Walnut Speakeasy
214 W Walnut Ave, Elgin, IL, 60123
Walnut Speakeasy Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups & Salads
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Sandwiches
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Pizza
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Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for Walnut Speakeasy
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Appetizers
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Soups & Salads
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Sandwiches
-
Pizza
-
Dessert
Visit below restaurant in Elgin for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Elgin for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
214 W Walnut Ave
Elgin, IL, 60123 - Phone (847) 695-2420
- Website https://www.thewalnutspeakeasy.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Pradeepa K.
Good restaurant with good ambiance. I love this place.
(4)J G.
Tots loved the retro atmosphere & drinks but food & service fell short. Food was good but not memorable. Server kept apologizing she was new & they were short handed.. it was ok at first but got really annoying after awhile.
(3)Jessica M.
Great atmosphere and friendly service. Food is also good - even their well-done burgers are juicy & flavorful.
(4)Mike K.
Thursday night wing night right... Not with the service we received.. We sat at the bar.. The 3 bartenders passed us by at least 100 times.... I guess we weren't regulars so we didn't get served... I don't advise it.... 2 hours.. 2 beers... For 10 average tasting wings.... NFW... Not again...
(1)Chris J.
With a name like "Walnut Speakeasy" and its location in Elgin, I must admit I was biting my nails a little bit at first (I realized that my fears were without merit after visiting Eaton's Redwood Inn shortly thereafter). When I arrived in the parking lot I posed for a brief photo next to an awesome hoopty in the parking lot. This whip... It had dubs on it! (I'm so gangster he he). Thinking Snoop Dogg and his entourage were inside, I walked briskly toward the entrance.... The Speakeasy wasn't what you might think. There were no flapper girls, no pinstripe suit wearing men with cigars and tommy guns. No card games. Just ordinary people looking to wind down and watch some football..... Elgin style! My bartender was a nice young lady who helped me immensely by lending me her phone charger. Didn't have an opportunity to try the food, but judging by the ambiance and the cold beer I can't complain.
(3)Justus F.
I love this place..great furnishing..very warm and welcoming atmosphere...the owner and manager are very cool guys! The beer selection is great..and the food is even better! Only thing stopping me from the full 5 star rating ..is..limited parking size...and sometimes the bar tenders are too friendly (talkative) with patrons..and when the bar is at full occupancy..sometimes the bar tenders treat the "regulars" more promptly than others guests..other than that..I highly recommend!
(4)Pat M.
I happened upon this place while I was working and had to spend a few hours here. They had plenty of tv's and put the sound on for a Bulls game which I liked. They had good food and a great beer selection on draft and in bottles. The food was good too. There was some live music when I was there later in the evening as well. I would definitely return if I was in the area again.
(4)Saúl A.
The Walnut Speakeasy is a fully stocked sports bar of awesome proportions. Me and the guys wanted to find a nice local spot for a Friday Fish Fry and The Walnut has a Buffet special of Fish (Cod) and Chips (Fries). It was a very value driven special and my friends and I couldn't resist. Once I walked in I was greeted with a host who was ready to take my name and party size down as they were very packed for the night. The host also asked if we have ever been here before and was able to mention of their .25 wings on Thursday. We were immediately engaged with all the flat screens showing the Bulls and Blackhawks playing. This is a great spot for Sports Fans to go to. We were promptly seated. And greeted by our waitress. Of the top of the head she was able to recite all the specials and offered the Friday Fish Fry Buffet. I was so pleased with her attentive response to all our questions regarding specials for the day. Regardless of how engaged all us sports fans were of the games going on. The food was very tasty, freshly cooked, and was presented really well. We all really liked coming here. Again, a very good option for those sports fans in the area. I am a Resident Recommended Professional for the Elgin Area. #ResidentRec
(4)Melissa S.
We decided to try something new on a Friday night. We looked at yelp for reviews and I am puzzled how this place got such high reviews. The beer was over priced for a very small beer. The food was just average and the server had a huge attitude. I will not be coming back to this establishment. We did have a very nice server (not ours) get our check and also the guy who brought the food was very nice and I much have rathered give the tip to him than our server.
(1)Stephane L.
We went for the FOOD. Was great. Had fried pickles (a must), cheeseburger with buffalo sauce, mushroom soup, pasta salad, chicken sand., tenders, fries and a beer. We all thought everything tasted really good. My cheeseburger was filling and cooked well. The pasta salad had a good taste. Mushroom soup was homemade. Would go again. Waitress was friendly. All of us were happy. Ranch dressing is homemade and quite tasty.
(4)Josh D.
I really don't see the hype of this place? Seemed more like a sports bar than a speakeasy. Food was mediocre at best, and the ambiance was.. Okay, but certainly not what one would expect of a speakeasy. I didn't get the "swanky" vibe mentioned around here. Wouldn't recommend.
(2)Fred M.
When the waiter offered steak sauce that was the first bad sign. Service was okay but food was sub par with other restaurants in area.
(2)Jennifer B.
Five star burgers, best I've had! I ate one Tuesday & I'm back on Saturday. The pickles are really delicious, too. Staff are really friendly and food was fast. My only issue is the noise, they need some sound panels to cut down on the noise. I will be back for more. Best nachos, too!
(5)Levent T.
Sports bar with a very friendly staff! All the food came out quickly, hot and fresh. Steak sandwich was a nice sized portion cut. Only a couple of downsides: steak was unseasoned and the saganaki is pretty small for the price. Would definitely go back to hang out and maybe even try their breakfast menu.
(3)Cassandra G.
We're regular carry-out customers, especially for the burgers---they definitely get 5-stars! Food is consistently great. I'm not much of a sports fan, so no opinion re: the TV screens, etc, but appreciate the friendly neighborhood vibe whenever we go in to pick up our order. The bartenders/waitstaff always seem upbeat and are quick to help. Available parking lot is another additional perk; makes for a quick & easy stop.
(5)April M.
I have only been in town about a month so far and I've been here twice since. This place is a fun place to go for some good beer, food and sports. The atmosphere is awesome and the service is good. Although I learned the hard way, when drinking at the bar there is a bartender who thinks if you put the glass on the lower rim of the bar that you want another one. Do not do this if you don't want another drink. I have bartender back in my day and was never aware that this was the universal code for "I want another drink". The bartender was clearly pissed then ignored us once I flagged someone down to say I didn't want it. Took awhile to get the check then too, due to her ignoring us. Next time I go I won't put this bartenders bad attitude, customer service against the speakeasy...yet I might sit at a table instead seeing I had faster and better quality service when I sat in a booth during my first visit.
(4)Chris M.
Do you remember the Checkered Flag? The Walnut Inn? If you have been to these places, get those images out of your head because this is truly the extreme opposite. The owners have taken great care to be sure that this is truly a nice, friendly, clean neighborhood bar/restaurant. I believe every piece of wood in the bar is new or recovered walnut (even the menu cover). The bar is incredible and the wait staff and bartenders are friendly and attentive. Food is a bit above average but nothing to knock your socks off. Recently seen ads for live music as well. Lots of TV's for sports.
(4)Elisa G.
Great looking bar, cozy booths, good food, but the service is SLOW!!! I swear every time I come here there is only one waitress working the floor!
(3)Kaycee C.
I don't live in Elgin but I go there about once a week to visit my girlfriend. I wasn't too fond of the local bars there... until I found this place. I LOVE their tap menu, and they have a good selection of craft beer. Great Lakes, Founder's, Left Hand, Lagunitas... Where else in Elgin do you find that? Every time I come here I feel like I'm at a bar in Chicago. Plus, their fried pickles are da bomb. Definitely gonna go here every time I make a trip out there!
