Nice venue, open, spacious, modern, casual. The food and drink were as expected, nothing out of sight, nothing terrible, but spot on. Our host was lovely, personable, and accommodating. We would definitely come back. I would call this a newer place to dine in Dekalb. read more

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I know is a huge place the ambiance was not as friendly the server was rushing me to order food and as I departed went to the bar to thank them but I never got I thank you in return. The hamburger was worst I ever had in a restraint it was very dry it had no condiment. I will never come back read more

The Grove - Virgin mojito - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

The coolest place to go in Dekalb by far! Delicious drinks and lovely bar with attentive staff. Food is not what you get everywhere else. Sounds weird, but get the Cobb salad - you won't be disappointed! It's huge! Burgers are also delish. read more

The Grove - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

Let's start with the food. Got the wings with bourbon maple rub and asked for honey as a dipping sauce. Honey was not a menu option but they accommodated me on that. They were different but good. Heavy on the rub and very messy. The rub was indeed very dry and applied after cooking, so altho different, and ok, I would not go that route again. The fries I ordered as a side came out pretty plentiful, however, not warm at all, in addition I asked what the menu stated "seasoned fries" were seasoned with. This stumped the waitress as she looked at me oddly as if I was being a smart ass and said "salt". I said good cuz I do not like the orange stuff that is sometimes considered seasoned fries. Guess what I got... orange coated seasoned fries. I was going to explain the situation and have them sent back but she did not come back til much later, asked me how it was and I said the wings are good and before I could mention the fries she said good, and was gone. No offer of another drink as I would have considered that. So I ate about half, regretably , and said to myself, self, no more orange colored battered looking fries listed as seasoned. So I sorta covered the service. It was ok, friendly and efficient, except for the quick exit after not being able to say more than good wings. The ambiance was confusing to me it is billed as a modern tavern bar restaurant so I guess it is both a tavern and restaurant, which is pretty obvious that it's trying to be a bit upscale in decor but definitely has TVs by some of the closed to bar tables, yet the dining area is a little upscale in looks. It's in a new building and can't have been open for more than a year I'm guessing. Pricing usual. Yes I did order an 8$ beer, (I gotta quit that) but 6wings and fries and a beer put me very near $30 including a 20% tip. I don't know about you but my budget is starting to scream at me, "stop eating at restaurants"! It's just that money's tight times are hard all round I guess. I'll just have to start reviewing home services and other things more often. Back to this restaurant, however. I digress. It was enjoyable overall but not greatly so. If I were to go back I would try something else. read more

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Ordered through Uber Eats, food arrived in decent time, food so badly overcooked. Just a burnt, dry piece of chicken on a dry roll. Never again. read more

The Grove - How do you dry breaded chicken so much that it goes black, and then who puts that on a roll knowing how bad the customer experience will be? - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

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Really great restaurant. We picked it out of the blue since we were driving through town. The staff were really friendly, the place was clean, and the food delicious. We'll definitely stop by the next time we're in town. read more

The food and the service are incredible. I don't like brussels sprouts or seafood, but ordered them and couldn't stop eating either I'm ashamed that my wife and I don't go here more often read more

Really good food and a cool place to have a bite to eat in a college town. Much better than I expected. Will be back.

What a true gem! We were in town for a baseball game and stopped here for dinner. Everything was excellent!!! We started with the garlic cheese curds and maple bourbon rub chicken wings. Delicious and some of the best wings I've had. Had the Duke burger which was cooked to perfection. Finished with the red velvet cake. Perfect portion size and the cream cheese frosting was just right. Our server was attentive and quick to address our needs. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone. read more

I expected a better experience on a Tuesday afternoon. They were out of salmon, candied walnuts and black tea. A soda was ordered then forgotten until 15 minutes later. My ceasar salad was the most bland. The dressing tasted like mayo, the lettuce was warm and wilted. It took forever for our dishes to be bussed and after waiting and waiting we then had to ask for the check. I want to continue to support this local business but its difficult to. read more

