Went for the fish fry after guessing Duke of Perth would be jammed. Found easy seating, a pretty good attempt at an English Pub layout and decor, friendly and prompt service, and very good fish and chips. Breading on the fish was nice and crispy, thick fries were done nicely as well, served in a wicker basket (not plastic). I'd have preferred a plate but no biggie. A simple meal but it delivered. Nice beer list and some nice tappers from all over. Nice job Lion.
(4)
R.A. H.
The hubby and I celebrated our 6th Wedding Anniversary here with a nice dinner (sans Junior, thanks to Nana). I'll just stick with the Pros and Cons on this one. Pros: Great location. Really nice atmosphere. Food was very good. Staff was friendly. Hubby ordered the Pasty special for the evening and I got the Shepard's Pie. The serving temp was perfect, nice and hot. The portions (while some of heartier appetite might find on the small side) were perfect for us. As for the drink selection, as a cider fan I couldn't have been happier with the five or so ciders available to pick from. They had Anthem on tap. A bit on the sweeter side, but still very good. Cons: Can't really think of any. Prices were a little high, but on par with a good pub. Would like to see some less sweet ciders available. But again, not a complaint. Definitely would like to try this place out again with several friends along to make it a merry pub evening. I heard a rumor that there might even be a ghost!
(4)
Lien B.
Waitress was fast, knowable & delightful. Went this past Sat afternoon in hopes they would have fish & chips for our super picky kids. They had a great kids menu selection! Kids ordered the chicken tenders and the fish & chips meals which they enjoyed. Hubby had the buffalo chicken sandwich & I had the fish sandwich. Fish was perfectly battered, a lit'l greasy, but hey, it's fried! The fish was thick & flaky...so good! The buns were buttered & grilled, man writing abt it makes me feel I added another inch to my waistline! We also tried the sausage roll & the chili special which were both yummy. Sausage roll was totally like what u get in London. Everything came hot & w/ fries. We were wayyyy full leaving there. I can see this being in our regular family eatery. Altho next time I'll try the healthier salad options!
(5)
Gina G.
Food is spot on consistently everytime. Owners always on site with a warm welcome. When you're craving a juicy sirloin burger for under $10 this is the number one spot. Not to mention the traditional English flare entrees. Stop by for a sausage roll and a beer, don''t forget to wave to the Queen on the bar.
(4)
Dani M.
3 Stars from me but my ex and his British pal give this place 5 stars. I am not a fish & chips aficionado. I did not grow up in Wisconsin (ex) nor England (friend). I did not and do not go to fish frys. They on the other hand love fish & chips. Shortly after this place opened I took them here because I knew this would be up their alley. When you first walk in this place definitely has an old English pub vibe. Lots of wood, cozy half booths, and dimly lit. I remember them having a decent selection of beers, but this review is mainly to tout their fish & chips. Both of them claim it is the best they've had in Chicago. The Wisconsin-er, says its the best he's ever had. The Brit says its the best he's had stateside. They load up their fish with tartar and vinegar and I just stick to the vinegar. If you like fish & chips I'd say this is a solid neighborhood joint. I wish the service was a little better but it wasn't bad enough that a specific instance stands out too me - just a little on the slow side.
(3)
Roseann M.
It's been too long since I visited The Red Lion in Lincoln Square. Too many new, sexy places that friends want to try; too much work; too much summer. I'd been thinking of stopping in for dinner and a couple drinks for weeks. Maybe it was the coming of autumn and longer nights. There's something about sitting in a British-style place when it's dark and cold outside. It's comforting, homey, soothing. Had the Red Lion changed? I fell off the Brown Line and scooted a block north, walking fast to get out of the brisk wind. As soon as I opened the front door of the restaurant, I felt reassured. Everything looked like it should. Conversation from the four or five tables was quiet. The lighting emphasized the dark walls and was reflected in the mirror over the bar. I can't tell you exactly how it happens, but The Red Lion just feels right for a cold night. Most of the seats around the bar were occupied. It was the night of Wallenda's infamous tightrope walk, and the TV over the bar was tuned to endless coverage of the non-event. I found a seat at the far end of the bar and plopped down. Nate, the bartender, greeted me as soon as I sat down. I asked what kind of red wine he had by the glass, and he ended up giving me a taste of the zinfandel. Wonderful. A perfect winter warmer. I settled back, sipping the smooth wine, and, before long, was drawn into the conversation by the friendly folks around the bar. If you're a regular, this is the kind of "place where everyone knows your name." But even a newcomer like felt welcome. The Red Lion is not the place to go when you're on Weight Watchers. I went with the Black Bean Burger and French Fries, and one more glass of the zinfandel. The portion was filling and delicious. The wine was smooth. I felt all warm and cozy inside, and very relaxed. Good food, good wine, good conversation, relaxing atmosphere -- what else do you need? I'll be back soon. Promise.
(5)
Sam C.
The interior and ambiance is very inviting and feels cozy. Their bread pudding is delish!! Disappointed with the curry dip as their chips are great. A couple of us had dinners but I didn't try them, so no comment on the entrees. Their wine list is limited while they seem to have a good selection of beer, cider and stout. Service is good. Waitress was attentive and friendly. Location wise, off street parking may be easier on Lawrence however depending on the time of day you may get a good spot on Rockwell. Close to the brown line.
(3)
Emily H.
Gentrification 101 - Capitalize on young people who have families and wish they didn't by putting a campy English pub in the middle of one of the largest Chicago soccer mom enclaves. Welcome overwrought parents to bring their screaming toddlers to trash the place while they ignore their spawn and chug beers. Win. The fish 'n' chips were tasty, the bubble and squeak very savory, the beers were promptly and politely served. The furniture and kitsch was interesting and appealing. The waiters and bartenders were good guys. The only downside was the cattle-herd influx at 6pm of young parents, stampeding in and lowing for beers, repeatedly knocking things over and ramming strollers into chairs and letting children run wild. So go early or late, and nowhere near prime dinner time. Otherwise it's sticky fingers, screaming, slobber and snot for you.
(4)
Yelp O.
Good food, but they REFUSE TO TELL YOU PRICES of drinks! Been there a few times. Nice that the music is played at a low volume and you can talk without having to shout. Menu has all the food prices, but the booze has no prices. None. Zero. Zip. Not even the specials of the day! When the strange waitress finally arrives, she gave a halting, unsure, unsteady GUESSTIMATE OF PRICES! No kidding. When I asked for specific prices she asked me "which ones". I laughed and asked for the prices on the lower priced scotches. When she came back (much later) she said she had "looked over the prices" and again estimated prices, but was, "not sure of the more expensive ones" and she did not know which on the menu were the more expensive ones!!! BTW: I'm the opposite of a clean freak, but the disgusting silverware had not been washed.
(2)
Theresa S.
First off the food is great. I have had their bangers and mash, salads, pub burger, and appetizers, all delicious. Have been a few times in the past year with small to medium sized groups of friends. It is a nice local hang out for sure. My problem is with their service, not entirely horrible overall, but after last night I do not think I will ever be back. The waitress we had last night we had once before and the first time she was ok, but last night she acted like it was dooms day when we asked if we could have four separate checks then she said we couldn't because "it's new years eve." Yes the place was full when we arrived but the largest group, which was right next to us, had already received their check we noticed as we prepared to order. Honestly after that group left the place was half empty and once their section was cleared our waitress proceeded to just sit at a table and talk to a gentleman for quite awhile. Overall they were out of this and that, my order came out slightly wrong but I didn't want to bother having her fix it because I am sure there would have been an attitude or issue with that as well, the coffee machine was "acting up" even though we saw another table order coffee. In the end she did give us complimentary coffee when she did double check it was in fact working again. I don't know I certainly do not fault the waitress for them being out of items on the menu, but overall it really seemed that she was just mad because she was working new years eve and was taking it out on her tables. In the end we all only tipped her because she was working a holiday, for the complimentary coffee, and the food was delicious. Definitely not for the service we received.
(2)
Amanda R.
We took my English expat husband here for his birthday and they treated him like a king. He said this was the closest thing to a typical English pub he's seen since he moved here... wood everywhere, old pub signs and mirrors on the walls, Union flag bunting, the works. Very homey and welcoming. I was sat on an old church pew facing a red phone booth and ornate windows. It really feels like a place you can settle in for a few hours. I ordered the salmon pasty, because I was dying for a pasty even though I don't particularly care for fish. It was excellent, though, very delicious! The hubs had curry chips and loved them so much he asked if he could take some of the curry sauce home (they gave him a huge container full, which was very sweet of them!) My friend had the shepherds (*ahem* cottage) pie and I snagged a bite: Also good! The Pimms cup I had was tasty and their choices of cider left me in quite the conundrum as I couldn't decide due to the comparably vast selection. I ended up going with the Scotch cider (the waiter accidentally told me it was 13%... What he meant was that it was $13!!! Wouldn't have ordered it had I known but it was very good so I'm glad I got to have it once). The best part was the bread pudding. The rum sauce was the best I've ever had and still had quite the kick to it!!! Also the service was wonderful even though apparently the waitress didn't show up so we were served by the bartender. Overall a fantastic success and we will definitely be back. The only downside is the parking situation is not great. Lots of "dibs" in a non-permit parking area and a few places where people hadn't shoveled their sidewalks several days after the snowfall. We got the only available spot about a block and a half away.
(5)
Chrissy C.
Great beer list and unexpectedly delicious food for a pub! Also, Chelsea (our waitress) was awesome and hilarious. New to the neighborhood so we've only been twice so far, but we plan to return frequently.
(5)
Jay H.
This continues to be an excellent neighborhood spot for food and beverages. Still a friendly place, and I think the food has gotten even better. Bangers and mash were spot on -- great sausages, warm and comforting potatoes (bubble & squeak), great sauce, and even a side of peas. Wife's fish and chips were very good as well. Interesting food and beer specials. Outdoor patio is on a quiet street and usually is not too crowded.
(4)
Larry H.
as a neighborhood pub with some food options, the Red Lion is a nice place. Many a night I have had a brew and burger here (along with some curry sauce to go with the fries). They also seem to be never busy, which is awesome because let's face it, the worst thing about a pub is too many people. Here you can roll in and usually find a table. Anyway if you want a banger or pasty in your mouth, or maybe a ploughman's lunch, you should come here. I also appreciate how they go out of their way to mention that they are NOT affiliated with red lion, lincoln park.
(4)
James R.
Meh. It was OK. Wife and I stopped by for some dinner a couple of weeks ago. Nice ambience, in trying to resemble a typical British Pub. My wife ordered the Fish and Chips which came presented in a plastic basket. It made it hard to eat and didn't look that appealing. The taste was good though. I ordered the Beef stew with Guinness sauce. Not bad, but not great. The meat was very dry and while the sauce helped, it was hard to chew. For desserts, we ordered the Chocolate cake. Again, very dry, with no real sauce. Shame. Finally, I ordered a snakebite. As a Brit, I know the official way to make a snakebite. Some might argue that this can vary, but most Brits who drink them daily at university know the proper way. This place "almost" nailed it! Just needed a tiny bit more blackcurrant juice and it would have worked a treat! So to sum up, great ambience, nice decor, excellent service, but mediocre food. This place just needs a few finishing touches to make it awesome. Just not quite there yet.
(3)
Jon H.
I'll write some more when I go back and try the food... Stopped in for a late drink at the bar after work. The chef was bartending, and he was very courteous and helpful. People that were eating couldn't say enough about how good the food was. Can't wait to try it for myself.
(5)
Andie B.
My boyfriend is an English ex-pat who maintains that the fish and chips at Red Lion comes closer to being authentic than any other he's had in his 18 years stateside. I think it's pretty damn good. So, for his birthday this year we planned a party at Red Lion. Now, we were going to be celebrating his birthday on Easter Sunday, so we called to make sure they'd be open normal hours. We were assured it would be no problem and quoted hours beyond what the website stated. We checked the website just to be sure and no mention of being closed for the holiday. So, we invited our friends and set out for much anticipated fish and chips. Lo and behold, we arrived to find a sign on the door: " closed for the holiday!" This is the second time this has happened to us at Red Lion. We genuinely love the food here, but It is terribly embarrassing, not to mention inconvenient, to invite a group of people to a closed restaurant.
(2)
T I.
Okay- When the waitress brings out your drink with their fingers all around the rim of your glass, and you have to find a spot between their fingerprints to take a sip....NOT GOOD! The Red Lion has terrible service (we've tried it twice)_had 6 people..the food came out in shifts...nobody even asked us if we wanted another beer until after we were finished eating. And someone should tell them if you have an all-you-can-eat fish fry, we shouldn't have to beg for seconds. The place smells slightly like a sewer too.
(2)
Joe H.
I just got a pick up order from here and let me say, the food is EXCELLENT. I've eaten here many times over the past couple years and finally getting around to leaving a review. I haven't had all that much on the menu but.... try the bangers and mash, fish and chips, beef guinness and shepherds pie. She makes this gravy that has a hint of mushroom, guinness, maybe a touch of soy, garlic and cream. If you like mashed potatoes, fresh peas, Irish Pub/ English Pub food, You really should try this place.
(5)
Beth J.
We started coming here in 2011 when we had just moved into the neighborhood and we are still regulars! It has such a great vibe of being friendly, low key, and great food. My husband is from England and loves that he can feel right at home walking into the Red Lion. As for the food I always get the fish and chips as I love it so much but my husband switches it up quite a bit (bangers & mash, Cornish pasty, etc) and we both agree that the food is spot on.
(5)
Comensal A.
We liked the food at Red Lion -- tasty takes on traditional English pub standards. Can't really speak to the ambiance indoors, but the outdoor seating was pleasant enough. We started with Welsh rarebit; it had good flavor, but a different presentation than I'm familiar with -- instead of a bed of toast with tomato slices over it, this version had chunks of bread and a few (too few) tomato sections. Bangers & mash featured delicious, tender sausages in mashed potatoes over bubble & squeak -- very satisfying. Scrod almondine was rather plain, but also satisfying. For dessert, the obligatory spotted dick topped things off nicely. Nothing fancy here -- it is a pub, after all -- but everything was good, the service was OK, and the prices fair. I was a bit disappointed that there were only six beers on tap, and Guinness stout was the only one I recognized as British; I would expect more British draft choices. (To be fair, there is a broader selection of bottles.) Red Lion is A-OK in my book. I can see myself coming back when I want a pub food fix!
(3)
Mikah T.
Red Lion is exactly what my wife and I have been looking for. Good food, decent prices, friendly staff who remember our names.
Superb food and atmosphere. Very friendly staff. A real winner and great neighborhood gem. BBK, Revolution, and rotation of other greats on tap. English phone booth is a nice touch. Wish there were more places like this.
(5)
Judy R.
What I know now: Not only is the Red Lion my go-to spot for grub, it is also home to killer cocktails. The beer menu - full of great imports and the best local microbrews - is fantastic. Less known is that Joe is a master mixologist... His cocktails are as lovely to look at as they are to sip, and more than worth the price - which is no more than your usual corner tavern.
(5)
Fat F.
Food is OK, but drink selection and service is killer. The fish and chips are the best food items on the menu. Also the desserts are good.
(5)
Carolyn M P.
