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Alter Brewing + Kitchen

3.9 (262 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 1 week ago

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ALTER BREWING + KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Alter Brewing + Kitchen

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Today's Beer Menu
Steve K.

Outside seating was full, so we needed to stay inside which is Ok (always prefer outside). It is a little noisy inside. A shame they did away with entire front door seating, as it is all common area seating now. Outside seating is off to the side, next to the Fox River. We were there just for a few brews, which are always tasty. We like the atmosphere, mid-tier brew pub with a little modern appeal and always collaborative service. My wife ordered Not Your Mother's Mule, but was a little sour for her taste, but they replaced without issue. See pictures of the menus.

Steak sandwich
Elizabeth Z.

What a cute area in the suburbs of Chicago. Great outside area with lots of other shops and walking trails nearby. Great spot for the summer. Food was great, everyone left full and happy. Server was perfectly attentive.

Crab stuffed mushrooms and brisket nachos

Stopped in at Alter today after the lunch hour rush and enjoyed 2 delicious appetizers for our party of 4. The crab stuffed mushrooms in a creamy cheese sauce was amazing. Lots of crab in the stuffing and sauce and served with toasted bread strips. So so good! And the brisket nachos are a must order every time we visit. And a good sized order for a party of 4! Beer and wine were also wonderful! Karrie was our waitress and so sweet to us. She was attentive and helpful. With the lunch crowd gone, the dining room was peaceful! Don't forget this place if you are out and about!

Caesar Salad
Jessica S.

My family and I visited Alter during Scarecrow Fest this year, so it was understandably very busy. We ended up waiting about thirty minutes for a table. Thankfully, we were able to sit outside while we waited and listen to the live band, which made the wait much more enjoyable. I am not sure how crowded it gets on a typical weekend, but during the fest, it was definitely packed. When we were finally seated, we were placed in our own small section of the restaurant with no other tables around us. That was interesting because we had waited so long for a table, yet no one else was seated in that area the entire time we were there. Staff picked up after we were seated, so it was frustrating to see empty tables while the wait continued. Our waiter, however, was very friendly and attentive, which helped balance out the experience. For lunch, I ordered the Truffalo Hot Chicken Sandwich ($18.99) with fries, and it was excellent. The chicken breast was huge, crispy, flavorful, and had just the right amount of heat, and the truffle buffalo flavor really stood out. My husband ordered the Alter Caesar Salad ($18.99), but he said it was nothing special and should not have been that expensive. There really isn't that much to the salad, and the chicken wasn't even seasoned or grilled. I tried it, and it tasted like the chicken in those grab-and-go grocery store pre-made salads. Very disappointing for the price. Overall, despite the long wait due to the fest crowds, the chicken sandwich and service made the visit worthwhile. I would definitely return, especially on a less busy day to get a better feel for the normal dining experience, but I do not recommend the Caesar salad.

Alterado
Mayra M.

Service - always great, servers and hostess always have a good attitude. Shout out to Paul, our server was awesome! Ambiance - depending on the day it can be a little loud but nothing too crazy. It gets busy so a reservation is highly recommended. Food - today we had a cheeseburger with fries and kids chicken tenders. Food always tastes freshly made. The Alterado brew was so good, light and fresh Mexican Pilsner. All in all great experience, will be back for sure!

Wild Game Burger with house chips
Becky K.

Solid brewery /taproom option! Great rotation of beer and the food was good. Our first brewery in this area so excited to try others and see how this one stacks up. Will be back in the summer and sit in their outdoor area on the river.

Shrimp tacos
Kali M.

Was here recently with a group of coworkers. We ordered the big ass pretzel, which was enough for 6 of us to share. Very glad there was a yummy cheese sauce as I'm not a fan of mustards. I ordered the shrimp tacos with the house chips for dinner. Shrimp tacos were very tasty, but the chips weren't. The reason for 3 stars: they leave a lot to be desired for non-beer drinkers. They didn't seem to carry many vodkas or whiskeys. I ordered some kind of cocktail that was decent. Finally, the service was pretty terrible. It was a slow Monday night but our server rarely checked in. It seemed like everything took forever. Waiting for the food, the check, the running of the card. If you're a beer drinker you'll love this place. They have flights too!

