Stopped in for a beer with my wife. I noticed as we walked in they had live music playing in their outdoor patio area. They serve above average bar food here. Burgers and wings are delicious. I tried their extra spicy wing sauce... be careful! It is up there with the blazin' sauce from BWW. The place is a lot bigger than it seems from the outside. See you soon
(4)
Lisa R.
Grabbed an early dinner here with my husband and three kids after the Spring NIU football game. We sat in the bar at a high top (wish we could have turned the corner and seen the other half of the place!). Service was friendly and prompt. Beers were cold. Kid menus offered. Even sitting in the bar we felt comfortable as a family. I ordered a burger with mushrooms and grilled onions. It was a good burger. Cooked as I ordered and everything seemed fresh. I thought the fried were a little soggy, but my husband and boys loved them. Husband enjoyed his Cuban sandwich, the Frisco chicken that my oldest son ordered was yummy! My daughters grilled cheese tastes good too. All in all, great place to enjoy a bite and a beer!
(4)
Aaron P.
Very nice pub and grille....great atmosphere and drink selection...did not get to eat during this visit, so can't say if food was good or not. But it was very clean including restrooms and the staff was friendly.
(4)
Ann R.
Ordered the new hummus platter and was delighted! For only 6.59 all 3 of us ate a light lunch. We ordered the garlic hummus and it tasted homemade. They offered celery, carrots, and cucumbers with it, and they were fresh and delicious. They also offered pita bread and chips with the hummus and these 2 were absolutely fabulous! I'm glad they are adding new appetizers etc... to their seasonal menu.
(4)
Gwen L.
My husband and I enjoy coming here for a beer and some great wings. Their burgers are delicious as well. And if I had to chose a favorite, it would. E the jailhouse blues burger. But only barely above the fresco burger. So sit, talk, and enjoy the old courthouse.
(5)
Steve K.
I would love to give it a review for the food or the atmosphere but being that they have no wheelchair access to get in or even on the outside patio I can't even give it a positive review if I wanted to.
(1)
Aliceya J.
Not bad for a calm night with drinks. I had the Wisconsin burger (loaded with cheese), appetizer of their specialty onion rings (yum!), and tried the Caribbean(eh) and the strawberry(great) martinis. Outside seating was a plus!! I chose this place based off of reviews and was not disappointed!! Wait staff was efficient. Good came out quickly. Highly recommend!
(4)
Elena M.
Got the bourbon chicken plain with fries instead of the sandwich. Super tasty and the char grilled flavor was great. Here from out of town and this was local.and had some.good reviews. Most of the dishes sounded great but I eat light when traveling. This hit the spot. Very busy for a Monday. Friendly bartenders. They acommodated my special request without blinking an eye. Probably will eat here all week.
(5)
Cailin C.
Fabulous choice of what's on tap. Bloody Mary bar for the Sunday wenches. Amazing food and cool people. My hearts won.
(5)
Tom H.
This is one of my favorite places in the DeKalb/Sycamore area. Overall this place is really good. The service is usually solid, sometimes when they're busy you can get a bit ignored. However, it's nothing that's too terrible or annoying to deal with. The beer specials and selections are adequate. You can either sit in the main bar area or more of dining area that's mostly separate by a wall. What's nice about this place is it's an older building and has character to it. Charming really. The food here is very good. During lent they have a great fish fry, they usually have walleye, the superior fish for a fry. See what I did there? Anyways, I think the best items they have are the Frisco Burger, super solid burger. And the pretzel bites. Now the pretzel bites are merely just cut up pieces of a normal pretzel but here's the secret. Order the house dressing on the side for dunking those pieces in. You can thank me later. I'd say this place is... A must try.
(4)
Terrie M.
This is always our refueling stop when we ride the great western bike trail. Its a short street ride from the trail. Service is always friendly and top notch. Menu offers good variety. Portions generous. Prices very reasonable. Always something new to try so we dont have a favorite menu item because we try something new everytime and have never been disappointed , always have a enjoyable experience.
(4)
Stephanie R.
Dig the historic building and light fixtures. The place has a bit of a "Cheers" kind of vibe. My mom ordered the Judge's Deli, and the sandwich options kept coming. It was almost comical. Which meat? Which cheese? Lettuce/tomato onion? Which bread? Dark rye or light rye? Toasted or not? Which side? Having yellowfin tuna was a nice option for me. I ordered it blackened as a sandwich. It was good, nice grill marks, but not very spicy. I paired this with the soup of the day, the loaded baked potato. Probably not homemade, but adequate. Our server was attentive and did a great job. If I lived in town, I could see myself hanging out in the bar once or twice a week or bringing friends in to enjoy the patio.
(3)
Joe B.
One of our fav places. I'd say we go here about once a month. Enjoy the decor and food is very good. Great selection of libations too.
(4)
Eric T.
Came here for just a beer or two. Great selection of hoppy beers. It was a great time. Me so hoppy!
(5)
Allison C.
I went to this place after my divorce was finalized since it is pretty much directly across the street. Good planning on their part for prime location! Anyway, so after court clearly a beer or two was needed. I also got the potato wedge appetizers and spinach dip. THE BEST SPINACH DIP I HAVE EVER HAD! No lie, it was sooooo good, try it and challenge me if you think I'm kidding. Very large and spacious, lots of seating, friendly staff and clean. I wish we would have gotten to order more but we had other dinner plans later. I will be coming back for sure. Great place!
(5)
Casey H.
Very good atmosphere very kid friendly just a great place to go sit down and eat. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We will go back and I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Alisha M.
I want to give this place a 3.5 but not a 3. Service was decent, food was good nothing too special about it but I did really like my sweet potato fries you can tell they are hand cut. It's just crazy that they charge you an extra 2$ for sweet potato fries. We also got the wings which were good, I liked the sauce especially!
(4)
Nicole M.
The food here is good. It is typical bar food in terms of the choices (burgers, wings etc), but the quality it is higher then a typical bar. My husband especially loves the wings here. It tends to be pretty loud and crowded in the evenings, but lunchtime is a little more relaxed. It is a nice location in downtown Sycamore, right across from the court house. Very quaint.
(3)
Dallas T.
Decent place in Sycamore to grab a bite to eat and wash it down with some beer.... I was in Sycamore for an arts & crafts fair, noticed Pj's across the street, and having neither seen nor heard of the place, walked right in hungry & thirsty. The establishment has a very nice interior with a moderately sized bar and ample tables. Pj's offers their own version of your "above standard" tavern fare of burgers, chicken, sandwiches, hand chopped fries, onion rings, and so on. Along with their food, they have a pretty good selection of various beer & ale... I had their grilled cheese with fries served by a friendly and attentive waitress. The fries were terrific, my understanding is they hand cut them every day, still had the potato skin on some. The grilled cheese was definitely satisfying (I had a craving for grilled cheese). The place was pretty busy, almost filled to capacity on a Saturday afternoon... and looking around I noticed other customers ordering burgers, they looked good (I would've had one but I wasn't in the mood for meat). Definitely worth eating here if you find yourself hungry & thirsty in the Sycamore area...
(3)
Jude W.
I took my parents to PJs recently on a Friday night and after circling the block a few times we made our way inside to find seemingly the entire town of Sycamore. We had catfish, cod, and walleye respectively w/fries. All were excellent, the atmosphere was loud but fun, very friendly wait staff. This is one "courthouse" I'll happily return to
(4)
Damon C.
Good food. Fair prices. Nice atmosphere. Stopped by with my wife and our friends for lunch. Got sand which and chili. Good flavor. Nice portions. Waitress was very friendly. Food was served in cute little baskets to our table. We enjoyed everything, no one did not like their food. Would give them a try if you are passing through and looking for a burger or sand which and warm bowl of soup.
(5)
Denis E.
Awsome, sorry about the last review I was Hacked
(5)
Chuck T.
We were in Sycamore looking for a good burger and some chili, wow, this place was perfect. The burger was simple but delicious. Nice char without a lot of gimmicky toppings. The building and bar have a wonderful old historic feel. I'll be back, just wish I lived closer!
(5)
Jim D.
I was visiting the Midwest from Seattle on a training mission. The staff at the bar/restaurant across the street from my hotel recommended that I come to PJ's Courthouse. PJs Courthouse is located in the picturesque downtown area of Sycamore Illinois. Upon entering, it looked like any local hometown sports bar and grill, but I later found out that it was much, much different than that. The bar/restaurant was busy and as I looked for a seat I saw a gentleman standing at the end of the bar waving me towards him. When I walk to the end of the bar,... John, introduced himself to me and told me that they could make a space for me to sit at the end of the bar,.. as, he stated..." they were just standing around talking" John not only made a space for me to sit down, but I later found out that he was the owner of the establishment. I spent the rest of the evening speaking to John, his wife Susan, and his friends about life and times in Midwest America. I had some preconceived notions before I got to this part of the country but John and his hospitality has totally blown that out of the water. The owner John, was a gem. The staff was friendly and impeccable, and the clientele was warm and inviting. I would recommend PJs Courthouse to any of my friends or readers of this critique, and have invited the owners and staff of PJs Courthouse to stay with me anytime they would like in the Pacific Northwest. Come here and enjoy the food, enjoy the beverage, and especially enjoy the companionship. I highly recommend PJs Courthouse!!!!
(5)
Andy M.
Well of all the bars in Sycamore this seems the best for eating and drinking. There were families in this night I went so it is more of what I term family friendly drinking establishments I guess on certain nights. It has a cool sports theme look with many Chicago sports pictures and so forth. A back dining area where you can still see and hear the bar area. Great service and environment.
(5)
Robert P.
Great drinks and selection of beer. Top notch Bloody Mary bar on weekends. Great hot wings to offset the cold beer. I love the Rubin also.
(4)
Drea D.
I've been coming to PJ's for over ten years and I've never been disappointed. The atmosphere is pleasant and reminiscent of Sycamore's history--look for the original tin ceiling and wood work. Whether you're dressed to the nines or wearing a sweatshirt, you feel welcome. The popularity of this establishment includes people of all ages, and while PJ's is a tavern, families often dine here. The staff is also prompt and polite, but the food is even better. The menu includes a variety of bar favorites at affordable prices with homemade soups--you should also try the pretzel nuggets with the house sauce! My husband and I eat here often and there is now a wide variety of craft beers that change with the seasons. Great drinks and food--will not disappoint!
(5)
J K.
Just ok. Typical bar food. Onion rings are more onion straws. Hard to eat. A bit pricey for just bar food. Frisco was probably the best item and happened to be the best.
(3)
Chris M.
Decent beers and food. Nice outdoor patio with live music on Thursday. Very friendly staff.
(4)
Michelle F.
YUM YUM YUM!!! My friends and I were looking for somewhere delicious to go before our concert at the NIU Convocation Center. After doing some online research, I found this place. Nothing but glowing reviews, so I wanted to try it out. Little did I know until walking in, I had already been here!! It was many moons ago when I was in college, but I remember coming here after my sister's TKD classes, which were right down the street! And it was as good as I remembered! Great service, great food, wonderful atmosphere, what else can you ask for?? So we ordered the nachos to start (olives on the side), and it was then that I realized that the chips were REALLY good. I am not a *huge* chip fan--they're more like a vehicle to get the other ingredients into my mouth. But THESE chips were a game changer. So delicious. I can't wait to go back for more chips as strange as that sounds! My friend ordered the buffalo chicken dip as her meal, my other friend got some sort of fish and chips, and I ordered the chicken pita. That was the only disappointment to my meal. The chicken on it wasn't very good--extremely dry. I was able to dip it into the cucumber sauce, and that helped, but it wasn't great overall. But the fries were amazing--extra crispy, and my friend's buffalo dip was amazing!! Very creamy dip with a hint of spice that wasn't overpowering. Very, very good! The waitress was really on top of everything. We never went without anything we needed, and everything came out quickly. I am so glad I was re-introduced to this place! I know I will be going again soon!
(5)
Emma H.
The Frisco Burger is amazing! Great place to hang out on the weekends, or to grab a drink after work.
(4)
Nicole A.
My and my other half decided to eat out in Sycamore since we hadn't really experienced anything other than DeKalb because we both went to NIU. PJ's was my first pick. It was delicious. I had an italian beef with mozzarella and boy was it delicious. That atmosphere is nice. There are mostly townies there but that's ok. Nothing creepy. The waiter was really nice. The prices arent so nice but it was worth the food I took home for the following day. I would definitely take friends and family there. Experience Around: Aug 23, 2012
(4)
Ed S.
Nice grill and bar in downtown Sycamore which is a step up from your usual kind of place. Interior decor was comfortable and inviting. I liked its old-time feel. Plenty of TVs available for watching sporting events, and outdoor seating is available for when the weather is nice. I used to go here quite a bit with coworkers when I worked in Sycamore -- it was a nice afterwork gathering place. Food was pretty good, as was the service.
(4)
Luke S.
This place is surprisingly good. We came here with my fiances family (they live out this way), so we could watch some college football while we ate. The bartender had to ask a group of NIU fans if it was OK to flip on TV onto the Big Ten Network, but once they obliged we were ready to roll. The menu is huge here and the food is fairly priced. I got a salad and it wasn't anything outstanding, but it was good. The ingredients were simplistic, but they worked. This would be a great place to come and have a few beers with friends if I lived out here. I also noticed that the wings looked great. The table next to us ordered a massive order of their hot wings and I will for sure be trying these the next time I visit.
(4)
Derek W.
PJ's is a fantastic restaurant with a courthouse theme since it's across the street from the DeKalb County courthouse. I would always bring my parent's here since they have good American/pub food with a classic atmosphere. Decent prices and fantastic onion rings!
(5)
Royce E.
If I were reviewing just on the ambiance, decor, and service here, it would be five stars. But....there's the little matter of the food. I had the Bourbon Street Chicken Sandwich, and it was just not good. The chicken was very, very dry and it was on toasted french bread that you could have knocked someone unconscious with. It came with home made fries that were very limp. The server was awesome, the music was great, I loved reading about the history of the building on the back of the menu, and the other patrons seemed to be enjoying their experience. I would go back to PJ's, but definitely not order the same thing. I'm thinking I just ordered the wrong thing. The menu is pretty big and I guess not all of it can be great.
(3)
Melissa V.
Extremely good bar food. My husband and I both love their Frisco burger and their onion strings appetizer. Sinfully delicious. We both also happen to love PBR which you can get a draft of for $2.25 any day. Yet could use some more drink specials but all in all this is one of our go to spots for good food in a fun atmosphere.
(4)
Brent M.
We waited 15 min for a server as the owners sit at the bar getting drunk. So we went to Hinks around the corner. Hinks has a very good burger and friendly service. I don't know why anyone would wait for Pj's.
(1)
Relp M.
Nice outdoor seating. Great beer and burgers. Fried ravioli was ok--a little spicy.
(4)
Joe H.
