Big Grove Brewpub-Solon

The atmosphere at Big Grove Brewery is pleasant with a lively vibe, though it can get a bit loud due to the hard surfaces. The giant pretzel bread was excellent with tasty cheese and mustard, though it needed more salt. The burger was decent but could use more toppings, and the fries were good for frozen. The ranch dressing was surprisingly good. The sausage pizza was solid, and adding extra cheese made it better. Service was the weakest part it took a long time to be greeted, and our server seemed distracted and struggled to keep up with refills. Prices felt a little high for what you get, but there’s a nice variety of local craft beers.

Out looking for a bag of Ice and some local Fermented Beverages and noticed a Brewery nearby that was Open, on Sunday no less!! Once I confirmed the grocery was Open till 9, we stopped in for an Impulse Visit 🫣 This was the Best decision I made this Week! I may have some new Favorites 🤯 Clean & Cozy feel with a nice dining area and outdoor patio. Staff was Great, Lots of Moxie 🫡 Thanks fo helping, and not giving me funny looks for taking pictures of everything. 🥸 Favorite Tap: Color TV 👍 ( For Now!! ) My only concern was not seeing Chicken Strips on the menu. There were so many Better, High Quality options, it was Not a problem... Hello Mushroom Pizza 🍕😋 Special Thanks to Annalise, Emma & Chad for making a quick visit an Outstanding Experience ✌️

I was super excited to try Big Grove because I love the one in iowa city. I should have taken the servers suggestion. I ordered the Indian pork pita and was extremely disappointed. First, I wasn't expecting the pita bread to be grilled. I was not expecting a flat bread when this meal was listed under sandwiches. You cannot fold this and eat it. 2nd, there was maybe about 1/3 to 1/4th cup of actual meat. I took out the mint because I'm not a mint lover. I kept the spicy shatta on the side, but did enjoy the flavor of that. It was mainly grilled pita bread, and leafy greens. I scraped off all the pork and just ate some of the grilled pita bread. I did like the seasoned fries. NOT worth the $17 they charged. My daughter got the kids grilled cheese, which wasn't bad. The bread was thick. We got the wings, which were huge and I really liked those. They made a raspberry iced tea, which was sweet tea with raspberry flavoring. I've had better. On top of all this, the meal took about 40 min to get to our table. I might go back to try something else. I'm grateful the server took the Indian pita meal off the bill, so that was a nice surprise, and wasn't expecting that. The service was super, I think her name was Ali? Went on a Sunday night at 6 and was able to sit outside right away. ***UPDATE*** First, after posting my prior review, I spoke with management as we had left an item at the restaurant and called to check to see if they still had it, which they did. They also gave us a gift card to come back and try them out again. We went last night. I got the fried chicken sandwich (lightly breaded) and added cheese. We also got the cheese burger (added an egg), and 2 kids meals. The chicken sandwich was really good! I'm glad I did light breading as that was perfect and I feel any more breading would have been too much. My partner really enjoyed his cheese burger. The kids mac and cheese is house made, creamy, and good. The kids chicken fingers are out just a smidge cooked too long, but was still good, a good size portion, and filling! Plus, the kiddos each received a complimentary chocolate chip cookie, which was really really good! We had the same server Alli, and she once again was great! I'm really happy we gave them another try, and will definitely be back!

Great Solon staple brewpub. Atmosphere is nice. It was a Friday night and it was packed. I’ve been a few times and had their pizza this round. It was good. A friend had their pasta that used locally made pasta. Looked yummy.

There were 5 of us here on a Friday night. No reservations and wait time was about 40min. Not terrible but there wasn't a good place to stand around when the bar was full and you were standing next to tables where people were eating (not ideal for them or us). Service was good but the food was nothing to write home about and was overpriced. The tator tot casserole was one of their specials and it was very greasy and bland. The tuna poke bowl had too many strange flavors going on and did not meld together well. Other dishes that were ordered included the pastrami sandwich, stir fry noodle bowl and the brewpub burger which were all okay. This was just typical bar food so I doubt we will venture out to this establishment again.

