This place has some of the best hamburgers in McHenry County! I've never been disappointed with…read moreeither the food or the service. I had the Kaboom Burger with cheddar cheese and crispy onion straws, seasoned with a great spicy kick--absolutely delicious. They also have a great drink selection whether you're in the mood for craft beer, cocktails, or soda. The seating is comfortable, and the outdoor patio is a great touch with plenty of extra space.

Something has changed and not for the better. Fish fry last…read moreFriday left me disappointed. Hadn't been in for a few years They used to have most delectable cod, what I received was curled up, tasteless, and dry. Almost like perch, sans bones. The sides were amazing, delicious coleslaw. Service and atmosphere, outstanding. Hope they go back to what used to be.

Emmett's Brewing Company offers a classic brewpub experience with a warm, lively atmosphere that…read moremakes it an easy place to gather. Once a standout brewery deeply rooted in the Dundee community, it built its reputation on distinctive, house-crafted beers that gave it a strong local identity. In recent years, however, the beer program has shifted toward a more basic, broadly approachable lineup. While still solid and easy to enjoy, it no longer carries the same uniqueness that once set it apart. Paired with a menu of familiar comfort fare, it remains a dependable spot; more about the atmosphere and company than culinary or brewing ambition.

Stopped in during the week for a quick lunch. Service was quick and friendly. We love the nostalgic…read morefeels of the Irish Style Pub/Brewery. They have a large selection of craft beers and many hand crafted cocktails to choose from. What we ordered: *Tenderloin Sliders- they were full of flavor and tender. * Chicken with pasta and a creamy mushroom sauce. It was very flavorful and definitely something I would order again. It came with a different pasta than what was listed in the menu.

I've been coming here now for six years and wanted to add an updated review. This place continues…read moreto be super consistent with its amazing fish and chips. As well as the amazing beers on tap. No matter what time I come here while it is usually during off hours, they are so friendly and hospitable and very quick on the service so absolutely no complaints This is truly a great neighborhood jam, and very lucky that it is in the downtown area as well. There is parking that is free. Just be sure to be on the lookout. I wish I was never so full from the entrées and appetizers that I could actually get to Dear one of these days so maybe that will be a future review.

​I usually stick to restaurants with a 4-star rating or higher, but I decided to take a chance on…read morethis spot because I was craving fish and chips--and I am so glad I did! ​They have a great variety of sides for the fish and chips, which is a plus because I don't eat too many fries. Instead of the standard fries, we opted for the coleslaw and mashed potatoes. Both were surprisingly delicious and well-prepared. As for the fish itself? Absolutely wonderful. It was perfectly flaky with a thin, crispy batter, adding just a little salt and pepper makes it perfect. ​We also tried the traditional Irish breakfast. Everything on the plate was very good. The boxty (fried potatoes) was a little oily for my personal taste, but the flavor was still very good. ​What really impressed us, was the service. It was truly exceptional. The vibe of the pub is incredibly friendly and peaceful, topped off with traditional pipe music playing in the background. ​I'll definitely be back again! Highly recommended for anyone looking for an authentic Irish atmosphere.

An extraordinary cocktail experience that's absolutely worth it for a fun date night or a group…read moreouting. The bird-themed cocktail menu brings both creativity and drama, with presentations that feel almost theatrical. What really elevates the experience is how the hosts narrate the inspiration behind each drink, making it feel more like a storytelling session than just a night out. The mixologists deserve serious credit for their thoughtful experimentation with global flavors--balancing complementary and contrasting notes, surprising textures, and sensory touches that feel nostalgic and adventurous at the same time. The food holds its own too. Don't miss the giant onion ring or the Chip n Dip--both are as fun as they are delicious. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but the cocktail tasting experience makes it worthwhile. A perfect late-night spot for great conversations and drinks that ooze personality.

I'll start by saying I've been a huge fan of The Aviary for years. In the early days of the…read morepandemic, I got all their cocktail books, and my friends and I bought some of the equipment (vacpot, porthole) and started making Aviary drinks. So when I went to Chicago to visit friends recently, this was my first reservation. We were kindly greeted and seated toward the rear of the dining room. Collectively, we ordered more than half the beverages on the menu. I won't go into tons of detail on them, since some drinks are seasonal, but I will say that it was a blast experiencing craft cocktails and mocktails at their finest. I love the menu concept of the birds that fly farther along the page to indicate how alcohol-forward the drink is. That's a really fun idea! One friend ordered both the spirited and the non-alcoholic Porthole to compare the flavors. And we all liked the N/A version better! Our server kindly came over and mentioned that he heard I was inspired by The Aviary and they took us on a private tour with the bar team and then down to the ice making room, which I LOVED because I was obsessed with the intricate ice making process from the original cocktail books. What a fantastic experience, and the tour put a cherry on top. Long live The Aviary!

