When reviewing a location, it’s important to consider the local environment and competition.
1188 Brewing sits on Hwy 26 about halfway between Bend, OR, and Boise, ID. This is very rural country, with “blink and you miss it” villages and very small towns. Miles of national forest, canyons, mountains, grasslands, mountains, even Painted Hills must be traversed in order to reach John Day, depending on where one starts out.
For those who need to make this journey, whether to explore any of the under appreciated natural wonders of Central and Eastern Oregon, or for any who need to make the long 6-hour drive from Bend to Boise and back, 1188 Brewing should be on your short list of places to stop when you need a well prepared hot meal after a long hike, hunting trip, or day drive.
The place is surprisingly busy whenever I make my way through, fairly often in recent weeks due to work. In each of my recent visits, tables are full and servers are busy. Locals know each other by name, families sit with their children after a local kid’s football or baseball game. The food itself is made for middle and working America, simple pub and restaurant food like one would find any number of places, but clearly made with care and attention to quality and presentation. Two TVs above the bar show national collegiate and professional sports games, and the bar boasts a surprising array of speciality mixed drinks, their own locally brewed beers on tap, and a large variety of non-alcoholic beers as well.
Overall, it’s exactly what a roadside pub on the side of the road along a beautiful highway should be. It’s a small slice of rural Oregon flavor— the true spirit of Oregon, not the version making national headlines today for all the wrong reasons— right in the heart of the natural beauty which defines the American West.
Family friendly, affordable, high quality, with their own homemade dressings and sauces in many cases. Home made desserts fill a large glass case. Find a reason to explore the natural beauty of Oregon and make 1188 Brewing one of your points of interest along the way!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Pam Koeller
We had a great meal and beer at 1188 Brewery on my birthday. We were visiting the John Day Fossil Beds for birthday and we found the town of John Day nice place to visit.
Suzanne Wheeler
Very good food. Ruben was amazing and the fries were favorite type. Huckleberry Lemonade 👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda
They have a great selection of dining options. The service was amazing, even though the place was busy. The margarita flatbread with goat cheese was fabulous. The salad was fresh and tasty. The pretzel sticks were great too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Pride
Incredible food with a variety of things to choose from. Our server was great and very helpful. Great selection of beer and cocktails and awesome atmosphere!!! Highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Faith C
Service was unfriendly, food wasn't great! We had a burger and French dip. Atmosphere was ok, loud music and a weird layout with the front door entering right into the middle of the dining area. Ordered a piece of cheesecake to go and it was laughable, the smallest little doll sized piece of ever seen lol. There's got to be better places to stop when passing through John Day
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Santhosh Kumar R
Had a great time with friends here! Food and service is great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary Neumann
Great beer!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Stephanie Slack
This place is legit. We were doing a camping trip and passed through this town. Decided to give it a try. Appetizer, the roasted brussel sprouts are a must. My husband had the jalapeno burger and enjoyed. I had the Mac and cheese with pulled pork. I have to tell you, it was a solid choice. It was the best Mac and cheese ever. They had a great selection of NA beer, which we enjoy. I'm assuming their regular beer selection is great too. The service was friendly. They were family friendly. Soup to nuts, this place was amazing. If you are going to be close, you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Irène van Lierop
Super nice local restaurant and brewery. We had an excellent steak and a fresh and delicious salad. My husband and son enjoyed several different kind of beers as well and were positively surprised. If you want good value for your money and excellent service this is the place to be. Even for three Dutchies on a road trip.
Food was very fresh and the service was great. They even brought out a bowl for the dog
Galina D.
Great restaurant! The service is excellent and the food is delicious and high quality. Highly recommend!
Denise Vasecka
The French Dip with truffle fries were awesome. But my favorite was the Basil & Mint Lemonade!
Elaina Greer
Awesome place. Very friendly bartender, tasty food, and good beer.
