Gretel in Logan Square is the perfect date night spot! It's a gastropub with elevated bar food and fantastic cocktails. They don't take reservations, so you'll show up and probably need to wait a bit for a table. They're right across from a super cool thrift store called Flying High though, the perfect place to kill time while you wait! I started off the hellion cocktail. It had mezcal, persimmon, aquafaba, and red absinthe. That combo made the drink so smooth and tasty! For food we started off with the beer tartare. It was pretty good! The star of the show here was definitely the bread. It was so flavorful and perfectly toasted. For our mains we spit the gretel griddle burger and the smoked trout caesar salad. The burger was super dense, but really good. The salad was fantastic, the smoked trout was cut up super small and mixed in with the dressing, which I loved. Suprisingly, the part to remember here was definitely the fries and sweet/spicy aioli that came with the burger. Definitely ordering that next time I go!! We ordered a second round of drinks after our food and I got the espresso martini. It was really good! Definitely would get again. read more

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I had the burger at Gretel. Everything was 10/10- burgers, fries, aioli! I had the Who Sencha drink- amazing! Went on an off night, a Monday & it was still busy. Chill vibes, will definitely be back! read more

solid burger, great pretzel, and lovely caesar! fun vibes and great ambiance here. this is a bar so expect that first and foremost. prices are a touch steep. read more

You'll definitely enjoy the food at Gretel. Some of the dishes we've tried were phenomenal, and others were still above average. Service is always friendly, but sometimes it's been difficult to get our specific server's attention. The good news is, you can pretty much flag any of the staff as they're nearby, and they'll either help you directly or (usually what I ask:) they will notify your server. It may sound boring, but they make a great burger. I'm not into cheese or aioli, but most of the people who order that when I go love that. Even "my" way, they use the right blend of meat. When their fries come out hot, they're excellent. (If they're not hot, just ask for them to bring out a hot batch.) There's so much more inventiveness on the menu, so I encourage you to read it all and try some of the creativity. We were impressed with almost everything. We did not feel we could recommend the vegan pastrami sandwich, though it wasn't bad. If I were vegan, I'd probably be very glad they offer it. Lots of very interesting cocktails as well as craft beers. This is a great restaurant to go with a couple friends. read more

We went for lunch on a weekday, and it was the perfect time to go. Quiet, in crowded, and fast. The cocktails were excellent, especially the glow torch. The chicken liver mousse was SO good and smooth. The house pickled cut the richness. We also tried the burger (!!!), Mac and cheese (!!!), fries, and fried chicken sandwich. All was great, but I'd rate the chicken liver mousse and the burger at the top. read more

Gretel - Chicken liver mousse - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sauve, man, you are are so f-ing suave! Here's to Ben! That's the vibe you get here at Gretel, all dark woods, sexy decor, rows upon rows upon rows of bourbon bottles. It is indeed the Ben of all restaurants; a lovely place, one you want to come home to and call your own. And the substance matches the aesthetics - the drinks are flawless, the wine list exotic, and the food delicious. The French dip is particularly good, as is the mac and cheese. Sadly, our server was not well versed with the wine list but I went with my gut and ordered the Lebanese wine - Massaya Le Colombier - and was not disappointed. It was earthy, chewy, fantastique! There were other similarly exotic options I would like to return to sample. Service was otherwise friendly and the vibe was super chill with an excellent soundtrack. We will definitely be back. read more

