Me & Billy — Restaurant in Davenport

I thought I had reviewed this establishment in the past, but it doesn’t look like I did. We’ve gone here many times in the last few years, and unfortunately, I had a much higher opinion of the place in the past. I have to talk here about recent experiences, all within the last 2-3 months.

Menu changes – the previous steak sandwich was one of my favorite items on the menu. I tried the current iteration, after they changed it for the winter menu, and it was…to put it politely…not good. That cheese sauce…not sure if that actually belongs on a steak sandwich. But, it’s their prerogative to update the menu. That is literally the first menu item I’ve had here in years that was not great.

But, it goes beyond that. I once was literally next door having a few beers and wanted to order carry out. Granted, it was a busy Saturday night, but taking 1.5 hours for two orders of cheese curds to go is unacceptable, I don’t care how you cut it. We have been there many times sitting at the bar or a table in their establishment and ordered the same cheese curds on the same busy night, and the order is literally on our table in less than 10 minutes. Carry-out customers are still customers, and should be treated as such. Will never order carry-out again.

Finally, just recently, and possibly the worst offense – their Caramel Apple “Crème Brûlée”. I put it in quotes because, well, there was zero brûlée happening. It was basically just a caramel apple custard. We have run into restaurants that do this before, and it’s disappointing each time. Do not call a menu item something it is not. In addition, while the owner was gracious when he asked us how it was and my wife explained to him her thoughts, it seems like one of the chefs came out and wanted to dispute with my wife exactly what a Crème Brûlée was. So we left, when we were planning to order more drinks. I would respectfully ask the chef to do some research before naming his menu items.

We still enjoy many menu items – and the cheese curds and That Whisky Drink are some of the best around – but lately it seems….there are some issues what would make us second-guess going there as regularly as we have been or recommending it to others, and that...

The two positives were the server and the bartender.

The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't outstanding. I was disappointed in the steak sandwich. The beef was over cooked and there was not a whole lot of it. The sandwich was 70% bread, 20% onions, 10% steak and arugula. The side of fries were greasy and overcooked. I quickly lost interest. I will not be returning because I can cook and prepare that meal in my own kitchen, have it turn out better, and not cost as much. My dining partner was satisfied enough with their meal, but did express it wasn't anything to make a return visit to get.

The Hostess is Atrocious. Grumpy sourpuss that really shouldn't be at the front of the house. She alone made us turn and walk out the first time we tried to eat there in April, this time was no better. She tried to seat us at one of the two worst tables in the place, and would have if I hadn't said something. There were at least 10 open tables. They had not become crowded or busy yet. I did get a glare from her as she begrudging selected another table for us to be seated. Was she expecting a tip for a better seat? I don't know, but this isn't a four or five star establishment. She did not make a good impression either time, and does not seem to have a grasp on the concept that she is the one who sets the tone and mood of the customer's dining experience along with being the first person representing the establishment.

Fortunately, the server was outstanding, we made sure she got compensated at 30%. The bartender poured well, otherwise I may not have made it through the meal. I give this place a solid 3 star only because of the server and bartender along with an edible mediocre meal.

I do want to note that I have spent two decades in the food and beverage industry and my standards may be different than others. When I spend money at a dine-in establishment, I expect better than what I can make at home and I am not a professional...

Sorry, 3 Strikes.... YOU ARE OUT!!! I am a local and frequent all the nicer downtown hot spots. Me and Billy DOES have a pretty cool casual style, and a FAB bar. See Taylor for an awesome martini😎. I want SO bad to just make this my place but they have never quite gotten the ENTIRE EXPERIENCE down🧐. I went in for lunch a few months ago, order was wrong although it was not peak lunchtime. Second less-than experience was dinner with a girlfriend wherein it was a “sit and wait” for all the essentials to arrive: timing of appetizers was way off. Waited, and they came out WITH our dinner. Billy, the Owner, stopped by all the tables, inquiring about the service. I told him this was my second “meh” visit, he told me to please give them another try. So I did.. Monday, July 8th at about 6:30. Started at the bar with Taylor, great service with genuine smile☺️. I had taken a friend for his first visit, and hoped he’d like it. After being seated, it fell apart. Wrong food order/no side??/once again I had my entree in front of me with no cutlery, while my friend was waiting for his “corrected” order. I waited, and called Mary the next day, explained everything, she investigated and returned my call promptly. But with NO resolution other than “we seemed to be ok with everything the night before”. Wow, great understanding🙄🙄. I explained I was with someone who didn’t prefer downtown and I didn’t want to make a scene with him there. I also informed her I was a Local Guide, and had two previous poor experiences. Her answer once again is “Thanks for your feedback”. Very curt, very inhospitable for the wife of the Owner. So, long review but solution is: Me and Billy just LOST a valued local customer over a silly $67 dinner. If she’d have made ANY OFFER OF RESOLUTION, I would NOT be writing this now. I will still recommend the Bar, but I do not suggest you take family/friend/date here unless you don’t mind mediocrity of...