The Luau Pizza is the best Hawaiian Pizza I've ever had and they have some really good beer too !!!
(5)
Catherine R.
I love flatbranch!! It's reasonably priced, has a nice selection of food and drink, and the atmosphere is awesome! We've always had amazing servers, too. I've had business dinners and casual get-togethers here, and it's always fun! You might have to wait upwards of an hour for dinner, though. They have a late-night menu with actual food on it that they serve until 12:30. They also have AMAZING brews - try the samplers if you can't choose one! I recommend the beer bread appetizer and the green chili beer! Yum yum yum!
(5)
Christina A.
I'm not sure why, but I just can't say that I adore this place (which you should take as strange because I so love microbreweries). My friend treated me to a pizza and beer during his lunch break while I was in town visiting. And holy crap was this place packed. Mind you, this is not something I mind, but keep in mind that if it's an intimate setting you are hoping for, look elsewhere. I had the Pesto Roasted Pepper and Artichoke pizza. I was good I am not going to lie, but I still expected more... I'm just going to assume it was because I make my own pesto and artichoke pizza, and if I am going to order something at a restaurant I expect it to be better than what I make. Learning to cook has lead me to a downward spiral of depressing dining experiences, at no fault to any eateries. The beer on the other hand: more please! I had the cream ale, or something to the like. It was a little sweeter than what I usually go for but it was damn tasty. If/when I ever come back to Columbia I would probably come back to Flat Branch, but mostly for the booze.
(3)
g t.
Great beer and food. The bar was crazy busy with a game and the service wasn't great, but I can't ding them for that because it was just that crowded. I had a half pint of the chili beer which was just enough. It is yummy and interesting. We had ribs - they were amazing! Just the right amount of sauce and fall off the bone tender. The sides were good and just the right amount of food. The oatmeal stout was very good also. Definitely worth diverting from the highway to check it out! A side note - the people next to me had a grilled salad - yes - they grilled the lettuce - looked awesome
(5)
Randy M.
Pizza is very good with a tasty crust. Ed's IPA is beyond decent but not too hoppy. Chokes and cheese is a large an yummy appetizer. Don't over order - grilled romaine is another hit.
(4)
Tarah B.
Delicious food and absolutely FANTASTIC local brews. If you love microbrews, get the beer sampler so you can try a bunch. Have yet to taste a beer that I don't like. The food is consistently good there, and I always bring people who are visiting from out of town to eat at Flat Branch. There is something to please everyone on the menu -- even my vegetarian friend loves their veggie burger -- and the atmosphere is nice. Even when it's super busy on the weekends, they get you seated fairly quickly.
(5)
Darin C.
Best restaurant in Columbia!! Try the pub burger with cheddar cheese and bacon strips with the beer battered onion rings ($1 extra). You can't go wrong. If you are traveling take a cab here and back to your hotel. Lots of good beer here but don't get a DUI. Be safe and enjoy. Do the same if you live here. Keep Columbia safe.
(5)
Jennifer S.
This is wonderful! My mom and I were in town staying at the tiger!!! Which we love!!!! And we wanted a non chain atmosphere with great margaritas and nachos! This is the place! It is beautiful the food is awesome and the wait staff rocks!!! Must try!
(5)
Bar C.
This place has a good selection of their homemade draft beer. The food was good as well. I orderedt he chicken bacon wrap with onion rings. It was very good. The service was pretty slow and I didn't think that it was super crowded. If I'm in the area, I would go back.
(4)
Jake L.
Always a stop for me when I'm in Columbia. Was there three days ago for lunch. Have to get the chokes and cheese to start, nearly a meal by itself. Juicy burger perfectly cooked, but admittedly the fries are just ok. Of course grab yourself a beer or two while you're there. Have been going here since 1995 and I'm never disappointed.
(4)
Liz G.
Food? Tasty. Beer? Delicious. Best reason to dine at Flat Branch? The patio. Sure, you can find other patio dining in Columbia, but during my years at Mizzou there was never anything as great as enjoying a warm day on the patio at Flat Branch. I'm waiting for the warmth of spring to gather some friends and make the drive up for a weekend in Columbia and an afternoon on the patio here. The Philly is always a good choice and a sampler of different beers is great for tasting and passing around with friends.
(5)
Lee S.
If you live in or near Columbia you must stop into Flat Branch for a microbrew and some food. The menu has a lot of fun items like Missouri BBQ Chicken Pizza and Black and Bleu Angus Burgers. The amount of food served is more than enough for the price and the menu often changes seasonally to add local produce.
I feel like I am the only person out there who doesn't enjoy going here! The wait is always forever, the food is not great, and I feel like it's pretty much just an overrated place. I liked going here when I was in college and I didn't know better, but now I don't like to waste money on food that is bland and service that isn't great. If you are looking for a great restaurant that has a similar atmosphere and prices, go to Adison's!
(2)
Brooke T.
*Disclaimer* I'm from Philadelphia. This town takes its food very seriously and waiting for tables (with excessive amounts of time) is socially acceptable here. Everyone below me who is bemoaning a wait, shush and get over it. I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. Everything from the attentive bar-staff, the wonderful beer selection (beer snob, ahoy!), to the fantastic out-door seating and the phenomenal food. There was a bit of a wait but waiting at a microbrewery is comparable to foreplay. It's not the actual act of intercourse but the pleasantries before hand. It's all good. The indoor bar-tender was on his game. Drinks within seconds, beer bread within five minutes. He knew his beer and bantered with me about the beer I was sipping. Well done sir, well done. My dining partner had an avocado chicken salad (I stole a bite! Don't tell on me!) and she insisted I try the Flatbranch burger. Heavenly. Messy but delightful.
(5)
Ariel D.
Its the most popular place downtown for a reason. Their food is off-the-charts amazing, and the beer is a good quality. Not perfect, but good. The service is fantastic, the atmosphere is whatever you want it to be (want to dress up? No prob! Schlepped out in torn jeans? You can get away with it!). Its good for a date, a celebration, grabbing a bite, or just having a beer.
(4)
Patty S.
I had such a great time at Flat Branch! We enjoyed conversation, good food, and a good beer selection. Great place to go if you want to dine al fresco! The waitstaff is friendly and doesn't rush you through your meal. We went with a large group (8ppl) and none of us had a bad or mediocre meal. I had the Ahi Tuna Steak...delicious! I ordered it with the famous mashers...wouldn't of had it any other way! If you have room in your belly, try a cinnamon roll; you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Amy B.
Fantastic place. The food is always delicious: interesting, but not pretentious. I have enjoyed their grilled chicken sandwich, pork chop with an apple compote, fried catfish, and stout brownie. It's usually quite crowded, and you might have to wait an hour or more to sit outside when the weather is nice.
(5)
Mike S.
Flat Branch gets a 3 because their beer is good but their food... notsomuch. They make some pretty tasty beers. Also, if you come in at the right time you can get half-price pizzas. They're not the greatest pizza but, hey, at 50% off they cost like 3-4 bucks. The food here is meh, lots of people shoveling down lots of bland unhealthy food. If you love Applebees and general bar food, you might think it's really great... Even when I'm hungry and I go here, I usually drink the beer on an empty stomach then go eat somewhere else later. Maybe I order a bit of beer bread to tide me over. The atmosphere is OK and they have a big patio. If it's a beautiful day out and you happen to be downtown and think, "maybe I'll go to Flat Branch and have some beer" - think again, the place is packed (primarily with yuppies / sunday church people).. Try to go here when it's slow or during the half price pizza hours. 4 for the beer 2 for the food 3 Stars
(3)
Colin G.
Synopsis: - 5* for the food - 2* for the service - 0* for the beer - 5* for grossness (which comes to 0*) This is one of the growing number of brewpubs where the focus is the food and not the beer. When I'm driving cross-country though (Tucson to Pittsburgh, in this case) and want to hit some breweries though, it's really difficult to tell which are the beer places and which are the food places. I came in on a Tuesday at about 7:30 and there was probably an hour wait for a table. People were strewn about the patio outside the door, just inside the doors, and around the bar, all waiting for tables. If you wanted to sit at the bar though, well, that was quick. Bad sign right there, to me at least. I got a menu and a water and began to decide. Great menu too. Lots of interesting choices, house-made stuff, wide variety, lots of veggie options, etc. And I waited and watched. I would estimate about 40% of the drinks going out to the tables were beers. The rest were stuff margaritas, wine and other mixed drinks (another bad sign). The bartender finally came back and I said that I wanted a sampler, apologizing for it because I know it's a pain and I could tell he was fairly busy. I also put in for the veggie burger, which was a house-made patty, according to the menu. About $7, IIRC (not bad at all) and it came with a wide choice of sides. I opted for the "world famous" mashers. Samplers came up fairly quickly. The food was slow but I definitely anticipated that with the crowd that they were getting at the tables. First beer I tried, I believe, was the Irish red. My first sip and I knew I didn't like this one. I took another sip and, of all things, a felt something fall onto my tongue. Yeah, a piece of food. And, mind you, I didn't have any food in front of my at this point, so this was either already in the glass or had been knocked in during pouring. Yuck, but I can look past it. I went for the American pale. I had requested an IPA sample, but they were out. Took one sip and, BAM, same thing! Another piece of food in my mouth! I left both samples to sit. I didn't like that red, but that APA wasn't bad, so I was a little disappointed to leave it. And it would get worse. The ESB, the Indigo American Lager (a seasonal) and the stout were just outright awful. The first two had the same gross yeast taste that the red had, although they lacked the stray piece of food. The difference between the Indigo, ESB and red was minor, at the least. Maybe it was just that gross taste though. I will say that my last beer was the Green Chili (sic), and I was okay with it. It was really light and thin, but had no discernible green chile aroma (not a bad thing). The pepper was very much there, but wasn't overpowering. I've had only one other green chile beer, in Taos, and this one was much better. Points off for obviously not roasting the chiles first (it brings out the sweetness and flavor of it) and calling it "Green Chili." I realize a lot of people use that spelling but, generally, "chili" has meat and beans and "chile" comes from a plant. In retrospect, I should have gone to the other brewery in town to get my beer. I should spout that the food was freaking fantastic. I haven't had a veggie burger that good in a very long time. It came with pesto and choice of cheese (I got bleu). Those "world famous" mashers were good but not really world famous material. I waited until I paid to mention the food in the glasses to the bartender, just because I didn't want to deal with a lot of shit about it and didn't want to be compensated for it. I mean, I hated the beer, so why would I want more of it? He didn't care, but I didn't really expect him to. So come for the food, like most people here seem to, and order a glass of wine or something. Save your beer drinking calories for somewhere else.
(1)
Marissa G.
Food/Drink: Lots of great beer options. The Chokes and Cheese is amazing. The Creme Brule bread pudding is my favorite dessert ever, and I don't even normally like bread pudding. Overall, A+ for the food. Service: This place is constantly packed and does not take reservations so be prepared to wait for awile. I have also never had a phenomenal waiter/waitress. Overall, C for the service.
(4)
Janet R.
The Honey Wheat beer was excellent and their pizza are also very good! Fun place to go.
(4)
Matt O.
I had the Shepherds Pie and it was quite tasty. I enjoyed the industrial atmosphere - high rafters, exposed but painted duct work. It added to the trendy but casual ambiance I think this place strives for. The crab cakes we had for an appetizer were quite good as well.
(4)
Kenny R.
We had pizza and beer, both were very good.
(4)
David P.
I've never been a huge fan of brew pubs, but our friends suggested this as a meeting place on a recent trip across Missouri. They had been here many times. It was a first for us and a very pleasant surprise. My wife had chicken tenders which she describes as the best she's ever had. I had the pub burger. It was great to order a burger cooked medium and to get actually cooked that way. Since we were on a drive, I limited myself to a sip of beer, but it was very good. I don't remember the full name, but it was a pale ale.
(5)
Chris B.
Went back to Flat Branch this weekend. I'm docking them two stars because the late night menu no longer has the burger on it. Also because they stop serving their full menu at 10:30, which is just too damn early to stop serving on the weekends, particularly since if you get there any time before 9:30, at least on football weekends, it's a hellish wait. Furthermore, we sat down at 10:20, and the waiter told us we could only order from the late night menu. I understand having a late night menu but it shouldn't kick in until at least 11pm and only having appetizers and pizza on it is inexcusable. At the very least, burgers should be on the late night menu.
(3)
David S.
I really enjoy being here, but I will admit that sometimes the service isn't the best. I have been there a good number of times and when I go just for beers then it's completely fine service. If u go for dinner and you are impatient, brace yourself. It may take a while to get your food and the quality of your waiter (how often they check on you, quickly the bring drinks etc.) is definitely hit or miss. The food is great however. I am definitely a fan of their pizzas and the pub dip sandwich. Now to their beer. I really think that almost all of flat branch's beers are above average and some are even very good. I really enjoy their ipa's because they have a good amount of flavor besides bitter. If I'm in the mood, I can really get into the Red Wheat and cherry brown. My favorite, however, is the oil change stout. Phenomenal!
(4)
Emily M.
As a resident of Columbia, Flatbranch is one of the most popular places to go for just about anything: parents in town, a night out with friends, a lunch meeting, graduation dinner, drinking beer during a game. There is parking across the street in the big, empty lot and tons of parking meters around if there's none in the tiny parking lot around the restaurant. If you have to walk, get over it. It's busy for a reason. There's also generally a wait, because it's such a popular place to go. The general wait is about 20-40 minutes at lunch/dinner, and worse during special events, and on the weekends during school. Locals go ALL THE TIME, whenever we have a chance. Plan ahead and go early, go grab a beer at the bar, and go sit outside or wait inside, and have a nice chat with your family/friends/date. Talking for awhile isn't the end of the world, good heavens. As an interesting side note, the building used to be an old studebaker showroom, so the design of the dining area is a bit wonky, but it has some really awesome history. You can find out more about it on the menus, which is always something cool to point out to friends who have never been. The service is generally good, though at the busiest times they tend to be a little harried. Flatbranch is not a five-star restaurant, and it's not for the uptight; it's a laid-back microbrewery in a college town, and should be treated as such. The beer is amazing. If you've never been, try the sampler. I recommend the Honey Wheat, the Oil Change Stout, or the Green Chili Ale. All are very different beers, but everything is great. The Chokes n Cheese in a bread bowl with veggies is always popular as an appetizer, and the beer bread is great too. As far as entrees go, you can't beat the Flatbranch Burger. It has Chokes n Cheese on top, and you should get it with mashers instead of fries. Mashers (mashed potatoes) are the end-all, be-all of sides at Flatbranch. Heaven in two scoops, and they sit innocently beside your sandwich, just waiting to be savored. There are times I wish they sold JUST the mashers as an entree, no joke. Besides the Flatbranch burger, the sandwiches are great (the Philly Cheesestake, the Hobgoblin, etc.), and so is the Missouri BBQ chicken pizza, and the spinach and goat cheese pizza. The veggie burger is also awesome, and it's handmade at the restaurant, with beans and dirty rice. And any of the desserts are insanely good, though rarely ordered because you're so full from your meal. The Creme Brulee is outstanding, as is the Brownie sundae. You need to order it ahead of time, because they bake it while you eat, and it's absolutely worth it. I can't recommend this place enough. It's my number one haunt in town.
On a beautiful summer day in Columbia, MO, I don't think anything could be finer than sitting in the shaded patio of Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, sipping some strawberry lager and sharing some Chokes & Cheese with some good company... Well, I've only been once. But I imagine if I lived here in Columbia, I'd reenact this scene many times during the summer. Loved the atmosphere. The outdoor iron seats aren't super comfortable for those of us with bony butts... but get a couple beers in you and you'll be fine. I thoroughly enjoyed my classic pub burger with cheese. The bun was perfection and I loved the long thin pickle chips. I must add that I'm not a regular beer drinker, but I loved the strawberry lager. Here's the description from the website: "A German styled lager infused with 294 pounds of strawberry puree that imparts a rich strawberry aroma and flavor. The base lager is light in color and body, and lightly hopped with German Tettnang hops. The ABV is 5.5% and bitterness is 14 BU's."
(4)
Courtney S.
One of the things I look forward to most when visiting my college town, Columbia, is making a visit to Flat Branch. It brews its beer locally, but more impressive than the beer list, is the amazing menu. The pretzel and cheese dip is one of the best appetizer I have ever had! The ambiance is great, the patio is perfect for nice weather and the drink menu (beer and mixed drinks) is fabulous. Oh, and Columbia is smoke-free, so that is plus for ALL restaurants there!
(4)
Tanner T.
So many people have spoken so highly of Flat Branch, however I have failed to experience the amazement that others have. The food is okay, nothing really that special. I have never had a dish there that I couldn't find cheaper with the same quality at Applebees, Friday's, etc. Every time I try the beer I am never impressed. It is flat and warm. Not exactly delicious. The price is reasonable, and nothing is ever bad, its just not that great either.
(2)
Sarah G.
Great service! We called about an hour ahead of time to make a reservation for 25 + folks that were in Columbia for my son's wedding. They handled it beautifully. We were served promptly. The food and beers were great. Our server noticed we had a small cake (the portion from the wedding cake that the bride and groom wanted to save) and offered to keep it refrigerated while we dined. He even did separate checks for us! Thank you Flat Branch. It was a fun evening for us.
(4)
Curt O.
Tasted the Winter Spice Ale. Not to my liking, but I am pretty traditional when it comes to my beers. I do like their Green Chile Beer, though. I had a pint of the Irish red ale. It was good. Enjoyed it. Ordered a basket of Fries as an appetizer. They have really good fries and onion rings here. Green Chile chicken strips - It is on the menu as an appetizer but I had it as an entre with onion rings on the side. I have been here a lot over the years and overall the menu is really good. Their pizzas are worth checking out. Do be prepared for a wait to be seated during peak times. If you can get in just a little before the rush, you do well. Otherwise, prepare to wait. It helps somewhat when the students are not in town, but even then this one of the more popular spots in town.
(4)
James S.
Nothing bad to say about this place. Delicious food. Amazing drinks. Friendly service. Fun atmosphere to take family or friends for lunch or dinner!
(5)
Melissa G.
Second time here and hasn't disappointed us yet. Cool outdoor seating area to chill and enjoy a beverage. A must try is the house made Root Beer! Visit today had us just before a huge lunch rush and when we left the wait was already pretty long but people seemed to not have any issues with waiting. Staff was very friendly and we were seated at a high top in the bar area. Ordered the Flat Branch Burger - a thick burger with their "Famous Choke and Cheese Dip" piled on top. I added crispy bacon (perfectly cooked fyi...not limp) and had a side of the beer battered onion rings. Yummy! That dip is amazing and noted for the next visit to be sure to get as an appetizer. Great atmosphere to watch a game , grab a beer and enjoy some great food.
(4)
Jennifer S.
We've dined here a few times and enjoyed all of the meals we've had. Tonight we came to satisfy a burger craving. This was exactly what I wanted. 1/2 pound burger with bacon and cheddar. Toppings on the side (lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles) and a good side serving of fries. The burger was a perfect medium rare and the bacon was two thick-cut, full length strips. The cheddar was also a decent slice. The buns are a soft, but they toast them on the grill to give a nice crunch. I paired the burger with the Green Chili Ale and it was a great way to cut the fat. Service here has always been good for me, but we usually sit at the bar so getting service isn't hard. Tonight our waitress checked in just enough that I didn't feel interrupted. Wait time on a summer Monday is nothing, we didn't even have a problem getting a spot in the small lot.
(4)
Rhonda L.
We were a group of 7 and had about a 30 minute wait on a Thursday evening. We were wise enough to put our name on both the inside and outside waiting lists. Luckily for us we got called for outside seating first which is what we really wanted. Food was good. Served hot with all items served at the same time and prepared correctly. Large menu with good healthy options. Serving sizes are very large. Service was excellent. The restaurant was very busy and our waiter was still attentive and checked in with us regularly. They had a large drink menu, but we were not drinking this visit. I would definitely eat here again and recommend giving it a try.
(4)
Juliana P.
Tried this place my first night in Columbia, and if I return to the area I will be going back! The daily soup--gaspacho--tasted more like a salsa in a cup, so I won't be ordering that again, however the grilled romaine salad was the BOMB. I really want to try and recreate this at home now. What a perfect summer meal! I wanted to order take out, which they said had to be done from the bar, but the service there was pretty slow--order a drink while you wait or call ahead!
(4)
Deana W.
Food- 4 stars Ambiance-3 stars Prices/Portions- 4 stars Menu options - 4 stars Service - 4 stars Patio - 4 stars If you are trying to decide where to eat... This is it! Good food, a lovely patio, attentive service, all at a remarkably reasonable price. The soft, hot Pretzel is "to die for" ! A delicious foot long braided pretzel, covered with a heavy sprinkling of coarse salt. For $1 extra try it with the spinach artichoke dip. Yum! Jalapeño cheddar hush puppies are crispy on the outside, with a delicate crumb on the inside. There are not nearly enough jalapeños to suit my taste, but the spicy Remoulade sauce more than makes up for the missing pepper action. Last, but not least, the Bacon Flat Branch Burger. This is a thick, smoky burger, topped with pepper jack cheese (my cheesy choice), crispy bacon, served on an egg bun with all the fixins. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles adorn this delectable burger. The outdoor patio is lovely place to while away the evening, drinking craft beer and enjoying a hearty meal, but alas, I'm driving across Missouri, so beer, even a perfectly crafted ale is not an approved travel beverage. But, if you are able to take the time to stop and smell the roses...this patio would be a good spot to do it, and Spring the perfect season.
(4)
Thelma B.
Local brewery. Also makes great root beer and cream soda! You can order a tasting size of about seven different beers for a reasonable price to see which ones you like. Their brewmaster is very good!.. The food is pub food, typical but quite good. The crowd is young and trendy, but the staff is courteous and friendly to all who come
(5)
Mark S.
Great beer, good food. The chokes and cheese on the Flat Branch burger was great. Good service despite a full house.
(5)
John S.
Burgers are good and the rest of the menu is descent but the service leaves a little to be desired. Thinking that patrons are not too concerned since this is clearly a beer depot.
(3)
Christian Y.
M'eh this place was really just ok. They had a really good beer selection but the food was a strong attempt at being something new without being tested tasted or reviewed... My pulled pork was really dry, the sauce they brought with it I think was meant to moisten it up a touch but really just (I'm sorry to say this) tasted more like a wet dog than food. Nonetheless, a pig died to fit in my belly and I put the food down. Everyone else seemed content with their selections but the cleanliness also needed some attention. We waited 45 minutes and still ended up with a sticky table and something to put between our teeth. The Stars this place really gets are for its beers and for the fact that everyone at the table seemed content. The ambiance seemed active too and that's always a plus. Maybe if I come here again I just won't order the pulled pork again!
(3)
Marilyn W.
Hubby had Dr Pepper pork sliders and we split onion rings. He said sliders were good but not amazing. I had grilled romaine salad with grilled chicken - yummy. Service was great and we dined on the patio since weather was cool.
(4)
Brett R.
I'm sure this is no surprise to anyone, but I LOVE this place. I think their Green Chili beer is one of my favorite beers I've had, and always get one any time I'm back in Columbia. Great beer selection, food, and everything is priced very fairly. Have never had a poor experience at Flat Branch.
(5)
Brian T.
Burgers are enjoyable, but you go here for the beer. They offer a sampler ($7.50-ish?) of several beers. At that point, you realize it's all about the Green Chili Brew.
(4)
David A.
Great location and food. Plan on waiting for a seat but it's worth it. Food for all taste and a great selection of beers.
(5)
Allyson B.
I came here hoping to have some really good beer, since it is after all a brewery. I ordered a flight and was kicking myself after I had taken sips from each of them only to make the "Oh that is not good" face. Please, don't let anyone talk you into trying their green chili beer-- it's not good. More of the focus is on the food which is actually pretty decent. They offer a lot of your typical pub food like pizza, burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, as well as pasta and steak. I ordered the green chili chicken fingers with a side of slaw and fried to snack on. The green chili chicken fingers are actually really tasty! It came with a side of their homemade honey mustard sauce which didn't taste like honey mustard at all... in fact it was largely horseradish if anything =\ If you're not into horseradish, I wouldn't recommend it. Overall, I wasn't really impressed with the selection on the menu. It was all over the place. And honestly, I wish the beer was better! Flat Branch gets 3 stars only because my green chili chicken fingers were good and the bartender was cool as hell.
(3)
Nelly P.
I came for a night out alone. I sat at the bar. I had pizza, the charred romaine salad, and a beer sampler. The charred romaine salad was awesome. The pizza was perfectly cooked, but the top was covered in some prefab salt-garlic-spice that was disappointing. The ESB was anything but bitter. The IPA had a good nose, but ended up flat in the mouth. Most disappointing was the service. I was at the bar and the most personable person was the guy washing glasses. He was lovely. They do have a broad scotch selection. Maybe I will come back for a salad...
(3)
Emily S.
I've been here several times and I think it's one of the best restruants in Columbia. The food is great and the service is awesome. I highly reccommend the Adobo Tacos (OMG.) But I will say - that they don't name their beers. I would expect a brewery to have names for their brews besides the generic types of beer. That was a little disappointing - but the food is fantastic and the ambiance is great! I highly recommend!
(5)
Teena C.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. I visited her with my mom and it was just wonderful. I had a Flatbranch burger that comes topped with the house made artichoke cheese dip. The fries were the best I've ever had and I also ordered a side of the pesto and it was delicious. I had the Katy Trial Pale Ale and it was super. My mom had big roast beef sandwich and fries and was pleased. She had the special beer, Apricot Ale, and it was very good. We started with an order of onion rings and ranch dressing. This place is fantastic.
(4)
Debbie W.
Definitely worth a stop. Food was delicious, we were told there would be about 20 minutes until we were seated, and it was barely 5 min. Server was quick and attentive, even though it was busy. Portions were large enough that we had to take some home with us. There appeared to be some live music playing on the outside patio. Prices were reasonable on everything! Would recommend stopping in if you are in the area.
(4)
Dave G.
The best....excellent service, unique but solid menu and great atmosphere, every town should be so lucky to have a Flat Branch
(5)
Dustin M.
Food is fair but the brews are fantastic. If you are brave, try a watermelon ale. The stout is very good and possibly their best.
(5)
Ray B.
There were four of us from work (two whom don't get out much) and it was a success. Beer selection was great. The food only hit 50%- the two that ordered the cat fish stated it was over cooked/ tasted burn; when I told the waitress that our guest from Alabama thought that the cat fish was over cooked, I got the deer in the head lights look and the canned response 'can I take it back and get you a new order' (while the rest of the party is ten minutes pasted done?). But the bread pudding made up for past sins- two in our party enjoyed it as if it was their last meal.
(4)
Keith H.
Yes, it's loud. Yes, there's often a long wait. That's pretty common when so many people love this place. The food is wonderful and very vegetarian-friendly. I also love the craft beers. When my family asks me where I want to go for Father's Day or my birthday, my answer is always the same: Flat Branch.
(5)
Joshua B.
Flat Branch offered a wide range of food and drinks. They also had a inviting atmosphere. Upon arrival, there was about 20 minute wait but we were offered to the bar to grab drinks while we waited. They about 10 beers that they brewed in house. I had the Irish Red Ale and it was good. Their menu was pretty large and offered for just about any person. We got these green chili chicken strips and hush puppies for our table. Both of those appetizers were really good. I ordered the Northwestern Chicken which has feta cheese and basil on it. It was grilled perfectly and the flavors went together seamlessly. It was served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. They both were made great. I also had a half of a burger and it was delicious. They use really good meat at Flat Branch and I could definitely taste it. The server was alright. She wasn't as attentive as we wanted her to be but there were busy and it was understandable. She also screwed up our checks but we didn't make a big deal about it. They have a really huge space to fit tons of people including a nice outdoor seating area. Flat Branch was overall a perfect experience. I'd recommend it as the first place to go in town.
(5)
Adam T.
Always has good food and a good atmosphere. The beer menu is what truly shines in this microbrew. I suggest everyone who goes try atleast 1 beer if they are of the appropriate age.
(5)
Heather Anne B.
I've been here a few times. Once on a date, once while entertaining the mother-in-law, and once when my family came to town. The food is good enough, and the place is nice enough, that it works for all sorts of occasions. I've eaten different things each time and so far most of it is pretty good! I didn't care much for the garlic five cheese pizza, but the margherita pizza was delightful (if a little messy) and the veggie burger was really tasty. And the honey wheat beer is amazing! I'm not a big drinker but it was light and easy to drink. I have had service that was incredible, but also service that was slow. But if you are looking for a nice place to eat that doesn't cost a whole paycheck, this isn't a bad place at all.
(4)
Kim E.
Service was great. My friend and I got to try some samples. The food was delicious, but the wait was long. The atmosphere was fun and lively.
(3)
Ted N.
Stopped in on the way home from Omaha after thanksgiving, and we really enjoyed it. I had the hobgobbler and it's fantastic as always. Wife had a salad she loved it. I had the green chili beer which I've enjoyed since college. Flatbranch has very good, homey food that you will enjoy. Prices are reasonable. Beer is good with something for everyone, even if it is not as "premium" as some microbreweries.
(5)
Taylor J.
Food - 2/5 Drinks - 3/5 Atmosphere - 2/5 Service - 2/5 Coming through Columbia on a road trip, we were excited to stop into a local restaurant and hopefully have some great food. Being so highly rated and having a large number of reviews, we were hopeful and anticipated a great meal. We left disappointed in numerous ways. Beginning with the food, we started with the jalapeño hush puppies. Half of them were undercooked. They desperately needed salt and overall didn't taste very good. Served with a spicy remoulade, the entire appetizer was off and made no sense to us. The remoulade tasted like spicy brown mustard with some mayo in it. A traditional remoulade or even a sweet (rasp)berry dipping sauce would be so much more appetizing. Simply a bad choice, we were hopeful for a better experience with our main course. I ordered the Big Chief Burger - my wife ordered the Summer Garden Pesto Pizza. I asked for medium cook on the burger, but it came very well - even a bit charred on the edges. The patty was quite a bit smaller than the bun, and was very thick in the center. It made for an awkward experience trying to eat a small burger patty with a huge bun and huge toppings. Also underwhelming was the "fried egg" that was atop the burger, which was cooked over-hard and quite over-done as well resulting in a very rubbery texture. The pizza was a bit overcooked - a bit too much char from the brick oven. The toppings seemed fresh, but it was overall bland. The pesto seemed rather "thin" lacking taste and texture. Wouldn't be surprised if it was from a jar. The beer was good - they've got an alright selection and the glasses they serve it in appear to be a larger true "english pint". Overall though we were pretty displeased with the quality of the food for the price we paid. The atmosphere is the usual bar/grill vibe - kind of like an Applebee's, Cheddars, or 54th Street chain restaurant. Lacked character a bit, to be honest. One thing that was odd - It was a humid 85+ degree day, and at 7pm when we walked in we immediately noticed that the restaurant was warm. High 70's likely. As we ate and had a beer we warmed up even more so - we were lightly sweating by the time we left. Not a fun time. Our waitress was less than enthusiastic and was little help as to recommendations or suggestions regarding menu items. We noticed older patrons and larger parties getting "sold" on beer tastings and higher priced menu items, while we got none of that service. It was our waitress' loss though - I would've very much enjoyed a beer tasting or more expensive menu item had she suggested it. She didn't refill our waters, and didn't ask if we wanted another beer until we were done with our food. Bummer. Overall I think Flat Branch doesn't live up to the hype it has here on yelp. It's got an amazing potential to be a great restaurant with a seemingly scratch kitchen that can produce one-off limited specials and such, but It lacks follow through with cooking and preparation practices which limits it's ability to be truly great.
(2)
James B.
Dope! I've definitely had a great experience at this restaurant/pub. The service was excellent, she always came at the correct to to check up on us, a big noisy but what do you except from a college town? If it weren't so far from where I lived I'd come here every other night, but I'd settle for once a week. I had the Smoked Salmon Pasta, it was so good. I want to have it again but I vowed to try everything on the menu, and my brew for the day was Belgian Post, definitely a good look. But like I said I will be having everything on that menu.
(5)
Kayli P.
This is our favorite restaurant in Columbia. Excellent menu with reasonable prices. They have variable specials and they are frequently adding new dishes to the menu based on the season. We have been numerous times and I have ordered a different dish most every time. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite as I enjoyed each one. I don't really drink beer, but I have tasted what my husband orders. Based on his report, the beers could be better for a brewery, but are still pretty good and overall we love the place.
(4)
Brett F.
Have only visited once, but had a great experience. Food was excellent... Lots of options, fresh ingredients, and very tasty. Good beer options, for those that like to indulge. Overall, a great place to visit in como.
(5)
Jim S.
Varied menu, energetic atmosphere, great food prep, good service, services large parties, excellent value.
(4)
Lindsay A.
I had the privilege of having a meal here last month when I was visiting my sister in Columbia, MO. She brought me here telling me it was one of her favorite restaurants in the area. We grabbed a table outside on their adorable patio and looked over the beer menu first, of course. We decided to get a flight and try six of their drafts. The chile beer was my favorite. This batch was very spicy, which I liked! We browsed their food menu and decided on the artichoke dip to start. It was SO good. They served it in a bread bowl with some fresh veggies. It was a large portion. We ended up taking a lot of it home. For my entree, I ordered a veggie burger with mashed potatoes as my side. Screw eating completely healthy, I am on vacation! I'm glad I went with this meal. It was one of the best veggie burgers I have had. My sister ordered one of their burgers, she enjoyed her meal also. The service was great! He was very attentive and had a great personality! I wish Flat Branch had a location in Denver. Everything was wonderful!
(5)
C. H.
I ate here yesterday and have probably 3 other times. They have a huge selection, big servings and good quality food. In my opinion the menu is too large, it's one of those where you ask yourself... well, sure but what are you good at? I like the burgers, always tasty and my wife had the philly yesterday which looked better than my burger. The beer isn't even close to being on the level off many of my other small brewery favorites. I had the Brown Ale this past time and it didn't touch Civil Life... just saying... Good spot though, stop on in.
(3)
J D.
Good spot in COMO, beer was great I recommend Katy Trail IPA , food was good I did the peach and Pork Belly Sourdough pizza. Service was OK, but I sat at the bar to eat and it was very spread out and a lot for the one bartender to cover.
(4)
Fred K.
Awesome food made scratch in the back! Great atmosphere. #1 pub in town!
(5)
Christopher P.
I know, pubs/breweries seem to be a dime-a-dozen when it comes to college towns, but the Flat Branch Pub and Brewery does a very nice job with the format. I have eaten here on many occasions, but my most recent visit will be what is reviewed here. My friend and I were wandering around downtown Columbia on the last Sunday of the University of Missouri's spring break, and many traditional bars were packed. We walked by Flat Branch, and noticed space on the patio open, so this seemed like a natural choice. Flat Branch offers around a dozen beers at any given time, although they produce numerous styles depending on the season or the whims of the brewmaster. The styles range all over the place, from altbiers and Dubbels to traditional English IPAs and ESBs. The Green Chili Beer is probably the most unusual beer on the menu, with a subtle spicy kick that accentuates the light body, making it a good cool or warm weather choice. Tonight, however, I chose the Extra Special Bitter (ESB) while my friend had the Honey Wheat. The ESB was a bit maltier than I usually expect with the style, but despite this extra sweetness it was enjoyable on the patio. My friend's beer was much better, and she swears by it as being among the best on the menu. After trying it, I could hardly disagree. Light and balanced, with a crispness at the back end, it works very well as a spring or summer choice. Now, how often does a reviewer mention the chicken tenders as a notable dish for a restaurant? I was somewhat skeptical when my friend ordered the appetizer as an entree (I opted for the smoked pork loin with vegetable and rice pilaf), but soon discovered why. Green chiles in the seasoning, along with a perfectly textured breading, made the tenders absolutely wonderful! I never would have thought to include tenders as a highlight of a meal, but these certainly deserve the attention. My pork loin was excellent as well - tender, slightly dry as a cured meat should be, and full of flavor without being overly smoky - but I found myself stealing more and more from my friend's plate as the meal went on. This was a light meal for us, but reinforces the perception I've always had of Flat Branch as a great restaurant with fresh and solid brews. While no beers are truly worthy of fawning attention (that I've noticed, yet), they are solid styles and quaffable, while the food is better than you might otherwise expect from a college-town pub. Worthy of attention and return visits, and a nice casual place for many meals to come.
(4)
Patrick C.
Fairly generic food... with a fairly generic staff. I think we have far better places to eat in Columbia for this place to be rated number on Yelp! It is very large space which means it can be really loud inside depending on the crowd! I WISH they would take reservations because they are almost always on a wait!
(2)
Mikee R.
This place was close to where I was working. It is a interesting place with decent pub food. The staff was friendly and my food was prepared perfect.
(5)
Scott M.
I've eaten here several times on trips through COMO and have always had a good meal. We had pretzels with spinach dip as an appetizer which was quite tasty. I followed this up with a bacon cheeseburger and fries that were very good. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. Looking forward to my next stop here.
(5)
Alexis R.
Once of the best micobrew restaurants I've ever been to, Flat Branch has delicious food and very solid beers. They always have 10 or more beers on tap - the Oil Can Stout is great even if you don't like stouts, but their recent Belgium Golden was a real winner in my books. I really love their pizzas. Perfectly chewy/crispy crusts that taste like they are out of a brick oven with very solid toppings. The margharita is very nice as is the artichoke/pesto pizzas. I love the artichoke dip served in a bread bowl as well - a very solid appetizers ($8.99) than can easily morph into a meal with the veggie sticks and hearty bread. The place is always busy so expect at least a 30 minute wait unless you are there very early on weekday or weekends. We waited 45 min but it was well worth it!!
(5)
Katie D.
I love Flat Branch! Their black and bleu burger is wonderful as is the pretzel with Chokes & Cheese dip.
(4)
Todd K.
One of our favorites when we visit. The food is always good and plenty of choices. The service can be hit or miss.
(3)
William T.
Good food and beer. Large amount of seating.
(4)
Zach H.
Great place celebrating 20 years in 2014. The Cajun Bayou Pasta is incredible. Always love making a trip to try the different beers when I'm in town. Be sure to order the beer sampler as there are so many unique beers, it's hard to try them all! Definitely one of the better places in COMO. I would highly recommend it to anybody!
(5)
Justin W.
I came here with my wife on a recent trip to Columbia. After arriving in town late at night and striking out at many other places, we were happy to find that Flat Branch was still open, even though the full menu was not available. We tried the beer bread, two different pizzas, the IPA, and a stout. The beer bread was fair at best. The pizzas were excellent. The beers were fine, but they weren't memorable. I'd go back.
Love everything about Flat Branch! Something for everyone to eat and always amazing kind, fast, knowledgeable staff!
(5)
Lawrence N.
Based on typical wait times I expected more. It was good but not great. The atmosphere is good and the beer list is great. The food was just ok.
(2)
Chris R.
Amazing food. The desert was spectacular and they have a good selection of whiskey which is what brought me here to begin with. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Up C.
Wow I really love this place. It took 45 mins for a table but it was worth the wait. Go to the bar order a beer and You will not even notice the wait. I am a ipa fan and my husband loves Hefeweizen. The ed's ipa has a lot of complexity without relying on citrus notes. My husbands had the red Hefeweizen do I need to say more. A red hefeweizen is rare and they really know what the are doing here. The chicken tenders with chile beer batter were incredibly crunchy and delicious. Also had the four cheese pizza. So good! This place completely deserves the 5 stars.
(5)
Nicholas B.
My bachelor party, I went for three things: Bayou Pasta (you can ask them to make it as hot as you want), Oil Change Float (with Tiger Stripe, don't be scared of the Tiger), and Creme Brulee Bread Pudding (it takes 15 minutes to make, so just order it as soon as you get there).
(5)
Jami C.
Pleasantly surprised at their salads. Hadn't been there in many years. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Andrew L.
Their sausage and chicken bayou pasta is amazing....love it
(4)
Amy S.
Great beer and amazing food but the service wasn't up to par. Sat outside to accommodate the restaurant who couldn't seat us inside timely. They have a beautiful patio so that was no issue. However, our server was slow -it happens but yielded only a 4 star rating and not perfect. Awesome place though!
(4)
Julie S.
Excellent, got the stout brownie with vanilla ice cream, ohhhhhh so good. I enjoyed it with a oil change stout!!! Yummy!!!
Worth a stop! Stopped at this place on a college visiting trip to Mizzou based on DDD and Yelp reviews, Cool place with a nice patio setting right off campus. They have a great selection of brews and the Katy IPA was tasty with its citrus undertones. For dinner, three of the four of us had the Big Chief Burger. It was topped with bacon, egg and cheese. REALLY a good, juicy and flavorful burger. Would definitely have that again. My hubby had the catfish and chips which he really enjoyed. The fries are lightly battered and were the bomb (tried my sons). I had their 'famous' mashed potatoes. I'd suggest passing on those. They were just simple mashed potatoes. Nothing special about them. My daughter had grilled vegetables with her burger and they looked yummy as well. If you like good beer and a better meal, then definitlely stop here.
(4)
Mark O.
Driving from KC to STL on a Sunday, Columbia was perfect stop-off. Yelped for pubs for my dad & I and saw Flat Branch. Actually a little hard to find but parking on the street and walking up was revealing of the greatness of their patio. I had veggie burger and APA, dad had pork loin sandwich and some less hoppy beer and we left most happy and continued our journey. I look forward to being able to enjoy carbs again and try their pizzas!
(5)
Aaron B.
There is a reason why Flat Branch often has long waits during prime-time, because its the beeeeees kneeeeees. Flat Branch is a triple threat: great service, food, and booze. Yes, saying they are a triple threat is cheesy, but not as deliciously cheesy as their "Hot Soft Twist Pretzels" with CHEESY SPINACH DIP. I might be able to do an entire review just on this appetizer. I crave theeeem. This pretzel dish is what all pretzel dishes strive to be and fall short of. THE PINNACLE OF HOT SOFT PRETZELS. Moral of the story: GET THE HOT PRETZELS. The beer battered onion rings and chokes and cheese are another great treat. Beer battered breading is easily one of my favorite things invented. I love that sweet breading. As for main dishes, they have great pizzas but I usually opt for the burger. Their burgers are really good. I don't know why I like them so much but they are a perfect "American" burger. I've never had a bad meal here. Venture out and get whatever you want...I can bet you it's all good. Now onto the good stuff... their beer. They easily brew some of the best beers I have ever tasted (Note: I am not a beer aficionado). I love their Honey Wheat, it's probably my favorite. However they have so many great beers! I also enjoy the Green Chili Beer, Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, and the Irish Red. I look forward to my next visit to CoMo so I can visit Flat Branch.
(5)
Sunni Z.
The world famous chokes and cheese was definitely not worth the hype. It didn't have any spinach in it. I had a burger and my guy had the adobo tacos. The burger wasn't flavorful and was pretty burnt. The adobo tacos smelt just like cat food. Very unappetizing. Too bad. We drove up from Rolla to go. Our waitress wasn't friendly either. We won't be going back.
(1)
Ray B.
Just moved to Columbia and this by far has been the best restaurant I've eaten at in town. Went on a Saturday evening and there was an hour and a half wait for 2, which I wouldn't expect anything less from a restaurant this good. After drinking cheap beer at Lucky's while we waited, we sat at our table exactly 1.5 hrs after we went on the list. (Don't bother calling to make reservations ahead of time, they don't take them). I ordered the veggie burger with sweet potato chips on the side. It was the best veggie burger I have had. Not just your typical frozen patty from the grocery store, this had blacks beans, oatmeal, hummus, and all kinds of good stuff. For dessert I got the chocolate chip cookie sundae and it was delicious and HUGE. Oh forgot to mention the beers, I got their sampler and really enjoyed their green chili one. Others were more or less the same as any other local brewery. Still good though. Our waiter was awesome. He was upbeat, patient, and had no problem explaining menu items and checking in on us even when the place was slammed. Restaurants are graded by food, service, atmosphere, and prices. And this place aces ALL of them. Portions are larger than average and prices are actually reasonable which is surprising given the popularity and quality of the food at this place. Check it out sometime, we will be going back soon.
(5)
John D.
We went for the first time today. The beer was awesome and the appetizers were great, especially the onion rings. The best part was the service. We had Archer as a waitress, and she was definitely one of the best servers we have ever had at ANY restaurant!!
(5)
Derl W.
I have tried most of the menu here and I have never had a bad dish. I stick mostly to the lagers since I am not a huge fan of the dark beers, but there is a nice selection here as well.
(5)
Debbie M.
I visited this flatbranch pub on a busy Thursday night. Our 35-40 minute wait was well worth it. Ordered the pork tacos that came with chunky applesauce and dirty rice and they were beyond delicious!!!! Service was also excellent. If ever in the area again would definitely stop in!!!! Deb. CT
(5)
George F.
I could tell by the attitude of the girls at the door this was going to be a bad experience. The menus were thrown at a table, with an "is this ok" when she was already almost back at the door. She had to get back to the hostess stand to swap more boyfriend stories that our party interrupted. Once our waiter arrived at our table and took our drink order it was forever before our drinks came because he was waiting on other tables. The food was slow to come out but that was some what acceptable as it was a busy day. It wasn't acceptable that the food was cold. The poor reception. Service and food quality was topped off by the lackadaisical way our bill came. Was I ever glad to have cash so I didn't have to wait for our server to ring out a credit card.
(2)
Smashlee D.
A Columbia staple, this place has earned it's fair share of beer, food, and best patio awards. They brew all their beers on site and everything from flights to groulers are available. Flat Branch has an extended pub style menu with pizza, burgers, steaks, and pasta dishes. Their beer alone is worth the visit, green chili beer, the Katy trail ale, and oil change being a few to mention along with the exclusive Halloween pumpkin beer. Great for large groups, kids, happy hour, and date night, this restaurant has got Columbia wrapped around it's finger.
(4)
Matt V.
This is my 2nd trip to this establishment. The food, service, and beer are all top notch! They have the best shepherds pie I've ever in my life! During my recent trip I got their adobo pork tacos and they were so good. They have several craft brews on tap. This is a very popular restaurant so be prepared to wait for a seat or grab a spot at the bar!
(5)
Tyler A.
Have been to Flat Branch at least a half dozen times now. Their brews are very good, I only wish that their vanilla (ale?) was a year round brew because it is great, other than that, their other brews are very good as well. The service is always good, whether on the patio, in the dining room, or in the bar. Their sandwiches are all I've ever had, and can't complain. If you're in CoMo, you have to check it out.
(5)
Enrique S.
Grabbed lunch here today. Got my old stand-by sausage and mushroom pizza. As usual, it was very good. The crust was just right (thin), the sauce was not the sweet goop you get at the chains but rather "real" pizza sauce, and the toppings were plentiful and very fresh. Service was prompt. Good place for a biz-lunch meeting.
(4)
Chi T.
I love their green chili chicken tenders! Must get it with ranch or blue cheese dressing! Whenever I go here, I normally order their chopped salads. Today, I was feeling a chicken club sandwich on focaccia bread. It was pretty good, but wish the bread was toasted on the inside. Not a bad place for lunch. Definitely go on a weekend or during the afternoon. There is definitely a wait time during the night!
(4)
Eric H.
I have been here a few times but never are here. I tried the new pot roast tonight and it was spectacular. I'll come again and I will eat next time. By the way, the Imperial IPA was also delicious.
(4)
Bob B.
Pizza was average at best. Not cooked in a brick oven. It looked like a stainless steel stand-up oven... Onion rings were soaked in grease and the ranch dip was thin/watered down.
(2)
Brandy H.
Great Porter! And home brewed soda made for some happy kiddos! The food was delicious, and fast. So fast! The staff was friendly and helpful, and all our meals were hot and huge!! We ate inside, and had a great atmosphere for the kiddos- but the outside patio looked like a blast. Definitely would shoot for outdoors of we were hanging with the grown ups... And husband loved the green Chili beer (he insists you try it)
(5)
Andrew T.
Great longtime CoMo establishment with consistent food and microbrew craft beer quality. They have a solid lineup of beers that they serve throughout the year as well as some rotating seasonal selections so that everyone will find a drink that they will like. There are some rather interesting beers served here such as the Green Chili Beer which I am very tempted yet slightly intimidated to try! For those who like darker beers, my typical go-to is the Brown Ale here. A very solid representation of the style indeed. As for the food, although there are many tasty morsels listed throughout the menu, I usually end up getting the nachos with the chicken add on or the sausage and chicken bayou pasta. The nachos can usually be split between 2 people with normal appetites or is also good enough for 1 person who is very hungry and comes with sour cream, salsa, and guac on the side. For those who like their spice, the sausage and chicken bayou pasta is pretty fantastic and served as a large portion which I usually end up taking home for lunch/dinner the next day. It comes with both a nicely seasoned Andouille sausage as well as charbroiled chicken in a spicy sauce that is not too overwhelming. I would highly recommend this dish to any lovers of spice/Cajun/Creole cuisine. As for the service, the hostesses are typically very prompt and courteous as well as the rest of the service staff any time I have gone here even when they are completely swamped on game days.
(4)
Christopher B.
I've had better for less, but the Garlic Pizza is tasty and the chicken and artichoke dip are both decent.
(4)
Maxwell P.
Jes and I went to FB yesterday for about the 10th time. We've had really positive experiences pretty much every time, but for some reason I was really happy with yesterday's visit so I finally came on here to tell people about it. I'm not going to rave about the delicious food options, the myriad of micro-brew options, or the delicious daily specials, even though any of those things could be the focus of the review. If you have an adventurous streak for food or beers, or if you like the classics done really well, definitely check out FB. What really prompted me to write this is how knowledgeable and thoughtful the server we had yesterday was about the menu. Jes recently phased out gluten from her diet, and it's been a real struggle to find good restaurants that actually care about offering a variety of food to a variety of food-restrictions. Our server knew the options, she knew what was Gluten-Free on the menu, and she even went back to the server stand to grab the GF menu (which only affirmed what she had already told us). The staff at FB knows their stuff, and Jes and I are glad they have embraced the latest trend in gastronomy. Oh yeah, they have Crispin on tap which was perfect for yesterday's 90 degree 90% humidity day. 1-star deduction: The only complaint I consistently have about FB is the space. I don't care about waiting an hour to eat here, it's well worth it. However, as others have said, there's no good place to wait. The bar area is a weird hybrid of dining room / bar area, and it gets a little awkward having people hovering over you while you're trying to eat. There is a dining room dining room separate from the bar, so don't worry. The space issue was exacerbated yesterday because we were eating when the US was playing their opening WC game. Trust me, there's nothing worse that being trapped in a small space with a bunch of fair-weather soccer fans who only cheer when the ball is being kicked towards the goal. Ugh....
(4)
Zach G.
This place was very hyped up as a result of my wife and her friends all being Mizzou grads. Well, we grabbed some dinner here on my first trip to Columbia, and let me say...wasn't too impressed. The restaurant itself is nice. It's clean, it's large, it has plenty of outdoor seating too. The bar area seems a bit orphaned and out of place (as an island), but whatever. Bathrooms are clean. Service is friendly. That's all well and good. Beer wise, I had the stout which was very good - smooth, flavorful, and the perfect temperature. For my entree, I had the catfish and chips. The catfish itself wasn't a huge portion, but was moist, flaky and tasty, with a great breading. The fries were typical fries - good, not great, not bad. Now, why am I giving this place 2 stars? Well, for one, although it was hot outside when I was there, it was even worse inside. It's like they had no desire to turn on the air conditioning. It was, in fact, hotter inside than out - I wish we had sat on the patio. And that's a lot to say when it was 90 degrees outside. The inside was nasty, humid, stuffy...we (all four of us) spent the whole meal sweating. I wanted another beer, but wanted more to get the hell out of this place. The other negative - the pretzel app. My wife and her friend kept talking about how good the pretzels were, despite learning that they were not made in house, but rather just pulled out of the freezer and heated. For 2 pretzels with a small thing of cheese sauce, it was $9 with tax. NINE BUCKS! My entire entree was $11. And the pretzels were not that good at all - I didn't even finish one. What a rip off. So, will I return here? Maybe. If the weather is nice, and we avoid the pretzels. But, at the same time, I'm okay just coming for one beer or never coming again...my experience made me indifferent to Flat Branch.
(2)
David P.
Flat Branch is a staple of Columbia. Whenever my parents come to visit we go there for dinner. The food is tasty, I love their salads and their beer is also great. The atmosphere caters to families and sports fans with a lot of televisions in the bar area. Overall, the place is great.
(4)
Ygbnd G.
Love the atmosphere and the out door patio. The onions ring are really great but the rest of the food is okay
(3)
James B.
Took my wife there for dinner. It was not for us. The food was okay. Nothing special. The crowd was rowdy. The wait - staff was nice. I gave it a three because the food was not great.
(3)
Heather R.
Great place for lunch!!! Always make a stop here when visiting my daughter at school!!! The Reuben is on of the best I've ever had!
(5)
Hope E.
The 'chokes and cheese is something I still think about from time to time. I try to make it here anytime I'm back in town. I absolutely love this place and spent many birthdays and special occasions here with friends during my college years. The Katy Trail Pale Ale is one of my favorite beers. Can't wait to visit again when I'm back in Columbia!
(5)
Cynthia R.
The check in hostesses were a problem. Beer was great. Food was good. The bartenders were good. However, when it is a busy Sunday afternoon at lunchtime and the place is packed and you have to wait in a long line to just get your name on the list/get a pager, it is not ok for the hostess who is taking the names to allow her friend named Imperial to cut the entire line and get her name on the list ahead of a line of people for her table of 3. More mature hostesses who care would be great.
(2)
Miranda B.
Beer was mediocre at best, and I tried a few to see if one just didn't suit my palate, but no dice.
(2)
Sandy B.
The Stout Brownie Sundae is amazing! I want to keep coming back to Flat Branch just for this dessert.
(5)
Brennan H.
Best beer and food in town. My favorite restaurant!
(5)
Jam S.
Its a Columbia institution but over rated. If you are visiting here, and want to wait in line for hours, this is your spot. Food is just "ok" -- the beer is far better.
(2)
Alyssa C.
Great food! Decent service, but our waiter was a bit scatterbrained. I recommend the Bangers & Mash.
(4)
David S.
I've been here multiple times and am always very pleased. They seem to focus a little more on the food than on the beer, but the beer is still very well done and worth trying. I have tried many of there dishes and never been disappointed with the food options.
(5)
Curtis H.
I have eaten at this great establishment many, many times over the years since my time at Mizzou. Their food is consistently good and continues to be reasonably priced. Their beers are also decent and are ridiculously cheap during happy hour. My last visit was graced with the chokes n cheese (always wonderful) and a very nicely prepared wasabi ahi tuna steak. If you are looking for a reliable establishment in Columbia this place is a must. I'll be back for sure...for many years to come. Go Tigers!!!!
(5)
Fazia M.
Our server was pleasant. Great ambience. Gave large side table for our big group. Veggie burger and brownie were excellent will be back. Price is reasonable.
(5)
Susan S.
Excellent. I have had numerous things on the menu, and everything has been good. The service is actually decent for Columbia, which has always seemed to have a problem with disinterested college students as waiters/waitresses/bartenders. I'm not a big fan of 'fancy' beers, but the people I've gone with whose tastes ran more exotic have been mostly happy with their brews. I do like the green chile beer - it adds a nice twist to the meal. A great example of upscale bar food - delicious and semi-imaginative without being pretentious.
(4)
Harold D.
My favorite place for good food and hand crafted beer in Colmbia. This place has a great vibe I split the ribs with my wife and got an extra side good portions Did I say great beer
(5)
Nithin M.
Good ambience, not very expensive, good beers, friendly staff, a notch above the average pub food and generous portions. I had the meat loaf dinner and my wife had the grilled chicken salad. Both were good though the fries were very oily. The honey wheat is the best light beer I have ever had and the brown ale was good too.
(5)
Andy S.
Excellent beers, food, and service. Come here every time I'm in CoMo. Love me some beer bread.
(5)
Suzanne W.
I had the blackened salmon..I'm pretty particular about the quality of my food and I was very happily surprised. It was great. I sampled the mashed potatoes and the BBQ sauce..both really good. Also tried the green chili beer..awesome. Server was super friendly and food came out fast!
(4)
Tonya M.
My daughter and I dined here last night. It was a bit of a long wait, but was worth it in the end. We started with crab cakes- good crispy and the sauce was good. Dinner we shared bangers and mash- very good! The applsauce was made in house along with the gravy- you could tell by the flavor. I had a riesling with dinner- it was not the best. I know they are a brewery and know for beer but not all of us are beer lovers. So the drink menu at the table was a little sparse- hence 4 instead of 5 stars. When you go you HAVE to try the Creme Brulee bread pudding. OMG!!!!!!!! Crack in a bowl!! It was out of this world!!! I would return just for the dessert alone!! Atomsphere was good- but very busy even on a tuesday night. Will be back for sure. Want to try the Shephards pie. Seriously- save room for the bread pudding!!
(4)
Tom T.
I would more likely vote 3.5, so Flat Branch gets rounded up. Their food is good - excellent burgers - fries are awesome - wings were so-so (not very spicy). Their beer is OK. In a world full of amazing craft brews, their house beers did not impress me. The place is consistently busy, particularly as you get close to the weekend. Expect slow, but competent service at the bar. After three visits, I'm convinced this is just how it is. Overall feel of the place is good. As a beer nut, I love the concept, but not crazy about the beer.
(4)
Rita B.
Great margaritas on the patio. Food is wonderful too. Only bad thing is the wait.
(4)
Chelsea G.
They make a lot of things in house here, from their salad dressings to, of course, their own beer! The beer is good, but it surprised me that it was so strong (felt stronger than the listed alcohol content). I've never been disappointed.
(4)
Robert H.
Fun place to have a good time. Nice seating available. Large flat panel Tv's hover over the bar.
(4)
Dotty R.
We went here to meet friends after dinner to have drinks. I didn't get to eat their food; however, this was a cool place. Very nice inside and out. We started at the bar having drinks and the wait staff was cool. We then ventured outside and sat on the patio. The staff outside was cool as well; kept coming by getting our refills and glasses. Great service, nice atmosphere. I will be back (in my terminator voice).
(4)
Lab L.
