Had a dinner date with my daughter. This evening was pretty surprising. After eating 1/2 her chicken sandwich, she found a couple hair on the cheese of the second half. Yuck. Funny, we didn't order this with a side of hair. The real issue was the manager's attitude. "It happens..." I have never had this happen before. And if it did, I doubt the manager would say "It happens..." We lost our appetites. They offered her another sandwich. Neither of us were finishing anything. They did charge us for a drink I barely touched and for appetizers we didn't finish. It really doesn't happen that often (or ever to us). If you think it happens (at Emils) I think you may have a problem there with cleanliness. read more

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Our waitress was very rude to us. Kept forgetting things. My grandmother asked for chips and got fries. When she spoke up about it our waitress grabbed the fries by the handful right off her plate. I have never seen that happen before. I would understand a tiny bit if we had been rude. But we were nice and asked politely. Even so it was unprofessional. Her name was Carrie. She was still sweet. I feel bad for leaving a bad review read more

service, communication was horrible again....kid meals include drinks "sodas" included ..kids ordered root beer. check comes $7.00 for the kids meal for the root beer! *never never *was it told to us that root beer was ***not*** included.. burger was ordeded medium came out bloodly red-wtf and yes did let them know but by the time the table was half way done.. read more

No stars at all, Went there on Thursday evening, waited our food so long, finally appetizer showed up, no plates, waiter just hanging around bar area, walking around, we had to ask plates, finally food came , no utensils, we walked back up asked utensils, ran out of water, waiter never came around, we were so thirsty by end of meal, ordered 2 broasted chicken which on speciality menu as 4 piece chicken platter, waiter charged us $2 extra on each dish, when we asked why, she said we should have said it is from speciality menu, same food in two different name....never heard such an unprofessional answer, principal of it so so wrong. I work with public in downtown Grayslake, clients ask a lot where is nice hometown restaurant and I will tell everyone know how poorly Emil's service have become, don't go there , they seriously need to train their staff better. Will never be going there again, I will be ashamed to recommend Emil's to my clients. read more

Emil's is the perfect combination of a beer tavern with excellent food. Wait staff is great and knowledgable about the menu choices. And the sports bar feel is there in the main bar room, but more of a restaurant in the large open dining area. Love the hightop tables in the bar. And they let me bring my German Shepherd into the patio area where she is mobbed by the wait staff 'cause she's so beautiful and friendly. I'd swear they have a water bowl with her name on it. Best value in Grayslake. read more

Great place!!! Our waitress tonight was soooo good! I don't remember her name because I got plastered pretty fast. It was my husband and me. Very polite , knew her dishes! Busboy was so great !!! Please tip your busboys !!!! Thank you guys! Will come back again! read more

Great lunch today at Emil's outdoor patio. Quick service and social distanced outdoor patio. We ordered the Cajun Chicken wrap & Buffalo Chicken wrap (w/crinkle cut fries), which tasted great. Both had a kick of spice 10/10 recommend for lunch! They also had very friendly and attentive staff read more

Emil's - Buffalo Chicken Wrap - American Near Me - Grayslake, Illinois

Tried again (my own fault). I ordered wings and a beer. Half an hour later, a plastic tray full of disgusting, dry, burnt garbage was plopped in front of me. I tried one, but they were too revolting to finish. Emil's still seems to think they're the only game in town. They're not. No more. And this time I mean it. read more

This is your typical sports bar/ family restaurant, consistently good food, lots of beers on tap, I don't think I've had a bad thing on the menu and the price point is fantastic compared to a couple other pizza restaurants around the area. It can get loud but you have to take that with a grain of salt, service can be hit or miss depending on how busy they are but generally it's been good for me. read more

Emils has very good pizza and the wings are great to I like to stop in with the family and get drinks and food because the atmosphere is nice I would recommend the Emil's special sauce on the wings or the Cuban wrap is very good read more

I had ordered the hangover burger. If said it had hash browns and bacon yet mine only came with egg and cheese. Was actually looking forward to it yet yall mess up a simple order. I won't ever give this place my business and will tell everyone I know not to either. I hope the manager sees this because that's not okay. 15$ for a burger that came with half the stuff that was supposed too. read more

We tried Emil's in Grayslake again. In the past the service from the wait staff was terrible. This Tim my wife and I sat at the bar. Previously there were 3 couples with us. Service still sucked. After ordering a Summer Shandy, the bartender said they were changing the barrel. Didn't think about taking our order after waiting over 15 minutes. She came back after 20 minutes and told us they were out. Changed my beer selection and was treated to that. My wife had to tell her we were ready to order. When the food came out 1 plate was wrong. The bartender laughed. The plate was returned with the incorrect ingredients scrapped off. The sandwich was terrible. The scrapped ingredients were still present. The manager did remove the sandwich from our bill. LAST TIME!! read more

