Grand Cafe — Restaurant in Bloomington

I have been a Customer of the Grand Cafe for many Years... going back to the early 1980's when it was located just West of the Scottish Rite Consistory in Bloomington.

Although no longer located there, the Spirit continues at it's current location in the Oakland Commons.

Much has changed, but the Grand Cafe is yet a Mysterious and Magical place... just as it was before!

Yesterday, 11 June 2025, I finally had the opportunity to introduce my friend Lee to the unique Atmosphere and Charm of the "Grand", and he was not disappointed in the Hospitality extended to us...or the Food we were served.

During our visit, we were first greeted by Kalen Mapugay, son of Jimmy and Kelly Mapugay who are the current Caretakers and Owners of the Heritage of the "Grand". Along with their daughter Jaiden and many others, they have brought their own Gifts to the continuing Story of the Grand Cafe.

After being guided to the beautiful Dining Area at the Rear of the Restaurant, we were seated by Felicia... herself a dedicated Host at "the Grand" for over a decade, coming aboard about the time it was relocated from it's previous location next to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Felicia was graceful and happy to serve us, and answered the many questions I posed about 'the Grand'... and also remembered the names of others that had Transitioned to the current location as well.

Also, Zhon Bian served us, and entertained us as we traded and compared Happy Memories and Recollections of the Times she had Served me as a Customer of Yen Ching where she had worked before coming to the Grand Cafe.

Zhon herself, is Priceless... she is so Humble and Hard-working and has been since I first encountered her over 30 years ago... but, still she carries on Focused on whatever Task is at Hand without complaint, and is yet able to Smile and Inspire.

Of course, the Food was Excellent, and although some might have remarked on Google Maps that it has become "Pricey", I would definitely disagree, because it's not an easy Task to both Preserve and keep Alive Heritage in this Day and Age. In 2025, the Economy is quite Unpredictable and Restauranteurs everywhere are Stressed, particularly in the "Middle Market" niche that the Grand Cafe inhabits...

... and we as customers should stop for a Moment and remember that in Reality we are Guests and should extend more Kindness and Appreciation towards those that Serve Us and Share their Gifts, both Tangible and Spiritual in the Work they have chosen.

I hope each of us can become more Mindful of the Privilege and Opportunity that we have when we visit the 'Grand'.

And Encourage Mindfulness and Kindness in others towards the History of not only the Grand Cafe in Bloomington, but the Rich Heritage of not only the Food on the Table before you, but Everyone that Serves you as partake of the Fine Food and the Spirit of the Grand...

I wanted to order from here because I’ve heard good things about it as a legend of Bloomington-Normal but my friends said not to because of the bad service experience they had here when they attempted to dine in—and never actually had their orders taken and decided to leave. I persuaded them to let me pick up takeout from here and absolutely regret that decision.

I had sesame chicken. I noticed immediately that it was bright red and soggy. The first few pieces were fine, until I realized that it was really more like “ketchup chicken with sesame seeds.” One of the worst meals I’ve ever eaten. It was so soggy that the breading was sloughing off the chicken, and I have to assume that’s because this was fried in advance then soaked in sauce right before being served. The rice was also dry and served in a tiny dipping sauce sized foam cup. Each takeout container was in its own wasteful plastic bag.

My friend had the General Tso’s chicken and could only get through it by pulling the chicken out of the breading. I threw half of mine away.

My other friend had vegetable fried rice and liked his. His actually looked fresh.

The online ordering interface is irritating—constantly reminding you not to try to ask for sauce in the instructions, and not providing descriptions for most dishes.

I will 100% order from Sichuan instead next time. Or even Panda Express. I’d really even rather join the Society of the Snow than ever even consider thinking about sitting next to someone eating...

Ordered food this evening, as I have on numerous occasions. I order and dine-in at grand cafe at least 4 times a month. Upon getting my food I noticed that I received garlic fried rice instead of shrimp fried rice( mind you, in the year that I’ve been eating here I have NEVER had garlic fried rice). I called them to let them know this error and was told that there was nothing they could do, that I had to have ordered it. The first person I spoke to on the phone told me that if I wanted shrimp fried rice that I could order it again and would have to pay for delivery. I explained, that at this point it wasn’t about getting the fried rice. I just wanted a refund for paying for something that I didn’t order, nor have I ever ordered in the past. At this point the manager was put on the phone and again reiterated there was nothing to be done. Again saying if I wanted the rice I could drive and get it, to which I told him my kids had already had baths and I was not going to bring them outside, which was the whole point in me ordering and paying for delivery. He then stated that I had to have ordered the wrong rice, basically implicating that there could not be an error in their online ordering system. Suffice is to say, their customer service was very poor and I will not be ordering nor dining here again. I just wanted a refund for getting the wrong food, but even the manager was unwilling to meet a loyal paying...