Over the last 15 years or more I've been to this establishment maybe 4-5 times; each time I go, I remember why it's been years since my last visit and I tell myself it wasn't worth it to return when there are so many other options available. This place is incredibly expensive for what you get with regard to the food and the service (or essentially lack thereof). At this time, full simple sandwiches are $12-14 with no sides included (think typical ham and turkey with cheese, tomato, and lettuce with mayo on it that you can make at home), and soups are nearly $8 for a cup and $9 for a bowl. The sandwiches (and "Mexican" fare) have fresh ingredients, but are very mediocre and bland tasting given their simplicity--not remotely worth that price. The high pricing isn't to cover wait staff/cleaning staff or maintaining the facility itself. Orders are taken at the counter and you await to hear your name called to get your food yourself, then rid of all your waste yourself before leaving. The entire dining room was dirty with crumbs on all tables, chairs, and the floor. The trash was full, and the bathroom toilet and urinal both had unflushed waste in them. The place was not busy as it was later afternoon; there were plenty of staff available to keep an eye on the dining room to ensure, at the very least, that the tables and chairs were clean and the trash wasn't full. The building itself is old with a lot(!) of unfinished and inaccessible areas, basic/old tables with cheap "decor". So for over $52 today my spouse and I had two very basic sandwiches, two bowls of semi-warm soup, and two large drinks in a dirty basic dining room after ordering and retrieving the food ourselves. With that price, you'd think the place would be minutely updated and certainly should be cleaner, there would be wait staff, and the food would have much more flavor with much more to it. There are several other places in Monticello to get great tasting food with included sides, cleaner facilities and wait staff, all for less than the price of a basic sandwich that you get here. I love to support small businesses and the staff were certainly friendly so I feel a bit guilty for this review, but this needs to be said about this incredibly overhyped place. This time I won't forget why I infrequent this establishment and won't be back. read more

Thanks to Yelp, I found the Brown Bag Deli in Monticello while there for visit to Allerton Park one Saturday, and enjoyed our lunch there. First off, there is a bit of a wait for your order, but trust me, it's worth it. We were there at a prime Saturday lunch hour and the wait was a bit long but I have to tell you, these are REAL 'sandwich artists' that work for this great little place, and they take great care with your order. Plenty of sides to choose from, drinks and homemade pie for dessert, too! I do not order Tuna Salad out bcz I'm always disappointed but I took a chance here at the BBD, and wow did I enjoy my meal. White bread, Tuna Salad, onion and pickle...SO DELICIOUS!!! I was very full after eating the sandwich too. Hubs had the Dagwood Special and totally enjoyed it. Bypass the fast food across the street and visit this great little diner in downtown Monticello. You will be happy you did! read more

The Brown Bag Deli Restaurant - The Dagwood special - American Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

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a sandwich shop and sort of bakery. you order pay at entry and they bring your order to you. it was good. selection was ok but nothing really specia read more

This deli is a great unexpected find in downtown Monticello. We stopped here on the way back from apple picking in Sullivan. They have a considerable menu of freshly made sandwiches, several soups, and a few Mexican items (nachos, etc.) They also have some incredibly delicious baked goods available for purchase, including German chocolate cake, pies, bars, and other treats. We tried the Italian Fresco sandwich with chicken gumbo soup. The sandwich was served on thinly sliced sourdough bread, with a good helping of ham and salami, red onions, tomatoes, and lettuce with mayo and Italian dressing. It was delicious along with the piping hot soup. Brown Bag also provides a variety of condiments you can add on your own, including pickles and peppers. Items are ordered and served up from the lunch counter. There's plenty of seating so you can find a comfortable table once you get your tray. It's fast and fresh and well worth a visit. Update: I've had an opportunity to sample the bakery items here. The quality is incredibly good! I know that rhubarb pie is generally an acquired taste for many but it's something I grew up enjoying. The Brown Bag version of blueberry rhubarb is out of this world delicious. Flaky crust with generous portions of fruit make this a winner. Their brownies are tender and not overly sweet. I'm bumping up my score to 5 stars. read more

The Brown Bag Deli Restaurant - Baked goods are plentiful. - American Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

Great sandwich shop. The bread was fresh and they had homemade spreads on their sandwich options. Also the kids macaroni and cheese looked like the box stuff which was a huge hit with the kiddos who won't eat any fancy type. read more

Great food and customer service! Love the old deli feel from back when I was a kid. And the pies...yum!

