Sweet Water Tavern Menu

  • Beer
  • Salads
  • Naked Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Beef Ribs & Chops
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Dessert
  • Kids Under 12
  • Beer
  • Salads
  • Naked Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Beef Ribs & Chops
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Dessert
  • Kids Under 12
  • Cocktails
  • Top Shelf Margarita
  • Whites
  • Reds
  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Kids Under 12
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Beef Chops & Ribs
  • Desserts
  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Kid's Under 12
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Beef Chops & Ribs
  • Sides
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sweet Water Tavern

  • Beer
  • Salads
  • Naked Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Beef Ribs & Chops
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Dessert
  • Kids Under 12
  • Beer
  • Salads
  • Naked Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Beef Ribs & Chops
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Dessert
  • Kids Under 12
  • Cocktails
  • Top Shelf Margarita
  • Whites
  • Reds
  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Kids Under 12
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Beef Chops & Ribs
  • Desserts
  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Kid's Under 12
  • Fresh Seafood Chicken & Pasta
  • Beef Chops & Ribs
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Sharday J.

    This was my first visit at this Location. I have only been once prior to another sweet water location. This review is to the point #PERFECT SERVICE!! A must try are the"Tex-Mex Egg Rolls"! (Which I had at another location which prompted me to return) But I must say the food at this location was much better quality and flavor . The food came out in a good timely manner , it was freshly cooked and the portion size was good . Our server was Hunter! He did an outstanding job. Hunter was very accommodating from start to end . He was very attentive considering the customer to sever ratio. We never had to look for him , he answered all of our menu questions and gave good recommendations. The atmosphere here felt more alive which gave you the feeling the folks here enjoy and take pride in working here . They have an outside area as well to eat and a bar . So if you want to enjoy the outdoor you have that option as well. I am only in this area for the weekend but I may be sneaking back one more time !

    (5)
  • Jermaine J.

    One of the WORST eating experiences I have ever had. The wait staff were fine, and the drinks were filled in a timely manner. However whatever the cook did to my southwest chicken salad did not sit well in my stomach. Shortly after finishing my food and returning back to work something just didn't feel right. I kept fidgeting in my seat occasionally getting some relief in my stomach, but I couldn't stop sweating. I left work and bought two Ginger Ale's, since they are the cure all for most stomach ailments. I also decided to grab a pack of Pepto-Bismol tablets to hopefully help the Ginger Ale fix my stomach issues. Popped two tablets before returning back to work and downed some of the Ginger Ale. By the time I got back to work I headed straight to the bathroom and let my digestion system take over. After washing up and returning to my desk my stomach still wasn't right, so i decided to finish at work and head home. All the while driving home fidgeting and unable to get comfortable. Once I got home I made a stop off at the bathroom again, this time expelling the food both ways. I began to feel a little better but I couldn't stop sweating, I had a little more Ginger Ale in hopes of calming my stomach down. No luck. I eventually ate some chips my wife had on the table and started drinking some water. It seemed the water was really the trick, the more water I drank the better I felt. The rest of the night I drank a lot of water and it seemed to run right through me, causing me to wake up numerous times throughout the night. It's day two and I am still not 100%, however I am constantly drinking water and managing through the day. I don't want to put all the blame on Sweet Water, simply sharing my experience from yesterday. Having not expelled anything in over 20+ years, I pride myself for having a lead lined stomach. I guess not anymore.

    (1)
  • Kevin Z.

    Rolls and bread are great, so is root beer, and IPAs, take home a growler. Menu is small and boring, just below average. Today there was a problem, and was not pleased with the way it was handled. There was a good size spider on our table, when we pointed it out, it was like a shrug and "well, the outside patio door is open", I get that but still coulda been handled better.

    (2)
  • Billy H.

    One place my wife, all our friends, and I can always agree on when we can't agree on a a place to go is here. They have something for every taste on their menu. I love their ever changing beer selection. It is always a fun time to get the sampler and enjoy a multitude of beer styles and flavors. The staff is always friendly. If Hunter is working ask for his section the guy is great. He is great at making everyone really enjoy the experience. The salads are huge, the sandwiches rock, and the burgers are incredible. The pasta is great I say go with the jambalaya.

    (4)
  • Stella M.

    Probably one of the best burgers we have ever had. It was cooked perfectly! I only wish they had more burgers to choose from. My salad was pretty good as well, but expensive for what it was. Hardly any chicken and not very big. Its the only reason I'm holding back the final star.

    (4)
  • Elizabeth K.

    Our favorite place to eat in Sterling. Ask for the brown butter sauce with your steak.

    (5)
  • Gary S.

    This place will NOT disappoint you! The service is spectacular, the steaks are 10+ times better than Outback and the beer selection is always great! Its a bit pricey, but it is worth it!!

    (5)
  • Jermoil A.

    Sweet water is one of my favorite restaurants, they brew thier own beers and have excellent food, I love trying the beer creations but i can never go wrong with the food as the entire menu is so good, my go tos are the blue crab fritters+fire cracker shrimp for apps and drunken ribye and fall off the bone ribs for entrees I could eat here almost every day

    (4)
  • Grant M.

    Update on review- Sweet Water Tavern management reached out and made this right. Thank you for taking responsibility and rectifying the situation.

    (3)
  • Caroline B.

    Great outdoor seating, nice servers, everything is delicious, they'll bring you as much free bread as you want.. and you'll want a lot. I come back whenever I'm in town, now that I've moved away. I find myself craving it!

    (5)
  • Matthieu K.

    2 visits in 4 days ... One on Saturday and one on Tuesday. Waitress on Saturday was clearly new and just forgot about us. Neglected to put the order in too ... ouch. Probably never had service THAT bad @ any Great American. But the manager and another server made it OK. Tuesday was pitch-perfect overall. I had a simple question about my meal's prep, not a complaint ... The chef came out and explained how it was made, step by step. Great food at a great price in a spotless atmosphere with beer made on-site? Hell yes.

    (5)
  • Antonia N.

    Sweetwater is always a good choice for a nice meal that isn't too expensive! The wait can be very long on weekends, but the staff is always very attentive and friendly, which I think is the highlight of this place. The waiters are always knowledgeable, in a good mood, and smiling, which really enhances the experience. I usually get the crab cake and filet mignon. The steak is always cooked well. I've also gotten fish before, and that was also well cooked. Overall, a very nice place to eat!

    (4)
  • Marcy M.

    The little rolls with butter that they serve before your meal are SO addicting. You will love them. I had the roasted chicken salad and it was quite possibly the best salad I have ever eaten. To be fair, I have only eaten here once so I can only vouch for the salad and rolls, but let me tell you, they were amazing. The others in my party seemed to enjoy their meals as well, so I'd say this place is an overall winner! This place is kind of in between casual and fancy dining, so I'd say it's a good place to go for a dinner that's a step up but that's not a fancy restaurant.

    (5)
  • Jen F.

    This has been my favorite restaurant since it opened in the area in 2000. Sweetwater is mostly known for being a local microbrewery with some fabulous seasonal beers. In the fall, the Pumpkin Ale is where it's at with a pumpkin seed, brown sugar, nutmeg rim....in the holiday months they have a Holiday brew--also very similar. What we love about this place is that you can buy a growler of beer and take it home...bring it back for a refill for 1/2 the price also. The food is also where it's at...I love the firecracker shrimp appetizer and the calamari is also very good. Sweetwater has the best chicken tenders anywhere in the area, seriously, at least from places I've been to which all have the generic frozen ones! My fav meal there is the Roasted Chicken Salad with tenders. Their crab cakes, drunken rib-eye, and roasted young chicken are ALL very good too. Finally, the best dessert this place has to offer is it's chocolate waffle. A fluffy, flourless, chocolate waffle triangle that oozes with warm chocolate from the center. Topped with a lil caramel and vanilla ice cream on the side with a chocolate star. Best thing ever. Highly recommend this place to take out of town guests, a nice HH spot and just a good place overall to go for lunch or dinner!

    (5)
  • Ross A.

    it's a chain restaurant. nothing spectacular. The beer is alright. The food is dished out not bad. I'm a fan of this place. The conversations are always interesting. The servers/bartenders are prompt and fun. my main gripe is during the winter people open the front door and let in a blast of cold air directed at the bar. Please use the revolving door people!

    (4)
  • Randy G.

    I'm spending 1 night in Sterling, I picked this place based on a yelp search. It was very good, service was prompt, I tried the beer sampler and had dinner. I would definitly go back again, solid 3.5 stars. Outdor patio seating good for people watching.

    (3)
  • Michael C.

    Absolutely the best restaurant experience in the Ashburn/Dulles/Sterling area. The food is excellent, the beer is local, great for families, great for business meetings. The staff are attentive. Call ahead; it's always busy. My only gripe is that the bar area is smoky so try to get a table away from it.

    (5)
  • Gina T.

    Sweetwater is king of the local lunch scene. Good food, atmosphere and always a friendly face - it is the perfect mid day break.

    (4)
  • Cyrus S.

    I love this place. The food is always good. Try the tuna steak salad. Big chunks of tuna on a good helping of greens. But, if you want something heartier, go for the steaks. Brews are always homegrown too. One thing thats supremely irritating though, is that they don't take reservations. So, make sure you call ahead and expect a wait even if you do. Very warm atmosphere and the bar is great too.. even the outdoor bar in the summer! Best restaurant I've found since I left Northern NJ/NYC for the VA area.

    (5)
  • Feedmedc ..

    An Aside on the Bread: Sweetwater Tavern - one of the restaurant ideas in the Great American Restaurants group of establishments - likes to keep things in the family. The Sweetwater offers its own beers on tap, and the breads they serve up before meals come from the group's Best Buns Bread Co. Where some restaurants will drop a half a loaf on the table with the water, the Sweetwater offers bread in moderation. Sweetwater's bread basket is a sampler of three of the Best Buns products - on this visit, a basic sourdough, a more exotic poblano cheddar bread, and a dense, yeasty roll that reminds of a bready donut hole. Bread is about comfort, that echo of home, and the basket offer sufficient variation to be interesting without being too exotic. Pablano cheddar sounds fancier than it is. The pepper never overwhelms, instead working with the cheddar for a balanced flavor. The sourdough is authentic, well-complimented by a smear of the Sweetwater's whipped, seasoned butter. The small roll is two-bite sized and stands aloe with a hint of its own dense sweetness. Why this works for me is precisely because it isn't an invitation to fill up on bread. There's a tantalization of the palette without a ruination of the appetite. The effect is a taste of fresh, warm bread that gets the juices flowing in anticipation of the meal, rather than at its expense. But with any fresh, warm bread, it needs to be eaten freshly served, especially the cheddar bread (where warmth is a component that unlocks the flavors.)

    (4)
  • Jenny S.

    I LOVE the Chicken Breast with Angel hair pasta and there bread is amazing!!! I would have to say if you are going for lunch you MUST try the beef tip pasta in a lime sauce - I could eat it everyday!

    (4)
  • Peter H.

    Not much more to be said that hasn't been said before, excellent food service and fresh brewed beer. The only downsides are that it's ALWAYS crowded and they don't take reservations, the wait on a busy night can be 1-2 hours.

    (4)
  • Shelly R.

    Good, solid neighborhood place. Better than going to a chain and the lighting is great. The outdoor deck and bar is nice, but fills up with the suburban housewife's night out crowd pretty quickly. The beer is good and the fried bread was like having desert first. My friend had the fillet mignon and crab cake and said it was worth the price which is rare to say at a low to mid-price restaurant. They also did a good job accommodating my allergy.

    (4)
  • Takaki K.

    Good casual atmosphere. Their beers are decent and cheap ($4.25/pint) although they only have 5 beers on tap at any given time. Service was great and the free fried bread was awesome.

    (4)
  • J S.

    The salmon is slow smoked and cooked on a cedar plank. It is by far, the best salmon I've ever had. The ribs are also slow cooked and tremendous. For dessert I recommend the chocolate waffle torte-delicious.

    (4)
  • R B.

    I've updated this to a "3" - my last visit showed what they're capable of - the food and service were impeccable, that evening was a 4+. And, it bears repeating - the crab fritters are *awesome*. Original review: I really wanted to like this place - with most everything in the area some dismal chain restaurant like Red Lobster and Applebee's, I had high hopes when I first saw the menu here. And if you're careful and selective, you can get an alright meal. But I've been disappointed more often than I've been impressed. If I were being truly honest and objective, this place would rate a 3-star review, but it seemed to me this place had a great deal of potential - I really had high hopes for it - but it falls short with inconsistency and a definite feel of "mass produced food." Despite the too-often uninspired food, (here I risk anthropomorphizing the place), I get a sense of smugness and complacency for achieving such a middlin' result, in that the menu never changes, and they don't seem to be trying to improve in any way. (I guess I'd be smug, too, they do make a killing - but not impressive when TGIF and the Olive Garden is your competition.) So, I know I'm punishing them for failing to live up to my hopes for them -- but I never said I was fair ... The Good - I loved the lobster bisque and the crab fritters, and the Jambalaya pasta and smoked salmon were tasty and worthwhile. The Bad - the overbearing cloying sweetness of the salad ingredients/dressing, (don't remember which one, but it was like eating a fruitcake salad, with dried fruit and syrupy-sweet vinaigrette - ugh!) the overrated donut bread/bread basket, the crab cakes were dry, unimaginative, and rather rank - (fresh blue crab does *not* taste "fishy"), and the rather greasy and chewy prime rib was anything but. Same with the rib eye - charcoaled, greasy, and chewy. The Ugly - who the $^%@ came up with that Chicken Tostada idea? That had to be the most embarrassingly bad thing I've ever ordered. Somewhere on my plate I imagine there may have been a tostada on par with say, Taco Bell. Problem was it was buried under a huge pile of mixed greens, radish slices, M&M's, croutons, bean spouts, and gummi bears - bet you think I'm exaggerating, huh? Well, maybe a little ... Price is a bit high relative to the quality, but not outrageously so. Service and ambiance aren't bad, though, too often, there are a few too many crying babies and agitated children - the noise level and auditorium feel to the place seems to irritate young children, who in turn irritate everyone else. I dunno, just seems weird, bringing a baby in a car seat to a "tavern." The complaints about being rushed - yeah, I agree, you definitely feel like somewhere, there's a clock ticking away with your table number on it; linger too long, and you get the bum's rush.

    (3)
  • Kath B.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the area - consistent food and good service. My favorite appetizer is the Tex Mex eggrolls - yum! - so much better than other places. I've heard the desserts are good but I'm always full!

    (4)
  • Beth W.

    This is a local microbrewery and resturant in the Great American family of resturants. For an appetizer, try the crab cakes or the calamari. If your meal comes with a salad, you may want to ask for the dressing on the side. The lunch menu features filet tips in a tequila lime cream sauce with penne that is excellent. The drunken ribeye is an awesome steak. The Louisana pasta is also very good. Portions are sizable, so you can generally expect to take some home with you. If you have room for dessert, ask about the banana pudding.

    (5)
  • Beca B.

    So unfortunately I can't agree with everyone else. I don't like this place at all. For several reasons: The food and drinks are amazingly over priced. $9 for a burger is the cheapest thing you can get. I usually go for the mixed green salad and add the warm goat cheese, it's only $5.50. So last time I wanted a chicken breast added to the top to make a meal, and ask how much it'd be to add it. Suddenly my 5 dollar salad becomes 12 bucks. Amazing. They do have an amazing acorn squash side in the fall/winter that is truly worth getting. Also, a simple small margarita is 9 bucks. Most entrees jump up to 20 bucks, and I understand they're good, but for a person who doesn't eat that much there is absolutely no selection. Also the beers are grossly over priced. I travel around the country and for a small little area like sterling - I just don't understand it. These prices are typical of hotels, airports and such, and I even live in an expensive part of the country. I just can't understand that the cheapest thing is around 10 bucks and wouldn't even satisfy me as a full meal. Now to mention drinks.... I know they have seasonal brews, but this whole summer I have yet to get a Hefe I liked, sorry clove and banana in a beer is not my thing, and the stout is too light. The other I tried (not sure of the name) was so hoppy, I didn't finish it. I think I'm a pretty good judge of beer since my first job ever was at a brewpub, and I've traveled the country trying different brews. The outdoor bar has a serious lack of stools demanding that everyone not seated directly at the bar must stand. I would give one star, but all the wait staff I've had are very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is pleasant inside and out (if you have a table and know everyone you are crowded around). Also the growlers (jug's to go) are cool looking. The food is good, but there are other eateries around I prefer.

    (2)
  • Marie A.

    They make their own beer, so don't expect to order a Bud Light, etc. I had the naked river beer bc it was low carb, and boy does it taste like a low carb beer! Not that it was bad, it just reminded me of my college days drinking Natty (ie, it tastes like water). I had the goat cheese salad, and it was amazing!! I've had basically the same salad at a fancy country club the next week, and it did not een compare to sweet waters! My fiance had the chicken fingers, and they are not the typical chicken fingers you would get at some chain restaurant. They were the best we had ever had! Staff was great, very attentive and helpful.

    (4)
  • john b.

    I had the hardest time finding the place and when we did, it was well worth it! Great food and excellent service. I had the filet mignon with red skin mashed potatoes and my girlfriend had the steak pasta with the summer wheat beer and fruit-hinted ale. I would def go back. It closes late also for a Sterling, VA location.

    (4)
  • J G.

    Do you need any more of a reason besides beer and fried bread on the table to love a place? Honestly, you could not get away with serving fried bread as a staple in most places in San Francisco so this was a real treat. The other great thing about Sweetwater is that it's located over a huge pond (granted it's man-made and in the middle of a business park) and you can eat overlooking this. It's a real treat when it's hot out and there's a pleasant breeze blowing. I got the salmon dish and it was cooked perfectly. It was flaky and still slightly opaque in the middle.

    (4)
  • Lyn M.

    This is my favorite restaurant in VA. My parents hate eating out because it's always really loud and why pay for something you have eat in peace at home but I was able to change their minds with a visit Sweetwater . I now go here regularly and have taken friends there for birthday parties, going away parties, and just casual dinners. I really enjoy their pasta's and their chicken dishes and they also have a really good Asian salad. I've never had a problem with the service but they get very busy so I recommend calling ahead. I once got part of my meal to go and I left to go to the bathroom and they accidentally threw it away when they cleared the table and when they realized they made me an entirely new meal to go. I had only boxed about a 1/4 of my pasta so I was very pleased to get an entirely new meal. They also make all of their beers on site and they have an excellent sampler. I recommend this place to anyone. I have seen everything from bachelorette parties to just romantic dinners for two. They also have seasonal outdoor seating and a separate bar area with TVs. I just love this place!

    (5)
  • Kevin V.

    Sweetwater Tavern is fine. It's an upscale American food chain. I went with mom, who lives way out in the Dulles corridor area, and I got the crab cakes. They were buttery, large and crabby. Everything here is basically large and buttery. It's moderately priced, maybe $13-20 for an entree, and the food is good in large portions. Crammed on a Friday evening. It's pretty boring and I don't really have an interesting story to tell about it. It's better than the Olive Garden next door.

    (3)
  • C O.

    Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. We went to Sweetwater for dinner for the first time last week and I think my whole group was somewhat disappointed. Perhaps we came in with high expectations of a high-quality steakhouse but we quickly learned that this place was little more than an overpriced Longhorn or Roadhouse. All of their food is WAY too smokey (in fact, I have no doubt that it comes from the unfortunate addition of "liquid smoke") and none of our steaks were cooked properly or were juicy in the least. I ordered the prime rib (it was my birthday) and found the entire thing to be dry and rubbery even though it was cooked to medium (sort of). My wife's filet was so smokey that it tasted like she was eating a campfire and my mom's salmon didn't even taste like fish (curse you, liquid smoke!!!). Anyways, this place is nothing special...save your money.

    (2)
  • John C.

    One of the best restaurants in the Sterling area. Very relaxing on the patio during the summer. I enjoy the salads and recommend the salmon. They also have a rotating selection of in house microbrews.

    (4)
  • Kim H.

    This is hands-down my favorite restaurant. You can't go wrong with anything ordered here. Service is always top-notch. Try their crab cakes.

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    i remember having the pumpkin ale when i was visiting family out there. the interior decor was nice, i like the fact that everything was well ran. everyone seems so nice. good food, good drinks, at a decent price.

    (4)
  • Collin F.

    I wish I could give half stars -- I'd give them a four and a half. I've been to Sweetwater a number of times, and I really like it. It can be a little loud at times, but the service is outstanding (more on that in a minute) and the food is great. First, even though it is part of a local chain (Great American Restaurants), it doesn't feel chain-y. I've been to a couple of their other restaurants, and other than a few shared menu items and similar service, each is a different experience. I like that. The service: One thing I love is that everyone is focused on the customer. If someone walks past your table and sees something that needs done, they do it. It doesn't matter that he or she is not your waiter, they all work together. Very cool. The only thing I've had that I didn't like is the Drunken Rib eye. The fillet is good, crab cakes are better than average and the prime rib is tasty. Even their chicken fingers are awesome. The Potato Soup is wonderful. The Lobster Bisque is sublime -- my favorite thing on the menu, and I have yet to match it elsewhere. Oh yeah -- and they have lots of beers. I like beer. The Crazy Jackass Ale is one of my favorites -- that little hint of banana does it for me. The lagers I've tried are good, and The Great American Pale Ale is nice, too -- and I don't even like Pale Ale that much. Get a growler -- the refills are a pretty good deal. PS Call ahead to avoid long waits.

    (4)
  • Mark M.

    Went back last week. I had the Prime Rib. there was nothing Prime about it. It was very dry. I ordered it medium rare. The chefs don't know what they are doing. It's not seasoned correctedly. I can cook Prime Rib at my home ten times better than this meal came out. The outside part was good was the center was tough and dry. It wasn't overdone but somehow dry. I think they are not leaving on the fat cap for some reason. When you cook Prime Rib you have to cook it with the fat cap on the meat or it is going to be dry. Also got the caesar salad, way too much anchovy as usual. Read Wolfgang Pucks recipe for a caesar salad then compare.Disappointing.

    (2)
  • Patrick M.

    I wish Great American restaurants would expand down to Blacksburg or Roanoke; this is a great restaurant of reliably high quality. The huge outdoor bar is great in the summer.

    (4)
  • htp s.

    Nice place! Beautifully decorated in "Texas" theme, which reminds me of home. Awesome BBQ Burger! The bartender makes a great Cosmo, and of course the beer is always great. My fav part is the outside bar on the small lake. One of my favorite places to go!

    (4)
  • Amanda C.

    Great beer and appetizers. A good place to hang out with friends. Fyi, the bar is always packed. Go early!!

    (4)
  • Stephen W.

    The food and the beer are great not many places in the area to get mircobrews. I have eaten the Jambalaya Pasta and smoked salmon for appetizer and they were both some of the best I have had. The reason for the 3 star and not 4 or 5 is because I had to wait a long time for my food to come out on more then one occasion and the parking can be really bad at times.

    (3)
  • Tiffany D.

    What a pleasant surprise this place is! Coming from out of town, I used good ol' Yelp to try and find a place near our hotel for dinner. Based on the name, I expected it to be traditional American bar food. Boy, was I wrong! When we first sat down, our super friendly, amazing, best-waitress-I-ever-had, Chelsea, informed us that many of the menu items are farm to table, although I'm not sure of the validity of this statement. That being said, Sweet Water Tavern has an extensive menu of Tex-Mex options, including housemade fresh guacamole, tasty Southwestern egg rolls, crab fritters. These were our appetizer choices and all were delish, but my fave was definitely the guac; super chunky with just the right about of lime. For dinner, I was really torn by what to get. Chelsea was really selling me on the prime rib. She said it was for sure the best item on the menu. I ended up opting out of the prime rib and ordered the baby back ribs instead. They were almost perfect; the meat fell right off the bone, the portion was huge, but it definitely could have used more sauce. I asked for a side of extra sauce, but dipping the ribs is never the same as them being drowned in sauce in the first place. I got my ribs with a side of coleslaw and mac and cheese. Both were good, but nothing particularly spectacular. All in all, I left Sweet Water with a smile on my face and I have to admit that it's mainly because of our awesome waitress. She was beyond friendly, talkative (but not annoying) and very attentive. Since our group was from out of state, she was willing to spend the time, and I mean like 15 solid minutes, explaining the entire menu to us. The words she used to describe the food made my mouth water and I wanted to order everything! If I ever return to Sterling, VA again, I will for sure come to Sweet Water. Please be sure to ask for Chelsea when you come, she's really the best!

    (4)
  • Adrienne B.

    The food was excellent and our server (Scott) was incredible. He was very accommodating to my menu change requests and had some great suggestions on appetizers and drinks to try. I was meeting an old friend for lunch and service was quick and enjoyable and the food was delicious. It made for a great lunch for us and we will definitely be back to try more items soon.

    (5)
  • Andy V.

    Had the beer sampler and the crab fritter appetizer the other night along with Caesar Salad. Both were tasty, and the fritters were the coolest appetizer I think I've ever seen. I settled on the naked light for the second beer. Light, crisp, and perfect for a summer evening. I will give a shout out to the IPA not being a huge hop bomb wi tj great balance and a clean finish. A business associate suggested it today for lunch and had the tuna burger. Super soft bun and the tuna patty had the perfect texture, not hard, dry, and overcooked like so many fish patties tend to be.

    (4)
  • Amey M.

    Great evening! Ate at the bar and dined on the crab fritters and tex mex rolls. SOOOO tasty. Of course hubby had to have the deep dish apple pie! Toasted pecans on top with vanilla ice cream. Amy was attentive and so helpful.

    (5)
  • Sampad D.

    They have a huge beer list BUT only 4-5 are available in a given day. The beers were good. They have a very limited food menu..NO Wings..NO Pizzas to go along with the beers.. The basket of bread they serve is amazing..especially the aussie bread. The ambiance is very nice and is a huge place.

    (3)
  • Amy R.

    Met some friends at Sweetwater last night for dinner. Last minute decision but we can always rely on this place for a solid meal and great service. Would have normally given them five stars but last night the service was off. Had drinks delivered to the table that weren't ours, food took a little longer to come out than usual and coffee took an exceptionally long to make and then to be served. Despite the drop of a star for the unusual drop in service - the food was on par as usual. I had my usual - Roast Chicken Salad - can never go wrong with that choice. Love the goat cheese, figs and cranberries along with the pine nuts and crisp, fresh corn. Oh - an of course the greens and roast, white meat chicken and fresh dressing! My husband tried the wing appetizer special as his entree and they were delcious! Forget exactly how they were made - some sort of smoky something grill - not spicy hot. He started with the chopped salad which is always one of our favorites. Our friends had the Mahi special and a burger. The burger was ordered with no bun and then he requested a special side dish. Sweetwater was happy to make him his special order and it came out perfect! Finally - who can pass up those Ozzie rolls (and the other breads) and that herbed butter! Always a favorite of everyone's! If you've never been - you have to try Sweetwater. If you have never tried any Great American Restaurant - you should! You can't go wrong with almost any of the menu items and don't pass on the bread basket! We'll be back and hope the service is back up so I can change my rating to 5 stars!

    (4)
  • Mary F.