My sister and I came here for dinner on Valentine's , cause Monti's was a long wait to get in. So we came in the staff said to sit anywhere you like. We did near the window near the big red British phone box.. My first time here and I really enjoyed the food. I had = SHEPARD'S PIE in a brown Betty crock of baked, seasoned ground beef, mushrooms and peas in rich brown gravy. topped with mashed potatoes and served with side salad. My sister had a BEEF GUINNESS & actually had room left for dessert. I had the SPOTTED DICK = steamed date pudding w/ dates ,covered in buttered bourbon hard sauce. She had the CHERRY PIE no whip creme. I love the relaxed feel of this place - dark, small and cozy - like a comfortable living room. The food was great & I cleaned my plate. I loved the mashed potatoes, a good portion size. The beef was still hot inside the brown crock as I was still working on my side salad. I had this with ginger ale. For dessert I wanted something different than chocolate,so I choose the bread pudding plus I love anything with dates. This was my first time eating British Food. I love it, so we will be back to try something else.
(5)
Jerry M.
My wife & I have eaten dinner there several times. We have found the fish & chips among the best we've ever had. The burgers and onion rings are also quite good. While the draft beer list is short, the beers are quite good. The fact that they always serve one that comes from the hand pump is great. The place is quiet, restful & pleasant. Service has always been good. In short, go there!!
(4)
Joanne W.
Another neighborhood pub with grub. The Red Lion is a no frills British themed bar and grill. They have a handful of beers on tap as well as a variety of beers by the bottle. A nice low key place to meet your beau or kick back with your friends. I've found it's pretty quiet during the week making it easy to have a conversation. Friday nights are a different story though for Friday is all you can eat fish fry. I have to say, Red Lion is serving up some pretty good fish n chips. If you are a steak fry lover like me, you will not be dissappointed by these piping hot crispy behemoths. You get a pretty generous portion of fish as well and probably will not even ask for another portion. I've also tried the veggie and dip platter/appetizer. It was pretty standard...as most cut raw veggies are. The servers are friendly and the food comes out hot. It's nice to know that I don't have to go far to satisfy my craving for fish n chips. Another score for my go-to list.
(4)
Susan C.
Great neighborhood place. Warm and cozy, perfect for a winter's evening with solid food and beer. I'd be here more often if there was more room at the bar to belly up to as this is more of a group place and I tend to fly solo.
(4)
Andy G.
Fantastic place. The decor and atmosphere is exactly what you'd be looking for in a Brit pub. You can comfortably hang out here all night and feel like you are at home in your living room. Everyone is super friendly and the service terrific. The owner is very hands-on and obviously cares a great deal about his establishment. The food and beer are excellent. Hand-formed and battered fish goes into the fish and chips. Hand-pulled pints at the bar, plus a great selection of other beers.
(5)
Noël S.
Love this place! The staff is always very helpful and friendly, and they have great events, like British trivia. The Fish and Chips are probably the best I've had in Chicago, and believe me, I've made a study of it. It may look a little dodgy from the outside, but stepping in, you get a warm traditional pub.
(5)
Randall K.
Keeper. First time at the red lion. Family outing in search of "fish'n chips". I was not disappointed. GREAT food. Traditional English pub. The fish'n chips were fantastic. The onion rings were the best I've ever had. We took 6 kids from 6 to 15 years old and they all enjoyed the food and atmosphere. My 13 year old really liked the "Harry potter" drink. The area was not bad, and parking was within a few blocks. A 5th star would be given if the wait staff was more friendly. They were competent, but didn't add to the experience. Price not bad.
(4)
Aaron K.
4-5 stars for the classic fish and chips, which are among the best around. Service here is a solid 4 as they have always been friendly and quick. However the rest leaves a bit to be desired. The bar often had an ok draft selection but the rest is just so-so. Remaining food is ok as well but definitely not among the best bar food in the area. This remains our go-to local Lenten (or any other time) fish and chip stop. See you here an a Friday before Easter.
(3)
Timothy P.
The original Red Lion Pub in Chicago is the one on Lincoln Avenue.
(3)
Yaneck W.
very nice old school English bar. nice beer selection though I wish there were more on tap. food is good as well. the only reason it's not 5 stars is because of the old house smell one can smell when entering. after few minutes you get used to it.
(4)
Phoebe S.
Been to the Red Lion thrice and so far so good. I really enjoyed the Elizabethan sandwich and the curry chips, and the service has always been very attentive but we've also always been there at less-crowded times. I also always think of the perfumed ponce pub scene from Withnail & I whenever I'm there, which makes me smile.
I've walked past this place a zillion times on my walk to get groceries at Harvest Time the last few years and have always been meaning to try it. I'm not much of a drinker, but I love Fish'n'Chips, so I decided to order takeout tonight. The place is small and cozy with the cutest sort of old world English Decor. It wasn't very busy. I think having a low visibility location probably hurts this place a little bit. The food was to die for! Nothing like watching the London Olympics with the best Fish'n'Chips I've had since moving to Chicago. The beer batter was light, crispy, flaky perfection, with a much nicer portion of actual delicious fish inside. The portions were big. My best friend got onion rings which she won't stop raving about. I can't recommend this cozy out of the way Rockwell Pub enough!
(5)
Jenny R.
I used to go to the location near Fullerton & Lincoln & was sorry to see it go. I am ecstatic that they've reopened Red Lion! We went on a Sunday evening when "The Walking Dead" had a season premiere & the pub was having a viewing night. We were taken care of attentively & the food was as wonderful as I remembered. Friendly staff, cozy decor and hard cider on tap. I'm so happy to become a regular again :)
(5)
Katie C.
I like the Red Lion, but I really wish I could LOVE the Red Lion. I've been here 4 times now, and every time I've had something different; the food has always been really good. The atmosphere is great. On a quieter night it's intimate and cozy, and when it's busy it's still not too crazy. Try the spotted dick, it's amazing. My only complaint is they really could use some more waitstaff. The past two times I've been here I have had some service issues. On the first bad visit me and someone else at my table asked for an order of curry dipping sauce for our fries, and the waitress never brought it. We reminded her TWICE...and just never got it. Service in general was EXTREMELY slow, but she was always very friendly. She also told me "not to trust" the beer selection on the menu because it was so out of date. Uhh, maybe print out a new one then so people don't have to order beers you haven't had in months? I thought it was just one bad night. But then... Came back another night and didn't get menus until roughly 15 minutes after being seated. It was much busier this time but only 2 waitresses were working, and everything just took forever. Cooks from the kitchen appeared to be helping bring out dishes and clear tables! This was a busy Friday night. My friend and I split the bill; mine was more expensive and I paid cash. My friend paid by card, and they charged her for MY bill, which I don't even understand how that happened because they were in separate books. Like I said, the food is great but they really need more people waiting tables there.
(3)
Cindy K.
Stopped by since it's so close to home. It's a nice place to hang out-- our server was very nice and assured us after we ate that we should feel free to just hang out. We never felt rushed. We went for some food. The fish n chips were pretty good, one of the better fish n chips in Chicago. I was pretty disappointed with the sausage roll though. I was looking forward to a flakey pastry crust on the roll, but it ended up being really soggy. The sausage inside was good. The disappointment of the pastry was enough to knock off two stars, unfortunately.
(3)
Julia M.
I sometimes frequented the old Red Lion in Lincoln Park when I was working in the neighborhood, and was overjoyed to see it reopen...walking distance from my home! I'm a dedicated Anglophile and this place really is like dining in an authentic English pub. I'm a big fan of the Shepherd's Pie, which is just as good in the restaurant as it is when you carry it out and eat it at home. I'm not really a drinker, but friends tell me the beer and ale selection is quite good. They also recommend the Fish and Chips. An easy and comfortable place with friendly and attentive waitstaff and management. I'll be back for sure. Jolly good!
(4)
kara l.
Absolutely the very best burger in Chicago!! My favorite used to be The Bad Apple on Lincoln Avenue....which is GREAT! However, The Red Lion's burger was truly FANTASTICO! Juicey, flavorful, cooked to perfection with a grilled buttered bun...ummmmmm. I'm completely hooked! Kara Lange
(5)
Torry H.
I too went in after walking by for almost a year. The place seems dingy and dirty inside. It seemed very stale. Food too forever to come out and the drinks were weak. The fish and chips were good.
(2)
Bill K.
Everytime I go, I spend time trying to decide between the Fish N Chips, Bangers and Mash or the Beef Guinness. I have had all and enjoy all equally. Waitstaff is superb!! Bar service also excellent!!
(5)
James D.
Several friends and I went last night and the place was quite full and was hoppen with both rooms full up with diners. They have a great beer list and provided each one of the people in our group with a glass that matched the beer they ordered. I will be back to this place for a Fish and Chips meal.
(5)
Stephanie M.
This is the perfect place if you are looking for a real English pub, it's not fancy and it doesn't try to be. I had a few friends visiting who had previously lived in Oxford and wanted to give them a taste of England and this definitely did it! The night we went it was all you can eat fish and chips and they were delicious! I got the Sheppard's pie which was perfect for a chilly winter night. They have a fun beer selection and great British desserts as well (the bread pudding was wonderful!). Highly recommend trying this place out if you want authentic British food and automosphere.
(4)
Deborah E.
This is perhaps the most conflicted review I have ever written to date. I want so badly for this place to succeed and be the place I bring my family and friends. I used to frequent this establishment when it was located awhile ago on Lincoln and was happy to see that it has relocated on Rockwell south of Lawrence. In fact, I was thrilled. But, after our recent visit, 2 stars = "Meh. I've experienced better" or 3 stars = "A-Ok." What a toss up. First, the pluses. Great location, in my 'hood, spacious, outdoor seating. Onion rings are excellent. All you can eat fish n chips on Friday - $10.95 - is very good - it may even keep this Anglophile coming back for more. If it wasn't for one huge issue. The service is horrendous. Seriously, you guys - come on. You have GOT to fix this. Poor service is a huge reason people don't come back to a restaurant. You can have the best freaking food on the planet but if the service sucks, your clientele goes elsewhere. The 3 of us were recently at the Red Lion on a Friday. There was no wait - we got seated right away. The 10-12 tables were full including a 20 top in the back room. There were 4 people including mgmt bringing out food, drinks, etc. However, we had to ask for silverware; we had to ask to have someone wait on us; we had to ask for drinks - that came 15 mins later after we reminded them that we still hadn't received them. We watched other frustrated tables get up and leave in the meantime. Our onion rings appetizer came 20 mins later and our fish n chips? Arrived AN HOUR later. An hour. Having been a waiter many years of my life, I am the most patient and forgiving patron you will find - almost to a fault. I am willing to cut a place some slack but there is one thing you cannot have happen: you cannot forget to acknowledge your customers. Give them a free appetizer for their inconvenience. Check in with your tables and if there is a back up in the kitchen, tell them. COMMUNICATE. As long as patrons don't feel ignored, they are forgiving. Red Lion, I believe in you. I want you to be my neighborhood hangout so badly. I like your food which is why I am giving you 3 stars instead of 2. But should I really have to pack a lunch to eat while I wait for my food to arrive? I think not.
(3)
Brian L.
Last night was my third trip to the Red Lion and unfortunately it could be my last. First two trips: Awesome; both times on a weekend afternoon and there was only 2-3 other people in the place. Food was really good and we enjoyed ourselves. Third trip: Went on a Friday night with a couple from our building. It was good to see the place was lively - not packed but busier than the first couple times there. Here's how things went: Walked in and sat down. 10 minutes later we get four waters 5 minutes after that we get menus 15 minutes later they come to take our order - this included my wife asking for something on the menu and them reporting they were out of them (on a Friday night, at 7 pm? Did I miss 5 pm dinner rush?) 30 minutes later dinner arrives - everyone enjoyed their meal. Throughout dinner we had to ask repeatedly for more drinks and they could never remember who they were going to at the table. After plates were cleared we waited another 20 minutes for the check. When it arrives the waitress tells us she gave our check to someone else and they paid it. She 'thinks' their check is less and hands it to us. We do some rough math and find it's maybe $5 cheaper. We all look to 'see what we ate' and pay the bill. I really want this place to make it because the neighborhood needs more local hangouts with good food. Having said that, if you can't handle 20-30 people in your place at one time you are in trouble.
(2)
shari m.
As others have mentioned, as a neighbor, I was thrilled to see The Red Lion appear, and I want them to succeed. To me, there are issues related to attention to detail that inhibit greatness. I think I have gastropub envy, and this just didn't measure up. The highlights: Major points for the hand-pulled ale. It provides a refreshing flashback to one of the best parts of a trip to London. Also, the owner is very personable and engaging, and hands-on with service. Issues that are limiting: I know others have enjoyed the fish & chips, but I can't get past seeing a guy hauling 3 brown paper bags of frozen fries. If the goal is to be a "good enough" neighborhood joint, this might make the grade, but I was hoping for so much more, or at least some fresh potatoes. The turkey burger was thin and bland, and I am afraid also arrived frozen and pre-formed. The chicken and dumplings was refreshingly lighter than norm with its clear broth, and had loads of chicken, but it was overly salty, and there were only two dumplings in a bowl (so one dumpling in a cup?). I'm not sure if the goal is to be a bar with food, or a restaurant with a welcoming bar. Unfortunately, both aspects could be improved. The actual bar is too small to give it a great pub feel. There is a bar in the main room, and a second bar in the side room, and it seems the staff has to run between the two just to gather drinks. The Guinness tap is in this side room, and I watched a server pour half a pint in a glass then finish with stout from a pre-filled pitcher. Really? I'll listen if someone tells me this is standard, but it appeared to be a corner-cutting measure to speed up the delightful but time-consuming precision of a perfect pint. The food isn't of high enough quality and creativity to beg for returns just to dine. Perhaps I should have just enjoyed my beer in the hood and happily headed home.
(3)
Monique L.
I went here based on the reviews for the fish and chips and I was utterly disappointed. I like that it is a local pub that doesn't have a pretentious vibe. I didn't like that it had a musty smell with damp carpet. I also did not like the fish and chips AT ALL. It was served fresh out of the fryer, but it had no taste to it whatsoever. I was hoping that I would like the food since the server was so friendly, but I won't be going back to this pub. Sorry :(
(1)
Steve G.
Great comfort food. Very friendly. Amazing selection of great beers and whiskeys. You'll feel at home ... with better food and drink :)
(5)
Maggie D.
Unbelievable beer and authentic English food... They need to make themselves known in the Lincoln Square neighborhood! Must try the hand drawn Hobgobblin!
(5)
Javier B.
Had an opportunity to check it out and was impressed. Started with the fried olives which were good. We tried one of the specials of the day, a tuna steak with a Ginger and garlic sauce which was outstanding. Also tried the Cornish pasty and both the wife and myself really enjoyed it. The service was attentive and friendly. Prices are very reasonable for the quality. Tuna special was $11 for a big, good quality piece of fish. Made me realize that I really should have sent back the horrible tuna that i got at Sola for $29 a few weeks ago. I look forward to going back soon and to them getting their liquor license.
(4)
Athene C.
