Divey, but not sketchy. Friendly, not fake-Irish pub, more of a neighborhood pub. Heaps of Irish whiskeys. We'll go back! read more

The place is 100 years old. Looks like I had the same Owner for over 50 or 60 years and now somebody else runs it for the last six years or so we went there for the fish fry. There were only two cars in the entire parking lot the bartender prepared an entire Atlantic cod, deep-fried that was 14 inches long and at some .2 inches thick for $20. We love the tartar sauce and ate almost all the fish. We also ordered a hamburger which was a little bit too overdone, but came with a heaping pile of french fries. The downfall of this place is the inside. There's definitely some improvements that could be made to the ceiling, but how do you improve a building that's over 100 years old with eight layers of paint? The one or two guys at the bar couldn't hold a conversation for 10 seconds without cussing , putting down women and expletives telling stupid stories as 30-year-old single drunk people would surrounded by other adults but I took my 10-year-old in here to try the fish. I guess you can't control what other patrons do. There were some tables outside that we could've moved our food and trays too but thought we'd just take the 25 minutes and endure inside. Cudos again to the nice bartender/server. read more

The fish fry was excellent - I would highly suggest getting the onion rings as a side instead of the fries. The fish was fresh, and the batter was light and crispy - too much to eat for one person! YUM! Don't go here if you are in a hurry as the bar is small and there is limited staff. Some reviews say it is divey, to me it is just a neighborhood bar, friendly, chill staff, that serves a great fish fry. Get there early if you want to sit at a table as there are not that many, but you can also eat at the bar. We sat there for a few hours and it did not smell like septic and the beer did not come out all foam. So try this local neighborhood gem. read more

The food was good. While the staff was friendly, the follow through was poor. Our waitress left to go home and didn't say a word. We overheard a couple of other customers talking who seemed to know her. It was through them we found out she left. We asked the bartender for the bill and he told us what we owed. No physical bill of charges was presented. The place is really beat up and dirty. It is a shame because it has so much potential. I want to go back but I will think twice. I wanted it to be a good experience being first generation Irish. I take pride in supporting Irish businesses. read more

Typical dive bar with live music and cheap drinks. Just what I needed as an out of Towner, felt very welcome by the locals and staff

The place is dated. Small and smells like a septic tank in parts of the bar. Signs outside need work.

A townie bar in the middle of Nowhere, Mundelein. It seems as though this bar is actually located in a residential area. The parking here is atrocious. you have to try and maneuver through the tiny parking lot where people have invented parking spot making it a very narrow passageway... at times I held my breath as we tried to squeeze between two randomly parked cars. Eventually, a spot in front opened up and we went in. The bar is a dive to say the least, but it was packed. There was nowhere to sit and barely anywhere to even stand. People kept running into us. However, the cheap drinks and live music made up for this. I just wish the place was kept a little warming, the front and side doors kept opening so smokers could get their nicotine fix. Everyone here was super friendly though, so I could see myself returning in the future. I really like how the outside actually looks like a mill... shh...don't tell, but that is the main reason I decided to check Irish Mill out! read more

The Irish Mill - My name crest :-) - Pubs Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

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I had been wanting to stop in for ages, and finally on a rainy Friday afternoon I was able to. We were a group of 4, and had no problem finding a seat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly, and so were the other patrons, we engaged in some great conversation over fairly priced beers and a couple of light snacks (cheese fries and onion rings - both hot and delicious). It was a great way to spend a couple of rainy hours on a Friday, and I'm looking forward to going back. read more

