We visited JC's Pub yesterday, and it had been quite a while since our last visit. After this…read moreexperience, we regretted waiting so long to return. The restaurant has a classic old-school Italian supper club vibe. The staff is very friendly, and the owner, Joe, is almost always there greeting guests with a warm smile and a handshake, which adds a nice personal touch. We sat at the bar and were immediately acknowledged by Gia, who has served us before and always provides great service. She took our drink order and returned shortly afterward to take our food order. My wife ordered a 9" thin crust pizza topped with cheese, sausage, tomatoes, green peppers, and mushrooms. She said it was one of the best pizzas she has ever had. The crust was thin and crispy without being overcooked, and all of the toppings were fresh and flavorful. I started with the fried smelt appetizer. The lightly battered smelts were cooked to a perfect golden brown. The light breading allowed the flavor of the fish to really come through, and the house tartar sauce complemented them nicely. For my entrée, I ordered the corned beef and cabbage dinner special, which is available throughout the month of March. The dinner includes Parker House rolls (which could be a meal in themselves) and a choice of soup or salad. I chose the tomato bisque. The soup was creamy with a rich tomato flavor and small pieces of tomato throughout. It was easily the best tomato bisque I have ever had. The corned beef arrived nicely trimmed and had a great, hearty beef flavor without being dry. It was served with a cabbage wedge and sliced carrots. I appreciated that the vegetables remained slightly firm while still absorbing the flavor from the corned beef. I also requested a side of creamy horseradish sauce, which paired perfectly with the dish. Overall, we had a truly great experience and are already looking forward to our next visit.

A great throwback Italian bar and restaurant on Route 66 in McCook…read more JC's has a great rectangular bar, good music and an old school Italian vibe that you can't fake in a mall in DuPage County. Across from the truck depot, it would make a great hangout for DeNiro and Pesci if they ever made a Chicago based mob movie. For those complaining that it feels like 1978 inside, what's wrong with that? The martinis are bone dry and ice cold, as they should be. The fried smelts are just like Nonna made and the menu is good and affordable. Is it the best veal parm you'll ever have? No, probably not, but it's authentic Chicago.

If All-stars isn't on your McCook bucket list, then you're doing it wrong. Everybody has to at…read moreleast experience it once. I had just finished a round of 18 at Butler and my bros texted me and said to head over to Kenny's Pub in lagrange. I shot a good round (had five eagles and three birdies) so I was feeling pretty good. After a few beers, we wanted to watch the NCAA men's lacrosse regional semi-finals, but they didn't have it in their sports package, so one of my bros said we needed to go hit up this awesome sports bar and grill over in McCook. Said it was called All-stars. Couldn't believe I'd never heard of it before. So we grabbed an uber (don't drink and drive, you guys) and headed over there... First off, I pull up and outside under their sign it says "we back the badge" and they had the stars and bars with the "Blue Lives Matter" flag flying high...I knew I came to the right place. Walk in and we're greeted by the security team. Standup guys. They pat us down and had the wand out. Luckily, I wasn't carrying tonight because I knew I'd be tipping back more than a few, and when I do that, all bets are off. It was a Saturday, so there was a $10 cover, no big deal. Please note: this is a CASH-ONLY establishment. So make a stop at the ATM before (not sure what the fees were)... It was a crowded Saturday night. The babes were making their rounds. I'd say every one was at least a 7.5 (more on them later) So we're lounging, taking in the lacrosse game and I notice a couple tables of vatos mean-mugging each other. You could feel the tension, something was about to go down. A few minutes later, I see a couple of them squaring up with each other fisticuffs break out. One of them threw a chair across the bar, I caught it mid-air. Before you could even process it, the security team handled the situation with such swiftness, it would make Swayze blush. They dragged the guys outside, next thing you know the jukebox kicks back on and the remix to ignition is bumping over the speakers. You didn't even know anything happened. Hats off to the security team. I already sent a fax to Tom and told him whatever he's paying these guys, it's not enough. You can't put a price on the feeling of safety when you're at an establishment like this. I mentioned the babes earlier. They were all making their rounds. There was decent one with a bunch of tattoos. She had a real nice one that said "beautiful" going across her lower abdomen. She totally wanted me, but I'm just not into white girls that much anymore. Hottest girl in the place was this beautiful brown-skinned dime piece named Lauren. I decided to take her for a spin and spent some time in the "man cave" with her. The man cave is a room where you go for your "dance" with the girls. While you get your dance a bunch of other guys are getting their dance on with their girls. You see some interesting stuff. Anyways, Lauren and I really hit it off back there. I told her to drop it like it's hot and she did just that. I got her phone number and like six other girls I talked to that night, not a big deal. Also, best pizza in McCook. I've tried them all, but there's something about the pizza here that puts them head and shoulders above the competition. Me and the boys crushed about 4 pizzas during our 3-hour visit. I got home, took a quick shower to wash the smell of stripper off me, ripped a heater and called it a night.

