Data pts -SO & i -Friday 6:00 pm -25 min wait to be seated -10 min for food Guacamole in bread bowl $8 2/5, bread bowl super low quality gauc fresh w/ lots of cilantro Art quesa $9 3/5 Fish & chips $15 3/5, fresh herb tartar sauce, filets seemed previously frozen Pros -beer selection -free popcorn -transparency of keg dates -freshness -cheap food -local, established joint -food speed -attentive waitress Cons -food quality -beer more expensive -cleanliness -layout / very crowded feeling -staff not in uniform -hostess disorganized -parking is challenging if you haven't been before (Park behind auto shop) read more

Have always loved Eli Cannons. Went there tonight and was not happy. Menu is online only. The drink menu did not have prices. You can't have separate checks. The server told us what we owed verbally, no paper check. So, we had no idea of the prices. He said we can get an itemized receipt emailed to us after we pay the bill. Not right! Food was good. Server was great, not his fault. Never have I had this experience eating out. read more

It's changed over the years and some of my favorite staff no longer work there but it will remain one of my favorite gathering places with a great tap selection, bar food and outdoor patio oasis. It will always seem to need a good dusting/cleaning, & one single bath for the ladies is crazy...lol. But they know this and don't care. That's part of the charm I suppose, have another beer and forget about anything negative in this review. Try the black bean fritter wrap (thumbs up)& their nachos are the ones everyone attempts to recreate but are unable to. Cheers! read more

Eli Cannon's - Wonderful beer selection. - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

See all

I usually don't post reviews but let me tell you, the food, the beer, the service, all top notch. The atmosphere is great and they always have the games on. I would recommend this place to anyone who is in the area. The bartenders are knowledgeable and have great attitudes. Keep up the great work! read more

To comment on the manager saying they ID everyone ordering drinks. That's a completely false statement. I've never been asked for an ID once and I've been going there for 20 years now (not anymore due to the decline in food quality, inability to split checks, and overall attitude). Nor have I seen them ID anyone I've been there with. I am really taken aback at that statement. It is 110% false. I dont know the person who complained and I came here to post my own review but that needs to be called out. read more

Love Eli Cannon's! Great,a pretty dope atmosphere,and menu that seems to go on for days with all sorts of good eats and delicious beverages

Good Grease, Great Beer. I always go for the garden out back, much more elbow room and ashtray clearance if lungsmog is your fancy. The beer menu here is INSANE, both in terms of breadth and, as importantly, a built-in emphasis on freshness by listing the date of keg-tappage next to the brew. The food, while a TAD on the pricey side (hey, it's bar food) is great. I particularly recommend the Cali-BLT or... well, really any of the burgers. (They don't so much hit the spot with surgical precision as obliterate the spot and everything within a 50 ft blast radius.) Some of the beers are necessarily awful, but by not being overly adventurous in the chocolate-malty realms you can be reasonably assured of drinking happily. (P.S. If you really, really need some Grease In You right now, buy the cajun fritters. "onions, roasted reds, andouille sausage, and gorgonzola cheese balled up and surrounded by rice - deep fried and served with a cajun dipping sauce" --holy jesus) read more

Eli Cannon's - Cajun Fritters - Arteries Beware - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Stopped by on a Saturday for a quick snack. Seated promptly and ordered drinks. Great beer menu and our waiter was great in that he let me try several beer samples before I decided. I ordered the nachos which were large and served in a big baking tin. Great idea! Easy cleanup or pop on a lid and take home. My partner ordered a cheeseburger which was cooked perfect and was enjoyed. Great atmosphere with the vintage kids cars on the walls and I like the fact that you can adjust the dimmer switch in your booth to fit your mood. (I hate bright lights). Will be back next time we are antiquing or passing through. read more

Wow!!! Just wow!! The food coming out of the kitchen tonight is amazing! Service was stellar!! Out of this world!! Thank you!!

