MacDowell Brew Kitchen
202 B Harrison St SE, Leesburg, VA, 20175
MacDowell Brew Kitchen Menu
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Address :
202 B Harrison St SE
Leesburg, VA, 20175 - Phone (703) 777-2739
- Website https://www.macdowellbrewkitchen.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Angela E.
I went with a group of people who had heard about the beach bar and wanted to try it out. This place was so cool! There is a large fenced in outdoor area that is covered with sand. They have lots of wooden chairs, picnic tables, and there is even a huge section of a boat, which you can sit inside! There are a couple of fire pits that you can sit around, which was nice, because it was pretty cool outside. The place was somewhat busy when we arrived, but not packed. There is an outdoor bar where you can also order food. We got a few flatbreads to share and they were delicious! We also really enjoyed the fried pickles. The bar had just a couple of beers on tap and a good variety of bottles beers, some which were from the local area. I really had a good time and enjoyed this bar. I'm very excited to go back when the weather gets warmer because the atmosphere makes you feel like you are somewhere tropical.
(4)Dennis O.
Great outdoor experience. Though let me set some expectations (this is based on only a single visit so that that for what it is worth). You will have to get up and get your own beer from either the outdoor or indoor bars. Both bars have different selections so keep that in mind. Your beer will be served in a plastic cup (which makese sense for a reason to be explained), which for certain beer snobs might be a problem. You may have to wait in line for a little bit for the beers, especially if it's crowded. The food is good but don't expect some culinary delicacy. I went with my wife and 2 year old and had a wonderful experience. The weather was great, we were able to find a place to sit down and just unwind. We each had a few beers and let our kid play in the sand with other kids that were there. (this is the reason that glass wold be a bad idea...kids playing in sand). We got the soft pretzel which was excellent, some fish and chips (average), and a chicken sandwhich (below average). It was good enough from the food perspective. We were there for the beautiful night and atmosphere and MacDowell's delivered. Anyplace that lets my toddler run around and me to relax is great. Note: not MacDowells fault but you will smell smoke while there...every smoker in loudoun I think goes there. It is what it is, it's outdoors so just be warned.
(4)Matthieu K.
Good beer selection. Atmosphere is different and fun. Big kudos for doing something different, in downtown Leesburg ... in an area saturated with unique restaurants. Service is always great, it's kind of self-serve ... and that's fine. Food is predictable and unadventurous but good, I cannot complain (and you know I WILL complain if I can). I've had tacos and a burger here, no issues. The sand is a coup-de-grace. It's worth a trip in should you find yourself nearby!
(5)Mike M.
Have gone there with friends biking and food was ok and beer was good. A group of us went there a week ago for lunch. This week 2 of us received notification from our credit card company that the tips we gave and put on the cc receipt were altered $5 higher. If you go, check your cc receipts later or pay cash.
(1)Sara N.
Okay, I see what's going on here. This place doesn't seem to get have the best reputation, but my review is solely based on the ambiance and outside "beach" part of the bar. Nothing like it anywhere in VA! I now realize when I'm reminiscing on my Hawaii days, this is the place to go drown my sorrows with their fun tropical drinks and pretty decent fish tacos and sweet potato fries, while listening to reggae and dipping my toes in the sand. What a hidden jewel! This is a must for some outdoor fun post-wineries, since that cheese and crackers ain't holding you over. I really wish I could give this place five stars, but man, THE SERVICE WAS BAD. Reality check to the waiters, this isn't an exclusive VIP club in Miami, be nice and lay off the mean bouncer persona - it doesn't suit this establishment well.
(4)Amanda B.
Awful awful awful service! Seriously walked in, sat at the bar to the immediate left and tried to get the attention of one of the three bartenders crowded around the computer with two of them looking kinda lost. There were people waiting to be waited on and they did nothing to greet or even give a menu to any of the customers. I kept waiting... Thinking well I should wait my turn.... But then they seriously kinda looked at us and ignored us because a gaggle of girls walked in looking for liquor. Wtf.... Ummmm.. I'm here sitting on the barstool leaning over the bar trying to get your attention force past 10 minutes and still no hello. Forget this place.... I see why people are so dissatisfied with the service. I didn't take away all the stars because the venue itself is pretty neat, great setup but the service aspect killed it for me. I've gotten better service at fast food joints with lines going out the door and cars wrapped around the drive thru. Ugh. Get your act together MacDowells! You have potential to be awesome but you need better management obviously and better servers/bartenders.
(2)D S.
My husband and I love the unique, casual atmosphere of MacDowell's. Yes, you get up to order drinks or food, but if you are okay with that, you will enjoy the beach bar ambiance and fantastic brew selections. It attracts a fun crowd in Loudoun.
(5)Cheryl T.
Panini sandwiches are surprisingly good (for a bar)!! Of course I love sinking my toes into the sand, and live bands don't hurt either. Only problem was that there were an alarming amount of kids there on First Friday. The place is very much a bar - with smoking and drinking. I shouldn't have to watch out for them, making sure I don't step on them (or their sand castle!). And I'm a mom - so it's not as if I'm anti-children. I just know not to bring them to a BAR!!!
(4)Melissa Rose P.
This was a rare find! We were wandering by down town Leesburg to look for a new place to eat and passed this little jem on the side of the street noticing an outdoor BEACH area to eat at! Yes, this place has sand! We wandered in and found a table (barrel and logs) to sit at. We were immediately helped by a sweet waitress who recommend an excellent dark chocolate beer ( new favorite now! ) Our food arrived shortly after. The food was delicious! I loved the fried pretzel roll with fresh Dijon mustard. SO tasty! The Sexy fries with Parmesan and garlic were a wee oily and lacking salt for my taste but my companion seemed to enjoy them. While we waited on our fish and chicken tacos ( both delicious!) I pulled off my sandals and dug my toes into the sand while shutting my eyes...this place has a therapeutic aspect if you are a beach lover and can't get away for the weekend. I highly recommend this place! We will be back and soon! :)
(4)Meg B.
Came here after a rugby game with a few teammates and sat outside where they had a sandy bar area(3 outside bars and 1 inside bar wit space for seating, awesome!). We all thought it was great! Though you had to order food and drink at the bar, service was great and the food was even better! I had a chef burger which was in the spicy side(which I love) with a blackberry pear cider that hit the spot. I also stole a bite of the fish sandwich and sexy fries of a friend, she ruined the sandwich in my opinion with ketchup but both were really great! I wish I had more time to play the giant Jenga set outside! But my team and I found it very entertaining to watch those who did!
