Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill
4632 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL, 60625
Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill Menu
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Starters
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Salads
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Burgers & Sandwiches
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Build Your Own Burger
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Everything Else
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Sides
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Beverages
Diabetics at Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets serves burgers which are generally high in sodium and fat. Ensure that you pick the burgers which are light and doesn't contain too much sodium. Try ordering salads if you're concerned about your sugar intake and looking for healthy choices.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for Diabetics:
Johnny Rockets is a fine dining place for burgers, but you must be selective if you're a diabetic. Skip all kinds of dressing when you order a burger at Johnny Rockets as it will only spike the sodium content on your meal. Salads are often considered diabetic-friendly but not the ones at Johnny Rockets. Avoid Crispy Chicken Club Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as they are too high in sodium and fat.
Make sure you opt for water instead of the drinks available on the Johnny Rockets menu. Besides Diet Coke and Coffee, most of the drinks served at Johnny Rockets are high in sugar. Skip the shakes at Johnny Rockets to avoid high sugar intake. Breakfast is always preferred heavy for diabetics but most of the breakfast items on the Johnny Rockets menu are high in sodium and must be avoided.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Johnny Rockets:
Rocket Single Burger (1 Serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Bacon Cheddar Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 280mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Double Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 410 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 320mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
The Original Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 590mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea (8 fluid ounces)
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sweet Potato Fries, Side (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 370mg sodium, 30g carbs, 10g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Side of Fries (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 460mg sodium, 30g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Healthy Meal suggestions for Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill
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Starters
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Salads
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Burgers & Sandwiches
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Build Your Own Burger
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Everything Else
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Sides
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Beverages
High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets
Fast-food restaurants are your last resort if you are suffering from high BP. Most fast food restaurants including Johnny Rockets offer foods rich in sodium. High sodium intake can be even lethal for people concerned with high blood pressure. However, you can always try the salads or choose food without any extra dressing or side dishes to limit your sodium intake.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Blood Pressure
It is extremely important to avoid any kind of burgers with extra dressing at Johnny Rockets. You must also skip any kind of breakfast items except Pancakes at Johnny Rockets. Also, avoid Breakfast Belt Sandwich and Rocket Breakfast Burger at Johnny Rockets as both these items are too high in sodium. Also, avoid Crispy Chicken Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as well as any kind of dressing on other low-sodium salads available at Johnny Rockets. Skip shakes containing Oreo on the Johnny Rockets menu as Oreo shakes served at Johnny Rockets are high in sodium.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets
Strawberry Chocolate Swirl Milkshake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 810 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 30g), 300mg sodium, 90g carbs, 90g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Rocket Single Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Garden Salad (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 150 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 260mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Side Salad (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 70 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 110mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Apple Juice (10 fluid ounces)
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 30mg sodium, 30g carbs, 30g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Johnny Rockets
Burgers fall into the fast-food category and most fast-food items are high in cholesterol. If you're suffering from high cholesterol, then it is advised that you skip any meal with excessive fat and sugar.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Cholesterol
You must skip all types of dressing on your burger. Also, avoid burgers like Smoke House Burger at all costs from Johnny Rockets menu. Skip all the drinks except coffee, iced tea, and diet coke as they are completely unhealthy for people with high cholesterol. Breakfast items on Johnny Rockets are very high in cholesterol and it is strictly recommended to avoid all the breakfast items on their menu including the sandwiches.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Johnny Rockets
Kids Cappuccino Crunch Milkshake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 740 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 20g), 310mg sodium, 100g carbs, 80g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Garden Black Bean Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
The Spicy Houston Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 700mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Kids Banana Shake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 560 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat20g), 190mg sodium, 60g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Johnny's Breakfast Sandwich (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 230mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A on Johnny Rockets
Who owns Johnny Rockets?
Johnny Rockets is founded by Ronn Teitelbaum. Today, the restaurant chain is owned by Sun Capital Partners.
Does Johnny Rockets serve breakfast?
Yes, Johnny Rockets has a separate breakfast section, especially for breakfast meal. Johnny Rockets serves breakfast all day and night.
Where is Johnny Rockets located near me?
There are over 320 Johnny Rockets outlets across the United States. You can find a Johnny Rockets restaurant nearby using our Restaurant Listings directory.
What time does Johnny Rockets open and close?
All Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States opens at 8 AM and stays open till 9 PM. Some Johnny Rockets restaurants stay open till midnight at some locations.
Does Johnny Rockets have gluten-free?
Johnny Rockets offers a wide range of gluten-free items. You can opt for the gluten-free bun to turn your burger into a gluten-free burger. For assurance, you can check out Johnny Rockets gluten-free menu.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is a restaurant franchise headquartered in the United States. The American restaurant chain features 1950s diner-style restaurant format with individual jukebox stations, red vinyl seats, chrome accents, etc. There are around 320 Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States.
Ron Teitelbaum from Los Angeles, California founded Johnny Rockets as a recreation of the 1940s vintage themed malt shops of his childhood. The first Johnny Rockets began its operations on June 6, 1986. Johnny Rockets specializes in American burgers and sandwiches as well as offers salads, starters, and shakes to enrich your dining experience at Johnny Rockets.
Healthy Food Options at Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is a fast-food restaurant and finding healthy food at Johnny Rockets can be a bit tricky. While you can always opt for the salads and healthy shakes at Johnny Rockets for healthy options, there are also some healthy burgers and sandwiches which you can bet on. Ensure that the sugar, sodium, and cholesterol is in check when you order food at Johnny Rockets.
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Address :
4632 N Rockwell St
Chicago, IL, 60625 - Phone (773) 509-1871
- Website https://www.rockwellschicago.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Kristen W.
Super mega kudos for having Hoegaarden on tap! Otherwise this is the type of neighborhood joint you would open up if you had the funds- complete with homemade everything. Which rocks! As stated, the cheese fries are da bomb, pregnant or otherwise! I haven't had a bad meal here! Why do I dock two stars? it's not THAT exciting, the service can be 'miss' and the kids- oh my, the kids. The last time I was here I endured a screaming child throughout my entire meal. Okay another disclaimer here, I really get annoyed by kids. And I think I'm cursed in that every dang place I go these days is inhabited by them. But when I go out for dinner at 10pm, I hope to avoid the little vermin! I do NOT enjoy watching baby put the water glass on his/ her head while Mommy and Daddy fawn and cooing nearby. Then minutes later it turns into baby's screaming fit. Ok so I'm an annoying singleton, but can I get a break after 10pm? So, anyway, Rockwell's. It's a nice place.
(3)Maggie R.
i can see why a lot of people are hot for this place. it's in a great location, arms length from the brown line. they have a decent selection of good tasting food and beers. i met a friend here pretty early-ish on a friday after work. the place was empty besides us. and then, slowly, as we ate our food and drank our drinks and caught up on life, people started to trickle in. and then, the people with children started to trickle in. and then it seemed like there were children everywhere. some of them even running around. a child belonging to the two adults sitting behind us was running around with one of those sticky rubber hand things and actually throwing it around with wild abandon. so i guess if you can handle all of the young ones running around, this is an all-right place. i myself didn't mind it too much, and since the food and drink were good, i'll probably go back again but maybe at a different time - like after bed time...
(4)Bee B.
I really like this place -- yes there are lots of kiddies -- but the waitstaff couldn't be sweeter, the menu is varied and tasty, prices are reasonable and the vibe is unpretentious and neighborhoody. I have had the spicy and yummy blackend tilapia sandwich both times I've eaten here (it it ain't broke -- don't fix it!!!). The fries are well spiced, though I want to try the corn and bean side salad next time I go - it looked good. I was also able to get my weekly Bob Sagat and stupid question fix, as they showed 1 vs. 100 on the flat screen TVs. Also, 3 dollar bottles of blue moon. I will be back for sure.
(4)Amanda R.
If you've got an out-of-town friend visiting, you can bring them here to look at the Chicago Americana on the walls and watch the trains go by. If you want a burger and a pint of beer, this is a great place to go. If you're craving chili fries, the Rockwell Grill is your destination of choice. On the other hand, if you want brunch or a nice green salad or some more adventurous food, take a walk down Lincoln Ave.
(3)Joy Z.
Terrible service, awful portions and who doesn't offer fruit during brunch? Only sliced tomatoes with your french toast? Gross!!! We vowed to never go back.
(1)Bonnie L.
What a cute little neighborhood bar and grill. Stopped in last night and ate WAY too much. I like their beer selection and chose Two hearted ale and we ordered the Texas Toothpicks and Artichoke Hummus for appetizers. For dinner I had the Veggie Taco Salad. And for dessert we split the Reese's Brownie A la Mode. Everything was really good. The service was prompt and friendly. I cannot believe that I am going to say this but the service was almost too quick. We had our appetizers for a few minutes and bam, out came out Taco Salads. I mean, it is better than being slow but sometimes I just want to relax a bit between courses and here the courses were almost simultaneous. I guess that is a good thing to complain about though, right? I would definitely go back.
(4)Heather H.
This is a great neighborhood bar/grill. If you're close to Ravenswood Manor, you will find yourself here at least once a week. Music, but not too loud. A good bar, but lots of table seating. Great staff. Very cheap specials, and an inexpensive menu. Only drawback? Not open late enough :)
(4)Matt W.
When my wife was pregnant there were two places she wanted cheese fries from. One was Outback, the other was Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. We lived on the corner of Rockwell and Eastwood so guess which one I went to more often? I hear the Brown Line Rockwell stop is reopening within a couple weeks, I hope that breathes new life into this little neighborhood as I feel Lincoln Square gets so much attention but its slightly slower, homier cousin Ravenswood Manor gets sat at the kids' table and glossed over. Anyhoo. Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is the definition of quaint. When we moved into the neighborhood it was this silent presence, as if everyone kinda knew about it but no one actually mentioned it by name. We ended up going there one night after a long battle with indecisiveness and we didn't regret it at all. I had the honey-glazed pork chop and she had a steak, both of which were quite delish. The cheese fries, also ordered, didn't survive long. Next of kin was notified and devoured as well.
(4)Jenn B.
Rockwell's is one of those great stand-bys - the one you take every visitor to, friends who just want a reliably good plate of food and good atmosphere, the picky grandmother who must order everything special, and the suburban parents who need no more adventure than finding a parking spot big enough for them to drive into instead of parallel parking. There's rarely a wait for a table, the service is fantastic, and the food has never disappointed anyone who's gone there. From the juicy burgers to the fresh burritos and everything in between, you can't miss with anything on Rockwell's diverse menu. My mom has a strange infatuation with their pasta salad...seriously, I have to bring it to her when I go home for visits. So maybe they lace it with crack, who knows? Anyway, I recently went for brunch on a Sat. morning and had the huevos rancheros. They were AWESOME. My friend got the plate of breakfast goodness - 2 eggs, hashbrowns, toast, sausage, etc...and she loved it, too! The coffee is dee-licious! Now, if they would only be open for lunch/brunch during the week! So many times I wish it were - as a teacher with lots of teacher friends in Lincoln Square, we are so over the limited lunch places within walking distance of our respective apartments. Come on, Rockwell's.....give it a try!!!! It'll get you a 5th star........
(4)Jennifer P.
They make a great burger, the service is friendly and relaxed. This is the perfect neighborhood joint! Cheese fries are delicious. There is a good beer selection. They'll seat you in a group, and they'll seat if you're by yourself with a book, and be friendly and efficient all the way. Recently I've had a delicious margarita on a Friday night. The place is very welcoming to parents of small children. You could build a sweet fort from the high chairs stacked in the corner. It's kind of cool to be in a bar full of little kids coloring with crayons and wearing tiaras and running around, but it's not for everyone.
(4)Susana L.
I love this place. I am a regular on Fridays and the staff rocks. The food is really good.
(4)Patrick T.
I used to like this place. Today it was ruined, bad service, flat beer, and overall just a crappy evening. I wont go back, I made a point to bring my brother tonight and after this experience I will make a point to warn others not to spend any money here.
(1)Amy J.
When I lived in Lincoln Sq., this was my favorite neighborhood restaurant because the food is always good, the servers are very nice, an they have a good beer selection. I don't like kids very much, though, and this restaurant totally caters to them, so I would just avoid it during the main feeding times. Otherwise I recommend the fish tacos, every salad on the menu, and the burgers. And when it's nice, you can sit outside!!
(4)Liddy L.
I'd agree with folks who say this place is ok. The food is decent and for a little neighborhoody place they have a decent beer selection. I live two blocks from it, so it's become the "apple cobbler and fries" spot for me and my S.O. However, I would hold off on ordering eggs at brunch... they don't use real eggs. They use the liquefied kind that comes in a jug like I used when I was a camp cook, which means you can only get them "scrambled." Also, the eggs made me sick, but health issues don't seem a rampant danger at this place.There are usually a crapload of kids running around on the patio with names like "Indigo" and "Olivia." That said, it's not a bad place.
(3)Jason M.
The waiters/waitresses are great! The food is a bit above average. Great location! This place is good for those last minute lunches when you realize that you haven't been grocery shopping in a while.
(3)Anna K.
I just went here for the first time this past weekend and I loved it. The menu looked great and the prices weren't too bad. It had a casual atmosphere but I also liked that they had a small bar and TV screens. The food we ordered -- artichoke hummus dip, the chicken sandwich, fries, and a salad -- was really tasty. I kept stealing my friend's fries because they were awesome. The service was also really fast and friendly. I'm looking forward to going again soon.
(5)William S.
Good selection of beer but I wish they had more on draft. Food is usually pretty good but sometimes tries to be too unconventional. But the burgers are great!
(4)Jessica M.
Their cheesy fries with all the stuff on them are incredible. Best fries ever. Real cheese, not velveeta. I would marry a large order of them if it were legal. Supposedly, their burgers are great but I tried one and wasn't into it. Perhaps because I don't like mustard.
(4)Miss R.
I love this place. Requires a little walk for us, but that works up an appetite, then helps settle dinner on the way home. My honey loves their burgers and we share the cheese fries. I think their fish tacos are out of this world. They are made with simple, fresh ingredients and they don't guild the lily. I could eat them weekly, at least. While there are ALOT of children in there, they don't overrun the place. So my usual aversion to kid-friendly places doesn't apply to Rockwell's. I also want to give them props for being so cool to us. We went with a couple last night we hadn't seen in a year and we were there for four hours. Granted, there was much drinking to be had and we tipped well - but some places could run you out. They didn't blink, kept bringing us beers and they even put on the horserace for our dinner companion. Very nice!
(5)Beebe G.
a friend visiting his uncle who lives in lincoln square had me and my husband meet him there for food and bevvies and was i thankful! this place is cozy remarkable. loved their tap beer selection and nice menu. chris and jimmy had a cheeseburger and fries - the fries were delish! i had the chicken taco salad that was scrumptious! the one thing i did not care for was their service. it was just horrible! their two waitresses didn't even know we existed and, there were only four tables including ours that they only had to wait on. good thing we were sitting across from the bar so my friend got up from his seat to pick up our beers that was sitting there waiting to be consumed. the bartender was great and knew his beers. he provided wonderful service unlike his colleagues. i'd like to come back for lunch as well as breakfast but i assume from the few reviews i read the place might be saturated with strollers and children who have parents that think this place is also part gymboree. i love the little ditty on the tables that euphemistically informs parents to lead by example and raise their children with good manners and etiquette in public places - use your inside voice! so i'll come back during those hours return with another review - cheers!
(4)jeffrey m.
Fantastic grub and service even better!
(5)Michael L.
I deleted a star. Ever notice how you get worse service when you're alone? Last time I was there I got basically ignored on a busy night. Tonight, my wife was at a concert, so I went out for a meal and to watch the Sox. Everything was fine until I got my bill. I went to the bathroom before paying. I returned to a new couple sitting at my table. THEY THOUGHT I HAD LEFT WITHOUT PAYING. Is going to the bathroom such an alien concept? I would be insulted except for the stupidity of the whole thing. See my original review below. **************************************************Â**************** A cozy neighborhood place. Reasonably priced, tasty comfort food, such as the fish sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, chopped chicken salad. They don't put much effort into getting good buns or bread, though.Selection of microbrews is right on target. Service usually good, but occasionally the place gets overcrowded and the staff seems overwhelmed.
(2)Heidi H.
Great neighborhood place with good food and great service. In the summer you can even sit outside on a quiet neighborhood street. I recommend the veggie burger and fresh cut fries. Street parking is fairly easy, but it's less than 1 block from the Rockwell stop.
(4)Ashley B.
My husband and I LOVE this place. It is the true meaning of a neighborhood grill. The atmosphere is great. The wait staff is friendly. And the food is awesome. I have never been disappointed with a meal here...and I've had quite a few. The burgers are always good. That's because the owner is from Texas and they know how to make burgers down there (my in-laws are also from Texas). We've often tried the specials, which are also great. And the Reese's brownie is to die for. If you are in the area, GO!
(4)Mindy G.
Went there with my family last weekend. We had five adults and three kids in our party. The staff was so nice to the kids. Everyone had great food. I want to go back and try some other things. I can't believe i worked around the corner for years and never stopped in!
(5)A J.
Went last night for the first time (because of a LivingSocial coupon) and loved it! Delicious hot turkey sammie and cheese fries, super friendly (without being douchey) servers, good beer, independent business, etc. etc. Will totally be going back.
(4)Kristin M.
Rockwell's is a great little neighborhood restaurant. It really should get like a 3.5 stars. It's a little out of the way if you aren't in the area, but if you're up that way its a sure bet for decent food and drinks! The only complaint would be the screaming children that were there when we were there, but it's kind of a family place so it's ok. The chicken flautas are sooooo yummy, fried little chicken rolls of goodness! (I'm not really sure what all is in them but they're great!)
(3)Felicia A.
This is a great neighborhood restaurant. I had the blackened fish tacos and they were the best fish tacos I have ever had and for such a great price!!!
(4)Lisa K.
I'd give Rockwell's 4 or 5 stars for ambiance, location, and service, but only 2 stars for the food. The place is casual and very neighborhood-cute. The tasteful exterior and vintage photographs that cover the walls inside make it a good fit with the aesthetic of Ravenswood Manor, and the experience of dining there is pleasant and comfortable. I also give Rockwell's props for serving dinner relatively late for this area -- 11 pm on weekends. The service is friendly, totally unpretentious, and the food comes out fast. Now for the food. We ordered cheese-fries as the appetizer. The fries were completely buried under a mountain of hard, congealed cheddar. When I dug them out (by flipping the cheddar mountain over), they were totally soaked through with grease, to the point of being soft, limp, and translucent. Rockwell's brags about their cheese fries being made with real cheddar rather than an artificial cheese product, and I applaud the sentiment; but in this case, a little Cheez Whiz would have been better. My entree was a fish sandwich with a side of pasta salad. The fish fillet was really bland and needed salt and/or lemon. (No lemon was served with it, though the waiter promptly brought some when I asked.) The pasta salad smelled and tasted sewery -- I could not eat it at all. The sandwich bun was the only well-prepared thing on my plate. Maybe I made bad menu choices, or maybe it was an off night. I'll give Rockwell's another chance if I'm looking for a late dinner spot again, but if you're eating before 10, there are much better food choices in Lincoln Square.
(3)Sarah L.
I have to make an edit to this place. I was sick a couple of hours after eating at Rockwell's. I am not sure what it was from but it wasn't pretty. Three of us shared the cheese fries and then I had a salad. It was probably from the salad or my body isn't used to greasy fries. My other two dining companions were fine thankfully. So I'm deducting one star :(
(3)Bryna D.
This establishment is under new ownership. Menu is the same but food quality has gone way down. Such a shame because this was a go-to spot for us in the neighborhood. Please bring the good food back!
(2)Chris T.
We love this place! It's a great neighborhood restaurant that seems to be a perfect mix of families, couples, and groups of friends. Our service was fast and friendly, but at the same time we never felt rushed. The "chips with all three" are amazing -- the salsa, queso, and guacamole all rule my world. Our sandwiches were also very good, and the prices are very reasonable. It has a nice, homey atmosphere -- after only one visit, we felt like we could refer to it as "our" neighborhood place. (Their waitstaff t-shirts also rule, we kinda want to buy one...)
(5)Devon W.
Friendly staff, great selection of beers, and wonderful food. Nothing fancy, just generous portions of bar food favorites. Try the nachos, they're phenomenal, and easily a meal by themselves. Also, this place is incredibly kid/baby friendly, so feel free to bring along the little ones (or stay away if you can't stand kids)
(5)William K.
If you had told me that someone could make an unbelievably fantastic grilled chicken sandwich I would say, "no way!" and stomp on your foot. Well it turns out they do so I apologize for the stomping thing... I was way out of line. Rockwell's southwest chicken sandwich is without peer. My wife has a special love affair with the meat loaf which is invariably in low supply or sold out whenever she orders it. My only complaint is that the bartender always seems a little worried when I order a third drink.
(4)AJ W.
Really like this place. Low key. Good food. Good Drinks. Sometimes the waitstaff is a little slow. Sometimes they are out of things. But in general, it's off the beaten path and a nice place to go on a weeknight for a drink. NOT A TRIXIE JOINT!!!!!
(4)Tressa S.
Having just moved to the Lincoln Square neighborhood I've taken it upon myself to try out my neighborhood grill. Rockwell's is a decent place. I had the Chopped Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and I found it quite enjoyable. It peeves me when a chicken salad has only a few pieces of chicken on it, but this was definitely not the case here. There was enough chicken to last through the entire salad, and, not to mention, a liberal amount of avocado. All in all it was a good salad. My issue with this place comes from the service. There were several waiters/waitresses just standing around not knowing what to do with themselves. We had one waitress take our drink order and tell us that someone else would be our server. It was about 10 minutes before the bartender brought us our drinks, and then another 5 minutes until our real server came to take our food order. This whole time I sat there and counted 4 waitresses/waiters just hanging out at the bar. They need a better system and a hostess/host. Twice I saw the bartender (and owner, maybe?) walk out from behind the bar to seat guests. Good food for a good price and a great beer selection. After some reflection, I am pleased with my new neighborhood grill and will definitely return. P.S. Don't forget to take your free Dum Dum Pop from the basket on the way out!
(3)Brooke W.
I love this place. The food is good (I highly recommend the nachos) and the service is friendly, but the reason I love it is that you can bring your kids without being made to feel like you've done something wrong. I know some people hate when a restaurant is full of kids. But, here's the thing. I had a baby 6 months ago, but that doesn't mean that I want to have every meal at home for the next 18 years. And, it doesn't mean that I want to go to "family restaurants" like the Old Country Buffet either. I'm still the same girl who likes to go to local restaurants and bars, I just have a baby now. I know it probably annoys the childless people out there that I bring my baby out to eat (heck, I would have annoyed myself a couple of years ago), but there are tons of child-free restaurants where you can go. There are very few kid-friendly restaurants out there. So, if you do have a kid, you won't be disappointed by Rockwell's - they're super nice and child friendly, and nearly everyone who eats there has kids with them, so no one will be annoyed if your baby fusses a little (we all know that babies fuss!)
(5)Marsha C.
Nice little place we like to frequent for casual meals. I love the taco salad with chicken. The recommended dressing with it is delish! Sad to say it is so good I never get anything different!
(5)Andy S.
Rockwell's is a great, consistent restaurant just on the outskirts of Lincoln Square (by that I mean the actual square). There's nothing that jumps out at me about this place, the burgers are always very good, other menu items I've tried in the past were very good, and the beer selection is just as good as any other restaurant in the area. I'm very happy this place is in the neighborhood. If I ever need a good, consistent meal I can walk a couple of blocks west and have one. However, I wouldn't take a long walk or go out of my way to go to this place. I'd say it's a 3.5, but since there is no 3.5 I'll go with 4 instead of 3.
(4)Emily P.
Rockwell's has a special place in my heart, as I found it during my first year in the big city. Going to Rockwell's represents an escape from the hustle and bustle of Chicago; it feels like I've been transported to a safe & fictional land far away. Whenever my husband and I want to escape for delicious American food in our hoodies and jeans, Rockwells is where we go. And I've never been disappointed by the food; everything is delicious. My recommendation, you ask? Start with an order of the Louisiana egg rolls (w/ Chipotle Ranch) followed by the chicken quesadillas. Or, if you're craving a hamburger and fries, obey the craving and go for it. Thank you, Rockwell's, for being that quaint, neighborhood restaurant in the midst of a hectic city.
(5)Amie D.
If you're in search for perfectly-seasoned homemade fries--this is the place you've been looking for. The service and the rest of the menu is excellent too! The fish sandwich is my newest favorite. It's lightly breaded tilapia with just the right amount of seasoning and a tangy-tartar dressing. Rockwell's has definitely earned a spot on my "regular" list. Looking forward to going back again once the weather warms up and the patio is open.
(4)Sir ..
Ok I'm about to expose the secret little place Lincoln Parker's don't want you to know about. Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is hidden away in a little mall strip on Rockwell & Eastwood. Rockwell's dcor is a nice mix of Chicago and local family pictures, giving the place a warm personalized feel. The staff is friendly and helpful, always knowledgeable about the specials. There are some specialty items like the Cheese fries that will really know your socks off. And the selection of drinks is more than adequate. Additionally, there are some secrets to ordering that only locals know about,....sorry guys I can't give away everything. Pros: Ample Choices, Awesome quality/quantity Cons: No Lunch hours during the week, Parking sometime difficult to find. Overall Rating: 4.25 of 5 Recommendation: Highly Recommended
(4)Sara H.
Rockwell's a great place to grab a burger, beer, and the BEST cheese fries. The service is sometimes slow, but always friendly. The only downside, at least for me, is all of the screaming children. That said, it is a decidedly "family friendly" place, so I guess they have a right to be there. I like it better in the summer when the outdoor seating area is open--it diffuses the shrieking!
(4)Jill S.
food is good, nothing more. what i love about this place is the location and friendly staff. the outdoor seating is also very nice...i am a people watcher. we have moved since and miss taking the short walk to this neighborhood restaurant =(
(2)carey f.
We waited for years for a place like Rockwell's to open in Ravenswood--a place that was affordable, comfortable, and homey, with great food and service. They aren't exaggerating about the burgers, and the fries are fab as well. And their Reeses or Heath brownies? Ridiculously good. Service is almost always attentive and friendly, and there's great people-watching to be had if you can snag a window table.
(4)Wendy R.
Delicious food, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff. They make everything homemade! Get their chips and salsa with guacamole and you won't be disappointed. In summer, the outdoor dining spot is very nice. Lots of families eat here, so be prepared for some cute kidlets and their occasional flareups. I've never been disappointed with my service or food here. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the window design in the front doesn't make it easy to look outside. I believe they open in the summer, which is nice, but the top and bottom portions are divided by a sash right at eye level. You have to either sit up really high and straight to people watch, or crouch down and look through the windows below. Kind of annoying, but easily outweighed by everything else that's great about the place.
(4)Mark S.
This is where you go to get a really good Burger and drink a beer. If you pick the wrong time, it's also where a bunch of fashionable neighborhood kids in strollers end up with their parents. But the burgers are really good- they take 'em seriously here. And if you haven't been to this cute little sub-neighborhood, this place is a great reason- although I hear the Yoga place is good too.
(3)Shannon D.
What can I say? I love this place. Their cheese fries are to die for, and they make all their dressings at the restaurant. I also love their fish tacos. It's pretty much what I order every time I go there. I make whoever is with me order the cheese fries and then I get the fish tacos as my meal. Once, when I had a really bad day, I just had the cheese fries for dinner and all was right with the world again. :) The place is totally unassuming, and laid back. The prices are great too. Good food and at a reasonable price?! How can you go wrong? Service is fine too. Everyone is really friendly, and they don't pester you, but also make sure you have everything. People bring their kids there, but I've never really had an experience where the kids there were running around out of control or anything. And if you like peanut butter, the peanut butter brownie dessert (I've only had room for dessert once there) is amazing.
(5)Christine S.
Since my last review, the service has improved a lot, so I just wanted to submit an update!
(4)Oscar the Death Cat B.
Rockwell's is a nice, friendly, low-key bar & grill just south of the Rockwell stop on the Brown Line. Their menu advertises that their burgers were voted among the best in Chicago, and after consuming those burgers myself several times, I would tend to agree! In addition to grill-style items, they also have a modest selection of more sophisticated dishes on their dinner menu. To reach Rockwell's, you'll have to travel a few blocks west of the heart of Lincoln Square, but they seem to have a devoted following among folks who live in the surrounding residential areas.
(4)Mairin B.
This is a nice, laid-back place to eat. They have a very nice (and reasonably priced) beer selection -- including Three Floyd's on tap! They serve breakfast until 1pm, which is nice for all of us late risers. I had the breakfast sandwhich, which is LARGE, and the DEE-licious rosemary potatoes... definitely recommended.
(4)Richard H.
The Bartender makes the place. Not only does he make a mean drink, he also keeps the front of the house sane when the place is busy, which has been every time I've gone there. This place has some of the best "handcut fries" I've ever had. All the sandwiches I have tried are way above average. The only bummer I experienced was the chicken pasta salad. Like a big bowl of tasteless mush. They need a much bolder dressing for this as a weeks worth of salt could not save it. That one bad experience has not kept me from going back though. Went there recently, and as usual it was a stroller convention. That's fine! You take that chance every time you go there. What is not fine, is when a kid is making the most high pitched, annoying scream imaginable, and her mother is mocking her encouraging to repeat the action. Pretty classless on her part. I wanted to go up to her and scream in her ear! With the new menu comes new prices. Eleven bucks for a salad is pretty steep! Steer clear of the breakfast burrito. Pretty bland and generally awful.
(4)Jenny A.
We've been in the neighborhood for a few years. We were good with Rockwells, but not wowed by the food. We didn't have kids before and now we do. These days, we are liking Rockwells for the convenience, the friendly atmosphere and good food (it has improved). From 5 - 6:45 ish this place is HOPPING, hopping with every kid in the hood with parents that walked over so they could drink beer and wine with dinner (completely get that). The staff is good to them, they have the crayons and placemats and special cups with lids, ample booster seats and high chairs. The food is good -- I like the steak, the tacos...their burger was in one of those best of chicago contests a while ago and did well. The kids meals are standard...now, if they would only start breakfast just a bit earlier.
(5)Dave T.
Rockwell is a good neighborhood bar that is just outside of the main Lincoln Square area. Located two blocks south of Lawrence and three blocks west of Western, it was conveniently located right next to the Rockwell stop on the brown line before the CTA obliterated that station. Doy. This bar has a good selection of beer, including Abita beer which you will be hard pressed to find at many bars in the city. The bar also has a really warm, comfortable atmosphere. You can tell the owners put a lot of effort into creating a very comfortable environment. Prior to becoming the Rockwell, the space housed a very sketchy Spanish Seafood restaurant. Rockwell Neighborhood Grill is a very welcome addition to the Rockwell Manor neighborhood that is just off the beaten path of Lincoln Square.
(3)Kateland B.
Excellent neighborhood restaurant. I love this area too, so quaint and cute. Lots of young families and nice people. Also, they have a few good vegetarian items on their menu, rather GOOD items. Delicious, generous portions. It has a nice atmosphere and friendly service. Only reason I didnt' give it 5 stars is that they sure do take a LONG time to deliver the check and EVEN longer running the check! Wowzers. But, other than that, I love it. You can be sure to find me there quite often. :)
(4)Erin S.
Rockwell's is fantastic. It's nothing fancy, but they have great food, great drinks, great service, comfortable atmosphere, reasonable prices.
(5)Laura L.
All things considered, this is one of our favorite places to go. Everyone talks about how wonderful the cheese fries are and don't get me wrong - they are. The best thing about them is you can get a HALF order in case you just have 2-3 people! We also LOVE LOVE LOVE their queso especially since good queso so north of the border is hard to find. Their burgers were voted best burger at some point and sometimes they are great and sometimes so-so. The taco salad is splendid as well as numerous other items. Brunch is pretty good, especially the Tejas Tacos and the make your own omelet. The wait staff share tables so I've only ever had awesome service there. Parking is generally pretty good either at meters or in the neighborhood. Of course, there's always the Rockwell stop right there. I have never had to wait for a table except on the rare occurances when everyone wants to eat outside. It's a great place to go when you want to get in and out within 30 mins to an hour. One caveat - they are not generally open during the day on week days.
(5)Andy M.
Great hidden neighborhood. great hidden small bar near Lincoln Square. I have been here a few times which is very rare for me during my bar sweeps. The Turkey sandwich and nauchos dishes are excellent and the staff very nice. This bar has a quaint little look and is much better than the other small bar across the street which i reviwed before on yelp.
(5)Gloria F.
This place was hands down fantastic! My guy and I went here after deciding we were craving burgers. I've heard of Rockwell's but had never been before so we decided to check it out. We both ordered burgers and they were perfect; perfectly cooked, perfect amount of cheese, and perfect condiments/toppings. I highly recommend their Rockwell Sauce as well as the cheddar fries (they are worth the extra $). We split the brownie for dessert. It was warm, soft, gooey, and some sort of peanut/peanut butter on the top of it. Not too much, but just right. Next time I'm in the mood for a burger, I know where I'm heading.
(5)Aaron B.
At one of my favorite lil corners of the city. Right where the Brown Line makes its way to street level one can find Rockwell's. If not crammed with hi-chairs and strollers you can find a great place with interesting food, a great selection of beers and a bartender who makes a mean Manhattan. One of the more interesting food options are the Louisiana Egg Rolls - its the sausage that makes em great! After you finish your food and drinks you can go across the street to the Jolly Roger and wrap up your laundry or go to the bar with no name - Is it really called just "Old Style on tap"? :)
(4)Claudia G.
Great food, atmosphere and service. There is not a thing on the menu that me or a friend of mine hasn't enjoyed. It is very family-friendly and you will often find families with young kids here.
(4)Torry H.
This is my go to place when we take our kids out to dinner. We live in the neighborhood, hook the stroller up and head in for lunch/dinner and a great craft beer. It is laid back and relaxed with delicious from scratch meals. The Chipotle Chicken tacos are my favorite! Brunch is great too. I love the patio in the summer. You can't go wrong here.
(5)B C.
Rockwell's is so close to meeting all my expectations of a good neighborhood pub and grill...except for two things: it's too expensive, and it's usually pretty empty. These two criticisms are connected, and the owners could solve both with a simple measure - daily specials worth looking forward to. I would stop in at Rockwell's after work for nachos and a beverage on a weekly basis, if they had decent specials. Unfortunately, they don't. That's why I've only gone here a couple times, even though I live right around the corner. Maybe they're going for a pricier, more family-oriented atmosphere, and don't want a happy hour crowd. The place has satisfying food options, a comfortable atmosphere, and a decent beer list, but whenever I've gone there are few other people there and I end up paying more than I would at similarly styled restaurants.
(3)Jeremy M.
Um, the new bar equipment made room for a lot more beers on tap, and rather than the high-alpha bittered hop-tea IPA stuff, they've taken my side with the malty belgian ale tradition and relatives. I gotta ratchet them up for this. Give me a wholesome minimally processed grass fed burger on the menu and I'll give you another star.
(4)Shelly G.
Great food. Amazing BEER! The staff is really friendly too.
(5)Nas T.
Ain't nothin' bad with it! Also you gonna get a vasectomy after eating here, because the waitresses are hot and the kids are not!
(5)Michael D.
Great blackened fish sandwich and my wife claims the burgers are the best in Chicago. Mexican food is very good as well. Super kid-friendly. Service is terrific. The staff really helps each other out and get you settled and fed quickly. Beer list is huge, wine list is weak. Bathrooms are clean. Solid value and good atmosphere.
(5)Gary B.
We first came across this place during a condo hunt. The little area right there by the train was some what unexpected. We have been back a handful of times and have not been disappointed. Good thing the brown line or street construction is over because it completely ruined the opportunity to sit out and and enjoy a warm fall day. Obviously not Rockwells issue but the it was loud. Either way, the staff were very pleasant and guided us to an empty table. I had the burger which was really good. Nice thing about this place is that I didn't feel pressured to order an alcoholic drink and were quick to refill my Arnold Palmers. All a around a fun neighborhood place to eat and hang out. They have a couple of tv's near the bar area which was nice to keep up on a game but it certainly isn't the focal point. Wide variety of neighborhood people, families etc.
(4)Alice R.
Love the burgers, fries, louisiana egg rolls and specials! It's a neighborhood restaurant and bar that is friendly and welcoming. I have not been disappointed when I try something new from their menu. Pork chop and carne asada dinners are delicious!
(4)Chris V.
The food was good and reasonably priced, but the service was slow.
(4)Sam H.
Dear Rockwell's - I live down the street, and I wish you could be my "neighborhood grill." I do. But two really shitty visits, and I'm done with you. There are far too many quality places in this neighborhood to waste time here. First time was a screaming child nightmare, as described by other commenters. When I can barely walk to the bar without tripping over a toddler or a stroller, there's a problem. And to the harried waitress sheepishly directing me to a two-top hidden back behind the kitchen, like some childfree zone? Forget it. The bartender's savvy service was the only saving grace of that visit. Second time, weekday mid-afternoon, no kids in sight. Sit down by the window, order one of their custom burgers, which given their highlighted spot on the menu I figured would come out correct, unlike special orders elsewhere. I asked for veg instead of fries, only to have fries on my plate when I got my order. Okay, fine, I still work in the industry, probably the chillest guest he'd have all day. But the quip about how I "probably wanted the fries anyways" with a shit eating grin? Yeah, no thanks pal. Your fries taste like the nasty corn tortillas you fry in the oil for your nachos, and whichever way you meant the comment, if I were your manager I'd put you back in the dishpit. Lost this customer, skinny hipster bro.
(1)Layne S.
Long time supporter. Burgers are always great. Fries taste like corn chips so I don't like them any more. The menu has changed and gotten more pricey. I'll probably just stick with generic burgers and grilled cheeses from now on. Sometimes the specials are very good. The wait staff is very nice and efficient. They make the place what it is.
(4)Lauren F.
My boyfriend and I decided to check this place out for dinner on a Sunday night and we were very happily surprised with our find. We got the Texas Toothpicks appetizer which was so-so, probably wouldn't order again. I had the Blackened Fish Tacos which were pretty simple but the blackened Tilapia was sooo good, with black beans and chips and salsa all for $10. My boyfriend got the Southwest chicken sandwich and it was great too. Our waitress was super friendly and service was fast....and they have diet IBC rootbeer! We'll be back here for sure!
(4)Heather R.
Every time we go we've enjoyed our food, and they have a pretty decent beer menu. Definitely worth a try if you haven't yet.
(4)DwIght S.
One of our fave spots
(5)Brett F.