This was my second visit to the Red Lion and I have to say, I'm on the fence about this place. Both my meals were good. The first time, the best fish and chips I've probably ever had. This time the Guinness Stew. But the service! And the inconsistency. Tonight was a big group and many in our group ordered the same things - Shepherd's Pie and Fish & Chips. The Shepherd's Pies were a disaster as they were the last time I was here. The flavor was there, but the temperature was way off. Half hot + half cold = totally unacceptable. When this happened the last time 2 months ago they said they would work on it. Obviously not. The fish and chips were all over the place, some a little too crispy. The inconsistency was apparent. My biggest gripe was the service, though. They forewarned us that a bigger group was coming in so we should order up. We did. Fish and chips came out first .... pause. Beef Stew .... pause. Burgers ... pause. Finally partially cooked shepherd's pie. Water refills? Not so much. Asking how we're doing? Not so much. Can we have more water? Sure. Excuse me ... water please? Sure. Water? We eventually just grabbed the pitcher and served ourselves. And I am very forgiving of restaurants when they're busy. But it wasn't that. They just seemed a little spacey. The final straw was asking for the check. I asked, she acknowledged and then stood at the bar chit chatting with the other patrons for 10 minutes. We asked the owner. He said sure and then stood at the bar eating dinner. We did get the check 15 - 20 minutes after the request. Annoying. Will we go back? My husband says no. Me? As I said, I'm on the fence.
(2)
Mrs. L.
I echo the sentiment re: more waitstaff. We had a table of 4 and got there pretty early (around 6pm) on a Saturday night. It took our waitress about 20 minutes to get us our menus and then another 20 minutes to bring out drinks. We had closed our menus and prepared to order as she walked to and fro all around us. I finally got up to use the restroom and told her that we were ready to order. She said "ok, great" and then never came to the table! It was a chilly night so I started with soup which was straight up cold. When I told the waitress she said that she would nuke it, which rubbed me the wrong way. The beer selection was decent, but it took so long to get drinks that each time she checked on us, everyone would order two beers knowing that we wouldn't see her for a long time. I wanted to like the place, but they absolutely must do something about the lack of staff.
(2)
Andy M.
So far, so good. My first visit to the new Lincoln Square location was pretty damn good. Once they get their liquor license taken care of, it's going to be even better. The food and service were both fantastic. Not only was our server terrific, the owner took the time to come over and talk with us for a few minutes. The food was a notch above what you would normally find in a pub. The Red Lion burger was fabulous. It was juicy and delicious. The highlight of our meal had to be the Onion rings. Yes, I know that Onion rings are a simple dish, but these were a cut above the rest. The batter they used was light and airy. They didn't have that typical greasy taste that Onion rings usually have. Until they get their liquor license, it's BYOB only. We ended up saving a ton of cash by bringing in our own hooch. I was kind of disappointed though, I had a major hankering for a black and tan from the tap. The interior is quite different from the Lincoln Ave location. It's much brighter. The old location was like a dark cave. My visit to the Lion was fabulous. I can't wait to see how this place evolves.
(5)
Carolynne M.
Hard to accurately rate this, since the night we were there it was still BYOB and cash only. However, I will rate the two things I can speak of, which was the food and the interior. The interior...well it looked more like a coffeehouse than a pub. Too brightly lit, too empty in terms of furniture and decorations and while the far room was nice and private, it was too harsh and unwelcoming, with the hard seats, cold tile floor and no music. (The other side was considerably better.) Still, could use some work. Food: Andy ordered the Welsh Rarebit, which was toast covered in cheese sauce and tomatoes. I ate the tomatoes, which were of the winter variety and therefore too pink and bland. I did not care for the cheese which had almost no flavour at all. The onion rings he ordered though were fantastic! Perfectly crisp and with deliciously sweet onions - very nice. My entree was the Cornish Pasty, which was a flaky pastry with meat and veggies inside. It came with a mushroom gravy and a side salad. The pasty itself was just OK, when eaten on its own it didnt have much flavour, but the gravy was delicious and I could have just eaten that with some bread and been happy. The salad was fresh, with a very nice bacon vinaigrette. However, after seeing some orders of the fish and chips, I was sad I didn't order that as it looked and smelled amazing. Having never been to the original Red Lion I can't say if this is better or worse. I do know that they are trying to make it into a comfortable hangout place. I think they are on the right track, and will be interested to go back once everything is in place.
(4)
Gina F.
I have to add to my previous review after my most recent visit.I also brough a friend who's a big fan of British pub fare & she was is heaven. I DID try thr onion rings, and they were delicious--thick cut & perfectly fried. She had the fish & chips (naturally) and the fish was a really good portion & very well-prepared. After dinner we shared the gloriousness that was the bread pudding. It was warm, ooey gooey wonderfulness.
(4)
Angelique B.
The location - awesome. The service - pretty good. The food - DREADFUL. The atmosphere - eh. After reading such great reviews of this place, we decided to give it a try. We ordered the fried olives - over-fried and way too salty, the fish & chips -chewy and tasteless fish, the chips - soggy and the cornish pasty, which was in soggy puff pastry which made me think it had been microwaved. I've had good food at many English pubs throughout the city and this doesn't make the cut on any level.
(1)
Naomi J.
Great English style restaurant/pub. I was recommended to this place quite a while before I was able to finally visit. But my two friends and I came on a quiet weekday evening during Christmastime. The place was cozy and casual. We ordered two plates of fish and chips, which were quite large and a Guinness Chocolate Cake. The food was tasty, the service was friendly, and the prices were reasonable. This is a place I know I will be coming back to.
(4)
Emily S.
I was a huge fan of the old Lion and when I found out a new one was opening around the corner from my house my heart filled with joy. A friend and I had the chance to have dinner there last night and it was excellent! Things are still very new here so the menu is in flux but the staples like the Fish and Chips (great. just, really tasty and perfectly portioned) and the ground beef pasty with mushroom gravy (very warm, tasty and comforting) were both fantastic. Currently the place is byob until they get their liquor license and we took advantage, I just brought from home but there's a handy liquor store on the opposite corner. The service was friendly and everyone smiled and said hello and goodbye. Currently they are operating on a *cash only* basis but that's soon to change. We sat at a lovely table by the window and felt very cozy. (Our one suggestion being to perhaps lower the lights a bit to make it even more so). At any rate the red lion is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. We'll be back!
(4)
Chris J.
Living nearby and having lived in Lincoln Park before the old location closed, I was eager to give Red Lion a shot. I'm really looking forward to them getting their liquor license, but BYOB isn't a bad thing either! Went in there in the middle of a Saturday afternoon and it was pretty quiet (although seeing it in the evenings, it can be pretty hopping...even without booze!). I got the burger which was pretty tasty and cooked surprisingly well to order (medium-rare)! The chips were a little plain but didn't expect anything too out of the ordinary with them. I'm definitely looking forward to returning and trying some more of the menu! And it'll probably become my regular spot for drinks once they get their license...
(4)
Claudia G.
My beau didn't want me to review the Red Lion fearing I would give it three stars when he felt it was a solid four stars. So, I am giving the Red Lion four stars not only to continue to be a mystery to him but because It rightfully earned them based on service, quality of food, and ambiance. If you ever visited the original location you will not find the same feel, but, really, how could you? That building was just kinda special. With the new location, the owners have done a bang up of job turning a common storefront into a homey, inviting place. On top of that, you have them. They are just lovely - so earnest in their desire that your experience be a good one. For dining we tried the black bean soup and welsh rarebit to start. My beau found the soup great. For entrees my beau had the regular pastie and I had the veggie pastie. They came with mushroom sauce and I immediately poured the sauce all over mine, regrettably for me. I didn't care for the mushroom sauce. My beau loved it. I did find a bit of my pastie not covered in the sauce and really enjoyed the flavor of it plain. We split a bread pudding in the end and perhaps splitting one was a mistake. Two could have easily been in order. Delicious! Street parking was easy for us that day.
(4)
matty z.
The original The Red Lion in Lincoln Park was my favorite pub in Chicago, and offered plenty of occasion for amazing evenings spent at the bar, full of conversation with Colin and/or Joe, great friends, good food, and tradition. When the old place closed, I really can't begin to tell you how it affected my friends and I. We felt like we lost our hang out, and like we lost our place to make memories. We moved on, but sadly. When news came of the opening of Red Lion Lincoln Square, I was ecstatic, and now after my first trip there, I am looking forward to all that's in store. Much remains the same. The menu hasn't changed much, but looked like it had some very nice additions. Joe is there, and is as friendly as ever. There's no liquor yet, but that is obviously on the way, and for now, I say cheers! for the BYOB. On a night when we planned to order fish and chips (which were excellent!), my friend and I ordered an appetizer... of more chips. LOL. eh, it was worth it. they're quite good, and the curry sauce is amazing. With the pleasure of company from the lovely Andy M. and Carolynne M., I had a simply wonderful evening. I am so grateful TRL is back, and look forward to creating new memories.
(4)
Benjamin K.
Great British Fare. I had the Shepard's Pie and it was outstanding. Then for desert I had the bread pudding and it was the best I'd ever had. I finished it all even though my stomach hurt from eating so much - it was that good!!
(5)
Brian W.
I just moved within10 minutes walking distance of this place and in my exploring, tried Red Lion for the first time this weekend. It has a very chill atmosphere, and seems like it's geared towards a more mature crowd. By mature, I don't mean older. There was a nice mix of people from different age groups when I was there, but it just seems like a more laid back crowed. All the reviews were pretty positive about the fish and chips, which happens to be one of my favorite dishes, so that's what I tried. They were excellent! I love the batter they use for the fish. I'd definitely come back and order again. The beer list is short, but they have a good selection of craft and UK imported beers. I'll definitely make several return trips here.
(4)
Tracy C.
I like it here, the kids LOVE it. It is literally 2 blocks fom home. The service is a wee bit lacking. That is my only critique, they could tighten it up a bit. Good solid food, a little unevenly heated from time to time. Green Curry Wings are the best! My favorite thing about the lion! You be to try them, crispy, green curryish with a little honey maybe! Hhhhmmmm. Get your kids a butter beer, like a butterscotch Italian soda! Yum, liquid sugar for dinner :) my kids love the chicken and dumpling soup and the BLT, watch that bacon kitchen- English food is awful, but they do not blacken their bacon :) Check them out, have a little patience and support this local pub! Cheers!
(4)
Evan H.
2.5 stars for a dinner on Tuesday this week. Our server was a friendly girl, though the table of 6 that was seated AFTER my party of 2 received their appetizers before we even got our beer. Had the bangers and mash and was pretty underwhelmed. The bubble and squeak (souffle of mashed potatoes, bacon, and cabbage) on which it was served sounded amazing, but in actuality was pretty pedestrian. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great, either. Would definitely not reorder this dish. The man behind the bar (maybe the owner?) delivered our food to the table and was pretty gruff. We thanked him, which didn't even elicit a smile, let alone an "enjoy your meal." This is my third time here, and I really don't feel any compulsion to return. For a little neighborhood joint, the service was a bit too cold for my liking.
(3)
B C.
I liked the feel of this place. It made me lean back in my chair and let out a relaxed sigh. It's something along the lines of an old English seaside pub or a quiet restaurant you might find alongside a foggy cobblestone alley. The blue-gray and deep red-colored walls soak up its low lighting and make it especially low-key environs for a late afternoon meal. Our server was quick to greet us and give us tips on the food. I had the fish & chips, and my girlfriend had the chicken pesto sandwich. Both orders tasted great, but I'll probably order one of their more unique dishes the next time I'm there. The curry chips were a great and generously proportioned finger food to share while we waited for the main plates. In short - Had a hard day at work and need a place to catch up with a friend or read the newspaper over a sandwich and a pint? Red Lion is a solid spot for it.
(4)
Alex M.
When I first walked into Red Lion, I felt like I walked into a British movie with the typical pub you always see the "boys" hanging out in. The entire decor looked way more authentic to me than the hundreds of wannabe pubs all over Chicago that simply plaster the walls with knick-knacks. It's a shame they don't have a liquor license yet, but hopefully soon. I would love to come here to catch some Euro Cup games rather than fight for a spot at the Globe Pub. The food was pretty good. Their fish and chips were done just right and were not those crappy crumby frozen fish you get in the wannabe spots. Their Cornish and Veggie pasties were decent, and I liked their curry mustard sauce that went with the fries. I'll definitely go back. I just hope they can snag that liquor license.
(4)
Ted K.
I am a local resident and drove by this place too many times before finally making the decision to TRY IT OUT!!! my lady and I went on a weekday night around 6pm and we were the only people inside the place. after a few minutes, more people did arrive, but i got nervous that this place wasnt going to make it long term being it was a prime time of the day on a weeknight with no one around. seems like when i drive by, there are always people on the patio which is good to see. the food was good. i had the famous fish n chips and they were very good. my favorite part of the meal was the fried green olives that come with a side of Bleu Cheese! HMMMMMMMM! Sooooo good, but you only get like 5-6, so i will need 2 orders next time. They DO have a liquor license now, but they were having issues with their taps, so look forward to that. We have sangrias and they were good, but nothing special. All in all, definitely a place to try out if you live in the hood. Hopefully, the place sticks around...
(4)
Chicago J.
I was really looking forward to going, and as they have no menu posted, I decided to check out some of the other yelpers reviews. Since I'm not a drinker, not having their liquor license didn't dissuade me, and as my party was aware, it was BYOB. Enticed by the thought of a juicy and delicious Red Lion burger, I knew in advance what I wanted, and I was excited. English Pub food! When my burger came, it was neither juicy nor delicious. The bun was hard. My onion rings weren't flavorful (unless grease counts as a flavor). My table-mates both had the fish and chips, which I was looking forward to coming back later that week and trying, and both of them told me I'd be better off going to Duke of Perth. I really try not to be too judgmental of a place, but hearing how the rest of my party were treated (Even though they knew in advance that we were a large group, they didn't accommodate us, and we were seated at separate tables) I see no real reason to go back.
(2)
Jay S.
The booze only makes it better. The green curry chicken wings appetizer is fantastic. Great for a gathering, family dinner or just to knock back a few.
(5)
Melissa C.
Very charming and excellent food! Very authentic and definitely home cooked. The owners are always there and are very sweet and helpful.
(5)
sarah p.
As others have mentioned I REALLY wanted to love this place. But I dont. I like it and will go back but if I didnt live down the block would never drive to it. You can have good experiences with the food but stick to the basics like burgers and fish n chips. The first time we were there my mom ordered a curry dish which was just gross, we really like curry and this was terrible.The chicken wasnt cooked fresh there it was pre packaged cubes. I had the patsy which had potential but the gravy was a blob that didnt pour out of the dish. The appetizers are all pretty good but not plentiful. I think I spent 7 bucks for 5 olives. They were awesome, too bad I couldnt afford to order more. That said. I am still really glad its in my hood and I'll go back Im sure a few times at least.
(3)
Chuck A.
I loved the old Lion! I started going about twenty years ago and I became a regular - eventually going at least twice a week! Thank God Joe has resurrected my favorite place. The new Lion is a big improvement in my estimation. The old Lion was really falling apart . The New Lion is clean and cozy! The few meals I have had so far were great. Sue did a great job on the menu and the cook they hired is a pro. You can expect consistent quality. If you want some real Chicago hospitality and conversation you'll find the new Lion has not changed in that regard!
(4)
Anon N.
