4.5 stars is about right. They did so many things well, so that that the things they did poorly stuck out. Starting off with drinks, I tried "another Caucasian", which was a fantastic dessert-in-a-glass cream and coffee liquor concoction. For appetizers, the Brussels sprouts are a must-get. They're soooo good. I also really enjoyed the Parmesan fries (although a lot of sandwiches come with fries, which can threaten to send a person into fry overload). We also got the Mac and cheese and the tater tot casserole, both of which were disappointing. The casserole didn't hold together at all - we wound up picking off the tots and then eating the ground beef alone or on other things. The mac was passable, but with so many other really good options, I'd never order it again. For dinner, I went with the spicy mushroom and cheese sandwich. It was pretty good, although not as awe-inspiring as those sprouts. The fries were still good, and they were so perfectly cooked that they were actually still delicious cold the next day. My boyfriend tried the scallops and raved about them. The coffee spiced beef was a more muted hit, although the sides it came with were delicious. Service was pretty good, but we wound up waiting a pretty long time for entrees because we didn't realize they would take over half an hour. A little more pushing us to order wouldn't have been out of line (or at least warning us!). Overall, probably in the top 3 "nice" meals I've had in the entire state. I would happily return. read more

Great pizza and fantastic brewery. Happy hour is fun and offers 2 for 1 craft beers. Awesome cheese burgers and salmon was delicious. You won't be disappointed. Summer wheat ale was great. They sold out quickly. Brewery on site should have more soon. read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - Big Grove Brewery at night in Solon iowa - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

Pros: 1. Excellent beer. My favorite in the Iowa City area by far. They have a good variety too, from light to coffee stouts. They also serve wine and have mixed drinks. Something for everyone. 2. Excellent food. There are some breweries that focus solely on the beer and serve more bar fare for food. Big Grove is not one of those. They have a very tasty and affordable menu. I personally really enjoy the chicken sandwich. 3. Excellent decor. The decor of this brewery is amazing, stemming from an great outdoor patio for the warmer months, a large indoor dining area, plus a bar side that is a bit louder. Make sure to look up at the exposed rafters and also look at all the artwork on the walls. 4. Excellent appetizers. I've already discussed the food, but maybe you just want beer and an app. These are varied and tasty. Stemming from brussel sprouts to parm fries. Anything I've tried has been well worth it. Cons: 1. My only con is not really a con. My slight complaint is that the brewery is in Solon, not directly in Iowa City where I live. The 15 minute drive is more than worth it though. read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - Chicken sandwich with Korean barbecue on the side! - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

So I finally managed to get up there and check out the place with some friends who had also been wanting to check it out. The short and simple version of this review is 5 stars for the beer, 3 stars for the food, so 4 stars overall. I do love their beers and beer always tastes better at the brewery. I will admit that I was a bad beer drinker since I started off with their Arms Race pale ale, then drank lighter beers like their Que Sera Berliner Weisse, finished off by their kolsch. Totally wrong order, but they were still good. The kolsch is one of the better versions I've had and is a great beer for outdoor drinking on a warm day. Bartenders are knowledgeable and can definitely help you pick something out based on your preferences. Unfortunately, the food was hit and miss for us. The deviled eggs were a definite hit. The only problem with them was that there was 5 of us and only 4 eggs. Oh well, we'll know better next time. Korean BBQ wings were both a hit, and miss. On the hit side, the wings were big and there was plenty of delicious sauce. Small wings and a lack of sauce annoy me with wings, these hit the mark. On the miss side though, the sauce had a bit of an odd, grainy texture. It was still good, just was an odd texture. The pretzel was a miss. It was lacking salt, flavor was just ok, and the texture was off. The side of mustard was good, but the cheese sauce was quite runny. Olives were a definite hit with the rest of the table. Olives aren't my thing, but everybody else loved them. Charcuterie plate and cheese plate was pretty good. The bread was solid, cheeses that day were good as was the apricot mostarda. That day we had salami and prosciutto, the prosciutto was good, the salami was merely ok. The hit of the plate though was the baby dill pickles. Definitely will be back, and trying other food items. Don't let the 3 star rating for food scare you off though, it's well worth a try. read more

