Walked in and sat at the bar. The guys behind the bar are great, top notch service. They work really hard!! We had the Alabama White Wings and which weren't my favorite. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but I ordered them so I ate them. It was like a mix of Dijon with Mayo. Not my favorite. The burger was really tasty. We enjoyed our flight of beers. I don't think I'd go back but it was a cool spot to try. read more

Great first trip to Forbidden Root on a recent Saturday evening. Open atmosphere and great taproom/restaurant amount of space. Beer-wise, Snoochie Boochies is not only a nod to the great Kevin Smith's Clerks/Jay & Silent Bob franchise, but a tasty double IPA. I was pleasantly surprised by the Ukie-vass, a Rye Ale with hints of rye bread and lemon. I sampled appetizers/small plates and really enjoyed the Fried Giardiniere, a great take on the classic relish/sandwich mixture, and Burrata, which had candied walnuts and a perfect amount of heat involved. Good service and located in an area that is accessible from anywhere in the city within a good 10 minutes makes this a good lead off spot for the evening or a place to end the night as well with the huge selection of fragrant brews and whiskeys. read more

Forbidden Root - Great Double IPA, which was available in a bomber size only during our visit. - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

10/10 must show up fr food amazing drinks made through brewery are delicious absolutely would recommend if you're visiting but this is a hidden gem no doubt! read more

Forbidden Root - jason was an amazing bartender the specials and drinks are absolutely incredible top tier food was 9/10 guaranteed must show up!!!!! -dp:) - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're a sour, funky, fruity beer enthusiast like myself, Forbidden Root is your haven for drinks on the West side of Chicago. The seating at Forbidden Root is a bit confusing; it's a bit unclear whether you need to be seated by a host or if you can go straight to the bar. I've had a mixed bag of service, but it's been good for the most part. The location and atmosphere is perfect for a night out on Chicago Ave. I can't speak to the food, although it always looks tempting. Ideal for anything from a casual date night to post-dinner drinks, Forbidden Root is our go-to for fantastic craft beer in the neighborhood. And it should be yours too. read more

Looking for a low key NYE, my friend and I noticed Forbidden Root had open reservations with no catch (no extra charge just to get in the door or party gimmicks). Good food, good drinks, wear whatever - we were sold! As soon as I walked in the host asked if he could take my coat and gave me a ticket. Why don't more restaurants do this?! Such a nice touch. Whoever designed the interior knew what they were doing - it was cozy and just lovely. I was actually shocked to find not many people were there but it actually worked to our favor to have a table in our own little corner and some very attentive service. Unfortunately I was just getting over being sick, so I decided not to roll the dice with beer. Which, obviously, is what Forbidden Root is known for so a great excuse to come back ASAP. My friend had a flight and I tried the mule cocktail (good, but nothing to email home about). For food, I had the pork schnitzel sandwich with fries and it was pretty much everything I could've hoped for. For that matter, the whole experience was pretty much everything I could've hoped for. What an awesome brewpub! read more

Forbidden Root - Pork schnitzel sandwich - om nom nommmm - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was a total last minute stop. Forbidden Root has been on my list of places to check out for a while but I never really got the chance to make it (have a kid they said). I came on a Friday night around 7 pm before it got too busy and just sat at the bar. The place was almost full which is a good sign. The bartender (it's his second day) was very friendly and helpful. He didn't talk to you like you are a customer but someone he knows which is really nice. I ordered the old fashioned and had the Ramen popcorn as a snack. I didn't take a picture of that because it was actually pretty good I just inhaled it in couple of minutes. Okay, apparently I was hungrier than I anticipated. ( a side note: since this is a small bowl and it's just popcorn I would have appreciated if it just comes free with a cocktail. I understand restaurants might be currently struggling but $4 for a tiny bowl is not a good move in my book. Either, make it a bigger bowl or have it free with a drink). Anyways, I ordered the burger and fries and both of which were delicious. I would definitely go there again if I'm in the area. There was a lot on the menu that I would definitely try next time. Everything was delicious and the service was good. Bon appétit ! read more

