Went there at the dinner hour but with the I.U. graduation past, we were seated at the bar immediately. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, wifey had chicken tenders dinner and requested baked potato and house salad instead of fries and slaw . Burger was wonderful, as the meat was not over seasoned. Came out piping hot too! Wifeys tenders were not over seasoned, cooked right and piping hot also. Salad standard but their Ranch dressing is awesome. All this and one NA drink for 21 bucks. Phenomenal value!!! Five stars for getting our moneys worth...
(5)
Kristen M.
The food itself was good. Steak cooked the way it was ordered, chicken tenders moist on the inside and crispy on the outside...however the service was terrible, the food took a long time to come out, when the food did arrive they forgot my salad, forgot my boyfriend's cole slaw, and didn't notice that we didn't have silverware, plus the bathrooms weren't kept clean during what was obviously a busy day for them.
(2)
Jessica B.
The food is good, but their service is slow. We have went there a couple times during lunch and have been extremely disappointed both times. By the time we get our food, we have to scarf it down to avoid being late to work.
(3)
Deb R.
This is the second Cheddars that I have visited. I have gone to this particular Cheddars location a handful of times recently. I usually stop in when I'm heading south to Lake Monroe. Their menu is slightly different than the one I go to in Greenwood close to where I live. They have some extra added items on their menu. Few examples are shepherds pie and chicken and waffles. I am not sure why they offer more choices, but it was an interesting discovery just the same. The food at this location doesn't seem to be as good as the Greenwood location. The amount and quality is lacking a bit. I made the mistake of ordering something I never ordered before. I ordered the chicken Alfredo. It just wasn't what I expected. It didn't taste as savory as I would have hoped. There was hardly any sauce on the pasta. The grilled chicken that was laid on top was a paltry portion compared to the pasta. My guest ordered their usual chicken and fried/breaded shrimp. The shriveled and dry tiny chicken strips tasted like it they were fried and thrown under a heat lamp for a few hours. The shrimp was much of the same. The spinach dip tasted about the same as the other location. The sad part is, most of these restaurants frequently operate this way. A majority of the food is prepped and precooked/cooked far before the patrons arrive. So, it's no mystery as to why one's food always arrives to your table so quickly. The service is a bit lackadaisical at this location as well: at least concerning my various visits.
(2)
Steve F.
I was struggling between 3 and 4 stars...so I gave 'em a little extra love. The only big markdown from me is the lack of vegetarian options. I do love their salads....and they are huge....and they are willing to substitute delicious grilled mushrooms in place of the chicken that normally comes on it. However, if your vegetarian, you're eating appetizers, salad, or sides. This is good for me on occasion. The service and atmosphere is amazing. I have been here twice and the wait staff is very attentive. They have some of the most elaborate decorations I have ever seen. You walk in and do not feel like you are in bloomington. There is an almost full wall for a aquarium, awesome fans all over, and lots of plants. I can't wait til its warm and I can use the patio by the water fountain. They have a great painkiller. Its $6.50 but huge. If you like coconut half as much as me, I highly recommend this cocktail for you Both times I have been, I was shocked at how cheap it was. Tonight, my man got an 11 oz steak with two sides and an iced tea. I got a salad, an extra side, and the painkiller. We shared chips and salsa. Total....$34+tip. Not bad at all.
(4)
Hiro K.
Service: Acceptable Food: Terrible I ordered an Asian Chicken & Shrimp Salad for takeout. When I returned my room to eat my salad, I realized that there was no chicken OR shrimp on the salad. To make matters worse, the salad was drenched ["flooded"] in dressing and it was barely edible. Did I also mention that the "mandarin orange" supposedly in the salad was actually mango? I may be used to a high standard of food (I lived in New York City, Chicago, and Tokyo) but what Cheddar's serves is no standard at all.
(1)
Greg S.
Everyone in Bloomington must be here
(4)
Jillian R.
I do not like chain restaurants. I haven't for quite awhile, especially her in Bloomington where independent restaurants rule the streets. I have so many on my list to try I don't have time to waste at national chains. BUT, Cheddar's is my only exception. I simply love this place. I first went here the day I moved to Bloomington. It was right off of 37 and we were looking for a convenient place to stop and eat lunch. I wasn't expecting much but man did Cheddar's deliver. First of all, it is cheap. Most chain restaurants still want to charge high prices for mediocre food. But Cheddar's is right on point with its pricing. I got the jalapeno burger and it was only $5.99; $2.19 extra if you add fries. Most of the other entrees were under $10 besides a few of the fancier options. Besides the prices the food was simply amazing. Everything comes out steaming hot and tastes fresh. The second time I went I got a Monte Cristo and it was by far the best sandwich I have ever had. I mean how can you go wrong with meat and cheese stuffed inside of a doughnut dipped in jam? Okay maybe there are better sandwiches but it hit the spot that day. Both times I have been everyone enjoyed their food and there were no complaints. That never happens. The service is also great. I have heard it gets busy during peak hours but I have always been seated right away and have never been left waiting for anything. (I went at 11:30am and 3:00pm). So if you are thinking about eating at a chain restaurant, look no further than Cheddars, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Julie B.
Corporate chain food at its worst. The "Monte Cristo" is an abomination. Instead of ham and cheese between bread, dipped in eggy batter, then fried, I was presented with a bready dough ball that seemed to enclose the sandwich. No doubt the sandwich is prepared somewhere off site, then heated after it is ordered. Servings are entirely too big, it's almost obscene. And why would I need or want a mediocre croissant on top of my dough ball sandwich with its accompanying salad? I didn't ask for one, but everyone at our table got one. Only in America.
(1)
Anthony W.
