I can't believe I've never written a review for Palmer's! My go-to spot when I'm craving a burger. They offer probably close to 30 variations and have one of the best beer gardens in the area. Plenty of seating and a large beer list. We visited most recently a couple of weekends ago. It seemed like they were a little off that Saturday evening. We waited probably 10 minutes for a table in the beer garden, no problem! They must have been understaffed as there was only 1 waitress assigned to our area and she commented that she couldn't catch her breath. Hubby ordered the Benchmark Burger, which was excellent! I ordered my usual New York Deli burger - topped with corned beef, swiss and Thousand Island. As soon as I took a bite, I knew something was missing (the Thousand Island!) I waited about 10 minutes for our waitress to check in, and then another 10 for the Thousand Island. Definitely disappointing because my burger was cold by then. Again, I'm pretty sure it was just an off night. Palmer's is definitely a solid burger spot with a great atmosphere. Kid friendly too!
(4)
Valerie D.
Nice outdoor patio. As for the food, burgers are good but today I ordered a taco salad. Got a taco shell bowl full of watery chili that they claim is a taco salad. It was disgusting and I didn't eat it. Called the waitress over and said why is this so full of water? Answer was that's the chili, didn't even ask me if I liked it or not. Pushed the whole thing away and she came by and said are you done? Really??? If I order a TACO salad I expect to get a taco salad not chili with lettuce mixed in calling it a taco salad. It was a chili salad Palmers , call it like it is and describe it like that on the freaking menu!! YUCK!!!! Cross that place off my list!
(2)
Liam M.
This place is so busy trying to be something it misses being anything 88 beers on the wall and not one Amber/Red outside of Fat Tire Whoo Staff has the personality like ur doing them a favor to walk in Wake up
(2)
K P.
Went late afternoon on a hot Sunday. The patio was great! The beer list was amazing. However, the service was TERRIBLE. So terrible. I will go back again as it seemed popular and what food was delivered by the other staff seemed good.
(2)
Kathi K.
Everything is great here. Ask for the gyros burger with a turkey patty...delish! Love sitting outside in the biergarten. Great place for groups.
(5)
Paul D.
Nice and casual in the Garten as always! Great place to chill with good food, get the Bavarian or the Masterpiece Burger...truly de-lish
(4)
Thomas C.
Had been meaning to try this place for a while after enjoying my carryout experience. Took the kids and Grandma while wife was out of town...we'll be back. Corned Beef (Reuben) was phenomenal. Burger was good, not great, had the Prime cheeseburger, had had their specialty burger before which I thought was better). Onion rings, wings ... kids had pasta (and loved it). Extensive menu, ample seating and friendly service, will definitely return.
(4)
Steven M.
Came here for a Hawks game. I don't know why, but I thought we were at Casa. It was raining and that is the sign I saw when I was running for a door. So I ordered a margarita. It was horrible. but I realized my mistake and moved on the a Tito's and lemonade. Much better. We had two apps. The potato skins and the fried veggies. the tots were cold and the cheese was hard. Out of 8 there was bacon on 4. The veggies were small as was the serving. Wonderful ranch dressing though. People around us were complaining about the service. I agree. Won't be back.
(2)
Candace M.
The outside beer garden is the best I've ever been to, food great, gigantic selection on beer, end of story
(5)
David N.
Not rating the food or dining, but the recent back bar experience. To start, great service, friendly, and hospitable. The beer selection is one of the biggest in the burbs, aside from maybe The Beer Market in Bolingbrook. Prices seemed a tad high, but its not everywhere you can score Haymarket Brewing and Tripel Carmelite. Unfortunately that's where the goods stopped and the marginal and downright dirty began. First sign of a problem were the small, insistent, fruit flies buzzing around the beer taps, and more annoying, my face and pint glass. Flies just don't appear in bars. They're bred there, implying that whatever "cleaning" is being conducted at closing time is not being completed satisfactorily. Then I noticed a disgusting amount of dust and grime on just about every flat surface and/or ledge surrounding the bar. Less used bar liquor bottles, the Jaeger bottles upside down in the shot machine, the touch screen bar top game, all covered in laziness. Dust, grime, old uncleaned spills, sticky countertops...completely killed it for me. Not to be a dick (still) but the flat screens at the bar were small and what's a TV without HD nowadays?! Come on. The joint has the all of the making, just needs a more watchful eye to keep her going. The flies!!!!
(3)
Alex C.
One of my best buds took me here since I was back in town for spring break and we needed to catch up! The vibe is Irish pub, however seems very family friendly, we saw a lot of kids and parents. We started with a half order of nachos, which was HUGE! Even for two people, a half order was probably too much. They weren't bad either! I find that nachos can be a hit and a miss in terms of too many chips or too much topping, these had a near perfect balance. My friend insisted I get a burger since that was what he usually gets and can vouch for. I'd usually opt for a salad or something lighter but he was paying and I felt obligated. I got the ultimate gourmet burger which had all the usual fixings but utilized a waygu kobe beef, special cheese, caramelized onions as well as a spicy ketchup. This was one gigantic burger and I felt definitely better than your average pub burger. I also opted for a side of coleslaw due to the server informing me they ran out of their special French fry seasoning (bummer). The slaw was good too. He got a chicken tortellini Caesar salad which he said was tasty but could have used more dressing. I did get to try the blackened chicken and was pleasantly surprised how nice that tasted. No beer for us due to it being ~1pm but their list was quite extensive. Service was also satisfactory, we didn't need much and she was polite. Overall I felt the food was good but perhaps a little pricey, though the portions were humongous and probably worth their weight.
(4)
Amy M.
Food and beer is always very good here, great beer garden as well. I was disappointed with my waitresses the last 2 times I have attended. One forgot our food 2 times in the same night. The other offered no separate checks even though the last time I came for dinner the waitress indeed separated them. Our waitress was sad, looked bothered by our presence and didn't even take the time to wait for us to leave to clean the table and take the bill. Very unprofessional in a place for dining. Watch out for the crabby ready to leave work waitresses, other than that the food and drinks were pretty good.
(1)
Frank P.
Been coming here for over 20 years, I am done. I know they have great beers on tap, no problem with the bar. The food, however has been on a steady decline. Last time there, I had the fishiest tasting blackened tuna I've ever tasted. Onion rings are a total grease fest, seems like oil rarely changed. Today I ordered blackened chicken ceasar salad and cup of tomato soup. The soup came out cold. I asked to have hot soup, they brought me out THE SAME SOUP, after I'm sure a quick microwave. It was still only luke warm at that time. I told waitress to forget about the soup. She later came back and said the manager agreed to take it of the bill. He did? Gee thanks (sarcasm). The salad was fine except for the rubbery pasta rings. Is it customary to have tortellini in a Ceasar salad? Overall its OK if you want a few beers outside, just eat elsewhere first.
(2)
Irene G.
Been here a few times now and I'd have to say it's one of the best places in downtown La Grange. Burgers are great, their menu offers a variety of food. The beer selection is excellent and so is the service. Great outdoor seating which is perfect for summer days. Great place for families, friends, out of towners...
(5)
Kim S.
The place looks really nice, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have an extensive burger menu, which is important to me, because I like things like apple chutney or peanut butter and bananas on my burgers. I ordered the Bootlegger, which is made with bourbon glaze and fried onions. I asked for it to be well-done, and I found it to be very dry. I thought that perhaps I should have asked for "almost-well" or "medium well", but my boyfriend ordered his wagu burger medium rare and he also thought his was dry. I felt my burger didn't have much flavor to it, but didn't think it was disgusting. My boyfriend, on the other hand, complained that they put way too much spicy catsup on his. He didn't like the flavor, it was overpowering, and the moisture was also causing the burger to fall apart. He didn't even get to finish half his burger before the thing disintegrated. On top of that, the waitress had stopped by, taken his drink order, and then went on to the next table to chat for 10 minutes. Then she disappeared, and when she came back to check on us later, she said, "Oh my god, I forgot your beer!" and ran off. She came back with the beverage, and both of us had already finished eating (Well, I finished. He sat there with the sad remains of a burger that he couldn't pick up). She left our finished dishes on our table and moved on. Then she walked past us again, and still left the stuff on the table. By the time my boyfriend was done with his beer, the plates and cups were still sitting there (he took his time, too). When she finally collected the dishes, she asked how the meal was, and my boyfriend explained to her that he couldn't eat his meal because if fell apart, and that the sauce was no good. She didn't really aside from, "Oh..," and slowly backed away before turning around and heading for the kitchen. The next thing we received was the bill, which included everything we had ordered, whether it had come late or was inedible. We did the silly thing and paid, leaving without talking to anyone about our crappy experience. Oh well. Next time we will just go elsewhere.
(1)
Pierre D.
It was a cold, snowy January night and my partner in crime and I were on the hunt for good beers, alas we found Palmer Place. This is a seat your self place, however they do have wait staff that comes and checks on you, gets food/drinks out to you promptly. The pulled pork slider appetizer was very good, the BBQ sauce is home made and not sweet, I'm a fan! The fried veggies appetizer was good also, real good job on the deep frying, no soggy food! This place has about as many beers as a Binny's Beverage Depot inn bottles and a impressive 20 or so on tap. Even rarer stuff like DFH 120 minute and DFW WWS are available in bottle at reasonable prices. We paid $12 for a 2014 BCBS and found that to be very fair given this beer sold out on Black Friday and is not available anywhere in the Chicago area. Looking forward to coming back and trying out their burgers and drinking a beer or 2.
(4)
John K.
My friend Molly told us to come here for the Wednesday bobbing for apples completion. I knew that I would totally kick everyone's butt and they have beer here too. Well not only did they not have bobbing for apples, they didn't even know Molly! Everyone knows Molly! I had the deep dish Pizza and my buddy Paul had the bbq vegan chicken sandwich with extra pepper jack. Portions are small and pricey. They're are no clowns at this establishment.
(3)
Michael D.
Went here to eat with my one friend and would highly come back. I like how they have indoor and outdoor eating and service is really fast and polite. I ordered a turkey club sandwich and let me tell you they don't skimp on you also it wasn't that expensive compared to Panera! Overall this place is great to come to for eating with friends, business, or just yourself! Typing this makes me want to go back and order some food!
(4)
MC B.
Went for a meal last night with a mate and was not impressed at all. I was excited to see fried green tomatoes on the menu but that excitement was deflated rather quickly. The tomatoes and onion rings were cooked in old oil. Everything came to the table laden in grease. Two orders of onion rings one the colour of muddy water and the other the colour of varnish. A total disappointment. The burger I had was well cooked the way I requested, however no salt or seasoning at all. A busy place, extremely LOUD and not for me.
(1)
Ernie L.
I heard nothing but good reviews from friends. Today I went for lunch ordered a beer. Nice and cold. And ordered the portobello mushroom burger with onion rings. Not impressed the onion rings where greasy and tough like they used the oldest onions. Not very appeasing. The burger its self was ok. The mushroom was tough. I know mushrooms are supposed to be tender, not with this one. I removed the portobello and eat the burger alone and was ok not much flavored, it was cooked the way I asked.
(1)
Shondra M.
Very nice beer garden, decent service, good food. Beer garden gets crowded early, so expect to wait
(4)
J. Chuck K.
I grew up in La Grange and enjoyed coming here during my high school and college years. Palmer's used to have the perfect combination of food, beer and atmosphere, but after my last couple visits, it's become just a place for beer and hanging out on the patio/bier garden. The sandwiches are barely average, and on my most recent visit the "jumbo" wings were the smallest things I've ever seen. They have to give you plenty of the bland homemade sauce to offset the dryness. I ate 3 tiny wings, finished my beer and walked down to Wild Monk for dinner. The bartender was a friendly guy, but that food needs some attention.
(2)
Kristin B.
Great burgers and great beer selection. Perfect place for an outdoor dinner on a warm summer evening.
(4)
LOIS B.
We ended up dining here by default. We wanted to try the 4th of July's review of the day spot ~ not open. We hunted for someplace with outdoor seating and that was open on the 4th. Hadn't been here in years. Large outdoor seating area with a second upper level deck that they were opening up as we were leaving. Extensive beer offerings and the menu was varied. Free appetizer with Yelp check-in. Happy 4th :) Service was quick and friendly, Food came out quickly and we were able to relax and enjoy our dining experience. We had salads and mini pretzels for our appetizer, but next visit I'm thinkn' on of those very juicy burgers is heading my way. Parking may be an issue, we parked on the street behind Palmer's and came in through their rear entrance. There is a small parking lot back there, but keep in mind they are near the theater and surrounded by shopping.
(4)
Neil M.
For quite some time I have been looking for a bar food type restaurant close to me when having a craving. I think I found it with Palmer Place in La Grange. They have great variations of burgers to choose from. I'm not so much of a beer drinker but they offer a lot of beers on tap. Will frequent this establishment in the future!
(4)
Laila C.
Patio = Awesome! Huge outdoor space Food = meh. We got the potato skins and brat sandwich cuz BF wanted to go to Wild Monk after and didn't want to overorder. Both items were meh. They have an ok draft selection. Nothing to write home about but the patio is great for sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful chicago summer.
(3)
Brigid S.
This place has a really impressive menu, which includes a great spinach and artichoke dip. My husband and I both ordered the fish and chips, which were also really good. I'm not a beer drinker, but even I have to admire the extensive beer list they offer. There's a friendly, neighborhood vibe. We happened to go on a Senior Discount evening, so the overall age skewed older on the night we were there. I'm sure it's a bit different on the weekends. Overall, I would recommend it as a low-key place for good food and a couple drinks.
(4)
Malina G.
I've been to Palmer's twice now, and both visits offered a pretty consistent experience: horrible, negligent service, but pretty decent food. The beer menu is extensive as well - but I wouldn't go here solely based on the pages and pages of beer options, as they'll probably be out of what you want. The first visit here, I was overwhelmed with how many choices of beer were available. But when I made my first choice to my server, she said it wasn't available. That was fine with me; with pages upon pages of beer selections, they were bound to be out of some. But when it came to my second - and third - and eventually forth choice, she shrugged and said that these also weren't available. That would have been fine, but when I asked for a recommendation for an amber ale they did have in stock, our server shrugged and said she didn't know. I asked if she could check with the bar, and she returned a whopping 30 minutes later to take our food orders, apparently forgetting that I'd asked for a beer recommendation. I'd like to note that the place was nearly empty at the time, so our server basically went AWOL on us for a half hour. The food was good, but nothing special. Our burgers weren't very flavorful, and our bill was around $50 for two burgers and two drinks (none of which were mine, by the way). Definitely not worth the bill. Our second visit was pretty much the same. My boyfriend said his chicken sandwich simply wasn't very good, and my burger was bland. The service was still pretty slow - we were there for about an hour and a half. Overall, this place has a book of a beer menu that simply doesn't match up with what is actually in stock, slow and apathetic service, and hefty prices for mediocre food.
(3)
The J.
I think this place gets a lot of attention and publicity because of their large selection of beer and their hamburgers. Well, that about sums up this place and what separates them from the rest of the restaurants and pubs in the area. The rest of the food is ok, but a little pricey.
(3)
Shannon W.
We used to come here for the Hawks game so we could sit outside, unfortunately we have to find someplace else. One tv outside that's it. Last year, it was packed because there were tv's all over with a tent. No line this year. Walk right in. Everyone is gone going somewhere else. Going to Monk's now because of the game situation and if you don't have Korbel half bottles anymore (for the second year, take them off the menu. The old guy that runs the place has to go. Bar Rescue
(2)
Janet A.
The service was truly awful! My husband & I waited 10 minutes before being acknowledged---let only brought drinks. And the pattern of "where the heck is the server" continued throughout the meal. The food? So very bland and uninspiring. Yet pretty pricey. We didn't even stay for dessert- I was dying to just go (though finding the server to GET the check was an adventure......) We are walking distance to this restaurant and I can assure you- we won't be back!
(1)
Linda R.
Seriously, $10.50 for a single hamburger? I can get a decent steak just down the street for less money. Sorry, not really worth it.
(1)
Nikki T.
I wanted to like this place, I really did! I went in with an open mind, absolutely no high expectations. I just wanted a good burger. I had read some articles online and plenty mentioned Palmer Place for their burgers and patio. So my boyfriend and I went for it. As soon as we walked in, we were seated right away and the waitress was great! She was very attentive and helpful. She was able to assist the boy with picking out a good new beer and we didn't have to wait long. We first started with the Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates. Let me tell you, these were AMAZING!! I would have been much happier if I stuck to those bad boys all night! So, like I said before, I wanted a good burger and decided to try the Ultimate Gourmet Burger. The menu stated that that burger won the 2010 silver medal in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop so I figured it had to be good if it was an award winner! My boyfriend ordered the other "awarding winning" burger on the menu, the Benchmark Burger. Apparently, that burger won the 2011 People Choice award in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop. We were both so excited to try these burgers. I mean, the appetizer was fantastic, these burgers must be great! Yeah...not so much. Both of these burgers just had way too much going on. It felt like they decided to throw a bunch of random stuff on the burger and call it a day. The description of the burger with each component sounded great but the end resulted in just being too much to be enjoyable. Next time, I would definitely pick something a bit simpler from the menu. Lesson learned.
(3)
Dan M.
Highly recommended. Great beer selection. Food is always consistently prepared and really good. The burgers are great but my personal fav is the BLT. It is really awesome. Service is great. They have the best multi day St. Patrick's day fests In the area that includes a St Baldricks day. Amazing bier garden and roof top bar in the summer. If from the area it's the place where you go and are certain to run into someone you know.
(4)
Ryan D.
Awesome. They truly have some great Mediterranean food and also make a killer egg lemon soup. Four of five stars for sure!
(5)
Veronica T.
It wasn't great. It was okay but I probably won't go there again. I ordered the chicken pita and it was flavorless. The fries were super salty so I didn't enjoy the food. Also, margaritas aren't their specialty so I don't recommend them at all.
(2)
Mary G.
Palmers is a great place to hang, especially if its summer and the beirgarten is open. That being said their food is not good. Their menu is huge which makes me think that most of it must be frozen. Their burgers are just OK for being called "award winning". And to top it all off its not cheap to eat or drink there. Stop here for a beer, but dont waste your money on the food.
(2)
Karma K.
This place is bierfantastico! Great, great, great, did I say great outdoor patio? This place is a staple in downtown La Grange. The owners have extended their patio and it now includes an upper deck. Hello, love that! No one else may notice this but they have green umbrellas on every frickin table outside. I love this because if you want shade it you have it. It also look very cool. I'm sure the beer vendor that provided the umbrellas was happy to oblige. Thank you beer vendor! The inside is not too shabby either. This place has a lot going for it. With that said, my tip to all you little yelpers is to stick with the burgers. They have a gazillion options and all of them are terrific. They have liver and onions on their menu. Who the hell has that in the western burbs. No one I say! Pat Bruno, the restaurant critic has this place at the top of his list for burgers. Yep, they have Kobe beef, turkey and all sorts of options for all you burger lovers. You like buns? They have pretzel buns, brioche rolls, etc. So you really cannot go wrong with a burger and fries at this place. So why not 5 stars? The other food is average to good. Their wraps are OK, but you can probably find better ones elsewhere. Their potato skins and nachos are good! They have a huge menu, maybe too huge because some of their other selections are good but not great. I also miss from my old days at this place, their veg sandwich on a croissant. I always substituted the croissant (because I'm not French, LOL) for french bread (OMG,I just said that I'm not French) and loved it with the fresh veggies and cream cheese. Bring that thing back, dammit! ;-) We have always had good service. They have a killer beer menu. Yes, they have IPA's for all you oh so trendy beer snobs! During the day this place is very family friendly. At night, it becomes more of a party place, especially during summertime. If you went to LT or Hinsdale Central high school (go Red Devils!) you are sure to run into some former alumni. Good? Bad? I don't know. I guess it depends how many beers or cocktails you have had. So go enjoy while summer days last a big longer and than go back in the winter and sit inside and enjoy the warm pub abience.
(4)
Mike M.
Awesome burger selection! Everything we've ordered has been great. Great cozy decor, nice staff, and good prices. Parking can be a bit of a blood sport, but it's worth it.
(5)
Kristen C.
After a trip to the zoo my boyfriend suggested we go here for a few beers and a late lunch. We sat on the patio-it was busy but great atmosphere if you're up for sitting outside. Great beer selection and some good specials. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates (fantastic!) and the reuben sandwiches. Fantastic reuben! It's like $15 for the sandwich and a side (I got fries-good but basic frozen fries and he got the potato salad-very good). There is a lot of meat on the sandwich and it had good flavor. We were both impressed. If you're not extremely hungry or not wanting to take some home possibly split the sandwich.
(4)
Erin S.
Contrary to some of the reviews here, both times I was here in recent months we actually had very good service - waitress was pleasant, food ordering and time to table both fast - and (although my bf would disagree) I thought the atmosphere was fine. These are the only reasons I am awarding the second star! I should note that - both times we came was for a family meal, we did not partake in the beer selection and due to weather have not enjoyed the patio. This left us with little to save this place in our minds!!! The first time we came, the food was very bland. 4 out of the 6 of us, however, seemed to enjoy their food, so I thought it was definitely just bad luck and not indicative of further negative experiences. Well, I was wrong! This time, because I remember getting food that was bland, I wanted to pick something I was sure would have more kick - the Greek Pita Burger w/ Tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, and tomato. Anyone who is a fan of Greek food like I am should know that feta cheese can pack a punch, which I was looking forward to atop a nicely cooked burger. I did not get what I hoped for. I do not know how this is possible, but I think this burger was actually MORE bland than the meal I had there previously! How did this happen!?!? Plus, my side of fruit was a sad medley of melon that must have been defrosted in the small bowl in which it was served ... Looked sad and tasted like it looked. My bf's summation of his meal - "Wilted, spotty lettuce on a Salmon sandwich that was too dry! The side of fruit had an off putting syrupy taste." The potato skin appetizer was a sloppy and soggy mess - all cheese (3/4 of which was on the plate rather than the potato skins themselves) with fewer bits of bacon than you could count on one hand ... With a side of sour cream in basically a flimsy disposable clear plastic shot glass. If my family suggests this place again, I will have to say absolutely not! This place needs to get it together!
(2)
Mariesa E.
I love love love this beer garden. Sitting on the roof or just on the patio is such a great experience on a beautiful night. Perfect date night location. I wouldn't come here to sit inside, but sitting outside has always been a favorite for me.
(5)
Donna C.
Okay, so we are a follower of Chicago Best show on WGN and it hardly ever disappoints. After traveling from Buffalo Grove, I am so happy that this place lived up to the hype. It was delicious. The staff is very friendly and down to earth. The beer list is like nothing I've ever seen before. I chose the pilsner urquell which was amazing. The burgers have an amazing char which deepens the taste. It is tender and cooked to perfection. I wasn't crazy about the fries, I think I got some that weren't exactly freshly cooked but they looked like that could be delicious is right out of the fryer. The onions rings looked amazing and I wish I had known that before ordering, definitely would have gotten them. There are a tons of things on the menu and I saw many of them while cruising through the place. There were no idle tables, so kudos to the staff to be efficient. Wish I lived I closer because this would be a tried and true regular spot for me...
(5)
P K.
5 stars for the waitress 5 stars for the patio 3 stars for food 0 stars for management responsible for ordering BEER at the Beer Garden. How does a Beer Garden run out of beer on Saturday afternoon? I ordered a Summer Shandy, my boyfriend ordered something else, can't remember. Waitress comes back and tells us they tapped out last night. OK, so we ordered a different beer, when we were ready for another, she told us the bartender only had one left. OK, so my boyfriend ordered something else and I asked for the same. Well, when she got back that one was sold out too. I can almost understand if it was a Sunday, but to run out of the 3 beers we ordered (who know what else they were out of) during the day on a Saturday is unacceptable. Food was alright, good portions. Waitress was great. Patio was awesome.
(1)
Fabi G.
Pleasantly surprised with the beer list which is amazing, beer lovers paradise. Had the notches for an appetizer and a burger which were pretty good but everything on the menu is your typical bar food nothing spectacular. This place could definitely use a facelift unless they want to be stuck in the 70s. Overall a pretty casual have a beer watch a game kind of place.
(2)
Chris S.
For years I've been coming here. When my friends are like, "Wair shud we eet?", my stupid face is all like, "Maebee wee shud goe too Paulmurz Playse" from time to time. And every time I come here, the experience is the same. I go in, all excited to see lots of sports and people enjoying themselves, and I get my hopes up! "Maybe this will be great!", I say, ignorant of the future. We usually have pretty good service and the TV's are nice for viewing, but my god, every item I've ordered here is awful. The burgers are flavorless and cooked incorrectly each and every time. The chicken strips (how do you screw this up, I pray you?) are a soggy crime against nature. Sandwiches are nothing special and are not worth the price. They somehow trick me every time. Today I vow to never go back here. I can feel my entire life turning around. Best Part: they have green river. Super legit. Also, the beer garden is nice, but usually packed.
(1)
Foodie A.
A place for everyone's brew palate. They have over 100 ales to choose from. Build your own flight. Each small glass is $2.50 each. You have a choice of four ales or ciders. It's a great way to taste there ales. I had the brat with home made coleslaw. Excellent! I didn't feel like eating bread so I ate around it. The brat is topped with sauerkraut and onions. I would request just the sauerkraut because the onions looked a little slimy. And what's worse then slimy onions slithering down your throat. My friend had a deli sandwich which was very good. Beer Beer Beer Beer! Go thirsty leave full.
(4)
Toni B.
A bit different then I expected but the food is delicious!!!!!!! And their portions and prices are great as well! My girlfriend and I came here for dinner before going to Bottles and Bottega. We walked in and honestly I felt like we went in the wrong door, lol. As a check in offer we got a free appetizer and ordered the mozzarella sticks...Ive never gotten so many mozz sticks!!!! Yummo!!!! My girlfriend ordered a chicken sandwich and I ordered a garden (veggie) burger, which was very tasty! The fries and delicious as well! They have a great beer selection, as well as mixed drinks and wines. I would definitely check this place out again if Im in the area and try some of their beers. Their burger selection is huge, so if you are a burger and beer fan, this is definitely your spot!
(4)
Christina C.
I went to a bar close by this place and was so disappointed in the service that I decided to try out this place... Maybe attempt to lift my spirits up. It was late, and I was complaining, like usual, to my boyfriend about life.. So what's better than a good beer? I go in and sit down at the bar and me and my boyfriend had just moved here from the West Coast so I wasn't used to this weather. The bartender was SO friendly and welcoming and I couldn't have asked for a better person to have talked to us. He welcomed us to the town and also gave us some tasty beers! Although I can't quite remember his name, he was definitely one of the best bartenders I've ever encountered and I can't wait to go back for another drink (:
(5)
Rachael Z.
I've been to Palmer Place more times than I can count, and on nearly every occasion, the food, service and atmosphere have been great. However, there have been a few times that I was disappointed - the salads aren't that great, and there are some less-than-nice servers. Lastly - come prepared to wait if it's the summer time. This place fills up VERY quickly due to the awesome location and patio. If you're coming here and don't know what to order - get a burger. It takes up an entire page! So many to choose from! You won't be disappointed. Really, just don't get a salad and you won't be, but literally, the burgers are the best in the area. Oh, and get a craft brew. Or three. There's even more of those to choose from. This is a great summer spot!!
(4)
Bee B.
Very friendly people, they've been around for a while and know how to treat thier customers! Good food too!
Palmer Place is located in downtown La Grange, where there are many restaurant options. Parking is limited. Diners may use the parking garage, or search for street parking. There were plenty of spaces at the top of the parking garage Thursday afternoon. However, I imagine there are much fewer options on a Friday or Saturday night. Inside, Palmer Place resembles an old Irish pub. I saw an Irish flag and lots of Chicago Cubs pictures. Also, diners seat themselves. When we arrived at this odd hour, the server detected us right away. We ordered drinks from the extensive beer menu -- that had no prices listed. While the server was getting the beers, I checked in and received a free appetizer check-in deal. Check-in deals definitely score points with me. We applied the check-in deal towards an order of Mexican egg rolls. Unique dishes, like Mexican egg rolls, also tend to score points. The egg rolls had a crispy coating and reminded me of breakfast burritos. They were packed with chicken, cheese, onions, and peppers. In size, I would estimate they were about 3 inches long. We received two for a table of three. Along with the huge beer menu, Palmer Place is also known for hamburgers. See the back page of the menu for the wide variety. I chose the Bootlegger burger. It was served on a fresh, doughy Brioche bun. What separates the Bootlegger from the other options is the sweet bourbon sauce and onion strings. I did not need any ketchup or mustard on this burger. The meat had a nice smoky taste which combined great with the bourbon sauce. I also enjoyed having the onion strings on the burger. It was like getting two sides for the price of one! Speaking of sides, that was my one criticism. The French Fries were lukewarm and tasted like warmed over cafeteria fries. Another diner at my table agreed with that assessment. The other diner ordered potato salad for her side and remarked that it was tasteless. It seems sides is one area Palmer Place needs to improve. To sum up, Palmer Place has a great selection of burgers and beers. Come on an empty stomach. You will leave stuffed. Having to park far may be a blessing. You will want to walk off your heavy meal!
(4)
E M B.
2 stars for food 4 stars for patio Great spot to have some drinks outside in the burbs. Patio could use some TVs as the sound from sporting events is played outside but there aren't any TVs which is odd. Food is just mediocre - way too big of a menu so the food is just average, burgers nothing special. Go for the beer garden, eat at Q or Nicksons.
(2)
Yessy S.
It's not the best restaurant even for a bar restaurant. I ordered half a slab of ribs that were for the majority seared then probably cooked in the oven. The side of fries and barbecue tasted much better than the rib entree. I do not drink and so maybe the atmosphere for those that do is far more pleasant but the food does not cut it for me.
(2)
Kate C.
Never order a turkey burger here. I can say with 100% confidence that it was the worst thing I ever ate. I almost sent it back to the kitchen but our waitress was so nice I did not want to punish her. I think you guys might want to at least upgrade your turkey patties to walmart brand if you want to compete against any of the other burger places that give us non red meat eaters tasty options. Soooooooo dissapointed. Friendly staff though. I'll give you that
Not a place that I plan to go back to. Too many other options in the area. We met a group here for an after work drink and some appetizers. We wanted to sit in the bar but were told groups could not sit in the bar because we would need two waitreses and that would not be possible. Odd, as there were just 10 of us. Also odd, that we needed to be seated in a bar. The beer list is impresssive.The food? I've had better at Chilis. The wings were inedible, the nachos were maybe okay, the sampler was small. Server was nice but not very energetic.
(2)
Rolly Z.
I reviewed Palmer's 4 years ago and to this day they still have a great beer menu and great food. However, after dropping $170 on drinks and dinner this past Saturday, I may not be back because of some of the staff they have there. My party of 7 sat outside in the biergarten and we had our kids sitting at a table together and us adults at another since each table only sat 4 people. The guy seating guests kept eyeballing the kids then us. We called him over asking if it was a problem if the kids were sitting there, his reply "Not yet, I'll let you know if we get busy and need the table" REALLY!!! We then asked what the resolution to this problem of his would be. He said he would think about it and let us know. WOW! So if we sat with our kids and our friends sat with their kids, would it be an issue at all? The guy really put a damper to our evening there. So we decided to leave and continue having drinks and dessert elsewhere. Some people just should not be working in the service industry. So in conclusion, if you go with only adults, great place. If you plan on going with the family, make sure your kids sit with you at your table. Otherwise you will feel unwelcome.
(2)
Jessica R.
Great food & great service!!!! They're always busy yet the staff is always upbeat & attentive. The taste, temperature (never had a cold meal), portion & quality is very consistent... haven't had a bad experience in the 4 years I've been eating there (very often).
(5)
Jackie B.
We absolutely love Palmers! its been a staple in our hometown for quite some time. From summer sitting on the patio drinking beers to winter time chowing on chili...Palmers is always wonderful. We have great service and both Phil & Steve Palmer are WONDERFUL to chat with. The beer list is insanely large--- always fun to try something new!
(5)
Morgan V.
I was here earlier tonight dining with a friend. The food was okay - could've been better. At the end when I got my check, I realized I had forgotten my debit card at home and I had no cash on me. Luckily, my friend had enough cash to cover the bill - but we were short $5. The waitress was snarky and told us that one of us had to stay while the other went to go get the debit card ... I live 45 minutes away. When I explained this to her and asked if I could leave my ID and come back tomorrow with the money, she said it was a security risk and that the restaurant doesn't allow it. The waitress offered no help and was rude to us the whole night. Finally a friend came to help with seriously a $5 bill and we gave the waitress the cash. She counted the money in front of us to make sure that we gave her the correct amount and after that she looked at us and said "okay bye". I am never going back to this place again, they were completely rude and my whole night was ruined due to the negative attitude all over $5 that I was going to come back and pay tomorrow. I don't know why I decided to give this place a try, usually I go to Al's Char House down the street and now I know that whenever I go out for steak or a burger to go to Al's. What a difference!
(1)
Jennifer M.
Friends recommended this place so we all decided to go for dinner. Well this is the last time i come here. The food and drinks were great but the customer service was awful. Our waitress named eliza was rude and inconsiderate. After finishing our meal we were at the table chatting and she asked us if we were done and what we were doing because we had not ordered anything in awhile. Then when our check came she said the only way she would split the check is if we did it ourselves snd she would come back to collect everything. Inbetween our meal and drinks she took at least 20mins to check on us and ask us if we would like another drink or dessert. We finally talked to the manager, but i do not recommend her as a waitress. Best of all after we were speakingbto the manager she went to another table of customers and blurted out that our table hated her. Im sorry but the comments that she made to us and others around us will never get me to step foot in there again. Beware of this waitress. She did not receive a tip from us!
(2)
Lori L.
Rude waitress. Asked if you could get the fried green beans as a side she said no so I said it's ok I don't want them. She did not listen and still brought them out and had an attitude when I said I told her I didn't want them unless I could get them as a side. Rude and unfriendly not worth your time. Unfortunate because this place used to be really great.
(1)
Bruno D.
I love this place. Great beer selection. Food is pretty good. Burgers are your best bet. Staff and peeps there are best. Ive been there for St. Patrick's Day and it is really a good time.
(4)
Kevin H.
Great place for a burger and beer. Terrific beer selection both on tap and bottles. I prefer to sit in the back and in the beer garden in the summer. Good service. Will be back next time in LaGrange.
(4)
Jessie Z.
Great food, great beer, great atmosphere (especially in summer on the patios).
(5)
Stacy R.
I love the beer selection! The burgers are pretty good and so is the fish and chips. I also like the bacon wrapped dates. I enjoy the outside seating in the summer and always feel relaxed sitting under an umbrella sipping a new beer. This is the place to bring people who like to try a new beer, I am never unhappy with the food, the service is great and there are so many beers, I try a different one every time I come here!
(4)
Torrey L.
Ah... The tragedy of Palmer Place. On paper, it looks perfect. Large, outdoor beer garden, dozens of mircobrews and specialty beers, house-made specialty burgers, lively pub in back... But it never works. They are frequently out of many of the beers on the menu. Even worse, they are usually "out" of some of their burgers. When they are available, the burgers are average. In fact, I would go as far as to say that everything on the menu is average at best. If I have something that blows me away, I'll be sure to let everyone know. The other problem is that the waitresses frequently have no knowledge of any of the beers they serve. Something may sound interesting on the menu, but the details are as much a mystery to the staff as they are to the customers. I would be content with smaller food and beverage menus if I knew that everything was in stock, and everything was coming out of the kitchen with care.
(2)
Mary T.
I received some sage advice from an ex-bf the first time I came here and now I'm passing it on to you (you can thank me later): Come prepared with at least 3 beer choices when you place your order, you may need it. As much as I hate to give him props his advice is spot on. I had just finished Kelly S. the story when our server returned to tell us they were out of Kelly's beer selection. I can't really fault them for keeping small quantities of the most uncommon beers, given the size of their beer menu (225) I can understand not wanting to risk letting large quantities of beer go skunk. I used to live 3 blocks from this place in my suburban days and it was my regular summer hangout. It's a solid place to kick back, relax, grab a bite and a beer. The awesome patio (aside from the beer selection) is the biggest draw. There's the ground level and rooftop and plenty of umbrellas protecting you from the sweltering sun. Palmer's won't win any awards for its menu. What I mean is that the food is solid, the portions generous, but don't expect any culinary masterpieces. I usually stick to sandwiches and veggie burgers and have yet to be disappointed. The tuna club is my favorite - a double decker club with swiss and cheddar that comes with a side; plenty of food for two meals. If you get the fries ask for a side of cheese sauce, it's so yummy and has a hint of jalapeno. Bottom line: Good food, good beer, reasonable prices, and bitchin' patio! TIP: I have no shame admitting that I'm a Miller Lite girl. Take my advice, don't miss the opportunity to try something different while you're here.
(4)
Raina B.
Overpriced, frozen food. The atmosphere was great, and I was really looking forward to our meal. However, my baked cod was soggy and obviously was freezer burnt, along with the fries my husband had. The mashed potatoes were excellent though! His portabella angus burger had something off with it - the mushroom was somehow soggy and the bread was hard. Overall just kinda bland and soggy. It was a Wednesday night.
(2)
Marilyn J.
Writing the review after going twice. The food was just ok and the servers just ok also. I think if the servers would have been a little more customer friendly I would have given 1 more star.
(2)
Candice G.
I would go as far as to say that Palmer Place has the best beer selection in the tri-suburban area. Oh, and burger selection. A friendly suburban place, that often has a wait to sit down... but for good reason. Their boneless wings make me want to go back to being a meat eater and their burger selection is one of the best I have ever seen! The place is big and they have an outdoor patio along with a rooftop patio for seating in the warmer months. I've only eaten outside because the inside has really annoying lighting and is cheap diner-y in a bad way. The staff aren't the greatest. The service is okay but a few times we've gotten some attitude. If you're an all male table, the female staff is more than willing to give you extra attention and flirt time. If you are a couple, you will defo be neglected. Again, the food here is AMAZING... defo deserves 5 stars but the sometimes pissy staff and poor interior take it down a star. I'd like to see some friendlier service... or maybe just more staffing. Sometimes I think the servers have too many tables and then develop the frustrated attitude... I waited tables for 10 years so I totally understand but on the other hand, I would like to see improvement.
(4)
Dan C.
Had a great time at Palmers today with team from work. Had a variety of cool beers, great service, and a visit from the owner. Place had a great crowd and we enjoyed it very much. Palmers is a classic place for getting together with friends and family. We'll be back soon!
(5)
Wesley S.
This review and rating is for the restaurant experience only, not for the bar. The menu selections are about what one would expect in an Irish pub. In terms of quality, the preparation of the dishes is neither good nor bad. Likewise, service is capable and unremarkable. In summary, this pub restaurant is unremarkable. ------- The Beer Garden, which is the outdoor seating area, is sizable and well away from Lagrange Road and the Burlington. It is a very fine place to eat and drink outdoors.
(2)
Simone P.
This is my favorite go to place when Im looking to get a great drink and a delicious meal. Every time I visit Palmer Place I enjoy that I have a pretty easy time finding a seat, but Id keep in mind that this place is a local favorite and could be packed on the weekend or game nights. Im not big on drinks or cocktails but the Palmer Place daquiris are the highlight of my visit. It has become my go to place for a relaxing dinner and drink. I definitely taste the value when I get to sip off the giant mountain of daquiri that stands on the glass. Not only are the mango and strawberry daquiris great, my boyfriend has actually found a local place with a great Manhatten. I am impressed! The employees are always nice, friendly and fast paced. The food is delicious, and I know fish and chips is pretty simple but it is SO GOOD. Yum, writing this review makes me want to come back sooner than my wallet can afford. The prices are very reasonable but of course the bill adds up after a few amazing daquiris. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Alison B.
If you're a beer fan, holy crap is this the place for you. TONS of them. If you just want some food, then, mehhhh, this place is fairly good. It's clean. The menus are totally tattered (ewww). They have several different rooms you can eat in, which makes you feel like you aren't in a huge restaurant. Waitstaff is attentive. Food is quick. Ostrich burger was delish! Tortellini Cesar salad, was 6/10--- it was huge, and lettuce was crisp and fresh, fresh grated parmesan on top, but the tortellini didn't taste very good and the dressing was too sour for me. Spinach Artichoke Dip was good-- not great. Came with fresh and warm pita bread, which was a nice touch. Nice that there are a lot of options for sides (potato- baked or mashed, chips, cottage cheese, fruit, potato salad). GET the potato salad--- yummmm. I think it's red potatoes, with eggs and green onion. Can't tell for sure because I was stealing from my husband's plate and he kept blocking me : ) Random: I dig the huge plastic glasses of ice water with fresh lemon. Lots of families there. I like the crayons at the table, and next time will order off the kids menu-- yum. Tons of TV's, and good speakers. Overpriced, but that's due to location. We'll be back.
(3)
Joann J.
Lived in Lagrange 35 years, been to Palmers 6 times, NEVER impressed, burgers ALWAYS overcooked, service slow, and why do waitresses insist on calling you "HON" or "GUYS" next to us were 4 older ladies and I know they were irked just as we were being refereed to either as guys or hon, the appetizers were horrible, tiny little cheese nuggets, couldn't figure out what the rest of the stuff was, very frozen isle generic , I had the grilled chicken pita, a flat tasting chicken breast on a flat tasting pita smothered with flat tasting peppers, my sister had a turkey club, the whole wheat bread was not toasted,turkey was sparse, the lettuce was SOOO finely chopped she was having a hard time picking it up, it was all over the table, WHY because the plate was tiny to make the meal look bigger, needless to say it was her 1st time and she loved the biergarten (atmosphere ) but will not go back, maybe if we par-took in the beer selection the food would be second, but we look for good food and decent service and neither were there................
(1)
Maureen E.
We were in the neighborhood and looking for a place to watch the home run derby. The best thing I can say is that they had flat screen TVs, two of which were on the derby. Our server couldn't have been less interested in us, and brought us our check without being asked, and when we asked for two more beers, she sighed, because clearly, she would have to redo our ticket. The food was lackluster, from any mediocre place in America. Interestingly enough, the person who provided the best service was the busboy, and I really wish we would have been able to tip him instead. I intend to call the restaurant and compliment him on his service level. Clearly he is used to picking up the slack for the bored college girl who is only waiting tables because her mom forced her to get a job for the summer. Should I find myself in LaGrange again, there has got to be a better watering hole with sports - maybe a TGI Fridays?
(2)
M C.
As an avid beer drinker, the promise of a beer garden was exciting, plus this restaurant was featured on Chicago's Best, which made the food enticing as well. Upon arriving, I noticed the long list of bottled beers and decent listing of draft beers. Unlike most beer gardens though, the beer listing did not give flavor descriptions, so I decided on a beer I had not heard of before and was disappointed to find it tasted like Coors Light. The second beer was a little better but I was a bit put off by the unexciting choices on the draft menu. Onto the food...my Benchmark burger was incredible. Just reading the menu's description was enough to make my mouth water: so many elements, so well-balanced. I would definitely recommend this burger to any new visitors, but this may be the obvious choice upon looking at the menu. I was surprised by the amount of burgers Palmer Place offered (a full menu page!), and I thought my choice would be difficult to make before the waitress asked for my order. When reading the other descriptions, none came close to the Benchmark burger (and perhaps that is ok since I would return to try it again), but it seemed as if the restaurant's efforts were focused on that burger and tapered off when conceptualizing the remaining burgers. Let me know your thoughts on this. My side, french fries, were the standard wedge cut that probably came from a frozen bag, which was fine, nothing special. Overall a decent experience and a great burger that I would come back for; however, that is the only draw for me.
(3)
Christine W.
When we moved to the area 15 years ago- PP was FANTASTIC! Loved the food, the service, the beer selection... we went about once a week. The past 5 years have seen a steady decline in food quality (to us). While they added other drinks to the menu (yeah!), their food is not as good as it used to be. On our most recent trip, the appetizers tasted slightly freezer burned, the burger was good (not great), and the salad was not very good at all. Unlike other reviewers, we have always had great service. We would go back for drinks, but I will wait awhile before returning here for food. There are too many other places in LaGrange with great food to go here. If someone else in our party suggests it, I won't turn it down- but I won't give it an endorsement until things go back up.
(2)
Trisha K.
I am a sucker for a beer garden with microbrews so I continue to come back to Palmer's and am regularly disappointed. The burgers are OK, although there's better down the street at Back Alley, but Palmer's has such a HUGE beer menu, which is the reason I go. The probelm is how many times I have to order 5 times before we find a beer they have in stock. Don't advertise a gazillion micro brews is you only actually carry 15. The service is also just OK. I have good and bad, slow and not as slow, but never great servers. They consistently don't seem to give a shit. My husband hates it, my daughter doesn't love it, but we keep going back for more unique beer. Maybe it's time for me to quit drinking!
(3)
Carrie P.
I would've written this review alot earlier but I was so shi* faced off the huge beer selection it took me about a day to even get home. Seriously though, the food here is great. They have so many different types of burgers and all of them seem creative and delicious. I say seem because I have not run the myriad of burgers they have on their list. Last time I have the Wagyu burger with cheddar and it was juicy and flavorful (and low in fat) LOVE IT! I also love a place that will boldly serve liver sausage on a sandwich..not just a normal sandwich...a club liver sausage sandwich......köstlich! Besides having a huge menu with great selections...they have tons of different beers from around the world...we basically started in Australia and made it to France before cashing out..... The prices are good and the rest is worth it...so get to Palmer's..and if it's nice out...sit in the beer garden and bring a friend who doesn't drink.
(4)
Ashley P.
Been coming here for MANY years..."many" as in the better part of my life. I've never had a bad burger here. They're always juicy and the cooks make it the way I like it (medium rare) every time. I recommend the Buffalo Style Burger and the Vermont Burger for tasty goodness. And yes, the beer selection is fantastic; one of the only places that carries Abita Restoration Ale in the area.
(4)
Will V.
This is one of the best places in downtown La Grange. I don't know how many afternoons I've spent drinking a few beers here. The selection is really quite amazing considering the location. There are few bars even in Chicago with this kind of beer selection. They have everything from American macros (yuck!) to Trappist beers (yum!). As Kate said, they have GUMBALLHEAD ON TAP!!!! The only negative, I think the quality of the food has gone down in the past year or so. I used to get the Kobe burger, and it was really amazing. I think they changed their food vendor recently, and the burger patties all look pre-formed, not like before. And they don't taste as good. Still, you can get some decent food, and it's not priced out of line. The service is generally excellent. The beer garden is really nice, and they have seating both downstairs and up on the roof. If you prefer to watch the game, they have plenty of televisions inside.
(4)
Kim R.
Normally, I would give Palmer's at least 4 stars but my most recent experience only deserves 2 and I'm being generous. As I walked in through the back entrance which most people do as their parking lot is located in the back, there were two bimbos smoking right by the door. There was no way avoiding their nasty smoke. You had to walk right through it. State law says, you must be 15 feet away from the door. Not these twits. I'm hoping the management will see the negative review but I will still write a letter to management. Otherwise, our service was good. I did have to ask twice for water and again for a box to take my left overs to go but this was not a huge negative. The food was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. They have a nice selection of beer. Probably over 100 choices. It's a mixed clientele from 20's to 50's, singles and familes. It's a good place for anyone. Other than the cancer crew at the door, all was good.
(2)
Ashley W.
This place had the chance to earn a 5 star rating, and probably would have gotten it, had they not told us that their Yelp Check-in Offer was not being accepted. We chose to stop by this restaurants for a couple of reasons. First, we were in the area and had heard good things about it, but secondly, we saw that if we checked-in, we got a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees which sounded great! Upon showing the waitress the coupon on our phone, she went to check with a manager to see if it could be used because she hadn't seen it before. The manager told her that the check-in offer was only good for February (today is March 5th). That's all fine and dandy, except they didn't bother to remove the offer from Yelp and that's really what brought us there in the first place. Now the good thing is that our waitress was friendly and the food was good, but we were definitely disappointed that they wouldn't honor the Yelp check-in offer.
(3)
Elliott D.
I've been going here for years and years, in fact, I was probably still playing with crayons the first time I came here. That said, nostalgia doesn't prevent me from making a fair assessment of the place. Let's begin with the postives. There is always a great selection of beer on tap with plenty of choices both foreign and domestic. There is also a good choice of bottled beers that can be hard to find elsewhere. I would say that the burgers are the highlight here in terms of food. I've had a little bit of everything on the menu but always come back to the burgers as my mainstay. They are almost always cooked to order and have a great selection of toppings beyond your standard bacon and cheese. The Kobe beef is particularly good. Also, the service is fairly consistent and the biergarten has a very laid back atmosphere. Now on to some of the not so good things about this place. With such a wide variety of bottled beers, some do not get selected often and so when they are ordered they already have gone bad. On more than one occasion myself or a friend has ordered a beer, the most recent being a Kentucky breakfast stout, that when brought out has a skunky taste because it's been sitting around too long. Also, the food is overpriced. I will continue to go to Palmer's because it is a great local place but I have watched beer and burger prices skyrocket over the past few years. I know that commodities are up but Palmer's has kept ahead of the cost of inflation. Also, for a place with such a great selection of beer, the waitresses are not very knowledgeable when it comes to making recommendations or pairings with food. I don't expect much but a little know-how goes a long way. To sum up, I will definitely go here again as it's a great place to hang out with friends and get a beer on a weekend, even if it has a few drawbacks.
(3)
Cristina T.
PP never disappoints. Their burgers are awesome, the beer list is huge and the atmosphere is casual. Usually on weekends and in the summer it can get pretty crowded, but once you get seated you are guaranteed to have a good time. On this occasion I had the Waldorf Salad with blackened chicken. The raspberry-balsamic dressing was perfectly balanced with the walnuts, apples and Gorgonzola cheese. The chicken was just a little spicy, juicy and delicious. Portions are large and prices are decent.
(5)
Logan S.
Oh Palmer you had me for several years but recently lost me. Not much has changed here, same decor, same menu offerings, same looking, albeit, friendly, wait staff. But wait, are there typos on your menu? Talk about inflation. Did the raw costs for food go up that much ? On a recent visit, two burgers (one was a veggie burger) and one bottled stout beer cost $30 including tip. These are not big old honkin burgers people. In the past, the wait for the garden was the norm. I can see why there was no problem getting a table in the patio on a Saturday night around 6:30. My veggie burger was different, made with oats. I thought it sounded interesting, but it looked commercial and straight from the freezer. It tasted bland, so thank goodness there was ketchup and mustard on the table. The potato was decent, but it's only a baked potato, Ray Charles could not mess up a baked potato. I wish I could comment on the other burger, but I did not get to try it. Palmer, offers a very nice beer garden and cozy interior. They have an extensive food and beer menu and work well for families, if they can afford it. Your best bet is to park in the back or across the street at the free parking garage. It's worth try, but honestly there is far too much being offered in the area to pay those prices.
(3)
Jenn C.
If you come here, I would concentrate on ordering one of their burgers. The choices are somewhat wide and creative. The other food items are average but not bad. Service is ok. It's an easy spot for a good old pub style place that you can bring your kids to go eat or have a beer with your burger. Not much else to say...
(3)
Ben B.
The benchmark burger was good, but I honestly liked the belgium burger better. WOW what a beer selection, and the burgers were sooo good. We had the fried green tomatoes as well, which were quite tasty. The Onion rings were great too. Ohhhh fried food, how I love thee!
(5)
Brett C.
Definitely a fan of Palmers. Great casual laid back atmosphere. The food is good and service is also very good. The best feature is it's expansive beer list. Not sure how many they actually have but you will find a beer for any taste or occasion. The beer list list is printed on both sides of the menu and choosing becomes the problem. Great local hang out with a large outdoor patio for warmer weather. Keep up the good work.
(4)
Judas L.
Great beer, amazing pub food, amazing wait staff, what more could you ask for? Amazing hot wings and a beautiful beer garden, wish granted! Stop in for great food, great beer, great service!!!
(4)
Larry C.
I usually love this place, but not tonight. Kept tasting hints of chocolate with my blackened burger. I love chocolate, but not on a burger. I've had that item before, but it never tasted like this. Ordered a beer when I sat down. It wasn't cold at all. The waitress never asked if I wanted another. I was hoping to kill some time before a movie, but couldn't wait to get out of there. The gentleman that seated me didn't even offer a "thank you" as I passed by him at the door. Overall tonight...one star.
(1)
alicia b.
Beer,beer,beer and more beer! This place has the mother load of beer! I didnt know what to choose or where to start...Germany,Austria,Denmark etc....... My group decided that we would each get a different beer and taste test which worked out pretty well since I dont mind sharing. The draft options are sort of weak but the bottle options are insane! I didnt eat and to tell you the truth I only entered the restaurant to use the bathroom which by the way was very clean for those of you who care. Anyways the inside is not where you want to hang out in the summer anyhow, the patio is huge-mungus with tons of tables with umbrellas so if you come on a night like we did you will be somewhat sheltered from the rain. There is also a big A rooftop patio area that you can hang out on! I highly suggest you visit in the summer,chill on the patio and drink a couple beerzies.
(4)
Patty S.
Rating Scale: 5 stars for the outside patio with atmosphere, 2 1/2 stars for their bar food, and 1 star for their waitstaff service. I've been coming to Palmer's for many many years (both pleasure and work-related). The service has always been great (a little slow at times, but never that bad to stop going). I'm not sure if management has changed over the years, but our last visit was a disaster! We ordered the simplest thing on the menu: Guiness and fish & chips. Why on earth did our meal take 45 minutes to come to us? All you have to do is take the frozen cod out of the freezer and dunk it in the fryer. What does that take? Like 5 minutes tops? It was probably sitting under the heat lamps for 30 minutes before it was served. To top it off, our waitress was rude throughout our entire visit. It's too bad, I enjoyed going there to sit outside and relax with friends. There are way too many other places I can go to do just that.
(2)
Will M.
One of the best outdoor beer gardens around! Like 50 beers on tap. Great burgers and sandwiches. Nice casual place.
(3)
Karen B.
While Palmer Place is out of our way, my friends and I go there often for the beer selection, good food, and great atmosphere. Their selection of both bottled beers and draft beers is downright obscene. We've gone there several times, and the service is always great, too. We've gotten tables in all parts of the place- including their outdoor tent when it's colder. I will say, the tent was nice and warm, but kept leaking on our heads a bit. Perfect for large groups, though. Otherwise, we love usually eating outside, particularly on the upper deck. Their prices are quite reasonable for food, but they don't list the prices of their beers on their massive list printed on tabloid. Only downside to that is you may just accidentally order a brew that's a good $11 for a bottle. Palmer Place's servers are always on the ball and really know their menu AND beer selection, which is quite impressive. They have good recommendations off a list that can seem intimidating to those of us that are satisfied with a Miller Lite on a regular day.
(5)
Edward B.
Wow. I took college buddies who were passing through town yesterday. I wanted a place with decent food and a good beer selection and a casual, not loud atmosphere so that we could talk without yelling. Palmer Place was a home run. We each had the original Palmer Place cheeseburger and it was great. The beer selection was absolutely amazing, especially for such an accessible place in the suburbs. 36 beers on tap??? Great. They had Three Floyds Alpha Klaus on tap - absolutely stunning. I'll be back for sure. Four stars only because the burgers are a tiny, tiny bit pricey. The beer prices? Really good, though.....OK, I'm changing it to five stars :)
(5)
Joseph M.
They have a long beer menu but they don't necessarily have them in stock. I tried to order eight different beers but they didn't have any of them. I ended up with a water instead. The food is good though.
(2)
Mike S.
I used to go to Palmer's all the time in high school, and their patio is one of the better beer gardens in the Southwest Burbs. That being said, it's still a solid place for an after work drink, but it seems to have lost a step. While meeting a friend for happy hour/dinner I ordered a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which was alright, but not as good as I remember. It wasn't as spicy, the chicken was a little more overcooked, and the bun fell apart in my hands. It was filling, and wasn't bad, but really wasn't anything to write home about either. It's also a little more expensive than it probably warrants. A microbrew, a Guinness, and a very average chicken Sandwich set me back nearly $25. The one thing I will give them credit for is putting a tent over the Beer Garden in late fall/winter, which certainly sterilizes the surroundings, but also expands capacity significantly. Likewise, their beer selection is much bigger than I remembered, so I ordered a particularly hoppy beer I'd never had before, then retreated to a trusty Guinness. Parking is a BIG challenge. The nicknack shops that used to dominate downtown LaGrange have faded a bit, and new restaurants and bars have taken over, making parking in downtown LaGrange at a premium. Budget at least 10-15 minutes to find a parking spot if going at rush hour.
(3)
Ryan W.
The food here was pretty good, and I chose to go the Texas BBQ burger route along with some onion rings. The burger used Texas toast instead of a regular bun, and their BBQ sauces was actually quite tasty. I should have had a little bacon thrown on to make it perfect, but any BBQ burger lover will find comfort in this hearty meal. The onion rings are worth the $0.75 "upgrade". Judging by their menu selection I'd say that burgers is a strong focus of this restaurant, and they have some unique combination including various types of buns. I even saw one that came on a pretzel bun if that is something that would interest you, but for me the Texas toast was a nice touch. For the two burgers we got the bill came to about $22 (without anything other than the burgers, and not including the tip). Note: Their Yelp check-in offer still says it is valid and makes you think it can be redeemed, but it is only for the month of Feburary 2011 as of this writing.
(4)
Charlotte B.
After eating at Palmers many times, I've finally stopped trying. The service is inconsistent and server turnover is high. The food can be good but I've never been impressed. I had a terrible experience waiting 45 minutes for a burger and when I asked to speak to a manager, he/she wouldn't come to my table! Never again. Great beer selection, average burgers, and coin flip service.
(2)
cassie r.
O.M.G. I'm lamenting the fact I did not know this restaurant existed when I lived just a few short minutes away last year...oh, how I would have frequented this place at least two dozen times by now if I had. My fam and I visited this little gem last night at the recommendation of my boss - and I'm so glad we did. We got seated right away (on a Saturday at 6:30 p.m. nonetheless), and the server was attentive throughout the evening. First, I loves me some beer. And their beer list is of novel-like proportions (though not quite to the Map Room's extent, but close). I love a place that offers a ton of beers you've never heard of before - it makes picking just one so much more fun. I ended up with Surley's Furious (eh) and a Samichlaus (Austrian beer - brewed once a year on December 6th, then aged nearly a year in oak barrels)...definitely worth a try. Now, this place has a bevy of food selections for anyone's palates, but they're apparently well-known for their burgers (Ostrich anyone)? I ended up ordering the Greek Pita Burger (pita bread, burger meat, tzatziki sauce and feta cheese). Awesome combo. Palmer's also has a ton of options for sides, so there's a good chance everyone will leave pleased. I definitely did.
(4)
Eric Y.
Friendly neighborhood place. Get the fried green beans with wasabi dipping sauce. They're better than fries!
(3)
Solida N.
When I first visited my boyfriend's family, they took me here. The food is average and I wasn't a huge fan. My second visit here a year later... and I still felt the same way. To add, the waitress forget stuff we asked for... Which is annoying because it delay's our eating and the food gets cold. But to make it up she brought us all pickles =) But it looks like a nice place to come and drink with friends.
(3)
Dorothy S.
I have changed my mind, especially now that I go here every other week. Service is better and you can get the veggie burger prepared in any way that a regular meat burger is prepared so the possibilities are (almost) endless. The blackened tuna ceasar salad is good too. Ditto on the salmon salad.
(4)
Ray N.
This place is beer heaven. They have over 2 dozen on tap, and well over a hundred more on bottles. The beer menu alone is on a double-sided, over-sized sheet of paper with one side devoted to US brews and the other from around the world. And they aren't super-expensive, either... Well-done, guys. As for the food, the whole back page of the menu is full of 30 or so burgers. They come with a side. many of them look really good, but some are head-scratchers. The rest of the menu is pretty typical - chicken, beef, and so on. They all look good, so if you have a hard time deciding, you're in trouble. We were lucky and beat the rush by about 10 minutes, so our appetizers were served pretty quickly. Our server was friendly and offered a couple of beers similar to one I requested that they were out of. They are a bit pricey on the food end, but I suppose they have to make up the cost somewhere on the beers. My only real complaint is that the beer list almost seems like overkill - something I never thought I'd say. If you want to try something different besides the old Bud or Goose Island, you're going to need a good 15 minutes just to read through the beer menu before deciding. They do have a beer cocktail list too, with ingredients, so you can try some of that.
(4)
Joanne W.
This is another place I miss from my days of working in downtown LaGrange. This was a frequent lunch & after work gathering place for myself and co-workers. I'd give this a 3 1/2 star rating but since I can't it gets a three. Very extensive beer list - it's huge. They do serve wine now - this was strictly a beer only place at one time. They also have a nice patio out back which gets quite busy in the warmer months. I also thought there was a rooftop patio....but I could be wrong on this. There is a alot of seating in the restaurant - the front is mostly booth seatin and then there are a couple additional rooms with tables - which is nice for large groups. The bar is in the back with additional tables. They food is OK...it's not spectacular but i think it's pretty decent bar food. They have a good burger menu. I will admit I usually get one of two items on the menu....the black n blue burger (cajun seasoned burger with grilled onions, blue cheese on garlic texas toast - yum!) or the triple decker BLT which is loaded with an insane amount of bacon...mmmm, bacon. I've had wings and some other apps before - eh, it's nothing special but will do the trick if you have a hankering to go with your cold beer while enjoying the game. They also do a big to-do for St. Pat's - setting up a tent in the parking lot located behind the outdoor patio. I almost forgot....soda! Soda lovers will appreciate they they serve, orange soda, red cream soda & green river! A solid place to hang for a few and definitly worth checking 0ut for the beer list alone.
(3)
Stephen S.
We went on a Saturday at 11:30am for lunch. I think our experience was impacted by the fact they were sooo busy. There was a girls soccer tournament nearby, evidently, as there were several teams at the restaurant. Palmers was slammed. Even then, all the staff was working hard. The group had fish and chips, Wagyu burger, regular burger, and I had the Palmer steak sandwich. The steak was ok, but overcooked, and I just ate the steak and not the bun. I think we all enjoyed the food and beer. There were plenty of choices of beer. Maybe I will go to this place again, but I am sure I wouldn't make a drive to go there specifically.
(3)
Maria S.
I have been going here for years. My favorite part is the beer garden. The food is typical pub food. I usually get the German club which is awesome, but this last time I went with the gourmet burger for 14.95. Didn't mind spending that much because they do have amazing hamburgers, but this one was not for me. It was so messy and I didn't care for all of the ingredients on it. Others may like it, but I did not. As far as service go, it is hit or miss. This time we had Nina and she was great. All in all if you like beer and burgers this is the place to go.
(4)
Shain C.
I think this place can be defined as a gastro pub... which is to say that it's a bar with good food and a good beer list. The atmosphere inside can feel a bit cramped, but the beer garden is very large. The wife and I sit at the small bar when we have to sit inside. The wait staff is generally attentive. And the menu seems to be updated rather frequently and offers "bar food" with a gourmet twist. I would recommend skipping the fried green tomatoes... way too thin and flavorless... But I would highly recommend the Allen Brother's meats. I recently had a steak sammich that I wanted to make love to, but there were kids around. Speaking of, this is LaGrange, so there are kids wherever you go, and Palmer Place is no exception. Overall it's the best place to sample a few beers and have a good meal in a laid back environment in downtown LaGrange.
(4)
Karen C.
After an afternoon spent walking around Brookfield Zoo I decided on Palmer's to enjoy an early dinner with a few friends. We arrived about 4:30pm on a Monday and headed straight to the back patio area. There were perhaps two other tables of patrons at that point so we had our pick of tables and settled in. The back patio is relatively large and decently spread out. We started with a Party of Four appetizer which included four potato skins, four chicken tenders, and four cheese sticks and was around $13 and is what you'd expect of bar food. Then the main course arrived. Among us we ordered Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad, Black and Blue Burger, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and Three Cheese Mushroom Burger. I had the Mushroom burger and found there to be too much cheese, far too many mushrooms, and the meat itself to not be that amazing (which may be why they piled everything else on). Everyone else found their meal to be dull but edible. Nothing to write home about and for what they charged for some items I would have expected more. Other things: the restrooms were clean, well stocked, and they have these super powerful hand dryers which kind of freak me out and fascinate me at the same time. For an outside seating area, it was well kept, had extra napkins and condiments available in the center, and quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The waitress was prompt and friendly although she must have been somewhat new as she didn't know what brand of Root Beer they served and seemed unfamiliar with the beer selection.
(2)
Anthony B.
I've been coming to Palmers for years now. As most review state, great beer selection. A little pricey for domestic beers I feel ($4.75) but not unbearable either. The only thing I ever order here is the veggie burger. They make an excellent one here. Lots of people complain about the quality of the food, but if you stay away from the meat, it's pretty alright. The owners are dogs and only hire semi-cute to semi-hot waitresses and they all have huge boobs. I dated a girl that worked here and she said the owners are perverts and walk fine line between creepy and sexual harrasement. Whatever. I like boobs so what do I care. The service is always medicore, but it's just a local place, so it's really not that bad. Over all, 3 stars.
(4)
Maggie R.
This is the spot to go to when you want a quick dinner and a nice cold beer to go along with it. They have a ton of different beers from all over the world and their beer-on-tap is also huge. Their pulled-pork sandwich is phenomenal.
(5)
Kate P.
We came here last night to enjoy the evening out on their patio. It was a fantastic night to be outside relaxing with friends, enjoying the weather, and drinking a beer or two. I had their southwest chicken wrap which was a tasty choice and a side of their fantastic onion rings. To drink I had my first taste of Three Floyd's Gumballhead, since it was on tap and I must admit, I'm now addicted. It's crisp, refreshing and light, with a fine wheaty aftertaste. The perfect way to end a wonderfully warm and relaxing evening.
(4)
Antonio U.
Great place with lots of beer options, about 20 different burger options, tons of other menu options, lots of tv's, an outdoor patio plus beer garden, in beautiful downtown La Grange...what more can you ask for?!!! The best part is that it's not quite a sports bar and not quite a restaurant so it's perfect for both having a few beers w/the guys and going to lunch with the family. Not a whole lot of places like this.
(5)
Liz W.
I've been here on numerous occasions and I have come to the conclusion that this place is just alright. They have a pretty huge menu with tons of beer options as well as mixed drinks. On my most recent trip I decided to try the burger with fries. Since my bf worked here back in high school he told me that the burger was frozen =/ big disappointment. I ordered my burger well done and it was pretty dry. It had some maple glaze, cheese, and some flimsy bacon. You can choose numerous side options, but I chose the fries and they were probably frozen. The bf had the wings and those were pretty good. I would probably only come here for drinks and apps.
(3)
Ann G.
It is a good place to have a few beers. The food is just ok bar food and much better burgers and fries, etc. can be had at numerous places close by.
(2)
Kelly S.
In the wise words of Mary T. - 'Pick 4 beers cause the chance that they will be out of 3 is probable.' I was really looking forward to a Victory Moonglow. Alas, out. For being an establishment with such a hearty beer list, I would expect the wait staff to be more knowledgeable about beer. Alas, neighborhood high school seniors or perhaps 21 somethings with little to no beer knowledge. The waitress was literally speechless and unable to make me a recommendation for an alternative. Still... the massive amount of outdoor seating and beautiful beer list keep me coming back.
(4)
Jessica E.
Palmer's is everything you want it to be. The beer list is extensive, as is the knowledge of the bartenders. They also know their way around a good cocktail. Everyone is friendly and willing to help with any questions you may have. There are tables, booths, and even a beer garden around back. Don't underestimate their appetizers! They are large and delicious. Also, open later than your typical La Grange eatery. Yum.
(5)
Stacey K.
Not sure why it's taken me more than 2 years to write about this place. Palmer's Place, that is. Just the kind of establishment that every "Mayberry-esque" town must have. I'm upset that some the reviewers below (none of whom are local to La Grange mind you) have rated the burgers poorly. They are perfectly cooked just to your liking patties of beefy goodness all complimented perfectly with various toppings and just the right bun. Try the Olive Burger, Breakfast Burger, and Gourmet Burger. They also serve up tasty appetizers, lots of good sandwiches and then of course there's the 2,492 different beers they offer. Another nice point is the different seating areas. There's a cozy area by the fireplace off to the side of the front area, nice booths and warm lighting up front, or sit at the bar or in the bar area and watch the game. This is what me and the husband did yesterday (Sunday) after spending 2 miserable hours raking leaves and freezing our butts off. We went to Palmer's for nachos, soft warm pretzel bites and a couple Wiess beers. Sat at the bar and watched football. Purr-fect!!
(4)
Kelly D.
Beer, Beer, Beer.
(4)
Ryan N.
If you're in the LaGrange area and you're looking for some really good bar food, Palmer's is the place. The atmosphere is what I like best because no matter what time of year you go, tou can really get a lot out of the place. In the summertime you can sit out in their beer garden and soak in that aspect, or if its the dead of winter you can hang out in their bar area which will most certainly have your favorite sporting event playing. Even if you are coming with your family you can ask to be seated in the front of the restaraunt, which is a much more laid back atmosphere (not to say that Palmer's is every out of control). I would advise to avoid the early evenings on the weekend. In my experience this is when the high school crowd is hanging out around the restaurant. Food for thought!
(4)
Trey M.
This place is La Grange! You see everyone when you at Palmer Place. The food is good, the atmosphere is great. The beer garden is awesome! Great burgers!
(5)
Brent S.
Palmers patio in the t-shirt and shorts seasons is the place to be! The beer selection is nothing short of jaw-dropping. They just expanded their burger menu and I am here to tell you the 5 or so burgers I have had here have all sucked a big one, patty is always burnt and tastes like old griddle. As long as you can stay away from the burgers the other menu categories are OK. Seriously the only redeeming value of this joint is the outdoor patio with friends and family. Dessert menu is also lacking, maybe 5 options and they all end in cake or pie.
(2)
Rebecca H.
Consistently good food, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and icy cold beer combine for thumbs up experiences every time. Harp on tap and a reuben is a treat. Their corned beef is spot-on and lean. None of that nasty stuff you have to cut out or worse, pick away with your fingers! The feeling is fun and welcoming. Grest place to bring friends or just "for two." Don't get the knocks on food others have posted - the steak sandwich, various club sandwiches and sides (excellent, non-gloppy potatoe o salad) are all done well.
(4)
James W.
Having lived in LaGrange for ten years I've been a frequent Palmer customer. I am dismayed to have been witness to its decline in service and quality of food over the past two years or so. After it's expansion a couple years ago now, it seems that the kitchen can't keep up with the number of customers it crowds in. The food quality has steadily decreased along with the quality and sense of urgency of the wait staff. One of the hosts - "Gus" has always been a great and gracious guy, but this doesn't make up for the ineptitude and overall smug attitude of much of the wait staff. Hearing that the owners have been involved in some shenanigans of ethically questionable LGBA activites also leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
(2)
Amy B.