Miranda L.

Alter Brewing in St Charles could not have a cooler location! Right on the Fox River, they have plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the downtown atmosphere. The inside had some very cool beer inspired features like a beer bottle canopy, brewing equipment on display and branded accents. Parking was a bit tough because of the location but there were certainly options. The staff was extremely energetic for it being Fourth of July and Erin made our experience that much better with her smile/upbeat attitude. The beers we liked most were the Rally Point & Mosaic Motive. They seemed to offer a variety of beer types for all. While we didn't order food, we saw many trays go past us and it looked delicious! I also loved that their menu was full service of beers, wines, cocktails, and food. Tip: They have Happy Hour M-F 3-5pm for $9 bites & $5 draft beers.

Shrimp tacos were awesome.
Brandon Z.

Cool hip place in downtown St. Charles. Service was great. It had a ton of beers and cocktails. The menu provided many options. Everyone was pleased with their meal. I would go back. I had Shrimp tacos. They were delicious.

Ambigram And Vegan Italian Beef
Steve A.

Bought a few beers at this brewery in St. Charles. It has a few locations with this being the newest of these. Alter has this one that also has a kitchen. Get some pretty interesting things to drink and eat. The prices are pretty good on most beers while being pretty expensive on the food it seems. A busy place as it's in a pretty busy location surrounded by everything. It's certainly a lot more prominent than the original Downer's Grove location. There's a good amount of space inside so it can handle large groups and parties. Good prices for the beers. It's about $7 a pint. Best we had of these was the Ambigram. This is a hazy IPA that's has notes of orange and tangerine. It's about $18 for entrees. The food menu is pretty meaty except for a few things. I got the Vegan Italian Beef. This is made by Chicago Not Dogs, with au jus and giardiniera. Has various events. Trivia night is on Tuesdays, and they have live music. For sure it's worth going to and getting beers. It's located close to the bridge in downtown. There's lots of food and even though it's expensive there's a few options for vegans and vegetarians.

fU Covid
Chad S.

Great location right on the Fox River. Cool outdoor area and neat view. AB+K has a solid menu with starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers, flatbreads and full entrees. I tried a flatbread with Brie, bacon, apple, arugula with a drizzle of balsamic. Great selection of beer and also a full bar for cocktails. Hostesses, bartenders and servers are all really friendly, knowledgeable and god at their jobs. Had a nice supper and enjoyed it very much. There was also live music in the dining room / bar which added to my enjoyment. Highly recommend.

Choosing to a fantastic cocktail
Leslie P.

Super fun place great patio, food, and drinks. I have to say we absolutely love our server John! He was extremely kind & fast! He really knows his menu and gave us the best suggestions on beer.!

Trader Joe's Cauliflower
Jason L.

