Came here on a cold winter day and it filled me with so much warmth and happiness. I forgot to take any photos of the inside because I was so excited to order. They have a delicious looking menu with lots of good looking sandwiches and some yummy desserts. I opted for a winter special of the granny grilled cheese and it comes to the side of soup and I got a mini cheesecake on the side. The girls working upfront are so sweet and took my order quickly and answered all of my questions. They also did a great job of bagging up my order to go with utensils and napkins in the bag which I really appreciate. They also even tape closed the box so nothing spills. When I got home and sat down to eat, the food all looked delicious and made it home safe because of the careful packaging. The granny grilled cheese was the perfect mix of sweet and savory that I adore. It was a little messy to eat, but I was eating by myself at home so I didn't care. The tomato soup was the perfect addition to a snowy day. it was warm and flavorful. The cheesecake was also delicious. I got the mini one so I could convince myself I was being healthy but wish I would have gotten a full sized slice because of how delicious it was. I got my order to go for a couple different reasons but one is that they don't have the largest inside seating area and it tends to get pretty full. It's nice to come on a summer day because they have a pretty large outdoor seating area that you wouldn't be able to use in the winter is parking but there's a lot of spaces in the area. read more

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Had a great experience at the brown bag bistro! The menu is filled with unique items and there is something for everyone. I got the granny grilled cheese which had apples, brown butter aioli and cheese that came with tomato soup. It was beyond delicious. My husband got the turkey Rueben which was so filling and that slaw was amazing. Cheese bread is super cheese y and I love the red sauce that came with it. You can't beat a good ceaser salad as well. They have a wonderful patio, indoor seating and seating above their store next door. Our service was great and we got a lot of food and it didn't take long on a busier Saturday. read more

Food was fire - I can't do bread and I got the grilled chicken. It's like it was doused in the sauce and was delicious. I loved the coleslaw but wish I would have ordered the chips. Ah well, next time. People were all nice. They were pretty busy and we had to wait for a bit but the patio is so cute and breezy it was a perfect lunch date. Def will be back read more

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Happy 7th Anniversary, to The Brown Bag Bistro. You are like a bottle of wine, you are getting better with age. In all honesty, you do deserve a 5 Star rating, but I'm holding back, because you do not offer a sandwich with pastrami and that is my all time favorite deli meat. However, I will give a huge shout out for the, Sammy Roo (Reuben), The New Yorker (Roast Beef), Bistro Club and The Granny Grilled Cheese. All four of these are winners and big enough to share or to have leftovers for another meal. Your salads are sensational, too. I'd be hard pressed to say which one is my favorite. Out of your five offerings, I've tried three. Your Spinach, BLT and Chicken Caesar are all top notch. Being a local concierge, I am always recommending your restaurant to guest. When I do, I always recommend ordering a sandwich and salad to share. That way they get a sampling of both. I'm old school and not a real fan of order at the counter and take a seat. Times are changing and I am adapting. Your staff does a good job of offering this type of service. The cashier is always friendly and takes orders as if she were standing table side. Then when the runner brings the order, they are equally as professional and friendly. In closing, I'll say BBB is top-notch and is a must visit when in Alton. I just wish they offered pastrami. read more

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Another great visit! Wife and I had our favorites again, the Wadlow for me and the seasonal Granny's Grilled Cheese for her. Semi busy, we had to wait around 30 minutes for our meals but it was worth it. The food was delicious and the staff were friendly and efficient. The Wadlow was the only thing I ate all day and 7 hours later I'm still stuffed. Wife loves the grilled cheese and enjoyed her Caesar salad as well. read more

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This is a nice choice to take people to lunch. It is very welcoming. You order at the counter and find a table. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The Granny's Gobble is delicious when it is in season. Their French onion soup is very good, as well. The sweet heat bread was so tasty! The ambiance is homey. Perhaps a little crowded, but worth it! read more