Ellen Fiducia
It was crazy busy when we were there Father's Day weekend. Short staffed as I recall and the 2 wait staff busted their butt to get everyone served in a timely manner. Yummy food and tasty brew.
When reviewing a location, it’s important to consider the local environment and competition.
1188 Brewing sits on Hwy 26 about halfway between Bend, OR, and Boise, ID. This is very rural country, with “blink and you miss it” villages and very small towns. Miles of national forest, canyons, mountains, grasslands, mountains, even Painted Hills must be traversed in order to reach John Day, depending on where one starts out.
For those who need to make this journey, whether to explore any of the under appreciated natural wonders of Central and Eastern Oregon, or for any who need to make the long 6-hour drive from Bend to Boise and back, 1188 Brewing should be on your short list of places to stop when you need a well prepared hot meal after a long hike, hunting trip, or day drive.
The place is surprisingly busy whenever I make my way through, fairly often in recent weeks due to work. In each of my recent visits, tables are full and servers are busy. Locals know each other by name, families sit with their children after a local kid’s football or baseball game. The food itself is made for middle and working America, simple pub and restaurant food like one would find any number of places, but clearly made with care and attention to quality and presentation. Two TVs above the bar show national collegiate and professional sports games, and the bar boasts a surprising array of speciality mixed drinks, their own locally brewed beers on tap, and a large variety of non-alcoholic beers as well.
Overall, it’s exactly what a roadside pub on the side of the road along a beautiful highway should be. It’s a small slice of rural Oregon flavor— the true spirit of Oregon, not the version making national headlines today for all the wrong reasons— right in the heart of the natural beauty which defines the American West.
Family friendly, affordable, high quality, with their own homemade dressings and sauces in many cases. Home made desserts fill a large glass case. Find a reason to explore the natural beauty of Oregon and make 1188 Brewing one of your points of interest along the way!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
We had a great meal and beer at 1188 Brewery on my birthday. We were visiting the John Day Fossil Beds for birthday and we found the town of John Day nice place to visit.
Very good food. Ruben was amazing and the fries were favorite type. Huckleberry Lemonade 👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They have a great selection of dining options. The service was amazing, even though the place was busy. The margarita flatbread with goat cheese was fabulous. The salad was fresh and tasty. The pretzel sticks were great too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible food with a variety of things to choose from. Our server was great and very helpful. Great selection of beer and cocktails and awesome atmosphere!!! Highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was unfriendly, food wasn't great! We had a burger and French dip. Atmosphere was ok, loud music and a weird layout with the front door entering right into the middle of the dining area. Ordered a piece of cheesecake to go and it was laughable, the smallest little doll sized piece of ever seen lol. There's got to be better places to stop when passing through John Day
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Had a great time with friends here! Food and service is great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great beer!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
This place is legit. We were doing a camping trip and passed through this town. Decided to give it a try. Appetizer, the roasted brussel sprouts are a must. My husband had the jalapeno burger and enjoyed. I had the Mac and cheese with pulled pork. I have to tell you, it was a solid choice. It was the best Mac and cheese ever. They had a great selection of NA beer, which we enjoy. I'm assuming their regular beer selection is great too. The service was friendly. They were family friendly. Soup to nuts, this place was amazing. If you are going to be close, you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super nice local restaurant and brewery. We had an excellent steak and a fresh and delicious salad. My husband and son enjoyed several different kind of beers as well and were positively surprised. If you want good value for your money and excellent service this is the place to be. Even for three Dutchies on a road trip.
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was very fresh and the service was great. They even brought out a bowl for the dog
Great restaurant! The service is excellent and the food is delicious and high quality. Highly recommend!
The French Dip with truffle fries were awesome. But my favorite was the Basil & Mint Lemonade!
Awesome place. Very friendly bartender, tasty food, and good beer.
It was crazy busy when we were there Father's Day weekend. Short staffed as I recall and the 2 wait staff busted their butt to get everyone served in a timely manner. Yummy food and tasty brew.
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