I've been eagerly anticipating the opening of Commonwealth since I saw that there was work going on in there. I've also been asking for updates regarding when they were going to be open for weeks! So, I was happy to visit during their opening weekend. First of all, the space is great - really inviting and comfortable. I like the windows that give a view to Damen. We were greeted quickly and at 6:30pm on a Friday, it was already hopping. It's not a huge spot but luckily we didn't have to wait long before getting a spot at the bar. I'm really happy we got there when we did because the line got a bit long with folks trying to get in for dinner. I'm not sure how long the waits for tables were. We had some drinks and checked out the menu. Unfortunately, they weren't making pizzas when we were there as that's what we wanted...but we did try the crab dip, meatball sandwich and crispy chicken sandwich. The crap dip was interesting...,it was ok, but it was not what I was expecting and it would have been nice to have it with pita or toasts versus chips (which were very salty). As to the sandwiches, the meatball sandwich was quite good. I initially wasn't drawn to it since it had peppers listed in the menu (and I'm not a pepper fan), but t was really good. The bread was also perfect on this one and it was really tasty. The chicken was good but very thin. Good flavor and a nice bun, but I'd like a bigger chicken breast (and also an option for grilled and crispy). Fries were ok. The drink list is great - lots of interesting beer and wine and reasonably priced. I will say that timing of the kitchen needs work. I obviously understand that it's a new spot and only recently open. When our dinner took 45 min to an hour, the staff was really nice about it and definitely took care of us. I'm sure that this will work itself out. We met the owner - he was friendly and asked how we liked it. Overall, the staff was wonderful - really friendly and chatty and welcoming. I will definitely return again soon - hopefully the pizzas will appear by then! read more

stingy?.... i hate to say it but that's the word that comes to mind regarding my last visit. my friend and i shared the irish nachos and it was a plate of undercooked fries. we laughed at the sparse toppings. i could count (yes count) the pico de gallo chunks. we asked for more cheese and out came a condiment cup of it. it was comical in a bad way. panzanella salad - doesn't this literally mean italian bread? well that it lacked along with anything else aside from greens. i was surprised to find 2 asparagus slivers at the bottom of the salad. at least it wasn't overly dressed?? (sarcasm.) really trying hard to like this place............... read more

Comfortable neighborhood bar. The best cheese curds of all time. I don't know how they make them but whatever they are doing is on point. These curds take any Wisconsin curd to task. Don't forget to order them. read more

The perfect comfort, casual, bar food. We have been going for a very long time and I recommend the Greek Turkey burger, Buffalo chicken wrap (I add blue cheese), the Abe, and the chief. They used to do trivia on Wednesday's and it was so much fun! If you are looking for a super casual neighborhood stop- I recommend stopping by! read more

Both of my visits to Commonwealth have been impromptu but both have been great experiences! I popped in on Memorial Day for a couple of beers with my boyfriend and we posted up at the bar and really enjoyed ourselves. They have a great draft beer selection and the fact that they have Weihenstephaner on tap was enough to keep me coming back. Our most recent trip was today when we stopped in for a pint and a light dinner. On Mondays they have 1/2 price wings until 8 and we took advantage ordering the Buffalo Wings as well as a side of the Smoked Potatoes. The wings were perfectly cooked and amped up by the picked celery and carrots they were served with. We also both loved the smoked potatoes but would've appreciated a larger portion. You can really tell Commonwealth uses quality ingredients and their menu demonstrates that they strive to do what they do well. Something I appreciate at a time when so many bars have enormous menus and when they could be focusing on perfecting a few menu items and promoting those. The decor here is also spot on. As much as I am a fan of the dive bar you can't beat the airy, upscale feel that Commonwealth has mastered. I'm sure I'll be back again soon and can't wait to try the brunch especially... read more

