First time at The Assembly in a long time. Here are some thoughts: -I stopped in before dinner time to order food to go. Sat at the bar while I waited. Service was excellent. -This is a bar with some tables that wrap around the outside of the room. -It's known for its burgers (they're really good!), but I was looking for something lighter, and I ordered the southwest salad with grilled chicken. -It's a really good salad! Chicken was tender. Enjoyed the tortilla strips and the onions. Avocados were tasty. The ranch dressing is fire! Highly recommended! read more

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We went after a round of golf out in Elgin. The place is definitely low brow in terms of ambience. We sat at the bar and watch them cook the burgers and chicken. The staff was extremely friendly and professional and quite attentive. Unfortunately, the menu has only four salads and other than that vegetables are in the form of mushrooms and onions on burgers. It is quite limited for those who don't want to eat true bar food. My order was the buffalo wings and I was seriously unimpressed. They weren't crispy they weren't moist. They were weren't terrible, but they just weren't that good. My better have ordered the blue cheeseburger and that was very tasty as well as the crispy french fries that came with it. So if you're hoping to get something other than good burgers here don't count on it, just come for the burgers and fries and call it a day! read more

Service tonight was awful. Sitting at the bar had to wait for long minutes for service. Ordered 1/2 rack of ribs. $28.99. Meat was tender. Bbq sauce was not great. Ribs came out on a plate with only corn bread. No slaw. No potato. Not a great presentation. I would hesitate to run back here. read more

Places like The Assembly are few and far between these days, especially in this area. The waitstaff is experienced, efficient and professional (Patti is the best) and the food is so much more than you would expect from a modest roadside stop off the highway. The Cajun tilapia was fresh and perfect, and the burgers are always out of this world. This place makes you feel like family and the prices are beyond fair. Never disappointed. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - Cajun tilapia with baked potato. Sooo perfect. - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Great place to grab a burger and it's a staple to the area as it's been there forever. The service is friendly and quick. Interior is fine with ample seating and televisions if you want to watch sports. Decent selection of beers with craft beers that are local and from smaller breweries. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

We came here for a late lunch / early dinner. I ordered the turkey club sandwich with potato salad and a mini coleslaw and it was very delicious (the turkey was not dry at all). My husband ordered the Char burger with tator tots and a mini side of coleslaw be said it was great and would get it again. The restaurant is very clean and they have it decorated very nice for the holidays too. They have TV's everywhere... A great place to watch sports and hang out. Our waitress was great and we received an envelope with a voucher to use on our next visit... You cannot open the envelope and need to hand it to the waitress when ordering. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - TURKEY CLUB SANDWICH - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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One of my happy places. Great food. Huge portions. Really fun staff providing great service. They always decorate for a holiday. Mardi Gras when I was there. I had their special jambalaya for Mardi Gras and it didn't disappoint. Just as good as their burgers. read more

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Came by heard after hearing about it a lot and seeing the sign off of Barrington saying it was on TV for their burger. Staff was great and attentive and food came out quickly and everything was cooked well. Was it my favorite burger? Definitely not. Was it a solid burger that was cooked well and overall good? Yes. Unfortunately maybe due to the hype, it just fell short of my expectations. Not sure I would go out of my way for this. If youre in the area definitely give it a try, but there are better burgers in the area to be honest. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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Limited allergy friendly options. They offer Udi's gluten free buns. Udi's has egg whites. Fun bar restaurant vibe. Reliably good. Friendly staff. Plenty of parking. Really wish I could go here for dinner vs work lunch to grab a drink. Good vibe type of place. read more

Ive met plenty of good people enjoyed amazingly good burgers chicken sandwiches and drank many of beers sitting on a bar stool in over 20 years of dining here, always a treat. I was in last week an decided for the first time, to try something different. Ordered their "Award Winning Ribs". Not sure how these received an Award of any kind. Lacked flavor and any hint of smoke BBQ sauce was from a jar.. It was good to try something new, however I'll stick with my tried and true! read more

Been coming here over 30 years. Some things obviously different but the good things are largely the same. My bionic burger was great, straws and curds were too...everyone enjoyed their food. Our server Addisen was super friendly and made sure we had what we needed. The place is updated but the same, the Weber grill top on the grill, still there. In town for the holidays and a trip isn't complete without a visit. read more

