Two Brothers Roundhouse

As an Aficionado (my current BA title) and an urbanist (and someone who did not get along with his brother in a business venture), this brewpub was on my list for a long time. Plus, their original brewery later was built three miles from my childhood home.
Amazingly, I got everything tied together in one visit (well, not the sibling reconciliation... that was too complicated to do over a beer.)

First, why we are here: the beer. Over this century and perhaps 100 bottles, my general impression: good, sometimes very good, but not yet great. These 2 Bros built their business on two cash cows (Cane & Ebel, and Domain Dupage... for both, I like the brew along with the double meanings in the names.) I frequently try their other offerings and go back to a few... but more based on sentiment and support for local efforts than extraordinary quality.

This outing, I had a flight of four to get warmed-up and the DuPage biere de guarde with the meal. All good. All worth the price... well, maybe the dish was undistinguished. But, a Northwind stout with chocolate ice cream made up for the dish.

Stop right now, unless you want to hear about my urbanist side.
Retired from the headaches of developing mostly affordable housing, I now blog about central stations. (If you are interested, ask for the link to my series on Americans largest central stations.)
I'm also a transportation gadfly and wrote an article for changing how Chicagoland funds this. A former staffer from the key agency (also a blogger) emails me. He lives in nearby Naperville. We take the train here. And, we solve every cities' problems with beers !

The Two Bros are to be commended for this adaptive reuse and saving one of the oldest and largest 19th Century roundhouses. It adjoins the multi-modal Aurora Transportation Center. And if you take the train from Chicago, you will come to it through 30 miles of suburban sprawl. Aurora's downtown is mid-way through its revitalization. Among Chicago's several satellite rust-belted cities, Aurora's chances are best.

There is a lot wrapped up in this roundhouse. You will enjoy it.
Maybe now, I should bring my sibling.

 

Visited on a Wednesday night for business dinner with a party of 14. Building is super cool. We sat in the outdoor area in the middle, which was nice except for the umbrellas falling over or in my case revealing a hidden pocket of water to leak on me.

They took good care of a fairly large and diverse party (at least five different mother tongues), efficiently and friendly. Of the two beers I had, I loved one (Cane & Ebel) and liked the other (Finball DIPA).

I had walleye. It was all right.

End of the line for the BNSF, so it's pretty convenient that there's a brewpub here, eh? Nestled in an historic actual roundhouse (not the Snick show, I'm afraid) and attached to the also-historic Aurora Transportation Center is a Two Bros outpost of sorts. Just inside the door, you see some brewing equipment dead ahead, a coffee bar off to your left (just past the little to-go bottle stall), and the bar and restaurant to your right. The general aesthetic almost veers into Old West territory, what with the old, mildly-distressed wood, steel re-bar accents, and granite bar (complete with rough edge, something you don't see too often these days). The wood and stone space is accented by a large tapestry on the far wall beyond the rustic stone fireplace and a loft area that really makes the bar area feel almost like its situated in an old saloon or something. Don't worry: there's a couple screens to anchor you in the present day. Arrived just after opening on a Thursday, so the place wasn't exactly hoppin'. Selection is mostly limited to the usual year-round Two Bros offerings and a baby's handful of seasonals/limiteds. Kinda lets the décor down to see such a restrained range, but that's been TB's MO the past few years, it seems. Staff are friendly and can provide descriptions of your suds if needed. Pricing seems pretty decent for the area (though, admittedly, I don't find myself in the general Aurora area too often these days, so take that with a DOTA-sized helping of salt). Overall, the general ambience and aesthetic are great, and they're enough of a draw for me to hop on the BNSF and experience a bit of rail history whilst sucking down some Two Bros stuff, but, as emerge summed up below, the latter is certainly not the draw here.

Mediocre experience. 4.3 average score seems… more than generous. Two Brothers has always been coasting along, without a unique core range or any innovative seasonals. They haven't been relevant for over a decade.

A recent visit to the Roundhouse yielded 6 IPA’s and their basic lineup. Nothing brewed on site, although several fermenters were oddly clustered in a glass vitrine in the front lobby for show. I remember when this space was Payton’s and then America’s Brewing, before Mike Rybinski went on to helm Zwanzigz in Indiana, to much acclaim. The space is huge and historic, with multiple bars and an outdoor space.

The beer and food is decidedly average. The IPA I had here was passable, and the lager was average. Everyone has had 2 Bros. beer by now and they haven’t really innovated much in the last decade.

The bartender was somewhat busy filling drink orders and even waiting tables, but I was the only patron at the bar. He was pretty taciturn and shared little about the beer besides reading off the tap handles.

Food was pretty average. Brussel sprouts were fine, but the “jerk” wings were coated in so much brown sugar I had to wipe them all off to be edible. Definitely the worst wing rub i've ever had, it was nowhere near being jerk anything. The kitchen seems to have a history of phoning it in, and still does today.