Forbidden Root - Old fashion cocktail - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped in for lunch and a beer and was blown away by their burger - highly recommend you to give this a try, it may be my favorite in Chicago! I prefer a simple but well done burger - for me this one topped Au Cheval! The cheese was phenomenal, the patty so well cooked, great bun and the giardiniera sauce was a great addition. Give their burger a try!! read more

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This restaurant exceeded my expectations in every way. I would recommend it to everyone. This was discovered while my buddies and I were making plans to spend some quality time together. This restaurant came highly recommended to me by my girlfriend, and so we decided to give it a shot. It serves typical pub meals such as spicy fried chicken sandwiches and burgers, but they're underrated, and the food alone is incentive enough to pay a visit. This isn't a brewery that's attempting to pass itself off as a high-end dining place, either. One of my friends had trout served in the style of a fine dining establishment, and it was very fantastic. The brick and metal grating dominate the ambience, which is not excessively cold despite the fact that it is. In addition, the service is adequate. All in all, I think it's really nice! I may visit again here if I have time. read more

Great burger, greater Monday burger special! The duck and dumplings entree is also wonderful.

Impressive in every way. FR has a cool urban laid-back vibe with a brisk business for a Monday. First stop: beer flight. Nice little beer buzz on a diverse variety with my personal favorite of the Mellow Mallow. A refreshing canned saison carried us through the rest of the meal. I wonder if people come here for the beer . . . They should but . . . the food. Twin starters: carrots and kale salad. Perfectly grilled carrots over, of all things, hummus. It works! The added fresh sprouts have a nice crunch. The kale salad, which I initially thought was over-dressed, wasn't. They had us at 'crispy chick peas'. Tried the vegan soup of the day: curried cauliflower. Sublime. Really. Pork schnitzel sandwich was perfectly cooked with some funky (in a great way) beet slaw. Again, it worked. Really well. I ordered a side of yellow mustard to dip the over-hanging pork in. Yep. Duck and dumplings tasted like something we had in an Austrian cafe. Rich. Complex. Duck confit was perfect. And the gnocchi were cooked to perfection. Should have ordered a glass of white wine with that one. Two suggestions: the fries were lackluster. The sandwich deserved crispier fries. And maybe some crispy bread for the duck? Sat at the bar - approachable, knowledgeable servers. All of them. Gotta come back for the burger and popcorn. Bottom line: come for the beer. No, wait, come for the food. Beer . . . Food . . . Food . . . Beer. Can't lose. read more

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Forbidden Root is a worthwhile brew pub/restaurant to check out in the West Town area of Chicago. They accept reservations on Reserve.com. The space has a rustic and relaxed feel to it. It is the perfect spot for either date night or for bringing a large group of friends. The two of us came on a Monday night and were pleasantly surprised to learn that they had a special going on. Every Monday you can get a burger, side, any beer on tap, and a shot of bourbon for only $15. Not a bad deal at all! I loved the rose' beer that I had during the night that I was there. Totally smooth and fresh tasting. Even though I rarely order cocktails at breweries, I couldn't resist trying one of their interesting sounding cocktails. I tried a "Fall" inspired cocktail that used oak barrel Rhine Hall brandy, bourbon, and other ingredients. It was bolder than I expected, but very delicious. I am already craving their hot wings again. Every little detail about the wings was perfect. The sauce that the wings were covered in had the right kick to them and I loved that they had rings of fresh peppers on top of them. The burger was cooked and seasoned well. They top the burger with a homemade sauce that pairs well with the burger. I fully intend on making Forbidden Root part of my restaurant rotation. read more