I have been here many times. When they opened, the food and experience was awesome. The menu changed a lot, each season. Now it's stale. Too many of the same sandwiches and appetizers. The salads are over priced. The pizza hasn't changed in years. Today, the service was terrible. We were one of two tables for lunch and it took 45 minutes to get our food. By the time it was brought, I had to take it to go. Even for dinner that is a long time to wait, but this was lunch, which makes it horrible. The only reason they are getting two stars is because the food tasted good when I did get it. Maybe that is because I was starving by then. read more

BigGrove lives up to it's name! This iconic Iowa stop can accommodate nearly any food & drink preference! To start, they use local suppliers whenever possible then enhance from there with top notch conscious options designed into comprehensive & satisfying food & drink menus. I appreciate their attention to important details too numerous to cover here...my food arrived...gotta go enjoy. read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

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Well first off.... the brewery makes fabulous beer... so don't miss that! Then at this location, the menu changes seasonally and is kept fresh. Have been many times, but never disappointed the flavor or service. The atmosphere is excellent as well, especially in the back if you want it a little quieter or on the patio if it is a nice night in Iowa!!! Enjoy! read more

There are few expectations of Solon, Iowa as a center for cuisine. A small unassuming town in Eastern Iowa has fostered a gem. The refined palette meets backyard grilling sensibility. Have the boys (or girls) over to knock back a few and put something in the Weber kind of feel. But peel back that preconception and dive into the complex flavor palette the head chef is bringing. I haven't had anything in the menu that makes me reconsider the decision. From burger to pork sandwich, from pizza to salad. This is Midwest fare at it's best. Comfort food well conceived and beautifully executed. The soundtrack from our evening included: The XX, Radiohead and The Boss. In the immortal words of an Austrian which I hold no love for...."I'll be back..." read more

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Mixed feelings. Ultimately would I return, yes. I intend on giving Big Grove another opportunity during another seasonal menu. My fiancé and I were seated 10 minutes before the end of happy hour, but did not see waitstaff for 15 minutes despite only 50% or so of tables being occupied. When we explained we had been waiting to order and would like the happy hour pricing, we received a lot of pushback from the waitress. We tried a couple variety of beers including the in house made selections. It was good. Nothing to write home about, but I'd order it again. The menu at first glance looks pretty incredible. Although as elegant as the dishes sounded, the taste left us underwhelmed. After living in San Diego, Big Grove's modern decor and vibe felt familiar which we appreciated. I'm interested in giving this place another shot when the next menu rolls around (They change seasonally). I feel like our customer service experience was an anomaly and next time will be improved. read more

Worth the drive to the small town of Solon. This hidden gem, though typically a await to get in, has it all.. great food, great beer, great whiskey selection, great wine & cocktails, great staff and great atmosphere. The owners have found a magic formula, as all of their establishments are in my top favs. And "Beer Man Bill" works his great magic in the brewery turning out some impeccable beers that are getting regional and national recognition. They make all their smoked meats and charcuterie as well as breads, and many facets of all the dishes. I've got many favorites and find myself trying new items all the time. They get my five-stars. read more