Unfortunately I read some disturbing accounts of the ownership years ago that have made me steer clear of their retail beer altogether. Co-owner Jim Ebel was disbarred in 2009 for shaking his infant son, resulting in brain injury and visual impairment. Truly sad and despicable. Stopped here after an unfortunate memory lapse about this, but will avoid Two Brothers entirely in the future.

Not sure if it’s under new management/ownership, or if it was in reference to a reopen due to COVID, but I was told this was just their second weekend in business.

Went with one of my boys while waiting on our hotel room across the parking lot during a soccer weekend.

Was told they were short on staff during a Saturday lunch, but it was zero issue because we were in no hurry, and there really wasn’t any noticeable delay.

Very cool vibe. Big outdoor area that apparently hosts live music on weekend evenings. Unfortunately, we were looking to beat the heat with some A/C and UEFA footy on the screen near the bar. It’s a huge space with areas for traditional dining, a cafe/baked goods (coming soon), and banquet space. It’s a cool mix of dated/urban and modern finishes.

Our wait staff was noticeably busy. She and the management were overly, and needlessly, apologetic. Service was great, prompt, and friendly. Seemed to have a good knowledge of the menu and beers.

Got the hefe for lunch, and went back for a sizer of their “farmhouse style” I have yet to open. The hefe hit the mark, even served in a larger weizen glass. Not a huge tap list, but a variety of styles befitting the season and good quality.

Food was spot on. Cheese curds were great, with an awesome horseradish sauce. Had a twist on the traditional Reuben, made with brisket. Kid had a chicken sandwich. He’s picky, and had no qualms. Both came with a choice of side (no nickel and diming).

I don’t know when I’ll next be Aurora, but I’d love to share this place with family and friends.

 

I'm rating a dining experience. First off- great looking joint-rustic feel. Dark wood throughout. At least two band venues. Multiple patios with large stone fireplaces. A barista and a lounge. This place can hold a lot of peeps. Onto the dining experience.

Please note if your a manager here. Restaurant was a little less than half full for a late lunch. Our server was not attentive at all. We had five in our group. The menus were at the corner of our table the whole meal. No plates brought out for five different appetizers. The food runner guy had to take care of us. One of our friends just having iced tea needed to wave down the waiter for more. Asked for sugar- he forgot. Etc service not good at all. One server is not indicative of others-so I'm not rating as harsh. Maybe we just got the bum of the bunch.

As for the food. Burgers-good but not mouth watering. Calamari a big thumbs down-mushy. Wings more than likely reheated and hard. About the best was the fried pickles. Spinach salad-good but overloaded with red peppers and the blue chees was in hunks, could of been broken down finer. Not impressed with food overall.

Overall, I will come back but only for bands, beer and patios. Quality beers for sure and always better on tap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great food, Good food, very cool building. The roundhouse is an awesome place! Two Brothers lucked into an awesome situation! Good job fellas!

Huge brewpub/eatery with great food and a large beer selection. Stop at the main entrance bar where they occasionally randall their fresh brews with hops. Plenty of to go beer available via growler or bottle.

 

 

Aurora is like the odd suburb where everyone is Mexican but there is a massive brewery complex in the middle of town. The Roundhouse is attached to the working train station and contains the restaurant, brewery,an event space, a second bar and what not.

9 regular taps and 2 seasonals at the main bar, and sadly the DIPA was sold out. Boring lineup, as expected from a boring brewery. But the food menu is cool (if not always well-executed), with a series of small plates including risotto, corn croquettes, bone marrow, vegan tacos and duck’n’grits).

Check out the separate casual café to the left as you enter the roundhouse- they have three taps with better brews than at the main bar (Smoked Black Tea, Imperial Stout, HopJuice, Berliner Weisse). Very expensive and widely unsatisfying, but still worth a trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great atmosphere, great people, and great beer. I love two brothers. They have really good beer and there are always events going on at the roundhouse. If you ever in the aurora area Two Brothers is a must. It's historic and fun and the people are awesome.

 

 

Were there for a New Year's Eve party last night. Great selection of beers although a few less Pale Ales would have been appreciated since I tend to like stouts and darker beers better. Although I did try their single stout offering which was excellent. Would definitely go back and highly recommended.

Had to pay $24 for samples, that being said, beer pretty good not top tier. The venue was awesome. Old train station built in 1850s with unique qualities that I couldn't fully take in due to two teens waking up coming in to nag wife (DD) and I when you guys done? Bartender knowledgeable and friendly. Atmosphere extremely airy. Kids gave me a bite of phenomenal bbq wings.

 

 

 

Great restaurant and bar. Beer selection at the main bar/restaurant rotates on their core lineup however, there is a separate experimental bar which has very interesting one off beers. Food is solid with typical american fare. Service is solid. If you're in the area, id recommend dropping by for lunch or dinner. Large events possible, i think i remember seeing a wedding reception there once.