This place was super cute and cozy! I got there right when they opened, so parking was easy, plenty of spots along both sides of the street and a small lot off to the side as a backup. The menu had a great variety of unique sandwiches and treats. I ordered the club sandwich (I'm a sucker for a good club, especially one with cranberry sauce!) and loved it. My partner went with the Reuben--he's usually a big Reuben fan--and while the meat portions were generous, he thought it was a little on the dry side. We shared the house chips (so good!) and the slaw, which was fine but a bit on the sweet side for my taste. We couldn't resist trying the s'mores butter cake for dessert, and it was absolutely delicious. I'd love to come back to try more of the baked goods or some soup once it gets colder out. It was a bit pricey, but the portions were appropriate enough, so I can't really complain too much, as it seems to be the norm these days more often than not. Our total ended up being around $40 for two sandwiches, no drinks and the dessert. Overall, we had a great experience. Even as one of the first customers, my order took about 20 minutes to come out. By the time it was ready, the place had really filled up, the line was out the door, and I even saw a few people turn away. Definitely a popular spot, and I can see why! read more

After wanting to stop by for a while, I can finally say I've been here not once but twice and wow!! Such a gem in Alton and so many amazing options you can't go wrong. I've gotten the Rosie Roo and a Brie and apple sandwich special - both fantastic! Sometimes it's hard to get a seat but they also have outdoor seating when it's nice out. read more

Quite the popular place on the weekend and a bit of a wait, but if you are prepared then it's no big deal - the time allowed for sweet conversations. Also with big fans and umbrellas the outside patio was delightful. Food was excellent - Will definitely return. read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Granny Gobbler The Wadlow - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

The Saturday lunch hour was boomin'! It was never ending. Luckily I found a table inside and placed my order without any trouble, but waited about 30 minutes for my food. The cost of the food could be deemed a little high, but it is most certainly delicious. I always start with the pretzels and cheese and typically sub the chips for a Caesar salad to pair with whatever sandwich I get. read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

For a limited time, they had an Apple Brown Sugar Grilled Cheese. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but it was surprisingly good! Definitely recommend trying it if it's available. The service was great! read more

I have been here a few times and I always try to stop and support this local restaurant in Alton when I am in the area. They have a unique set of delicious sandwiches paired with soups, salads, sides and desserts! Check them out! The service is great and this quaint little sandwich shop always brings a delicious twist to their menu. So good! read more

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Very nice place with a fantastic menu and gastronomy results....in short...great food. The Italian beef was excellent with just the right amount of spice and kick. Good portion sandwich could be shared but I would keep it for yourself. The other dishes were Turkey Reuben was also excellent and the chili sides were hot with a mild kick. This is a definite must return bistro. Craft beer was okay but I'd like to see some draught craft to but it's not a deal breaker. read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

We were out for a Saturday drive. We happened to come across the Brown Bag Bistro. I had the Wadlow sandwich, tomato soup, and lemon blueberry gooey butter cake. Julie had the grilled ham and cheese, lobster bisque and cheese cake. The food was absolutely the best. The dessert was delicious. We have found our new favorite lunch stop. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The Brown Bag Bistro from the staff to the food is the closest thing to prefect you will find. Thank You for a wonderful lunch experience. read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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Lovely patio area! We were able to have our dog sitting with us - really didn't want to leave her in the car. The food was very delicious. Street parking. read more

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2 of my kids and I went on a Saturday. I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup daily special. It was phenomenal. Fortunately it was not freezing and we could eat outside because the inside is smallish. read more

This place makes some yummy delicious food! The chicken sandwich was fantastic and the view is out of this world. Just a different experience next to the Mississippi River. read more

My husband and I spent a day up in Alton and stopped here for lunch. It is a small place and you order at the counter. Once done ordering they give you a number and you can find a seat and they'll bring you your food. They had a few specials for the day which was nice. I got the chicken salad on a croissant and my husband got the grilled cheese special. Bother we're very good. The chicken salad was like most chicken salads but it was still good. The grilled cheese special was nice too. It had some apples and a sweet brown sugar aioli. It was delicious!! This was the perfect place to stop for a good lunch! read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Chicken Salad Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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This is one of my husbands favorite local places to enjoy a weekend lunch together. I personally find it a little overwhelming because it's always so busy & tight quarters inside. However, they have great outdoor seating if the weather is nice and the food is always yummy. read more

