Beer-wise they know what they are doing here. You could show up one week and be exposed to a completely different beer lineup than the previous week. Foodwise, it's just alright for me, dawg. Some solid pub options, but nothing to write home about. Service is friendly and attentive. read more

By far, the BEST place for nachos!!! Ya gotta get them for a table, there's no way one person can eat it all. It's also a great deal, for date night and such. They do call ahead seating, so, it's best to call and see if they are busy. I love going here for lunch or dinner. Great beer selection, too. read more

Had an absolutely fantastic experience here this afternoon. My husband and I love to drink local beers and find new venues for eating and drinking. We came here with his sister who was visiting from Florida. Our waitresses (there was an unexplained take over by a different restaurant halfway through our meal) were very attentive and helpful. Each of us ordered the five 4 oz beer samplers; you get to choose from a large list of beers. They have about 8 beers that they brew there and then had a very large selection of other local/regional beers to choose from. The first waitress offered a suggestion when one of the ones I had chosen was unavailable which I appreciated. A brilliant thing they do there is they give you the card back on which you have written and they place the beers in the same location as they are written on the card so you know exactly what you are drinking. We ordered the Lisbon Stuffed Mushroom appetizer which had a small amount of sharp cheese melted on top (menu claims they are "stuffed with" cheese-- not accurate), seasoned bread crumbs, spinach and red peppers. They were decent but not incredibly exciting. I had the Central Village Stuffed Chicken- very rich and delicious. Too much to eat in one sitting. They offer to sell it as a half portion but if I read the menu correctly that just means you don't get the salad ,and I wanted the greens so I got the full portion. I chose to get the salad with the dijon caper dressing; the dressing was excellent. I ate half and look forward to eating the other half tomorrow. My husband got the Bozrah Best BLT- it came with more bacon than we'd ever seen on a BLT. The dill mayo sauce on it was very good. My sister-in-law enjoyed the Bigelow Beef Wrap; she ate the whole thing which is not a common occurrence. Both of them got the steak fries which were well cooked and salted. At the end the brother/sister pair each got an apple brandy which both enjoyed immensely. The second waitress was super helpful and attentive- cleared all extra glasses and plates promptly, let us know the bar status of the brandy (a new bottle had to be fetched or something), kept waters filled and checked in regularly. Outstanding service. Oh-- and you might think you want to pass on the white bread and beer butter to maybe save on calories-- but you don't want to miss it. The bread is so soft and delicious-- and beer butter is whipped lightness with hint of cinnamon sugar-- so yummy. We live an hour away but will definitely be back-- for sure whenever we have company. Wish we lived closer because this would be a regular spot-- maybe they'll open a second restaurant closer to New Haven??? read more

Their beer is great and the guest brews on tap are always a plus. I tend to get multiple 5 glass flights just to taste all of the choices. The food is, minus a few good choices, just OK. The pulled pork nachos are the best thing on the menu. It's hard to recommend anything but the beer and apps due to the inconsistency or low quality of meals I've had. read more

Went here about a month ago when we first started investigating the area for homes. What a great place. The food was awesome and the vibe was a happy place, probably because as I said, the food was awesome. Wings were mutant big and had a great "beer-b-q" flavor. Didn't get to try the beer yet, but we'll be back. I used to go to college at Eastern, and if this was around back then, it would have been a regular hangout. Saw the old Blarney's bouncer Seth on a wall of photos. Brought back memories. read more

Willimantic Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

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Microbreweries are slowly catching in CT and we'd heard rumors of Willimantic Brewing. We visited for a sampling of their brews and food and were very impressed. First of all, this place is busy, on Friday night at 5pm it was nearly full and it seems to seat way over 150 people. The venue is lots of fun, a 1920's era stone post office with the bar and tables all spanning around the old counters and mail boxes. This combined with 40 foot ceilings makes for a great brewpub experience. The staff was very busy but provided great service. The menu is what I call expanded pub menu, with all the classics plus some nice creative spin offs, such as a 'mustard' Ruben. Full meals are also an option. Prices area remarkably reasonable with prices about 20% lower than what I would normally see if a full brewpub. Parking can be a challenge in their lot, try for main street of the larger municipal lot nearby. Willimantic is trying to stage a revival with some new restaurants and arts district . This pub is a good start though it still seems they have a ways to go to improve the city's grimy image. If you like beer and in Connecticut, a detour to Willimantic Brewing is well worth it! read more