This review is for FRIDAY NIGHT around dinner/drinks time. The service seems to be a bit shoddy even on their slow nights, but it's a solid neighborhood pub with a great burger and chips. Points for being so close to where I live and on an empty night when there are only a few other tables there, I'd give this place 3.5-4 stars easily. Friday is unlimited fish and chips night, so my mistake for wanting to go in there for anything else. They are still understaffed and have stressed out service when the place is more than half full, which I can forgive but I'm hoping that will change soon. I really really want to love and support this place but it's difficult when my experiences there have been so varied. On Friday, we had to sit at the (horribly uncomfortable for eating because the stools are too short for the shape of it) bar, and navigating the elbows around me and glasses being dipped in cleaning solution and splashed right below where I was eating was a little gross. The owner/bartender is a really nice guy but not a trained server. He started walking away before hearing my whole order and I had to ask for several things in addition after the fact which I had to wait an unacceptable amount of time for, considering they were basic requests that anyone trained in serving would have been on top of. The floor plan and location of things doesn't set anyone up for success, and I hope they obtain the means to rehab the problem areas. It took 10 minutes before we were asked if we'd like to order something (having asked for a menu from the guy sitting next to us because it wasn't offered by the staff). The portions were half of what I'd received in the past (at least on the salad and chips) and I don't know if it was because it was a Friday and the kitchen was sloppy or because they've changed how they do things. I felt like a chump paying 5 bucks for what amounted to 4 fork-fulls of iceberg lettuce and the chips looked like a half order as well. So, on an empty night when there are only a few other tables there, I'd give this place 3.5-4 stars. They're working out their kinks and I wish for their success. I will be staying away on Friday nights forever, and will continue my quest for a solid neighborhood joint on a weekend.
(2)
Bruce B.
From the outside, this place looks great. From the inside, this place looks great. However, the food sucks. How does a place ruin fish and chips? Somehow this bar did a great job being bad...real bad Michael Jackson. Also, the beer was warm. I can get crapy food and warm beer at my house! I will never be coming back here. I would also recommend if you do come here, to bring your own ice. Terrible service, terrible food, and warm beer. Seems like it should be a college bar. I'm not sure what other people on Yelp are talking about, but you must have been wasted when you entered.
(1)
Inna B.
My friends and I were looking for a place to eat around the Rockwell Brown line stop. Unfortunately, we did not have a reservation & both of the other places we tried to go to were completely packed with a wait. Red Lion was mostly empty....which was already a bad sign. The place smelled a little funky & I thought our service was awkward (not necessarily bad, just a.w.k.w.a.r.d) I ordered the pimm's cup & it did not taste anything like it usually does. I also had the fish & chips. I thought this dish was nothing special & it was definitely not worthy of its calories!
(2)
Leo L.
Love the hand pulled engine serving my favorite English ale: Hobgoblin!
(5)
Shawn R.
SHORT TAKE: Enjoyable English Pub Classics, Will Be Back I know these guys had some other location, but to me it was simply a brand-new restaurant, pre-liquor license, offering up traditional English pub fare. So our once-a-month BYOB dinner club called them up, asked them if they were cool seating 20ish drunks for dinner, and off we went. Overall, our group's reactions were mixed but towards the good side. Place was pretty empty, but I expect that will change once the liquor license is in. They basically gave over the back room to us. It was quite cold, but, again, with a regular number of customers generating body heat, I don't suspect that will be a problem long-term. The host/owner was a weird mix of attentive and engaging and rushingly rude. Near the end, he stuck around to tell some nice stories and chat with us, but was cold and distant throughout the order-taking process. Then again, he was serving us personally and I'm sure we put his kitchen (seemingly staffed solely by his teenaged daughter?) through its paces with such a large group ordering all at once. As to the food, we sampled a wide variety from the group's offerings. For appetizers, my wife tried and loved the Welsh Rarebit. I had the chicken dumpling soup (not something I associate as traditionally English) but, that said, it was tasty. Piping hot, fair amount of chicken, big, soft dumplings... the table shared some onion rings, which were, as other reviewers have mentioned, near-sublime. Lovely airy breading texture, not heavy at all, as good as o-rings can get, really. The curry fries were delish as well, classic English pub chips with a good side curry to dip them in. For the mains, the wife had the fish and chips and pronounced it excellent, would absolutely go back to have them again. I took a bite and yes, it was a nice amount of tender cod with that excellent batter we met with the o-rings earlier. I went with the Shepard's Pie, which, while a little on the small side (the one served at The Globe is at least a third bigger), was excellent. The side salad was a typical restaurant side salad with a warm bacon dressing, nothing special, but nice to at least have a nod towards some veggies with the meal overall. It was properly spicy in the meat filling, the mash on top was well done, I wouldn't have blinked were it served to me in a proper London pub. Some other guests did have complaints about their dishes (including one obviously burnt Cornish pasty, though a different member of our party got the same dish made perfectly), but I'll let them speak their own piece if they wish. The wife and I had no complaints and wish to return, particularly, in my case, for their bangers & mash.
(4)
Eric V.
The food isn't necessarily spectacular, but they do serve up some decent fish and chips. The fish was moist, flaky, nicely battered, and well seasoned. The chips were the thicker cut variety, but they lacked the crisp exterior and pillowy interior of a good batch of fries. A side of tartar sauce and cole slaw accompany the dish as well. We also gave the bread pudding a try, but it was too dense and was more than likely reheated in the microwave. Decor can best be described as homely, and the scent of malt vinegar seemed to constantly waft through the air. Maybe someone spilled a bottle or there were just lots of fish n chips being dished out that night. Our server was a little rough around the edges, but they had only recently opened when we dined so hopefully they were just working out the kinks. In the end, neither a horrible nor amazing experience, but I'll gladly have Red Lion in the neighborhood than the shady, tinted windowed Cafe Blu that used to reside here.
(3)
Susana D.
Exceptional curry fries, unusual beer and cider lists, weird but good English vittles like bangers & mash and bubbles & squeak. Cozy atmosphere.
(4)
Victoria W.
At this point I'm holding back on a star because they don't have their liquor license yet (or a working phone for that matter), so it's hard to rate this new gastropub. But the atmosphere feels genuine (albeit shiny and new compared to traditional English pubs) and the service is beyond friendly. We tried the fish and chips and the "Colonial Chicken" -- both of which were quite tasty and reasonably priced. I'm sure this new reincarnation of the Red Lion will be very popular in the neighborhood, but some devotees of the original may be disappointed that there's no ghost.
(4)
DeDe R.
OMG! We are so lucky to have this little gem in our little Rockwell Crossing area. Love the BYOB The Guiness Beef was tender and tasty, the caper chicken was just perfect juicy not too salty. They have these stuffed Olives that are AMAZING!!! hard to share, so you might want to order your own. The bread pudding is steller good. I will be back to try the Chicken Curry which must be crazy good becuase it sold out before 8PM. Love Love Love this great place. :D
(5)
Laura K.
Finally got to visit the Lion last week and it's a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. I used to frequent the Lincoln Ave. location during my undergrad days at DePaul and have fond memories of studying over pints of cider and the best fish n' chips I've ever had -- even without a pint (we had tea on a cold night). I'm happy to report that the fish n' chips are as good, if not better than what I remembered. I got to taste a bite of my boyfriend's shepherd's pie and that was delicious as well. We split the bread pudding and it was fantastic. We spent some time talking to Joe & Sue, the owners and checked out the back room. It's a great space and I can't wait until they have a liquor license all settled. I don't typically like the loud sports bar scene, which is a lot of the reason why we chose to go to the Lion back in the day as well. It's a cozy, friendly atmosphere and is an easy walking or bus/L ride for me. I can see myself spending a good deal of time here in the future.
(5)
Georgia D.
I live in the Lincoln Square area and was very excited to have the Red Lion Pub open in my 'hood after having enjoyed the Lincoln Park RL Pub. The food and service were GREAT! Our group ordered the onion rings as an appetizer and they did not disappoint. They were DELICIOUS. My entree was the shepherd's pie and it was outstanding. My husband ordered the fish and chips and that was wonderful, too. The pub is awaiting it's liquor license, but I was content with the BYOB option. Joe and Sue are wonderful hosts I plan to be a regular customer :)
(5)
Fred W.
So nice to have the/a Red Lion back. That it's in Lincoln Square is a bonus for Square residents. Fish n Chips were better than ever. No liquor license yet means cheap night out even though I miss the great beers on tap.
(5)
Jamie S.
I just tried this restaurant on a rainy Thursday! The atmosphere is relaxing and nearly pub like (no "pub" tables and no smoking!). I had the chicken and dumpling soup which was very flavorful with fresh celery, homemade dumplings, and meaty shredded chunks of chicken. I also embarked on a slice of the Chocolate Guinness Cake which has a dollop of a cream cheese frosting and raspberry drizzled on the side. The cake was flavorful, but definitely could have been more moist and I would have enjoyed the raspberry sauce drizzled on top and not the plate. Me fellow dinner mates ordered the pineapple hamburger! It was the standard burger with a pineapple salsa which apparently was not to sweet for the burger or overwhelming. Though, I did notice that it created a soggy bun. The steak potato fries were delicious and not two salty. The selection of beers and ciders also seemed pleasing. I definitely would like to come back again though, the waiting staff was nice in the fact he didn't bother use with small chit chat and wasn't overly eager to take our finished dishes. REMINDER: do not go here if you are under a time crunch.
(4)
Rapture C.
Friendly and fun staff, great beer, good food, and a nice, quiet (usually) atmosphere. Great to have in Lincoln Square.
(5)
Rick M.
I went to the Red Lion of Lincoln Square two weeks ago and I was thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere matched that of old England, yet the restaurant was clean and well maintained. I made a food selection in the spirit of the restaurant, Bangers 'n Mash. The dish was delicious and was priced right for a customer on a budget. Great times!
(5)
Ted S.
We been to the Red Lion twice and have enjoy our meals especially the fish and chips. We enjoy the laid back atmosphere and enjoy talking to the owners. Can't wait for their liquor license to be finally issued!
(4)
Pattie K.
Himself, myself & the son stopped in last night for dinner. Happy to say they have their liquor license and are working on completing the beer/ale on tap selections. We had shepherd's pie, fish & chips and the Guinness beef. Everyone was quite satisfied. I should have left room for the bread pudding but even with leaving 1/2 the chips I was still too full for dessert. Next time I'll take the fish sandwich so I have some room for the sweets at the end of the meal.
(4)
M G.
Since they don't have a liquor license yet, this is a good lunch spot. I had the tandoori chicken and my friend had fish and chips. Service was great. My chicken has a little kick which I liked and the fish and chips looked good. Not a huge portion, but just right. A slight downside is they only had 1 women's bathroom. For a pub where alcohol will eventually be served, I'd prefer if they had more than 1. Oh well. It's close to where I live so I hope people give them a chance. It's the best place that's been in that location so far.
(4)
Patrick M.
Tried the red lion pub for the first time. We were a group of 3 on a Saturday night, showed up around 6pm and had our run of the place as far as seating. The main dining room has a bunch of different table options, high-tops, low-tops, circles, squares and any combination of those things, not to mention about 8 seats at the bar. The food was authentic, from what I could tell, having only been to London a couple times, I'm not quite a UK food expert. But, this isn't the kind of place that has all sorts of wacky, inventive, creative options like you might find in a gastro pub- just time-tested favorites that are made well. The onion rings are fantastic, probably the best I've ever had- coated in a homemade beer batter, they were like crispy, pillowy onion donuts. In retrospect, I should have saved one to rest my food-comatose head on. We each ordered a different entree, a burger, fish and chips, and shepherd's pie. Everyone had only good things to say. Burger bun was buttered, fish and chips were perfectly crispy with big thick steak-fries, and the shepherds pie was as heavy and delicious as you could ask for. Really solid pub fare. The beer selection is also mostly pretty traditional English beers, with a few classic selections like Boddington's and Newcastle, but also some more eclectic choices like Hobgoblin. Overall, we all agreed we'd definitely be back. If you're trying to choose between several pubs in Lincoln Square, and you're the kind of person who likes traditional, no-frills pub fare, I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot.
(4)
Chuck M.
I'm not sure why this place has negative reviews. Either they've gotten their act together or else people were expecting your standard TVs blaring, 20-somethings shmoozing kind of place. Red Lion ain't none of that! One TV and the sound is usually turned down, small but impressive beer list, pretty good food. Not the greatest place in the city but a very welcome respite from the standard, cookie-cutter bars found all over the city.
(4)
Angelique W.
Fish and Chips out of this world! The curry dipping sauce is easily on it's way to becoming my favorite condiment! This establishment will easily become a regular spot for me.
(5)
Jeff L.
took the family there after the Avon Breast Cancer walk and had a great meal in a relaxing setting. They had great cups for the kids (knock-over-proof) and they made grilled cheese for the kids even though it wasn't on the menu. The food was every bit (and better) then the old Red Lion on Lincoln....fish & chips are the best ever, beef guiness was great and loved the french roquefort salad dressing!!! It was a great place for a family dinner and service was impeccable and friendly!
(5)
N M.
the fish and chips are quite good. the onion rings too. the beer selection is great. the service is friendly and helpful. skip the pasties, which are frozen and re-heated (probably in the microwave) resulting in soggy pastry and unevenly heated meat; even if they were home-made to start with. (honestly, otherwise the taste of the pasties was great -- nicely cooked meat with a spicy peppery flavor. too bad about the microwaving.) honestly, we haven't tried much else here -- the fish and chips are why we eat here.
(3)
bryan f.
Great addition to the neighborhood. Best fish fry in the area. BYOB
(4)
Michele C.
I've been to the Red Lion Lincoln Square a total of three times now, with my 2 kids, 12 and 10. Each time we've tried something different and have never been disappointed. The Shepherd's pie is AMAZING. The Chicken curry salad I had today at lunch was awesome. The burgers are humongous, and juicy. I can never finish one. The BLT the kids had today was great! REAL bacon and LOTS of it. The chips are delicious and the curry dipping sauce is definitely a plus. The fish and chips, well, I've only had as good at our St. Hilary churches Lenten friday night fish fry! The menu seems close to finalized now with a good assortment of food. I can't wait for the liquor license! BTW, try the deep fried olives appetizer.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Tue, Thu, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
James K.
Went for the fish fry after guessing Duke of Perth would be jammed. Found easy seating, a pretty good attempt at an English Pub layout and decor, friendly and prompt service, and very good fish and chips. Breading on the fish was nice and crispy, thick fries were done nicely as well, served in a wicker basket (not plastic). I'd have preferred a plate but no biggie. A simple meal but it delivered. Nice beer list and some nice tappers from all over. Nice job Lion.
(4)R.A. H.
The hubby and I celebrated our 6th Wedding Anniversary here with a nice dinner (sans Junior, thanks to Nana). I'll just stick with the Pros and Cons on this one. Pros: Great location. Really nice atmosphere. Food was very good. Staff was friendly. Hubby ordered the Pasty special for the evening and I got the Shepard's Pie. The serving temp was perfect, nice and hot. The portions (while some of heartier appetite might find on the small side) were perfect for us. As for the drink selection, as a cider fan I couldn't have been happier with the five or so ciders available to pick from. They had Anthem on tap. A bit on the sweeter side, but still very good. Cons: Can't really think of any. Prices were a little high, but on par with a good pub. Would like to see some less sweet ciders available. But again, not a complaint. Definitely would like to try this place out again with several friends along to make it a merry pub evening. I heard a rumor that there might even be a ghost!
