I was camping nearby and the host recommended Molly's when I asked for a place with healthy food - most places in the area are fried food oriented. I had the Brussels sprouts (the best!), Tofu Poke Bowl (so good), homemade Kombucha (yum) and Strawberry Shortcake (really good but I would have liked more fruit less shortcake). Service was great - what a gem to find!!! read more

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Amazing in every way!!! Located right in downtown with plenty of parking in front of the restaurant. Walking in the front door, we were greeted with smiles and seated right away on the outdoor patio. It was beautifully decorated with a modern rustic appeal. The Thai ribs were spectacular. Very flavorful and a good serving size. The pasta of the day was delicious as well and very filling. Took leftovers home and could easily have 2 more meals! A definite must-visit!! read more

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The food was outstanding. The bread and butter was very tasty. The steak was cooked perfectly. The fish was wonderful and flaky. Service was quick and very friendly. read more

Molly's - Alaskan cod - Bars Near Me - Mount Carroll, Illinois

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Ordered coconut mojitos, the fettuccine special, and a burger. Cute place. Will return to try new things on the menu - was happy to learn they locally source menu items. read more

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Hidden gem. Absolutely 5 . Amazing!!!! We go here everytime we are in the area. Farm to table and every dish is perfect read more

Molly's - Bars Near Me - Mount Carroll, Illinois

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Molly's is our absolute go-to for eating out. The food is always exceptional. The staff are always accommodating, kind and timely! We love Molly's... it's the only way we can live in the middle of nowhere IL!! read more

I made a reservation for this place on a Saturday night (May2023). I honestly didn't know what to expect as this place is in such a small farm town. I went to look at the menu and was a little disappointed at lack of options, as most items listed were either burgers or sandwiches and I don't make reservations for just a burger. So I ordered the BBQ Ribs with the Twice Cooked Fries (really wanted to try the Aioli sauce they had for it) and ordered a cocktail. As I write this, let me just say those fries were the best French Fries I've ever had, NO JOKE! Not sure what they do but they said they make them in-house and every single fry was perfect. It makes McD's Fries taste like TV dinner Fries. And who really gets impressed by the French fries??? ...and the Ribs, freaking perfect! Beautifully presented, cooked so tenderly and overall the best meal I've had this year in the US. Staff was equally great, as they were happy, chatty and helpful. Don't skip this place, don't skip their Fries and enjoy. read more

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This place is amazing. The ambience is cozy and romantic. The interior design is simple, elegant, industrial-feel beauty. Every detail needs to be noticed. The staff are warm, friendly and accommodating. Julie was wonderful in working with our reservation. Mackenzie was a great mixologist. Alex was attentive in getting us to a clean table. Amber was delightful as our waitress. The speciality cocktails were delicious! I have a Spicey Singapore Sling. Amazing!!! My husband had a whiskey, pineapple, honey, egg white drink that was light and smooth. For dinner we shared the spinach salad. I could have eaten that alone for dinner. It was so good. I had the beef and pork pasta special, and my husband had the crusted Parmesan walleye, which was exceptional!! You must eat here! You will not be disappointed. read more

What a great place! Food, bar, service are top notch. This place would easily fit in and hold up itself in the West Loop or Randolph St. Whenever we go out there we try to make a point to grab dinner there. Food has a rotating menu to a degree. Love the changing fresh pasta dish. Bar has unique drinks you will be surprised to find and also change so there's always something new. Service is consistent and seems to actually stay there for more than a couple days. They know the food, drinks, give great recommendations, friendly and are the right amount of attentive. Ambiance is one of the better ones for the area. Overall so happy to have a place of this quality out there. read more

Everything about Molly's is 10/10! The food was nothing short of amazing- we got the grilled shrimp & grilled carrots for appetizers, which we all agreed we could've eaten as entrees because they were so good. For our main we had the summer salmon salad and the wings, both were some of the best dishes we've ever had! As for the service- our waitress couldn't have been nicer and Molly is WONDERFUL. She came out and talked to us for a bit after we finished our cookie sandwich (now a favorite dessert of ours) and was incredibly personable and sweet. We love Molly's! read more

EXCELLENT food and our waitress/hostess, Sarah was awesome, super funny and very informative! We highly recommend the restaurant as well as the Inn above. Mahi tacos, pesto pasta, bread and shashito peppers were delicious, as well as the drinks! read more

Excellent food and service! Nice clean place too. Will definitely come back. I recommend the Brussels Sprouts appetizer. Yum read more

Always great food and exceptional service. Both their drinks and food are very innovative and delicious. Molly's is an important addition to the area's culinary environment. read more

