The Garden Grill & Pub — Restaurant in Bemidji

My son and I went here because of the reviews. We must have had a really off night. The food was just OK, nothing spectacular. It was a decent cost, but the burger was just not that good. The waitress that we had was awful, and I ended up having to go up to the bar to get my own refill, and then had to ask the bar for our check. She just must have had much more important things to do than her job. I usually tip 20 - 25% on average, ended up tipping just below 10%. First time in years I have done that. We will not be going back to this place. To explain the good reviews I have to believe that it is a neighborhood bar and grill and all the people giving it good reviews are neighborhood people. Or they haven't been to other good restaurants in Bemidji and they just don't know what else is available. They need to get out more, because there are plenty of nicer places with much...

On vacation, my brothers and I stopped here hoping for karaoke on a Sat night. Due to technical issues, it wasn't available. Probable first red flag, but we were still willing to plunk some cash and have some beers. I saw a pool table which was a redeeming factor... until the lady at the bar opened her mouth. She asked to card all 4 of us (normal), but then started making stupid comments about our ages: I'm 34, and look young, but she off-hand joked a bit much for my taste. She gets to my oldest brother, who's 42, and denies us. Cause she doesn't believe him. Excuse me, what? You think all 4 of us provided you fake out of state IDs? Are you beyond stupid? Fine, we'll take our business and cash elsewhere....

The Garden indeed carries a reasonable selection of tap beers and craft brews to satisfy most any palate. The food menu has variety to please me, my family and friends. The atmosphere is welcoming. But possibly most of all I appreciate The Garden's ability and willingness to accommodate organization and community use of their back room where for several years the local Headwaters Trout Unlimited chapter has been able to conduct fly tying sessions open free to its members anyone from the public who wants to their first trout, bass, pike or musky fly ... giving them a chance to see if it interests...