The Holy Grail Pub

The Holy Grail PubThe Holy Grail Pub
The Holy Grail PubThe Holy Grail Pub
Bar, Eatery

8240 Preston Rd
Ste 150
Plano, Texas, 75024-2375
United States

(972) 377-6633 | map
holygrailpub.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.22
Reviews:
18
Ratings:
31
pDev:
10.66%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ipahophead:
Photo of ipahophead
Reviewed by ipahophead from Colorado

4.55/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Amazing food; great beer selection; always awesome service.

The only downer is the noise -- they have worked to reduce yet it is one of the loudest pubs I've visited. Too many hard surfaces, concrete floors, tall ceiling, etc. I would visit more frequently if it was not so loud.

Probably the best pub food I've ever enjoyed.

This pub typically wins people's choice award for best Dallas (or at least North Dallas) Pub.

Patio is reasonable but often full of smokers; sadly loud outside with road noise.

As others have noted, this is in a nondescript strip mall broadly on the Southeast corner of Preston and 121. There is TONS of parking in the back; drive through the porte-cochère to access.
May 10, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of DingusKhann
Reviewed by DingusKhann from Texas

3.93/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Nice, low-key place with a cool vibe. Good place to hangout with friends on a Friday night. Food is pretty good, beer selection isn't huge but has pretty quality choices.
Oct 12, 2018
 
Rated: 3.9 by psoriasaurus from Thailand

Apr 25, 2018
 
Rated: 4.53 by Casey3236 from Pennsylvania

Mar 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by VABA from Virginia

Aug 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by Tofus

Mar 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by ChicagoNick from Illinois

Jan 14, 2015
Photo of Clarkson
Reviewed by Clarkson from Texas

4.23/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Great selection and rotation of beer, but they have a hard time keeping their draft list up to date so always ask what's not on the list.

Food is really good, esp. the Monte Cristo.

Can be crowded and loud at prime times, but outdoor seating is plentiful, but doesn't have fans or heaters out there.

Best pub in the area.
Dec 20, 2014
Photo of Eddiehop
Reviewed by Eddiehop from Texas

4/5  rDev -5.2%
I really like this place as they tend to rotate some pretty good stuff on a regular basis. However, my only gripe is that they tend to not keep up their beer menus/signage with what they actually have on draft at the moment. For instance, last night I wanted a FW Easy Jack and was told it won't be tapped until tomorrow. Then, I saw a sign for something else above the tap handles and they told me they're out of that. This is now my 3rd straight visit at The Grail when something to this effect happened. Either...
1) the menu shows stuff that's either out or hasn't been tapped, or
2)signs don't reflect actual tappings, or
3)they have stuff on draft that's not on either the menus/signs.

I just wish they'd do a better just of updating the beer lists. I wouldn't have a problem if this wasn't the 3rd time in a row this has happened, but since its a recurring. I'd love to see them fix it. I know some of the better beer bars I've been to either use a chalkboard or electronic list that is easy to update & read.

I know, its a pretty gripe, and I'll keep going b/c they do serve good beer, but I'd like to see them step up this part of their beer/bar game.
Sep 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.4 by twincano from Texas

Aug 29, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by TheDudeAbides14 from Texas

Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Mogysnag from Texas

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by RobertH50 from Texas

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by charrel from Texas

Jul 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Domvan from Texas

Jul 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by BearMark from Texas

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Heretic42 from Texas

Oct 09, 2013
Photo of wsdang
Reviewed by wsdang from North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3
Food is typical pub food but the beer selection is stellar. There was a good sampling of local beers as well. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately they no longer serve flights so its a little harder to really take advantage of the wide selection. I liked the atmosphere as well. I will definitely visit again.
Jun 04, 2013
Photo of MyName
Reviewed by MyName from Louisiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Staff is great and knowledgeable about beers. Very good selection of beers and the prices are very reasonable for what you get. Food quality is way above average for typical pub food, in fact it rivals many chain restaraunts. I recommend the cheese fries with Gruyère cheese and gravy. If your in the area and are into beer and/or food I recommend you check the place out. I seldom take time to write reviews - but you wont regret spending your $ there....and your business will help vote with your dollars to ensure they will still be there next time I can make it by!
Jun 02, 2012
Photo of kareng412
Reviewed by kareng412

4.78/5  rDev +13.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
In a strip mall along Preston, just south of 121, this place is easy to miss. Don't. It is well worth the stop, especially if you like beer. It is not a full bar. Beer and wine only. No fru fru umbrella drinks. There are a couple of TVs but this is not a sports bar. It is a great place to talk, enjoy a few beers and good food.

The beer menu is two pages of small font, with an additional seasonal list. Imports, microbrews and the mundane. But seriously, if you like American mass produced swill, you'll be overwhelmed! The servers know their stuff. If a particular seasonal is out, they'll come up with alternatives and have never steered me wrong. If you aren't sure, they do give sample tastes.

