Goose Island Pub

   ThreeSox53 - 05/30/2008

Being from that area an visit once a year was one of my favorite pubs but now service has fallen short and management doesnt seem to care.

   Wanderingbard666 - 05/16/2008

Horrible Service

   oliveny - 09/30/2006

After trying this establishment several times (we live in the area), I have to say, I cannot go back. The service was inattentive, and actually rude at times. We went in for late nite burger, and the waitress just about ignored us for the first 15 minutes. I gestured time after time, but we remained unnoticed. We were never checked on after a long wait for our food. The burgers were overcooked and the buns were hard as rocks. We spoke to management, and he appologized but offered no discount for inedible food. Coming from the service industry, neither of us will go back, and will spread the word like wildfire.

Quality of service

   savgpncl - 09/17/2005

I am a "regular" at Goose Island (with an MBA - Master of Beer Appreciation) which means I spend a lot of time and money at this establishment. In fact, most of my holiday season last year was spent at Goose Island and I learned to love it dearly. But lately they have really been slipping in all areas: food quality, friendliness, and most of all, service. Most of the good bartenders have left or been fired and the wait staff is new and very inexperienced. Whether it's crowded or not you will wait forever for a server. Water is never brought to your table. You have to request everything from the silverware to the specials menu. Food usually has to go back at least once for the kitchen staff to get it right. If you don't tip well you are blacklisted and will receive the cold shoulder next time around.

The newer bartenders are clueless when it comes to mixing drinks. Half the time they are ducking under the bar running food from the kitchen -- this while they are alone without a bar back. I have seen the wrong beer poured and they leave it under the tap until another customer orders it at which point they just top it off with some fresh foam.

Management is about as inattentive as could be and can't be relied upon to remedy any of these issues. After countless conversations with management and staff I have decided to no longer frequent this establishment. The beer is great but it's eclipsed by the poor service.

Service Issues

   savagepncl - 09/17/2005

Goose Island used to be a wonderful neighborhood brewpub but with the growth of the Lincoln Park neighborhood this establishment has begun to suffer -- most notably in the area of service. My most recent visit was by far one of the most excruciating experiences of my life. I was seated in the bar area and it was anything but crowded. I waited 20 minutes for a server to acknowledge our presence (even after verbal and physical gestures). Finally, she dumps us off on another server without saying a word, throws the menu down in front of us and walks away shaking her head in disbelief -- as if WE were the problem. I finally spoke with the manager and, although sympathietic, he offered no compensation of any sort (that is until we asked him for it once we received our check). This would not be a big issue if I hadn't already had a conversation with this manager two weeks prior about the same issues. I used to work in the service industry and recognize the problems here: poor management and an untrained staff.

They do have great beer and the brewmaster is a true gem. I will miss him and the wonderful craft brewed beer as I doubt I will ever frequent the restaurant again.