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The Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Company

About Us

Nestled in the historic small city of Ottawa, deep in the heart of beautiful Starved Rock Country, you’ll find one of Illinois’ most remarkable brewpubs, The Lone Buffalo. Ottawa is famous for its many historic murals and our restaurant derived its name from the one on our building, which shows the buffalo that once roamed the area, and which can still be found in nearby Starved Rock Park. But Ottawa is not only known for its beautiful outdoors. It is also a place where small town values meet progressive thinking. The Lone Buffalo restaurant is a great example of that.

This brewpub is remarkable in many ways: remarkable because of its rich and varied menu, taking familiar local favorites and giving them a chef-inspired twist. Remarkable because of the stunning decor, the highlight of which are the twin Bavarian copper brewing kettles. And above all, remarkable because it is here we brew Forty1 Eighty8, our unique ‘Farm to Foam’ ale, crafted from hops and barley grown right here on our farm nearby.

Areas Served

Ottawa, IL

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Craft Beer

Our Services include:

Reservations, Private Dining, Events, Brew Club Membership, Brewery Tours, Brewery on Premise, Physical and Digital Gift Cards, Reservations Available, Corporate Events, Weddings, Catering, Bachelor/Bachelorette, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers,
Parties,

Our Products include:

Starters, Soups and Salads, Burgers and Handhelds, Entrees, Desserts, Steaks, Kids Meals, Sides, Flatbreads, Drinks and Cocktails, German, English and American Style Craft Beers, Draft Beer,

Testimonials

On 1/6/2025 Pete DeQuarto had this to say:
To give my wife's review: "If I were on death row, the Salmon would be last meal" I had really good wings, liked the Carolina BBQ Sauce, and the beer was great, too! Try the Blood Orange Lager.

On 12/31/2024 Ralph Garcia had this to say:
There was a mix up with my order, but Diamond went above and beyond to make things right! Food was excellent! Thank you again!

On 12/29/2024 Becky Douglass had this to say:
Had a fantastic Saturday lunch in the tap room, and if I were local, I'd be a regular. Service was attentive, the 5 of us all loved the food, and the room was vibrant & comfortable. The Halfway to Nashville chicken sandwich is delish, and the loaded tots were a hit with the group.

On 12/26/2024 Abhishek A had this to say:
We came here on two occasions -- one for dinner and another for drinks and an appetizer. We both enjoyed our cocktails and food. The staff was wonderful, and the ambiance was nice. We were both pleasantly surprised that it was one of the first restaurants in a long while that didn't have loud music playing in the background (thank you!). My one minor misunderstanding appears to be what I vs. the brewery consider "seasoned" fries to mean. I thought it meant garlic, paprika, onion salt, or other herbs, whereas, The Lone Buffalo appears to believe it just means salt. Still, I'd come back!

On 12/20/2024 Elizabeth Miller had this to say:
Had the Halfway to Nashville crispy chicken sandwich with fries. I thought the Carolina BBQ sauce on it was delicious. It was a heavy meal, but they have other lighter options.

Contact Us

The Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Company
812 La Salle St Ottawa, IL 61350
Phone: (815) 324-9549

In Historic Downtown Ottawa, Near Starved Rock State Park

Where To Find Us

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Lunch brunch runs until 3pm
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Lunch brunch runs until 3pm

News

Join us at Tangled Roots to experience the exquisite creations of our talented chefs.

Indulge in our NEW Chef Features menu items which have been crafted with the finest ingredients and are sure to leave you craving more. From savory starters to delectable desserts, our chef features promise an unforgettable dining experience.

Come in and try our Local Chef Features TODAY*! Pictured from left to right:
Black Bean Tetela: Created by The Lone Buffalo's Chef Jordan, this dish features a blue corn tetela, stuffed with black beans, roasted poblano peppers, and queso Oaxaca. The masterpiece is then placed on top of cilantro lime crema and topped with cucumber salsa verde and citrus red cabbage slaw.
Branzino + Parmesan Rissotto: Created by Hangar Two's Chef Salvador, this pan seared branzino is on a bed of parmesan rissotto topped with pimento cream sauce and roasted tomato slaw.
Fried Cheesecake Chimichanga: Chef Manuel's delicious flour tortilla stuffed with vanilla cheesecake that is deep fried and topped with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of strawberry glaze.

*The Chef's Menu varies by location. Visit our website to see each location's Local Chef Feature's Menu offerings.

Reserve Your Table Today!

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Menu
Happy Hour Menu