Latest reviews from Galesburg
| 90 /100 Sully’s Pub (Bar) 1075 N HENDERSON ST “Great place to eat with friends very irishy bar lived here for years and very much enjoy this bar over others“ |
| 60 /100 Hy-Vee Galesburg #2 (Beer Store) 2030 EAST MAIN STREET “Better selection than Hy-Vee store on Henderson. Overall the best selection in Galesburg.“ |
| 58 /100 150 E SIMMONS ST. “Better than I was expecting for a Galesburg brewpub. I’d go back. Nothing special about the ambience. Beers were solid. I had a veggie burger that was definitely homemade and pretty good.“ |
| 82 /100 150 E SIMMONS ST. “Great place in downtown Galesburg. Nice bar, great selection of house brews. Beer was all good.“ |
| 50 /100 150 E SIMMONS ST. “Visited on a Saturday shortly after opening for an early lunch. (This place is rather recently newly opened, so keep that in mind when reading this review.) Is located in what appears to be an old firehouse - interior is very open with high ceilings, dark brickwork, with mainly tables for dining and a long bar across the back wall. Menu is small, moderately priced. They served 4 of their own beers which were all solidly made, in addition to 3 guest taps. Food was so-so - my burger was good, but fries were greasy and cool. Wife’s salad was small and overpriced. We got a grilled cheese sandwich for the kid, and it was made with low quality (bagged) shredded cheese that wasn’t even melted all the day. The waitress was unsure if they had milk for their kids meals (they did - but she brought it in a syrofoam cup with no lid). Our waitress was very poor - she mumbled when greeting us, brought my wife and I the wrong beers, never checked up on us after our food arrived, and took nearly 10 minutes to bring us additional beers from the bar after we ordered them. Keep in mind, the place was NOT busy and this was around 11:30am for lunch. The waitstaff needs further training (or in this case, some cycling out). This is my closest brewpub and I want to see it stay in business, but I don’t think I’d eat here again. I would revisit to see what other beers they create and how they improve. But the service was abysmal.“ |
| 68 /100 McGillacuddy’s (Restaurant) 58 S CHERRY “Decent place in downtown Galesburg. Nice looking when you walk in. Pretty good menu, good variety, food is good (at least for around here). Beer selection isn't bad. 5 taps - Guinness, Miller Lite, Deschutes, Angry Orchard, Bass. Much better bottle selection - a bunch of imports and micros, lots of Flying Dog, some Lagunitas, some Belgians.“ |
| 66 /100 Buddes Pizza and Spirits (Restaurant) 425 E. MAIN STREET “Cute little place in downtown Galesburg. 5 taps - PBR, Newcastle, Greenbush, Deschutes, Ommegang. About 70 bottles of good stuff plus the usual macros. Waiting on pizza now, looks pretty good.“ |
| 24 /100 Seminary Street Pub (Bar) 105 S SEMINARY “Not a whole lot going on here for crafts. Typical Blue Moon, Fat Tire, Guinness, Etc. I went in there on a Friday night and it seemed to be your typical college bar. Lots of young kids getting wasted on Miller Lite and Jagerbombs.“ |
| 20 /100 Sully’s Pub (Bar) 1075 N HENDERSON ST “I’m not really sure why this place is even on here. Other than Guinness, Blue Moon, Etc....they really have no craft beer. Food was pretty good though.“ |
| 64 /100 Hy Vee Wine & Spirits - Galesburg (Beer Store) 1400 N. HENDERSON “A good store for beer and wine and liquor. Usually a pretty good selection, though yo won’t find any top 50 beers lurking here, you can get a good selection especially for a town of this size.“ |
| 54 /100 McGillacuddy’s (Restaurant) 58 S CHERRY “This is a great place for good food. Very good food. But the beer selection is poor and the prices high. Not a beer place. Not even the best place to mate a good beer with good food, though it is really the only place you could try in town as the other good restaurants all have terrible selections even poorer than this.“ |
| 68 /100 Seminary Street Pub (Bar) 105 S SEMINARY “A good place with a younger but not a student clientele. Not much on draft though there is usually at least one pretty good seasonal. The bottle selection is often quite nice, though it falls short of several other places in town to be sure. Patio out back makes for a nice evening spot.“ |
| 58 /100 Crappy’s Sports Pub (Bar) 441 E MAIN ST “Crappy’s is the place to go for cheap deals on domestics and popular imports like Guinness and Bass while avoiding the student scene in town as well as the less friendly Gburgers. The beer cooler has some decent stuff, and the specials can be pretty good on food. The food is decent pub fare.“ |
| 76 /100 Fat Fish Pub (Bar) 158 NORTH BROAD ST. “Fat Fish is an excellent pub, especially for the town. The selection is very good and there is usually a good choice among high end taps. The music scene is also quite nice and the service is terrific. The biggest drawback is the lack of food.“ |
| 80 /100 Buddes Pizza and Spirits (Restaurant) 425 E. MAIN STREET “Budde’s has the best bottle selection of any pub in town, and has a few decent beers on tap, but not many taps. They also usually have a good number of bombers. The music is often decent, though loud.“ |
| 56 /100 Crappy’s Sports Pub (Bar) 441 E MAIN ST “Practically next to Budde’s, Crappy’s is a long-time G-burg sports bar. Often noisy and raucus, particularly on game days. For much of its existence, the place featured primarily macro-swill, with a few handles of the usual suspects (Sam Adam’s, Heinekin).
