Grand Cafe

We dined in. We are happy to have the option to dine there now with friends. The food was excellent, as always. The waitress was very busy and was hard to flag down, but she very nice though. We ordered two egg rolls to go,l after our dinner, but they only gave us one. I tried to call to speak to a live person the next day after the error occurred, but the line disconnected. There was no phone option to actually speak to anyone directly after the AI voice transferred me. I had asked for Customer Service. Very frustrating. Hopefully, they will fix their AI phone answering service and I'd still like that 2nd egg roll. We understand things happen, but just frustrating to not be able to reach someone directly. Yes, we will be back.

They are trying hard to keep the Grand Cafe alive, but for those of us long time Grand Cafe fans, it just is not the same. So go with an open mind and remember...it is not the "old" Grand Cafe you may have fond memories of. They also might want to consider going back to the traditional chinese food carry out containers instead of the styrofoam ones. We have gone four times in the past year, will continue to keep an open mind.

Went for lunch. The food was great! The entrees are large enough that they can easily be split between 2 people... and we still had leftovers! Although the food was great, the service was just, ok; we had to wait longer than average for our waitress to get us menus, bring our food, check on us, refill drinks, bring us our check, etc. Nothing was very prompt. It really wasn't busy when we were there (late lunch), so not sure why there was such a delay, but was a bit frustrating.

The meal was good. I did think the egg roll was not as good as I remember. I hadn't been there to eat in over a year. My 3 friends and I waited to be seated even though we were early for dinnertime and the dining room was nearly empty. I enjoyed Shrimp with lobster sauce. It could have had a bit less salt. Our server was pleasant and attentive to our needs.

One of my favorite restaurants in Bloomington Normal! They reopened the place with in the back recently. It’s spacious and nicely decorated in red accents. The food variety is a mix of Cantonese Chinese, Filipino plus ramen. A small variety of local brewery beers. 5/5 food quality at very reasonable prices. This place always lifts me up after a long day!

Went to check out their newly remodeled dining room and it was great! Love the higher booths and the decor with the vibrant red. Egg rolls were good as usual but the chicken fried rice was the 5-star standout dish among everything we ordered. One of the best I've had anywhere. Asked for the hot Sichuan chili oil on the side and it added even more flavor to all the dishes. Felt a little bit rushed towards the end with our waitress wanting my credit card even before we were done putting our to-go boxes together, but we did get attentive service from her overall.

I have been a Customer of the Grand Cafe for many Years... going back to the early 1980's when it was located just West of the Scottish Rite Consistory in Bloomington. Although no longer located there, the Spirit continues at it's current location in the Oakland Commons. Much has changed, but the Grand Cafe is yet a Mysterious and Magical place... still as it was before! I hope that you partake of the Fine Food and the Spirit of the Grand Cafe... ... and You never know, maybe one day I might see You there, too! Bruno Biava ⚓