Quaint restaurant with delicious sandwiches! They really know sandwiches. I got the club sandwich on sourdough. I was surprised to see that there was a third slice of bread between the lunch meat, Big Mac style. At first I thought it would surely be too much bread and considered picking it off, it wasn't, it was perfect and everything I could've asked for from a club sandwich, super satisfying! We also tried the burrito which was good, I think the sandwiches are their speciality though. They also have a little topping bar which was nice. read more

The Brown Bag Deli Restaurant - Burrito - American Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

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Stopped in for lunch while passing through town on business. A decent little small-town sandwich shop. They also sell pies. brownies, etc, which are made by someone named "Inge." The Triple Berry pie looked fantastic, but I didn't try it. I ordered the Dagwood sandwich, which has ham, roast beef, etc. It was good and tasted homemade with fresh ingredients, although next time I would probably order the bun toasted. No frills on the decor, but a solid place to grab a homemade sandwich. read more

The Brown Bag Deli Restaurant - Dogwood sub sandwich - American Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

Very good food. Should eat there more! Great people and atmosphere. Pie is incredible! read more

This place opened up in the 70's, One a the very few longest running restaurants. I grew up in Monticello, I try and stop in as much as possible. It's the best lunch place in town. They have daily specials, Along with tried & true favorites. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. (They use to make a giant M&M cookie. Wished it was back on the menu) The "Veggie" is a must try.. read more

A fun, unique stop in a established downtown with amazing independent boutiques and shops to enjoy! This deli, that is more than a deli, doesn't disappoint!! They have interesting sandwiches and salads to choose from but allow and encourage customizations!! On top of their large menu, they host a local bakery with tons of delectable options for dessert!! All in all it would be hard to walk away unsatisfied!! read more

Unique deli/Mexican/ pie pantry spot. Had the chicken balsamic blt and it was great. Added the butternut squash soup which was so-so. Other basic deli sandwiches, wraps and even burritos. Order at the counter and find your seat. Wait for a sandwich seemed long but it was the noon hour. Unique space.. more parking in the rear than on the street out front. The building is many different levels with the pie pros in the lower level level. Speaking of pie, it's impossible to get out of here without trying one of about 20 different dessert optIons. Blueberry custard pie !! Skip the chains, walk right past Subway and try this wonderfully weird spot in downtown Monticello! read more

The Brown Bag Deli Restaurant - Balsamic Chicken BLT & Butternut Squash Soup - American Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

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Dropped in at 6:45 on a Friday. 15 minutes before closing. We were welcomed in warmly and told not to hurry. The tuna salad on pita was fresh and delicious, the light toasted pita added a nice texture. Loved the grapes in the salad - sweet contrast to the fresh tuna. My wife has the turkey sandwich on wheat toast. I got to sample a bite and loved it! We ended by splitting a piece of peach-blueberry pie. SCRUMMY! Our palates wanted another. The town square is so quaint and clean, and the back patio is also a fine place to dine. 5 stars all the way around! read more

This was a recommendation from our brother-in-law. Not much to look at from the outside but very good on the inside. Just like a book! Food was clean delicious and reasonable. read more

The cheddar bacon ranch hamburger was great. The service was friendly and the giant murals gave the place a cozy local feel.

Really good food, great variety, reasonable prices. Have been here several times and always had the same experience. Locals stand in line for lunch so it must be the norm. Staff is very friendly and treats people like family. I had the turkey mushroom cream cheese spinach sandwich. The sandwich was fresh and earthy. Could have used some spiciness or flavor added but still good. Atmosphere was a bit dated but quaint. Recommend trying it if you are in the area. read more

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You can't beat the baked goods sold at the counter! The rocky road brownie is 4 gallons of awesome in a 3 gallon bucket i'm serious they are ridiculously delicious. I always check out the Brown Bag's daily specials just to see what new and interesting sandwiches have. Most recently I got to experience the magic that is Rachel's fish taco. It was the best! warm, fresh, and bursting with flavor I tell you I could have eaten it all day long. The salsa on top was the best I have had since I moved to Illinois. The staff is always friendly when I come in and the food is prepared quickly. The restaurant itself is a little on the homey side, a simple building attached two 2 shops and an art gallery/framing business with apartments up stairs. The owner Harlene Swing Is one of the nicest people you will get the pleasure of meeting and takes a great interest in her guests. Stop on in for some great sandwiches and soups and don't forget to get a slice of pie or a brownie before you leave, you won't regret it. read more

The Brown Bag Deli Restaurant - Sign over the counter - American Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

