I love the way the staff greets you like family when you walk in the door and the fireplace that makes you feel right at home. The food is down home American goodness A.K.A. THEIR BURGERS!!!!!!! They are amazing :)
(5)
Edgar R.
I'm definitely a fan and I go here regularly for dinner with friends. The place has a nice homey feel with a fireplace. It is often crowded at popular times like Friday nights, which can mean long wait times (30-40 minutes or more). It would be best to call in advance and make a reservation if you're coming at one of those times. Despite having a full house, there always seems to be enough parking, which is another plus. The food is good and there is plenty of it. I usually take half my meal home for later. Their dark home baked bread is served warm, and it is delicious! Ribs are one of their specialties, and although I'm not particularly fond of them, my friends insist that the ribs at the Lodge are the best anywhere. I like their salads, especially the Greek salad, and their chicken and fish. Sandwiches come with cole slaw and fries. I recommend the sweet potato fries. For dessert, if you have room you should try their carrot cake. It is very good and the serving size is enormous! I usually share mine with a friend. The bar has a nice selection of craft and dark beers. Service is friendly and attentive, although you should be prepared for some delays at busy times. In my opinion the prices are quite modest. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. Everyone I brought here from out of town has liked this place and will often ask to come back the next time they are visiting the area.
(4)
Jimmy J.
Nice tight well run place typical of a Greek Owned Operation: a.) Good value for quality ingredients b.) efficient wait staff and kitchen c.) expansive menu giving you a lot of options..from Filet Mignon to Italian Beef d.) Nice cozy feel Salmon, Pork Chops, and Burger were great as was LAVA CAKE. Honey Fried Chicken was overcooked. It happens. Bread Board was super. Will try some Soup, Salad, and Sandwiches for LUNCH & Update. Nice find.
(4)
Dave V.
Bike broke down right next door from here. I have lived in or fairly close to Glenview for most of my life and have passed this by a bunch but never stopped in. Glad we decided to grab a bit here. The food was good and very filling. Prices are slightly above average but not horrible. I paid 13.10 for the lodge burger which came with fries and a little bit of coleslaw. The also serve you some fairly decent bread right when you sit down. Much of the menu sounds delicious so i may be back to try something else. Didn't pay attention to beer prices unfortunately, sorry.
(3)
Hillarie S.
My husband has been dining here since he was a kid, when they first opened. He started bringing me here in 1989. Always great food and great service! Tom , very friendly owner. Steve, hardest working bus boy, never been here and not seen him!!
(5)
Andrew M.
Went here for a work lunch last week. The place has a nice atmosphere and is kept up really well. The service was probably 4 out of 5 stars. Food came out pretty slowly despite it not being very busy and over half of the table ordering salads. The menu is pretty extensive with a wide variety of choices. There was also a specials menu which included corned beef and cabbage as St. Patrick's Day was the previous day. I decided to have the Valley Lodge burger with house chips. The food was just ok. The burger came topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese. I ordered it medium rare. It was pretty well done when it was served to me. The chips were very oily and half undercooked. Nothing was bad, but the place had been over-hyped to me. I will probably go back, but I will keep my expectations in check next time.
(3)
Daniel A.
Was in town from Fort Worth, TX. as my dad was in hospice for more than two weeks. Found the Lodge on YELP and the reviews were positive. They were right. I ate there with family or ordered take out six times. The service is great, the menu offers many choices, and the food is delicious. Pretty nice bar and Lodge ambience too. Loved the medium rare burger and home made chips, the pork ribs fell off the bone with nice BBQ sauce, and the shrimp cocktail was as good as four star restaurants. Even their house dressing was unique and tasty. Pretty sure everything they offer is excellent. This is a diamond in the rough. I will go there next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Matt A.
This place has been a town favorite for over 40 years! Fried chicken is great and the burgers are also fantastic. The bar scene is typically the Glenview senior citizen divorcee group but they are friendly, toasty, opinionated, and great conversationalists.
(5)
Jim O.
I used to go here when growing up in the 80's. My family loved it here. I moved out of town and hadn't been there in probably 20 years. Recently I moved back in the area and came and checked it out. I was happy that it still had the same cozy vibe. Great food, great service. Ribs are awesome. Great beer selection, super friendly staff.
(4)
Steve J.
I've been coming to this little piece of Americana for about 15 years now. And have become great friends with many patrons, servers and even the owners. I realize that at this point many will consider my review bias, but read on, please! As I've read the few mediocre reviews on this place I see a theme! I see a lot of posts that say that they feel "unwelcome", or even "in a club they don't belong to". Well guess what! Every single person that packs this place every single night came in here for the first time once too! When it's packed , they still make time to say hello. They know most people by name. They make it feel like home. You don't stay in business this long and have this many loyal customers unless your doing something right!!
(5)
Heidi H.
This is a great place for a good burger! The man who greets us often, who I believe is the owner or the manager is super friendly and isn't afraid to help the wait staff out when they are busy. I was very impressed by the excellent customer service the first time I went there. I would recommend this place to anyone in the the Glenview area, be warned - it is often busy and usually very noisy, but that won't stop me from going there :)
(5)
Anthony C.
Went on a recommendation from a friend - this is his family's go to spot in the area and we were not disappointed. The place has been around since the 60s but everything was clean and extremely cozy - with lots of wood, a stone fireplace, a nice old wraparound bar and open beam ceiling. The wife and I waited about 15 minutes for a table on a Wednesday night so I have to assume it's always busy - it's not a big place and there seemed to be a lot of regulars who knew each other. Service was fantastic throughout the night with the manager helping to expedite drink orders and meals to the tables. The food was also better than we expected. I had a bowl of their homemade split pea soup and a full slab of baby back ribs with garlic mashed potatoes. The sauce on the ribs was very unique and tasty - without drowning the flavor of the meat. My wife had a spicy shrimp wrap with vegetables which she really enjoyed. The prices of everything was also very reasonable. The tap beer selection was solid with a few good imports and several craft beers to choose from. All in all a good experience in a woodsy and cozy atmosphere. We will return soon.
(4)
kavan s.
I drive by here all the time but never stopped in before even though its so close by. But today for the first time ever I had dinner with my father here. The burgers were so tasty and the onion rings were huge. And they sell sweet potatoe fries. Not the dinky one you get elsewhere. Thick yummy fries. And the staff was so nice. Will definitely come back here soon.
(5)
David L.
Valley lodge truly has a lodgey feel with the fireplace and horseshoe bar. I get the saganaki, greek salad, and the chicken kabobs with rice. My son loves the french onion soup. In fact, he has ordered it every time he goes there, the waitresses already know to bring it automatically. He also loves the honey fried chicken. They also have delicious baby back ribs.
(5)
David R.
It's really a 3.5, but I am going to round up because there is something intangible--some combination of the service, the aesthetic, and the menu--that makes this place really comfortable, especially in the cold-weather months. The fireplace doesn't hurt. I visited a couple of times a few years ago and remember a good impression, but for whatever reason it fell off my radar. Recently I returned for a lunch with colleagues. Service was as sweet as pie and sharp as a tack. I ordered the fried chicken dinner and ended up with a ton of food. First, an unexpectedly excellent bread plate for the table--thick-crusted country baguette-style loaf and a dark brown number with dried fruits and nuts. Then, soup--a bowl, not a cup--in which instance my choice was unfortunate, because the clam chowder was bland and gelatinous. The skin-on fries were solid, and the fried chicken was very good. The coating was slightly sweet and very crispy, which I liked because it held in the moistness of the meat. I give this chicken a B+. So, everything was great except for the soup, and I left stuffed. I'll be back for sure. The menu is long and varied.
(4)
Kevin N.
Just had one of the best corn beef meals in a long time. Tender, lean, delicious . People are very friendly . Never had to wait for refills on my ice tea. I would recommend this establishment to everyone!! Eat at the bar . Many TVs to watch all the sporting events. Very nice!
(3)
Leslie S.
I have gone by this restaurant for over 30 years and finally tried it for lunch. I was very pleased with the food and the service. Our waitress, Caroline, explained everything on the menu and made suggestions. I had the cheeseburger which was excellent. My friend had a chopped salad with shrimp. The carrot cake for desert was great. The manager, Chris came over to see how everything was. Highly reccommended, wil be back.
(5)
Kirsten V.
We keep trying to like this place because we live so close, but it disappoints every time we go. The best thing I can say is they make a good stiff drink. I mean, how can you screw up a wedge salad? I'll tell you how. Bring it to the table room temperature when it should be ice cold, with ranch dressing instead of blue cheese on it. Yuck. Warm iceberg lettuce. I can do better at home. They also over cook just about any meat that I've tried there. I got the pork chops, they were like hockey pucks. We order burgers medium, they always come well done. If you can't do the basics right, why even bother?
(3)
katie b.
One of our favorite places to go for lunch or dinner. Staff is always friendly and the service is great. You feel like a regular there after just a few visits. Food is always good, reasonable lunch specials and a lot of options to choose from. Highly recommend, definitely a quality place and we have never had a single complaint!
(5)
Alex J.
Food has always been great. Roberta is an awesome server and kind person. Steve is number one making sure everything is perfect. Last visit we had a server that spoke like a dry robot. Very creepy. We felt like we were ordering at a dry drive they. Too mechanical. Aside from that odd server We love the Lodge!
(4)
John M.
As another noted in a review below, the biggest problem with the Valley Lodge is that the parking lot is usually full. Reminds me of a sign I saw on a restaurant on River Road that said "The food and booze is lousy, but the parking is great!" Except at the Valley Lodge it is the opposite. The food and booze is great but the parking is limited. I have enjoyed lunch and dinner and drinks many times and always enjoyed the food and the neighborhood feel of the place. I live in Wilmette and now enjoy their new location there too. Great value for the money in my opinion.
(5)
Amanda V.
If you are CLUMSY TURN AROUND!!! Let's call him "Mr. Senor"...you know who I'm talking about. When we walked in WWWWWOOOOOOWWWWW did I feel very unwelcomed. Mr. Señor was not very friendly at all! After spending a week in Chicago for business and being here for my last night I wanted to go out with a bang. I guess, in a way, you could say I did. I ordered a martini. One sip after my martini my dinner came. After setting my plate down next to my drink it fell over and broke. Then Mr. Señor informed us that I was not allowed another drink. For which reasons you ask? After the manager came, he explained that we had waaay too much to drink. IDK about you but 0 drinks is NOT WAAAAY TOO MUCH FOR ME DRINK. Talk about light weight! After working all day so hard, all I wanted was a martini. If I had gone to any other place they wouldn't have denied me a drink after it spilling over. Save your money from this hoedunk place. There's many other places that deserve your money.
(1)
David K.
Excellent customer service and wait staff - Honey Fried Chicken was very good - Full Slab of Ribs was over-cooked dry - Bacon Bits on Wedge Salad overcooked and difficult to chew.
(2)
Tara G.
The restaurant was extremely crowded. There were obviously "regulars" that seemed to be getting preferential treatment. The manager on duty came over to a couple and shmoozed loudly with them for about 20 minutes without speaking to anyone else. I felt like I had to know someone there to get good service and overall felt uncomfortable, as though I was an outsider.
(2)
Otto A.
Old school place. One step away from a wrinkle room. Ambiance of a north woods restaurant in upper Wisconsin. Can't help it but it brings back good memories! Stick with the mainstays here. Burgers are great, fries and onion wing will top it off. Honey fried chicken good as well. Gyros twice: both times it seemed they were sliced cold then put on a flat grill with some oil to reheat...greasy and not tender. Pass.
(4)
Mike K.
Best Martooni's in Chi-town! Food consistently great. My favs: Chicken kebobs, grilled Shrimp chopped salad, French Onion soup, burgers, gyro appetizer , chopped sirloin steak with onions & mushrooms & of course, the flaming saganaki. And, the service is the best -very friendly & attentive staff.
(5)
Lisa G.
I read the reviews before going so i knew what i wanted to order when arriving with my group! I ordered a special martini that the whole table ordered we ended up loving it...kind of like a french martini. We skipped appetizers but i had the french onion soup as it was recommended , loved that also! I tried the spicy shrimp wrap it was great we all ate fish because it was during lent and it was friday we all loved our dinners. nothing but great things to say about this place you can tell its a local favorite! the place was hopping from 6 until we left at 8:00 still standing in the bar area! we will be back!
(4)
Pamela S.
My husband and I decided on a little road trip up to Valley Lodge Restaurant to try their food as we heard great reviews on it. We enjoyed our lunch very much, I had the grouper sandwich my husband had the cheeseburger, both very delicious. We sat at the bar, can not say enough good things about Chris the manager, a very pleasant young man who really looked like he enjoys his job and all his customers. We will recommend this and will sure come again. Next time we visit will be in the winter as it really does look like an intimate lodge.
(5)
Carla G.
I came here for the first time during the lunch hour. The set up is pretty cute- kind of split level and open. There was a fireplace with a fire going which makes for a nice touch considering it's a 'lodge'. Our server was very friendly and presented us with warm bread- my weakness at any restaurant. I ordered the beef tenderloin on the pretzel buns with homemade potato chips. Can't resist saying Yum! out loud as I remember how delicious it was. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Jon F.
Absolutely love this place. The sloppy joe sandwich is one of the best. If you are searching for a place with great food and are sick of all the chain restaurants check this place out. The management stopped by the table twice to check on the meal and service. Really enjoyed the lodge!
(4)
Doug B.
My new pet peeve is when places lock down their wifi... It doesn't cost them anything to share. Knock off half a star for being stingy. Knock off a half star for being around this long yet making a dull burger. Hand form the burger people.... really, smashing it together removes all the texture a good burger should offer. Although , the cajun seasoning and blue cheese and the light weight pretzel bun were all good... that's why I only knocked off half a star. Our party had a chopped salad... good size, tasty, enjoyed by 2 of our party of 3. Our guest ordered the corned beef and cabbage and he was very happy. The best part of this place is the ambiance. If it had a little sound absorption going on it would be perfect but it's old and quaint and a little rustic and that's pretty nice. Our waitress was efficient and attentive, not over friendly, but she took care of us and got a good tip. I'll go back but I won't order a burger... never again. Home made chips, A+
(3)
c g.
Good burger, cold old style , $16. Too expensive. Nice people but should be $11.
(4)
Kristen T.
Great place! Love the good and the ambiance. I have eaten here several times and every time the food was great as well as the service! I look forward to watching Blackhawks game here this season!
(4)
Jan B.
My husband and I were driving by tonight looking for a different place to eat and decided to try the Valley Lodge Restaurant. We were seated relatively quickly and our the service was very good. Both my husband and I ordered the classic burger Medium. The burger was decent except had no seasoning on it whatsoever. How about a little salt and pepper to liven it up? I ordered my burger with green olives that had no taste at all...it was as if they had been washed in water or sat in water before being added to the burger. Also, the pimientos had been removed which also give the olives flavor. We plan to go back but next time will order our burgers medium well and ask for them to be seasoned. The homemade chips were excellent but my husband was unable to eat the cole slaw because it had way too much horseradish in it. The restaurant has a nice feel to it but is very noisy. Jan B.
(3)
Stephen M.
Put on your flannel shirt, your boots and red winter coat. You're coming to the north woods and getting some food. That's the Lodge--the dark wood paneling has absorbed years and years of woodsmen and woodsgirls enjoying their meals. At least that's the way it feels. We were stragglers, coming in near closing time on Saturday evening. The server was very cordial, making sure that we had what we wanted. The menu is retro (lots of beef)--it's a lodge. Enjoyed it and would come back.
