Had early dinner at the Big Grove and was completely blown away. Food was excellent with a variety of menu items that had me wishing my stomach was a bit bigger. I sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender did a great job of explaining the various items I inquired about as well as suggesting a perfect craft beer pairing. I only get to Champaign a couple of times a year, but this will be my go-to anytime in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carrie Katz
We wanted a place to watch the game, and grab a bite to eat. We shared a cauliflower app, and liked it. They offer a half sandwich vs whole, which I loved! The fries were good, too.
Vegetarian options: Grilled cheese is available. I picked the one with pesto, and it was ok. The onions kind of threw me off... Kind of strange addition, but it was ...ok.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Mónica Andino
Found hair inside the meat of my hamburger! I would rather use hair caps in the kitchen if working as a restaurant cook.
Food: 1
Paula Shearer
We were a party of 6. Each of us enjoyed our meal. I had the parmesan chicken wings and they were perfect. The cooks there have them down pat. You should make an effort to get there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simon Sayz13
Nice little bar perfect to grab a steak and a few drinks. Service is excellent and attentive never had to wait for anything. Mixed drinks are flavorful and strong. Decent assortment of beers and ciders. Would absolutely recommend for a dinner and a drink with a friend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sajed
Steak was cooked good and had a light smoky flavor which I liked, buttery green sauce was delicious that came with it. Cheese curds taste homemade, and salad was good.
EXTREMELY RUDE STAFF and very average food. This place is very overpriced and has pathetic customer service. They wouldn’t serve us on a table with more than 10 people. They separated our group. This place is a disgrace to the United
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
L S
I don't usually write bad reviews, but after my recent business lunch at Big Grove Tavern, I feel compelled to share my experience. We ordered a green salad and salmon taco. Unfortunately, the salad was inedible—soggy, old, and with dark, spoiled parts. When I mentioned this to the waiter, he informed the chef but returned with the full bill, offering no apology or alternative.
To make matters worse, the salmon was not fresh. This was my second bad experience with their salads, and I don’t plan on returning. A restaurant should prioritize quality and customer service, and failed on both counts.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
G. H. (xFalconFixer)
Big Grove Tavern - March 06, 2023. (UPDATE: The lower review is due to the service more than the food. The Big Grove Tavern seems like a decent place. You might consider giving it a try.)
I had the taco steak platter, and the food had GREAT flavor. SMALL portions yet well-made steak tacos with cilantro, cheese, and lightly spiced sour cream. It came with rice, guacamole, and mashed black beans. The beans serving was scarce; there should have been more. Compared to the rice and guac, the beans are the lowest cost for the restaurant.
The food was good, and the flavors saved it all in the end. If not, I'd say it's at that OVERPRICED range. Yes, I would order this meal again.
The place has a good but strange vibe. Other than the food portion to price. Where it all went downhill was my waitress. I HAD TO FLAG HER DOWN FOR EVERYTHING. After getting my water and free popcorn, that was it. I had to work on getting her attention. The free popcorn was wasted on me as I didn't eat any.
I flagged her as she blew by me, asking if I knew what I wanted to drink. I commented on trying to decide what to order. "Ok, let me know," as she kept going - zoom. She DIDN'T offer any suggestions; she never really stopped long enough to talk. She did talk a little bit when I ordered my food. By NOT taking a few minutes, she probably LOST a sale or two. I was considering the Pappy Van Winkle bourbon ('20 or '23).
It would not have taken much to push me into buying one, maybe two Pappy's. I've never had a Pappy's, and I want to try it. Both Pappy's (20 or 23) are $75 to $100 each per drink. Even so, had she stopped to talk, I would have gotten some type of bourbon.
I had to flag her down to order my food, and she still didn't ask what I'd like to drink. She seemed more distracted. Hmmm... Strange for a bar/pub!
My food came being brought by another person. Who, too, NEVER asked if I needed anything or if I'd like to order a drink. Every place I've been, the person who delivers the food always asks if there's anything that I need.
So, I politely sat there, hoping to order a drink (bourbon or beer) before I started eating. I had to wait, flagging her down to order a Blue Moon.
I understand her waiting on one person; me. You'd assume to keep your larger group at a table happier than one person. Regardless, even one person might pay/tip more than the larger table. She was busy, but not that busy that she could have treated me as a customer. Not to mention, the bar staff saw me looking at the bourbons. Not one of them asked if I wanted something.
Yes, though I don't live there, at this time, I'm not sure if I'd go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Madison Dale
we were there for brunch today for my birthday and I just want to brag about our waitress. She was absolutely amazing!! We loved her. She was BY FAR the best waitress I have ever had at any restaurant. She constantly checked ti see how we were, she went above and beyond with my cake that we brought in. She was super kind and sweet and my friends all said the same thing. Trisha was our waitress and we just loved her! The food was also amazing.
Maddie Nora Dale
We were there for brunch today for my birthday and I just want to brag about our waitress. She was absolutely amazing!! We loved her. She was BY FAR the best waitress I have ever had at any restaurant. She constantly checked to see how we were, she went above and beyond with my cake that we brought in. She was super kind and sweet and my friends all said the same thing. Trisha was our waitress and we just loved her! She was so fun and had so much energy and made the whole time we were there fun! The food was also really good!