Ever since I came back from a trip to NOLA a couple years ago (and subsequently moved to Chicago),…read moreI've been looking for a place like Green Mill. A spot where someone could walk in, maybe order a drink, and listen to some music without first opening Ticketmaster and shelling out half your paycheck to their junk fees. Some of their performances are free, and some have a reasonable cover of $10-20. There are also performances every night, sometimes even in the afternoon. The vibe inside is dimly lit and very old-timey. Even the bathroom had a bar of soap! I haven't seen a bar outside of a private residence! For sure, the vibe fits the history. Green Mill used to be a spot visited by Big Al himself. Yes, there are still connected tunnels used by the mob, no, you cannot see them. In terms of the bar, do not expect anything special. Their menu is limited to the beers, wines, and champagnes they have. They have spirits, but no cocktail menu - while they *might* be able to mix something simple like a Manhattan, be prepared for basic drinks along the lines of a gin & tonic. The service was fine, but a little abrupt. Not the best welcoming or inviting, but gruff and surly in a way that is probably cute to regulars, but less so to newcomers like myself. Final verdict: Green Mill is a place one comes for the music and the vibe and to get away from life for a little bit. It appears to be a third place for many regulars. It's worth giving a shot, as long as one is ready for an experience that's a little rough around the edges, arguably by design.

Live music for your ears and soul…read more Vibe is just right with some fun drinks to accompany. I got an old fashioned to get the mood right with great jazz music. Supposedly, this used to be a speakeasy back in the day. Extra pro tip is to get there early if you want a seat closer to the band.

Rocked brunch yesterday. Two words: CREOLE. HOLLANDAISE. One of the top three Hollandaise I've had…read morein my life, and the grilled chicken chilaquiles were straight up fire! Brooke took care of us at the bar. She was SUPER courteous and probably would have been more engaging if it wasn't for the weekend morning rush. That said, if you're going on the weekend, make sure you carve out some quality time, because the food takes awhile to prepare...but you can't rush genius. Besides, the space is nice and bright; open. It gets a little loud, but you can still hold a conversation. So, put your name in, enjoy some coffee and take a load off. But be sure to shuffle off once you're done; A LOT of peeps will be waiting on your seat, and with good reason.

A friend suggested we check out this place in Lake Geneva. They serve locally sourced food and…read morehave a very unique menu. They serve many gluten free/vegan and vegetarian items.. My friend had the roasted turkey and Brussel sprout hash which she loved and I had the simple pancakes. We were both very pleased with our meals. Server was lovely and the dining room was clean and very vibrant. Parking is available but is metered and in my opinion expensive. Not the restaurants fault at all as it is a city ordinance. $4.00 for parking and please pay it as the city patrols often and you will get a ticket.

The food was delicious and very tasty, and the prices were just right. The staff was incredibly…read morekind and welcoming. We visited around Christmas, and they had Santa and Mrs. Claus there. My toddler is afraid of Santa, but Mrs. Claus was absolutely wonderful--she slowly approached her with a warm smile and gently reassured her, helping her feel comfortable instead of scared. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience. While the coffee wasn't our favorite, the food more than made up for it and fully satisfied us. The restaurant is an older place, but it has a cozy, charming atmosphere that makes it feel special

First time visit, we'll be back. It's an obvious local's spot but they made us feel welcome too!…read more (Not always the case). Friendly service tasty homemade food. We had smash burger and chicken wrap and look forward to trying breakfast and other items.

Strictly average and the food was cold. I've been there twice and both times I had the same…read moreexperience.

Stopped in for breakfast on our way back to Chicago. Got the French toast, breakfast quesadilla,…read moreand breakfast burrito. Everything was delicious, and the service was top notch. Ivan and Maria make you feel welcome and take pride in providing a wonderful experience. Will definitely come back.

My favorite coffee shop! Just what us locals were missing. I could spend hours here! Great coffee,…read morefriendly service, wonderful atmosphere, and beautiful food. Shoutout to Eli for always making us feel like regulars. (: Lines can be long in the summer or on weekends, but it's worth the wait or trip back during off-peak hours. Highly recommend the peanut butter macchiato or avocado toast. Also the salad with berries and goat cheese! Really appreciate the gluten and dairy free options. Rosie's bakery treats, games for kids, water bowls outside for dogs-- I could go on and on. 10/10

A place that knows what they're doing. Have something to go or have it to stay your service will be…read morequick and efficient. If you're looking for a quick breakfast or light bite this is a great option! The space itself is really clean and I love that there are indoor and outdoor options!

I love breakfast and we only just learned about this gem over Valentines weekend. Good potatoes and…read morea cup of coffee were steering the conversation. Gotta say, this was the best breakfast i may have had prepared for me. We each had a skillet. I went for the black bean one. With the house potatoes. I cleaned my plate! Excellent cup of coffee. Fantastic mimosa. We got to try a Swedish pancake and i gotta say, next visit is going to be a tough decision. Super friendly and personable staff. Looking forward to many more meals. There was this green cream sauce i saw given to our neighbors table. It's the made with love heartbeat here. Thank you for what you do for our appetites! Cheers to your next four years

The food is amazing. And the wait staff is the best we have ever had. Very friendly staff and they…read moretruly care what they are serving! Definitely coming back!