Commonwealth - Smoked Potatoes - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very decent find in an unassuming part of town! Hidden gem is a good category for it! I ordered an off-menu item, the brisket/bacon burger. I'm told it's 70% ground brisket and 30% ground bacon. I can tell you this much; it was juicy, succulent, and had a delightful smoky flavor that was far from overpowering. The sauce and pickles (made in house) that came with it were heavenly, and they really cut through the richness of the burger. I got it with a salad instead of the fries, so I can't speak to the sides (salad was basic, but fresh). We had several apps to start (there was a large group of us there), and the hands-down table favorite was the nachos. Oh man, those nachos... In-house made chips, slow roasted pork, lots of cheese, fresh sauces... solid. Their wings are very good, too. Buffalo sauce is piquant without being overly spicy or boring. Asian BBQ were equally well made. The drink selection was pretty darn good, too. They had a few ciders, great mixed drink suggestions, and a pretty good sampling of beers across the spectrum. I'd definitely be a regular if I lived nearby. This place was well worth the visit, and I hope the next time I'm in town to stop by again! read more

I had a horrible experience. I ordered a salad and it took 45 minutes. No one checked on me to ask how everything was. Never offered me more water. I was very unhappy with my service. It wasn't busy. I don't know that I'll go back. One very unhappy customer. read more

This is a great neighborhood bar/restaurant. Their food is delicious and not typical bar food. Significantly large menu too. Everyone who works here is so pleasant. read more

Skip the BLT! I expected more than 2 pieces of cut bacon smacked on the sandwich. I actually laughed when I removed the bun. The fried green tomato was good but it didn't save the sandwich. Commomwealth either add more bacon or call this a fried green tomato sandwich. Drinks are good though... read more

Commonwealth is fine - there is one bartender there, jimmy, who is great but the rest are just ok. Their beer list never seems as good as some other places nearby and it seems like they are either empty or packed full of crowds. read more

I came here on a referral. It's always hard to trust someone new with your fur baby. I informed Chad about what I wanted done and how to trim my papillons ears and overall look. He was super nice! Great service and reasonably priced! Would definitely recommend. read more

Yikes! We've been here a number of times since moving to the neighborhood in the spring, but last night definitely left a sour taste in our mouth. The food was good and came out hot - our complaints are solely based on the service rendered. Our server was just...rude! Over the course of the evening, we got short and abrupt replies, with a solid attitude. It wasn't busy, so any abruptness due to stress should be left out of this. We did overhear her talking to other staff members that she hadn't been around in a while - so, if you need to brush up your people skills, do that! As someone who works in customer experience, that's really essential in FOH. We noticed her rather abrupt demeanor with a young family seated nearby as well, and it was rather disconcerting. Normally, I'd let someone have the bad day with one interaction, but it was basically an entire evening of the impression that she'd rather be anywhere else. Take some acting lessons - we all have to do things we don't want to in life! If that's work, well, my recommendation is to be somewhere that doesn't drain your mental health and joy. We can chalk a lot up to a bad day, but if you're able to socialize with your coworkers at the bar and then unable to bring that same energy to the tableside, it doesn't exactly leave a good impression. read more

2 words. Breakfast Burger. I am still thinking about it this second. One of the juiciest burgers I have ever had and it's not even bc of the yolk. If you come here for brunch just get that and you will not be disappointed I promise. The nachos were also superb with flavorful pork on top and just enough toppings to not leave any chips behind. They offer $3 mimosas too! Note: It is actually $3 glasses of champagne and you get to pick the juice from the serve yourself juice bar so you get to decide how much/little you want. read more

Commonwealth - Breakfast burger and yes that's yolk oozing - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love their brunch! Ordered the breakfast burrito and would definitely order again. We sat out on their patio which was right along the sidewalk but want bad. Also got a Bloody Mary from the build your own bar which was delicious read more

Commonwealth - Breakfast Burrito - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came to Commonwealth this past weekend for a small/quick brunch - the sliders were amazing, think meat/steak rather than ground beef, on brioche buns...yum! The fries were also great. We also tried the nachos which were pretty good. They brought hot sauce on request, service was timely and polite. Couples, friends, and families with younger kids all seemed to fit right in here. read more

Commonwealth - Nachos were decent, I've never had them with carrots before - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My first time at the Commonwealth restaurant. I was greeted by Mike and a mutual partner who was super friendly. First Order came up fast, second order even faster. Fries was a little crisper than expected, the Commonwealth burger was good, the chicken sandwich and salad was good. Overall good experience read more

