view was great. Beer & service were OK. Food was dry & over cooked; had the walleye and my wife the Mediterranean chicken. The guy at the table behind us was a loudmouth jerk. Just go for the beer...
(2)
Todd P.
Applebees w/ a brewery it is. Food is good and the beer is very good. Servers were very nice, though a bit slow. But, it's not a "high end" place, at all. The atmosphere is like an Applebees but, with a little higher end food. If you want someplace fast and easy for a decent steak or a sandwich and a beer, and TVs with the game on, it's a good place. If you want higher end, more "formal", this is not it. Try Jim's, Alexanders, etc.
(3)
Ashley C.
Let me preface this as this only a review for their brunch buffet. [I have not tried anything else.] When traveling you don't always want to rely on hotel breakfasts to get you through your trip - especially when you don't want to go hungry. On recommendation, we went here for Sunday brunch. I was impressed! It was $15 for a brunch buffet that went until 11. The service was good, but nothing to rave about. We got seated right away but that could have been because it wasn't all that crowded. They had a wide range of food - french toast, eggs, breakfast potatoes, sausage, etc. Sometimes with a buffet the quality of food isn't good or it's not hot - it was both hot and fresh. Plus you can have the waiter bring fresh cinnamon rolls to your table (and you can take them to go). The best part of it were their scones (blueberry, apple cinnamon, and a white chocolate raspberry) and their Eggs Benedict. The Eggs Benedict was some of the best I had EVER had. The eggs were perfect and the sauce was amazing. Plus, they cooked it in front of you and the cook was very friendly in explaining how to poach an egg. This is the spot for a breakfast place that is for sure!
(4)
Stacey L.
It pains me to rewrite a review of this place. it used to be one of my all-time favorites. However, I do believe this place is going downhill. I've ordered carry-out for lunch here on several occasions. I always order their lunch-sized (1/4 lb. burger). EVERY TIME...they've given me (and tried to charge me for) the full-sized half pound burger. I've had to dispute it each time. In addition, recently, my burger had obviously fallen victim to whatever sandwich had been cooking next to it...because it had a bunch of barbecue sauce and cheese debris on one side. Today I went in with a colleague. Again...I was given the full-sized burger despite asking for the smaller one. Here's a tip, waitstaff--write things down! The waiter was nice and made it right when I brought it to his attention. I realize that the offenses I list are not awful. However, the fact that they consistently make this mistake just shows that there is ample room for improvement. In addition, it took nearly 40 minutes to get two sandwiches today. That is not acceptable.
(2)
Reyna F.
Visiting Peoria with my bestie, and we stayed at the Embassy Suites, located in extremely close walking distance to the restaurant. Our waitress, Rachel, was very accomodating, offering recommendations and answering our questions. My friend ordered the ale-cheddar soup on the waitress' recommendation, and promptly exchanged it for the French Onion. The ale-cheddar was not our speed - sort of bitter and incomplete tasting. The French onion was delish, however. Her entree was the BBQ Glazed Pork Chops with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The slaw was disgusting, the potatoes were okay, and the meat was wonderful and tender. I ordered the Chicago Prime Rib sandwich with fruit. The sandwich was amazing! Never have eaten anything like this before to offer in comparison, but dipped in the au jus it was just awesome. The fruit was...well, fruit. Ordered dessert: the apple crisp and the cookie ice cream deal. The cookie was what one would expect, but the apple crisp surpassed anything i've had elsewhere. I love the caramel-ice cream-apple concoctions offered elsewhere, but the dough and crumble on top was just sublime. Hands down, best ever. Prices were mid-range, and totaled $50 for the two of us, before tip.
(3)
Jacob B.
Not terrible, not great. Very Large Menu! Lots to choose from. I liked the beer as well. Better than Destihl, here in Normal. The service was a little skiddish, almost robotic. I ordered a Filet, and it "made it's way to another table". The manager brought it out personally, once they were finished cooking my second one, and explained to me that it was on the house! Proper form management! All the staff seemed friendly, except for our server....(good help is hard to find?) Oh, and also, the steak is the only thing I ate. I'm not picky at all, but the mashed potatoes tasted like air. Nothingness. Box of potato buds perhaps? 2.5stars Wait wasn't bad, about 15minutes.
(2)
Tristan B.
If I were only reviewing the beer I'd give this place 4 stars. It was pretty good beer. I enjoyed the IPA and the Red Ale. The service was decent. I'm not sure any of the employees were old enough to drink beer, but they were suitably attentive. The food was awful. Everything was way too salty. The appetizer came out lukewarm at best. The main course was way too salty. Helped me drink the beer quickly, but did not taste good. The potatos were cooked to the point of having no flavor, the spinach was obviously frozen and also devoid of flavor, while the pork was dry and again kind of cold. The sauce it came served in was splattered all over the plate and mostly tasted of salt.
(2)
James B.
Place is ok. The beer is good and the food is ok. Nothing great here. The thing that sets it apart is that they do brew their own beer. Any restaurant that does this gets a nod in my book. I had the meat loaf. It was huge! Came covered in onion strings with some mashed potatoes.
(3)
Rebecca K.
GC isn't a bad establishment; it's just nothing special. The beers are good, but they're the same chainwide, which means no fun experimentation or personal touch from a local brewmaster. The weird obsession GC has with mixing their beers together is, well, weird. The prices are great, though. Some food at GC is really quite good; I think the flatbreads are one area where they truly shine. Some is... less so. I ordered the portabella sandwich last I was there, and it was greasy and sodden. I ended up eating it all atkins style because the bread was so gross from sopping up all the dressing on the toppings. As others have mentioned, speed can be a problem, too. Service is very friendly, but it can take quite a while for your server to get to you, and later, for your food to get to you. GC provides an okay dining experience, but over the last several years since they opened, each successive visit is a little less impressive. I wouldn't highly recommend you dine there, though I wouldn't warn you away too vehemently either.
(3)
Levent T.
The service was polite and attentive. The food quality and preparation of my order was "Yay!" Why the two stars then??? Because the accuracy and quality of the orders in my party was mostly just "Meh" and I went with a group of 25+ and they weren't even ready for us to sit down. Shame, shame on the management team for that one. Also, they were out of a few of their signature sides, yet, they still served them to a few guests in our party. Nothing worse than under cooked potatoes! Nevertheless, I ordered my salmon and asparagus with no butter and it *actually* came with no butter. Not always the case in a "chain type" joint with a lot of prepared items. This location has the potential to be a "Yay" so I'd be up for giving them another go the next time I'm in town.
(2)
Bee G.
I have been here twice, most recently this past weekend. While I enjoy the food, I must comment on the HORRIBLE SERVICE I received from my server. My friend and I were in GCB on Saturday evening around 9pm. The place was maybe 1/4 full. To make a long story short, our server was terrible. She would take my friend's glass to refill her drink and then never return. She rarely came to our table to see if we neeed anything. Then, to top it all off, when she took the bill (we paid cash), she never asked nor offered to bring us our change. A bit arrogant to think that was going to be her tip. Even though I enjoy the food here, I highly doubt I will be eating here again the next time I visit Peoria.
(2)
Sherah B.
OMG. I love Granite City! They have the most awesome and comfy booths ever. Of course the food is the bomb diggity too. I love their balsamic bruschetta grilled chicken salad, as well as the bb grilled chicken on it's own w/ broccoli and mashed potatoes. Their cuban sandwhich is excellent, and I love their cheese fries that have waffle instead of regular fries. I love it.