Love this restaurant for their food not their service. 9 pm Saturday Waitress was fairly nice food was hot so all is good as far as that is concerned. 3 stars for the wait times 10 mins just to take drink order, 7 more mins to receive two glasses of water nothing more. Ordered when receiving our drinks, for two people ordering a burger and chicken pasta I can not understand how it takes 35 mins to get your food especially when half the staff is standing around talking about there weekend parties and love life. Over all this restaurant seems to be a hit or miss its either great or "we may come back"
(3)
Bri C.
One of my favorite restaurants back home. Good food, big portions, and CHEAP prices. Their spinach dip is my favorite item, but also LOVE their painkiller alcoholic drink and the monte Cristo sandwich (its description on menu sounds weird but is yummy)!
(4)
Sarah E.
Took two hours at 5pm on a Sunday to have dinner. Glad my kids weren't with me bc they would have been really tired by the time the food came. 10 minutes after everyone got their meals at my table the waitress "found" my wrap. I got 4 wraps but then the side was tiny. That doesn't make sense at all. I will not be going back.
(3)
Robin K.
This was my first visit to a Cheddar's Restaurant. There were many issues with my order, but the reason for the four stars is the redeemed service and delicious dinner. I asked for water with no ice twice, received water with ice. Asked for water with no ice again and received it. I ordered a Bloody Mary, asked for it twice from my server and again from a nearby server who came to check on our table. I ordered my dinner with the rest of the ladies at my table and they received their food while I waited. I asked if my order was on its way and then ten minutes later than everyone I also received my food. Ten minutes into eating I received my drink. The server apologized, admitted she was frazzled, and kept a smile throughout this hectic dinner. I asked if I would be able to get a discount for the inconvenience of the wait time and this was directed towards the manager. The manager on duty, although clearly busy, gave us the time of day to listen to my concern, apologized, and offered to cover my dinner for this inconvenience. The server again apologized, as well. Although I did not love waiting for my dinner while my friends were eating, nor did I love that my alcoholic beverage was my end-of-meal dessert, I did love that I was respected as a valued customer on my first visit. I will definitely return to this location again.
(4)
Kyle M.
So this weekend we went to Cheddars for dinner with family. For 5 of the 6 in our party, it was the first time to this Cheddars, and for 2 of 6, first time ever. This visit was truly a 5 star experience for us. Our party of 6 was quoted a 20-25 minute wait, and we were seated in 15. Our server greeted us promptly, and had drinks and our appetizer back to us promptly.This was really good because the children were hungry. We got the chips, salsa and queso dip. The queso was a bit like Velveeta and Rotel, but the salsa was very good. Our server kept us well stocked on chips and on drinks until the meal arrived. Everyone was pleased with the meal. I branched out to the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, which was tasty, spicy enough , but not overpowering and big enough to be that nights meal and the next day's lunch. My wife enjoyed the lemon pepper grilled chicken, my dad really liked the ribs and his wife enjoyed the Spasagne- and also had lunch for the next day. Back to the ribs- the menu said "fall off the bone" and as I've said before, I'm always skeptical of this. But these were. My dad couldn't stop talking about them. Then as we finished up , the check came right on time. No waiting or fidgeting this time, our check was ready for us when we were . This is my biggest pet peeve other places but Cheddars was right on top of it. So tonight was a job well done and ended with 6 happy returning customers
(5)
Jacob A.
I have a problem with chain sit down eateries, such as Chilis or O'Charleys. It's a pretty simple problem, actually: I don't like the food there. It usually seems that the food ends up being bland, and perhaps a bit difficult to digest. Cheddars doesn't have that problem. My usual order is the Monte Cristo, because Monte Cristos are da BOMB. This one is no exception: crispy, cheesy, hammy, and straight up delicious. I've also gotten the chicken and waffles, which is also FRICKIN INCREDIBLE. My only complaint is that the food can be a little greasy, though I suppose one should expect that out of a Monte Cristo. In short, if you're skeptical about eating here, don't be. Go. Eat. Now.
(4)
Amy B.
I love this place! There's a good variety on the menu so you always have something different to try. The food quality is excellent every time I go. Those freshly-fried onion rings are to die for, the croissants are amazing, and my favorite dish is the Cajun alfredo (can't remember the exact name of the dish, but its a cajun-style alfredo pasta with andouille sausage and chicken). The service is really good as well. The only downsides, which I didn't mark down for because it's a design flaw in the building, are that the acoustics are really echoey making it hard to have a conversation, and the entrance to their kitchen comes out of the hallway you have to go down to visit the restrooms, creating somewhat of an awkward bottleneck, but that's not really their fault. Everything else is fantastic and I've never had a bad dining experience here.
(5)
April R.
Ask for Pat, he's a wonderful waiter! We frequent this restaurant! It has amazing food, with great prices and generous amounts! The decor is great and the fish tank is a nice feature. The Texas fries are a definite must when dining here. I've had a handful of dishes on the menu and have been satisfied every time! Great dining for families and crowds!
(5)
Greg K.
Fresh food at a value. Yet much comfort food. Always a wait during popular hours. The best items: burgers - 1/2 pound and a value but fries add $2.09; Key West shrimp - tasty and lighter fare; ribs - surprisingly good for not slow & low; pot pie - nicely done. Not so much: fried chicken is more like a chicken breast patty - just nothing like Southeen fare; shepherd's pie - bowl of mashed with some corn, peas and a bit of meat underneath -Brits might hate this one. Dininf room service seems like untrained teens. Bar staff has been good. Head for the bar and order carefully & you'll get a value. Go early or later - or wait
(4)
Sheryl G.