The food is a step above bar food. I've never been disappointed.
Apr 24, 2012
Photo of dbrauneis
Reviewed by dbrauneis from North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I was quite happy that I found this pub and that it happened to be located close to where I had to be in the DFW area.

The beer selection was quite good, a large variety of styles available both on top and in bottles as well as a good selection of local (Texas) beers.

The service was good but not great - fairly knowledgeable but not overly attentive. Helpful with recommendations on local beers but i waited for a while between orders.

The food was excellent - I had a great pork belly slider appetizer that has a nice amount of spice and was well prepared. I would consider ordering it again (but might get distracted by a number of other good looking dishes on the menu).

The crowd was nice and diverse, people in business attire to casual and hipster - so a little bit for everyone - and a good gender mix as well.

Beers were well poured and fresh with appropriate glassware.

Only downside to the place is that it is a little small, so when it is too cold for the outside seating area it is cramped.
Feb 17, 2012
Photo of txbrewer
Reviewed by txbrewer from Texas

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
This place is nice just too small!!! That is my only real complaint about them. Should you happen to be in, you must try the ghost chili, believe it or not - it is worth it (they make a really good recipe that stands up to the heat of the peppers - ask for extra bread or just get a side of fries to go with it!)

I enjoy a good beer and whisky selection and they have both (even had a bottle of Stranahans well after not being able to find it at the local liquor stores). They are quite well versed in the flavors of their beers and know more than a thing or two about all the bottles up on the shelves (and they do not mind sharing that knowledge either).

Stop in when you can - it is well worth it.
Dec 11, 2011
Photo of Mora2000
Reviewed by Mora2000 from Texas

4.18/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Nice little place located on Preston Road near the intersection with State Highway 121. One of the few beer-centric bars in Plano. Features a very nice tap selection and occasionally has hard-to-find, rare beers on tap (the most recent was Duvel Green). Also has tap nights where you keep the brewery's glass. Food is above average for bar food and the menu is fairly extensive. Prices are about the same as other beer-centric bars. Definitely one of the better beer bars in the Metroplex and the best in Plano.
Jul 28, 2011
Photo of ranger7
Reviewed by ranger7 from Texas

4.08/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
My girlfriend and I finally decided to check this place out. We've frequented a lot of the establishments in the same strip shopping center, but had never tried this place.

The atmosphere inside was a little on the loud side. We went on a Friday at about 7pm and it was fairly packed with the music turned up - not as laid-back as we were hoping. The outdoor patio area is nice, however. The patio is inside a sort of breezeway constructed in the shopping center and makes for a nice, quieter place to sit without being out in the sun.

Service was quick and friendly. We both wanted fish and chips (British-style pub after all!) and asked what out server would recommend. He steered us in the right direction (Dogfish Head 90 min IPA on-tap!) and we were very pleased.

The food was tasty, and although a bit on the pricey side, I would eat here again, just maybe not real frequently. Fish and chips were very good.

Overall, I like this place. The outdoor seating is a nice touch, they have tons of beer to choose from (approx. 150), some interesting stuff on-tap, some local brews (Franconia), and a friendly and helpful staff.
May 07, 2011
Photo of Jeff450
Reviewed by Jeff450 from Texas

4.83/5  rDev +14.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Very friendly staff and owner. A good selection of tap and bottle brews. After all, do you really need 150 different beers on tap? The food is excellent and a lot of it for the money. The TV's aren't blaring at you (only two or three of them). Nice atmosphere and clean throughout. My wife doesn't like bars but she will go to this one with me. A genteel clientele. The owner and staff are very knowledgeable about beer. The also have a good selection of Scotch. My go to place in the Frisco/Plano area.
Dec 11, 2010
Photo of rtepiak
Reviewed by rtepiak from Poland

3.58/5  rDev -15.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
the place is about a quarter mile south of one of the north dallas malls in the area. sort of has that commercial feel in the atmosphere with everything so tidy yet attempt at vintage. sort of has the alternative yuppie feel similar to a lot of beer bars that have popped up in the area in the last few years here. i went on a sunday and the clientele was mostly younger people that drink local texas beer or mixed drinks. place is treated like a bar with beer perks really. beer selection was ok with a lot of americans... some german hammers and some beligan hammer. the draft selection was pretty good. aventines, three different somewhat rarer dogfish heads. 512, franksconia, more exclusive flying dog, live oak and old rasp on nitro. employees sort of knew what is going on but i felt pensive asking advice when i saw the way in which the beer menu was divided. light and dark beers for the draft including triples and kristelwiess for the light... and moosedrool and aventines for the dark... with bottles nothing really stood out as unique or out of the range of local liquor stores.

overall, if you're local, it was a place to stop by for two beers about once a month try the drafts and go to your usually places. feels like the fillmore but smaller. almost a sports bar... but almost alternative.
Aug 03, 2010
Photo of Dixonian
Reviewed by Dixonian from Texas

4.53/5  rDev +7.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
The Holy Grail is my favorite North Dallas pub for many reasons. They have a remarkable selection both on tap and in bottles, the food is easily the best at any pub in the area if not anywhere I've been, and the staff is both knowledgable and friendly. All of these factors weigh heavily when I choose where to frequent and spend my hard earned cash. They have my standard "go to" beers on tap like 90 minute IPA and Arrogant Bastard but also rotate out an excellent selection of seasonals and specialty brews. They also have a full bar with a decent menu of signature cocktails-my wife loves the raspberry martini which has some framboise lambic in it. The staff is extremely friendly especially the owner and head chef-both of who I've talked to on several occasions about our mutual love or beer and food.