After reading the other reviews, I thought I'd give Pj's a try. I had to hunt to find a parking place because this place was packed on Friday at Dinner Hour. This can be a good sign that people must like the food. It is also a chance to really test the service. You can see that this place is managed well because the staff are very good at their job. I managed to find a seat at the end of the Bar, sometimes a Bartender will not even look down at the end of a Bar. But the young Lady that was tending Bar came right down to see me instantly. They Have PBR on Tap for $2.25 a pint. Not a terrible price but I like to see draft prices at $1 or $1.50. I realize they have a business to run and have to cover the overhead. I guess I am still used to .50 cent and .75 cent drafts from back in the day. I ordered the Wisconsin Capital Burger. It said on the Menu it was a Half Pound. I have had many half pound burgers and this one seemed a little on the light side. I confirmed with the Bartender that it was the half pound burger. For $8 it is just OK. It was cooked properly but as I said could have used a little more weight on it. It also lacked a WOW factor as far as flavor goes, but it wasn't bad. They are very generous with the fries that are cut with the skin on them. It is nice to see that they come with the burger at no extra cost. The Bartender was all over the Bar and was on top of things. Even when she was at her busiest she still managed to come down and get me another beer. She didn't seem to have anyone else that was a designated 2nd Bartender, but the rest of the staff pitched in and took care of everyone. It is a mix of mostly Middle aged folks with an occasional family for dinner. The Band was setting up just before I was leaving, I wish I could have stuck around to see them. I really wanted to give this place 5 stars. Based on the service they do deserve it. The reason I did not was the food and pricing. I realize that running a Bar / Restaurant now a days is hard with Food and Beverage prices on the rise. I would have liked to see the Draft Beer prices a little cheaper. If they had a Pint special for a $1.50 it would have been great. I can overlook the prices though because of the service, it is First Class. A lot of places do not realize how far good service goes. I would recommend Pj's very highly just because of this.
(4)
Deb G.
Stopped by coming home from a vacation in Lake Geneva and was pleasantly surprised. Food was fresh and tasty; my husband and I shared the "smaller" order of onion straws. It was huge. He had a burger; which was ok. I had a chicken breast Mexican salad, it was good. Decent sizes of food and tasty enough. I'd recommend it.
(3)
Elizabeth R.
Ok, I am on the fence about Pj's. I want to love it, but there is just something lacking. The first time I ate there I had the grilled cheese sandwich. Simple. Delicious. It came with fries which were not great at all. They are limp, tasteless and nothing to write home about. There are so many of them but it really is just a waste of money. My second visit: the chef salad. It was huge and had a good variety of toppings. However, the toppings were not chopped. There was still large, long pieces of turkey and ham. The bowl was so full I could not eat it without lettuce spilling out. It want not an easy eating experience. I have been back a few more times, because it is a local place with decent food and good service. The ambiance is cozy and friendly. I like their patio and would definitely go back for a beer. They are not winning me over with regards to their food, but they are definitely friendly. If you are looking for a fun place to grab a beer with good service, head to Pj's. It is a wonderful break from the usual college bars you get in the DeKalb/Sycamore area.
(3)
Matthew F.
Excellent food, surprisingly big inside given the location. Very reasonable prices for food and drinks, and family friendly atmosphere. Music not too loud or soft given the status as a bar. Have had several meals here, the burgers are great, buffalo and grilled chicken is amazing, and the fries are worth the trip for by themselves. Definitely a place worth checking out if you're looking for good food
(4)
Evan K.
This place is popular locally. We definitely enjoy going to have a drink on the patio during nice weather, but the reason this gets two stars is: 1. The beer menu is somewhat limited (they seem to think having a Dogfishhead on tap at all times gives them some cred) AND 2. Of the half dozen times we've eaten there, the food has never been good. Never awful, but always leaves you wondering, "Who the hell would order this twice?" Even their burgers left a lot to be desired.
(2)
Janet O.
The pretzel bits with cheese were classic mall fare. Nothing special, but who can argue with fake cheese? I hate how much I liked it. Stay away from the Italian beef sandwich... The bun was dry, meat was bland, and somehow there was a huge oil slick under my basket (I'm guessing from the beef?) after I was done. I'm not sure what was dripping, but it was very unappetizing.
(2)
Dave Y.
Sycamore bar and grill with a history trip to boot. This used to be one of Sycamores four courthouses and you can feel the history when you step through the door. Burgers here can't be beat but among my favorites is the Bourbon Chicken. Prices are right inline with what you would expect and the wait staff is very friendly. Sunday mornings they have a Bloody Mary Bar and, while we have only partaken a couple times, it seems more than adequately stalked and worth the visit if that is your thing. This is a semi regular stop for us.
(4)
Gina M.
I love this place! Great food and drinks. During the colder months they have a Bloody Mary bar with all the fixings on Sundays. The wings, burgers, Reuben's, Frisco chicken sandwich and pretzel nuggets with "house" dressing are all amazing!
(5)
Zach Z.
An interesting selection of beers. The atmosphere could be very cool since it is an old courthouse, but they were playing weird music while games were on. Music that didnt seem to match the clientele present. Food was decent, prices were good. A nice place to hit up at lunch or something like that. I would not choose to spend my night there however.
(3)
Cress H.
A perfect combo of sports bar and family restaurant. PJ's definitely gets loud when the Bears are playing but there is also the more-well lit area of the restaurant for families trying to escape the TVs. Burger was overdone, especially compared to the 'medium rare' that I requested, but hunger was the best sauce. I'll go back if craving a burger but will probably have to emphasize the desired cooking.
(3)
Glenn W.
Great Pub food in a fantastic atmosphere!!!! Can't say much more than this...try it if you get to Sycamore, IL....
(5)
Pete A.
Nice place in beautiful downtown Sycamore to enjoy a cold beer, friendly staff every time I have came.
(4)
Heather M.
I really like PJs a lot. They are a simple local bar, but they do what they do well. They have a HUGE selection of sandwiches, which includes classics like French Dip and Chicago-style hot dogs (the latter of which is done well--and I'm really picky about my hot dogs). They also have a delicious portabello mushroom sandwich with marinara and mozzarella--yum! I'm also a huge fan of their hand-cut fries, which are always crispy and hot. The building is neat, too. It's got that local bar feel, with some interesting historic background for added bonus. Did you know that it was once the Sycamore library, the headquarters of a Sycamore minor league baseball team, and a bar for hunters that sold alcohol, firearms, and ammunition all in the same place? Staff is always friendly and efficient. Overall, nice staff, good food, great bar. Anyway, I'll stop writing so that you can stop reading and start eating!
(4)
Derek G.
How have I not written a review for PJ's yet? I grew up here when it was Boones. I've been a loyal customer since I was probably 8 years old, only then my drink was ginger ale without the booze. I am not sure where else you can get a Moscow Mule, but you MUST get one here. Ginger Beer, Vodka and amazingness. They are reason enough to go. If Shawn is there make sure he's the one making it. He's easily in a 3 way tie with Opat and Paulie as the best bartenders in Dekalb County. They should totally have some kind of mix-off. I'd totally drink the products of that contest.
(5)
Bri L.
I begin this review by stating that we did not purchase alcoholic beverages, which seem to be the highlight of this place. My husband and I came here the other night hoping for some good food since all the reviews are positive. We both ordered burgers, which are described as "fresh 1/2 pound burgers" on the menu. They were gross, frozen patties without any seasoning. I was so disappointed. It would be one thing if they weren't advertised as fresh, but c'mon, don't mis-represent yourself to customers. Next time we come back (we live around the corner, I'm sure we'll have to come back and try again and give them the benefit of the doubt) we will NOT be getting burgers. Don't waste your time with them. One delicious item was the onion rings, which we got for free with a high school sports booster card. Delicious :)
(2)
Christina K.
Well, our first impression was pretty crappy. We waited 20 minutes to even be greeted and the place was full but not crowded. Our waitress was nice once she got there. We got an order of onion straws for an apatizer... ew. There was very little onion involved, just a whole lot of breading and grease. My husband ordered a Ahi Tuna dish and the fish was seasoned well but over cooked. I got a burger which was average. With so many nice places to go in the area, I think we'll be skipping this one from now on.
(2)
Randi A.
The Moscow Mules are possibly the best drink I've ever had. They are so good you have to give up your id to drink one, ,ainly because they come in cool cooper cups. The service is great and the bartender that goes by the name of Shawn is top notch. I also hear they have great food but have yet to try it.
(4)
Chris R.
My wife and I must be the only ones in town that could care less about this place. Like most of the established places to eat in Sycamore the food is bland, the beef overcooked, and the veggies canned. We find this place to be overpriced, smelly like a basement, and frankly just not worth it. If all you want to do is drink, then go for it. If you want to drink and eat crappy food, go for it. If you want to enjoy drinking and eating, go somewhere else. Oh yeah this Moscow Mule people are ranting about is served in a copper coffee cup, so you taste cheap vodka, watery ginger ale, and metal... how is this a popular drink?!?
(1)
Eileen M.
I cannot describe the BLAST of a time we had on Wednesday night! Stopped in with my best friend for a pint and sat at the end of the crowded bar. Within minutes we found ourselves surrounded by friendly locals who contributed to the fun atmosphere. It reminded me much of the pubs in Ireland where you visit with townspeople and think how much fun you're having because everyone knew each other and was there to enjoy each others company. A co-owner, John, was one of the most friendly people I've ever met. He was entertaining and seemed as though he enjoyed his job. Everyone who exited the pub said goodbye to him and thanked him. A real "Cheers" feel about the place! My sister is planning on dropping by PJ's tonight based on our experience. We will make a point of returning sooner vs later!
(5)
Steve A.
Stopped with my son on our way down I-88, flowing the Yelp recommendations, and were not dissappointed. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, great burger and sandwich, and would definitely return.
(4)
Kimberly H.
Oh no! Poor Collen picked the best day/worst day to check out PJ's. For me it is the best day! Our family and friends all come together at PJ's and it feels like a reunion...a reunion with REALLY great music. The kids in the bar were our god children, who we asked special permission to come and see the band play for one special set. They left as soon as the music set was over. The bartenders kept a drink in my hand all night, I never got the impression that they were stressed, but maybe they consider me a regular! Yay! I love this bar. I love everything on the menu. I love the bartenders. I love the owners and their hospitality. I love the big drunk guys that probably shoved you to get up front because the band was playing Muffin Man. I love that my baby and our God Children were allowed to see an amazing band play. I even love the tie-dye shirt guy...if we are talking about the same person.
(5)
Kimberly N.
I live in Chicago and crave PJ's daily. This is the only place I've ever seen a Frisco Melt other than Stake N Shake... and this one is even more sinful. My sister and her husband always get an assortment of fried appetizers, such as fried raviloi, and I always get the onion loaf string things. You could feed ten people with that onion whateveritscalled. But we take the leftovers, crisp them up in the toaster over, and put them on everything. I love bar food, and this place does it right. If you live within 20 mins, it is worth the trip, and if you are the area with friends, it definitely makes for a great spot. Good for groups, good for music, good for gettin' drunk or curing hangovers.
(5)
Josh H.
This is a generous rating, really. I like PJ's. I think i like that it's here, more than i necessarily like going there. Food is good, though every time i've been it exemplifies greasy bar food. Which is totally fine. It's a nice bar, it has a restaurant, and it is one of the very few places in the county with a nice outdoor eating area. This is a nice neighborhood joint with a decent bar, decent bar food, and a nice atmosphere. I go mostly for fish and chips, which sets itself apart in that you can order more than one generic fried fish. There's walleye, cod, and catfish (extremely different, i know). I prefer the wall-eye because it comes out the least greasy. Hand-cut fries are also a really nice touch. To sum up: nice neighborhood place, good bar food, not a trendy or healthy option.
(4)
E N.
Good eats with some comfortable pub seating.
(4)
Colleen F.
I went to P.J's for the first time with a friend to see a band. Initially I was really excited because I had heard good things about the bar and had never gone even though I am an N.I.U Alumni. I was surprised that there wasn't a bouncer at the door and no one was checking I.D's. What shocked me was there were 2 families at 10:30 at night with their KIDS who were under the age of 10 hanging out and drinking. The clientele was really rude and would slam into you and push you aside to get through the crowds. It was really upsetting! One man repeatedly knocked into me because he was falling down drunk and spilled my drink all over me. When I pointed it out, he and his girlfriend laughed and said, "Whatever! Deal with it b*tch!" The bartenders seemed very stressed and overworked and not a single server approached us the entire night. It was difficult to get a drink and we felt as if the regulars were treated a lot better. My jaw hit the floor watching a man in his 20's donning a tie-died t-shirt who pressed his way through the crowd passing what appeared to be drugs to several bar goers. We laughed as a very intoxicated man stumbled up on stage and interrupted the band's performance. If they had a bouncer or a doorman this wouldn't have happened. The bar is beautiful and the side rooms looked like they would be a lot of fun to meet up with groups of friends for drinks or special events. Drinks, although difficult to obtain, are reasonably priced. Personally I'd never go there again due to the lousy service and the rude people that congregate there.
(1)
Dave T.
I have stopped twice with friends. Good menu, friendly servers and cold beer. Bookmark it.
(4)
Andrew F.
Great place to go to eat. Good food, great selection of beers. Love PJs, and they have a Bloody Mary Bar on Sundays
(4)
Scott K.
I've seen PJ's from my times at Nat's across the street and kept saying I need to get them a try. Well yesterday wife and I after being disappointed in finding Taxco was closed on Mondays and though burger and chicken sandwiches were not what my taste buds were craving, we it was time to give PJ's a try and we both came away pleased. My wife Michelle had the Bourbon chicken and I had the grilled chicken with Cajun sauce and both of us were very pleased. The waitress was about as done to earth and friendly as one can expect. The menu was very appealing in the variety of sandwich options so much so it is a sure will be back at PJ's
(4)
Curt B.
Excellent fried clams and atmosphere.
(5)
Erik J.
How have I not reviewed this place? I was in DeKalb recently and since it was around graduation, I didn't want to be in DeKalb. So, we went to Sycamore, and I found this place thanks to Yelp (thanks y'all). I love this place. Really, I could get the same drinks anywhere, but the atmosphere of it is just astounding. This is what a bar should be to me. It's a huge entrance area that is primarily focused on being a bar with a separate dining area. Old school oak finishes - reminds me of my grand dad's bar in his basement. Service is great - I sat at the bar to begin with, and the bartender was just saucy with me. I love it - keeps me on my toes. She was pretty on top of things too. The only negative is that the drinks are a little pricey for the area. But, if you kind of just want to hang out and go a little easy on the drinks, you'll have a good time and not bust the bank.
(4)
Joseph B.
As a lifelong resident it is quite clear the management of PJ's has become complacent. Every time we go there we leave saying "why did we come here?" The food is mediocre at best, terrible at worst. The beer selection is mundane. The service is slow and unenthused. I mean give me a break. You have a corner tavern with this decor in the year 2011 and you can even offer a single micro brew? You order a Goose Island and it is so stale and terrible tasting because they are so used to slinging Miller lite. I mention how underwhelming the whole thing is to the waitress and she says she hears it all the time. I just hope the new management of the Hotel can transform that bar/restaurant into something reasonably decent so the choice is not between this place and a down market sports or biker bar. Or just stay in on Monday and go to the Taxco bar where at least you feel an attempt is being made to deliver something other than off white boring.
(2)
Sara D.
Fun place take out of town guest!
(3)
Chad G.
Good bar food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. If you want home cut french fries, this is your kind of place. When you enter, you seat yourself. They have no host. Their tap selection is great, and they have an excellent bloody mary bar on Sundays. This place is alive on game days, and very chill on other days. The flavors are very consistent. Best bar within many miles. The regular menu is good, and the specials are even better. On occasion they offer a Cuban pressed sandwich, and that is killer! Very yummy. Some things are a little greasy, like their famous onion ring order that can feed a small army, but they are a bar, after all. They do offer many grilled options. I visit PJ's about 8-10 times year.
(4)
Jen T.
I like PJ's. I meet a friend here about once a week to have a glass of wine. Staff is friendly, wine is good :o) Try the reisling!
(4)
Justin H.
I have been going to PJs now for over 5 years, and cannot recall a bad experience here. Between the food, drinks, atmosphere and service... all are top notch. Waitresses remember your face and are always personable.
