The bar itself is nothing special. It is not well ventilated and can get really cramped. The food is pretty good and the burgers I had were tasty. Food prices are reasonable.
(3)
Jon M.
Saw their episode of Bar Rescue and thought we'd give it a shot. So glad we did! Great draft selection of local favorites like 3F's, 2 Bros., Half Acre and loads more. Didn't go dinner, but had some apps that were hot and tasty and pretty creative. Definitely would recommend the mac n' cheese bites and the Chicago poppers.
(5)
Amy D.
I love this place and the concept of sourcing local food (and beer) and basing their menu off of the local ethnic neighborhoods. I do preface this as a great Burger and Beer type place. They have other options which I have not had, the burgers are good enough to keep me coming back. I have been here 3 times and every time is just as good as the first. I have tried something different each time I've gone although the Chorizo Poppers were a must each time. They are crispy with just the right amount of spice from the pepper and chorizo and a good added texture with the black beans. The burgers are cooked to order, perfectly done and always amazing. I've had the Pilsen (pepper jack cheese and jalapeno aoli), the Southsider (home made sauerkraut and Irish cheddar) and most recently the Greektown (lamb burger with herbed goat cheese). I've tried the Maxwell burger as well topped with Maxwell street sausage. House made chips are fantastic, and so are the tater-tots, but I've tried the red pepper potato salad as well, also fantastic. The beer selection is great, there are some tried and true constants, but they also have a good rotating menu so you are sure to find something you like on one of their 24 taps. I recommend this for a great casual meal downtown, especially if you like to support the local mom and pop type economy. The place is never super busy the times I've gone, but if you have a large group I would call ahead to ensure seating. I would also recommend this place for an after work happy hour or a great meeting place before you begin your night downtown.
(5)
Briandi L.
This place is great! I really did not expect it to be so fabulous or for it to have such great food and service and provided! My friend and I were just walking along looking for a place to eat and ran into this hole in the wall GEM! The pasta salad (that is offered as a side) was delicious! The best pasta salad I have ever had! The burger and wrap that we ordered were delicious as well! You get a great amount of food for the price!
(4)
Tweety Girl L.
Bought a groupon and hoped for the best. YUM YUM YUM!! Food was friggin awesome. Don't leave without having the fried pickles! My boyfriend loved the beer, and the burgers were amazing. I got mildy frustrated with the slow service but I also didn't see how many tables the girl had inside as well since we sat outside. I'm a server so I know its a PITA doing tables inside and out so I didn't put up a fuss. That would be my only advice to them; don't forget to check on your tables outside. Oh, and the girl's bathroom can use some work. But I would definitely go again and certainly recommend it.
(4)
Carmen C.
Used Restaurant.com gift certificate - first customers at 11:00 am on a Sunday, with our 2 children - we were the only patrons present - excellent service - fantastic macaroni bites and burgers - tasty butternut squash soup (though a little cold) and fancy/fun take on grilled cheese - bathrooms could use a little re-do - will go again, even without restaurant.com !
(4)
Dan S.
Just went to Local 22 for Burger Binge Week's $5 burger. They offer the burger of the month with chips. The burger was very good and definitely an artery clogger. Our server, Alex, was very helpful as well. I will definitely be going back for another burger soon. They have a bunch of regular burgers on the menu that look very appealing.
(4)
Caitlin M.
They have a really good beer list, most of it is midwest local. I was there on a Wednesday night and it had a decent sized crowd, but we didn't need reservations for 4 people. It was kind of loud of a week night, but that is my only real compliant. I had the burger of the month, it was amazing, mozzarella sticks and melted beer based cheese on a burger! It came out really fast. The free side options are potato chips or a red pepper pasta salad, you have to pay for fries, onion rings, or whatever the other options are. I had the red pepper pasta salad, it was ok. There were no red peppers in it, but lots of olives, which I am not a fan of. It could have used a little something more to give it a kick, but it was fine the way it was. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. I would go back, everything on the menu looked great!
(4)
John G.
Let me start by saying this place has a great Chicago themed menu. Not too many items, but enough of a selection for a small bar. The appetizers all sounded fantastic, but I had to narrow it down to the Mac n cheese bites; excellent choice on my part. The entrees also sounded quite appetizing. Being the burger guy I am, I ventured away from the "loop" style burger (American classic) and ordered the "18th street" burger of the month. A choice I didn't regret, but would not make again. Boasting a Mexican twist to the aforementioned American classic, the burger patty was cooked perfectly and piled with a strong cilantro infused shredded beef. Enter: house sauce with a dab of sour cream and chihuahua cheese, melted together between a great tasting bun. A great addition to a colorful menu. I'd also recommend the homemade chips for a side instead of the typical fries or rings. Oh, and there's beer too. Lots of great local brews along with the familiar selection. The staff here is also very friendly for a city pub. It does get a bit crowded at night for you karaoke lovers out there, but hey, that's Chicago for ya.
(3)
Danielle S.
This is your typical locals only type of establishment. I was unaware they were on Bar Rescue when I desperately searched for a place to eat in the middle of a typical Chicago rainstorm. I was definitely take aback by the noise of the bar patrons who clearly didn't take into consideration that others were trying to enjoy their dining experience! We were ushered to the corner and were promptly greeted by a server with an interesting hairstyle and an upbeat demeanor. I ended up ordering a steak sando cooked medium rare with homemade chips. The sandwich was good. Served on a roll with an aioli and grilled mushrooms, the meat was mostly tender and cooked well. The chips were crispy and salty, what you would want from homemade chips. Overall the food was good, nothing to write home about. The ambiance was that of a local neighborhood bar, which is exactly what it is. The service could use some work... I don't think my parents appreciated being called kids, and it wasn't exactly quick either. It seems like they still have some bugs to work out after their rescue but it seems like they are headed in the right direction.
(3)
Jon B.
I walked in here because I watch the show Bar Rescue a couple weeks ago. I have to say I was very impressed. Food was really good and service was friendly. I even met the manager, Jon, and thought it was very nice of him to talk to me. I'll definitely come back here next time I'm in the city!
(5)
Roshan S.
For a bar on the show 'Bar Rescue' i expect better service. Our waitress was amazing (if this review was just her then I'd give her 5 stars). But the hostess was straight up rude. I met a friend and the hostess didn't let us seat because we didn't have the entire group 6 people there, when there were plenty of empty tables. Then when we tried to add more chairs she curtly told us no because it would block the way even though the 16 people table next to us was blocking. The hostess was very curt and would walk away without trying to accommodate us in someway. This was not a busy night and there were plenty of open tables so she just had some problem with us. My suggestion is to move onto Muther hubbards or even rock bottom down the street. If the owner of this place reads this I hope you know that your Thursday night hostess is costing you business. I will never come here again and will tell my friends the same. Chicago has plenty of other places to go to. Maybe Bar Rescue needs to come there and have a part 2.
(2)
Alison T.
Bar Rescue...let's check it out. It was ok. Great selection of local beers, and "Tourists" which is what they call beers from other places that are just there for a select period of time. The hostess stand had a sign out to wait to be seated, after 8 min. we went to the bar then seated ourselves. Finally a server cam by and asked if we wanted menus, yes please. She brought them back in a timely fashion, but we never saw her again. We stopped a barback that was going by to ask for a server, which he promptly got for us. The second server was on the ball! She got our food order and had it back out to us pretty quickly. The food was good, I would eat it again. The noise level left something to be desired though. It was so loud that our group of 4 at a table could barely hear each other. Everyone in there was trying to be heard over everyone else. Can you all tone it down 5 decibels, then everyone can hear themselves think! Karaoke started, which only made it louder. There were a couple of good singers that got up there. Then one went up, an older gentleman Gary. He started his song, and was doing well, then he whipped out a harmonica and belted it out. He was the highlight of our experience there!!
(3)
Michael S.
I stopped here for dinner and ate on the patio with a friend. This is a great place to eat if you really want to eat outdoors but don't want to wait 45 minutes at one of the fancy restaurants on state st as their patio is large and was not busy for us on a Sunday night. We really enjoyed the prices here as they are quite reasonable given the river north location. All the burgers and sandwiches are $10-12 and there was a mojito/mimosa drink special for $5. We started with fried pickles and honey bbq wings and they were both good. Our entrees were two different burgers. Everything was tasty although it didn't blow me away. I do remember having a grilled chicken sandwich here last year however that was delicious. Overall, I think this is a great option if you are looking for some good bar food for a reasonable price downtown. This place also has a very friendly atmosphere and crowd unlike some of the places on Hubbard st which often become infested with obnoxious bros and D-bags.
(4)
Iman W.
I expect bars to have sticky floors at midnight. This place had sticky floors at 4pm, before the fresh off of work crowd got there, so ehh... Staff is friendly (though it took a looooong time to be brought our check), beverage options are definitely adequate, and while I am no expert at ordering bar food, I was impressed by theirs. They have some pretty solid burgers. If you're in the area and don't mind being momentarily stuck to the floor, pop on in!
(4)
Chip G.
The burger of the month was really good. It was a burger with rib meat and ghost pepper cheese. Good beer list and we enjoyed talking with Kelly and John. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Lingyi P.
Came here on a Friday night with a group of friends for karaoke. The food and drinks were good, and the ambience was lively. We had a lot of fun singing with the crowd. However, the service was terrible. Our waitress was clearly not in a good mood that night, to say the least. The orders came pretty fast and my burger was good. The problems started with us waiting for water.. We asked our waitress for water for three people and only got one glass...ok. We suffered in silence for about half an hour. We then asked for water again and finally got a flask of water but no glasses. With no apparatuses to drink out of, we decided to drink from the water flask. Another hour passed before our waitress came by again. At this point, she saw one of my friends drinking out of the water flask and she SNATCHED the bottle from his hands. As he was drinking from it. She then snapped, you can't drink from that! Um, I'm sorry, but who snatches drinks from customers? But hey, I thought, maybe she'll finally bring us the glasses of water we asked for an hour and half ago? But alas, no. She came back to tell us that if we didn't order anything else, she needed the table for other people. It was a really fun place to hang out, sing, watch other people sing, but snatching a drink from a customer by a waitress is just unacceptable. Sad that the service didn't match the quality of the rest of the venue.
(2)
Melissa E.
Great bar, one that I would have not have gone to if not for the company of some fellow conference attendees. Menu was pretty standard but with some little twists to keep it interesting. I had a cup of their Mexican pollo soup and that was superb. The waitress was great too, calm and collected in a rowdy group - was very nice. Only weird thing is that we had to ask for water...idk I thought that would be a given when ordering food. I would recommend!
(4)
Steve A.
This place bills themselves as serving "the best burger in Chicago" and they may be right. I certainly can't remember having a better burger than their "Back O' Da Yards" burger. Funny thing is, it didn't contain beef. The ground pork patty had been cooked medium well, with a great crust on the surface, yet moist in the center. Two crispy onion rings and a generous serving of bacon rounded out the cooked ingredients. The bun was perfectly grilled, and the smoked gouda added a nice creaminess. A great burger. I was also impressed with the mixed green salad I chose as a side. The greens were fresh, as were the accompanying, cucumber, onion and shredded carrots, and the blue cheese dressing, served on the side, was excellent. There is a nice selection of draft beers. I really enjoyed the smoky stout I chose. There are plenty of items on the menu other than burgers, although they're obviously a specialty. There are also plenty of TVs for sports fans, but i was pleased that the audio at lunch time when I visited ran more to Black Sabbath than sportscasts. I'm glad this place is so close to my home base, as I will be a frequent visitor.
(5)
Greg W.
Bar rescue bar alert! Went on a Saturday night, knowing nothing other than what I saw on the show. Apparently they have karaoke six nights or seven nights a week??!?! Good beer list with solid bartenders but all that karaoke is just not for me, ESPECIALLY on a Saturday night.
(3)
Matthew C.
Great selection of local beers. Service was prompt and friendly. I did bring up Bar Rescue and they were open to talk about it. I'm nervous bringing that up just because I don't know if that show always leaves a good taste in everyone's mouth. But they spoke positively of it. And they seem like they really kept the momentum going. The place still looks great and it all works really well. If you're in Chicago, stop by. You'll be glad you did.
(4)
Sharon B.
My husband and I enjoyed our lunch post my half marathon run. I loved the grilled cheese sandwich their homemade potato chips. The cheeses were an excellent combo and the chips were thin and crispy. The beer selection makes it easy to please anyone. I tried the peach and ginger cider and it was a delight. Kelly suggested Not Your Father's Root Beer and I loved it. I was excited to find it in San Diego! Overall, great experience from the friendly service, delicious menu and wide selection of beer. I'll be back.
(4)
Olivia U.
This place is AMAZING!! Such a great local spot, great local beer selections & great chili!! The food is on point! I usually get a burger or a wrap.... fantastic! Definitely worth the trip :)
(5)
Jennifer N.
This place was super cool!! I would never had heard of it if it wasn't for me looking up local karaoke places and since I'm quite the karaoke fan I just had to check it out. The karaoke host was quite nice yes I do give him major props I've been to many many karaoke places and this host was awesome!! The waitstaff was also super nice and food was extra tasty so yes hands down this place definitely gets my vote. I will definitely definitely coming back when I return to the Chicago area. Thanks again!!
(4)
Erica A.
This is my very favorite bar in Chicago--so obviously this review is LONG overdue. Local 22 has always been my go-to karaoke spot. I absolutely love that you can't put more than one song in at a time, which allows for more people to have a chance to sing and you don't have to listen to the same bachelorette party sing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun followed by anything Britney. Major bonus points to the karaoke team! The food is phenomenal--I always order the Maxwell Street burger and a Metropolitan Krankshaft. The burger is perfection, with incredible flavor and a terrific bun. Plus, they serve fries reminiscent of McDonalds--those thinner, salty, delicious ones. YUM. The staff is always attentive, personable, and so so friendly. I work two blocks from this bar, and if I'm waiting on a friend to get out of work, sometimes I'll stop in for a beer, as though it's my own little version of Cheers. If you're in the River North area of Chicago, don't pass up this place--you won't be let down, you'll have a blast, and your taste buds will thank you. Great, now I want a Maxwell Street....
(5)
Malleana R.
For karaoke, the "Dj" generally has a book so that you can know what's available. This DJ had us randomly tell him songs, most of which he didn't have available. It didn't serve for a great karaoke experience and ruined the buzz. The drinks and food and other services were decent though.
(3)
Margie H.
We will never be back. This place should have gone out of business long ago when featured on bar resuce. The server took 10 mins to acknowlege our table and when our food was served it was cold. I took two bites of a very greasy burger and felt ill. Our friends from out of town were meeting us there later for drinks, but texed us from outside saying the "Bouncer" wouldnt let my friend's mother in because she didnt have her id, she's 59. Really? The "Bouncer" said, "it was a liability for someone in their resturant not to have their id". Has anyone ever heard that before? We were happy to leave and will never be back. Horrible service and horrible food. There are so many better places to go in Chicago, in fact every place in Chicago is better.
(1)
Meredith A.
Blue Frog has the potential to be a really fun place for a group of friends wanting to karaoke in River North. Sadly, the karaoke part is the problem for me. Whoever the DJ is is an extremely pissy, miserable individual who loves being a complete ass to customers. The only time I've ever seen him be fairly nice was when my friends handed him a decent amount of money in order for him to agree to play the song they requested. Other than that, he's been horrible. I took my friends here for a bachelorette party and purposely requested a song for them 45 min before their group got there. When they arrived, we waited for another 30 minutes before one of the girls decided to ask him when it would be played. He was a total dick when she asked. I'll have a hard time ever being talked into going back.