We had a great time here watching the Iowa football game. Our waitress was very thoughtful and made us feel at home. It's that Iowa NICE! I would suggest this little drive out of Iowa City, for great food and service.

Big Grove in Solon is very nice. Inside seating is spacious. We like the outside seating in nice weather. As would be expected from a brewery, they have a wide variety of excellent items on the drink menu. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Food is delicious.

A nice place to stop in and have a beer or fast meal. They have burgers if you want as well as manyvstarters and soups available. Decided to go with the tomato soup and it certainly was a hood choice.

This small town gem being the OG of the Big Grove Breweries is top notch!!! From the accommodating staff, the food & the atmosphere Solon is so fortunate to have this amazing place!!!

Great Solon staple brewpub. Atmosphere is nice. It was a Friday night and it was packed. I've been a few times and had their pizza this round. It was good. A friend had their pasta that used locally made pasta. Looked yummy.

Love the Big Grove Solon location. A little more upscale food then the other locations but it's always a hit. Tonight we sat on the patio (beautiful night) and loved it. They had an event going raising money for pheasants forever, another plus and it was a little loud inside, but the patio was perfect. Pur waitress hot it put of the park. Attentive without being intrusive. OMG. the pastrami! A rueben on nitro. Delicious. Make this a must try place

Can I just say...... I LOVE THIS PLACE! The food is phenomenal and I can't complain about the beer selection. My husband and I stopped by after just getting to town because we wanted to check out some of the local beer options since we were going to be relocating. We totally lucked out since we got there just in time for Happy Hour which is a great deal at 1/2 priced beers. We ended up finding a house not too far from the brewery so will be excited for future visits. We've ended up coming back after closing on our house since we didn't have much in the means of cooking since none of our things have arrived yet. We split a beet salad and a flat bread.... so delicious which is saying a lot since my husband is not a big fan of beets but ate it up! If you are in town I would definitely recommend checking it out for an amazing meal and some good beer.

I love Solon every time I come here. We stumbled onto Big Grove Brewpub and were not disappointed. The mostly friendly atmosphere and plenty of options not on every menu. I will be back for the sweet potato fries with whipped goat cheese, Shara (I had no idea, but definitely know now) and herbs. The fried chicken was tasty but too much breading for my taste. Service was awesome and the manager called us friends! So cute Absolutely check this place out!

Stopped in mid afternoon for an early dinner on our way home. We had never been to any of thenBig Groves! We tried the 7 oz Boomtown and a 7 oz Iowa City ? .... Boomtown for the win! Very tasty! We really liked the Boomtown! We decided to order three starters and share them, we were so curious! Started out with the big soft pretzel......it was superb! Both the cheese sauce and the mustard were delicious. A+. Next we tried the Mac and cheese. Lots of creamy sauce, needed a little more cheesy goodness. B Lastly we tried the TaterTot Casserole. Um, we'll, we didn't like it. The tots were super hard, like over cooked, the burger below was kinda bland. C The service was excellent, our waitress even brought us a gift to take home, BOOMTOWN! The beer was great, and the atmosphere was really nice. Now we have to try the Iowa City one!

Fun spot to idle away your Summer. Extensive menu, bigger beer list and the cutest waitresses (my granddaughter). I'm addicted to the large pretzel and the hot mustard, its replaced my ear nose and throat doctor. Sinuses are clean as a whistle! Seriously, the place has become reknown since it appeared in Solon in 2015. A must see....

Came here by bike today with some friends. Walked in to staff smiling and were seated right away. We tried the new Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Seltzer. It was really good! First drink I wasn't sure, but after the second it was full of flavor and delicious. The waitress got us the Labneh Dip. I probably wouldn't have got it on my own, but after trying it I will order it the next time I'm here! Light, refreshing, and a perfect combination. It is a little chilly inside so dress accordingly. Very low key and relaxed vibe. Love it here!

Cute little place with decent food. The service is nice and fairly quick. This is the smallest of the locations but still pretty good.

