So happy to have tried Bluegrass recently. I enjoyed it so much that I have made reservations to celebrate my birthday soon there. My wife and I ordered some calamari as an appetizer. It was very good and served in a most unusual way - in a large martini glass! I ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Grilled Andouille Sausage, as well as a hurricane. Both were great, especially the pork belly candy atop the cheddar grits. So good! My wife ordered the BBQ Corned Beef Brisket Sandwich which was amazing. So tender and flavorful. We finished off the meal with some bananas foster and the brownie sundae. Both were just delicious. I am very much looking forward to returning soon. read more

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With friends last night we took a chance and stopped in. No reservation. It was packed. We hung at the bar. They seated us around 45 minutes later. The menu is big and has so many appealing options we had a hard time deciding what to get. I ordered a seafood combo. It was very good. Truly everything was so nice. The ambience was festive as it is just before Mardi Gras, the service was attentive and well-timed, and the food was very good. It's a great locally-owned restaurant in the neighborhood. So glad we gave it a try!! read more

My fiancee and I were looking for a restaurant for dinner before we went to Lightscape at the Botanical gardens and are really happy we came across this place! We were able to get a last minute reservation on a Thursday night through OpenTable, and I'm glad we did because they were full inside! They have a large spirits, cocktail, and wine list. They also have a couple beer options as well. I tried the Negroni and my other half tried the Manhattan. Both were delicious. Their food menu is very expansive, with a mixture of seafood, BBQ, Italian, and Asian style dishes. I was honestly a little skeptical about the food, just because a menu that has that many options is usually a miss. However both dishes we got were delicious. I especially liked the option for the soup shooters! It is a nice way to have soup without feeling stuffed from a large bowl. Service was a bit slow, but that could also be because we were in a rush and felt pressed for time. Overall, I recommend Bluegrass and had a great time. read more

Bluegrass - Chicken Carbonara - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

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My recent visit reminded me how good this place is, especially compared to other restaurants these days. Service is excellent, none of the checked-out teams of servers "who ordered the burger?" Food is equally great and consistent. I love the nut crusted tilapia; their green beans are fantastic. Still a great and unique on-tap beer selection. Very nice patio area that has expanded in recent years. Old review: Great, if not traditional, barbecue place. The corned beef brisket with barbecue sauce on it was surprisingly good, the ribs were delicious, as was the pulled pork and corn bread pudding. Unfortunately, the potatoes were not fully cooked, but probably would have been really good had they been done right. Great beer selection on tap as well as some great esoteric and rare seasonals in bottles. Chocolate bread pudding was very nice. We overheard the server saying that the tilapia was one of the most popular menu items and that he thought their seafood was their specialty, so we'll probably try it next time. They have some good daily specials--especially Sunday night--check their website. I recently returned and had the free sauerkraut bites. They were amazing, I only wish there were more than the three little bites. I tried the crawfish etouffee which was really good. read more

A really great lunch place! Fried artichokes were delicious, as were the creme brûlée and bread pudding - love that they offer small sizes of some of the desserts (they were still huge). Mushroom broil was a little soggy and needed some acid or spice; that was the only miss. Service was AWESOME. Ambience is a little like a diner meets lodge meets community center but it was totally cool for lunch. read more

Our party of four decided to give Bluegrass a try because it was near the botanic garden and in the past we have not been able to get a reservation at a time that works for us. This time we called a couple of days ahead and we're able to get a 7 pm reservation. That made me a little nervous because we had 8 pm tickets to the Lightscape show. When we arrived we had to wait about 5-10 minutes to be seated but when we were I mentioned that to the host who I think was one of the owners that we we're trying to make a 8 pm entry to the garden. He said he'd let our sever know. From there on everything moved really quick! I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with fries. My spouse had the grits and shrimp. Another person had the French onion soup and the fourth person had a dish from New Orleans but I don't recall specifically which one. The food was enjoyable but nothing was so great that I'd give the review 5 stars, although the service definitely deserves 5 stars. If you are in the area give Bluegrass a try. read more

Good food and good service. Cute atmosphere. The only thing i would change is lower the music !

