Our first time here, we didn't know we needed reservations. We sat at the bar, and the food, drinks and service were AMAZING! Our server Trina was friendly, and attentive read more

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Bold American Fare, should be renamed Bad American Fare. According to their website, the small plate tapas are half off. They charged us full price. Read some other reviews and they said you have to mention it to get the discount. What in the hell? That is some shady shit. Don't advertise that if you aren't going to honor it. The service: a little slow but overall decent and they tried to accommodate. The food: steak tips tasted rancid and had to send it back. The crab legs appetizer was decent. Tasted fresh but too much franks hot sauce. The mussels were sub par half of them were closed and you can tell it wasn't as fresh as the crab. I had some sort of truffle and cheese pasta, not bad but super salty. Perhaps it was the canned crab they put in it. Also not the freshest. The truffle fries were also half ass. Couldn't taste the truffle and they were soggy. I've had better truffle fries at airports The only decent item was the seafood risotto. Super expensive for super inconsistent food. Next time we will go to Port Edward's. read more

Got lucky and grabbed a table on a Saturday night. They are very generous with the lobster in the lobster roll. Friendly and fast service too. read more

Bold American Fare - Lobster roll - Steakhouses Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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Bold provides the perfect setting to spend a summer evening. From the patio views to the delicious dishes, we can't wait to return to try more. Only disappointment was that they ran out of some of the amazing options we tried to order! Food reviews: All drinks--delicious! Tequila old fashioned was well balanced and a good take on a classic Red neck sushi--weekend special! Pork belly melted in your mouth and candied jalapeño made the bite truly pop! Garlic bread cheese curds--weekend special! While the garlic flavor was super prominent, I wish these were crisper to give each bite more texture Ceviche--good fresh bite from the mango and citrus. Shrimp and scallops were fine Crab cake--standout dish of the evening! Wow! These were bursting with meat and minimal filler. Sauce was the perfect accompaniment read more

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Third time at BAF and it did not disappoint!! The three bone pork chop was out of this world! After the holidays I had enough red meat and was going to go with a fish but our waiter revealed the specials and I was intrigued. Great flavor, lite smokeless and moist throughout. Our friends had the pot pie and salmon and everyone loved their meals. We will be back, for sure!!! Excellent every time read more

Bold American Fare - Three Bone Pork Chop - Steakhouses Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

We were seated immediately upon arrival. No reservations. But recommended on weekends. Waiter got drink order in upon being seated. Drinks appear seconds later. Got appetizer order in Shrimp Cocktail. Excellent! Huge shrimp but horseradish sauce was superb. Like St. Elmo's out of Indianapolis. Got our orders in for entrees. Wife got crab cakes. They were excellent. I got seafood pasta. Lots of lump crab and shrimp. Excellent. Loved the view of the Fox River. Small joint with excellent menu. High end steaks and seafood. Worth a visit. read more

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Great for a special date night as it's pricey. Or for anytime if you aren't worried about your budget. The ambiance is great inside and it's a cozy small space. Outdoors it has plenty of seating so that's great for folks liking that sort of thing too. Reservations are a good idea. The Mocktail Purple Haze is delicious. Scallops are great and the burger is crazy good. read more

Great burger spot! The burgers were really good, cooked perfectly, and the portions were huge. Great food, good value, and definitely a place worth checking out. read more

I made an online reservation for 4 at 5pm at 1:15 the same day. I received a confirmation email shortly after, Then an hour later I received a cancelled reservation email. I had made the reservation for inside. I was told outdoor seating is first come first served seating. So I went at 4:30 thinking I might get a table outside. The manager was immediately called to tell me all tables outside were reserved. I questioned him about the unreliable online system but he refused to discuss the possibly that what happened is not acceptable. I was not trying to push my way into getting a table I just wanted to know why a restaurant has a business model of accepting a reservation, then cancelling it? I got testy and I am sorry about that part. But in no way was I trying to make him give me a table. I merely wanted an explanation as this has never happened before at a restaurant. read more

Bold American Fare lives up to its name. The food is well-seasoned and thoughtfully executed, with the chef taking creative culinary leaps that keep the menu exciting and true to its "bold" identity. While pricing leans toward city-level for a suburban setting, the quality of the food consistently delivers. Service was good overall, though the atmosphere was briefly impacted by witnessing the manager engaged in a couple of heated exchanges with guests regarding meal concerns. Still, the kitchen continues to impress. read more

The food was delicious , and the service was great. We had 1/2 price tapas on Tuesday.