(5)SC O.
If bar food, good beer on tap, sand to dig your feet into and a spot for kids and adults/parents to chill out isn't your thing, awesome. More space for us! SaturDAY and SunDAY; perfection in Leesburg on a nice day.
(4)Ben S.
Quick service! Very attentive! Had cordon bleu burger and sexy fries. Excellent! Great IPA, too!
(5)S M.
This place is so adorable and fun. Good music playing outside. Fun drinks. It is a bit strange because you have to walk to a different bar for liquor. One bar serves only beer. And the bathrooms are completely segregated and no where to be found unless you ask someone.
(4)David G.
This place is ok. But the food is great we ordered the fish tacos and they where amazing.
(3)John K.
Uninspired... So after reading the reviews we were unsure what to expect here. I already knew that there was no tableside ordering so going to the bar to order was different, however not a huge deal. The bartender was very nice.. and we were helped pretty much straight away. That is however, how I managed to submit the 2nd star in this review as it was downhill from there. I wish I had taken a picture of the beer list that was on my table since it could have actually been a pretty decent list of choices, until you realized that perhaps 25% of them were crossed out as out of stock. I ordered the Pulled Pork Reuben (which the bartender claimed was one of their most popular) and my wife ordered Pulled Pork and Sweet Potato Fries. Not sure what the distance from the kitchen to my table was however both plates of food arrived at the table warm (at best). Usually I am pretty forgiving when ordering food at a bar, however since I like to make Pulled Pork at home I have to say theirs was ridiculously disappointing in flavor. Add to that, the Sweet Potato fries we are nearly positive came frozen from Costco and I highly doubt we will ever be back. There has to be better options in Leesburg right?
(2)Heather B.
awesome outdoor experience and upbeat staff! we will be returning for sure.
(4)Candace D.
When in the DC/Ashburn VA area visiting a friend, she suggested we try the "hip new spot" out. I was excited, love trying new places, but I have to say I was totally confused when we arrived! The front entrance of the place is cute, eclectic, and has a old bookstore feel (real nice but super tiny). Then you go outside... its almost like you are going to margaritaville.... the outdoor patio is covered in sand, there is a "shipwrecked" boat hull in the center with bar stools around it, a shed where you can order drinks, outdoor fire pits, etc.... cool concept but totally doesn't go with the inside bar! The biggest FAIL, was the fact that there were no waitresses... if you wanted to order food or get a drink you had to go to the "shed" or go to the inside bar. The whole serve-yourself concept is crazy to me! The place has potential....the owner was confused when thinking up the concept, but still there is potential! But no one wants to have to get up all the time from the table to go get food/drinks, get some waiters/waitresses!!!!
(2)Buster M.
I had a great experience at MacDowell's. The customer service was terrific. Chris was my bartender and he was super friendly. When it got busy, one of the owners, Nils, immediately jumped in and bartended until the rush ended. His customer service couldn't have been better. He was attentive to customers and helpful. I am a bartender so I found that extremely impressive. It is awesome when management notices that it is busy and then jumps in to help. They know good beer! The beer selection is terrific. You are not going to be disappointed with what is on tap. Plus they have great bottled beer. What I mean is that you can find outstanding bottled beer and not generic everyday beer. I also had appetizers and a burger. My appetizers were chips and fried pickles. They came out in a MORE than reasonable time. I don't know what they have in their dipping sauce but it was great. I could drink that stuff on it's own. So after a couple of visits, MacDowell's is my bar. There is a reason it is busy...they are good!
(5)Kailene K.
I think worse place I have ever been. I would rather eat McDonald's off the floor than return here. Let me start with the fact that I ordered a very expensive draft beer - just under $10, and it was served in a plastic cup, I can understand this for 2 reasons: I just ordered a Miller Lite or Bud, or it is packed - neither were true in this situation. So the food: I got the pulled chicken, which is NOT pulled chicken, it is merely slices of chicken with BBQ sauce on top of it, oh and a hair on top of mine. The coleslaw was straight vinegar which you can imagine is absolutely far from delicious. The pretzel we each only had a bite of because it was hard and flavorless. I would highly recommend to everyone that they go to whatever the place is across the street - they had great service and a great atmosphere, didn't try the food but heard it was awesome. I'd never recommend MacDowell's to ANYONE, not even my worst enemy!
(1)Amanda G.
I love this place! The whole backyard set up they did was excellent. It was perfect for a lazy Sunday dinner. The food was phenomenal, as long as you don't order anything with chicken in it. We started off with awesome onion rings which came with a delicious spicy sauce that was incredible. The sexy fries were the best parmesan garlic fries I've ever had! I got the crispy fish tacos and was very impressed with how they accommodated me because I asked if they could do it in a flour tortilla instead of corn and all they had was a burrito sized flour tortilla and it was still SO delicious! I never get crispy fish with my fish tacos but the crispiness was perfect, not too breaded and nice and flaky. However, my boyfriend got the pulled chicken sandwich and his sister got the chicken tacos, both said the chicken was bland and wished they had gotten something else. We still had a great time though! By the way, we LOVE LOVE LOVE that they allow dogs!! I will say that what prevented me from giving this place 5 stars was our waitress. Please don't get me wrong, we really liked her...when we saw her. She would disappear for long periods of time and would come over to take an order then walk away without asking anyone else if they wanted anything. If we were in a hurry this would have been really annoying but we were there to chill out so we didn't mind quite as much. I did appreciate how she was able to relate to me on the whole flour tortilla thing and was really nice about it. I hate being that picky person at the table. I can't wait to come back on a Friday or Saturday for some real drinking experience!
(4)Scott S.
Great fun place went there with a very large group. Had a blast outdoor area lots of fun
(4)Aly P.
Really didn't even want to give them a star, wish I could give them none! My boyfriend and I were hungry after the 4th of July fireworks and I had heard good things about this place so we decided to check it out. We sat outside at one of the tables and waited and waited for a server to come up to our table. We saw servers walking around but we couldn't get anyone's attention. Mind you, the place wasn't even that busy. We kept trying to grab someone's attention but they seemed to not notice us. We waited 25 minutes and finally was able to grab a severs attention. He said we had to go up to the bar to get a drink since there was no actual service for the night. We did not know that and were not happy we waited that long and no one bothered to come up and tell us! We got sick of waiting and we were so put off by our "server" who had an attitude and didn't want to help us out that we left. The customer service with this being our first time was AWFUL!! We loved the exterior and atmosphere of the place, but we had no one help us and left very unhappy. I want to try the food here but it would take a lot to get me to come back. Come on guys, customer service is #1 key in this business! Management please read!!! WHERE ARE THE OWNERS?!?! There are so many complaints on here, take care of the service problems!! It's ridiculous how bad it is and nothing is being done!!!