I went here tonight with some good friends. The place was packed! But we were seated in about 10-15 minutes, which was good enough for me! Our waitress was very friendly, and the food came in a timely manner. However, the menus were pretty dirty (it looked like there was some melted chocolate on mine...) The main reason of why I'm giving Cheddar's 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is because of the menu options. When it comes to main courses, there are only 1 vegetarian option (as in, no meat AND no seafood). The veggie option was the vegetable plate (the item I ordered). The veggie plate came with a house salad or homemade soup (but both soups had meat in them so I went with the salad!) and 4 sides. Yes. FOUR sides, which sounded good! The salad also came with this amazing honey and butter-infused croissant---to die for; I highly recommend them. The four sides I ordered were: mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, butter corn, and the apple/yogurt medley. All four were filling, but they weren't anything I'd come back for! Lastly, my friends and I split the monster cookie: a large chocolate chip cookie with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, whip cream, hot fudge, nuts, and a cherry (also highly recommended!) Overall, the service was great and the food was alright, but the main course (salad and sides) wasn't anything that I could brag about!
(3)
Lily H.
I'm quite impressed with this place. When my friend wanted to try Cheddar's, my first thought was a bit iffy... I was thinking it diner like place... but WOW not at all what I expected. And people were saying that it's just like Applebee's... I beg to differ. It's much better. The decor is very inviting and comforting. I especially like the fan looking thing in the middle of the restaurant. Quite interesting. Even the outside is cool with the fountain. They have a full range of food on their menu. And not bad either: -Chips with Homemade Queso with ground beef ~ it's okay, I thought the ground beef would be on the chips but instead, they only put a little bit in the queso...That was a disappointment -Shepherd's Pie ~ It's alright. Nothing out of the ordinary though. -Rum Runner ~ Yum! Huge! -Cheddar's Painkiller ~ It's alright. I like the honey rimmed coconut flakes the most.. haha.. it's quite generous... I suppose there's lots of alcohol in this since this was the only thing that had a limit of only 2. HOWEVER the highlight is the homemade croissants! It's is heavenly! It literally just melts in your mouth! They lightly dribble the perfectly lightly sweetened honey butter over it. I personally love the honey butter so I had to ask for more. If you come, you absolutely need to order these. My friend ordered a burger, but I can't remember what exactly he got. He just it was very good! Oh and what makes it all better is the price! It's unbelievable cheap! I feel bad because for such decent food with a good presentation, it feels like I'm robbing them! So go try already!
(5)
Joshua C.
The Cheddar's in Bloomington is less than a year old and the restaurant is very nice inside. It's clean and staff is always friendly. I think what most enjoy about Cheddar's is good food for a really good price. In my opinion they have the best chicken tenders. Their serving sizes are quite generous, in fact, my wife and I typically will share an entree (especially because the sides too are generous). I would recommend it, especially for families or if you're on a budget.
(4)
Jason S.
Nice restaurant appearance wise. Took forever for my server to introduce himself. Ordered the loaded bake potatoes..... I have seen better from a frozen food section at a grocery store. Yuck!!!! Cajun pasta dish was ok. Service was terrible.... Never offered a refill on my ice tea... I would suggest somewhere else for sure.
(2)
Franklin D.
The low prices were a nice surprise. I had the "chicken & waffles" which I was pretty excited about, until I saw it. I was all set for some fried chicken, but instead I got some "chicken fingers" (same ones my kids got on their kiddie plates). The waffles were flavorless and the thimble of syrup they gave me must have been sugar free or something.... no flavor.
(2)
Dave N Annie L.
My husband I go here often. Love the food! Veggies are steamed! My husband loves the prime rib! I enjoy the bourbon chicken sandwich, and Monte cristo.
(5)
Hillary H.
My waitress, Mary, offered excellent service. She was energetic and gave good advice on what to try. I have been to Cheddar's a few times now, and she was by far the best server I've had there. I had the Tillapia with Mango Salsa, and it was delicious. I also sampled some food from around my table- the Chicken Pot Pie was great. They serve golden brown croissants with a honey butter on them that are addicting. They don't always come with the meal, but on the salads and in special orders. Their Queso Dip was also really good-not too spicy, but very flavorful. When you order the Queso they refill the chips and salsa for free. The best thing for me is that MOST of their menu items are under $10.
(4)
Aaron G.
I would have given 3.5 stars. This place has good food, and exactly the right amount of food for your money (enough). That being said, it's only one step up from T.G.I. Friday's in terms of value. It's decent, chain restaurant food. Sometimes, that's enough. Other than that, the bar looked nice and the decor of the restaurant was superb--easily the most memorable part of the experience.
(3)
Tom H.
This Cheddars is part of a group of Cheddar's Restaurants. It has a lot of standard restaurant fares, a bar, but no banquet facilities. It's on the site of a former Scottish Inns (which was completely replaced by the restaurant, which is brand new as of February 2013). There's a drink menu, but we went on the pre-opening day (training day). The food ranges from mostly American dishes like fried chicken, steaks, and big salads to specialty items like "spasanga" which is a lasagna-like dish made with spaghetti instead. We had an appetizer of chips with spinach-cheese dip which was good. I had the bourbon-glazed salmon and my partner, the aforementioned spasagna. Each entre comes with two side orders like fries, or in my case, broccoli and cheese. Flavor quality was good, not foodie-grade, and nothing to apologize for. We didn't sample drinks save for coffee and iced tea-- no alcoholic beverages were available yet. It's not quite a linen napkin place, just under that. There are very many booths-- it's a huge place, but looks like it might be ok for a few large settings. Otherwise, it's mostly comfy booths that would fit four-six per booth. Service was good, but this was training day, so tough to surmise. There are limited vegetarian and almost no genuine vegan items, and menu items aren't well listed for those with food allergies or reservations. Nice place. A large cut above Denny's. Not for the foodie-only crowd.
(3)
Stacey N.