The willimantic brewing company has earned their 5 stars from me! I have had nothing but great experiences here. I have been going to the "willi brew" since I was a toddler. This has been my parent's favorite spot and now mine! They have a huge dinning room area to sit and have lunch or dinner. They also have a bar area that is pretty large. They brew their own beer and I have yet to try a kind that I don't like!! They also make great bloody mary's!! I have sat in the dining room with my friends, family, and boyfriend multiple times. I have had great service from each waiter. The food is exceptionally good. I have ordered their flatbreads, salads, tuna wrap, chicken buff wrap etc. All the food that I have had there leads me to their 5 star rating. The bar area is great to sit in with friends and enjoy a few appetizers and drinks. I HIGHLY recommend the nachos, they are huge and totally worth the $. I have had a great french onion soup there and garden salad. On hot days, they have a patio area to sit outside. You have to be 21, because it is connected to the bar. It is a lovely time to sit out and have some drinks while eating their apps. I recommend the mussels for this specific sitting :) I suggest to anyone who is in the eastern part of CT to stop in and grab a bite to eat here! Perfect for family and friend gatherings! Well done Willi Brew! read more

I am a fan of Willibrew. Have been coming here for 20 yrs. This is my COVID era comment. These are hard times and we are all making adjustments. As always the food, drink and service is good here. But, please.....I don't want to eat in a parking lot and I don't want to eat on the patio with high plastic tables and chairs that seat a maximum of 4 people (jammed together and uncomfortable) while the original tables are stored somewhere out of use. We ate there tonight and we are not coming back until the patio is returned to it's former state. Other places like The Cabin (Lebanon) and Fenton River (Mansfield) are doing a much better job of handling the situation. read more

I was going to give this place 4 stars because I'm not a huge fan of traditional American food, but I had no choice. The server did not just come to our table to take our order for beers. She advised us. We were like kids in a candy store with all of the beers on tap and she was thoughtful enough to answer all of our questions before we made our choices. And then she was thoughtful enough to answer them again after our 2nd round... And again after the 3rd. Usually I won't give American restaurants 5 stars because I'm a vegetarian and usually my options are pretty slim. However, this place had several selections that came highly recommended by other friends who had already been here. This place is a must go. read more

Very friendly staff, well kept eating area, which is a plus for someone like me who doesn't like to see trash cans In view or sit at a table next to the bathroom entrances! Food is averaged price with easy to follow menus. Lots of specials that are mixed up throughout the week. amazing soup I might add! Salads are big and sandwiches are packed! Would recommend! They also have outside seating! read more

Great selection of beers. The wait staff was very attentive even with large lunch crowd. Our waitress was very knowledgeable when it came to the fine points of beer 101. Very enjoyable and we will return. read more

Willimantic Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

All there beer taste the same. The food is very mediocre for a brewing company it's not very good 1 star because it just isn't the same anymore blarneys up the street from them have better food and it's a college bar. read more

You can't go wrong with Willibrew. There's something for everyone on the menu and everything is done quite well. The beer list is phenomenal and the Nachos hit the spot every time. Portions are rather large so come hungry. The service is always prompt and you can tell the employees really care about the reputation of the restaurant. There can sometimes be a wait, especially on busy weekend ms for the universities, but they give you a buzzer and you can go to the bar and have a beer. And if it's nice out you can take that beer out to the well lit patio. I would always suggest Willibrew to anyone coming into town looking for good food, great beer and a nice atmosphere. read more

I never review but this place is amazing. I hate Yelp but if there's anyone who turns to Yelp for information about restaurants they want to visit, don't even think twice....COME HERE!!! Great staff, beer, regulars, PINBALL, food...come here. read more

Snacked on a whole bunch of items and wasn't disappointed by one. Jalapeno poppers with cream cheese filling--much better than cheddar in my opinion--were well-breaded and had a decent kick. Three bean chili? Fantastic--and could have been a meal on it's own at 5 bucks for a good size bowl. The fries are great. We tried both the cajun and garlic--steak cut, nice and crisp, and wonderfully seasoned. Toss in Evan, our attentive server, who made sure our pint glasses were never empty and the whole experience was very good. Cheers, Willimantic! read more