    A huge "10" from the moment we walked through the door! It isn't often that you experience excellence in every aspect of dining out. Sweet Water Tavern, it's atmosphere and staff (and I'm talking greeters, bartenders, servers, bussers, kitchen and, yes, custodians) were first rate. The food was to die for and we seriously offered to wash dishes if we could stay for another meal! Everyone was friendly which made the experience even more enjoyable. If you are anywhere near this place, go in and see for yourself. We were impressed with the whole operation.

    (5)
  • Lina C.

    OMG what happened to Sweet Water Tavern? They put too much salt on everything, I could not taste the food but salt. I ordered the Tex Mex Egg roll, it would have been so good if it wasn't too salty. Next time I come, maybe only get salads and nothing else.

    (2)
  • Julie S.

    Love Sweet Water. It's a must do when relatives are in town. Be prepared for a long wait or better yet, just do the call-ahead seating to minimize the wait. Food is always cooked to perfection...my personal favs are the drunken ribeye and half roasted chicken. Hubs loves everything. Beer selection is always fantastic and the sampler is highly recommended if you want to go for a nice variety including light/dark beers and various alcohol contents. The bread basket is is so yummy (but gets gobbled up so quickly that refills are always wanted, but sadly if you get one you get too stuffed to eat your meal.) Service is always on point and love the teamwork they do so that food comes out promptly and refills are there before you have taken that last sip. The bread pudding is simply to die for. It's not a typical breadpudding...more of a thick/moist cake (not as soggy as normal bread pudding) and simply divine!! Price points are a bit high, but you get what you pay for, and sweet water is worth the trip and splurge!

    (5)
  • Amanda G.

    Love this place. The salmon is to die for, in any form- salad or filet. It's hickory smoked and perfect flavor. The mashed potatoes that come with the filet are amazing. The beers are SOO good, we love the pumpkin and their christmas beer. The christmas beer's glass is lined with gingerbread and its the perfect compliment to it. We usually buy growlers and get them refilled every time we come back, which is quite often! The service is ALWAYS outstanding. It gets very packed but every time there has been a long wait and we went to the bar, they were able to seat us within minutes even when we were told over an hour! I can never rave enough about this place.

    (5)
  • Chris R.

    I came here for lunch and ordered a salad. It was very tasty. I was pleasantly surprised. They offer their own brewed beer, but I didn't try it cuz it was lunch time. I will definitely be back to try it. The service was excellent. All the servers chipped into clear plates or refill our drinks. They were very attentive. I recommend this restaurant for any occasion!

    (5)
  • Thomas C.

    One of the best places in Sterling for date night with my fiancé! The food is delicious. They have Aussie bread with butter that taste incredible. Our server Nicole (I think her name is Nicole) was the best server we have had in Northern Virginia. She has been our server twice and made our first visit incredible. I got the jumbalya and my fiancé had the half young roasted chicken which come with mashed potatoes. If you're looking for a place for date night or even taking the family out, GO HERE! Trust me, you will not be disappointed...but if you are stuck up and have an attitude stay home.

    (5)
  • M J.

    Amazing food and service at this restaurant. Adam was our server and he went above and beyond to make it a great experience. We found this place on yelp and it had 4 stars after 400 reviews. Now we know why! Try the chicken fingers, they are delicious!

    (5)
  • Courtney B.

    Sweet Water has been one of my favorites ever since it came rolling into town! You can never go wrong, no matter what time of day. They have a killer drink menu, aka get the pomegranate margarita as soon as you get there! Dare I say, even better than the drink menu are the Ozzy Rolls?? I usually go during lunch time so I can order the steak tips, but if you are lucky they still have some at dinner time, you just have to ask! This place will be a favorite for some time to come!

    (5)
  • Jennifer M.

    This was by far the best of everything in a restaurant. The service was great, it was awesome to see the staff helping each other out, the atmosphere was warming & the food was so delicious. I'm so glad I found this place on Yelp and will definitely visit again if I visit this area again!!

    (5)
  • Shelsea N.

    Great customer service! The waiter accidentally dropped my dinner on the floor and they ended up bringing me a comped appetizer and gave the whole table complimentary desert. The food is great. Outside seating is best.

    (4)
  • Shay F.

    First, I ordered the baby back ribs and the ribs came out burned. I asked for a manager and she apologized for the inconvenience of my order. She stated she was going to have them bring me out some hot french fries as I waited for my new order. The new ribs came out and they were very good and tender. Second, after my waitress gave me the bill she disappeared for about 10 to 15 minutes. I had to ask the hostesses to bring me some to-go boxes. Third, when I looked at the bill there was no type of compensation for me being inconvenienced for my ribs being burned on a $90.00 bill? They just gave me some hot fries. Last, when I went to pay my bill my waitress did not give me all my change. I had to ask her for my money and she said "oh it's just fifty cents" and I said "but it is my fifty cents". It took her another 10 minutes to find fifty cents. I understand it is "fifty cents" however, when you were not a good server then do not assume that you are "entitled" to that money. I did leave her more than ten percent even though she did not earn it, because I found out they kind-of have a one pool type of tipping system. The food was good but they need to revisit customer service with management and wait staff. I will try them again and hope for the best.

    (2)
  • Michelle T.

    This is the only chain restaurant, other than Chick-Fil-A, that we have eaten at more than once while being in the area for the summer. The ambiance is perfect. The food is delicious. Service is usually great. The only thing that keeps our visit on 8/8/15 from receiving 5 stars is our female waiter. She had too many tables, both indoors and outdoors. Our water glasses became empty and we had to visually search for her. Others began stepping in to help support her which was nice.

    (4)
  • Ray B.

    Almost died tonight. Me and my four year old had burgers here for dinner. By the time we got home we were both sick. Terrible!!!!

    (1)
  • Joseph M.

    This is our go to place for a lovely afternoon meal. Great salads. Great breads. they accommodate gluten free. Many healthy, tasty choices. All the restaurants in this high class chain are great.

    (5)
  • Barbara L.

    This is one of our favorite places to go. They have quite a few things that are delicious on their menu like the baby back ribs, lobster bisque soup and so forth. I keep telling hubby, "Do not eat the bread or order soup because you'll roll yourself out of the restaurant AND be disappointed because you couldn't finish your ribs!" What does he do....? He eats the bread basket (he cannot resist those 'donut holes' and the entire bowl of Crab & Corn Chowder soup and then cannot finish his ribs. I think he just likes having them for leftovers the next day. They also have a new happy hour in the bar area.

    (4)
  • David K.

    So here's the deal. This place come very highly recommended from almost anyone you talk to in NOVA. They are very good at selling themselves. Everything is good (because they tell you it's good). With that being said, this is my second vist and I would shy away from the steak options. It was over cooked and they seem to use too much salt in the marinade. If you want steak (for a little less $) go to Longhorn. Their fish options however are very good, I highly recommend the salmon. They brew their own beer and they seem to have quite the following as there are a lot of people leaving with their growlers full. The wait staff and the abundance of hostesses, are very friendly and accommodating. The menu options seem limited for a place of this size, but the bartenders are quick to notice and serve you with a smile and a hand shake. The only real reason for the missing star is the food is not as good as people make it out to be, but I will say it is better than a lot of places in NOVA, so it's definitely above the curve. Overall I would recommend this place if you are in the area.

    (4)
  • Danielle P.

    Just on appearance, I would not like this place. Upon walking in the hostesses were friendly and efficient. Our waitress made excellent recommendations. We had the shrimp and scallop ceviche, swordfish, and prime rib. It was the best fish I've ever eaten! The service was superb! Everyone worked as a team, picking up plates, dropping off food, and taking up our payment. I eat out a lot and waited tables through college so I feel like I'm a pretty fair, if not harsh, critic and I would say from start to finish, this place was amazing!

    (5)
  • Gabriela L.

    This is one of our favorite restaurants to bring family and guests! Wide variety of food. All very good. Good sized portions and according to my husband great beer selections. We've been here about 6-8 times and have never had any issues. Highly recommend! Only complaint is their music selection which consists of only early 2000's pop hits.

    (4)
  • Emily K.

    Their bread is wonderful! This place is a very open, classy establishment with lofty ceilings. They have a large menu and great daily specials I will be going back :)

    (4)
  • Gregg J.

    Thank you to my fellow Yelpers for suggesting this place! I stopped in on what looked like a fairly busy Monday night. I was greeted at the full bar almost immediately by Scott. He offered a suggestion on a beer and gave me a sample in an ice cold rocks glass. I've received samples before at other restaurants but this was the first time I was given a cold sample glass. That little bit went a long way as I had a feeling I would be enjoying my dinner here. I ordered the Naked River I had a sample of and perused the menu. Usually I will order to go if I have work to do but I noticed a comment on the menu that they do not offer take out, (I did see another person leave with a few take out bags - didn't look like leftovers but I would inquire with the restaurant) but I opted to stay after hearing about the fish of the day. Grilled mahi served with roasted peppers, onions, portabellos w/ broccolini (substituted the spinach for broccolini). Wow!! Excellent! I finished my meal and was bid farewell by the pleasant staff at the host stand. Overall: Food - excellent! Beer - excellent! Service - excellent!

    (4)
  • Chelsey H.

    We went here on a Monday evening and it was pleasantly not busy. We sat in a booth and were waited on by Chelsea. She was outstanding. Not just because we have the same name (but gold stars for her just for that) but because my date and I tend to be sarcastic and sometimes obnoxious and she handled us like a champ from the get go. We were her last table of the night and she was truly a sweet heart. We had her pick our dessert after we ate the crab cakes and grouper. We got what I believe was a brownie/ice cream thing. It was yummy. Also gorgeous. The cook has excellent handwriting :) even our final course was served with humor. Attaching a picture of our treat. Thank you again Chelsey you did a great job! Doug and I will be back. (You knew him as Kelsey) XD

    (5)
  • Franki M.

    I think this is likely the most popular restaurant in all of NOVA. Nothing disappointing here. Definitely one of the hallmarks of reliable service and good food.

    (4)
  • Danielle S.

    We went here for dinner! The crab Louie app was awesome! The crab cakes, prime rib, and Monterrey salad were also on our list. It was all excellent!

    (5)
  • Eric K.

    Very annoyed that they wouldn't let me order carry out over the phone. Had to come in and order it to go then wait a half hour

    (1)
  • Seann G.

    It's been almost 10 years since I first went here and it's still as good as it was back then. First, I remember this place from my 20's with it's awesome in house crafted beer selection and it's even more awesome take out Growlers of beer (big sealable pitcher with a handle). These days I love it for the food and atmosphere. We went on a Friday and it was packed (hour and half wait, but luckily we called ahead). They have one of the best chopped salads I've ever had. Their appetizers always hit the spot. Chase it all down with a dark beer and you have a 5 star favorite.

    (5)
  • Mike C.

    This place is mediocre food with slightly above avg beer. For NoVA I guess its high end. Lets start with the food, every dish has 2 too many ingredients. They are trying too hard. The quality is meh as well as the preparation. Every dish reads like chick food. I dont need walnuts in my salad, add a damn iceberg wedge salad please, cook a steak a man wants not some twerp piece of keat. Stop putting corn in everything. Anyway you get the drift, I call the place Swillwater Tavern.

    (1)
  • Jamie L.

    We eat here regularly and are never disappointed! Great service, beer and American-style food. This whole local restaurant chain is definitely above average on quality. There is usually a wait, but they're estimates are pretty accurate so you never feel like you wish you didn't wait. Love their big bar areas --outside AND inside! And, if that's not enough, the bread they give you is definitely to be desired!

    (5)
  • Audrey W.

    While the food and service is okay and normal and expected, I give this 4 stars as I LOVE the outdoor seating area, overlooking the pond, a court yard with a fountain. Very nice in this world of concrete and parking lots!

    (4)
  • Lisa H.

    This is a popular place in Sterling, but I don't see the hype with the 4 star-average review on Yelp. I've dined here two times, and each time was just average. The service, the food, and the prices (prices are in my opinion, a little above average, for a chain restaurant). I ordered the drunken ribeye my first time here, based on rave reviews. It was just OK to me; the meat was a little tougher than expected and the sauce was average. The baked potato was large, but a little dry. My boyfriend had a burger, which was average. The next time I dined, I came with a girl friend. We had the burgers, which were again, consistently average (ironic). Maybe because we're two girls, but our server was attentive. I liked that we were able to have small tastings of the beers they offer. They seem to have a great draft selection, and I admit I was impressed. I ended up ordering a light draft (the name escapes me), which I enjoyed. I'd suggest this place for grabbing a beer, and having maybe an appetizer or a sandwich, but not for dinner. The prices are just a little too steep for real entree dishes (burgers cheapest at $10-15, meats/pastas: $15-30).

    (3)
  • Olethia M.

    Fantastic customer service all away around! Everyone was very attentive to me for a Tuesday night. The food was perfectly cooked. I had the ribeye and loved every piece of it. Did not have room for desert but will definately come back again!

    (5)
  • Christine T.

    The food kept this from being 2 stars. Ok now I've dined here on many occasions and overall the food is consistently good as is the service. Initially things started off well. However, after we were served our meal, our waiter disappeared never to be seen or heard from again (witness protection, alien abduction perhaps). We waited for about 25 minutes, my bf was testing to see how long it would take for someone to pick up my plate and see if we wanted anything else. Finally I was like I need to flag someone down because I'm ready to go. I know it was busy this past Wednesday (6/18) but still I would have expected better. Hopefully this is the exception and not the new norm for service.

    (3)
  • James S.

    Another Great American Restaurant product... What else can be said?.. Ozzie rolls will give you instant food coma, crab fritters are some, actually... the best I've had, I love soaking up the left over sauce with the Ozzie rolls, try it! The only real issue I have here is that there is always a debate within myself between crab cakes or filet mignon but luckily for me they have an app for that, I mean... option for both so I always end up going that route with mashed potatoes and their corn relish, btw... the pork chops are money too. P.S. - If you ever want to feel special ask for a Texas Tornado, one of the hidden non alcoholic drinks no one really knows about but a few selected Redskins players and their mistresses, so if you ever over hear a lady in her let's say mid 20's to early 40's order it... you'll know how she has come across it. Do kids these days even know about "P.S."?..

    (5)
  • Dee C.

    They need to have a new menu. It's the same thing all the time. Next.......................

    (2)
  • Kristin B.

    Loved this place. The Ozzie rolls are hot and come with a delicious butter that melts on the rolls. Everyone loved their meals. I had the southwest chicken salad which had the best flavor that I just couldn't stop eating. Other entrees we had were the ribs, drunken ribeye and salmon salad. All delicious. Great service!

    (5)
  • David T.

    This is my second time at this place and so far they are 2 for 2. Beware of the bread they give you. You can easily can get full from it if you don't watch out since they are delicious! Good service and the food is good is all that matters. The ambiance here is an added bonus.

    (4)
  • James A.

    Ordered Carry Out. Placed order for 2 Roasted Chicken salads. Had 1.5 hr drive home. Opened box and found Chicken Caesar Salad. There was a very small portion and it was absolutely the worst Chicken Caesar salad I have ever seen and tasted. My wife opened it up and fed hers to the dogs. I didn't eat much of mine either but wanted to see if it tasted better than it looked. Not So. For $32.00 for this was a rip off and whatever you do don't order salads to go.

    (1)
  • Jackie J.

    I almost went here a couple of years ago, but the line was long and I was HUNGRY! So I went elsewhere. This past trip back east, we got there at a relatively less busy time and were able to get seated on the back patio, under the roof, and under an AC blower. Perfect as it was a hot, muggy day in Virginia that day. :-) Generally, the food was good. I really liked the Hot Spinach Parmesan & Artichoke Dip, the Clam Chowder and the Blue Crab Fritters. Those were delicious. I wasn't all that thrilled with the Drunken Ribeye. As another poster noted, the meat was overdone and a bit tough and the sauce wasn't all that good to me. My friend ordered the same thing (she wanted hers bloody, but it came out well) and thought the same. My husband tasted it and didn't like it at all, and wasn't that pleased with his entree which I can't remember what it was now. Service was excellent, the amaretto sour was ok. I'd give this place another chance.

    (3)
  • Nicole S.

    After one of our friends showed us a picture of the awesome view from the patio we wanted to try sweetwater. Unfortunately it was a little too hot to sit outside last night but maybe next time. We were seated right away and it wasnt too packed so I didnt have any complaints about service. We received some bread to start and the raisin one was a little weird/dry/bland but the other rolls they give you are delicious! Next time I will just ask for those only. We ordered a few beers which were all good but I dont like the fact that they dont show the prices on the menu but show it for every other drink? For our meal I ordered the baby back ribs (after seeing everyone on here rave about them) and my boyfriend ordered the mahi mahi special. The ribs were pretty good, I subbed the fries for mashed potatoes which were good and changed the coleslaw to the veggie of the day. I like vegetables so I ate them but it was a little bit of a weird mix. Maybe the onions with the corn is what rubbed me the wrong way. My boyfriend loved his fish though, so theres that. We did end up getting a dessert too, the white chocolate bread pudding which I really liked. Overall the meal was good, not spectacular but pretty good. All in all I probably will return back, maybe just to have some beer on the patio or something. It did all seem a little too average though, especially for an $80 meal.

    (3)
  • Jay S.

    I have been to sweet water tavern a couple of times now. The ambience is great, on site brewed beers are good. I started going to this place specially for beer, n I try atleast 2 different beers whenever I go. I have never been disappointed by the beer selection till date. The only reason for 4 stars is because of the appetizer selection. I would love to eat some wings with beer. Otherwise food is good. The bread is very delicious. I would totally recommend this place n would go there again n again.

    (4)
  • M. L.

    A cute chain with a decent selection of draft beers (2 on the permanent menu, plus 3 more selected on rotation from a long list). My first impression was that the restaurant was organized like a slightly more upscale Cheesecake Factory -- lots of semi-private booths neatly lined up on a giant floor. So, I wasn't expecting much. Then, I realized just how many staff are on the floor! It is a ridiculous number. There were two hostesses at the desk, one headset-wearing woman whose only job seemed to be to walk the floor and keep track of which tables were freeing up, at least 4-5 servers and bus people in my section alone, and a young food runner. The ample number of staff meant that our service was AWESOME, it's really what sets Sweet Water Tavern apart. 1) service was prompt and unfailingly cheerful, and 2) despite the fact that we interacted with 4 different staff members, every single one of them knew exactly what each person at our table had ordered. No annoying, "Ok, I've got a cheddar burger here.... Is that for you?" And the food was surprisingly good. The crab fritters and pale ale were the highlights of the menu. The burgers were decent, but pasta selection was disappointing (every single pasta dish featured penne, which is a bad sign). I would stick with the fritters, draft beers, and bar-style dishes over the pricier entrees.

    (4)
  • Victor H.

    I used to be a server here and while it's nice to work there, it's even better to be a guest/customer there! Great food, beer, atmosphere, staff and times are to be had at this wonderful dining establishment. Foods to be recommended are their crab fritters (it may look odd but once you take your first bite you'll think otherwise), Monterey salad, smoked salmon, drunken ribeye, baby back ribs and their white chocolate bread pudding. Their beers are all handcrafted and they are on rotation (their naked river light and pale ale are always on tap and for good reason). When the weather is nice, sit at the outside bar or their patio and enjoy the view of the lake while you consume the food and beverages served by their awesome friendly staff and management. Keep in mind that they do team service there so while a different person may be doing something for you, do not get discouraged that your primary server is not the one doing everything for you. It's a great service system and I can't think of serving any other way. This ensures you'll get the best treatment possible. Overall this is one of the best restaurants in northern virginia and you won't be disappointed here! Make sure you also grab a growler to go if you're a beer lover!

    (5)
  • Jamil S.

    I love this place. The quirky painting gives you something to argue about, the beer is great, the bread is great. But I really miss their guacamole. They used to have the best guacamole. I usually order the Jambalaya pasta, but the drunken ribeye is also worthwhile

    (5)
  • Lolah B.

    One of the best American food I've ever had. The salmon and crab cakes are delicious! The half young chicken in brown butter sauce is savory! All the desserts are tasty! I tries each and everything on the dessert menu. Gay/LGBT friendly establishment. I've been going out here for 4 years now, still devine. The hostess wasn't too accommodating, everytime we go the the hostess that greats us looks bored or on his/her phone. The servers on the other hand are good. Deducting one star for the unhappy greeters.

    (4)
  • jac j.

    Consistently great. Nuf said. From the ozzie rolls to the ribeye to the salads....very good.

    (4)
  • Jay M.

    Been here many times... and I am finally writing a review! FOOD: Menu is a bit limited and I wished they removed shelfish from the menu... with that said, the steaks we ordered were perfectly cooked. The Mash was quite tasty, but a bit clumpy and peppery. The Chicken sandwich was good and similar versions are found at their other restaurants. SERVICE: Nailed it! Yes, probably what gave them the 4th star to be honest. PRICE: Average... not too pricey. OVERALL: Great food, way too busy and worth it to try it for at least a beer.

    (4)
  • Maria P.

    So after bouncing on trampolines at Rebounderz we decided to stop here for the bachlorette dinner. It wasn't a bad choice and the food wasn't disgusting but it wasn't the best. Everything was pretty...average. At the beginning they brought this bread basket that had different types. Nice touch, except it was a group of 7 women who are very picky. They should've brought two types and kept it at that. We placed our orders and I bought the Grilled Chicken and Havarti Cheese sandwich, with house salad and champagne vinaigrette dressing. The sandwich was good but it could've been better. It's not something that I could immediately put my finger on, but the taste was off. The bread tasted like it was toasted on a cast iron skillet with butter beforehand. The chicken was very thick and seasoned perfectly, but there wasn't enough cheese and the sauce tasted like it came from a can. Even the drinks were good but not great. The vinaigrette tasted like canola oil with a little extra flavor and it smelled awful. One item that truly stood out? THE FRENCH FRIES! They were amazing, and tasted perfect with or without a little ketchup. This is one of those places that has SUCH a good reputation, so you're captivated by the beautiful dining area and fancy All-American menu. Maybe you're really hungry from whatever Sunday activity you were involved in (cough...cough). It seems like the real deal...then you go home to reminisce about your awesome day and it falls short. Very very short. Nothing horrible or disgusting; just average. The prices are also a little steep. I remember wanting to try the jambalaya until seeing the cost. If you're going to charge $18 for a bowl of pasta the rest of the menu should be up to par.

    (3)
  • Brittainy D.

    Before I get started, I have to say that I was BEYOND impressed by this restaurant. This was the BEST service I have ever had at any restaurant. Ever. Our server, Emily, was beyond exceptional and I actually cannot wait to come back! Ok - on to the review. I went to the restaurant for lunch with three co-workers - this was my very first time trying this restaurant. We walked right in at the busiest time and, though the place was packed, we were seated immediately. As I said before, our server, Emily, was phenomenal. She was friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and honest. She chatted with us like an old friend - and we told her that one of our coworkers was celebrating a belated birthday. I am used to pretty mediocre service at restaurants so she stood out like a shining light. We ordered appetizers - Tex Mex Egg Rolls and the Shrimp - both of which were delicious. Let me say - I am SUPER PICKY and it is RARE that I will try any random foods. Also, I am not a foodie so "different" foods do not excite me in the least. Thus, I was so surprised at how much I liked both appetizers. For the main meal, I had the Louisiana Pasta. Perfection. I ordered mine without the scallions or tomatoes and the order was cooked to perfection - no mistakes. I also squeezed in the Flourless Chocolate Waffle - more delicious goodness. When Emily brought out our desserts, the staff had decorated my coworker's plate with "Happy Birthday" and put a candle in his dessert. Then, Emily surfaced with a handwritten Happy Birthday card -- signed by the other waiters on duty -- and presented the card to my coworker. I was BLOWN AWAY. While it seems like something small, nobody takes the time to do things like that...EVER. I don't even know if I would have thought to do something that heartfelt. All in All - great food and WONDERFUL service (a really impressive team atmosphere among the servers). I cannot wait to return!

    (5)
  • Christopher B.

    I was at Sweet Water for the millionth time today (almost literally) - Father's Day. It just reinforced how great an experience this place is. The food is excellent and reliable, the beer is great and the restaurant itself is nice but it's the service that truly differentiates this place from every other Northern Virginia restaurant. This is service done right - always has been. I was told 'Happy Father's Day' at least a dozen times by the staff, my kids were treated wonderfully, and the staff was overwhelmingly kind. Is this place The Palm? Absolutely not. It's probably a damn sight better.

    (5)
  • Dawn M.

    I'm a fan Sweet Water Grill in Centreville. Excellent food and phenomenal service. At this location in Sterling, the food was comparable but the service was awful. Poorly run & disorganized, extremely long waits even when you call ahead, staff aren't very friendly or attentive, and servers seem more interested in talking to each other in the back than waiting on their tables. Even though this location is closer to where I live, I would rather make the drive to Centreville for an excellent experience along with the great food.

    (2)
  • Sean T.

    We have always gone there, but lately I have noticed the food portion is getting smaller and smaller and the service is less optimal. I understand it is a business and the bottom line matters, but making the customer feel welcomed and unrushed is a recepie for success and greater bottom line / profit. The food is very good, however; always feelt rushed you by the staff to eat quick, pay, and leave. I suggest you leave it up to the customer to ask for the check and don't keep up selling your desert, if the customer says no that means no. Pushy servers equal turn off, equal customers will not be going there anymore. It is a shame as we like the ambiance and the foods, but last time was last night to sweet water 05/22/15.

    (2)
  • Jason S.

    I've been here a lot as I work less than a mile away. It's beer selection is pretty good, that's really why you should come. The food is *very cookiecutter*. Once you've had a dish once, it'll be exactly the same every time. That to me screams pre-processed blech. And that wouldn't be a huge problem but you're going to be spending some good coin on what winds up being rather boring food. I usually get the rib eye steak with the mashed potatoes. It's not too bad but like I said, always the same. Skip Sweet Water and go to Bungalow Lakehouse if you're looking for a good happy hour.

    (2)
  • Nelson B.

    Been eating at great American restaurants for years. At least once a week if not more. Usually the meals are good to good very good. I had a hamburger at Sweetwater today in Sterling and the bun was old and steamed to make it try to be fresher. The burger wasof below average quality meat. The first time I could say it was very disappointed

    (1)
  • Rosa M.

    Randomly ran into this place on our way to the Galleria mall. We got there after the lunch rush and they seemed to have run out of the most popular items on the menu, such as; the filet tips and pulled pork sandwich. We opted for the crab and avocado appetizer, the filet mignon and ribs for the main meal. The chips paired off with the crab and avocado app was beyond salty but the crab and avocado was so good, salty chips were not a factor. My husband enjoyed his filet and my 3 year old and I loved the ribs entree. The sauce on the ribs was sweet and gooey like southern style ribs. Will definitely go back!

    (4)
  • Dena M.

    How could I have missed this place?! I ordered the BBQ Burger and it was cooked to perfection. My daughter had the Chicken Tenders and fries. They were yummy too! The atmosphere is fun and inviting. We didn't have a wait, and given the fact that we called ahead, we were immediately take to or seats. I would defiantly recommend calling ahead on the weekends, as dinnertime approaches. The service was about average for a busy place. The only complaint I have is my daughter's food was served too hot. She's not even too and when food is placed in front of her, she's ready to chow down. She isn't exactly patient.