(1)Adam A.
The beer selection was decent, however they were out on the one I wanted to try. The beach set up was awesome and that itself is worth checking out. That is what really brought us in. However, the service needs to be fixed. We waited at the main bar for 5 minutes outside and was not greeted once. I was very disappointed. It is hard to find places with a good atmosphere and good service and MacDowell has the atmosphere part down, you just need to train your staff better and do a better job on the service part. Take a vist to one of the Great American Restaurants. Although they are more of a restaurant just go to the bar and take in the excellent service and atmosphere. You can learn from them and improve. Cheers!
(2)Agnieszka S.
First, for those complaining about lack of service... READ the signs... the ones on every table AND the big sign when you first walk-in. This place is a form of self-service... it does not pretend to be anything else. If you sit down at a table and wait for someone to take your order, you might be there for a while. Your orders are placed and picked up at the bar. For those complaining about being served expensive beer in a plastic cup... this place is meant to make you feel like you're on the beach... they want you to kick your shoes off and relax... with actual glassware, there would be too much risk of broken glass in the sand resulting in cut feet, etc. I appreciate the additional precaution. This is a unique place in LoCo. The atmosphere is awesome. My husband and I felt like we were on a beach in the Dominican Republic when we came here for lunch on a sunny fall day. The food is good (although frickles are AWESOME) but the beer selection ROCKS. Don't come here expecting white tablecloths and black-tie service... this is a beach bar... go get your own food and beer, sit back, relax and enjoy... no one here will pester you about getting another drink or dessert or your check. This place really feels like a beach bar in the Caribbean.
(4)Seth S.
It was fun to sit outside on a nice day at their boat bar but the service is horrible- you can tell they do not have a solid process established. We had to get our own beer menu, wrong check etc... i may go back for beers outside but dont' expect much when it comes to service
(2)Ashley G.
The best Bar and Grill in the area! The fish sandwhich is to die for and the Crispin Blackberry Pear Cider is sooooo good! Everyone is friendly and has a great attitude
(5)sean b.
Funky, decor average food and decent beer. Biggest problem is the staff. They are disengaged and not particularly friendly.
(3)Pat H.
Wonderful outdoor bar areas, with sand, fire pits, and music. And they welcome well behaved, leashed dogs. Yummy pub food, lotsa craft beers- they even brew their own. All in downtown Leesburg. What more could you want?
(5)Michael D.
I am with Aly P. on this one. a zero star rating would be better. When we went the "beach" wasn't even open so we sat inside where (and I am not a prude), we got to listen to some drunk dudes at the bar swearing up a storm and just being intimidating. The pictures on their website are just plain b.s. Place is a dump and the service non-existent.
(1)Matt D.
Updated Review: Looks like they have listened to the Yelp reviews and the quality of the food and the service in 2015 is back and better than ever. More staff means better service right? Anyhow, try the Fish tacos and the burgers. Both are delicious. And the beer selection is incredible as always. It is a much younger crowd though now. I guess the 20 somethings have no where else "cool" to go in Loudoun and I don't blame them. A great crowd on pretty much any night. --------------------------------------------------Â------ I used to love this place, was with them during the whole "Save our Beach" campaign and everything. Was a great place last year and before with outdoor bands playing on the weekends, a diverse crowd who was very laid back. The food has never been their strong point, but at least you could get the food. And then? 2014 happened! Second time now in three weeks I have gone and wondered "where the hell is the service?" Sat up at the boat bar and waited....and waited......and waited some more. Finally had to get up and go inside and order a beer myself. REALLY????? I came to a bar/restaurant to have you serve my beer for me at my seat, not to go wondering around each time I want a beer. Had several other patrons commenting on the same thing. It was just weird!!! And to boot, one of the owners was there last Thursday night and he seemed to not even notice. Hate to see this as I have be coming here since the beginning.
(4)N A.
I always have a great time here - love their beer selection and the outside sandy patio is so refreshing to see in downtown Leesburg. Conveniently located next to tuskies and a smoke shop if you're in need of stogies. Services is friendly and unpretentious.
(5)Carla T.
Awful awful awful service! First time checking out this place and it was terrible! You literally have to get up from the bar area literally ask the bartender to give you a drink. Otherwise you'll be sitting there for hours with no drink. I've never been to such a sucky bar/service. Highly disappointed.
(1)Baa B.
If you want a bar this place is great! If you want a quiet place to eat a large, filling meal, I would go somewhere else.
(5)JP A.
Beach bar is solid. Deep fried Oreos and deep fried apple slices, yuuuuuuup. They had a good selection of beers, would def recommend this
(4)Scott B.
My family are big fans of this place. The atmosphere is great with the beach vibe. Our boys love to play and explore while we sit down either by a fire pit, the awesome boat bar or random table. The beer selection is awesome, a lot of selection. I'm not one to really care about what I drink my beer out of so I don't mind a plastic cup. I can understand that as well with all of the sand and not wanting potentially broken glass hiding in the sand. The upstairs bar is really nice and if you require your beer in a glass mug, you can get it up there. The food is good, not great, but good. The do have an awesome deep fried cookie dough dessert that will take a year off of your life, but well worth it. We've had nothing but good service the 5+ times we've been. Haven't had any issues. Really cool place, great vibe, awesome beer and decent food.
(4)Colleen M.
So this is awkward. I've never actually had anything to drink here. However, my dining companions have and we've all indulged in the food. MacDowell has recently become, for the Mister and me, our default 'let's eat something fried' place. They have a magnificent collection of appetizers, including 'frickles' -- fried pickles. The entrees are quite good as well. The dessert menu looks amazing; we haven't had any room to try it. The beer list is long, and good, but I haven't had the opportunity to put it through its paces. Do not come here expecting great or quick service. Frankly, it sort of feels like an afterthought that they need waitstaff. I've also seen a few spots on the glasses and that sort of thing. The food is a lot more impressive than the atmosphere and service. Adjust your expectations on those fronts, embrace fried pickles, and you'll leave happy.
(3)Jessica S.
Love this place! Wish the beer prices were a bit lower and their servers also brought beers to your table. But otherwise, my favorite place to go in Leesburg on a sunny day!