I went to school at ECSU right down the street from Willibrew. Four years later, I still make my way back at least every few months for lunch or dinner. It's a very central location in CT so it's reachable from all sides of the state; makes a great meeting place for friends spread across CT! Menu highlights include the (giant) nachos and the French onion soup. Those are the two dishes everyone will tell you Willibrew is "famous for"! Although, their menu is giant and they have something for everyone. Decor is so fun! This is a converted post office and they left a lot of the original details that really add charm. I can't speak to the beer (I'm a wine kind of girl), but Willibrew was a local brewer before it was cool, and I have friends and family who enjoy their beers. The only negative is sometimes the service is slow. But it's worth the wait! Overall, worth a visit! read more

Based on today's experience I'd give -0 stars. I don't know what happened with service in one month but it is catastrophic. We were invisible. Had to beg for staff to take our order. Thank goodness not the first experience or it would be our last. read more

Willimantic Brewing Company - Beautiful terrazzo floors b - Breweries Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

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I went in to have lunch and they told me that they couldn't seat us because the power was going to be turning off so they couldn't log in drinks. We ended up going to the place across the street and by the time we were done we noticed they were still seating people. No idea why they turned us away and never heard of such a thing before. read more

I love this restaurant so much!! The food is so good I never expected it to be so good. Most of the staff is extremely friendly besides this one lady that seems a little racist and doesn't take care of us as good as she does the other customers. Other than that the place is good!! read more

Ok, first: the beer is a 5 star, the food a 4. If there was a 4/1/2 star option, WIlli Brew would warrant it. The majority of the food here is unique, interesting, and full of eye popping flavor. The pizza's are all boldly seasoned with interesting food mixes, the build your own burger stop is cooked to perfection and full of about a half pound of deliciousness, and the pasta will not leave you wanting. Probably the best food place in the Willimantic area, with close competition from the wings at Bidwell Tavern in Mansfield. The beer selection here is EXCELLENT. It will occasionally get snubbed by modern beer snobs due to the spread of the selection; there are plenty of german malty good brews to balance the belgians and specialities. The Certified Gold is a staple here and should be tried. Ensure you try the sampler so you get a wide taste of what Main street offers. The wait staff is generally good, and is better than expected given the high turnover rate of college kids. The brewmaster (Jake) is friendly and loves to talk brewing shop. In the summertime the front deck is great (puncuated by ghetto fabulousness) and the inside is a true wonder. (Converted from an old post office, definitely a must see) read more

Favorite place to go in college when we had some extra money to spend. I wasn't a beer drinker back then, but all of my friends who were loved their options. Now that i actually enjoy beer, I'm dying to go back and try some. The food is a great semi-upscale option in Willimantic. I tried a few different things on the menu and always enjoyed them all. A college favorite was the nachos. The atmosphere is great as it's located in an old post office. It's an enjoyable experience all-around. read more

The Brew pub is in old US Post office. The setting is very cool, with wood furnishings and high ceilings. I tried one of their IPA's, it tasted alright I just wish it was a little more carbonated. They have 42 beers on tap. I had a round of samplers, sampler glasses seemed a bit smaller than usual. The food was disappointing- worst slider cheese burgers ever! They were DRY and overcooked. Very plain and with no toppings. A 99 cent burger at Wendy's is better...Alas that was not the reason I came here.....I came for beer! They have shit loads! The bartender could have been a bit more attentive to the customers. The cool atmosphere and the 42 taps are why I give this place 4 stars. The menu had other items that looked more promising than the dry sliders.. read more

Willimantic Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

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OMG, the food is AMAZING! The four of us, each ordered something different, just loved the food! We all finished every last bite.... The place is very nice looking and clean, with very high ceilings, typical wooden tables bar/restaurant Totally worth the drive from central CT (almost an hour) read more