We waited several months to go here because every time we drove by, there were too many people waiting. Was it worth it? NO. Prices are reasonable, food is very good. We waited over 30 minutes for our food. There's no bread and our waitress was AWFUL. She barely looked at us, didn't suggest an appetizer. So, we got ONE drink, no refills, and no food for over 30 minutes. I was livid. She readily went to every table but ours and the one next to us, it's like she forgot we existed. I was ready to just leave but I don't like doing that to the kitc hen staff. I eventually got up and went to find a manager. Btw, a manager should NOT be helping customers with complaints so often that he has a LINE. I flat out told him that I was not happy and wanted to leave and he basically went 'oh. sorry!! our bad!' and that was it. So, even though my steak and potatoes were quite tasty, I will NOT be back.
(2)
Joanna M.
I am actually surprised about this. I thought it was going to be some Applebee's bullshit but we've went several times and have yet to find food we don't like. I am glad I saw the review about the chicken and waffles, I was going to order those next time I went and that would have pissed me off. The hickory smoked ribs are actually better than some of the barbecue houses I've been in, extremely tender too. I've liked all the sides I've tried and the price is great. Staff has been attentive and friendly even when it was really crowded. I will update the minute they anger me though.
(4)
Katie L.
The food is always good, but the service is sometimes lacking. Two of the four times I've been the appetizer came well after the entrees did, and three of those times the servers didn't really seem to know what they were doing. Maybe this is because the restaurant is fairly new, though. Overall, the food is great and cheap!
(3)
Todd P.
Have been here several times and always have had great service and very good food. A very good chain restaurant. Not over priced.
(4)
Annie B.
The Bloomington Cheddar's opened to the public on Monday, February 25 and I visited on Tuesday, February 26. I arrived at approximately 5:30 p.m. and the place was packed. There were lots of people eagerly waiting for a table at this chain that's new to Bloomington. I sat at the bar and ordered a glass of wine. The wine list is comparable to Applebee's and O'Charleys...limited to say the least...but in line with similar establishments. I had a Mirassou pinot noir while I perused the menu. This place reminds me quite a bit of O'Charley's in the menu department. It is more limited than O'Charley's but the selections are similar...sans the hot rolls. I didn't really see anything that tempted me this particular evening. I did spot a couple of things that I'd like to try, but only in very small doses, so the Monte Cristo and Chicken and Waffles will have to wait until they can be shared among friends. These are two items that the moderately priced chain restaurants in Bloomington don't have. I ordered a burger (no cheese) and was warned that it is HUGE... I decided to put on my big girl pants (literally) and give it a try. The bartender even reminded me that I could take half of it home (thank you). I decided to get fries and coleslaw...I thought the menu said that you could add fries and coleslaw for $1.99... The bartender said, "Both sides?", not to insinuate I'm a pig or anything...and I just nodded my head yes. So, my burger and fries and coleslaw arrive fairly quickly. I noticed that I waited far less than some other diners sitting near me. I ate half the burger...it was pretty tasty...nice crunchy pickles and chopped onion. Nice toasted bun too. The fries were cooked well and weren't too greasy and the coleslaw was tasty too. I thought the burgers seemed inexpensive...then I realized that the burger is on the menu ala carte, no sides included in this deal. Pricing: $4.89 for a burger and an additional $1.99 per side item. I took into consideration that this was the second night this place had been open to the public. A few kinks; I noticed people waiting way too long for meals and carryout. There were some people congregating near the server drink stand...owners/franchisees, managers(?) not quite sure who they were, standing around trying to motivate the staff. That was sorta weird and these people were behaving somewhat inappropriately at times. I'm sure these people won't be hanging out celebrating their grand opening too long and when they are gone so will the tongs they are making the bar staff use to apply garnish to fruity drinks... Back to more positive points... They have a signature drink that looks pretty tasty...calorie packed I'm sure...and it's garnished with toasted coconut. It was tempting...but I didn't order one this go around. Also, this is not a bad place for an inexpensive family meal that isn't pizza or fast food... The bar staff is friendly and an ok place for someone to grab a brew and grub on a Sunday afternoon, maybe even hanging around to watch an NFL game. I suppose I'll pop in from time to time...maybe once a quarter. The aquarium is a nice backdrop to the bar and it is a nice way to divide the bar from the family dining area. Oh...the bar is wide...meaning you really have to reach to grab your bill or credit card...I've never seen a bar so wide and I've been in a few. The reach can be a long one...especially if you're only 5'2". ;)
I do not understand the negative reviews. This is no Michelin 5-star restaurant, nor does it aspire to be. Given that, in a small town like Bloomington, this one is wayyyyyyy better than Denny's, Appliebee's, or any of the other chain restaurants. Their food is delicious and very inexpensive. It is always packed, but service is good enough (again, no expectations for 5-star service). I like it and will go back.
(5)
Bloom B.
Great buffalo chicken wrap, great croissants, terrible burger. Buffalo chicken wrap was really tasty, and we'll go back for that. Burger meat didn't even taste like beef - it looked and tasted like soy. Bun and toppings were great, though.
(4)
Skye C.
My first time ever at one of these restaurants. It was busy, so some people must love it. We waited quite a while to be seated, then longer waiting on our food. I had a burger and fries which I thought would be pretty good. The name sort of suggests a burger joint. When our food arrived, my fries were the highlight of the meal. They were hot, plentiful and good (as fries can be good). The burger was large but the meat wasn't exactly hot and the inside was still pink somewhat which made me hope I didn't get e-coli for undercooked ground beef. Our waiter never really asked how our food was. He seemed busy, did refill our water glasses without saying much to us and zipped away. I suppose they serve plentiful portions for a reasonable price and maybe that is one of the things that made it seem to be popular. Maybe other dishes are great. To me, it was just so-so and I surely never would return for all that waiting around for just mediocre food. Once is enough.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Kevin M.
