Grand Central Taproom — Restaurant in Fleetwood

My partner and I dine at Grand Central Taproom (GCT) quite often. I've wanted to write this review for awhile and decided to compose today because we haven't been in a bit (typical life stuff). If forced to choose one reason why we love GCT, it's because we're always taken care of here. Notable - we prefer sitting at the bar. The following are three reasons GCT stands out for us: They've got a healthy selection of beer types and always have a variety of Stouts (my preferred type). Though I don't come to GCT for cocktails or mixed drinks, I need to shine attention to them because they're always well thought out. They use fresh fruits for their seasonal sangrias and creativity for the holidays. GCT menu items almost always come out delicious but please know the menu isn't large. You'll always get freshly made fries. Burgers are juicy. Wings are on the larger side with plenty of sauces to choose from (I look forward to special sauces on wing night). Please note, you may wait longer than you'd prefer, but it's always worth it. I suspect this is the case due to a smaller kitchen and made to order items. Also, I rated food a "4" due to what I suspect is a recent change in the fryer oil. I'm not sure I'm a fan, but that could just be my personal palate issue. My partner couldn't taste the difference. As mentioned above, we're always taken care of. Jenn and staff are rockstars. I gave atmosphere a 4 due to the below explanation. Otherwise, it's always been a 5.

Some other observations: I suspect lots of people love GCT because we see so many repeat customers. However, like any restaurant, staffing deficits can effect the vibe. 2025 late spring/early summer, I think they had some difficulty staffing busy nights and unfortunately, that means longer waits, to go orders are cut off and our bartenders are stretched thin. I need to identify that though wait-staffing was the issue, I know they have lifers behind the bar and in the kitchen. Having hiccups like these indicate this establishment is desirable. They have a variety of specials on almost all nights. They have rotating entertainment here that has its own (healthy) cult like following (trivia). I mentioned earlier, the menu is small. Much of the menu is a "bar menu." However, they enjoy doing finer dinner dishes (and drinks) as specials on various nights. If you're looking for a "dinner" dinner, check out their social media to see what the specials are! Cheers to on going success...

Got take out today but as I was leaving, saw that Jen, think her name was, old lady yelling at the crossing guard. She was sitting down and vibing, what a terrible crime 😂 she was actually playing like super good music too. The lady had no right to scream at this person. She was doing her job. I witnessed the whole thing. You should be reported. Don't disrespect people. I mean you were also complaining about anything and everything when I was in there. And service was super slow, I ordered an hour before and it still wasn't ready? Not to mention the tomato on my burger, I told you guys that I am allergic and will die if I eat it. Plus my burger was basically a hockey puck. Had to eat some of my wife's meal which was not worth that rudeness. Jen, you're not any business because of YOU. Not because of a crossing guard doing her job and having fun with it. Maybe you should trying having some fun. Not of this was worth it. I want to give a negative 100 out of 10 for this place and give that crossing guard a 100000 out of 10. She honestly made that whole visit worth it. She handled that situation with such grace, can't say the same...

Usually I am very pleased with this location, however, just took the time to travel 45 minutes one way to this restaurant, to find out they’re closed now on Sundays apparently, there was no signs explaining if this was once off or not, all lights off, and the business owner was inside the building but ignoring people’s prescience. The date of attempted but failed visit was February 25, 2024. I suggested to Google that they ought to contact the establishment for updated hours of operation, since this seems to be inaccurate.

Edit to owner: no, on Sunday your hours of operation both on your site and Google showed as either 11am to 9pm or 1pm to 9pm. That’s why I am the one that suggested you update your hours, I’m the reason that was pushed to you, the owner, through Google, because I was upset to travel to see as such.

And to say that, no, if I’m correct the owner was a female, blonde hair. I’ve met her before. If not she was the manager, and I saw her behind the bar when I pulled up and stepped out to walk into the establishment to be greeted with a locked door when every place I checked said...