Traveling through and hubby suggested lunch here based on his recent business trip to Columbia. The beer bread appetizer was a bit disappointing. We've had much better (and made much better)...so we felt this was an oversell. We also got the hot spinach dip with the restaurant's homemade tortilla chips. Very yummy. The side of veggies made it almost healthy. I had a cup of the tomato soup. Very good. Homemade. Hubby had a hamburger and onion rings. Hamburger portion was huge and he only ate half. Onion rings were good, but nothing special. I guess we expected something a little different/better than our local place that gets theirs from a huge food service vendor. Busy but food arrived timely. Good service with refills. Ended up being a big pricey for lunch but it beat a chain or fast food.
(4)
pamela K.
Love Flat Branch.....I have yet to be dissapointed!! Great patio too for nice weather days. Don't miss the brownie made with Stout beer and topped with vanilla ice cream!!
(5)
Sharon C.
Great food! We were looking for a place to eat in downtown, and just happened on this place. They have the big tvs to watch sporting events. It's a bit loud, like any other brew pub I've been to, but the staff was friendly and attentive, despite the fact Mizzou wasn't playing well against the Arkansas. The food was delicious. We'll definitely return when we are in the area.
(4)
Teresa C.
I really like this place! (And not just because it has free parking in the middle of downtown COMO.) The location is convenient, there are tons of tables inside and out on the patio as well as space at the bar. The service was good and the food was very good for pub style fare. I'd take this place over Yardhouse anyday. Get: Bangers and Mash (so English, I know) which gives you two fat sausages on mash potato and gravy (you can taste how deliciously homemade it is) with applesauce and a roll with honey butter on the side. I loved this dish. I was ready to mop every drop of gravy and potato up and even stole some of K's burger bun to slather more honey butter on. Good! The Swiss and Mushroom burger was a good solid burger with a lot of oomph and served with your choice of a side. Skip: Chili chicken fingers- I get that the spicy kick of the batter makes your tongue go oooh and ahh, but at the end of the day, it's just chicken fingers. Oh and the steamed vegetables side. Healthy really isn't their speciality and you know, I don't care. I really want to go back and try the Chokes and Cheese when there's more people (or when I can afford to be that fatty) but this would be my choice on where to take people visiting. Good food, wide selection, decent prices and large portions. Yum!
(4)
Pratik K.
Hands down, best food in Columbia. There's literally no other place that stands a chance in front of flat branch. Highlights of the menu - their ribs and the avocado burger. The only thing I didn't fins amazing on the menu was their pizzas. Except for that, you can't really go wrong with this place.
(5)
Kelly C.
The best place for Chokes & Cheese. Every time I have been there the staff has been great and anything I have every ordered was wonderful.
(5)
Risa P.
Background: I went to Mizzou, I lived in Columbia for four years. When I graduated in '03, I yelled "sayonara suckers!!" and didn't look back. However, last weekend I came back to visit close friends. After realizing that I am like the only person who doesn't have a "favorite college place" for eating, I decided that I needed a new one. After a perfect Missouri day and a walk around the campus (good to see the preacher is still in Speaker's Circle but was now dressed as a pilgrim, the Rec Center did NOT look like that when I was here, and what the hell happened to Brady...) we decided to go to Flat Branch. Too many people had recommended it and I had to go back. I went here with my parents back in the '02 but didn't really remember much. Hello Flat branch. Since it was nice out, we say outside on the patio. They had nice huge tables with umbrellas and in the sun, it was really nice. Our waiter clearly did not want to be there (I realized later we were his last table.) That is fine. The food and the beer made up for it. We got a Green Chili beer and it had a good kick but also was a nice cool beer on a warm fall day. It sounds strange right? But it was so good. Especially in a college town. Put down the Milwaukee Beast and Natty Light and get yourself a good beer. We shared the spinach dip. This was a huge portion and definitely enough to share. We went with having it with tortilla chips and vegetables but I think that I would try it with the pretzel sticks the next time (like hot doughy pretzels) Then we shared the veggie burger. This was such a nice change from a regular place that gives you a veggie burger. I think that sometimes places just warm up a Morningstar burger and charge you $8. Not Flat Branch. The burger was handmade with oats and dirty rice and other delicious things. We tried it with pepper jack cheese and yummy!! The fries were okay, they were a little salty for my taste. All in all, it was delicious. Besides our gloomy server, it was a great experience. Now, when I go back to Mizzou, I have a favorite place to go. Thank you Flat Branch.
(5)
Winnie F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was pretty good, meat was a little dry though. The sweet potato chips as a side were quite crisp and almost burnt, but the cinnamon and brown sugar made it really sweet. Good atmosphere, lots of young people and families. Have come here before and really liked the Missouri BBQ Chicken pizza. Definitely a great casual dining spot unique to Columbia!
(4)
Sean O.
I want to marry this place! Hey - it's really workin for me!
(5)
Jake M.
Great bar and great food! Atmosphere is always awesome, however on a weekend evening you can expect a wait. Its worth it though. This is truly a way to experience Columbia!
(5)
Jeff N.
Excellent local brew pub with good food and a great atmosphere.
(5)
Emily D.
YUM! Great brewery with outdoor seating and a tasty dinner menu! We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and had one of the many beers on tap. The guys next to us were chowing down on apps so we asked them for a restaurant and in near perfect unison, these Burlie men said 'chokes and cheese!' HUH? The buzzer rang and we sat at our table scanning the menu for 'chokes and cheese' and we had to order it. WOW! I don't even want to know how many calories are in this cheesy goodness but we loved it! I asked for extra veggies to try and make myself feel less guilty but I definitely had to run a few extra miles the next day to make up for that app! Our service was pretty crappy but we were happy enjoying a Sumner night on the patio. For my meal I had a grilled chicken salad which was pretty basic and my boyfriend had a french dip. Best part of the meal had to be the beer and the 'chokes n cheese.' Thanks for the heads up Burlie bar men!
(3)
Jeff P.
4 1/2 star. Wow! What a great place. Great selection of their own brews, with a large variety. Great food. Great service. Nice patio. But the best part, is the very reasonable prices... I love the Midwest's cheap food and drinks!
(4)
Megan B.
My all time favorite restaurant in Columbia! The first time I went was in spring and I got a salmon and peach salad. I was hooked! I've had the pizza and chicken club which were both so good. I always look forward to eating here and so does my family when they visit.
(5)
Teve' U.
ribs ribs ribs (full rack $20) -- don't waist the time on the menu (coleslaw too) 5/5 beer.. its good & i had the stout -- stay away from the chili beer. atmosphere: 5/5 (nice vaulted ceilings, red brick walls) bartenders: 2/5 -- not very good, hard to get their attention, didn't know the product -- fortunately the other patrons were helpful
(4)
William G.
This place would be a 5 if not for how crowded it was. Granted, it is fairly simple to get a beer at the bar while you wait but still if your restaurant is causing hour+ waits, it may be time to expand or add a 2nd location. The beers were all fantastic and enjoyed by all. I didn't hear a single complaint. People in our group had the barley wine, brown ale, green chili, and oil change. The oil change stout seems to be the most popular one judging from what most patrons were sipping. Green chili seems to have a cult following... you either like it or you dont. I fall into the latter category. As for food, prices were very reasonable and everyone seemed to rave about their dishes. The beer bread is also fantastic. Give this place a try. If you're going on a standard "eating out" night be prepared for a long ass wait.
(4)
Christie R.
This place was recommended to us, so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately it was over an hour wait for a table, so we left. We tried again a few months later and managed to squeeze past the (AGAIN) one hour wait by sitting at the bar. We ordered chicken and beef which was delivered fairly quickly and hot. The entrees were tasty, but what stood out in our minds was the dessert: A Creme Brulee Bread Pudding! Whoever created that dish needs some type of epicurean peace prize! It was warm, gooey and delicious. I am NOT a fan of creme brulee, but this was fantastic. The bread pudding was on the bottom and the brulee ont he top-complete with carmelized sugar top! Someday, we will get in and sit at a regular table.
(4)
Denise W.
I want to start off by saying this place isn't BAD, and clearly people love it considering the excessive wait due to the abundance of patrons, but it just has a lot of qualities that annoy me. I went here to have lunch with someone on a Wednesday and we ended up having to park about 4 blocks away because the parking lot and surrounding street parking was taken (I know, it happens, but it was annoying). We went in and were told there was a 40 minute wait unless we wanted to sit at the bar, so we begrudgingly obliged and then proceeded to wait 10 minutes before the bartender gave us any attention. I don't really blame him, as the bar is pretty massive and he was the only one tending to a whole gaggle of people, but it sort of sucks nonetheless. The food was good and the beer selection was actually really impressive, all priced fairly. It really just came down to the fact that so many people were there that the noise overwhelmed us and despite sitting side-by-side at the bar, we could barely hear one another. I agree with another reviewer - this place would be well-served to open another location.
(3)
Devon P.
I feel this restaurant is way overrated. They are CONSTANTLY busy and I don't really get it. I have been there 3 or 4 times in the 6 years I have lived here and I haven't had anything that I thought was that good....with one exception. The huge cookie is realllllly good. Make sure you order it 15-30 minutes before you want to eat it though. The beer is okay... but the root beer is great!
(3)
John H.
We had a good lunch experience at Flat Branch on a game-day Saturday. There was a wait for tables which gave us an opportunity to wait in the bar for a little while. I had bloody marys, which were very good. Monica had the Brown Ale and the Irish Red. The Brown was very complex, and honestly quite good. The Red was spot on and as good as almost any local brew I've sampled in Ireland--it had a nice creamy head and a smooth finish. The food was pretty good too. We started with sweet potato chips which were good. I had a cuban sandwich, which wasn't really a cuban sandwich, but was an interesting re-imagining. I also had half of Monica's french dip, which was very good. With lunch I had a homemade cream soda which was also very good. Flat Branch is a nice space, and we were able to sit at a table looking into the pizza oven. Monica told me that when she was an undergrad at Mizzou, anytime an out of town family person came in that Flat Branch was the dinner place of choice. I can see why.
(4)
Pari A.
Awesome Beer, excellent food, good ambience, clean interiors- Flat Branch has it all! We take all our out of town guests to this place and everyone loves it. Green chilli beer, honey wheat are the best. They carry a good variety of food- vegetarian, seafood, pizza, sandwiches. I tried multiple stuff and so far, everything was very well made. This is a very gourmet and class style brewery and restaurant, and Columbia is proud boast of a cool place like this!
(5)
Justin F.
My FAVORITE place to eat/drink in Columbia. Amazing food and even better beer that they brew themselves. GO THERE!
(5)
Joshua B.
Really busy even when the students were gone. I stopped in on a rainy summer evening; the student were not around yet; and the place was still packed. The wait for a table was ~40 minutes. We got seated at the bar almost right away though. The bar has the full menu. The staff seemed on top of things. The noise level was a little high at the bar. The vibe was cool and laid back. The crowd seems to be in an in between age. Its not really a place that caters to undergrads, but it may be a grad student hangout. The soft pretzels were tasty, and the buffalo meatloaf sandwich was good. The prices were very reasonable. There are lots of beers made on the premises, and they have quite a few scotches. The oil change stout is dark and thick with lots of flavor. The IPA was very drinkable, and the kristalwitzen was a great filtered wheat beer. As they say, support your local brewery...
(4)
Josh L.
The food was good. We had the nachos and the ribs. The nachos seemed over baked at first but then I tasted them and realized the cheese used was amazing. The ribs came off the bone just by picking them up. It was a unique sauce they provided. It had a little zing to it. Overall the food was good. Environment was good. Beer was good. Speed of service was a little sub par. We actually asked about our food and if it was lost. It took an hour and a half to get in and out and we really didn't cause the delay. We were always waiting on something.
(4)
Charisma P.
Hands down, this is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The food is delicious, very reasonably priced, and one beer is enough to make me tipsy! Some of my favorite things: chokes & cheese dip, spinach dip, flat branch burger, cajun crayfish tails (sadly, no longer on the menu), bayou pasta, sausage & mushroom pizza, grilled salmon, stout brownie sundae, stout. This place is within walking distance from campus and is a hangout for students and faculty alike. They also have outdoor seating, which makes it a fantastic place to sit and enjoy the evening with a sampler.
(5)
Sarah T.
Love, love loooove Flat Branch! The beers are good, the food is GREAT! The indoor seating is OK, but the patio is the best thing about Flat Branch. During the summer/spring, it's perfect. The burgers are always filling and tasty, but my boyfriend and I are obsessed with the creme brulee bread pudding. We always end our meals with this dish, no matter how stuffed we are.
(5)
Melissa A.
A trip to Columbia isn't complete without a trip to Flatbranch. From pizza to sandwiches to steaks, I've never been displeased with anything. Their green chili chicken fingers with a side of their house buffalo sauce (omg...that sauce!) are some of the best chicken fingers I've ever had. Their beer selection is broad and their sampler is a great way to try around 10 (can't remember) different brews. I know it's a brewery, but for those that are into bloody mary's, they make a killer signature one with an assortment of garnishes, probably the best I ever had in Columbia. Some yelpers complain about the prices being high, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.
(5)
C C.
All around perfect place. The service was outstanding and the burgers were life changing. Our waiter was kind and unobtrusive as only the most professional and skilled are. We will stop here every time we are in Columbia!
(5)
Tender B.
A Columbia favorite. A nice selection of beers that flatbranch brews. Sometimes they even have a barley wine or an imperial stout. The slection changes with each season. The food is typical bar fare, but pretty good. Get the bacon chicken wrap with onion rings.
(4)
Brian E.
The beer is bland, the prices are a little steep, but overall it's a decent place. I would kill someone for some soft pretzel twists or chokes 'n cheese right now.
(3)
Kristen e.
wonderful spinach and artichoke dip! nice atmosphere and great beer specials
(5)
Adam O.
Like many reviews before, I'm not saying the place was bad it was just okay. Pros: -Great atmosphere -The bathroom has those state of the art hand drying stations and a handle on the door so you can open it with your feet (nice to not have to do bathroom karate to get out with clean hands). Cons: -The microbrews were tasty but not in the same league as Boulevard or Schlafly (the other MO famous microbreweries). -The spinach dip tasted like store bought microwaveable and was way too runny. -The food in general was on par with Outback, but for $50 for 2 people I expected more.
(2)
Zac C.
If I was just basing this review on teh food and the beer I would give it 3 stars... But with the excellent patio it bumps to 4
(4)
J P.
Incredible incredible beers! Food is good as well but the beers are mouth watering good.
(5)
Amanda C.
So, I am convinced that I should have just gotten something different because everyone I was with would have given FB 4-5 stars to where based on my food, I would have given it a 2-3. A friend who has been in Columbia for the past 4 years for school recommended FB to us, as we were meeting family from St. L halfway to KC. After deciding that we should maybe have something a little healthier than Shakespeares Pizza, we ended up at FB! I checked out the reviews on Yelp! before we headed in and also made sure I checked out the menu. Well the eating healthier part was totally nixed when I spotted the Garlic-5 cheese pizza. Let me start while we were still in the car... THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PARK! This was not a good sign to me as many other Yelpers say that the wait takes forever. We finally parked and walked in... it took about 3 minutes to get a table for 4 so this was a plus. We ordered the pretzel as an appetizer with beer mustard and spinach dip. The pretzel was gooey and soft all the way through... a perfect pretzel, I must say! Not being a fan of spinach dip... I was convinced to try it and to my surprise it was actually very good. It was creamy and had a bit of a jalapeño kick to it. The beer mustard on the other hand seems to be for mustard lovers only... It was way too strong for my liking. I stuck to my guns and after contemplating for a REALLY long time about what I wanted; I ended up getting the garlic pizza. Unfortunately this did not have marinara and the delicious juicy tomato taste is the main reason I love pizza so much. So after I discovered there was none on the pizza, I ended up ordering a side dish of marinara! I am sure glad that I did. The pizza was okay, and when I say okay I mean that I could not taste ANY garlic on it--- and this is the reason that I got it! The fries, oh those damn french fries were delicious. I know I have said a fry is a fry is a fry in my other posts but they were actually REALLY good, and obviously worth remembering! The feeling inside the pub was casual and just a chill feeling! Outside, the dining looked gorgeous. Although we did not eat out there because we were not in the mood to battle the Missouri July weather, I really wish it would have been a bit cooler so it would be comfortable to eat out there. It almost looked like a very romantic feel... or maybe like a place from "MTV: The Hills" but wait... those places aren't real! ---Or are they?? Outside seemed like a great place to enjoy a nice drink of wine with one you are trying to woo--- guys take note! Our service was a bit slow but the waiter was great! He was very outgoing and very helpful! ---Considering he had the entire half of the restaurant to serve while we were there! Prices were perfect... especially for a college town! Affordable! I hope to give FB another try and order something else to surprise me into thinking the way the others did! A 3 rating... well here is how I broke it down Parking-1 Wait and entrance- 4 Service-4 Food (based only on my pizza)-3 Outdoor Seating- 5 So basically a 3.4
(3)
Lori C.
I am a regular. Love the beer. Food is always good. Flatbreads are solid. Homemade soups. The outdoor dining is great. I always see somebody I know. It is definitely one of my favorite dining spots in COMO.
(4)
Ryan S.
The Green Chili beer and perhaps the best Veggie Burger I've yet to experience make the Flat Branch a must visit when I'm in CoMo. The staff is always friendly and prompt, and the quality is far beyond the normal brewpub schlock.
(5)
Annee T.
One of the better ones in Columbia. Flat Branch seems to be one of the only places in town where you can get cider on tap - for that alone, the place has my stamp of approval. The food is standard pub fare - decent burgers, pasta, sandwiches, etc. The chokes 'n cheese dip and the smashers are delicious, and one time I got this side order of tossed vegetables that was really nice. The veggies were cooked perfectly, tossed in olive oil, and heavily peppered. A simple, plain side that you could make at home, but a lot of times you go to restaurants and cooked vegetables taste like crap. Don't order ocean-caught fish in a landlocked state, is my last piece of advice.
(4)
H C.
The Oil Change stout I had was great, and my cider-loving boyfriend was pleased that they had Strongbow on tap. The food was somewhat underwhelming. I had a smoked salmon salad sandwich with applesauce. The sandwich was okay, and the applesauce was good. Boyfriend had a bison meatloaf, which was overcooked and underseasoned, and came with a horseradish cream sauce which was kind of bland. (Horseradish!) His mashed potatoes were dry and also underseasoned. It's inexpensive food, but the presentation of the restaurant shouldn't be better than the food, so I still think it could taste better. We were with a large group of people on a Friday night, and although I wasn't paying too close attention, the food seemed to come out at a reasonable time considering the circumstances. No complaints about the service.
(3)
Brad W.
If there was a place in Columbia that was a PERFECT first date place, then Flat Branch was my place. While in College, this was the staple of the first dinner outing. Great food, great service... and VERY busy on the weekends. Be prepared to wait a while to eat. Especially in the winter, as the patio is obviously only open in the warmer months. The food is nothing spectacular, but it's pretty good. They also have their own beer, which is quite tasty. I wasn't a frequent patron of the place for its beer though. While there are not many nice restaurants to choose from in Columbia, Flat Branch is a good choice if you're looking for a nice restaurant in a casual setting.
(4)
Sara L.
Oh, how I miss you Flat Branch! The first few times I went here as a grad student at Mizzou, I thought, "eh, nothing special." The service was just so-so and I didn't really see what all the fuss was about. But then I found a few menu items that are just AWESOME. Now, I'm not sure they still have this, but if they do, get the house salad (it's huge) and the pesto pizza bread thing (not sure exactly what they call it). Great stuff when you're drinking and having a great time with your friends!
(5)
Lisa B.
I met my brother, sister-in-law and niece for dinner at Flatbranch after driving 11+ hours from Denver. They said it was the best place in Columbia and that I had to try it. We went around 7:00 and it was packed. There were people everywhere in the parking lot, most with a beer in their hand just killing time. We were told the wait was 35 minutes for an inside table and debated whether we should wait it out. I was starving from the drive and it was dinner time for my one year old niece. We decided that 35 minutes wasn't that bad and that we had already wasted 10 minutes debating whether or not we should stay. So we decided to stick it out. Looking back I wish we hadn't. We ended up waiting an hour and twenty minutes for a table. We were told that we had to wait for a specific table because we needed a high chair so we kept getting pushed back. When we were finally seated we were seated at a table for eight, there were four of us plus the high chair so this large table seemed a bit excessive, but whatever. I find it hard to believe that the only table in the whole restaurant that can fit a high chair is an 8 seater. Important Note: There are two different wait lists - one for inside and one for outside. This place is apparently known for its patio and considering how long we waited to get a table inside, it would have been 2+ hours for a table outside according to the host. I think that is a bit ridiculous. Maybe Flatbranch should consider a second location with wait times like this? Now - on to the food! We ordered some appetizers because we were starving. We got the pretzels with spinach dip and the onion rings. These items were great. The warm spinach dip went perfectly with the fresh baked pretzels and the onion rings weren't excessively greasy. Both appetizer orders were fairly large and more than enough for us to split. I highly recommend both of these items. For my meal I ordered the BBQ chicken pizza. I LOVE BBQ chicken pizza. In my opinion its not too hard to screw up. However, this particular pizza was less than impressive. There was hardly any BBQ sauce (I had to ask for extra) on the pizza and the chicken was bad quality. It was rubbery and lacked any sort of taste. The pizza portion size is large, definitely large enough for two people to split. Some other dishes at my table included the Mediterranean Pasta and Blue Cheese Burger. Everyone else seemed to like their food. I cannot comment on the beers because I don't drink beer :-). However I must say they do serve Pepsi products which was a disappointment for this southern girl (everything is Coke in the south). But thank you Flatbranch for offering Diet Dr. Pepper. I don't think I'll be going back to Flatbranch again during the dinner peak. The food wasn't that great to warrant an 80 minute wait. However, I would consider going back for lunch or at an off hour.
(2)
Joe K.
Great in-house beer list and the bar food menu is great as well. If it's not busy, a fantastic place to belly up to the bar. One of the local institutions, well worth going to if you like world class locally brewed beers.
(4)
Alston S.
I'm not really sure why this place is rated like it is. The food is average, at best. The atmosphere is ok. There are plenty of other places I would much rather go than here.....so if you have the option, go somewhere else.
(2)
Ben A.
Flat branch was my number two watering hole during the three and a half years I lived in Columbia. First you I have to start with the beer. They usually offer betweein 9 and 15 beers on tap, all brewed in house. They range in style from the lightest Honey Wheat to the darkest Oil Change Stout. In between there are tastey option such as their ESB or IPA. pretty much every beer they offer is at least a mediocre redition of the given beer style, with the afore mentioned by name being quite good. They also offer rotatring seasonal beers, ranging from strawberry or blackberry ales to an imperial stout and a barleywine. They also have a full bar to boot so anybody whould be able to find something to drink there. The food is delicious. They have a great selection of burgers, cooked to order. My favorite is the Texas Burger with bacon, sauteed onions and jack cheese. They have a good selection of brick oven pizzas as well, each is about 10 inches with a thin, chewey sourdough crust and fresh toppings. My favorite is the BBQ Chicken. And there is no better way to start a meal than with their Chokes & Cheese appetizer, creamey, cheezy garlicy, delicious. The staff, overall is knowledgable and courteous and willing to answer questions about the beer. The one drawback is this place gets packed on weekends, especially football days. They do not take reservations so show up early to avoid the wait. Overall, one of the best spots in Columbia, and all of Mid-Missouri.
(5)
Dan S.
Their service is spotty, but its been getting better over the last few months. The beers are good, but under-carbonated. The food is really good, though. I really like the pretzels; the nachos are huge. My favorite thing on the menu though is the catfish and chips. Really large portion of fish and really well seasoned. The chips are great. The patio is awesome...
(4)
Sagruilla P.
I went on a recent visit, and I had a chile beer. It was so delicious beyond the novelty of it. That, plus onion rings in ranch dressing was a perfect combination. I also had a salad, and that was full of peppers, carrots, lettuce, mushrooms, tomatoes and cucumbers. Other people at my table had pizza and the artichoke bowl, all of which were good. Not bad at all for a pub in a college town. I can hardly wait to go back again one day to try the stout brownie.
(5)
Scott W.
If you ever call in a to-go order, plan on waiting 7-10 minutes on hold, or just call from 3 different lines until they remember at the bar. Pizzas and chicken nachos are great, though. So is the Cobb salad.
(4)
Michael S.
More often than not you will wait for a table, but that's OK with me cause they have a nice bar and plenty of different beers to try. Actually, that really the only thing I like about Flat Branch. The food, eh, kinda bland. Subtract the beer and it could be an Applebee's anywhere. But the patio and fun times with friends means I will still be back.
(3)
Max C.
The food is good, the atmosphere is fun, especially on the patio in the spring/summer and the beer list has something for everyone. Try the green chili beer!
(4)
L T.
We've been here several times, always with a group because my in-laws live in Columbia, and it's consistently good, solid food. It's a nice lofty, echo-y space so I don't really worry about the kids being quiet. The service is always good as well!
(4)
Russell M.
Cool place, I'm a fan. I like the chill atmosphere and I loved the Stout Meatloaf Sandwich with the world famous mashers on the side. My companion had the chicken nachos. Also an excellent choice. I'd come back!
(4)
Roxanne A.
The food here is always fantastic, but I'm only giving it 3 stars due to service. There seems to always be a ridiculously long wait no matter what day or time it is and some of the employees seem to do more socializing with each other than actual work. We have stood waiting for a long time to get a table when you can clearly see that there are many clean, open tables (I'm talking like 4-5 within view). We have never gotten in with less than a 40 minute wait, so if you are starving this isn't the place for you. Not to mention that the place always seems to be extremely LOUD. If you can get past those things you will be pleasantly rewarded. Every single thing anyone in my party has ever ordered was fantastic and their beer selection is a shining star all on its own.
(3)
Sam R.
Flat Branch has a nice selection of hoppy ales and other craft beers on tap that you can't find anywhere else in Columbia. And although I do enjoy having a Katy Trail Pale Ale with a chokes and cheese burger, Flat Branch does not hold a candle to the Free State Brewery in Lawrence, KS.
(3)
Drennen M.
I've never had the beer, but the place is worth it just for the chokes 'n' cheese dip in the bread bowl (one of the appetizers) and the stoat brownie sundae mmmmmm. They also have veggie burgers which makes vegetarian me happy. I used to come here with very big groups (20+), and service was, if not extremely prompt, quick and generally correct. I'm not sure if they separate the bill, but it's still at the top of my "big group" list.
(4)
Raymond H.
I have been here 3 times since living in Columbia. It is a great place for almost any get-together, ive gone here with a couple of friends and I even took my parents here once. I would recommend their "Chokes-n-cheese" and veggies as an appetizer, I was hesitant at first but i found it to be quite delicious. They also make their own beer, root beer, and cream soda. Ive only had a chance to try their root beer, I normally dont like root beer but theirs was an exception.
(5)
Paul D.
Some of my friends work here so I feel bad with what I am about to say. The beer is no friggin good. It is BAD beer. I've tried it on a handful of occassions constantly getting a different beer thinking "everyone keeps raving about how good this beer is...maybe I am just making bad choices." It isn't my choices it is the beer. The patio is nice.
(3)
Luke M.
When you're in the mood for great, simple food nothing in Columbia beats Flat Branch.
(5)
Ian S.
They have a great selection of their own microbrewed beers on tap. I've liked every one I've had, but I'm not too hard to please. Food is good. I highly recommend the Flat Branch Burger, which is covered in their "chokes n' cheese" dip. They also plan to go smoke free May 27th, which will be great for busy nights.
(5)
Truth S.
Great local brew pub offering great food and great beer! This is definitely a relaxed place to go for lunch and dinner. The patio is awesome during warmer weather and the service is very good. I definitely think this is the best "pub" in Columbia.
(4)
Zach H.
Over the five or six times I ate at Flat Branch, I had mixed experiences but still look at the place fondly. The beer is great, as is their beer bread. Some of the food is mediocre but for the most part, a great place to go out with friends and enjoy some drinks
(4)
Amanda P.
A Columbia, MO institution. Everything I've ever had here is good, from fish to pasta, to appetizers, etc. What makes me dream of this restaurant, though, is the red cream soda that they brew right on the premises. For a soft-drink snob like me, it's absolute heaven.
(5)
Kristin F.
Flat Branch has the distinction of being the only brewpub in a college town that desperately needs one. In a land of sorority girls drinking Bud Light with lemon, the FB helped me get through college and I even worked there for a few years after I graduated. The beer selection is broad with something for everybody....unless of course you only like beer that tastes more like water and has no alcohol in it. Forewarning: the only beer they carry that they don't make is Bud Light. Why, you ask? Because they encourage the drinking of their own beer!!! It's a brewpub for crying out loud! The light and refreshing Honey Wheat is always a crowd fave, along with the signature Katy Trail Pale Ale. There are some that are always kept on tap....Oil Change Stout, Brown Ale, etc. And there are also rotating seasonal selections like the Great Pumpkin Ale or a yummy Strawberry Pilsner in the summer. The food is excellent and much better than standard bar fare. The Chokes and Cheese dip from what I'm told is highly, highly addictive but I was always more partial to spicy spinach dip myself. The pizzas are tasty and so are most of their sandwiches. Mmmmmm....I miss the FB!
(4)
Lauren B.
My favorite place in Columbia by far! You have to try the Chokes n Cheese.
(5)
emily o.
yum, yum, yum, yum, yum! i've become entirely obsessed with the spicy spinach dip and the flat branch burger (a burger topped with artichoke dip!)...really great comfort food, wonderful beer...who could ask for more?!?!
(4)
John T.
Have to disagree with Paul D. The beer here is great unless you can only handle Bud Light. Food is tops also and at $16.95 w/two sides the Filet of Beef is the best deal in town. Great patio with lots of room. Only complaint is the inside is a bit noisy when it's busy, which is almost always.
(5)
Michelle F.
I also highly recommend this restaurant. Came a few times with friends, and really had some great meals. I enjoyed their salads, and also had an excellent burger once. Only complaint is I was very thirsty and kept needing more diet coke, and the waitress started teasing me. Not funny.
(4)
Joshua H.
I made a return visit on a Friday night as a last minute choice for dinner and a beer. I got in about 915pm and the place was busy. Not crazy busy but definetly moving. I got a seat at the bar right away, ordered the beer sampler which is 7 samples of 1.5oz each of the 7 beers on tap that night. I found 3 of the 7 to be really good and the others not to my liking, but thats a personal preference of course. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with swiss on the new spelt whole grain bun which was damn good. It came with sweet potato chips which were ok but not amazing. Th price was great as the whole thing was still under 10 bucks so no harm done. Good beer, full stomach, no complaints. I really enjoy the atmosphere at Flat Branch as well, it feels like a n upscale bar, more so then most other "bar scenes" in Columbia. Good way to spend a n hour or 2 on a Friday night. Your almost always see someone you know coming in or leaving as you get in or leave yourself.
(3)
Brian M.
I had a chance to try Flat Branch while visiting some friends, and really enjoyed my experience the food was good and so was the beer. The inside was large, however there was a short wait, seems this is a very popular local hangout and I can see why. Once inside and seated I ordered a burger, which was really good so were the fries, not greasy at all. I ordered a beer, I dont recall which one and it was very good. Hopefully this summer I can make it back and enjoy a drink, or two/three outside.
(4)
Roxanne O.
I'm not a beer drinker so take my review with a grain of salt if you're stopping by for the beer... I stopped in on a blustery Friday night and found the place to be backed. I was able to weasel my way into a seat at the bar to wait for a table. And wait, we did! The place was packed-zilla. My beer drinking companion was a little disappointed that they didn't offer a traditional beer sampler, although he was able to order small glasses of beer to try. It was a little odd, but it worked. Again, I never ever drink beer but he had me take a sip of the green chili beer. It really tasted just like eating a pepper. Not sure if that was awesome or awful but it was definitely unique. I had an ok pasta dish and my friend had a salmon dish. We were honestly more impressed by the beer than the food, so...I'd suggest eating elsewhere and then heading to this pub for some brews.
(3)
Jessica E.
Took a little day/evening trip to CoMo yesterday for a concert and decided to do a little research on where to stop in for dinner. Flat Branch was consistently on every "best of..." list that popped up on google so we decided to check it out. Flat Branch is situated in the quaint and adorable downtown Columbia area, amidst other local businesses. Immediately when I saw the patio (empty yesterday because it was a bit chilly) I thought it was a perfect little place for summer/spring happy hours. The outside of the place itself was just super cute and the greenery surrounding the patio was just really pretty. We arrived right before 6 so we didn't have to pay the meter, but there was very limited parking around the area. They were also very busy for a weekday (not sure how they usually are other days). We arrived at the tail-end of their happy hour. Maybe that's why the waiter didn't mention it, but when I asked if they had any specials, he did let us know about the 3.75 beers; options were limited but the price was just right (cheap). For starters, we ordered a half order of the green chili chicken fingers. First off, love how they had a half-order option and as observed by my BF, they definitely cater to the college-student crowd with that one. Big props for knowing your audience. The description on the menu made it seem like these would be super different than typical chicken fingers, but it wasn't. It was pretty standard. Still tasted fine, but just didn't have that extra something I was expecting. For dinner, I had their infamous "Best of..." Flat Branch pub burger (with bacon). It was definitely delicious! And cooked perfectly (I know that shouldn't be a difficult task, but you'd be surprised at some of the places I've been). The service was fine. It was super busy so our waiter wasn't around much but he was around enough to refill our drinks at a good pace and clear out the table, etc., etc. For such a busy time in the evening, I was impressed by how they seated everyone quickly, efficiently and the servers were all very pleasant. I had a good experience!
(4)
Chelsea B.
Flat Branch is a good place to get standard American pub food and drinks in Columbia. When the patio is open it's nice to sit outside, and it's the kind of place you can go with friends or your parents or a group or really anyone and have a good time. The downside is that in the evenings the wait can be around an hour, which is frustrating, but everyone knows a good thing when they taste it. The Hot Soft Pretzel Twists with Cheesy Spinach Dip ($6.49) and Buffalo Wings ($8.99) are good starters. The California Chicken Club Sandwich is so delicious ($8.99) and the Smoked Pork Sandwich ($7.49) is pretty killer. I've also had the Pub Burger ($7.99), which is a good standard burger. Everything is fresh and seems home made, from the artisan bun to the delicious fries. I did take a Dutch friend and he commented about the California Chicken Club that "this is not foccacia," but if you're from Missouri I'm sure you won't be bothered. I take off one star because I'm just not a fan of their beer. Maybe I'm crazy. I've had the Honey Wheat and the Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, neither of which are for me. Other people rave over it, so go ahead and try for yourself.
(4)
Kevin B.
I absolutely love this place. This trip they had a 2009 Barley Wine. It was a great surprise. I usually always get the garlic five cheese pizza. This time I went with the special smoke duck and apple pizza. It was great but not as good as the garlic five cheese. Son had the kids cheese pizza and said it was amazing. Wife had tomato soup and said it was good. Daughter loved her buttery noodles. I will be back many more times when driving across Missouri. Tried to eat there today and there was a 25-30 min wait for lunch so we went somewhere else.
(5)
Nick D.
I'm ashamed to report that I didn't tip at this location. I always tip 20-30%. This is the first time in my life I haven't tipped a server. I was very appalled at the service I received. It was inconsistent and our waitress was not nice. After waiting 45 minutes for a table we sat down to eat reheated food. The sandwich wasn't horrible but the price didn't justify it. I've noticed walking from classes to business downtown during the day that they have received shipments of frozen foods. Ill save my money and life next time someone suggest Flat Branch Pub and goto the grocery store and heat it up myself.
(2)
Linda G.
They have a paleo plate just meat and veggies, thank you guys! You just made traveling across the country much easier.
(4)
Jimmy M.
Flat Branch is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The burger are always a good option. The burrito is my top choice. For appetizers, I recommend the pretzels or fries. The servings of fries are large portions. Flat Branch has incredible beer. Brown Ale and Oil Change are my favorite. Late night half price pizzas is also great.
(5)
Adam W.
I'm not much of a drinker... but when I do make it to this pub I can't help but order 2 of there soft pretzels with the spinach cheese dip
(4)
Clayton R.
Have you ever been dreaming peacefully, when all of the sudden you are attacked by delicious pretzel twists accompanied by large vats of spinach and artichoke dip for bodyguards? Surprised, your only defense is to start eating the pretzels, with the help of your sidekick, zesty spinach dip? THEN have you ever further dreamed of swimming in delicious microbrew? That is how I feel whenver I go to Flat Branch. It's a GREAT place. Wonderful food, dirt cheap prices on micros and an awesome outside seating area. I think this is one of my favorite restaurants in Columbia for the money, and one that I frequent when returning to visit the city of my alma mater. If you enjoy beer, good food, sports, outdoors, oxygen, meatloaf, hamburgers, pretzels, beer, delicious, beer, or _____, then you will love Flat Branch. Sure, the service can be a little lacking, but what do you expect in a college town? Who cares, for a few bucks a pint, I'll drink away my waitresses shortcomings in the company of friends. Awesome place. Wooohooo!
(5)
Dustin H.
My fiance and I have enjoyed dinner here a few times now. The service and atmosphere were very nice. We will certainly be back for more!
(4)
Heather P.
On the way back home to Kansas City, I recently stopped to explore the little downtown area of Columbia, Missouri. I saw most of what I expected to see of a college town-several coffeeshops, Lots of bars, a park or two, and the hustle and bustle of a Monday lunch-time rush. It was a gorgeous day but because time was limited, I did not get to explore as much as I would have liked, but the one place that I did find worthy of review is Flat Branch Pub and Brewing. I arrived at this brewpub a good 30 minutes before my friends were set to arrive so I sat down at the bar to try a few samplers and was delighted to find soccer on their tv's. The volume was down and the sound system was blaring the strangest mix of music I had ever heard-seriously, My Heart Will Go On, actually came on before the bartender couldn't take it anymore and changed the station. I was overwhelmed with suggestions from my KC friends on which beers to try so the bartender allowed me to try a couple of tasters before I settled on 5oz pours of their Oil Change stout and the very popular Honey Wheat. Next on my list was to try the Green Chili beer but sadly I ran out of time and did not want to have too much before hitting the road again. The food, like the beer, was good. I was not blown away by my meal-a vegetarian wrap with house-made hummus served with sweet potato chips-but it was good and I was starving! My friends ordered a burger and a fish meal both which looked excellent. The prices were extremely reasonable-all three of us ate for under $25 total and left the table stuffed. The bartender also covered my second glass so in my book, that is always a plus! I do hope to get to Columbia again soon so that I can continue trying their beer offerings-they have some rare beers that sounded delicious and had I not had to drive, I definitely would have sampled those as well. I liked my food and beer but I feel like my favorite Flat Branch beer is still somewhere on that tap wall and I'd like to try their pizza or another one of their signature dishes...it all looked great.
(4)
Brian P.
Mediocre food, decent but unexciting beer. You can do much better in both categories at Broadway Brewery or 44 Stone.
(3)
Kelly B.
I'm so sick of coming here and getting bad service, no water refills, our appetizer plate was still on our table when the check arrived after sitting on the edge of the table our entire meal, it also happens later in the evening when all the servers are ready to go home, and I'm not talking about during the rush, I'm talking consistent horrible service, I will no longer tip until is see improvement
(3)
Archana S.
5 stars and every one of them are for the Creme Brulee! Fantastic! My husband and I share one, when we eat there. And sometimes we just go there for the dessert. I crack open the caramelized crunchy brown sugar crust and dig into the creamy gooey chewy warm deliciousness . Its an incredible experience. Its a nice restaurant, nice friendly ambience for friends to hang out. I absolutely love their fries and the salsa -horseradish dip. Its super . Next time, I'll upload the picture of the creme brulee. :D
(5)
Stephanie O.
Seriously....If you've never been to Flat Branch you are missing out! This is by far my absolute favorite place in Columbia to eat (I would choose this over Columbia's famous Shakespeare's Pizza any day!) As an MU graduate, I miss the days of sitting on Flat Branch's patio in the summer...sipping on their fresh brewed beer and enjoying the scenery. The beer is brewed on site and they always offer a variety to choose from. The food here is what always brings me back. If you live in Columbia and have never been here (although I have no idea how that would be possible), leave where you are right now and go try Flat Branch's "Chokes 'N Cheese". Even if you don't live in Columbia and can drive there....go now! This amazing concoction is heaven. Although it sounds generic....Artichokes mixed with spinach and cheese, served in a bread bowl and veggies....it's not! This is by far my favorite item on the menu. Their homemade pizzas, sandwiches, and nachos are also very good. Basically anything on their menu will not disappoint...I promise! Most likely you will have to wait (not too long) to get a table because this place is usually busy, but it's worth it. What are you waiting for....GO NOW!
(5)
Isabella B.
This was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Columbia, MO. Their beers are amazing and the "Oil Change" one still brings a smile to my face just by thinking about it. Ask for the beer sampler and you can taste some of them. Their Spicy Spinach Dip and Pesto & Artichoke Pizza are sooooo good as everything they make. Hopefully I ll be back some day.
(5)
Tom F.
Didn't really expect a college town brewpub to be this good. Have been to flat Branch several times, and have enjoyed myself on each occasion. I especially recommend the catfish - breading is crispy and assertively spiced, a nice change from the usual fish and chips. And, like everything here, pretty reasonably priced too! Beers are brewed to style (no pale ales that are so hoppy they could be an IPA, etc) and you can't beat $4.50 regular price for a solid pint. Efficient service, not overly friendly but they were there when I needed them.
(5)
Lacey C.
In all fairness, since posting the rather awful customer service review of Flatbranch, their current manager has been trying to get to the bottom of things. But that's what he's been doing--trying to get to the bottom. Not really trying to smooth over my personal experience--more just looking to crucify someone in his business. Several times. I was never really moved by his words or vague apologies, but at least they tried.
(2)
Bryan M.
Even if you're not a micro-brew maven, the food is worth the visit. I'm a big fan of the Flat Branch Burger with the chokes and cheese sauce. But, last week, I tried the french dip sandwich and was pleased. It's a bit noisy, and pretty casual, but always seems busy. Nice little patio area for those days where one prefers to be outdoors.
(4)
Uninvited G.
Flat Branch has been a Brewpub in Columbia for almost two decades. Every beer they serve is brewed in-house and is served in traditional imperial pint sized glasses (that's approx. 20 oz. vs. 16 oz.). Furthermore, they offer a "carry out" service for their beer. You can either provide your own growler (1/2 gallon) or buy one from the Bar and they will fill it up for your take-home pleasure. They also serve a variety of Americana-styled pub/bar food that is really quite good. If you're looking for casual bar food, this restaurant is the best you can get in Columbia. The Beer: They offer a selection of "always on tap" beers that range from silky dark stouts ("Oil Change Stout") to wildly hoppy pale ales that are quite quaffable and will slake the thirst of travelers and revelers alike. Their beer is always high quality and I have only compliments to the care and dedication of their master brewer. They also usually have a wide variety of seasonal or somewhat experimental beer on tap. These beers vary according to availability but are always a joy to experience. The Food: This is where Flat Branch falls "flat". While as I said it is fantastic bar food, the fact remains that it IS bar food, and frankly I am unimpressed. Their brick oven pizzas are the best items on the menu, however they could be made better if the crust was thinner (like a traditional Italian pizza). It's too doughy. After that, they do have unique items like "chokes n' cheese" but really, aside from that, nothing on the menu stands out as being very good. The atmosphere: This is another place they shine. With a well-shaded outdoor patio and an indoor area that is styled in an industrial-modern fashion, the atmosphere is really great for relaxing and enjoying oneself, though it can get very loud inside at times. Overall I would say come here for the beer, don't get your hopes up too high about the food, relax, and have a good time. It's a great place to spend an evening with a few friends.
(3)
Matt B.
I'm sure that I love a craft beer. I know this because if a place makes their own I have yet to rate them below four stars. That being said, Flat has great food, beer, and atmosphere. Beer is the real star. Try them all and take a few gallons of your favorite home.
(4)
Sarah S.
You'll be hard-pressed to find better food & beer at a reasonable price in Columbia. My favorite is the bacon chicken sandwich with avocado & sweet potato chips. It's also kid-friendly with a nice kid menu. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)
Cassie D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Columbia. Service has left something to be desired over my last 4-5 visits. Some of their wait staff are rude, many are inattentive, often they are unapologetic. The management is more apologetic and obviously takes more pride in their business than their employees do. That being said, the food is usually amazing. Some personal faves of mine are the seared ahi tuna and the creme brulee bread pudding. The atmosphere is wonderful. The beer is fantastic.
(3)
Sarah D.
Great atmosphere! I had a delicious salad. My friend had a sausage and mushroom pizza and a green chili beer. It really tasted like green chilies! We will be back.
(5)
Christopher D.
Beer- Flat Branch not only has an extensive variety of great beers that are mainstays, but great rotating choices as well based on the season. My favorite over the years has been Larry's APA. A flavorful brew with just the right amount of hops with an amazing aroma to boot. Generally have something on tap for just about anyone, from an oil change stout to a honey wheat and everything in between. Food- Several long time favorites but this changes seasonally as well. You can never go wrong with a burger cooked to order, choice of cheese and a hearty portion of a side. Staff- Flat Branch gets extremely busy daily but employs some of the best people you could find. Generally a great mix of college students beginning their journey up to the seasoned vets with over a decade of service. Due to the busy nature of the restaurant you may not become best friends off the bat but I can say that I've seen some amazing relationships form with regulars and employees that wouldn't be traded for the world. I had the pleasure of working for Tom, Lance, Larry, and the gang for almost 6 years. I would recommend giving Flat Branch a try more than once to truly get the feel for this wonderful establishment.
(5)
Chris M.
Four stars for the beer and three for the food. Food was just OK. Nothing to write home about. The beer however, was outstanding! Our favorite was the chili pepper beer. I know it sounds odd and like it might not be very tasty, but it was excellent. Not sure which beer to try? Order the sampler. You get to choose which beers to try. Great idea and helps you narrow down your choices without purchasing an entire pint. In warm weather you can enjoy outdoor seating. Great place in a great college town.
(4)
Eileen R.
Oh, Flat Branch! How I miss basking in the glow of your twinkling patio lights! If you live in or visit Columbia, you must go here to eat. I say this as girl who has lived in cities famous for food...Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle. This place is hands-down one of my all time favorites. I've had sooo many things off their menu and have never been disappointed. The chokes & cheese dip is good enough to make you forget the worst day of your life. AND you can put it on your BURGER! Or put it on your grilled chicken sandwich! YUM. The brick oven pizzas are totally delish. Something else they cook in that brick oven....CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES the size of your face. If you want the cookie, place the order for it as soon as your main course is delivered because it takes 20 minutes to bake. Get it with the Tiger Stripe Ice Cream that is also made right there in CoMo. The charbroiled romaine salad sounds interesting/weird, but it's delicious. Especially topped with chicken. Fries are really good and so are the green chili chicken tenders. And the stout brownie. And the stout float. And the stout. They brew their own ROOT BEER. I shed tears missing this place sometimes. :'(
(5)
Abby S.
I was really unimpressed with this Columbia, MO eatery/brewery. With all of the positive reviews, it seemed like this would be a no-brainer. Here are my complaints (in no particular order): - There was a long wait at 2 pm... really? It seemed like people were eating fast enough, but the bussers were in no huge rush to clear tables and turn that sh*t around. - The setup of this place is really awkward. There's really nowhere to wait to be seated unless you go to the bar. And the servers bringing out large trays of food always seem to be in the way. - Food is bleh! I tried a few different menu items and they were both bland/nothing to write home about. A few reviewers compared the food to Applebee's but I think Applebee's does way better. - The root beer that they tout is way too sweet. Under normal circumstances, I'll pick a soda over water. After taking one sip of the root beer, I stuck with water for the rest of the meal. A few additional notes: - I didn't try any of the beer... And it has to be good. Otherwise, why would people flock here? - Our server was super sweet. Very attentive and great at anticipating our needs. And I saw her lug around a tray of food that was half of her body weight with ease. - The outdoor patio area looks really cool. On a fall day, this would be a fun place to hang out. Just eat before you come :) Since I don't live in CoMo and have some other faves close by, I doubt I'd be back. But if someone had a specific beer to sample, I could be persuaded otherwise.
(2)
Marla K.
Tried this place on the recommendation of a friend of a friend. Glad we did! Mostly a great experience...Best crab cakes I've had in the midwest (loved the chipoltle sauce). Awesome pretzels for ap (get them with the spinach cheese dip). My husband had grilled tuna...said it was the best he's had...great grilled flavor, no fishy taste. My daughter said the restaurant-made cream soda was also excellent (but no free refills!). On the ok side...Pub burger was good quality, but could have had a bit more grilled flavor. Fries had a nice crispy coating...would have been great but overly salted. Green Chile Beer was interesting...pretty good mild beer going down but right after you swallow you get a sense you've just consumed a chile releno. Meh...Katy Trail Ale...bitter. Great patio for outside dining...nice and shady.
(4)
Lulu W.
Me: "Can you tell me how long the wait is?" Outdoor bro-stess: "Well, there are 4 people ahead of you." Me: "...so....." Outdoor bro-stess: "I don't know." Me: "We'll sit inside." Once seated, our actual server was so scarce, I watched our beers warm up on the bar after the bartender poured them. I almost got up and snatched them myself. She had some big tables, but the restaurant was not nearly as busy as it can be. It seemed like she had a, "they're a cool couple, they'll be fine waiting a few" attitude. Well, let me tell you, I'm the oldest child and have been treated like I'll be fine for too long. I'm NOT fine. You're not my mother. I'm paying you to take care of me. I want my GD beer and here's my fit to prove it! Poor, incompetent service in restaurants is turning me into a bitch. I swear it. A resounding three star for your shadyass service, Flatbranch. Your food and drink is consistently good, which keeps me wanting more (I can't get enough of your Green Chili Beer this summer), but your waitstaff needs some help! Break out the whip!
(3)
Andrew P.
I have had fairly good service and really good food every time I've been here. Some of the seasonal dishes are ones I would love year 'round (bangers and mash!), their pizzas are excellent, and it's local. I also really love the cream soda, which I think is made on site.
(4)
Ki M.
Being from Chicago, I can truly say I can not find a place out here that compares to the food back home. I find the Flat Branch is the best I've had so far. I finally have a place I can go to and get decent catfish. There's a few other items on the menu that are good as well. They have a little bit of everything.
(4)
George R.
There's no question Flat Branch is one of the most successful restaurants in Columbia history. The question is why. I find most of the beers to be too sweet and the food to be average. The service is spotty. Earlier this year I wanted to eat alone at the bar. The place was reasonably busy but not slammed. The bar staff ignored me for 15 minutes then finally took an order for a drink and gave me a menu. That was the last time anyone paid any attention to me at all. I finally just left. It was as if I was invisible. We'll always go there occasionally because we like the patio, but there are many better places to eat in Columbia.
(2)
Zach J.
Best place for a burger and root beer in downtown. Sometimes a wait can be expected but it's worth it
(5)
Jason R.
I am impressed with Flat Branch. I'm from out-of-town visiting for business. This place was very crowded, so you know they are doing something right. The bar tender went out of his way to make sure I got the beer I wanted and the food tasted good and beer even better (IPA). I will be back for sure!
(5)
Marty McFly M.
I enjoyed both my beer and food at Flat Branch. I had two of the American Pale Ales with dinner. The beers were delicious, but I felt a little hungover the next morning ( I'm not THAT much of a lightweight.) I ordered the Southwest Chicken sandwich. The chicken was moist and the foccacia bun complimented it well. I ordered the onion rings as my side which were not as crisp as I generally prefer, but still very good. The service was satisfactory. I was with a group of seven, so it took a while for our food to come out; however, our water glasses were always full and we were never short on beer. I would definitely suggest stopping by Flat Branch when you're in Columbia - just stick to one beer if it is a week night.
(4)
Tony F.
I don't know what's to say about Flat Branch that hasn't been said. It's definitely one of my very favorite restaurants in Columbia, and when the patio is open, it's good for nearly any occasion. The food for the most part is standard pub food: burgers, fish and chips, pizza. They do have other entrees, but I've never had much of a reason to get them. The sandwiches and pizzas are a great price and more than enough food. The beer list is great, especially for a brewpub. There seems to always be something for everyone, except the drinker who exclusively orders Bud Light. I personally like the Katy Trail Pale Ale and Ed's IPA, but I've never had anything bad. The only thing I can really say is all their beers tend to be sweet. The patio is huge and comfy and is without a doubt the best you'll find in CoMo.
(5)
John F.
My son is going to school at Mizzou and we decided to try this place on parent's weekend. I'm a Reuben sandwich nut and we travel a lot. By far, this place had the best Reuben I've had in years. Meat was tender, thinly sliced, fresh bread, great saurkraut. The others said their food was good, but mine was excellent. I guarantee we will be stopping here anytime we're in Columbia.
(4)
Kevin J.
Every time family or friends come to town, this is the place I take them -- and for repeat visitors, it's the place they request! The food is great, and the menu is varied. I've never had anyone in my party complain about the food or say that it was anything less than great. The only downside is that everyone in Columbia knows about this place, so there are often long waits, especially on the weekends. For this reason, I recommend going there for lunch instead of dinner, unless you get there well before 6:00 and are prepared to wait 45 minutes. Don't arrive there already starving, because you won't make it through the long wait times.
(4)
Myke O.
Came here on a recommendation from a friend and I was impressed. The soft pretzel sticks for an appetizer were great. The burger for my meal was average but the fries were great -- nice and crispy. Had the creme brulee bread pudding for dessert which was definitely very unique and pretty good. Nice atmosphere. Not a drinker but they had tons of beers that they brew there if that's your thing.
(4)
Travis L.
I alway gotta try something new here. Good beer, good food, and good patio. However, its always busy, but if you don't have anything better to do then the wait is worth it.
(4)
Ed F.
I really enjoyed this place. Good food and even better brew. The outdoor seating area is huge and exceptional. The Black & Blue Burger was very tasty and paired nicely with the beer battered onion rings and Irish Red Ale. I can see why Flt Branch Pub is so popular here. Columbia is really a nice town it reminds me of Iowa City in size and feel.
(4)
Kyle S.
Always a favorite! The beer, the food, the service and the atmosphere have always been fantastic. Whenever you bring in someone from out of town, bring them here. Finally tried the Arbuckles dessert. Beer and Tiger Stripe ice cream. Can't beat that.
(5)
Jessica M.
Loved this place. The menu had some really healthy and creative options. Delicious! I had the chokes and cheese along with a flavorful veggie burger and a root beer float to finish the meal! Great place!
(5)
Thomas B.
Outstanding food and beer, but at peak hours it's nearly impossible to get a table without a lengthy wait. I highly recommend the Kansas City ribs and the Oatmeal Stout beer. The seasonal brews are fantastic, but entire vats can sell out within hours of tapping (I'm looking at you Pumpkin ale!)
I have been here on numerous occasions and always leave happy. Their beer is fantastic. My current favorite is their Irish Red, which is very creamy. Their Katy Trail Pale Ale and the APA are my two others that I regularly order. Their beers are 16 oz. Their menu is upscale bar food. It never disappoints. One drawback to the place is selecting when you go. They are ALWAYS packed on weekends; expect at least an hour wait if you go in the evening. There have been many times when we've wanted to go to Flat Branch but it was just too packed and we had to go elsewhere. Only once have I been disappointed in the service. They were busy (but not more than normal) and it took way too long for our waiter to even come get our drink order. He was super nice though and apologized for the wait. But I've never had problems on any of my other visits so I'm assuming that maybe it was just an off day. Their bar area has several TVs and they do have a nice outdoor patio. You can get growlers for the beer.
Fabulous burgers and tasty beers. We waited less than 10 minutes to be seated and our beers were brought out almost immediately. Our server was friendly and our food came quickly. Atmosphere was a bit noisy inside but not excessively. There was a longer wait to eat on the patio, which would have been perfect on a warm August Friday night.
(4)
Lisa B.
I had their pizza, probably should not have.. I've still not acquired a taste for communion bread pizza. But the atmosphere of this place is so refreshing compared to most places in the college district. My friend had the Green Chili Beer with a hint of tomato sauce. Sounds pretty gross huh! It was very good. I had a sip and it tasted sooo different and had a small bite to it, but really, was so different it was fun! Service was great and their outside seating is very soothing and relaxing covered with vines and very quiet. Go there if you get to Columbia, well worth it.
(5)
Marina S.
If you don't order the chokes n' cheese, the Flatbranch burger and one of their seasonal beers (or rootbeeer), you are doing it wrong. Flatbranch was a staple when Mom and Dad came to visit. I still dream of the day I will be reunited with the Flatbranch burger.
Local brewery. Also makes great root beer and cream soda! You can order a tasting size of about seven different beers for a reasonable price to see which ones you like. Their brewmaster is very good!.. The food is pub food, typical but quite good. The crowd is young and trendy, but the staff is courteous and friendly to all who come
(5)
Mark S.
Great beer, good food. The chokes and cheese on the Flat Branch burger was great. Good service despite a full house.
(5)
John S.
Burgers are good and the rest of the menu is descent but the service leaves a little to be desired. Thinking that patrons are not too concerned since this is clearly a beer depot.
(3)
Nelly P.
I came for a night out alone. I sat at the bar. I had pizza, the charred romaine salad, and a beer sampler. The charred romaine salad was awesome. The pizza was perfectly cooked, but the top was covered in some prefab salt-garlic-spice that was disappointing. The ESB was anything but bitter. The IPA had a good nose, but ended up flat in the mouth. Most disappointing was the service. I was at the bar and the most personable person was the guy washing glasses. He was lovely. They do have a broad scotch selection. Maybe I will come back for a salad...
(3)
James S.
Nothing bad to say about this place. Delicious food. Amazing drinks. Friendly service. Fun atmosphere to take family or friends for lunch or dinner!
(5)
Melissa G.
Second time here and hasn't disappointed us yet. Cool outdoor seating area to chill and enjoy a beverage. A must try is the house made Root Beer! Visit today had us just before a huge lunch rush and when we left the wait was already pretty long but people seemed to not have any issues with waiting. Staff was very friendly and we were seated at a high top in the bar area. Ordered the Flat Branch Burger - a thick burger with their "Famous Choke and Cheese Dip" piled on top. I added crispy bacon (perfectly cooked fyi...not limp) and had a side of the beer battered onion rings. Yummy! That dip is amazing and noted for the next visit to be sure to get as an appetizer. Great atmosphere to watch a game , grab a beer and enjoy some great food.
(4)
Jennifer S.