Atmosphere: Divey and a little questionable Food: 2/5 Service: 1/5 We came here on Friday night because it was halfway for my friend and I. I don't know what it is about midwest but everyone seems to love their fish fry on a Friday. I thought it was interesting that a place that raves about their fish fry doesn't have too many reviews but we still went anyways. The moment we drove up, I was questioning where we were. The building is shaped like a giant windmill with green trimmings and it just got weirder once we stepped in. There's slot machines, dart boards, a hog head and some religious statue in a corner. There's not much seating around so we decided to sit at the bar. The guy at the bar didn't seem too thrilled with us but we went ahead and ordered drinks anyways. I'm not saying I'm a beer snob but I don't think it's a good sign when the beer is all foam when they pour. I know I talked about the fish fry but I couldn't get myself to order a pound of it so I ordered the chicken tenders. Chicken tenders is always a safe option at a restaurant and I can't say that it was bad or good but I can say the fries were cold. My friends ordered the fish fry and it came out in the shape of a whole fish. They said it wasn't the best they've had but it wasn't bad either. Overall: the service was lousy. Maybe I'm just used to less dive-y service but man they did not seem to want us there. When we told the bartender we wanted to order and he took a bite of food before doing so. Even though the prices were cheap, I'd rather save my money and go elsewhere. read more

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Wow the smell! If you ever wanted to experience eating and drinking in an outhouse or septic tank, this is the place for you! They try to camouflage the stinking foul odors with some sort of essence oils, but it just doesn't work. I felt like I was drinking a beer in the bathroom stall with a person doing #2 the next stall over. read more

Dear Fellow Fish Fry Fanatics, We all know that there are way too many mediocre Friday Night fish frys in the world, and we are more than aware that some restaurants that serve outstanding fish 'n chips during the week compromise their Friday Night Fish Fry with inferior product (note the Abbey Pub as example). We Fry Brothers know how frustrating this can be! We're tired of driving to western Wisconsin to get our fix; tired of driving to Holland, Michigan to the Beachwood Inn or to Grand Rapids to Fat Man's Fish Fry. Brothers, your prayers are answered! The Irish Mill's fish fry consists of a bountiful serving of lightly beer-battered Icelandic cod that will tantalize the taste buds of the utmost scrutinizing fry brother. And, it's only $7. Caaaan yoooou dig it???!???! Located in Mundelein on Hwy 83 between 60 and 176, it is worth the drive. The Mill looks like a typical roadside bar, except it has a windmill. read more

The Irish Mill - Friday Fish Fry Heaven... - Pubs Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

It's been over 20 years since I've been in (Jon and Angie ran a nice place back then) and it'll be at least that many more before I do so again. The establishment smells of urine and sewerage, hope it is just wafting out from the men's room but can't be sure. Can't get a Bass there anymore because, as the person behind the bar says,"This is an Irish Pub not English." But you can get a Modelo (Southern Ireland??) while watching the national pastime (ice hockey) on the big screen. So if you want your thinly veiled hatred and misanthropy delivered in a dismal setting this is the place for you. read more

The Irish Mill is the place where I had my first pint of Guinness oh so long ago, and it is the place that I think of first when I have a taste for the ambrosia of the emerald isle. It never ceases to amaze me how they manage to get the shamrock in the foam of the "pour". The luck O' The Irish I imagine! The Harp Beer Batter Cod Fish and Chips are the best this side of County Cork although friends of mine swear by the "Bangers and Mash" and Meat Pies. Darts? Did someone say darts? Steel tip boards in abundance with a distinctively Pub setting. My friend and brother from another mother who I have met at "The Mill" for St. Patrick's Day for many years now (and participated with me in the "Great Guinness Toast") called today to remind me that March 17th is a weekday this year. If you wish to experience The Irish Mill on St. Pat's with us- you're advised to be seated at the bar before 3-PM when the tradesmen arrive in droves. Not that this is a bad thing- it's just harder to get seated. Driving the snakes out of Ireland indeed- I heard the good Saint only needed a 5-iron! read more

Come here to find the most amazing bartender, Miss Sarah. She makes the best drinks and don't forget to try the burger or BONE IN WINGS. People don't even know about how good these Buffalo wings are. Also; fish fry is a must Weds-Sat. YOURE WELCOME!!!! read more