The service and the food VERY good. Not handicapped accessible. We almost turned around to go somewhere else. Sad because the drinks were exceptional. read more

First let's start with the good! The atmosphere is amazing, the servers were wonderful, the food was pretty, and the place was spotless! Now the bad... the food was awful. It was so expensive and the food had ZERO flavor but had an odd aftertaste. We picked multiple bold flavored (sounding) items and it was just, meh. We were so disappointed and when you spend over $70 on a meal for two people you expect it to be exceptional. We will not be back. read more

The Grove - a plate of food with bread and cranberry sauce - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

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This was the second time we ate here since they opened and I was very impressed with the food selection and quality, service, and beer selection. Our server, autumn, didn't miss a beat. Loved that their craft beer selection was all from local or Regional breweries and that ingredients were also locally sourced. The atmosphere is modern and the restaurant is very clean. I loved that there carry out containers are not Styrofoam and our biodegradable! read more

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Holy cats! We were in town for some banking (I know, BORING) and needed dinner. We found this place was newly opened (so new, YELP didn't know about it, so we had to go and try it out. The interior is wonderful. The light fixtures on the ceilings and walls are integrated well with the tables, booths and bar seating. This was a stunningly nice place. The menus (they have one for food, and a bigger one for drinks including a separate menu for spirits) were quite interesting. My wife opted for their Shrimp Po Boy, and I went for their Chicago Beef Grilled Cheese for our entrees. We were a little hungry, so we started with their Ahi Poke, which was so good it vanished before I could get a picture. Service was strong and helpful, with suggestions made. The water glasses stayed full, and our server could translate their drinks into names that would be more recognized if you asked her to. We were able to figure it out. Our seating was very comfortable, and the place was filling up quickly for a Tuesday night, which I think is a good sign. This is north of Rt 38 around 1 block in the corner of a new apartment complex. On street parking can be found in almost any direction around the place, or in un-numbered spaces in the apartment parking lot to the south. Our mixed drinks were quite good - my wife had their Sancho, which was made with Mescal, and had a smoky flavor with a bit of a jalapeno zing as a finish. I had their Big P.O.P.PA, which was basically a Manhattan, which was nice and refreshing. There are TVs on the walls, as well as nice tapestries which really help to bring some life to the space. This place is very well outfitted and decorated - someone cares and it shows. Take the time to find this place and try it out. You'll be glad you did. read more

The food was really good but to make the experience great they need to make sure the bathroom door stays closed. I don't like eating my dinner looking in the bathroom. Also the back door needs a handicap ramp. Our server was wonderful. It is a rather noisy place but they could fix that. It's not fine dining but worth a good Friday night dinner. I'd go again. read more

Hello. I just wanted to point out that the Grove charges a 2.75% " service fee" which does NOT go to the wait staff. Food was good, I liked it a lot. I WOULD come back here again. But un-advertised fees.... Really???!?! read more

Have been here a few times. I've had the grilled cheese Italian beef, Mac and cheese, poutine, burger, and quesadilla just off the top of my head. Never been disappointed in the food. Their fries with garlic aioli a pretty great. read more

Food was excellent very friendly atmosphere very clean great service I recommend that place very very good delicious

Visited The Grove on 4 separate occasions. Each time we've had exceptional service, great food, and a nice casual atmosphere. The Grove is a great addition to the DeKalb dining scene. read more

The Grove - Pork Belly Bao - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

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Best Quesadilla that I've ever had! My wife loved her salad, also. Nice beer and wine lists. Plenty of outdoor seating and an inviting interior. Can't wait to go back! read more

Macaroni and cheese was awful. Expressed our concerns. Surprised we had to pay for it. Ahi tuna poke bowl.. very saucey Menu not as good as in the past. Seemed under staffed. MAY try again. Usually our go to. Disappointing read more

Great atmosphere & delicious food perfect spot to go to for date night or just to have drinks with friends the bartenders and staff were awesome!! read more