First things first, parking is very limited. You can find some free parking across the street. There aren't any signs but you'll see a bunch of cars kind of cramped. That's how you know you're in the right place. Other than that, there are too many signs that say you need a permit to park. The restaurant doesn't have a huge sign on the outside but we did see a small sign in the window that said Gretel. The entrance door kind of has a Medieval feel to it. This is a very casual restaurant, the lighting is dark. Service was great. Staff was very friendly and they made sure we were well taken care of. We ordered the Gretel griddle burger, fried chicken sandwich, mac and cheese, and elote riblets. We substituted our fries for something else at an extra cost. -Gretel griddle burger 3 - there was a lot of hype about how good this was but I found it kind of mid. Don't get my wrong it's a good burger but I would have liked it to be medium rare. It wasn't mind blowing to me, the meat needed to be more moist. -Fried chicken sandwich 5 - to me this was the star of the show. That spicy aioli and chili oil made it kind of spicy but in a delicious way. Chicken was succulent. One of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever had. -mac and cheese 5 - very cheesy. I loved the bacon and scallions in here. -elote riblets 4 - these were good but yeah kind of awkward to eat. I would have liked it if they cut off the inedible part of the corn. read more

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Date night made easy at this Logan square favorite restaurant. ventured out to this area on a whim as we had no plans and no desire to cook food on a Friday night. so we headed to Armitage to see what restaurants smell the best and land it on Gretel!!! Gretto has been on my Yelp collections list of wanting to try restaurants in Logan square for 2 years. I was happy with a finally took the time to try this restaurant. when we arrived there were no tables available and we had to be put on a reservation list. Initially the list was an hour to an hour and a halfway per the hostess. we ended up placing our names on the list and heading to nearby bar Attagirl. There is also another brewery really close by that you can grab some beer at. Our table was ready within 45 minutes. Once we sat we were able to look at the extensive menu for whiskey and other cocktails. we end up ordering the Gretel old-fashioned and a Cosmopolitan. Super impressed with our cocktail selection and I am sure they could make just about anything here. they have such a detailed list of different spirits and alcohols.For food we got one gruddle burger and 1 chicken sandwich. for sides we got the French fries and the Mac and cheese. We very much enjoyed our selections however the Gretel Burger was stand out. I think if we came back we probably would both end up ordering that Burger. The French fries were hot 20 fold and salty. the Mac and cheese was also good however they did accidentally put bacon in mine which I think I would have enjoyed better without bacon. All in all a very good restaurant/bar to visit. I would come back here and it's a really just chill place good music chill vibes and the staff were really friendly. read more

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Gretel is a fun place. I really like the ambiance and it has a great bar. The burger was great. We will be back.

This restaurant/whiskey bar has been on my list since last year. Glad we were able to get in quickly for my hubbys b-day dinner. No reservations but the wait seem like on a busy weekend was about 45 min. That's reasonable,lucky we waits 10secs lol. The greater burger was amazing and the rest of the the food we ordered was amazing. Definitely coming back. read more

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Their burger is hands down one of my favorite in Chicago! The perfectly melted cheese, aioli, and juiciness had me licking my fingers for more There's a great vibe inside with an impressive spirits wall. The lobster bisque was very tasty and the while I still enjoyed the shishito peppers, I could have done without the mayonnaise-based sauce they were in. Part of that may have been because of the heaviness of the burger and bisque and I was really looking for the peppers to balance out the meal more than it did. Either way, will definitely be coming back! read more

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Everyone lauds the burger which absolutely deserves its respect, but I want to highlight a few other items which were top notch- 1. The smoked trout Caesar, clever and expertly seasoned/dressed 2. The bone marrow- finally a restaurant that serves both thiccc marrow filled bones AND doesn't hammer the hell out of them. 3. The expansive and tremendously valued beverage list. All in all, great meal and worth a repeat visit. read more

Gretel - Smoked trout Caesar salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Chill, beautiful space. Service was great even with our bigger party. The food was delicious. I loved that the Caesar salad. Yum yum. Tried the ramen A+! Homemade pretzel was the best I've ever had. Fries were cooked perfectly. Definitely was a great choice since we were in town for a short visit. I also loved all the zz plants in the window. read more

Oh how the might have fallen. I am a huge fan of burgers, love to go around the city and try their best. Well move over others Che**la and McDonald's of Chicago ... Gretel in my opinion has one of the best, top 3 for sure in Chicago. I absolutely loved their Gretel burger, not overtly messy, great beef flavor, rich but not too over decadent. The pickles and red onion cut through the cheese and beef in a well balanced bite. Will definitely come back. The service was great, big open room inside, we sat outside. read more