Went there at the dinner hour but with the I.U. graduation past, we were seated at the bar immediately. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, wifey had chicken tenders dinner and requested baked potato and house salad instead of fries and slaw . Burger was wonderful, as the meat was not over seasoned. Came out piping hot too! Wifeys tenders were not over seasoned, cooked right and piping hot also. Salad standard but their Ranch dressing is awesome. All this and one NA drink for 21 bucks. Phenomenal value!!! Five stars for getting our moneys worth...
(5)Kristen M.
The food itself was good. Steak cooked the way it was ordered, chicken tenders moist on the inside and crispy on the outside...however the service was terrible, the food took a long time to come out, when the food did arrive they forgot my salad, forgot my boyfriend's cole slaw, and didn't notice that we didn't have silverware, plus the bathrooms weren't kept clean during what was obviously a busy day for them.
(2)Jessica B.
The food is good, but their service is slow. We have went there a couple times during lunch and have been extremely disappointed both times. By the time we get our food, we have to scarf it down to avoid being late to work.
(3)Deb R.
This is the second Cheddars that I have visited. I have gone to this particular Cheddars location a handful of times recently. I usually stop in when I'm heading south to Lake Monroe. Their menu is slightly different than the one I go to in Greenwood close to where I live. They have some extra added items on their menu. Few examples are shepherds pie and chicken and waffles. I am not sure why they offer more choices, but it was an interesting discovery just the same. The food at this location doesn't seem to be as good as the Greenwood location. The amount and quality is lacking a bit. I made the mistake of ordering something I never ordered before. I ordered the chicken Alfredo. It just wasn't what I expected. It didn't taste as savory as I would have hoped. There was hardly any sauce on the pasta. The grilled chicken that was laid on top was a paltry portion compared to the pasta. My guest ordered their usual chicken and fried/breaded shrimp. The shriveled and dry tiny chicken strips tasted like it they were fried and thrown under a heat lamp for a few hours. The shrimp was much of the same. The spinach dip tasted about the same as the other location. The sad part is, most of these restaurants frequently operate this way. A majority of the food is prepped and precooked/cooked far before the patrons arrive. So, it's no mystery as to why one's food always arrives to your table so quickly. The service is a bit lackadaisical at this location as well: at least concerning my various visits.
(2)Steve F.
I was struggling between 3 and 4 stars...so I gave 'em a little extra love. The only big markdown from me is the lack of vegetarian options. I do love their salads....and they are huge....and they are willing to substitute delicious grilled mushrooms in place of the chicken that normally comes on it. However, if your vegetarian, you're eating appetizers, salad, or sides. This is good for me on occasion. The service and atmosphere is amazing. I have been here twice and the wait staff is very attentive. They have some of the most elaborate decorations I have ever seen. You walk in and do not feel like you are in bloomington. There is an almost full wall for a aquarium, awesome fans all over, and lots of plants. I can't wait til its warm and I can use the patio by the water fountain. They have a great painkiller. Its $6.50 but huge. If you like coconut half as much as me, I highly recommend this cocktail for you Both times I have been, I was shocked at how cheap it was. Tonight, my man got an 11 oz steak with two sides and an iced tea. I got a salad, an extra side, and the painkiller. We shared chips and salsa. Total....$34+tip. Not bad at all.
(4)Hiro K.
Service: Acceptable Food: Terrible I ordered an Asian Chicken & Shrimp Salad for takeout. When I returned my room to eat my salad, I realized that there was no chicken OR shrimp on the salad. To make matters worse, the salad was drenched ["flooded"] in dressing and it was barely edible. Did I also mention that the "mandarin orange" supposedly in the salad was actually mango? I may be used to a high standard of food (I lived in New York City, Chicago, and Tokyo) but what Cheddar's serves is no standard at all.
(1)Greg S.
Everyone in Bloomington must be here
(4)Jillian R.
I do not like chain restaurants. I haven't for quite awhile, especially her in Bloomington where independent restaurants rule the streets. I have so many on my list to try I don't have time to waste at national chains. BUT, Cheddar's is my only exception. I simply love this place. I first went here the day I moved to Bloomington. It was right off of 37 and we were looking for a convenient place to stop and eat lunch. I wasn't expecting much but man did Cheddar's deliver. First of all, it is cheap. Most chain restaurants still want to charge high prices for mediocre food. But Cheddar's is right on point with its pricing. I got the jalapeno burger and it was only $5.99; $2.19 extra if you add fries. Most of the other entrees were under $10 besides a few of the fancier options. Besides the prices the food was simply amazing. Everything comes out steaming hot and tastes fresh. The second time I went I got a Monte Cristo and it was by far the best sandwich I have ever had. I mean how can you go wrong with meat and cheese stuffed inside of a doughnut dipped in jam? Okay maybe there are better sandwiches but it hit the spot that day. Both times I have been everyone enjoyed their food and there were no complaints. That never happens. The service is also great. I have heard it gets busy during peak hours but I have always been seated right away and have never been left waiting for anything. (I went at 11:30am and 3:00pm). So if you are thinking about eating at a chain restaurant, look no further than Cheddars, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Julie B.
Corporate chain food at its worst. The "Monte Cristo" is an abomination. Instead of ham and cheese between bread, dipped in eggy batter, then fried, I was presented with a bready dough ball that seemed to enclose the sandwich. No doubt the sandwich is prepared somewhere off site, then heated after it is ordered. Servings are entirely too big, it's almost obscene. And why would I need or want a mediocre croissant on top of my dough ball sandwich with its accompanying salad? I didn't ask for one, but everyone at our table got one. Only in America.
(1)Anthony W.
