The Brown Bag Bistro Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to The Brown Bag Bistro, a delightful eatery nestled in the heart of Alton, Illinois. This cozy spot specializes in a vibrant menu that features scrumptious salads, mouthwatering sandwiches, and delectable desserts. The local favorite offers a unique twist on classic dishes, like their renowned Italian beef and heavenly chicken salad on a croissant, both praised for their bold flavors and generous portions.
The atmosphere here is inviting and casual, perfect for families and groups. Enjoy outdoor seating on a lovely day or take advantage of their quick takeout and delivery options. Vegan selections and a variety of beverages, including beer and wine, ensure everyone finds something they love. Customers rave about the friendly service and the thoughtful touches that make dining at The Brown Bag Bistro a memorable experience. Don’t forget to try their specials and exceptional charcuterie boards on your visit!
BISTRO BEGINNINGS
Pretzels And Dip
Four jumbo, soft pretzel sticks served warm with beer cheese and honey mustard
Cheesy Garlic Bread
A special blend of cheeses melted to golden perfection and served with marinara sauce
8 Garlic Chicken Naan Flatbread
A creamy garlic white sauce topped with seasoned chicken breast strips, shredded provolone cheese, and caramelized red onions
8 Creole Chicken Naan Flatbread
Our special creole sauce topped with seasoned chicken breast strips, shredded provolone cheese, and caramelized red onions
Margherita
Marinara sauce topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil
Charcuterie Tray
Our meat and cheese tray is beautifully presented with a generous assortment of hard salami, coppa, provolone, sharp cheddar, red grapes, Naan bread dippers, and sauce for dipping
Spinach Artichoke Dip
A hot, cheesy favorite served with Naan bread dippers
Cup Of French Onion
This classic soup is loaded with flavor and full of onions, then topped with melted Gruyere Swiss on toasted artisan bread. 8 ounces.
Bowl Of French Onion
This classic soup is loaded with flavor and full of onions, then topped with melted Gruyere Swiss on toasted artisan bread. 12 ounces.
Cup Of Crab Bisque
A creamy, roasted red pepperbased seafood bisque, topped with freshly shaved Parmesan, green onion, and cracked black pepper. 8 ounces.
Bowl Of Crab Bisque
A creamy, roasted red pepperbased seafood bisque, topped with freshly shaved Parmesan, green onion, and cracked black pepper. 12 ounces.
Cup Of Loaded Baked Potato
This hearty soup is loaded with chunks of potatoes, then loaded with bacon, green onions, and shredded cheddar on top. 8 ounces.
Bowl Of Loaded Baked Potato
This hearty soup is loaded with chunks of potatoes, then loaded with bacon, green onions, and shredded cheddar on top. 12 ounces.
SOUPS
SALADS
House Salad
Green leaf lettuce, grated Parmesan cheese, thinly sliced red onion, pimentos, and crushed croutons with our house dressing. May add grilled chicken if desired.
Artisan Salad
A mix of fresh greens, red onion, dried cherries, sunflower seeds, feta cheese, and a sweet Italian vinaigrette. May add grilled chicken for an upcharge if desired.
Spinach Salad
Baby spinach leaves, red onion, sliced fresh mushrooms, crumbled bacon, egg, and feta crumbles served with our house spinach salad dressing. May add grilled chicken for an upcharge if desired.
BLT Salad
Green leaf lettuce, crumbled bacon, plump cherry tomatoes, green onion, shredded cheddar, and croutons with creamy ranch dressing. May add grilled chicken for an upcharge if desired.
Coleslaw
Pasta Salad
An Italian Pasta Salad with black olives, feta, and small peppers
Side Salad
Green leaf lettuce, red onion, grated Parmesan cheese, and crushed croutons. Served with your choice of dressing.
Chips
Kettle chips with cracked black pepper
SIDES
SANDWICHES
The Adamo
Our Italian Sub with Salami, Ham, Pepperoni, Provolone, shredded lettuce, tomato, red onion, our house vinaigrette house dressing served on Parisian Bread. Served hot or cold Recommended Hot. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Sammy Roo Reuben
Sliced corned beer, Gruyere Swiss, and sauerkraut mix with special house Reuben sauce served with on grilled marble rye bread. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Rosie Roo
Sammys Mrs., the turkey Reuben, with sliced turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, coleslaw mix with special house Reuben sauce sauced served on marble rye bread. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Bistro Club
Sliced turkey and ham, provolone sharp cheddar cheeses, bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and our house cranberry aioli served on a ciabatta sandwich roll. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Italian Beef
Our zesty Italian beef is made with pepperoncinis and served hot on our special Dutch Crunch roll, toasted with melted provolone cheese. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Chicken Salad
This house recipe artisan chicken salad is served with lettuce on a large, buttery croissant. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Grilled Chicken Breast
Seasoned, grilled chicken breast, fresh tomato and lettuce, spreadable brie, red onion, and honey mustard served on a grille ciabatta sandwich roll. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
The Stuffed Sicilian
Weve taken our familys traditional Buffalo mozzarellastuffed meatball recipe, and put a new twist on it. Our loafshaped, cheesestuffed meatballs are served on buttery garlic Texas Toast with melted provolone. Served with a side of marinara. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
The New Yorker
This everything bagel is served grilled, with a choice of either a hot or cold milehigh pile of thinly sliced roast beef, melted provolone, red onion, and our housemade creamy horseradish. Served with a side of au jus. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Veggie
A fresh Mediterranean sandwich loaded with grilled vegetables including red yellow peppers, red onion, zucchini, mushrooms, and baby spinach served on warm Naan bread with feta crumbles. Your choice of red pepper hummus or creole sauce for the dressing. Comes with chips or coleslaw.
Cheesecake
Our classic cheesecake slice is served with a sweet cherry topping and fresh whipped cream
Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Stack
This decadent dessert is layered with a creamy peanut butter filling and dense chocolate cake layers covered in a caramel ganache and peanut topping
Summer Berry
Lemon flavored cake with a cool key lime tart, white chocolate cheese and a bright blend of berries
Dainty Delights
Our dessert platter offers 5 mini samples of our house sweets. Desserts vary based on availability.