Cronies Charhouse & Ginmill — Restaurant in Kouts

Cronies - Sam Cardwell. Think twice before using their catering service. I ordered their premium package for the bar for my son’s wedding. What kind of wine do they offer with a package that is $33.99/person (don’t forget to add 20% gratuity and 7% tax) Sutter Home… I can’t even make this up. I requested a higher quality wine and she waited weeks to respond stating that her distributor doesn’t sell it. She took it upon herself to make the decision of which two wines I wanted and only bought a case of each for an 85 person wedding. She told me it was illegal for her to buy direct from a store. I asked about a different wine and her distributor didn’t sell that one either. It was a bit less expensive so she told me she went to 5 stores and finally found 4 bottles to buy. I thought that was illegal? I would have had the wine I originally asked for if she was just going to the store to buy it. Also, she transported premade sangria to the wedding when I was told it is illegal for them to transport anything premade. Interesting when they throw the “illegal” word around.

I rented a third party (not from Sam) physical bar with two shelves to go behind it for an outdoor wedding for an upscale look. Then Sam brought in tubs for the ground for the beer to go inside. And CANNED beer! And if you look at the pics there isn’t ice in them. Warm canned beer! Plastic cups for wine. Cheap plastic cups. No real orange juice, they brought Sunny D. Let me remind you that this is the top end package. No bartender watching if anyone underage grabbed the beer in the tubs. In addition, she was non-responsive after multiple messages that were viewed as read, even up to the day before the wedding. Most of the food tasted like it was either canned or frozen. The food was cold and the staff was not dressed professionally for a wedding. Please, if you’re looking for a classy, upscale place don’t call Sam at Cronies. You will be embarrassed but have paid as if you were getting a high-end,...

Went for the fish fry tonight. Sam, my server got busy AF when I sat down. She was the only server I saw on the floor. The fish and frog legs were fantastic. I was absolutely surprised with the quality of the foods. Granted they were all fried items but they were all fresh right out if the fryer and not pulled out of a warmer or sitting in the pass waiting to get used. Perch, blue gill, walleye and frog legs were all packed onto my plate.each had a light flour breading not a heavy breadcrumb breading. I chose the cup of mushroom soup as a first course. Along with the fish came a cup full of mashed potatoes with cheddar and bacon bits. Real potatoes, I could find the chunks. Small slaw, tarter and fake butter. Those were the negatives the tarter and the imitation butter. Tarter really needs more relish and some lemon juice mixed into it. Find another butter alternative. Back to the fish, again, this stuff was excellent, seasoned, hot and plentiful. It was that good that I had to stick my head in the kitchen before I left just to thank the staff for such a quality meal.I like to find new places during lent and this is the best one so far. My plate photos did not save, sorry. Update 2-23-24 fish is still good, tarter still like a bowl of mayo. The whole service aspect needs to be overhauled. There are just too many issues with the front of house. I got in at 605. Had a server stop at my table at 628. I ordered right away and my plate came out around 710. Food was good again. I ordered two more perch a 2 pcs of walleye. After waiting for more than enough time I left at 805. My order never came out. Too bad because the fish...

Ok been here several times now. The food is surprisingly good for an outta the way hole n da wall. The vibe is country laid back, chill. Thank God! So many restaurants in Valpo are fulla pretentious trendsters with beanies, skinny jeans n namebrand everything vaping while they compare their Teslas. Just not my scene. This joint is nonfussy but not dirty or rundown. Prices are reasonable. There's always a core crowd hangin out with a few beers. My guy was luckily here during a live music night n it was fantastic. Service is always welcoming n friendly. I love there is zero smokin here. The only problematic issue we've had is checking out. When the night crowd rolls in and pounds a few rounds it gets a bit raucous, which is obviously expected o a pub. The servers get a bit harried and/or on the nip too, n seem to assume all the patrons are ensconced til closing. We are normally on a date night looking for a decent meal, maybe a cpl drinks, live entertainment a plus n don't want to camp the...