(4)Candice H.
The outside of this place is deceiving! It is actually really nice in side and very comfortable. There are flat screen TVs throughout and I would recommend it to watch a game. They have a good selection of beer on tap and the pizza was decent(not the best I've had but we live in Chicago, so I'm picky). I've also had the pretzel appetizer(its not available all the time) and wings (they're pretty good too). My only complaint is that one waitress that I had was clueless. She didn't know anything about there beer club or about beer! She also never came back and we had to leave money with our friends to pay our tab. One more thing, we saw a band there once and it was good. Perfect for the size of the place.
(4)Andy M.
A fine Chicago area bar in the far west suburbs. This place is remarkably designed and the booths are all made of walnut. the owner spent some time refurbishing this place from what it once was and the place is a great place to drink and watch sports, yet it is far from a sports bar. They serve restaurant quality food and have servers that ask you if you need anything.
(4)Paul K.
As you walk from the parking lot to the restaurant, it may seem like you need a kevlar vest. When you walk into the place you can't help be impressed by the woodwork and beautiful bar. The beer selection on draft is great. Plenty of choices including my favorite Hacker Schor. Just about the best fried pickles I have ever had. The half pound California burger with avaco was incredble. My wife had a veggie wrap and loved it. The one con inside was that the TV were too small since they obviously want to be a sports bar. One more suggestion would be do not go too late. The neighborhood is not the best.
(4)V S.
Craft beer and welcoming interior. Don't let the exterior fool you...when you walk inside you will see wood, steel and leather. I had the Left Hand Milk Stout and the Blue Cheese burger...and the key lime pie. All were good. The waitress was nice. This was my second time here... last time it was the wings.
(3)Ben M.
The times I've gone to Walnut it's usually for the craft beer they offer. They always have a keg of Lagunitas on tap and they have a nice selection of bottles to choose from. The food is decent, better than most bars but nothing spectacular. They carry a good amount of Three Floyds, Smuttynose, and Lagunitas...3 of my favs.
(4)Kelly B.
We stopped in here on Friday night. It was pretty crowded around 7, but cleared out by 9. My sister and I ordered a pizza which was very good. My husband got the BBQ pizza and ordered it extra thin and thin it was. He loved it. My brother in law ordered a 1# burger and assured us he'd finish it all. He did not finish it. He said it was very good and every ounce of 1 pound. We will visit again for Friday night drinks and good food.
(4)Coach P.
Not a chance! Met my family and some friends to watch a hawks game. My party was there before me and had waited for a table. When I walked in and saw my boyfriend standing by what was later our table, I knew something was wrong. They had patiently waited for a table in front of the screen for almost an hour - big hawks fans - only to be told the table they had chose to wait for was no longer available. After some discussion they gave us the table. It was a wing special night so we ordered up. Service was poor but it was busy. Food came finally and only average. When part of our party left they realized they had a charge on their bill for splitting checks. We asked to speak to the manager who told us he didn't have time and dismissed us. Well the server took the charge off and they left. We got our bill only to realize we had been charged for the wing dip! Mind you, we had a party of seven and had spent quite a bit of money collectively. Really, you would lose customers over a couple quarters? We knew we wouldn't get anywhere with the manager so we tried the owner. What a jerk! How is this place still in business?! This man has absolutely no people skills and it is because of him we would never step back in. No loss though - it's just a bar, nothing special.
(1)Todd L.
Over priced hamburgers made from frozen patties
(2)Nathan S.
The first time I went here was just for drinks, but I have also gone for lunch. I was trying to decide how to rate them with this in mind but, ultimately, I was pretty disappointed with both. Let me start with the worst part, the drinks. Serving weak drinks is definitely not a good thing, but do not make it worse by just adding more mixer. I would prefer a smaller, stronger drink to a larger, watered down drink any day. The food was passable bare fare. The burger that I had was good enough for a quick and desperate bite, but I wouldn't go out of my way to have another. The fries had that flavor that you get when the fryer isn't cleaned often enough. They kind of take on the flavors of everything else that has ever been fried. I could taste the fish from the fish fry the previous day. The bar itself looks like a TV store exploded. Honestly, does any one place really need 22 TVs? Otherwise it is a fairly pleasant place.
(2)Carey Y.
First off... I've been to the other "businesses" that have been here..... This place is SO much nicer. It has a very "welcoming" feel. We've been here 6 or 7 times. Perfect place for a date or with a group to watch sports. Plenty of TVs. We stopped in on a Saturday night and listened to a live band. The staff seems very nice. Food is awesome. Everything seems to be reasonably priced. They usually have drink specials. I always look forward to see what food they have on special. I want to try the Friday Fish Fry. Oh yeah... They also serve breakfast! The "skillets" are awesome. Very fresh ingredients!
(4)Scott M.
An unassuming exterior leads to a classy, comfortable interior. This place is one of the nicest in the area. The food is above par for a bar and the prices are reasonable. The bar and dinning area are open, clean and comfortable. What really stands out is the gorgeous woodwork throughout.
(5)Craig M.
If you remember the Prairie Rock in downtown elgin, the Walnut Speakeasy has a similar feel with the following exceptions: The service is good, the food isn't overpriced, and it doesn't smell like a pet store! In fact, the food is quite good. I had an Italian beef (hard to do right), and it met my high beefy standards. I also sampled the crab cakes of a fellow diner which were delicious. The parking is not quite what you're used to as you may have to park on the street during peak times, but tough it out and you will be rewarded. Definitely check this place out!
(4)J L.
Great atmosphere and food was really good. Our waitress was great, and live entertainment is always a plus. We will definitely go back!
(4)Rob H.
Beautifully restored building, showcases vintage 30-40's restored woodwork. Prices are reasonable. The pizza was good with a thin and crispy crust, (but no where near the best crust in the area). The selection of pizza toppings was interesting. The flank steak was excellent-juicy and flavorful. The side of fries was acceptable but not outstanding. The fish 1/2 of the fish and chips were also excellent. The parking lot is a bit sparse, and you might wind up on the street.
(4)Andy D.
Now...I normally don't dig the bars in Elgin. However, this place was actually pretty nice. Complimentary valet parking...or plenty of street parking. Plenty of screens to watch a game. Spacious booths and great drink specials. I didn't try their food...but the menu was priced well with a decent selection. The negatives: the servers didn't pay attention to their tables enough & they crank up the volume of the game way too high.
(4)Paul P.
Nice place with a great selection of beer. The chicken parmesan was awesome. Parking is a problem here; I ended up parking around the corner. Since it was cold out, we had no encounters with the local "wildlife," but I'd be wary during the summer.
(4)Mike E.
Ribs were awesome, with a great selection of craft beers and food. Beautiful bar, reminds me of Cheers with the Mahagony wood. Wait staff were nice.
(4)Kevin S.
Good food, reasonable prices, though the music is sometimes too loud. Service can be slow when it's busy but is generally very good. I think you get a good value for your money and I am a regular customer. Lots of TVs to watch whichever sport you're in to.
(4)lynn s.
As others have said the restaurant is beautifully restored with nice oak woodwork. It has a nice & friendly neighborhood atmosphere. You can certainly bring your family to dine during the weeknight or early on Saturday. The burgers are really good. We usually get the $3.50 1/4 lb burger special. Cheese is additional, but still worth it. My husband had the chocolate cake but said it tasted like it was in the freezer too long. Plenty of good beer on tap. We like to meet friends here on the weekends and head on over to the riverboat just down the street. Glad we discovered this place. We try to come at least once a month. The parking lot is small, but usually not a problem during the weekday.