(5)
Tom H.
This is one of my favorite places in the DeKalb/Sycamore area. Overall this place is really good. The service is usually solid, sometimes when they're busy you can get a bit ignored. However, it's nothing that's too terrible or annoying to deal with. The beer specials and selections are adequate. You can either sit in the main bar area or more of dining area that's mostly separate by a wall. What's nice about this place is it's an older building and has character to it. Charming really. The food here is very good. During lent they have a great fish fry, they usually have walleye, the superior fish for a fry. See what I did there? Anyways, I think the best items they have are the Frisco Burger, super solid burger. And the pretzel bites. Now the pretzel bites are merely just cut up pieces of a normal pretzel but here's the secret. Order the house dressing on the side for dunking those pieces in. You can thank me later. I'd say this place is... A must try.
(4)
Luke S.
This place is surprisingly good. We came here with my fiances family (they live out this way), so we could watch some college football while we ate. The bartender had to ask a group of NIU fans if it was OK to flip on TV onto the Big Ten Network, but once they obliged we were ready to roll. The menu is huge here and the food is fairly priced. I got a salad and it wasn't anything outstanding, but it was good. The ingredients were simplistic, but they worked. This would be a great place to come and have a few beers with friends if I lived out here. I also noticed that the wings looked great. The table next to us ordered a massive order of their hot wings and I will for sure be trying these the next time I visit.
(4)
Melissa V.
Extremely good bar food. My husband and I both love their Frisco burger and their onion strings appetizer. Sinfully delicious. We both also happen to love PBR which you can get a draft of for $2.25 any day. Yet could use some more drink specials but all in all this is one of our go to spots for good food in a fun atmosphere.
(4)
Relp M.
Nice outdoor seating. Great beer and burgers. Fried ravioli was ok--a little spicy.
(4)
Brent M.
We waited 15 min for a server as the owners sit at the bar getting drunk. So we went to Hinks around the corner. Hinks has a very good burger and friendly service. I don't know why anyone would wait for Pj's.
(1)
Derek W.
PJ's is a fantastic restaurant with a courthouse theme since it's across the street from the DeKalb County courthouse. I would always bring my parent's here since they have good American/pub food with a classic atmosphere. Decent prices and fantastic onion rings!
(5)
Royce E.
If I were reviewing just on the ambiance, decor, and service here, it would be five stars. But....there's the little matter of the food. I had the Bourbon Street Chicken Sandwich, and it was just not good. The chicken was very, very dry and it was on toasted french bread that you could have knocked someone unconscious with. It came with home made fries that were very limp. The server was awesome, the music was great, I loved reading about the history of the building on the back of the menu, and the other patrons seemed to be enjoying their experience. I would go back to PJ's, but definitely not order the same thing. I'm thinking I just ordered the wrong thing. The menu is pretty big and I guess not all of it can be great.
(3)
Joe H.
After reading the other reviews, I thought I'd give Pj's a try. I had to hunt to find a parking place because this place was packed on Friday at Dinner Hour. This can be a good sign that people must like the food. It is also a chance to really test the service. You can see that this place is managed well because the staff are very good at their job. I managed to find a seat at the end of the Bar, sometimes a Bartender will not even look down at the end of a Bar. But the young Lady that was tending Bar came right down to see me instantly. They Have PBR on Tap for $2.25 a pint. Not a terrible price but I like to see draft prices at $1 or $1.50. I realize they have a business to run and have to cover the overhead. I guess I am still used to .50 cent and .75 cent drafts from back in the day. I ordered the Wisconsin Capital Burger. It said on the Menu it was a Half Pound. I have had many half pound burgers and this one seemed a little on the light side. I confirmed with the Bartender that it was the half pound burger. For $8 it is just OK. It was cooked properly but as I said could have used a little more weight on it. It also lacked a WOW factor as far as flavor goes, but it wasn't bad. They are very generous with the fries that are cut with the skin on them. It is nice to see that they come with the burger at no extra cost. The Bartender was all over the Bar and was on top of things. Even when she was at her busiest she still managed to come down and get me another beer. She didn't seem to have anyone else that was a designated 2nd Bartender, but the rest of the staff pitched in and took care of everyone. It is a mix of mostly Middle aged folks with an occasional family for dinner. The Band was setting up just before I was leaving, I wish I could have stuck around to see them. I really wanted to give this place 5 stars. Based on the service they do deserve it. The reason I did not was the food and pricing. I realize that running a Bar / Restaurant now a days is hard with Food and Beverage prices on the rise. I would have liked to see the Draft Beer prices a little cheaper. If they had a Pint special for a $1.50 it would have been great. I can overlook the prices though because of the service, it is First Class. A lot of places do not realize how far good service goes. I would recommend Pj's very highly just because of this.
(4)
Deb G.
Stopped by coming home from a vacation in Lake Geneva and was pleasantly surprised. Food was fresh and tasty; my husband and I shared the "smaller" order of onion straws. It was huge. He had a burger; which was ok. I had a chicken breast Mexican salad, it was good. Decent sizes of food and tasty enough. I'd recommend it.
(3)
Glenn W.
Great Pub food in a fantastic atmosphere!!!! Can't say much more than this...try it if you get to Sycamore, IL....
(5)
Pete A.
Nice place in beautiful downtown Sycamore to enjoy a cold beer, friendly staff every time I have came.
(4)
Christina K.
Well, our first impression was pretty crappy. We waited 20 minutes to even be greeted and the place was full but not crowded. Our waitress was nice once she got there. We got an order of onion straws for an apatizer... ew. There was very little onion involved, just a whole lot of breading and grease. My husband ordered a Ahi Tuna dish and the fish was seasoned well but over cooked. I got a burger which was average. With so many nice places to go in the area, I think we'll be skipping this one from now on.
(2)
Randi A.
The Moscow Mules are possibly the best drink I've ever had. They are so good you have to give up your id to drink one, ,ainly because they come in cool cooper cups. The service is great and the bartender that goes by the name of Shawn is top notch. I also hear they have great food but have yet to try it.
(4)
Chris R.
My wife and I must be the only ones in town that could care less about this place. Like most of the established places to eat in Sycamore the food is bland, the beef overcooked, and the veggies canned. We find this place to be overpriced, smelly like a basement, and frankly just not worth it. If all you want to do is drink, then go for it. If you want to drink and eat crappy food, go for it. If you want to enjoy drinking and eating, go somewhere else. Oh yeah this Moscow Mule people are ranting about is served in a copper coffee cup, so you taste cheap vodka, watery ginger ale, and metal... how is this a popular drink?!?
(1)
Eileen M.
I cannot describe the BLAST of a time we had on Wednesday night! Stopped in with my best friend for a pint and sat at the end of the crowded bar. Within minutes we found ourselves surrounded by friendly locals who contributed to the fun atmosphere. It reminded me much of the pubs in Ireland where you visit with townspeople and think how much fun you're having because everyone knew each other and was there to enjoy each others company. A co-owner, John, was one of the most friendly people I've ever met. He was entertaining and seemed as though he enjoyed his job. Everyone who exited the pub said goodbye to him and thanked him. A real "Cheers" feel about the place! My sister is planning on dropping by PJ's tonight based on our experience. We will make a point of returning sooner vs later!
(5)
Steve A.
Stopped with my son on our way down I-88, flowing the Yelp recommendations, and were not dissappointed. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, great burger and sandwich, and would definitely return.
(4)
Kimberly H.
Oh no! Poor Collen picked the best day/worst day to check out PJ's. For me it is the best day! Our family and friends all come together at PJ's and it feels like a reunion...a reunion with REALLY great music. The kids in the bar were our god children, who we asked special permission to come and see the band play for one special set. They left as soon as the music set was over. The bartenders kept a drink in my hand all night, I never got the impression that they were stressed, but maybe they consider me a regular! Yay! I love this bar. I love everything on the menu. I love the bartenders. I love the owners and their hospitality. I love the big drunk guys that probably shoved you to get up front because the band was playing Muffin Man. I love that my baby and our God Children were allowed to see an amazing band play. I even love the tie-dye shirt guy...if we are talking about the same person.
(5)
Kimberly N.
I live in Chicago and crave PJ's daily. This is the only place I've ever seen a Frisco Melt other than Stake N Shake... and this one is even more sinful. My sister and her husband always get an assortment of fried appetizers, such as fried raviloi, and I always get the onion loaf string things. You could feed ten people with that onion whateveritscalled. But we take the leftovers, crisp them up in the toaster over, and put them on everything. I love bar food, and this place does it right. If you live within 20 mins, it is worth the trip, and if you are the area with friends, it definitely makes for a great spot. Good for groups, good for music, good for gettin' drunk or curing hangovers.
(5)
Josh H.
This is a generous rating, really. I like PJ's. I think i like that it's here, more than i necessarily like going there. Food is good, though every time i've been it exemplifies greasy bar food. Which is totally fine. It's a nice bar, it has a restaurant, and it is one of the very few places in the county with a nice outdoor eating area. This is a nice neighborhood joint with a decent bar, decent bar food, and a nice atmosphere. I go mostly for fish and chips, which sets itself apart in that you can order more than one generic fried fish. There's walleye, cod, and catfish (extremely different, i know). I prefer the wall-eye because it comes out the least greasy. Hand-cut fries are also a really nice touch. To sum up: nice neighborhood place, good bar food, not a trendy or healthy option.
(4)
E N.
Good eats with some comfortable pub seating.
(4)
Colleen F.
I went to P.J's for the first time with a friend to see a band. Initially I was really excited because I had heard good things about the bar and had never gone even though I am an N.I.U Alumni. I was surprised that there wasn't a bouncer at the door and no one was checking I.D's. What shocked me was there were 2 families at 10:30 at night with their KIDS who were under the age of 10 hanging out and drinking. The clientele was really rude and would slam into you and push you aside to get through the crowds. It was really upsetting! One man repeatedly knocked into me because he was falling down drunk and spilled my drink all over me. When I pointed it out, he and his girlfriend laughed and said, "Whatever! Deal with it b*tch!" The bartenders seemed very stressed and overworked and not a single server approached us the entire night. It was difficult to get a drink and we felt as if the regulars were treated a lot better. My jaw hit the floor watching a man in his 20's donning a tie-died t-shirt who pressed his way through the crowd passing what appeared to be drugs to several bar goers. We laughed as a very intoxicated man stumbled up on stage and interrupted the band's performance. If they had a bouncer or a doorman this wouldn't have happened. The bar is beautiful and the side rooms looked like they would be a lot of fun to meet up with groups of friends for drinks or special events. Drinks, although difficult to obtain, are reasonably priced. Personally I'd never go there again due to the lousy service and the rude people that congregate there.
(1)
Dave T.
I have stopped twice with friends. Good menu, friendly servers and cold beer. Bookmark it.
(4)
Andrew F.
Great place to go to eat. Good food, great selection of beers. Love PJs, and they have a Bloody Mary Bar on Sundays
(4)
Scott K.
I've seen PJ's from my times at Nat's across the street and kept saying I need to get them a try. Well yesterday wife and I after being disappointed in finding Taxco was closed on Mondays and though burger and chicken sandwiches were not what my taste buds were craving, we it was time to give PJ's a try and we both came away pleased. My wife Michelle had the Bourbon chicken and I had the grilled chicken with Cajun sauce and both of us were very pleased. The waitress was about as done to earth and friendly as one can expect. The menu was very appealing in the variety of sandwich options so much so it is a sure will be back at PJ's
(4)
Curt B.
Excellent fried clams and atmosphere.
(5)
Erik J.
How have I not reviewed this place? I was in DeKalb recently and since it was around graduation, I didn't want to be in DeKalb. So, we went to Sycamore, and I found this place thanks to Yelp (thanks y'all). I love this place. Really, I could get the same drinks anywhere, but the atmosphere of it is just astounding. This is what a bar should be to me. It's a huge entrance area that is primarily focused on being a bar with a separate dining area. Old school oak finishes - reminds me of my grand dad's bar in his basement. Service is great - I sat at the bar to begin with, and the bartender was just saucy with me. I love it - keeps me on my toes. She was pretty on top of things too. The only negative is that the drinks are a little pricey for the area. But, if you kind of just want to hang out and go a little easy on the drinks, you'll have a good time and not bust the bank.
(4)
Joseph B.
As a lifelong resident it is quite clear the management of PJ's has become complacent. Every time we go there we leave saying "why did we come here?" The food is mediocre at best, terrible at worst. The beer selection is mundane. The service is slow and unenthused. I mean give me a break. You have a corner tavern with this decor in the year 2011 and you can even offer a single micro brew? You order a Goose Island and it is so stale and terrible tasting because they are so used to slinging Miller lite. I mention how underwhelming the whole thing is to the waitress and she says she hears it all the time. I just hope the new management of the Hotel can transform that bar/restaurant into something reasonably decent so the choice is not between this place and a down market sports or biker bar. Or just stay in on Monday and go to the Taxco bar where at least you feel an attempt is being made to deliver something other than off white boring.
(2)
Sara D.
Fun place take out of town guest!
(3)
Chad G.
Good bar food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. If you want home cut french fries, this is your kind of place. When you enter, you seat yourself. They have no host. Their tap selection is great, and they have an excellent bloody mary bar on Sundays. This place is alive on game days, and very chill on other days. The flavors are very consistent. Best bar within many miles. The regular menu is good, and the specials are even better. On occasion they offer a Cuban pressed sandwich, and that is killer! Very yummy. Some things are a little greasy, like their famous onion ring order that can feed a small army, but they are a bar, after all. They do offer many grilled options. I visit PJ's about 8-10 times year.
(4)
Jen T.
I like PJ's. I meet a friend here about once a week to have a glass of wine. Staff is friendly, wine is good :o) Try the reisling!
(4)
Justin H.
I have been going to PJs now for over 5 years, and cannot recall a bad experience here. Between the food, drinks, atmosphere and service... all are top notch. Waitresses remember your face and are always personable.
(5)
Ed S.
Nice grill and bar in downtown Sycamore which is a step up from your usual kind of place. Interior decor was comfortable and inviting. I liked its old-time feel. Plenty of TVs available for watching sporting events, and outdoor seating is available for when the weather is nice. I used to go here quite a bit with coworkers when I worked in Sycamore -- it was a nice afterwork gathering place. Food was pretty good, as was the service.
(4)
Evan K.
This place is popular locally. We definitely enjoy going to have a drink on the patio during nice weather, but the reason this gets two stars is: 1. The beer menu is somewhat limited (they seem to think having a Dogfishhead on tap at all times gives them some cred) AND 2. Of the half dozen times we've eaten there, the food has never been good. Never awful, but always leaves you wondering, "Who the hell would order this twice?" Even their burgers left a lot to be desired.
(2)
Janet O.
The pretzel bits with cheese were classic mall fare. Nothing special, but who can argue with fake cheese? I hate how much I liked it. Stay away from the Italian beef sandwich... The bun was dry, meat was bland, and somehow there was a huge oil slick under my basket (I'm guessing from the beef?) after I was done. I'm not sure what was dripping, but it was very unappetizing.
(2)
Gina M.
I love this place! Great food and drinks. During the colder months they have a Bloody Mary bar with all the fixings on Sundays. The wings, burgers, Reuben's, Frisco chicken sandwich and pretzel nuggets with "house" dressing are all amazing!
(5)
Dave Y.