I have grown up going to Palmer place. I was there in December and had a horrible experience due to a horrible server. Thank god for the awesome lady manager who saved our visit. I came back to Palmer this past week i was so pleased with our experience this time. The same manager lady stopped by and said hi and we also had the best server ever!! I would totally want her again as my server!! The food was amazing like i remembered and the pear ale beer was delicious!!!
(4)
Brandon P.
Amazing just amazing burgers delicious especially the ultimate,, try the wells banana bread beer amazing!!!!!!
(5)
Christine P.
This place gets threestarts for one reason and one reason only - service on Friday's needs major improvement! The food is fantastic, and once you can get a table, it's a great time. The beer list has never disappointed me. But the service when they're busy, gah! The seating for each section (front, back, and patio) is ALL first come, first served for each section. I waited one time for 20 minutes before I was acknowledged by the host. I think they have sections on the weekend, but it's incredibly messy. Once a table is secured, and the order has been placed, however, it doesn't take long for food to arrive. I'd love to come back, but not on a weekend night!
(3)
Carol K.
I have been to Palmers several times and each time have left wondering why I come back. And tonight was no different. Palmer's is located in downtown LaGrange and could be a really good neighborhood bar. The best thing about it in the summer is the huge outdoor beer garden- although I must say that the exhaust from the kitchen that spews in the garden makes it difficult to enjoy your food. Also- since the beer garden faces the back parking lot- it's basically like sitting in a parking lot drinking a beer- tailgate party anyone? The food is typical bar food but it never seems to come out of the kitchen hot and fresh so I took a star off of the review. Beware- if you order an appetizer- almost all are deep friend. On the positive side- they do have an extensive beer list and the servers are friendly. It also appears that everyone knows each other at this place- greeting each other by name as they wait for their tables. If you are out in LaGrange- stop by. It's probably one of the better places on this strip of La Grange Road. But I wouldn't make a special trip.
(2)
Kimberley D.
Don't go here for the food. Ordered beef nacho's and the waitress said sorry, out of beef, was a busy weekend. REALLY???? Switched to cheese quesadilla which came with frozen guacamole. Where's the sour cream and salsa. Had an Allen Brothers burger which you pay $4.00 more for, was not even close to a half pound as stated. My friend ordered the Mayor of Manheim, Allen Brothers Steak Sandwich. Hmmmm, was definitely NOT Allen Brothers. We order meat from Allen Brothers on a regular basis so I know what it should taste like. Spent alot of money and was very disappointed. Won't be back.
(1)
John M.
I was recently in Chicago for a wedding and had lunch at this place. The beer selection was awesome and the bartender knew his stuff. But for a place that is known for it's "award" winning burgers, they sucked. You can not be an "award" winning burger joint if you use frozen patties. A burger is not good because you top it with a bunch of shit to mask the bland taste of a frozen patty.
(2)
Serena C.
They do have a large selection of beers; if anything go for the beer. The have a nice outdoor seating area for those warm summer nights. Our friends really like this place, so we went one night to try it out. You get to seat yourself in this place. We were waited on quite quickly after sitting down, bc the waitress saw us sitting in her area. Having said that, the night we went the service was absolutely terrible. After she took our order, we didn't see her until about an hour later when we were receiving our food. On top of the lack of service, the food was cold by the time we got it so we sent it back. I can understand when a place is busy, but the time our food was done by the time we got it was ridiculous. When we received our check we went up to the register to pay ourselves, we weren't going to wait another 30 mins to finish up there. The food was nothing spectacular to write home about and bit too pricey considering the service we received.
(2)
Patrick G.
Palmer Place is an outdoor beer garden first. As for the interior, the front dining area has this 70s basement; wood paneling sort of feel. Not in a cool retro-hipster way but in a "man this place is stuffy" sort of way. The interior rear back by the only 12 foot long or so bar is more open and airy and updated -- so that helps. This place should not be labeled as a bar. Please note my mention of the 12 footer above. Its a summer time happy hour beer garden. For that it is great. The food is only okay -- I would never seek the food out. Well, except the onion rings. Definitely get the onion rings. Other than the rings, the substantial menu has nothing with a signature on it. I would rather they cut the food menu in half and have something memorable on it. If indoors and just having a drink sit at the, albeit very small, bar. The bartenders know their stuff and are very friendly. If you have to get a table, brace yourself because 1 out of every 3rd waitress is either standing around texting all her BFFs (figuratively) or is just plain bad at her job (not figuratively). This joint gets its stars for its open beer garden, its fine beer selection and its knowledgeable bartenders only. Also the onion rings.
(3)
Rosie D.
I've been here once in the winter for a date and just recently this summer for dinner. Both expiriences were very good. The food comes in huge portions and is delicious. The drinks were good (although I'd suggest staying away from the mai-tai cause it has a funky after taste). The service is good. The staff doesn't really have a dress code so it's kind of weird seeing teenagers just coming up to your table saying what's up. The beer garden is awesome. Even though there's not much scenery because it faces the parking lot. But it's huge and spacious, and if you go at the right time it's def a fun place to people watch. Of course this place is known for its beer. It's beer menu is more impressive then it's food menu. My suggestion is to go there and try a new beer, eat some hot wings, and enjoy the beer garden or roof top while its still warm.
(4)
D D.
Been to Palmer Place several times over the last 5 years. We've always had tasty quality food and the service has always been very good. Some servers have more personality than others, but all of them have been attentive. My fave is the Kobe burger ... Med Rare ... lil blue cheese & raw onion ... I'm a happy boy. Their beer list is quite large & features a nice variety of beers from around the world. But be prepared ... you may have to go w/ a second choice because alot of the beers they feature are in limited supply. In the dozen or so times I've been to Palmer Place, I think they've had my first choice for a beer 4 times. No biggie - plenty of other stuff to choose from. The place is usually busy, but we've never had a problem getting a table. Granted, haven't been there on a Fri. or Sat. night - but it's a big place with plenty of seating.
(4)
Jeff K.
its an easy place to be on a weeknight. having said that the food is mediocre. its a good place to drink and be loud, but if you are looking for good food, this aint it.
(2)
Michael M.
I have been going to Palmer's for quite a long time. I love the food, the beer and the atmosphere. I remember when they didn't even have a full bar and that was ok with me because it allowed them to really focus on the beer from everywhere. The food is great though I will admit I usually only get the reuben, the german club, or a burger. They have a ton of burgers now and they are all good. The main reason I didn't give this place the 5 stars I wanted to is because of the service my friend and I got the other day. Usually the staff is pretty good, friendly and engaging. Our server barely looked us in the eye, got my order wrong (no, I didn't say anything it was just a mixup of fries instead of my onion rings), and though we tried talking to her and joke around she didn't seem to care. It was quite apparent that she was looking at the wall behind us when we were ordering our beer and when she came back to check. I will definitely go back but the service needs to be better for that final star.
(4)
Slugs A.
One of the greatest beer lists that I have ever seen and the beer garden is a perfect spot to hang out in the summer. The food is alright. Nothing special there.
(3)
Michael G.
Waited for 15 minutes for someone to at least acknowledge we were there. Two waitresses walked by several times but never even said they would be with us in a moment. We were not going to this place lately because of the bad service and this just confirms it ...the staff has a bad attitude. There are plenty of other restaurants in LaGrange with much better service so just stay away from this place.
(1)
Charlie J.
If you want a fantastic burger (pretty much any possible way you could imagine) a beer (a nice long list) and a game on TV, this is probably as good a place as any. It some times takes a little longer to get the food on the tables than you'd like and the wait staff is often young...so a bit flighty sometimes. But the atmosphere is cozy, not too loud, and a great place to chill for an afternoon.
(3)
Adrian W.
People talk about this beer selection like it was the best in the Chicago-land area. Quencher's on Fullerton&Western has a larger selection. But in La Grange, this is good enough. I never understood beer gardens, especially fancy ones. You sit outside and drink. I guess be seen as well. After a round of golf, you can grab your golfing buddies and bring them here rather then drink on the 19th hole. But here, there's two and a half levels of beer garden'ing (there's a two step up level, as well as a balcony that gives the patrons an eye full of middle age'd cleavage on a toasty day) I digress. This place gets pretty packed. I mean, Saturday, at 5.30p, we barely found a table outside. Hypocrite? Thy name is Adrian W. So we sat outside and looked over the beer menu. I order a draught and it came out in a little plastic cup. Dismayed, i ordered a much heralded Belzebuth. This beer from France was quite the gem. A blond ale that kicks in at 13% and actually tasted good. Sure it only came in at 8.3 oz, but once you finished it, your taste buds were over joyous. Yes they have domestics here, but that's lame if you come here, a place known for their drinks and have a domestic. They also had Sam Adams' Triple Chocolate Bock Vintage (1997) but ran out the DAY BEFORE. So yeah the food? i'd eat someplace else before I order here. I got the ribeye steak, medium done with their horseradish potatos and cole slaw. The cole slaw was standard fare, a little bit too tangy. Potatos were all right. The rib eye was half fat. .... half fat. And even that half meat, not great! She got the garden burger that was more bun than anything else. The twenty bucks or so spent on food could have easily filled us up elsewhere. Parking can be a pain. This is downtown La Grange where street parking is minimal for over two hours, as well as finding a spot in the lots are hard to come by. As much as I hate to say this, downtown Naperville should be looked at by these planners, after all, it looks mimicked. Two 4 floor garages on opposites sides can make this mess easier to deal with. In short, come for the beers after a nice stomach filler from somewhere else.
(2)
Luan N.
Really lively and spacious place. They have live entertainment in the back rooms. Pretty extensive beer list, but... 1. I have seen longer beer lists 2. I looked up Quencher's through Adrian W.'s review and felt Quencher's list was better thought out and was more appealing. 3. Some of the prices on the brews were outrageous. 4. They didn't have the Cooper's beer that I wanted to try. 5. That was hands down the worst Kobe burger I have ever had in my life. According to Palmer website: "Wagyu beef boasts heavy marbling (no), rich flavor (not here), and unique texture ( Yes, I couldn't tell if it was imported roadkill from Kobe)." Even if you cross bred Wagyu with a possum, I don't think it could have been this bad :(
(2)
Christopher R.
For the beer alone-4.5 stars. I knock them half a star because they've actually gotten worse in the bottle selection (but better in the drafts) over the past few years. Hard to be too criticial when they have little real competition in town. The summer crowds are the most fun in the area. Outdoor drinking where you are guaranteed to run into someone you know. Unfortunately, the food is precisely that bland, good-but-average bar fare that is the bain of surburban restaurants everywhere. Exhibit A: the boneless buffalo wings. Weak. Sauce. The corned beef is worthy, but not the best near a city known for it.
(4)
Alan L.
I have been coming here for years. Everything you order her is delicious above anything that can be said. I have brought my college buddies here, my family from out of town and each time we have visitors from out of town they want to go back to Palmer's. On a busy night, well every night, the place is hopping. Especially in the summer. There is an outside beer garden and tables for outdoor dining for the warm months. The service is fast, accurate and in the last 17 years or so, I have never sent anything back. Terrific place for conversation with friends and/or family. The portions are just right. The meals are very reasonable, but lately a little on the expensive side since La Grange added some additional taxes. Yes Chicago residents, we have tax hungry politicians in the burbs also. I cannot say enough. Not only is Palmer's a terrific place to eat with a family, bring friends, or a date, they are very involved in the community. They willingly support the Boy and Girl Scouts along with the Little Leagues in La Grange. Terrific first place date also. I proposed to my girlfriend now my wife 22 years ago here. To miss PALMER'S Restaurant while in La Grange visiting ought to be a felony! 5 stars all the way.
(5)
Katie W.
I really enjoy this place! It's casual and low key and has a HUGE beer garden in the back, with patio and rooftop seating. The menu is huge (not including the broad beer selection). There really is anything you would want on the menu. The prices are very reasonable and my service has always been speedy and friendly. It is a nice place to relax outside and enjoy the weather.
(4)
Michelle Marie R.
Four stars simply because of the massive beer selection. An entire menu of beer from all over the world! The patio in the summer is huge...and awesome. Laid back and mellow place great for conversations with friends!
(4)
mei s.
For people who eat out almost every night, I don't know why we don't eat here more often. It's a great neighborhood restaurant. They have plenty of fried appetizers, salads, burgers, ribs, etc. And a lot of beer to choose from. And girly drinks. Like the mango margarita my husband ordered. I had the caesar burger on a ciabatta with onion rings (the real kind, not the minced onion version) and he had the mayor steak sandwich, which i wanted. It's a nice place to hang out with an awesome outdoor beer garden. Plenty of people watching and yet perfect for little kids too.
(3)
Joe S.
A friend that grew up in town also grew up on Palmers. Family bar and restaurant environs, very casual. A note on our waitresses back said that she loves Steve. She must really love him I guess. Well over two hundred beers from the four corners of the earth and a few places in between. Noteable was the German Club on dark rye but I was torn between that and several other menu items. People seem to like the burgers.
(4)
John D.
This is a cumulative review from my last couple of visits. Palmers has steadily declined over the years. The beer list is extensive- BUT- is not updated to reflect what is actually on hand, so make sure you have a few in mind when ordering. The beer menu is printed on computer paper, so not updating to reflect stock is just plain lazy. Waitstaff is friendly, atmosphere is good- very nice beer garden. Food? VERY inconsistent. A couple of $15 award winning burgers came way overcooked. A couple in our party were going to split a burger, and the cook cut it in half and sent it way overcooked. How could he not notice or care? Sent em back, something we never do, and they came back- way overcooked yet again. Can't cook your award winning burger medium on two attempts? Don't notice or care when halving it... twice? Bad sign. Wine was skunky on last two visits, apps are either spot on or awful...This place was THE place to go over the last decade or two for a good burger and cold one, but I have no idea what happened over the last year or so. The cooks are sloppy and obviously just punching the timecard. With so many better, more consistent options along the same strip, we won't be returning- which is kind of a bummer because it used to be great... I went from telling friends how great this place is to telling them to AVOID....
(1)
Eddie H.
Great food and great beer. Love the outside area in the summer
(5)
Mark K.
I went to Palmer Place with my now ex a few weeks back. The food was borderline inedible. She was only able to take a few bites of her burger. The appetizers were a little burned as well. It all worked out in the end because I went home, got drunk, and ate both of our meals. They tasted fine then hahaha.
(2)
Jonathan O.
It has such a huge selection of burgers and beer you'll probably get a headache staring at the menu and trying to make a decision.
(5)
Padme A.
The best place for variety of food, beers and BURGERS! The have a drink menu that is something like 4 pages long filled with just beers from around the world. Best burger I've had so far. It called the Black and Blue "Wagyu" beef burger. It's a japanese cut of steak like no other. Melts in your mouth. It comes with Blue Cheese and Blackening seasoning. So tasty. They also have a great outdoor patio and roof top in the summer months. Only complaints: the wait, almost always a guarantee, but still worth it. Also, the wait staff are all over the place. It would be nice if they concentrated on just a couple tables at a time. Also, while they have a gazillion brews from around the world, they seem to be out of them a lot. Maybe it's just the one's I ask for, but still. Finally, some beer prices are insanely high.
(4)
Aurore L.
Once upon a time, Palmer Place was my ultimate destination when I was craving a burger. That was before Kuma's and all the addiction problems that followed...but at the time living in Oak Park, Palmer was more than good enough. And they do have an impressive list of burgers!!! About 20 of them, some rather unusual like the Waldorf (blue cheese, walnuts and apples) , the Asian sensation (teriyaki glaze, sliced pineapple, Asian slaw) or the Berlin (with sauerkraut and dark rye bread) to name a few. The fact that you can choose your bread is an interesting feature. But it's the beer list that make the experience complete: they have a selection of more than 200 beers (around 30 on tap) from 23 countries - enough to make you dizzy by just glancing at the menu!! I love going to their huge beer garden but be prepared to wait if you come here at night when the weather is nice... It can get quite hot too since it's all bricks but you have plenty to keep you cool!!!
(4)
Stephania B.
Wouldn't go back. Ordered 2 Kobe burgers medium rare. They arrived well done. We figured if we were spending over $14 for a burger and fries, we should get what we ordered, so we sent them back. I guess the restaurant didn't want to take the hit on the cost of the beef, because what we got back was definitely not Kobe. It was obvious the first well done burger was Kobe. You know when you're eating Kobe and when you aren't. The replacement was angus at best, cooked medium. Zero flavor. I can understand being busy and overcooking something, but intentionally switching out what was paid for is not cool.
(1)
Steve O.
Went here on a weds night around dinner time. It was crowded but plenty of room available. I was anticipating the burgers due to many recommendations. The draft selection of beer is very good. A plethora of beers to pick from depending on your palate. The place has a good vibe to it. I decided to get a bacon cheddar kobe beef burger. I opted for well done since I do not like to mess around with anything ground up. The burger was in fact very good. It did not scream out amazing to me though. But then again I never had anything kobe before so it may take a few times to learn the subtle nuances of the variety. i do think It was a tad over-cooked though. But I am not going to nitpick. It was still a really good job. I opted for the fries and they were nothing special at all. Just regular fries. Next time I will try the potato salad. The staff was very attentive and polite to my table. Always coming up and checking on us and even the secondary help (busboys?) were very quick with removing plates and glasses from the table. Not that that would have been an issue for me anyways. In short, I will definitely give this place a try again.
(4)
Kasey G.
Palmer's is a busy ( I mean capital B, busy) pub. The grill smells great, the patio's full, and the beer is flowing. Can be family-friendly, but go early 'cause they don't take a reservation. I gobbled up the veggie-burger-YUM and had a cold Smithick's on tap. They have a gigantic beer list (both the tap and bottle selections were quite impressive.) The carnivores at the table said their meals were great. Lot's of burgers to choose from here. Overall this place is tops in burgers, beer, and people watching (all some of my favs) but it's busy so try it on a weeknight if you don't want to wait.
(4)
Frank S.
Hell yeah! Great food 100s of beers on menu. Beautiful beer garden in the summer. A little pricey but there are some exotic beers on the menu and you get what you pay for when speaking in turns of food. Very classy restaurant.
(4)
Kelvin R.
They do have a good selection of beers, which I needed to eat the food they call "home-made." The burgers are waaaaay overrated. Go to Wendy's instead as the burgers taste the same and are much cheaper. The menu is expansive so what they can't provide in quality, they provide in quantity.
(2)
Brian S.
My opinion of this was very mediocre until my most recenct visit. The outdoor area is nice and the beer is good but almost anyone can serve beer. It's the restaurant that is much more telling of the quality. I've had food here before that was OK but nothing to go out of your way for however my most recent experience has insured that I will not be going back again. I was there with 9 people and here's the list of reasons none of us will be returning. A Sprite that was tainted with some fruity mystry flavor, creamy coleslaw that was terrible, attempted to order fish & chips but they were out of fish, a tuna fillet sandwich with the fish so overcooked that it was tough, attempted to order desert but they were out of ice cream so no milkshakes or sundaes, and the worst part a LIVE CATERPILLAR!!! crawling through one persons salad. For all these issues a clueless young manager (not the owner who was also there that evening) came over to apologize by saying that the salad from a bag that said it was tripled-washed and he comp us the salad which of course was not eaten and sent back to the kitchen.
(1)
Lisa H.
I actually would have rated palmers higher but they are sliding downhill in my opinion. We were loyal every week customers until they changes the food or something. I have not had hot fries there in a year. The rest of the food is good, the salsa is homemade and spicy. The waitstaff is only okay as well, when we had regulars they were great and some still are. We still go a lot because we love to eat outside or love the late night kitchen hours, but I wish they had hot fries.
(3)
Laura S.
I love this pub and restaurant! It's hands down the best place to hang out in the summer! There is a two-story outdoor beer garden as well as an indoor restaurant. The beer menu is HUGE and now they have begun to offer other types of drinks. The food is really good, especially the burgers. The staff is fast and friendly and always worthy of a good tip. Definitely a place to try out!
(5)
Rachel W.
The menu has never disappointed & the beer garden is quite large but always jammed pack on warm summer days. But what kills me is the "amazing beer list" that is never available! I have gone here a number of times just to be disappointed that everything listed that intrigues me is out of stock. With the slow service (I never blame a waitress, I blame an understaffed business) it takes way too much time to finally get a beverage after making the wait staff run back & forth. A couple of times, I received a beer not until after the food has arrived, and at that point I settled on Miller Light. The disappointing return of a waitress empty handed was beginning to be too much.
(2)
Cassie B.
First, the beer: Palmer's is known for their beer and they have something like 60 on tap and 150 bottles, organized by country. very cool, try something new every time. Second, the place: In the summer, this is perhaps the most hopping bar for miles. They have a really good, huge beer garden with heat lamps. ( there is not a lot of competition for your bar dollar in this neck of the woods - so it can get crowded). oh and the food is good too!
(4)
rick a.
I love beer and I'm not talking MGD. This is just the place on the south side to get a good selection of brews from around the world. The fun of globetrotting on the massive beer menu is finding the diamond in the rough from India and choking on a vile ale from England. Like life, it's all just a roll of the dice and you can tell people you what to get and what to get if you despise the and want the to die from a poison pilsner. The food is average to slightly above for the burgers. The burger always get a good review in the Sun Times, but I think that they can be too inconsistent for a true recommendation. If you are within 10 mile this is as good as it get on the south side.
(4)
Vanessa P.
The beer list is really quite amazing. You can sit outside in their huge patio and try as many different brews as you can stomach and still not make it through an eighth of the list. The food is decent, nothing outstanding, but also not bad.
(3)
Roberto F.
Beer, Beer, Beer and oh yeah did I mention Beer. I love the selection here, and just seeing makes me all giddy and a plus is that prices are pretty good. The food is pretty tasty as well, I love the buffalo chicken sandwich and there corn beef sandwich. It can get rather packed here but luckily they have out door seating, even in the winter in which they have a ten to cover the patio and plenty of heaters. Also if you want to catch a flck you can go down the street for a $2 movie. If you in the area I'm sure you already know about this place but if you not you should come check it out and let us know what you think.
(4)
Sarat G.
This place has a awesome beer selection. Their Fish and Chips are to be die for. Its a perfect place to have a few beers after work with your Co-workers.
(4)
bobbi n.
Pretty good, very large burgers (though not award-winning quality like they boast) with a nice variety of toppings. Great beer selection for the suburbs, although it's no Hopleaf. Really nice place to go if you just want a burger and beer and don't want to travel far. Parking is sometimes a little bit of a pain - LaGrange gets a bit packed on weekends, partially because of the packed outdoor seating area that's immensely popular at Palmer's. But it's the best place to get a giant Green River and they have pretzel bread available for their burgers now (borrowed from kumas?), so I'm a happy customer.
(4)
Kevin C.
**review only for burgers!** My absolute favorite burger in IL is The Berlin from Palmer Place, sans the bacon and sauerkraut. I'm in the city so I've been to many of the famed places to try burgers, including Kumas and Rosebud etc etc and call me crazy but I just find their patties too large and don't enjoy biting into such huge chunks of meat. Palmer Place has, in my opinion, perfected their proportions. Just the right amount of meat without being too much, wonderfully crisp cheddar cheese (not too much or to little), and the most important ingredient- pretzel bun! Everything is cooked to perfection and always tastes absolutely delicious. I can actually eat the whole thing without feeling sick and so full I could burst afterwards as well. I always make sure to grab one when in the suburbs and I always suggest my family goes here, just so I can get the burger! Come to Palmer and grab a burger and a Green River, or your favorite beer!
(5)
Nick G.
One of my favorite places in LaGrange. The menu is extensive and I have yet to encounter anything I didn't like. They also have a huge beer menu and a great beer garden.
(4)
Zeldin Q.
I had a delicious burger here. The meat tasted great; a bit of char, and was cooked perfectly medium rare. It was juicy and a nice grind. They were happy to accommodate my requested of a ciabbatta bun (hard to find on burgers in Chicago). I would have liked more bacon or thicker slices, but that's ok. The bacon was well cooked. And the fries were good. They didn't taste frozen, and they weren't pre-salted. I like when that's left up to my preference.
(5)
Brian M.
Massive beer menu and decent food makes for a good time. They have a decent beer garden, too. The place gets a bit crowded on weekends, but that's likely due to their being one of the only places in the area that isn't a dive that serves booze.
(4)
Tanya S.
Great beer garden in the summer. Lots of beer on tap year round. Food is so-so. This is the local hang out.
(3)
Erin B.
Being that this is an LTHS alumni hang out, it automatically doesn't get 5 stars. This bar by far has the longest beer list that I've ever seen. Maybe it's because I don't get out much, but come on...they've got beers from everywhere! They even have an "Ass" beer. I think it's German. They've got a great outdoor patio, and the inside is rather large too. Food is decent--I like ordering the veggie cheese tray!
(4)
Piper O.
waited for ever for server. baked potato was undercooked. love the beer garden when its open. its a good place to have a drink and apps before you go out . don't enjoy the food too much.
(2)
Alicia F.
I ventured out to the 'burbs last Friday to have drinks with friends and was not too happy about making the drive. But I have to admit the beer garden here is a lot of fun! And I was very impressed with the size of the beer list. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and it was pretty standard but tasty bar fare. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out in the summertime!
(4)
Amory D.
Please bear with this somewhat longer review as there is a story to how we arrived at Palmer's Place. My wife and I went to Chequers restaurant (around the corner from Palmer's Place) on 10/23/09 for dinner around 7:00pm. We chose Chequers since we have not been there before. When we arrived, we seated ourselves in front of the bar (a high traffic area where the wait staff are constantly moving). As we sat down, two waiters looked at us then looked at each other to decide who was going to be our waiter. I overheard one say "it's up to you" then they dispersed. The wife and I found that surprising as we waited for menus. After about 3-5 minutes we were not given menus or even greeted by anyone. I noticed that two of the three waiters passed by us on a few occasions, without even noticing that we have yet to be tended to. After about 5 minutes total, we decided to leave. If they can't even give us menus within 3 minutes of sitting down in a half-full dining room, we concluded that there will be a problem with the dining experience. After quietly leaving Chequers, we went to Palmer's Place around the corner. Palmer's was about 75% at capacity, yet we were seated immediately, and greeted within one minute. Our waitress was checking on us every 5 minutes in a non-evasive way. As we completed portions of our meal, our table was cleared instantly. The final bill was very reasonable (less than $40 for two). It was a great way to offset the negative experience from Chequers. Our visit on 10/23 was the fourth time in one year that we have been to Palmer's Place. The wait staff is prompt, the beer selection is phenomenal, and the prices are very reasonable. I would give this restaurant five stars if it wasn't for one shortcoming with our dessert. Although our cookie dough cheesecake was tasty, it was hard...this is most likely since it was frozen. There is no problem with store/vendor-bought dessert, but we expected a softer cheesecake that did not require skewering with our forks to break apart. Perhaps we should have ordered the chocolate fudge cake that our waitress recommended. Overall, we'll be back soon...and we will be sure to try the chocolate fudge cake.
(4)
Anne A.
AMAZING beer list. I have to say, anywhere that serves gumballhead on tap is a friend of mine. Food is your average bar fare (didn't try to burger, though the veggie burger will be my choice next time). The space inside is weirdly configured, but the outdoor patio is a divine place to unwind after a long day of work.
(4)
James L.
I have been here many times... I remember when it was "The Spot To Eat" Airy and comfortable... A beer list to kick butt... A good menu, not to overpowering... A fun place for a family to go... Ambiance is so homey...yet still well run business... The German Club was still as god as it always was...
(4)
Jay D.
For being a cynical, snobby food crab-ass I'll give this place a thumbs up! I've eaten here plenty of times and have had nary a complaint. Good beer selection, delicious sandwiches and burgers, and have always had good service. My wife is a serious burger expert and rates this place tops! I always look forward to a dinner here with my sweetie and always walk out satisfied.
(4)
Alex W.
Visited Palmer Place on a recent Saturday afternoon for the first time in years. It was exactly as I remembered: a large, comfortable environment with only decent food. I'm glad that a local place has held up as many chains have moved into the area.
(3)
Dave S.
The warm weather has inspired me to write a review on my favorite summer outdoor drinking/eating establishment in the suburbs - Palmers! The two level outdoor patio is one of the the best I have ever been to. The food is very good and I have never been let down with the service. Their beer list is one of the most extensive I have ever seen and is one of the largest in the Chicago Metro area. This is one of my must-stops every summer.
(5)
Kamile K.
I really like this place. Went here for the first time last year and returned back for a second taste of perfection. Atmosphere of a typical friendly Irish pub, long list selection of beers, and good food. The desserts are really good too. I really like how friendly everyone is here.
(5)
Kathleen O.
It's been a hot minute since I have been to Palmer Place, but growing up, it was my jam. The patio is great during the blazing hot summer days when you try to work on your ginger burns while sipping on a nice cold beer or lemonade. Oh man, nothing is more relaxing than a patio and a cold drink! The food is also tasty and well worth the wait. Typically there is a wait... and if you enjoy the patio as much as I do, you have to be willing to wait a little longer than the inside seating. Palmer's has two levels of outdoor seating (rooftop and ground levels) and a large interior section as well. The inside is very dark and can use a little remodeling in my opinion, so I haven't eaten inside besides when there has been snow on the ground. Sometimes the service can be extremely slow, but I can also say I've had some pretty great servers her as well. It may all just depend on how slammed they are. Overall, Palmer Place is a pretty nice staple in Downtown LaGrange.
(4)
Patrick N.
Great place!! I've been coming here for years for their burgers and their wings. Their burgers are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! The WHOLE LAST PAGE of the menu is FULL of fantastic burger choices!! To each their own; so come and find yours! They've got me and my girlfriend HOOKED on the Bootlegger Burger that goes great with a Flip Side beer!
(5)
Lisa D.
Haven't been to Palmers in a long time and stopped by tonight because my husband and i had a taste for a good burger. The host was super friendly and at first we thought we'd be having a great experience..... we ordered the pretzel bites, wagu burger, Tuscan burger and for drinks we had the redhead martini, watermelon martini and blackened voodoo ale. The bill total was $75 incliding tip. The grill smell was amazing but the burgers were average. The two martinis tasted the same. The beer selection was huge. But the service was very poor. When we arrived it was relatively uncrowded but the wait times to order and receive the food were terrible. The food was cold when it arrived. Very sad to say it will probably be a long time before we're back again.
(2)
Michele S.
Met some old work friends in the "biergarten" on a beautiful Friday summer evening. The outdoor space is gorgeous, except for the crayon writing on the bricks from the kiddos (I assume). Kinda made me cringe, because if that were my house, I'd be screaming. The beer list is awesome. I had a very hard time deciding. I ended up selecting the Saugatuck Singapore IPA, which was a great choice. For dinner, a friend and I split the corned beef club. It was so good I was disappointed I split the dinner. The corned beef was so tender it practically melt in my mouth. That is something that is hard to come by. I was disappointed in the amount of staff that were working on such a busy night. Our poor waitress, who was GREAT, just looked like she was being run ragged. I can only hope she got some stellar tips for all her effort. One thing I don't understand is why there were so many whiney, crying kids there. Why do people take their kids to a beer garden? I can't enjoy my stay when I'm listening to screaming and crying, and it was coming at us from every angle. Unfortunately, I couldn't give a higher mark than a 3 because of it. There were so many unhappy children there that it really ruined an otherwise lovely evening.
(3)
Pam K.
Omg worst meal ever. Ruben not even grilled or warm baked French onion soup burnt on top cheeseburger cold. Wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't wait 45 minutes for it. Seems they care more about the beer garden than serving good food anymore. Will never go back again.
(1)
Dana R.
Easily the best place to get a beer in the western/southwestern burbs. In the summertime, the patio and rooftop patio are fantastic places to sit with friends and enjoy lunch and a few drinks. In the winter, they set up a large tent so that they can still accommodate a large amount of patrons and aside from what you would think, hanging out in a heated tent, is really not that bad when you consider the extensive beer and wine list that they have, coupled with what I feel is better than average pub food. I have never sat in the front room and had a proper sit-down dinner so I cannot speak intelligently as to the food or atmosphere there, but when I've come into the place off of the La Grange Rd. side, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves so it can't be much worse than the rest of the place that is fantastic. Again, the beer list is by far the most extensive list I've seen, maybe in all of the suburbs, and top 5 in the entire chicagoloand area. They have a great party for St. Patrick's Day and have other random festivities throughout the year that are worth checking out. Definite thumbs up!
(5)
Sarah S.
So the beer list is humongous. Lots of outdoor seating in warmer months, outside always packed. The bad: dry burgers, slow service. Good: beer, tv's, sandwiches, the baked french onion soup, comfortable, very family friendly, great for kids. -Just seems like the kitchen can't keep up when it's busy. Overall a great place.
(4)
Davorka Z.
Typically I love it here and have a good experience. But for some reason every time I bring my parents here we have terrible service. For example today, I happened to log on to yelp and saw there was a free appetizer when you check in. When I did it I noticed the offer had "expired". I told my waitress that was deceiving and she told me she didn't have control. She then came back and told me the manager would not take it because the owner would be back tomorrow to take it off yelp. Really??? I can pay for the meal but that's really not the point. So, when I brought my mom here on mother's day she had a bad experience. Today we brought my dad for father's day and again bad experience. Really reconsidering my loyalty to this establishment.
(2)
Tracy V.
Even though they are known for their burgers (which are delicious), I usually order the chicken breast sandwich. I love it! The food is great, you can pretty much get any kind of beer you want (might not be super cold...) Prices are fair, but don't go if you are on a limited timed schedule. Have missed the beginning of a movie twice due to the slow service.
(4)
Jer B.
Came here with friends for my birthday. The food was amazing. I loved the atmosphere. The service was kinda slow though. Other than that...5 stars!
(5)
Lauren S.
I used to frequent Palmers because--hello!--kickass patio space and great beer list and burgers. But that's about where it ends. My past couple experiences here haven't been the greatest. My boyfriend and I used to go there after work (we wait tables and sometimes don't get out til 10 or 11) and the kitchen isn't supposed to close until midnight during the week. Well, a couple months ago we got there at 11:15 and they had already closed the kitchen! I'm sorry if you're slow, but if you have late kitchen hours--you have GOT to keep them. It's so hard to find someplace to eat out when you get out of work that late at night. After that, we just started going to Harry's because they of course never close their kitchen early. Then, a couple weeks ago, it was a great summer night and I had a real hankering for their three-cheese mushroom burger. So we headed over, got there about 10:30, and were told that it was okay to sit on the patio. Well, apparently the girl waiting on us didn't agree, as she came over, almost slammed the silverware on the table, and asked what we wanted to drink. Look, I wait tables, I know it's a pain in the ass to get late ones. But--your kitchen closes at 12. Where are you rushing off to? Anyway, she brought our drinks, and took our order. Was kind of short with us and not very friendly at all. During the time we were waiting on our food, I witnessed two occasions where another table would sit on the patio, and our waitress would be standing in the corner rolling her eyes and being all huffy. Again--I KNOW it's a pain in the ass to get late tables, especially if maybe you were slow and thought you would get cut--BUT YOU DON'T EVER LET CUSTOMERS SEE YOU DO THAT! At this point I was getting uncomfortable because clearly she did not want to be there--or to be waiting on us. So I get my burger. Supposed to come with mushrooms and muenster, provolone, and cheddar. Instead of those cheeses, there is crumbled bleu cheese on it--YEUCH. So she drops off the burgers and doesn't even really ask if we needed anything else, as I'm curiously looking at my burger she walks away. So of course I don't touch it. To her credit, she did check back within two minutes, but I was really dreading having to tell her my burger was wrong cause I knew I was gonna get the behind-the-back-eyeroll. So of course I get the argument--"I thought you ordered the bleu cheese bacon burger?" Okay--I don't like bleu cheese OR bacon (yes, kill me now) so why would I order that?! And why were there mushrooms instead of bacon, if I said bacon? Then of course I get the "whatever you say, stupid girl" look and she takes the burger back to be fixed. Comes back out (as I predicted) with barely-melted cheese and still some bits of bleu cheese on it (I knew they were just going to wipe it off and throw it back on the grill for a minute). Okay, thanks lady. So at this point my boyfriend and I are just annoyed, and all I want to do is finish my burger and get the hell out of there. We're the kind of people who will leave $10 on a $25 tab, but this girl was lucky she got 15% from us. Looking back, I should have spoken to a manager, but at the same time, they should have come out with the re-done burger, or at least afterwards to check if everything was okay. Never going back. There's plenty of other patios in this area. I won't miss it.
(2)
Melanie I.
I enjoy sitting on the beer garden with a drink. Not a fan of the inside restaurant theme and feel. Food is ok. Nothing special. Beer selection is giant but I can't even tell you the number of times that the beer you choose is not available. Luckily, there are more than enough to choose from.
(3)
Michelle B.
Amazing beer list and a cool environment. The food was delicious. The only downside was there was nobody at the door to greet and get a table. Once seated, the service was excellent.
(4)
Al M.
Great beer menu. Terrible food. Maybe we caught them on a bad day. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and the bread was not fresh and on the verge of stale. My wife had corned beef. Bread was stale and overall bland. I am a big eater and part of the "clean plate club". For me to leave food on the plate says lot. Nice enough outdoor seating and average wait staff. Go for drinks, avoid the food.
(2)
Matt G.
Has a beer garden , u can do better . Bar indoors is awful. Lots of burgers just alright. Thank God we now have a choice in La Grange.
(2)
Nichole C.
Fellow yelpers Stacey K., Maureen M., and I went here after a brew at The Wild Monk. The poutine...my delicious, delicious, perfect poutine is off of the menu there so we couldn't possibly stay (Wild Monk, you may have lost me forever)...but I digress. We walked down the street to a place that I am ashamed I was not aware of for two reasons: craft beer and burgers. How have I not been here before? Needless to say, I made up for lost time by drinking a paddle flight (THEY HAVE PADDLE FLIGHTS!) of: Hopothesis IPA, New Belgium's Red Hoptober, Solemn Oath's Snaggletooth Bandanna, and Lagunitas Fusion 8.) The Snaggletooth Bandanna was the fave of the bunch. Plus, I really feel like that could be the new "Zoooooweeee Mama!" as the butt of all my stupid jokes and as an awkward conversation filler. (If you don't know about Diary of a Wimpy Kid jokes, now you know. You're welcome.) My friends ordered a paddle too, but damned if I remember all the beers they tried. We also grabbed some burgers to go with our beers, naturally. I wanted to get the ostrich burger just because, well, there WAS an ostrich burger on the menu and I don't see that very often, but alas, it was changed to bison. Meh. I went with a Build Your Own Burger and it was fantastic. I got a perfectly cooked medium charred burger with creamy crumbled melty bleu cheese and pepper jack to give it some spice. I also added some bacon and egg to my creation and topped it off with a brioche bun. PERFECT. Overall: Good beer, good burgers, good times.
(4)
Bill B.
tried and true one of the first places to be a beer emporium .Food menu items are always right on and staff is friendly even when its the busiest Lots of beer choices
(4)
Try4Gold ..
Terrible food...the WORST food I've seen and eaten in a long long time. Buffalo chicken sandwich is a chicken nugget stripped of its breading and sparely covered with watery sauce. OVER PRICED hamburger you can get from McDonalds...5 Guys crushes this dump.
(1)
Jenny R.
My dad and I were walking around Downtown LaGrange today looking for a lunch spot. We encountered this place and I remembered the name when a friend said her uncle owned it. We decided to give it a try, and all I can say is that we won't be back. The service is HORRIBLE. Three middle-aged guys walked in a good 10 minutes after us and somehow got their orders taken before us. We waited nearly 20 minutes before our waitress finally came to take our order - no smiles or apology for waiting. It was another 25 minutes before we got our food, and when we finally got it, my dad's steak sandwich and my chicken pita were less than stellar. The supposed 'guacamole' on top of my pita looked like a pile of green goop resembling green sour cream. Yuck! This place is an F in my book.
(1)
Luis B.
Beer and burgers. That's a great American combination. They have plenty of both at the Palmer Place. I've conquered 5 or 6 of their burgers and I'm not even halfway! But I've got time. This place employs the friendliest and most helpful staff. I've never had any problems with Palmer Place's service. If you like to drink, come and take a look at their massive beer list. You can take a nice trip around the beer-world here if you wish. If you want a suggestion, try their potato skins. They're the best I've ever had. If you just want to drink, they have a HUGE beer garden that can accomodate huge parties. Do you want to have a good time and eat some great food? Try the Palmer Place, thank me later.
(4)
Suzanne Z.
Palmer place has been a favorite of mine since childhood. I appreciate it more now since I am of age and they have such a huge beer selection. I'm picky about beers but there is something for everyone plus over 35 on tap. Burgers are great... Making my way around the big selection. Try their award winning burger... Amazing! One thing that's really great too is that this is probably the only place with outdoor seating that's not on busy Lagrange road. And lots of it! Great for families, friends or a date.
(5)
Maria G.
Burgers!!!! They have a great selection of burgers here and all the ones that I've tried have been deelliicciioouuss!!! Fresh, nicely cooked burger with awesome combinations. This last trip I tried the "Berlin Burger". Pretzel bun with sauerkraut, smoky cheddar and bacon. Really great tasting burger that I keep thinking about! They also have tasty onion rings, potato skins and some decent wings and HUGE beer list. The interior is pretty "meh" but do head back to the biergarten and enjoy your meal.
(4)
Kristen E.
This is my favorite place to go during the summer. We love sitting in the Biergarten to eat on a nice day. It's usually pretty busy on nights and weekends! They have a large menu, lots of beers and cocktails and I've never had a bad meal here. If it's busy outside, it's harder to get the attention of your waitress but I'd say that good comes out within a reasonable amount of time. We are rarely in a hurry when we eat here so it's a nice leisurely place.
(5)
Kristy S.
Food is always consistent, and with a bazillion beer offerings, won't walk away hungry or thirsty...bathroom is rather latrine smelly, and tp everywhere, yuck. Service was great, except when you want the bill...tick tock. Third time I've had to chase down my waitress for a bill, but if you enjoy kicking back and in no rush, sit in the bier garden!
(4)
Andrew S.
Best beer garden in the area, but the food is virtually inedible.
(1)
Bill B.
Gotta love Palmer's, especially in the summertime. I'd give the food 4 stars, the service 5 stars. The burgers get 4 1/2 stars. Many different beers to choose from but almost too many imports. Would love to see Bud Light or Coors Light draft for those of us trying to balance our love of draft beer with watching the waistline. Steve is a great guy and always makes you feel welcome. But the lock on the 5 stars is the beer garden. On a nice summer evening there are few better places to grab a meal and enjoy a drink or two. And they have a pretty good kids menu for the little ones.
(5)
Matt B.
Huge beer menu! Huge burger menu! If those 2 things excite you, head over to Palmer Place. The beer menu is several pages long and just the draft list if 2 pages long. They have a great variety of beers, especially micro brews from the area and across the country. The burger menu is almost equally impressive, it takes up the entire back page of the menu. The burger was good, but not as good as I was hoping it would be. I ordered it medium rare and there wasn't an ounce of pink on it, but it was still a decent burger. Fries were coldish and left a lot to be desired. The other people at the table had onion rings and were remarking how great they were, so that's probably the way to go. Service was okay, not spectacular, but not horrible either. They have 2 huge outdoor seating areas, unfortunately it was raining when we were there, so we had to sit inside. If you go, I suggest sitting outside as the inside is kind of blah. What's strange is that it's a bar, but the seating is all low tables and booths, not the more standard high tables for a bar. In conclusion a very average bar and average food with an excellent beer menu and awesome outdoor seating areas.
(3)
Dave S.
In the four years since I wrote my first review of Palmer's the food quality has fallen considerably. In the same four years many great restaurants have opened in La Grange so now we only go to Palmer's if we want to sit outside and have a beer. Where we once went to Palmer's at least twice a month year around now we go once every couple of months. To say that we are disappointed would be an understatement.
(2)
Rose Emma M.
This is my first review on Yelp. I must say this place is a wonderful summer hangout. I went with a group of friends and we really enjoyed the outside Patio. Great beer selection. I will be going back.
(4)
Brian D.
Slow service, we had to beg to check out. Food is better from the supermarket and cooked at home. No need to stop here again.
(2)
Mary G.
Awesome! Lots of variety in the menu and a great beer menu. The kobe burger is wonderful and so are the fries. The patio is very nice and definitely baby-friendly. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Mskoolkat007 N.
Great place for family night, parties, hang outs. Beer garden large selection of drinks. The food is so great burgers are super juicy, well cooked many different types. The chicken pita is amazing. Vegan no problem they have options. Affordable and great experience you will have. This is def the place I will keep on coming back to.
(5)
Michael S.
Ostrich burger and inferno burger were the entrees we got. Ostrich was decent and did taste just like beef to me. Gf's inferno was pretty good as well, but not spicy at all. For me, the burgers were pretty good and okay for the price. Beer selection and specials were very good though.
(3)
Bart K.
While this place might be a great place to drink if you are a beer drinker. With over 100 different bottles, the food lacks in comparison. I use yelp to find most of my places when I'm up in the air on what I'm going to eat. But today I cross over into active user to warn people of the food. I had the liver and onions (who orders that anyways), but if its on your menu, I presumably would think you know how to cook it. Boy was I wrong!! The liver was about 5 days past its prime. My appetizer was not far behind it. I don't think I would ever go back for the food....but if you like beer, they really can't mess that up. This is a decent spot for that.
(3)
Alisa M.
decent burgers, good fries, food comes out fast, and good service. We tried the ostrich burger. My boyfriend said that it tastes just like beef and you can't even tell it's ostrich. I ordered the inferno burger. It was not as hot as I had hoped. They give you salsa on the side, which makes it a bit spicy, but nothing like I imagined, even with the jalapeno jack cheese. Maybe they could put jalapenos on top of the burger too along with the salsa and other goodies. Burgers are HUGE and you can customize it. For my inferno burger, I had them put it on a pretzel bun and added sauteed mushrooms. They are not stingy with the mushrooms! Unlike other places, they don't charge you extra for making changes to the order. We also tried their spinach artichoke appetizer. If you check-in on yelp, you get a free app. up to $8, which was pretty nice. The spinach artichoke was really good. They give you a good amount, it comes out fast with pita bread. They have an extensive beer and burger selection. Food: Above Par Service: Good Price: Reasonable Note: This place serves RC products.
(3)
Jeffery S.
Palmer Place used to be one of my favorite places. I haven't come here lately as downtown La Grange is becoming some major hangout for people who need to be seen and I really don't care who sees me or not. But yesterday was such a beautiful day, so snuck out of work and asked a freind to join me here for lunch. We sat ourselves in the outdoor patio which is great for days like these. Eventually we were given a menu and waitress took our drink order. As advertised, they have this huge selection of beers from just about everywhere. I was not in the mood for beer so I had water. Originally I asked for Diet Coke but the waitress said, "no Coke, just RC or Diet Rite". The menu is pretty large and have all sorts of meat, salad and appetizer dishes. Heavy emphasis on burgers and fried appetizers. Salads looked good from a distance and appeared to be quite huge. I ordered the Greek Pita Burger and my companion ordered a sirloin steak pita. After a loooonnnng wait, the food arrived. The excellent reputation this establishment has for good burgers was well deserved. The burger was excellent. The burger was a half a pound in size. Ususally one that size, I eat half and save the rest for later, but in this case I scarfed down the whole thing. Burger came with cole slaw which was kind of dry and nothing to write home about. My companion did not have so good an experience. She said her meat was over cooked to the point where it was almost burnt. Plus they brought her cole slaw instead of fresh fruit. When she pointed it out, the fruit came about 20 minutes later and was just a lame collection of orange slices and honeydew melon. Another long wait to get the check. When I tried to pay by credit card, I was told the "machine" was broken but I could get cash from the ATM. Gee thanks honey, I'm glad I didn't ring up a big honking liquor bill. I hope this experience was the exception rather than the rule. A good burger and a big beer menu will not overcome sloppy service.
(2)
Chris M.
My girlfriend took me her because she wanted to take me somewhere that fits my style. I'm a European born in Chicago who loves beer and nice hearty meals like my mom makes. She was right! We came on a Saturday at 5:30pm to get a table in the beer garden with no wait. The beer menu is double sided with options from all over the world; draft, bottles, & cans. It would have been super to get some advice on the top/best/popular beers from our waitress, but that didn't happen. Oh well, so I started with the mini-4 draft beer sampler, then some canned beer from CO. My girl had some strawberry beer from the UK, she liked that. To eat I had the breakfast burger, it's topped with a sunny side up egg. So good. I had a few fries, then left to have some ice cream at a small family owned joint with kids hula-hooping a couple blocks away.
(4)
Jessica H.
Come here if you're looking to sit outside and grab a few beers and maybe some apps. Do not come here if you're looking for a good meal. Palmer's has a crazy beer list and I think that is what keeps bringing the crowds in. That, and their awesome outdoor patio in the back of the restaurant. The food here is average, at best. The burgers are just okay and I never feel like anything is very fresh. For example, the last time here we ordered a veggie platter and the bell peppers were moldy. We will continue to come here every once in a while because my husband loves craft beer and the patio is lovely, but that's really about it.
(3)
Dorotka K.
Nice place to enjoy a casual dinner and drinks. Not much of a "bar" scene going on here- don't expect to run into Prince Charming. Lots of families and friends just hanging out. Palmer's is huge- it has two levels and a large beer garden. The beer selection was extensive, but unfortunately for me, I do not drink beer. Thankfully, they also had a decent selection of wine and prissy drinks. I sampled two different martinis and they were fairly tasty - nothing that would blow my mind, but strong enough to make me think of the world as a better place.
(4)
Jules H.
Great friendly restaurant with a huge menu of bar fare. Burgers, like a whole page of them! A beer menu with it's own dewey decimal system. My check-in here got us a free appetizer. The fried green beans with wasabi were delicious. Our server was outstanding! Greeted us promptly, explained a big menu and took great care of us. TV's aplenty here, great place to catch a black hawks game. The beer list here is the be all and end all. The food is so-so, the service is great, and well ok, they have 672 beers to pick from. And a suuuhweet outdoor area.
(4)
Jack F.
Had a turkey club. They're known for their burgers, but the turkey club is humongous and delicious. Felt like it clogged my arteries less. Was great!
(5)
Eh W.
We had an enjoyable evening here, due in part to the large volumes of beer we consumed in the biergarten, which happened to be lovely that evening, and also in part to the excellent company we shared. However, I would not give too much credit to this particular establishment because the staff seemed disorganized and the drink menu, though ample, lacked pricing. Given that the price of an item factors into my interest in consuming it, it's bizarre to expect customers to place their orders solely based on taste. My husband had to ask the server the price of every beer and she didn't even know! ("Somewhere between $3.00-$5.50"). I don't consider this her fault since it's ridiculous to expect a server to know the exact price of every drink on the menu, but rather the fault of the owners for not making this critical information available to their customers.
(2)
David B.
As someone who grew up in LaGrange, Palmer's is an institution. Their beer selection is just immense and their food is great. Service is always pretty good although getting a seat especially in the summer can be difficult especially on the weekends. The beergarden is easily when of the best in the entire Chicagoland area. Prices are OK for food but can be a bit steep depending on what you drink.
(4)
R J.
Lunch today- always good food and typically good service. Their chili is tasty and meat, albeit a bit small for both the cup or bowl. (Bowl is cup sized.... Cup is.... Tiny) Have been here dozens of times but first review. (Yay for mobile reviews... Finally) Can always get a table, even on busy Fri/Sat nights. Beer selection is beyond imagination. Literally 100's to choose.
(4)
Craig S.
I like me a place with a good beer selection, and this place meets that criteria. The food is fine. I can't say I found it memorable, which means I wasn't blown away, nor was I disappointed. I will say I remember the beer more than the food. We've eaten here a few times, I need to go back and experience the beer garden.
(3)
Antaash U.
Palmer's is a neighborhood staple in Downtown LaGrange and has been a part of the community for as long as I can remember. I think they've been around since 1983 and with businesses coming and going on LaGrange Ave, this fact signifies that they must be doing something right. Though Palmer's is a pub well known for it's extensive beer selection (they do beer flights that are presented on a paddle!), the menu offers solid American fare. Their burger selection is overwhelming because there are so many combinations ( I think I counted 30 the last time I was there). They also have a plethora of other types of sandwiches, salads, soups, and entrees which ensure you'll find something whether you're carnivorous or vegetarian that will hit the spot. If you are here when the weather is cooperating, the outdoor seating in the back is wonderful and takes up the casual dining experience up a notch. I gave Palmer's a solid 4 stars, because though it's nothing fancy they have a wonderful menu, warm and inviting ambiance and an attentive wait staff.
(4)
Alexandra S.
I've been going to palmers since I was young and it was always good. But lately not so much. Today however, it was ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! Our server, carol, was a sweet girl....but honestly serving isn't her thing. I understand everyone has bad days and bad tables, I work in restaurants as well. But this was beyond a bad day. This was just horrible. Other than the 2 times I had to wave someone down to go get her, she came to our table twice. We asked for a minute to look at the drink menu, 20 minutes later she came back. Then after 15 minutes we got our drinks and then another 20 for ya to get her back over so we could order food, she was more interested in what was going on inside than her tables. Whoever trained her did an awful job. Palmers needs to step up their service before I ever come again! The food was okay I guess, made my boyfriend sick actually. Wasn't worth the $45 I spent.
(1)
Chris L.
I've been to Palmers more then a few times and have no problem recommending it as a solid place to go. Good place to go for lunch, or low key weekend night. They have a huge beer selection if beer is your thing. The food is pretty good, they have the basics you would except a beer/pub type place to have. Service is usually pretty good, and in the summer the outdoor patio is pretty nice. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. Added bonus which I was unaware of until my last visit, if you check in with yelp while your there, you get an offer for a free appetizer with your meal. All in all, a pretty decent place.
(4)
Suzanne A.
Good food. Don't go here if you are in a rush... Slow service, so grab a beer and enjoy!
(4)
Stephanie B.
I've enjoyed this place a few times up until now. I called the ask if they could accommodate a larger party for my birthday but the guy on the phone was a total dick about it. Apparently I'm magically supposed to know that La Grange was having their annual Hometown Holiday walk. He said something along the lines of "Well didn't you check the website?" NO, I don't live in La Grange and the Palmer website said nothing about any events for this particular day. In addition to that he really sounded like he could care less and didn't want to help me out at all. Yeah never going back here, I rather take my business to people who would actually appreciate it.
(2)
Conrad K.
We've been going to Palmer Place for years, and were usually happy with the food. But recently the wife and I haven't been thrilled. A recent example was our last visit. She ordered the salmon sandwwich on ciabata bread and an order of crispy fries. What we got was potato salad, no fries. After we informed the waitress of the error, they briught out an order of fries, but they were limp and cold. Otherwise ok. Previous visit just ok too.
(1)
Kt G.
Terrible. Holy buckets. I would give negative score if possible. We got seated right away. Then waited forever for our waitress to come. She finally came and took our order. Waited an Hour and a half!!!!! For our food. Then when it finally came it was wrong. Very disappointed.
(1)
Betty H.
The food we ordered was pretty bad, should of known better than to order fried green tomatoes from this place, that was my bad...BUT, when you ask for a burger well done, it should never be burnt to the point of no return. The only thing this place has going for them is their Biergarten
(2)
Patsy D.
I've been going to Palmer Place for years. Always in the summer months because the patio is great. Went last night and met a friend....had the beef nachos--mui bien! And great beers and wine by the glass. Also shared a deli club with coleslaw. The service was attentive and timely and the food came out quickly. Makes me sad that summer is coming to an end.
(4)
Tina G.
Went to see my new niece in Palos Heights and stopped into Palmer Place with the family for dinner.... When we first walked in the restaurant it was empty and I was a bit taken back because the street was so busy, but then we went into the patio in back and it was a full house and a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The kids loved the soup and video games! I had a burger, it was delicious, but I don't like pickles at all and they were already in the burger, so next time I have to remember to tell the waitress no pickles. My husband had the blackened steak sandwich with onion rings, it was amazing, that is what I will order next time. Fast service and most importantly for a waitress to get a 20% tip our drinks were always full! That is my biggest pet peeve! Don't get down there a lot but will go back when we visit our newest family member : )
So just went here, was told to seat yourself. Waited apprx 10-15 and no one walked up to greet or even take our drink order. Promptly left and decided to take my business elsewhere.
(1)
Ken H.
I went in there with my wife. I had the steak sandwich; she had the Confetti Burger. Both were excellent--the steak sandwich was a real, no fooling, steak (not the thin-sliced beef that passes for steak on some steak sandwiches). There was a great selection of beer. Service was just a bit slow; as the restaurant was very busy, I'll give them a pass on this, but it's something I'd watch if I went back there, which I probably will.
(4)
Anthony K.
Went here with my brother. Enjoyed some beer on their huge list to choose from. Ordered a rueben sandwich. The food sandwich tasted good. The only downside was that the bread wasnt as toasted as I had liked but It didnt take anything away from the taste, just the texture. Cool bar, great ambiance, nice outdoor tent, and friendly service.
(4)
Laura S.
Great place to meet up for drinks with friends. Beer selection is great- check out the list tucked in recycled six pack boxes that house the condiments. Food is delicious- favorites include: the Blackened Chicken Cesar Salad. The Bavarian- ham, turkey, Gouda, and all the fixings on pretzel bread. Crispy green beans appetizer with wasabi ranch for dipping. The service is usually a bit lack luster- we always get the same server that seems to disappear for very long stretches of time, but the place is friendly and tasty enough that I keep coming back.
(4)
April P.
Ate dinner here with my friend once. It was delicious. We were looking for good ol' fried pub food after 10:00 and it was hard to find in cute little downtown LaGrange. Palmer Place was just what we needed though. I got a platter of fried green beans. Yummo. The place was packed! It was really fun : ) and they had a fireplace! This place was definitely fun and I will be back. Also, our waitress was really nice, and she checked back on us a lot.
(5)
Lavon K.
This place has substandard food and substandard service. That's all.
(1)
Zach G.
This is a fine place. Fairly average...nothing much to complain about, but nothing much to praise. The beer selection is quite good, but they need to sort the beers better. Even I, a self-proclaimed beer snob, had trouble identifying some of the beers, let alone what type of beer they were. They have them all split out by country...OK, great, but I often find myself saying "I have a taste for a stout" before saying "I have a taste for a Dutch beer". Also, they advertise their Guinness selections (i.e. Guinness with ____ beer)...I tried a Carlos Murphy - Guinness and Negra Modelo - but they were out of the Negra. In fact, based on the size of this place, it wouldn't surprise me if they were out of a lot of the beers on the list on a consistent basis. Again, no proof, just experience from other places combined with a basic Mexican beer being out of stock at the time of my visit. The menu has a ton of choices, some of them quite creative, so I give them props on that. Our party had various things - chicken tenders, burgers, pork sandwich, chili. I heard the burgers were quite good, but everything else was just average. Again, not bad...just, average. Prices were fair and service was friendly, so I'll probably return if I am in the area. However, I wouldn't go terribly far out of my way to find the place.
(3)
Ivette S.
Food is mediocre and service is just as bad. Famous corned beef sandwich has no flavor and the steak sandwich is two bricks of tasteless sirloin with a pound of onions and shaved mushrooms. Had to ask for steak sauce for it to taste half way decent. Will not be returning.
(1)
Matthew J.
The food is delicious. Can't beat their burgers and they're reasonable in price. However, the service could be better. They weren't insanely busy so that's not an excuse. The waitress only sat us, took our order, brought our order but never came back in between to ask if we wanted another beer or refreshment. Do they not want to make money or something?! We were more then willing to increase our bill! Maybe it will be better next time.
(3)
Liz K.
Considering that I have been here even more times than before..I finally came to the conclusion that I love this place and give it 5 stars....every single time I been here I leave happy! I have also expanded from my usual order...:-) Beer is good as always but their bloody mary's are my new favorite!
(5)
Kari G.
Excellent food (huge portions!) and drinks. Very reasonably priced and so kid-friendly. Service was excellent and our waitress was so friendly and great with our kids. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Katie F.
So the rating is for the service, not the food. Everytime we go there it takes at least 5-10 minutes for us to get even said hi to by the waitress (there are waiters but mostly ladies). They are nice enough but usually take very long time to get even one thing. So if you have your entire order ready by the first time the waitress comes then will be alright. The food is really good. Great burgers. My favorite is breakfast burger
(2)
Michelle C.
I can't count the number of times I've been to Palmer's over the years. Admittedly I've had some wonderful times at Palmer's including celebrating my birthday, drinks with my new husband and his family after our wedding, etc.. However, I've come to rely on the fact that Palmer's is incredibly hit or miss...and by that I mean, it's mostly miss. I remember back in the day when Palmer's didn't serve anything but beer. This was when their first "mixed drink" was a Mai Tai. And I remember when their menu had the most delicious blue cheese nacho appetizer. Those days are long gone. The thing that keeps me coming back to Palmer's'? The beer garden, hands down. There is nothing like it around (that I know of) and it's really the perfect place to both people watch and get sauced. In December I went to Germany and fell in love with a few beers that hold a special place in my heart. One of those incredible beers is Spaten. I was delighted when I found this on Palmer's' extensive beer menu and that is all I ever order now when I come to enjoy the beer garden. This is a huge win. The service at Palmer's' is horrific. The servers are young and careless, barely making time to take an order let alone remember what you've been drinking all night. This isn't Hooters, so there's no need to hire 21 year old girls with a pretty smile. People go to Palmer's to drink - period. No one goes for the food (it's bar food people, c'mon). People come to Palmer's because it's local and has a beer garden. I wish I hated Palmer's because I'd write it off forever and spend my money in a place that has better service. I mean, if I wanted to be treated like shit every time I go out to eat. I'd just head to the city. But I don't. I want to be treated like I'm spending my hard-earned money. In closing, if it weren't for the beer garden, this place wouldn't survive. The end.
(2)
Kyle H.
Oh My Beer-ness! A huge beer list for beer lovers. Palmer's has it covered! Palmer's is like the City equivalent to Quencher's, beer-wise, Could I have ordered a Daisy Cutter and enjoyed a beer that tasted like a freshly mowed suburban lawn in my mouth? Of course. But I can get that anywhere in the City now, so I had to do some exploring. Started with the Chapeau Plum, which wasn't too fruity. There's a feather in your cap! Then On To Belgium! Little known fact: Belgium is the most boring place in the World. Wait, I think most people know that already. But! Belgium has some of the best beers (and chocolate) in the World. Seriously. Leffe Blonde is one of my favorites, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I probably shouldn't have ordered the large Eel River Acai Wheat beer at the end of the night, but the name was so cool, I had to try it. Recommended if you like a slightly berry-wheat weiss beer. And it's healthy, right?? Palmer's seemed like a friendly place and I've been told that summer is the season to be here- they've apparently got a great patio. It's kind of hard to imagine summer ever coming right now, but when it does- to Palmer's!
(4)
Mick S.
Been a regular here for years. Great pub food. I think they have at least 10 burgers available, and hundreds of beers. Be prepared to have a back-up in mind, or two, as the new beers are often out of stock. The waitresses while cute, are not always knowledgeable about the beers. They have a great beer garden in the summer and they tent the lower section in the winter. The back, bar section is more youth oriented vs the front which is more family style. By far one of the best places in LaGrange.
(3)
Christine D.
I love this place. The food is amazing. Options for everyone. Service is usually on point. The day time bartenders are always very friendly and the server Kristin is awesome. I live fairly close and when I get the chance to go out for a burger or beer this is where I go.
(5)
Jacqueline S.
We came here as a group for lunch and I think they handled the group fine - it did take a long time for the food to come out. The burgers were huge and were decent (to me nothing beats the one we make right in our backyard). It was okay but nothing special. The beer selection on the other hand was very impressive but I will have to try them another time.
(3)
John B.
Greeted at the door by Janelle. She is also my waitperson. Got a great booth. Ordered the house cheeseburger medium rare, potato salad and a house merlot, and a ginger ale back. A good test of a new place is to stick with the basics or specialties of the house don't you think? The merlot arrived within seconds. Ah yes. Not too acidic. Doesn't torch through your esophagus. The burger was also served fast, though I note the place is pretty deserted on this wet evening. My, my. Excellent burger. Oh yes. Explosively juicy and medium rare perfectly. The potato salad is a Giant scoop of carbs. Delicious. So good I have the need for dessert. I have ordered flour-less chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and lots of whip cream. Wow, this is good eating! I live here in downtown La Grange. Across from the METRA train station, above the newsstand. You know the place. Anyway the slop chutes here close at 9p. Palmers serves this Tuesday until 1030p. A life saver. I generally believe a place is a one star or a give star. Go or No-Go. My words speak as to the quality, value, convenience etc. Therefore 5 Stars and a special nod to Hostess, Server, Diplomat, and all around attentive person, Janelle.
(5)
Mike M.
I could not believe how rude the owner was to me and my 4 year old. I was bringing in a group of 14, we were the first ones to get there and you would have thought this needed to be handled by Navy Seals. His attitude was one of disgust. I have gone there many, many times over the years because there wasn't much else in the neighborhood. Thank GOD THERE IS NOW. Besides sitting on their patio, which is awesome everything else leaves a lot to be desired. The Beer Menu is great, BUT they really don't have 1/2 of it in stock. The food is terrible and it just seems like they don't care. Its too bad, this used to be a great place. Hopefully they recognize what they have with the location and outdoor patio and get their attitudes in check. That and increasing the quality of their menu would be incredible.
(1)
Andy M.
A great place to kick back with a group of people inside or outside as they have a huge beer garden in the back. The place is unique and spacious and the food about average American bar type standard. The servers are quick and around often and this place has a great cocktail and beer selection. Plenty of different type of seating also makes this a place worth visiting in downtown Lagrange park
(4)
Michelle H.
Anyone who enjoys beers from around the world will marvel at the extensive beer selection that this place offers. They also have many brews from here in the States as well. I personally think, that anyone who come in here and orders a Miller Light should be shot on sight. We came here for a family get-together. Since it was raining that day, we were not able to sit outside on their double-decker patio/beer garden (I will have to come back for that alone- nothing makes for better drinking than a comfy outdoor atmosphere.) But they were able to accommodate our party of ten indoors, without a problem. Our server was great, always there with refills, and asking if we needed anything else. As for the aforementioned beer selection, I was a bit overwhelmed. I ended up choosing a Strawberry organic pale ale. It was great, but at $10 a bottle, definitely a sipping brew. The food was pretty decent as well. We started out with some basic nachos for the appetizers. Huge portion, but nothing spectacular. For my main course, I had the Reuben sandwich. Very delicious. And the potato salad I had as my side choice was really good, creamy and made with red potatoes. We also shared some deserts around the table. Also not very memorable. Parking out front of the place may be a little tricky, but if you go around the block, there is a public municipal parking lot about half a block from the place.
(4)
Edgar P.
I...LOVE...THIS...PLACE!!! I've been going to this place for food and drinks for 7 years now and I've still yet to be disappointed by this place. To be honest with you, I come here mostly for the beer selection but am going to start off with some of my favorite things off the food menu first... I would probably tell you to start off with the Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Combo Platter, wings, and potato skins. The Torpedo is probably one of the suckier items on the app menu...no peppers and all cheese. I would then recommend the Ostrich Burger, Kobe Burger, NY Deli, and the Ultimate Gourmet Burger ( i know, I like burgers). The Bavarian is actually another great option but you gotta try some of those burgers first!!! To water it all down, Palmer's Place has quite an assortment of beers to choose from to suit even the stingiest taste buds! They have 39 beers on Tap, 211 in bottles, and another 10 in cans...you really can't go wrong. Now I really never liked some of the big market beers because they lack flavor and all taste kind of blah. I enjoy craft beers and many imports, though they generally cost more money. The way I see it, if you're going to enjoy a beer, you might as well get one that has character. This place offers that escape from your average beer and lets you explore the variety of beer that most of us tend to overlook or miss completely. For this reason, you NEED to Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)
Michael R.
One of my favorite burger joints. It's as good as it gets when it comes to that. And their onion rings. Mmmm... Hot pretzels with honey mustard is a great appetizer too. I didn't like the buffalo chicken sandwich all that much, but that is hardly a reason to take away a star. Every restaurant has a crappy dish and out of the 10ish times I've been there, that was the first meal I didn't enjoy.
(5)
Jason M.
We've tried Palmer's several times now and each time it's been just OK. The beer list is great, but the food doesn't measure up. I've tried the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich a few times - the chicken is tough, the sauce isn't spicy enough, and the bun is very dry and tasteless. I've had a couple salads which were mediocre. The burgers are ok - the variety of options are great but the quality of ingredients is just average. My husband had the "Mayor of Manheim" sandwich today and said it was inedible - tough, low-quality meat. Also the bun on our daughter's hot dog was hard and dry. The onion rings are good. The service is usually pretty slow. If you want to watch some games and try a variety of different beers, check out Palmer's. If you want great food with quality ingredients, head to Nickson's. We've tried Palmer's for the last time - we're sticking with Nickson's from now on!
(2)
Jessica S.
I like Palmer's. It is always a good back up when you can't think of anywhere else to go. The food is solid and the service is always good. I'm a huge fan of the Tortellini Cesar Salad. It's nice to be able to get a salad without meat thrown on the top (although you can get that here too!). I especially like it during the summer when the deck is open. Bottom line, I wouldn't really go out of my way to go to Palmer's. However, if someone suggests it I am always game!
(3)
Nathan D.
The place is fantastic. They have a large menu to fill just about any appetite. Very extensive burger list and even more extensive beer list. If you are a big fan of either you must stop in and endulge in this magnifisant dinning experience. Best part is no matter what time of the day you arrive, they always have a spot for you
(5)
Ryan M.
The key to happiness is managing your expectations. If you come to Palmer Place expecting a gourmet prix fixe meal, you're in for some disappointment. The food is standard bar food, and like most bars it's a bit of a gamble; not much else worth saying about it. Palmer Place does excel in one area, and that's beer *selection*. You can safely expect a massive, albeit unsorted, list of delicious beers, even some rare ones (Sam Adam's Utopias wtf?!). With a beer list like Palmer's I can easily forgive some of their other sins; you'll be quite happy here if you do the same.
(4)
Mike B.
I'm a big fan of imperial stout beers. They had Hoppin Frog "Boris the crusher oatmeal imperial stout" which was very good.
(4)
Mark H.
This is a local favorite but I personally think there are better options out there. The hamburgers are good but every thing in general is just average tasting and over priced. What they call beer garden is actually just a heated tent that they have lawn chairs in. If you are in down town Lagrange and have to have a burger now then this place works fine.
(3)
Celina B.