We've dined here a few times and enjoyed all of the meals we've had. Tonight we came to satisfy a burger craving. This was exactly what I wanted. 1/2 pound burger with bacon and cheddar. Toppings on the side (lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles) and a good side serving of fries. The burger was a perfect medium rare and the bacon was two thick-cut, full length strips. The cheddar was also a decent slice. The buns are a soft, but they toast them on the grill to give a nice crunch. I paired the burger with the Green Chili Ale and it was a great way to cut the fat. Service here has always been good for me, but we usually sit at the bar so getting service isn't hard. Tonight our waitress checked in just enough that I didn't feel interrupted. Wait time on a summer Monday is nothing, we didn't even have a problem getting a spot in the small lot.
(4)
Rhonda L.
We were a group of 7 and had about a 30 minute wait on a Thursday evening. We were wise enough to put our name on both the inside and outside waiting lists. Luckily for us we got called for outside seating first which is what we really wanted. Food was good. Served hot with all items served at the same time and prepared correctly. Large menu with good healthy options. Serving sizes are very large. Service was excellent. The restaurant was very busy and our waiter was still attentive and checked in with us regularly. They had a large drink menu, but we were not drinking this visit. I would definitely eat here again and recommend giving it a try.
(4)
Juliana P.
Tried this place my first night in Columbia, and if I return to the area I will be going back! The daily soup--gaspacho--tasted more like a salsa in a cup, so I won't be ordering that again, however the grilled romaine salad was the BOMB. I really want to try and recreate this at home now. What a perfect summer meal! I wanted to order take out, which they said had to be done from the bar, but the service there was pretty slow--order a drink while you wait or call ahead!
(4)
Deana W.
Food- 4 stars Ambiance-3 stars Prices/Portions- 4 stars Menu options - 4 stars Service - 4 stars Patio - 4 stars If you are trying to decide where to eat... This is it! Good food, a lovely patio, attentive service, all at a remarkably reasonable price. The soft, hot Pretzel is "to die for" ! A delicious foot long braided pretzel, covered with a heavy sprinkling of coarse salt. For $1 extra try it with the spinach artichoke dip. Yum! Jalapeño cheddar hush puppies are crispy on the outside, with a delicate crumb on the inside. There are not nearly enough jalapeños to suit my taste, but the spicy Remoulade sauce more than makes up for the missing pepper action. Last, but not least, the Bacon Flat Branch Burger. This is a thick, smoky burger, topped with pepper jack cheese (my cheesy choice), crispy bacon, served on an egg bun with all the fixins. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles adorn this delectable burger. The outdoor patio is lovely place to while away the evening, drinking craft beer and enjoying a hearty meal, but alas, I'm driving across Missouri, so beer, even a perfectly crafted ale is not an approved travel beverage. But, if you are able to take the time to stop and smell the roses...this patio would be a good spot to do it, and Spring the perfect season.
(4)
Christian Y.
M'eh this place was really just ok. They had a really good beer selection but the food was a strong attempt at being something new without being tested tasted or reviewed... My pulled pork was really dry, the sauce they brought with it I think was meant to moisten it up a touch but really just (I'm sorry to say this) tasted more like a wet dog than food. Nonetheless, a pig died to fit in my belly and I put the food down. Everyone else seemed content with their selections but the cleanliness also needed some attention. We waited 45 minutes and still ended up with a sticky table and something to put between our teeth. The Stars this place really gets are for its beers and for the fact that everyone at the table seemed content. The ambiance seemed active too and that's always a plus. Maybe if I come here again I just won't order the pulled pork again!
(3)
Marilyn W.
Hubby had Dr Pepper pork sliders and we split onion rings. He said sliders were good but not amazing. I had grilled romaine salad with grilled chicken - yummy. Service was great and we dined on the patio since weather was cool.
(4)
Brett R.
I'm sure this is no surprise to anyone, but I LOVE this place. I think their Green Chili beer is one of my favorite beers I've had, and always get one any time I'm back in Columbia. Great beer selection, food, and everything is priced very fairly. Have never had a poor experience at Flat Branch.
(5)
Brian T.
Burgers are enjoyable, but you go here for the beer. They offer a sampler ($7.50-ish?) of several beers. At that point, you realize it's all about the Green Chili Brew.
(4)
David A.
Great location and food. Plan on waiting for a seat but it's worth it. Food for all taste and a great selection of beers.
(5)
Allyson B.
I came here hoping to have some really good beer, since it is after all a brewery. I ordered a flight and was kicking myself after I had taken sips from each of them only to make the "Oh that is not good" face. Please, don't let anyone talk you into trying their green chili beer-- it's not good. More of the focus is on the food which is actually pretty decent. They offer a lot of your typical pub food like pizza, burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, as well as pasta and steak. I ordered the green chili chicken fingers with a side of slaw and fried to snack on. The green chili chicken fingers are actually really tasty! It came with a side of their homemade honey mustard sauce which didn't taste like honey mustard at all... in fact it was largely horseradish if anything =\ If you're not into horseradish, I wouldn't recommend it. Overall, I wasn't really impressed with the selection on the menu. It was all over the place. And honestly, I wish the beer was better! Flat Branch gets 3 stars only because my green chili chicken fingers were good and the bartender was cool as hell.
(3)
Emily S.
I've been here several times and I think it's one of the best restruants in Columbia. The food is great and the service is awesome. I highly reccommend the Adobo Tacos (OMG.) But I will say - that they don't name their beers. I would expect a brewery to have names for their brews besides the generic types of beer. That was a little disappointing - but the food is fantastic and the ambiance is great! I highly recommend!
(5)
Teena C.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. I visited her with my mom and it was just wonderful. I had a Flatbranch burger that comes topped with the house made artichoke cheese dip. The fries were the best I've ever had and I also ordered a side of the pesto and it was delicious. I had the Katy Trial Pale Ale and it was super. My mom had big roast beef sandwich and fries and was pleased. She had the special beer, Apricot Ale, and it was very good. We started with an order of onion rings and ranch dressing. This place is fantastic.
(4)
Debbie W.
Definitely worth a stop. Food was delicious, we were told there would be about 20 minutes until we were seated, and it was barely 5 min. Server was quick and attentive, even though it was busy. Portions were large enough that we had to take some home with us. There appeared to be some live music playing on the outside patio. Prices were reasonable on everything! Would recommend stopping in if you are in the area.
(4)
Dave G.
The best....excellent service, unique but solid menu and great atmosphere, every town should be so lucky to have a Flat Branch
(5)
Dustin M.
Food is fair but the brews are fantastic. If you are brave, try a watermelon ale. The stout is very good and possibly their best.
(5)
Ray B.
There were four of us from work (two whom don't get out much) and it was a success. Beer selection was great. The food only hit 50%- the two that ordered the cat fish stated it was over cooked/ tasted burn; when I told the waitress that our guest from Alabama thought that the cat fish was over cooked, I got the deer in the head lights look and the canned response 'can I take it back and get you a new order' (while the rest of the party is ten minutes pasted done?). But the bread pudding made up for past sins- two in our party enjoyed it as if it was their last meal.
(4)
Keith H.
Yes, it's loud. Yes, there's often a long wait. That's pretty common when so many people love this place. The food is wonderful and very vegetarian-friendly. I also love the craft beers. When my family asks me where I want to go for Father's Day or my birthday, my answer is always the same: Flat Branch.
(5)
Joshua B.
Flat Branch offered a wide range of food and drinks. They also had a inviting atmosphere. Upon arrival, there was about 20 minute wait but we were offered to the bar to grab drinks while we waited. They about 10 beers that they brewed in house. I had the Irish Red Ale and it was good. Their menu was pretty large and offered for just about any person. We got these green chili chicken strips and hush puppies for our table. Both of those appetizers were really good. I ordered the Northwestern Chicken which has feta cheese and basil on it. It was grilled perfectly and the flavors went together seamlessly. It was served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. They both were made great. I also had a half of a burger and it was delicious. They use really good meat at Flat Branch and I could definitely taste it. The server was alright. She wasn't as attentive as we wanted her to be but there were busy and it was understandable. She also screwed up our checks but we didn't make a big deal about it. They have a really huge space to fit tons of people including a nice outdoor seating area. Flat Branch was overall a perfect experience. I'd recommend it as the first place to go in town.
(5)
Adam T.
Always has good food and a good atmosphere. The beer menu is what truly shines in this microbrew. I suggest everyone who goes try atleast 1 beer if they are of the appropriate age.
(5)
Heather Anne B.
I've been here a few times. Once on a date, once while entertaining the mother-in-law, and once when my family came to town. The food is good enough, and the place is nice enough, that it works for all sorts of occasions. I've eaten different things each time and so far most of it is pretty good! I didn't care much for the garlic five cheese pizza, but the margherita pizza was delightful (if a little messy) and the veggie burger was really tasty. And the honey wheat beer is amazing! I'm not a big drinker but it was light and easy to drink. I have had service that was incredible, but also service that was slow. But if you are looking for a nice place to eat that doesn't cost a whole paycheck, this isn't a bad place at all.
(4)
Kim E.
Service was great. My friend and I got to try some samples. The food was delicious, but the wait was long. The atmosphere was fun and lively.
(3)
Ted N.
Stopped in on the way home from Omaha after thanksgiving, and we really enjoyed it. I had the hobgobbler and it's fantastic as always. Wife had a salad she loved it. I had the green chili beer which I've enjoyed since college. Flatbranch has very good, homey food that you will enjoy. Prices are reasonable. Beer is good with something for everyone, even if it is not as "premium" as some microbreweries.
(5)
Taylor J.
Food - 2/5 Drinks - 3/5 Atmosphere - 2/5 Service - 2/5 Coming through Columbia on a road trip, we were excited to stop into a local restaurant and hopefully have some great food. Being so highly rated and having a large number of reviews, we were hopeful and anticipated a great meal. We left disappointed in numerous ways. Beginning with the food, we started with the jalapeño hush puppies. Half of them were undercooked. They desperately needed salt and overall didn't taste very good. Served with a spicy remoulade, the entire appetizer was off and made no sense to us. The remoulade tasted like spicy brown mustard with some mayo in it. A traditional remoulade or even a sweet (rasp)berry dipping sauce would be so much more appetizing. Simply a bad choice, we were hopeful for a better experience with our main course. I ordered the Big Chief Burger - my wife ordered the Summer Garden Pesto Pizza. I asked for medium cook on the burger, but it came very well - even a bit charred on the edges. The patty was quite a bit smaller than the bun, and was very thick in the center. It made for an awkward experience trying to eat a small burger patty with a huge bun and huge toppings. Also underwhelming was the "fried egg" that was atop the burger, which was cooked over-hard and quite over-done as well resulting in a very rubbery texture. The pizza was a bit overcooked - a bit too much char from the brick oven. The toppings seemed fresh, but it was overall bland. The pesto seemed rather "thin" lacking taste and texture. Wouldn't be surprised if it was from a jar. The beer was good - they've got an alright selection and the glasses they serve it in appear to be a larger true "english pint". Overall though we were pretty displeased with the quality of the food for the price we paid. The atmosphere is the usual bar/grill vibe - kind of like an Applebee's, Cheddars, or 54th Street chain restaurant. Lacked character a bit, to be honest. One thing that was odd - It was a humid 85+ degree day, and at 7pm when we walked in we immediately noticed that the restaurant was warm. High 70's likely. As we ate and had a beer we warmed up even more so - we were lightly sweating by the time we left. Not a fun time. Our waitress was less than enthusiastic and was little help as to recommendations or suggestions regarding menu items. We noticed older patrons and larger parties getting "sold" on beer tastings and higher priced menu items, while we got none of that service. It was our waitress' loss though - I would've very much enjoyed a beer tasting or more expensive menu item had she suggested it. She didn't refill our waters, and didn't ask if we wanted another beer until we were done with our food. Bummer. Overall I think Flat Branch doesn't live up to the hype it has here on yelp. It's got an amazing potential to be a great restaurant with a seemingly scratch kitchen that can produce one-off limited specials and such, but It lacks follow through with cooking and preparation practices which limits it's ability to be truly great.
(2)
James B.
Dope! I've definitely had a great experience at this restaurant/pub. The service was excellent, she always came at the correct to to check up on us, a big noisy but what do you except from a college town? If it weren't so far from where I lived I'd come here every other night, but I'd settle for once a week. I had the Smoked Salmon Pasta, it was so good. I want to have it again but I vowed to try everything on the menu, and my brew for the day was Belgian Post, definitely a good look. But like I said I will be having everything on that menu.
(5)
Kayli P.
This is our favorite restaurant in Columbia. Excellent menu with reasonable prices. They have variable specials and they are frequently adding new dishes to the menu based on the season. We have been numerous times and I have ordered a different dish most every time. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite as I enjoyed each one. I don't really drink beer, but I have tasted what my husband orders. Based on his report, the beers could be better for a brewery, but are still pretty good and overall we love the place.
(4)
Brett F.
Have only visited once, but had a great experience. Food was excellent... Lots of options, fresh ingredients, and very tasty. Good beer options, for those that like to indulge. Overall, a great place to visit in como.
(5)
Jim S.
Varied menu, energetic atmosphere, great food prep, good service, services large parties, excellent value.
(4)
Lindsay A.
I had the privilege of having a meal here last month when I was visiting my sister in Columbia, MO. She brought me here telling me it was one of her favorite restaurants in the area. We grabbed a table outside on their adorable patio and looked over the beer menu first, of course. We decided to get a flight and try six of their drafts. The chile beer was my favorite. This batch was very spicy, which I liked! We browsed their food menu and decided on the artichoke dip to start. It was SO good. They served it in a bread bowl with some fresh veggies. It was a large portion. We ended up taking a lot of it home. For my entree, I ordered a veggie burger with mashed potatoes as my side. Screw eating completely healthy, I am on vacation! I'm glad I went with this meal. It was one of the best veggie burgers I have had. My sister ordered one of their burgers, she enjoyed her meal also. The service was great! He was very attentive and had a great personality! I wish Flat Branch had a location in Denver. Everything was wonderful!
(5)
C. H.
I ate here yesterday and have probably 3 other times. They have a huge selection, big servings and good quality food. In my opinion the menu is too large, it's one of those where you ask yourself... well, sure but what are you good at? I like the burgers, always tasty and my wife had the philly yesterday which looked better than my burger. The beer isn't even close to being on the level off many of my other small brewery favorites. I had the Brown Ale this past time and it didn't touch Civil Life... just saying... Good spot though, stop on in.
(3)
J D.
Good spot in COMO, beer was great I recommend Katy Trail IPA , food was good I did the peach and Pork Belly Sourdough pizza. Service was OK, but I sat at the bar to eat and it was very spread out and a lot for the one bartender to cover.
(4)
Christopher P.
I know, pubs/breweries seem to be a dime-a-dozen when it comes to college towns, but the Flat Branch Pub and Brewery does a very nice job with the format. I have eaten here on many occasions, but my most recent visit will be what is reviewed here. My friend and I were wandering around downtown Columbia on the last Sunday of the University of Missouri's spring break, and many traditional bars were packed. We walked by Flat Branch, and noticed space on the patio open, so this seemed like a natural choice. Flat Branch offers around a dozen beers at any given time, although they produce numerous styles depending on the season or the whims of the brewmaster. The styles range all over the place, from altbiers and Dubbels to traditional English IPAs and ESBs. The Green Chili Beer is probably the most unusual beer on the menu, with a subtle spicy kick that accentuates the light body, making it a good cool or warm weather choice. Tonight, however, I chose the Extra Special Bitter (ESB) while my friend had the Honey Wheat. The ESB was a bit maltier than I usually expect with the style, but despite this extra sweetness it was enjoyable on the patio. My friend's beer was much better, and she swears by it as being among the best on the menu. After trying it, I could hardly disagree. Light and balanced, with a crispness at the back end, it works very well as a spring or summer choice. Now, how often does a reviewer mention the chicken tenders as a notable dish for a restaurant? I was somewhat skeptical when my friend ordered the appetizer as an entree (I opted for the smoked pork loin with vegetable and rice pilaf), but soon discovered why. Green chiles in the seasoning, along with a perfectly textured breading, made the tenders absolutely wonderful! I never would have thought to include tenders as a highlight of a meal, but these certainly deserve the attention. My pork loin was excellent as well - tender, slightly dry as a cured meat should be, and full of flavor without being overly smoky - but I found myself stealing more and more from my friend's plate as the meal went on. This was a light meal for us, but reinforces the perception I've always had of Flat Branch as a great restaurant with fresh and solid brews. While no beers are truly worthy of fawning attention (that I've noticed, yet), they are solid styles and quaffable, while the food is better than you might otherwise expect from a college-town pub. Worthy of attention and return visits, and a nice casual place for many meals to come.
(4)
Patrick C.
Fairly generic food... with a fairly generic staff. I think we have far better places to eat in Columbia for this place to be rated number on Yelp! It is very large space which means it can be really loud inside depending on the crowd! I WISH they would take reservations because they are almost always on a wait!
(2)
Mikee R.
This place was close to where I was working. It is a interesting place with decent pub food. The staff was friendly and my food was prepared perfect.
(5)
Scott M.
I've eaten here several times on trips through COMO and have always had a good meal. We had pretzels with spinach dip as an appetizer which was quite tasty. I followed this up with a bacon cheeseburger and fries that were very good. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. Looking forward to my next stop here.
(5)
Roxanne O.
I'm not a beer drinker so take my review with a grain of salt if you're stopping by for the beer... I stopped in on a blustery Friday night and found the place to be backed. I was able to weasel my way into a seat at the bar to wait for a table. And wait, we did! The place was packed-zilla. My beer drinking companion was a little disappointed that they didn't offer a traditional beer sampler, although he was able to order small glasses of beer to try. It was a little odd, but it worked. Again, I never ever drink beer but he had me take a sip of the green chili beer. It really tasted just like eating a pepper. Not sure if that was awesome or awful but it was definitely unique. I had an ok pasta dish and my friend had a salmon dish. We were honestly more impressed by the beer than the food, so...I'd suggest eating elsewhere and then heading to this pub for some brews.
(3)
Kevin B.
I absolutely love this place. This trip they had a 2009 Barley Wine. It was a great surprise. I usually always get the garlic five cheese pizza. This time I went with the special smoke duck and apple pizza. It was great but not as good as the garlic five cheese. Son had the kids cheese pizza and said it was amazing. Wife had tomato soup and said it was good. Daughter loved her buttery noodles. I will be back many more times when driving across Missouri. Tried to eat there today and there was a 25-30 min wait for lunch so we went somewhere else.
(5)
Nick D.
I'm ashamed to report that I didn't tip at this location. I always tip 20-30%. This is the first time in my life I haven't tipped a server. I was very appalled at the service I received. It was inconsistent and our waitress was not nice. After waiting 45 minutes for a table we sat down to eat reheated food. The sandwich wasn't horrible but the price didn't justify it. I've noticed walking from classes to business downtown during the day that they have received shipments of frozen foods. Ill save my money and life next time someone suggest Flat Branch Pub and goto the grocery store and heat it up myself.
(2)
Linda G.
They have a paleo plate just meat and veggies, thank you guys! You just made traveling across the country much easier.
(4)
Jimmy M.
Flat Branch is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The burger are always a good option. The burrito is my top choice. For appetizers, I recommend the pretzels or fries. The servings of fries are large portions. Flat Branch has incredible beer. Brown Ale and Oil Change are my favorite. Late night half price pizzas is also great.
(5)
Heather P.
On the way back home to Kansas City, I recently stopped to explore the little downtown area of Columbia, Missouri. I saw most of what I expected to see of a college town-several coffeeshops, Lots of bars, a park or two, and the hustle and bustle of a Monday lunch-time rush. It was a gorgeous day but because time was limited, I did not get to explore as much as I would have liked, but the one place that I did find worthy of review is Flat Branch Pub and Brewing. I arrived at this brewpub a good 30 minutes before my friends were set to arrive so I sat down at the bar to try a few samplers and was delighted to find soccer on their tv's. The volume was down and the sound system was blaring the strangest mix of music I had ever heard-seriously, My Heart Will Go On, actually came on before the bartender couldn't take it anymore and changed the station. I was overwhelmed with suggestions from my KC friends on which beers to try so the bartender allowed me to try a couple of tasters before I settled on 5oz pours of their Oil Change stout and the very popular Honey Wheat. Next on my list was to try the Green Chili beer but sadly I ran out of time and did not want to have too much before hitting the road again. The food, like the beer, was good. I was not blown away by my meal-a vegetarian wrap with house-made hummus served with sweet potato chips-but it was good and I was starving! My friends ordered a burger and a fish meal both which looked excellent. The prices were extremely reasonable-all three of us ate for under $25 total and left the table stuffed. The bartender also covered my second glass so in my book, that is always a plus! I do hope to get to Columbia again soon so that I can continue trying their beer offerings-they have some rare beers that sounded delicious and had I not had to drive, I definitely would have sampled those as well. I liked my food and beer but I feel like my favorite Flat Branch beer is still somewhere on that tap wall and I'd like to try their pizza or another one of their signature dishes...it all looked great.
(4)
Brian P.
Mediocre food, decent but unexciting beer. You can do much better in both categories at Broadway Brewery or 44 Stone.
(3)
Kelly B.
I'm so sick of coming here and getting bad service, no water refills, our appetizer plate was still on our table when the check arrived after sitting on the edge of the table our entire meal, it also happens later in the evening when all the servers are ready to go home, and I'm not talking about during the rush, I'm talking consistent horrible service, I will no longer tip until is see improvement
(3)
Archana S.
5 stars and every one of them are for the Creme Brulee! Fantastic! My husband and I share one, when we eat there. And sometimes we just go there for the dessert. I crack open the caramelized crunchy brown sugar crust and dig into the creamy gooey chewy warm deliciousness . Its an incredible experience. Its a nice restaurant, nice friendly ambience for friends to hang out. I absolutely love their fries and the salsa -horseradish dip. Its super . Next time, I'll upload the picture of the creme brulee. :D
(5)
Brittany K.
Excellent food, atmosphere, price and service!
(5)
Stephanie O.
Seriously....If you've never been to Flat Branch you are missing out! This is by far my absolute favorite place in Columbia to eat (I would choose this over Columbia's famous Shakespeare's Pizza any day!) As an MU graduate, I miss the days of sitting on Flat Branch's patio in the summer...sipping on their fresh brewed beer and enjoying the scenery. The beer is brewed on site and they always offer a variety to choose from. The food here is what always brings me back. If you live in Columbia and have never been here (although I have no idea how that would be possible), leave where you are right now and go try Flat Branch's "Chokes 'N Cheese". Even if you don't live in Columbia and can drive there....go now! This amazing concoction is heaven. Although it sounds generic....Artichokes mixed with spinach and cheese, served in a bread bowl and veggies....it's not! This is by far my favorite item on the menu. Their homemade pizzas, sandwiches, and nachos are also very good. Basically anything on their menu will not disappoint...I promise! Most likely you will have to wait (not too long) to get a table because this place is usually busy, but it's worth it. What are you waiting for....GO NOW!
(5)
Isabella B.
This was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Columbia, MO. Their beers are amazing and the "Oil Change" one still brings a smile to my face just by thinking about it. Ask for the beer sampler and you can taste some of them. Their Spicy Spinach Dip and Pesto & Artichoke Pizza are sooooo good as everything they make. Hopefully I ll be back some day.
(5)
Tom F.
Didn't really expect a college town brewpub to be this good. Have been to flat Branch several times, and have enjoyed myself on each occasion. I especially recommend the catfish - breading is crispy and assertively spiced, a nice change from the usual fish and chips. And, like everything here, pretty reasonably priced too! Beers are brewed to style (no pale ales that are so hoppy they could be an IPA, etc) and you can't beat $4.50 regular price for a solid pint. Efficient service, not overly friendly but they were there when I needed them.
(5)
Lacey C.
In all fairness, since posting the rather awful customer service review of Flatbranch, their current manager has been trying to get to the bottom of things. But that's what he's been doing--trying to get to the bottom. Not really trying to smooth over my personal experience--more just looking to crucify someone in his business. Several times. I was never really moved by his words or vague apologies, but at least they tried.
(2)
Bryan M.
Even if you're not a micro-brew maven, the food is worth the visit. I'm a big fan of the Flat Branch Burger with the chokes and cheese sauce. But, last week, I tried the french dip sandwich and was pleased. It's a bit noisy, and pretty casual, but always seems busy. Nice little patio area for those days where one prefers to be outdoors.
(4)
Uninvited G.
Flat Branch has been a Brewpub in Columbia for almost two decades. Every beer they serve is brewed in-house and is served in traditional imperial pint sized glasses (that's approx. 20 oz. vs. 16 oz.). Furthermore, they offer a "carry out" service for their beer. You can either provide your own growler (1/2 gallon) or buy one from the Bar and they will fill it up for your take-home pleasure. They also serve a variety of Americana-styled pub/bar food that is really quite good. If you're looking for casual bar food, this restaurant is the best you can get in Columbia. The Beer: They offer a selection of "always on tap" beers that range from silky dark stouts ("Oil Change Stout") to wildly hoppy pale ales that are quite quaffable and will slake the thirst of travelers and revelers alike. Their beer is always high quality and I have only compliments to the care and dedication of their master brewer. They also usually have a wide variety of seasonal or somewhat experimental beer on tap. These beers vary according to availability but are always a joy to experience. The Food: This is where Flat Branch falls "flat". While as I said it is fantastic bar food, the fact remains that it IS bar food, and frankly I am unimpressed. Their brick oven pizzas are the best items on the menu, however they could be made better if the crust was thinner (like a traditional Italian pizza). It's too doughy. After that, they do have unique items like "chokes n' cheese" but really, aside from that, nothing on the menu stands out as being very good. The atmosphere: This is another place they shine. With a well-shaded outdoor patio and an indoor area that is styled in an industrial-modern fashion, the atmosphere is really great for relaxing and enjoying oneself, though it can get very loud inside at times. Overall I would say come here for the beer, don't get your hopes up too high about the food, relax, and have a good time. It's a great place to spend an evening with a few friends.
(3)
Matt B.
I'm sure that I love a craft beer. I know this because if a place makes their own I have yet to rate them below four stars. That being said, Flat has great food, beer, and atmosphere. Beer is the real star. Try them all and take a few gallons of your favorite home.
(4)
Sarah S.
You'll be hard-pressed to find better food & beer at a reasonable price in Columbia. My favorite is the bacon chicken sandwich with avocado & sweet potato chips. It's also kid-friendly with a nice kid menu. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)
Cassie D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Columbia. Service has left something to be desired over my last 4-5 visits. Some of their wait staff are rude, many are inattentive, often they are unapologetic. The management is more apologetic and obviously takes more pride in their business than their employees do. That being said, the food is usually amazing. Some personal faves of mine are the seared ahi tuna and the creme brulee bread pudding. The atmosphere is wonderful. The beer is fantastic.
(3)
Sarah D.
Great atmosphere! I had a delicious salad. My friend had a sausage and mushroom pizza and a green chili beer. It really tasted like green chilies! We will be back.
(5)
Christopher D.
Beer- Flat Branch not only has an extensive variety of great beers that are mainstays, but great rotating choices as well based on the season. My favorite over the years has been Larry's APA. A flavorful brew with just the right amount of hops with an amazing aroma to boot. Generally have something on tap for just about anyone, from an oil change stout to a honey wheat and everything in between. Food- Several long time favorites but this changes seasonally as well. You can never go wrong with a burger cooked to order, choice of cheese and a hearty portion of a side. Staff- Flat Branch gets extremely busy daily but employs some of the best people you could find. Generally a great mix of college students beginning their journey up to the seasoned vets with over a decade of service. Due to the busy nature of the restaurant you may not become best friends off the bat but I can say that I've seen some amazing relationships form with regulars and employees that wouldn't be traded for the world. I had the pleasure of working for Tom, Lance, Larry, and the gang for almost 6 years. I would recommend giving Flat Branch a try more than once to truly get the feel for this wonderful establishment.
(5)
Chris M.
Four stars for the beer and three for the food. Food was just OK. Nothing to write home about. The beer however, was outstanding! Our favorite was the chili pepper beer. I know it sounds odd and like it might not be very tasty, but it was excellent. Not sure which beer to try? Order the sampler. You get to choose which beers to try. Great idea and helps you narrow down your choices without purchasing an entire pint. In warm weather you can enjoy outdoor seating. Great place in a great college town.
(4)
Eileen R.
Oh, Flat Branch! How I miss basking in the glow of your twinkling patio lights! If you live in or visit Columbia, you must go here to eat. I say this as girl who has lived in cities famous for food...Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle. This place is hands-down one of my all time favorites. I've had sooo many things off their menu and have never been disappointed. The chokes & cheese dip is good enough to make you forget the worst day of your life. AND you can put it on your BURGER! Or put it on your grilled chicken sandwich! YUM. The brick oven pizzas are totally delish. Something else they cook in that brick oven....CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES the size of your face. If you want the cookie, place the order for it as soon as your main course is delivered because it takes 20 minutes to bake. Get it with the Tiger Stripe Ice Cream that is also made right there in CoMo. The charbroiled romaine salad sounds interesting/weird, but it's delicious. Especially topped with chicken. Fries are really good and so are the green chili chicken tenders. And the stout brownie. And the stout float. And the stout. They brew their own ROOT BEER. I shed tears missing this place sometimes. :'(
(5)
Abby S.
I was really unimpressed with this Columbia, MO eatery/brewery. With all of the positive reviews, it seemed like this would be a no-brainer. Here are my complaints (in no particular order): - There was a long wait at 2 pm... really? It seemed like people were eating fast enough, but the bussers were in no huge rush to clear tables and turn that sh*t around. - The setup of this place is really awkward. There's really nowhere to wait to be seated unless you go to the bar. And the servers bringing out large trays of food always seem to be in the way. - Food is bleh! I tried a few different menu items and they were both bland/nothing to write home about. A few reviewers compared the food to Applebee's but I think Applebee's does way better. - The root beer that they tout is way too sweet. Under normal circumstances, I'll pick a soda over water. After taking one sip of the root beer, I stuck with water for the rest of the meal. A few additional notes: - I didn't try any of the beer... And it has to be good. Otherwise, why would people flock here? - Our server was super sweet. Very attentive and great at anticipating our needs. And I saw her lug around a tray of food that was half of her body weight with ease. - The outdoor patio area looks really cool. On a fall day, this would be a fun place to hang out. Just eat before you come :) Since I don't live in CoMo and have some other faves close by, I doubt I'd be back. But if someone had a specific beer to sample, I could be persuaded otherwise.
(2)
Marla K.
Tried this place on the recommendation of a friend of a friend. Glad we did! Mostly a great experience...Best crab cakes I've had in the midwest (loved the chipoltle sauce). Awesome pretzels for ap (get them with the spinach cheese dip). My husband had grilled tuna...said it was the best he's had...great grilled flavor, no fishy taste. My daughter said the restaurant-made cream soda was also excellent (but no free refills!). On the ok side...Pub burger was good quality, but could have had a bit more grilled flavor. Fries had a nice crispy coating...would have been great but overly salted. Green Chile Beer was interesting...pretty good mild beer going down but right after you swallow you get a sense you've just consumed a chile releno. Meh...Katy Trail Ale...bitter. Great patio for outside dining...nice and shady.
(4)
Lulu W.
Me: "Can you tell me how long the wait is?" Outdoor bro-stess: "Well, there are 4 people ahead of you." Me: "...so....." Outdoor bro-stess: "I don't know." Me: "We'll sit inside." Once seated, our actual server was so scarce, I watched our beers warm up on the bar after the bartender poured them. I almost got up and snatched them myself. She had some big tables, but the restaurant was not nearly as busy as it can be. It seemed like she had a, "they're a cool couple, they'll be fine waiting a few" attitude. Well, let me tell you, I'm the oldest child and have been treated like I'll be fine for too long. I'm NOT fine. You're not my mother. I'm paying you to take care of me. I want my GD beer and here's my fit to prove it! Poor, incompetent service in restaurants is turning me into a bitch. I swear it. A resounding three star for your shadyass service, Flatbranch. Your food and drink is consistently good, which keeps me wanting more (I can't get enough of your Green Chili Beer this summer), but your waitstaff needs some help! Break out the whip!
(3)
Adam W.
I'm not much of a drinker... but when I do make it to this pub I can't help but order 2 of there soft pretzels with the spinach cheese dip
(4)
Clayton R.
Have you ever been dreaming peacefully, when all of the sudden you are attacked by delicious pretzel twists accompanied by large vats of spinach and artichoke dip for bodyguards? Surprised, your only defense is to start eating the pretzels, with the help of your sidekick, zesty spinach dip? THEN have you ever further dreamed of swimming in delicious microbrew? That is how I feel whenver I go to Flat Branch. It's a GREAT place. Wonderful food, dirt cheap prices on micros and an awesome outside seating area. I think this is one of my favorite restaurants in Columbia for the money, and one that I frequent when returning to visit the city of my alma mater. If you enjoy beer, good food, sports, outdoors, oxygen, meatloaf, hamburgers, pretzels, beer, delicious, beer, or _____, then you will love Flat Branch. Sure, the service can be a little lacking, but what do you expect in a college town? Who cares, for a few bucks a pint, I'll drink away my waitresses shortcomings in the company of friends. Awesome place. Wooohooo!
(5)
Dustin H.
My fiance and I have enjoyed dinner here a few times now. The service and atmosphere were very nice. We will certainly be back for more!
(4)
Andrew P.
I have had fairly good service and really good food every time I've been here. Some of the seasonal dishes are ones I would love year 'round (bangers and mash!), their pizzas are excellent, and it's local. I also really love the cream soda, which I think is made on site.
(4)
Ki M.
Being from Chicago, I can truly say I can not find a place out here that compares to the food back home. I find the Flat Branch is the best I've had so far. I finally have a place I can go to and get decent catfish. There's a few other items on the menu that are good as well. They have a little bit of everything.
(4)
George R.
There's no question Flat Branch is one of the most successful restaurants in Columbia history. The question is why. I find most of the beers to be too sweet and the food to be average. The service is spotty. Earlier this year I wanted to eat alone at the bar. The place was reasonably busy but not slammed. The bar staff ignored me for 15 minutes then finally took an order for a drink and gave me a menu. That was the last time anyone paid any attention to me at all. I finally just left. It was as if I was invisible. We'll always go there occasionally because we like the patio, but there are many better places to eat in Columbia.
(2)
Zach J.
Best place for a burger and root beer in downtown. Sometimes a wait can be expected but it's worth it
(5)
Jason R.
I am impressed with Flat Branch. I'm from out-of-town visiting for business. This place was very crowded, so you know they are doing something right. The bar tender went out of his way to make sure I got the beer I wanted and the food tasted good and beer even better (IPA). I will be back for sure!
(5)
Marty McFly M.
I enjoyed both my beer and food at Flat Branch. I had two of the American Pale Ales with dinner. The beers were delicious, but I felt a little hungover the next morning ( I'm not THAT much of a lightweight.) I ordered the Southwest Chicken sandwich. The chicken was moist and the foccacia bun complimented it well. I ordered the onion rings as my side which were not as crisp as I generally prefer, but still very good. The service was satisfactory. I was with a group of seven, so it took a while for our food to come out; however, our water glasses were always full and we were never short on beer. I would definitely suggest stopping by Flat Branch when you're in Columbia - just stick to one beer if it is a week night.
(4)
Tony F.
I don't know what's to say about Flat Branch that hasn't been said. It's definitely one of my very favorite restaurants in Columbia, and when the patio is open, it's good for nearly any occasion. The food for the most part is standard pub food: burgers, fish and chips, pizza. They do have other entrees, but I've never had much of a reason to get them. The sandwiches and pizzas are a great price and more than enough food. The beer list is great, especially for a brewpub. There seems to always be something for everyone, except the drinker who exclusively orders Bud Light. I personally like the Katy Trail Pale Ale and Ed's IPA, but I've never had anything bad. The only thing I can really say is all their beers tend to be sweet. The patio is huge and comfy and is without a doubt the best you'll find in CoMo.
(5)
John F.
My son is going to school at Mizzou and we decided to try this place on parent's weekend. I'm a Reuben sandwich nut and we travel a lot. By far, this place had the best Reuben I've had in years. Meat was tender, thinly sliced, fresh bread, great saurkraut. The others said their food was good, but mine was excellent. I guarantee we will be stopping here anytime we're in Columbia.
(4)
Kevin J.
Every time family or friends come to town, this is the place I take them -- and for repeat visitors, it's the place they request! The food is great, and the menu is varied. I've never had anyone in my party complain about the food or say that it was anything less than great. The only downside is that everyone in Columbia knows about this place, so there are often long waits, especially on the weekends. For this reason, I recommend going there for lunch instead of dinner, unless you get there well before 6:00 and are prepared to wait 45 minutes. Don't arrive there already starving, because you won't make it through the long wait times.
(4)
Myke O.
Came here on a recommendation from a friend and I was impressed. The soft pretzel sticks for an appetizer were great. The burger for my meal was average but the fries were great -- nice and crispy. Had the creme brulee bread pudding for dessert which was definitely very unique and pretty good. Nice atmosphere. Not a drinker but they had tons of beers that they brew there if that's your thing.
(4)
Travis L.
I alway gotta try something new here. Good beer, good food, and good patio. However, its always busy, but if you don't have anything better to do then the wait is worth it.
(4)
Ed F.
I really enjoyed this place. Good food and even better brew. The outdoor seating area is huge and exceptional. The Black & Blue Burger was very tasty and paired nicely with the beer battered onion rings and Irish Red Ale. I can see why Flt Branch Pub is so popular here. Columbia is really a nice town it reminds me of Iowa City in size and feel.
(4)
Kyle S.
Always a favorite! The beer, the food, the service and the atmosphere have always been fantastic. Whenever you bring in someone from out of town, bring them here. Finally tried the Arbuckles dessert. Beer and Tiger Stripe ice cream. Can't beat that.
(5)
Jessica M.
Loved this place. The menu had some really healthy and creative options. Delicious! I had the chokes and cheese along with a flavorful veggie burger and a root beer float to finish the meal! Great place!
(5)
Thomas B.
Outstanding food and beer, but at peak hours it's nearly impossible to get a table without a lengthy wait. I highly recommend the Kansas City ribs and the Oatmeal Stout beer. The seasonal brews are fantastic, but entire vats can sell out within hours of tapping (I'm looking at you Pumpkin ale!)
I have been here on numerous occasions and always leave happy. Their beer is fantastic. My current favorite is their Irish Red, which is very creamy. Their Katy Trail Pale Ale and the APA are my two others that I regularly order. Their beers are 16 oz. Their menu is upscale bar food. It never disappoints. One drawback to the place is selecting when you go. They are ALWAYS packed on weekends; expect at least an hour wait if you go in the evening. There have been many times when we've wanted to go to Flat Branch but it was just too packed and we had to go elsewhere. Only once have I been disappointed in the service. They were busy (but not more than normal) and it took way too long for our waiter to even come get our drink order. He was super nice though and apologized for the wait. But I've never had problems on any of my other visits so I'm assuming that maybe it was just an off day. Their bar area has several TVs and they do have a nice outdoor patio. You can get growlers for the beer.
Fabulous burgers and tasty beers. We waited less than 10 minutes to be seated and our beers were brought out almost immediately. Our server was friendly and our food came quickly. Atmosphere was a bit noisy inside but not excessively. There was a longer wait to eat on the patio, which would have been perfect on a warm August Friday night.
(4)
Lisa B.
I had their pizza, probably should not have.. I've still not acquired a taste for communion bread pizza. But the atmosphere of this place is so refreshing compared to most places in the college district. My friend had the Green Chili Beer with a hint of tomato sauce. Sounds pretty gross huh! It was very good. I had a sip and it tasted sooo different and had a small bite to it, but really, was so different it was fun! Service was great and their outside seating is very soothing and relaxing covered with vines and very quiet. Go there if you get to Columbia, well worth it.
(5)
Marina S.
If you don't order the chokes n' cheese, the Flatbranch burger and one of their seasonal beers (or rootbeeer), you are doing it wrong. Flatbranch was a staple when Mom and Dad came to visit. I still dream of the day I will be reunited with the Flatbranch burger.
The Luau Pizza is the best Hawaiian Pizza I've ever had and they have some really good beer too !!!
(5)
Catherine R.
I love flatbranch!! It's reasonably priced, has a nice selection of food and drink, and the atmosphere is awesome! We've always had amazing servers, too. I've had business dinners and casual get-togethers here, and it's always fun! You might have to wait upwards of an hour for dinner, though. They have a late-night menu with actual food on it that they serve until 12:30. They also have AMAZING brews - try the samplers if you can't choose one! I recommend the beer bread appetizer and the green chili beer! Yum yum yum!
(5)
Christina A.
I'm not sure why, but I just can't say that I adore this place (which you should take as strange because I so love microbreweries). My friend treated me to a pizza and beer during his lunch break while I was in town visiting. And holy crap was this place packed. Mind you, this is not something I mind, but keep in mind that if it's an intimate setting you are hoping for, look elsewhere. I had the Pesto Roasted Pepper and Artichoke pizza. I was good I am not going to lie, but I still expected more... I'm just going to assume it was because I make my own pesto and artichoke pizza, and if I am going to order something at a restaurant I expect it to be better than what I make. Learning to cook has lead me to a downward spiral of depressing dining experiences, at no fault to any eateries. The beer on the other hand: more please! I had the cream ale, or something to the like. It was a little sweeter than what I usually go for but it was damn tasty. If/when I ever come back to Columbia I would probably come back to Flat Branch, but mostly for the booze.
(3)
g t.
Great beer and food. The bar was crazy busy with a game and the service wasn't great, but I can't ding them for that because it was just that crowded. I had a half pint of the chili beer which was just enough. It is yummy and interesting. We had ribs - they were amazing! Just the right amount of sauce and fall off the bone tender. The sides were good and just the right amount of food. The oatmeal stout was very good also. Definitely worth diverting from the highway to check it out! A side note - the people next to me had a grilled salad - yes - they grilled the lettuce - looked awesome
(5)
Randy M.
Pizza is very good with a tasty crust. Ed's IPA is beyond decent but not too hoppy. Chokes and cheese is a large an yummy appetizer. Don't over order - grilled romaine is another hit.
(4)
Tarah B.
Delicious food and absolutely FANTASTIC local brews. If you love microbrews, get the beer sampler so you can try a bunch. Have yet to taste a beer that I don't like. The food is consistently good there, and I always bring people who are visiting from out of town to eat at Flat Branch. There is something to please everyone on the menu -- even my vegetarian friend loves their veggie burger -- and the atmosphere is nice. Even when it's super busy on the weekends, they get you seated fairly quickly.
(5)
Darin C.
Best restaurant in Columbia!! Try the pub burger with cheddar cheese and bacon strips with the beer battered onion rings ($1 extra). You can't go wrong. If you are traveling take a cab here and back to your hotel. Lots of good beer here but don't get a DUI. Be safe and enjoy. Do the same if you live here. Keep Columbia safe.
(5)
Jennifer S.
This is wonderful! My mom and I were in town staying at the tiger!!! Which we love!!!! And we wanted a non chain atmosphere with great margaritas and nachos! This is the place! It is beautiful the food is awesome and the wait staff rocks!!! Must try!
(5)
Bar C.
This place has a good selection of their homemade draft beer. The food was good as well. I orderedt he chicken bacon wrap with onion rings. It was very good. The service was pretty slow and I didn't think that it was super crowded. If I'm in the area, I would go back.
(4)
Jake L.
Always a stop for me when I'm in Columbia. Was there three days ago for lunch. Have to get the chokes and cheese to start, nearly a meal by itself. Juicy burger perfectly cooked, but admittedly the fries are just ok. Of course grab yourself a beer or two while you're there. Have been going here since 1995 and I'm never disappointed.
(4)
Liz G.
Food? Tasty. Beer? Delicious. Best reason to dine at Flat Branch? The patio. Sure, you can find other patio dining in Columbia, but during my years at Mizzou there was never anything as great as enjoying a warm day on the patio at Flat Branch. I'm waiting for the warmth of spring to gather some friends and make the drive up for a weekend in Columbia and an afternoon on the patio here. The Philly is always a good choice and a sampler of different beers is great for tasting and passing around with friends.
(5)
Lee S.
If you live in or near Columbia you must stop into Flat Branch for a microbrew and some food. The menu has a lot of fun items like Missouri BBQ Chicken Pizza and Black and Bleu Angus Burgers. The amount of food served is more than enough for the price and the menu often changes seasonally to add local produce.
(4)
Patty S.
I had such a great time at Flat Branch! We enjoyed conversation, good food, and a good beer selection. Great place to go if you want to dine al fresco! The waitstaff is friendly and doesn't rush you through your meal. We went with a large group (8ppl) and none of us had a bad or mediocre meal. I had the Ahi Tuna Steak...delicious! I ordered it with the famous mashers...wouldn't of had it any other way! If you have room in your belly, try a cinnamon roll; you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Amy B.
Fantastic place. The food is always delicious: interesting, but not pretentious. I have enjoyed their grilled chicken sandwich, pork chop with an apple compote, fried catfish, and stout brownie. It's usually quite crowded, and you might have to wait an hour or more to sit outside when the weather is nice.
I feel like I am the only person out there who doesn't enjoy going here! The wait is always forever, the food is not great, and I feel like it's pretty much just an overrated place. I liked going here when I was in college and I didn't know better, but now I don't like to waste money on food that is bland and service that isn't great. If you are looking for a great restaurant that has a similar atmosphere and prices, go to Adison's!
(2)
Brooke T.
*Disclaimer* I'm from Philadelphia. This town takes its food very seriously and waiting for tables (with excessive amounts of time) is socially acceptable here. Everyone below me who is bemoaning a wait, shush and get over it. I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. Everything from the attentive bar-staff, the wonderful beer selection (beer snob, ahoy!), to the fantastic out-door seating and the phenomenal food. There was a bit of a wait but waiting at a microbrewery is comparable to foreplay. It's not the actual act of intercourse but the pleasantries before hand. It's all good. The indoor bar-tender was on his game. Drinks within seconds, beer bread within five minutes. He knew his beer and bantered with me about the beer I was sipping. Well done sir, well done. My dining partner had an avocado chicken salad (I stole a bite! Don't tell on me!) and she insisted I try the Flatbranch burger. Heavenly. Messy but delightful.
(5)
Ariel D.
Its the most popular place downtown for a reason. Their food is off-the-charts amazing, and the beer is a good quality. Not perfect, but good. The service is fantastic, the atmosphere is whatever you want it to be (want to dress up? No prob! Schlepped out in torn jeans? You can get away with it!). Its good for a date, a celebration, grabbing a bite, or just having a beer.
(4)
Colin G.
Synopsis: - 5* for the food - 2* for the service - 0* for the beer - 5* for grossness (which comes to 0*) This is one of the growing number of brewpubs where the focus is the food and not the beer. When I'm driving cross-country though (Tucson to Pittsburgh, in this case) and want to hit some breweries though, it's really difficult to tell which are the beer places and which are the food places. I came in on a Tuesday at about 7:30 and there was probably an hour wait for a table. People were strewn about the patio outside the door, just inside the doors, and around the bar, all waiting for tables. If you wanted to sit at the bar though, well, that was quick. Bad sign right there, to me at least. I got a menu and a water and began to decide. Great menu too. Lots of interesting choices, house-made stuff, wide variety, lots of veggie options, etc. And I waited and watched. I would estimate about 40% of the drinks going out to the tables were beers. The rest were stuff margaritas, wine and other mixed drinks (another bad sign). The bartender finally came back and I said that I wanted a sampler, apologizing for it because I know it's a pain and I could tell he was fairly busy. I also put in for the veggie burger, which was a house-made patty, according to the menu. About $7, IIRC (not bad at all) and it came with a wide choice of sides. I opted for the "world famous" mashers. Samplers came up fairly quickly. The food was slow but I definitely anticipated that with the crowd that they were getting at the tables. First beer I tried, I believe, was the Irish red. My first sip and I knew I didn't like this one. I took another sip and, of all things, a felt something fall onto my tongue. Yeah, a piece of food. And, mind you, I didn't have any food in front of my at this point, so this was either already in the glass or had been knocked in during pouring. Yuck, but I can look past it. I went for the American pale. I had requested an IPA sample, but they were out. Took one sip and, BAM, same thing! Another piece of food in my mouth! I left both samples to sit. I didn't like that red, but that APA wasn't bad, so I was a little disappointed to leave it. And it would get worse. The ESB, the Indigo American Lager (a seasonal) and the stout were just outright awful. The first two had the same gross yeast taste that the red had, although they lacked the stray piece of food. The difference between the Indigo, ESB and red was minor, at the least. Maybe it was just that gross taste though. I will say that my last beer was the Green Chili (sic), and I was okay with it. It was really light and thin, but had no discernible green chile aroma (not a bad thing). The pepper was very much there, but wasn't overpowering. I've had only one other green chile beer, in Taos, and this one was much better. Points off for obviously not roasting the chiles first (it brings out the sweetness and flavor of it) and calling it "Green Chili." I realize a lot of people use that spelling but, generally, "chili" has meat and beans and "chile" comes from a plant. In retrospect, I should have gone to the other brewery in town to get my beer. I should spout that the food was freaking fantastic. I haven't had a veggie burger that good in a very long time. It came with pesto and choice of cheese (I got bleu). Those "world famous" mashers were good but not really world famous material. I waited until I paid to mention the food in the glasses to the bartender, just because I didn't want to deal with a lot of shit about it and didn't want to be compensated for it. I mean, I hated the beer, so why would I want more of it? He didn't care, but I didn't really expect him to. So come for the food, like most people here seem to, and order a glass of wine or something. Save your beer drinking calories for somewhere else.
(1)
Mike S.
Flat Branch gets a 3 because their beer is good but their food... notsomuch. They make some pretty tasty beers. Also, if you come in at the right time you can get half-price pizzas. They're not the greatest pizza but, hey, at 50% off they cost like 3-4 bucks. The food here is meh, lots of people shoveling down lots of bland unhealthy food. If you love Applebees and general bar food, you might think it's really great... Even when I'm hungry and I go here, I usually drink the beer on an empty stomach then go eat somewhere else later. Maybe I order a bit of beer bread to tide me over. The atmosphere is OK and they have a big patio. If it's a beautiful day out and you happen to be downtown and think, "maybe I'll go to Flat Branch and have some beer" - think again, the place is packed (primarily with yuppies / sunday church people).. Try to go here when it's slow or during the half price pizza hours. 4 for the beer 2 for the food 3 Stars
(3)
Marissa G.
Food/Drink: Lots of great beer options. The Chokes and Cheese is amazing. The Creme Brule bread pudding is my favorite dessert ever, and I don't even normally like bread pudding. Overall, A+ for the food. Service: This place is constantly packed and does not take reservations so be prepared to wait for awile. I have also never had a phenomenal waiter/waitress. Overall, C for the service.
(4)
Janet R.
The Honey Wheat beer was excellent and their pizza are also very good! Fun place to go.
(4)
Matt O.
I had the Shepherds Pie and it was quite tasty. I enjoyed the industrial atmosphere - high rafters, exposed but painted duct work. It added to the trendy but casual ambiance I think this place strives for. The crab cakes we had for an appetizer were quite good as well.
(4)
Kenny R.
We had pizza and beer, both were very good.
(4)
David P.
I've never been a huge fan of brew pubs, but our friends suggested this as a meeting place on a recent trip across Missouri. They had been here many times. It was a first for us and a very pleasant surprise. My wife had chicken tenders which she describes as the best she's ever had. I had the pub burger. It was great to order a burger cooked medium and to get actually cooked that way. Since we were on a drive, I limited myself to a sip of beer, but it was very good. I don't remember the full name, but it was a pale ale.
(5)
Chris B.
Went back to Flat Branch this weekend. I'm docking them two stars because the late night menu no longer has the burger on it. Also because they stop serving their full menu at 10:30, which is just too damn early to stop serving on the weekends, particularly since if you get there any time before 9:30, at least on football weekends, it's a hellish wait. Furthermore, we sat down at 10:20, and the waiter told us we could only order from the late night menu. I understand having a late night menu but it shouldn't kick in until at least 11pm and only having appetizers and pizza on it is inexcusable. At the very least, burgers should be on the late night menu.
(3)
David S.
I really enjoy being here, but I will admit that sometimes the service isn't the best. I have been there a good number of times and when I go just for beers then it's completely fine service. If u go for dinner and you are impatient, brace yourself. It may take a while to get your food and the quality of your waiter (how often they check on you, quickly the bring drinks etc.) is definitely hit or miss. The food is great however. I am definitely a fan of their pizzas and the pub dip sandwich. Now to their beer. I really think that almost all of flat branch's beers are above average and some are even very good. I really enjoy their ipa's because they have a good amount of flavor besides bitter. If I'm in the mood, I can really get into the Red Wheat and cherry brown. My favorite, however, is the oil change stout. Phenomenal!
(4)
Emily M.
As a resident of Columbia, Flatbranch is one of the most popular places to go for just about anything: parents in town, a night out with friends, a lunch meeting, graduation dinner, drinking beer during a game. There is parking across the street in the big, empty lot and tons of parking meters around if there's none in the tiny parking lot around the restaurant. If you have to walk, get over it. It's busy for a reason. There's also generally a wait, because it's such a popular place to go. The general wait is about 20-40 minutes at lunch/dinner, and worse during special events, and on the weekends during school. Locals go ALL THE TIME, whenever we have a chance. Plan ahead and go early, go grab a beer at the bar, and go sit outside or wait inside, and have a nice chat with your family/friends/date. Talking for awhile isn't the end of the world, good heavens. As an interesting side note, the building used to be an old studebaker showroom, so the design of the dining area is a bit wonky, but it has some really awesome history. You can find out more about it on the menus, which is always something cool to point out to friends who have never been. The service is generally good, though at the busiest times they tend to be a little harried. Flatbranch is not a five-star restaurant, and it's not for the uptight; it's a laid-back microbrewery in a college town, and should be treated as such. The beer is amazing. If you've never been, try the sampler. I recommend the Honey Wheat, the Oil Change Stout, or the Green Chili Ale. All are very different beers, but everything is great. The Chokes n Cheese in a bread bowl with veggies is always popular as an appetizer, and the beer bread is great too. As far as entrees go, you can't beat the Flatbranch Burger. It has Chokes n Cheese on top, and you should get it with mashers instead of fries. Mashers (mashed potatoes) are the end-all, be-all of sides at Flatbranch. Heaven in two scoops, and they sit innocently beside your sandwich, just waiting to be savored. There are times I wish they sold JUST the mashers as an entree, no joke. Besides the Flatbranch burger, the sandwiches are great (the Philly Cheesestake, the Hobgoblin, etc.), and so is the Missouri BBQ chicken pizza, and the spinach and goat cheese pizza. The veggie burger is also awesome, and it's handmade at the restaurant, with beans and dirty rice. And any of the desserts are insanely good, though rarely ordered because you're so full from your meal. The Creme Brulee is outstanding, as is the Brownie sundae. You need to order it ahead of time, because they bake it while you eat, and it's absolutely worth it. I can't recommend this place enough. It's my number one haunt in town.
On a beautiful summer day in Columbia, MO, I don't think anything could be finer than sitting in the shaded patio of Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, sipping some strawberry lager and sharing some Chokes & Cheese with some good company... Well, I've only been once. But I imagine if I lived here in Columbia, I'd reenact this scene many times during the summer. Loved the atmosphere. The outdoor iron seats aren't super comfortable for those of us with bony butts... but get a couple beers in you and you'll be fine. I thoroughly enjoyed my classic pub burger with cheese. The bun was perfection and I loved the long thin pickle chips. I must add that I'm not a regular beer drinker, but I loved the strawberry lager. Here's the description from the website: "A German styled lager infused with 294 pounds of strawberry puree that imparts a rich strawberry aroma and flavor. The base lager is light in color and body, and lightly hopped with German Tettnang hops. The ABV is 5.5% and bitterness is 14 BU's."
(4)
Courtney S.
One of the things I look forward to most when visiting my college town, Columbia, is making a visit to Flat Branch. It brews its beer locally, but more impressive than the beer list, is the amazing menu. The pretzel and cheese dip is one of the best appetizer I have ever had! The ambiance is great, the patio is perfect for nice weather and the drink menu (beer and mixed drinks) is fabulous. Oh, and Columbia is smoke-free, so that is plus for ALL restaurants there!
(4)
Tanner T.
So many people have spoken so highly of Flat Branch, however I have failed to experience the amazement that others have. The food is okay, nothing really that special. I have never had a dish there that I couldn't find cheaper with the same quality at Applebees, Friday's, etc. Every time I try the beer I am never impressed. It is flat and warm. Not exactly delicious. The price is reasonable, and nothing is ever bad, its just not that great either.
(2)
Sarah G.
Great service! We called about an hour ahead of time to make a reservation for 25 + folks that were in Columbia for my son's wedding. They handled it beautifully. We were served promptly. The food and beers were great. Our server noticed we had a small cake (the portion from the wedding cake that the bride and groom wanted to save) and offered to keep it refrigerated while we dined. He even did separate checks for us! Thank you Flat Branch. It was a fun evening for us.
(4)
Curt O.
Tasted the Winter Spice Ale. Not to my liking, but I am pretty traditional when it comes to my beers. I do like their Green Chile Beer, though. I had a pint of the Irish red ale. It was good. Enjoyed it. Ordered a basket of Fries as an appetizer. They have really good fries and onion rings here. Green Chile chicken strips - It is on the menu as an appetizer but I had it as an entre with onion rings on the side. I have been here a lot over the years and overall the menu is really good. Their pizzas are worth checking out. Do be prepared for a wait to be seated during peak times. If you can get in just a little before the rush, you do well. Otherwise, prepare to wait. It helps somewhat when the students are not in town, but even then this one of the more popular spots in town.
(4)
Risa P.
