Consistently great with both food and service. We love coming here for special occassions as well as causal nights out

Rolando was amazing! Very attentive! The food was delicious. The environment was very comfortable. Definitely going back! Thank you, Rolando! read more

So this is the third visit we have made to Eddie Merlot's in three years. And this is due to me gifting my parents a gift certificate for Xmas. But after this visit, we are questioning if we will be back. So we went to Eddie Merlot's to celebrate the Xmas gift I gave my parents. This was our third visit to this location in Lincolnshire, at our usual time. But this visit, they were busy. So let's break it down, piece by piece. So when we arrived for our 7pm reservation, we were seated, in great time, but not a great selection of seats. We were seated where the bar is and it is a right fit, especially since they are busy, and an unusual amount of kids. So we were given menus and the special for tonight. Our server, Joe, was very friendly and very nice. We gave our drink orders and we then began to look at the menu. After we got our drinks we were still waiting on their delicious bread. Jow came back to take our orders but wasn't writing it down, which would be important later. So far so good, but still no bread. Finally got the bread and were waiting on our salads. Grade 3.5/5 So the salads came, a Caesar salad that my parents shared and a house salad for me with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette. They were delicious and Joe gave us a good amount of time between our salads and mains so we weren't rushed. But as we were eating our salads, my mother and I noticed a familiar aroma hit the air. And we both said thebsame thing. Why would they light incense in a steak house near customers? Well it wasn't incesne. What they were doing was they were smoking a special drink on their menu. It was i think for an Old Fashioned. But for some reason they were smoking the drinks in these little metal glass cases, but near customer's tables instead back by the bar. So as you're eating you can't taste your food because your nose is being filled with smoke. Also they had flambé specials on their menu and we had two customers from different tables order these and for how close each table was, it wasn't a great idea with how close everyone is too each other. I had it done behind me and it was like a fire on my back. So a little more coordination and seating arrangement needs to be done. Salads great, but ruined by incense/smoke and flambé almost mishahps. 3/5 So Joe came back out to verify our sides, which i thought was weird and the sauce i wanted for my steak. If this was written down, he wouldn't have needed to come back out and ask. So we wait. And wait. And wait. And wait. We waited almost 45 minutes-1 hour for our mains. My father had their Halibut special, with a savignon-blanc caviar sauce. With heirloom carrots. The presentation was boring. The sauce was almost invisible. It's like they glazed the fish at the end of cooking as it rested. The fish was overcooked and the carrots, were carrots. The plating should have been in a different plate, where the sauce should have been plentiful on the bottom, with the fish placed on top of the sauce, and the carrots either leaning or resting on top of the fish. He got a side order of their mixed sautéed mushrooms and they were elegant. Not just white or baby bellas. There were shiitake, oysters, enoki, and I think some Hen of the Woods mushrooms. Oh his drink was red wine. Oh and caviar usually isn't cooked. So I thought this was weird. His meal 1.5/5. My mother ordered their Mojo Shrimp and Scallops. Out of the three of us, she got great value for the amount of food she got. The Scallops were great, but the shrimp were unfortunately overcooked. The rice was ok but cheese usually doesn't go with shellfish. There was an abundant amount of parmesan cheese on the dish. It was only supposed to be on the rice but it was on the seafood as well. Other than that, it was, meh. 2.5/5. Now I, of course, got a steak. I almost got their Ribeye Wagyu, but decided to go with their Prime Bourbon Ribeye. The steak was cooked how I asked it to be, which was medium rare. But the seasoning wasn't their. Couldn't taste any bourbon or brown sugar flavor. No salt or pepper. The onion straws tasted old and no seasoning as well. I got their creamy horseradish sauce enhancement, and a side order of their garlic mashed potatoes, which I've gotten the last two times I've been here because they are great. But not this time. Not enough garlic but texture was perfect. And their horseradish sauce needed more horseradish. Overall may main I'd give 2/5. Oh and the drinks were great. Dad got red wine, which was pricy. About $25 for 8oz glass. I had a Spiced Cherry Mule which was great. Mom had her usual of margarita which was strong and great. 4.5/5 And dessert. Dessert was outstanding. Mom and Dad shared the Turtle Cheesecake, with a coffee for Dad and a Tea for mom. Both the cheesecake and drinks were great. I had their Triple Chocolate Cake, which is enough for four people. So, so delicious and chocolate overload. We finished for dessert over the next two days. 5/5 3.1/5 Total read more

