Is 3 Floyd's worth visiting

They have somewhat modified this - they are letting folks stand around the viking table just inside the door. You can get a beer there while you wait for a table, which never happened before. And, I believe they now have a waiting list, and will call you on your cell phone if you're waiting outside in your car? I can't confirm this, as living just five minutes away I never wait there (always have plan B!eer), but I thought so.

 

Totally agree. It was pretty obvious that the few disappointed people who I've seen on my visits, just didn't know what they were getting into. I've always found the staff to be knowledgable, friendly, and willingly to discuss the menu to help you make a good drink selection. However, they're also probably going to be busy, so it's not a high-maintenance kind of place where the bartender is going to be willing/able to be monopolized by a 20 minute conversation. They do have a couple tvs and the projector, but they're not really into sports ("Hey, the Cubs are playing, can you switch to the game?"..."No, but we have some random Australian rules football on the tv in the corner over there"). Like everyone else has said, expect metal on the sound system and a Japanese monster movie from the 60's on the screen. For me, it makes for a cool vibe that's refeshingly different than most places.

 

Maybe somebody can give you a 360° virtual tour and interview all the servers and bartenders. Just so you can be sure its fully worth your time. BeerAdvocate already has a section where people review breweries....

 

Its a very meh experience IMO.

 

A lot of beer nerds have quite a sense of entitlement, so I wouldn't take complaints too seriously.
Plus don't forget that people will have a bigger urge to complain about a bad experience than write a favorable review from a good experience. Don't be a sheep and allow people to make decisions for you. If you want to do something, do it.

 

Went once and had a blast. Arrived Friday night at like 11pm and it was dead. Grabbed my few cases to go and then went right into the bar area and sat down. Waiter was an awesome dude, ended up giving him some Fat Head's beers which he appreciated and gave me some beers in return. Will for sure go back when passing through to Chicago.

 

To me it's like any other favorite place I look up on Yelp, where people hate places I've always enjoyed. I've always had a good time and I think the food is excellent.

 

Only time I tried to go it was about 3:30 PM on a Tuesday and there was an hour wait to even have a draft at the bar. I've been scared to go back ever since as I can't usually afford to add a ~3 hour detour on my 4+ hour drive to/from Chicago, even though part of me thinks that one time was probably an unlucky freak occurrence.

But that's not really Three Floyd's fault, and I don't blame their staff for the wait.

 

Take those negative reviews with a huge grain of salt. My experience is that the FFF "attitude" is greatly exaggerated and reserved for people who act out. Examples:
-People who insist on not understanding the "seating room only" policy
-People who bitch about the wait
-People who randomly ask for pours of Vanilla DL to be "funny"
-Generally entitled asshats

 

Yes it is worth visiting. Great food, great beer.

The only downsides are the long wait on weekends and the fact that you have to wait outside. This is a legal requirement as they are only allowed to have the number of people inside as they have seats/tables. So you can't wait inside. This results in people being shitty to the host/hostess and 99% of all shitty attitude stories I have heard were about a rude hostess. Probably b/c they deal with all the crap all day. The wait staff, bartenders, brewers giving the tours have always been very nice.

 

Yes, 100%. I've been many times and it's always fun.

 

Can also likely add the following one too
-People who are unable to purchase Zombie Dust at the kiosk.
I suspect there are those who are so amped up in getting ZD to go that if it's not for sale their entire FFF experience is ruined regardless.

 

Not sure how much I'll add, but I definitely agree with the "expectations" comment.

-Yes, they have very good beer and food (not grading on a curve for breweries either, the food is just good).

-Yes, there will be a long wait on weekends (probably an hour+) and they are a little anal about when they let in more people (pacing/occupancy). During the week the wait is less consistent (I walked right in when I've gone on weeknights).

-No, you can't get a beer at the bar and stand around (occupancy issues).

-No, you can't drink beer in line (why would you be allowed to?).

-Yes, there are different lines for to-go and tables and you may get yelled at if you cut into the bar area after picking up your stuff.

-The waitstaff will be as rushed as they are at any busy restaurant.

-No, they don't have Dark Lord on tap. Don't ask.

-No, you can't get whatever you want to go in whatever quantities. What's there is there.

Quick summary: I've gone with my Dad who HATES lines, doesn't like metal and isn't nearly as into beer and he's willing to go back.

 

Definitely make the trip some time. Have been twice and enjoyed both visits. Waited an hour or so on first visit (think it was a Friday), second time was able to get right in (a Thurs mid-afternoon). Wasn't lucky enough to get Zombie to go either time, but it didn't dampen my experience, still bought some of their other great beer to take home. Really enjoyed the cheese curds and the brisket tacos.

 

ive been half a dozen times and never experienced the horror stories some have. so maybe its hit and miss depending on the staff that day.