If I were a Lincoln Square girl I could see myself enjoying Rockwell's on a pretty frequent basis... it's a nice little spot on a really cute stretch of Rockwell street nestled between sweet neighborhoody-type shops and right next to the Metra stop - super convenient!! Our service was good and friendly despite the interior of Rockwell's being sort of lackluster. During the day the place was pretty dark and the carpet in the area in which we were seated was dirty with food debris. That's a huge pet peeve of mine, no one should have to pay to sit in someone else's mouth droppings. Also as a bar-cum-restaurant (or vice versa) there just isn't much to distinguish it from a bar with a few rickety tables strewn about the space... I think sitting outside here may be the key. My meal, however, was really the saving grace. The menu seems a bit scattered but everything is made to order and in tremendous quantity... my cheeseburger piled high with every fixin' imaginable was as big as the plate it rested on and their seasoned fries were hot and delicious. I also ganked bites of the fresh pasta salad that came with my Mom's generous BLT every chance I got. Scrumdiddlyumptious!! As a neighborhood spot it's a decent place to grab a burger and beer, especially if you are new to Lincoln Square, give it a whirl... for the rest of us, don't spend the cab fare. You can find good grub elsewhere too!
(3)daniel a.
solid, safe bet in a real charming area of the north side few make it to. Good beer selection, which is very important to me these years. I was impressed by the food. Very nice helpful staff as well.
(4)F S.
Great meal as usual cheddar fries burger and salad on side Solid food great beers If u dont wanna listen to the kids go down rush street and try yelling your beer order And conversing Over the 20- 30 somethings and the way too loud bad music and $10 miller lites
(5)Tracy C.
Meh! I really want to like this place but just don't think I can. I think it is the food menu, boring, nothing on there makes me hungry. Good drinks, waitstaff, again meh? Think we actually left her 10%. Unheard of, but her performance, lackluster. Nothing else to add. To each his own.......
(2)Nate W.
There are three things in life I'm certain of....death, taxes, and alcoholic beverages. Where do you ask? ...I'll tell you where. Someplace warm. A place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking about a little place called Rockwell's. In all seriousness, this place is a great go to neighborhood spot, awesome draft beer (constantly rotating) and great burgers (the Krusty)/and fish tacos. Go here now. Do it. DO IT!!
(4)T J.
This is my ideal neighborhood bar. 1. Good service 2. Delicious food 3. A nice drink selection (check out their specialty cocktails. Well worth the $8!) 4. Subdued and laid-back atmosphere If you are looking for great food in a quiet part of town, this is the place to go.
(5)Katie B.
Dare I say this is the best burger I've ever had? I'm an exaggerator, but I'm telling you, the burger is waaaaay up there on my list of best evers. Dropped in with some friends before my recital at the Old Town School last week. We were in a bit of a rush to make it and were a tad worried about the service because the place was packed. There were sorta children everywhere, too, but somehow it didn't distract from the neighborhood bar vibe. Awesome beer selection. The burger was out of this world, served with a layer of mustard, lettuce, tomato and onion on the bottom bun. We also loved the "Texas Toothpicks", fried onion and jalapeno strips. The fish tacos were also top-notch. Nothing we ordered did not properly rock, and well at that. I like this tiny little strip in neighborhood near the Rockwell Brown Line. Perfect place to eat before the concert in Lincoln Square and it's also close to Albany Park and other northy westy hoods. "Eat Well, Drink Well, Live Well"... Rockwell! We did.
(4)Samantha B.
This place is very close to our apartment so when we realize we don't want to cook dinner, we head over to Rockwell's. My favorite food would have to be a cheeseburger and fries so to say that these guys have the best I've ever had, def. means that they are fantastic. My hubby gets the steak everytime and it is amazing as well. The service is always good and for busy Fri nights we never have had to wait more than 5-10 minutes. It can get super crowded with families but its never overwhelming with kids running wild and screaming or anything like that. Great local restaurant with a tons of good food and beer options.
(5)Url R.
A decent place for the Ravenswood Manor, Albany Park, North Park crowd. Not a great place to watch a sports game. -The fish tacos are my favorite item on the menu. -Louisana Eggrolls are recommended -Decent Nachos -Great Beer selection Good place for kids early in the day and they have a decent out door section.
(4)Abhay S.
This was our second visit to Rockwell's. Both times we've ate here, the restaurant wasn't very busy, which is kind of nice. Tonight, we were seated immediately and there were plenty of tables available. The food is typical bar food. They have their burgers, sandwiches, and so fourth. I ordered the BBQ chicken sandwich with fries and it was pretty good. Service was great all around, and our waitress made sure our drinks were flowing even after we paid our tab. If you're looking for a great neighborhood bar with decent food, Rockwell's is a great place to stop by.
(4)Emily W.
Rockwell's is.... * steps off the brown line * in possession of a great list of brews * a purveyor of great bar food. Yes, I am one of those bad people that takes their kid, but we never go later than 5pm, so you're safe from us, hipsters! Love the Louisianna Egg Rolls, all of their salads are great, their burgers are rad and THEIR FRIES ARE HAND CUT. You're welcome.
(4)Maureen M.
Every time I've driven by, I've told myself "someday." Last Saturday was that day. Husband in tow, off I went. My mate thought the Lousiana eggrolls would be too much to eat. Ha on him b/c I ordered them anyhow! Had I listened he'd never know what a heaven with a spicy kick is. Good serving size; they reheat well in a skillet. Burgers were a melt-in-your-mouth madness that has you eating when you're no longer hungry. We savored the magic the next day at lunch. I forgot our waiter's name, but good for me b/c I don't want everyone requesting his tables. When I opted out of the fries (I tend to not enough and hate wasting them), Mr. Awesome Waiter said I could substitute something else. Can't remember the choices, but I settled on chips and salsa. Tasty salsa, good on a burger. Atmosphere is cool. Lots of old Chicago pictures. Cool one of Welles Park from 1917. Apparently pictures filled the walls, but the owner scaled down and gave most of them away. Dang, what I missed by waiting too long. At least with the food, better late than never.
(5)J H.
Saturday brunch recap. The Highlights: 4 dollar bloody Mary with the right amount of heat; the refried black beans served with my fish tacos (who gets into refried beans? Me, with these. But not usually. Usually they're mush.) The fumbles: being out of roasted potatoes that my man wanted with his breakfast: the fruit bowl substituted was comprised of apples and pineapples (perhaps it was beige fruit day at the market?) The crowd: stroller brigade needing fortification to deal; their parents and a few solo diners. The service: really friendly, apologetic re: the potatoes, prompt. The verdict: dependable, available, with bonus points for the cute location in Rockwell crossing.
(3)Ryan H.
Location, location, location...The beer selection tends to be pretty good here, they let me park my dog outside when the weather cooperates and that always makes for a good way to burn away the afternoon. But really, it's the fact that it's just steps from my neighborhood station (you guessed it, Rockwell) that keeps me coming back. Too bad the food is such a disappointment. It could be worse, but it's really one of those "this really should cost $5...for the whole spread" moments. Warning: requesting medium will get you a mushy, red and rare burger. But the environment really matches the Neighborhood in the title...big plus!
(3)Jennifer M.
We went here on weeknight just last week. We got a table right away. The service is quick and friendly. They have a wide variety of beers. We both had the burgers and they were pretty good. Fairly large. They also have an option to get cheese fries for your side which costs a couple extra bucks. But these cheese fries consist of bacon, chives, jalapenos if you like. Served with a side of ranch. Yummy. But filling. Come check out this neighborhood grill. Cozy and friendly place.
(3)Kyle T.
I hesitate to give this place only 3 stars because I do like it here. This restaurant is like the moderately attractive girl that dotes on you but you only hang out with on your terms. Dependable, mildly charismatic and pleasant. It is a wonderfully "local" eatery and the decision to not label this place a "bar and grill" is of paramount importance, though I naturally assume it to be every time and am surprised each time of how family-friendly it is. The crux of the matter is this. This place is almost too "neighborhood". The food is good. Love the burgers. I actually enjoy the attempt at Mexican "inspiration" in the dishes and the black bean and corn side is fantastic. The place is well-lit depending on the time of day (bright for lunch and a little darker for the evening). The bar options aren't the most expansive but I know what I like and don't come here to experiment. There are always nice people in this place, whether it be the servers/bartenders or customers and it is very kid friendly. AND the prices aren't bad at all. There is little not to like... Except that there is nothing that makes me LOVE this place. I LIKE it's proximity to my home. I LIKE that my girlfriend and I could wake up and stroll over and think nothing of it while enjoying a quality meal and no sexual tension. I LIKE the patio seating though the obstacle-course-like cache of strollers in the summer make me want to punch kittens. I LIKE that it's not a sleezy/flashy spot trying to be something it's not. It is a solid 4 star place... But I hardly ever choose to go here because nothing stands out about it. People are cordial but not too personal so I would choose another spot if I want to feel like a regular. If I want to get drunk I will choose some place that closes later with no babies around (buzzkill!) If I wanted stellar food I would choose a place a little more... stellar. If I wanted to party I would choose some place bigger and more club-like. I would never go here to meet some ladies. As stated above, this place is no slouch. They do everything well. 4-star well, even. But they do nothing spectacular. I agree with Ellen M. on this place seriously benefiting from a .5 star option. But until then I will drop in when I want a g-rated meal and top-notch service while hanging with a friend or a girl around whom I feel comfortable enough to fart. The southwest chick sandwich is also a fantastic hangover cure. but as far as personal touches go, this place comes off more Dreamworks than Pixar. I truly do like this place and hate to sound critical but I've lived in this neighborhood for 5 years and have visited Rockwell's 6 pleasurable times, total. It will rarely be my first choice but if I'm alone after a falling out of love with my regular spots, I might just give Rockwell's a call.
(3)Eric V.
Ohhh, I'm exhausted. It's Monday and I've been on this street a thousand times. It's never looked so strange. The storefronts...so closed. In the distance, Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. Open, perhaps. My feet ache...my stomach aches...but they're open...they're open and serving tasty, juicy, garlic peppercorn char-crusted Krusty Burgers! Thank goodness I got off the Brown line and ate at Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill! Yes!!
(4)Steve D.
Rockwell Grill is pretty good. The food is solid, although I wish they would switch up the menu more often. The fish tacos and Louisiana egg rolls are a couple of my favorites they have to offer. They've got a decent list of bottled beer and they also have rotating taps (three), which are consistently interesting and worth trying. It's a family place, which can be kind of annoying, but that isn't their fault. Decor is a bit corny, but there are some interesting pictures on the walls if you stop to take a look at them. They also have some bizarre pop art in the bathrooms. One thing I've noticed over the years is that they LOVE to start their closing duties early (like before 9PM) so it can be an awkward environment when your waitress is sweeping and stacking chairs an hour before closing. It's a strange contrast with the welcoming vibe of the restaurant. Not a destination spot, but a really good neighborhood place, exactly as advertised.
(4)Heather P.
Let me first say: I don't hate kids, except in large numbers. I like kids. I effing hate parents. I have worked in customer service since I was 16, and there is nothing worse than parents who drag kids into places where kids don't belong, or bring ill-bred monsters who don't know how to behave in public, make some noise, make a mess, ruin everyone's good time and leave blissfully ignorant of the havoc they wreak. In my latest career venture ("fast casual"), it has become apparent to me that once you have kids, you forget how trash cans work. It's bizarre and inexplicable. That being said, Rockwell's is amazing. I don't generally like to go out to places that actually cater to kids, because once you do that you invite all the horrible, horrible parents. But there is something about this place, and magic happens there. I have eaten there a half-dozen times since the beginning of the summer (maybe even 7 or 8, lost track) and I have never been in the company of anyone but the most well-behaved little angels and their totally kickass parents. I've eaten inside once, but outside on the patio is where it's at. Under a little tree-cover on a mostly residential street, it is the most beautiful place on a beautiful day, where dogs nap, children frolick, and you dine on the world's most excellent cheese fries. And also, there's booze. Service is very friendly, drinks are cold, and the food is amazing. The menu is just large enough and incredibly well-priced. The cheese fries (with cheddar, bacon, scallions, jalapenos and ranch dressing) are the best way ever invented to give yourself a heart attack. The chicken nachos are drool-worthy, as are the "texas toothpicks" (fried onions an jalapenos), the burritos, chicken sandwiches, fresh yummy salads, and the chicken flautas which are crisp and light. There is free parking nearby and never a wait. Easily my favorite summer place for din-dins. Once the patio disappears, we will just have to see.
(5)Steve G.
Solid pub grub and beer selection. Friendly, locals/neighborhood joint that is good for after-work drinks or dinner with the fam. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, etc. This will be a regular dinner-in-a-pinch spot when my kid gets a bit older. I should also note that I went here when it first opened and was unimpressed, but my most recent visit about a year later was much, much better.
(4)Mike B.
We had a Living Social deal for this place so we went last night to try it out. First thing I noticed - the room was extremely loud and bright. I'm not looking for an intimate feel in a neighborhood pub, but it just wasn't comfortable. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, and patient. I was a bit disappointed that she didn't really know the beer menu (had to check what the monthly beers were on the outside menu with the bartender), but the service overall was great. My wife had the burger, which was solid but not world-breaking. Fries were soggy and disappointing. The burger was cooked as ordered, which seems like a difficult thing to get these days. I'm trying to eat healthier, so I had the fish tacos, which came highly recommended. The "blackened talapia" wasn't very well spiced and didn't seem "blackened" at all. In fact, it was a bit fishy tasting, which put me off. The homemade chips & salsa were excellent. Overall, simply ok. I won't rush back
(3)Aidan S.
Great food! Black bean and corn salad is the best I've ever had! Great beer selection! And overall great for my 6 month old.
(5)Daniel R.
I love Rockwell's, it is the perfect neighborhood grill. Good food, great beer selection and good service. Cant ask for much else.
(5)Michael C.
This is a staple restaurant for me and my friends. The food isn't change-your-life good, but when looking for a solid meal with some of the most friendly servers around, this is the place for you. Rockwell's has never disappointed and is always an enjoyable meal. Thanks to all the staff for being consistantly awesome.
(4)Julie M.
Came here to scope out the neighborhood and catch some Sunday football. Much of what is said below is true - kids running around everywhere during the day and pretty quiet. As it neared post-dinner hour, the place became rather packed (a good sign for a Sunday night!). Crowd is a mix of singles and couples, def local flavor and a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Only two televisions, so if you're looking to catch a few games at once - this is not the place. Excellent food (the fries are heavenly) and cool beers on tap. The owners formerly owned some great burger joints down in the Dallas, TX area... the yummy apps I remember there and up here - texas toothpicks, yay! They've got a few games up at the bar, pick-up-sticks, some trivia cards... entertainment when you're a few beers in. And points for great service - I ordered a burger well done and it came out more towards medium... I decided I'd just make do and eat it as is, but the server noticed and had a new one grilled up for me lickety-split! Super cool. Will be back for sure.
(4)Unity O.
Is it a bar? Yep! well okay bar/restaurant. Do I drink? er-Nope! (I know--I am a very weird Yelper) But, I can sure as heck eat and let me just tell you, Rockwell's has some bang up excellent food. I met a friend here for some dinner & catch up time and this was an great place to accomplish both those tasks. We were able to snag a table outside and enjoy the quiet of the side street. I highly recommend taking advantage of the outside seating, you would never ever know the "L" stop is right around the corner. However, that is also convenient since you can always just hop the "L" to the Rockwell stop & then enjoy some food at this place. Plus, it has the neigborhoody vibe I love. The inside is very spacious, but I am pretty sure I won't enjoy it until it is cold out & there is no outside seating. Let's talk food, it is delicious. Nothing fancy schmancy, but good solid options. My friend & I each ordered salads--of course we got different ones because that is way lame-O to get the same. Our salads were humongous--very generous portions and extremely tasty. On a side note, I have to absolutely love a place that does NOT skimp on the avocado in a salad. It is like they gave you a whole one sliced up in my bad boy salad--so good! After we devoured our plates of food, we decided since we had been so good and ordered salads, of course we needed dessert (snicker!). Any place that gives you a peanut butter & chocolate brownie the size of my head and then covers it with ice cream is tops in my book. It was gooey goodness on a plate & a great way to top a wonderful evening. So, if ever you want to meet me here sometime, give me a holla & let's do it!
(4)Amanda S.
I'm so glad I stumbled across this place. Once again on a hunt for queso dip, I came here and I was not at all disappointed. They serve up an amazing trio of dips (guac, salsa and queso) for around $6 - a total STEAL! I could come and just eat dip and drink beer. Speaking of beer, they have a great selection (nothing too outrageous, but more than Pabst and Bud) plus wine too. Every meal I've had there has just been really great -- the burgers are fantastic, the fajitas were super savory. And everyone there is really nice. It feels really laid back and family friendly without that overwhelming cloistering OMG SCREAMING TODDLERS EVERYWHERE feeling (I hate that about so many places in Lincoln Square as I do not have kids). I am looking forward to trying brunch there and will report back -- my experiences have been purely dinner so far.
(4)Stephanie H.
I am quite pleased to have Rockwell's in my neighborhood. It is a "Neighborhood Grill" as the title states. Plain and simple. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner here. There's a good beer selection and the food is decent. It's very cozy and friendly, and I always find myself wanting to return.
(4)A M.
Great food. The house Cab & Pinot Noir need to be replaced. Best family/kid friendly place in Lincoln Square. Serves are slow and lack awareness. Warning: double check your "to go" food before leaving. 7 out of 10 times your order will be wrong or missing something. Very frustrating.
(3)Ryan H.
My girlfriend and I come here all the time and have nothing but fantastic experiences. The bartenders are great and easy to talk to with no pretentious attitude. The food is always good (fries were just OK) and the beer selection is always evolving. Mix drinks are fantastic and they are always testing new combinations. Yes, there are lots of families but it is a family heavy hood. Go to the square or come a little later to avoid that. To summarize, this places like this is why my gf and I moved to the city.
(5)Sarah K.
even though we had a to wait a while for our table, the service was great and the food was delicious. not to mention the wonderful beer on tap!
(5)Nathan C.
Easy 5 stars. Excellent service and food. RECOMEND!!!
(5)Deborah F.
Basic bar food, beer. It came out quickly. Staff was friendly. Items seem to be reasonably priced. Veggie fajitas didn't blow my mind (however loaded with mushrooms -- just a bit bland). I do believe I would have enjoyed this place much more if I was still of the kid menu ordering age. But now that I'm of beer ordering age, why go back? (That said, if anyone can figure out how to go back to kid menu ordering age, I'm listening.)
(3)Lauren T.
I wanted to like this place since it's round the corner from my house. I can deal with the screaming kids. But the food is bland. I wouldn't mind sitting and have a few beers at the bar. But the lighting is terrible. Way too bright! Turn the lights down just a tad and it might help us come back and give it another go.
(2)Gale B.
Do want to go somewhere where everyone knows your name? Well, Rockwell is it.. The neighborhood bar.. But more than a bar it is. The best build - a - burger there is!! I usually get the veggie burger. What do they make this burger out of? It's DELISH. Today I had the fish sandwich. It didn't disappoint. Just the right amount of blacken seasoning and the portion is huge. Shared it with the hubby. I've been trying to be good but today had to have the fries!! When you get off the (brown line)train at Rockwell make your way to this great place.
(5)Jenna D.
Very knowledgeable bartenders. Great local brews. Amazing nachos and blackened fish tacos! Cool neighborhood joint. Will definitely be back.
(4)Naomi L.
Did not feel like getting all fancy and wanted to stay close to home so i came here. Parking was fairly easy and we were seated right away. When we first got there the staff were on their toes and very attentive. I ordered a glass of Sauvigon Blanc and the fish tacos. Fish Tacos came up pretty fast and I also ordered a side of fries with MAYO! I do not have much to say about this place but i know that i would definitely would come again. Its a great neighborhood joint to come and visit.
(3)Mary Beth E.
So I've lived in the Albany Park neighborhood for a few years now. I finally managed to wander over to Rockwell's this past December and my life is forever changed!!!! My boy was looking to buy a condo in that neighborhood recently. When we were out and about going to open houses, we went to one very close to Rockwell's. I ended up taking him there for lunch, to show him what his "maybe new neighborhood" was like. He fell in love with this place and ended up buying the condo right around the corner from here! Score! My point...I now have a new regular eating spot. Love it! We just went there this past Friday night. My boy got his typical cheese burger and I got the Grilled Chicken, BBQ Bacon sandwich and cheese fries. I can not and will not utter one bad thing about my meal. It was one of the most delicious things I have eaten. Come to think of it, everything I have ever ordered has been one of the most delicious things I've eaten! It's a small place so their service tends to be on the quicker, better side than a lot of restaurants. It's a nice, quiet, cozy little place for a quick lunch or lenghty booze-filled dinner. (They have plenty of beers to choose from...) Their menu is not extensive but has enough options to satisfy even the pickest of eaters. Typical american fair. During the summer they have a dog-friendly outside eating area. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5? Well, my boy asked for his burger medium-well and it came out a little too pink for either of our liking. (I know, it's a shame, we are the type of people who like our food actually cooked before we eat it.) Note to self: Ask for it "well" next time. Other than that, a great place with a great staff!!!
(4)Jane M.
Love, love, love. Good food, friendly staff, terrific bar and love that they state their nightly specials on Facebook. Food: large portions, delicious, and if not right,, they will make it right. Drinks: large selections and nightly specials Atmosphere: small neighborhood joint, friendly, can be crowded but you can still hold a conversation.
(5)Romana Y.
The lingering smell of the food from the outdoor patio lured us in. Beef burrito:4 Cut-out Fries: 3.5 Intelligentsia (house roast): 3 Service: 5 Ambiance:5
(4)Azrael D.
I think we hit them on a bad Sunday evening. We had some poor communication issues to start with, but nothing that didn't get straightened out too quickly. They do have a good selection of craft beer. The food however, is another matter. This was our first time there, and our first impression was not a good one. I ordered a Wake N Bacon. The burger was okay. Except when you have a burger named "wake n bacon" you expect to taste...I dunno, Bacon. I tasted none. The cheese fries were "meh". They obviously had been sitting under a lamp for some time. The cheese was hard. The service was a bit slow, but I can forgive that, as they had a bit of a rush. But, there were a lot of little things that all added up to a sort of meh experience with the place. I'll probably try Rockwell's again, on the premise of: maybe it was a bad night. I'll report back when I do.
(2)Eva S.
I give this place 3.5 stars, but hear me out why I would round down. This place is a great neighborhood bar & grill in the cutest little nook in Ravenswood, but when I came here last weekend, the series of events led me to be "hangry" (I.e. angry because you're so hungry... which leads to a trail of unreasonable things irking you) so let's avoid that feeling (and that term) altogether in the future. But more back-drop later. Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is dog-friendly, which is fantastic (!) and was the reason I chose it in the first place. I'm not from the neighborhood, so it was kind of a trip to head out to Ravenswood but I thought I'd give it a shot. It's also very kid-friendly (you'll see lots of young families) and there is a wide age range and demographic who dine here. I was able to try a generous portion of their Penrose P2 pale ale before I ordered it on tap and their burgers are the highlight of their menu (I got the Sante Fe). STANDARD BURGERS, LONG WAIT FOR PATIO Burger, fries, a great beer selection and an outdoor patio sounds like the perfect combo. And it could have been, had we not had to wait so long. I came to Rockwell's with a group of five, hoping to snag some outdoor seating and enjoy good food and company while my dog hangs out at our feet. NO RESERVATIONS: I called earlier Saturday morning and asked if they took reservations. The lady on the phone said that they don't, but took my name down anyway, and said they will look out for our party at 7pm. So I made a pseudo-reservation. Or, at least, I gave them a genuine heads-up that our party will be coming. If not, no big, the wait shouldn't be that bad right? When I checked in at 6:50pm with the host and gave my name, there was no recollection/indication of my call... so my name wasn't passed down. I am able to deal with that. But 50 minutes later, still standing on the sidewalk, with a growing escalation of "hangry-ness" and a pooch walking in circles around our feet, I couldn't wait any longer. I went inside and asked the availability of an indoor table for five, to which the host said, "Oh of course, this table opened up 30 minutes ago." Well, yes, perhaps you could have offered that to us? The host did no wrong... but I was hangry beyond reason and logic. I told the rest of my friends that we could finally be seated, and walked back to my car to keep my dog there for the rest of dinner. LESSON LEARNED: Next time I should leave the dog at home. Got it. But really now, if you're not from the neighborhood, this probably wouldn't be the best place to go out of your way to "seek out" their standard fare. If I lived in Ravenswood, I could see myself come here more often because their burgers are decent, their beer list extensive and it's a great community establishment (events, fundraisers, dogs). If you come here during peak hours expecting patio seating on a gorgeous Saturday evening, eat a small dinner before you come. Or only come for drinks. The rounding down 0.5 stars was prompted by... (the long wait and) wishing my dog was a little human or something. Granted, the host did try to give a warning that he didn't know when guests would leave, but to come here at peak hours when it's warm out... eek. And congrats if you made it to the end.
(3)David H.
The last 3 or 4 carry out orders have been wrong. Tonight no fries though they repeated order. Check the food before you leave there. Also, it's never ready when they say it going to be. Always waiting 10-15 minutes, never an apology. I used to love this place. Really disappointed.
(2)Josh H.
This place is amazing. The food is great and reasonably priced. The service is great and the menu selection is awesome They have specials everyday that range from off-menu enchiladas (which are TO DIE FOR) to ribs and pork roasts. It's a wild card as to what the special is but you can't go wrong no matter what they're offering.
(5)Matt B.
Love the "Build Your Burger" option. This might be a place in contention for "Best Burger" in the city. Large portions and a variety of beer options keep me coming back. Also, get cheddar fries. Outstanding.
(5)Jessica D.
I've gone here a couple of times and I will definitely be taking out of town friends here for amazing burgers and fantastic drinks. The service is top notch. Very down to earth, cool vibe in the atmosphere and in the people. Prices are great, too! But seriously, the burgers are SO DAMN GOOD. The last one I tried was called something like The Wake and Bacon. I'm happy they're just a nice walk away. If you're in the area, skip the other burger joints and treat yourself to Rockwells!
(5)Angela L.
Great place for brunch. The bloody mary could be a little less sour, but I'm admittedly a bloody mary perfectionist. The mini potato pancakes are perfect for soaking up hangover regrets. The many chorizo-loaded options are a great staple. Always good service, always exactly what you expect from the menu (and often bigger portions than you'd guess).
(4)Aly A.
I've been here for probably 3 dinners, one dinner to go, and brunch twice. The wait staff is always very friendly and patient, and can offer great menu recommendations. The prices are definitely reasonable for the amount/quality of food you get. Burger and fries will run you about $10, brunch will also run you about $10. Can't beat that compared to some other places. The outdoor patio seating is around the corner from Rockwell, so you don't hear the train and bells either. I'd recommend it since there is something for everyone on the menu - so I often take friends in from out of town here.
(4)Erik P.
Great neighborhood bar for good and drinks. They have a decent burger menu, but to my surprise they also make some damn good Mexican dishes. I just had the Migas for brunch and it rocked my world.
(4)Dan D.
Rockwell's has been a great "go-to" since I moved to the area. I wish they stayed open a little later than they do. The food is so good for a neighborhood bar. The beer selection is great and the mixed drinks are very clever and creative. Whenever friends from the burbs stay with me, they always ask if we can go to Rockwell's.
(5)Catherine M.
Rockwell's is a staple in our family and our neighborhood. It's easy to go with kids for a pretty tasty bite, awesome beer list and really relaxed atmosphere. I will say that we recently had a super disappointing experience in what was clearly an off night for them. As the manager said when I talked to him about our disappointment, we looked utterly unhappy (which in our defense we had been there almost an hour and a half with two exhausted kiddos only to have cold food arrive). But- the sign of a good institution is how they handle mistakes and to his credit, the manager Jeff comped all but our drinks. We will be back, perhaps a bit more weary and skeptical than normal, but they haven't lost our business yet.
(3)Nathan W.
Great neighborhood bar and restaurant - family friendly, nice patio, good food, always interesting beer selections. This is what you want in your local neighborhood pub.
(5)Tom D.
Love this place! Best beer list in the area, always rotating and adding new beers from all over the U.S. I like Stone and they always seem to have a new offering from them. These might just be my favorite burgers. And their burgers of the week are usually pretty good too. The "what a jerk" and "krusty burger" are my favorites. The recent renovations are nice and the place is always clean. I prefer to sit outside at their beer garden when possible. They even let us bring our dog and are always cool with her. Chill neighborhood place with great beer, burgers, and salads.
(5)Dan D.
I've been here several times. Depending on when you go, you'll either encounter large hordes of families (6PM dinner time) or locals having a beer (830 and beyond). I've gotten several of their burgers, including the big ollie (a 2 patty burger) and have not been disappointed. The wife has enjoyed her meals as well, always willing to return. The place is a restaurant / bar feel, but family friendly. Good burgers.
(4)Bernie H.
Great food, great location, great people! What a gem find!! Parking can be tough but it's right off the Brown line!
(5)Keith C.
First time at Rockwells, the reviews were very accurate. Very family friendly for a being a Pub, primarily. Diverse menu, kids menu, we were seated right away. I had fish tacos, very good, fresh, spicy. My wife had the pork sandwiches, she enjoyed it, was kinda spicy. Large plates, good value. We will be coming back.
(4)Elbert S.
How could this be possible for this small place to provide so much goodness!!!! Everything is good!
(5)Helen A.
I expected tasty food...not so much. The atmosphere is fine, more restaurant than pub, very family friendly which was unexpected but not entirely unpleasant. The cocktail list looked delicious as did the menu. My cajun burger was raw and bland, inspite of the spice crust (which was not crusty at all). The fries were not great. The beer was good and thats it.
(2)Ann M.
This place is tucked away right off of the Rockwell brown line stop. Rockwell's is super cozy and comfortable. They have really great food, beer, and service. I love that it's in my neighborhood and it's just a short walk away! Highly recommended spot to check out!
(5)Diosa D.
OMFG where has this place been all my life??! The Louisiana Eggrolls replace basically any other food you thought you needed to eat. I no longer need burritos, samosas, pizza or regular old eggrolls because this dish is everything. Plus the service was super warm and attentive. Much appreciated!
(5)Kori E.
We came here Friday night to sit outside and enjoy some dinner and it was great. We had to wait a bit for a table, but no biggie as we scored two seats at the bar. They have a nice beer list, but I of course, stuck with white wine. My BF had a dark IPA that he liked out of a cask. Our waiter outside was great - he could have been someone off of Portlandia. We started with the hummus and it was awesome! I was not expecting this. It was topped with cilantro, black beans and jalapeno's. I want to try making that at home. For our dinner, we split the fish tacos and it was perfect for the two of us. We each got a taco and it came with black beans and chips n salsa. They were delish. I would definitely come back here again - especially to sit outside in the little patio area.
(4)Sean C.
I tried their Black N Bleu and it was darn good! My wife and I had a couple beers and the service was attentive and friendly. What really made the experience top notch was the quaint downtown area and the Rockwell Brown Line Station. All in all a great experience and we will be back for sure since I live so close.
(4)Sheri S.
This used to be a staple. We live around the block. But, the meal and service that we just had has sealed it. We will not be back. The service was terrible.Food was AWFUL! They have changed hands several times. And, fared pretty well, some decline in food but, okay. I don't know if there was another change, but there are too many alternatives to come back.
(1)Charlie ..
I have been going to Rockwells for a while now and their food is amazing! They have really good burgers and the queso dip is excellent. Service is great and they have outside seating. My only complaint is the fries. I don't like how they they leave potato skins on them. I will continue coming back. Age -12
(4)V. J.
The food was excellent, but I couldn't hear the person I was with because there were several loudly screaming children in the restaurant, all at one table. So we basically just looked at each other while eating. Even the waitstaff had to pause in order to hear what we wanted to drink. I've been here twice, and both times the experience was rather unpleasant. Kids are great, but I'm surprised when restaurants don't have a "no screaming humans" policy - regardless of age.
(2)Alex M.
Go here! Enjoy the outdoor seating and the unbeatable location. Be pleased with your kind and friendly server. Eat a good burger, or nachos, or their surprising and yummy taco salad. Even the loaded baked potato, a premium side, is a meal's worth of potato. Two watchouts: the salads are the reason that people in the know call Rockwell's "house of wilted lettuce." Also, the bloody mary tastes exactly the way a bloody mary should taste if you've been in a turkish prison for six years, scrounging bloody mary supplies, and finally you sneak into the prison bathroom and make yourself a bloody mary with sixteen ketchup packets, salt, pepper, and bathtub vodka. Wowbad. Good beer, great service, 90% of the menu is awesome!
(3)Brandon S.
Decent food. Good service. Great location! I'd say I'll recommend it to anyone! It's right off the brown line so you don't have to necessarily drive. The service is very good! Menu is awesome and a lot of options
(3)Tony G.
Horrible service, walked in the door at 10:01 am when the sign said they open at 10. The sign at the host/hostess stand said, "Please wait to be seated." My friend and I stood there for 10 minutes waiting to be seated while an employee stood in the back talking to other unseen coworkers while she was eating. The person behind the bar and the server in the back both made eye contact with us at the door neither came to seat us. Eventually the young lady made her way to the front and told us we could sit wherever we wanted. We took a seat at the table but before the server could return we got up and left. If we were going to be told to take a seat ourselves that could have happened 10-15 minutes sooner than it did. It appeared as if our business was not a priority.
(1)Kyle K.
A pretty good burger and bottled Founders KBS on the menu, need I say more?
(4)Kelsie L.
The good- Food was great,we ordered the taco salad, blue cheese burger and the cheddar fries. The cocktails were well made and the service was perfect. They have an impressive draft beer selection. The bad- During the peak dinner hours there are tons of children running around. We will be back, but later in the evening.
(4)Kevin Z.
Awesome food across the board. I like the chicken tacos. Great rotating beer list too.
(5)Laura P.
Surf n turf special, scallops and steak! Good beer selection! This one of the places I like to go, but for Whatever reason, I don't come here often enough. I have been 3 times and every experience has been good. The have a great beer selection and the food is always good. Service is always friendly and attentive. If you come on a weekend you might have a little bit of wait, but never too long. They have TVs for sports fans at the bar. In the summer they have a nice big patio where you can bring the pooch. I also like the noise level, its not too quite but not overwhelming loud either. A good place to bring a small group (but you might want to make reservations if you can)
(4)Dayna S.
My son and I happened to stumble upon this place when looking for apartments for rent. The service was friendly and the food was good. We enjoyed it very much.
(5)Jaime G.
I dig Rockwell's. It adds to the charm and extensive food offerings at Lincoln Square. Known for its burgers, it also offers an ever changing craft beer selection that's likely to appease any pallet. Try the steak burger (succulent marinated steak with blue cheese in a fresh soft roll...add avocado for more creaminess) and the tilapia tacos. Pair the burger with a brown ale like a Arrogant Bastard ale. A bar at its heart so you'll see the typical bar stools and TVs for the weekend sports fair. Ok for kids but come early. Parking can be tough as well given that its right by the train. Service is super good as wait staff is especially knowledgable of the food and beer (shout out to Jose for allowing to sample all of the draft beers for free). Come for the sold selection of burgers, beer, and service.
(4)Karen Anne B.
He headed here after taking our dog to the dog beach on a Sunday morning. We were looking for a place that offered brunch with a dog-friendly outdoor area. We arrived just a few minutes before they were officially open and someone came out and told us we could go ahead and take a seat. We really enjoyed sitting out with our four legged friend and having brunch. The service was great, the seating area was shaded and the neighborhood was fairly quiet. I had the Chapin platter. It wasn't a knock your socks off breakfast, but it was good. I especially enjoyed the veg-friendly black beans and the plantains. We didn't order a beer, but they did seem to have a great beer list. I'm glad we checked them out and I can see us going back.
(4)Caitlin B.
I love this place! The Rockwell Crossing area is adorable, and it's just so pleasant to come here, especially if you can sit on the patio. The food is all good, but favorites include any of the Mexican dishes and the cheese fries. I've also had a decent burger here. Nachos are good, but a bit dry. The beer list leaves a bit to be desired, and there are frequently a number of families here. I'm not bothered by it, but if you want to get sloshed on cheap beer and be obnoxious, it's best to go somewhere else, lest you upset the (mostly) very well behaved children and their parents.
(5)Maggie M.
Really good chicken sandwich, if not the best I've had. I'm not a fan of their fries though. Decent beer selection, although the draft list is limited. Best part is being able to sit on the patio with my dog milo, they even brought him a water dish!
(4)Meg r.
Such a great place. super good cheese fries and 3 Floyds Rabid Babbit on tap. baby changing station in one of the bathrooms. and as long as you are not lookin for seating for 8, you are good to go! Great patio and really nice people workin here.
(4)Richard Z.
For the price a great bargain~ the price difference between going to McDonalds and Rockwells is not great considering what Rockwell gives you. It is not just a burger joint or a neighborhood tavern with food. The Blacken tilapia sandwich is usually pretty good and you can never miss with the burgers. The taco soup and the hot hot hot jalapeno soup are great smalls. For four or five bucks they give you a pretty nice bowl but I have often had to sent it back to warm it. Although I dont drink I know the bar seems well stocked with beers. It has veered toward a more southwestern cuisine with their menu change and a bit too many cheesy dishes for my taste. Yet Rockwells can always be counted on in a world of fast food joints and carry out. Bruch is great but a bit pricey going as high as 13$ for bacon and eggs and coffee. The atmosphere is a lot more sober than a sports bar as it where parents go to get away from their kids. The two TVs usually have sports and it is common to strike up a conversation with the strangers sitting next to you. I am a very hard grader living on retiree money and Rockwells may not compete with Randolph street but I dont like to be doted on even by friend~restranturs. The waiters are friendly and swift but not annoying. Owner? Who cares it is great place for a slow paced meal.
(4)marta k.
I love Rockwell's! You can't beat the burger. The staff is always welcoming. A all-around great place.
(5)Carlos V.
The beer selection on this place rotates pretty often and i adore that. They have really nice beers. I am a big fan of imperial stouts and saisons which they normally carry. Food is good, great fries, their fish sandwich, the chicken sandwich, the salads are massive. Great overall for a neighborhood bar.
(4)Jacob T.
Rockwell's never disappoints. Great beer selection and good burgers. Their veggie patty is good too. I love getting off the el and heading into this place. They have dum dum suckers in a basket as you leave and I always snag several for the walk home. If you're a local you gotta try this place.
(4)Matthew S.