If I could give 0 stars I certainly would. This is the 5th time we picked up an order and something was wrong. Yes I am the idiot for coming back, but they used to have good food and service prior to Covid. It has been sauces, wrong food, no food. Please beware of this restaurant read more

I was there on a Saturday afternoon, got a table fast but the rest of the service was not that fast. The pizza was not that great, it actually tastes better when I get it to go. The games on the tv could be better selected. One tv had an encore white sox game instead of putting the live cubs game or UFC. read more

This is solely on the food. It's very mediocre. Nothing special. The buffalo wings have the original buffalo flavor and were delicious. Everything else was just meh. No real flavor, not super satisfying. read more

my wife and i have been going for years. the last few times we went we were taken care of by who i thought was a 15 year old waitress and thought how could this be, but let it go. the service was as could be expected from a 15 year old girl. we went again tonite, and the service we received was the worst we have ever had. at first i thought perhaps i was impatient but when i questioned my wife, she totally agreed. we waited for 20 minutes before our drink order was even brought. we understand that the position is difficult to fill but lack of proper training is not an excuse. notified the waitress what we thought and her tip would reflect this. after twice in the past of poor service we have decided to never go again. we will be going to crossroads in mundelein instead. their service is far superior. my review of this restaurant will be related to all of my many friends in this area. read more

I love Emil's. Great food and always friendly service. I recommend the beer nuggets as an appetizer. They have very cool outside seating which is great for a summer day. Drinks are always made well and the food is always consistently great read more

We've been here a few times but tonight was the worst experience we've had. Food is usually decent (as far as bar food goes) but the service is unfriendly/non-existent. (And this wasn't the first time) First, I do find it strange that there wasn't open seating in the bar area at 10:30 in a Saturday night. Multiple open tables but we were told we had to wait to officially be seated by the rather rude hostess. (No one else waiting btw) Once seated, we waited 20 min without being spoken to by a waiter, busboy, anyone before getting up and leaving. All we wanted was a lite beer and some beer nuggets. And don't get me wrong if there was a cubs/black hawks game etc I would have understood a delay but it was pretty dead for a Saturday night. I've gotten better (still not great) service here in standing room only situations than I did tonight. Won't be back any time soon. read more

Picked up an order during end of the "stay at home" orders and the two ladies doing to-gos were both not wearing masks. Have come in twice since they have reopened and my server was the same both times but she wore her mask properly and was super nice. Hopefully this trend continues and the other two ladies were addressed for not caring about public health and safety. read more

Nice local pub. Food is good and service is pleasant. They have bingo on Tuesday nights, which can be fun.

This past weekend while driving through downtown Grayslake, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised to see that Emil's Tavern on Center is now open. We quickly decided it would be a great time to try out the lunch experience on one of the first weekends of spring. PARKING: We found street parking around the side, as parking on a Saturday afternoon may seem like there are few spaces. There is parking down the street, to the south of center street. (In a pinch, you can park north of center toward Tastee Freeze). LAYOUT AND STAFF: So upon entering Emil's Tavern, it's a large open space with a full bar, high table dining, and regular table dining. Above the bar there were 8 hi-def flat panel TVs, which seems like it would make a great spot to come enjoy a sports game. The regular dining area also has several TVs, and a large 100+ inch screen from a projection TV showcasing a particular TV channel. We had stopped in during lunch time, and there were a mix of families having lunch, and various patrons at the bar/tables having drinks and watching events on the TVs. The wait staff was very friendly, and I would say excited about the opening of the establishment. Angie, our waitress, really made us feel invited and she shared some information about how Emil's came to Grayslake and their future plans for the area. If all of the staff were as helpful and friendly, I think many will find Emil's to be a great local place to check out. I'm sure with any new establishment, the wait staff, cooks, and bar staff will take time to get up to speed, but overall I felt it was off to a good start. FOOD: My wife and I had intended to try something familiar off of the very ample menu, such as a Burger or Wrap, planning to judge the food quality compared to other establishments. Through the helpful and genuine recommendation of our waitress, we actually ended up going to the other side of the spectrum. Upon being told that Emil's makes their Brisket homemade, I decided to give it a shot. My wife chose the Mussels and a side salad, hearing they were a popular dish which often sells out. When the food arrived, the brisket sandwich was served with a healthy portion of delicious looking brisket, which was mildly sauced, and on a grilled bun. Upon eating the brisket, it was clear the star of the delicious sandwich was the succulent brisket. Unlike other places that serve BBQ, the lightly sauced meat really let the flavor come through, instead of the sauce overpowering it. Served with homemade BBQ beans, and coleslaw which was very tasty, as well as skin on French fries. After having the brisket I'm excited to go back and try their Pulled Pork, as well as their Ribs. One interesting item on the menu is the "Ferg Burger", which is described as "A half pound burger, applewood bacon,and a fried egg, layered between two grilled cheese sandwiches". Yes, 2 Grilled cheese sandwiches. My wife's serving of the Crossroads Mussels came in a wine sauce and served with a crusty garlic bread. I would estimate there were about 15 mussels, and 4 large buttery slices of garlic bread. The mussels smelled fresh and delicious, and tasted even better. DRINKS: One of the other stand outs of the venue was their large list of beer selections on the wall, including a large assortment on Tap as well as imported varieties. Martinis and mixed drinks were also available from the bar. I had a refreshing Franziskaner which went perfect for the afternoon meal. SUMMARY: Overall, we had a great experience, and are every excited to head back there for a bite and some drinks. Hearing some of their future plans for the establishment such as possible outdoor seating ,and delivery, makes me think Emil's will be a go-to place in Grayslake when you want a casual but enjoyable dining experience. It's good to see Grayslake starting to evolve with a variety of establishments that cater to different tastes. The Vine, another good restaurant on Center, has a different vibe than Emil's so they are more complimentary to each other than direct competition. If you are in Grayslake, and you want a good BBQ sandwich or choice of burgers, a friendly environment to catch up with friends, check out the game or chill over a drink, Emil's would definitely be the first in mind! read more

