I attended rootstock with two female friends last night. What was supposed to be a chill, relaxed night with a little wine turned into a major hassle. First of all, I want to comment on the way the host was handling guests coming in. The female host that we met last night was incredibly aggressive, and made every person in my party uncomfortable. Not only was it in the way that she talked to us, but it was also the fact that when she brought up the fact that we could get bar spots, after waiting for an hour and a half, I began moving towards the bar spots, and she actually put her hands on my chest to stop me from walking. That is just completely unnecessary and highly inappropriate. Similar to other reviewers, we put our name in on the list and then went and waited at another establishment because the space in there is so limited. When we got back, we had serious questions about how we were progressing on the waitlist and whether the waitlist was fair. The waiting game lasted about an hour and a half for us. I was happy that they did give us a glass of wine while we waited basically after we told the host that things seem to be becoming hopeless. Then fast forward to when we were seated with bar seats. We ordered a couple burgers and a couple bottles of wine. The food took forever to come. It felt like a never-ending story after having gone through this incredible wait, and the bartender was near useless he disappeared in the back for over 10 minutes at one point and like we couldn't even figure out who to give a complaint. The wine and food was great, but nowhere near worth the hassle. We went through to just sit down and have momentary enjoyment. We will not be returning. read more

This place slaps. Great music, great beer & wine. Food is phenomenal and the servers are great. Definitely coming back. read more

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar - Grassfed burger - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Early into Chicago's winter, the intimate wooden interior of Rootstock provided warm relief from the elements outside. The wine menu is vast, but the bartenders are eager to provide suggestions. The two reds that I sampled were each phenomenal in unique ways. The food was also stellar. After a glass of wine to pique my hunger, the first bite of the grass-fed burger was an absolutely succulent indulgence. The bread service was a pleasant starter as well. Time truly seemed to move more slowly within the walls of Rootstock. It is an experience I will be looking forward to reliving sometime soon. read more

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar - Bread Service - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I feel bad because our time at rootstock was so brief, but so memorable. We stopped by for a bite and happy hour. At peak hours on a saturday with superb weather they had a patio table for 2 for us, so beautiful. The amount of love in this place is insane. Every single patron was laughing, hugging, and indulging. The energy is palpable. One of those spaces you never want to leave. The fries. The fries. The fries. Did I mention the fries? Thin, crispy fries salted to perfection. Don't get me started on the aioli and ketchup. The aioli is tangy and garlicky. Perfect viscosity. The ketchup is great. It is textured which is a lost are in ketchup. Thank you rootstock. The bad news? I live in St. louis. The good news? rootstock will be added to my must visit list every time i am in Chi. I can't wait to snag a full meal here. Oh, the martinis are great, the wine and beer selections are extensive, but take a seat, enjoy the moment, and drink a martini read more

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Great neighborhood spot with an extensive list of different types of wines. The cheese and charcuterie (option to choose six options off of the menu) spread was delightful- we enjoyed all the cheeses and accompanying accoutrements. read more

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice hidden gem tucked away in a part of town that doesn't get the hype it probably deserves. The burger is one of a kind. Maybe it's the well-sourced grass fed beef or the bacon inside the marinate. Whatever it is, this may be the best cooked and underrated burger I've ever had in a while. Wine list is expansive and curated from Vineyards across America and Europe. This is one of the best kept secrets of Chicago! read more

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Two pieces of feedback from our brief experience at Rootstock - 1) please explicitly tell people that they must remain at the restaurant to wait. 2) it would be helpful if there were time estimates based on how long other diners have been there. From their website I knew they didn't take reservation so our plan was to put our name in and wait at Hi-Lo a block away. I called at 6pm and after talking to two people and offering to walk over to put my name in, they reluctantly said they'd make an exception and our table was on the list. When we arrived at 7pm, the host said it would be an hour wait. When we questioned why it was so long after our name was already on the list, the host said it could be 20 minutes it could be an hour, they couldn't promise anything. When we asked if we could get a call/text when our table was ready, they said verbatim "it doesn't work like that." I respect that restaurants can determine their own wait policy, but we did not appreciate being treated quite rudely when asking about a common restaurant practice of texting/calling. Additionally, I struggle to understand why the host could not give us a better estimate of when a table would be ready when they're tracking when tables have been seated. Had the host told me from the start on the phone that we wouldn't be seated unless we were waiting in the restaurant, we would have planned accordingly. I love to see a neighborhood restaurant doing so well and they may have not needed our patronage, but the service truly left a very sour taste in our mouth and we unfortunately won't be trying Rootstock in the future. I hope the suggestions I listed at the top of the review will be implemented so that others do not have the experience we did. read more

