Thriving Thistle Market, Bistro & Wellness Center

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  TB
2 months ago
Restaurant has potential but had to leave due to rude local staff and overpricing. After a long drive from the city, I stumbled upon this place. It seems like it is meant to be a health-oriented restaurant and wellness center. However, the music while nice was too loud, and thus not soothing. Immediate upon entering I was asked whether I would dine in or out without having an opportunity to even look at the menu. I stopped in the restroom and afterward again was aggressively asked what to order without having an opportunity to look at the menu. The menu has soda pop and many sugary drinks which is not what I expect at a wellness center and cafe. Salads looked like they would be good, but extremely overpriced for this area at $23-24. Far more expensive than city prices, although some of the ingredients should be very accessible for cheaper rurally. Had to set limits with staff multiple times to say I need time to look and rest for a few minutes before ordering. Didn t feel like the young ladies who work here have manners or training how to treat people who would normally seek out a spa-type business. While I would have far preferred to dine here, wound up leaving to find a local saloon, where I was quickly welcomed and treated better and accommodated.

  Victoria Johnson
a month ago
My family and I were on our way down stagecoach trail toward home, and stopped to use the restroom and get coffee. At first we were disappointed because the bistro side was closed (because it was Tuesday) but they still made us coffees! They were super friendly and the coffee was delicious. Thank you!!!

  Sarah Peterson
9 months ago
Hands down thee best gas station I have ever experienced. Whoever came up with this location and details is a genius. The gas station actually the store, had cute clothes, hats, local made goods, SNACKS I ve never seen before almost hard to find ones. *see attached photo*Restaurant area the food looked healthy and delicious, didn t get the chance to try.The downstairs gym & theraputic area was top notch. Had sauna, floating tanks, full gym, chiropractic area, and more.My boyfriend and I plan to take a weekend getaway out here in the future influenced by this location.

  Zoe Zeien
2 months ago
Love the space, love the people, love the energy! Love everything!! Inspiring!!! Also Dr. Emily and Dr. Jess are the bestttt hehe. Happy to receive what lead them to the Midwest And Dr. Liz lead such an amazing yin yoga that I will definitely be back for. Grateful to have this new place in my heart.

  Mathew Rogers
5 months ago
Wow, words can t describe the love I have for Thriving Thistle and the love that I ve felt from everyone there. Between the wellness center, the restaurant, and the exceptional gas station, it s all so wonderful to have in this community.Personally, the Thistle had profound affects on my recovery from lower back pain. I spent 10 months and thousands of dollars on an exhaustive search for the issue, before I arrived to Thistle. Within days, I was feeling better than I had in nearly a year. I partook in as much as I could yoga classes, group classes, float tank (!!!), massage therapy, qigong, sauna, adjustments , eating healthy, sharing the positive energy, etc. I believe it all had a compounding effect.I would travel far and wide for a place like the Thistle; places like this are not common today. <3

  Kathy W
4 years ago
Stopped in on a recommendation from a friend. It did not disappoint!Such a great place in a smaller community.Special of the night was a Baked Seafood Alfredo. It was soooo good, generous amount of shrimp, scallops, and crab, with a cheesy mozzarella like top. It was stringy and cheesy goodness on top. The alfredo taste wasn't too much butter or garlic, tasted really good, and I'm always a fan since it's tend to be very heavy.Served with parmesan garlic bread.Soda was served with metal straws, I understand why and that's a good thing, but just not my thing.Service was very friendly.We will be going back, it's def worth the drive!

  Jennifer Vandigo
5 months ago
The Thriving Thistle is such a great place in our community! The people, services, classes and food are wonderful and needed! It is a place of health, healing, connection and fun!!

  Melissa Bowder
8 months ago
Wonderful! Best sweet potato fries I've had! Yum yum. Great menu & atmosphere. Crispy chicken sandwich not my favorite.

  Lisa Miller
a year ago
Good menu. Healthy options. Attentive waitress. Takes quite awhile to get food. It's good when it comes. Nice gift type items available at gas station which is connected to restaurants. Spa type services available on site. Pretty amazing find in little rural Apple River

  David Arosen
3 years ago
Great food and customer service. The steak sandwich was delicious and high quality. The blueberry pie was amazing!

