Tucked away as Bloomington’s best-kept secret, Shantytown Bar & Grill is the city’s oldest bar, offering a nostalgic dive-bar experience with a laid-back vibe. Known for its legendary burgers and welcoming atmosphere, this local gem has been serving up great food and cold drinks for decades. Whether you’re a long-time regular or a first-time visitor, Shantytown is the perfect spot for those looking to unwind and enjoy a true Bloomington classic.
Shantytown Grill
1597 Google Reviews
Great little restaurant. The shantytown burger and spiced cake were both tasty. The cheese curds and tater tots were also done well. We had the daily special which was a chicken sandwich, sauce was lovely. Reasonable prices, would highly recommend!
This was our first time at Shantytown and we loved it. We both went no frills burger and I added bacon. We both agree it was one of the better burgers we’ve had in a long time. The staff is friendly and efficient and the atmosphere is awesome. Combine all that with the fair prices and you get one of the better values in the area. If you haven’t been here, do yourself a favor and stop in soon!
Great shanty burger and tater tots. I was asked how I wanted the burger and ordered it medium rare. Like many who order their burgers this way I’m accustomed to ending up with a medium well and just accept it. I actually heard one of the chefs comment that a burger was too done for medium rare and that it needed to be remade. I confirmed it was mine and enjoyed an excellent medium rare. In my many years of burger eating this may have happened in kitchens before without me realizing it but I am extremely appreciative in this case. Thank you! 🍔♥️
This place used to be a secret gem, no more because the word is out and it’s good. Great burgers, sandwiches and tots! (Get seasoned sour cream on the side, you’re welcome) The staff is always friendly and great. Go here and feel free to soak up the charm.
Really good place. I ordered the Shanty burger which had cheddar and Swiss cheese along with crispy bacon and guacamole. The overall burger was really great with the only lackluster component being the guacamole. This the kind of place where you get a bacon cheeseburger and it’s solid. Moreover, the service was outstanding. Our waiter was fun & quirky and made it a great experience. Despite it being a small place, the Christmas lights on the ceiling made it seem really homely. I would definitely come back.
I love this restaurant since it is like stepping into a small town beer and hamburger joint in the middle of the city. If you want a simple burger basket and a beer this is the place for you. I only gave it three stars because of its simplicity (i.e,. A three star hotel is still a three star hotel no matter how much you like it)
