The Great Debate

The Great Debate The Great Debate Bar & Restaurant At The Wagner House

Garlic bread was never supposed to stay simple forever.Our new Garlic Bread with Antipasto Compound Butter layers garlic...
05/21/2026

Garlic bread was never supposed to stay simple forever.

Our new Garlic Bread with Antipasto Compound Butter layers garlic confit butter, fresh mozzarella, crispy Genoa salami, and our house red sauce into something rich, salty, savory, and completely over the top in the best way.

It eats somewhere between garlic bread, pizza night, and an old-school antipasto plate.

And honestly…dragging that last piece through the red sauce might be the best part.

Some sandwiches are neat.
This is not one of them.

Our Birria French Dip is stacked with slow-cooked shredded brisket, smoked gouda, onions, and cilantro, then served with a rich consommé made for dipping every bite. House chips on the side because you’ll need something crunchy between dips.

A little smoky. A little messy. Exactly what it should be.

Rosé. Strawberry. Watermelon.This one drinks like the first real warm night of the season.Our Strawberry Watermelon Sang...
05/13/2026

Rosé. Strawberry. Watermelon.
This one drinks like the first real warm night of the season.

Our Strawberry Watermelon Sangria starts with rosé wine layered with bright watermelon and fresh strawberry notes, then finished with a Calvados-soaked orange garnish that brings just a little depth and orchard warmth to the glass.

Light. Fruit-forward. A little dangerous in the best way.

Perfect patio cocktail. Perfect excuse to stay for one more round.

Available now at The Great Debate

Happy Mother’s Day Alexa! Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful women who make life special!
05/09/2026

Happy Mother’s Day Alexa! Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful women who make life special!

Festival District Saturday is here in Freeport and WineFest is rolling downtown. 🍷☀️Make The Great Debate part of the da...
05/09/2026

Festival District Saturday is here in Freeport and WineFest is rolling downtown. 🍷☀️

Make The Great Debate part of the day with drink specials, live music, and a little afternoon funk.

🍓 $5 Strawberry Watermelon Sangria
🌶️ $6 Bloody Marys
🍷 $1 Rutherford Ranch Wine Tastings

🎶 Live Music
1:00 PM Mike’s Music Box
4:00 PM Migration bringing the funk

Good drinks. Good music. Good conversation.
That’s what a public house is all about.

This week’s features are here 🍔🔥We’ve got roast beef sliders stacked with caramelized onions and havarti, plus a PB&J Sm...
05/07/2026

This week’s features are here 🍔🔥

We’ve got roast beef sliders stacked with caramelized onions and havarti, plus a PB&J Smash Burger that’s equal parts bold and delicious.

Vacation in a glass brought back home✨Showcasing Brazilian pineapple Drumshando making a twist on a traditional French 7...
05/06/2026

Vacation in a glass brought back home✨
Showcasing Brazilian pineapple Drumshando making a twist on a traditional French 75! Bring a friend and enjoy one.. or two. 😉
Cheers!

Here’s the tightened version with that added:Restaurant Week is here — and we’re running it through May 2.Start with our...
04/24/2026

Here’s the tightened version with that added:

Restaurant Week is here — and we’re running it through May 2.

Start with our Matcha Steak Skewers — tenderloin bites in a soy-matcha marinade over jasmine rice with flaky matcha-infused salt.

Then go your way — split it or make it your own:

Thai Chicken Flatbread
or
BBQ Mac & Cheese

Fresh, made to order, and only here for a short run.
Catch it before May 2.

This week’s features are bringing the heat 🔥From BBQ mac loaded with pulled pork to a Thai chicken flatbread and matcha-...
04/23/2026

This week’s features are bringing the heat 🔥

From BBQ mac loaded with pulled pork to a Thai chicken flatbread and matcha-marinated steak skewers, this lineup doesn’t miss.

Limited time, while they last. What are you trying first?

ome things are just part of the place.Linda Childs has been with us nearly 10 years. While she’s stepped away from the f...
04/18/2026

ome things are just part of the place.

Linda Childs has been with us nearly 10 years. While she’s stepped away from the front of house, she’s still back where it matters—making desserts from scratch like she always has.

This week: Biscoff Cheesecake.

Same hands. Same standards

Lets’s be honest! Bread and butter should never be boring!PestoBlood Orange HoneyChorizoSweet, savory, a little heat.Pas...
04/17/2026

Lets’s be honest! Bread and butter should never be boring!

Pesto
Blood Orange Honey
Chorizo

Sweet, savory, a little heat.
Pass it around… or don’t.

Address

1 E Spring Street
Freeport, IL
61032

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 9pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 10pm
Saturday 11am - 9pm

Telephone

+18152324408

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Great Debate posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Club

Send a message to The Great Debate:

Share

Category