Background: I went to Mizzou, I lived in Columbia for four years. When I graduated in '03, I yelled "sayonara suckers!!" and didn't look back. However, last weekend I came back to visit close friends. After realizing that I am like the only person who doesn't have a "favorite college place" for eating, I decided that I needed a new one. After a perfect Missouri day and a walk around the campus (good to see the preacher is still in Speaker's Circle but was now dressed as a pilgrim, the Rec Center did NOT look like that when I was here, and what the hell happened to Brady...) we decided to go to Flat Branch. Too many people had recommended it and I had to go back. I went here with my parents back in the '02 but didn't really remember much. Hello Flat branch. Since it was nice out, we say outside on the patio. They had nice huge tables with umbrellas and in the sun, it was really nice. Our waiter clearly did not want to be there (I realized later we were his last table.) That is fine. The food and the beer made up for it. We got a Green Chili beer and it had a good kick but also was a nice cool beer on a warm fall day. It sounds strange right? But it was so good. Especially in a college town. Put down the Milwaukee Beast and Natty Light and get yourself a good beer. We shared the spinach dip. This was a huge portion and definitely enough to share. We went with having it with tortilla chips and vegetables but I think that I would try it with the pretzel sticks the next time (like hot doughy pretzels) Then we shared the veggie burger. This was such a nice change from a regular place that gives you a veggie burger. I think that sometimes places just warm up a Morningstar burger and charge you $8. Not Flat Branch. The burger was handmade with oats and dirty rice and other delicious things. We tried it with pepper jack cheese and yummy!! The fries were okay, they were a little salty for my taste. All in all, it was delicious. Besides our gloomy server, it was a great experience. Now, when I go back to Mizzou, I have a favorite place to go. Thank you Flat Branch.
(5)
Winnie F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was pretty good, meat was a little dry though. The sweet potato chips as a side were quite crisp and almost burnt, but the cinnamon and brown sugar made it really sweet. Good atmosphere, lots of young people and families. Have come here before and really liked the Missouri BBQ Chicken pizza. Definitely a great casual dining spot unique to Columbia!
(4)
Sean O.
I want to marry this place! Hey - it's really workin for me!
(5)
Jake M.
Great bar and great food! Atmosphere is always awesome, however on a weekend evening you can expect a wait. Its worth it though. This is truly a way to experience Columbia!
(5)
Jeff N.
Excellent local brew pub with good food and a great atmosphere.
(5)
Emily D.
YUM! Great brewery with outdoor seating and a tasty dinner menu! We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and had one of the many beers on tap. The guys next to us were chowing down on apps so we asked them for a restaurant and in near perfect unison, these Burlie men said 'chokes and cheese!' HUH? The buzzer rang and we sat at our table scanning the menu for 'chokes and cheese' and we had to order it. WOW! I don't even want to know how many calories are in this cheesy goodness but we loved it! I asked for extra veggies to try and make myself feel less guilty but I definitely had to run a few extra miles the next day to make up for that app! Our service was pretty crappy but we were happy enjoying a Sumner night on the patio. For my meal I had a grilled chicken salad which was pretty basic and my boyfriend had a french dip. Best part of the meal had to be the beer and the 'chokes n cheese.' Thanks for the heads up Burlie bar men!
(3)
Jeff P.
4 1/2 star. Wow! What a great place. Great selection of their own brews, with a large variety. Great food. Great service. Nice patio. But the best part, is the very reasonable prices... I love the Midwest's cheap food and drinks!
(4)
Megan B.
My all time favorite restaurant in Columbia! The first time I went was in spring and I got a salmon and peach salad. I was hooked! I've had the pizza and chicken club which were both so good. I always look forward to eating here and so does my family when they visit.
(5)
Teve' U.
ribs ribs ribs (full rack $20) -- don't waist the time on the menu (coleslaw too) 5/5 beer.. its good & i had the stout -- stay away from the chili beer. atmosphere: 5/5 (nice vaulted ceilings, red brick walls) bartenders: 2/5 -- not very good, hard to get their attention, didn't know the product -- fortunately the other patrons were helpful
(4)
William G.
This place would be a 5 if not for how crowded it was. Granted, it is fairly simple to get a beer at the bar while you wait but still if your restaurant is causing hour+ waits, it may be time to expand or add a 2nd location. The beers were all fantastic and enjoyed by all. I didn't hear a single complaint. People in our group had the barley wine, brown ale, green chili, and oil change. The oil change stout seems to be the most popular one judging from what most patrons were sipping. Green chili seems to have a cult following... you either like it or you dont. I fall into the latter category. As for food, prices were very reasonable and everyone seemed to rave about their dishes. The beer bread is also fantastic. Give this place a try. If you're going on a standard "eating out" night be prepared for a long ass wait.
(4)
Christie R.
This place was recommended to us, so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately it was over an hour wait for a table, so we left. We tried again a few months later and managed to squeeze past the (AGAIN) one hour wait by sitting at the bar. We ordered chicken and beef which was delivered fairly quickly and hot. The entrees were tasty, but what stood out in our minds was the dessert: A Creme Brulee Bread Pudding! Whoever created that dish needs some type of epicurean peace prize! It was warm, gooey and delicious. I am NOT a fan of creme brulee, but this was fantastic. The bread pudding was on the bottom and the brulee ont he top-complete with carmelized sugar top! Someday, we will get in and sit at a regular table.
(4)
Denise W.
I want to start off by saying this place isn't BAD, and clearly people love it considering the excessive wait due to the abundance of patrons, but it just has a lot of qualities that annoy me. I went here to have lunch with someone on a Wednesday and we ended up having to park about 4 blocks away because the parking lot and surrounding street parking was taken (I know, it happens, but it was annoying). We went in and were told there was a 40 minute wait unless we wanted to sit at the bar, so we begrudgingly obliged and then proceeded to wait 10 minutes before the bartender gave us any attention. I don't really blame him, as the bar is pretty massive and he was the only one tending to a whole gaggle of people, but it sort of sucks nonetheless. The food was good and the beer selection was actually really impressive, all priced fairly. It really just came down to the fact that so many people were there that the noise overwhelmed us and despite sitting side-by-side at the bar, we could barely hear one another. I agree with another reviewer - this place would be well-served to open another location.
(3)
Devon P.
I feel this restaurant is way overrated. They are CONSTANTLY busy and I don't really get it. I have been there 3 or 4 times in the 6 years I have lived here and I haven't had anything that I thought was that good....with one exception. The huge cookie is realllllly good. Make sure you order it 15-30 minutes before you want to eat it though. The beer is okay... but the root beer is great!
(3)
John H.
We had a good lunch experience at Flat Branch on a game-day Saturday. There was a wait for tables which gave us an opportunity to wait in the bar for a little while. I had bloody marys, which were very good. Monica had the Brown Ale and the Irish Red. The Brown was very complex, and honestly quite good. The Red was spot on and as good as almost any local brew I've sampled in Ireland--it had a nice creamy head and a smooth finish. The food was pretty good too. We started with sweet potato chips which were good. I had a cuban sandwich, which wasn't really a cuban sandwich, but was an interesting re-imagining. I also had half of Monica's french dip, which was very good. With lunch I had a homemade cream soda which was also very good. Flat Branch is a nice space, and we were able to sit at a table looking into the pizza oven. Monica told me that when she was an undergrad at Mizzou, anytime an out of town family person came in that Flat Branch was the dinner place of choice. I can see why.
(4)
Pari A.
Awesome Beer, excellent food, good ambience, clean interiors- Flat Branch has it all! We take all our out of town guests to this place and everyone loves it. Green chilli beer, honey wheat are the best. They carry a good variety of food- vegetarian, seafood, pizza, sandwiches. I tried multiple stuff and so far, everything was very well made. This is a very gourmet and class style brewery and restaurant, and Columbia is proud boast of a cool place like this!
(5)
Justin F.
My FAVORITE place to eat/drink in Columbia. Amazing food and even better beer that they brew themselves. GO THERE!
(5)
Joshua B.
Really busy even when the students were gone. I stopped in on a rainy summer evening; the student were not around yet; and the place was still packed. The wait for a table was ~40 minutes. We got seated at the bar almost right away though. The bar has the full menu. The staff seemed on top of things. The noise level was a little high at the bar. The vibe was cool and laid back. The crowd seems to be in an in between age. Its not really a place that caters to undergrads, but it may be a grad student hangout. The soft pretzels were tasty, and the buffalo meatloaf sandwich was good. The prices were very reasonable. There are lots of beers made on the premises, and they have quite a few scotches. The oil change stout is dark and thick with lots of flavor. The IPA was very drinkable, and the kristalwitzen was a great filtered wheat beer. As they say, support your local brewery...
(4)
Josh L.
The food was good. We had the nachos and the ribs. The nachos seemed over baked at first but then I tasted them and realized the cheese used was amazing. The ribs came off the bone just by picking them up. It was a unique sauce they provided. It had a little zing to it. Overall the food was good. Environment was good. Beer was good. Speed of service was a little sub par. We actually asked about our food and if it was lost. It took an hour and a half to get in and out and we really didn't cause the delay. We were always waiting on something.
(4)
Charisma P.
Hands down, this is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The food is delicious, very reasonably priced, and one beer is enough to make me tipsy! Some of my favorite things: chokes & cheese dip, spinach dip, flat branch burger, cajun crayfish tails (sadly, no longer on the menu), bayou pasta, sausage & mushroom pizza, grilled salmon, stout brownie sundae, stout. This place is within walking distance from campus and is a hangout for students and faculty alike. They also have outdoor seating, which makes it a fantastic place to sit and enjoy the evening with a sampler.
(5)
Sarah T.
Love, love loooove Flat Branch! The beers are good, the food is GREAT! The indoor seating is OK, but the patio is the best thing about Flat Branch. During the summer/spring, it's perfect. The burgers are always filling and tasty, but my boyfriend and I are obsessed with the creme brulee bread pudding. We always end our meals with this dish, no matter how stuffed we are.
(5)
Melissa A.
A trip to Columbia isn't complete without a trip to Flatbranch. From pizza to sandwiches to steaks, I've never been displeased with anything. Their green chili chicken fingers with a side of their house buffalo sauce (omg...that sauce!) are some of the best chicken fingers I've ever had. Their beer selection is broad and their sampler is a great way to try around 10 (can't remember) different brews. I know it's a brewery, but for those that are into bloody mary's, they make a killer signature one with an assortment of garnishes, probably the best I ever had in Columbia. Some yelpers complain about the prices being high, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.
(5)
C C.
All around perfect place. The service was outstanding and the burgers were life changing. Our waiter was kind and unobtrusive as only the most professional and skilled are. We will stop here every time we are in Columbia!
(5)
Tender B.
A Columbia favorite. A nice selection of beers that flatbranch brews. Sometimes they even have a barley wine or an imperial stout. The slection changes with each season. The food is typical bar fare, but pretty good. Get the bacon chicken wrap with onion rings.
(4)
Brian E.
The beer is bland, the prices are a little steep, but overall it's a decent place. I would kill someone for some soft pretzel twists or chokes 'n cheese right now.
(3)
Kristen e.
wonderful spinach and artichoke dip! nice atmosphere and great beer specials
(5)
Adam O.
Like many reviews before, I'm not saying the place was bad it was just okay. Pros: -Great atmosphere -The bathroom has those state of the art hand drying stations and a handle on the door so you can open it with your feet (nice to not have to do bathroom karate to get out with clean hands). Cons: -The microbrews were tasty but not in the same league as Boulevard or Schlafly (the other MO famous microbreweries). -The spinach dip tasted like store bought microwaveable and was way too runny. -The food in general was on par with Outback, but for $50 for 2 people I expected more.
(2)
Zac C.
If I was just basing this review on teh food and the beer I would give it 3 stars... But with the excellent patio it bumps to 4
(4)
J P.
Incredible incredible beers! Food is good as well but the beers are mouth watering good.
(5)
Amanda C.
So, I am convinced that I should have just gotten something different because everyone I was with would have given FB 4-5 stars to where based on my food, I would have given it a 2-3. A friend who has been in Columbia for the past 4 years for school recommended FB to us, as we were meeting family from St. L halfway to KC. After deciding that we should maybe have something a little healthier than Shakespeares Pizza, we ended up at FB! I checked out the reviews on Yelp! before we headed in and also made sure I checked out the menu. Well the eating healthier part was totally nixed when I spotted the Garlic-5 cheese pizza. Let me start while we were still in the car... THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PARK! This was not a good sign to me as many other Yelpers say that the wait takes forever. We finally parked and walked in... it took about 3 minutes to get a table for 4 so this was a plus. We ordered the pretzel as an appetizer with beer mustard and spinach dip. The pretzel was gooey and soft all the way through... a perfect pretzel, I must say! Not being a fan of spinach dip... I was convinced to try it and to my surprise it was actually very good. It was creamy and had a bit of a jalapeño kick to it. The beer mustard on the other hand seems to be for mustard lovers only... It was way too strong for my liking. I stuck to my guns and after contemplating for a REALLY long time about what I wanted; I ended up getting the garlic pizza. Unfortunately this did not have marinara and the delicious juicy tomato taste is the main reason I love pizza so much. So after I discovered there was none on the pizza, I ended up ordering a side dish of marinara! I am sure glad that I did. The pizza was okay, and when I say okay I mean that I could not taste ANY garlic on it--- and this is the reason that I got it! The fries, oh those damn french fries were delicious. I know I have said a fry is a fry is a fry in my other posts but they were actually REALLY good, and obviously worth remembering! The feeling inside the pub was casual and just a chill feeling! Outside, the dining looked gorgeous. Although we did not eat out there because we were not in the mood to battle the Missouri July weather, I really wish it would have been a bit cooler so it would be comfortable to eat out there. It almost looked like a very romantic feel... or maybe like a place from "MTV: The Hills" but wait... those places aren't real! ---Or are they?? Outside seemed like a great place to enjoy a nice drink of wine with one you are trying to woo--- guys take note! Our service was a bit slow but the waiter was great! He was very outgoing and very helpful! ---Considering he had the entire half of the restaurant to serve while we were there! Prices were perfect... especially for a college town! Affordable! I hope to give FB another try and order something else to surprise me into thinking the way the others did! A 3 rating... well here is how I broke it down Parking-1 Wait and entrance- 4 Service-4 Food (based only on my pizza)-3 Outdoor Seating- 5 So basically a 3.4
(3)
Lori C.
I am a regular. Love the beer. Food is always good. Flatbreads are solid. Homemade soups. The outdoor dining is great. I always see somebody I know. It is definitely one of my favorite dining spots in COMO.
(4)
Ryan S.
The Green Chili beer and perhaps the best Veggie Burger I've yet to experience make the Flat Branch a must visit when I'm in CoMo. The staff is always friendly and prompt, and the quality is far beyond the normal brewpub schlock.
(5)
Annee T.
One of the better ones in Columbia. Flat Branch seems to be one of the only places in town where you can get cider on tap - for that alone, the place has my stamp of approval. The food is standard pub fare - decent burgers, pasta, sandwiches, etc. The chokes 'n cheese dip and the smashers are delicious, and one time I got this side order of tossed vegetables that was really nice. The veggies were cooked perfectly, tossed in olive oil, and heavily peppered. A simple, plain side that you could make at home, but a lot of times you go to restaurants and cooked vegetables taste like crap. Don't order ocean-caught fish in a landlocked state, is my last piece of advice.
(4)
H C.
The Oil Change stout I had was great, and my cider-loving boyfriend was pleased that they had Strongbow on tap. The food was somewhat underwhelming. I had a smoked salmon salad sandwich with applesauce. The sandwich was okay, and the applesauce was good. Boyfriend had a bison meatloaf, which was overcooked and underseasoned, and came with a horseradish cream sauce which was kind of bland. (Horseradish!) His mashed potatoes were dry and also underseasoned. It's inexpensive food, but the presentation of the restaurant shouldn't be better than the food, so I still think it could taste better. We were with a large group of people on a Friday night, and although I wasn't paying too close attention, the food seemed to come out at a reasonable time considering the circumstances. No complaints about the service.
(3)
Brad W.
If there was a place in Columbia that was a PERFECT first date place, then Flat Branch was my place. While in College, this was the staple of the first dinner outing. Great food, great service... and VERY busy on the weekends. Be prepared to wait a while to eat. Especially in the winter, as the patio is obviously only open in the warmer months. The food is nothing spectacular, but it's pretty good. They also have their own beer, which is quite tasty. I wasn't a frequent patron of the place for its beer though. While there are not many nice restaurants to choose from in Columbia, Flat Branch is a good choice if you're looking for a nice restaurant in a casual setting.
(4)
Sara L.
Oh, how I miss you Flat Branch! The first few times I went here as a grad student at Mizzou, I thought, "eh, nothing special." The service was just so-so and I didn't really see what all the fuss was about. But then I found a few menu items that are just AWESOME. Now, I'm not sure they still have this, but if they do, get the house salad (it's huge) and the pesto pizza bread thing (not sure exactly what they call it). Great stuff when you're drinking and having a great time with your friends!
(5)
Lisa B.
I met my brother, sister-in-law and niece for dinner at Flatbranch after driving 11+ hours from Denver. They said it was the best place in Columbia and that I had to try it. We went around 7:00 and it was packed. There were people everywhere in the parking lot, most with a beer in their hand just killing time. We were told the wait was 35 minutes for an inside table and debated whether we should wait it out. I was starving from the drive and it was dinner time for my one year old niece. We decided that 35 minutes wasn't that bad and that we had already wasted 10 minutes debating whether or not we should stay. So we decided to stick it out. Looking back I wish we hadn't. We ended up waiting an hour and twenty minutes for a table. We were told that we had to wait for a specific table because we needed a high chair so we kept getting pushed back. When we were finally seated we were seated at a table for eight, there were four of us plus the high chair so this large table seemed a bit excessive, but whatever. I find it hard to believe that the only table in the whole restaurant that can fit a high chair is an 8 seater. Important Note: There are two different wait lists - one for inside and one for outside. This place is apparently known for its patio and considering how long we waited to get a table inside, it would have been 2+ hours for a table outside according to the host. I think that is a bit ridiculous. Maybe Flatbranch should consider a second location with wait times like this? Now - on to the food! We ordered some appetizers because we were starving. We got the pretzels with spinach dip and the onion rings. These items were great. The warm spinach dip went perfectly with the fresh baked pretzels and the onion rings weren't excessively greasy. Both appetizer orders were fairly large and more than enough for us to split. I highly recommend both of these items. For my meal I ordered the BBQ chicken pizza. I LOVE BBQ chicken pizza. In my opinion its not too hard to screw up. However, this particular pizza was less than impressive. There was hardly any BBQ sauce (I had to ask for extra) on the pizza and the chicken was bad quality. It was rubbery and lacked any sort of taste. The pizza portion size is large, definitely large enough for two people to split. Some other dishes at my table included the Mediterranean Pasta and Blue Cheese Burger. Everyone else seemed to like their food. I cannot comment on the beers because I don't drink beer :-). However I must say they do serve Pepsi products which was a disappointment for this southern girl (everything is Coke in the south). But thank you Flatbranch for offering Diet Dr. Pepper. I don't think I'll be going back to Flatbranch again during the dinner peak. The food wasn't that great to warrant an 80 minute wait. However, I would consider going back for lunch or at an off hour.
(2)
Joe K.
Great in-house beer list and the bar food menu is great as well. If it's not busy, a fantastic place to belly up to the bar. One of the local institutions, well worth going to if you like world class locally brewed beers.
(4)
Alston S.
I'm not really sure why this place is rated like it is. The food is average, at best. The atmosphere is ok. There are plenty of other places I would much rather go than here.....so if you have the option, go somewhere else.
(2)
Ben A.
Flat branch was my number two watering hole during the three and a half years I lived in Columbia. First you I have to start with the beer. They usually offer betweein 9 and 15 beers on tap, all brewed in house. They range in style from the lightest Honey Wheat to the darkest Oil Change Stout. In between there are tastey option such as their ESB or IPA. pretty much every beer they offer is at least a mediocre redition of the given beer style, with the afore mentioned by name being quite good. They also offer rotatring seasonal beers, ranging from strawberry or blackberry ales to an imperial stout and a barleywine. They also have a full bar to boot so anybody whould be able to find something to drink there. The food is delicious. They have a great selection of burgers, cooked to order. My favorite is the Texas Burger with bacon, sauteed onions and jack cheese. They have a good selection of brick oven pizzas as well, each is about 10 inches with a thin, chewey sourdough crust and fresh toppings. My favorite is the BBQ Chicken. And there is no better way to start a meal than with their Chokes & Cheese appetizer, creamey, cheezy garlicy, delicious. The staff, overall is knowledgable and courteous and willing to answer questions about the beer. The one drawback is this place gets packed on weekends, especially football days. They do not take reservations so show up early to avoid the wait. Overall, one of the best spots in Columbia, and all of Mid-Missouri.
(5)
Dan S.
Their service is spotty, but its been getting better over the last few months. The beers are good, but under-carbonated. The food is really good, though. I really like the pretzels; the nachos are huge. My favorite thing on the menu though is the catfish and chips. Really large portion of fish and really well seasoned. The chips are great. The patio is awesome...
(4)
Sagruilla P.
I went on a recent visit, and I had a chile beer. It was so delicious beyond the novelty of it. That, plus onion rings in ranch dressing was a perfect combination. I also had a salad, and that was full of peppers, carrots, lettuce, mushrooms, tomatoes and cucumbers. Other people at my table had pizza and the artichoke bowl, all of which were good. Not bad at all for a pub in a college town. I can hardly wait to go back again one day to try the stout brownie.
(5)
Scott W.
If you ever call in a to-go order, plan on waiting 7-10 minutes on hold, or just call from 3 different lines until they remember at the bar. Pizzas and chicken nachos are great, though. So is the Cobb salad.
(4)
Michael S.
More often than not you will wait for a table, but that's OK with me cause they have a nice bar and plenty of different beers to try. Actually, that really the only thing I like about Flat Branch. The food, eh, kinda bland. Subtract the beer and it could be an Applebee's anywhere. But the patio and fun times with friends means I will still be back.
(3)
Max C.
The food is good, the atmosphere is fun, especially on the patio in the spring/summer and the beer list has something for everyone. Try the green chili beer!
(4)
L T.
We've been here several times, always with a group because my in-laws live in Columbia, and it's consistently good, solid food. It's a nice lofty, echo-y space so I don't really worry about the kids being quiet. The service is always good as well!
(4)
Russell M.
Cool place, I'm a fan. I like the chill atmosphere and I loved the Stout Meatloaf Sandwich with the world famous mashers on the side. My companion had the chicken nachos. Also an excellent choice. I'd come back!
(4)
Roxanne A.
The food here is always fantastic, but I'm only giving it 3 stars due to service. There seems to always be a ridiculously long wait no matter what day or time it is and some of the employees seem to do more socializing with each other than actual work. We have stood waiting for a long time to get a table when you can clearly see that there are many clean, open tables (I'm talking like 4-5 within view). We have never gotten in with less than a 40 minute wait, so if you are starving this isn't the place for you. Not to mention that the place always seems to be extremely LOUD. If you can get past those things you will be pleasantly rewarded. Every single thing anyone in my party has ever ordered was fantastic and their beer selection is a shining star all on its own.
(3)
Sam R.
Flat Branch has a nice selection of hoppy ales and other craft beers on tap that you can't find anywhere else in Columbia. And although I do enjoy having a Katy Trail Pale Ale with a chokes and cheese burger, Flat Branch does not hold a candle to the Free State Brewery in Lawrence, KS.
(3)
Drennen M.
I've never had the beer, but the place is worth it just for the chokes 'n' cheese dip in the bread bowl (one of the appetizers) and the stoat brownie sundae mmmmmm. They also have veggie burgers which makes vegetarian me happy. I used to come here with very big groups (20+), and service was, if not extremely prompt, quick and generally correct. I'm not sure if they separate the bill, but it's still at the top of my "big group" list.
(4)
Raymond H.
I have been here 3 times since living in Columbia. It is a great place for almost any get-together, ive gone here with a couple of friends and I even took my parents here once. I would recommend their "Chokes-n-cheese" and veggies as an appetizer, I was hesitant at first but i found it to be quite delicious. They also make their own beer, root beer, and cream soda. Ive only had a chance to try their root beer, I normally dont like root beer but theirs was an exception.
(5)
Paul D.
Some of my friends work here so I feel bad with what I am about to say. The beer is no friggin good. It is BAD beer. I've tried it on a handful of occassions constantly getting a different beer thinking "everyone keeps raving about how good this beer is...maybe I am just making bad choices." It isn't my choices it is the beer. The patio is nice.
(3)
Luke M.
When you're in the mood for great, simple food nothing in Columbia beats Flat Branch.
(5)
Ian S.
They have a great selection of their own microbrewed beers on tap. I've liked every one I've had, but I'm not too hard to please. Food is good. I highly recommend the Flat Branch Burger, which is covered in their "chokes n' cheese" dip. They also plan to go smoke free May 27th, which will be great for busy nights.
(5)
Truth S.
Great local brew pub offering great food and great beer! This is definitely a relaxed place to go for lunch and dinner. The patio is awesome during warmer weather and the service is very good. I definitely think this is the best "pub" in Columbia.
(4)
Zach H.
Over the five or six times I ate at Flat Branch, I had mixed experiences but still look at the place fondly. The beer is great, as is their beer bread. Some of the food is mediocre but for the most part, a great place to go out with friends and enjoy some drinks
(4)
Amanda P.
A Columbia, MO institution. Everything I've ever had here is good, from fish to pasta, to appetizers, etc. What makes me dream of this restaurant, though, is the red cream soda that they brew right on the premises. For a soft-drink snob like me, it's absolute heaven.
(5)
Kristin F.
Flat Branch has the distinction of being the only brewpub in a college town that desperately needs one. In a land of sorority girls drinking Bud Light with lemon, the FB helped me get through college and I even worked there for a few years after I graduated. The beer selection is broad with something for everybody....unless of course you only like beer that tastes more like water and has no alcohol in it. Forewarning: the only beer they carry that they don't make is Bud Light. Why, you ask? Because they encourage the drinking of their own beer!!! It's a brewpub for crying out loud! The light and refreshing Honey Wheat is always a crowd fave, along with the signature Katy Trail Pale Ale. There are some that are always kept on tap....Oil Change Stout, Brown Ale, etc. And there are also rotating seasonal selections like the Great Pumpkin Ale or a yummy Strawberry Pilsner in the summer. The food is excellent and much better than standard bar fare. The Chokes and Cheese dip from what I'm told is highly, highly addictive but I was always more partial to spicy spinach dip myself. The pizzas are tasty and so are most of their sandwiches. Mmmmmm....I miss the FB!
(4)
Lauren B.
My favorite place in Columbia by far! You have to try the Chokes n Cheese.
(5)
emily o.
yum, yum, yum, yum, yum! i've become entirely obsessed with the spicy spinach dip and the flat branch burger (a burger topped with artichoke dip!)...really great comfort food, wonderful beer...who could ask for more?!?!
(4)
John T.
Have to disagree with Paul D. The beer here is great unless you can only handle Bud Light. Food is tops also and at $16.95 w/two sides the Filet of Beef is the best deal in town. Great patio with lots of room. Only complaint is the inside is a bit noisy when it's busy, which is almost always.
(5)
Michelle F.
I also highly recommend this restaurant. Came a few times with friends, and really had some great meals. I enjoyed their salads, and also had an excellent burger once. Only complaint is I was very thirsty and kept needing more diet coke, and the waitress started teasing me. Not funny.
(4)
Joshua H.
I made a return visit on a Friday night as a last minute choice for dinner and a beer. I got in about 915pm and the place was busy. Not crazy busy but definetly moving. I got a seat at the bar right away, ordered the beer sampler which is 7 samples of 1.5oz each of the 7 beers on tap that night. I found 3 of the 7 to be really good and the others not to my liking, but thats a personal preference of course. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with swiss on the new spelt whole grain bun which was damn good. It came with sweet potato chips which were ok but not amazing. Th price was great as the whole thing was still under 10 bucks so no harm done. Good beer, full stomach, no complaints. I really enjoy the atmosphere at Flat Branch as well, it feels like a n upscale bar, more so then most other "bar scenes" in Columbia. Good way to spend a n hour or 2 on a Friday night. Your almost always see someone you know coming in or leaving as you get in or leave yourself.
(3)
Brian M.
I had a chance to try Flat Branch while visiting some friends, and really enjoyed my experience the food was good and so was the beer. The inside was large, however there was a short wait, seems this is a very popular local hangout and I can see why. Once inside and seated I ordered a burger, which was really good so were the fries, not greasy at all. I ordered a beer, I dont recall which one and it was very good. Hopefully this summer I can make it back and enjoy a drink, or two/three outside.
(4)
Fred K.
Awesome food made scratch in the back! Great atmosphere. #1 pub in town!
(5)
Alexis R.
Once of the best micobrew restaurants I've ever been to, Flat Branch has delicious food and very solid beers. They always have 10 or more beers on tap - the Oil Can Stout is great even if you don't like stouts, but their recent Belgium Golden was a real winner in my books. I really love their pizzas. Perfectly chewy/crispy crusts that taste like they are out of a brick oven with very solid toppings. The margharita is very nice as is the artichoke/pesto pizzas. I love the artichoke dip served in a bread bowl as well - a very solid appetizers ($8.99) than can easily morph into a meal with the veggie sticks and hearty bread. The place is always busy so expect at least a 30 minute wait unless you are there very early on weekday or weekends. We waited 45 min but it was well worth it!!
(5)
Jessica E.
Took a little day/evening trip to CoMo yesterday for a concert and decided to do a little research on where to stop in for dinner. Flat Branch was consistently on every "best of..." list that popped up on google so we decided to check it out. Flat Branch is situated in the quaint and adorable downtown Columbia area, amidst other local businesses. Immediately when I saw the patio (empty yesterday because it was a bit chilly) I thought it was a perfect little place for summer/spring happy hours. The outside of the place itself was just super cute and the greenery surrounding the patio was just really pretty. We arrived right before 6 so we didn't have to pay the meter, but there was very limited parking around the area. They were also very busy for a weekday (not sure how they usually are other days). We arrived at the tail-end of their happy hour. Maybe that's why the waiter didn't mention it, but when I asked if they had any specials, he did let us know about the 3.75 beers; options were limited but the price was just right (cheap). For starters, we ordered a half order of the green chili chicken fingers. First off, love how they had a half-order option and as observed by my BF, they definitely cater to the college-student crowd with that one. Big props for knowing your audience. The description on the menu made it seem like these would be super different than typical chicken fingers, but it wasn't. It was pretty standard. Still tasted fine, but just didn't have that extra something I was expecting. For dinner, I had their infamous "Best of..." Flat Branch pub burger (with bacon). It was definitely delicious! And cooked perfectly (I know that shouldn't be a difficult task, but you'd be surprised at some of the places I've been). The service was fine. It was super busy so our waiter wasn't around much but he was around enough to refill our drinks at a good pace and clear out the table, etc., etc. For such a busy time in the evening, I was impressed by how they seated everyone quickly, efficiently and the servers were all very pleasant. I had a good experience!
(4)
Chelsea B.
Flat Branch is a good place to get standard American pub food and drinks in Columbia. When the patio is open it's nice to sit outside, and it's the kind of place you can go with friends or your parents or a group or really anyone and have a good time. The downside is that in the evenings the wait can be around an hour, which is frustrating, but everyone knows a good thing when they taste it. The Hot Soft Pretzel Twists with Cheesy Spinach Dip ($6.49) and Buffalo Wings ($8.99) are good starters. The California Chicken Club Sandwich is so delicious ($8.99) and the Smoked Pork Sandwich ($7.49) is pretty killer. I've also had the Pub Burger ($7.99), which is a good standard burger. Everything is fresh and seems home made, from the artisan bun to the delicious fries. I did take a Dutch friend and he commented about the California Chicken Club that "this is not foccacia," but if you're from Missouri I'm sure you won't be bothered. I take off one star because I'm just not a fan of their beer. Maybe I'm crazy. I've had the Honey Wheat and the Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, neither of which are for me. Other people rave over it, so go ahead and try for yourself.
(4)
Katie D.
I love Flat Branch! Their black and bleu burger is wonderful as is the pretzel with Chokes & Cheese dip.
(4)
Todd K.
One of our favorites when we visit. The food is always good and plenty of choices. The service can be hit or miss.
(3)
William T.
Good food and beer. Large amount of seating.
(4)
Zach H.
Great place celebrating 20 years in 2014. The Cajun Bayou Pasta is incredible. Always love making a trip to try the different beers when I'm in town. Be sure to order the beer sampler as there are so many unique beers, it's hard to try them all! Definitely one of the better places in COMO. I would highly recommend it to anybody!
(5)
Justin W.
I came here with my wife on a recent trip to Columbia. After arriving in town late at night and striking out at many other places, we were happy to find that Flat Branch was still open, even though the full menu was not available. We tried the beer bread, two different pizzas, the IPA, and a stout. The beer bread was fair at best. The pizzas were excellent. The beers were fine, but they weren't memorable. I'd go back.
Love everything about Flat Branch! Something for everyone to eat and always amazing kind, fast, knowledgeable staff!
(5)
Lawrence N.
Based on typical wait times I expected more. It was good but not great. The atmosphere is good and the beer list is great. The food was just ok.
(2)
Chris R.
Amazing food. The desert was spectacular and they have a good selection of whiskey which is what brought me here to begin with. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Up C.
Wow I really love this place. It took 45 mins for a table but it was worth the wait. Go to the bar order a beer and You will not even notice the wait. I am a ipa fan and my husband loves Hefeweizen. The ed's ipa has a lot of complexity without relying on citrus notes. My husbands had the red Hefeweizen do I need to say more. A red hefeweizen is rare and they really know what the are doing here. The chicken tenders with chile beer batter were incredibly crunchy and delicious. Also had the four cheese pizza. So good! This place completely deserves the 5 stars.
(5)
Nicholas B.
My bachelor party, I went for three things: Bayou Pasta (you can ask them to make it as hot as you want), Oil Change Float (with Tiger Stripe, don't be scared of the Tiger), and Creme Brulee Bread Pudding (it takes 15 minutes to make, so just order it as soon as you get there).
(5)
Jami C.
Pleasantly surprised at their salads. Hadn't been there in many years. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Andrew L.
Their sausage and chicken bayou pasta is amazing....love it
(4)
Amy S.
Great beer and amazing food but the service wasn't up to par. Sat outside to accommodate the restaurant who couldn't seat us inside timely. They have a beautiful patio so that was no issue. However, our server was slow -it happens but yielded only a 4 star rating and not perfect. Awesome place though!
(4)
Julie S.
Excellent, got the stout brownie with vanilla ice cream, ohhhhhh so good. I enjoyed it with a oil change stout!!! Yummy!!!
Worth a stop! Stopped at this place on a college visiting trip to Mizzou based on DDD and Yelp reviews, Cool place with a nice patio setting right off campus. They have a great selection of brews and the Katy IPA was tasty with its citrus undertones. For dinner, three of the four of us had the Big Chief Burger. It was topped with bacon, egg and cheese. REALLY a good, juicy and flavorful burger. Would definitely have that again. My hubby had the catfish and chips which he really enjoyed. The fries are lightly battered and were the bomb (tried my sons). I had their 'famous' mashed potatoes. I'd suggest passing on those. They were just simple mashed potatoes. Nothing special about them. My daughter had grilled vegetables with her burger and they looked yummy as well. If you like good beer and a better meal, then definitlely stop here.
(4)
Mark O.
Driving from KC to STL on a Sunday, Columbia was perfect stop-off. Yelped for pubs for my dad & I and saw Flat Branch. Actually a little hard to find but parking on the street and walking up was revealing of the greatness of their patio. I had veggie burger and APA, dad had pork loin sandwich and some less hoppy beer and we left most happy and continued our journey. I look forward to being able to enjoy carbs again and try their pizzas!
(5)
Aaron B.
There is a reason why Flat Branch often has long waits during prime-time, because its the beeeeees kneeeeees. Flat Branch is a triple threat: great service, food, and booze. Yes, saying they are a triple threat is cheesy, but not as deliciously cheesy as their "Hot Soft Twist Pretzels" with CHEESY SPINACH DIP. I might be able to do an entire review just on this appetizer. I crave theeeem. This pretzel dish is what all pretzel dishes strive to be and fall short of. THE PINNACLE OF HOT SOFT PRETZELS. Moral of the story: GET THE HOT PRETZELS. The beer battered onion rings and chokes and cheese are another great treat. Beer battered breading is easily one of my favorite things invented. I love that sweet breading. As for main dishes, they have great pizzas but I usually opt for the burger. Their burgers are really good. I don't know why I like them so much but they are a perfect "American" burger. I've never had a bad meal here. Venture out and get whatever you want...I can bet you it's all good. Now onto the good stuff... their beer. They easily brew some of the best beers I have ever tasted (Note: I am not a beer aficionado). I love their Honey Wheat, it's probably my favorite. However they have so many great beers! I also enjoy the Green Chili Beer, Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, and the Irish Red. I look forward to my next visit to CoMo so I can visit Flat Branch.
(5)
Sunni Z.
The world famous chokes and cheese was definitely not worth the hype. It didn't have any spinach in it. I had a burger and my guy had the adobo tacos. The burger wasn't flavorful and was pretty burnt. The adobo tacos smelt just like cat food. Very unappetizing. Too bad. We drove up from Rolla to go. Our waitress wasn't friendly either. We won't be going back.
(1)
Smashlee D.
A Columbia staple, this place has earned it's fair share of beer, food, and best patio awards. They brew all their beers on site and everything from flights to groulers are available. Flat Branch has an extended pub style menu with pizza, burgers, steaks, and pasta dishes. Their beer alone is worth the visit, green chili beer, the Katy trail ale, and oil change being a few to mention along with the exclusive Halloween pumpkin beer. Great for large groups, kids, happy hour, and date night, this restaurant has got Columbia wrapped around it's finger.
(4)
Matt V.
This is my 2nd trip to this establishment. The food, service, and beer are all top notch! They have the best shepherds pie I've ever in my life! During my recent trip I got their adobo pork tacos and they were so good. They have several craft brews on tap. This is a very popular restaurant so be prepared to wait for a seat or grab a spot at the bar!
(5)
Ray B.
Just moved to Columbia and this by far has been the best restaurant I've eaten at in town. Went on a Saturday evening and there was an hour and a half wait for 2, which I wouldn't expect anything less from a restaurant this good. After drinking cheap beer at Lucky's while we waited, we sat at our table exactly 1.5 hrs after we went on the list. (Don't bother calling to make reservations ahead of time, they don't take them). I ordered the veggie burger with sweet potato chips on the side. It was the best veggie burger I have had. Not just your typical frozen patty from the grocery store, this had blacks beans, oatmeal, hummus, and all kinds of good stuff. For dessert I got the chocolate chip cookie sundae and it was delicious and HUGE. Oh forgot to mention the beers, I got their sampler and really enjoyed their green chili one. Others were more or less the same as any other local brewery. Still good though. Our waiter was awesome. He was upbeat, patient, and had no problem explaining menu items and checking in on us even when the place was slammed. Restaurants are graded by food, service, atmosphere, and prices. And this place aces ALL of them. Portions are larger than average and prices are actually reasonable which is surprising given the popularity and quality of the food at this place. Check it out sometime, we will be going back soon.
(5)
John D.
We went for the first time today. The beer was awesome and the appetizers were great, especially the onion rings. The best part was the service. We had Archer as a waitress, and she was definitely one of the best servers we have ever had at ANY restaurant!!
(5)
Derl W.
I have tried most of the menu here and I have never had a bad dish. I stick mostly to the lagers since I am not a huge fan of the dark beers, but there is a nice selection here as well.
(5)
Debbie M.
I visited this flatbranch pub on a busy Thursday night. Our 35-40 minute wait was well worth it. Ordered the pork tacos that came with chunky applesauce and dirty rice and they were beyond delicious!!!! Service was also excellent. If ever in the area again would definitely stop in!!!! Deb. CT
(5)
George F.
I could tell by the attitude of the girls at the door this was going to be a bad experience. The menus were thrown at a table, with an "is this ok" when she was already almost back at the door. She had to get back to the hostess stand to swap more boyfriend stories that our party interrupted. Once our waiter arrived at our table and took our drink order it was forever before our drinks came because he was waiting on other tables. The food was slow to come out but that was some what acceptable as it was a busy day. It wasn't acceptable that the food was cold. The poor reception. Service and food quality was topped off by the lackadaisical way our bill came. Was I ever glad to have cash so I didn't have to wait for our server to ring out a credit card.
(2)
Tyler A.
Have been to Flat Branch at least a half dozen times now. Their brews are very good, I only wish that their vanilla (ale?) was a year round brew because it is great, other than that, their other brews are very good as well. The service is always good, whether on the patio, in the dining room, or in the bar. Their sandwiches are all I've ever had, and can't complain. If you're in CoMo, you have to check it out.
(5)
Enrique S.
Grabbed lunch here today. Got my old stand-by sausage and mushroom pizza. As usual, it was very good. The crust was just right (thin), the sauce was not the sweet goop you get at the chains but rather "real" pizza sauce, and the toppings were plentiful and very fresh. Service was prompt. Good place for a biz-lunch meeting.
(4)
Chi T.
I love their green chili chicken tenders! Must get it with ranch or blue cheese dressing! Whenever I go here, I normally order their chopped salads. Today, I was feeling a chicken club sandwich on focaccia bread. It was pretty good, but wish the bread was toasted on the inside. Not a bad place for lunch. Definitely go on a weekend or during the afternoon. There is definitely a wait time during the night!
(4)
Andrew T.
Great longtime CoMo establishment with consistent food and microbrew craft beer quality. They have a solid lineup of beers that they serve throughout the year as well as some rotating seasonal selections so that everyone will find a drink that they will like. There are some rather interesting beers served here such as the Green Chili Beer which I am very tempted yet slightly intimidated to try! For those who like darker beers, my typical go-to is the Brown Ale here. A very solid representation of the style indeed. As for the food, although there are many tasty morsels listed throughout the menu, I usually end up getting the nachos with the chicken add on or the sausage and chicken bayou pasta. The nachos can usually be split between 2 people with normal appetites or is also good enough for 1 person who is very hungry and comes with sour cream, salsa, and guac on the side. For those who like their spice, the sausage and chicken bayou pasta is pretty fantastic and served as a large portion which I usually end up taking home for lunch/dinner the next day. It comes with both a nicely seasoned Andouille sausage as well as charbroiled chicken in a spicy sauce that is not too overwhelming. I would highly recommend this dish to any lovers of spice/Cajun/Creole cuisine. As for the service, the hostesses are typically very prompt and courteous as well as the rest of the service staff any time I have gone here even when they are completely swamped on game days.
(4)
Christopher B.
I've had better for less, but the Garlic Pizza is tasty and the chicken and artichoke dip are both decent.
(4)
Maxwell P.
Jes and I went to FB yesterday for about the 10th time. We've had really positive experiences pretty much every time, but for some reason I was really happy with yesterday's visit so I finally came on here to tell people about it. I'm not going to rave about the delicious food options, the myriad of micro-brew options, or the delicious daily specials, even though any of those things could be the focus of the review. If you have an adventurous streak for food or beers, or if you like the classics done really well, definitely check out FB. What really prompted me to write this is how knowledgeable and thoughtful the server we had yesterday was about the menu. Jes recently phased out gluten from her diet, and it's been a real struggle to find good restaurants that actually care about offering a variety of food to a variety of food-restrictions. Our server knew the options, she knew what was Gluten-Free on the menu, and she even went back to the server stand to grab the GF menu (which only affirmed what she had already told us). The staff at FB knows their stuff, and Jes and I are glad they have embraced the latest trend in gastronomy. Oh yeah, they have Crispin on tap which was perfect for yesterday's 90 degree 90% humidity day. 1-star deduction: The only complaint I consistently have about FB is the space. I don't care about waiting an hour to eat here, it's well worth it. However, as others have said, there's no good place to wait. The bar area is a weird hybrid of dining room / bar area, and it gets a little awkward having people hovering over you while you're trying to eat. There is a dining room dining room separate from the bar, so don't worry. The space issue was exacerbated yesterday because we were eating when the US was playing their opening WC game. Trust me, there's nothing worse that being trapped in a small space with a bunch of fair-weather soccer fans who only cheer when the ball is being kicked towards the goal. Ugh....
(4)
Eric H.
I have been here a few times but never are here. I tried the new pot roast tonight and it was spectacular. I'll come again and I will eat next time. By the way, the Imperial IPA was also delicious.
(4)
Bob B.
Pizza was average at best. Not cooked in a brick oven. It looked like a stainless steel stand-up oven... Onion rings were soaked in grease and the ranch dip was thin/watered down.
(2)
Brandy H.
Great Porter! And home brewed soda made for some happy kiddos! The food was delicious, and fast. So fast! The staff was friendly and helpful, and all our meals were hot and huge!! We ate inside, and had a great atmosphere for the kiddos- but the outside patio looked like a blast. Definitely would shoot for outdoors of we were hanging with the grown ups... And husband loved the green Chili beer (he insists you try it)
(5)
Zach G.
This place was very hyped up as a result of my wife and her friends all being Mizzou grads. Well, we grabbed some dinner here on my first trip to Columbia, and let me say...wasn't too impressed. The restaurant itself is nice. It's clean, it's large, it has plenty of outdoor seating too. The bar area seems a bit orphaned and out of place (as an island), but whatever. Bathrooms are clean. Service is friendly. That's all well and good. Beer wise, I had the stout which was very good - smooth, flavorful, and the perfect temperature. For my entree, I had the catfish and chips. The catfish itself wasn't a huge portion, but was moist, flaky and tasty, with a great breading. The fries were typical fries - good, not great, not bad. Now, why am I giving this place 2 stars? Well, for one, although it was hot outside when I was there, it was even worse inside. It's like they had no desire to turn on the air conditioning. It was, in fact, hotter inside than out - I wish we had sat on the patio. And that's a lot to say when it was 90 degrees outside. The inside was nasty, humid, stuffy...we (all four of us) spent the whole meal sweating. I wanted another beer, but wanted more to get the hell out of this place. The other negative - the pretzel app. My wife and her friend kept talking about how good the pretzels were, despite learning that they were not made in house, but rather just pulled out of the freezer and heated. For 2 pretzels with a small thing of cheese sauce, it was $9 with tax. NINE BUCKS! My entire entree was $11. And the pretzels were not that good at all - I didn't even finish one. What a rip off. So, will I return here? Maybe. If the weather is nice, and we avoid the pretzels. But, at the same time, I'm okay just coming for one beer or never coming again...my experience made me indifferent to Flat Branch.
(2)
David P.
Flat Branch is a staple of Columbia. Whenever my parents come to visit we go there for dinner. The food is tasty, I love their salads and their beer is also great. The atmosphere caters to families and sports fans with a lot of televisions in the bar area. Overall, the place is great.
(4)
Ygbnd G.
Love the atmosphere and the out door patio. The onions ring are really great but the rest of the food is okay
(3)
James B.
Took my wife there for dinner. It was not for us. The food was okay. Nothing special. The crowd was rowdy. The wait - staff was nice. I gave it a three because the food was not great.
(3)
Heather R.
Great place for lunch!!! Always make a stop here when visiting my daughter at school!!! The Reuben is on of the best I've ever had!
(5)
Hope E.
The 'chokes and cheese is something I still think about from time to time. I try to make it here anytime I'm back in town. I absolutely love this place and spent many birthdays and special occasions here with friends during my college years. The Katy Trail Pale Ale is one of my favorite beers. Can't wait to visit again when I'm back in Columbia!
(5)
Cynthia R.
The check in hostesses were a problem. Beer was great. Food was good. The bartenders were good. However, when it is a busy Sunday afternoon at lunchtime and the place is packed and you have to wait in a long line to just get your name on the list/get a pager, it is not ok for the hostess who is taking the names to allow her friend named Imperial to cut the entire line and get her name on the list ahead of a line of people for her table of 3. More mature hostesses who care would be great.
(2)
Miranda B.
Beer was mediocre at best, and I tried a few to see if one just didn't suit my palate, but no dice.
(2)
Sandy B.
The Stout Brownie Sundae is amazing! I want to keep coming back to Flat Branch just for this dessert.
(5)
Brennan H.
Best beer and food in town. My favorite restaurant!
(5)
Jam S.
Its a Columbia institution but over rated. If you are visiting here, and want to wait in line for hours, this is your spot. Food is just "ok" -- the beer is far better.
(2)
Alyssa C.
Great food! Decent service, but our waiter was a bit scatterbrained. I recommend the Bangers & Mash.
(4)
David S.
I've been here multiple times and am always very pleased. They seem to focus a little more on the food than on the beer, but the beer is still very well done and worth trying. I have tried many of there dishes and never been disappointed with the food options.
(5)
Curtis H.
I have eaten at this great establishment many, many times over the years since my time at Mizzou. Their food is consistently good and continues to be reasonably priced. Their beers are also decent and are ridiculously cheap during happy hour. My last visit was graced with the chokes n cheese (always wonderful) and a very nicely prepared wasabi ahi tuna steak. If you are looking for a reliable establishment in Columbia this place is a must. I'll be back for sure...for many years to come. Go Tigers!!!!
(5)
Fazia M.
Our server was pleasant. Great ambience. Gave large side table for our big group. Veggie burger and brownie were excellent will be back. Price is reasonable.
(5)
Susan S.
Excellent. I have had numerous things on the menu, and everything has been good. The service is actually decent for Columbia, which has always seemed to have a problem with disinterested college students as waiters/waitresses/bartenders. I'm not a big fan of 'fancy' beers, but the people I've gone with whose tastes ran more exotic have been mostly happy with their brews. I do like the green chile beer - it adds a nice twist to the meal. A great example of upscale bar food - delicious and semi-imaginative without being pretentious.
(4)
Harold D.
My favorite place for good food and hand crafted beer in Colmbia. This place has a great vibe I split the ribs with my wife and got an extra side good portions Did I say great beer
(5)
Nithin M.
Good ambience, not very expensive, good beers, friendly staff, a notch above the average pub food and generous portions. I had the meat loaf dinner and my wife had the grilled chicken salad. Both were good though the fries were very oily. The honey wheat is the best light beer I have ever had and the brown ale was good too.
(5)
Andy S.
Excellent beers, food, and service. Come here every time I'm in CoMo. Love me some beer bread.
(5)
Suzanne W.
I had the blackened salmon..I'm pretty particular about the quality of my food and I was very happily surprised. It was great. I sampled the mashed potatoes and the BBQ sauce..both really good. Also tried the green chili beer..awesome. Server was super friendly and food came out fast!
(4)
Tonya M.
My daughter and I dined here last night. It was a bit of a long wait, but was worth it in the end. We started with crab cakes- good crispy and the sauce was good. Dinner we shared bangers and mash- very good! The applsauce was made in house along with the gravy- you could tell by the flavor. I had a riesling with dinner- it was not the best. I know they are a brewery and know for beer but not all of us are beer lovers. So the drink menu at the table was a little sparse- hence 4 instead of 5 stars. When you go you HAVE to try the Creme Brulee bread pudding. OMG!!!!!!!! Crack in a bowl!! It was out of this world!!! I would return just for the dessert alone!! Atomsphere was good- but very busy even on a tuesday night. Will be back for sure. Want to try the Shephards pie. Seriously- save room for the bread pudding!!
(4)
Tom T.
I would more likely vote 3.5, so Flat Branch gets rounded up. Their food is good - excellent burgers - fries are awesome - wings were so-so (not very spicy). Their beer is OK. In a world full of amazing craft brews, their house beers did not impress me. The place is consistently busy, particularly as you get close to the weekend. Expect slow, but competent service at the bar. After three visits, I'm convinced this is just how it is. Overall feel of the place is good. As a beer nut, I love the concept, but not crazy about the beer.
(4)
Rita B.
Great margaritas on the patio. Food is wonderful too. Only bad thing is the wait.
(4)
Chelsea G.
They make a lot of things in house here, from their salad dressings to, of course, their own beer! The beer is good, but it surprised me that it was so strong (felt stronger than the listed alcohol content). I've never been disappointed.
(4)
Robert H.
Fun place to have a good time. Nice seating available. Large flat panel Tv's hover over the bar.
(4)
Dotty R.
We went here to meet friends after dinner to have drinks. I didn't get to eat their food; however, this was a cool place. Very nice inside and out. We started at the bar having drinks and the wait staff was cool. We then ventured outside and sat on the patio. The staff outside was cool as well; kept coming by getting our refills and glasses. Great service, nice atmosphere. I will be back (in my terminator voice).
(4)
Lab L.
Traveling through and hubby suggested lunch here based on his recent business trip to Columbia. The beer bread appetizer was a bit disappointing. We've had much better (and made much better)...so we felt this was an oversell. We also got the hot spinach dip with the restaurant's homemade tortilla chips. Very yummy. The side of veggies made it almost healthy. I had a cup of the tomato soup. Very good. Homemade. Hubby had a hamburger and onion rings. Hamburger portion was huge and he only ate half. Onion rings were good, but nothing special. I guess we expected something a little different/better than our local place that gets theirs from a huge food service vendor. Busy but food arrived timely. Good service with refills. Ended up being a big pricey for lunch but it beat a chain or fast food.
(4)
pamela K.
Love Flat Branch.....I have yet to be dissapointed!! Great patio too for nice weather days. Don't miss the brownie made with Stout beer and topped with vanilla ice cream!!
(5)
Sharon C.
Great food! We were looking for a place to eat in downtown, and just happened on this place. They have the big tvs to watch sporting events. It's a bit loud, like any other brew pub I've been to, but the staff was friendly and attentive, despite the fact Mizzou wasn't playing well against the Arkansas. The food was delicious. We'll definitely return when we are in the area.
(4)
Teresa C.
I really like this place! (And not just because it has free parking in the middle of downtown COMO.) The location is convenient, there are tons of tables inside and out on the patio as well as space at the bar. The service was good and the food was very good for pub style fare. I'd take this place over Yardhouse anyday. Get: Bangers and Mash (so English, I know) which gives you two fat sausages on mash potato and gravy (you can taste how deliciously homemade it is) with applesauce and a roll with honey butter on the side. I loved this dish. I was ready to mop every drop of gravy and potato up and even stole some of K's burger bun to slather more honey butter on. Good! The Swiss and Mushroom burger was a good solid burger with a lot of oomph and served with your choice of a side. Skip: Chili chicken fingers- I get that the spicy kick of the batter makes your tongue go oooh and ahh, but at the end of the day, it's just chicken fingers. Oh and the steamed vegetables side. Healthy really isn't their speciality and you know, I don't care. I really want to go back and try the Chokes and Cheese when there's more people (or when I can afford to be that fatty) but this would be my choice on where to take people visiting. Good food, wide selection, decent prices and large portions. Yum!
(4)
Pratik K.
Hands down, best food in Columbia. There's literally no other place that stands a chance in front of flat branch. Highlights of the menu - their ribs and the avocado burger. The only thing I didn't fins amazing on the menu was their pizzas. Except for that, you can't really go wrong with this place.
(5)
Kelly C.
The best place for Chokes & Cheese. Every time I have been there the staff has been great and anything I have every ordered was wonderful.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ray T.
The Luau Pizza is the best Hawaiian Pizza I've ever had and they have some really good beer too !!!
(5)Catherine R.
I love flatbranch!! It's reasonably priced, has a nice selection of food and drink, and the atmosphere is awesome! We've always had amazing servers, too. I've had business dinners and casual get-togethers here, and it's always fun! You might have to wait upwards of an hour for dinner, though. They have a late-night menu with actual food on it that they serve until 12:30. They also have AMAZING brews - try the samplers if you can't choose one! I recommend the beer bread appetizer and the green chili beer! Yum yum yum!
(5)Christina A.
I'm not sure why, but I just can't say that I adore this place (which you should take as strange because I so love microbreweries). My friend treated me to a pizza and beer during his lunch break while I was in town visiting. And holy crap was this place packed. Mind you, this is not something I mind, but keep in mind that if it's an intimate setting you are hoping for, look elsewhere. I had the Pesto Roasted Pepper and Artichoke pizza. I was good I am not going to lie, but I still expected more... I'm just going to assume it was because I make my own pesto and artichoke pizza, and if I am going to order something at a restaurant I expect it to be better than what I make. Learning to cook has lead me to a downward spiral of depressing dining experiences, at no fault to any eateries. The beer on the other hand: more please! I had the cream ale, or something to the like. It was a little sweeter than what I usually go for but it was damn tasty. If/when I ever come back to Columbia I would probably come back to Flat Branch, but mostly for the booze.
(3)g t.
Great beer and food. The bar was crazy busy with a game and the service wasn't great, but I can't ding them for that because it was just that crowded. I had a half pint of the chili beer which was just enough. It is yummy and interesting. We had ribs - they were amazing! Just the right amount of sauce and fall off the bone tender. The sides were good and just the right amount of food. The oatmeal stout was very good also. Definitely worth diverting from the highway to check it out! A side note - the people next to me had a grilled salad - yes - they grilled the lettuce - looked awesome
(5)Randy M.
Pizza is very good with a tasty crust. Ed's IPA is beyond decent but not too hoppy. Chokes and cheese is a large an yummy appetizer. Don't over order - grilled romaine is another hit.
(4)Tarah B.
Delicious food and absolutely FANTASTIC local brews. If you love microbrews, get the beer sampler so you can try a bunch. Have yet to taste a beer that I don't like. The food is consistently good there, and I always bring people who are visiting from out of town to eat at Flat Branch. There is something to please everyone on the menu -- even my vegetarian friend loves their veggie burger -- and the atmosphere is nice. Even when it's super busy on the weekends, they get you seated fairly quickly.
(5)Darin C.
Best restaurant in Columbia!! Try the pub burger with cheddar cheese and bacon strips with the beer battered onion rings ($1 extra). You can't go wrong. If you are traveling take a cab here and back to your hotel. Lots of good beer here but don't get a DUI. Be safe and enjoy. Do the same if you live here. Keep Columbia safe.
(5)Jennifer S.
This is wonderful! My mom and I were in town staying at the tiger!!! Which we love!!!! And we wanted a non chain atmosphere with great margaritas and nachos! This is the place! It is beautiful the food is awesome and the wait staff rocks!!! Must try!
(5)Bar C.
This place has a good selection of their homemade draft beer. The food was good as well. I orderedt he chicken bacon wrap with onion rings. It was very good. The service was pretty slow and I didn't think that it was super crowded. If I'm in the area, I would go back.
(4)Jake L.
Always a stop for me when I'm in Columbia. Was there three days ago for lunch. Have to get the chokes and cheese to start, nearly a meal by itself. Juicy burger perfectly cooked, but admittedly the fries are just ok. Of course grab yourself a beer or two while you're there. Have been going here since 1995 and I'm never disappointed.
(4)Liz G.
Food? Tasty. Beer? Delicious. Best reason to dine at Flat Branch? The patio. Sure, you can find other patio dining in Columbia, but during my years at Mizzou there was never anything as great as enjoying a warm day on the patio at Flat Branch. I'm waiting for the warmth of spring to gather some friends and make the drive up for a weekend in Columbia and an afternoon on the patio here. The Philly is always a good choice and a sampler of different beers is great for tasting and passing around with friends.