The BG location is Solon is still my fave. Their original concept including interior and food experience is always a sentiment experience. The BG group and what they are cultivating makes Iowa proud.

Big Grove always gets it right! Delicious food and drinks. Great service and atmosphere!

Great place to eat! Brought my whole family and everyone was very welcoming. There was a nice kid named Trevin I believe that helped us out!

Ventured out to Solon and enjoyed our stop at this Big Grove. The wait staff was attentive, beers were excellent - as expected - and the menu offered something for everyone. The tater tot casserole seemed an obvious choice given a personal tot tour of Iowa, and might be better described as layered sloppy joe with tots... and was delicious. Our server was wearing mens underwear over her jeans - to publicize a donation drive for a local non-profit. We were impressed by her commitment to the cause, and the Big Grove was participating. November food specials benefitted a local shelter, which we also appreciated.

Well done! The food is great and the beer is really wonderful. I will go back for this!

Wowza. I'll drive to Solon anytime - for this food and service. Came out for a birthday dinner after we tried to go to their sister restaurant in Iowa City only to stumble into a pretty crowded scene. Not wanting to wait for a table, we decided to drive to Solon. I called on the way and they put us on their "call ahead" list and by the time we arrived, we walked in and were immediately seated outside in their patio area. Perusing their menu, it was delightful to see the different menu (from the Iowa City location) -- it looked just as creative and had a number of comfort food options along with some seafood and even asian-inspired items. We went with six items to share among the group. It was all good. In order of my favorite: 1). Mac and Cheese -- simple, cheesy and delicious. 2) Brussel Sprouts - don't sleep on these - they are in some magical sauce that is out of this world. 3) Tater tot casserole -- everything you want - cheesy beefy with crisp tots on top. 4) Deviled Eggs -- done well, just like grandma. 5) Pretzel w/ Cheese - you could tell this is homemade dough in a good way. Best thing was the cheese!!! 6) Parmesan fries -- good but in the end just fries. In conclusion, Go to Solon. Oh and their makers old fashioned was perfect!!

Great food! Seasonal menus are always creative! The service is fast and all of the employees are so kind! Always find ourselves coming back! Never had a bad experience!

Pizza is excellent! Service is always good Nice outside seating with fire rings. Free parking everywhere. They are always consistent With service and food .

Oh Iowa why can't you be a little more dog friendly. We came to Bog Grove and told the host we were with our pup and she graciously sat us down. A few minutes later someone else came up and told us your dog can't be here and but they could sit outside the gate next to our table... Welcome to great outdoors eh... Well they jacked the whole encounter up in the first place and thank goodness they let us stay despite. The whole debacle was a bit of confusing nonsense. We ordered a couple beers and they were ok, nothing overly memorable. The food was also ok. What we enjoyed most was being able to relax outside on a hot Iowa day in the shade on Big Grove's beautiful patio. Not sure if I'd come back as the buzzkill was overwhelming and the beer was nothing to write home to mom about but sometimes it is what it is!

A not-so-hidden gem living in Solon. Totally worth the drive. (I see you Iowa City residents...) The menu is solid, the beer is tasty as you know what-- pricing is on point. It's kid friendly! Staff is polite and efficient. Big Grove Brewpub has got the ABCs on lock. Ambiance Breakfast pizza on the weekend! Chef Benjamin Smart Don't skip dessert! Amazing options -- pumpkin tiramisu, for instance. Events! From dinners to releases, check their website. Funky Hawaiian Pizza. Holy sauerkraut! Get a cocktail! Pumpkin Old Fashioned, Blueberry Jalapeño Margarita. HAPPY HOUR on the daily. 3-6PM Investigate their rotating drafts before coming-- check their site for deets. Just don't come Monday, they're closed. Killer bourbon, rye and scotch menu. (Far more option than I expected!) Lots of seating-- booths, tables, bar, outdoor-- tons of options. Milk and cookies option. HOW ADORABLE. No parking issues! OMG the sour beers are out of this world. Que Sera, Summer Jam, & More! Patio is available! Quench your thirst with their hard seltzers! Rotating tacos on Thursdays! Soup options, on the daily. Tater Tot Dish -- ground beef, tots... cheese, mushroom soup! U can't forget to grab some beer to-go. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. WAITLIST! Oh hey, get on the list and know how long the wait is on Yelp Xtremely good dark beers. Burch the Bear, Wade Wisley Yes, they make their own bread. Zealous you will be, when you leave.