(4)Jennifer D.
Went with my husband and another couple based on their recommendations. Sat outside, which I don't recommend doing for long periods of time because the "stools" are a little rough. Everyone in the group enjoyed their beers (I don't drink beer) and we stuck to appetizer food: pretzel with mustard (good) and the sampler (also good). The sampler had fried pickles, onion rings, chicken tenders, and mozzarella sticks. My husband ate all the "frickles" before I could try any but everything else was great. The service was definitely not great. Getting drinks refilled was certainly a challenge. The standout was the "funny fries" from the dessert menu: funnel cake sticks, sprinkled with powdered sugar. All in all, it was a dog and kid friendly place with a good menu for beer and food. Just be prepared for lackluster service. And sand.
(4)Kelli G.
Just like everyone else has said. Great atmosphere. But service sucks. Even going up to the bar is doable. It's the fact the none of their bartenders or wait staff care that you are there. Zero customer service.
(1)Iris K.
This is a little slice of heaven in the middle of the suburbs. There is no other place quite like it- the atmosphere is casual and fun, the people are awesome and not the slightest bit pretentious, and the staff, owners and bands are second to none. I could live off the pulled pork tacos for the rest of my days and while I can't personally enjoy their draught beer (gluten free), my friends always seem blown away by the selection, quality and flavor of all their beer. There is no place in all of Loudoun County I would rather hang out at on any night of the week and I feel truly lucky that they chose to open in and bring some much needed fun to Leesburg. Cheers.
(5)Franz W.
If you're looking for a one of a kind, laid-back bar to grab a few drinks and maybe some grub, this is the coolest place in Leesburg. This is our favorite bar on the planet and the owner and staff are fantastic. Great beers on tap and the vibe here with the sandy beach, boat bar and palm trees is a great way to think you're on a beach somewhere. Hands-down an incredible local joint that is always a good time.
(5)Meg K.
Ambiance could be great w the music and sand but don't bank on the service. We waited 10 mins at the outside bar before moving inside to order our drinks. Once we finally found a table and ordered our food, it was a huge disappointment. Don't order the pulled chicken tacos or the pulled chicken sandwich-- it's boiled chicken with no sauce or seasoning just plopped on a different dish. What a waste of money. Fries were great but I'm afraid they're a one trick pony.
(1)Penny L.
This is where we would always bring out-of-town guests for a nice lunch after getting off the plane. I am sad to say that this ritual is going to change. Today, we saw that the sign said to seat yourself & order from the bar so we followed directions. However, after 20 minutes of hunting around for a server just to order a round of beers (the restaurant was not crowded--not even close), we left. I'm really disappointed. The last couple of times we have been to MacDowell, we had noticed a decrease in the quality of food & service, but continued to give the place more chances. After today, I won't do that again. There is quite a bit of competition right in Market Station for food & drinks. I hope MacDowell can get their act together so they can stay in business.
(1)Morgan S.
I went here last Friday with my fiancé and a friend of mine who had been here a couple of weeks prior. The place was a bit crowded, but not terrible. And while the beer was okay, the service was horrendous. We waited 15 min. just to get a few beers from very rude and dismissive bartenders. Once we had the drinks, we enjoyed the nice outdoor seating by a campfire which was a plus and went back in at 12:30a to get a second round only to find they had already made last call. No biggie. So, I close my tab at around $20 for the three beers, and then I check my bank account the next day only to find a charge for an additional $72 that did not belong to me. Overall, I am not pleased with this establishment and I will not be returning.
(1)Lisa S.
The beer selection was AWESOME! Came to have a beer and Inga (bartender) took great care of me. Her recommendations were perfect for my taste. Definitely will be coming back.
(4)Jacque' M.
AWFUL! From the service to the food. They serve a plate that looks like they shopped at Costco for the appetizer and the fish tacos were NOTHING...as far as flavor or presentation...a single piece of fish they breaded and fried and cut into three pieces and laid them on three flat tortillas and put a little flavorless salsa and a few shreds of cheese and called them fish tacos (11$). As far as the service they made you feel like you were an imposition. And were NOT FRIENDLY Don't waste your time or $. Go back across the street for good food and great, friendly service and great craft beer..
(1)Erik L.
Great beer selection and cool outdoor environment but it's jaded by the bad service. It's very disappointing that you have to wait 15 minutes to get a drink. Food was okay but don't ask to alter your meal. They will go out of their way to not have your way. Will not go back.
(2)Kim N.
Yummy food! Great beer!!! Wonderful atmosphere. A must stop for those visiting or for a regular hang out spot.
(5)Tony P.
When this place first opened, I feel like I was promised a craft beer brewpub. Nowadays, I believe I got a live music luau instead. The sand is a gimmick. Nobody wants that in their shoes (unless they are at a real beach). The interior won't hold you over in the winter. The beer list is extensive, but I'm not convinced that it is stored properly. I'd rather have a tight collection of 15 beers (7 on tap) and have them refreshed consistently, then to have 20+ and the I get the luck of having a 1 year old skunked bottle (or have the server send me a bottom keg yeast milkshake 2x). The food is barely acceptable, and I'm personally worried about the fly count.
(1)M. M.
Pros: Extensive beer list Fun, outdoor area Food prices are fair for the food/quality Cons: Super slooooooooow service Neighboring tables aren't bused, which is really nasty to look at ALL night On the dirty side Really odd inside set-up Overall, we were impressed by their own brew, an espresso beer. If we were at a neighboring restaurant, we might stop in for a beer.... but we'll never do dinner again.
(2)Michael S.
When I walked into mcdowlles I wasn't too sure what I thought. But the friendly bartender, kit greeted me with a great smile and with a wonderful beer selection. Kit (the bartender) suggested the fried onion rings which were incredible with a tasty/tangy house sauce. After I devoured my appetizer, I ordered the fish tacos, served with all fresh ingredients and exactly what I wanted. For dessert, kit almost insisted on the beer batter apples with caramelized cinnamon sugar. Seeing as these apples had been featured in the Washington Post twice, I had to have them. And thank god I did, for they were the perfect end to a wonderful experience in downtown leesburg.
(5)S V.
Food is very average, nothing healthy, lots of fried stuff and small portions. Service way below average. Only reason to go there is ambience and beer. Outdoor beach theme is eclectic and quirky. They have wine but waiter never asked if I wanted any nor offered a list. Waiter gave my male companions menus but not me. My male companions shared the menu but decided first, they ordered and then passed a menu back to me to decide. Waiter took my menu when I handed it to him but continued to talk to the men and started to walk away without taking my order. I guess he doesn't like girls. I suppose that's what a beersexual is, as advertised on the front of his t-shirt.