    (4)
  • Angie L.

    I like the drunken rib eye! I came here for that one. It's crispy outside, pink and juicy inside. The outside seats are nice durning the summer. It's a good place for family lunch and friends Friday night!

    (5)
  • Kerrie N.

    When we arrived the wait was 55 minutes for two people. Shout out to the staff for gettig us seated in 30! 5 stars because I literally do not have one single complaint about my experience here. This was my first time going and the first impression certainly made a lasting impression. The service here is stellar. We had an amazing waitress (I think her name was Andrea). But whenever she was off taking care of other tables, her peers had her back. At least 4 different waiters dropped by to make sure we were good on refills and whatever else we needed! A++ customer service!!! The little complimentary rolls they serve here are dangerous - in a good way :-/ It's like a little piece of heaven in the form of a tiny bread ball. I think bread is the devil - but on this night, it appeared rather angelic! Very delicious! Be sure to slather some of that butter on it...you won't be sorry. We didn't get an appetizer (thanks to the little bread balls). The main course came out pretty quick considering the massive number of patrons who were dining here. I ordered the roasted half young chicken with a side of brussel sprouts and my husband ordered the jambalaya pasta. Everything was pure perfection! The chicken tasted like it had JUST come off of the grill - Super moist and bursting with flavor. The brussel sprouts were cute in half with a nice char on one side; the perfect blend of tenderness and slight crunchiness; sprinkled with cheese and accompanied by an amazing garlic type sauce. ZERO complaints about this dish. My husband rather enjoyed the jambalaya pasta. He said it had the perfect amount of "kick" (spice) & was perfectly seasoned. For dessert, my husband ordered key lime pie "to go" so the jury is still out on that. However, I ordered the flourless, chocolate waffle and I am NOT sorry that I did. It almost put me in the mind of a molten lava cake disguised as a waffle because of the warm, chocolate ganache on the inside. Yet another tiny bit of heaven on a platter! It's served with ice cream that is drizzled with caramel with a star made out of chocolate in the center! DELICIOUS!!!!! TIP: Looks like it's best to call ahead if going here on a Saturday night. The folks who did that were seated almost immediately while us "walk-ins" had to wait. ENJOY!!!!

    (5)
  • Rebecca M.

    This is my new least favorite Great American Restaurants restaurant. The service was prompt, friendly and knowledgeable so that certainly wasn't the issue. The real problem is the uninspired menu. I should have known better when I saw that the menu item "Sauteed Chicken Breast" was $13. Yikes! Sweetwater Fried Chicken Tenders? $13. Those must be some slammin' chicken fingers. I passed though and went for the Sweetwater Roast Chicken Salad while my date got the Fish Special. The serving sizes were good and the flavors were okay. But for a $42 dinner bill, we left the restaurant wishing we had gone anywhere else. In an area full of dining options, I would look elsewhere. Ozzies, Coastal Flats, and even Artie's are better bets. Clyde's has a similar feel better better results.

    (2)
  • Tiffany T.

    Good experience. The Ozzie rolls were fantastic. Our waiter brought us a couple extra out after we devoured the first two in like a minute flat. We ending up just getting appetizers since we knew we wanted to try something sweet. We got the fire cracker shrimp and the blue crab fritters. Both were great. Although if you aren't a fan of ginger I would not get the firecracker shrimp. It has a slaw underneath that has shavings of ginger in it. The blue crab fritters is sitting in some kind of cheesy soup. We finished our dinner with a flour-less chocolate waffle which was by far the best part of the meal. This is a must try if you have a sweet tooth. We plan on coming back soon to try some entrees and their in-house brewed beer!

    (4)
  • Jon L.

    Consistently good! I love the location right on the pond/lake/small body of water. Easy access off Route 7/Harry Bird Hiway...who is Harry Bird anyway? Tonite we sat on the Terrace, it rained but we had a geat view of the light show. Marissa took great care of us. I had the grilled grouper special which was excellent, it was cooked just right and had great flavor. Haydee had the ribeye with baked potato and the chopped salad with the house vingerette. We each had a glass of the Columbia Crest Merlot...it was quite good. The raspberry sweet tea was very good as well. Very busy even early on a Sunday evening. If you are not there before 6p be prepared to wait. After your meal, can take a walk on the sidewalk around the lake and walk off that dessert...your date will think you are a genius. Yes, this is a franchise restaurant but a Regional one and so much better than so many other restaurants. They excel at: Hiring talented people. Creating an excellent and diverse menu. Serviing fresh quality food. Offering a great value with steller service. Brewing some quality craft beers. Hiring, training, developing and retaining an exceptional staff. Great American restaurants, you guys rock!

    (5)
  • Joshua J.

    We always wanted to check this place out, so we did. First I like the fact that they brew their own beer, BUT they advertise every beer they make but dont serve it, they only serve like 8 of 20 they make. In addition, the beer is not all that great, one of the beers tastes like a flat skunky bud light. As for the food. OMG THIS HAD TO BE THE DRIEST PRIME RIB I EVER HAD IN MY LIFE, NO AU JUS NO HORSE RADDISH I will not be going here again.

    (2)
  • John K.

    This is our staple restaurant in Sterling; we probably visit once or twice a month. The food and service is always great. It is usually crowded, but they have mastered the art of getting folks through the restaurant efficiently. Our favorite dishes are the half young chicken and the chicken with the brown butter sauce and angel hair pasta. Our daughter is pretty picky about food, but she devours that angel hair pasta. The only dish I had there that I wasn't crazy about was the Jambalaya, which was just "OK". If you like the occasional beer or three, they brew their own beer on site. Generally it is pretty good - my favorites are the light beer and the pumpkin ale (seasonal). They post the tap date on the wall for each of the beers, so I use that to help guide my decision. Wife gets mixed drinks from time to time, and she tells me they are good as well. Overall, great choice with consistent service and food. You can't go wrong here.

    (5)
  • Donald F.

    Overall rating is more like 4.5 stars. My wife and I decided to try this place out for the first time on 06/21/13 and we were absolutely pleased with the overall experience. Initially it started off a little slow with the service. Which was the reason I gave this place an overall rating of 4.5 stars. It took a little while for us to get seated but that was expected as this place was packed inside and outside. However, we were eventually seated and greeted by our server. It took us a little time to figure out what we wanted to order because it was our first time, but we finally decided and my wife got the Baby Back Ribs and I got the Hickory Grilled Pork Chops. I didn't feel like eating the mashed potatoes that come with the Pork Chops so I substituted that with some sort of vegetable I can't remember what it was though. So as we were waiting for our meals to arrive the server brought out some of their fresh bread and let me just say that Sweetwater's Ozzie Rolls are absolutely delicious. So for all the nutrition watching Yelpers I advise you all to steer clear of the Ozzie Rolls because they are very addictive and can run your calories and carbs up real fast. I mean I had so many of them that I was starting to get full before my meal even arrived so be careful. However, I feel they are absolutely worth it. Just be sure to workout twice as hard. After the joyous experience with the Ozzie Rolls the entrées were finally presented to us and I was amazed at how very well prepared they were. But not only the preparation of the meals but the taste was superb as well. I mean my wife loved her Baby Back Ribs and I was 100% satisfied with my Hickory Grilled Pork Chops. On this particular day for us Sweetwater was spot on with everything we had absolutely no complaints. With all that being said my wife and myself will most definitely be back again. They can count on it.

    (5)
  • Greg H.

    I was seated immediately (party of one). Good waiter. I asked for my favorite dinner, Drunken Ribeye Steak. It was wonderful. Good salad. Good appetizer bread. Good IPA beer. Tastie all around.

    (5)
  • Chris V.

    Went here for the first time after numerous recommendations and did not disappoint. Beer is amazing, food is excellent. I had the sautéed chicken breast and it rocked. Atmosphere is relaxed. You can go in shorts and a tee shirt or slacks and collared shirt and be fine. A little pricy but worth it and will go back again.

    (4)
  • Maya M.

    Love the restaurant! Blue crab fritters & smoked salmon were very good! The service was great! The music is lively but a bit too loud.

    (4)
  • Alicia K.

    Delicious! Love the large menu variety and the bread they give out. I got a salmon salad that was delicious. A little pricey but worth it for the amount of food they give you. The outside bar is really nice to sit at too and servers are great.

    (5)
  • Vicki P.

    Just amazing Rockfish!!! Red mash..,yummmO! This is how their service works..."Yes, we can...Now what's your question?!"

    (5)
  • Joe C.

    I was so horrifyingly close to catching up with my brother at a corporatized Irish pub when I found Sweet Water on the third page of results. We diverted here instead, and I'm very happy I did. These guys have some interesting house beers that I definitely enjoyed. We made a very good decision with the five-beer sampler to start, since each of the five beers was interesting in its own way and none were what I expected ... I'd have been in trouble if I went with my first reactions before trying them out. I was particularly impressed with the light beer since they did exactly what you should do if you're going to inflict such a monstrosity on your patrons: Crafted something so light and airy I was for a moment wondering if we were having an exceptionally dry wine. Not every one worked: I for one didn't care for chipotle flavor fighting with the rich tones I expect in a porter, but we settled on a very impressive lager to pass the remainder of our afternoon.* Had friendly service, and I really enjoyed the outdoor bar both for the lovely breezes and the pond behind the place. For my OK friends, I'd put the beer squarely between Bricktown Brewery (which I consider a bit bland and uninspiring) and Roughtail (which seems to be trying to see how insanely aggressive a flavor they can get into a beer). A solid balance overall and a spot I will definitely seek out on my next trip. Thanks, Sweet Water. * While I was on my best behavior. I want the Navy PT program. Dude joined less than a year ago and now outweighs me by 45 pounds of complete muscle. If you're reading this, dear brother, I really regret shooting you with that BB gun and then getting away with it scot free by lying about it.

    (4)
  • Dan K.

    Fly into IAD every month or so and I always stop here. I don't usually eat at the same place and rarely order the same thing but this is the exception. The smoked salmon is great, best I've had. A nice sized portion, cooked just right, moist and flakey., never disappoints.

    (4)
  • Leanne S.

    Pretty cool place with its own brewery. Big beer selection with info on each one but only 5 are available at a time. We were in for a late lunch on a Monday so it wasn't very busy. We were greeted immediately upon walking through the revolving doors and and sat at a comfortable booth. The waiter came over right away to take our drink orders and let us know the specials. I ended up getting the chicken and havarti sandwich which was awesome. When we were done we were checked out in a timely manner. Overall good experience, would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the area.

    (4)
  • Buster M.

    Drukin' Ribeye! If you are a steak person then you MUST order this. I kid you not, this steak blows anything Capital Grill can make out of the water. I am not bashing the Grill (I love that place!) but rather trying to give you an idea of Sweet Water quality. The appetizers are great. The wait staff is excellent. I love this place and will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Danielle H.

    If I could eat here every single day I would. I'd eat at least two baskets of the complimentary Ozzie Rolls (basically unsweetened fried dough) with honey butter. And the Monterey Chicken Salad sans corn. Rotating brews make it all the better. Favorite beer is the Pumpkin Ale in which they rim the glass with graham cracker cinnamon sugar oat goodness. Sooooo amaze.

    (5)
  • Yaka H.

    Definitely embodies the style and themes if the various Great American Restaurants. So, if you've been to one, each one will be reminiscent of the others. The menu at Sweetwater Tavern is very similar to the other GAR spots and complimented with great service here, which seems to be the usual at all of the Great American Restaurants. I went with a small group for a light dinner and they were very accommodating. There seems to be decently large beer list here, but only a few are available at a time, turning it a decently disheartening list. So do have your waiter specify which numbers are available before you get your heart set on one that they don't have. The complimentary bread basket and whipped butter is the same as the other Great American Restaurants. Ozzie rolls (doughnut holes), a whole wheat bread studded with nuts and raisins (my favorite out of the basket offerings), and white. Most of the group ordered salads, each vibrant and fresh. The chicken tenders are battered in a tempura-like, light batter which makes for a nice, light, crisp end-product. I forgot the name of the salad I ordered, but it was topped with a pieces of the fried tenders. The only minor disappointment of the salad I ordered was the little amount and poor quality of chopped avocados. Also, I thought they might have been a tad too much dressing, but that's more of a personal taste. I also tried the blue crab fritters. These are very similar in style and concept to some fried Chinese dim sum. A crisp, noodley exterior, with a very tender crab meat filling. There is little filler in the crab meat filling. Each order comes with 3 fritters placed on top of a rich, lobster bisque-like sauce and corn salsa. Definitely impressive looking and tasty, but perhaps a tad pricey for an appetizer.

    (3)
  • Jen H.

    Some locals recommended this place, saying it was really good. I tried it out, and the food was really tasty. The restaurant staff is very welcoming and accommodating. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual. I had some bread pudding for dessert, and it was amazing!

    (4)
  • Robert P.

    Drunken Ribeye. That alone will get me back to Sweetwater. I saw the photos and knew I needed to try it. I ordered it medium-rare and it came to the table prepared perfectly. It had a wonderful crust and the beef itself was incredible. I ordered mine with a salad since the steak was so big. I devoured it as well. The beer selection was great. There are a lot of unknowns, so get a sample if you're unsure. Tip: another person in my party ordered the steak medium-well. This is a thing you should not do anywhere. Don't ruin your steak and write reviews about it.

    (4)
  • Faith C.

    Try the ribs!! The ribs are so super delicious that you'll fall off your chair or start crying because you'll want to eat these juicy ribs daily. I'm going there tonight - I can't take it and will hit the gym tomorrow (ha ha, no I'm not). Have a great rib day! The BEER, bar, and servers are all great too.

    (5)
  • Jeremiah H.

    This place is always packed. Always. I've never been here and not seen the parking lot full of cars. Even when the neighboring Olive Garden lost power, the lot was still full. I think they seed it with cars to make the place look busier. The menu is limited, much like the company's other chains. I'm partial to the chicken tenders, which have a deliciously flaky and crunchy breading full of pepper. The ozzie rolls are fantastic, but I'm less impressed with the other breads. I would like to see a little more variety in the menu, and the prices seem a little high. The real seller here though is not the food. It's the beer. We go to Sweetwater because we want a beer and some food, rather than for a specific dish. They have a board above the exit that shows the beers on tap. They always have the Naked River Light (exceptionally light- great if you want the taste of beer but need to drive) and their Pale Ale, both of which are delicious. The remaining four or five selections vary wildly. If you can't decide, or if you simply want to experiment, your server can bring samples to try. On the service front, Sweetwater subscribes to a floating-service model. The waiter that takes your order may not be the one that brings the food, refills, or check. In fact, you may never see the same waiter twice. Servers share an area of the floor, working together to try and take care of everyone in that area. As such, you can flag down any one of them without feeling awkward and ask for anything you need. It makes me a little curious how tips are handled, but it does keep your drinks full.

    (4)
  • Rachel W.

    My friend had an overnight layover at Dulles and wanted something quick and good to eat. I saw Sweet Water was nearby on yelp and absolutely had to stop in. I've passed the one in Dunn Loring a million times and intended to go, so when I saw they had one in sterling near the hotel, it was a no brainier. We were seated quickly and our waiter was great. Very knowledgeable and honest about what was exceptional and what was simply THE BEST. I had the Salmon and potatoes while my friend had the cheese burger and fries. Both were great, however his fries came out a little chilly but they were more than accommodating and brought out hot fresh ones immediately. Now about that SALMON!!!! :) Mmmmm It melts in your mouth, full of flavor. I went to Chef Geoff's the night before and it was basic in comparison. Sweet Waters, let me just tell you how you obliterated any type of competition. Just knocked this dish out of the park, homerun. the Smokey flavor was perfect, it was not overcooked or over seasoned. Like I said PERFECT. I'll be back with more friends. Oh yeah, the sweet butter and ozie rolls y'all had going on, I just want to write home about it.

    (4)
  • Jennifer R.

    I frequent Sweet Water Tavern. Their chicken tenders are incredible. They have a feature appetizer and fish everyday. Their feature appetizer of flash fried oysters are amazing. My family calls ahead to check for this feature dish. The staff is always pleasant and very attentive.

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    I was here on business and this place was highly recommended.. Wow.. The Drunken Rib-eye.. delicious.. I also had the Pumpkin ale.. very good.. If I'm ever in town again, I will come back..

    (4)
  • Jared G.

    I ate here this evening after finding SweetWater on Yelp. The ratings and pictures from previous diners looked like a lock! I ate at the bar as I am traveling alone and seating was immediate. Brandee was the bartender. After asking a few questions about the beer selection, I had the stout which was very good. Like Guinness only a little more crisp and less buttery. So far so good. I looked at the menu and quickly decided on the chop salad and the salmon - I especially thought the salmon sounded good and the Yelp pictures made it an easy choice. That was the easy part - getting one of the two bartenders to take my order was another. The salad was good - having corn and beans in it but a little over dressed. The smoked grilled salmon was excellent - well cooked and very smokey and sweet. The sauce was a good combo with the mashed potatoes. So the meal was very good but I also appreciate service. When the service is very poor - as was the case tonight - it puts a damper on the evening. Is it really too hard to fill a beer when you look at an empty glass 5 times? Or a water glass 5 times? Or possibly get a roll? Must be. I would have also loved to try one of the deserts I saw on the menu - but as I sat there with a napkin and two empty glasses - no chance of a bartender taking my order. So I gave up and placed my credit card on the bill that is handily placed in a glass in front of the customer. The bartender now found the time to break away from her conversation with the manager less than 2 feet from me, process my bill and slap down on the bar - all without so much as a grunt, let alone a thank you or any other such common courtesy. While the food was very good, it was not nearly good enough to overcome such embarrassing service. J

    (2)
  • Osama E.

    Great place- the drunkin rib eye is my favorite, the only way it could be better is if they had a bone-in rib eye. My only knock is that they don't post nutritional facts on the web/menu/anywhere. Let's hope that changes.

    (3)
  • David G.

    Hidden jem! Love this place. Overall the entrance and the lake out back was great! When we arived we were greated and given a 15 min wait, this was accurate!. The wait staff was wonderful and very friendly. Lets get to the dinner. Appatizers were flaverfull and the presentation was on spot. Had the grilled Salmon, perfect! No complaints we had been in Washington for the week and this was my best dining expierance.

    (5)
  • Carolyn Y.

    Sweet Water Tavern is one of our favorite restaurants. If you go, try the prickly pear margarita, the lobster bisque, and the rice/crab fritter appetizer. The food is always consistently good, as is the service. I can only remember one time that I had a problem with my meal, and the service team went to great lengths to apologize and correct the issue. Sweet Water Tavern hits all the right notes!

    (4)
  • Sharlyne B.

    We travel a lot, so I'm always on the look out for the local flavor, anything that isn't your typical chain. We went with this one based on yelp reviews, and couldn't be happier that we did! We went in the middle of October at around 6pm on a Friday. Waiting for a table was going to take too long so we sat at the outside bar. It was closed off by clear plastic walls so you had a view of the lake without the chill. Our bartender got to us right away. Hubby, being something of a beer connoisseur, got the sampler and I got the root beer. He enjoyed every flight more than the next, and the root beer was delicious. We ordered the crab fritters, and they were fantastic! Real crab, nand the sauce was great! Hubby ordered the drunken rib eye and I got the baby back ribs, along with the mixed green salad. The salad was delicious, the ribs were tender and fell off the bone with little effort and a delicious BBQ sauce! The real moment was when hubby bit into his steak and looked up very suddenly when the flavor sunk in. He described it as "Masterfully cooked". It was a somewhat expensive meal (around $80 for one appetizer, two entrees, beer sampler, root beer), but worth every penny. We had an awesome experience here and if we're ever in the area again, I'll be keeping an eye out for this gem of a restaurant!

    (5)
  • Gene S.

    We dine here once a month and normally it's solid 4 star service and food. The other night we had Chelsey serve us and made the whole experience a "5 star"! Thanks for the special attention- from Chelsey and Kelsey!

    (5)
  • Orlando V.

    Never ever had a bad experience in my life. My glass was empty for hours. Bartender ignored me all the time.

    (1)
  • Trish C.

    Went there 2 days in a row on our vacaation. Food and service amazing!! Blue crab fritters/hairy crab balls, drunken ribeye, salmon, smoked wings, prime rib.....all awesome! Great beer choices..GA pale ale is perfect! Service was way over expectation! We last visited 5 years ago, and it was our favorite spot then...I don't know how, but it was even better this time around!! Wish we had one in South Florida...we would be regulars!!

    (5)
  • Katie H.

    Food is always awesome! Definitely one of the best places to eat in Sterling. I have been here dozens of times and never had a bad meal. Steaks are always cooked perfect.

    (5)
  • Larissa M.

    Heaven right here on earth. Their ribs r the BEST ribs I have E V E R had. I have had almost everything on the menu & all of is awesome. The only thing that would say bad about it is if u can't stand noisy places. Don't go because it really noisy in there.

    (5)
  • Vanessa Z.

    Went here for a dinner date night and enjoyed it a lot! We did go here on a Friday during happy hour so it was very busy, but the servers were still quite attentive. We grabbed drinks at the bar beforehand, and the bartenders were definitely doing their job getting everyone their drinks in a timely fashion. The wait was about 30 minutes or so, which did seem appropriate for the amount of people that were there. Once we were seated, our waitress was super pleasant, consistently coming back to ask how we were doing. My boyfriend ordered the prime rib and I got the ribs and we were both happy with our orders; the food was good! Overall our experience was a positive one, and we do want to come back here again.

    (5)
  • Megan C.

    What's not to love about Sweetwater Tavern? It is, in my opinion, not only the best Great American Restaurant concept, but also the best of all Sweetwater locations. Why? Simple. Consistent service, great food, healthy beer list, and a fun atmosphere. It's clean, lively, and parking is ample. They do get busy every single night of the week and weekend, so it's best to call ahead since they don't take reservations. Their call-ahead system is effective and estimates of wait times have been accurate in my experience. Sweetwater is one of those restaurants where you can always take out-of-town guests, colleagues, your significant other, and meet up with good friends. It really fits all occasions. I especially love their salads, and some people swear by their ribs. Their crab cakes are pretty darn good, too. The "team service" concept is wonderful because you are never left alone for too long - plates are bussed, drinks are refilled, food is prompt, and checkout is efficient, because you have a constantly-rotating team of servers, and everyone always is on top of their game. Try Sweetwater, you won't be disappointed. Just make sure to call ahead!

    (5)
  • Errick E.

    Excellent food, try the blue crab fritters. Roasted Chicken salad is cold (chicken) but delicious. Great bar and selection of drafts. Great lunch spot! Will be back!

    (4)
  • Josh C.

    Great food! Especially the crab fritter and chocolate waffle! I ordered today's special, grilled grouper, yummy!

    (5)
  • Chuck R.

    Went there for beers, Chambord, and fun, so cannot vouch for the food, but my brother says that the filet mignon is "to die for." The on-site microbrews are outstanding. Highly recommend the Christmas Ale and the American Pale Ale. Very, very friendly and accommodating bar tenders and a raucously lively vibe.

    (4)
  • Shannon A.

    Ironically, we were not as impressed with this tavern's drinks. Stay away from the margaritas. But the food was fabulous! First, appetizers: firecracker shrimp was amazing. Could have eaten two more plates of it in lieu of main dish. Spinach dip good but not as mouth-kicking wonderful. Second, the crab cake with filet mignon was flawless. All tender, well seasoned and red mashed potatoes perfect. Most unique was the service. We told our waiter our order, and the fact that we had completed a marathon today, and the entire team knew our peculiar changes/ additions to the normal menu and all congratulated us on today's achievement. This is amazing in a restaurant twice the size of most steakhouses.

    (4)
  • Tucker H.

    How have I never written a review of Sweet Water Tavern? This was my first time to this location, but I've eaten at every location at least once and the Fairfax/Falls Church one multiple times. Like all the GAR locations, the menu features a number of common items, including my standard grilled chicken and havarti sandwich (buttery and delicious), but SWT's specialty items are tavern fare. Pork and steak feature heavily, and the beer selection (brewed on-site) is outstanding. Also, they finally figured out that they should put one of the fried dough balls per person into the bread basket; no more awkward musical chairs where someone ends up without that deep-fried deliciousness...

    (3)
  • Christi D.

    One of my favorite restaurants. Service is always on point and the food is always fresh and delicious. I love everything on the menu and call ahead seating is great.

    (5)
  • Tim N.

    Why should you go to a place with excellent food and order a burger? Because the burgers here are consistently excellent. Craft beers and mixed drinks are excellent. And they are kid friendly!

    (5)
  • Cori F.

    Love the root beer, vibe, and decor. The food is so-so but you can get good reasonably priced meals. Great location, friendly to all different groups of people!

    (4)
  • Alan M.

    I really like this place. It's no secret either, the place is huge and almost always packed! The food is always good. My personal favorite is the chicken fingers. Super crispy on the outside and very juicy inside; melts in your mouth! I love their fries too. If you can make it in for lunch, and they happen to have it, the pulled-pork bbq sandwich is amazing! Beer selection is pretty good to. Not as good as Del Marva up the street, but if your are into quality beers, this place will meet your needs.

    (4)
  • Thomas P.

    Great food. Consistently awesome service. Craft beers from the microbrewery. After a decade of eating here several times a month a menu refresh would be awesome.

    (5)
  • MM G.

    One of my favorite places to eat. My husband and I love the smoked salmon. There's no other place that does salmon like this. I crave it! I also love the little rolls. The white chocolate bread pudding is also really good for a dessert treat!

    (5)
  • Brian S.

    Ive been here multiple times since and they never disappoint. The chop house salad is phenomenal. Easily one of the best salads Ive had. Its a little over dressed most of the time but I love the dressing so no complaints from this guy. I usually get the prime rib which is on point most of the time. The drunk rib eye is also a great choice. Today I ordered the crab/shrimp louie and is was absolutely one of the best appetizers Ive had in a while. An absolutely delicious dish. The chocolate waffle and white bread pudding are also favorites.

    (5)
  • Mike B.

    Never have a bad meal here. The beer selection changes and it is all good as well. If you don't know what to get try the half chicken, its amazing and filling. Sweet potato fries are also amazing!

    (5)
  • Drew D.

    Everything about this place is awesome. I have no complaints. We had 3 waiters at lunch time and they did everything right. Five stars in every aspect.

    (5)
  • Simplehiccup D.

