The Rotten Apple

The Rotten AppleThe Rotten Apple
The Rotten AppleThe Rotten Apple
Bar, Eatery

220 W Main St
Grafton, Illinois, 62037-1115
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.53
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
7
pDev:
8.83%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by dakid618:
Photo of dakid618
Reviewed by dakid618 from Illinois

5/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This place is great! Coming from St. Louis its a scenic drive down the river road until you get to the little town of Grafton, then its hard to miss because the apple usually draws a large crowd. The actual inside bar is very small, probably seating 6-8 at the bar and another 15 at tables. To make up for that they have a decent patio and the upstairs is also open.

The staff is very knowledgeable and they rotate beers out fairly quickly. I think they keep between 12-16 on tap. My last trip there I had Ale to the Chief, Alpha King, and a Lagunitas IPA. Great place to take your wife or girlfriend if she doesn't drink beer (who would date a women like that?) as they have a large cider selection.

I had a fantastic burger but it was the wings that shocked me. I'm a big fan of wings and consider myself a connoisseur and they had the BEST WINGS I'VE EVER HAD! A great surprise to go along with great beer.

The atmosphere is really laidback with a guy playing guitar and singing on the patio on the weekends. It's kinda sad all the people that come through there and have no idea the quality of beer they are missing by ordering average domestics.

This is a must try place in my book even if it is a bit of a drive from St Louis. *Side Note* Came to find out on my last trip there that the owner also just opened the Stable in Soulard so I guess that will be my destination next weekend with a review following.
Oct 20, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -13.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 2.5
2011: Rotten Apple closed in late January, then reopened 3 months later under new management. There are reports that the food & beer menu is taking a new direction... time will tell.

02-21-2010
Rotten Apple was our destination today, after looking for eagles on the Mississippi and exploring caves for the Paisa monster, traversing the back roads of south central Illinois...

The scenic drive down the river was a nice prelude to a stop here, a river shack with a view of the water. Walking in, the first floor is really cozy and small, with a bar that seated maybe 10, and a handful of tables. There was a bigger seating area upstairs, with a small balcony that held a few tables too. In warmer months, it looked like there was a side patio too. Lots of rustic wood inside, plastered with dollar bills signed by patrons. Upstairs there was a nice collection of coasters and beer cans, also black velvet paintings.

Beer: Taps were fairly good, highlights were Storm King and Two Hearted, also there was Lagunitas IPA, Schlafly Hefe, Stag ($1), Pandora Bock, and a few others. There was no bottle list, but behind the bar there were a couple FFF bombers and Lost Abbey Red Barn, about 10 ciders, and a few other craft bottles.

Service was pretty timely, and we got a deal on some Munsterfest bombers, so that was nice. Beer knowledge at the bar was great.

Food was the lowlight, burgers and a couple sandwiches were overdone, the gumbo had plenty of sausage, but very little shrimp, and no chicken. Maybe it was an off day, we'll try again in the future. Atmosphere was the strong suit, with a good beer selection coming up second.
Feb 21, 2010
Photo of Sean9689
Reviewed by Sean9689 from Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I always try and visit this semi-local spot when I'm out and about on the weekends. It's about an hour or so from me, but a really nice cruise through some backroads on the Harley.

A really cool place, has a really neat deck upstairs that I usually hang out at and watch all the bikes and cars cruise by on busy weekends. Usually live music outside as well, which I always enjoy.

Never had a problem with service, but nothing "above and beyond". Always get my food and/or drink as quickly as I would expect.

Always some good stuff on tap. Had my first taste of Founders Breakfast Stout here, which I won't soon forget. Always some Founders, Three Floyds, etc. on tap, can't complain.

Always enjoyed the food while I'm there. I've had fried oysters, gumbo, hush puppies, etc. Always satisfying and never a complaint whatsoever. Food gets two thumbs up.

Prices are reasonable, can't say it's a deal and I don't feel as if I'm getting ripped off, just about average.
May 25, 2009
Photo of Wheelinb
Reviewed by Wheelinb from Missouri

4.43/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I love the Rotten Apple. This place is simply fun. The taps are constantly changing and the staff behind the bar are all beer geeks. I know that one of the bartenders, Steve Green, has had over 2000 different beers and he can tell you about them all. I have learned more about beer from sitting across the bar from him. The food here is also pretty good. I recommend the pig wings. This is not a place to bring kids. It is a bar and grown ups will be grown ups. The only downside to this place is that it is not very close to home. The drive there is great. It's the drive home....
Apr 22, 2009
Photo of acme11211977
Reviewed by acme11211977 from Illinois

5/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Wow what can I say about the Apple other than outstanding. We are I guess by the parlance of our times "regulars". But I ask how can you not be a regular if you love great beers. Their IPA selections are top notch! Ale to the Chief, Alpha King, 421 the list goes on. The food...pig wings and an Alpha King and the night is set...never walk away disappointed. The Staff: Steve, Jason and Zach all major hop heads who know their biz. Jones is right on with this place. Give it a try you will love it!
Jan 09, 2009
Photo of hooliganlife
Reviewed by hooliganlife from Missouri

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
I finally made the trek to Grafton IL. The drive up there was worth the trip alone. Upon arrival we sat outside along main street. I was greted within 3 minutes or and within 7 minutes I had a nice Founders breakfast stout. Everything was very laid back including the guy singing in the corner. I am usually not a fan of live music at a bar but this was perfect and I did not have to yell to talk. The food, looks great although I am a nerdy health freak so 99% of that menu was off limits to me other than that, I was VERY impressed.
Sep 22, 2008
Photo of redbird
Reviewed by redbird from Missouri

4.38/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Nothing but good things to say about the Apple. The beer selection is well worth the hour drive to get there from St Louis. Founders Breakfast Stout was priority number 1. Maharaja and Ale to Chief were great bonuses. Dogfish Head and Lagunitas were also on tap. Not here this time, but they will also carry Red's Rye and Alpha King from time to time.

We came for the beer, but were pleasantly surprised by the food. The menu is not huge but they have some good choices. The fried pickles to start were tasty. We also had the BBQ, Pork Burger, and Muffaletta. The sweet potato fries that came with were very good.

The hours aren't ideal, but when you go, you'll understand why. It's a little place in a little town. It definitely has the hole in the wall feel, and it's pretty funny drinking a breakfast stout right next to someone enjoying Bud Select. Regardless, this is a must stop for any beer nerd.
Sep 13, 2008
The Rotten Apple in Grafton, IL
Place rating: 4.53 out of 5 with 7 ratings