Ok! So now I googled for a burger! If you follow me you know my son and I love a good burger. This burger was on piiizoint! (POINT) I had the Giant Burger and my son just had a burger with nothing. Now we did ask for cheese on it. They forgot the cheese, but he liked it so much he said it was good without it! The service was nice but it was really small place. If you plan on going I recommend you making reservations. By the way, the fries were on point as well. This was definitely worth the stop. This place gets the #monalisaapproval. We will be back! Thank you. read more

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It's such a CUTE place and I want to love it. But I was just here twice in two weeks and I think everything is under seasoned. I had a chopped salad the first time and it was not well dressed and there were barely any vegetables so I felt like I was eating a bowl of lettuce. The second time I had jambalaya and my bf had shrimp etouffe and both were pretty bland. For my jambalaya there was a hint of spice but you almost had to look for it. Could be so great but TASTE your dishes, Chef! read more

We were in the area for an event and looking for somewhere to grab a meal. Reviews looked promising so we walked in. Such a good experience! It was crowded but hostess got us in to a small table at the back between two larger parties. Lots of groups eating together that seemed to be regulars. It's a big menu, but I found a gin cocktail calling my name 'Army &Navy' and hubby had a Maplewood Son of Juice IPA. Waitress was super friendly and attentive, offered some bread while we were still studying. It was slightly warm and served with a spread that was reminiscent of cinnamon toast. This was unexpectedly delicious. We decided to share the gumbo and they were nice enough to split it into two portions. Very hearty and tasty. Since they offer so many options, we tried the pulled pork sandwich and the 'award winning' shrimp and grits. The sandwich was a good size on a nice brioche bun. Extra sauce was included on the side. Tasty! The shrimp and grits were the star- smoky, spicy and perfectly cooked. The absolute best version of this dish I ever had and I go to New Orleans every couple of years. The grits were a little thicker which I like, almost polenta texture. The rendered slab bacon was scattered about for a salty, smoky accent. Generous portion of shrimp that was cooked in a spicy sauce highlighted with herbs and scallions. I wish we would have had room for dessert- possibly the massive martini glass full of bananas foster, but we were full. This location is a ride for me, so I am sad this couldn't be a regular stop. The party next to me told them 'see you next week' I could see why. read more

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great service! we loved it and recommend people to go here if they want a good bite to eat

We were told to reserve our chicken ahead of time as they sell out by 6:00 PM on a Tuesday evening. After having the chicken, we understand why. We came in on a Saturday night on a whim, amazingly there was a table available, during dinner they sold out of ribs and jambalaya. The server recommended coming back in on a Tuesday evening and said the chicken sells out by 6:00 PM, so reserve one if we wanted one. We took the recommendation, and on the way out we did just that. Today was our chicken night. The chicken lived up to the hype. It is fantastic. It was juicy and tender - but the homemade barbecue sauce was phenomenal. The sauce didn't overpower the chicken and it had a great complexity and depth. We had calamari and the crab cake for appetizers, which were also fresh with delicate seasoning without drowning out the seafood. I had jambalaya, which was delicious, as always, I love the gravy on the rice. read more

Bluegrass Restaurant Review I had the pleasure of dining at Bluegrass in Highland Park last Saturday night. Seems like we go there at least once a month. It's a cozy, friendly, restaurant where my wife always orders their popular salmon. Another couple we go with, Robin and Mitch, always orders one of their delicious dinner salads or a Bluegrass burger. I decided to go with their most popular full slab of baby back ribs, charbroiled. My meal was presented just as I had ordered it: charbroiled with half the slab cut into individual ribs and the other half was left whole. The cut ribs were perfect rectangles as if they were cut on a saw, while the other half was left whole, giving me the option to enjoy more now or take some home. One thing I have to mention is the rib side dish of baked beans with peanut brittle in them. Baked beans are baked beans until you add peanut brittle! Then they become a whole different dish! The delicious beans with the crunchy peanut brittle added zest to my meal. Try them as a side for anything on the menu. As a former buyer for Moo & Oink--Chicago's BBQ Headquarters--I know my ribs. I spent years finding the meatiest lean baby ribs for my customers and I can confidently say these were exceptional. The texture was firm yet tender, charbroiled to perfection with a light crust and the ideal balance of flavor between the barbequed meat and their BBQ Sauce. Picking up a bone at a time I could see the thick layer of meat and glazed sauce on every bone. It was truly a treat as I went through rib after rib being blown away by their mouthwatering flavor and juicy taste. I mentioned I ordered them charbroiled: I usually only order baby back ribs or beef filets when dining out and both must be charbroiled with a bit of a crust or they go back to the kitchen. I was more than satisfied with my barbecued ribs, I was in love! Jim and Joni Lederer are the owners: and Jim has been all over the map dining at restaurants. The offerings he has picked for the menu are plentiful. They are outstanding and Jim and Joni are always there circulating to hear any comments from patrons. Don't take my word for it, make a reservation and check them out for yourself. https://www.bluegrasshp.com read more

