My son and I went here for the first time. We enjoyed the outdoor seating and were served right away. Sadly the food was very disappointing. The nachos were ok but nothing special. The cheese had no flavor but the pico topping was nice with fresh cilantro. This was a very large portion for an appetizer. The fried pickles had way too much breading. It almost looked tripple dipped and fried. The inside batter was still pasty as it was so thick. My biggest complaint was the fries. They were actually burned on the ends, black and overall dark dark orange and when broken in half, they were oily though out as they are overfried. I had a french dip which had a nice roll, good cheese and plenty of meat but way too salty even without the dipping sauce. We won't return. The waiters were nice so don't blame them for the poor quality. read more

I went here last night for the first time. A group of us came here for pub trivia on Wednesday night. The food was great - I had a patty melt. In addition to nicely grilled onions, it had 2 kinds of cheese. I got the coleslaw as a side - it was a generous portion. The 6 others in my group were also happy with their food and found the portions generous, most taking some home. The nice cap to the evening was that we even won pub trivia! I'm sure we'll be back! read more

This was the best meal and cocktail I've had in a long time. The place was bright, clean, and modern. I had the Lavender Bee's Knees seasonal cocktail, and it was one of the best drinks I can recall having in my whole life. I also had an amazing burger with sweet potato fries that were well worth the slight upcharge. Highly, highly, highly recommend!!! read more

Food and drinks are excellent! Love the atmosphere too! Nick is a great bartender and has great recommendations! Will be coming back

I had dinner here twice this summer. First time was the Wednesday hamburger special. Last week we ate there on Thursday and had the wrap. Both meals were delicious. Service was excellent. And you can't beat the prices! I would definitely return read more

The food was really yummy! Loved the pretzel bites and my main dish was also really tasty. They have the option of indoor or outdoor seating. read more

My wife and I went there on Saturday to meet some friends for the Michigan/Michigan State game. We got there at 11:00 for the start of the game. Ordered 2 beers and Asked the bartender if she could turn the volume on for the game. She replied she could not or she would have to turn the music off. After we finished our beers we left and texted our friends to meet us a the Beacon Tap were we watched the game, had buckets of beers and ate. Guess Emerson does not need the money. read more

I know there's a lot of strong opinions when you are in a small town bar. But I will say that I've been coming through Mount Prospect my entire life. Most people would drive right through this town. But there are certain people and certain places that just make you feel like home. At Emerson's this one bartender is always super nice to me. Even when he's busy, he tends to notice me. Granted maybe I was staring at him too intensely who knows. But I will say there is a level of comfort I have with Nick. He's a regular bartender there when I go in. I'm pretty sure I just go in and order when I know he's there. He's a solid guy who is always willing to answer my questions. And as someone who has worked in the restaurant industry on and off since I was 18, that means a lot. After a long day, it can be exhausting to answer my endless questions. So thanks to you Nick, you always made a bad day a better one. I appreciate it. I hope you stay a while longer cause I enjoy your advice. And your somewhat sassy attitude at times. It makes me laugh. Also I enjoy the beer selection. read more

Emerson's is a delightful and delicious local pub. There are more than 30 beers on tap, and you can opt for 5oz taster pours or the standard 16. I also LOVE THE BLACK BEAN BURGER. It has great flavor, and is topped with grilled green peppers and fresh avocados. My carnivore friends regularly order that burger over a standard beef burger - just for added clarity on how delicious it is. It's conveniently located across the street from Mt P train station and not to be missed! read more

Really nice people. Very timely service. The food is not good. I wish I had gotten the salad that I had planned on. However, I ordered a burger. The meat was overcooked and flavorless. I had asked for mustard and bbq sauce (strange, maybe) but it came with ketchup and mayo...? I got a side of veggies which were mushy and cold. My friend got tater tots which were worse than frozen ones that had been microwaved. Not a fan. The build your own Mac n cheese is really not good. The noodles were kind of hard, and I wish it had been creamier. Fish and chips was ok, but the fries were in need of seasoning. Definitely would find somewhere else. read more

I was in the area and like any other person on a Sunday, craving fish & chips. Found this spot and I appreciated that a fellow helper had snapped a picture of the fish & chips prior my visit giving me a sneak peak to my lunch. Getting to Emerson's was a lovely experience. It's located in downtown Mr. Prospect and it's the typical small town downtown. Straight out of your childhood story books. It is right next to the Metra stop making it the perfect pit stop for drivers and alighting train riders. On to the fish and chips. I got 3 decent size pieces of fish, a handful (or two) of fries and a salad (you could choose soup instead). The fish was fried in the traditional beer batter. I was impressed with the quality of fish on the inside. Tender, flaky, moist, and crispy on the outside. I was pleased with the generous portion and inhaled my meal in minutes. I'll admit that I wasn't expecting much when I ordered the fish and chips but I got a lot more than I expected. Although I had a stellar experience there are a few basic things that would've made my meal more enjoyable: 1. A lemon wedge for my fish. Lemon is a must when it comes to fish and chips. I'm sure that they would've supplied me with a wedge had I dined in and asked but I carried out. 2. The frying oil could used a change. The pieces were slightly dark probably due to old oil. P.s. the salad that came with my meal was huge and I ate it before taking a picture. read more

