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    The Spotted Dog

    4.2 (72 reviews)
    InexpensiveSports Bars, Burgers
    Open 6:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Spotted Dog Photos

    Business Info

    THE SPOTTED DOG ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Spotted Dog

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    Reviews With Photos

    Loaded ponyshoe! There's a perfectly cooked piece of pork tenderloin under those loaded fries!
    Chris E.

    Stopped in for lunch with another family and all our kids! another ridiculously good meal at a very reasonable price! Great service! Cold beer! I'm telling you this place isn't much to look at, but they hit all the marks where it counts in my book. Really good, affordable food served up by an attentive friendly staff who appreciate your business. Again, the place only seats about 20 people, so plan your visit accordingly.

    This is the latest menu according to their Facebook
    Dustin F.

    Although my OG review gave The Spotted Dog praise, I will say within the past few years or so during the pandemic I noticed the price of stuff going up. That, however, I understand. The real issue I have with is the fact they're cutting back on portion sizes. Now that we're better under control these days, the pandemic is no longer an excuse. I am saddened by the portion sizes being smaller than usual especially since the price hike. I remember when coming inside and taking my food to-go was a decent portion. The horseshoe as pictured in my photo is not near the size it was when The Spotted Dog first opened. I understand and get the pandemic has messed with prices on things etc. I would like to suggest The Spotted Dog go back to their original days with giving generous portions of food such as french fries, tater tots, etc. My horseshoe had medium, or perhaps smaller sized burgers than from when I had last ordered this item. I typically order a double cheeseburger here with fries. I can say that the double cheeseburgers are still decent for the price you pay. You get a side of french fries with it automatically and can add some free condiments and the like to the burger. The burgers are always filled with flavor and have an amazing taste. The bun is always toasted and tastes right too! I am unsure what has happened with this establishment. I was not satisficed with my portion size with this horseshoe at all.

    Yum sum food..
    Manan S.

    The spotted dog.. hit the spot. Delicious food. Amazing service. Friendly. Homely. I love this place. Once visit and I know that I will be back. Food is cheap five to seven usd for dishes. Huge portions. We got chicken Philly pony shoe loaded waffle fries cheese balls. All were delish. Cari is the Wednesday baretender waitress. Super friendly. They also have darts pizza small gamling video games and a small parking lot. Come here you won't be dissapointed.

    Joanna M.

    Delicious! I'm not sure if you can go wrong with bread, spicy fried chicken, waffle fries, and bacon, all smothered in cheese. But it was delicious and fulfilled every craving imaginable in one dish. This is the place to go if you are looking to pig out. Its a meal large enough to share. The service is friendly and attentive. The restaurant is a little dark inside.

    2 American Dogs loaded with toppings and waffle fries
    Dave J.

    This is a hole in the wall, but the food was good and the staff was very friendly and attentive. It seems weird to say, but the prep cook needs to improve their knife skills. The onions, lettuce, and tomatoes on our nacho were large chunks. Nachos were tasty, but clunky to eat. Same with the Hot Dogs. I was hoping for a Chicago dog. They did not have all the toppings, but they did pile it high with what they had and it tasted great. The large pieces of onion, tomato, and pickle did make it hard to eat. For your side, spend the extra $1 for waffle fries. They were amazing. The pork tenderloin was enjoyed by others in my party. Good food and good service!

    Lawrence C.

    I was on a search for a new place to get lunch.. The Spotted Dog was on the list when I searched. There was a horseshoe pictured so it was an easy decision. It's a small bar right on Morrissey. It's adjacent to Grady's Pizza. It's not one of those bars that serves food and pretends it's not a bar. The lighting is dim. The bar is the most prominent thing. The bartender came to the table to take our order. She was very friendly. Good personality. One of those people who should be dealing with people. I can't stress how important that aspect can make all the difference. I like a server that joke around with you. On to the food! I got a order of cheese balls. Those were good. Not you're ton of the mill ones you get at most places. Some were a little dry but not every one is going come out perfect. The main course showed up soon after. The horseshoe. I substituted waffle fries for the regular fries. Wise choice. I got loaded. Sort of. Loaded usually means tomato, onions, and bacon. I just wanted the bacon. Another wise choice. The horseshoe was amazing. The best part is they actually seasoned the burger. Most places think the taste of all toppings is enough. Not The Spotted Dog. Made it even better. The cheese was great. Definitely not some nasty canned cheese. Unless you're really hungry settle for the ponyshoe. I had leftovers. It surprising reheated well and tasted just as good. My next thing to try is their tenderloin so definitely making another trip.

    Chicken Sandwich
    Luke W.