Well, Yay! I'm a fan because of the beer and drink selections. I could have that one little extra star, had our serve known anything about those delicious beer and drink selections. I had been here before my drinking years with my parents and there food was always great! But one night me and my boyfriend were looking for places for good burgers- however- he always has to check the beer lists first, so we finally decided on this place. It's good for families or for friends- its cute, nice friendly atmosphere but expect a wait. We got lucky this time, but if you want their patio in the summer- I suggest getting there early or expecting to wait. We ordered some apps, and were overly excited to find baked french onion on their menu. A staple in our relationship. It was good! I liked the broth- not too thick, not too watery, but a little saltier than normal. The cheese was baked perfectly though- bonus points to make up for the salty broth. I got an artichoke dip burger, and my boyfriend swears it was good, but I think I was just expecting something else maybe? I mean, it was good, but when you have a picture in your head of what you want and it comes out not looking or tasting like that- its REALLY hard to tell yourself it's still good. Ok fine, it was really good, but could have used a little more of the artichoke dip. Throughout this ordering process of too much food per usual, is where they lost their star. One of my new drinks has a couple nicknames: Angry Cider or Angry Balls. It's woodchuck cider and a shot of fireball whiskey. It's like alcoholic fall in a glass. I saw that they offered a drink like this but with caramel whiskey- meh, I want my Angry Balls. I asked our waitress if they had fireball and she didn't know what that even was let alone if they had it. She came back quick and offered me raspberry cider instead (they were out of regular, or she thought), to which I politely declined but in my head thought- Angry Raspberry Cinnamon balls? No thank you! She came back and said no fireball whiskey but they actually do have normal cider. So I ask for their caramel cider drink. She says she has to check if they have that..... Oi. She comes back and they do have it so I ask for that, and she asks if I want it in a bottle. How are you going to pour a shot of vodka in the bottle? Right? I can't be the only one thinking that right now- so she comes back again after this and asks if I want it on ice. If it's on your menu- shouldn't you have a specific way of making it so that it tastes good?? After all this I got my drink and it was AMAZING! And my new favorite so kudos on that. This is where life sucked for my bf- he was asking about a couple beers on their list and she had no idea. Another full 10 minutes of back and forth to ask the bartender. She didn't seem new at all, otherwise i could cut her some slack but if you're at a place that features itself on good beer- know it! It was super annoying. It was also annoying when I checked in on Yelp, got a free appetizer, and she asked that I please write a good review on her. Sure, people joke about that stuff- but she was serious. And mentioned it multiple times. After writing all of this I'm really ready to go bump it down to 3, but it really just was our server on this one occasion that made us irritated. After it was all said and done, the food was great! We got lucky and had no wait, and we're gonna be going back for a patio visit soon!
(4)
James M.
Always liked this place, have been going here for many years. One of the best beer selections you can find, certainly the best in La Grange.
(4)
Rosa K.
This place is da bomb! They have the largest, most extensive beer list I have ever seen! Especially for some random restaurant in the random Chicago suburb of LaGrange. They get 4 stars just for having such an amazing selection of U.S. and International beers including rare microbrewery beers! Food was kinda bleh. Shoulda got a burger, they have kobe burgers and ostrich burgers! Crazy, but I'll have to try it next time. Wasn't really hungry this day so just had a bowl of soup and some delish Turkish beer. It was a pilsner but it tasted like a stout. Wooohoo! FYI, they have a beer sampler of 4 beers. Check out zee lovely biergarten in zee back... o.O beer garden!? wahhhh? you can grow beer?! jk! :-P
(4)
Eric S.
I'm giving four stars because of the beer selection and the awesome beer garden for a summer night. They also do a nice job in catering to families. Service is spotty though...can be overly busy and "in the weeds" fairly often, meaning you don't get your drink re-filled as quickly as you'd like. I also have to take a star off of my review for the food...really average things coming out of the kitchen there. Not "bad", but nothing that I have to go back for every time.
(4)
Elijah W.
this place has gotten worse over the past 5 years. the beer selection is amazing, the patio is amazing, the food has become AWFUL. i don't understand why.....its not like they are serving gourmet, but the food is brutal. i was there last week with my boys who are 4 and they wouldn't touch their grilled cheese. go for the drinks, but skip the grub.......as i always say, f you are going to eat "BAD" food, it has to be "GREAT". Go to York Tavern for the food and drinks, go to Palmer for the patio and drinks.
(2)
Kim H.
I love going to Palmer's place. Especially during the nice weather season when we can enjoy the relaxing biergarten. I've tried a bunch of the menu items but keep going back to my favorite: Grilled Salmon on a ciabatta (yum!). The steak salad is also excellent - I do recommend. The beer of course is the perfect compliment as well. I thoroughly enjoy eating my salmon while sipping on a seasonal Bell's. Is it spring yet?
(4)
Nichole M.
One of my fave neighborhood spots. They have such a nice beer garden, I love sitting outside here, you can also sit on the rooftop as well. I have been here more times than I can count, but was here just recently and it reminded me that I had not reviewed it yet. They have a larger beer list than I've seen anywhere else in the Chicagoland area, and a lot of beers on tap. I don't drink beer, so that's all i can tell you. Their food is generally very good. They have a large food menu as well. I love their cheese balls, which are just fried balls of cheddar cheese, yummmm. Also, they have a huge selection of cheeseburgers. My favorite is the Berlin Burger, no sauerkraut. it is basically a smoked cheddar and bacon cheeseburger on a pretzel bread bun. To. Die. For. They have lots of salads, clubs, and all sorts of other yummy food to try. I can't think of anything I've had there that I didn't like. Although, I usually stick with my Berlin Burger. Try this place out, you will not be disappointed, especially if you sit outside and have a drink.
(4)
Adam M.
Palmer Place deserves 3 1/2 stars, but since that's not an option I went with 3. The food is very typical of any American Pub so that's why I'm just saying this place rates about 3 1/2 stars. They do have a huge selection of burgers and a ton of different kinds of beer from all over the world. Because of these two things I would recommend trying Palmer Place and I plan on coming back if I'm ever in the La Grange area.
(3)
Reuben H.
Palmer Place is a solid place for a burger in your face! If there was any dispute on my abilities to be a world-famous rapper, the above line should prove those disputes to be 100% accurate. Rap, I cannot do. I cannot even PRETEND to do. Eat burgers and drink beer- well... I am pretty good at that. Palmer Place used to be my go-to spot for all things "burgers and beer." Their burgers are well made, with juicy meat, and pretty decent and interesting topping combinations. I would not think to compare them to a place like Kuma's, but when coupling their good burgers with a very extensive beer list- the place became a destination spot for me when I lived in the western 'burbs. Since then I have been there a couple of times and still enjoy it. Their outdoor beer garden/patio is a very happening place when weather permits. Not much of a view considering it is basically in a parking lot- but the patio itself is spacious and lively. I cannot speak too much on anything else on the menu other than their burgers. Service is missing a level of expertise. Most of the time you will be served by someone who is either a high school student or someone only a short time out of high school. Therefore, they either know nothing about beer because they are too young, or their experience with beer is limited to slamming Natty's Ice out behind their friend's parents garage, trying to pick up a good buzz before heading to downtown La Grange on a Saturday night to meet up with the rest of their high school friends. I should know- many of these kids serving you your beer and burgers are reincarnated versions of my friends years ago. Can't blame them for not knowing, but it still can be frustrating if you have a taste for something and want to ask for a recommendation. I give props to your pops For raising you right Serving me burgers and beer On a Saturday night Make money-money, make money-money-money! Make money-money, make money-money-money! (Rap FAIL)
(4)
Bridget B.
This place is just fine. Definitely more of a bar than a lot of the restaurants in trendy downtown La Grange, but I understand the need for bars, too. Went in to start out an evening on a Saturday with some drinks and appetizers. The beer list was great, and the spinach dip was decent. The other food I saw appeared to be pretty standard bar food, so if a VAST beer selection and good bar food are your aim, this is a good place to visit. I would gladly give it another try for a burger or something.
(3)
Larry H.
I'm a La Grange resident, so a place like Palmer's is a great choice for the simple food you want sometimes. There are some things I like about it and some I don't. The food is average. It's mostly burgers and sandwiches, but they also have a few better things. They have a children's menu (although my child is too old for that). The atmosphere is a dichotomy. On the one hand, the inside spaces are noisy (as you would expect a bar to be) and crowded. The bar area is OK. On the other hand, they have a patio area that I love. Although it's a little cramped for space, it's great on a nice day (they have umbrellas for sunny days) or evening. There is even an upstairs area. I like to go to Palmer Place on those days. If the weather is bad, I usually avoid it. The service is OK. There is nothing spectacular there. If they are busy, expect to wait for food. However, the servers are usually attentive and make sure you have whatever you need. Now, what I REALLY like about Palmer Place is the beer! I'm not a big drinker, so it's not about how much I pay for beer. It's about the quality of the beer and Palmer Place has some of the best choices I have seen. My favorite is Three Floyds, but they have so many other choices. Well, I hope this review has been useful. I found their web site: palmerplacebeer.com/inde…
(4)
Lauren V.
Definately one of our favorite places in the burbs for burgers and beer. They have a very extensive menu but in my opinion, the burgers are the star. The only small criticism is that some of the more exotic beers are out of stock when ordered. But that why they're exotic right!
(4)
Nicole C.
In short, don't go for the food or the service, but do go for the HUGE beer list and HUGE outdoor beer garden.
(3)
Tommy M.
I've been going to Palmer's for 10+ years, and I know one of the owners (I used to work next door for about 5 years). I have to say the food quality has declined over the years, or I've just found better burgers out there. They used to win awards for the burgers (not the best, but maybe top 5), but they just don't excite me as much anymore. Don't get me wrong, they are still very good, and I like the variety of the burgers they have with the different toppings. The italiano is pretty good. The beer list is great, they have an extensive list of German weiss beers which I love in the summertime. Hanging out in their beer garden in the summer is great. One gripe is that they close at midnight.
(3)
Susan M.
it's just alright. we started with pretzel bites with honey mustard dipping sauce which were good. i had the steak salad with bleu cheese, the hubby had quesadillas (chicken). both were average. the guac was really good and from what i hear the slaw is good too. nice beer selections. what sells this place are the beer gardens. a roof top one and one in back. service, good.
(3)
Noreen H.
Nice atmosphere, great patio, good food, and awesome international beer list.
(4)
Ron T.
This is a great place to go to all year but as soon as the weather starts getting nice....this is one of the best places to meet up with friends in LaGrange! They have so many beers to choose from, plenty on draft and some others that you wouldn't expect to see in these parts in a bottle, along with a great menu......I recommend you try one of the burgers, they have at least 25 different combonations that are excellent! The rest of the menu has a lot to offer as well if you aren't the burger type. If you plan on sitting outside......get there early, otherwise you will be waiting for awhile. If we aren't able to sit outside, I enjoy the back room by the bar.....they have tv's placed around the room and there is always a sporting event on. Once you're done there, you can walk in downtown LaGrange which is awesome. It has that old "small" town feel to it.
(4)
Dave B.
Growing up in LaGrange Park, Palmers was always the place to see and be seen. Although the food is good and beer selection outstanding albeit a tad overpriced, it 's the beer garden that keeps me coming back! Any Saturday night in the summer finds that place packed to the gills with families, singles, young and old. Although if you hate crowds then go during the week, its much quieter.
(3)
Elaine Z.
Went there for the last time the other day. 35 mins for our appetizer and it was the wrong appetizer and our entrees delivered by the food runner directly behind them 2 seconds later!! Service was bad and the food was less than mediocre. Why do people accept bad service and subpar food? The menu is not cheap and I want quality when I pay for it. What happened to this place? It used to be good....
(1)
Krys J.
I made my way here w/some guys after we had noshed elsewhere, so I can't comment on the grub. The TOA was about 11PM on a Sat. night & the place was surprisingly pretty quiet. The beergarden, as well as, the beer menu are both quite impressive though. Not only do they carry PURPLE HAZE (a personal fave) but we also got a FREE round. It turns out that I had served one of the staff members of PP the night before downtown & he remembered me (small world)! I will likely pop back in for the chill atmosphere and fabulous collection of brews.
(4)
Jim J.
Great food, just about ANY beer you want, nice beer garden!
(5)
Michelle W.
I have been patronizing and very much enjoying Palmer Place for a number of years now. I adore beer over other alchoholic beverages, and they typically deliver with their solid beer list. I love that they have a large selection on tap as well as bottled and organize by country or state. They don't specialize in any particular kind of beer, and there have been several occassions where they failed to have the beer(s) I wanted on hand, but I can imagine it is hard for an independent bar/restaurant to forecast 100% accurately the beer demands of it's clientele. As for the food, I rarely stray from the sandwich menu. I must part ways with people who have issues with the quality of meat (excepting the Wagyu - I don't have experience enough to judge that). Having tried burgers at Goldyburgers, Weber Grill, steak at Gibsons, etc. (not the holy grail but notable) Palmer Place is the one I consistently crave. They also do a respectable veggie burger that I often get. Bottom line - it's a lovely place, though perhaps not a regular destination place for those who live in the city, though it was for me when I did.
(4)
Mike M.
Palmers is the quintessential neighborhood pub in La Grange. It is alone in restaurants offering a laid back atmosphere and local feel. The family owned restaurant has an outdoor area which locals take advantage of during the summer months. Burgers, Sandwiches, and salads compose much of the menu, and for an appetizer I would recommend the nachos. The bar is a popular among visitors to downtown La Grange due to its close proximity to the train station. The amazing bar contains over 30 beers on taps and many from all over the work. Palmers is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner in La Grange, watch a sports game, or catch up with friends.
(4)
Gerry A.
Stopped in here on the way to the LaGrange Theater, (an even BETTER deal for $2 in the next block) on a Saturday night with 50 minutes to get to the movie. We figured we were doomed but were seated quickly by a nice fireplace and very efficiently served by Tryna? This is a very lively place on a Saturday night and we definitely had forgotten to bring our kids so if you don't like a lot of background noise (screaming) don't go on a weekend night. VERY tasty pulled pork sandwich, rueben, and onion rings. Fast kitchen, servers and table clearers. Advertises lots of biers, we had bottomless 32 ounce diet cokes with lemon and made our movie with 10 minutes to spare (Across the Universe, DON"T MISS IT- best MISSED movie in 2007). Dinner, movie and free parking $22. Score.
(4)
Nick N.
Anyone who complains about this place is silly! They have dee tons of beers and you got to do the tries of dee inferno burger. It'll make you breath fire. Its dee best pub style restaurant in dee area!
(5)
Antonia R.
Wish there were a 3.5 option. The food is on the higher end of standard, but it's priced absolutely right and and you get plenty of it. What you really come here for is the fabulous beer selection (Goose Island Matilda was delicious) and beer garden.
(4)
Joe R.
I went to Palmer Place for Game 2 of the Hawks-Canucks series. We went to the back bar area where there was indoor dining, an outdoor beer garden, and a soon-to-be-opened rooftop beer garden. The burgers we all had were very good and the beer list had over 300 brews from around the world. To say I was in heaven...
(4)
Julie M.
Palmer's is THE hang out spot in LaGrange. Families, twentysomethings, teens, older couples, everyone. They have decnt burgers (I don't recommend anything else). My favorite is the triple cheese and mushroom burger. It's nice that Palmer's is there, but I wish the owners wouldn't rest on their laurels and improve their food. I could make a better club sandwich at home. So, to sum up: Only go if you're in the mood for beer, burgers and a crowd:)
(3)
Beer H.
The food here is good. They do have a good selection burgers and the have one of the best beer list around. I would go back if my friends wanted to go here, but I won't go out of my way to go here. The service is bad, and it detracts from this place. The back patio is nice on summer weekends if you can even get to it. I tried a few times when we moved here and we couldn't even make it to the patio due to all of the people.....not for me.
(3)
Eric B.
asked for barbecue wings and got barbecue ribs instead, I got to keep the ribs and the waitress took our drinks off the bill.. I love palmer house
(4)
Nikkie H.
I've passed by this place countless times and have been hesitant to go in because of the number of large groups with kids. I honestly have no issues with families, but when it's just me and my boyfriend it's generally not the atmosphere I'm going for. However, I finally went there later in the evening on a Saturday when move of the kids had gone home. My bf and I shared the spinach artichoke dip, which was quite tasty. He also had a Reuben, which he said was good, but felt was a bit overpriced. The onion rings were plentiful, large without being donuts, and tasty. Plus the beer list was crazy. I believe it was an 11 x 14 piece of paper, front and back. It was too overwhelming so I settled for a Stella. We definitely plan on going back in the future.
(5)
Ryan A.
Having grown up in LaGrange, Palmer's is a staple. It was only after moving away and coming back for a visit did I realize how overrated and overpriced this joint is. The beer list is extensive and they have a great selection of NA brews; the beer garden is average. The service, however, is consistently terrible - lots of attitude and poor attention.
(2)
Kathleen C.
This place is great! My sister suggested it and I was very cautious. However, all of our food was fantastic. And somehow they have a veggie&dip/cheese&cracker appetizer that was fantastic and exactly what I wanted. The waitress wasn't really attentive but they gave us huge drinks so we were fine without her!
(4)
Malina G.
I've been to Palmer's twice now, and both visits offered a pretty consistent experience: horrible, negligent service, but pretty decent food. The beer menu is extensive as well - but I wouldn't go here solely based on the pages and pages of beer options, as they'll probably be out of what you want. The first visit here, I was overwhelmed with how many choices of beer were available. But when I made my first choice to my server, she said it wasn't available. That was fine with me; with pages upon pages of beer selections, they were bound to be out of some. But when it came to my second - and third - and eventually forth choice, she shrugged and said that these also weren't available. That would have been fine, but when I asked for a recommendation for an amber ale they did have in stock, our server shrugged and said she didn't know. I asked if she could check with the bar, and she returned a whopping 30 minutes later to take our food orders, apparently forgetting that I'd asked for a beer recommendation. I'd like to note that the place was nearly empty at the time, so our server basically went AWOL on us for a half hour. The food was good, but nothing special. Our burgers weren't very flavorful, and our bill was around $50 for two burgers and two drinks (none of which were mine, by the way). Definitely not worth the bill. Our second visit was pretty much the same. My boyfriend said his chicken sandwich simply wasn't very good, and my burger was bland. The service was still pretty slow - we were there for about an hour and a half. Overall, this place has a book of a beer menu that simply doesn't match up with what is actually in stock, slow and apathetic service, and hefty prices for mediocre food.
(3)
The J.
I think this place gets a lot of attention and publicity because of their large selection of beer and their hamburgers. Well, that about sums up this place and what separates them from the rest of the restaurants and pubs in the area. The rest of the food is ok, but a little pricey.
(3)
Janet A.
The service was truly awful! My husband & I waited 10 minutes before being acknowledged---let only brought drinks. And the pattern of "where the heck is the server" continued throughout the meal. The food? So very bland and uninspiring. Yet pretty pricey. We didn't even stay for dessert- I was dying to just go (though finding the server to GET the check was an adventure......) We are walking distance to this restaurant and I can assure you- we won't be back!
(1)
Linda R.
Seriously, $10.50 for a single hamburger? I can get a decent steak just down the street for less money. Sorry, not really worth it.
(1)
Nikki T.
I wanted to like this place, I really did! I went in with an open mind, absolutely no high expectations. I just wanted a good burger. I had read some articles online and plenty mentioned Palmer Place for their burgers and patio. So my boyfriend and I went for it. As soon as we walked in, we were seated right away and the waitress was great! She was very attentive and helpful. She was able to assist the boy with picking out a good new beer and we didn't have to wait long. We first started with the Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates. Let me tell you, these were AMAZING!! I would have been much happier if I stuck to those bad boys all night! So, like I said before, I wanted a good burger and decided to try the Ultimate Gourmet Burger. The menu stated that that burger won the 2010 silver medal in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop so I figured it had to be good if it was an award winner! My boyfriend ordered the other "awarding winning" burger on the menu, the Benchmark Burger. Apparently, that burger won the 2011 People Choice award in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop. We were both so excited to try these burgers. I mean, the appetizer was fantastic, these burgers must be great! Yeah...not so much. Both of these burgers just had way too much going on. It felt like they decided to throw a bunch of random stuff on the burger and call it a day. The description of the burger with each component sounded great but the end resulted in just being too much to be enjoyable. Next time, I would definitely pick something a bit simpler from the menu. Lesson learned.
(3)
Dan M.
Highly recommended. Great beer selection. Food is always consistently prepared and really good. The burgers are great but my personal fav is the BLT. It is really awesome. Service is great. They have the best multi day St. Patrick's day fests In the area that includes a St Baldricks day. Amazing bier garden and roof top bar in the summer. If from the area it's the place where you go and are certain to run into someone you know.
(4)
Ryan D.
Awesome. They truly have some great Mediterranean food and also make a killer egg lemon soup. Four of five stars for sure!
(5)
Veronica T.
It wasn't great. It was okay but I probably won't go there again. I ordered the chicken pita and it was flavorless. The fries were super salty so I didn't enjoy the food. Also, margaritas aren't their specialty so I don't recommend them at all.
(2)
Shannon W.
We used to come here for the Hawks game so we could sit outside, unfortunately we have to find someplace else. One tv outside that's it. Last year, it was packed because there were tv's all over with a tent. No line this year. Walk right in. Everyone is gone going somewhere else. Going to Monk's now because of the game situation and if you don't have Korbel half bottles anymore (for the second year, take them off the menu. The old guy that runs the place has to go. Bar Rescue
(2)
Karma K.
This place is bierfantastico! Great, great, great, did I say great outdoor patio? This place is a staple in downtown La Grange. The owners have extended their patio and it now includes an upper deck. Hello, love that! No one else may notice this but they have green umbrellas on every frickin table outside. I love this because if you want shade it you have it. It also look very cool. I'm sure the beer vendor that provided the umbrellas was happy to oblige. Thank you beer vendor! The inside is not too shabby either. This place has a lot going for it. With that said, my tip to all you little yelpers is to stick with the burgers. They have a gazillion options and all of them are terrific. They have liver and onions on their menu. Who the hell has that in the western burbs. No one I say! Pat Bruno, the restaurant critic has this place at the top of his list for burgers. Yep, they have Kobe beef, turkey and all sorts of options for all you burger lovers. You like buns? They have pretzel buns, brioche rolls, etc. So you really cannot go wrong with a burger and fries at this place. So why not 5 stars? The other food is average to good. Their wraps are OK, but you can probably find better ones elsewhere. Their potato skins and nachos are good! They have a huge menu, maybe too huge because some of their other selections are good but not great. I also miss from my old days at this place, their veg sandwich on a croissant. I always substituted the croissant (because I'm not French, LOL) for french bread (OMG,I just said that I'm not French) and loved it with the fresh veggies and cream cheese. Bring that thing back, dammit! ;-) We have always had good service. They have a killer beer menu. Yes, they have IPA's for all you oh so trendy beer snobs! During the day this place is very family friendly. At night, it becomes more of a party place, especially during summertime. If you went to LT or Hinsdale Central high school (go Red Devils!) you are sure to run into some former alumni. Good? Bad? I don't know. I guess it depends how many beers or cocktails you have had. So go enjoy while summer days last a big longer and than go back in the winter and sit inside and enjoy the warm pub abience.
(4)
Mike M.
Awesome burger selection! Everything we've ordered has been great. Great cozy decor, nice staff, and good prices. Parking can be a bit of a blood sport, but it's worth it.
(5)
Kristen C.
After a trip to the zoo my boyfriend suggested we go here for a few beers and a late lunch. We sat on the patio-it was busy but great atmosphere if you're up for sitting outside. Great beer selection and some good specials. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates (fantastic!) and the reuben sandwiches. Fantastic reuben! It's like $15 for the sandwich and a side (I got fries-good but basic frozen fries and he got the potato salad-very good). There is a lot of meat on the sandwich and it had good flavor. We were both impressed. If you're not extremely hungry or not wanting to take some home possibly split the sandwich.
(4)
Erin S.
Contrary to some of the reviews here, both times I was here in recent months we actually had very good service - waitress was pleasant, food ordering and time to table both fast - and (although my bf would disagree) I thought the atmosphere was fine. These are the only reasons I am awarding the second star! I should note that - both times we came was for a family meal, we did not partake in the beer selection and due to weather have not enjoyed the patio. This left us with little to save this place in our minds!!! The first time we came, the food was very bland. 4 out of the 6 of us, however, seemed to enjoy their food, so I thought it was definitely just bad luck and not indicative of further negative experiences. Well, I was wrong! This time, because I remember getting food that was bland, I wanted to pick something I was sure would have more kick - the Greek Pita Burger w/ Tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, and tomato. Anyone who is a fan of Greek food like I am should know that feta cheese can pack a punch, which I was looking forward to atop a nicely cooked burger. I did not get what I hoped for. I do not know how this is possible, but I think this burger was actually MORE bland than the meal I had there previously! How did this happen!?!? Plus, my side of fruit was a sad medley of melon that must have been defrosted in the small bowl in which it was served ... Looked sad and tasted like it looked. My bf's summation of his meal - "Wilted, spotty lettuce on a Salmon sandwich that was too dry! The side of fruit had an off putting syrupy taste." The potato skin appetizer was a sloppy and soggy mess - all cheese (3/4 of which was on the plate rather than the potato skins themselves) with fewer bits of bacon than you could count on one hand ... With a side of sour cream in basically a flimsy disposable clear plastic shot glass. If my family suggests this place again, I will have to say absolutely not! This place needs to get it together!
(2)
Mariesa E.
I love love love this beer garden. Sitting on the roof or just on the patio is such a great experience on a beautiful night. Perfect date night location. I wouldn't come here to sit inside, but sitting outside has always been a favorite for me.
(5)
Donna C.
Okay, so we are a follower of Chicago Best show on WGN and it hardly ever disappoints. After traveling from Buffalo Grove, I am so happy that this place lived up to the hype. It was delicious. The staff is very friendly and down to earth. The beer list is like nothing I've ever seen before. I chose the pilsner urquell which was amazing. The burgers have an amazing char which deepens the taste. It is tender and cooked to perfection. I wasn't crazy about the fries, I think I got some that weren't exactly freshly cooked but they looked like that could be delicious is right out of the fryer. The onions rings looked amazing and I wish I had known that before ordering, definitely would have gotten them. There are a tons of things on the menu and I saw many of them while cruising through the place. There were no idle tables, so kudos to the staff to be efficient. Wish I lived I closer because this would be a tried and true regular spot for me...
(5)
P K.
5 stars for the waitress 5 stars for the patio 3 stars for food 0 stars for management responsible for ordering BEER at the Beer Garden. How does a Beer Garden run out of beer on Saturday afternoon? I ordered a Summer Shandy, my boyfriend ordered something else, can't remember. Waitress comes back and tells us they tapped out last night. OK, so we ordered a different beer, when we were ready for another, she told us the bartender only had one left. OK, so my boyfriend ordered something else and I asked for the same. Well, when she got back that one was sold out too. I can almost understand if it was a Sunday, but to run out of the 3 beers we ordered (who know what else they were out of) during the day on a Saturday is unacceptable. Food was alright, good portions. Waitress was great. Patio was awesome.
(1)
Fabi G.
Pleasantly surprised with the beer list which is amazing, beer lovers paradise. Had the notches for an appetizer and a burger which were pretty good but everything on the menu is your typical bar food nothing spectacular. This place could definitely use a facelift unless they want to be stuck in the 70s. Overall a pretty casual have a beer watch a game kind of place.
(2)
Chris S.
For years I've been coming here. When my friends are like, "Wair shud we eet?", my stupid face is all like, "Maebee wee shud goe too Paulmurz Playse" from time to time. And every time I come here, the experience is the same. I go in, all excited to see lots of sports and people enjoying themselves, and I get my hopes up! "Maybe this will be great!", I say, ignorant of the future. We usually have pretty good service and the TV's are nice for viewing, but my god, every item I've ordered here is awful. The burgers are flavorless and cooked incorrectly each and every time. The chicken strips (how do you screw this up, I pray you?) are a soggy crime against nature. Sandwiches are nothing special and are not worth the price. They somehow trick me every time. Today I vow to never go back here. I can feel my entire life turning around. Best Part: they have green river. Super legit. Also, the beer garden is nice, but usually packed.
(1)
Foodie A.
A place for everyone's brew palate. They have over 100 ales to choose from. Build your own flight. Each small glass is $2.50 each. You have a choice of four ales or ciders. It's a great way to taste there ales. I had the brat with home made coleslaw. Excellent! I didn't feel like eating bread so I ate around it. The brat is topped with sauerkraut and onions. I would request just the sauerkraut because the onions looked a little slimy. And what's worse then slimy onions slithering down your throat. My friend had a deli sandwich which was very good. Beer Beer Beer Beer! Go thirsty leave full.
(4)
Toni B.
A bit different then I expected but the food is delicious!!!!!!! And their portions and prices are great as well! My girlfriend and I came here for dinner before going to Bottles and Bottega. We walked in and honestly I felt like we went in the wrong door, lol. As a check in offer we got a free appetizer and ordered the mozzarella sticks...Ive never gotten so many mozz sticks!!!! Yummo!!!! My girlfriend ordered a chicken sandwich and I ordered a garden (veggie) burger, which was very tasty! The fries and delicious as well! They have a great beer selection, as well as mixed drinks and wines. I would definitely check this place out again if Im in the area and try some of their beers. Their burger selection is huge, so if you are a burger and beer fan, this is definitely your spot!
(4)
Christina C.
I went to a bar close by this place and was so disappointed in the service that I decided to try out this place... Maybe attempt to lift my spirits up. It was late, and I was complaining, like usual, to my boyfriend about life.. So what's better than a good beer? I go in and sit down at the bar and me and my boyfriend had just moved here from the West Coast so I wasn't used to this weather. The bartender was SO friendly and welcoming and I couldn't have asked for a better person to have talked to us. He welcomed us to the town and also gave us some tasty beers! Although I can't quite remember his name, he was definitely one of the best bartenders I've ever encountered and I can't wait to go back for another drink (:
(5)
Rachael Z.
I've been to Palmer Place more times than I can count, and on nearly every occasion, the food, service and atmosphere have been great. However, there have been a few times that I was disappointed - the salads aren't that great, and there are some less-than-nice servers. Lastly - come prepared to wait if it's the summer time. This place fills up VERY quickly due to the awesome location and patio. If you're coming here and don't know what to order - get a burger. It takes up an entire page! So many to choose from! You won't be disappointed. Really, just don't get a salad and you won't be, but literally, the burgers are the best in the area. Oh, and get a craft brew. Or three. There's even more of those to choose from. This is a great summer spot!!
(4)
Kate C.
Never order a turkey burger here. I can say with 100% confidence that it was the worst thing I ever ate. I almost sent it back to the kitchen but our waitress was so nice I did not want to punish her. I think you guys might want to at least upgrade your turkey patties to walmart brand if you want to compete against any of the other burger places that give us non red meat eaters tasty options. Soooooooo dissapointed. Friendly staff though. I'll give you that
(1)
Jo R.
Palmer Place is located in downtown La Grange, where there are many restaurant options. Parking is limited. Diners may use the parking garage, or search for street parking. There were plenty of spaces at the top of the parking garage Thursday afternoon. However, I imagine there are much fewer options on a Friday or Saturday night. Inside, Palmer Place resembles an old Irish pub. I saw an Irish flag and lots of Chicago Cubs pictures. Also, diners seat themselves. When we arrived at this odd hour, the server detected us right away. We ordered drinks from the extensive beer menu -- that had no prices listed. While the server was getting the beers, I checked in and received a free appetizer check-in deal. Check-in deals definitely score points with me. We applied the check-in deal towards an order of Mexican egg rolls. Unique dishes, like Mexican egg rolls, also tend to score points. The egg rolls had a crispy coating and reminded me of breakfast burritos. They were packed with chicken, cheese, onions, and peppers. In size, I would estimate they were about 3 inches long. We received two for a table of three. Along with the huge beer menu, Palmer Place is also known for hamburgers. See the back page of the menu for the wide variety. I chose the Bootlegger burger. It was served on a fresh, doughy Brioche bun. What separates the Bootlegger from the other options is the sweet bourbon sauce and onion strings. I did not need any ketchup or mustard on this burger. The meat had a nice smoky taste which combined great with the bourbon sauce. I also enjoyed having the onion strings on the burger. It was like getting two sides for the price of one! Speaking of sides, that was my one criticism. The French Fries were lukewarm and tasted like warmed over cafeteria fries. Another diner at my table agreed with that assessment. The other diner ordered potato salad for her side and remarked that it was tasteless. It seems sides is one area Palmer Place needs to improve. To sum up, Palmer Place has a great selection of burgers and beers. Come on an empty stomach. You will leave stuffed. Having to park far may be a blessing. You will want to walk off your heavy meal!
(4)
E M B.
2 stars for food 4 stars for patio Great spot to have some drinks outside in the burbs. Patio could use some TVs as the sound from sporting events is played outside but there aren't any TVs which is odd. Food is just mediocre - way too big of a menu so the food is just average, burgers nothing special. Go for the beer garden, eat at Q or Nicksons.
(2)
Mary G.
Palmers is a great place to hang, especially if its summer and the beirgarten is open. That being said their food is not good. Their menu is huge which makes me think that most of it must be frozen. Their burgers are just OK for being called "award winning". And to top it all off its not cheap to eat or drink there. Stop here for a beer, but dont waste your money on the food.
(2)
Yessy S.
It's not the best restaurant even for a bar restaurant. I ordered half a slab of ribs that were for the majority seared then probably cooked in the oven. The side of fries and barbecue tasted much better than the rib entree. I do not drink and so maybe the atmosphere for those that do is far more pleasant but the food does not cut it for me.
Not a place that I plan to go back to. Too many other options in the area. We met a group here for an after work drink and some appetizers. We wanted to sit in the bar but were told groups could not sit in the bar because we would need two waitreses and that would not be possible. Odd, as there were just 10 of us. Also odd, that we needed to be seated in a bar. The beer list is impresssive.The food? I've had better at Chilis. The wings were inedible, the nachos were maybe okay, the sampler was small. Server was nice but not very energetic.
(2)
Rolly Z.
I reviewed Palmer's 4 years ago and to this day they still have a great beer menu and great food. However, after dropping $170 on drinks and dinner this past Saturday, I may not be back because of some of the staff they have there. My party of 7 sat outside in the biergarten and we had our kids sitting at a table together and us adults at another since each table only sat 4 people. The guy seating guests kept eyeballing the kids then us. We called him over asking if it was a problem if the kids were sitting there, his reply "Not yet, I'll let you know if we get busy and need the table" REALLY!!! We then asked what the resolution to this problem of his would be. He said he would think about it and let us know. WOW! So if we sat with our kids and our friends sat with their kids, would it be an issue at all? The guy really put a damper to our evening there. So we decided to leave and continue having drinks and dessert elsewhere. Some people just should not be working in the service industry. So in conclusion, if you go with only adults, great place. If you plan on going with the family, make sure your kids sit with you at your table. Otherwise you will feel unwelcome.
(2)
Jessica R.
Great food & great service!!!! They're always busy yet the staff is always upbeat & attentive. The taste, temperature (never had a cold meal), portion & quality is very consistent... haven't had a bad experience in the 4 years I've been eating there (very often).
(5)
Jackie B.
We absolutely love Palmers! its been a staple in our hometown for quite some time. From summer sitting on the patio drinking beers to winter time chowing on chili...Palmers is always wonderful. We have great service and both Phil & Steve Palmer are WONDERFUL to chat with. The beer list is insanely large--- always fun to try something new!
(5)
Morgan V.
I was here earlier tonight dining with a friend. The food was okay - could've been better. At the end when I got my check, I realized I had forgotten my debit card at home and I had no cash on me. Luckily, my friend had enough cash to cover the bill - but we were short $5. The waitress was snarky and told us that one of us had to stay while the other went to go get the debit card ... I live 45 minutes away. When I explained this to her and asked if I could leave my ID and come back tomorrow with the money, she said it was a security risk and that the restaurant doesn't allow it. The waitress offered no help and was rude to us the whole night. Finally a friend came to help with seriously a $5 bill and we gave the waitress the cash. She counted the money in front of us to make sure that we gave her the correct amount and after that she looked at us and said "okay bye". I am never going back to this place again, they were completely rude and my whole night was ruined due to the negative attitude all over $5 that I was going to come back and pay tomorrow. I don't know why I decided to give this place a try, usually I go to Al's Char House down the street and now I know that whenever I go out for steak or a burger to go to Al's. What a difference!
(1)
Jennifer M.
Friends recommended this place so we all decided to go for dinner. Well this is the last time i come here. The food and drinks were great but the customer service was awful. Our waitress named eliza was rude and inconsiderate. After finishing our meal we were at the table chatting and she asked us if we were done and what we were doing because we had not ordered anything in awhile. Then when our check came she said the only way she would split the check is if we did it ourselves snd she would come back to collect everything. Inbetween our meal and drinks she took at least 20mins to check on us and ask us if we would like another drink or dessert. We finally talked to the manager, but i do not recommend her as a waitress. Best of all after we were speakingbto the manager she went to another table of customers and blurted out that our table hated her. Im sorry but the comments that she made to us and others around us will never get me to step foot in there again. Beware of this waitress. She did not receive a tip from us!
(2)
Lori L.
Rude waitress. Asked if you could get the fried green beans as a side she said no so I said it's ok I don't want them. She did not listen and still brought them out and had an attitude when I said I told her I didn't want them unless I could get them as a side. Rude and unfriendly not worth your time. Unfortunate because this place used to be really great.
(1)
Bruno D.
I love this place. Great beer selection. Food is pretty good. Burgers are your best bet. Staff and peeps there are best. Ive been there for St. Patrick's Day and it is really a good time.
(4)
Kevin H.
Great place for a burger and beer. Terrific beer selection both on tap and bottles. I prefer to sit in the back and in the beer garden in the summer. Good service. Will be back next time in LaGrange.
(4)
Jessie Z.
Great food, great beer, great atmosphere (especially in summer on the patios).
(5)
Stacy R.
I love the beer selection! The burgers are pretty good and so is the fish and chips. I also like the bacon wrapped dates. I enjoy the outside seating in the summer and always feel relaxed sitting under an umbrella sipping a new beer. This is the place to bring people who like to try a new beer, I am never unhappy with the food, the service is great and there are so many beers, I try a different one every time I come here!
(4)
Kathleen O.
It's been a hot minute since I have been to Palmer Place, but growing up, it was my jam. The patio is great during the blazing hot summer days when you try to work on your ginger burns while sipping on a nice cold beer or lemonade. Oh man, nothing is more relaxing than a patio and a cold drink! The food is also tasty and well worth the wait. Typically there is a wait... and if you enjoy the patio as much as I do, you have to be willing to wait a little longer than the inside seating. Palmer's has two levels of outdoor seating (rooftop and ground levels) and a large interior section as well. The inside is very dark and can use a little remodeling in my opinion, so I haven't eaten inside besides when there has been snow on the ground. Sometimes the service can be extremely slow, but I can also say I've had some pretty great servers her as well. It may all just depend on how slammed they are. Overall, Palmer Place is a pretty nice staple in Downtown LaGrange.
(4)
Patrick N.
Great place!! I've been coming here for years for their burgers and their wings. Their burgers are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! The WHOLE LAST PAGE of the menu is FULL of fantastic burger choices!! To each their own; so come and find yours! They've got me and my girlfriend HOOKED on the Bootlegger Burger that goes great with a Flip Side beer!
(5)
Lisa D.
Haven't been to Palmers in a long time and stopped by tonight because my husband and i had a taste for a good burger. The host was super friendly and at first we thought we'd be having a great experience..... we ordered the pretzel bites, wagu burger, Tuscan burger and for drinks we had the redhead martini, watermelon martini and blackened voodoo ale. The bill total was $75 incliding tip. The grill smell was amazing but the burgers were average. The two martinis tasted the same. The beer selection was huge. But the service was very poor. When we arrived it was relatively uncrowded but the wait times to order and receive the food were terrible. The food was cold when it arrived. Very sad to say it will probably be a long time before we're back again.
(2)
Michele S.
Met some old work friends in the "biergarten" on a beautiful Friday summer evening. The outdoor space is gorgeous, except for the crayon writing on the bricks from the kiddos (I assume). Kinda made me cringe, because if that were my house, I'd be screaming. The beer list is awesome. I had a very hard time deciding. I ended up selecting the Saugatuck Singapore IPA, which was a great choice. For dinner, a friend and I split the corned beef club. It was so good I was disappointed I split the dinner. The corned beef was so tender it practically melt in my mouth. That is something that is hard to come by. I was disappointed in the amount of staff that were working on such a busy night. Our poor waitress, who was GREAT, just looked like she was being run ragged. I can only hope she got some stellar tips for all her effort. One thing I don't understand is why there were so many whiney, crying kids there. Why do people take their kids to a beer garden? I can't enjoy my stay when I'm listening to screaming and crying, and it was coming at us from every angle. Unfortunately, I couldn't give a higher mark than a 3 because of it. There were so many unhappy children there that it really ruined an otherwise lovely evening.
(3)
Dana R.
Easily the best place to get a beer in the western/southwestern burbs. In the summertime, the patio and rooftop patio are fantastic places to sit with friends and enjoy lunch and a few drinks. In the winter, they set up a large tent so that they can still accommodate a large amount of patrons and aside from what you would think, hanging out in a heated tent, is really not that bad when you consider the extensive beer and wine list that they have, coupled with what I feel is better than average pub food. I have never sat in the front room and had a proper sit-down dinner so I cannot speak intelligently as to the food or atmosphere there, but when I've come into the place off of the La Grange Rd. side, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves so it can't be much worse than the rest of the place that is fantastic. Again, the beer list is by far the most extensive list I've seen, maybe in all of the suburbs, and top 5 in the entire chicagoloand area. They have a great party for St. Patrick's Day and have other random festivities throughout the year that are worth checking out. Definite thumbs up!
(5)
Sarah S.
So the beer list is humongous. Lots of outdoor seating in warmer months, outside always packed. The bad: dry burgers, slow service. Good: beer, tv's, sandwiches, the baked french onion soup, comfortable, very family friendly, great for kids. -Just seems like the kitchen can't keep up when it's busy. Overall a great place.
(4)
Davorka Z.
Typically I love it here and have a good experience. But for some reason every time I bring my parents here we have terrible service. For example today, I happened to log on to yelp and saw there was a free appetizer when you check in. When I did it I noticed the offer had "expired". I told my waitress that was deceiving and she told me she didn't have control. She then came back and told me the manager would not take it because the owner would be back tomorrow to take it off yelp. Really??? I can pay for the meal but that's really not the point. So, when I brought my mom here on mother's day she had a bad experience. Today we brought my dad for father's day and again bad experience. Really reconsidering my loyalty to this establishment.
(2)
Tracy V.
Even though they are known for their burgers (which are delicious), I usually order the chicken breast sandwich. I love it! The food is great, you can pretty much get any kind of beer you want (might not be super cold...) Prices are fair, but don't go if you are on a limited timed schedule. Have missed the beginning of a movie twice due to the slow service.
(4)
Jer B.
Came here with friends for my birthday. The food was amazing. I loved the atmosphere. The service was kinda slow though. Other than that...5 stars!
(5)
Michelle B.
Amazing beer list and a cool environment. The food was delicious. The only downside was there was nobody at the door to greet and get a table. Once seated, the service was excellent.
(4)
Lauren S.
I used to frequent Palmers because--hello!--kickass patio space and great beer list and burgers. But that's about where it ends. My past couple experiences here haven't been the greatest. My boyfriend and I used to go there after work (we wait tables and sometimes don't get out til 10 or 11) and the kitchen isn't supposed to close until midnight during the week. Well, a couple months ago we got there at 11:15 and they had already closed the kitchen! I'm sorry if you're slow, but if you have late kitchen hours--you have GOT to keep them. It's so hard to find someplace to eat out when you get out of work that late at night. After that, we just started going to Harry's because they of course never close their kitchen early. Then, a couple weeks ago, it was a great summer night and I had a real hankering for their three-cheese mushroom burger. So we headed over, got there about 10:30, and were told that it was okay to sit on the patio. Well, apparently the girl waiting on us didn't agree, as she came over, almost slammed the silverware on the table, and asked what we wanted to drink. Look, I wait tables, I know it's a pain in the ass to get late ones. But--your kitchen closes at 12. Where are you rushing off to? Anyway, she brought our drinks, and took our order. Was kind of short with us and not very friendly at all. During the time we were waiting on our food, I witnessed two occasions where another table would sit on the patio, and our waitress would be standing in the corner rolling her eyes and being all huffy. Again--I KNOW it's a pain in the ass to get late tables, especially if maybe you were slow and thought you would get cut--BUT YOU DON'T EVER LET CUSTOMERS SEE YOU DO THAT! At this point I was getting uncomfortable because clearly she did not want to be there--or to be waiting on us. So I get my burger. Supposed to come with mushrooms and muenster, provolone, and cheddar. Instead of those cheeses, there is crumbled bleu cheese on it--YEUCH. So she drops off the burgers and doesn't even really ask if we needed anything else, as I'm curiously looking at my burger she walks away. So of course I don't touch it. To her credit, she did check back within two minutes, but I was really dreading having to tell her my burger was wrong cause I knew I was gonna get the behind-the-back-eyeroll. So of course I get the argument--"I thought you ordered the bleu cheese bacon burger?" Okay--I don't like bleu cheese OR bacon (yes, kill me now) so why would I order that?! And why were there mushrooms instead of bacon, if I said bacon? Then of course I get the "whatever you say, stupid girl" look and she takes the burger back to be fixed. Comes back out (as I predicted) with barely-melted cheese and still some bits of bleu cheese on it (I knew they were just going to wipe it off and throw it back on the grill for a minute). Okay, thanks lady. So at this point my boyfriend and I are just annoyed, and all I want to do is finish my burger and get the hell out of there. We're the kind of people who will leave $10 on a $25 tab, but this girl was lucky she got 15% from us. Looking back, I should have spoken to a manager, but at the same time, they should have come out with the re-done burger, or at least afterwards to check if everything was okay. Never going back. There's plenty of other patios in this area. I won't miss it.
(2)
Melanie I.
I enjoy sitting on the beer garden with a drink. Not a fan of the inside restaurant theme and feel. Food is ok. Nothing special. Beer selection is giant but I can't even tell you the number of times that the beer you choose is not available. Luckily, there are more than enough to choose from.
(3)
Al M.
Great beer menu. Terrible food. Maybe we caught them on a bad day. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and the bread was not fresh and on the verge of stale. My wife had corned beef. Bread was stale and overall bland. I am a big eater and part of the "clean plate club". For me to leave food on the plate says lot. Nice enough outdoor seating and average wait staff. Go for drinks, avoid the food.
(2)
Matt G.
Has a beer garden , u can do better . Bar indoors is awful. Lots of burgers just alright. Thank God we now have a choice in La Grange.
(2)
Nichole C.
Fellow yelpers Stacey K., Maureen M., and I went here after a brew at The Wild Monk. The poutine...my delicious, delicious, perfect poutine is off of the menu there so we couldn't possibly stay (Wild Monk, you may have lost me forever)...but I digress. We walked down the street to a place that I am ashamed I was not aware of for two reasons: craft beer and burgers. How have I not been here before? Needless to say, I made up for lost time by drinking a paddle flight (THEY HAVE PADDLE FLIGHTS!) of: Hopothesis IPA, New Belgium's Red Hoptober, Solemn Oath's Snaggletooth Bandanna, and Lagunitas Fusion 8.) The Snaggletooth Bandanna was the fave of the bunch. Plus, I really feel like that could be the new "Zoooooweeee Mama!" as the butt of all my stupid jokes and as an awkward conversation filler. (If you don't know about Diary of a Wimpy Kid jokes, now you know. You're welcome.) My friends ordered a paddle too, but damned if I remember all the beers they tried. We also grabbed some burgers to go with our beers, naturally. I wanted to get the ostrich burger just because, well, there WAS an ostrich burger on the menu and I don't see that very often, but alas, it was changed to bison. Meh. I went with a Build Your Own Burger and it was fantastic. I got a perfectly cooked medium charred burger with creamy crumbled melty bleu cheese and pepper jack to give it some spice. I also added some bacon and egg to my creation and topped it off with a brioche bun. PERFECT. Overall: Good beer, good burgers, good times.
(4)
Bill B.
tried and true one of the first places to be a beer emporium .Food menu items are always right on and staff is friendly even when its the busiest Lots of beer choices
(4)
Try4Gold ..
Terrible food...the WORST food I've seen and eaten in a long long time. Buffalo chicken sandwich is a chicken nugget stripped of its breading and sparely covered with watery sauce. OVER PRICED hamburger you can get from McDonalds...5 Guys crushes this dump.
(1)
Jenny R.
My dad and I were walking around Downtown LaGrange today looking for a lunch spot. We encountered this place and I remembered the name when a friend said her uncle owned it. We decided to give it a try, and all I can say is that we won't be back. The service is HORRIBLE. Three middle-aged guys walked in a good 10 minutes after us and somehow got their orders taken before us. We waited nearly 20 minutes before our waitress finally came to take our order - no smiles or apology for waiting. It was another 25 minutes before we got our food, and when we finally got it, my dad's steak sandwich and my chicken pita were less than stellar. The supposed 'guacamole' on top of my pita looked like a pile of green goop resembling green sour cream. Yuck! This place is an F in my book.
(1)
Luis B.
Beer and burgers. That's a great American combination. They have plenty of both at the Palmer Place. I've conquered 5 or 6 of their burgers and I'm not even halfway! But I've got time. This place employs the friendliest and most helpful staff. I've never had any problems with Palmer Place's service. If you like to drink, come and take a look at their massive beer list. You can take a nice trip around the beer-world here if you wish. If you want a suggestion, try their potato skins. They're the best I've ever had. If you just want to drink, they have a HUGE beer garden that can accomodate huge parties. Do you want to have a good time and eat some great food? Try the Palmer Place, thank me later.
(4)
Suzanne Z.
Palmer place has been a favorite of mine since childhood. I appreciate it more now since I am of age and they have such a huge beer selection. I'm picky about beers but there is something for everyone plus over 35 on tap. Burgers are great... Making my way around the big selection. Try their award winning burger... Amazing! One thing that's really great too is that this is probably the only place with outdoor seating that's not on busy Lagrange road. And lots of it! Great for families, friends or a date.
(5)
Maria G.
Burgers!!!! They have a great selection of burgers here and all the ones that I've tried have been deelliicciioouuss!!! Fresh, nicely cooked burger with awesome combinations. This last trip I tried the "Berlin Burger". Pretzel bun with sauerkraut, smoky cheddar and bacon. Really great tasting burger that I keep thinking about! They also have tasty onion rings, potato skins and some decent wings and HUGE beer list. The interior is pretty "meh" but do head back to the biergarten and enjoy your meal.
(4)
Kristen E.
This is my favorite place to go during the summer. We love sitting in the Biergarten to eat on a nice day. It's usually pretty busy on nights and weekends! They have a large menu, lots of beers and cocktails and I've never had a bad meal here. If it's busy outside, it's harder to get the attention of your waitress but I'd say that good comes out within a reasonable amount of time. We are rarely in a hurry when we eat here so it's a nice leisurely place.
(5)
Kristy S.
Food is always consistent, and with a bazillion beer offerings, won't walk away hungry or thirsty...bathroom is rather latrine smelly, and tp everywhere, yuck. Service was great, except when you want the bill...tick tock. Third time I've had to chase down my waitress for a bill, but if you enjoy kicking back and in no rush, sit in the bier garden!
(4)
Andrew S.
Best beer garden in the area, but the food is virtually inedible.
(1)
Bill B.
Gotta love Palmer's, especially in the summertime. I'd give the food 4 stars, the service 5 stars. The burgers get 4 1/2 stars. Many different beers to choose from but almost too many imports. Would love to see Bud Light or Coors Light draft for those of us trying to balance our love of draft beer with watching the waistline. Steve is a great guy and always makes you feel welcome. But the lock on the 5 stars is the beer garden. On a nice summer evening there are few better places to grab a meal and enjoy a drink or two. And they have a pretty good kids menu for the little ones.
(5)
Matt B.
Huge beer menu! Huge burger menu! If those 2 things excite you, head over to Palmer Place. The beer menu is several pages long and just the draft list if 2 pages long. They have a great variety of beers, especially micro brews from the area and across the country. The burger menu is almost equally impressive, it takes up the entire back page of the menu. The burger was good, but not as good as I was hoping it would be. I ordered it medium rare and there wasn't an ounce of pink on it, but it was still a decent burger. Fries were coldish and left a lot to be desired. The other people at the table had onion rings and were remarking how great they were, so that's probably the way to go. Service was okay, not spectacular, but not horrible either. They have 2 huge outdoor seating areas, unfortunately it was raining when we were there, so we had to sit inside. If you go, I suggest sitting outside as the inside is kind of blah. What's strange is that it's a bar, but the seating is all low tables and booths, not the more standard high tables for a bar. In conclusion a very average bar and average food with an excellent beer menu and awesome outdoor seating areas.
(3)
Dave S.
In the four years since I wrote my first review of Palmer's the food quality has fallen considerably. In the same four years many great restaurants have opened in La Grange so now we only go to Palmer's if we want to sit outside and have a beer. Where we once went to Palmer's at least twice a month year around now we go once every couple of months. To say that we are disappointed would be an understatement.
(2)
Rose Emma M.
This is my first review on Yelp. I must say this place is a wonderful summer hangout. I went with a group of friends and we really enjoyed the outside Patio. Great beer selection. I will be going back.
(4)
Brian D.
Slow service, we had to beg to check out. Food is better from the supermarket and cooked at home. No need to stop here again.
(2)
Mary G.
Awesome! Lots of variety in the menu and a great beer menu. The kobe burger is wonderful and so are the fries. The patio is very nice and definitely baby-friendly. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Mskoolkat007 N.
Great place for family night, parties, hang outs. Beer garden large selection of drinks. The food is so great burgers are super juicy, well cooked many different types. The chicken pita is amazing. Vegan no problem they have options. Affordable and great experience you will have. This is def the place I will keep on coming back to.
(5)
Michael S.
Ostrich burger and inferno burger were the entrees we got. Ostrich was decent and did taste just like beef to me. Gf's inferno was pretty good as well, but not spicy at all. For me, the burgers were pretty good and okay for the price. Beer selection and specials were very good though.
(3)
Bart K.
While this place might be a great place to drink if you are a beer drinker. With over 100 different bottles, the food lacks in comparison. I use yelp to find most of my places when I'm up in the air on what I'm going to eat. But today I cross over into active user to warn people of the food. I had the liver and onions (who orders that anyways), but if its on your menu, I presumably would think you know how to cook it. Boy was I wrong!! The liver was about 5 days past its prime. My appetizer was not far behind it. I don't think I would ever go back for the food....but if you like beer, they really can't mess that up. This is a decent spot for that.
(3)
Alisa M.
decent burgers, good fries, food comes out fast, and good service. We tried the ostrich burger. My boyfriend said that it tastes just like beef and you can't even tell it's ostrich. I ordered the inferno burger. It was not as hot as I had hoped. They give you salsa on the side, which makes it a bit spicy, but nothing like I imagined, even with the jalapeno jack cheese. Maybe they could put jalapenos on top of the burger too along with the salsa and other goodies. Burgers are HUGE and you can customize it. For my inferno burger, I had them put it on a pretzel bun and added sauteed mushrooms. They are not stingy with the mushrooms! Unlike other places, they don't charge you extra for making changes to the order. We also tried their spinach artichoke appetizer. If you check-in on yelp, you get a free app. up to $8, which was pretty nice. The spinach artichoke was really good. They give you a good amount, it comes out fast with pita bread. They have an extensive beer and burger selection. Food: Above Par Service: Good Price: Reasonable Note: This place serves RC products.
(3)
Jeffery S.
Palmer Place used to be one of my favorite places. I haven't come here lately as downtown La Grange is becoming some major hangout for people who need to be seen and I really don't care who sees me or not. But yesterday was such a beautiful day, so snuck out of work and asked a freind to join me here for lunch. We sat ourselves in the outdoor patio which is great for days like these. Eventually we were given a menu and waitress took our drink order. As advertised, they have this huge selection of beers from just about everywhere. I was not in the mood for beer so I had water. Originally I asked for Diet Coke but the waitress said, "no Coke, just RC or Diet Rite". The menu is pretty large and have all sorts of meat, salad and appetizer dishes. Heavy emphasis on burgers and fried appetizers. Salads looked good from a distance and appeared to be quite huge. I ordered the Greek Pita Burger and my companion ordered a sirloin steak pita. After a loooonnnng wait, the food arrived. The excellent reputation this establishment has for good burgers was well deserved. The burger was excellent. The burger was a half a pound in size. Ususally one that size, I eat half and save the rest for later, but in this case I scarfed down the whole thing. Burger came with cole slaw which was kind of dry and nothing to write home about. My companion did not have so good an experience. She said her meat was over cooked to the point where it was almost burnt. Plus they brought her cole slaw instead of fresh fruit. When she pointed it out, the fruit came about 20 minutes later and was just a lame collection of orange slices and honeydew melon. Another long wait to get the check. When I tried to pay by credit card, I was told the "machine" was broken but I could get cash from the ATM. Gee thanks honey, I'm glad I didn't ring up a big honking liquor bill. I hope this experience was the exception rather than the rule. A good burger and a big beer menu will not overcome sloppy service.
(2)
Chris M.
My girlfriend took me her because she wanted to take me somewhere that fits my style. I'm a European born in Chicago who loves beer and nice hearty meals like my mom makes. She was right! We came on a Saturday at 5:30pm to get a table in the beer garden with no wait. The beer menu is double sided with options from all over the world; draft, bottles, & cans. It would have been super to get some advice on the top/best/popular beers from our waitress, but that didn't happen. Oh well, so I started with the mini-4 draft beer sampler, then some canned beer from CO. My girl had some strawberry beer from the UK, she liked that. To eat I had the breakfast burger, it's topped with a sunny side up egg. So good. I had a few fries, then left to have some ice cream at a small family owned joint with kids hula-hooping a couple blocks away.
(4)
Jessica H.
Come here if you're looking to sit outside and grab a few beers and maybe some apps. Do not come here if you're looking for a good meal. Palmer's has a crazy beer list and I think that is what keeps bringing the crowds in. That, and their awesome outdoor patio in the back of the restaurant. The food here is average, at best. The burgers are just okay and I never feel like anything is very fresh. For example, the last time here we ordered a veggie platter and the bell peppers were moldy. We will continue to come here every once in a while because my husband loves craft beer and the patio is lovely, but that's really about it.
(3)
Dorotka K.
Nice place to enjoy a casual dinner and drinks. Not much of a "bar" scene going on here- don't expect to run into Prince Charming. Lots of families and friends just hanging out. Palmer's is huge- it has two levels and a large beer garden. The beer selection was extensive, but unfortunately for me, I do not drink beer. Thankfully, they also had a decent selection of wine and prissy drinks. I sampled two different martinis and they were fairly tasty - nothing that would blow my mind, but strong enough to make me think of the world as a better place.
(4)
Jules H.
Great friendly restaurant with a huge menu of bar fare. Burgers, like a whole page of them! A beer menu with it's own dewey decimal system. My check-in here got us a free appetizer. The fried green beans with wasabi were delicious. Our server was outstanding! Greeted us promptly, explained a big menu and took great care of us. TV's aplenty here, great place to catch a black hawks game. The beer list here is the be all and end all. The food is so-so, the service is great, and well ok, they have 672 beers to pick from. And a suuuhweet outdoor area.
(4)
Jack F.
Had a turkey club. They're known for their burgers, but the turkey club is humongous and delicious. Felt like it clogged my arteries less. Was great!
(5)
Eh W.
We had an enjoyable evening here, due in part to the large volumes of beer we consumed in the biergarten, which happened to be lovely that evening, and also in part to the excellent company we shared. However, I would not give too much credit to this particular establishment because the staff seemed disorganized and the drink menu, though ample, lacked pricing. Given that the price of an item factors into my interest in consuming it, it's bizarre to expect customers to place their orders solely based on taste. My husband had to ask the server the price of every beer and she didn't even know! ("Somewhere between $3.00-$5.50"). I don't consider this her fault since it's ridiculous to expect a server to know the exact price of every drink on the menu, but rather the fault of the owners for not making this critical information available to their customers.
(2)
David B.
As someone who grew up in LaGrange, Palmer's is an institution. Their beer selection is just immense and their food is great. Service is always pretty good although getting a seat especially in the summer can be difficult especially on the weekends. The beergarden is easily when of the best in the entire Chicagoland area. Prices are OK for food but can be a bit steep depending on what you drink.
(4)
R J.
Lunch today- always good food and typically good service. Their chili is tasty and meat, albeit a bit small for both the cup or bowl. (Bowl is cup sized.... Cup is.... Tiny) Have been here dozens of times but first review. (Yay for mobile reviews... Finally) Can always get a table, even on busy Fri/Sat nights. Beer selection is beyond imagination. Literally 100's to choose.
(4)
Craig S.
I like me a place with a good beer selection, and this place meets that criteria. The food is fine. I can't say I found it memorable, which means I wasn't blown away, nor was I disappointed. I will say I remember the beer more than the food. We've eaten here a few times, I need to go back and experience the beer garden.
(3)
Antaash U.
Palmer's is a neighborhood staple in Downtown LaGrange and has been a part of the community for as long as I can remember. I think they've been around since 1983 and with businesses coming and going on LaGrange Ave, this fact signifies that they must be doing something right. Though Palmer's is a pub well known for it's extensive beer selection (they do beer flights that are presented on a paddle!), the menu offers solid American fare. Their burger selection is overwhelming because there are so many combinations ( I think I counted 30 the last time I was there). They also have a plethora of other types of sandwiches, salads, soups, and entrees which ensure you'll find something whether you're carnivorous or vegetarian that will hit the spot. If you are here when the weather is cooperating, the outdoor seating in the back is wonderful and takes up the casual dining experience up a notch. I gave Palmer's a solid 4 stars, because though it's nothing fancy they have a wonderful menu, warm and inviting ambiance and an attentive wait staff.
(4)
Alexandra S.
I've been going to palmers since I was young and it was always good. But lately not so much. Today however, it was ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! Our server, carol, was a sweet girl....but honestly serving isn't her thing. I understand everyone has bad days and bad tables, I work in restaurants as well. But this was beyond a bad day. This was just horrible. Other than the 2 times I had to wave someone down to go get her, she came to our table twice. We asked for a minute to look at the drink menu, 20 minutes later she came back. Then after 15 minutes we got our drinks and then another 20 for ya to get her back over so we could order food, she was more interested in what was going on inside than her tables. Whoever trained her did an awful job. Palmers needs to step up their service before I ever come again! The food was okay I guess, made my boyfriend sick actually. Wasn't worth the $45 I spent.
(1)
Chris L.
I've been to Palmers more then a few times and have no problem recommending it as a solid place to go. Good place to go for lunch, or low key weekend night. They have a huge beer selection if beer is your thing. The food is pretty good, they have the basics you would except a beer/pub type place to have. Service is usually pretty good, and in the summer the outdoor patio is pretty nice. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. Added bonus which I was unaware of until my last visit, if you check in with yelp while your there, you get an offer for a free appetizer with your meal. All in all, a pretty decent place.
(4)
Suzanne A.
Good food. Don't go here if you are in a rush... Slow service, so grab a beer and enjoy!
(4)
Stephanie B.
I've enjoyed this place a few times up until now. I called the ask if they could accommodate a larger party for my birthday but the guy on the phone was a total dick about it. Apparently I'm magically supposed to know that La Grange was having their annual Hometown Holiday walk. He said something along the lines of "Well didn't you check the website?" NO, I don't live in La Grange and the Palmer website said nothing about any events for this particular day. In addition to that he really sounded like he could care less and didn't want to help me out at all. Yeah never going back here, I rather take my business to people who would actually appreciate it.
(2)
Conrad K.
We've been going to Palmer Place for years, and were usually happy with the food. But recently the wife and I haven't been thrilled. A recent example was our last visit. She ordered the salmon sandwwich on ciabata bread and an order of crispy fries. What we got was potato salad, no fries. After we informed the waitress of the error, they briught out an order of fries, but they were limp and cold. Otherwise ok. Previous visit just ok too.
(1)
Kt G.
Terrible. Holy buckets. I would give negative score if possible. We got seated right away. Then waited forever for our waitress to come. She finally came and took our order. Waited an Hour and a half!!!!! For our food. Then when it finally came it was wrong. Very disappointed.
(1)
Betty H.
The food we ordered was pretty bad, should of known better than to order fried green tomatoes from this place, that was my bad...BUT, when you ask for a burger well done, it should never be burnt to the point of no return. The only thing this place has going for them is their Biergarten
(2)
Patsy D.
I've been going to Palmer Place for years. Always in the summer months because the patio is great. Went last night and met a friend....had the beef nachos--mui bien! And great beers and wine by the glass. Also shared a deli club with coleslaw. The service was attentive and timely and the food came out quickly. Makes me sad that summer is coming to an end.
(4)
Tina G.
Went to see my new niece in Palos Heights and stopped into Palmer Place with the family for dinner.... When we first walked in the restaurant it was empty and I was a bit taken back because the street was so busy, but then we went into the patio in back and it was a full house and a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The kids loved the soup and video games! I had a burger, it was delicious, but I don't like pickles at all and they were already in the burger, so next time I have to remember to tell the waitress no pickles. My husband had the blackened steak sandwich with onion rings, it was amazing, that is what I will order next time. Fast service and most importantly for a waitress to get a 20% tip our drinks were always full! That is my biggest pet peeve! Don't get down there a lot but will go back when we visit our newest family member : )
So just went here, was told to seat yourself. Waited apprx 10-15 and no one walked up to greet or even take our drink order. Promptly left and decided to take my business elsewhere.
(1)
Ken H.
I went in there with my wife. I had the steak sandwich; she had the Confetti Burger. Both were excellent--the steak sandwich was a real, no fooling, steak (not the thin-sliced beef that passes for steak on some steak sandwiches). There was a great selection of beer. Service was just a bit slow; as the restaurant was very busy, I'll give them a pass on this, but it's something I'd watch if I went back there, which I probably will.
(4)
Anthony K.
Went here with my brother. Enjoyed some beer on their huge list to choose from. Ordered a rueben sandwich. The food sandwich tasted good. The only downside was that the bread wasnt as toasted as I had liked but It didnt take anything away from the taste, just the texture. Cool bar, great ambiance, nice outdoor tent, and friendly service.
(4)
Laura S.
Great place to meet up for drinks with friends. Beer selection is great- check out the list tucked in recycled six pack boxes that house the condiments. Food is delicious- favorites include: the Blackened Chicken Cesar Salad. The Bavarian- ham, turkey, Gouda, and all the fixings on pretzel bread. Crispy green beans appetizer with wasabi ranch for dipping. The service is usually a bit lack luster- we always get the same server that seems to disappear for very long stretches of time, but the place is friendly and tasty enough that I keep coming back.
(4)
Maria S.
I have been going here for years. My favorite part is the beer garden. The food is typical pub food. I usually get the German club which is awesome, but this last time I went with the gourmet burger for 14.95. Didn't mind spending that much because they do have amazing hamburgers, but this one was not for me. It was so messy and I didn't care for all of the ingredients on it. Others may like it, but I did not. As far as service go, it is hit or miss. This time we had Nina and she was great. All in all if you like beer and burgers this is the place to go.
(4)
Zach G.
This is a fine place. Fairly average...nothing much to complain about, but nothing much to praise. The beer selection is quite good, but they need to sort the beers better. Even I, a self-proclaimed beer snob, had trouble identifying some of the beers, let alone what type of beer they were. They have them all split out by country...OK, great, but I often find myself saying "I have a taste for a stout" before saying "I have a taste for a Dutch beer". Also, they advertise their Guinness selections (i.e. Guinness with ____ beer)...I tried a Carlos Murphy - Guinness and Negra Modelo - but they were out of the Negra. In fact, based on the size of this place, it wouldn't surprise me if they were out of a lot of the beers on the list on a consistent basis. Again, no proof, just experience from other places combined with a basic Mexican beer being out of stock at the time of my visit. The menu has a ton of choices, some of them quite creative, so I give them props on that. Our party had various things - chicken tenders, burgers, pork sandwich, chili. I heard the burgers were quite good, but everything else was just average. Again, not bad...just, average. Prices were fair and service was friendly, so I'll probably return if I am in the area. However, I wouldn't go terribly far out of my way to find the place.
(3)
Ivette S.
Food is mediocre and service is just as bad. Famous corned beef sandwich has no flavor and the steak sandwich is two bricks of tasteless sirloin with a pound of onions and shaved mushrooms. Had to ask for steak sauce for it to taste half way decent. Will not be returning.
(1)
Matthew J.
The food is delicious. Can't beat their burgers and they're reasonable in price. However, the service could be better. They weren't insanely busy so that's not an excuse. The waitress only sat us, took our order, brought our order but never came back in between to ask if we wanted another beer or refreshment. Do they not want to make money or something?! We were more then willing to increase our bill! Maybe it will be better next time.
(3)
Liz K.
Considering that I have been here even more times than before..I finally came to the conclusion that I love this place and give it 5 stars....every single time I been here I leave happy! I have also expanded from my usual order...:-) Beer is good as always but their bloody mary's are my new favorite!
(5)
Kari G.
Excellent food (huge portions!) and drinks. Very reasonably priced and so kid-friendly. Service was excellent and our waitress was so friendly and great with our kids. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Katie F.
So the rating is for the service, not the food. Everytime we go there it takes at least 5-10 minutes for us to get even said hi to by the waitress (there are waiters but mostly ladies). They are nice enough but usually take very long time to get even one thing. So if you have your entire order ready by the first time the waitress comes then will be alright. The food is really good. Great burgers. My favorite is breakfast burger
(2)
Michelle C.
I can't count the number of times I've been to Palmer's over the years. Admittedly I've had some wonderful times at Palmer's including celebrating my birthday, drinks with my new husband and his family after our wedding, etc.. However, I've come to rely on the fact that Palmer's is incredibly hit or miss...and by that I mean, it's mostly miss. I remember back in the day when Palmer's didn't serve anything but beer. This was when their first "mixed drink" was a Mai Tai. And I remember when their menu had the most delicious blue cheese nacho appetizer. Those days are long gone. The thing that keeps me coming back to Palmer's'? The beer garden, hands down. There is nothing like it around (that I know of) and it's really the perfect place to both people watch and get sauced. In December I went to Germany and fell in love with a few beers that hold a special place in my heart. One of those incredible beers is Spaten. I was delighted when I found this on Palmer's' extensive beer menu and that is all I ever order now when I come to enjoy the beer garden. This is a huge win. The service at Palmer's' is horrific. The servers are young and careless, barely making time to take an order let alone remember what you've been drinking all night. This isn't Hooters, so there's no need to hire 21 year old girls with a pretty smile. People go to Palmer's to drink - period. No one goes for the food (it's bar food people, c'mon). People come to Palmer's because it's local and has a beer garden. I wish I hated Palmer's because I'd write it off forever and spend my money in a place that has better service. I mean, if I wanted to be treated like shit every time I go out to eat. I'd just head to the city. But I don't. I want to be treated like I'm spending my hard-earned money. In closing, if it weren't for the beer garden, this place wouldn't survive. The end.
(2)
Kyle H.