My experiences here have been twos or fours every time...but the four wins out. Since moving to the area, Commonwealth has become somewhat of a default spot. It's close, the food is good, and the drinks are reasonable. The servers are the discrepancy. Half the time they are very nice, friendly and helpful (there is one I would specifically like to call out in a good way...taller blonde...but I do not remember her name). The other times, the servers have seemed very standoffish/weird attitude. Seems to particularly be an issue when you aren't ordering drinks...but it shouldn't matter! The buffalo chicken wrap is a staple. Burrata is tasty, and quite a bit different as its served with peppers. Breakfast burrito is solid if unspectacular, and one thing I did not personally care for was the chicken sandwich. I love ciabatta, but the ranch and fried onions oddly don't add any flavor to this one. All told, I'll keep coming back...just have to keep an eye out for the friendly servers :) read more

I just left this bar for the last time. I'd probably been there 5-6 times and have never been much of a fan - loud, bad music catering to the bro crowd - but after tonight I see no reason to go back. A friend who's a regular there wanted to meet me to watch the NYY game. We sat at the bar and one of the bartenders nicely agreed to put the Yankee game on, with the sound. We certainly didn't expect it, but when the alternative is bad modern pop and the modest crowd didn't seem to care, we figured, "great !!" So after a few minutes my friend mentions to some other guy behind the bar (presumably a manager-type who seemed inebriated), that we were told they'd put the sound on, this guy immediately gets abrasive, culminating in him slamming his fist down (Literally !!), and insisting "I am NOT putting the Yankee game on." We were obviously a bit taken aback (and if he'd merely said, "I've got a crowd here who wants the music on," that would've been the end of it), and this guy actually continued on his rant, to the point that other customers were chiming in with typically NYC-envy comments like "The Twins should've beaten them in the first round..." The whole situation was rather embarrassing and we wound up leaving what had become a semi-volatile situation. Bars like that don't last long, so I feel pretty comfortably in saying that while I'll never be back to Commonwealth, I imagine I'll return to its site within the next year, when it's surely going to be under new management. read more

The best wings I've ever had. Everything on the menu is great. Good overall vibe as well.

I've been enjoying lunch on Fridays at Commonwealth for almost six months now. Initially, I chose it because it had one of my favorite beers but now my motivation to return can be said best this way- I come for the awesome Cuban sandwich and I stay for the Vinny. In this case, Vinny is one of the awesome staff members, usually manning the bar on Fridays. This dude is like the human version of a ray of sunshine. Busy or empty, rain or shine, Vinny makes every day a little brighter. Not sure how he does it. It didn't take much time to develop a rapport with him, so much so that he only has to see me walk in and my favorite beer appears out of nowhere, with my usual Cuban sandwich only a few minutes later. That's what I call service. And the Cuban... It gets better each time I have it. I'd put that baby in any sandwich contest anywhere, anytime. It would do no worse than third in a world-wide sandwich competition, no joke. It's a great place with nice people and great specials, that's the bottom line. Visit sometime and you won't be disappointed. read more

Super friendly staff. Great with kids earlier in the day and a fun bar later. And the food is great.

I've been here twice. Once with my husband and the second time with a group of friends for my birthday. We had brunch both times. Our first experience was okay. The food was good, the staff was meh, but the mimosa/bloody mary bar was ah-mazing! We loved all of the options and fresh fruit and juices. Because of this, I decided to gather some friends and family for my birthday brunch a few weeks later. What was that for.... Our waitress the second time around was a lot friendlier and they had our seating arrangement set up before we arrived. Thank you. BUT I was totally embarrassed when it came to ordering our food. Almost everyone in our group ordered the breakfast burger-egg, bacon, cheese, tomatoes etc...We told the waitress how we wanted our eggs, which were mostly over medium. She returned to the table saying that the cook said he'll make the exception for the over medium eggs, but absolutely no more modifications. ERRRRRRRR??!!! Even the waitress rolled her eyes as if she knew where we were coming from... like the cooks just decided to be jerks that day. nowhere on that menu did it state that substitutions were not allowed. And since when can a customer not have food made to their liking? Especially an egg!!! Thankfully, I'm assuming bc it was my birthday, my friends were understanding. The whole drinking situation was a hot mess. Mind you, most of us ordered the bottomless mimosa and we had ONE waitress who was also taking care of other tables. We asked if we could just have a bottle of champagne at our table since there was so many of us and getting her attention when we wanted a another drink, was a bit difficult. So she did. After a bottle, she returned to the table and said that because they don't have a bottle service license, they would be unable to bring us another bottle. I mean, I've had brunch at several places and this is a first, but everyone completely understood...getting a drink after that was ugh soooo annoying and the bar after that was just as annoying because we didn't have any juices at the table and we had to get up every single time we wanted some. I was really embarrassed that i brought my friends and family here and that spent my birthday here too. I really can't stand a place where everything seems so scripted, where the staff can't go out of their way to make the customers happy and the cooks are jerks and no one can say anything. Whomp. Whadda shame! read more