This brew pub is really good. They have an excellent selection of beer. Their own brews are really good and they carry several other hard to find micro-brews on tap & by the bottle. The food has been good every time we've gone. We did have one slight issue this last visit, but it was taken care of easily (all I'm saying is to check your chicken wings to make sure they are cooked thoroughly BEFORE you begin eating them). I REALLY recommend the veggie burger. They make it in-house, so it's thick & very filling. I'm not even a vegetarian & it's what i always order. The jerk seasoning they use on the chicken wings is divine. It's spicy & sweet. The beer butter that comes with the bread is addictive. The service has always been good. It takes us about an hour to get there, but it's worth the trip every once in a while. read more

the 3 is for the beer and the ambience, the food .. well.. the food ,,,, the beers i had on my willi visit were all pretty good - distinct flavors, different styles, well made beers .. a flight of five is a good way to start, just got their beers and none of the guest brewery beers. sampled their dopple alt, three cents, certified gold, saison noir and summer saisons. the saisons were both good but similar and predictable. i think my favorite was the dopple alt - nice brown malty but on the light side. anyways, the beers here were all pretty good. even the be-gyled shandy was a decent selection for something lighter and fruity. the food. hmm. we started with the brewers bread and beer butter - which seemed just like bread with a cinnamon butter which i did not expect - thought that with beer in its name it would be more "beery" .. . for the mainl, i had a wrap which was really just a salad in a tortilla and it was OK - just lots of lettuce, and more lettuce on top of that .. the steak fries were not well cooked - some were super crispy and some were close to raw in the center. i ate the smaller crispy ones and left half a plate of fries. others at our table fared much worse but i did not eat their food and can't commen on that .. but the high point was the onion soup (which is vegetarian!) and the taco salad (with vegetarian chili!) .. so surprisingly, the vegetarian options were pretty OK at this brew pub. probably i would come back for beer and the onion soup. read more

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Always wanted to try this place while I was at UConn. Location of this brewery is interesting, but great atmosphere inside. We had just ordered appetizers and beer. We ordered: the calamari, teriyaki beef skewers, pulled pork sliders, chicken sliders, and bread which came with a sweet Apple/beer cinnamon butter (which was sweet and we really liked it!). Overall, the food had a lot of flavor and was good. The teriyaki beef skewers are a little tough to chew bc it's on a skewer.. but still worth it! Only complaint is although the staff is very kind, the service was somewhat slow that night. read more

I have never had a bad experience here. The staff here are some of the nicest I have ever met and know what they are talking about when it comes to beer. Whether you are new to the beer scene or a seasoned expert, this brewery makes you feel at home. I always recommend getting a flight and a plate of nachos (biggest plate of nachos I've ever seen). Feel free to ask any questions, the atmosphere is very welcoming. read more

If you're in Willimantic or just hungry and near Willimantic, you will most likely end up at Main Street Cafe. To be honest, I've never been particularly wowed by the food. It's good but nothing really stands out as a dish I'd return for. My favorite thing to do is get a bunch of apps with friends so we have something to put in our stomachs while we sample the beer. The beer is definitely something to return for. It's sometimes overwhelming looking at all the options that they have. First of all, they brew their own beer so there's the tons of types they have to try. Then they always have a ton of guest beers on tap which doubles the selection. I don't know a lot about beers so sometimes I can't remember if I prefer ales to lagers... I think I don't like stout but based on a description, it'll look pretty good. Then my mind is always put at ease when I remember that they offer beer flights here, so I can try four beers before I commit to just one for the rest of the night. Also, the staff will usually help you out with selecting by telling you what all the terms mean on their menu. If you're not a beer drinker, they have a lot of mixed drinks and cocktails. The place is great to look at too, beautifully converted from an old Post Office. Take a look around and they have some great pictures and documents from those days. The place will get crowded around dinner time, but if you're already down there just be patient. Even if there was somewhere better to go in the area, this place is worth it. read more

The old Post Office certainly offers fantastic ambiance that combines with a very competent and knowledgeable staff. The largest draw for me is the choice of in-house brewing. In addition to the large array of beers offered, the Willi Brew beers, which are always changing, have never disappointed me. If you are new to the establishment, the sampler of the "home-brewed" selection is a must- you will be pleased. I enjoy dining in the pub as opposed to the restaurant as it is more casual in addition to the welcoming decoration, more specifically, the Family Guy pinball machine. Aside from the excellent beer (my bias), the food is varied and tasty. The Blackened Chicken Nachos offer a huge challenge to groups as large as 4 but the subtle, individual meals, such as the wraps and burgers, offer good flavor as well as creative touch. There are plenty of choices for meat-eaters as well as vegetarians. Do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