(3)
Jay K.
Proceed with caution around dinner times especially on Friday and Saturday because this joint gets crazy busy. We were there early enough to snatch a table in the bar area. We were greeted by a friendly server who took our drink order and seemed to be our new best friend :) (it wasn't crazy busy yet) Drinks are fairly priced and the bottles of beer are cold, not just kinda cold, but cold. Daily specials are offered. That was a mistake on my part because the $22 grouper I ordered was very small and had no flavor. They ruined a wonderful piece of fish. Stick with the burgers, they are pretty good and that's my usual order. Burgers and beer, right on! Back to the server. After our dinner was brought to the table the server came back one more time to remove our plates and then did a vanishing act on us. We even gave up our table to some folks waiting for a seat. I asked the hostess to find the server so he could give us a bill. Nothing. Then I notice the server greeting the folks at the table we gave up. Where the hell is my bill! If you like being in a super crowded environment where the tables are very close together and getting bumped around by the masses then this is the place for you. If not don't come at prime dining times. Also if you get a server who wants to be you're new BFF...run away and avoid the aggravation. I'm giving this place a break for a while.
(3)
Jonathan W.
This place has some of the best ribs I have ever had and the staff was very friendly. They take pride in customer service.
(4)
Jo D.
Best service I've had in a long time! Only place that gives them a run for the money in that respect is Norton's in Highland Park. Anyways, it was our first time at this restaurant and the owner walks over and presents my husband and I with a free appetizer. The food was great and I especially love the atmosphere! Very cozy with the high wood-beam ceilings and fireplace. Will definitely go back!!
(5)
Jim M.
Have gone there a handful of times over the years, always my wife's choice, never mine and never again. I went there last Friday with a group of 5, not realizing that we could have made a prior reservation for 5 or more. We arrived at about 6:25 and were told that we had a 20 minute wait.. Not bad, right? Wrong. Just before 7:00, I went up and check to see how we were coming along, FOR THE FIRST TIME. I was told we were the next table. At 7:10, after watching a couple of larger table turn, I went back up to check status, FOR THE SECOND TIME, and was told that there were some 7:00 reservations that they had to seat. This was a bit perplexing because, though we had no reservation when we arrived at 6, we were told that they do take reservations for 5 or more (which we had) and that we had a 20 minute wait. To me, the translation of this was a 6:45 reservation. I get that the 20 minute wait is never a perfect science nor does a reservation, at a given time, always mean that you will at that time or before BUT... If you tell a group, that is large enough have made a reservation, that they will be seated at about 6:45, How do you skip them to seat a group that you've told will be seated at about 7:00? When I ran through my logic with the very nice young lady at the podium, she asked me if I would like to speak to George, the manager. I said sure and she said he was at the bar... I believe, since she put her head down to continue working, that she wanted me to go to the bar, work my way through the 3 deep people waiting, and track George down myself... This was about the time that I first felt they really didn't care if I was there or not. Anyway, I asked he if she would be so king to ask George to come down to see me. Without a single eye roll, she did just that and George soon showed up. I ran through my plight with George, he was very nice, listened intently, actually agreed with my logic and told me, FOR THE THIRD TIME, that we were the very next table... It's now 7:20 or so. At about 7:35, I left Valley Lodge for the very last time, without having eaten but with a reason not to go back should my wife ever suggest it again.
(1)
Andy M.
The sloppy joes and burgers were nothing special as were its vegetable choices. The place looks nice but lacks television screens and is a bit cramped despite being a good size of the outside. The place has a decent fireplace and small type vibe does offer into be more of a lodge type setting and a unique place for Glenview. Food and slow service to get the food are drawbacks
(2)
Christianna K.
Love this place! Always feels like home coming here with good service and delicious food.
(5)
Rob W.
I've driven past this place for some 20 years and never went in. Meeting with my friend for lunch and buying a Groupon NOW for the place gave me cause to visit. My thoughts: Food - decent... had a burger, it was cooked as ordered, about a 1/2 lb for $10 with an order of fries and a "solo cup" of nondescript cole claw. Service - good, prompt. Kept refilling my soda which was appreciated. It took an ordinary amount of time for my burger to come out, so that was fine. Ambiance - better than expected... was anticipating more of a "neighborhood place" inside, but it was casual/classy. Overall - I'll likely go back, nice place, though nothing that really stood out.
(3)
Holly W.
My family recently decided we needed a new casual restaurant for us to go to after several less than stellar visits to our regular haunts, so we've been trying out lots of places in the area lately. I have no idea why we have never come here before after years of driving by it - I think we found our new place! The ambiance was great - cozy, a big fireplace...a "lodge" is certainly a fair description. I loved it. The service was very friendly and incredibly attentive. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and my father ordered a burger. We both thought the food was EXCELLENT and for the quantity as well as quality of the food, it was a bargain at around $10 each (you get a choice of regular fries, sweet potato fries, chips, or veggies. I had the regular fries and thought they were delicious. My dad had the sweet potato and liked them as well). My grilled chicken sandwich was huge and incredibly fresh tasting. I will def come back again! My only concern is that since the place is so small, I've noticed sometimes that driving past it that the parking lot can get pretty jammed. I can certainly see why, but I would probably avoid during peak times!
(5)
Small Town B.
This place is great if... You like being treated like you just walked into a club you don't belong to. You can stomach less than mediocre wine. You don't mind not knowing it was last call until Warren - the bartender_ hands you the bill and says, "cash that out now." You don't mind that your water glass is a one time only fill up. and... The regulars are a bunch of mind-numbingly stupid, loud, obnoxious, back-slapping mouth-breathers.
(1)
Tasha P.
I wasn't really happy with my meal here. I ordered the ribs and the liver/onions entree. Mediocre would have been high praise indeed for what I got. The point of ordering out for me is to get a meal that is prepared better than I could have done myself, or maybe with exotic flavors or ingredients that I don't possess which will wow my socks off. This was none of the above. It was all very bland and tasteless and overpriced for the quality. It was a carryout order so I can't comment on the ambience, but I just know it was uncomfortably dark during my few minutes picking up my food. People turn and look at you when you walk in there, as if you don't belong. I was glad to leave and I wouldn't want to go back. I'm not going lower than 3 stars however, because I only tried 2 entrees and it's possible some of their easier dishes are much better.
(3)
michael w.
This one is a keeper, close to home, great atmosphere and good food. We headed out late on a Friday night (9:30pm) and decided to check out an unknown, sure glad we did. While other restaurants were shutting down, the parking lot here was still full (good sign). Navigation through the restaurant is tight, but we managed to find a cozy little table next to the fireplace. Atmosphere, check. Customer service and general friendliness - check. House mixed drinks are $7.50. We both decided on burgers, they were great. Onion rings were good, dill pickle was good, cole slaw was a bust. My asparagus were good, but in my opinion were thicker than desired, and could have used some olive oil and salt. The date bread to start was warm and yummy. Eyeballed the carrot cake on the dessert menu but ultimately passed at $8. We will keep this one because the experience was positive, atmosphere good and it is close and reasonably priced. Everyone in there that night seemed to know each other and some were starting to get a little loud, but nothing too obnoxious.
(4)
Janis W.
Valley Lodge is a favorite, cozy neighborhood restaurant. They are doing something right, have been there for over 40 years. There are two levels with the bar upstairs. There are tables and booths, but sitting at the bar is the most fun. The fireplace on the main floor enhances the charm of the room. It does resemble a lodge in the atmosphere and the menu. The burgers are very good as are the chicken, ribs, and turkey entrees. The service is friendly.. Go early, it gets busy.
(4)
J H.
The Lodge is one of our favorite go to places. It can be a nice place to meet for lunch, have snacks at the bar or for a date night dinner with my husband. Valley Lodge is also our unofficial restaurant over the holidays when our family gets together. (so yes they can handle a large group of 15) We have not been disappointed and the menu is broad enough that even our pickiest eaters always find something that they are more than happy with. They offer friendly and efficient service. It is a good value for the money.
(4)
Larry G.
Valley Lodge is just okay. They have decent hamburgers and fries and okay ribs and chicken. The place is always crowded at dinnertime - probably because the dearth of places in Valley Lodge's price range to go to in the area. The restaurant is divided into two sections. The back section is kind of dark and unpleasant.
(2)
Cheryl O.
Valley Lodge is a great place to eat with that hometown atmosphere. The greek salad with chicken is the best I've ever had. Friendly place. Roaring fire on chilly nights.
(4)
Mary H.
Love the fireplace, the cozy atmosphere, the casual lodge feel of the place. Fun for dinner with family or friends-- good ol' American food. Great bar to sit in -- lot's of friendly faces there.
(4)
Deana S.
There is only 1 word to describe the food: YUCK! All of the food was cold and tasted like it came out of the freezer isle at Costco.
(1)
Nick D.
Lets not all kid ourselves here...A Greek restaurant in a pseudo-log cabin structure is still just a Greek restaurant serving your typical middle-of-the-road-fare for moderate pricing. While the food is average, its nothing special. The waitstaff is slow and no one really seems to care. If you go on a weekend or a Big Sports nite, there will be the loud and obnoxious "regulars" spewing all kinds of inane nonsense so loud that you can't even remember why you came to this establishment in the first place. To top it off, the Owner, Nick, condones and encourages this behavior much to the chagrin of other patrons. We were referred to this place by one of the regulars, went several times and really tried to like it. So, we gave it one last shot. The restaurant was virutally empty so we sat at the bar had drinks and an appetizer. Now there were less than 6 people in the whole place! While we were chatting and enjoying our drinks, we discovered, rather abruptly, that last call had come and gone, our bill was placed in front of us and we were asked to "close it out"! Now, I realize that the North Shore implodes on itself at midnight, but this was 11pm on a Thursday! We had not had our water refilled in 15 minutes, no offer of last call and basically told to politely "get out". But here's the rub: one of the "regulars" sitting chatting with Nick, the owner, had a fresh full beer, an ice-cold water glass and NO ONE ASKING HIM TO LEAVE! Take our advice, pass on this place and save yourself the headache. Hackneys is better food, better service and no drama if you want an alternative
(1)
John S.
It was so promising when the Saganaki came and then it all went to hell when they gyros came. Have you ever bought frozen gyro? every piece is uniform, bland and greasy; almost like deli meat? Well, that is Valley Lodge for you. Everything looks great on the surface, but when you get down to the meat of it #FAIL.
(1)
Keith E.
When a restaurant has Gyros appetizers as well as an entree item on their menu reads "Homemade" and it is like lunch meat, that should be the first indication. My wife and the other couple liked the Soganaki. The rest of the meal was Meidocer. My Shrimp was good (large), good breading. The Perch was good. The service was also mediocer. I guess the table near ours must have been regulars. Our waitress kept saying "I'll be back" when we were asking for a bill. Finally when we got up and looked like we were leaving, she readily came. She did not ask if we wanted more drinks or water throughout the meal. Not Bad, small seating area A lot of tables close to one another. Mediocer. Stella on tap was a plus.
(3)
Melissa G.
The food is average but the environment is warm and friendly. My family and I usually get decent service. A decent option for dinner out or Saturday lunch. Worth a try.
(4)
D F.
It may take a few trips until "everybody know your name," but the Valley Lodge is that kinda place. Warm, friendly, busy, with terrific food (try the "wedge salad" or the ribs) and a lively bar (try the ice-cold Coors Light!") A good-sized dining room features a large fireplace, and is separated from the raised bar area. Waitstaff is experienced and capable. I've been to this place more than 100 times, and it never fails to be a good time. George and Warren are frequently assisted by some **very** pretty bartenders, so get a bar seat if you can!
(5)
kb j.
We went here recently for dinner for the first time in many years and sat in the dark bar area. The place was not very crowded when we went, though, I understand that it is usually crowded at dinner time in the evenings. The menu is a mish-mosh of salads, burgers, sandwiches, ribs and other items (including pasta!). Service and prices are friendly and, paired with the good food served as if designed to feed an army, provides value. We would go back.
(4)
George H.
Restaurants, tend to go in cycles ranging between very good to just plain bad. This place is one of 'em. Been going there on & off for 30+ yrs. now and they seem to be in heading in the Down direction. The food is OK. The service is OK The prices are OK, but considering the quality of the food..maybe less than OK The wine menu is not OK. Same stuff you see at Binny's...How Original ! The by the glass prices are high considering your getting just average wines at $9 bucks a glass. They had a nice Malbec for a while, then went back the stuff they had before which was Bad. I rarely go in there anymore. The bar is WAY to crowded with ' The Regulars ', who think they own the place! NOT my cup of tea...
(1)
DB A.
Valley Lodge really doesn't need a good review from me, though I'm happy to give one. It's a very popular neighborhood bar with a reliable restaurant featuring excellent burgers and salads, with a decent selection of pub grub and some Greek dishes. Their ribs are popular too, but I haven't had them, sticking to burgers, Greek salads, sandwiches, a steak once in a while, and (of course) the generously poured drinks. It does get busy and quite noisy, with a devoted local crowd. But they're there for a good reason, the food's good and the prices are pretty reasonable. Great if it's in your neighborhood.
(4)
A.J. M.
There is nothing special about the Valley Lodge. My folks and I just happen to go there when we are too lazy to think of anywhere else to go. The beef tenderloin sandwiches are tasty, but not mind blowing. Nice servers, decent atmosphere and the like. It is just a good meal.
(3)
David Z.
I live close to the Valley Lodge and it is my top choice as a reliable fallback when I don't want to drive far or if I am in the mood for a great salad. I've read the other reviews and no one has mentioned the bread. When one is seated at a table, within the first minute, two different kinds of piping hot bread are brought to the table. The quality is excellent and hard to resist (which is why I rarely order a sandwich). I usually always order the Greek Salad but will ocassionally order the ribs. Although you can certainly find better ribs at BBQ specialty restaurants, you won't be disappointed with the Valley Lodge's ribs. They are meaty and fall off the bone. I like draft beer, and the Lodge carries Bell's Amber, which makes me very happy. If you go on the weekend, be prepared for a wait of up to 30 minutes. There is some limited seating in the bar area. As others have commented, the place can get very loud when it is full. Finally, the service is top notch and very attentive. With a wide menu selection and daily specials, one really can't go wrong with the Valley Lodge.
(4)
Jenny I.
Valley Lodge offers a nice, clean place to meet up with friends or family. I highly recommend the cheeseburger. It is a big juicy patty and the french fries taste awesome with it. I have tried other items on the menu, the chicken is tasty and the salads never disappoint! I like this place because there are a lot of different items on the menu and anyone can find something that they would like to eat. The restaurant is crowded at night, but it seems pretty easy to get a table around lunch time.
(4)
V K.
My family and I go to the lodge because it's a kid friendly, cozy environment. There are many different options on the menu to choose from, from both the kids menu and regular menu. My family's favorite part is the warm bread that comes while waiting for your food!
(4)
Elvira V.
I decided to check this place out after my old boss said they have a great burger. Then I yelped it and saw that Nancy K. gave it 5 stars. I wasn't thrilled with my burger or the fries. My burger was salty and dry (since I am pregnant I can't do rare meat) but regardless it didn't taste like a homemade burger. The fries were a good size but they had an odd flavor like the oil was old. My hubby ordered the Cobb salad and loved it. I had a couple of bites and thought it was way better than the burger. We were there for dinner and there were lots of the "silver set". Service was good; the hostess and waitress were nice and the bus boys were attentive too.
(3)
Faith M.
Growing up in Glenview, this was always a family standby. There is something for everyone. They have the standard pub fare as well as a lot of Greek food. And those ribs! One thing is that the main dining room can get pretty noisy.