(2)
S R.
Quality pub food (the Ruben was excellent. The tots were decent.), with reasonable prices (for the location), a great beer selection, and good service. I have no complaints. Perhaps not quite good enough for 5 stars, but a great bar that may become a regular spot when I am in that area.
(4)
Amber S.
Friendly staff and wicked reasonable prices. I had a Bloody Mary and the Rueben and the Chicken Soup (had a part of the name that began with a 'p'). The Rueben was GINORMOUS and boy was it good. The fries hit the spot and the soup had a kick but was creamy without being heavy. The pulled chicken wasn't too much and I really adored the flavor. Jessica was our waitress and she was sweet. Didn't even raise an eyebrow at the pig out fest we ordered :)
(5)
Ann C.
My husband & I love this place. We live up in Milwaukee, and discovered Blue Frog's Local 22 during a Chicago trip last fall, we have since always try and come back for a drink when we are in the area. We initially came here because we wanted to go to a "bar rescue" bar, glad we did. To be fair, we have never ordered food, just drinks. My husband loves the beer selection (being from out of state he enjoys trying the local options) and my drinks have always been mixed well.
(5)
Allan M.
After Open House Chicago 2014 and my last visited place(Lake Point Tower's private garden), I needed somewhere to relax that wasn't one of the Navy Pier bars. Enter my recollection that I always had wondered about this place since seeing it on Bar Rescue years ago, and deciding this was the day to go here. Very pleasant, there was a good bit of craft beer options, and the food menu looked decent. Yeah the beer prices aren't say like Farragut's(or insert any other non-downtown, non-Randolph St., or non-River North bar) cheap, but this is River North after all, and I'd expect slightly higher for this area. I doubt the karaoke can live up to my gold standard for a bar(Christina's Place, and I badly still want to check out the several Korean private room karaoke places I've read about), but I'd like to come back one of these days for theirs. I'd love to try their food menu, despite that I never make it to this area often. I'm sure that opportunity will come, soon enough. Note to self: talk whatever family relative or friend who is spending a night in this area out of Howl at the Moon, and to come here for karaoke instead. I wish I didn't suck at talking people out of things.
(3)
Kyle M.
Great spot in River North without the typical River North snobby attitudes. Kelly and Todd run the place very well. They just got a new sound system and I know they're starting up trivia nights relatively soon with Waddayaknow. Looking forward to that! In terms of food, Kelly's Seasonal Salad is amazing, I remember it had like walnuts cranberries kale spinach and a mango vinaigrette sauce (was the bomb) They always have pretty tasty cocktail selections and their bartenders are really cool!
(5)
Traci D.
Brian D and I had dinner here our first night in Chicago. We were seated promptly but it did take a little while for our server to get to our table. We weren't in a hurry so it wasn't a big deal. They have a nice variety of beers on tap. Both of us ordered burgers and they came out fairly quickly after ordering. Both of us enjoyed our food and would hit this place up again if we go back to Chicago.
(4)
Luisana R.
Came in here after work with a coworker and had a good experience. Friendly bartender and the food was good. I ordered the blackened salmon salad and was really surprised how yummy the salmon was. The salad was underneath was simple but it was good. My friend had one of the wraps and she really liked it. I will come back for after work drinks/food.
(4)
Terri H.
Stopped in for local craft beer and burger. Waiter was fantastic and his recommendation on the food was superb. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Chelsea A.
Me and a girlfriend stumbled upon this place while wondering the streets of The Go (what I call Chicago) What a happy accident! We ended up chatting with John and Kelly about NOLA and our mutual love for the food. Which resulted in John whipping up a batch of Jambalaya while I was in town. Oh, it was tasty! Being born and bred in Louisiana I am quite picky about my Jambalaya. John definitely "put his foot" into this dish. Aside from the food they have a great local draft beer selection, poppin' karaoke, and super friendly/helpful staff. Thanks for an amazing experience Local 22!
(5)
Ashley C.
River North is not my go-to going out spot. However, this is a solid option for River North without any of the pretentious attitudes. It is a nice laid back atmosphere. They have a great beer selection with a lot of different option on tap. They also had some nice ciders for those non-beer drinking folk like myself. I've also had cocktails which are excellent and reasonably priced for the area. Service has been a mixed bag. The table service was just okay. We now prefer to sit at the bar as we know the bartender and have had much better service. The food is just okay. I wouldn't come out of my way to go for the food - this is really a bar. However, if you are in for drinks and need a bit to eat, its a solid option. I've tried a few things. The burger was okay but over-hyped. I prefer the wraps and like the tomato tortilla option. The wings are a solid starter too.
(3)
Steve B.
Blue Frog can definitely be a lot of fun, especially with a big group of friends. The bartenders are fast and polite. Unfortunately, the DJ clearly hates his job and is just super rude to everybody. He has yelled at several friends on varying occasions. I've given it so many chances, but now it's three strikes, you're out!
(2)
Chuck S.
Been here a handful of times, always had a good experience. The burgers are delicious! I've had a few and it was probably over a year ago but it was good. I was there the other day and got the buffalo chicken wrap, but it was very good. I went there after an event where there was finger food so I just wanted something easy and I was glad i got it. Plenty of chicken and not all lettuce like other places. Sweet potato fries were also great. I have been there for karaoke and it is fun but man does it get loud. haven't done that in a while but its always a good place to go for a drink or food.
(4)
Cody H.
I went on karaoke night... just kidding. This place has a decent selection of beers and a fantastic selection of terrible, loud, angry, overly-intoxicated, moronic clientele. I like beer and I love karaoke so I tried this place out after loving its predecessor. Big mistake. I tipped the DJ $20 and he pocketed it BEFORE telling me I probably wouldn't get to sing. Unacceptable... But then I saw the same table of 8 squawking twats sing 3 and 4 times in a row EACH. If you want to run a first-come-first-served karaoke outfit, you might be better off inviting your friends to your filthy apartment and complimenting each other's terrible behavior because that is essentially what they were doing in public. I would rate this place higher due to the beer selection, but I would also burn this place down but for the criminal charges. Go squeeze into the one on LaSalle. You might not sing and you might get crushed by the crowd but you'll have more fun. Hell... you might have more fun watching your childhood pet get put down. Stay away.
(1)
Shawn C.
Dined on 4/22/2014: Featured on Bar Rescue Awesome atmosphere and fantastic assortment of draft local beer...these I would taste as five stars. For those that drink commercial swill they carry cans and bottles of the usual assortment. The music a little loud considering it's a bar/pub and not a dance hall... 2.5 stars. I ordered the Greektown burger (see photo). Lamb absolutely needs to be medium-rare to rate because if you cook it to much lamb becomes rubber. My burger was cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The toppings were absolutely delish. The only thing I didn't like was the bun, which was a ciabatta bun. Lamb is tender but a ciabatta is tough and rubbery, not the best choice of bread. Every time I bit my sandwich hunks of ground lamb fell everywhere. The Youbrioche bun served with the beef burgers would have been a better choice of bread, 4 stars. My waitress had been attentive and was very knowledgeable about the draft beers here. I've got to say, I wish there was a local five as good as this where I live. The one real complaint I have is the $5 coupon on Yelp is long expired. By the way, I liked the double IPA so much I had to have a second. ..lol The real test though is that when I visit Chicago again (which I will, as my daughter is joining the Navy), I will most definitely eat and drink here again!!!
(4)
Matt C.
I am always very weary when I see a slogan or signature on the menu stating, "Best whatever in the wherever"... AND I am not well versed on all the hot spots in Chi-town.. However, ordering a burger (for me) is typically a safe out and a good way to measure what the joint is working with... In this case the experiment / experience was a success. Had the cheddar burger with homemade chips and was REALLY good. I was very pleasantly surprised. While we're on the subject, they have a bang up selection of micro-brews... Lots of really good stuff here. Recommended.
(4)
Justin G.
Awesome late night Downtown sports bar. Relaxed dress code which was perfect after coming back from the Rangers-Sox game. Host was awesome as well.
(5)
Alissa S.
This is a fun bar that is a cheaper option for Hubbard St. They have the typical bar foods like burgers and sandwiches but they try to class it up with fancy cheeses that have no business being there.. give me some pepper jack and lets call it day . They have a good beer selection also. The main problem with this place is that almost every time I have been here karaoke gets set up and it drowns out all possible conversation. Get there before 8pm and you should be ok.
(3)
Jamie H.
I can speak only to the drinks and the atmosphere, as I didn't eat. But, it was around 10:30 - 11 on a Saturday night and we walked right in and got drinks immediately. There was some karokee going on, some bachelorette parties and open tables. Entertainment and a seat...don't mind if I do!
(4)
Molly P.
My boyfriend and I have been coming here pretty regularly over the past couple years that we have lived in the area. Not once have we been disappointed. The staff knows where we like to sit each time we come: a high top located right next to a window and the karaoke area. Generally we come at night for karaoke, typically just to watch but occasionally we jump in there. That is always a lot of fun, unless there is an "older crowd" and you hear a lot of Frank Sinatra. I love Frank just as much as the next guy, but singing 'My Way' at a bar is just not ideal. If you come during karaoke, be prepared-it is loud. If you come before karaoke hours, then it's pretty low-key. We have come during the day for an afternoon beer or early dinner. I have never been disappointed with the food or the service. Food-wise, I typically get the veggie burger. Lots of flavor and the patty is homemade. My boyfriend generally gets a barbecue bacon cheeseburger (I forget the name of it). He is always super happy with it. The fries are good: thin and crispy. I generally get the tots. I am a sucker for tots. A bit of advice: if you are just wanting a snack and the appetizers are not looking appealing, order a side of tots. By 'a side' I mean they bring out a huge plate full of tots for like 3 bucks. The mac and cheese balls are good, too. I can feel my arteries clog when I eat them. My boyfriend and I are both really into local craft beer and this place hits the spot each time. The staff is really knowledgeable about the beer selection. The beer rotates a bit, so make sure you check the screen above the bar and not just the menu. My rule of thumb is to always get draft beer when I go out. I can buy a bottle anytime. Either way, they have a good selection of drafts and bottles. Just go. It's a pretty awesome place.
(5)
Lori A.
Stopped in after seeing this bar on a 2011 episode of bar rescue. Enjoyed the Chicago Poppers with Italian sausage. My husband & I loved the bacon explosion burger of the month & the 1871 burger, which had a little kick at the end. We had a couple beers on tap & loved them! The staff & owners were friendly & the service was great! Would defiantly recommend stopping in!
(4)
Steve L.
Late lunch at 4pm. Great vibe- great service. Wanted to eat at a local place and this is IT. Local food, beef, patrons. Recently Voted best burger so had to test. Did not disappoint. Kelly served us and explained the menu and extensive beer list. Very social and knows how people want to be treated. Sad this is my last day here.
(5)
Denise K.
I've been here several times and keep forgetting to write a review. This place is right around the corner from my office, so it is very convenient. Sometimes it is a quiet get-away for lunch, sometimes it is busy and loud. What is always the same is - great service, great food. The waitresses are normally really busy but friendly. You get a complimentary taste of the soup of the day - it is always tasty. I've had burgers and wraps and have not been disappointed once - and I can have tater tots with my sandwich! Once we tried the mac n cheese bites and even though I am not a fan of mac n cheese (I know - who doesn't love mac n cheese?), they were really good. Sorry - I can't tell you anything about the bar service itself since I go on lunch and can't drink. Looks like they have a selection of crafts though. The bar always seems to be fully seated.
(4)
Cristina I.
1 star based on bad customer service/inexperienced staff. I stopped by last Wednesday at 7:15pm trying to get dinner, and as we asked for a table we were told the kitchen will not be open until 7:30. We thought that was weird but decided to sit and look at the menu in hopes of ordering at 7:30. We were seated, and a few minutes later the waitress came by for a drink order, and then once again informed us the kitchen will not be open until 7:30. I ordered an iced tea, and then saw a waiter bring out food for another table. When we asked if the kitchen was now open we were told that there was a large party and the kitchen was backed up, so in an attempt to "not provide bad service" the kitchen was closed until 7:30. The waitress brought out my iced tea, walked away, and came back within a minute or two later to say the kitchen will now not be open until 8:00. considering that was another 30+ minutes away, my friend and I decided we should head to another place for dinner, and told the waitress. At this point she says ok let me get your check. I expected her to say ok don't worry about the iced tea-but she did not. I literally took one small sip, it was still full. So since she was going to have me pay for it, I asked for a to go cup. She went away and came back saying they cannot give me a to go cup. At this point I was really annoyed and I asked the waitress to get a manager because the situation was getting ridiculous. She said she couldn't do anything about it so she needed to talk to the manager. She walked over to a guy that was next to the podium by the door and then came back saying "don't worry about the iced tea, I'll take care of it". This is what should have happened in the first place, in an attempt to "to not provide bad service" they made the situation even worse. They should have been more upfront and said the kitchen was backed up and were unsure when we would be able to order. I wouldn't have wasted my time and probably would have just given it another try on a different night.
(1)
Kevin O.
You should eat here. Yes, and drink, the extensive list of drafts on tap are amazing (truly great beer menu and knowledgable staff), but the food, particularly lunchtime soups are outstanding. A different homemade soup everyday, that's dedication. I just had the clam chowder and tasted the ocean; its every bit as good as/better here than Shaw's across the street and even GT Oyster, which I do love but not the price. You can tell the soups, burgers, everything here is made with a love.
(5)
John H.
This is beer heaven. Friendly, helpful, awesome bartenders. Did the 1871 Burger. It is great with a mild spicy kick. For those who do not try spicy, be adventurous. There is plenty of hydrating equipment nearby on tap, in the bottle---and even a well-equipped Fire Station on the corner. Feel safe. Worthy of your hard-earned dollars or expense account. Buy American
(5)
Van V.
Great beer selection. Delicious burgers--basic but other creative choices too. Nice wings. Some semi serious pool at their two tables--and darts. Funny Kareoke. Nice servers. A nice bar. We also got a Restaurant.com coupon. Even without that discount, very reasonable and fun.
(4)
Caroline J.
I went here with a LivingSocial deal for 2 burgers and 2 beers and overall had a pretty good experience! I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, because that seems more appropriate. When my boyfriend and I showed up, the front area wasn't too crowded but some group was having the time of their life in the back with karaoke. I wasn't crazy about how their loudness carried to the area we were - made it a bit difficult to carry on a conversation. Our waitress was sweet and attentive; the only time she was a bit slow was noticing we needed the check. Not a big deal. I was a bit annoyed that she only mentioned they had a beer special after we had each already had a beer - we definitely would have gone with the special had we known, since the other beers are a good bit more expensive (though you'd never know it, as they don't put beer prices on the menu - HUGE pet peeve of mine) As for the food, it was great! I ordered the back of the years burger, which was a pork patty with onion rings, some kind of barbecue sauce, and cheese. The bun was toasted, which I love, and the patty was nice and juicy. I pretty much devoured the burger, and shortly after inhaled the fries (also delicious). My boyfriend ordered the 1871, which was also incredibly good. He was a bit frustrated that he asked for medium but the burger was cooked well done. He said it's not a big deal, but it's a little irritating. I'd definitely come back to try more burgers, but the place does get a little pricey. $12 for a burger just seems like a bit too much, especially when you start adding in some pricier beers.