(1)John P.
Pros: Great draft beer selection. It has the bones for a great experience; live bands, outdoor seating. Cons: smoking all over the place including cigars! They even sell cigars at the bar. Ugh! It's only one of two places in Leesburg that you can drink a beer and smoke, soe every smoker is there. Second, the bar staff is slowwwwww! I've been here several nights and the outdoor bartenders have zero desire to serve.
(2)Greg L.
If I could give 0 stars I would. The old bartender decided to totally ignore us. I'm sorry you hate my money, I won't attempt to spend it here again.
(1)Jessica S.
In all honesty, my visit to MacDowell's Brew Kitchen had to have been one of the WORST experiences I had at a restaurant ever. I went with my boyfriend on a Thursday evening. We went with a voucher from LivingSocial for one appetizer, two entrees, and two drinks. We purposely went on Thursday to avoid weekend nights that may be busier. We had bought the voucher because we had heard great reviews from friends and were very interested in their beer selection. Unfortunately, their beer selection is pretty much all they have to offer. As first timers to MacDowell's we were a little wearier when we first arrived because there was no sign actually saying the name of the restaurant. We finally saw a small chalkboard facing the wrong direction that had the name written on it, so we proceeded to enter. When we entered we were even more worried, as the restaurant was seat yourself. There was some live music even happening on their outdoor patio, so we tried to find seating outside but were unsuccessful. We decided to sit inside and were the only ones doing so. After we sat down, it took over ten minutes for anyone to speak to us. And when they did, it was to tell us someone would be with us... eventually. That came at least another ten minutes later. So we had already been in the restaurant for twenty minutes before we even ordered or got anything to drink. When we asked the waitress about the voucher, she was very impatient and just told us to order. She rudely responded to questions we had about the menu and voucher. While I understood that they may have been busier than normal, I was very disappointed in this behavior. My boyfriend and I ordered two beers, mozzarella sticks, fish and chips, and the sweet chili chicken wrap (which I cannot even find on their online menu..) The mozzarella sticks were basically what you could buy in the freezer section of a grocery store. The fish and chips were okay. My boyfriend is Scottish, so his expectations were higher than mine. He was very disappointed, but ate them. I thought they were reasonable. My wrap was terrible. The chicken was a dried chicken strip and there was basically no sweet chili sauce. It would have been 100 times better if they had actually mixed the chicken strip in the sauce (like with wings). In fact it was so bad, I could not even finish eating it. To make matters worse, we did not realize that the drinks that were included were only NON-ALCOHOLIC ones, so we had to pay additionally for our beers. This would not have been an issue if it had been communicated. We also never received any non-alcoholic drinks, not even water. For a dinner that took over two hours, this would have been appreciated. We hardly ever saw our waitress or anyone else that worked there, so we could not even ask. As the dinner went on, more people came inside to eat. It seemed like the wait staff seemed to pay more attention to regulars. One large group came in and got their food faster than we had, but another couple who came in and sat next to us eventually left after waiting for 15 minutes without being acknowledged at all. MacDowell's beer selection is vast. Although most of it is in bottles or cans. There outdoor seating is pretty cool, so if you just want to chill and drink a beer MacDowell's might be acceptable. I would absolutely NOT recommend coming here to eat. The service was terrible, the food was terrible, and I came home smelling like fried food.
(1)Julia H.
I've found my perfect local go to, and I could not be happier. MacDowell's has a great, upbeat attitude and you can tell when you walk in the door. The bar to the left has a bunch of taps, and the bartenders are always willing to discuss what is on tap with you or recommend something for you to try. The beach is a perfect place to hang out with friends at night, the campfires provide a great atmosphere. The food is phenomenal - I've been a couple times and haven't had anything I would not recommend. The items to share, like the Sexy Fries, are great. The panini I had was great, simple and filling. The staff is always smiling, even when its busy or hectic. The owners are usually on site to talk with the customers. I could not be happier with MacDowell's - they are a great local restaurant and they really support local craft brewing. I would highly recommend them!
(5)Travis C.
Went to MacDowell Brew Kitchen with some friends last night and probably won't be back. Things started off bad from the get go. It took in excess of 15 min for anyone to come to and take our order and there were hardly any patrons in the place. I ordered the spicy buffalo wings, which weren't spicy and came out with soggy skin (gross). To compliment the wings, I ordered the "sexy fries" which were easily the most grease saturated fries I've ever had in my life. Also soggy (gross). Bad service, bad food, won't ever be back again.
(1)James G.
The beer is impressive...but, don't expect much on tap...it took me 3 selections to hear "we have that"...OK...the beer is the good thing, had a nice 8% Red Ale but the food SUCKS! Let me know when they get a cook and I might be back...other than that...worst fish and chips I've had in year...over cooked, greasy piece of thin cod. On a positive not the tarter sauce was real good, and french fries nice and spicy...but, "fish and chips" this isn't! My son had the pannini while my daughter had the spice chicken sandwich. Pannini and onion rings looked decent but the chicken sandwich looked as if it came from a box. I won't be back! Leesburg has some real good choices for food and this isn't one of them! Try the Q Company or Wine Kitchen if you want some food cooked by a real chef.
(2)Cynthia G.
This place has the best outdoor bar to chat with friends around the fire pits and listen to fun live music, all while digging your feet into the sand. The beer selection is very good, and the food and service are steadily improving.
(4)Andrew S.
Still my favorite restaurant in Leesburg, VA, as my last post here over a year ago. Their salads are superb, and love the Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich, as a lot of their other dishes. (Beer Battered Oreos, and a extensive beer selection - cant go wrong there.) Service is speedy and the servers are very friendly. They also have a stage outside that play lots of great artists Tue-Sat with a Margaritaville type sand beach area, and a outside boat bar. Every chance I get when I'm in Leesburg on business I'll make sure to stop in.
(5)Brian P.
Great bar in the summer (and hidden bar inside upstairs during winter). Feels like a mix of Georgetown waterfront and Margaritaville. Food is Ok but drink prices are reasonable and live music outside makes is a good nightlife destination.
(5)Craig P.