Gretel - Gretel Griddle Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's an unassuming storefront with no signage that will scream GRETEL to you but nice you find it you'll definitely be back. We ordered oysters, the pretzel, the gretel burger, and the tonkotsu ramen and the ramen was stellar. Seriously better than what I've had at some ramen places in the city, the broth was rich without being heavy and the pork was perfect. The pretzel was worth reordering too. The burger was a burger according to my partner who ordered it (but he also picks off all the fun stuff so take that for what you will). Service was prompt and helpful. Once dry January is over I can't wait to go back and try a recommendation from their massive wall of whiskeys. There's a handful of high top standing tables in addition to standard seating so this could be a fun spot to grab apps and drinks before continuing your night. read more

Gretel - Tonkotsu ramen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Fucking raw pork in the tonkatsu. Enough said. Wolf and co is awesome but there seems to be a problem with gretel these days.if I could give minus 10 stars I would. I've been throwing up all day. read more

I give 4.5 stars. The ambiance was cozy. The food overall was delicious. As you can see lots of liquor options and a nice selection of craft beers. I never had a sea bass cut like that before but it was a mild flaky fish. The steak frite was yummy be prepared for a special steak sauce versus traditional. The macaroni n cheese was amazing. Very cheesy and flavorful. The oyster Rockefeller was nice. Small oysters but nonetheless tasty. The lobster bisque had 2 pieces of lobster the bar of the soup wasn't as creamy as what im accustomed too but it was fair. The service was great. He was attentive, kind, and didn't forget anything. I believe they have a speak easy setting in the lower level but I didn't get to see it. I would return to Gretel for casual lunch or you can go for date night. Street parking and easy to find. Also those plants inside are absolutely beautiful. read more

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This could become our new go-to bar. The food we tried was very good, oysters and burgers, the service was friendly and efficient. The atmosphere was comfortable and inviting; all in all a very good experience. read more

One of the best casual restaurants in the city. Best french dip in the city. The absolute best caesar salad in the city. Bourbon & whiskey selection is awesome & priced nicely. read more

I already have a few favorite burgers around the city, but I'm always down to check out new places. I've been hearing the burgers at Gretel were good, so I had to check them out. They don't take reservations, so I knowing that I may have to wait. Fortunately for us, they had plenty of tables available downstairs. The main floor was pretty packed though. The service for the most part was good. It's never a good thing when we have to ask for the check, but overall I was pretty satisfied. The burgers came out very quick, but what really caught my eye or my ears for that matter was the music. They had some good stuff playing in the background. Mexican music, like cumbias. The music seemed out of place but I think that's what made this place so great. Please don't change this. The wife and I both ordered their Gretel Griddle Burger. It came with two patties, white and yellow American cheese and garlic aioli. It also comes with pickles and onions, but I don't like neither on my burgers. The burgers were really good. The bun was toasted with a nice char and the patties were juicy and perfectly seasoned. The burger was also very cheesy. They came with fries as a side or your could substitute any side for $2 more. My side orders their Mac and cheese as a sub and that was good as well. It came loaded with bacon, scallions and topped with bread crumbs. This was the first time I've had Mac & cheese with scallions and I must say I did enjoy it. The fries were good and came with a sweet and spicy house aioli. I was not a big fan of this sauce. Wasn't thick enough to stick to the fries but overall a very delicious meal. The burger is a little bit on the pricey side at $18, especially since I just read a review that the burger was only $10 just a few years ago. It does come with a side of fries so you at least know you will be leaving full. I can definitely see myself returning in the near future. read more

