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The Assembly American Bar & Cafe

3.8 (575 reviews)
Closed • 11:15 am - 11:00 pm

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THE ASSEMBLY AMERICAN BAR & CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Assembly American Bar & Cafe

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TURKEY CLUB SANDWICH
Kathleen L.

We came here for a late lunch / early dinner. I ordered the turkey club sandwich with potato salad and a mini coleslaw and it was very delicious (the turkey was not dry at all). My husband ordered the Char burger with tator tots and a mini side of coleslaw be said it was great and would get it again. The restaurant is very clean and they have it decorated very nice for the holidays too. They have TV's everywhere... A great place to watch sports and hang out. Our waitress was great and we received an envelope with a voucher to use on our next visit... You cannot open the envelope and need to hand it to the waitress when ordering.

Scott K.

Been coming here over 30 years. Some things obviously different but the good things are largely the same. My bionic burger was great, straws and curds were too...everyone enjoyed their food. Our server Addisen was super friendly and made sure we had what we needed. The place is updated but the same, the Weber grill top on the grill, still there. In town for the holidays and a trip isn't complete without a visit.

HAMBURGER and tots
Bob R.

We've been going to the Assembly, infrequently, since 1987. It's always been good and consistent. This experience was marvelous. I have to credit our server and I wish I knew her name. She was not only pleasant but quite funny. It was like having entertainment while we ate. Not only was she funny, she was very attentive. She must have stopped at our table ten times to check and see that everything was good. And, it was. We ordered onion straws as an appetizer. While they are not gluten-free, so off my diet, I did cheat and try a couple of small ones. Yum. My partner had a Southwest Salad with chicken, and I had a burger - and they do have gluten-free buns. The burger was huge, and the bun was tasty but didn't hold up well. I think gluten-free bread doesn't do well when it gets wet, like a juicy hamburger would do. With the burger, I had cole slaw and tater tots. The burger was outstanding. It was cooked perfectly and came with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion. The tots were also very good. But there was so much food, I couldn't finish it all. I did pretty well though - there wasn't enough to take any home. This was a great experience and I wonder why we don't go to the Assembly more often.

Dan K.

Stopped for dinner before a Christmas service at Willow Creek and enjoyed a decent experience overall. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. I opted for the Jack Daniels burger with tater tots. The burger was cooked perfectly and had great flavor--definitely a highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the tater tots didn't measure up and were a bit of a disappointment. To drink, I had a Hacker-Pschorr beer, which was excellent and paired well with the meal. Overall, a solid pre-service dinner with a few highs and lows!

Bbq burger, fries
Rhen P.

I've been a few times now. It's a really fun spot to meet up with folks at since it's right off the highway. I always prefer going in during the week when it's kind of dead so I can sit at the bar and watch them make burgers. The burgers which, of course, they're known for. I've had a few of them now, but I personally think the BBQ one with onion straws is my favorite. It's simple, it's laid back, and it's good vibes all around. It's really easy to feel stuffed after a meal here, so be prepared for a food coma.

The Original Char Burger
Jessica S.

My husband and I came here the other day and we really enjoyed our experience. For a long time, we saw this place was recommended on Facebook and other social media sites, so we needed to try it for ourselves and were not disappointed. Upon walking in, the place was pretty busy, but we were able to be seated right away. The dining room was a lot bigger than I expected, and because of that, we were able to sit in a more secluded area away from the bar. I can't say enough great things about the service that we had at this restaurant, especially because nowadays, good service is hard to come by. Our waitress was so friendly and was consistently ready to get us anything that we needed. While we were eating, the manager and/or owner also came by and asked us how everything was and just seemed to be professional and proud of his business. Foodwise, everything was fresh and cooked perfectly. We ordered the soft pretzels ($11.79) for the appetizer; these were incredibly soft and came with three different dipping sauces: beer cheese, cinnamon butter, and German mustard. Now, I'm normally not a hamburger or cheeseburger person, but I did end up ordering the El Paso Burger ($18.47), which had spicy bacon, sautéed jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and guac on it. It was AMAZING and so juicy. My husband also enjoyed his burger, which was The Original Char Burger ($18.77). Then, both of us ordered the tots for our sides, and these were perfectly seasoned and crispy. Ultimately, we both would come here again, and we can see why it's rated so highly by many locals. The owners also have a touching fundraiser dedicated to their nephew Adam, who went through a life-changing shallow water diving accident. His story around the restaurant in different places so that if patrons are willing, they can donate to him and his family.

Jack Daniel Burger
Gail H.