Went to MacDowell Brew Kitchen early on a Friday. This is a pretty small pub when the outside seating isn't open (which it wasn't), so I suggest coming early if you want a table. I'll say this right off the bat, other than the salads, pretty much everything is fried - mostly in beer-batter. Even a couple of the deserts are fried. We started off with Frickles - battered, fried pickles. They were quite tasty. The batter had a bit of kick, which I didn't expect, but I liked. Those, I would probably get every time. I had the fish and chips (which is really beer-battered fish and homemade fries). I thought the fish was really good, but the fries are outstanding. I've never had fries that kind of melted in my mouth when I bit into them like these did. I recommend something and fries. Anything and fries. Beer and fries, perhaps. My daughter got the chicken tenders (and fries). I didn't see those on their online menu, but they were on the menu at our table. Don't know if it's a new addition. She thought they were some of the best she's ever had. The beer selection was pretty large. I got a (Lost Rhino?) apocalyptic ale, which I hadn't tried before. It was pretty good, but probably not my favorite. I wish I had thought to ask which beers were brewed on site (if any). We'll definitely try this place again; maybe when it's warmer and the outside seating is open. I have to try the beer-battered Oreos for dessert.
(4)T T.
Such a cool bar. My one year old had so much fun playing in the sand while the adults had a drink. We had the fried apple rings and fried Oreos and both were incredible. Only bad thing was my son ate a cigarette butt out of the sand. But what are you gonna do?!? Ppl should use the ashtrays like the signs ask them to. Love this place. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Jane E.
Is it really that hard to hire enough servers or at least ones that care? Where is the owner? This used to be my husband's favorite restaurant but after today's SUPER slow service -- i.e., non-existent -- he said he's never going back. Why wouldn't you hire enough people to handle the business that you're trying to generate? BTW, we never got our food, finally cancelled it and left.
(1)Jessica P.
Awesome spot for beers in the summer - beach bar with sand, sun and music. The service is bad, but just go to the bar and get over it :) The food is standard bar food, nothing special. Go to Tuskies for lunch (across the street - fantastic food) and grab a drink after at McDowell's.
(4)Brenda R.
The setting is nice with the sand and music, but the service is horrible. I think the waiter wished he was somewhere else. He would look at you and keep on going. After we arrived and received the first round of drinks, they put signs on the table that you have to walk to the bar to get good and drinks. But certain tables were still getting waited on. I didn't even order food because ...got pizza on the way home. Do not need to go there again!
(1)Sarah J.
I have not had a single good experience here, and I've tried three times to have one. The first trip we made, the waitress (who wasn't even OUR waitress) hemmed and hawed because four of us sat at two small tables. Service is extremely slow. Not just on the first visit, but on all of the visits. The restaurant was not even busy when we went. I'm a firm believer that if the server can keep my drink full before my food gets to me, then I'm almost always guaranteed to not have a bad experience with service. On each occassion that we went, it wasn't the case. My drink stayed empty and I saw no sign of the server until our food arrived, and then once after to bring us our check. I vaguely remember the wings being decent. The rest of the food is barely mediocre. I ordered the parmesan fries and they were the greasiest things I've ever eaten. It was like someone took them out of the fryer and then poured two tablespoons of grease on them. The pretzel they serve is the same way. I also had one of their wraps. It was your basic sysco bag of chicken tenders wrap. Very disappointing. Not going back unless service and food improves.
(1)J S.
The beer selection is great but the service is horrible. I have been here a hand full of time just cause they have my favorite brew. I wait what seams to be forever for food. Tip go to fireworks across the street.
(2)Sheri O.
my husband and i had dinner at Mac Dowell's last night. we sat inside since it was pretty cold outside. however, many people did sit ouside, so the heat lamps must have been doing their job! wait staff was very friendly and attentive. i had the spicy chicken wrap. excellent and took half of it home! my husband had the fish and chips and said was very good. we had a coupon that had expired (not noticed by me) . however the wait staff checked it out with the manager, and it was honored! thank you so much! have, and will, frequent MacDowells!!
(4)Chris F.
Atmosphere = A- Almost felt like i was at the beach. Good music and good atmosphere especially outside. Food = C Food was ok but could have been much better. Fish tacos are mediocre, wings are average, fried pickles were pretty good. The food is not good enough to being me back. Much better alternatives like Doner and Fireworks. Most of the food is fried, except for the pulled pork which was ok. Food could be much better especially if it had an island/beach theme. The menu is just lazy - you can't even get a burger. Service = F Service is horrible. I had to flag down a server/bartender to order drinks, then food, then another drink. They were clueless and unhelpful. Overall = C- I 'might' come back for a beer but that is it and only for the atmosphere. Ford's fish shack should buy this place and make it what it should be.
(2)Monica B.
Amazing little bar. I really wish they could just expand it out, it's clearly popular. Had a great time with my fiancee and son last weekend. We chilled to talk about the wedding while my son played in the sand. After a while some our friends joined us and we stayed for the band. Casual and laid back. I saw the manager and many servers running around trying to deliver drinks. I don't mind going to the bar to get mine. I think the issue is that there are three bars and they all serve something. I have no complaints, maybe I'm just a laid back person. I cannot wait to go back. Even purchased a shirt :)
(5)Dan C.
Where are all the reviews? OK so set your expectations - this is a bar that sells bar food, it's not trying to be anything more. The positives: 1) The BEACH! That's right - Leesburg has its own little piece of the Caribbean complete with pirate ship, all the other adornments you might expect to see, and an outside bar. It's an awersome idea and it works perfectly....for as long as the town council will allow it. 2) Regular live music 3) Great atmosphere (but can get busy on the w/e) 4) Great selection of beer 5) Good selection of food - and one of the very few places in Leesburg you can actually get a (relatively) late night snack. I think the kitchen is open til 10pm - long after most places have shut for the night. 6) It's unique (did I mention the beach?!) - you're not sitting in just another Ruby's or TGI's. The negatives: 1) That little piece of island paradise also comes with island service - it can be decidedly slow. Many of the staff are young and inexperienced - and it can show. Check it out - it's in the heart of Leesburg so you have a few other options to choose from if it's not for you!
(4)Sarah P.
