The Firehouse Bar & Grill

My husband of 20 years recently passed away. November 8th is our anniversary. Tonight, I needed a drink. Someone was kind enough to offer, and after driving 20 mins out of Jefferson county, we stumbled into this friendly looking place. I do my best to be as transparent as possible, and for some odd reason expect others to fall in line...lol. Well, I didn't catch her name, or vibe, but the woman working the bar in the evening hours of 11.8.2023 around 7pm is 1 or all of 3 things: 1. She Hates her job. 2. Is envious or threatened by someone better looking than her. Or.... 3. She is a racist. "Not the race card again," one would whisper. Considering I was the only black girl in the room, and getting stared down by almost everyone, I didn't think my interpretation of her mistreatment was far from the obvious. She was submissive, short, rude, disengaged, and uninterested. Other customers at the bar had to remind her to ask basic questions that would boost a customer's experience while meeting their needs. Sadly enough I've seen and experienced far too many and just chuckled. She may be "it" for her team, but she showed zero class or hospitality this night. I've been in customer service since I was 7yrs old because as foreigners, we are expected to learn and help our families at a young age. Your customers should not have to teach you basic manners or how to act. But what we don't learn at home, the streets force us to. Human decency is one of those. I'll see her again. But she may not even recognize me. Which makes all of this comical and tragic at the same time. It's no big deal I'm sure. But I can't imagine what goes on in a mind like that.

While visiting Illinois we were told to come here for lunch. We were greeted right away and made aware that though they were very short staffed they were happy to have us. We were a party of 9 and sat right away. Our server was very sweet, patient (as we had 4 littles with us) and knowledgeable about the menu. We had drinks and apps very quickly and the littles had crayons and coloring pages. The food was delicious, very nice portion sizes, and fairly priced. Definitely recommend a stop here.