I have been to Emerson's many times living only a few blocks away. It's Christmas Eve, 2 of my kids are sick, I come home from work and have severe stomach flu. My daughter finds out who 's kitchen was open, orders takeout and says the person who took her carry out order was so rude to her it ruined her night and experience trying to help the family. We were so happy the kitchen was open and then so very disappointed in the holiday service. She still tipped the guy because she is not an ass. read more

Good food. Nice bar atmosphere. Was packed on a Thursday night. Nice local spot. Will come back again for their burgers and sweet potato fries! read more

Sadly last time,just not good service sent outside with tables available? For a order to go.. read more

Love this place! Had always wanted to try this place as I work in the area. Was one of the few places open during COVID. Came in with some co-workers and had a great time. Excellent service and food. Ended up coming back two more times with my family and will definitely be back again. The Emerson wrap and their sweet potato fries are my favorite. read more

Our first experience with this estery. Had three sandwiches delivered to a local in Des Pliaines. Was expecting everything to arrive at 6:25. But it was all there at 6:10. Food was hot and delicious and came exactly as ordered. Nice job, Emerson's!! Will definitely do it again. read more

Ate at Emerson's last night and it was fantastic! The Cobb salad was beautiful to look at, ice cold, bacon perfectly crisp...and paired it with their amazing ranch! Service was spot on! Highly recommend!! read more

Solid go to yes. I came here the other day for a late lunch with my cousin. The staff could not have been nicer. From our waitress to everyone. My cousin really enjoyed her burger. I had the chicken club as a wrap & it was tasty due to so much sauce, ooooh so much drippy sauce. My bad for not requesting it on the side. It was rich on diced lettuce & cheap on the chicken & avocado. I'd go back. Nice people and good food. read more

Nice, cozy spot for some after-work drinks. Menu had a good selection and service was attentive. Also, I brought a minor bathroom issue up to a server and it was attended to immediately - much appreciated. I would recommend this establishment. read more

Emerson's is consistently one of the best options in this area. Every time I'm not sure where I should grab dinner and don't want to cook at home, this is my go-to. The food is great, the service is great, and the beer menu is outstanding. Can't recommend it enough. read more

This place always delivers! We're about 30 minutes away but will make the drive for their delicious food and selection of beers! Highly recommend their sour beers, cheese curds and wraps! You won't be disappointed read more

Food was excellent, nice ambiance but...... I was charged for an extra slice of onion and a different bun! Really ????? That really disappointed me. The waitress, Mariah was great. read more

Emerson's Ale House - Bars Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

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the server took advantage of kids and added gratuity without warning and asked their age to know if she could get away with it. the check was over $100 for kids meals read more

Hesitant to even give it 3 stars. ...at least for the food. Stopped in for lunch today. There were a few people sitting down, but not an overwhelming amount of customers. The service sucked and our meals lacking. I ordered the turkey burger and fries, my boyfriend ordered the meatball entree. Turkey burger was flavorless and the avocado (pretty brown) sliced in gigantic wedges and slapped on top - how does one eat that? Meatballs were nothing to write home about. I had a Ballast Point lager which tasted like it came from a dirty tap but we also had a Zombie Dust that was good. Wouldn't recommend, spend your money elsewhere. read more

La la la love this place. It's our favorite place to order from and go to when we're nearby. The food is always so good. We LOVED to buffalo chicken egg rolls and my favorite entree is the balsamic turkey burger. My boyfriend loves chipotle ranch burger! read more

Emerson's Ale House - Closer: Balsamic Turkey Burger w/ sweet potato fries Further: Chipotle Ranch Burger - Bars Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

New owners at Emerson's Ale House have really turned this place around. From cleaning house of inattentive servers and bartenders to offering inventive appetizers and burgers created by a renowned chef. If you gave up on Emerson's for those reasons, like we did, then we urge you to give it another try. While the decor hasn't changed, your total experience will. They will have the beer on the beer list actually in stock . read more

this place always seems to be packed - so if it's an evening or weekend plan to wait a few for a table. But they turn quickly so the wait's never too bad. large menu with interesting options for everyone - and even some healthy choices for vegetarians or those on a diet which is nice. and then the typical pub fare for everyone else. everything we've had the few times we've gone has been great. quick service and food all seems very fresh. interesting combinations of flavors for their burgers and nachos which is cool. i always get their cobb salad with grilled chicken and it's a great meal. they also have this spicy dipping sauce for their cheese curds which I could just drink out of the cup! fun atmosphere with TV's tuned to sports and trivia nights every Thursday. If you're going for trivia - make a table reservation ahead of time read more