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My boyfriend and I have always loved Gretel. We went there for Valentines Day this year and it was amazing! Miranda out server was so attentive and went the extra mile to find us wine we would like. Mo was very warm and welcoming. The food was incredible. We got the ribeye dinner for two with Brussel sprouts and fries. One of my favorite spots for drinks and dinner!! read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hands down in my opinion; one of the best gourmet burger in Chicago. I dream of this burger that's how yummy it is! Lol. If you have never been here, please go. The wait can be insane but worth it so make sure you arrive with 2hrs or more before you're actually starving and seated. We come here specifically only for the burger, Mac and cheese and Brussels sprouts. I can't wait to come back and continue to explore the rest of the menu. But definitely worth it! And the ambiance is so chill and chic. I love it! read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered take out, so I can't speak to service or ambiance but I feel it is probably as phenomenal as the food was! We ordered the elote ribetes, and the burger with fries- The ribetes were delicious, perfectly cooked and the mezcal salsa verde was such a lovely touch! The burgers were INSANE!!!! Cooked perfectly, with crunchy pickles and delicious garlic aioli on a nice soft bun. I had been craving a burger all week and this burger satisfied my need. The fries were delicious, they are thin cut and nicely salted; they were a bit softer than I like (but that's just a personal preference). All in all it was just what we needed and better than we could have anticipated! read more

Catching up on Yelp reviews as the last time I visited Gretel was back over summer on my moving away foodie tour from Logan Square. I visited for lunch during a weekday after packing up some things in my apartment. There was barely anyone there, which made sense. Ambiance is a cool as it's dark, dimly lit, speakeasy styleish. Gretel is also a great whiskey bar. I ordered my usual, Double Cheeseburger with a side of mac n cheese. Bun was better this time around. It was softer and it holds together well, but it still lacks flavor. Burger patty was good, but I wish it was juicier. It was supposed to be medium rare, but it was definitely medium. Probably sitting under the heat lamp a little too long. Pickle had some crunch and great flavor. Sauce was great, but it needed more. Cheese is the best as it's extremely flavorful and melted to perfection and it is where it's at. So my ranking is a slight downgrade, but a very good burger. Old Ranking: Bun: 5 Patty: 8 Toppings: 10 Overall: 7.67 Fries: 7 Mac n Cheese: 10 New Ranking: Bun: 6 Patty: 7 Toppings: 9 Overall: 7.33 Fries: N/A Mac n Cheese: 10 Overall, Gretel is an awesome bar with some amazing food! I still have to come back and try the oysters, but the burger and mac n cheese are that good. The burger is not as good as it's sister restaurant in Andersonville, Little Bad Wolf, but it's still very good. I highly recommend checking out Gretel! read more

Gretel - Double cheeseburger and Mac n cheese. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Finally had the opportunity to visit Gretel and try their much lauded burger. This popular Logan Square pub delivers a dark, fashionable lounge vibe. From the elegant wood front doors to the impressive bar design, I dug this spot right away. A stellar draft list set the stage for the star of the show. The Gretel Griddle Burger is constructed with two patties, white and yellow American cheese, red onion, garlic aioli, and pickles. Served with a heaping side of fries (taller than the burger) for $18 is a real value that keeps this place busy every night of the week. This currently ranks Number 7 on my Chicago Burger List, which is high praise, given their company in this category. They don't take reservations, so come early and grab a drink or four while you wait. read more

Gretel - Gretel Griddle Burger two patties, white and yellow American cheese,red onion, garlic aioli, pickles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My favorite burger in town so far. Perfectly balanced flavors. Nothing is overpowering. The bun is perfect. The meat is delicious. Fresh thin cut fries to pair perfectly. Mac and cheese is great too. The rest of the menu looks good too, but don't know if I'll ever order anything but a cheeseburger lbvs. Love the layout and decor. Very eccentric. The place is busy. Took an hour to get a table. Will definitely be back. Just probably not on the weekend. read more

No reservations so we had to wait a little bit and sipped on some strong yet yummy cocktails. The burger was very tender but I can't say it's the best I've had. Maybe if we had added the egg and bacon? The French dip was large and not bad either. For us, the Mac and cheese was the winner. If we ever come back, I'd want to try the French onion soup. read more

