Merna Bar & Grill

If you’re in Bloomington/​Normal and tied of all the chain restaurants in town, take Fort Jesse to the East and you’ll hit a tiny town called Merna. The Merna Tap is the only watering hole in town and well worth the drive. You can get a fantastic burger seasoned with Lawrys and other traditional American pub fare (chicken tenders, wings, chicken sandwiches, etc.). I was impressed that a place this small had Woodchuck cider. A local came in and sat at the bar next to me, and the waitress had his favorite beer on the bar before he even sat down. She greeted him by name. Interactions like this are what makes the Merna Tap worth a visit. They have plenty of big screens for sports people, and are great for groups of up to about 10. I’m going to plan to come back the next time I’m in town. Hubby said the buffalo chicken wings were standard wings, just like you would expect. Not too hot, and tasted like Franks’s Red Hot (a good mix of spice and sweet).

Cheeseburgers are the main attraction for me as they always have a 4.99 cheeseburger and fries special for lunch. Different food specials everyday reasonably priced not many other places you can get chicken livers and gizzards on special. Not that I like them but have friends who do. Won’t find any craft beers on tap here but low priced domestics make it a great watering hole for happy hour or Sunday football. Larry the proprietor is a really friendly guy who makes you feel welcome.

Great atmosphere. Local, friendly and great food. Yes, the food is standard for a dive bar but the burgers and fries are great and the vibe is cool. My only complaint is that there’s no option to use a credit card so you have to remember to bring cash or use the ATM at a cost of $ 3.50, but that is the kind of place you expect to encounter in rural Illinois. This place is way better than most run of the mill, small town local bars.

Local bar with a great atmosphere.

I’ve never eaten there but I often stop with a large group of cyclists and we always get great service for drinks.

Great bar, great burgers and daily specials. My favorite is the Merna Combine (grilled chicken breast, bacon, bbq sauce, on bun).

Pretty far out there but takes just about as long to drive to as anywhere in town just without the traffic lights.
Only been here once and had the burger. Tasted pretty similar to what I grill at home. Well seasoned and still pretty juicy. I would give the food 4 stars but had to knock it down a little for the location and the much needed update/​repairs.
I have only tried this as a lunch spot and in no way am rating it as a dive bar. I’m sure it has great prices and is exactly what I would be looking for if that were my sort of way to spend a Saturday night, but alas; I am 30 something with 3 kids and choose to spend my time and money on food and family.

Cheap but fairly well seasoned and tasty burger and fries. Staff was friendly. I go here for lunch on once a month or so. Always have a good meal. If you go in the winter, bring your coat inside. It’s freezing!

A nice drive into the «country» with nothing else around it. They have typical bar food that’s ok but the drink prices are cheap. Bud products and Rolling Rock were only $ 2.50 on a Saturday! They have bands on the weekend sometimes.

Dive bar is an apt description for this place. It’s homey, comfy and cheap. Bottled beer — no draft selection. The food is greasy but decent. They have live bands from time to time also.
It’s only a few miles outside of B/​N. Head straight east on Ft. Jesse Rd and you’ll run right into it. It’s a nice drive on a nice day.

They make a pretty good burger as well as other sandwiches. Is it just me or is it cool to walk into an old small town tavern to hang out? You can’t beat the prices.