Him: WHAT?! Me: (screaming) I SAID... While the space is really warm and inviting, it is not a great place to go if you actually want to have a conversation. Even on a weeknight. We popped into Commonwealth for a Tuesday night dinner; we had been keeping an eye on the place's progress and were interested in trying it. The front part of the space is more bar-like while the back part is more of a dining area. Since's it's a fairly open floor plan, when it's loud in front, it's loud all over. We were initially offered a table in front, next to a giant TV and a really loud table of people; when asked they allowed us to sit in the back where it wasn't quite so loud (at least initially). By the time we left, we alternated between sitting in silence and screaming at each other. I feel like an old lady saying it, but turning the music down a bit would go a long way. We started out with a few drinks and the charcuterie plate. The charcuterie offering includes choices of five meats and five cheeses; you can order a three-item and five-item plate. We opted for the three choice plate and did exclusively cheese. The plate was pretty good; we didn't moon over any of the cheeses, but the plate also came with plenty of accompaniments like apples, breads, nuts, marmalade and cherries. For our main meal, he got the burger and I got the shrimp taco appetizer. His burger came with fries, I assume they were quite good because they were gone before I could snag one. The burger, on the other hand, he merely gave a "fine." My tacos weren't great, which made the two of them feel overpriced at $11. The tacos were dry and bland despite the spiced black beans and fresno chiles listed as ingredients. They could be improved by 86-ing the bib lettuce and adding tomatoes or salsa to punch up the flavors. Our server was green; presumably it was her first serving job. She was very polite, but not very familiar with the beer menu and at times overly attentive. Once she gets some more shifts under her belt, I think it will feel more natural. All in all, it's a nice place. I don't see us returning with the sole objective of dining, but for drinks it is a solid spot. 3.5 stars read more

Live in the area and wanted this place to be good, and it has such an opportunity given its location on a busy corner, but this place was brutal. Aesthetically it's a nice spot but everything else was bad. Service = non-existent. Wait time for food = over 45 minutes and there was nobody in the place. I had to get up and go to the bar to ask for the bill because I sat and waited for 15 minutes and couldn't get anybody to help me. I saw a few tables get up and leave after sitting outside and not having anybody come help them. On top of it, the food wasn't good. I feel bad giving bad reviews but when you spend $40 on a meal and it's bad, there's no excuse. Unfortunately this will be one of the many restaurants that fail in their first 2 years of business. read more

Last night was my first visit to Commonwealth, we'll just say a few things jumped out at me that will result in no return visit. I am an industry person, I am a former Barback and Restaurant Manager. Presently I am a Kitchen Manager, on top of that I am a Cicerone. I know a few things about bars/restaurants, and especially about beer. Let's start briefly with the good: Love the build-out, fantastic decor and setup. How clean/organized you keep your establishment is very important and this was pretty spot on. Menu: Loved the food variety on the menu, lots of very good looking food combinations. From what I did observe coming out of the kitchen it was well plated. Unfortunately I had eaten earlier that night and was not hungry, so I can not give points for food taste/quality. Drinks Menu: Fairly solid craft beer line up, good prices. My initial reaction: this looks like a good place. So why the two star review? Service. First off, it is not appropriate for a server to touch EVERY male patron. Working for tips is one thing, making a point to get inside people's personal space is not acceptable, ever. Second, give the girl a waist apron so she can carry her pad and a pen around. It took multiple attempts to get our order in before she managed to get it written down. Those apron's come in very helpful in a bar setting, especially when you rely on one server to take care of all of your tables. Get the girl organized. Third, serving drinks 101: ALWAYS serve every drink with a cocktail napkin. My friend had to request napkins, and we got just regular dinner napkins. This seems like a small pet peeve, but it's an important one. Show some class. Always bring a glass to the table with craft beers, and POUR the drink into the glass. We had to request glasses for our drinks, and when we got them..they were hot. Now, I'm not a chilled glass person I prefer room temperature, but you expect me to pour my cold beer (myself) into a hot glass fresh out of the washer? This was a combination of server and bartender issues, because that server was not the one to get the glass. Either you need more glassware behind the bar so you aren't running out (which I hope is the excuse), or you need to train your staff that serving piping hot glasses for cold beverages is not acceptable. TLDR: TRAIN YOUR STAFF. These are basic problems with one simple solution: train people. If you don't know how to run a restaurant, find yourself a manager who does and have them teach your people the basics. read more