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Eddie Merlot's in Lincolnshire was packed for Christmas dinner, but the room still felt warm and relaxed. The interior is classic steakhouse cozy and the service was excellent. Kamil took great care of us, stayed friendly the whole time, and even offered to help with a family photo before we could even ask! We started with the Wagyu meatballs (4.5/5 - the temp was a tad cold, otherwise it would have been a 5/5). Great texture, not too bready or dense, with a rich San Marzano tomato sauce; acidity cut right through the richness of the meatball and paired perfectly. I had the prime ribeye (4.5/5). It came out just a touch above medium rare, but the seasoning was spot on and every bite was flavorful. I love a great sere! The surprise favorite was the grilled asparagus with hollandaise (5/5). The asparagus was perfectly cooked and the sauce was light, silky, and balanced. It is the kind of hollandaise you could put on almost anything and call it a night. We also shared the filet Del Mar (5/5), cooked to a perfect medium rare. The crab Dijonnaise on top was a standout and the shrimp were tender and properly cooked. The New Orleans mixed grill was another hit, with filet, andouille, and shrimp all working together for a solid 5/5 plate. You really cannot go wrong with this trio. For dessert, we finished with the peanut butter cup and the crème brûlée (4/5). Both were rich and satisfying without being overly sweet. The brûlée had a smooth, silky custard, and the peanut butter cup is a must for anyone who loves Reese's style desserts. I also enjoyed the nice peanut brittle on the side. All in all, a fantastic Christmas dinner and one of the more memorable holiday meals that we simply won't forget. read more

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Best steakhouse in the north burbs hands down. Beautiful dining room, cozy lounge and amazing staff.

A great server and very good ambience for our group tonight The steak was cooked perfectly! (Ordered rare+ so it was medium rare) The desserts didn't make it on the picture but I recommend their creme brulee All in all a great place to go to! read more

Eddie Merlot's - Prime Ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

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We usually enjoy our time at Eddie Merlot but this past Saturday was a different experience. We were celebrating our Anniversary. The food was mostly very good. Steak was great, lemon chicken was a little dry and burnt. Sides including garlic mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts were very good. Cocktails were off. In the past they were always great. Waiter didn't know the menu, brought items prepared incorrectly, was rarely around to check on us and even over charged us on the initial bill. We finally got him to correct it. We noticed he had similar issues at near by tables. Very disappointing to see a favorite restaurant heading the wrong direction on quality and experience. read more

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Last time we were here was 7 years ago. It feels it has gone downhill a tad. Lack of personnel and possibly over worked management? The hostess was swamped and there was only one...not a good idea at dinner hour. The gentleman who came to help was dressed way too casually for a steak place. We came to check out the Wednesday email promotion for a $99 meal for two. We had to ask for that menu - maybe that is the whole point? Only those that know about it are given that menu after they ask for it? They did not clear the extra two place settings right away when we were seated and the two wine glasses they left were really dirty...looks like their dishwasher is not working too well AND that whoever is setting the tables is not carefully looking at the glassware. Our server Miguel did not ask, and I mistakenly did not say I wanted my Manhattan straight up....it had ice and it was a watery mess. The sweet & spicy shrimp appetizer was great. Enough for four. Light batter, great flavor. My 6 oz filet was at most 4 oz and way over cooked. They quickly took it back after I got the hostess to find Miguel. The second one was perfectly med-rare. There was a nice looking roasted tomato and a few large leaves of watercress on the plate too. The tomato needed a whole lot more seasoning - very plain. My better half's NY Strip was perfectly cooked. The seasoning on both steaks was good however they weren't that warm on the outside - maybe they sat on the pass too long. Creamed spinach was lacking spinach - way too heavy a proportion of cream /sauce, not enough spinach or bacon and the cheese was copious on top yet not well browned so it looked not so appetizing. Tasty however not at all balanced. Crème brulee was excellent, very creamy with a nicely crisp sugar crust and a split strawberry. Not sure we will return anytime soon although the happy hour menu looks great. read more

Eddie Merlot's - Second try at the $99 menu filet - Steakhouses Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

Tried this place out and I was not disappointed. Great ambiance and delicious food but service could've been better. Our server (forgot his name but he said he was from Brazil) was ok but needed some polishing. He forgot to put in for our wedge salads and our entrees came out right away. He then forgot our coffee we ordered. It wasn't that busy so not sure the issue. We did enjoy the food and there aren't many places that serve steak Diane tableside anymore so we'd definitely come back just for this. Hopefully we get better service next time read more