This place is the real deal. Yeah, it's way out on the prairie. Yeah, it's an Irish bar that has a windmill outside, and serves Fish n' Chips (more on that later). It's clean, it's friendly, it has a large patio. Bands play there. The one I saw the night I was there, SILVER MACHINE, rocked a lot and looked like they were having a blast (I have it on good intel, that they were, in fact, having a blast). Why This Place Gets Five Stars. FISH N' CHIPS. Seriously some of the best I've ever had was at this little joint. First of all, they smelled SO GOOD as the people around me devoured theirs. I had to have some. So, I ordered a "small" ($10!! what?!). Well, a SMALL is two giant fillets of cod, perfectly done, and a haystack of french fries. I grabbed the nearest guitar player to share that stuff with me, and dug in, after I'd drenched that bitch in Malt Vinegar (the cod, not the guitar player). OH MAN, was it good!!!!! Buttery, flakey, perfectly done. YUM. Delicious, delicious Cod. The one drawback: the fucking jukebox. I thought it was an internet jukebox (it should be). When I realized it was actually curated, I clutched my pearls. WHAT?! Only ONE album by Eagles of Death Metal? 3 or 4 Kreayshawn songs and NO Rocket from the Crypt!? Whatever. Link this thing up to the internet already. But, that's a minor flaw, I managed to find a few cool songs anyway. The area around here sucks, all the usual beige suburban crap that makes me hate the suburbs. However, places like this give me hope that there is coolness out there to be found - and I am a DIE HARD urbanite. read more

The place is simply a dump. Place smells worse than a landfill. Spent a year in Iraq and when I walk in to the place, the smell reminds me of the black water ponds (sewage). For a place that the owner claims to care about, he doesn't invest much money in it. And whoever runs their Facebook (sounds like the owner) should have business etiquette classes. See picture attached from a screen shot of Facebook. It's one thing to attack the commenter, but a real dick move to attack his kid. I will never return to the Irish Mill because of the owners actions. And the smell is enough to keep me away also. Funny, 10 months after first post, I get a notification saying the previously attached picture was reported as offensive. My guess is the owner is a coward and reported it because he got called out. read more

The fish fry is MASSIVE and delicious! You've gotta try this! We were NOT expecting this lol read more

The Irish Mill - a plate of fish and chips - Pubs Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

Justin congratulations to you and your father your doing a wonderful job‼ There is so much great history with Irish Mill thank you for stopping by our table making sure everything was OK that's one thing that you don't get at A corporate restaurant that's why I prefer the Ma &Pa's like the Irish mill‼ I give the whole evening a five star from the atmosphere to the cold beer your fish fry was out of this world your shepherds pie was incredibly great let us not forget the Ruben can't find a better one around the Chicagoland area‼ read more

The Irish Mill - Thank you Justin and your father for a great Friday night fish fry and shepherds pie was incredibly! - Pubs Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

Just stopped by today because it looked awesome from the outside. I don't understand the reviewers who don't like it bc it's divey. It is obvious from the outside it's a dive, so why go if you don't like that type of place? My burger was good, and the beer was cold. My dogs played with the bartenders dog on the back porch. I will likely never be in Mundelein again, but if I am I'll definitely stop in. read more

Dive, dive, dive. From the walk in with the cobwebs (real, not halloween decor) all over the windows to the other patrons and the overall lack of maintenance and care to the place we will NEVER return. Server/bartender/owner? Smelled of fresh cigarettes and the music being play was not appropriate for an Irish pub for a family. The flags of different Irish fests and Irish flags were pinned to the ceiling some with dried water marks clearly covering up a leak. I was however, surprised at how good their fish fry was. Fresh fish, hand battered and fried perfectly. Even this could not convince me to give another star. The place is dirty and that is simple to take care of. read more