(4)
Tes S.
I love the way the staff greets you like family when you walk in the door and the fireplace that makes you feel right at home. The food is down home American goodness A.K.A. THEIR BURGERS!!!!!!! They are amazing :)
(5)
Jenny I.
Valley Lodge offers a nice, clean place to meet up with friends or family. I highly recommend the cheeseburger. It is a big juicy patty and the french fries taste awesome with it. I have tried other items on the menu, the chicken is tasty and the salads never disappoint! I like this place because there are a lot of different items on the menu and anyone can find something that they would like to eat. The restaurant is crowded at night, but it seems pretty easy to get a table around lunch time.
(4)
V K.
My family and I go to the lodge because it's a kid friendly, cozy environment. There are many different options on the menu to choose from, from both the kids menu and regular menu. My family's favorite part is the warm bread that comes while waiting for your food!
(4)
Elvira V.
I decided to check this place out after my old boss said they have a great burger. Then I yelped it and saw that Nancy K. gave it 5 stars. I wasn't thrilled with my burger or the fries. My burger was salty and dry (since I am pregnant I can't do rare meat) but regardless it didn't taste like a homemade burger. The fries were a good size but they had an odd flavor like the oil was old. My hubby ordered the Cobb salad and loved it. I had a couple of bites and thought it was way better than the burger. We were there for dinner and there were lots of the "silver set". Service was good; the hostess and waitress were nice and the bus boys were attentive too.
(3)
Faith M.
Growing up in Glenview, this was always a family standby. There is something for everyone. They have the standard pub fare as well as a lot of Greek food. And those ribs! One thing is that the main dining room can get pretty noisy.
(4)
J H.
The Lodge is one of our favorite go to places. It can be a nice place to meet for lunch, have snacks at the bar or for a date night dinner with my husband. Valley Lodge is also our unofficial restaurant over the holidays when our family gets together. (so yes they can handle a large group of 15) We have not been disappointed and the menu is broad enough that even our pickiest eaters always find something that they are more than happy with. They offer friendly and efficient service. It is a good value for the money.
(4)
Larry G.
Valley Lodge is just okay. They have decent hamburgers and fries and okay ribs and chicken. The place is always crowded at dinnertime - probably because the dearth of places in Valley Lodge's price range to go to in the area. The restaurant is divided into two sections. The back section is kind of dark and unpleasant.
(2)
Hillarie S.
My husband has been dining here since he was a kid, when they first opened. He started bringing me here in 1989. Always great food and great service! Tom , very friendly owner. Steve, hardest working bus boy, never been here and not seen him!!
(5)
Andrew M.
Went here for a work lunch last week. The place has a nice atmosphere and is kept up really well. The service was probably 4 out of 5 stars. Food came out pretty slowly despite it not being very busy and over half of the table ordering salads. The menu is pretty extensive with a wide variety of choices. There was also a specials menu which included corned beef and cabbage as St. Patrick's Day was the previous day. I decided to have the Valley Lodge burger with house chips. The food was just ok. The burger came topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese. I ordered it medium rare. It was pretty well done when it was served to me. The chips were very oily and half undercooked. Nothing was bad, but the place had been over-hyped to me. I will probably go back, but I will keep my expectations in check next time.
(3)
Edgar R.
I'm definitely a fan and I go here regularly for dinner with friends. The place has a nice homey feel with a fireplace. It is often crowded at popular times like Friday nights, which can mean long wait times (30-40 minutes or more). It would be best to call in advance and make a reservation if you're coming at one of those times. Despite having a full house, there always seems to be enough parking, which is another plus. The food is good and there is plenty of it. I usually take half my meal home for later. Their dark home baked bread is served warm, and it is delicious! Ribs are one of their specialties, and although I'm not particularly fond of them, my friends insist that the ribs at the Lodge are the best anywhere. I like their salads, especially the Greek salad, and their chicken and fish. Sandwiches come with cole slaw and fries. I recommend the sweet potato fries. For dessert, if you have room you should try their carrot cake. It is very good and the serving size is enormous! I usually share mine with a friend. The bar has a nice selection of craft and dark beers. Service is friendly and attentive, although you should be prepared for some delays at busy times. In my opinion the prices are quite modest. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. Everyone I brought here from out of town has liked this place and will often ask to come back the next time they are visiting the area.
(4)
Dave V.
Bike broke down right next door from here. I have lived in or fairly close to Glenview for most of my life and have passed this by a bunch but never stopped in. Glad we decided to grab a bit here. The food was good and very filling. Prices are slightly above average but not horrible. I paid 13.10 for the lodge burger which came with fries and a little bit of coleslaw. The also serve you some fairly decent bread right when you sit down. Much of the menu sounds delicious so i may be back to try something else. Didn't pay attention to beer prices unfortunately, sorry.
(3)
Jimmy J.
Nice tight well run place typical of a Greek Owned Operation: a.) Good value for quality ingredients b.) efficient wait staff and kitchen c.) expansive menu giving you a lot of options..from Filet Mignon to Italian Beef d.) Nice cozy feel Salmon, Pork Chops, and Burger were great as was LAVA CAKE. Honey Fried Chicken was overcooked. It happens. Bread Board was super. Will try some Soup, Salad, and Sandwiches for LUNCH & Update. Nice find.
(4)
Daniel A.
Was in town from Fort Worth, TX. as my dad was in hospice for more than two weeks. Found the Lodge on YELP and the reviews were positive. They were right. I ate there with family or ordered take out six times. The service is great, the menu offers many choices, and the food is delicious. Pretty nice bar and Lodge ambience too. Loved the medium rare burger and home made chips, the pork ribs fell off the bone with nice BBQ sauce, and the shrimp cocktail was as good as four star restaurants. Even their house dressing was unique and tasty. Pretty sure everything they offer is excellent. This is a diamond in the rough. I will go there next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Matt A.
This place has been a town favorite for over 40 years! Fried chicken is great and the burgers are also fantastic. The bar scene is typically the Glenview senior citizen divorcee group but they are friendly, toasty, opinionated, and great conversationalists.
(5)
Jim O.
I used to go here when growing up in the 80's. My family loved it here. I moved out of town and hadn't been there in probably 20 years. Recently I moved back in the area and came and checked it out. I was happy that it still had the same cozy vibe. Great food, great service. Ribs are awesome. Great beer selection, super friendly staff.
(4)
Steve J.
I've been coming to this little piece of Americana for about 15 years now. And have become great friends with many patrons, servers and even the owners. I realize that at this point many will consider my review bias, but read on, please! As I've read the few mediocre reviews on this place I see a theme! I see a lot of posts that say that they feel "unwelcome", or even "in a club they don't belong to". Well guess what! Every single person that packs this place every single night came in here for the first time once too! When it's packed , they still make time to say hello. They know most people by name. They make it feel like home. You don't stay in business this long and have this many loyal customers unless your doing something right!!
(5)
Heidi H.
This is a great place for a good burger! The man who greets us often, who I believe is the owner or the manager is super friendly and isn't afraid to help the wait staff out when they are busy. I was very impressed by the excellent customer service the first time I went there. I would recommend this place to anyone in the the Glenview area, be warned - it is often busy and usually very noisy, but that won't stop me from going there :)
(5)
Anthony C.
Went on a recommendation from a friend - this is his family's go to spot in the area and we were not disappointed. The place has been around since the 60s but everything was clean and extremely cozy - with lots of wood, a stone fireplace, a nice old wraparound bar and open beam ceiling. The wife and I waited about 15 minutes for a table on a Wednesday night so I have to assume it's always busy - it's not a big place and there seemed to be a lot of regulars who knew each other. Service was fantastic throughout the night with the manager helping to expedite drink orders and meals to the tables. The food was also better than we expected. I had a bowl of their homemade split pea soup and a full slab of baby back ribs with garlic mashed potatoes. The sauce on the ribs was very unique and tasty - without drowning the flavor of the meat. My wife had a spicy shrimp wrap with vegetables which she really enjoyed. The prices of everything was also very reasonable. The tap beer selection was solid with a few good imports and several craft beers to choose from. All in all a good experience in a woodsy and cozy atmosphere. We will return soon.
(4)
Jonathan W.
This place has some of the best ribs I have ever had and the staff was very friendly. They take pride in customer service.
(4)
Jo D.
Best service I've had in a long time! Only place that gives them a run for the money in that respect is Norton's in Highland Park. Anyways, it was our first time at this restaurant and the owner walks over and presents my husband and I with a free appetizer. The food was great and I especially love the atmosphere! Very cozy with the high wood-beam ceilings and fireplace. Will definitely go back!!
(5)
Jim M.
Have gone there a handful of times over the years, always my wife's choice, never mine and never again. I went there last Friday with a group of 5, not realizing that we could have made a prior reservation for 5 or more. We arrived at about 6:25 and were told that we had a 20 minute wait.. Not bad, right? Wrong. Just before 7:00, I went up and check to see how we were coming along, FOR THE FIRST TIME. I was told we were the next table. At 7:10, after watching a couple of larger table turn, I went back up to check status, FOR THE SECOND TIME, and was told that there were some 7:00 reservations that they had to seat. This was a bit perplexing because, though we had no reservation when we arrived at 6, we were told that they do take reservations for 5 or more (which we had) and that we had a 20 minute wait. To me, the translation of this was a 6:45 reservation. I get that the 20 minute wait is never a perfect science nor does a reservation, at a given time, always mean that you will at that time or before BUT... If you tell a group, that is large enough have made a reservation, that they will be seated at about 6:45, How do you skip them to seat a group that you've told will be seated at about 7:00? When I ran through my logic with the very nice young lady at the podium, she asked me if I would like to speak to George, the manager. I said sure and she said he was at the bar... I believe, since she put her head down to continue working, that she wanted me to go to the bar, work my way through the 3 deep people waiting, and track George down myself... This was about the time that I first felt they really didn't care if I was there or not. Anyway, I asked he if she would be so king to ask George to come down to see me. Without a single eye roll, she did just that and George soon showed up. I ran through my plight with George, he was very nice, listened intently, actually agreed with my logic and told me, FOR THE THIRD TIME, that we were the very next table... It's now 7:20 or so. At about 7:35, I left Valley Lodge for the very last time, without having eaten but with a reason not to go back should my wife ever suggest it again.
(1)
Andy M.
The sloppy joes and burgers were nothing special as were its vegetable choices. The place looks nice but lacks television screens and is a bit cramped despite being a good size of the outside. The place has a decent fireplace and small type vibe does offer into be more of a lodge type setting and a unique place for Glenview. Food and slow service to get the food are drawbacks
(2)
Christianna K.
Love this place! Always feels like home coming here with good service and delicious food.
(5)
Stephen M.
Put on your flannel shirt, your boots and red winter coat. You're coming to the north woods and getting some food. That's the Lodge--the dark wood paneling has absorbed years and years of woodsmen and woodsgirls enjoying their meals. At least that's the way it feels. We were stragglers, coming in near closing time on Saturday evening. The server was very cordial, making sure that we had what we wanted. The menu is retro (lots of beef)--it's a lodge. Enjoyed it and would come back.
(3)
Jay K.
Proceed with caution around dinner times especially on Friday and Saturday because this joint gets crazy busy. We were there early enough to snatch a table in the bar area. We were greeted by a friendly server who took our drink order and seemed to be our new best friend :) (it wasn't crazy busy yet) Drinks are fairly priced and the bottles of beer are cold, not just kinda cold, but cold. Daily specials are offered. That was a mistake on my part because the $22 grouper I ordered was very small and had no flavor. They ruined a wonderful piece of fish. Stick with the burgers, they are pretty good and that's my usual order. Burgers and beer, right on! Back to the server. After our dinner was brought to the table the server came back one more time to remove our plates and then did a vanishing act on us. We even gave up our table to some folks waiting for a seat. I asked the hostess to find the server so he could give us a bill. Nothing. Then I notice the server greeting the folks at the table we gave up. Where the hell is my bill! If you like being in a super crowded environment where the tables are very close together and getting bumped around by the masses then this is the place for you. If not don't come at prime dining times. Also if you get a server who wants to be you're new BFF...run away and avoid the aggravation. I'm giving this place a break for a while.
(3)
kavan s.
I drive by here all the time but never stopped in before even though its so close by. But today for the first time ever I had dinner with my father here. The burgers were so tasty and the onion rings were huge. And they sell sweet potatoe fries. Not the dinky one you get elsewhere. Thick yummy fries. And the staff was so nice. Will definitely come back here soon.
(5)
David L.
Valley lodge truly has a lodgey feel with the fireplace and horseshoe bar. I get the saganaki, greek salad, and the chicken kabobs with rice. My son loves the french onion soup. In fact, he has ordered it every time he goes there, the waitresses already know to bring it automatically. He also loves the honey fried chicken. They also have delicious baby back ribs.
(5)
Kirsten V.
We keep trying to like this place because we live so close, but it disappoints every time we go. The best thing I can say is they make a good stiff drink. I mean, how can you screw up a wedge salad? I'll tell you how. Bring it to the table room temperature when it should be ice cold, with ranch dressing instead of blue cheese on it. Yuck. Warm iceberg lettuce. I can do better at home. They also over cook just about any meat that I've tried there. I got the pork chops, they were like hockey pucks. We order burgers medium, they always come well done. If you can't do the basics right, why even bother?
(3)
katie b.
One of our favorite places to go for lunch or dinner. Staff is always friendly and the service is great. You feel like a regular there after just a few visits. Food is always good, reasonable lunch specials and a lot of options to choose from. Highly recommend, definitely a quality place and we have never had a single complaint!
(5)
Kevin N.
Just had one of the best corn beef meals in a long time. Tender, lean, delicious . People are very friendly . Never had to wait for refills on my ice tea. I would recommend this establishment to everyone!! Eat at the bar . Many TVs to watch all the sporting events. Very nice!
(3)
Leslie S.
I have gone by this restaurant for over 30 years and finally tried it for lunch. I was very pleased with the food and the service. Our waitress, Caroline, explained everything on the menu and made suggestions. I had the cheeseburger which was excellent. My friend had a chopped salad with shrimp. The carrot cake for desert was great. The manager, Chris came over to see how everything was. Highly reccommended, wil be back.
(5)
Alex J.
Food has always been great. Roberta is an awesome server and kind person. Steve is number one making sure everything is perfect. Last visit we had a server that spoke like a dry robot. Very creepy. We felt like we were ordering at a dry drive they. Too mechanical. Aside from that odd server We love the Lodge!
(4)
John M.
As another noted in a review below, the biggest problem with the Valley Lodge is that the parking lot is usually full. Reminds me of a sign I saw on a restaurant on River Road that said "The food and booze is lousy, but the parking is great!" Except at the Valley Lodge it is the opposite. The food and booze is great but the parking is limited. I have enjoyed lunch and dinner and drinks many times and always enjoyed the food and the neighborhood feel of the place. I live in Wilmette and now enjoy their new location there too. Great value for the money in my opinion.
(5)
Amanda V.
If you are CLUMSY TURN AROUND!!! Let's call him "Mr. Senor"...you know who I'm talking about. When we walked in WWWWWOOOOOOWWWWW did I feel very unwelcomed. Mr. Señor was not very friendly at all! After spending a week in Chicago for business and being here for my last night I wanted to go out with a bang. I guess, in a way, you could say I did. I ordered a martini. One sip after my martini my dinner came. After setting my plate down next to my drink it fell over and broke. Then Mr. Señor informed us that I was not allowed another drink. For which reasons you ask? After the manager came, he explained that we had waaay too much to drink. IDK about you but 0 drinks is NOT WAAAAY TOO MUCH FOR ME DRINK. Talk about light weight! After working all day so hard, all I wanted was a martini. If I had gone to any other place they wouldn't have denied me a drink after it spilling over. Save your money from this hoedunk place. There's many other places that deserve your money.