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Had dinner here a few times before ,always had great meals. This time it was bad from start to finish. Server was terrible. Thought he forgot our table. Always order the Filet pot stickers And spicy shrimp. Could not find the meat in the pot stickers and the shrimp are now tiny. My wife had Filet Oscar and I had the Ribeye. Both were so salty we didn't eat them. Had 1 drink and waiter never came back to see if we wanted more. Sat with dirty plates on the table so long that the Hostess had to remove them. read more

From start to finish this restaurant did not disappoint! While this restaurant did not have the highest ratings, it did not sway me for wanting to go. The bar area was very lively as they have happy hour. We chose to be seated in the back where was much quieter. The ambiance is nice but not cozy. The server was friendly and attentive. The sourdough bread was fresh from the oven and fantastic! They offered a 3 course special with a large porterhouse steak, a half pound of crab legs, and a bottle of Cabernet. The meal was delicious, but the steak was rare instead of medium rare but still flavorful and delicious, and the king crab legs were on the skimpy side. I think a full pound of crab legs would be more appropriate for two people. The crème brûlée for dessert was one of the best I have ever had! It was fresh and absolutely delicious. The other suggestion I have is the server or the bus boy should pack up the leftovers. Not the customers for the price point at this restaurant. I will definitely be back next time. I'm in the area! read more

Best happy hour around! Our Life Time Vernon Hills Crew had an amazing Friday night happy hour. Thank you! Cheers! read more

Eddie Merlot's - Life Time Vernon Hills Crew enjoying the best happy hour around! Cheers! - Steakhouses Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

We've been going for years and when we celebrated my wife's 80th with family we knew this would be perfect. A private room for 14. A menu planned with Alana with 3 appetizers 3 salads 4 entrees family style sides and three desserts. Plus red and white wines that everyone thought perfect. Oh the hot small sourdough breads that kept coming. Our servers efficient and quiet. Every detail including a custom menu highlighting my wife's birthday. Coffee tea soft drinks all included and a giant piece of chocolate cake with a candle. Perfection We could not have been happier If you go just say Skip told you to. By the way the best happy hour of any restaurant on the north shore read more

This was our first time here, it was our anniversary and we wanted to go somewhere different. The service was outstanding even the guy who filled the water glasses was on his game. Mike our server made some recommendations and he was spot on. I got the trio medallions and my husband got the ribeye and we shared the lobster mashed potatoes. You won't leave there hungry for sure and we both have lunch today because of leftovers. read more

Eddie Merlot's - This was totally unexpected - Steakhouses Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

I reached out to Eddie Merlot's via their website as instructed, and was pleasantly surprised by the apology and gift card I received. The Lincolnshire manager had a very thoughtful and compassionate response. I will definitely give Eddie Merlot's another try! read more

Thanksgiving dinner 2024 was excellent, thank you for hosting our family! We had family coming in from out of town, so we made reservations for Thanksgiving dinner with Eddie Merlot's. We've heard great things about them, but never had an opportunity to partake. We're really glad we were able to enjoy their hospitality, mindful service, creative cocktails, and top-notch cuisine. It was CROWDED even for a later dinner service slot, as one would expect for one of the big big holiday dinner occasions. In spite of the massive crowd, their staff for functioning like a well-willed machine. We were able to wait at the bar, while staff worked on preparing tables (there appeared to be three very large groups of guests that were slow to leave), and met one of their regulars who highly recommended several dishes. Tom's recommendations were right-on, and we see why he's a regular patron. Once we were seated, our server took very good care of us. We all opted for regular menu items based on our new friend's recommendations, and every meal was excellent. We ended up getting a Thanksgiving feast to remember, everything having been prepared well even though we were late in the dinner service on what was probably one of their busiest nights. In particular, I loved my lemon dijon chicken, and the carrot cake. We're looking forward to making Eddie Merlot's a regular part of our dinner nights out. Considering how well they handled Thanksgiving dinner, they'll probably be wonderful when it's not so busy. I'm excited to try several other dishes I saw on the menu. read more

Eddie Merlot's - Lemon Dijon Chicken - Steakhouses Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

Came here for Christmas Eve. It was our first time. Seated relatively quickly despite it being absolutely packed. Our server Chelsea was extremely attentive and informative. She made great recommendations. She was able to adjust a Christmas Eve special since my girlfriend and dad are not big wine drinkers. Started off with some great cocktails but the appetizer stole the show. Charbroiled oysters that rivaled the ones we've tried in New Orleans. For entrees ordered the tomahawk and twin lobster tail dinner, New Orleans combination and sautéed mushrooms. Triple chocolate cake for dessert was the perfect ending! The food and drinks were all amazing and the service provided be Chelsea and staff made it such a special evening. This was our first time visiting Eddie Merlot's but it will definitely not be our last! read more

