Grinder’s

November 11, 2007 [ Updated September 1, 2008 ]
As far as tap selection goes, they had 10 premium or harder to find brews on when I visited. Based on what has been said in previous posts, these must rotate fairly regularly. 8 others were taken by Boulevard brews and other standard fare (e.g.: Guinness). The wait staff was very attentive and actually knew a little about the beer that they had on tap. Against my better judgment but at the coaxing of our waitress, I ordered my Philly cheesesteak (their signature menu item) with the traditional cheese whiz versus provolone. Surprisingly, it was pretty damn good, as were the fried mushrooms that I shared with my buddy. This would be a place that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend if it weren’t for one thing: smoke. I was fortunate enough to have completed rating my beer before a party of chain-smokers was seated next to us. But I was compelled to scarf down the last third of my sandwich in order to beat a hasty retreat from the cloud of pollution that had enveloped us. Long and narrow, if it’s crowded, it’s pretty much impossible to avoid cigarette smoke in this place. My recommendation: if you want to enjoy your beer and food smoke-free, come by in the middle of the afternoon, when it’s less crowded, or sit out back when the weather permits sitting outside. Update: No Smoking Ordinance is now in effect: gotta bump this place up a couple points overall. I’ve been back and the pizza is pretty tasty as well.

March 28, 2007 [ Updated November 20, 2008 ]
RE-RATE (11/08) the last two times I have visited, they have really toned down the music. Additionally, both the food and service have been great. Certainly near the top of KC beer places. I had read about this place in local media, and on Beer Fly, and had fairly high expectations going in. Kansas City is a bit short on beer bars, and I thought Grinder’s could be one. The beer list was nice, certainly better than most places you go, though nothing way out there. I would call this a bar with a nice beer list, rather than a true beer bar. Service was OK, took quite awhile for me to be served at the bar for lunch, and there were 4 servers on, and maybe 8 customers in the place. I actually had to ask for help. The music was up way too loud, and not to sound like an old timer, but I hate having to shout my order across the bar when the place is 95% empty. The food had been reviewed elsewhere as extraordinary, and I found it only a bit above average. I had the Philly cheesesteak and it was ta

March 20, 2007
First visit here. Different space - nice mix of bar seating, booths, tables and a big cargo door open at back which leads to some tables outside. With both doors open on this nice Spring day, a good cross breeze kept the air inside fresh and lovely. Seemed to be populated by a lot of regulars, but they weren’t a chatty sort. I was left to actually work ::shudder:: while I ate and drank. Solid selection. Expected good selection of Boulevard, some Schlafly, a good dose of Arcadia including a couple of the big beers, and a smattering of interesting bottles. I helped myself to multiple pints of Bully! Porter (which we rarely see on draft in St. Louis) and a Houbulon Chouffe. All were in fine condition. I was disappointed though that there were no quality lagers on the list, and very few hoppy beers at all, and puzzled by the complete lack of Bell’s, New Belgium, and Odell’s. One other nit is that the beer list was hopelessly out of date (and had McEwan’s Scotch Ale listed under "Ireland"!). Food was okay, with the house salad being above average, and the pizza a bit below. Shoulda had a cheesesteak, which looked really good. Mental note made. Service was truly excellent. I sat at the bar, and the tender was able to keep my beer filled without my asking, but not hovering.