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    Empire Burgers + Brew

    3.4 (124 reviews)
    ModerateBurgers, Brewpubs
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Empire Burgers + Brew Reservations

    Order Empire Burgers + Brew Takeout or Delivery

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    EMPIRE BURGERS + BREW ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Empire Burgers + Brew

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    Inside
    Susan C.

    The restaurant is very spacious, with plenty of seating and a roof top outdoor seating. The server was new and he was shadowing another server. He was super friendly and detail oriented. The main server was probably a great person to shadow because he is very attentive. My ice tea was refilled before it was emptied. The food came out hot and tasty. Would visit again!

    Elaine F.

    Searching for a burger spot, Empire Burgers caught my attention because of their unique burger options and the appetizers. The atmosphere is electric and offers music and a bar area downstairs and an upper level that is more family oriented with large screen TVs. The burger cigars were screaming at me and I responded. It was really a great choice but I had to request some additional honey aioli sauce and green onions and they charged me, which I could not understand since the sauce/toppings make the dish. Overall the food was good it came out really fast and Cole our server was very accommodating.

    The Ellen (plant-based) burgers
    Bruce F.

    Stopped by Empire in Lombard for a casual dinner and was really impressed with the options! The atmosphere was vibrant and the music was loud. It felt more a club than a restaurant. I ordered The Ellen, their plant-based burger, and it was fantastic. It's a Beyond Burger patty topped with vegan cheddar, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, and raw onion, all served on a soft pretzel bun. For a side, I had to try the poutine fries, and they were a total game-changer. They come out in a skillet and are absolutely loaded with gravy, cheese curds, bacon, and a dollop of sour cream. Super indulgent and the perfect comfort food. They charged extra for a dollop of mayonnaise! The service was very attentive. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area.

    Sharon V.

    Was so excited to try this newer spot with my bestie but was SO disappointed! My friend saw some photos of the upstairs so we wanted to sit up there if we could to dine, but we didn't realize there was going to be a DJ. That's totally on us, we should've researched more. But the problem wasn't the fact that they had a DJ, the problem was the volume got progressively louder as we were dining and we had to practically scream to hear each other! Eventually we had to go downstairs to the bar to finish our convo and have more drinks because it was getting unbearably loud. When we went downstairs we heard someone singing on the mic like they were doing karaoke. The bartender said they definitely do not do karaoke and the volume had never been this loud before. It was insanely loud even from downstairs. The bartender downstairs was super nice and great! If upstairs wasn't bad enough sound wise, our server wasn't really attentive. There was a party on half the floor so he was going back and forth but forgot to bring us more water after we asked and didn't really check in much. He honestly seemed annoyed and I'm not sure if that was just because of the music. We wanted to order dessert but opted not to because we couldn't really get his attention to ask and we wanted to leave anyway at that point. Food was okay, salad was super basic but the app we got was good! I forgot the name but it looked like an egg roll but tasted like a burger. I know there are tons of great reviews so maybe others have had great experiences on different nights, but I personally would never come back here and cannot recommend it.

    Happy Hour Draft Beer for $6
    Analyn T.

    One of the best Happy Hour in the Area! $6 Draft and Appetizers - we are happy campers! We got Guiness and Three Floyds beer on draft. They don't have much appetizers on the menu... we ordered the Cigar Burger (it's a spring roll burger) which is really good and the Poutine is good as well. Appetizers are actually very filling and tasty. We sat on the booth by the bar and our server/bartender is amazing. There were few groups by the bar area at that time, yet the noise level is pretty good.

    Linda A.

    Empire Burgers and Bar is a great spot to meet up-super clean, nicely kept, and easy to settle into. The menu is simple, and my burger and fries tasted really good. My friend ordered a dipping burger and seemed to enjoy it as well. Our waitress was a bit awkward (since she was training a new waitress), so the vibe was slightly off, but she was still friendly and the service was fine. Overall i would recommend.

    The Ellen burger
    Cheyenne A.

    Great place with strong drinks! I got the vegan burger (The Ellen) it was amazing. The service was chill and not that expensive!

    Alicia M.

    Empire is a nice looking restaurant and has a nice vibe! The upstairs area was unfortunately full but it looks very inviting up there. I'll start by saying that I had the best ginger ale ever here! We had a party of 6 and most folks got burgers and enjoyed them. I ordered the Yardbird (fried chicken sandwich) and it was good! There were 2 pieces of chicken on it, so they give you plenty. The fries were probably also the best fries I've ever had. Another guest had the Crispy Fish Tacos and they were good and filling! I definitely recommend and wouldn't hesitate to eat here the next time I'm in the area.

    David C.

    Solid place for a burger and drink! Unique cocktails and burgers like the marshmallow old fashion and the burger we got! Staff is friendly and welcoming too. The decor and ambiance is fun, especially the upstairs area. I saw they had a stage so hoping to go back for any live music they put on.