There are so many breweries in the Chicago area, but this one has been on my bucket list for a while now. We were staying in a different neighborhood for a couple of days, so we took an Uber here and walked to a few other breweries nearby. The neighborhood was a nice change from the busy downtown area that we were staying in. There are lots of great murals! We visited Forbidden during happy hour so there was a discounted flight of beers that we shared. We then had a 2nd flight of some of the other beers that we wanted to try. All of the beers were great, and we especially loved the Panda Party dark lager. We enjoy dark beers which are less common to find on tap in the summer, so this was a great option as it wasn't too heavy. We sat at the bar and admired all of the nature inspired decor. The staff were great, very friendly and knowledgeable. We did not have any food here but the appetizers/snacks that we saw some others having looked great. On my next visit to the city, I plan to try their other location, Cultivate! read more

The food was decent . Good vibes . Nice drinks . May come back if I'm in the area. The soup was amazing -- tomato parmesan

Service and experience started off great. Then our server got busy and forgot about us. The cheese plate was tasty, but the carrots, half chicken, and shishito peppers were meh. They served us then completely forgot about us - left the dirty plates on our table for over 30 minutes and failed to pay attention to us or ask us how we were. Only giving so many stars because I LOVE the space and want them to improve their service. read more

Forbidden Root - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow! This place was great!!! We got the brussels sprouts, burger and spicy chicken sandwich. The beers were also ON POINT. The staff was super friendly and very helpful, recommending their favorites. Also, the vibes inside are great - superb bathrooms - haha! Definitely will be back! Thanks FR! read more

Forbidden Root - Double Smashburger - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of my favorite breweries in the city now. As many other reviewers have mentioned, the space is very large. Everyone was socially distanced and staff wore masks. Because it was in the low fifties tonight, the front was open to the outdoors. Overall, great atmosphere. The beers here were great! I got a custom flight of 5. I've had the strawberry basil at a bar once but still had to get it! I would also recommend the TORO! It's the perfect IPA. My friend had the burger and I got the Reuben. The food was good but I wish I got the burger (I hate getting the same thing as someone else... Should've let that go in this case...) There's a ton of street parking here! read more

We LOVE Forbidden Root! Great beer, great vibes, great food. Our faves include the strawberry basil margarita, Brussel sprouts, duck confit, and spicy fried chicken sandwich. However, we were obsessed with the Reuben sandwich, best one we've ever had, and are really disappointed that it's no longer on the menu. Please, please, please bring it back! Oh and bring back the wings as a regular, too! read more

Today was the first of the Tasty Tuesday series. You get a 6 oz. beer with an elixir. I've never heard of this concept before, but an elixir is kind of like a shot (non-alcholic) of flavors that you put in the beer. I got one called Robear, which was honey, marigold, and some other floral flavors. I could really taste the honey! It was also served with Kimchi chips - delicious. I can't wait for them to put those chips on the menu. The burger here is very good. It's a good size and comes with a toasted bun. I like that they have their own sauces. I've also tried the pork schnitzel - another good choice. These were the two dishes that cost the less among the entrees ($14). It's worth coming in often if you like botanical beers - or if you've never had one. They rotate their beers, so there's always something new to try. I've liked what I've gotten so far, but I wouldn't be able to tell you what they were! Plenty of beers to suit everyone's tastes. They also offer cocktails and wines. This is a great place to hang out with friends. As another reviewer said, this isn't really a bar feel, it's definitely more of a restaurant feel. read more

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My review is for the beer only but the food menu did look tasty. Boyfriend and I were in the area and wanted to stop by for a beer flight. This place gets packed so we found an opening at the bar and stood there. Beer flight included the Cherrytree Amaro, Whole Lotta Love, Fig Dubbel, Sublime Ginger and Rye'z & Shine. The beers were good but none of them were memorable or blew me away. read more

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Came here on Saturday night with my friend for some snacks and drinks. It was a busy crowd with many people so I was hoping to be amazed. Alas it's just ok. My friend had the fried chicken sandwich which did not seem to be cooked all the way through.I had the duck pasta which was small had a very strong cheese odor. We had ordered iced tea but they ran out and instead of coming back and asking us what else we wanted. The waiters split the iced tea into two small cups kind of strange. All in all the ambience was nice but not sure if we would come back for dinner. read more