(3)
Karma K.
I like it! It's a bit of a dive and the patrons are usually sloppy drunk but they have a great beer selection and yummy, fattening bar food for dirt cheap prices. They have a few salads too but seriously, why bother? Bonus...it was featured on Bar Rescue so it's kind of like a bad boy of bars!
(5)
Katy S.
We stayed in the Marriott right next door to this place. From the outside, it looked a little divey. I can assure you that the inside was much different. We stopped in for some drinks before getting on the train, because really, who doesn't want to have a good buzz before taking the train? Anywho, we didn't try the food but the drink prices were great. I got a split of champagne and it was only $10. Our waitress was super nice and attentive, too. My only regret is that I did not get to experience the karaoke!
(4)
Ellen A.
I love the atmosphere and staff at this bar/restaurant. Always stop here when I'm in Chicago. The burgers are phenomenal and there's also awesome specials. Oh- and the beer rocks :)
(5)
Zach B.
Great atmosphere. Good music,, good food, plenty of beers on tap as well. I used my restaurant.com coupon and they accept it got food AND drinks. Definite plus there. I would go back for sure. I say at the bar and the bartender was friendly. It was my first time but I definitely plan to go back.
(5)
Patrick D.
Damn good reuben sandwich, compliments to the chef. $5 lite domestic beers. Nice spot
(4)
Christina L.
cool spot - havent tried their food but the karaoke crowd is always so interesting. last time there was a bachelorette party and that was fun to watch. awesome beers on tap - including a delicious dark milk stout. yumm!
(3)
Julio V.
I was curious to try Local 22 out after seeing an old episode of Bar Rescue. Found a Groupon so I figured it would be a perfect time. I found the burgers to be really dry. Had to send back a burger because it was over cooked . Food was overall mediocre. They did have a decent selection of beers, however for the price, I don't see myself going back. Chicago is a city with many options for gourmet burgers and beer.
(2)
Kristen W.
3.5 Stars! (I rounded up because I'm feeling friend;y) Inviting and laid back atmosphere, stopped in here for drinks and the owners were very nice and chatty. I checked them out on Bar Rescue and wanted to head back to try their new menu. I ordered the classic cheeseburger with chips. The burger was cooked to perfection and really juicy and it paired perfectly with the homemade chips. My only complain is about the bun, the bun is really big. While I usually don't mind this, along with being way to think for the burger the bun was pretty hard and dense instead of soft like you'd expect from a big bun. It was just way too much bread and definately overpowered the burger. But nonetheless, it was still a very good burger. Stop in for a burger or some drinks, for a solid laid back atmosphere in River North.
(4)
Miguel C.
I'm a HUGE Bar Rescue fan so when my GF said we were traveling to Chicago this became my #1 thing on my to-do list. When we arrived it was a Thursday night and the place was pretty dead. We were promptly given a table and our server was very attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered the friend pickles and a couple of burgers and everything came out very fast and all were good but a little pricy for what they were but I guess that's Chicago for you. I did see the owner, John, at the bar drinking and it looked like he had a couple beers while we dined. Jon Taffer called out his mom for drinking on the job so I found it surprising that he would be doing it. I get that it was a slow night but it does set a bad image, especially for those of us that have seen the show. Overall, we had a very good experience and we would recommend friends to go there during a visit.
(4)
Basil D.
This is your classic awesome, fantastic neighborhood pub. They serve amazing drinks. They really do. They specialize in local beers. Now, I'm not a huge fan of beer, but this place has even made me a beer lover out of me! All the staff knows about their beers, so ask them for advice if you need it. Now for the food. The burgers are amazing and this is the reason you should come here food-wise. They just know how to put a burger together. They serve creative sides. Everyone has taken to the "sweet potato fries" craze. I've come to find not everyone can do them correctly. These guys do! They use the right temperature of oil to fry them in, and fry them for the correct time so that they're not too mushy (sweet potato fries are naturally like that, but they're sooo good!), so they're not too greasy, nor are they too burned. Their flatbread pizzas are in the ballpark. Good idea, but they need to tweak the measurements of ingredients. The barbecue pizza has the greatest potential. They need to use a less sugary barbecue sauce...make it less sweet and a few more onions. The goat cheese on it is a good idea, again not original, but good idea for pub food. However the sweet sauce doesn't complement the goat cheese like it should. The quesadillas...I want to like them more than I do. If they would just use chunks of chicken it would make it sooo much better. The "pulled chicken" makes it taste like "chicken grissle"....not good. I don't know if it's that or the quality of chicken. But everything else about it is great, the chips served on the side are incredible! Who'da thunk!
(3)
John S.
It's definitely a good bar, but probably not my go to bar in River North. They have a lot of beer selections which cater to local beers, definitely a plus. You can't really get bored of the drinks here. I've had two burgers, one of them the lamb burger (definitely good). The other burger didn't look like a 8oz patty which is a regular at almost any other bar, so that was a negative. It was still good, just not filling for the price you pay. We also had their wings and it was pretty much the smallest wings I've ever seen... not worth the time/price. It's cool they have a ghost pepper challenge, but I think you would fair better else where. I think it's worth checking out because they have exotic burger selections, but I personally don't think its a place I would visit multiple times a year.
(4)
Sumara K.
I am a chronic bar and restaurant researcher. I know, I know. Realistically, Yelp should be my support group, right? But I'm also chronically lazy (think a sloth, with sunglasses on, and a computer to constantly google things, or whatever) to write reviews. However my recent experience (last night, actually) at Local 22 made me excited enough to share my experience. Now, normally being a thorough researcher of good eats, admittedly, I went into this establishment blind. My boyfriend and I had headed into the city with nothing planned which may have been a death move on a Saturday night when the 'Hawks were playing. That being said, Local 22 looked appealing from the outside so we decided to try our luck. Fortunately, they had a table available and we were promptly brought menus and water. Everyone seemed friendly, but it was slightly busy (again, being a Saturday and hockey). After taking my time on the menu, I opted for a State Street Grilled Cheese (and asked if they could add bacon...score! They did) while my boyfriend chose the Southside Irish burger. Our server (who's name slips my mind, but he was absolutely friendly) did make mention they were having a rather busy night, so it might take a bit of time for food to come. We had no problem with that (again, did I mention hockey?) and ordered a couple beers. Our food though, came out surprisingly quick despite the server's warning.. and WOW. Amazing. Turns out though, they brought me the wrong grilled cheese. Instead of the state street with bacon, I received the Michigan Avenue Grilled Cheese with bacon. Did I mind? Absolutely not. It was, hands down, the BEST grilled cheese I've ever eaten. I'm always on the search for a perfect one, and I definitely found it at Local 22. Didn't bother to let the server know of the error in ordering, because I was over the moon pleased with what I got instead. The fries were fantastic also. Thin shoestring types with just enough crunch but still a little bit of give. Think McDonald's fries back in the day when McDonald's actually served food that was edible (mid 80s?), But I was in love with these fries. My boyfriend thought his burger was fantastic. It was cooked perfectly, and it was just filling enough so that he was full. Great value for sure. My only two issues: 1. I dislike a place that doesn't put all it's prices on the menu. I have no problem paying what a drink is worth, but I'd like to see what that price is. Otherwise I feel like a bar is just trying to be shady. We did order four total of the Rosa Hibiscus Ale by Revolution (Which was really amazing, by the way) but it was a slight annoyance that the price wasn't listed. 2. I didn't see a dessert menu (If there was one and I missed it, my bad!) but it would have been awesome to have a small bite of something sweet before leaving. Also, they were out of the burger of the month, so we didn't get to try that. Overall, great place! I will definitely be back.
(4)
Kyla H.
I have such a soft spot for this place. Mostly because they carry VanderMill's Cider (big shout out to Spring Lake, Michigan!). The drink selection is quite extensive. The clientele also seems to be a bit of a departure from the typical River North crowd, which is a welcome change. All of the food that I've tried has been great, specifically the french fries! All in all, a great spot to come for something just a little different.
(4)
Darcie B.
Great food for value. Huge side portions. Friendly service. Good tap selection. Definitely will return.
(4)
Robert G.
My wife and I just moved to Chicago and what a find! It's hard to find because of the scaffolding hiding their true entrance, but a great find indeed. As far as pricing goes they are competitive and have great food. The beer selection, and I am a connoisseur by the way, is fabulous, only if the price point here could be a little better. Then again it is downtown Chicago! Also, being a karaoke fanatic the show is a good time. A diverse crowd gives energy to the night! Only criticism here is for the KJ to make sure to be cognizant of his playlist. On occasion he'd allow back to back singers instead of keeping a solid organized playlist. All in all, what a cool place! The staff is friendly, upbeat, and really want to serve their guests. I will say, however, night management needs to be careful when cutting too early. They let the servers go, ours had us cash out, and then they got slammed. Rather safe then sorry is a great motto! If you're ever in town and just want to have some fun, enjoy good drinks, fun, and delicious food stop on in to the Blue Frog Local 22! You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Greig M.
I joined Yelp just to review this place as some of the reviews below seem oddly down on what I found to be a great place. Having just arrived in town and needing a beer and a burger, my wife and I saw this place was just a block from our hotel, and since our 'usual' first stop, Rock Bottom, looked packed, we headed to Blue Frog's Local 22. I'm so pleased we did. What we got was extremely friendly and attentive service, a great atmosphere, and tasty food and beer. Our server (receipt says 'Moe-Joey' so one of those :)) had a great smile and she had that particular skill, so often lacking, of magically appearing exactly when we needed her. We ordered burgers (get The Maxwell - like a deconstructed Chicago dog reincarnated in sandwich form) and a couple of great local beers. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. I was hoping to explore the beer list further but after the tasty burger and fries, I was too full to drink more! My only criticism is that the beers seemed a little pricey for locally brewed stuff. Still, I only get to Chicago every few years, and this was my first stop so maybe that's a fair price for the location now. Addendum: so this was a 'Rescued' bar? I don't recall the particular show but I'll have to watch it. I guess they learned their lesson as the place is fantastic!
(5)
Ruben R.
Good beer selection. Definitely hipstery. Prices were pretty high, but I think it's the neighborhood. Didn't stick around for karaoke, could've made the place more interesting.
(3)
Brad H.
Local 22 is always on my to do list on my frequent trips to Chicago. Karaoke, large selection of local beers, and a laid back really chill atmosphere.
(5)
Jeff D.
Came here for lunch 2 days ago and for the price and size of portions, it's worth it! I had the Chicken Wings (Buffalo) along with tots and my friend had a Blackened Chicken sandwich. We also ordered the Fried Pickles and they were great too! I'd come back for drinks next time along with coming back for lunch for sure. I'd give it 5 stars but the wait for our entrees was just a tad too long especially if it's lunch time and there were only a few tables occupied at that time.
(4)
Jim S.
So so: the staff was very friendly the food was mediocre
(3)
Gina S.
The hubs has been hounding me to go to the Blue Frog because he saw it on Bar Rescue, so when I saw their Groupon I figured I wasn't loosing anything to give it a try. The location is conveniently located between State and Michigan, easily accessible by the L. It was a nice day so we ate outside. The split sidewalk patio doesn't provide an ideal dining space, split meaning foot traffic walks right through. It's in a busier walking area, at least 2 dozen groups walked by during our meal. And the surrounding area does not exactly provide what I would call a great view. I had a blueberry cider, mag mile turkey burger with a salad for a $2 up-charge. The hubs had a Matilda, classic burger with pasta salad because fries would have been a $2 up charge. While they provided plenty of side options to accompany your burger, fries should not be additional. Most burgers come standard with fries if it's a meal so this was off-putting, especially when the burger was minimum $12. The food was good, the location was okay. I would describe it as a dive with decent but overpriced food.
(3)
Kathleen C.
I was here when it was the previous incarnation of Blue Frog, but this was my first time at the 'updated' location. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what changed as it looked and felt the same. I tried some wine and it was pretty tasty (and the selection wasn't bad for what seems like more of a beer bar). The server came back to check if I liked it - nice touch. I was meeting a colleague for drinks and we additionally tried the mac&cheese bites (quite good, though they fell apart and we didn't have silverware). I tried a few fried pickles as well - not bad. All in all, it's a pretty good spot, but I probably wouldn't specifically head to this area to go there as it didn't really knock my socks off.
(3)
Taylor M.
I came here one night when my eyes were definitely bigger than my tummy. We couldn't decide between two appetizers, so of course we ordered both. We started our meal with fried pickles and fried jalapeño mac and cheese balls. Needless to say, by the time the burgers showed up, I was pretty stuffed from the apps! Both were fabulous and I am glad we ordered both. I just wish my boyfriend and I stopped there or split a burger after.. but no... we ordered more drinks (hard cider for me) and each got a burger. I was wasteful and only ate a couple bites. I did not like the burger as much as the apps and I found the pasta salad tasteless. Service was okay. We wanted to get out quick after karaoke started. A funny side note, my boyfriend walked in on an older couple in the bathroom, but the lad quickly explained she was "just helping her husband with his belt"... ya sure lady...
(4)
Steven D.
Real nice vibe here, good groove tunes, borderline dive bar. Mac cheese bacon bites are quite good. I was over ambitious ordering the steak salad. I could see the marks on the meat left by the jockey. Staff is very friendly. Solid local beer selection on tap.
(5)
Stephanie M.
This bar has come up a long ways from where it used to be. They have a great selection of craft beer on tap now (try the Dragon's Milk). The best part is that its not pretentious! If you're one that's familiar with the River North area, you'll understand what this means. The servers and bartender makes you feel like family and not just another client. They also have karaoke night, and the bartenders and servers alike sings with you! Fun!!
(4)
Stephanie C.
How much more can I love this place? We started going here for lunch years ago and haven't looked back. (Lunch has also expanded to happy hours and dinner...). The food is outstanding here -- awesome burgers (check out the burger of the month whenever you go -- it's usually miraculous), HOMEMADE soup and chili every day, reubens, sweet potato fries, homemade chips, tots, fried pickles. Oh, there are salads and wraps, too, if you're feeling less gluttony. I've just never had anything bad here. Not only is the food menu outstanding, but the bar menu is so impressive -- I've had some of the best wine here -- and beer selections that even my snobbiest beer friends enjoy. Also? Even though the place is downtown, it doesn't have downtown prices. Which means we come here. A lot. The best part of the whole experience, though, are the folks who keep the place running. If you're looking for a place where everyone knows your name, this could be it. If you're looking for more of an undisclosed-location and privacy, this could be it too -- they're very adaptable. If you haven't checked out the Local, do so -- soon. And then become one. A local at the Local. You won't regret it.
(5)
Andrea N.
Once again, we came here only because of Bar Rescue. Yes I know, a lame reason. But in really glad we included it on our bar crawl! We walked in and my boyfriend and I immediately saw all the bar rescue things! We were most excited about the frosty mugs freezer! The boy got one, and it was indeed frosty! We got two awesome bartenders who were so nice and friendly! We asked them about the show and they were more than willing to give us the "inside scoop". I'm not going to give away any secrets though. You'll have to head in and ask for yourself ;) We ordered two of their famous burgers. They are sooooo good. I don't know what the sauce is they use (and I most likely don't want to) but it was delish! I totally recommend eating one of these burgers! It seems like they have good deals during the week, plus trivia and karaoke in other nights. It was a lot less crowded on a Saturday night than I expected, but it was a bit early (8pm). Overall, great to check out if your a Bar Rescue fan, and it's a great place for a burger! If we lived closer, we'd be there a lot more often!
