The Gallatin Street Grille: A Restaurant for Everyone

By
Kahre Hiles
-
Salted Caramel Pie. Photo by Allison Perry.

Written by Allison Perry. Media by Kelsey Middleton.

Gallatin Street Grille. Source: Menupix

The quality of a restaurant depends not only the quality of the food but the quality of the service and hospitality as well. In Vandalia, Illinois, at the Gallatin Street Grille the food and service are top-notch and everyone–from couples celebrating anniversaries, teens eating out before prom, and families looking for a nice place to spend time together over good food–is welcome.

 The Gallatin Street Grille, located at 524 West Gallatin Street in Vandalia, Illinois has been open since 1996 and has always been locally owned. The current owner, Angie Rhodes, worked there under the original owner, Ken Williams, from 2003 to 2005, until she found a job as a manager at a different restaurant. In 2011, that restaurant gained new ownership and Rhodes found herself working in a furniture store. Shortly after, Williams approached her and asked her to purchase the Gallatin Street Grille. Finally, after many years of Williams asking her to do this, she said yes.
[divide]
It makes perfect sense that Williams wanted Rhodes to take over the Gallatin Street Grille. Because she had worked there in previous years, she knew what the restaurant needed in order to thrive, whether that meant keeping certain things the same or changing certain things up.
Beef Medallions. Photo by Allison Perry.

[divide]The beef medallions are one thing Rhodes kept at the Grille, along with most other dishes Williams offered on the original menu, such as pasta, ribs, and a variety of poultry dishes. Rhodes explains, “The beef medallions are by far our signature dish and our best seller.” It is no surprise that this dish is the best seller. A filet of beef, chargrilled to the temperature requested by customers, sliced into thin strips, and topped with a creamy house-made cognac sauce, the beef medallions melt in your mouth and are so tender they don’t even require a steak knife to be cut.

Another staple at the Gallatin Street Grille is the flower pot bread. People who pass through while traveling often mention the delicious bread in their reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor. The sweet bread, designed to rise and be baked in small clay flowerpots, is served warm with honey butter as a complimentary appetizer to each table, offering diners a unique experience.  
Flower Pot Bread. Photo by Allison Perry.

[divide]

One change that Rhodes made in order to see the success of the Gallatin Street Grille grow was opening for lunch hours. The lunch menu has a mixture of sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Because a lot of people who go in for lunch are only on a quick lunch break from work, Rhodes explains, “Lunch is geared to be quicker than dinner. You have to be able to get people in and out.” Being open for lunch is beneficial because it allows for customers to be able to enjoy a nice meal at a quicker pace than dinner and return to work on time.

At the Gallatin Street Grille, Rhodes makes it clear that pleasing the customers is a huge focus: “The customers are the backbone of our business…We want to go out of our way to satisfy them.” The Gallatin Street Grille offers an experience that will leave customers feeling stress-free. Whether it’s a large family gathering, a date, or even a business meeting, the Gallatin Street Grille is the perfect place to sit down, relax, and enjoy a delicious meal.
  [divide]
The Gallatin Street Grille is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and open for dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here