Very rarely do I visit a new town and eat at the same place twice. But the Brown Bag is no ordinary place. It's sandwich nirvana. Top quality, homemade ingredients combine to elevate an ordinary cobb salad to something else entirely -- roasted chicken, homemade blue cheese dressing, bacon, fresh tomatoes, lettuce -- I have never eaten a salad this satisfying. The Dagwood. The Missie. These sandwiches are truly spectacular. And don't miss the row of "free condiments" on the counter. The pickles are out of this world. Seriously. It's 8 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and I just HAVE to log onto yelp to write about the pickles? This place is that good. And then there's Harlene, who owns the place and takes your order. So much personality. I feel like I need to go back just to say "hi." If you're anywhere near Monticello, stop by the Brown Bag! read more

Egg salad & cole slaw!!! This place is yumazing! Most all of their items are homemade. Their egg salad is phenomenal. It has nice large chunks of egg in a smooth, creamy sauce. The coleslaw is sweet and crisp. Also be sure to try their bakery items. Once again, they are all homemade. Something surely will be there to tempt your sweet tooth. read more

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So delicious! Super amazing and yummy. Chicken salad very good! The desserts are fantastic! Wow! Just go....it won't disappoint.

this is my favorite place to get dinner! they have amazing food, amazing pie, and amazing customer service!! It's a very cute spot to enjoy your meal:) read more

I am completely and utterly puzzled as to why this place has anymore than one or two stars. We aren't from this town so maybe we are spoiled with our cuisine in our city. But this place is FILTHY. This is a Gordon Ramsey nightmare. It needs updated and cleaned with carpets and booths replaced desperately. Not only that but the counter girl was having an argument with a cook and it was embarrassing, awkward, and unprofessional. Once we sat and saw the place we asked for our food to go. The food was mediocre at best. Basic sandwich I could put together in my own home kitchen. Tea tasted like a filter needed changed - very musty. Would never return or recommend. read more

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The best! Every time I'm in town I try to make a point to go here. Their sandwiches are always good and you can usually find a sweet treat to go with it. I love how casual this place is and how quickly you get your food. I wish I could duplicate it and have it in C-U! read more

So when I used to tell people I've lived here all my life and never tried brown bag, they looked at me like I had 2 heads. Now I know why I've never been. I've been 3 times now. First time, I had the egg salad on wheat toast. I seriously could have made this in my sleep at home. Why pay someone else to make it?? Second time, I had soup, it was cold and tasted like what I used to reheat at McDonald's when I was a teenager. Last time I had the taco salad, again, nothing to write home about. If you like mom and pops places that substitute from you actually cooking, this place is for you. But I love to cook and will just keep cooking at home. read more

Overall a nice place to sit and have a bite. The food that you might have for lunch is pretty alright, but the deserts are where this place does the best. They aren't amazing, but they're good enough for 4 stars. Service is usually good, I've only had one experience which would be considered less than that. read more

I've lived downtown Monticello for 2 years now and locals have always recommended this place. I finally had the opportunity to try it out and I was in love. I ordered the Turkey Club Sandwich and Broccoli & Cheese Soup. I paid and waited at a table right in front of the register. I noticed there are lots of places to sit and most people wait off to the right of the counter for their pick ups and then they go find a nook in the restaurant to eat. When my name was called I was shocked at how big my sandwich was. The sandwich was a perfect blend of flavors! I really enjoy their 1000 Island Dressing. My soup was also very good. I think the soup had a strong chicken base. When you pick up your food there are pickles available to customers too, which made my friend very happy! The restaurant has street parking (both parallel and diagonal parking). The front door is just wide enough to fit a stroller. I trusted the cleanliness of this place as nothing appeared dirty and nothing was sticky. I highly recommend Brown Bag for your next trip in to Monticello! read more

Great little local lunch spot. Classic sandwiches just like your grandmother made. I'm not a dessert person but their pies look delicious! read more

Bev's Burrito and the German Chocolate Cake were great. Awesome fries, per our two sons. Lots of fresh baked pies to choose. Excellent selection of off the beaten path greeting cards for $1. Well worth the drive into Monticello from I-72 for a stop at the deli. read more

I love The Brown Bag! From the ambience to the food quality, this place is a great local eatery. If you're in Monticello, it is absolutely essential to stop for pie. This place is pie heaven! They also have many other tasty offerings from soups and sandwiches to salads and pasta. I'd recommend the chicken salad sandwich and a slice of their strawberry rhubarb pie with whipped cream and a cup of milk! Perfection! read more

