Clasen&#x27;s Tavern

awesome food, good draft beer, pretty good service, cold beer and few gambling machinesread more

Was in town today and wanted to check out a local spot. The place is ok. Has a bar where the…read moremajority of guest sat and tables/booths. Server was very friendly and attentive. Menu was decent but the prices seemed inordinately high. Friend had Rueben sandwich which came with a dude and she selected the cream of mushroom soup. She thought it was "eh" and said it was way too thick for her liking. Had a stew look. She thought the Rueben to be ok. I eat very light and didn't feel like paying such high prices for something so I ordered cheese and crackers which was $10 for a scoop of cheese and a bowl of packaged crackers. Unimpressive for sure. Not a terrible experience but nothing special either.

Welcome

Big pretzel with cheese

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Dining area

Trio Grille

3.9(80 reviews)

2.2 mi

The Trio Grille was a pleasant surprise for a quick lunch. Attached to a bowling alley, this bar…read moreand restaurant exceeded expectations with its ambiance and food quality. I had the blackened chicken sandwich paired with parmesan and garlic potato wedges, both bursting with flavor and absolutely delicious. My wife chose the fish tacos, which were also flavorful, though the tilapia had a slightly fishy taste that wasn't to our liking. We ended our meal with the panna cotta dessert, which looked fancy and tasted delightful. Kudos to the friendly and helpful staff, especially CJ, our server, who gave excellent recommendations and provided personable, attentive service. We definitely plan to return to try more menu items and highly recommend stopping in for a visit.

So I went in on a Friday when driving through town to get a quick beverage around 5pm. The place…read moreis in or connected to a Glo Bowl. The atmosphere of the restaurant is pretty open bright and nice. After some chat and hearing that the fish fry is popular, I thought ok, I'll give it a try. I haven't had a fish fry in years. I had the three piece cod, battered and fried, with side choice of fries. It also came with a roll and coleslaw. You can also get Walleye, or all-you-can-eat for a few more bucks. Coleslaw is not my favorite thing but I thought I'd try it. It was kind of tart and vinegary. Still not a fan so I left that alone. The fish was the star of the show of course and was pretty great, I have to say. Cooked so the fish was tender and flaky inside a crispy crust. The fries were fries, and I took most of those and the role home. The pretzel roll would be for a little sandwich later. All in all for the price a surprisingly decent meal. I have been kinda disappointed in restaurants lately but this was just as you'd wish; tasty, a decent price and the servers were great.

Trio Grille

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Niko's Pointers Saloon

3.6(75 reviews)

Checked out this pretty busy bar and grill in Marengo. It often has things like live music going…read moreon. Niko's Pointers Saloon is one of several bars in the downtown area of this small town. A lot of room for groups. There's a surprising amount of space. Basic menu items to get. It's got better drinks than food to be honest. There's actually some pretty thoughtfully made up cocktails especially for seasons. Also lots of the beers. The cocktails include the classics and modern stuff. A lot of beers on tap along with more in bottles and cans. It's about $6 for a basic cocktail like whiskey and whatever. As for the food it's mostly meaty. They even have the salads topped with bacon so it's not good for plant based people. It's about $11 to get the Beer Nuggets. These are pizza dough rolls fried and served with marinara sauce. Actually it was better than expected. The menu also includes plenty of meaty choices if you like things like fish and pork. For sure it's one of the most popular restaurants in the area. It's located on State Street at Prairie. There's plenty of TVs for watching games or whatever.