Oh My Beer-ness! A huge beer list for beer lovers. Palmer's has it covered! Palmer's is like the City equivalent to Quencher's, beer-wise, Could I have ordered a Daisy Cutter and enjoyed a beer that tasted like a freshly mowed suburban lawn in my mouth? Of course. But I can get that anywhere in the City now, so I had to do some exploring. Started with the Chapeau Plum, which wasn't too fruity. There's a feather in your cap! Then On To Belgium! Little known fact: Belgium is the most boring place in the World. Wait, I think most people know that already. But! Belgium has some of the best beers (and chocolate) in the World. Seriously. Leffe Blonde is one of my favorites, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I probably shouldn't have ordered the large Eel River Acai Wheat beer at the end of the night, but the name was so cool, I had to try it. Recommended if you like a slightly berry-wheat weiss beer. And it's healthy, right?? Palmer's seemed like a friendly place and I've been told that summer is the season to be here- they've apparently got a great patio. It's kind of hard to imagine summer ever coming right now, but when it does- to Palmer's!
(4)
Mick S.
Been a regular here for years. Great pub food. I think they have at least 10 burgers available, and hundreds of beers. Be prepared to have a back-up in mind, or two, as the new beers are often out of stock. The waitresses while cute, are not always knowledgeable about the beers. They have a great beer garden in the summer and they tent the lower section in the winter. The back, bar section is more youth oriented vs the front which is more family style. By far one of the best places in LaGrange.
(3)
Ryan W.
The food here was pretty good, and I chose to go the Texas BBQ burger route along with some onion rings. The burger used Texas toast instead of a regular bun, and their BBQ sauces was actually quite tasty. I should have had a little bacon thrown on to make it perfect, but any BBQ burger lover will find comfort in this hearty meal. The onion rings are worth the $0.75 "upgrade". Judging by their menu selection I'd say that burgers is a strong focus of this restaurant, and they have some unique combination including various types of buns. I even saw one that came on a pretzel bun if that is something that would interest you, but for me the Texas toast was a nice touch. For the two burgers we got the bill came to about $22 (without anything other than the burgers, and not including the tip). Note: Their Yelp check-in offer still says it is valid and makes you think it can be redeemed, but it is only for the month of Feburary 2011 as of this writing.
(4)
Bee B.
Very friendly people, they've been around for a while and know how to treat thier customers! Good food too!
After eating at Palmers many times, I've finally stopped trying. The service is inconsistent and server turnover is high. The food can be good but I've never been impressed. I had a terrible experience waiting 45 minutes for a burger and when I asked to speak to a manager, he/she wouldn't come to my table! Never again. Great beer selection, average burgers, and coin flip service.
(2)
Amy B.
I have grown up going to Palmer place. I was there in December and had a horrible experience due to a horrible server. Thank god for the awesome lady manager who saved our visit. I came back to Palmer this past week i was so pleased with our experience this time. The same manager lady stopped by and said hi and we also had the best server ever!! I would totally want her again as my server!! The food was amazing like i remembered and the pear ale beer was delicious!!!
(4)
Brandon P.
Amazing just amazing burgers delicious especially the ultimate,, try the wells banana bread beer amazing!!!!!!
(5)
cassie r.
O.M.G. I'm lamenting the fact I did not know this restaurant existed when I lived just a few short minutes away last year...oh, how I would have frequented this place at least two dozen times by now if I had. My fam and I visited this little gem last night at the recommendation of my boss - and I'm so glad we did. We got seated right away (on a Saturday at 6:30 p.m. nonetheless), and the server was attentive throughout the evening. First, I loves me some beer. And their beer list is of novel-like proportions (though not quite to the Map Room's extent, but close). I love a place that offers a ton of beers you've never heard of before - it makes picking just one so much more fun. I ended up with Surley's Furious (eh) and a Samichlaus (Austrian beer - brewed once a year on December 6th, then aged nearly a year in oak barrels)...definitely worth a try. Now, this place has a bevy of food selections for anyone's palates, but they're apparently well-known for their burgers (Ostrich anyone)? I ended up ordering the Greek Pita Burger (pita bread, burger meat, tzatziki sauce and feta cheese). Awesome combo. Palmer's also has a ton of options for sides, so there's a good chance everyone will leave pleased. I definitely did.
(4)
Eric Y.
Friendly neighborhood place. Get the fried green beans with wasabi dipping sauce. They're better than fries!
(3)
Solida N.
When I first visited my boyfriend's family, they took me here. The food is average and I wasn't a huge fan. My second visit here a year later... and I still felt the same way. To add, the waitress forget stuff we asked for... Which is annoying because it delay's our eating and the food gets cold. But to make it up she brought us all pickles =) But it looks like a nice place to come and drink with friends.
(3)
Dorothy S.
I have changed my mind, especially now that I go here every other week. Service is better and you can get the veggie burger prepared in any way that a regular meat burger is prepared so the possibilities are (almost) endless. The blackened tuna ceasar salad is good too. Ditto on the salmon salad.
(4)
Kate P.
We came here last night to enjoy the evening out on their patio. It was a fantastic night to be outside relaxing with friends, enjoying the weather, and drinking a beer or two. I had their southwest chicken wrap which was a tasty choice and a side of their fantastic onion rings. To drink I had my first taste of Three Floyd's Gumballhead, since it was on tap and I must admit, I'm now addicted. It's crisp, refreshing and light, with a fine wheaty aftertaste. The perfect way to end a wonderfully warm and relaxing evening.
(4)
Antonio U.
Great place with lots of beer options, about 20 different burger options, tons of other menu options, lots of tv's, an outdoor patio plus beer garden, in beautiful downtown La Grange...what more can you ask for?!!! The best part is that it's not quite a sports bar and not quite a restaurant so it's perfect for both having a few beers w/the guys and going to lunch with the family. Not a whole lot of places like this.
(5)
Ray N.
This place is beer heaven. They have over 2 dozen on tap, and well over a hundred more on bottles. The beer menu alone is on a double-sided, over-sized sheet of paper with one side devoted to US brews and the other from around the world. And they aren't super-expensive, either... Well-done, guys. As for the food, the whole back page of the menu is full of 30 or so burgers. They come with a side. many of them look really good, but some are head-scratchers. The rest of the menu is pretty typical - chicken, beef, and so on. They all look good, so if you have a hard time deciding, you're in trouble. We were lucky and beat the rush by about 10 minutes, so our appetizers were served pretty quickly. Our server was friendly and offered a couple of beers similar to one I requested that they were out of. They are a bit pricey on the food end, but I suppose they have to make up the cost somewhere on the beers. My only real complaint is that the beer list almost seems like overkill - something I never thought I'd say. If you want to try something different besides the old Bud or Goose Island, you're going to need a good 15 minutes just to read through the beer menu before deciding. They do have a beer cocktail list too, with ingredients, so you can try some of that.
(4)
Joanne W.
This is another place I miss from my days of working in downtown LaGrange. This was a frequent lunch & after work gathering place for myself and co-workers. I'd give this a 3 1/2 star rating but since I can't it gets a three. Very extensive beer list - it's huge. They do serve wine now - this was strictly a beer only place at one time. They also have a nice patio out back which gets quite busy in the warmer months. I also thought there was a rooftop patio....but I could be wrong on this. There is a alot of seating in the restaurant - the front is mostly booth seatin and then there are a couple additional rooms with tables - which is nice for large groups. The bar is in the back with additional tables. They food is OK...it's not spectacular but i think it's pretty decent bar food. They have a good burger menu. I will admit I usually get one of two items on the menu....the black n blue burger (cajun seasoned burger with grilled onions, blue cheese on garlic texas toast - yum!) or the triple decker BLT which is loaded with an insane amount of bacon...mmmm, bacon. I've had wings and some other apps before - eh, it's nothing special but will do the trick if you have a hankering to go with your cold beer while enjoying the game. They also do a big to-do for St. Pat's - setting up a tent in the parking lot located behind the outdoor patio. I almost forgot....soda! Soda lovers will appreciate they they serve, orange soda, red cream soda & green river! A solid place to hang for a few and definitly worth checking 0ut for the beer list alone.
(3)
Stephen S.
We went on a Saturday at 11:30am for lunch. I think our experience was impacted by the fact they were sooo busy. There was a girls soccer tournament nearby, evidently, as there were several teams at the restaurant. Palmers was slammed. Even then, all the staff was working hard. The group had fish and chips, Wagyu burger, regular burger, and I had the Palmer steak sandwich. The steak was ok, but overcooked, and I just ate the steak and not the bun. I think we all enjoyed the food and beer. There were plenty of choices of beer. Maybe I will go to this place again, but I am sure I wouldn't make a drive to go there specifically.
(3)
Shain C.
I think this place can be defined as a gastro pub... which is to say that it's a bar with good food and a good beer list. The atmosphere inside can feel a bit cramped, but the beer garden is very large. The wife and I sit at the small bar when we have to sit inside. The wait staff is generally attentive. And the menu seems to be updated rather frequently and offers "bar food" with a gourmet twist. I would recommend skipping the fried green tomatoes... way too thin and flavorless... But I would highly recommend the Allen Brother's meats. I recently had a steak sammich that I wanted to make love to, but there were kids around. Speaking of, this is LaGrange, so there are kids wherever you go, and Palmer Place is no exception. Overall it's the best place to sample a few beers and have a good meal in a laid back environment in downtown LaGrange.
(4)
Karen C.
After an afternoon spent walking around Brookfield Zoo I decided on Palmer's to enjoy an early dinner with a few friends. We arrived about 4:30pm on a Monday and headed straight to the back patio area. There were perhaps two other tables of patrons at that point so we had our pick of tables and settled in. The back patio is relatively large and decently spread out. We started with a Party of Four appetizer which included four potato skins, four chicken tenders, and four cheese sticks and was around $13 and is what you'd expect of bar food. Then the main course arrived. Among us we ordered Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad, Black and Blue Burger, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and Three Cheese Mushroom Burger. I had the Mushroom burger and found there to be too much cheese, far too many mushrooms, and the meat itself to not be that amazing (which may be why they piled everything else on). Everyone else found their meal to be dull but edible. Nothing to write home about and for what they charged for some items I would have expected more. Other things: the restrooms were clean, well stocked, and they have these super powerful hand dryers which kind of freak me out and fascinate me at the same time. For an outside seating area, it was well kept, had extra napkins and condiments available in the center, and quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The waitress was prompt and friendly although she must have been somewhat new as she didn't know what brand of Root Beer they served and seemed unfamiliar with the beer selection.
(2)
Anthony B.
I've been coming to Palmers for years now. As most review state, great beer selection. A little pricey for domestic beers I feel ($4.75) but not unbearable either. The only thing I ever order here is the veggie burger. They make an excellent one here. Lots of people complain about the quality of the food, but if you stay away from the meat, it's pretty alright. The owners are dogs and only hire semi-cute to semi-hot waitresses and they all have huge boobs. I dated a girl that worked here and she said the owners are perverts and walk fine line between creepy and sexual harrasement. Whatever. I like boobs so what do I care. The service is always medicore, but it's just a local place, so it's really not that bad. Over all, 3 stars.
(4)
Maggie R.
This is the spot to go to when you want a quick dinner and a nice cold beer to go along with it. They have a ton of different beers from all over the world and their beer-on-tap is also huge. Their pulled-pork sandwich is phenomenal.
(5)
Liz W.
I've been here on numerous occasions and I have come to the conclusion that this place is just alright. They have a pretty huge menu with tons of beer options as well as mixed drinks. On my most recent trip I decided to try the burger with fries. Since my bf worked here back in high school he told me that the burger was frozen =/ big disappointment. I ordered my burger well done and it was pretty dry. It had some maple glaze, cheese, and some flimsy bacon. You can choose numerous side options, but I chose the fries and they were probably frozen. The bf had the wings and those were pretty good. I would probably only come here for drinks and apps.
(3)
Ann G.
It is a good place to have a few beers. The food is just ok bar food and much better burgers and fries, etc. can be had at numerous places close by.
(2)
Kelly S.
In the wise words of Mary T. - 'Pick 4 beers cause the chance that they will be out of 3 is probable.' I was really looking forward to a Victory Moonglow. Alas, out. For being an establishment with such a hearty beer list, I would expect the wait staff to be more knowledgeable about beer. Alas, neighborhood high school seniors or perhaps 21 somethings with little to no beer knowledge. The waitress was literally speechless and unable to make me a recommendation for an alternative. Still... the massive amount of outdoor seating and beautiful beer list keep me coming back.
(4)
Jessica E.
Palmer's is everything you want it to be. The beer list is extensive, as is the knowledge of the bartenders. They also know their way around a good cocktail. Everyone is friendly and willing to help with any questions you may have. There are tables, booths, and even a beer garden around back. Don't underestimate their appetizers! They are large and delicious. Also, open later than your typical La Grange eatery. Yum.
(5)
Stacey K.
Not sure why it's taken me more than 2 years to write about this place. Palmer's Place, that is. Just the kind of establishment that every "Mayberry-esque" town must have. I'm upset that some the reviewers below (none of whom are local to La Grange mind you) have rated the burgers poorly. They are perfectly cooked just to your liking patties of beefy goodness all complimented perfectly with various toppings and just the right bun. Try the Olive Burger, Breakfast Burger, and Gourmet Burger. They also serve up tasty appetizers, lots of good sandwiches and then of course there's the 2,492 different beers they offer. Another nice point is the different seating areas. There's a cozy area by the fireplace off to the side of the front area, nice booths and warm lighting up front, or sit at the bar or in the bar area and watch the game. This is what me and the husband did yesterday (Sunday) after spending 2 miserable hours raking leaves and freezing our butts off. We went to Palmer's for nachos, soft warm pretzel bites and a couple Wiess beers. Sat at the bar and watched football. Purr-fect!!
(4)
Kelly D.
Beer, Beer, Beer.
(4)
Ryan N.
If you're in the LaGrange area and you're looking for some really good bar food, Palmer's is the place. The atmosphere is what I like best because no matter what time of year you go, tou can really get a lot out of the place. In the summertime you can sit out in their beer garden and soak in that aspect, or if its the dead of winter you can hang out in their bar area which will most certainly have your favorite sporting event playing. Even if you are coming with your family you can ask to be seated in the front of the restaraunt, which is a much more laid back atmosphere (not to say that Palmer's is every out of control). I would advise to avoid the early evenings on the weekend. In my experience this is when the high school crowd is hanging out around the restaurant. Food for thought!
(4)
Trey M.
This place is La Grange! You see everyone when you at Palmer Place. The food is good, the atmosphere is great. The beer garden is awesome! Great burgers!
(5)
Brent S.
Palmers patio in the t-shirt and shorts seasons is the place to be! The beer selection is nothing short of jaw-dropping. They just expanded their burger menu and I am here to tell you the 5 or so burgers I have had here have all sucked a big one, patty is always burnt and tastes like old griddle. As long as you can stay away from the burgers the other menu categories are OK. Seriously the only redeeming value of this joint is the outdoor patio with friends and family. Dessert menu is also lacking, maybe 5 options and they all end in cake or pie.
(2)
Rebecca H.
Consistently good food, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and icy cold beer combine for thumbs up experiences every time. Harp on tap and a reuben is a treat. Their corned beef is spot-on and lean. None of that nasty stuff you have to cut out or worse, pick away with your fingers! The feeling is fun and welcoming. Grest place to bring friends or just "for two." Don't get the knocks on food others have posted - the steak sandwich, various club sandwiches and sides (excellent, non-gloppy potatoe o salad) are all done well.
(4)
James W.
Having lived in LaGrange for ten years I've been a frequent Palmer customer. I am dismayed to have been witness to its decline in service and quality of food over the past two years or so. After it's expansion a couple years ago now, it seems that the kitchen can't keep up with the number of customers it crowds in. The food quality has steadily decreased along with the quality and sense of urgency of the wait staff. One of the hosts - "Gus" has always been a great and gracious guy, but this doesn't make up for the ineptitude and overall smug attitude of much of the wait staff. Hearing that the owners have been involved in some shenanigans of ethically questionable LGBA activites also leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
(2)
Christine P.
This place gets threestarts for one reason and one reason only - service on Friday's needs major improvement! The food is fantastic, and once you can get a table, it's a great time. The beer list has never disappointed me. But the service when they're busy, gah! The seating for each section (front, back, and patio) is ALL first come, first served for each section. I waited one time for 20 minutes before I was acknowledged by the host. I think they have sections on the weekend, but it's incredibly messy. Once a table is secured, and the order has been placed, however, it doesn't take long for food to arrive. I'd love to come back, but not on a weekend night!
(3)
Carol K.
I have been to Palmers several times and each time have left wondering why I come back. And tonight was no different. Palmer's is located in downtown LaGrange and could be a really good neighborhood bar. The best thing about it in the summer is the huge outdoor beer garden- although I must say that the exhaust from the kitchen that spews in the garden makes it difficult to enjoy your food. Also- since the beer garden faces the back parking lot- it's basically like sitting in a parking lot drinking a beer- tailgate party anyone? The food is typical bar food but it never seems to come out of the kitchen hot and fresh so I took a star off of the review. Beware- if you order an appetizer- almost all are deep friend. On the positive side- they do have an extensive beer list and the servers are friendly. It also appears that everyone knows each other at this place- greeting each other by name as they wait for their tables. If you are out in LaGrange- stop by. It's probably one of the better places on this strip of La Grange Road. But I wouldn't make a special trip.
(2)
Kimberley D.
Don't go here for the food. Ordered beef nacho's and the waitress said sorry, out of beef, was a busy weekend. REALLY???? Switched to cheese quesadilla which came with frozen guacamole. Where's the sour cream and salsa. Had an Allen Brothers burger which you pay $4.00 more for, was not even close to a half pound as stated. My friend ordered the Mayor of Manheim, Allen Brothers Steak Sandwich. Hmmmm, was definitely NOT Allen Brothers. We order meat from Allen Brothers on a regular basis so I know what it should taste like. Spent alot of money and was very disappointed. Won't be back.
(1)
John M.
I was recently in Chicago for a wedding and had lunch at this place. The beer selection was awesome and the bartender knew his stuff. But for a place that is known for it's "award" winning burgers, they sucked. You can not be an "award" winning burger joint if you use frozen patties. A burger is not good because you top it with a bunch of shit to mask the bland taste of a frozen patty.
(2)
Serena C.
They do have a large selection of beers; if anything go for the beer. The have a nice outdoor seating area for those warm summer nights. Our friends really like this place, so we went one night to try it out. You get to seat yourself in this place. We were waited on quite quickly after sitting down, bc the waitress saw us sitting in her area. Having said that, the night we went the service was absolutely terrible. After she took our order, we didn't see her until about an hour later when we were receiving our food. On top of the lack of service, the food was cold by the time we got it so we sent it back. I can understand when a place is busy, but the time our food was done by the time we got it was ridiculous. When we received our check we went up to the register to pay ourselves, we weren't going to wait another 30 mins to finish up there. The food was nothing spectacular to write home about and bit too pricey considering the service we received.
(2)
Patrick G.
Palmer Place is an outdoor beer garden first. As for the interior, the front dining area has this 70s basement; wood paneling sort of feel. Not in a cool retro-hipster way but in a "man this place is stuffy" sort of way. The interior rear back by the only 12 foot long or so bar is more open and airy and updated -- so that helps. This place should not be labeled as a bar. Please note my mention of the 12 footer above. Its a summer time happy hour beer garden. For that it is great. The food is only okay -- I would never seek the food out. Well, except the onion rings. Definitely get the onion rings. Other than the rings, the substantial menu has nothing with a signature on it. I would rather they cut the food menu in half and have something memorable on it. If indoors and just having a drink sit at the, albeit very small, bar. The bartenders know their stuff and are very friendly. If you have to get a table, brace yourself because 1 out of every 3rd waitress is either standing around texting all her BFFs (figuratively) or is just plain bad at her job (not figuratively). This joint gets its stars for its open beer garden, its fine beer selection and its knowledgeable bartenders only. Also the onion rings.
(3)
Rosie D.
I've been here once in the winter for a date and just recently this summer for dinner. Both expiriences were very good. The food comes in huge portions and is delicious. The drinks were good (although I'd suggest staying away from the mai-tai cause it has a funky after taste). The service is good. The staff doesn't really have a dress code so it's kind of weird seeing teenagers just coming up to your table saying what's up. The beer garden is awesome. Even though there's not much scenery because it faces the parking lot. But it's huge and spacious, and if you go at the right time it's def a fun place to people watch. Of course this place is known for its beer. It's beer menu is more impressive then it's food menu. My suggestion is to go there and try a new beer, eat some hot wings, and enjoy the beer garden or roof top while its still warm.
(4)
D D.
Been to Palmer Place several times over the last 5 years. We've always had tasty quality food and the service has always been very good. Some servers have more personality than others, but all of them have been attentive. My fave is the Kobe burger ... Med Rare ... lil blue cheese & raw onion ... I'm a happy boy. Their beer list is quite large & features a nice variety of beers from around the world. But be prepared ... you may have to go w/ a second choice because alot of the beers they feature are in limited supply. In the dozen or so times I've been to Palmer Place, I think they've had my first choice for a beer 4 times. No biggie - plenty of other stuff to choose from. The place is usually busy, but we've never had a problem getting a table. Granted, haven't been there on a Fri. or Sat. night - but it's a big place with plenty of seating.
(4)
Jeff K.
its an easy place to be on a weeknight. having said that the food is mediocre. its a good place to drink and be loud, but if you are looking for good food, this aint it.
(2)
Michael M.
I have been going to Palmer's for quite a long time. I love the food, the beer and the atmosphere. I remember when they didn't even have a full bar and that was ok with me because it allowed them to really focus on the beer from everywhere. The food is great though I will admit I usually only get the reuben, the german club, or a burger. They have a ton of burgers now and they are all good. The main reason I didn't give this place the 5 stars I wanted to is because of the service my friend and I got the other day. Usually the staff is pretty good, friendly and engaging. Our server barely looked us in the eye, got my order wrong (no, I didn't say anything it was just a mixup of fries instead of my onion rings), and though we tried talking to her and joke around she didn't seem to care. It was quite apparent that she was looking at the wall behind us when we were ordering our beer and when she came back to check. I will definitely go back but the service needs to be better for that final star.
(4)
Slugs A.
One of the greatest beer lists that I have ever seen and the beer garden is a perfect spot to hang out in the summer. The food is alright. Nothing special there.
(3)
Michael G.
Waited for 15 minutes for someone to at least acknowledge we were there. Two waitresses walked by several times but never even said they would be with us in a moment. We were not going to this place lately because of the bad service and this just confirms it ...the staff has a bad attitude. There are plenty of other restaurants in LaGrange with much better service so just stay away from this place.
(1)
Charlie J.
If you want a fantastic burger (pretty much any possible way you could imagine) a beer (a nice long list) and a game on TV, this is probably as good a place as any. It some times takes a little longer to get the food on the tables than you'd like and the wait staff is often young...so a bit flighty sometimes. But the atmosphere is cozy, not too loud, and a great place to chill for an afternoon.
(3)
Adrian W.
People talk about this beer selection like it was the best in the Chicago-land area. Quencher's on Fullerton&Western has a larger selection. But in La Grange, this is good enough. I never understood beer gardens, especially fancy ones. You sit outside and drink. I guess be seen as well. After a round of golf, you can grab your golfing buddies and bring them here rather then drink on the 19th hole. But here, there's two and a half levels of beer garden'ing (there's a two step up level, as well as a balcony that gives the patrons an eye full of middle age'd cleavage on a toasty day) I digress. This place gets pretty packed. I mean, Saturday, at 5.30p, we barely found a table outside. Hypocrite? Thy name is Adrian W. So we sat outside and looked over the beer menu. I order a draught and it came out in a little plastic cup. Dismayed, i ordered a much heralded Belzebuth. This beer from France was quite the gem. A blond ale that kicks in at 13% and actually tasted good. Sure it only came in at 8.3 oz, but once you finished it, your taste buds were over joyous. Yes they have domestics here, but that's lame if you come here, a place known for their drinks and have a domestic. They also had Sam Adams' Triple Chocolate Bock Vintage (1997) but ran out the DAY BEFORE. So yeah the food? i'd eat someplace else before I order here. I got the ribeye steak, medium done with their horseradish potatos and cole slaw. The cole slaw was standard fare, a little bit too tangy. Potatos were all right. The rib eye was half fat. .... half fat. And even that half meat, not great! She got the garden burger that was more bun than anything else. The twenty bucks or so spent on food could have easily filled us up elsewhere. Parking can be a pain. This is downtown La Grange where street parking is minimal for over two hours, as well as finding a spot in the lots are hard to come by. As much as I hate to say this, downtown Naperville should be looked at by these planners, after all, it looks mimicked. Two 4 floor garages on opposites sides can make this mess easier to deal with. In short, come for the beers after a nice stomach filler from somewhere else.
(2)
Luan N.
Really lively and spacious place. They have live entertainment in the back rooms. Pretty extensive beer list, but... 1. I have seen longer beer lists 2. I looked up Quencher's through Adrian W.'s review and felt Quencher's list was better thought out and was more appealing. 3. Some of the prices on the brews were outrageous. 4. They didn't have the Cooper's beer that I wanted to try. 5. That was hands down the worst Kobe burger I have ever had in my life. According to Palmer website: "Wagyu beef boasts heavy marbling (no), rich flavor (not here), and unique texture ( Yes, I couldn't tell if it was imported roadkill from Kobe)." Even if you cross bred Wagyu with a possum, I don't think it could have been this bad :(
(2)
Christopher R.
For the beer alone-4.5 stars. I knock them half a star because they've actually gotten worse in the bottle selection (but better in the drafts) over the past few years. Hard to be too criticial when they have little real competition in town. The summer crowds are the most fun in the area. Outdoor drinking where you are guaranteed to run into someone you know. Unfortunately, the food is precisely that bland, good-but-average bar fare that is the bain of surburban restaurants everywhere. Exhibit A: the boneless buffalo wings. Weak. Sauce. The corned beef is worthy, but not the best near a city known for it.
(4)
Alan L.
I have been coming here for years. Everything you order her is delicious above anything that can be said. I have brought my college buddies here, my family from out of town and each time we have visitors from out of town they want to go back to Palmer's. On a busy night, well every night, the place is hopping. Especially in the summer. There is an outside beer garden and tables for outdoor dining for the warm months. The service is fast, accurate and in the last 17 years or so, I have never sent anything back. Terrific place for conversation with friends and/or family. The portions are just right. The meals are very reasonable, but lately a little on the expensive side since La Grange added some additional taxes. Yes Chicago residents, we have tax hungry politicians in the burbs also. I cannot say enough. Not only is Palmer's a terrific place to eat with a family, bring friends, or a date, they are very involved in the community. They willingly support the Boy and Girl Scouts along with the Little Leagues in La Grange. Terrific first place date also. I proposed to my girlfriend now my wife 22 years ago here. To miss PALMER'S Restaurant while in La Grange visiting ought to be a felony! 5 stars all the way.
(5)
Katie W.
I really enjoy this place! It's casual and low key and has a HUGE beer garden in the back, with patio and rooftop seating. The menu is huge (not including the broad beer selection). There really is anything you would want on the menu. The prices are very reasonable and my service has always been speedy and friendly. It is a nice place to relax outside and enjoy the weather.
(4)
Michelle Marie R.
Four stars simply because of the massive beer selection. An entire menu of beer from all over the world! The patio in the summer is huge...and awesome. Laid back and mellow place great for conversations with friends!
(4)
mei s.
For people who eat out almost every night, I don't know why we don't eat here more often. It's a great neighborhood restaurant. They have plenty of fried appetizers, salads, burgers, ribs, etc. And a lot of beer to choose from. And girly drinks. Like the mango margarita my husband ordered. I had the caesar burger on a ciabatta with onion rings (the real kind, not the minced onion version) and he had the mayor steak sandwich, which i wanted. It's a nice place to hang out with an awesome outdoor beer garden. Plenty of people watching and yet perfect for little kids too.
(3)
Joe S.
A friend that grew up in town also grew up on Palmers. Family bar and restaurant environs, very casual. A note on our waitresses back said that she loves Steve. She must really love him I guess. Well over two hundred beers from the four corners of the earth and a few places in between. Noteable was the German Club on dark rye but I was torn between that and several other menu items. People seem to like the burgers.
(4)
John D.
This is a cumulative review from my last couple of visits. Palmers has steadily declined over the years. The beer list is extensive- BUT- is not updated to reflect what is actually on hand, so make sure you have a few in mind when ordering. The beer menu is printed on computer paper, so not updating to reflect stock is just plain lazy. Waitstaff is friendly, atmosphere is good- very nice beer garden. Food? VERY inconsistent. A couple of $15 award winning burgers came way overcooked. A couple in our party were going to split a burger, and the cook cut it in half and sent it way overcooked. How could he not notice or care? Sent em back, something we never do, and they came back- way overcooked yet again. Can't cook your award winning burger medium on two attempts? Don't notice or care when halving it... twice? Bad sign. Wine was skunky on last two visits, apps are either spot on or awful...This place was THE place to go over the last decade or two for a good burger and cold one, but I have no idea what happened over the last year or so. The cooks are sloppy and obviously just punching the timecard. With so many better, more consistent options along the same strip, we won't be returning- which is kind of a bummer because it used to be great... I went from telling friends how great this place is to telling them to AVOID....
(1)
Eddie H.
Great food and great beer. Love the outside area in the summer
(5)
Mark K.
I went to Palmer Place with my now ex a few weeks back. The food was borderline inedible. She was only able to take a few bites of her burger. The appetizers were a little burned as well. It all worked out in the end because I went home, got drunk, and ate both of our meals. They tasted fine then hahaha.
(2)
Jonathan O.
It has such a huge selection of burgers and beer you'll probably get a headache staring at the menu and trying to make a decision.
(5)
Padme A.
The best place for variety of food, beers and BURGERS! The have a drink menu that is something like 4 pages long filled with just beers from around the world. Best burger I've had so far. It called the Black and Blue "Wagyu" beef burger. It's a japanese cut of steak like no other. Melts in your mouth. It comes with Blue Cheese and Blackening seasoning. So tasty. They also have a great outdoor patio and roof top in the summer months. Only complaints: the wait, almost always a guarantee, but still worth it. Also, the wait staff are all over the place. It would be nice if they concentrated on just a couple tables at a time. Also, while they have a gazillion brews from around the world, they seem to be out of them a lot. Maybe it's just the one's I ask for, but still. Finally, some beer prices are insanely high.
(4)
Bridget B.
This place is just fine. Definitely more of a bar than a lot of the restaurants in trendy downtown La Grange, but I understand the need for bars, too. Went in to start out an evening on a Saturday with some drinks and appetizers. The beer list was great, and the spinach dip was decent. The other food I saw appeared to be pretty standard bar food, so if a VAST beer selection and good bar food are your aim, this is a good place to visit. I would gladly give it another try for a burger or something.
(3)
Larry H.
I'm a La Grange resident, so a place like Palmer's is a great choice for the simple food you want sometimes. There are some things I like about it and some I don't. The food is average. It's mostly burgers and sandwiches, but they also have a few better things. They have a children's menu (although my child is too old for that). The atmosphere is a dichotomy. On the one hand, the inside spaces are noisy (as you would expect a bar to be) and crowded. The bar area is OK. On the other hand, they have a patio area that I love. Although it's a little cramped for space, it's great on a nice day (they have umbrellas for sunny days) or evening. There is even an upstairs area. I like to go to Palmer Place on those days. If the weather is bad, I usually avoid it. The service is OK. There is nothing spectacular there. If they are busy, expect to wait for food. However, the servers are usually attentive and make sure you have whatever you need. Now, what I REALLY like about Palmer Place is the beer! I'm not a big drinker, so it's not about how much I pay for beer. It's about the quality of the beer and Palmer Place has some of the best choices I have seen. My favorite is Three Floyds, but they have so many other choices. Well, I hope this review has been useful. I found their web site: palmerplacebeer.com/inde…
(4)
Lauren V.
Definately one of our favorite places in the burbs for burgers and beer. They have a very extensive menu but in my opinion, the burgers are the star. The only small criticism is that some of the more exotic beers are out of stock when ordered. But that why they're exotic right!
(4)
Nicole C.
In short, don't go for the food or the service, but do go for the HUGE beer list and HUGE outdoor beer garden.
(3)
Tommy M.
I've been going to Palmer's for 10+ years, and I know one of the owners (I used to work next door for about 5 years). I have to say the food quality has declined over the years, or I've just found better burgers out there. They used to win awards for the burgers (not the best, but maybe top 5), but they just don't excite me as much anymore. Don't get me wrong, they are still very good, and I like the variety of the burgers they have with the different toppings. The italiano is pretty good. The beer list is great, they have an extensive list of German weiss beers which I love in the summertime. Hanging out in their beer garden in the summer is great. One gripe is that they close at midnight.
(3)
Susan M.
it's just alright. we started with pretzel bites with honey mustard dipping sauce which were good. i had the steak salad with bleu cheese, the hubby had quesadillas (chicken). both were average. the guac was really good and from what i hear the slaw is good too. nice beer selections. what sells this place are the beer gardens. a roof top one and one in back. service, good.
(3)
Noreen H.
Nice atmosphere, great patio, good food, and awesome international beer list.
(4)
Ron T.
This is a great place to go to all year but as soon as the weather starts getting nice....this is one of the best places to meet up with friends in LaGrange! They have so many beers to choose from, plenty on draft and some others that you wouldn't expect to see in these parts in a bottle, along with a great menu......I recommend you try one of the burgers, they have at least 25 different combonations that are excellent! The rest of the menu has a lot to offer as well if you aren't the burger type. If you plan on sitting outside......get there early, otherwise you will be waiting for awhile. If we aren't able to sit outside, I enjoy the back room by the bar.....they have tv's placed around the room and there is always a sporting event on. Once you're done there, you can walk in downtown LaGrange which is awesome. It has that old "small" town feel to it.
(4)
Dave B.
Growing up in LaGrange Park, Palmers was always the place to see and be seen. Although the food is good and beer selection outstanding albeit a tad overpriced, it 's the beer garden that keeps me coming back! Any Saturday night in the summer finds that place packed to the gills with families, singles, young and old. Although if you hate crowds then go during the week, its much quieter.
(3)
Elaine Z.
Went there for the last time the other day. 35 mins for our appetizer and it was the wrong appetizer and our entrees delivered by the food runner directly behind them 2 seconds later!! Service was bad and the food was less than mediocre. Why do people accept bad service and subpar food? The menu is not cheap and I want quality when I pay for it. What happened to this place? It used to be good....
(1)
Krys J.
I made my way here w/some guys after we had noshed elsewhere, so I can't comment on the grub. The TOA was about 11PM on a Sat. night & the place was surprisingly pretty quiet. The beergarden, as well as, the beer menu are both quite impressive though. Not only do they carry PURPLE HAZE (a personal fave) but we also got a FREE round. It turns out that I had served one of the staff members of PP the night before downtown & he remembered me (small world)! I will likely pop back in for the chill atmosphere and fabulous collection of brews.
(4)
Jim J.
Great food, just about ANY beer you want, nice beer garden!
(5)
Michelle W.
I have been patronizing and very much enjoying Palmer Place for a number of years now. I adore beer over other alchoholic beverages, and they typically deliver with their solid beer list. I love that they have a large selection on tap as well as bottled and organize by country or state. They don't specialize in any particular kind of beer, and there have been several occassions where they failed to have the beer(s) I wanted on hand, but I can imagine it is hard for an independent bar/restaurant to forecast 100% accurately the beer demands of it's clientele. As for the food, I rarely stray from the sandwich menu. I must part ways with people who have issues with the quality of meat (excepting the Wagyu - I don't have experience enough to judge that). Having tried burgers at Goldyburgers, Weber Grill, steak at Gibsons, etc. (not the holy grail but notable) Palmer Place is the one I consistently crave. They also do a respectable veggie burger that I often get. Bottom line - it's a lovely place, though perhaps not a regular destination place for those who live in the city, though it was for me when I did.
(4)
Mike M.
Palmers is the quintessential neighborhood pub in La Grange. It is alone in restaurants offering a laid back atmosphere and local feel. The family owned restaurant has an outdoor area which locals take advantage of during the summer months. Burgers, Sandwiches, and salads compose much of the menu, and for an appetizer I would recommend the nachos. The bar is a popular among visitors to downtown La Grange due to its close proximity to the train station. The amazing bar contains over 30 beers on taps and many from all over the work. Palmers is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner in La Grange, watch a sports game, or catch up with friends.
(4)
Gerry A.
Stopped in here on the way to the LaGrange Theater, (an even BETTER deal for $2 in the next block) on a Saturday night with 50 minutes to get to the movie. We figured we were doomed but were seated quickly by a nice fireplace and very efficiently served by Tryna? This is a very lively place on a Saturday night and we definitely had forgotten to bring our kids so if you don't like a lot of background noise (screaming) don't go on a weekend night. VERY tasty pulled pork sandwich, rueben, and onion rings. Fast kitchen, servers and table clearers. Advertises lots of biers, we had bottomless 32 ounce diet cokes with lemon and made our movie with 10 minutes to spare (Across the Universe, DON"T MISS IT- best MISSED movie in 2007). Dinner, movie and free parking $22. Score.
(4)
Nick N.
Anyone who complains about this place is silly! They have dee tons of beers and you got to do the tries of dee inferno burger. It'll make you breath fire. Its dee best pub style restaurant in dee area!
(5)
Antonia R.
Wish there were a 3.5 option. The food is on the higher end of standard, but it's priced absolutely right and and you get plenty of it. What you really come here for is the fabulous beer selection (Goose Island Matilda was delicious) and beer garden.
(4)
Joe R.
I went to Palmer Place for Game 2 of the Hawks-Canucks series. We went to the back bar area where there was indoor dining, an outdoor beer garden, and a soon-to-be-opened rooftop beer garden. The burgers we all had were very good and the beer list had over 300 brews from around the world. To say I was in heaven...
(4)
Julie M.
Palmer's is THE hang out spot in LaGrange. Families, twentysomethings, teens, older couples, everyone. They have decnt burgers (I don't recommend anything else). My favorite is the triple cheese and mushroom burger. It's nice that Palmer's is there, but I wish the owners wouldn't rest on their laurels and improve their food. I could make a better club sandwich at home. So, to sum up: Only go if you're in the mood for beer, burgers and a crowd:)
(3)
Beer H.
The food here is good. They do have a good selection burgers and the have one of the best beer list around. I would go back if my friends wanted to go here, but I won't go out of my way to go here. The service is bad, and it detracts from this place. The back patio is nice on summer weekends if you can even get to it. I tried a few times when we moved here and we couldn't even make it to the patio due to all of the people.....not for me.
(3)
Eric B.
asked for barbecue wings and got barbecue ribs instead, I got to keep the ribs and the waitress took our drinks off the bill.. I love palmer house
(4)
Nikkie H.
I've passed by this place countless times and have been hesitant to go in because of the number of large groups with kids. I honestly have no issues with families, but when it's just me and my boyfriend it's generally not the atmosphere I'm going for. However, I finally went there later in the evening on a Saturday when move of the kids had gone home. My bf and I shared the spinach artichoke dip, which was quite tasty. He also had a Reuben, which he said was good, but felt was a bit overpriced. The onion rings were plentiful, large without being donuts, and tasty. Plus the beer list was crazy. I believe it was an 11 x 14 piece of paper, front and back. It was too overwhelming so I settled for a Stella. We definitely plan on going back in the future.
(5)
Ryan A.
Having grown up in LaGrange, Palmer's is a staple. It was only after moving away and coming back for a visit did I realize how overrated and overpriced this joint is. The beer list is extensive and they have a great selection of NA brews; the beer garden is average. The service, however, is consistently terrible - lots of attitude and poor attention.
(2)
Kathleen C.
This place is great! My sister suggested it and I was very cautious. However, all of our food was fantastic. And somehow they have a veggie&dip/cheese&cracker appetizer that was fantastic and exactly what I wanted. The waitress wasn't really attentive but they gave us huge drinks so we were fine without her!
(4)
Aurore L.
Once upon a time, Palmer Place was my ultimate destination when I was craving a burger. That was before Kuma's and all the addiction problems that followed...but at the time living in Oak Park, Palmer was more than good enough. And they do have an impressive list of burgers!!! About 20 of them, some rather unusual like the Waldorf (blue cheese, walnuts and apples) , the Asian sensation (teriyaki glaze, sliced pineapple, Asian slaw) or the Berlin (with sauerkraut and dark rye bread) to name a few. The fact that you can choose your bread is an interesting feature. But it's the beer list that make the experience complete: they have a selection of more than 200 beers (around 30 on tap) from 23 countries - enough to make you dizzy by just glancing at the menu!! I love going to their huge beer garden but be prepared to wait if you come here at night when the weather is nice... It can get quite hot too since it's all bricks but you have plenty to keep you cool!!!
(4)
Stephania B.
Wouldn't go back. Ordered 2 Kobe burgers medium rare. They arrived well done. We figured if we were spending over $14 for a burger and fries, we should get what we ordered, so we sent them back. I guess the restaurant didn't want to take the hit on the cost of the beef, because what we got back was definitely not Kobe. It was obvious the first well done burger was Kobe. You know when you're eating Kobe and when you aren't. The replacement was angus at best, cooked medium. Zero flavor. I can understand being busy and overcooking something, but intentionally switching out what was paid for is not cool.
(1)
Steve O.
Went here on a weds night around dinner time. It was crowded but plenty of room available. I was anticipating the burgers due to many recommendations. The draft selection of beer is very good. A plethora of beers to pick from depending on your palate. The place has a good vibe to it. I decided to get a bacon cheddar kobe beef burger. I opted for well done since I do not like to mess around with anything ground up. The burger was in fact very good. It did not scream out amazing to me though. But then again I never had anything kobe before so it may take a few times to learn the subtle nuances of the variety. i do think It was a tad over-cooked though. But I am not going to nitpick. It was still a really good job. I opted for the fries and they were nothing special at all. Just regular fries. Next time I will try the potato salad. The staff was very attentive and polite to my table. Always coming up and checking on us and even the secondary help (busboys?) were very quick with removing plates and glasses from the table. Not that that would have been an issue for me anyways. In short, I will definitely give this place a try again.
(4)
Kasey G.
Palmer's is a busy ( I mean capital B, busy) pub. The grill smells great, the patio's full, and the beer is flowing. Can be family-friendly, but go early 'cause they don't take a reservation. I gobbled up the veggie-burger-YUM and had a cold Smithick's on tap. They have a gigantic beer list (both the tap and bottle selections were quite impressive.) The carnivores at the table said their meals were great. Lot's of burgers to choose from here. Overall this place is tops in burgers, beer, and people watching (all some of my favs) but it's busy so try it on a weeknight if you don't want to wait.
(4)
Frank S.
Hell yeah! Great food 100s of beers on menu. Beautiful beer garden in the summer. A little pricey but there are some exotic beers on the menu and you get what you pay for when speaking in turns of food. Very classy restaurant.
(4)
Kelvin R.
They do have a good selection of beers, which I needed to eat the food they call "home-made." The burgers are waaaaay overrated. Go to Wendy's instead as the burgers taste the same and are much cheaper. The menu is expansive so what they can't provide in quality, they provide in quantity.
(2)
Brian S.
My opinion of this was very mediocre until my most recenct visit. The outdoor area is nice and the beer is good but almost anyone can serve beer. It's the restaurant that is much more telling of the quality. I've had food here before that was OK but nothing to go out of your way for however my most recent experience has insured that I will not be going back again. I was there with 9 people and here's the list of reasons none of us will be returning. A Sprite that was tainted with some fruity mystry flavor, creamy coleslaw that was terrible, attempted to order fish & chips but they were out of fish, a tuna fillet sandwich with the fish so overcooked that it was tough, attempted to order desert but they were out of ice cream so no milkshakes or sundaes, and the worst part a LIVE CATERPILLAR!!! crawling through one persons salad. For all these issues a clueless young manager (not the owner who was also there that evening) came over to apologize by saying that the salad from a bag that said it was tripled-washed and he comp us the salad which of course was not eaten and sent back to the kitchen.
(1)
Lisa H.
I actually would have rated palmers higher but they are sliding downhill in my opinion. We were loyal every week customers until they changes the food or something. I have not had hot fries there in a year. The rest of the food is good, the salsa is homemade and spicy. The waitstaff is only okay as well, when we had regulars they were great and some still are. We still go a lot because we love to eat outside or love the late night kitchen hours, but I wish they had hot fries.
(3)
Laura S.
I love this pub and restaurant! It's hands down the best place to hang out in the summer! There is a two-story outdoor beer garden as well as an indoor restaurant. The beer menu is HUGE and now they have begun to offer other types of drinks. The food is really good, especially the burgers. The staff is fast and friendly and always worthy of a good tip. Definitely a place to try out!
(5)
Rachel W.
The menu has never disappointed & the beer garden is quite large but always jammed pack on warm summer days. But what kills me is the "amazing beer list" that is never available! I have gone here a number of times just to be disappointed that everything listed that intrigues me is out of stock. With the slow service (I never blame a waitress, I blame an understaffed business) it takes way too much time to finally get a beverage after making the wait staff run back & forth. A couple of times, I received a beer not until after the food has arrived, and at that point I settled on Miller Light. The disappointing return of a waitress empty handed was beginning to be too much.
(2)
Cassie B.
First, the beer: Palmer's is known for their beer and they have something like 60 on tap and 150 bottles, organized by country. very cool, try something new every time. Second, the place: In the summer, this is perhaps the most hopping bar for miles. They have a really good, huge beer garden with heat lamps. ( there is not a lot of competition for your bar dollar in this neck of the woods - so it can get crowded). oh and the food is good too!
(4)
rick a.
I love beer and I'm not talking MGD. This is just the place on the south side to get a good selection of brews from around the world. The fun of globetrotting on the massive beer menu is finding the diamond in the rough from India and choking on a vile ale from England. Like life, it's all just a roll of the dice and you can tell people you what to get and what to get if you despise the and want the to die from a poison pilsner. The food is average to slightly above for the burgers. The burger always get a good review in the Sun Times, but I think that they can be too inconsistent for a true recommendation. If you are within 10 mile this is as good as it get on the south side.
(4)
Vanessa P.
The beer list is really quite amazing. You can sit outside in their huge patio and try as many different brews as you can stomach and still not make it through an eighth of the list. The food is decent, nothing outstanding, but also not bad.
(3)
Roberto F.
Beer, Beer, Beer and oh yeah did I mention Beer. I love the selection here, and just seeing makes me all giddy and a plus is that prices are pretty good. The food is pretty tasty as well, I love the buffalo chicken sandwich and there corn beef sandwich. It can get rather packed here but luckily they have out door seating, even in the winter in which they have a ten to cover the patio and plenty of heaters. Also if you want to catch a flck you can go down the street for a $2 movie. If you in the area I'm sure you already know about this place but if you not you should come check it out and let us know what you think.
(4)
Sarat G.
This place has a awesome beer selection. Their Fish and Chips are to be die for. Its a perfect place to have a few beers after work with your Co-workers.
(4)
bobbi n.
Pretty good, very large burgers (though not award-winning quality like they boast) with a nice variety of toppings. Great beer selection for the suburbs, although it's no Hopleaf. Really nice place to go if you just want a burger and beer and don't want to travel far. Parking is sometimes a little bit of a pain - LaGrange gets a bit packed on weekends, partially because of the packed outdoor seating area that's immensely popular at Palmer's. But it's the best place to get a giant Green River and they have pretzel bread available for their burgers now (borrowed from kumas?), so I'm a happy customer.
(4)
Kevin C.
**review only for burgers!** My absolute favorite burger in IL is The Berlin from Palmer Place, sans the bacon and sauerkraut. I'm in the city so I've been to many of the famed places to try burgers, including Kumas and Rosebud etc etc and call me crazy but I just find their patties too large and don't enjoy biting into such huge chunks of meat. Palmer Place has, in my opinion, perfected their proportions. Just the right amount of meat without being too much, wonderfully crisp cheddar cheese (not too much or to little), and the most important ingredient- pretzel bun! Everything is cooked to perfection and always tastes absolutely delicious. I can actually eat the whole thing without feeling sick and so full I could burst afterwards as well. I always make sure to grab one when in the suburbs and I always suggest my family goes here, just so I can get the burger! Come to Palmer and grab a burger and a Green River, or your favorite beer!
(5)
Nick G.
One of my favorite places in LaGrange. The menu is extensive and I have yet to encounter anything I didn't like. They also have a huge beer menu and a great beer garden.
(4)
Zeldin Q.
I had a delicious burger here. The meat tasted great; a bit of char, and was cooked perfectly medium rare. It was juicy and a nice grind. They were happy to accommodate my requested of a ciabbatta bun (hard to find on burgers in Chicago). I would have liked more bacon or thicker slices, but that's ok. The bacon was well cooked. And the fries were good. They didn't taste frozen, and they weren't pre-salted. I like when that's left up to my preference.
(5)
Brian M.
Massive beer menu and decent food makes for a good time. They have a decent beer garden, too. The place gets a bit crowded on weekends, but that's likely due to their being one of the only places in the area that isn't a dive that serves booze.
(4)
Tanya S.
Great beer garden in the summer. Lots of beer on tap year round. Food is so-so. This is the local hang out.
(3)
Erin B.
Being that this is an LTHS alumni hang out, it automatically doesn't get 5 stars. This bar by far has the longest beer list that I've ever seen. Maybe it's because I don't get out much, but come on...they've got beers from everywhere! They even have an "Ass" beer. I think it's German. They've got a great outdoor patio, and the inside is rather large too. Food is decent--I like ordering the veggie cheese tray!
(4)
Piper O.
waited for ever for server. baked potato was undercooked. love the beer garden when its open. its a good place to have a drink and apps before you go out . don't enjoy the food too much.
(2)
Alicia F.
I ventured out to the 'burbs last Friday to have drinks with friends and was not too happy about making the drive. But I have to admit the beer garden here is a lot of fun! And I was very impressed with the size of the beer list. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and it was pretty standard but tasty bar fare. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out in the summertime!
(4)
Amory D.
Please bear with this somewhat longer review as there is a story to how we arrived at Palmer's Place. My wife and I went to Chequers restaurant (around the corner from Palmer's Place) on 10/23/09 for dinner around 7:00pm. We chose Chequers since we have not been there before. When we arrived, we seated ourselves in front of the bar (a high traffic area where the wait staff are constantly moving). As we sat down, two waiters looked at us then looked at each other to decide who was going to be our waiter. I overheard one say "it's up to you" then they dispersed. The wife and I found that surprising as we waited for menus. After about 3-5 minutes we were not given menus or even greeted by anyone. I noticed that two of the three waiters passed by us on a few occasions, without even noticing that we have yet to be tended to. After about 5 minutes total, we decided to leave. If they can't even give us menus within 3 minutes of sitting down in a half-full dining room, we concluded that there will be a problem with the dining experience. After quietly leaving Chequers, we went to Palmer's Place around the corner. Palmer's was about 75% at capacity, yet we were seated immediately, and greeted within one minute. Our waitress was checking on us every 5 minutes in a non-evasive way. As we completed portions of our meal, our table was cleared instantly. The final bill was very reasonable (less than $40 for two). It was a great way to offset the negative experience from Chequers. Our visit on 10/23 was the fourth time in one year that we have been to Palmer's Place. The wait staff is prompt, the beer selection is phenomenal, and the prices are very reasonable. I would give this restaurant five stars if it wasn't for one shortcoming with our dessert. Although our cookie dough cheesecake was tasty, it was hard...this is most likely since it was frozen. There is no problem with store/vendor-bought dessert, but we expected a softer cheesecake that did not require skewering with our forks to break apart. Perhaps we should have ordered the chocolate fudge cake that our waitress recommended. Overall, we'll be back soon...and we will be sure to try the chocolate fudge cake.
(4)
Anne A.
AMAZING beer list. I have to say, anywhere that serves gumballhead on tap is a friend of mine. Food is your average bar fare (didn't try to burger, though the veggie burger will be my choice next time). The space inside is weirdly configured, but the outdoor patio is a divine place to unwind after a long day of work.
(4)
James L.
I have been here many times... I remember when it was "The Spot To Eat" Airy and comfortable... A beer list to kick butt... A good menu, not to overpowering... A fun place for a family to go... Ambiance is so homey...yet still well run business... The German Club was still as god as it always was...
(4)
Jay D.
For being a cynical, snobby food crab-ass I'll give this place a thumbs up! I've eaten here plenty of times and have had nary a complaint. Good beer selection, delicious sandwiches and burgers, and have always had good service. My wife is a serious burger expert and rates this place tops! I always look forward to a dinner here with my sweetie and always walk out satisfied.
(4)
Alex W.
Visited Palmer Place on a recent Saturday afternoon for the first time in years. It was exactly as I remembered: a large, comfortable environment with only decent food. I'm glad that a local place has held up as many chains have moved into the area.
(3)
Dave S.
The warm weather has inspired me to write a review on my favorite summer outdoor drinking/eating establishment in the suburbs - Palmers! The two level outdoor patio is one of the the best I have ever been to. The food is very good and I have never been let down with the service. Their beer list is one of the most extensive I have ever seen and is one of the largest in the Chicago Metro area. This is one of my must-stops every summer.
(5)
April P.
Ate dinner here with my friend once. It was delicious. We were looking for good ol' fried pub food after 10:00 and it was hard to find in cute little downtown LaGrange. Palmer Place was just what we needed though. I got a platter of fried green beans. Yummo. The place was packed! It was really fun : ) and they had a fireplace! This place was definitely fun and I will be back. Also, our waitress was really nice, and she checked back on us a lot.
(5)
Lavon K.
This place has substandard food and substandard service. That's all.
(1)
Christine D.
I love this place. The food is amazing. Options for everyone. Service is usually on point. The day time bartenders are always very friendly and the server Kristin is awesome. I live fairly close and when I get the chance to go out for a burger or beer this is where I go.
(5)
Jacqueline S.
We came here as a group for lunch and I think they handled the group fine - it did take a long time for the food to come out. The burgers were huge and were decent (to me nothing beats the one we make right in our backyard). It was okay but nothing special. The beer selection on the other hand was very impressive but I will have to try them another time.
(3)
John B.
Greeted at the door by Janelle. She is also my waitperson. Got a great booth. Ordered the house cheeseburger medium rare, potato salad and a house merlot, and a ginger ale back. A good test of a new place is to stick with the basics or specialties of the house don't you think? The merlot arrived within seconds. Ah yes. Not too acidic. Doesn't torch through your esophagus. The burger was also served fast, though I note the place is pretty deserted on this wet evening. My, my. Excellent burger. Oh yes. Explosively juicy and medium rare perfectly. The potato salad is a Giant scoop of carbs. Delicious. So good I have the need for dessert. I have ordered flour-less chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and lots of whip cream. Wow, this is good eating! I live here in downtown La Grange. Across from the METRA train station, above the newsstand. You know the place. Anyway the slop chutes here close at 9p. Palmers serves this Tuesday until 1030p. A life saver. I generally believe a place is a one star or a give star. Go or No-Go. My words speak as to the quality, value, convenience etc. Therefore 5 Stars and a special nod to Hostess, Server, Diplomat, and all around attentive person, Janelle.
(5)
Mike M.
I could not believe how rude the owner was to me and my 4 year old. I was bringing in a group of 14, we were the first ones to get there and you would have thought this needed to be handled by Navy Seals. His attitude was one of disgust. I have gone there many, many times over the years because there wasn't much else in the neighborhood. Thank GOD THERE IS NOW. Besides sitting on their patio, which is awesome everything else leaves a lot to be desired. The Beer Menu is great, BUT they really don't have 1/2 of it in stock. The food is terrible and it just seems like they don't care. Its too bad, this used to be a great place. Hopefully they recognize what they have with the location and outdoor patio and get their attitudes in check. That and increasing the quality of their menu would be incredible.
(1)
Andy M.
A great place to kick back with a group of people inside or outside as they have a huge beer garden in the back. The place is unique and spacious and the food about average American bar type standard. The servers are quick and around often and this place has a great cocktail and beer selection. Plenty of different type of seating also makes this a place worth visiting in downtown Lagrange park
(4)
Michelle H.
Anyone who enjoys beers from around the world will marvel at the extensive beer selection that this place offers. They also have many brews from here in the States as well. I personally think, that anyone who come in here and orders a Miller Light should be shot on sight. We came here for a family get-together. Since it was raining that day, we were not able to sit outside on their double-decker patio/beer garden (I will have to come back for that alone- nothing makes for better drinking than a comfy outdoor atmosphere.) But they were able to accommodate our party of ten indoors, without a problem. Our server was great, always there with refills, and asking if we needed anything else. As for the aforementioned beer selection, I was a bit overwhelmed. I ended up choosing a Strawberry organic pale ale. It was great, but at $10 a bottle, definitely a sipping brew. The food was pretty decent as well. We started out with some basic nachos for the appetizers. Huge portion, but nothing spectacular. For my main course, I had the Reuben sandwich. Very delicious. And the potato salad I had as my side choice was really good, creamy and made with red potatoes. We also shared some deserts around the table. Also not very memorable. Parking out front of the place may be a little tricky, but if you go around the block, there is a public municipal parking lot about half a block from the place.
(4)
Edgar P.
I...LOVE...THIS...PLACE!!! I've been going to this place for food and drinks for 7 years now and I've still yet to be disappointed by this place. To be honest with you, I come here mostly for the beer selection but am going to start off with some of my favorite things off the food menu first... I would probably tell you to start off with the Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Combo Platter, wings, and potato skins. The Torpedo is probably one of the suckier items on the app menu...no peppers and all cheese. I would then recommend the Ostrich Burger, Kobe Burger, NY Deli, and the Ultimate Gourmet Burger ( i know, I like burgers). The Bavarian is actually another great option but you gotta try some of those burgers first!!! To water it all down, Palmer's Place has quite an assortment of beers to choose from to suit even the stingiest taste buds! They have 39 beers on Tap, 211 in bottles, and another 10 in cans...you really can't go wrong. Now I really never liked some of the big market beers because they lack flavor and all taste kind of blah. I enjoy craft beers and many imports, though they generally cost more money. The way I see it, if you're going to enjoy a beer, you might as well get one that has character. This place offers that escape from your average beer and lets you explore the variety of beer that most of us tend to overlook or miss completely. For this reason, you NEED to Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)
Michael R.
One of my favorite burger joints. It's as good as it gets when it comes to that. And their onion rings. Mmmm... Hot pretzels with honey mustard is a great appetizer too. I didn't like the buffalo chicken sandwich all that much, but that is hardly a reason to take away a star. Every restaurant has a crappy dish and out of the 10ish times I've been there, that was the first meal I didn't enjoy.
(5)
Jason M.
We've tried Palmer's several times now and each time it's been just OK. The beer list is great, but the food doesn't measure up. I've tried the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich a few times - the chicken is tough, the sauce isn't spicy enough, and the bun is very dry and tasteless. I've had a couple salads which were mediocre. The burgers are ok - the variety of options are great but the quality of ingredients is just average. My husband had the "Mayor of Manheim" sandwich today and said it was inedible - tough, low-quality meat. Also the bun on our daughter's hot dog was hard and dry. The onion rings are good. The service is usually pretty slow. If you want to watch some games and try a variety of different beers, check out Palmer's. If you want great food with quality ingredients, head to Nickson's. We've tried Palmer's for the last time - we're sticking with Nickson's from now on!
(2)
Jessica S.
I like Palmer's. It is always a good back up when you can't think of anywhere else to go. The food is solid and the service is always good. I'm a huge fan of the Tortellini Cesar Salad. It's nice to be able to get a salad without meat thrown on the top (although you can get that here too!). I especially like it during the summer when the deck is open. Bottom line, I wouldn't really go out of my way to go to Palmer's. However, if someone suggests it I am always game!
(3)
Nathan D.
The place is fantastic. They have a large menu to fill just about any appetite. Very extensive burger list and even more extensive beer list. If you are a big fan of either you must stop in and endulge in this magnifisant dinning experience. Best part is no matter what time of the day you arrive, they always have a spot for you
(5)
Ryan M.
The key to happiness is managing your expectations. If you come to Palmer Place expecting a gourmet prix fixe meal, you're in for some disappointment. The food is standard bar food, and like most bars it's a bit of a gamble; not much else worth saying about it. Palmer Place does excel in one area, and that's beer *selection*. You can safely expect a massive, albeit unsorted, list of delicious beers, even some rare ones (Sam Adam's Utopias wtf?!). With a beer list like Palmer's I can easily forgive some of their other sins; you'll be quite happy here if you do the same.
(4)
Mike B.
I'm a big fan of imperial stout beers. They had Hoppin Frog "Boris the crusher oatmeal imperial stout" which was very good.
(4)
Mark H.
This is a local favorite but I personally think there are better options out there. The hamburgers are good but every thing in general is just average tasting and over priced. What they call beer garden is actually just a heated tent that they have lawn chairs in. If you are in down town Lagrange and have to have a burger now then this place works fine.
(3)
Celina B.
Well, Yay! I'm a fan because of the beer and drink selections. I could have that one little extra star, had our serve known anything about those delicious beer and drink selections. I had been here before my drinking years with my parents and there food was always great! But one night me and my boyfriend were looking for places for good burgers- however- he always has to check the beer lists first, so we finally decided on this place. It's good for families or for friends- its cute, nice friendly atmosphere but expect a wait. We got lucky this time, but if you want their patio in the summer- I suggest getting there early or expecting to wait. We ordered some apps, and were overly excited to find baked french onion on their menu. A staple in our relationship. It was good! I liked the broth- not too thick, not too watery, but a little saltier than normal. The cheese was baked perfectly though- bonus points to make up for the salty broth. I got an artichoke dip burger, and my boyfriend swears it was good, but I think I was just expecting something else maybe? I mean, it was good, but when you have a picture in your head of what you want and it comes out not looking or tasting like that- its REALLY hard to tell yourself it's still good. Ok fine, it was really good, but could have used a little more of the artichoke dip. Throughout this ordering process of too much food per usual, is where they lost their star. One of my new drinks has a couple nicknames: Angry Cider or Angry Balls. It's woodchuck cider and a shot of fireball whiskey. It's like alcoholic fall in a glass. I saw that they offered a drink like this but with caramel whiskey- meh, I want my Angry Balls. I asked our waitress if they had fireball and she didn't know what that even was let alone if they had it. She came back quick and offered me raspberry cider instead (they were out of regular, or she thought), to which I politely declined but in my head thought- Angry Raspberry Cinnamon balls? No thank you! She came back and said no fireball whiskey but they actually do have normal cider. So I ask for their caramel cider drink. She says she has to check if they have that..... Oi. She comes back and they do have it so I ask for that, and she asks if I want it in a bottle. How are you going to pour a shot of vodka in the bottle? Right? I can't be the only one thinking that right now- so she comes back again after this and asks if I want it on ice. If it's on your menu- shouldn't you have a specific way of making it so that it tastes good?? After all this I got my drink and it was AMAZING! And my new favorite so kudos on that. This is where life sucked for my bf- he was asking about a couple beers on their list and she had no idea. Another full 10 minutes of back and forth to ask the bartender. She didn't seem new at all, otherwise i could cut her some slack but if you're at a place that features itself on good beer- know it! It was super annoying. It was also annoying when I checked in on Yelp, got a free appetizer, and she asked that I please write a good review on her. Sure, people joke about that stuff- but she was serious. And mentioned it multiple times. After writing all of this I'm really ready to go bump it down to 3, but it really just was our server on this one occasion that made us irritated. After it was all said and done, the food was great! We got lucky and had no wait, and we're gonna be going back for a patio visit soon!
(4)
James M.
Always liked this place, have been going here for many years. One of the best beer selections you can find, certainly the best in La Grange.
(4)
Rosa K.
This place is da bomb! They have the largest, most extensive beer list I have ever seen! Especially for some random restaurant in the random Chicago suburb of LaGrange. They get 4 stars just for having such an amazing selection of U.S. and International beers including rare microbrewery beers! Food was kinda bleh. Shoulda got a burger, they have kobe burgers and ostrich burgers! Crazy, but I'll have to try it next time. Wasn't really hungry this day so just had a bowl of soup and some delish Turkish beer. It was a pilsner but it tasted like a stout. Wooohoo! FYI, they have a beer sampler of 4 beers. Check out zee lovely biergarten in zee back... o.O beer garden!? wahhhh? you can grow beer?! jk! :-P
(4)
Eric S.
I'm giving four stars because of the beer selection and the awesome beer garden for a summer night. They also do a nice job in catering to families. Service is spotty though...can be overly busy and "in the weeds" fairly often, meaning you don't get your drink re-filled as quickly as you'd like. I also have to take a star off of my review for the food...really average things coming out of the kitchen there. Not "bad", but nothing that I have to go back for every time.
(4)
Elijah W.
this place has gotten worse over the past 5 years. the beer selection is amazing, the patio is amazing, the food has become AWFUL. i don't understand why.....its not like they are serving gourmet, but the food is brutal. i was there last week with my boys who are 4 and they wouldn't touch their grilled cheese. go for the drinks, but skip the grub.......as i always say, f you are going to eat "BAD" food, it has to be "GREAT". Go to York Tavern for the food and drinks, go to Palmer for the patio and drinks.
(2)
Kim H.
I love going to Palmer's place. Especially during the nice weather season when we can enjoy the relaxing biergarten. I've tried a bunch of the menu items but keep going back to my favorite: Grilled Salmon on a ciabatta (yum!). The steak salad is also excellent - I do recommend. The beer of course is the perfect compliment as well. I thoroughly enjoy eating my salmon while sipping on a seasonal Bell's. Is it spring yet?
(4)
Nichole M.
One of my fave neighborhood spots. They have such a nice beer garden, I love sitting outside here, you can also sit on the rooftop as well. I have been here more times than I can count, but was here just recently and it reminded me that I had not reviewed it yet. They have a larger beer list than I've seen anywhere else in the Chicagoland area, and a lot of beers on tap. I don't drink beer, so that's all i can tell you. Their food is generally very good. They have a large food menu as well. I love their cheese balls, which are just fried balls of cheddar cheese, yummmm. Also, they have a huge selection of cheeseburgers. My favorite is the Berlin Burger, no sauerkraut. it is basically a smoked cheddar and bacon cheeseburger on a pretzel bread bun. To. Die. For. They have lots of salads, clubs, and all sorts of other yummy food to try. I can't think of anything I've had there that I didn't like. Although, I usually stick with my Berlin Burger. Try this place out, you will not be disappointed, especially if you sit outside and have a drink.
(4)
Adam M.
Palmer Place deserves 3 1/2 stars, but since that's not an option I went with 3. The food is very typical of any American Pub so that's why I'm just saying this place rates about 3 1/2 stars. They do have a huge selection of burgers and a ton of different kinds of beer from all over the world. Because of these two things I would recommend trying Palmer Place and I plan on coming back if I'm ever in the La Grange area.
(3)
Reuben H.
Palmer Place is a solid place for a burger in your face! If there was any dispute on my abilities to be a world-famous rapper, the above line should prove those disputes to be 100% accurate. Rap, I cannot do. I cannot even PRETEND to do. Eat burgers and drink beer- well... I am pretty good at that. Palmer Place used to be my go-to spot for all things "burgers and beer." Their burgers are well made, with juicy meat, and pretty decent and interesting topping combinations. I would not think to compare them to a place like Kuma's, but when coupling their good burgers with a very extensive beer list- the place became a destination spot for me when I lived in the western 'burbs. Since then I have been there a couple of times and still enjoy it. Their outdoor beer garden/patio is a very happening place when weather permits. Not much of a view considering it is basically in a parking lot- but the patio itself is spacious and lively. I cannot speak too much on anything else on the menu other than their burgers. Service is missing a level of expertise. Most of the time you will be served by someone who is either a high school student or someone only a short time out of high school. Therefore, they either know nothing about beer because they are too young, or their experience with beer is limited to slamming Natty's Ice out behind their friend's parents garage, trying to pick up a good buzz before heading to downtown La Grange on a Saturday night to meet up with the rest of their high school friends. I should know- many of these kids serving you your beer and burgers are reincarnated versions of my friends years ago. Can't blame them for not knowing, but it still can be frustrating if you have a taste for something and want to ask for a recommendation. I give props to your pops For raising you right Serving me burgers and beer On a Saturday night Make money-money, make money-money-money! Make money-money, make money-money-money! (Rap FAIL)
(4)
Torrey L.
Ah... The tragedy of Palmer Place. On paper, it looks perfect. Large, outdoor beer garden, dozens of mircobrews and specialty beers, house-made specialty burgers, lively pub in back... But it never works. They are frequently out of many of the beers on the menu. Even worse, they are usually "out" of some of their burgers. When they are available, the burgers are average. In fact, I would go as far as to say that everything on the menu is average at best. If I have something that blows me away, I'll be sure to let everyone know. The other problem is that the waitresses frequently have no knowledge of any of the beers they serve. Something may sound interesting on the menu, but the details are as much a mystery to the staff as they are to the customers. I would be content with smaller food and beverage menus if I knew that everything was in stock, and everything was coming out of the kitchen with care.
(2)
Mary T.
I received some sage advice from an ex-bf the first time I came here and now I'm passing it on to you (you can thank me later): Come prepared with at least 3 beer choices when you place your order, you may need it. As much as I hate to give him props his advice is spot on. I had just finished Kelly S. the story when our server returned to tell us they were out of Kelly's beer selection. I can't really fault them for keeping small quantities of the most uncommon beers, given the size of their beer menu (225) I can understand not wanting to risk letting large quantities of beer go skunk. I used to live 3 blocks from this place in my suburban days and it was my regular summer hangout. It's a solid place to kick back, relax, grab a bite and a beer. The awesome patio (aside from the beer selection) is the biggest draw. There's the ground level and rooftop and plenty of umbrellas protecting you from the sweltering sun. Palmer's won't win any awards for its menu. What I mean is that the food is solid, the portions generous, but don't expect any culinary masterpieces. I usually stick to sandwiches and veggie burgers and have yet to be disappointed. The tuna club is my favorite - a double decker club with swiss and cheddar that comes with a side; plenty of food for two meals. If you get the fries ask for a side of cheese sauce, it's so yummy and has a hint of jalapeno. Bottom line: Good food, good beer, reasonable prices, and bitchin' patio! TIP: I have no shame admitting that I'm a Miller Lite girl. Take my advice, don't miss the opportunity to try something different while you're here.
(4)
Raina B.
Overpriced, frozen food. The atmosphere was great, and I was really looking forward to our meal. However, my baked cod was soggy and obviously was freezer burnt, along with the fries my husband had. The mashed potatoes were excellent though! His portabella angus burger had something off with it - the mushroom was somehow soggy and the bread was hard. Overall just kinda bland and soggy. It was a Wednesday night.
(2)
Marilyn J.
Writing the review after going twice. The food was just ok and the servers just ok also. I think if the servers would have been a little more customer friendly I would have given 1 more star.
(2)
Brigid S.
This place has a really impressive menu, which includes a great spinach and artichoke dip. My husband and I both ordered the fish and chips, which were also really good. I'm not a beer drinker, but even I have to admire the extensive beer list they offer. There's a friendly, neighborhood vibe. We happened to go on a Senior Discount evening, so the overall age skewed older on the night we were there. I'm sure it's a bit different on the weekends. Overall, I would recommend it as a low-key place for good food and a couple drinks.