  Jasmina Mateja
a year ago
Breakfast was a bust three of us came in for a hearty meal and got burnt toast, raw hash brown, no avocado when asked twice, no straws, forgotten pancake when it did show up it was white, my skillet was on a plate and had over easy eggs which was not at all what I wanted but since I wasn t asked they just assumed those would suffice. Our friend didn t get his meal until we asked for it about 20 min into our meal. When it did show it was cold at that point he said I don t care I m not coming back!I visited the storefront and was met by a rude gentleman when I asked him to talk to our waitress about a roll we needed at the table for breakfast he did everything but! When he rang up my bill he added the roll I told him I wasn t buying it and he insisted I did explained to him that I was NOT paying for it! He didn t listen and neither did our waitress.And we were the ONLY people in the restaurant having breakfast so no excuse for it at all.We won t be visiting anytime soon as we all agreed.

  Brian Wulff
a year ago
Good food and fun service. Jason is excellent on the grill. Great options for vegetarian / vegan / gluten free. Love the atmosphere. Go for the sauteed spinach!

  kelly pfeiffer
a year ago
The staff is very welcoming. The yoga class was a wonderful way to start the day. I love the Chai tea. I also bought a Christmas present for someone from the shop.

  Ken Witz
a year ago
The Thriving Thistle is a cozy cafe/restaurant. The sandwiches are very good and they have fresh deserts. The inside is very nice and there is a wellness center also. There is also outside seating and pets are allowed. Really friendly people but service is a little slower so be patient.

  Jill Takosky
4 years ago
They delivered sandwiches, snacks, and drinks to our wedding venue and set up at the house that we were getting ready at. Geoff was great to work with and everything was set up and ready for us when we arrived. All of our wedding party loved the sandwiches, they were the perfect amount of fuel we needed to get us through until the reception. Highly recommend!

  Josh Libby
6 years ago
Just had some lunch here. Didn't have high expectations but the staff is amazing so I thought I would give the special a shot. My word am I glad I did! Pulled pork tacos with slaw topped, fresh tomato's, and cilantro all on white corn tortillas. It was amazing!

  Evie's dance class evie
5 years ago
Delicious! Almost ordered a salad after seeing someone eating a gorgeous one! But came for the sandwiches, so stuck to plan. Doris Q, you were absolutely delicious! Turkey Club, BLT and Grilled Cheese were all topnotch. Will be making the drive frequently!

  stephanie neighbor
11 months ago
The class was perfect with excellent instruction & Everyone (including the other students) were so welcoming!It's a hidden gem and I will be back!

  Ann Haag
6 years ago
Gas just when I needed it! Plus, what a refreshing surprise to find wonderful fresh food available! I had the Dr. Liz salad and highly recommend it!! Nice indoor and outdoor door seating available. Clean, neat, friendly!

  Dustin Allendorf
5 years ago
Great food! Friendly employees who are ready to help you any way they can. It s a whole lot more then just a gas station. You can eat fresh/ heathy meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And they deliver pizza! Just what Apple River needed.

  stuartwogs
7 months ago
Delicious raspberry scone! One of the best I have had. Moist and delicious!

  Shannon Polly
2 years ago
Damon has made a huge difference in my physical health and overall wellbeing. Every session we have I'm reconnecting with my body and staying aware of the signals it is sending me. These appointments are my commitment to self care, and I'm learning mindfulness skills. This is more than a great massage for me. It's energy awareness, pain management, and relaxation with recovery.

  Blaire Hines
a year ago
Asked for nachos with no olives, had an entire cans worth of black olives hiding under a disturbing slathering of cheese paste that covered the entire five inch high mound of taco salad that had been piled on Doritos? I m disturbed.

  Tracy Downs
2 years ago
Damon s massage was fantastic and his education on breathing techniques to help release tension is something I ve since been working on. Great facility, friendly staff and love that he s available on Saturdays. It is hard to find a massage on the weekend!

  penny morrison
a year ago
I felt so bad for the staff, when we went for lunch they were so busy, but they sure kept up! Food was fresh and delicious.

  Amy Mags
5 years ago
This convenience store, cafe, and gas station is a true oasis. It's also my favorite place to eat in a 20-mile radius. Plus the bathrooms are big and clean.

  Erica Ripp
2 years ago
Always excellent service and always very clean! Shelves are well stocked they carry a nice variety for a small town. I look forward to stopping in!

  Leslie Stiefel
5 years ago
Absolutely wonderful gas station with amazing drinks, food, and friendly staff! Highly recommend! I drive out of my way to go there!

  Jeanette Miller
2 years ago
Food was so good! Such a gem

  Jeff Melton
4 years ago
Unbelievable/unexpected treat! Food was so fresh and service was exceptional. Lola was so sweet and helpful. 9 minutes from the lake.