    We have been to this restaurant three times. Here is what hubby likes best about Sweet Water Tavern: They have a nice complementary bread basket and they have a great selection of beer on tap. The entrees can be hit or miss. His prime rib had some inedible fatty/grisly parts to it during our last meal, but he said it tasted good. I think meat or fish lovers will, overall, be happy with the selections offered at SWT. Vegetarians are stuck with very limited options. Vegans or those sticking to a healthy plant-based diet? Just forget it. Look at the online menu and you will see what I mean. I am consistently surprised when the bill comes, because I think what I ate just does not measure up as I usually leave unsatisfied. There was a fried green tomato appetizer on the specials that came with some shrimp. We asked if they could leave off the shrimp and the server's response was, "well, yeah, but you will still have to pay full-price for it". I have tried a number of their salads - the meats and cheeses play a large roll in doctoring them up. When you leave those out, the salads are not anything that will fill you up and leave you satisfied. A salad with toasted chickpeas, cooked black beans or pumpkin seeds would fill that niche perfectly. I enjoyed the mushrooms in the portobello fajitas a lot. They are perfectly marinated and are grilled wonderfully. Grilled onions accompany. In my opinion, the addition of some grilled peppers or tomatoes would push this dish to the next level. It comes with pico de gallo, beans and guacamole which I found all to be good. It also comes with sour cream, flour tortillas and rice. I did not eat those. I have lukewarm feelings regarding the cocktails. The prickly pear margarita was way too sweet. I had the same experience on a previous occasion with a different margarita and a martini. Both were really sugary. That just isn't my thing, but I get that many people like sweet cocktails. To avoid this on a previous occasion, I tried to order a "skinny margarita" with just tequila, lime and seltzer water. This was at another location. My request visibly freaked the server out, so I told him to forget it. I have not tried to get fancy since then. Aside from the flavor, I do enjoy the aesthetic aspect of SWT's cocktails- they do a good job of making them look nice. I believe that you will either like Sweet Water Tavern's spin on the GAR concept or you won't. My concern about finding a healthy plant-based meal are pretty consistent at all the GARS, so this place does neither better nor worse than the others in my eyes. If I were just reviewing my own personal experience then I would have given 2.5 stars. My husband gives 3 stars as a beer drinker/meat-eater, so I figured 3 stars was a good place to meet in the middle. We want to love this place, but it is like trying to hammer a round peg into a square hole. It just does not meet our needs, so we would not be in a rush to stop back.

    (3)
  • Steve L.

    Local beer, people, and food. Had the drunken rib eye. Cooked perfect med and a dream steak. Beer choices we endless love this place. .

    (5)
  • N B.

    Good food and great tap selection. My two suggestions would be: Definitely try the beer sampler! If the weather is good, sit outside by the lake.

    (4)
  • Jordan C.

    Excellent food, beer and service. We were on business in VA and decided to check this place out. The wait was 10-20 minutes as the restaurant was unusually busy for a tuesday night but we found seats at the bar. The house brewed beer was very good, and the bartender was friendly and told us we could even eat at the bar if we liked, but we waited for our table. The hostess who seated us was talkative and friendly and made some excellent food recommendations. We shared the crab fritters which were hot and delicious, followed by an order of the drunken rib-eye and the jambalaya pasta both of which were large portioned, fresh and tasty. We shared chocolate waffles with ice cream for dessert and each got a beer sampler pack. Overall and excellent meal.

    (4)
  • Robert C.

    This is a great place to go eat. I would suggest that you go early or late for lunch during weekdays. They get very busy. If you go then I would say that you either have to wait or to be honest, I don't remember if they take reservation. I believe that they do. They have out side seating and a good view. They are a micro brewery but I'm not a fan of beer in general. Never had a bad meal with their. For dinner, its less busy.

    (4)
  • Jessica S.

    I had lunch at Sweet Water Tavern as part of a small company outing. I frequent many other Great American Restaurants, but had only been to Sweet Water once before. At first things started shaky as I had made a reservation for 6 people, but they only had it down for 4. Fortunately, we only had 5 people make it and they were able to squeeze us in without too much wait. In general the food was good, but the service was great. It is kind of sad, but the one thing that impressed me was the water was provided to everyone without even asking. I hate going to restaurants and ordering an alcoholic beverage AND a water, but only getting the alcoholic beverage. I LOVE the starter bread that Great American Restaurants have. They are like not so sweet donut holes and super delicious! We ordered Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Firecracker Shrimp to start. The dip was pretty standard, but delicious. The shrimp were also great despite me not liking cilantro (which was sprinkled on top). My meal consisted on a Shrimp Caesar Salad and the Corn and Crab Chowder. The only slip up was that my soup was forgotten. When I asked about it, our waitress immediately brought it out and even comped it for forgetting. Everyone else was impressed with both their meal and beer choices. It was definitely a great choice for a team outing! I will definitely come back. The restaurant was SUPER busy at lunch time, so I would highly recommend making a reservations.

    (4)
  • K L.

    No reservation allowed. Not ideal to dine here during peak hours. Wait time 1hr plus... Gave 3 stars because food was good.

    (3)
  • Scott C.

    Excellent food & very good service. I highly recommend the bluecrab fritters. Nice American menu with fairly broad options. It was so packed we ate at the bar rather than wait the 1.5 hours on a Friday with no reservations. Tony at the bar took good care of us.

    (4)
  • Roy K.

    5 stars due to the service....I`ve been to the Falls Church location and I wish they could transport the service I got at this location to all the restaurants. This is written after my second visit to the Sterling location. Simply because I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke the first time around. We sat in Alex's section in both times and they were both great experiences. Food is consistently solid but service was shaky the first few times I tried GAR establishments. She was attentive, not pushy, but informative. Both times, every one at my table was happy and I wanted to make sure hard work was recognized. I will be back and back to Alex. Great food, great beer, and great service. Sweetwater you rock as long as you have people like Alex helping customers out!

    (5)
  • Abby L.

    I love this place! I have been here on two separate occasions and left extremely full. Food is great, atmosphere is inviting, and the service is fantastic!!

    (5)
  • Stephen S.

    Yelpers beware: big-time chain feel. I had no clue when I saw the name and read some of the reviews. But, when I walked in, I thought I was at a Gordon Biersch or something. But, I must admit, the food was really good. I had the half roasted young chicken with smashed potatoes. DELISH. The margarita was also perfectly balanced. Wine list is not bad. No complaints (except the chain-like atmosphere).

    (4)
  • Jen M.

    This place has become one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I took my oldest son and husband for lunch here and we will definitely be back. It was a rainy weekday and the place was packed with workers on their lunchbreak and families on spring break. We were seated immediately and the hostest and server could not have been nicer or more helpful. The waiter described all their beers to us and I tried the Naked River Light - yummmm. After fighting over their delicious rolls and butter (we almost filled up but they are so good that we couldn't help ourselves) our food came out and we couldn't be happier. I had their fish special of the day which was the panko-crusted cod over mashed cauliflower with asparagus spears. AMAZING!!! The portion was huge so I got to take it home and eat it again for dinner. My son's cheeseburger was a good size too and also very tasty (especially for a kids meal). My husband had the Louisiana Pasta and practically licked his plate clean. And just to show you again how wonderful the people are who work here, my oh-so-responsible kindergartener left his Nintendo DS at the table when we left the restaurant. We didn't realize it until a couple of days later when we noticed that he wasn't playing with it anymore. My husband called the restaurant and what do you know, the waiter hung on to is for us and it was there for us to pick up at our convenience. Thanks Sweetwater Tavern!

    (5)
  • Chris J.

    Went for lunch and had the lobster bisque and the sauteed chicken. The food was very good as usual, but the shining star was our server, Victor. We had a table of seven and Victor was on the ball from the moment we sat down. Very attentive with a touch of humor. Very pleasant time. Thanks Victor for a great lunch.

    (4)
  • StratSwede S.

    Great place. I had the half smoked salmon and the imperial stout. Both excellent. My only two complaints are the noise level and the low lighting once the sun goes down. For those of us over 40, we need more light to read the menu, not less. But that said, the food is consistently very good.

    (4)
  • John B.

    Does not get better than this

    (5)
  • Alexa M.

    Had a much better experience this time. Better service, better food. All around better experience. Yay!

    (4)
  • Robert G.

    Stopped by for a late lunch yesterday, the food and service were exceptional. The sun room dining area has a great view of the small lake which added to the experience. The food was great; the crab fitters could be a meal to themselves, i couldn't pass up the sirloin tips as an entree. The sirloin was perfectly cooked, the balance of the tequila lime sauce, peppers and red onions make it a perfect one dish meal.

    (5)
  • Joie T.

    SWEET WATER TAVERN 3.5 stars After a night of racing at the Karting track, we wanted to try something new! At someone's suggestion, we came here on a Saturday night @ 9:30pm. With our group of 20 people, we were told the wait would be 45 minutes! At 9:30pm, this place was packed silly! Nonetheless, too tired & hungry to search further, we plopped our butts down in the waiting area. With luck, the tables turned quicker than their gestimation! Niiiiceeee!!! The decor & ambiance was a typical American tavern. The menu was the typical All-American fare (burgers, sandwiches, soups & salads, pasta, meat & fish selection). The salad selection was huge, and some interesting mix of ingredients. We went with the BBQ Burger & Chicken Tex Mex Salad. I wanted to order the sweet potato fries or house fries, but judging by the wimpy, soggy looks of them from the table next-door, I passed. The burger was so-so, but the salad was humongous & tasty & satisfying. I'm not a beer drinker, AT ALL, but apparently, (so i hear), they have a really good beer list here. My favorite, most memorable part of the meal was the complimentary bread balls! What a shocker! Once you POP! ...you can't stop!!! They were golf-size balls of hot, chewy, soft, buttery, deep-fried, croissant-tasting "donuts"...and the butter that came with it was a soft, sweet, black-pepper butter. We HAD to order a second basket!!! One of the best bread I've ever had! In the mood for scrumptious salad & buttery bread balls???!!! Food: 3.5/5 Decor: 2.5/5 Service: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Friendliness: 5/5 Parking: Parking lot Cost: $$

    (3)
  • Jesse W.

    Great filet mignon; probably should be rated 3 $$$

    (4)
  • Fran P.

    I visited Sweetwater Tavern for the first time and I was NOT disappointed. The bartenders greeted me with a warm welcome and were ready to take my order. I usually don't eat bread, however I heard how delicious it was, tried it, and enjoyed every piece. My meal was also delicious and the bartenders were ready to fix any drink I requested. Let's just say I will be back, may even venture out to try the other restaurants in this group.

    (5)
  • Robbie D.

    Very good food here. The basket of "fresh bread from the bakery" is actually a pile of unglazed doughnut holes, and they're great with the maple butter included. The entrees my wife and I had were great (a burger and jambalaya pasta), and familiar for those looking for American fare. Service was good as well.

    (4)
  • Steve R.

    A very nice looking restaurant. Bar situated right in a lowered middle part of the restuarant with a couple of flat screens. Now to the food! The grilled pork chops were exceptional. got mine medium well.... and they were just slightly crispy but super tender on the inside... magnificent!.. . and the sauce they were in was even more exceptional. The seasonal Pumpkin Ale was acceptable... the spice around the edge of the glass was a nice touch... My dining partners said that the prime rib was very good and the salad was good... They didn't even complain that my 3 yr old daughter decided to do an impromptu dance performance with the napkins in the middle of aisle. Fair prices. Excellent.

    (5)
  • Rick G.

    I have been here a couple of times during my travels to Sterling, VA. Each time the food has been exceptional and the service has been 5 out 5 each time. The Crab cakes were the best ones I have in a long time. Coming from a person that was born and raised in San Francisco that is saying a lot. Great job Sweetwater Tavern!

    (5)
  • Andria O.

    Blue. Crab. Fritters. My parents call me from VA to brag about going to Sweetwater for the blue crab fritters, and I seethe with jealousy. There is some kind of drug in that sauce. I don't know what it is, but just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Sweetwater Tavern is my favorite of the Great American Restaurant spots. They have a nice beer selection, the service is always great, and the food is delicious. Go at off-times, because weekend nights will see you waiting over an hour. It's a chain, sure. So if you go to a restaurant expecting to be wowed by something interesting about the menu or the atmosphere, you won't find that here. It's a family-friendly spot, wooden booths, simple decor, with your typical ribs / salmon / chicken / etc entrees. But they do what they do well, so I'll keep going back. Blue. Crab. Fritters. Droooool.

    (4)
  • Amanda M.

    After three hours of climbing at the nearby Sportrock gym, my friends and I were ready for a heaping plate of food and a cold beer. Our trusty Yelp app turned us onto Sweetwater Tavern, which sounded like just the trick. The first thing we noticed about this place was the beer menu, which dominates the front page of the menu. They brew a selection of 30 or so beers, five of which are available on tap on any given day. You can get a sampler and try all five, or just take the plunge and pick one - I opted for the latter, and was very pleased with my pint of #16, the Rusty Roadrunner Lager. Not too heavy, crisp and fresh, very refreshing. I'm no beer snob, but it tasted good to me. We started off my sharing a Two Cool Dips appetizer, which is tortilla chips with guacamole and red pepper cheese dip - tasty, filling, took the edge off our growling stomachs! For lunch I had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich ($9). It was pretty tasty. Could maybe have used some more sauce, but next time I'll just remember to ask for extra sauce on the side. The fries weren't too impressive, but that's okay because it just made it easier to resist eating them. A couple of my friends had salads - the Warm Goat Cheese & Pecan salad and the Grilled Tuna & Mixed Green salad. Both of these looked delicious, and if I hadn't been craving some BBQ pork, I think salads would have been the way to go. My brother had the BBQ Baby Back Ribs, which he seemed to enjoy. The only thing ordered at our table that wasn't awesome was the BBQ hamburger; my friend said she didn't think it was anything special. I would definitely come back here on a hungry day; glad it's so close to the climbing gym!

    (4)
  • Deborah L.

    I've first visited Sweet Water Tavern locations as a tourist and for the past 8 years as a local resident. Food selections are great and service exceptional. Love the team work concept and RARELY is there a misstep. On the rare occasion something goes amiss, it is immediately and appropriately corrected. Highly recommend: Lobster Bisque, porkchops, drunken ribeye, firecracker shrimp, grilled artichoke. Can rave about the Great American Restaurants in general but mostly Sweet Water, Arties, Mikes, and Carlyle. Bon Apetite

    (5)
  • Z A.

    I truly enjoy dining out there. The beer is good...Naked River. The food is fantastic. I recommend ordering the pork chops blackened...absolutely yummy...the chicken is fantastic too. On to service, the servers are great.

    (4)
  • Vicky M.

    Why i visit sweetwater at least 10 times a year... Sweet Rolls! Outside bar is great at dusk in the summer Firecracker shrimp (i even eat the granish) Seasonal pumpkin ale - I typically like sweeter pumpkin ales but the spices they put on the rim of the glass make up for that Mixed greens salad WITH goat cheese - i'm not a veggie person or on a diet and i still love this salad Dining room meh service - main server takes my order, but someone else brings me my drinks, and someone else brings me my entree. I see my server once when i get there, once when i've eaten half my meal, and when i pay. I hate asking the back waits for more rolls or a refill when its my servers job. Even though everything comes on on time, in the end i'm not going to tip more than 15%, because there was nothing special about my server. This is why i avoid the dining room seating whenever possible

    (5)
  • Rob H.

    I have eaten here four times, half for lunch and the other dinner. Each time the food and service were excellent. That being said, I have walked in on an evening and been told its a two hour wait, so I guess they get busy. The beer selection is very nice for the area, with a lot of microbrew options and some normal options for those wanting a particular favorite. The food quality each time has been quite good, and the folks I go out to eat with tend to try everyone elses food as well as their own. Overall this place is on my list of good places to eat out in the Ashburn area. This is nice, because the area is not exactly crawling with fantastic food options.

    (5)
  • Jonathan E.

    my steak was exceptional. didn't care for the house salad. beer was GREAT. i'd return just for the beer. service was good, but a bit annoying. atmosphere has potential, but the dividers between booths are so low that it feels like you have zero privacy for any good conversation. restaurant only has two televisions, located in the central bar area.

    (4)
  • Bismarck L.

    Never had a bad meal here. Great service and good food.

    (5)
  • Ashley T.

    I like this place a lot. I frequent in the warmer months when the outdoor patio is open. Their outdoor patio and bar is seriously awesome, and I am a regular when it's warm out. Spinach and artichoke dip is good, the drunken rib-eye is also really good, burgers are good, and those little sweet bread rolls are super good. Prices for the food are reasonable, and the quality is above average. The beer is pretty good. I'm a bit of a beer snob sometimes, so I didn't think Sweetwater's beer was spectacular or anything, but still solid. It beats the hell out of a Bud, and they brew on site which gives them a few extra brownie points. Really, though, it's the outdoor ambiance of this place that will have me coming back over, and over again.

    (4)
  • John L.

    Okay...best prime rib I have had since I left VA 20 years ago...and the place is always packed...great beers...great service...probably the 5th or 6th time I've been here on business travel...love the ribs and apps too...not cheap but consistently good...

    (4)
  • Rica G.

    Fun atmosphere, food is very yummy! Extra orders of Aussie bread! :)

    (5)
  • Erik L.

    Great Beer, Great Service, Great Clientele=Excellent Experience Hey Consumers, I have been to Sweetwater over 30 times now and I can tell you that this restaurant has been one of the most consistent restaurants for great service, attentive and respectful staff, delicious food with beautiful presentations, friendly clientele and atmosphere, and awesome craft brews! There's no question why this place is always busy. I highly recommend this venue and hope you have the same great experience. Sincerely, The Consumer Advocate BS Marketing, BS Management, Occupation: Marketing Consultant

    (5)
  • K P.

    My husband and I were Sweetwater Tavern addicts. We loved it. But for some reason it has gone sour. I would say about two years ago we noticed the quality go downhill. We thought that that specific visit was a fluke so we kept going back. We took friends there saying how great it was and they were disappointed. I thought it must be that our friends had high expectations. But in the end it wasn't them, it was the restaurant. We just returned from dinner at Sweetwater. This is how it all started (or ended) for us. The waiter was obviously not in a great mood. He didn't look thrilled to be there. He asked what we wanted to drink while we looked over our menus and that was it. What happened to the "Hi. Welcome to Sweetwater Tavern. Have you been here before. Let me tell you about todays specials. Do you have any questions about the menu? Would you like a basket of bread?". He returned with our drinks and a basket of bread. I asked him about the specials. I never get anything but this time I actually wanted to know. My husband says that the waiter was surprised by my question! He did kind of clear his throat! Anyway, we ordered the Tex Mex egg rolls, chicken fingers and the Monterey Chicken salad. They came out in a timely fashion. I would say that it was nothing spectacular though. It used to be so flavorful and tasty! Not this time. Everything was bland and unexciting. Our waiter spent more time talking to his co-workers than he did paying attention to us or his other tables. When we were done he delivered the check. As he was taking my card to run the charge, I thought I would tip him 10% because of the mediocre service (I usually tip 20%) and then thought that was too little. But when he came back he couldn't even make eye contact with me when he said thank you. Well guess what! You just got a $5.00 tip! That will be the last time we go to Sweetwater Tavern. It is now called Sourwater Taver because there is nothing sweet about going there. Save yourself a trip and go to Jacksons at RTC. Basically the same food with better service!

    (2)
  • Kevin L.

    It's been months since I'd last been to a GAR. It's been years since I was last at Sweetwater. It can be pretty easy to forget just how impressively reliable this local chain is at delivering a quality meal. Oh. The other thing about most GARs? They're packed. Perpetually. Even after 2100 hours on a Friday night, there was still a wait of about twenty minutes for a table for two. No problem here - there was ample space at the inside bar to grab a seat and enjoy a Wits End beer. A hickory BBQ burger with a giant heap of shoestring fries for right around the $10 mark? Inclusive of the delightful ozzie rolls that come prior to your meal? Pretty darn good! I'd take a Chef Geoff's burger during happy hour over this, but for solid service, pleasant ambiance, and a deliciously enormous burger with just enough sauce to spice things up without being goopy... I'm quite content here. Plus, at the recommendation of Michele, we shared the crab fritter appetizer, which was also well worth the spend. Three crispy balls of crabby goodness in a light cream sauce and fresh sweet corn salsa. Per usual, Sweetwater does just fine as far as GARs go. And considering that this was the first time in ages that I'd been here without celebrating someone leaving their place of employment (*cough* AOL *cough*), it was definitely a happier non-occasion!

    (4)
  • Dee C.

    Wow what crack do they put in there Aussie rolls and Crab Fritters? Always great service. Love this place.

    (5)
  • Alisa M.

    Sweetwater is great for a low key evening with friends or yummy lunch with coworkers! It is your typical american restaurant with a good variety of food. There is pretty much something for everyone. Anything from steaks, to salads, and seafood. They also make their own beer which is kind of cool. I'd say food it pretty good. I always like the lump crab cakes. It's good crab cakes. no shells or anything. Atmosphere is a little loud but overall a good place to go to.

    (3)
  • Brian M.

    Tonight wasn't too good at Sweet Water for me. This was my first time at my local Stirling Sweet Water Tavern and I sent my over-cooked (burned) food back.. After getting it the same exact way the second time, I decided that I was too hungry to play the back and forth game so I told the manager I would just eat it how it was.. Unfortunately I didn't realize, not only was is overcooked, it was bland and not very good at all.. Soo moral of the story, I would stay away from the burger or sandwich portion of the menu cause I know Sweet Water does much better with some of their other entrees. In fact, my company for the night at dinner enjoyed their meals as I contemplated what I would be able to fix for myself when I get home.. Beer was good as usual. Service was lacking a bit. Will return however, probably will play it smarter next time. Manager was very cordial and tried as to rectify the situation as best as he could.

    (2)
  • Nikki W.

    Sweetwater is part of the larger local Great American Resturaunts group. Other resturaunts in this group include places like Coastal Flats & Jackson's. If you eat at these places, you'll notice some menu concepts carry over between resturaunts with a few component changes to make dishes slightly different. The best aspects of Sweetwater are the beer (brewed for the resturaunt) and the outdoor seating. IMO the outdoor seating at the Centreville location is nicer--larger bar, larger area in general). Beer selection changes regularly and our group (with diverse tastes) can always find something good. I like their salads, but can find their quality and quantity frequntly changes between visits. Dining companions have said the same about their dishes as well. The beer and the patio always bring us back.

    (3)
  • RJ S.

    When we go out we look for consistency, Sweetwater has continued to NOT disappoint us, my biggest complaint is it's always packed. Continues to be one of our favorite places to go!

    (5)
  • Merly T.

    Food is always outstanding! Service is friendly!!! Love their prime rib, rib eye, pork chops and their salmon is out of this world! Amazing!

    (5)
  • Jessica S.

    Donut rolls were yummy to start off the meal, but would have been more impressed if they were a comp after dinner treat. Lobster Bisque was just average. Chicken Tenders were excellent, juiciest I've ever had! Both me and my date felt extremely light headed inside of the building and immediately felt better when we left. Kinda scared us really.

    (2)
  • Colleen F.

    Enjoyed lunch at Sweetwater this week. Everything we had was very tasty and service was excellent. I have been to Sweetwater many many times over the years and their high quality of standards really shows through. Also they typically have good specials so you should always check those out.

    (5)
  • Skippy A.

    We followed a waiter that we liked when he changed jobs to work at Sweetwater. Unfortuantely we were unable to have him wait on us as we know service would have been great. The service is intermitent at best and rude with a touch of "why bother" at worst. It is terribly crowded every time we go and they don't seem to do a good job spacing table assignments among waiters. You may have a waiter/ress that is weeded due to more tables then they can handle or you may have a waiter/ress that simply disappears and doesn't really care. The food is typical - nothing to write about - it seems most people go to drink around dinner time, so the outside [where you can smoke] and the bar is always packed. Just another chain, not meeting expectations. Won't be back.

    (2)
  • Eclectic N.

    Came here with a customer. I wasn't expecting much when I first walked in, but ended up with a very positive dining experience. I've heard that it's part of a chain of restaurants and you can feel it as the atmosphere is a bit forced. On to the food..It started with the bread, which I usually skip, but these resembled little donuts with honey butter. I can see them being pretty addictive, but I limieted myself to just one. My meal was fairly simple. I had the filet with red skin mash. The meat was cooked flawlessly and it paired very nicely with the potatoes and cream sauce. My guest had the smoked salmon. I lost him from conversation for a while as he smacked it back. He stated that it had a lot of flavor and was really tender. The service was outstanding and she kept the meal going at a very comfortable pace. At no time did we feel rushed to leave. As I sit here writing this review, i'm having a hard time thinking of anything in particular that blew me away and I'm coming up blank. I'm not sure if I'm in a good mood because most days I may have been a little tougher. I always want to give 3.5 stars!!! it's a little better than A-OK compared to many of the other places close to here, but to say I'm a fan is a bit overboard. I would go back, but I wouldn't go out of my way for this place.

    (4)
  • Sean P.

    Have been here quite a few times for lunch and dinner and have been impressed every time - especially the beer, yummm! Standouts on the menu include the Tex-Mex egg-rolls, Hickory BBQ burger, Hickory grilled pork chops (my favorite!), and the wood grilled filet mignon all were rather tasty. Service is good and nothing beats sliding up to the bar on a Sat or Sun afternoon after fighting the masses at the mall and Rte 7.

    (4)
  • Mimi N.

    Great service, great food, great atmosphere. What else you want?

    (5)
  • Matt R.

    Love this place, been coming here for years. Occasionally the service is horrendous, but on average it's good. Everything on the menu is tasty, though I have a feeling that's because the cooks splurge on tasty-but-unhealthy ingredients. If you're a salad person, and like actually tasting vegetables, ask for dressing on the side or a light dose of dressing. There are multiple Sweetwater Tavern locations, but it's a locally-owned company. Feel good supporting them. The staff is amazing, there are some folks who have been working there for years and excel at what they do. They brew their own beers too, always good.

    (4)
  • brian b.

    I had the shrimp and sausage pasta. It was fantastic. Good service and great beer!,

    (4)
  • H. S.

    Let's just call this place a little slice of heaven with a fork and knife. The food is wonderfully on point, the beer selection is impressive, even the bread basket and sweet butter served gets your mouth watering. The ambiance of the restaurant is as attractive as the personalities of its helpful wait staff. Be prepared to walk away full and content. Bottom line: make a reservation for this lovely restaurant if you plan to visit at lunchtime; it can get very crowded, and justifiably so. The food and service are simply remarkable. Try the Louisiana pasta and a dessert. You'll not be disappointed.

    (4)
  • C S.

    I found it disappointing that SWT's menu is almost a carbon copy of their sister restaurant, Coastal Flats. The starters are almost the same as are most of the Entrees. That's too bad. The atmosphere of this place is it's particular saving grace, however. It sits on a pond surrounded by a business park and another restaurant. It was fun to take a stroll around the water after lunch. The service was great. Our server had a great sense of humor and was chatty. The Missus had a Mahi-Mahi special and enjoyed it thoroughly, while I ended up getting the cheeseburger, which was surprisingly good. Probably not tops on our list of places to go in the future, but seating out on their terrace at night along the water might make for a pleasant time.

    (3)
  • Trish F.

    Love me some Sweetwater! Great ambiance, good food and friendly staff. On Friday and Saturday night definately call ahead or you can expect on average an hour wait. Make sure you try the delicious sweet rolls they offer while waiting for your food. Haven't had anything on the menu that was not super tasty. Personal faves are the chicken tenders (love that tempura like batter) and the marinated mushrooms.

    (4)
  • Carla W.