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We stopped here on Monday, Aug 31st, 2020 (while on a road trip out west) for a quick beer and a bite to eat, around the noon hour. They have a pretty decent menu of both food and craft beer to choose from. The beer menu is separated by beer profiles, so if you're unsure of what you're looking for, the menus are helpful in that regard. We went with the Korean BBQ wings w/ fries and a single pork belly taco. Both were delicious and was a big enough portion for us to split, which was nice because we weren't looking to get completely full as we had to get back on the road. As for beers, my husband had the dry Irish stout (unsure on the actual name) and I had the Sticky Citrus NE IPA. Both beers were good; we would definitely order them again as well as try other beers from this brewery if we had the opportunity in our area. We also liked the (several different, including a fire pit) outdoor seating options and the open air feel of the building and patio combined. Bathrooms were clean, as was the inside of the Bar/building (from what we saw). Our waitress (unsure of her name as well, sorry about that) was very attentive and just all around awesome! Not only would we recommend this place for travelers looking for a decent craft beer and/or meal on the road, it's also a great place for locals who don't drink alcohol, to enjoy a great meal with great service. Also worth noting that while we weren't traveling with a dog, we did see a family with their dog out in the beer garden, so they are pet friendly. Please keep in mind that if you're someone who doesn't care for dining or drinking around animals/kids, Big Grove's outdoor seating is spacious enough to be away from either/or if you so choose. If we're ever in the Iowa City area again, we'll definitely be back (: read more

I love this place. Always fresh farm to table food and delicious beer. Favorite recently is the mushroom, goat cheese and poblano pepper sandwich. Tator tot casserole, cheese plate and salads are also always delicious here. read more

Wonderful food, wonderful and fun atmosphere. They serve quality American classics like Mac n cheese, tater tot casserole, burgers, and their fried chicken (gasp) fogetaboutit! They use all fresh ingredients, and I believe the bulk of it is locally sourced too, though I could be wrong about that. Service is good too AND they have a really nice outdoor seating area for nice summer nights in rural Iowa. read more

The short ribs were amazing. They were served on a polenta. Soft and tender. The brussel sprouts appetizer is fantastic. The beer selections here are always fresh and changing. Never have been disappointed by a great tasting beers. read more

Great beer, the food at this location is much better than their Iowa City location. VERY fast service! The waitress took my drink order and within two minutes, the bartender came out of nowhere with a fresh beer. I had their chipotle chicken tacos, they were different but very good, much better than the pork belly al pastor tacos I had at the taproom (Iowa city location). I sat at their patio as I was coming from a bike ride, I went inside briefly to be seated, it all looked very nice in there. I am originally from Vegas, and this place has nothing to ask from sin city, great atmosphere, great food and great service. read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - Chipotle chicken tacos - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

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Excellent food, service and atmosphere! My husband had the decadent flat steak which was a autumn flavor explosion of tender beef and flavor-full vegetables. I had the roasted mushroom pizza on a light but tasty home-made crust, piled high with arugula, roasted mushrooms and amazing delicate cheeses. Bravo! Will definitely return. Gourmet creations in a modern woodsy atmosphere... read more

First time diners & we loved our experience. Our waitress Olivia was helpful & able to recommend things to try. We started with flights of the Big Grove brews & the brussel sprouts. The sauce on them is amazing, it's definitely something everyone should try! We also had the Almost Cuban sandwich, Beet & Bleu salad, tomato bisque, and fries. All were fresh & delicious. We'll be back for the cozy, friendly atmosphere & the fresh, farm to table flavors. read more

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Had dinner here on a Friday evening at the recommendation of our daughter. We were told there would be a 25 minute wait but it was less than 15 minutes. We ordered the parm fries as an appetizer; they arrived very quickly and I don't think we realized how hungry we were as we dove into them. Although hubby said he prefers his fries to be saltier, for me the mix of herbs (rosemary and sage to name a few) and the generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese made them very flavorful. Hubby ordered the burger and upgraded to the tater tot casserole as his side which could have stood on it's own! I'm guessing some offerings must be seasonal as our daughter recommended the kale salad and it was not on the menu. I did have the farro and vegetable salad with arugula and although I would have preferred more vegetables and less potatoes, it was very tasty. The sticky pudding for dessert was warm and moist. Service was very attentive and friendly and my only complaint is the noise level. There is a large outside patio as an option but it was raining (didn't stop a few hearty souls!) Bar area was very crowded; this must be the place to go in Solon! read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - The crispy and delicious parm fries! - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