Sycamore bar and grill with a history trip to boot. This used to be one of Sycamores four courthouses and you can feel the history when you step through the door. Burgers here can't be beat but among my favorites is the Bourbon Chicken. Prices are right inline with what you would expect and the wait staff is very friendly. Sunday mornings they have a Bloody Mary Bar and, while we have only partaken a couple times, it seems more than adequately stalked and worth the visit if that is your thing. This is a semi regular stop for us.
(4)
Andy M.
Well of all the bars in Sycamore this seems the best for eating and drinking. There were families in this night I went so it is more of what I term family friendly drinking establishments I guess on certain nights. It has a cool sports theme look with many Chicago sports pictures and so forth. A back dining area where you can still see and hear the bar area. Great service and environment.
(5)
Drea D.
I've been coming to PJ's for over ten years and I've never been disappointed. The atmosphere is pleasant and reminiscent of Sycamore's history--look for the original tin ceiling and wood work. Whether you're dressed to the nines or wearing a sweatshirt, you feel welcome. The popularity of this establishment includes people of all ages, and while PJ's is a tavern, families often dine here. The staff is also prompt and polite, but the food is even better. The menu includes a variety of bar favorites at affordable prices with homemade soups--you should also try the pretzel nuggets with the house sauce! My husband and I eat here often and there is now a wide variety of craft beers that change with the seasons. Great drinks and food--will not disappoint!
(5)
Ann R.
Ordered the new hummus platter and was delighted! For only 6.59 all 3 of us ate a light lunch. We ordered the garlic hummus and it tasted homemade. They offered celery, carrots, and cucumbers with it, and they were fresh and delicious. They also offered pita bread and chips with the hummus and these 2 were absolutely fabulous! I'm glad they are adding new appetizers etc... to their seasonal menu.
(4)
Gwen L.
My husband and I enjoy coming here for a beer and some great wings. Their burgers are delicious as well. And if I had to chose a favorite, it would. E the jailhouse blues burger. But only barely above the fresco burger. So sit, talk, and enjoy the old courthouse.
(5)
Steve K.
I would love to give it a review for the food or the atmosphere but being that they have no wheelchair access to get in or even on the outside patio I can't even give it a positive review if I wanted to.
(1)
Aliceya J.
Not bad for a calm night with drinks. I had the Wisconsin burger (loaded with cheese), appetizer of their specialty onion rings (yum!), and tried the Caribbean(eh) and the strawberry(great) martinis. Outside seating was a plus!! I chose this place based off of reviews and was not disappointed!! Wait staff was efficient. Good came out quickly. Highly recommend!
(4)
Elena M.
Got the bourbon chicken plain with fries instead of the sandwich. Super tasty and the char grilled flavor was great. Here from out of town and this was local.and had some.good reviews. Most of the dishes sounded great but I eat light when traveling. This hit the spot. Very busy for a Monday. Friendly bartenders. They acommodated my special request without blinking an eye. Probably will eat here all week.
(5)
Terrie M.
This is always our refueling stop when we ride the great western bike trail. Its a short street ride from the trail. Service is always friendly and top notch. Menu offers good variety. Portions generous. Prices very reasonable. Always something new to try so we dont have a favorite menu item because we try something new everytime and have never been disappointed , always have a enjoyable experience.
(4)
Cailin C.
Fabulous choice of what's on tap. Bloody Mary bar for the Sunday wenches. Amazing food and cool people. My hearts won.
(5)
Stephanie R.
Dig the historic building and light fixtures. The place has a bit of a "Cheers" kind of vibe. My mom ordered the Judge's Deli, and the sandwich options kept coming. It was almost comical. Which meat? Which cheese? Lettuce/tomato onion? Which bread? Dark rye or light rye? Toasted or not? Which side? Having yellowfin tuna was a nice option for me. I ordered it blackened as a sandwich. It was good, nice grill marks, but not very spicy. I paired this with the soup of the day, the loaded baked potato. Probably not homemade, but adequate. Our server was attentive and did a great job. If I lived in town, I could see myself hanging out in the bar once or twice a week or bringing friends in to enjoy the patio.
(3)
Joe B.
One of our fav places. I'd say we go here about once a month. Enjoy the decor and food is very good. Great selection of libations too.
(4)
Allison C.
I went to this place after my divorce was finalized since it is pretty much directly across the street. Good planning on their part for prime location! Anyway, so after court clearly a beer or two was needed. I also got the potato wedge appetizers and spinach dip. THE BEST SPINACH DIP I HAVE EVER HAD! No lie, it was sooooo good, try it and challenge me if you think I'm kidding. Very large and spacious, lots of seating, friendly staff and clean. I wish we would have gotten to order more but we had other dinner plans later. I will be coming back for sure. Great place!
(5)
Eric T.
Came here for just a beer or two. Great selection of hoppy beers. It was a great time. Me so hoppy!
(5)
Casey H.
Very good atmosphere very kid friendly just a great place to go sit down and eat. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We will go back and I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Alisha M.
I want to give this place a 3.5 but not a 3. Service was decent, food was good nothing too special about it but I did really like my sweet potato fries you can tell they are hand cut. It's just crazy that they charge you an extra 2$ for sweet potato fries. We also got the wings which were good, I liked the sauce especially!
(4)
Nicole M.
The food here is good. It is typical bar food in terms of the choices (burgers, wings etc), but the quality it is higher then a typical bar. My husband especially loves the wings here. It tends to be pretty loud and crowded in the evenings, but lunchtime is a little more relaxed. It is a nice location in downtown Sycamore, right across from the court house. Very quaint.
(3)
Dallas T.
Decent place in Sycamore to grab a bite to eat and wash it down with some beer.... I was in Sycamore for an arts & crafts fair, noticed Pj's across the street, and having neither seen nor heard of the place, walked right in hungry & thirsty. The establishment has a very nice interior with a moderately sized bar and ample tables. Pj's offers their own version of your "above standard" tavern fare of burgers, chicken, sandwiches, hand chopped fries, onion rings, and so on. Along with their food, they have a pretty good selection of various beer & ale... I had their grilled cheese with fries served by a friendly and attentive waitress. The fries were terrific, my understanding is they hand cut them every day, still had the potato skin on some. The grilled cheese was definitely satisfying (I had a craving for grilled cheese). The place was pretty busy, almost filled to capacity on a Saturday afternoon... and looking around I noticed other customers ordering burgers, they looked good (I would've had one but I wasn't in the mood for meat). Definitely worth eating here if you find yourself hungry & thirsty in the Sycamore area...
(3)
Jude W.
I took my parents to PJs recently on a Friday night and after circling the block a few times we made our way inside to find seemingly the entire town of Sycamore. We had catfish, cod, and walleye respectively w/fries. All were excellent, the atmosphere was loud but fun, very friendly wait staff. This is one "courthouse" I'll happily return to
(4)
Damon C.
Good food. Fair prices. Nice atmosphere. Stopped by with my wife and our friends for lunch. Got sand which and chili. Good flavor. Nice portions. Waitress was very friendly. Food was served in cute little baskets to our table. We enjoyed everything, no one did not like their food. Would give them a try if you are passing through and looking for a burger or sand which and warm bowl of soup.
(5)
Denis E.
Awsome, sorry about the last review I was Hacked
(5)
Chuck T.
We were in Sycamore looking for a good burger and some chili, wow, this place was perfect. The burger was simple but delicious. Nice char without a lot of gimmicky toppings. The building and bar have a wonderful old historic feel. I'll be back, just wish I lived closer!
(5)
Eddie S.
Stopped in for a beer with my wife. I noticed as we walked in they had live music playing in their outdoor patio area. They serve above average bar food here. Burgers and wings are delicious. I tried their extra spicy wing sauce... be careful! It is up there with the blazin' sauce from BWW. The place is a lot bigger than it seems from the outside. See you soon
(4)
Lisa R.
Grabbed an early dinner here with my husband and three kids after the Spring NIU football game. We sat in the bar at a high top (wish we could have turned the corner and seen the other half of the place!). Service was friendly and prompt. Beers were cold. Kid menus offered. Even sitting in the bar we felt comfortable as a family. I ordered a burger with mushrooms and grilled onions. It was a good burger. Cooked as I ordered and everything seemed fresh. I thought the fried were a little soggy, but my husband and boys loved them. Husband enjoyed his Cuban sandwich, the Frisco chicken that my oldest son ordered was yummy! My daughters grilled cheese tastes good too. All in all, great place to enjoy a bite and a beer!
(4)
Aaron P.
Very nice pub and grille....great atmosphere and drink selection...did not get to eat during this visit, so can't say if food was good or not. But it was very clean including restrooms and the staff was friendly.
(4)
Robert P.
Great drinks and selection of beer. Top notch Bloody Mary bar on weekends. Great hot wings to offset the cold beer. I love the Rubin also.
(4)
J K.
Just ok. Typical bar food. Onion rings are more onion straws. Hard to eat. A bit pricey for just bar food. Frisco was probably the best item and happened to be the best.
(3)
Chris M.
Decent beers and food. Nice outdoor patio with live music on Thursday. Very friendly staff.
(4)
Emma H.
The Frisco Burger is amazing! Great place to hang out on the weekends, or to grab a drink after work.
(4)
Michelle F.
YUM YUM YUM!!! My friends and I were looking for somewhere delicious to go before our concert at the NIU Convocation Center. After doing some online research, I found this place. Nothing but glowing reviews, so I wanted to try it out. Little did I know until walking in, I had already been here!! It was many moons ago when I was in college, but I remember coming here after my sister's TKD classes, which were right down the street! And it was as good as I remembered! Great service, great food, wonderful atmosphere, what else can you ask for?? So we ordered the nachos to start (olives on the side), and it was then that I realized that the chips were REALLY good. I am not a *huge* chip fan--they're more like a vehicle to get the other ingredients into my mouth. But THESE chips were a game changer. So delicious. I can't wait to go back for more chips as strange as that sounds! My friend ordered the buffalo chicken dip as her meal, my other friend got some sort of fish and chips, and I ordered the chicken pita. That was the only disappointment to my meal. The chicken on it wasn't very good--extremely dry. I was able to dip it into the cucumber sauce, and that helped, but it wasn't great overall. But the fries were amazing--extra crispy, and my friend's buffalo dip was amazing!! Very creamy dip with a hint of spice that wasn't overpowering. Very, very good! The waitress was really on top of everything. We never went without anything we needed, and everything came out quickly. I am so glad I was re-introduced to this place! I know I will be going again soon!
(5)
Nicole A.
My and my other half decided to eat out in Sycamore since we hadn't really experienced anything other than DeKalb because we both went to NIU. PJ's was my first pick. It was delicious. I had an italian beef with mozzarella and boy was it delicious. That atmosphere is nice. There are mostly townies there but that's ok. Nothing creepy. The waiter was really nice. The prices arent so nice but it was worth the food I took home for the following day. I would definitely take friends and family there. Experience Around: Aug 23, 2012
(4)
Jim D.
I was visiting the Midwest from Seattle on a training mission. The staff at the bar/restaurant across the street from my hotel recommended that I come to PJ's Courthouse. PJs Courthouse is located in the picturesque downtown area of Sycamore Illinois. Upon entering, it looked like any local hometown sports bar and grill, but I later found out that it was much, much different than that. The bar/restaurant was busy and as I looked for a seat I saw a gentleman standing at the end of the bar waving me towards him. When I walk to the end of the bar,... John, introduced himself to me and told me that they could make a space for me to sit at the end of the bar,.. as, he stated..." they were just standing around talking" John not only made a space for me to sit down, but I later found out that he was the owner of the establishment. I spent the rest of the evening speaking to John, his wife Susan, and his friends about life and times in Midwest America. I had some preconceived notions before I got to this part of the country but John and his hospitality has totally blown that out of the water. The owner John, was a gem. The staff was friendly and impeccable, and the clientele was warm and inviting. I would recommend PJs Courthouse to any of my friends or readers of this critique, and have invited the owners and staff of PJs Courthouse to stay with me anytime they would like in the Pacific Northwest. Come here and enjoy the food, enjoy the beverage, and especially enjoy the companionship. I highly recommend PJs Courthouse!!!!
(5)
Elizabeth R.
Ok, I am on the fence about Pj's. I want to love it, but there is just something lacking. The first time I ate there I had the grilled cheese sandwich. Simple. Delicious. It came with fries which were not great at all. They are limp, tasteless and nothing to write home about. There are so many of them but it really is just a waste of money. My second visit: the chef salad. It was huge and had a good variety of toppings. However, the toppings were not chopped. There was still large, long pieces of turkey and ham. The bowl was so full I could not eat it without lettuce spilling out. It want not an easy eating experience. I have been back a few more times, because it is a local place with decent food and good service. The ambiance is cozy and friendly. I like their patio and would definitely go back for a beer. They are not winning me over with regards to their food, but they are definitely friendly. If you are looking for a fun place to grab a beer with good service, head to Pj's. It is a wonderful break from the usual college bars you get in the DeKalb/Sycamore area.
(3)
Matthew F.
Excellent food, surprisingly big inside given the location. Very reasonable prices for food and drinks, and family friendly atmosphere. Music not too loud or soft given the status as a bar. Have had several meals here, the burgers are great, buffalo and grilled chicken is amazing, and the fries are worth the trip for by themselves. Definitely a place worth checking out if you're looking for good food
(4)
Zach Z.
An interesting selection of beers. The atmosphere could be very cool since it is an old courthouse, but they were playing weird music while games were on. Music that didnt seem to match the clientele present. Food was decent, prices were good. A nice place to hit up at lunch or something like that. I would not choose to spend my night there however.
(3)
Cress H.
A perfect combo of sports bar and family restaurant. PJ's definitely gets loud when the Bears are playing but there is also the more-well lit area of the restaurant for families trying to escape the TVs. Burger was overdone, especially compared to the 'medium rare' that I requested, but hunger was the best sauce. I'll go back if craving a burger but will probably have to emphasize the desired cooking.
(3)
Heather M.
I really like PJs a lot. They are a simple local bar, but they do what they do well. They have a HUGE selection of sandwiches, which includes classics like French Dip and Chicago-style hot dogs (the latter of which is done well--and I'm really picky about my hot dogs). They also have a delicious portabello mushroom sandwich with marinara and mozzarella--yum! I'm also a huge fan of their hand-cut fries, which are always crispy and hot. The building is neat, too. It's got that local bar feel, with some interesting historic background for added bonus. Did you know that it was once the Sycamore library, the headquarters of a Sycamore minor league baseball team, and a bar for hunters that sold alcohol, firearms, and ammunition all in the same place? Staff is always friendly and efficient. Overall, nice staff, good food, great bar. Anyway, I'll stop writing so that you can stop reading and start eating!
(4)
Derek G.
How have I not written a review for PJ's yet? I grew up here when it was Boones. I've been a loyal customer since I was probably 8 years old, only then my drink was ginger ale without the booze. I am not sure where else you can get a Moscow Mule, but you MUST get one here. Ginger Beer, Vodka and amazingness. They are reason enough to go. If Shawn is there make sure he's the one making it. He's easily in a 3 way tie with Opat and Paulie as the best bartenders in Dekalb County. They should totally have some kind of mix-off. I'd totally drink the products of that contest.
(5)
Bri L.
I begin this review by stating that we did not purchase alcoholic beverages, which seem to be the highlight of this place. My husband and I came here the other night hoping for some good food since all the reviews are positive. We both ordered burgers, which are described as "fresh 1/2 pound burgers" on the menu. They were gross, frozen patties without any seasoning. I was so disappointed. It would be one thing if they weren't advertised as fresh, but c'mon, don't mis-represent yourself to customers. Next time we come back (we live around the corner, I'm sure we'll have to come back and try again and give them the benefit of the doubt) we will NOT be getting burgers. Don't waste your time with them. One delicious item was the onion rings, which we got for free with a high school sports booster card. Delicious :)
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Eddie S.