Our party of 3 really enjoyed our meal at Molly's this week. Everyone raved about his/her respective cocktail -- you really can pick out all of the flavors mentioned in the cocktail descriptions. Fantastic appetizers - Ben's Bread, Broccolini, Shrimp. We loved everything we ordered, and even got dessert (worth it!). The only thing I might critique is that our server was under 21, and therefore unable to weigh in on our cocktail selections / didn't have anything to recommend. Otherwise, the service was great (a few different folks serviced our table), and they were particularly accommodating that we stayed after closing time. FABULOUS PLACE! read more

We have been coming to Molly's for two years and it just keeps getting better. We live in Chicago and Molly's stands up next to the top Chicago restaurants. It's a hidden gem and worth the 2+ hour drive for one of the top meals in Illinois. The menu is inventive, fresh, complex and delightful. It's a simple menu, with something for everyone (including the buttered noodles our 9 year old enjoys). We started with the Ben's bread, which is thin and crispy and served with warm, whipped butter topped with sea salt. There's also a savory dipping oil. The entrees are the best version of what they can be. For example, the tostadas are so much better than any we've had. They're piled high with fresh veggies, yummy sauce, tender pork and a tangy salsa. And the desserts? You cannot skip them. Divine. read more

Once in a blue moon you find yourself in the rural backwaters of America and find a place that provides an incredible experience--food, service, ambiance, value. Molly's is just that place. Start with a cocktail. Our mixologist put them together like her job depended on it. They were perfect. The menu is simple, but each dish has unique flavors and combinations--theyre not just slapping down whatever comes off the Sysco truck here, like most restaurants in the Midwest tend to do. We had the wedge salad, Korean meatball skewer, steak and salmon bowl and all tasted incredible. We finished with home made ice cream. The service was very good--attentive without being bothersome, and she knew every drink and dish on the menu and helped with great recommendations for pairing. The bill was a little high, particularly for the middle of nowhere, but I'd pay it again in a second. If you find yourself anywhere close to Molly's, you're either lost or visiting relatives, or both. Either way, get a reservation and wait to be elated. Great find. read more

We have been coming to Molly's for many years and have been disappointed the last several times we've dined there. We love having a great dining option in the area that Molly's has always been in the past, so wouldn't write this review other than the fact that we've experienced a decline in their food and service over the last 6 months or so. Previously there was great, experienced staff who have worked there for years and were one of the key reasons we enjoyed the Molly's experience. The current staff seem very inexperienced and not well trained or managed. On our last dinner there, we had one dish come out, then a full 5 minutes later the second dish came out, then another 5 minutes later, the last dish for our party. No apologies, no offer to provide dessert or some other compensation for the poor timing and inconvenience. In addition, the food quality has suffered. The burger was always one of our favorites but I don't know why they bother asking your preferred temperature as no matter what you say it comes out well done. The pasta, while it had homemade fettucine, was dry and tasteless. And I get it, COVID has caused all kinds of staffing issues and we're dealing with higher prices everywhere, but despite all of these not great changes Molly's is charging even higher prices than before. We're more than happy to pay a premium for great food and service, but let's just say it's going to be quite a while before we ever decide to come back to Molly's again. read more

Molly's was an unexpected surprise in rural NW Illinois. Ben and Molly (the restaurant's namesake) have worked hard to create a restaurant that asks you to come back again and again. We had reservations on a Tuesday night and the place was full. The drinks menu is funky and fun -- a welcome departure from most places around, which just have your standard beer and liquor on tap. The menu is seasonal, changing with what's available. Molly and Ben pride themselves on sourcing as many local ingredient as possible. When we stopped in, they had a glazed carrot appetizer that was fantastic. The entrees were also delicious and well-portioned. Grateful for there being a few vegetarian options on the menu (a rarity in this area, unless you want to eat a lettuce salad). In fact, I opted for their house wedge salad (sans bacon), which was delicious and unique. Don't skip on dessert either: Molly is a trained pastry chef and her carrot cake was one of the best I've ever had. Molly's feels like it belongs in Galena or some other bustling urban area. read more

A gem - worth the drive! Everything was simply perfect. The food is amazing with attention to all the little details and amazing combinations of flavors. The cocktails were balanced and delicious and beautiful. The ambiance with intimate but relaxed and tastefully decorated, highlighting the old building. Service was top notch. Definitely will be going again and bringing others. Reservations are recommended. read more

Best place within 40 miles! I hate writing long reviews. But it's good. Beer selection is great. Service was wonderful. Menu was unique, "Ben's Bread" appetizer is a favorite. I hope this is long enough. Let's be honest, where else are you thinking of eating? Dairy Queen? Your ancestors will be ashamed of you. read more