When we moved from Brooklyn, NY to Willi, CT I was *distraught* by our choices for eating out. But I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this place. The beer selection is massive. I had a sampler of their in-house brews and they were truly unique. The Gold Certified was the least frou-frou (not that frou-frou is bad--if anything this town could do with *more* frou-frou). The menu is over five pages long, which doesn't bode well. With such a big offering, there's bound to be some ingredients that have been lying around or just something they don't make that often. I made a bold move and ordered a salad, which turned out to be great. Lots of fresh, local greens and veggies with fresh baked bread and homemade herb butter. Whoa! Not so great were my friends' nachos and grilled sandwiches. The sandwiches were way too greasy and dripping with mayo and other mystery Willi sauces. But the most embarressing thing was the nachos. They come on this ABSURDLY huge plate exploding with sour cream and salsa and beans. They might as well wheel out the bottomless tub of lard. Not appealing. We've been back several times and their sandwiches and salads tend to be pretty good. Their more elaborate meals (fish, steaks, pastas), however, are often not prepared well (undercooked, overcooked, or just not fresh). I'm guessing these aren't popular menu items, so the kitchen doesn't have much experience in preparing them. Overall, our server was nice, the place is unusual in all the right ways, and the patio was great the night we came. Lots of college kids here during the semester, but everyone was very polite. They'd do well to shrink down their menu and focus on a few, top-notch meals instead of an onslaught of mediocre meals. read more

On a late evening hunt for a bite, we found Willimantic here on Yelp. As it was fairly late, (10:30 p.m.) we called to check if the kitchen was open. The hostess, Hope, was wonderful over the phone, took our order so it would be in before the kitchen closed and would be ready approximately when we arrived in a short while. The food was very good, and who can complain about a well poured cocktail? Our server, Ally, was a joy, her service was spot on, and she was great about filling us in on the history of the old post office building Willimantic Brewing is housed in. We'll be back!! read more

The Willimantic Brewing Co. has two sides, a pub side, and restaurant side, the Main Street Cafe. The building used to be a post office, so their menu items are named after CT towns, including zip codes. They brew their own beer, which if I was a beer fan, perhaps I would appreciate more. Their menu is standard american fare, sandwiches, wraps and burgers (ranging from $6-8), and various beef, chicken and fish entrees (at about $12-17). This place is generally packed and their parking lot small, so you might have to hunt down street parking. (www.willibrew.com) read more

Willimantic Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

Excellent place for great local brews and a heaping pile of nachos. Try the beer sampler or whatever is in season. It's in the converted Town Hall building and is a great little oasis. read more

Willimantic Brewing Company - Willimsntic Brewery - Breweries Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

Trying to check in but since I am SITTING AT THE BAR yelp says I'm too far away WTF?? Great Festive IPA.

This is more a 3.5 rating. I really like the fact that it is located within an old post office. It's spacious, with lots of seating, and it is pretty lively each time I go. The Willibrew has a nice selection of beers on tap, although they run out quickly. The food is fine, nothing to rave about, but it's not bad either. Get the nachos app if you're with a group of people--it feeds about five. read more

I do love this place. The beer selection is very, very good with lots of guest taps (Other breweries) and lots of great micro brews. The selection does change often so be prepared. The food is good to very good, and the nachos are a must order since the one order did feed 4 hungry people. read more

Cool place, service is ok, food is so - so. Typical bar food. Go here if you like beer. That simple. read more

This place rocks!! The beer is fantastic and such a good price! Their local brews are great and the entire vibe is awesome and authentic. I loved the flower beer and the beer/kombucha combo was weirdly good. My goal is to try every beer on the menu!! And the nachos are bomb too read more

Willimantic Brewing Company - Chicken Nachos - massive!! - Breweries Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