(1)
David R.
It's really a 3.5, but I am going to round up because there is something intangible--some combination of the service, the aesthetic, and the menu--that makes this place really comfortable, especially in the cold-weather months. The fireplace doesn't hurt. I visited a couple of times a few years ago and remember a good impression, but for whatever reason it fell off my radar. Recently I returned for a lunch with colleagues. Service was as sweet as pie and sharp as a tack. I ordered the fried chicken dinner and ended up with a ton of food. First, an unexpectedly excellent bread plate for the table--thick-crusted country baguette-style loaf and a dark brown number with dried fruits and nuts. Then, soup--a bowl, not a cup--in which instance my choice was unfortunate, because the clam chowder was bland and gelatinous. The skin-on fries were solid, and the fried chicken was very good. The coating was slightly sweet and very crispy, which I liked because it held in the moistness of the meat. I give this chicken a B+. So, everything was great except for the soup, and I left stuffed. I'll be back for sure. The menu is long and varied.
(4)
David K.
Excellent customer service and wait staff - Honey Fried Chicken was very good - Full Slab of Ribs was over-cooked dry - Bacon Bits on Wedge Salad overcooked and difficult to chew.
(2)
Tara G.
The restaurant was extremely crowded. There were obviously "regulars" that seemed to be getting preferential treatment. The manager on duty came over to a couple and shmoozed loudly with them for about 20 minutes without speaking to anyone else. I felt like I had to know someone there to get good service and overall felt uncomfortable, as though I was an outsider.
(2)
Otto A.
Old school place. One step away from a wrinkle room. Ambiance of a north woods restaurant in upper Wisconsin. Can't help it but it brings back good memories! Stick with the mainstays here. Burgers are great, fries and onion wing will top it off. Honey fried chicken good as well. Gyros twice: both times it seemed they were sliced cold then put on a flat grill with some oil to reheat...greasy and not tender. Pass.
(4)
Mike K.
Best Martooni's in Chi-town! Food consistently great. My favs: Chicken kebobs, grilled Shrimp chopped salad, French Onion soup, burgers, gyro appetizer , chopped sirloin steak with onions & mushrooms & of course, the flaming saganaki. And, the service is the best -very friendly & attentive staff.
(5)
Lisa G.
I read the reviews before going so i knew what i wanted to order when arriving with my group! I ordered a special martini that the whole table ordered we ended up loving it...kind of like a french martini. We skipped appetizers but i had the french onion soup as it was recommended , loved that also! I tried the spicy shrimp wrap it was great we all ate fish because it was during lent and it was friday we all loved our dinners. nothing but great things to say about this place you can tell its a local favorite! the place was hopping from 6 until we left at 8:00 still standing in the bar area! we will be back!
(4)
Pamela S.
My husband and I decided on a little road trip up to Valley Lodge Restaurant to try their food as we heard great reviews on it. We enjoyed our lunch very much, I had the grouper sandwich my husband had the cheeseburger, both very delicious. We sat at the bar, can not say enough good things about Chris the manager, a very pleasant young man who really looked like he enjoys his job and all his customers. We will recommend this and will sure come again. Next time we visit will be in the winter as it really does look like an intimate lodge.
(5)
Rob W.
I've driven past this place for some 20 years and never went in. Meeting with my friend for lunch and buying a Groupon NOW for the place gave me cause to visit. My thoughts: Food - decent... had a burger, it was cooked as ordered, about a 1/2 lb for $10 with an order of fries and a "solo cup" of nondescript cole claw. Service - good, prompt. Kept refilling my soda which was appreciated. It took an ordinary amount of time for my burger to come out, so that was fine. Ambiance - better than expected... was anticipating more of a "neighborhood place" inside, but it was casual/classy. Overall - I'll likely go back, nice place, though nothing that really stood out.
(3)
Carla G.
I came here for the first time during the lunch hour. The set up is pretty cute- kind of split level and open. There was a fireplace with a fire going which makes for a nice touch considering it's a 'lodge'. Our server was very friendly and presented us with warm bread- my weakness at any restaurant. I ordered the beef tenderloin on the pretzel buns with homemade potato chips. Can't resist saying Yum! out loud as I remember how delicious it was. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Jon F.
Absolutely love this place. The sloppy joe sandwich is one of the best. If you are searching for a place with great food and are sick of all the chain restaurants check this place out. The management stopped by the table twice to check on the meal and service. Really enjoyed the lodge!
(4)
Doug B.
My new pet peeve is when places lock down their wifi... It doesn't cost them anything to share. Knock off half a star for being stingy. Knock off a half star for being around this long yet making a dull burger. Hand form the burger people.... really, smashing it together removes all the texture a good burger should offer. Although , the cajun seasoning and blue cheese and the light weight pretzel bun were all good... that's why I only knocked off half a star. Our party had a chopped salad... good size, tasty, enjoyed by 2 of our party of 3. Our guest ordered the corned beef and cabbage and he was very happy. The best part of this place is the ambiance. If it had a little sound absorption going on it would be perfect but it's old and quaint and a little rustic and that's pretty nice. Our waitress was efficient and attentive, not over friendly, but she took care of us and got a good tip. I'll go back but I won't order a burger... never again. Home made chips, A+
(3)
c g.
Good burger, cold old style , $16. Too expensive. Nice people but should be $11.
(4)
kb j.
We went here recently for dinner for the first time in many years and sat in the dark bar area. The place was not very crowded when we went, though, I understand that it is usually crowded at dinner time in the evenings. The menu is a mish-mosh of salads, burgers, sandwiches, ribs and other items (including pasta!). Service and prices are friendly and, paired with the good food served as if designed to feed an army, provides value. We would go back.
(4)
George H.
Restaurants, tend to go in cycles ranging between very good to just plain bad. This place is one of 'em. Been going there on & off for 30+ yrs. now and they seem to be in heading in the Down direction. The food is OK. The service is OK The prices are OK, but considering the quality of the food..maybe less than OK The wine menu is not OK. Same stuff you see at Binny's...How Original ! The by the glass prices are high considering your getting just average wines at $9 bucks a glass. They had a nice Malbec for a while, then went back the stuff they had before which was Bad. I rarely go in there anymore. The bar is WAY to crowded with ' The Regulars ', who think they own the place! NOT my cup of tea...
(1)
Kristen T.
Great place! Love the good and the ambiance. I have eaten here several times and every time the food was great as well as the service! I look forward to watching Blackhawks game here this season!
(4)
Jan B.
My husband and I were driving by tonight looking for a different place to eat and decided to try the Valley Lodge Restaurant. We were seated relatively quickly and our the service was very good. Both my husband and I ordered the classic burger Medium. The burger was decent except had no seasoning on it whatsoever. How about a little salt and pepper to liven it up? I ordered my burger with green olives that had no taste at all...it was as if they had been washed in water or sat in water before being added to the burger. Also, the pimientos had been removed which also give the olives flavor. We plan to go back but next time will order our burgers medium well and ask for them to be seasoned. The homemade chips were excellent but my husband was unable to eat the cole slaw because it had way too much horseradish in it. The restaurant has a nice feel to it but is very noisy. Jan B.
(3)
michael w.
This one is a keeper, close to home, great atmosphere and good food. We headed out late on a Friday night (9:30pm) and decided to check out an unknown, sure glad we did. While other restaurants were shutting down, the parking lot here was still full (good sign). Navigation through the restaurant is tight, but we managed to find a cozy little table next to the fireplace. Atmosphere, check. Customer service and general friendliness - check. House mixed drinks are $7.50. We both decided on burgers, they were great. Onion rings were good, dill pickle was good, cole slaw was a bust. My asparagus were good, but in my opinion were thicker than desired, and could have used some olive oil and salt. The date bread to start was warm and yummy. Eyeballed the carrot cake on the dessert menu but ultimately passed at $8. We will keep this one because the experience was positive, atmosphere good and it is close and reasonably priced. Everyone in there that night seemed to know each other and some were starting to get a little loud, but nothing too obnoxious.
(4)
Janis W.
Valley Lodge is a favorite, cozy neighborhood restaurant. They are doing something right, have been there for over 40 years. There are two levels with the bar upstairs. There are tables and booths, but sitting at the bar is the most fun. The fireplace on the main floor enhances the charm of the room. It does resemble a lodge in the atmosphere and the menu. The burgers are very good as are the chicken, ribs, and turkey entrees. The service is friendly.. Go early, it gets busy.
(4)
Holly W.
My family recently decided we needed a new casual restaurant for us to go to after several less than stellar visits to our regular haunts, so we've been trying out lots of places in the area lately. I have no idea why we have never come here before after years of driving by it - I think we found our new place! The ambiance was great - cozy, a big fireplace...a "lodge" is certainly a fair description. I loved it. The service was very friendly and incredibly attentive. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and my father ordered a burger. We both thought the food was EXCELLENT and for the quantity as well as quality of the food, it was a bargain at around $10 each (you get a choice of regular fries, sweet potato fries, chips, or veggies. I had the regular fries and thought they were delicious. My dad had the sweet potato and liked them as well). My grilled chicken sandwich was huge and incredibly fresh tasting. I will def come back again! My only concern is that since the place is so small, I've noticed sometimes that driving past it that the parking lot can get pretty jammed. I can certainly see why, but I would probably avoid during peak times!
(5)
Small Town B.
This place is great if... You like being treated like you just walked into a club you don't belong to. You can stomach less than mediocre wine. You don't mind not knowing it was last call until Warren - the bartender_ hands you the bill and says, "cash that out now." You don't mind that your water glass is a one time only fill up. and... The regulars are a bunch of mind-numbingly stupid, loud, obnoxious, back-slapping mouth-breathers.
(1)
Tasha P.
I wasn't really happy with my meal here. I ordered the ribs and the liver/onions entree. Mediocre would have been high praise indeed for what I got. The point of ordering out for me is to get a meal that is prepared better than I could have done myself, or maybe with exotic flavors or ingredients that I don't possess which will wow my socks off. This was none of the above. It was all very bland and tasteless and overpriced for the quality. It was a carryout order so I can't comment on the ambience, but I just know it was uncomfortably dark during my few minutes picking up my food. People turn and look at you when you walk in there, as if you don't belong. I was glad to leave and I wouldn't want to go back. I'm not going lower than 3 stars however, because I only tried 2 entrees and it's possible some of their easier dishes are much better.
(3)
Nick D.
Lets not all kid ourselves here...A Greek restaurant in a pseudo-log cabin structure is still just a Greek restaurant serving your typical middle-of-the-road-fare for moderate pricing. While the food is average, its nothing special. The waitstaff is slow and no one really seems to care. If you go on a weekend or a Big Sports nite, there will be the loud and obnoxious "regulars" spewing all kinds of inane nonsense so loud that you can't even remember why you came to this establishment in the first place. To top it off, the Owner, Nick, condones and encourages this behavior much to the chagrin of other patrons. We were referred to this place by one of the regulars, went several times and really tried to like it. So, we gave it one last shot. The restaurant was virutally empty so we sat at the bar had drinks and an appetizer. Now there were less than 6 people in the whole place! While we were chatting and enjoying our drinks, we discovered, rather abruptly, that last call had come and gone, our bill was placed in front of us and we were asked to "close it out"! Now, I realize that the North Shore implodes on itself at midnight, but this was 11pm on a Thursday! We had not had our water refilled in 15 minutes, no offer of last call and basically told to politely "get out". But here's the rub: one of the "regulars" sitting chatting with Nick, the owner, had a fresh full beer, an ice-cold water glass and NO ONE ASKING HIM TO LEAVE! Take our advice, pass on this place and save yourself the headache. Hackneys is better food, better service and no drama if you want an alternative
(1)
John S.
It was so promising when the Saganaki came and then it all went to hell when they gyros came. Have you ever bought frozen gyro? every piece is uniform, bland and greasy; almost like deli meat? Well, that is Valley Lodge for you. Everything looks great on the surface, but when you get down to the meat of it #FAIL.
(1)
Keith E.
When a restaurant has Gyros appetizers as well as an entree item on their menu reads "Homemade" and it is like lunch meat, that should be the first indication. My wife and the other couple liked the Soganaki. The rest of the meal was Meidocer. My Shrimp was good (large), good breading. The Perch was good. The service was also mediocer. I guess the table near ours must have been regulars. Our waitress kept saying "I'll be back" when we were asking for a bill. Finally when we got up and looked like we were leaving, she readily came. She did not ask if we wanted more drinks or water throughout the meal. Not Bad, small seating area A lot of tables close to one another. Mediocer. Stella on tap was a plus.
(3)
Melissa G.
The food is average but the environment is warm and friendly. My family and I usually get decent service. A decent option for dinner out or Saturday lunch. Worth a try.
(4)
D F.
It may take a few trips until "everybody know your name," but the Valley Lodge is that kinda place. Warm, friendly, busy, with terrific food (try the "wedge salad" or the ribs) and a lively bar (try the ice-cold Coors Light!") A good-sized dining room features a large fireplace, and is separated from the raised bar area. Waitstaff is experienced and capable. I've been to this place more than 100 times, and it never fails to be a good time. George and Warren are frequently assisted by some **very** pretty bartenders, so get a bar seat if you can!
(5)
Cheryl O.
Valley Lodge is a great place to eat with that hometown atmosphere. The greek salad with chicken is the best I've ever had. Friendly place. Roaring fire on chilly nights.
(4)
Mary H.
Love the fireplace, the cozy atmosphere, the casual lodge feel of the place. Fun for dinner with family or friends-- good ol' American food. Great bar to sit in -- lot's of friendly faces there.
(4)
Deana S.
There is only 1 word to describe the food: YUCK! All of the food was cold and tasted like it came out of the freezer isle at Costco.
(1)
DB A.
Valley Lodge really doesn't need a good review from me, though I'm happy to give one. It's a very popular neighborhood bar with a reliable restaurant featuring excellent burgers and salads, with a decent selection of pub grub and some Greek dishes. Their ribs are popular too, but I haven't had them, sticking to burgers, Greek salads, sandwiches, a steak once in a while, and (of course) the generously poured drinks. It does get busy and quite noisy, with a devoted local crowd. But they're there for a good reason, the food's good and the prices are pretty reasonable. Great if it's in your neighborhood.
(4)
A.J. M.
There is nothing special about the Valley Lodge. My folks and I just happen to go there when we are too lazy to think of anywhere else to go. The beef tenderloin sandwiches are tasty, but not mind blowing. Nice servers, decent atmosphere and the like. It is just a good meal.
(3)
David Z.
I live close to the Valley Lodge and it is my top choice as a reliable fallback when I don't want to drive far or if I am in the mood for a great salad. I've read the other reviews and no one has mentioned the bread. When one is seated at a table, within the first minute, two different kinds of piping hot bread are brought to the table. The quality is excellent and hard to resist (which is why I rarely order a sandwich). I usually always order the Greek Salad but will ocassionally order the ribs. Although you can certainly find better ribs at BBQ specialty restaurants, you won't be disappointed with the Valley Lodge's ribs. They are meaty and fall off the bone. I like draft beer, and the Lodge carries Bell's Amber, which makes me very happy. If you go on the weekend, be prepared for a wait of up to 30 minutes. There is some limited seating in the bar area. As others have commented, the place can get very loud when it is full. Finally, the service is top notch and very attentive. With a wide menu selection and daily specials, one really can't go wrong with the Valley Lodge.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Tes S.