This is a great local place. Really good food, the staff is exceptional and it's comfortable. Keep it local!

Iowa Icon!! Huge Big Grove fans...the new Citrus Surfer wheat is a sure hit! The menu continues to evolve with great options. We had pizza today and it was really nice. We also enjoyed the big pretzel. Be sure to ask for the Boetje's mustard...it has real zip!

The Brussels sprouts . The soft pretzel . The crispy chicken sandwich and fries . And of course, the variety of beers on tap. Truly, you can't go wrong with anything you order here. The service was quick and friendly. The ambience of the restaurant was perfect for our family of five plus grandparents. We would definitely eat here again!

I have visited the Big Grove Brewpub in Solon many times, each time being great, if not better than the last time. I enjoy the atmosphere and dimly lit environment. I also love sitting outside around their tables with fire pits (when it's not freezing). I love going to this Big Grove Brewery, especially on release days. This brewery puts out some of the best craft beers that I've ever had, with Richard the Whale Macaroon stout, being my favorite along with, Color TV and Big Ed hazy ipas. I have in the past waited in line outside for a couple of hours, just waiting for one of their delicious releases. Service at this brewery is always great as well. I have eaten at this brewery as well and have never been disappointed. They have a rotating menu (based on the seasonal availability of fresh produce). Overall, a great place to stop! Can't wait for their next craft beer release!

Big Grove in Solon is always a hit! My fiancé and I love going here for date nights or for drinks with friends. The most recent time we went, we both ordered pizza and it did not disappoint. This pizza is so good I could eat it everyday. The wait time for a table was less than 20 minutes and there were open seats at the bar while we waited. I cannot rate this restaurant high enough and if you're in the Solon area you need to visit!

The entire staff from the front hostess, waitress, bartenders to the kitchen staff that bring your food to your table, are all happy to help you have an enjoyable experience at Big Grove (BG). Which makes for great service when they are having fun and enjoying what they are doing. It is warm inviting and a great place to be with friends, family, neighbors and meeting new folks. Let's talk food & drinks ( which is why you go out in the first place ). While it is a brewery it has elevated "bar food" to a high level. If you want to stick with a burger & fries thats no problem they are above typical bar fare. But if you want a treat get the nightly specials which are "special" for a very good reason. They are always "great"! However my favorites are the new dishes that the creative and talented Chef & kitchen group comes up with every several months. The main thing is trying all the new items on the menu before they change it. But it is seasonal so I look forward to dishes coming back around. Finally the cocktails are well made and reasonable. And the beers, if you can't find a beer @ Big Grove that you love something is wrong. As you can tell from my glowing review, I love this place and am proud it started in Solon Iowa.

BGB is our happy place. It's our go to dinner spot. The best salads and the Korean chicken sandwich is ahhhmazing! Easy Eddy and the grapefruit mule are my fave drinks.

Excellent food tonight! We LOVED the meatloaf melt! Make it a regular menu item?! The beef with pimento cheese and sweet jam was very delightful! Tonight we also had the bucatini which was amazing! The noodles with beef and sauce was perfect! Love, love, loved! Thank you for these new menu items!

I am from the southwest, and a friend recommended this spot. Right off the bat, I was impressed by the safety and health precautions they have taken in regards to our current world. Hands-free hand sanitizer immediately available, staff wearing masks and gloves, wrapped silverware and tables being sanitized between guests. It's understandable to feel on edge going out these days, but Big Grove does the most they can to provide safety to their guests and team. We sat inside and were greeted by our server promptly. Wow... lots of drink options. Between the beer list, happy hour deals and signature house cocktails, there's something for everyone. The food menu is pretty diverse, with a lot of classic dishes to original ones that have a creative, modern style. Our server was able to guide us through the menu with detail and ease, and overall was a great dining experience. I ended up going with egg egg was good.