(4)
Jessica N.
This is probably a 3-star place but they were so nice to our group I had to give them 4. We came in hours after a daytime wedding reception and we were rowdy and messy and somehow did not get kicked out of this place! Had a chicken wrap that was tasty. Bartender remembered my name, gave me water when he could tell I probably had too many :) All around good time! Bonus stars for the karaoke host too! I wish Karaoke started earlier than 10!
(4)
Eli S.
Horrible service and horrible food. I'm not surprised to learn that this bar was featured on a show where it needed to be "rescued." I felt like we needed to be rescued from a horrible dining experience. There are so many better places to go in Chicago.
(1)
Karen Y.
Great food!! All home made, great selection of beers and very friendly staff, good location near magnificent mile.
(5)
Natalia K.
Came here with a friend to use a groupon and we were not impressed. The beer list was old, which is fine, but the waitress should have pointed out which beers were off the list before my heart settled on one of them- and she should have told me which beers were their replacements. Whatever. Got my stout, onto dinner. My friend and I were chatting quite a bit to catch up and our menus were still in front of us. Sign that we were not ready to order, yet the waitress came back every five minutes to ask. Then when we had decided, with our menus put aside, a sign that we were ready to order, we had to wait 20 minutes for her to come back and she either didn't see or ignored my attempts to flag her down. It wasn't even crowded. I ordered the blackened salmon with green goddess dressing, whatever that is, and my friend had the grilled cheese and soup. The soup too had changed from what was on the menu but we hadn't heard about that until my disappointed friend had to go with whatever they had. I know this place ain't fancy, but if there are specials or menu changes or whatever, it is your job to let us know. Why would you want to stare at two disappointed faces which then turn slightly panicked when trying to decide what they want on the spot? My salmon came out certainly blackened, more like charcoal than charred. I ate it, because I was hungry, but the black sides encased a pretty dry fish and whatever blackening spices were on there were seriously burned off. My friend ate her food but later said it didn't sit well on her stomach. When it was time to pay, I mentioned I had a groupon and the waitress said I was $2 off, oops- too bad they don't have dessert, so I ordered another beer. Then she brought the check with the original amount, which she made sure to mention was for "gratuity purposes." Overall, I've most definitely experienced better, and my friend and I agreed that we wouldn't be coming back.
(2)
Karen K.
A friend and I threw a private Karaoke / Dance party here - and had a blast. The team was well prepared for our group (about 200 people who like to drink and sing), and adapted the plan as needed. The set up was exactly what we asked for and the staff were friendly & quick with service. This is a great place for private events.
(5)
Kison P.
Great place for casual hang out. The staff are great and will keep you entertained. Food is better than expected, probably not the healthiest.. but you will probably not give a shit by the time your ready to order. Also is a good place to host events with a fun/casual theme.
(5)
Mat C.
One of my favorite haunts in River North because it doesn't exhibit the typical soulless douchiness that characterizes most of the establishments in the area. Food is great all around, the tap list is ALL local, plus great bomber selection to boot!
(5)
Amanda B.
Great and friendly service! Amazing burgers-try the loop and poppers that will change your life :) come back in the evening for some cool karaoke!
(5)
Steve S.
I was there on a weekend in the early evening however, they were not that busy I was surprised of the slow service. My server did not know the menu because when I asked questions he wasn't sure. As I waited for my food I realized "this place was on Bar Rescue!" and was totally looking forward for my food. It took forever for my food & it was cold when I got it... I was ready to walk out however, Im not that kind of person. I told a few friend about my experience and they said similar comments, I would never go back.
(1)
Greg S.
Just had lunch here 2/6/15. The place is evidently known for its' burgers, but I had a cup of the homemade chicken and sausage gumbo and a southwestern cobb salad. Both were fantastic. The salad featured a nicely seasoned chicken breast and a nice homemade dressing that was flavorful, but not heavy. When I sat down, they gave me a small taste of the soup of the day (gumbo) which sold me immediately. Beer list is expansive and the staff was super friendly and cool. I look forward to coming back for happy hour and more lunches in the future.
(5)
Neil R.
I'm somewhat biased about this place as it was really close to where I lived and was very easy to go to eat/drink. But that said, its a great place to grab local Chicago beer and the bartenders are very cool and knowledgeable. They offer good recommendations based on your taste and are fun to chat with. I have to also say, the burgers here are great! There is a lamb burger that is amazing but so is the beef burger. There is a decent amount of room although the bar is sometimes hard to get a seat at.
(4)
James A.
Excellent. Great beer. Awesome service. Delicious hamburger, homemade bun and fresh local toppings make this burger a cut above.
(5)
Jessica R.
This place is so great that we went two days in a row. All local beers and food products. The featured burger had fried chorizo and a jalapeño sauce on it, honestly best burger I ever had. Paired with a kidnapped by Vikings beer, and I was in heaven. The staff is super friendly, they remembered our names after only being there once. Great spot for lunch with awesome playlists and plenty of tv's. Can't wait to check it out for karaoke sometime.
(5)
Kim B.
Service was amazing. Brittany was great but literally three other people backing her up too. Super nice and the food was great. Biggest burger I've ever had and was well done. Just moved to Chitown but will be back for sure with friends.
(5)
Jill and Ying J.
Typical bar food, but very well done. We swung by after work and got the reuben, the fried mac&cheese balls, chicken wrap, and the tuscan sausage soup. Even after a 15min walk in the freezing cold, the food was still delicious. The reuben was one of the most delicious I've ever had, and the tuscan soup was simply fantastic. Definitely a good spot to grab a bite. And great happy hour beer deals also, to rinse it all down.
(4)
Jimmy K.
Such a great place to sit outside and enjoy a cold local beer. They always have plenty of great options on tap and most are from the vibrant Chicago craft beer scene. The waitstaff are friendly and relaxed (emphasis on relaxed because sometimes you have to flag them down) but always extremely pleasant and accommodating. What I love most is that it is one of the rare places you can go to in River North and feel like you are at a neighborhood bar and avoid all of the tourists.
(4)
Krista D.
I really liked this place. I watch Bar Rescue so I figured I had to check it out It's low key and the staff are so nice and attentivef. They have like 30 local draft beers so we tried some of those. We also were told to check out the Chicago poppers which were soooooo good. Affordable drinks and a nice escape from the tourist areas :)
(4)
Danielle M.
This place is okay. It wasn't crowded so we got in right away. Went straight to the bar to try some of the many beers on tap. Our bartender was good- he seemed to know a decent amount about the beers, and let us sample 2 based on our preferences. My boyfriend and I both ordered a two brothers amber. (I wish he would have told us the name; we only know it's two brothers because of the glass). It was great! I never leave a tab open at a bar, so I closed it out; after that, our bartender never came back, even after looking at my boyfriends empty glass several times. Unfortunately one short-haired blonde woman behind the bar drove us (and the couple next to us) out fast. The couple next to us asked for a beer recommendation and she said "well they're all good." He said he was looking for a beer like Stella, and instead of making a comparison to a beer they had there she just told them that they don't sell Stella, so they left. As for us, we left pretty quickly after she loudly yelled that one of the workers was having sex in the back room. Overall, the beer was great, and most of the workers were decent. Too bad that woman ruined it for us.
(2)
William D.
Great burgers, great spirits, friendly staff. Fun place to eat and relax.
(5)
Nick P.
I went in with a party of 8, after we waited over thirty minutes for our checks, the waitress brought one check and told us we could not split it up. Then I went up to the bar to ask if we could split up the check and the bartender had to split it for her. The waitress dropped the checks off ten minutes later, then didn't come back again for another five minutes. It's taken an hour at this point just to pay. It might just be this waitress that does a poor job, but me and my group did not enjoy the experience at all. With all the other restaurants to try in chicago, I'm not going to waste my time coming back here.
(1)
Angela S.
Great food and great prices. Prime location and so big that there's always a place to sit. Most places in this 'hood are crowded with tourists. Awesome place to watch sports and take in the local flavors.
(4)
Mary Jane D.
If you're looking for a comfortable, friendly place with the most awesome staff serving the best burgers in town - this is the place. We come here as often as possible - because we always have a great experience. John's home made soups and chile are the best. Burger of the Month always knocks our socks off. Kelly and the staff make everybody feel like they're a friend - not just a customer. Great outdoor seating, too, makes it extra fun on a beautiful day in Chicago....
(5)
Nicole S.
The karaoke guy on Thursday night was an a**... But the shots were good. Not happy at all with the karaoke guy.
(2)
Amy R.
Came here with a groupon. Burgers are just ok. Had better. Beer list isn't THAT big in comparison to most other places in Chicago. I had a revolution bottoms up wit and when I got to towards the bottom, found little black floaties. Checked the bottom of the glass, yep! There it is! A bunch of black flecks stuck to the bottom of the glass and some were starting to get dislodged. What is it?! Cigarette ash from a previous use? This place needs to clean! Dirty glasses and sticky floors/ tables, don't make your burger appetizing. If you're going to a dive bar for the end of the night, this is the place. Although, I don't think I'll be coming back unless I'm already too drunk to care. Service was good though.
(2)
Allison K.
We had a fun time last night! We were bar hopping and realized we were close to the place, and being huge fans of Bar Rescue, had to stop by. We recognized the owner, and spend the whole time laughing with her about her experiences while taping the episode. She is so friendly, and it was a blast hanging out with her and her staff. The bartender suggested a few different beers and gave me samples to try. They have an excellent local beer selection. We ordered the pulled pork sliders and they were amazing! I will definitely be back. I liked the people, atmosphere, drinks, location and food!
(5)
Rick P.
Great burgers. My son and I ordered the 1971 and the Greektown and split. Can't decide which was better.
(4)
Beth K.
Kinda like Cheers, where everyone knows your name.
(5)
Shana G.
Ordered the Taylor street chicken with butternut squash soup for lunch. Everything was absolutely delicious! The chicken also came with tasty homemade chips. Only negative was that the consistency of the soup was a bit too thick but was still good. Hence, the reason I rated Blue Frog's as 4 stars instead of 5. I may have given 4 stars for good service if I'd dined-in, but we had a group lunch delivered to my office. Otherwise it was excellent, and I would definitely dine-in there in the near future.
(4)
David S.
Saw this place on bar rescue and wanted to check it out for a while now. I was going to a concert at the house of blues with my girlfriend and realized this place was right around the corner so I absolutely had to check it out. We came in around 5 pm and not many people there with all the employees huddled around talking I assume they had opened around 4, we were seated in the dining area and our sever was bri. I am not big on craft beer but this place has a wide selection of it. Bri was very helpful in helping us choose a type of beer in which our tastes are used too. I ordered a flywheel and my girlfriend ordered some sort of bells beer I forgot which one but we both really liked them. For food we both ordered a cup of their chicken tortilla soup which was very good and unique because it was a cream base and very tasty. I ordered it with the Capone sandwich which I however did not enjoy. It was loaded with too much vinegar herbs or whatever it was but that made it not enjoyable, all the combined meats with it just didn't taste well, perhaps I should have sent it back but at that point I just wasn't in the mood to eat anything else, had two bites and that was it. We didn't stay long because we had to get to the concert but even though I'm rarely in the city I might possibly return if I wasn't the area again, the service was very good.
(3)
Megan M.
Loved this place! We watched FIFA here on Sunday and had a great time. The staff was fantastic and attentive and the food was great. Can't wait to go again.
(5)
Izzy N.
I watched their Bar Rescue episode after visiting for the first time. What a hot ass mess! It was freeeeezing outside on my first visit but I'm really glad I came to this hidden gem so to speak, as it's always nice to find a bar in the neighborhood that's a change of pace from the rest. Low key, cool chill staff and most importantly: delicious fried pickles. That is what will bring me back.. fried pickles and to drink in a dark place looking like shit.
(4)
A J.
My boyfriend and I stopped in yesterday afternoon after a liesurely walk. We had seen the place on Bar Rescue and live a couple blocks away, so we had always wanted to try it. I wish we hadn't have gone. Our service was terrible. The place was not busy at all and our waitress maybe came to our table 3 times throughout the whole meal. Our food took about 35 minutes (keep in mind the place was not busy) and we didn't have cutlery yet when our food came so I had to wait to start eating even once we got our food. She only came by to see if we wanted refills on our empty drinks once and it was after they had been sitting there empty for over 20 minutes. We were there for about an hour, about 50 of which were spent waiting for something, whether it be for someone to take our order or to get our food. My boyfriend enjoyed his food and the chips were good, but mine was dry and not really enjoyable. Will not come back and will warn anyone thinking about stopping by here against it. Terrible, terrible service. I really wish we had just gone to Subway.
(1)
Mallory H.
I really dig Local 22. I work in the area and it's one of my go-to places for a casual sit down lunch. They have a large patio with enough shade that doesn't make you feel like you are baking in the sun. Service is always friendly and welcoming which is huge (especially in River North). Do yourself a favor and get the sweet potato fries. Hands down the best I have ever had - the kitchen knows how to do them right. Nothing worse than a soft/soggy sweet potato fry and I have never had a bad one from here. My friend ordered tater tots which were also awesome. I've had several wraps and a burger, my favorite is the Taylor Street wrap w/ the Spinach tortilla. All in all great place and worth checking out!
(5)
Brett H.
Cool atmosphere and a great beer selection. Their burgers and flat breads are very creative and overall a fun menu. Service was solid and will definitely be back.
(4)
Erin O.
I went to Local 22 for my birthday a few months back, and had a BLAST at karaoke. I liked that there was no stage so everyone just kind of danced and sang together, eliminating any stage fright (okay, a few beers helped with that too). Great atmosphere. Pretty good, though pretty typical bar food (as far as I can remember). I think my main complaint was that they were out of a lot of the beers I wanted, but it happens. Overall I really enjoyed Local 22 and I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Ken E.
Great local joint. The burgers are unique and tasty! One of my favorites whenever I'm in the Chi-Town.
(4)
Robert G.
We came from out of town. We wanted to sample some of the local beer and this seemed to be the place to do it. We were surprised by how much we enjoyed the food and the helpful waitress added to our enjoyment. The price was reasonable. We ate outside.
(5)
Kyle P.
great beer list and very good service. everyone is super nice and attentive and the burgers are great.....had a great bowl of soup there. it was cream of jalapeno....crazy but good. haven't been for Karaoke but nice to walk down after work or for lunch
(4)
Roberto G.
Had seen the "overhaul" on Bar Rescue so figured I'd try it . This is the 2nd time "trying" to go to this place. The 1st time I tried to go , I could not find parking on the street so I gave up and left. This time I had my motorcycle so was able to find parking easily. I went on a Friday at about 6ish. The place is nice and there was not a lot of people there yet which was odd to me being that the Bulls were playing. Anyway , ordered the "famous" burger that Bar Rescue raved about. Not the greatest but I would go back. Drinks are all local but , personally , am more for the "traditional" drinks. Service was awesome. The waiter was friendly and extremely attentive. A little pricey but overall worth it. Overall ; I would go back as long as parking allows.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background, Karaoke Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Michael M.