To the manager: You're lying. No one at my table was ID'd when purchasing alcohol. Only the kids that weren't white were asked for ID. I ordered drinks and was never asked to show any form of identification and I'm only in my mid-20s so it REALLY should be legally necessary if you're claiming to ID all your customers. Be a better manager. read more

I went to Eli Cannon's for my first time tonight and it will not be my last! The food was great and I really enjoyed the spinach craisin & smoked Gouda puff pastry! The Gouda had a great smokey flavor and some great character and the craisins introduced a great contrasting flavor. The Caribbean steak skewers, roasted garlic hummus, and lemon basic couscous were also all delicious. I loved that they have an outdoor patio and an area that is like a beach with sand! The atmosphere is great and I can't wait to come back here and introduce Eli Cannon's to some friends! read more

This bar has got a pretty impressive layout and vibe going on. Dark, secluded, Mardi Gras beads hanging from chandeliers, free popcorn machine. What more could I possibly want? 50 Wings in 2 flavors: We tried the Bourbon one and Tequila lime. Unfortunately I am a lady and was present with a group of 7 other people for my best friends birthday, so I couldn't wipe the plate clean. But trust me. If I was, I would have. They were perfect. An intriguing beer selection on tap, I hadn't heard of many of the flavors but I tried the truffle stout and was taken aback. Delicious! This place has got a lot to offer in a small town, big ups to you! read more

Just stopped in for a couple pints with my friend. I asked which Porter with whiskey was better the 2012 or the 2013, she couldn't give me an answer. Most places give you a sample, but I was not offered one. Maybe because its $13.00 for 10oz? Not a big thing but a sip would of been nice. Bartender could be a little more friendly also. I know it was only 130 in the afternoon, but the place was dead. Still a great selection of beer! read more

As a local bonafide beer snob, I have been here many, many times. It can be quite intimidating to an outsider because the draft list is huge and the place is almost always packed. However, in the summer there is some relief from the crowd when they open the outdoor patio and "beach" (complete with sand, mind you)! Since I have a gluten intolerance, I am unable to enjoy a lot of menu items, but they do offer gluten free buns for their delicious burgers and corn tortillas for their blackened fish tacos, which I order almost every time that I eat here. My husband absolutely loves their jalapeño poppers and wings, so those seem to be great options too. I love the free popcorn and often eat what feels like buckets of it every time I go. Between the draft list and popcorn, I never want to leave. However, I could (and often do) complain that it's a little pricey and that keeps me from visiting more often. There is no happy hour, but because of their popularity there is obviously no need. The service is usually pretty good when sitting at a table or at the bar. But if you're just hanging out near the bar, it can be difficult to get the bartender's attention, especially when trying to close out your tab at the end of the night. This can admittedly be a little frustrating. So I can quietly grumble to my heart's content about the crowds or the price of the food and beer but in the end, I will continue to stalk their amazing draft list and jump at every opportunity to hang out there. read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

See all

One stars to this place. We came at 5:30 and asked for a table for 2. They told us to wait in the bar area (if we wanted), so we did. They didn't ask for our names but just had us wait. As we waited more and more people came and more and more people sat down. My boyfriend went to the host stand several times asking about our wait and they kept brushing it off. He finally went up again by the time it was 7:20 we got a seat, even though there's been a few open seats. They said "we didn't know you were here". They also said since they didn't have our name they had no clue even though they didn't even ask us for it. Also the beer cheese is straight oil with some clumpy cheese. 1000% don't go on a Saturday read more

This place looks cool but the manager ROCCO is a total Idiot....he doesn't know how to make a dtink...and he's an aggogant SOB...our bill was $80.before tip...(..for 2)...we had lousy sandwiches and the world's worst mixed drinks....this dive charged $15 for a tiny martini that was poorly made in a tiny champagne glass..he also charged $2 for ice...ARE YOU KIDDIND!!!...NEVER GO TO THIS PLACE .there's loads of great options on this street.... BTW I asked about happy hour...I was told they don't need a happy hour people come anyway..Not this person... They Suck!! read more

The beer selection is fantastic here. Can't be beat by any place in the area. On summer nights there's nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than going with a bunch of friends and hanging out outside. If you get the chairs in the sand consider yourself lucky. It's the most coveted hangout spot. If you sit inside though the atmosphere is still great and you can have as much popcorn as you like! The food is awesome as well. You'd think cause it's a bar there might be some bar bites and what not, but no! They have amazing dishes like shepherds pie (my favorite) mac and cheese, burgers, wraps and awesome salads. If you go here, you will be glad you tried this gem out. read more