Excellent beef/chicken/steak burritos, excellent burgers, and cheese fries. Both are about 9bucks. You will get your moneys worth, portions are pretty big. Have about 10 beers on draft from all over US. Many more bottled beers too. Have a side patio for the summer and can bring your dog. It is very kid friendly which fits for the neighborhood.
(5)Kat B.
Love this place! Very family-friendly with a great menu. The fish tacos are my favorite. Good service and good value.
(5)Reagan W.
Went here last night for dinner and drinks. This place is understated and very good! The staff was friendly and good at their job. The food was really great. I had a the BBQ bacon burger. BBQ sauce is definitely delicious and tangy. Fries were good. My other half had the steak and it was cooked perfectly and the loaded baked potato was phenomenal. We had enough left for lunch the following day. Great portions. We also had two beers and the guacamole and chips. All for $55 with tip. Not bad:)
(5)Tony F.
The cheese fries are amazing, the burgers are great, the revolving beer menu is amazing, the staff is pleasant, take-out is ready in 15 minutes, the 'style' of the place is great and they hold cool events. Why only 4 stars? So, many, children. Children everywhere. I get it, its a neighborhood restaurant that's family friendly in a neighborhood full of double wide strollers. But damn, people do not keep their kids on a leash at this place. I can't really hold Rockwell's responsible, I guess, since they have put up signs requesting people make sure they're paying attention to their kids, but they don't, to be honest. Maybe I'm just old, crotchety, and am not a kid person. Also, it definitely isn't like this (obviously) if you come later.
(4)Dede R.
I have gone to Rockwells since it opened. Love the burgers, Louisiana Egg Rolls. Flautas, Steaks, Nachos, Tortilla soup, I could go on but I have two words. Pulled Pork, there's a few new items on the menu that include pulled pork..num num num. Hoping for Pulled Pork Fries. Go with your family (grown ups go after 7pm if you don't want a lot of kiddies around). In the warmer days go early if you want to sit outside. They have a great brunch on weekends.
(4)Maria M.
Stopped in here for dinner last night and we were pleasantly surprised. They have a great drink menu, pretty decent selection of spirits and beer, and the food was super tasty too. I had the Southwest burger and my husband had the chicken tacos. Both were delicious and the ingredients were clearly freshly prepared. The staff was super friendly as well. There were a lot of families and neighborhood people stopping in. Just overall great neighborhood joint. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!
(4)Noah B.
Great place tucked away in RW crossings. I would recommend waiting until after the dinner rush as there are typically lots of kids running around. Waitstaff is awesome and the bartenders know their beer! Try the Strip steak sandwich with chihuahua cheese instead of bleu cheese.
(4)marianne r.
Pleasantly surprised and will most definitely return. Not even taking into account the food(which was very good!) but the service was outstanding and very communal ...the GM was super vigilant and very personable ..the staff were just the same..very attentive and alert without being intrusive .. A great neighborhood place
(5)Jamie B.
What a hidden gem!!! Excellent food, one of the BEST steak sandwiches I've had. Right off the Rockwell brown line, this place is fantastic. Huge beer selection, can't wait to come back when we venture to Lincoln Square.
(5)Julie C.
I love Rockwell's. I live slightly less than a mile away, so it's become my go-to restaurant to take out-of-town family and friends when they visit. It's a cozy neighborhood place with friendly, attentive service and what I believe is the best burger in Chicago. (Trust me, I've been to Kuma's, Bad Apple, etc., and nothing beats a Rockwell's burger for me.) They also have a great beer list, which my beer-drinking friends have appreciated. My only disappointment coming here is that the fries can be hit or miss. I've been here and had great fries, and other times the fries have been greasy and soggy. For a while I would get chips and salsa as a side with my burger because I didn't want to take the chance of getting gross fries. On my most recent visit, the fries were amazing, but that could be because we showed up for lunch really early and the fries were fried in fresh oil. Come early for lunch or later for dinner to avoid the crowd and all the kids running around.
(4)Amy W.
Food is good. Beer is good. Price is right and staff is friendly. But don't stop here for a bite if you're in a hurry. I went recently for brunch and though the place was dead at the time (which is unusual) it took forever for us to get served. The outdoor seating is nice though and is dog-friendly.
(3)Yanyao N.
I suspect I will start spending a lot more time here once I move down the street. Rockwell's has all that you would want in a neighborhood grill. It sits on a quiet, residential street (but right by the Rockwell Brown Line for easy access) and is a laid-back spot serving up your expected salads, burgers, sandwiches, etc, alongside a nice beer menu. The Rockwell's burger is good, and I am excited to eat my way through the rest of their menu. A garlic peppercorn crusted char burger named after Krusty? Yes, yes, yes! I spent a lovely afternoon on their patio, drinking John Daly cocktails and ogling all the neighborhood dogs (they shall soon be my new friends!). The patio is shaded, quiet, and dog-friendly, so I had the added bonus on being able to pet and play with a new canine buddy! It was a really lovely time. Our table neighbors were friendly and said bye to us when we left. Service was totally toned for lazy Sunday patio drinking, which I thought was perfect - you don't want anyone hovering constantly. This place can sometimes turn into kid city, but it sort of goes with the neighborhood.
(4)Julia J.
Have been coming to Rockwell's since it first opened. This is an amazing place for good food. They have a nice beer selection and can mix a mean bloody mary. Rockwells makes the best fish tacos around. I crave them, they are so good. I could eat Rockwell's fish tacos daily!. Great casual place to take friends and family.
(5)skip l.
What a great place for dog-less dog lovers! Their outdoor seating is both dog-friendly and a great place to observe the passing canine parade. That said, we love this place for its quiet, side-street location combined with a solid menu. We like their chips, salsa, and guacamole as a starter, then a burger, sandwich, or salad -- often taking part of it home for lunch the next day. One weakness -- literally -- are the cocktails. I've had a couple different ones from their cocktail menu and they are the weakest I can recall. Also uninspiring desserts; today just apple cobber and ice cream or a "peanut butter candy bar thing" with ice cream. With the business they do, especially in the summer, they could offer better! More important still -- in honor of the spirit -- their cocktails could sure use a longer pour. On the plus side, the service is tops. Today their early dinner crowd outside (maybe 10 tables?) had four different servers. Every server we've had in our several visits has been informed, thoughtful, and very nice. A final plus -- ask for their frequent diner card and build up your points. We're targeting enough for two of their very good burgers. Another review mentioned families. Yes, this is not a place for you if you are kids-adverse. But if you enjoy observing the pleasures of family life (with or without the associated responsibilities), that's part of the fun as well.
(4)Simone L.
Rockwell's is a classic. I was introduced to this place when I used to live in the neighborhood, and even now that I've moved away I'm always looking for excuses to return. Very cozy, has a community vibe, and the food never disappoints. The burgers and salads are really delicious, perfect for splitting with someone. Big fan!
(4)Angie M.
If I lived in this neighborhood, I would totally come to Rockwell's on a frequent basis. First, the burgers are dynamite. Like, DY-NO-MITE. Being a burger purist, I went with the Rockwell's Burger. Just lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup and mayo for this girl. The burger was cooked perfectly. It's a huge portion served on a nice, soft bun. I gobbled this bad boy up and didn't even feel guilty about the sheer volume of calories consumed. Rockwell's also boasts a solid beer list. Lots of diversity and a killer cider, which went perfectly with my burger. Service was friendly. Price was right. Total neighborhood joint.
(4)Just Me E.
This is a cute little bar tucked into a cute corner of a cute neighborhood. We wandered in on a rainy weekday afternoon for lunch. I tried their half pound burger served between two grilled cheese sandwiches as a bun. Was it good? You betcha, and i finished the whole damn thing. It's the kind of place where I could very easily become a regular. I was surprised to hear that they've been there since 2005. We experienced friendly staff, a laid back vibe, and a local crowd. It's also the type of place where I could regain the fat Chicago-style ass that it took me more than a year to shed, so it's probably a good thing that we're soon going back to Florida until next summer.
(4)Sargis N.
The service was good and the food came out pretty fast but the BBQ Burger wasn't what I thought I was gonna be but other than that I loved the seating and it was nice.
(4)Rebecca B.
Some of the food can be hit or miss, but the burgers and the beer selection are always good. The high point of Rockwell's is the service. The wait staff and bartenders are great at their jobs, friendly, and attentive without being annoying. What is annoying, however, are all of the screaming children running around the restaurant. I understand that Rockwell's is "family friendly." I don't understand how "family friendly" came to mean "let you children run around the restaurant unsupervised and scream their heads off." I believe that children should be taken to restaurants starting at a young age, because that is how they learn how to behave in restaurants. I also believe that allowing your child to scream and throw french fries at a stranger (speaking from personal experience here, thank you anonymous mom who thought it was cute) is bad parenting. Either teach your children how to behave when in public places or don't take them into public places.
(3)Nancy S.
Love this restaurant! Their steak sandwich is to die for! Service has always been on key! Definitely recommend this restaurant!
(5)Katrina H.
Loved this place. My husband loved the many choices of beers and it was a good atmosphere for our family. The cheese fries were really good.
(5)Tina D.
Easy neighborhood spot when you don't feel like cooking. The beer list is great, it can get loud with all the littles running around you can mostly avoid this by going after 7 or so. Outdoor patio is lovely. Staff are helpful and attentive.
(4)Steven B.
Awesome burgers with a ton of options
(4)Kari C.
Great craft beer selection. Amazing burgers (I never try anything else). Friendly staff. What else is there to say?
(5)Brigid R.
Our favorite neighborhood joint. You can bring your kid and still treat yourself to a good beer. Often "family friendly" translates to boring and bland, not Rockwell. The summer patio is the best, we bring our dog and our kid and just sit back and enjoy the neighborhood. If you don't like all the kids maybe you shouldn't be dining in Lincoln Square in the first place.
(5)Matt R.
I met some friends here for brunch on a Saturday. It qualifies as brunch in my book because half of us ate breakfast food, and the other half of us ate lunch food. All of the food was great. The fries are addictive! My burger was cooked to perfection.
(4)Joanne W.
I really like Rockwell's. It's a solid neighborhood joint right near the Rockwell brown line stop. It's a casual place, but not old man casual. In fact, depending on the time of day or night you are going...you might find that is more a family restaurant vs. a neighborhood bar & grill. I've frequented this place several times. I've yet to be disappointed with anything I've had. The burgers are pretty damn delicious and the fries are superb! The carne asada is unexpectedly delicious as are the salads. Solid appetizers as well. All this and a pretty nice beer menu too. What more could you ask for? Oh, friendly wait staff? Check. So far, so good on that front. My sister and I enjoyed a nice lunch at Rockwell's recently. We rolled in on a Sunday. It was a mixed crowd of young and old, familes, groups of friends and a couple of gals enjoying a meal & some conversation in the neighborhood. I like the vibe you are putting out, Rockwell's. Consider yourself on my go-to list.
(4)Jeremy G.
We started going to Rockwell's when we lived in the neighborhood and contiune to go back on occasion....we really try to support this place because they are very kid friendly, but they're starting to lose me. My wife gets the chicken sandwiches, kids get grilled cheese and they are both very good. The queso dip is crazy good as well. However I always have gone with the burger from here....two times ago, it was really, really sloppy and the last time - I somehow hit many little "hard' bites in the burger and could only eat about half. I'm sure we'll be back again...if you live in the neighborhood, want to go out to eat and not travel far - this place is gold. However I need to train myself to expand off the burgers and once I can do that, I'm sure we'll visit again...
(3)Dan H.
Rockwell's has been one of my "go to" places for as long as I've lived in the neighborhood. Service is always friendly and I like how the servers are nice and laid back. I've had a pretty healthy sampling of the menu. My favorites are the Chopped Chicken Salad, Rockwell Burger and the BBQ Bacon Burger. My only complaint about the BBQ Bacon Burger is that it comes drenched BBQ sauce. It's really good sauce, had a nice smoky/spicy blend to it...it's just too much. Maybe I need to start ordering it on the side. Burgers are big, always cooked the way you want them, and nice & juicy. Overall, I think their burgers rank up there at the top of what you can get in the city. You can also get any burger as chicken sandwich or gardenburger at no additional cost. They have a rotating beer selection that's pretty great, there are always 3-4 that I want to try. Added bonus - They have a big ol basket of lollipops by the front door!
(4)Kathleen E.
Cute local spot to grab a bite to eat. In summer they have a nice outdoor area to eat, drink and people watch. It's right off the Rockwell Brown line which is at street level. You can hear the el' and it's classic Chicago.
(4)Carolyn M P.
I went with my sister I ordered there BBQ Bacon Burger- a plate of French fries covered in cheddar cheese, green onions & bacon pieces called the cheddar fries , my drink was limeade and kiwi which was out of this world. My sister had the skirt steak sandwich which was very chewy. It wasn't cut on the grade and she took it out of the bread and cut it into to smaller bite size pieces. She also had a salad and a root beer cause the ginger ale was flat. That night was almost pleasant but seeing a couple with 3 small children the 1 older child was quite ,the other 2 were a bit noisy. I thought is this is a bar ? Why are there children in a bar ? I didn't know there were any children until they were aloud to get a dum dum aka lollypop there was a big basket full of them until I heard the small boy screaming and running towards the basket. Good thing that he still had on his bike helmet. I wouldn't want him to hurt himself by falling down. I loved the limeade with kiwi and the burgers were big, buttery and the bacon was so big and crispy. I would do this again. But for lunch only do the plate of fries & a salad there were so many French fries on that plate. If you look up you will see the magnetic bottle caps on the furnace duct. Depends on where your seated. I also loved the sitting in the window, until we moved for something . Not sure what that was about. We went to this on 5-23-14.
(5)Marc W.
Great beers and ok/good food. Check out their beer menu online and come for the Bourbon County Stout.
(5)scott B.
Want to grab an early evening dinner with your young-uns? This is the place. Great beer selection. We enjoy their sales, burgers and other creations in a relaxed environment. Been coming here for years. I usually order the chopped chicken salad. She gets a burger. The precocious boy gets chicken fingers. Don't forget to grab a free lolly pop on your way out. This was going to be a four star review, but we went last night and for some reason, the food was not as good as usual. Not sure if it was just a down night. Even the fries were not as good as usual.
(3)Sarah M.
I go to this place at least once a month. They have fantastic burgers, even better blackened fish tacos, good beer selection and great service. Never had a bad experience here and have been going for over two years now. Definitely a neighborhood friendly bar/grill that is accommodating for all ages. My only complaint is that they don't have a lot of space for large parties, especially if they are busy. They can push tables together but it may take a while to wait for those tables to open up. Other than that, this is a great place to eat!
(4)Faye B.
This local neighborhood joint is just ok. I keep coming back and I guess it's because the staff is friendly. The food can be a little hit or miss. The last time I was there I had a burger which was delicious, but I got stuck eating the loaded fries. The last time I ate here my fiancée raved about their fish tacos but decided to switch it up with a pasta salad that fell flat. The burger I had this time around made up for the dish I had last time. Maybe next time I go it may just be for a drink and dessert or just the fish tacos. It is a nice, friendly neighborhood option that is worth at least a look.
(3)Phil H.
Good atmosphere here, friendly service expect good times. I was visiting and enjoyed the food very good and stick to ur bones good. Burgers, fries, very good.
(4)Jennifer E.
Came here on a Sunday night to grab some food and watch the game. Service was the best ever I've experienced at a bar. Food was ok. Loved the chipotle wings but their chili didn't hit the spot...too much beans and not alot of flavor. My husband loved the Leroy sandwich though. I recommend this place :)
(4)Richie D.
Sadly enough, I must say that my overall experience was mediocre---3 stars for ya Rockwell's. I was really hoping for better since I love the location being so close to the adorable ground-level Rockwell El stop. Rockwell's is one of maybe 3 restaurants in the radius of 3 blocks or so. This is probably why it has tons of advertisements from the surrounding Manor and is swamped with families and children screaming from every corner of the room, ay! Thank goodness Yelp reviewing doesn't require good listening skills. I guess Rockwell's could be considered a "gastropub" but the food wasn't all that stellar. I tried the Louisiana Eggrolls as all the Yelpers recommended. They were homemade egg rolls (just like a Chinese joint but Tex-Mex style) stuffed with a mix of andouille sausage, jack cheddar cheese, chicken chunks, onions and maybe two other ingredients. With the accompanying chipotle ranch dressing I will admit they were fairly yummy. For those sensitive palates, it is a tad spicy but definitely do-able. I will give RWs a thumbs up for offering a Wheat/Hopps-free beer but too bad practically 75% of the menu includes wheat products (lots-o-'wiches). I had the Chicken Breast Sandwich and my partner had the French Dip. Both were just average and if it weren't for the homemade french fries, I could have gotten the same thing at Portillos for cheaper. They do give you a choice of sides like a good sized side salad (get the dijon vinnagrette), homemade pasta salad, and a black bean & corn salad. A note to the owners, the decor is primarily old framed images that have no thematic connection and cover the entire wall. Please add a little more something...please.
(3)Ellen F.
Nice neighborhood restaurant. It was filled with family groups. Lots of good choices of burgers and they are outstanding. Bar has a really good selection of beers and also lots of good drink specialties. The sazerac and the old fashioned are both highly recommended.
(4)Jami K.
Went here again last night and i tried to order the same thing that I ordered last time and found out they were out of it all. Also, service seemed really slow and awkward. Everytime our waiter spoke, it seemed like he was competing in a JV Speech and debate tournament. Really, not that impressive.
(2)Dave S.
We took the kids to Rockwell's last Saturday from a recommendation from one of my clients and loved it. We did not have to wait for a table and actually got an 8-top for the 4 of us, awesome when you have two little mess makers like we do. The service was great, server checked on us several times throughout our meal. There were coloring books, crayons, and lollipops for the kids. Server was patient and offered suggestions when my wife was trying to make up her mind on a drink. My Margarita was tasty and mixed properly. Great food, kids had quessadilas and corn dogs and they liked em. My wife had the Santa Fe burger as it was listed as a favorite here on Yelp, and it was delicious, I snuck a few bites. I had the steak fajitas and it was huge. If my parents were with us they would have split that and still not finished, but I finished every bite it was that good. Cool thing is that with fajitas you always run out of meat and tortillas but at Rockwell's they give you plenty of veggies and corn tortillas chips on the side to either dip or do what I did and crush them into the veggies/sour cream/lettuce/salsa and have yourself a nice taco salad. A few too many grilled onions for me but they're on the side so no big deal and that's a good thing for some people anyway. Our server was great, didn't catch his name but big dude with tats and a beard, very nice fellow. Iron Maiden concert on the tv's and old Michael Jackson music playing at a comfortable level, classic! At the end of our meal a nice gal with a terrific smile came by and showed me how to use their new system where you slide your credit card at the table so you never have to worry about your identity being stolen which, she explained, would never happen at Rockwell's anyway, which was very believable. They have a really great beer selection including some Three Floyd's and other upscale craft beers I'll try next time if it's not too hot out. Overall great time at Rockwell's, we'll be back again!
(5)Louie S.
We have been eating at Rockwell Grill for about 3 years and the place is always good, consistent, with friendly staff. The salads are great, the appetizers fill you up and it can always be counted on as a nice meal in a pleasant environment. Rockwell Grill is a very family friend restaurant as we often see families or parties of 6 or more enjoying their meal and for the most part the customer's kids are well behaved.. which doesn't have anything to do with the restaurant so much as the area and patronage. We visit every few months and have always been happy having gone.
(4)Jonah B.
Amazing buffalo chicken strips/chopped chicken salad/burrito and Rockwell Burger Edit (2015): The buffalo chicken strips are not what they used to be.
(4)kevin c.
I've got two words for Rockwell's ... LOUISIANA EGGROLLS. These were very TexMex eggrolls with andouille sausage. This was the perfect appetizer ... full of complex, subtle flavors. These eggrolls are reason enough for another visit. I also had their grilled fish tacos. They were super fresh and served with a creamy chipotle sauce. Just thinking about this has got me salivating, lol. I'm seriously considering bumping this review to a 5 Star, but I've gotta visit this place one more time to be sure. Bottom line: Don't miss out on Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. It's not your average bar/grill, you will not be disappointed.
(4)Benjamin H.
Having lived in the Rockwell neighborhood for the last six years, I can definitely say that the neighborhood has seen it's fair share of neighborhood restaurants come and go. I would have counted Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill as a potential casualty five years ago, but the simple fact is that in the last couple of years, they've really gotten their shit together. Now listen...as a young, married professional, I could sit here and gripe endlessly about the "screaming of the Privileged children," or "whining stroller-mom's blocking my entry into the bar," but wouldn't I just end up being a whining, screaming, privileged yuppie scum-bag and isn't that just as bad?! Seriously, the pretension and utter irony of previous reviews bashing Rockwell's kid-friendly and familial nature kinda makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit. But come on, we all secretly know that the very same people who now complain will inevitably be wheeling a big-ass double-wide stroller into Rockwell's in three years and demanding satisfaction. I digress. A great neighborhood grill that has really cleaned up and reformulated it's food and drink in the past couple of years. I'd put their Santa Fe Burger up there as one of my favorites in the city o' Chicago. As well, their fish tacos are damn solid. As for their beer menu? Extraordinary. Their tap list is smoking, often offering 10 unique, yet appropriate offerings. Their bottle menu is well thought out and expansive. The staff has always been more than friendly and accommodating and i've always gotten good service. I respect that they have a inviting and family-oriented atmosphere...people with kids like to go out to eat, too...shit, I know that and I don't even have any rugrats. If you're really pedophobic, simply come after 7pm and all of the strollers will be snugly tucked behind their respective condos.
(5)Emily B.
Went here on a Saturday around 12:30pm and just had to wait a few minutes to sit outside. I got a Bloody Mary for 5 bucks (could have been a little stronger). We ordered the cheese fries for an appetizer and they were SO good! Their Ranch dressing was amazing. My sister got the Tatanka burger and my boyfriend got a cheese burger. Both were really good. I ordered the brunch egg tacos ( you get to pick 3 ingredients and they mix them with 3 eggs and then turn them into breakfast tacos) The black beans and plantains were good too :-) I can't wait to go back and try all of their other stuff. Our waiter was great, I can't remember his name, but he raved about almost everything on the menu.
(5)Karen N.
A good neighborhood place. Burgers rule here, but blackened fish tacos is awesome as well. Good beer list. Yes, lots of young kids in high chairs. Very family friendly and the place cleared out a bit after 9p.m. as all the kids have to go to bed! TVs were on for the world series. So this is the kind of place where you can hang and chill for a while.
(3)Chris V.
I absolutely love this neighborhood bar and grill, and any time I have guests visiting we always visit. Everyone so far has loved it. The owners here have excellent taste. Their draft beer selections are always excellent and varied, the food is very good, and the cocktails are made with love and care. I would put their burgers against almost any other more famous Chicago places, and don't overlook the turkey sandwich or chicken burgers. This restaurant is especially kid-friendly during the early- to-mid-evening hours. Some might see this as a downside (I see some negative reviews on here because of the robust atmosphere and waiting time at peak hours) but I love that there is a neighborhood family-friendly restaurant. Once I went during the early evening and the music overhead was classic Disney songs. If you go later at night the atmosphere is much quieter and grown up but still friendly.
(5)Patrick B.
Went here for dinner and drinks a few nights ago and was glad I did. They had an excellent selection of beers on draft and an even wider variety of bottles, including a few I haven't seen at other bars. Their food was excellent as well, I had the blackened fish sandwich and tried one of their Louisiana egg rolls, both were excellent. They also had a decent sized porch on the side that is dog friendly. Infact, we were the only ones there without a dog or a kid running around. Be sure if you bring your dog here that he's friendly around other dogs. My only complaint is that it's a tad on the pricey side. I would go here more often if they had regular specials. I looked but didn't see any specials listed anywhere and their website is under construction.
(4)Juliana R.
Cute place in a peaceful neighborhood, exactly what I needed after being hungover all day! Their burgers are great, and I ordered the cheese fries after reading the yelp reviews but wasn't too impressed. The cheese was melted and dried quickly on the fries making them hard. Next time I'll just get regular fries tho, no big deal. I love their outdoor patio, very relaxing, and service was good too!
(4)Debbie S.
Delicious burgers at this neighborhood spot! I admit that the only thing I have had to eat here is a burger, but each time I have had it, it's been great. The hubby is a big fan of the fish tacos -- but he likes the burgers too. This is one of the few places where I always order the same thing. We have been coming here consistently for about 3 years and we have never had a bad experience. The beer menu is good with plenty of local and micro brews...nice outdoor seating off to the side. Consistently pleasant and efficient wait staff help to make the experience even better. This is a very family friendly place -- it's not unusual to see more tables with little kids than without. Before the Hubby and I had a baby, the amount of kids sometimes irritated me a bit. Now that we tote our 13 month old along when we go out, it's nice to have a place that we like where kids are welcomed.
(4)Gina F.
Always consistant, always good. When we just want a relaxing bite, we often head down the street to Rockwell's or call in an order for pickup. They have an often-bustling dining room and a nice quiet outdoor area in the summer. The service is always excellent & some of the staff have been there for years. Personal faves are the veggie burger (I don't know how they do it, but it's extra good here), the burrito, & the Southwest veggie salad. The dijion viniagrette is delish and a great alternative to the ubiquitous balsamic viniagrette. Decent beer selection and yummy hot drinks in winter. It's basically our go-to for lazy nights, or lazy Saturday & Sunday mornings. I only once had bad service (really bad--like an hour for a burger) but they gave us a free app & I never saw that server again. Other than that it is really consistantly welcoming, tasty, and reasonably priced.
(4)Hanna D.
Rockwell grill is a great neighborhood stop for a decent burger & beer. Their food is decent. I try to opt for the specials. The Texas Toothpicks are brilliant, and a perfect add on to a meal. Their regular burger is pretty plain, but the other creations with blue cheese or bacon & onions are really yummy! The servers have personality & are knowledgeable of the beers they carry. I never know what type of beer I feel like, nor am I a super beer-Connoisseur so its really helpful that I can say what i like & they can give me something similar. The downfall of this place is the children. I understand wanting to be a family oriented establishment given the neighborhood, but maybe limit it to before 7pm or something. When I want to enjoy a beer, I don't want to be in the company of 5 year olds running wild.
(4)Katie O.
Begyle and Brunch brought us to Rockwell's on a chilly Saturday morning. Initially, I thought I was at an IHOP with tables packed of families and kids. A huge turnoff. The noise alone made me crave a Begyle ASAP. And if you have not had a Begyle shame on you for living in Chicago and not doing so. Rockwell's had a great selection of local brews on tap. The brunch was fab. We has an array of tacos- fish and breakfast. Tacos were large in portion and full of flavor! The service was friendly, patrons at the bar eager to converse.... Maybe because we were the only other adults not talking baby babble. I would give Rockwell's another try, but in the evening when the neighborhood kids are in bed.
(4)Veronica M.
Great Brunch and service I highly recommend it.
(4)Jade T.
Meh, vegetarians can do better. I went here for lunch with a friend, and ordered veggie burger, sandwich, with nachos. Standard pub fare? Yes. Pub food quality? Yes. The food was forgettable, but it wasn't terrible. Come here for an average dining experience.
(3)Rachel J.
Great atmosphere, great food, great service.The fish tacos are delish! The only thing that hinders me from going too often is that it is always packed with young parents with their toddlers. I know that it's not really Rockwell's fault. I also realize that one day I'll have kids too and I would still like to go out. It's just that having so many toddlers, strollers, and high chairs makes the atmosphere a little chaotic.
(4)Eric H.
Privileged parents mark their territory every time they bring their little bundles of privileged gifts( to the world ) to Chicago's own version of The Cracker Barrel Restaurant. The saddest thing was watching a waitress loaded down with plats trip and almost fall over a suv turbo stroller next to a highchair. And it's owner,( the mother of the child in the highchair) wearing a pink cashmere sweater draped around her neck, actually mumbled to the waitress to "be more careful next time". But, if you like hospital tasting food accompanied by constant baby crying symphonies, then Rockwell's is your spot. And these kids are professionals. After a while of a jarring cacophony of screaming, they naturally begin to harmonize into an ear screeching crescendo, while older sugared up kids tare through the restaurant like primitive berserkers. And the parents of both groups dine on satisfied that this is how the world should be, for people like them who don't even have to take out a stroller loan to purchase a thousand dollar suv turbo stroller with double coffee cup holders and storage space for jogging clothes. Some one should take a picture of one of those screaming kids and post if under the " Are these photos helpful?" section p.s., Mr. and Mrs. Bland eat hear all the time. And the Blands bring their children!
(1)Christian K.
My wife and I go there every now and then and always had a great experience. I guess we picked the right times because we didn't see that many kids running around, but could enjoy the nice atmosphere of this cute place. Their beer selection as well as burgers are outstanding and we like their brunch food, too. Definitely a nice place to go for a beer with friends.
(4)Scott W.
This place is the embodiment of neighborhood eatery. There is always a nice sized crowd, mixed with couples, singles, and lots of strollers. Their food is good. Nothing is amazing, yet everything is satisfying. The best part of the menu is that you can essentially customize all of their ingredients into whatever you'd like. The downside of this place is that it's technically a pub, but you'd feel really uncomfortable getting boozy here. I've tried, and there's something about the family vibe that just makes you feel sleezy by having more than 3 drinks. It's great for a nice, casual meal.
(4)Pat D.
Great blackened fish tacos, friendly service, impressive craft beer list, and they only played White Stripes songs while my two friends and I were there for over an hour. I'm not sure what else I could possibly say to convince you to go check it out if you aren't already on board. the ONLY downside was that the number of kids running around the restaurant the whole time was higher than I would have liked. but i will be back, hopefully with my dog, this summer.
(4)David R.
Rockwell's is a great, casual...well, neighborhood kind of place that makes me wish that I actually live in the neighborhood. In fact, despite its proximity to Western and Lawrence, which I have passed hundreds of times, it was a real journey of discovery coming here. I mean, the el runs at ground level here, for pete's sake. How weird is that? But I might start making special trips, because at Rockwell's I spent a marvelous Saturday afternoon eating a leisurely lunch, reading, and watching big fat snowflakes drift down out of the sky and cover the quietly charming residential, uh, neighborhood. It's hard to articulate just how comfortable this place is. There's something very appealing about the casual aesthetic, but also the service was ridiculously friendly and attentive (but not smothering). It was just...nice and enjoyable. The food was great too, especially the Louisiana egg rolls. I couldn't miss those thanks to a few other reviews, and they lived up to the high expectations. Yum. The creamy dipping sauce and the lettuce and tomato bed help to complement the mild heat. Great appetizer (better to be shared, as there are three full egg rolls). I also had the chicken monterrey, which is not at all fancy, but simply a huge plate of good food. Order this if you don't want to eat again that day: two chicken breasts smothered in sauteed peppers and onions and melted jack cheese, refried beans with more melted cheese, a helping of chips with a small cup of salsa, and "guacamole salad" which is a scoop of guacamole over some shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes. For once I actually did not finish the food in front of me. Sad. Not sad = the awesome, low-key but pleasant vibe at Rockwell's and the fact that I will return soon, perhaps with company, perhaps alone again. But it's a perfect place for a weekend afternoon in any case.
(4)Robert K.
Excellent food and excellent atmosphere. We live in the vicinity and we are regular patrons. The burgers are always excellent and the attitude of the employees is great. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great neighborhood restaurant!
(5)Jeff S.
Don't get me wrong, I really like this place, but lets be candid; The food is solid pub grub, but isn't FANTASTIC, it is just good and that is likely as good as it will get. Where this place excels is in making you feel comfortable and relaxed. AND, the big bonus, it is exceptionally kid friendly, and has a great kid's menu. We really love going here with our family or to meet other families from Waters School which is just around the corner from Rockwell's. The service and family friendly atmosphere is what makes this place get 4 stars from many reviewers, but if you asked them candidly, they would tell you the food isn't amazing, it is just solid pub grub, and it often really hits the spot. I am a fan. Finally, I don't know who orders the beer here, but they ALWAYS, ALWAYS have great beer available, including some in bombers, which I love. Recently, I have been thrilled to enjoy a Goose Island Juliet and a Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA, both brews you can't get just everywhere. Always a joy to get to go here, but let's be honest about what it is, a relaxed family friendly pub with average grub BUT wonderful service and amazing craft beer.
(3)Amy J.
Love this place! In a lovely neighborhood, close to transportation. (Rockwell brown line) delicious menu.
(4)Melanie S.
Rockwell's is my default neighborhood restaurant when I'm hungry and don't feel like putting any effort into picking out a place. I love that it's walking distance, or when I'm especially lazy, less than a 2 minute drive. It has an expansive menu, and everything I've had has been really, really good. They're known for their burgers, and with good reason. They come with fresh-cut fries or you can choose from other delicious options like corn and black bean salad, pasta salad, or a side salad. Service is friendly and efficient, and prices are reasonable. In warmer weather, you can dine outside with your pooch. As others have mentioned, it's quite riddled with strollers and ill-mannered rugrats, but alas, that's the world we live in. I recommend going at off-peak hours to limit your potential rugrat exposure, or better yet, do carry-out. and enjoy in your own home. A great addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Tony H.
Rockwell's would be the kind of place I'd want to run if I decided to open my own restaurant. A super-casual, relaxed "neighborhood" type place that will kill you with its inviting atmosphere, if not with its generous portion sizes. came here with a friend, neither of us had been here before. we (foolishly) decided to split the chips and salsa/queso/guacamole platter. served on like this 16" or so platter piled with homemade corn chips, and three separate 3" bowls loaded with each of the three dips. do the algebra/geometry and it adds up to a large serving of awesome! i ordered a bbq chicken sandwich with bacon, cheddar, and bbq sauce (left off the onions, thank you), came with a HUGE plate of fresh-cut fries. my friend got the chicken pasta salad: tri-color rotini tossed with some parmesan, peppers, black olives and cooked chicken breast with a balsamic vinaigrette. awesome! it would've been a 5-star experience, except for one culprit: salt. the fries were coated in a seasoning blend that was pretty strong, and even the chips were seasoned with something besides salt. other than that, the no-pressure service and great suggestions by our servers are a breath of fresh air for this suburbanite raised on volume service and gimmicks.
(4)C. E.
I love Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. Kid friendly- but although there are always kids dining when I am there, they are always well behaved. Great menu and service. Right near the L.
(5)Katie K.
Wow! I had the best burger I have had in the city at Rockwell's. I loved this place. The burger was cooked perfectly and incredibly juicy and delicious. I went back the same weekend because I loved it so much! The fries were tasty too. Overall great place, next time I might try something else, but seriously, you have got to try this burger.
(5)Robyn S.
I don't hand out five star reviews lightly, but Rockwell's has totally earned it. A few months ago, my hubby and I went to the Black Keys concert at the United Center. We live in Irving Park, and so we were looking around our area for something eat. It was 11 p.m. on a Monday night, so it's not like there were a whole bunch of happenin' places. We ended up at Rockwell's on a whim, and went inside to eat. Just so you know, my personal preference for food would be to have breakfast at all times. I can put away bacon and eggs at any time of the day. Where my food preference fits into my review is that we were trying to decide what we wanted, and the server came over to our table to ask us if we were ready to order. My hubby said that he was ready, but I might need more time since I wanted breakfast food and had to get something else. Our waiter said, and I quote, " I mean, I don't have any batter back there, but I can make you some bacon and eggs if you want." Um, what?! I was fully prepared to order a burger, and this guy magicians up my favorite food for me?! Without me even asking for it?!?! Having worked in customer service for almost 10 years, service like that is why Rockwell's gets 5 stars from me. (And yes, the bacon & eggs were delish! Not only that, they added in hash browns! Hash browns, I tell you!)
(5)Sarah M.
Rockwell's has been the source of many tasty meals for my bf and I over the years. The visits are usually a bit far between, due to their rarely changing menu (and even those rare changes are slight ones), but when we go we always enjoy the food. When we recently visited, we were surprised to see that there were new owners, but were optimistic. The result? Well, I can honestly say we won't be going back. The waitstaff is still great, so no complaints on them. The chips and fries are lacking that trademark seasoning that we always loved. We had several issues with our meal that were from laziness on the kitchen staff's part. But the thing keeping us from coming back will be the kids. Now, I know that they are a family-friendly restaurant, and I can appreciate that. But the "old" Rockwell's had cards on the table promising rewards for quiet kids and we appreciated the effort... the new Rockwell's... well not so much. When we were there, there were FIVE crying kids at five different tables. Additionally, there were other kids running around and some pushing chairs around. It was like being at a Chuck E. Cheese. Parents, I get that you have a right to bring your kids places, not arguing that. But please get a clue and realize that when they are misbehaving, they are ruining the meals of other people. When you see strangers looking at your little darling throwing a tantrum, shrieking, or pounding on the table, we aren't thinking of how cute they are - we're thinking "WHAT is WRONG with those parents???" So if you are looking for an average meal and you have demon children, go to Rockwell's.
(1)Brian W.
Solid 4 stars. The food is pretty good; nothing too special. The beer selection is great if you like craft beer. The servers are also friendly. They had Stone Double Dry Hopped Ruination IPA on tap which made me very happy. Love the fresh cut, skin on fries and really liked the skirt steak sandwich. Overall a good pick if you're in the area.
(4)Erin E.
went here for linner today. the in-between time meant there was barely anyone there, which was perfect for two tired girls in need of a little hangover recovery. yelped it up (search term: cheese) and found rockwell's, which i've been meaning to try. having not done my research thoroughly, i knew only that rockwell's cheese fries were something of a legend, but little did i know that they are made with ACTUAL CHEESE! none of that cheese sauce business-- which i seriously love, don't get me wrong-- that every other place uses. and not only were they topped with melted cheese, but also bacon, chives, jalapenos, and a ranch dipping sauce. it was like a potato skin explosion. a very tasty explosion. i hardly noticed when the rest of our food arrived, being face-down in the cheese fries & all. our research paid off yet again with the blackened fish tacos. umm, they kinda blew us away. my girlfriend is a total skeptic that anything blackened can be good. i guess in most cases it's because the only way to describe the flavor is, well, "blackened." all the flavor is charred out of it. she could not contain her amazement at how much flavor rockwell's managed to blacken INTO the fish. when she can't make it at home, and we're wondering, "how did they DO that?" that means it's pretty damn good.
(5)Jill M.
I have been here a million times and can't believe I haven't written a review yet. This place is amazing! The atmosphere is fantastic and it's a great place for families or friends. The entire staff is super friendly. I always take people here when they are visiting from out of town because it's very casual, just down the street, and they have just about everything you might be craving at the moment. Everyone always loves it. Some of my favorites are the build your own Breakfast Burrito, Louisiana Eggrolls, the BBQ Bacon Burger, the Skirt Steak Sandwich (so glad they added this to the regular menu - instead of just a weekly special!), and the Honey Chipotle Chicken Taco's (my current go to item!).