WARNING: Illegal Surcharges at This Restaurant (Illinois & Federal Law Violations) If you're thinking of eating here, know this: they are illegally charging debit card and non-compliantly charging credit card surcharges Food & Value The food simply doesn't justify the happy hour price. $9.99 for three tiny sliders or a cauliflower dish is outrageous -- especially when right down the street at La Mesa or Moto Mioto. That's real value. Here? The sliders were bland, and the cauliflower tasted like frozen Trader Joe's, not fresh or restaurant quality. Mediocre food at inflated prices. Illegal Card Surcharging Even worse than the food is the billing practice. This restaurant is in gross violation of Illinois law, federal law, and Visa/Mastercard/Discover rules. Example bill: * * Subtotal: $19.98 * * Credit Card Surcharge (3%): $0.60 * * Tax: $1.73 * * Final total: $22.31 Why this is illegal: 1. Illinois Law - Surcharges are capped at 1% or the actual processing fee (whichever is lower). Charging 3% is unlawful. 2. Visa/Mastercard Rules - * Surcharges must be disclosed with signage at entrances and at the point of sale a they are not. * They must appear as a separate line item on receipts. * * The surcharge must be calculated on the final total including tax and tip -- you cannot add tips after the surcharge. * * Debit cards cannot ever be surcharged. 3. Federal Law - Durbin Amendment (Dodd-Frank Act) - Surcharging debit cards is outright illegal in the U.S. regardless of whether processed with a PIN or "as credit." 4. Network Enforcement - Visa and Mastercard can issue fines from $50,000 to $1,000,000 for violations like this per card swipe. I have notified the Illinois Attorney General of this gross violation, as the restaurant is applying this illegal fee to every single customer. Surcharge Rules in a Nutshell 1. Merchant must be registered with the card networks. 2. Customers must be notified at store entrance + point of sale with proper signage. 3. The surcharge must not exceed 3%, and merchants cannot profit from it. 4. Fee + product/service price must be processed together as one transaction. 5. Receipts must clearly show the surcharge as a separate line item. 6. Debit cards cannot be charged a fee -- ever. 7. Tips cannot be surcharged since they occur after the fact. What You Should Do If You Ate Here If you ate here and were charged a "surcharge," keep your receipt. This is a clear consumer protection violation. I have already contacted a major law firm in Chicago that represents Visa, Mastercard, and Discover to add this restaurant to their target list for violations. And let me be clear: they win these cases. In the meantime, you can contact your card company directly and they will refund you the illegal surcharge (and in many cases, your entire meal fees). Card networks take these violations very seriously, and customers are fully protected. I will update this review with a claim link from the law firm -- assuming the restaurant doesn't change its ways. I've already gotten nine other businesses to change their policies once confronted. We as customers shouldn't be paying all these damn fees. It's a cost of doing business -- own it and get over it. Bottom Line This place doesn't just serve mediocre food -- they break the law and rip off customers at checkout. Until they fix this practice: * * Don't eat here. * * If you do, don't pay with a card. * * And if you've already been surcharged, get ready to file a claim and get your money back. Better food, better value, and fully compliant billing can be found nearby at La Mesa, Moto Mioto, McNallys, ZaZa where you won't get scammed on your bill.

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Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the friendly, attentive service, riverfront location and patio, and a wide beer selection. The food is enjoyed, especially burgers and flatbreads.

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

Might be nice if you were forewarned that there is a "limited staff menu", prior to waiting over 30 minutes for a table.

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Adam H.

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6 years ago

Super cute bar right on Fox river! Went this past weekend and they have a great indoor/outdoor area where there is heat being pumped in.

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

This place is horrible! Stay away. It actually doesn't deserve one star. Nothing but attitude from the staff from the second you walk in.

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6 years ago

The service is wonderful and the food is exceptional. Everything that I have gotten there never fails to impress. I would highly recommend!

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Alter Brewing + Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Alter Brewing + Kitchen

What type of oil do you use for frying?

Hi Kyle! We currently use canola oil.

Are there gluten free items?

Hi there! We do have some salads that are (or can be made) Gluten Free. We also have Gluten Free buns available for handhelds.

Any n/a beers?

Hey Chris! Unfortunately we do not have any at the moment.

Do they allow small dogs on their patio?