Incredible restaurant! Great ambiance. Service is fantastic. Drinks are superb. Had spinach artichoke for appetizer, incredible! Food is delicious. So glad The Grove opened in DeKalb, the food scene definitely needed this. Loyal customers forever! Keep up the great work! read more

Mediocre food (at best) and a very long wait. My family and I took a college freshman out hoping for a nicer lunch. The menu looked promising! We went at 1pm on a Saturday. There were maybe 4 other tables. We informed the server we were in a time crunch. We had a full hour. The food didn't arrive until 50 minutes later! What we ordered required very little. Quesadillas, poke plate, spinach dip, and a spinach salad. Everything was disappointing. The salad was a large bowl on spinach with very little toppings. In fact, according to the menu they left off 3 ingredients. We would have sent many items back but our schedule meant we had to get going. The ambiance is cool. Menu looked great. Had all of the element for success minus the execution. 2 stars is generous. Will not return. read more

Very nice, comfy restaurant. Great staff from at whom we had interaction with. Good food. Coffee a little pricey @ $8.00 but..... Would definitely go back read more

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Pros: Great ambiance, sweet potato tots were amazing, food quality was high Cons: kinda pricey and very slowwwww service. read more

4 months later: One more star for the terrific server we had. He was awesome. He was as clear about the differences between what the menu describes and what actually comes to the table. He clearly has had to deal with these issues before. I had the meatloaf. I had to ask the server if that is what he brought to me. It was not appetizing looking in the least. The meatloaf was very bland, crumbled and seemingly mixed with the mashed potatoes. It was heard to tell with the smothering of gravy. (Normally a good thing, right?) Not really. The garlic green bean side was pretty and mostly raw. I like sautéed veggies with some crunch but these were hard crunchy. Seasoned nicely. The entree was unfortunately on par with high school cafeteria food. Bland taste and bland plating. My excitement for good comfort food evaporated the instant the plate was put in front of me. It looked as disappointing as it tasted. The server was the one bright shining star of the business. Two tries here and two complete swing and misses. read more

Since The Grove recently expanded their hours to include lunch, my husband and I took advantage of the opportunity to check it out today. We will definitely return. The decor was upscale -- classy and modern but still cozy. Great color palette. The two-person booth where we sat was just the right space and comfortable (which is not always the case). Several small group seating areas were a nice touch to allow for a relaxed space for drinks and apps. We put this into our "possibilities for the future" file. The drink menu was refreshingly creative with thoughtful combinations of high-end ingredients. I tried the Big Easy which transported me to sipping my first sazerac in an outdoor New Orlean's bistro. Nicely done by the bartender and part owner, Jason. The trio of young men who have embarked on this endeavor are all local, and I can claim at least two as former students. If we can support local talent vs. chains, we are all in. Steve was a creative student and a favorite of mine. (Don't tell him, though. He's too busy with his children to read this.) The food was well-prepared and attractively plated. The garlic dip for the fries beats ketchup and other wannabe concoctions hands down. Mmmm...... My patty melt was not particularly traditional -- on sourdough instead of rye but I would definitely order it again. I had the siraccha aioli on the side. Also, quite a lovely, not too spicy, addition. My husband ordered the Colorado chicken handheld and was pleased with how moist it was. He had no leftovers. Barbecue sauce added just the right dimension of sweet and salty. So many menu choices not commonly found outside of Chicago and the burbs. Much appreciated. read more

Unfortunately looked better than it tasted. The main issue here was execution/cook. The flavors were there, and the menu looked great, but all the food was not cooked correctly. I had the salmon flatbread that came out on a barley cooked, premade crust that had no crisp. The salmon was so over cooked it was essentially jerky. The chicken sandwich was juicy, the the pork belly on it, again, overcooked. Overall, it was not terrible, but a better chef/execution would really make this place 5 stars! Hopefully they make some improvements by the next time I try! I will say the restaurant is gorgeous inside and I'd love to try some cocktails in their comfy chairs. read more

The Grove - Salmon Flatbread - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

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A lovely place for a meal or a drink- the seared tuna salad is delicious. Nice selection of local beers.