Made it over to BGB in Solon, IA Tuesday evening finally. Well worth the short drive from Cedar Rapids and all other points near!!! The place was comfortable and the staff extremely friendly. The prices were also pretty good for the quality of the food. The beer list is well thought out with many excellent craft beers. The only knock is that of the four currently available that they brew, 3 were stouts. I enjoy stout, but would rather have been able to sample multiple varieties. The menu is a perfectly small size and makes it easy for the kitchen staff to manage and ensure quality. We tried four items from the menu. 1. Charcuterie & Cheese Board: Excellent combination! The cheeses were both great and the sweet onion and mustard was a perfect cleanser/cutter in between items. However, I was most excited to finally have some meats from La Quercia! Absolutely phenomenal award winning artisan cured meats produced locally in Iowa. 2. Chicken & The Egg: Perfectly paired offering of a main course. We shared a helping of root vegetables coupled with a confit thigh and a poached breast. I have never had a breast that was poached and so flavorful or moist. The combinations worked extremely well together. Just when you thought the broth may be too sweet, the salty crispy thigh would pull it back together. 3. 2 different pizzas: (Ham & Egg, White Sausage). The white sausage pizza was perfect. No changes needed! Crisp and chewy crust, bubbled perfectly, and the fennel sausage was delicious. The Ham & Egg pizza was also excellent. The only problem being that the Parmigianno Reggiano shavings were a touch too heavy and served to overpower the other flavors. When we pulled about half the amount of shavings off, it was excellent! Overall, I was extremely impressed with the establishment and would highly recommend it as a dining choice. Easily one of the best in food quality in the local area! read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - Excellent charcuterie & cheese board! - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

There are only three things you need to know about this place! Arms Race Big Grove IPA Parm Fries Great times! read more

Wow, very impressed with this local brewery. Beer was amazing and the food was super good. The service was impeccable and the owner was checking in at the tables to make sure we were having a great experience. Love this place, if you are every in the Iowa City area, make the drive up to Solon. read more

We made the trek from Iowa City up to Solon just to try this place out. The building is beautiful and they have a cool outside area that would be perfect in the spring/fall (there are little fire pits). Service was top notch and the food was excellent! We got a five appetizers and a pizza for four hungry adults. It was a bit much, three appetizers and a pizza would have been enough, but I'm excited for these leftovers! The Korean BBQ wings are honestly some of the best wings that I've ever had...and I'm a wing guy! The ham and biscuits were delicious and I would highly recommend. The "potted pig" was also a pretty good. I had never had potted meat before - which is a little bit different, but very good. It is served with bread that was delish! The parm -garlic fries were good, but were our least favorite of the appetizers. The tater-tot casserole is a delicious tradition version of what you may have had before. They also have a good selection of beer. I had their stout, which was excellent! This is what a five star restaurant should be like! You need to try this place!!! You won't be disappointed! read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - Potted pig appetizer - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

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Very good food, wait line wasn't to bad. Able to sit outside next to the fire and chat and have some drinks. Service was up to par and was always able to get ahold of someone for anything we needed! read more

Something has happened in Solon! What was once a quiet town, whose claim to fame was Jonesy's tenderloins, has become a thriving "hipster" spot. Okay. Maybe my use of hipster isn't a 100% the definition of hipster but this is what it feels like when you take an old standard and throw something different into it and say, "Trendy!" Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the food at Big Grove. But I am tired of paying a premium price for a "gourmet" addition. Yes, putting that trendy ingredient on my fries, on my pizza or whatever is always worth paying $5-10 more. It seems like a lot of their menu has been taken over by trendy. Really, give me proof that my burger was once a black angus steer grazing in the pasture. Alright, my vent is over. The decor: Nice. Very clean and trendy. The beer: Cold and very trendy. The food: Friend had the chicken sandwich and it looked great. She enjoyed it, but getting charged extra for the bbq sauce for it wasn't so special. Plus, it was too spicy for her and she didn't use it. Husband had the pastrami. The meat was good but the one side of the sandwich was really over toasted. Of course, that was the side the cook placed down. Husband pulled the burnt bits off. I had the BGB black angus burger. Two patties meant that it was sliding off the bun and with those patties being thin it was hard to get that medium rare cook I had asked for. Fries kicked butt. Loved them. We also ordered an appetizer; wings. They came with the meal. We kept them anyway and they were really good. Just wished they had come out as the appetizer. The Service: Sat at the bar, so we had pretty good service. I will be back. read more