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Other than getting my order completely wrong, the under cooked pizza, and the over-use of oregano, it was pretty good :)

Great place to have drinks watch sports and eat. Not much to complain about when you have that combo in my book. The food here is good on top of that. This location is newer and larger than the original and seems to me has a larger menu and better food than the original. Service is usually efficient and people are nice. Although I generally hit the original location because it closer to me I think this location is an upgrade over the oldie but goodie. Worth the trip. read more

Emil's - American Near Me - Grayslake, Illinois

One of the best suburban eats in the Chicago land. Home run on all accounts. Beer selection, apps, entrees, and service. All good. Start with the wings. Buffalo style that are nice and big but well done. Then try any of the following: freg burger: a grilled cheer sandwich stuffed wit a 1/2 lb burger and a fried egg. Or the ahi tuna sandwich with wasabi mayo. Or the ribs and broasted chicken. Or the the headliner...the smoked prime rib. All good. Sprinkle in the craft beer selection and great service and this place is awesomeness. Try it now. I'll likely be here. read more

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Good place to relax and food is pretty good. Great for sports watching and plenty of good beers. And they don't have any issues with doggies on the patio. In fact dogs are very welcome. read more

Had the Texas tacos tonight with pulled pork. Sooooo good! So glad I tried them! I was debating pizza as I've always loved their pizza but decided to try something new. Staff was excellent, attentive and friendly. read more

Emil's - Austin Texas Tacos with pulled pork. AMAZING! - American Near Me - Grayslake, Illinois

Emil's offers good food that is consistent, friendly service and a good community atmosphere. Been dozens of times and always suggest this as a good local option for a family meal or evening beer with friends. More of a sports bar atmosphere than my wife prefers but the food brings her back for a good meal that is always a notch above most other local spots. Try the mozzarella sticks, wraps, and oversized salads. Not our "go-to" pizza joint but their pies aren't bad either. read more

This review is only for takeout. I placed an order through the phone on our way there to pick up the food. The person on the other line was friendly and courteous didn't seem rushed. I placed an order for a medium sausage and mushroom pizza extra thin, and an appetizer combo. Their establishment is attached to other retail stores. When we walked in there was already a lot of people watching the Hawks game. The place was spacious with two rooms dining area and a huge bar. We were told to go to the back of the bar for our food to be picked up. When we picked up the food it seemed like it was sitting there for a little longer than what they told us when our food would be ready. When I checked out the appetizer combo, it was a lot of food for about $14.00. it had the mozzarella sticks that were rolled up in wonton egg roll wraps it was different. Also there was your typical deep-fried mushrooms, Onion rings all topped with fresh cut fries. It was like a treasure hunt for the other appetizers in the fries. It also comes with a 6 piece hot wings. The pizza was a fair amount of cheese sausage and they use fresh mushrooms. It was extra thin but I was hoping to be cracker crust crispy. Maybe it turned soggy because it took us a while to eat are combo appetizer. It had a nice taste to it not too saucy or too tangy. Overall if I'm in the area I come back in order food from here again. read more

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Recently ordered their new fried pickles. They were awesome ! The breading was very crispy and full of flavor. The sauce was good as well. Very different than other places. I spoke with a young man named Mike , I believe he is one of the manager's about our dining experience. Always friendly and fun. We will visit again for sure. Thank you , Dom read more