    A recent visit to Sweetwater was nostalgic, which is the best thing I could say about the evening. The food was mediocre at best--overcooked and rather plain halbut for me, overcooked and dry rib eye for my husband. The sweet potato fries were the highlight of the meal--crispy yet tender. The service was slow, and I received the wrong order (not the item from the evening's specials). When I asked about it, the substitute waiter (ours had disappeared) didn't know about the evening's special that I had ordered. Finally the manager came by as we were finishing our meal to apologize for the confusion, but it was a little late for that. Although we were there sans kids, I'd say that the restaurant appears to be family friendly. In fact, those without kids be aware--there were many children literally roaming around the aisles, to the point that the wait staff had a hard time serving customers. Whether that can be attributed to the poor behavior of the parents or the restaurant's tolerance for it is unclear. The result--a bit more like Chuck E Cheese atmosphere than a night out for adults.

    (2)
  • Kirkles A.

    4.5 stars I've got a special place in my heart for Sweetwater. It was one of the first places that I ever went out to with my school friends and was a stand by for the 4 years that I was in college. The food, particularly the burgers, is always good, the wait staff is always attentive, and I generally have a very nice time. My only gripe is that you can't actually make a reservation. You can put yourself on this list ahead of time, but there's no guarantee that you can walk in and get a table. Other than that, I'd highly recommend the joint.

    (4)
  • Joel S.

    I enjoy most of the American Restaurants, but this one is in the top two (Coastal Flats is my favorite). For those that are less than the legal age, their root beer is the best- everyone else should try one of their micro brews. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

    (5)
  • Tuan N.

    Overpriced average food, but the service was great though.

    (3)
  • Gwen B.

    Went here for lunch on our gals' day in Reston/Sterling... We got here right when it opened, so we had no wait. There were 3 seating options--inside, outside, or partially outside--we weren't sure what the last one meant, so we went with it! It meant being outside, but having an awning over us (which I think turned out to be the best option). We had an incredible view and seemed to escape the city life for an hour. I ordered the blackened chicken pasta, which was very good, but nothing too spectacular. My 2 friends seemed to also enjoy their burger and chicken tenders. All of us were too full (unfortunately) to try the chocolate waffle. Overall, a great lunch choice, not too expensive. The one thing I would caution you on is that the waiters seem to be trained on calling women "lady." Don't be offended--they mean it in the nicest way, but it can be a little strange to hear at first :)

    (4)
  • Kirsten P.

    I love the bread(ie/y) things/basket - and they pay attn to my food allergies - I will say, I've yet to experience the service here than elsewhere - and I'm talking NOT a corporate owned rest. I have yet to have a bad meal there be it a lunch or a dinner. Everything is cooked perfect! And need I say again, very attentive to any food allergies. thats one of the reasons I keep going back - besides the bread and food! LOL!

    (5)
  • Mike N.

    As noted by previous reviewers they do decent red meat here. I had the Drunken Rib Eye and it was cooked as i expected and tasted great. The value here is definitely good especially given that the portions are pretty big. The doughnut bread is yummy and probably what I remember most after eating here a few times. I think the beer is made on site, but I don't think it's a highlight. I had their regular "pale ale" and it was good but not great. If i were rating the beer I think it'd be 3 stars. The food would be 3.5 stars. The service would be 4 stars, for sure, though. I saw complaints that seemed to indicate people had "too many servers." In my opinion, their approach to service is every customer is every employees responsibility. It made me feel like I could ask any one of them for something and I'd get it. Call me crazy, but I think I like it.

    (3)
  • Matt V.

    Another fabulous experience here. BBQ burger was great, and the fries are still some of the best I've had (If you like skinny fries)

    (5)
  • Andrew D.

    Best food in the area bar none...nothing competes with the caliber food Sweetwater and for a matter of face most Great American Restaurant Co establishments serve. Just took my spouse there for a early birthday dinner and convinced her to try the best steak on the planet... The Drunken Rib Eye! She fell in love with its immaculate taste! that marinade of pale ale, soy sauce, mustard and other herbs make this steak a knock out contender! Service is always awesome as they use the team system where no one specific waiter is your waiter...all of them work in conjunction to get the job done. They get pretty busy in the evening and have a call-ahead waiting list but do not take reservations, they also do not do carryout but you can take your dine-in leftovers home of course. For those with wheat allergies may I suggest the Flourless Chocolate Waffle as a dessert...it is sinfully dynamite

    (5)
  • Mohamed M.

    We got lost on the way trying to find this place but the time was well spent. the service is decent somewhat slow but the food makes up for it. I ordered the roasted half young chicken and it was amazing. I truly enjoyed my meal even though they where somewhat stingy with the delicious ozzie rolls that i kept on gorging down lol i plan on going back before i leave the area.

    (4)
  • Dave P.

    We really like this place. There are three things that really make this place shine. 1) Good, consistent food. The menu isn't extravagant, but what they do, they do well. I am a big fan of the hickory burger, and the relatively simple blackened chicken ceasar salad. They also do a jambaliya which is pretty good as is, but if you ask the kitchen to spice it up a bit, they really can add a lot of extra flavor to it. 2) Spectacular service. The tag team staffing is 2nd to none, except for those places that you are a regular and they know you by name and face. Special orders come out right all the time. 3) Environment. We like to go with friends, since it's a good place to be social, even when not at the bar. We aren't a big fan of family oriented restaurants, and we don't run into screaming kids here. It also helps that we'll not get there until after 9pm most of the time. The chocolate waffle is an excellent desert, if you manage to save room or it. Now, for what you've all been waiting for: the cons. Noise. Biggest con, besides having to remember to call them to do call-ahead seating, is the noise when the place is full. The current trend in making restaurants w/o little to no noise absorbtion materials results in a very echo-y, very high level of background and white noise during the dinner rush. After 8:30 on weeknights, and 9:30 Fri and Sat night, the noise drops considerably as the place starts to wind down.

    (4)
  • Tina L.

    Excellent service and yummy food. The bread is to die for...and the crab cake appetizer was delish! My only sticking point...I asked for a to go cup for my iced tea and they don't do that. But...you can't have everything, right?

    (4)
  • Daniel B.

    Sweetwater was a top notch dining experience. I had the Drunken Rib eye Steak with steamed spinach and a salad. My taste buds were so happy all the way through the entire meal. My regret is that I live two hours from this place and can't go there more often (maybe a blessing as I would be there a lot). I plan to go there everytime I make it back to NoVa. Hey, try their five beer sampler....are all really good! This place is great...please open one in Richmond.

    (5)
  • Betsy G.

    Yum, never had a meal I didn't like and always have reliable services. There are three Sweetwaters, but unfortunately none in my home state of Maryland, so I eat there when visiting a friend who lives in Ashburn. I'm seriously into the Monterey Chicken Salad, tossed in a buttermilk ranch dressing with dried cranberries, pecans, and other goodies. I've had a few entrees and sandwiches, with all of it tasty, fresh, and solid. The breadbasket contains nice fresh breads, including these round hot smooshy delightful biscuits. Bring them on! One of my favorite features is the call-ahead that let's me put my name on the list before I get to the restaurant, which eliminates the wait even on the busiest, most crowded nights. No reservations, but call-ahead is even better. The bar is nice during sporting events. The outdoor seating is lovely when the weather is nice. Sweetwater is part of a small local restaurant group, but this is my favorite label in the family. Wish there was a closer one or I'd be there once a week.

    (4)
  • Russ F.

    beer - awesome bartenders - awesome food of choice? chop house salad and chicken fingers (like no other) and the bbq burger. dont forget a growler to go! ive been back to fill mine many times.

    (4)
  • Autumn W.

    One of my favorite places to get a great steak. Only downside is they have trouble seating large parties indoors.

    (4)
  • Brian F.

    Can't go wrong with Sweetwaters. Fantastic food + great brews (including seasonal) = good times. Plus, you'll run into current & former Redskins here during football season. Don't forget to fill up you growler at the bar!

    (4)
  • Michael S.

    I've eaten here a few times and it's always been pretty good at best. On this visit I ordered ribs while seated at the bar. The bar tender was not very attentive and I sat for over 10 minutes waiting for her to bring me bread. I reminded her and she said okay. After a couple of minutes I saw her head to the kitchen to get my bread. In just a minute or so after she left my entree arrived, followed by the missing bread basket.. very poor timing. On top of that, my fries were cold and the ribs weren't much warmer. I then asked for a manager, particularly since my server was less than attentive to start with. She did ask why, tried to excuse the situation away but I told her I wanted a manager. The manager (Steven) arrived, was very apologetic, listened to what I had to say and acted on it immediately. Within 5-6 minutes I had hot entree, my drink filled and a 2nd visit from Steven to make sure I was satisfied. Look.. food is food in most places like this. For Sweetwater, the food is better than the average for these places and the service I received is definitely what will drive me back into their place at least a couple of more times.

    (4)
  • Peter v.

    Got the chicken and had to send it back because it was way too salty. Waiter recommended the rib eye, but manager came over and suggested it would be too salty too. Decided on the prime rib, but it was not prepared as a prime rib should be. It was not slow roasted and the seasoning was off. Rosemary does not belong on prime rib. Go to Sweetwater for the beer and make a better meal at home.

    (1)
  • Ashley A.

    Awesome beer, great atmosphere and ambience, delicious food (albeit *slightly* overpriced). I've been going to this place for several years now.. and honestly, my biggest complaint is that it doesn't seem like they change up their menu very often. And you will end up paying $15+ for most decent entrees on the menu. But the food is delicious, and the mango/chicken leafy salad is superb! Definitely come here for the beer. Two of my all-time favorites (these are both autumn brews) are the Giddyup Stout (dark, rich, made with real coffee... need I say more??!), and the Ghost Town Pumpkin Ale. They usually have really great beers on tap, ranging from light for the calorie/carb-conscious to full-bodied. Always a great place to bring family and friends from out of town as well. I've never had a bad experience with the food or the beer, and the wait staff and bartenders are always extremely courteous and helpful (once our appetizer took like 12 minutes to come out of the kitchen, and one of the managers stopped by, apologized and gave us 2 free dessert coupons.. wow!).

    (4)
  • Matthew H.

    The best thing about this place was the price, it was cheap. I was excited, legitimately excited about this place, local brew pub, fresh beer. Got a sampler of the five they had on draft. The beer was generally horrible, except for the Jackass, that was fine. It turned out to have won an award at a GABF in 2007. At least I can pick the diamond out of the rough, but that wasn't hard to do. The bar is nice enough, has a semi-corporate feel to it like they are trying to pretend like they are a Chili's or something. The bar was big and open, you can see into the kitchen and there are tons of booths and tables. It looks fine on the inside, kind of bland and no real obvious evidence that beer is made there (is it?) but it looks like a restaurant. I feel bad marking a place down because the waitress was mean but SERIOUSLY our waitress was a huge bitch. She seemed pissed off that we were there and clearly wanted us to leave. She might have had a bad day or a long day or maybe she really wanted to get out of there but put on your game face for the 30 minutes I'm going to be sitting here. Please. I didn't try the food.

    (2)
  • Angie G.

    Hands down the best Salmon and Drunken Ribeye in town. Very fast service.

    (5)
  • Shantanu S.

    Although we live in Sterling, we go to the Sweetwater Tavern in Merrifield often for Naked River Light and their calamari in oyster ginger sauce. Unfortunately the restaurant in Sterling doesn't serve the calamari and my wife is particularly fond of it. I have taken clients to the restaurant in Sterling for lunch as well as dinner and have always been impressed by their 'can do' spirit as well the consistency of their food. Weekends are very and its helps to call ahead and get your name in the list. They will give you an estimate for the wait time and this way you can use your time better. The bar is often too smoky for our liking. We also like their young roasted chicken dish as well the flour-less chocolate waffle. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Robert N.

    Best food in nova

    (5)
  • Ryan S.

    The only thing I miss from living in Sterling, is Sweetwater. Great service, great brewed on location beer, great food. If Yelp allowed half star ratings, I'd dock it a half star because the decor looks and feels like a chain restaurant, but a tastefully decorated chain restaurant, so I can't bring myself to dock them a whole star. I ALWAYS get the fresh fish special. They hickory grill their fish, and it is normally served on a bed of vegetables and polenta. Everything is so flavorful, and it is relatively healthy. And their fresh baked bread is fantastic (and I never rave about bread). Make sure you ask for extra ozzie rolls (unless you're counting your calories). During the warmer months, they have excellent deck seating outside (complete with outdoor bar) overlooking a man-made lake with fountain. During peak hours, there can be quite a wait, and they do not take reservations. They do offer call ahead seating, which can dramatically reduce your wait time.

    (5)
  • Amanda M.

    I'm very glad I decided to give Sweetwater a try. Not only was the food great, but the service was quite good. For starters, my boyfriend ordered the Lobster Bisque and I had the Traditional Caesar salad. The salad was simple and good, but the bisque was truly amazing and flavorful. Our main meals were the Jambalaya Pasta and the Drunken Rib Eye. Both were VERY good. And for dessert, we ordered the Deep Dish Apple Pie and the White Chocolate Bread Pudding. Again, very very good. I love this place and plan on going back again soon!

    (4)
  • Tatiana C.

    I am such a big fan of Sweet Water Tavern! I love this place. The menu choices are not overwhelming and you're guaranteed to love whatever you decide to order. The food is fantastic. You must try the Filet Tips (which happens to appear & disappear from the menu, but the kitchen can often make it, assuming they have all the ingredients). It's penne pasta, with peppers and filet mignon tips...Mmmm! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. And the ozzie rolls are fantastic! If you're a beer lover, you will appreciate this- they have a brewery in the restaurant (as well as their other two locations-Falls Church and Centreville). Although I'm not a beer fan, I've heard fantastic things about it. The beer options change seasonally. Also, they have an indoor and outdoor bar, as well as outside seating, overlooking a lake. If you're not up for a tan, they have semi-outdoor seating in which you have the fresh air coming in, but you're completely covered with a roof (think covered patio). The staff here is extremely attentive and really on top of it. Great place. I highly recommend it!

    (5)
  • Sarah M.

    Wow, amazing!! Great service, delicious food and tasty beer!

    (5)
  • Paul M.

    You won't find better food and atmosphere than you do here. Great food. High quality staff. Splendiferous!

    (5)
  • Hannah H.

    I think this place has the best service compared to other Sweetwater Tavern locations (especially the Falls Church location!) - my husband and I come here solely for the Drunken Ribeye - it is quite delicious as it is dipped in their homebrew and cooked the way you 'almost' want it - we always have to send the steak back, which kind of sucks, but once you do get it perfectly cooked the way you want it, it's great. The flavor is very savory and very rich; comes with a baked potato (I get mine with all the toppings), and a side of their House Salad (it has bits of corn - sort of like a chopped salad). If you prefer the Caesar salad, don't forget to get extra dressing and a side of the anchovies - mmm, mmm, salty goodness. Their Ozzie rolls are so good - hot and soft, with a little bit of chewiness, and their poppy seed sweet butter is great to dip it in. I usually ask the bread basket to be solely Ozzie rolls (since we don't touch the other bread). +only request for Ozzie rolls +Caesar salad - don't forget to ask for extra anchovies :D +Drunken Ribeye

    (4)
  • Deanne T.

    We went here because it is one of our favorite restaurants but sigh they didn't have what we went in for (calamari ) . We also prefer the falls church location . The menu , staff and service wasn't up to the mark at this location . We will not be coming back .

    (2)
  • RMthree M.

    I haven't been to a restaurant that is part of the great American restaurant chain that I haven't fully enjoyed. This place ranks high up on the list. The rolls...those fried donut rolls are the best! I ordered the grilled salmon and it came out cooked perfect and was a great portion for dinner. What I found helpful were the staff. Our waiter offered suggestions and walked us through the menu of beer and the food. He was very knowledgeable and it was great. Being in Sterling, there will be a wait but it is well worth it.

    (5)
  • Mark M.

    Went there today for Mother's Day. I got the Prime Rib. It was ok not great. They really don't know how to make Prime Rib. It's too bland. I know you can get it blackened which is ok but I wish they would add more herbs say rosemary, garlic and kosher salt before they cook it. I normally season it that way when I fix it but I smoke it with hickory wood. The waitress/waiter always asks you how you want it cooked. I prefer medium rare they always try to explain what that means like I'm an idiot or senile. I interrupted her and said stop. Probably rude but I'm sick of them doing it. I'm not a child sitting in a high chair. I'm a slow eater. My son and wife were finished eating and I wasn't. Later a waiter came over to see if I was done. He didn't ask first. He immediately placed his grimy paws on my plate. I said stop that. Don't you touch my plate until I say I'm done. It really made me angry. What is with these people?! Then they always bring out everything at once. It's like here eat all your food and leave. The food is ok but if another restaurant opened up with cheaper prices and equal or better food around Sterling I'm gone from there.

    (3)
  • Angela J.

    This restaurant is simply outstanding! From the drinks to desserts, they seem to get everything right. And the customer service is beyond excellent. The sweet rolls that are brought out before your meal are a tease of what is to come. I had the smoke stack salmon salad and it was the best salad I've ever had. It followed the spinach dip which was so good I wanted to lick the bowl...LOL!!! There was a small wait but we learned that we could call ahead and place our name on a list for our next visit. I was stuffed for desert but everyone at my table enjoyed theirs. It is certainly the place to go. It is a little pricey but totally worth it!! Thank you for such a great experience!!

    (5)
  • Lauren W.

    Great place, great service. I have been coming for many years and have not ever had a bad experience or a bad meal!

    (4)
  • P L.

    If I could give this place negative stars I could. We went to this restaurant last night to celebrate my mother's birthday and our loser server ruined our evening. I'm not sure why, but this guy has such disdain for his job that he makes it a point to make your restaurant experience MISERABLE. Aside from the few words spoken apathetically taking our orders, he barely acknowledged us (unless flagged down), threw our plates and glasses on the table when serving, and would loudly sigh or roll his eyes when we asked him questions. How cute. Since when is being mean to customers acceptable behavior? I guess he was also too busy sexting to bother checking if we needed refills, liked our food, etc., because our dirty plates sat in front of us the duration of the evening - another 30-40 minutes - while we waited for bday desserts we ordered BEFORE we even sat down and guess what? Those desserts never came! Thanks for making my mom's bday so special! Do not go unless you like paying money and tipping people (which we still did b/c unlike him we are decent people) to treat you like crap.

    (1)
  • Nary D.

    We live in Cascades so Sweetwater Tavern is one of those, "What's for dinner?" restaurants for us. What haven't we ordered here??? I will breakdown the reviews according to food below, but the restaurant overall is a great place due to ambiance, food and (for us) location. The staff is always Great! We may have had one bad experience due to service, but obviously that hasn't deterred us from going back and have brushed it off to "everyone has a bad day at times". So food wise: Appetizers - they change it up and usually add a 'special' one to the menu which is awesome. Ahi Tuna and Salmon salad - D-lissh, always cooked right and I always ask for the salad dressing on the side because at times (for me) there's too much of it when mixed. My husband likes it that way though. Chicken Tenders - My husband & daughters go-to. Not too breaded, very large portions and their string fries are good. It could be shared given the portion. Drunken Ribeye- It's 'just' okay for only one reason...way too much seasoning/marinated sauce. It is just "TOO DRUNK" for our taste. Every time we've ordered it, we've found ourselves drinking a lot of water that night trying to get the salt out of our mouths. Rarely ever order it any more even though we LOVE ribeye. Filet Mignon - D-lissh, and my go-to over the rib eye. Always cooked right and very good with the mushrooms and I substitute the mash potato w/ sauteed spinach. Pork Chops - D-lissh, never dry, always cooked right and love the flavor/seasoning Prime rib - Very good, but have been served some with way too much fat. More fat than prime rib. AND last for my husband and Daughter and one of their FAVS... The Chocolate Waffle dessert with vanilla ice cream. I think the name speaks for itself. Lastly, the beer...this would have to come from my husband because I don't drink beer, but he has always found a few he's really liked and the fact that they have seasonal options to try is a plus!

    (4)
  • Jenna B.

    Love this place Beer heaven as good as it gets:) Fabulous ambience, Great beer i highly recommend:) A definite go to Spot.

    (5)
  • Ruth C.

    Two star food meets three star beers. Rounding up for decent service from both bartenders that night. A little stingy with the Ozzie rolls, but definitely piping hot from the kitchen. Crab fritters were artfully presented, but average at best. Tortilla soup on the thin side. Roasted chicken salad had fresh romaine and radicchio, chunks of breast meat, corn cut off the cob, and diced tomato. Goat cheese was portioned strangely, and the flavor fell short of meshing with everything else. I would've preferred the sun-dried cranberries and dates to have been un-lumped before tossing. Thumbs up on the liberal scattering of pine nuts, and the champagne vinaigrette was nice. I'll give Sweetwater slightly more cred over the other GAR restaurants for their beers. I enjoyed the Bishop's Pass ale more than the Crazy Jackass, and will likely be back to try more brews.

    (3)
  • Amanda O.

    This place is a regular date night spot for my husband and I. We love the craft beers and they have the best ribeye in town. Service is also great.

    (5)
  • MelLid G.

    If you have been to Mike's American Grill, you have pretty much been to Sweetwater Tavern. They are from the same chain so that kinda explains it. I can honestly say I've never been been wowed by the food at either place but the service is top notch! I've tried to dine in at this location before and made the mistake of walking in on a Saturday night. You will NOT be seated within an hour if you walk in. Call ahead or you will end up going next door to Olive Garden. They do have a VERY large bar in the middle of the establishment so you could always knock a few brews back until your table is called. Drinks: We ordered a Sweetwater Margarita & a mango martini before the meal and they were both unsatisfying. My marg was sweet and her martini tasted like juice lol. I know, I know, it's a brewery! I don't drink beer anyway... The sangria... It's just NOT sangria... I can't even explain it lol. FOOD: I had the grilled mahi, with cauliflower mash, and asparagus. My girlfriend had the crab cake dinner with spinach, and red mash. My fish had a nice grilled char and the sides were delicious. I only had 2 pieces of asparagus which was very disappointing but the food tasted good. My girlfriends crab cakes were meh... Not bad but I definitely wouldn't order them. Very light portions. Maybe next time I will get a burger or a steak... Those looked pretty good. P.S. The aussie rolls will be the death of you if you aren't careful. Sweet merciful tits of Upton they are mouth watering good!!! Try to limit yourself to one basket... It will be hard but your body will thank you later. If you're on a "whole food" diet knock yourself out eat the whole basket (or 2) hahaha!

    (3)
  • Rob R.

    The food is excellent-perfectly seasoned and delicious. My wife had a problem with her meal and the server, Ghyslaine, and the manager, Josh, went above and beyond to ensure she was satisfied with her meal. The service is fist class and all the staff are very polite and welcoming with customers. I recommend call ahead seating as we called and when we arrived were immediately seated (and it was Valentine's Day!). If you want an excellent meal with superb customer service, eat at Sweet Water!!!!!! Ask for Ghyslaine-she's awesome!

    (5)
  • Steve V.

    This place was packed the other night. I guess the word is out. We stopped here after giving up in rush hour traffic. The servers are super friendly. I ordered an Old Fashioned and it was really watered down. So I gave it back and asked for a beer instead. They were really nice about it. The food was great. We had firecracker shrimp and a couple other appetizers. We were checked on about every 4 minutes, which was new to me. It's nice having a great meal and having waiters that care about their customers. I'll be back for sure. Great beer too. I had the chocolate stout.

    (4)
  • Nya A.

    Our first time eating here we had a great experience, the waitress was friendly we had no issue with the service. My husband ordered ribs and I had a penne pasta dinner with shrimp. The serving is a lot and we especially loved the bread. Yummy!

    (4)
  • Jeff J.

    Ok after the initial wait, the experience and food was great. Victor our waiter was phenomenal! He was very attentive and knew his stuff. It's very rare to find a waiter that is on their game like he is. He kept glasses filled and checked back often. The food was great and the rolls are awesome. Definitely give this place a try but make sure you call ahead and get put on their wait list.

    (5)
  • Diana T.

    My family and I absolutely love this place! We come here pretty often, at least once a month, if that. Their menu is not over overwhelmingly large which makes it so much easier to look through and decide what you want to order. We ALWAYS get their ozzie rolls and caesar salad prior to our meals. From the hostess to the waiters/waitresses, they are always friendly and come back often to check on us to make sure we are doing OK. The manager/supervisor on staff almost always stops by our table to check on us as well, which is always a plus, as many establishments do not do this. We have never had any issues here, with the exception of one during my pregnancy. I ordered a steak (which I had to eat well done during my pregnancy) and the steak was not thoroughly cooked through. I had to have it sent back to get cooked a bit further but that was no problem at all, The manager even came out to apologize, which I thought was rather nice of him. That was a minor issue, but overall, we love this place! Their food is just delicious and we always order their steaks or porkchops. Their ozzie rolls are a must have with your meal, in addition to their salads. My husband and I love their casears and we ALWAYS that as well. Their food is always nice and fresh. We took my parents there too, and they loved it as well. They have their own root beer and beers on tap as well, so don't think you are going to get a Corona here. This is a great place to enjoy with friends/family.

    (5)
  • Amanda K.

    I would only come here for the beer selection. I love the fact you can get different types of beer on draft and even take beer with you home. The food was just okay and I thought it was overpriced for what you get. I would rather of ate at Jackson's or Coastal Flats but had the selection of sweetwater's beer. We did at the bar and I will have to say that our server/bartender was on top of things and made sure we were received everything we needed.

    (3)
  • Margaret S.

    The rolls are A-MAZING. I would eat those and get an appetizer and be full! Of course I always ask for one (or two) more little baskets... and the butter that comes with it, wow! As for the rest of the place, its got a nice atmosphere, you can have a quiet dinner or a large group, indoor and outdoor seating and an awesome bar. I've gone here for a date night or a family night out. They have some of their own beers, all the locals and several others. But they are a little stingy with their mixed drink (liquor to mixer) ratio. They only other problem is the wait is almost always long... even if you call ahead. And the fashion of the hostess is unique, they certainly aren't mistaken for regular patrons.

    (4)
  • Gary G.

    I've been here quite a few times, and I can say that the food is consistently good, and the beer is consistently pretty meh. They serve these sweetbread dough things before the meal that are more addictive than meth. Anyway the restaurant is in a really cool location that sits on some smaller man-made miniature lake, which actually blows in a pretty nice breeze on the patio. So basically, cool spot, good food, bread made with meth, and beers that are okayish.

    (4)
  • Prashanth N.

    This place is just like Coastal Flats.. very very good food. good service.. You will not disappointed.. Maybe best filet mignon I had outside DC..

    (4)
  • Gabby H.

    Another awesome Great American chain restaurant with awesome beer as well. The hubs and I are rarely disappointed here and come often as it's right around the corner from our house. The outside bar is especially nice when the right weather graces and the waiters are very attentive. We've had our orders messed up before but they always make amends if this happens. Only downside is it's an extremely popular spot so it gets crowded fast, especially on weekend nights, which is expected. Just make sure you make reservations before 5pm or do call ahead seating at least an hour in advance depending on your party size. Favs: the entire menu! You seriously can't go wrong with the apps, salads, main dishes, or desserts. However i may have an unhealthy addiction to their flour-less chocolate waffle :)

    (4)
  • Ray W.

    Decent food. It's quality one would expect for the price paid. Try the blue crab fritters, very very good

    (4)
  • Jeff S.

    Beer lovers: start off with the five-beer sampler. 4.5-ounce glasses of everything on tap- a real taste-maker! The ribs and filet are great here. I know what you're thinking: ribs and filet are always good. But here, they really are top notch. Good service + friendly staff.

    (4)
  • Todd V.

    My wife and I come here all the time. Our favorite appetizer is the crab fritters. I like the jambalaya and my wife likes the warm goat cheese salad. We've had other stuff and everything has been delicious.

    (5)
  • Mike D.

    Great ribs! Tender and tasty! The beer selection is limited, but the two I had were pretty good. Service was good, but the food was slow to arrive.

    (4)
  • Patrick B.

    First time. The bartenders are very good. I had the jumbala and it was pretty good. Tried to exchange the pasta with rice (right?) and they didn't have rice. The beers are disappointing. The Pale is less than Pale. The Bock was tasty but crazy strong.

    (3)
  • Laura P.

    Some of the best steaks you can get at a restaurant. Amazing salads too! If there is ever a server issue (which is rare) they always make it up with a freebie.

    (5)
  • Matt H.

    Very good, but the food is way to salty, but still good. My wife said her Jambalaya pasta was salty and my Drunken ribeye tasted salty too. My boys enjoyed their burgers. The service was pretty good, but I think our waitress was nervous. She did well though.

    (4)
  • Paul B.

    This might sound weird, but can I just say... I'm not a huge fan of Sweet Water Tavern? Okay so here's my story. My wife and I visited a Sweet Water Tavern for the first time in Manassas like two years ago. We liked it, and then we noticed we had one up here in Sterling. We have been there several times over the last few years, and I gotta say - for the most part I'm generally under-impressed. I think part of it is the general ambiance, presentation, and food prices are representative of a higher class restaurant with better food. But often I have been quite underwhelmed by the dishes I have ordered. I'm giving it three stars because it's really not BAD. It may just be more of an issue of meeting/not meeting expectations. If you do go and you're not sure what to order you can't go wrong with the pulled pork BBQ sandwich (if they're not out of them). My wife likes this place more than I do, so she may drag me back again in the future. If it ends up being better next time I may come back here and bump it up a star.

    (3)
  • John R.

    I came here because my flight was canceled overnight - my friend brought me here for several hours to pass the time, and it was well spent. The drunken ribeye steak is ok. People who say it's the best they've ever had simply haven't had a good steak before. It is huge, though - you won't leave hungry. The beer sampler was great.

    (3)
  • Drew C.

    To keep it simple the food and service was great and I loved the beers they brew onsite. I would go back here every time I'm in the area and I am picky about restaurants.

    (5)
  • Kim R.

    Every time I visit this restaurant the service and the food is phenomenal!! A friend came in from SC and I was trying to think of where to take her......so I picked SweetWater. She liked it very much and it did not disappoint. She had the Salmon and I had the Mahi Mahi with grits!!! Ohhhh so delicious!!! We topped it off with the creme brûlée for dessert!!! I can't say enough good things about this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Ariel S.

    I've been there a bunch of times and I love it!!! I've only had to wait for seating once and it wasn't for long. The staff and servers are really friendly and the service is good. I love their bread!!! Though I have to be careful I don't load up on those little donuts things before my meal comes. I always get the Sweetwater Roast Chicken Salad with a loaded baked potato and I couldn't be happier with the food. :) They do have some great desserts. I tried their deconstructed banana pudding, which was interesting... I think I'll be trying something else next time.

    (5)
  • Tim O.

    Good food. Fairly loud environment, but would definitely come back. Had the crab cakes and Crab & Corn Chowder, both werr delicious.

    (4)
  • Lynn S.

    If you stick to a big salad, or one of their signature hamburgers and a micro beer you'll probably come away pleased with your meal. Typically, this place is packed so you might want to sign up for a table in advance. Western theme, comfy booths, average food and noisy when full, best describes this restaurant. Unfortunately we made the mistake of ordering the featured lump crab cakes at lunch (over $20). Not a quality meal, nothing like Eastern Shore fare. Two puny balls of crab meat were served lukewarm on a plate with overly sauced cucumber salad and plentiful but tasteless french fries. Service was pleasant, but not sharp. We needed to ask for simple stuff like straws for our iced beverages. The interior of the restaurant is unusually attractive with a large, centrally located bar (2 flat screens) and there's plenty of parking just outside--This location is easily accessible off Route 7.

    (2)
  • Chris S.

    Possibly my favorite restaurant! Amazing food! Great beer! Fantastic service! As a person that worked in the food service industry, when you come here, you can really tell how stream lined the operation is, and how much of a team effort the people work here abide by. I think they have the best pumkin ale as well! The flavor of the beer with the dusted rim is genius!

    (5)
  • Tim S.

    Jambalaya and the Short Smoked Salmon were great. I would recommend.

    (5)
  • Scott M.

    It was late, We were in Terra Incognita, We were hungry. The business folks we had visited recommended this place. The place was jammed, I'll give it that. Sexy decor with an attractive and attentive staff. The Food? Edible and overpriced. Nothing Special. Nothing special at all...

    (2)
  • Kurt R.

    Drunken Ribeye might be the best tasting steak I've ever had. Loaded baked potato and mushrooms were great. And the Caesar salad was very good, too. Bread assortment was warm and tasty. Top that off with friendly and attentive service and I was very impressed. It was very busy, but called ahead about 30 minutes before arrival and only had to wait 5-10 minutes to be seated. Warning, though. Without calling ahead, the wait was at least an hour on this Friday night. I'll definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Sol H.

    Me and my wife where looking for a good place to eat, found this place, was a bit far from us, about 30 minutes. Totally worth it, food was amazing, service was excellent. Our waitress was friendly and took the time to explain the specials, and answered all our questions about the dishes. I got the jumbo crab cakes which where amazing and my wife got the hickory smoked salmon. Both to die for. For starters we had the lobster bisque which was amazing as well. If your looking for a great restaurant with friendly staff and superb food, I recommend this place any day. Thanks to Andrea (our waitress) and everyone at the sweet water tavern for making our night out perfect!! 5 out of 5!!!

    (5)
  • Wells M.

    Love this place, great for a nice date. I always get the Drunken Rib-eye which is amazing. However all there food is great and I would definitely recommend going to this place. The prices are a little on the high side, buts its worth it once and a while.

    (5)
  • Benjamin Y.

    Well where do I start..... The food is great, the waitress's and waiters are great, the bartenders are superb. However the idiot managers are assholes. I have been frequenting this place for about three months. never had an issue. I even had a bad meal once and they gave me a 25 dollar gift card and wiped my bill clean.... Now the bad news... like I said I have been coming there for about three months...I knew all the bartenders by first name and they knew mine. I never had an issue there once....including tonight. I used to be a bouncer for almost 15 years on and off. I think I know when there is an issue. Well this one manager who didn't have the balls to come out to me and tell me I was cut off after 6 beers is a punk. I will not ever drop by this or any other establishments they own. Let's clear things up here. In the past three months I have been going there with 3 or more people running up a tab of 300+ each time. I have persuaded my team to have dinners there several times. They were close to a 500+ dollars each time. Now back to me. I was not slurring, starting fights or anything but laughing and having a good time. But I get cut off. Guess having a good time tipping way too much to the servers and bartender's is a bad thing. Back to the bar....I had a bartender come up to me twice saying I wish you were here yesterday. Making that story short she basically told me there was a guy so drunk he was grabbing food off other peoples plates. He stayed. Then there was an older guy harassing the bartenders. He stayed.... I actually witnessed a guy puking in front of the door. I went in and said to the greeters you know there is a guy puking in front of your entrance right...Yeah we know...Guess what he came back in.....LOL what the F? Honestly I am happy they did this to me. I don't wanna be there and witness this. If I was I would have jumped in to help the bartenders. Most likely I would have been kicked cause I was out of line. Well live and learn. They will not get another red cent from me. BTW I just came home from the bar I was cut off from about 15 minutes ago. If I am so out of order to be cut off would I be able to write this. You got our money and kicked us to the curb. Again if I was starting a fight or being belligerent to your staff I could understand. But we were laughing and everyone else around us was too. You all can kiss my Yankee ass all the way down punks. My suggestion to you is hire new management that understand the biz. Obviously the one's you have don't. This is for the Sterling Bar. However you will not see me in Mikes or Jackson's or any other shit hole you guys run. GFYS..... You guys had no reason... I give you one star cause of your custom interactions.... Remember you are a bar!!!

    (1)
  • Susan F.

    I love the Great American chains. Food is always great and service is always excellent. All the waiters tend to each others tables so they work more as a team verses individually so you won't be sitting with an empty glass or dirty plates in front of you for long, because one of the waiters in your section will likely notice. Love the Ozzie rolls. The kids even love eating here. The only downside is it can be a little loud in this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Thomas S.

    From the outside Sweetwater Tavern looks like an everyday common change restaurant. Looks can be deceiving! There is a reason why this place is always packed! The only issue is that if you are not there super early you are waiting for 2 hours to get in. They do offer call ahead so you can put your name on the list but no reservations. The staff is very attentive and the food has never been a let down. The location is also pretty good - Easy access off Route 7/Harry Bird Highway. One issue is that they have like 60 beers on the back of the menu but only serve 5, the ones that are on the board in the front of the restaurant. One beer I asked when it was coming back on and the waiter, after having to ask someone, said they have not had that one on in a year.... so why have it on the menu. The only other issue is that they tell you that they cannot move tables together because they are bolted to the floor. This makes it hard if you have a group of people that want to sit together but still accommodating to larger groups.

    (4)
  • Luciana L.

    Yummy salad for lunch. I had the pecan crusted salad with warm goat cheese. Definitely recommend. The only thing was, all four of us in the party got salads but all of them were different sizes. It just looked uneven with the four salads on the table! Good service and good food though.

    (4)
  • George G.

    Stopped by here for dinner, after a long day of working at a client site. Decided to go outside on the deck bar. Have definitely been here before a long time ago. Tried a few different pints for about 5$ each. The biggest bang for the buck is definitely the Barley Wine (Roadkill?) when available. Its rare to find 10%+ beers served in proper pint glasses. Think my favourite of the evening was the Oktoberfest (surprised they still had this on tap). The scene was a bit dead for a long time with lots of tourists, however, a crazy guy from New Zealand sat next to me and we talked about skiing out in Alta, business, and various other topics. It was a good time. After seeing the awesome looking appetizers, decided to get dinner. Before I get to dinner, I think that next time I am here, will have the various crab dishes as they looked amazing. As for the dinner, had the Back Ribs. I didnt have high hopes, but the waitress allowed me to substitute a healthy option of accompaniments - red mashed potatoes and spinach. The red mashed potatoes were good and not buttered and the spinach was not creamy - awesome! As for the Back Ribs, there were plenty and they were well basked with sauce and not chewy. Instead they fell apart on the bone which was pretty good. I was somewhat impressed. Will be back here again to try out the crab menu options. However, dont expect any comp treatment from bartenders if you order more up to 4 pints.

    (4)
  • Victoria P.

    Eh... Typical American fatty food. Grease and salt, like a Clyde's but not as good. Spend money elsewhere if you have a better choice in the wasteland of strip malls.

    (3)
  • Edison T.

    Been here a few times now and each time the food is less impressive. Great beers and root beer though! First time had some pork chops. Was succulent and we'll flavored. Next time had the crab cakes dinner and got some shells - also tasted canned - being so close to Maryland there should be no frozen or canned crabs! Should be illegal! Still, both times had some great appetizers - texmex egg rolls and firecracker shrimp. Tonight, i decided I would order the drunken ribeye to see what the fuss was all about. Medium rare, subbed the potato for corn and green bean succotash. Veggies were delicious, buy man, the sauce on that ribeye ruins the flavors. A good piece of ribeye really only needs salt and pepper and a good char. All the worstershire mushroom sauce did was make the steak hard to eat. Maybe I'm being overly critical on a sauce, but honestly...if I wanted salty sour steaks, I would much prefer A1 on a cheapcut steak - not a $30 ribeye.

    (3)
  • Kat D.

    From the outside Sweetwater Tavern looks like an everyday common change restaurant. Looks can be deceiving! There is a reason why this place is always packed! I called 1 hours ahead for a party of 15 guest and they accommodated with no problems. They staff was super friendly and very attentive. When I received the menu I was honestly a little nervous about this place. The wait staffs uniforms are very cheesy so when you see items like Drunken Rib eye and Micro brewed beers it leads you to be skeptical. I ordered the Drunken Rib eye and was blown away about how good it was! Everything that was ordered at the table was delicious! The portion sizes aren't enormous like other reviews mention. There is a beautiful outside deck and bar along the back when you want to just have a drink or two. Also, an interesting fact is that they do not allow take out orders. When I asked why the waiter said to preserve the quality of the food. I can respect that 100%! I look forward to visiting this place next time I'm in town.

    (4)
  • Michael W.

    I was in the area for work. There's really not a lot to eat in this area for an outsider. This place happens to be very close to the hotel we were staying at. I was a bit worried at first, because this is a "bigger is better" type classic American restaurant, but I was pleasantly surprised. There is a very good brewpub beer selection, which always gets you at least 2 stars in my book. The portion sizes weren't ridiculous after all, something which annoys me. In the end, I was completely satisfied at the value proposition. I was hungry, didn't want to drive far in the dark in an unfamiliar area, and this place provided a nice evening's meal and entertainment. I got a steak, but everything else my party ordered was good according to them- and the service was prompt and professional. I wouldn't rate this 4 stars if it were around the corner from my house, but this weary traveller was pretty happy with it.

    (4)
  • Dan L.

    My company has their HQ across the street so I end up going to sweetwater a lot. The one thing that I like the most is that the bartenders really go out of their way to get to know you and if they know you are in from out of town and there for a few days they really hook you up. Their chicken sandwich is my absolutely favorite. I get it everytime I go but all their other food is really quality. Good wine list, beers they have on tap are always fresh. I wish they expanded their liquor selection a little more but that is just nit picking. Love the outdoor area if I am there in the spring and summer! I am a fan!

    (4)
  • Melody P.

    Our local watering hole. Great food, wonderful atmosphere. A crew favorite for dinners or drinking (outdoors overlooking the water in the spring/summer or indoors during the chilly months). Update (6/23/13): This is my favorite restaurant by far, I have one update, they do not post their nutritional information anywhere online. It bothered me, so I sent the restaurant an email that stated the following: "To Whom It May Concern, I'd like to start by saying that I love the GARs - Particularly SW Tavern in Sterling, VA. It has been our group's local "watering hole" for at least a decade now. I would have to say, its also, my favorite restaurant. The tuna salad is phenomenal, the chicken fingers are the best, and the cajun (Louisiana) pasta is a regular in my book. The outdoor bar scene is absolutely beautiful and the service is always above and beyond. I write today, because I believe the people in charge of the GARs (especially SW in Sterling) would want to hear feedback from one of their self-proclaimed *biggest fans*. Sincerely request nutritional information for your restaurants be posted online. SW is my favorite restaurant for "cheat days" because it's already obvious the food isn't exactly healthy (nothing that amazing tasting ever is, haha). Beyond that, I really feel your customers would appreciate knowing what we are consuming. If you google GAR Nutritional information, all you get is a slew of forums where people are upset that the information isn't readily available online. I know posting this information won't scare me away, instead I would feel the restaurant cares about their social responsibility. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my inquiry." ...if I get a reply back, I'll be sure to share with my fellow Yelpers! :)

    (5)
  • Kenny M.

    Awesome! Everything was good from the call ahead seating to the service....the food was amazing and our server was excellent. Highly recommend the steak! Sangria was a great compliment to the meal!

    (5)
  • Brooke K.

    Another chain restaurant with mediocre food. Definitely won't be going back.

    (2)
  • Patrick P.

    Service here has become atrocious!!!! Especially behind the bar. Kelly was the best bartender but all good staff transferred to coastal in Gaithersburg and did not replace accordingly. I could go to mcdonalds and get just as good a service.

    (1)
  • Parysa T.

    Really yummy! We decided to be insane and go to the Leesburg outlets for Black Friday. After leaving empty handed and feeling like silly victims of sensationalized commercialism, I hopped on Yelp to look for good food that wasn't too expensive. We came across this place and I'm happy we went! It made the trip down to Leesburg worth it. The actual place is nice and situated by a fountain and lake. We were there at night so we weren't able to enjoy it properly. Indoors, its kind of like a weird tribute to the Wild Wild West while forgetting what happened to the Native Americans. The service was fabulous and so was the food. I got the Cheddar Cheeseburger and it wasn't too big and tasted pretty good. The steamed vegetables (which is a side I get as a replacement for fries) was surprisingly tasty - usually steamed veggies are like rubber toys but this wasn't like that. If you're ever in the area, definitely check it out!

    (4)
  • Jasmine C.

    I've been here for Happy Hour and dinner. The thing I like most about this place is its nice selection of draft beer. My favorite one for summer has been Wit's End; I usually get a growler. Cheers! My favorite appetizer is Blue Crab Fritters. I generally get the fish special such as grouper, halibut, etc.; they have all been very good. Jambalaya Pasta and Roasted Half Chicken are both very good as well. Regrettably, the service is not consistent. Once, the Jambalaya I ordered arrived with burned sausages, which our server should have noticed. The manager was apologetic and offered to redo the dish, but I only asked for the sausage part. Another time, our server was obviously not in a good mood and was negligent: I had to ask about the specials, and I wasn't offered the dessert menu until I requested it. Odd behavior for someone expecting to be rewarded for good service! That being said, I will keep going back for the beer.

    (3)
  • Albert L.

    Been to the Dunn Loring one and most recently the Sterling location. Great, helpful and friendly staff. Food is always solid, though sometimes a bit uninspiring. That's not a fault of the quality of the food but just the general menu/dish selections. To me, there aren't too many standouts, just some reliable food that tastes good. For me, I go to Sweetwater for the beers, and the food is an accompaniment for those. Their beers are always good, and I like that they do in fact have seasonals and have a decently large list for an independent brewer. It's a great place to take out of town friends/guests (as I have done) and for some casual family meals in a somewhat exciting setting.

    (4)
  • Trent B.

    This is arguably the best food in Sterling. They have high standards, consistent execution, and a well trained and friendly staff. The large, sunken inside bar is home to many regulars, and the outside bar is a well known meat market for the areas young and lusty. Nothing on the menu is bad, but both the drunken ribeye and the half chicken should be the top of your list to try. The will no put the brown butter sauce in a growler no matter how much you ask.

    (5)
  • Gabriel M.

    Amazing!! The best crab cakes I've ever tasted. The salmon is off the hook, all the food and beer here is 5 stars. Service is usually 5 star as well. Great job guys!!

    (5)
  • Chris B.

    The beer is always great. The Drunken Ribeye is to die for! Great place for dinner.

    (5)
  • Michaela V.

    Can't say enough about about this place! Always a great experience. You can go there five nights a week and always have amazing food, I have never ever had a bad meal there. To top it off, the beer is amazing. Try the salmon salad with a naked river.... mmm-mmm! Oh, and Brandy the bartender is amazing!

    (5)
  • Drew M.

    Best chicken fingers ever. The honey mustard dipping sauce is unreal. Great lunch or dinner

    (5)
  • Brian W.

    More like a 3.5 star, but for the service, I decided to round up. (And for many others, I think it would be a consistent 4 - 4.5; but since I rank almost purely on food, this was a more appropriate score). The wait staff were all very helpful, friendly. I was little put down by the wait time once I've sat down, but I can understand since they were very full tonight. (Note that this has no bearing on the rating I am giving them). I was impressed by their brown ale (I forgot which one I ordered, but it's #20 something). It went quite well with my food. In regards to the food, it was definitely a "big taste" type of feel. But, like most American bars and diners, the main course overwhelmed the rest of the food. I got the Hickory Smoked Pork Chops, and everything about it was great - got a tint of smokey taste, with well seasoned meat. Now, I would place it at just below the borderline of too much seasoning, but I think if we're talking about American food, this is just the right level season. I was a little confused with the corn salsa-like side on my plate; it didn't mesh too well with the rest of the food, not to mention it was cold. However, it definitely had a bold taste (and I now wish I had some tortilla chips to go with it). The mashed potatos were a little bland when compared to the meat, but definitely held their own (if not on the same plate as the pork). I was rather surprised by the bread. Well, not so much the sour dough cuts, but definitely the fried, unsweetened doughnut hole thing. The butter, as many others have said, is simply amazing. I wasn't expecting sweet butter, but it is definitely mellow on the pallet, and very tasteful. Overall, I had a good experience, and would like to try something new next time.

    (4)
  • Suzanne F.

    This is hands down my favorite place to go in Sterling. The food is consistently terrific, the service is stellar and clearly well managed. I loved the drunken rib eye that I had during my last visit, the crabcakes are very tasty. For the salad lovers, I absolutely adore the warm goat cheese salad. We have never had a disappointing experience!

    (5)
  • Lindsay M.

    Normally love Sweetwater but this time I left disappointed. Went here for dinner Wednesday night for my boyfriend's birthday. I told our waitress it was his birthday. I ordered a caesar salad with chicken tenders on top. I had gotten it before as a lunch portion and was extremely happy with the amount of chicken however this time I was skimped, 6 small pieces of chicken on this one and I was charged $14 - the caesar is $6 so I was up charged $8 for some skimp chicken? And on top of that my boyfriend did not receive his gratuitous birthday dessert. I even told the new waiter that it was his birthday. Needless to say I was not happy.

    (2)
  • Kevin G.

    Great birthday weekend meal. I had the Prime Rib and it was off the chain as usual :) There was a 20min wait so we aye at the bar and the service was excellent. I had the crab fritters for an appetizer and they were excellent too!

    (4)
  • A A.

    Good food, beers and great service. Our party of 8 had a fabulous meal on a very busy Saturday night. The wait was an hour long but we called ahead and added our name to the list. They have average kid meal options but also offer a nice grilled salmon or steak serving for kids. My five year old ate her entire salmon serving and loved it.

    (5)
  • Laura L.

    As much as I mouth off on how much I can't stand chain restaurants, I have nothing but love for Sweetwater Tavern. In Sterling, where good restaurants are pretty much few and far between, Sweetwater Tavern is a shining beacon of tastiness. First off, I will go on record as saying I have never had a bad dish from Sweetwater. Honest. Like I said, there are very few good restaurants in Sterling, therefore, I've been to Sweetwater at least a dozen times (if not more. No, really). My favorite dishes are the chicken with angel hair, the salmon (usually on special) and the steak (can't go wrong with steak). The kitchen in pretty quick but here's the kicker: they're accurate. I've never had a wrong dish in all my visits there. As with all GAR restaurants, you get a basket of Best Buns bread (my favorite are the rolls) to preceed the meal and you're all set. If you're not in the mood to eat, they have both an indoor and outdoor bar serving up craft made beers (most are made in-house!). One thing I love about Sweetwater Tavern is the customer service. It seems pretty collaborative, seeing as to how different servers will come by to ask if I need refills or offer to close out my check for me. A huge, huge plus. I also think it's hard to strike that chord of great customer service without seeming like you're sucking up to me for a tip. It's honest, sincere and down to earth.

    (5)
  • Michael O.

    Sweetwater could be my favorite restaurant in the DC area. Love going there because the food is good but more importantly they have the best customer service around. Always top notch service!

    (5)
  • Sandra P.

    I ate here about a year ago with friends and it was the first time eating there, even though its less than 10 minutes from my house (go figure!). The food and service was good that my fiance (now husband) decided we would be back since it was close to us. Well after a year, we went back on a weekday to get some good food. It was a busy Friday night, I recommend getting reservations before hand, we waited about 45 mins for a table, larger groups had to wait longer since it was jam packed inside. We didn't mind the wait, there is a area to sit (if your lucky since it gets busy) and standing area. After our wait, we were seated in a booth -- I believe most of the seating at this restaurant is booth style. We were greeted immediately by our server who provided us with the specials of day and took down our drinks. They serve you the delicious bread (the same kind from Coastal Flats -- since they are the same company). My husband ordered the Black Angus Prime Rib -- he loved it and it filled the hunger he had (since we were waiting 45 mins). I had the Sauteed Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes -- it was delicious. We would definitely come back after our experience here. Only compliant I had was that the server took down our order for starters (Hot Spinach, Parmesan & Artichoke Dip), but we never got it. No worries, because with the bread we got we probably would have been too full plus the starters to enjoy our actual meals.

    (5)
  • Aileen B.

    Girls' Night Out, Part II: My sisters and I thought we'd each have a cocktail here before seeing Terminator: Salvation. I ordered the mojito as I wanted to compare it to that of 4912 Thai's, while one sister had the mango martini, which looked beautiful! My mojito looked great, and with a sugarcane stick as a garnish! Nice touch! (The last time I had a sugarcane to chew on was back in the Philippines in the late '80s.) I loved SWT's mojito so much, I ordered it again for our second round, which the friendly and talented bartender Chris was kind enough, to quote an FN chef that shall not be named, "to kick it up a notch" and make it stronger. Thanks, Chris! Can't recall what my sisters' second round of drinks were... I was too busy enjoying my second mojito to make a note of their drink orders ;) Oh, and we had the wonderful chocolate waffle with vanilla ice cream, which was not the same version we had two years ago. This version was devilishly good! (At least two of us thought so!)

    (4)
  • Wayne H.

    Definitely one of my favorite places to eat! They have the best pork chops! The ozzie rolls are awesome and the other bread selections are great too! The flourless chocolate waffle is amazing and my son loves the key lime pie. They have a gluten free menu but my celiac son has not tried anything here. We did not get a strong feeling of safety from the staff when we asked about it.

    (4)
  • Ernie S.

    Been there numerous times, always great. One of my favorite places for ribs, fall off the bone good! Lobster bisque is my kids favorite soup in the area.

    (5)
  • Melissa P.

    Have been here many times and love it! Awesome food, awesome service. Love their bread, steaks, ceasar salad and variety of beers. Nice location by a lake and outside bar during the summer months.

    (5)
  • gigi g.

    Good service and good American fare.

    (5)
  • Nicole M.

    The service here is very good and the food is as well, but the staff needs to be better educated on what Celiac's disease is. I had an issue with my lunch order today with the bartender who seemed to be knowledgeable about my needs, especially when I reinforced that I do not have a gluten allergy but the auto immune disease. The kitchen and manager caught the order he put in as it was not prepared in a separate pan (veggie burger) and the fries were sharing the same oil as floured items so I could not eat them, therefore they should NOT be on your gluten free menu. I have been here once before where the server was so knowledgable and knew exactly what was needed. Unfortunately, today I had to wait an additional 10 minutes for a new order to be prepared. In acknowledgement to the bartender and the manager my meal was comped. But please, please realize not everyone who requests gluten free is doing this as part of the fad or for an "allergy", there are those of us who must have our meals truly gluten free and as long as the customer makes this very clear to the server, bartender, whomever it is upon you to make sure this is taken seriously.

    (3)
  • Jesse V.

    Stopped in here on the way back from Dulles. Bottom line these people know how to run a restaurant, they crank a huge number of people through this place. And they do a good job. The food is good and service is good. Mostly I just like to look at the amazing mural on the wall; worth the visit alone. Solid food, nothing that will blow your mind, but it is consistent. Skip the national chains and check out this local joint.

    (3)
  • Sharr G.

    Been there few times and the food it's always what I was expected ( very good) But more than that we always had a wonderful waiter or waiters I give the management and their staff five star They deserve it !!

    (5)
  • Muer E.

    Tonight's special Acorn Squash was absolutely delicious. All of our dishes were excellent. Will most definitely visit again.

    (5)
  • Jenn R.

    I guess this place is rated highly for the booze??? The name of the restaurant says the theme of the food: sweet. The steaks were all very bland. As my 13 year old so perfectly put it "it's like they were expecting the mushrooms and sauce to do it all".

    (2)
  • Craig B.

    Sweetwater excels at providing a small menu selection while doing everything with excellence. Never had a bad meal there. Ribs and chicken are amazing. Salads are fantastic. Beer made on the premises always hits the spot. Even when busy service has always been great. Love it! Can wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Jenn G.

    Deeeelish! I was satisfied immediately when I sat down and stuffed my face with the complimentary sweet rolls and poppyseed butter. Mmmmm. Ordered the crab cakes, and just as I'd expect in this area, they were delicious. Great serving size and delicious aioli to go with them, and the fries were perfect as well. I only tried one of the house brews (a wheat ale) and it was really good, and I'm told the others are equally delicious. It's got a fun vibe and doesn't feel too generic for a suburban restaurant. I fully intent to return multiple times in the future - in fact, might be one of my go-to restaurants for when folks are in town visiting.

    (4)
  • Jessica B.

    Wonderful!!! I had the mahi special and it was amazing. The rolls they give you as are so good and taste like little donuts. Service was wonderful. Excited to go back and try some of their beers.

    (5)
  • Sai Y.

    Gr8 food. I love the crab fritters. Egg rolls . The best u can get in Northern Virginia. Try their Beer Sampler.

    (5)
  • Vampy J.

    If you have the time to wait it's really good food and great atmosphere, but Friday nights and Saturday nights can give you a wait for more then an hour if you have a party of 4 or more and there's no reservation options.

    (4)
  • H F.

    Great place to take your parents to impress them with the capability of suburban restaurants to deliver interesting unique food and beer. Oh and to get them to pay.

    (4)
  • Chris H.

    The evening did not start out so well but it got much better. We had read on the web site about the smoked wings and we really wanted to try those. When we arrived we were only offered the option to sit outside or inside. We sat inside. We couldn't locate the wings on the menu and we were disappointed in the number of wines available by the glass. We were impressed with the number of beers on the menu. The waitress arrived and we asked about the wings and she said those were only available at the bar which was very disappointing and that was the end of that discussion. She then told us what 5 beers of the 30 some that were listed that were on tap. None were the ones I was interested in. So right off the bat we are not starting well. We ordered the shrimp and crab Louie as an app which was wonderful. Just the right amount and a great flavor. We ordered dinner and we asked about some side substitutions and we didn't get much help from our waitress. We go with the flow but in many cases we are able to accommodate our dietary needs but it was not easy here. The upcharge for a Caesar was $3, which is a bit much, but not horrible considering it was obvious we were trying to find something that fit into our diet plan. Overall at this point we did not have a warm and fuzzy on the overall experience. One of the managers; Steve stopped by and asked how was it going? We hesitated a bit as we don't like to complain but we had already determined we probably weren't coming back. He noticed our hesitation and asked what's up? We explained about the wings and he explained how they are a special item that rotates and even in the bar they are not always available. But to his credit he said let me see what I can do. A few minutes later he arrived with a plate of wings. They were spectacular. We had the prime rib which was perfectly cooked and very tasty. We also had the smoked salmon which also had a great flavor and was well done. So Steve saved the night and we will come back, especially if the wings are the special. But the other food was very good as well.

    (4)
  • Pooja K.

    Food was phenomenal and so was the service! Their mashed potatoes are to die for .... Pleeaasseee order them! I got the half roasted chicken which was cooked to perfection.. It wasn't oily and the seasoning was really different, out server was very nice and kept refilling my soda... I did not have to ask even once. They served us a bread basket whith some sweet seasoned butter . Sooooo yummy !iwish I was not so health conscious or else I wud have finished that basket myself! We also got the beer sampler for 8$ , but the sampler size was not small...it seemed like each sample of ere was at least 8oz each! Hopefully I will return to the area & revisit soon.

    (5)
  • Van K.

    For consistent good service and food, you can't beat this place. I have been to the Centreville location as well as Sterling and it is always a great experience. I was there on a Wednesday night and not surprised that the restaurant appeared to be full -- a very popular spot. Weekends can have long wait times, but there is call-ahead seating.

    (4)
  • K Y.

    I've dined here multiple times for dinner and lunch. Even on weekdays, it's busy in the evenings so call ahead to be put on the list. They don't take reservations. Hands down, the ozzie rolls are my favorite, especially if they are fresh and still hot! The salmon and tuna salads are good, but sometimes there may be too much dressing. I've enjoyed all the food I've had there from salad to seafood to red meats.

    (4)
  • Jessica H.

    This place is great. I go here when I have some extra money (since it is a hike from Silver Spring). The beer is good, but the Margaritas are great. The food was very good. To start we got the crab fritters, which I WANTED MORE OF. We only got 3, which is kinda annoying since they were so damn good. For dinner I got the baby-back-ribs and they were awesome covered in awesome-sauce. He got the filet , and raved over it for the whole meal, savoring every bite. I suggest sitting outside, the view is great. If you are going during dinner, I would suggest calling ahead. They do not take reservations, but they will take a call in up to an hour ahead.

    (5)
  • Nick L.

    I prefer the Centerville location, but this was still a decent Sweetwater. They brew their own beer which is nice and you have a selection anyone could be happy with. They also get the bread from their own Great American Restaraunts bakery and you get a little selection but you can ask for a refill of whichever one tickles your fancy. We ALWAYS order extra Ozzie Rolls, they're the little doughnut holes with a hint of sweetness and yeasty goodness. The food here is usually good, nothing groundbreaking, but it does have flavor and isn't bland. Portions are substantial and I've never left feeling hungry. I hear there are a few desserts that are amazing, but I'm always too full from dinner to indulge.

    (4)
  • Ted H.

    This place is a winner, hands down. If you're a traveler, eating at the bar is excellent. Not uncomfortable to sit at nor to reach your food, which is damned good too. Excellent beer.

    (5)
  • Stephanie W.

    We have been going to Sweet Water in Sterling for many years, but I never felt the urge to write a review until now. The food is excellent (we have had nearly everything on the menu at this point) and the customer service is also great. We went this weekend and there was some confusion with our call ahead (they do not take dinner reservations) and the manager was extremely helpful, understanding, and accommodating.

    (5)
  • Nick S.

    Yes. a place that has good beer AND steak. Amazing. All at an average price. I had the Drunken Rib Eye. Not bad. I don't prefer the cut because it is a little fatty but that is standard for a rib eye. I am more of a Porterhouse / New York type. It was cooked nicely, perfect medium-rare. The seasoning was tasty as well, not over powering. Just right. As for the beer. Well, this is a brewery and it does have good beer. Pick any of the beers on tap and you don't be disappointed.

    (4)
  • S C.

    The beer was just one step up from homebrew. Had the octoberfest, the IPA, the light. All with off flavors suggesting either old hops or bad sanitation. The crab fritters were very good, with generous amounts of crab and a delicious sauce. But the rest of the food - the chicken salad, drunken ribeye, chicken nuggets - were overly salted and generally medicore. All in all, a waste of calories.

    (2)
  • Matt K.

    I tried the porkchops as well (thanks, Steve R.) and was very pleased with the quality and preparation. The temperature was perfect (medium) and the presentation of the dish was surprisingly pleasant too. This place was really packed (6-6:45pm on a Thursday). I dined alone so I was in and out. The service was fine. I spent most of the time reading stuff on my phone, since I was alone, so maybe the server was less chatty because of that. Either way, there were several people in and out to help me. Seems like they have quite the system going to turn the tables. I never felt rushed though.

    (4)
  • D B.

    Pros: - Outdoor Space - Great Bar - Friendly Staff - Nice Atmosphere Cons: - Usually very busy - Incredibly simple menu; too simple - Menu appears to be healthy, but isn't - No menu diversity: everything is salad, chicken, or fish (sounds healthy ... right?) - Only a few beef or pork items - Entire menu is constructed from a few simple items (good from a business logistic and kitchen perspective) Bottomline: The menu from reading it appears to be toting a healthier side (a lot of salads, chicken, and fish), but after trying the chicken tenders, I quickly realized the emphasis is on very little chicken and a lot of tasty, fried skin. So much fried skin that it's rather sickening. You can get more chicken in one Chik-fil-a nugget than the entire chicken tender entree. However, if you like salad, they have more salads (9) than any other entree combination (crazy). I think this place is for people who want to feel healthy by reading the menu, but still end up eating terribly and feeling good about it (i.e., Yuppie America and their spare tire bellies).

    (2)
  • Alex S.

    I've been to Sweetwater 30-40 times since moving to NoVa ten years ago. As restaurants around this price range go, Sweetwater has had the most consistent service and food quality. I've experienced slow service maybe two out of my 30-40 visits. The food is delicious. I've tried the pork chops, ribs, sauteed chicken, jambalaya, chicken fingers, Monterrey salad, and hickory bbq-burger. If it's your first time, I highly recommend the pork chops or ribs. For dessert, the bread pudding and flourless chocolate waffle are top notch. If you go a lot, you might start to hope for some menu variation, but I think management tries to rectify this with rotating daily specials. Also, call at least an hour ahead of time if you're going to be visiting between 6-8 Thurs-Sun, or you'll be waiting for 60-90 minutes.

    (5)
  • Meg G.

    ******I'm using the missing star in my review as an excuse to go back...... soon!******* Excellent service, open atmosphere, great for dinner out!!! You know... it really says something to have a homemade root beer on hand (again, I'm not a lager drinker - but I love some ginger or root beer!). I am sure many of Sweetwater's patrons are there for the other items on tap... I just really loved my root beer! It had the hue of southern cane syrup. I, naively, asked for a straw with my drink - thinking the waitress had forgotten. Physics 101, perhaps? Too much buoyancy, and not nearly a tall enough glass. That was the best root beer I've ever had in my life. (Yes, I am comparing it to the average A&W stuff, but I'm really impressed - don't mind me.) Did I really only order a salad for dinner? Why, yes I did. I was absolutely satisfied, and felt no need to order dessert. Their short smoked salmon salad (sans goat cheese) was brilliantly fresh, tangy, seasoned and hearty. My company enjoyed their meals, as well. I had high expectations - and they didn't disappoint.

    (4)
  • Jenifer S.

    We had an early luncheon reservation and they were ready and served us promptly. Every order for our party of 6 (which included 2 very fussy eaters) came on time and every one of us was pleased with their dish. The mahi mahi and salmon got rave reviews as did the mashed potatoes and very fresh (blanched?) cauliflower. Martini was on the small side but well made. Desserts were suitably sweet and coffee was freshly made. One of our party is a wheelchair user which means he sat with his wheels in the aisle as all their tables are booths, which was okay as the place wasn't crowded. We've been there before and the wheelchair got bumped and he felt like he was in the way, so that's a caveat and the one thing that stops us going there more often.

    (4)
  • Maria S.

    One of my favorite restaurants--great employees (Victor is the absolute best--friendly and knows his stuff!!! His regulars love him for a reason!!!) and consistently yummy food and solid beer. It's one of those places I end up going back to again and again when I'm in the area, and you should too!!! Some of the standouts on the menu are the firecracker shrimp with slaw and green beans, the roast chicken salad with dates, the raisin-walnut bread (the bread basket comes with a variety of scrumptious breads from Best Buns Bakery, which is owned by the same company as Sweetwater), and the white chocolate bread pudding. Also, I am no beer connoisseur, but I think the Naked River is really tasty for a light beer, and the seasonal pumpkin beer (which is served in a glass rimmed with spices and pumpkin seeds) is a wonderful autumn treat! Sweetwater is definitely a notch above most other restaurant-breweries in terms of food, drink, and service, and I've never been disappointed here! Great place to bring the whole family, or, if you are flying solo, chill at the comfortable bar!

    (5)
  • Dan H.

    I'm always amazed at how long the wait is for Sweetwater Tavern. We finally figured out that if you want to get a table quick you need to be there before 6pm. The food overall is good. The bread is a nice mix of styles so that it has something everyone can enjoy while waiting on appetizers. I love the root beer that is brewed there locally, but it is a bit strong for my children's tastes. I enjoy the drunken ruben and their crab cakes. Overall the environment is enjoyable and the price isn't too bad. I would say though that if the wait is long, the food isn't good enough to stick around and not try and find another place for the evening.

    (4)
  • Shelly A.

    I like everything about this place. Food is great and they have a good selection of beer. Excellent crab cakes and the drunken ribeye is to die for. Love, love, love it.

    (4)
  • Nand H.

    Went here to see the "The Growler" with my own eyes, a humongous glass vessel for downing copious amounts of beer. A friend of mine insisted that I bring one home. Had dinner - The "Drunken Rib-Eye" was delicious and juicy, but after awhile, I found myself overwhelmed by the marinade flavor, which left me wanting for the true steak essence. The accompanying mixed green salad was very good, and the microbrews were excellent! Friendly service, with a dusky atmosphere of lighting and wood furnishings. Definitely going back! Be warned, that the "Growler" will take up substantial room in one's suitcase!

    (4)
  • Erica L.

    Too many wrongs = 1 star. No idea how this place has four stars. PRO: They have call ahead setting. CON: They can't handle more than a party of 6. I booked for 7 when I called. They tried seating us at a booth made for 5 people, and put a chair on the end. Again, party of SEVEN. So the only other option was to sit at separate tables, 6 feet apart. My family didn't get to eat together on our last night together. PRO: 38 beers on the menu. CON: They only serve 5 at a time. PRO: Lots of menu choices. CON: They were all just OK tasting. Party of 7, and no one raved about their food. Everyone said, "Eh, it was OK." PRO: They have many servers. CON: They are not trained in customer service. I didn't eat a bite of my meal (crab cakes made with WAY too much mayo). When we were finished eating, the server asked if I needed a box, not if the meal was OK since not a bite was taken. I usually can find a reason to give a place at least 2-3 stars, and have reviewed several 4 and 5 star places. The cons outweighed the pros, considerably, and the service was poor. Shame, we love breweries, and usually don't have issues like this when we try a 4-star Yelp rated place. With so many options in the area, it's hard to believe this place got such good reviews. I'd try 100 other places before I ate here again.

    (1)
  • Anthony G.

    I would eat here every day, for every meal, if I could. I'm not a big drinker, so their beers aren't the reason why I come here (although they are excellent), but the food is always good. Anything you try here will be amazing. I have been going to Sweetwater for years and I've never once had a bad experience. I'm not just referring to the food, but also the service. Their team style waiting is excellent and they are always prompt and professional. As some other people have stated, if you just show up for dinner, you're going to be waiting for a while. Best bet is to call ahead and get your name on the list.

    (5)
  • Bryan B.

    Great ribeye! Great service...

    (4)
  • Gabe M.

    Best place within 500 miles. Love the food, beer, people and atmosphere. Food is Always amazing and the bartenders are incredible!

    (5)
  • Brian B.

    House beers are good but not great, good for a little change of pace. Food was better than I expected, not spectacular but very solid. Service was kind of slow for a relatively quite night. Would visit again if I am back in the area

    (3)
  • Irina M.

    Fantastic food, and decent service. I had three things: warm goat cheese salad, loaded baked potato and apple pie. The salad features a lightly breaded fried goat cheese patty, chopped dates and candied pecans. Great salad. The baked potato was hot and well baked, and served as excellent comfort food. The desert, apple pie, came with real whipped cream and delicious vanilla ice cream. The apples were very soft, but not mushy, and the pie had generous amounts of roasted almond slivers. My fiance enjoyed his baby back ribs quite a bit.

    (5)
  • Justin H.

    Good beer selection. Really like the beer they brew there. I sit in the screened in porch area just about every time i go. I only wish there were more tvs. The food is good.

    (4)
  • Sarah P.

    Maybe we just made poor menu choices here but this was not a good dining experience at all, completely below average. The drunken ribeye was bad, I mean blah, bad, like I haven't had a steak that bad in a long time. It tasted like it was drowned in a horrible sweet sauce instead of being marinated in beer like the menu description said, it was a complete waste of a nice cut of steak. The only pro was that it was cooked perfectly medium, as requested. It came with exactly 3 whole spears of asparagus as a side, and the sauteed mushrooms looked like canned button mushrooms. Husband had the filet and crab cake, filet was very tiny (didn't seem like 5 oz.) and the crab cake was awful. The steamed spinach side is just that, steamed spinach, with absolutely no seasoning or anything on it, rather boring. The house salad was very good but was drowned in dressing, I should have asked for it on the side. Our waitress never bothered to come back to get my wine order after I told her to give me a minute to decide which I would like. They use some sort of team service system so we never saw her again, period. The kids menu was the usual junk food, grilled cheese, mac n cheese, burger, chicken tenders with raw carrots or applesauce. If you bring children, make sure you have something to keep them occupied, they don't provide any sort of kids coloring menu or anything like that. The restaurant is very nice looking and the brewery menu was pretty impressive. There is a nice patio overlooking the pond out back and would probably be a great place for Happy Hour with friends. FYI, we got there at about 5 PM on Saturday evening and didn't have to wait for a table, however, by the time we left at 6 PM, there were about 25 people waiting for tables out front. They do have call ahead seating.

    (2)
  • Sue V.

    Loved the bread assortment, the salmon salad was particularly yummy med rare with warm feta. The service was a 5 out of 5. We were there on a Monday evening, inside was particularly loud, music etc. outside might have been a better choice, but no seating was available.

    (4)
  • Joseph S.

    The drunken ribeye was great.

    (4)
  • Matthew H.

    I've never had a bad meal at Sweetwater Tavern (this location and the one in Merrifeld). The chicken queso (seasonal special) is awesome, the roasted chicken is delish, as is the drunken ribeye. The ribeye has a unique flavor so if you aren't adventurous, don't try it (or make someone else get it and try a bite). I think it's awesome, but others may not. The banana pudding (another seasonal special) is just as great as the rest of the menu. Again, I highly recommend Sweetwater and all other Great American Restaurants. They know their stuff, service is great, and food is awesome.

    (5)
  • Eric T.

    Consistently great food. Very good crab cakes, great service and very good bartenders. The atmosphere and decor are very fun. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Tyler E.

    Great beer selection and the best ribs/chicken tenders in the area. The only drawback is it is always crowded.

    (5)
  • Austin N.

    Frequent this place many times. The beer sampler is a great deal. Order the ribs or the steak entrees. They were pretty good. Burgers were average at best. Stay away.

    (4)
  • Karen A.

    This is one of the best places in Sterling. The patio is fabulous ! A must visit when in town.

    (4)
  • Davide M.

    I came other two times during my recent visit in the last two weeks of work in VA. Salmon was less salty this time and it was pretty good, the Dijon sauce was a good quality one (I went to Dijon last year). But the apple cake was way *too sweet* for my taste. The second time I decided not to try the fillet again but I went for the half young chicken which unfortunately was finished.... So I had a tuna salad, that was ok: the tuna was excellent, but the dressing tasted too much of garlic and I went to the hotel with this garlic taste in my mouth. The brownie was ok but in the bottom, where it was melting there was a taste very strange, like when you grab a dessert to put it over a plate with a spoon you used with some greasy meat before. I was a bit disappointed. The caramel on top of the vanilla ice cream is useless, because the ice cream tastes good. In both occasions I had a glass of great american pale-ale which rated singularly is 5 stars.

    (3)
  • Allison L.

    I have never had anything I didn't like here. I've tried the majority of the salads (all delightful). The ribs are a particular favorite of mine, falling right off the bone. The pork chops a delicious (especially blackened). And their fry bread is beautiful - most waiters are great and will bring you a basketful of just the fry bread if you ask. We come here all the time, and it's one of my favorite restaurants. Not to be missed!

    (5)
  • Rich A.

    Terrific microbrewery and steakhouse. They serve excellent microbrews brewed on-site (be sure to try the beer sampler - six mini pilsner glasses with their current brews on tap) matched with a well-thought out menu with fresh and tasty appetizers and entrees served by friendly and knowledgeable servers in a casual, but upscale ambience. Sweetwater Tavern is very popular, so try to make reservations in advance. Even so, the outdoor patio is a great spot to grab an adult beverage while you're waiting for a table. It's always full of plenty of professionals from the area having a couple of drinks after a long day in the office. Next time we're in the area, we'll be back.

    (4)
  • Just M.

    We love Sweetwater!

    (5)
  • Robert Z.

    One of my all-time favorites. Great beer. Excellent food.

    (4)
  • M. M.

    Ozzie rolls. Enough said.

    (5)
  • Lee R.

    The joint was hopping for a Tuesday night. I had never heard of the place, but apparently it is a chain. After reading that I was concerned that I would break my "no chain" policy by going here, but figured since I have never heard of it, it was worth a shot. There was a five minute wait for my table for one (I know it's sad eating by your lonesome, but welcome to my life - at least while I am on the road). I do have to say that the waitress was very prompt (I barely had time to open the menu before she was there for my drink order. I had read some reviews about the drunken rib-eye, so I gave that a shot. The salad came out quickly with the dressing on the side as ordered. There was roasted corn on the salad which I guess ties in on the Tex Mex theme. I liked the bread, it was a small basket with one little yeast roll, one slice of white (Italian?) bread and one slice of a cinnamon raisin bread. Just enough for one person and very tasty. The steak came out perfectly cooked, just a little bit of red in the center. The "drunken" sauce was some kind of beer (according to the menu) and it had a sweet taste, very good. The loaded baked potato was awesome with just the right amount of toppings for the entire potato. One thing that I thought was interesting at this place was they had those "C" shaped booths that should hold 4 people, but they had added a chair to the aisle side which made the table a crowded 5 top. The people eating in those booths seems to not have much space. What I was most impressed by was the service, Louis (a managing partner) took my check to the register and then took to time to ask me where I was from and if I had ever been there before. He invited me back with was a nice touch (and one that too often goes unsaid). Plate/bowls/glasses disappeared as soon as they were done since every waiter/waitress that walked by took time to check in on me, not just the one assigned to my table. The only downside to the evening was that I had one of those "booth kids" staring me down from the next booth. That was all well and good until she decided to show me what she was having for dinner by opening her mouth mid chew. Overall a good dinner with great service. I'll be back!

    (5)
  • Jannelle H.

    One of my favorites! Their BBQ ribs are amazing. Their salads are always fresh and flavorful. Their appetizers and rolls are excellent. I havent ordered anything I didnt really like. This a great place for families or to celebrate. Its definately a louder environment. This is definately a more casual restaurant.

    (4)
  • Stephan K.

    Kinda pricey, but worth it. I always get their beers or their amazing root beer. My wife loves the salmon here while I enjoy their amazing chicken tenders. Great date night!

    (5)
  • David R.

    Upgraded to four stars simply because there is no better option along the traffic-clogged hell that is Route 7 in Sterling/Countryside. If the property managers plant more trees and shrubs around that runoff pond, of which Sweetwater has a nice view of (with their outdoor bar area), who knows....four and half stars could be pending. Their beer selection needs more variety. Four pale ales, a porter, a black and tan, and a watery low calorie/low carb lager. That's it? No regular lagers? Come on guys! But the "National Pale Ale" (I think that's what it's called - their award winner) was very good. The food is typical Great American restaurant fare. And this Sweetwater has friendlier staff than the one in Merrifield. More donut rolls please.

    (4)
  • Jasen F.

    I suffered more months in Ashburn than I care to remember. My current job has brought me back to this part of the planet and while I hate I still try and enjoy each day but.... I picked this joint on the recommendation of a colleague who bailed, last minute, to leave me with an earlier than planned dinner time (7:30) and a place I would not have picked. C'est la vie. Mobilize my group of 13 and head down the giant highway. We arrive (after having called ahead to place our names on the wait list - no reservations) and wait a few minutes for a table. We amble to the bar area to get a drink. Somehow, a few folks in our group, well peppered with a variety of ages north of 30, became separated from their cards proving their birthdays and were denied service. Fine, deny service. Lame b/c you're a corporate restaurant and that's what you emphasize but fine, I get it. After we get seated, the managers started trolling our tables. Marlin season? No, they were checking in case we let our friends imbibe. Lame. Creepy. Super Creepy. Now, this in itself would not be worth a one-star review. The midget "jumbo" lump breaded "no-filler" crab cakes and the raw chicken served to my buddy (yeah, two pieces of chicken...one cooked, one raw) made it a one-star review. I like some chains. I love some others. I will boycott every one of this group's restaurants and I advise you to avoid this location in particular. Unless, of course, you like amateurs in your kitchen and management.

    (1)
  • Jess C.

    I came here expecting something like Gordon Bierch - lame appetizers and typical entrees. The little fried bread buns were warm and chewy, the filet seemed more generous than it should have been and was totally melt-in-your-mouth, it came with a heaping side of mashed potatoes, some mushrooms (my fave!), and a large side salad. The crab cakes (even though I hate crab) were good, I was pretty impartial to the spinach dip, queso, chicken fingers, avocado egg rolls, and the duo dip. Nothing life changing. The pumpkin cheesecake (I thought I hated pumpkin?) however was pretty amazing. Chocolate waffle? Like pure melty chocolatey waffle goodness a la mode! No one here complained. 4 stars for reminding me that traditional American bar food can be good. 5 stars for amaaazing service, I love the manager here. Definitely highly highly recommend coming here for a happy hour! This is way better than having to deal with the crazy crowds in Reston.

    (5)
  • Jordan K.

    Great food and service. Wait can be long on busy days and times so call ahead to put your name in.

    (5)
  • Laura P.

    This place is great!! Love the atmosphere and delicious food! We went on a bustling Friday night so we did have quite a lengthy wait. No problem for us though as we grabbed a seat at the bar and enjoyed some drinks and their scrumptious crab fritters. Wish we lived closer because I would definitely go back!

    (5)
  • Joy M.

    Sweetwater never fails to be good. Highlights are the crab fritters, the fries, the chicken tenders, the filet, the crab cakes, the mixed greens salad, the chocolate waffle, the bread... Ok I guess most everything is very good here, including the service. Use their Call-Ahead seating service to get a table faster.

    (4)
  • J T.

    The food was not bad. I ordered a filet mignon cooked medium, but they gave me medium rare. It was red -- not pink -- in the middle. A friend of mine had pointed out my dissatisfaction to the waiter who was more than apologetic and willing to send my filet mignon back to the kitchen to have it redone. He was very nice about it, however, he said something silly like, "We cook our mediums differently than other places. I like my steak medium too and was surprised that the meat was pink in the middle so I usually order my steaks medium well here." Sure, I could have yielded to his excuse except the fact that my other friend ordered his steak medium rare and received medium instead. I thought that the way steak was cooked was a standard; I had no idea that different restaurants categorized their meat depending on their own perception of medium, medium rare, etc. First time that I've heard of this silly stipulation. Nonetheless, the chocolate waffles are to die for. Their root beer is very crisp and refreshing! I tasted some frozen prickly pear margarita and it was absolutely delicious! The wait staff was attentive and concerned with our dining experience so that was nice. I would have given this place five stars except my filet mignon was not cooked properly -- bloody in the center is in no way considered "medium".

    (4)
  • Ari R.

    Overall this place was decent- not great not bad. Definite large chain fat American oversize portions vibe going on. Very family friendly and also very loud. Service was attentive and good. The tables seemed a bit narrow and crowded. Got the drunken ribeye based on other reviews, I found it a bit too salty. Southwest chicken salad was good but also a tad on the salty side. Aussie rolls (come in bread basket) were awesome! Excellent selection of beers- consider the sampler for a taste of different stuff on tap- I quite liked the chipotle porter; I'm not normally a porter fan but I found it interesting with a definite chipotle flavor (but not spicy). Definitely do call ahead seating cuz this place is packed!

    (2)
  • Mike A.

    Consistently very good on all fronts: service, food, beer, beignet for bread. Come on! Always enjoyable.

    (4)
  • CJ L.

    Life is good here. The food is very good. Try the Swordfish.

    (5)
  • Tonya S.

    Met a girlfriend up at Sweetwater last night for drinks/ dinner to catch up. We stayed in the bar for fun and it was packed, but honestly the bar staff handled the flood of people very well. We never had to wait too long for a drink or our app and salad (which were both yummy). As always Sweetwater is a great place to hang out!

    (4)
  • Craig A.

    Good food. Good beer. Great staff. Food is consistently good. Our go-to restaurant when in the Sterling and Centreville.

    (5)
  • Matt Z.

    Dinner started with a bread basket. The bread basket came with 3 or 4 assorted breads (I can not remember). However, the star of the basket was the "fried bread". It was chewy with a light buttery taste. It reminded me of "asian fried donuts" but without the sugar. If you are inclined to have a sweet treat, this bread could be turned into a desert (sugar is provided as a condiment, with the salt & pepper). 4/5 for the bread basket. For appetizers we ordered the calamari & lobster bisque. The calamari came with onions & a jalapeno/cheese/pepper sauce? The calamari itself was crispy & flavorful. On the other hand, the lobster bisque never came out (I assume they had forgotten about it). We had to remind the waiter, as it did not arrive until after the main courses were served. The lobster bisque had a strong wine taste & was not pleasant at all (this may be due to being rushed out and not cooking it enough). The lobster meat was clumped together. 2/5 for the appetizers. For the main course, I ordered the jambalaya. It came with chicken, sausage, and shrimp; which was served over pasta (rigatoni?). The pasta had a good kick & spicy flavor mixed in. It was a pretty filling/satisfying meal. 4/5 for the main course. Also tasted the salmon with mashed potatoes. Presentation of this dish came out beautiful, with 3 crispy potato skins on top. The salmon is also cooked to your taste. It came out with a crispy skin, however still moist/juicy. 4.5/5 for the main course. I felt the prices for the food did not meet the standards. However, if the prices were $3-5 dollars cheaper, the meals would more reasonable. May come back one day to try the more expensive items (steak, etc). The place itself was PACKED on a Saturday night, be sure to call ahead if you do not want to wait! Although the service was busy, the host/server were friendly. Overall the experience was between 3-4 stars (3.5/5).

    (3)
  • Kim M.

    Love the salmon salad

    (4)
  • Packet W.

    Whenever anyone asks "What's good around here?" I always end up mentioning Sweetwater before anything else. The food is consistently awesome. I love their drunken rib-eye. Another reviewer found it too salty that and over powering. SWT marinates the steak for 24 hours so the flavor is strong but I love it. I would recommend that someone looking for meat flavor get the filet. Food quality is almost always "5 stars". However, I am giving them a 4 because, and maybe it is that I've eaten here too many times, sometimes I find that the food tastes a little bit the same. Don't get me wrong, it is really, really good. It is just that I feel like maybe some of the dishes share ingredients. The addition of seasonal specials break this up however (e.g. mahi-mahi). For non-meat eaters the salmon is fantastic. For salads, I usally get the ahi tuna salad. That said, their Cesar salad deserves its own paragraph. They serve the best Cesar salad I have ever had in my life. I judge all others by Sweetwater's. No contest. The service is almost always top-notch. The wait staff works well as a team. However, one time my wife and her girlfriend had a bad experience with a waiter. The guy was a jerk. However, the way that Sweetwater handled it was awesome. I think that you can really judge a place by how they handle a bad situation. My wife mentioned the problem as nice as one could to the manager. The manager comp'd the meal, gave free desert, and gave my wife and her dinner partner each a $25 gift card. That is how you earn a customer for life. Finally, the beer is really good. They have some great winter-time stouts that I really like. The Merifield location brews (used to anyways) a "Road Kill" beer. Actually, maybe it classified as something else but they will only serve you two per visit. Maybe that is why the details are a little foggy for me. Anyhow, the beer is great! Wait times can be long so do call ahead. They have never screwed up my call ahead. Outside seating is really nice with a mix of open-wall seating and patio/umbrella tables. Nice outside bar with an attractive crowd. I wish they didn't allow any smoking but that is more VA's problem and less so an issue with Sweetwater.

    (4)
  • Kate L.

    This is my #1 Friday night spot. Be sure to pick up a growler of their house brewed beer for your holiday gathering.

    (5)
  • dan a.

    the RIBS were great. much better tasting than i expected from this place. free bread for starters. huge beer selection, but they only have a select few on-tap at a time. not much else special, but i wouldn't mind returning to try more of their menu.

    (3)
  • Matt O.

    We love the Great American Restaurants and are delighted to have one out here in Sterling (recently moved from Arlington.) Love the menu and the Apple Pie is my personal favorite.

    (5)
  • Jill S.

    I LOVE this place. This is my number one favorite restaurant ever. My boo just took me there for valentines day and it was super amazing again, as always. Tried the southwestern egg rolls and they were amazing. My go to dish is the crab cake with 5 oz filet and it is always cooked perfectly. If you can, try to save room for desert!

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    In town for business, wanted to give this place a try based on the excellent Yelp reviews. We went at around 6:45 - 7PM on a Tuesday and party of three was seated immediately. They look to have some pretty impressive technology for seating and front of house activity. Overall decor is western, but not too tacky. A relatively large space, with the bar located front and center. Service was quick to ask for drinks. A little slow on the bring out, but nothing major. She did forget to enter the appetizer, but that kind of stuff happens now and again. Food was brought out pretty promptly. I went with the crab-cake and fillet entree with mashed potatoes. Crab cake was a little on the small side, considering the $29 price tag. Steak was prepared as ordered and everything was very tasty. All in all a great meal, but overall value could have been better. Colleagues had a slab of ribs and the jambalaya pasta, and both thought they were tasty. I settled on three stars, as it was good... but not great. I'm still trying to get my star ratings consistent in my own head. I would go back, but that might be partially due to the lack of decent options in the area.

    (3)
  • Dan L.

    Decent food and good atmosphere. I enjoy trying the different brews on tap. I recommend getting the growler to fill up.

    (4)
  • Lorraine C.

    I went here for the holidays and was amazingly surprised. Not only was service excellent, the food was very good. On the top of "My Go To Places"...

    (5)
  • Eliot F.

    Sweet water is one of several restaurants the NOVA area that includes Artie's, Mikes, Carlyle Grand, Jackson's, Ozzie's, Siverado, and Coastal Flats. I have lived in this area for more than 30 years and these guys were the first to open restaurants that focus on high quality food. I have probably eaten in these places more than 500 times during this period of time (no kidding) and I have never had a bad meal. They have a limited menu and they have a formula for everything they do. The menu rarely changes and the choices are very good.

    (5)
  • Jeremy M.

    I was visiting the in-laws and decided to escape the holiday revelry for lunch and a movie with my son. After looking around a bit for something unique to the area I ended up looking on yelp and it steered me here. Good call! A bit pricey for lunch, but the house IPA is phenomenal, only eclipsed by the BLUE CRAB FRITTERS! WOW...I'm drooling at the thought. If I had it to do over again I would order these as my meal...seriously...good! Next time I'd also like to try the bread pudding dessert that sounded amazing.

    (4)
  • tiffany n.

    Took my youngest here after a movie and was astonished by the beauty of the place. It is situated beside a pond, actually more of a lake, and you can request to be seated outside. The atmosphere was magical. Food was good; my daughter has a thing for their bread. After our meal we spent an hour walking the shore and saw the biggest goldfish either of us had ever seen. There were plenty of other creatures and I had to drag her away with the promise we would return soon. Who would have guessed? We will definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Michele D.

    I think I could have a serious problem at Sweetwater. I stopped here on Friday night for drinks and ended up having some of the Pumpkin Beer. It wasn't served in just ANY glass, mind you, it was served in a glass that had crushed pie crust around the rim. I just wanted to lick every glass I saw on the bar counter and in peoples hands. The taste was like having a cheap thrill. The beer itself was good, too. Just the right amount of spice, tasted like a nice pre-Thanksgiving treat. I also ordered the sampler, which had 5 of their beers for 8.00. Of the 5, I always like the Naked River Light and now I think I also like the Pale Ale. I noticed that upon sipping the Black Stallion Oatmeal Stout I felt like I had just chewed on a nasty pair of gym socks. I am not a dark beer kinda girl, I guess. The Scottish Ale was ok, probably for the same reasons--lighter beers work better for me. I've eaten here many times and I think the Smoked Salmon is one of my favorite appetizers. Also, their Crab Fritters are excellent appetizers and you just want those things to keep on coming like free refills; they are that good. The Cheddar Burger is very tasty and I like their skinny fries. Their Salmon Fillet is also wonderful; always cooked just right. I also appreciate that they let me order the kids cheeseburger when I'm not hungry enough to have a full meal. Service is always top notch here, although finding parking is somewhat challenging.

    (5)
  • Tom H.

    Excellent food, fun beers made on-site. Very noisy and crowded during happy hour but still a great spot for food and drink - come during an off hour if you want a quiet conversation.

    (4)
  • M P.

    I've always found this place very overrated. Average food with above average prices. Beer is pretty good but not worth eating here

    (2)
  • Shannon H.

    As with all of the Great American Restaurants, Sweetewater Tavern is always terrific. It is my husband's favorite restaurant, his go to meal being the Drunken Ribeye. He never orders anything else. I've tried the ribeye as well as a variety of other dishes. The salads are all great. I brought my mother there and she said the caesar was the best she had ever had (and she would know since that's all she ever eats). The beer is pretty good as well and let's not forget the phenomenal bread. OH and the desserts are pretty fantastic as well...and I'm not really a dessert person. The service is always superior. We will continue to go back there and would recommend it to anyone. YUM!

    (5)
  • Y T.

    If you want a steak, this is the place to go in the area. We generally enjoy all the dishes we get there. Great place.

    (4)
  • Olivia L.

    It's a decent restaurant if you and your friends have nothing to do for the evening and want to have a couple drinks and have a decent meal. The smoked salmon fillet dish is one of the best they have, food quality is about average for the price you pay. It is pricey to many cause its a pretty casual place. Overall, this place is tad bit above average but not far from it.

    (3)
  • Trang O.

    This place tends to be loud, but it's great for hanging out with friends. You couldn't go wrong with their delicious warm fried bread and beer to start with. They always have five beers on tap, of which the Pale Ale is an everyday offering. I like the Pale Ale, and the Imperial Stout is good too if you like your beer thick and dessert-like. My favorite things here are appetizers and desserts. I love the Tex-Mex Eggrolls and the Firecracker Shrimp, which tends to be on the spicy side. The main courses are almost an afterthought, though the Short Smoked Grilled Salmon is not bad, but be sure to specify how you want yours cooked. No matter what do you do, save room for the flourless chocolate cake, which is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. I've also tried other specials, such as the White Chocolate Bread Pudding, which others in my party like a lot (I'm not a white chocolate fan). Service tends to be slow, especially on busy weekend evenings, when the place is packed. To reduce the wait time, call ahead to get your name placed on the waiting list.

    (4)
  • Sarah S.

    We just tried some of their burger and sandwiches dishes, along with their bread pudding desert. The food wasn't astonishing, but I would be willing to come again. Oh, and I don't get why people like the bread rolls - they're like fried donuts. That's NOT what I want to eat before my meal.

    (3)
  • Jennifer K.

    Great ambiance! Excellent service. I am a huge fan of the Oktoberfest beer. They brew tons of beers, just worth checking out! The chicken & havarti sandwich is delicious, and you can't go wrong with their chopped salad! One more recommendation: get the warm vanilla bread pudding dessert! It is phenomenal, and I'm not even a dessert person!

    (4)
  • shawn g.

    This is about the best you're going to get around here. In a land filled with malls and strip malls, if you need to eat food, and really can't stand the mega-chains, then there's sweetwater. Their stout was a bit fizzy, the half chicken was surprisingly moist, and there were plenty of potatoes hidden under the chicken. My mom enjoyed her Roast Chicken Salad and we were able to put her on a plane at IAD with a full tummy, so she didn't have to eat airport food. That was a good thing.

    (3)
  • Collin B.

    Great spot for dinner and/or drinks. I went by myself as I was in the area for working. What I ordered: Draught beer tasting, Shrimp appetizer, Half chicken/mashed potatoes Pros: -Wide variety of bottled beers and a few beers on tap -Reasonably priced beer (avg. about $4.50 ea) -Enthusiastic staff (borderline creepy-nice) -Excellent plating/presentation -Good portions for cost -Delicious (free) bread Cons: -Not very many beers on tap. When I was there there were only 5 beers on tap. -Not a huge menu - this could be a pro or con to some, but I like variety. -Lots of middle-aged/old people. This didnt really affect me, but I noticed a lot of well-off looking middle-aged white folks occupied 99% of the joint. I kept hearing them complain about stupid stuff which is kind of annoying. Not really the restaurants fault, more the location.

    (4)
  • Tom D.

    3.5 stars Another Great American Restaurant -- with their signature great service and very good food. The food is fresh, well prepared and reasonably priced -- would certainly classify it as above average. The service for this "class" of place might be without equal (entrees from 16-22 dollars, great sandwiches and salads from 9-11 dollars). Like all of the Great American Restaurants, they make a real effort to provide great service. The Carlyle Grand is probably my favorite of the bunch -- but all of their restaurants do a lot of things very well.

    (3)
  • Matt D.

    Like most other corporate joints, it is always crowded and noisy. The service is attentive almost always good enough. The beer is good, not great.

    (3)
  • Mike E.

    My girlfriend and I went here for dinner after a movie one night. They have a great rotating beer selection. I had a witbier and my girlfriend one of their own brews. Both were fantastic. We also had the roasted chicken and it was incredible. Oh, and they make these rolls that I'm sure are absolutely terrible for you, but come with your meal and are to die for. I highly recommend this place. Great service too!

    (5)
  • Kelly P.

    I was surprised by the crowd as the outdoor bar was jammed with 30something singles/divorcees when we arrived. I guess this Sweetwater serves as the local Saturday night meat market for Sterling locals. Snide comments aside--I am a fan of GAR but this Sweetwater was a disappointment. The plate and the top layer of my Chicken Tostada were warm but everything else was room temperature. I wanted to try something different than the usual Sauteed Chicken Breast with capellini, and I'm still kicking myself for being open-minded. After standing around for what felt like eternity, it wasn't until one of us asked them what was up they said we had a defective pager. They probably couldn't have known about the pager issue, but they could have been proactive about checking on their customers since we had be waiting in front of the hostesses for at least 45 minutes As for the positives, the bread arrived deliciously doughy and warm as usual. Other staples like the factory burger and pasta were fine. "Meh" describes the feeling I left with

    (2)
  • Valerie Emma C.

    If you are looking for good beer and pleasant service this is the place to go! The salmon is ALWAYS great, the crab fritters are excellent, and my husband absolutely LOVES the steak tips with tequila lime sauce.

    (5)
  • Andrew L.

    Sweetwater isn't bad. The food tastes pretty good, the selection is solid, and the price is expensive but not unreasonable. You could do a lot worse in Sterling. But at the same time, Sweetwater doesn't wow me. Nothing there blows me away. I felt like I was at a Ruby Tuesday with better furniture. Everything tastes fine, just a little on the safely bland side.The rolls were good.

    (2)
  • Robb M.

    Amazing beer, friendly staff good food. love this place. Make sure you ask for some rolls. they are little donut holes of joy..

    (5)
  • Jamie M.

    I was a little worried that we may have a wait since many of the previous reviews mention it. However for a noon on a Saturday there was absolutely no wait - so I guess lunch is the time to try it versus dinner! Our lunch was really good, I had the BBQ burger based on other reviewers recommendations. Not too much else to say about this one, we had good service, except for the poor waiter who kept addressing each of us as "lady". Not sure if it was a language barrier thing or something all the servers do. Didn't bother me any, it was just kind of amusing. This is definitely a place I'd bring my parents or out of town relatives if we needed something for a group of picky eaters.

    (4)
  • Clint U.

    NEVER a bad meal here. All food is excellent. I go here frequently with friends from work. Atmosphere is tavern like....lots of wood....and noisy. The fish was prepared well....I had the salmon....was just slightly overdone for my tastes...I like it almost rare in the middle...but still it was moist and flaky. The jambalaya is very good here as well. Tasty and close to the New Orleans restaurants.

    (4)
  • Rob W.

    Excellent fish, bread, salad. Didn't expect food this "level of gourmet" at such a big restaurant. Beers were very good but not excellent; smacked of microbrew that hadn't quite found their groove yet. Service was very energetic and responsive, courteous.

    (4)
  • Jalon Z.

    Sweetwater is an amazing place to dine at. The level of customer service, food quality and interior is worthy of a restaurant charging twice the price. After eating dinner here you don't say the food was good, you say it was delicious! The posse ends up at Sweetwater for dinner almost weekly. Each time, the quality and customer service never fails. The gold standards of the Sweetwater menu are the Tex-Mex Eggrolls, Chop Salad, Blackened Ribeye, Short Smoked Salmon fillet, Wood Grilled Filet Mignon and the Key Lime Pie. They also pour a flawless Bombay Sapphire martini with olives. Living in Manassas, I sometimes go to the Centerville location for lunch on the weekend. That location is much quieter but still holds the same high standards as the Sterling location. There is one thing we universally agree that we dislike about Sweetwater. Now that we regularly experience delicious food and outstanding service, we can no longer dine at American suburban steakhouses and restaurants without feeling cheated. Macaroni Grill? Olive Garden? bah! Our expectations have been raised too high. We find ourselves seeking out a much higher class of restaurant. Our horizons have expanded. The hidden secret here? The brewery usually has freshly brewed root beer on tap. If you have never had real root beer, its worth checking out!

    (5)
  • Steph B.

    Overpriced as hell

    (1)
  • Chuck k.

    The inside space is pretty trypical of a brewpub. Center bar, lots of seating and a high noise level. The covered patio bar is pretty cool, with a nice view of the lake. The food was just OK. I had an average Ceaser salad, a bland cup of Los Alamos Chicken Soup (with rice and avocado) and the small cut of Prime Rib traditional style. The meat was cooked to medium, just the way I ordered. It was really, really salty and there was no jus served on the side. While not horrible, I wouldn't order it again. My neighbor's rib eye looked much more interesting. I also tried three of the beers. I started with a black and tan which wasn't separated at all, and it was just OK. The white beer was very nice, but I had to ask for a slice of citrus for it. The root beer is also just OK, a little more liquorishy than I like. Our server was pleasant enough, but not very good. She forgot my soup (which she then comped) and took forever to bring out drinks and got the orders wrong. She did tell us she was new, so I'll cut her a little slack.

    (3)
  • Jason S.

    Good all around restaurant that offers a vibrant bar scene, good food and decent service. The drunken ribeye appears to be a crowd favorite. I've been a few times and have had good food. It's not my favorite place as it takes forever to get a table. To me, it's not a place I'm willing to wait 60+ minutes before getting a table. With that said, I do enjoy going a couple times a year.

    (3)
  • Kimberly S.

    This is a great restaurant. I love that the servers never seem stressed; this is probably because of the laid back atmosphere and lack of rude, demanding people. I highly recommend the outdoor eating area, as well.

    (5)
  • Kevin S.

    Tried the salmon.... very nice. the outdoors area is nice and quiet with the food being very delicious

    (4)
  • C Q.

    I ordered house salad, while my kids enjoyed the chicken tenders. Their chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, perfectly seasoned and with a lighter, different batter than what we get in the other restaurants. We also enjoyed their sweet potato fries. For those who have been to Sweetwater Tavern or any of its' sister restaurants would know that they have the best bread. I love their cheese and pepper bread. You can get the breads at the Best Buns Bread. It's too bad that they don't sell the butter.

    (4)
  • Vivian C.

    Serves one mean Jambalaya and occassionaly has good beer. They don't take reservation but you can do the 'call-ahead' option.

    (3)
  • Tyler I.

    GREAT BEER!!! Love it, food- meh. Anytime anyone asks me what's a good spot to go, Sweet Water is always my first recommendation. The service is always great, friendly and the beer is fairly priced. The food on the other hand is a bit heavy for me, but great if you're in the mood for some tasty tasty stuff. Careful in the summer though, the outdoor bar gets pretty damn humid without a fan. Other than that, it's a great time no matter what night you go.

    (4)
  • Kevin S.

    This. Place. Is. Awesome. My favorite restaurant in the Dulles / Sterling area, and one of my overall favorites in NoVA. I rank it right up there with Bonefish. Sweetwater is the epitomy of my "breweries serve awesome food" theory, except it's a much nicer restaurant than your average brewery. Be sure to check out their custom made chandeliers and the awesome ginormous mural on the wall. The food is to die for and the beer is heavenly. Go in the autumn and try their Pumpkin Ale with the pumpkin pie crust seasoning around the rim of the glass. You can even buy a tankard of beer to take home with you, and they'll even give you a little pouch of the pumpkin pie seasoning to rim your glass at home. You can bring it back another time to be refilled for $8. The service is always top notch. I wish we could afford to go here more often. It's a pretty popular place and gets pretty busy, so I recommend you call ahead for reservations. Aside: The owners of Sweetwater also run a couple of other restaurants in the area. We have also tried and really liked their Coastal Flats restaurant down in the Fair Oaks area.

    (5)
  • Taylor D.

    My boyfriend and I absolutely love it here. We're a long distance relationship and he comes into town once a month and at least once every time, we have to come to Sweet Water. We go through at least 3 baskets of ozzie rolls and a serving of spinach and artichoke dip (which is the best we've had anywhere, and trust me...we've tried it at a LOT of places) before our food arrives. He orders the drunken steak and I order the prime rib and it's perfect each and every time. This is our favorite place to come to together that has an amazing atmosphere inside and out, great service, and great food.

    (5)
  • Henry R.

    This place has some pretty amazing foods. The crab fritters were delicious as does the firecracker shrimps. The firecracker shrimp is almost like a shrimp version of the crispy sweet and sour calamari from Jackson's. I also couldn't get enough of the Ozzie rolls. I could go through several baskets of these before the meal arrives. The drunken rib eye was delicious; you can't come to this place and not try this. Everything I have gotten so far was also good and has yet to be disappointed.

    (4)
  • Brett B.

    My first really great lunch on this trip happened here at the Sweetwater Tavern. Ordered the special of the day, as recommended by our waitress (who was Johnny-On-The-Spot with our drinks). The special was a mahi-mahi steak, served on black beans and tostadas, with a fantastic citrus avocado salsa, with some kind of veggie shred as a garnish. This was party-in-my-mouth good! The next time I order this, you're invited to the party.

    (4)
  • Laura L.

    If this is the one not to far from Leesburg Pike Outlets, then I've been here. The service was very friendly, the food was pretty good! The contents of the bread basket that come out at the beginning are toasty, soft, and hot. The highlight of the entire meal here was the chicken tenders. Yes. Chicken tenders. The best I have ever tasted. The batter they use has herbs in it, and fries up nice and light. The chicken itself is incredibly tender. If I ever go back, it will be for the chicken tenders.

    (3)
  • Tee G.

    Sweetwater is probably one of the best restaurants Sterling has to offer, and it's definitely my go-to place to enjoy drinks at the outdoor bar and for it's great food. The Bar -- The bartenders are always, always super friendly, whether you're a regular or not. The atmosphere is casual at the bar or in the restaurant; I'm not too thrilled about whole old time western theme, and they can improve on the music at the bar, but that's just a minor thing. Just note, it can get crowded on evenings, especially when the weather is awesome.There are no happy hour specials -- because they know people flood this place w/o having to offer any discounts. Yea, they're that good. It would be nice if they had more bar food appetizer options. Sometimes you just want to have a few drinks and have something shareable to munch on w/ the group, which just leaves you w/ the Spinach and Artichoke Dip option. They have their own brewery offering 5 or 6 different ales a day. I always drink their Naked Light or their Pumpkin Ale when it's in season. I've heard from other people their other beers are pretty good. If you really like them, you can buy jugs, or growlers as they call 'em, to take home w/ you. Food -- well, I haven't tried anything bad yet. From the warm, yummy, freshly made ozzie rolls (like mini doughnuts w/o the sugary glaze) to the juicy, oh SO tasty drunken ribeye to the fall-off-the-bone tender spareribs, or the well-seasoned sauteed chicken or the mildly spicy jambalaya pasta... Oh, goodness! The list goes on... GOOD stuff. My only criticism for the food -- they can lighten up on the Caesar Salad dressing, it's kinda swimming in dressing (though the salad is tasty as well!); and something happened to their Sweet Potato Fries. I used to LOVE it, but over the past few months when I've ordered 'em, it has this weird after-taste, like cleaning spray got on 'em or something. I've stuck to their thin string fries since. Sweetwater is part of a small chain of "The Great American Restaurants", and I've been to a few of them -- Jackson's in Reston, Coastal Flats in Fairfax and Tyson's, Sweetwater in Chantilly. I don't know how they do it, but the food has been consistently good at all their restaurants. I would advise call ahead seating, especially on Fri, Sat nights.

    (5)
  • Scott L.

    The food and service are both good at Sweetwater Tavern. I've been here a few times and the food is consistent and they are always good about letting me choose to switch sides to steamed veggies. The seasonal beers are good, but they've never had this Chipotle one mentioned one the menu when I've been there.

    (4)
  • Paul W.

    This place is awesome. The beer is always at least good and frequently approaching great. They rotate beers so there is always something new to try. Oh, and the food is good too. I can't give 5 stars, because they do make the occasional mistake and while the food is really good, it doesn't quite get into the amazing category. For the price, though, it is hard to do better. It is well-managed, the waitstaff is on top of things, and the bartenders rock. And, in the rare cases where they make a mistake, they always make up for it.

    (4)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Sweet Water Tavern

Share with your social network

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.