(5)
Jeff H.
Stopped in here for dinner when on business in Peoria. Restaurant is very close to the Embassy Suites and the convention center so very convenient if you are in that area. The positives about this place are that the service is friendly, the beer is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. On the downside the service was extremely slow even though the restaurant wasn't at all busy.... and the food had some misses. I had a grilled salmon dinner with a side salad to start and an apple strudel for dessert. Starter side salad was great. They even put hard boiled egg in the side salad which I don't see very often! The fish and the rice for the main course were both good... but it came with asparagus (which I love) and the asparagus was really poorly done. It was this very thin asparagus that had been significantly over cooked and it seemed like it had been cooked about an hour ago. It was cold and limp and completely disappointing. Dessert was very good, though it took 30+ minutes for them to serve it to me from the time I ordered it for no apparent reason. Not a big deal since I was watching the MNF game but could have been annoying if I had been in any sort of hurry. All in all a good experience that could have been made better with a bit more attention in a couple of areas.
(3)
V B.
When is an overcooked steak worthy of five stars? Read on and you will find out. This time of year there is no place I would rather be than Omaha, Nebraska. But for the past two years my work travels have taken me elsewhere and this year I found myself in Peoria. The drive in from St Louis looked scary similar to Omaha. Rows of cornstalk, cool looking farm houses and the occasional tornado looking thunderstorm coming out of no where to help cool things down a bit. As I pulled into town again, visions of Omaha flashed in my head. Finding my hotel was a breeze as there are only two to choose from. Peoria is your classic Midwestern town, including some of the most friendly people you will find on the planet. Two nights ago I was a first hand witness to some of this Midwestern friendliness and just good old fashioned awesome customer service. A customer meeting ran a little later than expected and we decided to finish up over dinner. My customer suggested that we head across the river to Granite City Brewery. It's casual, serves up good food and HAS A FULL BAR. Yes, this needs to be in caps. We arrived shortly after 7 and waited just a few minutes to be seated. Due to a convention in town the restaurant was busy and packed. But our server immediately made eye contact and came over to introduce himself and took our drink orders. My customer did the right thing and passed on a cocktail and asked for an iced tea. I on the other hand am on an expense account. A shot of Don Julio on the rocks for me. While waiting for our drinks I took the time to glance over the menu and it's exactly what you would expect as it included a wide range of entrees from steaks, chops, pasta, burgers, sandwiches and salads. By the time our drinks arrived we already made our decisions and I just had to order the NY strip and a side of bernaise. I asked for my steak to be cooked rare and by this time my customer was now ready for an alcoholic beverage (guessing my Don Julio was serenading him) and I ordered a bottle of Newton Claret (which at $49 is a bargain). My steak was brought out in a timely manner and the preparation looked flawless. Served alongside potato hash and broccoli I was ready to chow down. As I started to slice the steak I noticed something strange. Not a hint of red, I mean not even close to being rare. The steak was cooked to well done. But being that I was with a new customer I did not want to create any awkwardness and decided not to breathe a word. But Derek (our server) must have some sort of super human eyesight power and was over at our table within seconds and commented that my steak was not cooked to order. Without hesitation he offered to bring me out a new steak. How awesome is that? I told Derek that the fact that he acknowledged my steak being well done and not rare and that he took the time to come over (without asking) and offered bring out a new dish was enough for me and told him I was fine with it. And even after all this, the Manager (I wish I could remember his name) also came out and (I am paraphrasing here) and says "it would make me and our staff very happy if we could bring you out a new steak". Again I was completely floored by this. Again I thanked him for offering and told him I was fine with the well done steak. And to be honest other than the steak being a little on the rough side, it actually tasted just fine. By the end of the night Derek had checked on us and gave us a sincere apology and when I looked at the check noticed that not only did he comp my entree, he also comped our wine my tequila and two desserts. He really did not need to do that, but what a nice gesture. As we were leaving the Manager once again came out and gave us his card and apologies and shook both our hands and told us to call him before our next visit. One of the best displays of customer service ever!
(5)
Katrina S.
I spent last weekend in the Peoria area visiting some family and old friends. Saturday afternoon my Dad offered to take me on a drive around the old hood to show me an area near the river in East Peoria that is being revitalized. Granite City is one of the many chain restaurants amidst shopping strips, grocery stores, Jiffy Lube... you get the picture. It Seemed like a good idea to stop in for some Father daughter bonding time over a cold one. I'm pretty sure the flat screens above the bar playing college basketball had nothing to do with it. I am giving Granite City three stars for three reasons, the beer, the service and the atmosphere. I had a hard time deciding amongst the beers they brew on site. The bartender suggested a flight. Excellent idea! EIGHT four once "samples". I liked most of them but my favorite was the stout. Strangely, I never order stout on its own. Sooo cold, creamy and gooood. The smokey aroma reminded me of espresso and bittersweet chocolate. It was smoooooth. In second place was the wheat which was much lighter in color and flavor than any other wheat I have tried. I liked all but two - not a big fan of the super hoppy IPA's.. We sat at the bar which is comfortable and spacious. It was a fun way to pass an hour on a Saturday afternoon; Me, my Dad, good beer and a bartender who knows her stuff. I didn't eat here but the menu reminded me of Cheesecake Factory - HUGE menu & HUGE portions - so definitely a share something or taking something home kinda place.
(3)
Kevin K.
We were looking for a brewpub in Peoria and Granite City seemed promising. We sat on the patio which had a nice view of the river. I had their IPA, which was very good, and surprisingly was in an Imperial pint glass. I had the lunch special burger, which was good, but a little thin (and must have been mismarked on the menu, because we were charged more for it than it was listed). My wife had the chicken wrap, which was large, and my kids split the kids meal chicken fingers (which could have been a full meal for an adult). Overall, the portions were big, the IPA and the view were good.
(3)
Troy L.
I really used to enjoy the Sunday brunch buffet, unfortunately it isn't good any longer. On my last trip they were completely understaffed. Seating was open, but the hostess couldn't find anyone to actually take us to our seat. Finally seated, the waitress forgot my coffee, no biggie. We went to enjoy the buffer to find several shortcomings. The bacon used to be great! Thick and cooked well. Now it is thin, salty, and on this visit nearly raw. The hash browns used to be excellent as well, creamy with a healthy dose of parmesan. Now they're bland and tasteless. The french toast was actually burnt! I don't understand how under-cooked bacon or burnt french toast were even allowed out of the kitchen! Overall a very disappointing meal for the $40 we spent on breakfast for two. I really used to enjoy this place, but I don't see myself ever returning.
(1)
Robert F.
Burger was undercooked and one of meals was not entered. They did comp his meal. His burger was also undercooked when it arrived.
(2)
Joseph E.
The food was excellent and the service was top notch. We may have just lucked out with a great waiter however everyone's meal was excellent. We will definitely be back.
(4)
J D.
Terrible service, flat beer and flies buzzing around the food during a client dinner. This place has taken a serious turn for the worse since opening.
(1)
Richard F.
If you like brew and a current atmosphere you will have to like this place. This is absolutely my favorite place in Peoria. With a nicely ranged menu with some good pairing to their brew, who could ask for more. Oh and Tues and Thurs they have six dollar 60 ounce pitchers which is excellent. I recommend the brothers boch if you like a dark beer with a little flavor.