(5)Axel G.
It's been a couple years since my family and i have been here. In the past we've had good experiences. Unfortunately, we didn't have a good one this time around. It was really packed, loud and dark. We waited a rather long time for our dinner. When I asked why, the waiter told us that power had gone out in the kitchen so they were behind. I would have appreciated them informing me beforehand instead of having me sit there. I also got rare burger when I ordered medium. They did put it on the grill again but after a few more bites found the burger was still rare.They did give me 20% discount but was disappointed in the experience.
(2)Laura I.
Rockwell's is a good place to go for lunch or dinner. The inside is a little dark but very welcoming. There is so much artwork on the walls to look at that if you're having lunch with someone you don't like, you can easily distract yourself by staring at the walls. The bathrooms are clean, the staff is pleasant and the food is delicious. In the summer, they have a great (but small) outdoor seating area. Be sure to go there tomorrow - free beer will be served that day. ;)
(4)Natasia O.
Great location (my neighborhood) ;) Wonderful, dog loving owners- will always win my heart. Good food- better yet- great $4 bloody marys!!!
(4)Roseann M.
Took two out-of-towners to Rockwell's on Monday night, arriving about 8pm. Sat at a sidewalk table - I love sitting outdoors here. The street is so quiet! You do notice the el going by the first time, maybe, but then you listen to the quiet of this nice urban neighborhood. And the sidewalk tables are on Eastwood, so there are no trucks, no buses, no terrible traffic noise to spoil your al fresco experience. I had the veggie taco salad; Ben had the taco salad with chicken; and Peg had a cheeseburger with a side salad. The salads were terrific. Ben especially noted how much he enjoyed the grilled veggies on the salad. After inhaling my salad, I noticed that Peg had cleaned her plate. Peg is the ultimate grazer, so for her to clean her plate like that is pretty remarkable. She said that not only was the cheeseburger really tasty and cooked as she requested, but the side salad was really good, too. We all had coffee; I had decaf, but Ben and Peg had the real stuff, because they were about to drive to Indianapolis. They both remarked on how tasty the coffee was - it's Intelligentsia. Our waitress, Holly, kept our cups full, made sure I got decaf and they got regular, and kept replacing the creamers, because Peg was putting so much in her coffee. Extra kudos to Holly - she overhead us talking about Peg and Ben driving back to Indy, and she brought coffee to go for both of them. We wouldn't even have thought to ask, but she thought to offer. Way to go, Holly! Definitely one of my all-time favorite places. I still love going there. Incidentally, I found out the next day that my acupuncturist was at Rockwell's at the same time with his family, but they ate indoors. He told me his family loves Rockwell's as much as I do; they are regulars, too. Go now, Yelpers, and keep the place in business.
(5)Keely B.
PS Jeff is almost always our server, and he is delighful. He invited us to see his band play, and we did. They are a CCR tribute band, and they were good. Also, you should try the black bean and corn salad. Add a little salt and pepper.
(4)Robert K.
Great place for all kinds of food. My favorite are the fish taco's but anything I have or people I have been with ordered has been great. They even have a good selection of micro-brews. Very kid friendly and not expensive.
(5)Kara O.
My friend, Zack, nailed it when he said, "This is like Applebee's....but good." They have something on the menu for everyone from nachos to tacos to really good burgers (my favorite is the Krusty Burger), and a steak and pork chop entree. I've been here a million times and it's always really good! It gets very packed and there are a lot of kids usually around dinner time, seating on the patio in the summer is awesome. I love the servers, and the bartender pours a stiff drink. One of my all time faves. Oh yeah and they have good breakfast too! With Intelli coffee!
(5)Jay S.
Changes since the last review: Wider and better selection of beer; Menu is expanded with many Southwestern inspired dishes; Quality of the food is higher; More space at the bar; More (but not too many) TVs. The price/quality combo is hard to beat. The brunch menu is fantastic.
(5)Catticut P.
A few years ago, Rockwell's was a regular place for us - until that one fateful evening where we were so utterly ripped off ($7 for an appetizer, which was a handful of stale, store-bought chips and a small container of greasy queso cheese = outrageous) that we refused to ever return. Up to that point, we considered the food to be pretty great, regardless of how costly it was to eat there. So tonight, after a long hiatus, we decided to try again - it was raining, we were craving burgers, and Rockwell's IS just down the street. What a big mistake. Prices are the same, but the one thing they had going for them - food quality - has sunk like a stone. We ordered the Monday appetizer special - 6 buffalo wings for $5. They were good, but TINY, a totally stingy serving. Celery and carrots scattered carelessly on a plate with a tub of ranch dressing (Horror! What, no blue cheese dipping sauce?!) The Husband then had a Santa Fe burger, with his old-favourite side, the black bean/corn salad - what used to be prepared from fresh and flavourful ingredients is now a ghastly medley of watery, Aldi-bought slop that is so completely devoid of flavour, texture, and colour, that it would only appeal to a half-starved dumpster rat. It's even more disappointing because it's summertime - fresh corn is 5 for $1 at Harvestime and everywhere else, tomatoes are plentiful and delicious...and this was just seriously lazy. The Husband then proceeded to do a rare thing - cover his burger (and black bean/corn salad) in salt - as it was so utterly bland that it required emergency saltery. The tortilla chips on the burger were stale. My burger was good - the BBQ bacon whatsimy. But when I go to a place like Rockwell's, it's all about the fries. Which were soggy, and also completely bland. How could they be so flavourless?! Covering them in salt improved them slightly. It was really quite depressing. Our server from the first half of the meal was lovely, as was the server from the second half (we were not there that long). But the place was less than half full, and as nice as the staff were, service was less than attentive. We waited 20 minutes to pay our bill, then left a wee bit angry. We were willing to give them another chance - and we're honestly not that difficult to please - but they lost their opportunity to impress. BLAND food, BLAND. There was no care or love in what they did, which was obvious. Lazy, careless, soulless restaurant. Sad.
(2)Katie C.
3.5 stars, but I'm roundin' up! Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is exactly that--a place where all the Ravenswood Manorites can congregate with their kiddos and have a decent meal in a friendly atmosphere. Being a Manorite myself, I joined the crowds and made my way over with my boyfriend's family for dinner. It was really busy (as predicted) and service was kind of slow (as predicted) but the food was good (not great, but good). They have a lot of options: salads, burgers, fish, steak, fajitas--typical American fare. Also, on weekends, they serve breakfast food until 1...since we're within walking distance, I suppose eventually we'll make our way in for brunch!
(4)Mr M.
Neighborhhod grill is right! I have lived in the hood for nearly 10 years. I was very happy to see this open in 2004. The food is great as is their, wait for it, BEER SELECTION. That's crazy good. I introduced this place to my wife a year ago. Each time we go, she has to check the sign outside for the day's meat special. Big fan of the flat iron steak, she. If not that, then it's a battle between the nachos and the fish tacos. I've seen the eyes dart back and forth on the menu for minutes on end. Tacos. No, nachos. No, steak. Wait. Okay. Nachos. Tyler is one of our fave servers, but I'm not knocking any of the other floor peeps (I can't recal their names). But if the tables are full, which they can be between 5:30 and 7:30 nearly every night, we sit at the bar and hang with Jim. He's great to sit and gab with in between him taking care of the orders for the house. I am a fan of the French Dip...and the Burger...and the Southwest Chicken sandwich. I think you get the idea. Try the Louisiana Egg Rolls. The apps are a good sized portion too, you won't be too hungry afterward. Did you say brunch? Get on over for a beautiful brunch menu. I prefer the Chapin platter but that's my fave out of all good choices. Give them a try!
(4)Andrew N.
My partner and I decided to try something other than the fare on Lincoln St. and boy are we glad we did. We walked into a full restaurant at about 3 P.M so those who say business is lagging must have come on an off day. The menu has a large array of fare specializing in southwestern food. Some of the appetizers include their battered and fried onions/jalapenos w/ ranch (delicious!). If that was good, the main courses-- BBQ chicken (my partner had blackened fish tacos) were fantastic. Everything about the food tasted fresh and the portions were just right. I payed 30 dollars (tip included) for a meal for two which isn't bad at all given how great the food/service was. Expect to see us back!
(4)Elysia L.
I really, really love this place. Enough that if I were to go on Check, Please, this would be my spot. My husband & I came here on a whim about a year ago when we were looking at a condo down the block. We got the chopped & pasta salads, and they were so good! Our bubbly waitress grew up in the 'hood and pretty much convinced us that this one was the best in Chicago. She's right! Now that we're regulars I've had everything on the menu, and it's all solid. The stars are the burgers, Louisiana eggrolls, fish tacos, and whatever they have on special. Most people order beer here, but the mixed drinks are really good, especially the seasonal brandy cider. Speaking of seasonal... the summer patio is AWESOME! Yes there are kids, but I like kids, and getting so see cute little ones actually makes me happy. So it's nothing spectacularly radical or new, but it is damn tasty pub grub and special dishes and good drinks. It's the perfect neighborhood spot.
(5)Jim N.
This place is caught somewhere between a Chucky Cheese and Chili's. I can say that 'cause I like both-ish. Standard fare, fish tacos are always good, beer list is eclectic enough to keep me going back and the Resess brownie is the most disgustingly delicious piece of baked good you can put in yo mouth.
(4)Caitlin G.
Three words: LOUISIANA EGG ROLLS. Spicy chicken, andouille sausage and delicious chipotle dipping sauce. It's everything I have ever wanted from life, all rolled up in fried goodness. Like others have noted, the burgers and fish tacos are solid choices here. The only time I've ever been disappointed by my food was when I came here at a peak hour on the weekend. Since then, I've stuck to making Rockwell's a spot for stopping by when I want a cozy, comforting bite to eat. Sit outside if you can. The patio feels like you're chilling on your own front yard, relaxing with your friends and a beer. Occasionally, one waiter likes to sit down with his customers, which really does make me feel uncomfortable. It reminds me of that SNL skit mocking TGIFridays waiters for doing the same thing. Ixnay on the itting-down-say, waiter friend.
(4)Jeffrey C.
Went between shifts on Memorial Day Sunday. The parents were away and the kids were running the place. The TV was blaring commercials and it required two requests to allow for table conversation - odd in that we were the only customers at the time. I like the self-service doggie-bag approach. Here's a plastic container w/o any utensils so you may get food remnants all over your lap. Fish sandwich is somewhat respectable - homemade tartar sauce forgettable. Veggie burger was tasteless. Where are the owners? Managers? Are they laundering money in the back and the restaurant is just a front? I would give less than a star if I could.
(1)Susan H.
I come here frequently as it's on my way home from work. Whether it's just for a drink to unwind after a long day, or to grab a bite. I've hesitated about writing this review because I didn't want to say anything negative, but after the last couple of dinners, I felt compelled to write. I recently had the Carne Asada dinner which used to be one of my favorites. Let's just say, I would never order this again. The steak had no flavor and was very chewy. I feel the same way about their Flat Iron steak. It's very disappointing. And what happened to their fries? I used to love them with that special seasoning. Now, I would give them a 2 on a scale of 1-10. Other items on the menu are still solid choices, like their Louisiana Egg Rolls, or their Chopped Chicken or Pasta Salads and their burgers are still good. Also, the staff is great. Actually, they're one of the reasons I keep coming back. Oh, one more observation. If you want to have a quiet meal, don't come here. Don't even get me started about the screaming children. I will never understand how some parents just let their children have free rein of the restaurant, like it's "Chuckie Cheese's." I've actually witnessed kids crawling under other diner's tables with the parent completely ignoring what was going on.
(3)Victoria W.
Just adding my two cents: I like the fact that they have healthy options and you can substitute a veggie burger in any of the combos. I think the service there is great, and I'm glad they are in the neighborhood!
(4)Alan S.
This is a good local bar / restaurant. The food is good, consistent; great fries and burgers. Also good fish sandwich, and tacos. There's an extensive beer selection especially micro brews and some interesting imported beers, and usually beer specials. The down side is really a lack of atmosphere, it's a really plain, over lit huge room. The decor in uninspiring and the new owners are to blame here, having removed whatever charms it had before it was "remodeled" last year. A lot of hard surfaces so it's a loud spot, especially if there are kids eating which there often are, usually early in the evening. All in all though it's worth checking out, friendly, reliable food, good neighborhood place.
(3)Tory w.
What a great, local place. I stopped in for a bite while browsing my way through the Ravenswood Manor garage sales. Our server was Jeff, and he was so, so pleasant. I loved the atmosphere here and they had a very diverse menu. Everything sounded good. I had the chopped chicken salad and it was delish. Avocado, bacon, jack cheese, freshly grilled and marinated chicken, every bite was a different explosion of yumminess. I didn't have a drink but it looked like their beer selection was also extensive. I will definitely go back!
(4)liane t.
Heads up. This is very. very. important. Rockwell's has AN INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS BROWNIE that WILL SOLVE ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS. This has not yet been noted. It doesn't matter which one they have in stock, or which one you order. It will be warm. It will be gooey. It will be paired with ice cream. And even though you have had many a brownie, it will somehow be a revelation. You may have to endure 1000 screaming kids with parents who have given up on discipline, you may have to endure sitting next to a couple who is taking out to dinner every grandparent, parent, step-parent, and great-aunt still living. But you will still be saved. They also have the best salads ever (i could eat the chopped chicken salad, every day) and wonderfully nice service. But next to salvation, these are beside the point. I am including the keywords PMS and DEPRESSED to this review, just in case someone actually yelps for these, searching for a cure.
(4)Adele n.
Unsurprising, moderately priced, plentiful bar food. Interesting beer selection. Nice outdoor seating. I had the veggie fajitas -- huge portion, pretty tasty. My guy had the grilled chicken salad -- it looked good to me. Pretty nice, friendly little neighborhood joint.
(3)Melissa H.
I love Rockwell's. They have great food, great service and staff, and the perfect patio for enjoying cocktails with friends when the weather is nice. I've been coming here for about six years now and I've never had a bad experience. If you enjoy a spicy blood mary, stop in on the weekend when they are the drink special and give their brunch menu a try. I personally love the french toast!
(5)Joseph H.
I always overlook this area as I tend to bring guests the other way into Lincoln Square. Last night was different I decided to try something different. I have been to Rockwell's before and loved it, but hadnt been in a while. The new simpler decor is great, and the food continues to be of the same high quality I remember. I see that someone complained about the Black Bean and Corn salad, and I was shocked as mine was not slop nor flavorless. It was fresh and delicious and I was there at 9pm. I also appreciated that there are several healthy options that can be substituted for french fries at no cost, unlike most places which upcharge for a healthy option. I also found my chicken sandwich to be full and delicious. I also loved the extensive beer list, though it ultimately came down to the waiters knowledge of beer to make my choice. This is a great place, its almost a neighborhood secret, as i live around the corner. I don't want everyone to find out they have great food and then have it be too busy if I just want to run over. :)
(4)Heather B.
Mostly, I love this place. My husband and I are regulars here, since it's only a block away from our house. Very casual, fantastic wait staff, good food you can always count on. The beer selection isn't vast, but they always have a handful of good brews on tap as specials and a few quality microbrew bottles to choose from. However, sometimes it's WAY too packed with families with small children that are letting them run around the place like it's Romper Room. And since they put in the nice hard wood floors, all the sound carries like mad and it's loud, even when it's not "loud". In summer, I will ALWAYS opt to eat on the patio outdoors.
(4)Karen L.
Decent bar/grill in the neighborhood. The main thing is... it is a kid place. If you have kids, go there. It is totally kid friendly, even with a kid's menu and crayons and dum-dums. There are kids everything so if you are not with children, I would probably head somewhere else. They do have good fries and their southwest chicken sandwich was also pretty good!
(3)Richard B.
Went here with some friends after Friend 1 heard awesome stuff about the place. It was really nice. It was also a beautiful day so that definitely helped. When we walked in we were greeted right away. I ordered the sage rubbed pork chop. It was very tasty but a little on the dry side. It came with a loaded baked potato which was totally loaded and awesome. We had the Louisiana egg rolls for an appetizer. Those were some of the best egg rolls I've had... especially the sauce. The staff was very friendly but a bit disorganized (we were asked for our drink orders twice and it seemed like we were waited on by two people the entire time) and a tiny bit on the slow side. But, no worries, we were in no rush. The place itself is clean and inviting, plus there are tons of old pictures to check out on the walls. I'd definitely come here again.
(4)Elizabeth C.
love the burgers, in love with the citrus mayo!
(5)Daniel S.
I really cannot imagine a more enjoyable neighborhood spot. I happened in last night, following a chilly outdoor swim, so we were definitely in the mood for some dins and wine sipping. I had the chicken chopped salad, and my friend had the fist tacos. I think I would've prefered the later, but variety is the spice of life. The chicken chopped salad did not disappoint at all. In terms of the space, it is perfect for a casual evening dinner and chat with friends. There is outdoor seating, on a quiet side street, that is befitting this spot too. Really there is nothing worse than outdoor seating adjacent to a major thoroughfare. I am going to have to schedule a repeat so I can sample the fist tacos.
(4)Georgio M.
Ok as far as restaurant/bars go in Chicago, this place has the best burgers in the city. The atmosphere at Rockwell Grill is very laid back, casual and fun. I particularly like the neighborhood feel of the restaurant and equally find the staff to be friendly and genuine. Tables are large and spread out enough where you are not sitting on top of other guests. Equally, the restaurant has comfortable outdoor seating. There are several fabulous, tasty dishes at Rockwell Grill; this includes: Burgers Taco Salad Sandwhiches Desserts The bar has a large selection of domestic and imported beer. I particularly enjoy drinking their Draft Fat Tire. If you are looking for a casual, warm and friendly place for food and drinks, this place is all that. The place is also great for couples and famalies.
(5)Suzanne P.
I love the Rockwell Grill! I live in the area, so this is one of my favorite "go-to" places to dine. I love the location, and I really appreciate that this place doesn't try to be something it's not. Come here for a burger or a salad, or brunch on the weekend, and I promise you won't be disappointed. The service is always great, whether or not you come at a peak dining time. All of the servers are friendly and set a great tone. And the price is right, with tax and tip I rarely spend more than $10-$12. My favorite dishes are the BBQ Chicken Sandwich, the Southwest Chicken Sandwich, and the Southwest Veggie Salad. Most meals come with a side, and I recommend skipping the fries and getting the pasta salad. If you come in for brunch, I highly recommend the Bourbon Street Tacos. I usually opt for the sweeter brunch dishes, but these are crazy good. If you're in the mood for good, unpretentious American food, this is the place to go!
(5)Lizard F.
Just lunched here this afternoon with my husband and my well-behaved pooch. Lovely dog-friendly outdoor patio (we were fortunate to get shaded seats--they could probably benefit from one additional umbrella). My hubby enjoyed the beef burrito, and I looooooooved the chopped chicken salad. The waitstaff was helpful and polite, especially to the dog. We took our sweet time finishing our food (and there was a LOT of it), and the didn't rush us along. We polished things off by sharing the Oreo brownie a la mode (and believe me, this is one you want to share). As a result of all this delicious food, it's now 3pm, I am ready for a very euphoric post-lunch nap, and I don't think I'll need to eat dinner tonight.
(5)Matthew R.
A great neighborhood place. This place located in the small strip of businesses by the Rockwell brown line stop features a menu of hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and similar casual fare. My favorites on the menu are the regular hamburger (with tasty fries) and the blackened fish tacos with some great black beans on the side. The burger is nicely cooked and sized and dressed with standard fixins of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. They have a good selection of beers on tap and in bottle and a well stocked bar. The place has a nice outdoor seating area during the summer months. The service is great - attentive and quick (though meals can take some time when they are busy) and very friendly. A great traditional neighborhood spot. Given the menu and the local area, the place obviously attracts a lot of families with little kids. Which is great, but for people expecting otherwise, be prepared for a lot of kids all around. An awesome place to go all the time.
(4)Laurie B.
Amazing, food made in house. Try the Southwest egg rolls, Crazy Good!!
(5)Elizabeth L.
Rockwell's is a solid choice. The food is sandwiches/salads basic, but in my experience has always been good. They have a small, but inventive beer selection. I really dig the decor, and can busy myself for quite some time looking at all of the pictures on the walls. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the prices are reasonable. What more do you want?
(4)Scott B.
Seeing as though I live just a few blocks away, I do frequent this quaint establishment on a regular basis...just realized last night that I have not written a review yet... Wifey & I enjoy going here about once a week or so. Rockwell's is known for their burgers, but IMO, the rest of their menu is what's best about this place. They do a great job of rotating their draft beers (great bottled beer selection as well), and nightly food specials. Here's the dealio...when you come eat here, you get that feeling that what you're eating is actually clean, fresh food. There seems to be a sense of pride in what they serve? In addition to the good food, the service has always been FRIENDLY & ATTENTIVE. Yes, other restaurant / bar staffers, repeat after me, "FRIENDLY & ATTENTIVE!" The owners have their servers work in teams...I think this is a brilliant concept. You just get the sense they're not out to pad your tab, or spit in your food...friendly, possibly sometimes stoned, but reliable staff. Great service, good food (Keep in mind it's a neighborhood grill, not Mortons), and decent pricing. *Non-burger items I recommend: Quesadilla & French Dip----fries are good as well!
(4)Johanna C.
I love Rockwell's. It's tucked away just a bit west of Lincoln Square. It's really cozy - nice atmosphere. I recommend the chopped chicken salad with their house Chipotle Ranch dressing. All the food is very affordable - it usually falls under $10. It is a bar so you can get drinks. They have specials every night written on the chalkboard outside. It's open for lunch and dinner on the weekends and for dinner on weeknights.
(4)Jim F.
I went to Rockwells for the first time this past weekend. There is an genuine neighborhood feel to this old style Chicago eatery. Like just about every apartment in Chicago, Rockwell's is long and narrow. Tall ceilings, and an old wooden bar. It's not exactly in the middle of Lincolnsquare and parking wasn't an issue for us but we were there at 7pm on a Saturday and parked right in front when someone left. So I'm not sure how easy or hard it is to find parking. The menu had a lot to offer. A lot more than I expected from what looked to be a small tavern on the outside. I ordered a cup of Tomato and Onion bisque soup and Rockwell burger. My Girlfriend ordered a BBQ chicken sandwich and a cup of torila soup. The soups we're exceptionally well done. Especially the tortilla soup. It tasted like a blend of chili and soup that wasn't too chunky but not too thin. It was topped with strips of baked tortilla, a pinch of cheese, and a 1/4 slice of avocado. Very good! The Tomato and Onion onion bisque was much more simplistic and essentially it was a tomato soup with some flair. It was topped with melted cheese. I liked it. The burger was good. Very good. They tend to cook them on the rawer side. I ordered mine Medium-well and the middle was more pink than I would expect. I was happy as the server told me to expect that when I ordered. This is important when you order. I imagine rare would be very rare. The Rockwell burger comes with a medley of extras including grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and pickle. I added ketchup because I'm an American and that's what I do. I also opted for fries which were of the diced potato variety and quite good. There were many sides to choose from. My GF ordered her BBQ chicken sandwich with a balsamic noodle side that was fresh and a good mix of dressing and vegetables. Not too soggy and not too raw. The Sandwich itself was very basic. Tender and with an ample amount of sauce. The sauce was average. might have been sweet baby Rays. It was a darker kind but not entirely molasses. Beer prices were OK... $3.00 for Miller and Bud light. I Opted for a Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald for $4.00. Complimented the burger well. Rockwells has appeared in several "Best Burgers" write up's recently and I can say that I was pleased with theirs. I'll probably go back there again.
(4)Eric S.
Good beer selection in bottles. (Bartender mentioned an addition of about eight craft handles soon). The food is tasty. Pretty extensive food menu for a bar.
(4)Emily M.
Rockwell's is one of my favorite places to eat. It's in the neighborhood, it's laid back and the burgers are delicious. They have plenty of vegetarian options. They have these loaded french fries that are out of this world - french fries covered in cheese, bacon, and jalepenos. I'm drooling just thinking about it. They also serve home made desserts such as their Reese's brownie. A real junk food paradise.
(4)Elisabeth G.
OMFG TACO SALAD I LOVE YOU. Just had to get that out of my system. So okay, it's a little neighborhood place, of course it attracts families with kids. Go a little later, sit in a corner or something, deal with it. You were a kid once, too. Rockwell's is a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with a diverse, better-than-bar-food menu. Plus ginormous vessels of iced tea. Deeeeeeeelightful! Recommended: freaking taco salad with grilled chicken and chipotle ranch dressing. You will die. Also good: fish tacos, cheese fries, huge brownie dessert. Required: check out the picture of the cat in the first bathroom on the left. Finest restroom art in all of Chicagoland.
(4)Danny S.
EDIT: 11/19/2008 I'm moving this bad boy up to the 5 star club based solely on their Friday night specials. The old lady and I have gone over on several Fridays because she likes one of their salads. Don't ask me which one, because I haven't paid attention (in years!). Anyway, the Friday special is some variation of steak. Every week is different and thus far every week has been stellar. Last week I took a buddy who is a bit of a snob about these things and his evaluation was, "that's the best d*mn steak I've ever had for 16 bucks." So you've got a neighborhood joint that throws some great meat around a grill and keeps its prices fair. I think I'm in love. __________________________________________________Â_____ Plain and simple, this is a solid place to get a burger and fries and a beer. I had the taco salad based on all of the recommendations from other Yelpers. While it was good, I don't think I'll go overboard with the praise. Crisp bowl, decently spiced meat (I went with the beef) and lots of lettuce and toppings. What I will say is that the S:P (salad to price ratio) was excellent. It was a big, filling salad that was only $9.
(5)paul s.
Great place, right off the rockwell brown line stop. Never had a bad meal there and the staff is very hospitable. I have always walked away satisfied and will definitely come back again.
(5)N M.
rockwell's neighborhood grill continues to be a place we visit regularly. today they had a tilapia special with pineapple pico de gallo; served with guacamole salad, rice, and a corn muffin. everything was really tasty. their specialty old fashioned topped off the meal.
(4)Brian F.
This is a neighborhood spot we hit often. It is very family/ kid friendly, great food, and nice staff. Dog friendly outside in the summer which is a bonus. Only downside sometimes its a long wait.....overall though you cannot go wrong for a quick, basic meal catch the game etc. My daughter loves it and they are very kid friendly.
(4)Lisa R.
Rockwell's a cute little neighborhood grill. The location is just off the Rockwell stop on the brown line. Parking is usually pretty easy to find as well. Rockwell's is where you should take your picky eaters because it is good old American food with a small southwestern flair. The chef here is a transplant from Texas. You will get some authentic southwestern flavors here, but the spice has been cooled down a little bit. It is a good little place but you should try to beat the crowd, as it is a very family friendly place and it will fill up quick. There will be plenty of children here during the rush so please keep that in mind.
(4)Ted K.
Every since Rockwell's opened a few years back, I have to admit, it has become my favorite little nieghborhood Bar/Grill. The food is really good and the prices are very low. The beer selection is pretty diverse as well. I am a big fan of the cheddar fries which is a mound of bad news but SO tasty! The service is also extremely professional and upbeat. They always seem to have smiles on their faces and make your meal that much more enjoyable. Defintely two thumbs up and would recommend anyone that lives in the neighborhood that hasnt tried it, to get in there ASAP.
(5)John C.
This is an awesome restaurant. Classic american fare with real good burgers and fries. Try the southwestern salad with their chipotle ranch dressing. WOW it's good. My girlfriend and I stop by there regularly to pick up sides of their chipotle ranch for salads and sandwiches at home too! The servers are really friendly, and do a great job. Jeff is our favorite. They've got great outdoor seating for the summer months. If you're in the area, definitely stop by this neighborhood treasure.
(5)Steve T.
The fish tacos are awesome. Blackened Tilapia that is nice and moist. Good seasoning as well. The Guac on the other hand didnt look very fresh or homemade. Great place for the kids. Also, very good burgers.
(4)April L.
I recently moved to Lincoln Square and was delighted to find Rockwells in the neighborhood. They have great, reasonably priced food and drinks in a comfy atmosphere. I especially love the fish tacos and margaritas. The burgers are good too. It is also nice that they have outdoor seating. The service is a bit iffy. Sometimes it is great, sometimes you'll see the server twice the entire night. I would highly recommend this for a casual night out. It is one of my favorite places to go in the area.
(5)Slu S.
We live right down the street,so we have become regulars. The burgers, salads, cheese fries, Fat Tire, and Heath Brownie are all top notch. Service is very good and the owners are very nice. The only issue that I have had was that I had ordered the blacken fish tacos, but they came back charred (twice). They are typically very good, but maybe there was an unfamiliar cook in the kitchen.
(3)Brett G.
The staff is really friendly and non-assuming. They're attentive without being overly-present. And they are receptive to channel changes when there's a Cubs game on. The food is some of the best bar food I've ever had - I don't think I've ever been disappointed with anything I've eaten. The loss-of-a-star is because the food is a bit expensive. The burritos, salads, and sandwiches are great - and the french fries (the spicy ones) are wonderful, and I'm told the hummus is delightful as well. The burgers ordered by friends were scarfed down. If you're hungry, and have a bit of cash to spare, this would definitely be a good place to check out! ----~ Update: I just found out that my friend, who ordered a chicken burrito got a beef burrito, and mine was full of mushrooms even though I asked for none. Both of us were so hungry (and the food was so yummy) we didn't notice it until we reheated our respective halves for lunch the next day. Please be very clear about your food requests.... I was disappointed they were not paid followed. (No lost star though - because the food was so good we didn't notice!)
(4)Amanda Z.
OK, I think they have fantastic food, for what it is: Bar food. The cheese fries are excellent, it definitely has a comfortable neighborhood vibe. I just have a really hard time getting over the fact that there are children running mad here almost all the time. I don't know what it is about this place, but people let their kids go nuts...drives me insane! Now, I love kids, but don't people teach their kids restaurant manners anymore? If I behaved like that at a restaurant when I was a kid, I guarantee you that i probably never would've seen the inside of a restaurant until I turned 18!!! I'd eat here more often if it wasn't so "kid-friendly." UPDATE: OK, so because it's so ridiculously close to my house...and because I just love the food so much...I gotta upgrade them! The spinach salad--huge and very tasty. Chicken pasta salad--yum! Cheese fries (yum, yet again!). Boyfriend had the turkey club (or was it chicken club) and it was delicious! Also, try the Louisiana Egg Rolls--what a fun twist with the Andouille sausage! The food is BETTER than bar food, I've decided. It's not the restaurant's fault that people in the Square let their kids run loose like squirrels... :)
(4)Mike G.
If you live nearby, want to sit outside and feel like your in someone's backyard, and want a good beer--you'd enjoy it. The food wasn't great--but was good. The service was great. The servers had a good banter with us.
(3)John S.
Truly a neighborhood grill. The service is among the friendliest I've known. The sandwiches are very good, the specials are comforting (they recently had a meatloaf month), and the appetizers will clog arteries with joy. Their hamburgers deserve all of the praise they've received, and their cheese fries are so much more than just cheese fries. All that said, drinks are average both in selection and price, but they carry Schlitz, which makes me happy, and they make up for any deficiencies by virtue of the welcoming atmosphere. Though be forewarned, come later in the evening or you may find yourself swarmed by rampant children.
(5)Courtney H.
I absolutely love this family place - the decor is awesome to look at while you're waiting for your food and drinkgs, the food is amazing, and the cocktails are great, too! The service is always top-notch and the food comes up so quickly! I believe they were nominated for best burger a couple years ago, and I'm ashamed to admit I haven't tried it. If you're an appetizer lover, you have to try the chicken flautas! The southwest ranch that they servce with it makes it taste like heaven! My vote for best entree is the French Dip (with loaded fries of course, which come with cheese, bacon, green onions, and jalenos). Make sure you have room for dessert, because they have the yummiest brownies imaginable, always served with ice cream and hot fudge. And my vote for the best cocktail is the North Beach - cool and refreshing, especially on a hot summer day! Relatively inexpensive (Entrees run between $7 and $14), but definitely worth a try! And if you make it out to brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, you have GOT to try their french toast!!
(5)Katty D.
I only tried this place since my boyfriend moved in down the block. It's conveniently located right next to the Rockwell stop on the brown line. We always start off our meal with their Cheddar Fries that has cheese, chives, bacon bits, jalapenos and served with ranch dressing. I always order the buffalo chicken strips. Entrees can be ordered w/a salad side instead of fries, which is a fresh change to fries (especially because we eat an entire plate of fries before we start our dinner). Their burgers are quite delicious as well. Service is always friendly, quick and down to earth.
(4)Fred W.
Solid place for a variety of foods in a nice West-of-Western location. Lots of kids makes it noisy sometimes, but it's also nice to see neighborhood families. Have never had a bad meal in 15 or so visits. The egg rolls appetizer is unique and delicious. If you can get a seat, the outdoor is on a side street, which is nice.
(4)Julee M.
I really, really love Rockwell Grill. First off it's never been crowded anytime I have gone. The only time I had to wait was to sit outside on a lovely evening, but we got to start our meal inside. I like their menu. It's not huge but they have some unique selections, including a lot of items with tex-mex influences. Their veggie burrito is my favorite thing to order. Their salads are decent and they have really good dressings. Burgers are a good choice too as they are quite tasty. All of their appetizers sound good and I need to go back more to try them. They have a bar and their beer selection looks good but I never drank there. And now the let's get to why I really love it - the CHEDDAR FRIES! Tons of cheddar cheese, chives, bacon and peppers if you want them (I don't), and a side of awesomely good ranch dressing. Heaven!
(4)Erin P.
I enjoy going to Rockwell's for dinner.. but I think it's important to go late... if you go earlier in the evening....you are inundated with little screaming kids.. and the acoustics in the place do not help. I love, LOVE the cheese fries.. but honestly haven't found much else there i enjoy to eat. It is a nice place in the hood to grab a quick bite and beer...... just make sure it's later...not earlier.. unless you enjoy the piter patter and screams of little kids.
(3)Kyle B.
My wife and I went to Rockwell's last Friday looking for a new place to get a good burger. The atmosphere was pleasant and the staff all seemed very nice. I'm a little surprised that the burgers have gotten as much hype as they have. I was pretty let down with mine. I ordered my burger medium well and it came out medium rare. I hate sending food back so I ended up eating it anyway. The size of the burger was also unimpressive. It looked like a dinner burger with tons of lettuce on it. They also need to take a look at their drink specials. When $4 for a Corona is a special, you're in the wrong neighborhood. Most bars in that area are selling Corona's for $3 on a regular basis. I might go back and try some of the other things on the menu but I doubt I'll ever stay for drinks.
(2)Zeljko D.
Wow, you get yout burgers pre-assembled. Good food.
(5)Kathleen C.
AWESOME! I went there for the first time last month and have already been back. Can't wait to go again! I heard about their cheddar fries so we had to get them. I thought they were pretty good. We went with the small which could feed a whole family and definitely wasn't finished! (i love my cheese fries so this is a bold statement) I can't wait to go back and try their nachos which sounded delicious. Me and the BF then ordered salads. I had the taco salad, he had the chopped chicken. Biggest salads ever! Great quality chicken and really fresh ingredients. Best salad that I have had in a long time. (Not really healthy as my taco salad had guac and sour cream and ranch--but it tasted awesome!) Went back another time and ordered a great grill cheese and fries for $5ish. Friend had huge breakfast platter for $8ish. I definitely feel like this place serves huge servings for lower prices. Can't wait to see you again Rockwells! (Although I would be hesitant to go around dinner on a Friday or Saturday b/c the neighborhood has a lot of families and I am guessing this is the place for family dinners on the weekends.)
(4)Edward P.
Ok, I really like this place. As others have said, if you don't like kids, LOTS of them, then come late. I had the burger and the Texas Toothpicks....excellent burger. Make sure you order it cooked one step up from what you usually order (i.e...if you like medium rare, order it medium). I also love the on-tap beer selection. Great place; a gem in my opinion.
(4)Channyn W.
It's time for me to change my rating. Yes, I still despise the line of strollers that lines the building in summer but, my love for the southwest chicken sandwich outweighs everything else. See - love DOES triumph hate. Oh, plus I have learned to call ahead and pick up my order instead.
(4)Morgan C.
The gf just moved in nearby, so we gave this place a shot. And are we glad we did! Definitely be a place we'll be back to... The fare is what I'd say is a cut above typical bar food. There were the requisite burgers and sandwiches, fries, appetizers, and some desserts... They even had tasty-sounding breakfasts. And there was a pronounced Southwestern feel to everything, which isn't a bad thing. We decided to forgo appetizers in favor of ice cream later, but the entrees didn't disappoint. She got a taco salad; I got the fish tacos. Pleasant, attentive service. No biggie when she wanted extra salsa, although we could have used some more water. We both finished our meals and were satisfied. Full, but not stuffed, with room for the all-important dessert. Not terribly expensive, either. Not cheap, per se, but not the over-priced crap some "bar and grills" will serve up. Drink specials were adequate, but nothing that really blew me away. $3.50-4 import/micro pints, and $2.50 bottles of Miller Lite. It's a clean, comfortable "family dining experience," which means that there will be children. Oh yes. And there will be some fine lack-of-parenting on display. For us, it was the toddler standing up and jumping on his chair. Later, when he was running around and tripped over something across the room, his mother just reminded him to "be careful..." But by the same token, it's non-smoking, which for the next few months still sets it apart from the typical "bar and grill" setting. But we will be back. Lots on the menu waiting to be sampled...
(4)E M.
I really want to give this place 3.5 stars. Come on with the 1/2 stars, Yelp! So it's right off the Rockwell Brown Line stop, fyi... When you walk in, it's like a medium-sized auditorium with round tables set up. No atmosphere and, on a Friday night at 7:30pm, I counted at least 22 children under 2. OH MY GOSH!! That pretty much ended my date night. The waiter didn't even know the beer specials OR where to locate them! That's because everyone else was probably ordering juice and finger foods... But anyway, they were friendly enough and the food came fast enough. The beers were good and the food was VERY good. Really great steak and burger. My boyfriend and I had a great time and will probably elect to sit in the way back "cove" area and only return much, much later in the evening.
(4)Eliana S.
My boyfriend and I were just riding our bikes through the neighborhood, when we decided to stop for something to eat. We loved this place. I can only review the Rockwell Burger. We both ordered it, but you can customize it with bacon, different cheeses, avocado, bacon and more. it was great. I ordered mine medium-well and it wasn't to dry or really red. They know how to cook a burger. We will definitely be back again to try the rest of the menu. The service was fast and so nice. This is a great place to try.