(4)
Candice G.
I would go as far as to say that Palmer Place has the best beer selection in the tri-suburban area. Oh, and burger selection. A friendly suburban place, that often has a wait to sit down... but for good reason. Their boneless wings make me want to go back to being a meat eater and their burger selection is one of the best I have ever seen! The place is big and they have an outdoor patio along with a rooftop patio for seating in the warmer months. I've only eaten outside because the inside has really annoying lighting and is cheap diner-y in a bad way. The staff aren't the greatest. The service is okay but a few times we've gotten some attitude. If you're an all male table, the female staff is more than willing to give you extra attention and flirt time. If you are a couple, you will defo be neglected. Again, the food here is AMAZING... defo deserves 5 stars but the sometimes pissy staff and poor interior take it down a star. I'd like to see some friendlier service... or maybe just more staffing. Sometimes I think the servers have too many tables and then develop the frustrated attitude... I waited tables for 10 years so I totally understand but on the other hand, I would like to see improvement.
(4)
Dan C.
Had a great time at Palmers today with team from work. Had a variety of cool beers, great service, and a visit from the owner. Place had a great crowd and we enjoyed it very much. Palmers is a classic place for getting together with friends and family. We'll be back soon!
(5)
Wesley S.
This review and rating is for the restaurant experience only, not for the bar. The menu selections are about what one would expect in an Irish pub. In terms of quality, the preparation of the dishes is neither good nor bad. Likewise, service is capable and unremarkable. In summary, this pub restaurant is unremarkable. ------- The Beer Garden, which is the outdoor seating area, is sizable and well away from Lagrange Road and the Burlington. It is a very fine place to eat and drink outdoors.
(2)
Simone P.
This is my favorite go to place when Im looking to get a great drink and a delicious meal. Every time I visit Palmer Place I enjoy that I have a pretty easy time finding a seat, but Id keep in mind that this place is a local favorite and could be packed on the weekend or game nights. Im not big on drinks or cocktails but the Palmer Place daquiris are the highlight of my visit. It has become my go to place for a relaxing dinner and drink. I definitely taste the value when I get to sip off the giant mountain of daquiri that stands on the glass. Not only are the mango and strawberry daquiris great, my boyfriend has actually found a local place with a great Manhatten. I am impressed! The employees are always nice, friendly and fast paced. The food is delicious, and I know fish and chips is pretty simple but it is SO GOOD. Yum, writing this review makes me want to come back sooner than my wallet can afford. The prices are very reasonable but of course the bill adds up after a few amazing daquiris. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Alison B.
If you're a beer fan, holy crap is this the place for you. TONS of them. If you just want some food, then, mehhhh, this place is fairly good. It's clean. The menus are totally tattered (ewww). They have several different rooms you can eat in, which makes you feel like you aren't in a huge restaurant. Waitstaff is attentive. Food is quick. Ostrich burger was delish! Tortellini Cesar salad, was 6/10--- it was huge, and lettuce was crisp and fresh, fresh grated parmesan on top, but the tortellini didn't taste very good and the dressing was too sour for me. Spinach Artichoke Dip was good-- not great. Came with fresh and warm pita bread, which was a nice touch. Nice that there are a lot of options for sides (potato- baked or mashed, chips, cottage cheese, fruit, potato salad). GET the potato salad--- yummmm. I think it's red potatoes, with eggs and green onion. Can't tell for sure because I was stealing from my husband's plate and he kept blocking me : ) Random: I dig the huge plastic glasses of ice water with fresh lemon. Lots of families there. I like the crayons at the table, and next time will order off the kids menu-- yum. Tons of TV's, and good speakers. Overpriced, but that's due to location. We'll be back.
(3)
Joann J.
Lived in Lagrange 35 years, been to Palmers 6 times, NEVER impressed, burgers ALWAYS overcooked, service slow, and why do waitresses insist on calling you "HON" or "GUYS" next to us were 4 older ladies and I know they were irked just as we were being refereed to either as guys or hon, the appetizers were horrible, tiny little cheese nuggets, couldn't figure out what the rest of the stuff was, very frozen isle generic , I had the grilled chicken pita, a flat tasting chicken breast on a flat tasting pita smothered with flat tasting peppers, my sister had a turkey club, the whole wheat bread was not toasted,turkey was sparse, the lettuce was SOOO finely chopped she was having a hard time picking it up, it was all over the table, WHY because the plate was tiny to make the meal look bigger, needless to say it was her 1st time and she loved the biergarten (atmosphere ) but will not go back, maybe if we par-took in the beer selection the food would be second, but we look for good food and decent service and neither were there................
(1)
Maureen E.
We were in the neighborhood and looking for a place to watch the home run derby. The best thing I can say is that they had flat screen TVs, two of which were on the derby. Our server couldn't have been less interested in us, and brought us our check without being asked, and when we asked for two more beers, she sighed, because clearly, she would have to redo our ticket. The food was lackluster, from any mediocre place in America. Interestingly enough, the person who provided the best service was the busboy, and I really wish we would have been able to tip him instead. I intend to call the restaurant and compliment him on his service level. Clearly he is used to picking up the slack for the bored college girl who is only waiting tables because her mom forced her to get a job for the summer. Should I find myself in LaGrange again, there has got to be a better watering hole with sports - maybe a TGI Fridays?
(2)
M C.
As an avid beer drinker, the promise of a beer garden was exciting, plus this restaurant was featured on Chicago's Best, which made the food enticing as well. Upon arriving, I noticed the long list of bottled beers and decent listing of draft beers. Unlike most beer gardens though, the beer listing did not give flavor descriptions, so I decided on a beer I had not heard of before and was disappointed to find it tasted like Coors Light. The second beer was a little better but I was a bit put off by the unexciting choices on the draft menu. Onto the food...my Benchmark burger was incredible. Just reading the menu's description was enough to make my mouth water: so many elements, so well-balanced. I would definitely recommend this burger to any new visitors, but this may be the obvious choice upon looking at the menu. I was surprised by the amount of burgers Palmer Place offered (a full menu page!), and I thought my choice would be difficult to make before the waitress asked for my order. When reading the other descriptions, none came close to the Benchmark burger (and perhaps that is ok since I would return to try it again), but it seemed as if the restaurant's efforts were focused on that burger and tapered off when conceptualizing the remaining burgers. Let me know your thoughts on this. My side, french fries, were the standard wedge cut that probably came from a frozen bag, which was fine, nothing special. Overall a decent experience and a great burger that I would come back for; however, that is the only draw for me.
(3)
Christine W.
When we moved to the area 15 years ago- PP was FANTASTIC! Loved the food, the service, the beer selection... we went about once a week. The past 5 years have seen a steady decline in food quality (to us). While they added other drinks to the menu (yeah!), their food is not as good as it used to be. On our most recent trip, the appetizers tasted slightly freezer burned, the burger was good (not great), and the salad was not very good at all. Unlike other reviewers, we have always had great service. We would go back for drinks, but I will wait awhile before returning here for food. There are too many other places in LaGrange with great food to go here. If someone else in our party suggests it, I won't turn it down- but I won't give it an endorsement until things go back up.
(2)
Trisha K.
I am a sucker for a beer garden with microbrews so I continue to come back to Palmer's and am regularly disappointed. The burgers are OK, although there's better down the street at Back Alley, but Palmer's has such a HUGE beer menu, which is the reason I go. The probelm is how many times I have to order 5 times before we find a beer they have in stock. Don't advertise a gazillion micro brews is you only actually carry 15. The service is also just OK. I have good and bad, slow and not as slow, but never great servers. They consistently don't seem to give a shit. My husband hates it, my daughter doesn't love it, but we keep going back for more unique beer. Maybe it's time for me to quit drinking!
(3)
Carrie P.
I would've written this review alot earlier but I was so shi* faced off the huge beer selection it took me about a day to even get home. Seriously though, the food here is great. They have so many different types of burgers and all of them seem creative and delicious. I say seem because I have not run the myriad of burgers they have on their list. Last time I have the Wagyu burger with cheddar and it was juicy and flavorful (and low in fat) LOVE IT! I also love a place that will boldly serve liver sausage on a sandwich..not just a normal sandwich...a club liver sausage sandwich......köstlich! Besides having a huge menu with great selections...they have tons of different beers from around the world...we basically started in Australia and made it to France before cashing out..... The prices are good and the rest is worth it...so get to Palmer's..and if it's nice out...sit in the beer garden and bring a friend who doesn't drink.
(4)
Ashley P.
Been coming here for MANY years..."many" as in the better part of my life. I've never had a bad burger here. They're always juicy and the cooks make it the way I like it (medium rare) every time. I recommend the Buffalo Style Burger and the Vermont Burger for tasty goodness. And yes, the beer selection is fantastic; one of the only places that carries Abita Restoration Ale in the area.
(4)
Will V.
This is one of the best places in downtown La Grange. I don't know how many afternoons I've spent drinking a few beers here. The selection is really quite amazing considering the location. There are few bars even in Chicago with this kind of beer selection. They have everything from American macros (yuck!) to Trappist beers (yum!). As Kate said, they have GUMBALLHEAD ON TAP!!!! The only negative, I think the quality of the food has gone down in the past year or so. I used to get the Kobe burger, and it was really amazing. I think they changed their food vendor recently, and the burger patties all look pre-formed, not like before. And they don't taste as good. Still, you can get some decent food, and it's not priced out of line. The service is generally excellent. The beer garden is really nice, and they have seating both downstairs and up on the roof. If you prefer to watch the game, they have plenty of televisions inside.
(4)
Kim R.
Normally, I would give Palmer's at least 4 stars but my most recent experience only deserves 2 and I'm being generous. As I walked in through the back entrance which most people do as their parking lot is located in the back, there were two bimbos smoking right by the door. There was no way avoiding their nasty smoke. You had to walk right through it. State law says, you must be 15 feet away from the door. Not these twits. I'm hoping the management will see the negative review but I will still write a letter to management. Otherwise, our service was good. I did have to ask twice for water and again for a box to take my left overs to go but this was not a huge negative. The food was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. They have a nice selection of beer. Probably over 100 choices. It's a mixed clientele from 20's to 50's, singles and familes. It's a good place for anyone. Other than the cancer crew at the door, all was good.
(2)
Ashley W.
This place had the chance to earn a 5 star rating, and probably would have gotten it, had they not told us that their Yelp Check-in Offer was not being accepted. We chose to stop by this restaurants for a couple of reasons. First, we were in the area and had heard good things about it, but secondly, we saw that if we checked-in, we got a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees which sounded great! Upon showing the waitress the coupon on our phone, she went to check with a manager to see if it could be used because she hadn't seen it before. The manager told her that the check-in offer was only good for February (today is March 5th). That's all fine and dandy, except they didn't bother to remove the offer from Yelp and that's really what brought us there in the first place. Now the good thing is that our waitress was friendly and the food was good, but we were definitely disappointed that they wouldn't honor the Yelp check-in offer.
(3)
Elliott D.
I've been going here for years and years, in fact, I was probably still playing with crayons the first time I came here. That said, nostalgia doesn't prevent me from making a fair assessment of the place. Let's begin with the postives. There is always a great selection of beer on tap with plenty of choices both foreign and domestic. There is also a good choice of bottled beers that can be hard to find elsewhere. I would say that the burgers are the highlight here in terms of food. I've had a little bit of everything on the menu but always come back to the burgers as my mainstay. They are almost always cooked to order and have a great selection of toppings beyond your standard bacon and cheese. The Kobe beef is particularly good. Also, the service is fairly consistent and the biergarten has a very laid back atmosphere. Now on to some of the not so good things about this place. With such a wide variety of bottled beers, some do not get selected often and so when they are ordered they already have gone bad. On more than one occasion myself or a friend has ordered a beer, the most recent being a Kentucky breakfast stout, that when brought out has a skunky taste because it's been sitting around too long. Also, the food is overpriced. I will continue to go to Palmer's because it is a great local place but I have watched beer and burger prices skyrocket over the past few years. I know that commodities are up but Palmer's has kept ahead of the cost of inflation. Also, for a place with such a great selection of beer, the waitresses are not very knowledgeable when it comes to making recommendations or pairings with food. I don't expect much but a little know-how goes a long way. To sum up, I will definitely go here again as it's a great place to hang out with friends and get a beer on a weekend, even if it has a few drawbacks.
(3)
Cristina T.
PP never disappoints. Their burgers are awesome, the beer list is huge and the atmosphere is casual. Usually on weekends and in the summer it can get pretty crowded, but once you get seated you are guaranteed to have a good time. On this occasion I had the Waldorf Salad with blackened chicken. The raspberry-balsamic dressing was perfectly balanced with the walnuts, apples and Gorgonzola cheese. The chicken was just a little spicy, juicy and delicious. Portions are large and prices are decent.
(5)
Logan S.
Oh Palmer you had me for several years but recently lost me. Not much has changed here, same decor, same menu offerings, same looking, albeit, friendly, wait staff. But wait, are there typos on your menu? Talk about inflation. Did the raw costs for food go up that much ? On a recent visit, two burgers (one was a veggie burger) and one bottled stout beer cost $30 including tip. These are not big old honkin burgers people. In the past, the wait for the garden was the norm. I can see why there was no problem getting a table in the patio on a Saturday night around 6:30. My veggie burger was different, made with oats. I thought it sounded interesting, but it looked commercial and straight from the freezer. It tasted bland, so thank goodness there was ketchup and mustard on the table. The potato was decent, but it's only a baked potato, Ray Charles could not mess up a baked potato. I wish I could comment on the other burger, but I did not get to try it. Palmer, offers a very nice beer garden and cozy interior. They have an extensive food and beer menu and work well for families, if they can afford it. Your best bet is to park in the back or across the street at the free parking garage. It's worth try, but honestly there is far too much being offered in the area to pay those prices.
(3)
Jenn C.
If you come here, I would concentrate on ordering one of their burgers. The choices are somewhat wide and creative. The other food items are average but not bad. Service is ok. It's an easy spot for a good old pub style place that you can bring your kids to go eat or have a beer with your burger. Not much else to say...
(3)
Ben B.
The benchmark burger was good, but I honestly liked the belgium burger better. WOW what a beer selection, and the burgers were sooo good. We had the fried green tomatoes as well, which were quite tasty. The Onion rings were great too. Ohhhh fried food, how I love thee!
(5)
Brett C.
Definitely a fan of Palmers. Great casual laid back atmosphere. The food is good and service is also very good. The best feature is it's expansive beer list. Not sure how many they actually have but you will find a beer for any taste or occasion. The beer list list is printed on both sides of the menu and choosing becomes the problem. Great local hang out with a large outdoor patio for warmer weather. Keep up the good work.
(4)
Judas L.
Great beer, amazing pub food, amazing wait staff, what more could you ask for? Amazing hot wings and a beautiful beer garden, wish granted! Stop in for great food, great beer, great service!!!
(4)
Larry C.
I usually love this place, but not tonight. Kept tasting hints of chocolate with my blackened burger. I love chocolate, but not on a burger. I've had that item before, but it never tasted like this. Ordered a beer when I sat down. It wasn't cold at all. The waitress never asked if I wanted another. I was hoping to kill some time before a movie, but couldn't wait to get out of there. The gentleman that seated me didn't even offer a "thank you" as I passed by him at the door. Overall tonight...one star.
(1)
alicia b.
Beer,beer,beer and more beer! This place has the mother load of beer! I didnt know what to choose or where to start...Germany,Austria,Denmark etc....... My group decided that we would each get a different beer and taste test which worked out pretty well since I dont mind sharing. The draft options are sort of weak but the bottle options are insane! I didnt eat and to tell you the truth I only entered the restaurant to use the bathroom which by the way was very clean for those of you who care. Anyways the inside is not where you want to hang out in the summer anyhow, the patio is huge-mungus with tons of tables with umbrellas so if you come on a night like we did you will be somewhat sheltered from the rain. There is also a big A rooftop patio area that you can hang out on! I highly suggest you visit in the summer,chill on the patio and drink a couple beerzies.
(4)
Patty S.
Rating Scale: 5 stars for the outside patio with atmosphere, 2 1/2 stars for their bar food, and 1 star for their waitstaff service. I've been coming to Palmer's for many many years (both pleasure and work-related). The service has always been great (a little slow at times, but never that bad to stop going). I'm not sure if management has changed over the years, but our last visit was a disaster! We ordered the simplest thing on the menu: Guiness and fish & chips. Why on earth did our meal take 45 minutes to come to us? All you have to do is take the frozen cod out of the freezer and dunk it in the fryer. What does that take? Like 5 minutes tops? It was probably sitting under the heat lamps for 30 minutes before it was served. To top it off, our waitress was rude throughout our entire visit. It's too bad, I enjoyed going there to sit outside and relax with friends. There are way too many other places I can go to do just that.
(2)
Will M.
One of the best outdoor beer gardens around! Like 50 beers on tap. Great burgers and sandwiches. Nice casual place.
(3)
Karen B.
While Palmer Place is out of our way, my friends and I go there often for the beer selection, good food, and great atmosphere. Their selection of both bottled beers and draft beers is downright obscene. We've gone there several times, and the service is always great, too. We've gotten tables in all parts of the place- including their outdoor tent when it's colder. I will say, the tent was nice and warm, but kept leaking on our heads a bit. Perfect for large groups, though. Otherwise, we love usually eating outside, particularly on the upper deck. Their prices are quite reasonable for food, but they don't list the prices of their beers on their massive list printed on tabloid. Only downside to that is you may just accidentally order a brew that's a good $11 for a bottle. Palmer Place's servers are always on the ball and really know their menu AND beer selection, which is quite impressive. They have good recommendations off a list that can seem intimidating to those of us that are satisfied with a Miller Lite on a regular day.
(5)
Edward B.
Wow. I took college buddies who were passing through town yesterday. I wanted a place with decent food and a good beer selection and a casual, not loud atmosphere so that we could talk without yelling. Palmer Place was a home run. We each had the original Palmer Place cheeseburger and it was great. The beer selection was absolutely amazing, especially for such an accessible place in the suburbs. 36 beers on tap??? Great. They had Three Floyds Alpha Klaus on tap - absolutely stunning. I'll be back for sure. Four stars only because the burgers are a tiny, tiny bit pricey. The beer prices? Really good, though.....OK, I'm changing it to five stars :)
(5)
Joseph M.
They have a long beer menu but they don't necessarily have them in stock. I tried to order eight different beers but they didn't have any of them. I ended up with a water instead. The food is good though.
(2)
Mike S.
I used to go to Palmer's all the time in high school, and their patio is one of the better beer gardens in the Southwest Burbs. That being said, it's still a solid place for an after work drink, but it seems to have lost a step. While meeting a friend for happy hour/dinner I ordered a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which was alright, but not as good as I remember. It wasn't as spicy, the chicken was a little more overcooked, and the bun fell apart in my hands. It was filling, and wasn't bad, but really wasn't anything to write home about either. It's also a little more expensive than it probably warrants. A microbrew, a Guinness, and a very average chicken Sandwich set me back nearly $25. The one thing I will give them credit for is putting a tent over the Beer Garden in late fall/winter, which certainly sterilizes the surroundings, but also expands capacity significantly. Likewise, their beer selection is much bigger than I remembered, so I ordered a particularly hoppy beer I'd never had before, then retreated to a trusty Guinness. Parking is a BIG challenge. The nicknack shops that used to dominate downtown LaGrange have faded a bit, and new restaurants and bars have taken over, making parking in downtown LaGrange at a premium. Budget at least 10-15 minutes to find a parking spot if going at rush hour.
(3)
Laura C.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Palmer's! My go-to spot when I'm craving a burger. They offer probably close to 30 variations and have one of the best beer gardens in the area. Plenty of seating and a large beer list. We visited most recently a couple of weekends ago. It seemed like they were a little off that Saturday evening. We waited probably 10 minutes for a table in the beer garden, no problem! They must have been understaffed as there was only 1 waitress assigned to our area and she commented that she couldn't catch her breath. Hubby ordered the Benchmark Burger, which was excellent! I ordered my usual New York Deli burger - topped with corned beef, swiss and Thousand Island. As soon as I took a bite, I knew something was missing (the Thousand Island!) I waited about 10 minutes for our waitress to check in, and then another 10 for the Thousand Island. Definitely disappointing because my burger was cold by then. Again, I'm pretty sure it was just an off night. Palmer's is definitely a solid burger spot with a great atmosphere. Kid friendly too!
(4)
Valerie D.
Nice outdoor patio. As for the food, burgers are good but today I ordered a taco salad. Got a taco shell bowl full of watery chili that they claim is a taco salad. It was disgusting and I didn't eat it. Called the waitress over and said why is this so full of water? Answer was that's the chili, didn't even ask me if I liked it or not. Pushed the whole thing away and she came by and said are you done? Really??? If I order a TACO salad I expect to get a taco salad not chili with lettuce mixed in calling it a taco salad. It was a chili salad Palmers , call it like it is and describe it like that on the freaking menu!! YUCK!!!! Cross that place off my list!
(2)
Liam M.
This place is so busy trying to be something it misses being anything 88 beers on the wall and not one Amber/Red outside of Fat Tire Whoo Staff has the personality like ur doing them a favor to walk in Wake up
(2)
K P.
Went late afternoon on a hot Sunday. The patio was great! The beer list was amazing. However, the service was TERRIBLE. So terrible. I will go back again as it seemed popular and what food was delivered by the other staff seemed good.
(2)
Kathi K.
Everything is great here. Ask for the gyros burger with a turkey patty...delish! Love sitting outside in the biergarten. Great place for groups.
(5)
Paul D.
Nice and casual in the Garten as always! Great place to chill with good food, get the Bavarian or the Masterpiece Burger...truly de-lish
(4)
Thomas C.
Had been meaning to try this place for a while after enjoying my carryout experience. Took the kids and Grandma while wife was out of town...we'll be back. Corned Beef (Reuben) was phenomenal. Burger was good, not great, had the Prime cheeseburger, had had their specialty burger before which I thought was better). Onion rings, wings ... kids had pasta (and loved it). Extensive menu, ample seating and friendly service, will definitely return.
(4)
Steven M.
Came here for a Hawks game. I don't know why, but I thought we were at Casa. It was raining and that is the sign I saw when I was running for a door. So I ordered a margarita. It was horrible. but I realized my mistake and moved on the a Tito's and lemonade. Much better. We had two apps. The potato skins and the fried veggies. the tots were cold and the cheese was hard. Out of 8 there was bacon on 4. The veggies were small as was the serving. Wonderful ranch dressing though. People around us were complaining about the service. I agree. Won't be back.
(2)
Candace M.
The outside beer garden is the best I've ever been to, food great, gigantic selection on beer, end of story
(5)
David N.
Not rating the food or dining, but the recent back bar experience. To start, great service, friendly, and hospitable. The beer selection is one of the biggest in the burbs, aside from maybe The Beer Market in Bolingbrook. Prices seemed a tad high, but its not everywhere you can score Haymarket Brewing and Tripel Carmelite. Unfortunately that's where the goods stopped and the marginal and downright dirty began. First sign of a problem were the small, insistent, fruit flies buzzing around the beer taps, and more annoying, my face and pint glass. Flies just don't appear in bars. They're bred there, implying that whatever "cleaning" is being conducted at closing time is not being completed satisfactorily. Then I noticed a disgusting amount of dust and grime on just about every flat surface and/or ledge surrounding the bar. Less used bar liquor bottles, the Jaeger bottles upside down in the shot machine, the touch screen bar top game, all covered in laziness. Dust, grime, old uncleaned spills, sticky countertops...completely killed it for me. Not to be a dick (still) but the flat screens at the bar were small and what's a TV without HD nowadays?! Come on. The joint has the all of the making, just needs a more watchful eye to keep her going. The flies!!!!
(3)
Alex C.
One of my best buds took me here since I was back in town for spring break and we needed to catch up! The vibe is Irish pub, however seems very family friendly, we saw a lot of kids and parents. We started with a half order of nachos, which was HUGE! Even for two people, a half order was probably too much. They weren't bad either! I find that nachos can be a hit and a miss in terms of too many chips or too much topping, these had a near perfect balance. My friend insisted I get a burger since that was what he usually gets and can vouch for. I'd usually opt for a salad or something lighter but he was paying and I felt obligated. I got the ultimate gourmet burger which had all the usual fixings but utilized a waygu kobe beef, special cheese, caramelized onions as well as a spicy ketchup. This was one gigantic burger and I felt definitely better than your average pub burger. I also opted for a side of coleslaw due to the server informing me they ran out of their special French fry seasoning (bummer). The slaw was good too. He got a chicken tortellini Caesar salad which he said was tasty but could have used more dressing. I did get to try the blackened chicken and was pleasantly surprised how nice that tasted. No beer for us due to it being ~1pm but their list was quite extensive. Service was also satisfactory, we didn't need much and she was polite. Overall I felt the food was good but perhaps a little pricey, though the portions were humongous and probably worth their weight.
(4)
Amy M.
Food and beer is always very good here, great beer garden as well. I was disappointed with my waitresses the last 2 times I have attended. One forgot our food 2 times in the same night. The other offered no separate checks even though the last time I came for dinner the waitress indeed separated them. Our waitress was sad, looked bothered by our presence and didn't even take the time to wait for us to leave to clean the table and take the bill. Very unprofessional in a place for dining. Watch out for the crabby ready to leave work waitresses, other than that the food and drinks were pretty good.
(1)
Frank P.
Been coming here for over 20 years, I am done. I know they have great beers on tap, no problem with the bar. The food, however has been on a steady decline. Last time there, I had the fishiest tasting blackened tuna I've ever tasted. Onion rings are a total grease fest, seems like oil rarely changed. Today I ordered blackened chicken ceasar salad and cup of tomato soup. The soup came out cold. I asked to have hot soup, they brought me out THE SAME SOUP, after I'm sure a quick microwave. It was still only luke warm at that time. I told waitress to forget about the soup. She later came back and said the manager agreed to take it of the bill. He did? Gee thanks (sarcasm). The salad was fine except for the rubbery pasta rings. Is it customary to have tortellini in a Ceasar salad? Overall its OK if you want a few beers outside, just eat elsewhere first.
(2)
Irene G.
Been here a few times now and I'd have to say it's one of the best places in downtown La Grange. Burgers are great, their menu offers a variety of food. The beer selection is excellent and so is the service. Great outdoor seating which is perfect for summer days. Great place for families, friends, out of towners...
(5)
Kim S.
The place looks really nice, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have an extensive burger menu, which is important to me, because I like things like apple chutney or peanut butter and bananas on my burgers. I ordered the Bootlegger, which is made with bourbon glaze and fried onions. I asked for it to be well-done, and I found it to be very dry. I thought that perhaps I should have asked for "almost-well" or "medium well", but my boyfriend ordered his wagu burger medium rare and he also thought his was dry. I felt my burger didn't have much flavor to it, but didn't think it was disgusting. My boyfriend, on the other hand, complained that they put way too much spicy catsup on his. He didn't like the flavor, it was overpowering, and the moisture was also causing the burger to fall apart. He didn't even get to finish half his burger before the thing disintegrated. On top of that, the waitress had stopped by, taken his drink order, and then went on to the next table to chat for 10 minutes. Then she disappeared, and when she came back to check on us later, she said, "Oh my god, I forgot your beer!" and ran off. She came back with the beverage, and both of us had already finished eating (Well, I finished. He sat there with the sad remains of a burger that he couldn't pick up). She left our finished dishes on our table and moved on. Then she walked past us again, and still left the stuff on the table. By the time my boyfriend was done with his beer, the plates and cups were still sitting there (he took his time, too). When she finally collected the dishes, she asked how the meal was, and my boyfriend explained to her that he couldn't eat his meal because if fell apart, and that the sauce was no good. She didn't really aside from, "Oh..," and slowly backed away before turning around and heading for the kitchen. The next thing we received was the bill, which included everything we had ordered, whether it had come late or was inedible. We did the silly thing and paid, leaving without talking to anyone about our crappy experience. Oh well. Next time we will just go elsewhere.
(1)
Pierre D.
It was a cold, snowy January night and my partner in crime and I were on the hunt for good beers, alas we found Palmer Place. This is a seat your self place, however they do have wait staff that comes and checks on you, gets food/drinks out to you promptly. The pulled pork slider appetizer was very good, the BBQ sauce is home made and not sweet, I'm a fan! The fried veggies appetizer was good also, real good job on the deep frying, no soggy food! This place has about as many beers as a Binny's Beverage Depot inn bottles and a impressive 20 or so on tap. Even rarer stuff like DFH 120 minute and DFW WWS are available in bottle at reasonable prices. We paid $12 for a 2014 BCBS and found that to be very fair given this beer sold out on Black Friday and is not available anywhere in the Chicago area. Looking forward to coming back and trying out their burgers and drinking a beer or 2.
(4)
John K.
My friend Molly told us to come here for the Wednesday bobbing for apples completion. I knew that I would totally kick everyone's butt and they have beer here too. Well not only did they not have bobbing for apples, they didn't even know Molly! Everyone knows Molly! I had the deep dish Pizza and my buddy Paul had the bbq vegan chicken sandwich with extra pepper jack. Portions are small and pricey. They're are no clowns at this establishment.
(3)
Michael D.
Went here to eat with my one friend and would highly come back. I like how they have indoor and outdoor eating and service is really fast and polite. I ordered a turkey club sandwich and let me tell you they don't skimp on you also it wasn't that expensive compared to Panera! Overall this place is great to come to for eating with friends, business, or just yourself! Typing this makes me want to go back and order some food!
(4)
MC B.
Went for a meal last night with a mate and was not impressed at all. I was excited to see fried green tomatoes on the menu but that excitement was deflated rather quickly. The tomatoes and onion rings were cooked in old oil. Everything came to the table laden in grease. Two orders of onion rings one the colour of muddy water and the other the colour of varnish. A total disappointment. The burger I had was well cooked the way I requested, however no salt or seasoning at all. A busy place, extremely LOUD and not for me.
(1)
Ernie L.
I heard nothing but good reviews from friends. Today I went for lunch ordered a beer. Nice and cold. And ordered the portobello mushroom burger with onion rings. Not impressed the onion rings where greasy and tough like they used the oldest onions. Not very appeasing. The burger its self was ok. The mushroom was tough. I know mushrooms are supposed to be tender, not with this one. I removed the portobello and eat the burger alone and was ok not much flavored, it was cooked the way I asked.
(1)
Shondra M.
Very nice beer garden, decent service, good food. Beer garden gets crowded early, so expect to wait
(4)
J. Chuck K.
I grew up in La Grange and enjoyed coming here during my high school and college years. Palmer's used to have the perfect combination of food, beer and atmosphere, but after my last couple visits, it's become just a place for beer and hanging out on the patio/bier garden. The sandwiches are barely average, and on my most recent visit the "jumbo" wings were the smallest things I've ever seen. They have to give you plenty of the bland homemade sauce to offset the dryness. I ate 3 tiny wings, finished my beer and walked down to Wild Monk for dinner. The bartender was a friendly guy, but that food needs some attention.
(2)
Kristin B.
Great burgers and great beer selection. Perfect place for an outdoor dinner on a warm summer evening.
(4)
LOIS B.
We ended up dining here by default. We wanted to try the 4th of July's review of the day spot ~ not open. We hunted for someplace with outdoor seating and that was open on the 4th. Hadn't been here in years. Large outdoor seating area with a second upper level deck that they were opening up as we were leaving. Extensive beer offerings and the menu was varied. Free appetizer with Yelp check-in. Happy 4th :) Service was quick and friendly, Food came out quickly and we were able to relax and enjoy our dining experience. We had salads and mini pretzels for our appetizer, but next visit I'm thinkn' on of those very juicy burgers is heading my way. Parking may be an issue, we parked on the street behind Palmer's and came in through their rear entrance. There is a small parking lot back there, but keep in mind they are near the theater and surrounded by shopping.
(4)
Neil M.
For quite some time I have been looking for a bar food type restaurant close to me when having a craving. I think I found it with Palmer Place in La Grange. They have great variations of burgers to choose from. I'm not so much of a beer drinker but they offer a lot of beers on tap. Will frequent this establishment in the future!
(4)
Laila C.
Patio = Awesome! Huge outdoor space Food = meh. We got the potato skins and brat sandwich cuz BF wanted to go to Wild Monk after and didn't want to overorder. Both items were meh. They have an ok draft selection. Nothing to write home about but the patio is great for sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful chicago summer.
(3)
Kamile K.
I really like this place. Went here for the first time last year and returned back for a second taste of perfection. Atmosphere of a typical friendly Irish pub, long list selection of beers, and good food. The desserts are really good too. I really like how friendly everyone is here.
(5)
Pam K.
Omg worst meal ever. Ruben not even grilled or warm baked French onion soup burnt on top cheeseburger cold. Wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't wait 45 minutes for it. Seems they care more about the beer garden than serving good food anymore. Will never go back again.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Laura C.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Palmer's! My go-to spot when I'm craving a burger. They offer probably close to 30 variations and have one of the best beer gardens in the area. Plenty of seating and a large beer list. We visited most recently a couple of weekends ago. It seemed like they were a little off that Saturday evening. We waited probably 10 minutes for a table in the beer garden, no problem! They must have been understaffed as there was only 1 waitress assigned to our area and she commented that she couldn't catch her breath. Hubby ordered the Benchmark Burger, which was excellent! I ordered my usual New York Deli burger - topped with corned beef, swiss and Thousand Island. As soon as I took a bite, I knew something was missing (the Thousand Island!) I waited about 10 minutes for our waitress to check in, and then another 10 for the Thousand Island. Definitely disappointing because my burger was cold by then. Again, I'm pretty sure it was just an off night. Palmer's is definitely a solid burger spot with a great atmosphere. Kid friendly too!
(4)Valerie D.
Nice outdoor patio. As for the food, burgers are good but today I ordered a taco salad. Got a taco shell bowl full of watery chili that they claim is a taco salad. It was disgusting and I didn't eat it. Called the waitress over and said why is this so full of water? Answer was that's the chili, didn't even ask me if I liked it or not. Pushed the whole thing away and she came by and said are you done? Really??? If I order a TACO salad I expect to get a taco salad not chili with lettuce mixed in calling it a taco salad. It was a chili salad Palmers , call it like it is and describe it like that on the freaking menu!! YUCK!!!! Cross that place off my list!
(2)Liam M.
This place is so busy trying to be something it misses being anything 88 beers on the wall and not one Amber/Red outside of Fat Tire Whoo Staff has the personality like ur doing them a favor to walk in Wake up
(2)K P.
Went late afternoon on a hot Sunday. The patio was great! The beer list was amazing. However, the service was TERRIBLE. So terrible. I will go back again as it seemed popular and what food was delivered by the other staff seemed good.
(2)Kathi K.
Everything is great here. Ask for the gyros burger with a turkey patty...delish! Love sitting outside in the biergarten. Great place for groups.
(5)Paul D.
Nice and casual in the Garten as always! Great place to chill with good food, get the Bavarian or the Masterpiece Burger...truly de-lish
(4)Thomas C.
Had been meaning to try this place for a while after enjoying my carryout experience. Took the kids and Grandma while wife was out of town...we'll be back. Corned Beef (Reuben) was phenomenal. Burger was good, not great, had the Prime cheeseburger, had had their specialty burger before which I thought was better). Onion rings, wings ... kids had pasta (and loved it). Extensive menu, ample seating and friendly service, will definitely return.
(4)Steven M.
Came here for a Hawks game. I don't know why, but I thought we were at Casa. It was raining and that is the sign I saw when I was running for a door. So I ordered a margarita. It was horrible. but I realized my mistake and moved on the a Tito's and lemonade. Much better. We had two apps. The potato skins and the fried veggies. the tots were cold and the cheese was hard. Out of 8 there was bacon on 4. The veggies were small as was the serving. Wonderful ranch dressing though. People around us were complaining about the service. I agree. Won't be back.
(2)Candace M.
The outside beer garden is the best I've ever been to, food great, gigantic selection on beer, end of story
(5)David N.
Not rating the food or dining, but the recent back bar experience. To start, great service, friendly, and hospitable. The beer selection is one of the biggest in the burbs, aside from maybe The Beer Market in Bolingbrook. Prices seemed a tad high, but its not everywhere you can score Haymarket Brewing and Tripel Carmelite. Unfortunately that's where the goods stopped and the marginal and downright dirty began. First sign of a problem were the small, insistent, fruit flies buzzing around the beer taps, and more annoying, my face and pint glass. Flies just don't appear in bars. They're bred there, implying that whatever "cleaning" is being conducted at closing time is not being completed satisfactorily. Then I noticed a disgusting amount of dust and grime on just about every flat surface and/or ledge surrounding the bar. Less used bar liquor bottles, the Jaeger bottles upside down in the shot machine, the touch screen bar top game, all covered in laziness. Dust, grime, old uncleaned spills, sticky countertops...completely killed it for me. Not to be a dick (still) but the flat screens at the bar were small and what's a TV without HD nowadays?! Come on. The joint has the all of the making, just needs a more watchful eye to keep her going. The flies!!!!
(3)Alex C.
One of my best buds took me here since I was back in town for spring break and we needed to catch up! The vibe is Irish pub, however seems very family friendly, we saw a lot of kids and parents. We started with a half order of nachos, which was HUGE! Even for two people, a half order was probably too much. They weren't bad either! I find that nachos can be a hit and a miss in terms of too many chips or too much topping, these had a near perfect balance. My friend insisted I get a burger since that was what he usually gets and can vouch for. I'd usually opt for a salad or something lighter but he was paying and I felt obligated. I got the ultimate gourmet burger which had all the usual fixings but utilized a waygu kobe beef, special cheese, caramelized onions as well as a spicy ketchup. This was one gigantic burger and I felt definitely better than your average pub burger. I also opted for a side of coleslaw due to the server informing me they ran out of their special French fry seasoning (bummer). The slaw was good too. He got a chicken tortellini Caesar salad which he said was tasty but could have used more dressing. I did get to try the blackened chicken and was pleasantly surprised how nice that tasted. No beer for us due to it being ~1pm but their list was quite extensive. Service was also satisfactory, we didn't need much and she was polite. Overall I felt the food was good but perhaps a little pricey, though the portions were humongous and probably worth their weight.
(4)Amy M.
Food and beer is always very good here, great beer garden as well. I was disappointed with my waitresses the last 2 times I have attended. One forgot our food 2 times in the same night. The other offered no separate checks even though the last time I came for dinner the waitress indeed separated them. Our waitress was sad, looked bothered by our presence and didn't even take the time to wait for us to leave to clean the table and take the bill. Very unprofessional in a place for dining. Watch out for the crabby ready to leave work waitresses, other than that the food and drinks were pretty good.
(1)Frank P.
Been coming here for over 20 years, I am done. I know they have great beers on tap, no problem with the bar. The food, however has been on a steady decline. Last time there, I had the fishiest tasting blackened tuna I've ever tasted. Onion rings are a total grease fest, seems like oil rarely changed. Today I ordered blackened chicken ceasar salad and cup of tomato soup. The soup came out cold. I asked to have hot soup, they brought me out THE SAME SOUP, after I'm sure a quick microwave. It was still only luke warm at that time. I told waitress to forget about the soup. She later came back and said the manager agreed to take it of the bill. He did? Gee thanks (sarcasm). The salad was fine except for the rubbery pasta rings. Is it customary to have tortellini in a Ceasar salad? Overall its OK if you want a few beers outside, just eat elsewhere first.
(2)Irene G.
Been here a few times now and I'd have to say it's one of the best places in downtown La Grange. Burgers are great, their menu offers a variety of food. The beer selection is excellent and so is the service. Great outdoor seating which is perfect for summer days. Great place for families, friends, out of towners...
(5)Kim S.
The place looks really nice, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have an extensive burger menu, which is important to me, because I like things like apple chutney or peanut butter and bananas on my burgers. I ordered the Bootlegger, which is made with bourbon glaze and fried onions. I asked for it to be well-done, and I found it to be very dry. I thought that perhaps I should have asked for "almost-well" or "medium well", but my boyfriend ordered his wagu burger medium rare and he also thought his was dry. I felt my burger didn't have much flavor to it, but didn't think it was disgusting. My boyfriend, on the other hand, complained that they put way too much spicy catsup on his. He didn't like the flavor, it was overpowering, and the moisture was also causing the burger to fall apart. He didn't even get to finish half his burger before the thing disintegrated. On top of that, the waitress had stopped by, taken his drink order, and then went on to the next table to chat for 10 minutes. Then she disappeared, and when she came back to check on us later, she said, "Oh my god, I forgot your beer!" and ran off. She came back with the beverage, and both of us had already finished eating (Well, I finished. He sat there with the sad remains of a burger that he couldn't pick up). She left our finished dishes on our table and moved on. Then she walked past us again, and still left the stuff on the table. By the time my boyfriend was done with his beer, the plates and cups were still sitting there (he took his time, too). When she finally collected the dishes, she asked how the meal was, and my boyfriend explained to her that he couldn't eat his meal because if fell apart, and that the sauce was no good. She didn't really aside from, "Oh..," and slowly backed away before turning around and heading for the kitchen. The next thing we received was the bill, which included everything we had ordered, whether it had come late or was inedible. We did the silly thing and paid, leaving without talking to anyone about our crappy experience. Oh well. Next time we will just go elsewhere.
(1)Pierre D.
It was a cold, snowy January night and my partner in crime and I were on the hunt for good beers, alas we found Palmer Place. This is a seat your self place, however they do have wait staff that comes and checks on you, gets food/drinks out to you promptly. The pulled pork slider appetizer was very good, the BBQ sauce is home made and not sweet, I'm a fan! The fried veggies appetizer was good also, real good job on the deep frying, no soggy food! This place has about as many beers as a Binny's Beverage Depot inn bottles and a impressive 20 or so on tap. Even rarer stuff like DFH 120 minute and DFW WWS are available in bottle at reasonable prices. We paid $12 for a 2014 BCBS and found that to be very fair given this beer sold out on Black Friday and is not available anywhere in the Chicago area. Looking forward to coming back and trying out their burgers and drinking a beer or 2.
(4)John K.
My friend Molly told us to come here for the Wednesday bobbing for apples completion. I knew that I would totally kick everyone's butt and they have beer here too. Well not only did they not have bobbing for apples, they didn't even know Molly! Everyone knows Molly! I had the deep dish Pizza and my buddy Paul had the bbq vegan chicken sandwich with extra pepper jack. Portions are small and pricey. They're are no clowns at this establishment.
(3)Michael D.
Went here to eat with my one friend and would highly come back. I like how they have indoor and outdoor eating and service is really fast and polite. I ordered a turkey club sandwich and let me tell you they don't skimp on you also it wasn't that expensive compared to Panera! Overall this place is great to come to for eating with friends, business, or just yourself! Typing this makes me want to go back and order some food!
(4)MC B.
Went for a meal last night with a mate and was not impressed at all. I was excited to see fried green tomatoes on the menu but that excitement was deflated rather quickly. The tomatoes and onion rings were cooked in old oil. Everything came to the table laden in grease. Two orders of onion rings one the colour of muddy water and the other the colour of varnish. A total disappointment. The burger I had was well cooked the way I requested, however no salt or seasoning at all. A busy place, extremely LOUD and not for me.
(1)Ernie L.
I heard nothing but good reviews from friends. Today I went for lunch ordered a beer. Nice and cold. And ordered the portobello mushroom burger with onion rings. Not impressed the onion rings where greasy and tough like they used the oldest onions. Not very appeasing. The burger its self was ok. The mushroom was tough. I know mushrooms are supposed to be tender, not with this one. I removed the portobello and eat the burger alone and was ok not much flavored, it was cooked the way I asked.
(1)Shondra M.
Very nice beer garden, decent service, good food. Beer garden gets crowded early, so expect to wait
(4)J. Chuck K.
I grew up in La Grange and enjoyed coming here during my high school and college years. Palmer's used to have the perfect combination of food, beer and atmosphere, but after my last couple visits, it's become just a place for beer and hanging out on the patio/bier garden. The sandwiches are barely average, and on my most recent visit the "jumbo" wings were the smallest things I've ever seen. They have to give you plenty of the bland homemade sauce to offset the dryness. I ate 3 tiny wings, finished my beer and walked down to Wild Monk for dinner. The bartender was a friendly guy, but that food needs some attention.
(2)Kristin B.
Great burgers and great beer selection. Perfect place for an outdoor dinner on a warm summer evening.
(4)LOIS B.
We ended up dining here by default. We wanted to try the 4th of July's review of the day spot ~ not open. We hunted for someplace with outdoor seating and that was open on the 4th. Hadn't been here in years. Large outdoor seating area with a second upper level deck that they were opening up as we were leaving. Extensive beer offerings and the menu was varied. Free appetizer with Yelp check-in. Happy 4th :) Service was quick and friendly, Food came out quickly and we were able to relax and enjoy our dining experience. We had salads and mini pretzels for our appetizer, but next visit I'm thinkn' on of those very juicy burgers is heading my way. Parking may be an issue, we parked on the street behind Palmer's and came in through their rear entrance. There is a small parking lot back there, but keep in mind they are near the theater and surrounded by shopping.
(4)Neil M.
For quite some time I have been looking for a bar food type restaurant close to me when having a craving. I think I found it with Palmer Place in La Grange. They have great variations of burgers to choose from. I'm not so much of a beer drinker but they offer a lot of beers on tap. Will frequent this establishment in the future!
(4)Laila C.
Patio = Awesome! Huge outdoor space Food = meh. We got the potato skins and brat sandwich cuz BF wanted to go to Wild Monk after and didn't want to overorder. Both items were meh. They have an ok draft selection. Nothing to write home about but the patio is great for sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful chicago summer.
(3)Brigid S.
This place has a really impressive menu, which includes a great spinach and artichoke dip. My husband and I both ordered the fish and chips, which were also really good. I'm not a beer drinker, but even I have to admire the extensive beer list they offer. There's a friendly, neighborhood vibe. We happened to go on a Senior Discount evening, so the overall age skewed older on the night we were there. I'm sure it's a bit different on the weekends. Overall, I would recommend it as a low-key place for good food and a couple drinks.
(4)Malina G.
I've been to Palmer's twice now, and both visits offered a pretty consistent experience: horrible, negligent service, but pretty decent food. The beer menu is extensive as well - but I wouldn't go here solely based on the pages and pages of beer options, as they'll probably be out of what you want. The first visit here, I was overwhelmed with how many choices of beer were available. But when I made my first choice to my server, she said it wasn't available. That was fine with me; with pages upon pages of beer selections, they were bound to be out of some. But when it came to my second - and third - and eventually forth choice, she shrugged and said that these also weren't available. That would have been fine, but when I asked for a recommendation for an amber ale they did have in stock, our server shrugged and said she didn't know. I asked if she could check with the bar, and she returned a whopping 30 minutes later to take our food orders, apparently forgetting that I'd asked for a beer recommendation. I'd like to note that the place was nearly empty at the time, so our server basically went AWOL on us for a half hour. The food was good, but nothing special. Our burgers weren't very flavorful, and our bill was around $50 for two burgers and two drinks (none of which were mine, by the way). Definitely not worth the bill. Our second visit was pretty much the same. My boyfriend said his chicken sandwich simply wasn't very good, and my burger was bland. The service was still pretty slow - we were there for about an hour and a half. Overall, this place has a book of a beer menu that simply doesn't match up with what is actually in stock, slow and apathetic service, and hefty prices for mediocre food.
(3)The J.
I think this place gets a lot of attention and publicity because of their large selection of beer and their hamburgers. Well, that about sums up this place and what separates them from the rest of the restaurants and pubs in the area. The rest of the food is ok, but a little pricey.
(3)Shannon W.
We used to come here for the Hawks game so we could sit outside, unfortunately we have to find someplace else. One tv outside that's it. Last year, it was packed because there were tv's all over with a tent. No line this year. Walk right in. Everyone is gone going somewhere else. Going to Monk's now because of the game situation and if you don't have Korbel half bottles anymore (for the second year, take them off the menu. The old guy that runs the place has to go. Bar Rescue
(2)Janet A.
The service was truly awful! My husband & I waited 10 minutes before being acknowledged---let only brought drinks. And the pattern of "where the heck is the server" continued throughout the meal. The food? So very bland and uninspiring. Yet pretty pricey. We didn't even stay for dessert- I was dying to just go (though finding the server to GET the check was an adventure......) We are walking distance to this restaurant and I can assure you- we won't be back!
(1)Linda R.
Seriously, $10.50 for a single hamburger? I can get a decent steak just down the street for less money. Sorry, not really worth it.
(1)Nikki T.
I wanted to like this place, I really did! I went in with an open mind, absolutely no high expectations. I just wanted a good burger. I had read some articles online and plenty mentioned Palmer Place for their burgers and patio. So my boyfriend and I went for it. As soon as we walked in, we were seated right away and the waitress was great! She was very attentive and helpful. She was able to assist the boy with picking out a good new beer and we didn't have to wait long. We first started with the Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates. Let me tell you, these were AMAZING!! I would have been much happier if I stuck to those bad boys all night! So, like I said before, I wanted a good burger and decided to try the Ultimate Gourmet Burger. The menu stated that that burger won the 2010 silver medal in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop so I figured it had to be good if it was an award winner! My boyfriend ordered the other "awarding winning" burger on the menu, the Benchmark Burger. Apparently, that burger won the 2011 People Choice award in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop. We were both so excited to try these burgers. I mean, the appetizer was fantastic, these burgers must be great! Yeah...not so much. Both of these burgers just had way too much going on. It felt like they decided to throw a bunch of random stuff on the burger and call it a day. The description of the burger with each component sounded great but the end resulted in just being too much to be enjoyable. Next time, I would definitely pick something a bit simpler from the menu. Lesson learned.
(3)Dan M.
Highly recommended. Great beer selection. Food is always consistently prepared and really good. The burgers are great but my personal fav is the BLT. It is really awesome. Service is great. They have the best multi day St. Patrick's day fests In the area that includes a St Baldricks day. Amazing bier garden and roof top bar in the summer. If from the area it's the place where you go and are certain to run into someone you know.
(4)Ryan D.
Awesome. They truly have some great Mediterranean food and also make a killer egg lemon soup. Four of five stars for sure!
(5)Veronica T.
It wasn't great. It was okay but I probably won't go there again. I ordered the chicken pita and it was flavorless. The fries were super salty so I didn't enjoy the food. Also, margaritas aren't their specialty so I don't recommend them at all.
(2)Mary G.
Palmers is a great place to hang, especially if its summer and the beirgarten is open. That being said their food is not good. Their menu is huge which makes me think that most of it must be frozen. Their burgers are just OK for being called "award winning". And to top it all off its not cheap to eat or drink there. Stop here for a beer, but dont waste your money on the food.
(2)Karma K.
This place is bierfantastico! Great, great, great, did I say great outdoor patio? This place is a staple in downtown La Grange. The owners have extended their patio and it now includes an upper deck. Hello, love that! No one else may notice this but they have green umbrellas on every frickin table outside. I love this because if you want shade it you have it. It also look very cool. I'm sure the beer vendor that provided the umbrellas was happy to oblige. Thank you beer vendor! The inside is not too shabby either. This place has a lot going for it. With that said, my tip to all you little yelpers is to stick with the burgers. They have a gazillion options and all of them are terrific. They have liver and onions on their menu. Who the hell has that in the western burbs. No one I say! Pat Bruno, the restaurant critic has this place at the top of his list for burgers. Yep, they have Kobe beef, turkey and all sorts of options for all you burger lovers. You like buns? They have pretzel buns, brioche rolls, etc. So you really cannot go wrong with a burger and fries at this place. So why not 5 stars? The other food is average to good. Their wraps are OK, but you can probably find better ones elsewhere. Their potato skins and nachos are good! They have a huge menu, maybe too huge because some of their other selections are good but not great. I also miss from my old days at this place, their veg sandwich on a croissant. I always substituted the croissant (because I'm not French, LOL) for french bread (OMG,I just said that I'm not French) and loved it with the fresh veggies and cream cheese. Bring that thing back, dammit! ;-) We have always had good service. They have a killer beer menu. Yes, they have IPA's for all you oh so trendy beer snobs! During the day this place is very family friendly. At night, it becomes more of a party place, especially during summertime. If you went to LT or Hinsdale Central high school (go Red Devils!) you are sure to run into some former alumni. Good? Bad? I don't know. I guess it depends how many beers or cocktails you have had. So go enjoy while summer days last a big longer and than go back in the winter and sit inside and enjoy the warm pub abience.
(4)Mike M.
Awesome burger selection! Everything we've ordered has been great. Great cozy decor, nice staff, and good prices. Parking can be a bit of a blood sport, but it's worth it.
(5)Kristen C.
After a trip to the zoo my boyfriend suggested we go here for a few beers and a late lunch. We sat on the patio-it was busy but great atmosphere if you're up for sitting outside. Great beer selection and some good specials. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates (fantastic!) and the reuben sandwiches. Fantastic reuben! It's like $15 for the sandwich and a side (I got fries-good but basic frozen fries and he got the potato salad-very good). There is a lot of meat on the sandwich and it had good flavor. We were both impressed. If you're not extremely hungry or not wanting to take some home possibly split the sandwich.
(4)Erin S.
Contrary to some of the reviews here, both times I was here in recent months we actually had very good service - waitress was pleasant, food ordering and time to table both fast - and (although my bf would disagree) I thought the atmosphere was fine. These are the only reasons I am awarding the second star! I should note that - both times we came was for a family meal, we did not partake in the beer selection and due to weather have not enjoyed the patio. This left us with little to save this place in our minds!!! The first time we came, the food was very bland. 4 out of the 6 of us, however, seemed to enjoy their food, so I thought it was definitely just bad luck and not indicative of further negative experiences. Well, I was wrong! This time, because I remember getting food that was bland, I wanted to pick something I was sure would have more kick - the Greek Pita Burger w/ Tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, and tomato. Anyone who is a fan of Greek food like I am should know that feta cheese can pack a punch, which I was looking forward to atop a nicely cooked burger. I did not get what I hoped for. I do not know how this is possible, but I think this burger was actually MORE bland than the meal I had there previously! How did this happen!?!? Plus, my side of fruit was a sad medley of melon that must have been defrosted in the small bowl in which it was served ... Looked sad and tasted like it looked. My bf's summation of his meal - "Wilted, spotty lettuce on a Salmon sandwich that was too dry! The side of fruit had an off putting syrupy taste." The potato skin appetizer was a sloppy and soggy mess - all cheese (3/4 of which was on the plate rather than the potato skins themselves) with fewer bits of bacon than you could count on one hand ... With a side of sour cream in basically a flimsy disposable clear plastic shot glass. If my family suggests this place again, I will have to say absolutely not! This place needs to get it together!
(2)Mariesa E.
I love love love this beer garden. Sitting on the roof or just on the patio is such a great experience on a beautiful night. Perfect date night location. I wouldn't come here to sit inside, but sitting outside has always been a favorite for me.
(5)Donna C.
Okay, so we are a follower of Chicago Best show on WGN and it hardly ever disappoints. After traveling from Buffalo Grove, I am so happy that this place lived up to the hype. It was delicious. The staff is very friendly and down to earth. The beer list is like nothing I've ever seen before. I chose the pilsner urquell which was amazing. The burgers have an amazing char which deepens the taste. It is tender and cooked to perfection. I wasn't crazy about the fries, I think I got some that weren't exactly freshly cooked but they looked like that could be delicious is right out of the fryer. The onions rings looked amazing and I wish I had known that before ordering, definitely would have gotten them. There are a tons of things on the menu and I saw many of them while cruising through the place. There were no idle tables, so kudos to the staff to be efficient. Wish I lived I closer because this would be a tried and true regular spot for me...
(5)P K.
5 stars for the waitress 5 stars for the patio 3 stars for food 0 stars for management responsible for ordering BEER at the Beer Garden. How does a Beer Garden run out of beer on Saturday afternoon? I ordered a Summer Shandy, my boyfriend ordered something else, can't remember. Waitress comes back and tells us they tapped out last night. OK, so we ordered a different beer, when we were ready for another, she told us the bartender only had one left. OK, so my boyfriend ordered something else and I asked for the same. Well, when she got back that one was sold out too. I can almost understand if it was a Sunday, but to run out of the 3 beers we ordered (who know what else they were out of) during the day on a Saturday is unacceptable. Food was alright, good portions. Waitress was great. Patio was awesome.
(1)Fabi G.
Pleasantly surprised with the beer list which is amazing, beer lovers paradise. Had the notches for an appetizer and a burger which were pretty good but everything on the menu is your typical bar food nothing spectacular. This place could definitely use a facelift unless they want to be stuck in the 70s. Overall a pretty casual have a beer watch a game kind of place.
(2)Chris S.
For years I've been coming here. When my friends are like, "Wair shud we eet?", my stupid face is all like, "Maebee wee shud goe too Paulmurz Playse" from time to time. And every time I come here, the experience is the same. I go in, all excited to see lots of sports and people enjoying themselves, and I get my hopes up! "Maybe this will be great!", I say, ignorant of the future. We usually have pretty good service and the TV's are nice for viewing, but my god, every item I've ordered here is awful. The burgers are flavorless and cooked incorrectly each and every time. The chicken strips (how do you screw this up, I pray you?) are a soggy crime against nature. Sandwiches are nothing special and are not worth the price. They somehow trick me every time. Today I vow to never go back here. I can feel my entire life turning around. Best Part: they have green river. Super legit. Also, the beer garden is nice, but usually packed.
(1)Foodie A.
A place for everyone's brew palate. They have over 100 ales to choose from. Build your own flight. Each small glass is $2.50 each. You have a choice of four ales or ciders. It's a great way to taste there ales. I had the brat with home made coleslaw. Excellent! I didn't feel like eating bread so I ate around it. The brat is topped with sauerkraut and onions. I would request just the sauerkraut because the onions looked a little slimy. And what's worse then slimy onions slithering down your throat. My friend had a deli sandwich which was very good. Beer Beer Beer Beer! Go thirsty leave full.
(4)Toni B.
A bit different then I expected but the food is delicious!!!!!!! And their portions and prices are great as well! My girlfriend and I came here for dinner before going to Bottles and Bottega. We walked in and honestly I felt like we went in the wrong door, lol. As a check in offer we got a free appetizer and ordered the mozzarella sticks...Ive never gotten so many mozz sticks!!!! Yummo!!!! My girlfriend ordered a chicken sandwich and I ordered a garden (veggie) burger, which was very tasty! The fries and delicious as well! They have a great beer selection, as well as mixed drinks and wines. I would definitely check this place out again if Im in the area and try some of their beers. Their burger selection is huge, so if you are a burger and beer fan, this is definitely your spot!
(4)Christina C.
I went to a bar close by this place and was so disappointed in the service that I decided to try out this place... Maybe attempt to lift my spirits up. It was late, and I was complaining, like usual, to my boyfriend about life.. So what's better than a good beer? I go in and sit down at the bar and me and my boyfriend had just moved here from the West Coast so I wasn't used to this weather. The bartender was SO friendly and welcoming and I couldn't have asked for a better person to have talked to us. He welcomed us to the town and also gave us some tasty beers! Although I can't quite remember his name, he was definitely one of the best bartenders I've ever encountered and I can't wait to go back for another drink (:
(5)Rachael Z.
I've been to Palmer Place more times than I can count, and on nearly every occasion, the food, service and atmosphere have been great. However, there have been a few times that I was disappointed - the salads aren't that great, and there are some less-than-nice servers. Lastly - come prepared to wait if it's the summer time. This place fills up VERY quickly due to the awesome location and patio. If you're coming here and don't know what to order - get a burger. It takes up an entire page! So many to choose from! You won't be disappointed. Really, just don't get a salad and you won't be, but literally, the burgers are the best in the area. Oh, and get a craft brew. Or three. There's even more of those to choose from. This is a great summer spot!!
(4)Bee B.
Very friendly people, they've been around for a while and know how to treat thier customers! Good food too!
(4)Elizabeth R.
Pros: -extensive beer list that literally takes up an entire page -huge beer garden, fantastic in the warmer months -cute waitresses -menu has a ton of items including many variations of burgers & my absolute favorite the Mayor of Manheim (USDA prime sirloin steak sandwich, cajun blackened, topped with melted jalapeño jack cheese, grilled onions and sautéed mushrooms. served on a garlic toasted steak roll) Cons: -prices are high for my taste. i understand the beer but $7.50 for 4 chicken strips?!?! -indoor seating is uncomfortable and often cramped when dining w/ more than 2 -service is always, ALWAYS slow (but the girls are still cute) The only reason I keep coming back to Palmer Place is that amazing steak sandwich! mmmmmmmmmmmmm This place is great if you're a beer snob with some money to spend.
(3)Jo R.
Palmer Place is located in downtown La Grange, where there are many restaurant options. Parking is limited. Diners may use the parking garage, or search for street parking. There were plenty of spaces at the top of the parking garage Thursday afternoon. However, I imagine there are much fewer options on a Friday or Saturday night. Inside, Palmer Place resembles an old Irish pub. I saw an Irish flag and lots of Chicago Cubs pictures. Also, diners seat themselves. When we arrived at this odd hour, the server detected us right away. We ordered drinks from the extensive beer menu -- that had no prices listed. While the server was getting the beers, I checked in and received a free appetizer check-in deal. Check-in deals definitely score points with me. We applied the check-in deal towards an order of Mexican egg rolls. Unique dishes, like Mexican egg rolls, also tend to score points. The egg rolls had a crispy coating and reminded me of breakfast burritos. They were packed with chicken, cheese, onions, and peppers. In size, I would estimate they were about 3 inches long. We received two for a table of three. Along with the huge beer menu, Palmer Place is also known for hamburgers. See the back page of the menu for the wide variety. I chose the Bootlegger burger. It was served on a fresh, doughy Brioche bun. What separates the Bootlegger from the other options is the sweet bourbon sauce and onion strings. I did not need any ketchup or mustard on this burger. The meat had a nice smoky taste which combined great with the bourbon sauce. I also enjoyed having the onion strings on the burger. It was like getting two sides for the price of one! Speaking of sides, that was my one criticism. The French Fries were lukewarm and tasted like warmed over cafeteria fries. Another diner at my table agreed with that assessment. The other diner ordered potato salad for her side and remarked that it was tasteless. It seems sides is one area Palmer Place needs to improve. To sum up, Palmer Place has a great selection of burgers and beers. Come on an empty stomach. You will leave stuffed. Having to park far may be a blessing. You will want to walk off your heavy meal!
(4)E M B.
2 stars for food 4 stars for patio Great spot to have some drinks outside in the burbs. Patio could use some TVs as the sound from sporting events is played outside but there aren't any TVs which is odd. Food is just mediocre - way too big of a menu so the food is just average, burgers nothing special. Go for the beer garden, eat at Q or Nicksons.
(2)Yessy S.
It's not the best restaurant even for a bar restaurant. I ordered half a slab of ribs that were for the majority seared then probably cooked in the oven. The side of fries and barbecue tasted much better than the rib entree. I do not drink and so maybe the atmosphere for those that do is far more pleasant but the food does not cut it for me.
(2)Kate C.
Never order a turkey burger here. I can say with 100% confidence that it was the worst thing I ever ate. I almost sent it back to the kitchen but our waitress was so nice I did not want to punish her. I think you guys might want to at least upgrade your turkey patties to walmart brand if you want to compete against any of the other burger places that give us non red meat eaters tasty options. Soooooooo dissapointed. Friendly staff though. I'll give you that
(1)Cheryl V.
We wanted to sit outside, there's a beer garden, that's the primary reason we went here. Not because of the food, because I'm a vegetarian and this is a big ol' burger place. We were convinced while perusing the menu at the door that they had a vegetarian burger that could be customized with any of the non-meat toppings, cool! We arrived around 2pm on a Friday so it was pretty empty outside, maybe 4 other tables. We changed our mind about where we were seated and were told by our waitress that it wouldn't be a problem, so we moved. As we're enjoying the view on this first bright and sunny day of the summer, another waitress comes by and makes us move BACK to where we were sitting, like we were a couple of scolded kids. Well, in hindsight we should have left then...it was a sign. For a place with like 20 different burgers on the menu you'd think they'd TOAST A BUN!!!!! NO they slap some cold bread on your already lukewarm burger. At least that's the way mine was served. I ordered the Veggie Burger combined with the toppings from the Confetti Burger which was supposed to be this: Veggie Burger meatless burger made with mushrooms, onions, rolled oats, brown rice, bulgur wheat and natural seasonings. Served on a whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle Toppings from Confetti Burger white cheddar cheese, grilled onions and lots of sautéed red and green peppers My plate never saw lettuce, tomato, onion or pickle, the "burger" came with a "sprinkling", and I mean a "sprinkling" or perhaps a "dusting" of shredded... what looked to be Parmesan cheese and no onions. When I sent it back....yes, I sent it back because the bun was COLD and so was the "burger". It came back with onions, a warmer "burger" and still none of the other condiments listed. The fries were even sub par. Eighty dollars later and I left hungry because my appetite was spoiled from waiting and just frustration. When I worked tables back in the day, if someone sent something back, the manager would come out and talk to you. This manager is definitely not up on his game in regard to customer service. Yes, more people are eating healthier these days, so if you're going to offer a veggie burger, make it great! And give it flavor, I can buy a Boca burger anytime at whole foods and not pay $11 for the privilege! Don't serve soggy onions, green and red peppers on a cold bun; make it look as if you give a damn about the customers and the food you serve!
(1)Julie O.
Not a place that I plan to go back to. Too many other options in the area. We met a group here for an after work drink and some appetizers. We wanted to sit in the bar but were told groups could not sit in the bar because we would need two waitreses and that would not be possible. Odd, as there were just 10 of us. Also odd, that we needed to be seated in a bar. The beer list is impresssive.The food? I've had better at Chilis. The wings were inedible, the nachos were maybe okay, the sampler was small. Server was nice but not very energetic.
(2)Rolly Z.
I reviewed Palmer's 4 years ago and to this day they still have a great beer menu and great food. However, after dropping $170 on drinks and dinner this past Saturday, I may not be back because of some of the staff they have there. My party of 7 sat outside in the biergarten and we had our kids sitting at a table together and us adults at another since each table only sat 4 people. The guy seating guests kept eyeballing the kids then us. We called him over asking if it was a problem if the kids were sitting there, his reply "Not yet, I'll let you know if we get busy and need the table" REALLY!!! We then asked what the resolution to this problem of his would be. He said he would think about it and let us know. WOW! So if we sat with our kids and our friends sat with their kids, would it be an issue at all? The guy really put a damper to our evening there. So we decided to leave and continue having drinks and dessert elsewhere. Some people just should not be working in the service industry. So in conclusion, if you go with only adults, great place. If you plan on going with the family, make sure your kids sit with you at your table. Otherwise you will feel unwelcome.
(2)Jessica R.
Great food & great service!!!! They're always busy yet the staff is always upbeat & attentive. The taste, temperature (never had a cold meal), portion & quality is very consistent... haven't had a bad experience in the 4 years I've been eating there (very often).
(5)Jackie B.
We absolutely love Palmers! its been a staple in our hometown for quite some time. From summer sitting on the patio drinking beers to winter time chowing on chili...Palmers is always wonderful. We have great service and both Phil & Steve Palmer are WONDERFUL to chat with. The beer list is insanely large--- always fun to try something new!
(5)Morgan V.
I was here earlier tonight dining with a friend. The food was okay - could've been better. At the end when I got my check, I realized I had forgotten my debit card at home and I had no cash on me. Luckily, my friend had enough cash to cover the bill - but we were short $5. The waitress was snarky and told us that one of us had to stay while the other went to go get the debit card ... I live 45 minutes away. When I explained this to her and asked if I could leave my ID and come back tomorrow with the money, she said it was a security risk and that the restaurant doesn't allow it. The waitress offered no help and was rude to us the whole night. Finally a friend came to help with seriously a $5 bill and we gave the waitress the cash. She counted the money in front of us to make sure that we gave her the correct amount and after that she looked at us and said "okay bye". I am never going back to this place again, they were completely rude and my whole night was ruined due to the negative attitude all over $5 that I was going to come back and pay tomorrow. I don't know why I decided to give this place a try, usually I go to Al's Char House down the street and now I know that whenever I go out for steak or a burger to go to Al's. What a difference!
(1)Jennifer M.
Friends recommended this place so we all decided to go for dinner. Well this is the last time i come here. The food and drinks were great but the customer service was awful. Our waitress named eliza was rude and inconsiderate. After finishing our meal we were at the table chatting and she asked us if we were done and what we were doing because we had not ordered anything in awhile. Then when our check came she said the only way she would split the check is if we did it ourselves snd she would come back to collect everything. Inbetween our meal and drinks she took at least 20mins to check on us and ask us if we would like another drink or dessert. We finally talked to the manager, but i do not recommend her as a waitress. Best of all after we were speakingbto the manager she went to another table of customers and blurted out that our table hated her. Im sorry but the comments that she made to us and others around us will never get me to step foot in there again. Beware of this waitress. She did not receive a tip from us!
(2)Lori L.
Rude waitress. Asked if you could get the fried green beans as a side she said no so I said it's ok I don't want them. She did not listen and still brought them out and had an attitude when I said I told her I didn't want them unless I could get them as a side. Rude and unfriendly not worth your time. Unfortunate because this place used to be really great.
(1)Bruno D.
I love this place. Great beer selection. Food is pretty good. Burgers are your best bet. Staff and peeps there are best. Ive been there for St. Patrick's Day and it is really a good time.
(4)Kevin H.
Great place for a burger and beer. Terrific beer selection both on tap and bottles. I prefer to sit in the back and in the beer garden in the summer. Good service. Will be back next time in LaGrange.
(4)Jessie Z.
Great food, great beer, great atmosphere (especially in summer on the patios).
(5)Stacy R.
I love the beer selection! The burgers are pretty good and so is the fish and chips. I also like the bacon wrapped dates. I enjoy the outside seating in the summer and always feel relaxed sitting under an umbrella sipping a new beer. This is the place to bring people who like to try a new beer, I am never unhappy with the food, the service is great and there are so many beers, I try a different one every time I come here!
(4)Torrey L.
Ah... The tragedy of Palmer Place. On paper, it looks perfect. Large, outdoor beer garden, dozens of mircobrews and specialty beers, house-made specialty burgers, lively pub in back... But it never works. They are frequently out of many of the beers on the menu. Even worse, they are usually "out" of some of their burgers. When they are available, the burgers are average. In fact, I would go as far as to say that everything on the menu is average at best. If I have something that blows me away, I'll be sure to let everyone know. The other problem is that the waitresses frequently have no knowledge of any of the beers they serve. Something may sound interesting on the menu, but the details are as much a mystery to the staff as they are to the customers. I would be content with smaller food and beverage menus if I knew that everything was in stock, and everything was coming out of the kitchen with care.
(2)Mary T.