Love the look of the space! really pretty fun vibes. the food was ok we actually really liked the pork schnitzel and mussels. the mussels were great! my beer was warm, no foam....seemed flatish... we ordered the wings which we were told were spicy but we found them inedible absolutely outrageous spicy....this isn't man vs food. i don't know if i'd go out of my way to come back....but if i did i definitely order the mussels! read more

Forbidden Root - inedible hot wings....obscenely - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We decided to make an outing with friends to Forbidden Root because hubby heard about it on NPR. It was a fun outing on a cold January Sunday. We even able to find street parking very close - free on Sunday! Crazy selection of beers! I chose the Cucumber Strawberry Basil. I know, sounds strange. Well maybe but absolutely delicious. Made in the German Hefeweizen style, it was light and so drinkable. I not even a beer drinker but I could get used to this one. We were told that it is one of their most popular. The nose is strong on the cucumber and the taste is super fresh and refreshing. This would be my perfect summer beer. Hubby got one of their flights and liked all but one. We ordered the Fried Giardiniere and the grilled carrots with Pistachio Hummus to share as our appetizers. Both were excellent and some in our party preferred the Giardiniere and others the carrots. You can't go wrong with either but I would order both! Three in our party got the dinner special which was fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and collard greens. They all really like their dinners. I was the only outlier ordering the Milk Brined Pork Schnitzel Sandwich with Pickled Beet Mayo, Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun. I I chose the side salad instead of the fries. So happy that they give you a choice. Our waiter was good. He was enthusiastic about both their beers and their food. They weren't very crowded on this Sunday evening so it was easy for them to bring the food and beer promptly. read more

Forbidden Root - Cool vibe here. - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The staff is friendly and very helpful with suggestions for food and beverages. The cocktails are delicious and unique. The foods is scrumptious. My absolute favorite dish is the duck and dumplings. Beer menu and flights never disappoint. read more

I made a last minute reservation here for Saturday night. It was great! It would be fun to come here with a larger group since they have a lot of space. Really interesting beers on tap and the food is great. The shishito peppers were very good but I usually like them cooked more simply. Still delicious and would get again. The spicy popcorn was so good and I could have eaten more of that! We each got the burger which was fabulous. Very juicy and flavorful. Great waiter and fun vibes and great music too! read more

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It has a really good selection of beer! Which is great for a brewery! The food though just isn't anything worth being excited for!

The food is equally good! Loved the mushroom pot pie and arugula salad. Want to return for more delicious food and beer! So far, best brewery in town for great beer, food and ambiance! read more

Forbidden Root - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Walking along W Chicago Ave on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, I stopped into Forbidden Root for Brunch. The space is great, the service was good as well. I enjoyed the Burger, and man was it good! It was cooked amazing, and the taste was out of this world! My server, Scott, was very helpful in showing me the menu, since it was my first time there. Everything was top notch and I cannot wait to come back to enjoy their full dinner menu! Thank you Forbidden Root for an enjoyable experience, we will be back in the near future! read more

Forbidden Root - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is AWESOME!!- From the decor to the beers to the food. The flight of beer we had was probably the best flight I've ever had- every beer was delicious and unique. The fried chicken sandwich and spicy fried chicken sandwich were also the juiciest and best chicken sandwiches we've ever had (coming from self proclaimed food critics). The chicken was juicy and tender on the inside but perfectly crispy on the outside. Overall 10/10 and especially impressive and safe during COVID. read more

Forbidden Root - Flight - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is just amazing. They have a new Salmon dish out that just screams summer! citrus and creamy; the interior is dope. The duck is outstanding and can be paired with one of their wide beer selections. I would travel to hit this place up. read more

Great food and staff. I would recommend the duck and dumplings. Bartender was wonderful in her explanations of the drinks. Thank you Jane the bartender! read more