Stopped in for a beer with my wife. I noticed as we walked in they had live music playing in their outdoor patio area. They serve above average bar food here. Burgers and wings are delicious. I tried their extra spicy wing sauce... be careful! It is up there with the blazin' sauce from BWW. The place is a lot bigger than it seems from the outside. See you soon
(4)Lisa R.
Grabbed an early dinner here with my husband and three kids after the Spring NIU football game. We sat in the bar at a high top (wish we could have turned the corner and seen the other half of the place!). Service was friendly and prompt. Beers were cold. Kid menus offered. Even sitting in the bar we felt comfortable as a family. I ordered a burger with mushrooms and grilled onions. It was a good burger. Cooked as I ordered and everything seemed fresh. I thought the fried were a little soggy, but my husband and boys loved them. Husband enjoyed his Cuban sandwich, the Frisco chicken that my oldest son ordered was yummy! My daughters grilled cheese tastes good too. All in all, great place to enjoy a bite and a beer!
(4)Aaron P.
Very nice pub and grille....great atmosphere and drink selection...did not get to eat during this visit, so can't say if food was good or not. But it was very clean including restrooms and the staff was friendly.
(4)Ann R.
Ordered the new hummus platter and was delighted! For only 6.59 all 3 of us ate a light lunch. We ordered the garlic hummus and it tasted homemade. They offered celery, carrots, and cucumbers with it, and they were fresh and delicious. They also offered pita bread and chips with the hummus and these 2 were absolutely fabulous! I'm glad they are adding new appetizers etc... to their seasonal menu.
(4)Gwen L.
My husband and I enjoy coming here for a beer and some great wings. Their burgers are delicious as well. And if I had to chose a favorite, it would. E the jailhouse blues burger. But only barely above the fresco burger. So sit, talk, and enjoy the old courthouse.
(5)Steve K.
I would love to give it a review for the food or the atmosphere but being that they have no wheelchair access to get in or even on the outside patio I can't even give it a positive review if I wanted to.
(1)Aliceya J.
Not bad for a calm night with drinks. I had the Wisconsin burger (loaded with cheese), appetizer of their specialty onion rings (yum!), and tried the Caribbean(eh) and the strawberry(great) martinis. Outside seating was a plus!! I chose this place based off of reviews and was not disappointed!! Wait staff was efficient. Good came out quickly. Highly recommend!
(4)Elena M.
Got the bourbon chicken plain with fries instead of the sandwich. Super tasty and the char grilled flavor was great. Here from out of town and this was local.and had some.good reviews. Most of the dishes sounded great but I eat light when traveling. This hit the spot. Very busy for a Monday. Friendly bartenders. They acommodated my special request without blinking an eye. Probably will eat here all week.
(5)Cailin C.
Fabulous choice of what's on tap. Bloody Mary bar for the Sunday wenches. Amazing food and cool people. My hearts won.
(5)Tom H.
This is one of my favorite places in the DeKalb/Sycamore area. Overall this place is really good. The service is usually solid, sometimes when they're busy you can get a bit ignored. However, it's nothing that's too terrible or annoying to deal with. The beer specials and selections are adequate. You can either sit in the main bar area or more of dining area that's mostly separate by a wall. What's nice about this place is it's an older building and has character to it. Charming really. The food here is very good. During lent they have a great fish fry, they usually have walleye, the superior fish for a fry. See what I did there? Anyways, I think the best items they have are the Frisco Burger, super solid burger. And the pretzel bites. Now the pretzel bites are merely just cut up pieces of a normal pretzel but here's the secret. Order the house dressing on the side for dunking those pieces in. You can thank me later. I'd say this place is... A must try.
(4)Terrie M.
This is always our refueling stop when we ride the great western bike trail. Its a short street ride from the trail. Service is always friendly and top notch. Menu offers good variety. Portions generous. Prices very reasonable. Always something new to try so we dont have a favorite menu item because we try something new everytime and have never been disappointed , always have a enjoyable experience.
(4)Stephanie R.
Dig the historic building and light fixtures. The place has a bit of a "Cheers" kind of vibe. My mom ordered the Judge's Deli, and the sandwich options kept coming. It was almost comical. Which meat? Which cheese? Lettuce/tomato onion? Which bread? Dark rye or light rye? Toasted or not? Which side? Having yellowfin tuna was a nice option for me. I ordered it blackened as a sandwich. It was good, nice grill marks, but not very spicy. I paired this with the soup of the day, the loaded baked potato. Probably not homemade, but adequate. Our server was attentive and did a great job. If I lived in town, I could see myself hanging out in the bar once or twice a week or bringing friends in to enjoy the patio.
(3)Joe B.
One of our fav places. I'd say we go here about once a month. Enjoy the decor and food is very good. Great selection of libations too.
(4)Eric T.
Came here for just a beer or two. Great selection of hoppy beers. It was a great time. Me so hoppy!
(5)Allison C.
I went to this place after my divorce was finalized since it is pretty much directly across the street. Good planning on their part for prime location! Anyway, so after court clearly a beer or two was needed. I also got the potato wedge appetizers and spinach dip. THE BEST SPINACH DIP I HAVE EVER HAD! No lie, it was sooooo good, try it and challenge me if you think I'm kidding. Very large and spacious, lots of seating, friendly staff and clean. I wish we would have gotten to order more but we had other dinner plans later. I will be coming back for sure. Great place!
(5)Casey H.
Very good atmosphere very kid friendly just a great place to go sit down and eat. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We will go back and I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)Alisha M.
I want to give this place a 3.5 but not a 3. Service was decent, food was good nothing too special about it but I did really like my sweet potato fries you can tell they are hand cut. It's just crazy that they charge you an extra 2$ for sweet potato fries. We also got the wings which were good, I liked the sauce especially!
(4)Nicole M.
The food here is good. It is typical bar food in terms of the choices (burgers, wings etc), but the quality it is higher then a typical bar. My husband especially loves the wings here. It tends to be pretty loud and crowded in the evenings, but lunchtime is a little more relaxed. It is a nice location in downtown Sycamore, right across from the court house. Very quaint.
(3)Dallas T.
Decent place in Sycamore to grab a bite to eat and wash it down with some beer.... I was in Sycamore for an arts & crafts fair, noticed Pj's across the street, and having neither seen nor heard of the place, walked right in hungry & thirsty. The establishment has a very nice interior with a moderately sized bar and ample tables. Pj's offers their own version of your "above standard" tavern fare of burgers, chicken, sandwiches, hand chopped fries, onion rings, and so on. Along with their food, they have a pretty good selection of various beer & ale... I had their grilled cheese with fries served by a friendly and attentive waitress. The fries were terrific, my understanding is they hand cut them every day, still had the potato skin on some. The grilled cheese was definitely satisfying (I had a craving for grilled cheese). The place was pretty busy, almost filled to capacity on a Saturday afternoon... and looking around I noticed other customers ordering burgers, they looked good (I would've had one but I wasn't in the mood for meat). Definitely worth eating here if you find yourself hungry & thirsty in the Sycamore area...
(3)Jude W.
I took my parents to PJs recently on a Friday night and after circling the block a few times we made our way inside to find seemingly the entire town of Sycamore. We had catfish, cod, and walleye respectively w/fries. All were excellent, the atmosphere was loud but fun, very friendly wait staff. This is one "courthouse" I'll happily return to
(4)Damon C.
Good food. Fair prices. Nice atmosphere. Stopped by with my wife and our friends for lunch. Got sand which and chili. Good flavor. Nice portions. Waitress was very friendly. Food was served in cute little baskets to our table. We enjoyed everything, no one did not like their food. Would give them a try if you are passing through and looking for a burger or sand which and warm bowl of soup.
(5)Denis E.
Awsome, sorry about the last review I was Hacked
(5)Chuck T.
We were in Sycamore looking for a good burger and some chili, wow, this place was perfect. The burger was simple but delicious. Nice char without a lot of gimmicky toppings. The building and bar have a wonderful old historic feel. I'll be back, just wish I lived closer!
(5)Jim D.
I was visiting the Midwest from Seattle on a training mission. The staff at the bar/restaurant across the street from my hotel recommended that I come to PJ's Courthouse. PJs Courthouse is located in the picturesque downtown area of Sycamore Illinois. Upon entering, it looked like any local hometown sports bar and grill, but I later found out that it was much, much different than that. The bar/restaurant was busy and as I looked for a seat I saw a gentleman standing at the end of the bar waving me towards him. When I walk to the end of the bar,... John, introduced himself to me and told me that they could make a space for me to sit at the end of the bar,.. as, he stated..." they were just standing around talking" John not only made a space for me to sit down, but I later found out that he was the owner of the establishment. I spent the rest of the evening speaking to John, his wife Susan, and his friends about life and times in Midwest America. I had some preconceived notions before I got to this part of the country but John and his hospitality has totally blown that out of the water. The owner John, was a gem. The staff was friendly and impeccable, and the clientele was warm and inviting. I would recommend PJs Courthouse to any of my friends or readers of this critique, and have invited the owners and staff of PJs Courthouse to stay with me anytime they would like in the Pacific Northwest. Come here and enjoy the food, enjoy the beverage, and especially enjoy the companionship. I highly recommend PJs Courthouse!!!!
(5)Andy M.
Well of all the bars in Sycamore this seems the best for eating and drinking. There were families in this night I went so it is more of what I term family friendly drinking establishments I guess on certain nights. It has a cool sports theme look with many Chicago sports pictures and so forth. A back dining area where you can still see and hear the bar area. Great service and environment.
(5)Robert P.
Great drinks and selection of beer. Top notch Bloody Mary bar on weekends. Great hot wings to offset the cold beer. I love the Rubin also.
(4)Drea D.
I've been coming to PJ's for over ten years and I've never been disappointed. The atmosphere is pleasant and reminiscent of Sycamore's history--look for the original tin ceiling and wood work. Whether you're dressed to the nines or wearing a sweatshirt, you feel welcome. The popularity of this establishment includes people of all ages, and while PJ's is a tavern, families often dine here. The staff is also prompt and polite, but the food is even better. The menu includes a variety of bar favorites at affordable prices with homemade soups--you should also try the pretzel nuggets with the house sauce! My husband and I eat here often and there is now a wide variety of craft beers that change with the seasons. Great drinks and food--will not disappoint!
(5)J K.
Just ok. Typical bar food. Onion rings are more onion straws. Hard to eat. A bit pricey for just bar food. Frisco was probably the best item and happened to be the best.
(3)Chris M.
Decent beers and food. Nice outdoor patio with live music on Thursday. Very friendly staff.
(4)Michelle F.
YUM YUM YUM!!! My friends and I were looking for somewhere delicious to go before our concert at the NIU Convocation Center. After doing some online research, I found this place. Nothing but glowing reviews, so I wanted to try it out. Little did I know until walking in, I had already been here!! It was many moons ago when I was in college, but I remember coming here after my sister's TKD classes, which were right down the street! And it was as good as I remembered! Great service, great food, wonderful atmosphere, what else can you ask for?? So we ordered the nachos to start (olives on the side), and it was then that I realized that the chips were REALLY good. I am not a *huge* chip fan--they're more like a vehicle to get the other ingredients into my mouth. But THESE chips were a game changer. So delicious. I can't wait to go back for more chips as strange as that sounds! My friend ordered the buffalo chicken dip as her meal, my other friend got some sort of fish and chips, and I ordered the chicken pita. That was the only disappointment to my meal. The chicken on it wasn't very good--extremely dry. I was able to dip it into the cucumber sauce, and that helped, but it wasn't great overall. But the fries were amazing--extra crispy, and my friend's buffalo dip was amazing!! Very creamy dip with a hint of spice that wasn't overpowering. Very, very good! The waitress was really on top of everything. We never went without anything we needed, and everything came out quickly. I am so glad I was re-introduced to this place! I know I will be going again soon!
(5)Emma H.
The Frisco Burger is amazing! Great place to hang out on the weekends, or to grab a drink after work.
(4)Nicole A.
My and my other half decided to eat out in Sycamore since we hadn't really experienced anything other than DeKalb because we both went to NIU. PJ's was my first pick. It was delicious. I had an italian beef with mozzarella and boy was it delicious. That atmosphere is nice. There are mostly townies there but that's ok. Nothing creepy. The waiter was really nice. The prices arent so nice but it was worth the food I took home for the following day. I would definitely take friends and family there. Experience Around: Aug 23, 2012
(4)Ed S.
Nice grill and bar in downtown Sycamore which is a step up from your usual kind of place. Interior decor was comfortable and inviting. I liked its old-time feel. Plenty of TVs available for watching sporting events, and outdoor seating is available for when the weather is nice. I used to go here quite a bit with coworkers when I worked in Sycamore -- it was a nice afterwork gathering place. Food was pretty good, as was the service.
(4)Luke S.
This place is surprisingly good. We came here with my fiances family (they live out this way), so we could watch some college football while we ate. The bartender had to ask a group of NIU fans if it was OK to flip on TV onto the Big Ten Network, but once they obliged we were ready to roll. The menu is huge here and the food is fairly priced. I got a salad and it wasn't anything outstanding, but it was good. The ingredients were simplistic, but they worked. This would be a great place to come and have a few beers with friends if I lived out here. I also noticed that the wings looked great. The table next to us ordered a massive order of their hot wings and I will for sure be trying these the next time I visit.
(4)Derek W.
PJ's is a fantastic restaurant with a courthouse theme since it's across the street from the DeKalb County courthouse. I would always bring my parent's here since they have good American/pub food with a classic atmosphere. Decent prices and fantastic onion rings!
(5)Royce E.
If I were reviewing just on the ambiance, decor, and service here, it would be five stars. But....there's the little matter of the food. I had the Bourbon Street Chicken Sandwich, and it was just not good. The chicken was very, very dry and it was on toasted french bread that you could have knocked someone unconscious with. It came with home made fries that were very limp. The server was awesome, the music was great, I loved reading about the history of the building on the back of the menu, and the other patrons seemed to be enjoying their experience. I would go back to PJ's, but definitely not order the same thing. I'm thinking I just ordered the wrong thing. The menu is pretty big and I guess not all of it can be great.
(3)Melissa V.
Extremely good bar food. My husband and I both love their Frisco burger and their onion strings appetizer. Sinfully delicious. We both also happen to love PBR which you can get a draft of for $2.25 any day. Yet could use some more drink specials but all in all this is one of our go to spots for good food in a fun atmosphere.
(4)Brent M.
We waited 15 min for a server as the owners sit at the bar getting drunk. So we went to Hinks around the corner. Hinks has a very good burger and friendly service. I don't know why anyone would wait for Pj's.
(1)Relp M.
Nice outdoor seating. Great beer and burgers. Fried ravioli was ok--a little spicy.
(4)Joe H.
