The Main Event — Restaurant in Pleasant Valley Township

I've barely noticed The Main Event in all my time in the Quad Cities. It came up as a suggestion in Google Maps recently - not quite sure why, as I'd have never considered going there a decade ago. I still want to try more places in my hometown, however, so this was going to be dinner tonight.

Two words - dive bar. Not mentioning this to punch down or criticise, however. I really dig both the location and overall ambiance. It's dark, likely owing to the sparse recessed lighting fixtures above the bar and across the space. The two foot square drop ceiling of checkerboard patterned white and black tiles looks as dated as the mix of brownish carpet and six inch square red ceramic tiles across the floor. The HVAC ductwork, consisting of several yellow and red painted cylindrical ducts across the main drinking space, does however appear new. More than all of this that sells the place as a dive, however, is the kitchen plainly visible from the bar near the center of the space. Again, I love all of it. It at once appears and feels welcoming - something that was great to have tonight.

I had my usual Bombay and Tonic, as well as a burger and fries. The G&T was one of the best I'd had recently - at once a little fruity, but still fresh and clean tasting. The burger, topped simply with pepper jack and sauteed onions and mushrooms, was wholesome and filling. Fries were solid too - plenty of both crispiness and fluffiness, like a good crinkle cut fry should have.

The ambiance was only improved by the music choices. The entire time I was there a mix of 70s pop and rock played, including the Beatles, the Electric Light Orchestra, and Styx. It's not something I'd go for every day, but it was nice to step back and revisit. It was all played at a reasonable, low volume as well. I didn't feel overwhelmed or worn down by it at any point.

I'd come back here for a night out with the boys in the future - it's an easy place to relax, have a drink, and kick back for a bit. Nothing assuming about the place or the people in it. I enjoyed both the burger and the drink....

I stopped in with the intention to grab food to go, but ended up staying for a quick bite. I expected decent food, but ended up getting more than I anticipated. The burger melt I had was better than some Michelin starred restaurants in terms of flavor and presentation. I was treated like an old family friend with good conversation, hospitality and great service. The food is made with passion and love. Amazing home-made pasta salad, great homemade goulash, all at a fair price. You can get good food anywhere, but you cannot put a price on quality interactions and hospitality. I live quite a ways away, here on work and this place was a home away from home. I recommend it to anyone. They pay homage to the veterans of this country, and support their local legion. Anytime you are off of 80, stop here for...

Amazing breakfast, lunch, & dinner!! Recently has become one of our favorite breakfast places in town. Most folks have heard of The Main Event as a "biker bar" or "blue collar bar" for some time. If you've not been recently, a lot has changed. It's still a great place for the normal bar crawl, whether bike or car. But they've now expanded their menu outside of the typical bar food.

Breakfast is served on the weekends only, but definitely something to check out if you've not yet. Great prices for great food, and a "toast bar" setup as well. Daily they have lunch & dinner specials, and weather permitting they smoke ribs for the weekends. I've yet to have anything I didn't like.

As their motto says; "There's always something happening here at The Main Event", especially...