(5)Lee S.
If you live in or near Columbia you must stop into Flat Branch for a microbrew and some food. The menu has a lot of fun items like Missouri BBQ Chicken Pizza and Black and Bleu Angus Burgers. The amount of food served is more than enough for the price and the menu often changes seasonally to add local produce.
(4)Evelyn T.
We dipped into Flat Branch over the New Years Weekend and it was...okay. I'm kinda struggling with what to say about it since I wasn't really blown away by the food. We had gotten an appetizer of crab cakes, but they were so tiny we almost missed them when they came out! Seriously, its was kind of a joke. For an entrée, I got the BBQ Pork sandwich: the sauce was pretty boring but the veggies included were yummy. Seeing all the other reviews makes me think that maybe I just didn't get the right food, but the slow service didn't really make me feel the warm fuzzies that tingle when I want to protect a restaurant I like online. The ambiance is Flat Branch *is* pretty cool though; we lucked out and got a table facing the brewery room, which was nice. The bar seemed like a happening place, but being the day after New Year's, I was in no shape to consume alcohol. I did have a sip of their Irish Red and the aftertaste of the drink was delicious. I've only been there once and I don't think I'll have the chance to go again soon, so based on my singular visit, I'd say get dinner elsewhere and get to Flat Branch for the beer!
(3)Jill M.
I feel like I am the only person out there who doesn't enjoy going here! The wait is always forever, the food is not great, and I feel like it's pretty much just an overrated place. I liked going here when I was in college and I didn't know better, but now I don't like to waste money on food that is bland and service that isn't great. If you are looking for a great restaurant that has a similar atmosphere and prices, go to Adison's!
(2)Brooke T.
*Disclaimer* I'm from Philadelphia. This town takes its food very seriously and waiting for tables (with excessive amounts of time) is socially acceptable here. Everyone below me who is bemoaning a wait, shush and get over it. I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. Everything from the attentive bar-staff, the wonderful beer selection (beer snob, ahoy!), to the fantastic out-door seating and the phenomenal food. There was a bit of a wait but waiting at a microbrewery is comparable to foreplay. It's not the actual act of intercourse but the pleasantries before hand. It's all good. The indoor bar-tender was on his game. Drinks within seconds, beer bread within five minutes. He knew his beer and bantered with me about the beer I was sipping. Well done sir, well done. My dining partner had an avocado chicken salad (I stole a bite! Don't tell on me!) and she insisted I try the Flatbranch burger. Heavenly. Messy but delightful.
(5)Ariel D.
Its the most popular place downtown for a reason. Their food is off-the-charts amazing, and the beer is a good quality. Not perfect, but good. The service is fantastic, the atmosphere is whatever you want it to be (want to dress up? No prob! Schlepped out in torn jeans? You can get away with it!). Its good for a date, a celebration, grabbing a bite, or just having a beer.
(4)Patty S.
I had such a great time at Flat Branch! We enjoyed conversation, good food, and a good beer selection. Great place to go if you want to dine al fresco! The waitstaff is friendly and doesn't rush you through your meal. We went with a large group (8ppl) and none of us had a bad or mediocre meal. I had the Ahi Tuna Steak...delicious! I ordered it with the famous mashers...wouldn't of had it any other way! If you have room in your belly, try a cinnamon roll; you won't be disappointed.
(5)Amy B.
Fantastic place. The food is always delicious: interesting, but not pretentious. I have enjoyed their grilled chicken sandwich, pork chop with an apple compote, fried catfish, and stout brownie. It's usually quite crowded, and you might have to wait an hour or more to sit outside when the weather is nice.
(5)Mike S.
Flat Branch gets a 3 because their beer is good but their food... notsomuch. They make some pretty tasty beers. Also, if you come in at the right time you can get half-price pizzas. They're not the greatest pizza but, hey, at 50% off they cost like 3-4 bucks. The food here is meh, lots of people shoveling down lots of bland unhealthy food. If you love Applebees and general bar food, you might think it's really great... Even when I'm hungry and I go here, I usually drink the beer on an empty stomach then go eat somewhere else later. Maybe I order a bit of beer bread to tide me over. The atmosphere is OK and they have a big patio. If it's a beautiful day out and you happen to be downtown and think, "maybe I'll go to Flat Branch and have some beer" - think again, the place is packed (primarily with yuppies / sunday church people).. Try to go here when it's slow or during the half price pizza hours. 4 for the beer 2 for the food 3 Stars
(3)Colin G.
Synopsis: - 5* for the food - 2* for the service - 0* for the beer - 5* for grossness (which comes to 0*) This is one of the growing number of brewpubs where the focus is the food and not the beer. When I'm driving cross-country though (Tucson to Pittsburgh, in this case) and want to hit some breweries though, it's really difficult to tell which are the beer places and which are the food places. I came in on a Tuesday at about 7:30 and there was probably an hour wait for a table. People were strewn about the patio outside the door, just inside the doors, and around the bar, all waiting for tables. If you wanted to sit at the bar though, well, that was quick. Bad sign right there, to me at least. I got a menu and a water and began to decide. Great menu too. Lots of interesting choices, house-made stuff, wide variety, lots of veggie options, etc. And I waited and watched. I would estimate about 40% of the drinks going out to the tables were beers. The rest were stuff margaritas, wine and other mixed drinks (another bad sign). The bartender finally came back and I said that I wanted a sampler, apologizing for it because I know it's a pain and I could tell he was fairly busy. I also put in for the veggie burger, which was a house-made patty, according to the menu. About $7, IIRC (not bad at all) and it came with a wide choice of sides. I opted for the "world famous" mashers. Samplers came up fairly quickly. The food was slow but I definitely anticipated that with the crowd that they were getting at the tables. First beer I tried, I believe, was the Irish red. My first sip and I knew I didn't like this one. I took another sip and, of all things, a felt something fall onto my tongue. Yeah, a piece of food. And, mind you, I didn't have any food in front of my at this point, so this was either already in the glass or had been knocked in during pouring. Yuck, but I can look past it. I went for the American pale. I had requested an IPA sample, but they were out. Took one sip and, BAM, same thing! Another piece of food in my mouth! I left both samples to sit. I didn't like that red, but that APA wasn't bad, so I was a little disappointed to leave it. And it would get worse. The ESB, the Indigo American Lager (a seasonal) and the stout were just outright awful. The first two had the same gross yeast taste that the red had, although they lacked the stray piece of food. The difference between the Indigo, ESB and red was minor, at the least. Maybe it was just that gross taste though. I will say that my last beer was the Green Chili (sic), and I was okay with it. It was really light and thin, but had no discernible green chile aroma (not a bad thing). The pepper was very much there, but wasn't overpowering. I've had only one other green chile beer, in Taos, and this one was much better. Points off for obviously not roasting the chiles first (it brings out the sweetness and flavor of it) and calling it "Green Chili." I realize a lot of people use that spelling but, generally, "chili" has meat and beans and "chile" comes from a plant. In retrospect, I should have gone to the other brewery in town to get my beer. I should spout that the food was freaking fantastic. I haven't had a veggie burger that good in a very long time. It came with pesto and choice of cheese (I got bleu). Those "world famous" mashers were good but not really world famous material. I waited until I paid to mention the food in the glasses to the bartender, just because I didn't want to deal with a lot of shit about it and didn't want to be compensated for it. I mean, I hated the beer, so why would I want more of it? He didn't care, but I didn't really expect him to. So come for the food, like most people here seem to, and order a glass of wine or something. Save your beer drinking calories for somewhere else.
(1)Marissa G.
Food/Drink: Lots of great beer options. The Chokes and Cheese is amazing. The Creme Brule bread pudding is my favorite dessert ever, and I don't even normally like bread pudding. Overall, A+ for the food. Service: This place is constantly packed and does not take reservations so be prepared to wait for awile. I have also never had a phenomenal waiter/waitress. Overall, C for the service.
(4)Janet R.
The Honey Wheat beer was excellent and their pizza are also very good! Fun place to go.
(4)Matt O.
I had the Shepherds Pie and it was quite tasty. I enjoyed the industrial atmosphere - high rafters, exposed but painted duct work. It added to the trendy but casual ambiance I think this place strives for. The crab cakes we had for an appetizer were quite good as well.
(4)Kenny R.
We had pizza and beer, both were very good.
(4)David P.
I've never been a huge fan of brew pubs, but our friends suggested this as a meeting place on a recent trip across Missouri. They had been here many times. It was a first for us and a very pleasant surprise. My wife had chicken tenders which she describes as the best she's ever had. I had the pub burger. It was great to order a burger cooked medium and to get actually cooked that way. Since we were on a drive, I limited myself to a sip of beer, but it was very good. I don't remember the full name, but it was a pale ale.
(5)Chris B.
Went back to Flat Branch this weekend. I'm docking them two stars because the late night menu no longer has the burger on it. Also because they stop serving their full menu at 10:30, which is just too damn early to stop serving on the weekends, particularly since if you get there any time before 9:30, at least on football weekends, it's a hellish wait. Furthermore, we sat down at 10:20, and the waiter told us we could only order from the late night menu. I understand having a late night menu but it shouldn't kick in until at least 11pm and only having appetizers and pizza on it is inexcusable. At the very least, burgers should be on the late night menu.
(3)David S.
I really enjoy being here, but I will admit that sometimes the service isn't the best. I have been there a good number of times and when I go just for beers then it's completely fine service. If u go for dinner and you are impatient, brace yourself. It may take a while to get your food and the quality of your waiter (how often they check on you, quickly the bring drinks etc.) is definitely hit or miss. The food is great however. I am definitely a fan of their pizzas and the pub dip sandwich. Now to their beer. I really think that almost all of flat branch's beers are above average and some are even very good. I really enjoy their ipa's because they have a good amount of flavor besides bitter. If I'm in the mood, I can really get into the Red Wheat and cherry brown. My favorite, however, is the oil change stout. Phenomenal!
(4)Emily M.
As a resident of Columbia, Flatbranch is one of the most popular places to go for just about anything: parents in town, a night out with friends, a lunch meeting, graduation dinner, drinking beer during a game. There is parking across the street in the big, empty lot and tons of parking meters around if there's none in the tiny parking lot around the restaurant. If you have to walk, get over it. It's busy for a reason. There's also generally a wait, because it's such a popular place to go. The general wait is about 20-40 minutes at lunch/dinner, and worse during special events, and on the weekends during school. Locals go ALL THE TIME, whenever we have a chance. Plan ahead and go early, go grab a beer at the bar, and go sit outside or wait inside, and have a nice chat with your family/friends/date. Talking for awhile isn't the end of the world, good heavens. As an interesting side note, the building used to be an old studebaker showroom, so the design of the dining area is a bit wonky, but it has some really awesome history. You can find out more about it on the menus, which is always something cool to point out to friends who have never been. The service is generally good, though at the busiest times they tend to be a little harried. Flatbranch is not a five-star restaurant, and it's not for the uptight; it's a laid-back microbrewery in a college town, and should be treated as such. The beer is amazing. If you've never been, try the sampler. I recommend the Honey Wheat, the Oil Change Stout, or the Green Chili Ale. All are very different beers, but everything is great. The Chokes n Cheese in a bread bowl with veggies is always popular as an appetizer, and the beer bread is great too. As far as entrees go, you can't beat the Flatbranch Burger. It has Chokes n Cheese on top, and you should get it with mashers instead of fries. Mashers (mashed potatoes) are the end-all, be-all of sides at Flatbranch. Heaven in two scoops, and they sit innocently beside your sandwich, just waiting to be savored. There are times I wish they sold JUST the mashers as an entree, no joke. Besides the Flatbranch burger, the sandwiches are great (the Philly Cheesestake, the Hobgoblin, etc.), and so is the Missouri BBQ chicken pizza, and the spinach and goat cheese pizza. The veggie burger is also awesome, and it's handmade at the restaurant, with beans and dirty rice. And any of the desserts are insanely good, though rarely ordered because you're so full from your meal. The Creme Brulee is outstanding, as is the Brownie sundae. You need to order it ahead of time, because they bake it while you eat, and it's absolutely worth it. I can't recommend this place enough. It's my number one haunt in town.
(5)Albana E.
My fiancé and I are driving cross country from new York city ane we stopped in this small college town to rest for the night. Big ups to Ryan at ramada for recommending this place because we so didn't want to eat fast food again. Flat branch was an amazing surprise. Both salads reordered were fresh with amazing dressings. The fish my fiancé ordered was fresh and made to perfection. And my ribs were probably the best ribs I have ever eaten. They fell off the bone. The rub was on point and the BBQ sauce was homemade and should be put in a jar and sold. To top off the experience we ordered the creme burlee bread puddiing. I have no words. Just sheer amazement. Our waitress Jessie was awesome too. Just a great experience overall. If I am ever near this town again in my life I will be sure to go back.
(5)LT H.
On a beautiful summer day in Columbia, MO, I don't think anything could be finer than sitting in the shaded patio of Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, sipping some strawberry lager and sharing some Chokes & Cheese with some good company... Well, I've only been once. But I imagine if I lived here in Columbia, I'd reenact this scene many times during the summer. Loved the atmosphere. The outdoor iron seats aren't super comfortable for those of us with bony butts... but get a couple beers in you and you'll be fine. I thoroughly enjoyed my classic pub burger with cheese. The bun was perfection and I loved the long thin pickle chips. I must add that I'm not a regular beer drinker, but I loved the strawberry lager. Here's the description from the website: "A German styled lager infused with 294 pounds of strawberry puree that imparts a rich strawberry aroma and flavor. The base lager is light in color and body, and lightly hopped with German Tettnang hops. The ABV is 5.5% and bitterness is 14 BU's."
(4)Courtney S.
One of the things I look forward to most when visiting my college town, Columbia, is making a visit to Flat Branch. It brews its beer locally, but more impressive than the beer list, is the amazing menu. The pretzel and cheese dip is one of the best appetizer I have ever had! The ambiance is great, the patio is perfect for nice weather and the drink menu (beer and mixed drinks) is fabulous. Oh, and Columbia is smoke-free, so that is plus for ALL restaurants there!
(4)Tanner T.
So many people have spoken so highly of Flat Branch, however I have failed to experience the amazement that others have. The food is okay, nothing really that special. I have never had a dish there that I couldn't find cheaper with the same quality at Applebees, Friday's, etc. Every time I try the beer I am never impressed. It is flat and warm. Not exactly delicious. The price is reasonable, and nothing is ever bad, its just not that great either.
(2)Sarah G.
Great service! We called about an hour ahead of time to make a reservation for 25 + folks that were in Columbia for my son's wedding. They handled it beautifully. We were served promptly. The food and beers were great. Our server noticed we had a small cake (the portion from the wedding cake that the bride and groom wanted to save) and offered to keep it refrigerated while we dined. He even did separate checks for us! Thank you Flat Branch. It was a fun evening for us.
(4)Curt O.
Tasted the Winter Spice Ale. Not to my liking, but I am pretty traditional when it comes to my beers. I do like their Green Chile Beer, though. I had a pint of the Irish red ale. It was good. Enjoyed it. Ordered a basket of Fries as an appetizer. They have really good fries and onion rings here. Green Chile chicken strips - It is on the menu as an appetizer but I had it as an entre with onion rings on the side. I have been here a lot over the years and overall the menu is really good. Their pizzas are worth checking out. Do be prepared for a wait to be seated during peak times. If you can get in just a little before the rush, you do well. Otherwise, prepare to wait. It helps somewhat when the students are not in town, but even then this one of the more popular spots in town.
(4)James S.
Nothing bad to say about this place. Delicious food. Amazing drinks. Friendly service. Fun atmosphere to take family or friends for lunch or dinner!
(5)Melissa G.
Second time here and hasn't disappointed us yet. Cool outdoor seating area to chill and enjoy a beverage. A must try is the house made Root Beer! Visit today had us just before a huge lunch rush and when we left the wait was already pretty long but people seemed to not have any issues with waiting. Staff was very friendly and we were seated at a high top in the bar area. Ordered the Flat Branch Burger - a thick burger with their "Famous Choke and Cheese Dip" piled on top. I added crispy bacon (perfectly cooked fyi...not limp) and had a side of the beer battered onion rings. Yummy! That dip is amazing and noted for the next visit to be sure to get as an appetizer. Great atmosphere to watch a game , grab a beer and enjoy some great food.
(4)Jennifer S.
We've dined here a few times and enjoyed all of the meals we've had. Tonight we came to satisfy a burger craving. This was exactly what I wanted. 1/2 pound burger with bacon and cheddar. Toppings on the side (lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles) and a good side serving of fries. The burger was a perfect medium rare and the bacon was two thick-cut, full length strips. The cheddar was also a decent slice. The buns are a soft, but they toast them on the grill to give a nice crunch. I paired the burger with the Green Chili Ale and it was a great way to cut the fat. Service here has always been good for me, but we usually sit at the bar so getting service isn't hard. Tonight our waitress checked in just enough that I didn't feel interrupted. Wait time on a summer Monday is nothing, we didn't even have a problem getting a spot in the small lot.
(4)Rhonda L.
We were a group of 7 and had about a 30 minute wait on a Thursday evening. We were wise enough to put our name on both the inside and outside waiting lists. Luckily for us we got called for outside seating first which is what we really wanted. Food was good. Served hot with all items served at the same time and prepared correctly. Large menu with good healthy options. Serving sizes are very large. Service was excellent. The restaurant was very busy and our waiter was still attentive and checked in with us regularly. They had a large drink menu, but we were not drinking this visit. I would definitely eat here again and recommend giving it a try.
(4)Juliana P.
Tried this place my first night in Columbia, and if I return to the area I will be going back! The daily soup--gaspacho--tasted more like a salsa in a cup, so I won't be ordering that again, however the grilled romaine salad was the BOMB. I really want to try and recreate this at home now. What a perfect summer meal! I wanted to order take out, which they said had to be done from the bar, but the service there was pretty slow--order a drink while you wait or call ahead!
(4)Deana W.
Food- 4 stars Ambiance-3 stars Prices/Portions- 4 stars Menu options - 4 stars Service - 4 stars Patio - 4 stars If you are trying to decide where to eat... This is it! Good food, a lovely patio, attentive service, all at a remarkably reasonable price. The soft, hot Pretzel is "to die for" ! A delicious foot long braided pretzel, covered with a heavy sprinkling of coarse salt. For $1 extra try it with the spinach artichoke dip. Yum! Jalapeño cheddar hush puppies are crispy on the outside, with a delicate crumb on the inside. There are not nearly enough jalapeños to suit my taste, but the spicy Remoulade sauce more than makes up for the missing pepper action. Last, but not least, the Bacon Flat Branch Burger. This is a thick, smoky burger, topped with pepper jack cheese (my cheesy choice), crispy bacon, served on an egg bun with all the fixins. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles adorn this delectable burger. The outdoor patio is lovely place to while away the evening, drinking craft beer and enjoying a hearty meal, but alas, I'm driving across Missouri, so beer, even a perfectly crafted ale is not an approved travel beverage. But, if you are able to take the time to stop and smell the roses...this patio would be a good spot to do it, and Spring the perfect season.
(4)Thelma B.
Local brewery. Also makes great root beer and cream soda! You can order a tasting size of about seven different beers for a reasonable price to see which ones you like. Their brewmaster is very good!.. The food is pub food, typical but quite good. The crowd is young and trendy, but the staff is courteous and friendly to all who come
(5)Mark S.
Great beer, good food. The chokes and cheese on the Flat Branch burger was great. Good service despite a full house.
(5)John S.
Burgers are good and the rest of the menu is descent but the service leaves a little to be desired. Thinking that patrons are not too concerned since this is clearly a beer depot.
(3)Christian Y.
M'eh this place was really just ok. They had a really good beer selection but the food was a strong attempt at being something new without being tested tasted or reviewed... My pulled pork was really dry, the sauce they brought with it I think was meant to moisten it up a touch but really just (I'm sorry to say this) tasted more like a wet dog than food. Nonetheless, a pig died to fit in my belly and I put the food down. Everyone else seemed content with their selections but the cleanliness also needed some attention. We waited 45 minutes and still ended up with a sticky table and something to put between our teeth. The Stars this place really gets are for its beers and for the fact that everyone at the table seemed content. The ambiance seemed active too and that's always a plus. Maybe if I come here again I just won't order the pulled pork again!
(3)Marilyn W.
Hubby had Dr Pepper pork sliders and we split onion rings. He said sliders were good but not amazing. I had grilled romaine salad with grilled chicken - yummy. Service was great and we dined on the patio since weather was cool.
(4)Brett R.
I'm sure this is no surprise to anyone, but I LOVE this place. I think their Green Chili beer is one of my favorite beers I've had, and always get one any time I'm back in Columbia. Great beer selection, food, and everything is priced very fairly. Have never had a poor experience at Flat Branch.
(5)Brian T.
Burgers are enjoyable, but you go here for the beer. They offer a sampler ($7.50-ish?) of several beers. At that point, you realize it's all about the Green Chili Brew.
(4)David A.
Great location and food. Plan on waiting for a seat but it's worth it. Food for all taste and a great selection of beers.
(5)Allyson B.
I came here hoping to have some really good beer, since it is after all a brewery. I ordered a flight and was kicking myself after I had taken sips from each of them only to make the "Oh that is not good" face. Please, don't let anyone talk you into trying their green chili beer-- it's not good. More of the focus is on the food which is actually pretty decent. They offer a lot of your typical pub food like pizza, burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, as well as pasta and steak. I ordered the green chili chicken fingers with a side of slaw and fried to snack on. The green chili chicken fingers are actually really tasty! It came with a side of their homemade honey mustard sauce which didn't taste like honey mustard at all... in fact it was largely horseradish if anything =\ If you're not into horseradish, I wouldn't recommend it. Overall, I wasn't really impressed with the selection on the menu. It was all over the place. And honestly, I wish the beer was better! Flat Branch gets 3 stars only because my green chili chicken fingers were good and the bartender was cool as hell.
(3)Nelly P.
I came for a night out alone. I sat at the bar. I had pizza, the charred romaine salad, and a beer sampler. The charred romaine salad was awesome. The pizza was perfectly cooked, but the top was covered in some prefab salt-garlic-spice that was disappointing. The ESB was anything but bitter. The IPA had a good nose, but ended up flat in the mouth. Most disappointing was the service. I was at the bar and the most personable person was the guy washing glasses. He was lovely. They do have a broad scotch selection. Maybe I will come back for a salad...
(3)Emily S.
I've been here several times and I think it's one of the best restruants in Columbia. The food is great and the service is awesome. I highly reccommend the Adobo Tacos (OMG.) But I will say - that they don't name their beers. I would expect a brewery to have names for their brews besides the generic types of beer. That was a little disappointing - but the food is fantastic and the ambiance is great! I highly recommend!
(5)Teena C.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. I visited her with my mom and it was just wonderful. I had a Flatbranch burger that comes topped with the house made artichoke cheese dip. The fries were the best I've ever had and I also ordered a side of the pesto and it was delicious. I had the Katy Trial Pale Ale and it was super. My mom had big roast beef sandwich and fries and was pleased. She had the special beer, Apricot Ale, and it was very good. We started with an order of onion rings and ranch dressing. This place is fantastic.
(4)Debbie W.
Definitely worth a stop. Food was delicious, we were told there would be about 20 minutes until we were seated, and it was barely 5 min. Server was quick and attentive, even though it was busy. Portions were large enough that we had to take some home with us. There appeared to be some live music playing on the outside patio. Prices were reasonable on everything! Would recommend stopping in if you are in the area.
(4)Dave G.
The best....excellent service, unique but solid menu and great atmosphere, every town should be so lucky to have a Flat Branch
(5)Dustin M.
Food is fair but the brews are fantastic. If you are brave, try a watermelon ale. The stout is very good and possibly their best.
(5)Ray B.
There were four of us from work (two whom don't get out much) and it was a success. Beer selection was great. The food only hit 50%- the two that ordered the cat fish stated it was over cooked/ tasted burn; when I told the waitress that our guest from Alabama thought that the cat fish was over cooked, I got the deer in the head lights look and the canned response 'can I take it back and get you a new order' (while the rest of the party is ten minutes pasted done?). But the bread pudding made up for past sins- two in our party enjoyed it as if it was their last meal.
(4)Keith H.
Yes, it's loud. Yes, there's often a long wait. That's pretty common when so many people love this place. The food is wonderful and very vegetarian-friendly. I also love the craft beers. When my family asks me where I want to go for Father's Day or my birthday, my answer is always the same: Flat Branch.
(5)Joshua B.
Flat Branch offered a wide range of food and drinks. They also had a inviting atmosphere. Upon arrival, there was about 20 minute wait but we were offered to the bar to grab drinks while we waited. They about 10 beers that they brewed in house. I had the Irish Red Ale and it was good. Their menu was pretty large and offered for just about any person. We got these green chili chicken strips and hush puppies for our table. Both of those appetizers were really good. I ordered the Northwestern Chicken which has feta cheese and basil on it. It was grilled perfectly and the flavors went together seamlessly. It was served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. They both were made great. I also had a half of a burger and it was delicious. They use really good meat at Flat Branch and I could definitely taste it. The server was alright. She wasn't as attentive as we wanted her to be but there were busy and it was understandable. She also screwed up our checks but we didn't make a big deal about it. They have a really huge space to fit tons of people including a nice outdoor seating area. Flat Branch was overall a perfect experience. I'd recommend it as the first place to go in town.
(5)Adam T.
Always has good food and a good atmosphere. The beer menu is what truly shines in this microbrew. I suggest everyone who goes try atleast 1 beer if they are of the appropriate age.
(5)Heather Anne B.
I've been here a few times. Once on a date, once while entertaining the mother-in-law, and once when my family came to town. The food is good enough, and the place is nice enough, that it works for all sorts of occasions. I've eaten different things each time and so far most of it is pretty good! I didn't care much for the garlic five cheese pizza, but the margherita pizza was delightful (if a little messy) and the veggie burger was really tasty. And the honey wheat beer is amazing! I'm not a big drinker but it was light and easy to drink. I have had service that was incredible, but also service that was slow. But if you are looking for a nice place to eat that doesn't cost a whole paycheck, this isn't a bad place at all.
(4)Kim E.
Service was great. My friend and I got to try some samples. The food was delicious, but the wait was long. The atmosphere was fun and lively.
(3)Ted N.
Stopped in on the way home from Omaha after thanksgiving, and we really enjoyed it. I had the hobgobbler and it's fantastic as always. Wife had a salad she loved it. I had the green chili beer which I've enjoyed since college. Flatbranch has very good, homey food that you will enjoy. Prices are reasonable. Beer is good with something for everyone, even if it is not as "premium" as some microbreweries.
(5)Taylor J.
Food - 2/5 Drinks - 3/5 Atmosphere - 2/5 Service - 2/5 Coming through Columbia on a road trip, we were excited to stop into a local restaurant and hopefully have some great food. Being so highly rated and having a large number of reviews, we were hopeful and anticipated a great meal. We left disappointed in numerous ways. Beginning with the food, we started with the jalapeño hush puppies. Half of them were undercooked. They desperately needed salt and overall didn't taste very good. Served with a spicy remoulade, the entire appetizer was off and made no sense to us. The remoulade tasted like spicy brown mustard with some mayo in it. A traditional remoulade or even a sweet (rasp)berry dipping sauce would be so much more appetizing. Simply a bad choice, we were hopeful for a better experience with our main course. I ordered the Big Chief Burger - my wife ordered the Summer Garden Pesto Pizza. I asked for medium cook on the burger, but it came very well - even a bit charred on the edges. The patty was quite a bit smaller than the bun, and was very thick in the center. It made for an awkward experience trying to eat a small burger patty with a huge bun and huge toppings. Also underwhelming was the "fried egg" that was atop the burger, which was cooked over-hard and quite over-done as well resulting in a very rubbery texture. The pizza was a bit overcooked - a bit too much char from the brick oven. The toppings seemed fresh, but it was overall bland. The pesto seemed rather "thin" lacking taste and texture. Wouldn't be surprised if it was from a jar. The beer was good - they've got an alright selection and the glasses they serve it in appear to be a larger true "english pint". Overall though we were pretty displeased with the quality of the food for the price we paid. The atmosphere is the usual bar/grill vibe - kind of like an Applebee's, Cheddars, or 54th Street chain restaurant. Lacked character a bit, to be honest. One thing that was odd - It was a humid 85+ degree day, and at 7pm when we walked in we immediately noticed that the restaurant was warm. High 70's likely. As we ate and had a beer we warmed up even more so - we were lightly sweating by the time we left. Not a fun time. Our waitress was less than enthusiastic and was little help as to recommendations or suggestions regarding menu items. We noticed older patrons and larger parties getting "sold" on beer tastings and higher priced menu items, while we got none of that service. It was our waitress' loss though - I would've very much enjoyed a beer tasting or more expensive menu item had she suggested it. She didn't refill our waters, and didn't ask if we wanted another beer until we were done with our food. Bummer. Overall I think Flat Branch doesn't live up to the hype it has here on yelp. It's got an amazing potential to be a great restaurant with a seemingly scratch kitchen that can produce one-off limited specials and such, but It lacks follow through with cooking and preparation practices which limits it's ability to be truly great.
(2)James B.
Dope! I've definitely had a great experience at this restaurant/pub. The service was excellent, she always came at the correct to to check up on us, a big noisy but what do you except from a college town? If it weren't so far from where I lived I'd come here every other night, but I'd settle for once a week. I had the Smoked Salmon Pasta, it was so good. I want to have it again but I vowed to try everything on the menu, and my brew for the day was Belgian Post, definitely a good look. But like I said I will be having everything on that menu.
(5)Kayli P.
This is our favorite restaurant in Columbia. Excellent menu with reasonable prices. They have variable specials and they are frequently adding new dishes to the menu based on the season. We have been numerous times and I have ordered a different dish most every time. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite as I enjoyed each one. I don't really drink beer, but I have tasted what my husband orders. Based on his report, the beers could be better for a brewery, but are still pretty good and overall we love the place.
(4)Brett F.
Have only visited once, but had a great experience. Food was excellent... Lots of options, fresh ingredients, and very tasty. Good beer options, for those that like to indulge. Overall, a great place to visit in como.
(5)Jim S.
Varied menu, energetic atmosphere, great food prep, good service, services large parties, excellent value.
(4)Lindsay A.
I had the privilege of having a meal here last month when I was visiting my sister in Columbia, MO. She brought me here telling me it was one of her favorite restaurants in the area. We grabbed a table outside on their adorable patio and looked over the beer menu first, of course. We decided to get a flight and try six of their drafts. The chile beer was my favorite. This batch was very spicy, which I liked! We browsed their food menu and decided on the artichoke dip to start. It was SO good. They served it in a bread bowl with some fresh veggies. It was a large portion. We ended up taking a lot of it home. For my entree, I ordered a veggie burger with mashed potatoes as my side. Screw eating completely healthy, I am on vacation! I'm glad I went with this meal. It was one of the best veggie burgers I have had. My sister ordered one of their burgers, she enjoyed her meal also. The service was great! He was very attentive and had a great personality! I wish Flat Branch had a location in Denver. Everything was wonderful!
(5)C. H.
I ate here yesterday and have probably 3 other times. They have a huge selection, big servings and good quality food. In my opinion the menu is too large, it's one of those where you ask yourself... well, sure but what are you good at? I like the burgers, always tasty and my wife had the philly yesterday which looked better than my burger. The beer isn't even close to being on the level off many of my other small brewery favorites. I had the Brown Ale this past time and it didn't touch Civil Life... just saying... Good spot though, stop on in.
(3)J D.
Good spot in COMO, beer was great I recommend Katy Trail IPA , food was good I did the peach and Pork Belly Sourdough pizza. Service was OK, but I sat at the bar to eat and it was very spread out and a lot for the one bartender to cover.
(4)Fred K.
Awesome food made scratch in the back! Great atmosphere. #1 pub in town!
(5)Christopher P.
I know, pubs/breweries seem to be a dime-a-dozen when it comes to college towns, but the Flat Branch Pub and Brewery does a very nice job with the format. I have eaten here on many occasions, but my most recent visit will be what is reviewed here. My friend and I were wandering around downtown Columbia on the last Sunday of the University of Missouri's spring break, and many traditional bars were packed. We walked by Flat Branch, and noticed space on the patio open, so this seemed like a natural choice. Flat Branch offers around a dozen beers at any given time, although they produce numerous styles depending on the season or the whims of the brewmaster. The styles range all over the place, from altbiers and Dubbels to traditional English IPAs and ESBs. The Green Chili Beer is probably the most unusual beer on the menu, with a subtle spicy kick that accentuates the light body, making it a good cool or warm weather choice. Tonight, however, I chose the Extra Special Bitter (ESB) while my friend had the Honey Wheat. The ESB was a bit maltier than I usually expect with the style, but despite this extra sweetness it was enjoyable on the patio. My friend's beer was much better, and she swears by it as being among the best on the menu. After trying it, I could hardly disagree. Light and balanced, with a crispness at the back end, it works very well as a spring or summer choice. Now, how often does a reviewer mention the chicken tenders as a notable dish for a restaurant? I was somewhat skeptical when my friend ordered the appetizer as an entree (I opted for the smoked pork loin with vegetable and rice pilaf), but soon discovered why. Green chiles in the seasoning, along with a perfectly textured breading, made the tenders absolutely wonderful! I never would have thought to include tenders as a highlight of a meal, but these certainly deserve the attention. My pork loin was excellent as well - tender, slightly dry as a cured meat should be, and full of flavor without being overly smoky - but I found myself stealing more and more from my friend's plate as the meal went on. This was a light meal for us, but reinforces the perception I've always had of Flat Branch as a great restaurant with fresh and solid brews. While no beers are truly worthy of fawning attention (that I've noticed, yet), they are solid styles and quaffable, while the food is better than you might otherwise expect from a college-town pub. Worthy of attention and return visits, and a nice casual place for many meals to come.
(4)Patrick C.
Fairly generic food... with a fairly generic staff. I think we have far better places to eat in Columbia for this place to be rated number on Yelp! It is very large space which means it can be really loud inside depending on the crowd! I WISH they would take reservations because they are almost always on a wait!
(2)Mikee R.
This place was close to where I was working. It is a interesting place with decent pub food. The staff was friendly and my food was prepared perfect.
(5)Scott M.
I've eaten here several times on trips through COMO and have always had a good meal. We had pretzels with spinach dip as an appetizer which was quite tasty. I followed this up with a bacon cheeseburger and fries that were very good. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. Looking forward to my next stop here.
(5)Alexis R.
Once of the best micobrew restaurants I've ever been to, Flat Branch has delicious food and very solid beers. They always have 10 or more beers on tap - the Oil Can Stout is great even if you don't like stouts, but their recent Belgium Golden was a real winner in my books. I really love their pizzas. Perfectly chewy/crispy crusts that taste like they are out of a brick oven with very solid toppings. The margharita is very nice as is the artichoke/pesto pizzas. I love the artichoke dip served in a bread bowl as well - a very solid appetizers ($8.99) than can easily morph into a meal with the veggie sticks and hearty bread. The place is always busy so expect at least a 30 minute wait unless you are there very early on weekday or weekends. We waited 45 min but it was well worth it!!
(5)Katie D.
I love Flat Branch! Their black and bleu burger is wonderful as is the pretzel with Chokes & Cheese dip.
(4)Todd K.
One of our favorites when we visit. The food is always good and plenty of choices. The service can be hit or miss.
(3)William T.
Good food and beer. Large amount of seating.
(4)Zach H.
Great place celebrating 20 years in 2014. The Cajun Bayou Pasta is incredible. Always love making a trip to try the different beers when I'm in town. Be sure to order the beer sampler as there are so many unique beers, it's hard to try them all! Definitely one of the better places in COMO. I would highly recommend it to anybody!
(5)Justin W.
I came here with my wife on a recent trip to Columbia. After arriving in town late at night and striking out at many other places, we were happy to find that Flat Branch was still open, even though the full menu was not available. We tried the beer bread, two different pizzas, the IPA, and a stout. The beer bread was fair at best. The pizzas were excellent. The beers were fine, but they weren't memorable. I'd go back.
(4)Dylan E.
Flat Branch may well be the best restaurant in Columbia in terms of price, food quality, service, and ambience. I have never had an item at Flat Branch that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. A personal favorite is the BBQ Texas Burger. A perfectly cooked burger with sautéed onions, bacon, and BBQ sauce. Wash that down with a house-brewed Katy Trail pale ale, Honey wheat, or Oil Change oatmeal stout (or all of the above) and you've got yourself a fantastic meal. Flat Branch is my go-to place in Columbia for a great burger and craft brew. Beware though, the secret is out on this place and it is extremely busy during regular lunch and dinner hours. Plan accordingly. But definitely go here if you're in town.
(5)Lynn H.
Love everything about Flat Branch! Something for everyone to eat and always amazing kind, fast, knowledgeable staff!
(5)Lawrence N.
Based on typical wait times I expected more. It was good but not great. The atmosphere is good and the beer list is great. The food was just ok.
(2)Chris R.
Amazing food. The desert was spectacular and they have a good selection of whiskey which is what brought me here to begin with. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)Up C.
Wow I really love this place. It took 45 mins for a table but it was worth the wait. Go to the bar order a beer and You will not even notice the wait. I am a ipa fan and my husband loves Hefeweizen. The ed's ipa has a lot of complexity without relying on citrus notes. My husbands had the red Hefeweizen do I need to say more. A red hefeweizen is rare and they really know what the are doing here. The chicken tenders with chile beer batter were incredibly crunchy and delicious. Also had the four cheese pizza. So good! This place completely deserves the 5 stars.
(5)Nicholas B.
My bachelor party, I went for three things: Bayou Pasta (you can ask them to make it as hot as you want), Oil Change Float (with Tiger Stripe, don't be scared of the Tiger), and Creme Brulee Bread Pudding (it takes 15 minutes to make, so just order it as soon as you get there).
(5)Jami C.
Pleasantly surprised at their salads. Hadn't been there in many years. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Andrew L.
Their sausage and chicken bayou pasta is amazing....love it
(4)Amy S.
Great beer and amazing food but the service wasn't up to par. Sat outside to accommodate the restaurant who couldn't seat us inside timely. They have a beautiful patio so that was no issue. However, our server was slow -it happens but yielded only a 4 star rating and not perfect. Awesome place though!
(4)Julie S.
Excellent, got the stout brownie with vanilla ice cream, ohhhhhh so good. I enjoyed it with a oil change stout!!! Yummy!!!
(5)Jennifer H.
Great variety and excellent service!
(4)Todd C.
Meal was delicious. Wait to be seated was over an hour on a Saturday evening. (Remember, no reservations accepted.) We stood then sat at the bar to pass try time, so had a good appetite. The French dip was good and the Charbroiled Romaine Salad was excellent. We finished with the crème brûlée bread pudding - It was to die for - what a combo! Throughout the evening we both enjoyed a few home brews.
(4)Lisa S.
Worth a stop! Stopped at this place on a college visiting trip to Mizzou based on DDD and Yelp reviews, Cool place with a nice patio setting right off campus. They have a great selection of brews and the Katy IPA was tasty with its citrus undertones. For dinner, three of the four of us had the Big Chief Burger. It was topped with bacon, egg and cheese. REALLY a good, juicy and flavorful burger. Would definitely have that again. My hubby had the catfish and chips which he really enjoyed. The fries are lightly battered and were the bomb (tried my sons). I had their 'famous' mashed potatoes. I'd suggest passing on those. They were just simple mashed potatoes. Nothing special about them. My daughter had grilled vegetables with her burger and they looked yummy as well. If you like good beer and a better meal, then definitlely stop here.
(4)Mark O.
Driving from KC to STL on a Sunday, Columbia was perfect stop-off. Yelped for pubs for my dad & I and saw Flat Branch. Actually a little hard to find but parking on the street and walking up was revealing of the greatness of their patio. I had veggie burger and APA, dad had pork loin sandwich and some less hoppy beer and we left most happy and continued our journey. I look forward to being able to enjoy carbs again and try their pizzas!
(5)Aaron B.
There is a reason why Flat Branch often has long waits during prime-time, because its the beeeeees kneeeeees. Flat Branch is a triple threat: great service, food, and booze. Yes, saying they are a triple threat is cheesy, but not as deliciously cheesy as their "Hot Soft Twist Pretzels" with CHEESY SPINACH DIP. I might be able to do an entire review just on this appetizer. I crave theeeem. This pretzel dish is what all pretzel dishes strive to be and fall short of. THE PINNACLE OF HOT SOFT PRETZELS. Moral of the story: GET THE HOT PRETZELS. The beer battered onion rings and chokes and cheese are another great treat. Beer battered breading is easily one of my favorite things invented. I love that sweet breading. As for main dishes, they have great pizzas but I usually opt for the burger. Their burgers are really good. I don't know why I like them so much but they are a perfect "American" burger. I've never had a bad meal here. Venture out and get whatever you want...I can bet you it's all good. Now onto the good stuff... their beer. They easily brew some of the best beers I have ever tasted (Note: I am not a beer aficionado). I love their Honey Wheat, it's probably my favorite. However they have so many great beers! I also enjoy the Green Chili Beer, Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, and the Irish Red. I look forward to my next visit to CoMo so I can visit Flat Branch.
(5)Sunni Z.
The world famous chokes and cheese was definitely not worth the hype. It didn't have any spinach in it. I had a burger and my guy had the adobo tacos. The burger wasn't flavorful and was pretty burnt. The adobo tacos smelt just like cat food. Very unappetizing. Too bad. We drove up from Rolla to go. Our waitress wasn't friendly either. We won't be going back.
(1)Ray B.
Just moved to Columbia and this by far has been the best restaurant I've eaten at in town. Went on a Saturday evening and there was an hour and a half wait for 2, which I wouldn't expect anything less from a restaurant this good. After drinking cheap beer at Lucky's while we waited, we sat at our table exactly 1.5 hrs after we went on the list. (Don't bother calling to make reservations ahead of time, they don't take them). I ordered the veggie burger with sweet potato chips on the side. It was the best veggie burger I have had. Not just your typical frozen patty from the grocery store, this had blacks beans, oatmeal, hummus, and all kinds of good stuff. For dessert I got the chocolate chip cookie sundae and it was delicious and HUGE. Oh forgot to mention the beers, I got their sampler and really enjoyed their green chili one. Others were more or less the same as any other local brewery. Still good though. Our waiter was awesome. He was upbeat, patient, and had no problem explaining menu items and checking in on us even when the place was slammed. Restaurants are graded by food, service, atmosphere, and prices. And this place aces ALL of them. Portions are larger than average and prices are actually reasonable which is surprising given the popularity and quality of the food at this place. Check it out sometime, we will be going back soon.
(5)John D.
We went for the first time today. The beer was awesome and the appetizers were great, especially the onion rings. The best part was the service. We had Archer as a waitress, and she was definitely one of the best servers we have ever had at ANY restaurant!!
(5)Derl W.
I have tried most of the menu here and I have never had a bad dish. I stick mostly to the lagers since I am not a huge fan of the dark beers, but there is a nice selection here as well.
(5)Debbie M.
I visited this flatbranch pub on a busy Thursday night. Our 35-40 minute wait was well worth it. Ordered the pork tacos that came with chunky applesauce and dirty rice and they were beyond delicious!!!! Service was also excellent. If ever in the area again would definitely stop in!!!! Deb. CT
(5)George F.
I could tell by the attitude of the girls at the door this was going to be a bad experience. The menus were thrown at a table, with an "is this ok" when she was already almost back at the door. She had to get back to the hostess stand to swap more boyfriend stories that our party interrupted. Once our waiter arrived at our table and took our drink order it was forever before our drinks came because he was waiting on other tables. The food was slow to come out but that was some what acceptable as it was a busy day. It wasn't acceptable that the food was cold. The poor reception. Service and food quality was topped off by the lackadaisical way our bill came. Was I ever glad to have cash so I didn't have to wait for our server to ring out a credit card.
(2)Smashlee D.
A Columbia staple, this place has earned it's fair share of beer, food, and best patio awards. They brew all their beers on site and everything from flights to groulers are available. Flat Branch has an extended pub style menu with pizza, burgers, steaks, and pasta dishes. Their beer alone is worth the visit, green chili beer, the Katy trail ale, and oil change being a few to mention along with the exclusive Halloween pumpkin beer. Great for large groups, kids, happy hour, and date night, this restaurant has got Columbia wrapped around it's finger.
(4)Matt V.
This is my 2nd trip to this establishment. The food, service, and beer are all top notch! They have the best shepherds pie I've ever in my life! During my recent trip I got their adobo pork tacos and they were so good. They have several craft brews on tap. This is a very popular restaurant so be prepared to wait for a seat or grab a spot at the bar!
(5)Tyler A.
Have been to Flat Branch at least a half dozen times now. Their brews are very good, I only wish that their vanilla (ale?) was a year round brew because it is great, other than that, their other brews are very good as well. The service is always good, whether on the patio, in the dining room, or in the bar. Their sandwiches are all I've ever had, and can't complain. If you're in CoMo, you have to check it out.
(5)Enrique S.
Grabbed lunch here today. Got my old stand-by sausage and mushroom pizza. As usual, it was very good. The crust was just right (thin), the sauce was not the sweet goop you get at the chains but rather "real" pizza sauce, and the toppings were plentiful and very fresh. Service was prompt. Good place for a biz-lunch meeting.
(4)Chi T.
I love their green chili chicken tenders! Must get it with ranch or blue cheese dressing! Whenever I go here, I normally order their chopped salads. Today, I was feeling a chicken club sandwich on focaccia bread. It was pretty good, but wish the bread was toasted on the inside. Not a bad place for lunch. Definitely go on a weekend or during the afternoon. There is definitely a wait time during the night!
(4)Eric H.
I have been here a few times but never are here. I tried the new pot roast tonight and it was spectacular. I'll come again and I will eat next time. By the way, the Imperial IPA was also delicious.
(4)Bob B.
Pizza was average at best. Not cooked in a brick oven. It looked like a stainless steel stand-up oven... Onion rings were soaked in grease and the ranch dip was thin/watered down.
(2)Brandy H.
Great Porter! And home brewed soda made for some happy kiddos! The food was delicious, and fast. So fast! The staff was friendly and helpful, and all our meals were hot and huge!! We ate inside, and had a great atmosphere for the kiddos- but the outside patio looked like a blast. Definitely would shoot for outdoors of we were hanging with the grown ups... And husband loved the green Chili beer (he insists you try it)
(5)Andrew T.
Great longtime CoMo establishment with consistent food and microbrew craft beer quality. They have a solid lineup of beers that they serve throughout the year as well as some rotating seasonal selections so that everyone will find a drink that they will like. There are some rather interesting beers served here such as the Green Chili Beer which I am very tempted yet slightly intimidated to try! For those who like darker beers, my typical go-to is the Brown Ale here. A very solid representation of the style indeed. As for the food, although there are many tasty morsels listed throughout the menu, I usually end up getting the nachos with the chicken add on or the sausage and chicken bayou pasta. The nachos can usually be split between 2 people with normal appetites or is also good enough for 1 person who is very hungry and comes with sour cream, salsa, and guac on the side. For those who like their spice, the sausage and chicken bayou pasta is pretty fantastic and served as a large portion which I usually end up taking home for lunch/dinner the next day. It comes with both a nicely seasoned Andouille sausage as well as charbroiled chicken in a spicy sauce that is not too overwhelming. I would highly recommend this dish to any lovers of spice/Cajun/Creole cuisine. As for the service, the hostesses are typically very prompt and courteous as well as the rest of the service staff any time I have gone here even when they are completely swamped on game days.
(4)Christopher B.
I've had better for less, but the Garlic Pizza is tasty and the chicken and artichoke dip are both decent.
(4)Maxwell P.
Jes and I went to FB yesterday for about the 10th time. We've had really positive experiences pretty much every time, but for some reason I was really happy with yesterday's visit so I finally came on here to tell people about it. I'm not going to rave about the delicious food options, the myriad of micro-brew options, or the delicious daily specials, even though any of those things could be the focus of the review. If you have an adventurous streak for food or beers, or if you like the classics done really well, definitely check out FB. What really prompted me to write this is how knowledgeable and thoughtful the server we had yesterday was about the menu. Jes recently phased out gluten from her diet, and it's been a real struggle to find good restaurants that actually care about offering a variety of food to a variety of food-restrictions. Our server knew the options, she knew what was Gluten-Free on the menu, and she even went back to the server stand to grab the GF menu (which only affirmed what she had already told us). The staff at FB knows their stuff, and Jes and I are glad they have embraced the latest trend in gastronomy. Oh yeah, they have Crispin on tap which was perfect for yesterday's 90 degree 90% humidity day. 1-star deduction: The only complaint I consistently have about FB is the space. I don't care about waiting an hour to eat here, it's well worth it. However, as others have said, there's no good place to wait. The bar area is a weird hybrid of dining room / bar area, and it gets a little awkward having people hovering over you while you're trying to eat. There is a dining room dining room separate from the bar, so don't worry. The space issue was exacerbated yesterday because we were eating when the US was playing their opening WC game. Trust me, there's nothing worse that being trapped in a small space with a bunch of fair-weather soccer fans who only cheer when the ball is being kicked towards the goal. Ugh....
(4)Zach G.
This place was very hyped up as a result of my wife and her friends all being Mizzou grads. Well, we grabbed some dinner here on my first trip to Columbia, and let me say...wasn't too impressed. The restaurant itself is nice. It's clean, it's large, it has plenty of outdoor seating too. The bar area seems a bit orphaned and out of place (as an island), but whatever. Bathrooms are clean. Service is friendly. That's all well and good. Beer wise, I had the stout which was very good - smooth, flavorful, and the perfect temperature. For my entree, I had the catfish and chips. The catfish itself wasn't a huge portion, but was moist, flaky and tasty, with a great breading. The fries were typical fries - good, not great, not bad. Now, why am I giving this place 2 stars? Well, for one, although it was hot outside when I was there, it was even worse inside. It's like they had no desire to turn on the air conditioning. It was, in fact, hotter inside than out - I wish we had sat on the patio. And that's a lot to say when it was 90 degrees outside. The inside was nasty, humid, stuffy...we (all four of us) spent the whole meal sweating. I wanted another beer, but wanted more to get the hell out of this place. The other negative - the pretzel app. My wife and her friend kept talking about how good the pretzels were, despite learning that they were not made in house, but rather just pulled out of the freezer and heated. For 2 pretzels with a small thing of cheese sauce, it was $9 with tax. NINE BUCKS! My entire entree was $11. And the pretzels were not that good at all - I didn't even finish one. What a rip off. So, will I return here? Maybe. If the weather is nice, and we avoid the pretzels. But, at the same time, I'm okay just coming for one beer or never coming again...my experience made me indifferent to Flat Branch.
(2)David P.
Flat Branch is a staple of Columbia. Whenever my parents come to visit we go there for dinner. The food is tasty, I love their salads and their beer is also great. The atmosphere caters to families and sports fans with a lot of televisions in the bar area. Overall, the place is great.
(4)Ygbnd G.
Love the atmosphere and the out door patio. The onions ring are really great but the rest of the food is okay
(3)James B.
Took my wife there for dinner. It was not for us. The food was okay. Nothing special. The crowd was rowdy. The wait - staff was nice. I gave it a three because the food was not great.
(3)Heather R.
Great place for lunch!!! Always make a stop here when visiting my daughter at school!!! The Reuben is on of the best I've ever had!
(5)Hope E.
The 'chokes and cheese is something I still think about from time to time. I try to make it here anytime I'm back in town. I absolutely love this place and spent many birthdays and special occasions here with friends during my college years. The Katy Trail Pale Ale is one of my favorite beers. Can't wait to visit again when I'm back in Columbia!
(5)Cynthia R.
The check in hostesses were a problem. Beer was great. Food was good. The bartenders were good. However, when it is a busy Sunday afternoon at lunchtime and the place is packed and you have to wait in a long line to just get your name on the list/get a pager, it is not ok for the hostess who is taking the names to allow her friend named Imperial to cut the entire line and get her name on the list ahead of a line of people for her table of 3. More mature hostesses who care would be great.
(2)Miranda B.
Beer was mediocre at best, and I tried a few to see if one just didn't suit my palate, but no dice.
(2)Sandy B.
The Stout Brownie Sundae is amazing! I want to keep coming back to Flat Branch just for this dessert.
(5)Brennan H.
Best beer and food in town. My favorite restaurant!
(5)Jam S.
Its a Columbia institution but over rated. If you are visiting here, and want to wait in line for hours, this is your spot. Food is just "ok" -- the beer is far better.
(2)Alyssa C.
Great food! Decent service, but our waiter was a bit scatterbrained. I recommend the Bangers & Mash.
(4)David S.
I've been here multiple times and am always very pleased. They seem to focus a little more on the food than on the beer, but the beer is still very well done and worth trying. I have tried many of there dishes and never been disappointed with the food options.
(5)Curtis H.
I have eaten at this great establishment many, many times over the years since my time at Mizzou. Their food is consistently good and continues to be reasonably priced. Their beers are also decent and are ridiculously cheap during happy hour. My last visit was graced with the chokes n cheese (always wonderful) and a very nicely prepared wasabi ahi tuna steak. If you are looking for a reliable establishment in Columbia this place is a must. I'll be back for sure...for many years to come. Go Tigers!!!!
(5)Fazia M.
Our server was pleasant. Great ambience. Gave large side table for our big group. Veggie burger and brownie were excellent will be back. Price is reasonable.
(5)Susan S.
Excellent. I have had numerous things on the menu, and everything has been good. The service is actually decent for Columbia, which has always seemed to have a problem with disinterested college students as waiters/waitresses/bartenders. I'm not a big fan of 'fancy' beers, but the people I've gone with whose tastes ran more exotic have been mostly happy with their brews. I do like the green chile beer - it adds a nice twist to the meal. A great example of upscale bar food - delicious and semi-imaginative without being pretentious.
(4)Harold D.
My favorite place for good food and hand crafted beer in Colmbia. This place has a great vibe I split the ribs with my wife and got an extra side good portions Did I say great beer
(5)Nithin M.
Good ambience, not very expensive, good beers, friendly staff, a notch above the average pub food and generous portions. I had the meat loaf dinner and my wife had the grilled chicken salad. Both were good though the fries were very oily. The honey wheat is the best light beer I have ever had and the brown ale was good too.
(5)Andy S.
Excellent beers, food, and service. Come here every time I'm in CoMo. Love me some beer bread.
(5)Suzanne W.
I had the blackened salmon..I'm pretty particular about the quality of my food and I was very happily surprised. It was great. I sampled the mashed potatoes and the BBQ sauce..both really good. Also tried the green chili beer..awesome. Server was super friendly and food came out fast!
(4)Tonya M.
My daughter and I dined here last night. It was a bit of a long wait, but was worth it in the end. We started with crab cakes- good crispy and the sauce was good. Dinner we shared bangers and mash- very good! The applsauce was made in house along with the gravy- you could tell by the flavor. I had a riesling with dinner- it was not the best. I know they are a brewery and know for beer but not all of us are beer lovers. So the drink menu at the table was a little sparse- hence 4 instead of 5 stars. When you go you HAVE to try the Creme Brulee bread pudding. OMG!!!!!!!! Crack in a bowl!! It was out of this world!!! I would return just for the dessert alone!! Atomsphere was good- but very busy even on a tuesday night. Will be back for sure. Want to try the Shephards pie. Seriously- save room for the bread pudding!!
(4)Tom T.
I would more likely vote 3.5, so Flat Branch gets rounded up. Their food is good - excellent burgers - fries are awesome - wings were so-so (not very spicy). Their beer is OK. In a world full of amazing craft brews, their house beers did not impress me. The place is consistently busy, particularly as you get close to the weekend. Expect slow, but competent service at the bar. After three visits, I'm convinced this is just how it is. Overall feel of the place is good. As a beer nut, I love the concept, but not crazy about the beer.
(4)Rita B.
Great margaritas on the patio. Food is wonderful too. Only bad thing is the wait.
(4)Chelsea G.
They make a lot of things in house here, from their salad dressings to, of course, their own beer! The beer is good, but it surprised me that it was so strong (felt stronger than the listed alcohol content). I've never been disappointed.
(4)Robert H.
Fun place to have a good time. Nice seating available. Large flat panel Tv's hover over the bar.
(4)Dotty R.
We went here to meet friends after dinner to have drinks. I didn't get to eat their food; however, this was a cool place. Very nice inside and out. We started at the bar having drinks and the wait staff was cool. We then ventured outside and sat on the patio. The staff outside was cool as well; kept coming by getting our refills and glasses. Great service, nice atmosphere. I will be back (in my terminator voice).
(4)Lab L.
Traveling through and hubby suggested lunch here based on his recent business trip to Columbia. The beer bread appetizer was a bit disappointing. We've had much better (and made much better)...so we felt this was an oversell. We also got the hot spinach dip with the restaurant's homemade tortilla chips. Very yummy. The side of veggies made it almost healthy. I had a cup of the tomato soup. Very good. Homemade. Hubby had a hamburger and onion rings. Hamburger portion was huge and he only ate half. Onion rings were good, but nothing special. I guess we expected something a little different/better than our local place that gets theirs from a huge food service vendor. Busy but food arrived timely. Good service with refills. Ended up being a big pricey for lunch but it beat a chain or fast food.
(4)pamela K.
Love Flat Branch.....I have yet to be dissapointed!! Great patio too for nice weather days. Don't miss the brownie made with Stout beer and topped with vanilla ice cream!!
(5)Sharon C.
Great food! We were looking for a place to eat in downtown, and just happened on this place. They have the big tvs to watch sporting events. It's a bit loud, like any other brew pub I've been to, but the staff was friendly and attentive, despite the fact Mizzou wasn't playing well against the Arkansas. The food was delicious. We'll definitely return when we are in the area.
(4)Teresa C.
I really like this place! (And not just because it has free parking in the middle of downtown COMO.) The location is convenient, there are tons of tables inside and out on the patio as well as space at the bar. The service was good and the food was very good for pub style fare. I'd take this place over Yardhouse anyday. Get: Bangers and Mash (so English, I know) which gives you two fat sausages on mash potato and gravy (you can taste how deliciously homemade it is) with applesauce and a roll with honey butter on the side. I loved this dish. I was ready to mop every drop of gravy and potato up and even stole some of K's burger bun to slather more honey butter on. Good! The Swiss and Mushroom burger was a good solid burger with a lot of oomph and served with your choice of a side. Skip: Chili chicken fingers- I get that the spicy kick of the batter makes your tongue go oooh and ahh, but at the end of the day, it's just chicken fingers. Oh and the steamed vegetables side. Healthy really isn't their speciality and you know, I don't care. I really want to go back and try the Chokes and Cheese when there's more people (or when I can afford to be that fatty) but this would be my choice on where to take people visiting. Good food, wide selection, decent prices and large portions. Yum!