Holy.... One of the worst experiences of my life. Came here as it opened on a Saturday. Sat down at 5:00 PM and had a movie at 6:45 so we assumed we had plenty of time. Nevertheless we put in our whole order immediately at 5:10 because we didn't want to cut it close. We ordered 2 burgers. We both have terrible dietary issues with onions so I asked the waitress to hold the red onion listed on the menu. She said there was no red onion and that we'd be fine. Anyways our apps and cheese came and went in the first 20 minutes. About 50-50 minutes after that our 2 burgers came...... both with a ton of shaved raw onion on them. Easily one of the worst experiences I've ever had. The burgers arrived at 6:20 and she offered to correct the order she corrected me on originally. We obviously didn't have the time and had to leave. My wife took her burger to go to eat in an uber. HORRIBLE read more

Loved it. Excellent choice of wine and cheese. Comfortable atmosphere. We will be back!

My girlfriend and I have been on a Chicago burger tour and this is one of the best burgers in Chicago. Juicy, great flavor, great bun, and simple. It speaks for itself, order the fries and a glass of natural wine and you won't be disappointed. read more

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar - Grassfed burger - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The is an excellent local spot! The selection of beer, cider and wine is spectacular. What shouldn't be forgotten is their food. We started with the charcuterie and cheese selection which was fabulous and almost a meal in itself. The burger is definitely a secret gem - perfectly cooked, juicy and the pickles and jalapeños were perfect add. Service was exceptional - super friendly, prompt and helped with recommendations. read more

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar - Charcuterie - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Another Humboldt Park banger! Rootstock has the best vibes inside, it's dark, sexy, intimate, cozy and it's simply the best wine bar I've been to. The owner is always so personable and welcoming when I've come in and I missed her on my last visit on Tuesday! Still, the entire staff is super accommodating and also very knowledgeable on all of the different selections Rootstock offers and there are A LOT. No matter what you're in the mood for they can deliver and offer something that hits your taste buds the way you want. One other thing... the burger is the best in the city and I swear by that as someone who goes around Chicago in search of great burgers. Order it! read more

Such a fantastic hole in the wall (literally bc the entrance is hidden off to the side) wine bar with some killer kitchen offerings. I was in the neighborhood and checked this place out after hearing reviews that they have one of the best burgers in the city. They did not disappoint! I was seated quickly at the bar, and the bartender was fast to respond when I had questions. I ordered the isastegi cider from the basque region of Spain and the skilled bartender provided background on the composition and how to pour the cider, it was such a good experience! The burger was extraordinary! They can make it medium rare or medium and as a non-bloody type of person medium was the perfect fit for me. The patty was really flavorful, not too salty, and nicely crisp at the edges. Sauces were not overpowering but definitely present in the burger, and the buns were nicely toasted. The delicious pickles and pickles jalapenos were to the side and can be enjoyed together or separate. Needless to say I devoured everything and when I wanted a small addition to top off the meal the bread service with the toasted but soft sourdough truly hit the spot. Will definitely be back to check out their vast array of other imported beers, ciders, and wines! What a great spot! read more

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The atmosphere is everything. It's the first date night of 2024, and we're starting this off with a bang. My date invited me to this fantastic rustic, divvy, yet excellent spot in Logan Square called Rootstock. Parking was quite simple. I believe in the wintertime you have to enter through the side. The restaurant/ bar is just the right size, and all the tables are differently styled dining room tables perfect for groups of 4. We went around 6:30 pm, so the different crowd started coming in, but it didn't feel too busy. The menu was simple but had a variety of wine and beer options. I went for an old fashioned to start and date got the wine. She was raving about the burger, so I had to see for myself. I have to admit it was by far one of the best cooked-to-perfection burgers I've had in a good while. My only critique is the sweet pickles; I would prefer dill. The fries were also great. For dessert, we started with an apple crumble, which we quickly found out wasn't for us. We thought the top was cream cheese or icing, only to realize it was some cut of cheese that didn't sit right without taste buds. It was more savory than sweet. Our waiter was accommodating and switched us to the chocolate cake, which was a significant improvement. It was just the right amount of sweetness, but depending on your relationship with oil, you may or may not be a fan of the spread of the plate. Overall, it was a great first experience. That burger alone was worth my evening. Great conversation, food, and a relaxed atmosphere are worth your Thursday night. 4 1/2 out of 5 read more

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Burger was absolutely incredible. One of the best I've ever had. Service was always there but never in the way. Cool place.