We brought a group of new teachers and mentors from our school to hang out tonight and the place was amazing. The service was top notch, the drinks were phenomenal, and the appetizers were excellent. Our server Paige was great. I can't recommend this place enough, truly a great experience. read more

A calm peaceful escape from American life. They are on the right track towards a perfection, to me. I just want more meat, on the sandwiches I had with my wife. I am certain that we will be coming back. Excellent service, and food that takes some risk while being comfortably familiar. read more

The Grove - Tonkatsu Sammie - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

If you have not tried this place yet you should! I know they were working out the menu when they first opened, but the new menu is delicious! Everything was amazing from the drinks to the service. It was also reasonably priced. My husband and I each got 2 cocktails (not beer, actual drinks) we got an app, 2 meals, and a dessert to share for under 100 bucks. Everyone in the establishment seemed to be enjoying themselves, and they are also kid friendly! My favorite drink was the breakfast of champions! Kind of like a cinnamon toast White Russian, yum!!! read more

The Grove - Breakfast of champions drink - New American Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

Nice hidden gem in Dekalb! Food is amazing I've never had a meal I didn't like. The atmosphere is very nice too. Service was very attentive.

Server was friendly and attentive. Chips and dip were tasty. Wine was delish. Charcuterie board needed lots more flavor. Meatloaf (very crumbly) and mashed potatoes were way too salty, but the greens beans were perfection. read more

We went here when it opened and one of our dishes was literally inedible. We decided to try again. Food was good. Service was good. Nice atmosphere. The reason for only 4 stars is access to the restaurant. We had a handicapped person in our group. We parked on Locust in handicap parking. One of us went ahead to see if the ramp or stairs would be better. The door was marked deliveries only. Tapped on window with no response. To get to the real door, one needs to walk along the elevated walkway around the corner to about the middle of the block. Or go down the stairs and walk around. This is hard for a person with limited mobility on a good day. The day we were there both walks were snow covered. The upper walk was also drifted and uneven. read more

The literal worst dining experience in my life. Expensive and horrible. 0/1000 Took a date here for the first time. The two-person inside seating is very odd- kinda like you're floating in the middle of the room where everyone can see you. The waiter came and said there was a big group coming in and to get our food in soon. Vegetarian options are few and unmarked, and I hurriedly ordered a mushroom flatbread and my date got salmon. Her salmon was overcooked, and she gave it 5/10. My flatbread ended up having some fancy meat on it that I didn't realize, and I tried to pick it off. I told them I don't eat meat and was rushing and overlooked it, and if there was anything they could do. I didn't demand anything or try to get free food, I just wanted to know if my night would be staring at this sad flatbread and not eating (it was). Waiter comes back, says "my manager said you can buy another one." He didn't ask if I wanted something else, offer an alternative, nothing. I was not going to spend $40+ on a flatbread, so I sat there the whole time holding back tears trying to pick the small meat bits out of my meal. I didn't eat a bite. The waiter could tell I was very upset so he avoided checking in with our table (I'm serious), so when a fly died in my water I had to ask the bar for another. They laughed and said that's what I get for sitting outside. We were not outside, there were fruit flies inside. I wish I could give this negative stars. I was hoping for a simple, nice date and it was just horrible and unjustifiably expensive. Bad atmosphere. Bad people. Bad food. I'm not sure if there was some transphobia/homophobia happening or if they treat everyone like that. I don't know which is worse. read more

You'll have a hard time picking something from the menu because everything is so good! Has good variety on the menu and service is very attentive. Parking can be hard, I suggest the public lot behind the unitarian church on Locust St. Great experience overall! read more

If I could leave no stars I would, over priced, disappointing and ran out of Mac and cheese

Got drinks here with family. Drinks were great and the atmosphere was even better. Would definitely recommend.