(4)Pratik K.
Hands down, best food in Columbia. There's literally no other place that stands a chance in front of flat branch. Highlights of the menu - their ribs and the avocado burger. The only thing I didn't fins amazing on the menu was their pizzas. Except for that, you can't really go wrong with this place.
(5)Kelly C.
The best place for Chokes & Cheese. Every time I have been there the staff has been great and anything I have every ordered was wonderful.
(5)Risa P.
Background: I went to Mizzou, I lived in Columbia for four years. When I graduated in '03, I yelled "sayonara suckers!!" and didn't look back. However, last weekend I came back to visit close friends. After realizing that I am like the only person who doesn't have a "favorite college place" for eating, I decided that I needed a new one. After a perfect Missouri day and a walk around the campus (good to see the preacher is still in Speaker's Circle but was now dressed as a pilgrim, the Rec Center did NOT look like that when I was here, and what the hell happened to Brady...) we decided to go to Flat Branch. Too many people had recommended it and I had to go back. I went here with my parents back in the '02 but didn't really remember much. Hello Flat branch. Since it was nice out, we say outside on the patio. They had nice huge tables with umbrellas and in the sun, it was really nice. Our waiter clearly did not want to be there (I realized later we were his last table.) That is fine. The food and the beer made up for it. We got a Green Chili beer and it had a good kick but also was a nice cool beer on a warm fall day. It sounds strange right? But it was so good. Especially in a college town. Put down the Milwaukee Beast and Natty Light and get yourself a good beer. We shared the spinach dip. This was a huge portion and definitely enough to share. We went with having it with tortilla chips and vegetables but I think that I would try it with the pretzel sticks the next time (like hot doughy pretzels) Then we shared the veggie burger. This was such a nice change from a regular place that gives you a veggie burger. I think that sometimes places just warm up a Morningstar burger and charge you $8. Not Flat Branch. The burger was handmade with oats and dirty rice and other delicious things. We tried it with pepper jack cheese and yummy!! The fries were okay, they were a little salty for my taste. All in all, it was delicious. Besides our gloomy server, it was a great experience. Now, when I go back to Mizzou, I have a favorite place to go. Thank you Flat Branch.
(5)Winnie F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was pretty good, meat was a little dry though. The sweet potato chips as a side were quite crisp and almost burnt, but the cinnamon and brown sugar made it really sweet. Good atmosphere, lots of young people and families. Have come here before and really liked the Missouri BBQ Chicken pizza. Definitely a great casual dining spot unique to Columbia!
(4)Sean O.
I want to marry this place! Hey - it's really workin for me!
(5)Jake M.
Great bar and great food! Atmosphere is always awesome, however on a weekend evening you can expect a wait. Its worth it though. This is truly a way to experience Columbia!
(5)Jeff N.
Excellent local brew pub with good food and a great atmosphere.
(5)Emily D.
YUM! Great brewery with outdoor seating and a tasty dinner menu! We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and had one of the many beers on tap. The guys next to us were chowing down on apps so we asked them for a restaurant and in near perfect unison, these Burlie men said 'chokes and cheese!' HUH? The buzzer rang and we sat at our table scanning the menu for 'chokes and cheese' and we had to order it. WOW! I don't even want to know how many calories are in this cheesy goodness but we loved it! I asked for extra veggies to try and make myself feel less guilty but I definitely had to run a few extra miles the next day to make up for that app! Our service was pretty crappy but we were happy enjoying a Sumner night on the patio. For my meal I had a grilled chicken salad which was pretty basic and my boyfriend had a french dip. Best part of the meal had to be the beer and the 'chokes n cheese.' Thanks for the heads up Burlie bar men!
(3)Jeff P.
4 1/2 star. Wow! What a great place. Great selection of their own brews, with a large variety. Great food. Great service. Nice patio. But the best part, is the very reasonable prices... I love the Midwest's cheap food and drinks!
(4)Megan B.
My all time favorite restaurant in Columbia! The first time I went was in spring and I got a salmon and peach salad. I was hooked! I've had the pizza and chicken club which were both so good. I always look forward to eating here and so does my family when they visit.
(5)Teve' U.
ribs ribs ribs (full rack $20) -- don't waist the time on the menu (coleslaw too) 5/5 beer.. its good & i had the stout -- stay away from the chili beer. atmosphere: 5/5 (nice vaulted ceilings, red brick walls) bartenders: 2/5 -- not very good, hard to get their attention, didn't know the product -- fortunately the other patrons were helpful
(4)William G.
This place would be a 5 if not for how crowded it was. Granted, it is fairly simple to get a beer at the bar while you wait but still if your restaurant is causing hour+ waits, it may be time to expand or add a 2nd location. The beers were all fantastic and enjoyed by all. I didn't hear a single complaint. People in our group had the barley wine, brown ale, green chili, and oil change. The oil change stout seems to be the most popular one judging from what most patrons were sipping. Green chili seems to have a cult following... you either like it or you dont. I fall into the latter category. As for food, prices were very reasonable and everyone seemed to rave about their dishes. The beer bread is also fantastic. Give this place a try. If you're going on a standard "eating out" night be prepared for a long ass wait.
(4)Christie R.
This place was recommended to us, so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately it was over an hour wait for a table, so we left. We tried again a few months later and managed to squeeze past the (AGAIN) one hour wait by sitting at the bar. We ordered chicken and beef which was delivered fairly quickly and hot. The entrees were tasty, but what stood out in our minds was the dessert: A Creme Brulee Bread Pudding! Whoever created that dish needs some type of epicurean peace prize! It was warm, gooey and delicious. I am NOT a fan of creme brulee, but this was fantastic. The bread pudding was on the bottom and the brulee ont he top-complete with carmelized sugar top! Someday, we will get in and sit at a regular table.
(4)Denise W.
I want to start off by saying this place isn't BAD, and clearly people love it considering the excessive wait due to the abundance of patrons, but it just has a lot of qualities that annoy me. I went here to have lunch with someone on a Wednesday and we ended up having to park about 4 blocks away because the parking lot and surrounding street parking was taken (I know, it happens, but it was annoying). We went in and were told there was a 40 minute wait unless we wanted to sit at the bar, so we begrudgingly obliged and then proceeded to wait 10 minutes before the bartender gave us any attention. I don't really blame him, as the bar is pretty massive and he was the only one tending to a whole gaggle of people, but it sort of sucks nonetheless. The food was good and the beer selection was actually really impressive, all priced fairly. It really just came down to the fact that so many people were there that the noise overwhelmed us and despite sitting side-by-side at the bar, we could barely hear one another. I agree with another reviewer - this place would be well-served to open another location.
(3)Devon P.
I feel this restaurant is way overrated. They are CONSTANTLY busy and I don't really get it. I have been there 3 or 4 times in the 6 years I have lived here and I haven't had anything that I thought was that good....with one exception. The huge cookie is realllllly good. Make sure you order it 15-30 minutes before you want to eat it though. The beer is okay... but the root beer is great!
(3)John H.
We had a good lunch experience at Flat Branch on a game-day Saturday. There was a wait for tables which gave us an opportunity to wait in the bar for a little while. I had bloody marys, which were very good. Monica had the Brown Ale and the Irish Red. The Brown was very complex, and honestly quite good. The Red was spot on and as good as almost any local brew I've sampled in Ireland--it had a nice creamy head and a smooth finish. The food was pretty good too. We started with sweet potato chips which were good. I had a cuban sandwich, which wasn't really a cuban sandwich, but was an interesting re-imagining. I also had half of Monica's french dip, which was very good. With lunch I had a homemade cream soda which was also very good. Flat Branch is a nice space, and we were able to sit at a table looking into the pizza oven. Monica told me that when she was an undergrad at Mizzou, anytime an out of town family person came in that Flat Branch was the dinner place of choice. I can see why.
(4)Pari A.
Awesome Beer, excellent food, good ambience, clean interiors- Flat Branch has it all! We take all our out of town guests to this place and everyone loves it. Green chilli beer, honey wheat are the best. They carry a good variety of food- vegetarian, seafood, pizza, sandwiches. I tried multiple stuff and so far, everything was very well made. This is a very gourmet and class style brewery and restaurant, and Columbia is proud boast of a cool place like this!
(5)Justin F.
My FAVORITE place to eat/drink in Columbia. Amazing food and even better beer that they brew themselves. GO THERE!
(5)Joshua B.
Really busy even when the students were gone. I stopped in on a rainy summer evening; the student were not around yet; and the place was still packed. The wait for a table was ~40 minutes. We got seated at the bar almost right away though. The bar has the full menu. The staff seemed on top of things. The noise level was a little high at the bar. The vibe was cool and laid back. The crowd seems to be in an in between age. Its not really a place that caters to undergrads, but it may be a grad student hangout. The soft pretzels were tasty, and the buffalo meatloaf sandwich was good. The prices were very reasonable. There are lots of beers made on the premises, and they have quite a few scotches. The oil change stout is dark and thick with lots of flavor. The IPA was very drinkable, and the kristalwitzen was a great filtered wheat beer. As they say, support your local brewery...
(4)Josh L.
The food was good. We had the nachos and the ribs. The nachos seemed over baked at first but then I tasted them and realized the cheese used was amazing. The ribs came off the bone just by picking them up. It was a unique sauce they provided. It had a little zing to it. Overall the food was good. Environment was good. Beer was good. Speed of service was a little sub par. We actually asked about our food and if it was lost. It took an hour and a half to get in and out and we really didn't cause the delay. We were always waiting on something.
(4)Charisma P.
Hands down, this is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The food is delicious, very reasonably priced, and one beer is enough to make me tipsy! Some of my favorite things: chokes & cheese dip, spinach dip, flat branch burger, cajun crayfish tails (sadly, no longer on the menu), bayou pasta, sausage & mushroom pizza, grilled salmon, stout brownie sundae, stout. This place is within walking distance from campus and is a hangout for students and faculty alike. They also have outdoor seating, which makes it a fantastic place to sit and enjoy the evening with a sampler.
(5)Sarah T.
Love, love loooove Flat Branch! The beers are good, the food is GREAT! The indoor seating is OK, but the patio is the best thing about Flat Branch. During the summer/spring, it's perfect. The burgers are always filling and tasty, but my boyfriend and I are obsessed with the creme brulee bread pudding. We always end our meals with this dish, no matter how stuffed we are.
(5)Melissa A.
A trip to Columbia isn't complete without a trip to Flatbranch. From pizza to sandwiches to steaks, I've never been displeased with anything. Their green chili chicken fingers with a side of their house buffalo sauce (omg...that sauce!) are some of the best chicken fingers I've ever had. Their beer selection is broad and their sampler is a great way to try around 10 (can't remember) different brews. I know it's a brewery, but for those that are into bloody mary's, they make a killer signature one with an assortment of garnishes, probably the best I ever had in Columbia. Some yelpers complain about the prices being high, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.
(5)C C.
All around perfect place. The service was outstanding and the burgers were life changing. Our waiter was kind and unobtrusive as only the most professional and skilled are. We will stop here every time we are in Columbia!
(5)Tender B.
A Columbia favorite. A nice selection of beers that flatbranch brews. Sometimes they even have a barley wine or an imperial stout. The slection changes with each season. The food is typical bar fare, but pretty good. Get the bacon chicken wrap with onion rings.
(4)Brian E.
The beer is bland, the prices are a little steep, but overall it's a decent place. I would kill someone for some soft pretzel twists or chokes 'n cheese right now.
(3)Kristen e.
wonderful spinach and artichoke dip! nice atmosphere and great beer specials
(5)Adam O.
Like many reviews before, I'm not saying the place was bad it was just okay. Pros: -Great atmosphere -The bathroom has those state of the art hand drying stations and a handle on the door so you can open it with your feet (nice to not have to do bathroom karate to get out with clean hands). Cons: -The microbrews were tasty but not in the same league as Boulevard or Schlafly (the other MO famous microbreweries). -The spinach dip tasted like store bought microwaveable and was way too runny. -The food in general was on par with Outback, but for $50 for 2 people I expected more.
(2)Zac C.
If I was just basing this review on teh food and the beer I would give it 3 stars... But with the excellent patio it bumps to 4
(4)J P.
Incredible incredible beers! Food is good as well but the beers are mouth watering good.
(5)Amanda C.
So, I am convinced that I should have just gotten something different because everyone I was with would have given FB 4-5 stars to where based on my food, I would have given it a 2-3. A friend who has been in Columbia for the past 4 years for school recommended FB to us, as we were meeting family from St. L halfway to KC. After deciding that we should maybe have something a little healthier than Shakespeares Pizza, we ended up at FB! I checked out the reviews on Yelp! before we headed in and also made sure I checked out the menu. Well the eating healthier part was totally nixed when I spotted the Garlic-5 cheese pizza. Let me start while we were still in the car... THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PARK! This was not a good sign to me as many other Yelpers say that the wait takes forever. We finally parked and walked in... it took about 3 minutes to get a table for 4 so this was a plus. We ordered the pretzel as an appetizer with beer mustard and spinach dip. The pretzel was gooey and soft all the way through... a perfect pretzel, I must say! Not being a fan of spinach dip... I was convinced to try it and to my surprise it was actually very good. It was creamy and had a bit of a jalapeño kick to it. The beer mustard on the other hand seems to be for mustard lovers only... It was way too strong for my liking. I stuck to my guns and after contemplating for a REALLY long time about what I wanted; I ended up getting the garlic pizza. Unfortunately this did not have marinara and the delicious juicy tomato taste is the main reason I love pizza so much. So after I discovered there was none on the pizza, I ended up ordering a side dish of marinara! I am sure glad that I did. The pizza was okay, and when I say okay I mean that I could not taste ANY garlic on it--- and this is the reason that I got it! The fries, oh those damn french fries were delicious. I know I have said a fry is a fry is a fry in my other posts but they were actually REALLY good, and obviously worth remembering! The feeling inside the pub was casual and just a chill feeling! Outside, the dining looked gorgeous. Although we did not eat out there because we were not in the mood to battle the Missouri July weather, I really wish it would have been a bit cooler so it would be comfortable to eat out there. It almost looked like a very romantic feel... or maybe like a place from "MTV: The Hills" but wait... those places aren't real! ---Or are they?? Outside seemed like a great place to enjoy a nice drink of wine with one you are trying to woo--- guys take note! Our service was a bit slow but the waiter was great! He was very outgoing and very helpful! ---Considering he had the entire half of the restaurant to serve while we were there! Prices were perfect... especially for a college town! Affordable! I hope to give FB another try and order something else to surprise me into thinking the way the others did! A 3 rating... well here is how I broke it down Parking-1 Wait and entrance- 4 Service-4 Food (based only on my pizza)-3 Outdoor Seating- 5 So basically a 3.4
(3)Lori C.
I am a regular. Love the beer. Food is always good. Flatbreads are solid. Homemade soups. The outdoor dining is great. I always see somebody I know. It is definitely one of my favorite dining spots in COMO.
(4)Ryan S.
The Green Chili beer and perhaps the best Veggie Burger I've yet to experience make the Flat Branch a must visit when I'm in CoMo. The staff is always friendly and prompt, and the quality is far beyond the normal brewpub schlock.
(5)Annee T.
One of the better ones in Columbia. Flat Branch seems to be one of the only places in town where you can get cider on tap - for that alone, the place has my stamp of approval. The food is standard pub fare - decent burgers, pasta, sandwiches, etc. The chokes 'n cheese dip and the smashers are delicious, and one time I got this side order of tossed vegetables that was really nice. The veggies were cooked perfectly, tossed in olive oil, and heavily peppered. A simple, plain side that you could make at home, but a lot of times you go to restaurants and cooked vegetables taste like crap. Don't order ocean-caught fish in a landlocked state, is my last piece of advice.
(4)H C.
The Oil Change stout I had was great, and my cider-loving boyfriend was pleased that they had Strongbow on tap. The food was somewhat underwhelming. I had a smoked salmon salad sandwich with applesauce. The sandwich was okay, and the applesauce was good. Boyfriend had a bison meatloaf, which was overcooked and underseasoned, and came with a horseradish cream sauce which was kind of bland. (Horseradish!) His mashed potatoes were dry and also underseasoned. It's inexpensive food, but the presentation of the restaurant shouldn't be better than the food, so I still think it could taste better. We were with a large group of people on a Friday night, and although I wasn't paying too close attention, the food seemed to come out at a reasonable time considering the circumstances. No complaints about the service.
(3)Brad W.
If there was a place in Columbia that was a PERFECT first date place, then Flat Branch was my place. While in College, this was the staple of the first dinner outing. Great food, great service... and VERY busy on the weekends. Be prepared to wait a while to eat. Especially in the winter, as the patio is obviously only open in the warmer months. The food is nothing spectacular, but it's pretty good. They also have their own beer, which is quite tasty. I wasn't a frequent patron of the place for its beer though. While there are not many nice restaurants to choose from in Columbia, Flat Branch is a good choice if you're looking for a nice restaurant in a casual setting.
(4)Sara L.
Oh, how I miss you Flat Branch! The first few times I went here as a grad student at Mizzou, I thought, "eh, nothing special." The service was just so-so and I didn't really see what all the fuss was about. But then I found a few menu items that are just AWESOME. Now, I'm not sure they still have this, but if they do, get the house salad (it's huge) and the pesto pizza bread thing (not sure exactly what they call it). Great stuff when you're drinking and having a great time with your friends!
(5)Lisa B.
I met my brother, sister-in-law and niece for dinner at Flatbranch after driving 11+ hours from Denver. They said it was the best place in Columbia and that I had to try it. We went around 7:00 and it was packed. There were people everywhere in the parking lot, most with a beer in their hand just killing time. We were told the wait was 35 minutes for an inside table and debated whether we should wait it out. I was starving from the drive and it was dinner time for my one year old niece. We decided that 35 minutes wasn't that bad and that we had already wasted 10 minutes debating whether or not we should stay. So we decided to stick it out. Looking back I wish we hadn't. We ended up waiting an hour and twenty minutes for a table. We were told that we had to wait for a specific table because we needed a high chair so we kept getting pushed back. When we were finally seated we were seated at a table for eight, there were four of us plus the high chair so this large table seemed a bit excessive, but whatever. I find it hard to believe that the only table in the whole restaurant that can fit a high chair is an 8 seater. Important Note: There are two different wait lists - one for inside and one for outside. This place is apparently known for its patio and considering how long we waited to get a table inside, it would have been 2+ hours for a table outside according to the host. I think that is a bit ridiculous. Maybe Flatbranch should consider a second location with wait times like this? Now - on to the food! We ordered some appetizers because we were starving. We got the pretzels with spinach dip and the onion rings. These items were great. The warm spinach dip went perfectly with the fresh baked pretzels and the onion rings weren't excessively greasy. Both appetizer orders were fairly large and more than enough for us to split. I highly recommend both of these items. For my meal I ordered the BBQ chicken pizza. I LOVE BBQ chicken pizza. In my opinion its not too hard to screw up. However, this particular pizza was less than impressive. There was hardly any BBQ sauce (I had to ask for extra) on the pizza and the chicken was bad quality. It was rubbery and lacked any sort of taste. The pizza portion size is large, definitely large enough for two people to split. Some other dishes at my table included the Mediterranean Pasta and Blue Cheese Burger. Everyone else seemed to like their food. I cannot comment on the beers because I don't drink beer :-). However I must say they do serve Pepsi products which was a disappointment for this southern girl (everything is Coke in the south). But thank you Flatbranch for offering Diet Dr. Pepper. I don't think I'll be going back to Flatbranch again during the dinner peak. The food wasn't that great to warrant an 80 minute wait. However, I would consider going back for lunch or at an off hour.
(2)Joe K.
Great in-house beer list and the bar food menu is great as well. If it's not busy, a fantastic place to belly up to the bar. One of the local institutions, well worth going to if you like world class locally brewed beers.
(4)Alston S.
I'm not really sure why this place is rated like it is. The food is average, at best. The atmosphere is ok. There are plenty of other places I would much rather go than here.....so if you have the option, go somewhere else.
(2)Ben A.
Flat branch was my number two watering hole during the three and a half years I lived in Columbia. First you I have to start with the beer. They usually offer betweein 9 and 15 beers on tap, all brewed in house. They range in style from the lightest Honey Wheat to the darkest Oil Change Stout. In between there are tastey option such as their ESB or IPA. pretty much every beer they offer is at least a mediocre redition of the given beer style, with the afore mentioned by name being quite good. They also offer rotatring seasonal beers, ranging from strawberry or blackberry ales to an imperial stout and a barleywine. They also have a full bar to boot so anybody whould be able to find something to drink there. The food is delicious. They have a great selection of burgers, cooked to order. My favorite is the Texas Burger with bacon, sauteed onions and jack cheese. They have a good selection of brick oven pizzas as well, each is about 10 inches with a thin, chewey sourdough crust and fresh toppings. My favorite is the BBQ Chicken. And there is no better way to start a meal than with their Chokes & Cheese appetizer, creamey, cheezy garlicy, delicious. The staff, overall is knowledgable and courteous and willing to answer questions about the beer. The one drawback is this place gets packed on weekends, especially football days. They do not take reservations so show up early to avoid the wait. Overall, one of the best spots in Columbia, and all of Mid-Missouri.
(5)Dan S.
Their service is spotty, but its been getting better over the last few months. The beers are good, but under-carbonated. The food is really good, though. I really like the pretzels; the nachos are huge. My favorite thing on the menu though is the catfish and chips. Really large portion of fish and really well seasoned. The chips are great. The patio is awesome...
(4)Sagruilla P.
I went on a recent visit, and I had a chile beer. It was so delicious beyond the novelty of it. That, plus onion rings in ranch dressing was a perfect combination. I also had a salad, and that was full of peppers, carrots, lettuce, mushrooms, tomatoes and cucumbers. Other people at my table had pizza and the artichoke bowl, all of which were good. Not bad at all for a pub in a college town. I can hardly wait to go back again one day to try the stout brownie.
(5)Scott W.
If you ever call in a to-go order, plan on waiting 7-10 minutes on hold, or just call from 3 different lines until they remember at the bar. Pizzas and chicken nachos are great, though. So is the Cobb salad.
(4)Michael S.
More often than not you will wait for a table, but that's OK with me cause they have a nice bar and plenty of different beers to try. Actually, that really the only thing I like about Flat Branch. The food, eh, kinda bland. Subtract the beer and it could be an Applebee's anywhere. But the patio and fun times with friends means I will still be back.
(3)Max C.
The food is good, the atmosphere is fun, especially on the patio in the spring/summer and the beer list has something for everyone. Try the green chili beer!
(4)L T.
We've been here several times, always with a group because my in-laws live in Columbia, and it's consistently good, solid food. It's a nice lofty, echo-y space so I don't really worry about the kids being quiet. The service is always good as well!
(4)Russell M.
Cool place, I'm a fan. I like the chill atmosphere and I loved the Stout Meatloaf Sandwich with the world famous mashers on the side. My companion had the chicken nachos. Also an excellent choice. I'd come back!
(4)Roxanne A.
The food here is always fantastic, but I'm only giving it 3 stars due to service. There seems to always be a ridiculously long wait no matter what day or time it is and some of the employees seem to do more socializing with each other than actual work. We have stood waiting for a long time to get a table when you can clearly see that there are many clean, open tables (I'm talking like 4-5 within view). We have never gotten in with less than a 40 minute wait, so if you are starving this isn't the place for you. Not to mention that the place always seems to be extremely LOUD. If you can get past those things you will be pleasantly rewarded. Every single thing anyone in my party has ever ordered was fantastic and their beer selection is a shining star all on its own.
(3)Sam R.
Flat Branch has a nice selection of hoppy ales and other craft beers on tap that you can't find anywhere else in Columbia. And although I do enjoy having a Katy Trail Pale Ale with a chokes and cheese burger, Flat Branch does not hold a candle to the Free State Brewery in Lawrence, KS.
(3)Drennen M.
I've never had the beer, but the place is worth it just for the chokes 'n' cheese dip in the bread bowl (one of the appetizers) and the stoat brownie sundae mmmmmm. They also have veggie burgers which makes vegetarian me happy. I used to come here with very big groups (20+), and service was, if not extremely prompt, quick and generally correct. I'm not sure if they separate the bill, but it's still at the top of my "big group" list.
(4)Raymond H.
I have been here 3 times since living in Columbia. It is a great place for almost any get-together, ive gone here with a couple of friends and I even took my parents here once. I would recommend their "Chokes-n-cheese" and veggies as an appetizer, I was hesitant at first but i found it to be quite delicious. They also make their own beer, root beer, and cream soda. Ive only had a chance to try their root beer, I normally dont like root beer but theirs was an exception.
(5)Paul D.
Some of my friends work here so I feel bad with what I am about to say. The beer is no friggin good. It is BAD beer. I've tried it on a handful of occassions constantly getting a different beer thinking "everyone keeps raving about how good this beer is...maybe I am just making bad choices." It isn't my choices it is the beer. The patio is nice.
(3)Luke M.
When you're in the mood for great, simple food nothing in Columbia beats Flat Branch.
(5)Ian S.
They have a great selection of their own microbrewed beers on tap. I've liked every one I've had, but I'm not too hard to please. Food is good. I highly recommend the Flat Branch Burger, which is covered in their "chokes n' cheese" dip. They also plan to go smoke free May 27th, which will be great for busy nights.
(5)Truth S.
Great local brew pub offering great food and great beer! This is definitely a relaxed place to go for lunch and dinner. The patio is awesome during warmer weather and the service is very good. I definitely think this is the best "pub" in Columbia.
(4)Zach H.
Over the five or six times I ate at Flat Branch, I had mixed experiences but still look at the place fondly. The beer is great, as is their beer bread. Some of the food is mediocre but for the most part, a great place to go out with friends and enjoy some drinks
(4)Amanda P.
A Columbia, MO institution. Everything I've ever had here is good, from fish to pasta, to appetizers, etc. What makes me dream of this restaurant, though, is the red cream soda that they brew right on the premises. For a soft-drink snob like me, it's absolute heaven.
(5)Kristin F.
Flat Branch has the distinction of being the only brewpub in a college town that desperately needs one. In a land of sorority girls drinking Bud Light with lemon, the FB helped me get through college and I even worked there for a few years after I graduated. The beer selection is broad with something for everybody....unless of course you only like beer that tastes more like water and has no alcohol in it. Forewarning: the only beer they carry that they don't make is Bud Light. Why, you ask? Because they encourage the drinking of their own beer!!! It's a brewpub for crying out loud! The light and refreshing Honey Wheat is always a crowd fave, along with the signature Katy Trail Pale Ale. There are some that are always kept on tap....Oil Change Stout, Brown Ale, etc. And there are also rotating seasonal selections like the Great Pumpkin Ale or a yummy Strawberry Pilsner in the summer. The food is excellent and much better than standard bar fare. The Chokes and Cheese dip from what I'm told is highly, highly addictive but I was always more partial to spicy spinach dip myself. The pizzas are tasty and so are most of their sandwiches. Mmmmmm....I miss the FB!
(4)Lauren B.
My favorite place in Columbia by far! You have to try the Chokes n Cheese.
(5)emily o.
yum, yum, yum, yum, yum! i've become entirely obsessed with the spicy spinach dip and the flat branch burger (a burger topped with artichoke dip!)...really great comfort food, wonderful beer...who could ask for more?!?!
(4)John T.
Have to disagree with Paul D. The beer here is great unless you can only handle Bud Light. Food is tops also and at $16.95 w/two sides the Filet of Beef is the best deal in town. Great patio with lots of room. Only complaint is the inside is a bit noisy when it's busy, which is almost always.
(5)Michelle F.
I also highly recommend this restaurant. Came a few times with friends, and really had some great meals. I enjoyed their salads, and also had an excellent burger once. Only complaint is I was very thirsty and kept needing more diet coke, and the waitress started teasing me. Not funny.
(4)Joshua H.
I made a return visit on a Friday night as a last minute choice for dinner and a beer. I got in about 915pm and the place was busy. Not crazy busy but definetly moving. I got a seat at the bar right away, ordered the beer sampler which is 7 samples of 1.5oz each of the 7 beers on tap that night. I found 3 of the 7 to be really good and the others not to my liking, but thats a personal preference of course. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with swiss on the new spelt whole grain bun which was damn good. It came with sweet potato chips which were ok but not amazing. Th price was great as the whole thing was still under 10 bucks so no harm done. Good beer, full stomach, no complaints. I really enjoy the atmosphere at Flat Branch as well, it feels like a n upscale bar, more so then most other "bar scenes" in Columbia. Good way to spend a n hour or 2 on a Friday night. Your almost always see someone you know coming in or leaving as you get in or leave yourself.
(3)Brian M.
I had a chance to try Flat Branch while visiting some friends, and really enjoyed my experience the food was good and so was the beer. The inside was large, however there was a short wait, seems this is a very popular local hangout and I can see why. Once inside and seated I ordered a burger, which was really good so were the fries, not greasy at all. I ordered a beer, I dont recall which one and it was very good. Hopefully this summer I can make it back and enjoy a drink, or two/three outside.
(4)Roxanne O.
I'm not a beer drinker so take my review with a grain of salt if you're stopping by for the beer... I stopped in on a blustery Friday night and found the place to be backed. I was able to weasel my way into a seat at the bar to wait for a table. And wait, we did! The place was packed-zilla. My beer drinking companion was a little disappointed that they didn't offer a traditional beer sampler, although he was able to order small glasses of beer to try. It was a little odd, but it worked. Again, I never ever drink beer but he had me take a sip of the green chili beer. It really tasted just like eating a pepper. Not sure if that was awesome or awful but it was definitely unique. I had an ok pasta dish and my friend had a salmon dish. We were honestly more impressed by the beer than the food, so...I'd suggest eating elsewhere and then heading to this pub for some brews.
(3)Jessica E.
Took a little day/evening trip to CoMo yesterday for a concert and decided to do a little research on where to stop in for dinner. Flat Branch was consistently on every "best of..." list that popped up on google so we decided to check it out. Flat Branch is situated in the quaint and adorable downtown Columbia area, amidst other local businesses. Immediately when I saw the patio (empty yesterday because it was a bit chilly) I thought it was a perfect little place for summer/spring happy hours. The outside of the place itself was just super cute and the greenery surrounding the patio was just really pretty. We arrived right before 6 so we didn't have to pay the meter, but there was very limited parking around the area. They were also very busy for a weekday (not sure how they usually are other days). We arrived at the tail-end of their happy hour. Maybe that's why the waiter didn't mention it, but when I asked if they had any specials, he did let us know about the 3.75 beers; options were limited but the price was just right (cheap). For starters, we ordered a half order of the green chili chicken fingers. First off, love how they had a half-order option and as observed by my BF, they definitely cater to the college-student crowd with that one. Big props for knowing your audience. The description on the menu made it seem like these would be super different than typical chicken fingers, but it wasn't. It was pretty standard. Still tasted fine, but just didn't have that extra something I was expecting. For dinner, I had their infamous "Best of..." Flat Branch pub burger (with bacon). It was definitely delicious! And cooked perfectly (I know that shouldn't be a difficult task, but you'd be surprised at some of the places I've been). The service was fine. It was super busy so our waiter wasn't around much but he was around enough to refill our drinks at a good pace and clear out the table, etc., etc. For such a busy time in the evening, I was impressed by how they seated everyone quickly, efficiently and the servers were all very pleasant. I had a good experience!
(4)Chelsea B.
Flat Branch is a good place to get standard American pub food and drinks in Columbia. When the patio is open it's nice to sit outside, and it's the kind of place you can go with friends or your parents or a group or really anyone and have a good time. The downside is that in the evenings the wait can be around an hour, which is frustrating, but everyone knows a good thing when they taste it. The Hot Soft Pretzel Twists with Cheesy Spinach Dip ($6.49) and Buffalo Wings ($8.99) are good starters. The California Chicken Club Sandwich is so delicious ($8.99) and the Smoked Pork Sandwich ($7.49) is pretty killer. I've also had the Pub Burger ($7.99), which is a good standard burger. Everything is fresh and seems home made, from the artisan bun to the delicious fries. I did take a Dutch friend and he commented about the California Chicken Club that "this is not foccacia," but if you're from Missouri I'm sure you won't be bothered. I take off one star because I'm just not a fan of their beer. Maybe I'm crazy. I've had the Honey Wheat and the Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, neither of which are for me. Other people rave over it, so go ahead and try for yourself.
(4)Kevin B.
I absolutely love this place. This trip they had a 2009 Barley Wine. It was a great surprise. I usually always get the garlic five cheese pizza. This time I went with the special smoke duck and apple pizza. It was great but not as good as the garlic five cheese. Son had the kids cheese pizza and said it was amazing. Wife had tomato soup and said it was good. Daughter loved her buttery noodles. I will be back many more times when driving across Missouri. Tried to eat there today and there was a 25-30 min wait for lunch so we went somewhere else.
(5)Nick D.
I'm ashamed to report that I didn't tip at this location. I always tip 20-30%. This is the first time in my life I haven't tipped a server. I was very appalled at the service I received. It was inconsistent and our waitress was not nice. After waiting 45 minutes for a table we sat down to eat reheated food. The sandwich wasn't horrible but the price didn't justify it. I've noticed walking from classes to business downtown during the day that they have received shipments of frozen foods. Ill save my money and life next time someone suggest Flat Branch Pub and goto the grocery store and heat it up myself.
(2)Linda G.
They have a paleo plate just meat and veggies, thank you guys! You just made traveling across the country much easier.
(4)Jimmy M.
Flat Branch is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The burger are always a good option. The burrito is my top choice. For appetizers, I recommend the pretzels or fries. The servings of fries are large portions. Flat Branch has incredible beer. Brown Ale and Oil Change are my favorite. Late night half price pizzas is also great.
(5)Adam W.
I'm not much of a drinker... but when I do make it to this pub I can't help but order 2 of there soft pretzels with the spinach cheese dip
(4)Clayton R.
Have you ever been dreaming peacefully, when all of the sudden you are attacked by delicious pretzel twists accompanied by large vats of spinach and artichoke dip for bodyguards? Surprised, your only defense is to start eating the pretzels, with the help of your sidekick, zesty spinach dip? THEN have you ever further dreamed of swimming in delicious microbrew? That is how I feel whenver I go to Flat Branch. It's a GREAT place. Wonderful food, dirt cheap prices on micros and an awesome outside seating area. I think this is one of my favorite restaurants in Columbia for the money, and one that I frequent when returning to visit the city of my alma mater. If you enjoy beer, good food, sports, outdoors, oxygen, meatloaf, hamburgers, pretzels, beer, delicious, beer, or _____, then you will love Flat Branch. Sure, the service can be a little lacking, but what do you expect in a college town? Who cares, for a few bucks a pint, I'll drink away my waitresses shortcomings in the company of friends. Awesome place. Wooohooo!
(5)Dustin H.
My fiance and I have enjoyed dinner here a few times now. The service and atmosphere were very nice. We will certainly be back for more!
(4)Heather P.
On the way back home to Kansas City, I recently stopped to explore the little downtown area of Columbia, Missouri. I saw most of what I expected to see of a college town-several coffeeshops, Lots of bars, a park or two, and the hustle and bustle of a Monday lunch-time rush. It was a gorgeous day but because time was limited, I did not get to explore as much as I would have liked, but the one place that I did find worthy of review is Flat Branch Pub and Brewing. I arrived at this brewpub a good 30 minutes before my friends were set to arrive so I sat down at the bar to try a few samplers and was delighted to find soccer on their tv's. The volume was down and the sound system was blaring the strangest mix of music I had ever heard-seriously, My Heart Will Go On, actually came on before the bartender couldn't take it anymore and changed the station. I was overwhelmed with suggestions from my KC friends on which beers to try so the bartender allowed me to try a couple of tasters before I settled on 5oz pours of their Oil Change stout and the very popular Honey Wheat. Next on my list was to try the Green Chili beer but sadly I ran out of time and did not want to have too much before hitting the road again. The food, like the beer, was good. I was not blown away by my meal-a vegetarian wrap with house-made hummus served with sweet potato chips-but it was good and I was starving! My friends ordered a burger and a fish meal both which looked excellent. The prices were extremely reasonable-all three of us ate for under $25 total and left the table stuffed. The bartender also covered my second glass so in my book, that is always a plus! I do hope to get to Columbia again soon so that I can continue trying their beer offerings-they have some rare beers that sounded delicious and had I not had to drive, I definitely would have sampled those as well. I liked my food and beer but I feel like my favorite Flat Branch beer is still somewhere on that tap wall and I'd like to try their pizza or another one of their signature dishes...it all looked great.
(4)Brian P.
Mediocre food, decent but unexciting beer. You can do much better in both categories at Broadway Brewery or 44 Stone.
(3)Kelly B.
I'm so sick of coming here and getting bad service, no water refills, our appetizer plate was still on our table when the check arrived after sitting on the edge of the table our entire meal, it also happens later in the evening when all the servers are ready to go home, and I'm not talking about during the rush, I'm talking consistent horrible service, I will no longer tip until is see improvement
(3)Archana S.
5 stars and every one of them are for the Creme Brulee! Fantastic! My husband and I share one, when we eat there. And sometimes we just go there for the dessert. I crack open the caramelized crunchy brown sugar crust and dig into the creamy gooey chewy warm deliciousness . Its an incredible experience. Its a nice restaurant, nice friendly ambience for friends to hang out. I absolutely love their fries and the salsa -horseradish dip. Its super . Next time, I'll upload the picture of the creme brulee. :D
(5)Stephanie O.
Seriously....If you've never been to Flat Branch you are missing out! This is by far my absolute favorite place in Columbia to eat (I would choose this over Columbia's famous Shakespeare's Pizza any day!) As an MU graduate, I miss the days of sitting on Flat Branch's patio in the summer...sipping on their fresh brewed beer and enjoying the scenery. The beer is brewed on site and they always offer a variety to choose from. The food here is what always brings me back. If you live in Columbia and have never been here (although I have no idea how that would be possible), leave where you are right now and go try Flat Branch's "Chokes 'N Cheese". Even if you don't live in Columbia and can drive there....go now! This amazing concoction is heaven. Although it sounds generic....Artichokes mixed with spinach and cheese, served in a bread bowl and veggies....it's not! This is by far my favorite item on the menu. Their homemade pizzas, sandwiches, and nachos are also very good. Basically anything on their menu will not disappoint...I promise! Most likely you will have to wait (not too long) to get a table because this place is usually busy, but it's worth it. What are you waiting for....GO NOW!
(5)Isabella B.
This was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Columbia, MO. Their beers are amazing and the "Oil Change" one still brings a smile to my face just by thinking about it. Ask for the beer sampler and you can taste some of them. Their Spicy Spinach Dip and Pesto & Artichoke Pizza are sooooo good as everything they make. Hopefully I ll be back some day.
(5)Tom F.
Didn't really expect a college town brewpub to be this good. Have been to flat Branch several times, and have enjoyed myself on each occasion. I especially recommend the catfish - breading is crispy and assertively spiced, a nice change from the usual fish and chips. And, like everything here, pretty reasonably priced too! Beers are brewed to style (no pale ales that are so hoppy they could be an IPA, etc) and you can't beat $4.50 regular price for a solid pint. Efficient service, not overly friendly but they were there when I needed them.
(5)Lacey C.
In all fairness, since posting the rather awful customer service review of Flatbranch, their current manager has been trying to get to the bottom of things. But that's what he's been doing--trying to get to the bottom. Not really trying to smooth over my personal experience--more just looking to crucify someone in his business. Several times. I was never really moved by his words or vague apologies, but at least they tried.
(2)Bryan M.
Even if you're not a micro-brew maven, the food is worth the visit. I'm a big fan of the Flat Branch Burger with the chokes and cheese sauce. But, last week, I tried the french dip sandwich and was pleased. It's a bit noisy, and pretty casual, but always seems busy. Nice little patio area for those days where one prefers to be outdoors.
(4)Uninvited G.
Flat Branch has been a Brewpub in Columbia for almost two decades. Every beer they serve is brewed in-house and is served in traditional imperial pint sized glasses (that's approx. 20 oz. vs. 16 oz.). Furthermore, they offer a "carry out" service for their beer. You can either provide your own growler (1/2 gallon) or buy one from the Bar and they will fill it up for your take-home pleasure. They also serve a variety of Americana-styled pub/bar food that is really quite good. If you're looking for casual bar food, this restaurant is the best you can get in Columbia. The Beer: They offer a selection of "always on tap" beers that range from silky dark stouts ("Oil Change Stout") to wildly hoppy pale ales that are quite quaffable and will slake the thirst of travelers and revelers alike. Their beer is always high quality and I have only compliments to the care and dedication of their master brewer. They also usually have a wide variety of seasonal or somewhat experimental beer on tap. These beers vary according to availability but are always a joy to experience. The Food: This is where Flat Branch falls "flat". While as I said it is fantastic bar food, the fact remains that it IS bar food, and frankly I am unimpressed. Their brick oven pizzas are the best items on the menu, however they could be made better if the crust was thinner (like a traditional Italian pizza). It's too doughy. After that, they do have unique items like "chokes n' cheese" but really, aside from that, nothing on the menu stands out as being very good. The atmosphere: This is another place they shine. With a well-shaded outdoor patio and an indoor area that is styled in an industrial-modern fashion, the atmosphere is really great for relaxing and enjoying oneself, though it can get very loud inside at times. Overall I would say come here for the beer, don't get your hopes up too high about the food, relax, and have a good time. It's a great place to spend an evening with a few friends.
(3)Matt B.
I'm sure that I love a craft beer. I know this because if a place makes their own I have yet to rate them below four stars. That being said, Flat has great food, beer, and atmosphere. Beer is the real star. Try them all and take a few gallons of your favorite home.
(4)Sarah S.
You'll be hard-pressed to find better food & beer at a reasonable price in Columbia. My favorite is the bacon chicken sandwich with avocado & sweet potato chips. It's also kid-friendly with a nice kid menu. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)Cassie D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Columbia. Service has left something to be desired over my last 4-5 visits. Some of their wait staff are rude, many are inattentive, often they are unapologetic. The management is more apologetic and obviously takes more pride in their business than their employees do. That being said, the food is usually amazing. Some personal faves of mine are the seared ahi tuna and the creme brulee bread pudding. The atmosphere is wonderful. The beer is fantastic.
(3)Sarah D.
Great atmosphere! I had a delicious salad. My friend had a sausage and mushroom pizza and a green chili beer. It really tasted like green chilies! We will be back.
(5)Christopher D.
Beer- Flat Branch not only has an extensive variety of great beers that are mainstays, but great rotating choices as well based on the season. My favorite over the years has been Larry's APA. A flavorful brew with just the right amount of hops with an amazing aroma to boot. Generally have something on tap for just about anyone, from an oil change stout to a honey wheat and everything in between. Food- Several long time favorites but this changes seasonally as well. You can never go wrong with a burger cooked to order, choice of cheese and a hearty portion of a side. Staff- Flat Branch gets extremely busy daily but employs some of the best people you could find. Generally a great mix of college students beginning their journey up to the seasoned vets with over a decade of service. Due to the busy nature of the restaurant you may not become best friends off the bat but I can say that I've seen some amazing relationships form with regulars and employees that wouldn't be traded for the world. I had the pleasure of working for Tom, Lance, Larry, and the gang for almost 6 years. I would recommend giving Flat Branch a try more than once to truly get the feel for this wonderful establishment.
(5)Chris M.
Four stars for the beer and three for the food. Food was just OK. Nothing to write home about. The beer however, was outstanding! Our favorite was the chili pepper beer. I know it sounds odd and like it might not be very tasty, but it was excellent. Not sure which beer to try? Order the sampler. You get to choose which beers to try. Great idea and helps you narrow down your choices without purchasing an entire pint. In warm weather you can enjoy outdoor seating. Great place in a great college town.
(4)Eileen R.
Oh, Flat Branch! How I miss basking in the glow of your twinkling patio lights! If you live in or visit Columbia, you must go here to eat. I say this as girl who has lived in cities famous for food...Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle. This place is hands-down one of my all time favorites. I've had sooo many things off their menu and have never been disappointed. The chokes & cheese dip is good enough to make you forget the worst day of your life. AND you can put it on your BURGER! Or put it on your grilled chicken sandwich! YUM. The brick oven pizzas are totally delish. Something else they cook in that brick oven....CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES the size of your face. If you want the cookie, place the order for it as soon as your main course is delivered because it takes 20 minutes to bake. Get it with the Tiger Stripe Ice Cream that is also made right there in CoMo. The charbroiled romaine salad sounds interesting/weird, but it's delicious. Especially topped with chicken. Fries are really good and so are the green chili chicken tenders. And the stout brownie. And the stout float. And the stout. They brew their own ROOT BEER. I shed tears missing this place sometimes. :'(
(5)Abby S.
I was really unimpressed with this Columbia, MO eatery/brewery. With all of the positive reviews, it seemed like this would be a no-brainer. Here are my complaints (in no particular order): - There was a long wait at 2 pm... really? It seemed like people were eating fast enough, but the bussers were in no huge rush to clear tables and turn that sh*t around. - The setup of this place is really awkward. There's really nowhere to wait to be seated unless you go to the bar. And the servers bringing out large trays of food always seem to be in the way. - Food is bleh! I tried a few different menu items and they were both bland/nothing to write home about. A few reviewers compared the food to Applebee's but I think Applebee's does way better. - The root beer that they tout is way too sweet. Under normal circumstances, I'll pick a soda over water. After taking one sip of the root beer, I stuck with water for the rest of the meal. A few additional notes: - I didn't try any of the beer... And it has to be good. Otherwise, why would people flock here? - Our server was super sweet. Very attentive and great at anticipating our needs. And I saw her lug around a tray of food that was half of her body weight with ease. - The outdoor patio area looks really cool. On a fall day, this would be a fun place to hang out. Just eat before you come :) Since I don't live in CoMo and have some other faves close by, I doubt I'd be back. But if someone had a specific beer to sample, I could be persuaded otherwise.
(2)Marla K.
Tried this place on the recommendation of a friend of a friend. Glad we did! Mostly a great experience...Best crab cakes I've had in the midwest (loved the chipoltle sauce). Awesome pretzels for ap (get them with the spinach cheese dip). My husband had grilled tuna...said it was the best he's had...great grilled flavor, no fishy taste. My daughter said the restaurant-made cream soda was also excellent (but no free refills!). On the ok side...Pub burger was good quality, but could have had a bit more grilled flavor. Fries had a nice crispy coating...would have been great but overly salted. Green Chile Beer was interesting...pretty good mild beer going down but right after you swallow you get a sense you've just consumed a chile releno. Meh...Katy Trail Ale...bitter. Great patio for outside dining...nice and shady.
(4)Lulu W.
Me: "Can you tell me how long the wait is?" Outdoor bro-stess: "Well, there are 4 people ahead of you." Me: "...so....." Outdoor bro-stess: "I don't know." Me: "We'll sit inside." Once seated, our actual server was so scarce, I watched our beers warm up on the bar after the bartender poured them. I almost got up and snatched them myself. She had some big tables, but the restaurant was not nearly as busy as it can be. It seemed like she had a, "they're a cool couple, they'll be fine waiting a few" attitude. Well, let me tell you, I'm the oldest child and have been treated like I'll be fine for too long. I'm NOT fine. You're not my mother. I'm paying you to take care of me. I want my GD beer and here's my fit to prove it! Poor, incompetent service in restaurants is turning me into a bitch. I swear it. A resounding three star for your shadyass service, Flatbranch. Your food and drink is consistently good, which keeps me wanting more (I can't get enough of your Green Chili Beer this summer), but your waitstaff needs some help! Break out the whip!
(3)Andrew P.
I have had fairly good service and really good food every time I've been here. Some of the seasonal dishes are ones I would love year 'round (bangers and mash!), their pizzas are excellent, and it's local. I also really love the cream soda, which I think is made on site.
(4)Ki M.
Being from Chicago, I can truly say I can not find a place out here that compares to the food back home. I find the Flat Branch is the best I've had so far. I finally have a place I can go to and get decent catfish. There's a few other items on the menu that are good as well. They have a little bit of everything.
(4)George R.
There's no question Flat Branch is one of the most successful restaurants in Columbia history. The question is why. I find most of the beers to be too sweet and the food to be average. The service is spotty. Earlier this year I wanted to eat alone at the bar. The place was reasonably busy but not slammed. The bar staff ignored me for 15 minutes then finally took an order for a drink and gave me a menu. That was the last time anyone paid any attention to me at all. I finally just left. It was as if I was invisible. We'll always go there occasionally because we like the patio, but there are many better places to eat in Columbia.
(2)Zach J.
Best place for a burger and root beer in downtown. Sometimes a wait can be expected but it's worth it
(5)Jason R.
I am impressed with Flat Branch. I'm from out-of-town visiting for business. This place was very crowded, so you know they are doing something right. The bar tender went out of his way to make sure I got the beer I wanted and the food tasted good and beer even better (IPA). I will be back for sure!
(5)Marty McFly M.
I enjoyed both my beer and food at Flat Branch. I had two of the American Pale Ales with dinner. The beers were delicious, but I felt a little hungover the next morning ( I'm not THAT much of a lightweight.) I ordered the Southwest Chicken sandwich. The chicken was moist and the foccacia bun complimented it well. I ordered the onion rings as my side which were not as crisp as I generally prefer, but still very good. The service was satisfactory. I was with a group of seven, so it took a while for our food to come out; however, our water glasses were always full and we were never short on beer. I would definitely suggest stopping by Flat Branch when you're in Columbia - just stick to one beer if it is a week night.
(4)Tony F.
I don't know what's to say about Flat Branch that hasn't been said. It's definitely one of my very favorite restaurants in Columbia, and when the patio is open, it's good for nearly any occasion. The food for the most part is standard pub food: burgers, fish and chips, pizza. They do have other entrees, but I've never had much of a reason to get them. The sandwiches and pizzas are a great price and more than enough food. The beer list is great, especially for a brewpub. There seems to always be something for everyone, except the drinker who exclusively orders Bud Light. I personally like the Katy Trail Pale Ale and Ed's IPA, but I've never had anything bad. The only thing I can really say is all their beers tend to be sweet. The patio is huge and comfy and is without a doubt the best you'll find in CoMo.
(5)John F.
My son is going to school at Mizzou and we decided to try this place on parent's weekend. I'm a Reuben sandwich nut and we travel a lot. By far, this place had the best Reuben I've had in years. Meat was tender, thinly sliced, fresh bread, great saurkraut. The others said their food was good, but mine was excellent. I guarantee we will be stopping here anytime we're in Columbia.
(4)Kevin J.
Every time family or friends come to town, this is the place I take them -- and for repeat visitors, it's the place they request! The food is great, and the menu is varied. I've never had anyone in my party complain about the food or say that it was anything less than great. The only downside is that everyone in Columbia knows about this place, so there are often long waits, especially on the weekends. For this reason, I recommend going there for lunch instead of dinner, unless you get there well before 6:00 and are prepared to wait 45 minutes. Don't arrive there already starving, because you won't make it through the long wait times.
(4)Myke O.
Came here on a recommendation from a friend and I was impressed. The soft pretzel sticks for an appetizer were great. The burger for my meal was average but the fries were great -- nice and crispy. Had the creme brulee bread pudding for dessert which was definitely very unique and pretty good. Nice atmosphere. Not a drinker but they had tons of beers that they brew there if that's your thing.
(4)Travis L.
I alway gotta try something new here. Good beer, good food, and good patio. However, its always busy, but if you don't have anything better to do then the wait is worth it.
(4)Ed F.
I really enjoyed this place. Good food and even better brew. The outdoor seating area is huge and exceptional. The Black & Blue Burger was very tasty and paired nicely with the beer battered onion rings and Irish Red Ale. I can see why Flt Branch Pub is so popular here. Columbia is really a nice town it reminds me of Iowa City in size and feel.
(4)Kyle S.
Always a favorite! The beer, the food, the service and the atmosphere have always been fantastic. Whenever you bring in someone from out of town, bring them here. Finally tried the Arbuckles dessert. Beer and Tiger Stripe ice cream. Can't beat that.
(5)Jessica M.
Loved this place. The menu had some really healthy and creative options. Delicious! I had the chokes and cheese along with a flavorful veggie burger and a root beer float to finish the meal! Great place!
(5)Thomas B.
Outstanding food and beer, but at peak hours it's nearly impossible to get a table without a lengthy wait. I highly recommend the Kansas City ribs and the Oatmeal Stout beer. The seasonal brews are fantastic, but entire vats can sell out within hours of tapping (I'm looking at you Pumpkin ale!)
(4)Myra P.
Katy Trail PA, Oil Change, Honey Wheat... perfect brews. Love.
(4)Kate I.
I have been here on numerous occasions and always leave happy. Their beer is fantastic. My current favorite is their Irish Red, which is very creamy. Their Katy Trail Pale Ale and the APA are my two others that I regularly order. Their beers are 16 oz. Their menu is upscale bar food. It never disappoints. One drawback to the place is selecting when you go. They are ALWAYS packed on weekends; expect at least an hour wait if you go in the evening. There have been many times when we've wanted to go to Flat Branch but it was just too packed and we had to go elsewhere. Only once have I been disappointed in the service. They were busy (but not more than normal) and it took way too long for our waiter to even come get our drink order. He was super nice though and apologized for the wait. But I've never had problems on any of my other visits so I'm assuming that maybe it was just an off day. Their bar area has several TVs and they do have a nice outdoor patio. You can get growlers for the beer.
(5)Anne J.
I'm going 4 stars rather than 5 because it's not perfect. That being said, it's pretty damn close. EVERYTHING I have had from Flat Branch has been good. They have the best grilled chicken in the world and one of my favorite things is finding something so simple executed so perfectly. Appetizers: chokes & cheese if you're an artichoke fan, green chili chicken fingers (2nd best I've ever had, especially with their homemade ranch and honey mustard), and pretzels with spinach dip (get beer mustard and pesto on the side, too!) are my favorites. Entrees: As I said, the charbroiled chicken sandwich is seriously yummy with the sautéed vegetable medley as a side! The chicken and andouille pasta is also terrific when I'm in the mood for something heavier. Beers: I'm not a beer girl, but my boyfriend loves the honey wheat and the IPA. I can tell you that the cocktails are well made and delish! Visit here if you're ever in Columbia!!
(4)Cathryn K.
Fabulous burgers and tasty beers. We waited less than 10 minutes to be seated and our beers were brought out almost immediately. Our server was friendly and our food came quickly. Atmosphere was a bit noisy inside but not excessively. There was a longer wait to eat on the patio, which would have been perfect on a warm August Friday night.
(4)Lisa B.
I had their pizza, probably should not have.. I've still not acquired a taste for communion bread pizza. But the atmosphere of this place is so refreshing compared to most places in the college district. My friend had the Green Chili Beer with a hint of tomato sauce. Sounds pretty gross huh! It was very good. I had a sip and it tasted sooo different and had a small bite to it, but really, was so different it was fun! Service was great and their outside seating is very soothing and relaxing covered with vines and very quiet. Go there if you get to Columbia, well worth it.
(5)Marina S.
If you don't order the chokes n' cheese, the Flatbranch burger and one of their seasonal beers (or rootbeeer), you are doing it wrong. Flatbranch was a staple when Mom and Dad came to visit. I still dream of the day I will be reunited with the Flatbranch burger.
(4)Sarah H.
I feel like I should be giving Flat Branch a higher rating but I just can't bring myself to. I do enjoy coming here and have had a generally good experience. I feel the food is average. Doesn't seem spectacular to me but most people I go with love it. I do love the Oil Change Stout beer over all of their beers. I also love doing the sampler. My fiancée is a huge fan of the Green Chili beer. Me not so much, but different tastes. They also have a spectacular applesauce. Service is generally good. But it seems if its bad, its really REALLY bad. Usually, if I'm drinking here, I'm having a good time and don't notice a less than attentive server. I brought some family here once. My brother-in-law ordered the honey wheat beer. It was dead flat. When we said something to the server, he shrugged, and said that is how it is. We all tasted it and no that is not how it is. I tried the cream soda and it went between being overly sweet to bitter like it wasn't mixed properly.
(3)Brittany K.
Excellent food, atmosphere, price and service!
(5)Thelma B.
Local brewery. Also makes great root beer and cream soda! You can order a tasting size of about seven different beers for a reasonable price to see which ones you like. Their brewmaster is very good!.. The food is pub food, typical but quite good. The crowd is young and trendy, but the staff is courteous and friendly to all who come
(5)Mark S.
Great beer, good food. The chokes and cheese on the Flat Branch burger was great. Good service despite a full house.
(5)John S.
Burgers are good and the rest of the menu is descent but the service leaves a little to be desired. Thinking that patrons are not too concerned since this is clearly a beer depot.
(3)Nelly P.
I came for a night out alone. I sat at the bar. I had pizza, the charred romaine salad, and a beer sampler. The charred romaine salad was awesome. The pizza was perfectly cooked, but the top was covered in some prefab salt-garlic-spice that was disappointing. The ESB was anything but bitter. The IPA had a good nose, but ended up flat in the mouth. Most disappointing was the service. I was at the bar and the most personable person was the guy washing glasses. He was lovely. They do have a broad scotch selection. Maybe I will come back for a salad...
(3)James S.
Nothing bad to say about this place. Delicious food. Amazing drinks. Friendly service. Fun atmosphere to take family or friends for lunch or dinner!
(5)Melissa G.
Second time here and hasn't disappointed us yet. Cool outdoor seating area to chill and enjoy a beverage. A must try is the house made Root Beer! Visit today had us just before a huge lunch rush and when we left the wait was already pretty long but people seemed to not have any issues with waiting. Staff was very friendly and we were seated at a high top in the bar area. Ordered the Flat Branch Burger - a thick burger with their "Famous Choke and Cheese Dip" piled on top. I added crispy bacon (perfectly cooked fyi...not limp) and had a side of the beer battered onion rings. Yummy! That dip is amazing and noted for the next visit to be sure to get as an appetizer. Great atmosphere to watch a game , grab a beer and enjoy some great food.
(4)Jennifer S.