Came here awhile back on the advice they had a great burger. It was very good! Also tried a few other things, which we enjoyed. It was during a cold winter night and the dark, candlelit ambience was lovely. The service and owner all seemed very pleasant and thoughtful. Looking forward to returning one of these days. read more

Not just a wine bar.... The food is fantastic. Indoor seating is cozy and outdoor patio seating is even better! The service was warm, friendly and attentive without being a bother. Love this little place!! read more

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My third time at Rootstock was this past weekend and honestly I don't know why I waited so long to come back! Full disclosure I was a vegetarian the last time I came here but this time I inhaled that cheeseburger like there was no tomorrow. I think this burger is fantastic! It was topped with cheddar cheese and house made pickles on the side. I opted for aioli on the side too. We started with a little a la carte charcuterie which came with mustard, jam, and mini pickles. Order the fries to share, especially if you're eating the burger. We only waited about 45 minutes (on a Saturday night at prime time) and we got to linger and sip on drinks. Go check this place out! read more

Really cute place with an amazing array of beer and wine. The food though is what will have us back! The burger was stellar as was the liver spread, and the pasta! It was pretty pricey, but the quality was stellar! The service was pretty quick too! read more

So, my #3 boy who has lived in Chicago going on 10 years now, had a debate with me about the best "Gourmet Cheeseburgers" in Chicago. First, let me define "Gourmet Cheeseburgers": Not a $6.00 Red Hot Ranch or Five Guys or Fatso burger! Only places using top beef (or combination of top meats) usually on a high end bun e.g. brioche, pretzel or ciabatta, with only aged cheddar cheese or any other high end cheese but........NO AMERICAN CHEESE allowed! The fixings (or accoutrements) must be epicurean quality i.e. applewood bacon, Maui onions, avocado etc. You get where I'm going with this "Gourmet" thing. So, I mentioned The Farm Bar in Lakeview for my favorite Chicago high ender. This place really got my attention so far in my 6 months in Chicago. My son said Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar in Humboldt Park is his favorite + $14.00 cheeseburger. To which I replied, "Ok, take me there"! It's the Thursday night before the Memorial Day weekend. At 8:00 this place was buzzing; inside and outside. There was a bit of a wait, but it gave me time to watch what this kitchen was putting out. It looked like pretty damn good food. So, us three ordered their Cheeseburger. As Jules in the movie Pulp Fiction said, "This was one tasty burger"! They used an exceptional beef (probably sirloin). All of my criteria above about what makes up a top notch Cheeseburger was done perfectly at Rootstock. The fries were great and their wine and beer menu was sensational. We all loved our dinner and I had to give #3 kudos. He made a great call when he mentioned Rootstock Wine and Beer Bar! Side note: Au Cheval is not in the running because the 90 minute wait there. That is a deal breaker! read more

Been here three times and it gets better each time. The staff takes great care to ensure you have a nice enjoyable meal. I love the farm raised burger and a glass of The Olivier Cousin. Oysters are always lovely as well. The lighting is dim and the seating comfortable. Perfect for a date night. The menu is so well done. They even make there own ketchup that is to die for. read more

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar - Gnocchi and fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Phenomenal burger! This place had been on my list for a while because a waiter at girl and the goat said this was the best burger in the city. I think for me personally it's not my favorite in the city only because I am a sucker for bougie add ons like eggs, caramelized onions, etc but if we're just talking base basic burger, this might be the best. The meat is so juicy and tender! The person I was with also considers themselves a burger connoisseur and they said this might be their new favorite burger in the city. The fries were also great, crispy shoe string style and comes with ketchup and a great garlic mayo/aioli. They also obviously have a huge wine selection. The orange wine I got was good! There's a really nice outside patio if the weather is nice. read more

One of the best burgers in Chicago for sure! Service was great and kept it light and funny with attentiveness even when they were swamped.