Love this restaurant for their food not their service. 9 pm Saturday Waitress was fairly nice food was hot so all is good as far as that is concerned. 3 stars for the wait times 10 mins just to take drink order, 7 more mins to receive two glasses of water nothing more. Ordered when receiving our drinks, for two people ordering a burger and chicken pasta I can not understand how it takes 35 mins to get your food especially when half the staff is standing around talking about there weekend parties and love life. Over all this restaurant seems to be a hit or miss its either great or "we may come back"
(3)Bri C.
One of my favorite restaurants back home. Good food, big portions, and CHEAP prices. Their spinach dip is my favorite item, but also LOVE their painkiller alcoholic drink and the monte Cristo sandwich (its description on menu sounds weird but is yummy)!
(4)Sarah E.
Took two hours at 5pm on a Sunday to have dinner. Glad my kids weren't with me bc they would have been really tired by the time the food came. 10 minutes after everyone got their meals at my table the waitress "found" my wrap. I got 4 wraps but then the side was tiny. That doesn't make sense at all. I will not be going back.
(3)Robin K.
This was my first visit to a Cheddar's Restaurant. There were many issues with my order, but the reason for the four stars is the redeemed service and delicious dinner. I asked for water with no ice twice, received water with ice. Asked for water with no ice again and received it. I ordered a Bloody Mary, asked for it twice from my server and again from a nearby server who came to check on our table. I ordered my dinner with the rest of the ladies at my table and they received their food while I waited. I asked if my order was on its way and then ten minutes later than everyone I also received my food. Ten minutes into eating I received my drink. The server apologized, admitted she was frazzled, and kept a smile throughout this hectic dinner. I asked if I would be able to get a discount for the inconvenience of the wait time and this was directed towards the manager. The manager on duty, although clearly busy, gave us the time of day to listen to my concern, apologized, and offered to cover my dinner for this inconvenience. The server again apologized, as well. Although I did not love waiting for my dinner while my friends were eating, nor did I love that my alcoholic beverage was my end-of-meal dessert, I did love that I was respected as a valued customer on my first visit. I will definitely return to this location again.
(4)Kyle M.
So this weekend we went to Cheddars for dinner with family. For 5 of the 6 in our party, it was the first time to this Cheddars, and for 2 of 6, first time ever. This visit was truly a 5 star experience for us. Our party of 6 was quoted a 20-25 minute wait, and we were seated in 15. Our server greeted us promptly, and had drinks and our appetizer back to us promptly.This was really good because the children were hungry. We got the chips, salsa and queso dip. The queso was a bit like Velveeta and Rotel, but the salsa was very good. Our server kept us well stocked on chips and on drinks until the meal arrived. Everyone was pleased with the meal. I branched out to the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, which was tasty, spicy enough , but not overpowering and big enough to be that nights meal and the next day's lunch. My wife enjoyed the lemon pepper grilled chicken, my dad really liked the ribs and his wife enjoyed the Spasagne- and also had lunch for the next day. Back to the ribs- the menu said "fall off the bone" and as I've said before, I'm always skeptical of this. But these were. My dad couldn't stop talking about them. Then as we finished up , the check came right on time. No waiting or fidgeting this time, our check was ready for us when we were . This is my biggest pet peeve other places but Cheddars was right on top of it. So tonight was a job well done and ended with 6 happy returning customers
(5)Jacob A.
I have a problem with chain sit down eateries, such as Chilis or O'Charleys. It's a pretty simple problem, actually: I don't like the food there. It usually seems that the food ends up being bland, and perhaps a bit difficult to digest. Cheddars doesn't have that problem. My usual order is the Monte Cristo, because Monte Cristos are da BOMB. This one is no exception: crispy, cheesy, hammy, and straight up delicious. I've also gotten the chicken and waffles, which is also FRICKIN INCREDIBLE. My only complaint is that the food can be a little greasy, though I suppose one should expect that out of a Monte Cristo. In short, if you're skeptical about eating here, don't be. Go. Eat. Now.
(4)Amy B.
I love this place! There's a good variety on the menu so you always have something different to try. The food quality is excellent every time I go. Those freshly-fried onion rings are to die for, the croissants are amazing, and my favorite dish is the Cajun alfredo (can't remember the exact name of the dish, but its a cajun-style alfredo pasta with andouille sausage and chicken). The service is really good as well. The only downsides, which I didn't mark down for because it's a design flaw in the building, are that the acoustics are really echoey making it hard to have a conversation, and the entrance to their kitchen comes out of the hallway you have to go down to visit the restrooms, creating somewhat of an awkward bottleneck, but that's not really their fault. Everything else is fantastic and I've never had a bad dining experience here.
(5)April R.
Ask for Pat, he's a wonderful waiter! We frequent this restaurant! It has amazing food, with great prices and generous amounts! The decor is great and the fish tank is a nice feature. The Texas fries are a definite must when dining here. I've had a handful of dishes on the menu and have been satisfied every time! Great dining for families and crowds!
(5)Greg K.
Fresh food at a value. Yet much comfort food. Always a wait during popular hours. The best items: burgers - 1/2 pound and a value but fries add $2.09; Key West shrimp - tasty and lighter fare; ribs - surprisingly good for not slow & low; pot pie - nicely done. Not so much: fried chicken is more like a chicken breast patty - just nothing like Southeen fare; shepherd's pie - bowl of mashed with some corn, peas and a bit of meat underneath -Brits might hate this one. Dininf room service seems like untrained teens. Bar staff has been good. Head for the bar and order carefully & you'll get a value. Go early or later - or wait
(4)Sheryl G.