My personal favorite thing is the monthly beer pairing dinners they have. For $50 a person you get 5-6 courses of delicious and what I like to call fancy food paired perfectly with rare and wonderful brews. I've been using these dinners as a way to introduce my friends to the many styles and flavors of beer.

If you live or are ever in the Preston/121 area DO NOT miss this pub. Truly a class act through and through.
Apr 17, 2010
Photo of asegal
Reviewed by asegal from Texas

4.78/5  rDev +13.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Hands down, my favorite pub in the area.
While it lacks the large quantity of taps found at the Gingerman or Flying Saucer, the selection at the Grail is still nothing to mock.

I always start with Duchesse de Burgeone, a Flemish Sour on draft...

Food has all been excellent - the homemade pretzels and the Cali burger are both wonderful. But the Gravy Fries, while artery clogging, entirely worth it. The gravy is rich and clearly homemeade. These are very reminiscent of Poutine (a Quebec specialty).

One of the things I've enjoyed about the Grail is that it's usually not been crowded. So I are somewhat reluctant to post this review! But I must lend my support, as it is truly a wonderful place to drink beer.
Feb 02, 2010
Photo of omfseg
Reviewed by omfseg from Texas

3.68/5  rDev -12.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Good beer selection both local and abroad. Only 15 taps but they plan to expand soon. Bartender very knowledgeable about selection and offered tasters of any draft. Overall service very friendly.

Scratch kitchen, food could use a little improvement. Cheese soup was a bit salty, meatloaf seemed a bit dry, business was slow during our visit, maybe that affected the menu?

Some real positives though, pretzel sticks were gigantic with great butter and garlic flavoring. Burger was good, made with pork, lamb and beef. Dessert.... HEAVEN. The coffee and donuts. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Would recommend and we will visit again to try other items.
Jan 07, 2010
Photo of ShameAndFailure
Reviewed by ShameAndFailure from Texas

4.6/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Nice place for anyone in Plano/Frisco who desires craft beer on tap and great food.

Went last Sunday afternoon with the wife and had good service as the place was near empty. They have a good food selection and brunch is offered. Fish tacos were delicious and my wife said the burger was decent. It has an old world feel to it (for being located in a strip mall) and reminds you of an old time pub.

The beer selection was fantastic. Not Gingerman or Flying Saucer level but really great for a smaller, new place. They had DFH, Stone and Sierra Nevada tap as well as some Belgians, local Texas stuff and Brooklyn on tap. Most (if not all) of their taps are craft. I didn't see any Bud, Coors or Miller on tap. +1000 to the owners.

Staff was very generous about samples as well. You could even discuss the beer with the bartender and they are knowledgeable enough to recommend beer if you prefer. Nice attitude all around.

They had multiple flat screens and a projector for sports.

For anyone in Frisco or Plano this place offers a very good tap selection and they seem to really care about craft beer. Come out and support the place and tell them to keep bringing in the good beer!
Dec 18, 2009
Photo of jbphoto88
Reviewed by jbphoto88 from Texas

4.63/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
A new place and it looks and feels it. They are slowly adding more decoration and hence more atmosphere. The servers are good but not great, I will admit that they are getting better every time I've been there. I guess you can chalk that one up to new hires learning the ropes of a beer bar.

The variety is where this pub shines. In my experience most beverage dispensing joints in this town have a piss poor selection. 90 min on tap is always a treat as well as a nice showing from the locals Franconia, St. Arnold and Rahr. There are at least a few dozen more not including bottled beer that adds even more depth. Very nice.

The food is outstanding. The best way I can describe it is you roll in for the beer but you come back for the food. The chef on numerous occasion comes out to rub elbows with the patrons and get feed back, which to me is always a great sign. He cares and you can taste it in the dishes. I dream about the chicken and waffles served on the weekends.

If your in the Plano/ Frisco TX area then this bar is a must stop. Some of the best food I've had in a pub with a great beer selection and very reasonable prices.

UPDATE 06-30-2012: The Holy Grail has become a regular watering hole for me and I can't say enough great things about it. Gone are their opening day blues and now the staff are knowledgeable and customer service oriented. Their selection of beer and scotch is second to none in the DFW area and the food is just as outstanding as it was when they first opened. This is a must if you're in the area. A+
Oct 01, 2009
The Holy Grail Pub in Plano, TX
Place rating: 4.22 out of 5 with 31 ratings