We've been meaning to try The Assembly for many years and finally made it! What a fun place to visit at the holidays especially. The decor was so warm and inviting, and the service was great. It seemed that they might be a bit understaffed but everyone including the manager was helping out so everything ran smoothly. The potato skin appetizer was loaded with cheese and so delicious. The burgers, while not the "best I've ever had" as some reviews have said, were decent. I was honestly more impressed with the sides personally. The cole slaw was amazing. The potato salad was great. The french fries and tots were top notch. They have a small video poker/gambling room near the entrance, and the bar is a fun place to watch them cook the burgers. Whether it's a date night or family outing, I would recommend The Assembly!

spring fever and water
Daniel P.

we've been coming here for over 40 years - the Assembly used to be good for underaged drinking but so much since the Reagan years (so old now that you almost need the JWST to see my birthday) got a seat at the bar waiting for two friends to arrive and filled out some postcards in the spare minutes. spring fever is a seasonal offering: a happy little red gin cocktail with a bit of grapefruit, soda, and a dab of honey. sits on the bar pretty as a picture and goes down easy like, well, you know... anyway, friends arrived part way through so I closed the tab and we requested a low-boy. menus and water and flat ware and app off the march madness menu: sweet chili sauce drizzled over crispy pork pot stickers on a bed of teriyaki slaw and tempura green beans with a side of zippy ranch for dipping. the beans were incredible!! crunchy on the outside green bean on the inside... so good!! true to form I missed the various fishes on the lenten menu - still hating myself two days and five states later. March Burger o' the Month was topped with tender corned beefs, cabbagey goodness, and cheese served up with my choice of tots! wanted to eat it all but reasonableness took over and the bigger half of my meal went home in a box. actually it went to Dayton Ohio where it was savored cold for dinner. my heart still hurts a little thinking about it ;-)

Lower bun failure - see crack on right half.  Bun cut wrong with too much on top and no support for the bottom.  Crumbly and dry buns.
Owen W.

Well, another wannabe best burger is coming off my list. This very expensive ($28 with tip) 1/2 lb burger was disappointing. The bun was sliced wrong with too much on top leaving no support for the bottom bun which fell apart when I picked up the burger. The bun didn't hold together, like it didn't have enough gluten, and I call it crumbly and dry. The meat wasn't juicy and although I asked for medium rare (and the menu clearly stated that meant warm red center) I got pink. I do like medium which is why I ask for medium rare. Only three places out of over 20 this summer actually delivered a medium rare burger, the rest were medium to medium well. Lucky Monk and Mr. Allison's had better burgers than the Assembly. The Assembly burger was only better than the Hackney burger but Hackneys had better and perfectly cooked beef. Mr. Allison's gives you twice the beef for half the price, too bad their idea of medium rare is medium well :-( . I will not be taking the group to the Assembly. Friendly service.

Cucumber margarita
Marisol H.

Visited The Assembly for the first time and had a great time! Experienced good service and enjoyed the chill ambiance inside. Sat in a general seating area but you can sit at the bar and watch them grill your burgers! Ordered a Texas bbq burger and a bionic burger and was impressed with the size, quality, and flavor the burgers. Normally not a huge fan of coleslaw but was pleasantly surprised after trying and enjoying theirs. The cucumber margarita was refreshing and the Long Island was $5 on Fridays. UPDATED: Went back to see what thirsty Thursdays are about and ordered the sampler platter w/ cheese curds, tenders, and stuffed potatoes skins. Super good deal considering the price to quantity of food ratio. Cheese curds were definitely my favorite w/ stuffed potatoes in close second.

Char burger

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3 months ago

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5 months ago

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7 months ago

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3 days ago

Great food. Cheesecake is awesome. Definitely a place to frequent often. Staff is great also.

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

Food is great! Love this place, the live music on the patio is always a fun time, highly recommend!!

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2 years ago

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4 months ago

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3 years ago

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11 months ago

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7 months ago

If you want a fresh pub burger, this is the place. Sit at the bar and see it being prepared.

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Long time customer. The burgers are the reason, right next to the onion strings. Comfy neighborhood restaurant, always good service.

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3 years ago

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Ask the Community - The Assembly American Bar & Cafe

Do they have high chairs for babies?

We do have high chairs and booster chairs also. Sorry for the late reply. We would love to see you soon. We also a kids menu. Our food is cooked in a scratch kitchen. No… 

What are the best burgers from here?

The Bionic Burger by far. Ridiculously good. I know David who invented the Bionic and it is a proud legacy for him! Always ask for a little extra mushroom sherry wine sauce- you gonna love it!