(5)Sara B.
I've only been here once, so I'll give it a solid three stars. It's a three not because there was anything wrong with it, but because I have only tried one dish. They have lots of options for those of us that are of the vegetarian persuasion, which is awesome. I had the taco salad, and I give it two thumbs up. They don't have any poor man's beers on tap, which is a bummer, but oh well. Maybe I'll cultivate a more refined palate. The atmosphere is very comfy and welcoming, though examples of pseudo-liberal parenting abound. This means be watchful for children running around, with apathetic "stop that johnny" from the parents and lots of "oh isn't that cute" when the kid is really shooting soda out his nose. Solid marks for food and service. Decent marks for drinks.
(3)Lynn C.
We have been coming here since they opened. The staff has grown and we have seen our server friends come and go, so the vibe has changed over time. Favorites for lunch and dinner: chicen fingers, barbeque chicken sandwich, pork chops, veggie burrito, chopped chicken salad, turkey hoagie, burgers or the special of the day. Breakfasts: we came a while ago when they had a brunch buffet, but weren't too impressed. Since then, we don't go for breakfast. The pop often tastes a little "off" so we drink tea, water, fruit punch and alcohol. The bartenders always give me options when I order a drink. I usually take their recommendations because I trust them. This is the only place in the whole world where I feel comfortable sitting at the bar by myself, chatting with whoever is around, nursing a drink and waiting for my carryout order. Atmosphere: increasingly family-filled and stroller-friendly. The carpet was replaced with hardwood, which makes it a bit more noisy. A long time ago the windows were changed so they can open in the warm weather. We don't usually eat on the outdoor patio, but some love it.
(4)danny v.
I have been meaning to review this place for awhile....I am a huge fan!! They have amazing burgers, great food, a full bar with a kick ass bartender, and friendly service. The only downside is that there is always a wait, but it's worth it in the end!!!
(4)Keith C.
Great food and great drinks. Really conveniently located (50 paces from the whisper-quiet rockwell stop on the brown line). The Tejas tacos are always great. It's always full of kids who love to go for the free candy. I like the beer selection and the fact that my kids are usually not the loudest.
(4)Chris N.
Update: If you hate children, absolutely do NOT ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER come here. Ever. I mean it. I am not joking in ever the slightest way. This is serious business. I think the children in Lord of the Flies were more well behaved than at this place. For the love of God, if anyone has children and is reading this, please learn how to discipline your children, or put them up for adoption, or hire Mr. Belvedere....just do something. I mean, they had to put up a sign that said "No running in the restaurant." Really. I'm not kidding. The staff at this otherwise lovely restaurant had to actually CREATE A SIGN to state what every human on planet earth already knows.
(4)Romana Y.
The lingering smell of the food from the outdoor patio lured us in. Beef burrito:4 Cut-out Fries: 3.5 Intelligentsia (house roast): 3 Service: 5 Ambiance:5
(4)Azrael D.
I think we hit them on a bad Sunday evening. We had some poor communication issues to start with, but nothing that didn't get straightened out too quickly. They do have a good selection of craft beer. The food however, is another matter. This was our first time there, and our first impression was not a good one. I ordered a Wake N Bacon. The burger was okay. Except when you have a burger named "wake n bacon" you expect to taste...I dunno, Bacon. I tasted none. The cheese fries were "meh". They obviously had been sitting under a lamp for some time. The cheese was hard. The service was a bit slow, but I can forgive that, as they had a bit of a rush. But, there were a lot of little things that all added up to a sort of meh experience with the place. I'll probably try Rockwell's again, on the premise of: maybe it was a bad night. I'll report back when I do.
(2)Gale B.
Do want to go somewhere where everyone knows your name? Well, Rockwell is it.. The neighborhood bar.. But more than a bar it is. The best build - a - burger there is!! I usually get the veggie burger. What do they make this burger out of? It's DELISH. Today I had the fish sandwich. It didn't disappoint. Just the right amount of blacken seasoning and the portion is huge. Shared it with the hubby. I've been trying to be good but today had to have the fries!! When you get off the (brown line)train at Rockwell make your way to this great place.
(5)Jenna D.
Very knowledgeable bartenders. Great local brews. Amazing nachos and blackened fish tacos! Cool neighborhood joint. Will definitely be back.
(4)Naomi L.
Did not feel like getting all fancy and wanted to stay close to home so i came here. Parking was fairly easy and we were seated right away. When we first got there the staff were on their toes and very attentive. I ordered a glass of Sauvigon Blanc and the fish tacos. Fish Tacos came up pretty fast and I also ordered a side of fries with MAYO! I do not have much to say about this place but i know that i would definitely would come again. Its a great neighborhood joint to come and visit.
(3)Josh H.
This place is amazing. The food is great and reasonably priced. The service is great and the menu selection is awesome They have specials everyday that range from off-menu enchiladas (which are TO DIE FOR) to ribs and pork roasts. It's a wild card as to what the special is but you can't go wrong no matter what they're offering.
(5)Matt B.
Love the "Build Your Burger" option. This might be a place in contention for "Best Burger" in the city. Large portions and a variety of beer options keep me coming back. Also, get cheddar fries. Outstanding.
(5)Eva S.
I give this place 3.5 stars, but hear me out why I would round down. This place is a great neighborhood bar & grill in the cutest little nook in Ravenswood, but when I came here last weekend, the series of events led me to be "hangry" (I.e. angry because you're so hungry... which leads to a trail of unreasonable things irking you) so let's avoid that feeling (and that term) altogether in the future. But more back-drop later. Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is dog-friendly, which is fantastic (!) and was the reason I chose it in the first place. I'm not from the neighborhood, so it was kind of a trip to head out to Ravenswood but I thought I'd give it a shot. It's also very kid-friendly (you'll see lots of young families) and there is a wide age range and demographic who dine here. I was able to try a generous portion of their Penrose P2 pale ale before I ordered it on tap and their burgers are the highlight of their menu (I got the Sante Fe). STANDARD BURGERS, LONG WAIT FOR PATIO Burger, fries, a great beer selection and an outdoor patio sounds like the perfect combo. And it could have been, had we not had to wait so long. I came to Rockwell's with a group of five, hoping to snag some outdoor seating and enjoy good food and company while my dog hangs out at our feet. NO RESERVATIONS: I called earlier Saturday morning and asked if they took reservations. The lady on the phone said that they don't, but took my name down anyway, and said they will look out for our party at 7pm. So I made a pseudo-reservation. Or, at least, I gave them a genuine heads-up that our party will be coming. If not, no big, the wait shouldn't be that bad right? When I checked in at 6:50pm with the host and gave my name, there was no recollection/indication of my call... so my name wasn't passed down. I am able to deal with that. But 50 minutes later, still standing on the sidewalk, with a growing escalation of "hangry-ness" and a pooch walking in circles around our feet, I couldn't wait any longer. I went inside and asked the availability of an indoor table for five, to which the host said, "Oh of course, this table opened up 30 minutes ago." Well, yes, perhaps you could have offered that to us? The host did no wrong... but I was hangry beyond reason and logic. I told the rest of my friends that we could finally be seated, and walked back to my car to keep my dog there for the rest of dinner. LESSON LEARNED: Next time I should leave the dog at home. Got it. But really now, if you're not from the neighborhood, this probably wouldn't be the best place to go out of your way to "seek out" their standard fare. If I lived in Ravenswood, I could see myself come here more often because their burgers are decent, their beer list extensive and it's a great community establishment (events, fundraisers, dogs). If you come here during peak hours expecting patio seating on a gorgeous Saturday evening, eat a small dinner before you come. Or only come for drinks. The rounding down 0.5 stars was prompted by... (the long wait and) wishing my dog was a little human or something. Granted, the host did try to give a warning that he didn't know when guests would leave, but to come here at peak hours when it's warm out... eek. And congrats if you made it to the end.
(3)David H.
The last 3 or 4 carry out orders have been wrong. Tonight no fries though they repeated order. Check the food before you leave there. Also, it's never ready when they say it going to be. Always waiting 10-15 minutes, never an apology. I used to love this place. Really disappointed.
(2)Jessica D.
I've gone here a couple of times and I will definitely be taking out of town friends here for amazing burgers and fantastic drinks. The service is top notch. Very down to earth, cool vibe in the atmosphere and in the people. Prices are great, too! But seriously, the burgers are SO DAMN GOOD. The last one I tried was called something like The Wake and Bacon. I'm happy they're just a nice walk away. If you're in the area, skip the other burger joints and treat yourself to Rockwells!
(5)Angela L.
Great place for brunch. The bloody mary could be a little less sour, but I'm admittedly a bloody mary perfectionist. The mini potato pancakes are perfect for soaking up hangover regrets. The many chorizo-loaded options are a great staple. Always good service, always exactly what you expect from the menu (and often bigger portions than you'd guess).
(4)Aly A.
I've been here for probably 3 dinners, one dinner to go, and brunch twice. The wait staff is always very friendly and patient, and can offer great menu recommendations. The prices are definitely reasonable for the amount/quality of food you get. Burger and fries will run you about $10, brunch will also run you about $10. Can't beat that compared to some other places. The outdoor patio seating is around the corner from Rockwell, so you don't hear the train and bells either. I'd recommend it since there is something for everyone on the menu - so I often take friends in from out of town here.
(4)Erik P.
Great neighborhood bar for good and drinks. They have a decent burger menu, but to my surprise they also make some damn good Mexican dishes. I just had the Migas for brunch and it rocked my world.
(4)Dan D.
Rockwell's has been a great "go-to" since I moved to the area. I wish they stayed open a little later than they do. The food is so good for a neighborhood bar. The beer selection is great and the mixed drinks are very clever and creative. Whenever friends from the burbs stay with me, they always ask if we can go to Rockwell's.
(5)Catherine M.
Rockwell's is a staple in our family and our neighborhood. It's easy to go with kids for a pretty tasty bite, awesome beer list and really relaxed atmosphere. I will say that we recently had a super disappointing experience in what was clearly an off night for them. As the manager said when I talked to him about our disappointment, we looked utterly unhappy (which in our defense we had been there almost an hour and a half with two exhausted kiddos only to have cold food arrive). But- the sign of a good institution is how they handle mistakes and to his credit, the manager Jeff comped all but our drinks. We will be back, perhaps a bit more weary and skeptical than normal, but they haven't lost our business yet.
(3)Nathan W.
Great neighborhood bar and restaurant - family friendly, nice patio, good food, always interesting beer selections. This is what you want in your local neighborhood pub.
(5)Tom D.
Love this place! Best beer list in the area, always rotating and adding new beers from all over the U.S. I like Stone and they always seem to have a new offering from them. These might just be my favorite burgers. And their burgers of the week are usually pretty good too. The "what a jerk" and "krusty burger" are my favorites. The recent renovations are nice and the place is always clean. I prefer to sit outside at their beer garden when possible. They even let us bring our dog and are always cool with her. Chill neighborhood place with great beer, burgers, and salads.
(5)Dan D.
I've been here several times. Depending on when you go, you'll either encounter large hordes of families (6PM dinner time) or locals having a beer (830 and beyond). I've gotten several of their burgers, including the big ollie (a 2 patty burger) and have not been disappointed. The wife has enjoyed her meals as well, always willing to return. The place is a restaurant / bar feel, but family friendly. Good burgers.
(4)Bernie H.
Great food, great location, great people! What a gem find!! Parking can be tough but it's right off the Brown line!
(5)Keith C.
First time at Rockwells, the reviews were very accurate. Very family friendly for a being a Pub, primarily. Diverse menu, kids menu, we were seated right away. I had fish tacos, very good, fresh, spicy. My wife had the pork sandwiches, she enjoyed it, was kinda spicy. Large plates, good value. We will be coming back.
(4)Elbert S.
How could this be possible for this small place to provide so much goodness!!!! Everything is good!
(5)Helen A.
I expected tasty food...not so much. The atmosphere is fine, more restaurant than pub, very family friendly which was unexpected but not entirely unpleasant. The cocktail list looked delicious as did the menu. My cajun burger was raw and bland, inspite of the spice crust (which was not crusty at all). The fries were not great. The beer was good and thats it.
(2)Ann M.
This place is tucked away right off of the Rockwell brown line stop. Rockwell's is super cozy and comfortable. They have really great food, beer, and service. I love that it's in my neighborhood and it's just a short walk away! Highly recommended spot to check out!
(5)Diosa D.
OMFG where has this place been all my life??! The Louisiana Eggrolls replace basically any other food you thought you needed to eat. I no longer need burritos, samosas, pizza or regular old eggrolls because this dish is everything. Plus the service was super warm and attentive. Much appreciated!
(5)Kori E.
We came here Friday night to sit outside and enjoy some dinner and it was great. We had to wait a bit for a table, but no biggie as we scored two seats at the bar. They have a nice beer list, but I of course, stuck with white wine. My BF had a dark IPA that he liked out of a cask. Our waiter outside was great - he could have been someone off of Portlandia. We started with the hummus and it was awesome! I was not expecting this. It was topped with cilantro, black beans and jalapeno's. I want to try making that at home. For our dinner, we split the fish tacos and it was perfect for the two of us. We each got a taco and it came with black beans and chips n salsa. They were delish. I would definitely come back here again - especially to sit outside in the little patio area.
(4)Sean C.
I tried their Black N Bleu and it was darn good! My wife and I had a couple beers and the service was attentive and friendly. What really made the experience top notch was the quaint downtown area and the Rockwell Brown Line Station. All in all a great experience and we will be back for sure since I live so close.
(4)Sheri S.
This used to be a staple. We live around the block. But, the meal and service that we just had has sealed it. We will not be back. The service was terrible.Food was AWFUL! They have changed hands several times. And, fared pretty well, some decline in food but, okay. I don't know if there was another change, but there are too many alternatives to come back.
(1)Charlie ..
I have been going to Rockwells for a while now and their food is amazing! They have really good burgers and the queso dip is excellent. Service is great and they have outside seating. My only complaint is the fries. I don't like how they they leave potato skins on them. I will continue coming back. Age -12
(4)V. J.
The food was excellent, but I couldn't hear the person I was with because there were several loudly screaming children in the restaurant, all at one table. So we basically just looked at each other while eating. Even the waitstaff had to pause in order to hear what we wanted to drink. I've been here twice, and both times the experience was rather unpleasant. Kids are great, but I'm surprised when restaurants don't have a "no screaming humans" policy - regardless of age.
(2)Alex M.
Go here! Enjoy the outdoor seating and the unbeatable location. Be pleased with your kind and friendly server. Eat a good burger, or nachos, or their surprising and yummy taco salad. Even the loaded baked potato, a premium side, is a meal's worth of potato. Two watchouts: the salads are the reason that people in the know call Rockwell's "house of wilted lettuce." Also, the bloody mary tastes exactly the way a bloody mary should taste if you've been in a turkish prison for six years, scrounging bloody mary supplies, and finally you sneak into the prison bathroom and make yourself a bloody mary with sixteen ketchup packets, salt, pepper, and bathtub vodka. Wowbad. Good beer, great service, 90% of the menu is awesome!
(3)Brandon S.
Decent food. Good service. Great location! I'd say I'll recommend it to anyone! It's right off the brown line so you don't have to necessarily drive. The service is very good! Menu is awesome and a lot of options
(3)Tony G.
Horrible service, walked in the door at 10:01 am when the sign said they open at 10. The sign at the host/hostess stand said, "Please wait to be seated." My friend and I stood there for 10 minutes waiting to be seated while an employee stood in the back talking to other unseen coworkers while she was eating. The person behind the bar and the server in the back both made eye contact with us at the door neither came to seat us. Eventually the young lady made her way to the front and told us we could sit wherever we wanted. We took a seat at the table but before the server could return we got up and left. If we were going to be told to take a seat ourselves that could have happened 10-15 minutes sooner than it did. It appeared as if our business was not a priority.
(1)Kyle K.
A pretty good burger and bottled Founders KBS on the menu, need I say more?
(4)Kelsie L.
The good- Food was great,we ordered the taco salad, blue cheese burger and the cheddar fries. The cocktails were well made and the service was perfect. They have an impressive draft beer selection. The bad- During the peak dinner hours there are tons of children running around. We will be back, but later in the evening.
(4)Kevin Z.
Awesome food across the board. I like the chicken tacos. Great rotating beer list too.
(5)Laura P.
Surf n turf special, scallops and steak! Good beer selection! This one of the places I like to go, but for Whatever reason, I don't come here often enough. I have been 3 times and every experience has been good. The have a great beer selection and the food is always good. Service is always friendly and attentive. If you come on a weekend you might have a little bit of wait, but never too long. They have TVs for sports fans at the bar. In the summer they have a nice big patio where you can bring the pooch. I also like the noise level, its not too quite but not overwhelming loud either. A good place to bring a small group (but you might want to make reservations if you can)
(4)Dayna S.
My son and I happened to stumble upon this place when looking for apartments for rent. The service was friendly and the food was good. We enjoyed it very much.
(5)Jaime G.
I dig Rockwell's. It adds to the charm and extensive food offerings at Lincoln Square. Known for its burgers, it also offers an ever changing craft beer selection that's likely to appease any pallet. Try the steak burger (succulent marinated steak with blue cheese in a fresh soft roll...add avocado for more creaminess) and the tilapia tacos. Pair the burger with a brown ale like a Arrogant Bastard ale. A bar at its heart so you'll see the typical bar stools and TVs for the weekend sports fair. Ok for kids but come early. Parking can be tough as well given that its right by the train. Service is super good as wait staff is especially knowledgable of the food and beer (shout out to Jose for allowing to sample all of the draft beers for free). Come for the sold selection of burgers, beer, and service.
(4)Karen Anne B.
He headed here after taking our dog to the dog beach on a Sunday morning. We were looking for a place that offered brunch with a dog-friendly outdoor area. We arrived just a few minutes before they were officially open and someone came out and told us we could go ahead and take a seat. We really enjoyed sitting out with our four legged friend and having brunch. The service was great, the seating area was shaded and the neighborhood was fairly quiet. I had the Chapin platter. It wasn't a knock your socks off breakfast, but it was good. I especially enjoyed the veg-friendly black beans and the plantains. We didn't order a beer, but they did seem to have a great beer list. I'm glad we checked them out and I can see us going back.
(4)Caitlin B.
I love this place! The Rockwell Crossing area is adorable, and it's just so pleasant to come here, especially if you can sit on the patio. The food is all good, but favorites include any of the Mexican dishes and the cheese fries. I've also had a decent burger here. Nachos are good, but a bit dry. The beer list leaves a bit to be desired, and there are frequently a number of families here. I'm not bothered by it, but if you want to get sloshed on cheap beer and be obnoxious, it's best to go somewhere else, lest you upset the (mostly) very well behaved children and their parents.
(5)Maggie M.
Really good chicken sandwich, if not the best I've had. I'm not a fan of their fries though. Decent beer selection, although the draft list is limited. Best part is being able to sit on the patio with my dog milo, they even brought him a water dish!
(4)Meg r.
Such a great place. super good cheese fries and 3 Floyds Rabid Babbit on tap. baby changing station in one of the bathrooms. and as long as you are not lookin for seating for 8, you are good to go! Great patio and really nice people workin here.
(4)Richard Z.
For the price a great bargain~ the price difference between going to McDonalds and Rockwells is not great considering what Rockwell gives you. It is not just a burger joint or a neighborhood tavern with food. The Blacken tilapia sandwich is usually pretty good and you can never miss with the burgers. The taco soup and the hot hot hot jalapeno soup are great smalls. For four or five bucks they give you a pretty nice bowl but I have often had to sent it back to warm it. Although I dont drink I know the bar seems well stocked with beers. It has veered toward a more southwestern cuisine with their menu change and a bit too many cheesy dishes for my taste. Yet Rockwells can always be counted on in a world of fast food joints and carry out. Bruch is great but a bit pricey going as high as 13$ for bacon and eggs and coffee. The atmosphere is a lot more sober than a sports bar as it where parents go to get away from their kids. The two TVs usually have sports and it is common to strike up a conversation with the strangers sitting next to you. I am a very hard grader living on retiree money and Rockwells may not compete with Randolph street but I dont like to be doted on even by friend~restranturs. The waiters are friendly and swift but not annoying. Owner? Who cares it is great place for a slow paced meal.
(4)marta k.
I love Rockwell's! You can't beat the burger. The staff is always welcoming. A all-around great place.
(5)Carlos V.
The beer selection on this place rotates pretty often and i adore that. They have really nice beers. I am a big fan of imperial stouts and saisons which they normally carry. Food is good, great fries, their fish sandwich, the chicken sandwich, the salads are massive. Great overall for a neighborhood bar.
(4)Jacob T.
Rockwell's never disappoints. Great beer selection and good burgers. Their veggie patty is good too. I love getting off the el and heading into this place. They have dum dum suckers in a basket as you leave and I always snag several for the walk home. If you're a local you gotta try this place.
(4)Matthew S.
Excellent beef/chicken/steak burritos, excellent burgers, and cheese fries. Both are about 9bucks. You will get your moneys worth, portions are pretty big. Have about 10 beers on draft from all over US. Many more bottled beers too. Have a side patio for the summer and can bring your dog. It is very kid friendly which fits for the neighborhood.
(5)Kat B.
Love this place! Very family-friendly with a great menu. The fish tacos are my favorite. Good service and good value.
(5)Reagan W.
Went here last night for dinner and drinks. This place is understated and very good! The staff was friendly and good at their job. The food was really great. I had a the BBQ bacon burger. BBQ sauce is definitely delicious and tangy. Fries were good. My other half had the steak and it was cooked perfectly and the loaded baked potato was phenomenal. We had enough left for lunch the following day. Great portions. We also had two beers and the guacamole and chips. All for $55 with tip. Not bad:)
(5)Tony F.
The cheese fries are amazing, the burgers are great, the revolving beer menu is amazing, the staff is pleasant, take-out is ready in 15 minutes, the 'style' of the place is great and they hold cool events. Why only 4 stars? So, many, children. Children everywhere. I get it, its a neighborhood restaurant that's family friendly in a neighborhood full of double wide strollers. But damn, people do not keep their kids on a leash at this place. I can't really hold Rockwell's responsible, I guess, since they have put up signs requesting people make sure they're paying attention to their kids, but they don't, to be honest. Maybe I'm just old, crotchety, and am not a kid person. Also, it definitely isn't like this (obviously) if you come later.
(4)Dede R.
I have gone to Rockwells since it opened. Love the burgers, Louisiana Egg Rolls. Flautas, Steaks, Nachos, Tortilla soup, I could go on but I have two words. Pulled Pork, there's a few new items on the menu that include pulled pork..num num num. Hoping for Pulled Pork Fries. Go with your family (grown ups go after 7pm if you don't want a lot of kiddies around). In the warmer days go early if you want to sit outside. They have a great brunch on weekends.
(4)Maria M.
Stopped in here for dinner last night and we were pleasantly surprised. They have a great drink menu, pretty decent selection of spirits and beer, and the food was super tasty too. I had the Southwest burger and my husband had the chicken tacos. Both were delicious and the ingredients were clearly freshly prepared. The staff was super friendly as well. There were a lot of families and neighborhood people stopping in. Just overall great neighborhood joint. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!
(4)Noah B.
Great place tucked away in RW crossings. I would recommend waiting until after the dinner rush as there are typically lots of kids running around. Waitstaff is awesome and the bartenders know their beer! Try the Strip steak sandwich with chihuahua cheese instead of bleu cheese.
(4)marianne r.
Pleasantly surprised and will most definitely return. Not even taking into account the food(which was very good!) but the service was outstanding and very communal ...the GM was super vigilant and very personable ..the staff were just the same..very attentive and alert without being intrusive .. A great neighborhood place
(5)Jamie B.
What a hidden gem!!! Excellent food, one of the BEST steak sandwiches I've had. Right off the Rockwell brown line, this place is fantastic. Huge beer selection, can't wait to come back when we venture to Lincoln Square.
(5)Julie C.
I love Rockwell's. I live slightly less than a mile away, so it's become my go-to restaurant to take out-of-town family and friends when they visit. It's a cozy neighborhood place with friendly, attentive service and what I believe is the best burger in Chicago. (Trust me, I've been to Kuma's, Bad Apple, etc., and nothing beats a Rockwell's burger for me.) They also have a great beer list, which my beer-drinking friends have appreciated. My only disappointment coming here is that the fries can be hit or miss. I've been here and had great fries, and other times the fries have been greasy and soggy. For a while I would get chips and salsa as a side with my burger because I didn't want to take the chance of getting gross fries. On my most recent visit, the fries were amazing, but that could be because we showed up for lunch really early and the fries were fried in fresh oil. Come early for lunch or later for dinner to avoid the crowd and all the kids running around.
(4)Amy W.
Food is good. Beer is good. Price is right and staff is friendly. But don't stop here for a bite if you're in a hurry. I went recently for brunch and though the place was dead at the time (which is unusual) it took forever for us to get served. The outdoor seating is nice though and is dog-friendly.
(3)Yanyao N.
I suspect I will start spending a lot more time here once I move down the street. Rockwell's has all that you would want in a neighborhood grill. It sits on a quiet, residential street (but right by the Rockwell Brown Line for easy access) and is a laid-back spot serving up your expected salads, burgers, sandwiches, etc, alongside a nice beer menu. The Rockwell's burger is good, and I am excited to eat my way through the rest of their menu. A garlic peppercorn crusted char burger named after Krusty? Yes, yes, yes! I spent a lovely afternoon on their patio, drinking John Daly cocktails and ogling all the neighborhood dogs (they shall soon be my new friends!). The patio is shaded, quiet, and dog-friendly, so I had the added bonus on being able to pet and play with a new canine buddy! It was a really lovely time. Our table neighbors were friendly and said bye to us when we left. Service was totally toned for lazy Sunday patio drinking, which I thought was perfect - you don't want anyone hovering constantly. This place can sometimes turn into kid city, but it sort of goes with the neighborhood.
(4)Julia J.
Have been coming to Rockwell's since it first opened. This is an amazing place for good food. They have a nice beer selection and can mix a mean bloody mary. Rockwells makes the best fish tacos around. I crave them, they are so good. I could eat Rockwell's fish tacos daily!. Great casual place to take friends and family.
(5)skip l.
What a great place for dog-less dog lovers! Their outdoor seating is both dog-friendly and a great place to observe the passing canine parade. That said, we love this place for its quiet, side-street location combined with a solid menu. We like their chips, salsa, and guacamole as a starter, then a burger, sandwich, or salad -- often taking part of it home for lunch the next day. One weakness -- literally -- are the cocktails. I've had a couple different ones from their cocktail menu and they are the weakest I can recall. Also uninspiring desserts; today just apple cobber and ice cream or a "peanut butter candy bar thing" with ice cream. With the business they do, especially in the summer, they could offer better! More important still -- in honor of the spirit -- their cocktails could sure use a longer pour. On the plus side, the service is tops. Today their early dinner crowd outside (maybe 10 tables?) had four different servers. Every server we've had in our several visits has been informed, thoughtful, and very nice. A final plus -- ask for their frequent diner card and build up your points. We're targeting enough for two of their very good burgers. Another review mentioned families. Yes, this is not a place for you if you are kids-adverse. But if you enjoy observing the pleasures of family life (with or without the associated responsibilities), that's part of the fun as well.
(4)Simone L.
Rockwell's is a classic. I was introduced to this place when I used to live in the neighborhood, and even now that I've moved away I'm always looking for excuses to return. Very cozy, has a community vibe, and the food never disappoints. The burgers and salads are really delicious, perfect for splitting with someone. Big fan!
(4)Angie M.
If I lived in this neighborhood, I would totally come to Rockwell's on a frequent basis. First, the burgers are dynamite. Like, DY-NO-MITE. Being a burger purist, I went with the Rockwell's Burger. Just lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup and mayo for this girl. The burger was cooked perfectly. It's a huge portion served on a nice, soft bun. I gobbled this bad boy up and didn't even feel guilty about the sheer volume of calories consumed. Rockwell's also boasts a solid beer list. Lots of diversity and a killer cider, which went perfectly with my burger. Service was friendly. Price was right. Total neighborhood joint.
(4)Just Me E.
This is a cute little bar tucked into a cute corner of a cute neighborhood. We wandered in on a rainy weekday afternoon for lunch. I tried their half pound burger served between two grilled cheese sandwiches as a bun. Was it good? You betcha, and i finished the whole damn thing. It's the kind of place where I could very easily become a regular. I was surprised to hear that they've been there since 2005. We experienced friendly staff, a laid back vibe, and a local crowd. It's also the type of place where I could regain the fat Chicago-style ass that it took me more than a year to shed, so it's probably a good thing that we're soon going back to Florida until next summer.
(4)Sargis N.
The service was good and the food came out pretty fast but the BBQ Burger wasn't what I thought I was gonna be but other than that I loved the seating and it was nice.
(4)Rebecca B.
Some of the food can be hit or miss, but the burgers and the beer selection are always good. The high point of Rockwell's is the service. The wait staff and bartenders are great at their jobs, friendly, and attentive without being annoying. What is annoying, however, are all of the screaming children running around the restaurant. I understand that Rockwell's is "family friendly." I don't understand how "family friendly" came to mean "let you children run around the restaurant unsupervised and scream their heads off." I believe that children should be taken to restaurants starting at a young age, because that is how they learn how to behave in restaurants. I also believe that allowing your child to scream and throw french fries at a stranger (speaking from personal experience here, thank you anonymous mom who thought it was cute) is bad parenting. Either teach your children how to behave when in public places or don't take them into public places.
(3)Nancy S.
Love this restaurant! Their steak sandwich is to die for! Service has always been on key! Definitely recommend this restaurant!
(5)Katrina H.
Loved this place. My husband loved the many choices of beers and it was a good atmosphere for our family. The cheese fries were really good.
(5)Tina D.
Easy neighborhood spot when you don't feel like cooking. The beer list is great, it can get loud with all the littles running around you can mostly avoid this by going after 7 or so. Outdoor patio is lovely. Staff are helpful and attentive.
(4)Steven B.
Awesome burgers with a ton of options
(4)Kari C.
Great craft beer selection. Amazing burgers (I never try anything else). Friendly staff. What else is there to say?
(5)Brigid R.
Our favorite neighborhood joint. You can bring your kid and still treat yourself to a good beer. Often "family friendly" translates to boring and bland, not Rockwell. The summer patio is the best, we bring our dog and our kid and just sit back and enjoy the neighborhood. If you don't like all the kids maybe you shouldn't be dining in Lincoln Square in the first place.
(5)Matt R.
I met some friends here for brunch on a Saturday. It qualifies as brunch in my book because half of us ate breakfast food, and the other half of us ate lunch food. All of the food was great. The fries are addictive! My burger was cooked to perfection.
(4)Joanne W.
I really like Rockwell's. It's a solid neighborhood joint right near the Rockwell brown line stop. It's a casual place, but not old man casual. In fact, depending on the time of day or night you are going...you might find that is more a family restaurant vs. a neighborhood bar & grill. I've frequented this place several times. I've yet to be disappointed with anything I've had. The burgers are pretty damn delicious and the fries are superb! The carne asada is unexpectedly delicious as are the salads. Solid appetizers as well. All this and a pretty nice beer menu too. What more could you ask for? Oh, friendly wait staff? Check. So far, so good on that front. My sister and I enjoyed a nice lunch at Rockwell's recently. We rolled in on a Sunday. It was a mixed crowd of young and old, familes, groups of friends and a couple of gals enjoying a meal & some conversation in the neighborhood. I like the vibe you are putting out, Rockwell's. Consider yourself on my go-to list.
(4)Jeremy G.
We started going to Rockwell's when we lived in the neighborhood and contiune to go back on occasion....we really try to support this place because they are very kid friendly, but they're starting to lose me. My wife gets the chicken sandwiches, kids get grilled cheese and they are both very good. The queso dip is crazy good as well. However I always have gone with the burger from here....two times ago, it was really, really sloppy and the last time - I somehow hit many little "hard' bites in the burger and could only eat about half. I'm sure we'll be back again...if you live in the neighborhood, want to go out to eat and not travel far - this place is gold. However I need to train myself to expand off the burgers and once I can do that, I'm sure we'll visit again...
(3)Dan H.
Rockwell's has been one of my "go to" places for as long as I've lived in the neighborhood. Service is always friendly and I like how the servers are nice and laid back. I've had a pretty healthy sampling of the menu. My favorites are the Chopped Chicken Salad, Rockwell Burger and the BBQ Bacon Burger. My only complaint about the BBQ Bacon Burger is that it comes drenched BBQ sauce. It's really good sauce, had a nice smoky/spicy blend to it...it's just too much. Maybe I need to start ordering it on the side. Burgers are big, always cooked the way you want them, and nice & juicy. Overall, I think their burgers rank up there at the top of what you can get in the city. You can also get any burger as chicken sandwich or gardenburger at no additional cost. They have a rotating beer selection that's pretty great, there are always 3-4 that I want to try. Added bonus - They have a big ol basket of lollipops by the front door!
(4)Kathleen E.
Cute local spot to grab a bite to eat. In summer they have a nice outdoor area to eat, drink and people watch. It's right off the Rockwell Brown line which is at street level. You can hear the el' and it's classic Chicago.
(4)Carolyn M P.
I went with my sister I ordered there BBQ Bacon Burger- a plate of French fries covered in cheddar cheese, green onions & bacon pieces called the cheddar fries , my drink was limeade and kiwi which was out of this world. My sister had the skirt steak sandwich which was very chewy. It wasn't cut on the grade and she took it out of the bread and cut it into to smaller bite size pieces. She also had a salad and a root beer cause the ginger ale was flat. That night was almost pleasant but seeing a couple with 3 small children the 1 older child was quite ,the other 2 were a bit noisy. I thought is this is a bar ? Why are there children in a bar ? I didn't know there were any children until they were aloud to get a dum dum aka lollypop there was a big basket full of them until I heard the small boy screaming and running towards the basket. Good thing that he still had on his bike helmet. I wouldn't want him to hurt himself by falling down. I loved the limeade with kiwi and the burgers were big, buttery and the bacon was so big and crispy. I would do this again. But for lunch only do the plate of fries & a salad there were so many French fries on that plate. If you look up you will see the magnetic bottle caps on the furnace duct. Depends on where your seated. I also loved the sitting in the window, until we moved for something . Not sure what that was about. We went to this on 5-23-14.
(5)Marc W.
Great beers and ok/good food. Check out their beer menu online and come for the Bourbon County Stout.
(5)scott B.
Want to grab an early evening dinner with your young-uns? This is the place. Great beer selection. We enjoy their sales, burgers and other creations in a relaxed environment. Been coming here for years. I usually order the chopped chicken salad. She gets a burger. The precocious boy gets chicken fingers. Don't forget to grab a free lolly pop on your way out. This was going to be a four star review, but we went last night and for some reason, the food was not as good as usual. Not sure if it was just a down night. Even the fries were not as good as usual.
(3)Sarah M.
I go to this place at least once a month. They have fantastic burgers, even better blackened fish tacos, good beer selection and great service. Never had a bad experience here and have been going for over two years now. Definitely a neighborhood friendly bar/grill that is accommodating for all ages. My only complaint is that they don't have a lot of space for large parties, especially if they are busy. They can push tables together but it may take a while to wait for those tables to open up. Other than that, this is a great place to eat!
(4)Faye B.
This local neighborhood joint is just ok. I keep coming back and I guess it's because the staff is friendly. The food can be a little hit or miss. The last time I was there I had a burger which was delicious, but I got stuck eating the loaded fries. The last time I ate here my fiancée raved about their fish tacos but decided to switch it up with a pasta salad that fell flat. The burger I had this time around made up for the dish I had last time. Maybe next time I go it may just be for a drink and dessert or just the fish tacos. It is a nice, friendly neighborhood option that is worth at least a look.
(3)Phil H.
Good atmosphere here, friendly service expect good times. I was visiting and enjoyed the food very good and stick to ur bones good. Burgers, fries, very good.
(4)Jennifer E.
Came here on a Sunday night to grab some food and watch the game. Service was the best ever I've experienced at a bar. Food was ok. Loved the chipotle wings but their chili didn't hit the spot...too much beans and not alot of flavor. My husband loved the Leroy sandwich though. I recommend this place :)
(4)Richie D.
Sadly enough, I must say that my overall experience was mediocre---3 stars for ya Rockwell's. I was really hoping for better since I love the location being so close to the adorable ground-level Rockwell El stop. Rockwell's is one of maybe 3 restaurants in the radius of 3 blocks or so. This is probably why it has tons of advertisements from the surrounding Manor and is swamped with families and children screaming from every corner of the room, ay! Thank goodness Yelp reviewing doesn't require good listening skills. I guess Rockwell's could be considered a "gastropub" but the food wasn't all that stellar. I tried the Louisiana Eggrolls as all the Yelpers recommended. They were homemade egg rolls (just like a Chinese joint but Tex-Mex style) stuffed with a mix of andouille sausage, jack cheddar cheese, chicken chunks, onions and maybe two other ingredients. With the accompanying chipotle ranch dressing I will admit they were fairly yummy. For those sensitive palates, it is a tad spicy but definitely do-able. I will give RWs a thumbs up for offering a Wheat/Hopps-free beer but too bad practically 75% of the menu includes wheat products (lots-o-'wiches). I had the Chicken Breast Sandwich and my partner had the French Dip. Both were just average and if it weren't for the homemade french fries, I could have gotten the same thing at Portillos for cheaper. They do give you a choice of sides like a good sized side salad (get the dijon vinnagrette), homemade pasta salad, and a black bean & corn salad. A note to the owners, the decor is primarily old framed images that have no thematic connection and cover the entire wall. Please add a little more something...please.
(3)Torry H.
This is my go to place when we take our kids out to dinner. We live in the neighborhood, hook the stroller up and head in for lunch/dinner and a great craft beer. It is laid back and relaxed with delicious from scratch meals. The Chipotle Chicken tacos are my favorite! Brunch is great too. I love the patio in the summer. You can't go wrong here.
(5)Chris V.
The food was good and reasonably priced, but the service was slow.
(4)Dave S.
