Hardware - Aurora

We decided to have lunch at this restaurant on a whim and tried the vegan sandwiches. They were tasty and served promptly, but there was some initial confusion... read more We decided to have lunch at this restaurant on a whim and tried the vegan sandwiches. They were tasty and served promptly, but there was some initial confusion regarding whether they were truly vegan. Overall, it was an okay experience - nothing extraordinary, but the food was perfectly edible.

If you find yourself dining at Hardware with a group, there are options for vegans. The quinoa salad is vegan, just make sure to ask for no onion if you don't l... read more If you find yourself dining at Hardware with a group, there are options for vegans. The quinoa salad is vegan, just make sure to ask for no onion if you don't like large pieces of red onion. They also offer a vegan risotto that may remind locals of the flavor and texture of MannaPack from Feed My Starving Children, with added mushrooms and sliced carrots. While the flavor is good, it can become repetitive after a few bites. Unfortunately, there is no vegan dessert available, which is disappointing. It would be more inclusive to offer a vegan dessert that everyone could enjoy.

I’ve always enjoyed this restaurant, especially on warm days. The food is consistently good and incredibly tasty. I appreciate the outdoor seating and the overa... read more I’ve always enjoyed this restaurant, especially on warm days. The food is consistently good and incredibly tasty. I appreciate the outdoor seating and the overall sustainable atmosphere. I even had the opportunity to take a little tour and was impressed by how clean it is and their resourcefulness in utilizing everything around them. They have a brewery in the back where you can observe the beer-making process. My waitress mentioned I could request a beer sample, but since I don't drink alcohol, I opted for a non-alcoholic fig and rosemary drink, which was absolutely delicious. I was even more amazed when my waitress told me that the figs come from their small garden in front of the restaurant—how cool is that? The food prices are reasonable, although they’re a bit on the higher side. I noticed that portion sizes seem smaller than they were before the pandemic. While this may not be my first choice for dining, as it has a somewhat secluded feel, I would love to visit this restaurant a couple of times each summer.

The teriyaki bacon was incredible—definitely a must-try if you even slightly like bacon. Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended d... read more The teriyaki bacon was incredible—definitely a must-try if you even slightly like bacon. Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dish: Short Rib Pot Pie.

Great dining experience overall! The food is quite tasty, but I do think there's some inconsistency. The first time I ordered their fried rice, it was fantastic... read more Great dining experience overall! The food is quite tasty, but I do think there's some inconsistency. The first time I ordered their fried rice, it was fantastic, but the second time it didn't have the same flavor. The same goes for their ho ho, which is usually a favorite of mine! One time, however, the cream filling had a lumpy, curdled texture that was disappointing compared to my previous experiences. I definitely recommend trying out Hardware, but I hope they maintain high standards and focus on consistency. Regular customers definitely notice these details!