Bluegrass - Baked beans with peanut brittle top right: Outstanding! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

I had some cravings and between ribs and Cajun food, I couldn't figure out which one I wanted more. Good thing this spot has both! They had a menu option where you got the ribs and jambalaya together but all I wanted was ribs and some gumbo so I ended up doing the appetizer serving of ribs and an order of gumbo as a soup. It hit the spot! The gumbo was served with rice and it was rich in flavor and the gravy coated the rice nicely. The ribs weren't falling off the bone but as soon as you bite into it, it fell away with ease. It was tender, juicy and the bbq was delicious! This is a great spot for any Cajun cravings and definitely worth checking out! read more

Bluegrass - Baby Back Ribs - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

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Always high quality at this busy and popular venue though noise level makes conversation challenging

First class operation, no doubt about it. Stopped in after golf and the place was packed...with good reason. The owners work the room as they have for 20 years. Food was outstanding / bar service was terrific. Soft-shell crab, barbecue shrimp bread pudding oh my God such a great meal!! See you again soon Bluegrass and I'll bring the rest of the foursome with me!! read more

Disappointing food! Skip it! Patio looked nice but it's next to an alley that had constant trucks and bad smells. I had the shrimp and grits and it was just a buttery glob with 4 shrimp. Wouldn't go back. read more

Bluegrass, really kicks arse!! Now I know that may not fly with their Marketing dept. or in Highland Park, but that's how I feel inside - in a nutshell. Spacious parking lot, cute interior, friendly servers/greeters, a family/neighborhood feel (it has to be family owned) and we haven't even talked about the food yet. They also have a connection to beer produced locally, so you have to try that ale. The bread with the cinnamon and sugar butter is a great way to start the meal. Have seconds if you're not counting calories. The salads were very fresh and the pine nuts in the Bluegrass salad is notable. The Faroe salmon was 10 stars - soft, buttery and without imperfection. The grouper was very very soft, both fish dishes are must tries. The risotto was very buttery and good. You may not know this about me, but I'm a big fan of rice - so that was delightful. The shrimp and grits was buttery and the BBQ was fine as well. Between the bread pudding and bananas foster - I suggest ordering both as they are very light in the tummy. read more

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most pleasantly surprised with the food at this place :-). it's a pretty busy place so don't be upset if you have to wait a while but I swear it's worth the food! I genuinely devoured the jambalaya & gumbo I ordered (asked for it spicy) & it was amazing . & yes, it was actually spicy haha! if you're in the area, give this place a chance. you won't be disappointed if you're looking for a good seafood place! & big shoutout to the older lady that was hosting the night I went. she handled inpatient, hangry people the best she could & seated everybody as fast as possible. you deserve the most! forgot to mention our server was a saint as well & gifted the table a sundae. 10/10. read more

Bluegrass - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

I love this place so much! Their cocktail game is strong and they have a ton of options that can easily be made vegan. We had a group of 7 last night and everyone loved their drinks and food. my friend ordered the blueberry martini and the Samoas martini and I'm pretty sure he drank both in one sip (delish). I had the Beyond Meat burger with no bun and subbed the Caesar salad for the Bluegrass salad with no cheese. Was kind of annoying that this sub (which is clearly noted on the menu) is an extra $1 considering I took the cheese off and I didn't order a bun. Meh, that's the restaurant biz I suppose. A bit pricey, but this is also Highland Park, and I think the quality speaks for itself. Our waiter was awesome and had a great sense of humor. Bonus that the staff didn't even skip a beat with the threat of a tornado lingering in the distance, and even when the lights flickered they kept on course. Exceptionally packed for a Wednesday evening, so call ahead and make a reservation (which btw, HUGE THANK YOU to the woman who was able to squeeze us in because I waited until the day before to make the reservation. You guys rock!) read more

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Great southern creole food. Fried oysters are delicious. Shrimp and grits are so yummy. Service was excellent. Highly recommend. Owners are very accommodating with reservations. Shout out to Joanie. Can't wait to try other items on your menu. read more

Always fantastic food and drink. The owners are the best and Waitstaff that has been here for many years.