(5)
Mary Jean M.
Horrible service! My party and I were told the wait would be 1 hour. After 1 1/2 hours were were still waiting, and told that we were waiting for a large table to open up. The large table was cleared and another party was seated. When we confronted management, we were given NO compensation. Not only did she not apologize, and say "sorry" but she offered no resolution to the problem. I frequent Peoria establishments and this will be the last time I go here! Bad management = poorly run business!
(1)
Bridgett K.
We have been here several times. The first time was a Saturday night around 7 and had the best service and best food that I have had in Peoria so far. The pork sandwich was awesome, drinks were quick and the server was friendly and curteous. They must have had their "A" game servers and cooks on that night. I expected to wait and wait and didn't. Total surprise Fast forward a couple of weeks, we went there for lunch... waited a long time for drinks, the appetizer came right before lunch and the fries were SOOOO salty. Service wasn't that bad, just either understaffed, or inexperienced. The sandwiches were still great though. We will give it another try but I think we will stick to the weekends. Oh and I heard their breakfast buffet is great
(4)
Matthew G.
Nothing outstanding.
(3)
Crissy W.
not having lived in illinois since i was 5 or 6, i would say granite city food & brewery is like an applebee's or TGI Friday's - only better! i came here in october 2008 (yes, i'm a little behind in my reviews) and was impressed by the cleanliness, vast space for dining and sitting at the bar and the HUGE beer making containers (i'm not much of a beer drinker so the proper word for this escapes me). the service was also not bad at all - it was standard, acceptable and friendly. so why am i reviewing this place aside from the aforementioned? this was where i had my first salad with cranberries and apples in it and it was delish! i remember it as being a large portion, just like any other family chain establishment in the U.S. i looked for the exact name on the menu, but something tells me it's no longer being offered (boo!) the location was by a highway and a hotel, which gave me the impression that it was a semi-deserted area, but there had to be a reason why we drove from pekin, illinois to come here! i would come back.
(4)
This is a new Peoria restaurant opened in early 2008. It is loacted on the Peoria River. Inside the building is smartly decorated and is split into bar and restauant areas. The atmosphere was very busy and a bit trendy - typical for a new place. I sampled the India Pale Ale on draught and it matched other good English IPAs, so the beer from here is excellent. The food was typical Amaerican fare and provided in huge servings. The quality of food was very good. I visited colleagues here and despite a 30 min wait for the table, we were never rushed and enjoyed a leisurely 2 hour dinner. The service was probably a bit too keen, but better that than no service. I will certainly return, as the prices were pretty good too.
(4)
Trixie R.
There was a time when I would've given Granite City 5 stars. With their inconsistencies, that would be misleading. For example, I always order the full size blackened chicken linguine dinner yet the portion sizes vary dramatically (sometimes I am served half the food of other times). Quality of service varies too. On a good day, this place is 5 stars. But on a bad day it isn't up to par.
(3)
Jennifer L.
Love this place! They have amazing garlic mashed potatoes and bbq pork chops. My husband is obsessed with their beer. If you join the mug club, you get huge beers and 10% off your order. They also hold mug club nights where you get to try out their new beer and have a free food buffet to go along with it for its members.
(4)
Jack R.
Visited for dinner while the in laws were in town. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals (including me). The beer was decent and the bartender was very pleasant.
(4)
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Address :230 Conference Center Drive
East Peoria, IL, 61611
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Larry D.
We had a very good lunch here. We choose the Flat Bread barbecue chicken and the bacon tomato. Both were very good! Sampled some beer and chose the Double Pull. Portions are huge! Took some home in a box . Would eat here again if I were from this area. We were just passing through.
(5)Mary Jo P.
I am never disappointed with the food here! Love the flatbreads and Idaho nachos. Tonight the meatloaf dinner was outstanding! Service was fine. Also getting rave reviews at the table were the fish and chips, French onion soup, cheeseburger and Reuben. The Lower level EcconPinot Noir I would not order again, best to go up a notch. I will return! It's a me u full of variety.
(4)Tina S.
Tonight I wanted a seat at a bar that I could have a beer and a steak. I found both at Granite City Food and Brewery. The Cubs and Blackhawks game was on all of the big screens. My bartender Carson, was a little distracted but did a good job. I wanted to sample the Bennie Bock, which was a lite dark beer, it blended well with my sirloin steak. I have the sirloin steak with garlic lemon butter, and it was medium the perfect amount of pink. It came with a baked potato and green beans almondine. The kitchen said that my steak was done, but they were out of baked potatoes, so I substituted the garlic mashed potatoes. I guess they lied and a baked potato appeared on my plate. It was a little cold, so Carson appeared with a serving of mashed potatoes. Really I need to servings of carbs.... This place was okay.
(3)Clayton H.
Good eats with good friends! Second night in Peoria, second good meal. Came to GCF&B for the craft beer and the great menu. Ended up having the sweet and spicy calamari to start - very good. Had a lighter meal with the shrimp tacos which were also delicious. Buddies had salmon and fish tacos and craft beers - no complaints from the table. Everything was delicious. Will definitely eat here again soon!
(4)Cornelius R.
I don't really have any bad things to say about this place but I will post something later to let you know how I feel either way. It reminds me of big river grill in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
(3)Jennie C.
Had the buffet brunch. Good value for the variety and quality of food offerings. Not super-crowded either. Coffee was a bit weak. Service was fast & friendly. Thumbs up!
(4)Steve S.
Decent, but not great. The Sunday brunch needs to offer a wider selection. If you are doing low-carb forget about it...it's like a carb nightmare. I feel it's an overpriced brunch for what you get, but it's (sadly) the best brunch in Peoria that I have found. I recommend the the fish tacos or the salmon oscar for dinner.
(3)Kathleen J.
Amazing service. The manager stopped by our table when he found out it was our first time in the restaurant. He gave us free cookies from the bakery and two coupons for free appetizers on a later visit. Our server, Kaylee, was very helpful picking out our choices. She recommended the Idaho Nachos which were very good. They came with a side called Granite Sauce, which was a sour cream based sauce that was a little off for my taste. My boyfriend and I both got the garlic butter sirloin with loaded baked potatoes. It typically comes with green beans, but we both were able to get a large bowl of fruit instead - seasonal and tasty. My steak had an amazing char on the outside and was perfectly rare on the inside. The garlic butter was scrumptious. My boyfriend's steak was over cooked a bit for the medium rare he asked for. The baked potato lacking a little flavor... Season salt would have gone a long way. The inside looked really cool with a half exposed kitchen, spread out seating, and very comfortable booths. TVs were inside so we were able to watch the Sunday Night Football game.
(4)David M.
We stopped in after the fair for an appetizer and drink. We were seated immediately at a bar booth. The service was quick, friendly. Thursday soup of the day was served fresh and was good. Not really excellent but good. It arrived 20 minutes before the flat bread. I think what went wrong with the flatbread is that it sat on a counter for 20 minutes as it was cold, flavorless and kind of disgusting. Even the little green things they threw on it to distrtact you from strange cheese was wilted. I've seen reviews saying the apptizers are good but ours, not. Bad in several ways. Totino's is better. My choice for beer was a double ipa. I'm not sure what was wrong with that. Not strong in flavor or body. Not very hoppy for a single ipa. Flat, lifeless, soulless as if from budwiser. My wife tried it and wrinkled her noise and told me it is "bad beer". Given the price for this meal I would not recommend returning. There are several good nearby restaurants that will serve quality ingredients with expertly preparation. There are other several good restaurants in the immediate area; I recommend trying elsewhere. The ambience was dark. I think they have dimmed their lights lately.