I haven't been to my favorite place Bold American in a few months, Iv been trying a few new places. Bold is still number one. Vodka soda was icy cold then I had a side salad it was so crispy and fresh .I had the special strip steak done to perfection. It actually melted in my mouth. The asparagus had the perfect crunch. My husband had the pork chop he said it was juicy and delicious.Our friends had the strip steak also they said it was one of the best meals they had in a long while and they would be back.The decor is decorated very nice.Our waitress was so nice, and the owner was walking around making sure everyone was happy with there meal . It's a must try !!!! read more

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Such a cute and homey restaurant in downtown Algonquin. There isn't much room inside but if you're able to snag a spot, I highly recommend coming here. They have a rotating menu depending on the time of year. I tried the pot roast from their fall menu and was very impressed. The prices are a bit on the higher end, though the amount of food you get certainly makes up for it. The portion of pot roast was quite large in my opinion. Big chunks of meat that shredded apart very easily, on top of a bed of mashed potatoes. It could have used some more vegetables though, as there were minimal small chunks of celery and carrots. The crispy onions on top were more than just a decoration and actually went quite well with the meal. The pot roast was very flavorful and with the large portion, gave me several days of leftovers! I also tried their New York cheesecake and it was a huge portion as well. Easily could have been split between 4 people. It was not as dense as other cheesecakes and went well with the berry sauce on top. I would love to come back and try out more of their menu! read more

Bold American Fare - Pot roast - Steakhouses Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

The first time we went here we were supposed to go to a different restaurant, but it was closed. I had seen good things on Facebook so I said let's try it! Well since then we have loved every meal there and always have a great experience. We were there the other night. Tiffany was wonderful. The food was amazing. You have to try the tuna nachos and the buratta, both my new favorites! My son's favorite are the steak tips, but anything there is delicious. Highly recommend this place. We will be back soon! read more

Service was okay. Ordered the beet salad and the apples were brown :/ lots of goat cheese which was nice. Outside seating was the best.

Went here on Thursday for the $18 NY strip steak special. Should have known in this economy an $18 NY strip steak is not going to be good and trust me, it wasn't. Tough and zero flavor, luckily it comes with a baked potato to fill you up. My husband got the $29 waygu burger and said it had zero flavor as well and was no near worth $29.. Not to mention, the hostess - who also ended up being our server, was clearly having a bad day and seemed like she didn't want to serve us or be there.. I've been here before and loved the vibes and food. This was really upsetting as far as food quality and the service. read more

A nice quaint restaurant. There were four of us and we sat at the bar. Service was very good and attentive. Drinks were tasty and the food was incredibly delicious. We all got the fish and I would get it again. Presentation was very nice. I would recommend this restaurant highly we plan on going back again! read more

Delicious potroast, potatoes. So much. Worth the money. My daughter's 2 tapas plates were great too. Crab cakes was one of them. Going back. read more

I popped in here for lunch on my way from one place to another place. I had wanted to visit for several years and didn't get around to it until now, which is a shame. The vibe is pretty cool, like a high-end pub and the service was fantastic. I ordered the ceviche to start and a lobster roll for my main. Both were absolutely delicious and I can recommend them highly. The presentation was fun for both. For example, the lobster roll was actually a very small loaf of bread that was hollowed out and the lobster was placed inside. The bread was a sweet brioche, which paired very nicely with the mildly spicy Cajun lobster. All in all, a great experience. Definitely on the pricey side. With the tip, it was $100 and I didn't have any alcohol. I probably didn't need to order the most expensive things on the menu, but I enjoyed them thoroughly! Highly recommend recommended for date night. read more

Books was on my list for a long time. I enjoy a great chef restaurant, but want impressed comparatively. Finally stopped in on a weeknight. The waiter seemed irritated and impatient. Yet they only had 2 tables and 4 at the bar. The menu was curious, as I'd hoped, with thoughtful preparations and choices. The waiter wasn't interested in explaining. Drinks took some 10 minutes. Food took over 30. And it was beautiful but bland. Won't be back. read more

I liked it but I definitely wasn't wowed, and I'm not sure I'd go back with the price point. Service was fantastic and I did enjoy the creativity and execution of the drinks. We enjoyed the pork belly appetizer and the halibut was the stand out. But the ribeye didn't have much flavor even with the garlic topping. And the carrot cake while a large serving, was lacking something. The place also needs a good dusting, we went later afternoon and there are cobwebs and dust visible. If you don't notice that, the overall vibe was ok, though it's very small. Maybe the summer visits are better with the rooftop but overall I just felt like this place is not up to the hype. read more