(4)John K.
Called for take out last night (a friday @ 5ish) 3 times. Once: no answer; twice, put on hold then disconnected; third times a charm: Placed my order. Never been or ordered before, but wanted pub food. When I went to pick up, I could see why all the problems with the phone. The place was PACKED!!! So my curiosity was immediately piqued. Nice roomy, clean atmosphere. Friendly staff. Seemed like a "where everyone knowns your name" type of place. Reminded me of Prarie Rock. Would recommend trying dine in. Food was decent, but a little cold by the time I got home. Could be a timing issue. Otherwise, I will try again. Parking lot is small and crampred, which is too bad because it seems like a popular place. Be sure to have alternative parking plans. They do offer valet services though.
(3)James H.
Went here initially with a chamber event and liked the place so I continue going back. It is a nice fun place with friendly staff (and owners). Try the burgers ...
(4)Jen P.
AWESOME and FRESH says it all! We were referred to this very nice and comfy place for a drink and while there we decided that this would be a nice place to try for dinner. The decor is fab, all wood thru out and the big screen tv's are MANY around the bar..loved it! Prices were very good also and have the good topshelfs too! Went for dinner last nite and everything that we put to our mouth was delicious and fresh every bite! We tried the nachos, Burger and on special..their monte cristo..all were amazin!! Their fries taste so homeade(not sure if they are but really taste like it)and their chips for the nachos were so yummi along with the chili on top!! Food is not greasy at all and you don't get that heavy sick feeling when you leave!! I suggest you give this place a try if you haven't yet, it won't disappoint! Also there is live jazz or blues on fri and sat's..we are going this weekend to try it out..can't wait..!! Daily specials too, can't wait to go back!! Rt down street from the Boat..ching ching!! =)
(5)Bill G.
Great menu and very nice staff. The food is very good and one of the rare items there is real, home made french fries. I've eaten there four times and had very good food and service each time. The menu has much more than burgers. It's a few notches above Moretti's or TGI Fridays if you like those places. Parking may be a problem when they are real busy. I also wish they had a kids menu. They also have breakfast on weekends, all day, which I plan to try soon. Try this very unique restaurant, I think you will like it.
(5)Short K.
We enjoy going to this spot. It is one of the only sports bars around that actually has good food. The prices are also very reasonable. Had the chicken nachos and a chicken salad sandwich. Both were quite good. If there is a downside I would say it's the parking. The lot is very small and many people don't know how to park. Be prepared for door dings.
(4)Melissa B.
Only reason it gets 2 stars is because bartender was nice. Otherwise, it's just your too bright, too quiet, dead on a Saturday boring suburban bar. YAWN. The mixed drinks menu was so strange I had a hard time picking anything I wanted to drink. The strangest combination of liquors I have ever seen. Said drinks weren't very good either.
(2)Kristen H.
Pleasantly surprised when I walked in on a week night around 9. Pretty packed but was able to grab a beer at the bar during our 15 minute wait to be seated. The bartender was weird and just came up to our party of 3 and stared at us without a greeting or smile. We felt pressured to order something right then and there so I panicked and ordered a Bud Light draft. It was disappointing because as a new customer I didn't know about their extensive beer list until after ordering. The rest of the night was great with a nice waitress and cheap wings and a good salad but that bar tender was what I remember most about the night. Hoping to return another time to try more items on that huge menu!
(3)Debbie W.
Visited this place for the first time this past Friday night. The service was great and the atmosphere warm and inviting. I ordered the Tuscan chicken wrap , with the side of pasta salad. They were both delicious! It was probably the best wrap I have EVER eaten. IT had the right blend of cheese, mushrooms and chicken. I started with the wings, and finished it all off with the beer of the month, a pint for only $4! My sister and the staff at a nearby school have had parties here and meet there sometimes for other occasions. I can't thank her enough for taking me here! I told her that the next time we go out to eat, and I want to go back here and try something else on the menu.
(5)L C B.
Walnut Street Speakeasy...pretty close to home cooking. Tonight a Ruben that might actually make my "Private Diner" happy. What is hard when you write about food is when you have someone around you who can cook! There is boiled corned beef, ok...St. Patty's... and there are those who likes their corned beef roasted!!! Since I've had the later, it's preferred and Walnut Street does just that. Corned Beef is a sneaky piece of meat to cook and sometimes it just isn't going to give in no matter how much love, but when it let's it's juice go you can't beat it!! Tonight was close to "his demand." This is a nice stop, good food, nice place, easy to sit at the bar for dinner. For those like me..look around! You are seeing a classic barrel vault wood truss ceiling!! Old engineering and still standing!! The building use to be a Kroger's Foods. Menu is diverse, I could easily come again. (PS: BTW Thursday is chicken wings and the place gets packed, come early.)
(4)M M.
First time here. Had the burger of the month, which was great! Highly recommend the fried pickle spear appetizer. The best! Would definitely go back again. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere.
(5)Chloe O.
When my girlfriends and I sat at the bar, the service was at least average. The food was average as well. When we decided to move to a table because we had others joining us, we did not get asked ONCE, NOT F*****G ONCE, if we needed drinks. The servers just kept going by. Even when new people joined our party, they just walked by and didn't even stop to ask us if we needed anything. We felt like they refused to serve us for some reason. We had to keep going up to the bar. The service, unless you're at the bar, is HORRIBLE. The venue, however, is spectacular and its because of that I will give this place another shot.
(1)John C.
Went Friday night and was surprised at what great looking space this is. We were greeted by a lively atmosphere, loud music and crowd. We ordered three thin crust pizzas and they were served piping hot and were very good. The bar was also great, with a good selection of craft beers. Ball games and UFC on the Tv's throughout the room. The duo playing live music was quite good taking requests for classic rock and contemporary rock and my only complaint is that it was so loud we could not converse at our table. We will go back, this place is an unexpected treat in Elgin.
(4)Alejandro S.
Is there a rule about adding a Tip on the check? Last time I checked was parties of 6-8 or more you can add gratuity 15-20% depending on the business . I had a 20% add to my check ( single person ) grat place . Back of the house were more attentive then server.i think she got mad cause I didn't want another drink . She dint offer an option
(3)Steever M.
Lots to like. Found nothing to love. Easy 'go to' spot for a sound meal square deal. Good bar. Good beer selection. Sometimes very busy!
(4)Avinash K.
Couple of things about this place - PURE SPORTS BAR with Great Food. There are a lot of TVs and lot of different sports, was really happy to see that EPL was also telecasted, which is rare :). Anyhow, the parking initally I thought was before the restaurant but that seemed too small, turns out it was after, so make sure you are parking in the right area :D. The place is brick-walled, so it was really cozy there, but I am over 6 ft tall, the booths were a little "TIGHT", would have liked a little more leg room people !! x) The staff were really friendly, we were seated quickly. So, to start off we had two appetizers - the Spinach/Artichoke and the Fried Pickles. The pita bread with Spinach/Artichoke was pretty good, but dipping as such fell short of the some of the other places, but overall pretty good - it was smaller than I anticipated with a neat presentation(about 10 pieces of pita). The fried pickles on the other hand, dipping that came with it was too good and dish as such was served HOT like as in burnt my tongue HOT. Salty and yumm.. really must try dish (about 8 pieces of them). We had the Chicken salad sandwich with Pasta salad, sandwich was pretty good and pasta salad was really good. Then we got the chocolate mousse cake (nothing special here) and the salted caramel gelato - which in my opinion was a bigger scoop of ice cream than expected and it was FULL OF FLAVOR. Really YUMMY. If you are a fan - please TRY IT. If not - you can still try it :D. Will I be back here ?? Absolutely.. :D :D
(4)Mark D.