Great hangout spot for the neighborhood. They have good cocktails, great beer on tap, and the food is awesome! The friendly staff and the cool atmosphere is what keeps up coming back again and again. read more

First time at this place. It has more of a restaurant feel instead of a bar, there was kids in there. The food was mediocre at best. The young bartenders did not engage at all, they looked like deers in head lights. I ordered a chicken cheese steak sandwich and it was horrible. The chicken was dried out, it came on ciabatta bread instead of a hoagie. Not my cup of tea. read more

I have dined at this restaurant/bar for several years. Food and service has always been good. Recently took my wife there as she has never been at Emerson before. Unfortunately both of our sandwiches which were to be hot were cold and my fries and her sweat potato fries were also cold. We both mentioned it to each other after almost finished eating. We should have known our food was sitting awhile and cold since it took a long time to be served. I probably will dine there again however, my wife said she definitely wouldn't. We were there at approximately 1 PM on a weekend so it was not crowded. read more

Sunday Brunch. If you're looking for an extensive array of food, this isn't it. However, if you're looking for an inexpensive, simple brunch then you're in luck. Brunch consists of scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, French toast, biscuits and gravy. Nothing fancy, but definitely worth it for $8. The unlimited mimosas - $9 for a carafe - are also worth it. Service was good. Food could have been a little hotter. Brunch seems to be very popular with the people who come here to watch the Bears game. This was my first time here, but it won't be the last. I've heard the burgers are excellent; I MUST try one. read more

Tacos are very authentic even the size. My First drink tried the strawberry margarita that was disappointing, then asked for the regular and also dissapointing, the mix they use lacks flavor...I do not recomend them. Stick to the Beer instead. read more

Emerson's Ale House - Bars Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

Disappointing. Went there tonight for dinner. We were seated pretty quickly, then sat at the table for nearly 15 min without acknowledgement. We finally grabbed the person that seated us & asked for a server. Ordered fried pickles as appetizer, BBQ Bacon Burger & Patty Melt for main course. Everything arrived together (so much for being an appetizer). Beers were expensive & not overly good. Burger was average, patty melt was overcooked. Server was inattentive, checked on us once then asked if we wanted the check. Not impressed at all read more

What a pleasant surprise. We went for an early New years eve day dinner after seeing Jeff Dunham at the Allstate Arena. Emerson's had a nice crowd but we quickly got a table for 4 and were promptly greeted and got drinks. The place has a large center bar with tables around the outside of the room. They have a nice bar menu with a large selection of sandwiches, burgers and make your own Mac N Cheese. We got cheese curds as a appetizer and they seemed as if they came from a freezer bag. The rest of the meal was very good. The burger was a nice blend and very well seasoned. Pulled pork very tender with a good sauce and the french dip was good but may try something different next time. I had the chicken Parmesan which I loved as it was fresh chicken breasts with a really crispy coating and a great sauce on it. The sauce was very bright and fresh tasting and i got it with Tots. You can't beat deep fried tater tots! We'll make the drive to go back read more

I will be 100% honest - I am a snobby city person, and I LOVE Emerson's. I work out in the burbs a few days of week, and was looking to get a few drinks and an easy dinner with some friends on a Friday after work. Emerson's was suggested, and I agreed without much thought. Upon walking in, I instantly liked Emerson's. It's a no-nonsense place, with a huge bar and plenty of seating on the periphery. There is a solid draft list of local brews (hey Three Floyds!) and despite being packed on a Friday night, we were seated super quickly. We ate from the appetizer list, ordering the quesadilla, sliders, and cheese curds. All things were delicious, and we had a hard time choosing just a few things! This is a great spot and I will definitely return for drinks and dinner to check out more of the drafts and extensive foot list! read more

Great food and great service even on a busy Thursday night! The burger was amazingly good!! Go there!!

Great local bar with tons of beers on tap and really good food. The burgers are great and taco tuesdays are a must. They even have outdoor seating in the summers if that's what your into. Also they have touch tunes so you can feel free to play whatever music u like read more

Went here because of a Living Social Voucher and came away unimpressed. The beer list was good and the flight of beers was the best part of the evening. The food lacked seasoning and was forgettable while the service was slow and uninterested. We don't live near here so coming back is obviously not on our to-do list, but for local residents I would recommend you come to Emerson's for the beer only. read more

This was my first time here. We stopped in before I had to hop on the train. Casual environment, ok parking and a fab list of options. There's even a blackbean burger and avocado toast for the vegan. My husband had a burger and didn't complain. read more

Emerson's Ale House - Bars Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

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Emerson's is one of our "go-to" places. The food is wonderful (especially for a sports bar), decent prices, and portion sizes are quite generous. Great beer selection. Only improvement would be to create a nicer outdoor patio. read more