Great diversity from their Iowa city location. Pizza and salads are a feature on the menu. Same great selection of beer and drinks!

Great food and atmosphere. I only tried a couple of things here, but they were both great. One being a chicken sandwich. Talk about large portions! That chicken breast was HUGE! It was much larger than the bun. It was fried and coated with Korean BBQ sauce. Good stuff. I also tried tater tot casserole. Good stuff. The place also has a great atmosphere. It's worth the drive to Solon.

We only had drinks here - which were good. The inside had a nice vibe and the outside patio is a comfortable place to enjoy an afternoon with great friends and food & drinks. We have been to the Iowa City location, which is nice but I really like the relaxing atmosphere at the Solon location.

Great chef quality entrees, relaxing enjoyable outdoor area, great service and great beer esp Easy Eddie beer

Two years ago, during Covid, I wrote a negative review for receiving a cold pizza. I have been sorry ever since (we were all edgy in those days). Every other time at Big Grove, the service and food have been excellent. A special recognition to Emma, one of the best servers ever! Doug, I hope you'll forgive me.,,even two years later. John Bay

We stopped in here after a basketball game and the place was packed. We had an average wait for a busy Saturday night but once we got seated we had to wait again. The food really wasn't that great for the price. The atmosphere was fun and the wait staff and manager were super friendly. Not sure if the food was just off because it was busy? Not sure we would go back.

They have amazing Brussel Sprouts and beer. There are plenty of food choices and they are all good. Nice clean place and lots of outdoor seating. Cute town to boot!

BGB has become one of the go to places in the Corridor. Whether you go to Solon or IC, Big Grove always delivers. The atmosphere in Solon is a bit more mature than the (very) laidback nature of the IC location. This is a great vibe to put off especially in an area so heavily dominated by the college scene influence. The food is great and the beer is always on point.

Alright I loved the ambience, the food, the waitress, so you will say why 4 stars, right? only reason I am giving 4 stars is we waited for more than 10 mins to get seated but no one was at the counter to help us out. We were there by 830-9 which On a Friday which I think they were in the impression no one will show up, which I think is ok, but you cannot be indifferent. Also their door and please wait to be seated is in awkward spot. Prolly said excuse me many times when people were leaving the restaurant. I was hungry so may be I was more about that. But once we were seated our waitress was super nice. She recommended beers to both of us and were good, she knew her stuff... lol We ordered Margherita pizza and beyond burger both were delicious. We also ordered a side of mac n cheese which was creamy with some bread crumbs on top added an extra flavor. Pizza was nicely made with the right amount of sauce not making it too tomatoey(lol). This helped the crust to remain intact n not moist. Overall a great restaurant close to CR.

A good atmosphere and we love the roasted mushroom pizza and the wings are really good also

Big Grove is the best reason to stop in the sleepy town of Solon. Plan your visit on your travel between CR and IC (and bypass 380 while you are at it!). Catch happy hour and sit out on the patio for a particularly wonderful time. Not only do they brew and sell great beer here, but the food is excellent. This is not a typical wings and burger joint. Rather, go for their Prime Rib French Dip or Korean Spiced Grilled Chicken. Get their Brussels or Mac-n-cheese as a side and you will be in heaven. Service can be hit or miss and sometimes there misses aren't handled the best - hence the 4/5 stars.

Always ready to try a place for thr first time. They've been around for three years, but this is my initial journey into BGB. Very impressed with the décor, trendy yet earthy at the same time. Not a very large menu at lunch time, but enough to tempt the taste buds and perhaps try something new. Decided on the garden salad as an appetizer, without the red onions. The salad was enough for two to share, or also sized for one person if you desire. The dressing, buttermilk-dill vinaigrette was very, very good. The greens were very fresh, but lacking the red locally sourced lettuce. Not a problem, figuring there was not available. The white sausage pizza, 12", is enough for two to share. It was nicely cooked, but the taste was lacking that certain something. There was not a distinctive flavor to it, but it was not terrible by any means. I'm certainly in favor of a return visit to try some of the other menu items. Be aware that some of the appetizers listed are quit expensive, so choose wisely.