    Fries , Build your own Burger
    Harden K.

    From the moment I walked in, the staff was friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere had a great laid-back, neighborhood-burger-joint vibe. I built my own burger, and everything tasted incredibly fresh--the quality of the beef really stood out, juicy and flavorful without being overly greasy. You can tell they care about their ingredients and how everything is put together. On the sides, the house chips were a great choice--crispy, well-seasoned, and perfect for snacking. The French fries were also a solid option, classic and cooked just right. But the real star was the poutine fries... absolute game-changer for an appetizer. Rich, indulgent, and packed with flavor, they're a must-order if you're dining here. Overall, Empire Burger + Brew is a fantastic spot to come through for a quality burger, great sides, and a relaxed, enjoyable dining experience. Definitely a place I'd return to again.

    Menu
    Pearl M.

    Really not great. The burger was tasteless, do they not have any seasoning in the kitchen? Even just some salt? Maybe it was an off day for the kitchen, but after speaking to some friends who have tried it, I found I wasn't the only one who felt this way. The space is nice, especially the rooftop, so pretty to sit up there, but it's not enough to make up for the bad burger. This is what you're supposed to do, do better.

    Doughnuts
    Bethany J.

    such a cute spot! I loved their upstairs and patio area- I can't wait to visit in the summer! We tried a few this off their menu: founders on cloud lime (Lager), the strawberry cider, the yardbird, the cartel, and the fried doughnuts. Everything was delicious, but I do have to say the cartel was our favorite! It was a flavorful mix of 50/50 chorizo and beef!! SO YUMMY The doughnuts were a close second as they were made to order and they were just delightful! I'll definitely be back here to try more of their burgers + brews

    THE BIG REUBOWSKI
    Kate N.

    Stopped in for a quick dinner with no reservation, got immediately seated, and was impressed with the burgers! The ambiance is pretty laid back, open layout with lots of space and natural lighting. There's a stage that has live music sometimes, so definitely something to keep an eye out for. Service was great- our waiter came back often and was very attentive and witty. He helped us narrow down some options and made sure to accommodate our requests of getting certain sauces on the side instead of on the burgers. We started off with a caprese salad and unfortunately this was pretty disappointing- half of the tomatoes were so unripe they were crunchy, and the other half were way too ripe and soggy. Not lowering the rating due to this though because I feel like it was probably an off day. The burgers were fabulous. I got a special- the Big Reubowski- and my sister had the Yardbird. We split the Key West because it seemed interesting. I liked the reubowski and thought the burger was really well cooked and season, and the pretzel bun was really soft and flavorful. My sister loved the Yardbird and said she would get the same again next time. As for the Key West, i will be back specifically for this! It's a new favorite of mine. My sister thought it was a little too sweet and said although it was good she wouldn't get it as a main still- just a splitting thing. I think as long as you get the maple bourbon glaze on the side it will make it much more enjoyable, as you can add it as you go. Great service and great burgers, plus a gigantic selection of beers, wines, cocktails, and seltzers (including THC ones) so it's definitely somewhere where there is something for everyone at the table. I had the strawberry mo-tito and although it's great, just beware it's very sweet! Will be back.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Empire Burgers + Brew

    I am interested in a happy Hour menu. I don't see one on the website. Do you have one?

    Empire offers Happy Hour Mon-Fri from 4-6pm. It includes 25% off of Cocktails, wine and bottled beer as well as $6 appetizers and drafts.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    We have been to Phase 3 : Elmhurst several times and we love it!…read more The first time we visited, it was just for beers. The beers were excellent, and the food looked and smelled so good that we vowed to come back! We've been back twice now and loved it each time! You can't go wrong with their beers! Their flagships are solid and they always have a healthy number of experimental brews. Best of all the worlds! This time we both got IPAS and loved them all: Trail Trip, West Coast Pixel, and Swells! Trail Trip was my favorite because I prefer non-hazy. For dinner I got the double-dipped fried chicken sandwich with a side of fries. YUM! Bursting with flavor and deliciousness! The spicy gochujang sauce is divine! And super filling! My husband did the OG Burger, Fries, and 10 oz beer for $15 Monday/Tuesday deal. He loved the food, drink, and the deal! The space is so clean, open, and inviting. The front dinning area is spacious enough with plenty of seating and the bar, but there is also a fantastic outdoor space. The servers will all friendly, helpful, and professional. Things can move a little slowly, but it is worth the wait! On busy weekend nights, they do have online reservations, so that can be a good way to secure a spot! Next time we are in Elmhurst, we will definitely be back. We love Phase 3!

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    Empire Burgers + Brew - burgers - Updated July 2026

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