My first time there I was out in the sun w/ no umbrella and couldn't appropriately assess the experience. The service is friendly and fast. The food was well prepared. We were meeting friends we hadn't seen in a while and spent 2 hours while the staff checked in periodically w/o pestering us. read more

This is one of the best restaurants in the area. I have never had a bad meal. The service is quick and the restaurant is very cute. I highly recommend this place. read more

We had a really great experience here yesterday evening & will be back! Such a cute little spot in Winnetka. We dined on the patio with our pup (yayyy for being dog-friendly) & our 2 year old who really seemed to enjoy the atmosphere as well. The food was really good quality & you can REALLY tell when restaurants put the effort in for quality. Our daughter had the kids Mac & cheese (3 cheese) & a side of fries. 10/10. I'm an adult and I would get it myself (it's NOT the cheap kind that comes out of a box like many restaurants unfortunately do). The fries were really tasty & flavorful as well. My husband got the lobster ravioli - also 10/10. Probably my favorite thing we had. Whatever dollop of green sauce was on top of each ravioli piece (I think it was pesto) topped off the flavor perfectly. I got the Bourbon BBQ Chicken Sandwich which I think I would rate a 7/10 because something in the flavor was missing for me, but I couldn't pinpoint what. Perhaps some extra sauce or something to add a little bit more boldness into it. It came with a side of fries, which I already mentioned were great & the portion was plentiful, so my husband was happy to share them too. Next time we come back I will either be getting the lobster ravioli or try something new. I think our server's name was Grace if I recall correctly & she was very sweet & made sure we had everything we needed. Gave lots of good menu recommendations, asked if our pup needed water, was kind to our daughter & had a good balance of checking on us. Overall first impression - GREAT & looking forward to coming back again! read more

This review is less about the food and more about the owner Mark Salmon. He has a beautiful restaurant on a quaint downtown Winnetka street. The great outdoors can be found there. His care and attention to a comedy of errors illustrates Mark's superior understanding of customer service. It was a complete and utter nightmare when Door Dash got involved. I won't go into the details other than to say, Mark was ruthlessly on top of the situation as soon as it reverberated in his e-drums. He sprung into action with immediate care and solutions for our trouble. He ended up making our dinner twice and personally seeing to it that our food was delivered to our door by one of his staff - a luxury many restauranteurs don't necessarily have these days, albeit the good ones probably do.. Tip of the cap to Grace. She was clutch. This was a first class and funny mix up. The interaction exhibited one man's high-level business savvy. FYI - I had the delicious roasted potatoes and the turkey club, sans pickle. The sandwich was good. My wife was pleased by her choice, the rich Carbonara. Ask for a side salad if that's your desire...it wasn't on the menu we saw. read more

501 Local - Delicious roasted potatoes!! - New American Near Me - Winnetka, Illinois

beautiful patio outside!! We stopped for drinks before dinner and both the Paloma and spiced pear cocktail were yummy. Very nice inside area as well with gorgeous clean bathrooms. read more

501 Local - patio is so pretty - New American Near Me - Winnetka, Illinois

Great drinks and vibes! Loved our waiter, was so knowledgeable of the menu! Would absolutely go again!

A great first time visit to this place with a beautiful outdoor patio for dining al fresco on the northshore. We started our dinner with the crab cakes & shrimp ceviche appetizers. Two great choices and not too filling before dinner. Moving on to dinner, I had the sea bass served with roasted veggies & fennel. The sea bass had a string of potato wrapped around the outside great presentation and dish. The rest of the party all had the tuna tataki which was a generous portion, sprinkled with sesame seeds. And finally dessert was delish & beautifully done! Flaky with fresh fruit. A hit for sure. The only thing that kept me from a 5 star review was the service was spotty. Our table had to ask for silverware & glasses on a couple of occasions. read more

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Absolutely love love loved the sticky date pudding! I would come back just for that. Also really liked my drink "carryover" refreshing and just the right amount of sweetness. Husband had the Paloma and he thought it was good but not particularly noteworthy. Also really liked the sides that came with the salmon. Lobster ravioli was good but a little too rich. Overall a good experience! read more