Everything was wonderful! We had a reservation for 10 that ended up being 14. Very understanding and lovely outdoor seating. The enormous appetizer platter was a big hit! Best onion rings I've ever had bar none. Juicy wings, crispy fries, succulent mushrooms and mozzarella sticks that were so good I never got a bite. Morgan, our server, was the best. She was very patient and we all had separate checks. Not one person was disappointed with any food. The Clam Cowder is soooooo good! We had the fish fry, nachos, Cuban wrap, Reuben, several different burgers and I can't even remember what else. No room for dessert! Delicious. Will be back soon. read more

An absolutely great neighborhood sports bar. This place has a nice lively environment and is a great place to catch a game. Tons of Samsung HD flat screens around, so no worries being able to view the sporting event you're looking to catch. The food is typical bar food with a couple exceptions. The deep dish pizza is out of this world. The crust is just about perfect. The beer bread bites are also great. Otherwise the food is good, but nothing to write home about. The service is solid, and the prices are reasonable. Highly recommended. read more

Emil's - Veggie Deep Dish Pizza - American Near Me - Grayslake, Illinois

Food was great. Had a brisket sandwich and it was amazing. Meals are large portions. Cheese sticks were also amazing.

Emil's is great! The owners are great members of the community, and their steak quesadillas are awesome!

My husband and I have been to Emil's several times. Dine in and carry out. We love their service and their Emil's wings are the best around. This time around it was not good. We ordered carry out for our anniversary and due to it currently only being take out. Normally we dine in. We both ordered our Emil's wings as appetizer. They weren't too bad, but they also weren't up to the par they normally are. Honestly, the chicken tasted a bit old. We also both ordered the brisket sandwich. These came with fries, baked beans, and coleslaw. The meat on the sandwiches also tasted old. I did not finish mine. There wasn't enough sauce in my opinion. I tried to add more bbq sauce to get through it. I couldn't. I tried the beans. They tasted watery and bland. I also did not finish them. I did not try the coleslaw. My husband tried it and said it was okay. Nothing special. They probably are going through old inventory so that may be the reason everything tasted a bit off and old. It will probably be a while before we come back. read more

We dropped by Emil's for dinner on a Tuesday night and had a great time. Décor: This place is a sports bar through and through. There are lots of tables on one side and a four-sided full bar + high boys on the other - needless to say they can easily accommodate any size group you have. The place is well lit, has plenty of TVs, and the perfect amount of sports decoration to drive the point home without being annoying. Bathroom: very clean and inviting Staff: The greeter and our waitress were both super friendly and quick with their respective jobs. Our waitress checked on us several times and our food was prepared VERY quickly (with zero quality sacrifice). Food/Drinks: We came here for two things and two things only, wings and beer, and we had our fill of both! The beer selection is pretty solid and a mix of the standard stuff (I love me some Coors Light) and some craft stuff (they also have Leinenkugel's!). And the wings... oh man, the WINGS! They are SO GOOD. In fact, I'd dare to say they are prefect. They are good-sized, served perfectly crispy (with zero breading), and the sauce ratio is spot-on (we had buffalo, which was classic and delicious, and garlic, which was a bit like a buffalo garlic and FANTASTIC)! Seriously, they make wings EXACTLY how I like them. I'm salivating just recalling them as I type this... absolutely OUTSTANDING! Value: The prices are right about where you'd think they should be so, given the great service and outstanding food, you definitely get your money's worth here. Emil's is wonderful. I already cannot wait to return and try some different items on the menu (I've heard the pizza is also a delight). read more

Eaten her on several occasions and every time the food has been really good. It's a great place to watch sports but if you get there during a game it will be super crowded and your probably gonna have a little bit of a wait. Me and my kids like to go in summer and sit outside too. They should put a few more tables out there -plenty of room! Love the pizza, love the wings, love the fries, love everything so far!! read more

I met a friend there and we had sandwiches. Reubens, the staff very friendly and the Reuben was off the chain. I took a half home to my husband and we ordered delivery and of course he wanted a Reuben. We order from Emil's at least twice a month. Their pizzas and their salads are awesome as well. read more

A fun place with lots of seating. The ambience is excellent for the sports fans or the local sporting teams. Plenty of choices on the menus and fast service. There are TV's everywhere playing every sporting event you can think of. The food was tasty and hot when it came out... read more

The food is pretty worthless except for their burgers, pizza and Cuban wrap. The bar area is large and on a Friday or Saturday night you'll find a nice mix of people. There are tv screens throughout. read more

It's open now :-) New Years Day morning. Says something right there? read more