Food was really good. We went out on a limb and tried the trout salad and cod burger. Very impressed. The cider is exceptionally good. The only reason for 4 -5 stars is our server. He was a bonehead who tried becoming buddy-buddy but just clearly wouldn't take any hints and wore out his welcome. I'd go back and give it another shot. read more

The beer was refreshing and tasted great. Food was flavorful and a reasonable price. A little loud but definitely worth the trip! read more

Big Grove Brewpub - Solon - New American Near Me - Solon, Iowa

This place is amazing! True farm to table fresh food with awesome flavor. We're visiting family in Iowa from Florida this is a must stop if you're in the area.....great craft beers and cocktails with wide variety menu! read more

Good food and beer! Enjoyed the Korean bbq breaded chicken sandwich. Always has a good beer menu ranging from ipas, stouts, sours, etc

Meh......over priced for portion size. Wine is expensive by the glass. It's ok, but not what it's all cracked up to be. I do miss their delicious Brussels sprouts. read more

Love this restaurant. Food makes my mouth water. They had an amazing mushroom pizza and a burger that was phenomenal. Phenomenal. Your tastebuds will thank you. read more

Wow. Stupid busy on a nice early April saturday afternoon. Grabbed the last bar stool and flagged one of 3 busy tenders for a pint. The long bar being full and the servers hustling, it took a minute to get my pint but, given the hustle, I was happy. Excellent beer. Plenty of other brew on tap besides the great stuff made here. Full bar and wine to meet just about any need. Every hand was moving fast to keep the full place happy. It's hard to explain just how busy they were and how quickly they served everyone. This challenge has been met. My perch was close to the kitchen, getting an eyefull of the constant flow of food prompted an order of tater tot casserole which was great. The menu is well thought out and nothing I saw would have gone back unfinished. My only regret is that I have but one stomach and a limited budget - it all looked delicious. Place was packed, the service was still stellar, and the brew and BEER are top-notch. Go early, call ahead (1 hour table reservations) or expect a wait. read more

This is a brewery I have heard a lot about but being from central Iowa I don't really get many chances to make it over to eastern Iowa. However the opportunity presented itself and Big Grove was on top of my list of must visits. Nestled away in the small town of Solon, IA, which is basically halfway between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City (about a 10-15 minutes drive from both), is Big Grove Brewing. They have a very nice looking spot in the old downtown area. I parked on the street but I think there is a private lot as well. While walking in I noticed a nice patio area. Inside was nice as well. Typical brewpub type environment. I stayed on the bar side and bellied up to the rail. Couple of TV's behind the bar were turned to sports stations. My only beef here is that for some reason their WiFi was not working well that day. I could connect but it was running at super slow speeds and I was only getting one bar of cellular service. Not a huge issue but an annoyance. The food I ordered was absolutely fantastic however. I got the hand breaded chicken sandwich dipped in their Korean BBQ sauce. It was extremely sloppy but I didn't care. The sauce was phenomenal and my mouth is watering just thinking about it right now. I didn't get a picture of it but I think there is one on here. I will be back just for that alone. The beer was also top notch. At the time they were releasing their barrel aged imperial stouts. They had three in particular called Richard the Whale. One was the standard aged stout and the other two were the base aged stout one aged with coffee and one aged with hazelnuts. Honestly they were very reminiscent of some of the rare highly touted barrel aged beers like Bourbon County Brand Stout and Kentucky Breakfast Stout. I was super impressed. Their core line of beers were also very good, especially the IPAs. Service at the bar was great but it was a Thursday afternoon at 1:30 when I got in so it was pretty slow inside. However one of the brewers came by and had a lengthy beer conversation with me. It's always great to pick their brains. Overall, Big Grove jumped up to the top of my list for brewpubs in the state. Great food, great beer and a solid atmosphere make this place a must visit. read more