(2)Jim B.
We choose Granite City to sit out on the patio area by the river. The night and temperature were perfect. Margaritas were on special so we order them with an appetizer called Idaho nachos. Service was slow. When the margaritas came they were so sweet they were undrinkable. Never could tell if they had any alcohol in them. All four of us left them after one sip. The Idaho nachos were good but it took 5 minutes to get plates. We ordered 2 of "The Overlake", 1 "Bruschetta Salad" and 1 gluten free summer special rotini. The sandwiches we ok but nothing special and the French fries were tough. It took several more minutes to get ketchup. Our overall service was adequate to poor. Value for the money poor.
(1)Aundrea L.
Good atmosphere, punctual service. Very reasonably priced beer sampler! Just had apps and beers, definitely a great Thursday night find. Pretzel sticks and loaded waffle fries came out piping hot and just right.
(3)Kevin D.
Love the beer! Oh, and there's good food too.
(5)Ann K.
My steak was great, however, the potato wasn't done and had the consistency of a green apple. Our server was nice but acted like all her tables were annoying her by asking for salt/pepper or refills. Last time our meal was better and for the price the meal should've been great.
(3)Lars G.
Another typical chain place. The Food: Average chain restaurant food. The wedge salad is always pretty good. And of course, they have some very good beer. The Staff: This has been hit and miss. I've been there a couple times when our server was excellent, and then there have been a couple times when the server was next to useless. The Atmosphere: I do like being able to see the brewing tanks, but it is a pretty average looking place other than that. There is nothing overly wrong with this place, just nothing spectacular either. It's a decent enough place to go for a quick lunch.
(3)Eric L.
One of the best outdoor patios with a view of the Riverfront. A nicely varied menu along with beer selection. The Idaho Nachos or custom flatbreads make for a nice appetizer selection. Mug Club and growlers are available as well. Salads, steak, pasta, seafood, burgers and sandwiches all come highly recommended.
(5)Jeana B.
We had dinner at Granite City. We have been there a few times in the past and the food was better than this visit. I ordered the simply grilled salmon and while it tasted fine the portion size seemed to have shrunk. My husband ordered the pasta alfredo with chicken and to his disappointment the portion was small and the chicken was sliced chicken lunch meat not chunks of chicken meat like you might expect. My daughter ordered the adult bock mac and cheese and it included the same chicken lunch meat as well. We had the waitress send the manager over whose only defense was that the chicken meat is sliced fresh every morning. That doesn't make any sense, why would they slice chicken breasts into lunch meat every morning, not knowing where it will be used. I believe they are using chicken lunch meat out of a bag. We probably won't be back.
(2)Stephanie R.
I've been coming to this location for several years. The menu offerings are good (bacon flatbread - yum!), and the servers are courteous. The patio is great when in season, and they put on nice spreads for mug club parties and holidays. If you join the mug club, you can earn rewards good on future purchases.
(3)Erica S.
We were traveling through on business and stopped in. I had a great wrap but my husband requested a double bison burger and the request was shot down. They didn't have a way to just charge for an extra patty. They would have charged for a whole other entree. Sadly, many restaurants haven't trained their employees to up-sell. We work with many restaurants on the west coast and this is something that they are great at doing. You figure out how to give the customer what they want and make it a memorable experience. Although we travel through here every 3 months, this probably won't be on our go to list again.
(2)Jim G.
We went in for a late lunch and a drink. After we were seated it took 30 minutes for a server to come by. She was rude talking trash about other employees. The whole thing was pretty frustrating since there were only 4 tables in the place with customers. She took our orders.. another 30 minutes go by.. at this point we are about to get up and leave. Drinks finally come out and I asked to speak to the manager. Inform him that we are now here for an hour.. from that point on he is on top of it. He personally checked on our food order.. came back several times to make sure we were doing good. Food was good. Sampler of their beers was good. Bloody Mary was way overpriced for what it was. I had not been there in years.. that's about right.
(3)Bill D.
Would probably go 2.5 stars. Food was just there and service was just OK. I had a sandwich as did my guest. Not much flavor and for a warm sandwich on the cool side. Decent building and views, clean restroom. Wish the food was a bit better.
(2)Carrie E.
Good tried and true. I think the food is slipping a little bit during the slower dining times. It seems like they are focusing more on the beer. Anyway, it's a good, consistent place to go in EP!~
(3)Jeremy M.
Idaho nachos were awesome. I had a sirloin steak which was the best I have had for a long time. I enjoy there beer but beware that they only serve beer that they make. Two people in my group get the walleye and both said it was bad. But my food and experience was great! Would go back again!!!
(5)Margaret M.
My family and I went there twice in one weekend because the food was to die for. Quality ingredients and amazing beer and mixed drink selection. The only odd thing was the second day we went, there was a 5 minute wait to be seated but so many open tables which leads me to believe they were understaffed. It was well worth the wait though! Out of my two trips there this weekend I would reccommend the adult mac & cheese and the big show burger. Both absolutely amazing! Our server was very kind and made great reccomendations.
(5)Jay Z.
Hadn't been there in several years. Went in to try it again with my girlfriend and I'm not sure I'll be back. Mushy meatloaf with a gigantic pile of deep fried onions on it.... Not very appetizing.
(2)Jeffery P.
I really like this place. The food is great and the service is friendly and fast. I got the pecan crusted pork chops last time and they were so damn good. Of course the beer selection is great too.
(5)Lane M.
I love all their food! My suggestion would be to start with the Idaho natchos (big plate/bowl) of awesome waffle fries covered in cheese! As far as the beers go I enjoy the Bennie. Best Ruben in the peoria area and the meatloaf is amazing!
(5)Nani D.
Great food and service, fun atmosphere. Very confusing time while paying my bill. I thought I was adding a tip for my waiter but in reality I was donating to some charity for employees' kids. It was a little embarrassing once the waiter thanked me for my donation and I had to tell him that was suppose to be a tip...next time notify me of this fundraiser before I pay my bill.
(3)Josh P.
Were seated on a Friday at 2 PM with a party of 9, at that point there was only 1 other table in the place with a family of four... and we didn't receive our food until 3:15 PM, to say the service was slow is an understatement. The food was average, pretzel rolls were the highlight. Asked the waiter to split the bill evenly, giving him two cards, and he came back with two receipts not split evenly and both were charged against one card, which I didn't mind too much as it wasn't mine. Talked to the manager who apologized, but didn't offer any discount on the total bill for the poor service. Would avoid this place.
(1)Elise M.
I have been doing to Granite City for a few years now, because their food and beers are good. I would recommend it to anyone visiting in the East Peoria area. They offer a huge brunch on Sunday, which I haven't personally done before, but it always looks delicious and extensive. I have had some experiences with horrible waiters at the restaurant, but when I addressed the concerns with the manager, they did a very good job of handling it. (I would not recommend going on Sundays for lunch, because this is when I have always had bad service. The waiters are not happy when you choose to have lunch instead of the brunch/buffet.)
(4)Michael N.