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We've been going to the Assembly, infrequently, since 1987. It's always been good and consistent. This experience was marvelous. I have to credit our server and I wish I knew her name. She was not only pleasant but quite funny. It was like having entertainment while we ate. Not only was she funny, she was very attentive. She must have stopped at our table ten times to check and see that everything was good. And, it was. We ordered onion straws as an appetizer. While they are not gluten-free, so off my diet, I did cheat and try a couple of small ones. Yum. My partner had a Southwest Salad with chicken, and I had a burger - and they do have gluten-free buns. The burger was huge, and the bun was tasty but didn't hold up well. I think gluten-free bread doesn't do well when it gets wet, like a juicy hamburger would do. With the burger, I had cole slaw and tater tots. The burger was outstanding. It was cooked perfectly and came with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion. The tots were also very good. But there was so much food, I couldn't finish it all. I did pretty well though - there wasn't enough to take any home. This was a great experience and I wonder why we don't go to the Assembly more often. read more

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Stopped for dinner before a Christmas service at Willow Creek and enjoyed a decent experience overall. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. I opted for the Jack Daniels burger with tater tots. The burger was cooked perfectly and had great flavor--definitely a highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the tater tots didn't measure up and were a bit of a disappointment. To drink, I had a Hacker-Pschorr beer, which was excellent and paired well with the meal. Overall, a solid pre-service dinner with a few highs and lows! read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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I have been coming to this establishment since early 80's. I was completely disappointed with the management I ordered Zucchini as I always do.took 25 min for anyone to tell me they messed up order that usually takes take 5 min to get order!! Management didn't even bother to say sorry or they dont give a crap about there regular customer and the loyalty. I can spend 100.00 on burgers anywhere...never ever would I go back to this restaurant again!!!! So sad!!! read more

I've been a few times now. It's a really fun spot to meet up with folks at since it's right off the highway. I always prefer going in during the week when it's kind of dead so I can sit at the bar and watch them make burgers. The burgers which, of course, they're known for. I've had a few of them now, but I personally think the BBQ one with onion straws is my favorite. It's simple, it's laid back, and it's good vibes all around. It's really easy to feel stuffed after a meal here, so be prepared for a food coma. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - Bbq burger, fries - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

My husband and I came here the other day and we really enjoyed our experience. For a long time, we saw this place was recommended on Facebook and other social media sites, so we needed to try it for ourselves and were not disappointed. Upon walking in, the place was pretty busy, but we were able to be seated right away. The dining room was a lot bigger than I expected, and because of that, we were able to sit in a more secluded area away from the bar. I can't say enough great things about the service that we had at this restaurant, especially because nowadays, good service is hard to come by. Our waitress was so friendly and was consistently ready to get us anything that we needed. While we were eating, the manager and/or owner also came by and asked us how everything was and just seemed to be professional and proud of his business. Foodwise, everything was fresh and cooked perfectly. We ordered the soft pretzels ($11.79) for the appetizer; these were incredibly soft and came with three different dipping sauces: beer cheese, cinnamon butter, and German mustard. Now, I'm normally not a hamburger or cheeseburger person, but I did end up ordering the El Paso Burger ($18.47), which had spicy bacon, sautéed jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and guac on it. It was AMAZING and so juicy. My husband also enjoyed his burger, which was The Original Char Burger ($18.77). Then, both of us ordered the tots for our sides, and these were perfectly seasoned and crispy. Ultimately, we both would come here again, and we can see why it's rated so highly by many locals. The owners also have a touching fundraiser dedicated to their nephew Adam, who went through a life-changing shallow water diving accident. His story around the restaurant in different places so that if patrons are willing, they can donate to him and his family. read more

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I have been going infrequently. I was very disappointed this time. My favorite was the filet quesadilla. They took it off the menu even though their menu on line lists so I decided to get a hamburger, I ordered it very rare. Their was no sign of red meat. It was more medium. I doubt I'll be going back read more

One and Done! Burgers start at $18, and everything is nickel-and-dimed à la carte. By the time you're done, a "basic" burger ends up costing $18-$25, which is just unreasonable for what it is. The food itself was average at best -- and at a premium price point, I expect premium quality, which simply wasn't there. Our bill came out to $140 for two burgers, a salad, and two soups. couple of sodas and couple of beers (with tip), which is outrageous for the value received. To make it worse, they tack on a sneaky 3% surcharge if you pay with a card. Overall, I felt gouged. Overpriced, underwhelming, and gimmicky fees -- definitely not worth it. I won't be returning read more

We've been meaning to try The Assembly for many years and finally made it! What a fun place to visit at the holidays especially. The decor was so warm and inviting, and the service was great. It seemed that they might be a bit understaffed but everyone including the manager was helping out so everything ran smoothly. The potato skin appetizer was loaded with cheese and so delicious. The burgers, while not the "best I've ever had" as some reviews have said, were decent. I was honestly more impressed with the sides personally. The cole slaw was amazing. The potato salad was great. The french fries and tots were top notch. They have a small video poker/gambling room near the entrance, and the bar is a fun place to watch them cook the burgers. Whether it's a date night or family outing, I would recommend The Assembly! read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - Jack Daniel Burger - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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Great food. Cheesecake is awesome. Definitely a place to frequent often. Staff is great also.