Always great food, drink, and ambience. Their outdoor dining, which allowed our small dog, is a perfect complement to their wonderful inside. Service is always great and the management team makes you feel special. I highly recommend taking advantage of their wonderful happy hour specials as well! read more

501 Local - Angus Burger; wife; Seared Salmon - New American Near Me - Winnetka, Illinois

Awful. The burger was awful, the salad was awful and everything was over priced. Place was packed, but think more people were enjoying being outside vs the quality of the food. The mock-tails were also totally bad. read more

Food was soooo good. Fresh and flavorful and suitable for a teen! Service was fantastic. Prompt and attentive. Everyone was nice. Loved the feel and vibe. read more

It was my first time in downtown Winnetka and 501 Local was amazing! Beautiful patio area, friendly staff, and delicious food! The presentation of the dishes were beautiful too. Food was excellent, service was outstanding. We ordered the portobello sandwich, among many other things, and they put cheese on it, and we ordered it without. Four minutes later a new freshly cooked sandwich comes out with fries. Everything was made to order! Staff was very attentive as well as their Manager, which made a tour around their place to check on their customers. I really had a great experience in this place! Can't wait to explore and try their new dishes, will definitely go back soon. read more

501 Local is a welcome addition to the Laundry-area businesses. It's often fairly busy, so you might end up having to sit at one of their "high tops" (I hate that)... but service is good, the selection is decent, and their outdoor patio, when weather allows, is very private and lovely. I've not been for dinner, yet. Only for lunch. They have a terrific French Onion Soup, and their Cobb salad, which oddly included corn, is tasty and filling. It could quickly become a favourite, for me. read more

Good vibes here. I went here on the last weekend of October when it was 70 degrees and sat outside. Really good service, the server was funny and really accommodating. Food is reasonably priced for the area and you leave here full and definitely content. I'd love to come back during the summer. read more

501 Local - Prime Rib - New American Near Me - Winnetka, Illinois

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Everything about 501 Local is wonderful. The chef has a wonderful talent for both Asian and American dishes. My brother-in-law and I shared several appetizers -The potstickers were delicious with unusual flavors in-the sauce. Lettuce wraps were also delicious as was the foccacia with delicious dipping sauce. The Mille feuille was really nice- layers of puff pastry with creme Anglais and lots of fresh berries and Chantilly whipped cream. Service was spot on and definitely best dining experience on the northshore . read more

We went here a year ago and just recently. We absolutely love this place and their little outdoor heated igloos. Last year, the streets were covered with snow, and the owner Mark would occasionally come out and knock snow off the top of our igloos. He also would checkin with us as our server unexpectedly had to help a table of 20. Really dedicated owner and staff. Their fondue from a year ago was delicious and helped warm us up. This year, we got the Chicken Cutlet (similar to a chicken Parmesan) and Coq au Vin - stellar meals. We then got chocolate cake (very decadent, dark flavor) and the Mille-feuille with berries. The Mille-feuille according to the owner is what made them want to hire the cook because it was so good and we definitely agree with that decision! Excited to come back again :) read more

501 Local - Chocolate cake and Mille-Feuille - New American Near Me - Winnetka, Illinois

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What a delightful venue with a delicious menu and friendly staff. We came before dinner time after our trip to the by botanical gardens. We ordered a few items like ceviche, beets salad and a sandwich. I wasn't sure about the margarita but what a lovely place. read more

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I would so go back here. I had the portobello mushroom sandwich and the two other people in my group had the quiche. We all loved our food and enjoyed the patio at lunch today. The server was great- she was helpful and attentive. read more

I've joined Yelp for sole and express purpose of writing a review of 501. I recently moved to Winnetka and this restaurant has already become my "go to" local place to eat. Mark and his staff are very welcoming to both bar and restaurant patrons. The food is delicious while the ambience is not pretentious. Where else can one find a five star meal in a non formal setting? read more

Lovely ambience, enticing menu. Martini was well made. Nothing else nice to say. Food was bland and dull. Dishes are poorly described on the menu and by the waitress. Example: Jalapeños scattering across the top? No mention of that. And service was unbelievably slow. Skip it. read more

