Previously I gave Bonfire five stars, but the last 3-4 times I've been there the service has been not so hot to really bad. They also removed many of the best menu items-Bella Roma flatbread, butternut squash ravioli and spinach artichoke dip. Almost zero vegetarian options left. Earlier this week when I brought family here from London we were sat alone in the back room even though the dining area quite empty. We had to go out and flag someone down when we needed another drink as our waiter pretty much never came to our table. Too many times with cruddy service. It ruins the whole dining experience.
(3)
Garry W.
Hit Bonfire for a spontaneous Saturday lunch with my college-aged daughter who doesn't get to eat out at a restaurant other than Chipotle or Tav-on-the-Av very often. I live in the Cities and have always had good food at Axel's - didn't realize that Bonfire has a different menu than Axel's. Was hoping for the wonderful crab salad from Axel's, but it wasn't in the menu here. Instead, we both had the shrimp and guacamole stack served with nacho chips. The shrimp was perfectly blackened and seasoned with a nice kick, though there weren't many of them. The guacamole and salsa was a very good complement to the shrimp. A little soupy, but delicious. We both ordered it without the chipotle sour cream which just adds calories and masks the other flavors - good decision. Service was friendly, but we chuckled at the inexperience - when one of us asked for water with our meal (should we really need to ask?), the young gal brought just one, without asking or assuming we'd both want water, especially since we ordered the same thing. Oh well, one star off for awkward service, the rest was fine. Would definitely return.
(4)
Rick B.
Mary and I went to Bonfire for lunch on Saturday. it was my first visit. Nice rework from the Friday's decor.Service was fair, at best. Only less than 10 customers counting us. Food tastes were marginal. I had a stomach ache the rest of the day. For me, Mankato has too many good places to eat to choose this place again. What was intolerable were all the flies. On the tables, the food, and on me. I'm aware it's that time of the year, but call Plunkett's or EcoLab, It was gross.
(2)
Nate P.
Terrible service, cold food, never again
(1)
Ryan D.
$5 pizzas are acquirable during happy hour (after nine). Little sauce on the pizzas, which I prefer. Delicious and filling for the price. Bontons are recommended. Food is good, but service seems to be somewhat slow the four times we have eaten here. Perhaps the wait time is due to the fact that they recently opened, or perhaps just our luck.
(4)
Diane F.
We were impressed with the service, the quality of the food and the concern of the managers as to whether we were satisfied! We took my 90 year father-in-law and another 91 year old friend both of whom have dietary issues. They were very helpful with adapting the menu items for their needs.
(4)
Kim D.
We were there for happy hour specials on Friday night. The Fire Roasted Peppers were way too spicy. You could barely taste the flavors because your tongue was on fire!! I'd recommend going lighter on the cayenne and tempering the heat with a sweeter maple glazed bacon. The Bull Bites were pretty good. A few were really tender, others were on the chewy side. But since that is probably to be expected, we would get it again. The Bontons were our favorite appetizer. A spicy take on a crab Rangoon, the mix of flavor and heat was just right. We would get these again.
(3)
Kate S.
My first and last experience at this place. The only good thing about our experience was that the server was very nice. This restaurant is new in Mankato, MN and I was home for my mom's birthday. This was her first choice for her birthday dinner. 1) Called to make a reservation on a Friday night and they wouldn't take it. We were told that they don't make reservations for dinner (but call during lunch or off hours and they are more than happy to make you a reservation!) 2) Was told that the wait time would be an hour for our group of 5. No problem - we decided to belly up to the bar. Once we were sitting there, it took a few minutes for anyone to even acknowledge we were sitting there. It was clear that there were managers on duty, but they were not attentive either. 3) During our hour and a half wait at the bar, we watched as tables sat with dirty dishes. We started a game, how long until that table gets cleared. Average time was about 10-15 minutes! 4) Saw a girl who obviously works there get sat at a booth that was set for six right after her and her date arrived. As a group of 5 we were a little shocked, we had already been waiting for over an hour and she just walked in! 5) Hour and a half later, our buzzer finally goes off and they try seating us at a bar table without backs, when I specifically asked them for a table or booth with backs. Hostess rolled her eyes and said that it would be a few more minutes for a table to be cleared. I asked about the two that just sat at a booth for six when there were smaller tables open. No response. 6) Another table that was next to us began singing "Happy Birthday" when a complimentary piece of cake was brought out. The girl who works there and was sitting in the booth that seats six was talking to the manager (an employee said his name was Anthony), she commented that they were annoying. The manager walked over to them and yelled at them to stop singing. We were shocked, and that table was shocked. They waved the manager back over to the table and asked why they were yelled at for singing "Happy Birthday". Without answering, the manager cut them off and asked them to leave. 7) This place as terrible management. Another manager mentioned that "Anthony" was being investigated. WHAT?! Don't go here. Or, at least wait until the manager gets fired and they have a brand new staff. If something doesn't change, this place is going to go down, quick!
(1)
Lee H.
Great food and great service! The staff is friendly and though our server seemed new and less knowledgeable about the menu than I would expect she really worked hard for our party of 5! Two Happy Hours before 6pm and after 9pm offers two chances to save. Wood fired pizzas and real rotisserie chicken - great ribs and desserts to stuff you to the gills!
(4)
Matt H.
Place was great. Fantastic food and beer. Bartender spent most of her time washing glasses. She was great otherwise. Only suggestion is to get the bartender a dishwasher.
(4)
Ryan B.
Great atmosphere. Long wait times on a Friday night. That can mean a good place to eat. Food was good. Great service.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Sarah S.