I received some sage advice from an ex-bf the first time I came here and now I'm passing it on to you (you can thank me later): Come prepared with at least 3 beer choices when you place your order, you may need it. As much as I hate to give him props his advice is spot on. I had just finished Kelly S. the story when our server returned to tell us they were out of Kelly's beer selection. I can't really fault them for keeping small quantities of the most uncommon beers, given the size of their beer menu (225) I can understand not wanting to risk letting large quantities of beer go skunk. I used to live 3 blocks from this place in my suburban days and it was my regular summer hangout. It's a solid place to kick back, relax, grab a bite and a beer. The awesome patio (aside from the beer selection) is the biggest draw. There's the ground level and rooftop and plenty of umbrellas protecting you from the sweltering sun. Palmer's won't win any awards for its menu. What I mean is that the food is solid, the portions generous, but don't expect any culinary masterpieces. I usually stick to sandwiches and veggie burgers and have yet to be disappointed. The tuna club is my favorite - a double decker club with swiss and cheddar that comes with a side; plenty of food for two meals. If you get the fries ask for a side of cheese sauce, it's so yummy and has a hint of jalapeno. Bottom line: Good food, good beer, reasonable prices, and bitchin' patio! TIP: I have no shame admitting that I'm a Miller Lite girl. Take my advice, don't miss the opportunity to try something different while you're here.
(4)Raina B.
Overpriced, frozen food. The atmosphere was great, and I was really looking forward to our meal. However, my baked cod was soggy and obviously was freezer burnt, along with the fries my husband had. The mashed potatoes were excellent though! His portabella angus burger had something off with it - the mushroom was somehow soggy and the bread was hard. Overall just kinda bland and soggy. It was a Wednesday night.
(2)Marilyn J.
Writing the review after going twice. The food was just ok and the servers just ok also. I think if the servers would have been a little more customer friendly I would have given 1 more star.
(2)Candice G.
I would go as far as to say that Palmer Place has the best beer selection in the tri-suburban area. Oh, and burger selection. A friendly suburban place, that often has a wait to sit down... but for good reason. Their boneless wings make me want to go back to being a meat eater and their burger selection is one of the best I have ever seen! The place is big and they have an outdoor patio along with a rooftop patio for seating in the warmer months. I've only eaten outside because the inside has really annoying lighting and is cheap diner-y in a bad way. The staff aren't the greatest. The service is okay but a few times we've gotten some attitude. If you're an all male table, the female staff is more than willing to give you extra attention and flirt time. If you are a couple, you will defo be neglected. Again, the food here is AMAZING... defo deserves 5 stars but the sometimes pissy staff and poor interior take it down a star. I'd like to see some friendlier service... or maybe just more staffing. Sometimes I think the servers have too many tables and then develop the frustrated attitude... I waited tables for 10 years so I totally understand but on the other hand, I would like to see improvement.
(4)Dan C.
Had a great time at Palmers today with team from work. Had a variety of cool beers, great service, and a visit from the owner. Place had a great crowd and we enjoyed it very much. Palmers is a classic place for getting together with friends and family. We'll be back soon!
(5)Wesley S.
This review and rating is for the restaurant experience only, not for the bar. The menu selections are about what one would expect in an Irish pub. In terms of quality, the preparation of the dishes is neither good nor bad. Likewise, service is capable and unremarkable. In summary, this pub restaurant is unremarkable. ------- The Beer Garden, which is the outdoor seating area, is sizable and well away from Lagrange Road and the Burlington. It is a very fine place to eat and drink outdoors.
(2)Simone P.
This is my favorite go to place when Im looking to get a great drink and a delicious meal. Every time I visit Palmer Place I enjoy that I have a pretty easy time finding a seat, but Id keep in mind that this place is a local favorite and could be packed on the weekend or game nights. Im not big on drinks or cocktails but the Palmer Place daquiris are the highlight of my visit. It has become my go to place for a relaxing dinner and drink. I definitely taste the value when I get to sip off the giant mountain of daquiri that stands on the glass. Not only are the mango and strawberry daquiris great, my boyfriend has actually found a local place with a great Manhatten. I am impressed! The employees are always nice, friendly and fast paced. The food is delicious, and I know fish and chips is pretty simple but it is SO GOOD. Yum, writing this review makes me want to come back sooner than my wallet can afford. The prices are very reasonable but of course the bill adds up after a few amazing daquiris. Keep up the good work!
(5)Alison B.
If you're a beer fan, holy crap is this the place for you. TONS of them. If you just want some food, then, mehhhh, this place is fairly good. It's clean. The menus are totally tattered (ewww). They have several different rooms you can eat in, which makes you feel like you aren't in a huge restaurant. Waitstaff is attentive. Food is quick. Ostrich burger was delish! Tortellini Cesar salad, was 6/10--- it was huge, and lettuce was crisp and fresh, fresh grated parmesan on top, but the tortellini didn't taste very good and the dressing was too sour for me. Spinach Artichoke Dip was good-- not great. Came with fresh and warm pita bread, which was a nice touch. Nice that there are a lot of options for sides (potato- baked or mashed, chips, cottage cheese, fruit, potato salad). GET the potato salad--- yummmm. I think it's red potatoes, with eggs and green onion. Can't tell for sure because I was stealing from my husband's plate and he kept blocking me : ) Random: I dig the huge plastic glasses of ice water with fresh lemon. Lots of families there. I like the crayons at the table, and next time will order off the kids menu-- yum. Tons of TV's, and good speakers. Overpriced, but that's due to location. We'll be back.
(3)Joann J.
Lived in Lagrange 35 years, been to Palmers 6 times, NEVER impressed, burgers ALWAYS overcooked, service slow, and why do waitresses insist on calling you "HON" or "GUYS" next to us were 4 older ladies and I know they were irked just as we were being refereed to either as guys or hon, the appetizers were horrible, tiny little cheese nuggets, couldn't figure out what the rest of the stuff was, very frozen isle generic , I had the grilled chicken pita, a flat tasting chicken breast on a flat tasting pita smothered with flat tasting peppers, my sister had a turkey club, the whole wheat bread was not toasted,turkey was sparse, the lettuce was SOOO finely chopped she was having a hard time picking it up, it was all over the table, WHY because the plate was tiny to make the meal look bigger, needless to say it was her 1st time and she loved the biergarten (atmosphere ) but will not go back, maybe if we par-took in the beer selection the food would be second, but we look for good food and decent service and neither were there................
(1)Maureen E.
We were in the neighborhood and looking for a place to watch the home run derby. The best thing I can say is that they had flat screen TVs, two of which were on the derby. Our server couldn't have been less interested in us, and brought us our check without being asked, and when we asked for two more beers, she sighed, because clearly, she would have to redo our ticket. The food was lackluster, from any mediocre place in America. Interestingly enough, the person who provided the best service was the busboy, and I really wish we would have been able to tip him instead. I intend to call the restaurant and compliment him on his service level. Clearly he is used to picking up the slack for the bored college girl who is only waiting tables because her mom forced her to get a job for the summer. Should I find myself in LaGrange again, there has got to be a better watering hole with sports - maybe a TGI Fridays?
(2)M C.
As an avid beer drinker, the promise of a beer garden was exciting, plus this restaurant was featured on Chicago's Best, which made the food enticing as well. Upon arriving, I noticed the long list of bottled beers and decent listing of draft beers. Unlike most beer gardens though, the beer listing did not give flavor descriptions, so I decided on a beer I had not heard of before and was disappointed to find it tasted like Coors Light. The second beer was a little better but I was a bit put off by the unexciting choices on the draft menu. Onto the food...my Benchmark burger was incredible. Just reading the menu's description was enough to make my mouth water: so many elements, so well-balanced. I would definitely recommend this burger to any new visitors, but this may be the obvious choice upon looking at the menu. I was surprised by the amount of burgers Palmer Place offered (a full menu page!), and I thought my choice would be difficult to make before the waitress asked for my order. When reading the other descriptions, none came close to the Benchmark burger (and perhaps that is ok since I would return to try it again), but it seemed as if the restaurant's efforts were focused on that burger and tapered off when conceptualizing the remaining burgers. Let me know your thoughts on this. My side, french fries, were the standard wedge cut that probably came from a frozen bag, which was fine, nothing special. Overall a decent experience and a great burger that I would come back for; however, that is the only draw for me.
(3)Christine W.
When we moved to the area 15 years ago- PP was FANTASTIC! Loved the food, the service, the beer selection... we went about once a week. The past 5 years have seen a steady decline in food quality (to us). While they added other drinks to the menu (yeah!), their food is not as good as it used to be. On our most recent trip, the appetizers tasted slightly freezer burned, the burger was good (not great), and the salad was not very good at all. Unlike other reviewers, we have always had great service. We would go back for drinks, but I will wait awhile before returning here for food. There are too many other places in LaGrange with great food to go here. If someone else in our party suggests it, I won't turn it down- but I won't give it an endorsement until things go back up.
(2)Trisha K.
I am a sucker for a beer garden with microbrews so I continue to come back to Palmer's and am regularly disappointed. The burgers are OK, although there's better down the street at Back Alley, but Palmer's has such a HUGE beer menu, which is the reason I go. The probelm is how many times I have to order 5 times before we find a beer they have in stock. Don't advertise a gazillion micro brews is you only actually carry 15. The service is also just OK. I have good and bad, slow and not as slow, but never great servers. They consistently don't seem to give a shit. My husband hates it, my daughter doesn't love it, but we keep going back for more unique beer. Maybe it's time for me to quit drinking!
(3)Carrie P.
I would've written this review alot earlier but I was so shi* faced off the huge beer selection it took me about a day to even get home. Seriously though, the food here is great. They have so many different types of burgers and all of them seem creative and delicious. I say seem because I have not run the myriad of burgers they have on their list. Last time I have the Wagyu burger with cheddar and it was juicy and flavorful (and low in fat) LOVE IT! I also love a place that will boldly serve liver sausage on a sandwich..not just a normal sandwich...a club liver sausage sandwich......köstlich! Besides having a huge menu with great selections...they have tons of different beers from around the world...we basically started in Australia and made it to France before cashing out..... The prices are good and the rest is worth it...so get to Palmer's..and if it's nice out...sit in the beer garden and bring a friend who doesn't drink.
(4)Ashley P.
Been coming here for MANY years..."many" as in the better part of my life. I've never had a bad burger here. They're always juicy and the cooks make it the way I like it (medium rare) every time. I recommend the Buffalo Style Burger and the Vermont Burger for tasty goodness. And yes, the beer selection is fantastic; one of the only places that carries Abita Restoration Ale in the area.
(4)Will V.
This is one of the best places in downtown La Grange. I don't know how many afternoons I've spent drinking a few beers here. The selection is really quite amazing considering the location. There are few bars even in Chicago with this kind of beer selection. They have everything from American macros (yuck!) to Trappist beers (yum!). As Kate said, they have GUMBALLHEAD ON TAP!!!! The only negative, I think the quality of the food has gone down in the past year or so. I used to get the Kobe burger, and it was really amazing. I think they changed their food vendor recently, and the burger patties all look pre-formed, not like before. And they don't taste as good. Still, you can get some decent food, and it's not priced out of line. The service is generally excellent. The beer garden is really nice, and they have seating both downstairs and up on the roof. If you prefer to watch the game, they have plenty of televisions inside.
(4)Kim R.
Normally, I would give Palmer's at least 4 stars but my most recent experience only deserves 2 and I'm being generous. As I walked in through the back entrance which most people do as their parking lot is located in the back, there were two bimbos smoking right by the door. There was no way avoiding their nasty smoke. You had to walk right through it. State law says, you must be 15 feet away from the door. Not these twits. I'm hoping the management will see the negative review but I will still write a letter to management. Otherwise, our service was good. I did have to ask twice for water and again for a box to take my left overs to go but this was not a huge negative. The food was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. They have a nice selection of beer. Probably over 100 choices. It's a mixed clientele from 20's to 50's, singles and familes. It's a good place for anyone. Other than the cancer crew at the door, all was good.
(2)Ashley W.
This place had the chance to earn a 5 star rating, and probably would have gotten it, had they not told us that their Yelp Check-in Offer was not being accepted. We chose to stop by this restaurants for a couple of reasons. First, we were in the area and had heard good things about it, but secondly, we saw that if we checked-in, we got a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees which sounded great! Upon showing the waitress the coupon on our phone, she went to check with a manager to see if it could be used because she hadn't seen it before. The manager told her that the check-in offer was only good for February (today is March 5th). That's all fine and dandy, except they didn't bother to remove the offer from Yelp and that's really what brought us there in the first place. Now the good thing is that our waitress was friendly and the food was good, but we were definitely disappointed that they wouldn't honor the Yelp check-in offer.
(3)Elliott D.
I've been going here for years and years, in fact, I was probably still playing with crayons the first time I came here. That said, nostalgia doesn't prevent me from making a fair assessment of the place. Let's begin with the postives. There is always a great selection of beer on tap with plenty of choices both foreign and domestic. There is also a good choice of bottled beers that can be hard to find elsewhere. I would say that the burgers are the highlight here in terms of food. I've had a little bit of everything on the menu but always come back to the burgers as my mainstay. They are almost always cooked to order and have a great selection of toppings beyond your standard bacon and cheese. The Kobe beef is particularly good. Also, the service is fairly consistent and the biergarten has a very laid back atmosphere. Now on to some of the not so good things about this place. With such a wide variety of bottled beers, some do not get selected often and so when they are ordered they already have gone bad. On more than one occasion myself or a friend has ordered a beer, the most recent being a Kentucky breakfast stout, that when brought out has a skunky taste because it's been sitting around too long. Also, the food is overpriced. I will continue to go to Palmer's because it is a great local place but I have watched beer and burger prices skyrocket over the past few years. I know that commodities are up but Palmer's has kept ahead of the cost of inflation. Also, for a place with such a great selection of beer, the waitresses are not very knowledgeable when it comes to making recommendations or pairings with food. I don't expect much but a little know-how goes a long way. To sum up, I will definitely go here again as it's a great place to hang out with friends and get a beer on a weekend, even if it has a few drawbacks.
(3)Cristina T.
PP never disappoints. Their burgers are awesome, the beer list is huge and the atmosphere is casual. Usually on weekends and in the summer it can get pretty crowded, but once you get seated you are guaranteed to have a good time. On this occasion I had the Waldorf Salad with blackened chicken. The raspberry-balsamic dressing was perfectly balanced with the walnuts, apples and Gorgonzola cheese. The chicken was just a little spicy, juicy and delicious. Portions are large and prices are decent.
(5)Logan S.
Oh Palmer you had me for several years but recently lost me. Not much has changed here, same decor, same menu offerings, same looking, albeit, friendly, wait staff. But wait, are there typos on your menu? Talk about inflation. Did the raw costs for food go up that much ? On a recent visit, two burgers (one was a veggie burger) and one bottled stout beer cost $30 including tip. These are not big old honkin burgers people. In the past, the wait for the garden was the norm. I can see why there was no problem getting a table in the patio on a Saturday night around 6:30. My veggie burger was different, made with oats. I thought it sounded interesting, but it looked commercial and straight from the freezer. It tasted bland, so thank goodness there was ketchup and mustard on the table. The potato was decent, but it's only a baked potato, Ray Charles could not mess up a baked potato. I wish I could comment on the other burger, but I did not get to try it. Palmer, offers a very nice beer garden and cozy interior. They have an extensive food and beer menu and work well for families, if they can afford it. Your best bet is to park in the back or across the street at the free parking garage. It's worth try, but honestly there is far too much being offered in the area to pay those prices.
(3)Jenn C.
If you come here, I would concentrate on ordering one of their burgers. The choices are somewhat wide and creative. The other food items are average but not bad. Service is ok. It's an easy spot for a good old pub style place that you can bring your kids to go eat or have a beer with your burger. Not much else to say...
(3)Ben B.
The benchmark burger was good, but I honestly liked the belgium burger better. WOW what a beer selection, and the burgers were sooo good. We had the fried green tomatoes as well, which were quite tasty. The Onion rings were great too. Ohhhh fried food, how I love thee!
(5)Brett C.
Definitely a fan of Palmers. Great casual laid back atmosphere. The food is good and service is also very good. The best feature is it's expansive beer list. Not sure how many they actually have but you will find a beer for any taste or occasion. The beer list list is printed on both sides of the menu and choosing becomes the problem. Great local hang out with a large outdoor patio for warmer weather. Keep up the good work.
(4)Judas L.
Great beer, amazing pub food, amazing wait staff, what more could you ask for? Amazing hot wings and a beautiful beer garden, wish granted! Stop in for great food, great beer, great service!!!
(4)Larry C.
I usually love this place, but not tonight. Kept tasting hints of chocolate with my blackened burger. I love chocolate, but not on a burger. I've had that item before, but it never tasted like this. Ordered a beer when I sat down. It wasn't cold at all. The waitress never asked if I wanted another. I was hoping to kill some time before a movie, but couldn't wait to get out of there. The gentleman that seated me didn't even offer a "thank you" as I passed by him at the door. Overall tonight...one star.
(1)alicia b.
Beer,beer,beer and more beer! This place has the mother load of beer! I didnt know what to choose or where to start...Germany,Austria,Denmark etc....... My group decided that we would each get a different beer and taste test which worked out pretty well since I dont mind sharing. The draft options are sort of weak but the bottle options are insane! I didnt eat and to tell you the truth I only entered the restaurant to use the bathroom which by the way was very clean for those of you who care. Anyways the inside is not where you want to hang out in the summer anyhow, the patio is huge-mungus with tons of tables with umbrellas so if you come on a night like we did you will be somewhat sheltered from the rain. There is also a big A rooftop patio area that you can hang out on! I highly suggest you visit in the summer,chill on the patio and drink a couple beerzies.
(4)Patty S.
Rating Scale: 5 stars for the outside patio with atmosphere, 2 1/2 stars for their bar food, and 1 star for their waitstaff service. I've been coming to Palmer's for many many years (both pleasure and work-related). The service has always been great (a little slow at times, but never that bad to stop going). I'm not sure if management has changed over the years, but our last visit was a disaster! We ordered the simplest thing on the menu: Guiness and fish & chips. Why on earth did our meal take 45 minutes to come to us? All you have to do is take the frozen cod out of the freezer and dunk it in the fryer. What does that take? Like 5 minutes tops? It was probably sitting under the heat lamps for 30 minutes before it was served. To top it off, our waitress was rude throughout our entire visit. It's too bad, I enjoyed going there to sit outside and relax with friends. There are way too many other places I can go to do just that.
(2)Will M.
One of the best outdoor beer gardens around! Like 50 beers on tap. Great burgers and sandwiches. Nice casual place.
(3)Karen B.
While Palmer Place is out of our way, my friends and I go there often for the beer selection, good food, and great atmosphere. Their selection of both bottled beers and draft beers is downright obscene. We've gone there several times, and the service is always great, too. We've gotten tables in all parts of the place- including their outdoor tent when it's colder. I will say, the tent was nice and warm, but kept leaking on our heads a bit. Perfect for large groups, though. Otherwise, we love usually eating outside, particularly on the upper deck. Their prices are quite reasonable for food, but they don't list the prices of their beers on their massive list printed on tabloid. Only downside to that is you may just accidentally order a brew that's a good $11 for a bottle. Palmer Place's servers are always on the ball and really know their menu AND beer selection, which is quite impressive. They have good recommendations off a list that can seem intimidating to those of us that are satisfied with a Miller Lite on a regular day.
(5)Edward B.
Wow. I took college buddies who were passing through town yesterday. I wanted a place with decent food and a good beer selection and a casual, not loud atmosphere so that we could talk without yelling. Palmer Place was a home run. We each had the original Palmer Place cheeseburger and it was great. The beer selection was absolutely amazing, especially for such an accessible place in the suburbs. 36 beers on tap??? Great. They had Three Floyds Alpha Klaus on tap - absolutely stunning. I'll be back for sure. Four stars only because the burgers are a tiny, tiny bit pricey. The beer prices? Really good, though.....OK, I'm changing it to five stars :)
(5)Joseph M.
They have a long beer menu but they don't necessarily have them in stock. I tried to order eight different beers but they didn't have any of them. I ended up with a water instead. The food is good though.
(2)Mike S.
I used to go to Palmer's all the time in high school, and their patio is one of the better beer gardens in the Southwest Burbs. That being said, it's still a solid place for an after work drink, but it seems to have lost a step. While meeting a friend for happy hour/dinner I ordered a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which was alright, but not as good as I remember. It wasn't as spicy, the chicken was a little more overcooked, and the bun fell apart in my hands. It was filling, and wasn't bad, but really wasn't anything to write home about either. It's also a little more expensive than it probably warrants. A microbrew, a Guinness, and a very average chicken Sandwich set me back nearly $25. The one thing I will give them credit for is putting a tent over the Beer Garden in late fall/winter, which certainly sterilizes the surroundings, but also expands capacity significantly. Likewise, their beer selection is much bigger than I remembered, so I ordered a particularly hoppy beer I'd never had before, then retreated to a trusty Guinness. Parking is a BIG challenge. The nicknack shops that used to dominate downtown LaGrange have faded a bit, and new restaurants and bars have taken over, making parking in downtown LaGrange at a premium. Budget at least 10-15 minutes to find a parking spot if going at rush hour.
(3)Ryan W.
The food here was pretty good, and I chose to go the Texas BBQ burger route along with some onion rings. The burger used Texas toast instead of a regular bun, and their BBQ sauces was actually quite tasty. I should have had a little bacon thrown on to make it perfect, but any BBQ burger lover will find comfort in this hearty meal. The onion rings are worth the $0.75 "upgrade". Judging by their menu selection I'd say that burgers is a strong focus of this restaurant, and they have some unique combination including various types of buns. I even saw one that came on a pretzel bun if that is something that would interest you, but for me the Texas toast was a nice touch. For the two burgers we got the bill came to about $22 (without anything other than the burgers, and not including the tip). Note: Their Yelp check-in offer still says it is valid and makes you think it can be redeemed, but it is only for the month of Feburary 2011 as of this writing.
(4)Charlotte B.
After eating at Palmers many times, I've finally stopped trying. The service is inconsistent and server turnover is high. The food can be good but I've never been impressed. I had a terrible experience waiting 45 minutes for a burger and when I asked to speak to a manager, he/she wouldn't come to my table! Never again. Great beer selection, average burgers, and coin flip service.
(2)cassie r.
O.M.G. I'm lamenting the fact I did not know this restaurant existed when I lived just a few short minutes away last year...oh, how I would have frequented this place at least two dozen times by now if I had. My fam and I visited this little gem last night at the recommendation of my boss - and I'm so glad we did. We got seated right away (on a Saturday at 6:30 p.m. nonetheless), and the server was attentive throughout the evening. First, I loves me some beer. And their beer list is of novel-like proportions (though not quite to the Map Room's extent, but close). I love a place that offers a ton of beers you've never heard of before - it makes picking just one so much more fun. I ended up with Surley's Furious (eh) and a Samichlaus (Austrian beer - brewed once a year on December 6th, then aged nearly a year in oak barrels)...definitely worth a try. Now, this place has a bevy of food selections for anyone's palates, but they're apparently well-known for their burgers (Ostrich anyone)? I ended up ordering the Greek Pita Burger (pita bread, burger meat, tzatziki sauce and feta cheese). Awesome combo. Palmer's also has a ton of options for sides, so there's a good chance everyone will leave pleased. I definitely did.
(4)Eric Y.
Friendly neighborhood place. Get the fried green beans with wasabi dipping sauce. They're better than fries!
(3)Solida N.
When I first visited my boyfriend's family, they took me here. The food is average and I wasn't a huge fan. My second visit here a year later... and I still felt the same way. To add, the waitress forget stuff we asked for... Which is annoying because it delay's our eating and the food gets cold. But to make it up she brought us all pickles =) But it looks like a nice place to come and drink with friends.
(3)Dorothy S.
I have changed my mind, especially now that I go here every other week. Service is better and you can get the veggie burger prepared in any way that a regular meat burger is prepared so the possibilities are (almost) endless. The blackened tuna ceasar salad is good too. Ditto on the salmon salad.
(4)Ray N.
This place is beer heaven. They have over 2 dozen on tap, and well over a hundred more on bottles. The beer menu alone is on a double-sided, over-sized sheet of paper with one side devoted to US brews and the other from around the world. And they aren't super-expensive, either... Well-done, guys. As for the food, the whole back page of the menu is full of 30 or so burgers. They come with a side. many of them look really good, but some are head-scratchers. The rest of the menu is pretty typical - chicken, beef, and so on. They all look good, so if you have a hard time deciding, you're in trouble. We were lucky and beat the rush by about 10 minutes, so our appetizers were served pretty quickly. Our server was friendly and offered a couple of beers similar to one I requested that they were out of. They are a bit pricey on the food end, but I suppose they have to make up the cost somewhere on the beers. My only real complaint is that the beer list almost seems like overkill - something I never thought I'd say. If you want to try something different besides the old Bud or Goose Island, you're going to need a good 15 minutes just to read through the beer menu before deciding. They do have a beer cocktail list too, with ingredients, so you can try some of that.
(4)Joanne W.
This is another place I miss from my days of working in downtown LaGrange. This was a frequent lunch & after work gathering place for myself and co-workers. I'd give this a 3 1/2 star rating but since I can't it gets a three. Very extensive beer list - it's huge. They do serve wine now - this was strictly a beer only place at one time. They also have a nice patio out back which gets quite busy in the warmer months. I also thought there was a rooftop patio....but I could be wrong on this. There is a alot of seating in the restaurant - the front is mostly booth seatin and then there are a couple additional rooms with tables - which is nice for large groups. The bar is in the back with additional tables. They food is OK...it's not spectacular but i think it's pretty decent bar food. They have a good burger menu. I will admit I usually get one of two items on the menu....the black n blue burger (cajun seasoned burger with grilled onions, blue cheese on garlic texas toast - yum!) or the triple decker BLT which is loaded with an insane amount of bacon...mmmm, bacon. I've had wings and some other apps before - eh, it's nothing special but will do the trick if you have a hankering to go with your cold beer while enjoying the game. They also do a big to-do for St. Pat's - setting up a tent in the parking lot located behind the outdoor patio. I almost forgot....soda! Soda lovers will appreciate they they serve, orange soda, red cream soda & green river! A solid place to hang for a few and definitly worth checking 0ut for the beer list alone.
(3)Stephen S.
We went on a Saturday at 11:30am for lunch. I think our experience was impacted by the fact they were sooo busy. There was a girls soccer tournament nearby, evidently, as there were several teams at the restaurant. Palmers was slammed. Even then, all the staff was working hard. The group had fish and chips, Wagyu burger, regular burger, and I had the Palmer steak sandwich. The steak was ok, but overcooked, and I just ate the steak and not the bun. I think we all enjoyed the food and beer. There were plenty of choices of beer. Maybe I will go to this place again, but I am sure I wouldn't make a drive to go there specifically.
(3)Maria S.
I have been going here for years. My favorite part is the beer garden. The food is typical pub food. I usually get the German club which is awesome, but this last time I went with the gourmet burger for 14.95. Didn't mind spending that much because they do have amazing hamburgers, but this one was not for me. It was so messy and I didn't care for all of the ingredients on it. Others may like it, but I did not. As far as service go, it is hit or miss. This time we had Nina and she was great. All in all if you like beer and burgers this is the place to go.
(4)Shain C.
I think this place can be defined as a gastro pub... which is to say that it's a bar with good food and a good beer list. The atmosphere inside can feel a bit cramped, but the beer garden is very large. The wife and I sit at the small bar when we have to sit inside. The wait staff is generally attentive. And the menu seems to be updated rather frequently and offers "bar food" with a gourmet twist. I would recommend skipping the fried green tomatoes... way too thin and flavorless... But I would highly recommend the Allen Brother's meats. I recently had a steak sammich that I wanted to make love to, but there were kids around. Speaking of, this is LaGrange, so there are kids wherever you go, and Palmer Place is no exception. Overall it's the best place to sample a few beers and have a good meal in a laid back environment in downtown LaGrange.
(4)Karen C.
After an afternoon spent walking around Brookfield Zoo I decided on Palmer's to enjoy an early dinner with a few friends. We arrived about 4:30pm on a Monday and headed straight to the back patio area. There were perhaps two other tables of patrons at that point so we had our pick of tables and settled in. The back patio is relatively large and decently spread out. We started with a Party of Four appetizer which included four potato skins, four chicken tenders, and four cheese sticks and was around $13 and is what you'd expect of bar food. Then the main course arrived. Among us we ordered Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad, Black and Blue Burger, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and Three Cheese Mushroom Burger. I had the Mushroom burger and found there to be too much cheese, far too many mushrooms, and the meat itself to not be that amazing (which may be why they piled everything else on). Everyone else found their meal to be dull but edible. Nothing to write home about and for what they charged for some items I would have expected more. Other things: the restrooms were clean, well stocked, and they have these super powerful hand dryers which kind of freak me out and fascinate me at the same time. For an outside seating area, it was well kept, had extra napkins and condiments available in the center, and quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The waitress was prompt and friendly although she must have been somewhat new as she didn't know what brand of Root Beer they served and seemed unfamiliar with the beer selection.
(2)Anthony B.
I've been coming to Palmers for years now. As most review state, great beer selection. A little pricey for domestic beers I feel ($4.75) but not unbearable either. The only thing I ever order here is the veggie burger. They make an excellent one here. Lots of people complain about the quality of the food, but if you stay away from the meat, it's pretty alright. The owners are dogs and only hire semi-cute to semi-hot waitresses and they all have huge boobs. I dated a girl that worked here and she said the owners are perverts and walk fine line between creepy and sexual harrasement. Whatever. I like boobs so what do I care. The service is always medicore, but it's just a local place, so it's really not that bad. Over all, 3 stars.
(4)Maggie R.
This is the spot to go to when you want a quick dinner and a nice cold beer to go along with it. They have a ton of different beers from all over the world and their beer-on-tap is also huge. Their pulled-pork sandwich is phenomenal.
(5)Kate P.
We came here last night to enjoy the evening out on their patio. It was a fantastic night to be outside relaxing with friends, enjoying the weather, and drinking a beer or two. I had their southwest chicken wrap which was a tasty choice and a side of their fantastic onion rings. To drink I had my first taste of Three Floyd's Gumballhead, since it was on tap and I must admit, I'm now addicted. It's crisp, refreshing and light, with a fine wheaty aftertaste. The perfect way to end a wonderfully warm and relaxing evening.
(4)Antonio U.
Great place with lots of beer options, about 20 different burger options, tons of other menu options, lots of tv's, an outdoor patio plus beer garden, in beautiful downtown La Grange...what more can you ask for?!!! The best part is that it's not quite a sports bar and not quite a restaurant so it's perfect for both having a few beers w/the guys and going to lunch with the family. Not a whole lot of places like this.
(5)Liz W.
I've been here on numerous occasions and I have come to the conclusion that this place is just alright. They have a pretty huge menu with tons of beer options as well as mixed drinks. On my most recent trip I decided to try the burger with fries. Since my bf worked here back in high school he told me that the burger was frozen =/ big disappointment. I ordered my burger well done and it was pretty dry. It had some maple glaze, cheese, and some flimsy bacon. You can choose numerous side options, but I chose the fries and they were probably frozen. The bf had the wings and those were pretty good. I would probably only come here for drinks and apps.
(3)Ann G.
It is a good place to have a few beers. The food is just ok bar food and much better burgers and fries, etc. can be had at numerous places close by.
(2)Kelly S.
In the wise words of Mary T. - 'Pick 4 beers cause the chance that they will be out of 3 is probable.' I was really looking forward to a Victory Moonglow. Alas, out. For being an establishment with such a hearty beer list, I would expect the wait staff to be more knowledgeable about beer. Alas, neighborhood high school seniors or perhaps 21 somethings with little to no beer knowledge. The waitress was literally speechless and unable to make me a recommendation for an alternative. Still... the massive amount of outdoor seating and beautiful beer list keep me coming back.
(4)Jessica E.
Palmer's is everything you want it to be. The beer list is extensive, as is the knowledge of the bartenders. They also know their way around a good cocktail. Everyone is friendly and willing to help with any questions you may have. There are tables, booths, and even a beer garden around back. Don't underestimate their appetizers! They are large and delicious. Also, open later than your typical La Grange eatery. Yum.
(5)Stacey K.
Not sure why it's taken me more than 2 years to write about this place. Palmer's Place, that is. Just the kind of establishment that every "Mayberry-esque" town must have. I'm upset that some the reviewers below (none of whom are local to La Grange mind you) have rated the burgers poorly. They are perfectly cooked just to your liking patties of beefy goodness all complimented perfectly with various toppings and just the right bun. Try the Olive Burger, Breakfast Burger, and Gourmet Burger. They also serve up tasty appetizers, lots of good sandwiches and then of course there's the 2,492 different beers they offer. Another nice point is the different seating areas. There's a cozy area by the fireplace off to the side of the front area, nice booths and warm lighting up front, or sit at the bar or in the bar area and watch the game. This is what me and the husband did yesterday (Sunday) after spending 2 miserable hours raking leaves and freezing our butts off. We went to Palmer's for nachos, soft warm pretzel bites and a couple Wiess beers. Sat at the bar and watched football. Purr-fect!!
(4)Kelly D.
Beer, Beer, Beer.
(4)Ryan N.
If you're in the LaGrange area and you're looking for some really good bar food, Palmer's is the place. The atmosphere is what I like best because no matter what time of year you go, tou can really get a lot out of the place. In the summertime you can sit out in their beer garden and soak in that aspect, or if its the dead of winter you can hang out in their bar area which will most certainly have your favorite sporting event playing. Even if you are coming with your family you can ask to be seated in the front of the restaraunt, which is a much more laid back atmosphere (not to say that Palmer's is every out of control). I would advise to avoid the early evenings on the weekend. In my experience this is when the high school crowd is hanging out around the restaurant. Food for thought!
(4)Trey M.
This place is La Grange! You see everyone when you at Palmer Place. The food is good, the atmosphere is great. The beer garden is awesome! Great burgers!
(5)Brent S.
Palmers patio in the t-shirt and shorts seasons is the place to be! The beer selection is nothing short of jaw-dropping. They just expanded their burger menu and I am here to tell you the 5 or so burgers I have had here have all sucked a big one, patty is always burnt and tastes like old griddle. As long as you can stay away from the burgers the other menu categories are OK. Seriously the only redeeming value of this joint is the outdoor patio with friends and family. Dessert menu is also lacking, maybe 5 options and they all end in cake or pie.
(2)Rebecca H.
Consistently good food, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and icy cold beer combine for thumbs up experiences every time. Harp on tap and a reuben is a treat. Their corned beef is spot-on and lean. None of that nasty stuff you have to cut out or worse, pick away with your fingers! The feeling is fun and welcoming. Grest place to bring friends or just "for two." Don't get the knocks on food others have posted - the steak sandwich, various club sandwiches and sides (excellent, non-gloppy potatoe o salad) are all done well.
(4)James W.
Having lived in LaGrange for ten years I've been a frequent Palmer customer. I am dismayed to have been witness to its decline in service and quality of food over the past two years or so. After it's expansion a couple years ago now, it seems that the kitchen can't keep up with the number of customers it crowds in. The food quality has steadily decreased along with the quality and sense of urgency of the wait staff. One of the hosts - "Gus" has always been a great and gracious guy, but this doesn't make up for the ineptitude and overall smug attitude of much of the wait staff. Hearing that the owners have been involved in some shenanigans of ethically questionable LGBA activites also leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
(2)Amy B.
I have grown up going to Palmer place. I was there in December and had a horrible experience due to a horrible server. Thank god for the awesome lady manager who saved our visit. I came back to Palmer this past week i was so pleased with our experience this time. The same manager lady stopped by and said hi and we also had the best server ever!! I would totally want her again as my server!! The food was amazing like i remembered and the pear ale beer was delicious!!!
(4)Brandon P.
Amazing just amazing burgers delicious especially the ultimate,, try the wells banana bread beer amazing!!!!!!
(5)Christine P.
This place gets threestarts for one reason and one reason only - service on Friday's needs major improvement! The food is fantastic, and once you can get a table, it's a great time. The beer list has never disappointed me. But the service when they're busy, gah! The seating for each section (front, back, and patio) is ALL first come, first served for each section. I waited one time for 20 minutes before I was acknowledged by the host. I think they have sections on the weekend, but it's incredibly messy. Once a table is secured, and the order has been placed, however, it doesn't take long for food to arrive. I'd love to come back, but not on a weekend night!
(3)Carol K.
I have been to Palmers several times and each time have left wondering why I come back. And tonight was no different. Palmer's is located in downtown LaGrange and could be a really good neighborhood bar. The best thing about it in the summer is the huge outdoor beer garden- although I must say that the exhaust from the kitchen that spews in the garden makes it difficult to enjoy your food. Also- since the beer garden faces the back parking lot- it's basically like sitting in a parking lot drinking a beer- tailgate party anyone? The food is typical bar food but it never seems to come out of the kitchen hot and fresh so I took a star off of the review. Beware- if you order an appetizer- almost all are deep friend. On the positive side- they do have an extensive beer list and the servers are friendly. It also appears that everyone knows each other at this place- greeting each other by name as they wait for their tables. If you are out in LaGrange- stop by. It's probably one of the better places on this strip of La Grange Road. But I wouldn't make a special trip.
(2)Kimberley D.
Don't go here for the food. Ordered beef nacho's and the waitress said sorry, out of beef, was a busy weekend. REALLY???? Switched to cheese quesadilla which came with frozen guacamole. Where's the sour cream and salsa. Had an Allen Brothers burger which you pay $4.00 more for, was not even close to a half pound as stated. My friend ordered the Mayor of Manheim, Allen Brothers Steak Sandwich. Hmmmm, was definitely NOT Allen Brothers. We order meat from Allen Brothers on a regular basis so I know what it should taste like. Spent alot of money and was very disappointed. Won't be back.
(1)John M.
I was recently in Chicago for a wedding and had lunch at this place. The beer selection was awesome and the bartender knew his stuff. But for a place that is known for it's "award" winning burgers, they sucked. You can not be an "award" winning burger joint if you use frozen patties. A burger is not good because you top it with a bunch of shit to mask the bland taste of a frozen patty.
(2)Serena C.
They do have a large selection of beers; if anything go for the beer. The have a nice outdoor seating area for those warm summer nights. Our friends really like this place, so we went one night to try it out. You get to seat yourself in this place. We were waited on quite quickly after sitting down, bc the waitress saw us sitting in her area. Having said that, the night we went the service was absolutely terrible. After she took our order, we didn't see her until about an hour later when we were receiving our food. On top of the lack of service, the food was cold by the time we got it so we sent it back. I can understand when a place is busy, but the time our food was done by the time we got it was ridiculous. When we received our check we went up to the register to pay ourselves, we weren't going to wait another 30 mins to finish up there. The food was nothing spectacular to write home about and bit too pricey considering the service we received.
(2)Patrick G.
Palmer Place is an outdoor beer garden first. As for the interior, the front dining area has this 70s basement; wood paneling sort of feel. Not in a cool retro-hipster way but in a "man this place is stuffy" sort of way. The interior rear back by the only 12 foot long or so bar is more open and airy and updated -- so that helps. This place should not be labeled as a bar. Please note my mention of the 12 footer above. Its a summer time happy hour beer garden. For that it is great. The food is only okay -- I would never seek the food out. Well, except the onion rings. Definitely get the onion rings. Other than the rings, the substantial menu has nothing with a signature on it. I would rather they cut the food menu in half and have something memorable on it. If indoors and just having a drink sit at the, albeit very small, bar. The bartenders know their stuff and are very friendly. If you have to get a table, brace yourself because 1 out of every 3rd waitress is either standing around texting all her BFFs (figuratively) or is just plain bad at her job (not figuratively). This joint gets its stars for its open beer garden, its fine beer selection and its knowledgeable bartenders only. Also the onion rings.
(3)Rosie D.
I've been here once in the winter for a date and just recently this summer for dinner. Both expiriences were very good. The food comes in huge portions and is delicious. The drinks were good (although I'd suggest staying away from the mai-tai cause it has a funky after taste). The service is good. The staff doesn't really have a dress code so it's kind of weird seeing teenagers just coming up to your table saying what's up. The beer garden is awesome. Even though there's not much scenery because it faces the parking lot. But it's huge and spacious, and if you go at the right time it's def a fun place to people watch. Of course this place is known for its beer. It's beer menu is more impressive then it's food menu. My suggestion is to go there and try a new beer, eat some hot wings, and enjoy the beer garden or roof top while its still warm.
(4)D D.
Been to Palmer Place several times over the last 5 years. We've always had tasty quality food and the service has always been very good. Some servers have more personality than others, but all of them have been attentive. My fave is the Kobe burger ... Med Rare ... lil blue cheese & raw onion ... I'm a happy boy. Their beer list is quite large & features a nice variety of beers from around the world. But be prepared ... you may have to go w/ a second choice because alot of the beers they feature are in limited supply. In the dozen or so times I've been to Palmer Place, I think they've had my first choice for a beer 4 times. No biggie - plenty of other stuff to choose from. The place is usually busy, but we've never had a problem getting a table. Granted, haven't been there on a Fri. or Sat. night - but it's a big place with plenty of seating.
(4)Jeff K.
its an easy place to be on a weeknight. having said that the food is mediocre. its a good place to drink and be loud, but if you are looking for good food, this aint it.
(2)Michael M.
I have been going to Palmer's for quite a long time. I love the food, the beer and the atmosphere. I remember when they didn't even have a full bar and that was ok with me because it allowed them to really focus on the beer from everywhere. The food is great though I will admit I usually only get the reuben, the german club, or a burger. They have a ton of burgers now and they are all good. The main reason I didn't give this place the 5 stars I wanted to is because of the service my friend and I got the other day. Usually the staff is pretty good, friendly and engaging. Our server barely looked us in the eye, got my order wrong (no, I didn't say anything it was just a mixup of fries instead of my onion rings), and though we tried talking to her and joke around she didn't seem to care. It was quite apparent that she was looking at the wall behind us when we were ordering our beer and when she came back to check. I will definitely go back but the service needs to be better for that final star.
(4)Slugs A.
One of the greatest beer lists that I have ever seen and the beer garden is a perfect spot to hang out in the summer. The food is alright. Nothing special there.
(3)Michael G.
Waited for 15 minutes for someone to at least acknowledge we were there. Two waitresses walked by several times but never even said they would be with us in a moment. We were not going to this place lately because of the bad service and this just confirms it ...the staff has a bad attitude. There are plenty of other restaurants in LaGrange with much better service so just stay away from this place.
(1)Charlie J.
If you want a fantastic burger (pretty much any possible way you could imagine) a beer (a nice long list) and a game on TV, this is probably as good a place as any. It some times takes a little longer to get the food on the tables than you'd like and the wait staff is often young...so a bit flighty sometimes. But the atmosphere is cozy, not too loud, and a great place to chill for an afternoon.
(3)Adrian W.
People talk about this beer selection like it was the best in the Chicago-land area. Quencher's on Fullerton&Western has a larger selection. But in La Grange, this is good enough. I never understood beer gardens, especially fancy ones. You sit outside and drink. I guess be seen as well. After a round of golf, you can grab your golfing buddies and bring them here rather then drink on the 19th hole. But here, there's two and a half levels of beer garden'ing (there's a two step up level, as well as a balcony that gives the patrons an eye full of middle age'd cleavage on a toasty day) I digress. This place gets pretty packed. I mean, Saturday, at 5.30p, we barely found a table outside. Hypocrite? Thy name is Adrian W. So we sat outside and looked over the beer menu. I order a draught and it came out in a little plastic cup. Dismayed, i ordered a much heralded Belzebuth. This beer from France was quite the gem. A blond ale that kicks in at 13% and actually tasted good. Sure it only came in at 8.3 oz, but once you finished it, your taste buds were over joyous. Yes they have domestics here, but that's lame if you come here, a place known for their drinks and have a domestic. They also had Sam Adams' Triple Chocolate Bock Vintage (1997) but ran out the DAY BEFORE. So yeah the food? i'd eat someplace else before I order here. I got the ribeye steak, medium done with their horseradish potatos and cole slaw. The cole slaw was standard fare, a little bit too tangy. Potatos were all right. The rib eye was half fat. .... half fat. And even that half meat, not great! She got the garden burger that was more bun than anything else. The twenty bucks or so spent on food could have easily filled us up elsewhere. Parking can be a pain. This is downtown La Grange where street parking is minimal for over two hours, as well as finding a spot in the lots are hard to come by. As much as I hate to say this, downtown Naperville should be looked at by these planners, after all, it looks mimicked. Two 4 floor garages on opposites sides can make this mess easier to deal with. In short, come for the beers after a nice stomach filler from somewhere else.
(2)Luan N.
Really lively and spacious place. They have live entertainment in the back rooms. Pretty extensive beer list, but... 1. I have seen longer beer lists 2. I looked up Quencher's through Adrian W.'s review and felt Quencher's list was better thought out and was more appealing. 3. Some of the prices on the brews were outrageous. 4. They didn't have the Cooper's beer that I wanted to try. 5. That was hands down the worst Kobe burger I have ever had in my life. According to Palmer website: "Wagyu beef boasts heavy marbling (no), rich flavor (not here), and unique texture ( Yes, I couldn't tell if it was imported roadkill from Kobe)." Even if you cross bred Wagyu with a possum, I don't think it could have been this bad :(
(2)Christopher R.
For the beer alone-4.5 stars. I knock them half a star because they've actually gotten worse in the bottle selection (but better in the drafts) over the past few years. Hard to be too criticial when they have little real competition in town. The summer crowds are the most fun in the area. Outdoor drinking where you are guaranteed to run into someone you know. Unfortunately, the food is precisely that bland, good-but-average bar fare that is the bain of surburban restaurants everywhere. Exhibit A: the boneless buffalo wings. Weak. Sauce. The corned beef is worthy, but not the best near a city known for it.
(4)Alan L.
I have been coming here for years. Everything you order her is delicious above anything that can be said. I have brought my college buddies here, my family from out of town and each time we have visitors from out of town they want to go back to Palmer's. On a busy night, well every night, the place is hopping. Especially in the summer. There is an outside beer garden and tables for outdoor dining for the warm months. The service is fast, accurate and in the last 17 years or so, I have never sent anything back. Terrific place for conversation with friends and/or family. The portions are just right. The meals are very reasonable, but lately a little on the expensive side since La Grange added some additional taxes. Yes Chicago residents, we have tax hungry politicians in the burbs also. I cannot say enough. Not only is Palmer's a terrific place to eat with a family, bring friends, or a date, they are very involved in the community. They willingly support the Boy and Girl Scouts along with the Little Leagues in La Grange. Terrific first place date also. I proposed to my girlfriend now my wife 22 years ago here. To miss PALMER'S Restaurant while in La Grange visiting ought to be a felony! 5 stars all the way.
(5)Katie W.
I really enjoy this place! It's casual and low key and has a HUGE beer garden in the back, with patio and rooftop seating. The menu is huge (not including the broad beer selection). There really is anything you would want on the menu. The prices are very reasonable and my service has always been speedy and friendly. It is a nice place to relax outside and enjoy the weather.
(4)Michelle Marie R.
Four stars simply because of the massive beer selection. An entire menu of beer from all over the world! The patio in the summer is huge...and awesome. Laid back and mellow place great for conversations with friends!
(4)mei s.
For people who eat out almost every night, I don't know why we don't eat here more often. It's a great neighborhood restaurant. They have plenty of fried appetizers, salads, burgers, ribs, etc. And a lot of beer to choose from. And girly drinks. Like the mango margarita my husband ordered. I had the caesar burger on a ciabatta with onion rings (the real kind, not the minced onion version) and he had the mayor steak sandwich, which i wanted. It's a nice place to hang out with an awesome outdoor beer garden. Plenty of people watching and yet perfect for little kids too.
(3)Joe S.
A friend that grew up in town also grew up on Palmers. Family bar and restaurant environs, very casual. A note on our waitresses back said that she loves Steve. She must really love him I guess. Well over two hundred beers from the four corners of the earth and a few places in between. Noteable was the German Club on dark rye but I was torn between that and several other menu items. People seem to like the burgers.
(4)John D.
This is a cumulative review from my last couple of visits. Palmers has steadily declined over the years. The beer list is extensive- BUT- is not updated to reflect what is actually on hand, so make sure you have a few in mind when ordering. The beer menu is printed on computer paper, so not updating to reflect stock is just plain lazy. Waitstaff is friendly, atmosphere is good- very nice beer garden. Food? VERY inconsistent. A couple of $15 award winning burgers came way overcooked. A couple in our party were going to split a burger, and the cook cut it in half and sent it way overcooked. How could he not notice or care? Sent em back, something we never do, and they came back- way overcooked yet again. Can't cook your award winning burger medium on two attempts? Don't notice or care when halving it... twice? Bad sign. Wine was skunky on last two visits, apps are either spot on or awful...This place was THE place to go over the last decade or two for a good burger and cold one, but I have no idea what happened over the last year or so. The cooks are sloppy and obviously just punching the timecard. With so many better, more consistent options along the same strip, we won't be returning- which is kind of a bummer because it used to be great... I went from telling friends how great this place is to telling them to AVOID....
(1)Eddie H.
Great food and great beer. Love the outside area in the summer
(5)Mark K.
I went to Palmer Place with my now ex a few weeks back. The food was borderline inedible. She was only able to take a few bites of her burger. The appetizers were a little burned as well. It all worked out in the end because I went home, got drunk, and ate both of our meals. They tasted fine then hahaha.
(2)Jonathan O.
It has such a huge selection of burgers and beer you'll probably get a headache staring at the menu and trying to make a decision.
(5)Padme A.
The best place for variety of food, beers and BURGERS! The have a drink menu that is something like 4 pages long filled with just beers from around the world. Best burger I've had so far. It called the Black and Blue "Wagyu" beef burger. It's a japanese cut of steak like no other. Melts in your mouth. It comes with Blue Cheese and Blackening seasoning. So tasty. They also have a great outdoor patio and roof top in the summer months. Only complaints: the wait, almost always a guarantee, but still worth it. Also, the wait staff are all over the place. It would be nice if they concentrated on just a couple tables at a time. Also, while they have a gazillion brews from around the world, they seem to be out of them a lot. Maybe it's just the one's I ask for, but still. Finally, some beer prices are insanely high.
(4)Aurore L.
Once upon a time, Palmer Place was my ultimate destination when I was craving a burger. That was before Kuma's and all the addiction problems that followed...but at the time living in Oak Park, Palmer was more than good enough. And they do have an impressive list of burgers!!! About 20 of them, some rather unusual like the Waldorf (blue cheese, walnuts and apples) , the Asian sensation (teriyaki glaze, sliced pineapple, Asian slaw) or the Berlin (with sauerkraut and dark rye bread) to name a few. The fact that you can choose your bread is an interesting feature. But it's the beer list that make the experience complete: they have a selection of more than 200 beers (around 30 on tap) from 23 countries - enough to make you dizzy by just glancing at the menu!! I love going to their huge beer garden but be prepared to wait if you come here at night when the weather is nice... It can get quite hot too since it's all bricks but you have plenty to keep you cool!!!
(4)Stephania B.
Wouldn't go back. Ordered 2 Kobe burgers medium rare. They arrived well done. We figured if we were spending over $14 for a burger and fries, we should get what we ordered, so we sent them back. I guess the restaurant didn't want to take the hit on the cost of the beef, because what we got back was definitely not Kobe. It was obvious the first well done burger was Kobe. You know when you're eating Kobe and when you aren't. The replacement was angus at best, cooked medium. Zero flavor. I can understand being busy and overcooking something, but intentionally switching out what was paid for is not cool.
(1)Steve O.
Went here on a weds night around dinner time. It was crowded but plenty of room available. I was anticipating the burgers due to many recommendations. The draft selection of beer is very good. A plethora of beers to pick from depending on your palate. The place has a good vibe to it. I decided to get a bacon cheddar kobe beef burger. I opted for well done since I do not like to mess around with anything ground up. The burger was in fact very good. It did not scream out amazing to me though. But then again I never had anything kobe before so it may take a few times to learn the subtle nuances of the variety. i do think It was a tad over-cooked though. But I am not going to nitpick. It was still a really good job. I opted for the fries and they were nothing special at all. Just regular fries. Next time I will try the potato salad. The staff was very attentive and polite to my table. Always coming up and checking on us and even the secondary help (busboys?) were very quick with removing plates and glasses from the table. Not that that would have been an issue for me anyways. In short, I will definitely give this place a try again.
(4)Kasey G.
Palmer's is a busy ( I mean capital B, busy) pub. The grill smells great, the patio's full, and the beer is flowing. Can be family-friendly, but go early 'cause they don't take a reservation. I gobbled up the veggie-burger-YUM and had a cold Smithick's on tap. They have a gigantic beer list (both the tap and bottle selections were quite impressive.) The carnivores at the table said their meals were great. Lot's of burgers to choose from here. Overall this place is tops in burgers, beer, and people watching (all some of my favs) but it's busy so try it on a weeknight if you don't want to wait.
(4)Frank S.
Hell yeah! Great food 100s of beers on menu. Beautiful beer garden in the summer. A little pricey but there are some exotic beers on the menu and you get what you pay for when speaking in turns of food. Very classy restaurant.
(4)Kelvin R.
They do have a good selection of beers, which I needed to eat the food they call "home-made." The burgers are waaaaay overrated. Go to Wendy's instead as the burgers taste the same and are much cheaper. The menu is expansive so what they can't provide in quality, they provide in quantity.
(2)Brian S.
My opinion of this was very mediocre until my most recenct visit. The outdoor area is nice and the beer is good but almost anyone can serve beer. It's the restaurant that is much more telling of the quality. I've had food here before that was OK but nothing to go out of your way for however my most recent experience has insured that I will not be going back again. I was there with 9 people and here's the list of reasons none of us will be returning. A Sprite that was tainted with some fruity mystry flavor, creamy coleslaw that was terrible, attempted to order fish & chips but they were out of fish, a tuna fillet sandwich with the fish so overcooked that it was tough, attempted to order desert but they were out of ice cream so no milkshakes or sundaes, and the worst part a LIVE CATERPILLAR!!! crawling through one persons salad. For all these issues a clueless young manager (not the owner who was also there that evening) came over to apologize by saying that the salad from a bag that said it was tripled-washed and he comp us the salad which of course was not eaten and sent back to the kitchen.
(1)Lisa H.
I actually would have rated palmers higher but they are sliding downhill in my opinion. We were loyal every week customers until they changes the food or something. I have not had hot fries there in a year. The rest of the food is good, the salsa is homemade and spicy. The waitstaff is only okay as well, when we had regulars they were great and some still are. We still go a lot because we love to eat outside or love the late night kitchen hours, but I wish they had hot fries.
(3)Laura S.
I love this pub and restaurant! It's hands down the best place to hang out in the summer! There is a two-story outdoor beer garden as well as an indoor restaurant. The beer menu is HUGE and now they have begun to offer other types of drinks. The food is really good, especially the burgers. The staff is fast and friendly and always worthy of a good tip. Definitely a place to try out!
(5)Rachel W.
The menu has never disappointed & the beer garden is quite large but always jammed pack on warm summer days. But what kills me is the "amazing beer list" that is never available! I have gone here a number of times just to be disappointed that everything listed that intrigues me is out of stock. With the slow service (I never blame a waitress, I blame an understaffed business) it takes way too much time to finally get a beverage after making the wait staff run back & forth. A couple of times, I received a beer not until after the food has arrived, and at that point I settled on Miller Light. The disappointing return of a waitress empty handed was beginning to be too much.
(2)Cassie B.
First, the beer: Palmer's is known for their beer and they have something like 60 on tap and 150 bottles, organized by country. very cool, try something new every time. Second, the place: In the summer, this is perhaps the most hopping bar for miles. They have a really good, huge beer garden with heat lamps. ( there is not a lot of competition for your bar dollar in this neck of the woods - so it can get crowded). oh and the food is good too!
(4)rick a.
I love beer and I'm not talking MGD. This is just the place on the south side to get a good selection of brews from around the world. The fun of globetrotting on the massive beer menu is finding the diamond in the rough from India and choking on a vile ale from England. Like life, it's all just a roll of the dice and you can tell people you what to get and what to get if you despise the and want the to die from a poison pilsner. The food is average to slightly above for the burgers. The burger always get a good review in the Sun Times, but I think that they can be too inconsistent for a true recommendation. If you are within 10 mile this is as good as it get on the south side.
(4)Vanessa P.
The beer list is really quite amazing. You can sit outside in their huge patio and try as many different brews as you can stomach and still not make it through an eighth of the list. The food is decent, nothing outstanding, but also not bad.
(3)Roberto F.
Beer, Beer, Beer and oh yeah did I mention Beer. I love the selection here, and just seeing makes me all giddy and a plus is that prices are pretty good. The food is pretty tasty as well, I love the buffalo chicken sandwich and there corn beef sandwich. It can get rather packed here but luckily they have out door seating, even in the winter in which they have a ten to cover the patio and plenty of heaters. Also if you want to catch a flck you can go down the street for a $2 movie. If you in the area I'm sure you already know about this place but if you not you should come check it out and let us know what you think.
(4)Sarat G.
This place has a awesome beer selection. Their Fish and Chips are to be die for. Its a perfect place to have a few beers after work with your Co-workers.
(4)bobbi n.
Pretty good, very large burgers (though not award-winning quality like they boast) with a nice variety of toppings. Great beer selection for the suburbs, although it's no Hopleaf. Really nice place to go if you just want a burger and beer and don't want to travel far. Parking is sometimes a little bit of a pain - LaGrange gets a bit packed on weekends, partially because of the packed outdoor seating area that's immensely popular at Palmer's. But it's the best place to get a giant Green River and they have pretzel bread available for their burgers now (borrowed from kumas?), so I'm a happy customer.
(4)Kevin C.
**review only for burgers!** My absolute favorite burger in IL is The Berlin from Palmer Place, sans the bacon and sauerkraut. I'm in the city so I've been to many of the famed places to try burgers, including Kumas and Rosebud etc etc and call me crazy but I just find their patties too large and don't enjoy biting into such huge chunks of meat. Palmer Place has, in my opinion, perfected their proportions. Just the right amount of meat without being too much, wonderfully crisp cheddar cheese (not too much or to little), and the most important ingredient- pretzel bun! Everything is cooked to perfection and always tastes absolutely delicious. I can actually eat the whole thing without feeling sick and so full I could burst afterwards as well. I always make sure to grab one when in the suburbs and I always suggest my family goes here, just so I can get the burger! Come to Palmer and grab a burger and a Green River, or your favorite beer!
(5)Nick G.
One of my favorite places in LaGrange. The menu is extensive and I have yet to encounter anything I didn't like. They also have a huge beer menu and a great beer garden.
(4)Zeldin Q.
I had a delicious burger here. The meat tasted great; a bit of char, and was cooked perfectly medium rare. It was juicy and a nice grind. They were happy to accommodate my requested of a ciabbatta bun (hard to find on burgers in Chicago). I would have liked more bacon or thicker slices, but that's ok. The bacon was well cooked. And the fries were good. They didn't taste frozen, and they weren't pre-salted. I like when that's left up to my preference.
(5)Brian M.
Massive beer menu and decent food makes for a good time. They have a decent beer garden, too. The place gets a bit crowded on weekends, but that's likely due to their being one of the only places in the area that isn't a dive that serves booze.
(4)Tanya S.
Great beer garden in the summer. Lots of beer on tap year round. Food is so-so. This is the local hang out.
(3)Erin B.
Being that this is an LTHS alumni hang out, it automatically doesn't get 5 stars. This bar by far has the longest beer list that I've ever seen. Maybe it's because I don't get out much, but come on...they've got beers from everywhere! They even have an "Ass" beer. I think it's German. They've got a great outdoor patio, and the inside is rather large too. Food is decent--I like ordering the veggie cheese tray!
(4)Piper O.
waited for ever for server. baked potato was undercooked. love the beer garden when its open. its a good place to have a drink and apps before you go out . don't enjoy the food too much.
(2)Alicia F.
I ventured out to the 'burbs last Friday to have drinks with friends and was not too happy about making the drive. But I have to admit the beer garden here is a lot of fun! And I was very impressed with the size of the beer list. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and it was pretty standard but tasty bar fare. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out in the summertime!
(4)Amory D.
Please bear with this somewhat longer review as there is a story to how we arrived at Palmer's Place. My wife and I went to Chequers restaurant (around the corner from Palmer's Place) on 10/23/09 for dinner around 7:00pm. We chose Chequers since we have not been there before. When we arrived, we seated ourselves in front of the bar (a high traffic area where the wait staff are constantly moving). As we sat down, two waiters looked at us then looked at each other to decide who was going to be our waiter. I overheard one say "it's up to you" then they dispersed. The wife and I found that surprising as we waited for menus. After about 3-5 minutes we were not given menus or even greeted by anyone. I noticed that two of the three waiters passed by us on a few occasions, without even noticing that we have yet to be tended to. After about 5 minutes total, we decided to leave. If they can't even give us menus within 3 minutes of sitting down in a half-full dining room, we concluded that there will be a problem with the dining experience. After quietly leaving Chequers, we went to Palmer's Place around the corner. Palmer's was about 75% at capacity, yet we were seated immediately, and greeted within one minute. Our waitress was checking on us every 5 minutes in a non-evasive way. As we completed portions of our meal, our table was cleared instantly. The final bill was very reasonable (less than $40 for two). It was a great way to offset the negative experience from Chequers. Our visit on 10/23 was the fourth time in one year that we have been to Palmer's Place. The wait staff is prompt, the beer selection is phenomenal, and the prices are very reasonable. I would give this restaurant five stars if it wasn't for one shortcoming with our dessert. Although our cookie dough cheesecake was tasty, it was hard...this is most likely since it was frozen. There is no problem with store/vendor-bought dessert, but we expected a softer cheesecake that did not require skewering with our forks to break apart. Perhaps we should have ordered the chocolate fudge cake that our waitress recommended. Overall, we'll be back soon...and we will be sure to try the chocolate fudge cake.
(4)Anne A.
AMAZING beer list. I have to say, anywhere that serves gumballhead on tap is a friend of mine. Food is your average bar fare (didn't try to burger, though the veggie burger will be my choice next time). The space inside is weirdly configured, but the outdoor patio is a divine place to unwind after a long day of work.
(4)James L.
I have been here many times... I remember when it was "The Spot To Eat" Airy and comfortable... A beer list to kick butt... A good menu, not to overpowering... A fun place for a family to go... Ambiance is so homey...yet still well run business... The German Club was still as god as it always was...
(4)Jay D.
For being a cynical, snobby food crab-ass I'll give this place a thumbs up! I've eaten here plenty of times and have had nary a complaint. Good beer selection, delicious sandwiches and burgers, and have always had good service. My wife is a serious burger expert and rates this place tops! I always look forward to a dinner here with my sweetie and always walk out satisfied.
(4)Alex W.
Visited Palmer Place on a recent Saturday afternoon for the first time in years. It was exactly as I remembered: a large, comfortable environment with only decent food. I'm glad that a local place has held up as many chains have moved into the area.
(3)Dave S.
The warm weather has inspired me to write a review on my favorite summer outdoor drinking/eating establishment in the suburbs - Palmers! The two level outdoor patio is one of the the best I have ever been to. The food is very good and I have never been let down with the service. Their beer list is one of the most extensive I have ever seen and is one of the largest in the Chicago Metro area. This is one of my must-stops every summer.
(5)Kamile K.
I really like this place. Went here for the first time last year and returned back for a second taste of perfection. Atmosphere of a typical friendly Irish pub, long list selection of beers, and good food. The desserts are really good too. I really like how friendly everyone is here.
(5)Kathleen O.
It's been a hot minute since I have been to Palmer Place, but growing up, it was my jam. The patio is great during the blazing hot summer days when you try to work on your ginger burns while sipping on a nice cold beer or lemonade. Oh man, nothing is more relaxing than a patio and a cold drink! The food is also tasty and well worth the wait. Typically there is a wait... and if you enjoy the patio as much as I do, you have to be willing to wait a little longer than the inside seating. Palmer's has two levels of outdoor seating (rooftop and ground levels) and a large interior section as well. The inside is very dark and can use a little remodeling in my opinion, so I haven't eaten inside besides when there has been snow on the ground. Sometimes the service can be extremely slow, but I can also say I've had some pretty great servers her as well. It may all just depend on how slammed they are. Overall, Palmer Place is a pretty nice staple in Downtown LaGrange.
(4)Patrick N.
Great place!! I've been coming here for years for their burgers and their wings. Their burgers are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! The WHOLE LAST PAGE of the menu is FULL of fantastic burger choices!! To each their own; so come and find yours! They've got me and my girlfriend HOOKED on the Bootlegger Burger that goes great with a Flip Side beer!
(5)Lisa D.
Haven't been to Palmers in a long time and stopped by tonight because my husband and i had a taste for a good burger. The host was super friendly and at first we thought we'd be having a great experience..... we ordered the pretzel bites, wagu burger, Tuscan burger and for drinks we had the redhead martini, watermelon martini and blackened voodoo ale. The bill total was $75 incliding tip. The grill smell was amazing but the burgers were average. The two martinis tasted the same. The beer selection was huge. But the service was very poor. When we arrived it was relatively uncrowded but the wait times to order and receive the food were terrible. The food was cold when it arrived. Very sad to say it will probably be a long time before we're back again.
(2)Michele S.
Met some old work friends in the "biergarten" on a beautiful Friday summer evening. The outdoor space is gorgeous, except for the crayon writing on the bricks from the kiddos (I assume). Kinda made me cringe, because if that were my house, I'd be screaming. The beer list is awesome. I had a very hard time deciding. I ended up selecting the Saugatuck Singapore IPA, which was a great choice. For dinner, a friend and I split the corned beef club. It was so good I was disappointed I split the dinner. The corned beef was so tender it practically melt in my mouth. That is something that is hard to come by. I was disappointed in the amount of staff that were working on such a busy night. Our poor waitress, who was GREAT, just looked like she was being run ragged. I can only hope she got some stellar tips for all her effort. One thing I don't understand is why there were so many whiney, crying kids there. Why do people take their kids to a beer garden? I can't enjoy my stay when I'm listening to screaming and crying, and it was coming at us from every angle. Unfortunately, I couldn't give a higher mark than a 3 because of it. There were so many unhappy children there that it really ruined an otherwise lovely evening.
(3)Pam K.
Omg worst meal ever. Ruben not even grilled or warm baked French onion soup burnt on top cheeseburger cold. Wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't wait 45 minutes for it. Seems they care more about the beer garden than serving good food anymore. Will never go back again.
(1)Dana R.
Easily the best place to get a beer in the western/southwestern burbs. In the summertime, the patio and rooftop patio are fantastic places to sit with friends and enjoy lunch and a few drinks. In the winter, they set up a large tent so that they can still accommodate a large amount of patrons and aside from what you would think, hanging out in a heated tent, is really not that bad when you consider the extensive beer and wine list that they have, coupled with what I feel is better than average pub food. I have never sat in the front room and had a proper sit-down dinner so I cannot speak intelligently as to the food or atmosphere there, but when I've come into the place off of the La Grange Rd. side, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves so it can't be much worse than the rest of the place that is fantastic. Again, the beer list is by far the most extensive list I've seen, maybe in all of the suburbs, and top 5 in the entire chicagoloand area. They have a great party for St. Patrick's Day and have other random festivities throughout the year that are worth checking out. Definite thumbs up!
(5)Sarah S.
So the beer list is humongous. Lots of outdoor seating in warmer months, outside always packed. The bad: dry burgers, slow service. Good: beer, tv's, sandwiches, the baked french onion soup, comfortable, very family friendly, great for kids. -Just seems like the kitchen can't keep up when it's busy. Overall a great place.
(4)Davorka Z.
Typically I love it here and have a good experience. But for some reason every time I bring my parents here we have terrible service. For example today, I happened to log on to yelp and saw there was a free appetizer when you check in. When I did it I noticed the offer had "expired". I told my waitress that was deceiving and she told me she didn't have control. She then came back and told me the manager would not take it because the owner would be back tomorrow to take it off yelp. Really??? I can pay for the meal but that's really not the point. So, when I brought my mom here on mother's day she had a bad experience. Today we brought my dad for father's day and again bad experience. Really reconsidering my loyalty to this establishment.
(2)Tracy V.
Even though they are known for their burgers (which are delicious), I usually order the chicken breast sandwich. I love it! The food is great, you can pretty much get any kind of beer you want (might not be super cold...) Prices are fair, but don't go if you are on a limited timed schedule. Have missed the beginning of a movie twice due to the slow service.
(4)Jer B.
Came here with friends for my birthday. The food was amazing. I loved the atmosphere. The service was kinda slow though. Other than that...5 stars!
(5)Lauren S.
I used to frequent Palmers because--hello!--kickass patio space and great beer list and burgers. But that's about where it ends. My past couple experiences here haven't been the greatest. My boyfriend and I used to go there after work (we wait tables and sometimes don't get out til 10 or 11) and the kitchen isn't supposed to close until midnight during the week. Well, a couple months ago we got there at 11:15 and they had already closed the kitchen! I'm sorry if you're slow, but if you have late kitchen hours--you have GOT to keep them. It's so hard to find someplace to eat out when you get out of work that late at night. After that, we just started going to Harry's because they of course never close their kitchen early. Then, a couple weeks ago, it was a great summer night and I had a real hankering for their three-cheese mushroom burger. So we headed over, got there about 10:30, and were told that it was okay to sit on the patio. Well, apparently the girl waiting on us didn't agree, as she came over, almost slammed the silverware on the table, and asked what we wanted to drink. Look, I wait tables, I know it's a pain in the ass to get late ones. But--your kitchen closes at 12. Where are you rushing off to? Anyway, she brought our drinks, and took our order. Was kind of short with us and not very friendly at all. During the time we were waiting on our food, I witnessed two occasions where another table would sit on the patio, and our waitress would be standing in the corner rolling her eyes and being all huffy. Again--I KNOW it's a pain in the ass to get late tables, especially if maybe you were slow and thought you would get cut--BUT YOU DON'T EVER LET CUSTOMERS SEE YOU DO THAT! At this point I was getting uncomfortable because clearly she did not want to be there--or to be waiting on us. So I get my burger. Supposed to come with mushrooms and muenster, provolone, and cheddar. Instead of those cheeses, there is crumbled bleu cheese on it--YEUCH. So she drops off the burgers and doesn't even really ask if we needed anything else, as I'm curiously looking at my burger she walks away. So of course I don't touch it. To her credit, she did check back within two minutes, but I was really dreading having to tell her my burger was wrong cause I knew I was gonna get the behind-the-back-eyeroll. So of course I get the argument--"I thought you ordered the bleu cheese bacon burger?" Okay--I don't like bleu cheese OR bacon (yes, kill me now) so why would I order that?! And why were there mushrooms instead of bacon, if I said bacon? Then of course I get the "whatever you say, stupid girl" look and she takes the burger back to be fixed. Comes back out (as I predicted) with barely-melted cheese and still some bits of bleu cheese on it (I knew they were just going to wipe it off and throw it back on the grill for a minute). Okay, thanks lady. So at this point my boyfriend and I are just annoyed, and all I want to do is finish my burger and get the hell out of there. We're the kind of people who will leave $10 on a $25 tab, but this girl was lucky she got 15% from us. Looking back, I should have spoken to a manager, but at the same time, they should have come out with the re-done burger, or at least afterwards to check if everything was okay. Never going back. There's plenty of other patios in this area. I won't miss it.