Pussy is cheaper than a head of lettuce in this most exquisite shit hole!!! Place is a fucking…read moregem!!! Frozen HRI pizza is a must!!!

Tasty craft beers especially like the pale ales & dark lagers. Good ambiance & great service, only…read morewish they served some dark beers, porters & stouts all year around.

I have enjoyed BD since it's opened and it's special events. First, the beer is excellent and they…read morealways shake it up with new releases to keep things interesting. Second, this spot is about drinking and enjoying beer, it's not a sports bar, it's no frills, listen to some music, have a conversation, and maybe play a board game. The one thing that does bother me is that it is too family friendly for my taste. I have been there on many occasions where parents bring their 6-12 year olds on a Saturday night after 8pm. I don't enjoy kids screaming, having melt downs, while I'm having a good time with friends. BD, maybe cutoff having kids in your brewery after 6 or 7PM? Otherwise I recommend this gem!

KELLY the bartender is one of a kind!!!! She comes around and greets everyone each and Everytime I…read morehave been there!!! she's an absolute sweetheart! It's a great place to just kick back and forget about your troubles Donna

Jim-may, my man! Nice place ya got here buddy…read more I was seeking a bar that was roughly halfway between Oak Park & Orland Park (meeting someone, heh heh), and I happened to stumble upon this über-divey treasure. Miller Lite was the only beer they had on tap, but you could get a bucket of it for like a nickel. Hyperbole? Maybe. A 60oz pitcher of the classic domestic swill cost only $5, which is pretty damn tough to beat if you ask me. Liz behind the bar was super friendly and introduced herself not long after I sat down. Once my +1 arrived, Liz was nice enough to make a bag of popcorn that she gave us to munch on. Talk about being given a warm reception! They don't accept Discover and have a $10 minimum on credit card purchases, but for a small operation like this it's to be expected, so I can't fault them for that. Some of the barstools are a teensy bit ripped-up, although in a dive bar setting like this, I find that they truly 'complete the look'. Great homey feel and a jukebox loaded with tons of tunes for 50¢ or a dollar per song. They've got billiards tables and a few slot machines that I imagine get a lot of play from their 'regulars'. They also feature Karaoke on select nights of the week. There's a very tasteful piece of nude art behind the bar, which I'm told is a painted portrait of someone who works there. Being a big fan of all things naked people, I found this to be a nice touch amidst the cans of Old Style and half-empty Smirnoff bottles. ....and unless I'm mistaken, I definitely met/talked to/received free shots from *the* Jimmy of said namesake bar. His taste in Huey Lewis & The News (along with his great taste in hats) didn't go unnoticed. He was hilarious and insisted that I stick around for a while [keep in mind this was at 11pm on a Wednesday], but I had to decline. Lyons is generally off my radar, but for the way I was greeted and taken care of at this establishment, I'd not hesitate for a second to stop back in, if I were to be in the area again.

The ambiance of this place is great! Black lighting throughout makes the unique Day-of-the-Dead…read moredecor pop. The service was outstanding. Great drinks. The food selection is extremely limited. That's the only thing that I would have liked to have more of. Simple finger food is all that is offered at this time. It would nice if they would offer tequila flights to try out their wide selection. The location is very good. Right in the heart of Riverside by the train station. All in all it's a great place to meet up with friends for a drink.

The drinks here are awesome! They do serve several of their specialty drinks in these skull mugs…read morewhich are pretty cool. We did not eat but when it comes to food they have some appetizers to order from. The decorations and lighting inside makes the experience that much better. We did sit at the bar and service was good. No complaints. Definitely recommend!