I came in Sunday with my friends for the Cowboys vs. Packers game. The guys arrived around noon to get a table for the group. Luckily there was two tables left and we snagged a spot in the front corner of the bar where you can see all the folks walking down the block. My girlfriend and I arrived around 1:30 and the game began at 3:30. IT was weekend brunch time I believe until 2 pm? Plenty of menu options considering it be a bar. There were drink specials as well as plenty of beer options. We were a party of 5 and ordered various items and drinks during our whole duration. I forget our waitresses name but she did a damn good job serving all her sections considering how crazy it got as the game progressed. It was so LIT the fire marshals came by to give the owner some warnings I suppose because the party still continued. I loved seeing the team spirit of all the cowboys fans going through the different emotional waves during the game. Their was a fun raffle/giveaway that took place during half time. All in all a very fun bar would definitely visit again! read more

I'm not quite sure about the validity of the recent negative reviews of this place. Someone mentioned they "were at this bar 5 years ago..." I bet. It wasn't even open 5 years ago so I'm not sure what bar you were at but it wasn't this one. Just my two cents. Now onto the food and drink. The menu here has drastically improved over the last year or so. Tonight we had the nachos, filet sliders and gnocchi. All of it was great. Sometimes it's just nice to have higher end bar food when getting your drink on and Commonwealth hits the spot. Service was great, place was warm and welcoming. No complaints, will definitely be back. read more

I absolutely love Common Wealth! I have been there many times for dine in and all the food is delicious. They also have an amazing mimosa station! Mimosas are under five dollars and you get to create your own mimosa. They have several different juices to chose from along with a wonderful assortment of fruit! I do not drink bloody Mary's but they also have a station for that :). Also, I ordered today for pick up (3/28) and my food was ready quickly and was placed on the front table for me. During everything that is happening right now, I felt very safe picking up my food. The restaurant was spotless and they have the perfect system for pick up. Thank you Common Wealth! read more

It's a nice space & glad to have a new bar in roscoe village but I have been disappointed so far. I have had the burger and the chicken sandwich. Both come with huge slices of greasy bacon but don't really have that much other flavor. Fries and aioli mayo are pretty good. Drink prices and selection are the biggest issue. It's 6.50 for everyday microbrews that you can get anywhere these days. Could use some weekday drink specials & improved food. read more

Great brunch! Such a great addition to the roscoe village neighborhood. Staff was super accommodating and super friendly. I judge my brunch by the eggs Benedict...it was spot on. We'll definitely go back. read more

Roscoe VIllage needed a new fun bar/restaurant to go with so many places on Roscoe a little out dated...sorry Four Moons. Went here for dinner on a Friday night with a bunch of girlfriends and it was great for a neighborhood bar. There was a fun cocktail list to choose from and a good list of wines. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to start and my favs were the shrimp tacos and crab dip. Most of us went for the burger or pork chop for our main course and both were good options. After dinner we ended up just sitting at the bar which was fun. The bar was pretty packed and had a good crown of people. I will definitely be back soon! read more

My dish is always quite good, it's never been awful. I especially enjoy the spinach falafel. The beer list is stagnant, could use a rotation. Yet, the food is the best in their general location. Attire is casual and they show lots of sports. No need for dress pants just put on some shorts. The servers are nice and always attentive. So stop in for a beer, there's plenty incentive. read more