I went here tonight with some good friends. The place was packed! But we were seated in about 10-15 minutes, which was good enough for me! Our waitress was very friendly, and the food came in a timely manner. However, the menus were pretty dirty (it looked like there was some melted chocolate on mine...) The main reason of why I'm giving Cheddar's 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is because of the menu options. When it comes to main courses, there are only 1 vegetarian option (as in, no meat AND no seafood). The veggie option was the vegetable plate (the item I ordered). The veggie plate came with a house salad or homemade soup (but both soups had meat in them so I went with the salad!) and 4 sides. Yes. FOUR sides, which sounded good! The salad also came with this amazing honey and butter-infused croissant---to die for; I highly recommend them. The four sides I ordered were: mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, butter corn, and the apple/yogurt medley. All four were filling, but they weren't anything I'd come back for! Lastly, my friends and I split the monster cookie: a large chocolate chip cookie with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, whip cream, hot fudge, nuts, and a cherry (also highly recommended!) Overall, the service was great and the food was alright, but the main course (salad and sides) wasn't anything that I could brag about!
(3)Lily H.
I'm quite impressed with this place. When my friend wanted to try Cheddar's, my first thought was a bit iffy... I was thinking it diner like place... but WOW not at all what I expected. And people were saying that it's just like Applebee's... I beg to differ. It's much better. The decor is very inviting and comforting. I especially like the fan looking thing in the middle of the restaurant. Quite interesting. Even the outside is cool with the fountain. They have a full range of food on their menu. And not bad either: -Chips with Homemade Queso with ground beef ~ it's okay, I thought the ground beef would be on the chips but instead, they only put a little bit in the queso...That was a disappointment -Shepherd's Pie ~ It's alright. Nothing out of the ordinary though. -Rum Runner ~ Yum! Huge! -Cheddar's Painkiller ~ It's alright. I like the honey rimmed coconut flakes the most.. haha.. it's quite generous... I suppose there's lots of alcohol in this since this was the only thing that had a limit of only 2. HOWEVER the highlight is the homemade croissants! It's is heavenly! It literally just melts in your mouth! They lightly dribble the perfectly lightly sweetened honey butter over it. I personally love the honey butter so I had to ask for more. If you come, you absolutely need to order these. My friend ordered a burger, but I can't remember what exactly he got. He just it was very good! Oh and what makes it all better is the price! It's unbelievable cheap! I feel bad because for such decent food with a good presentation, it feels like I'm robbing them! So go try already!
(5)Joshua C.
The Cheddar's in Bloomington is less than a year old and the restaurant is very nice inside. It's clean and staff is always friendly. I think what most enjoy about Cheddar's is good food for a really good price. In my opinion they have the best chicken tenders. Their serving sizes are quite generous, in fact, my wife and I typically will share an entree (especially because the sides too are generous). I would recommend it, especially for families or if you're on a budget.
(4)Jason S.
Nice restaurant appearance wise. Took forever for my server to introduce himself. Ordered the loaded bake potatoes..... I have seen better from a frozen food section at a grocery store. Yuck!!!! Cajun pasta dish was ok. Service was terrible.... Never offered a refill on my ice tea... I would suggest somewhere else for sure.
(2)Franklin D.
The low prices were a nice surprise. I had the "chicken & waffles" which I was pretty excited about, until I saw it. I was all set for some fried chicken, but instead I got some "chicken fingers" (same ones my kids got on their kiddie plates). The waffles were flavorless and the thimble of syrup they gave me must have been sugar free or something.... no flavor.
(2)Dave N Annie L.
My husband I go here often. Love the food! Veggies are steamed! My husband loves the prime rib! I enjoy the bourbon chicken sandwich, and Monte cristo.
(5)Hillary H.
My waitress, Mary, offered excellent service. She was energetic and gave good advice on what to try. I have been to Cheddar's a few times now, and she was by far the best server I've had there. I had the Tillapia with Mango Salsa, and it was delicious. I also sampled some food from around my table- the Chicken Pot Pie was great. They serve golden brown croissants with a honey butter on them that are addicting. They don't always come with the meal, but on the salads and in special orders. Their Queso Dip was also really good-not too spicy, but very flavorful. When you order the Queso they refill the chips and salsa for free. The best thing for me is that MOST of their menu items are under $10.
(4)Aaron G.
I would have given 3.5 stars. This place has good food, and exactly the right amount of food for your money (enough). That being said, it's only one step up from T.G.I. Friday's in terms of value. It's decent, chain restaurant food. Sometimes, that's enough. Other than that, the bar looked nice and the decor of the restaurant was superb--easily the most memorable part of the experience.
(3)Tom H.
This Cheddars is part of a group of Cheddar's Restaurants. It has a lot of standard restaurant fares, a bar, but no banquet facilities. It's on the site of a former Scottish Inns (which was completely replaced by the restaurant, which is brand new as of February 2013). There's a drink menu, but we went on the pre-opening day (training day). The food ranges from mostly American dishes like fried chicken, steaks, and big salads to specialty items like "spasanga" which is a lasagna-like dish made with spaghetti instead. We had an appetizer of chips with spinach-cheese dip which was good. I had the bourbon-glazed salmon and my partner, the aforementioned spasagna. Each entre comes with two side orders like fries, or in my case, broccoli and cheese. Flavor quality was good, not foodie-grade, and nothing to apologize for. We didn't sample drinks save for coffee and iced tea-- no alcoholic beverages were available yet. It's not quite a linen napkin place, just under that. There are very many booths-- it's a huge place, but looks like it might be ok for a few large settings. Otherwise, it's mostly comfy booths that would fit four-six per booth. Service was good, but this was training day, so tough to surmise. There are limited vegetarian and almost no genuine vegan items, and menu items aren't well listed for those with food allergies or reservations. Nice place. A large cut above Denny's. Not for the foodie-only crowd.
(3)Stacey N.