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Lucky Monk

Lucky Monk

4.0
(1.7k reviews)
0.5 mi
•$$

I love Lucky Monk. My friend and I have come here a few times for Happy Hour because they have…read moregreat Happy Hour food deals, which I appreciate a lot as someone who doesn't drink much. The deal is half off apps, but if you enjoy an adult beverage, the house-brewed drafts are also half off. M-Th 3-6pm, dine-in only. At least that's what it is right now. I feel like it changes, so maybe call beforehand to confirm. I only got pics of the nachos this time, which really doesn't do it full justice because they're bigger than they look in the photo. Food is always good and consistent, there's nothing really to complain about regarding service or prices, and parking has always been really easy, though that could be because we typically go on Tuesdays. I imagine weekends could be a little bit busier, but the place is pretty big, so even if you have to wait, I don't think that you'd be waiting that long. The vibe is also casual and low-key.

I get together with old friends once a month at various restaurants. On this visit, there was just…read morethree of us. I chose this place for this month's lunch. I had been here with my daughter about 12 years ago and remembered enjoying it then. We all had burgers and craft beer. My friends went with the Mad Max (burger of the month) and I went with a peppercorn and blue cheese burger. It was thumbs up for all of us on the burgers as well as the beer, which was unique and delicious. I took no pictures that day and just enjoyed the outing with friends, but I was especially impressed with the taste of my burger. I abstained from adding any of my usual condiments, and decided to try it as is, with just their sauce. Best decision ever! The sauce was amazing and the burger was cooked a perfect medium. Like many restaurants, Luck Monk offers their regular menu, plus flyers on their specials, including beers and cocktails. Four days later, I went right back there again on my own, to formally review it with photos. I had to go with that same peppercorn burger, because it was just so good, and to make sure the first time was a fluke. It wasn't. I tried out their chili as well, which was also good. This chef knows what he is doing. This stand alone restaurant is easy to get to, and has ample parking. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful and looks high end, though I found the pricing to be reasonable. It would be a great spot to take clients for a business lunch. It's elegant looking , but unpretentious. The hostess and servers are wonderful. I highly recommend the Lucky Monk!

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Inside
Inside
Bang Bang Shrimp
Bang Bang Shrimp
Entrance

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Entrance
The Graceful Ordinary

The Graceful Ordinary

4.3
(289 reviews)
13.5 mi
•$$$

Their ever changing cocktail menu is undoubtably the best in the area. So creative so delicious and…read moreso fun to enjoy with friends. Every single time I go here I need to get the marinated olives, I don't know what they do to them, but it's amazing. Great farm to table kitchen with a unique evolving menu. I would definitely say that this restaurant is leading a new charge for Saint Charles as far as the culinary experience that we're looking for when we go out for date night or girls night out. Very elevated very refined very unique. You've got to try it out!

This is our third time here in the span of 6 months after finding out about The Graceful Ordinary!…read moreThe service is always great and their menu changes each season so there's always something new to try. They also changed up their cocktail menu, and we were super excited to see they had some new summer drinks. This is definitely one of my new favorite restaurants in the area. It's perfect for special occasions and date nights. The first two times we came we sat at the bar, but we came right when they opened and were able to be seated at a table. I love the candlesticks they have lit at the tables. There's a a view of the kitchen as well. To drink, I had the Dip in the Backyard Kiddie Pool (very refreshing) and Fresa Fresca (basically a strawberry margarita and it was super refreshing and tasted like strawberry juice). For dessert, we shared the oreo carjillo. It was pretty strong to me, but it definitely tasted like Oreos and milk! To eat as an appetizer, they gave us complimentary bread and butter and we ordered the sundried tomato oil to go along with it (a must). Their bread is so soft and fresh. We also got the bone marrow (forgot to get a photo), and it was some of the best we've had!! For our entrees, we got the two pasta dishes. They called them "small plates" but it was the perfect amount of food for us with our appetizers. I had the spicy carrot rigatoni pasta and it was super fresh. I love that they cooked the pasta al dente.

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Dining room
Dining room
Avacado toast
Avacado toast
The Fox River just outside the restaurant

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The Fox River just outside the restaurant
Region Kitchen and Bar

Region Kitchen and Bar

4.6
(403 reviews)
7.2 mi
•$$$

Another great experience at Region. While service was a bit slow, our server was extremely helpful…read moreand fun to talk to. He gave great food recommendations and made the experience memorable! Food reviews: Saigon branzino--perfect balance of citrus and heat. Crunch of the fish skin was perfect. Crispy rice and bok choy was nice too, just wish there was more of it! Berkshire ribs--deeply developed flavor and fall of the bone cook made this an unforgettable dish! Highly recommend