(4)Lien B.
Waitress was fast, knowable & delightful. Went this past Sat afternoon in hopes they would have fish & chips for our super picky kids. They had a great kids menu selection! Kids ordered the chicken tenders and the fish & chips meals which they enjoyed. Hubby had the buffalo chicken sandwich & I had the fish sandwich. Fish was perfectly battered, a lit'l greasy, but hey, it's fried! The fish was thick & flaky...so good! The buns were buttered & grilled, man writing abt it makes me feel I added another inch to my waistline! We also tried the sausage roll & the chili special which were both yummy. Sausage roll was totally like what u get in London. Everything came hot & w/ fries. We were wayyyy full leaving there. I can see this being in our regular family eatery. Altho next time I'll try the healthier salad options!
(5)Gina G.
Food is spot on consistently everytime. Owners always on site with a warm welcome. When you're craving a juicy sirloin burger for under $10 this is the number one spot. Not to mention the traditional English flare entrees. Stop by for a sausage roll and a beer, don''t forget to wave to the Queen on the bar.
(4)Dani M.
3 Stars from me but my ex and his British pal give this place 5 stars. I am not a fish & chips aficionado. I did not grow up in Wisconsin (ex) nor England (friend). I did not and do not go to fish frys. They on the other hand love fish & chips. Shortly after this place opened I took them here because I knew this would be up their alley. When you first walk in this place definitely has an old English pub vibe. Lots of wood, cozy half booths, and dimly lit. I remember them having a decent selection of beers, but this review is mainly to tout their fish & chips. Both of them claim it is the best they've had in Chicago. The Wisconsin-er, says its the best he's ever had. The Brit says its the best he's had stateside. They load up their fish with tartar and vinegar and I just stick to the vinegar. If you like fish & chips I'd say this is a solid neighborhood joint. I wish the service was a little better but it wasn't bad enough that a specific instance stands out too me - just a little on the slow side.
(3)Roseann M.
It's been too long since I visited The Red Lion in Lincoln Square. Too many new, sexy places that friends want to try; too much work; too much summer. I'd been thinking of stopping in for dinner and a couple drinks for weeks. Maybe it was the coming of autumn and longer nights. There's something about sitting in a British-style place when it's dark and cold outside. It's comforting, homey, soothing. Had the Red Lion changed? I fell off the Brown Line and scooted a block north, walking fast to get out of the brisk wind. As soon as I opened the front door of the restaurant, I felt reassured. Everything looked like it should. Conversation from the four or five tables was quiet. The lighting emphasized the dark walls and was reflected in the mirror over the bar. I can't tell you exactly how it happens, but The Red Lion just feels right for a cold night. Most of the seats around the bar were occupied. It was the night of Wallenda's infamous tightrope walk, and the TV over the bar was tuned to endless coverage of the non-event. I found a seat at the far end of the bar and plopped down. Nate, the bartender, greeted me as soon as I sat down. I asked what kind of red wine he had by the glass, and he ended up giving me a taste of the zinfandel. Wonderful. A perfect winter warmer. I settled back, sipping the smooth wine, and, before long, was drawn into the conversation by the friendly folks around the bar. If you're a regular, this is the kind of "place where everyone knows your name." But even a newcomer like felt welcome. The Red Lion is not the place to go when you're on Weight Watchers. I went with the Black Bean Burger and French Fries, and one more glass of the zinfandel. The portion was filling and delicious. The wine was smooth. I felt all warm and cozy inside, and very relaxed. Good food, good wine, good conversation, relaxing atmosphere -- what else do you need? I'll be back soon. Promise.
(5)Sam C.
The interior and ambiance is very inviting and feels cozy. Their bread pudding is delish!! Disappointed with the curry dip as their chips are great. A couple of us had dinners but I didn't try them, so no comment on the entrees. Their wine list is limited while they seem to have a good selection of beer, cider and stout. Service is good. Waitress was attentive and friendly. Location wise, off street parking may be easier on Lawrence however depending on the time of day you may get a good spot on Rockwell. Close to the brown line.
(3)Emily H.
Gentrification 101 - Capitalize on young people who have families and wish they didn't by putting a campy English pub in the middle of one of the largest Chicago soccer mom enclaves. Welcome overwrought parents to bring their screaming toddlers to trash the place while they ignore their spawn and chug beers. Win. The fish 'n' chips were tasty, the bubble and squeak very savory, the beers were promptly and politely served. The furniture and kitsch was interesting and appealing. The waiters and bartenders were good guys. The only downside was the cattle-herd influx at 6pm of young parents, stampeding in and lowing for beers, repeatedly knocking things over and ramming strollers into chairs and letting children run wild. So go early or late, and nowhere near prime dinner time. Otherwise it's sticky fingers, screaming, slobber and snot for you.
(4)Yelp O.
Good food, but they REFUSE TO TELL YOU PRICES of drinks! Been there a few times. Nice that the music is played at a low volume and you can talk without having to shout. Menu has all the food prices, but the booze has no prices. None. Zero. Zip. Not even the specials of the day! When the strange waitress finally arrives, she gave a halting, unsure, unsteady GUESSTIMATE OF PRICES! No kidding. When I asked for specific prices she asked me "which ones". I laughed and asked for the prices on the lower priced scotches. When she came back (much later) she said she had "looked over the prices" and again estimated prices, but was, "not sure of the more expensive ones" and she did not know which on the menu were the more expensive ones!!! BTW: I'm the opposite of a clean freak, but the disgusting silverware had not been washed.
(2)Theresa S.
First off the food is great. I have had their bangers and mash, salads, pub burger, and appetizers, all delicious. Have been a few times in the past year with small to medium sized groups of friends. It is a nice local hang out for sure. My problem is with their service, not entirely horrible overall, but after last night I do not think I will ever be back. The waitress we had last night we had once before and the first time she was ok, but last night she acted like it was dooms day when we asked if we could have four separate checks then she said we couldn't because "it's new years eve." Yes the place was full when we arrived but the largest group, which was right next to us, had already received their check we noticed as we prepared to order. Honestly after that group left the place was half empty and once their section was cleared our waitress proceeded to just sit at a table and talk to a gentleman for quite awhile. Overall they were out of this and that, my order came out slightly wrong but I didn't want to bother having her fix it because I am sure there would have been an attitude or issue with that as well, the coffee machine was "acting up" even though we saw another table order coffee. In the end she did give us complimentary coffee when she did double check it was in fact working again. I don't know I certainly do not fault the waitress for them being out of items on the menu, but overall it really seemed that she was just mad because she was working new years eve and was taking it out on her tables. In the end we all only tipped her because she was working a holiday, for the complimentary coffee, and the food was delicious. Definitely not for the service we received.
(2)Amanda R.
We took my English expat husband here for his birthday and they treated him like a king. He said this was the closest thing to a typical English pub he's seen since he moved here... wood everywhere, old pub signs and mirrors on the walls, Union flag bunting, the works. Very homey and welcoming. I was sat on an old church pew facing a red phone booth and ornate windows. It really feels like a place you can settle in for a few hours. I ordered the salmon pasty, because I was dying for a pasty even though I don't particularly care for fish. It was excellent, though, very delicious! The hubs had curry chips and loved them so much he asked if he could take some of the curry sauce home (they gave him a huge container full, which was very sweet of them!) My friend had the shepherds (*ahem* cottage) pie and I snagged a bite: Also good! The Pimms cup I had was tasty and their choices of cider left me in quite the conundrum as I couldn't decide due to the comparably vast selection. I ended up going with the Scotch cider (the waiter accidentally told me it was 13%... What he meant was that it was $13!!! Wouldn't have ordered it had I known but it was very good so I'm glad I got to have it once). The best part was the bread pudding. The rum sauce was the best I've ever had and still had quite the kick to it!!! Also the service was wonderful even though apparently the waitress didn't show up so we were served by the bartender. Overall a fantastic success and we will definitely be back. The only downside is the parking situation is not great. Lots of "dibs" in a non-permit parking area and a few places where people hadn't shoveled their sidewalks several days after the snowfall. We got the only available spot about a block and a half away.
(5)Chrissy C.
Great beer list and unexpectedly delicious food for a pub! Also, Chelsea (our waitress) was awesome and hilarious. New to the neighborhood so we've only been twice so far, but we plan to return frequently.
(5)Jay H.
This continues to be an excellent neighborhood spot for food and beverages. Still a friendly place, and I think the food has gotten even better. Bangers and mash were spot on -- great sausages, warm and comforting potatoes (bubble & squeak), great sauce, and even a side of peas. Wife's fish and chips were very good as well. Interesting food and beer specials. Outdoor patio is on a quiet street and usually is not too crowded.
(4)Larry H.
as a neighborhood pub with some food options, the Red Lion is a nice place. Many a night I have had a brew and burger here (along with some curry sauce to go with the fries). They also seem to be never busy, which is awesome because let's face it, the worst thing about a pub is too many people. Here you can roll in and usually find a table. Anyway if you want a banger or pasty in your mouth, or maybe a ploughman's lunch, you should come here. I also appreciate how they go out of their way to mention that they are NOT affiliated with red lion, lincoln park.
(4)James R.
Meh. It was OK. Wife and I stopped by for some dinner a couple of weeks ago. Nice ambience, in trying to resemble a typical British Pub. My wife ordered the Fish and Chips which came presented in a plastic basket. It made it hard to eat and didn't look that appealing. The taste was good though. I ordered the Beef stew with Guinness sauce. Not bad, but not great. The meat was very dry and while the sauce helped, it was hard to chew. For desserts, we ordered the Chocolate cake. Again, very dry, with no real sauce. Shame. Finally, I ordered a snakebite. As a Brit, I know the official way to make a snakebite. Some might argue that this can vary, but most Brits who drink them daily at university know the proper way. This place "almost" nailed it! Just needed a tiny bit more blackcurrant juice and it would have worked a treat! So to sum up, great ambience, nice decor, excellent service, but mediocre food. This place just needs a few finishing touches to make it awesome. Just not quite there yet.
(3)Jon H.
I'll write some more when I go back and try the food... Stopped in for a late drink at the bar after work. The chef was bartending, and he was very courteous and helpful. People that were eating couldn't say enough about how good the food was. Can't wait to try it for myself.
(5)Andie B.
My boyfriend is an English ex-pat who maintains that the fish and chips at Red Lion comes closer to being authentic than any other he's had in his 18 years stateside. I think it's pretty damn good. So, for his birthday this year we planned a party at Red Lion. Now, we were going to be celebrating his birthday on Easter Sunday, so we called to make sure they'd be open normal hours. We were assured it would be no problem and quoted hours beyond what the website stated. We checked the website just to be sure and no mention of being closed for the holiday. So, we invited our friends and set out for much anticipated fish and chips. Lo and behold, we arrived to find a sign on the door: " closed for the holiday!" This is the second time this has happened to us at Red Lion. We genuinely love the food here, but It is terribly embarrassing, not to mention inconvenient, to invite a group of people to a closed restaurant.
(2)T I.
Okay- When the waitress brings out your drink with their fingers all around the rim of your glass, and you have to find a spot between their fingerprints to take a sip....NOT GOOD! The Red Lion has terrible service (we've tried it twice)_had 6 people..the food came out in shifts...nobody even asked us if we wanted another beer until after we were finished eating. And someone should tell them if you have an all-you-can-eat fish fry, we shouldn't have to beg for seconds. The place smells slightly like a sewer too.
(2)Joe H.
I just got a pick up order from here and let me say, the food is EXCELLENT. I've eaten here many times over the past couple years and finally getting around to leaving a review. I haven't had all that much on the menu but.... try the bangers and mash, fish and chips, beef guinness and shepherds pie. She makes this gravy that has a hint of mushroom, guinness, maybe a touch of soy, garlic and cream. If you like mashed potatoes, fresh peas, Irish Pub/ English Pub food, You really should try this place.
(5)Beth J.
We started coming here in 2011 when we had just moved into the neighborhood and we are still regulars! It has such a great vibe of being friendly, low key, and great food. My husband is from England and loves that he can feel right at home walking into the Red Lion. As for the food I always get the fish and chips as I love it so much but my husband switches it up quite a bit (bangers & mash, Cornish pasty, etc) and we both agree that the food is spot on.
(5)Comensal A.
We liked the food at Red Lion -- tasty takes on traditional English pub standards. Can't really speak to the ambiance indoors, but the outdoor seating was pleasant enough. We started with Welsh rarebit; it had good flavor, but a different presentation than I'm familiar with -- instead of a bed of toast with tomato slices over it, this version had chunks of bread and a few (too few) tomato sections. Bangers & mash featured delicious, tender sausages in mashed potatoes over bubble & squeak -- very satisfying. Scrod almondine was rather plain, but also satisfying. For dessert, the obligatory spotted dick topped things off nicely. Nothing fancy here -- it is a pub, after all -- but everything was good, the service was OK, and the prices fair. I was a bit disappointed that there were only six beers on tap, and Guinness stout was the only one I recognized as British; I would expect more British draft choices. (To be fair, there is a broader selection of bottles.) Red Lion is A-OK in my book. I can see myself coming back when I want a pub food fix!
(3)Mikah T.
Red Lion is exactly what my wife and I have been looking for. Good food, decent prices, friendly staff who remember our names.
(4)Amanda W.
My family and I live in the hood and adore this place. It's cozy and the food and drank is consistently great. In fact, their fish and chips are some of the best I've had in the city, as is their bangers and mash. I also really enjoy their Guinness beef and their Guinness chocolate cake. My only complaint, and I really hate having one at all about this place, is that it always feels really stuffy air-wise in there, especially in the Summer. For this reason if it's just me and my fiancé (sans others) we usually take it to go. Nevertheless, if you're not picky about something like that you should still stop in and give them a try.
(4)Jon G.
Superb food and atmosphere. Very friendly staff. A real winner and great neighborhood gem. BBK, Revolution, and rotation of other greats on tap. English phone booth is a nice touch. Wish there were more places like this.
(5)Judy R.
What I know now: Not only is the Red Lion my go-to spot for grub, it is also home to killer cocktails. The beer menu - full of great imports and the best local microbrews - is fantastic. Less known is that Joe is a master mixologist... His cocktails are as lovely to look at as they are to sip, and more than worth the price - which is no more than your usual corner tavern.
(5)Fat F.
Food is OK, but drink selection and service is killer. The fish and chips are the best food items on the menu. Also the desserts are good.
(5)Carolyn M P.
My sister and I came here for dinner on Valentine's , cause Monti's was a long wait to get in. So we came in the staff said to sit anywhere you like. We did near the window near the big red British phone box.. My first time here and I really enjoyed the food. I had = SHEPARD'S PIE in a brown Betty crock of baked, seasoned ground beef, mushrooms and peas in rich brown gravy. topped with mashed potatoes and served with side salad. My sister had a BEEF GUINNESS & actually had room left for dessert. I had the SPOTTED DICK = steamed date pudding w/ dates ,covered in buttered bourbon hard sauce. She had the CHERRY PIE no whip creme. I love the relaxed feel of this place - dark, small and cozy - like a comfortable living room. The food was great & I cleaned my plate. I loved the mashed potatoes, a good portion size. The beef was still hot inside the brown crock as I was still working on my side salad. I had this with ginger ale. For dessert I wanted something different than chocolate,so I choose the bread pudding plus I love anything with dates. This was my first time eating British Food. I love it, so we will be back to try something else.