Have eaten here twice with my wife. The first time everything was as good as you would want. Shared an order of wings for an appetizer which were very tasty. I had the AYCE Fish with fries and coleslaw which was very good. My wife enjoyed their Bloody Mary. Had the waitress's attention the entire time we were there. The second time we went everything was a complete opposite from our first visit. Waited almost 5 minutes for a waitress to come to our table. I ordered a rack of baby back ribs and was disappointed the meat did not fall off of the bone like I am used to. The BBQ sauce wasn't very tasty either. The waitress hardly came to our table to ask how our meal was or to refill drinks. I think it was because the owner was not present. However, I will give them another try as they have other items on their menu I would like to try and give them a chance to improve my rating.
(3)Kara B.
Had a good time with a few friends. We had appetizers and flights of beer. Good service and atmosphere.
(4)Paul W.
I love the atmosphere here. But the food and service is merely mediocre. We've been here several times and there isn't any food that stands out as their best. I cant figure out their identity. When I hear speakeasy, I think bar and gangster. That's not the case here. But the wood work and overall atmosphere is nice. Check out Elgin Public House and sit upstairs. It's right down the street
(3)Lynn J.
Ok, they now no longer know how to make medium rare burgers. The waitress was good enough to comp the the drink but I am concerned about the inconsistency of the cooking. We'll try one more time in the future.
(3)Matt B.
Good food great service and a nice selection of craft beers. I have been here four times and it has been consistently good.
(4)E C.
Everything about this bar is good... Except the bartenders!! They are so rude! I suggest if you go, sit at a table for the best experience. When you choose the bar, it will be disappointing. The women flirt with the men and act as though you're doing them a favor asking them for service! Try downtown, more down to earth bartenders! Wish I could Give a ZERO!
(1)Cris A.
We went here for lunch to celebrate my friends birthday. I ordered a basic burger and it was very good. The fries were fantastic. He had the chicken salad club. This thing was a triple decker and was hard to eat but it was delicious! It doesn't look like much from the outside but once inside you'll change your mind. The restaurant itself was roomy. There were plenty of TVs for sports watching. The bar was beautiful and big with lots of stools. There were tables, booths and half moon booths. The beer selection was decent. They have lots of local draft options like 3 Floyds, Revolution and Two Brothers. I gave it 4 stars because our server was not knowledgeable about the beer.
(4)Nichole W.
Huge improvement from what this place used to be. Good food, great beer, nice tvs for sports. They have decent specials too. We love the wings.
(4)Brian S.
The food menu and quality is quite a pleasant surprise. Love their Burgers of the Month!
(5)Paul F.
I remember when this was the walnut inn(can you say dive bar?)what a difference! The food is consistently good, always good specials and at a reasonable price, and a great beer list, all of which is why we always come back( I always get a cup of chili, by far the best in town!) Service is generally great to excellent, although we've noticed a higher turnover in the wait staff, and there's been a few hiccups, but the bar staff is always top notch. Hopefully you'll get a good wait staff that you can keep and continue to be the best in town.
(4)A A.
Great place. We went there for a few drinks with friends. There was 5 of us. It was Thursday night and they had $.25 wings. We got there at 10:30 and it was busy. The beer was cold and my friends said the wings were good. We definitely will be returning.
(5)Steve D.
Decent beer selection, quality well priced food, very clean. Great place to watch the games. The owner being a hockey fan makes it a plus as I can watch any game on their NHL package.
(5)Mick B.
I took a friend to Walnut Speakeasy to celebrate her birthday. We had a very good experience. The Walnut Speakeasy offers a private off street parking lot and valet service. There is street parking to be had too. Very good for a place that is on the edge of what I would call a residential area. Please do your self a favor and DO NOT judge by the exterior. The outside looks to me like a dive bar or maybe a neighborhood liquor store- once you are inside everything changes. As another reviewer mentioned, the wood paneling is rich and beautiful; seating comfortable, and there are prohibition era photos and memorabilia on the walls. Service and food are good too- I particularly liked the presentation of what we were served. The food and service reminded me of an upscale Chicago restaurant but we payed burbs prices. If you visit on a friday, try their cod special- a tasty and generous sized piece of fish with home style fries, coleslaw and a salad. If I recall, it was under $8. One note of caution: at least on the weekend, this is an adult destination so parents of young and or sensitive children may want to pick another place. Great experience all around- can't think of a thing that could have been improved.
(4)Cindy P.
Great atmosphere and an awesome craft beer selection. Sometimes its a wait for a table, but its worth it.
(5)Minjee Y.
Came here for my 21st birthday back in march. I was with my coworkers and it was a good time. It was monday so you could picture that it was pretty dead here. Nothing going on much in Elgin. The food was good. We all enjoyed whatever we ordered. Drinks are good and really strong and I would say the price for food and drinks is ordinary ($5-10 for drinks, $7-20 for food/dinner per person) What I didn't like was that my boyfriend put in money to play a song for me for my birthday. It was a rap song and it only played for less than 1 minute. I'm pretty sure they changed it because the crowd there didn't like it or whatever, but I WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THAT. Or I want to hear that song on repeat next time I'm there. (Kidding.... kind of.) I'll be coming back for burgers or something. I heard the fried pickles here are great too!
(3)Kara M.
Great atmosphere and welcome establishment in Elgin. We went in for drinks and I had a flight of beer. Friendly and efficient service. Will definitely be going there more often this summer.
(4)Dave B.
AWESOME burgers! Accommodating service and requests honored (no styrofoam please:) also great corned beef and Swiss melt. Nicely toasted buns/bread (essential). Really quick carry out prep! Live this place we get carry out often. Look forward to try other food here
(5)Angel G.
Place has a good selection of craft beer and also has good beer specials. Alex is always trying to find new beers to add to the list as well. The food is good and it has been consistently good. They have a good selection of bar food but also have a restaurant style menu. Pizza, nachos, specialty burgers, wraps, soft pretzels, and wings have all been delicious . My friends and I have gone almost every Wednesday or Thursday nights for the past year and a half and the only thing that I have a problem with, is the occasional bad server. We go when we go, because Sandra, the best waitress/bartender they have, works those days and I know we'll have damn good service. There are some bad servers but we learned to avoid them and they don't last anyway.
(5)Darci D.
Love this place! The food and drinks are just as awesome as the service! Love the menu variety and all the tv screens!
(5)Michelle A.
Atmosphere, beer, drinks, music all rate high but I gave three stars because while the menu is creatively presented, the food was mediocre at best. Wings were decent and reasonably priced but nachos said melted cheddar cheese and it was the neon orange liquid processed mess. Steak on nachos was bland, lacking seasoning. Chips were tasty but salsa was out of a jar and not impressive. Thursday nights is wing night and I am sure we will return for that, maybe even try another night for one if their burger specials. Pizza claims to be made from scratch, half price on Monday nights, also a possibility. Will let you know if worthwhile. Great bar otherwise but not the best pub food.
(3)Zhong Y.
Pretty darn good burger. It can be very busy. When it gets busy, service tends to slip. Have had hit or miss experiences here. I generally like the place. The staff are very cute. But ultimately if I were to pick this place or Elgin Public House, I'd go to EPH for food, and here for range of drinks.
(3)Cat A.