After reading the other reviews, I thought I'd give Pj's a try. I had to hunt to find a parking place because this place was packed on Friday at Dinner Hour. This can be a good sign that people must like the food. It is also a chance to really test the service. You can see that this place is managed well because the staff are very good at their job. I managed to find a seat at the end of the Bar, sometimes a Bartender will not even look down at the end of a Bar. But the young Lady that was tending Bar came right down to see me instantly. They Have PBR on Tap for $2.25 a pint. Not a terrible price but I like to see draft prices at $1 or $1.50. I realize they have a business to run and have to cover the overhead. I guess I am still used to .50 cent and .75 cent drafts from back in the day. I ordered the Wisconsin Capital Burger. It said on the Menu it was a Half Pound. I have had many half pound burgers and this one seemed a little on the light side. I confirmed with the Bartender that it was the half pound burger. For $8 it is just OK. It was cooked properly but as I said could have used a little more weight on it. It also lacked a WOW factor as far as flavor goes, but it wasn't bad. They are very generous with the fries that are cut with the skin on them. It is nice to see that they come with the burger at no extra cost. The Bartender was all over the Bar and was on top of things. Even when she was at her busiest she still managed to come down and get me another beer. She didn't seem to have anyone else that was a designated 2nd Bartender, but the rest of the staff pitched in and took care of everyone. It is a mix of mostly Middle aged folks with an occasional family for dinner. The Band was setting up just before I was leaving, I wish I could have stuck around to see them. I really wanted to give this place 5 stars. Based on the service they do deserve it. The reason I did not was the food and pricing. I realize that running a Bar / Restaurant now a days is hard with Food and Beverage prices on the rise. I would have liked to see the Draft Beer prices a little cheaper. If they had a Pint special for a $1.50 it would have been great. I can overlook the prices though because of the service, it is First Class. A lot of places do not realize how far good service goes. I would recommend Pj's very highly just because of this.
(4)Deb G.
Stopped by coming home from a vacation in Lake Geneva and was pleasantly surprised. Food was fresh and tasty; my husband and I shared the "smaller" order of onion straws. It was huge. He had a burger; which was ok. I had a chicken breast Mexican salad, it was good. Decent sizes of food and tasty enough. I'd recommend it.
(3)Elizabeth R.
Ok, I am on the fence about Pj's. I want to love it, but there is just something lacking. The first time I ate there I had the grilled cheese sandwich. Simple. Delicious. It came with fries which were not great at all. They are limp, tasteless and nothing to write home about. There are so many of them but it really is just a waste of money. My second visit: the chef salad. It was huge and had a good variety of toppings. However, the toppings were not chopped. There was still large, long pieces of turkey and ham. The bowl was so full I could not eat it without lettuce spilling out. It want not an easy eating experience. I have been back a few more times, because it is a local place with decent food and good service. The ambiance is cozy and friendly. I like their patio and would definitely go back for a beer. They are not winning me over with regards to their food, but they are definitely friendly. If you are looking for a fun place to grab a beer with good service, head to Pj's. It is a wonderful break from the usual college bars you get in the DeKalb/Sycamore area.
(3)Matthew F.
Excellent food, surprisingly big inside given the location. Very reasonable prices for food and drinks, and family friendly atmosphere. Music not too loud or soft given the status as a bar. Have had several meals here, the burgers are great, buffalo and grilled chicken is amazing, and the fries are worth the trip for by themselves. Definitely a place worth checking out if you're looking for good food
(4)Evan K.
This place is popular locally. We definitely enjoy going to have a drink on the patio during nice weather, but the reason this gets two stars is: 1. The beer menu is somewhat limited (they seem to think having a Dogfishhead on tap at all times gives them some cred) AND 2. Of the half dozen times we've eaten there, the food has never been good. Never awful, but always leaves you wondering, "Who the hell would order this twice?" Even their burgers left a lot to be desired.
(2)Janet O.
The pretzel bits with cheese were classic mall fare. Nothing special, but who can argue with fake cheese? I hate how much I liked it. Stay away from the Italian beef sandwich... The bun was dry, meat was bland, and somehow there was a huge oil slick under my basket (I'm guessing from the beef?) after I was done. I'm not sure what was dripping, but it was very unappetizing.
(2)Dave Y.
Sycamore bar and grill with a history trip to boot. This used to be one of Sycamores four courthouses and you can feel the history when you step through the door. Burgers here can't be beat but among my favorites is the Bourbon Chicken. Prices are right inline with what you would expect and the wait staff is very friendly. Sunday mornings they have a Bloody Mary Bar and, while we have only partaken a couple times, it seems more than adequately stalked and worth the visit if that is your thing. This is a semi regular stop for us.
(4)Gina M.
I love this place! Great food and drinks. During the colder months they have a Bloody Mary bar with all the fixings on Sundays. The wings, burgers, Reuben's, Frisco chicken sandwich and pretzel nuggets with "house" dressing are all amazing!
(5)Zach Z.
An interesting selection of beers. The atmosphere could be very cool since it is an old courthouse, but they were playing weird music while games were on. Music that didnt seem to match the clientele present. Food was decent, prices were good. A nice place to hit up at lunch or something like that. I would not choose to spend my night there however.
(3)Cress H.
A perfect combo of sports bar and family restaurant. PJ's definitely gets loud when the Bears are playing but there is also the more-well lit area of the restaurant for families trying to escape the TVs. Burger was overdone, especially compared to the 'medium rare' that I requested, but hunger was the best sauce. I'll go back if craving a burger but will probably have to emphasize the desired cooking.
(3)Glenn W.
Great Pub food in a fantastic atmosphere!!!! Can't say much more than this...try it if you get to Sycamore, IL....
(5)Pete A.
Nice place in beautiful downtown Sycamore to enjoy a cold beer, friendly staff every time I have came.
(4)Heather M.
I really like PJs a lot. They are a simple local bar, but they do what they do well. They have a HUGE selection of sandwiches, which includes classics like French Dip and Chicago-style hot dogs (the latter of which is done well--and I'm really picky about my hot dogs). They also have a delicious portabello mushroom sandwich with marinara and mozzarella--yum! I'm also a huge fan of their hand-cut fries, which are always crispy and hot. The building is neat, too. It's got that local bar feel, with some interesting historic background for added bonus. Did you know that it was once the Sycamore library, the headquarters of a Sycamore minor league baseball team, and a bar for hunters that sold alcohol, firearms, and ammunition all in the same place? Staff is always friendly and efficient. Overall, nice staff, good food, great bar. Anyway, I'll stop writing so that you can stop reading and start eating!
(4)Derek G.
How have I not written a review for PJ's yet? I grew up here when it was Boones. I've been a loyal customer since I was probably 8 years old, only then my drink was ginger ale without the booze. I am not sure where else you can get a Moscow Mule, but you MUST get one here. Ginger Beer, Vodka and amazingness. They are reason enough to go. If Shawn is there make sure he's the one making it. He's easily in a 3 way tie with Opat and Paulie as the best bartenders in Dekalb County. They should totally have some kind of mix-off. I'd totally drink the products of that contest.
(5)Bri L.
I begin this review by stating that we did not purchase alcoholic beverages, which seem to be the highlight of this place. My husband and I came here the other night hoping for some good food since all the reviews are positive. We both ordered burgers, which are described as "fresh 1/2 pound burgers" on the menu. They were gross, frozen patties without any seasoning. I was so disappointed. It would be one thing if they weren't advertised as fresh, but c'mon, don't mis-represent yourself to customers. Next time we come back (we live around the corner, I'm sure we'll have to come back and try again and give them the benefit of the doubt) we will NOT be getting burgers. Don't waste your time with them. One delicious item was the onion rings, which we got for free with a high school sports booster card. Delicious :)
(2)Christina K.
Well, our first impression was pretty crappy. We waited 20 minutes to even be greeted and the place was full but not crowded. Our waitress was nice once she got there. We got an order of onion straws for an apatizer... ew. There was very little onion involved, just a whole lot of breading and grease. My husband ordered a Ahi Tuna dish and the fish was seasoned well but over cooked. I got a burger which was average. With so many nice places to go in the area, I think we'll be skipping this one from now on.
(2)Randi A.
The Moscow Mules are possibly the best drink I've ever had. They are so good you have to give up your id to drink one, ,ainly because they come in cool cooper cups. The service is great and the bartender that goes by the name of Shawn is top notch. I also hear they have great food but have yet to try it.
(4)Chris R.
My wife and I must be the only ones in town that could care less about this place. Like most of the established places to eat in Sycamore the food is bland, the beef overcooked, and the veggies canned. We find this place to be overpriced, smelly like a basement, and frankly just not worth it. If all you want to do is drink, then go for it. If you want to drink and eat crappy food, go for it. If you want to enjoy drinking and eating, go somewhere else. Oh yeah this Moscow Mule people are ranting about is served in a copper coffee cup, so you taste cheap vodka, watery ginger ale, and metal... how is this a popular drink?!?
(1)Eileen M.
I cannot describe the BLAST of a time we had on Wednesday night! Stopped in with my best friend for a pint and sat at the end of the crowded bar. Within minutes we found ourselves surrounded by friendly locals who contributed to the fun atmosphere. It reminded me much of the pubs in Ireland where you visit with townspeople and think how much fun you're having because everyone knew each other and was there to enjoy each others company. A co-owner, John, was one of the most friendly people I've ever met. He was entertaining and seemed as though he enjoyed his job. Everyone who exited the pub said goodbye to him and thanked him. A real "Cheers" feel about the place! My sister is planning on dropping by PJ's tonight based on our experience. We will make a point of returning sooner vs later!
(5)Steve A.
Stopped with my son on our way down I-88, flowing the Yelp recommendations, and were not dissappointed. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, great burger and sandwich, and would definitely return.
(4)Kimberly H.
Oh no! Poor Collen picked the best day/worst day to check out PJ's. For me it is the best day! Our family and friends all come together at PJ's and it feels like a reunion...a reunion with REALLY great music. The kids in the bar were our god children, who we asked special permission to come and see the band play for one special set. They left as soon as the music set was over. The bartenders kept a drink in my hand all night, I never got the impression that they were stressed, but maybe they consider me a regular! Yay! I love this bar. I love everything on the menu. I love the bartenders. I love the owners and their hospitality. I love the big drunk guys that probably shoved you to get up front because the band was playing Muffin Man. I love that my baby and our God Children were allowed to see an amazing band play. I even love the tie-dye shirt guy...if we are talking about the same person.
(5)Kimberly N.
I live in Chicago and crave PJ's daily. This is the only place I've ever seen a Frisco Melt other than Stake N Shake... and this one is even more sinful. My sister and her husband always get an assortment of fried appetizers, such as fried raviloi, and I always get the onion loaf string things. You could feed ten people with that onion whateveritscalled. But we take the leftovers, crisp them up in the toaster over, and put them on everything. I love bar food, and this place does it right. If you live within 20 mins, it is worth the trip, and if you are the area with friends, it definitely makes for a great spot. Good for groups, good for music, good for gettin' drunk or curing hangovers.
(5)Josh H.
This is a generous rating, really. I like PJ's. I think i like that it's here, more than i necessarily like going there. Food is good, though every time i've been it exemplifies greasy bar food. Which is totally fine. It's a nice bar, it has a restaurant, and it is one of the very few places in the county with a nice outdoor eating area. This is a nice neighborhood joint with a decent bar, decent bar food, and a nice atmosphere. I go mostly for fish and chips, which sets itself apart in that you can order more than one generic fried fish. There's walleye, cod, and catfish (extremely different, i know). I prefer the wall-eye because it comes out the least greasy. Hand-cut fries are also a really nice touch. To sum up: nice neighborhood place, good bar food, not a trendy or healthy option.
(4)E N.
Good eats with some comfortable pub seating.
(4)Colleen F.
I went to P.J's for the first time with a friend to see a band. Initially I was really excited because I had heard good things about the bar and had never gone even though I am an N.I.U Alumni. I was surprised that there wasn't a bouncer at the door and no one was checking I.D's. What shocked me was there were 2 families at 10:30 at night with their KIDS who were under the age of 10 hanging out and drinking. The clientele was really rude and would slam into you and push you aside to get through the crowds. It was really upsetting! One man repeatedly knocked into me because he was falling down drunk and spilled my drink all over me. When I pointed it out, he and his girlfriend laughed and said, "Whatever! Deal with it b*tch!" The bartenders seemed very stressed and overworked and not a single server approached us the entire night. It was difficult to get a drink and we felt as if the regulars were treated a lot better. My jaw hit the floor watching a man in his 20's donning a tie-died t-shirt who pressed his way through the crowd passing what appeared to be drugs to several bar goers. We laughed as a very intoxicated man stumbled up on stage and interrupted the band's performance. If they had a bouncer or a doorman this wouldn't have happened. The bar is beautiful and the side rooms looked like they would be a lot of fun to meet up with groups of friends for drinks or special events. Drinks, although difficult to obtain, are reasonably priced. Personally I'd never go there again due to the lousy service and the rude people that congregate there.
(1)Dave T.
I have stopped twice with friends. Good menu, friendly servers and cold beer. Bookmark it.
(4)Andrew F.
Great place to go to eat. Good food, great selection of beers. Love PJs, and they have a Bloody Mary Bar on Sundays
(4)Scott K.
I've seen PJ's from my times at Nat's across the street and kept saying I need to get them a try. Well yesterday wife and I after being disappointed in finding Taxco was closed on Mondays and though burger and chicken sandwiches were not what my taste buds were craving, we it was time to give PJ's a try and we both came away pleased. My wife Michelle had the Bourbon chicken and I had the grilled chicken with Cajun sauce and both of us were very pleased. The waitress was about as done to earth and friendly as one can expect. The menu was very appealing in the variety of sandwich options so much so it is a sure will be back at PJ's
(4)Curt B.
Excellent fried clams and atmosphere.
(5)Erik J.
How have I not reviewed this place? I was in DeKalb recently and since it was around graduation, I didn't want to be in DeKalb. So, we went to Sycamore, and I found this place thanks to Yelp (thanks y'all). I love this place. Really, I could get the same drinks anywhere, but the atmosphere of it is just astounding. This is what a bar should be to me. It's a huge entrance area that is primarily focused on being a bar with a separate dining area. Old school oak finishes - reminds me of my grand dad's bar in his basement. Service is great - I sat at the bar to begin with, and the bartender was just saucy with me. I love it - keeps me on my toes. She was pretty on top of things too. The only negative is that the drinks are a little pricey for the area. But, if you kind of just want to hang out and go a little easy on the drinks, you'll have a good time and not bust the bank.
(4)Joseph B.
As a lifelong resident it is quite clear the management of PJ's has become complacent. Every time we go there we leave saying "why did we come here?" The food is mediocre at best, terrible at worst. The beer selection is mundane. The service is slow and unenthused. I mean give me a break. You have a corner tavern with this decor in the year 2011 and you can even offer a single micro brew? You order a Goose Island and it is so stale and terrible tasting because they are so used to slinging Miller lite. I mention how underwhelming the whole thing is to the waitress and she says she hears it all the time. I just hope the new management of the Hotel can transform that bar/restaurant into something reasonably decent so the choice is not between this place and a down market sports or biker bar. Or just stay in on Monday and go to the Taxco bar where at least you feel an attempt is being made to deliver something other than off white boring.
(2)Sara D.
Fun place take out of town guest!
(3)Chad G.
Good bar food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. If you want home cut french fries, this is your kind of place. When you enter, you seat yourself. They have no host. Their tap selection is great, and they have an excellent bloody mary bar on Sundays. This place is alive on game days, and very chill on other days. The flavors are very consistent. Best bar within many miles. The regular menu is good, and the specials are even better. On occasion they offer a Cuban pressed sandwich, and that is killer! Very yummy. Some things are a little greasy, like their famous onion ring order that can feed a small army, but they are a bar, after all. They do offer many grilled options. I visit PJ's about 8-10 times year.
(4)Jen T.
I like PJ's. I meet a friend here about once a week to have a glass of wine. Staff is friendly, wine is good :o) Try the reisling!
(4)Justin H.
I have been going to PJs now for over 5 years, and cannot recall a bad experience here. Between the food, drinks, atmosphere and service... all are top notch. Waitresses remember your face and are always personable.