My husband and I were excited to try 501 Local as there's always a crowd but this was a good reminder for us that not all buzz is good. The host staff and maybe the owner were nice, but our waitress put a real damper on the vibe. A cold, poor communicator with obviously 0 hospitality experience. She was rude and thankless. We waited 20 minutes just for water and then another 1.5 for food. We ordered ceviche, which was ok but honestly if you're looking for Latin/ Mex, you're better off across the street at Taquiza. My husband had the sous vide chicken. He thought it was basic. Not juicy and lacked flavor. I had the Angus Burger, which was cooked the way I asked but was just meh. Disappointing given all the ingredients and time that it took to prepare. I am also pretty sure I did not have any dijon aioli on it despite being part of the description. If the waitress had made herself available or checked in with us, I would have asked for that. We also had truffle fries, and those were ok. Nothing special about any of the fries here. Things took a nice turn when we ordered the gelato. Real gelato flavor and texture. In general, this was an underwhelming experience. Lovely ambiance and nice evening despite the bad apple and lackluster meal. read more

I really want to give a better score because it is a nice venue and I enjoy coming here. However, the management takes the location and venue for granted and does not work very hard at the most important aspect of the experience across the board, the food. Went here on a recent Sunday, with 3 kids, there are usually many families here. All entrees and sandwiches were only decent, my seared tuna was tougher than it should be and my kids were very disappointed to hear that they had no French fries. Really, there is a grocery store one block away that can sell you all of the potatoes you could possibly want that was still open. Brother. read more

Great food and service! The food is always delicious. In addition, the service is prompt and dependable.

food is great but who charges $7 bottle for water in Chicago when you are right next to Lake Michigan?!

From the moment I walked into the space I was met with a smile and the patio was beautiful and welcoming. Had the avocado toast sampler which was delish! Just note it's more like toast than thick bread slices but the toppings were fresh and amazing. The baby kale salad with skirt steak was just what I wanted! Bloody Mary was delish. Service from Isabel and Sarge was impeccable! Thank you for an amazing start to my day. read more

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Great spot tucked away with a cozy outdoor dining space and welcoming indoor space. Service is great! Cal, our server, was fantastic and attentive and made the visit delightful. We enjoyed our meal and looking forward to another visit. read more

Mediocre at best. Weird layout makes it hard to just linger at the bar. Food was just meh.

Very nice dinner spot. We visited with our family. The decor was kind of IKEA chic. The menu selection was a little sparse, but in general had good options. The beef short rib was exceptional. It was one of the family's favorites. The pear on the bet salad was out of place, and too "fall spice". The French fries were incredible - crispy and salty deliciousness. The chicken wild rice soup had a clear broth vice a cream base. Overall, we'd eat here again, and try other options. (Including the fries!) read more

This place has potential but their French fries are AWFUL. The worst I've ever had. Wet with grease, soggy, not a single crispy edge anywhere. read more

I came here over the summer with a few friends. It was dinner time and we decided on outdoor seating. First of all, the atmosphere was great. Very lively, but not annoying or disruptive. It just had good energy. Everyone was friendly and the other patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves. Our server was great as well. Always made sure we were taken care of even though you can tell they were very busy. The food arrived and the presentation was great. But most of all, the food was delicious. I ordered the ceviche and a shrimp pasta. My friends were also very satisfied with what they ordered, though I can't remember what it was. I do remember one of them ordered the macaroni and cheese off the kids menu and loved it. One of the owners even came around and checked on us and other tables to see how everyone was doing. Overall, I would highly recommend 501 Local. We had a great time and the food was fantastic. I will definitely be going back. read more

501 Local is a great addition to the neighborhood! They have a great patio which feels COVID friendly and has a fun atmosphere. The cocktails were excellent, I highly recommend the spicy Paloma. The chocolate fondue was also a fun treat for the table. This is my new favorite spot to grab drinks in Winnetka! read more

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Beautiful patio but the food was not good enough to make us want to return. We found the menu to be very limited and the food to be very bland. The Caesar salad was the worst I've ever had in my life: no flavor, overcooked chicken, less than a teaspoon of dressing, and extremely small. Had hoped to find some seasonal options, but that wasn't the case, even with the soup. There are so many better food options in the area. Very disappointing. read more