The food is always beyond expectation. The interior and exterior are beautiful and make for a wonderful meal. Always a pleasure to come here. read more

It's about time that the Iowa City area got a legit, top-notch brewery. Big Grove is about 20-30 minutes outside of Iowa City, in the small town of Solon, but well worth the drive for the quality. First--and most importantly--the beer. I've sampled most of their offerings and have been consistently impressed. Personal favorites include the Arms Race pale ale (dominated by the citra hop, which gives it a nice citrusy kick) and the McNair the Welder double IPA (made in homage to a certain beer that happens to be one of the best in the world). Their collaboration double black IPA with Confluence is also tasty. There's a reason that they already have opened collaborations with Confluence Brewing in Des Moines and Bell's Brewing in Michigan. And that this place is always packed whenever we visit. People like good craft beer, and reward quality. Second, it's worth driving out to Solon for Big Grove's food. I cannot get enough of the brussel sprouts appetizer, with honey, soy, and sriracha glaze. Literally, as I type that my mouth is starting to water. The deviled eggs, cauliflower app, and margherita pizza are also well worth it. Only suggestion would be to have more vegetarian-friendly options. But the quality of the food competes with anything in Iowa City, to the point where it's becoming as much a destination restaurant as a brewery. And the customer service has always been great. My wife and I have brought our toddler here multiple times--this place can accommodate that well, balancing the fine line between casual and upscale--and we've been welcomed warmly each time. For instance, last night the owner asked us about our meal, and had fun talking to our toddler. That's customer service that brings people back. read more

The pizza here was as good as it gets. Not even joking. One of the pizzas had 3 eggs over-easy on top. We popped the yolks and smothered the yolky goodness all over the pizza. It was to die for. One of the owners came over as well (I think one of the pizzas was named after him, actually), really nice guy. The beer they make here is a really great selection. I had the lower ABV Stout and really liked it. I'll definitely be back, can't wait to have the porch opened up for the spring! read more

Hit or miss on food, some days it's a 5 and other days a 1. The last time I was here I got a piece of raw pork skin on the muffelatta, that was likely supposed to be fried into a pork rind. However, if you are going for the beer, then they will likely have something you will like. read more

Had lunch there on Tuesday, and for the first time, was disappointed in the quality of the meal. Ordered the Pastrami, and received a sandwich with burned crust and corned beef was used instead of Pastrami. Won't order that one again. read more

Couldn't have been more pleased with this place. The service was excellent (they kept the beers coming). I tried their IPA which was phenomenal. I highly recommend it. They also do mini beer samplers which looked really great. Didn't try any of the food but the people at the table next to us ordered a pizza and it looked really good. The place is very clean and has an awesome atmosphere. Highly recommend if you are in the IC/Coralville area. read more

Visiting long time friends in Mt Vernon and we came in for late lunch. Wonderful atmosphere with fantastic service. Possibly the best Stroganoff ever. Hailing from Colorado we have more than a decent selection of beer but the ZADAR! Nitro Milk Stout is the smoothest and finest I've ever had. Blue Ribbon stuff. Great Job! You would fit right in here in Colorado. j/s ;) read more

Brought some out of town guests here who loved every bit of the big grove experience. They were amazed by the parmesan fries and the regular fries. Yes we got multiple orders! They were just so good! read more