(5)Jerry M.
My wife & I have eaten dinner there several times. We have found the fish & chips among the best we've ever had. The burgers and onion rings are also quite good. While the draft beer list is short, the beers are quite good. The fact that they always serve one that comes from the hand pump is great. The place is quiet, restful & pleasant. Service has always been good. In short, go there!!
(4)Joanne W.
Another neighborhood pub with grub. The Red Lion is a no frills British themed bar and grill. They have a handful of beers on tap as well as a variety of beers by the bottle. A nice low key place to meet your beau or kick back with your friends. I've found it's pretty quiet during the week making it easy to have a conversation. Friday nights are a different story though for Friday is all you can eat fish fry. I have to say, Red Lion is serving up some pretty good fish n chips. If you are a steak fry lover like me, you will not be dissappointed by these piping hot crispy behemoths. You get a pretty generous portion of fish as well and probably will not even ask for another portion. I've also tried the veggie and dip platter/appetizer. It was pretty standard...as most cut raw veggies are. The servers are friendly and the food comes out hot. It's nice to know that I don't have to go far to satisfy my craving for fish n chips. Another score for my go-to list.
(4)Susan C.
Great neighborhood place. Warm and cozy, perfect for a winter's evening with solid food and beer. I'd be here more often if there was more room at the bar to belly up to as this is more of a group place and I tend to fly solo.
(4)Andy G.
Fantastic place. The decor and atmosphere is exactly what you'd be looking for in a Brit pub. You can comfortably hang out here all night and feel like you are at home in your living room. Everyone is super friendly and the service terrific. The owner is very hands-on and obviously cares a great deal about his establishment. The food and beer are excellent. Hand-formed and battered fish goes into the fish and chips. Hand-pulled pints at the bar, plus a great selection of other beers.
(5)Noël S.
Love this place! The staff is always very helpful and friendly, and they have great events, like British trivia. The Fish and Chips are probably the best I've had in Chicago, and believe me, I've made a study of it. It may look a little dodgy from the outside, but stepping in, you get a warm traditional pub.
(5)Randall K.
Keeper. First time at the red lion. Family outing in search of "fish'n chips". I was not disappointed. GREAT food. Traditional English pub. The fish'n chips were fantastic. The onion rings were the best I've ever had. We took 6 kids from 6 to 15 years old and they all enjoyed the food and atmosphere. My 13 year old really liked the "Harry potter" drink. The area was not bad, and parking was within a few blocks. A 5th star would be given if the wait staff was more friendly. They were competent, but didn't add to the experience. Price not bad.
(4)Aaron K.
4-5 stars for the classic fish and chips, which are among the best around. Service here is a solid 4 as they have always been friendly and quick. However the rest leaves a bit to be desired. The bar often had an ok draft selection but the rest is just so-so. Remaining food is ok as well but definitely not among the best bar food in the area. This remains our go-to local Lenten (or any other time) fish and chip stop. See you here an a Friday before Easter.
(3)Timothy P.
The original Red Lion Pub in Chicago is the one on Lincoln Avenue.
(3)Yaneck W.
very nice old school English bar. nice beer selection though I wish there were more on tap. food is good as well. the only reason it's not 5 stars is because of the old house smell one can smell when entering. after few minutes you get used to it.
(4)Phoebe S.
Been to the Red Lion thrice and so far so good. I really enjoyed the Elizabethan sandwich and the curry chips, and the service has always been very attentive but we've also always been there at less-crowded times. I also always think of the perfumed ponce pub scene from Withnail & I whenever I'm there, which makes me smile.
(4)Vanessa R.
We recently visited this neighborhood pub for a low-key birthday celebration. Having walked by the former location in Lincoln Park several times, I was intrigued by what the new Lincoln Square location would look like. We sat in the first room (there is an additional dining area on the other side) and immediately felt like we were in someone's living room - that atmosphere is cozy, nicely decorated with iconic British décor and plenty of seating options. I loved that there was a small group of hardcore women (they even brought their own lamp) to sketch while partaking in a beer. There is a tiny bar too... so that made it seem less of a "pub". Eats: We happened to go on an unlimited fish & chips night so people in our party ordered that. I didn't eat it, but can tell you the "chips" were superb (and I'm not usually a fan of wedge fries!). Being unlimited, I thought once your basket was empty, it would be re-filled. However, this was not the case. You are brought out one fish portion at a time thereafter but the initial portion is so big, I doubt you need more! The chips on the other hand... yum! I tried the BLT... wish I could do that over again. The french bread was hard and the bacon was a little overcooked for my taste... making for a very dry sandwich. I guess that's what I get for ordering an American sandwich at a place with British fare. They had a decent-sized beer list and some good wines and ciders to choose from as well. For dessert, we all split one big slice of chocolate cake - a little on the dry side too, but it hit the spot. Service: Our waitress was attentive and checked up on us for food and drinks throughout our stay. The man behind the bar helping serve was also very friendly. I hope this place thrives in this less than ideal location (off Rockwell & Lawrence). It's a nice option from the busy bars on the Lincoln Ave. strip and a far cry from some of these trendy British pubs that have sprung everywhere (Owen & Engine, Bangers and Lace, etc.). Overall, this would not be a destination place for me (probably since I'm not a beer drinker) but I would definitely come back and try something more authentic off their menu - the chips alone are well worth it!
(3)Holly S.
I've walked past this place a zillion times on my walk to get groceries at Harvest Time the last few years and have always been meaning to try it. I'm not much of a drinker, but I love Fish'n'Chips, so I decided to order takeout tonight. The place is small and cozy with the cutest sort of old world English Decor. It wasn't very busy. I think having a low visibility location probably hurts this place a little bit. The food was to die for! Nothing like watching the London Olympics with the best Fish'n'Chips I've had since moving to Chicago. The beer batter was light, crispy, flaky perfection, with a much nicer portion of actual delicious fish inside. The portions were big. My best friend got onion rings which she won't stop raving about. I can't recommend this cozy out of the way Rockwell Pub enough!
(5)Jenny R.
I used to go to the location near Fullerton & Lincoln & was sorry to see it go. I am ecstatic that they've reopened Red Lion! We went on a Sunday evening when "The Walking Dead" had a season premiere & the pub was having a viewing night. We were taken care of attentively & the food was as wonderful as I remembered. Friendly staff, cozy decor and hard cider on tap. I'm so happy to become a regular again :)
(5)Katie C.
I like the Red Lion, but I really wish I could LOVE the Red Lion. I've been here 4 times now, and every time I've had something different; the food has always been really good. The atmosphere is great. On a quieter night it's intimate and cozy, and when it's busy it's still not too crazy. Try the spotted dick, it's amazing. My only complaint is they really could use some more waitstaff. The past two times I've been here I have had some service issues. On the first bad visit me and someone else at my table asked for an order of curry dipping sauce for our fries, and the waitress never brought it. We reminded her TWICE...and just never got it. Service in general was EXTREMELY slow, but she was always very friendly. She also told me "not to trust" the beer selection on the menu because it was so out of date. Uhh, maybe print out a new one then so people don't have to order beers you haven't had in months? I thought it was just one bad night. But then... Came back another night and didn't get menus until roughly 15 minutes after being seated. It was much busier this time but only 2 waitresses were working, and everything just took forever. Cooks from the kitchen appeared to be helping bring out dishes and clear tables! This was a busy Friday night. My friend and I split the bill; mine was more expensive and I paid cash. My friend paid by card, and they charged her for MY bill, which I don't even understand how that happened because they were in separate books. Like I said, the food is great but they really need more people waiting tables there.
(3)Cindy K.
Stopped by since it's so close to home. It's a nice place to hang out-- our server was very nice and assured us after we ate that we should feel free to just hang out. We never felt rushed. We went for some food. The fish n chips were pretty good, one of the better fish n chips in Chicago. I was pretty disappointed with the sausage roll though. I was looking forward to a flakey pastry crust on the roll, but it ended up being really soggy. The sausage inside was good. The disappointment of the pastry was enough to knock off two stars, unfortunately.
(3)Julia M.
I sometimes frequented the old Red Lion in Lincoln Park when I was working in the neighborhood, and was overjoyed to see it reopen...walking distance from my home! I'm a dedicated Anglophile and this place really is like dining in an authentic English pub. I'm a big fan of the Shepherd's Pie, which is just as good in the restaurant as it is when you carry it out and eat it at home. I'm not really a drinker, but friends tell me the beer and ale selection is quite good. They also recommend the Fish and Chips. An easy and comfortable place with friendly and attentive waitstaff and management. I'll be back for sure. Jolly good!
(4)kara l.
Absolutely the very best burger in Chicago!! My favorite used to be The Bad Apple on Lincoln Avenue....which is GREAT! However, The Red Lion's burger was truly FANTASTICO! Juicey, flavorful, cooked to perfection with a grilled buttered bun...ummmmmm. I'm completely hooked! Kara Lange
(5)Torry H.
I too went in after walking by for almost a year. The place seems dingy and dirty inside. It seemed very stale. Food too forever to come out and the drinks were weak. The fish and chips were good.
(2)Bill K.
Everytime I go, I spend time trying to decide between the Fish N Chips, Bangers and Mash or the Beef Guinness. I have had all and enjoy all equally. Waitstaff is superb!! Bar service also excellent!!
(5)James D.
Several friends and I went last night and the place was quite full and was hoppen with both rooms full up with diners. They have a great beer list and provided each one of the people in our group with a glass that matched the beer they ordered. I will be back to this place for a Fish and Chips meal.
(5)Stephanie M.
This is the perfect place if you are looking for a real English pub, it's not fancy and it doesn't try to be. I had a few friends visiting who had previously lived in Oxford and wanted to give them a taste of England and this definitely did it! The night we went it was all you can eat fish and chips and they were delicious! I got the Sheppard's pie which was perfect for a chilly winter night. They have a fun beer selection and great British desserts as well (the bread pudding was wonderful!). Highly recommend trying this place out if you want authentic British food and automosphere.
(4)Deborah E.
This is perhaps the most conflicted review I have ever written to date. I want so badly for this place to succeed and be the place I bring my family and friends. I used to frequent this establishment when it was located awhile ago on Lincoln and was happy to see that it has relocated on Rockwell south of Lawrence. In fact, I was thrilled. But, after our recent visit, 2 stars = "Meh. I've experienced better" or 3 stars = "A-Ok." What a toss up. First, the pluses. Great location, in my 'hood, spacious, outdoor seating. Onion rings are excellent. All you can eat fish n chips on Friday - $10.95 - is very good - it may even keep this Anglophile coming back for more. If it wasn't for one huge issue. The service is horrendous. Seriously, you guys - come on. You have GOT to fix this. Poor service is a huge reason people don't come back to a restaurant. You can have the best freaking food on the planet but if the service sucks, your clientele goes elsewhere. The 3 of us were recently at the Red Lion on a Friday. There was no wait - we got seated right away. The 10-12 tables were full including a 20 top in the back room. There were 4 people including mgmt bringing out food, drinks, etc. However, we had to ask for silverware; we had to ask to have someone wait on us; we had to ask for drinks - that came 15 mins later after we reminded them that we still hadn't received them. We watched other frustrated tables get up and leave in the meantime. Our onion rings appetizer came 20 mins later and our fish n chips? Arrived AN HOUR later. An hour. Having been a waiter many years of my life, I am the most patient and forgiving patron you will find - almost to a fault. I am willing to cut a place some slack but there is one thing you cannot have happen: you cannot forget to acknowledge your customers. Give them a free appetizer for their inconvenience. Check in with your tables and if there is a back up in the kitchen, tell them. COMMUNICATE. As long as patrons don't feel ignored, they are forgiving. Red Lion, I believe in you. I want you to be my neighborhood hangout so badly. I like your food which is why I am giving you 3 stars instead of 2. But should I really have to pack a lunch to eat while I wait for my food to arrive? I think not.
(3)Brian L.
Last night was my third trip to the Red Lion and unfortunately it could be my last. First two trips: Awesome; both times on a weekend afternoon and there was only 2-3 other people in the place. Food was really good and we enjoyed ourselves. Third trip: Went on a Friday night with a couple from our building. It was good to see the place was lively - not packed but busier than the first couple times there. Here's how things went: Walked in and sat down. 10 minutes later we get four waters 5 minutes after that we get menus 15 minutes later they come to take our order - this included my wife asking for something on the menu and them reporting they were out of them (on a Friday night, at 7 pm? Did I miss 5 pm dinner rush?) 30 minutes later dinner arrives - everyone enjoyed their meal. Throughout dinner we had to ask repeatedly for more drinks and they could never remember who they were going to at the table. After plates were cleared we waited another 20 minutes for the check. When it arrives the waitress tells us she gave our check to someone else and they paid it. She 'thinks' their check is less and hands it to us. We do some rough math and find it's maybe $5 cheaper. We all look to 'see what we ate' and pay the bill. I really want this place to make it because the neighborhood needs more local hangouts with good food. Having said that, if you can't handle 20-30 people in your place at one time you are in trouble.
(2)shari m.
As others have mentioned, as a neighbor, I was thrilled to see The Red Lion appear, and I want them to succeed. To me, there are issues related to attention to detail that inhibit greatness. I think I have gastropub envy, and this just didn't measure up. The highlights: Major points for the hand-pulled ale. It provides a refreshing flashback to one of the best parts of a trip to London. Also, the owner is very personable and engaging, and hands-on with service. Issues that are limiting: I know others have enjoyed the fish & chips, but I can't get past seeing a guy hauling 3 brown paper bags of frozen fries. If the goal is to be a "good enough" neighborhood joint, this might make the grade, but I was hoping for so much more, or at least some fresh potatoes. The turkey burger was thin and bland, and I am afraid also arrived frozen and pre-formed. The chicken and dumplings was refreshingly lighter than norm with its clear broth, and had loads of chicken, but it was overly salty, and there were only two dumplings in a bowl (so one dumpling in a cup?). I'm not sure if the goal is to be a bar with food, or a restaurant with a welcoming bar. Unfortunately, both aspects could be improved. The actual bar is too small to give it a great pub feel. There is a bar in the main room, and a second bar in the side room, and it seems the staff has to run between the two just to gather drinks. The Guinness tap is in this side room, and I watched a server pour half a pint in a glass then finish with stout from a pre-filled pitcher. Really? I'll listen if someone tells me this is standard, but it appeared to be a corner-cutting measure to speed up the delightful but time-consuming precision of a perfect pint. The food isn't of high enough quality and creativity to beg for returns just to dine. Perhaps I should have just enjoyed my beer in the hood and happily headed home.
(3)Monique L.
I went here based on the reviews for the fish and chips and I was utterly disappointed. I like that it is a local pub that doesn't have a pretentious vibe. I didn't like that it had a musty smell with damp carpet. I also did not like the fish and chips AT ALL. It was served fresh out of the fryer, but it had no taste to it whatsoever. I was hoping that I would like the food since the server was so friendly, but I won't be going back to this pub. Sorry :(
(1)Steve G.