    The best value and good times easily besting the more expensive and higher class venues around the area, simple and fantastic menu offering up the diner style eats straight from a home-cooked kitchen, and family style service multiple waitresses keeping attention on us though that was probably because there were not many others there for our Sunday mid-afternoon hit. Everyone loved the appetizers, wings, jalapeno corn poppers, and cheese curds made for a winning trio; then enjoyed hot dogs and sandwiches immensely - even without their vote their speed downing each dish made things plenty obvious. I split the large horseshoe though wondered why the loaded option wasn't on the menu though was informed later on it - definitely should have had it because the wonderous homestyle cheese sauce, fries, and grilled chicken was missing its onions, tomatoes, and other shoe laces; however at these prices cannot complain and will definitely be back!

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great place on the southern end of Bloomington. The food was delicious and atmosphere was perfect for after working a cross country meet!

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    All the food was delicious. Especially the homemade chicken noodle soup. Very hearty

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Came in after the kitchen closed and they still made me cheese curds!! Good bartenders and thank you!!

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    We have only ordered out. The food has all been good. They season their hamburgers. Hamburgers and pony shoes are really good.

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    3 years ago

    Although the place looks a bit trashy and doesn't have draft beer, the food and beers are great price-wise and have very friendly people.

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Your typical dive. Waitresses could have cared less, lack of attentiveness. Not the best food

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Best chicken philly sandwich in Illinois, if not the Midwest. I like the dive bar atmosphere also.

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    Page 1 of 2

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    Game Day Grill - The front door, you'll want to come back again!

    Game Day Grill

    4.2(19 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $

    So out of friggin' nowhere this place appeared on my radar. Originally a place to meet friends from…read moreChampaign and the south side of Blm for some Sunday NFL action. We were there for wings and the order we had that day were good but didn't blow us away, but we agreed to make a future date night visit. The 2nd time I went there with buddies for an imprompt happy hour. Neither visit did I really spend any time with the menu and THAT was a huge mistake, because the menu is prodigious, esp if you're a fan of appetizers (which may be the best such list in the area) and esp given what I'm advocating for as the best app going currently - - the giant pretzel with optional apps stuffed inside the 3 spaces in the pretzel. It's an impressive list of mostly fried yumminess and as we work thru that part of the menu, everything has been spot on. Then I noticed on social media that they are now regularly firing up a smoker and mixing things up on the daily specials board quite a bit lately, so it's now time to try another part of the menu. The beer selection is small but mighty - usually with an IPA, a White Oak and another local brewery as well as Yeungling options. The service has always been near perfect. The ambiance a get a little loud (as it should be) during big games and happy hour, but otherwise, laid back. They have a separate event room, robust gaming area and ample gravel lot parking right off the I-74E frontage road. 4.85 stars

    Great quick lunch right off the interstate. The food came out quickly and we loved it. I had fish…read moretacos (2) and they each had a huge piece of fried cod with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. My husband had a crispy chicken salad. It was a good size for lunch and the lettuce was fresh. We shared an order of waffle fries and the seasoning was just right.

    Photos
    Game Day Grill - BRAND NEW menus just arrived!  Not pictured, awesome daily specials too.

    BRAND NEW menus just arrived! Not pictured, awesome daily specials too.

    Game Day Grill - Page 2 of the new menu

    Page 2 of the new menu

    Game Day Grill - Game Day Grill Menu -  Back

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    Game Day Grill Menu - Back

    Pub II - Waited an hour and a half for this. Unbelievable service.

    Pub II

    2.9(133 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $

    WE LOVE PUB 2!!!!! It's a must go to when we visit Bloomington. We love this place. It's the…read moreperfect dive bar vibe. They're always super friendly and quick. You can't beat the prices of the food here. Every time we visit from AZ we make sure to stop at pub 2!!! If you're ever in Bloomington IL please do yourself a favor and stop in.

    For sure this isn't a great place in Normal, but it's one of the most popular bars. It certainly…read moregets a lot of ISU students and family. Pub II is a good place for watching games or any sports. Has good specials on drinks. The food is pretty average as expected. A pretty crowded place and last time here it was crazy. It's got plenty of room inside but there's mostly empty space in the middle. This is so there's a place for dancing, twerking, or whatever. Afternoons are less hectic but still busy. This is where to watch football on weekends. Even so, we were able to get seats at the bar. It's about $6 for Jameson. Good price to be honest. The food isn't anything special. Especially limited in healthy options. It's about $9 for the Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel. Big ass one good to share among a few. This comes with beer cheese and honey mustard. This is good with regular mustard too. Other food options include greasy burgers. This is more of a place to drink than to eat to be honest. Campus bar that has some good prices on beers and food. It's open late. This is also close to the Amtrak station.

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    Pub II
    Pub II
    Pub II - Jameson And Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel

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    Jameson And Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel

    The Spotted Dog - sportsbars - Updated May 2026

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