In the past year or two they’ve added a large beer cooler, stocked with a much better variety of craft beers. Still not a ’beer destination’, but much more acceptable.
Food is typical pub grub, decent but nothing to get too excited about. Service is hit and miss. Often quite crowded on weekend nights, with a younger, boisterous clientele.“ |
| 80 /100 Buddes Pizza and Spirits (Restaurant) 425 E. MAIN STREET “Located right on Main St., Budde’s is without a doubt the most beer-centric pub in town.
Owners Mike and Diane are beer geeks, and it shows. Lots of bottles, covering many styles and brewers, and a nice selection of 22oz. bombers. As noted, there’s not alot of handles, but the ones they have are usually serving up top-shelf beers. The pizza and nachos are well-regarded, and other typical pub fare is on the menu as well.
Budde’s, much like The Fat Fish, has an active music scene. Owner Mike is a musician, and hosts several ’open mikes’ during the week. In addition, Budde’s makes a point to book a good variety of traveling bands, ranging from Blues to Bluegrass and beyond. Service is excellent, and there’s usually someone knowledgable about beers on the premises. And don’t forget to bring your Foosball ’A’ game...“ |
| 68 /100 Fat Fish Pub (Bar) 158 NORTH BROAD ST. “The Fat Fish is a wonderful revamping of a long-time retail camera store. Located just off Galesburg’s downtown Square (actually a traffic circle), the renovation is a charming and comfortable venue for good beer, good music, and good conversation. While the beer list is not extensive, it does have a number of draught lines featuring the usual suspects (Bass, Guiness, Smithwicks, Blue Moon, etc.) as well as three taps didicated to more esoteric fare. For instance, recent handles have included beers from Southern Tier, Founders, Two Bros., Magic Hat, Lagunitas, etc.). Service is excellent, as the owner/proprietor is a long time G-burg bartender. The pub also features a vibrant music scene, covering a wide range of offerings. As the owner is a Blues enthusiast, a number of national Blues acts have appeared there.
At this point, the only shortcoming worth noting is the lack of food.
There seems to be some hedging as to whether that may be offered in the future, but for now the bar keeps a number of menus on hand from area resaurants offering delivery.
Keep up the good work!“ |
| 86 /100 Somethings Brewn’ (Homebrew Shop) 401 E. MAIN ST. “I live equidistant from the Quad Cities and Galesburg, but I definitely go to Jim and Pat at Somethings Brewn for my homebrew supplies because it’s a great place. The ambiance is quite nice. It’s a small, comfy and cozy little place in downtown Galesburg and there’s nothing but homebrew stuff all over the place. It’s fun to juts go in and look around. The service is excellent! Jim and Pat are both experienced homebrewers, are very involved in the QC homebrew club, and they are extremely friendly, nice, and helpful. Once they were out of the size of carboy I wanted so Pat actually went and took a glass carboy out of one of the pre-fab kits so that I could have one - how great is that? The selection is pretty good. You’re going to find your essentials for sure and even plenty of books. They have full all-grain kits to parts to ingredients to just about anything. They even have wine racks, goofy shirts and glasses, paraphernalia, etc. The value isn’t bad. Most things are comparatively priced to online homebrew stores, though sometimes a touch more expensive. The small price raise is expected though because it’s a small store. It’s usually not a big enough raise in price that it’s more expensive than paying shipping for online stuff, though! Overall, I’ve been here many times and have always enjoyed my experience - be it purchasing items, just chatting brew with them or whatever, it’s all good!“ |
| 60 /100 Hy Vee Wine & Spirits - Galesburg (Beer Store) 1400 N. HENDERSON “This rating is for the stand alone store, not the liquor departments contained within the Hy Vee grocery stores. A decent little place to get some nice craft brews in Galesburg. The ambiance is fine - the place is clean, well-lit, but nothing exciting. The service is really hit or miss. The workers tend to know where things are, but not always, and unless you get the manager, you aren’t going to find someone that knows about beer or has had many of them. The selection of beer isn’t great, but it’s far from bad. In fact, I’ve gotten some pretty good bombers of good beer there like Lagunitas and Hoppin’ Frog BORIS the Crusher. The prices are average to slightly high - nothing terrible. Overall, one of the better choices to hit up if you’re in Galesburg. I always stop by in case they have something in I haven’t tried before.“ |
| 68 /100 McGillacuddy’s (Restaurant) 58 S CHERRY “Beautiful use of another great old building in downtown Galesburg. Good pub menu with a great variety of items. Fun staff, classy, eye-catching decor. Not much of a beer destination however, with a pretty limited selection.“ |