Eli's was once my favorite spot. They were incredibly ahead of their time having numerous craft drafts with interesting decor. While I'll say they are still among the best in class sourcing craft beer they have greatly depreciated on both food and value. While the surplus of craft beer has skyrocketed so have Eli's prices. What was once a $6 draft is now $8. The portions are small and the prices are high. I paid $15 for a small wrap. Even fries are an upcharge! What happened Eli? I'll pay the premium for an excuse to drink a beer while the kiddos play in the sand but at this price point I'd rather choose Celtic Cavern on date night. read more

Apparently Eli's changed hands somewhat recently, so I figured an updated review was in order. And I'm happy to say I'm still giving it five stars. If anything, it's gotten even better -- they've cleaned it up and de-cluttered it a bit, so it feels a bit brighter and more open...and slightly less divey. But don't get the wrong idea: This is still a great, non-pretentious, regular-people bar where you can get comfortable and enjoy a vast selection of excellent beers and satisfying pub-style food. My only wish? That it was located closer to my home. read more

Meh. Food and menu aren't the same anymore... Went for lunch. Got the buffalo chicken salad and it was extremely watery (thus any taste to everything but the chicken was diluted in a big way). My friend got tuna tacos and was super sick that evening. Other friend got the blackened chicken wrap (per my suggestion as it's always good) and the chicken really wasn't fresh and she bit into hard peices. The meals come with a "side of greens" which is all it is, a pile of lettuce and some dressing. If you want fries it's an upcharge... Prices are already up there without asking for fries with your burger. Two stars for the nice patio out back but not much else. Used to really love this place it's just not the same as it once was. read more

I will just say -- I am an empathetic person. I love Eli's food, drink, and environment. That being said, this facility was not built on rock n' roll. I don't believe my accommodations were met, respected, or considered tonight. I don't ask for much, but -- what I did ask for? Eli's did not meet me, even half way. read more

Fun atmosphere for friends. Way better than the average bar menu. We will have to see this place in the evening. I'm sure it is a scene. As for lunch, outside in back in the summer time .... sweet. read more

Eli Cannon's - Lunch on back patio - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

The food and drink selection is great here! Had a great time at dinner and then went out back for drinks! While it can be a little hectic inside on a busy night you can definitely find a more "chill" atmosphere outside. read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

The first time I went to Eli's I did not have a great experience but my friend loves it there so I decided to give it another go this past weekend. We were seated promptly by our server who was very friendly and attentive. We all order wings and they were AMAZING! We ordered them in hot, Caribbean jerk, and garlic Parmesan. They came quickly and were nice & hot. Plus we ordered 2 baskets of fries to share I like that the fries are reallll fries not the stuff at mcdonalds. Will definitely go back again. read more

See all

I stopped in to Eli Cannon's yesterday because I saw they had a great tap list with beer I wanted to try. Their tap list is amazing. It was busy, but not that busy. I ordered a burger, fries, & a Stone Enjoy By 4.20.17. The burger was perfectly cooked, pink in the middle, the way I love it. The fries were ok, but hot. I'm a lover of DIPA's, but the beer I had was just average. There were several other IPA's on the menu, but I had to drive home :) Overall I had a good experience. The waitresses were running around like crazy so they were working hard. I would go back. The owner is a nice lady who named this restaurant after her son when he was only a baby. It's quirky on the inside which makes it a very unique place. Did I mention how awesome their tap list is? If you love craft beer, you must come here. read more

Eli Cannon's - Stone Enjoy by 4.20.2017. It's ok, not great. - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