This is probably the only place worth going out to in Elgin. They have great food and great drinks, and a super swanky decor. Also, all my guy friends love it because they have really nice flat screens everywhere, so it's great if you want to watch a game. The only two problems are a) the tiny parking lot (which is always packed) and b) that if you go not that far in the wrong direction, you can find yourself in a pretty skeezy part of town, so I wouldn't suggest anyone walk alone unless you know Elgin well enough to know where not to go.
(4)John C.
Went Friday night and was surprised at what great looking space this is. We were greeted by a lively atmosphere, loud music and crowd. We ordered three thin crust pizzas and they were served piping hot and were very good. The bar was also great, with a good selection of craft beers. Ball games and UFC on the Tv's throughout the room. The duo playing live music was quite good taking requests for classic rock and contemporary rock and my only complaint is that it was so loud we could not converse at our table. We will go back, this place is an unexpected treat in Elgin.
(4)Chloe O.
When my girlfriends and I sat at the bar, the service was at least average. The food was average as well. When we decided to move to a table because we had others joining us, we did not get asked ONCE, NOT F*****G ONCE, if we needed drinks. The servers just kept going by. Even when new people joined our party, they just walked by and didn't even stop to ask us if we needed anything. We felt like they refused to serve us for some reason. We had to keep going up to the bar. The service, unless you're at the bar, is HORRIBLE. The venue, however, is spectacular and its because of that I will give this place another shot.
(1)Alejandro S.
Is there a rule about adding a Tip on the check? Last time I checked was parties of 6-8 or more you can add gratuity 15-20% depending on the business . I had a 20% add to my check ( single person ) grat place . Back of the house were more attentive then server.i think she got mad cause I didn't want another drink . She dint offer an option
(3)Steever M.
Lots to like. Found nothing to love. Easy 'go to' spot for a sound meal square deal. Good bar. Good beer selection. Sometimes very busy!
(4)Steve D.
Decent beer selection, quality well priced food, very clean. Great place to watch the games. The owner being a hockey fan makes it a plus as I can watch any game on their NHL package.
(5)Short K.
We enjoy going to this spot. It is one of the only sports bars around that actually has good food. The prices are also very reasonable. Had the chicken nachos and a chicken salad sandwich. Both were quite good. If there is a downside I would say it's the parking. The lot is very small and many people don't know how to park. Be prepared for door dings.
(4)Melissa B.
Only reason it gets 2 stars is because bartender was nice. Otherwise, it's just your too bright, too quiet, dead on a Saturday boring suburban bar. YAWN. The mixed drinks menu was so strange I had a hard time picking anything I wanted to drink. The strangest combination of liquors I have ever seen. Said drinks weren't very good either.
(2)Kristen H.
Pleasantly surprised when I walked in on a week night around 9. Pretty packed but was able to grab a beer at the bar during our 15 minute wait to be seated. The bartender was weird and just came up to our party of 3 and stared at us without a greeting or smile. We felt pressured to order something right then and there so I panicked and ordered a Bud Light draft. It was disappointing because as a new customer I didn't know about their extensive beer list until after ordering. The rest of the night was great with a nice waitress and cheap wings and a good salad but that bar tender was what I remember most about the night. Hoping to return another time to try more items on that huge menu!
(3)L C B.
Walnut Street Speakeasy...pretty close to home cooking. Tonight a Ruben that might actually make my "Private Diner" happy. What is hard when you write about food is when you have someone around you who can cook! There is boiled corned beef, ok...St. Patty's... and there are those who likes their corned beef roasted!!! Since I've had the later, it's preferred and Walnut Street does just that. Corned Beef is a sneaky piece of meat to cook and sometimes it just isn't going to give in no matter how much love, but when it let's it's juice go you can't beat it!! Tonight was close to "his demand." This is a nice stop, good food, nice place, easy to sit at the bar for dinner. For those like me..look around! You are seeing a classic barrel vault wood truss ceiling!! Old engineering and still standing!! The building use to be a Kroger's Foods. Menu is diverse, I could easily come again. (PS: BTW Thursday is chicken wings and the place gets packed, come early.)
(4)M M.
First time here. Had the burger of the month, which was great! Highly recommend the fried pickle spear appetizer. The best! Would definitely go back again. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere.
(5)Avinash K.
Couple of things about this place - PURE SPORTS BAR with Great Food. There are a lot of TVs and lot of different sports, was really happy to see that EPL was also telecasted, which is rare :). Anyhow, the parking initally I thought was before the restaurant but that seemed too small, turns out it was after, so make sure you are parking in the right area :D. The place is brick-walled, so it was really cozy there, but I am over 6 ft tall, the booths were a little "TIGHT", would have liked a little more leg room people !! x) The staff were really friendly, we were seated quickly. So, to start off we had two appetizers - the Spinach/Artichoke and the Fried Pickles. The pita bread with Spinach/Artichoke was pretty good, but dipping as such fell short of the some of the other places, but overall pretty good - it was smaller than I anticipated with a neat presentation(about 10 pieces of pita). The fried pickles on the other hand, dipping that came with it was too good and dish as such was served HOT like as in burnt my tongue HOT. Salty and yumm.. really must try dish (about 8 pieces of them). We had the Chicken salad sandwich with Pasta salad, sandwich was pretty good and pasta salad was really good. Then we got the chocolate mousse cake (nothing special here) and the salted caramel gelato - which in my opinion was a bigger scoop of ice cream than expected and it was FULL OF FLAVOR. Really YUMMY. If you are a fan - please TRY IT. If not - you can still try it :D. Will I be back here ?? Absolutely.. :D :D
(4)Kara B.
Had a good time with a few friends. We had appetizers and flights of beer. Good service and atmosphere.
(4)Mark D.
Have eaten here twice with my wife. The first time everything was as good as you would want. Shared an order of wings for an appetizer which were very tasty. I had the AYCE Fish with fries and coleslaw which was very good. My wife enjoyed their Bloody Mary. Had the waitress's attention the entire time we were there. The second time we went everything was a complete opposite from our first visit. Waited almost 5 minutes for a waitress to come to our table. I ordered a rack of baby back ribs and was disappointed the meat did not fall off of the bone like I am used to. The BBQ sauce wasn't very tasty either. The waitress hardly came to our table to ask how our meal was or to refill drinks. I think it was because the owner was not present. However, I will give them another try as they have other items on their menu I would like to try and give them a chance to improve my rating.
(3)Paul W.
I love the atmosphere here. But the food and service is merely mediocre. We've been here several times and there isn't any food that stands out as their best. I cant figure out their identity. When I hear speakeasy, I think bar and gangster. That's not the case here. But the wood work and overall atmosphere is nice. Check out Elgin Public House and sit upstairs. It's right down the street
(3)Lynn J.
Ok, they now no longer know how to make medium rare burgers. The waitress was good enough to comp the the drink but I am concerned about the inconsistency of the cooking. We'll try one more time in the future.
(3)Matt B.
Good food great service and a nice selection of craft beers. I have been here four times and it has been consistently good.
(4)Cris A.
We went here for lunch to celebrate my friends birthday. I ordered a basic burger and it was very good. The fries were fantastic. He had the chicken salad club. This thing was a triple decker and was hard to eat but it was delicious! It doesn't look like much from the outside but once inside you'll change your mind. The restaurant itself was roomy. There were plenty of TVs for sports watching. The bar was beautiful and big with lots of stools. There were tables, booths and half moon booths. The beer selection was decent. They have lots of local draft options like 3 Floyds, Revolution and Two Brothers. I gave it 4 stars because our server was not knowledgeable about the beer.
(4)Nichole W.
Huge improvement from what this place used to be. Good food, great beer, nice tvs for sports. They have decent specials too. We love the wings.
(4)Brian S.