Forbidden Root is the restaurant version of McDonalds more hipster cousin. The burger is juicy and very "agreeable" made with a special sauce that is one part aioli, one part thousand island, one part mayo. If you love McDonalds French fries then you will love them at Forbidden Root. This former movie theater brews their own beers which similar to their food is quite agreeable. Now they have more then burgers. If you are feeling Italian worth checking out the Gnocchi as an app or any other of their small plates. I believe it's a true 3.5 out of 5, but 4 stars was just a bit high. read more

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I had the opportunity to visit Forbidden Root Memorial Day weekend with my family. Overall, most of our food and drink was good - the service was prompt and helpful, the restaurant was clean, and they seated us on time for our reservation. That said, there were a few things about our experience that I found odd. When we went to order a flight, we were given the impression that we couldn't customize it at all, which was a bummer, because we wanted to try the Strawberry Basil beer and a few others that didn't come on the predetermined flight list. Then, the folks next to us seemed to be able to do that (could have been a misunderstanding). We then spent quite a bit of time looking over the menu, only to find that we weren't really working from the most up to date information when it came time to order (for example, we learned the duck was served with a cherry topping, not a honey as the menu said, and the ribs were lamb, not pork as the menu said). I understand that things change with a seasonal menu, but I guess I just assumed if the changes were that drastic it's something that would have been shared right when we sat down. We went with an order of the dill pickle chips and sausage to start (chips were great, spreadable sausage was ok), and the duck confit and spring gnocchi for dinner. The duck confit with the cherry topping was very tender and delicious and came with some really well-seasoned grits - I would recommend it. Though the gnocchi itself was a little more crunchy than cushiony, it was very fresh tasting, and had a lovely lemon sauce that complemented the peas and asparagus. The beers we tried were pretty good, and I think this place makes a lovely happy hour spot with some shared bites, but I would encourage you to seek clarity on what is being offered when you're visiting because it's subject to change. read more

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Love the beer choices at Forbidden Root especially the Sparkling Rosé Ale! Although during my recent visit, they currently don't have the Sparkling Rosé on the menu, I believe the waitress said they are currently brewing and should only be temporarily. Fingers crossed because this drink is everything! Some other great beer flavors I've tried include the Strawberry Basil and Cherrytree Amaro which is also highly recommended. You'll notice their beers are more on the fruity and botanical side which is definitely more suited for me. I wasn't too fond of the entree food choices here but did try their fried giardiniere appetizer which was delicious and paired fairly well with the drinks. The servings though run a bit small. Overall a cool brewery spot in Chicago and I will be returning once my favorite drink comes back! read more

Forbidden Root - Fried Giardiniere - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this place. Must make reservations. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the fruit twist in food and beers.

Great service and yummy food. Loved my salad and the appetizers were delicious. Popcorn was super tangy and we loved the miso Brussels sprouts! read more

Great drinks, atmosphere, and food is good. Only giving four stars because the Alabama sauce was lackluster but everything else was so good - chicken sandwich, chips, pie read more

Forbidden Root - Bar area - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing service, beer, food, and atmosphere. This place does not miss. Also brussel sprouts were amazinggg

Just wow. The bartender just throwing a childish fit because we went from the bar to a table. Never asked if we wanted to start a tab. Just absolutely unprofessional. It's fine I'll never be back. Customer beware. read more

This is a really interesting place, the kind of beer they have is pretty "peculiar". They are a Botanic Brewery, they only use natural ingredients it's interesting, the place itself is pretty cool. The beers are a matter of personal preference what I would say here is, go and try it. I feel that definitely is worth your time. But I want to add, the ginger sublima was good. The beer with "strawberry" on the name, I hated it. But as I said, just go and try it... read more

Forbidden Root makes my type of beers! Light, easily drinkable, and an exploration of flavors and mouth feel in each one. We stopped in for a quick happy hour and were really pleased to find the option to order 5 oz. pours of all the brews. The strawberry basil and cranberry based beer were both amazing. We also had the fried chicken skins with pimento cheese & bread and butter pickle relish -- put the guilty feelings aside and indulge in these. They are so good. read more

Forbidden Root - Brewpubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois