Stopped here for a work lunch and it's was terrific! They had the perfect seating for our large group and the server was so efficient. The ambiance is modern and the place was spotless. The large bar centers the space and the poop emoji marking the loos was hilarious. We were all about the ramens on a cold day and the food came out quickly and was served warm-- not hot but at a good temp. I got the fried chicken and kimchee ramen. Timing is everything when you have fried chicken swimming in savory broth and it ate crispy (dark meat) and the kimchee was at the right level of fermentation. The noodles were spot on al dente too. A keeper if you're jonesing for ramen! read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ramen-San was such a lovely stop during my time in Chicago--definitely a vibe if you're looking for something fun, flavorful, and a little turn-up with your meal. Now I have to be honest... the one thing that really threw me off was the fruit flies. There were quite a few, and it honestly felt a little gross. I'm not sure if it was our seating area or something with the dishes at first, but it did take away from the experience a bit. BUT--let's get into the food because they did their thing: * Chili cucumber - 5/5 Sweet, spicy, refreshing... a perfect starter. I could've ordered another round. * Kimchi fried chicken ramen (with egg + extra buttered corn) - 5/5 BABY. This was that bowl. Rich, flavorful, comforting... I could eat this all the time. * Brussels sprouts - 4/5 Well-seasoned and solid. Nothing crazy, but they get the job done. * Crab rangoons - 4/5 Tasty, crispy, and filling--no complaints here. Drinks? They didn't come to play: * Penicillin #2 - 5/5 A smooth whisky moment. It sneaks up on you--giving Jack Honey + ginger vibes but more elevated and grown. * Hot sake - yum Simple, warm, and hits every time. * Yuzu sake bombs (we did 3... party style ) Surprisingly delicious and just fun. Highly recommend if you're with your people. Service: Our server was sweet, attentive, and checked in just enough without being overbearing--always appreciated. Overall: Despite the fruit fly situation (which I really hope was a one-off), the food and drinks carried. I'd still come back, maybe just be a little mindful of where I'm seated next time. read more

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There's no one that will ever be able to convince me that Ramen San isn't good. They're quite tasty and always consistent. The ambiance is always amazing and the music is always a bop! One difference about this visit was that I came to learn they have a lunch menu option - even on the weekends! I'd never done lunch so I thought why not now? I ordered the Chicken Shio ramen, the Big Eye Tuna rice bowl and it came with a salad. For $17, this is a massive lunch. I ate a late dinner because I was just that filled. You receive nice lunch size portions of food to leave you satisfied and happy. I can't remember the name of my beverage but it was quite tasty. This is all to say, visit any ramen San location. You won't be disappointed. read more

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I had a taste for some ramen, and since I'm part of the Lettuce Entertain You group, I chose Ramen-san. Plus, they have an express lunch option, which made it even better. The atmosphere is definitely a vibe, and the customer service was cool. I got full fast, but the food was good and the price was great for lunch. Perfect spot if you want something quick that gets you in and out. Parking can be a little tough in the Fulton Market area, though. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Met my godson for dinner while my daughters were studying, working or on a flight meeting me for Family Weekend at U Chicago. Love to try the places that my children, nieces, nephews and godchildren recommend. They are always so much unique. I love being able to choose from the options they recommend. Easy to walk to Fulton Market on a chilly fall day. I love walking in Chicago (unless it is winter with plummeting temperatures.) Easy to get a table with an early dinner reservation. After work and before heading to the airport. We started with the fried chicken mantou buns. The steamed buns were so soft and fluffy. A delicious contrast to the fried chicken with shredded cabbage and Japanese mustard. Definitely try this as an appetizer. Next, it was time for ramen with loads of classic Tokyo wavy noodles from sun noodles. My godson had the 10 hour tonkotsu which he loved. I ordered the chicken shio with a chicken broth, chicken chashu, buttered corn, scallions and a molten egg. Nice to have options for both chicken and vegetarian broth. So good on a chilly night. Sat at a high top. Service was great. Never felt rushed on a Thursday night. Nice to be able to enjoy an evening catching up. read more

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I have been to other Ramen-San locations. On my first visit here, our party of 3 each opted for the express lunch. We all had the tonkotsu ramen with the karage and tuna as the rice plates. We all enjoyed the edamame hummus and the rice plates. The ramen noodles were a bit over cooked but the toppings were delicious. The pork was tender and my daughter loved the bamboo. All in all the food was great. We all left pretty full and actually had to take our rice plates to go. I will be back again to give them another shot. read more