The food menu and quality is quite a pleasant surprise. Love their Burgers of the Month!
(5)Paul F.
I remember when this was the walnut inn(can you say dive bar?)what a difference! The food is consistently good, always good specials and at a reasonable price, and a great beer list, all of which is why we always come back( I always get a cup of chili, by far the best in town!) Service is generally great to excellent, although we've noticed a higher turnover in the wait staff, and there's been a few hiccups, but the bar staff is always top notch. Hopefully you'll get a good wait staff that you can keep and continue to be the best in town.
(4)A A.
Great place. We went there for a few drinks with friends. There was 5 of us. It was Thursday night and they had $.25 wings. We got there at 10:30 and it was busy. The beer was cold and my friends said the wings were good. We definitely will be returning.
(5)Pradeepa K.
Good restaurant with good ambiance. I love this place.
(4)Mick B.
I took a friend to Walnut Speakeasy to celebrate her birthday. We had a very good experience. The Walnut Speakeasy offers a private off street parking lot and valet service. There is street parking to be had too. Very good for a place that is on the edge of what I would call a residential area. Please do your self a favor and DO NOT judge by the exterior. The outside looks to me like a dive bar or maybe a neighborhood liquor store- once you are inside everything changes. As another reviewer mentioned, the wood paneling is rich and beautiful; seating comfortable, and there are prohibition era photos and memorabilia on the walls. Service and food are good too- I particularly liked the presentation of what we were served. The food and service reminded me of an upscale Chicago restaurant but we payed burbs prices. If you visit on a friday, try their cod special- a tasty and generous sized piece of fish with home style fries, coleslaw and a salad. If I recall, it was under $8. One note of caution: at least on the weekend, this is an adult destination so parents of young and or sensitive children may want to pick another place. Great experience all around- can't think of a thing that could have been improved.
(4)Cindy P.
Great atmosphere and an awesome craft beer selection. Sometimes its a wait for a table, but its worth it.
(5)Minjee Y.
Came here for my 21st birthday back in march. I was with my coworkers and it was a good time. It was monday so you could picture that it was pretty dead here. Nothing going on much in Elgin. The food was good. We all enjoyed whatever we ordered. Drinks are good and really strong and I would say the price for food and drinks is ordinary ($5-10 for drinks, $7-20 for food/dinner per person) What I didn't like was that my boyfriend put in money to play a song for me for my birthday. It was a rap song and it only played for less than 1 minute. I'm pretty sure they changed it because the crowd there didn't like it or whatever, but I WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THAT. Or I want to hear that song on repeat next time I'm there. (Kidding.... kind of.) I'll be coming back for burgers or something. I heard the fried pickles here are great too!
(3)Kara M.
Great atmosphere and welcome establishment in Elgin. We went in for drinks and I had a flight of beer. Friendly and efficient service. Will definitely be going there more often this summer.
(4)Dave B.
AWESOME burgers! Accommodating service and requests honored (no styrofoam please:) also great corned beef and Swiss melt. Nicely toasted buns/bread (essential). Really quick carry out prep! Live this place we get carry out often. Look forward to try other food here
(5)Angel G.
Place has a good selection of craft beer and also has good beer specials. Alex is always trying to find new beers to add to the list as well. The food is good and it has been consistently good. They have a good selection of bar food but also have a restaurant style menu. Pizza, nachos, specialty burgers, wraps, soft pretzels, and wings have all been delicious . My friends and I have gone almost every Wednesday or Thursday nights for the past year and a half and the only thing that I have a problem with, is the occasional bad server. We go when we go, because Sandra, the best waitress/bartender they have, works those days and I know we'll have damn good service. There are some bad servers but we learned to avoid them and they don't last anyway.
(5)Darci D.
Love this place! The food and drinks are just as awesome as the service! Love the menu variety and all the tv screens!
(5)Chris M.
Do you remember the Checkered Flag? The Walnut Inn? If you have been to these places, get those images out of your head because this is truly the extreme opposite. The owners have taken great care to be sure that this is truly a nice, friendly, clean neighborhood bar/restaurant. I believe every piece of wood in the bar is new or recovered walnut (even the menu cover). The bar is incredible and the wait staff and bartenders are friendly and attentive. Food is a bit above average but nothing to knock your socks off. Recently seen ads for live music as well. Lots of TV's for sports.
(4)Elisa G.
Great looking bar, cozy booths, good food, but the service is SLOW!!! I swear every time I come here there is only one waitress working the floor!
(3)Kaycee C.
I don't live in Elgin but I go there about once a week to visit my girlfriend. I wasn't too fond of the local bars there... until I found this place. I LOVE their tap menu, and they have a good selection of craft beer. Great Lakes, Founder's, Left Hand, Lagunitas... Where else in Elgin do you find that? Every time I come here I feel like I'm at a bar in Chicago. Plus, their fried pickles are da bomb. Definitely gonna go here every time I make a trip out there!
(4)Candice H.
The outside of this place is deceiving! It is actually really nice in side and very comfortable. There are flat screen TVs throughout and I would recommend it to watch a game. They have a good selection of beer on tap and the pizza was decent(not the best I've had but we live in Chicago, so I'm picky). I've also had the pretzel appetizer(its not available all the time) and wings (they're pretty good too). My only complaint is that one waitress that I had was clueless. She didn't know anything about there beer club or about beer! She also never came back and we had to leave money with our friends to pay our tab. One more thing, we saw a band there once and it was good. Perfect for the size of the place.
(4)Saúl A.
The Walnut Speakeasy is a fully stocked sports bar of awesome proportions. Me and the guys wanted to find a nice local spot for a Friday Fish Fry and The Walnut has a Buffet special of Fish (Cod) and Chips (Fries). It was a very value driven special and my friends and I couldn't resist. Once I walked in I was greeted with a host who was ready to take my name and party size down as they were very packed for the night. The host also asked if we have ever been here before and was able to mention of their .25 wings on Thursday. We were immediately engaged with all the flat screens showing the Bulls and Blackhawks playing. This is a great spot for Sports Fans to go to. We were promptly seated. And greeted by our waitress. Of the top of the head she was able to recite all the specials and offered the Friday Fish Fry Buffet. I was so pleased with her attentive response to all our questions regarding specials for the day. Regardless of how engaged all us sports fans were of the games going on. The food was very tasty, freshly cooked, and was presented really well. We all really liked coming here. Again, a very good option for those sports fans in the area. I am a Resident Recommended Professional for the Elgin Area. #ResidentRec
(4)Melissa S.
We decided to try something new on a Friday night. We looked at yelp for reviews and I am puzzled how this place got such high reviews. The beer was over priced for a very small beer. The food was just average and the server had a huge attitude. I will not be coming back to this establishment. We did have a very nice server (not ours) get our check and also the guy who brought the food was very nice and I much have rathered give the tip to him than our server.
(1)Josh D.
I really don't see the hype of this place? Seemed more like a sports bar than a speakeasy. Food was mediocre at best, and the ambiance was.. Okay, but certainly not what one would expect of a speakeasy. I didn't get the "swanky" vibe mentioned around here. Wouldn't recommend.
(2)Stephane L.
We went for the FOOD. Was great. Had fried pickles (a must), cheeseburger with buffalo sauce, mushroom soup, pasta salad, chicken sand., tenders, fries and a beer. We all thought everything tasted really good. My cheeseburger was filling and cooked well. The pasta salad had a good taste. Mushroom soup was homemade. Would go again. Waitress was friendly. All of us were happy. Ranch dressing is homemade and quite tasty.
(4)Fred M.