The bar itself is nothing special. It is not well ventilated and can get really cramped. The food is pretty good and the burgers I had were tasty. Food prices are reasonable.
(3)Jon M.
Saw their episode of Bar Rescue and thought we'd give it a shot. So glad we did! Great draft selection of local favorites like 3F's, 2 Bros., Half Acre and loads more. Didn't go dinner, but had some apps that were hot and tasty and pretty creative. Definitely would recommend the mac n' cheese bites and the Chicago poppers.
(5)Amy D.
I love this place and the concept of sourcing local food (and beer) and basing their menu off of the local ethnic neighborhoods. I do preface this as a great Burger and Beer type place. They have other options which I have not had, the burgers are good enough to keep me coming back. I have been here 3 times and every time is just as good as the first. I have tried something different each time I've gone although the Chorizo Poppers were a must each time. They are crispy with just the right amount of spice from the pepper and chorizo and a good added texture with the black beans. The burgers are cooked to order, perfectly done and always amazing. I've had the Pilsen (pepper jack cheese and jalapeno aoli), the Southsider (home made sauerkraut and Irish cheddar) and most recently the Greektown (lamb burger with herbed goat cheese). I've tried the Maxwell burger as well topped with Maxwell street sausage. House made chips are fantastic, and so are the tater-tots, but I've tried the red pepper potato salad as well, also fantastic. The beer selection is great, there are some tried and true constants, but they also have a good rotating menu so you are sure to find something you like on one of their 24 taps. I recommend this for a great casual meal downtown, especially if you like to support the local mom and pop type economy. The place is never super busy the times I've gone, but if you have a large group I would call ahead to ensure seating. I would also recommend this place for an after work happy hour or a great meeting place before you begin your night downtown.
(5)Briandi L.
This place is great! I really did not expect it to be so fabulous or for it to have such great food and service and provided! My friend and I were just walking along looking for a place to eat and ran into this hole in the wall GEM! The pasta salad (that is offered as a side) was delicious! The best pasta salad I have ever had! The burger and wrap that we ordered were delicious as well! You get a great amount of food for the price!
(4)Tweety Girl L.
Bought a groupon and hoped for the best. YUM YUM YUM!! Food was friggin awesome. Don't leave without having the fried pickles! My boyfriend loved the beer, and the burgers were amazing. I got mildy frustrated with the slow service but I also didn't see how many tables the girl had inside as well since we sat outside. I'm a server so I know its a PITA doing tables inside and out so I didn't put up a fuss. That would be my only advice to them; don't forget to check on your tables outside. Oh, and the girl's bathroom can use some work. But I would definitely go again and certainly recommend it.
(4)Carmen C.
Used Restaurant.com gift certificate - first customers at 11:00 am on a Sunday, with our 2 children - we were the only patrons present - excellent service - fantastic macaroni bites and burgers - tasty butternut squash soup (though a little cold) and fancy/fun take on grilled cheese - bathrooms could use a little re-do - will go again, even without restaurant.com !
(4)Dan S.
Just went to Local 22 for Burger Binge Week's $5 burger. They offer the burger of the month with chips. The burger was very good and definitely an artery clogger. Our server, Alex, was very helpful as well. I will definitely be going back for another burger soon. They have a bunch of regular burgers on the menu that look very appealing.
(4)Caitlin M.
They have a really good beer list, most of it is midwest local. I was there on a Wednesday night and it had a decent sized crowd, but we didn't need reservations for 4 people. It was kind of loud of a week night, but that is my only real compliant. I had the burger of the month, it was amazing, mozzarella sticks and melted beer based cheese on a burger! It came out really fast. The free side options are potato chips or a red pepper pasta salad, you have to pay for fries, onion rings, or whatever the other options are. I had the red pepper pasta salad, it was ok. There were no red peppers in it, but lots of olives, which I am not a fan of. It could have used a little something more to give it a kick, but it was fine the way it was. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. I would go back, everything on the menu looked great!
(4)John G.
Let me start by saying this place has a great Chicago themed menu. Not too many items, but enough of a selection for a small bar. The appetizers all sounded fantastic, but I had to narrow it down to the Mac n cheese bites; excellent choice on my part. The entrees also sounded quite appetizing. Being the burger guy I am, I ventured away from the "loop" style burger (American classic) and ordered the "18th street" burger of the month. A choice I didn't regret, but would not make again. Boasting a Mexican twist to the aforementioned American classic, the burger patty was cooked perfectly and piled with a strong cilantro infused shredded beef. Enter: house sauce with a dab of sour cream and chihuahua cheese, melted together between a great tasting bun. A great addition to a colorful menu. I'd also recommend the homemade chips for a side instead of the typical fries or rings. Oh, and there's beer too. Lots of great local brews along with the familiar selection. The staff here is also very friendly for a city pub. It does get a bit crowded at night for you karaoke lovers out there, but hey, that's Chicago for ya.
(3)Danielle S.
This is your typical locals only type of establishment. I was unaware they were on Bar Rescue when I desperately searched for a place to eat in the middle of a typical Chicago rainstorm. I was definitely take aback by the noise of the bar patrons who clearly didn't take into consideration that others were trying to enjoy their dining experience! We were ushered to the corner and were promptly greeted by a server with an interesting hairstyle and an upbeat demeanor. I ended up ordering a steak sando cooked medium rare with homemade chips. The sandwich was good. Served on a roll with an aioli and grilled mushrooms, the meat was mostly tender and cooked well. The chips were crispy and salty, what you would want from homemade chips. Overall the food was good, nothing to write home about. The ambiance was that of a local neighborhood bar, which is exactly what it is. The service could use some work... I don't think my parents appreciated being called kids, and it wasn't exactly quick either. It seems like they still have some bugs to work out after their rescue but it seems like they are headed in the right direction.
(3)Jon B.
I walked in here because I watch the show Bar Rescue a couple weeks ago. I have to say I was very impressed. Food was really good and service was friendly. I even met the manager, Jon, and thought it was very nice of him to talk to me. I'll definitely come back here next time I'm in the city!
(5)Roshan S.
For a bar on the show 'Bar Rescue' i expect better service. Our waitress was amazing (if this review was just her then I'd give her 5 stars). But the hostess was straight up rude. I met a friend and the hostess didn't let us seat because we didn't have the entire group 6 people there, when there were plenty of empty tables. Then when we tried to add more chairs she curtly told us no because it would block the way even though the 16 people table next to us was blocking. The hostess was very curt and would walk away without trying to accommodate us in someway. This was not a busy night and there were plenty of open tables so she just had some problem with us. My suggestion is to move onto Muther hubbards or even rock bottom down the street. If the owner of this place reads this I hope you know that your Thursday night hostess is costing you business. I will never come here again and will tell my friends the same. Chicago has plenty of other places to go to. Maybe Bar Rescue needs to come there and have a part 2.
(2)Alison T.
Bar Rescue...let's check it out. It was ok. Great selection of local beers, and "Tourists" which is what they call beers from other places that are just there for a select period of time. The hostess stand had a sign out to wait to be seated, after 8 min. we went to the bar then seated ourselves. Finally a server cam by and asked if we wanted menus, yes please. She brought them back in a timely fashion, but we never saw her again. We stopped a barback that was going by to ask for a server, which he promptly got for us. The second server was on the ball! She got our food order and had it back out to us pretty quickly. The food was good, I would eat it again. The noise level left something to be desired though. It was so loud that our group of 4 at a table could barely hear each other. Everyone in there was trying to be heard over everyone else. Can you all tone it down 5 decibels, then everyone can hear themselves think! Karaoke started, which only made it louder. There were a couple of good singers that got up there. Then one went up, an older gentleman Gary. He started his song, and was doing well, then he whipped out a harmonica and belted it out. He was the highlight of our experience there!!
(3)Michael S.
I stopped here for dinner and ate on the patio with a friend. This is a great place to eat if you really want to eat outdoors but don't want to wait 45 minutes at one of the fancy restaurants on state st as their patio is large and was not busy for us on a Sunday night. We really enjoyed the prices here as they are quite reasonable given the river north location. All the burgers and sandwiches are $10-12 and there was a mojito/mimosa drink special for $5. We started with fried pickles and honey bbq wings and they were both good. Our entrees were two different burgers. Everything was tasty although it didn't blow me away. I do remember having a grilled chicken sandwich here last year however that was delicious. Overall, I think this is a great option if you are looking for some good bar food for a reasonable price downtown. This place also has a very friendly atmosphere and crowd unlike some of the places on Hubbard st which often become infested with obnoxious bros and D-bags.
(4)Iman W.
I expect bars to have sticky floors at midnight. This place had sticky floors at 4pm, before the fresh off of work crowd got there, so ehh... Staff is friendly (though it took a looooong time to be brought our check), beverage options are definitely adequate, and while I am no expert at ordering bar food, I was impressed by theirs. They have some pretty solid burgers. If you're in the area and don't mind being momentarily stuck to the floor, pop on in!
(4)Chip G.
The burger of the month was really good. It was a burger with rib meat and ghost pepper cheese. Good beer list and we enjoyed talking with Kelly and John. I will definitely be back.
(4)Lingyi P.
Came here on a Friday night with a group of friends for karaoke. The food and drinks were good, and the ambience was lively. We had a lot of fun singing with the crowd. However, the service was terrible. Our waitress was clearly not in a good mood that night, to say the least. The orders came pretty fast and my burger was good. The problems started with us waiting for water.. We asked our waitress for water for three people and only got one glass...ok. We suffered in silence for about half an hour. We then asked for water again and finally got a flask of water but no glasses. With no apparatuses to drink out of, we decided to drink from the water flask. Another hour passed before our waitress came by again. At this point, she saw one of my friends drinking out of the water flask and she SNATCHED the bottle from his hands. As he was drinking from it. She then snapped, you can't drink from that! Um, I'm sorry, but who snatches drinks from customers? But hey, I thought, maybe she'll finally bring us the glasses of water we asked for an hour and half ago? But alas, no. She came back to tell us that if we didn't order anything else, she needed the table for other people. It was a really fun place to hang out, sing, watch other people sing, but snatching a drink from a customer by a waitress is just unacceptable. Sad that the service didn't match the quality of the rest of the venue.
(2)Melissa E.
Great bar, one that I would have not have gone to if not for the company of some fellow conference attendees. Menu was pretty standard but with some little twists to keep it interesting. I had a cup of their Mexican pollo soup and that was superb. The waitress was great too, calm and collected in a rowdy group - was very nice. Only weird thing is that we had to ask for water...idk I thought that would be a given when ordering food. I would recommend!
(4)Steve A.
This place bills themselves as serving "the best burger in Chicago" and they may be right. I certainly can't remember having a better burger than their "Back O' Da Yards" burger. Funny thing is, it didn't contain beef. The ground pork patty had been cooked medium well, with a great crust on the surface, yet moist in the center. Two crispy onion rings and a generous serving of bacon rounded out the cooked ingredients. The bun was perfectly grilled, and the smoked gouda added a nice creaminess. A great burger. I was also impressed with the mixed green salad I chose as a side. The greens were fresh, as were the accompanying, cucumber, onion and shredded carrots, and the blue cheese dressing, served on the side, was excellent. There is a nice selection of draft beers. I really enjoyed the smoky stout I chose. There are plenty of items on the menu other than burgers, although they're obviously a specialty. There are also plenty of TVs for sports fans, but i was pleased that the audio at lunch time when I visited ran more to Black Sabbath than sportscasts. I'm glad this place is so close to my home base, as I will be a frequent visitor.
(5)Greg W.
Bar rescue bar alert! Went on a Saturday night, knowing nothing other than what I saw on the show. Apparently they have karaoke six nights or seven nights a week??!?! Good beer list with solid bartenders but all that karaoke is just not for me, ESPECIALLY on a Saturday night.
(3)Matthew C.
Great selection of local beers. Service was prompt and friendly. I did bring up Bar Rescue and they were open to talk about it. I'm nervous bringing that up just because I don't know if that show always leaves a good taste in everyone's mouth. But they spoke positively of it. And they seem like they really kept the momentum going. The place still looks great and it all works really well. If you're in Chicago, stop by. You'll be glad you did.
(4)Sharon B.
My husband and I enjoyed our lunch post my half marathon run. I loved the grilled cheese sandwich their homemade potato chips. The cheeses were an excellent combo and the chips were thin and crispy. The beer selection makes it easy to please anyone. I tried the peach and ginger cider and it was a delight. Kelly suggested Not Your Father's Root Beer and I loved it. I was excited to find it in San Diego! Overall, great experience from the friendly service, delicious menu and wide selection of beer. I'll be back.
(4)Olivia U.
This place is AMAZING!! Such a great local spot, great local beer selections & great chili!! The food is on point! I usually get a burger or a wrap.... fantastic! Definitely worth the trip :)
(5)Jennifer N.
This place was super cool!! I would never had heard of it if it wasn't for me looking up local karaoke places and since I'm quite the karaoke fan I just had to check it out. The karaoke host was quite nice yes I do give him major props I've been to many many karaoke places and this host was awesome!! The waitstaff was also super nice and food was extra tasty so yes hands down this place definitely gets my vote. I will definitely definitely coming back when I return to the Chicago area. Thanks again!!
(4)Erica A.
This is my very favorite bar in Chicago--so obviously this review is LONG overdue. Local 22 has always been my go-to karaoke spot. I absolutely love that you can't put more than one song in at a time, which allows for more people to have a chance to sing and you don't have to listen to the same bachelorette party sing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun followed by anything Britney. Major bonus points to the karaoke team! The food is phenomenal--I always order the Maxwell Street burger and a Metropolitan Krankshaft. The burger is perfection, with incredible flavor and a terrific bun. Plus, they serve fries reminiscent of McDonalds--those thinner, salty, delicious ones. YUM. The staff is always attentive, personable, and so so friendly. I work two blocks from this bar, and if I'm waiting on a friend to get out of work, sometimes I'll stop in for a beer, as though it's my own little version of Cheers. If you're in the River North area of Chicago, don't pass up this place--you won't be let down, you'll have a blast, and your taste buds will thank you. Great, now I want a Maxwell Street....
(5)Malleana R.
For karaoke, the "Dj" generally has a book so that you can know what's available. This DJ had us randomly tell him songs, most of which he didn't have available. It didn't serve for a great karaoke experience and ruined the buzz. The drinks and food and other services were decent though.
(3)Margie H.
We will never be back. This place should have gone out of business long ago when featured on bar resuce. The server took 10 mins to acknowlege our table and when our food was served it was cold. I took two bites of a very greasy burger and felt ill. Our friends from out of town were meeting us there later for drinks, but texed us from outside saying the "Bouncer" wouldnt let my friend's mother in because she didnt have her id, she's 59. Really? The "Bouncer" said, "it was a liability for someone in their resturant not to have their id". Has anyone ever heard that before? We were happy to leave and will never be back. Horrible service and horrible food. There are so many better places to go in Chicago, in fact every place in Chicago is better.
(1)Meredith A.