I love the way the staff greets you like family when you walk in the door and the fireplace that makes you feel right at home. The food is down home American goodness A.K.A. THEIR BURGERS!!!!!!! They are amazing :)
(5)Edgar R.
I'm definitely a fan and I go here regularly for dinner with friends. The place has a nice homey feel with a fireplace. It is often crowded at popular times like Friday nights, which can mean long wait times (30-40 minutes or more). It would be best to call in advance and make a reservation if you're coming at one of those times. Despite having a full house, there always seems to be enough parking, which is another plus. The food is good and there is plenty of it. I usually take half my meal home for later. Their dark home baked bread is served warm, and it is delicious! Ribs are one of their specialties, and although I'm not particularly fond of them, my friends insist that the ribs at the Lodge are the best anywhere. I like their salads, especially the Greek salad, and their chicken and fish. Sandwiches come with cole slaw and fries. I recommend the sweet potato fries. For dessert, if you have room you should try their carrot cake. It is very good and the serving size is enormous! I usually share mine with a friend. The bar has a nice selection of craft and dark beers. Service is friendly and attentive, although you should be prepared for some delays at busy times. In my opinion the prices are quite modest. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. Everyone I brought here from out of town has liked this place and will often ask to come back the next time they are visiting the area.
(4)Jimmy J.
Nice tight well run place typical of a Greek Owned Operation: a.) Good value for quality ingredients b.) efficient wait staff and kitchen c.) expansive menu giving you a lot of options..from Filet Mignon to Italian Beef d.) Nice cozy feel Salmon, Pork Chops, and Burger were great as was LAVA CAKE. Honey Fried Chicken was overcooked. It happens. Bread Board was super. Will try some Soup, Salad, and Sandwiches for LUNCH & Update. Nice find.
(4)Dave V.
Bike broke down right next door from here. I have lived in or fairly close to Glenview for most of my life and have passed this by a bunch but never stopped in. Glad we decided to grab a bit here. The food was good and very filling. Prices are slightly above average but not horrible. I paid 13.10 for the lodge burger which came with fries and a little bit of coleslaw. The also serve you some fairly decent bread right when you sit down. Much of the menu sounds delicious so i may be back to try something else. Didn't pay attention to beer prices unfortunately, sorry.
(3)Hillarie S.
My husband has been dining here since he was a kid, when they first opened. He started bringing me here in 1989. Always great food and great service! Tom , very friendly owner. Steve, hardest working bus boy, never been here and not seen him!!
(5)Andrew M.
Went here for a work lunch last week. The place has a nice atmosphere and is kept up really well. The service was probably 4 out of 5 stars. Food came out pretty slowly despite it not being very busy and over half of the table ordering salads. The menu is pretty extensive with a wide variety of choices. There was also a specials menu which included corned beef and cabbage as St. Patrick's Day was the previous day. I decided to have the Valley Lodge burger with house chips. The food was just ok. The burger came topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese. I ordered it medium rare. It was pretty well done when it was served to me. The chips were very oily and half undercooked. Nothing was bad, but the place had been over-hyped to me. I will probably go back, but I will keep my expectations in check next time.
(3)Daniel A.
Was in town from Fort Worth, TX. as my dad was in hospice for more than two weeks. Found the Lodge on YELP and the reviews were positive. They were right. I ate there with family or ordered take out six times. The service is great, the menu offers many choices, and the food is delicious. Pretty nice bar and Lodge ambience too. Loved the medium rare burger and home made chips, the pork ribs fell off the bone with nice BBQ sauce, and the shrimp cocktail was as good as four star restaurants. Even their house dressing was unique and tasty. Pretty sure everything they offer is excellent. This is a diamond in the rough. I will go there next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Matt A.
This place has been a town favorite for over 40 years! Fried chicken is great and the burgers are also fantastic. The bar scene is typically the Glenview senior citizen divorcee group but they are friendly, toasty, opinionated, and great conversationalists.
(5)Jim O.
I used to go here when growing up in the 80's. My family loved it here. I moved out of town and hadn't been there in probably 20 years. Recently I moved back in the area and came and checked it out. I was happy that it still had the same cozy vibe. Great food, great service. Ribs are awesome. Great beer selection, super friendly staff.
(4)Steve J.
I've been coming to this little piece of Americana for about 15 years now. And have become great friends with many patrons, servers and even the owners. I realize that at this point many will consider my review bias, but read on, please! As I've read the few mediocre reviews on this place I see a theme! I see a lot of posts that say that they feel "unwelcome", or even "in a club they don't belong to". Well guess what! Every single person that packs this place every single night came in here for the first time once too! When it's packed , they still make time to say hello. They know most people by name. They make it feel like home. You don't stay in business this long and have this many loyal customers unless your doing something right!!
(5)Heidi H.
This is a great place for a good burger! The man who greets us often, who I believe is the owner or the manager is super friendly and isn't afraid to help the wait staff out when they are busy. I was very impressed by the excellent customer service the first time I went there. I would recommend this place to anyone in the the Glenview area, be warned - it is often busy and usually very noisy, but that won't stop me from going there :)
(5)Anthony C.
Went on a recommendation from a friend - this is his family's go to spot in the area and we were not disappointed. The place has been around since the 60s but everything was clean and extremely cozy - with lots of wood, a stone fireplace, a nice old wraparound bar and open beam ceiling. The wife and I waited about 15 minutes for a table on a Wednesday night so I have to assume it's always busy - it's not a big place and there seemed to be a lot of regulars who knew each other. Service was fantastic throughout the night with the manager helping to expedite drink orders and meals to the tables. The food was also better than we expected. I had a bowl of their homemade split pea soup and a full slab of baby back ribs with garlic mashed potatoes. The sauce on the ribs was very unique and tasty - without drowning the flavor of the meat. My wife had a spicy shrimp wrap with vegetables which she really enjoyed. The prices of everything was also very reasonable. The tap beer selection was solid with a few good imports and several craft beers to choose from. All in all a good experience in a woodsy and cozy atmosphere. We will return soon.
(4)kavan s.
I drive by here all the time but never stopped in before even though its so close by. But today for the first time ever I had dinner with my father here. The burgers were so tasty and the onion rings were huge. And they sell sweet potatoe fries. Not the dinky one you get elsewhere. Thick yummy fries. And the staff was so nice. Will definitely come back here soon.
(5)David L.
Valley lodge truly has a lodgey feel with the fireplace and horseshoe bar. I get the saganaki, greek salad, and the chicken kabobs with rice. My son loves the french onion soup. In fact, he has ordered it every time he goes there, the waitresses already know to bring it automatically. He also loves the honey fried chicken. They also have delicious baby back ribs.
(5)David R.
It's really a 3.5, but I am going to round up because there is something intangible--some combination of the service, the aesthetic, and the menu--that makes this place really comfortable, especially in the cold-weather months. The fireplace doesn't hurt. I visited a couple of times a few years ago and remember a good impression, but for whatever reason it fell off my radar. Recently I returned for a lunch with colleagues. Service was as sweet as pie and sharp as a tack. I ordered the fried chicken dinner and ended up with a ton of food. First, an unexpectedly excellent bread plate for the table--thick-crusted country baguette-style loaf and a dark brown number with dried fruits and nuts. Then, soup--a bowl, not a cup--in which instance my choice was unfortunate, because the clam chowder was bland and gelatinous. The skin-on fries were solid, and the fried chicken was very good. The coating was slightly sweet and very crispy, which I liked because it held in the moistness of the meat. I give this chicken a B+. So, everything was great except for the soup, and I left stuffed. I'll be back for sure. The menu is long and varied.
(4)Kevin N.
Just had one of the best corn beef meals in a long time. Tender, lean, delicious . People are very friendly . Never had to wait for refills on my ice tea. I would recommend this establishment to everyone!! Eat at the bar . Many TVs to watch all the sporting events. Very nice!
(3)Leslie S.
I have gone by this restaurant for over 30 years and finally tried it for lunch. I was very pleased with the food and the service. Our waitress, Caroline, explained everything on the menu and made suggestions. I had the cheeseburger which was excellent. My friend had a chopped salad with shrimp. The carrot cake for desert was great. The manager, Chris came over to see how everything was. Highly reccommended, wil be back.
(5)Kirsten V.
We keep trying to like this place because we live so close, but it disappoints every time we go. The best thing I can say is they make a good stiff drink. I mean, how can you screw up a wedge salad? I'll tell you how. Bring it to the table room temperature when it should be ice cold, with ranch dressing instead of blue cheese on it. Yuck. Warm iceberg lettuce. I can do better at home. They also over cook just about any meat that I've tried there. I got the pork chops, they were like hockey pucks. We order burgers medium, they always come well done. If you can't do the basics right, why even bother?
(3)katie b.
One of our favorite places to go for lunch or dinner. Staff is always friendly and the service is great. You feel like a regular there after just a few visits. Food is always good, reasonable lunch specials and a lot of options to choose from. Highly recommend, definitely a quality place and we have never had a single complaint!
(5)Alex J.
Food has always been great. Roberta is an awesome server and kind person. Steve is number one making sure everything is perfect. Last visit we had a server that spoke like a dry robot. Very creepy. We felt like we were ordering at a dry drive they. Too mechanical. Aside from that odd server We love the Lodge!
(4)John M.
As another noted in a review below, the biggest problem with the Valley Lodge is that the parking lot is usually full. Reminds me of a sign I saw on a restaurant on River Road that said "The food and booze is lousy, but the parking is great!" Except at the Valley Lodge it is the opposite. The food and booze is great but the parking is limited. I have enjoyed lunch and dinner and drinks many times and always enjoyed the food and the neighborhood feel of the place. I live in Wilmette and now enjoy their new location there too. Great value for the money in my opinion.
(5)Amanda V.
If you are CLUMSY TURN AROUND!!! Let's call him "Mr. Senor"...you know who I'm talking about. When we walked in WWWWWOOOOOOWWWWW did I feel very unwelcomed. Mr. Señor was not very friendly at all! After spending a week in Chicago for business and being here for my last night I wanted to go out with a bang. I guess, in a way, you could say I did. I ordered a martini. One sip after my martini my dinner came. After setting my plate down next to my drink it fell over and broke. Then Mr. Señor informed us that I was not allowed another drink. For which reasons you ask? After the manager came, he explained that we had waaay too much to drink. IDK about you but 0 drinks is NOT WAAAAY TOO MUCH FOR ME DRINK. Talk about light weight! After working all day so hard, all I wanted was a martini. If I had gone to any other place they wouldn't have denied me a drink after it spilling over. Save your money from this hoedunk place. There's many other places that deserve your money.
(1)David K.
Excellent customer service and wait staff - Honey Fried Chicken was very good - Full Slab of Ribs was over-cooked dry - Bacon Bits on Wedge Salad overcooked and difficult to chew.
(2)Tara G.
The restaurant was extremely crowded. There were obviously "regulars" that seemed to be getting preferential treatment. The manager on duty came over to a couple and shmoozed loudly with them for about 20 minutes without speaking to anyone else. I felt like I had to know someone there to get good service and overall felt uncomfortable, as though I was an outsider.
(2)Otto A.
Old school place. One step away from a wrinkle room. Ambiance of a north woods restaurant in upper Wisconsin. Can't help it but it brings back good memories! Stick with the mainstays here. Burgers are great, fries and onion wing will top it off. Honey fried chicken good as well. Gyros twice: both times it seemed they were sliced cold then put on a flat grill with some oil to reheat...greasy and not tender. Pass.
(4)Mike K.
Best Martooni's in Chi-town! Food consistently great. My favs: Chicken kebobs, grilled Shrimp chopped salad, French Onion soup, burgers, gyro appetizer , chopped sirloin steak with onions & mushrooms & of course, the flaming saganaki. And, the service is the best -very friendly & attentive staff.
(5)Lisa G.
I read the reviews before going so i knew what i wanted to order when arriving with my group! I ordered a special martini that the whole table ordered we ended up loving it...kind of like a french martini. We skipped appetizers but i had the french onion soup as it was recommended , loved that also! I tried the spicy shrimp wrap it was great we all ate fish because it was during lent and it was friday we all loved our dinners. nothing but great things to say about this place you can tell its a local favorite! the place was hopping from 6 until we left at 8:00 still standing in the bar area! we will be back!
(4)Pamela S.
My husband and I decided on a little road trip up to Valley Lodge Restaurant to try their food as we heard great reviews on it. We enjoyed our lunch very much, I had the grouper sandwich my husband had the cheeseburger, both very delicious. We sat at the bar, can not say enough good things about Chris the manager, a very pleasant young man who really looked like he enjoys his job and all his customers. We will recommend this and will sure come again. Next time we visit will be in the winter as it really does look like an intimate lodge.
(5)Carla G.
I came here for the first time during the lunch hour. The set up is pretty cute- kind of split level and open. There was a fireplace with a fire going which makes for a nice touch considering it's a 'lodge'. Our server was very friendly and presented us with warm bread- my weakness at any restaurant. I ordered the beef tenderloin on the pretzel buns with homemade potato chips. Can't resist saying Yum! out loud as I remember how delicious it was. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Jon F.
Absolutely love this place. The sloppy joe sandwich is one of the best. If you are searching for a place with great food and are sick of all the chain restaurants check this place out. The management stopped by the table twice to check on the meal and service. Really enjoyed the lodge!
(4)Doug B.
My new pet peeve is when places lock down their wifi... It doesn't cost them anything to share. Knock off half a star for being stingy. Knock off a half star for being around this long yet making a dull burger. Hand form the burger people.... really, smashing it together removes all the texture a good burger should offer. Although , the cajun seasoning and blue cheese and the light weight pretzel bun were all good... that's why I only knocked off half a star. Our party had a chopped salad... good size, tasty, enjoyed by 2 of our party of 3. Our guest ordered the corned beef and cabbage and he was very happy. The best part of this place is the ambiance. If it had a little sound absorption going on it would be perfect but it's old and quaint and a little rustic and that's pretty nice. Our waitress was efficient and attentive, not over friendly, but she took care of us and got a good tip. I'll go back but I won't order a burger... never again. Home made chips, A+
(3)c g.
Good burger, cold old style , $16. Too expensive. Nice people but should be $11.
(4)Kristen T.
Great place! Love the good and the ambiance. I have eaten here several times and every time the food was great as well as the service! I look forward to watching Blackhawks game here this season!
(4)Jan B.
My husband and I were driving by tonight looking for a different place to eat and decided to try the Valley Lodge Restaurant. We were seated relatively quickly and our the service was very good. Both my husband and I ordered the classic burger Medium. The burger was decent except had no seasoning on it whatsoever. How about a little salt and pepper to liven it up? I ordered my burger with green olives that had no taste at all...it was as if they had been washed in water or sat in water before being added to the burger. Also, the pimientos had been removed which also give the olives flavor. We plan to go back but next time will order our burgers medium well and ask for them to be seasoned. The homemade chips were excellent but my husband was unable to eat the cole slaw because it had way too much horseradish in it. The restaurant has a nice feel to it but is very noisy. Jan B.
(3)Stephen M.
Put on your flannel shirt, your boots and red winter coat. You're coming to the north woods and getting some food. That's the Lodge--the dark wood paneling has absorbed years and years of woodsmen and woodsgirls enjoying their meals. At least that's the way it feels. We were stragglers, coming in near closing time on Saturday evening. The server was very cordial, making sure that we had what we wanted. The menu is retro (lots of beef)--it's a lodge. Enjoyed it and would come back.