My friend, partner and I ended up going here because the restaurant we started with was closed…read more When we arrived my expectations were high but I shouldn't have gone in with any. There were only two people working the bartender and a waitress. We waited like 5 minutes of not longer to get a greeting . It took like 5 more minutes to get seated. We grabbed menus to get an idea of what we might want to eat. I went into the restaurant part looking for an employee. She was wiping down empty tables saw me but never acknowledged my presence. The bartender saw us standing waiting to be seated and also didn't acknowledge us. I didn't understand why it took so long to get seated there were only 3 people at a table and the rest of the restaurant was empty. There were a few people at the bar. When we finally got seated the waitress asked if the table was dirty we said yes but she didn't wipe it or anything. She was saying that she had like 35 boys come in to eat and messed up the whole other side of the restaurant. She got us our drinks and then asked if we were ready to order. We said Please give us a few minutes to decide. When she took our order she was nice. When we got our food my friend ordered the Niko burger the bacon was rubbery and not even half cooked. She poured A1 sauce on the side and it was very watery it wasn't thick like normal A1 sauce should be. My partner ordered chicken fingers the meat inside was good and had the crisp on the outside, I ordered an Italian beef sandwich it was good but only had meat on half the sandwich and didn't melt in your mouth. I was only given a very small 2 tablespoons side of au jus. The waitress got us our refills but wasn't attentive like I would expect considering we were the only people in the restaurant. Is it a place I would go back to? Probably not. I was disappointed considering it was downtown Marengo. The ambience was wilderness and forest themed the restaurant was clean but the women's bathroom was not.

Bar

Niko burger.

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Behind bar. Rustic, very rustic.

Cafe 20

3.7(116 reviews)

2.8 mi

We were passing through and found this amazing gem. First, the outdoor seating was perfect. The…read morewaitress was on the spot. The fish fry walleye and potato pancakes were the best I've had. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked amazing!

The Walleye is so awesome and you have to order their homemade potato pancakes…read more I highly recommend giving the fish fry a try Oh did I mention it's All you can eat !

Taco salad

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Fish Fry Friday walleye and potato pancakes!

Kay N Jo's

4.7(55 reviews)

Ordered a French Silk pie from Kay N Jo's for Christmas, and it was absolutely delicious--creamy,…read morerich, and perfectly made. While picking up the pie, we couldn't resist trying a lemon bar, and it didn't disappoint--equally delicious with just the right balance of tart and sweet. This is a great little local bakery that delivers on quality and flavor. Highly recommended for anyone looking for exceptional baked goods!

Came here for a get together with my aunt, cousin and sister. A great little spot for sandwiches…read moreand delicious homemade desserts. The owner was super friendly and accommodating. We'll be making it our regular place as it is centrally located for us.

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Did a great job

Dino's Restaurant

4.2(33 reviews)

love it. this is a great place to eat especially for that small town feel. the locals are always…read moreat their same table and everyone is treated and treated like family. portions are decent and service is great. tell Tracy I said to try the Dino's skillet.

They have delicious breakfast! My husband and I have gone in once and ordered to go twice and every…read moretime has been great! The service is good and the people there are kind. We have had the pigs in a blanket, Swedish pancakes, bacon egg and cheese sandwich and we've loved it all.

Eggs over medium, Swedish pancakes with berries and sausage/bacon

Delicious steak and eggs

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Gluten Free chocolate chip pancake

The Spot Tavern of Marengo

4.6(72 reviews)

One of the best patty melts I've ever had! Can't wait to go back!!!…read moreGreat bar services

The spot is back and better than ever! Great food, quick service and cold beer!…read moreThe double smash burger was delicious!

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Flatlander Market

4.4(57 reviews)

Flatlander market in downtown Marengo, is such a great little place for scratch made food. What a…read moretasty lunch. Chili was delicious, it had the right amount of heat for me and the Panini was next level. Definitely looking forward to going back soon.

Absolutely amazing little place!! I am so mad at myself for not finding out about it earlier. The…read moreowners are some of the nicest people I have met and had the biggest smile on their face the whole time I was there. I loved chatting with them and learning more about their small business. As soon as you walk in, you feel like you're in good company and the restaurant is clean and has a homey atmosphere. The homemade chips are absolutely delicious & I got a panini which was next level!! Prices are just as amazing as the food. $14 for a full meal and a drink...you can't get that anymore!! I am so excited I found this gem and already planning to come back this weekend!