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As one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! Dishing Delectable dishes and cocktails late into the night! One of the best burgers around. They roll out hot savory lobster rolls and French onion soups. Haven't had a menu item that I didn't like here. Come for the mixologist curated cocktails, Stay for the ambiance and company at the bar. read more

Gretel - Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Place is really nice love the vibes , service was great , the food was good I'm not gonna lie , the only problem was that it was beyond salty , and this is coming from a person who always adds more salt to their food other than that the food really has potential my guess is maybe it was just a one day thing some one went a little overboard with the seasonings and salt . read more

very cool bar, very good burger. was busy on a weekday but was able to grab a seat at the bar. the burger is great - delicious flavor in the meat, good texture, lots of cheese/sauce, very messy, great bun. would love a bit more acidity to balance it out but it was still very delicious. Opted for a salad as the side which was a great balance, would definitely return to eat this again read more

I really loved this place! The ambiance is like an old library-esque feel with big booths and dark interior. i loved the sliding ladder behind the bar for the huge floor to ceiling liquor cabinet - such a cool addition to the decor. They don't take reservations and we walked in around 8ish and was able to sit at the bar right away. the drink menu is very cool - lots different cocktails to try - i got the white lotus which had an interesting earthy taste - but be warned it's quite strong! Okay, so I've been wanting to come to gretel ever since I saw their burger listed on a best burger in chicago list like many other people...but the real highlight of the night were the pork belly nachos!!! If you come here for food, GET THEM. I think they are now one of my favorite dishes to get in Chicago. The queso sauce on it was sooo creamy and cheesy and umami. ugh I'm salivating as I type this out. We of course got the burger with mac and cheese. The burger was honestly a bit salty but I still really enjoyed all the flavors of the juicy patty and sweet bread (i think brioche?). The mac and cheese was BOMB, similar oozy queso sauce as the nachos lavishly coating each noodle- SO good. We also wanted to try the french dip, which was also a bit salty...but the sandwich was absolutely stuffed with meat and the elote side was SO good. they came out like little rib pieces to nibble on and the char on them were really nice with the creamy mayo parm sauce. overall, really cool place to check out. I ended up enjoying the sides/appetizer more than the entrees and took off one star for the entrees being a tad too salty. I would come back to try their other drinks and food! read more

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I've lived in Chicago for about 5.5 years and when I say this place has everything you'll ever want - I mean it. This time I got the burger - which will compete with any burger in Chicago. If this restaurant was downtown or in West Loop - there'd be a longer wait than Wildberry on a holiday weekend. Everything is so good - but the pro move, in my opinion is the burger with the Mac and cheese instead of the fries. It's definitely worth the switch. Can't wait to come back. read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Gretel is absolutely gorgeous and has such a calming vibe. I'm a big fan of the wedge salad and cocktail program. The lobster rolls come packed with lobster but not much flavor. I do think Gretel is great especially in the winter as it has a warmth and great tavern vibe. The service is always kind and while it is a bit pricy, it is worth it for a once in a while treat. read more

Second time my husband and I went in and does not disappoint! Last night we sampled the burger, which was epic/the brussels sprouts were maybe a little bit too much balsamic but still very fresh and yummy/steak frite steak is beautiful and done perfectly to a tiny bit bloody/fries were skinny and delicious. The drinks are always dangerous and lovely, I got a coconut infused gin drink last night & it was beautiful & brush, and strong, ;) inspired me to come home and infuse a big bottle of gin with coconut! No desserts, which is not a big deal but they did bring out a cookie for my friend's birthday and it tasted very chewy and warm and homemade. Really a cool place. The deck is very dark the service is impeccable and it's not that big of a place, cozy, and dark, I'm sure it'll be crazy busy in the winter coming up, love it! read more

Almost missed the restaurant trying to find it but it's right across from middle brow! Went around lunchtime on a weekday so wasn't busy at all. Has a little cute outdoor sitting and staff was quick and friendly. The Mac and cheese is one of the best I have tasted all summer! The burger wasn't anything exciting but would definitely come back for the Mac and cheese again! read more

