Thirteen craft beers on tap, friendly service, a gastropub menu and a modern-industrial vibe in a historic setting are what you’ll find at MyGrain Brewing Company, Joliet’s first of two new breweries.
Since opening in September on the first floor of the historic Union Station in downtown Joliet, MyGrain has become a hot spot on Friday and Saturday nights and before concerts at nearby venues.
“People are making us a destination and coming in before shows at the Rialto (Square Theatre) or The Forge,” co-owner Vince Turrise said. “The past few weekends the wait has been up to an hour, but we’re still trying to capture that lunchtime crowd.”
The menu has vegetarian and gluten-free options and ranges from fresh takes on tacos, burgers and fish to duck poutine with Fresno chilis, octopus with baby bok choy and charcuterie with fig jam.
On the menu: “We try to incorporate beer anywhere we can,” he said.
City of Stone Saison is infused into meatballs for flatbread ($10.95) and used in the mussels and clams ($13.95). Homemade porter barbecue sauce is one of five options for chicken wings brined with orange and star anise ($8.95). Stateville Stout cheese sauce is served with a large warm, soft Bavarian pretzel ($7.95). Stouts are even incorporated into bread pudding and tiramisu while beignets and fruit cobbler are alcohol-free desserts.
Top sellers include the burgers, a blend of Angus, brisket and chuck ($9.95 to $13.95), chicken schnitzel sandwich ($9.95) and the taco trio with choice of skirt steak, tilapia and chipotle chicken ($8.95 to $12.95).
The 10-ounce ribeye with shoestring fries ($24.95) “is selling better than we’d thought,” Turrise said.
The one-page menu also includes French onion soup, roasted beet and arugula salad, grilled Faroe Island salmon, rainbow trout with roasted apple puree, roasted herb Airline chicken and Brussels sprouts with pork belly.
Craft Beers & Cocktails: Brews are $6 and up. Stateville Stout is available to go in four-pack cans, with Pilcher’s Pale Ale to be canned next. All beers are available to go in 32-ounce crowlers ($11 to $13).
“People are really liking the sweet of our Wheel in the Sky IPA with Guava” named for folks who watch trains, Turrise said.
Cocktails ($9) include a mule with spiced blueberries, a Manhattan with chocolate bitters and a margarita topped with Saison.
About the owners: Turrise was a personal trainer in Chicago homebrewing with his two cousins. Business partner Greg Lesiak was a suburban business owner who hired Turrise as a trainer. Executive chef Josue Baronas previously worked at the upscale Amber Café in Westmont.
Décor: Wood and tones of black and gray adorn an open floor plan. Large tables with benches are located near the brewery system visible behind glass, and stools surround the centrally located bar. The ceiling has exposed painted ductwork and even the bathroom tile and sinks are funky.
Union Station was built in 1912 with locally quarried limestone.
In the summer, a patio accessible via a decorative garage door will host local bands.
Upstairs in the Grand Ballroom of Union Station, banquets are operated by Mistwood Golf Club.
Logistics: Located at 50 E. Jefferson St. in Joliet’s historic Union Station, MyGrain is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, until 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Parking is available on street or in two commuter lots ($1 for the day, free after 5 p.m.) or BMO Harris lots; 815-345-3339; www.mygrainbrewing.com.
Extra: Bingo from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays; Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday with half-priced appetizers and a select beer; T-shirts and glassware for sale.
Etc.: About a half-mile to the northeast of MyGrain is Joliet’s second brewery, Elder Brewing Co., which opened Nov. 10 at 218 E. Cass St.
Vickie Snow Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
