Jeff Harrop, managing partner at the new Combine Grill in Davenport, is shown inside the restaurant. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
These are busy days for Jeff Harrop. On a hectic Wednesday afternoon last month at the new Combine Grill restaurant, Mr. Harrop was busy answering the phone, taking reservations, holding a meeting about work schedules and the many other big and small jobs of running a successful business. The busy day is a good sign […]
These are busy days for Jeff Harrop.On a hectic Wednesday afternoon last month at the new Combine Grill restaurant, Mr. Harrop was busy answering the phone, taking reservations, holding a meeting about work schedules and the many other big and small jobs of running a successful business.The busy day is a good sign for the Combine Grill, A Midwest Restaurant, located at 5266 Utica Ridge Road, Davenport, because it means more foodies are finding the business. The new 3,400-square-foot eatery, which opened for business in early February, is a sister to The Combine at 910 Bend Boulevard, East Moline.“The feedback has been positive,” said Mr. Harrop, the new restaurant’s managing partner. “It helps because we had an Iowa following for the East Moline restaurant … And there’s a lot going on here at the Utica Ridge corridor.”On this Wednesday afternoon, there was already a lot going on at the new Combine restaurant. At about 3:30 p.m., the business already had a nice crowd enjoying drinks and food.Mr. Harrop said he is pleased the Combine Grill is off to a good start crediting its good customer service and menu offerings.Some of the items on the menu include: Appetizers – Combine cold smoked chicken wings, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and cold smoked chicken nachos; Entrees – salmon, ribeye, cherry maple duck, cold smoked fried chicken, bison burger and the Combine burger.The foodie favorites, so far, seem to be the salmon, chicken and hamburgers. “These are really outstanding,” Mr. Harrop said, adding his favorite menu item is the fried chicken.In fact, the menu – especially the appetizers – is one of the features that differentiates the Combine Grill from its sister restaurant in East Moline. Mr. Harrop said the new business has an expanded appetizer menu.The restaurant’s menu might change in the future, but don’t expect any immediate changes. Mr. Harrop said the restaurant crew routinely reviews the menu to see what items are popular and what items do not get as many sales. But for the time being, he likes what is being offered in the 100-seat restaurant.Like most businesses these days, Combine Grill has been dealing with staffing issues as it seeks more employees. In late March, Mr. Harrop was looking for servers and kitchen staff.“I have a great staff, some very good workers. But they need a break. … Everybody seems to need more people,” he added.As for the future, he is looking forward to warmer weather so the Combine Grill can use its patio to seat customers.For more information, call (563) 900-4862