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Ramen San definitely hits the spot for a ramen craving on a cold day. The express lunch deal everyday is also amazing. We took advantage of this and sat at the bar to get some drinks with our meal. I love the yuzu margarita here - it's super refreshing with the meal. This time around, I got the 10 hour tonkatsu ramen, tuna tartare, and added a side of kimchi during the express lunch. It is a smaller portion of everything, but this way you can get a nice variety. My ramen first came out lukewarm/cold, but they replaced it with a hot fresh bowl once I said something. I prefer the kimchi fried chicken ramen here, but the tonkatsu is more of a standard flavor and delicious as well. Fun hip hop vibes too but not too loud on a Sunday afternoon even though the place was busy! read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - 10 Hour Tonkotsu Express Lunch - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I can't speak to the food, but as far as whisk(e)y bars go, this place was absolutely fantastic! I was looking for a calm whisky bar where I could sip that golden "uisge beatha" in relative peace. Yelp directed me here, and I decided to give it a go. I always thought of Ramen-San as a place that specializes in ramen and other Japanese goodies, but at this specific location, one of those goodies turns out to be whiskey! They have some tremendous things going for them: First, their selection of Japanese whiskies is very impressive! They have a wide variety of different brands and variants, with something for every palate and price range. I especially liked that they offer a 1-ounce and a 2-ounce option for each. Then there's the bar staff. The bartender I had the night of my visit was an absolute delight. He was clearly someone who not only had a tremendous amount of knowledge but also a person who genuinely loved his job. This is becoming more and more rare, and it made for a great experience. In terms of the vibe, while it may not be the most comfortable spot to spend several hours due to hard stools, it makes up for it by not being otherwise obnoxious. With all of this, while I can't speak for the ramen at this specific spot (I've had it at others), the whiskey portion of the experience was one I would love to repeat... maybe even slowly work my way down their list. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - A fantastic whisky - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was my first time going to Ramen-San Whiskey Bar! If you don't want to wait then make reservations! Otherwise there's open seating at the bar. The fried chicken bun was so light and fluffy and flavorful! Delicious! The chicken ramen was savory and the corn gave it a crunch that was unexpected and perfect! It was probably the best ramen I have had here yet! Can't wait to come back again! read more

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10/10 all around--I had the best time dining here! The service was outstanding, and the staff were so accommodating, even with a baby in our group. The restaurant was spotless, with plenty of seating and a great bar area. The food was incredible--I can't even pick a favorite. My cocktail was perfectly balanced, the tartare was fresh and flavorful, and the guacamole was silky smooth. The gyoza were perfectly cooked (not greasy at all), and the tonkotsu ramen with added spice was absolutely delicious. I'm already craving it again as I write this review! I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago. read more

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While waiting for a later reservation elsewhere, a friend and I decided to check this place out. The ambiance is similar when compared to other ramen joints. Minimal yet has everything you need. We were seated next to the open window which was nice since I was able to people watch. Service was OK, we were here around 3pm on a Sunday and it wasn't crowded so I was expecting it to be a little better. For food I tried the veggie/tofu ramen and added an egg. It was meh, the broth just wasn't there for me and overall I thought the dish was just OK. Maybe that's my B since I typically do get pork ramen but decided to switch it up. read more

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Chicken ramen with tofu added. Great value with large portion of veggies and chicken in the ramen. The add on tofu compliments the broth and flavor. Service was good and food came out promptly. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went on a Saturday for lunch and they have a great bento box type special for $20. I didn't have a res and it turned out fine. The bento box special is a good choice bc it allows a tasting of many of their menu items. Thought it was a good deal for lunch and plenty of food on offer. read more