We've dined here a few times and enjoyed all of the meals we've had. Tonight we came to satisfy a burger craving. This was exactly what I wanted. 1/2 pound burger with bacon and cheddar. Toppings on the side (lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles) and a good side serving of fries. The burger was a perfect medium rare and the bacon was two thick-cut, full length strips. The cheddar was also a decent slice. The buns are a soft, but they toast them on the grill to give a nice crunch. I paired the burger with the Green Chili Ale and it was a great way to cut the fat. Service here has always been good for me, but we usually sit at the bar so getting service isn't hard. Tonight our waitress checked in just enough that I didn't feel interrupted. Wait time on a summer Monday is nothing, we didn't even have a problem getting a spot in the small lot.
(4)Rhonda L.
We were a group of 7 and had about a 30 minute wait on a Thursday evening. We were wise enough to put our name on both the inside and outside waiting lists. Luckily for us we got called for outside seating first which is what we really wanted. Food was good. Served hot with all items served at the same time and prepared correctly. Large menu with good healthy options. Serving sizes are very large. Service was excellent. The restaurant was very busy and our waiter was still attentive and checked in with us regularly. They had a large drink menu, but we were not drinking this visit. I would definitely eat here again and recommend giving it a try.
(4)Juliana P.
Tried this place my first night in Columbia, and if I return to the area I will be going back! The daily soup--gaspacho--tasted more like a salsa in a cup, so I won't be ordering that again, however the grilled romaine salad was the BOMB. I really want to try and recreate this at home now. What a perfect summer meal! I wanted to order take out, which they said had to be done from the bar, but the service there was pretty slow--order a drink while you wait or call ahead!
(4)Deana W.
Food- 4 stars Ambiance-3 stars Prices/Portions- 4 stars Menu options - 4 stars Service - 4 stars Patio - 4 stars If you are trying to decide where to eat... This is it! Good food, a lovely patio, attentive service, all at a remarkably reasonable price. The soft, hot Pretzel is "to die for" ! A delicious foot long braided pretzel, covered with a heavy sprinkling of coarse salt. For $1 extra try it with the spinach artichoke dip. Yum! Jalapeño cheddar hush puppies are crispy on the outside, with a delicate crumb on the inside. There are not nearly enough jalapeños to suit my taste, but the spicy Remoulade sauce more than makes up for the missing pepper action. Last, but not least, the Bacon Flat Branch Burger. This is a thick, smoky burger, topped with pepper jack cheese (my cheesy choice), crispy bacon, served on an egg bun with all the fixins. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles adorn this delectable burger. The outdoor patio is lovely place to while away the evening, drinking craft beer and enjoying a hearty meal, but alas, I'm driving across Missouri, so beer, even a perfectly crafted ale is not an approved travel beverage. But, if you are able to take the time to stop and smell the roses...this patio would be a good spot to do it, and Spring the perfect season.
(4)Christian Y.
M'eh this place was really just ok. They had a really good beer selection but the food was a strong attempt at being something new without being tested tasted or reviewed... My pulled pork was really dry, the sauce they brought with it I think was meant to moisten it up a touch but really just (I'm sorry to say this) tasted more like a wet dog than food. Nonetheless, a pig died to fit in my belly and I put the food down. Everyone else seemed content with their selections but the cleanliness also needed some attention. We waited 45 minutes and still ended up with a sticky table and something to put between our teeth. The Stars this place really gets are for its beers and for the fact that everyone at the table seemed content. The ambiance seemed active too and that's always a plus. Maybe if I come here again I just won't order the pulled pork again!
(3)Marilyn W.
Hubby had Dr Pepper pork sliders and we split onion rings. He said sliders were good but not amazing. I had grilled romaine salad with grilled chicken - yummy. Service was great and we dined on the patio since weather was cool.
(4)Brett R.
I'm sure this is no surprise to anyone, but I LOVE this place. I think their Green Chili beer is one of my favorite beers I've had, and always get one any time I'm back in Columbia. Great beer selection, food, and everything is priced very fairly. Have never had a poor experience at Flat Branch.
(5)Brian T.
Burgers are enjoyable, but you go here for the beer. They offer a sampler ($7.50-ish?) of several beers. At that point, you realize it's all about the Green Chili Brew.
(4)David A.
Great location and food. Plan on waiting for a seat but it's worth it. Food for all taste and a great selection of beers.
(5)Allyson B.
I came here hoping to have some really good beer, since it is after all a brewery. I ordered a flight and was kicking myself after I had taken sips from each of them only to make the "Oh that is not good" face. Please, don't let anyone talk you into trying their green chili beer-- it's not good. More of the focus is on the food which is actually pretty decent. They offer a lot of your typical pub food like pizza, burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, as well as pasta and steak. I ordered the green chili chicken fingers with a side of slaw and fried to snack on. The green chili chicken fingers are actually really tasty! It came with a side of their homemade honey mustard sauce which didn't taste like honey mustard at all... in fact it was largely horseradish if anything =\ If you're not into horseradish, I wouldn't recommend it. Overall, I wasn't really impressed with the selection on the menu. It was all over the place. And honestly, I wish the beer was better! Flat Branch gets 3 stars only because my green chili chicken fingers were good and the bartender was cool as hell.
(3)Emily S.
I've been here several times and I think it's one of the best restruants in Columbia. The food is great and the service is awesome. I highly reccommend the Adobo Tacos (OMG.) But I will say - that they don't name their beers. I would expect a brewery to have names for their brews besides the generic types of beer. That was a little disappointing - but the food is fantastic and the ambiance is great! I highly recommend!
(5)Teena C.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. I visited her with my mom and it was just wonderful. I had a Flatbranch burger that comes topped with the house made artichoke cheese dip. The fries were the best I've ever had and I also ordered a side of the pesto and it was delicious. I had the Katy Trial Pale Ale and it was super. My mom had big roast beef sandwich and fries and was pleased. She had the special beer, Apricot Ale, and it was very good. We started with an order of onion rings and ranch dressing. This place is fantastic.
(4)Debbie W.
Definitely worth a stop. Food was delicious, we were told there would be about 20 minutes until we were seated, and it was barely 5 min. Server was quick and attentive, even though it was busy. Portions were large enough that we had to take some home with us. There appeared to be some live music playing on the outside patio. Prices were reasonable on everything! Would recommend stopping in if you are in the area.
(4)Dave G.
The best....excellent service, unique but solid menu and great atmosphere, every town should be so lucky to have a Flat Branch
(5)Dustin M.
Food is fair but the brews are fantastic. If you are brave, try a watermelon ale. The stout is very good and possibly their best.
(5)Ray B.
There were four of us from work (two whom don't get out much) and it was a success. Beer selection was great. The food only hit 50%- the two that ordered the cat fish stated it was over cooked/ tasted burn; when I told the waitress that our guest from Alabama thought that the cat fish was over cooked, I got the deer in the head lights look and the canned response 'can I take it back and get you a new order' (while the rest of the party is ten minutes pasted done?). But the bread pudding made up for past sins- two in our party enjoyed it as if it was their last meal.
(4)Keith H.
Yes, it's loud. Yes, there's often a long wait. That's pretty common when so many people love this place. The food is wonderful and very vegetarian-friendly. I also love the craft beers. When my family asks me where I want to go for Father's Day or my birthday, my answer is always the same: Flat Branch.
(5)Joshua B.
Flat Branch offered a wide range of food and drinks. They also had a inviting atmosphere. Upon arrival, there was about 20 minute wait but we were offered to the bar to grab drinks while we waited. They about 10 beers that they brewed in house. I had the Irish Red Ale and it was good. Their menu was pretty large and offered for just about any person. We got these green chili chicken strips and hush puppies for our table. Both of those appetizers were really good. I ordered the Northwestern Chicken which has feta cheese and basil on it. It was grilled perfectly and the flavors went together seamlessly. It was served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. They both were made great. I also had a half of a burger and it was delicious. They use really good meat at Flat Branch and I could definitely taste it. The server was alright. She wasn't as attentive as we wanted her to be but there were busy and it was understandable. She also screwed up our checks but we didn't make a big deal about it. They have a really huge space to fit tons of people including a nice outdoor seating area. Flat Branch was overall a perfect experience. I'd recommend it as the first place to go in town.
(5)Adam T.
Always has good food and a good atmosphere. The beer menu is what truly shines in this microbrew. I suggest everyone who goes try atleast 1 beer if they are of the appropriate age.
(5)Heather Anne B.
I've been here a few times. Once on a date, once while entertaining the mother-in-law, and once when my family came to town. The food is good enough, and the place is nice enough, that it works for all sorts of occasions. I've eaten different things each time and so far most of it is pretty good! I didn't care much for the garlic five cheese pizza, but the margherita pizza was delightful (if a little messy) and the veggie burger was really tasty. And the honey wheat beer is amazing! I'm not a big drinker but it was light and easy to drink. I have had service that was incredible, but also service that was slow. But if you are looking for a nice place to eat that doesn't cost a whole paycheck, this isn't a bad place at all.
(4)Kim E.
Service was great. My friend and I got to try some samples. The food was delicious, but the wait was long. The atmosphere was fun and lively.
(3)Ted N.
Stopped in on the way home from Omaha after thanksgiving, and we really enjoyed it. I had the hobgobbler and it's fantastic as always. Wife had a salad she loved it. I had the green chili beer which I've enjoyed since college. Flatbranch has very good, homey food that you will enjoy. Prices are reasonable. Beer is good with something for everyone, even if it is not as "premium" as some microbreweries.
(5)Taylor J.
Food - 2/5 Drinks - 3/5 Atmosphere - 2/5 Service - 2/5 Coming through Columbia on a road trip, we were excited to stop into a local restaurant and hopefully have some great food. Being so highly rated and having a large number of reviews, we were hopeful and anticipated a great meal. We left disappointed in numerous ways. Beginning with the food, we started with the jalapeño hush puppies. Half of them were undercooked. They desperately needed salt and overall didn't taste very good. Served with a spicy remoulade, the entire appetizer was off and made no sense to us. The remoulade tasted like spicy brown mustard with some mayo in it. A traditional remoulade or even a sweet (rasp)berry dipping sauce would be so much more appetizing. Simply a bad choice, we were hopeful for a better experience with our main course. I ordered the Big Chief Burger - my wife ordered the Summer Garden Pesto Pizza. I asked for medium cook on the burger, but it came very well - even a bit charred on the edges. The patty was quite a bit smaller than the bun, and was very thick in the center. It made for an awkward experience trying to eat a small burger patty with a huge bun and huge toppings. Also underwhelming was the "fried egg" that was atop the burger, which was cooked over-hard and quite over-done as well resulting in a very rubbery texture. The pizza was a bit overcooked - a bit too much char from the brick oven. The toppings seemed fresh, but it was overall bland. The pesto seemed rather "thin" lacking taste and texture. Wouldn't be surprised if it was from a jar. The beer was good - they've got an alright selection and the glasses they serve it in appear to be a larger true "english pint". Overall though we were pretty displeased with the quality of the food for the price we paid. The atmosphere is the usual bar/grill vibe - kind of like an Applebee's, Cheddars, or 54th Street chain restaurant. Lacked character a bit, to be honest. One thing that was odd - It was a humid 85+ degree day, and at 7pm when we walked in we immediately noticed that the restaurant was warm. High 70's likely. As we ate and had a beer we warmed up even more so - we were lightly sweating by the time we left. Not a fun time. Our waitress was less than enthusiastic and was little help as to recommendations or suggestions regarding menu items. We noticed older patrons and larger parties getting "sold" on beer tastings and higher priced menu items, while we got none of that service. It was our waitress' loss though - I would've very much enjoyed a beer tasting or more expensive menu item had she suggested it. She didn't refill our waters, and didn't ask if we wanted another beer until we were done with our food. Bummer. Overall I think Flat Branch doesn't live up to the hype it has here on yelp. It's got an amazing potential to be a great restaurant with a seemingly scratch kitchen that can produce one-off limited specials and such, but It lacks follow through with cooking and preparation practices which limits it's ability to be truly great.
(2)James B.
Dope! I've definitely had a great experience at this restaurant/pub. The service was excellent, she always came at the correct to to check up on us, a big noisy but what do you except from a college town? If it weren't so far from where I lived I'd come here every other night, but I'd settle for once a week. I had the Smoked Salmon Pasta, it was so good. I want to have it again but I vowed to try everything on the menu, and my brew for the day was Belgian Post, definitely a good look. But like I said I will be having everything on that menu.
(5)Kayli P.
This is our favorite restaurant in Columbia. Excellent menu with reasonable prices. They have variable specials and they are frequently adding new dishes to the menu based on the season. We have been numerous times and I have ordered a different dish most every time. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite as I enjoyed each one. I don't really drink beer, but I have tasted what my husband orders. Based on his report, the beers could be better for a brewery, but are still pretty good and overall we love the place.
(4)Brett F.
Have only visited once, but had a great experience. Food was excellent... Lots of options, fresh ingredients, and very tasty. Good beer options, for those that like to indulge. Overall, a great place to visit in como.
(5)Jim S.
Varied menu, energetic atmosphere, great food prep, good service, services large parties, excellent value.
(4)Lindsay A.
I had the privilege of having a meal here last month when I was visiting my sister in Columbia, MO. She brought me here telling me it was one of her favorite restaurants in the area. We grabbed a table outside on their adorable patio and looked over the beer menu first, of course. We decided to get a flight and try six of their drafts. The chile beer was my favorite. This batch was very spicy, which I liked! We browsed their food menu and decided on the artichoke dip to start. It was SO good. They served it in a bread bowl with some fresh veggies. It was a large portion. We ended up taking a lot of it home. For my entree, I ordered a veggie burger with mashed potatoes as my side. Screw eating completely healthy, I am on vacation! I'm glad I went with this meal. It was one of the best veggie burgers I have had. My sister ordered one of their burgers, she enjoyed her meal also. The service was great! He was very attentive and had a great personality! I wish Flat Branch had a location in Denver. Everything was wonderful!
(5)C. H.
I ate here yesterday and have probably 3 other times. They have a huge selection, big servings and good quality food. In my opinion the menu is too large, it's one of those where you ask yourself... well, sure but what are you good at? I like the burgers, always tasty and my wife had the philly yesterday which looked better than my burger. The beer isn't even close to being on the level off many of my other small brewery favorites. I had the Brown Ale this past time and it didn't touch Civil Life... just saying... Good spot though, stop on in.
(3)J D.
Good spot in COMO, beer was great I recommend Katy Trail IPA , food was good I did the peach and Pork Belly Sourdough pizza. Service was OK, but I sat at the bar to eat and it was very spread out and a lot for the one bartender to cover.
(4)Christopher P.
I know, pubs/breweries seem to be a dime-a-dozen when it comes to college towns, but the Flat Branch Pub and Brewery does a very nice job with the format. I have eaten here on many occasions, but my most recent visit will be what is reviewed here. My friend and I were wandering around downtown Columbia on the last Sunday of the University of Missouri's spring break, and many traditional bars were packed. We walked by Flat Branch, and noticed space on the patio open, so this seemed like a natural choice. Flat Branch offers around a dozen beers at any given time, although they produce numerous styles depending on the season or the whims of the brewmaster. The styles range all over the place, from altbiers and Dubbels to traditional English IPAs and ESBs. The Green Chili Beer is probably the most unusual beer on the menu, with a subtle spicy kick that accentuates the light body, making it a good cool or warm weather choice. Tonight, however, I chose the Extra Special Bitter (ESB) while my friend had the Honey Wheat. The ESB was a bit maltier than I usually expect with the style, but despite this extra sweetness it was enjoyable on the patio. My friend's beer was much better, and she swears by it as being among the best on the menu. After trying it, I could hardly disagree. Light and balanced, with a crispness at the back end, it works very well as a spring or summer choice. Now, how often does a reviewer mention the chicken tenders as a notable dish for a restaurant? I was somewhat skeptical when my friend ordered the appetizer as an entree (I opted for the smoked pork loin with vegetable and rice pilaf), but soon discovered why. Green chiles in the seasoning, along with a perfectly textured breading, made the tenders absolutely wonderful! I never would have thought to include tenders as a highlight of a meal, but these certainly deserve the attention. My pork loin was excellent as well - tender, slightly dry as a cured meat should be, and full of flavor without being overly smoky - but I found myself stealing more and more from my friend's plate as the meal went on. This was a light meal for us, but reinforces the perception I've always had of Flat Branch as a great restaurant with fresh and solid brews. While no beers are truly worthy of fawning attention (that I've noticed, yet), they are solid styles and quaffable, while the food is better than you might otherwise expect from a college-town pub. Worthy of attention and return visits, and a nice casual place for many meals to come.
(4)Patrick C.
Fairly generic food... with a fairly generic staff. I think we have far better places to eat in Columbia for this place to be rated number on Yelp! It is very large space which means it can be really loud inside depending on the crowd! I WISH they would take reservations because they are almost always on a wait!
(2)Mikee R.
This place was close to where I was working. It is a interesting place with decent pub food. The staff was friendly and my food was prepared perfect.
(5)Scott M.
I've eaten here several times on trips through COMO and have always had a good meal. We had pretzels with spinach dip as an appetizer which was quite tasty. I followed this up with a bacon cheeseburger and fries that were very good. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. Looking forward to my next stop here.
(5)Roxanne O.
I'm not a beer drinker so take my review with a grain of salt if you're stopping by for the beer... I stopped in on a blustery Friday night and found the place to be backed. I was able to weasel my way into a seat at the bar to wait for a table. And wait, we did! The place was packed-zilla. My beer drinking companion was a little disappointed that they didn't offer a traditional beer sampler, although he was able to order small glasses of beer to try. It was a little odd, but it worked. Again, I never ever drink beer but he had me take a sip of the green chili beer. It really tasted just like eating a pepper. Not sure if that was awesome or awful but it was definitely unique. I had an ok pasta dish and my friend had a salmon dish. We were honestly more impressed by the beer than the food, so...I'd suggest eating elsewhere and then heading to this pub for some brews.
(3)Kevin B.
I absolutely love this place. This trip they had a 2009 Barley Wine. It was a great surprise. I usually always get the garlic five cheese pizza. This time I went with the special smoke duck and apple pizza. It was great but not as good as the garlic five cheese. Son had the kids cheese pizza and said it was amazing. Wife had tomato soup and said it was good. Daughter loved her buttery noodles. I will be back many more times when driving across Missouri. Tried to eat there today and there was a 25-30 min wait for lunch so we went somewhere else.
(5)Nick D.
I'm ashamed to report that I didn't tip at this location. I always tip 20-30%. This is the first time in my life I haven't tipped a server. I was very appalled at the service I received. It was inconsistent and our waitress was not nice. After waiting 45 minutes for a table we sat down to eat reheated food. The sandwich wasn't horrible but the price didn't justify it. I've noticed walking from classes to business downtown during the day that they have received shipments of frozen foods. Ill save my money and life next time someone suggest Flat Branch Pub and goto the grocery store and heat it up myself.
(2)Linda G.
They have a paleo plate just meat and veggies, thank you guys! You just made traveling across the country much easier.
(4)Jimmy M.
Flat Branch is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The burger are always a good option. The burrito is my top choice. For appetizers, I recommend the pretzels or fries. The servings of fries are large portions. Flat Branch has incredible beer. Brown Ale and Oil Change are my favorite. Late night half price pizzas is also great.
(5)Heather P.
On the way back home to Kansas City, I recently stopped to explore the little downtown area of Columbia, Missouri. I saw most of what I expected to see of a college town-several coffeeshops, Lots of bars, a park or two, and the hustle and bustle of a Monday lunch-time rush. It was a gorgeous day but because time was limited, I did not get to explore as much as I would have liked, but the one place that I did find worthy of review is Flat Branch Pub and Brewing. I arrived at this brewpub a good 30 minutes before my friends were set to arrive so I sat down at the bar to try a few samplers and was delighted to find soccer on their tv's. The volume was down and the sound system was blaring the strangest mix of music I had ever heard-seriously, My Heart Will Go On, actually came on before the bartender couldn't take it anymore and changed the station. I was overwhelmed with suggestions from my KC friends on which beers to try so the bartender allowed me to try a couple of tasters before I settled on 5oz pours of their Oil Change stout and the very popular Honey Wheat. Next on my list was to try the Green Chili beer but sadly I ran out of time and did not want to have too much before hitting the road again. The food, like the beer, was good. I was not blown away by my meal-a vegetarian wrap with house-made hummus served with sweet potato chips-but it was good and I was starving! My friends ordered a burger and a fish meal both which looked excellent. The prices were extremely reasonable-all three of us ate for under $25 total and left the table stuffed. The bartender also covered my second glass so in my book, that is always a plus! I do hope to get to Columbia again soon so that I can continue trying their beer offerings-they have some rare beers that sounded delicious and had I not had to drive, I definitely would have sampled those as well. I liked my food and beer but I feel like my favorite Flat Branch beer is still somewhere on that tap wall and I'd like to try their pizza or another one of their signature dishes...it all looked great.
(4)Brian P.
Mediocre food, decent but unexciting beer. You can do much better in both categories at Broadway Brewery or 44 Stone.
(3)Kelly B.
I'm so sick of coming here and getting bad service, no water refills, our appetizer plate was still on our table when the check arrived after sitting on the edge of the table our entire meal, it also happens later in the evening when all the servers are ready to go home, and I'm not talking about during the rush, I'm talking consistent horrible service, I will no longer tip until is see improvement
(3)Archana S.
5 stars and every one of them are for the Creme Brulee! Fantastic! My husband and I share one, when we eat there. And sometimes we just go there for the dessert. I crack open the caramelized crunchy brown sugar crust and dig into the creamy gooey chewy warm deliciousness . Its an incredible experience. Its a nice restaurant, nice friendly ambience for friends to hang out. I absolutely love their fries and the salsa -horseradish dip. Its super . Next time, I'll upload the picture of the creme brulee. :D
(5)Brittany K.
Excellent food, atmosphere, price and service!
(5)Stephanie O.
Seriously....If you've never been to Flat Branch you are missing out! This is by far my absolute favorite place in Columbia to eat (I would choose this over Columbia's famous Shakespeare's Pizza any day!) As an MU graduate, I miss the days of sitting on Flat Branch's patio in the summer...sipping on their fresh brewed beer and enjoying the scenery. The beer is brewed on site and they always offer a variety to choose from. The food here is what always brings me back. If you live in Columbia and have never been here (although I have no idea how that would be possible), leave where you are right now and go try Flat Branch's "Chokes 'N Cheese". Even if you don't live in Columbia and can drive there....go now! This amazing concoction is heaven. Although it sounds generic....Artichokes mixed with spinach and cheese, served in a bread bowl and veggies....it's not! This is by far my favorite item on the menu. Their homemade pizzas, sandwiches, and nachos are also very good. Basically anything on their menu will not disappoint...I promise! Most likely you will have to wait (not too long) to get a table because this place is usually busy, but it's worth it. What are you waiting for....GO NOW!
(5)Isabella B.
This was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Columbia, MO. Their beers are amazing and the "Oil Change" one still brings a smile to my face just by thinking about it. Ask for the beer sampler and you can taste some of them. Their Spicy Spinach Dip and Pesto & Artichoke Pizza are sooooo good as everything they make. Hopefully I ll be back some day.
(5)Tom F.
Didn't really expect a college town brewpub to be this good. Have been to flat Branch several times, and have enjoyed myself on each occasion. I especially recommend the catfish - breading is crispy and assertively spiced, a nice change from the usual fish and chips. And, like everything here, pretty reasonably priced too! Beers are brewed to style (no pale ales that are so hoppy they could be an IPA, etc) and you can't beat $4.50 regular price for a solid pint. Efficient service, not overly friendly but they were there when I needed them.
(5)Lacey C.
In all fairness, since posting the rather awful customer service review of Flatbranch, their current manager has been trying to get to the bottom of things. But that's what he's been doing--trying to get to the bottom. Not really trying to smooth over my personal experience--more just looking to crucify someone in his business. Several times. I was never really moved by his words or vague apologies, but at least they tried.
(2)Bryan M.
Even if you're not a micro-brew maven, the food is worth the visit. I'm a big fan of the Flat Branch Burger with the chokes and cheese sauce. But, last week, I tried the french dip sandwich and was pleased. It's a bit noisy, and pretty casual, but always seems busy. Nice little patio area for those days where one prefers to be outdoors.
(4)Uninvited G.
Flat Branch has been a Brewpub in Columbia for almost two decades. Every beer they serve is brewed in-house and is served in traditional imperial pint sized glasses (that's approx. 20 oz. vs. 16 oz.). Furthermore, they offer a "carry out" service for their beer. You can either provide your own growler (1/2 gallon) or buy one from the Bar and they will fill it up for your take-home pleasure. They also serve a variety of Americana-styled pub/bar food that is really quite good. If you're looking for casual bar food, this restaurant is the best you can get in Columbia. The Beer: They offer a selection of "always on tap" beers that range from silky dark stouts ("Oil Change Stout") to wildly hoppy pale ales that are quite quaffable and will slake the thirst of travelers and revelers alike. Their beer is always high quality and I have only compliments to the care and dedication of their master brewer. They also usually have a wide variety of seasonal or somewhat experimental beer on tap. These beers vary according to availability but are always a joy to experience. The Food: This is where Flat Branch falls "flat". While as I said it is fantastic bar food, the fact remains that it IS bar food, and frankly I am unimpressed. Their brick oven pizzas are the best items on the menu, however they could be made better if the crust was thinner (like a traditional Italian pizza). It's too doughy. After that, they do have unique items like "chokes n' cheese" but really, aside from that, nothing on the menu stands out as being very good. The atmosphere: This is another place they shine. With a well-shaded outdoor patio and an indoor area that is styled in an industrial-modern fashion, the atmosphere is really great for relaxing and enjoying oneself, though it can get very loud inside at times. Overall I would say come here for the beer, don't get your hopes up too high about the food, relax, and have a good time. It's a great place to spend an evening with a few friends.
(3)Matt B.
I'm sure that I love a craft beer. I know this because if a place makes their own I have yet to rate them below four stars. That being said, Flat has great food, beer, and atmosphere. Beer is the real star. Try them all and take a few gallons of your favorite home.
(4)Sarah S.
You'll be hard-pressed to find better food & beer at a reasonable price in Columbia. My favorite is the bacon chicken sandwich with avocado & sweet potato chips. It's also kid-friendly with a nice kid menu. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)Cassie D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Columbia. Service has left something to be desired over my last 4-5 visits. Some of their wait staff are rude, many are inattentive, often they are unapologetic. The management is more apologetic and obviously takes more pride in their business than their employees do. That being said, the food is usually amazing. Some personal faves of mine are the seared ahi tuna and the creme brulee bread pudding. The atmosphere is wonderful. The beer is fantastic.
(3)Sarah D.
Great atmosphere! I had a delicious salad. My friend had a sausage and mushroom pizza and a green chili beer. It really tasted like green chilies! We will be back.
(5)Christopher D.
Beer- Flat Branch not only has an extensive variety of great beers that are mainstays, but great rotating choices as well based on the season. My favorite over the years has been Larry's APA. A flavorful brew with just the right amount of hops with an amazing aroma to boot. Generally have something on tap for just about anyone, from an oil change stout to a honey wheat and everything in between. Food- Several long time favorites but this changes seasonally as well. You can never go wrong with a burger cooked to order, choice of cheese and a hearty portion of a side. Staff- Flat Branch gets extremely busy daily but employs some of the best people you could find. Generally a great mix of college students beginning their journey up to the seasoned vets with over a decade of service. Due to the busy nature of the restaurant you may not become best friends off the bat but I can say that I've seen some amazing relationships form with regulars and employees that wouldn't be traded for the world. I had the pleasure of working for Tom, Lance, Larry, and the gang for almost 6 years. I would recommend giving Flat Branch a try more than once to truly get the feel for this wonderful establishment.
(5)Chris M.
Four stars for the beer and three for the food. Food was just OK. Nothing to write home about. The beer however, was outstanding! Our favorite was the chili pepper beer. I know it sounds odd and like it might not be very tasty, but it was excellent. Not sure which beer to try? Order the sampler. You get to choose which beers to try. Great idea and helps you narrow down your choices without purchasing an entire pint. In warm weather you can enjoy outdoor seating. Great place in a great college town.
(4)Eileen R.
Oh, Flat Branch! How I miss basking in the glow of your twinkling patio lights! If you live in or visit Columbia, you must go here to eat. I say this as girl who has lived in cities famous for food...Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle. This place is hands-down one of my all time favorites. I've had sooo many things off their menu and have never been disappointed. The chokes & cheese dip is good enough to make you forget the worst day of your life. AND you can put it on your BURGER! Or put it on your grilled chicken sandwich! YUM. The brick oven pizzas are totally delish. Something else they cook in that brick oven....CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES the size of your face. If you want the cookie, place the order for it as soon as your main course is delivered because it takes 20 minutes to bake. Get it with the Tiger Stripe Ice Cream that is also made right there in CoMo. The charbroiled romaine salad sounds interesting/weird, but it's delicious. Especially topped with chicken. Fries are really good and so are the green chili chicken tenders. And the stout brownie. And the stout float. And the stout. They brew their own ROOT BEER. I shed tears missing this place sometimes. :'(
(5)Abby S.
I was really unimpressed with this Columbia, MO eatery/brewery. With all of the positive reviews, it seemed like this would be a no-brainer. Here are my complaints (in no particular order): - There was a long wait at 2 pm... really? It seemed like people were eating fast enough, but the bussers were in no huge rush to clear tables and turn that sh*t around. - The setup of this place is really awkward. There's really nowhere to wait to be seated unless you go to the bar. And the servers bringing out large trays of food always seem to be in the way. - Food is bleh! I tried a few different menu items and they were both bland/nothing to write home about. A few reviewers compared the food to Applebee's but I think Applebee's does way better. - The root beer that they tout is way too sweet. Under normal circumstances, I'll pick a soda over water. After taking one sip of the root beer, I stuck with water for the rest of the meal. A few additional notes: - I didn't try any of the beer... And it has to be good. Otherwise, why would people flock here? - Our server was super sweet. Very attentive and great at anticipating our needs. And I saw her lug around a tray of food that was half of her body weight with ease. - The outdoor patio area looks really cool. On a fall day, this would be a fun place to hang out. Just eat before you come :) Since I don't live in CoMo and have some other faves close by, I doubt I'd be back. But if someone had a specific beer to sample, I could be persuaded otherwise.
(2)Marla K.
Tried this place on the recommendation of a friend of a friend. Glad we did! Mostly a great experience...Best crab cakes I've had in the midwest (loved the chipoltle sauce). Awesome pretzels for ap (get them with the spinach cheese dip). My husband had grilled tuna...said it was the best he's had...great grilled flavor, no fishy taste. My daughter said the restaurant-made cream soda was also excellent (but no free refills!). On the ok side...Pub burger was good quality, but could have had a bit more grilled flavor. Fries had a nice crispy coating...would have been great but overly salted. Green Chile Beer was interesting...pretty good mild beer going down but right after you swallow you get a sense you've just consumed a chile releno. Meh...Katy Trail Ale...bitter. Great patio for outside dining...nice and shady.
(4)Lulu W.
Me: "Can you tell me how long the wait is?" Outdoor bro-stess: "Well, there are 4 people ahead of you." Me: "...so....." Outdoor bro-stess: "I don't know." Me: "We'll sit inside." Once seated, our actual server was so scarce, I watched our beers warm up on the bar after the bartender poured them. I almost got up and snatched them myself. She had some big tables, but the restaurant was not nearly as busy as it can be. It seemed like she had a, "they're a cool couple, they'll be fine waiting a few" attitude. Well, let me tell you, I'm the oldest child and have been treated like I'll be fine for too long. I'm NOT fine. You're not my mother. I'm paying you to take care of me. I want my GD beer and here's my fit to prove it! Poor, incompetent service in restaurants is turning me into a bitch. I swear it. A resounding three star for your shadyass service, Flatbranch. Your food and drink is consistently good, which keeps me wanting more (I can't get enough of your Green Chili Beer this summer), but your waitstaff needs some help! Break out the whip!
(3)Adam W.
I'm not much of a drinker... but when I do make it to this pub I can't help but order 2 of there soft pretzels with the spinach cheese dip
(4)Clayton R.
Have you ever been dreaming peacefully, when all of the sudden you are attacked by delicious pretzel twists accompanied by large vats of spinach and artichoke dip for bodyguards? Surprised, your only defense is to start eating the pretzels, with the help of your sidekick, zesty spinach dip? THEN have you ever further dreamed of swimming in delicious microbrew? That is how I feel whenver I go to Flat Branch. It's a GREAT place. Wonderful food, dirt cheap prices on micros and an awesome outside seating area. I think this is one of my favorite restaurants in Columbia for the money, and one that I frequent when returning to visit the city of my alma mater. If you enjoy beer, good food, sports, outdoors, oxygen, meatloaf, hamburgers, pretzels, beer, delicious, beer, or _____, then you will love Flat Branch. Sure, the service can be a little lacking, but what do you expect in a college town? Who cares, for a few bucks a pint, I'll drink away my waitresses shortcomings in the company of friends. Awesome place. Wooohooo!
(5)Dustin H.
My fiance and I have enjoyed dinner here a few times now. The service and atmosphere were very nice. We will certainly be back for more!
(4)Andrew P.
I have had fairly good service and really good food every time I've been here. Some of the seasonal dishes are ones I would love year 'round (bangers and mash!), their pizzas are excellent, and it's local. I also really love the cream soda, which I think is made on site.
(4)Ki M.
Being from Chicago, I can truly say I can not find a place out here that compares to the food back home. I find the Flat Branch is the best I've had so far. I finally have a place I can go to and get decent catfish. There's a few other items on the menu that are good as well. They have a little bit of everything.
(4)George R.
There's no question Flat Branch is one of the most successful restaurants in Columbia history. The question is why. I find most of the beers to be too sweet and the food to be average. The service is spotty. Earlier this year I wanted to eat alone at the bar. The place was reasonably busy but not slammed. The bar staff ignored me for 15 minutes then finally took an order for a drink and gave me a menu. That was the last time anyone paid any attention to me at all. I finally just left. It was as if I was invisible. We'll always go there occasionally because we like the patio, but there are many better places to eat in Columbia.
(2)Zach J.
Best place for a burger and root beer in downtown. Sometimes a wait can be expected but it's worth it
(5)Jason R.
I am impressed with Flat Branch. I'm from out-of-town visiting for business. This place was very crowded, so you know they are doing something right. The bar tender went out of his way to make sure I got the beer I wanted and the food tasted good and beer even better (IPA). I will be back for sure!
(5)Marty McFly M.
I enjoyed both my beer and food at Flat Branch. I had two of the American Pale Ales with dinner. The beers were delicious, but I felt a little hungover the next morning ( I'm not THAT much of a lightweight.) I ordered the Southwest Chicken sandwich. The chicken was moist and the foccacia bun complimented it well. I ordered the onion rings as my side which were not as crisp as I generally prefer, but still very good. The service was satisfactory. I was with a group of seven, so it took a while for our food to come out; however, our water glasses were always full and we were never short on beer. I would definitely suggest stopping by Flat Branch when you're in Columbia - just stick to one beer if it is a week night.
(4)Tony F.
I don't know what's to say about Flat Branch that hasn't been said. It's definitely one of my very favorite restaurants in Columbia, and when the patio is open, it's good for nearly any occasion. The food for the most part is standard pub food: burgers, fish and chips, pizza. They do have other entrees, but I've never had much of a reason to get them. The sandwiches and pizzas are a great price and more than enough food. The beer list is great, especially for a brewpub. There seems to always be something for everyone, except the drinker who exclusively orders Bud Light. I personally like the Katy Trail Pale Ale and Ed's IPA, but I've never had anything bad. The only thing I can really say is all their beers tend to be sweet. The patio is huge and comfy and is without a doubt the best you'll find in CoMo.
(5)John F.
My son is going to school at Mizzou and we decided to try this place on parent's weekend. I'm a Reuben sandwich nut and we travel a lot. By far, this place had the best Reuben I've had in years. Meat was tender, thinly sliced, fresh bread, great saurkraut. The others said their food was good, but mine was excellent. I guarantee we will be stopping here anytime we're in Columbia.
(4)Kevin J.
Every time family or friends come to town, this is the place I take them -- and for repeat visitors, it's the place they request! The food is great, and the menu is varied. I've never had anyone in my party complain about the food or say that it was anything less than great. The only downside is that everyone in Columbia knows about this place, so there are often long waits, especially on the weekends. For this reason, I recommend going there for lunch instead of dinner, unless you get there well before 6:00 and are prepared to wait 45 minutes. Don't arrive there already starving, because you won't make it through the long wait times.
(4)Myke O.
Came here on a recommendation from a friend and I was impressed. The soft pretzel sticks for an appetizer were great. The burger for my meal was average but the fries were great -- nice and crispy. Had the creme brulee bread pudding for dessert which was definitely very unique and pretty good. Nice atmosphere. Not a drinker but they had tons of beers that they brew there if that's your thing.
(4)Travis L.
I alway gotta try something new here. Good beer, good food, and good patio. However, its always busy, but if you don't have anything better to do then the wait is worth it.
(4)Ed F.
I really enjoyed this place. Good food and even better brew. The outdoor seating area is huge and exceptional. The Black & Blue Burger was very tasty and paired nicely with the beer battered onion rings and Irish Red Ale. I can see why Flt Branch Pub is so popular here. Columbia is really a nice town it reminds me of Iowa City in size and feel.
(4)Kyle S.
Always a favorite! The beer, the food, the service and the atmosphere have always been fantastic. Whenever you bring in someone from out of town, bring them here. Finally tried the Arbuckles dessert. Beer and Tiger Stripe ice cream. Can't beat that.
(5)Jessica M.
Loved this place. The menu had some really healthy and creative options. Delicious! I had the chokes and cheese along with a flavorful veggie burger and a root beer float to finish the meal! Great place!
(5)Thomas B.
Outstanding food and beer, but at peak hours it's nearly impossible to get a table without a lengthy wait. I highly recommend the Kansas City ribs and the Oatmeal Stout beer. The seasonal brews are fantastic, but entire vats can sell out within hours of tapping (I'm looking at you Pumpkin ale!)
(4)Myra P.
Katy Trail PA, Oil Change, Honey Wheat... perfect brews. Love.
(4)Kate I.
I have been here on numerous occasions and always leave happy. Their beer is fantastic. My current favorite is their Irish Red, which is very creamy. Their Katy Trail Pale Ale and the APA are my two others that I regularly order. Their beers are 16 oz. Their menu is upscale bar food. It never disappoints. One drawback to the place is selecting when you go. They are ALWAYS packed on weekends; expect at least an hour wait if you go in the evening. There have been many times when we've wanted to go to Flat Branch but it was just too packed and we had to go elsewhere. Only once have I been disappointed in the service. They were busy (but not more than normal) and it took way too long for our waiter to even come get our drink order. He was super nice though and apologized for the wait. But I've never had problems on any of my other visits so I'm assuming that maybe it was just an off day. Their bar area has several TVs and they do have a nice outdoor patio. You can get growlers for the beer.
(5)Anne J.
I'm going 4 stars rather than 5 because it's not perfect. That being said, it's pretty damn close. EVERYTHING I have had from Flat Branch has been good. They have the best grilled chicken in the world and one of my favorite things is finding something so simple executed so perfectly. Appetizers: chokes & cheese if you're an artichoke fan, green chili chicken fingers (2nd best I've ever had, especially with their homemade ranch and honey mustard), and pretzels with spinach dip (get beer mustard and pesto on the side, too!) are my favorites. Entrees: As I said, the charbroiled chicken sandwich is seriously yummy with the sautéed vegetable medley as a side! The chicken and andouille pasta is also terrific when I'm in the mood for something heavier. Beers: I'm not a beer girl, but my boyfriend loves the honey wheat and the IPA. I can tell you that the cocktails are well made and delish! Visit here if you're ever in Columbia!!
(4)Cathryn K.
Fabulous burgers and tasty beers. We waited less than 10 minutes to be seated and our beers were brought out almost immediately. Our server was friendly and our food came quickly. Atmosphere was a bit noisy inside but not excessively. There was a longer wait to eat on the patio, which would have been perfect on a warm August Friday night.
(4)Lisa B.
I had their pizza, probably should not have.. I've still not acquired a taste for communion bread pizza. But the atmosphere of this place is so refreshing compared to most places in the college district. My friend had the Green Chili Beer with a hint of tomato sauce. Sounds pretty gross huh! It was very good. I had a sip and it tasted sooo different and had a small bite to it, but really, was so different it was fun! Service was great and their outside seating is very soothing and relaxing covered with vines and very quiet. Go there if you get to Columbia, well worth it.
(5)Marina S.
If you don't order the chokes n' cheese, the Flatbranch burger and one of their seasonal beers (or rootbeeer), you are doing it wrong. Flatbranch was a staple when Mom and Dad came to visit. I still dream of the day I will be reunited with the Flatbranch burger.
(4)Sarah H.
I feel like I should be giving Flat Branch a higher rating but I just can't bring myself to. I do enjoy coming here and have had a generally good experience. I feel the food is average. Doesn't seem spectacular to me but most people I go with love it. I do love the Oil Change Stout beer over all of their beers. I also love doing the sampler. My fiancée is a huge fan of the Green Chili beer. Me not so much, but different tastes. They also have a spectacular applesauce. Service is generally good. But it seems if its bad, its really REALLY bad. Usually, if I'm drinking here, I'm having a good time and don't notice a less than attentive server. I brought some family here once. My brother-in-law ordered the honey wheat beer. It was dead flat. When we said something to the server, he shrugged, and said that is how it is. We all tasted it and no that is not how it is. I tried the cream soda and it went between being overly sweet to bitter like it wasn't mixed properly.
(3)Ray T.
The Luau Pizza is the best Hawaiian Pizza I've ever had and they have some really good beer too !!!
(5)Catherine R.
I love flatbranch!! It's reasonably priced, has a nice selection of food and drink, and the atmosphere is awesome! We've always had amazing servers, too. I've had business dinners and casual get-togethers here, and it's always fun! You might have to wait upwards of an hour for dinner, though. They have a late-night menu with actual food on it that they serve until 12:30. They also have AMAZING brews - try the samplers if you can't choose one! I recommend the beer bread appetizer and the green chili beer! Yum yum yum!
(5)Christina A.
I'm not sure why, but I just can't say that I adore this place (which you should take as strange because I so love microbreweries). My friend treated me to a pizza and beer during his lunch break while I was in town visiting. And holy crap was this place packed. Mind you, this is not something I mind, but keep in mind that if it's an intimate setting you are hoping for, look elsewhere. I had the Pesto Roasted Pepper and Artichoke pizza. I was good I am not going to lie, but I still expected more... I'm just going to assume it was because I make my own pesto and artichoke pizza, and if I am going to order something at a restaurant I expect it to be better than what I make. Learning to cook has lead me to a downward spiral of depressing dining experiences, at no fault to any eateries. The beer on the other hand: more please! I had the cream ale, or something to the like. It was a little sweeter than what I usually go for but it was damn tasty. If/when I ever come back to Columbia I would probably come back to Flat Branch, but mostly for the booze.
(3)g t.
Great beer and food. The bar was crazy busy with a game and the service wasn't great, but I can't ding them for that because it was just that crowded. I had a half pint of the chili beer which was just enough. It is yummy and interesting. We had ribs - they were amazing! Just the right amount of sauce and fall off the bone tender. The sides were good and just the right amount of food. The oatmeal stout was very good also. Definitely worth diverting from the highway to check it out! A side note - the people next to me had a grilled salad - yes - they grilled the lettuce - looked awesome
(5)Randy M.
Pizza is very good with a tasty crust. Ed's IPA is beyond decent but not too hoppy. Chokes and cheese is a large an yummy appetizer. Don't over order - grilled romaine is another hit.
(4)Tarah B.
Delicious food and absolutely FANTASTIC local brews. If you love microbrews, get the beer sampler so you can try a bunch. Have yet to taste a beer that I don't like. The food is consistently good there, and I always bring people who are visiting from out of town to eat at Flat Branch. There is something to please everyone on the menu -- even my vegetarian friend loves their veggie burger -- and the atmosphere is nice. Even when it's super busy on the weekends, they get you seated fairly quickly.
(5)Darin C.
Best restaurant in Columbia!! Try the pub burger with cheddar cheese and bacon strips with the beer battered onion rings ($1 extra). You can't go wrong. If you are traveling take a cab here and back to your hotel. Lots of good beer here but don't get a DUI. Be safe and enjoy. Do the same if you live here. Keep Columbia safe.
(5)Jennifer S.
This is wonderful! My mom and I were in town staying at the tiger!!! Which we love!!!! And we wanted a non chain atmosphere with great margaritas and nachos! This is the place! It is beautiful the food is awesome and the wait staff rocks!!! Must try!
(5)Bar C.
This place has a good selection of their homemade draft beer. The food was good as well. I orderedt he chicken bacon wrap with onion rings. It was very good. The service was pretty slow and I didn't think that it was super crowded. If I'm in the area, I would go back.
(4)Jake L.
Always a stop for me when I'm in Columbia. Was there three days ago for lunch. Have to get the chokes and cheese to start, nearly a meal by itself. Juicy burger perfectly cooked, but admittedly the fries are just ok. Of course grab yourself a beer or two while you're there. Have been going here since 1995 and I'm never disappointed.
(4)Liz G.
Food? Tasty. Beer? Delicious. Best reason to dine at Flat Branch? The patio. Sure, you can find other patio dining in Columbia, but during my years at Mizzou there was never anything as great as enjoying a warm day on the patio at Flat Branch. I'm waiting for the warmth of spring to gather some friends and make the drive up for a weekend in Columbia and an afternoon on the patio here. The Philly is always a good choice and a sampler of different beers is great for tasting and passing around with friends.
(5)Lee S.
If you live in or near Columbia you must stop into Flat Branch for a microbrew and some food. The menu has a lot of fun items like Missouri BBQ Chicken Pizza and Black and Bleu Angus Burgers. The amount of food served is more than enough for the price and the menu often changes seasonally to add local produce.
(4)Patty S.
I had such a great time at Flat Branch! We enjoyed conversation, good food, and a good beer selection. Great place to go if you want to dine al fresco! The waitstaff is friendly and doesn't rush you through your meal. We went with a large group (8ppl) and none of us had a bad or mediocre meal. I had the Ahi Tuna Steak...delicious! I ordered it with the famous mashers...wouldn't of had it any other way! If you have room in your belly, try a cinnamon roll; you won't be disappointed.
(5)Amy B.
Fantastic place. The food is always delicious: interesting, but not pretentious. I have enjoyed their grilled chicken sandwich, pork chop with an apple compote, fried catfish, and stout brownie. It's usually quite crowded, and you might have to wait an hour or more to sit outside when the weather is nice.
(5)Evelyn T.
We dipped into Flat Branch over the New Years Weekend and it was...okay. I'm kinda struggling with what to say about it since I wasn't really blown away by the food. We had gotten an appetizer of crab cakes, but they were so tiny we almost missed them when they came out! Seriously, its was kind of a joke. For an entrée, I got the BBQ Pork sandwich: the sauce was pretty boring but the veggies included were yummy. Seeing all the other reviews makes me think that maybe I just didn't get the right food, but the slow service didn't really make me feel the warm fuzzies that tingle when I want to protect a restaurant I like online. The ambiance is Flat Branch *is* pretty cool though; we lucked out and got a table facing the brewery room, which was nice. The bar seemed like a happening place, but being the day after New Year's, I was in no shape to consume alcohol. I did have a sip of their Irish Red and the aftertaste of the drink was delicious. I've only been there once and I don't think I'll have the chance to go again soon, so based on my singular visit, I'd say get dinner elsewhere and get to Flat Branch for the beer!
(3)Jill M.
I feel like I am the only person out there who doesn't enjoy going here! The wait is always forever, the food is not great, and I feel like it's pretty much just an overrated place. I liked going here when I was in college and I didn't know better, but now I don't like to waste money on food that is bland and service that isn't great. If you are looking for a great restaurant that has a similar atmosphere and prices, go to Adison's!
(2)Brooke T.
*Disclaimer* I'm from Philadelphia. This town takes its food very seriously and waiting for tables (with excessive amounts of time) is socially acceptable here. Everyone below me who is bemoaning a wait, shush and get over it. I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. Everything from the attentive bar-staff, the wonderful beer selection (beer snob, ahoy!), to the fantastic out-door seating and the phenomenal food. There was a bit of a wait but waiting at a microbrewery is comparable to foreplay. It's not the actual act of intercourse but the pleasantries before hand. It's all good. The indoor bar-tender was on his game. Drinks within seconds, beer bread within five minutes. He knew his beer and bantered with me about the beer I was sipping. Well done sir, well done. My dining partner had an avocado chicken salad (I stole a bite! Don't tell on me!) and she insisted I try the Flatbranch burger. Heavenly. Messy but delightful.
(5)Ariel D.
Its the most popular place downtown for a reason. Their food is off-the-charts amazing, and the beer is a good quality. Not perfect, but good. The service is fantastic, the atmosphere is whatever you want it to be (want to dress up? No prob! Schlepped out in torn jeans? You can get away with it!). Its good for a date, a celebration, grabbing a bite, or just having a beer.
(4)Colin G.
Synopsis: - 5* for the food - 2* for the service - 0* for the beer - 5* for grossness (which comes to 0*) This is one of the growing number of brewpubs where the focus is the food and not the beer. When I'm driving cross-country though (Tucson to Pittsburgh, in this case) and want to hit some breweries though, it's really difficult to tell which are the beer places and which are the food places. I came in on a Tuesday at about 7:30 and there was probably an hour wait for a table. People were strewn about the patio outside the door, just inside the doors, and around the bar, all waiting for tables. If you wanted to sit at the bar though, well, that was quick. Bad sign right there, to me at least. I got a menu and a water and began to decide. Great menu too. Lots of interesting choices, house-made stuff, wide variety, lots of veggie options, etc. And I waited and watched. I would estimate about 40% of the drinks going out to the tables were beers. The rest were stuff margaritas, wine and other mixed drinks (another bad sign). The bartender finally came back and I said that I wanted a sampler, apologizing for it because I know it's a pain and I could tell he was fairly busy. I also put in for the veggie burger, which was a house-made patty, according to the menu. About $7, IIRC (not bad at all) and it came with a wide choice of sides. I opted for the "world famous" mashers. Samplers came up fairly quickly. The food was slow but I definitely anticipated that with the crowd that they were getting at the tables. First beer I tried, I believe, was the Irish red. My first sip and I knew I didn't like this one. I took another sip and, of all things, a felt something fall onto my tongue. Yeah, a piece of food. And, mind you, I didn't have any food in front of my at this point, so this was either already in the glass or had been knocked in during pouring. Yuck, but I can look past it. I went for the American pale. I had requested an IPA sample, but they were out. Took one sip and, BAM, same thing! Another piece of food in my mouth! I left both samples to sit. I didn't like that red, but that APA wasn't bad, so I was a little disappointed to leave it. And it would get worse. The ESB, the Indigo American Lager (a seasonal) and the stout were just outright awful. The first two had the same gross yeast taste that the red had, although they lacked the stray piece of food. The difference between the Indigo, ESB and red was minor, at the least. Maybe it was just that gross taste though. I will say that my last beer was the Green Chili (sic), and I was okay with it. It was really light and thin, but had no discernible green chile aroma (not a bad thing). The pepper was very much there, but wasn't overpowering. I've had only one other green chile beer, in Taos, and this one was much better. Points off for obviously not roasting the chiles first (it brings out the sweetness and flavor of it) and calling it "Green Chili." I realize a lot of people use that spelling but, generally, "chili" has meat and beans and "chile" comes from a plant. In retrospect, I should have gone to the other brewery in town to get my beer. I should spout that the food was freaking fantastic. I haven't had a veggie burger that good in a very long time. It came with pesto and choice of cheese (I got bleu). Those "world famous" mashers were good but not really world famous material. I waited until I paid to mention the food in the glasses to the bartender, just because I didn't want to deal with a lot of shit about it and didn't want to be compensated for it. I mean, I hated the beer, so why would I want more of it? He didn't care, but I didn't really expect him to. So come for the food, like most people here seem to, and order a glass of wine or something. Save your beer drinking calories for somewhere else.
(1)Mike S.
Flat Branch gets a 3 because their beer is good but their food... notsomuch. They make some pretty tasty beers. Also, if you come in at the right time you can get half-price pizzas. They're not the greatest pizza but, hey, at 50% off they cost like 3-4 bucks. The food here is meh, lots of people shoveling down lots of bland unhealthy food. If you love Applebees and general bar food, you might think it's really great... Even when I'm hungry and I go here, I usually drink the beer on an empty stomach then go eat somewhere else later. Maybe I order a bit of beer bread to tide me over. The atmosphere is OK and they have a big patio. If it's a beautiful day out and you happen to be downtown and think, "maybe I'll go to Flat Branch and have some beer" - think again, the place is packed (primarily with yuppies / sunday church people).. Try to go here when it's slow or during the half price pizza hours. 4 for the beer 2 for the food 3 Stars
(3)Marissa G.
Food/Drink: Lots of great beer options. The Chokes and Cheese is amazing. The Creme Brule bread pudding is my favorite dessert ever, and I don't even normally like bread pudding. Overall, A+ for the food. Service: This place is constantly packed and does not take reservations so be prepared to wait for awile. I have also never had a phenomenal waiter/waitress. Overall, C for the service.
(4)Janet R.
The Honey Wheat beer was excellent and their pizza are also very good! Fun place to go.
(4)Matt O.
I had the Shepherds Pie and it was quite tasty. I enjoyed the industrial atmosphere - high rafters, exposed but painted duct work. It added to the trendy but casual ambiance I think this place strives for. The crab cakes we had for an appetizer were quite good as well.
(4)Kenny R.
We had pizza and beer, both were very good.
(4)David P.
I've never been a huge fan of brew pubs, but our friends suggested this as a meeting place on a recent trip across Missouri. They had been here many times. It was a first for us and a very pleasant surprise. My wife had chicken tenders which she describes as the best she's ever had. I had the pub burger. It was great to order a burger cooked medium and to get actually cooked that way. Since we were on a drive, I limited myself to a sip of beer, but it was very good. I don't remember the full name, but it was a pale ale.
(5)Chris B.
Went back to Flat Branch this weekend. I'm docking them two stars because the late night menu no longer has the burger on it. Also because they stop serving their full menu at 10:30, which is just too damn early to stop serving on the weekends, particularly since if you get there any time before 9:30, at least on football weekends, it's a hellish wait. Furthermore, we sat down at 10:20, and the waiter told us we could only order from the late night menu. I understand having a late night menu but it shouldn't kick in until at least 11pm and only having appetizers and pizza on it is inexcusable. At the very least, burgers should be on the late night menu.
(3)David S.
I really enjoy being here, but I will admit that sometimes the service isn't the best. I have been there a good number of times and when I go just for beers then it's completely fine service. If u go for dinner and you are impatient, brace yourself. It may take a while to get your food and the quality of your waiter (how often they check on you, quickly the bring drinks etc.) is definitely hit or miss. The food is great however. I am definitely a fan of their pizzas and the pub dip sandwich. Now to their beer. I really think that almost all of flat branch's beers are above average and some are even very good. I really enjoy their ipa's because they have a good amount of flavor besides bitter. If I'm in the mood, I can really get into the Red Wheat and cherry brown. My favorite, however, is the oil change stout. Phenomenal!
(4)Emily M.
As a resident of Columbia, Flatbranch is one of the most popular places to go for just about anything: parents in town, a night out with friends, a lunch meeting, graduation dinner, drinking beer during a game. There is parking across the street in the big, empty lot and tons of parking meters around if there's none in the tiny parking lot around the restaurant. If you have to walk, get over it. It's busy for a reason. There's also generally a wait, because it's such a popular place to go. The general wait is about 20-40 minutes at lunch/dinner, and worse during special events, and on the weekends during school. Locals go ALL THE TIME, whenever we have a chance. Plan ahead and go early, go grab a beer at the bar, and go sit outside or wait inside, and have a nice chat with your family/friends/date. Talking for awhile isn't the end of the world, good heavens. As an interesting side note, the building used to be an old studebaker showroom, so the design of the dining area is a bit wonky, but it has some really awesome history. You can find out more about it on the menus, which is always something cool to point out to friends who have never been. The service is generally good, though at the busiest times they tend to be a little harried. Flatbranch is not a five-star restaurant, and it's not for the uptight; it's a laid-back microbrewery in a college town, and should be treated as such. The beer is amazing. If you've never been, try the sampler. I recommend the Honey Wheat, the Oil Change Stout, or the Green Chili Ale. All are very different beers, but everything is great. The Chokes n Cheese in a bread bowl with veggies is always popular as an appetizer, and the beer bread is great too. As far as entrees go, you can't beat the Flatbranch Burger. It has Chokes n Cheese on top, and you should get it with mashers instead of fries. Mashers (mashed potatoes) are the end-all, be-all of sides at Flatbranch. Heaven in two scoops, and they sit innocently beside your sandwich, just waiting to be savored. There are times I wish they sold JUST the mashers as an entree, no joke. Besides the Flatbranch burger, the sandwiches are great (the Philly Cheesestake, the Hobgoblin, etc.), and so is the Missouri BBQ chicken pizza, and the spinach and goat cheese pizza. The veggie burger is also awesome, and it's handmade at the restaurant, with beans and dirty rice. And any of the desserts are insanely good, though rarely ordered because you're so full from your meal. The Creme Brulee is outstanding, as is the Brownie sundae. You need to order it ahead of time, because they bake it while you eat, and it's absolutely worth it. I can't recommend this place enough. It's my number one haunt in town.
(5)Albana E.
My fiancé and I are driving cross country from new York city ane we stopped in this small college town to rest for the night. Big ups to Ryan at ramada for recommending this place because we so didn't want to eat fast food again. Flat branch was an amazing surprise. Both salads reordered were fresh with amazing dressings. The fish my fiancé ordered was fresh and made to perfection. And my ribs were probably the best ribs I have ever eaten. They fell off the bone. The rub was on point and the BBQ sauce was homemade and should be put in a jar and sold. To top off the experience we ordered the creme burlee bread puddiing. I have no words. Just sheer amazement. Our waitress Jessie was awesome too. Just a great experience overall. If I am ever near this town again in my life I will be sure to go back.
(5)LT H.