(5)Tom H.
This is one of my favorite places in the DeKalb/Sycamore area. Overall this place is really good. The service is usually solid, sometimes when they're busy you can get a bit ignored. However, it's nothing that's too terrible or annoying to deal with. The beer specials and selections are adequate. You can either sit in the main bar area or more of dining area that's mostly separate by a wall. What's nice about this place is it's an older building and has character to it. Charming really. The food here is very good. During lent they have a great fish fry, they usually have walleye, the superior fish for a fry. See what I did there? Anyways, I think the best items they have are the Frisco Burger, super solid burger. And the pretzel bites. Now the pretzel bites are merely just cut up pieces of a normal pretzel but here's the secret. Order the house dressing on the side for dunking those pieces in. You can thank me later. I'd say this place is... A must try.
(4)Luke S.
This place is surprisingly good. We came here with my fiances family (they live out this way), so we could watch some college football while we ate. The bartender had to ask a group of NIU fans if it was OK to flip on TV onto the Big Ten Network, but once they obliged we were ready to roll. The menu is huge here and the food is fairly priced. I got a salad and it wasn't anything outstanding, but it was good. The ingredients were simplistic, but they worked. This would be a great place to come and have a few beers with friends if I lived out here. I also noticed that the wings looked great. The table next to us ordered a massive order of their hot wings and I will for sure be trying these the next time I visit.
(4)Melissa V.
Extremely good bar food. My husband and I both love their Frisco burger and their onion strings appetizer. Sinfully delicious. We both also happen to love PBR which you can get a draft of for $2.25 any day. Yet could use some more drink specials but all in all this is one of our go to spots for good food in a fun atmosphere.
(4)Relp M.
Nice outdoor seating. Great beer and burgers. Fried ravioli was ok--a little spicy.
(4)Brent M.
We waited 15 min for a server as the owners sit at the bar getting drunk. So we went to Hinks around the corner. Hinks has a very good burger and friendly service. I don't know why anyone would wait for Pj's.
(1)Derek W.
PJ's is a fantastic restaurant with a courthouse theme since it's across the street from the DeKalb County courthouse. I would always bring my parent's here since they have good American/pub food with a classic atmosphere. Decent prices and fantastic onion rings!
(5)Royce E.
If I were reviewing just on the ambiance, decor, and service here, it would be five stars. But....there's the little matter of the food. I had the Bourbon Street Chicken Sandwich, and it was just not good. The chicken was very, very dry and it was on toasted french bread that you could have knocked someone unconscious with. It came with home made fries that were very limp. The server was awesome, the music was great, I loved reading about the history of the building on the back of the menu, and the other patrons seemed to be enjoying their experience. I would go back to PJ's, but definitely not order the same thing. I'm thinking I just ordered the wrong thing. The menu is pretty big and I guess not all of it can be great.
(3)Joe H.
After reading the other reviews, I thought I'd give Pj's a try. I had to hunt to find a parking place because this place was packed on Friday at Dinner Hour. This can be a good sign that people must like the food. It is also a chance to really test the service. You can see that this place is managed well because the staff are very good at their job. I managed to find a seat at the end of the Bar, sometimes a Bartender will not even look down at the end of a Bar. But the young Lady that was tending Bar came right down to see me instantly. They Have PBR on Tap for $2.25 a pint. Not a terrible price but I like to see draft prices at $1 or $1.50. I realize they have a business to run and have to cover the overhead. I guess I am still used to .50 cent and .75 cent drafts from back in the day. I ordered the Wisconsin Capital Burger. It said on the Menu it was a Half Pound. I have had many half pound burgers and this one seemed a little on the light side. I confirmed with the Bartender that it was the half pound burger. For $8 it is just OK. It was cooked properly but as I said could have used a little more weight on it. It also lacked a WOW factor as far as flavor goes, but it wasn't bad. They are very generous with the fries that are cut with the skin on them. It is nice to see that they come with the burger at no extra cost. The Bartender was all over the Bar and was on top of things. Even when she was at her busiest she still managed to come down and get me another beer. She didn't seem to have anyone else that was a designated 2nd Bartender, but the rest of the staff pitched in and took care of everyone. It is a mix of mostly Middle aged folks with an occasional family for dinner. The Band was setting up just before I was leaving, I wish I could have stuck around to see them. I really wanted to give this place 5 stars. Based on the service they do deserve it. The reason I did not was the food and pricing. I realize that running a Bar / Restaurant now a days is hard with Food and Beverage prices on the rise. I would have liked to see the Draft Beer prices a little cheaper. If they had a Pint special for a $1.50 it would have been great. I can overlook the prices though because of the service, it is First Class. A lot of places do not realize how far good service goes. I would recommend Pj's very highly just because of this.
(4)Deb G.
Stopped by coming home from a vacation in Lake Geneva and was pleasantly surprised. Food was fresh and tasty; my husband and I shared the "smaller" order of onion straws. It was huge. He had a burger; which was ok. I had a chicken breast Mexican salad, it was good. Decent sizes of food and tasty enough. I'd recommend it.
(3)Glenn W.
Great Pub food in a fantastic atmosphere!!!! Can't say much more than this...try it if you get to Sycamore, IL....
(5)Pete A.
Nice place in beautiful downtown Sycamore to enjoy a cold beer, friendly staff every time I have came.
(4)Christina K.
Well, our first impression was pretty crappy. We waited 20 minutes to even be greeted and the place was full but not crowded. Our waitress was nice once she got there. We got an order of onion straws for an apatizer... ew. There was very little onion involved, just a whole lot of breading and grease. My husband ordered a Ahi Tuna dish and the fish was seasoned well but over cooked. I got a burger which was average. With so many nice places to go in the area, I think we'll be skipping this one from now on.
(2)Randi A.
The Moscow Mules are possibly the best drink I've ever had. They are so good you have to give up your id to drink one, ,ainly because they come in cool cooper cups. The service is great and the bartender that goes by the name of Shawn is top notch. I also hear they have great food but have yet to try it.
(4)Chris R.
My wife and I must be the only ones in town that could care less about this place. Like most of the established places to eat in Sycamore the food is bland, the beef overcooked, and the veggies canned. We find this place to be overpriced, smelly like a basement, and frankly just not worth it. If all you want to do is drink, then go for it. If you want to drink and eat crappy food, go for it. If you want to enjoy drinking and eating, go somewhere else. Oh yeah this Moscow Mule people are ranting about is served in a copper coffee cup, so you taste cheap vodka, watery ginger ale, and metal... how is this a popular drink?!?
(1)Eileen M.
I cannot describe the BLAST of a time we had on Wednesday night! Stopped in with my best friend for a pint and sat at the end of the crowded bar. Within minutes we found ourselves surrounded by friendly locals who contributed to the fun atmosphere. It reminded me much of the pubs in Ireland where you visit with townspeople and think how much fun you're having because everyone knew each other and was there to enjoy each others company. A co-owner, John, was one of the most friendly people I've ever met. He was entertaining and seemed as though he enjoyed his job. Everyone who exited the pub said goodbye to him and thanked him. A real "Cheers" feel about the place! My sister is planning on dropping by PJ's tonight based on our experience. We will make a point of returning sooner vs later!
(5)Steve A.
Stopped with my son on our way down I-88, flowing the Yelp recommendations, and were not dissappointed. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, great burger and sandwich, and would definitely return.
(4)Kimberly H.
Oh no! Poor Collen picked the best day/worst day to check out PJ's. For me it is the best day! Our family and friends all come together at PJ's and it feels like a reunion...a reunion with REALLY great music. The kids in the bar were our god children, who we asked special permission to come and see the band play for one special set. They left as soon as the music set was over. The bartenders kept a drink in my hand all night, I never got the impression that they were stressed, but maybe they consider me a regular! Yay! I love this bar. I love everything on the menu. I love the bartenders. I love the owners and their hospitality. I love the big drunk guys that probably shoved you to get up front because the band was playing Muffin Man. I love that my baby and our God Children were allowed to see an amazing band play. I even love the tie-dye shirt guy...if we are talking about the same person.
(5)Kimberly N.
I live in Chicago and crave PJ's daily. This is the only place I've ever seen a Frisco Melt other than Stake N Shake... and this one is even more sinful. My sister and her husband always get an assortment of fried appetizers, such as fried raviloi, and I always get the onion loaf string things. You could feed ten people with that onion whateveritscalled. But we take the leftovers, crisp them up in the toaster over, and put them on everything. I love bar food, and this place does it right. If you live within 20 mins, it is worth the trip, and if you are the area with friends, it definitely makes for a great spot. Good for groups, good for music, good for gettin' drunk or curing hangovers.
(5)Josh H.
This is a generous rating, really. I like PJ's. I think i like that it's here, more than i necessarily like going there. Food is good, though every time i've been it exemplifies greasy bar food. Which is totally fine. It's a nice bar, it has a restaurant, and it is one of the very few places in the county with a nice outdoor eating area. This is a nice neighborhood joint with a decent bar, decent bar food, and a nice atmosphere. I go mostly for fish and chips, which sets itself apart in that you can order more than one generic fried fish. There's walleye, cod, and catfish (extremely different, i know). I prefer the wall-eye because it comes out the least greasy. Hand-cut fries are also a really nice touch. To sum up: nice neighborhood place, good bar food, not a trendy or healthy option.
(4)E N.
Good eats with some comfortable pub seating.
(4)Colleen F.
I went to P.J's for the first time with a friend to see a band. Initially I was really excited because I had heard good things about the bar and had never gone even though I am an N.I.U Alumni. I was surprised that there wasn't a bouncer at the door and no one was checking I.D's. What shocked me was there were 2 families at 10:30 at night with their KIDS who were under the age of 10 hanging out and drinking. The clientele was really rude and would slam into you and push you aside to get through the crowds. It was really upsetting! One man repeatedly knocked into me because he was falling down drunk and spilled my drink all over me. When I pointed it out, he and his girlfriend laughed and said, "Whatever! Deal with it b*tch!" The bartenders seemed very stressed and overworked and not a single server approached us the entire night. It was difficult to get a drink and we felt as if the regulars were treated a lot better. My jaw hit the floor watching a man in his 20's donning a tie-died t-shirt who pressed his way through the crowd passing what appeared to be drugs to several bar goers. We laughed as a very intoxicated man stumbled up on stage and interrupted the band's performance. If they had a bouncer or a doorman this wouldn't have happened. The bar is beautiful and the side rooms looked like they would be a lot of fun to meet up with groups of friends for drinks or special events. Drinks, although difficult to obtain, are reasonably priced. Personally I'd never go there again due to the lousy service and the rude people that congregate there.
(1)Dave T.
I have stopped twice with friends. Good menu, friendly servers and cold beer. Bookmark it.
(4)Andrew F.
Great place to go to eat. Good food, great selection of beers. Love PJs, and they have a Bloody Mary Bar on Sundays
(4)Scott K.
I've seen PJ's from my times at Nat's across the street and kept saying I need to get them a try. Well yesterday wife and I after being disappointed in finding Taxco was closed on Mondays and though burger and chicken sandwiches were not what my taste buds were craving, we it was time to give PJ's a try and we both came away pleased. My wife Michelle had the Bourbon chicken and I had the grilled chicken with Cajun sauce and both of us were very pleased. The waitress was about as done to earth and friendly as one can expect. The menu was very appealing in the variety of sandwich options so much so it is a sure will be back at PJ's
(4)Curt B.
Excellent fried clams and atmosphere.
(5)Erik J.
How have I not reviewed this place? I was in DeKalb recently and since it was around graduation, I didn't want to be in DeKalb. So, we went to Sycamore, and I found this place thanks to Yelp (thanks y'all). I love this place. Really, I could get the same drinks anywhere, but the atmosphere of it is just astounding. This is what a bar should be to me. It's a huge entrance area that is primarily focused on being a bar with a separate dining area. Old school oak finishes - reminds me of my grand dad's bar in his basement. Service is great - I sat at the bar to begin with, and the bartender was just saucy with me. I love it - keeps me on my toes. She was pretty on top of things too. The only negative is that the drinks are a little pricey for the area. But, if you kind of just want to hang out and go a little easy on the drinks, you'll have a good time and not bust the bank.
(4)Joseph B.
As a lifelong resident it is quite clear the management of PJ's has become complacent. Every time we go there we leave saying "why did we come here?" The food is mediocre at best, terrible at worst. The beer selection is mundane. The service is slow and unenthused. I mean give me a break. You have a corner tavern with this decor in the year 2011 and you can even offer a single micro brew? You order a Goose Island and it is so stale and terrible tasting because they are so used to slinging Miller lite. I mention how underwhelming the whole thing is to the waitress and she says she hears it all the time. I just hope the new management of the Hotel can transform that bar/restaurant into something reasonably decent so the choice is not between this place and a down market sports or biker bar. Or just stay in on Monday and go to the Taxco bar where at least you feel an attempt is being made to deliver something other than off white boring.
(2)Sara D.
Fun place take out of town guest!
(3)Chad G.
Good bar food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. If you want home cut french fries, this is your kind of place. When you enter, you seat yourself. They have no host. Their tap selection is great, and they have an excellent bloody mary bar on Sundays. This place is alive on game days, and very chill on other days. The flavors are very consistent. Best bar within many miles. The regular menu is good, and the specials are even better. On occasion they offer a Cuban pressed sandwich, and that is killer! Very yummy. Some things are a little greasy, like their famous onion ring order that can feed a small army, but they are a bar, after all. They do offer many grilled options. I visit PJ's about 8-10 times year.
(4)Jen T.
I like PJ's. I meet a friend here about once a week to have a glass of wine. Staff is friendly, wine is good :o) Try the reisling!
(4)Justin H.
I have been going to PJs now for over 5 years, and cannot recall a bad experience here. Between the food, drinks, atmosphere and service... all are top notch. Waitresses remember your face and are always personable.
(5)Ed S.
Nice grill and bar in downtown Sycamore which is a step up from your usual kind of place. Interior decor was comfortable and inviting. I liked its old-time feel. Plenty of TVs available for watching sporting events, and outdoor seating is available for when the weather is nice. I used to go here quite a bit with coworkers when I worked in Sycamore -- it was a nice afterwork gathering place. Food was pretty good, as was the service.
(4)Evan K.
This place is popular locally. We definitely enjoy going to have a drink on the patio during nice weather, but the reason this gets two stars is: 1. The beer menu is somewhat limited (they seem to think having a Dogfishhead on tap at all times gives them some cred) AND 2. Of the half dozen times we've eaten there, the food has never been good. Never awful, but always leaves you wondering, "Who the hell would order this twice?" Even their burgers left a lot to be desired.
(2)Janet O.
The pretzel bits with cheese were classic mall fare. Nothing special, but who can argue with fake cheese? I hate how much I liked it. Stay away from the Italian beef sandwich... The bun was dry, meat was bland, and somehow there was a huge oil slick under my basket (I'm guessing from the beef?) after I was done. I'm not sure what was dripping, but it was very unappetizing.
(2)Gina M.
I love this place! Great food and drinks. During the colder months they have a Bloody Mary bar with all the fixings on Sundays. The wings, burgers, Reuben's, Frisco chicken sandwich and pretzel nuggets with "house" dressing are all amazing!
(5)Dave Y.
Sycamore bar and grill with a history trip to boot. This used to be one of Sycamores four courthouses and you can feel the history when you step through the door. Burgers here can't be beat but among my favorites is the Bourbon Chicken. Prices are right inline with what you would expect and the wait staff is very friendly. Sunday mornings they have a Bloody Mary Bar and, while we have only partaken a couple times, it seems more than adequately stalked and worth the visit if that is your thing. This is a semi regular stop for us.