(2)Melanie I.
I enjoy sitting on the beer garden with a drink. Not a fan of the inside restaurant theme and feel. Food is ok. Nothing special. Beer selection is giant but I can't even tell you the number of times that the beer you choose is not available. Luckily, there are more than enough to choose from.
(3)Michelle B.
Amazing beer list and a cool environment. The food was delicious. The only downside was there was nobody at the door to greet and get a table. Once seated, the service was excellent.
(4)Al M.
Great beer menu. Terrible food. Maybe we caught them on a bad day. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and the bread was not fresh and on the verge of stale. My wife had corned beef. Bread was stale and overall bland. I am a big eater and part of the "clean plate club". For me to leave food on the plate says lot. Nice enough outdoor seating and average wait staff. Go for drinks, avoid the food.
(2)Matt G.
Has a beer garden , u can do better . Bar indoors is awful. Lots of burgers just alright. Thank God we now have a choice in La Grange.
(2)Nichole C.
Fellow yelpers Stacey K., Maureen M., and I went here after a brew at The Wild Monk. The poutine...my delicious, delicious, perfect poutine is off of the menu there so we couldn't possibly stay (Wild Monk, you may have lost me forever)...but I digress. We walked down the street to a place that I am ashamed I was not aware of for two reasons: craft beer and burgers. How have I not been here before? Needless to say, I made up for lost time by drinking a paddle flight (THEY HAVE PADDLE FLIGHTS!) of: Hopothesis IPA, New Belgium's Red Hoptober, Solemn Oath's Snaggletooth Bandanna, and Lagunitas Fusion 8.) The Snaggletooth Bandanna was the fave of the bunch. Plus, I really feel like that could be the new "Zoooooweeee Mama!" as the butt of all my stupid jokes and as an awkward conversation filler. (If you don't know about Diary of a Wimpy Kid jokes, now you know. You're welcome.) My friends ordered a paddle too, but damned if I remember all the beers they tried. We also grabbed some burgers to go with our beers, naturally. I wanted to get the ostrich burger just because, well, there WAS an ostrich burger on the menu and I don't see that very often, but alas, it was changed to bison. Meh. I went with a Build Your Own Burger and it was fantastic. I got a perfectly cooked medium charred burger with creamy crumbled melty bleu cheese and pepper jack to give it some spice. I also added some bacon and egg to my creation and topped it off with a brioche bun. PERFECT. Overall: Good beer, good burgers, good times.
(4)Bill B.
tried and true one of the first places to be a beer emporium .Food menu items are always right on and staff is friendly even when its the busiest Lots of beer choices
(4)Try4Gold ..
Terrible food...the WORST food I've seen and eaten in a long long time. Buffalo chicken sandwich is a chicken nugget stripped of its breading and sparely covered with watery sauce. OVER PRICED hamburger you can get from McDonalds...5 Guys crushes this dump.
(1)Jenny R.
My dad and I were walking around Downtown LaGrange today looking for a lunch spot. We encountered this place and I remembered the name when a friend said her uncle owned it. We decided to give it a try, and all I can say is that we won't be back. The service is HORRIBLE. Three middle-aged guys walked in a good 10 minutes after us and somehow got their orders taken before us. We waited nearly 20 minutes before our waitress finally came to take our order - no smiles or apology for waiting. It was another 25 minutes before we got our food, and when we finally got it, my dad's steak sandwich and my chicken pita were less than stellar. The supposed 'guacamole' on top of my pita looked like a pile of green goop resembling green sour cream. Yuck! This place is an F in my book.
(1)Luis B.
Beer and burgers. That's a great American combination. They have plenty of both at the Palmer Place. I've conquered 5 or 6 of their burgers and I'm not even halfway! But I've got time. This place employs the friendliest and most helpful staff. I've never had any problems with Palmer Place's service. If you like to drink, come and take a look at their massive beer list. You can take a nice trip around the beer-world here if you wish. If you want a suggestion, try their potato skins. They're the best I've ever had. If you just want to drink, they have a HUGE beer garden that can accomodate huge parties. Do you want to have a good time and eat some great food? Try the Palmer Place, thank me later.
(4)Suzanne Z.
Palmer place has been a favorite of mine since childhood. I appreciate it more now since I am of age and they have such a huge beer selection. I'm picky about beers but there is something for everyone plus over 35 on tap. Burgers are great... Making my way around the big selection. Try their award winning burger... Amazing! One thing that's really great too is that this is probably the only place with outdoor seating that's not on busy Lagrange road. And lots of it! Great for families, friends or a date.
(5)Maria G.
Burgers!!!! They have a great selection of burgers here and all the ones that I've tried have been deelliicciioouuss!!! Fresh, nicely cooked burger with awesome combinations. This last trip I tried the "Berlin Burger". Pretzel bun with sauerkraut, smoky cheddar and bacon. Really great tasting burger that I keep thinking about! They also have tasty onion rings, potato skins and some decent wings and HUGE beer list. The interior is pretty "meh" but do head back to the biergarten and enjoy your meal.
(4)Kristen E.
This is my favorite place to go during the summer. We love sitting in the Biergarten to eat on a nice day. It's usually pretty busy on nights and weekends! They have a large menu, lots of beers and cocktails and I've never had a bad meal here. If it's busy outside, it's harder to get the attention of your waitress but I'd say that good comes out within a reasonable amount of time. We are rarely in a hurry when we eat here so it's a nice leisurely place.
(5)Kristy S.
Food is always consistent, and with a bazillion beer offerings, won't walk away hungry or thirsty...bathroom is rather latrine smelly, and tp everywhere, yuck. Service was great, except when you want the bill...tick tock. Third time I've had to chase down my waitress for a bill, but if you enjoy kicking back and in no rush, sit in the bier garden!
(4)Andrew S.
Best beer garden in the area, but the food is virtually inedible.
(1)Bill B.
Gotta love Palmer's, especially in the summertime. I'd give the food 4 stars, the service 5 stars. The burgers get 4 1/2 stars. Many different beers to choose from but almost too many imports. Would love to see Bud Light or Coors Light draft for those of us trying to balance our love of draft beer with watching the waistline. Steve is a great guy and always makes you feel welcome. But the lock on the 5 stars is the beer garden. On a nice summer evening there are few better places to grab a meal and enjoy a drink or two. And they have a pretty good kids menu for the little ones.
(5)Matt B.
Huge beer menu! Huge burger menu! If those 2 things excite you, head over to Palmer Place. The beer menu is several pages long and just the draft list if 2 pages long. They have a great variety of beers, especially micro brews from the area and across the country. The burger menu is almost equally impressive, it takes up the entire back page of the menu. The burger was good, but not as good as I was hoping it would be. I ordered it medium rare and there wasn't an ounce of pink on it, but it was still a decent burger. Fries were coldish and left a lot to be desired. The other people at the table had onion rings and were remarking how great they were, so that's probably the way to go. Service was okay, not spectacular, but not horrible either. They have 2 huge outdoor seating areas, unfortunately it was raining when we were there, so we had to sit inside. If you go, I suggest sitting outside as the inside is kind of blah. What's strange is that it's a bar, but the seating is all low tables and booths, not the more standard high tables for a bar. In conclusion a very average bar and average food with an excellent beer menu and awesome outdoor seating areas.
(3)Dave S.
In the four years since I wrote my first review of Palmer's the food quality has fallen considerably. In the same four years many great restaurants have opened in La Grange so now we only go to Palmer's if we want to sit outside and have a beer. Where we once went to Palmer's at least twice a month year around now we go once every couple of months. To say that we are disappointed would be an understatement.
(2)Rose Emma M.
This is my first review on Yelp. I must say this place is a wonderful summer hangout. I went with a group of friends and we really enjoyed the outside Patio. Great beer selection. I will be going back.
(4)Brian D.
Slow service, we had to beg to check out. Food is better from the supermarket and cooked at home. No need to stop here again.
(2)Mary G.
Awesome! Lots of variety in the menu and a great beer menu. The kobe burger is wonderful and so are the fries. The patio is very nice and definitely baby-friendly. I would definitely go back.
(4)Mskoolkat007 N.
Great place for family night, parties, hang outs. Beer garden large selection of drinks. The food is so great burgers are super juicy, well cooked many different types. The chicken pita is amazing. Vegan no problem they have options. Affordable and great experience you will have. This is def the place I will keep on coming back to.
(5)Michael S.
Ostrich burger and inferno burger were the entrees we got. Ostrich was decent and did taste just like beef to me. Gf's inferno was pretty good as well, but not spicy at all. For me, the burgers were pretty good and okay for the price. Beer selection and specials were very good though.
(3)Bart K.
While this place might be a great place to drink if you are a beer drinker. With over 100 different bottles, the food lacks in comparison. I use yelp to find most of my places when I'm up in the air on what I'm going to eat. But today I cross over into active user to warn people of the food. I had the liver and onions (who orders that anyways), but if its on your menu, I presumably would think you know how to cook it. Boy was I wrong!! The liver was about 5 days past its prime. My appetizer was not far behind it. I don't think I would ever go back for the food....but if you like beer, they really can't mess that up. This is a decent spot for that.
(3)Alisa M.
decent burgers, good fries, food comes out fast, and good service. We tried the ostrich burger. My boyfriend said that it tastes just like beef and you can't even tell it's ostrich. I ordered the inferno burger. It was not as hot as I had hoped. They give you salsa on the side, which makes it a bit spicy, but nothing like I imagined, even with the jalapeno jack cheese. Maybe they could put jalapenos on top of the burger too along with the salsa and other goodies. Burgers are HUGE and you can customize it. For my inferno burger, I had them put it on a pretzel bun and added sauteed mushrooms. They are not stingy with the mushrooms! Unlike other places, they don't charge you extra for making changes to the order. We also tried their spinach artichoke appetizer. If you check-in on yelp, you get a free app. up to $8, which was pretty nice. The spinach artichoke was really good. They give you a good amount, it comes out fast with pita bread. They have an extensive beer and burger selection. Food: Above Par Service: Good Price: Reasonable Note: This place serves RC products.
(3)Jeffery S.
Palmer Place used to be one of my favorite places. I haven't come here lately as downtown La Grange is becoming some major hangout for people who need to be seen and I really don't care who sees me or not. But yesterday was such a beautiful day, so snuck out of work and asked a freind to join me here for lunch. We sat ourselves in the outdoor patio which is great for days like these. Eventually we were given a menu and waitress took our drink order. As advertised, they have this huge selection of beers from just about everywhere. I was not in the mood for beer so I had water. Originally I asked for Diet Coke but the waitress said, "no Coke, just RC or Diet Rite". The menu is pretty large and have all sorts of meat, salad and appetizer dishes. Heavy emphasis on burgers and fried appetizers. Salads looked good from a distance and appeared to be quite huge. I ordered the Greek Pita Burger and my companion ordered a sirloin steak pita. After a loooonnnng wait, the food arrived. The excellent reputation this establishment has for good burgers was well deserved. The burger was excellent. The burger was a half a pound in size. Ususally one that size, I eat half and save the rest for later, but in this case I scarfed down the whole thing. Burger came with cole slaw which was kind of dry and nothing to write home about. My companion did not have so good an experience. She said her meat was over cooked to the point where it was almost burnt. Plus they brought her cole slaw instead of fresh fruit. When she pointed it out, the fruit came about 20 minutes later and was just a lame collection of orange slices and honeydew melon. Another long wait to get the check. When I tried to pay by credit card, I was told the "machine" was broken but I could get cash from the ATM. Gee thanks honey, I'm glad I didn't ring up a big honking liquor bill. I hope this experience was the exception rather than the rule. A good burger and a big beer menu will not overcome sloppy service.
(2)Chris M.
My girlfriend took me her because she wanted to take me somewhere that fits my style. I'm a European born in Chicago who loves beer and nice hearty meals like my mom makes. She was right! We came on a Saturday at 5:30pm to get a table in the beer garden with no wait. The beer menu is double sided with options from all over the world; draft, bottles, & cans. It would have been super to get some advice on the top/best/popular beers from our waitress, but that didn't happen. Oh well, so I started with the mini-4 draft beer sampler, then some canned beer from CO. My girl had some strawberry beer from the UK, she liked that. To eat I had the breakfast burger, it's topped with a sunny side up egg. So good. I had a few fries, then left to have some ice cream at a small family owned joint with kids hula-hooping a couple blocks away.
(4)Jessica H.
Come here if you're looking to sit outside and grab a few beers and maybe some apps. Do not come here if you're looking for a good meal. Palmer's has a crazy beer list and I think that is what keeps bringing the crowds in. That, and their awesome outdoor patio in the back of the restaurant. The food here is average, at best. The burgers are just okay and I never feel like anything is very fresh. For example, the last time here we ordered a veggie platter and the bell peppers were moldy. We will continue to come here every once in a while because my husband loves craft beer and the patio is lovely, but that's really about it.
(3)Dorotka K.
Nice place to enjoy a casual dinner and drinks. Not much of a "bar" scene going on here- don't expect to run into Prince Charming. Lots of families and friends just hanging out. Palmer's is huge- it has two levels and a large beer garden. The beer selection was extensive, but unfortunately for me, I do not drink beer. Thankfully, they also had a decent selection of wine and prissy drinks. I sampled two different martinis and they were fairly tasty - nothing that would blow my mind, but strong enough to make me think of the world as a better place.
(4)Jules H.
Great friendly restaurant with a huge menu of bar fare. Burgers, like a whole page of them! A beer menu with it's own dewey decimal system. My check-in here got us a free appetizer. The fried green beans with wasabi were delicious. Our server was outstanding! Greeted us promptly, explained a big menu and took great care of us. TV's aplenty here, great place to catch a black hawks game. The beer list here is the be all and end all. The food is so-so, the service is great, and well ok, they have 672 beers to pick from. And a suuuhweet outdoor area.
(4)Jack F.
Had a turkey club. They're known for their burgers, but the turkey club is humongous and delicious. Felt like it clogged my arteries less. Was great!
(5)Eh W.
We had an enjoyable evening here, due in part to the large volumes of beer we consumed in the biergarten, which happened to be lovely that evening, and also in part to the excellent company we shared. However, I would not give too much credit to this particular establishment because the staff seemed disorganized and the drink menu, though ample, lacked pricing. Given that the price of an item factors into my interest in consuming it, it's bizarre to expect customers to place their orders solely based on taste. My husband had to ask the server the price of every beer and she didn't even know! ("Somewhere between $3.00-$5.50"). I don't consider this her fault since it's ridiculous to expect a server to know the exact price of every drink on the menu, but rather the fault of the owners for not making this critical information available to their customers.
(2)David B.
As someone who grew up in LaGrange, Palmer's is an institution. Their beer selection is just immense and their food is great. Service is always pretty good although getting a seat especially in the summer can be difficult especially on the weekends. The beergarden is easily when of the best in the entire Chicagoland area. Prices are OK for food but can be a bit steep depending on what you drink.
(4)R J.
Lunch today- always good food and typically good service. Their chili is tasty and meat, albeit a bit small for both the cup or bowl. (Bowl is cup sized.... Cup is.... Tiny) Have been here dozens of times but first review. (Yay for mobile reviews... Finally) Can always get a table, even on busy Fri/Sat nights. Beer selection is beyond imagination. Literally 100's to choose.
(4)Craig S.
I like me a place with a good beer selection, and this place meets that criteria. The food is fine. I can't say I found it memorable, which means I wasn't blown away, nor was I disappointed. I will say I remember the beer more than the food. We've eaten here a few times, I need to go back and experience the beer garden.
(3)Antaash U.
Palmer's is a neighborhood staple in Downtown LaGrange and has been a part of the community for as long as I can remember. I think they've been around since 1983 and with businesses coming and going on LaGrange Ave, this fact signifies that they must be doing something right. Though Palmer's is a pub well known for it's extensive beer selection (they do beer flights that are presented on a paddle!), the menu offers solid American fare. Their burger selection is overwhelming because there are so many combinations ( I think I counted 30 the last time I was there). They also have a plethora of other types of sandwiches, salads, soups, and entrees which ensure you'll find something whether you're carnivorous or vegetarian that will hit the spot. If you are here when the weather is cooperating, the outdoor seating in the back is wonderful and takes up the casual dining experience up a notch. I gave Palmer's a solid 4 stars, because though it's nothing fancy they have a wonderful menu, warm and inviting ambiance and an attentive wait staff.
(4)Alexandra S.
I've been going to palmers since I was young and it was always good. But lately not so much. Today however, it was ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! Our server, carol, was a sweet girl....but honestly serving isn't her thing. I understand everyone has bad days and bad tables, I work in restaurants as well. But this was beyond a bad day. This was just horrible. Other than the 2 times I had to wave someone down to go get her, she came to our table twice. We asked for a minute to look at the drink menu, 20 minutes later she came back. Then after 15 minutes we got our drinks and then another 20 for ya to get her back over so we could order food, she was more interested in what was going on inside than her tables. Whoever trained her did an awful job. Palmers needs to step up their service before I ever come again! The food was okay I guess, made my boyfriend sick actually. Wasn't worth the $45 I spent.
(1)Chris L.
I've been to Palmers more then a few times and have no problem recommending it as a solid place to go. Good place to go for lunch, or low key weekend night. They have a huge beer selection if beer is your thing. The food is pretty good, they have the basics you would except a beer/pub type place to have. Service is usually pretty good, and in the summer the outdoor patio is pretty nice. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. Added bonus which I was unaware of until my last visit, if you check in with yelp while your there, you get an offer for a free appetizer with your meal. All in all, a pretty decent place.
(4)Suzanne A.
Good food. Don't go here if you are in a rush... Slow service, so grab a beer and enjoy!
(4)Stephanie B.
I've enjoyed this place a few times up until now. I called the ask if they could accommodate a larger party for my birthday but the guy on the phone was a total dick about it. Apparently I'm magically supposed to know that La Grange was having their annual Hometown Holiday walk. He said something along the lines of "Well didn't you check the website?" NO, I don't live in La Grange and the Palmer website said nothing about any events for this particular day. In addition to that he really sounded like he could care less and didn't want to help me out at all. Yeah never going back here, I rather take my business to people who would actually appreciate it.
(2)Conrad K.
We've been going to Palmer Place for years, and were usually happy with the food. But recently the wife and I haven't been thrilled. A recent example was our last visit. She ordered the salmon sandwwich on ciabata bread and an order of crispy fries. What we got was potato salad, no fries. After we informed the waitress of the error, they briught out an order of fries, but they were limp and cold. Otherwise ok. Previous visit just ok too.
(1)Kt G.
Terrible. Holy buckets. I would give negative score if possible. We got seated right away. Then waited forever for our waitress to come. She finally came and took our order. Waited an Hour and a half!!!!! For our food. Then when it finally came it was wrong. Very disappointed.
(1)Betty H.
The food we ordered was pretty bad, should of known better than to order fried green tomatoes from this place, that was my bad...BUT, when you ask for a burger well done, it should never be burnt to the point of no return. The only thing this place has going for them is their Biergarten
(2)Patsy D.
I've been going to Palmer Place for years. Always in the summer months because the patio is great. Went last night and met a friend....had the beef nachos--mui bien! And great beers and wine by the glass. Also shared a deli club with coleslaw. The service was attentive and timely and the food came out quickly. Makes me sad that summer is coming to an end.
(4)Tina G.
Went to see my new niece in Palos Heights and stopped into Palmer Place with the family for dinner.... When we first walked in the restaurant it was empty and I was a bit taken back because the street was so busy, but then we went into the patio in back and it was a full house and a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The kids loved the soup and video games! I had a burger, it was delicious, but I don't like pickles at all and they were already in the burger, so next time I have to remember to tell the waitress no pickles. My husband had the blackened steak sandwich with onion rings, it was amazing, that is what I will order next time. Fast service and most importantly for a waitress to get a 20% tip our drinks were always full! That is my biggest pet peeve! Don't get down there a lot but will go back when we visit our newest family member : )
(5)Barb D.
My friends and I went to Palmer's on a Friday night, not too crowded, and were set to enjoy a few beers and dinner. The waitress seemed to have little beer knowledge, which would probably explain her blasé attitude. We ordered the appetizer platter, which was far overpriced for it's mediocre contents. It was pretty much a "kitchen sink" of fried food that lacked flavor or character. Two our of four of us got the immensely disappointing southwestern chicken wrap and ended up sharing our other friends' meals. The wrap was 50% cheese, and I love cheese, but it was dry and extremely unappetizing. I gave Palmer's two stars because of the spicy chicken sandwich & large beer selection (even if the server could not make an educated recommendation).
(2)Pawel D.
So just went here, was told to seat yourself. Waited apprx 10-15 and no one walked up to greet or even take our drink order. Promptly left and decided to take my business elsewhere.
(1)Ken H.
I went in there with my wife. I had the steak sandwich; she had the Confetti Burger. Both were excellent--the steak sandwich was a real, no fooling, steak (not the thin-sliced beef that passes for steak on some steak sandwiches). There was a great selection of beer. Service was just a bit slow; as the restaurant was very busy, I'll give them a pass on this, but it's something I'd watch if I went back there, which I probably will.
(4)Anthony K.
Went here with my brother. Enjoyed some beer on their huge list to choose from. Ordered a rueben sandwich. The food sandwich tasted good. The only downside was that the bread wasnt as toasted as I had liked but It didnt take anything away from the taste, just the texture. Cool bar, great ambiance, nice outdoor tent, and friendly service.
(4)Laura S.
Great place to meet up for drinks with friends. Beer selection is great- check out the list tucked in recycled six pack boxes that house the condiments. Food is delicious- favorites include: the Blackened Chicken Cesar Salad. The Bavarian- ham, turkey, Gouda, and all the fixings on pretzel bread. Crispy green beans appetizer with wasabi ranch for dipping. The service is usually a bit lack luster- we always get the same server that seems to disappear for very long stretches of time, but the place is friendly and tasty enough that I keep coming back.
(4)April P.
Ate dinner here with my friend once. It was delicious. We were looking for good ol' fried pub food after 10:00 and it was hard to find in cute little downtown LaGrange. Palmer Place was just what we needed though. I got a platter of fried green beans. Yummo. The place was packed! It was really fun : ) and they had a fireplace! This place was definitely fun and I will be back. Also, our waitress was really nice, and she checked back on us a lot.
(5)Lavon K.
This place has substandard food and substandard service. That's all.
(1)Zach G.
This is a fine place. Fairly average...nothing much to complain about, but nothing much to praise. The beer selection is quite good, but they need to sort the beers better. Even I, a self-proclaimed beer snob, had trouble identifying some of the beers, let alone what type of beer they were. They have them all split out by country...OK, great, but I often find myself saying "I have a taste for a stout" before saying "I have a taste for a Dutch beer". Also, they advertise their Guinness selections (i.e. Guinness with ____ beer)...I tried a Carlos Murphy - Guinness and Negra Modelo - but they were out of the Negra. In fact, based on the size of this place, it wouldn't surprise me if they were out of a lot of the beers on the list on a consistent basis. Again, no proof, just experience from other places combined with a basic Mexican beer being out of stock at the time of my visit. The menu has a ton of choices, some of them quite creative, so I give them props on that. Our party had various things - chicken tenders, burgers, pork sandwich, chili. I heard the burgers were quite good, but everything else was just average. Again, not bad...just, average. Prices were fair and service was friendly, so I'll probably return if I am in the area. However, I wouldn't go terribly far out of my way to find the place.
(3)Ivette S.
Food is mediocre and service is just as bad. Famous corned beef sandwich has no flavor and the steak sandwich is two bricks of tasteless sirloin with a pound of onions and shaved mushrooms. Had to ask for steak sauce for it to taste half way decent. Will not be returning.
(1)Matthew J.
The food is delicious. Can't beat their burgers and they're reasonable in price. However, the service could be better. They weren't insanely busy so that's not an excuse. The waitress only sat us, took our order, brought our order but never came back in between to ask if we wanted another beer or refreshment. Do they not want to make money or something?! We were more then willing to increase our bill! Maybe it will be better next time.
(3)Liz K.
Considering that I have been here even more times than before..I finally came to the conclusion that I love this place and give it 5 stars....every single time I been here I leave happy! I have also expanded from my usual order...:-) Beer is good as always but their bloody mary's are my new favorite!
(5)Kari G.
Excellent food (huge portions!) and drinks. Very reasonably priced and so kid-friendly. Service was excellent and our waitress was so friendly and great with our kids. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Katie F.
So the rating is for the service, not the food. Everytime we go there it takes at least 5-10 minutes for us to get even said hi to by the waitress (there are waiters but mostly ladies). They are nice enough but usually take very long time to get even one thing. So if you have your entire order ready by the first time the waitress comes then will be alright. The food is really good. Great burgers. My favorite is breakfast burger
(2)Michelle C.
I can't count the number of times I've been to Palmer's over the years. Admittedly I've had some wonderful times at Palmer's including celebrating my birthday, drinks with my new husband and his family after our wedding, etc.. However, I've come to rely on the fact that Palmer's is incredibly hit or miss...and by that I mean, it's mostly miss. I remember back in the day when Palmer's didn't serve anything but beer. This was when their first "mixed drink" was a Mai Tai. And I remember when their menu had the most delicious blue cheese nacho appetizer. Those days are long gone. The thing that keeps me coming back to Palmer's'? The beer garden, hands down. There is nothing like it around (that I know of) and it's really the perfect place to both people watch and get sauced. In December I went to Germany and fell in love with a few beers that hold a special place in my heart. One of those incredible beers is Spaten. I was delighted when I found this on Palmer's' extensive beer menu and that is all I ever order now when I come to enjoy the beer garden. This is a huge win. The service at Palmer's' is horrific. The servers are young and careless, barely making time to take an order let alone remember what you've been drinking all night. This isn't Hooters, so there's no need to hire 21 year old girls with a pretty smile. People go to Palmer's to drink - period. No one goes for the food (it's bar food people, c'mon). People come to Palmer's because it's local and has a beer garden. I wish I hated Palmer's because I'd write it off forever and spend my money in a place that has better service. I mean, if I wanted to be treated like shit every time I go out to eat. I'd just head to the city. But I don't. I want to be treated like I'm spending my hard-earned money. In closing, if it weren't for the beer garden, this place wouldn't survive. The end.
(2)Kyle H.
Oh My Beer-ness! A huge beer list for beer lovers. Palmer's has it covered! Palmer's is like the City equivalent to Quencher's, beer-wise, Could I have ordered a Daisy Cutter and enjoyed a beer that tasted like a freshly mowed suburban lawn in my mouth? Of course. But I can get that anywhere in the City now, so I had to do some exploring. Started with the Chapeau Plum, which wasn't too fruity. There's a feather in your cap! Then On To Belgium! Little known fact: Belgium is the most boring place in the World. Wait, I think most people know that already. But! Belgium has some of the best beers (and chocolate) in the World. Seriously. Leffe Blonde is one of my favorites, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I probably shouldn't have ordered the large Eel River Acai Wheat beer at the end of the night, but the name was so cool, I had to try it. Recommended if you like a slightly berry-wheat weiss beer. And it's healthy, right?? Palmer's seemed like a friendly place and I've been told that summer is the season to be here- they've apparently got a great patio. It's kind of hard to imagine summer ever coming right now, but when it does- to Palmer's!
(4)Mick S.
Been a regular here for years. Great pub food. I think they have at least 10 burgers available, and hundreds of beers. Be prepared to have a back-up in mind, or two, as the new beers are often out of stock. The waitresses while cute, are not always knowledgeable about the beers. They have a great beer garden in the summer and they tent the lower section in the winter. The back, bar section is more youth oriented vs the front which is more family style. By far one of the best places in LaGrange.
(3)Christine D.
I love this place. The food is amazing. Options for everyone. Service is usually on point. The day time bartenders are always very friendly and the server Kristin is awesome. I live fairly close and when I get the chance to go out for a burger or beer this is where I go.
(5)Jacqueline S.
We came here as a group for lunch and I think they handled the group fine - it did take a long time for the food to come out. The burgers were huge and were decent (to me nothing beats the one we make right in our backyard). It was okay but nothing special. The beer selection on the other hand was very impressive but I will have to try them another time.
(3)John B.
Greeted at the door by Janelle. She is also my waitperson. Got a great booth. Ordered the house cheeseburger medium rare, potato salad and a house merlot, and a ginger ale back. A good test of a new place is to stick with the basics or specialties of the house don't you think? The merlot arrived within seconds. Ah yes. Not too acidic. Doesn't torch through your esophagus. The burger was also served fast, though I note the place is pretty deserted on this wet evening. My, my. Excellent burger. Oh yes. Explosively juicy and medium rare perfectly. The potato salad is a Giant scoop of carbs. Delicious. So good I have the need for dessert. I have ordered flour-less chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and lots of whip cream. Wow, this is good eating! I live here in downtown La Grange. Across from the METRA train station, above the newsstand. You know the place. Anyway the slop chutes here close at 9p. Palmers serves this Tuesday until 1030p. A life saver. I generally believe a place is a one star or a give star. Go or No-Go. My words speak as to the quality, value, convenience etc. Therefore 5 Stars and a special nod to Hostess, Server, Diplomat, and all around attentive person, Janelle.
(5)Mike M.
I could not believe how rude the owner was to me and my 4 year old. I was bringing in a group of 14, we were the first ones to get there and you would have thought this needed to be handled by Navy Seals. His attitude was one of disgust. I have gone there many, many times over the years because there wasn't much else in the neighborhood. Thank GOD THERE IS NOW. Besides sitting on their patio, which is awesome everything else leaves a lot to be desired. The Beer Menu is great, BUT they really don't have 1/2 of it in stock. The food is terrible and it just seems like they don't care. Its too bad, this used to be a great place. Hopefully they recognize what they have with the location and outdoor patio and get their attitudes in check. That and increasing the quality of their menu would be incredible.
(1)Andy M.
A great place to kick back with a group of people inside or outside as they have a huge beer garden in the back. The place is unique and spacious and the food about average American bar type standard. The servers are quick and around often and this place has a great cocktail and beer selection. Plenty of different type of seating also makes this a place worth visiting in downtown Lagrange park
(4)Michelle H.
Anyone who enjoys beers from around the world will marvel at the extensive beer selection that this place offers. They also have many brews from here in the States as well. I personally think, that anyone who come in here and orders a Miller Light should be shot on sight. We came here for a family get-together. Since it was raining that day, we were not able to sit outside on their double-decker patio/beer garden (I will have to come back for that alone- nothing makes for better drinking than a comfy outdoor atmosphere.) But they were able to accommodate our party of ten indoors, without a problem. Our server was great, always there with refills, and asking if we needed anything else. As for the aforementioned beer selection, I was a bit overwhelmed. I ended up choosing a Strawberry organic pale ale. It was great, but at $10 a bottle, definitely a sipping brew. The food was pretty decent as well. We started out with some basic nachos for the appetizers. Huge portion, but nothing spectacular. For my main course, I had the Reuben sandwich. Very delicious. And the potato salad I had as my side choice was really good, creamy and made with red potatoes. We also shared some deserts around the table. Also not very memorable. Parking out front of the place may be a little tricky, but if you go around the block, there is a public municipal parking lot about half a block from the place.
(4)Edgar P.
I...LOVE...THIS...PLACE!!! I've been going to this place for food and drinks for 7 years now and I've still yet to be disappointed by this place. To be honest with you, I come here mostly for the beer selection but am going to start off with some of my favorite things off the food menu first... I would probably tell you to start off with the Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Combo Platter, wings, and potato skins. The Torpedo is probably one of the suckier items on the app menu...no peppers and all cheese. I would then recommend the Ostrich Burger, Kobe Burger, NY Deli, and the Ultimate Gourmet Burger ( i know, I like burgers). The Bavarian is actually another great option but you gotta try some of those burgers first!!! To water it all down, Palmer's Place has quite an assortment of beers to choose from to suit even the stingiest taste buds! They have 39 beers on Tap, 211 in bottles, and another 10 in cans...you really can't go wrong. Now I really never liked some of the big market beers because they lack flavor and all taste kind of blah. I enjoy craft beers and many imports, though they generally cost more money. The way I see it, if you're going to enjoy a beer, you might as well get one that has character. This place offers that escape from your average beer and lets you explore the variety of beer that most of us tend to overlook or miss completely. For this reason, you NEED to Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)Michael R.
One of my favorite burger joints. It's as good as it gets when it comes to that. And their onion rings. Mmmm... Hot pretzels with honey mustard is a great appetizer too. I didn't like the buffalo chicken sandwich all that much, but that is hardly a reason to take away a star. Every restaurant has a crappy dish and out of the 10ish times I've been there, that was the first meal I didn't enjoy.
(5)Jason M.
We've tried Palmer's several times now and each time it's been just OK. The beer list is great, but the food doesn't measure up. I've tried the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich a few times - the chicken is tough, the sauce isn't spicy enough, and the bun is very dry and tasteless. I've had a couple salads which were mediocre. The burgers are ok - the variety of options are great but the quality of ingredients is just average. My husband had the "Mayor of Manheim" sandwich today and said it was inedible - tough, low-quality meat. Also the bun on our daughter's hot dog was hard and dry. The onion rings are good. The service is usually pretty slow. If you want to watch some games and try a variety of different beers, check out Palmer's. If you want great food with quality ingredients, head to Nickson's. We've tried Palmer's for the last time - we're sticking with Nickson's from now on!
(2)Jessica S.
I like Palmer's. It is always a good back up when you can't think of anywhere else to go. The food is solid and the service is always good. I'm a huge fan of the Tortellini Cesar Salad. It's nice to be able to get a salad without meat thrown on the top (although you can get that here too!). I especially like it during the summer when the deck is open. Bottom line, I wouldn't really go out of my way to go to Palmer's. However, if someone suggests it I am always game!
(3)Nathan D.
The place is fantastic. They have a large menu to fill just about any appetite. Very extensive burger list and even more extensive beer list. If you are a big fan of either you must stop in and endulge in this magnifisant dinning experience. Best part is no matter what time of the day you arrive, they always have a spot for you
(5)Ryan M.
The key to happiness is managing your expectations. If you come to Palmer Place expecting a gourmet prix fixe meal, you're in for some disappointment. The food is standard bar food, and like most bars it's a bit of a gamble; not much else worth saying about it. Palmer Place does excel in one area, and that's beer *selection*. You can safely expect a massive, albeit unsorted, list of delicious beers, even some rare ones (Sam Adam's Utopias wtf?!). With a beer list like Palmer's I can easily forgive some of their other sins; you'll be quite happy here if you do the same.
(4)Mike B.
I'm a big fan of imperial stout beers. They had Hoppin Frog "Boris the crusher oatmeal imperial stout" which was very good.
(4)Mark H.
This is a local favorite but I personally think there are better options out there. The hamburgers are good but every thing in general is just average tasting and over priced. What they call beer garden is actually just a heated tent that they have lawn chairs in. If you are in down town Lagrange and have to have a burger now then this place works fine.
(3)Celina B.
Well, Yay! I'm a fan because of the beer and drink selections. I could have that one little extra star, had our serve known anything about those delicious beer and drink selections. I had been here before my drinking years with my parents and there food was always great! But one night me and my boyfriend were looking for places for good burgers- however- he always has to check the beer lists first, so we finally decided on this place. It's good for families or for friends- its cute, nice friendly atmosphere but expect a wait. We got lucky this time, but if you want their patio in the summer- I suggest getting there early or expecting to wait. We ordered some apps, and were overly excited to find baked french onion on their menu. A staple in our relationship. It was good! I liked the broth- not too thick, not too watery, but a little saltier than normal. The cheese was baked perfectly though- bonus points to make up for the salty broth. I got an artichoke dip burger, and my boyfriend swears it was good, but I think I was just expecting something else maybe? I mean, it was good, but when you have a picture in your head of what you want and it comes out not looking or tasting like that- its REALLY hard to tell yourself it's still good. Ok fine, it was really good, but could have used a little more of the artichoke dip. Throughout this ordering process of too much food per usual, is where they lost their star. One of my new drinks has a couple nicknames: Angry Cider or Angry Balls. It's woodchuck cider and a shot of fireball whiskey. It's like alcoholic fall in a glass. I saw that they offered a drink like this but with caramel whiskey- meh, I want my Angry Balls. I asked our waitress if they had fireball and she didn't know what that even was let alone if they had it. She came back quick and offered me raspberry cider instead (they were out of regular, or she thought), to which I politely declined but in my head thought- Angry Raspberry Cinnamon balls? No thank you! She came back and said no fireball whiskey but they actually do have normal cider. So I ask for their caramel cider drink. She says she has to check if they have that..... Oi. She comes back and they do have it so I ask for that, and she asks if I want it in a bottle. How are you going to pour a shot of vodka in the bottle? Right? I can't be the only one thinking that right now- so she comes back again after this and asks if I want it on ice. If it's on your menu- shouldn't you have a specific way of making it so that it tastes good?? After all this I got my drink and it was AMAZING! And my new favorite so kudos on that. This is where life sucked for my bf- he was asking about a couple beers on their list and she had no idea. Another full 10 minutes of back and forth to ask the bartender. She didn't seem new at all, otherwise i could cut her some slack but if you're at a place that features itself on good beer- know it! It was super annoying. It was also annoying when I checked in on Yelp, got a free appetizer, and she asked that I please write a good review on her. Sure, people joke about that stuff- but she was serious. And mentioned it multiple times. After writing all of this I'm really ready to go bump it down to 3, but it really just was our server on this one occasion that made us irritated. After it was all said and done, the food was great! We got lucky and had no wait, and we're gonna be going back for a patio visit soon!
(4)James M.
Always liked this place, have been going here for many years. One of the best beer selections you can find, certainly the best in La Grange.
(4)Rosa K.
This place is da bomb! They have the largest, most extensive beer list I have ever seen! Especially for some random restaurant in the random Chicago suburb of LaGrange. They get 4 stars just for having such an amazing selection of U.S. and International beers including rare microbrewery beers! Food was kinda bleh. Shoulda got a burger, they have kobe burgers and ostrich burgers! Crazy, but I'll have to try it next time. Wasn't really hungry this day so just had a bowl of soup and some delish Turkish beer. It was a pilsner but it tasted like a stout. Wooohoo! FYI, they have a beer sampler of 4 beers. Check out zee lovely biergarten in zee back... o.O beer garden!? wahhhh? you can grow beer?! jk! :-P
(4)Eric S.
I'm giving four stars because of the beer selection and the awesome beer garden for a summer night. They also do a nice job in catering to families. Service is spotty though...can be overly busy and "in the weeds" fairly often, meaning you don't get your drink re-filled as quickly as you'd like. I also have to take a star off of my review for the food...really average things coming out of the kitchen there. Not "bad", but nothing that I have to go back for every time.
(4)Elijah W.
this place has gotten worse over the past 5 years. the beer selection is amazing, the patio is amazing, the food has become AWFUL. i don't understand why.....its not like they are serving gourmet, but the food is brutal. i was there last week with my boys who are 4 and they wouldn't touch their grilled cheese. go for the drinks, but skip the grub.......as i always say, f you are going to eat "BAD" food, it has to be "GREAT". Go to York Tavern for the food and drinks, go to Palmer for the patio and drinks.
(2)Kim H.
I love going to Palmer's place. Especially during the nice weather season when we can enjoy the relaxing biergarten. I've tried a bunch of the menu items but keep going back to my favorite: Grilled Salmon on a ciabatta (yum!). The steak salad is also excellent - I do recommend. The beer of course is the perfect compliment as well. I thoroughly enjoy eating my salmon while sipping on a seasonal Bell's. Is it spring yet?
(4)Nichole M.
One of my fave neighborhood spots. They have such a nice beer garden, I love sitting outside here, you can also sit on the rooftop as well. I have been here more times than I can count, but was here just recently and it reminded me that I had not reviewed it yet. They have a larger beer list than I've seen anywhere else in the Chicagoland area, and a lot of beers on tap. I don't drink beer, so that's all i can tell you. Their food is generally very good. They have a large food menu as well. I love their cheese balls, which are just fried balls of cheddar cheese, yummmm. Also, they have a huge selection of cheeseburgers. My favorite is the Berlin Burger, no sauerkraut. it is basically a smoked cheddar and bacon cheeseburger on a pretzel bread bun. To. Die. For. They have lots of salads, clubs, and all sorts of other yummy food to try. I can't think of anything I've had there that I didn't like. Although, I usually stick with my Berlin Burger. Try this place out, you will not be disappointed, especially if you sit outside and have a drink.
(4)Adam M.
Palmer Place deserves 3 1/2 stars, but since that's not an option I went with 3. The food is very typical of any American Pub so that's why I'm just saying this place rates about 3 1/2 stars. They do have a huge selection of burgers and a ton of different kinds of beer from all over the world. Because of these two things I would recommend trying Palmer Place and I plan on coming back if I'm ever in the La Grange area.
(3)Reuben H.
Palmer Place is a solid place for a burger in your face! If there was any dispute on my abilities to be a world-famous rapper, the above line should prove those disputes to be 100% accurate. Rap, I cannot do. I cannot even PRETEND to do. Eat burgers and drink beer- well... I am pretty good at that. Palmer Place used to be my go-to spot for all things "burgers and beer." Their burgers are well made, with juicy meat, and pretty decent and interesting topping combinations. I would not think to compare them to a place like Kuma's, but when coupling their good burgers with a very extensive beer list- the place became a destination spot for me when I lived in the western 'burbs. Since then I have been there a couple of times and still enjoy it. Their outdoor beer garden/patio is a very happening place when weather permits. Not much of a view considering it is basically in a parking lot- but the patio itself is spacious and lively. I cannot speak too much on anything else on the menu other than their burgers. Service is missing a level of expertise. Most of the time you will be served by someone who is either a high school student or someone only a short time out of high school. Therefore, they either know nothing about beer because they are too young, or their experience with beer is limited to slamming Natty's Ice out behind their friend's parents garage, trying to pick up a good buzz before heading to downtown La Grange on a Saturday night to meet up with the rest of their high school friends. I should know- many of these kids serving you your beer and burgers are reincarnated versions of my friends years ago. Can't blame them for not knowing, but it still can be frustrating if you have a taste for something and want to ask for a recommendation. I give props to your pops For raising you right Serving me burgers and beer On a Saturday night Make money-money, make money-money-money! Make money-money, make money-money-money! (Rap FAIL)
(4)Bridget B.
This place is just fine. Definitely more of a bar than a lot of the restaurants in trendy downtown La Grange, but I understand the need for bars, too. Went in to start out an evening on a Saturday with some drinks and appetizers. The beer list was great, and the spinach dip was decent. The other food I saw appeared to be pretty standard bar food, so if a VAST beer selection and good bar food are your aim, this is a good place to visit. I would gladly give it another try for a burger or something.
(3)Larry H.
I'm a La Grange resident, so a place like Palmer's is a great choice for the simple food you want sometimes. There are some things I like about it and some I don't. The food is average. It's mostly burgers and sandwiches, but they also have a few better things. They have a children's menu (although my child is too old for that). The atmosphere is a dichotomy. On the one hand, the inside spaces are noisy (as you would expect a bar to be) and crowded. The bar area is OK. On the other hand, they have a patio area that I love. Although it's a little cramped for space, it's great on a nice day (they have umbrellas for sunny days) or evening. There is even an upstairs area. I like to go to Palmer Place on those days. If the weather is bad, I usually avoid it. The service is OK. There is nothing spectacular there. If they are busy, expect to wait for food. However, the servers are usually attentive and make sure you have whatever you need. Now, what I REALLY like about Palmer Place is the beer! I'm not a big drinker, so it's not about how much I pay for beer. It's about the quality of the beer and Palmer Place has some of the best choices I have seen. My favorite is Three Floyds, but they have so many other choices. Well, I hope this review has been useful. I found their web site: palmerplacebeer.com/inde…
(4)Lauren V.
Definately one of our favorite places in the burbs for burgers and beer. They have a very extensive menu but in my opinion, the burgers are the star. The only small criticism is that some of the more exotic beers are out of stock when ordered. But that why they're exotic right!
(4)Nicole C.
In short, don't go for the food or the service, but do go for the HUGE beer list and HUGE outdoor beer garden.
(3)Tommy M.
I've been going to Palmer's for 10+ years, and I know one of the owners (I used to work next door for about 5 years). I have to say the food quality has declined over the years, or I've just found better burgers out there. They used to win awards for the burgers (not the best, but maybe top 5), but they just don't excite me as much anymore. Don't get me wrong, they are still very good, and I like the variety of the burgers they have with the different toppings. The italiano is pretty good. The beer list is great, they have an extensive list of German weiss beers which I love in the summertime. Hanging out in their beer garden in the summer is great. One gripe is that they close at midnight.
(3)Susan M.
it's just alright. we started with pretzel bites with honey mustard dipping sauce which were good. i had the steak salad with bleu cheese, the hubby had quesadillas (chicken). both were average. the guac was really good and from what i hear the slaw is good too. nice beer selections. what sells this place are the beer gardens. a roof top one and one in back. service, good.
(3)Noreen H.
Nice atmosphere, great patio, good food, and awesome international beer list.
(4)Ron T.
This is a great place to go to all year but as soon as the weather starts getting nice....this is one of the best places to meet up with friends in LaGrange! They have so many beers to choose from, plenty on draft and some others that you wouldn't expect to see in these parts in a bottle, along with a great menu......I recommend you try one of the burgers, they have at least 25 different combonations that are excellent! The rest of the menu has a lot to offer as well if you aren't the burger type. If you plan on sitting outside......get there early, otherwise you will be waiting for awhile. If we aren't able to sit outside, I enjoy the back room by the bar.....they have tv's placed around the room and there is always a sporting event on. Once you're done there, you can walk in downtown LaGrange which is awesome. It has that old "small" town feel to it.
(4)Dave B.
Growing up in LaGrange Park, Palmers was always the place to see and be seen. Although the food is good and beer selection outstanding albeit a tad overpriced, it 's the beer garden that keeps me coming back! Any Saturday night in the summer finds that place packed to the gills with families, singles, young and old. Although if you hate crowds then go during the week, its much quieter.
(3)Elaine Z.
Went there for the last time the other day. 35 mins for our appetizer and it was the wrong appetizer and our entrees delivered by the food runner directly behind them 2 seconds later!! Service was bad and the food was less than mediocre. Why do people accept bad service and subpar food? The menu is not cheap and I want quality when I pay for it. What happened to this place? It used to be good....
(1)Krys J.
I made my way here w/some guys after we had noshed elsewhere, so I can't comment on the grub. The TOA was about 11PM on a Sat. night & the place was surprisingly pretty quiet. The beergarden, as well as, the beer menu are both quite impressive though. Not only do they carry PURPLE HAZE (a personal fave) but we also got a FREE round. It turns out that I had served one of the staff members of PP the night before downtown & he remembered me (small world)! I will likely pop back in for the chill atmosphere and fabulous collection of brews.
(4)Jim J.
Great food, just about ANY beer you want, nice beer garden!
(5)Michelle W.
I have been patronizing and very much enjoying Palmer Place for a number of years now. I adore beer over other alchoholic beverages, and they typically deliver with their solid beer list. I love that they have a large selection on tap as well as bottled and organize by country or state. They don't specialize in any particular kind of beer, and there have been several occassions where they failed to have the beer(s) I wanted on hand, but I can imagine it is hard for an independent bar/restaurant to forecast 100% accurately the beer demands of it's clientele. As for the food, I rarely stray from the sandwich menu. I must part ways with people who have issues with the quality of meat (excepting the Wagyu - I don't have experience enough to judge that). Having tried burgers at Goldyburgers, Weber Grill, steak at Gibsons, etc. (not the holy grail but notable) Palmer Place is the one I consistently crave. They also do a respectable veggie burger that I often get. Bottom line - it's a lovely place, though perhaps not a regular destination place for those who live in the city, though it was for me when I did.
(4)Mike M.
Palmers is the quintessential neighborhood pub in La Grange. It is alone in restaurants offering a laid back atmosphere and local feel. The family owned restaurant has an outdoor area which locals take advantage of during the summer months. Burgers, Sandwiches, and salads compose much of the menu, and for an appetizer I would recommend the nachos. The bar is a popular among visitors to downtown La Grange due to its close proximity to the train station. The amazing bar contains over 30 beers on taps and many from all over the work. Palmers is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner in La Grange, watch a sports game, or catch up with friends.
(4)Gerry A.
Stopped in here on the way to the LaGrange Theater, (an even BETTER deal for $2 in the next block) on a Saturday night with 50 minutes to get to the movie. We figured we were doomed but were seated quickly by a nice fireplace and very efficiently served by Tryna? This is a very lively place on a Saturday night and we definitely had forgotten to bring our kids so if you don't like a lot of background noise (screaming) don't go on a weekend night. VERY tasty pulled pork sandwich, rueben, and onion rings. Fast kitchen, servers and table clearers. Advertises lots of biers, we had bottomless 32 ounce diet cokes with lemon and made our movie with 10 minutes to spare (Across the Universe, DON"T MISS IT- best MISSED movie in 2007). Dinner, movie and free parking $22. Score.
(4)Nick N.
Anyone who complains about this place is silly! They have dee tons of beers and you got to do the tries of dee inferno burger. It'll make you breath fire. Its dee best pub style restaurant in dee area!
(5)Antonia R.
Wish there were a 3.5 option. The food is on the higher end of standard, but it's priced absolutely right and and you get plenty of it. What you really come here for is the fabulous beer selection (Goose Island Matilda was delicious) and beer garden.
(4)Joe R.
I went to Palmer Place for Game 2 of the Hawks-Canucks series. We went to the back bar area where there was indoor dining, an outdoor beer garden, and a soon-to-be-opened rooftop beer garden. The burgers we all had were very good and the beer list had over 300 brews from around the world. To say I was in heaven...
(4)Julie M.
Palmer's is THE hang out spot in LaGrange. Families, twentysomethings, teens, older couples, everyone. They have decnt burgers (I don't recommend anything else). My favorite is the triple cheese and mushroom burger. It's nice that Palmer's is there, but I wish the owners wouldn't rest on their laurels and improve their food. I could make a better club sandwich at home. So, to sum up: Only go if you're in the mood for beer, burgers and a crowd:)
(3)Beer H.
The food here is good. They do have a good selection burgers and the have one of the best beer list around. I would go back if my friends wanted to go here, but I won't go out of my way to go here. The service is bad, and it detracts from this place. The back patio is nice on summer weekends if you can even get to it. I tried a few times when we moved here and we couldn't even make it to the patio due to all of the people.....not for me.
(3)Eric B.
asked for barbecue wings and got barbecue ribs instead, I got to keep the ribs and the waitress took our drinks off the bill.. I love palmer house
(4)Nikkie H.
I've passed by this place countless times and have been hesitant to go in because of the number of large groups with kids. I honestly have no issues with families, but when it's just me and my boyfriend it's generally not the atmosphere I'm going for. However, I finally went there later in the evening on a Saturday when move of the kids had gone home. My bf and I shared the spinach artichoke dip, which was quite tasty. He also had a Reuben, which he said was good, but felt was a bit overpriced. The onion rings were plentiful, large without being donuts, and tasty. Plus the beer list was crazy. I believe it was an 11 x 14 piece of paper, front and back. It was too overwhelming so I settled for a Stella. We definitely plan on going back in the future.
(5)Ryan A.
Having grown up in LaGrange, Palmer's is a staple. It was only after moving away and coming back for a visit did I realize how overrated and overpriced this joint is. The beer list is extensive and they have a great selection of NA brews; the beer garden is average. The service, however, is consistently terrible - lots of attitude and poor attention.
(2)Kathleen C.
This place is great! My sister suggested it and I was very cautious. However, all of our food was fantastic. And somehow they have a veggie&dip/cheese&cracker appetizer that was fantastic and exactly what I wanted. The waitress wasn't really attentive but they gave us huge drinks so we were fine without her!
(4)Malina G.
I've been to Palmer's twice now, and both visits offered a pretty consistent experience: horrible, negligent service, but pretty decent food. The beer menu is extensive as well - but I wouldn't go here solely based on the pages and pages of beer options, as they'll probably be out of what you want. The first visit here, I was overwhelmed with how many choices of beer were available. But when I made my first choice to my server, she said it wasn't available. That was fine with me; with pages upon pages of beer selections, they were bound to be out of some. But when it came to my second - and third - and eventually forth choice, she shrugged and said that these also weren't available. That would have been fine, but when I asked for a recommendation for an amber ale they did have in stock, our server shrugged and said she didn't know. I asked if she could check with the bar, and she returned a whopping 30 minutes later to take our food orders, apparently forgetting that I'd asked for a beer recommendation. I'd like to note that the place was nearly empty at the time, so our server basically went AWOL on us for a half hour. The food was good, but nothing special. Our burgers weren't very flavorful, and our bill was around $50 for two burgers and two drinks (none of which were mine, by the way). Definitely not worth the bill. Our second visit was pretty much the same. My boyfriend said his chicken sandwich simply wasn't very good, and my burger was bland. The service was still pretty slow - we were there for about an hour and a half. Overall, this place has a book of a beer menu that simply doesn't match up with what is actually in stock, slow and apathetic service, and hefty prices for mediocre food.
(3)The J.
I think this place gets a lot of attention and publicity because of their large selection of beer and their hamburgers. Well, that about sums up this place and what separates them from the rest of the restaurants and pubs in the area. The rest of the food is ok, but a little pricey.
(3)Janet A.
The service was truly awful! My husband & I waited 10 minutes before being acknowledged---let only brought drinks. And the pattern of "where the heck is the server" continued throughout the meal. The food? So very bland and uninspiring. Yet pretty pricey. We didn't even stay for dessert- I was dying to just go (though finding the server to GET the check was an adventure......) We are walking distance to this restaurant and I can assure you- we won't be back!
(1)Linda R.
Seriously, $10.50 for a single hamburger? I can get a decent steak just down the street for less money. Sorry, not really worth it.
(1)Nikki T.
I wanted to like this place, I really did! I went in with an open mind, absolutely no high expectations. I just wanted a good burger. I had read some articles online and plenty mentioned Palmer Place for their burgers and patio. So my boyfriend and I went for it. As soon as we walked in, we were seated right away and the waitress was great! She was very attentive and helpful. She was able to assist the boy with picking out a good new beer and we didn't have to wait long. We first started with the Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates. Let me tell you, these were AMAZING!! I would have been much happier if I stuck to those bad boys all night! So, like I said before, I wanted a good burger and decided to try the Ultimate Gourmet Burger. The menu stated that that burger won the 2010 silver medal in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop so I figured it had to be good if it was an award winner! My boyfriend ordered the other "awarding winning" burger on the menu, the Benchmark Burger. Apparently, that burger won the 2011 People Choice award in the Chicago Gourmet Burger Hop. We were both so excited to try these burgers. I mean, the appetizer was fantastic, these burgers must be great! Yeah...not so much. Both of these burgers just had way too much going on. It felt like they decided to throw a bunch of random stuff on the burger and call it a day. The description of the burger with each component sounded great but the end resulted in just being too much to be enjoyable. Next time, I would definitely pick something a bit simpler from the menu. Lesson learned.
(3)Dan M.
Highly recommended. Great beer selection. Food is always consistently prepared and really good. The burgers are great but my personal fav is the BLT. It is really awesome. Service is great. They have the best multi day St. Patrick's day fests In the area that includes a St Baldricks day. Amazing bier garden and roof top bar in the summer. If from the area it's the place where you go and are certain to run into someone you know.
(4)Ryan D.
Awesome. They truly have some great Mediterranean food and also make a killer egg lemon soup. Four of five stars for sure!
(5)Veronica T.
It wasn't great. It was okay but I probably won't go there again. I ordered the chicken pita and it was flavorless. The fries were super salty so I didn't enjoy the food. Also, margaritas aren't their specialty so I don't recommend them at all.
(2)Shannon W.
We used to come here for the Hawks game so we could sit outside, unfortunately we have to find someplace else. One tv outside that's it. Last year, it was packed because there were tv's all over with a tent. No line this year. Walk right in. Everyone is gone going somewhere else. Going to Monk's now because of the game situation and if you don't have Korbel half bottles anymore (for the second year, take them off the menu. The old guy that runs the place has to go. Bar Rescue
(2)Karma K.
This place is bierfantastico! Great, great, great, did I say great outdoor patio? This place is a staple in downtown La Grange. The owners have extended their patio and it now includes an upper deck. Hello, love that! No one else may notice this but they have green umbrellas on every frickin table outside. I love this because if you want shade it you have it. It also look very cool. I'm sure the beer vendor that provided the umbrellas was happy to oblige. Thank you beer vendor! The inside is not too shabby either. This place has a lot going for it. With that said, my tip to all you little yelpers is to stick with the burgers. They have a gazillion options and all of them are terrific. They have liver and onions on their menu. Who the hell has that in the western burbs. No one I say! Pat Bruno, the restaurant critic has this place at the top of his list for burgers. Yep, they have Kobe beef, turkey and all sorts of options for all you burger lovers. You like buns? They have pretzel buns, brioche rolls, etc. So you really cannot go wrong with a burger and fries at this place. So why not 5 stars? The other food is average to good. Their wraps are OK, but you can probably find better ones elsewhere. Their potato skins and nachos are good! They have a huge menu, maybe too huge because some of their other selections are good but not great. I also miss from my old days at this place, their veg sandwich on a croissant. I always substituted the croissant (because I'm not French, LOL) for french bread (OMG,I just said that I'm not French) and loved it with the fresh veggies and cream cheese. Bring that thing back, dammit! ;-) We have always had good service. They have a killer beer menu. Yes, they have IPA's for all you oh so trendy beer snobs! During the day this place is very family friendly. At night, it becomes more of a party place, especially during summertime. If you went to LT or Hinsdale Central high school (go Red Devils!) you are sure to run into some former alumni. Good? Bad? I don't know. I guess it depends how many beers or cocktails you have had. So go enjoy while summer days last a big longer and than go back in the winter and sit inside and enjoy the warm pub abience.
(4)Mike M.
Awesome burger selection! Everything we've ordered has been great. Great cozy decor, nice staff, and good prices. Parking can be a bit of a blood sport, but it's worth it.
(5)Kristen C.
After a trip to the zoo my boyfriend suggested we go here for a few beers and a late lunch. We sat on the patio-it was busy but great atmosphere if you're up for sitting outside. Great beer selection and some good specials. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates (fantastic!) and the reuben sandwiches. Fantastic reuben! It's like $15 for the sandwich and a side (I got fries-good but basic frozen fries and he got the potato salad-very good). There is a lot of meat on the sandwich and it had good flavor. We were both impressed. If you're not extremely hungry or not wanting to take some home possibly split the sandwich.
(4)Erin S.
Contrary to some of the reviews here, both times I was here in recent months we actually had very good service - waitress was pleasant, food ordering and time to table both fast - and (although my bf would disagree) I thought the atmosphere was fine. These are the only reasons I am awarding the second star! I should note that - both times we came was for a family meal, we did not partake in the beer selection and due to weather have not enjoyed the patio. This left us with little to save this place in our minds!!! The first time we came, the food was very bland. 4 out of the 6 of us, however, seemed to enjoy their food, so I thought it was definitely just bad luck and not indicative of further negative experiences. Well, I was wrong! This time, because I remember getting food that was bland, I wanted to pick something I was sure would have more kick - the Greek Pita Burger w/ Tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, and tomato. Anyone who is a fan of Greek food like I am should know that feta cheese can pack a punch, which I was looking forward to atop a nicely cooked burger. I did not get what I hoped for. I do not know how this is possible, but I think this burger was actually MORE bland than the meal I had there previously! How did this happen!?!? Plus, my side of fruit was a sad medley of melon that must have been defrosted in the small bowl in which it was served ... Looked sad and tasted like it looked. My bf's summation of his meal - "Wilted, spotty lettuce on a Salmon sandwich that was too dry! The side of fruit had an off putting syrupy taste." The potato skin appetizer was a sloppy and soggy mess - all cheese (3/4 of which was on the plate rather than the potato skins themselves) with fewer bits of bacon than you could count on one hand ... With a side of sour cream in basically a flimsy disposable clear plastic shot glass. If my family suggests this place again, I will have to say absolutely not! This place needs to get it together!
(2)Mariesa E.
I love love love this beer garden. Sitting on the roof or just on the patio is such a great experience on a beautiful night. Perfect date night location. I wouldn't come here to sit inside, but sitting outside has always been a favorite for me.
(5)Donna C.
Okay, so we are a follower of Chicago Best show on WGN and it hardly ever disappoints. After traveling from Buffalo Grove, I am so happy that this place lived up to the hype. It was delicious. The staff is very friendly and down to earth. The beer list is like nothing I've ever seen before. I chose the pilsner urquell which was amazing. The burgers have an amazing char which deepens the taste. It is tender and cooked to perfection. I wasn't crazy about the fries, I think I got some that weren't exactly freshly cooked but they looked like that could be delicious is right out of the fryer. The onions rings looked amazing and I wish I had known that before ordering, definitely would have gotten them. There are a tons of things on the menu and I saw many of them while cruising through the place. There were no idle tables, so kudos to the staff to be efficient. Wish I lived I closer because this would be a tried and true regular spot for me...
(5)P K.
5 stars for the waitress 5 stars for the patio 3 stars for food 0 stars for management responsible for ordering BEER at the Beer Garden. How does a Beer Garden run out of beer on Saturday afternoon? I ordered a Summer Shandy, my boyfriend ordered something else, can't remember. Waitress comes back and tells us they tapped out last night. OK, so we ordered a different beer, when we were ready for another, she told us the bartender only had one left. OK, so my boyfriend ordered something else and I asked for the same. Well, when she got back that one was sold out too. I can almost understand if it was a Sunday, but to run out of the 3 beers we ordered (who know what else they were out of) during the day on a Saturday is unacceptable. Food was alright, good portions. Waitress was great. Patio was awesome.
(1)Fabi G.
Pleasantly surprised with the beer list which is amazing, beer lovers paradise. Had the notches for an appetizer and a burger which were pretty good but everything on the menu is your typical bar food nothing spectacular. This place could definitely use a facelift unless they want to be stuck in the 70s. Overall a pretty casual have a beer watch a game kind of place.
(2)Chris S.
For years I've been coming here. When my friends are like, "Wair shud we eet?", my stupid face is all like, "Maebee wee shud goe too Paulmurz Playse" from time to time. And every time I come here, the experience is the same. I go in, all excited to see lots of sports and people enjoying themselves, and I get my hopes up! "Maybe this will be great!", I say, ignorant of the future. We usually have pretty good service and the TV's are nice for viewing, but my god, every item I've ordered here is awful. The burgers are flavorless and cooked incorrectly each and every time. The chicken strips (how do you screw this up, I pray you?) are a soggy crime against nature. Sandwiches are nothing special and are not worth the price. They somehow trick me every time. Today I vow to never go back here. I can feel my entire life turning around. Best Part: they have green river. Super legit. Also, the beer garden is nice, but usually packed.
(1)Foodie A.
A place for everyone's brew palate. They have over 100 ales to choose from. Build your own flight. Each small glass is $2.50 each. You have a choice of four ales or ciders. It's a great way to taste there ales. I had the brat with home made coleslaw. Excellent! I didn't feel like eating bread so I ate around it. The brat is topped with sauerkraut and onions. I would request just the sauerkraut because the onions looked a little slimy. And what's worse then slimy onions slithering down your throat. My friend had a deli sandwich which was very good. Beer Beer Beer Beer! Go thirsty leave full.
(4)Toni B.
A bit different then I expected but the food is delicious!!!!!!! And their portions and prices are great as well! My girlfriend and I came here for dinner before going to Bottles and Bottega. We walked in and honestly I felt like we went in the wrong door, lol. As a check in offer we got a free appetizer and ordered the mozzarella sticks...Ive never gotten so many mozz sticks!!!! Yummo!!!! My girlfriend ordered a chicken sandwich and I ordered a garden (veggie) burger, which was very tasty! The fries and delicious as well! They have a great beer selection, as well as mixed drinks and wines. I would definitely check this place out again if Im in the area and try some of their beers. Their burger selection is huge, so if you are a burger and beer fan, this is definitely your spot!
(4)Christina C.
I went to a bar close by this place and was so disappointed in the service that I decided to try out this place... Maybe attempt to lift my spirits up. It was late, and I was complaining, like usual, to my boyfriend about life.. So what's better than a good beer? I go in and sit down at the bar and me and my boyfriend had just moved here from the West Coast so I wasn't used to this weather. The bartender was SO friendly and welcoming and I couldn't have asked for a better person to have talked to us. He welcomed us to the town and also gave us some tasty beers! Although I can't quite remember his name, he was definitely one of the best bartenders I've ever encountered and I can't wait to go back for another drink (:
(5)Rachael Z.
I've been to Palmer Place more times than I can count, and on nearly every occasion, the food, service and atmosphere have been great. However, there have been a few times that I was disappointed - the salads aren't that great, and there are some less-than-nice servers. Lastly - come prepared to wait if it's the summer time. This place fills up VERY quickly due to the awesome location and patio. If you're coming here and don't know what to order - get a burger. It takes up an entire page! So many to choose from! You won't be disappointed. Really, just don't get a salad and you won't be, but literally, the burgers are the best in the area. Oh, and get a craft brew. Or three. There's even more of those to choose from. This is a great summer spot!!
(4)Kate C.
Never order a turkey burger here. I can say with 100% confidence that it was the worst thing I ever ate. I almost sent it back to the kitchen but our waitress was so nice I did not want to punish her. I think you guys might want to at least upgrade your turkey patties to walmart brand if you want to compete against any of the other burger places that give us non red meat eaters tasty options. Soooooooo dissapointed. Friendly staff though. I'll give you that
(1)Jo R.
Palmer Place is located in downtown La Grange, where there are many restaurant options. Parking is limited. Diners may use the parking garage, or search for street parking. There were plenty of spaces at the top of the parking garage Thursday afternoon. However, I imagine there are much fewer options on a Friday or Saturday night. Inside, Palmer Place resembles an old Irish pub. I saw an Irish flag and lots of Chicago Cubs pictures. Also, diners seat themselves. When we arrived at this odd hour, the server detected us right away. We ordered drinks from the extensive beer menu -- that had no prices listed. While the server was getting the beers, I checked in and received a free appetizer check-in deal. Check-in deals definitely score points with me. We applied the check-in deal towards an order of Mexican egg rolls. Unique dishes, like Mexican egg rolls, also tend to score points. The egg rolls had a crispy coating and reminded me of breakfast burritos. They were packed with chicken, cheese, onions, and peppers. In size, I would estimate they were about 3 inches long. We received two for a table of three. Along with the huge beer menu, Palmer Place is also known for hamburgers. See the back page of the menu for the wide variety. I chose the Bootlegger burger. It was served on a fresh, doughy Brioche bun. What separates the Bootlegger from the other options is the sweet bourbon sauce and onion strings. I did not need any ketchup or mustard on this burger. The meat had a nice smoky taste which combined great with the bourbon sauce. I also enjoyed having the onion strings on the burger. It was like getting two sides for the price of one! Speaking of sides, that was my one criticism. The French Fries were lukewarm and tasted like warmed over cafeteria fries. Another diner at my table agreed with that assessment. The other diner ordered potato salad for her side and remarked that it was tasteless. It seems sides is one area Palmer Place needs to improve. To sum up, Palmer Place has a great selection of burgers and beers. Come on an empty stomach. You will leave stuffed. Having to park far may be a blessing. You will want to walk off your heavy meal!
(4)E M B.
2 stars for food 4 stars for patio Great spot to have some drinks outside in the burbs. Patio could use some TVs as the sound from sporting events is played outside but there aren't any TVs which is odd. Food is just mediocre - way too big of a menu so the food is just average, burgers nothing special. Go for the beer garden, eat at Q or Nicksons.
(2)Mary G.
Palmers is a great place to hang, especially if its summer and the beirgarten is open. That being said their food is not good. Their menu is huge which makes me think that most of it must be frozen. Their burgers are just OK for being called "award winning". And to top it all off its not cheap to eat or drink there. Stop here for a beer, but dont waste your money on the food.
(2)Yessy S.
It's not the best restaurant even for a bar restaurant. I ordered half a slab of ribs that were for the majority seared then probably cooked in the oven. The side of fries and barbecue tasted much better than the rib entree. I do not drink and so maybe the atmosphere for those that do is far more pleasant but the food does not cut it for me.
(2)Cheryl V.
We wanted to sit outside, there's a beer garden, that's the primary reason we went here. Not because of the food, because I'm a vegetarian and this is a big ol' burger place. We were convinced while perusing the menu at the door that they had a vegetarian burger that could be customized with any of the non-meat toppings, cool! We arrived around 2pm on a Friday so it was pretty empty outside, maybe 4 other tables. We changed our mind about where we were seated and were told by our waitress that it wouldn't be a problem, so we moved. As we're enjoying the view on this first bright and sunny day of the summer, another waitress comes by and makes us move BACK to where we were sitting, like we were a couple of scolded kids. Well, in hindsight we should have left then...it was a sign. For a place with like 20 different burgers on the menu you'd think they'd TOAST A BUN!!!!! NO they slap some cold bread on your already lukewarm burger. At least that's the way mine was served. I ordered the Veggie Burger combined with the toppings from the Confetti Burger which was supposed to be this: Veggie Burger meatless burger made with mushrooms, onions, rolled oats, brown rice, bulgur wheat and natural seasonings. Served on a whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle Toppings from Confetti Burger white cheddar cheese, grilled onions and lots of sautéed red and green peppers My plate never saw lettuce, tomato, onion or pickle, the "burger" came with a "sprinkling", and I mean a "sprinkling" or perhaps a "dusting" of shredded... what looked to be Parmesan cheese and no onions. When I sent it back....yes, I sent it back because the bun was COLD and so was the "burger". It came back with onions, a warmer "burger" and still none of the other condiments listed. The fries were even sub par. Eighty dollars later and I left hungry because my appetite was spoiled from waiting and just frustration. When I worked tables back in the day, if someone sent something back, the manager would come out and talk to you. This manager is definitely not up on his game in regard to customer service. Yes, more people are eating healthier these days, so if you're going to offer a veggie burger, make it great! And give it flavor, I can buy a Boca burger anytime at whole foods and not pay $11 for the privilege! Don't serve soggy onions, green and red peppers on a cold bun; make it look as if you give a damn about the customers and the food you serve!
(1)Julie O.
Not a place that I plan to go back to. Too many other options in the area. We met a group here for an after work drink and some appetizers. We wanted to sit in the bar but were told groups could not sit in the bar because we would need two waitreses and that would not be possible. Odd, as there were just 10 of us. Also odd, that we needed to be seated in a bar. The beer list is impresssive.The food? I've had better at Chilis. The wings were inedible, the nachos were maybe okay, the sampler was small. Server was nice but not very energetic.
(2)Rolly Z.