Great comfort food. Very friendly. Amazing selection of great beers and whiskeys. You'll feel at home ... with better food and drink :)
(5)Maggie D.
Unbelievable beer and authentic English food... They need to make themselves known in the Lincoln Square neighborhood! Must try the hand drawn Hobgobblin!
(5)Javier B.
Had an opportunity to check it out and was impressed. Started with the fried olives which were good. We tried one of the specials of the day, a tuna steak with a Ginger and garlic sauce which was outstanding. Also tried the Cornish pasty and both the wife and myself really enjoyed it. The service was attentive and friendly. Prices are very reasonable for the quality. Tuna special was $11 for a big, good quality piece of fish. Made me realize that I really should have sent back the horrible tuna that i got at Sola for $29 a few weeks ago. I look forward to going back soon and to them getting their liquor license.
(4)Athene C.
This was my second visit to the Red Lion and I have to say, I'm on the fence about this place. Both my meals were good. The first time, the best fish and chips I've probably ever had. This time the Guinness Stew. But the service! And the inconsistency. Tonight was a big group and many in our group ordered the same things - Shepherd's Pie and Fish & Chips. The Shepherd's Pies were a disaster as they were the last time I was here. The flavor was there, but the temperature was way off. Half hot + half cold = totally unacceptable. When this happened the last time 2 months ago they said they would work on it. Obviously not. The fish and chips were all over the place, some a little too crispy. The inconsistency was apparent. My biggest gripe was the service, though. They forewarned us that a bigger group was coming in so we should order up. We did. Fish and chips came out first .... pause. Beef Stew .... pause. Burgers ... pause. Finally partially cooked shepherd's pie. Water refills? Not so much. Asking how we're doing? Not so much. Can we have more water? Sure. Excuse me ... water please? Sure. Water? We eventually just grabbed the pitcher and served ourselves. And I am very forgiving of restaurants when they're busy. But it wasn't that. They just seemed a little spacey. The final straw was asking for the check. I asked, she acknowledged and then stood at the bar chit chatting with the other patrons for 10 minutes. We asked the owner. He said sure and then stood at the bar eating dinner. We did get the check 15 - 20 minutes after the request. Annoying. Will we go back? My husband says no. Me? As I said, I'm on the fence.
(2)Mrs. L.
I echo the sentiment re: more waitstaff. We had a table of 4 and got there pretty early (around 6pm) on a Saturday night. It took our waitress about 20 minutes to get us our menus and then another 20 minutes to bring out drinks. We had closed our menus and prepared to order as she walked to and fro all around us. I finally got up to use the restroom and told her that we were ready to order. She said "ok, great" and then never came to the table! It was a chilly night so I started with soup which was straight up cold. When I told the waitress she said that she would nuke it, which rubbed me the wrong way. The beer selection was decent, but it took so long to get drinks that each time she checked on us, everyone would order two beers knowing that we wouldn't see her for a long time. I wanted to like the place, but they absolutely must do something about the lack of staff.
(2)Andy M.
So far, so good. My first visit to the new Lincoln Square location was pretty damn good. Once they get their liquor license taken care of, it's going to be even better. The food and service were both fantastic. Not only was our server terrific, the owner took the time to come over and talk with us for a few minutes. The food was a notch above what you would normally find in a pub. The Red Lion burger was fabulous. It was juicy and delicious. The highlight of our meal had to be the Onion rings. Yes, I know that Onion rings are a simple dish, but these were a cut above the rest. The batter they used was light and airy. They didn't have that typical greasy taste that Onion rings usually have. Until they get their liquor license, it's BYOB only. We ended up saving a ton of cash by bringing in our own hooch. I was kind of disappointed though, I had a major hankering for a black and tan from the tap. The interior is quite different from the Lincoln Ave location. It's much brighter. The old location was like a dark cave. My visit to the Lion was fabulous. I can't wait to see how this place evolves.
(5)Carolynne M.
Hard to accurately rate this, since the night we were there it was still BYOB and cash only. However, I will rate the two things I can speak of, which was the food and the interior. The interior...well it looked more like a coffeehouse than a pub. Too brightly lit, too empty in terms of furniture and decorations and while the far room was nice and private, it was too harsh and unwelcoming, with the hard seats, cold tile floor and no music. (The other side was considerably better.) Still, could use some work. Food: Andy ordered the Welsh Rarebit, which was toast covered in cheese sauce and tomatoes. I ate the tomatoes, which were of the winter variety and therefore too pink and bland. I did not care for the cheese which had almost no flavour at all. The onion rings he ordered though were fantastic! Perfectly crisp and with deliciously sweet onions - very nice. My entree was the Cornish Pasty, which was a flaky pastry with meat and veggies inside. It came with a mushroom gravy and a side salad. The pasty itself was just OK, when eaten on its own it didnt have much flavour, but the gravy was delicious and I could have just eaten that with some bread and been happy. The salad was fresh, with a very nice bacon vinaigrette. However, after seeing some orders of the fish and chips, I was sad I didn't order that as it looked and smelled amazing. Having never been to the original Red Lion I can't say if this is better or worse. I do know that they are trying to make it into a comfortable hangout place. I think they are on the right track, and will be interested to go back once everything is in place.
(4)Gina F.
I have to add to my previous review after my most recent visit.I also brough a friend who's a big fan of British pub fare & she was is heaven. I DID try thr onion rings, and they were delicious--thick cut & perfectly fried. She had the fish & chips (naturally) and the fish was a really good portion & very well-prepared. After dinner we shared the gloriousness that was the bread pudding. It was warm, ooey gooey wonderfulness.
(4)Angelique B.
The location - awesome. The service - pretty good. The food - DREADFUL. The atmosphere - eh. After reading such great reviews of this place, we decided to give it a try. We ordered the fried olives - over-fried and way too salty, the fish & chips -chewy and tasteless fish, the chips - soggy and the cornish pasty, which was in soggy puff pastry which made me think it had been microwaved. I've had good food at many English pubs throughout the city and this doesn't make the cut on any level.
(1)Naomi J.
Great English style restaurant/pub. I was recommended to this place quite a while before I was able to finally visit. But my two friends and I came on a quiet weekday evening during Christmastime. The place was cozy and casual. We ordered two plates of fish and chips, which were quite large and a Guinness Chocolate Cake. The food was tasty, the service was friendly, and the prices were reasonable. This is a place I know I will be coming back to.
(4)Emily S.
I was a huge fan of the old Lion and when I found out a new one was opening around the corner from my house my heart filled with joy. A friend and I had the chance to have dinner there last night and it was excellent! Things are still very new here so the menu is in flux but the staples like the Fish and Chips (great. just, really tasty and perfectly portioned) and the ground beef pasty with mushroom gravy (very warm, tasty and comforting) were both fantastic. Currently the place is byob until they get their liquor license and we took advantage, I just brought from home but there's a handy liquor store on the opposite corner. The service was friendly and everyone smiled and said hello and goodbye. Currently they are operating on a *cash only* basis but that's soon to change. We sat at a lovely table by the window and felt very cozy. (Our one suggestion being to perhaps lower the lights a bit to make it even more so). At any rate the red lion is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. We'll be back!
(4)Chris J.
Living nearby and having lived in Lincoln Park before the old location closed, I was eager to give Red Lion a shot. I'm really looking forward to them getting their liquor license, but BYOB isn't a bad thing either! Went in there in the middle of a Saturday afternoon and it was pretty quiet (although seeing it in the evenings, it can be pretty hopping...even without booze!). I got the burger which was pretty tasty and cooked surprisingly well to order (medium-rare)! The chips were a little plain but didn't expect anything too out of the ordinary with them. I'm definitely looking forward to returning and trying some more of the menu! And it'll probably become my regular spot for drinks once they get their license...
(4)Claudia G.
My beau didn't want me to review the Red Lion fearing I would give it three stars when he felt it was a solid four stars. So, I am giving the Red Lion four stars not only to continue to be a mystery to him but because It rightfully earned them based on service, quality of food, and ambiance. If you ever visited the original location you will not find the same feel, but, really, how could you? That building was just kinda special. With the new location, the owners have done a bang up of job turning a common storefront into a homey, inviting place. On top of that, you have them. They are just lovely - so earnest in their desire that your experience be a good one. For dining we tried the black bean soup and welsh rarebit to start. My beau found the soup great. For entrees my beau had the regular pastie and I had the veggie pastie. They came with mushroom sauce and I immediately poured the sauce all over mine, regrettably for me. I didn't care for the mushroom sauce. My beau loved it. I did find a bit of my pastie not covered in the sauce and really enjoyed the flavor of it plain. We split a bread pudding in the end and perhaps splitting one was a mistake. Two could have easily been in order. Delicious! Street parking was easy for us that day.
(4)matty z.
The original The Red Lion in Lincoln Park was my favorite pub in Chicago, and offered plenty of occasion for amazing evenings spent at the bar, full of conversation with Colin and/or Joe, great friends, good food, and tradition. When the old place closed, I really can't begin to tell you how it affected my friends and I. We felt like we lost our hang out, and like we lost our place to make memories. We moved on, but sadly. When news came of the opening of Red Lion Lincoln Square, I was ecstatic, and now after my first trip there, I am looking forward to all that's in store. Much remains the same. The menu hasn't changed much, but looked like it had some very nice additions. Joe is there, and is as friendly as ever. There's no liquor yet, but that is obviously on the way, and for now, I say cheers! for the BYOB. On a night when we planned to order fish and chips (which were excellent!), my friend and I ordered an appetizer... of more chips. LOL. eh, it was worth it. they're quite good, and the curry sauce is amazing. With the pleasure of company from the lovely Andy M. and Carolynne M., I had a simply wonderful evening. I am so grateful TRL is back, and look forward to creating new memories.
(4)Benjamin K.
Great British Fare. I had the Shepard's Pie and it was outstanding. Then for desert I had the bread pudding and it was the best I'd ever had. I finished it all even though my stomach hurt from eating so much - it was that good!!
(5)Brian W.
I just moved within10 minutes walking distance of this place and in my exploring, tried Red Lion for the first time this weekend. It has a very chill atmosphere, and seems like it's geared towards a more mature crowd. By mature, I don't mean older. There was a nice mix of people from different age groups when I was there, but it just seems like a more laid back crowed. All the reviews were pretty positive about the fish and chips, which happens to be one of my favorite dishes, so that's what I tried. They were excellent! I love the batter they use for the fish. I'd definitely come back and order again. The beer list is short, but they have a good selection of craft and UK imported beers. I'll definitely make several return trips here.
(4)Tracy C.
I like it here, the kids LOVE it. It is literally 2 blocks fom home. The service is a wee bit lacking. That is my only critique, they could tighten it up a bit. Good solid food, a little unevenly heated from time to time. Green Curry Wings are the best! My favorite thing about the lion! You be to try them, crispy, green curryish with a little honey maybe! Hhhhmmmm. Get your kids a butter beer, like a butterscotch Italian soda! Yum, liquid sugar for dinner :) my kids love the chicken and dumpling soup and the BLT, watch that bacon kitchen- English food is awful, but they do not blacken their bacon :) Check them out, have a little patience and support this local pub! Cheers!
(4)Evan H.
2.5 stars for a dinner on Tuesday this week. Our server was a friendly girl, though the table of 6 that was seated AFTER my party of 2 received their appetizers before we even got our beer. Had the bangers and mash and was pretty underwhelmed. The bubble and squeak (souffle of mashed potatoes, bacon, and cabbage) on which it was served sounded amazing, but in actuality was pretty pedestrian. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great, either. Would definitely not reorder this dish. The man behind the bar (maybe the owner?) delivered our food to the table and was pretty gruff. We thanked him, which didn't even elicit a smile, let alone an "enjoy your meal." This is my third time here, and I really don't feel any compulsion to return. For a little neighborhood joint, the service was a bit too cold for my liking.
(3)B C.
I liked the feel of this place. It made me lean back in my chair and let out a relaxed sigh. It's something along the lines of an old English seaside pub or a quiet restaurant you might find alongside a foggy cobblestone alley. The blue-gray and deep red-colored walls soak up its low lighting and make it especially low-key environs for a late afternoon meal. Our server was quick to greet us and give us tips on the food. I had the fish & chips, and my girlfriend had the chicken pesto sandwich. Both orders tasted great, but I'll probably order one of their more unique dishes the next time I'm there. The curry chips were a great and generously proportioned finger food to share while we waited for the main plates. In short - Had a hard day at work and need a place to catch up with a friend or read the newspaper over a sandwich and a pint? Red Lion is a solid spot for it.
(4)Alex M.
When I first walked into Red Lion, I felt like I walked into a British movie with the typical pub you always see the "boys" hanging out in. The entire decor looked way more authentic to me than the hundreds of wannabe pubs all over Chicago that simply plaster the walls with knick-knacks. It's a shame they don't have a liquor license yet, but hopefully soon. I would love to come here to catch some Euro Cup games rather than fight for a spot at the Globe Pub. The food was pretty good. Their fish and chips were done just right and were not those crappy crumby frozen fish you get in the wannabe spots. Their Cornish and Veggie pasties were decent, and I liked their curry mustard sauce that went with the fries. I'll definitely go back. I just hope they can snag that liquor license.
(4)Ted K.
I am a local resident and drove by this place too many times before finally making the decision to TRY IT OUT!!! my lady and I went on a weekday night around 6pm and we were the only people inside the place. after a few minutes, more people did arrive, but i got nervous that this place wasnt going to make it long term being it was a prime time of the day on a weeknight with no one around. seems like when i drive by, there are always people on the patio which is good to see. the food was good. i had the famous fish n chips and they were very good. my favorite part of the meal was the fried green olives that come with a side of Bleu Cheese! HMMMMMMMM! Sooooo good, but you only get like 5-6, so i will need 2 orders next time. They DO have a liquor license now, but they were having issues with their taps, so look forward to that. We have sangrias and they were good, but nothing special. All in all, definitely a place to try out if you live in the hood. Hopefully, the place sticks around...
(4)Chicago J.
I was really looking forward to going, and as they have no menu posted, I decided to check out some of the other yelpers reviews. Since I'm not a drinker, not having their liquor license didn't dissuade me, and as my party was aware, it was BYOB. Enticed by the thought of a juicy and delicious Red Lion burger, I knew in advance what I wanted, and I was excited. English Pub food! When my burger came, it was neither juicy nor delicious. The bun was hard. My onion rings weren't flavorful (unless grease counts as a flavor). My table-mates both had the fish and chips, which I was looking forward to coming back later that week and trying, and both of them told me I'd be better off going to Duke of Perth. I really try not to be too judgmental of a place, but hearing how the rest of my party were treated (Even though they knew in advance that we were a large group, they didn't accommodate us, and we were seated at separate tables) I see no real reason to go back.
(2)Jay S.
The booze only makes it better. The green curry chicken wings appetizer is fantastic. Great for a gathering, family dinner or just to knock back a few.
(5)Melissa C.
Very charming and excellent food! Very authentic and definitely home cooked. The owners are always there and are very sweet and helpful.
(5)sarah p.