we've been coming here for over 40 years - the Assembly used to be good for underaged drinking but so much since the Reagan years (so old now that you almost need the JWST to see my birthday) got a seat at the bar waiting for two friends to arrive and filled out some postcards in the spare minutes. spring fever is a seasonal offering: a happy little red gin cocktail with a bit of grapefruit, soda, and a dab of honey. sits on the bar pretty as a picture and goes down easy like, well, you know... anyway, friends arrived part way through so I closed the tab and we requested a low-boy. menus and water and flat ware and app off the march madness menu: sweet chili sauce drizzled over crispy pork pot stickers on a bed of teriyaki slaw and tempura green beans with a side of zippy ranch for dipping. the beans were incredible!! crunchy on the outside green bean on the inside... so good!! true to form I missed the various fishes on the lenten menu - still hating myself two days and five states later. March Burger o' the Month was topped with tender corned beefs, cabbagey goodness, and cheese served up with my choice of tots! wanted to eat it all but reasonableness took over and the bigger half of my meal went home in a box. actually it went to Dayton Ohio where it was savored cold for dinner. my heart still hurts a little thinking about it ;-) read more

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It's the Assembly, a South Barrington watering hole and burger spot. It's been there for as long as I can remember. There are other menu items, but You can watch the bartender grill your burger right in front of You. This is a cool somewhat legendary spot. Stop n for a brew and bite. But remember this is the old school Assembly - dark for a reason, but always fun. read more

I visited the Assembly about a week ago and while the food was marginal, the overall cleanliness was very disappointing. I was quite surprised at the cleanliness of the restaurant or lack thereof. The observations I made while using the restroom, there was a very foul sewer smell along with numerous fruit flies. While sitting at a Hi-Top eating there were numerous fruit flies in this area as well. The more reason for my concern is fruit flies were in the bar area and this is where they cook the food. Also, I ordered a draft beer and this had an off taste so I returned it and requested a bottled beer. The service was not much better either...not particularly nice. I WILL NOT BE RETURNING HERE. read more

Went on June 27th...I had read most of the reviews but decided to try it anyway. We were not disappointed. We went about 3:30 it was not that crowded. I had the Reuben and in my opinion it was probably one of the best I had in a long time. My husband had the Turkey club and he said his sandwich was great. The beer was cold and the soccer was on, what more could you ask for. As for the prices, they are about the same everywhere else. At least give it a try if in the area. Not every place has to be a 5 star to be good. Support local!! read more

Food is great! Love this place, the live music on the patio is always a fun time, highly recommend!!

The serving size is substantial, and the cost is appropriate. My burger was cooked to perfection by the chef. I delight in every taste of it. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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Ordered a cheeseburger to go. Requested "medium" done. It was raw undercooked GARBAGE! "Best burger" in Chicago. Absolutely NOT! Don't waste your time! Never again! Awful quality!!!! read more

Visited The Assembly for the first time and had a great time! Experienced good service and enjoyed the chill ambiance inside. Sat in a general seating area but you can sit at the bar and watch them grill your burgers! Ordered a Texas bbq burger and a bionic burger and was impressed with the size, quality, and flavor the burgers. Normally not a huge fan of coleslaw but was pleasantly surprised after trying and enjoying theirs. The cucumber margarita was refreshing and the Long Island was $5 on Fridays. UPDATED: Went back to see what thirsty Thursdays are about and ordered the sampler platter w/ cheese curds, tenders, and stuffed potatoes skins. Super good deal considering the price to quantity of food ratio. Cheese curds were definitely my favorite w/ stuffed potatoes in close second. read more

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Well, another wannabe best burger is coming off my list. This very expensive ($28 with tip) 1/2 lb burger was disappointing. The bun was sliced wrong with too much on top leaving no support for the bottom bun which fell apart when I picked up the burger. The bun didn't hold together, like it didn't have enough gluten, and I call it crumbly and dry. The meat wasn't juicy and although I asked for medium rare (and the menu clearly stated that meant warm red center) I got pink. I do like medium which is why I ask for medium rare. Only three places out of over 20 this summer actually delivered a medium rare burger, the rest were medium to medium well. Lucky Monk and Mr. Allison's had better burgers than the Assembly. The Assembly burger was only better than the Hackney burger but Hackneys had better and perfectly cooked beef. Mr. Allison's gives you twice the beef for half the price, too bad their idea of medium rare is medium well :-( . I will not be taking the group to the Assembly. Friendly service. read more

