Granite City Food & Brewery

The Broad Axe oatmeal stout arrived in a proper pint glass, dark as motor oil with a tan head that left lacing on the glass with every sip. It tasted like roasted coffee and dark chocolate, the kind of house-brewed beer that makes you forget the restaurant is part of a chain. Granite City brews all their signature beers on-site, and the lineup, from the crisp Northern lager to the seasonal rotators, gives the bar a legitimate craft brewery feel. The Signature Meatloaf, glazed and served with mashed potatoes and green beans, was comfort food executed without apology: dense, flavorful, and portioned for a hungry adult. The Big Show Burger, stacked with bacon, cheddar, and a fried egg, delivered the kind of indulgent excess that pairs perfectly with a second pint. The Abriter Court location is spacious enough for large groups, and the Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas fills up fast.