Blue Frog has the potential to be a really fun place for a group of friends wanting to karaoke in River North. Sadly, the karaoke part is the problem for me. Whoever the DJ is is an extremely pissy, miserable individual who loves being a complete ass to customers. The only time I've ever seen him be fairly nice was when my friends handed him a decent amount of money in order for him to agree to play the song they requested. Other than that, he's been horrible. I took my friends here for a bachelorette party and purposely requested a song for them 45 min before their group got there. When they arrived, we waited for another 30 minutes before one of the girls decided to ask him when it would be played. He was a total dick when she asked. I'll have a hard time ever being talked into going back.
(2)S R.
Quality pub food (the Ruben was excellent. The tots were decent.), with reasonable prices (for the location), a great beer selection, and good service. I have no complaints. Perhaps not quite good enough for 5 stars, but a great bar that may become a regular spot when I am in that area.
(4)Amber S.
Friendly staff and wicked reasonable prices. I had a Bloody Mary and the Rueben and the Chicken Soup (had a part of the name that began with a 'p'). The Rueben was GINORMOUS and boy was it good. The fries hit the spot and the soup had a kick but was creamy without being heavy. The pulled chicken wasn't too much and I really adored the flavor. Jessica was our waitress and she was sweet. Didn't even raise an eyebrow at the pig out fest we ordered :)
(5)Ann C.
My husband & I love this place. We live up in Milwaukee, and discovered Blue Frog's Local 22 during a Chicago trip last fall, we have since always try and come back for a drink when we are in the area. We initially came here because we wanted to go to a "bar rescue" bar, glad we did. To be fair, we have never ordered food, just drinks. My husband loves the beer selection (being from out of state he enjoys trying the local options) and my drinks have always been mixed well.
(5)Allan M.
After Open House Chicago 2014 and my last visited place(Lake Point Tower's private garden), I needed somewhere to relax that wasn't one of the Navy Pier bars. Enter my recollection that I always had wondered about this place since seeing it on Bar Rescue years ago, and deciding this was the day to go here. Very pleasant, there was a good bit of craft beer options, and the food menu looked decent. Yeah the beer prices aren't say like Farragut's(or insert any other non-downtown, non-Randolph St., or non-River North bar) cheap, but this is River North after all, and I'd expect slightly higher for this area. I doubt the karaoke can live up to my gold standard for a bar(Christina's Place, and I badly still want to check out the several Korean private room karaoke places I've read about), but I'd like to come back one of these days for theirs. I'd love to try their food menu, despite that I never make it to this area often. I'm sure that opportunity will come, soon enough. Note to self: talk whatever family relative or friend who is spending a night in this area out of Howl at the Moon, and to come here for karaoke instead. I wish I didn't suck at talking people out of things.
(3)Kyle M.
Great spot in River North without the typical River North snobby attitudes. Kelly and Todd run the place very well. They just got a new sound system and I know they're starting up trivia nights relatively soon with Waddayaknow. Looking forward to that! In terms of food, Kelly's Seasonal Salad is amazing, I remember it had like walnuts cranberries kale spinach and a mango vinaigrette sauce (was the bomb) They always have pretty tasty cocktail selections and their bartenders are really cool!
(5)Traci D.
Brian D and I had dinner here our first night in Chicago. We were seated promptly but it did take a little while for our server to get to our table. We weren't in a hurry so it wasn't a big deal. They have a nice variety of beers on tap. Both of us ordered burgers and they came out fairly quickly after ordering. Both of us enjoyed our food and would hit this place up again if we go back to Chicago.
(4)Luisana R.
Came in here after work with a coworker and had a good experience. Friendly bartender and the food was good. I ordered the blackened salmon salad and was really surprised how yummy the salmon was. The salad was underneath was simple but it was good. My friend had one of the wraps and she really liked it. I will come back for after work drinks/food.
(4)Terri H.
Stopped in for local craft beer and burger. Waiter was fantastic and his recommendation on the food was superb. Definitely will be back!
(5)Chelsea A.
Me and a girlfriend stumbled upon this place while wondering the streets of The Go (what I call Chicago) What a happy accident! We ended up chatting with John and Kelly about NOLA and our mutual love for the food. Which resulted in John whipping up a batch of Jambalaya while I was in town. Oh, it was tasty! Being born and bred in Louisiana I am quite picky about my Jambalaya. John definitely "put his foot" into this dish. Aside from the food they have a great local draft beer selection, poppin' karaoke, and super friendly/helpful staff. Thanks for an amazing experience Local 22!
(5)Ashley C.
River North is not my go-to going out spot. However, this is a solid option for River North without any of the pretentious attitudes. It is a nice laid back atmosphere. They have a great beer selection with a lot of different option on tap. They also had some nice ciders for those non-beer drinking folk like myself. I've also had cocktails which are excellent and reasonably priced for the area. Service has been a mixed bag. The table service was just okay. We now prefer to sit at the bar as we know the bartender and have had much better service. The food is just okay. I wouldn't come out of my way to go for the food - this is really a bar. However, if you are in for drinks and need a bit to eat, its a solid option. I've tried a few things. The burger was okay but over-hyped. I prefer the wraps and like the tomato tortilla option. The wings are a solid starter too.
(3)Steve B.
Blue Frog can definitely be a lot of fun, especially with a big group of friends. The bartenders are fast and polite. Unfortunately, the DJ clearly hates his job and is just super rude to everybody. He has yelled at several friends on varying occasions. I've given it so many chances, but now it's three strikes, you're out!
(2)Chuck S.
Been here a handful of times, always had a good experience. The burgers are delicious! I've had a few and it was probably over a year ago but it was good. I was there the other day and got the buffalo chicken wrap, but it was very good. I went there after an event where there was finger food so I just wanted something easy and I was glad i got it. Plenty of chicken and not all lettuce like other places. Sweet potato fries were also great. I have been there for karaoke and it is fun but man does it get loud. haven't done that in a while but its always a good place to go for a drink or food.
(4)Cody H.
I went on karaoke night... just kidding. This place has a decent selection of beers and a fantastic selection of terrible, loud, angry, overly-intoxicated, moronic clientele. I like beer and I love karaoke so I tried this place out after loving its predecessor. Big mistake. I tipped the DJ $20 and he pocketed it BEFORE telling me I probably wouldn't get to sing. Unacceptable... But then I saw the same table of 8 squawking twats sing 3 and 4 times in a row EACH. If you want to run a first-come-first-served karaoke outfit, you might be better off inviting your friends to your filthy apartment and complimenting each other's terrible behavior because that is essentially what they were doing in public. I would rate this place higher due to the beer selection, but I would also burn this place down but for the criminal charges. Go squeeze into the one on LaSalle. You might not sing and you might get crushed by the crowd but you'll have more fun. Hell... you might have more fun watching your childhood pet get put down. Stay away.
(1)Shawn C.
Dined on 4/22/2014: Featured on Bar Rescue Awesome atmosphere and fantastic assortment of draft local beer...these I would taste as five stars. For those that drink commercial swill they carry cans and bottles of the usual assortment. The music a little loud considering it's a bar/pub and not a dance hall... 2.5 stars. I ordered the Greektown burger (see photo). Lamb absolutely needs to be medium-rare to rate because if you cook it to much lamb becomes rubber. My burger was cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The toppings were absolutely delish. The only thing I didn't like was the bun, which was a ciabatta bun. Lamb is tender but a ciabatta is tough and rubbery, not the best choice of bread. Every time I bit my sandwich hunks of ground lamb fell everywhere. The Youbrioche bun served with the beef burgers would have been a better choice of bread, 4 stars. My waitress had been attentive and was very knowledgeable about the draft beers here. I've got to say, I wish there was a local five as good as this where I live. The one real complaint I have is the $5 coupon on Yelp is long expired. By the way, I liked the double IPA so much I had to have a second. ..lol The real test though is that when I visit Chicago again (which I will, as my daughter is joining the Navy), I will most definitely eat and drink here again!!!
(4)Matt C.
I am always very weary when I see a slogan or signature on the menu stating, "Best whatever in the wherever"... AND I am not well versed on all the hot spots in Chi-town.. However, ordering a burger (for me) is typically a safe out and a good way to measure what the joint is working with... In this case the experiment / experience was a success. Had the cheddar burger with homemade chips and was REALLY good. I was very pleasantly surprised. While we're on the subject, they have a bang up selection of micro-brews... Lots of really good stuff here. Recommended.
(4)Justin G.
Awesome late night Downtown sports bar. Relaxed dress code which was perfect after coming back from the Rangers-Sox game. Host was awesome as well.
(5)Alissa S.
This is a fun bar that is a cheaper option for Hubbard St. They have the typical bar foods like burgers and sandwiches but they try to class it up with fancy cheeses that have no business being there.. give me some pepper jack and lets call it day . They have a good beer selection also. The main problem with this place is that almost every time I have been here karaoke gets set up and it drowns out all possible conversation. Get there before 8pm and you should be ok.
(3)Jamie H.
I can speak only to the drinks and the atmosphere, as I didn't eat. But, it was around 10:30 - 11 on a Saturday night and we walked right in and got drinks immediately. There was some karokee going on, some bachelorette parties and open tables. Entertainment and a seat...don't mind if I do!
(4)Molly P.
My boyfriend and I have been coming here pretty regularly over the past couple years that we have lived in the area. Not once have we been disappointed. The staff knows where we like to sit each time we come: a high top located right next to a window and the karaoke area. Generally we come at night for karaoke, typically just to watch but occasionally we jump in there. That is always a lot of fun, unless there is an "older crowd" and you hear a lot of Frank Sinatra. I love Frank just as much as the next guy, but singing 'My Way' at a bar is just not ideal. If you come during karaoke, be prepared-it is loud. If you come before karaoke hours, then it's pretty low-key. We have come during the day for an afternoon beer or early dinner. I have never been disappointed with the food or the service. Food-wise, I typically get the veggie burger. Lots of flavor and the patty is homemade. My boyfriend generally gets a barbecue bacon cheeseburger (I forget the name of it). He is always super happy with it. The fries are good: thin and crispy. I generally get the tots. I am a sucker for tots. A bit of advice: if you are just wanting a snack and the appetizers are not looking appealing, order a side of tots. By 'a side' I mean they bring out a huge plate full of tots for like 3 bucks. The mac and cheese balls are good, too. I can feel my arteries clog when I eat them. My boyfriend and I are both really into local craft beer and this place hits the spot each time. The staff is really knowledgeable about the beer selection. The beer rotates a bit, so make sure you check the screen above the bar and not just the menu. My rule of thumb is to always get draft beer when I go out. I can buy a bottle anytime. Either way, they have a good selection of drafts and bottles. Just go. It's a pretty awesome place.
(5)Lori A.
Stopped in after seeing this bar on a 2011 episode of bar rescue. Enjoyed the Chicago Poppers with Italian sausage. My husband & I loved the bacon explosion burger of the month & the 1871 burger, which had a little kick at the end. We had a couple beers on tap & loved them! The staff & owners were friendly & the service was great! Would defiantly recommend stopping in!
(4)Steve L.
Late lunch at 4pm. Great vibe- great service. Wanted to eat at a local place and this is IT. Local food, beef, patrons. Recently Voted best burger so had to test. Did not disappoint. Kelly served us and explained the menu and extensive beer list. Very social and knows how people want to be treated. Sad this is my last day here.
(5)Denise K.
I've been here several times and keep forgetting to write a review. This place is right around the corner from my office, so it is very convenient. Sometimes it is a quiet get-away for lunch, sometimes it is busy and loud. What is always the same is - great service, great food. The waitresses are normally really busy but friendly. You get a complimentary taste of the soup of the day - it is always tasty. I've had burgers and wraps and have not been disappointed once - and I can have tater tots with my sandwich! Once we tried the mac n cheese bites and even though I am not a fan of mac n cheese (I know - who doesn't love mac n cheese?), they were really good. Sorry - I can't tell you anything about the bar service itself since I go on lunch and can't drink. Looks like they have a selection of crafts though. The bar always seems to be fully seated.
(4)Cristina I.
1 star based on bad customer service/inexperienced staff. I stopped by last Wednesday at 7:15pm trying to get dinner, and as we asked for a table we were told the kitchen will not be open until 7:30. We thought that was weird but decided to sit and look at the menu in hopes of ordering at 7:30. We were seated, and a few minutes later the waitress came by for a drink order, and then once again informed us the kitchen will not be open until 7:30. I ordered an iced tea, and then saw a waiter bring out food for another table. When we asked if the kitchen was now open we were told that there was a large party and the kitchen was backed up, so in an attempt to "not provide bad service" the kitchen was closed until 7:30. The waitress brought out my iced tea, walked away, and came back within a minute or two later to say the kitchen will now not be open until 8:00. considering that was another 30+ minutes away, my friend and I decided we should head to another place for dinner, and told the waitress. At this point she says ok let me get your check. I expected her to say ok don't worry about the iced tea-but she did not. I literally took one small sip, it was still full. So since she was going to have me pay for it, I asked for a to go cup. She went away and came back saying they cannot give me a to go cup. At this point I was really annoyed and I asked the waitress to get a manager because the situation was getting ridiculous. She said she couldn't do anything about it so she needed to talk to the manager. She walked over to a guy that was next to the podium by the door and then came back saying "don't worry about the iced tea, I'll take care of it". This is what should have happened in the first place, in an attempt to "to not provide bad service" they made the situation even worse. They should have been more upfront and said the kitchen was backed up and were unsure when we would be able to order. I wouldn't have wasted my time and probably would have just given it another try on a different night.
(1)Kevin O.
You should eat here. Yes, and drink, the extensive list of drafts on tap are amazing (truly great beer menu and knowledgable staff), but the food, particularly lunchtime soups are outstanding. A different homemade soup everyday, that's dedication. I just had the clam chowder and tasted the ocean; its every bit as good as/better here than Shaw's across the street and even GT Oyster, which I do love but not the price. You can tell the soups, burgers, everything here is made with a love.
(5)John H.
This is beer heaven. Friendly, helpful, awesome bartenders. Did the 1871 Burger. It is great with a mild spicy kick. For those who do not try spicy, be adventurous. There is plenty of hydrating equipment nearby on tap, in the bottle---and even a well-equipped Fire Station on the corner. Feel safe. Worthy of your hard-earned dollars or expense account. Buy American
(5)Van V.
Great beer selection. Delicious burgers--basic but other creative choices too. Nice wings. Some semi serious pool at their two tables--and darts. Funny Kareoke. Nice servers. A nice bar. We also got a Restaurant.com coupon. Even without that discount, very reasonable and fun.
(4)Caroline J.
I went here with a LivingSocial deal for 2 burgers and 2 beers and overall had a pretty good experience! I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, because that seems more appropriate. When my boyfriend and I showed up, the front area wasn't too crowded but some group was having the time of their life in the back with karaoke. I wasn't crazy about how their loudness carried to the area we were - made it a bit difficult to carry on a conversation. Our waitress was sweet and attentive; the only time she was a bit slow was noticing we needed the check. Not a big deal. I was a bit annoyed that she only mentioned they had a beer special after we had each already had a beer - we definitely would have gone with the special had we known, since the other beers are a good bit more expensive (though you'd never know it, as they don't put beer prices on the menu - HUGE pet peeve of mine) As for the food, it was great! I ordered the back of the years burger, which was a pork patty with onion rings, some kind of barbecue sauce, and cheese. The bun was toasted, which I love, and the patty was nice and juicy. I pretty much devoured the burger, and shortly after inhaled the fries (also delicious). My boyfriend ordered the 1871, which was also incredibly good. He was a bit frustrated that he asked for medium but the burger was cooked well done. He said it's not a big deal, but it's a little irritating. I'd definitely come back to try more burgers, but the place does get a little pricey. $12 for a burger just seems like a bit too much, especially when you start adding in some pricier beers.
