The Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery

Great food with some of the best beer in the Midwest.

Went in with family and experienced probably the most disrespectful manager I have ever encountered. Called us "really stupid" for not making a reservation, although the restaurant was completely empty. I can understand frustration with a party of 10 as I work food service myself, but we would have never been upset if we were denied gracefully. Do better and treat people as people.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Food was below average. Cash only. I don’t carry cash there was an atm but it’s 2024. Accept a card and charge a processing fee smh

Food: 4

Service: 5

Parking: Bad

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Cheese Curds

Seated ourselfs at bar. Service stated slow . But got food and drinks. Food was good but overpriced. Long time wait on second drink. People next to us very irritated with slow payment process. As we were also . Finally left cash with no tip tired for wait. We believe it was the owner , shout out to cooks and owners son?

Great food, great beer and even more importantly, GREAT PEOPLE! Love this place!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Tenderlion Steak Sandwich

Excellent service and hospitality! Ice cold beer and friendly people! Will stop in again when in the area!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

I have never written a review but felt I needed to with this place. We were there for a day trip for our anniversary and on the way over looked at the menus for other restaurants and settled on this one based on what we wanted to order. When we got there around 1 it was still busy - a seat yourself situation however it was a bit chaos with patrons just kind of wandering around the tables to see where they could sit. We decided to shop a bit and come back when less busy. We came back at 2 and it was still the same - patrons sort of jockeying for a table - no seating staff to help. We ended up sitting at a table for 8 which was weird, the 2 of us, because that was what was available so we took it. No game on, which on a Saturday in Iowa it is weird in a sports bar to have dark screens. We ordered drinks, an app, and our food to save the sever time since we already knew. They were out of Pepsi, so ok I ordered something else, husband ordered a beer. We both ordered a River Burger. Shortly after (and speedy I might say) our server came back with our order.....except....it wasn't our order. Both were a totally different burger with none of the same ingredients. the sever looked and us and said "Well - could you eat this burger?" and I have to admit - I was kinda shocked they asked that. I said - its not the right burger. At all. He then said "So what ingredients are wrong - like what do you not want on it - is it because it doesn't have Blue Cheese I could get you?". The Burger we ordered was a River Burger with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and an onion ring. This other burger was apparently the "Old Man" River Burger which had Lettuce, tomato, and thousand island and the waiter said it was hard to hear and the names caused confusion frequently. He stood there looking at us and so my husband graciously said he would eat the burger - I didn't like a single ingredient on it so I asked for a new one, which they brought out right away. I have never sent food back, ever. I cut mine in half and gave the other half to my poor husband, eating the wrong burger. The food was very good, I just wish our order could have been correct. We got the bill, no discount for my husband eating a burger he didn't order lol, paid the bill and did tip the water. In that amount of time though, from when we sat down other couples hadn't gotten drinks yet, or had not gotten their food. A few groups got up and left, others asked other tables to borrow menus etc. It was good food, but I think it was more than just "short staff" for the chaos that was going on. Hubby worked in similar restaurants for years and I have a job in the tourism industry so we try to be extremely understanding of these situations especially this time of year, and on a Saturday, but this was just weird.
(and yes, bring cash, which we understand due to fees but unfortunately is a cost of doing business unfortunately.)

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 1

Stopped in as we were on a fun fall-colors drive. Had a flight and the house-made chips. The beer was really solid. The cream ale, IPA, and whit beer were outstanding. Our server was Linda- she was super sweet. We loved her. The vibe, however, was… off? When we came in, college football was on the one TV that was on. Perfect. Then, seemingly without explanation, the owner(?) came and turned on some random Journey documentary and the collective energy tanked. Bummer. We were really enjoying it right up until that point. Cash only, so be sure to bring paper, not plastic.

Stopped on a Saturday at 12:30pm, and the place was packed. Was able to get a table for four right away, but the waitress mentioned that our order may take a little while due to the busy kitchen, but we struck up a nice conversation with the people at the next table who were also waiting, so the time didn't seem too bad. When the food arrived it was hot and delicious.

Wheelchair accessibility: There is a ramp to one of the entrances, and restrooms are handicapped accessible.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Hamburger

Absolutely love going to Old Man River! Good drinks, good food, good times.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Who ever the lady was with the black hair was super rude, multiple times on the same occasion. She acted like she was going out of the way to do her job. This place could use a customer service class and a food safety course.

We highly recommend The Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery. Great Food, Great Service and a Wonderful Atmosphere.

We'd been traveling all day and got there not too long before closing. We ordered a flight of beers and were the last folks there. They started shutting down the bar and instead of kicking us out, the staff sat down and drank with us. Had a wonderful conversation with the brewer and his wife. Really good beers to boot.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

As always the food is amazing, the owners are friendly and last but not least the beers are really good. We always enjoy going there - love the atmosphere. Fun place!