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We decided to stop for a late lunch due to good yelp reviews. The hostess was friendly and gave us the last open table available. The place was still crowded at 1:45pm Sat. The ambiance was warm and cozy The service was good. The food was good but not exceptional. I think they excel on drinks. The drink menu far exceeded the food. Great place for cocktails and for whiskey lovers. read more

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Walking into this restaurant was just beautiful with these two big wooden doors. We were greeted by a host that was very quick to get us seated. We thought we would have a long wait since we were coming in on a weekend. They have this HUGE bar and the shelves of liquor just go from floor to ceiling. It is truly a sight. I was amazed. They have this rolling ladder to get to the top, it was nice to see that it wasn't just for aesthetics and it actually gets used. Obviously with the huge bar we had to start off with some drinks. I started with the hang 11 which had hibiscus in it and made with pineapple rum. Honestly any drink that hibiscus makes me pick it. It was really good, not too sweet either. My friend got a verde-go which is made with cucumber tequila. It tasted so refreshing. They do have a beer menu and a long list of whiskey for the whiskey lovers. For food: I for the Gretel Griddle Burger. Absolutely delicious and juicy and made to perfection. I got it with a side of Mac and cheese that was very cheesy, just how I like it. That little side dish they serve it in is deep, it was a whole meal for me the next day! My husband got the prime rib French dip since it had pretty good reviews here on Yelp. But unfortunately he wasn't a fan. Our waitress did suggest to have cheese put in the dip which I thought was a great addition. He got the side of the Blistered Shishito Peppers which was SO SO good. This is a must get side! My friend got the Fried Chicken Sandwich. She said she loved the pear slaw on it which was a great crunch texture. All of these meals were huge and enough for another meal the next day! I ended the night with an espresso martini, let me tell you that espresso kept me going for hours after our dinner ended. It wasn't my favorite espresso martini in Chicago but it was decent. I'd give it a 4/10. Our waitress had all the suggestions and was so very attentive. The inside is very spacious with booths. They did have a downstairs as well but didn't get to check it out on this trip. Definitely next time I come here! read more

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Stopped by here for a nightcap. It was busy inside but we were able to get seated via walk in. We only had cocktails and fries so can't speak to anything else on the menu. The fries and aioli were super tasty. The bar was massive and they could create pretty much any cocktail or drink you want. All of us enjoyed our drinks which were made well. read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here this past weekend after hearing rave reviews and very happy with the experience! We were able to find street parking a couple blocks away relatively easily, and coming at around 3:30 pm on a weekend, we were seated right away. Pro-tip: come at odd hours to avoid a long wait, otherwise the wait time can be quite long (we have tried to come by at regular dinner hours before and the wait was more than 1 hour). They have a fantastic draft beer list, extensive liquor shelf and cocktail menu. We got some of their draft beers and then ordered the Gretel Griddle Burger, which comes with shoestring fries. The burger was a double patty and delicious, and the fries were perfectly crispy. The fries came with a sauce that tasted a bit like thousand island dressing - I preferred the fries without it! The server was friendly, and we had a great time. The pricing was about $20 for the burger and fries, so it was reasonable for the quantity and quality of the food. Definitely recommend and look forward to trying more on their menu! read more

Noted to be one of the best burgers in Chicago, this has been on my list for awhile. We visited here on a Sunday afternoon with a group of 4. We were told the wait was approximately 40 minutes, but we could sit at the bar and order food. We were about to sit down at the bar and a table opened up. We were so fortunate. Service was very good and attentive ! We ordered drinks, as we reviewed the menu. The wall behind the bar is a massive array of whiskey, so impressive. Most of us ordered the burgers, which they are known for and were not disappointed. I had the burger in a lettuce wrap and the burger patties were smashed and juicy, topped topped with cheese. Simple perfection. It came with fries and they were thin, and crunchy, but not too crunchy. Loved the vibe and definitely will return. They do not accept reservations so be prepared to wait ! Read more read more

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