I love this place and am so happy it's in our neighborhood. The wine selection is huge, eclectic, and high quality. The food is all wonderful. The courses are easy to mix and match. I'm always trying something different and have never been disappointed. Some folks have griped that they don't take reservations. Go at weird times and you'll be fine. I've also been happy getting a cocktail or two and settling in for a long wait on busy nights. C'est la vie, y'all read more

Confused about the high reviews, everything had potential, but was WAY too salty!! Unique wine list if you're open to trying something different. read more

Rootstock has THE BEST burger in the city, there, I said it. My husband and I ordered one to share along with another entree... just to end up ordering another one right after because we loved it so much. Their wine selection is also absolutely amazing! read more

We visited Rootstock at the recommendation of friends in the industry. We dutifully lined up at 5 pm to ensure a table since no reservations. This is a tapas/small plate type place - the dishes were competently executed, composed with reasonable creativity, and arrived quickly. You will surely not leave with leftovers. It's billed as a wine bar but we noted the pours were about half portions - for full prices. The space is dark and a normal person will need lighting assistance to read the paper menu. The space is definitely loud, with no absorbent features, and just one table of squawkers like we had to our east can tarnish the whole sonic scenario. We liked the anchovies and butter/bread probably the best, though simple. The oysters were typical chicago, the size of your thumbnail and sky high pricey. The lamb tartare was a mushy concoction, not well defined but tasty enough. We wished the fries were crispier. The fish special was a little salty for my wife's taste and she is Asian (meaning used-to-salt). My gnocchi was unremarkable but pleasant; the crisped chanterelles were a nice feature. Service was very good and accommodating. Not sure we would return but fun to check out. Upon leaving there was a welter of hopefuls hanging uncomfortably inside the entrance waiting for openings. Sorry took no photos on this outing! read more

Cozy ambiance and amazing food. The bread with whipped butter and garlic was so incredibly good I wanted to eat the butter by the spoonful! Extensive wine list, even by the glass. Servers were pleasant and attentive. Would definitely come back. read more

I wanted to eat everything on the menu, but I only have limited amounts of dinero unfortunately. I shared the top 3 things that looked most delicious with my husband and we agreed it was one of the best American style meals we had in a while. We started off with the foi gois appetizer and it was just so silky and scrumptious! Next time, I want my own! The king crab with egg noodles looked gross when it was served. I joked that the hollandaise looks like nacho cheese sauce drowning my pasta. But it was light and creamy. The pasta and king crab and the sauce were all very delicately made and super delicious. I was sad that the portion size was so small! Last items we ate were the burger and an order of fries. The burger is OUT OF THIS WORLD delicious (make sure you order it medium rare). I'd say that's a contender for the best burger in Chicago. It's juicy and you can really taste the beef. The lightly tossed salad is well dressed a bright vinaigrette. I am looking forward to my next meal at Rootstock! read more

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Incredible burger. I don't say this lightly but might be the best in Chicago. Comes with a wonderfully dressed salad, the most incredible pickles and jalapeños. Perfection. read more

Rootstock literally serves the best burger in Chicago. Hands down, the best burger in Chicago. That is all.

I came here based solely off the fact that someone I hold in extreme high regard labeled this as the best scallops ever. While I disagree with that statement this is a cozy place with some nice pricing to boot. I started my night with an extremely potent glass of apple brandy. The aftertaste definitely let the apple flavor shine. The scallops weren't bad per se but something I can quite put my finger on was off about them. There was a mustard type funky aspect to them. For a post dinner drink I opted to the 20 year port & it was merely decent as well, slightly bitter yet still sweet. Parking can be found on the street for free but be warned this place is small & while sitting at the bar I felt quite crowded. It's funky lit & had it not been for everyone's loud conversations it could be intimate. read more

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Food is superb! I can't believe we only tried this spot recently. I suggest getting there when they open, there are no reservations. Small - about ten tables & bar. A little dark and a little loud. One of the best in this town. Can't wait to return. read more

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Charming neighborhood wine bar with a great selection to choose from. With wine out of the way, let's talk about food. Stop. Do not pass go: Get the burger. I would probably order this every time but luckily went with people who wanted to try more. The bay scallops were buttery good. The fries are some of the best in the city. And did I mention THE BURGER?!? Oh and they have gluten free buns. Swoon! read more