What a fun spot! Nate and I walked in around 8 pm on a weekday recently and were able to get a table. The vibe is a bit dark and moody but with an upbeat atmosphere. The menu is nicely curated, with some small plates, buns, dumplings, and a handful of ramen options. The cocktail and dessert menus were super cute! I got the yuzu margarita and Nate got an ice cold Asahi. I love that they come out in icy cold mugs. We ordered the karaage chicken nuggets, two buns, and the 10-hour tonkotsu ramen to share. The karaage was delicious - super crispy (including some tasty crispy skin pieces) and nicely seasoned. One of the best versions of this dish that I've had! The buns were very soft and tasty, and Nate loved them. Finally, the tonkotsu ramen was delicious with rich and savory broth, super tender pork belly, and nice toppings (egg, bamboo, fried garlic, wakame). The noodles were tender and it was the best bowl of ramen I've had in awhile. I'd love to come back in the future and try more of the tasty food at Ramen-San... including dessert, which we were way too stuffed for. read more

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Came here after a movie date and it was perfect. Ambiance was fantastic, our server was great, and the ramen was excellent. Best of all, they gave us this super sturdy (and cute) carryout box for the leftovers that I intend to use for art supplies. It also has an amazing whiskey selection at different price points and flights if that's your sort of thing. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Carryout box at Ramesan. Isn't it cute? - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was visiting Chicago and Fulton Market was on my itinerary. The area had so many upscale Michelin rated restaurants, vibrant bars and tons of entertainment options I wanted to explore. Running on an empty stomach, I was set to find a place to grab a quick bite before starting my quest, that was when I came across Ramen-San. I've seen the restaurant in River North and Lincoln Park, and I thought it was a sign when I saw it again in Fulton. I took that chance and my experience was such a let down. The menu was incredibly limited, and there wasn't much that really drew my attention. It took awhile for someone to come take my order and it took even longer for the food to arrive. The 10 Hours Tonkatsu Ramen was served lukewarm and tasteless. From the composition to the taste, Ramen-San failed to capture the essence of a tradition ramen. By the time I left Ramen-San, a quick bite has turned into night sky and the entire Fulton Market was dead. read more

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We stopped at Ramen-San for a bite before a Blackhawk game at the United Center. We saw that this was a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant and we have always had good results with the brand. Service was quick and we were seated quickly. The place had a Ramen bar feel and we ordered the Chicken Pot stickers to start. They were a bit on the spicy side (according to my wife), but I thought ther were fine. We had the Chicken ramen and they were ample and harty, perfect for a chilly night before our hockey game. The parking was good, only a short walk to the location and we have returned whenever events brought us to the aera. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is our favorite Ramen spot and even better late night fried rice. We haven't been out late after 9 as much as we used to be but the fried rice rotates week to week but sometimes is amazing depending on the meat that's in it is what makes us try. The ramen with fried chicken is so yummy. Ask for chili oil for a kick of spice. The drinks are good here too and of course it's ritual to do sake bombs together. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Chicken Asahi Cold Draft - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went to lunch, service was great! Food was DELICIOUS! We'll definitely be back. The chicken in this rice was soooo good! Will definitely try the appetizer next time! Can't wait to go back! read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Late night fried rice was excellent: fatty bacon chunks, spicy and a runny egg over top. Perfect to share between two people if you're also getting appetizers or smaller dishes to go with it. The sumo ramen was indeed as massive as the name would suggest. The XO wontons and char siu pork inside were good, plump and juicy. The ramen itself left something to be desired. Wasn't bad at all, but the ramen noodles themselves didn't really stand out and the broth was milder than I'd like. Yuzu highball was good; the whiskey flavor was mellowed out from the soda and yuzu. read more

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I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOVE Ramen-San! They were the first ramen place I've ever tried and I've been stuck since. This location specifically is one of my favorites just because it's located in the heart of Fulton and is a whisky bar specifically! The service here is always amazing, whether I'm at the bar or in a booth! The music is always giving 90s hip-hop, but with a flair of mixing! I first tried the chicken shio ramen and I've been a loyal customer since! Then one day came across their lunch special, where you basically get a salad, appetizer, and bowl of ramen for less than $20!!! They often offer special ramen options randomly or they'll change something else, like the edamame hummus versus the usual spicy cucumbers! This is absolutely one of my favorite ramen spots in the city and I actually love all three locations in Chicago! read more

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The express lunch is a solid deal - $17 for ramen, a rice bowl, side salad, and cucumber salad. I love variety so this was perfect. I got the tantan-san ramen and the tuna rice plate, both were delicious and super filling. The ramen broth was rich with just the right amount of heat. We also tried the spicy Szechuan chicken wings which were perfectly crispy. Service was quick and friendly. The atmosphere is dim and casual, with plenty of seating both indoors and outside. I'd definitely come back for the lunch special, and to try some of their whiskey, which they're known for. read more