(3)Karma K.
I like it! It's a bit of a dive and the patrons are usually sloppy drunk but they have a great beer selection and yummy, fattening bar food for dirt cheap prices. They have a few salads too but seriously, why bother? Bonus...it was featured on Bar Rescue so it's kind of like a bad boy of bars!
(5)Katy S.
We stayed in the Marriott right next door to this place. From the outside, it looked a little divey. I can assure you that the inside was much different. We stopped in for some drinks before getting on the train, because really, who doesn't want to have a good buzz before taking the train? Anywho, we didn't try the food but the drink prices were great. I got a split of champagne and it was only $10. Our waitress was super nice and attentive, too. My only regret is that I did not get to experience the karaoke!
(4)Ellen A.
I love the atmosphere and staff at this bar/restaurant. Always stop here when I'm in Chicago. The burgers are phenomenal and there's also awesome specials. Oh- and the beer rocks :)
(5)Zach B.
Great atmosphere. Good music,, good food, plenty of beers on tap as well. I used my restaurant.com coupon and they accept it got food AND drinks. Definite plus there. I would go back for sure. I say at the bar and the bartender was friendly. It was my first time but I definitely plan to go back.
(5)Patrick D.
Damn good reuben sandwich, compliments to the chef. $5 lite domestic beers. Nice spot
(4)Christina L.
cool spot - havent tried their food but the karaoke crowd is always so interesting. last time there was a bachelorette party and that was fun to watch. awesome beers on tap - including a delicious dark milk stout. yumm!
(3)Julio V.
I was curious to try Local 22 out after seeing an old episode of Bar Rescue. Found a Groupon so I figured it would be a perfect time. I found the burgers to be really dry. Had to send back a burger because it was over cooked . Food was overall mediocre. They did have a decent selection of beers, however for the price, I don't see myself going back. Chicago is a city with many options for gourmet burgers and beer.
(2)Kristen W.
3.5 Stars! (I rounded up because I'm feeling friend;y) Inviting and laid back atmosphere, stopped in here for drinks and the owners were very nice and chatty. I checked them out on Bar Rescue and wanted to head back to try their new menu. I ordered the classic cheeseburger with chips. The burger was cooked to perfection and really juicy and it paired perfectly with the homemade chips. My only complain is about the bun, the bun is really big. While I usually don't mind this, along with being way to think for the burger the bun was pretty hard and dense instead of soft like you'd expect from a big bun. It was just way too much bread and definately overpowered the burger. But nonetheless, it was still a very good burger. Stop in for a burger or some drinks, for a solid laid back atmosphere in River North.
(4)Miguel C.
I'm a HUGE Bar Rescue fan so when my GF said we were traveling to Chicago this became my #1 thing on my to-do list. When we arrived it was a Thursday night and the place was pretty dead. We were promptly given a table and our server was very attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered the friend pickles and a couple of burgers and everything came out very fast and all were good but a little pricy for what they were but I guess that's Chicago for you. I did see the owner, John, at the bar drinking and it looked like he had a couple beers while we dined. Jon Taffer called out his mom for drinking on the job so I found it surprising that he would be doing it. I get that it was a slow night but it does set a bad image, especially for those of us that have seen the show. Overall, we had a very good experience and we would recommend friends to go there during a visit.
(4)Basil D.
This is your classic awesome, fantastic neighborhood pub. They serve amazing drinks. They really do. They specialize in local beers. Now, I'm not a huge fan of beer, but this place has even made me a beer lover out of me! All the staff knows about their beers, so ask them for advice if you need it. Now for the food. The burgers are amazing and this is the reason you should come here food-wise. They just know how to put a burger together. They serve creative sides. Everyone has taken to the "sweet potato fries" craze. I've come to find not everyone can do them correctly. These guys do! They use the right temperature of oil to fry them in, and fry them for the correct time so that they're not too mushy (sweet potato fries are naturally like that, but they're sooo good!), so they're not too greasy, nor are they too burned. Their flatbread pizzas are in the ballpark. Good idea, but they need to tweak the measurements of ingredients. The barbecue pizza has the greatest potential. They need to use a less sugary barbecue sauce...make it less sweet and a few more onions. The goat cheese on it is a good idea, again not original, but good idea for pub food. However the sweet sauce doesn't complement the goat cheese like it should. The quesadillas...I want to like them more than I do. If they would just use chunks of chicken it would make it sooo much better. The "pulled chicken" makes it taste like "chicken grissle"....not good. I don't know if it's that or the quality of chicken. But everything else about it is great, the chips served on the side are incredible! Who'da thunk!
(3)John S.
It's definitely a good bar, but probably not my go to bar in River North. They have a lot of beer selections which cater to local beers, definitely a plus. You can't really get bored of the drinks here. I've had two burgers, one of them the lamb burger (definitely good). The other burger didn't look like a 8oz patty which is a regular at almost any other bar, so that was a negative. It was still good, just not filling for the price you pay. We also had their wings and it was pretty much the smallest wings I've ever seen... not worth the time/price. It's cool they have a ghost pepper challenge, but I think you would fair better else where. I think it's worth checking out because they have exotic burger selections, but I personally don't think its a place I would visit multiple times a year.
(4)Sumara K.
I am a chronic bar and restaurant researcher. I know, I know. Realistically, Yelp should be my support group, right? But I'm also chronically lazy (think a sloth, with sunglasses on, and a computer to constantly google things, or whatever) to write reviews. However my recent experience (last night, actually) at Local 22 made me excited enough to share my experience. Now, normally being a thorough researcher of good eats, admittedly, I went into this establishment blind. My boyfriend and I had headed into the city with nothing planned which may have been a death move on a Saturday night when the 'Hawks were playing. That being said, Local 22 looked appealing from the outside so we decided to try our luck. Fortunately, they had a table available and we were promptly brought menus and water. Everyone seemed friendly, but it was slightly busy (again, being a Saturday and hockey). After taking my time on the menu, I opted for a State Street Grilled Cheese (and asked if they could add bacon...score! They did) while my boyfriend chose the Southside Irish burger. Our server (who's name slips my mind, but he was absolutely friendly) did make mention they were having a rather busy night, so it might take a bit of time for food to come. We had no problem with that (again, did I mention hockey?) and ordered a couple beers. Our food though, came out surprisingly quick despite the server's warning.. and WOW. Amazing. Turns out though, they brought me the wrong grilled cheese. Instead of the state street with bacon, I received the Michigan Avenue Grilled Cheese with bacon. Did I mind? Absolutely not. It was, hands down, the BEST grilled cheese I've ever eaten. I'm always on the search for a perfect one, and I definitely found it at Local 22. Didn't bother to let the server know of the error in ordering, because I was over the moon pleased with what I got instead. The fries were fantastic also. Thin shoestring types with just enough crunch but still a little bit of give. Think McDonald's fries back in the day when McDonald's actually served food that was edible (mid 80s?), But I was in love with these fries. My boyfriend thought his burger was fantastic. It was cooked perfectly, and it was just filling enough so that he was full. Great value for sure. My only two issues: 1. I dislike a place that doesn't put all it's prices on the menu. I have no problem paying what a drink is worth, but I'd like to see what that price is. Otherwise I feel like a bar is just trying to be shady. We did order four total of the Rosa Hibiscus Ale by Revolution (Which was really amazing, by the way) but it was a slight annoyance that the price wasn't listed. 2. I didn't see a dessert menu (If there was one and I missed it, my bad!) but it would have been awesome to have a small bite of something sweet before leaving. Also, they were out of the burger of the month, so we didn't get to try that. Overall, great place! I will definitely be back.
(4)Kyla H.
I have such a soft spot for this place. Mostly because they carry VanderMill's Cider (big shout out to Spring Lake, Michigan!). The drink selection is quite extensive. The clientele also seems to be a bit of a departure from the typical River North crowd, which is a welcome change. All of the food that I've tried has been great, specifically the french fries! All in all, a great spot to come for something just a little different.
(4)Darcie B.
Great food for value. Huge side portions. Friendly service. Good tap selection. Definitely will return.
(4)Robert G.
My wife and I just moved to Chicago and what a find! It's hard to find because of the scaffolding hiding their true entrance, but a great find indeed. As far as pricing goes they are competitive and have great food. The beer selection, and I am a connoisseur by the way, is fabulous, only if the price point here could be a little better. Then again it is downtown Chicago! Also, being a karaoke fanatic the show is a good time. A diverse crowd gives energy to the night! Only criticism here is for the KJ to make sure to be cognizant of his playlist. On occasion he'd allow back to back singers instead of keeping a solid organized playlist. All in all, what a cool place! The staff is friendly, upbeat, and really want to serve their guests. I will say, however, night management needs to be careful when cutting too early. They let the servers go, ours had us cash out, and then they got slammed. Rather safe then sorry is a great motto! If you're ever in town and just want to have some fun, enjoy good drinks, fun, and delicious food stop on in to the Blue Frog Local 22! You won't be disappointed!
(4)Greig M.
I joined Yelp just to review this place as some of the reviews below seem oddly down on what I found to be a great place. Having just arrived in town and needing a beer and a burger, my wife and I saw this place was just a block from our hotel, and since our 'usual' first stop, Rock Bottom, looked packed, we headed to Blue Frog's Local 22. I'm so pleased we did. What we got was extremely friendly and attentive service, a great atmosphere, and tasty food and beer. Our server (receipt says 'Moe-Joey' so one of those :)) had a great smile and she had that particular skill, so often lacking, of magically appearing exactly when we needed her. We ordered burgers (get The Maxwell - like a deconstructed Chicago dog reincarnated in sandwich form) and a couple of great local beers. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. I was hoping to explore the beer list further but after the tasty burger and fries, I was too full to drink more! My only criticism is that the beers seemed a little pricey for locally brewed stuff. Still, I only get to Chicago every few years, and this was my first stop so maybe that's a fair price for the location now. Addendum: so this was a 'Rescued' bar? I don't recall the particular show but I'll have to watch it. I guess they learned their lesson as the place is fantastic!
(5)Ruben R.
Good beer selection. Definitely hipstery. Prices were pretty high, but I think it's the neighborhood. Didn't stick around for karaoke, could've made the place more interesting.
(3)Brad H.
Local 22 is always on my to do list on my frequent trips to Chicago. Karaoke, large selection of local beers, and a laid back really chill atmosphere.
(5)Jeff D.
Came here for lunch 2 days ago and for the price and size of portions, it's worth it! I had the Chicken Wings (Buffalo) along with tots and my friend had a Blackened Chicken sandwich. We also ordered the Fried Pickles and they were great too! I'd come back for drinks next time along with coming back for lunch for sure. I'd give it 5 stars but the wait for our entrees was just a tad too long especially if it's lunch time and there were only a few tables occupied at that time.
(4)Jim S.
So so: the staff was very friendly the food was mediocre
(3)Gina S.
The hubs has been hounding me to go to the Blue Frog because he saw it on Bar Rescue, so when I saw their Groupon I figured I wasn't loosing anything to give it a try. The location is conveniently located between State and Michigan, easily accessible by the L. It was a nice day so we ate outside. The split sidewalk patio doesn't provide an ideal dining space, split meaning foot traffic walks right through. It's in a busier walking area, at least 2 dozen groups walked by during our meal. And the surrounding area does not exactly provide what I would call a great view. I had a blueberry cider, mag mile turkey burger with a salad for a $2 up-charge. The hubs had a Matilda, classic burger with pasta salad because fries would have been a $2 up charge. While they provided plenty of side options to accompany your burger, fries should not be additional. Most burgers come standard with fries if it's a meal so this was off-putting, especially when the burger was minimum $12. The food was good, the location was okay. I would describe it as a dive with decent but overpriced food.
(3)Kathleen C.
I was here when it was the previous incarnation of Blue Frog, but this was my first time at the 'updated' location. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what changed as it looked and felt the same. I tried some wine and it was pretty tasty (and the selection wasn't bad for what seems like more of a beer bar). The server came back to check if I liked it - nice touch. I was meeting a colleague for drinks and we additionally tried the mac&cheese bites (quite good, though they fell apart and we didn't have silverware). I tried a few fried pickles as well - not bad. All in all, it's a pretty good spot, but I probably wouldn't specifically head to this area to go there as it didn't really knock my socks off.
(3)Taylor M.
I came here one night when my eyes were definitely bigger than my tummy. We couldn't decide between two appetizers, so of course we ordered both. We started our meal with fried pickles and fried jalapeño mac and cheese balls. Needless to say, by the time the burgers showed up, I was pretty stuffed from the apps! Both were fabulous and I am glad we ordered both. I just wish my boyfriend and I stopped there or split a burger after.. but no... we ordered more drinks (hard cider for me) and each got a burger. I was wasteful and only ate a couple bites. I did not like the burger as much as the apps and I found the pasta salad tasteless. Service was okay. We wanted to get out quick after karaoke started. A funny side note, my boyfriend walked in on an older couple in the bathroom, but the lad quickly explained she was "just helping her husband with his belt"... ya sure lady...
(4)Steven D.
Real nice vibe here, good groove tunes, borderline dive bar. Mac cheese bacon bites are quite good. I was over ambitious ordering the steak salad. I could see the marks on the meat left by the jockey. Staff is very friendly. Solid local beer selection on tap.
(5)Stephanie M.
This bar has come up a long ways from where it used to be. They have a great selection of craft beer on tap now (try the Dragon's Milk). The best part is that its not pretentious! If you're one that's familiar with the River North area, you'll understand what this means. The servers and bartender makes you feel like family and not just another client. They also have karaoke night, and the bartenders and servers alike sings with you! Fun!!
(4)Stephanie C.
How much more can I love this place? We started going here for lunch years ago and haven't looked back. (Lunch has also expanded to happy hours and dinner...). The food is outstanding here -- awesome burgers (check out the burger of the month whenever you go -- it's usually miraculous), HOMEMADE soup and chili every day, reubens, sweet potato fries, homemade chips, tots, fried pickles. Oh, there are salads and wraps, too, if you're feeling less gluttony. I've just never had anything bad here. Not only is the food menu outstanding, but the bar menu is so impressive -- I've had some of the best wine here -- and beer selections that even my snobbiest beer friends enjoy. Also? Even though the place is downtown, it doesn't have downtown prices. Which means we come here. A lot. The best part of the whole experience, though, are the folks who keep the place running. If you're looking for a place where everyone knows your name, this could be it. If you're looking for more of an undisclosed-location and privacy, this could be it too -- they're very adaptable. If you haven't checked out the Local, do so -- soon. And then become one. A local at the Local. You won't regret it.
(5)Andrea N.
Once again, we came here only because of Bar Rescue. Yes I know, a lame reason. But in really glad we included it on our bar crawl! We walked in and my boyfriend and I immediately saw all the bar rescue things! We were most excited about the frosty mugs freezer! The boy got one, and it was indeed frosty! We got two awesome bartenders who were so nice and friendly! We asked them about the show and they were more than willing to give us the "inside scoop". I'm not going to give away any secrets though. You'll have to head in and ask for yourself ;) We ordered two of their famous burgers. They are sooooo good. I don't know what the sauce is they use (and I most likely don't want to) but it was delish! I totally recommend eating one of these burgers! It seems like they have good deals during the week, plus trivia and karaoke in other nights. It was a lot less crowded on a Saturday night than I expected, but it was a bit early (8pm). Overall, great to check out if your a Bar Rescue fan, and it's a great place for a burger! If we lived closer, we'd be there a lot more often!