Love the outdoor sand pit and toys for our toddler during the nice weather. It is a great place to kick back and dig your toes into the sand after a hard day while enjoying a frosty pint or two with some decent food. Unfortunately, also out here are a fair number of Leesburg's middle-aged men who think they are ballaz puffing on their cigars, rightly polluting the nice, fresh air. Bring bug spray, the mosquitoes suck! Menu has changed between the several times we have eaten here. They haven't been open too long and seem to be tweaking/dialing in their menu as they go, props for that. The salads are very good, simple but good. Loved the beer-battered fried mushrooms but they removed that from the menu, Boo! Beer battered onion rings with spicy sauce are really yummy, but I'm partial to beer-battered anything over breading and frying. As such I am not a fan of their chicken tenders, I'm not a skilled enough foodie to know if they are frozen/pre-made then fried, but it wouldn't surprise me. The breaded crust is too thick and I just don't like it (personal preference). Like the fish and chips, not as good as Ford's but good and fresh. They have some pulled pork BBQ and chili with cornbread that are good. They do some fried desserts that I have not tried. Inside is small but interesting. Bathroom is odd, would hate to try and spend an evening drinking here when "the urge" hits everyone at once. A unisex, single room with toilet, male urinal and sink (no diaper changing station). Fun!
(4)Cathy P.
I love this place! I will say that the outside bar service is ridiculously slow to serve. Even when it's not crowded. My husband and I now don't even bother trying to order outside. We start a tab inside and have to walk inside every time we want another drink. We come here for the atmosphere. The sand and Boat bar are cool. In the cooler months they have bonfires at dark and almost always live music. The food is great.
(4)Adri Q.
The food was very good as was the beer selection. What was lacking was the seating indoors, which does not accommodate large groups well. We also were seated at the large kitchen-style island when you enter, but had 2 kids in high chairs that were not tall enough, so they ended up in our laps the entire meal.
(3)Linda H.
First, I do not understand why people complain about the sand. If you don't like sand, why would you stay? I like the sand and how they have added to the beach environment. It is great - palm trees, plantings. Also 2 bonfire area's - great for the cooler weather. Even a boat called the "Sea Witch" and a carved Alligator with water coming down. I think this is a special place so different from "All" of the traditional bars that are around. It is also dog and kid friendly. I think service will be better since there is a bar outside now. I'm not sure if there has always been the outside bar. Before, I believe you had to go inside to order a drink.
(4)Jeannine P.
This is a fun place to go. Atmosphere and personality of the place go a long way. I don't even like beer but found myself enjoying some of the interesting brews they have to offer.
(4)Dana F.
A group of us went back last night to give this place another try. We had a really great time, and the service has improved immensely. (we have a feeling that there is one server that is below par and we had the unfortunate experience of being at her table last time). This was a VA Brew Tap Takeover and between the 6 of us we tried a bunch of the VA Brews and Ciders. Had a nice time talking with the Bold Rock representative and master brewer, and even ended up with a really cute green Bold Rock shirt. Had mozz sticks, a pretzel and the apple ring dessert between us and everything was tasty. Glad we gave this place another shot, love sitting outside with my feet in the sand- there have been a lot of updates to the outdoor area, looks great. We'll be back.
(4)Ashley A.
Overpriced craft beers, mouseketeer-sized location. Came with a group of friends on a Saturday night and it was packed to the rafters (a status not hard to achieve when your restaurant is the size of a large shoebox). Looked like they hadn't really converted it all the way over from the kitchen/interior store it used to be so it had that weird vibe of, you know, drinking beer in a custom kitchen and interiors store. Service was scatterbrained; flustered waitress inched her way by us as we stood confused and smooshed against the wall in the tiny hallway connecting the 'bar' to the 'dining room'.. she murmured hurriedly that we could 'sit wherever and she'd get to us when she had a moment'. Odd experience. Definitely not good for large groups unless you happen to be a band of traveling contortionists. I'm not sure why they call themselves a'brew kitchen' and/or 'nano-brewery' when they don't seem to actually brew their own beer, rather, just offer up single bottles of brands like Flying Dog for nearly as much as you'd pay for a six pack. Maybe they're still brewing and will offer the homemade stuff soon, or maybe I missed something but color me confused because I didn't see any homemade beers on their menu (and can't find any on their website). If the ambiance had made up for the marked-up beverages it might've been easier to justify looking forward to Nine Dollar Beer Nite.
(1)Jim G.
I really want to like this place. We have been going here for about a year now. I remember when they had four beers on tap and they were barely cold. They have expanded their tap system to about 15 taps and their menu by leaps and bounds. I will say I agree with every other reviewer. Salads are great. Apps okay. Service BLOWS!!! I have never been anywhere else in my life, where I feel like I am bothering someone because I would like some beer. They need either more staff or better staff. As a former bar owner, I could cut the staff in half at this place and provide twice the service. We go there because we can hang out outside, listen to live bands, smoke cigars and their potato chips and pretzels are KICK ASS!! Had to come back and edit. Their beers are horrendously expensive. $7-$8 a beer. We had two beers a piece and an order of chips and our bill was $30.00.
(3)Chris B.
It's getting there. The food is decent and the beer selection is above average. Is it a destination location? No, but its not a bad way to spend a lazy Friday night getting a few drinks and relaxing.
(3)Carole S.
Was here on Friday night to take in the beautiful evening. We sat outside in the sand pit area. Whoever laid out that space hasn't a clue on how to make guests feel welcome. We were in the middle of the walking space and felt in the way. They need to train their waitstaff. It was clear to me that they don't have a system figured out so every server is doing what they did at their last job. The beer menu was extensive if you like hoppy beers from bottles. The draft beer section was sadly lacking. They do not brew their own beer. The environment was strange. I felt like I had happened into the place where the beautiful-people-wanna-bes hang out. I did not feel welcome. The food was from Sysco. So the beer batter was done somewhere else and frozen. They are buying the higher quality stuff but still... All they have to offer is the outdoor spot and that is right next to the street. This is the second time we have gone there and we won't be back.
(1)Joseph F.
I should probably give this place a 3 star rating but the outdoor bar makes for such a great atmosphere, especially when there's live music, that I'm happy to give it 4 stars. The complaints about the service are spot on and the general assessment of the food as not bad, but nothing special is also accurate. If you come here in a rush, you won't have a great time. If you're in no hurry and are looking for a place to sit, relax, and enjoy yourself, I think you'll have a good time. I definitely think the chill atmosphere is responsible for some of the lackadaisical service but In this setting I prefer it to someone who is a bit too perky and/or pretentious. That said, I think they could be a little more efficient in bringing you the check without being either of those things. Really 3.5 stars but I want to encourage people to give it a shot.
(4)Sam A.
No complaints here. Good food, drinks, and environment for everyone to enjoy.
(5)Bam S.
