James E. McNellie's Public House

[erfalf]

Location(s) Being Reviewed: 1st Street
Date/Time of Visit: Saturday June 2nd, lunch
Quality of Food (1-5): 4
Menu/Food Options (1-5): 4
Quality of Service (1-5): 5
Atmosphere (1-5): 3
Overall Rating (1-5): 4
Price ($-$$$$$): $$$

What makes this restaurant unique:

Believe it or not, I have never been prior to this trip. I have never been in a McNellie Group restaurant either. Crazy I know. Obviously this place holds a special place in many downtown enthusiasts heart, being one of the first to take the risk of opening an evening restaurant in the area.

That being said, what McNellie's does is what every successful restaurant does. They provide good food and good service at a fair price.

Tell us about your experience:

The first thing I noticed and was somewhat surprised about was how low key the décor was. I was expecting something a little more commercial and was pleasantly surprised to see the opposite. They shouldn't have to worry about that as long as the food product and service are kept up. And the service was fantastic, she checked on us often, never had to look for her. Considering it was Saturday afternoon, it wasn't very busy. But the wait staff was on top of things all the same, not slacking off because it wasn't busy.

Since everyone has been telling me how good the burgers are, that's what I got. Charburger and sweet potato fries. Both were excellent. Considering the quality, I had no qualms plunking down $8-$9 for a burger. The value was there. The kiddos had chicken fingers (of course) and I have to say they were very home made tasting. All of the best breast meat and a very home made tasting breading. The Pub Fries are so so, but I'm not complaining.

Overall, well worth the trip, and I would gladly visit again.

[Hoss]

Location(s) Being Reviewed: 1st Street
Date/Time of Visit: Saturday June 2nd, lunch
Quality of Food (1-5): 4
Menu/Food Options (1-5): 4
Quality of Service (1-5): 5
Atmosphere (1-5): 3
Overall Rating (1-5): 4
Price ($-$$$$$): $$$

What makes this restaurant unique:

Believe it or not, I have never been prior to this trip. I have never been in a McNellie Group restaurant either. Crazy I know. Obviously this place holds a special place in many downtown enthusiasts heart, being one of the first to take the risk of opening an evening restaurant in the area.

That being said, what McNellie's does is what every successful restaurant does. They provide good food and good service at a fair price.

Tell us about your experience:

The first thing I noticed and was somewhat surprised about was how low key the décor was. I was expecting something a little more commercial and was pleasantly surprised to see the opposite. They shouldn't have to worry about that as long as the food product and service are kept up. And the service was fantastic, she checked on us often, never had to look for her. Considering it was Saturday afternoon, it wasn't very busy. But the wait staff was on top of things all the same, not slacking off because it wasn't busy.

Since everyone has been telling me how good the burgers are, that's what I got. Charburger and sweet potato fries. Both were excellent. Considering the quality, I had no qualms plunking down $8-$9 for a burger. The value was there. The kiddos had chicken fingers (of course) and I have to say they were very home made tasting. All of the best breast meat and a very home made tasting breading. The Pub Fries are so so, but I'm not complaining.

Overall, well worth the trip, and I would gladly visit again.

They have $5 hamburgers on Wednesday, but good luck getting in after work.  It's usually jam-packed.

I love the atmosphere.  I meet friends there regularly for a "5:01 meeting".  I'm working on the McNellies list, which is the list of beers you have to drink in order to get your own beer mug.  It takes quite a while if you are just a casual visitor.  Two of my friends have one.  I hate feeling left out.   

Also a great place for the adults to visit pre-Drillers game.  Park in the lot just east of the building if you get there early enough and it's barely a walk to the park.

[Townsend]

I'm working on the McNellies list, which is the list of beers you have to drink in order to get your own beer mug.  It takes quite a while if you are just a casual visitor.  Two of my friends have one.  I hate feeling left out.

I have one but my wife bought it for me in the long long ago.

[Hoss]

I have one but my wife bought it for me in the long long ago.

Bought it?  Meh, that's no fun.

[AquaMan]

Agree with all said about McNellies, but beware the parking lot. Awful, rutted, chat lot with difficulty entering. Surely they could improve that. We are known for our downtown parking lots afterall...

[Townsend]

Bought it?  Meh, that's no fun.

They didn't offer them with the 'round the world back in the day.  $25 and you had your mug.

[Hoss]

They didn't offer them with the 'round the world back in the day.  $25 and you had your mug.

Ah...before my time then.

[Townsend]

Ah...before my time then.

Back then, you opened a bar, I was there.

Now I have 3 appointments having to do with baby stuff this afternoon.

Might as well smash that mug and make it a diorama.

[erfalf]

Back then, you opened a bar, I was there.

Now I have 3 appointments having to do with baby stuff this afternoon.

Might as well smash that mug and make it a diorama.

I get you. I'm not complaining in the lease, because I love my lifestyle now. But trying new things is somewhat trickier than it used to be. My wife and I used to try a new restaurant about once a week. Not so much any more.

[rdj]

They had to stop selling them because they ran out of space.

[TeeDub]

And if you have an old one, and you aren't still a regular, good luck in them finding it without making all sorts of noise.

[Townsend]

And if you have an old one, and you aren't still a regular, good luck in them finding it without making all sorts of noise.

They've been pretty good about finding mine.  I don't ask if they're 4 deep though.