Headed up North to Elsah for the Holiday House Tour but needed to fuel up. The Brown Bag Bistro downtown Alton was so good. If you want that quaint cafe vibe this is for you. Menu is extensive so I really want to go back and try other things!!! Plus it looks like Alton is reviving the downtown area!! The Chicken Salad was Amazing. The poppyseed dressing and I love my chicken salad with grapes (not celery). I upgraded to the Mac n Cheese! The hubby got the Ruben. They make their own Rueben Sauce. I am not a Rueben fan but this was tasty! We also got the Lobster Bisque. This was a take it or leave it item. Didn't hate it but didn't love it either. Our friends got the Chili Mac which they said was so delish!!! This is counter service. Also the overflow seating is General store next door!!! read more

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Fantastic sandwiches with tons of good flavors, fresh breads and great sides. Awesome patio for the warmer days.

My husband and I love the Brown Bag Bistro. It's a great lunch spot with unique sandwiches and great service. At peak times it gets really busy. My review is about the charcuterie boards though. I ordered one a week ago for this week. You do have to pay in advance, which is reasonable considering the amount of work and quality of the product. The "board" was actually 3 and had fruit, nuts, cheese, meat, fruit, etc. It was a huge hit at the celebration get together I brought it to. There were leftovers and they were delicious 3 days later still. One item to note: One does have to return the actual boards. The pictures show the artistry and the incredible amount of food. I could not recommend Brown Bag more. Oh yeah - one last thing - everyone who works there has always been so NICE. That is hard to find these days. read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Part of the charcuterie board - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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I love the Brown Bag Bistro. Everything I have tried there has been delicious but the Granny's Grilled Cheese with lobster bisque is to die for. Polite staff and a great outside seating area. read more

Been in a few times. Wow. Great flavors and atmosphere. They're always super nice and efficient. read more

Great sandwiches! They have an awesome patio. Definitely worth checking out. A friend told us to check it out and we really enjoyed it.

Food is excellent! Had a chicken sandwich with red hot Riplets on top. Will eat there again!

The food is amazing. You get a lot for the money you spend. It was a beautiful day so we sat and ate outside. They have umbrellas at the tables. It was a very relaxing experience. read more

Adorable cafe that is always bustling. Service has been great and the food is solid. Everything is made to order so expect a little bit of a wait. I've enjoyed salads and just tried their special, "granny's grilled cheese", which had Brie, cheddar, provolone, apples and a homemade brown sugar aioli. Excellent grilled cheese and came with a cup of tasty soup. The interior is really cute with brick walls and nice windows looking out onto the street. I highly recommend them for lunch when in Alton! We just moved here and I love having it in town! read more

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First time here and it was a very busy weekend- a Saturday. They said the wait was 25-30 minutes but it was almost an hour. We came around 12:/1pm. It was very congested and the layout and waiting lines could use some improvement but I think they were that busy for a few reasons. For one, the food was good and the building is small. The menus were placed at the food ordering/checkout counter instead of the doors where people walk in. Yes they were updating pricing but the menu for such a long line should not be at the checkout counter. I will say that for how busy it was they are still doing well. I have a hunch they may be bigger building in the future because they are doing very well. I'll definitely come again on a less busy day! 3.5 to 4+! read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Lobster bisque - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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Took a little while but was worth the wait. We had our dog with us and called ahead. The patio was beautiful and perfect for a lovely lunch. It took a while to get our food but when we finally got our food it was well worth the wait. read more

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Great place. We were docked at the riverfront on a stop for our Mississippi cruise and wanted a lunch in town. Yelpers had good words a out this place and it was a quick 15 minute walk from the dock. Momma and I split a sando from the large menu of unique items because they were huge. Be aware they get very busy and the staff was up front about a 30 minute wait. We said ok but started to get paranoid about getting back to the ship because, well, we're paranoid travelers. The shop changed our orders from eat in to carry out with a smile. Killer staff and incredible sando. Go. Eat. Enjoy. read more

Excellent service, great food, and comfy vibes! Prices and portion sizes were reasonable and bathrooms were clean.