We took the kids to Rockwell's last Saturday from a recommendation from one of my clients and loved it. We did not have to wait for a table and actually got an 8-top for the 4 of us, awesome when you have two little mess makers like we do. The service was great, server checked on us several times throughout our meal. There were coloring books, crayons, and lollipops for the kids. Server was patient and offered suggestions when my wife was trying to make up her mind on a drink. My Margarita was tasty and mixed properly. Great food, kids had quessadilas and corn dogs and they liked em. My wife had the Santa Fe burger as it was listed as a favorite here on Yelp, and it was delicious, I snuck a few bites. I had the steak fajitas and it was huge. If my parents were with us they would have split that and still not finished, but I finished every bite it was that good. Cool thing is that with fajitas you always run out of meat and tortillas but at Rockwell's they give you plenty of veggies and corn tortillas chips on the side to either dip or do what I did and crush them into the veggies/sour cream/lettuce/salsa and have yourself a nice taco salad. A few too many grilled onions for me but they're on the side so no big deal and that's a good thing for some people anyway. Our server was great, didn't catch his name but big dude with tats and a beard, very nice fellow. Iron Maiden concert on the tv's and old Michael Jackson music playing at a comfortable level, classic! At the end of our meal a nice gal with a terrific smile came by and showed me how to use their new system where you slide your credit card at the table so you never have to worry about your identity being stolen which, she explained, would never happen at Rockwell's anyway, which was very believable. They have a really great beer selection including some Three Floyd's and other upscale craft beers I'll try next time if it's not too hot out. Overall great time at Rockwell's, we'll be back again!
(5)Louie S.
We have been eating at Rockwell Grill for about 3 years and the place is always good, consistent, with friendly staff. The salads are great, the appetizers fill you up and it can always be counted on as a nice meal in a pleasant environment. Rockwell Grill is a very family friend restaurant as we often see families or parties of 6 or more enjoying their meal and for the most part the customer's kids are well behaved.. which doesn't have anything to do with the restaurant so much as the area and patronage. We visit every few months and have always been happy having gone.
(4)Jonah B.
Amazing buffalo chicken strips/chopped chicken salad/burrito and Rockwell Burger Edit (2015): The buffalo chicken strips are not what they used to be.
(4)Katie K.
Wow! I had the best burger I have had in the city at Rockwell's. I loved this place. The burger was cooked perfectly and incredibly juicy and delicious. I went back the same weekend because I loved it so much! The fries were tasty too. Overall great place, next time I might try something else, but seriously, you have got to try this burger.
(5)Benjamin H.
Having lived in the Rockwell neighborhood for the last six years, I can definitely say that the neighborhood has seen it's fair share of neighborhood restaurants come and go. I would have counted Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill as a potential casualty five years ago, but the simple fact is that in the last couple of years, they've really gotten their shit together. Now listen...as a young, married professional, I could sit here and gripe endlessly about the "screaming of the Privileged children," or "whining stroller-mom's blocking my entry into the bar," but wouldn't I just end up being a whining, screaming, privileged yuppie scum-bag and isn't that just as bad?! Seriously, the pretension and utter irony of previous reviews bashing Rockwell's kid-friendly and familial nature kinda makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit. But come on, we all secretly know that the very same people who now complain will inevitably be wheeling a big-ass double-wide stroller into Rockwell's in three years and demanding satisfaction. I digress. A great neighborhood grill that has really cleaned up and reformulated it's food and drink in the past couple of years. I'd put their Santa Fe Burger up there as one of my favorites in the city o' Chicago. As well, their fish tacos are damn solid. As for their beer menu? Extraordinary. Their tap list is smoking, often offering 10 unique, yet appropriate offerings. Their bottle menu is well thought out and expansive. The staff has always been more than friendly and accommodating and i've always gotten good service. I respect that they have a inviting and family-oriented atmosphere...people with kids like to go out to eat, too...shit, I know that and I don't even have any rugrats. If you're really pedophobic, simply come after 7pm and all of the strollers will be snugly tucked behind their respective condos.
(5)Emily B.
Went here on a Saturday around 12:30pm and just had to wait a few minutes to sit outside. I got a Bloody Mary for 5 bucks (could have been a little stronger). We ordered the cheese fries for an appetizer and they were SO good! Their Ranch dressing was amazing. My sister got the Tatanka burger and my boyfriend got a cheese burger. Both were really good. I ordered the brunch egg tacos ( you get to pick 3 ingredients and they mix them with 3 eggs and then turn them into breakfast tacos) The black beans and plantains were good too :-) I can't wait to go back and try all of their other stuff. Our waiter was great, I can't remember his name, but he raved about almost everything on the menu.
(5)Karen N.
A good neighborhood place. Burgers rule here, but blackened fish tacos is awesome as well. Good beer list. Yes, lots of young kids in high chairs. Very family friendly and the place cleared out a bit after 9p.m. as all the kids have to go to bed! TVs were on for the world series. So this is the kind of place where you can hang and chill for a while.
(3)Chris V.
I absolutely love this neighborhood bar and grill, and any time I have guests visiting we always visit. Everyone so far has loved it. The owners here have excellent taste. Their draft beer selections are always excellent and varied, the food is very good, and the cocktails are made with love and care. I would put their burgers against almost any other more famous Chicago places, and don't overlook the turkey sandwich or chicken burgers. This restaurant is especially kid-friendly during the early- to-mid-evening hours. Some might see this as a downside (I see some negative reviews on here because of the robust atmosphere and waiting time at peak hours) but I love that there is a neighborhood family-friendly restaurant. Once I went during the early evening and the music overhead was classic Disney songs. If you go later at night the atmosphere is much quieter and grown up but still friendly.
(5)Patrick B.
Went here for dinner and drinks a few nights ago and was glad I did. They had an excellent selection of beers on draft and an even wider variety of bottles, including a few I haven't seen at other bars. Their food was excellent as well, I had the blackened fish sandwich and tried one of their Louisiana egg rolls, both were excellent. They also had a decent sized porch on the side that is dog friendly. Infact, we were the only ones there without a dog or a kid running around. Be sure if you bring your dog here that he's friendly around other dogs. My only complaint is that it's a tad on the pricey side. I would go here more often if they had regular specials. I looked but didn't see any specials listed anywhere and their website is under construction.
(4)Juliana R.
Cute place in a peaceful neighborhood, exactly what I needed after being hungover all day! Their burgers are great, and I ordered the cheese fries after reading the yelp reviews but wasn't too impressed. The cheese was melted and dried quickly on the fries making them hard. Next time I'll just get regular fries tho, no big deal. I love their outdoor patio, very relaxing, and service was good too!
(4)Debbie S.
Delicious burgers at this neighborhood spot! I admit that the only thing I have had to eat here is a burger, but each time I have had it, it's been great. The hubby is a big fan of the fish tacos -- but he likes the burgers too. This is one of the few places where I always order the same thing. We have been coming here consistently for about 3 years and we have never had a bad experience. The beer menu is good with plenty of local and micro brews...nice outdoor seating off to the side. Consistently pleasant and efficient wait staff help to make the experience even better. This is a very family friendly place -- it's not unusual to see more tables with little kids than without. Before the Hubby and I had a baby, the amount of kids sometimes irritated me a bit. Now that we tote our 13 month old along when we go out, it's nice to have a place that we like where kids are welcomed.
(4)Gina F.
Always consistant, always good. When we just want a relaxing bite, we often head down the street to Rockwell's or call in an order for pickup. They have an often-bustling dining room and a nice quiet outdoor area in the summer. The service is always excellent & some of the staff have been there for years. Personal faves are the veggie burger (I don't know how they do it, but it's extra good here), the burrito, & the Southwest veggie salad. The dijion viniagrette is delish and a great alternative to the ubiquitous balsamic viniagrette. Decent beer selection and yummy hot drinks in winter. It's basically our go-to for lazy nights, or lazy Saturday & Sunday mornings. I only once had bad service (really bad--like an hour for a burger) but they gave us a free app & I never saw that server again. Other than that it is really consistantly welcoming, tasty, and reasonably priced.
(4)Hanna D.
Rockwell grill is a great neighborhood stop for a decent burger & beer. Their food is decent. I try to opt for the specials. The Texas Toothpicks are brilliant, and a perfect add on to a meal. Their regular burger is pretty plain, but the other creations with blue cheese or bacon & onions are really yummy! The servers have personality & are knowledgeable of the beers they carry. I never know what type of beer I feel like, nor am I a super beer-Connoisseur so its really helpful that I can say what i like & they can give me something similar. The downfall of this place is the children. I understand wanting to be a family oriented establishment given the neighborhood, but maybe limit it to before 7pm or something. When I want to enjoy a beer, I don't want to be in the company of 5 year olds running wild.
(4)Katie O.
Begyle and Brunch brought us to Rockwell's on a chilly Saturday morning. Initially, I thought I was at an IHOP with tables packed of families and kids. A huge turnoff. The noise alone made me crave a Begyle ASAP. And if you have not had a Begyle shame on you for living in Chicago and not doing so. Rockwell's had a great selection of local brews on tap. The brunch was fab. We has an array of tacos- fish and breakfast. Tacos were large in portion and full of flavor! The service was friendly, patrons at the bar eager to converse.... Maybe because we were the only other adults not talking baby babble. I would give Rockwell's another try, but in the evening when the neighborhood kids are in bed.
(4)Veronica M.
Great Brunch and service I highly recommend it.
(4)F S.
Great meal as usual cheddar fries burger and salad on side Solid food great beers If u dont wanna listen to the kids go down rush street and try yelling your beer order And conversing Over the 20- 30 somethings and the way too loud bad music and $10 miller lites
(5)Tracy C.
Meh! I really want to like this place but just don't think I can. I think it is the food menu, boring, nothing on there makes me hungry. Good drinks, waitstaff, again meh? Think we actually left her 10%. Unheard of, but her performance, lackluster. Nothing else to add. To each his own.......
(2)Eric H.
Privileged parents mark their territory every time they bring their little bundles of privileged gifts( to the world ) to Chicago's own version of The Cracker Barrel Restaurant. The saddest thing was watching a waitress loaded down with plats trip and almost fall over a suv turbo stroller next to a highchair. And it's owner,( the mother of the child in the highchair) wearing a pink cashmere sweater draped around her neck, actually mumbled to the waitress to "be more careful next time". But, if you like hospital tasting food accompanied by constant baby crying symphonies, then Rockwell's is your spot. And these kids are professionals. After a while of a jarring cacophony of screaming, they naturally begin to harmonize into an ear screeching crescendo, while older sugared up kids tare through the restaurant like primitive berserkers. And the parents of both groups dine on satisfied that this is how the world should be, for people like them who don't even have to take out a stroller loan to purchase a thousand dollar suv turbo stroller with double coffee cup holders and storage space for jogging clothes. Some one should take a picture of one of those screaming kids and post if under the " Are these photos helpful?" section p.s., Mr. and Mrs. Bland eat hear all the time. And the Blands bring their children!
(1)Christian K.
My wife and I go there every now and then and always had a great experience. I guess we picked the right times because we didn't see that many kids running around, but could enjoy the nice atmosphere of this cute place. Their beer selection as well as burgers are outstanding and we like their brunch food, too. Definitely a nice place to go for a beer with friends.
(4)Scott W.
This place is the embodiment of neighborhood eatery. There is always a nice sized crowd, mixed with couples, singles, and lots of strollers. Their food is good. Nothing is amazing, yet everything is satisfying. The best part of the menu is that you can essentially customize all of their ingredients into whatever you'd like. The downside of this place is that it's technically a pub, but you'd feel really uncomfortable getting boozy here. I've tried, and there's something about the family vibe that just makes you feel sleezy by having more than 3 drinks. It's great for a nice, casual meal.
(4)Pat D.
Great blackened fish tacos, friendly service, impressive craft beer list, and they only played White Stripes songs while my two friends and I were there for over an hour. I'm not sure what else I could possibly say to convince you to go check it out if you aren't already on board. the ONLY downside was that the number of kids running around the restaurant the whole time was higher than I would have liked. but i will be back, hopefully with my dog, this summer.
(4)David R.
Rockwell's is a great, casual...well, neighborhood kind of place that makes me wish that I actually live in the neighborhood. In fact, despite its proximity to Western and Lawrence, which I have passed hundreds of times, it was a real journey of discovery coming here. I mean, the el runs at ground level here, for pete's sake. How weird is that? But I might start making special trips, because at Rockwell's I spent a marvelous Saturday afternoon eating a leisurely lunch, reading, and watching big fat snowflakes drift down out of the sky and cover the quietly charming residential, uh, neighborhood. It's hard to articulate just how comfortable this place is. There's something very appealing about the casual aesthetic, but also the service was ridiculously friendly and attentive (but not smothering). It was just...nice and enjoyable. The food was great too, especially the Louisiana egg rolls. I couldn't miss those thanks to a few other reviews, and they lived up to the high expectations. Yum. The creamy dipping sauce and the lettuce and tomato bed help to complement the mild heat. Great appetizer (better to be shared, as there are three full egg rolls). I also had the chicken monterrey, which is not at all fancy, but simply a huge plate of good food. Order this if you don't want to eat again that day: two chicken breasts smothered in sauteed peppers and onions and melted jack cheese, refried beans with more melted cheese, a helping of chips with a small cup of salsa, and "guacamole salad" which is a scoop of guacamole over some shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes. For once I actually did not finish the food in front of me. Sad. Not sad = the awesome, low-key but pleasant vibe at Rockwell's and the fact that I will return soon, perhaps with company, perhaps alone again. But it's a perfect place for a weekend afternoon in any case.
(4)Robert K.
Excellent food and excellent atmosphere. We live in the vicinity and we are regular patrons. The burgers are always excellent and the attitude of the employees is great. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great neighborhood restaurant!
(5)Jeff S.
Don't get me wrong, I really like this place, but lets be candid; The food is solid pub grub, but isn't FANTASTIC, it is just good and that is likely as good as it will get. Where this place excels is in making you feel comfortable and relaxed. AND, the big bonus, it is exceptionally kid friendly, and has a great kid's menu. We really love going here with our family or to meet other families from Waters School which is just around the corner from Rockwell's. The service and family friendly atmosphere is what makes this place get 4 stars from many reviewers, but if you asked them candidly, they would tell you the food isn't amazing, it is just solid pub grub, and it often really hits the spot. I am a fan. Finally, I don't know who orders the beer here, but they ALWAYS, ALWAYS have great beer available, including some in bombers, which I love. Recently, I have been thrilled to enjoy a Goose Island Juliet and a Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA, both brews you can't get just everywhere. Always a joy to get to go here, but let's be honest about what it is, a relaxed family friendly pub with average grub BUT wonderful service and amazing craft beer.
(3)Amy J.
Love this place! In a lovely neighborhood, close to transportation. (Rockwell brown line) delicious menu.
(4)Melanie S.
Rockwell's is my default neighborhood restaurant when I'm hungry and don't feel like putting any effort into picking out a place. I love that it's walking distance, or when I'm especially lazy, less than a 2 minute drive. It has an expansive menu, and everything I've had has been really, really good. They're known for their burgers, and with good reason. They come with fresh-cut fries or you can choose from other delicious options like corn and black bean salad, pasta salad, or a side salad. Service is friendly and efficient, and prices are reasonable. In warmer weather, you can dine outside with your pooch. As others have mentioned, it's quite riddled with strollers and ill-mannered rugrats, but alas, that's the world we live in. I recommend going at off-peak hours to limit your potential rugrat exposure, or better yet, do carry-out. and enjoy in your own home. A great addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Tony H.
Rockwell's would be the kind of place I'd want to run if I decided to open my own restaurant. A super-casual, relaxed "neighborhood" type place that will kill you with its inviting atmosphere, if not with its generous portion sizes. came here with a friend, neither of us had been here before. we (foolishly) decided to split the chips and salsa/queso/guacamole platter. served on like this 16" or so platter piled with homemade corn chips, and three separate 3" bowls loaded with each of the three dips. do the algebra/geometry and it adds up to a large serving of awesome! i ordered a bbq chicken sandwich with bacon, cheddar, and bbq sauce (left off the onions, thank you), came with a HUGE plate of fresh-cut fries. my friend got the chicken pasta salad: tri-color rotini tossed with some parmesan, peppers, black olives and cooked chicken breast with a balsamic vinaigrette. awesome! it would've been a 5-star experience, except for one culprit: salt. the fries were coated in a seasoning blend that was pretty strong, and even the chips were seasoned with something besides salt. other than that, the no-pressure service and great suggestions by our servers are a breath of fresh air for this suburbanite raised on volume service and gimmicks.
(4)C. E.
I love Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. Kid friendly- but although there are always kids dining when I am there, they are always well behaved. Great menu and service. Right near the L.
(5)Aaron B.
At one of my favorite lil corners of the city. Right where the Brown Line makes its way to street level one can find Rockwell's. If not crammed with hi-chairs and strollers you can find a great place with interesting food, a great selection of beers and a bartender who makes a mean Manhattan. One of the more interesting food options are the Louisiana Egg Rolls - its the sausage that makes em great! After you finish your food and drinks you can go across the street to the Jolly Roger and wrap up your laundry or go to the bar with no name - Is it really called just "Old Style on tap"? :)
(4)Claudia G.
Great food, atmosphere and service. There is not a thing on the menu that me or a friend of mine hasn't enjoyed. It is very family-friendly and you will often find families with young kids here.
(4)Robyn S.
I don't hand out five star reviews lightly, but Rockwell's has totally earned it. A few months ago, my hubby and I went to the Black Keys concert at the United Center. We live in Irving Park, and so we were looking around our area for something eat. It was 11 p.m. on a Monday night, so it's not like there were a whole bunch of happenin' places. We ended up at Rockwell's on a whim, and went inside to eat. Just so you know, my personal preference for food would be to have breakfast at all times. I can put away bacon and eggs at any time of the day. Where my food preference fits into my review is that we were trying to decide what we wanted, and the server came over to our table to ask us if we were ready to order. My hubby said that he was ready, but I might need more time since I wanted breakfast food and had to get something else. Our waiter said, and I quote, " I mean, I don't have any batter back there, but I can make you some bacon and eggs if you want." Um, what?! I was fully prepared to order a burger, and this guy magicians up my favorite food for me?! Without me even asking for it?!?! Having worked in customer service for almost 10 years, service like that is why Rockwell's gets 5 stars from me. (And yes, the bacon & eggs were delish! Not only that, they added in hash browns! Hash browns, I tell you!)
(5)Sarah M.
Rockwell's has been the source of many tasty meals for my bf and I over the years. The visits are usually a bit far between, due to their rarely changing menu (and even those rare changes are slight ones), but when we go we always enjoy the food. When we recently visited, we were surprised to see that there were new owners, but were optimistic. The result? Well, I can honestly say we won't be going back. The waitstaff is still great, so no complaints on them. The chips and fries are lacking that trademark seasoning that we always loved. We had several issues with our meal that were from laziness on the kitchen staff's part. But the thing keeping us from coming back will be the kids. Now, I know that they are a family-friendly restaurant, and I can appreciate that. But the "old" Rockwell's had cards on the table promising rewards for quiet kids and we appreciated the effort... the new Rockwell's... well not so much. When we were there, there were FIVE crying kids at five different tables. Additionally, there were other kids running around and some pushing chairs around. It was like being at a Chuck E. Cheese. Parents, I get that you have a right to bring your kids places, not arguing that. But please get a clue and realize that when they are misbehaving, they are ruining the meals of other people. When you see strangers looking at your little darling throwing a tantrum, shrieking, or pounding on the table, we aren't thinking of how cute they are - we're thinking "WHAT is WRONG with those parents???" So if you are looking for an average meal and you have demon children, go to Rockwell's.
(1)Brian W.
Solid 4 stars. The food is pretty good; nothing too special. The beer selection is great if you like craft beer. The servers are also friendly. They had Stone Double Dry Hopped Ruination IPA on tap which made me very happy. Love the fresh cut, skin on fries and really liked the skirt steak sandwich. Overall a good pick if you're in the area.
(4)Erin E.
went here for linner today. the in-between time meant there was barely anyone there, which was perfect for two tired girls in need of a little hangover recovery. yelped it up (search term: cheese) and found rockwell's, which i've been meaning to try. having not done my research thoroughly, i knew only that rockwell's cheese fries were something of a legend, but little did i know that they are made with ACTUAL CHEESE! none of that cheese sauce business-- which i seriously love, don't get me wrong-- that every other place uses. and not only were they topped with melted cheese, but also bacon, chives, jalapenos, and a ranch dipping sauce. it was like a potato skin explosion. a very tasty explosion. i hardly noticed when the rest of our food arrived, being face-down in the cheese fries & all. our research paid off yet again with the blackened fish tacos. umm, they kinda blew us away. my girlfriend is a total skeptic that anything blackened can be good. i guess in most cases it's because the only way to describe the flavor is, well, "blackened." all the flavor is charred out of it. she could not contain her amazement at how much flavor rockwell's managed to blacken INTO the fish. when she can't make it at home, and we're wondering, "how did they DO that?" that means it's pretty damn good.
(5)Jill M.
I have been here a million times and can't believe I haven't written a review yet. This place is amazing! The atmosphere is fantastic and it's a great place for families or friends. The entire staff is super friendly. I always take people here when they are visiting from out of town because it's very casual, just down the street, and they have just about everything you might be craving at the moment. Everyone always loves it. Some of my favorites are the build your own Breakfast Burrito, Louisiana Eggrolls, the BBQ Bacon Burger, the Skirt Steak Sandwich (so glad they added this to the regular menu - instead of just a weekly special!), and the Honey Chipotle Chicken Taco's (my current go to item!).
(5)Andy M.
Great hidden neighborhood. great hidden small bar near Lincoln Square. I have been here a few times which is very rare for me during my bar sweeps. The Turkey sandwich and nauchos dishes are excellent and the staff very nice. This bar has a quaint little look and is much better than the other small bar across the street which i reviwed before on yelp.
(5)Gloria F.
This place was hands down fantastic! My guy and I went here after deciding we were craving burgers. I've heard of Rockwell's but had never been before so we decided to check it out. We both ordered burgers and they were perfect; perfectly cooked, perfect amount of cheese, and perfect condiments/toppings. I highly recommend their Rockwell Sauce as well as the cheddar fries (they are worth the extra $). We split the brownie for dessert. It was warm, soft, gooey, and some sort of peanut/peanut butter on the top of it. Not too much, but just right. Next time I'm in the mood for a burger, I know where I'm heading.
(5)Roseann M.
Took two out-of-towners to Rockwell's on Monday night, arriving about 8pm. Sat at a sidewalk table - I love sitting outdoors here. The street is so quiet! You do notice the el going by the first time, maybe, but then you listen to the quiet of this nice urban neighborhood. And the sidewalk tables are on Eastwood, so there are no trucks, no buses, no terrible traffic noise to spoil your al fresco experience. I had the veggie taco salad; Ben had the taco salad with chicken; and Peg had a cheeseburger with a side salad. The salads were terrific. Ben especially noted how much he enjoyed the grilled veggies on the salad. After inhaling my salad, I noticed that Peg had cleaned her plate. Peg is the ultimate grazer, so for her to clean her plate like that is pretty remarkable. She said that not only was the cheeseburger really tasty and cooked as she requested, but the side salad was really good, too. We all had coffee; I had decaf, but Ben and Peg had the real stuff, because they were about to drive to Indianapolis. They both remarked on how tasty the coffee was - it's Intelligentsia. Our waitress, Holly, kept our cups full, made sure I got decaf and they got regular, and kept replacing the creamers, because Peg was putting so much in her coffee. Extra kudos to Holly - she overhead us talking about Peg and Ben driving back to Indy, and she brought coffee to go for both of them. We wouldn't even have thought to ask, but she thought to offer. Way to go, Holly! Definitely one of my all-time favorite places. I still love going there. Incidentally, I found out the next day that my acupuncturist was at Rockwell's at the same time with his family, but they ate indoors. He told me his family loves Rockwell's as much as I do; they are regulars, too. Go now, Yelpers, and keep the place in business.
(5)Jim F.
I went to Rockwells for the first time this past weekend. There is an genuine neighborhood feel to this old style Chicago eatery. Like just about every apartment in Chicago, Rockwell's is long and narrow. Tall ceilings, and an old wooden bar. It's not exactly in the middle of Lincolnsquare and parking wasn't an issue for us but we were there at 7pm on a Saturday and parked right in front when someone left. So I'm not sure how easy or hard it is to find parking. The menu had a lot to offer. A lot more than I expected from what looked to be a small tavern on the outside. I ordered a cup of Tomato and Onion bisque soup and Rockwell burger. My Girlfriend ordered a BBQ chicken sandwich and a cup of torila soup. The soups we're exceptionally well done. Especially the tortilla soup. It tasted like a blend of chili and soup that wasn't too chunky but not too thin. It was topped with strips of baked tortilla, a pinch of cheese, and a 1/4 slice of avocado. Very good! The Tomato and Onion onion bisque was much more simplistic and essentially it was a tomato soup with some flair. It was topped with melted cheese. I liked it. The burger was good. Very good. They tend to cook them on the rawer side. I ordered mine Medium-well and the middle was more pink than I would expect. I was happy as the server told me to expect that when I ordered. This is important when you order. I imagine rare would be very rare. The Rockwell burger comes with a medley of extras including grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and pickle. I added ketchup because I'm an American and that's what I do. I also opted for fries which were of the diced potato variety and quite good. There were many sides to choose from. My GF ordered her BBQ chicken sandwich with a balsamic noodle side that was fresh and a good mix of dressing and vegetables. Not too soggy and not too raw. The Sandwich itself was very basic. Tender and with an ample amount of sauce. The sauce was average. might have been sweet baby Rays. It was a darker kind but not entirely molasses. Beer prices were OK... $3.00 for Miller and Bud light. I Opted for a Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald for $4.00. Complimented the burger well. Rockwells has appeared in several "Best Burgers" write up's recently and I can say that I was pleased with theirs. I'll probably go back there again.
(4)Eric S.
Good beer selection in bottles. (Bartender mentioned an addition of about eight craft handles soon). The food is tasty. Pretty extensive food menu for a bar.
(4)Natasia O.
Great location (my neighborhood) ;) Wonderful, dog loving owners- will always win my heart. Good food- better yet- great $4 bloody marys!!!
(4)Scott B.
Seeing as though I live just a few blocks away, I do frequent this quaint establishment on a regular basis...just realized last night that I have not written a review yet... Wifey & I enjoy going here about once a week or so. Rockwell's is known for their burgers, but IMO, the rest of their menu is what's best about this place. They do a great job of rotating their draft beers (great bottled beer selection as well), and nightly food specials. Here's the dealio...when you come eat here, you get that feeling that what you're eating is actually clean, fresh food. There seems to be a sense of pride in what they serve? In addition to the good food, the service has always been FRIENDLY & ATTENTIVE. Yes, other restaurant / bar staffers, repeat after me, "FRIENDLY & ATTENTIVE!" The owners have their servers work in teams...I think this is a brilliant concept. You just get the sense they're not out to pad your tab, or spit in your food...friendly, possibly sometimes stoned, but reliable staff. Great service, good food (Keep in mind it's a neighborhood grill, not Mortons), and decent pricing. *Non-burger items I recommend: Quesadilla & French Dip----fries are good as well!
(4)Johanna C.
I love Rockwell's. It's tucked away just a bit west of Lincoln Square. It's really cozy - nice atmosphere. I recommend the chopped chicken salad with their house Chipotle Ranch dressing. All the food is very affordable - it usually falls under $10. It is a bar so you can get drinks. They have specials every night written on the chalkboard outside. It's open for lunch and dinner on the weekends and for dinner on weeknights.
(4)Emily M.
Rockwell's is one of my favorite places to eat. It's in the neighborhood, it's laid back and the burgers are delicious. They have plenty of vegetarian options. They have these loaded french fries that are out of this world - french fries covered in cheese, bacon, and jalepenos. I'm drooling just thinking about it. They also serve home made desserts such as their Reese's brownie. A real junk food paradise.
(4)Elisabeth G.
OMFG TACO SALAD I LOVE YOU. Just had to get that out of my system. So okay, it's a little neighborhood place, of course it attracts families with kids. Go a little later, sit in a corner or something, deal with it. You were a kid once, too. Rockwell's is a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with a diverse, better-than-bar-food menu. Plus ginormous vessels of iced tea. Deeeeeeeelightful! Recommended: freaking taco salad with grilled chicken and chipotle ranch dressing. You will die. Also good: fish tacos, cheese fries, huge brownie dessert. Required: check out the picture of the cat in the first bathroom on the left. Finest restroom art in all of Chicagoland.
(4)Danny S.
EDIT: 11/19/2008 I'm moving this bad boy up to the 5 star club based solely on their Friday night specials. The old lady and I have gone over on several Fridays because she likes one of their salads. Don't ask me which one, because I haven't paid attention (in years!). Anyway, the Friday special is some variation of steak. Every week is different and thus far every week has been stellar. Last week I took a buddy who is a bit of a snob about these things and his evaluation was, "that's the best d*mn steak I've ever had for 16 bucks." So you've got a neighborhood joint that throws some great meat around a grill and keeps its prices fair. I think I'm in love. __________________________________________________Â_____ Plain and simple, this is a solid place to get a burger and fries and a beer. I had the taco salad based on all of the recommendations from other Yelpers. While it was good, I don't think I'll go overboard with the praise. Crisp bowl, decently spiced meat (I went with the beef) and lots of lettuce and toppings. What I will say is that the S:P (salad to price ratio) was excellent. It was a big, filling salad that was only $9.
(5)paul s.
Great place, right off the rockwell brown line stop. Never had a bad meal there and the staff is very hospitable. I have always walked away satisfied and will definitely come back again.
(5)N M.
rockwell's neighborhood grill continues to be a place we visit regularly. today they had a tilapia special with pineapple pico de gallo; served with guacamole salad, rice, and a corn muffin. everything was really tasty. their specialty old fashioned topped off the meal.
(4)Brian F.
This is a neighborhood spot we hit often. It is very family/ kid friendly, great food, and nice staff. Dog friendly outside in the summer which is a bonus. Only downside sometimes its a long wait.....overall though you cannot go wrong for a quick, basic meal catch the game etc. My daughter loves it and they are very kid friendly.
(4)Axel G.
It's been a couple years since my family and i have been here. In the past we've had good experiences. Unfortunately, we didn't have a good one this time around. It was really packed, loud and dark. We waited a rather long time for our dinner. When I asked why, the waiter told us that power had gone out in the kitchen so they were behind. I would have appreciated them informing me beforehand instead of having me sit there. I also got rare burger when I ordered medium. They did put it on the grill again but after a few more bites found the burger was still rare.They did give me 20% discount but was disappointed in the experience.
(2)Laura I.
Rockwell's is a good place to go for lunch or dinner. The inside is a little dark but very welcoming. There is so much artwork on the walls to look at that if you're having lunch with someone you don't like, you can easily distract yourself by staring at the walls. The bathrooms are clean, the staff is pleasant and the food is delicious. In the summer, they have a great (but small) outdoor seating area. Be sure to go there tomorrow - free beer will be served that day. ;)
(4)Keely B.
PS Jeff is almost always our server, and he is delighful. He invited us to see his band play, and we did. They are a CCR tribute band, and they were good. Also, you should try the black bean and corn salad. Add a little salt and pepper.
(4)Robert K.
Great place for all kinds of food. My favorite are the fish taco's but anything I have or people I have been with ordered has been great. They even have a good selection of micro-brews. Very kid friendly and not expensive.
(5)Kara O.
My friend, Zack, nailed it when he said, "This is like Applebee's....but good." They have something on the menu for everyone from nachos to tacos to really good burgers (my favorite is the Krusty Burger), and a steak and pork chop entree. I've been here a million times and it's always really good! It gets very packed and there are a lot of kids usually around dinner time, seating on the patio in the summer is awesome. I love the servers, and the bartender pours a stiff drink. One of my all time faves. Oh yeah and they have good breakfast too! With Intelli coffee!
(5)Jay S.
Changes since the last review: Wider and better selection of beer; Menu is expanded with many Southwestern inspired dishes; Quality of the food is higher; More space at the bar; More (but not too many) TVs. The price/quality combo is hard to beat. The brunch menu is fantastic.
(5)B C.
Rockwell's is so close to meeting all my expectations of a good neighborhood pub and grill...except for two things: it's too expensive, and it's usually pretty empty. These two criticisms are connected, and the owners could solve both with a simple measure - daily specials worth looking forward to. I would stop in at Rockwell's after work for nachos and a beverage on a weekly basis, if they had decent specials. Unfortunately, they don't. That's why I've only gone here a couple times, even though I live right around the corner. Maybe they're going for a pricier, more family-oriented atmosphere, and don't want a happy hour crowd. The place has satisfying food options, a comfortable atmosphere, and a decent beer list, but whenever I've gone there are few other people there and I end up paying more than I would at similarly styled restaurants.
(3)Jeremy M.
Um, the new bar equipment made room for a lot more beers on tap, and rather than the high-alpha bittered hop-tea IPA stuff, they've taken my side with the malty belgian ale tradition and relatives. I gotta ratchet them up for this. Give me a wholesome minimally processed grass fed burger on the menu and I'll give you another star.
(4)Shelly G.
Great food. Amazing BEER! The staff is really friendly too.
(5)Nas T.
Ain't nothin' bad with it! Also you gonna get a vasectomy after eating here, because the waitresses are hot and the kids are not!
(5)Michael D.
Great blackened fish sandwich and my wife claims the burgers are the best in Chicago. Mexican food is very good as well. Super kid-friendly. Service is terrific. The staff really helps each other out and get you settled and fed quickly. Beer list is huge, wine list is weak. Bathrooms are clean. Solid value and good atmosphere.
(5)Gary B.
We first came across this place during a condo hunt. The little area right there by the train was some what unexpected. We have been back a handful of times and have not been disappointed. Good thing the brown line or street construction is over because it completely ruined the opportunity to sit out and and enjoy a warm fall day. Obviously not Rockwells issue but the it was loud. Either way, the staff were very pleasant and guided us to an empty table. I had the burger which was really good. Nice thing about this place is that I didn't feel pressured to order an alcoholic drink and were quick to refill my Arnold Palmers. All a around a fun neighborhood place to eat and hang out. They have a couple of tv's near the bar area which was nice to keep up on a game but it certainly isn't the focal point. Wide variety of neighborhood people, families etc.
(4)Alice R.
Love the burgers, fries, louisiana egg rolls and specials! It's a neighborhood restaurant and bar that is friendly and welcoming. I have not been disappointed when I try something new from their menu. Pork chop and carne asada dinners are delicious!
(4)Sam H.
Dear Rockwell's - I live down the street, and I wish you could be my "neighborhood grill." I do. But two really shitty visits, and I'm done with you. There are far too many quality places in this neighborhood to waste time here. First time was a screaming child nightmare, as described by other commenters. When I can barely walk to the bar without tripping over a toddler or a stroller, there's a problem. And to the harried waitress sheepishly directing me to a two-top hidden back behind the kitchen, like some childfree zone? Forget it. The bartender's savvy service was the only saving grace of that visit. Second time, weekday mid-afternoon, no kids in sight. Sit down by the window, order one of their custom burgers, which given their highlighted spot on the menu I figured would come out correct, unlike special orders elsewhere. I asked for veg instead of fries, only to have fries on my plate when I got my order. Okay, fine, I still work in the industry, probably the chillest guest he'd have all day. But the quip about how I "probably wanted the fries anyways" with a shit eating grin? Yeah, no thanks pal. Your fries taste like the nasty corn tortillas you fry in the oil for your nachos, and whichever way you meant the comment, if I were your manager I'd put you back in the dishpit. Lost this customer, skinny hipster bro.
(1)Layne S.
Long time supporter. Burgers are always great. Fries taste like corn chips so I don't like them any more. The menu has changed and gotten more pricey. I'll probably just stick with generic burgers and grilled cheeses from now on. Sometimes the specials are very good. The wait staff is very nice and efficient. They make the place what it is.
(4)Brett F.
If I were a Lincoln Square girl I could see myself enjoying Rockwell's on a pretty frequent basis... it's a nice little spot on a really cute stretch of Rockwell street nestled between sweet neighborhoody-type shops and right next to the Metra stop - super convenient!! Our service was good and friendly despite the interior of Rockwell's being sort of lackluster. During the day the place was pretty dark and the carpet in the area in which we were seated was dirty with food debris. That's a huge pet peeve of mine, no one should have to pay to sit in someone else's mouth droppings. Also as a bar-cum-restaurant (or vice versa) there just isn't much to distinguish it from a bar with a few rickety tables strewn about the space... I think sitting outside here may be the key. My meal, however, was really the saving grace. The menu seems a bit scattered but everything is made to order and in tremendous quantity... my cheeseburger piled high with every fixin' imaginable was as big as the plate it rested on and their seasoned fries were hot and delicious. I also ganked bites of the fresh pasta salad that came with my Mom's generous BLT every chance I got. Scrumdiddlyumptious!! As a neighborhood spot it's a decent place to grab a burger and beer, especially if you are new to Lincoln Square, give it a whirl... for the rest of us, don't spend the cab fare. You can find good grub elsewhere too!
(3)daniel a.
solid, safe bet in a real charming area of the north side few make it to. Good beer selection, which is very important to me these years. I was impressed by the food. Very nice helpful staff as well.
(4)Nate W.
There are three things in life I'm certain of....death, taxes, and alcoholic beverages. Where do you ask? ...I'll tell you where. Someplace warm. A place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking about a little place called Rockwell's. In all seriousness, this place is a great go to neighborhood spot, awesome draft beer (constantly rotating) and great burgers (the Krusty)/and fish tacos. Go here now. Do it. DO IT!!
(4)T J.
This is my ideal neighborhood bar. 1. Good service 2. Delicious food 3. A nice drink selection (check out their specialty cocktails. Well worth the $8!) 4. Subdued and laid-back atmosphere If you are looking for great food in a quiet part of town, this is the place to go.
(5)Katie B.
Dare I say this is the best burger I've ever had? I'm an exaggerator, but I'm telling you, the burger is waaaaay up there on my list of best evers. Dropped in with some friends before my recital at the Old Town School last week. We were in a bit of a rush to make it and were a tad worried about the service because the place was packed. There were sorta children everywhere, too, but somehow it didn't distract from the neighborhood bar vibe. Awesome beer selection. The burger was out of this world, served with a layer of mustard, lettuce, tomato and onion on the bottom bun. We also loved the "Texas Toothpicks", fried onion and jalapeno strips. The fish tacos were also top-notch. Nothing we ordered did not properly rock, and well at that. I like this tiny little strip in neighborhood near the Rockwell Brown Line. Perfect place to eat before the concert in Lincoln Square and it's also close to Albany Park and other northy westy hoods. "Eat Well, Drink Well, Live Well"... Rockwell! We did.
(4)Samantha B.