We were recently on our way to New York City, and as is typical we had plans to stop at our favorite midway spot, O'Rourke's Diner, at the far edge of Middletown's main business corridor. Unfortunately, a line out the door with an uncertain wait time meant an on-the-fly readjustment. Which, is always a gamble. Thankfully, this place was directly across the street. I admit - walking up the front door created some hesitation, having two young kids with us. It looks like a college party bar from the outside - not a dirt hole, but a place you go to knock back copious amounts of drinks after 10pm. A mostly black facade, opaque door and no real visibility of the inside from the sidewalk added to the mystique. Loudspeakers had music pumping to the exterior at 11:30am. Was there even food here? That hesitation continued walking inside, where a cramped, boxed-in waiting area prevented a peak to the inside. But, even though it's an environment clearly built for drinking (and they have a seriously awesome tap list with interesting choices), there were some families there and a surprisingly good menu. Not far off from standard pub fare, but just enough to the left of center to make it interesting. That said, we stuck with generally safe choices. I got the "Philly Cheesesteak," which is always amusing to see on a menu outside of Philly metro/Southern NJ. But, it was really tasty - the meat was chopped just right; the roll, while not perfect, was solid; and the cheese and fried onions brought it together. My wife's cubano had a lightly fried pork cutlet in place of the usual thinly sliced pork roast, and that added a different texture and flavor to this sandwich that was quite interesting. An appetizers of warm backed pretzels came with three dipping sauces, including a very tasty spinach and artichoke dip. I'd love to come here and sit at the bar sometime and drink for a few hours, which is probably not in the cards given this is a road trip drive-thru town for us - but we will be back to eat again. read more

Ordered take out from here and the spicy caesar was bland and the avocado was not ripe and lettuce was young and watery. Also the wings had no flavor and the poutine was just not good. Not worth the price. read more

My wife and I have been coming here for years. We absolutely love this place. We're huge local beer nuts, and Eli's delivers every single time. Great rotating beer list, and an awesome food menu to boot. Don't get too attached to either though, as they'll change if you look away for too long. Probably the thing we love the most about Eli's. Special shout out to Jennie and Ashley up on the patio, what a pair of rockstars they are. read more

This place is very noisy and doesn't appear to be very clean. Very expensive for just a burger and beer. They charge extra for everything. $.50 for mayo. $1.00 for cheddar cheese etc. Not a great vibe. Don't recommend. read more

So we visited elis tonight and ordered left hand milk stout nitro...it tastes like,an ash tray!we asked the waitress about exchanging got,ANOTHER beer and we were told no.we even spoke with the bartender/manager . He denied us as well..he said his policy is to not exchange beer in good condition..this is BS.!! What happened to the customers always right?? So you better make sure you like your beer or your're out 6 bucks!! On a positive note...the food was good and the poutine was excellent! read more

Eli Cannon's - This is Matt trying the yucky beer - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

I stopped in here last Wednesday for a beer and some food. It was my second time at any restaurant since reopening and the first one with draughts and this place does not disappoint. The food is some of the best of its kind in the region and the beers are well curated with some pretty inspired and lively decor to go along with it. Maria; if you're fortunate enough to get her as your server, is very knowledgable about the menu with an excellent sense of timing and rotation while still taking a few moments to get to know her tables. If you're in Middletown for any length of time, you won't regret making some more to experience Eli Cannon's. read more

This place is my go-to! I'm very into buffalo wings and I try them wherever I go. This place has the BEST buffalo wings I've ever had! The service is always great, too. I love the atmosphere, especially the patio area. Since I live in Middletown year-round, I can actually enjoy it in the warmer months without it being overrun by college students.* They also have an extensive local/craft beer selection. Love this place and so grateful to have this great place walking distance from my house! *Not to dis the college students. They're an important part of our local economy! But I'm 30 years old and my college days are long behind and I don't enjoy crowds. read more

I will admit that I don't think Eli's is for everyone and that it seems a wholly different place in the summer when the back patio area is open. Having written that, I think this is one of the best combinations of craft draft beers and surprisingly good food around. The pineapple jerk chicken skewer app is sweet and hot and perfect. The wraps, burgers, and sandwiches are wonderfully varied, although my go-to here are the wings. The beers selection is simply awesome and constantly changing. Yes the interior can be hard to navigate, and arguably overly kitschy. I happen to be into kitschy when the beer is this high quality and the food this tasty to accompany the beer. read more

I have made so many memories (and probably lost at least a few) at Eli's. This bar is an absolute staple in the CT Craft Beer Community. Not only does Eli's have consistently great draft and bottle lists, but they offer a wide variety of styles, host tap takeovers and dope beer events, have a mug club, AND an awesome yearly craft beer fest! Let's not forget the beach . Eli's, you send me. read more