Molly's - Great atmosphere! - Bars Near Me - Mount Carroll, Illinois

We were in Carroll County for the weekend to indulge my genealogical hobby. My ancestors on my mom's side came to the Salem Township area of what is now Carroll County in the 1840s from Darmstadt in the Grand Duchy of Hessen (Germany after 1871). My goal was to find resources to help in my research of the lives and times of my ancestors, and of living relatives whom I've never met. But having never been to northwestern Illinois before, I was also just curious about what the place was like. Molly's is a nice reuse of one of Mt. Carroll's historic downtown buildings. It doesn't feel old and stodgy, but nevertheless nicely retains old-school design features like scuffed wood floors and pressed tin tiles. I had one of the specials -- a house-made pasta Papparadelle in a marinara sauce concoction ($13) that could be ordered with meatballs for another $5. It was later than we usually eat -- we'd set out to try Brother's in Savanna, but found it dark on a Saturday night -- and I was going to pass on the meatballs to keep it light. But our server talked me into the meatballs. I wish I'd followed my, er, gut instinct. The pasta was nice enough, but for me the sauce overpowered it. And I didn't really need those meatballs. ;-S My wife ordered a safer-sounding burger. It too was good, but not great. The admittedly large meat patty was more reminiscent of meatloaf. The twice-cooked fries were over-seasoned, and seemed more like an effort to salvage once-cooked fries. Nice bun though. Now near as I can tell, co-owner Ben Johnson is a local native, while co-owner Molly McDonough is (like me) from LA. My family's womenfolk decamped Mt. Carroll for Los Angeles sometime between 1914 and 1920 (leaving Grandpa behind in Savanna for unknown reasons), and having been born in the City of Compton myself many years later, I surely don't hold being an Angeleno against anyone. But I do kind of resent being charged what feel more like LA prices to dine in rural Illinois. I get it ... this is the trend all across the country. But that doesn't make it right. And it must be especially tough for many would-be diners whose earning power is tied to the local economy, but where prices are based on what the well-to-do tourist is willing to pay. Oh well. It was an evening killed. Thanks for the memory of my ancestral home. read more

Wow wow this place is amazing! The kale salad was out of this world, corn chowder delicious, the bread was yummy and the tuna wonderful. Compliments to the chef and owner. A hidden gem in Mt. Carroll, Illinois read more

Typical food fir the area. Their prices are way off the chart for what they throw in front of you. The reviews on this place must be employees owners and friends. Don't waste your money. read more

We live in Chicago but met family at Molly's for my Grandfather's 88th birthday on a weeknight. We had two vegetarians, one vegan and a pescatarian, in addition to 4 meat lovers and a child. The restaurant somehow managed to hit it out of the park with all of us. The falafel bowl was really great, super healthful and filling. Our 4 year old loved the pesto grilled cheese. Specials were really tasty. Service was spot on. I even arrived 15 min before opening, and they let me in anyway. Couldn't be more pleasantly surprised by this gem out in the country! We'll be back. read more

My husband and I went into Molly's tonight for a few drinks and appetizers. It was our first night out after having our first baby, and someone picked up our tab. We don't know who this generous person was but it was such a kind gesture from a stranger! The drinks and Ben's bread/mezze platter were amazing, the service was stellar and we will definitely be back soon! read more

Molly's is a hidden gem in Mt Carroll Illinois. If you are spending time in the area and want a wonderful meal, great mixed cocktails with amazing ambiance, Molly's is the place! read more

Great food with fast service. Busy restaurant but the staff worked fast to completed orders,

Super special place...if you love food and beverage that is thoughtfully and lovingly selected and prepared. NOT pretentious...just amazing. Good luck finding anything remotely as good. read more

What an asset to the small town of Mt. Carroll! While visiting my home town, I don't expect to find the same type of restaurant that I do in Minneapolis, but I was very pleasantly surprised! Thoughtfully prepared, delicious food and inventive cocktails in a very comfortable environment. Great service with no wait on a Wednesday evening. All at very reasonable prices. The cocktail special was a Big River Cup (like a Pimm's Cup) with muddled cucumber--yum! The Manhattan came with a real maraschino cherry. I enjoyed the salmon with dill sauce and sautéed cauliflower and carrots and smashed potatoes. We had strawberry ice cream cake served with a red wine reduction as well as creme brûlée cheesecake for dessert. All homemade, much of it locally sourced. Really excellent. We will return as often as we can! read more

Hands down my favorite restaurant! They are extremely welcoming and always greet us like we're family....probably because we've been there so many times! No shame, I love this place! The atmosphere is modern and upbeat, but relaxing and feels like a small town getaway. Their food is fantastic and I make sure to try something new each time... Ben's bread is a must every time though! I wish you years and years of success! See you soon! read more

Molly's - My very first time at Molly's this past summer.... simply beautiful! - Bars Near Me - Mount Carroll, Illinois

My favorite place to eat with I come back to ILLINOIS . The food is absolutely amazing. Cocktails are price fair and are delicious.

