Iron Rail Brewing — Restaurant in Topeka

I am writing this review not really to give a bad review, but I think maybe Iron Rail Brewing Company, needs to see it in writing to actually realize how poorly my situation was handled. I have been to the Iron Rail about 5-6 times since its opening, I work 2 jobs so don’t have a lot of time to go out. I tend to be creature of habit so each time I go I get the same thing: The Catfish Dinner; it comes with Catfish, Coleslaw, homemade fries and hush puppies. I have talked friends into going there as a group for Birthday celebrations and also went with a group before attending the Jay Hawk Theatre for a show. 3 weeks ago today I called in the order. When I got to work I noticed that there was no coleslaw, no hush puppies and the fries were little bits and pieces and cold, like they were from the bottom of the pan. I called and actually spoke to the person that took my order, she never apologized, but told me I could stop by and talk to the Manager. I have ½ hour to get to my second job so I called back and explained I can’t stop by but I will go on the website and leave my complaint... she said Ok and hung up. (Still no apology) I went on the website and sent an email. I got this immediate response from the Food & Beverage Director: “ I wanted to apologize for your experience with your to go order today. There must have been a miscommunication with our bartender because your catfish entrée was rung in to our system with no hush puppies and no coleslaw. Obviously you intended to receive both side items as you stated. The quality of the fries you received were not up to our standard either. Your return phone call was also mishandled and should have been referred to a manager. We strive to serve the best quality food with great service in a great atmosphere. We fell short of that goal today. If you can reply with your address, I would like to send you a gift card so you can come enjoy a better experience next time. I will also be refunding you the amount of $15 from today’s purchase along with a gift card. I look forward to hearing back from you.” I was EXTREMELY impressed and let him know I was and appreciated his response and responded with my address. 2 weeks went by and no refund and no Gift Card. I emailed him and stated I have not received anything. I received this email : Yes, I received your email and I appreciate the kind words. I apologize for the delay. I have the gift card and your cash refund in the mail today. I look forward to possibly meeting you next time you come in. Always feel free to ask for a manager or myself if you need anything.” Then I received another email from another person: “I am the Director of Marketing for AIM Strategies, LLC. If you are available, I wanted to personally drop by to hand you an apology letter, refund and Gift Card. You available this evening? If so, what time? If not, I can run by anytime tomorrow for you.” I explained I work 2 jobs and would pass on you coming by my home. I was really not comfortable with someone coming to my home. The restaurant is 3 blocks from the Post Office, what is the deal… put it in the mail like you said you would weeks ago. So 2 days ago I emailed them and told them it has been almost 3 weeks since you promised me a refund and Gift Card, and that I would be reporting them to the Better Business Bureau and write negative reviews about my experience. 1 hour later, My neighbors calls me and tells me there is someone trying to get into the building to see me, I explain to him I am at work and not expecting anyone. He calls be back and said the guy left an envelope with a gift card. When I got home I got the envelope it has $15 cash and Gift Card. I thought okay, I had to threaten to go to BBB to get them to follow through, and still not comfortable with him coming to my home, and really will not be going back to the place or any of the other places they manage, and I thought I will give the Gift Card to the Mission or another Non-Profit organization, but I don’t even know how much the Gift Card was for, so I just cut it up and...

Iron Rail Brewing truly is a remarkable place that perfectly blends the love for exquisite craft beer, culinary arts, and unique aesthetics. It serves as a testament to what dedicated craftsmanship and a passion for creating a welcoming environment can achieve. This review recounts my memorable journey at this distinctive brewpub.

As you step into Iron Rail Brewing, you're greeted by an ambiance that resonates with creativity and passion. The walls come alive with unique, hand-painted artwork, all thematically centered around trains. This detail, in particular, gives the place a charming personality. The art creates a sense of nostalgia and a connection to the rich history of the railways, tying in beautifully with the name 'Iron Rail'.

This beautiful train-themed artwork, meticulously hand-painted directly on the walls, turns the entire brewpub into a living, breathing gallery. It's not just about dining and sipping fantastic beers; it's an immersive journey into the world of locomotives and the magic of handcrafted art.

The main attraction, apart from the artwork, is the breathtaking view of the brewing equipment, proudly displayed for everyone to admire. This transparency offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the birthplace of their impressive array of beers, making it a haven for both craft beer enthusiasts and the curious-minded.

The food at Iron Rail Brewing is a gastronomic delight. Every dish I tried was carefully prepared with high-quality ingredients, showcasing the chef's talent and dedication to delivering a memorable dining experience. The menu, diverse and exciting, seamlessly complements their fantastic beer selections.

What left an enduring impression on me was the exceptional hospitality. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and radiated a genuine warmth that made every patron feel valued. They turned an already remarkable visit into a truly unforgettable experience.

The star attraction, however, is their spectacular brews. Each beer is crafted with great care and precision, appealing to a wide spectrum of beer lovers. From refreshing lagers to robust stouts, the passion and mastery of their craft are evident in every sip.

In summary, Iron Rail Brewing is more than just a brewpub. It is a vibrant homage to the golden era of trains, a culinary oasis, and a celebration of community. For anyone who appreciates artistic surroundings, delightful food, excellent beer, and an inviting atmosphere, Iron Rail Brewing is a must-visit destination. A memorable experience awaits you here, one that will beckon you for many more visits. Five stars,...

Mostly forgettable. I was looking forward to trying Iron Rail and now I know I should have waited. First the good.

The waitstaff is very friendly and very fast. I consider this a big plus. Our food came out in a timely manner so the kitchen staff moved quickly as well. If it wasn't for our waitress, Roxanne, this would likely be a two star review to be honest.

Now everything else.

Atmosphere. This gets a solid... meh. I get what they were going for and throwing back to the railroad is a pretty cool idea, but it seems they were shooting for railroad chic, got bored halfway through, then gave up entirely.

The murals on the wall are good, the stools at the high tables are uncomfortably at best. They wobbled, had no backs, and had no padding. I'm okay with the work stool vibe they were shooting for but it doesn't even pretend to invite you to linger. We were sat beside the doors as well which made it more than a little chilly.

The food.

This is where things went downhill. My wife and I started with the the Chicken Chicharrones... this is described as fried chicken skins... in reality they were a cross between fried chicken skins and really small chicken tenders. They weren't very crisp, and the seasoning was sporadic. Some were bland, others were coated and almost like eating a salt lick. This is a recurring theme.

For lunch my wife had the brisket sandwich and I had the cheesesteak sandwhich.

When our orders came out I was excited. Huge portions. My cheesesteak was massive and had meat, cheese, red peppers, green peppers, onions... and zero flavor. I have made toast that had more flavor than this sandwich. About a quarter of the meat was inedible as it was just a huge chunk of gristle. This came with a heaping mound of fries that were mushy, and continued with being a mix of no seasoning and salt lick.

As for my wife's brisket sandwhich... the best she could say was that it was tender and once she added mustard it had flavor.

The meat on both sandwiches was supposedly smoked but there was no hint of smokey flavor. And for a place that has a decent selection of barbecue on the menu, you would never be able to tell it from the smell.

All in all, I see where they were going, but they missed the mark entirely. If you are downtown and absolutely want to go eat at a brewery then it's fine I guess, but if you don't care about the brewery side then I highly suggest going to any of the other restaurants downtown that actually have atmosphere and food...