This is great place to hang out with friends. It was a good time with good food. Good service. And…read morefriendly staff.

Great wide open friendly place with good food and libations!! We love the karaoke there with "the…read moreRODFATHER" and HUGO'S ELVIS SHOW is Las Vegas quality within 15 minutes of home! Who could ask for more? Steve, the owner, is on the premises shaking hands with a smile. Try it....you'll be back time and time again.

This place is such a vibe! I usually come here for Summer on Saturday nights because she is such a…read moresweetheart and amazing! However, I stopped in on Thursday and the bartender Kim was so accommodating, efficient and friendly just like Summer! I will definitely be coming back !

Y-E-S!!!! Love this place. Dive bar? Maybe. Ambiance? Bright lights. Service!? Super friendly…read more(Kim!) Food? Yes! Deep fried but that is ok. Mozzarella sticks. Cheese curds. Cauliflower cheddar bites. Cheese fries. Mmmm mmm! They have Hamms! Woo! Best Hamms decor ever. The old Hamms clock is so neat. Thank you, Kim, for your bubbly personality and great service.

ALES IN COMPARISON…read more The bar formerly known as Brixie's is still a solid place to enjoy a beer. I can't recall exactly how many times I'd given the previous tenant my business over the years, though it has to have been in the dozens. I loved their vibe which could be described as relaxed at best (and dingy at worst), and though the kitchen was no great shakes I appreciated specials on their burgers and pints. Fast forward to 2022, and this place is now exclusively a brewery under the name Imperial Oak. They've also got a location on Archer Ave that I've been to several times. Funny enough, both have 2+ pinball tables and tiny parking lots, however this location on Ogden Ave is much more accessible than the Imperial Oak in Willow Springs. Speaking of pins, their two machines (Simpsons Pinball Party & a retooled Medieval Madness) are $1/game and play beautifully. They've got shuffleboard and some events throughout the month like weekly bingo & trivia. They don't have a kitchen, but sometimes a foodtruck comes in and you can always B.Y.O.F. Bartenders are easygoing; if you aren't feeling an IPA or barrel stout they also have hard seltzers as well as a full bar. The crowd is predominantly locals and after-work peeps. If you can't find a space in their lot, try the angled spots at the Sherwin-Williams next door (just be discreet). * TL;DR * A couple brews, a couple score-based replays on pinball, life is A-OK. Back when this place was Brixie's, it was much quieter and business seemed slow, but I liked it. These days, it's usually bustling with activity whenever I stop by, and that's great news for Imperial Oak. Beer is reasonably priced (Buzz Lite is a delightful honeyweiss for $6/pint) and the taps are varied. I'm switching jobs in the next few weeks, so the odds of me coming through here again are slim but I'll always keep them in mind should I find myself in the Brookfield area. I'd recommend Imperial Oak, for sure.

I stopped in due to Cousin's Lobster food truck. Which was amazing. The venue is a nice size,…read morepatio, and roll-up window availability. The service was good, fast, and the bartenders were friendly and personable. You can see regulars come in whom they knew personally. A family friendly birthday party was being held that day because I was shocked to see kids. Lol. Lots of beer options. I would return. I hope the music is nice in this place as then it would be my new local spot.

Local neighborhood bar. Needs updating. They had an outdoor pig roast. Very good. The band called…read moreThe Bucks was awesome.

A rare and small rural looking bar in the Chicago crowded in congestants to suburbs this place is…read morehidden along the freeway and somehow has survived Redevelopment and construction this is a nice bar to hang around and looks like something one would associate with a Wisconsin bar I don't believe they serve bear here and they have a very big chair in the front a nice unique and interesting Dive Bar in the heart of Countryside in freeway Central you're not going to get a wide variety of beer though to drink

Bacon jalapeño and got the buffalo chicken ordered in a gluten free wrap was great. Sat at the bar…read moregreat staff and better food

Didn't get food this time because we left after a couple rounds. Sat at a table but moved to bar…read morewhen no one came by. Bartender was nice and reasonably attentive. Owner could not have less customer service skill. Who attracts business being rude to customers? Bar, gambling, and lots of TVs. Typical bar.