Love the food and atmosphere here keep coming back first time we sat down here we usually get to go. However this time had been different we sat down at around 12pm and yes a little busy we watched as multiple people tables up to 7 people who sat after us got there food and we were still waiting on ours I finally was getting frustrated after waiting 30 mins so I went in to ask they said " our number was next up" it's 12:30 at this point we sat there for an additional 15 mins watching groups of people again who sat after us receive there food and finally at 12:50pm we get our food at this point we had some where to be and weren't able to enjoy sitting outside and eating. I don't know if it's bc they were short staffed or it was busy. But we were thinking it would be a nice day to sit outside and eat and not have to be in a hurry oh how we were wrong. read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Italian Beef Sandwich w/ Lobster Bisque And Chips - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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I was surprised that it took 25 minutes to get my lunch. Food was good. French soup and the club. Delicious.

Fantastic food! I will return the next time I'm in the area. Homemade and reasonably priced.

Stopped in for a late lunch today with two of my friends. Large chalk board menu with soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The special was this amazing grilled cheese with apple and a brown sugar sauce. I loved it so much, I stopped dipping my sandwich in the soup so I could taste it better. I almost grabbed another one to take home. Hopefully it is available during my next visit. My friend ordered the club sandwich which they served with a cranberry aioli. I don't know about you, but Im all about the sauce. Great sauces made good food that much better. Can't wait to come back for that grilled cheese!!!!! Please put it one the daily menu! Good size crowd, comfortable atmosphere. Street parking. We sat inside, but there is a very cute patio. read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - The special grilled cheese/tomato soup. Side of grapes. Root beer float. - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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What a great hidden gem. Hidden among the quaint streets of Alton, IL is this little delicious bistro one street off the riverfront. First, the staff. They are so friendly and kind. Very pleasant and quick! Second, the ambiance. It's a very small little place with maybe 5 tables inside, but there are numerous tables on the patio and they even have a deal with the general store for additional seating upstairs (this seating is not ADA friendly.) Now to the main event. The food. I ordered the special Granny grilled cheese. Multiple kids of cheese with thinly sliced Granny Smith apples and a brown sugar aioli on perfectly toasted bread! And it came with a tomato basil soup (great flavor here!) My family both ordered the intimate ham sandwich. That too had the perfectly crispy bread with an interesting strawberry sweet sauce. We started with the pretzels. Nicely cooked and served with both a beer cheese and a honey mustard. I didn't get much beer from the cheese but I thought it was ok nonetheless. Honey mustard was good but not what I like with a pretzel. I didn't have one (much to my regret) but they serve wine slushies, so that's an automatic win in my book! There is only street parking, which on a busy weekend could be hard to come by, but I don't count that against the restaurant. Highly recommend coming here and am tempted to make the trek back to Alton from South STL to enjoy it again. read more

Sunday drive for lunch somewhere new. Highly recommend this awesome sandwich shop in Alton. Amazing French dip with horseradish cream sauce and onions. The French onion soup was delicious too!! My husband had the Rueben and enjoyed it as well. Thanks YELP for the recommendation! read more

The Brown Bag Bistro - Triple decker and French onion soup - Sandwiches Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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We were driving through town on business and were blessed to be able to stop there both on the way and back. Very cute little cafe with excellent staff. I chose the chicken salad because I am a chicken salad freak and it is the best chicken salad I have ever had. I begged the cook to sell me the recipe so I could make it at home in Wisconsin but no luck. Just have to find a reason to drive 5 hours to get another fix. Great place!!!! read more

Cute little place. Go early. It gets really busy and the inside seating is limited. Cute patio. Sandwiches were a little pricey. Food was very good and made to order. read more

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