Previously I gave Bonfire five stars, but the last 3-4 times I've been there the service has been not so hot to really bad. They also removed many of the best menu items-Bella Roma flatbread, butternut squash ravioli and spinach artichoke dip. Almost zero vegetarian options left. Earlier this week when I brought family here from London we were sat alone in the back room even though the dining area quite empty. We had to go out and flag someone down when we needed another drink as our waiter pretty much never came to our table. Too many times with cruddy service. It ruins the whole dining experience.
(3)Garry W.
Hit Bonfire for a spontaneous Saturday lunch with my college-aged daughter who doesn't get to eat out at a restaurant other than Chipotle or Tav-on-the-Av very often. I live in the Cities and have always had good food at Axel's - didn't realize that Bonfire has a different menu than Axel's. Was hoping for the wonderful crab salad from Axel's, but it wasn't in the menu here. Instead, we both had the shrimp and guacamole stack served with nacho chips. The shrimp was perfectly blackened and seasoned with a nice kick, though there weren't many of them. The guacamole and salsa was a very good complement to the shrimp. A little soupy, but delicious. We both ordered it without the chipotle sour cream which just adds calories and masks the other flavors - good decision. Service was friendly, but we chuckled at the inexperience - when one of us asked for water with our meal (should we really need to ask?), the young gal brought just one, without asking or assuming we'd both want water, especially since we ordered the same thing. Oh well, one star off for awkward service, the rest was fine. Would definitely return.
(4)Rick B.
Mary and I went to Bonfire for lunch on Saturday. it was my first visit. Nice rework from the Friday's decor.Service was fair, at best. Only less than 10 customers counting us. Food tastes were marginal. I had a stomach ache the rest of the day. For me, Mankato has too many good places to eat to choose this place again. What was intolerable were all the flies. On the tables, the food, and on me. I'm aware it's that time of the year, but call Plunkett's or EcoLab, It was gross.
(2)Nate P.
Terrible service, cold food, never again
(1)Ryan D.
$5 pizzas are acquirable during happy hour (after nine). Little sauce on the pizzas, which I prefer. Delicious and filling for the price. Bontons are recommended. Food is good, but service seems to be somewhat slow the four times we have eaten here. Perhaps the wait time is due to the fact that they recently opened, or perhaps just our luck.
(4)Diane F.
We were impressed with the service, the quality of the food and the concern of the managers as to whether we were satisfied! We took my 90 year father-in-law and another 91 year old friend both of whom have dietary issues. They were very helpful with adapting the menu items for their needs.
(4)Kim D.
We were there for happy hour specials on Friday night. The Fire Roasted Peppers were way too spicy. You could barely taste the flavors because your tongue was on fire!! I'd recommend going lighter on the cayenne and tempering the heat with a sweeter maple glazed bacon. The Bull Bites were pretty good. A few were really tender, others were on the chewy side. But since that is probably to be expected, we would get it again. The Bontons were our favorite appetizer. A spicy take on a crab Rangoon, the mix of flavor and heat was just right. We would get these again.
(3)Kate S.
My first and last experience at this place. The only good thing about our experience was that the server was very nice. This restaurant is new in Mankato, MN and I was home for my mom's birthday. This was her first choice for her birthday dinner. 1) Called to make a reservation on a Friday night and they wouldn't take it. We were told that they don't make reservations for dinner (but call during lunch or off hours and they are more than happy to make you a reservation!) 2) Was told that the wait time would be an hour for our group of 5. No problem - we decided to belly up to the bar. Once we were sitting there, it took a few minutes for anyone to even acknowledge we were sitting there. It was clear that there were managers on duty, but they were not attentive either. 3) During our hour and a half wait at the bar, we watched as tables sat with dirty dishes. We started a game, how long until that table gets cleared. Average time was about 10-15 minutes! 4) Saw a girl who obviously works there get sat at a booth that was set for six right after her and her date arrived. As a group of 5 we were a little shocked, we had already been waiting for over an hour and she just walked in! 5) Hour and a half later, our buzzer finally goes off and they try seating us at a bar table without backs, when I specifically asked them for a table or booth with backs. Hostess rolled her eyes and said that it would be a few more minutes for a table to be cleared. I asked about the two that just sat at a booth for six when there were smaller tables open. No response. 6) Another table that was next to us began singing "Happy Birthday" when a complimentary piece of cake was brought out. The girl who works there and was sitting in the booth that seats six was talking to the manager (an employee said his name was Anthony), she commented that they were annoying. The manager walked over to them and yelled at them to stop singing. We were shocked, and that table was shocked. They waved the manager back over to the table and asked why they were yelled at for singing "Happy Birthday". Without answering, the manager cut them off and asked them to leave. 7) This place as terrible management. Another manager mentioned that "Anthony" was being investigated. WHAT?! Don't go here. Or, at least wait until the manager gets fired and they have a brand new staff. If something doesn't change, this place is going to go down, quick!
(1)Lee H.
Great food and great service! The staff is friendly and though our server seemed new and less knowledgeable about the menu than I would expect she really worked hard for our party of 5! Two Happy Hours before 6pm and after 9pm offers two chances to save. Wood fired pizzas and real rotisserie chicken - great ribs and desserts to stuff you to the gills!
(4)Matt H.
Place was great. Fantastic food and beer. Bartender spent most of her time washing glasses. She was great otherwise. Only suggestion is to get the bartender a dishwasher.
(4)Ryan B.
Great atmosphere. Long wait times on a Friday night. That can mean a good place to eat. Food was good. Great service.
(4)