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Name: The Brown Bag Bistro
Telephone: (618) 433-9933

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The Brown Bag Bistro

About Us

Since 2018, The Brown Bag Bistro has been a beloved spot in Alton, IL, offering an exceptional American dining experience. With a menu that features a delightful variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, and irresistible desserts like cheesecake and ice cream, we cater to every taste. Our carefully chosen beer and wine selection enhances any meal, making us a favorite for a night out. Proudly serving Alton, Grafton, and the greater St. Louis area, we remain committed to providing exceptional food and inviting hospitality. Come join us for a delicious meal today!

Our Story

Co-owners and mother-daughter team Chris and Erin Velloff started Brown Bag Bistro together in 2018. Chris had a lifelong dream of opening her own restaurant and after her daughter, Erin, graduated college, they decided to take the risk together. Brown Bag Bistro has been providing their local community with delicious food and friendly service ever since!

We’re a family-owned and operated business that makes fresh and consistent sandwiches that are unlike any of our competitors! Our made-to-order sandwiches are completely unique, so stop by Brown Bag Bistro for a one-of-a-kind eating experience. Our menu also includes soups, salads, appetizers, and desserts like ice cream and cheesecake. We also have a beer and wine selection that makes us the best place in town for a night out!

We’re proud to say that our customer service is the best around because we treat all our patrons like family! In addition to great food, we also boast a fun and relaxing atmosphere, so you’re sure to have a good time whenever you visit Brown Bag Bistro!

Brown Bag Bistro provides carry out, catering, and a pickup window where customers can stop by and quickly pick up their food orders. Another thing that sets us apart from other restaurants is our Itty Bitty Brown Bag Bistro food display truck! This is the ultimate food display vehicle ideal for weddings, corporate events, baby showers, and more.

We’re looking forward to partnering with Alton, Grafton, Wood River, and the surrounding areas to continue offering delicious food and excellent customer service. For more information about our products and services, contact Brown Bag Bistro at (618) 433-9933 or stop by for a visit to learn more.

Areas Served

Our Professional Associations

Alton Main Street
Rivers and Routes
Riverbend Growth Association

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Specialty Sandwiches

Our Services include:

Pickup Window
Patio Dining
Live Music (Seasonal)
Catering

Our Products include:

Sandwiches
Soups
Chili
Salads
Appetizers
Desserts
Cheesecakes
Beer
Wine

Testimonials

On 6/23/2025 kmfj 4 had this to say:
One of the best sandwiches I've ever had definitely recommend!

On 6/8/2025 Kevin Warren had this to say:
These sandwiches are fresh, delicious and HUGE!!!

On 6/4/2025 Helen Buck had this to say:
Food is amazing. The ambience is nice. I will definitely be going again.

On 6/1/2025 Matt Angleton had this to say:
The bistro is the best lunch spot in the Alton area. Great owner, atmosphere and food. Highly recommend.

On 5/13/2025 Deb Heath had this to say:
We were driving through town on business and were blessed to be able to stop there both on the way and back. Very cute little cafe with excellent staff. I chose the chicken salad because I am a chicken salad freak and it is the best chicken salad I have ever had. I begged the cook to sell me the recipe so I could make it at home in Wisconsin but no luck. Just have to find a reason to drive 5 hours to get another fix. Great place!!!!

Contact Us

The Brown Bag Bistro
318 E Broadway Alton, IL 62002
Phone: (618) 433-9933
Email: brownbagbistro@yahoo.com

On Broadway Street, about 1/2 mile from The Argosy Casino and The Clark Bridge

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Debit Cards, Cash, Business Checks

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday: 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM

News

☀️ Summer’s here, and so is patio season at The Brown Bag Bistro! Kick back with a cold drink, enjoy live music, and dig into our signature soups and sandwiches. Whether you're catching up with friends or soaking in the sun solo, our patio is the place to be. 🎶🍹 Let the good vibes (and great bites) roll!

Customer Shoutout! 🚗💬
A huge thank you to one of our wonderful guests who made not one—but two—stops at The Brown Bag Bistro during their travels! We’re so glad our chicken salad hit the spot (even if we had to keep the recipe a secret 😉).
We love hearing your stories! If you’ve had a great experience with us, leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
#CustomerLove #BistroFavorites #ChickenSaladCravings #BrownBagBistro #ReviewUs #WorthTheDrive

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