Excellent ribs Charming owner Joanie Kind attentive servers Definitely a go to destination in highland park read more

My husband and I had bee here one time for lunch almost six years ago and had never made it back despite being so close to our home. I think that may have been a mistake...we've been missing out! We made reservations at Bluegrass for my birthday because we were looking for something a bit nicer that would have options for our entire family. One of our children can be a bit picky. When I looked at Bluegrass's menu prior to making the reservations I was surprised by the selection and hopeful. We did well because both teens found pasta dishes and were happy! Reservations are a must for evening dining. This place is popular and it's amazing how many loyal fans they have. The staff is so attentive and friendly. Our daughter is a coastal environmental major and wanted to know where the shrimp were sourced from. Our waiter didn't bat and eye and found out for her. My husband had the ribs with a side of jambalaya and peanut brittle baked beans that he said was amazing. He's actually been back to Bluegrass since my birthday with friends and he had the same meal again! The baked beans were delicious. I opted for the Louisiana blackened grouper. I have struggled as an adult to find my go to for fish. I wasn't sure what to expect from the grouper. It was savory - so much flavor - and fluffy. It was served on crawfish risotto. I'm haven't decided what I feel about the risotto. It wasn't as creamy as some and the bits of crawfish were small causing a bit of weird texture for me. It was flavorful though, and I did enjoy my meal, but as much as I loved the grouper I'm not sure I would get it again because of the risotto - this does not mean if you think this dish would be your thing that you shouldn't try it, because it was well done and I'm sure it's just me and not them! My son went with fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. Seems basic, but not everyone does an Alfredo sauce well - it can be bland and paste like. Not the case at Bluegrass! The sauce was cheesy and flavorful. Our daughter, the one that we were worried about finding something she would like, had the shrimp Carbonara and loved it! Having a meal that both of my children enjoyed while sitting side by side was the best birthday present ever! Bluegrass made it over the top by bringing out a huge brownie dish for us all to share. We weren't the only birthday party that evening and it was so nice to see so many tables of diners have a wonderful time. The vibe is inviting and friendly - we will dine a Bluegrass again much sooner than in another six years. read more

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The best! Such a great family place. Staff is amazing. Kids love the calamari and I am articular to the walleye.

My wife, friends and I have known about Bluegrass for many years. Yet, we have never made a reservation to eat here. Until..... last night !! What have we been waiting for ?? We started out w 3 appetizers for the 6 of us ..... spicy calamari, crab cakes and mushrooms. All were fabulous!! I had the jambalaya plate as my main course. ... delicious!! The service was great, especially when you consider the pandemic has really hurt the hired help in the restaurant industry. The atmosphere is very cute and the pricing is very reasonable. The portions .... Plentiful!! Go!! We will again and again and again !! L.Feldman Vernon Hills, IL read more

Bluegrass - Szechwan Spicy Calamari - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

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Bluegrass is consistently one of the best restaurants in this area. The food is always outstanding and the service is the best! Their food was served in a timely manner. The table had as a couple of the entrees, a beyond burger and a walleye dish. These 2 dishes were absolutely remarkable. The fish was prepared perfectly. The burger was juicy and flavorful. I had a great dining experience and all of the food I ordered was phenomenal! My waiter was fast to sit us down and came around very frequently. They also provide free bread for an appetizer. Great place, great ambiance, fast service and definitely a place you should visit. Give them a try and you will keep coming back again and again. read more

An expansive menu is not the first thing I look for in a Barbecue restaurant, but from Rubs to Soft Shell Crabs to sides and their Blueberry Martini these guys get it right. read more

Stopped in for lunch and couldn't be more pleased. It's a quaint restaurant that used to be Japanese restaurant. They have indoor and some limited outdoor patio seating. We started with the "taster" size calamari, which was appropriate for two people. The "regular" calamari on the menu comes served in an oversized (huge) martini glass. Then I enjoyed the complimentary shot of gumbo from the Yelp check in - it was ahhhhhhmazing. Next time I'll order a cup. The bread and butter is yummy and the bread is a cinnamon sugar flavor. The ahi tuna sandwich was good, but I would suggest changing out the bread, unless you're a die-hard marble rye lover. The combo of the bread with the ahi seemed to leave a strange taste that wasn't too pleasant. Otherwise, the service was great. Would recommend and will definitely return. read more