Rootstock! I'm such a fan, it's clear from the reviews and here's another. It's a smaller, dim-lit, low-key type of environment that's great for a date night or grabbing food with a small group of friends. For food, I opted for: Burger: My friend said this is one of his favorite burgers in the city and I totally understand why - It's one of my favorites now too. It's sitting right behind Au Cheval as #2. But the RIDICULOUS wait for Au Cheval? No thanks. Hand Cut Fries w/ Roaster Garlic Aioli and House Ketchup: This is killer! The fries are a perfect crisp, fresh, and pairing it with the Roasted Garlci Aioli is top notch. I also had an Orange wine but can't quite remember, also quite good. read more

What can I even say that hasn't been said? Why have I never reviewed Rootstock? These are unsolved mysteries. Our last visit to Rootstock was really great and it's wild to say that about a night when I'm told there will be an hour wait. The staff was very accommodating and nice, and tried to make sure our wait was as short as possible. The menu changes regularly, but the burrata and steak both really hit the spot for me and our server recommended a wonderful orange wine, which I'm a newbie to. I really need to remember to keep this in my rotation of places to go when I'm feeling "deer in headlights" and just can't think of anything other than Parson's but I don't really want fried chicken (I know, it's weird, but there are times when I don't really want fried chicken). read more

Great service, really fantastic menu and lots of wine options - thank you for the wine suggestion! This tiny place delivers big with cozy indoor seating and patio seating as well. read more

More like a 3.5 but I can't round down. Cute neighborhood spot that I would frequent if I lived in walking distance. However, I wouldn't drive to go there again. Very cool old school neighborhood vibe. Extensive wine list. We came for the burger from some advice. The burger was solid but certainly not tops in Chicago. Tuna crudo was great, collard soup was ok. Hearty menu, but not my style. read more

Stumbled upon this place with a group of five friends on a Tuesday night, and I think that was key. It's tiny, but we were lucky enough to get what was (I think) their only bigger table up by the window. We tried a lot of the food options and split two bottles of wine, and everything was fantastic. I would absolutely come back and would likely aim for a weeknight since they don't take reservations! read more

Rootstock is a great addition to Humboldt Park for a night of adventurous wines, locally farmed appetizers, and good conversation. And what a wine list! It almost takes a sommelier-in-training to wade through the extensive list with descriptions worthy of the O. Henry Prize for Short Story of the year! Floral, varietal, terroir, tannins, hints of white pepper...Where does one start?! The Foradori Teroldego Rotaliano was an interesting red from Italy, with a commitment by the maker to bring the land back to its original varietal. It was light and fruity enough for summer, which our server approved of, and also recommended for colder weather. (Like this past June, perhaps?) The food menu was almost as ambitious, and certainly deserves a return visit to try everything that glitters. Yet everything that glitters is not gold, as our "Banh Mi" pork belly seemed uninspired. Opting for the three Charcuterie/ three Cheese special, our cheeses were simply amazing! Although we had to do some detective work to decipher which cheese/meat was which, due to the server disappearing without a simple "this is the Brewleggio with cherries". Our main server took up the task, and also noticed a mistake and quickly rectified it. Service for the night was attentive but not overbearing, and quick to respond to issues we didn't even think needed responding to. The owners are taking great pride in their product and their commitment shows. With only four charcuterie, it was hard to choose three without seeming redundant. The German Speck tasted no different than the Prosciutto. Not a big fan of the waxy Copa, I think I'll steer clear of the charcuterie altogether on future visits. What I will revisit is the incredible chilled asparagus friseé w/ house orange zest ricotta, and poached egg! Also On Deck for next time is one of their seductive crusts, such as the La Quercia Proscuitto, figs in lavender honey, arugula & minted house ricotta. And since the right company can bring out the adventurer in me, I might even try the Mussels! The decor at Rootstock is rustic wood tables and chairs with lots of character. I almost fell off my little "knitting chair" and felt better moving to a high backed chair. The larger tables are for groups of six, or communal dining. Rootstock is a great place to bring a date with champagne tastes, and also down to earth as well. Perfect for small groups or getting to know someone, and it's lively but not loud. The longer we stayed, the lower the lights got...Perfect for switching it up to a crisp wine or a refreshing beer like Lagunitas IPA! I'm happy to call Humboldt Park my new neighborhood, and excited to have Rootstock nearby to make it feel like home. read more

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