American Restaurants near Marcola

“Always friendly. Food always good.“

“Brisket sandwich, burgers, tasted really good“

“Delicious, moist chicken! Very good hush puppies and their jo jo somehow have this chicken skin-esque coating. A good price too and a short wait for a food cart. Great Mac too! A little goes a long way it's so creamy and cheesy“

“Over priced. Inexperienced servers. Server dropped our food on the floor while bringing to table.. Would not recommend“

“Every time I've been here the lady working acted like I didn't exist. Blatantly ignored me entering, addressing her, and waiting at the counter while she was right in front of me doing nothing.“

“A Chef’s Honest Take on Grid Iron Grill & Tap House

Last night, we visited Grid Iron Grill and Tap House — and what I thought would be a casual night out turned into a memorable experience that truly deserves recognition.

The atmosphere was immediately inviting, with a 90s music backdrop that made the space feel both nostalgic and warm. We reconnected with a friend we hadn’t seen in years, and the setting couldn’t have been more perfect for it. The hostess was incredibly kind, made jokes and was attentive. You could tell that care and presence are part of the culture here.

Now, as someone who has a degree in culinary arts and owns a restaurant myself, I don’t take food lightly. I understand the energy, the precision, and the intention it takes to create something simple and make it excellent. And I’m not exaggerating when I say: the burger I had last night was the best I’ve had in the Eugene/Springfield area.

I ordered the classic burger with cheese and a side of onion rings — and every single element was executed with thought. The onion rings were crisp, perfectly cooked, not greasy or soggy. The burger was built on a beautifully soft bun and came layered with mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. But what impressed me most was the intentionality.

The vegetables weren’t tossed on carelessly — they were fresh, placed with purpose, and balanced the burger from the first bite to the last. The lettuce was crisp and dry, the tomato was vibrant and flavorful, and the onion added the perfect crunch. The patty itself was cooked just right — not too thick, not too thin — and it had been allowed to rest, which is something many overlook. The result? No soggy mess, no bleeding juices, just a beautifully composed bite every time.

Even the fact that it was served on a plate instead of a basket made a difference. It felt like I was being served a meal, not fast food — and that matters.

I was so moved by the attention to detail that I asked to meet the chef. Neil — thank you. I looked you in the eye and said it, but I’ll say it again here: your care and precision came through in every bite. A burger may seem like a simple menu item to some, but crafting something simple with excellence is no easy feat. It’s often the most overlooked dishes that require the most discipline, and Neil reminded me of that.

This meal reminded me why I do what I do. Food is energy. Every ingredient, every technique, every decision — it all matters. And Neil proved that it matters here.

We’ll absolutely be back. And next time, I’m ordering the steak. Because if a burger can be done with this much care, I can only imagine what else is coming out of that kitchen.

Grid Iron, you’ve earned my respect.“

“Food is amazing! Orders are made with hard work and love💖staff are kind and cool If you’d ever had the BBQ you will crave it and be back for more...... Family owned!!!“

“best chinese food i have ever had. the lo mein, my favorite at any chinese restaurant, is exquisite; the vegetables are varied, crisp and fresh and the meat is always tender and juicy. every dish they make is flavorful and delicious. five or six dollars gets you enough food for two and then some. thirteen gets you enough for two and lunches for the next three days. highly recommended.

Edit: prices have gone up a LOT and this has become a rare treat for me. It's $18 for one meal or one order of lo mein now. Still really good but I miss going frequently...“