Yes, the fish fry is very good, if not the best I've had in the area. However, the details/ambiance kinda ruined it for me. The place is a magnet for fat, loud men who feel like their drunken exclamations are important enough that everyone should hear them. It's not just the patrons either. It was actually the bartender who loudly proclaimed, "I want to get a T-Shirt that says, too many lesbians, not enough time!". Yes the loud drunk men were annoying, but that's kind of what you expect when you go into a bar, right? The real thing that took me down a few stars was the toilet in the ladies room. The toilet water was bubbling up. Violently. I'm not talking a little blub blub. It was a full out spontaneous eruption of toilet water. Being pregnant, and being that the other stall was occupied, I had to no choice but to hang my buns over this porcelain Buckingham and get my pee splashed back up onto me. Barf. I've never seen a more disgusting situation in a public bathroom. To top it off, the toilet paper dispenser was not working, so I had to exit the stall for paper towels. Needless to say, no food looks good after that, even if it is the best fish fry in the area. Sorry if that's TMI, but I feel I should protect the clean asses of Lake County. read more

A friend and I were wandering around looking for a place that was open for food on Easter Sunday Evening. We just decided to drive around for a bit, looking for something that wasn't a chain, something out of the norm. We drove by this place and saw that it was open, both of us looked at each other and said, that place looks fun, let's try it out... We wander in and see 8 Beer taps, and a large square bar, with many different kinds of whiskey and scotch. Immediately we decide that this is the place is that we were looking for. The bartender greeted us and asked if we had been there before, we told him no. He nicely explained the place and invited us to wander around the grounds with our drinks. We went outside and enjoyed the view of the pond and the warm fire for a bit. Then we went back inside and perused the menu, delighted to see Irish, British and Scottish foods and fair on the menu. Bangers and Mash etc. Burgers, fish fry, all kinds of great things. I got the Zak Attack Burger, the bartender says "It's huge", and it was, had it with Onion rings, which were perfect. The burger was great, eggs over easy on top of it, was delicious. My friend had a The Mill Burger, and onion rings, she loved it. The owner Justin, came over and talked to us for a bit, he saw my friend playing with her Ipad, and went out of his way to help her get on the internet with it, with his personal wireless hotspot, as the wireless in the building was being funny. We had some shots of Jameson, tried about half the beers on the menu, and had a good time watching hockey, talking to the patrons, bartenders, the chef, and the owner. Very surprised, and very happy to find this place. Will definitely go back! read more

We moved to the area recently and pleasantly surprised by this place. They have a good list of beers to select from and our appetizers were very good. My family enjoyed the evening very much. While we were there a bad accident happened on the road but everybody stayed safe. It is a memorable safe day in our lives and hope to visit this place again. read more

cute little Irish joint, not necessarily a pub, but adorable not a whole bunch of parking spaces a bit crowded with 20 year olds on the weekend pretty cheap drinks & beer fun signs & posters on the wall live bands outdoor patio I'd probably go back. read more

In the vast suburban subdivisoned landscape that is Mundelein (and Vernon Hils , etc etc...) there are few remnants of the "culture" of the past - meaning pre 1970's. Yet here lies a nice weathered establishment, with live music, small drinks, and a good vanilla vibe that is a nice respite from the strip malls and Culvers that line the roads now. Its nice to know that the suburban sprawl developers haven't touched one of the last places in the area with character . *Reveiwed by an unapologetic urbanite. read more

If you are looking for a good dive bar, this will fit the bill. Cheap beer, live music, friendly staff. We had the fish fry and it was good! I have to admit I was a little surprised, but I enjoyed it. They also have Golden Tee if you are into that. read more

The place has character as any good dive bar does but it also has a smell that can not go unnoticed. Bring your nose plugs and have a good time! read more

OPEN FOR LUNCH ONCE AGAIN!!! This is an awesome dive bar. Not too clean, not too new. The food is still really good as long as you get something with gravy. Gravy and Guinness will fix anything. read more

Great place. Casual place with the best fish fry around. Bartenders are amazing and very friendly.