Had early dinner at the Big Grove and was completely blown away. Food was excellent with a variety of menu items that had me wishing my stomach was a bit bigger. I sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender did a great job of explaining the various items I inquired about as well as suggesting a perfect craft beer pairing. I only get to Champaign a couple of times a year, but this will be my go-to anytime in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We wanted a place to watch the game, and grab a bite to eat. We shared a cauliflower app, and liked it. They offer a half sandwich vs whole, which I loved! The fries were good, too.
Vegetarian options: Grilled cheese is available. I picked the one with pesto, and it was ok. The onions kind of threw me off... Kind of strange addition, but it was ...ok.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Found hair inside the meat of my hamburger! I would rather use hair caps in the kitchen if working as a restaurant cook.
Food: 1
We were a party of 6. Each of us enjoyed our meal. I had the parmesan chicken wings and they were perfect. The cooks there have them down pat.
You should make an effort to get there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice little bar perfect to grab a steak and a few drinks. Service is excellent and attentive never had to wait for anything. Mixed drinks are flavorful and strong. Decent assortment of beers and ciders. Would absolutely recommend for a dinner and a drink with a friend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steak was cooked good and had a light smoky flavor which I liked, buttery green sauce was delicious that came with it. Cheese curds taste homemade, and salad was good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tavern Ribeye Asada, Salad, Steak
Pretzel bread is incredible.
Pork shank is melt in mouth.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food and drinks with fast and friendly service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of my fave places to eat in town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wedge Salad, Fried Brussels Sprouts
Restaurantji Recommends
EXTREMELY RUDE STAFF and very average food. This place is very overpriced and has pathetic customer service. They wouldn’t serve us on a table with more than 10 people. They separated our group. This place is a disgrace to the United
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
I don't usually write bad reviews, but after my recent business lunch at Big Grove Tavern, I feel compelled to share my experience. We ordered a green salad and salmon taco. Unfortunately, the salad was inedible—soggy, old, and with dark, spoiled parts. When I mentioned this to the waiter, he informed the chef but returned with the full bill, offering no apology or alternative.
To make matters worse, the salmon was not fresh. This was my second bad experience with their salads, and I don’t plan on returning. A restaurant should prioritize quality and customer service, and failed on both counts.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Big Grove Tavern - March 06, 2023.
(UPDATE: The lower review is due to the service more than the food. The Big Grove Tavern seems like a decent place. You might consider giving it a try.)
I had the taco steak platter, and the food had GREAT flavor. SMALL portions yet well-made steak tacos with cilantro, cheese, and lightly spiced sour cream. It came with rice, guacamole, and mashed black beans. The beans serving was scarce; there should have been more. Compared to the rice and guac, the beans are the lowest cost for the restaurant.
The food was good, and the flavors saved it all in the end. If not, I'd say it's at that OVERPRICED range. Yes, I would order this meal again.
The place has a good but strange vibe. Other than the food portion to price. Where it all went downhill was my waitress. I HAD TO FLAG HER DOWN FOR EVERYTHING. After getting my water and free popcorn, that was it. I had to work on getting her attention. The free popcorn was wasted on me as I didn't eat any.
I flagged her as she blew by me, asking if I knew what I wanted to drink. I commented on trying to decide what to order. "Ok, let me know," as she kept going - zoom. She DIDN'T offer any suggestions; she never really stopped long enough to talk. She did talk a little bit when I ordered my food. By NOT taking a few minutes, she probably LOST a sale or two. I was considering the Pappy Van Winkle bourbon ('20 or '23).
It would not have taken much to push me into buying one, maybe two Pappy's. I've never had a Pappy's, and I want to try it. Both Pappy's (20 or 23) are $75 to $100 each per drink. Even so, had she stopped to talk, I would have gotten some type of bourbon.
I had to flag her down to order my food, and she still didn't ask what I'd like to drink. She seemed more distracted. Hmmm... Strange for a bar/pub!
My food came being brought by another person. Who, too, NEVER asked if I needed anything or if I'd like to order a drink. Every place I've been, the person who delivers the food always asks if there's anything that I need.
So, I politely sat there, hoping to order a drink (bourbon or beer) before I started eating. I had to wait, flagging her down to order a Blue Moon.
I understand her waiting on one person; me. You'd assume to keep your larger group at a table happier than one person. Regardless, even one person might pay/tip more than the larger table. She was busy, but not that busy that she could have treated me as a customer. Not to mention, the bar staff saw me looking at the bourbons. Not one of them asked if I wanted something.
Yes, though I don't live there, at this time, I'm not sure if I'd go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
we were there for brunch today for my birthday and I just want to brag about our waitress. She was absolutely amazing!! We loved her. She was BY FAR the best waitress I have ever had at any restaurant. She constantly checked ti see how we were, she went above and beyond with my cake that we brought in. She was super kind and sweet and my friends all said the same thing. Trisha was our waitress and we just loved her! The food was also amazing.
We were there for brunch today for my birthday and I just want to brag about our waitress. She was absolutely amazing!! We loved her. She was BY FAR the best waitress I have ever had at any restaurant. She constantly checked to see how we were, she went above and beyond with my cake that we brought in. She was super kind and sweet and my friends all said the same thing. Trisha was our waitress and we just loved her! She was so fun and had so much energy and made the whole time we were there fun! The food was also really good!
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