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Marengo Cafe

4.1(54 reviews)

3.6 mi

I've only been there once, but we had the best breakfast! It was full of people, yet the service…read morewas good, and everyone was friendly. I will definitely go there again!

Met a friend from out of town here as a mid-point. Great food and excellent service by our server,…read moreLoren. Had the turkey divon omemet. Nice experience for brunch!

Irish skillet with sour dough bread!!! Yummy!

Very clean older crow great food. Lots of it

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Inside of the menu - breakfast, sandwiches, dinners (HQ version: http://tinyurl.com/2bdtzh2)

Hideaway Brew Garden

3.7(56 reviews)

20.2 mi

First time visiting Hideaway Brew Garden, and even though I never got to see it before the remodel,…read morethis place really is a hidden gem! Such a fun spot with a great atmosphere. We came during their opening weekend after the remodel, and they had a cover band playing that made the whole place feel so lively. The outdoor setup, music, drinks, and overall vibe were definitely the highlight for me. We tried the sampler and thought the food was decent overall. The only thing I probably wouldn't order again would be the wings. They were a little lacking in flavor and didn't have much meat on them. That being said, I didn't come in expecting the food to be the main attraction since this is more of a bar and entertainment spot, and it absolutely delivers on both of those! I also have to mention how much I loved the branding. The logo and the printed packaging for the platter are so creative and give the place so much personality. The skull, florals, and bright colors immediately reminded me of Día de los Muertos and Latin visual culture, which really resonated with me. Since the overall concept of the place feels very Americana, I'd genuinely love to know the story or inspiration behind the logo and how that visual direction came to be! Such a great place to hang out on a summer night. We'll definitely be coming back next summer!

I really want to give this place 5 stars. This place is wonderful for outdoor music events. They…read moreoffer private themed campers for customers to rent for their groups. What's great about this place is that they already have a full summer schedule booked before you can snap your fingers. They're on top of it, making sure there is an event every weekend. The disappointment: Although it is family-friendly, it's not price-family-friendly. We attended their Platzkonzert Germanfest this past weekend, and the price for food was pricey. Just a hot dog + fries was $10.99, and chicken tenders (3) + fries was $11.99. If you wanted a German plate, it would put you back $23. Our kids were hungry, so we ordered chicken tenders + fries (they looked similar to Perdue's chicken tenders, and you receive 3 tenders and fries in one of those paper rectangle bowls, along with a side of BBQ sauce). Along with that, we ordered a side of beer cheese spaetzle and a Diet Coke. The total cost was $25 and some change. As a parent, I would love to bring my kids here and enjoy their food, but I can't see spending at least $100-$150. I wish they offered family-friendly-priced meals.

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Seamus H.

0

1

11

13 years ago

Clasens was taken over in May 2013. The tavern has been refurbished, re-coppered ceiling, original tin walls, both dating back to 1900. The back bar is original from 1920's. Old pictures hang on the walls. Live entertainment weekly, there is a baby grand piano for you to play. Burgers are hand made daily from fresh never frozen beef. www.clasenstavern.com check out the Facebook page too. read more

Vicki Z.

0

12

0

7 years ago

We stopped in here a few years ago when we were looking for a new home. Loved it then. We finally moved to the area and love this place still. The food is always awesome and the staff is friendly. We love bringing our family and friends here. read more

Pat L.

27

14

0

9 years ago

Food good good cold beer but the help is very slow.my be back.the bar had about 20 people the work was more in to talking then working.25 min's to eat bill . read more

Clasen's Tavern - pianobars - Updated September 2026

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People who viewed Clasen's Tavern also viewed

The Spot Tavern of Marengo

4.6

(72 reviews)

One of the best patty melts I've ever had! Can't wait to go back!!!…read moreGreat bar services

The spot is back and better than ever! Great food, quick service and cold beer!…read moreThe double smash burger was delicious!

