Pour Choices Neighborhood Bar — Restaurant in Grimes

This is the second time that I have been at Pour Choices. The first time I came with my family. We had just moved to Iowa, and wanted a local place. We were disappointed by bad service on top of high prices. I was open to trying it again though, as everyone speaks so highly of it, especially the drinks. Fast forward to today 10/29/22. I went tonight with a friend. I looked through the drink menu to see what was offered. It looked pretty normal to me, nothing to write home about. I really wanted an old fashioned, and saw that one was listed under “specialty cocktails/drinks,” something like that. The drinks did not have prices listed next to them, but at the top has a price listed “$10/16oz.” It was weird to me that an old fashioned would come as a 16oz size. I asked our waitress about this and she said that the drinks listed under this section were all 16oz, and even offered to show me the glass it comes in. I said no, and proceeded to order the old fashioned. It came in a normal low ball glass which I questioned in my mind briefly, but decided to wait for the bill to see the outcome there. When the bill came, they charged me $10 for the drink. To be fair, this is pretty close to a normal price for an old fashioned, but thing I questioned was the size. The waitress had to all the manager, and the answer I got was that the drink was not under the right section, and they would be willing to make me the 16oz drink, but with the same amount of drink and the one I got. I’m not sure how that works, or where the extra liquid will come from. I declined, as we were on our way out. The point of this is, the service was not very good, drink choices were nothing special, and the menu is very deceiving, along with poor waitress knowledge. I made a poor choice by coming back to...

Understaffed/seated over capacity for the number of staff working. I arrived with two coworkers after a LOOOONG day. We were seated almost immediately at one of the few open tables. Server was friendly, but despite her high energy level, was not knowledgeable. I asked what dark/stout beers were available on tap. She said, “Lagunitas!” Lagunitas is an IPA, not a dark/stout, and she was so excited over her answer, I didn’t have the heart to correct her. At a place like this, I would expect staff to have at least an elementary knowledge of the drink menu/be able to ask the bartender if they’re uncertain. Drinks came out in decent time considering how busy the place was (props to the competent/skilled bar staff!). Server took our food order and about 25 minutes later, returned with our food (2x burgers +fries, side salad, and fish & chips). 25 minutes is a bit excessive if you’re not going to give your customers a heads up that the kitchen is running behind (we would’ve been fine had we been told in advance that it might take awhile). My burger was mediocre, undercooked by most standards, and lacked flavor. For the prices they’re charging, the quality of the product isn’t there. A $10+ burger should look like it…decent proportion, flavorful, and ample serving of side (fries in my case). Server never offered to bring a second round of drinks, never offered waters, and generally buzzed all over the entire restaurant, it was obvious she was being overworked (not her fault there!). Server got more than a 20% tip because she was trying her best…management needs to step up and support. Bottom line: for a place in Grimes, Pour Choices is overpriced, overhyped, and...

I have been coming here since the pandemic because it is very conveniently located. I had not gone before because they were always very busy (which is a good thing) but not what I was interested in. I cannot say I have been here for dinner often but the few times I have it has been very nice, and food always great. I have been here with several friends and relatives now and they all love the food and enjoy it here. The wait staff is always very much on top of things and notice if you need a refill before you do and ask about your meals and everything else. The owner(s) are almost always available too and ensuring everyone is having a good experience at their bar & grill. I definitely recommend most everything they have. I have had and enjoyed; buffalo chicken salad (enough for 2), hamburger, hot dogs (they are actually really good!), tacos (on Taco Tuesday), cavatelli (is one of my favorites), mac n cheese, pickle balls, buffalo bites, chicken strips, asparagus... Everything I have had has been great, including the soups of the day. They are also taking all the precautions that the CDC advises and is one of the cleanest restaurants I've seen. However I wish they'd do drinks to go again ;) that's why there is one less star. Oh, the forks are also very cheap and hurt my hand but I may just be spoiled at home. Great place for just one person, a couple, the family, the...