The food was good. Nice addition to the the neighborhood, definitely needed a bar with upscale food. Good place to watch games. Cocktails were ok. The Moscow Mule was better than average, but I would pass on the Manhattan. Too much ice, made it too watery for my taste. I had the steak with blue cheese, which was good when you're looking for a red meat fix, but nothing to rave about. Definitely try it when your in the neighborhood, but nothing to go out of your way for. read more

So, been excited to try this place out ever since I found out it was coming in. After much anticipation, I think I should view this more as a bar with a few bites than a place to eat that is augmented by a selection of great drinks (which there is). Came in with 2 friends for a Tuesday evening meal, and was not impressed by the charcuterie plate (after being warned by a friend that the cheese portion was tiny, I was still surprised by how small that portion was; and one of the meats was just totally off in taste for both my friend and I), and was surprised by no chicken options (other than chicken wings). Maybe we ordered the wrong things, but was just not into the options for a Tuesday night dinner, so we augmented our charcuterie with salads (I got the mixed greens which I was pleasantly surprised by). Would love to come back primarily for drinks, but wouldn't necessarily come back for food unless I was in the mood to specifically try one of their entrees(all 3 of which sounded delicious), or was in the mood for a meatball sub? read more

Update 12/30/14.. with the end of the year comes the end of my love of the commonwealth. We used to go in at least once a week for either dinner or brunch. They have changed the menu soo much, there is literally nothing left on the menu that my husband and I eat other than the burger. Soo many delicious things are gone... the delicious soft pretzel, the mouth watering denver steak, the grits... its completely different. Its not really a dinner destination in the village anymore. I really did love this place. Although their bloody mary bar during brunch was awesome, we wont be back unless they make their menu more appealing. Sorry Commonwealth, it was great while it lasted. Im leaving you with 2 stars, one for the burger and one for the fact you stock Stella Cidre. Let us know if you decide to turn your menu around! read more

Went here for some March Madness basketball on tv and some good food and drinks. Really wanted to try something new on the menu and brought a friend to check it out. The restaurant was running a "limited" menu for March Madness- which had 6 items from their regular menu. The place had less people than when we ate on a regular weeknight so I thought the smaller menu was not warranted. Our friend who was vegetarian was a bit taken back by the lack of options because of the limited menu. My wife ordered the burger again and I got the wings so we could split. The wings were ok, but they only gave you six. They didn't have any dessert options and I left hungry. Samantha was a great fun server, but once again I left this place wanting something better. Looking like my go to place in the neighborhood will remain Riverview until this place gets on par. read more

We live Commonwealth. Super kid friendly. Food is great. Good beer selection. Friendly staff. Bums me out to see 3.5 stars. Must hate the cowboys. read more

I eat a lot. like... a lot. this is hands down the best cheese burger I've ever had in my life. from the simplicity of it to the drippy goodness of juices..to the garlic alioli ranch sauce thing that came with it. service was great, not the best Moscow mule I've ever had, but the burger definitely made up for it. I'm glad my friend moved a block away from this place. it gives me an excuse to visit read more

Commonwealth - cheeseburger - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food and brunch specials! Modern and relaxing environment. Great tap selection and friendly service.

When it comes to new bars, I'm usually attracted to them like a moth to a light. As if one couldn't tell from my reviews and check-ins, I am very much a fan of imbibing establishments. I ended up here as some friends that live in Roscoe Village wanted to check it out while my friend and I said, sure. I came here on a school night, but, shit happens. Immediately I liked how the bar was. Everything was in the right place and it felt like a place that you wanted to drink at. It also has a newer feel, but it isn't so modern that you feel like you're in some wannabe bar where you are just wanting to be seen. While I mostly focused on the cocktails during my trip, I did like what I saw from the tap list. It was a smaller list, but it was focused and got to the point with some excellent brews across the board. This was the perfect case of having something for everyone and not having some overly giant list for the sake of having a giant list. As far as my drinks go, they were very good. I mostly focused on negronis, but the small list had several classics while also having their own cocktails. Commonwealth is definitely on the return list for me. It's easy for me to get to and I liked the overall vibe. The next time I'm here I'll have to try some food as I was here later in the night and wasn't all too hungry. Given that they already had me at the word go, I'm sure I'll enjoy even more of what Commonwealth has to offer. read more