(3)Jay K.
Proceed with caution around dinner times especially on Friday and Saturday because this joint gets crazy busy. We were there early enough to snatch a table in the bar area. We were greeted by a friendly server who took our drink order and seemed to be our new best friend :) (it wasn't crazy busy yet) Drinks are fairly priced and the bottles of beer are cold, not just kinda cold, but cold. Daily specials are offered. That was a mistake on my part because the $22 grouper I ordered was very small and had no flavor. They ruined a wonderful piece of fish. Stick with the burgers, they are pretty good and that's my usual order. Burgers and beer, right on! Back to the server. After our dinner was brought to the table the server came back one more time to remove our plates and then did a vanishing act on us. We even gave up our table to some folks waiting for a seat. I asked the hostess to find the server so he could give us a bill. Nothing. Then I notice the server greeting the folks at the table we gave up. Where the hell is my bill! If you like being in a super crowded environment where the tables are very close together and getting bumped around by the masses then this is the place for you. If not don't come at prime dining times. Also if you get a server who wants to be you're new BFF...run away and avoid the aggravation. I'm giving this place a break for a while.
(3)Jonathan W.
This place has some of the best ribs I have ever had and the staff was very friendly. They take pride in customer service.
(4)Jo D.
Best service I've had in a long time! Only place that gives them a run for the money in that respect is Norton's in Highland Park. Anyways, it was our first time at this restaurant and the owner walks over and presents my husband and I with a free appetizer. The food was great and I especially love the atmosphere! Very cozy with the high wood-beam ceilings and fireplace. Will definitely go back!!
(5)Jim M.
Have gone there a handful of times over the years, always my wife's choice, never mine and never again. I went there last Friday with a group of 5, not realizing that we could have made a prior reservation for 5 or more. We arrived at about 6:25 and were told that we had a 20 minute wait.. Not bad, right? Wrong. Just before 7:00, I went up and check to see how we were coming along, FOR THE FIRST TIME. I was told we were the next table. At 7:10, after watching a couple of larger table turn, I went back up to check status, FOR THE SECOND TIME, and was told that there were some 7:00 reservations that they had to seat. This was a bit perplexing because, though we had no reservation when we arrived at 6, we were told that they do take reservations for 5 or more (which we had) and that we had a 20 minute wait. To me, the translation of this was a 6:45 reservation. I get that the 20 minute wait is never a perfect science nor does a reservation, at a given time, always mean that you will at that time or before BUT... If you tell a group, that is large enough have made a reservation, that they will be seated at about 6:45, How do you skip them to seat a group that you've told will be seated at about 7:00? When I ran through my logic with the very nice young lady at the podium, she asked me if I would like to speak to George, the manager. I said sure and she said he was at the bar... I believe, since she put her head down to continue working, that she wanted me to go to the bar, work my way through the 3 deep people waiting, and track George down myself... This was about the time that I first felt they really didn't care if I was there or not. Anyway, I asked he if she would be so king to ask George to come down to see me. Without a single eye roll, she did just that and George soon showed up. I ran through my plight with George, he was very nice, listened intently, actually agreed with my logic and told me, FOR THE THIRD TIME, that we were the very next table... It's now 7:20 or so. At about 7:35, I left Valley Lodge for the very last time, without having eaten but with a reason not to go back should my wife ever suggest it again.
(1)Andy M.
The sloppy joes and burgers were nothing special as were its vegetable choices. The place looks nice but lacks television screens and is a bit cramped despite being a good size of the outside. The place has a decent fireplace and small type vibe does offer into be more of a lodge type setting and a unique place for Glenview. Food and slow service to get the food are drawbacks
(2)Christianna K.
Love this place! Always feels like home coming here with good service and delicious food.
(5)Rob W.
I've driven past this place for some 20 years and never went in. Meeting with my friend for lunch and buying a Groupon NOW for the place gave me cause to visit. My thoughts: Food - decent... had a burger, it was cooked as ordered, about a 1/2 lb for $10 with an order of fries and a "solo cup" of nondescript cole claw. Service - good, prompt. Kept refilling my soda which was appreciated. It took an ordinary amount of time for my burger to come out, so that was fine. Ambiance - better than expected... was anticipating more of a "neighborhood place" inside, but it was casual/classy. Overall - I'll likely go back, nice place, though nothing that really stood out.
(3)Holly W.
My family recently decided we needed a new casual restaurant for us to go to after several less than stellar visits to our regular haunts, so we've been trying out lots of places in the area lately. I have no idea why we have never come here before after years of driving by it - I think we found our new place! The ambiance was great - cozy, a big fireplace...a "lodge" is certainly a fair description. I loved it. The service was very friendly and incredibly attentive. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and my father ordered a burger. We both thought the food was EXCELLENT and for the quantity as well as quality of the food, it was a bargain at around $10 each (you get a choice of regular fries, sweet potato fries, chips, or veggies. I had the regular fries and thought they were delicious. My dad had the sweet potato and liked them as well). My grilled chicken sandwich was huge and incredibly fresh tasting. I will def come back again! My only concern is that since the place is so small, I've noticed sometimes that driving past it that the parking lot can get pretty jammed. I can certainly see why, but I would probably avoid during peak times!
(5)Small Town B.
This place is great if... You like being treated like you just walked into a club you don't belong to. You can stomach less than mediocre wine. You don't mind not knowing it was last call until Warren - the bartender_ hands you the bill and says, "cash that out now." You don't mind that your water glass is a one time only fill up. and... The regulars are a bunch of mind-numbingly stupid, loud, obnoxious, back-slapping mouth-breathers.
(1)Tasha P.
I wasn't really happy with my meal here. I ordered the ribs and the liver/onions entree. Mediocre would have been high praise indeed for what I got. The point of ordering out for me is to get a meal that is prepared better than I could have done myself, or maybe with exotic flavors or ingredients that I don't possess which will wow my socks off. This was none of the above. It was all very bland and tasteless and overpriced for the quality. It was a carryout order so I can't comment on the ambience, but I just know it was uncomfortably dark during my few minutes picking up my food. People turn and look at you when you walk in there, as if you don't belong. I was glad to leave and I wouldn't want to go back. I'm not going lower than 3 stars however, because I only tried 2 entrees and it's possible some of their easier dishes are much better.
(3)michael w.
This one is a keeper, close to home, great atmosphere and good food. We headed out late on a Friday night (9:30pm) and decided to check out an unknown, sure glad we did. While other restaurants were shutting down, the parking lot here was still full (good sign). Navigation through the restaurant is tight, but we managed to find a cozy little table next to the fireplace. Atmosphere, check. Customer service and general friendliness - check. House mixed drinks are $7.50. We both decided on burgers, they were great. Onion rings were good, dill pickle was good, cole slaw was a bust. My asparagus were good, but in my opinion were thicker than desired, and could have used some olive oil and salt. The date bread to start was warm and yummy. Eyeballed the carrot cake on the dessert menu but ultimately passed at $8. We will keep this one because the experience was positive, atmosphere good and it is close and reasonably priced. Everyone in there that night seemed to know each other and some were starting to get a little loud, but nothing too obnoxious.
(4)Janis W.
Valley Lodge is a favorite, cozy neighborhood restaurant. They are doing something right, have been there for over 40 years. There are two levels with the bar upstairs. There are tables and booths, but sitting at the bar is the most fun. The fireplace on the main floor enhances the charm of the room. It does resemble a lodge in the atmosphere and the menu. The burgers are very good as are the chicken, ribs, and turkey entrees. The service is friendly.. Go early, it gets busy.
(4)J H.
The Lodge is one of our favorite go to places. It can be a nice place to meet for lunch, have snacks at the bar or for a date night dinner with my husband. Valley Lodge is also our unofficial restaurant over the holidays when our family gets together. (so yes they can handle a large group of 15) We have not been disappointed and the menu is broad enough that even our pickiest eaters always find something that they are more than happy with. They offer friendly and efficient service. It is a good value for the money.
(4)Larry G.
Valley Lodge is just okay. They have decent hamburgers and fries and okay ribs and chicken. The place is always crowded at dinnertime - probably because the dearth of places in Valley Lodge's price range to go to in the area. The restaurant is divided into two sections. The back section is kind of dark and unpleasant.
(2)Cheryl O.
Valley Lodge is a great place to eat with that hometown atmosphere. The greek salad with chicken is the best I've ever had. Friendly place. Roaring fire on chilly nights.
(4)Mary H.
Love the fireplace, the cozy atmosphere, the casual lodge feel of the place. Fun for dinner with family or friends-- good ol' American food. Great bar to sit in -- lot's of friendly faces there.
(4)Deana S.
There is only 1 word to describe the food: YUCK! All of the food was cold and tasted like it came out of the freezer isle at Costco.
(1)Nick D.
Lets not all kid ourselves here...A Greek restaurant in a pseudo-log cabin structure is still just a Greek restaurant serving your typical middle-of-the-road-fare for moderate pricing. While the food is average, its nothing special. The waitstaff is slow and no one really seems to care. If you go on a weekend or a Big Sports nite, there will be the loud and obnoxious "regulars" spewing all kinds of inane nonsense so loud that you can't even remember why you came to this establishment in the first place. To top it off, the Owner, Nick, condones and encourages this behavior much to the chagrin of other patrons. We were referred to this place by one of the regulars, went several times and really tried to like it. So, we gave it one last shot. The restaurant was virutally empty so we sat at the bar had drinks and an appetizer. Now there were less than 6 people in the whole place! While we were chatting and enjoying our drinks, we discovered, rather abruptly, that last call had come and gone, our bill was placed in front of us and we were asked to "close it out"! Now, I realize that the North Shore implodes on itself at midnight, but this was 11pm on a Thursday! We had not had our water refilled in 15 minutes, no offer of last call and basically told to politely "get out". But here's the rub: one of the "regulars" sitting chatting with Nick, the owner, had a fresh full beer, an ice-cold water glass and NO ONE ASKING HIM TO LEAVE! Take our advice, pass on this place and save yourself the headache. Hackneys is better food, better service and no drama if you want an alternative
(1)John S.
It was so promising when the Saganaki came and then it all went to hell when they gyros came. Have you ever bought frozen gyro? every piece is uniform, bland and greasy; almost like deli meat? Well, that is Valley Lodge for you. Everything looks great on the surface, but when you get down to the meat of it #FAIL.
(1)Keith E.
When a restaurant has Gyros appetizers as well as an entree item on their menu reads "Homemade" and it is like lunch meat, that should be the first indication. My wife and the other couple liked the Soganaki. The rest of the meal was Meidocer. My Shrimp was good (large), good breading. The Perch was good. The service was also mediocer. I guess the table near ours must have been regulars. Our waitress kept saying "I'll be back" when we were asking for a bill. Finally when we got up and looked like we were leaving, she readily came. She did not ask if we wanted more drinks or water throughout the meal. Not Bad, small seating area A lot of tables close to one another. Mediocer. Stella on tap was a plus.
(3)Melissa G.
The food is average but the environment is warm and friendly. My family and I usually get decent service. A decent option for dinner out or Saturday lunch. Worth a try.
(4)D F.
It may take a few trips until "everybody know your name," but the Valley Lodge is that kinda place. Warm, friendly, busy, with terrific food (try the "wedge salad" or the ribs) and a lively bar (try the ice-cold Coors Light!") A good-sized dining room features a large fireplace, and is separated from the raised bar area. Waitstaff is experienced and capable. I've been to this place more than 100 times, and it never fails to be a good time. George and Warren are frequently assisted by some **very** pretty bartenders, so get a bar seat if you can!
(5)kb j.
We went here recently for dinner for the first time in many years and sat in the dark bar area. The place was not very crowded when we went, though, I understand that it is usually crowded at dinner time in the evenings. The menu is a mish-mosh of salads, burgers, sandwiches, ribs and other items (including pasta!). Service and prices are friendly and, paired with the good food served as if designed to feed an army, provides value. We would go back.
(4)George H.
Restaurants, tend to go in cycles ranging between very good to just plain bad. This place is one of 'em. Been going there on & off for 30+ yrs. now and they seem to be in heading in the Down direction. The food is OK. The service is OK The prices are OK, but considering the quality of the food..maybe less than OK The wine menu is not OK. Same stuff you see at Binny's...How Original ! The by the glass prices are high considering your getting just average wines at $9 bucks a glass. They had a nice Malbec for a while, then went back the stuff they had before which was Bad. I rarely go in there anymore. The bar is WAY to crowded with ' The Regulars ', who think they own the place! NOT my cup of tea...
(1)DB A.
Valley Lodge really doesn't need a good review from me, though I'm happy to give one. It's a very popular neighborhood bar with a reliable restaurant featuring excellent burgers and salads, with a decent selection of pub grub and some Greek dishes. Their ribs are popular too, but I haven't had them, sticking to burgers, Greek salads, sandwiches, a steak once in a while, and (of course) the generously poured drinks. It does get busy and quite noisy, with a devoted local crowd. But they're there for a good reason, the food's good and the prices are pretty reasonable. Great if it's in your neighborhood.
(4)A.J. M.
There is nothing special about the Valley Lodge. My folks and I just happen to go there when we are too lazy to think of anywhere else to go. The beef tenderloin sandwiches are tasty, but not mind blowing. Nice servers, decent atmosphere and the like. It is just a good meal.
(3)David Z.
I live close to the Valley Lodge and it is my top choice as a reliable fallback when I don't want to drive far or if I am in the mood for a great salad. I've read the other reviews and no one has mentioned the bread. When one is seated at a table, within the first minute, two different kinds of piping hot bread are brought to the table. The quality is excellent and hard to resist (which is why I rarely order a sandwich). I usually always order the Greek Salad but will ocassionally order the ribs. Although you can certainly find better ribs at BBQ specialty restaurants, you won't be disappointed with the Valley Lodge's ribs. They are meaty and fall off the bone. I like draft beer, and the Lodge carries Bell's Amber, which makes me very happy. If you go on the weekend, be prepared for a wait of up to 30 minutes. There is some limited seating in the bar area. As others have commented, the place can get very loud when it is full. Finally, the service is top notch and very attentive. With a wide menu selection and daily specials, one really can't go wrong with the Valley Lodge.
(4)Jenny I.
Valley Lodge offers a nice, clean place to meet up with friends or family. I highly recommend the cheeseburger. It is a big juicy patty and the french fries taste awesome with it. I have tried other items on the menu, the chicken is tasty and the salads never disappoint! I like this place because there are a lot of different items on the menu and anyone can find something that they would like to eat. The restaurant is crowded at night, but it seems pretty easy to get a table around lunch time.
(4)V K.
My family and I go to the lodge because it's a kid friendly, cozy environment. There are many different options on the menu to choose from, from both the kids menu and regular menu. My family's favorite part is the warm bread that comes while waiting for your food!
(4)Elvira V.
I decided to check this place out after my old boss said they have a great burger. Then I yelped it and saw that Nancy K. gave it 5 stars. I wasn't thrilled with my burger or the fries. My burger was salty and dry (since I am pregnant I can't do rare meat) but regardless it didn't taste like a homemade burger. The fries were a good size but they had an odd flavor like the oil was old. My hubby ordered the Cobb salad and loved it. I had a couple of bites and thought it was way better than the burger. We were there for dinner and there were lots of the "silver set". Service was good; the hostess and waitress were nice and the bus boys were attentive too.
(3)Faith M.
Growing up in Glenview, this was always a family standby. There is something for everyone. They have the standard pub fare as well as a lot of Greek food. And those ribs! One thing is that the main dining room can get pretty noisy.