Bad service, bad food, do not go there. Their version of a Shepard's Pie could be best categorized as Shepard's Smear on a Plate...plenty gelatinous...little taste. The Bangers were not served on mash...but rather french fries with beef gravy. Very odd and also did not taste good. As far as service, we waited 20 minutes just to get served a beer then another 20 just to take our appetizer order which consisted of cold Mozzie sticks and flaming hot Stuffed Jalapenos...Irish Food right? Avoid this place. read more

Pretty good lil neighborhood bar, they have live bands that play outside at times and everyone seemed nice

Read the reviews and the place doesn't stink. I was looking for some home roots and a decent bar to get a Guinness in. They have a live band, it is Saturday night, not crowded and some good people. Worth checking out. Not from area. It's a small town bar atmosphere. Similar to the Bungalow in Carson, WA. Have a nice day!!!! read more

The Irish Mill - a band playing in a pub - Pubs Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

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Two of us went on Saturday night. This was our first visit. The inside was cozy. Old irish decor, smaller square bar. We grabbed a seat at the bar and waited for the live music to start at 9. Decent beer selection for a smaller place. I love small bars, dive bars. This was filled with character. We did not eat so I cannot comment on the food. The bartender was a little slow but we were in no hurry. I would go back again. read more

I love this place. Always stop when having to come to this area for work. Very friendly staff and good/cheap food! 5 stars for sure. read more

The Irish Mill - Pubs Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

We went here for the first time ever on St Patricks day after passing by on many occasions we and thought it would be a fun place to check out. We couldn't have been more wrong. We walked in and after many stares NO ONE waited on us. Not even a hello. It wasn't very busy, which should have been a sign since its a Irish place and it was St Pattys day, but we hoped it was just a little early. The inside was dated and dirty looking and literally no one even greeted us or waited on us. After 20 minutes of being ignored we left. We didn't even get a drink. I wish there was a way to give a negative star rating. It just was so disappointing and so bad. I find it hard to believe a Irish place could be so unwelcoming. I would not recommend this place to anyone ever. Horrible experience. read more

The Irish Mill is amazing, especially on dirty limerick nights. Whitey O'Day is my favorite. I've never had a bad time at the Irish Mill. Highly recommended! read more

I'm new to the area, and after eating at a local restaurant, my friend and I made a last minute decision to look up the closest bar. Since I love a good dive bar, The Irish Mill was our pick. This place has the potential to be a great little dive bar, but the SMELL!! The drinks are strong (which could be a good or bad thing) and we were definitely the youngest people there (average age seemed to be 45). The fellow patrons were more than friendly, but were definitely being over served, which made for a very uncomfortable night. This place is also in need of a good cleaning and massive renovations. The bathrooms offer some nice literature and latest updates as to who is cheating on who and the like, but they're absolutely disgusting, and the stalls don't have locks. The cups used for drinks were absolutely disgusting, the ceiling is falling in from water damage in the "dining" area, and as I stated, the smell is awful! It is like something died and then was left in a pool of water for days ... I came home wreaking of this potent stench. I'm honestly a little concerned that people actually eat food from this establishment. If the main area is that disgusting, I don't even want to know what the kitchen looks like. Between the smell, the flashing of 50 year old breasts, and the less-than-clean atmosphere, I don't think I'll be giving this place a second chance. read more

The food is just OK. They have a very good menu of Irish Whiskey. The place is interesting to look at from the outside. They seem to be a group of people interested in music. Many seem to be interested in chatting about music and there's live music there too. The service was pretty good. read more

Great Spirits all around! Always glad to stop in. Justin, the owner, is diligently working on making your visit memorable and valuable each time you visit. Jim is the quintessential barkeep. I'd recommend a fine Irish whiskey and I few minutes to make a new friend with someone sittin' at the bar. Enjoy! You'll be back soon. read more

The only redeeming quality of this establishment was the food served. I had the crispy chicken sandwich and fries, and it tasted great. However, the gentleman behind the bar all but ignored my group, and it took 20 minutes worth of vying for the bartender's attention to even place the order. If you're a regular, the service is good. But if you aren't, all I can say to you is 'good luck.' One night there was more than enough for me. read more