Screw City Tavern — Restaurant in Cherry Valley Township

We discovered this restaurant over a year ago and had found the food to be above average for a bar/restaurant. It really felt like there was care put into the several menu items we tried. Over the last few months we started having issues. I would sometimes make to-go orders and there were two or three occasions where they were wrong. The last time I ordered to go and got their Screw City Pasta, the chicken was rubbery and the dish was basically inedible. We gave it a couple few month's distance and decided to try again by going into the restaurant. My husband got a burger which he asked to have cooked medium, but it was cooked well, another thing he'd noticed had started to happen more recently when ordering there. I ordered the Screw City Pasta and it was soupy and pretty much flavorless, even after asking to have cajun seasoning put on it. I had only eaten a small amount of the meal which I pointed out to the server and asked if I could get something taken off the bill or order something different. She said there was no manager there and so I could write my name and number down on the check and she would have one call me. I've never had a situation at a restaurant like this before where there's been an issue with the food and no one there with the authority to make a decision about it. Apparently this is not uncommon from some of the other reviews I've seen online. Maybe they'll call me back though I'm not holding my breath. Based on my recent experiences, I have to say that this restaurant has gone downhill fast. It now feels like the typical Rockford bar/restaurant (i.e. don't expect much from the food...or service) versus when we started...

I usually don't come back to edit reviews, but about a year later, I'm going to acknowledge that while I know finding help is difficult for everyone across the board, things have slipped a bit here. Service has always been friendly, and I don't have ANY issue with the ladies that work with the customers. Food still usually comes up quickly as well.

But, beers have been a little off-tasting or flat sometimes, and I'm a little bummed that from week to week, tacos would seem to vary in preparation quite a bit, and almost every time I've ordered a salad here (it was about once a week for a while), which says on the menu should come with garlic bread, I've had no garlic bread show up, which is half the reason I make the order 😭 I am a simple person and love me some garlic bread (and I can drink more beer if I have bread, lol). I usually ask for it after, but after several times of feeling like a pain for asking, at this point I feel a little defeated. Maybe a manager could take a few minutes to help kitchen staff remember the little things on the menu, or consider removing it from the menu if it's no longer offered?

Previous review: It's hard to find a good poutine so I'm happy to say I enjoyed the burnt ends poutine appetizer - huge portion so be sure to have someone to share with. The meat definitely added a nice smoky flavor! I was pretty darn content with the grilled shrimp grain bowl. Nice to have a lighter option that actually tastes great. Might recommend a slice of lime to be served on the side for a little extra flavor. We came for trivia, which was fun, and are glad to see this local spot open with a good business and...

If YOU have a sensitive tongue or just a "PANSY TONGUE"....READ THE INGREDIENTS first, BEFORE ordering!! Don't assume....

Ordered To-Go 3 Loaded Brisket Mac, 1 Large Sweet Potatoe Fries, & 1 Screw City Nachos w/ jalopenos on the side. (I ended up throwing Nachos away...my fault...read below ...)

The Good... Tasty Good Temperature Order Correct

MY EXPERIENCE: The Loaded Brisket Mac was good.

The Sweet Potatoe Waffle Fries hit the SPOT! **I was told, The chef thought he over cooked them, it was the last batch, so no charged. Wow!! First restaurant to do that! HONESTLY, they were probably the best CRISPY Sweet Potatoe Fries I've ever had...CRISPY, but NOT HARD!

NOW to the heat..... The Screw City Nachos w/ jalopenos on the side....WERE Very spicy!! The taste...spice lingered after...My tongue was in recover from experiencing "burnt tongue"...which did not help. It was so good though!!! I'd try to eat around the spice...at first, couldn't figure out...was it the BBQ sauce or the cheese...wait there's cut up jalopenos... Went back & read the description...Pico de Gallo & Hog Wild Hot BBQ Sauce... I did not see the sour cream. It was so tasty, but my tongue was feelin the heat!!

Anyways, I assumed the only spice would be the jalopenos and asked for them on the side.

NO FILTERS Added on pics It sucks going to the restaurant & finding out well, it looks nothing like...