(4)Tes S.
I love the way the staff greets you like family when you walk in the door and the fireplace that makes you feel right at home. The food is down home American goodness A.K.A. THEIR BURGERS!!!!!!! They are amazing :)
(5)Jenny I.
Valley Lodge offers a nice, clean place to meet up with friends or family. I highly recommend the cheeseburger. It is a big juicy patty and the french fries taste awesome with it. I have tried other items on the menu, the chicken is tasty and the salads never disappoint! I like this place because there are a lot of different items on the menu and anyone can find something that they would like to eat. The restaurant is crowded at night, but it seems pretty easy to get a table around lunch time.
(4)V K.
My family and I go to the lodge because it's a kid friendly, cozy environment. There are many different options on the menu to choose from, from both the kids menu and regular menu. My family's favorite part is the warm bread that comes while waiting for your food!
(4)Elvira V.
I decided to check this place out after my old boss said they have a great burger. Then I yelped it and saw that Nancy K. gave it 5 stars. I wasn't thrilled with my burger or the fries. My burger was salty and dry (since I am pregnant I can't do rare meat) but regardless it didn't taste like a homemade burger. The fries were a good size but they had an odd flavor like the oil was old. My hubby ordered the Cobb salad and loved it. I had a couple of bites and thought it was way better than the burger. We were there for dinner and there were lots of the "silver set". Service was good; the hostess and waitress were nice and the bus boys were attentive too.
(3)Faith M.
Growing up in Glenview, this was always a family standby. There is something for everyone. They have the standard pub fare as well as a lot of Greek food. And those ribs! One thing is that the main dining room can get pretty noisy.
(4)J H.
The Lodge is one of our favorite go to places. It can be a nice place to meet for lunch, have snacks at the bar or for a date night dinner with my husband. Valley Lodge is also our unofficial restaurant over the holidays when our family gets together. (so yes they can handle a large group of 15) We have not been disappointed and the menu is broad enough that even our pickiest eaters always find something that they are more than happy with. They offer friendly and efficient service. It is a good value for the money.
(4)Larry G.
Valley Lodge is just okay. They have decent hamburgers and fries and okay ribs and chicken. The place is always crowded at dinnertime - probably because the dearth of places in Valley Lodge's price range to go to in the area. The restaurant is divided into two sections. The back section is kind of dark and unpleasant.
(2)Hillarie S.
My husband has been dining here since he was a kid, when they first opened. He started bringing me here in 1989. Always great food and great service! Tom , very friendly owner. Steve, hardest working bus boy, never been here and not seen him!!
(5)Andrew M.
Went here for a work lunch last week. The place has a nice atmosphere and is kept up really well. The service was probably 4 out of 5 stars. Food came out pretty slowly despite it not being very busy and over half of the table ordering salads. The menu is pretty extensive with a wide variety of choices. There was also a specials menu which included corned beef and cabbage as St. Patrick's Day was the previous day. I decided to have the Valley Lodge burger with house chips. The food was just ok. The burger came topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese. I ordered it medium rare. It was pretty well done when it was served to me. The chips were very oily and half undercooked. Nothing was bad, but the place had been over-hyped to me. I will probably go back, but I will keep my expectations in check next time.
(3)Edgar R.
I'm definitely a fan and I go here regularly for dinner with friends. The place has a nice homey feel with a fireplace. It is often crowded at popular times like Friday nights, which can mean long wait times (30-40 minutes or more). It would be best to call in advance and make a reservation if you're coming at one of those times. Despite having a full house, there always seems to be enough parking, which is another plus. The food is good and there is plenty of it. I usually take half my meal home for later. Their dark home baked bread is served warm, and it is delicious! Ribs are one of their specialties, and although I'm not particularly fond of them, my friends insist that the ribs at the Lodge are the best anywhere. I like their salads, especially the Greek salad, and their chicken and fish. Sandwiches come with cole slaw and fries. I recommend the sweet potato fries. For dessert, if you have room you should try their carrot cake. It is very good and the serving size is enormous! I usually share mine with a friend. The bar has a nice selection of craft and dark beers. Service is friendly and attentive, although you should be prepared for some delays at busy times. In my opinion the prices are quite modest. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. Everyone I brought here from out of town has liked this place and will often ask to come back the next time they are visiting the area.
(4)Dave V.
Bike broke down right next door from here. I have lived in or fairly close to Glenview for most of my life and have passed this by a bunch but never stopped in. Glad we decided to grab a bit here. The food was good and very filling. Prices are slightly above average but not horrible. I paid 13.10 for the lodge burger which came with fries and a little bit of coleslaw. The also serve you some fairly decent bread right when you sit down. Much of the menu sounds delicious so i may be back to try something else. Didn't pay attention to beer prices unfortunately, sorry.
(3)Jimmy J.
Nice tight well run place typical of a Greek Owned Operation: a.) Good value for quality ingredients b.) efficient wait staff and kitchen c.) expansive menu giving you a lot of options..from Filet Mignon to Italian Beef d.) Nice cozy feel Salmon, Pork Chops, and Burger were great as was LAVA CAKE. Honey Fried Chicken was overcooked. It happens. Bread Board was super. Will try some Soup, Salad, and Sandwiches for LUNCH & Update. Nice find.
(4)Daniel A.
Was in town from Fort Worth, TX. as my dad was in hospice for more than two weeks. Found the Lodge on YELP and the reviews were positive. They were right. I ate there with family or ordered take out six times. The service is great, the menu offers many choices, and the food is delicious. Pretty nice bar and Lodge ambience too. Loved the medium rare burger and home made chips, the pork ribs fell off the bone with nice BBQ sauce, and the shrimp cocktail was as good as four star restaurants. Even their house dressing was unique and tasty. Pretty sure everything they offer is excellent. This is a diamond in the rough. I will go there next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Matt A.
This place has been a town favorite for over 40 years! Fried chicken is great and the burgers are also fantastic. The bar scene is typically the Glenview senior citizen divorcee group but they are friendly, toasty, opinionated, and great conversationalists.
(5)Jim O.
I used to go here when growing up in the 80's. My family loved it here. I moved out of town and hadn't been there in probably 20 years. Recently I moved back in the area and came and checked it out. I was happy that it still had the same cozy vibe. Great food, great service. Ribs are awesome. Great beer selection, super friendly staff.
(4)Steve J.
I've been coming to this little piece of Americana for about 15 years now. And have become great friends with many patrons, servers and even the owners. I realize that at this point many will consider my review bias, but read on, please! As I've read the few mediocre reviews on this place I see a theme! I see a lot of posts that say that they feel "unwelcome", or even "in a club they don't belong to". Well guess what! Every single person that packs this place every single night came in here for the first time once too! When it's packed , they still make time to say hello. They know most people by name. They make it feel like home. You don't stay in business this long and have this many loyal customers unless your doing something right!!
(5)Heidi H.
This is a great place for a good burger! The man who greets us often, who I believe is the owner or the manager is super friendly and isn't afraid to help the wait staff out when they are busy. I was very impressed by the excellent customer service the first time I went there. I would recommend this place to anyone in the the Glenview area, be warned - it is often busy and usually very noisy, but that won't stop me from going there :)
(5)Anthony C.
Went on a recommendation from a friend - this is his family's go to spot in the area and we were not disappointed. The place has been around since the 60s but everything was clean and extremely cozy - with lots of wood, a stone fireplace, a nice old wraparound bar and open beam ceiling. The wife and I waited about 15 minutes for a table on a Wednesday night so I have to assume it's always busy - it's not a big place and there seemed to be a lot of regulars who knew each other. Service was fantastic throughout the night with the manager helping to expedite drink orders and meals to the tables. The food was also better than we expected. I had a bowl of their homemade split pea soup and a full slab of baby back ribs with garlic mashed potatoes. The sauce on the ribs was very unique and tasty - without drowning the flavor of the meat. My wife had a spicy shrimp wrap with vegetables which she really enjoyed. The prices of everything was also very reasonable. The tap beer selection was solid with a few good imports and several craft beers to choose from. All in all a good experience in a woodsy and cozy atmosphere. We will return soon.
(4)Jonathan W.
This place has some of the best ribs I have ever had and the staff was very friendly. They take pride in customer service.
(4)Jo D.
Best service I've had in a long time! Only place that gives them a run for the money in that respect is Norton's in Highland Park. Anyways, it was our first time at this restaurant and the owner walks over and presents my husband and I with a free appetizer. The food was great and I especially love the atmosphere! Very cozy with the high wood-beam ceilings and fireplace. Will definitely go back!!
(5)Jim M.
Have gone there a handful of times over the years, always my wife's choice, never mine and never again. I went there last Friday with a group of 5, not realizing that we could have made a prior reservation for 5 or more. We arrived at about 6:25 and were told that we had a 20 minute wait.. Not bad, right? Wrong. Just before 7:00, I went up and check to see how we were coming along, FOR THE FIRST TIME. I was told we were the next table. At 7:10, after watching a couple of larger table turn, I went back up to check status, FOR THE SECOND TIME, and was told that there were some 7:00 reservations that they had to seat. This was a bit perplexing because, though we had no reservation when we arrived at 6, we were told that they do take reservations for 5 or more (which we had) and that we had a 20 minute wait. To me, the translation of this was a 6:45 reservation. I get that the 20 minute wait is never a perfect science nor does a reservation, at a given time, always mean that you will at that time or before BUT... If you tell a group, that is large enough have made a reservation, that they will be seated at about 6:45, How do you skip them to seat a group that you've told will be seated at about 7:00? When I ran through my logic with the very nice young lady at the podium, she asked me if I would like to speak to George, the manager. I said sure and she said he was at the bar... I believe, since she put her head down to continue working, that she wanted me to go to the bar, work my way through the 3 deep people waiting, and track George down myself... This was about the time that I first felt they really didn't care if I was there or not. Anyway, I asked he if she would be so king to ask George to come down to see me. Without a single eye roll, she did just that and George soon showed up. I ran through my plight with George, he was very nice, listened intently, actually agreed with my logic and told me, FOR THE THIRD TIME, that we were the very next table... It's now 7:20 or so. At about 7:35, I left Valley Lodge for the very last time, without having eaten but with a reason not to go back should my wife ever suggest it again.
(1)Andy M.
The sloppy joes and burgers were nothing special as were its vegetable choices. The place looks nice but lacks television screens and is a bit cramped despite being a good size of the outside. The place has a decent fireplace and small type vibe does offer into be more of a lodge type setting and a unique place for Glenview. Food and slow service to get the food are drawbacks
(2)Christianna K.
Love this place! Always feels like home coming here with good service and delicious food.
(5)Stephen M.
Put on your flannel shirt, your boots and red winter coat. You're coming to the north woods and getting some food. That's the Lodge--the dark wood paneling has absorbed years and years of woodsmen and woodsgirls enjoying their meals. At least that's the way it feels. We were stragglers, coming in near closing time on Saturday evening. The server was very cordial, making sure that we had what we wanted. The menu is retro (lots of beef)--it's a lodge. Enjoyed it and would come back.
(3)Jay K.
Proceed with caution around dinner times especially on Friday and Saturday because this joint gets crazy busy. We were there early enough to snatch a table in the bar area. We were greeted by a friendly server who took our drink order and seemed to be our new best friend :) (it wasn't crazy busy yet) Drinks are fairly priced and the bottles of beer are cold, not just kinda cold, but cold. Daily specials are offered. That was a mistake on my part because the $22 grouper I ordered was very small and had no flavor. They ruined a wonderful piece of fish. Stick with the burgers, they are pretty good and that's my usual order. Burgers and beer, right on! Back to the server. After our dinner was brought to the table the server came back one more time to remove our plates and then did a vanishing act on us. We even gave up our table to some folks waiting for a seat. I asked the hostess to find the server so he could give us a bill. Nothing. Then I notice the server greeting the folks at the table we gave up. Where the hell is my bill! If you like being in a super crowded environment where the tables are very close together and getting bumped around by the masses then this is the place for you. If not don't come at prime dining times. Also if you get a server who wants to be you're new BFF...run away and avoid the aggravation. I'm giving this place a break for a while.
(3)kavan s.
I drive by here all the time but never stopped in before even though its so close by. But today for the first time ever I had dinner with my father here. The burgers were so tasty and the onion rings were huge. And they sell sweet potatoe fries. Not the dinky one you get elsewhere. Thick yummy fries. And the staff was so nice. Will definitely come back here soon.
(5)David L.
Valley lodge truly has a lodgey feel with the fireplace and horseshoe bar. I get the saganaki, greek salad, and the chicken kabobs with rice. My son loves the french onion soup. In fact, he has ordered it every time he goes there, the waitresses already know to bring it automatically. He also loves the honey fried chicken. They also have delicious baby back ribs.
(5)Kirsten V.
We keep trying to like this place because we live so close, but it disappoints every time we go. The best thing I can say is they make a good stiff drink. I mean, how can you screw up a wedge salad? I'll tell you how. Bring it to the table room temperature when it should be ice cold, with ranch dressing instead of blue cheese on it. Yuck. Warm iceberg lettuce. I can do better at home. They also over cook just about any meat that I've tried there. I got the pork chops, they were like hockey pucks. We order burgers medium, they always come well done. If you can't do the basics right, why even bother?
(3)katie b.
One of our favorite places to go for lunch or dinner. Staff is always friendly and the service is great. You feel like a regular there after just a few visits. Food is always good, reasonable lunch specials and a lot of options to choose from. Highly recommend, definitely a quality place and we have never had a single complaint!
(5)Kevin N.
Just had one of the best corn beef meals in a long time. Tender, lean, delicious . People are very friendly . Never had to wait for refills on my ice tea. I would recommend this establishment to everyone!! Eat at the bar . Many TVs to watch all the sporting events. Very nice!
(3)Leslie S.
I have gone by this restaurant for over 30 years and finally tried it for lunch. I was very pleased with the food and the service. Our waitress, Caroline, explained everything on the menu and made suggestions. I had the cheeseburger which was excellent. My friend had a chopped salad with shrimp. The carrot cake for desert was great. The manager, Chris came over to see how everything was. Highly reccommended, wil be back.
(5)Alex J.
Food has always been great. Roberta is an awesome server and kind person. Steve is number one making sure everything is perfect. Last visit we had a server that spoke like a dry robot. Very creepy. We felt like we were ordering at a dry drive they. Too mechanical. Aside from that odd server We love the Lodge!
(4)John M.
As another noted in a review below, the biggest problem with the Valley Lodge is that the parking lot is usually full. Reminds me of a sign I saw on a restaurant on River Road that said "The food and booze is lousy, but the parking is great!" Except at the Valley Lodge it is the opposite. The food and booze is great but the parking is limited. I have enjoyed lunch and dinner and drinks many times and always enjoyed the food and the neighborhood feel of the place. I live in Wilmette and now enjoy their new location there too. Great value for the money in my opinion.
(5)Amanda V.
If you are CLUMSY TURN AROUND!!! Let's call him "Mr. Senor"...you know who I'm talking about. When we walked in WWWWWOOOOOOWWWWW did I feel very unwelcomed. Mr. Señor was not very friendly at all! After spending a week in Chicago for business and being here for my last night I wanted to go out with a bang. I guess, in a way, you could say I did. I ordered a martini. One sip after my martini my dinner came. After setting my plate down next to my drink it fell over and broke. Then Mr. Señor informed us that I was not allowed another drink. For which reasons you ask? After the manager came, he explained that we had waaay too much to drink. IDK about you but 0 drinks is NOT WAAAAY TOO MUCH FOR ME DRINK. Talk about light weight! After working all day so hard, all I wanted was a martini. If I had gone to any other place they wouldn't have denied me a drink after it spilling over. Save your money from this hoedunk place. There's many other places that deserve your money.