When the waiter offered steak sauce that was the first bad sign. Service was okay but food was sub par with other restaurants in area.
(2)Andy M.
A fine Chicago area bar in the far west suburbs. This place is remarkably designed and the booths are all made of walnut. the owner spent some time refurbishing this place from what it once was and the place is a great place to drink and watch sports, yet it is far from a sports bar. They serve restaurant quality food and have servers that ask you if you need anything.
(4)Paul K.
As you walk from the parking lot to the restaurant, it may seem like you need a kevlar vest. When you walk into the place you can't help be impressed by the woodwork and beautiful bar. The beer selection on draft is great. Plenty of choices including my favorite Hacker Schor. Just about the best fried pickles I have ever had. The half pound California burger with avaco was incredble. My wife had a veggie wrap and loved it. The one con inside was that the TV were too small since they obviously want to be a sports bar. One more suggestion would be do not go too late. The neighborhood is not the best.
(4)V S.
Craft beer and welcoming interior. Don't let the exterior fool you...when you walk inside you will see wood, steel and leather. I had the Left Hand Milk Stout and the Blue Cheese burger...and the key lime pie. All were good. The waitress was nice. This was my second time here... last time it was the wings.
(3)Coach P.
Not a chance! Met my family and some friends to watch a hawks game. My party was there before me and had waited for a table. When I walked in and saw my boyfriend standing by what was later our table, I knew something was wrong. They had patiently waited for a table in front of the screen for almost an hour - big hawks fans - only to be told the table they had chose to wait for was no longer available. After some discussion they gave us the table. It was a wing special night so we ordered up. Service was poor but it was busy. Food came finally and only average. When part of our party left they realized they had a charge on their bill for splitting checks. We asked to speak to the manager who told us he didn't have time and dismissed us. Well the server took the charge off and they left. We got our bill only to realize we had been charged for the wing dip! Mind you, we had a party of seven and had spent quite a bit of money collectively. Really, you would lose customers over a couple quarters? We knew we wouldn't get anywhere with the manager so we tried the owner. What a jerk! How is this place still in business?! This man has absolutely no people skills and it is because of him we would never step back in. No loss though - it's just a bar, nothing special.
(1)Todd L.
Over priced hamburgers made from frozen patties
(2)Nathan S.
The first time I went here was just for drinks, but I have also gone for lunch. I was trying to decide how to rate them with this in mind but, ultimately, I was pretty disappointed with both. Let me start with the worst part, the drinks. Serving weak drinks is definitely not a good thing, but do not make it worse by just adding more mixer. I would prefer a smaller, stronger drink to a larger, watered down drink any day. The food was passable bare fare. The burger that I had was good enough for a quick and desperate bite, but I wouldn't go out of my way to have another. The fries had that flavor that you get when the fryer isn't cleaned often enough. They kind of take on the flavors of everything else that has ever been fried. I could taste the fish from the fish fry the previous day. The bar itself looks like a TV store exploded. Honestly, does any one place really need 22 TVs? Otherwise it is a fairly pleasant place.
(2)Carey Y.
First off... I've been to the other "businesses" that have been here..... This place is SO much nicer. It has a very "welcoming" feel. We've been here 6 or 7 times. Perfect place for a date or with a group to watch sports. Plenty of TVs. We stopped in on a Saturday night and listened to a live band. The staff seems very nice. Food is awesome. Everything seems to be reasonably priced. They usually have drink specials. I always look forward to see what food they have on special. I want to try the Friday Fish Fry. Oh yeah... They also serve breakfast! The "skillets" are awesome. Very fresh ingredients!
(4)Scott M.
An unassuming exterior leads to a classy, comfortable interior. This place is one of the nicest in the area. The food is above par for a bar and the prices are reasonable. The bar and dinning area are open, clean and comfortable. What really stands out is the gorgeous woodwork throughout.
(5)Ben M.
The times I've gone to Walnut it's usually for the craft beer they offer. They always have a keg of Lagunitas on tap and they have a nice selection of bottles to choose from. The food is decent, better than most bars but nothing spectacular. They carry a good amount of Three Floyds, Smuttynose, and Lagunitas...3 of my favs.
(4)Kelly B.
We stopped in here on Friday night. It was pretty crowded around 7, but cleared out by 9. My sister and I ordered a pizza which was very good. My husband got the BBQ pizza and ordered it extra thin and thin it was. He loved it. My brother in law ordered a 1# burger and assured us he'd finish it all. He did not finish it. He said it was very good and every ounce of 1 pound. We will visit again for Friday night drinks and good food.
(4)Craig M.
If you remember the Prairie Rock in downtown elgin, the Walnut Speakeasy has a similar feel with the following exceptions: The service is good, the food isn't overpriced, and it doesn't smell like a pet store! In fact, the food is quite good. I had an Italian beef (hard to do right), and it met my high beefy standards. I also sampled the crab cakes of a fellow diner which were delicious. The parking is not quite what you're used to as you may have to park on the street during peak times, but tough it out and you will be rewarded. Definitely check this place out!
(4)J L.
Great atmosphere and food was really good. Our waitress was great, and live entertainment is always a plus. We will definitely go back!
(4)Rob H.
Beautifully restored building, showcases vintage 30-40's restored woodwork. Prices are reasonable. The pizza was good with a thin and crispy crust, (but no where near the best crust in the area). The selection of pizza toppings was interesting. The flank steak was excellent-juicy and flavorful. The side of fries was acceptable but not outstanding. The fish 1/2 of the fish and chips were also excellent. The parking lot is a bit sparse, and you might wind up on the street.
(4)Andy D.
Now...I normally don't dig the bars in Elgin. However, this place was actually pretty nice. Complimentary valet parking...or plenty of street parking. Plenty of screens to watch a game. Spacious booths and great drink specials. I didn't try their food...but the menu was priced well with a decent selection. The negatives: the servers didn't pay attention to their tables enough & they crank up the volume of the game way too high.
(4)Paul P.
Nice place with a great selection of beer. The chicken parmesan was awesome. Parking is a problem here; I ended up parking around the corner. Since it was cold out, we had no encounters with the local "wildlife," but I'd be wary during the summer.
(4)Mike E.
Ribs were awesome, with a great selection of craft beers and food. Beautiful bar, reminds me of Cheers with the Mahagony wood. Wait staff were nice.
(4)Kevin S.
Good food, reasonable prices, though the music is sometimes too loud. Service can be slow when it's busy but is generally very good. I think you get a good value for your money and I am a regular customer. Lots of TVs to watch whichever sport you're in to.
(4)lynn s.
As others have said the restaurant is beautifully restored with nice oak woodwork. It has a nice & friendly neighborhood atmosphere. You can certainly bring your family to dine during the weeknight or early on Saturday. The burgers are really good. We usually get the $3.50 1/4 lb burger special. Cheese is additional, but still worth it. My husband had the chocolate cake but said it tasted like it was in the freezer too long. Plenty of good beer on tap. We like to meet friends here on the weekends and head on over to the riverboat just down the street. Glad we discovered this place. We try to come at least once a month. The parking lot is small, but usually not a problem during the weekday.
(4)John K.
Called for take out last night (a friday @ 5ish) 3 times. Once: no answer; twice, put on hold then disconnected; third times a charm: Placed my order. Never been or ordered before, but wanted pub food. When I went to pick up, I could see why all the problems with the phone. The place was PACKED!!! So my curiosity was immediately piqued. Nice roomy, clean atmosphere. Friendly staff. Seemed like a "where everyone knowns your name" type of place. Reminded me of Prarie Rock. Would recommend trying dine in. Food was decent, but a little cold by the time I got home. Could be a timing issue. Otherwise, I will try again. Parking lot is small and crampred, which is too bad because it seems like a popular place. Be sure to have alternative parking plans. They do offer valet services though.