(4)Jessica N.
This is probably a 3-star place but they were so nice to our group I had to give them 4. We came in hours after a daytime wedding reception and we were rowdy and messy and somehow did not get kicked out of this place! Had a chicken wrap that was tasty. Bartender remembered my name, gave me water when he could tell I probably had too many :) All around good time! Bonus stars for the karaoke host too! I wish Karaoke started earlier than 10!
(4)Eli S.
Horrible service and horrible food. I'm not surprised to learn that this bar was featured on a show where it needed to be "rescued." I felt like we needed to be rescued from a horrible dining experience. There are so many better places to go in Chicago.
(1)Karen Y.
Great food!! All home made, great selection of beers and very friendly staff, good location near magnificent mile.
(5)Natalia K.
Came here with a friend to use a groupon and we were not impressed. The beer list was old, which is fine, but the waitress should have pointed out which beers were off the list before my heart settled on one of them- and she should have told me which beers were their replacements. Whatever. Got my stout, onto dinner. My friend and I were chatting quite a bit to catch up and our menus were still in front of us. Sign that we were not ready to order, yet the waitress came back every five minutes to ask. Then when we had decided, with our menus put aside, a sign that we were ready to order, we had to wait 20 minutes for her to come back and she either didn't see or ignored my attempts to flag her down. It wasn't even crowded. I ordered the blackened salmon with green goddess dressing, whatever that is, and my friend had the grilled cheese and soup. The soup too had changed from what was on the menu but we hadn't heard about that until my disappointed friend had to go with whatever they had. I know this place ain't fancy, but if there are specials or menu changes or whatever, it is your job to let us know. Why would you want to stare at two disappointed faces which then turn slightly panicked when trying to decide what they want on the spot? My salmon came out certainly blackened, more like charcoal than charred. I ate it, because I was hungry, but the black sides encased a pretty dry fish and whatever blackening spices were on there were seriously burned off. My friend ate her food but later said it didn't sit well on her stomach. When it was time to pay, I mentioned I had a groupon and the waitress said I was $2 off, oops- too bad they don't have dessert, so I ordered another beer. Then she brought the check with the original amount, which she made sure to mention was for "gratuity purposes." Overall, I've most definitely experienced better, and my friend and I agreed that we wouldn't be coming back.
(2)Karen K.
A friend and I threw a private Karaoke / Dance party here - and had a blast. The team was well prepared for our group (about 200 people who like to drink and sing), and adapted the plan as needed. The set up was exactly what we asked for and the staff were friendly & quick with service. This is a great place for private events.
(5)Kison P.
Great place for casual hang out. The staff are great and will keep you entertained. Food is better than expected, probably not the healthiest.. but you will probably not give a shit by the time your ready to order. Also is a good place to host events with a fun/casual theme.
(5)Mat C.
One of my favorite haunts in River North because it doesn't exhibit the typical soulless douchiness that characterizes most of the establishments in the area. Food is great all around, the tap list is ALL local, plus great bomber selection to boot!
(5)Amanda B.
Great and friendly service! Amazing burgers-try the loop and poppers that will change your life :) come back in the evening for some cool karaoke!
(5)Steve S.
I was there on a weekend in the early evening however, they were not that busy I was surprised of the slow service. My server did not know the menu because when I asked questions he wasn't sure. As I waited for my food I realized "this place was on Bar Rescue!" and was totally looking forward for my food. It took forever for my food & it was cold when I got it... I was ready to walk out however, Im not that kind of person. I told a few friend about my experience and they said similar comments, I would never go back.
(1)Greg S.
Just had lunch here 2/6/15. The place is evidently known for its' burgers, but I had a cup of the homemade chicken and sausage gumbo and a southwestern cobb salad. Both were fantastic. The salad featured a nicely seasoned chicken breast and a nice homemade dressing that was flavorful, but not heavy. When I sat down, they gave me a small taste of the soup of the day (gumbo) which sold me immediately. Beer list is expansive and the staff was super friendly and cool. I look forward to coming back for happy hour and more lunches in the future.
(5)Neil R.
I'm somewhat biased about this place as it was really close to where I lived and was very easy to go to eat/drink. But that said, its a great place to grab local Chicago beer and the bartenders are very cool and knowledgeable. They offer good recommendations based on your taste and are fun to chat with. I have to also say, the burgers here are great! There is a lamb burger that is amazing but so is the beef burger. There is a decent amount of room although the bar is sometimes hard to get a seat at.
(4)James A.
Excellent. Great beer. Awesome service. Delicious hamburger, homemade bun and fresh local toppings make this burger a cut above.
(5)Jessica R.
This place is so great that we went two days in a row. All local beers and food products. The featured burger had fried chorizo and a jalapeño sauce on it, honestly best burger I ever had. Paired with a kidnapped by Vikings beer, and I was in heaven. The staff is super friendly, they remembered our names after only being there once. Great spot for lunch with awesome playlists and plenty of tv's. Can't wait to check it out for karaoke sometime.
(5)Kim B.
Service was amazing. Brittany was great but literally three other people backing her up too. Super nice and the food was great. Biggest burger I've ever had and was well done. Just moved to Chitown but will be back for sure with friends.
(5)Jill and Ying J.
Typical bar food, but very well done. We swung by after work and got the reuben, the fried mac&cheese balls, chicken wrap, and the tuscan sausage soup. Even after a 15min walk in the freezing cold, the food was still delicious. The reuben was one of the most delicious I've ever had, and the tuscan soup was simply fantastic. Definitely a good spot to grab a bite. And great happy hour beer deals also, to rinse it all down.
(4)Jimmy K.
Such a great place to sit outside and enjoy a cold local beer. They always have plenty of great options on tap and most are from the vibrant Chicago craft beer scene. The waitstaff are friendly and relaxed (emphasis on relaxed because sometimes you have to flag them down) but always extremely pleasant and accommodating. What I love most is that it is one of the rare places you can go to in River North and feel like you are at a neighborhood bar and avoid all of the tourists.
(4)Krista D.
I really liked this place. I watch Bar Rescue so I figured I had to check it out It's low key and the staff are so nice and attentivef. They have like 30 local draft beers so we tried some of those. We also were told to check out the Chicago poppers which were soooooo good. Affordable drinks and a nice escape from the tourist areas :)
(4)Danielle M.
This place is okay. It wasn't crowded so we got in right away. Went straight to the bar to try some of the many beers on tap. Our bartender was good- he seemed to know a decent amount about the beers, and let us sample 2 based on our preferences. My boyfriend and I both ordered a two brothers amber. (I wish he would have told us the name; we only know it's two brothers because of the glass). It was great! I never leave a tab open at a bar, so I closed it out; after that, our bartender never came back, even after looking at my boyfriends empty glass several times. Unfortunately one short-haired blonde woman behind the bar drove us (and the couple next to us) out fast. The couple next to us asked for a beer recommendation and she said "well they're all good." He said he was looking for a beer like Stella, and instead of making a comparison to a beer they had there she just told them that they don't sell Stella, so they left. As for us, we left pretty quickly after she loudly yelled that one of the workers was having sex in the back room. Overall, the beer was great, and most of the workers were decent. Too bad that woman ruined it for us.
(2)William D.
Great burgers, great spirits, friendly staff. Fun place to eat and relax.
(5)Nick P.
I went in with a party of 8, after we waited over thirty minutes for our checks, the waitress brought one check and told us we could not split it up. Then I went up to the bar to ask if we could split up the check and the bartender had to split it for her. The waitress dropped the checks off ten minutes later, then didn't come back again for another five minutes. It's taken an hour at this point just to pay. It might just be this waitress that does a poor job, but me and my group did not enjoy the experience at all. With all the other restaurants to try in chicago, I'm not going to waste my time coming back here.
(1)Angela S.
Great food and great prices. Prime location and so big that there's always a place to sit. Most places in this 'hood are crowded with tourists. Awesome place to watch sports and take in the local flavors.
(4)Mary Jane D.
If you're looking for a comfortable, friendly place with the most awesome staff serving the best burgers in town - this is the place. We come here as often as possible - because we always have a great experience. John's home made soups and chile are the best. Burger of the Month always knocks our socks off. Kelly and the staff make everybody feel like they're a friend - not just a customer. Great outdoor seating, too, makes it extra fun on a beautiful day in Chicago....
(5)Nicole S.
The karaoke guy on Thursday night was an a**... But the shots were good. Not happy at all with the karaoke guy.
(2)Amy R.
Came here with a groupon. Burgers are just ok. Had better. Beer list isn't THAT big in comparison to most other places in Chicago. I had a revolution bottoms up wit and when I got to towards the bottom, found little black floaties. Checked the bottom of the glass, yep! There it is! A bunch of black flecks stuck to the bottom of the glass and some were starting to get dislodged. What is it?! Cigarette ash from a previous use? This place needs to clean! Dirty glasses and sticky floors/ tables, don't make your burger appetizing. If you're going to a dive bar for the end of the night, this is the place. Although, I don't think I'll be coming back unless I'm already too drunk to care. Service was good though.
(2)Allison K.
We had a fun time last night! We were bar hopping and realized we were close to the place, and being huge fans of Bar Rescue, had to stop by. We recognized the owner, and spend the whole time laughing with her about her experiences while taping the episode. She is so friendly, and it was a blast hanging out with her and her staff. The bartender suggested a few different beers and gave me samples to try. They have an excellent local beer selection. We ordered the pulled pork sliders and they were amazing! I will definitely be back. I liked the people, atmosphere, drinks, location and food!
(5)Rick P.
Great burgers. My son and I ordered the 1971 and the Greektown and split. Can't decide which was better.
(4)Beth K.
Kinda like Cheers, where everyone knows your name.
(5)Shana G.
Ordered the Taylor street chicken with butternut squash soup for lunch. Everything was absolutely delicious! The chicken also came with tasty homemade chips. Only negative was that the consistency of the soup was a bit too thick but was still good. Hence, the reason I rated Blue Frog's as 4 stars instead of 5. I may have given 4 stars for good service if I'd dined-in, but we had a group lunch delivered to my office. Otherwise it was excellent, and I would definitely dine-in there in the near future.
(4)David S.
Saw this place on bar rescue and wanted to check it out for a while now. I was going to a concert at the house of blues with my girlfriend and realized this place was right around the corner so I absolutely had to check it out. We came in around 5 pm and not many people there with all the employees huddled around talking I assume they had opened around 4, we were seated in the dining area and our sever was bri. I am not big on craft beer but this place has a wide selection of it. Bri was very helpful in helping us choose a type of beer in which our tastes are used too. I ordered a flywheel and my girlfriend ordered some sort of bells beer I forgot which one but we both really liked them. For food we both ordered a cup of their chicken tortilla soup which was very good and unique because it was a cream base and very tasty. I ordered it with the Capone sandwich which I however did not enjoy. It was loaded with too much vinegar herbs or whatever it was but that made it not enjoyable, all the combined meats with it just didn't taste well, perhaps I should have sent it back but at that point I just wasn't in the mood to eat anything else, had two bites and that was it. We didn't stay long because we had to get to the concert but even though I'm rarely in the city I might possibly return if I wasn't the area again, the service was very good.
(3)Megan M.
Loved this place! We watched FIFA here on Sunday and had a great time. The staff was fantastic and attentive and the food was great. Can't wait to go again.
(5)Izzy N.
I watched their Bar Rescue episode after visiting for the first time. What a hot ass mess! It was freeeeezing outside on my first visit but I'm really glad I came to this hidden gem so to speak, as it's always nice to find a bar in the neighborhood that's a change of pace from the rest. Low key, cool chill staff and most importantly: delicious fried pickles. That is what will bring me back.. fried pickles and to drink in a dark place looking like shit.
(4)A J.
My boyfriend and I stopped in yesterday afternoon after a liesurely walk. We had seen the place on Bar Rescue and live a couple blocks away, so we had always wanted to try it. I wish we hadn't have gone. Our service was terrible. The place was not busy at all and our waitress maybe came to our table 3 times throughout the whole meal. Our food took about 35 minutes (keep in mind the place was not busy) and we didn't have cutlery yet when our food came so I had to wait to start eating even once we got our food. She only came by to see if we wanted refills on our empty drinks once and it was after they had been sitting there empty for over 20 minutes. We were there for about an hour, about 50 of which were spent waiting for something, whether it be for someone to take our order or to get our food. My boyfriend enjoyed his food and the chips were good, but mine was dry and not really enjoyable. Will not come back and will warn anyone thinking about stopping by here against it. Terrible, terrible service. I really wish we had just gone to Subway.
(1)Mallory H.
I really dig Local 22. I work in the area and it's one of my go-to places for a casual sit down lunch. They have a large patio with enough shade that doesn't make you feel like you are baking in the sun. Service is always friendly and welcoming which is huge (especially in River North). Do yourself a favor and get the sweet potato fries. Hands down the best I have ever had - the kitchen knows how to do them right. Nothing worse than a soft/soggy sweet potato fry and I have never had a bad one from here. My friend ordered tater tots which were also awesome. I've had several wraps and a burger, my favorite is the Taylor Street wrap w/ the Spinach tortilla. All in all great place and worth checking out!
(5)Brett H.
Cool atmosphere and a great beer selection. Their burgers and flat breads are very creative and overall a fun menu. Service was solid and will definitely be back.
(4)Erin O.
I went to Local 22 for my birthday a few months back, and had a BLAST at karaoke. I liked that there was no stage so everyone just kind of danced and sang together, eliminating any stage fright (okay, a few beers helped with that too). Great atmosphere. Pretty good, though pretty typical bar food (as far as I can remember). I think my main complaint was that they were out of a lot of the beers I wanted, but it happens. Overall I really enjoyed Local 22 and I'll definitely be back.
(4)Ken E.
Great local joint. The burgers are unique and tasty! One of my favorites whenever I'm in the Chi-Town.
(4)Robert G.
We came from out of town. We wanted to sample some of the local beer and this seemed to be the place to do it. We were surprised by how much we enjoyed the food and the helpful waitress added to our enjoyment. The price was reasonable. We ate outside.
(5)Kyle P.
great beer list and very good service. everyone is super nice and attentive and the burgers are great.....had a great bowl of soup there. it was cream of jalapeno....crazy but good. haven't been for Karaoke but nice to walk down after work or for lunch
(4)Roberto G.
Had seen the "overhaul" on Bar Rescue so figured I'd try it . This is the 2nd time "trying" to go to this place. The 1st time I tried to go , I could not find parking on the street so I gave up and left. This time I had my motorcycle so was able to find parking easily. I went on a Friday at about 6ish. The place is nice and there was not a lot of people there yet which was odd to me being that the Bulls were playing. Anyway , ordered the "famous" burger that Bar Rescue raved about. Not the greatest but I would go back. Drinks are all local but , personally , am more for the "traditional" drinks. Service was awesome. The waiter was friendly and extremely attentive. A little pricey but overall worth it. Overall ; I would go back as long as parking allows.
(4)