Their brunch was absolutely excellent. They had stations for everything. The oysters on the half shell, shrimp, filet mignon , ham, pork, all breakfast food, omelet station, salads and fruits of every kind and a banana foster station to name a few. Really terrific and well worth the money!!! Highly recommend this restaurant. Fabulous read more

My wife and I attended the Mother's Day brunch at Eddie Merlot's in Lincolnshire. The food was excellent and plentiful. The atmosphere was warm and friendly. The best part of our dining experience was our server, RJ. She was incredibly personable and professional. We were both impressed with her professionalism. read more

It's rare that I have an experience at a restaurant where I feel the need to immediately write a review unless it's a bad one. But I felt the strongest urge to share my experience with the angel of an employee of Eddie Merlot that is Raven. I'm a bit of restaurant snob and I haven't been to Eddie Merlot in a long time because I felt it no longer met some of my expectations and I preferred to dine in the city. My husband and I can't go to restaurants far away when we're dining with his grandma since she's older so we needed to choose somewhere close to home, and decided on Eddie Merlot simply for convenience. The experience was really average for the most part. Our waitress was a little standoffish but I think that was just her personality. I was telling my husband I didn't know if I would want to come back but then Raven came and brought us our dishes. In our short interaction, I was stunned at how pure of a person he was. I am saying this in all honesty, I think he may be the kindest and purest soul I have ever met. Everything he said was with such love and bright energy, I very literally started tearing up. I kept watching him as we dined and he was working so hard and did not smiling for a second. I literally have never seen such a hard worker in my life. I asked our waitress his name and she said it was Ruben but turns out his name is actually Raven. I later asked different busser to ask Raven if he could stop by our table and when he stopped by, I told him how thankful I was for his service and great energy. Unsurprisingly, he replied again with such purity. He said he loves his job, the restaurant and that he's grateful to be able to help everyone. When I got back to my car, I actually sobbed. Of course, on my way out, I asked how to reach out to a manager to give feedback on how great Raven was, and the hostess let me know the manager was available there at the restaurant so I was able to share my adoration for Raven right then and there. Truly, I hope Raven is being put a manager track or some kind of track for a promotion because he is an absolute gem of a person that cannot be replicated. To be honest, this would technically have been a 3 or 3.5 star review without Raven, but with Raven, it's beyond 5 stars. read more

What a great experience that Eddie's delivered to my son and his friend! They dined there after seeing a show at the Lincolnshire Marriott and were made to feel right at home by the manager Calvin from the moment they walked in the door. My son said that on top of the food being amazing, that Luis, their server, was outstanding as well! Top notch operation and would highly recommend for anyone interested in having any sort of an exceptional experience for any occasion! read more

We were looking for a nice steakhouse to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday. So glad we chose Eddie Merlot's. The staff were all very nice and even made the thoughtful act of giving us a table in a quiet corner near the fireplace. The ambiance is very tasteful and welcoming. The food was all very delicious ... a bit on the too salty side ... but delicious. The staff gave my dad a very nice "happy birthday " plate with a small chocolate cake. So thoughtful. We had a wonderful celebratory dinner and would definitely come back. read more

Amazing wait staff, and food from the appetizers with asparagus and whipped mashed potatoes to the grilled New York steak. Ambience was inviting and warm - felt intimate and upscale. Super nice server, and excellent cocktails and wine. I recommend 10 out of 10 ! read more

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Service, food, atmosphere, all five star. A5 steak was other worldly. Antonio is the best server that I've ever had. I cannot recommend any more highly. read more

Great cheese burger special in the bar, well prepared and several options. Service is terrific but sometimes the bar area gets a little noisy. read more

Magnificent date night experience! We shared a wedge salad to start. Then, we ordered the "Americas" - Chateaubriand served table side with a Corn brûlée. Also, we added the au gratin potatoes. The food was perfectly prepared. It was so delicious. The presentation was quite the production! Our waiter was friendly and efficient, since he timed everything well. Both of us loved the entire dinner experience. Must try in the lounge, very cozy read more