| 88 /100 Somethings Brewn’ (Homebrew Shop) 401 E. MAIN ST. “This store is a jewel for an area like this, or any area for that matter. Great service, excellent selection of homebrew supplies and Jim and Mary will special-order anything you can dream up.“ |
| 52 /100 Crappy’s Sports Pub (Bar) 441 E MAIN ST “The owner has added a number of good bottles to their once limited selection. They have doubled the number of taps to 12 but are sticking with the selections you would find in any sports bar. The staff ranges from sexy to surly and is very inconsistent. A couple of the long-time servers are excellent and friendly. The food is so-so. Many TV’s and a sports bar crowd. Lot’s of testosterone on game days.“ |
| 78 /100 Buddes Pizza and Spirits (Restaurant) 425 E. MAIN STREET “Owners Mike and Dianne Budde took a tired old tavern and are gave it a new look and flavor. Only 4 taps but a very interesting variety of bottles. The owners are becoming very beer-centric and are using the input of knowledgeable customers to expand to an impressive selection of beers and ales. It’s a fun place with an eclectic take on live music ranging from bluegrass to punk and beyond. Friendly owners, probably the best beer selection in Galesburg, good bar food and very good pizza make this a place worth frequenting.“ |
| 84 /100 Fat Fish Pub (Bar) 158 NORTH BROAD ST. “A very comfortable, welcoming new place in Galesburg as of Jan 2009. Beautiful use of an old retail building just off the roundabout on North Broad street. The friendly owner is adding crafts and micros as he learns customer wants. Rotating taps on several handles have shown great promise with offerings like Fuller’s London Pride, Two Brothers products, Founders, Southern Tier, Lagunitas, and other crafts and imports. This is a great venue for live music on weekends offering mostly blues bands from around the midwest. Crowd is a mix of mature 25--60 age group.“ |
| 70 /100 Buddes Pizza and Spirits (Restaurant) 425 E. MAIN STREET “New owners and remodeled space, located in the downtown restaurant/bar district of Galesburg. By far the best beer selection in the area, good micro choices like Boulder, Founders, Lagunitas, Pyramid, Sierra Nevada, Two Brothers and about ten more micro beers on hand. Basic import selection, the usual German and Mexican beers that you see everywhere, plus with a few Belgians like Delerium and Chimay. Currently only four beers on tap, but the last time I was there two of taps had Founders Red Rye and Dirty Bastard. I’m told there are plans to add more taps in the future. The best pizza in Galesburg, better than any of the chains in town. The crowd is a mix of locals and college students, more collegiate later in the evening. Overall, worth a stop if you are in town.“ |
| 82 /100 Somethings Brewn’ (Homebrew Shop) 401 E. MAIN ST. “stopped in here this afternoon and was very favorably impressed. friendly, knowledgeable and helpful with a great selection of a wide array of home-brew supplies, what more could a person ask for?!!!“ |
| 20 /100 Sully’s Pub (Bar) 1075 N HENDERSON ST “Under new ownership as of 2007...great guys. Caught the ear of one of the new owners, asked him what he was going to do about the meager beer tap selection, suggested he rotate a tap or two. His response was NO, that stuff doesn’t move thru fast enough. *Sigh* Service is spotty unless you get Lisa or Suzanne. Their beer lines seem to be consistantly dirty, as with the previous owners, tap beers taste extremely off.“ |
| 24 /100 Seminary Street Pub (Bar) 105 S SEMINARY “In it’s early inception, this was a great place to have a few drinks. The owners at one time showed some promise when they added a rotating stock of import and craft bottles. The selection has been cut back in recent years. The once fun, friendly staff seems to have gradually been replaced by those whose knowledge of beer is nil. This has turned into another Jager-bomb and swill bar aiming at the lowest common denominator. The backbone of this bar’s business appears to have moved to younger clientele interested only in getting loaded. This pub is a classic example of wasted potential.“ |
| 28 /100 Crappy’s Sports Pub (Bar) 441 E MAIN ST “You will find Goose Island and Sierra Nevada here, but not much else, this is a sport bars, but for me personally, this is not the kind of sports bar I would like to drink at, but then I’m not a macro and cheap shot of whiskey kinda of guy.“ |
| 56 /100 Vintages Tasting Room and Wine Garden (Beer Store) 57 S. SEMINARY STREET “Vintages has just started carrying quality beers and I hope people go here before going to HyVee because I would like to encourage the owner to keep bringing in more Belgians and craft beers. Will try to do special orders. I found ales from Jolly Pumpkin here, which can’t be found in Peoria anymore.“ |
| 58 /100 Vintages Tasting Room and Wine Garden (Beer Store) 57 S. SEMINARY STREET “As might be expected, this small store caters to primarily the wine crowd.