Our cycling club stopped here last month. The sandwiches were absolutely delicious and the gigantic selection of pies is amazing! If you like pie, this is a must stop destination! The menu is a little hard to read from the register and it's huge! Not to worry, the staff are very friendly and accommodating. I wish this place was open on Sundays! read more

I have gone to the Brown Bag for more than ten years. I always order a kids' cheese toastie because they come in a variety of breads (white, wheat, sourdough, rye, etc) and it is extra cheesy. I would label it as a staple of Midwest comfort food. The Brown Bag also has many different sandwiches, salads, and soups. The best part about this place is the pie. They have fifteen different pies at any given time. They have fruit pies, chocolate pies, nut pies, and cream pies. You will surely find something that dances on your taste buds! The price can rack up if you order a lot of food. But I like to keep it simple: a sandwich and a piece of pie. They have self-serve water if you need something to drink. There is plenty of seating, so if you come in a group, it wouldn't be a problem to stick some tables together. Be sure to wonder around the Monticello square. There are some pretty sights to see, even in the Midwest. Everyone that works there is super friendly and patient. It's a great place to go for all ages. read more

Love this place. My wife grew up here, and once a year we make a pilgrimage back to this town surrounded by an ocean of corn. And at LEAST once a year I make sure lunch means a sandwich at the Brown Bag. The food is always great. Lines do form at noon, so here's an idea...don't eat at noon. We either beat the lunch rush or hit the place after the rush is over. I've NEVER had sandwich here that wasn't short of fantastic, and it is 'lunch in middle-America on a courthouse square' at its best. I don't eat deserts, but the line-up looks absolutely solid. read more

The homemade baked goods are pretty awesome. I bought some cinnamon rolls that were to die for. However, I agree with Tim G's review. I am adding another star because they had rhubarb pie. It's more the homey and folksy feel that is attractive about this place. It's very mid-American, diner on the square ambiance that's the attraction here. My veggie pita was not what I am used to where I live. Brown Bag Deli needs to step it up and use something besides iceberg lettuce, but then I guess it wouldn't be vintage midwest using arugula. read more

I love the Brown Bag. It's the perfect little deli, and from what I can discern uses strictly fresh ingredients. Usually I'll check the specials online before deciding what to get. Their site is updated daily, and some specials are incredible. When I don't see a special I opt for the Club Sub on wheat not toasted. It is a solid sandwich, and way better than stopping in Subway. Be sure to try some of the baked goods they have in the dining area, but realize that those are created by the bakery behind the restaurant, Pies By Inge. read more

Great owner. Huge selection on menu and amazing desserts. Some of the seating could be maintained a little more. The girl serving me gave me the wrong brownie by mistake but she corrected it. When I felt that the peanut butter was missing from my pie the owner quickly corrected it. Unfortunately, she made the girl feel so bad in front of me that I also felt bad for her. I noticed the girl at the register turn customers away from ordering as it was almost their closing time. I didn't think that was the best idea. Overall, very happy with the food though! read more

Looks like I'm going to be the first one to leave an average review. Everyone in Monticello raves about this place. And I don't really see why to be honest. The food is average and overpriced. It serves primarily sandwiches that are pretty ordinary. You'll pay $8-12 for sandwich, side, and drink. If you want pie, add on another few bucks. I think it may be the ambience that draws people. It is right off the square in Monticello and definitely has a unique, homey 'feel.' Middle-aged women seem to flock to this place. So maybe I'm just their wrong clientele. If you're a guy with a good appetite you'll do better heading to 3 Ravens or The Pub. If you're a woman who loves ambience and sandwiches, you've found your place. read more

Helpful staff. Pretty enjoyable sandwich. They made an extra croissant roll for my young child.

Very glad to have stumbled upon this place :) fantastic lunch and sandwich location. The restaurant had a very homely feel, and you could tell everything was made fresh. The fries were among the best I've ever had. Crispy and seasoned on the outside, with extremely soft interior. The sandwiches were delicious, with good distribution of flavor and texture. read more

Much better food and old style surroundings than subway or either of the fast food options in Monticello. Prices are reasonable and food is prepared fresh and fast. I've been there several time and always enjoyed the food. read more

We stopped in today for lunch and it was great!! They have so many gluten free options with actual gluten free breads and desserts. So great to have these options. The staff was inviting and so wonderful explaining all our options. All around wonderful experience I will be back! read more