We had dinner reservations for Valentine's Day and fully expected the restaurant to be busy, but what we experienced went far beyond normal holiday delays. Despite having a reservation, we waited over 30 minutes to be seated while multiple parties who arrived after us were seated first. Once we finally sat down, it took approximately 15 minutes for our waiter to appear, which forced us to place our entire order at once out of concern we wouldn't see him again for a while. Bread service never arrived until we specifically asked for it. One water glass was presented as "clean," yet it was still wet all over as if it had just come out of the dishwasher. Another glass had something floating in it. Even basic table setup was lacking, the salt shaker had no stopper underneath and contained no salt. Service issues continued throughout the evening. My wife asked for lemon with her soup and never received it. Our main course didn't arrive until 9:00 PM -- for a 7:15 PM reservation. My steak was butterflied without being requested, and when my wife again asked for lemon with her entrée, it still never arrived. The waiter rarely checked on us and offered no follow-up on how the meal was going. To top it off, when we informed the host staff of our experience as we left, the response was simply "I'm sorry," with no effort to make things right or acknowledge the numerous problems we encountered. Valentine's Day is understandably busy, but poor timing, inattentive service, and basic quality-control issues made this experience deeply disappointing, especially for what is marketed as an upscale dining experience. Will absolutely not be back - there are simply too many other better options around. read more

The food was excellent. Our steaks were cooked to perfection and the Eddie's potatoes were amazing. Our server Antonio exceeded both our expectations. We ended with the peanut butter cup and took half it home. Can't wait for the next time. read more

Great food! Sue and Antonio really take care of you at the bar. They know my drink and my order. I love it! I can sit back relax watch the game and enjoy a burger. read more

Luiz was an amazing server, definitely recommend coming here. Food was amazing, some of the best i have had in a while. read more

Eddie Merlot's - Steakhouses Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

Arrived on time for reservation on Valentine's Day. Waited in a standing room only environment over 45 minutes with many other customers in the same predicament. After being seated waited 15 more minutes for water and longer for our waiter. The steaks, while cooked nicely, were tough. We chose this restaurant due to its many positive reviews. We literally drove past other steakhouses at the same price point which we have dined at before. We will not be making this mistake again. read more

My wife and I were there earlier for dinner and couldn't believe how busy it was. We visit almost every valentines day and this year was PACKED. Only had to wait a little to get sat but it's always worth it. Food and service never disappoint. Will be back! read more

Food was good, wish there were more gf items especially a bread option. Wait staff and management were nice. They had a short staff problem so wait time for ordering and food delivery was a bit high. The manager was so sweet and very attentive. I like the vibe of the front bar area, but we were seated in the back room which seemed somewhat desolate. Definitely going back. read more

Always a great experience when visiting Eddie Merlot's. The bar never disappoints and Sue and Antonio are a wonderful duo. My daughter has a severe allergy and Executive chef Aric always goes above and beyond to ensure all of her dietary needs are met. Thank you, Eddie Merlot's for always making us feel like family. read more

Excellent! Exceptional hospitality and great food. For sure will come back. Tim the gm made sure to touch our table and provide a personalized visiz. Cheers! read more

Service and management was impeccable. We love going there!!!Best Steaks in the area amazing wine list and great atmosphere.

Great experience. Food was delicious and customer service was top tier. Will be coming back

Great food and service. Cozy feeling, especially in the bar area. Staff was awesome. Good wine list as well.

I came to Eddie Merlot for a special Christmas Dinner with my family. I have come here several times before and always had pleasant experiences. However, Eddie Merlot did not deliver a quality experience for their Christmas dinner service. They were extremely overbooked and understaffed for the evening. I had a reservation for 7pm, and I finally got seated only at 7:45pm. There were a lot of other parties waiting for their tables as well, and the front desk did not do a good job of clearly communicating about the wait times and delays. The whole restaurant was packed with only a handful of waiters working for the night. Moreover, when we got seated, it took a while for someone to come to our table and help us. The restaurant should've booked less reservations for this special occasion so their staff could properly accommodate their tables. However, the food that we ordered was delicious. The sweet and spicy shrimp was full of flavor and is a great choice for an appetizer. For the entrees, the steaks were amazing and cooked to perfection, especially the New York Strip. The Filet Del Mar is a tasty option as well, but it is a small portion of food. The desert brownie was delectable and definitely shareable for multiple people. Furthermore, our waiter Miguel was very hospitable and friendly. He came to our table as much as he could despite the heavy workload he was given. He is very kind person who treated us well throughout the evening. read more

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Our favorite place!!! The food is amazing! My favorite is the Shrimp and Scallops. My husband's favorite is the salmon. We love to sit in bar dining room. The ambience is very cozy. read more