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Let me tell you about a fantastic burger bar called The Assembly. Why is it fantastic? Burger - made in front of you at the bar. I did the char burger with bacon and grilled onions. Cheddar Cheese. Decided on tots for the side. 5/5 Atmosphere - First of all it felt like a 90s time warp but that was because I guess Mon - Wed they play older tunes. But it was great! I really enjoyed that part of the experience so I'll probably look to come back on those days. 5/5 Service - My bartender was great. Polite, with great recommendations, honestly couldn't ask for more. 5/5 Patrons - The people that seemed to be regulars were all genuinely nice people who were engaging and down to earth. 5/5 I have to say, for similar type-places in the area The Assembly really knocked it out of the park for me! I'll be back 100%. This is an absolute gem. 5 stars all around. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - Char burger - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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I placed an online order. And when I got there three employees passed me without greeting me so I had to take life into my own hands and grab my order myself. Pretty awesome place if you're looking to grab yourself some free food tho! read more

Alyssa the server for us 6 was great. A mind reader with me and wanting another ice cold pint. Same decor since we has our wedding donner there 42 yrs ago. It is what it is. The burgers USED to be huge and 90/10, now? Not so much. Fishe tacos were great and portion plentiful, i had the rueben and tots. The rueben didnt look like the pic in their promo ads on the screens inside. It was tasty as hell, but was more like a sampler size, than a big sandwich for $23! Burgers were about the same. They used to be worth it, but not now. The tots were soggy and greasy. Doubt i would go back unless meeting a buddy halfway between us read more

I came here with a couple friends. We did outdoor dining. Service was fine but food was kind of just ordinary. I got the loaded potato skins and parmesan burger. Potato skins tasted great, I love cheesiness. The burger I was disappointed because people were raving about it in the reviews. The burger was cooked medium rare but wasn't juicy and I didn't really taste much of the parmesan. Prices were slightly high for the lack of quality in the burger. read more

The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - Parmesan Burger - New American Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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Stranded in the area with a car issue for a couple days. The first place we went for a late dinner was The Assembly. Dig the name! The server was really nice and attentive. My son had a burger that he said was legit. I have stomach issues and ordered a bowl of chicken noodle soup, which had a red oily sheen and was spicy, which I couldn't eat. My wife and I shared the loaded potato skins. All was good, but just make chicken noodle soup like chicken noodle soup. Does not need to be spicy. Great place! read more

We were staying at the hotel across the street (very convenient) and decided to walk over. The ambience was very cozy and everyone was so nice. The parking lot was pretty spacious. We are not from Illinois so it always feels funny walking into local restaurants where everyone knows each other but we were quite comfortable. The food was AMAZING! Which I was just expecting regular bar food but they really put their hearts and minds into that menu. The parm burger was juicy and unexpectedly delicious. If we are ever in that area again, we will be back. 1113. Zero. Thank you read more

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If you want a fresh pub burger, this is the place. Sit at the bar and see it being prepared.

Everything was good. It usually is here. So this basically a bar with good food. It's kind of pricey but that's everywhere these days. There were 7 in our party and the bill was $280. No alcohol but we did have three desserts. Apple crisp was good and came with ice cream, but they didn't warm up the crisp. They also had a pumpkin cheesecake. It was delicious. They have a pretty good selection of beer and they also have draft root beer on tap. It's a bit of a loud place. Not really intimate. read more

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Good 80's vibe, clean establishment, good (but nothing special) food, good cocktails. They definitely need to up their menu and drinks choice to become great, but they definitely are good. read more

The place looks like it was "the shit" in 1971. It's old-school for sure. A little hard to get to, off a busy corner; and the parking lot is a little weird. Well worth the trouble, though! Inside, REAL close seating, if that kind of thing is a bugaboo. Both Wife and I have a bit of Resto-claustrophobia, but we were there in the middle of the day, so it wasn't too full. Burgers are the coin of the realm here, and they were absolutely fab. Same for the ColeSlaw and Fries. Tip-top eats! Even the "throw" on the Diet Pepsi was good. They had a special for $5 MaiTais, and I'm a sucker for Tiki drinks-it was a well-prepared quaff. Service was pro and efficient, and prices were in line. Throwing 5 for this old-school classic! read more

Marie was so rude, I hope management sees this. I came to pick up my order to find that my phone called the "other " location. She gave off the meanest sigh as to say you didn't call here , I answer the phones. Damn ok . Customer service is not at this location if you're looking at the front door staff . I tried ordering and she was so rude about it, saying I need to call the other store to let them know. So I did, before my order was even asked to be put in. And when I was putting in my order I asked her why she was giving off what she was giving off. I did comment to her that ppl make mistakes. At this point the look and attitude this woman gave me, I thought forget it. (Going to Chick-fil-A) Then I decided , I don't want to eat from an establishment that doesn't treat me right. Never coming back here again . Let this be a lesson , we frequent here at the bar a couple times a week. Not anymore. Congratulations! You have a grumpy granny being the face of your establishment. read more