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This spot rocks!! All the food is super super tasty and they have great daily specials. Even the salads are amazing. Oh and the banana foster read more

Excellent food, pricey, but the most stunning selection of dishes prepared more flavorfully than you're likely to expect. The French onion soup has a creamed base and is exquisite. Try it. The owner was the chef at the Ritz Carlton and she brought recipes to Bluegrass that'll knock your socks off. I'm typically not this overwhelmed or impressed by food preparation, but new palette-pleasers are in store. Treat yourself to some culinary delights with emphasis on American food fare. Really Highly recommended. They're typically pretty busy so bear this in mind with reservations or pick-ups. read more

We had been wanting to try Bluegrass and finally made the drive to check it out! The ambiance was different than I had expected. Judging from the menu and photos online, I expected it to be a little bit more upscale. Like not over the top, but just a "nicer" place. That was very much not the vibe. It's a family-friendly, jeans and t-shirts kind of place. Zero complaints about that, it was totally fine, just wasn't what I was expecting. The service was excellent. Friendly, prompt, professional. But THE FOOD. Omg, the food. Incredible! Every single thing we had was delicious. We had the calamari (excellent) and the mushroom bread (one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life) for appetizers. Then for the entree, I had the shrimp etoufée (incredible) and my husband had the jambalaya (also incredible). For dessert, we had a bananas foster... thing? I'm forgetting the name now, but it was also amazing. Loved it! read more

Dined here for the first time ever just now (Tues. 2-13-2024); had a late dinner (thankfully got the last reservation on OpenTable.com on Mardi Gras night)! Long story short: I would definitely come back! The food was the best Cajun food I've had since the Clinton Administration! The menu is huge, has a large and interesting variety of selections! Who knew that the North Shore had such an awesome Cajun restaurant tucked away within it? Anyway, for appetizers, I had 2 of them, since I couldn't make up my mind: the Boudin Sausage and Crawfish Tails (both excellent). For entree, I had the Lafayette Blue Plate Special (amazingly, wonderfully excellent)! For dessert, I had the Chocolate 3-way (chocolatey excellent)! My server Mike was fantastic--very professional, knowledgeable, quick, attentive and efficient! The restaurant's ambience is very cozy, unpretentious, and festive as all get-out! Like I said earlier, I plan on coming back! read more

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If I'm ever on death row, the Cajun Combo will be my final meal. The meals fantastic blend of flavors through Bluegrass's signature ribs and Jambalaya was nothing short of a gift and a treat. My cup of water never ran dry and the sodas kept pouring. See y'all soon. read more

Bluegrass is a consistent family favorite. We have been going there for years because of the great food and the service. Since 2020, we have mostly done takeout and it is always just as delicious! When we eat at the restaurant, it is a very family friendly environment. Highly recommend. read more

Bluegrass - Tilapia Sassafras - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

Over crowded, over priced. They miss the mark on their "New Orleans" concept. The parking lot is tiny. This is a confusing and disappointing restaurant. Save your money. It does seem to be enjoyed quite a bit by the 65+ community. read more

I haven't been so amused with a restaurant before in my life. I think I had the best experience eating, with great selection of food and drinks. The selection of food was superb. It was so awesome that I can come back again and again. One of the best restaurants that I have tried. Very mouth-watery. Definitely, a place to relax and feel at home. The staffs were so friendly and very accommodating. They were very attentive in every detail that I gave them. They respect privacy of every customer. Very cozy and the food will never disappoint you. The place is very clean and follow health standards, since it's pandemic. The overall service was excellent. I am a very satisfied customer and I will recommend Bluegrass to all of my friends. Especially those who are looking for relaxing place and great ambience. So, what are you waiting for? Let's dig in! read more

I am a Bluegrass fan; I have been there many times and the food has been consistently five stars; however, on this occasion, there was a noticeable difference in the quality of our Bluegrass salads (slightly brown wilted lettuce, looked old) and noticeable decrease in portion size of our meals. I assume the portion change is a sign of increased grocery prices but that combined with the use of not so fresh lettuce for the signature salad was disappointing. Overall, the food was still tasty and service was good. read more

Joni & Jim . Owners , are always so helpful. I live this local spot any night of the week.

This has been one of our go to Restaurants in the area since it replaced Yen Yen! Yep that old. From Drinks to Dessert Delicious! Freshest Fish on North Shore!!!! Seafood salad my favorite meal read more