Niko's Pointers Saloon

3.6

(75 reviews)

Checked out this pretty busy bar and grill in Marengo. It often has things like live music going…read moreon. Niko's Pointers Saloon is one of several bars in the downtown area of this small town. A lot of room for groups. There's a surprising amount of space. Basic menu items to get. It's got better drinks than food to be honest. There's actually some pretty thoughtfully made up cocktails especially for seasons. Also lots of the beers. The cocktails include the classics and modern stuff. A lot of beers on tap along with more in bottles and cans. It's about $6 for a basic cocktail like whiskey and whatever. As for the food it's mostly meaty. They even have the salads topped with bacon so it's not good for plant based people. It's about $11 to get the Beer Nuggets. These are pizza dough rolls fried and served with marinara sauce. Actually it was better than expected. The menu also includes plenty of meaty choices if you like things like fish and pork. For sure it's one of the most popular restaurants in the area. It's located on State Street at Prairie. There's plenty of TVs for watching games or whatever.

My friend, partner and I ended up going here because the restaurant we started with was closed…read more When we arrived my expectations were high but I shouldn't have gone in with any. There were only two people working the bartender and a waitress. We waited like 5 minutes of not longer to get a greeting . It took like 5 more minutes to get seated. We grabbed menus to get an idea of what we might want to eat. I went into the restaurant part looking for an employee. She was wiping down empty tables saw me but never acknowledged my presence. The bartender saw us standing waiting to be seated and also didn't acknowledge us. I didn't understand why it took so long to get seated there were only 3 people at a table and the rest of the restaurant was empty. There were a few people at the bar. When we finally got seated the waitress asked if the table was dirty we said yes but she didn't wipe it or anything. She was saying that she had like 35 boys come in to eat and messed up the whole other side of the restaurant. She got us our drinks and then asked if we were ready to order. We said Please give us a few minutes to decide. When she took our order she was nice. When we got our food my friend ordered the Niko burger the bacon was rubbery and not even half cooked. She poured A1 sauce on the side and it was very watery it wasn't thick like normal A1 sauce should be. My partner ordered chicken fingers the meat inside was good and had the crisp on the outside, I ordered an Italian beef sandwich it was good but only had meat on half the sandwich and didn't melt in your mouth. I was only given a very small 2 tablespoons side of au jus. The waitress got us our refills but wasn't attentive like I would expect considering we were the only people in the restaurant. Is it a place I would go back to? Probably not. I was disappointed considering it was downtown Marengo. The ambience was wilderness and forest themed the restaurant was clean but the women's bathroom was not.

Niko's Tavern

3.5

(145 reviews)

Delicious food! Very nice outdoor seating on a warm day. Love this place!…read moreI've easily eaten there fifty times!

We stopped in for a beer. Service was friendly. Would definitely stop back in for a bite to eat.read more

Pub 72

3.6

(104 reviews)

Pub 72 is a dive-style bar that knows exactly what it does well -- and leans into it. The…read moreatmosphere is lively and unpretentious, with great service that keeps the experience easy and enjoyable from start to finish. The wings are the headline here -- arguably the best in the county. They're fresh, massive, and packed with flavor, the kind that make you rethink what a bar wing should be. For those who appreciate a good dive with standout food, Pub 72 is a gem

I don't usually make bad reviews, but here it goes: Prime…read moreRib Saturday Special, arrived at the start 5:00pm. Ashley our server not very attentive at all. Not asking us for refills, forgetting our salads, got Caesar dressing instead of creamy garlic. She brought the salads during dinner and that was the last we saw of her until the check. Now quality of the food: my wife and I ordered the same size steak, mine was definitely not a 12 oz. ( not that I was jealous). Ordered it medium, both were rare. The loaded baked potato's were kind of under baked. Instead of soft, very chunky and slightly warm. We ordered the sautéed Brussel sprouts which seemed a bit under cooked and possibly boiled for the additional amount charged. Been here a couple of times for the special but this time it was a big disappointment and will think next time in taking this special.