I had the prime rib sandwich and beer sampler- all were delicious. You sample 8 of their house brewed beers for only $5. If you eat outside you get a nice view of the river and city in the background. Worth the trip!
(5)David C.
Had a party of 6 dine here on 3/14/15. It was quite possibly the worst dining experience I have ever encountered. The waitress could barely speak English and got 4 out of 6 drink orders wrong. We ordered the potato nachos for the table and the helping was quite small and was not seasoned at all. We've had it in the past and this time it did not compare to the quality or quantity we've had previously. All 6 of our meals were cold and not at proper serving temperatures. I ordered the salmon Oscar and when it was brought out, there was no crab or asparagus on it. I returned it and it came back corrected, but the broccoli on the plate was refrigerator cold as was the asparagus. The salmon was overcooked, dry and yet cold not to mention a very small portion. One of our party had ordered soup, but the waitress didn't bring it until he asked for it after he had gotten his meal which included cold mashed potatoes. They did bring him another portion after he complained, but considering everyone in our party had a lukewarm or cold dish we were surprised they got that right. I do not expect this place to remain open much longer as it seems they have lost all sense of quality and pride in their product. There are plenty of restaurants in the area that still care about their customers and product more than making more money.
(1)Ray B.
Carson provided nice service at the bar. Being a member of the beer club certainly helped with some savings tonight.
(4)Sherry F.
I absolutely love this place, every time I have gone with family it was a good experience. Big building, good seating and very clean. Great atmosphere. Waitress/waiter always very attentive, we've never really gone on a super busy day so we get good service. The food is always fresh and delicious and never has taken that long to bring out, but I'd rather have them take longer making it as best as they can than to bring it out totally a mess. Great place to go, I recommend it.
(4)Matt B.
On a recent visit to the Peoria area we stopped at Granite City. All in all the experience was good, but no better than a trip to Chilis. Their craft beer was pretty good but nothing exceptional. The best thing I've eaten there was the Brewery Cheese soup. It was pretty tasty and their local beer was a good addition.
(3)Trista T.
This place is pretty good. We planned it perfectly to watch the sunset across the river, beautiful view from the patio. Service was great. Food was pretty average for me, not bad...no foodgasms for me though. I had the Mediterranean chicken dish that I felt was a fairly healthy choice. It came with steamed broccoli, tomatoes, and wild rice. Although I found it odd that someone else at my table got the same thing and they go 2 chicken breast and I got one...hmm. The menu did have a lot of other options that sounded good though, I would def return to try something else. O, and the beer. I'm not a beer drinker, but you will be happy to know the mug club gets oversized mugs of golden delight. The guys at my table were very happy. I would def suggest this place for a date night. The river is just beautiful at night.
(4)Kenyon J.
Best Sunday brunch you will ever have! I wouldn't say there are many choices (it was a Sunday brunch buffet), but you will not be disappointed no matter what you get! Best brunch in Peoria!
(5)Catherine T.
Would've given GC Brewery 5 stars if they hadn't made some noticeable changes to Their service in the last few months. We've been coming for years and have always lived our favorite dishes- and the sides that make the meals extraordinary. Unfortunately the corporation is downgrading their menu- while holding prices high- and skimping on ingredients (ie cheese, etc). Manager inquired as to our satisfaction and we were honest. She Offered no apology. Pretty disappointed, and will likely choose another restaurant for a 'nicer' evening out.
(3)Dave B.
We have always liked this restaurant for weekend brunch and decided to come for a regular menu dinner. The food and service were both excellent. I had the grilled salmon Oscar which was fresh and well prepared, and the asparagus was perfect! Kevin had the Bedda Chedda burger and it was also well prepared, the fries were excellent. We definitely recommend this place for lunch, dinner or an outstanding weekend brunch.
(4)Pat D.
I really, really WANT to like this place but I just can't. We have eaten here multiple times and with the exception of 1 time when our server was excellent (her service basically salvaged the entire meal - it was horrible!) it's all been pretty bad. The hostess acts like she belongs in a truck stop diner, the food is bland and pretentious, and the service tends towards distracted and slow. Yes, they are a microbrewery, but even that selection is pedestrian. They had a couple styles that intrigued me, none in production at this time or out. The ones they had left were just average at best. They have a horrible fruit fly problem right now, and while I will admit they are working on it, they swarm your food so bad you're better off sitting outside to get away from the bugs. How often can you say that about a restaurant. The decor is nice, and the setting is nice, but drive north a few miles and find another restaurant on the water if that's what you're looking for. Don't bother.
(1)Terence S.
I ordered the Rueben. I watched it sit under the warmer for 10 minutes before it was brought to the table. Thus, it was soggy on one side. My son ordered the fish and chips. It came out late with only 1 piece of fish. The manager stopped by the table, and we let him know. He brought out 2 more pieces. I think this visit was a fluke. We will be back. It was probably just an off night.
(3)Meredith E.
Ah, Applebees with a brewery. The menu items look a lot tastier than they actually are. The presentation is usually pretty fancy, but over the top and unnecessary for being a chain restaurant with beer. On my first visit, the server talked me through the beers with some great insight. I ordered the sampler, one of each beer and a few mixes. The lager was impressive and I'm not a lager fan. Two of the beers were out, so the server just gave me what they had, and left the two off. Then charged me the full amount... I enjoy the vegetarian options. The portabella sandwich is tasty. If I'm with clients, sure I will return; but probably not on my own. There are too many other restaurants with better food and beer in the area.
(3)Kathy A.
We has to wait 40 minutes on a Friday night but it was completely worth it. The Cajun pasta was incredible. My husband had the Overlake Sandwich. It was warm and tasty. No room for dessert!
(5)Bryan W.
It is what it is . . . Pretty acceptable food in a nice environment. Place was full so that says something . . . Beer was decent, but my fried fish tacos left something to be desired. Spanish rice was hair like the stuff you get for $1.00 at the grocery store. Strangely I was hungry once I got home - go with a sandwich and you'd probably be okay.
(3)Gared G.
Great food. I've never had a bad experience at this restaurant and I make an effort to visit every time I'm in town.
(4)Tony H.
I'll probably never suggest going back to GC under my own devices. I returned here again last fall for an end of semester banquet for a university group I'm still involved with. I was skeptical of how they'd put together a group of 25 for us. So we start to arrive. I got there 5 mins before our reservation time, and I was the first (college kids run on their own time). As more started to arrive, the host staff started to look puzzled. Finally the reservation maker checked in, and we were told it would just be a few minutes. I didn't see another spot in the place that could have accommodated us at that time. Finally, after about a half hour past the reservation time, word came down that they had canceled it earlier in the day. Supposedly, they had called the student who made the reservation to confirm, and didn't receive a callback. Then they had the audacity to say that a parent of one of the students in the group had called them to cancel the reservation. Even if that was true, they apparently just took that at face value and didn't bother to follow up with anyone else. Almost an hour after our scheduled time, we were finally seated, and it was service as usual. We were staffed with two or three servers, and the food did come out promptly, but many in the group and I were very underwhelmed with the overall experience. The group leader had to basically beg for a discount, as we were not offered anything to compensate for the breakdown in service. And if you've ever seen a college kid file a complaint with management, it's awkward. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me....can't get fooled again!" --George W. Bush. In this case, I actually agree with him.
(2)Barb Horn H.