However, recently they’ve added some interesting craft beers, all in 750ml., primarily Belgian and Belgian-inspired (Unibroue, Ommegang). The owner is very service oriented, and does an excellent job of promoting her store.“ |
| 82 /100 McGillacuddy’s (Restaurant) 58 S CHERRY “Semi upscale bar and restaurant just off Main St. Excellent pub grub, with some high end fair on the weekends. Great ambiance, with lots of brick and brass, a beautiful old bar, and lovely stained glass windows done by a local artist. Beer selection could be better, although it gets by with Guiness, Bass, Young’s Double Chocolate, Blue Moon, and a few others on draught. Occasionally features live music.“ |
| 80 /100 Seminary Street Pub (Bar) 105 S SEMINARY “Nice little pub located by the train station.
Currently has 5 or 6 handles (Guiness, Bass, Blue Moon, and a few others, but reportedly soon to expand that. A decently stocked and easily accessible beer cooler, with most of the widely distributed micros (Sierra, Goose Island, Anchor, etc.), as well as a selection of Belgians, barleywines, and seasonals.
Excellent and eclectic jukebox. Live music on the weekends, and an open mike on Wednesdays. Nice outside beer garden.
The same owners also run McGuillicuddy’s, an excellent bar/restaurant three blocks west.“ |
| 82 /100 Somethings Brewn’ (Homebrew Shop) 401 E. MAIN ST. “Have to agree, best shop for the homebrewer in west central Illinois, much better than Friar Tuck in Peoria. The owners, Jim & Pat Smith, are knowledgeable in all areas of homebrewing and are eager to help. Great place for equipment, bottles and supplies. Can do special orders. Also carry how-to and recipe books, as well as brewery glassware and paraphernalia. Easy to find, next to UPS Store in downtown Galesburg.“ |
| 48 /100 Hy Vee Wine & Spirits - Galesburg (Beer Store) 1400 N. HENDERSON “I live near Galesburg, home of Knox College and Carl Sandburg, and I often go there for shopping, movies, dining, etc... and this is the best beer store I’ve found in Galesburg. If there is a better one, please let me know where it is located. I was surprised that the selection in this HyVee wasn’t very good. The HyVee here in sleepy old Macomb offers more craft beers and imports than this store. They do have a few selections like Goose Island, Sierra Nevada, Anchor Stream and all your usual macros, a couple of German imports with Ayinger being the most impressive, but everything else is the standard imports you find everywhere. They do offer a few singles, but no Belgians. You can buy lottery tickets here. The turnover rate seems to be good and the store is clean and largely dust free. The staff is friendly, but not beer knowledgeable, so you’re on your own. (03/07) They now have a small mix-a-six section and a slight improvement in selection, Bear Republic can be found here.“ |
| 44 /100 Sully’s Pub (Bar) 1075 N HENDERSON ST “At one time the bar to be at, but how things have changed. Slow food service, wait staff that likes to talk to other employees instead of keeping customers happy. Beer selection...well watch any NFL game and this is what they strive to sell.“ |
| 82 /100 Crappy’s Sports Pub (Bar) 441 E MAIN ST “Nice open bar with choices. Great Pizza...best in Galesburg. The best sports bar in Galesburg by far. Wait staff is smiling and helpful.“ |
| 70 /100 McGillacuddy’s (Restaurant) 58 S CHERRY “Nice bar. Friendly staff. One of the better places in this burg to eat and have a beer. A few hot waitresses make the trip even more enjoyable. Blue Moon, Guiness, Bass on tap. Could use several more micro’s to make this a top place to drink beer at in Galesburg.“ |
| 76 /100 Somethings Brewn’ (Homebrew Shop) 401 E. MAIN ST. “Not into the brewing but this place seem to have a selection a equipment for the home brewer. A few beer glasses to purchase.“ |
| 30 /100 Seminary Street Pub (Bar) 105 S SEMINARY “Uninformed "bartender" (she didn’t even know what a microbrew beer was). Help yourself beer cooler for the micros. Overly loud jukebox. Might try it one more time but as of now...I’ll try somewhere else.“ |
| 90 /100 Somethings Brewn’ (Homebrew Shop) 401 E. MAIN ST. “The best homebrew and wine supply shop in western Illinois. Staff is great. There is usually some homebrew behind the counter that they are anxious for you to try. These guys love what they do, and it shows.“ |