On a beautiful summer day in Columbia, MO, I don't think anything could be finer than sitting in the shaded patio of Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, sipping some strawberry lager and sharing some Chokes & Cheese with some good company... Well, I've only been once. But I imagine if I lived here in Columbia, I'd reenact this scene many times during the summer. Loved the atmosphere. The outdoor iron seats aren't super comfortable for those of us with bony butts... but get a couple beers in you and you'll be fine. I thoroughly enjoyed my classic pub burger with cheese. The bun was perfection and I loved the long thin pickle chips. I must add that I'm not a regular beer drinker, but I loved the strawberry lager. Here's the description from the website: "A German styled lager infused with 294 pounds of strawberry puree that imparts a rich strawberry aroma and flavor. The base lager is light in color and body, and lightly hopped with German Tettnang hops. The ABV is 5.5% and bitterness is 14 BU's."
(4)Courtney S.
One of the things I look forward to most when visiting my college town, Columbia, is making a visit to Flat Branch. It brews its beer locally, but more impressive than the beer list, is the amazing menu. The pretzel and cheese dip is one of the best appetizer I have ever had! The ambiance is great, the patio is perfect for nice weather and the drink menu (beer and mixed drinks) is fabulous. Oh, and Columbia is smoke-free, so that is plus for ALL restaurants there!
(4)Tanner T.
So many people have spoken so highly of Flat Branch, however I have failed to experience the amazement that others have. The food is okay, nothing really that special. I have never had a dish there that I couldn't find cheaper with the same quality at Applebees, Friday's, etc. Every time I try the beer I am never impressed. It is flat and warm. Not exactly delicious. The price is reasonable, and nothing is ever bad, its just not that great either.
(2)Sarah G.
Great service! We called about an hour ahead of time to make a reservation for 25 + folks that were in Columbia for my son's wedding. They handled it beautifully. We were served promptly. The food and beers were great. Our server noticed we had a small cake (the portion from the wedding cake that the bride and groom wanted to save) and offered to keep it refrigerated while we dined. He even did separate checks for us! Thank you Flat Branch. It was a fun evening for us.
(4)Curt O.
Tasted the Winter Spice Ale. Not to my liking, but I am pretty traditional when it comes to my beers. I do like their Green Chile Beer, though. I had a pint of the Irish red ale. It was good. Enjoyed it. Ordered a basket of Fries as an appetizer. They have really good fries and onion rings here. Green Chile chicken strips - It is on the menu as an appetizer but I had it as an entre with onion rings on the side. I have been here a lot over the years and overall the menu is really good. Their pizzas are worth checking out. Do be prepared for a wait to be seated during peak times. If you can get in just a little before the rush, you do well. Otherwise, prepare to wait. It helps somewhat when the students are not in town, but even then this one of the more popular spots in town.
(4)Risa P.
Background: I went to Mizzou, I lived in Columbia for four years. When I graduated in '03, I yelled "sayonara suckers!!" and didn't look back. However, last weekend I came back to visit close friends. After realizing that I am like the only person who doesn't have a "favorite college place" for eating, I decided that I needed a new one. After a perfect Missouri day and a walk around the campus (good to see the preacher is still in Speaker's Circle but was now dressed as a pilgrim, the Rec Center did NOT look like that when I was here, and what the hell happened to Brady...) we decided to go to Flat Branch. Too many people had recommended it and I had to go back. I went here with my parents back in the '02 but didn't really remember much. Hello Flat branch. Since it was nice out, we say outside on the patio. They had nice huge tables with umbrellas and in the sun, it was really nice. Our waiter clearly did not want to be there (I realized later we were his last table.) That is fine. The food and the beer made up for it. We got a Green Chili beer and it had a good kick but also was a nice cool beer on a warm fall day. It sounds strange right? But it was so good. Especially in a college town. Put down the Milwaukee Beast and Natty Light and get yourself a good beer. We shared the spinach dip. This was a huge portion and definitely enough to share. We went with having it with tortilla chips and vegetables but I think that I would try it with the pretzel sticks the next time (like hot doughy pretzels) Then we shared the veggie burger. This was such a nice change from a regular place that gives you a veggie burger. I think that sometimes places just warm up a Morningstar burger and charge you $8. Not Flat Branch. The burger was handmade with oats and dirty rice and other delicious things. We tried it with pepper jack cheese and yummy!! The fries were okay, they were a little salty for my taste. All in all, it was delicious. Besides our gloomy server, it was a great experience. Now, when I go back to Mizzou, I have a favorite place to go. Thank you Flat Branch.
(5)Winnie F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was pretty good, meat was a little dry though. The sweet potato chips as a side were quite crisp and almost burnt, but the cinnamon and brown sugar made it really sweet. Good atmosphere, lots of young people and families. Have come here before and really liked the Missouri BBQ Chicken pizza. Definitely a great casual dining spot unique to Columbia!
(4)Sean O.
I want to marry this place! Hey - it's really workin for me!
(5)Jake M.
Great bar and great food! Atmosphere is always awesome, however on a weekend evening you can expect a wait. Its worth it though. This is truly a way to experience Columbia!
(5)Jeff N.
Excellent local brew pub with good food and a great atmosphere.
(5)Emily D.
YUM! Great brewery with outdoor seating and a tasty dinner menu! We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and had one of the many beers on tap. The guys next to us were chowing down on apps so we asked them for a restaurant and in near perfect unison, these Burlie men said 'chokes and cheese!' HUH? The buzzer rang and we sat at our table scanning the menu for 'chokes and cheese' and we had to order it. WOW! I don't even want to know how many calories are in this cheesy goodness but we loved it! I asked for extra veggies to try and make myself feel less guilty but I definitely had to run a few extra miles the next day to make up for that app! Our service was pretty crappy but we were happy enjoying a Sumner night on the patio. For my meal I had a grilled chicken salad which was pretty basic and my boyfriend had a french dip. Best part of the meal had to be the beer and the 'chokes n cheese.' Thanks for the heads up Burlie bar men!
(3)Jeff P.
4 1/2 star. Wow! What a great place. Great selection of their own brews, with a large variety. Great food. Great service. Nice patio. But the best part, is the very reasonable prices... I love the Midwest's cheap food and drinks!
(4)Megan B.
My all time favorite restaurant in Columbia! The first time I went was in spring and I got a salmon and peach salad. I was hooked! I've had the pizza and chicken club which were both so good. I always look forward to eating here and so does my family when they visit.
(5)Teve' U.
ribs ribs ribs (full rack $20) -- don't waist the time on the menu (coleslaw too) 5/5 beer.. its good & i had the stout -- stay away from the chili beer. atmosphere: 5/5 (nice vaulted ceilings, red brick walls) bartenders: 2/5 -- not very good, hard to get their attention, didn't know the product -- fortunately the other patrons were helpful
(4)William G.
This place would be a 5 if not for how crowded it was. Granted, it is fairly simple to get a beer at the bar while you wait but still if your restaurant is causing hour+ waits, it may be time to expand or add a 2nd location. The beers were all fantastic and enjoyed by all. I didn't hear a single complaint. People in our group had the barley wine, brown ale, green chili, and oil change. The oil change stout seems to be the most popular one judging from what most patrons were sipping. Green chili seems to have a cult following... you either like it or you dont. I fall into the latter category. As for food, prices were very reasonable and everyone seemed to rave about their dishes. The beer bread is also fantastic. Give this place a try. If you're going on a standard "eating out" night be prepared for a long ass wait.
(4)Christie R.
This place was recommended to us, so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately it was over an hour wait for a table, so we left. We tried again a few months later and managed to squeeze past the (AGAIN) one hour wait by sitting at the bar. We ordered chicken and beef which was delivered fairly quickly and hot. The entrees were tasty, but what stood out in our minds was the dessert: A Creme Brulee Bread Pudding! Whoever created that dish needs some type of epicurean peace prize! It was warm, gooey and delicious. I am NOT a fan of creme brulee, but this was fantastic. The bread pudding was on the bottom and the brulee ont he top-complete with carmelized sugar top! Someday, we will get in and sit at a regular table.
(4)Denise W.
I want to start off by saying this place isn't BAD, and clearly people love it considering the excessive wait due to the abundance of patrons, but it just has a lot of qualities that annoy me. I went here to have lunch with someone on a Wednesday and we ended up having to park about 4 blocks away because the parking lot and surrounding street parking was taken (I know, it happens, but it was annoying). We went in and were told there was a 40 minute wait unless we wanted to sit at the bar, so we begrudgingly obliged and then proceeded to wait 10 minutes before the bartender gave us any attention. I don't really blame him, as the bar is pretty massive and he was the only one tending to a whole gaggle of people, but it sort of sucks nonetheless. The food was good and the beer selection was actually really impressive, all priced fairly. It really just came down to the fact that so many people were there that the noise overwhelmed us and despite sitting side-by-side at the bar, we could barely hear one another. I agree with another reviewer - this place would be well-served to open another location.
(3)Devon P.
I feel this restaurant is way overrated. They are CONSTANTLY busy and I don't really get it. I have been there 3 or 4 times in the 6 years I have lived here and I haven't had anything that I thought was that good....with one exception. The huge cookie is realllllly good. Make sure you order it 15-30 minutes before you want to eat it though. The beer is okay... but the root beer is great!
(3)John H.
We had a good lunch experience at Flat Branch on a game-day Saturday. There was a wait for tables which gave us an opportunity to wait in the bar for a little while. I had bloody marys, which were very good. Monica had the Brown Ale and the Irish Red. The Brown was very complex, and honestly quite good. The Red was spot on and as good as almost any local brew I've sampled in Ireland--it had a nice creamy head and a smooth finish. The food was pretty good too. We started with sweet potato chips which were good. I had a cuban sandwich, which wasn't really a cuban sandwich, but was an interesting re-imagining. I also had half of Monica's french dip, which was very good. With lunch I had a homemade cream soda which was also very good. Flat Branch is a nice space, and we were able to sit at a table looking into the pizza oven. Monica told me that when she was an undergrad at Mizzou, anytime an out of town family person came in that Flat Branch was the dinner place of choice. I can see why.
(4)Pari A.
Awesome Beer, excellent food, good ambience, clean interiors- Flat Branch has it all! We take all our out of town guests to this place and everyone loves it. Green chilli beer, honey wheat are the best. They carry a good variety of food- vegetarian, seafood, pizza, sandwiches. I tried multiple stuff and so far, everything was very well made. This is a very gourmet and class style brewery and restaurant, and Columbia is proud boast of a cool place like this!
(5)Justin F.
My FAVORITE place to eat/drink in Columbia. Amazing food and even better beer that they brew themselves. GO THERE!
(5)Joshua B.
Really busy even when the students were gone. I stopped in on a rainy summer evening; the student were not around yet; and the place was still packed. The wait for a table was ~40 minutes. We got seated at the bar almost right away though. The bar has the full menu. The staff seemed on top of things. The noise level was a little high at the bar. The vibe was cool and laid back. The crowd seems to be in an in between age. Its not really a place that caters to undergrads, but it may be a grad student hangout. The soft pretzels were tasty, and the buffalo meatloaf sandwich was good. The prices were very reasonable. There are lots of beers made on the premises, and they have quite a few scotches. The oil change stout is dark and thick with lots of flavor. The IPA was very drinkable, and the kristalwitzen was a great filtered wheat beer. As they say, support your local brewery...
(4)Josh L.
The food was good. We had the nachos and the ribs. The nachos seemed over baked at first but then I tasted them and realized the cheese used was amazing. The ribs came off the bone just by picking them up. It was a unique sauce they provided. It had a little zing to it. Overall the food was good. Environment was good. Beer was good. Speed of service was a little sub par. We actually asked about our food and if it was lost. It took an hour and a half to get in and out and we really didn't cause the delay. We were always waiting on something.
(4)Charisma P.
Hands down, this is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The food is delicious, very reasonably priced, and one beer is enough to make me tipsy! Some of my favorite things: chokes & cheese dip, spinach dip, flat branch burger, cajun crayfish tails (sadly, no longer on the menu), bayou pasta, sausage & mushroom pizza, grilled salmon, stout brownie sundae, stout. This place is within walking distance from campus and is a hangout for students and faculty alike. They also have outdoor seating, which makes it a fantastic place to sit and enjoy the evening with a sampler.
(5)Sarah T.
Love, love loooove Flat Branch! The beers are good, the food is GREAT! The indoor seating is OK, but the patio is the best thing about Flat Branch. During the summer/spring, it's perfect. The burgers are always filling and tasty, but my boyfriend and I are obsessed with the creme brulee bread pudding. We always end our meals with this dish, no matter how stuffed we are.
(5)Melissa A.
A trip to Columbia isn't complete without a trip to Flatbranch. From pizza to sandwiches to steaks, I've never been displeased with anything. Their green chili chicken fingers with a side of their house buffalo sauce (omg...that sauce!) are some of the best chicken fingers I've ever had. Their beer selection is broad and their sampler is a great way to try around 10 (can't remember) different brews. I know it's a brewery, but for those that are into bloody mary's, they make a killer signature one with an assortment of garnishes, probably the best I ever had in Columbia. Some yelpers complain about the prices being high, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.
(5)C C.
All around perfect place. The service was outstanding and the burgers were life changing. Our waiter was kind and unobtrusive as only the most professional and skilled are. We will stop here every time we are in Columbia!
(5)Tender B.
A Columbia favorite. A nice selection of beers that flatbranch brews. Sometimes they even have a barley wine or an imperial stout. The slection changes with each season. The food is typical bar fare, but pretty good. Get the bacon chicken wrap with onion rings.
(4)Brian E.
The beer is bland, the prices are a little steep, but overall it's a decent place. I would kill someone for some soft pretzel twists or chokes 'n cheese right now.
(3)Kristen e.
wonderful spinach and artichoke dip! nice atmosphere and great beer specials
(5)Adam O.
Like many reviews before, I'm not saying the place was bad it was just okay. Pros: -Great atmosphere -The bathroom has those state of the art hand drying stations and a handle on the door so you can open it with your feet (nice to not have to do bathroom karate to get out with clean hands). Cons: -The microbrews were tasty but not in the same league as Boulevard or Schlafly (the other MO famous microbreweries). -The spinach dip tasted like store bought microwaveable and was way too runny. -The food in general was on par with Outback, but for $50 for 2 people I expected more.
(2)Zac C.
If I was just basing this review on teh food and the beer I would give it 3 stars... But with the excellent patio it bumps to 4
(4)J P.
Incredible incredible beers! Food is good as well but the beers are mouth watering good.
(5)Amanda C.
So, I am convinced that I should have just gotten something different because everyone I was with would have given FB 4-5 stars to where based on my food, I would have given it a 2-3. A friend who has been in Columbia for the past 4 years for school recommended FB to us, as we were meeting family from St. L halfway to KC. After deciding that we should maybe have something a little healthier than Shakespeares Pizza, we ended up at FB! I checked out the reviews on Yelp! before we headed in and also made sure I checked out the menu. Well the eating healthier part was totally nixed when I spotted the Garlic-5 cheese pizza. Let me start while we were still in the car... THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PARK! This was not a good sign to me as many other Yelpers say that the wait takes forever. We finally parked and walked in... it took about 3 minutes to get a table for 4 so this was a plus. We ordered the pretzel as an appetizer with beer mustard and spinach dip. The pretzel was gooey and soft all the way through... a perfect pretzel, I must say! Not being a fan of spinach dip... I was convinced to try it and to my surprise it was actually very good. It was creamy and had a bit of a jalapeño kick to it. The beer mustard on the other hand seems to be for mustard lovers only... It was way too strong for my liking. I stuck to my guns and after contemplating for a REALLY long time about what I wanted; I ended up getting the garlic pizza. Unfortunately this did not have marinara and the delicious juicy tomato taste is the main reason I love pizza so much. So after I discovered there was none on the pizza, I ended up ordering a side dish of marinara! I am sure glad that I did. The pizza was okay, and when I say okay I mean that I could not taste ANY garlic on it--- and this is the reason that I got it! The fries, oh those damn french fries were delicious. I know I have said a fry is a fry is a fry in my other posts but they were actually REALLY good, and obviously worth remembering! The feeling inside the pub was casual and just a chill feeling! Outside, the dining looked gorgeous. Although we did not eat out there because we were not in the mood to battle the Missouri July weather, I really wish it would have been a bit cooler so it would be comfortable to eat out there. It almost looked like a very romantic feel... or maybe like a place from "MTV: The Hills" but wait... those places aren't real! ---Or are they?? Outside seemed like a great place to enjoy a nice drink of wine with one you are trying to woo--- guys take note! Our service was a bit slow but the waiter was great! He was very outgoing and very helpful! ---Considering he had the entire half of the restaurant to serve while we were there! Prices were perfect... especially for a college town! Affordable! I hope to give FB another try and order something else to surprise me into thinking the way the others did! A 3 rating... well here is how I broke it down Parking-1 Wait and entrance- 4 Service-4 Food (based only on my pizza)-3 Outdoor Seating- 5 So basically a 3.4
(3)Lori C.
I am a regular. Love the beer. Food is always good. Flatbreads are solid. Homemade soups. The outdoor dining is great. I always see somebody I know. It is definitely one of my favorite dining spots in COMO.
(4)Ryan S.
The Green Chili beer and perhaps the best Veggie Burger I've yet to experience make the Flat Branch a must visit when I'm in CoMo. The staff is always friendly and prompt, and the quality is far beyond the normal brewpub schlock.
(5)Annee T.
One of the better ones in Columbia. Flat Branch seems to be one of the only places in town where you can get cider on tap - for that alone, the place has my stamp of approval. The food is standard pub fare - decent burgers, pasta, sandwiches, etc. The chokes 'n cheese dip and the smashers are delicious, and one time I got this side order of tossed vegetables that was really nice. The veggies were cooked perfectly, tossed in olive oil, and heavily peppered. A simple, plain side that you could make at home, but a lot of times you go to restaurants and cooked vegetables taste like crap. Don't order ocean-caught fish in a landlocked state, is my last piece of advice.
(4)H C.
The Oil Change stout I had was great, and my cider-loving boyfriend was pleased that they had Strongbow on tap. The food was somewhat underwhelming. I had a smoked salmon salad sandwich with applesauce. The sandwich was okay, and the applesauce was good. Boyfriend had a bison meatloaf, which was overcooked and underseasoned, and came with a horseradish cream sauce which was kind of bland. (Horseradish!) His mashed potatoes were dry and also underseasoned. It's inexpensive food, but the presentation of the restaurant shouldn't be better than the food, so I still think it could taste better. We were with a large group of people on a Friday night, and although I wasn't paying too close attention, the food seemed to come out at a reasonable time considering the circumstances. No complaints about the service.
(3)Brad W.
If there was a place in Columbia that was a PERFECT first date place, then Flat Branch was my place. While in College, this was the staple of the first dinner outing. Great food, great service... and VERY busy on the weekends. Be prepared to wait a while to eat. Especially in the winter, as the patio is obviously only open in the warmer months. The food is nothing spectacular, but it's pretty good. They also have their own beer, which is quite tasty. I wasn't a frequent patron of the place for its beer though. While there are not many nice restaurants to choose from in Columbia, Flat Branch is a good choice if you're looking for a nice restaurant in a casual setting.
(4)Sara L.
Oh, how I miss you Flat Branch! The first few times I went here as a grad student at Mizzou, I thought, "eh, nothing special." The service was just so-so and I didn't really see what all the fuss was about. But then I found a few menu items that are just AWESOME. Now, I'm not sure they still have this, but if they do, get the house salad (it's huge) and the pesto pizza bread thing (not sure exactly what they call it). Great stuff when you're drinking and having a great time with your friends!
(5)Lisa B.
I met my brother, sister-in-law and niece for dinner at Flatbranch after driving 11+ hours from Denver. They said it was the best place in Columbia and that I had to try it. We went around 7:00 and it was packed. There were people everywhere in the parking lot, most with a beer in their hand just killing time. We were told the wait was 35 minutes for an inside table and debated whether we should wait it out. I was starving from the drive and it was dinner time for my one year old niece. We decided that 35 minutes wasn't that bad and that we had already wasted 10 minutes debating whether or not we should stay. So we decided to stick it out. Looking back I wish we hadn't. We ended up waiting an hour and twenty minutes for a table. We were told that we had to wait for a specific table because we needed a high chair so we kept getting pushed back. When we were finally seated we were seated at a table for eight, there were four of us plus the high chair so this large table seemed a bit excessive, but whatever. I find it hard to believe that the only table in the whole restaurant that can fit a high chair is an 8 seater. Important Note: There are two different wait lists - one for inside and one for outside. This place is apparently known for its patio and considering how long we waited to get a table inside, it would have been 2+ hours for a table outside according to the host. I think that is a bit ridiculous. Maybe Flatbranch should consider a second location with wait times like this? Now - on to the food! We ordered some appetizers because we were starving. We got the pretzels with spinach dip and the onion rings. These items were great. The warm spinach dip went perfectly with the fresh baked pretzels and the onion rings weren't excessively greasy. Both appetizer orders were fairly large and more than enough for us to split. I highly recommend both of these items. For my meal I ordered the BBQ chicken pizza. I LOVE BBQ chicken pizza. In my opinion its not too hard to screw up. However, this particular pizza was less than impressive. There was hardly any BBQ sauce (I had to ask for extra) on the pizza and the chicken was bad quality. It was rubbery and lacked any sort of taste. The pizza portion size is large, definitely large enough for two people to split. Some other dishes at my table included the Mediterranean Pasta and Blue Cheese Burger. Everyone else seemed to like their food. I cannot comment on the beers because I don't drink beer :-). However I must say they do serve Pepsi products which was a disappointment for this southern girl (everything is Coke in the south). But thank you Flatbranch for offering Diet Dr. Pepper. I don't think I'll be going back to Flatbranch again during the dinner peak. The food wasn't that great to warrant an 80 minute wait. However, I would consider going back for lunch or at an off hour.
(2)Joe K.
Great in-house beer list and the bar food menu is great as well. If it's not busy, a fantastic place to belly up to the bar. One of the local institutions, well worth going to if you like world class locally brewed beers.
(4)Alston S.
I'm not really sure why this place is rated like it is. The food is average, at best. The atmosphere is ok. There are plenty of other places I would much rather go than here.....so if you have the option, go somewhere else.
(2)Ben A.
Flat branch was my number two watering hole during the three and a half years I lived in Columbia. First you I have to start with the beer. They usually offer betweein 9 and 15 beers on tap, all brewed in house. They range in style from the lightest Honey Wheat to the darkest Oil Change Stout. In between there are tastey option such as their ESB or IPA. pretty much every beer they offer is at least a mediocre redition of the given beer style, with the afore mentioned by name being quite good. They also offer rotatring seasonal beers, ranging from strawberry or blackberry ales to an imperial stout and a barleywine. They also have a full bar to boot so anybody whould be able to find something to drink there. The food is delicious. They have a great selection of burgers, cooked to order. My favorite is the Texas Burger with bacon, sauteed onions and jack cheese. They have a good selection of brick oven pizzas as well, each is about 10 inches with a thin, chewey sourdough crust and fresh toppings. My favorite is the BBQ Chicken. And there is no better way to start a meal than with their Chokes & Cheese appetizer, creamey, cheezy garlicy, delicious. The staff, overall is knowledgable and courteous and willing to answer questions about the beer. The one drawback is this place gets packed on weekends, especially football days. They do not take reservations so show up early to avoid the wait. Overall, one of the best spots in Columbia, and all of Mid-Missouri.
(5)Dan S.
Their service is spotty, but its been getting better over the last few months. The beers are good, but under-carbonated. The food is really good, though. I really like the pretzels; the nachos are huge. My favorite thing on the menu though is the catfish and chips. Really large portion of fish and really well seasoned. The chips are great. The patio is awesome...
(4)Sagruilla P.
I went on a recent visit, and I had a chile beer. It was so delicious beyond the novelty of it. That, plus onion rings in ranch dressing was a perfect combination. I also had a salad, and that was full of peppers, carrots, lettuce, mushrooms, tomatoes and cucumbers. Other people at my table had pizza and the artichoke bowl, all of which were good. Not bad at all for a pub in a college town. I can hardly wait to go back again one day to try the stout brownie.
(5)Scott W.
If you ever call in a to-go order, plan on waiting 7-10 minutes on hold, or just call from 3 different lines until they remember at the bar. Pizzas and chicken nachos are great, though. So is the Cobb salad.
(4)Michael S.
More often than not you will wait for a table, but that's OK with me cause they have a nice bar and plenty of different beers to try. Actually, that really the only thing I like about Flat Branch. The food, eh, kinda bland. Subtract the beer and it could be an Applebee's anywhere. But the patio and fun times with friends means I will still be back.
(3)Max C.
The food is good, the atmosphere is fun, especially on the patio in the spring/summer and the beer list has something for everyone. Try the green chili beer!
(4)L T.
We've been here several times, always with a group because my in-laws live in Columbia, and it's consistently good, solid food. It's a nice lofty, echo-y space so I don't really worry about the kids being quiet. The service is always good as well!
(4)Russell M.
Cool place, I'm a fan. I like the chill atmosphere and I loved the Stout Meatloaf Sandwich with the world famous mashers on the side. My companion had the chicken nachos. Also an excellent choice. I'd come back!
(4)Roxanne A.
The food here is always fantastic, but I'm only giving it 3 stars due to service. There seems to always be a ridiculously long wait no matter what day or time it is and some of the employees seem to do more socializing with each other than actual work. We have stood waiting for a long time to get a table when you can clearly see that there are many clean, open tables (I'm talking like 4-5 within view). We have never gotten in with less than a 40 minute wait, so if you are starving this isn't the place for you. Not to mention that the place always seems to be extremely LOUD. If you can get past those things you will be pleasantly rewarded. Every single thing anyone in my party has ever ordered was fantastic and their beer selection is a shining star all on its own.
(3)Sam R.
Flat Branch has a nice selection of hoppy ales and other craft beers on tap that you can't find anywhere else in Columbia. And although I do enjoy having a Katy Trail Pale Ale with a chokes and cheese burger, Flat Branch does not hold a candle to the Free State Brewery in Lawrence, KS.
(3)Drennen M.
I've never had the beer, but the place is worth it just for the chokes 'n' cheese dip in the bread bowl (one of the appetizers) and the stoat brownie sundae mmmmmm. They also have veggie burgers which makes vegetarian me happy. I used to come here with very big groups (20+), and service was, if not extremely prompt, quick and generally correct. I'm not sure if they separate the bill, but it's still at the top of my "big group" list.
(4)Raymond H.
I have been here 3 times since living in Columbia. It is a great place for almost any get-together, ive gone here with a couple of friends and I even took my parents here once. I would recommend their "Chokes-n-cheese" and veggies as an appetizer, I was hesitant at first but i found it to be quite delicious. They also make their own beer, root beer, and cream soda. Ive only had a chance to try their root beer, I normally dont like root beer but theirs was an exception.
(5)Paul D.
Some of my friends work here so I feel bad with what I am about to say. The beer is no friggin good. It is BAD beer. I've tried it on a handful of occassions constantly getting a different beer thinking "everyone keeps raving about how good this beer is...maybe I am just making bad choices." It isn't my choices it is the beer. The patio is nice.
(3)Luke M.
When you're in the mood for great, simple food nothing in Columbia beats Flat Branch.
(5)Ian S.
They have a great selection of their own microbrewed beers on tap. I've liked every one I've had, but I'm not too hard to please. Food is good. I highly recommend the Flat Branch Burger, which is covered in their "chokes n' cheese" dip. They also plan to go smoke free May 27th, which will be great for busy nights.
(5)Truth S.
Great local brew pub offering great food and great beer! This is definitely a relaxed place to go for lunch and dinner. The patio is awesome during warmer weather and the service is very good. I definitely think this is the best "pub" in Columbia.
(4)Zach H.
Over the five or six times I ate at Flat Branch, I had mixed experiences but still look at the place fondly. The beer is great, as is their beer bread. Some of the food is mediocre but for the most part, a great place to go out with friends and enjoy some drinks
(4)Amanda P.
A Columbia, MO institution. Everything I've ever had here is good, from fish to pasta, to appetizers, etc. What makes me dream of this restaurant, though, is the red cream soda that they brew right on the premises. For a soft-drink snob like me, it's absolute heaven.
(5)Kristin F.
Flat Branch has the distinction of being the only brewpub in a college town that desperately needs one. In a land of sorority girls drinking Bud Light with lemon, the FB helped me get through college and I even worked there for a few years after I graduated. The beer selection is broad with something for everybody....unless of course you only like beer that tastes more like water and has no alcohol in it. Forewarning: the only beer they carry that they don't make is Bud Light. Why, you ask? Because they encourage the drinking of their own beer!!! It's a brewpub for crying out loud! The light and refreshing Honey Wheat is always a crowd fave, along with the signature Katy Trail Pale Ale. There are some that are always kept on tap....Oil Change Stout, Brown Ale, etc. And there are also rotating seasonal selections like the Great Pumpkin Ale or a yummy Strawberry Pilsner in the summer. The food is excellent and much better than standard bar fare. The Chokes and Cheese dip from what I'm told is highly, highly addictive but I was always more partial to spicy spinach dip myself. The pizzas are tasty and so are most of their sandwiches. Mmmmmm....I miss the FB!
(4)Lauren B.
My favorite place in Columbia by far! You have to try the Chokes n Cheese.
(5)emily o.
yum, yum, yum, yum, yum! i've become entirely obsessed with the spicy spinach dip and the flat branch burger (a burger topped with artichoke dip!)...really great comfort food, wonderful beer...who could ask for more?!?!
(4)John T.
Have to disagree with Paul D. The beer here is great unless you can only handle Bud Light. Food is tops also and at $16.95 w/two sides the Filet of Beef is the best deal in town. Great patio with lots of room. Only complaint is the inside is a bit noisy when it's busy, which is almost always.
(5)Michelle F.
I also highly recommend this restaurant. Came a few times with friends, and really had some great meals. I enjoyed their salads, and also had an excellent burger once. Only complaint is I was very thirsty and kept needing more diet coke, and the waitress started teasing me. Not funny.
(4)Joshua H.
I made a return visit on a Friday night as a last minute choice for dinner and a beer. I got in about 915pm and the place was busy. Not crazy busy but definetly moving. I got a seat at the bar right away, ordered the beer sampler which is 7 samples of 1.5oz each of the 7 beers on tap that night. I found 3 of the 7 to be really good and the others not to my liking, but thats a personal preference of course. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with swiss on the new spelt whole grain bun which was damn good. It came with sweet potato chips which were ok but not amazing. Th price was great as the whole thing was still under 10 bucks so no harm done. Good beer, full stomach, no complaints. I really enjoy the atmosphere at Flat Branch as well, it feels like a n upscale bar, more so then most other "bar scenes" in Columbia. Good way to spend a n hour or 2 on a Friday night. Your almost always see someone you know coming in or leaving as you get in or leave yourself.
(3)Brian M.
I had a chance to try Flat Branch while visiting some friends, and really enjoyed my experience the food was good and so was the beer. The inside was large, however there was a short wait, seems this is a very popular local hangout and I can see why. Once inside and seated I ordered a burger, which was really good so were the fries, not greasy at all. I ordered a beer, I dont recall which one and it was very good. Hopefully this summer I can make it back and enjoy a drink, or two/three outside.
(4)Fred K.
Awesome food made scratch in the back! Great atmosphere. #1 pub in town!
(5)Alexis R.
Once of the best micobrew restaurants I've ever been to, Flat Branch has delicious food and very solid beers. They always have 10 or more beers on tap - the Oil Can Stout is great even if you don't like stouts, but their recent Belgium Golden was a real winner in my books. I really love their pizzas. Perfectly chewy/crispy crusts that taste like they are out of a brick oven with very solid toppings. The margharita is very nice as is the artichoke/pesto pizzas. I love the artichoke dip served in a bread bowl as well - a very solid appetizers ($8.99) than can easily morph into a meal with the veggie sticks and hearty bread. The place is always busy so expect at least a 30 minute wait unless you are there very early on weekday or weekends. We waited 45 min but it was well worth it!!
(5)Jessica E.
Took a little day/evening trip to CoMo yesterday for a concert and decided to do a little research on where to stop in for dinner. Flat Branch was consistently on every "best of..." list that popped up on google so we decided to check it out. Flat Branch is situated in the quaint and adorable downtown Columbia area, amidst other local businesses. Immediately when I saw the patio (empty yesterday because it was a bit chilly) I thought it was a perfect little place for summer/spring happy hours. The outside of the place itself was just super cute and the greenery surrounding the patio was just really pretty. We arrived right before 6 so we didn't have to pay the meter, but there was very limited parking around the area. They were also very busy for a weekday (not sure how they usually are other days). We arrived at the tail-end of their happy hour. Maybe that's why the waiter didn't mention it, but when I asked if they had any specials, he did let us know about the 3.75 beers; options were limited but the price was just right (cheap). For starters, we ordered a half order of the green chili chicken fingers. First off, love how they had a half-order option and as observed by my BF, they definitely cater to the college-student crowd with that one. Big props for knowing your audience. The description on the menu made it seem like these would be super different than typical chicken fingers, but it wasn't. It was pretty standard. Still tasted fine, but just didn't have that extra something I was expecting. For dinner, I had their infamous "Best of..." Flat Branch pub burger (with bacon). It was definitely delicious! And cooked perfectly (I know that shouldn't be a difficult task, but you'd be surprised at some of the places I've been). The service was fine. It was super busy so our waiter wasn't around much but he was around enough to refill our drinks at a good pace and clear out the table, etc., etc. For such a busy time in the evening, I was impressed by how they seated everyone quickly, efficiently and the servers were all very pleasant. I had a good experience!
(4)Chelsea B.
Flat Branch is a good place to get standard American pub food and drinks in Columbia. When the patio is open it's nice to sit outside, and it's the kind of place you can go with friends or your parents or a group or really anyone and have a good time. The downside is that in the evenings the wait can be around an hour, which is frustrating, but everyone knows a good thing when they taste it. The Hot Soft Pretzel Twists with Cheesy Spinach Dip ($6.49) and Buffalo Wings ($8.99) are good starters. The California Chicken Club Sandwich is so delicious ($8.99) and the Smoked Pork Sandwich ($7.49) is pretty killer. I've also had the Pub Burger ($7.99), which is a good standard burger. Everything is fresh and seems home made, from the artisan bun to the delicious fries. I did take a Dutch friend and he commented about the California Chicken Club that "this is not foccacia," but if you're from Missouri I'm sure you won't be bothered. I take off one star because I'm just not a fan of their beer. Maybe I'm crazy. I've had the Honey Wheat and the Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, neither of which are for me. Other people rave over it, so go ahead and try for yourself.
(4)Katie D.
I love Flat Branch! Their black and bleu burger is wonderful as is the pretzel with Chokes & Cheese dip.
(4)Todd K.
One of our favorites when we visit. The food is always good and plenty of choices. The service can be hit or miss.
(3)William T.
Good food and beer. Large amount of seating.
(4)Zach H.
Great place celebrating 20 years in 2014. The Cajun Bayou Pasta is incredible. Always love making a trip to try the different beers when I'm in town. Be sure to order the beer sampler as there are so many unique beers, it's hard to try them all! Definitely one of the better places in COMO. I would highly recommend it to anybody!
(5)Justin W.
I came here with my wife on a recent trip to Columbia. After arriving in town late at night and striking out at many other places, we were happy to find that Flat Branch was still open, even though the full menu was not available. We tried the beer bread, two different pizzas, the IPA, and a stout. The beer bread was fair at best. The pizzas were excellent. The beers were fine, but they weren't memorable. I'd go back.
(4)Dylan E.
Flat Branch may well be the best restaurant in Columbia in terms of price, food quality, service, and ambience. I have never had an item at Flat Branch that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. A personal favorite is the BBQ Texas Burger. A perfectly cooked burger with sautéed onions, bacon, and BBQ sauce. Wash that down with a house-brewed Katy Trail pale ale, Honey wheat, or Oil Change oatmeal stout (or all of the above) and you've got yourself a fantastic meal. Flat Branch is my go-to place in Columbia for a great burger and craft brew. Beware though, the secret is out on this place and it is extremely busy during regular lunch and dinner hours. Plan accordingly. But definitely go here if you're in town.
(5)Lynn H.
Love everything about Flat Branch! Something for everyone to eat and always amazing kind, fast, knowledgeable staff!
(5)Lawrence N.
Based on typical wait times I expected more. It was good but not great. The atmosphere is good and the beer list is great. The food was just ok.
(2)Chris R.
Amazing food. The desert was spectacular and they have a good selection of whiskey which is what brought me here to begin with. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)Up C.
Wow I really love this place. It took 45 mins for a table but it was worth the wait. Go to the bar order a beer and You will not even notice the wait. I am a ipa fan and my husband loves Hefeweizen. The ed's ipa has a lot of complexity without relying on citrus notes. My husbands had the red Hefeweizen do I need to say more. A red hefeweizen is rare and they really know what the are doing here. The chicken tenders with chile beer batter were incredibly crunchy and delicious. Also had the four cheese pizza. So good! This place completely deserves the 5 stars.
(5)Nicholas B.
My bachelor party, I went for three things: Bayou Pasta (you can ask them to make it as hot as you want), Oil Change Float (with Tiger Stripe, don't be scared of the Tiger), and Creme Brulee Bread Pudding (it takes 15 minutes to make, so just order it as soon as you get there).
(5)Jami C.
Pleasantly surprised at their salads. Hadn't been there in many years. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Andrew L.
Their sausage and chicken bayou pasta is amazing....love it
(4)Amy S.
Great beer and amazing food but the service wasn't up to par. Sat outside to accommodate the restaurant who couldn't seat us inside timely. They have a beautiful patio so that was no issue. However, our server was slow -it happens but yielded only a 4 star rating and not perfect. Awesome place though!
(4)Julie S.
Excellent, got the stout brownie with vanilla ice cream, ohhhhhh so good. I enjoyed it with a oil change stout!!! Yummy!!!
(5)Jennifer H.
Great variety and excellent service!
(4)Todd C.
Meal was delicious. Wait to be seated was over an hour on a Saturday evening. (Remember, no reservations accepted.) We stood then sat at the bar to pass try time, so had a good appetite. The French dip was good and the Charbroiled Romaine Salad was excellent. We finished with the crème brûlée bread pudding - It was to die for - what a combo! Throughout the evening we both enjoyed a few home brews.
(4)Lisa S.
Worth a stop! Stopped at this place on a college visiting trip to Mizzou based on DDD and Yelp reviews, Cool place with a nice patio setting right off campus. They have a great selection of brews and the Katy IPA was tasty with its citrus undertones. For dinner, three of the four of us had the Big Chief Burger. It was topped with bacon, egg and cheese. REALLY a good, juicy and flavorful burger. Would definitely have that again. My hubby had the catfish and chips which he really enjoyed. The fries are lightly battered and were the bomb (tried my sons). I had their 'famous' mashed potatoes. I'd suggest passing on those. They were just simple mashed potatoes. Nothing special about them. My daughter had grilled vegetables with her burger and they looked yummy as well. If you like good beer and a better meal, then definitlely stop here.
(4)Mark O.
Driving from KC to STL on a Sunday, Columbia was perfect stop-off. Yelped for pubs for my dad & I and saw Flat Branch. Actually a little hard to find but parking on the street and walking up was revealing of the greatness of their patio. I had veggie burger and APA, dad had pork loin sandwich and some less hoppy beer and we left most happy and continued our journey. I look forward to being able to enjoy carbs again and try their pizzas!
(5)Aaron B.
There is a reason why Flat Branch often has long waits during prime-time, because its the beeeeees kneeeeees. Flat Branch is a triple threat: great service, food, and booze. Yes, saying they are a triple threat is cheesy, but not as deliciously cheesy as their "Hot Soft Twist Pretzels" with CHEESY SPINACH DIP. I might be able to do an entire review just on this appetizer. I crave theeeem. This pretzel dish is what all pretzel dishes strive to be and fall short of. THE PINNACLE OF HOT SOFT PRETZELS. Moral of the story: GET THE HOT PRETZELS. The beer battered onion rings and chokes and cheese are another great treat. Beer battered breading is easily one of my favorite things invented. I love that sweet breading. As for main dishes, they have great pizzas but I usually opt for the burger. Their burgers are really good. I don't know why I like them so much but they are a perfect "American" burger. I've never had a bad meal here. Venture out and get whatever you want...I can bet you it's all good. Now onto the good stuff... their beer. They easily brew some of the best beers I have ever tasted (Note: I am not a beer aficionado). I love their Honey Wheat, it's probably my favorite. However they have so many great beers! I also enjoy the Green Chili Beer, Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, and the Irish Red. I look forward to my next visit to CoMo so I can visit Flat Branch.
(5)Sunni Z.
The world famous chokes and cheese was definitely not worth the hype. It didn't have any spinach in it. I had a burger and my guy had the adobo tacos. The burger wasn't flavorful and was pretty burnt. The adobo tacos smelt just like cat food. Very unappetizing. Too bad. We drove up from Rolla to go. Our waitress wasn't friendly either. We won't be going back.
(1)Smashlee D.
A Columbia staple, this place has earned it's fair share of beer, food, and best patio awards. They brew all their beers on site and everything from flights to groulers are available. Flat Branch has an extended pub style menu with pizza, burgers, steaks, and pasta dishes. Their beer alone is worth the visit, green chili beer, the Katy trail ale, and oil change being a few to mention along with the exclusive Halloween pumpkin beer. Great for large groups, kids, happy hour, and date night, this restaurant has got Columbia wrapped around it's finger.
(4)Matt V.
This is my 2nd trip to this establishment. The food, service, and beer are all top notch! They have the best shepherds pie I've ever in my life! During my recent trip I got their adobo pork tacos and they were so good. They have several craft brews on tap. This is a very popular restaurant so be prepared to wait for a seat or grab a spot at the bar!
(5)Ray B.
Just moved to Columbia and this by far has been the best restaurant I've eaten at in town. Went on a Saturday evening and there was an hour and a half wait for 2, which I wouldn't expect anything less from a restaurant this good. After drinking cheap beer at Lucky's while we waited, we sat at our table exactly 1.5 hrs after we went on the list. (Don't bother calling to make reservations ahead of time, they don't take them). I ordered the veggie burger with sweet potato chips on the side. It was the best veggie burger I have had. Not just your typical frozen patty from the grocery store, this had blacks beans, oatmeal, hummus, and all kinds of good stuff. For dessert I got the chocolate chip cookie sundae and it was delicious and HUGE. Oh forgot to mention the beers, I got their sampler and really enjoyed their green chili one. Others were more or less the same as any other local brewery. Still good though. Our waiter was awesome. He was upbeat, patient, and had no problem explaining menu items and checking in on us even when the place was slammed. Restaurants are graded by food, service, atmosphere, and prices. And this place aces ALL of them. Portions are larger than average and prices are actually reasonable which is surprising given the popularity and quality of the food at this place. Check it out sometime, we will be going back soon.
(5)John D.
We went for the first time today. The beer was awesome and the appetizers were great, especially the onion rings. The best part was the service. We had Archer as a waitress, and she was definitely one of the best servers we have ever had at ANY restaurant!!
(5)Derl W.
I have tried most of the menu here and I have never had a bad dish. I stick mostly to the lagers since I am not a huge fan of the dark beers, but there is a nice selection here as well.
(5)Debbie M.
I visited this flatbranch pub on a busy Thursday night. Our 35-40 minute wait was well worth it. Ordered the pork tacos that came with chunky applesauce and dirty rice and they were beyond delicious!!!! Service was also excellent. If ever in the area again would definitely stop in!!!! Deb. CT
(5)George F.
I could tell by the attitude of the girls at the door this was going to be a bad experience. The menus were thrown at a table, with an "is this ok" when she was already almost back at the door. She had to get back to the hostess stand to swap more boyfriend stories that our party interrupted. Once our waiter arrived at our table and took our drink order it was forever before our drinks came because he was waiting on other tables. The food was slow to come out but that was some what acceptable as it was a busy day. It wasn't acceptable that the food was cold. The poor reception. Service and food quality was topped off by the lackadaisical way our bill came. Was I ever glad to have cash so I didn't have to wait for our server to ring out a credit card.
(2)Tyler A.
Have been to Flat Branch at least a half dozen times now. Their brews are very good, I only wish that their vanilla (ale?) was a year round brew because it is great, other than that, their other brews are very good as well. The service is always good, whether on the patio, in the dining room, or in the bar. Their sandwiches are all I've ever had, and can't complain. If you're in CoMo, you have to check it out.
(5)Enrique S.
Grabbed lunch here today. Got my old stand-by sausage and mushroom pizza. As usual, it was very good. The crust was just right (thin), the sauce was not the sweet goop you get at the chains but rather "real" pizza sauce, and the toppings were plentiful and very fresh. Service was prompt. Good place for a biz-lunch meeting.
(4)Chi T.
I love their green chili chicken tenders! Must get it with ranch or blue cheese dressing! Whenever I go here, I normally order their chopped salads. Today, I was feeling a chicken club sandwich on focaccia bread. It was pretty good, but wish the bread was toasted on the inside. Not a bad place for lunch. Definitely go on a weekend or during the afternoon. There is definitely a wait time during the night!
(4)Andrew T.
Great longtime CoMo establishment with consistent food and microbrew craft beer quality. They have a solid lineup of beers that they serve throughout the year as well as some rotating seasonal selections so that everyone will find a drink that they will like. There are some rather interesting beers served here such as the Green Chili Beer which I am very tempted yet slightly intimidated to try! For those who like darker beers, my typical go-to is the Brown Ale here. A very solid representation of the style indeed. As for the food, although there are many tasty morsels listed throughout the menu, I usually end up getting the nachos with the chicken add on or the sausage and chicken bayou pasta. The nachos can usually be split between 2 people with normal appetites or is also good enough for 1 person who is very hungry and comes with sour cream, salsa, and guac on the side. For those who like their spice, the sausage and chicken bayou pasta is pretty fantastic and served as a large portion which I usually end up taking home for lunch/dinner the next day. It comes with both a nicely seasoned Andouille sausage as well as charbroiled chicken in a spicy sauce that is not too overwhelming. I would highly recommend this dish to any lovers of spice/Cajun/Creole cuisine. As for the service, the hostesses are typically very prompt and courteous as well as the rest of the service staff any time I have gone here even when they are completely swamped on game days.
(4)Christopher B.
I've had better for less, but the Garlic Pizza is tasty and the chicken and artichoke dip are both decent.
(4)Maxwell P.
Jes and I went to FB yesterday for about the 10th time. We've had really positive experiences pretty much every time, but for some reason I was really happy with yesterday's visit so I finally came on here to tell people about it. I'm not going to rave about the delicious food options, the myriad of micro-brew options, or the delicious daily specials, even though any of those things could be the focus of the review. If you have an adventurous streak for food or beers, or if you like the classics done really well, definitely check out FB. What really prompted me to write this is how knowledgeable and thoughtful the server we had yesterday was about the menu. Jes recently phased out gluten from her diet, and it's been a real struggle to find good restaurants that actually care about offering a variety of food to a variety of food-restrictions. Our server knew the options, she knew what was Gluten-Free on the menu, and she even went back to the server stand to grab the GF menu (which only affirmed what she had already told us). The staff at FB knows their stuff, and Jes and I are glad they have embraced the latest trend in gastronomy. Oh yeah, they have Crispin on tap which was perfect for yesterday's 90 degree 90% humidity day. 1-star deduction: The only complaint I consistently have about FB is the space. I don't care about waiting an hour to eat here, it's well worth it. However, as others have said, there's no good place to wait. The bar area is a weird hybrid of dining room / bar area, and it gets a little awkward having people hovering over you while you're trying to eat. There is a dining room dining room separate from the bar, so don't worry. The space issue was exacerbated yesterday because we were eating when the US was playing their opening WC game. Trust me, there's nothing worse that being trapped in a small space with a bunch of fair-weather soccer fans who only cheer when the ball is being kicked towards the goal. Ugh....
(4)Eric H.
I have been here a few times but never are here. I tried the new pot roast tonight and it was spectacular. I'll come again and I will eat next time. By the way, the Imperial IPA was also delicious.
(4)Bob B.
Pizza was average at best. Not cooked in a brick oven. It looked like a stainless steel stand-up oven... Onion rings were soaked in grease and the ranch dip was thin/watered down.
(2)Brandy H.
Great Porter! And home brewed soda made for some happy kiddos! The food was delicious, and fast. So fast! The staff was friendly and helpful, and all our meals were hot and huge!! We ate inside, and had a great atmosphere for the kiddos- but the outside patio looked like a blast. Definitely would shoot for outdoors of we were hanging with the grown ups... And husband loved the green Chili beer (he insists you try it)
(5)Zach G.
This place was very hyped up as a result of my wife and her friends all being Mizzou grads. Well, we grabbed some dinner here on my first trip to Columbia, and let me say...wasn't too impressed. The restaurant itself is nice. It's clean, it's large, it has plenty of outdoor seating too. The bar area seems a bit orphaned and out of place (as an island), but whatever. Bathrooms are clean. Service is friendly. That's all well and good. Beer wise, I had the stout which was very good - smooth, flavorful, and the perfect temperature. For my entree, I had the catfish and chips. The catfish itself wasn't a huge portion, but was moist, flaky and tasty, with a great breading. The fries were typical fries - good, not great, not bad. Now, why am I giving this place 2 stars? Well, for one, although it was hot outside when I was there, it was even worse inside. It's like they had no desire to turn on the air conditioning. It was, in fact, hotter inside than out - I wish we had sat on the patio. And that's a lot to say when it was 90 degrees outside. The inside was nasty, humid, stuffy...we (all four of us) spent the whole meal sweating. I wanted another beer, but wanted more to get the hell out of this place. The other negative - the pretzel app. My wife and her friend kept talking about how good the pretzels were, despite learning that they were not made in house, but rather just pulled out of the freezer and heated. For 2 pretzels with a small thing of cheese sauce, it was $9 with tax. NINE BUCKS! My entire entree was $11. And the pretzels were not that good at all - I didn't even finish one. What a rip off. So, will I return here? Maybe. If the weather is nice, and we avoid the pretzels. But, at the same time, I'm okay just coming for one beer or never coming again...my experience made me indifferent to Flat Branch.
(2)David P.
Flat Branch is a staple of Columbia. Whenever my parents come to visit we go there for dinner. The food is tasty, I love their salads and their beer is also great. The atmosphere caters to families and sports fans with a lot of televisions in the bar area. Overall, the place is great.
(4)Ygbnd G.
Love the atmosphere and the out door patio. The onions ring are really great but the rest of the food is okay
(3)James B.
Took my wife there for dinner. It was not for us. The food was okay. Nothing special. The crowd was rowdy. The wait - staff was nice. I gave it a three because the food was not great.
(3)Heather R.
Great place for lunch!!! Always make a stop here when visiting my daughter at school!!! The Reuben is on of the best I've ever had!
(5)Hope E.
The 'chokes and cheese is something I still think about from time to time. I try to make it here anytime I'm back in town. I absolutely love this place and spent many birthdays and special occasions here with friends during my college years. The Katy Trail Pale Ale is one of my favorite beers. Can't wait to visit again when I'm back in Columbia!
(5)Cynthia R.
The check in hostesses were a problem. Beer was great. Food was good. The bartenders were good. However, when it is a busy Sunday afternoon at lunchtime and the place is packed and you have to wait in a long line to just get your name on the list/get a pager, it is not ok for the hostess who is taking the names to allow her friend named Imperial to cut the entire line and get her name on the list ahead of a line of people for her table of 3. More mature hostesses who care would be great.
(2)Miranda B.
Beer was mediocre at best, and I tried a few to see if one just didn't suit my palate, but no dice.
(2)Sandy B.
The Stout Brownie Sundae is amazing! I want to keep coming back to Flat Branch just for this dessert.
(5)Brennan H.
Best beer and food in town. My favorite restaurant!
(5)Jam S.
Its a Columbia institution but over rated. If you are visiting here, and want to wait in line for hours, this is your spot. Food is just "ok" -- the beer is far better.
(2)Alyssa C.
Great food! Decent service, but our waiter was a bit scatterbrained. I recommend the Bangers & Mash.
(4)David S.
I've been here multiple times and am always very pleased. They seem to focus a little more on the food than on the beer, but the beer is still very well done and worth trying. I have tried many of there dishes and never been disappointed with the food options.
(5)Curtis H.
I have eaten at this great establishment many, many times over the years since my time at Mizzou. Their food is consistently good and continues to be reasonably priced. Their beers are also decent and are ridiculously cheap during happy hour. My last visit was graced with the chokes n cheese (always wonderful) and a very nicely prepared wasabi ahi tuna steak. If you are looking for a reliable establishment in Columbia this place is a must. I'll be back for sure...for many years to come. Go Tigers!!!!
(5)Fazia M.
Our server was pleasant. Great ambience. Gave large side table for our big group. Veggie burger and brownie were excellent will be back. Price is reasonable.
(5)Susan S.
Excellent. I have had numerous things on the menu, and everything has been good. The service is actually decent for Columbia, which has always seemed to have a problem with disinterested college students as waiters/waitresses/bartenders. I'm not a big fan of 'fancy' beers, but the people I've gone with whose tastes ran more exotic have been mostly happy with their brews. I do like the green chile beer - it adds a nice twist to the meal. A great example of upscale bar food - delicious and semi-imaginative without being pretentious.
(4)Harold D.
My favorite place for good food and hand crafted beer in Colmbia. This place has a great vibe I split the ribs with my wife and got an extra side good portions Did I say great beer
(5)Nithin M.
Good ambience, not very expensive, good beers, friendly staff, a notch above the average pub food and generous portions. I had the meat loaf dinner and my wife had the grilled chicken salad. Both were good though the fries were very oily. The honey wheat is the best light beer I have ever had and the brown ale was good too.
(5)Andy S.
Excellent beers, food, and service. Come here every time I'm in CoMo. Love me some beer bread.
(5)Suzanne W.
I had the blackened salmon..I'm pretty particular about the quality of my food and I was very happily surprised. It was great. I sampled the mashed potatoes and the BBQ sauce..both really good. Also tried the green chili beer..awesome. Server was super friendly and food came out fast!
(4)Tonya M.
My daughter and I dined here last night. It was a bit of a long wait, but was worth it in the end. We started with crab cakes- good crispy and the sauce was good. Dinner we shared bangers and mash- very good! The applsauce was made in house along with the gravy- you could tell by the flavor. I had a riesling with dinner- it was not the best. I know they are a brewery and know for beer but not all of us are beer lovers. So the drink menu at the table was a little sparse- hence 4 instead of 5 stars. When you go you HAVE to try the Creme Brulee bread pudding. OMG!!!!!!!! Crack in a bowl!! It was out of this world!!! I would return just for the dessert alone!! Atomsphere was good- but very busy even on a tuesday night. Will be back for sure. Want to try the Shephards pie. Seriously- save room for the bread pudding!!
(4)Tom T.
I would more likely vote 3.5, so Flat Branch gets rounded up. Their food is good - excellent burgers - fries are awesome - wings were so-so (not very spicy). Their beer is OK. In a world full of amazing craft brews, their house beers did not impress me. The place is consistently busy, particularly as you get close to the weekend. Expect slow, but competent service at the bar. After three visits, I'm convinced this is just how it is. Overall feel of the place is good. As a beer nut, I love the concept, but not crazy about the beer.
(4)Rita B.
Great margaritas on the patio. Food is wonderful too. Only bad thing is the wait.
(4)Chelsea G.
They make a lot of things in house here, from their salad dressings to, of course, their own beer! The beer is good, but it surprised me that it was so strong (felt stronger than the listed alcohol content). I've never been disappointed.
(4)Robert H.
Fun place to have a good time. Nice seating available. Large flat panel Tv's hover over the bar.
(4)Dotty R.
We went here to meet friends after dinner to have drinks. I didn't get to eat their food; however, this was a cool place. Very nice inside and out. We started at the bar having drinks and the wait staff was cool. We then ventured outside and sat on the patio. The staff outside was cool as well; kept coming by getting our refills and glasses. Great service, nice atmosphere. I will be back (in my terminator voice).
(4)Lab L.
Traveling through and hubby suggested lunch here based on his recent business trip to Columbia. The beer bread appetizer was a bit disappointing. We've had much better (and made much better)...so we felt this was an oversell. We also got the hot spinach dip with the restaurant's homemade tortilla chips. Very yummy. The side of veggies made it almost healthy. I had a cup of the tomato soup. Very good. Homemade. Hubby had a hamburger and onion rings. Hamburger portion was huge and he only ate half. Onion rings were good, but nothing special. I guess we expected something a little different/better than our local place that gets theirs from a huge food service vendor. Busy but food arrived timely. Good service with refills. Ended up being a big pricey for lunch but it beat a chain or fast food.
(4)pamela K.
Love Flat Branch.....I have yet to be dissapointed!! Great patio too for nice weather days. Don't miss the brownie made with Stout beer and topped with vanilla ice cream!!
(5)Sharon C.
Great food! We were looking for a place to eat in downtown, and just happened on this place. They have the big tvs to watch sporting events. It's a bit loud, like any other brew pub I've been to, but the staff was friendly and attentive, despite the fact Mizzou wasn't playing well against the Arkansas. The food was delicious. We'll definitely return when we are in the area.
(4)Teresa C.
I really like this place! (And not just because it has free parking in the middle of downtown COMO.) The location is convenient, there are tons of tables inside and out on the patio as well as space at the bar. The service was good and the food was very good for pub style fare. I'd take this place over Yardhouse anyday. Get: Bangers and Mash (so English, I know) which gives you two fat sausages on mash potato and gravy (you can taste how deliciously homemade it is) with applesauce and a roll with honey butter on the side. I loved this dish. I was ready to mop every drop of gravy and potato up and even stole some of K's burger bun to slather more honey butter on. Good! The Swiss and Mushroom burger was a good solid burger with a lot of oomph and served with your choice of a side. Skip: Chili chicken fingers- I get that the spicy kick of the batter makes your tongue go oooh and ahh, but at the end of the day, it's just chicken fingers. Oh and the steamed vegetables side. Healthy really isn't their speciality and you know, I don't care. I really want to go back and try the Chokes and Cheese when there's more people (or when I can afford to be that fatty) but this would be my choice on where to take people visiting. Good food, wide selection, decent prices and large portions. Yum!
(4)Pratik K.
Hands down, best food in Columbia. There's literally no other place that stands a chance in front of flat branch. Highlights of the menu - their ribs and the avocado burger. The only thing I didn't fins amazing on the menu was their pizzas. Except for that, you can't really go wrong with this place.
(5)Kelly C.
The best place for Chokes & Cheese. Every time I have been there the staff has been great and anything I have every ordered was wonderful.
(5)