On a super busy Saturday night, we were seated within 20 minutes! We had a fantastic table with a gorgeous city and river view. It was snowing which added to the romance. Our food was delish (Cuban sandwich for hubby, Chicken chopped salad for me, and we split a yummy French onion soup)! He really enjoyed their microbrew and I had an amazing Hypno Martini! All food and drinks were priced right. We will be back!
(5)Jon P.
Food is typically Applebee's or chilis like, only more costly. However, the brunch buffet on Sundays is phenomenal. However, this is not a brewery. They do not brew. The tanks contain beer brewed elsewhere and simply there to ferment.
(2)Patience S.
Our waiter was great. He was polite, prompt and accurate with our order. I really loved the mimosa. They are awesome... Loved the atmosphere and food.
(5)Kurt K.
Beer selection is great. Food is ok. Service could be better. All said this is a good place to get together with friends
(4)Julia S.
This place is cool. Start out with a beer sampler. We went out for a girls night and it was my first time dining here. Our waitress was awesome and attentive. We started out with the spinach artichoke dip and fries with cheese and bacon on top. The fries were a heaping heaping pile, enough to feed 4-6! Everyone loved both apps. I got the salmon with double asparagus and it was awesome! Only complaint is side salads came the same time as our meals. Other than that it was awesome. We will be back!
(4)Adam O.
Well, compared to the Granite City in Davenport, IA or Cedar Rapids, IA, hands down, this is the worst one. We attended on a Sunday, for the wonderful brunch they always have at Granite City. Talk about disappointment. Tacky setup/layout; unprofessional staff; and to top it off, the food was horribly overcooked, without flavor and simply disgusting. Do yourself a favor and drive the 90 miles to Davenport, IA for a real Granite City experience.
(1)Jeffrey W.
The beer list on the website was not accurate, and I was not able to sample the beers I really wanted to try. Alas. The burger and fries were decent, though.
(3)Benjamin U.
went here with my girlfriend a few days ago and got the ribeye. the sides were good but the steak was rare if not pretty much raw when I ordered it medium rare. It was so bad I had to take it home and recook it just to make it edible. the waitress said that it was cooked as I ordered it. the only reason this gets 2 stars was because the the beer that is brewed on site is to die for. we had the summer shanty.
(2)Steve S.
Beers are great and they have a HUGE menu to choose from. Love the outside garden dining in the summer. We've been there at least 12 times. They can get very busy so we've always had longer than promised wait times. Service has always been friendly but not detail oriented. Overall Granite City is very good.
(4)Ben G.
This place used to be good. Good food, good service, nice atmosphere. However, the last time we visited, the food was very bland, the food temperature was lukewarm, and the service was terribly slow. Plus, they got the check wrong by $12 for our group of 3. The manager seemed only slightly concerned when we told him it was the worst experience we'd had there. Disappointing.
(1)Tom C.
I've only been here once and didn't have a beer or anything fancy so take this review for what it's worth - service was good, and my "adult mac & cheese" was probably the best mac & cheese I've ever had so yes, I'm a fan and would go back.
(4)Phil R.
While the food was great, the service was severely lacking. The waitress never checked on us after delivering the food, and we sat for most of the meal with empty glasses. Complaints to the manager were met with a stale, rehearsed response with no action towards salvaging our evening or encouraging repeat business.
(2)Larry C.
Well, yes this is a chain. But, my experience is that the local management makes or breaks a chain. Fortunately, the management here seems to be on top of things. We were in East Peoria for a family visit, and wound up eating here 2 nights in a row. Bot experiences were very pleasant. The food is not groundbreaking, but the steak I ordered the first night was cooked properly. One concern in Illinois is that steaks tend to be overcooked. Not here. My wife's salmon was similar cooked right, and not over cooked. The staff were professional and helpful. The manager stopped by our table to chat and we expressed our satisfaction with our experience. the second night we were not as hungry and we both ordered salads. Both salads were generous portions and thankfully not over-dressed. Again, service was prompt, friendly and efficient. Over all, this was a positive experience and I feel it is a good restaurant for its type. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant.
(4)Jim V.
Patio view was great. Beer & service were OK. Food was dry & over cooked; had the walleye and my wife the Mediterranean chicken. The guy at the table behind us was a loudmouth jerk. Just go for the beer...
(2)Todd P.
Applebees w/ a brewery it is. Food is good and the beer is very good. Servers were very nice, though a bit slow. But, it's not a "high end" place, at all. The atmosphere is like an Applebees but, with a little higher end food. If you want someplace fast and easy for a decent steak or a sandwich and a beer, and TVs with the game on, it's a good place. If you want higher end, more "formal", this is not it. Try Jim's, Alexanders, etc.
(3)Ashley C.
Let me preface this as this only a review for their brunch buffet. [I have not tried anything else.] When traveling you don't always want to rely on hotel breakfasts to get you through your trip - especially when you don't want to go hungry. On recommendation, we went here for Sunday brunch. I was impressed! It was $15 for a brunch buffet that went until 11. The service was good, but nothing to rave about. We got seated right away but that could have been because it wasn't all that crowded. They had a wide range of food - french toast, eggs, breakfast potatoes, sausage, etc. Sometimes with a buffet the quality of food isn't good or it's not hot - it was both hot and fresh. Plus you can have the waiter bring fresh cinnamon rolls to your table (and you can take them to go). The best part of it were their scones (blueberry, apple cinnamon, and a white chocolate raspberry) and their Eggs Benedict. The Eggs Benedict was some of the best I had EVER had. The eggs were perfect and the sauce was amazing. Plus, they cooked it in front of you and the cook was very friendly in explaining how to poach an egg. This is the spot for a breakfast place that is for sure!
(4)Stacey L.
It pains me to rewrite a review of this place. it used to be one of my all-time favorites. However, I do believe this place is going downhill. I've ordered carry-out for lunch here on several occasions. I always order their lunch-sized (1/4 lb. burger). EVERY TIME...they've given me (and tried to charge me for) the full-sized half pound burger. I've had to dispute it each time. In addition, recently, my burger had obviously fallen victim to whatever sandwich had been cooking next to it...because it had a bunch of barbecue sauce and cheese debris on one side. Today I went in with a colleague. Again...I was given the full-sized burger despite asking for the smaller one. Here's a tip, waitstaff--write things down! The waiter was nice and made it right when I brought it to his attention. I realize that the offenses I list are not awful. However, the fact that they consistently make this mistake just shows that there is ample room for improvement. In addition, it took nearly 40 minutes to get two sandwiches today. That is not acceptable.
(2)Reyna F.
Visiting Peoria with my bestie, and we stayed at the Embassy Suites, located in extremely close walking distance to the restaurant. Our waitress, Rachel, was very accomodating, offering recommendations and answering our questions. My friend ordered the ale-cheddar soup on the waitress' recommendation, and promptly exchanged it for the French Onion. The ale-cheddar was not our speed - sort of bitter and incomplete tasting. The French onion was delish, however. Her entree was the BBQ Glazed Pork Chops with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The slaw was disgusting, the potatoes were okay, and the meat was wonderful and tender. I ordered the Chicago Prime Rib sandwich with fruit. The sandwich was amazing! Never have eaten anything like this before to offer in comparison, but dipped in the au jus it was just awesome. The fruit was...well, fruit. Ordered dessert: the apple crisp and the cookie ice cream deal. The cookie was what one would expect, but the apple crisp surpassed anything i've had elsewhere. I love the caramel-ice cream-apple concoctions offered elsewhere, but the dough and crumble on top was just sublime. Hands down, best ever. Prices were mid-range, and totaled $50 for the two of us, before tip.