Not surprised to see so many other top reviews. Great dinner menu, all well executed. Not your typical bar food reheated right off the Sysco truck. Big Grove has personal and updated versions of dinners you can appreciate. Worth visit!!!

Good beer. I love the Stouted Nut Roll. Like they say, liquid candy. Beware. 6 Oz pours and 10.5% ABV!! Good food. I had the burger. It's large--2 patties. The grilled cheese was a fav with others in our party, as was the Tater Tot casserole. Dessert!! Yes! Go for it. Recommended.

Great meal and wonderful service. Highly recommended. The staff is wonderful. Tiber and Genevieve were excellent. Jess was a fantastic and so hospitable. Thank you for a great day.

Absolutely our favorite place to dine. Great ambiance, love the menu (spicy chicken sandwich w/ Korean BBQ!), great staff, and the beers--oh the beers.

Great outdoor patio with fire pits and lights. Fabulous sports bar area with live games on big screens near the bar. Big and small booths surround the interior perimeter with four-tops in the middle. The decor is rustic charm meets industrial cool. Think reclaimed wood, steel, big windows and leather. Comfy and progressive. Okay, but the food. The Brussels sprouts app is my favorite. Pizzas and sandwiches are tasty and fresh. Salads are innovative and seasonally relevant. One of my favorite Oases that makes me feel like I am not in Iowa...in a good way. Eclectic, original and yummy!

The food and atmosphere at Big Grove in Solon, Iowa are perfect for any night. Whether it is a date night with your special someone or game night with the bros, you will enjoy yourself. To start the beers here are always fresh and add to your experience. Last night I went with their Easy Eddy and it was smooth and flavorful. My fiance is in love with stouts and thoroughly enjoyed their Zadar. It had a rich and robust flavor that finished off with coffee/chocolate notes. The food at Big Grove has never disappointed me. Last night we tried their new Bao Buns appetizer and it was fantastic. The kimchi and spices blended perfectly making this an appatizer you have to try. The only thing I would improve is making the bun a little less doughy/soggy. If you are stuck on what to order, the buttermilk chicken sandwhich is a solid and proven winner. You get the choice of Buffalo or Korean BBQ for sauces and both are great options. The reason I gave it four stars was due to the service. It is never a bad experience at Big Grove but you can definitely be left waiting for your waiter. It took about 20 minutes for us to even get a glass of water. In my book something like this isn't a deal breaker, but it is the difference between a 4 and 5 star review.

Great variety of quality flavorful and thought out selections. Impressed every time I go in for a menu change and find it is as good or better than the last. Keep it up

Fun restaurant with lovely patio in an adorable small town...what's not to love? Their pizzas were good, their soft pretzels were exceptional, and the service was very impressive. The white sausage pizza and French dip (with homemade bread) are not to be missed. The margherita, on the other hand, tasted standard but wasn't a showstopper. It would have been average if not for the amazing crust. We tried the pork appetizer as well, but that'd be a hard pass in the future. It's a cold pork spread with focaccia, but the bread seemed to be lacking any real flavor, much less salt. The pork reminded me of canned meat. Also, I wish they had more big grove brewery beers, especially in comparison to the Iowa City location. I was looking forward to trying some of them, but we only had three choices from the brewery itself. Overall, the menu is substantial and varied, and their 4-6 PM happy hour (1/2 off beverages) is a total win, and it's at a good price point. I'll be back!

We had a wonderful experience here last night! We were leery when we first got there because it seemed crowded and a few parties were waiting outside but from the moment we checked in with the manager everything went almost perfectly. We did not have to wait long to be seated in the outdoor patio which we enjoyed on a beautiful evening. We had the buttermilk chicken sandwich with a house salad and the Big Grove Burger and fries. All were well prepared and very tasty and the service was great from start to finish! Thanks BGB for a very enjoyable dining experience.