I have been a fan of this place since they opened and have seen them grow and grow to what they are now. A fun place to hang out with your friends and family. Outside is a large seating area filled with white sand and they even have toys for the kids to play with! My son loves going there just for the sand. I've had several things on the menu, all are very tasty, especially the tomato mozzarella appetizer and the salads are super. There are a lot of fried food items on the menu though. The beer list is awesome and endless! Craft beer galore! And the beer prices are competitive with other places that have craft beer. I've noticed other comments that mention the beer is too expensive, but they must be used to drinking Miller or Bud Light. Go figure. I have been here on days when the service is great and consistent (which it usually is), but I have also been there on days where it seemed like they were short a person or two and the wait to get stuff is a longer than usual. All in all I love this place! I go often, and I'm looking forward to all the live music they have in the warmer weather. They have this cool little stage outside and they just put in a new bar outside, (an old boat) it's really cool and worth checking out!
(4)Sarah H.
Fantastic food, drinks and Key West atmosphere! My husband and I went here on a Saturday evening. The seating on the beach is relaxed. When we first arrived, we easily ordered drinks from the boat bar and enjoyed our cold beers while waiting for seats to open up. We didn't wait long before a table opened and we quickly moved in. The band was fun and we were right up front and we could still talk to one another, so it wasn't too loud. The beach was packed, but the wait staff came by often through out the evening, and I never had an empty cup. The wait staff can not read your mind. If you need or want something, get their attention and just let them know. No problem! They are happy to serve you. I had a great time!
(5)Chris B.
Really cramped inside but cool atmosphere. Great beer list but a little pricey. The food was pretty 'meh'. I had the pulled pork which was a little on the dry side and just didn't have a whole lot of flavor.
(3)Ray D.
Outdoor atmosphere is cool, and beer selection is OK, but food really is hit or miss, and the service takes forever. Wouldn't recommend
(2)Blaire R.
Off to a good start, but they don't brew their own beers (yet) so that was disappointing. They have a good selection of other beers, though, and a great outdoor area to relax. My husband and I like to come for "date night" and enjoy a cold beer and an appetizer or two. Service is awesome.
(4)Arjun K.
did not like it at all. the oil is pouring out from the food and fries. we asked for chicken burger and got fish burger. it tasted very bad. Service is not even satisfactory.
(1)M P.
Went to this place for the first time in a while. Was extremely disappointed. Stood at the bar for 10 minutes while the bartender talked to other people before he even acknowledged me. I asked about a couple if beers and he did not know about them. The tap handles on the 2 beers my friend and I got were not the same as the beer they poured. We sat outside while a band played and the band mentioned twice that they "take tips"......on top of that an employee came around with a pitcher with money in it asking if we wanted to tip the band. Are you kidding? Worst bar experience I have had in a long time. I will not go back
(1)Ruufus M.
Go for the beer selection. Don't go for the food and definitely don't go for the service. Food was just OK at best. The service was awful. There were more employees than customers, but the service still managed to be unbelievably slow. It's as if they hired a dozen teenagers who happened to be walking by that day and sent them to wait tables with zero training. The order was wrong. The tables were dirty. We had to go find our own silverware. The restrooms were filthy. You'd have to really love beer to overlook the rest of the awful experience. I'd give it zero stars if that were possible.
(1)Patrick S.
Great food and beers.
(5)Josh H.
I chose to spend my birthday here at Macdowell's and had an amazing time. It was obvious that they were still waiting for their license to begin brewing their own craft beers but even then the selection was incredible. I was able to order a 60 minute IPA Dogfish Head beer on tap for just under 5 dollars (cheaper than than Dogfish Head charges themselves) and also another favorite 'Raging Bitch' by Flying Dog for the same price. I don't know what others look for in a 'hang out spot' but for me it is somewhere i will be regularly attending for the warm, dim lit, inviting atmosphere and the sports loving staff. My girlfriend and I had a great experience and were impressed with how amazing the service was. Great beers, great food, amazing prices.
(5)Kevin B.
Stopped in one Sunday afternoon on a whim. I decided to belly up to the bar. Good beer selection. I recommend the Devils Backbone Kilt Flasher. Really Great wings too! Everyone was friendly. I'll be back eager to sample more of the menu and their house brew. Overall a refreshing change of pace from all of the corporate chains and cliche sports pubs this area has been flooded with over the last 10 years.
(3)Tracy C.
A nice experience! Glad I didn't fall prey to all the sub-par reviews of the place. Good beer, good food, and good service. Marty "The Beer Whisperer" was a great host and gave really good food and beer recommendations. We look forward to visiting again soon!
(4)Morgan V.
Great beer and great staff!
(5)Julie M.
We bought a voucher from Specialicious and decided to go on a Saturday evening with our two small children. From the moment we walked in, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The bar is attached to the kitchen design store (same owners) in back and has a very friendly vibe, including a full bar and outdoor patio. However, we left pretty disappointed. For starters, we sat on the patio for about 15min before anyone came over to take our drink order. Then 10min later our drinks were delivered, but the waiter disappeared again without taking our order. Luckily I had plenty of crayons and gadgets in my purse to keep my kids occupied. Finally the waiter arrived to take our order. Pretty simple, a burger and chicken sandwich for the adults and chicken fingers for the kids. We sat and sat and sat. We noticed that others on the patio were waiting quite awhile too, which I didn't understand because it wasn't even that crowded...5 tables on the patio and 1 server...not total madness. The food finally arrived about one hour after we got there. It was good, but nothing special. But what really bothered me the most was that one of the bar owners was sitting at a table next to us with his friends. Ok he may have been "off-work" but he didn't seem to notice or care that most of his patrons were waiting an incredibly long time for bar food. At one point, he got up and left in his convertible parked in back and then came back a half hour later (we were still waiting for our food). The kicker was when I got the bill and the waiter never came back for my credit card. I had to go up to the bar to pay, at which point the bartender was completely unaware of how to process the transaction, due to the voucher, so I waited another 15min just to pay. Not a very good experience overall...next time, we'll be headed elsewhere.
(1)TAB S.
The last three times I've been to MacDowell Brew Kitchen, I've been very disappointed. They have a relatively large selection of beers, but that's about the only thing they have going for them. I've been very disappointed with the service when I've been there recently. Twice I've had to approach the bar and ask for various services (food once, check once). The food there is fine, but the waitress we've had is not very friendly and seems more interested in hanging out behind the bar. The last time we went they were totally out of fish. That's like a third of the menu. I have been less than impressed with this place. I don't think I'll be going back.
(2)S M.
Great find in downtown Leesburg
(4)