(3)Jacob B.
Not terrible, not great. Very Large Menu! Lots to choose from. I liked the beer as well. Better than Destihl, here in Normal. The service was a little skiddish, almost robotic. I ordered a Filet, and it "made it's way to another table". The manager brought it out personally, once they were finished cooking my second one, and explained to me that it was on the house! Proper form management! All the staff seemed friendly, except for our server....(good help is hard to find?) Oh, and also, the steak is the only thing I ate. I'm not picky at all, but the mashed potatoes tasted like air. Nothingness. Box of potato buds perhaps? 2.5stars Wait wasn't bad, about 15minutes.
(2)Tristan B.
If I were only reviewing the beer I'd give this place 4 stars. It was pretty good beer. I enjoyed the IPA and the Red Ale. The service was decent. I'm not sure any of the employees were old enough to drink beer, but they were suitably attentive. The food was awful. Everything was way too salty. The appetizer came out lukewarm at best. The main course was way too salty. Helped me drink the beer quickly, but did not taste good. The potatos were cooked to the point of having no flavor, the spinach was obviously frozen and also devoid of flavor, while the pork was dry and again kind of cold. The sauce it came served in was splattered all over the plate and mostly tasted of salt.
(2)James B.
Place is ok. The beer is good and the food is ok. Nothing great here. The thing that sets it apart is that they do brew their own beer. Any restaurant that does this gets a nod in my book. I had the meat loaf. It was huge! Came covered in onion strings with some mashed potatoes.
(3)Rebecca K.
GC isn't a bad establishment; it's just nothing special. The beers are good, but they're the same chainwide, which means no fun experimentation or personal touch from a local brewmaster. The weird obsession GC has with mixing their beers together is, well, weird. The prices are great, though. Some food at GC is really quite good; I think the flatbreads are one area where they truly shine. Some is... less so. I ordered the portabella sandwich last I was there, and it was greasy and sodden. I ended up eating it all atkins style because the bread was so gross from sopping up all the dressing on the toppings. As others have mentioned, speed can be a problem, too. Service is very friendly, but it can take quite a while for your server to get to you, and later, for your food to get to you. GC provides an okay dining experience, but over the last several years since they opened, each successive visit is a little less impressive. I wouldn't highly recommend you dine there, though I wouldn't warn you away too vehemently either.
(3)Levent T.
The service was polite and attentive. The food quality and preparation of my order was "Yay!" Why the two stars then??? Because the accuracy and quality of the orders in my party was mostly just "Meh" and I went with a group of 25+ and they weren't even ready for us to sit down. Shame, shame on the management team for that one. Also, they were out of a few of their signature sides, yet, they still served them to a few guests in our party. Nothing worse than under cooked potatoes! Nevertheless, I ordered my salmon and asparagus with no butter and it *actually* came with no butter. Not always the case in a "chain type" joint with a lot of prepared items. This location has the potential to be a "Yay" so I'd be up for giving them another go the next time I'm in town.
(2)Bee G.
I have been here twice, most recently this past weekend. While I enjoy the food, I must comment on the HORRIBLE SERVICE I received from my server. My friend and I were in GCB on Saturday evening around 9pm. The place was maybe 1/4 full. To make a long story short, our server was terrible. She would take my friend's glass to refill her drink and then never return. She rarely came to our table to see if we neeed anything. Then, to top it all off, when she took the bill (we paid cash), she never asked nor offered to bring us our change. A bit arrogant to think that was going to be her tip. Even though I enjoy the food here, I highly doubt I will be eating here again the next time I visit Peoria.
(2)Sherah B.
OMG. I love Granite City! They have the most awesome and comfy booths ever. Of course the food is the bomb diggity too. I love their balsamic bruschetta grilled chicken salad, as well as the bb grilled chicken on it's own w/ broccoli and mashed potatoes. Their cuban sandwhich is excellent, and I love their cheese fries that have waffle instead of regular fries. I love it.
(5)Jeff H.
Stopped in here for dinner when on business in Peoria. Restaurant is very close to the Embassy Suites and the convention center so very convenient if you are in that area. The positives about this place are that the service is friendly, the beer is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. On the downside the service was extremely slow even though the restaurant wasn't at all busy.... and the food had some misses. I had a grilled salmon dinner with a side salad to start and an apple strudel for dessert. Starter side salad was great. They even put hard boiled egg in the side salad which I don't see very often! The fish and the rice for the main course were both good... but it came with asparagus (which I love) and the asparagus was really poorly done. It was this very thin asparagus that had been significantly over cooked and it seemed like it had been cooked about an hour ago. It was cold and limp and completely disappointing. Dessert was very good, though it took 30+ minutes for them to serve it to me from the time I ordered it for no apparent reason. Not a big deal since I was watching the MNF game but could have been annoying if I had been in any sort of hurry. All in all a good experience that could have been made better with a bit more attention in a couple of areas.
(3)V B.
When is an overcooked steak worthy of five stars? Read on and you will find out. This time of year there is no place I would rather be than Omaha, Nebraska. But for the past two years my work travels have taken me elsewhere and this year I found myself in Peoria. The drive in from St Louis looked scary similar to Omaha. Rows of cornstalk, cool looking farm houses and the occasional tornado looking thunderstorm coming out of no where to help cool things down a bit. As I pulled into town again, visions of Omaha flashed in my head. Finding my hotel was a breeze as there are only two to choose from. Peoria is your classic Midwestern town, including some of the most friendly people you will find on the planet. Two nights ago I was a first hand witness to some of this Midwestern friendliness and just good old fashioned awesome customer service. A customer meeting ran a little later than expected and we decided to finish up over dinner. My customer suggested that we head across the river to Granite City Brewery. It's casual, serves up good food and HAS A FULL BAR. Yes, this needs to be in caps. We arrived shortly after 7 and waited just a few minutes to be seated. Due to a convention in town the restaurant was busy and packed. But our server immediately made eye contact and came over to introduce himself and took our drink orders. My customer did the right thing and passed on a cocktail and asked for an iced tea. I on the other hand am on an expense account. A shot of Don Julio on the rocks for me. While waiting for our drinks I took the time to glance over the menu and it's exactly what you would expect as it included a wide range of entrees from steaks, chops, pasta, burgers, sandwiches and salads. By the time our drinks arrived we already made our decisions and I just had to order the NY strip and a side of bernaise. I asked for my steak to be cooked rare and by this time my customer was now ready for an alcoholic beverage (guessing my Don Julio was serenading him) and I ordered a bottle of Newton Claret (which at $49 is a bargain). My steak was brought out in a timely manner and the preparation looked flawless. Served alongside potato hash and broccoli I was ready to chow down. As I started to slice the steak I noticed something strange. Not a hint of red, I mean not even close to being rare. The steak was cooked to well done. But being that I was with a new customer I did not want to create any awkwardness and decided not to breathe a word. But Derek (our server) must have some sort of super human eyesight power and was over at our table within seconds and commented that my steak was not cooked to order. Without hesitation he offered to bring me out a new steak. How awesome is that? I told Derek that the fact that he acknowledged my steak being well done and not rare and that he took the time to come over (without asking) and offered bring out a new dish was enough for me and told him I was fine with it. And even after all this, the Manager (I wish I could remember his name) also came out and (I am paraphrasing here) and says "it would make me and our staff very happy if we could bring you out a new steak". Again I was completely floored by this. Again I thanked him for offering and told him I was fine with the well done steak. And to be honest other than the steak being a little on the rough side, it actually tasted just fine. By the end of the night Derek had checked on us and gave us a sincere apology and when I looked at the check noticed that not only did he comp my entree, he also comped our wine my tequila and two desserts. He really did not need to do that, but what a nice gesture. As we were leaving the Manager once again came out and gave us his card and apologies and shook both our hands and told us to call him before our next visit. One of the best displays of customer service ever!