We waited several months to go here because every time we drove by, there were too many people waiting. Was it worth it? NO. Prices are reasonable, food is very good. We waited over 30 minutes for our food. There's no bread and our waitress was AWFUL. She barely looked at us, didn't suggest an appetizer. So, we got ONE drink, no refills, and no food for over 30 minutes. I was livid. She readily went to every table but ours and the one next to us, it's like she forgot we existed. I was ready to just leave but I don't like doing that to the kitc hen staff. I eventually got up and went to find a manager. Btw, a manager should NOT be helping customers with complaints so often that he has a LINE. I flat out told him that I was not happy and wanted to leave and he basically went 'oh. sorry!! our bad!' and that was it. So, even though my steak and potatoes were quite tasty, I will NOT be back.
(2)Joanna M.
I am actually surprised about this. I thought it was going to be some Applebee's bullshit but we've went several times and have yet to find food we don't like. I am glad I saw the review about the chicken and waffles, I was going to order those next time I went and that would have pissed me off. The hickory smoked ribs are actually better than some of the barbecue houses I've been in, extremely tender too. I've liked all the sides I've tried and the price is great. Staff has been attentive and friendly even when it was really crowded. I will update the minute they anger me though.
(4)Katie L.
The food is always good, but the service is sometimes lacking. Two of the four times I've been the appetizer came well after the entrees did, and three of those times the servers didn't really seem to know what they were doing. Maybe this is because the restaurant is fairly new, though. Overall, the food is great and cheap!
(3)Todd P.
Have been here several times and always have had great service and very good food. A very good chain restaurant. Not over priced.
(4)Annie B.
The Bloomington Cheddar's opened to the public on Monday, February 25 and I visited on Tuesday, February 26. I arrived at approximately 5:30 p.m. and the place was packed. There were lots of people eagerly waiting for a table at this chain that's new to Bloomington. I sat at the bar and ordered a glass of wine. The wine list is comparable to Applebee's and O'Charleys...limited to say the least...but in line with similar establishments. I had a Mirassou pinot noir while I perused the menu. This place reminds me quite a bit of O'Charley's in the menu department. It is more limited than O'Charley's but the selections are similar...sans the hot rolls. I didn't really see anything that tempted me this particular evening. I did spot a couple of things that I'd like to try, but only in very small doses, so the Monte Cristo and Chicken and Waffles will have to wait until they can be shared among friends. These are two items that the moderately priced chain restaurants in Bloomington don't have. I ordered a burger (no cheese) and was warned that it is HUGE... I decided to put on my big girl pants (literally) and give it a try. The bartender even reminded me that I could take half of it home (thank you). I decided to get fries and coleslaw...I thought the menu said that you could add fries and coleslaw for $1.99... The bartender said, "Both sides?", not to insinuate I'm a pig or anything...and I just nodded my head yes. So, my burger and fries and coleslaw arrive fairly quickly. I noticed that I waited far less than some other diners sitting near me. I ate half the burger...it was pretty tasty...nice crunchy pickles and chopped onion. Nice toasted bun too. The fries were cooked well and weren't too greasy and the coleslaw was tasty too. I thought the burgers seemed inexpensive...then I realized that the burger is on the menu ala carte, no sides included in this deal. Pricing: $4.89 for a burger and an additional $1.99 per side item. I took into consideration that this was the second night this place had been open to the public. A few kinks; I noticed people waiting way too long for meals and carryout. There were some people congregating near the server drink stand...owners/franchisees, managers(?) not quite sure who they were, standing around trying to motivate the staff. That was sorta weird and these people were behaving somewhat inappropriately at times. I'm sure these people won't be hanging out celebrating their grand opening too long and when they are gone so will the tongs they are making the bar staff use to apply garnish to fruity drinks... Back to more positive points... They have a signature drink that looks pretty tasty...calorie packed I'm sure...and it's garnished with toasted coconut. It was tempting...but I didn't order one this go around. Also, this is not a bad place for an inexpensive family meal that isn't pizza or fast food... The bar staff is friendly and an ok place for someone to grab a brew and grub on a Sunday afternoon, maybe even hanging around to watch an NFL game. I suppose I'll pop in from time to time...maybe once a quarter. The aquarium is a nice backdrop to the bar and it is a nice way to divide the bar from the family dining area. Oh...the bar is wide...meaning you really have to reach to grab your bill or credit card...I've never seen a bar so wide and I've been in a few. The reach can be a long one...especially if you're only 5'2". ;)
(2)Jennifer P.
Décor is very nice. Came late morning on a Sunday, and had chicken and waffles since the don't serve breakfast. Food was good, prices reasonable. Definitely one of the better chain restaurants out there. If your party is all adults, sit in the bar area.
(3)Sean C.
I do not understand the negative reviews. This is no Michelin 5-star restaurant, nor does it aspire to be. Given that, in a small town like Bloomington, this one is wayyyyyyy better than Denny's, Appliebee's, or any of the other chain restaurants. Their food is delicious and very inexpensive. It is always packed, but service is good enough (again, no expectations for 5-star service). I like it and will go back.
(5)Bloom B.
Great buffalo chicken wrap, great croissants, terrible burger. Buffalo chicken wrap was really tasty, and we'll go back for that. Burger meat didn't even taste like beef - it looked and tasted like soy. Bun and toppings were great, though.
(4)Skye C.
My first time ever at one of these restaurants. It was busy, so some people must love it. We waited quite a while to be seated, then longer waiting on our food. I had a burger and fries which I thought would be pretty good. The name sort of suggests a burger joint. When our food arrived, my fries were the highlight of the meal. They were hot, plentiful and good (as fries can be good). The burger was large but the meat wasn't exactly hot and the inside was still pink somewhat which made me hope I didn't get e-coli for undercooked ground beef. Our waiter never really asked how our food was. He seemed busy, did refill our water glasses without saying much to us and zipped away. I suppose they serve plentiful portions for a reasonable price and maybe that is one of the things that made it seem to be popular. Maybe other dishes are great. To me, it was just so-so and I surely never would return for all that waiting around for just mediocre food. Once is enough.
(2)