Hey Rachel! We allow small dogs on the perimeter of our plaza patio area (north side of building by the front door), but not on the riverside patio.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

VATAN Progressive Indian Kitchen - Lobster Curry dish

VATAN Progressive Indian Kitchen

4.4(41 reviews)
1.5 mi

We had the absolute pleasure of having Canteen, the catering arm of Vatan Progressive Indian…read moreKitchen cater our private event, and they exceeded every expectation! From the beautifully presented food to the impeccable service, everything was truly outstanding. Every dish was delicious, fresh, and beautifully prepared, and our guests couldn't stop raving about the food. The team was professional, attentive, warm, and incredibly accommodating throughout the entire event. They made everything feel effortless and allowed us to relax and enjoy our celebration. It's rare to find a restaurant that combines exceptional food, gracious service, and flawless execution so seamlessly. We received so many compliments from our guests, and we couldn't agree more. The live Tandoor with exceptionally curated menu was well received by our guests.the owner was easy to work with and accommodating to our requests. A huge thank you to the entire team for making our private event so special and memorable. We highly recommend Vatan Progressive Indian Kitchen.

10 stars! The food is delicious, every single dish had a…read moreunique experience. Our server was the sweetest and the most attentive sever. The best service I have seen in any Indian restaurant in the Chicagoland area. The interiors are beautifully done, it was a very welcoming place. We also chatted with the owner and he sounded very passionate about his work. It's nice to chat with people who like their work and bring out their best. We are certainly going back for more!

Photos
VATAN Progressive Indian Kitchen
VATAN Progressive Indian Kitchen
VATAN Progressive Indian Kitchen

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The Graceful Ordinary - Frisee salad with crusted soft boiled egg

The Graceful Ordinary

4.3(299 reviews)
0.0 mi
•$$$

Short answer: Yes! Would recommend!…read more Long answer: Came to celebrate 2 birthdays and was sat at "the chefs table" which is a high-top table right in front of the kitchen. It was just too hot sitting there and also noisy from the kitchen and orders being called out, etc. Asked (I think) the manager, Amanda, if there's any way we can move to another table cause we are just sweating and wouldn't be able to survive through dinner, haha! We also had our 83 year old grandma there so we were even more concerned for her well being. Amanda was accomadating with offering us a different table as long as we could finish in 90 minutes. I told her I'll take it! She felt bad for the time limit also, but I told her I appreciate her accommodation even more. The food and drinks turned out great and the service was superb along with a unique ambiance! Definitely recommend!

I really wanna like this place, but after going several times for brunch, I won't be returning. The…read morestaff is super kind and the restaurant is in a nice location with pretty decor, but the food falls short every single time for me :(. The menu confuses me. It seems like there's no flow or theme. It's just a lot of random dishes put together. I still gave three stars for the staff and how clean and pretty it is inside, but for my taste personally, I think it would be best for a drink and not a meal.

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The Graceful Ordinary - Dining room

Dining room

The Graceful Ordinary - Avacado toast

Avacado toast

The Graceful Ordinary - The Fox River just outside the restaurant

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The Fox River just outside the restaurant

Mosaic Kitchen & Cocktails - short rib hummus

Mosaic Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7(57 reviews)
2.2 mi

Mosaic Kitchen is a great Mediterranean spot in Geneva. The decor is artsy, colorful, and has a…read morereally cool, hip vibe. The service was impeccable - friendly and very attentive. We tried several things, including the beet salad, which was absolutely delicious. The spicy feta dip was also really good, and the dip platter was great for sharing. The steak shish kebab was tender, but the flavor was a little bland and could have used more seasoning. Would definitely come back to try other dishes.

We visited Mosaic Kitchen last Saturday for a dinner and the experience was great. We are happy…read morewhen places like that open their doors offering , new vibe and something new in Geneva. Mediterranean cusine is definitely one of our favorite ones and all the flavors are there. We mosly tried the mezze hot and cold dishes to share and a bottle of nice Sancerre wine. House Sampler-you can try all three spreads at one plate, all were very good but the Muhammara definitely stood up as the best. Olives--very well seasoned, we always try olives and definitely a must. Lamb Chops--perfectly seared, served with fantastic slaw and chimichuri. Falafel--was good, classic, could be a little bit more moist in our opinion. Special: Hamachi crudo with Mango sauce--this was a spectacular dish, one of the best we lately had. Fish was fresh and the presentation was amazing. Thanks to Alex for being a great server and we will definitely try more dishes from Mosaic Kitchen in the future!