(4)Andy M.
Well of all the bars in Sycamore this seems the best for eating and drinking. There were families in this night I went so it is more of what I term family friendly drinking establishments I guess on certain nights. It has a cool sports theme look with many Chicago sports pictures and so forth. A back dining area where you can still see and hear the bar area. Great service and environment.
(5)Drea D.
I've been coming to PJ's for over ten years and I've never been disappointed. The atmosphere is pleasant and reminiscent of Sycamore's history--look for the original tin ceiling and wood work. Whether you're dressed to the nines or wearing a sweatshirt, you feel welcome. The popularity of this establishment includes people of all ages, and while PJ's is a tavern, families often dine here. The staff is also prompt and polite, but the food is even better. The menu includes a variety of bar favorites at affordable prices with homemade soups--you should also try the pretzel nuggets with the house sauce! My husband and I eat here often and there is now a wide variety of craft beers that change with the seasons. Great drinks and food--will not disappoint!
(5)Ann R.
Ordered the new hummus platter and was delighted! For only 6.59 all 3 of us ate a light lunch. We ordered the garlic hummus and it tasted homemade. They offered celery, carrots, and cucumbers with it, and they were fresh and delicious. They also offered pita bread and chips with the hummus and these 2 were absolutely fabulous! I'm glad they are adding new appetizers etc... to their seasonal menu.
(4)Gwen L.
My husband and I enjoy coming here for a beer and some great wings. Their burgers are delicious as well. And if I had to chose a favorite, it would. E the jailhouse blues burger. But only barely above the fresco burger. So sit, talk, and enjoy the old courthouse.
(5)Steve K.
I would love to give it a review for the food or the atmosphere but being that they have no wheelchair access to get in or even on the outside patio I can't even give it a positive review if I wanted to.
(1)Aliceya J.
Not bad for a calm night with drinks. I had the Wisconsin burger (loaded with cheese), appetizer of their specialty onion rings (yum!), and tried the Caribbean(eh) and the strawberry(great) martinis. Outside seating was a plus!! I chose this place based off of reviews and was not disappointed!! Wait staff was efficient. Good came out quickly. Highly recommend!
(4)Elena M.
Got the bourbon chicken plain with fries instead of the sandwich. Super tasty and the char grilled flavor was great. Here from out of town and this was local.and had some.good reviews. Most of the dishes sounded great but I eat light when traveling. This hit the spot. Very busy for a Monday. Friendly bartenders. They acommodated my special request without blinking an eye. Probably will eat here all week.
(5)Terrie M.
This is always our refueling stop when we ride the great western bike trail. Its a short street ride from the trail. Service is always friendly and top notch. Menu offers good variety. Portions generous. Prices very reasonable. Always something new to try so we dont have a favorite menu item because we try something new everytime and have never been disappointed , always have a enjoyable experience.
(4)Cailin C.
Fabulous choice of what's on tap. Bloody Mary bar for the Sunday wenches. Amazing food and cool people. My hearts won.
(5)Stephanie R.
Dig the historic building and light fixtures. The place has a bit of a "Cheers" kind of vibe. My mom ordered the Judge's Deli, and the sandwich options kept coming. It was almost comical. Which meat? Which cheese? Lettuce/tomato onion? Which bread? Dark rye or light rye? Toasted or not? Which side? Having yellowfin tuna was a nice option for me. I ordered it blackened as a sandwich. It was good, nice grill marks, but not very spicy. I paired this with the soup of the day, the loaded baked potato. Probably not homemade, but adequate. Our server was attentive and did a great job. If I lived in town, I could see myself hanging out in the bar once or twice a week or bringing friends in to enjoy the patio.
(3)Joe B.
One of our fav places. I'd say we go here about once a month. Enjoy the decor and food is very good. Great selection of libations too.
(4)Allison C.
I went to this place after my divorce was finalized since it is pretty much directly across the street. Good planning on their part for prime location! Anyway, so after court clearly a beer or two was needed. I also got the potato wedge appetizers and spinach dip. THE BEST SPINACH DIP I HAVE EVER HAD! No lie, it was sooooo good, try it and challenge me if you think I'm kidding. Very large and spacious, lots of seating, friendly staff and clean. I wish we would have gotten to order more but we had other dinner plans later. I will be coming back for sure. Great place!
(5)Eric T.
Came here for just a beer or two. Great selection of hoppy beers. It was a great time. Me so hoppy!
(5)Casey H.
Very good atmosphere very kid friendly just a great place to go sit down and eat. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We will go back and I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)Alisha M.
I want to give this place a 3.5 but not a 3. Service was decent, food was good nothing too special about it but I did really like my sweet potato fries you can tell they are hand cut. It's just crazy that they charge you an extra 2$ for sweet potato fries. We also got the wings which were good, I liked the sauce especially!
(4)Nicole M.
The food here is good. It is typical bar food in terms of the choices (burgers, wings etc), but the quality it is higher then a typical bar. My husband especially loves the wings here. It tends to be pretty loud and crowded in the evenings, but lunchtime is a little more relaxed. It is a nice location in downtown Sycamore, right across from the court house. Very quaint.
(3)Dallas T.
Decent place in Sycamore to grab a bite to eat and wash it down with some beer.... I was in Sycamore for an arts & crafts fair, noticed Pj's across the street, and having neither seen nor heard of the place, walked right in hungry & thirsty. The establishment has a very nice interior with a moderately sized bar and ample tables. Pj's offers their own version of your "above standard" tavern fare of burgers, chicken, sandwiches, hand chopped fries, onion rings, and so on. Along with their food, they have a pretty good selection of various beer & ale... I had their grilled cheese with fries served by a friendly and attentive waitress. The fries were terrific, my understanding is they hand cut them every day, still had the potato skin on some. The grilled cheese was definitely satisfying (I had a craving for grilled cheese). The place was pretty busy, almost filled to capacity on a Saturday afternoon... and looking around I noticed other customers ordering burgers, they looked good (I would've had one but I wasn't in the mood for meat). Definitely worth eating here if you find yourself hungry & thirsty in the Sycamore area...
(3)Jude W.
I took my parents to PJs recently on a Friday night and after circling the block a few times we made our way inside to find seemingly the entire town of Sycamore. We had catfish, cod, and walleye respectively w/fries. All were excellent, the atmosphere was loud but fun, very friendly wait staff. This is one "courthouse" I'll happily return to
(4)Damon C.
Good food. Fair prices. Nice atmosphere. Stopped by with my wife and our friends for lunch. Got sand which and chili. Good flavor. Nice portions. Waitress was very friendly. Food was served in cute little baskets to our table. We enjoyed everything, no one did not like their food. Would give them a try if you are passing through and looking for a burger or sand which and warm bowl of soup.
(5)Denis E.
Awsome, sorry about the last review I was Hacked
(5)Chuck T.
We were in Sycamore looking for a good burger and some chili, wow, this place was perfect. The burger was simple but delicious. Nice char without a lot of gimmicky toppings. The building and bar have a wonderful old historic feel. I'll be back, just wish I lived closer!
(5)Eddie S.
Stopped in for a beer with my wife. I noticed as we walked in they had live music playing in their outdoor patio area. They serve above average bar food here. Burgers and wings are delicious. I tried their extra spicy wing sauce... be careful! It is up there with the blazin' sauce from BWW. The place is a lot bigger than it seems from the outside. See you soon
(4)Lisa R.
Grabbed an early dinner here with my husband and three kids after the Spring NIU football game. We sat in the bar at a high top (wish we could have turned the corner and seen the other half of the place!). Service was friendly and prompt. Beers were cold. Kid menus offered. Even sitting in the bar we felt comfortable as a family. I ordered a burger with mushrooms and grilled onions. It was a good burger. Cooked as I ordered and everything seemed fresh. I thought the fried were a little soggy, but my husband and boys loved them. Husband enjoyed his Cuban sandwich, the Frisco chicken that my oldest son ordered was yummy! My daughters grilled cheese tastes good too. All in all, great place to enjoy a bite and a beer!
(4)Aaron P.
Very nice pub and grille....great atmosphere and drink selection...did not get to eat during this visit, so can't say if food was good or not. But it was very clean including restrooms and the staff was friendly.
(4)Robert P.
Great drinks and selection of beer. Top notch Bloody Mary bar on weekends. Great hot wings to offset the cold beer. I love the Rubin also.
(4)J K.
Just ok. Typical bar food. Onion rings are more onion straws. Hard to eat. A bit pricey for just bar food. Frisco was probably the best item and happened to be the best.
(3)Chris M.
Decent beers and food. Nice outdoor patio with live music on Thursday. Very friendly staff.
(4)Emma H.
The Frisco Burger is amazing! Great place to hang out on the weekends, or to grab a drink after work.
(4)Michelle F.
YUM YUM YUM!!! My friends and I were looking for somewhere delicious to go before our concert at the NIU Convocation Center. After doing some online research, I found this place. Nothing but glowing reviews, so I wanted to try it out. Little did I know until walking in, I had already been here!! It was many moons ago when I was in college, but I remember coming here after my sister's TKD classes, which were right down the street! And it was as good as I remembered! Great service, great food, wonderful atmosphere, what else can you ask for?? So we ordered the nachos to start (olives on the side), and it was then that I realized that the chips were REALLY good. I am not a *huge* chip fan--they're more like a vehicle to get the other ingredients into my mouth. But THESE chips were a game changer. So delicious. I can't wait to go back for more chips as strange as that sounds! My friend ordered the buffalo chicken dip as her meal, my other friend got some sort of fish and chips, and I ordered the chicken pita. That was the only disappointment to my meal. The chicken on it wasn't very good--extremely dry. I was able to dip it into the cucumber sauce, and that helped, but it wasn't great overall. But the fries were amazing--extra crispy, and my friend's buffalo dip was amazing!! Very creamy dip with a hint of spice that wasn't overpowering. Very, very good! The waitress was really on top of everything. We never went without anything we needed, and everything came out quickly. I am so glad I was re-introduced to this place! I know I will be going again soon!
(5)Nicole A.
My and my other half decided to eat out in Sycamore since we hadn't really experienced anything other than DeKalb because we both went to NIU. PJ's was my first pick. It was delicious. I had an italian beef with mozzarella and boy was it delicious. That atmosphere is nice. There are mostly townies there but that's ok. Nothing creepy. The waiter was really nice. The prices arent so nice but it was worth the food I took home for the following day. I would definitely take friends and family there. Experience Around: Aug 23, 2012
(4)Jim D.
I was visiting the Midwest from Seattle on a training mission. The staff at the bar/restaurant across the street from my hotel recommended that I come to PJ's Courthouse. PJs Courthouse is located in the picturesque downtown area of Sycamore Illinois. Upon entering, it looked like any local hometown sports bar and grill, but I later found out that it was much, much different than that. The bar/restaurant was busy and as I looked for a seat I saw a gentleman standing at the end of the bar waving me towards him. When I walk to the end of the bar,... John, introduced himself to me and told me that they could make a space for me to sit at the end of the bar,.. as, he stated..." they were just standing around talking" John not only made a space for me to sit down, but I later found out that he was the owner of the establishment. I spent the rest of the evening speaking to John, his wife Susan, and his friends about life and times in Midwest America. I had some preconceived notions before I got to this part of the country but John and his hospitality has totally blown that out of the water. The owner John, was a gem. The staff was friendly and impeccable, and the clientele was warm and inviting. I would recommend PJs Courthouse to any of my friends or readers of this critique, and have invited the owners and staff of PJs Courthouse to stay with me anytime they would like in the Pacific Northwest. Come here and enjoy the food, enjoy the beverage, and especially enjoy the companionship. I highly recommend PJs Courthouse!!!!
(5)Elizabeth R.
Ok, I am on the fence about Pj's. I want to love it, but there is just something lacking. The first time I ate there I had the grilled cheese sandwich. Simple. Delicious. It came with fries which were not great at all. They are limp, tasteless and nothing to write home about. There are so many of them but it really is just a waste of money. My second visit: the chef salad. It was huge and had a good variety of toppings. However, the toppings were not chopped. There was still large, long pieces of turkey and ham. The bowl was so full I could not eat it without lettuce spilling out. It want not an easy eating experience. I have been back a few more times, because it is a local place with decent food and good service. The ambiance is cozy and friendly. I like their patio and would definitely go back for a beer. They are not winning me over with regards to their food, but they are definitely friendly. If you are looking for a fun place to grab a beer with good service, head to Pj's. It is a wonderful break from the usual college bars you get in the DeKalb/Sycamore area.
(3)Matthew F.
Excellent food, surprisingly big inside given the location. Very reasonable prices for food and drinks, and family friendly atmosphere. Music not too loud or soft given the status as a bar. Have had several meals here, the burgers are great, buffalo and grilled chicken is amazing, and the fries are worth the trip for by themselves. Definitely a place worth checking out if you're looking for good food
(4)Zach Z.
An interesting selection of beers. The atmosphere could be very cool since it is an old courthouse, but they were playing weird music while games were on. Music that didnt seem to match the clientele present. Food was decent, prices were good. A nice place to hit up at lunch or something like that. I would not choose to spend my night there however.
(3)Cress H.
A perfect combo of sports bar and family restaurant. PJ's definitely gets loud when the Bears are playing but there is also the more-well lit area of the restaurant for families trying to escape the TVs. Burger was overdone, especially compared to the 'medium rare' that I requested, but hunger was the best sauce. I'll go back if craving a burger but will probably have to emphasize the desired cooking.
(3)Heather M.
I really like PJs a lot. They are a simple local bar, but they do what they do well. They have a HUGE selection of sandwiches, which includes classics like French Dip and Chicago-style hot dogs (the latter of which is done well--and I'm really picky about my hot dogs). They also have a delicious portabello mushroom sandwich with marinara and mozzarella--yum! I'm also a huge fan of their hand-cut fries, which are always crispy and hot. The building is neat, too. It's got that local bar feel, with some interesting historic background for added bonus. Did you know that it was once the Sycamore library, the headquarters of a Sycamore minor league baseball team, and a bar for hunters that sold alcohol, firearms, and ammunition all in the same place? Staff is always friendly and efficient. Overall, nice staff, good food, great bar. Anyway, I'll stop writing so that you can stop reading and start eating!
(4)Derek G.
How have I not written a review for PJ's yet? I grew up here when it was Boones. I've been a loyal customer since I was probably 8 years old, only then my drink was ginger ale without the booze. I am not sure where else you can get a Moscow Mule, but you MUST get one here. Ginger Beer, Vodka and amazingness. They are reason enough to go. If Shawn is there make sure he's the one making it. He's easily in a 3 way tie with Opat and Paulie as the best bartenders in Dekalb County. They should totally have some kind of mix-off. I'd totally drink the products of that contest.
(5)Bri L.
I begin this review by stating that we did not purchase alcoholic beverages, which seem to be the highlight of this place. My husband and I came here the other night hoping for some good food since all the reviews are positive. We both ordered burgers, which are described as "fresh 1/2 pound burgers" on the menu. They were gross, frozen patties without any seasoning. I was so disappointed. It would be one thing if they weren't advertised as fresh, but c'mon, don't mis-represent yourself to customers. Next time we come back (we live around the corner, I'm sure we'll have to come back and try again and give them the benefit of the doubt) we will NOT be getting burgers. Don't waste your time with them. One delicious item was the onion rings, which we got for free with a high school sports booster card. Delicious :)
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