This place is very close to our apartment so when we realize we don't want to cook dinner, we head over to Rockwell's. My favorite food would have to be a cheeseburger and fries so to say that these guys have the best I've ever had, def. means that they are fantastic. My hubby gets the steak everytime and it is amazing as well. The service is always good and for busy Fri nights we never have had to wait more than 5-10 minutes. It can get super crowded with families but its never overwhelming with kids running wild and screaming or anything like that. Great local restaurant with a tons of good food and beer options.
(5)Url R.
A decent place for the Ravenswood Manor, Albany Park, North Park crowd. Not a great place to watch a sports game. -The fish tacos are my favorite item on the menu. -Louisana Eggrolls are recommended -Decent Nachos -Great Beer selection Good place for kids early in the day and they have a decent out door section.
(4)Abhay S.
This was our second visit to Rockwell's. Both times we've ate here, the restaurant wasn't very busy, which is kind of nice. Tonight, we were seated immediately and there were plenty of tables available. The food is typical bar food. They have their burgers, sandwiches, and so fourth. I ordered the BBQ chicken sandwich with fries and it was pretty good. Service was great all around, and our waitress made sure our drinks were flowing even after we paid our tab. If you're looking for a great neighborhood bar with decent food, Rockwell's is a great place to stop by.
(4)Emily W.
Rockwell's is.... * steps off the brown line * in possession of a great list of brews * a purveyor of great bar food. Yes, I am one of those bad people that takes their kid, but we never go later than 5pm, so you're safe from us, hipsters! Love the Louisianna Egg Rolls, all of their salads are great, their burgers are rad and THEIR FRIES ARE HAND CUT. You're welcome.
(4)Maureen M.
Every time I've driven by, I've told myself "someday." Last Saturday was that day. Husband in tow, off I went. My mate thought the Lousiana eggrolls would be too much to eat. Ha on him b/c I ordered them anyhow! Had I listened he'd never know what a heaven with a spicy kick is. Good serving size; they reheat well in a skillet. Burgers were a melt-in-your-mouth madness that has you eating when you're no longer hungry. We savored the magic the next day at lunch. I forgot our waiter's name, but good for me b/c I don't want everyone requesting his tables. When I opted out of the fries (I tend to not enough and hate wasting them), Mr. Awesome Waiter said I could substitute something else. Can't remember the choices, but I settled on chips and salsa. Tasty salsa, good on a burger. Atmosphere is cool. Lots of old Chicago pictures. Cool one of Welles Park from 1917. Apparently pictures filled the walls, but the owner scaled down and gave most of them away. Dang, what I missed by waiting too long. At least with the food, better late than never.
(5)J H.
Saturday brunch recap. The Highlights: 4 dollar bloody Mary with the right amount of heat; the refried black beans served with my fish tacos (who gets into refried beans? Me, with these. But not usually. Usually they're mush.) The fumbles: being out of roasted potatoes that my man wanted with his breakfast: the fruit bowl substituted was comprised of apples and pineapples (perhaps it was beige fruit day at the market?) The crowd: stroller brigade needing fortification to deal; their parents and a few solo diners. The service: really friendly, apologetic re: the potatoes, prompt. The verdict: dependable, available, with bonus points for the cute location in Rockwell crossing.
(3)Ryan H.
Location, location, location...The beer selection tends to be pretty good here, they let me park my dog outside when the weather cooperates and that always makes for a good way to burn away the afternoon. But really, it's the fact that it's just steps from my neighborhood station (you guessed it, Rockwell) that keeps me coming back. Too bad the food is such a disappointment. It could be worse, but it's really one of those "this really should cost $5...for the whole spread" moments. Warning: requesting medium will get you a mushy, red and rare burger. But the environment really matches the Neighborhood in the title...big plus!
(3)Kyle T.
I hesitate to give this place only 3 stars because I do like it here. This restaurant is like the moderately attractive girl that dotes on you but you only hang out with on your terms. Dependable, mildly charismatic and pleasant. It is a wonderfully "local" eatery and the decision to not label this place a "bar and grill" is of paramount importance, though I naturally assume it to be every time and am surprised each time of how family-friendly it is. The crux of the matter is this. This place is almost too "neighborhood". The food is good. Love the burgers. I actually enjoy the attempt at Mexican "inspiration" in the dishes and the black bean and corn side is fantastic. The place is well-lit depending on the time of day (bright for lunch and a little darker for the evening). The bar options aren't the most expansive but I know what I like and don't come here to experiment. There are always nice people in this place, whether it be the servers/bartenders or customers and it is very kid friendly. AND the prices aren't bad at all. There is little not to like... Except that there is nothing that makes me LOVE this place. I LIKE it's proximity to my home. I LIKE that my girlfriend and I could wake up and stroll over and think nothing of it while enjoying a quality meal and no sexual tension. I LIKE the patio seating though the obstacle-course-like cache of strollers in the summer make me want to punch kittens. I LIKE that it's not a sleezy/flashy spot trying to be something it's not. It is a solid 4 star place... But I hardly ever choose to go here because nothing stands out about it. People are cordial but not too personal so I would choose another spot if I want to feel like a regular. If I want to get drunk I will choose some place that closes later with no babies around (buzzkill!) If I wanted stellar food I would choose a place a little more... stellar. If I wanted to party I would choose some place bigger and more club-like. I would never go here to meet some ladies. As stated above, this place is no slouch. They do everything well. 4-star well, even. But they do nothing spectacular. I agree with Ellen M. on this place seriously benefiting from a .5 star option. But until then I will drop in when I want a g-rated meal and top-notch service while hanging with a friend or a girl around whom I feel comfortable enough to fart. The southwest chick sandwich is also a fantastic hangover cure. but as far as personal touches go, this place comes off more Dreamworks than Pixar. I truly do like this place and hate to sound critical but I've lived in this neighborhood for 5 years and have visited Rockwell's 6 pleasurable times, total. It will rarely be my first choice but if I'm alone after a falling out of love with my regular spots, I might just give Rockwell's a call.
(3)Eric V.
Ohhh, I'm exhausted. It's Monday and I've been on this street a thousand times. It's never looked so strange. The storefronts...so closed. In the distance, Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. Open, perhaps. My feet ache...my stomach aches...but they're open...they're open and serving tasty, juicy, garlic peppercorn char-crusted Krusty Burgers! Thank goodness I got off the Brown line and ate at Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill! Yes!!
(4)Steve D.
Rockwell Grill is pretty good. The food is solid, although I wish they would switch up the menu more often. The fish tacos and Louisiana egg rolls are a couple of my favorites they have to offer. They've got a decent list of bottled beer and they also have rotating taps (three), which are consistently interesting and worth trying. It's a family place, which can be kind of annoying, but that isn't their fault. Decor is a bit corny, but there are some interesting pictures on the walls if you stop to take a look at them. They also have some bizarre pop art in the bathrooms. One thing I've noticed over the years is that they LOVE to start their closing duties early (like before 9PM) so it can be an awkward environment when your waitress is sweeping and stacking chairs an hour before closing. It's a strange contrast with the welcoming vibe of the restaurant. Not a destination spot, but a really good neighborhood place, exactly as advertised.
(4)Heather P.
Let me first say: I don't hate kids, except in large numbers. I like kids. I effing hate parents. I have worked in customer service since I was 16, and there is nothing worse than parents who drag kids into places where kids don't belong, or bring ill-bred monsters who don't know how to behave in public, make some noise, make a mess, ruin everyone's good time and leave blissfully ignorant of the havoc they wreak. In my latest career venture ("fast casual"), it has become apparent to me that once you have kids, you forget how trash cans work. It's bizarre and inexplicable. That being said, Rockwell's is amazing. I don't generally like to go out to places that actually cater to kids, because once you do that you invite all the horrible, horrible parents. But there is something about this place, and magic happens there. I have eaten there a half-dozen times since the beginning of the summer (maybe even 7 or 8, lost track) and I have never been in the company of anyone but the most well-behaved little angels and their totally kickass parents. I've eaten inside once, but outside on the patio is where it's at. Under a little tree-cover on a mostly residential street, it is the most beautiful place on a beautiful day, where dogs nap, children frolick, and you dine on the world's most excellent cheese fries. And also, there's booze. Service is very friendly, drinks are cold, and the food is amazing. The menu is just large enough and incredibly well-priced. The cheese fries (with cheddar, bacon, scallions, jalapenos and ranch dressing) are the best way ever invented to give yourself a heart attack. The chicken nachos are drool-worthy, as are the "texas toothpicks" (fried onions an jalapenos), the burritos, chicken sandwiches, fresh yummy salads, and the chicken flautas which are crisp and light. There is free parking nearby and never a wait. Easily my favorite summer place for din-dins. Once the patio disappears, we will just have to see.
(5)Mike B.
We had a Living Social deal for this place so we went last night to try it out. First thing I noticed - the room was extremely loud and bright. I'm not looking for an intimate feel in a neighborhood pub, but it just wasn't comfortable. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, and patient. I was a bit disappointed that she didn't really know the beer menu (had to check what the monthly beers were on the outside menu with the bartender), but the service overall was great. My wife had the burger, which was solid but not world-breaking. Fries were soggy and disappointing. The burger was cooked as ordered, which seems like a difficult thing to get these days. I'm trying to eat healthier, so I had the fish tacos, which came highly recommended. The "blackened talapia" wasn't very well spiced and didn't seem "blackened" at all. In fact, it was a bit fishy tasting, which put me off. The homemade chips & salsa were excellent. Overall, simply ok. I won't rush back
(3)Aidan S.
Great food! Black bean and corn salad is the best I've ever had! Great beer selection! And overall great for my 6 month old.
(5)Daniel R.
I love Rockwell's, it is the perfect neighborhood grill. Good food, great beer selection and good service. Cant ask for much else.
(5)Michael C.
This is a staple restaurant for me and my friends. The food isn't change-your-life good, but when looking for a solid meal with some of the most friendly servers around, this is the place for you. Rockwell's has never disappointed and is always an enjoyable meal. Thanks to all the staff for being consistantly awesome.
(4)Julie M.
Came here to scope out the neighborhood and catch some Sunday football. Much of what is said below is true - kids running around everywhere during the day and pretty quiet. As it neared post-dinner hour, the place became rather packed (a good sign for a Sunday night!). Crowd is a mix of singles and couples, def local flavor and a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Only two televisions, so if you're looking to catch a few games at once - this is not the place. Excellent food (the fries are heavenly) and cool beers on tap. The owners formerly owned some great burger joints down in the Dallas, TX area... the yummy apps I remember there and up here - texas toothpicks, yay! They've got a few games up at the bar, pick-up-sticks, some trivia cards... entertainment when you're a few beers in. And points for great service - I ordered a burger well done and it came out more towards medium... I decided I'd just make do and eat it as is, but the server noticed and had a new one grilled up for me lickety-split! Super cool. Will be back for sure.
(4)Unity O.
Is it a bar? Yep! well okay bar/restaurant. Do I drink? er-Nope! (I know--I am a very weird Yelper) But, I can sure as heck eat and let me just tell you, Rockwell's has some bang up excellent food. I met a friend here for some dinner & catch up time and this was an great place to accomplish both those tasks. We were able to snag a table outside and enjoy the quiet of the side street. I highly recommend taking advantage of the outside seating, you would never ever know the "L" stop is right around the corner. However, that is also convenient since you can always just hop the "L" to the Rockwell stop & then enjoy some food at this place. Plus, it has the neigborhoody vibe I love. The inside is very spacious, but I am pretty sure I won't enjoy it until it is cold out & there is no outside seating. Let's talk food, it is delicious. Nothing fancy schmancy, but good solid options. My friend & I each ordered salads--of course we got different ones because that is way lame-O to get the same. Our salads were humongous--very generous portions and extremely tasty. On a side note, I have to absolutely love a place that does NOT skimp on the avocado in a salad. It is like they gave you a whole one sliced up in my bad boy salad--so good! After we devoured our plates of food, we decided since we had been so good and ordered salads, of course we needed dessert (snicker!). Any place that gives you a peanut butter & chocolate brownie the size of my head and then covers it with ice cream is tops in my book. It was gooey goodness on a plate & a great way to top a wonderful evening. So, if ever you want to meet me here sometime, give me a holla & let's do it!
(4)Amanda S.
I'm so glad I stumbled across this place. Once again on a hunt for queso dip, I came here and I was not at all disappointed. They serve up an amazing trio of dips (guac, salsa and queso) for around $6 - a total STEAL! I could come and just eat dip and drink beer. Speaking of beer, they have a great selection (nothing too outrageous, but more than Pabst and Bud) plus wine too. Every meal I've had there has just been really great -- the burgers are fantastic, the fajitas were super savory. And everyone there is really nice. It feels really laid back and family friendly without that overwhelming cloistering OMG SCREAMING TODDLERS EVERYWHERE feeling (I hate that about so many places in Lincoln Square as I do not have kids). I am looking forward to trying brunch there and will report back -- my experiences have been purely dinner so far.
(4)Lisa R.
Rockwell's a cute little neighborhood grill. The location is just off the Rockwell stop on the brown line. Parking is usually pretty easy to find as well. Rockwell's is where you should take your picky eaters because it is good old American food with a small southwestern flair. The chef here is a transplant from Texas. You will get some authentic southwestern flavors here, but the spice has been cooled down a little bit. It is a good little place but you should try to beat the crowd, as it is a very family friendly place and it will fill up quick. There will be plenty of children here during the rush so please keep that in mind.
(4)Ted K.
Every since Rockwell's opened a few years back, I have to admit, it has become my favorite little nieghborhood Bar/Grill. The food is really good and the prices are very low. The beer selection is pretty diverse as well. I am a big fan of the cheddar fries which is a mound of bad news but SO tasty! The service is also extremely professional and upbeat. They always seem to have smiles on their faces and make your meal that much more enjoyable. Defintely two thumbs up and would recommend anyone that lives in the neighborhood that hasnt tried it, to get in there ASAP.
(5)John C.
This is an awesome restaurant. Classic american fare with real good burgers and fries. Try the southwestern salad with their chipotle ranch dressing. WOW it's good. My girlfriend and I stop by there regularly to pick up sides of their chipotle ranch for salads and sandwiches at home too! The servers are really friendly, and do a great job. Jeff is our favorite. They've got great outdoor seating for the summer months. If you're in the area, definitely stop by this neighborhood treasure.
(5)Steve T.
The fish tacos are awesome. Blackened Tilapia that is nice and moist. Good seasoning as well. The Guac on the other hand didnt look very fresh or homemade. Great place for the kids. Also, very good burgers.
(4)April L.
I recently moved to Lincoln Square and was delighted to find Rockwells in the neighborhood. They have great, reasonably priced food and drinks in a comfy atmosphere. I especially love the fish tacos and margaritas. The burgers are good too. It is also nice that they have outdoor seating. The service is a bit iffy. Sometimes it is great, sometimes you'll see the server twice the entire night. I would highly recommend this for a casual night out. It is one of my favorite places to go in the area.
(5)Brett G.
The staff is really friendly and non-assuming. They're attentive without being overly-present. And they are receptive to channel changes when there's a Cubs game on. The food is some of the best bar food I've ever had - I don't think I've ever been disappointed with anything I've eaten. The loss-of-a-star is because the food is a bit expensive. The burritos, salads, and sandwiches are great - and the french fries (the spicy ones) are wonderful, and I'm told the hummus is delightful as well. The burgers ordered by friends were scarfed down. If you're hungry, and have a bit of cash to spare, this would definitely be a good place to check out! ----~ Update: I just found out that my friend, who ordered a chicken burrito got a beef burrito, and mine was full of mushrooms even though I asked for none. Both of us were so hungry (and the food was so yummy) we didn't notice it until we reheated our respective halves for lunch the next day. Please be very clear about your food requests.... I was disappointed they were not paid followed. (No lost star though - because the food was so good we didn't notice!)
(4)Amanda Z.
OK, I think they have fantastic food, for what it is: Bar food. The cheese fries are excellent, it definitely has a comfortable neighborhood vibe. I just have a really hard time getting over the fact that there are children running mad here almost all the time. I don't know what it is about this place, but people let their kids go nuts...drives me insane! Now, I love kids, but don't people teach their kids restaurant manners anymore? If I behaved like that at a restaurant when I was a kid, I guarantee you that i probably never would've seen the inside of a restaurant until I turned 18!!! I'd eat here more often if it wasn't so "kid-friendly." UPDATE: OK, so because it's so ridiculously close to my house...and because I just love the food so much...I gotta upgrade them! The spinach salad--huge and very tasty. Chicken pasta salad--yum! Cheese fries (yum, yet again!). Boyfriend had the turkey club (or was it chicken club) and it was delicious! Also, try the Louisiana Egg Rolls--what a fun twist with the Andouille sausage! The food is BETTER than bar food, I've decided. It's not the restaurant's fault that people in the Square let their kids run loose like squirrels... :)
(4)Mike G.
If you live nearby, want to sit outside and feel like your in someone's backyard, and want a good beer--you'd enjoy it. The food wasn't great--but was good. The service was great. The servers had a good banter with us.
(3)Courtney H.
I absolutely love this family place - the decor is awesome to look at while you're waiting for your food and drinkgs, the food is amazing, and the cocktails are great, too! The service is always top-notch and the food comes up so quickly! I believe they were nominated for best burger a couple years ago, and I'm ashamed to admit I haven't tried it. If you're an appetizer lover, you have to try the chicken flautas! The southwest ranch that they servce with it makes it taste like heaven! My vote for best entree is the French Dip (with loaded fries of course, which come with cheese, bacon, green onions, and jalenos). Make sure you have room for dessert, because they have the yummiest brownies imaginable, always served with ice cream and hot fudge. And my vote for the best cocktail is the North Beach - cool and refreshing, especially on a hot summer day! Relatively inexpensive (Entrees run between $7 and $14), but definitely worth a try! And if you make it out to brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, you have GOT to try their french toast!!
(5)Katty D.
I only tried this place since my boyfriend moved in down the block. It's conveniently located right next to the Rockwell stop on the brown line. We always start off our meal with their Cheddar Fries that has cheese, chives, bacon bits, jalapenos and served with ranch dressing. I always order the buffalo chicken strips. Entrees can be ordered w/a salad side instead of fries, which is a fresh change to fries (especially because we eat an entire plate of fries before we start our dinner). Their burgers are quite delicious as well. Service is always friendly, quick and down to earth.
(4)Fred W.
Solid place for a variety of foods in a nice West-of-Western location. Lots of kids makes it noisy sometimes, but it's also nice to see neighborhood families. Have never had a bad meal in 15 or so visits. The egg rolls appetizer is unique and delicious. If you can get a seat, the outdoor is on a side street, which is nice.
(4)Julee M.
I really, really love Rockwell Grill. First off it's never been crowded anytime I have gone. The only time I had to wait was to sit outside on a lovely evening, but we got to start our meal inside. I like their menu. It's not huge but they have some unique selections, including a lot of items with tex-mex influences. Their veggie burrito is my favorite thing to order. Their salads are decent and they have really good dressings. Burgers are a good choice too as they are quite tasty. All of their appetizers sound good and I need to go back more to try them. They have a bar and their beer selection looks good but I never drank there. And now the let's get to why I really love it - the CHEDDAR FRIES! Tons of cheddar cheese, chives, bacon and peppers if you want them (I don't), and a side of awesomely good ranch dressing. Heaven!
(4)Erin P.
I enjoy going to Rockwell's for dinner.. but I think it's important to go late... if you go earlier in the evening....you are inundated with little screaming kids.. and the acoustics in the place do not help. I love, LOVE the cheese fries.. but honestly haven't found much else there i enjoy to eat. It is a nice place in the hood to grab a quick bite and beer...... just make sure it's later...not earlier.. unless you enjoy the piter patter and screams of little kids.
(3)Kyle B.
My wife and I went to Rockwell's last Friday looking for a new place to get a good burger. The atmosphere was pleasant and the staff all seemed very nice. I'm a little surprised that the burgers have gotten as much hype as they have. I was pretty let down with mine. I ordered my burger medium well and it came out medium rare. I hate sending food back so I ended up eating it anyway. The size of the burger was also unimpressive. It looked like a dinner burger with tons of lettuce on it. They also need to take a look at their drink specials. When $4 for a Corona is a special, you're in the wrong neighborhood. Most bars in that area are selling Corona's for $3 on a regular basis. I might go back and try some of the other things on the menu but I doubt I'll ever stay for drinks.
(2)Zeljko D.
Wow, you get yout burgers pre-assembled. Good food.
(5)Slu S.
We live right down the street,so we have become regulars. The burgers, salads, cheese fries, Fat Tire, and Heath Brownie are all top notch. Service is very good and the owners are very nice. The only issue that I have had was that I had ordered the blacken fish tacos, but they came back charred (twice). They are typically very good, but maybe there was an unfamiliar cook in the kitchen.
(3)Kathleen C.
AWESOME! I went there for the first time last month and have already been back. Can't wait to go again! I heard about their cheddar fries so we had to get them. I thought they were pretty good. We went with the small which could feed a whole family and definitely wasn't finished! (i love my cheese fries so this is a bold statement) I can't wait to go back and try their nachos which sounded delicious. Me and the BF then ordered salads. I had the taco salad, he had the chopped chicken. Biggest salads ever! Great quality chicken and really fresh ingredients. Best salad that I have had in a long time. (Not really healthy as my taco salad had guac and sour cream and ranch--but it tasted awesome!) Went back another time and ordered a great grill cheese and fries for $5ish. Friend had huge breakfast platter for $8ish. I definitely feel like this place serves huge servings for lower prices. Can't wait to see you again Rockwells! (Although I would be hesitant to go around dinner on a Friday or Saturday b/c the neighborhood has a lot of families and I am guessing this is the place for family dinners on the weekends.)
(4)Edward P.
Ok, I really like this place. As others have said, if you don't like kids, LOTS of them, then come late. I had the burger and the Texas Toothpicks....excellent burger. Make sure you order it cooked one step up from what you usually order (i.e...if you like medium rare, order it medium). I also love the on-tap beer selection. Great place; a gem in my opinion.
(4)Channyn W.
It's time for me to change my rating. Yes, I still despise the line of strollers that lines the building in summer but, my love for the southwest chicken sandwich outweighs everything else. See - love DOES triumph hate. Oh, plus I have learned to call ahead and pick up my order instead.
(4)John S.
Truly a neighborhood grill. The service is among the friendliest I've known. The sandwiches are very good, the specials are comforting (they recently had a meatloaf month), and the appetizers will clog arteries with joy. Their hamburgers deserve all of the praise they've received, and their cheese fries are so much more than just cheese fries. All that said, drinks are average both in selection and price, but they carry Schlitz, which makes me happy, and they make up for any deficiencies by virtue of the welcoming atmosphere. Though be forewarned, come later in the evening or you may find yourself swarmed by rampant children.
(5)Jennifer P.
They make a great burger, the service is friendly and relaxed. This is the perfect neighborhood joint! Cheese fries are delicious. There is a good beer selection. They'll seat you in a group, and they'll seat if you're by yourself with a book, and be friendly and efficient all the way. Recently I've had a delicious margarita on a Friday night. The place is very welcoming to parents of small children. You could build a sweet fort from the high chairs stacked in the corner. It's kind of cool to be in a bar full of little kids coloring with crayons and wearing tiaras and running around, but it's not for everyone.
(4)Susana L.
I love this place. I am a regular on Fridays and the staff rocks. The food is really good.
(4)Morgan C.
The gf just moved in nearby, so we gave this place a shot. And are we glad we did! Definitely be a place we'll be back to... The fare is what I'd say is a cut above typical bar food. There were the requisite burgers and sandwiches, fries, appetizers, and some desserts... They even had tasty-sounding breakfasts. And there was a pronounced Southwestern feel to everything, which isn't a bad thing. We decided to forgo appetizers in favor of ice cream later, but the entrees didn't disappoint. She got a taco salad; I got the fish tacos. Pleasant, attentive service. No biggie when she wanted extra salsa, although we could have used some more water. We both finished our meals and were satisfied. Full, but not stuffed, with room for the all-important dessert. Not terribly expensive, either. Not cheap, per se, but not the over-priced crap some "bar and grills" will serve up. Drink specials were adequate, but nothing that really blew me away. $3.50-4 import/micro pints, and $2.50 bottles of Miller Lite. It's a clean, comfortable "family dining experience," which means that there will be children. Oh yes. And there will be some fine lack-of-parenting on display. For us, it was the toddler standing up and jumping on his chair. Later, when he was running around and tripped over something across the room, his mother just reminded him to "be careful..." But by the same token, it's non-smoking, which for the next few months still sets it apart from the typical "bar and grill" setting. But we will be back. Lots on the menu waiting to be sampled...
(4)E M.
I really want to give this place 3.5 stars. Come on with the 1/2 stars, Yelp! So it's right off the Rockwell Brown Line stop, fyi... When you walk in, it's like a medium-sized auditorium with round tables set up. No atmosphere and, on a Friday night at 7:30pm, I counted at least 22 children under 2. OH MY GOSH!! That pretty much ended my date night. The waiter didn't even know the beer specials OR where to locate them! That's because everyone else was probably ordering juice and finger foods... But anyway, they were friendly enough and the food came fast enough. The beers were good and the food was VERY good. Really great steak and burger. My boyfriend and I had a great time and will probably elect to sit in the way back "cove" area and only return much, much later in the evening.
(4)Eliana S.
My boyfriend and I were just riding our bikes through the neighborhood, when we decided to stop for something to eat. We loved this place. I can only review the Rockwell Burger. We both ordered it, but you can customize it with bacon, different cheeses, avocado, bacon and more. it was great. I ordered mine medium-well and it wasn't to dry or really red. They know how to cook a burger. We will definitely be back again to try the rest of the menu. The service was fast and so nice. This is a great place to try.
(5)Sara B.
I've only been here once, so I'll give it a solid three stars. It's a three not because there was anything wrong with it, but because I have only tried one dish. They have lots of options for those of us that are of the vegetarian persuasion, which is awesome. I had the taco salad, and I give it two thumbs up. They don't have any poor man's beers on tap, which is a bummer, but oh well. Maybe I'll cultivate a more refined palate. The atmosphere is very comfy and welcoming, though examples of pseudo-liberal parenting abound. This means be watchful for children running around, with apathetic "stop that johnny" from the parents and lots of "oh isn't that cute" when the kid is really shooting soda out his nose. Solid marks for food and service. Decent marks for drinks.
(3)Lynn C.
We have been coming here since they opened. The staff has grown and we have seen our server friends come and go, so the vibe has changed over time. Favorites for lunch and dinner: chicen fingers, barbeque chicken sandwich, pork chops, veggie burrito, chopped chicken salad, turkey hoagie, burgers or the special of the day. Breakfasts: we came a while ago when they had a brunch buffet, but weren't too impressed. Since then, we don't go for breakfast. The pop often tastes a little "off" so we drink tea, water, fruit punch and alcohol. The bartenders always give me options when I order a drink. I usually take their recommendations because I trust them. This is the only place in the whole world where I feel comfortable sitting at the bar by myself, chatting with whoever is around, nursing a drink and waiting for my carryout order. Atmosphere: increasingly family-filled and stroller-friendly. The carpet was replaced with hardwood, which makes it a bit more noisy. A long time ago the windows were changed so they can open in the warm weather. We don't usually eat on the outdoor patio, but some love it.
(4)danny v.
I have been meaning to review this place for awhile....I am a huge fan!! They have amazing burgers, great food, a full bar with a kick ass bartender, and friendly service. The only downside is that there is always a wait, but it's worth it in the end!!!
(4)Keith C.
Great food and great drinks. Really conveniently located (50 paces from the whisper-quiet rockwell stop on the brown line). The Tejas tacos are always great. It's always full of kids who love to go for the free candy. I like the beer selection and the fact that my kids are usually not the loudest.
(4)Chris N.
Update: If you hate children, absolutely do NOT ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER come here. Ever. I mean it. I am not joking in ever the slightest way. This is serious business. I think the children in Lord of the Flies were more well behaved than at this place. For the love of God, if anyone has children and is reading this, please learn how to discipline your children, or put them up for adoption, or hire Mr. Belvedere....just do something. I mean, they had to put up a sign that said "No running in the restaurant." Really. I'm not kidding. The staff at this otherwise lovely restaurant had to actually CREATE A SIGN to state what every human on planet earth already knows.
(4)Kristen W.
Super mega kudos for having Hoegaarden on tap! Otherwise this is the type of neighborhood joint you would open up if you had the funds- complete with homemade everything. Which rocks! As stated, the cheese fries are da bomb, pregnant or otherwise! I haven't had a bad meal here! Why do I dock two stars? it's not THAT exciting, the service can be 'miss' and the kids- oh my, the kids. The last time I was here I endured a screaming child throughout my entire meal. Okay another disclaimer here, I really get annoyed by kids. And I think I'm cursed in that every dang place I go these days is inhabited by them. But when I go out for dinner at 10pm, I hope to avoid the little vermin! I do NOT enjoy watching baby put the water glass on his/ her head while Mommy and Daddy fawn and cooing nearby. Then minutes later it turns into baby's screaming fit. Ok so I'm an annoying singleton, but can I get a break after 10pm? So, anyway, Rockwell's. It's a nice place.
(3)Maggie R.
i can see why a lot of people are hot for this place. it's in a great location, arms length from the brown line. they have a decent selection of good tasting food and beers. i met a friend here pretty early-ish on a friday after work. the place was empty besides us. and then, slowly, as we ate our food and drank our drinks and caught up on life, people started to trickle in. and then, the people with children started to trickle in. and then it seemed like there were children everywhere. some of them even running around. a child belonging to the two adults sitting behind us was running around with one of those sticky rubber hand things and actually throwing it around with wild abandon. so i guess if you can handle all of the young ones running around, this is an all-right place. i myself didn't mind it too much, and since the food and drink were good, i'll probably go back again but maybe at a different time - like after bed time...
(4)Bee B.
I really like this place -- yes there are lots of kiddies -- but the waitstaff couldn't be sweeter, the menu is varied and tasty, prices are reasonable and the vibe is unpretentious and neighborhoody. I have had the spicy and yummy blackend tilapia sandwich both times I've eaten here (it it ain't broke -- don't fix it!!!). The fries are well spiced, though I want to try the corn and bean side salad next time I go - it looked good. I was also able to get my weekly Bob Sagat and stupid question fix, as they showed 1 vs. 100 on the flat screen TVs. Also, 3 dollar bottles of blue moon. I will be back for sure.
(4)Amanda R.
If you've got an out-of-town friend visiting, you can bring them here to look at the Chicago Americana on the walls and watch the trains go by. If you want a burger and a pint of beer, this is a great place to go. If you're craving chili fries, the Rockwell Grill is your destination of choice. On the other hand, if you want brunch or a nice green salad or some more adventurous food, take a walk down Lincoln Ave.
(3)Joy Z.
Terrible service, awful portions and who doesn't offer fruit during brunch? Only sliced tomatoes with your french toast? Gross!!! We vowed to never go back.
(1)Bonnie L.
What a cute little neighborhood bar and grill. Stopped in last night and ate WAY too much. I like their beer selection and chose Two hearted ale and we ordered the Texas Toothpicks and Artichoke Hummus for appetizers. For dinner I had the Veggie Taco Salad. And for dessert we split the Reese's Brownie A la Mode. Everything was really good. The service was prompt and friendly. I cannot believe that I am going to say this but the service was almost too quick. We had our appetizers for a few minutes and bam, out came out Taco Salads. I mean, it is better than being slow but sometimes I just want to relax a bit between courses and here the courses were almost simultaneous. I guess that is a good thing to complain about though, right? I would definitely go back.
(4)Heather H.
This is a great neighborhood bar/grill. If you're close to Ravenswood Manor, you will find yourself here at least once a week. Music, but not too loud. A good bar, but lots of table seating. Great staff. Very cheap specials, and an inexpensive menu. Only drawback? Not open late enough :)
(4)Matt W.
When my wife was pregnant there were two places she wanted cheese fries from. One was Outback, the other was Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. We lived on the corner of Rockwell and Eastwood so guess which one I went to more often? I hear the Brown Line Rockwell stop is reopening within a couple weeks, I hope that breathes new life into this little neighborhood as I feel Lincoln Square gets so much attention but its slightly slower, homier cousin Ravenswood Manor gets sat at the kids' table and glossed over. Anyhoo. Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is the definition of quaint. When we moved into the neighborhood it was this silent presence, as if everyone kinda knew about it but no one actually mentioned it by name. We ended up going there one night after a long battle with indecisiveness and we didn't regret it at all. I had the honey-glazed pork chop and she had a steak, both of which were quite delish. The cheese fries, also ordered, didn't survive long. Next of kin was notified and devoured as well.
(4)Jenn B.
Rockwell's is one of those great stand-bys - the one you take every visitor to, friends who just want a reliably good plate of food and good atmosphere, the picky grandmother who must order everything special, and the suburban parents who need no more adventure than finding a parking spot big enough for them to drive into instead of parallel parking. There's rarely a wait for a table, the service is fantastic, and the food has never disappointed anyone who's gone there. From the juicy burgers to the fresh burritos and everything in between, you can't miss with anything on Rockwell's diverse menu. My mom has a strange infatuation with their pasta salad...seriously, I have to bring it to her when I go home for visits. So maybe they lace it with crack, who knows? Anyway, I recently went for brunch on a Sat. morning and had the huevos rancheros. They were AWESOME. My friend got the plate of breakfast goodness - 2 eggs, hashbrowns, toast, sausage, etc...and she loved it, too! The coffee is dee-licious! Now, if they would only be open for lunch/brunch during the week! So many times I wish it were - as a teacher with lots of teacher friends in Lincoln Square, we are so over the limited lunch places within walking distance of our respective apartments. Come on, Rockwell's.....give it a try!!!! It'll get you a 5th star........
(4)Patrick T.
I used to like this place. Today it was ruined, bad service, flat beer, and overall just a crappy evening. I wont go back, I made a point to bring my brother tonight and after this experience I will make a point to warn others not to spend any money here.
(1)Amy J.
When I lived in Lincoln Sq., this was my favorite neighborhood restaurant because the food is always good, the servers are very nice, an they have a good beer selection. I don't like kids very much, though, and this restaurant totally caters to them, so I would just avoid it during the main feeding times. Otherwise I recommend the fish tacos, every salad on the menu, and the burgers. And when it's nice, you can sit outside!!
(4)Liddy L.
I'd agree with folks who say this place is ok. The food is decent and for a little neighborhoody place they have a decent beer selection. I live two blocks from it, so it's become the "apple cobbler and fries" spot for me and my S.O. However, I would hold off on ordering eggs at brunch... they don't use real eggs. They use the liquefied kind that comes in a jug like I used when I was a camp cook, which means you can only get them "scrambled." Also, the eggs made me sick, but health issues don't seem a rampant danger at this place.There are usually a crapload of kids running around on the patio with names like "Indigo" and "Olivia." That said, it's not a bad place.
(3)Jason M.
The waiters/waitresses are great! The food is a bit above average. Great location! This place is good for those last minute lunches when you realize that you haven't been grocery shopping in a while.
(3)Anna K.
I just went here for the first time this past weekend and I loved it. The menu looked great and the prices weren't too bad. It had a casual atmosphere but I also liked that they had a small bar and TV screens. The food we ordered -- artichoke hummus dip, the chicken sandwich, fries, and a salad -- was really tasty. I kept stealing my friend's fries because they were awesome. The service was also really fast and friendly. I'm looking forward to going again soon.
(5)William S.
Good selection of beer but I wish they had more on draft. Food is usually pretty good but sometimes tries to be too unconventional. But the burgers are great!
(4)Jessica M.
Their cheesy fries with all the stuff on them are incredible. Best fries ever. Real cheese, not velveeta. I would marry a large order of them if it were legal. Supposedly, their burgers are great but I tried one and wasn't into it. Perhaps because I don't like mustard.
(4)Miss R.
I love this place. Requires a little walk for us, but that works up an appetite, then helps settle dinner on the way home. My honey loves their burgers and we share the cheese fries. I think their fish tacos are out of this world. They are made with simple, fresh ingredients and they don't guild the lily. I could eat them weekly, at least. While there are ALOT of children in there, they don't overrun the place. So my usual aversion to kid-friendly places doesn't apply to Rockwell's. I also want to give them props for being so cool to us. We went with a couple last night we hadn't seen in a year and we were there for four hours. Granted, there was much drinking to be had and we tipped well - but some places could run you out. They didn't blink, kept bringing us beers and they even put on the horserace for our dinner companion. Very nice!
(5)Beebe G.
a friend visiting his uncle who lives in lincoln square had me and my husband meet him there for food and bevvies and was i thankful! this place is cozy remarkable. loved their tap beer selection and nice menu. chris and jimmy had a cheeseburger and fries - the fries were delish! i had the chicken taco salad that was scrumptious! the one thing i did not care for was their service. it was just horrible! their two waitresses didn't even know we existed and, there were only four tables including ours that they only had to wait on. good thing we were sitting across from the bar so my friend got up from his seat to pick up our beers that was sitting there waiting to be consumed. the bartender was great and knew his beers. he provided wonderful service unlike his colleagues. i'd like to come back for lunch as well as breakfast but i assume from the few reviews i read the place might be saturated with strollers and children who have parents that think this place is also part gymboree. i love the little ditty on the tables that euphemistically informs parents to lead by example and raise their children with good manners and etiquette in public places - use your inside voice! so i'll come back during those hours return with another review - cheers!
(4)jeffrey m.
Fantastic grub and service even better!
(5)Michael L.
I deleted a star. Ever notice how you get worse service when you're alone? Last time I was there I got basically ignored on a busy night. Tonight, my wife was at a concert, so I went out for a meal and to watch the Sox. Everything was fine until I got my bill. I went to the bathroom before paying. I returned to a new couple sitting at my table. THEY THOUGHT I HAD LEFT WITHOUT PAYING. Is going to the bathroom such an alien concept? I would be insulted except for the stupidity of the whole thing. See my original review below. **************************************************Â**************** A cozy neighborhood place. Reasonably priced, tasty comfort food, such as the fish sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, chopped chicken salad. They don't put much effort into getting good buns or bread, though.Selection of microbrews is right on target. Service usually good, but occasionally the place gets overcrowded and the staff seems overwhelmed.
(2)Heidi H.
Great neighborhood place with good food and great service. In the summer you can even sit outside on a quiet neighborhood street. I recommend the veggie burger and fresh cut fries. Street parking is fairly easy, but it's less than 1 block from the Rockwell stop.
(4)Ashley B.