I came here for lunch with a friend and I was really disappointed. I had never been here before but my friend had and she had a good experience previously. It was a lovely day in September and we were able to snag a table outside. The menu looked quite inviting with a number of items that were appealing. I settled on the Niçoise salad because I love a Niçoise salad! It did say that there was blue cheese on it, which I don't care for, so I asked for goat cheese to be substituted. Supposedly, no problem. PROBLEM! When the order it arrived it clearly had blue cheese on it. I pointed it out right away and asked they correct it. The plate came back with what seemed to be the requested goat cheese on it. Upon digging in however, I got the blue cheese taste in my mouth. For me this is yucky. It seems they had tried to scrap the blue cheese crumbles off and put goat cheese crumbles over where the blue cheese had been. They didn't get it all though and I found it immediately. I sent it back again. This time they made a new plate so thankfully no blue cheese in sight. However, the still was still pretty bad. The seared ahi tuna was over cooked, tough and tasteless. Also, there might have been an eighth of a teaspoon of dressing on the whole salad. I would never order this again at this restaurant. Service was certainly friendly and I never got any push back even though I sent the meal back twice! read more

Delicious food, excellent service and beautiful restaurant! I loved it! My favorite part was I called for a reservation earlier in the day, the person who answered the phone said they didn't have any. However, after I hang up she called me back shortly to let me know they can accommodate me, I was impressed! read more

Last night I had dinner at this new restaurant in Winnetka with two friends. There was a limited menu which will go to full menu Friday, June 26. We each ordered a different meal. All delicious, all beautifully served. I ordered Shrimp tacos. Everything was fresh and perfectly cooked. One friend ordered a vegetable salad with grilled shrimp. She said her salad was so unusually tasty as it had a cherry vinaigrette prepared fresh in-house. My other friend ordered short rip sliders on mini brioche rolls. She cleaned her plate saying every bite was mouthwatering. The atmosphere is clean, bright and relaxing. We sat outside on a perfect cool summer night. All of the employees wore masks as did the patrons until they were seated at their tables. We were all socially distant. I highly recommend you go to 501 Chestnut and enjoy a lovely evening. Congratulations to the owner, Mark Salmon! Wishing you much success!! read more

501 Local - Not a great pic but here is the new menu starting June 26,2020. - New American Near Me - Winnetka, Illinois

I hate to write a poor review but I hope my feedback helps. On a positive note the staff was excellent and very attentive. Bartender did a great job with drinks and the plating was beautiful. We started our dinner with the chicken potstickers. II'll start off by saying they were lukewarm/borderline cold. The dough was kinda gummy and the filling inside was very dry bland chicken. Overall an insult to true potsticker fans. Now that I got that out of the way.. the entree's were ok, the burger I got was pretty burnt as you can see in the picture. it was hard to taste anything other than charcoal. The lamb chop was well cooked but didn't wow me in taste. Very safe basic flavor.. overall great staff and ambiance but food is a pass. read more

Great food! Great Ambience. They are safe and take all precautions to keep their patrons safe. They provided paper menus, hand sanitizer on each table, 6 ft. Distance between each table and masks on all of the staff. This is my new favorite spot in Winnetka read more

Went here after the Writers Theater at 8:00 PM. The owner was very friendly and when we asked how late they were open until, the owner replied that as long as we needed. The food was delicious as were the bar tenders drinks. The ambiance was crisp and refreshing and the service was perfect. It was enjoyable talking with the owner and we would definitely go back. read more

501 Local is one of my favorite North Shore restaurants for lunch because we enjoy the patio so much, the food is fresh snd delicious and the service is friendly and efficient. Delightful. Eating inside is lovely too. Highly recommend!! read more

We've been to 501 Local several time since it's opened, and they've consistently delivered good food (best burger on the North Shore) and great service at fair prices. My picky eaters (2, 4, and 6 year olds) actually eat the Mac & Cheese. The indoor and outdoor spaces are well appointed, clean, and feel safe during this crazy time. read more