(3)James H.
Went here initially with a chamber event and liked the place so I continue going back. It is a nice fun place with friendly staff (and owners). Try the burgers ...
(4)Jen P.
AWESOME and FRESH says it all! We were referred to this very nice and comfy place for a drink and while there we decided that this would be a nice place to try for dinner. The decor is fab, all wood thru out and the big screen tv's are MANY around the bar..loved it! Prices were very good also and have the good topshelfs too! Went for dinner last nite and everything that we put to our mouth was delicious and fresh every bite! We tried the nachos, Burger and on special..their monte cristo..all were amazin!! Their fries taste so homeade(not sure if they are but really taste like it)and their chips for the nachos were so yummi along with the chili on top!! Food is not greasy at all and you don't get that heavy sick feeling when you leave!! I suggest you give this place a try if you haven't yet, it won't disappoint! Also there is live jazz or blues on fri and sat's..we are going this weekend to try it out..can't wait..!! Daily specials too, can't wait to go back!! Rt down street from the Boat..ching ching!! =)
(5)Bill G.
Great menu and very nice staff. The food is very good and one of the rare items there is real, home made french fries. I've eaten there four times and had very good food and service each time. The menu has much more than burgers. It's a few notches above Moretti's or TGI Fridays if you like those places. Parking may be a problem when they are real busy. I also wish they had a kids menu. They also have breakfast on weekends, all day, which I plan to try soon. Try this very unique restaurant, I think you will like it.
(5)Debbie W.
Visited this place for the first time this past Friday night. The service was great and the atmosphere warm and inviting. I ordered the Tuscan chicken wrap , with the side of pasta salad. They were both delicious! It was probably the best wrap I have EVER eaten. IT had the right blend of cheese, mushrooms and chicken. I started with the wings, and finished it all off with the beer of the month, a pint for only $4! My sister and the staff at a nearby school have had parties here and meet there sometimes for other occasions. I can't thank her enough for taking me here! I told her that the next time we go out to eat, and I want to go back here and try something else on the menu.
(5)E C.
Everything about this bar is good... Except the bartenders!! They are so rude! I suggest if you go, sit at a table for the best experience. When you choose the bar, it will be disappointing. The women flirt with the men and act as though you're doing them a favor asking them for service! Try downtown, more down to earth bartenders! Wish I could Give a ZERO!
(1)Michelle A.
Atmosphere, beer, drinks, music all rate high but I gave three stars because while the menu is creatively presented, the food was mediocre at best. Wings were decent and reasonably priced but nachos said melted cheddar cheese and it was the neon orange liquid processed mess. Steak on nachos was bland, lacking seasoning. Chips were tasty but salsa was out of a jar and not impressive. Thursday nights is wing night and I am sure we will return for that, maybe even try another night for one if their burger specials. Pizza claims to be made from scratch, half price on Monday nights, also a possibility. Will let you know if worthwhile. Great bar otherwise but not the best pub food.
(3)Zhong Y.
Pretty darn good burger. It can be very busy. When it gets busy, service tends to slip. Have had hit or miss experiences here. I generally like the place. The staff are very cute. But ultimately if I were to pick this place or Elgin Public House, I'd go to EPH for food, and here for range of drinks.
(3)Cat A.
This is probably the only place worth going out to in Elgin. They have great food and great drinks, and a super swanky decor. Also, all my guy friends love it because they have really nice flat screens everywhere, so it's great if you want to watch a game. The only two problems are a) the tiny parking lot (which is always packed) and b) that if you go not that far in the wrong direction, you can find yourself in a pretty skeezy part of town, so I wouldn't suggest anyone walk alone unless you know Elgin well enough to know where not to go.
(4)J G.
Tots loved the retro atmosphere & drinks but food & service fell short. Food was good but not memorable. Server kept apologizing she was new & they were short handed.. it was ok at first but got really annoying after awhile.
(3)Jessica M.
Great atmosphere and friendly service. Food is also good - even their well-done burgers are juicy & flavorful.
(4)Mike K.
Thursday night wing night right... Not with the service we received.. We sat at the bar.. The 3 bartenders passed us by at least 100 times.... I guess we weren't regulars so we didn't get served... I don't advise it.... 2 hours.. 2 beers... For 10 average tasting wings.... NFW... Not again...
(1)Chris J.
With a name like "Walnut Speakeasy" and its location in Elgin, I must admit I was biting my nails a little bit at first (I realized that my fears were without merit after visiting Eaton's Redwood Inn shortly thereafter). When I arrived in the parking lot I posed for a brief photo next to an awesome hoopty in the parking lot. This whip... It had dubs on it! (I'm so gangster he he). Thinking Snoop Dogg and his entourage were inside, I walked briskly toward the entrance.... The Speakeasy wasn't what you might think. There were no flapper girls, no pinstripe suit wearing men with cigars and tommy guns. No card games. Just ordinary people looking to wind down and watch some football..... Elgin style! My bartender was a nice young lady who helped me immensely by lending me her phone charger. Didn't have an opportunity to try the food, but judging by the ambiance and the cold beer I can't complain.
(3)Justus F.
I love this place..great furnishing..very warm and welcoming atmosphere...the owner and manager are very cool guys! The beer selection is great..and the food is even better! Only thing stopping me from the full 5 star rating ..is..limited parking size...and sometimes the bar tenders are too friendly (talkative) with patrons..and when the bar is at full occupancy..sometimes the bar tenders treat the "regulars" more promptly than others guests..other than that..I highly recommend!
(4)Pat M.
I happened upon this place while I was working and had to spend a few hours here. They had plenty of tv's and put the sound on for a Bulls game which I liked. They had good food and a great beer selection on draft and in bottles. The food was good too. There was some live music when I was there later in the evening as well. I would definitely return if I was in the area again.
(4)Levent T.
Sports bar with a very friendly staff! All the food came out quickly, hot and fresh. Steak sandwich was a nice sized portion cut. Only a couple of downsides: steak was unseasoned and the saganaki is pretty small for the price. Would definitely go back to hang out and maybe even try their breakfast menu.
(3)Cassandra G.
We're regular carry-out customers, especially for the burgers---they definitely get 5-stars! Food is consistently great. I'm not much of a sports fan, so no opinion re: the TV screens, etc, but appreciate the friendly neighborhood vibe whenever we go in to pick up our order. The bartenders/waitstaff always seem upbeat and are quick to help. Available parking lot is another additional perk; makes for a quick & easy stop.
(5)April M.
I have only been in town about a month so far and I've been here twice since. This place is a fun place to go for some good beer, food and sports. The atmosphere is awesome and the service is good. Although I learned the hard way, when drinking at the bar there is a bartender who thinks if you put the glass on the lower rim of the bar that you want another one. Do not do this if you don't want another drink. I have bartender back in my day and was never aware that this was the universal code for "I want another drink". The bartender was clearly pissed then ignored us once I flagged someone down to say I didn't want it. Took awhile to get the check then too, due to her ignoring us. Next time I go I won't put this bartenders bad attitude, customer service against the speakeasy...yet I might sit at a table instead seeing I had faster and better quality service when I sat in a booth during my first visit.
(4)Jennifer B.
Five star burgers, best I've had! I ate one Tuesday & I'm back on Saturday. The pickles are really delicious, too. Staff are really friendly and food was fast. My only issue is the noise, they need some sound panels to cut down on the noise. I will be back for more. Best nachos, too!
(5)