My husband and I LOVE this place. It is the true meaning of a neighborhood grill. The atmosphere is great. The wait staff is friendly. And the food is awesome. I have never been disappointed with a meal here...and I've had quite a few. The burgers are always good. That's because the owner is from Texas and they know how to make burgers down there (my in-laws are also from Texas). We've often tried the specials, which are also great. And the Reese's brownie is to die for. If you are in the area, GO!
(4)Mindy G.
Went there with my family last weekend. We had five adults and three kids in our party. The staff was so nice to the kids. Everyone had great food. I want to go back and try some other things. I can't believe i worked around the corner for years and never stopped in!
(5)Lisa K.
I'd give Rockwell's 4 or 5 stars for ambiance, location, and service, but only 2 stars for the food. The place is casual and very neighborhood-cute. The tasteful exterior and vintage photographs that cover the walls inside make it a good fit with the aesthetic of Ravenswood Manor, and the experience of dining there is pleasant and comfortable. I also give Rockwell's props for serving dinner relatively late for this area -- 11 pm on weekends. The service is friendly, totally unpretentious, and the food comes out fast. Now for the food. We ordered cheese-fries as the appetizer. The fries were completely buried under a mountain of hard, congealed cheddar. When I dug them out (by flipping the cheddar mountain over), they were totally soaked through with grease, to the point of being soft, limp, and translucent. Rockwell's brags about their cheese fries being made with real cheddar rather than an artificial cheese product, and I applaud the sentiment; but in this case, a little Cheez Whiz would have been better. My entree was a fish sandwich with a side of pasta salad. The fish fillet was really bland and needed salt and/or lemon. (No lemon was served with it, though the waiter promptly brought some when I asked.) The pasta salad smelled and tasted sewery -- I could not eat it at all. The sandwich bun was the only well-prepared thing on my plate. Maybe I made bad menu choices, or maybe it was an off night. I'll give Rockwell's another chance if I'm looking for a late dinner spot again, but if you're eating before 10, there are much better food choices in Lincoln Square.
(3)Sarah L.
I have to make an edit to this place. I was sick a couple of hours after eating at Rockwell's. I am not sure what it was from but it wasn't pretty. Three of us shared the cheese fries and then I had a salad. It was probably from the salad or my body isn't used to greasy fries. My other two dining companions were fine thankfully. So I'm deducting one star :(
(3)Bryna D.
This establishment is under new ownership. Menu is the same but food quality has gone way down. Such a shame because this was a go-to spot for us in the neighborhood. Please bring the good food back!
(2)Chris T.
We love this place! It's a great neighborhood restaurant that seems to be a perfect mix of families, couples, and groups of friends. Our service was fast and friendly, but at the same time we never felt rushed. The "chips with all three" are amazing -- the salsa, queso, and guacamole all rule my world. Our sandwiches were also very good, and the prices are very reasonable. It has a nice, homey atmosphere -- after only one visit, we felt like we could refer to it as "our" neighborhood place. (Their waitstaff t-shirts also rule, we kinda want to buy one...)
(5)Devon W.
Friendly staff, great selection of beers, and wonderful food. Nothing fancy, just generous portions of bar food favorites. Try the nachos, they're phenomenal, and easily a meal by themselves. Also, this place is incredibly kid/baby friendly, so feel free to bring along the little ones (or stay away if you can't stand kids)
(5)A J.
Went last night for the first time (because of a LivingSocial coupon) and loved it! Delicious hot turkey sammie and cheese fries, super friendly (without being douchey) servers, good beer, independent business, etc. etc. Will totally be going back.
(4)Kristin M.
Rockwell's is a great little neighborhood restaurant. It really should get like a 3.5 stars. It's a little out of the way if you aren't in the area, but if you're up that way its a sure bet for decent food and drinks! The only complaint would be the screaming children that were there when we were there, but it's kind of a family place so it's ok. The chicken flautas are sooooo yummy, fried little chicken rolls of goodness! (I'm not really sure what all is in them but they're great!)
(3)Felicia A.
This is a great neighborhood restaurant. I had the blackened fish tacos and they were the best fish tacos I have ever had and for such a great price!!!
(4)William K.
If you had told me that someone could make an unbelievably fantastic grilled chicken sandwich I would say, "no way!" and stomp on your foot. Well it turns out they do so I apologize for the stomping thing... I was way out of line. Rockwell's southwest chicken sandwich is without peer. My wife has a special love affair with the meat loaf which is invariably in low supply or sold out whenever she orders it. My only complaint is that the bartender always seems a little worried when I order a third drink.
(4)AJ W.
Really like this place. Low key. Good food. Good Drinks. Sometimes the waitstaff is a little slow. Sometimes they are out of things. But in general, it's off the beaten path and a nice place to go on a weeknight for a drink. NOT A TRIXIE JOINT!!!!!
(4)Tressa S.
Having just moved to the Lincoln Square neighborhood I've taken it upon myself to try out my neighborhood grill. Rockwell's is a decent place. I had the Chopped Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and I found it quite enjoyable. It peeves me when a chicken salad has only a few pieces of chicken on it, but this was definitely not the case here. There was enough chicken to last through the entire salad, and, not to mention, a liberal amount of avocado. All in all it was a good salad. My issue with this place comes from the service. There were several waiters/waitresses just standing around not knowing what to do with themselves. We had one waitress take our drink order and tell us that someone else would be our server. It was about 10 minutes before the bartender brought us our drinks, and then another 5 minutes until our real server came to take our food order. This whole time I sat there and counted 4 waitresses/waiters just hanging out at the bar. They need a better system and a hostess/host. Twice I saw the bartender (and owner, maybe?) walk out from behind the bar to seat guests. Good food for a good price and a great beer selection. After some reflection, I am pleased with my new neighborhood grill and will definitely return. P.S. Don't forget to take your free Dum Dum Pop from the basket on the way out!
(3)Brooke W.
I love this place. The food is good (I highly recommend the nachos) and the service is friendly, but the reason I love it is that you can bring your kids without being made to feel like you've done something wrong. I know some people hate when a restaurant is full of kids. But, here's the thing. I had a baby 6 months ago, but that doesn't mean that I want to have every meal at home for the next 18 years. And, it doesn't mean that I want to go to "family restaurants" like the Old Country Buffet either. I'm still the same girl who likes to go to local restaurants and bars, I just have a baby now. I know it probably annoys the childless people out there that I bring my baby out to eat (heck, I would have annoyed myself a couple of years ago), but there are tons of child-free restaurants where you can go. There are very few kid-friendly restaurants out there. So, if you do have a kid, you won't be disappointed by Rockwell's - they're super nice and child friendly, and nearly everyone who eats there has kids with them, so no one will be annoyed if your baby fusses a little (we all know that babies fuss!)
(5)Marsha C.
Nice little place we like to frequent for casual meals. I love the taco salad with chicken. The recommended dressing with it is delish! Sad to say it is so good I never get anything different!
(5)Andy S.
Rockwell's is a great, consistent restaurant just on the outskirts of Lincoln Square (by that I mean the actual square). There's nothing that jumps out at me about this place, the burgers are always very good, other menu items I've tried in the past were very good, and the beer selection is just as good as any other restaurant in the area. I'm very happy this place is in the neighborhood. If I ever need a good, consistent meal I can walk a couple of blocks west and have one. However, I wouldn't take a long walk or go out of my way to go to this place. I'd say it's a 3.5, but since there is no 3.5 I'll go with 4 instead of 3.
(4)Emily P.
Rockwell's has a special place in my heart, as I found it during my first year in the big city. Going to Rockwell's represents an escape from the hustle and bustle of Chicago; it feels like I've been transported to a safe & fictional land far away. Whenever my husband and I want to escape for delicious American food in our hoodies and jeans, Rockwells is where we go. And I've never been disappointed by the food; everything is delicious. My recommendation, you ask? Start with an order of the Louisiana egg rolls (w/ Chipotle Ranch) followed by the chicken quesadillas. Or, if you're craving a hamburger and fries, obey the craving and go for it. Thank you, Rockwell's, for being that quaint, neighborhood restaurant in the midst of a hectic city.
(5)Amie D.
If you're in search for perfectly-seasoned homemade fries--this is the place you've been looking for. The service and the rest of the menu is excellent too! The fish sandwich is my newest favorite. It's lightly breaded tilapia with just the right amount of seasoning and a tangy-tartar dressing. Rockwell's has definitely earned a spot on my "regular" list. Looking forward to going back again once the weather warms up and the patio is open.
(4)Sir ..
Ok I'm about to expose the secret little place Lincoln Parker's don't want you to know about. Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is hidden away in a little mall strip on Rockwell & Eastwood. Rockwell's dcor is a nice mix of Chicago and local family pictures, giving the place a warm personalized feel. The staff is friendly and helpful, always knowledgeable about the specials. There are some specialty items like the Cheese fries that will really know your socks off. And the selection of drinks is more than adequate. Additionally, there are some secrets to ordering that only locals know about,....sorry guys I can't give away everything. Pros: Ample Choices, Awesome quality/quantity Cons: No Lunch hours during the week, Parking sometime difficult to find. Overall Rating: 4.25 of 5 Recommendation: Highly Recommended
(4)Sara H.
Rockwell's a great place to grab a burger, beer, and the BEST cheese fries. The service is sometimes slow, but always friendly. The only downside, at least for me, is all of the screaming children. That said, it is a decidedly "family friendly" place, so I guess they have a right to be there. I like it better in the summer when the outdoor seating area is open--it diffuses the shrieking!
(4)Jill S.
food is good, nothing more. what i love about this place is the location and friendly staff. the outdoor seating is also very nice...i am a people watcher. we have moved since and miss taking the short walk to this neighborhood restaurant =(
(2)carey f.
We waited for years for a place like Rockwell's to open in Ravenswood--a place that was affordable, comfortable, and homey, with great food and service. They aren't exaggerating about the burgers, and the fries are fab as well. And their Reeses or Heath brownies? Ridiculously good. Service is almost always attentive and friendly, and there's great people-watching to be had if you can snag a window table.
(4)Wendy R.
Delicious food, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff. They make everything homemade! Get their chips and salsa with guacamole and you won't be disappointed. In summer, the outdoor dining spot is very nice. Lots of families eat here, so be prepared for some cute kidlets and their occasional flareups. I've never been disappointed with my service or food here. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the window design in the front doesn't make it easy to look outside. I believe they open in the summer, which is nice, but the top and bottom portions are divided by a sash right at eye level. You have to either sit up really high and straight to people watch, or crouch down and look through the windows below. Kind of annoying, but easily outweighed by everything else that's great about the place.
(4)Mark S.
This is where you go to get a really good Burger and drink a beer. If you pick the wrong time, it's also where a bunch of fashionable neighborhood kids in strollers end up with their parents. But the burgers are really good- they take 'em seriously here. And if you haven't been to this cute little sub-neighborhood, this place is a great reason- although I hear the Yoga place is good too.
(3)Shannon D.
What can I say? I love this place. Their cheese fries are to die for, and they make all their dressings at the restaurant. I also love their fish tacos. It's pretty much what I order every time I go there. I make whoever is with me order the cheese fries and then I get the fish tacos as my meal. Once, when I had a really bad day, I just had the cheese fries for dinner and all was right with the world again. :) The place is totally unassuming, and laid back. The prices are great too. Good food and at a reasonable price?! How can you go wrong? Service is fine too. Everyone is really friendly, and they don't pester you, but also make sure you have everything. People bring their kids there, but I've never really had an experience where the kids there were running around out of control or anything. And if you like peanut butter, the peanut butter brownie dessert (I've only had room for dessert once there) is amazing.
(5)Christine S.
Since my last review, the service has improved a lot, so I just wanted to submit an update!
(4)Oscar the Death Cat B.
Rockwell's is a nice, friendly, low-key bar & grill just south of the Rockwell stop on the Brown Line. Their menu advertises that their burgers were voted among the best in Chicago, and after consuming those burgers myself several times, I would tend to agree! In addition to grill-style items, they also have a modest selection of more sophisticated dishes on their dinner menu. To reach Rockwell's, you'll have to travel a few blocks west of the heart of Lincoln Square, but they seem to have a devoted following among folks who live in the surrounding residential areas.
(4)Mairin B.
This is a nice, laid-back place to eat. They have a very nice (and reasonably priced) beer selection -- including Three Floyd's on tap! They serve breakfast until 1pm, which is nice for all of us late risers. I had the breakfast sandwhich, which is LARGE, and the DEE-licious rosemary potatoes... definitely recommended.
(4)Richard H.
The Bartender makes the place. Not only does he make a mean drink, he also keeps the front of the house sane when the place is busy, which has been every time I've gone there. This place has some of the best "handcut fries" I've ever had. All the sandwiches I have tried are way above average. The only bummer I experienced was the chicken pasta salad. Like a big bowl of tasteless mush. They need a much bolder dressing for this as a weeks worth of salt could not save it. That one bad experience has not kept me from going back though. Went there recently, and as usual it was a stroller convention. That's fine! You take that chance every time you go there. What is not fine, is when a kid is making the most high pitched, annoying scream imaginable, and her mother is mocking her encouraging to repeat the action. Pretty classless on her part. I wanted to go up to her and scream in her ear! With the new menu comes new prices. Eleven bucks for a salad is pretty steep! Steer clear of the breakfast burrito. Pretty bland and generally awful.
(4)Jenny A.
We've been in the neighborhood for a few years. We were good with Rockwells, but not wowed by the food. We didn't have kids before and now we do. These days, we are liking Rockwells for the convenience, the friendly atmosphere and good food (it has improved). From 5 - 6:45 ish this place is HOPPING, hopping with every kid in the hood with parents that walked over so they could drink beer and wine with dinner (completely get that). The staff is good to them, they have the crayons and placemats and special cups with lids, ample booster seats and high chairs. The food is good -- I like the steak, the tacos...their burger was in one of those best of chicago contests a while ago and did well. The kids meals are standard...now, if they would only start breakfast just a bit earlier.
(5)Dave T.
Rockwell is a good neighborhood bar that is just outside of the main Lincoln Square area. Located two blocks south of Lawrence and three blocks west of Western, it was conveniently located right next to the Rockwell stop on the brown line before the CTA obliterated that station. Doy. This bar has a good selection of beer, including Abita beer which you will be hard pressed to find at many bars in the city. The bar also has a really warm, comfortable atmosphere. You can tell the owners put a lot of effort into creating a very comfortable environment. Prior to becoming the Rockwell, the space housed a very sketchy Spanish Seafood restaurant. Rockwell Neighborhood Grill is a very welcome addition to the Rockwell Manor neighborhood that is just off the beaten path of Lincoln Square.
(3)Kateland B.
Excellent neighborhood restaurant. I love this area too, so quaint and cute. Lots of young families and nice people. Also, they have a few good vegetarian items on their menu, rather GOOD items. Delicious, generous portions. It has a nice atmosphere and friendly service. Only reason I didnt' give it 5 stars is that they sure do take a LONG time to deliver the check and EVEN longer running the check! Wowzers. But, other than that, I love it. You can be sure to find me there quite often. :)
(4)Erin S.
Rockwell's is fantastic. It's nothing fancy, but they have great food, great drinks, great service, comfortable atmosphere, reasonable prices.
(5)Laura L.
All things considered, this is one of our favorite places to go. Everyone talks about how wonderful the cheese fries are and don't get me wrong - they are. The best thing about them is you can get a HALF order in case you just have 2-3 people! We also LOVE LOVE LOVE their queso especially since good queso so north of the border is hard to find. Their burgers were voted best burger at some point and sometimes they are great and sometimes so-so. The taco salad is splendid as well as numerous other items. Brunch is pretty good, especially the Tejas Tacos and the make your own omelet. The wait staff share tables so I've only ever had awesome service there. Parking is generally pretty good either at meters or in the neighborhood. Of course, there's always the Rockwell stop right there. I have never had to wait for a table except on the rare occurances when everyone wants to eat outside. It's a great place to go when you want to get in and out within 30 mins to an hour. One caveat - they are not generally open during the day on week days.
(5)Stephanie H.
I am quite pleased to have Rockwell's in my neighborhood. It is a "Neighborhood Grill" as the title states. Plain and simple. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner here. There's a good beer selection and the food is decent. It's very cozy and friendly, and I always find myself wanting to return.
(4)A M.
Great food. The house Cab & Pinot Noir need to be replaced. Best family/kid friendly place in Lincoln Square. Serves are slow and lack awareness. Warning: double check your "to go" food before leaving. 7 out of 10 times your order will be wrong or missing something. Very frustrating.
(3)Jennifer M.
We went here on weeknight just last week. We got a table right away. The service is quick and friendly. They have a wide variety of beers. We both had the burgers and they were pretty good. Fairly large. They also have an option to get cheese fries for your side which costs a couple extra bucks. But these cheese fries consist of bacon, chives, jalapenos if you like. Served with a side of ranch. Yummy. But filling. Come check out this neighborhood grill. Cozy and friendly place.
(3)Lauren F.
My boyfriend and I decided to check this place out for dinner on a Sunday night and we were very happily surprised with our find. We got the Texas Toothpicks appetizer which was so-so, probably wouldn't order again. I had the Blackened Fish Tacos which were pretty simple but the blackened Tilapia was sooo good, with black beans and chips and salsa all for $10. My boyfriend got the Southwest chicken sandwich and it was great too. Our waitress was super friendly and service was fast....and they have diet IBC rootbeer! We'll be back here for sure!
(4)Heather R.
Every time we go we've enjoyed our food, and they have a pretty decent beer menu. Definitely worth a try if you haven't yet.
(4)DwIght S.
One of our fave spots
(5)Steve G.
Solid pub grub and beer selection. Friendly, locals/neighborhood joint that is good for after-work drinks or dinner with the fam. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, etc. This will be a regular dinner-in-a-pinch spot when my kid gets a bit older. I should also note that I went here when it first opened and was unimpressed, but my most recent visit about a year later was much, much better.
(4)Ryan H.
My girlfriend and I come here all the time and have nothing but fantastic experiences. The bartenders are great and easy to talk to with no pretentious attitude. The food is always good (fries were just OK) and the beer selection is always evolving. Mix drinks are fantastic and they are always testing new combinations. Yes, there are lots of families but it is a family heavy hood. Go to the square or come a little later to avoid that. To summarize, this places like this is why my gf and I moved to the city.
(5)Sarah K.
even though we had a to wait a while for our table, the service was great and the food was delicious. not to mention the wonderful beer on tap!
(5)Nathan C.
Easy 5 stars. Excellent service and food. RECOMEND!!!
(5)Deborah F.
Basic bar food, beer. It came out quickly. Staff was friendly. Items seem to be reasonably priced. Veggie fajitas didn't blow my mind (however loaded with mushrooms -- just a bit bland). I do believe I would have enjoyed this place much more if I was still of the kid menu ordering age. But now that I'm of beer ordering age, why go back? (That said, if anyone can figure out how to go back to kid menu ordering age, I'm listening.)
(3)Lauren T.
I wanted to like this place since it's round the corner from my house. I can deal with the screaming kids. But the food is bland. I wouldn't mind sitting and have a few beers at the bar. But the lighting is terrible. Way too bright! Turn the lights down just a tad and it might help us come back and give it another go.
(2)Rachel J.
Great atmosphere, great food, great service.The fish tacos are delish! The only thing that hinders me from going too often is that it is always packed with young parents with their toddlers. I know that it's not really Rockwell's fault. I also realize that one day I'll have kids too and I would still like to go out. It's just that having so many toddlers, strollers, and high chairs makes the atmosphere a little chaotic.
(4)Ellen F.
Nice neighborhood restaurant. It was filled with family groups. Lots of good choices of burgers and they are outstanding. Bar has a really good selection of beers and also lots of good drink specialties. The sazerac and the old fashioned are both highly recommended.
(4)Mary Beth E.
So I've lived in the Albany Park neighborhood for a few years now. I finally managed to wander over to Rockwell's this past December and my life is forever changed!!!! My boy was looking to buy a condo in that neighborhood recently. When we were out and about going to open houses, we went to one very close to Rockwell's. I ended up taking him there for lunch, to show him what his "maybe new neighborhood" was like. He fell in love with this place and ended up buying the condo right around the corner from here! Score! My point...I now have a new regular eating spot. Love it! We just went there this past Friday night. My boy got his typical cheese burger and I got the Grilled Chicken, BBQ Bacon sandwich and cheese fries. I can not and will not utter one bad thing about my meal. It was one of the most delicious things I have eaten. Come to think of it, everything I have ever ordered has been one of the most delicious things I've eaten! It's a small place so their service tends to be on the quicker, better side than a lot of restaurants. It's a nice, quiet, cozy little place for a quick lunch or lenghty booze-filled dinner. (They have plenty of beers to choose from...) Their menu is not extensive but has enough options to satisfy even the pickest of eaters. Typical american fair. During the summer they have a dog-friendly outside eating area. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5? Well, my boy asked for his burger medium-well and it came out a little too pink for either of our liking. (I know, it's a shame, we are the type of people who like our food actually cooked before we eat it.) Note to self: Ask for it "well" next time. Other than that, a great place with a great staff!!!
(4)Jane M.
Love, love, love. Good food, friendly staff, terrific bar and love that they state their nightly specials on Facebook. Food: large portions, delicious, and if not right,, they will make it right. Drinks: large selections and nightly specials Atmosphere: small neighborhood joint, friendly, can be crowded but you can still hold a conversation.
(5)kevin c.
I've got two words for Rockwell's ... LOUISIANA EGGROLLS. These were very TexMex eggrolls with andouille sausage. This was the perfect appetizer ... full of complex, subtle flavors. These eggrolls are reason enough for another visit. I also had their grilled fish tacos. They were super fresh and served with a creamy chipotle sauce. Just thinking about this has got me salivating, lol. I'm seriously considering bumping this review to a 5 Star, but I've gotta visit this place one more time to be sure. Bottom line: Don't miss out on Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. It's not your average bar/grill, you will not be disappointed.
(4)Jade T.
Meh, vegetarians can do better. I went here for lunch with a friend, and ordered veggie burger, sandwich, with nachos. Standard pub fare? Yes. Pub food quality? Yes. The food was forgettable, but it wasn't terrible. Come here for an average dining experience.
(3)Catticut P.
A few years ago, Rockwell's was a regular place for us - until that one fateful evening where we were so utterly ripped off ($7 for an appetizer, which was a handful of stale, store-bought chips and a small container of greasy queso cheese = outrageous) that we refused to ever return. Up to that point, we considered the food to be pretty great, regardless of how costly it was to eat there. So tonight, after a long hiatus, we decided to try again - it was raining, we were craving burgers, and Rockwell's IS just down the street. What a big mistake. Prices are the same, but the one thing they had going for them - food quality - has sunk like a stone. We ordered the Monday appetizer special - 6 buffalo wings for $5. They were good, but TINY, a totally stingy serving. Celery and carrots scattered carelessly on a plate with a tub of ranch dressing (Horror! What, no blue cheese dipping sauce?!) The Husband then had a Santa Fe burger, with his old-favourite side, the black bean/corn salad - what used to be prepared from fresh and flavourful ingredients is now a ghastly medley of watery, Aldi-bought slop that is so completely devoid of flavour, texture, and colour, that it would only appeal to a half-starved dumpster rat. It's even more disappointing because it's summertime - fresh corn is 5 for $1 at Harvestime and everywhere else, tomatoes are plentiful and delicious...and this was just seriously lazy. The Husband then proceeded to do a rare thing - cover his burger (and black bean/corn salad) in salt - as it was so utterly bland that it required emergency saltery. The tortilla chips on the burger were stale. My burger was good - the BBQ bacon whatsimy. But when I go to a place like Rockwell's, it's all about the fries. Which were soggy, and also completely bland. How could they be so flavourless?! Covering them in salt improved them slightly. It was really quite depressing. Our server from the first half of the meal was lovely, as was the server from the second half (we were not there that long). But the place was less than half full, and as nice as the staff were, service was less than attentive. We waited 20 minutes to pay our bill, then left a wee bit angry. We were willing to give them another chance - and we're honestly not that difficult to please - but they lost their opportunity to impress. BLAND food, BLAND. There was no care or love in what they did, which was obvious. Lazy, careless, soulless restaurant. Sad.
(2)Katie C.
3.5 stars, but I'm roundin' up! Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill is exactly that--a place where all the Ravenswood Manorites can congregate with their kiddos and have a decent meal in a friendly atmosphere. Being a Manorite myself, I joined the crowds and made my way over with my boyfriend's family for dinner. It was really busy (as predicted) and service was kind of slow (as predicted) but the food was good (not great, but good). They have a lot of options: salads, burgers, fish, steak, fajitas--typical American fare. Also, on weekends, they serve breakfast food until 1...since we're within walking distance, I suppose eventually we'll make our way in for brunch!
(4)Mr M.
Neighborhhod grill is right! I have lived in the hood for nearly 10 years. I was very happy to see this open in 2004. The food is great as is their, wait for it, BEER SELECTION. That's crazy good. I introduced this place to my wife a year ago. Each time we go, she has to check the sign outside for the day's meat special. Big fan of the flat iron steak, she. If not that, then it's a battle between the nachos and the fish tacos. I've seen the eyes dart back and forth on the menu for minutes on end. Tacos. No, nachos. No, steak. Wait. Okay. Nachos. Tyler is one of our fave servers, but I'm not knocking any of the other floor peeps (I can't recal their names). But if the tables are full, which they can be between 5:30 and 7:30 nearly every night, we sit at the bar and hang with Jim. He's great to sit and gab with in between him taking care of the orders for the house. I am a fan of the French Dip...and the Burger...and the Southwest Chicken sandwich. I think you get the idea. Try the Louisiana Egg Rolls. The apps are a good sized portion too, you won't be too hungry afterward. Did you say brunch? Get on over for a beautiful brunch menu. I prefer the Chapin platter but that's my fave out of all good choices. Give them a try!
(4)Andrew N.
My partner and I decided to try something other than the fare on Lincoln St. and boy are we glad we did. We walked into a full restaurant at about 3 P.M so those who say business is lagging must have come on an off day. The menu has a large array of fare specializing in southwestern food. Some of the appetizers include their battered and fried onions/jalapenos w/ ranch (delicious!). If that was good, the main courses-- BBQ chicken (my partner had blackened fish tacos) were fantastic. Everything about the food tasted fresh and the portions were just right. I payed 30 dollars (tip included) for a meal for two which isn't bad at all given how great the food/service was. Expect to see us back!
(4)Elysia L.
I really, really love this place. Enough that if I were to go on Check, Please, this would be my spot. My husband & I came here on a whim about a year ago when we were looking at a condo down the block. We got the chopped & pasta salads, and they were so good! Our bubbly waitress grew up in the 'hood and pretty much convinced us that this one was the best in Chicago. She's right! Now that we're regulars I've had everything on the menu, and it's all solid. The stars are the burgers, Louisiana eggrolls, fish tacos, and whatever they have on special. Most people order beer here, but the mixed drinks are really good, especially the seasonal brandy cider. Speaking of seasonal... the summer patio is AWESOME! Yes there are kids, but I like kids, and getting so see cute little ones actually makes me happy. So it's nothing spectacularly radical or new, but it is damn tasty pub grub and special dishes and good drinks. It's the perfect neighborhood spot.
(5)Jim N.
This place is caught somewhere between a Chucky Cheese and Chili's. I can say that 'cause I like both-ish. Standard fare, fish tacos are always good, beer list is eclectic enough to keep me going back and the Resess brownie is the most disgustingly delicious piece of baked good you can put in yo mouth.
(4)Caitlin G.
Three words: LOUISIANA EGG ROLLS. Spicy chicken, andouille sausage and delicious chipotle dipping sauce. It's everything I have ever wanted from life, all rolled up in fried goodness. Like others have noted, the burgers and fish tacos are solid choices here. The only time I've ever been disappointed by my food was when I came here at a peak hour on the weekend. Since then, I've stuck to making Rockwell's a spot for stopping by when I want a cozy, comforting bite to eat. Sit outside if you can. The patio feels like you're chilling on your own front yard, relaxing with your friends and a beer. Occasionally, one waiter likes to sit down with his customers, which really does make me feel uncomfortable. It reminds me of that SNL skit mocking TGIFridays waiters for doing the same thing. Ixnay on the itting-down-say, waiter friend.
(4)Jeffrey C.
Went between shifts on Memorial Day Sunday. The parents were away and the kids were running the place. The TV was blaring commercials and it required two requests to allow for table conversation - odd in that we were the only customers at the time. I like the self-service doggie-bag approach. Here's a plastic container w/o any utensils so you may get food remnants all over your lap. Fish sandwich is somewhat respectable - homemade tartar sauce forgettable. Veggie burger was tasteless. Where are the owners? Managers? Are they laundering money in the back and the restaurant is just a front? I would give less than a star if I could.
(1)Susan H.
I come here frequently as it's on my way home from work. Whether it's just for a drink to unwind after a long day, or to grab a bite. I've hesitated about writing this review because I didn't want to say anything negative, but after the last couple of dinners, I felt compelled to write. I recently had the Carne Asada dinner which used to be one of my favorites. Let's just say, I would never order this again. The steak had no flavor and was very chewy. I feel the same way about their Flat Iron steak. It's very disappointing. And what happened to their fries? I used to love them with that special seasoning. Now, I would give them a 2 on a scale of 1-10. Other items on the menu are still solid choices, like their Louisiana Egg Rolls, or their Chopped Chicken or Pasta Salads and their burgers are still good. Also, the staff is great. Actually, they're one of the reasons I keep coming back. Oh, one more observation. If you want to have a quiet meal, don't come here. Don't even get me started about the screaming children. I will never understand how some parents just let their children have free rein of the restaurant, like it's "Chuckie Cheese's." I've actually witnessed kids crawling under other diner's tables with the parent completely ignoring what was going on.
(3)Victoria W.
Just adding my two cents: I like the fact that they have healthy options and you can substitute a veggie burger in any of the combos. I think the service there is great, and I'm glad they are in the neighborhood!
(4)Alan S.
This is a good local bar / restaurant. The food is good, consistent; great fries and burgers. Also good fish sandwich, and tacos. There's an extensive beer selection especially micro brews and some interesting imported beers, and usually beer specials. The down side is really a lack of atmosphere, it's a really plain, over lit huge room. The decor in uninspiring and the new owners are to blame here, having removed whatever charms it had before it was "remodeled" last year. A lot of hard surfaces so it's a loud spot, especially if there are kids eating which there often are, usually early in the evening. All in all though it's worth checking out, friendly, reliable food, good neighborhood place.
(3)Tory w.
What a great, local place. I stopped in for a bite while browsing my way through the Ravenswood Manor garage sales. Our server was Jeff, and he was so, so pleasant. I loved the atmosphere here and they had a very diverse menu. Everything sounded good. I had the chopped chicken salad and it was delish. Avocado, bacon, jack cheese, freshly grilled and marinated chicken, every bite was a different explosion of yumminess. I didn't have a drink but it looked like their beer selection was also extensive. I will definitely go back!
(4)liane t.
Heads up. This is very. very. important. Rockwell's has AN INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS BROWNIE that WILL SOLVE ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS. This has not yet been noted. It doesn't matter which one they have in stock, or which one you order. It will be warm. It will be gooey. It will be paired with ice cream. And even though you have had many a brownie, it will somehow be a revelation. You may have to endure 1000 screaming kids with parents who have given up on discipline, you may have to endure sitting next to a couple who is taking out to dinner every grandparent, parent, step-parent, and great-aunt still living. But you will still be saved. They also have the best salads ever (i could eat the chopped chicken salad, every day) and wonderfully nice service. But next to salvation, these are beside the point. I am including the keywords PMS and DEPRESSED to this review, just in case someone actually yelps for these, searching for a cure.
(4)Adele n.
Unsurprising, moderately priced, plentiful bar food. Interesting beer selection. Nice outdoor seating. I had the veggie fajitas -- huge portion, pretty tasty. My guy had the grilled chicken salad -- it looked good to me. Pretty nice, friendly little neighborhood joint.
(3)Melissa H.
I love Rockwell's. They have great food, great service and staff, and the perfect patio for enjoying cocktails with friends when the weather is nice. I've been coming here for about six years now and I've never had a bad experience. If you enjoy a spicy blood mary, stop in on the weekend when they are the drink special and give their brunch menu a try. I personally love the french toast!
(5)Joseph H.
I always overlook this area as I tend to bring guests the other way into Lincoln Square. Last night was different I decided to try something different. I have been to Rockwell's before and loved it, but hadnt been in a while. The new simpler decor is great, and the food continues to be of the same high quality I remember. I see that someone complained about the Black Bean and Corn salad, and I was shocked as mine was not slop nor flavorless. It was fresh and delicious and I was there at 9pm. I also appreciated that there are several healthy options that can be substituted for french fries at no cost, unlike most places which upcharge for a healthy option. I also found my chicken sandwich to be full and delicious. I also loved the extensive beer list, though it ultimately came down to the waiters knowledge of beer to make my choice. This is a great place, its almost a neighborhood secret, as i live around the corner. I don't want everyone to find out they have great food and then have it be too busy if I just want to run over. :)
(4)Heather B.
Mostly, I love this place. My husband and I are regulars here, since it's only a block away from our house. Very casual, fantastic wait staff, good food you can always count on. The beer selection isn't vast, but they always have a handful of good brews on tap as specials and a few quality microbrew bottles to choose from. However, sometimes it's WAY too packed with families with small children that are letting them run around the place like it's Romper Room. And since they put in the nice hard wood floors, all the sound carries like mad and it's loud, even when it's not "loud". In summer, I will ALWAYS opt to eat on the patio outdoors.
(4)Karen L.
Decent bar/grill in the neighborhood. The main thing is... it is a kid place. If you have kids, go there. It is totally kid friendly, even with a kid's menu and crayons and dum-dums. There are kids everything so if you are not with children, I would probably head somewhere else. They do have good fries and their southwest chicken sandwich was also pretty good!
(3)Richard B.
Went here with some friends after Friend 1 heard awesome stuff about the place. It was really nice. It was also a beautiful day so that definitely helped. When we walked in we were greeted right away. I ordered the sage rubbed pork chop. It was very tasty but a little on the dry side. It came with a loaded baked potato which was totally loaded and awesome. We had the Louisiana egg rolls for an appetizer. Those were some of the best egg rolls I've had... especially the sauce. The staff was very friendly but a bit disorganized (we were asked for our drink orders twice and it seemed like we were waited on by two people the entire time) and a tiny bit on the slow side. But, no worries, we were in no rush. The place itself is clean and inviting, plus there are tons of old pictures to check out on the walls. I'd definitely come here again.
(4)Elizabeth C.
love the burgers, in love with the citrus mayo!
(5)Jami K.
Went here again last night and i tried to order the same thing that I ordered last time and found out they were out of it all. Also, service seemed really slow and awkward. Everytime our waiter spoke, it seemed like he was competing in a JV Speech and debate tournament. Really, not that impressive.
(2)Daniel S.
I really cannot imagine a more enjoyable neighborhood spot. I happened in last night, following a chilly outdoor swim, so we were definitely in the mood for some dins and wine sipping. I had the chicken chopped salad, and my friend had the fist tacos. I think I would've prefered the later, but variety is the spice of life. The chicken chopped salad did not disappoint at all. In terms of the space, it is perfect for a casual evening dinner and chat with friends. There is outdoor seating, on a quiet side street, that is befitting this spot too. Really there is nothing worse than outdoor seating adjacent to a major thoroughfare. I am going to have to schedule a repeat so I can sample the fist tacos.
(4)Georgio M.
Ok as far as restaurant/bars go in Chicago, this place has the best burgers in the city. The atmosphere at Rockwell Grill is very laid back, casual and fun. I particularly like the neighborhood feel of the restaurant and equally find the staff to be friendly and genuine. Tables are large and spread out enough where you are not sitting on top of other guests. Equally, the restaurant has comfortable outdoor seating. There are several fabulous, tasty dishes at Rockwell Grill; this includes: Burgers Taco Salad Sandwhiches Desserts The bar has a large selection of domestic and imported beer. I particularly enjoy drinking their Draft Fat Tire. If you are looking for a casual, warm and friendly place for food and drinks, this place is all that. The place is also great for couples and famalies.
(5)Suzanne P.
I love the Rockwell Grill! I live in the area, so this is one of my favorite "go-to" places to dine. I love the location, and I really appreciate that this place doesn't try to be something it's not. Come here for a burger or a salad, or brunch on the weekend, and I promise you won't be disappointed. The service is always great, whether or not you come at a peak dining time. All of the servers are friendly and set a great tone. And the price is right, with tax and tip I rarely spend more than $10-$12. My favorite dishes are the BBQ Chicken Sandwich, the Southwest Chicken Sandwich, and the Southwest Veggie Salad. Most meals come with a side, and I recommend skipping the fries and getting the pasta salad. If you come in for brunch, I highly recommend the Bourbon Street Tacos. I usually opt for the sweeter brunch dishes, but these are crazy good. If you're in the mood for good, unpretentious American food, this is the place to go!
(5)Lizard F.
Just lunched here this afternoon with my husband and my well-behaved pooch. Lovely dog-friendly outdoor patio (we were fortunate to get shaded seats--they could probably benefit from one additional umbrella). My hubby enjoyed the beef burrito, and I looooooooved the chopped chicken salad. The waitstaff was helpful and polite, especially to the dog. We took our sweet time finishing our food (and there was a LOT of it), and the didn't rush us along. We polished things off by sharing the Oreo brownie a la mode (and believe me, this is one you want to share). As a result of all this delicious food, it's now 3pm, I am ready for a very euphoric post-lunch nap, and I don't think I'll need to eat dinner tonight.
(5)Matthew R.
A great neighborhood place. This place located in the small strip of businesses by the Rockwell brown line stop features a menu of hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and similar casual fare. My favorites on the menu are the regular hamburger (with tasty fries) and the blackened fish tacos with some great black beans on the side. The burger is nicely cooked and sized and dressed with standard fixins of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. They have a good selection of beers on tap and in bottle and a well stocked bar. The place has a nice outdoor seating area during the summer months. The service is great - attentive and quick (though meals can take some time when they are busy) and very friendly. A great traditional neighborhood spot. Given the menu and the local area, the place obviously attracts a lot of families with little kids. Which is great, but for people expecting otherwise, be prepared for a lot of kids all around. An awesome place to go all the time.
(4)Laurie B.
Amazing, food made in house. Try the Southwest egg rolls, Crazy Good!!
(5)Elizabeth L.
Rockwell's is a solid choice. The food is sandwiches/salads basic, but in my experience has always been good. They have a small, but inventive beer selection. I really dig the decor, and can busy myself for quite some time looking at all of the pictures on the walls. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the prices are reasonable. What more do you want?
(4)