(1)David R.
It's really a 3.5, but I am going to round up because there is something intangible--some combination of the service, the aesthetic, and the menu--that makes this place really comfortable, especially in the cold-weather months. The fireplace doesn't hurt. I visited a couple of times a few years ago and remember a good impression, but for whatever reason it fell off my radar. Recently I returned for a lunch with colleagues. Service was as sweet as pie and sharp as a tack. I ordered the fried chicken dinner and ended up with a ton of food. First, an unexpectedly excellent bread plate for the table--thick-crusted country baguette-style loaf and a dark brown number with dried fruits and nuts. Then, soup--a bowl, not a cup--in which instance my choice was unfortunate, because the clam chowder was bland and gelatinous. The skin-on fries were solid, and the fried chicken was very good. The coating was slightly sweet and very crispy, which I liked because it held in the moistness of the meat. I give this chicken a B+. So, everything was great except for the soup, and I left stuffed. I'll be back for sure. The menu is long and varied.
(4)David K.
Excellent customer service and wait staff - Honey Fried Chicken was very good - Full Slab of Ribs was over-cooked dry - Bacon Bits on Wedge Salad overcooked and difficult to chew.
(2)Tara G.
The restaurant was extremely crowded. There were obviously "regulars" that seemed to be getting preferential treatment. The manager on duty came over to a couple and shmoozed loudly with them for about 20 minutes without speaking to anyone else. I felt like I had to know someone there to get good service and overall felt uncomfortable, as though I was an outsider.
(2)Otto A.
Old school place. One step away from a wrinkle room. Ambiance of a north woods restaurant in upper Wisconsin. Can't help it but it brings back good memories! Stick with the mainstays here. Burgers are great, fries and onion wing will top it off. Honey fried chicken good as well. Gyros twice: both times it seemed they were sliced cold then put on a flat grill with some oil to reheat...greasy and not tender. Pass.
(4)Mike K.
Best Martooni's in Chi-town! Food consistently great. My favs: Chicken kebobs, grilled Shrimp chopped salad, French Onion soup, burgers, gyro appetizer , chopped sirloin steak with onions & mushrooms & of course, the flaming saganaki. And, the service is the best -very friendly & attentive staff.
(5)Lisa G.
I read the reviews before going so i knew what i wanted to order when arriving with my group! I ordered a special martini that the whole table ordered we ended up loving it...kind of like a french martini. We skipped appetizers but i had the french onion soup as it was recommended , loved that also! I tried the spicy shrimp wrap it was great we all ate fish because it was during lent and it was friday we all loved our dinners. nothing but great things to say about this place you can tell its a local favorite! the place was hopping from 6 until we left at 8:00 still standing in the bar area! we will be back!
(4)Pamela S.
My husband and I decided on a little road trip up to Valley Lodge Restaurant to try their food as we heard great reviews on it. We enjoyed our lunch very much, I had the grouper sandwich my husband had the cheeseburger, both very delicious. We sat at the bar, can not say enough good things about Chris the manager, a very pleasant young man who really looked like he enjoys his job and all his customers. We will recommend this and will sure come again. Next time we visit will be in the winter as it really does look like an intimate lodge.
(5)Rob W.
I've driven past this place for some 20 years and never went in. Meeting with my friend for lunch and buying a Groupon NOW for the place gave me cause to visit. My thoughts: Food - decent... had a burger, it was cooked as ordered, about a 1/2 lb for $10 with an order of fries and a "solo cup" of nondescript cole claw. Service - good, prompt. Kept refilling my soda which was appreciated. It took an ordinary amount of time for my burger to come out, so that was fine. Ambiance - better than expected... was anticipating more of a "neighborhood place" inside, but it was casual/classy. Overall - I'll likely go back, nice place, though nothing that really stood out.
(3)Carla G.
I came here for the first time during the lunch hour. The set up is pretty cute- kind of split level and open. There was a fireplace with a fire going which makes for a nice touch considering it's a 'lodge'. Our server was very friendly and presented us with warm bread- my weakness at any restaurant. I ordered the beef tenderloin on the pretzel buns with homemade potato chips. Can't resist saying Yum! out loud as I remember how delicious it was. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Jon F.
Absolutely love this place. The sloppy joe sandwich is one of the best. If you are searching for a place with great food and are sick of all the chain restaurants check this place out. The management stopped by the table twice to check on the meal and service. Really enjoyed the lodge!
(4)Doug B.
My new pet peeve is when places lock down their wifi... It doesn't cost them anything to share. Knock off half a star for being stingy. Knock off a half star for being around this long yet making a dull burger. Hand form the burger people.... really, smashing it together removes all the texture a good burger should offer. Although , the cajun seasoning and blue cheese and the light weight pretzel bun were all good... that's why I only knocked off half a star. Our party had a chopped salad... good size, tasty, enjoyed by 2 of our party of 3. Our guest ordered the corned beef and cabbage and he was very happy. The best part of this place is the ambiance. If it had a little sound absorption going on it would be perfect but it's old and quaint and a little rustic and that's pretty nice. Our waitress was efficient and attentive, not over friendly, but she took care of us and got a good tip. I'll go back but I won't order a burger... never again. Home made chips, A+
(3)c g.
Good burger, cold old style , $16. Too expensive. Nice people but should be $11.
(4)kb j.
We went here recently for dinner for the first time in many years and sat in the dark bar area. The place was not very crowded when we went, though, I understand that it is usually crowded at dinner time in the evenings. The menu is a mish-mosh of salads, burgers, sandwiches, ribs and other items (including pasta!). Service and prices are friendly and, paired with the good food served as if designed to feed an army, provides value. We would go back.
(4)George H.
Restaurants, tend to go in cycles ranging between very good to just plain bad. This place is one of 'em. Been going there on & off for 30+ yrs. now and they seem to be in heading in the Down direction. The food is OK. The service is OK The prices are OK, but considering the quality of the food..maybe less than OK The wine menu is not OK. Same stuff you see at Binny's...How Original ! The by the glass prices are high considering your getting just average wines at $9 bucks a glass. They had a nice Malbec for a while, then went back the stuff they had before which was Bad. I rarely go in there anymore. The bar is WAY to crowded with ' The Regulars ', who think they own the place! NOT my cup of tea...
(1)Kristen T.
Great place! Love the good and the ambiance. I have eaten here several times and every time the food was great as well as the service! I look forward to watching Blackhawks game here this season!
(4)Jan B.
My husband and I were driving by tonight looking for a different place to eat and decided to try the Valley Lodge Restaurant. We were seated relatively quickly and our the service was very good. Both my husband and I ordered the classic burger Medium. The burger was decent except had no seasoning on it whatsoever. How about a little salt and pepper to liven it up? I ordered my burger with green olives that had no taste at all...it was as if they had been washed in water or sat in water before being added to the burger. Also, the pimientos had been removed which also give the olives flavor. We plan to go back but next time will order our burgers medium well and ask for them to be seasoned. The homemade chips were excellent but my husband was unable to eat the cole slaw because it had way too much horseradish in it. The restaurant has a nice feel to it but is very noisy. Jan B.
(3)michael w.
This one is a keeper, close to home, great atmosphere and good food. We headed out late on a Friday night (9:30pm) and decided to check out an unknown, sure glad we did. While other restaurants were shutting down, the parking lot here was still full (good sign). Navigation through the restaurant is tight, but we managed to find a cozy little table next to the fireplace. Atmosphere, check. Customer service and general friendliness - check. House mixed drinks are $7.50. We both decided on burgers, they were great. Onion rings were good, dill pickle was good, cole slaw was a bust. My asparagus were good, but in my opinion were thicker than desired, and could have used some olive oil and salt. The date bread to start was warm and yummy. Eyeballed the carrot cake on the dessert menu but ultimately passed at $8. We will keep this one because the experience was positive, atmosphere good and it is close and reasonably priced. Everyone in there that night seemed to know each other and some were starting to get a little loud, but nothing too obnoxious.
(4)Janis W.
Valley Lodge is a favorite, cozy neighborhood restaurant. They are doing something right, have been there for over 40 years. There are two levels with the bar upstairs. There are tables and booths, but sitting at the bar is the most fun. The fireplace on the main floor enhances the charm of the room. It does resemble a lodge in the atmosphere and the menu. The burgers are very good as are the chicken, ribs, and turkey entrees. The service is friendly.. Go early, it gets busy.
(4)Holly W.
My family recently decided we needed a new casual restaurant for us to go to after several less than stellar visits to our regular haunts, so we've been trying out lots of places in the area lately. I have no idea why we have never come here before after years of driving by it - I think we found our new place! The ambiance was great - cozy, a big fireplace...a "lodge" is certainly a fair description. I loved it. The service was very friendly and incredibly attentive. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and my father ordered a burger. We both thought the food was EXCELLENT and for the quantity as well as quality of the food, it was a bargain at around $10 each (you get a choice of regular fries, sweet potato fries, chips, or veggies. I had the regular fries and thought they were delicious. My dad had the sweet potato and liked them as well). My grilled chicken sandwich was huge and incredibly fresh tasting. I will def come back again! My only concern is that since the place is so small, I've noticed sometimes that driving past it that the parking lot can get pretty jammed. I can certainly see why, but I would probably avoid during peak times!
(5)Small Town B.
This place is great if... You like being treated like you just walked into a club you don't belong to. You can stomach less than mediocre wine. You don't mind not knowing it was last call until Warren - the bartender_ hands you the bill and says, "cash that out now." You don't mind that your water glass is a one time only fill up. and... The regulars are a bunch of mind-numbingly stupid, loud, obnoxious, back-slapping mouth-breathers.
(1)Tasha P.
I wasn't really happy with my meal here. I ordered the ribs and the liver/onions entree. Mediocre would have been high praise indeed for what I got. The point of ordering out for me is to get a meal that is prepared better than I could have done myself, or maybe with exotic flavors or ingredients that I don't possess which will wow my socks off. This was none of the above. It was all very bland and tasteless and overpriced for the quality. It was a carryout order so I can't comment on the ambience, but I just know it was uncomfortably dark during my few minutes picking up my food. People turn and look at you when you walk in there, as if you don't belong. I was glad to leave and I wouldn't want to go back. I'm not going lower than 3 stars however, because I only tried 2 entrees and it's possible some of their easier dishes are much better.
(3)Nick D.
Lets not all kid ourselves here...A Greek restaurant in a pseudo-log cabin structure is still just a Greek restaurant serving your typical middle-of-the-road-fare for moderate pricing. While the food is average, its nothing special. The waitstaff is slow and no one really seems to care. If you go on a weekend or a Big Sports nite, there will be the loud and obnoxious "regulars" spewing all kinds of inane nonsense so loud that you can't even remember why you came to this establishment in the first place. To top it off, the Owner, Nick, condones and encourages this behavior much to the chagrin of other patrons. We were referred to this place by one of the regulars, went several times and really tried to like it. So, we gave it one last shot. The restaurant was virutally empty so we sat at the bar had drinks and an appetizer. Now there were less than 6 people in the whole place! While we were chatting and enjoying our drinks, we discovered, rather abruptly, that last call had come and gone, our bill was placed in front of us and we were asked to "close it out"! Now, I realize that the North Shore implodes on itself at midnight, but this was 11pm on a Thursday! We had not had our water refilled in 15 minutes, no offer of last call and basically told to politely "get out". But here's the rub: one of the "regulars" sitting chatting with Nick, the owner, had a fresh full beer, an ice-cold water glass and NO ONE ASKING HIM TO LEAVE! Take our advice, pass on this place and save yourself the headache. Hackneys is better food, better service and no drama if you want an alternative
(1)John S.
It was so promising when the Saganaki came and then it all went to hell when they gyros came. Have you ever bought frozen gyro? every piece is uniform, bland and greasy; almost like deli meat? Well, that is Valley Lodge for you. Everything looks great on the surface, but when you get down to the meat of it #FAIL.
(1)Keith E.
When a restaurant has Gyros appetizers as well as an entree item on their menu reads "Homemade" and it is like lunch meat, that should be the first indication. My wife and the other couple liked the Soganaki. The rest of the meal was Meidocer. My Shrimp was good (large), good breading. The Perch was good. The service was also mediocer. I guess the table near ours must have been regulars. Our waitress kept saying "I'll be back" when we were asking for a bill. Finally when we got up and looked like we were leaving, she readily came. She did not ask if we wanted more drinks or water throughout the meal. Not Bad, small seating area A lot of tables close to one another. Mediocer. Stella on tap was a plus.
(3)Melissa G.
The food is average but the environment is warm and friendly. My family and I usually get decent service. A decent option for dinner out or Saturday lunch. Worth a try.
(4)D F.
It may take a few trips until "everybody know your name," but the Valley Lodge is that kinda place. Warm, friendly, busy, with terrific food (try the "wedge salad" or the ribs) and a lively bar (try the ice-cold Coors Light!") A good-sized dining room features a large fireplace, and is separated from the raised bar area. Waitstaff is experienced and capable. I've been to this place more than 100 times, and it never fails to be a good time. George and Warren are frequently assisted by some **very** pretty bartenders, so get a bar seat if you can!
(5)Cheryl O.
Valley Lodge is a great place to eat with that hometown atmosphere. The greek salad with chicken is the best I've ever had. Friendly place. Roaring fire on chilly nights.
(4)Mary H.
Love the fireplace, the cozy atmosphere, the casual lodge feel of the place. Fun for dinner with family or friends-- good ol' American food. Great bar to sit in -- lot's of friendly faces there.
(4)Deana S.
There is only 1 word to describe the food: YUCK! All of the food was cold and tasted like it came out of the freezer isle at Costco.
(1)DB A.
Valley Lodge really doesn't need a good review from me, though I'm happy to give one. It's a very popular neighborhood bar with a reliable restaurant featuring excellent burgers and salads, with a decent selection of pub grub and some Greek dishes. Their ribs are popular too, but I haven't had them, sticking to burgers, Greek salads, sandwiches, a steak once in a while, and (of course) the generously poured drinks. It does get busy and quite noisy, with a devoted local crowd. But they're there for a good reason, the food's good and the prices are pretty reasonable. Great if it's in your neighborhood.
(4)A.J. M.
There is nothing special about the Valley Lodge. My folks and I just happen to go there when we are too lazy to think of anywhere else to go. The beef tenderloin sandwiches are tasty, but not mind blowing. Nice servers, decent atmosphere and the like. It is just a good meal.
(3)David Z.
I live close to the Valley Lodge and it is my top choice as a reliable fallback when I don't want to drive far or if I am in the mood for a great salad. I've read the other reviews and no one has mentioned the bread. When one is seated at a table, within the first minute, two different kinds of piping hot bread are brought to the table. The quality is excellent and hard to resist (which is why I rarely order a sandwich). I usually always order the Greek Salad but will ocassionally order the ribs. Although you can certainly find better ribs at BBQ specialty restaurants, you won't be disappointed with the Valley Lodge's ribs. They are meaty and fall off the bone. I like draft beer, and the Lodge carries Bell's Amber, which makes me very happy. If you go on the weekend, be prepared for a wait of up to 30 minutes. There is some limited seating in the bar area. As others have commented, the place can get very loud when it is full. Finally, the service is top notch and very attentive. With a wide menu selection and daily specials, one really can't go wrong with the Valley Lodge.
(4)