As others have mentioned I REALLY wanted to love this place. But I dont. I like it and will go back but if I didnt live down the block would never drive to it. You can have good experiences with the food but stick to the basics like burgers and fish n chips. The first time we were there my mom ordered a curry dish which was just gross, we really like curry and this was terrible.The chicken wasnt cooked fresh there it was pre packaged cubes. I had the patsy which had potential but the gravy was a blob that didnt pour out of the dish. The appetizers are all pretty good but not plentiful. I think I spent 7 bucks for 5 olives. They were awesome, too bad I couldnt afford to order more. That said. I am still really glad its in my hood and I'll go back Im sure a few times at least.
(3)Chuck A.
I loved the old Lion! I started going about twenty years ago and I became a regular - eventually going at least twice a week! Thank God Joe has resurrected my favorite place. The new Lion is a big improvement in my estimation. The old Lion was really falling apart . The New Lion is clean and cozy! The few meals I have had so far were great. Sue did a great job on the menu and the cook they hired is a pro. You can expect consistent quality. If you want some real Chicago hospitality and conversation you'll find the new Lion has not changed in that regard!
(4)Anon N.
This review is for FRIDAY NIGHT around dinner/drinks time. The service seems to be a bit shoddy even on their slow nights, but it's a solid neighborhood pub with a great burger and chips. Points for being so close to where I live and on an empty night when there are only a few other tables there, I'd give this place 3.5-4 stars easily. Friday is unlimited fish and chips night, so my mistake for wanting to go in there for anything else. They are still understaffed and have stressed out service when the place is more than half full, which I can forgive but I'm hoping that will change soon. I really really want to love and support this place but it's difficult when my experiences there have been so varied. On Friday, we had to sit at the (horribly uncomfortable for eating because the stools are too short for the shape of it) bar, and navigating the elbows around me and glasses being dipped in cleaning solution and splashed right below where I was eating was a little gross. The owner/bartender is a really nice guy but not a trained server. He started walking away before hearing my whole order and I had to ask for several things in addition after the fact which I had to wait an unacceptable amount of time for, considering they were basic requests that anyone trained in serving would have been on top of. The floor plan and location of things doesn't set anyone up for success, and I hope they obtain the means to rehab the problem areas. It took 10 minutes before we were asked if we'd like to order something (having asked for a menu from the guy sitting next to us because it wasn't offered by the staff). The portions were half of what I'd received in the past (at least on the salad and chips) and I don't know if it was because it was a Friday and the kitchen was sloppy or because they've changed how they do things. I felt like a chump paying 5 bucks for what amounted to 4 fork-fulls of iceberg lettuce and the chips looked like a half order as well. So, on an empty night when there are only a few other tables there, I'd give this place 3.5-4 stars. They're working out their kinks and I wish for their success. I will be staying away on Friday nights forever, and will continue my quest for a solid neighborhood joint on a weekend.
(2)Bruce B.
From the outside, this place looks great. From the inside, this place looks great. However, the food sucks. How does a place ruin fish and chips? Somehow this bar did a great job being bad...real bad Michael Jackson. Also, the beer was warm. I can get crapy food and warm beer at my house! I will never be coming back here. I would also recommend if you do come here, to bring your own ice. Terrible service, terrible food, and warm beer. Seems like it should be a college bar. I'm not sure what other people on Yelp are talking about, but you must have been wasted when you entered.
(1)Inna B.
My friends and I were looking for a place to eat around the Rockwell Brown line stop. Unfortunately, we did not have a reservation & both of the other places we tried to go to were completely packed with a wait. Red Lion was mostly empty....which was already a bad sign. The place smelled a little funky & I thought our service was awkward (not necessarily bad, just a.w.k.w.a.r.d) I ordered the pimm's cup & it did not taste anything like it usually does. I also had the fish & chips. I thought this dish was nothing special & it was definitely not worthy of its calories!
(2)Leo L.
Love the hand pulled engine serving my favorite English ale: Hobgoblin!
(5)Shawn R.
SHORT TAKE: Enjoyable English Pub Classics, Will Be Back I know these guys had some other location, but to me it was simply a brand-new restaurant, pre-liquor license, offering up traditional English pub fare. So our once-a-month BYOB dinner club called them up, asked them if they were cool seating 20ish drunks for dinner, and off we went. Overall, our group's reactions were mixed but towards the good side. Place was pretty empty, but I expect that will change once the liquor license is in. They basically gave over the back room to us. It was quite cold, but, again, with a regular number of customers generating body heat, I don't suspect that will be a problem long-term. The host/owner was a weird mix of attentive and engaging and rushingly rude. Near the end, he stuck around to tell some nice stories and chat with us, but was cold and distant throughout the order-taking process. Then again, he was serving us personally and I'm sure we put his kitchen (seemingly staffed solely by his teenaged daughter?) through its paces with such a large group ordering all at once. As to the food, we sampled a wide variety from the group's offerings. For appetizers, my wife tried and loved the Welsh Rarebit. I had the chicken dumpling soup (not something I associate as traditionally English) but, that said, it was tasty. Piping hot, fair amount of chicken, big, soft dumplings... the table shared some onion rings, which were, as other reviewers have mentioned, near-sublime. Lovely airy breading texture, not heavy at all, as good as o-rings can get, really. The curry fries were delish as well, classic English pub chips with a good side curry to dip them in. For the mains, the wife had the fish and chips and pronounced it excellent, would absolutely go back to have them again. I took a bite and yes, it was a nice amount of tender cod with that excellent batter we met with the o-rings earlier. I went with the Shepard's Pie, which, while a little on the small side (the one served at The Globe is at least a third bigger), was excellent. The side salad was a typical restaurant side salad with a warm bacon dressing, nothing special, but nice to at least have a nod towards some veggies with the meal overall. It was properly spicy in the meat filling, the mash on top was well done, I wouldn't have blinked were it served to me in a proper London pub. Some other guests did have complaints about their dishes (including one obviously burnt Cornish pasty, though a different member of our party got the same dish made perfectly), but I'll let them speak their own piece if they wish. The wife and I had no complaints and wish to return, particularly, in my case, for their bangers & mash.
(4)Eric V.
The food isn't necessarily spectacular, but they do serve up some decent fish and chips. The fish was moist, flaky, nicely battered, and well seasoned. The chips were the thicker cut variety, but they lacked the crisp exterior and pillowy interior of a good batch of fries. A side of tartar sauce and cole slaw accompany the dish as well. We also gave the bread pudding a try, but it was too dense and was more than likely reheated in the microwave. Decor can best be described as homely, and the scent of malt vinegar seemed to constantly waft through the air. Maybe someone spilled a bottle or there were just lots of fish n chips being dished out that night. Our server was a little rough around the edges, but they had only recently opened when we dined so hopefully they were just working out the kinks. In the end, neither a horrible nor amazing experience, but I'll gladly have Red Lion in the neighborhood than the shady, tinted windowed Cafe Blu that used to reside here.
(3)Susana D.
Exceptional curry fries, unusual beer and cider lists, weird but good English vittles like bangers & mash and bubbles & squeak. Cozy atmosphere.
(4)Victoria W.
At this point I'm holding back on a star because they don't have their liquor license yet (or a working phone for that matter), so it's hard to rate this new gastropub. But the atmosphere feels genuine (albeit shiny and new compared to traditional English pubs) and the service is beyond friendly. We tried the fish and chips and the "Colonial Chicken" -- both of which were quite tasty and reasonably priced. I'm sure this new reincarnation of the Red Lion will be very popular in the neighborhood, but some devotees of the original may be disappointed that there's no ghost.
(4)DeDe R.
OMG! We are so lucky to have this little gem in our little Rockwell Crossing area. Love the BYOB The Guiness Beef was tender and tasty, the caper chicken was just perfect juicy not too salty. They have these stuffed Olives that are AMAZING!!! hard to share, so you might want to order your own. The bread pudding is steller good. I will be back to try the Chicken Curry which must be crazy good becuase it sold out before 8PM. Love Love Love this great place. :D
(5)Laura K.
Finally got to visit the Lion last week and it's a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. I used to frequent the Lincoln Ave. location during my undergrad days at DePaul and have fond memories of studying over pints of cider and the best fish n' chips I've ever had -- even without a pint (we had tea on a cold night). I'm happy to report that the fish n' chips are as good, if not better than what I remembered. I got to taste a bite of my boyfriend's shepherd's pie and that was delicious as well. We split the bread pudding and it was fantastic. We spent some time talking to Joe & Sue, the owners and checked out the back room. It's a great space and I can't wait until they have a liquor license all settled. I don't typically like the loud sports bar scene, which is a lot of the reason why we chose to go to the Lion back in the day as well. It's a cozy, friendly atmosphere and is an easy walking or bus/L ride for me. I can see myself spending a good deal of time here in the future.
(5)Georgia D.
I live in the Lincoln Square area and was very excited to have the Red Lion Pub open in my 'hood after having enjoyed the Lincoln Park RL Pub. The food and service were GREAT! Our group ordered the onion rings as an appetizer and they did not disappoint. They were DELICIOUS. My entree was the shepherd's pie and it was outstanding. My husband ordered the fish and chips and that was wonderful, too. The pub is awaiting it's liquor license, but I was content with the BYOB option. Joe and Sue are wonderful hosts I plan to be a regular customer :)
(5)Fred W.
So nice to have the/a Red Lion back. That it's in Lincoln Square is a bonus for Square residents. Fish n Chips were better than ever. No liquor license yet means cheap night out even though I miss the great beers on tap.
(5)Jamie S.
I just tried this restaurant on a rainy Thursday! The atmosphere is relaxing and nearly pub like (no "pub" tables and no smoking!). I had the chicken and dumpling soup which was very flavorful with fresh celery, homemade dumplings, and meaty shredded chunks of chicken. I also embarked on a slice of the Chocolate Guinness Cake which has a dollop of a cream cheese frosting and raspberry drizzled on the side. The cake was flavorful, but definitely could have been more moist and I would have enjoyed the raspberry sauce drizzled on top and not the plate. Me fellow dinner mates ordered the pineapple hamburger! It was the standard burger with a pineapple salsa which apparently was not to sweet for the burger or overwhelming. Though, I did notice that it created a soggy bun. The steak potato fries were delicious and not two salty. The selection of beers and ciders also seemed pleasing. I definitely would like to come back again though, the waiting staff was nice in the fact he didn't bother use with small chit chat and wasn't overly eager to take our finished dishes. REMINDER: do not go here if you are under a time crunch.
(4)Rapture C.
Friendly and fun staff, great beer, good food, and a nice, quiet (usually) atmosphere. Great to have in Lincoln Square.
(5)Rick M.
I went to the Red Lion of Lincoln Square two weeks ago and I was thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere matched that of old England, yet the restaurant was clean and well maintained. I made a food selection in the spirit of the restaurant, Bangers 'n Mash. The dish was delicious and was priced right for a customer on a budget. Great times!
(5)Ted S.
We been to the Red Lion twice and have enjoy our meals especially the fish and chips. We enjoy the laid back atmosphere and enjoy talking to the owners. Can't wait for their liquor license to be finally issued!
(4)Pattie K.
Himself, myself & the son stopped in last night for dinner. Happy to say they have their liquor license and are working on completing the beer/ale on tap selections. We had shepherd's pie, fish & chips and the Guinness beef. Everyone was quite satisfied. I should have left room for the bread pudding but even with leaving 1/2 the chips I was still too full for dessert. Next time I'll take the fish sandwich so I have some room for the sweets at the end of the meal.
(4)M G.
Since they don't have a liquor license yet, this is a good lunch spot. I had the tandoori chicken and my friend had fish and chips. Service was great. My chicken has a little kick which I liked and the fish and chips looked good. Not a huge portion, but just right. A slight downside is they only had 1 women's bathroom. For a pub where alcohol will eventually be served, I'd prefer if they had more than 1. Oh well. It's close to where I live so I hope people give them a chance. It's the best place that's been in that location so far.
(4)Patrick M.
Tried the red lion pub for the first time. We were a group of 3 on a Saturday night, showed up around 6pm and had our run of the place as far as seating. The main dining room has a bunch of different table options, high-tops, low-tops, circles, squares and any combination of those things, not to mention about 8 seats at the bar. The food was authentic, from what I could tell, having only been to London a couple times, I'm not quite a UK food expert. But, this isn't the kind of place that has all sorts of wacky, inventive, creative options like you might find in a gastro pub- just time-tested favorites that are made well. The onion rings are fantastic, probably the best I've ever had- coated in a homemade beer batter, they were like crispy, pillowy onion donuts. In retrospect, I should have saved one to rest my food-comatose head on. We each ordered a different entree, a burger, fish and chips, and shepherd's pie. Everyone had only good things to say. Burger bun was buttered, fish and chips were perfectly crispy with big thick steak-fries, and the shepherds pie was as heavy and delicious as you could ask for. Really solid pub fare. The beer selection is also mostly pretty traditional English beers, with a few classic selections like Boddington's and Newcastle, but also some more eclectic choices like Hobgoblin. Overall, we all agreed we'd definitely be back. If you're trying to choose between several pubs in Lincoln Square, and you're the kind of person who likes traditional, no-frills pub fare, I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot.
(4)Chuck M.
I'm not sure why this place has negative reviews. Either they've gotten their act together or else people were expecting your standard TVs blaring, 20-somethings shmoozing kind of place. Red Lion ain't none of that! One TV and the sound is usually turned down, small but impressive beer list, pretty good food. Not the greatest place in the city but a very welcome respite from the standard, cookie-cutter bars found all over the city.
(4)Angelique W.
Fish and Chips out of this world! The curry dipping sauce is easily on it's way to becoming my favorite condiment! This establishment will easily become a regular spot for me.
(5)Jeff L.
took the family there after the Avon Breast Cancer walk and had a great meal in a relaxing setting. They had great cups for the kids (knock-over-proof) and they made grilled cheese for the kids even though it wasn't on the menu. The food was every bit (and better) then the old Red Lion on Lincoln....fish & chips are the best ever, beef guiness was great and loved the french roquefort salad dressing!!! It was a great place for a family dinner and service was impeccable and friendly!
(5)N M.
the fish and chips are quite good. the onion rings too. the beer selection is great. the service is friendly and helpful. skip the pasties, which are frozen and re-heated (probably in the microwave) resulting in soggy pastry and unevenly heated meat; even if they were home-made to start with. (honestly, otherwise the taste of the pasties was great -- nicely cooked meat with a spicy peppery flavor. too bad about the microwaving.) honestly, we haven't tried much else here -- the fish and chips are why we eat here.
(3)bryan f.
Great addition to the neighborhood. Best fish fry in the area. BYOB
(4)Michele C.
I've been to the Red Lion Lincoln Square a total of three times now, with my 2 kids, 12 and 10. Each time we've tried something different and have never been disappointed. The Shepherd's pie is AMAZING. The Chicken curry salad I had today at lunch was awesome. The burgers are humongous, and juicy. I can never finish one. The BLT the kids had today was great! REAL bacon and LOTS of it. The chips are delicious and the curry dipping sauce is definitely a plus. The fish and chips, well, I've only had as good at our St. Hilary churches Lenten friday night fish fry! The menu seems close to finalized now with a good assortment of food. I can't wait for the liquor license! BTW, try the deep fried olives appetizer.
(5)