Finally ... Tried Bold American Fare ! I've seen great reviews about BOLD for a while ... finally in the area to have dinner. It was awesome! Atmosphere was cozy and quaint. Reservations were easy to make online. We ended up arriving before our reservation and thankfully there was an open table. So many unique options to choose from on the menu and their specials. Scottie was our server - very attentive and knowledgeable. Always checking on how our meals / drinks were doing. Owner/manager (?) stopped by twice to see how we were enjoying our choices. Drink menu had many fun options to choose from- I tried their Purple Kush Tito's drink w/a splash of CBD oil Small plate appetizers were great - combined several to make a meal. Lobster poptart Stuffed blossom Green tomatoes with crab meat Crispy caramelized brussel sprouts The special seafood pasta was very filling with generous portion of crab / shrimp / lobster ~ chipotle sauce Wish I had saved room for their new chocolate strawberry martini. Guess we need to go back before it's off the menu Menu prices were reasonable, given the portions and quality of ingredients. I feel the specialty drinks were in line as well - most were 12-15 - mine had an upcharge with the oil. Looking forward to next time -- at BOLD american fare. read more

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Cozy atmosphere with a unique menu . The pork belly with Cajun grits is my fav. But if you want a full blown meal you can't beat their beef - regardless of the cut because they are all great and cooked to perfection. If you want an enjoyable and relaxing meal or simply a drink the way home - this place is great. read more

Amazing steak last night-this restaurant never disappoints!. Fresh food, nice selection, service is top notch. Highly recommend.

Premium steakhouse prices for poorly cooked steaks. 36 oz wagu tomahawk was burnt. The Maillard reaction is a nice crust that we all love, but this was burnt and bitter tasting. My wife's filet was also burnt and bitter and not cooked to the temp she had ordered(she ordered medium and it was super rare). The drinks tasted like cheap sugary store bought mix. The owner didn't even discount our $250 burnt, undercooked meal either. Definitely will not be recommending this place. read more

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How could you improve? Having the food that is advertised would be great! We were there because of an advertised special, but it was sold out by 7 PM. In fact, we placed an order for 3 pork chops, and were then told there were only two a few minutes later. The waiter apologized profusely, but there was no offer for anything else at a discount. The manager/host could use some customer service skills as well! read more

We decided to talk a walk at downtown Algonquin on a sunny afternoon. We were surprised by all the restaurants and pubs along Main Street. After checking out menus of a few restaurants, we decided to try Bold American Fare. Inside the restaurant, there's a bar area. It gave us a feeling that it's a hangout place for the locals. We were greeted by our friendly server who also gave us a list of special for the day. The regular menu also has options for gluten-free. Overall, good foods and service. We would come back again. Food we ordered: - Filet mignon with mushroom and loaded baked potato: the filet was cooked perfectly to our liking. For garlic lovers, you will like the garlic herb topping. The baked potato was generously topped with thick smoked bacon. Would actually order again. - (Special) Autumn Risotto: the risotto was prepared with apples and cranberries, topped with grilled shrimps and pork belly. The pork belly slices were not too fatty, and have a good ratio of meat and fat. The risotto could have potential, but it had way too much cranberries and it was too sweet. I think cutting back the sweetness and cranberries would make the dish more balanced. read more

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Amazing upstairs outside bar and sitting area with great views of old downtown Algonquin. Had the Sunday burger special which was a very nice sized 1/2 lb burger patty! Very tasty. read more

Bold American Fare - Upstairs bar with cool vibe and great views of old downtown Algonquin. Had the Sunday burger special! Very tasty and nice sized burger! - Steakhouses Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

My partner and I came for a Sunday lunch date in the old town Algonquin area, and the restaurant is a nice, bold red colored building between a creek and Algonquin street. There was plenty of parking for us along South Main street, which was free. When we came in, the first level had a few small groups of diners spread out among the tables. We chose to sit at a booth by the front window. Our server was very friendly and quick, even though she was the only one working! We ordered the entrees of Beef Smokinoff and New Mexico Barbecued Salmon with side of caramelized brussel sprouts. We thought both entrees were delicious! My salmon was perfectly cooked and the barbecue had a lovely sweet/salty combination flavor, which mixed well with the wild rice pilaf and the brussel sprouts. The Beef Smokinoff had springy noodles and a nice a creamy sauce with a good brisket. If we are in the area again or have visitors come, we will bring them here! read more

Bold American Fare - Beef Smokinoff - Steakhouses Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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Our first experience at BOLD was fantastic. Our waitress Kelsi was so friendly and easy to talk to. The Purple Kush cocktail was visually appealing & delicious. Love the lighting for the outdoor dining & looking forward to dining outside next time. Getting 20% off at Whiskey & Wine with our reservation was a nice touch. Can't wait to go back & work my way through their menu. read more

Bold American Fare - Pictures in the bathrooms are hilarious - Steakhouses Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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Our 46th anniversary celebration and we chose Bold American in Algonquin Illinois. Small town restaurant with a great menu and food options we enjoyed relaxing and having Kelsey take our dinner request I ordered the Walleye Special my wife ordered the Swordfish both prepared and presented to perfection. I can't wait to return and sample different dishes. read more

Bold American Fare - Walleye Loaded mashed potatoes - Steakhouses Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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Wow! The food was incredible! Brisket, beet salad with goat cheese and the most unbelievable mashed potatoes I've ever tasted. Such a cozy, charming spot. Ashley and Roman provided outstanding service. Can't wait to go back! read more

