I've been a foodie and a food writer for many years now, and I've got to say that Groveland Tap is…read moreas good as it gets. I've yet to try a bad menu item, meet a cranky staff person or sit in a bad spot in the restaurant. Whether you're inside or outside on the patio (summer or winter), you're bound to find the best seat in the house.
The staff is incredible, from the front host's that seat you quickly, often asking how your day is going, to the servers who are quick to remember a familiar face. They are kind about offering suggestions, quick to help each other out, and they genuinely know and appreciate the menu.
Now for the food. Since I am a diehard burger gal, I immediately went for the All Tapped Up Burger. It is a very unique twist on a BBQ bacon cheeseburger, as the bourbon bacon jam is a sticky, smoky delight that that perfectly compliments the salty creaminess of the cheddar, the juiciness of the burger, and the crispness of the iceberg. The truffle aioli is a lovely touch that perfectly rounds out this wonderful masterpiece, served on a warm, tender brioche bun.
I love this burger so much, it was all I ordered my first five visits there.
When I finally ventured off, I started simply by asking different staff members what their favorites menu items were. Here's my journey so far:
Chips & Queso-
This is amazing, and not nearly as simple as it sounds. At home for most people, that's a bag of Tostito's and a loaf of Velveeta. At Groveland Tap, the gorgeous Tajin tortilla chips are served with a spicy cheese sauce that is LOADED with chorizo sausage. It comes with pico de gallo, guac, and salsa macha. Enough for two people, easily!
Pierogies-
These are as delicious as pierogies get. They are soft, delicate, and stuffed with potato-cheddar. They serve it with a horseradish cream that is supposed to be delectable, but next time I might see if they have a small cup of sauerkraut back in the kitchen.
Blue Plate Wings-
I tried the bone-in wings with the lemon-garlic parmesan, and they were crispy, yet tender, and the sauce was magnificent. If you love wings, you will not be disappointed.
Nashville (MN Hot) Chicken Handheld-
Fried chicken breast on a brioche bun. You can have it with or without the Nashville sauce (I highly recommend getting it on the side) and features sweety drop peppers, tomato, lettuce, dill pickles and scallion aioli. The combination here of the hot, crispy, crunchy, soft, creamy, sweet, sour, is out of this world. The scallion aioli is one I started ordering as a side for dipping chips into on future visits. Incredible!
Pulled Pork Stacker-
They smoke their own meat in-house, so right off the bat, I was looking forward to this one. Brioche bun topped with smoked pork, aged cheddar, BBQ sauce, dill pickles, and cole slaw. You'll need a ton of napkins and it's so worth it!! Juicy, smoky and perfect.
Mozzarella Melt-
Now this one... it's currently listed as the first item on the Appetizers Menu, and my eyes passed over it 100 times. Without actually READING what it was, I guess I made assumptions. Then I read what it was. It's cheese bread, of sorts. It's garlic ciabatta topped with aged mozzarella and basil pesto... all which sounded good. It also comes with marinara, which initially didn't call out to me, as I get a little picky about Italian food. And I love Groveland Tap so much, I didn't want to have a bad marinara ruin a really good relationship. Throwing caution to the wind, I ordered it, and oh my goodness. The ciabatta was ooey, gooey crispy, the pesto was cool and delicious, and the marinara? I wanted to pick up the plate and lick it clean. It was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and just spicy enough to complement the toasty bread. It's my new favorite!
Midwest Mac & Cheese-
A special shout out to both John (who recommended this) and Hannah (who recommended we added bacon to it)
I can honestly say I have never considered ordering macaroni and cheese at a restaurant. I'll leave that there. But after a manager said it was a favorite of his, I had to take a look. Also, because he and I are both Polish and this Mac & Cheese dish comes topped with grilled kielbasa, how bad could it be, right? IT WAS HEAVEN! The cheese sauce is made in house, and gently covers the most perfect al dente rigatone. It's served with steamed broccoli and a slice of garlic bread. Delicious.
New York Cheesecake-
Delicious, creamy... as good as it gets. served with strawberry sauce
They have a wonderful selection of IPA beer, my faves being the Steel Toe Size 7, and the No. 8 IPA. I wish they'd carry a low carb IPA, but that's like ordering 5,000 calories of food and wanting a Diet Pepsi.
Side notes:
Try all the aiolis! They are fabulous and so good to dunk anything and everything in.
The house made pub chips are good, but the upgrades, whether they be fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, are worth the $ and calories. So good!
One of these days I MIGHT try a salad.