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The Willimantic Brewery is a place I started going to at the behest of some friends who found it by going to school in the area. When you live out in that part of CT (the Str860 as we like to call it), there are few places to go for a wide selection of beer and home brew so it definitely fills a much desired niche. Beer-wise, 'Willibrew' has a great selection and their home brew is also always enjoyed by myself and others. You can get a relatively inexpensive beer sampler to try out what they are currently serving. My friends will roll their eyes because I did not enjoy going there at first because I had two very mediocre meals...a deal-breaker for me. I have since had better fare- nothing amazing mind you but it was fine for the price. So that combined with good beer will make me come back. Willibrew is actually a brewery/ restaurant built out of the old Willimantic post office, so the building is very cool. The ceilings are very high, the bar area is separated from the rest of the restaurant area (which features some semi-goofy but forgivable wall murals), and the brewing vats are visible to patrons. The service to fine, never had a problem. The waiters and waittresses are quite friendly. Overall: I am, admittedly, a snob- but Willibrew grew on me. I think if I could I'd give them a solid 3.5 stars, but I'll round up to 4. The food is adequate (nothing amazing) but there is a good selection but the great bar and selection of beers both made and not made on the premises is what I stay for. If you're going to school at Eastern or just looking for a place to meet up with friends in the general area, Willibrew is a solid choice. read more

Amazing Beer, Stellar Service and Friendly People. Willibrew should probably have 5-stars but the food really killed it for me. WBC is about an hour and 20 minutes away from us on the shore line so it has never been a place we could visit spur of the moment. I decided to take my husband here for his birthday to make it even more special. I read some reviews that reservations would be helpful so we called for a table for 3pm. The girl said it probably wouldn't be necessary, but she took our name anyway which was nice. We arrived and decided to seat ourselves in the Pub which was probably the best choice we could have made. At 3pm it wasn't too busy - maybe 40-50% full. The bar is very long with high top tables around it and lower tables at the end. When we told our waitress we this was our first time she was shocked. She was really helpful -except when we asked about a couple beers that were on the chalkboard and not written up in the menu. Basically, all we really wanted to know was what style it was...she couldn't do that which I would assume a waitress at a brew pub should be able to do. But, we did get a sample of it to try before ordering a pint. I ordered a sampler - so I wasn't stuck with a beer I wasn't into. I ordered the Certified Gold, Rail Mail Rye, Eur-IPA-en IPA (which was the only one I really wanted but they were out of!!), Scarlett Letter Red, Just Stout and Pushing the Envelope IPA. The "recipe" if you will, on the menu really helped you choose a beer because they list the hops and everything. I really liked every beer that was on my sampler which doesn't usually happen! The Rye was really tasty with light hops but my favorite was the Pushing the Envelope IPA - I had multiple pints of that! Throughout the course of the day/night we tried every beer on their menu! One was better than the next. Bravo Brewmaster! We ordered some lunch - I had the Veggie Burger topped with Portobello, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo with a side salad and my husband ordered the Windham Village Sandwich which was Corned Beef and a side of Cole Slaw. Unfortunately, I did not think the food was very good. The menu was HUGE and I had a tough time choosing something to eat. I went with the 'burger' which looked like it was deep friend. It was probably the worst Veg burger I've ever had which is crappy. I removed the bun and ate it anyway. My side salad was nothing special - think a salad from a fast food chain, and my lettuce was a little brown looking. I would definitely go back and try something else...but by the looks of the food that kept going passed us, nothing looked overly appealing. My husband, on the other hand, loved his sandwich and the cole slaw was amazing - very garlicky. We spent 4 hours a WBC. After driving over an hour we had to make the best of it. As it got busier - around 4pm, we decided to give up out 4-top table to a larger party and move ourselves to the bar. The bartenders were super helpful and friendly, we started talking to other people at the bar who were also really nice. There's one nice thing about leaving the shore line to head north is that the people are so laid back and friendly. I actually was sitting next to a guy that helps in the brewing process and he was really chill just talking to us about how they brew and what not. Overall, we had an awesome time and can't wait to come back! Somehow, our 5 drinks, a t-shirt and growler turned into 3 beers and a shirt on the check. I don't mind. 4 hours of eating and drinking for under $100. The food was a LITTLE more expensive than it should be, but the beers are $4.25 which is ridiculously cheap. The decor is awesome, old post office, bathroom spacious but not updated, dining room was large, crowded and noisy. Make a reservation. read more

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