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Food was pretty good. The tonkotsu had lots of flavor but just not at all filling. Fried chicken mantou tastes like how you'd expect, the mustard was tasty but a bit overdone. It took a really long time for our food to come out. Our server kind of seemed like they didn't want to deal with us. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - 10 hour tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here for their 16.95 lunch special - a truly can't miss. I loved Ramen San and their tray of deliciousness! On a cold rainy day, nothing hits better than some fried rice and warm ramen. I would give this a 5/5 if the service was just a little more involved, however otherwise I really loved eating here read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Crispy Mini Tofu Bun - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was very delicious and perfect for a cold day. The ramen had excellent flavor. The ambiance was quite dark but comfy seating. Would come back!! read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - 10 hour tonkotsu* - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute & hip ramen/whiskey bar, dim lighting perfect for a casual date or catch up. Was seated quickly and staff was friendly! Loved their thank yuzu mocktail. It was fun, fruity, and very reasonably prices!! Their menu in general was very creative. I really enjoyed the kimchi & fried chicken ramen-- the broth really managed to capture that "fried" flavor & paired well with the kimchi. The smoked brisket ramen was good but I think would've paired better with a pork broth (rather than chicken). You'll like this one if you like mushrooms, which I do, and the bamboo shoots were AMAZING. Great flavor and delightful crunch. read more

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My favorite part about the restaurant is that the playlist is hip-hop. The menus are artsy & different. I literally can't stay away from the 10-hr tonkotsu. I always add an extra egg. The service is always pretty good, I usually just go to catch up with friends so it's never a problem. read more

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Ramen San is always a fun time. A quick, casual ramen spot that can usually seat you right away and conveniently open late night. Whether it's River North or Fulton Market, both locations are my go-to for quick casual ramen. The portion of ramen is good and flavorful. I especially love that the lunch and late night menu rotates (favorite has been the late night fried rice). The lunch specials are definitely worth it. I think there is a full service bar too if you just wanna do drinks. Service is nice and quick. Music always poppin' read more

This is super close to my office and they have a pretty good lunch deal--$17 for 1 rice dish, and 1 ramen and it comes with side cucumber salad and regular salad. We went right at opening and there were only a few people there. They have inside and outdoor seating. Between my parents and I, we ordered all the lunch menu items. I will say I actually liked the rice bowls a lot more than the ramens but I'm always biased against ramen kinda. The ramens were all unique in their own ways but just alright imo. I did really like the ramen pepper side they had (black pepper, garlic, and a bunch of other things) and it really added a lot of depth to the flavour that was otherwise a little lacking. I also liked the sesame chilli addon ($1 extra). The yuzu lemonade here was out of this world. It was perfect amount of sweet and sour. They also gave a good amount and I felt like 1 cuo was enough (which is rarely the case when i go out to eat tbh). I also saw them make a batch of it, so it was good to know they made it in house. The chicken karaage nuggets were super yummy. Each piece was kinda huge and had a drizzle of katsu sauce. The chicken was super tender too. The big-eye tuna rice bowl was also quite yummy. There was a good amount of tuna and it was seared, so it added a fun texture and flavour of raw tuna + cooked tuna. I think there was ponzu sauce too and it added a yummy tangy flavour. The fried rice was also super unique and yummy. There was seared cabbage pieces that really elevated the otherwise just regular vegetable fried rice. It was actually such a unique addition of flavour and ingredient. The thai tea creme brulee was definitely a good one to finish on. The sugar coating is just the right amount of cronch but not too thick (and therefore sweet). The thai tea flavour was a fun one to add to a creme brulee. read more

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Decided to try another Ramen-San location. Our favorite is on Hubbard. This was a mistake. Tools my girlfriend out before she left to love in France. The service was cold molasses in the dead of winter S-L-O-W. When our entree bowls finally arrived... they were COLD.. do you know how MUCH you have to do to get a big bo of ramen COLD.. it's come out like LAVA and you have to WAIT and eat slowly. And the dishes were prepared wrong. I was very disappointed. All three ramen bowl were removed from the bill.. the service knew.. I didn't even have to ask her to do it. The appetizers were ok. Sticking to the location that we know and love . read more