(5)Katrina S.
I spent last weekend in the Peoria area visiting some family and old friends. Saturday afternoon my Dad offered to take me on a drive around the old hood to show me an area near the river in East Peoria that is being revitalized. Granite City is one of the many chain restaurants amidst shopping strips, grocery stores, Jiffy Lube... you get the picture. It Seemed like a good idea to stop in for some Father daughter bonding time over a cold one. I'm pretty sure the flat screens above the bar playing college basketball had nothing to do with it. I am giving Granite City three stars for three reasons, the beer, the service and the atmosphere. I had a hard time deciding amongst the beers they brew on site. The bartender suggested a flight. Excellent idea! EIGHT four once "samples". I liked most of them but my favorite was the stout. Strangely, I never order stout on its own. Sooo cold, creamy and gooood. The smokey aroma reminded me of espresso and bittersweet chocolate. It was smoooooth. In second place was the wheat which was much lighter in color and flavor than any other wheat I have tried. I liked all but two - not a big fan of the super hoppy IPA's.. We sat at the bar which is comfortable and spacious. It was a fun way to pass an hour on a Saturday afternoon; Me, my Dad, good beer and a bartender who knows her stuff. I didn't eat here but the menu reminded me of Cheesecake Factory - HUGE menu & HUGE portions - so definitely a share something or taking something home kinda place.
(3)Kevin K.
We were looking for a brewpub in Peoria and Granite City seemed promising. We sat on the patio which had a nice view of the river. I had their IPA, which was very good, and surprisingly was in an Imperial pint glass. I had the lunch special burger, which was good, but a little thin (and must have been mismarked on the menu, because we were charged more for it than it was listed). My wife had the chicken wrap, which was large, and my kids split the kids meal chicken fingers (which could have been a full meal for an adult). Overall, the portions were big, the IPA and the view were good.
(3)Troy L.
I really used to enjoy the Sunday brunch buffet, unfortunately it isn't good any longer. On my last trip they were completely understaffed. Seating was open, but the hostess couldn't find anyone to actually take us to our seat. Finally seated, the waitress forgot my coffee, no biggie. We went to enjoy the buffer to find several shortcomings. The bacon used to be great! Thick and cooked well. Now it is thin, salty, and on this visit nearly raw. The hash browns used to be excellent as well, creamy with a healthy dose of parmesan. Now they're bland and tasteless. The french toast was actually burnt! I don't understand how under-cooked bacon or burnt french toast were even allowed out of the kitchen! Overall a very disappointing meal for the $40 we spent on breakfast for two. I really used to enjoy this place, but I don't see myself ever returning.
(1)Robert F.
Burger was undercooked and one of meals was not entered. They did comp his meal. His burger was also undercooked when it arrived.
(2)Joseph E.
The food was excellent and the service was top notch. We may have just lucked out with a great waiter however everyone's meal was excellent. We will definitely be back.
(4)J D.
Terrible service, flat beer and flies buzzing around the food during a client dinner. This place has taken a serious turn for the worse since opening.
(1)Richard F.
If you like brew and a current atmosphere you will have to like this place. This is absolutely my favorite place in Peoria. With a nicely ranged menu with some good pairing to their brew, who could ask for more. Oh and Tues and Thurs they have six dollar 60 ounce pitchers which is excellent. I recommend the brothers boch if you like a dark beer with a little flavor.
(5)Mary Jean M.
Horrible service! My party and I were told the wait would be 1 hour. After 1 1/2 hours were were still waiting, and told that we were waiting for a large table to open up. The large table was cleared and another party was seated. When we confronted management, we were given NO compensation. Not only did she not apologize, and say "sorry" but she offered no resolution to the problem. I frequent Peoria establishments and this will be the last time I go here! Bad management = poorly run business!
(1)Bridgett K.
We have been here several times. The first time was a Saturday night around 7 and had the best service and best food that I have had in Peoria so far. The pork sandwich was awesome, drinks were quick and the server was friendly and curteous. They must have had their "A" game servers and cooks on that night. I expected to wait and wait and didn't. Total surprise Fast forward a couple of weeks, we went there for lunch... waited a long time for drinks, the appetizer came right before lunch and the fries were SOOOO salty. Service wasn't that bad, just either understaffed, or inexperienced. The sandwiches were still great though. We will give it another try but I think we will stick to the weekends. Oh and I heard their breakfast buffet is great
(4)Matthew G.
Nothing outstanding.
(3)Crissy W.
not having lived in illinois since i was 5 or 6, i would say granite city food & brewery is like an applebee's or TGI Friday's - only better! i came here in october 2008 (yes, i'm a little behind in my reviews) and was impressed by the cleanliness, vast space for dining and sitting at the bar and the HUGE beer making containers (i'm not much of a beer drinker so the proper word for this escapes me). the service was also not bad at all - it was standard, acceptable and friendly. so why am i reviewing this place aside from the aforementioned? this was where i had my first salad with cranberries and apples in it and it was delish! i remember it as being a large portion, just like any other family chain establishment in the U.S. i looked for the exact name on the menu, but something tells me it's no longer being offered (boo!) the location was by a highway and a hotel, which gave me the impression that it was a semi-deserted area, but there had to be a reason why we drove from pekin, illinois to come here! i would come back.
(4)This is a new Peoria restaurant opened in early 2008. It is loacted on the Peoria River. Inside the building is smartly decorated and is split into bar and restauant areas. The atmosphere was very busy and a bit trendy - typical for a new place. I sampled the India Pale Ale on draught and it matched other good English IPAs, so the beer from here is excellent. The food was typical Amaerican fare and provided in huge servings. The quality of food was very good. I visited colleagues here and despite a 30 min wait for the table, we were never rushed and enjoyed a leisurely 2 hour dinner. The service was probably a bit too keen, but better that than no service. I will certainly return, as the prices were pretty good too.
(4)Trixie R.
There was a time when I would've given Granite City 5 stars. With their inconsistencies, that would be misleading. For example, I always order the full size blackened chicken linguine dinner yet the portion sizes vary dramatically (sometimes I am served half the food of other times). Quality of service varies too. On a good day, this place is 5 stars. But on a bad day it isn't up to par.
(3)Jennifer L.
Love this place! They have amazing garlic mashed potatoes and bbq pork chops. My husband is obsessed with their beer. If you join the mug club, you get huge beers and 10% off your order. They also hold mug club nights where you get to try out their new beer and have a free food buffet to go along with it for its members.
(4)Jack R.
Visited for dinner while the in laws were in town. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals (including me). The beer was decent and the bartender was very pleasant.
(4)