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Mosaic Kitchen & Cocktails - Owner Patrick! And let's not forget amazing business owner chef Charlie as well!

Owner Patrick! And let's not forget amazing business owner chef Charlie as well!

Mosaic Kitchen & Cocktails - Pita bread

Pita bread

Mosaic Kitchen & Cocktails - Levant lassi and mango lassi cocktails

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Levant lassi and mango lassi cocktails

Barrel + Rye - Brie cheese curds and espresso patronus

Barrel + Rye

4.2(641 reviews)
2.1 mi
•$$

Fun spot with unique cuisine, this restaurant may be small but the food packs big flavor. On my…read morevisit here, I had the opportunity to try two dishes off the shareables menu and was super impressed with both of them. Service was also quick and friendly throughout the entire meal. The Birria egg rolls were a bit on the smaller side but made a big impression with its preparation. I've never had birria wrapped in anything as crispy as the wonton wrapper this was wrapped in. The birria was flavorful while being tender and not being too salty. The white cheddar and chihuahua cheese added a small amount of extra saltiness and a bit more fat, which matched well with the chipotle aiola. The duck poutine was incredibly flavorful, while sitting on the edge of potentially being too bold. The fries were incredibly crispy though there was quite a bit of gravy on the dish and the white cheddar cheese curds did a great job of keeping the entire dish hot throughout the meal, while adding a little bit of extra flavor. The bacon and onion added some umami though it almost made the dish a bit too salty and the duck confit added a nice protein element. Overall a little pricey, but given the more unique menu and quality of both the flavors and textures, it's worth the premium. The food here is definitely memorable and in line with excellent options available in Geneva.

All around had an amazing time! Visiting in town for work…read moreand wondered along this place that was delightful and charming. Henry was our server/bartender and gave us excellent service. He was naturally humorous and humble. The best part was my Tuna Tartare. I order it everywhere I go & I must say - it was the best I've had this year! Thank you Barrel + Rye!

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Barrel + Rye - Barrel + Rye

Barrel + Rye

Barrel + Rye - BLACK + BLUE chicken with truffle fries. Yummy

BLACK + BLUE chicken with truffle fries. Yummy

Barrel + Rye - Outside seating

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Outside seating

Rec Haus

Rec Haus

4.0(36 reviews)
0.1 mi

Such a family friendly place. We took the kids a few time and we absolutely love this place. It's a…read moremust go for a fun game night with the family.

Came here on a date to watch the USMNT in the World Cup. Big mistake…read more It was bingo night so no game sound. Game was only less than half the TVs. I'm sure that there were folks there who really wanted to catch the Yankees game. Anyway, the woman calling bingo was losing her voice and did not really add to the experience. (She was very friendly as opposed to the rest of the staff.) They allowed young children to sit at the bar for bingo, which surprised me and is uncool in my book if not illegal. I don't want to sit at the bar next to your hyper pre-teen. The food is self serve. You order via your phone. Pick food up at the kitchen window. Food was decent enough. Plastic utensils. The bartenders (and I was one back in the day) were inattentive. Asked the busboy, who sort of lurked behind the bar washing glasses from time to time, for a box to go and he pointed to a table set up for to go orders. Thanks, man. Charging a 3% credit card fee when you don't accept cash is absolutely lame. Yes, debit cards are free. I didn't see that until after I paid the bill. There is a pour your own draft system with about a dozen beers but that doesn't impress me. An undersized bags, bocce and putting green. Some decent new arcade games. I guess it works just fine as a Chuck E Cheese alternative with fewer games and a full liquor bar. I can safely say that I won't be going here again for a date night or otherwise.

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Rec Haus - Sitting area with TVs

Sitting area with TVs

Rec Haus
Rec Haus

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Alter Brewing + Kitchen - brewpubs - Updated November 2026

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