Dined at BOLD American Fare this weekend with the better half. Sat outside in the post-Covid area which was delightful, great weather. The Cherry Bomb & Dreamcicle specialty drinks were very good, need a bigger vodka hit to them though. The lobster ravioli was outstanding, the stuffed flounder a bit dry & needed a sauce. Overall, 4 stars out of 5. Five stars needs to be truly epic. out of 5. read more

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I cannot believe this restaurant does not have 5 stars! I am very thankful to my student who recommended this restaurant operating under the current ownership for 7 years. This restaurant has an amazing menu and, most importantly, a wonderful chef! The shrimps in the shrimp cocktail were the size of small lobster tails and tasted absolutely delicious, my hemp seed crusted Alaskan halibut with wild mushroom risotto was tender, flaky and perfectly cooked. My husband's lobster roll served inside of the authentic French brioche was full of flavor and zest. I could not believe my eyes when I saw on the menu fried Lion's mane mushrooms which is such a rare offering. I tried this dish for the first time and it was unbelievable! If I could give this restaurant with its incredible menu delivered in such an unpretentious setting a rating of 6 stars , I certainly would! Cannot wait to be back and try more! I highly recommend! read more

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I was so happy to hear that they serve all you can eat crab legs on their Sunday menu. We opted for the cabanas shrimp and crab legs. The shrimp was absolutely Amazing, but for the crab legs they were horrible and tasted like they've been sitting in chemicals to kill the fishy taste. The knuckle part was mushy and they only give you two claws per table at a time with a party of two. The presentation was great though. The service and our waiter was good and knowledgeable and opted for us to do the shrimp and crab instead of the crab because you get more for less. But I only had the one helping of crab because of the taste. I've never been to a place that was all you can eat that wasn't packed. Though this restaurant was empty on a Sunday afternoon around 4:30. I would never go back again for the crab. It wasn't worth it and they were also not accommodating for a toddler with that meal. read more

Our first time checking out Bold American Fare. We liked the quaint space and the food and drink selection. Prices are definitely on the higher-end, but we knew that going in. I'm not going to break down what we ate and drank. It was all good to very good. The reason why I'm giving this place two stars and not four or five is because when the bill came, it noted a balance-due total for cash and a balance-due total for "non cash" (just over 4% more). I asked the waitress if they could take off the non-cash total, since I didn't happen to be walking around with well over a hundred dollars in cash in my wallet. She literally snapped back, "No. Absolutely not!" That was out-of-character for her demeanor up to that point and it absolutely ruined our experience. Moreover, nowhere in the restaurant (menu or signage) or on their website, did I see a mention that credit card users would be subject to a 4% convenience fee. This is deceptive! So, enjoy Bold American Fare...as long as you remember to bring cash. Otherwise, you'll have the same disappointing ending. read more

We came for my MIL's 75th birthday. She had the lobster ravioli and loved it. Our server Jes was positively lovely. They brought out my MIL's dessert with a candle despite us not asking for it and not even remembering that we mentioned we're were celebrating a birthday. We appreciated the gesture so much. The inside was packed but quiet enough that my FIL who has hearing aides could keep up with conversation. Excellent experience! read more

So we tried this place tonight because of the reviews we saw. They must be paying people to review them positively. We went to sit at the bar, no one else in the place and were told we cold only sit in a certain place that is how the owners want it. Ok..... so we did ordered a cocktail and in the time it took us to drink one, less than 30 minutes, the owner had 4 old fashions. The bartender told us if we sit outside on the roof top you can only have plastic cups because some if the druggies throw there glasses into traffic. I ordered the lobster ravioli and it was so coated in sauce you couldn't taste anything, my husband ordered a NY Strip steak that had zero flavor and he had to add salt and pepper to try to give it some and he only ate half and brought home the rest for our dogs. When we left there was only one other couple down stairs and a few people upstairs. Won't be going here again. read more

We had another amazing meal at Bold! Food, drinks and service were fantastic. They never disappoint. Highly recommend !

Pretty unique menu considering what is traditionally served in this part of the state, and I say that as a good thing. The building is conspicuous and stood out to me as we arrived at Port Edward, so we visited after dinner for a drink. Next time I'd choose to eat at Bold America Fare, the food offerings are solid and they offered a pretty good beer menu as well. The inside is on the smaller side but good for groups under four with a decent size bar seating. The service has been friendly and attentive both times we've visited. The French onion soup was a repeat order our second time with apps, we also tried the mussels which had a nice heat and tasty red sauce and the lobster poptart which was an obvious hit. We followed apps with a filet, salmon, halibut, and a pasta dish - this fish was presented wonderfully, well cooked and packed with flavor. Excellent all around on both visits! read more