Cafe Olympic

4.2

(206 reviews)

we were just sitting there being kind and friendly and a different group costumers Gave us $50 for…read moreour meal 10/10 will be coming back.

I hate being a buzz kill to a small business but I was pretty disappointed with my visit here. My…read morewife wanted to come here during our visit over too Crystal Lake. The staff here is pretty friendly for the most part but most of the menu wasn't in stock even the drinks. Firstly, the water that we were provided tasted really weird. This place is falling apart since there's holes in the ceiling and duct tape all over the seats. I do enjoy that this place had plenty of vegan options too as well as other good options like they're BLT. This place does good business too since it was pretty busy when we were here. But overall this place is in dire need of a makeover. It felt that the only thing good was the food. I was not a fan of the fries either since they were pretty greasy.

Labemi's Tavern & Restaurant

3.4

(61 reviews)

A little downtown diner serving up your typical bar/diner foods. They have fish fry on Fridays, and…read moreopen mic night on Wednesdays. They do take reservations, be prepared it gets busy. We sat at the bar and ordered: ** Garlic butter mozzarella bites- DELICIOUS ** Ribs and onion rings ** Cream of wild rice and chicken soup Our food came out fast. The bartender Regan was very friendly, quick with the drinks and gave us several menu recommendations.

I decided to give Lambemi's another try while in the downtown Crystal Lake area…read more This is bar is a staple in the area and you can tell there's a lot of local customers that come back over and over. The bar did not smell that musty this time and this is still a no-frills local tavern. The bartender was very nice and very attentive. The local customers sitting at the bar made me feel welcome. The white cheddar cubes with a breaded coating appetizer was very tasty, especially when I added their homemade ranch dressing. The Labemi chicken that was recommended by the bartender who she said she always orders that dish. This was one of the best chicken entrees I have ever had! The dish has artichoke hearts and mushrooms in a creamy lemon butter sauce with wild rice. The chicken was very tender and outstanding and ample for two people. You can always sub out the wild rice for pasta. This dish comes with a side salad or cup of soup as well. The clam chowder was pretty good. One thing this restaurant is known for is their generous pores. They did not disappoint this time too! I definitely plan to come back to get that same chicken dish! If you have not been here yet, I recommend it for a very low-key lunch or dinner.

Bullseye Pub & Eatery

3.3

(74 reviews)

We love this place. We come up every time we take a ride down the path for lunch and a drink or…read moretwo. Pours are good and food is great. Staff is so friendly. Always a game on. Darts in the back and separate gaming room for those who like to take a chance at luck. I won a bit. Courtyard on the side with string lights. A nice touch at night. And don't forget karaoke on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Bullseye Pub keeps things simple -- a solid place to grab a beer, throw a few darts, and unwind…read more The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious, leaning into the kind of no-frills bar experience that knows exactly what it is. Beyond that, it doesn't try to be much more -- but the fun karaoke nights add a welcome boost of energy. It's a straightforward spot that delivers on a good time without overcomplicating things.

Sew Hop'd

4.2

(50 reviews)

Simple concept; make beer, sell beer, provide live music and food trucks. Located in a 19th century…read morefactory which originally produced Bordens condensed milk and more recently Union Special industrial sewing machines. Great family vibe on weekends. Moms, Dads, Kids and dogs. Ample outdoor and indoor seating. Oh yeah, great variety of house-brewed beers and ales. Also serves wine and a limited mixed drink menu.

Sew Hop'd is a small, fun brewery tucked just off a busy road; easy to miss if you're not paying…read moreattention, but well worth the detour. The beer is excellent, the staff is friendly, and the vibe is relaxed in the best possible way. Throw in the occasional food trucks -- often fantastic -- and suddenly that "quick beer" turns into staying a little longer than planned.

Coleman's Crystal Lake

3.9

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