Great location. Local, local, local. Staff is super. Did a flight of local beer and noshed on some wings and nachos with chili. Perfect weather and a great stop if you're in Middletown. read more

Awesome, that is all I can really say. Really cool spot in downtown Middletown. I have been to Eli's many of a times and never had a bad experience. Their beer menu is always incredible, offering a variety is specialty beers and beer collaborations with great breweries. The beers are always served cold and fresh. There is no doubt ever about the freshness of a beer they have on their menu. The food is your traditional pub-grub, with a twist. Their wings along with their mac & cheese are must order items if you are a first time visitor. Their fried goat cheese balls and brussels appetizer is a meal in itself. Their food menu will not let you down. I love the feel and the atmosphere of Eli's. During the summer, the outdoor seating area is clutch. Its a laid back environment, whether you sit indoors or out. I sometimes opt to sit outside because it tends to get very crowded in the bar area and waiting for a table can be somewhat of a process. The only downside to the bar is the small size and the limited seating. If you are looking for a place with an exceptional beer variety and good food, this place is for you! read more

I'm not one to normally criticize a place.(look at my past reviews! This is the lowest I ever gave a place) I'm typically glass half full - especially when it comes to restaurants. However, even though the atmosphere was really cool here, the food was good and service was good, we left with a REAL bad feeling. Now, yes I know this place is known for their beers. However, my hubby and I are not big beer drinkers. So, we usually opt for soft drinks. This place doesn't offer free refills. Normally, not a big deal if we were told. However, we were never aware until we got our bill. When I saw that it was $42 - I knew something had to me off! We told our server, and hoped that they would be comped off. Most places would want to keep their guests happy and take it off. Our server went to talk to the manager, and they would only take off one round (We each had 2 refills) and SHE would have to pay for it. Now, as a former server this REALLY rubbed me the wrong way. Also, if we had any issues - we had to go up to him at the bar. He would not come to us. Even though we enjoyed our time here - I am not sure I will be back. I can't patronize a place that would offer to make their servers pay for something like this. This costs the restaurant SO little, and to make their server who mostly relies on tips to pay for it out of their pocket REALLY rubbed me the wrong way. read more

I've been here multiple times and have been disappointed every single time. I don't know what it is about Middletown, but the attitudes across the board are rude at worst, surly at best. Both can be found here. The beer selection is impressive. That's it. The food is average and grossly overpriced. The parmesan and garlic wings were as bland as can be. The spicy wings aren't even close to that. The fried pickles are beyond greasy and soggy is the best texture to describe them. The last go-round here we orded the mac and cheese with bacon. No bacon to be found and the mac and cheese was dried out. My friend ordered the sheppards pie. The entire serving was floating in grease. The waitstaff is nothing less than horrible. Our appetizer was brought out by the kitchen staff, we had to flag someone else down to order more beer and then we waited 30 minutes for someone to bring us hot sauce. The dining area in and of itself is tiny, cramped and filled with junk that passes for decor. read more

Eli Cannon's has been on my to do list for years now. Lucky to be in the area last Fri night with friends and stopped by. I have to admit its a little overwhelming walking in to their eclectic bar. Lots of stuff everywhere, but once we got our bearings we headed to the small bar. They have a great tap selection and we are big fans of Allagash beers and they had about 10 different types on tap. It was great to try some new ones. Once we all had our drinks we headed outside. The people we were with had been here before but have never been outside. I only knew of it by reading some of these reviews. Its a great change of pace from the small inside area. Its a nice beach patio area with many tables , Adirondack chairs and my favorite thing a sandy area. I'm a beach guy, so that was pretty cool. Pretty cool laid back vibe. Only wish there was a bar outside. I'm sure its some zoning or liquor permit thing. It was hard to get a server over so we just went back inside for more drinks. Not the end of the world . Next time I will try some of their food and update my review. Will be back at some point. read more

i am completely shocked that i haven't written a review of eli's. seriously. being from boston i long for and hold dear to my heart the kitschy, divey bar. killer beer selection, unrivaled (state-wide and perhaps beyond) patio, and menu to match. i have to be honest in saying i might consider moving to middletown just to be within walking distance to this place. a bar for all seasons...i heart eli cannon's and you will too. ps..they do bloody mary's by the PITCHER. jussssayin'. read more