What a pleasure to find a such a great place locally. Being new to the area I am grateful for a local gastropub like Molly's. The staff were professional and nice. The decor is hip, fun and very comfortable. This is not a typical bar/restaurant. It's much nicer. With better food. While we didn't have cocktails, we will be back to try some of the interesting drinks served. We had Caesar salads,the pizza special, the pasta special and a burger to go. The pizza crust was amazing. Thin, flavorful and cooked perfectly. All dishes were prepared and presented well and had great flavor. I sincerely cannot wait to go back. Next time I'll make reservations since this location fills up quickly. Best of luck to the owners Great job! Thank you for NOT having a television on every wall. read more

This was a terrific experience and we will be back. Dining the way it should be done. Great atmosphere, food and service. A beautiful setting, and the scallops were outstanding. A big city dining experience in Mt. Carroll. I will tell friends! read more

Classy but definitely not pretentious. We liked pretty much everything we ate.. It's set up tapas-style with small plates and sharing. (I definitely like a variety, as opposed to just a single big entree.) Most dishes were reasonably priced (Mt. Carroll-type prices). The pasta was good but at $14 (for a not-so-large portion) a bit expensive. (The meatballs, for an extra $3, were just so-so.) The fried mushrooms ($5), juicy, in a light, crispy beer-batter, were exceptional. read more

This place is a gem tucked away in Mt Carroll. The food and drinks are prepared in a simple and delicious way. Handmade food and drinks make this a destination restaurant. The "Ben's Bread" appetizer is so good; homemade by Ben who is also likely to be the one making your drink. To eat, I had chicken thighs and roasted vegetables. My husband had the roasted roughy and both were fabulous. Kudos to the chef! It was our anniversary so we shared a piece of homemade tiramisu. If you are in the mood for a tasty bubbly drink, try the little red corvette. We will go back! read more

By far our favorite local place to eat! The food is never short of outstanding and the cocktails are creative and delicious. You can't go wrong here! read more

Great place to have a lovely meal. Grilled Salmon salad was delish! My son had 1/2 burger and fries. He enjoyed it very much. Great stop on our road trip! read more

We moved to Galena from the Chicago area (nothing out of the ordinary so far, right?) about 5 months ago. We have been coming out to Galena for vacations for quite sometime, but our dining experiences have all been average at best. But now that we're "local", we have started ferreting around JoDaviess and Carroll counties to see what is organic to the area. And we stumbled across Molly's. What a fantastic restaurant! The food was delicious. The portions were generous. The service was attentive and real. And the environment was comfortable with good music that wasn't too loud (often a buzzkill!). Fresh, handmade pasta, perfectly-prepared and cooked meat and seafood- and a delicious lime and salt cabbage as a side to boot! Yum! An ample selection of beer and wine to compliment any of their meals, and what looks like a great group of cocktails that I will have to try going forward. All in little Mt.Carroll. Brilliant! read more

On the advice of Yelp, we decided to take my in-laws to this highly rated, local restaurant for a special occasion. The food here definitely makes a statement. It was fabulous! We all had the fish special of the evening, which was seared sea scallops over beautifully presented thinly sliced vegetables with a basil pesto sauce. It reminded me of a dish that I have eaten at a French restaurant in Chicago. But this was better! A nice atmosphere, great wait staff and fantastic food! My advice is to get there early, because the best dishes go fast! We can't wait to return! read more

The service is impeccable, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is welcoming. Try the veggie tacos, herbivores and carnivores alike will appreciate a light start to what will be a great meal. Friendly staff greet you immediately and are attentive throughout the evening. They do not visit during the meal so often as to annoy (one of my pet peeves) but seem to appear exactly when needed. After only a few visits, you will be recognized and remembered. What the menu lacks in length, it makes up for with quality. At first glance there was a hint of pretension in the descriptions, but that fleeting thought was quickly dispelled by the warmth of our server and the inviting atmosphere. Meals are well-timed here. If you order courses, they arrive as they should. If you are running late for a show, they are very time conscious and get your order through the kitchen as quickly as possible. In summary, whether you are looking for a regular spot or just passing through the area - Molly's is worth your strong consideration. read more