Maggie Miley's — Restaurant in Normal

This could have been so much better. I really had high hopes when I walked in but became disappointed quickly. All in all not a horrible experience, but it held so much more potential. I'd maybe go back, but not for dinner .

I went with a group on a Friday night and really thought this would be great when I walked into the place. It definitely had a pub feel to it. Unfortunately I started getting disappointed quickly. My first Black and Tan was mixed (not separated) as was my second. Not a good sign for an "Irish Pub". We all ordered food but it was brought out at different times, a couple of orders so late that some in our party were almost done eating. Our server actually lifted up the bread with bare hands on one sandwich to see what it was so he could give it to the correct patron. (That was promptly sent back to the kitchen). I ordered the Irish Stew which ended up being a small scoop served on a biscuit. There was a biscuit on the side also, along with potatoes. The stew also had potatoes in it, and very little beef. I think I found one small chunk of beef. In other words, I had biscuits and potatoes with a little gravy on top. It tasted fine but that was a lot of carbs and little else. That was disappointing. Sorry, no food recommendations here. The check came with a couple of surprises that I had to have them explained to me. I don't like surprises in my bill; it makes me feel like I have gotten scammed. So what I thought was going to be about a $24 bill ended up being $32 (1/3 more than anticipated). Part of that was a 15% gratuity (listed as a service charge) so the difference was not as bad as it seemed. I suppose they did that because we were a group, but I really don't like it when that happens. I normally tip between 20-25%, but I left it as it was since I was not given a choice in the matter. Finally, (returning to the beginning of the evening), as we waited for our server to come take our food order, I read the little story about the history of the place. Again, it was just a little disappointing. Apparently Maggie came from Ireland with her husband in the early 1900s. He worked on the railroad and she wanted to open a pub like the ones she was familiar with back home. But the town was dry back then, so she didn't. After a few years, they moved to St Louis. Fast forward to the 1970s and the town becomes wet. Maggie is long in her grave by then, but the grandchildren (or maybe great-grandchildren) decided to open the pub that she never did, in her honor. It's a nice story, but it leaves me.....oh yes, there is that word...

I would rate this at a two star, but the rueben I had was decent if not good. I was charged for 7 vodka and tonics and my fiance who is 5 ft nothing, did not have that. I would know since she would have been throwing up and incoherent after 6. We after paying 100 some odd bucks for two sandwiches, onion rings, 5 drinks for me and 4 for her. After which we where told to leave before we paid or even got the check. I get the premise they were closing in twenty minutes. Two minutes later we were told by a bouncer again we really need too leave. This is not an exaggeration, two minutes by the same guy. I talked to the waitress about the dispute of charges. She stated she only entered the drinks when request. The she said in a annoyed voice you "want me to get the manager?." We declined just trying to leave and avoiding a scene. Then as I waited to be rung up, I was told to hurry up with our drinks. I noticed as i looked for the waitress, the owner and her were looking our ways and laughing. Call me paranoid, but when and possible fraudulent charge happens at a table I am serving the last thing I do is laugh. I am unsettled by this and will not return to this restaurants/bar in the future. I have been a patron of this bar multiple times, but a first to their restaurant. My opinion is they are a better bar and should keep it that especially at 14...

Driving cross country and my wife and I landed in Bloomington Illinois at the end of our day driving. We found the Maggie Miley's on-line menu to be fabulous and we were really looking forward to going here! We waited for 20 minutes in line before being greeted by the host. Then another 35 at the bar waiting for a table. After finally getting a table, there was another 15 minutes of waiting and still not being greeted. So, my wife wandered around and finally found a willing server to give us menus. We never got waters, nor did she ask for any drink orders. Another 15 minutes goes by and we finally get to put in an order. 35 minutes goes by and our meals finally come out. I ordered the Irish Stew and was terribly disappointed when it arrived to find there was no more than 1/4 cup of stew in a huge canteloupe sized bread bowl. Literally 2 small pieces of beef and 2 pieces of potato with 4 tablespoons of gravy for $14.00.

I'm guessing at one time this place had great food and service, but no longer. Patrons were throwing darts, drunk and swearing loudly. Poor execution on the food, terrible customer service and a place that should be avoided entirely.

Circle K had better food and service as I ended up going back to my hotel room with beef jerky and...