Trendy and cozy restaurant hidden off of Northwest Highway in Barrington. The best way to make sure…read moreyou get in on the weekend is either to go very early, but you're best off making a reservation. The service is amazing. Our server, Evelyn, had awesome energy. She was friendly and great at recommending dishes. The busboy (we didn't catch his name) was positive and attentive. The staff really make the spot wonderful. It's modern inside, dark paint, and updated decor. However it feels friendly with the trendy atmosphere. The way these dishes look also match the ambiance at the restaurant. We ordered lots of dishes and they mostly looked great! The Salat Roasted Beet Salad is fruity, thanks to the berries and citrus, with a pistachio whip on the bottom of the dish. It's a heavier dish for a salad, but absolutely delicious and fruity. I also had the San Francisco Style Cioppino was good, but I wasn't expecting it to be like a zupa di pesci, while the flavor was good, I was having FOMO of others eating monkfish and the walleye. The Cioppino had a Louisiana flavored sauce. There was a variety of fish which were all cooked and not overdone. It's a massive dish! We finished off with English Sticky Toffee Pudding and Italian Citrus Mascarpone Cake. The cake was amazing! It wasn't too tart and light. The sticky pudding was also delicious and very sweet. It's a very beautiful restaurant, service is great, the plates look amazing and tastes great. It's definitely a spot to try again!

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Just the front entrance
Just the front entrance
Ceaser
Ceaser
San Francisco Cioppino

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San Francisco Cioppino
Bar Down Sports Grill

Bar Down Sports Grill

4.0
(61 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$
Outdoor seating
30 years in business

Absolutely wonderful! Hosted a fundraising event and needed…read morecatering for a group of 50. The staff, including Diane & Vanessa, were fabulous to work with. We picked everything up, and we were so impressed! individually wrapped sides of potato and pasta salad, mini fruit and cream cups & they even included mini appetizer forks. Amazing mini slider trays, An awesome meat and cheese skewer platter & a delicious desert tray as well! - rave reviews from all who attended our event.. Everything was All packed up nicely and ready to go. We will be using them again and recommending to others. Thank you so much for making everything so easy and delicious!

Bar Down is a fun place to meet friends for a drink, or attend a private event in one of their…read morebanquet rooms. The venue is an older building and can use an update, but every time I am here, the service and the food is consistently fresh and tasty. Surprisingly good dishes beyond the normal bar fare too. On our last visit on a Friday night, our server Kevin was friendly and helpful in offering menu suggestions and letting us know about specials. We ordered pizza, wings and sliders off of the Happy Hour Bar Menu. For four drinks (two were non-alcoholic) and several apps, our bill was under $60. Not bad at all and we even had extra food to take home. For events, Amy here often goes above and beyond to ensure a great customer experience. The parking lot gets filled here fast on a busy bowling night, but in all, Bar Down is a fun, local place to hang out and watch a sporting event.

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Taste of the town
Taste of the town
Famous Italian Beef or Reuben Egg Rolls
Famous Italian Beef or Reuben Egg Rolls
Mostoccioli

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Mostoccioli
Schaumburg Public House

Schaumburg Public House

3.8
(53 reviews)
5.3 mi

Was staying at the hotel for a conference and came in here for a quick bite for lunch twice. Both…read moretimes I was pleasantly surprised how good the food was! The first time I sat at the bar and had a Caesar salad with it crouton and with the NY strip medium rare on top. The romaine lettuce was fresh. The white anchovies were almost missed as they were hiding to one side. The steak had a lot of flavor and was cooked perfectly. The surprise was how well the pickled onions on top of it complimented the salad! The second time I sat at a table and had a burger. It was delicious!! I requested extra lettuce and not sure that happened. But the burger was cooked to perfection. I had the side salad instead of fries which was huge. Dressing was a little boring but it would be hard to outshine the burger. Service was good.

I'm giving this place three stars because the cappuccino and Ambiance was nice but the food wasn't…read more. It was pretty dead here Memorial Day Monday but was still excited to try the food . We ordered both Benedict's the short rib and the classic . The short rib was so dry and the egg on top was hard boiled in the center . That's not how an egg Benedict should be . The door county mustard sauce was good but there was hardly any on it . The pickled onion was delicious but there was a scarce amount and the rainbow potatoes were burnt beyond repair . The lemon ricotta pancakes were dry and the blueberry mound on top was goop . Our server was pleasant but didn't come check in on us . I told her the short rib was dry and she didn't acknowledge.

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Schaumburg Public House
Short Rib with incredible grits
Short Rib with incredible grits
Schaumburg Public House

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The Assembly American Bar & Cafe - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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