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Love everything about this ramen. Plenty of ramen options but these guys don't miss. Been here multiple times and keep coming back because I know what to expect. Excellent apps and ramen Great service and great ambiance. Easy for delivery or pickup too. I don't give many 5 stars but it's just consistently great. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is amazing. It was my first time eating real ramen and this place did not disappoint. From the 90s rap music to the delicious drinks everything was a hit. I had the express lunch which was 16.95 and included a bowl of ramen (I chose the vegetarian option) a salad, and a rice dish. Every single thing I had was great. The host doubled as our server and was super nice! I will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Express Lunch - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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You can never go wrong w ramen san! Their kimchi chicken ramen is for someone who has a high spice tolerance. The chicken shio and pork tonkotsu are a great clear broth for a staple! I am not too impressed w their dessert options but the donuts are a delight! The read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - chicken shio* - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ambiance was great after a long day of work/travel. 90's hip hop mixtape running in the area. Food was flavorful. Tried the 10 Hour Tonkatsu, XoXo Pork and shrimp dumplings and ended with a slice of the ube cheesecake. All hit well and I was left full. Service was attentive with waiters and bartender checking in throughout my dining hour. Would recommend for you to get your ramen fix in!! read more

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Such sweet service and amazing music give this restaurant an atmosphere that beckons guests to return. The tofu buns are out of this world, and others raved over the pork buns! The vegetarian ramen has a slight "bite" to it (careful not to accidentally get it on sensitive areas like eyes), but it's phenomenal!! Everyone at the table loved the Thai Tea crème brûlée, but we fought over the Ube cheesecake. We will definitely return!! --The sumo bowl is MASSIVE --My teenage daughter has a corn allergy. She ordered her ramen specifically without corn, but it arrived with corn. No issue; mistakes do happen. The order was sent to the kitchen where someone merely scooped the corn out of the ramen. I handed her the bowl when it returned to the table, but she again saw the remaining corn. The third time, the ramen arrived without corn. This whole interaction took around 20-25 minutes. It was long enough that our ramen had cooled substantially before her food arrived. I hope this is an isolated incident. read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Crispy Mini Tofu Bun - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Get the karaage chicken nuggets, they are incredible and I'm still thinking about them!! And they are on the happy hour menu :) read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Finally made it back here so time to update my review! This visit I got one of the pork bao buns and it was the perfect small app! Really delicious flavor and just the right size to not fill you up before your meal. I got the Tantan-San ramen and am still thinking about it!! Probably my favorite ramen I've ever had. I love all the different textures and it's the perfect amount of spice without being too much. I also really enjoyed the Negroni, and the ambiance / music is always 10/10. Need to come back soon! read more

Ramen-San Whisky Bar - Tantan-San - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you come for the food and expect to have the best Ramen ever, then you came for the right reason! And before I say how good the food was, let me tell you that Bridget being our server was just as good and if not better. Also we were a group of 11 and ordered all kinds of drinks, appetizers and ramen. Everything was soooooooo good. So I can't recommend what to have because it was all excellent. Also loved the vibe with the vibe and relaxed atmosphere. read more

This's our first time trying Ramen-San whisky bar, we just came across this place walking around west loop. We got seated at one of the high tops quickly, they do have booths but they're all reserved for the night. We didn't know they have happy hour! Anyway, for anyone who's interested, they have happy hour Monday- Friday, 3-6pm. We got 2 cold draft asahi beer to start, and ordered the avocado tuna tartare for appetizer. I ordered the 10 hours tonkotsu ramen + buttered corn, and he got the kimchi fried chicken ramen + egg. Overall the ramen flavor was pretty good, not salty which is a plus! The ingredients taste fresh, and we really enjoyed our meal. Would recommend to get that fried Chicken on the side if you can so it doesn't get soggy with the broth. Will definitely revisit again. read more

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Came here with my girlfriend for an early dinner on a cool day. The place wasn't too busy when we arrived but started getting busy quickly after we started our meal. It's a small but lively restaurant with a hidden kitchen. We started off with a couple of bao buns and the tofu one was amazing, by far the best one. I got the vegetarian ramen which had a surprisingly nutyy flavor and a spicy kick! My girlfriend went for the pork ramen and she loved hers just as much as I loved mine. Prices are fair for the area and it was a good pick to both of us, so we'd recommend trying it! They also have lots of whiskey options too if it interests you. read more