I reviewed Palmer's 4 years ago and to this day they still have a great beer menu and great food. However, after dropping $170 on drinks and dinner this past Saturday, I may not be back because of some of the staff they have there. My party of 7 sat outside in the biergarten and we had our kids sitting at a table together and us adults at another since each table only sat 4 people. The guy seating guests kept eyeballing the kids then us. We called him over asking if it was a problem if the kids were sitting there, his reply "Not yet, I'll let you know if we get busy and need the table" REALLY!!! We then asked what the resolution to this problem of his would be. He said he would think about it and let us know. WOW! So if we sat with our kids and our friends sat with their kids, would it be an issue at all? The guy really put a damper to our evening there. So we decided to leave and continue having drinks and dessert elsewhere. Some people just should not be working in the service industry. So in conclusion, if you go with only adults, great place. If you plan on going with the family, make sure your kids sit with you at your table. Otherwise you will feel unwelcome.
(2)Jessica R.
Great food & great service!!!! They're always busy yet the staff is always upbeat & attentive. The taste, temperature (never had a cold meal), portion & quality is very consistent... haven't had a bad experience in the 4 years I've been eating there (very often).
(5)Jackie B.
We absolutely love Palmers! its been a staple in our hometown for quite some time. From summer sitting on the patio drinking beers to winter time chowing on chili...Palmers is always wonderful. We have great service and both Phil & Steve Palmer are WONDERFUL to chat with. The beer list is insanely large--- always fun to try something new!
(5)Morgan V.
I was here earlier tonight dining with a friend. The food was okay - could've been better. At the end when I got my check, I realized I had forgotten my debit card at home and I had no cash on me. Luckily, my friend had enough cash to cover the bill - but we were short $5. The waitress was snarky and told us that one of us had to stay while the other went to go get the debit card ... I live 45 minutes away. When I explained this to her and asked if I could leave my ID and come back tomorrow with the money, she said it was a security risk and that the restaurant doesn't allow it. The waitress offered no help and was rude to us the whole night. Finally a friend came to help with seriously a $5 bill and we gave the waitress the cash. She counted the money in front of us to make sure that we gave her the correct amount and after that she looked at us and said "okay bye". I am never going back to this place again, they were completely rude and my whole night was ruined due to the negative attitude all over $5 that I was going to come back and pay tomorrow. I don't know why I decided to give this place a try, usually I go to Al's Char House down the street and now I know that whenever I go out for steak or a burger to go to Al's. What a difference!
(1)Jennifer M.
Friends recommended this place so we all decided to go for dinner. Well this is the last time i come here. The food and drinks were great but the customer service was awful. Our waitress named eliza was rude and inconsiderate. After finishing our meal we were at the table chatting and she asked us if we were done and what we were doing because we had not ordered anything in awhile. Then when our check came she said the only way she would split the check is if we did it ourselves snd she would come back to collect everything. Inbetween our meal and drinks she took at least 20mins to check on us and ask us if we would like another drink or dessert. We finally talked to the manager, but i do not recommend her as a waitress. Best of all after we were speakingbto the manager she went to another table of customers and blurted out that our table hated her. Im sorry but the comments that she made to us and others around us will never get me to step foot in there again. Beware of this waitress. She did not receive a tip from us!
(2)Lori L.
Rude waitress. Asked if you could get the fried green beans as a side she said no so I said it's ok I don't want them. She did not listen and still brought them out and had an attitude when I said I told her I didn't want them unless I could get them as a side. Rude and unfriendly not worth your time. Unfortunate because this place used to be really great.
(1)Bruno D.
I love this place. Great beer selection. Food is pretty good. Burgers are your best bet. Staff and peeps there are best. Ive been there for St. Patrick's Day and it is really a good time.
(4)Kevin H.
Great place for a burger and beer. Terrific beer selection both on tap and bottles. I prefer to sit in the back and in the beer garden in the summer. Good service. Will be back next time in LaGrange.
(4)Jessie Z.
Great food, great beer, great atmosphere (especially in summer on the patios).
(5)Stacy R.
I love the beer selection! The burgers are pretty good and so is the fish and chips. I also like the bacon wrapped dates. I enjoy the outside seating in the summer and always feel relaxed sitting under an umbrella sipping a new beer. This is the place to bring people who like to try a new beer, I am never unhappy with the food, the service is great and there are so many beers, I try a different one every time I come here!
(4)Kathleen O.
It's been a hot minute since I have been to Palmer Place, but growing up, it was my jam. The patio is great during the blazing hot summer days when you try to work on your ginger burns while sipping on a nice cold beer or lemonade. Oh man, nothing is more relaxing than a patio and a cold drink! The food is also tasty and well worth the wait. Typically there is a wait... and if you enjoy the patio as much as I do, you have to be willing to wait a little longer than the inside seating. Palmer's has two levels of outdoor seating (rooftop and ground levels) and a large interior section as well. The inside is very dark and can use a little remodeling in my opinion, so I haven't eaten inside besides when there has been snow on the ground. Sometimes the service can be extremely slow, but I can also say I've had some pretty great servers her as well. It may all just depend on how slammed they are. Overall, Palmer Place is a pretty nice staple in Downtown LaGrange.
(4)Patrick N.
Great place!! I've been coming here for years for their burgers and their wings. Their burgers are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! The WHOLE LAST PAGE of the menu is FULL of fantastic burger choices!! To each their own; so come and find yours! They've got me and my girlfriend HOOKED on the Bootlegger Burger that goes great with a Flip Side beer!
(5)Lisa D.
Haven't been to Palmers in a long time and stopped by tonight because my husband and i had a taste for a good burger. The host was super friendly and at first we thought we'd be having a great experience..... we ordered the pretzel bites, wagu burger, Tuscan burger and for drinks we had the redhead martini, watermelon martini and blackened voodoo ale. The bill total was $75 incliding tip. The grill smell was amazing but the burgers were average. The two martinis tasted the same. The beer selection was huge. But the service was very poor. When we arrived it was relatively uncrowded but the wait times to order and receive the food were terrible. The food was cold when it arrived. Very sad to say it will probably be a long time before we're back again.
(2)Michele S.
Met some old work friends in the "biergarten" on a beautiful Friday summer evening. The outdoor space is gorgeous, except for the crayon writing on the bricks from the kiddos (I assume). Kinda made me cringe, because if that were my house, I'd be screaming. The beer list is awesome. I had a very hard time deciding. I ended up selecting the Saugatuck Singapore IPA, which was a great choice. For dinner, a friend and I split the corned beef club. It was so good I was disappointed I split the dinner. The corned beef was so tender it practically melt in my mouth. That is something that is hard to come by. I was disappointed in the amount of staff that were working on such a busy night. Our poor waitress, who was GREAT, just looked like she was being run ragged. I can only hope she got some stellar tips for all her effort. One thing I don't understand is why there were so many whiney, crying kids there. Why do people take their kids to a beer garden? I can't enjoy my stay when I'm listening to screaming and crying, and it was coming at us from every angle. Unfortunately, I couldn't give a higher mark than a 3 because of it. There were so many unhappy children there that it really ruined an otherwise lovely evening.
(3)Dana R.
Easily the best place to get a beer in the western/southwestern burbs. In the summertime, the patio and rooftop patio are fantastic places to sit with friends and enjoy lunch and a few drinks. In the winter, they set up a large tent so that they can still accommodate a large amount of patrons and aside from what you would think, hanging out in a heated tent, is really not that bad when you consider the extensive beer and wine list that they have, coupled with what I feel is better than average pub food. I have never sat in the front room and had a proper sit-down dinner so I cannot speak intelligently as to the food or atmosphere there, but when I've come into the place off of the La Grange Rd. side, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves so it can't be much worse than the rest of the place that is fantastic. Again, the beer list is by far the most extensive list I've seen, maybe in all of the suburbs, and top 5 in the entire chicagoloand area. They have a great party for St. Patrick's Day and have other random festivities throughout the year that are worth checking out. Definite thumbs up!
(5)Sarah S.
So the beer list is humongous. Lots of outdoor seating in warmer months, outside always packed. The bad: dry burgers, slow service. Good: beer, tv's, sandwiches, the baked french onion soup, comfortable, very family friendly, great for kids. -Just seems like the kitchen can't keep up when it's busy. Overall a great place.
(4)Davorka Z.
Typically I love it here and have a good experience. But for some reason every time I bring my parents here we have terrible service. For example today, I happened to log on to yelp and saw there was a free appetizer when you check in. When I did it I noticed the offer had "expired". I told my waitress that was deceiving and she told me she didn't have control. She then came back and told me the manager would not take it because the owner would be back tomorrow to take it off yelp. Really??? I can pay for the meal but that's really not the point. So, when I brought my mom here on mother's day she had a bad experience. Today we brought my dad for father's day and again bad experience. Really reconsidering my loyalty to this establishment.
(2)Tracy V.
Even though they are known for their burgers (which are delicious), I usually order the chicken breast sandwich. I love it! The food is great, you can pretty much get any kind of beer you want (might not be super cold...) Prices are fair, but don't go if you are on a limited timed schedule. Have missed the beginning of a movie twice due to the slow service.
(4)Jer B.
Came here with friends for my birthday. The food was amazing. I loved the atmosphere. The service was kinda slow though. Other than that...5 stars!
(5)Michelle B.
Amazing beer list and a cool environment. The food was delicious. The only downside was there was nobody at the door to greet and get a table. Once seated, the service was excellent.
(4)Lauren S.
I used to frequent Palmers because--hello!--kickass patio space and great beer list and burgers. But that's about where it ends. My past couple experiences here haven't been the greatest. My boyfriend and I used to go there after work (we wait tables and sometimes don't get out til 10 or 11) and the kitchen isn't supposed to close until midnight during the week. Well, a couple months ago we got there at 11:15 and they had already closed the kitchen! I'm sorry if you're slow, but if you have late kitchen hours--you have GOT to keep them. It's so hard to find someplace to eat out when you get out of work that late at night. After that, we just started going to Harry's because they of course never close their kitchen early. Then, a couple weeks ago, it was a great summer night and I had a real hankering for their three-cheese mushroom burger. So we headed over, got there about 10:30, and were told that it was okay to sit on the patio. Well, apparently the girl waiting on us didn't agree, as she came over, almost slammed the silverware on the table, and asked what we wanted to drink. Look, I wait tables, I know it's a pain in the ass to get late ones. But--your kitchen closes at 12. Where are you rushing off to? Anyway, she brought our drinks, and took our order. Was kind of short with us and not very friendly at all. During the time we were waiting on our food, I witnessed two occasions where another table would sit on the patio, and our waitress would be standing in the corner rolling her eyes and being all huffy. Again--I KNOW it's a pain in the ass to get late tables, especially if maybe you were slow and thought you would get cut--BUT YOU DON'T EVER LET CUSTOMERS SEE YOU DO THAT! At this point I was getting uncomfortable because clearly she did not want to be there--or to be waiting on us. So I get my burger. Supposed to come with mushrooms and muenster, provolone, and cheddar. Instead of those cheeses, there is crumbled bleu cheese on it--YEUCH. So she drops off the burgers and doesn't even really ask if we needed anything else, as I'm curiously looking at my burger she walks away. So of course I don't touch it. To her credit, she did check back within two minutes, but I was really dreading having to tell her my burger was wrong cause I knew I was gonna get the behind-the-back-eyeroll. So of course I get the argument--"I thought you ordered the bleu cheese bacon burger?" Okay--I don't like bleu cheese OR bacon (yes, kill me now) so why would I order that?! And why were there mushrooms instead of bacon, if I said bacon? Then of course I get the "whatever you say, stupid girl" look and she takes the burger back to be fixed. Comes back out (as I predicted) with barely-melted cheese and still some bits of bleu cheese on it (I knew they were just going to wipe it off and throw it back on the grill for a minute). Okay, thanks lady. So at this point my boyfriend and I are just annoyed, and all I want to do is finish my burger and get the hell out of there. We're the kind of people who will leave $10 on a $25 tab, but this girl was lucky she got 15% from us. Looking back, I should have spoken to a manager, but at the same time, they should have come out with the re-done burger, or at least afterwards to check if everything was okay. Never going back. There's plenty of other patios in this area. I won't miss it.
(2)Melanie I.
I enjoy sitting on the beer garden with a drink. Not a fan of the inside restaurant theme and feel. Food is ok. Nothing special. Beer selection is giant but I can't even tell you the number of times that the beer you choose is not available. Luckily, there are more than enough to choose from.
(3)Al M.
Great beer menu. Terrible food. Maybe we caught them on a bad day. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and the bread was not fresh and on the verge of stale. My wife had corned beef. Bread was stale and overall bland. I am a big eater and part of the "clean plate club". For me to leave food on the plate says lot. Nice enough outdoor seating and average wait staff. Go for drinks, avoid the food.
(2)Matt G.
Has a beer garden , u can do better . Bar indoors is awful. Lots of burgers just alright. Thank God we now have a choice in La Grange.
(2)Nichole C.
Fellow yelpers Stacey K., Maureen M., and I went here after a brew at The Wild Monk. The poutine...my delicious, delicious, perfect poutine is off of the menu there so we couldn't possibly stay (Wild Monk, you may have lost me forever)...but I digress. We walked down the street to a place that I am ashamed I was not aware of for two reasons: craft beer and burgers. How have I not been here before? Needless to say, I made up for lost time by drinking a paddle flight (THEY HAVE PADDLE FLIGHTS!) of: Hopothesis IPA, New Belgium's Red Hoptober, Solemn Oath's Snaggletooth Bandanna, and Lagunitas Fusion 8.) The Snaggletooth Bandanna was the fave of the bunch. Plus, I really feel like that could be the new "Zoooooweeee Mama!" as the butt of all my stupid jokes and as an awkward conversation filler. (If you don't know about Diary of a Wimpy Kid jokes, now you know. You're welcome.) My friends ordered a paddle too, but damned if I remember all the beers they tried. We also grabbed some burgers to go with our beers, naturally. I wanted to get the ostrich burger just because, well, there WAS an ostrich burger on the menu and I don't see that very often, but alas, it was changed to bison. Meh. I went with a Build Your Own Burger and it was fantastic. I got a perfectly cooked medium charred burger with creamy crumbled melty bleu cheese and pepper jack to give it some spice. I also added some bacon and egg to my creation and topped it off with a brioche bun. PERFECT. Overall: Good beer, good burgers, good times.
(4)Bill B.
tried and true one of the first places to be a beer emporium .Food menu items are always right on and staff is friendly even when its the busiest Lots of beer choices
(4)Try4Gold ..
Terrible food...the WORST food I've seen and eaten in a long long time. Buffalo chicken sandwich is a chicken nugget stripped of its breading and sparely covered with watery sauce. OVER PRICED hamburger you can get from McDonalds...5 Guys crushes this dump.
(1)Jenny R.
My dad and I were walking around Downtown LaGrange today looking for a lunch spot. We encountered this place and I remembered the name when a friend said her uncle owned it. We decided to give it a try, and all I can say is that we won't be back. The service is HORRIBLE. Three middle-aged guys walked in a good 10 minutes after us and somehow got their orders taken before us. We waited nearly 20 minutes before our waitress finally came to take our order - no smiles or apology for waiting. It was another 25 minutes before we got our food, and when we finally got it, my dad's steak sandwich and my chicken pita were less than stellar. The supposed 'guacamole' on top of my pita looked like a pile of green goop resembling green sour cream. Yuck! This place is an F in my book.
(1)Luis B.
Beer and burgers. That's a great American combination. They have plenty of both at the Palmer Place. I've conquered 5 or 6 of their burgers and I'm not even halfway! But I've got time. This place employs the friendliest and most helpful staff. I've never had any problems with Palmer Place's service. If you like to drink, come and take a look at their massive beer list. You can take a nice trip around the beer-world here if you wish. If you want a suggestion, try their potato skins. They're the best I've ever had. If you just want to drink, they have a HUGE beer garden that can accomodate huge parties. Do you want to have a good time and eat some great food? Try the Palmer Place, thank me later.
(4)Suzanne Z.
Palmer place has been a favorite of mine since childhood. I appreciate it more now since I am of age and they have such a huge beer selection. I'm picky about beers but there is something for everyone plus over 35 on tap. Burgers are great... Making my way around the big selection. Try their award winning burger... Amazing! One thing that's really great too is that this is probably the only place with outdoor seating that's not on busy Lagrange road. And lots of it! Great for families, friends or a date.
(5)Maria G.
Burgers!!!! They have a great selection of burgers here and all the ones that I've tried have been deelliicciioouuss!!! Fresh, nicely cooked burger with awesome combinations. This last trip I tried the "Berlin Burger". Pretzel bun with sauerkraut, smoky cheddar and bacon. Really great tasting burger that I keep thinking about! They also have tasty onion rings, potato skins and some decent wings and HUGE beer list. The interior is pretty "meh" but do head back to the biergarten and enjoy your meal.
(4)Kristen E.
This is my favorite place to go during the summer. We love sitting in the Biergarten to eat on a nice day. It's usually pretty busy on nights and weekends! They have a large menu, lots of beers and cocktails and I've never had a bad meal here. If it's busy outside, it's harder to get the attention of your waitress but I'd say that good comes out within a reasonable amount of time. We are rarely in a hurry when we eat here so it's a nice leisurely place.
(5)Kristy S.
Food is always consistent, and with a bazillion beer offerings, won't walk away hungry or thirsty...bathroom is rather latrine smelly, and tp everywhere, yuck. Service was great, except when you want the bill...tick tock. Third time I've had to chase down my waitress for a bill, but if you enjoy kicking back and in no rush, sit in the bier garden!
(4)Andrew S.
Best beer garden in the area, but the food is virtually inedible.
(1)Bill B.
Gotta love Palmer's, especially in the summertime. I'd give the food 4 stars, the service 5 stars. The burgers get 4 1/2 stars. Many different beers to choose from but almost too many imports. Would love to see Bud Light or Coors Light draft for those of us trying to balance our love of draft beer with watching the waistline. Steve is a great guy and always makes you feel welcome. But the lock on the 5 stars is the beer garden. On a nice summer evening there are few better places to grab a meal and enjoy a drink or two. And they have a pretty good kids menu for the little ones.
(5)Matt B.
Huge beer menu! Huge burger menu! If those 2 things excite you, head over to Palmer Place. The beer menu is several pages long and just the draft list if 2 pages long. They have a great variety of beers, especially micro brews from the area and across the country. The burger menu is almost equally impressive, it takes up the entire back page of the menu. The burger was good, but not as good as I was hoping it would be. I ordered it medium rare and there wasn't an ounce of pink on it, but it was still a decent burger. Fries were coldish and left a lot to be desired. The other people at the table had onion rings and were remarking how great they were, so that's probably the way to go. Service was okay, not spectacular, but not horrible either. They have 2 huge outdoor seating areas, unfortunately it was raining when we were there, so we had to sit inside. If you go, I suggest sitting outside as the inside is kind of blah. What's strange is that it's a bar, but the seating is all low tables and booths, not the more standard high tables for a bar. In conclusion a very average bar and average food with an excellent beer menu and awesome outdoor seating areas.
(3)Dave S.
In the four years since I wrote my first review of Palmer's the food quality has fallen considerably. In the same four years many great restaurants have opened in La Grange so now we only go to Palmer's if we want to sit outside and have a beer. Where we once went to Palmer's at least twice a month year around now we go once every couple of months. To say that we are disappointed would be an understatement.
(2)Rose Emma M.
This is my first review on Yelp. I must say this place is a wonderful summer hangout. I went with a group of friends and we really enjoyed the outside Patio. Great beer selection. I will be going back.
(4)Brian D.
Slow service, we had to beg to check out. Food is better from the supermarket and cooked at home. No need to stop here again.
(2)Mary G.
Awesome! Lots of variety in the menu and a great beer menu. The kobe burger is wonderful and so are the fries. The patio is very nice and definitely baby-friendly. I would definitely go back.
(4)Mskoolkat007 N.
Great place for family night, parties, hang outs. Beer garden large selection of drinks. The food is so great burgers are super juicy, well cooked many different types. The chicken pita is amazing. Vegan no problem they have options. Affordable and great experience you will have. This is def the place I will keep on coming back to.
(5)Michael S.
Ostrich burger and inferno burger were the entrees we got. Ostrich was decent and did taste just like beef to me. Gf's inferno was pretty good as well, but not spicy at all. For me, the burgers were pretty good and okay for the price. Beer selection and specials were very good though.
(3)Bart K.
While this place might be a great place to drink if you are a beer drinker. With over 100 different bottles, the food lacks in comparison. I use yelp to find most of my places when I'm up in the air on what I'm going to eat. But today I cross over into active user to warn people of the food. I had the liver and onions (who orders that anyways), but if its on your menu, I presumably would think you know how to cook it. Boy was I wrong!! The liver was about 5 days past its prime. My appetizer was not far behind it. I don't think I would ever go back for the food....but if you like beer, they really can't mess that up. This is a decent spot for that.
(3)Alisa M.
decent burgers, good fries, food comes out fast, and good service. We tried the ostrich burger. My boyfriend said that it tastes just like beef and you can't even tell it's ostrich. I ordered the inferno burger. It was not as hot as I had hoped. They give you salsa on the side, which makes it a bit spicy, but nothing like I imagined, even with the jalapeno jack cheese. Maybe they could put jalapenos on top of the burger too along with the salsa and other goodies. Burgers are HUGE and you can customize it. For my inferno burger, I had them put it on a pretzel bun and added sauteed mushrooms. They are not stingy with the mushrooms! Unlike other places, they don't charge you extra for making changes to the order. We also tried their spinach artichoke appetizer. If you check-in on yelp, you get a free app. up to $8, which was pretty nice. The spinach artichoke was really good. They give you a good amount, it comes out fast with pita bread. They have an extensive beer and burger selection. Food: Above Par Service: Good Price: Reasonable Note: This place serves RC products.
(3)Jeffery S.
Palmer Place used to be one of my favorite places. I haven't come here lately as downtown La Grange is becoming some major hangout for people who need to be seen and I really don't care who sees me or not. But yesterday was such a beautiful day, so snuck out of work and asked a freind to join me here for lunch. We sat ourselves in the outdoor patio which is great for days like these. Eventually we were given a menu and waitress took our drink order. As advertised, they have this huge selection of beers from just about everywhere. I was not in the mood for beer so I had water. Originally I asked for Diet Coke but the waitress said, "no Coke, just RC or Diet Rite". The menu is pretty large and have all sorts of meat, salad and appetizer dishes. Heavy emphasis on burgers and fried appetizers. Salads looked good from a distance and appeared to be quite huge. I ordered the Greek Pita Burger and my companion ordered a sirloin steak pita. After a loooonnnng wait, the food arrived. The excellent reputation this establishment has for good burgers was well deserved. The burger was excellent. The burger was a half a pound in size. Ususally one that size, I eat half and save the rest for later, but in this case I scarfed down the whole thing. Burger came with cole slaw which was kind of dry and nothing to write home about. My companion did not have so good an experience. She said her meat was over cooked to the point where it was almost burnt. Plus they brought her cole slaw instead of fresh fruit. When she pointed it out, the fruit came about 20 minutes later and was just a lame collection of orange slices and honeydew melon. Another long wait to get the check. When I tried to pay by credit card, I was told the "machine" was broken but I could get cash from the ATM. Gee thanks honey, I'm glad I didn't ring up a big honking liquor bill. I hope this experience was the exception rather than the rule. A good burger and a big beer menu will not overcome sloppy service.
(2)Chris M.
My girlfriend took me her because she wanted to take me somewhere that fits my style. I'm a European born in Chicago who loves beer and nice hearty meals like my mom makes. She was right! We came on a Saturday at 5:30pm to get a table in the beer garden with no wait. The beer menu is double sided with options from all over the world; draft, bottles, & cans. It would have been super to get some advice on the top/best/popular beers from our waitress, but that didn't happen. Oh well, so I started with the mini-4 draft beer sampler, then some canned beer from CO. My girl had some strawberry beer from the UK, she liked that. To eat I had the breakfast burger, it's topped with a sunny side up egg. So good. I had a few fries, then left to have some ice cream at a small family owned joint with kids hula-hooping a couple blocks away.
(4)Jessica H.
Come here if you're looking to sit outside and grab a few beers and maybe some apps. Do not come here if you're looking for a good meal. Palmer's has a crazy beer list and I think that is what keeps bringing the crowds in. That, and their awesome outdoor patio in the back of the restaurant. The food here is average, at best. The burgers are just okay and I never feel like anything is very fresh. For example, the last time here we ordered a veggie platter and the bell peppers were moldy. We will continue to come here every once in a while because my husband loves craft beer and the patio is lovely, but that's really about it.
(3)Dorotka K.
Nice place to enjoy a casual dinner and drinks. Not much of a "bar" scene going on here- don't expect to run into Prince Charming. Lots of families and friends just hanging out. Palmer's is huge- it has two levels and a large beer garden. The beer selection was extensive, but unfortunately for me, I do not drink beer. Thankfully, they also had a decent selection of wine and prissy drinks. I sampled two different martinis and they were fairly tasty - nothing that would blow my mind, but strong enough to make me think of the world as a better place.
(4)Jules H.
Great friendly restaurant with a huge menu of bar fare. Burgers, like a whole page of them! A beer menu with it's own dewey decimal system. My check-in here got us a free appetizer. The fried green beans with wasabi were delicious. Our server was outstanding! Greeted us promptly, explained a big menu and took great care of us. TV's aplenty here, great place to catch a black hawks game. The beer list here is the be all and end all. The food is so-so, the service is great, and well ok, they have 672 beers to pick from. And a suuuhweet outdoor area.
(4)Jack F.
Had a turkey club. They're known for their burgers, but the turkey club is humongous and delicious. Felt like it clogged my arteries less. Was great!
(5)Eh W.
We had an enjoyable evening here, due in part to the large volumes of beer we consumed in the biergarten, which happened to be lovely that evening, and also in part to the excellent company we shared. However, I would not give too much credit to this particular establishment because the staff seemed disorganized and the drink menu, though ample, lacked pricing. Given that the price of an item factors into my interest in consuming it, it's bizarre to expect customers to place their orders solely based on taste. My husband had to ask the server the price of every beer and she didn't even know! ("Somewhere between $3.00-$5.50"). I don't consider this her fault since it's ridiculous to expect a server to know the exact price of every drink on the menu, but rather the fault of the owners for not making this critical information available to their customers.
(2)David B.
As someone who grew up in LaGrange, Palmer's is an institution. Their beer selection is just immense and their food is great. Service is always pretty good although getting a seat especially in the summer can be difficult especially on the weekends. The beergarden is easily when of the best in the entire Chicagoland area. Prices are OK for food but can be a bit steep depending on what you drink.
(4)R J.
Lunch today- always good food and typically good service. Their chili is tasty and meat, albeit a bit small for both the cup or bowl. (Bowl is cup sized.... Cup is.... Tiny) Have been here dozens of times but first review. (Yay for mobile reviews... Finally) Can always get a table, even on busy Fri/Sat nights. Beer selection is beyond imagination. Literally 100's to choose.
(4)Craig S.
I like me a place with a good beer selection, and this place meets that criteria. The food is fine. I can't say I found it memorable, which means I wasn't blown away, nor was I disappointed. I will say I remember the beer more than the food. We've eaten here a few times, I need to go back and experience the beer garden.
(3)Antaash U.
Palmer's is a neighborhood staple in Downtown LaGrange and has been a part of the community for as long as I can remember. I think they've been around since 1983 and with businesses coming and going on LaGrange Ave, this fact signifies that they must be doing something right. Though Palmer's is a pub well known for it's extensive beer selection (they do beer flights that are presented on a paddle!), the menu offers solid American fare. Their burger selection is overwhelming because there are so many combinations ( I think I counted 30 the last time I was there). They also have a plethora of other types of sandwiches, salads, soups, and entrees which ensure you'll find something whether you're carnivorous or vegetarian that will hit the spot. If you are here when the weather is cooperating, the outdoor seating in the back is wonderful and takes up the casual dining experience up a notch. I gave Palmer's a solid 4 stars, because though it's nothing fancy they have a wonderful menu, warm and inviting ambiance and an attentive wait staff.
(4)Alexandra S.
I've been going to palmers since I was young and it was always good. But lately not so much. Today however, it was ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! Our server, carol, was a sweet girl....but honestly serving isn't her thing. I understand everyone has bad days and bad tables, I work in restaurants as well. But this was beyond a bad day. This was just horrible. Other than the 2 times I had to wave someone down to go get her, she came to our table twice. We asked for a minute to look at the drink menu, 20 minutes later she came back. Then after 15 minutes we got our drinks and then another 20 for ya to get her back over so we could order food, she was more interested in what was going on inside than her tables. Whoever trained her did an awful job. Palmers needs to step up their service before I ever come again! The food was okay I guess, made my boyfriend sick actually. Wasn't worth the $45 I spent.
(1)Chris L.
I've been to Palmers more then a few times and have no problem recommending it as a solid place to go. Good place to go for lunch, or low key weekend night. They have a huge beer selection if beer is your thing. The food is pretty good, they have the basics you would except a beer/pub type place to have. Service is usually pretty good, and in the summer the outdoor patio is pretty nice. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. Added bonus which I was unaware of until my last visit, if you check in with yelp while your there, you get an offer for a free appetizer with your meal. All in all, a pretty decent place.
(4)Suzanne A.
Good food. Don't go here if you are in a rush... Slow service, so grab a beer and enjoy!
(4)Stephanie B.
I've enjoyed this place a few times up until now. I called the ask if they could accommodate a larger party for my birthday but the guy on the phone was a total dick about it. Apparently I'm magically supposed to know that La Grange was having their annual Hometown Holiday walk. He said something along the lines of "Well didn't you check the website?" NO, I don't live in La Grange and the Palmer website said nothing about any events for this particular day. In addition to that he really sounded like he could care less and didn't want to help me out at all. Yeah never going back here, I rather take my business to people who would actually appreciate it.
(2)Conrad K.
We've been going to Palmer Place for years, and were usually happy with the food. But recently the wife and I haven't been thrilled. A recent example was our last visit. She ordered the salmon sandwwich on ciabata bread and an order of crispy fries. What we got was potato salad, no fries. After we informed the waitress of the error, they briught out an order of fries, but they were limp and cold. Otherwise ok. Previous visit just ok too.
(1)Kt G.
Terrible. Holy buckets. I would give negative score if possible. We got seated right away. Then waited forever for our waitress to come. She finally came and took our order. Waited an Hour and a half!!!!! For our food. Then when it finally came it was wrong. Very disappointed.
(1)Betty H.
The food we ordered was pretty bad, should of known better than to order fried green tomatoes from this place, that was my bad...BUT, when you ask for a burger well done, it should never be burnt to the point of no return. The only thing this place has going for them is their Biergarten
(2)Patsy D.
I've been going to Palmer Place for years. Always in the summer months because the patio is great. Went last night and met a friend....had the beef nachos--mui bien! And great beers and wine by the glass. Also shared a deli club with coleslaw. The service was attentive and timely and the food came out quickly. Makes me sad that summer is coming to an end.
(4)Tina G.
Went to see my new niece in Palos Heights and stopped into Palmer Place with the family for dinner.... When we first walked in the restaurant it was empty and I was a bit taken back because the street was so busy, but then we went into the patio in back and it was a full house and a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The kids loved the soup and video games! I had a burger, it was delicious, but I don't like pickles at all and they were already in the burger, so next time I have to remember to tell the waitress no pickles. My husband had the blackened steak sandwich with onion rings, it was amazing, that is what I will order next time. Fast service and most importantly for a waitress to get a 20% tip our drinks were always full! That is my biggest pet peeve! Don't get down there a lot but will go back when we visit our newest family member : )
(5)Barb D.
My friends and I went to Palmer's on a Friday night, not too crowded, and were set to enjoy a few beers and dinner. The waitress seemed to have little beer knowledge, which would probably explain her blasé attitude. We ordered the appetizer platter, which was far overpriced for it's mediocre contents. It was pretty much a "kitchen sink" of fried food that lacked flavor or character. Two our of four of us got the immensely disappointing southwestern chicken wrap and ended up sharing our other friends' meals. The wrap was 50% cheese, and I love cheese, but it was dry and extremely unappetizing. I gave Palmer's two stars because of the spicy chicken sandwich & large beer selection (even if the server could not make an educated recommendation).
(2)Pawel D.
So just went here, was told to seat yourself. Waited apprx 10-15 and no one walked up to greet or even take our drink order. Promptly left and decided to take my business elsewhere.
(1)Ken H.
I went in there with my wife. I had the steak sandwich; she had the Confetti Burger. Both were excellent--the steak sandwich was a real, no fooling, steak (not the thin-sliced beef that passes for steak on some steak sandwiches). There was a great selection of beer. Service was just a bit slow; as the restaurant was very busy, I'll give them a pass on this, but it's something I'd watch if I went back there, which I probably will.
(4)Anthony K.
Went here with my brother. Enjoyed some beer on their huge list to choose from. Ordered a rueben sandwich. The food sandwich tasted good. The only downside was that the bread wasnt as toasted as I had liked but It didnt take anything away from the taste, just the texture. Cool bar, great ambiance, nice outdoor tent, and friendly service.
(4)Laura S.
Great place to meet up for drinks with friends. Beer selection is great- check out the list tucked in recycled six pack boxes that house the condiments. Food is delicious- favorites include: the Blackened Chicken Cesar Salad. The Bavarian- ham, turkey, Gouda, and all the fixings on pretzel bread. Crispy green beans appetizer with wasabi ranch for dipping. The service is usually a bit lack luster- we always get the same server that seems to disappear for very long stretches of time, but the place is friendly and tasty enough that I keep coming back.
(4)Maria S.
I have been going here for years. My favorite part is the beer garden. The food is typical pub food. I usually get the German club which is awesome, but this last time I went with the gourmet burger for 14.95. Didn't mind spending that much because they do have amazing hamburgers, but this one was not for me. It was so messy and I didn't care for all of the ingredients on it. Others may like it, but I did not. As far as service go, it is hit or miss. This time we had Nina and she was great. All in all if you like beer and burgers this is the place to go.
(4)Zach G.
This is a fine place. Fairly average...nothing much to complain about, but nothing much to praise. The beer selection is quite good, but they need to sort the beers better. Even I, a self-proclaimed beer snob, had trouble identifying some of the beers, let alone what type of beer they were. They have them all split out by country...OK, great, but I often find myself saying "I have a taste for a stout" before saying "I have a taste for a Dutch beer". Also, they advertise their Guinness selections (i.e. Guinness with ____ beer)...I tried a Carlos Murphy - Guinness and Negra Modelo - but they were out of the Negra. In fact, based on the size of this place, it wouldn't surprise me if they were out of a lot of the beers on the list on a consistent basis. Again, no proof, just experience from other places combined with a basic Mexican beer being out of stock at the time of my visit. The menu has a ton of choices, some of them quite creative, so I give them props on that. Our party had various things - chicken tenders, burgers, pork sandwich, chili. I heard the burgers were quite good, but everything else was just average. Again, not bad...just, average. Prices were fair and service was friendly, so I'll probably return if I am in the area. However, I wouldn't go terribly far out of my way to find the place.
(3)Ivette S.
Food is mediocre and service is just as bad. Famous corned beef sandwich has no flavor and the steak sandwich is two bricks of tasteless sirloin with a pound of onions and shaved mushrooms. Had to ask for steak sauce for it to taste half way decent. Will not be returning.
(1)Matthew J.
The food is delicious. Can't beat their burgers and they're reasonable in price. However, the service could be better. They weren't insanely busy so that's not an excuse. The waitress only sat us, took our order, brought our order but never came back in between to ask if we wanted another beer or refreshment. Do they not want to make money or something?! We were more then willing to increase our bill! Maybe it will be better next time.
(3)Liz K.
Considering that I have been here even more times than before..I finally came to the conclusion that I love this place and give it 5 stars....every single time I been here I leave happy! I have also expanded from my usual order...:-) Beer is good as always but their bloody mary's are my new favorite!
(5)Kari G.
Excellent food (huge portions!) and drinks. Very reasonably priced and so kid-friendly. Service was excellent and our waitress was so friendly and great with our kids. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Katie F.
So the rating is for the service, not the food. Everytime we go there it takes at least 5-10 minutes for us to get even said hi to by the waitress (there are waiters but mostly ladies). They are nice enough but usually take very long time to get even one thing. So if you have your entire order ready by the first time the waitress comes then will be alright. The food is really good. Great burgers. My favorite is breakfast burger
(2)Michelle C.
I can't count the number of times I've been to Palmer's over the years. Admittedly I've had some wonderful times at Palmer's including celebrating my birthday, drinks with my new husband and his family after our wedding, etc.. However, I've come to rely on the fact that Palmer's is incredibly hit or miss...and by that I mean, it's mostly miss. I remember back in the day when Palmer's didn't serve anything but beer. This was when their first "mixed drink" was a Mai Tai. And I remember when their menu had the most delicious blue cheese nacho appetizer. Those days are long gone. The thing that keeps me coming back to Palmer's'? The beer garden, hands down. There is nothing like it around (that I know of) and it's really the perfect place to both people watch and get sauced. In December I went to Germany and fell in love with a few beers that hold a special place in my heart. One of those incredible beers is Spaten. I was delighted when I found this on Palmer's' extensive beer menu and that is all I ever order now when I come to enjoy the beer garden. This is a huge win. The service at Palmer's' is horrific. The servers are young and careless, barely making time to take an order let alone remember what you've been drinking all night. This isn't Hooters, so there's no need to hire 21 year old girls with a pretty smile. People go to Palmer's to drink - period. No one goes for the food (it's bar food people, c'mon). People come to Palmer's because it's local and has a beer garden. I wish I hated Palmer's because I'd write it off forever and spend my money in a place that has better service. I mean, if I wanted to be treated like shit every time I go out to eat. I'd just head to the city. But I don't. I want to be treated like I'm spending my hard-earned money. In closing, if it weren't for the beer garden, this place wouldn't survive. The end.
(2)Kyle H.
Oh My Beer-ness! A huge beer list for beer lovers. Palmer's has it covered! Palmer's is like the City equivalent to Quencher's, beer-wise, Could I have ordered a Daisy Cutter and enjoyed a beer that tasted like a freshly mowed suburban lawn in my mouth? Of course. But I can get that anywhere in the City now, so I had to do some exploring. Started with the Chapeau Plum, which wasn't too fruity. There's a feather in your cap! Then On To Belgium! Little known fact: Belgium is the most boring place in the World. Wait, I think most people know that already. But! Belgium has some of the best beers (and chocolate) in the World. Seriously. Leffe Blonde is one of my favorites, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I probably shouldn't have ordered the large Eel River Acai Wheat beer at the end of the night, but the name was so cool, I had to try it. Recommended if you like a slightly berry-wheat weiss beer. And it's healthy, right?? Palmer's seemed like a friendly place and I've been told that summer is the season to be here- they've apparently got a great patio. It's kind of hard to imagine summer ever coming right now, but when it does- to Palmer's!
(4)Mick S.
Been a regular here for years. Great pub food. I think they have at least 10 burgers available, and hundreds of beers. Be prepared to have a back-up in mind, or two, as the new beers are often out of stock. The waitresses while cute, are not always knowledgeable about the beers. They have a great beer garden in the summer and they tent the lower section in the winter. The back, bar section is more youth oriented vs the front which is more family style. By far one of the best places in LaGrange.
(3)Ryan W.
The food here was pretty good, and I chose to go the Texas BBQ burger route along with some onion rings. The burger used Texas toast instead of a regular bun, and their BBQ sauces was actually quite tasty. I should have had a little bacon thrown on to make it perfect, but any BBQ burger lover will find comfort in this hearty meal. The onion rings are worth the $0.75 "upgrade". Judging by their menu selection I'd say that burgers is a strong focus of this restaurant, and they have some unique combination including various types of buns. I even saw one that came on a pretzel bun if that is something that would interest you, but for me the Texas toast was a nice touch. For the two burgers we got the bill came to about $22 (without anything other than the burgers, and not including the tip). Note: Their Yelp check-in offer still says it is valid and makes you think it can be redeemed, but it is only for the month of Feburary 2011 as of this writing.
(4)Bee B.
Very friendly people, they've been around for a while and know how to treat thier customers! Good food too!
(4)Elizabeth R.
Pros: -extensive beer list that literally takes up an entire page -huge beer garden, fantastic in the warmer months -cute waitresses -menu has a ton of items including many variations of burgers & my absolute favorite the Mayor of Manheim (USDA prime sirloin steak sandwich, cajun blackened, topped with melted jalapeño jack cheese, grilled onions and sautéed mushrooms. served on a garlic toasted steak roll) Cons: -prices are high for my taste. i understand the beer but $7.50 for 4 chicken strips?!?! -indoor seating is uncomfortable and often cramped when dining w/ more than 2 -service is always, ALWAYS slow (but the girls are still cute) The only reason I keep coming back to Palmer Place is that amazing steak sandwich! mmmmmmmmmmmmm This place is great if you're a beer snob with some money to spend.
(3)Charlotte B.
After eating at Palmers many times, I've finally stopped trying. The service is inconsistent and server turnover is high. The food can be good but I've never been impressed. I had a terrible experience waiting 45 minutes for a burger and when I asked to speak to a manager, he/she wouldn't come to my table! Never again. Great beer selection, average burgers, and coin flip service.
(2)Amy B.
I have grown up going to Palmer place. I was there in December and had a horrible experience due to a horrible server. Thank god for the awesome lady manager who saved our visit. I came back to Palmer this past week i was so pleased with our experience this time. The same manager lady stopped by and said hi and we also had the best server ever!! I would totally want her again as my server!! The food was amazing like i remembered and the pear ale beer was delicious!!!
(4)Brandon P.
Amazing just amazing burgers delicious especially the ultimate,, try the wells banana bread beer amazing!!!!!!
(5)cassie r.
O.M.G. I'm lamenting the fact I did not know this restaurant existed when I lived just a few short minutes away last year...oh, how I would have frequented this place at least two dozen times by now if I had. My fam and I visited this little gem last night at the recommendation of my boss - and I'm so glad we did. We got seated right away (on a Saturday at 6:30 p.m. nonetheless), and the server was attentive throughout the evening. First, I loves me some beer. And their beer list is of novel-like proportions (though not quite to the Map Room's extent, but close). I love a place that offers a ton of beers you've never heard of before - it makes picking just one so much more fun. I ended up with Surley's Furious (eh) and a Samichlaus (Austrian beer - brewed once a year on December 6th, then aged nearly a year in oak barrels)...definitely worth a try. Now, this place has a bevy of food selections for anyone's palates, but they're apparently well-known for their burgers (Ostrich anyone)? I ended up ordering the Greek Pita Burger (pita bread, burger meat, tzatziki sauce and feta cheese). Awesome combo. Palmer's also has a ton of options for sides, so there's a good chance everyone will leave pleased. I definitely did.
(4)Eric Y.
Friendly neighborhood place. Get the fried green beans with wasabi dipping sauce. They're better than fries!
(3)Solida N.
When I first visited my boyfriend's family, they took me here. The food is average and I wasn't a huge fan. My second visit here a year later... and I still felt the same way. To add, the waitress forget stuff we asked for... Which is annoying because it delay's our eating and the food gets cold. But to make it up she brought us all pickles =) But it looks like a nice place to come and drink with friends.
(3)Dorothy S.
I have changed my mind, especially now that I go here every other week. Service is better and you can get the veggie burger prepared in any way that a regular meat burger is prepared so the possibilities are (almost) endless. The blackened tuna ceasar salad is good too. Ditto on the salmon salad.
(4)Kate P.
We came here last night to enjoy the evening out on their patio. It was a fantastic night to be outside relaxing with friends, enjoying the weather, and drinking a beer or two. I had their southwest chicken wrap which was a tasty choice and a side of their fantastic onion rings. To drink I had my first taste of Three Floyd's Gumballhead, since it was on tap and I must admit, I'm now addicted. It's crisp, refreshing and light, with a fine wheaty aftertaste. The perfect way to end a wonderfully warm and relaxing evening.
(4)Antonio U.
Great place with lots of beer options, about 20 different burger options, tons of other menu options, lots of tv's, an outdoor patio plus beer garden, in beautiful downtown La Grange...what more can you ask for?!!! The best part is that it's not quite a sports bar and not quite a restaurant so it's perfect for both having a few beers w/the guys and going to lunch with the family. Not a whole lot of places like this.
(5)Ray N.
This place is beer heaven. They have over 2 dozen on tap, and well over a hundred more on bottles. The beer menu alone is on a double-sided, over-sized sheet of paper with one side devoted to US brews and the other from around the world. And they aren't super-expensive, either... Well-done, guys. As for the food, the whole back page of the menu is full of 30 or so burgers. They come with a side. many of them look really good, but some are head-scratchers. The rest of the menu is pretty typical - chicken, beef, and so on. They all look good, so if you have a hard time deciding, you're in trouble. We were lucky and beat the rush by about 10 minutes, so our appetizers were served pretty quickly. Our server was friendly and offered a couple of beers similar to one I requested that they were out of. They are a bit pricey on the food end, but I suppose they have to make up the cost somewhere on the beers. My only real complaint is that the beer list almost seems like overkill - something I never thought I'd say. If you want to try something different besides the old Bud or Goose Island, you're going to need a good 15 minutes just to read through the beer menu before deciding. They do have a beer cocktail list too, with ingredients, so you can try some of that.
(4)Joanne W.
This is another place I miss from my days of working in downtown LaGrange. This was a frequent lunch & after work gathering place for myself and co-workers. I'd give this a 3 1/2 star rating but since I can't it gets a three. Very extensive beer list - it's huge. They do serve wine now - this was strictly a beer only place at one time. They also have a nice patio out back which gets quite busy in the warmer months. I also thought there was a rooftop patio....but I could be wrong on this. There is a alot of seating in the restaurant - the front is mostly booth seatin and then there are a couple additional rooms with tables - which is nice for large groups. The bar is in the back with additional tables. They food is OK...it's not spectacular but i think it's pretty decent bar food. They have a good burger menu. I will admit I usually get one of two items on the menu....the black n blue burger (cajun seasoned burger with grilled onions, blue cheese on garlic texas toast - yum!) or the triple decker BLT which is loaded with an insane amount of bacon...mmmm, bacon. I've had wings and some other apps before - eh, it's nothing special but will do the trick if you have a hankering to go with your cold beer while enjoying the game. They also do a big to-do for St. Pat's - setting up a tent in the parking lot located behind the outdoor patio. I almost forgot....soda! Soda lovers will appreciate they they serve, orange soda, red cream soda & green river! A solid place to hang for a few and definitly worth checking 0ut for the beer list alone.
(3)Stephen S.
We went on a Saturday at 11:30am for lunch. I think our experience was impacted by the fact they were sooo busy. There was a girls soccer tournament nearby, evidently, as there were several teams at the restaurant. Palmers was slammed. Even then, all the staff was working hard. The group had fish and chips, Wagyu burger, regular burger, and I had the Palmer steak sandwich. The steak was ok, but overcooked, and I just ate the steak and not the bun. I think we all enjoyed the food and beer. There were plenty of choices of beer. Maybe I will go to this place again, but I am sure I wouldn't make a drive to go there specifically.
(3)Shain C.
I think this place can be defined as a gastro pub... which is to say that it's a bar with good food and a good beer list. The atmosphere inside can feel a bit cramped, but the beer garden is very large. The wife and I sit at the small bar when we have to sit inside. The wait staff is generally attentive. And the menu seems to be updated rather frequently and offers "bar food" with a gourmet twist. I would recommend skipping the fried green tomatoes... way too thin and flavorless... But I would highly recommend the Allen Brother's meats. I recently had a steak sammich that I wanted to make love to, but there were kids around. Speaking of, this is LaGrange, so there are kids wherever you go, and Palmer Place is no exception. Overall it's the best place to sample a few beers and have a good meal in a laid back environment in downtown LaGrange.
(4)Karen C.
After an afternoon spent walking around Brookfield Zoo I decided on Palmer's to enjoy an early dinner with a few friends. We arrived about 4:30pm on a Monday and headed straight to the back patio area. There were perhaps two other tables of patrons at that point so we had our pick of tables and settled in. The back patio is relatively large and decently spread out. We started with a Party of Four appetizer which included four potato skins, four chicken tenders, and four cheese sticks and was around $13 and is what you'd expect of bar food. Then the main course arrived. Among us we ordered Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad, Black and Blue Burger, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and Three Cheese Mushroom Burger. I had the Mushroom burger and found there to be too much cheese, far too many mushrooms, and the meat itself to not be that amazing (which may be why they piled everything else on). Everyone else found their meal to be dull but edible. Nothing to write home about and for what they charged for some items I would have expected more. Other things: the restrooms were clean, well stocked, and they have these super powerful hand dryers which kind of freak me out and fascinate me at the same time. For an outside seating area, it was well kept, had extra napkins and condiments available in the center, and quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The waitress was prompt and friendly although she must have been somewhat new as she didn't know what brand of Root Beer they served and seemed unfamiliar with the beer selection.
(2)Anthony B.
I've been coming to Palmers for years now. As most review state, great beer selection. A little pricey for domestic beers I feel ($4.75) but not unbearable either. The only thing I ever order here is the veggie burger. They make an excellent one here. Lots of people complain about the quality of the food, but if you stay away from the meat, it's pretty alright. The owners are dogs and only hire semi-cute to semi-hot waitresses and they all have huge boobs. I dated a girl that worked here and she said the owners are perverts and walk fine line between creepy and sexual harrasement. Whatever. I like boobs so what do I care. The service is always medicore, but it's just a local place, so it's really not that bad. Over all, 3 stars.
(4)Maggie R.
This is the spot to go to when you want a quick dinner and a nice cold beer to go along with it. They have a ton of different beers from all over the world and their beer-on-tap is also huge. Their pulled-pork sandwich is phenomenal.
(5)Liz W.
I've been here on numerous occasions and I have come to the conclusion that this place is just alright. They have a pretty huge menu with tons of beer options as well as mixed drinks. On my most recent trip I decided to try the burger with fries. Since my bf worked here back in high school he told me that the burger was frozen =/ big disappointment. I ordered my burger well done and it was pretty dry. It had some maple glaze, cheese, and some flimsy bacon. You can choose numerous side options, but I chose the fries and they were probably frozen. The bf had the wings and those were pretty good. I would probably only come here for drinks and apps.
(3)Ann G.
It is a good place to have a few beers. The food is just ok bar food and much better burgers and fries, etc. can be had at numerous places close by.
(2)Kelly S.
In the wise words of Mary T. - 'Pick 4 beers cause the chance that they will be out of 3 is probable.' I was really looking forward to a Victory Moonglow. Alas, out. For being an establishment with such a hearty beer list, I would expect the wait staff to be more knowledgeable about beer. Alas, neighborhood high school seniors or perhaps 21 somethings with little to no beer knowledge. The waitress was literally speechless and unable to make me a recommendation for an alternative. Still... the massive amount of outdoor seating and beautiful beer list keep me coming back.
(4)Jessica E.
Palmer's is everything you want it to be. The beer list is extensive, as is the knowledge of the bartenders. They also know their way around a good cocktail. Everyone is friendly and willing to help with any questions you may have. There are tables, booths, and even a beer garden around back. Don't underestimate their appetizers! They are large and delicious. Also, open later than your typical La Grange eatery. Yum.
(5)Stacey K.
Not sure why it's taken me more than 2 years to write about this place. Palmer's Place, that is. Just the kind of establishment that every "Mayberry-esque" town must have. I'm upset that some the reviewers below (none of whom are local to La Grange mind you) have rated the burgers poorly. They are perfectly cooked just to your liking patties of beefy goodness all complimented perfectly with various toppings and just the right bun. Try the Olive Burger, Breakfast Burger, and Gourmet Burger. They also serve up tasty appetizers, lots of good sandwiches and then of course there's the 2,492 different beers they offer. Another nice point is the different seating areas. There's a cozy area by the fireplace off to the side of the front area, nice booths and warm lighting up front, or sit at the bar or in the bar area and watch the game. This is what me and the husband did yesterday (Sunday) after spending 2 miserable hours raking leaves and freezing our butts off. We went to Palmer's for nachos, soft warm pretzel bites and a couple Wiess beers. Sat at the bar and watched football. Purr-fect!!
(4)Kelly D.
Beer, Beer, Beer.
(4)Ryan N.
If you're in the LaGrange area and you're looking for some really good bar food, Palmer's is the place. The atmosphere is what I like best because no matter what time of year you go, tou can really get a lot out of the place. In the summertime you can sit out in their beer garden and soak in that aspect, or if its the dead of winter you can hang out in their bar area which will most certainly have your favorite sporting event playing. Even if you are coming with your family you can ask to be seated in the front of the restaraunt, which is a much more laid back atmosphere (not to say that Palmer's is every out of control). I would advise to avoid the early evenings on the weekend. In my experience this is when the high school crowd is hanging out around the restaurant. Food for thought!
(4)Trey M.
This place is La Grange! You see everyone when you at Palmer Place. The food is good, the atmosphere is great. The beer garden is awesome! Great burgers!
(5)Brent S.
Palmers patio in the t-shirt and shorts seasons is the place to be! The beer selection is nothing short of jaw-dropping. They just expanded their burger menu and I am here to tell you the 5 or so burgers I have had here have all sucked a big one, patty is always burnt and tastes like old griddle. As long as you can stay away from the burgers the other menu categories are OK. Seriously the only redeeming value of this joint is the outdoor patio with friends and family. Dessert menu is also lacking, maybe 5 options and they all end in cake or pie.
(2)Rebecca H.
Consistently good food, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and icy cold beer combine for thumbs up experiences every time. Harp on tap and a reuben is a treat. Their corned beef is spot-on and lean. None of that nasty stuff you have to cut out or worse, pick away with your fingers! The feeling is fun and welcoming. Grest place to bring friends or just "for two." Don't get the knocks on food others have posted - the steak sandwich, various club sandwiches and sides (excellent, non-gloppy potatoe o salad) are all done well.
(4)James W.
Having lived in LaGrange for ten years I've been a frequent Palmer customer. I am dismayed to have been witness to its decline in service and quality of food over the past two years or so. After it's expansion a couple years ago now, it seems that the kitchen can't keep up with the number of customers it crowds in. The food quality has steadily decreased along with the quality and sense of urgency of the wait staff. One of the hosts - "Gus" has always been a great and gracious guy, but this doesn't make up for the ineptitude and overall smug attitude of much of the wait staff. Hearing that the owners have been involved in some shenanigans of ethically questionable LGBA activites also leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
(2)Christine P.
This place gets threestarts for one reason and one reason only - service on Friday's needs major improvement! The food is fantastic, and once you can get a table, it's a great time. The beer list has never disappointed me. But the service when they're busy, gah! The seating for each section (front, back, and patio) is ALL first come, first served for each section. I waited one time for 20 minutes before I was acknowledged by the host. I think they have sections on the weekend, but it's incredibly messy. Once a table is secured, and the order has been placed, however, it doesn't take long for food to arrive. I'd love to come back, but not on a weekend night!
(3)Carol K.
I have been to Palmers several times and each time have left wondering why I come back. And tonight was no different. Palmer's is located in downtown LaGrange and could be a really good neighborhood bar. The best thing about it in the summer is the huge outdoor beer garden- although I must say that the exhaust from the kitchen that spews in the garden makes it difficult to enjoy your food. Also- since the beer garden faces the back parking lot- it's basically like sitting in a parking lot drinking a beer- tailgate party anyone? The food is typical bar food but it never seems to come out of the kitchen hot and fresh so I took a star off of the review. Beware- if you order an appetizer- almost all are deep friend. On the positive side- they do have an extensive beer list and the servers are friendly. It also appears that everyone knows each other at this place- greeting each other by name as they wait for their tables. If you are out in LaGrange- stop by. It's probably one of the better places on this strip of La Grange Road. But I wouldn't make a special trip.
(2)Kimberley D.
Don't go here for the food. Ordered beef nacho's and the waitress said sorry, out of beef, was a busy weekend. REALLY???? Switched to cheese quesadilla which came with frozen guacamole. Where's the sour cream and salsa. Had an Allen Brothers burger which you pay $4.00 more for, was not even close to a half pound as stated. My friend ordered the Mayor of Manheim, Allen Brothers Steak Sandwich. Hmmmm, was definitely NOT Allen Brothers. We order meat from Allen Brothers on a regular basis so I know what it should taste like. Spent alot of money and was very disappointed. Won't be back.
(1)John M.
I was recently in Chicago for a wedding and had lunch at this place. The beer selection was awesome and the bartender knew his stuff. But for a place that is known for it's "award" winning burgers, they sucked. You can not be an "award" winning burger joint if you use frozen patties. A burger is not good because you top it with a bunch of shit to mask the bland taste of a frozen patty.
(2)Serena C.
They do have a large selection of beers; if anything go for the beer. The have a nice outdoor seating area for those warm summer nights. Our friends really like this place, so we went one night to try it out. You get to seat yourself in this place. We were waited on quite quickly after sitting down, bc the waitress saw us sitting in her area. Having said that, the night we went the service was absolutely terrible. After she took our order, we didn't see her until about an hour later when we were receiving our food. On top of the lack of service, the food was cold by the time we got it so we sent it back. I can understand when a place is busy, but the time our food was done by the time we got it was ridiculous. When we received our check we went up to the register to pay ourselves, we weren't going to wait another 30 mins to finish up there. The food was nothing spectacular to write home about and bit too pricey considering the service we received.
(2)Patrick G.
Palmer Place is an outdoor beer garden first. As for the interior, the front dining area has this 70s basement; wood paneling sort of feel. Not in a cool retro-hipster way but in a "man this place is stuffy" sort of way. The interior rear back by the only 12 foot long or so bar is more open and airy and updated -- so that helps. This place should not be labeled as a bar. Please note my mention of the 12 footer above. Its a summer time happy hour beer garden. For that it is great. The food is only okay -- I would never seek the food out. Well, except the onion rings. Definitely get the onion rings. Other than the rings, the substantial menu has nothing with a signature on it. I would rather they cut the food menu in half and have something memorable on it. If indoors and just having a drink sit at the, albeit very small, bar. The bartenders know their stuff and are very friendly. If you have to get a table, brace yourself because 1 out of every 3rd waitress is either standing around texting all her BFFs (figuratively) or is just plain bad at her job (not figuratively). This joint gets its stars for its open beer garden, its fine beer selection and its knowledgeable bartenders only. Also the onion rings.
(3)Rosie D.
I've been here once in the winter for a date and just recently this summer for dinner. Both expiriences were very good. The food comes in huge portions and is delicious. The drinks were good (although I'd suggest staying away from the mai-tai cause it has a funky after taste). The service is good. The staff doesn't really have a dress code so it's kind of weird seeing teenagers just coming up to your table saying what's up. The beer garden is awesome. Even though there's not much scenery because it faces the parking lot. But it's huge and spacious, and if you go at the right time it's def a fun place to people watch. Of course this place is known for its beer. It's beer menu is more impressive then it's food menu. My suggestion is to go there and try a new beer, eat some hot wings, and enjoy the beer garden or roof top while its still warm.
(4)D D.
Been to Palmer Place several times over the last 5 years. We've always had tasty quality food and the service has always been very good. Some servers have more personality than others, but all of them have been attentive. My fave is the Kobe burger ... Med Rare ... lil blue cheese & raw onion ... I'm a happy boy. Their beer list is quite large & features a nice variety of beers from around the world. But be prepared ... you may have to go w/ a second choice because alot of the beers they feature are in limited supply. In the dozen or so times I've been to Palmer Place, I think they've had my first choice for a beer 4 times. No biggie - plenty of other stuff to choose from. The place is usually busy, but we've never had a problem getting a table. Granted, haven't been there on a Fri. or Sat. night - but it's a big place with plenty of seating.
(4)Jeff K.
its an easy place to be on a weeknight. having said that the food is mediocre. its a good place to drink and be loud, but if you are looking for good food, this aint it.
(2)Michael M.
I have been going to Palmer's for quite a long time. I love the food, the beer and the atmosphere. I remember when they didn't even have a full bar and that was ok with me because it allowed them to really focus on the beer from everywhere. The food is great though I will admit I usually only get the reuben, the german club, or a burger. They have a ton of burgers now and they are all good. The main reason I didn't give this place the 5 stars I wanted to is because of the service my friend and I got the other day. Usually the staff is pretty good, friendly and engaging. Our server barely looked us in the eye, got my order wrong (no, I didn't say anything it was just a mixup of fries instead of my onion rings), and though we tried talking to her and joke around she didn't seem to care. It was quite apparent that she was looking at the wall behind us when we were ordering our beer and when she came back to check. I will definitely go back but the service needs to be better for that final star.
(4)Slugs A.
One of the greatest beer lists that I have ever seen and the beer garden is a perfect spot to hang out in the summer. The food is alright. Nothing special there.
(3)Michael G.
Waited for 15 minutes for someone to at least acknowledge we were there. Two waitresses walked by several times but never even said they would be with us in a moment. We were not going to this place lately because of the bad service and this just confirms it ...the staff has a bad attitude. There are plenty of other restaurants in LaGrange with much better service so just stay away from this place.
(1)Charlie J.
If you want a fantastic burger (pretty much any possible way you could imagine) a beer (a nice long list) and a game on TV, this is probably as good a place as any. It some times takes a little longer to get the food on the tables than you'd like and the wait staff is often young...so a bit flighty sometimes. But the atmosphere is cozy, not too loud, and a great place to chill for an afternoon.
(3)Adrian W.
People talk about this beer selection like it was the best in the Chicago-land area. Quencher's on Fullerton&Western has a larger selection. But in La Grange, this is good enough. I never understood beer gardens, especially fancy ones. You sit outside and drink. I guess be seen as well. After a round of golf, you can grab your golfing buddies and bring them here rather then drink on the 19th hole. But here, there's two and a half levels of beer garden'ing (there's a two step up level, as well as a balcony that gives the patrons an eye full of middle age'd cleavage on a toasty day) I digress. This place gets pretty packed. I mean, Saturday, at 5.30p, we barely found a table outside. Hypocrite? Thy name is Adrian W. So we sat outside and looked over the beer menu. I order a draught and it came out in a little plastic cup. Dismayed, i ordered a much heralded Belzebuth. This beer from France was quite the gem. A blond ale that kicks in at 13% and actually tasted good. Sure it only came in at 8.3 oz, but once you finished it, your taste buds were over joyous. Yes they have domestics here, but that's lame if you come here, a place known for their drinks and have a domestic. They also had Sam Adams' Triple Chocolate Bock Vintage (1997) but ran out the DAY BEFORE. So yeah the food? i'd eat someplace else before I order here. I got the ribeye steak, medium done with their horseradish potatos and cole slaw. The cole slaw was standard fare, a little bit too tangy. Potatos were all right. The rib eye was half fat. .... half fat. And even that half meat, not great! She got the garden burger that was more bun than anything else. The twenty bucks or so spent on food could have easily filled us up elsewhere. Parking can be a pain. This is downtown La Grange where street parking is minimal for over two hours, as well as finding a spot in the lots are hard to come by. As much as I hate to say this, downtown Naperville should be looked at by these planners, after all, it looks mimicked. Two 4 floor garages on opposites sides can make this mess easier to deal with. In short, come for the beers after a nice stomach filler from somewhere else.
(2)Luan N.
Really lively and spacious place. They have live entertainment in the back rooms. Pretty extensive beer list, but... 1. I have seen longer beer lists 2. I looked up Quencher's through Adrian W.'s review and felt Quencher's list was better thought out and was more appealing. 3. Some of the prices on the brews were outrageous. 4. They didn't have the Cooper's beer that I wanted to try. 5. That was hands down the worst Kobe burger I have ever had in my life. According to Palmer website: "Wagyu beef boasts heavy marbling (no), rich flavor (not here), and unique texture ( Yes, I couldn't tell if it was imported roadkill from Kobe)." Even if you cross bred Wagyu with a possum, I don't think it could have been this bad :(
(2)Christopher R.
For the beer alone-4.5 stars. I knock them half a star because they've actually gotten worse in the bottle selection (but better in the drafts) over the past few years. Hard to be too criticial when they have little real competition in town. The summer crowds are the most fun in the area. Outdoor drinking where you are guaranteed to run into someone you know. Unfortunately, the food is precisely that bland, good-but-average bar fare that is the bain of surburban restaurants everywhere. Exhibit A: the boneless buffalo wings. Weak. Sauce. The corned beef is worthy, but not the best near a city known for it.
(4)Alan L.
I have been coming here for years. Everything you order her is delicious above anything that can be said. I have brought my college buddies here, my family from out of town and each time we have visitors from out of town they want to go back to Palmer's. On a busy night, well every night, the place is hopping. Especially in the summer. There is an outside beer garden and tables for outdoor dining for the warm months. The service is fast, accurate and in the last 17 years or so, I have never sent anything back. Terrific place for conversation with friends and/or family. The portions are just right. The meals are very reasonable, but lately a little on the expensive side since La Grange added some additional taxes. Yes Chicago residents, we have tax hungry politicians in the burbs also. I cannot say enough. Not only is Palmer's a terrific place to eat with a family, bring friends, or a date, they are very involved in the community. They willingly support the Boy and Girl Scouts along with the Little Leagues in La Grange. Terrific first place date also. I proposed to my girlfriend now my wife 22 years ago here. To miss PALMER'S Restaurant while in La Grange visiting ought to be a felony! 5 stars all the way.
(5)Katie W.
I really enjoy this place! It's casual and low key and has a HUGE beer garden in the back, with patio and rooftop seating. The menu is huge (not including the broad beer selection). There really is anything you would want on the menu. The prices are very reasonable and my service has always been speedy and friendly. It is a nice place to relax outside and enjoy the weather.
(4)Michelle Marie R.
Four stars simply because of the massive beer selection. An entire menu of beer from all over the world! The patio in the summer is huge...and awesome. Laid back and mellow place great for conversations with friends!
(4)mei s.
For people who eat out almost every night, I don't know why we don't eat here more often. It's a great neighborhood restaurant. They have plenty of fried appetizers, salads, burgers, ribs, etc. And a lot of beer to choose from. And girly drinks. Like the mango margarita my husband ordered. I had the caesar burger on a ciabatta with onion rings (the real kind, not the minced onion version) and he had the mayor steak sandwich, which i wanted. It's a nice place to hang out with an awesome outdoor beer garden. Plenty of people watching and yet perfect for little kids too.
(3)Joe S.
A friend that grew up in town also grew up on Palmers. Family bar and restaurant environs, very casual. A note on our waitresses back said that she loves Steve. She must really love him I guess. Well over two hundred beers from the four corners of the earth and a few places in between. Noteable was the German Club on dark rye but I was torn between that and several other menu items. People seem to like the burgers.
(4)John D.
This is a cumulative review from my last couple of visits. Palmers has steadily declined over the years. The beer list is extensive- BUT- is not updated to reflect what is actually on hand, so make sure you have a few in mind when ordering. The beer menu is printed on computer paper, so not updating to reflect stock is just plain lazy. Waitstaff is friendly, atmosphere is good- very nice beer garden. Food? VERY inconsistent. A couple of $15 award winning burgers came way overcooked. A couple in our party were going to split a burger, and the cook cut it in half and sent it way overcooked. How could he not notice or care? Sent em back, something we never do, and they came back- way overcooked yet again. Can't cook your award winning burger medium on two attempts? Don't notice or care when halving it... twice? Bad sign. Wine was skunky on last two visits, apps are either spot on or awful...This place was THE place to go over the last decade or two for a good burger and cold one, but I have no idea what happened over the last year or so. The cooks are sloppy and obviously just punching the timecard. With so many better, more consistent options along the same strip, we won't be returning- which is kind of a bummer because it used to be great... I went from telling friends how great this place is to telling them to AVOID....
(1)Eddie H.
Great food and great beer. Love the outside area in the summer
(5)Mark K.
I went to Palmer Place with my now ex a few weeks back. The food was borderline inedible. She was only able to take a few bites of her burger. The appetizers were a little burned as well. It all worked out in the end because I went home, got drunk, and ate both of our meals. They tasted fine then hahaha.
(2)Jonathan O.
It has such a huge selection of burgers and beer you'll probably get a headache staring at the menu and trying to make a decision.
(5)Padme A.
The best place for variety of food, beers and BURGERS! The have a drink menu that is something like 4 pages long filled with just beers from around the world. Best burger I've had so far. It called the Black and Blue "Wagyu" beef burger. It's a japanese cut of steak like no other. Melts in your mouth. It comes with Blue Cheese and Blackening seasoning. So tasty. They also have a great outdoor patio and roof top in the summer months. Only complaints: the wait, almost always a guarantee, but still worth it. Also, the wait staff are all over the place. It would be nice if they concentrated on just a couple tables at a time. Also, while they have a gazillion brews from around the world, they seem to be out of them a lot. Maybe it's just the one's I ask for, but still. Finally, some beer prices are insanely high.
(4)Bridget B.
This place is just fine. Definitely more of a bar than a lot of the restaurants in trendy downtown La Grange, but I understand the need for bars, too. Went in to start out an evening on a Saturday with some drinks and appetizers. The beer list was great, and the spinach dip was decent. The other food I saw appeared to be pretty standard bar food, so if a VAST beer selection and good bar food are your aim, this is a good place to visit. I would gladly give it another try for a burger or something.
(3)Larry H.
I'm a La Grange resident, so a place like Palmer's is a great choice for the simple food you want sometimes. There are some things I like about it and some I don't. The food is average. It's mostly burgers and sandwiches, but they also have a few better things. They have a children's menu (although my child is too old for that). The atmosphere is a dichotomy. On the one hand, the inside spaces are noisy (as you would expect a bar to be) and crowded. The bar area is OK. On the other hand, they have a patio area that I love. Although it's a little cramped for space, it's great on a nice day (they have umbrellas for sunny days) or evening. There is even an upstairs area. I like to go to Palmer Place on those days. If the weather is bad, I usually avoid it. The service is OK. There is nothing spectacular there. If they are busy, expect to wait for food. However, the servers are usually attentive and make sure you have whatever you need. Now, what I REALLY like about Palmer Place is the beer! I'm not a big drinker, so it's not about how much I pay for beer. It's about the quality of the beer and Palmer Place has some of the best choices I have seen. My favorite is Three Floyds, but they have so many other choices. Well, I hope this review has been useful. I found their web site: palmerplacebeer.com/inde…
(4)Lauren V.
Definately one of our favorite places in the burbs for burgers and beer. They have a very extensive menu but in my opinion, the burgers are the star. The only small criticism is that some of the more exotic beers are out of stock when ordered. But that why they're exotic right!
(4)Nicole C.
In short, don't go for the food or the service, but do go for the HUGE beer list and HUGE outdoor beer garden.
(3)Tommy M.
I've been going to Palmer's for 10+ years, and I know one of the owners (I used to work next door for about 5 years). I have to say the food quality has declined over the years, or I've just found better burgers out there. They used to win awards for the burgers (not the best, but maybe top 5), but they just don't excite me as much anymore. Don't get me wrong, they are still very good, and I like the variety of the burgers they have with the different toppings. The italiano is pretty good. The beer list is great, they have an extensive list of German weiss beers which I love in the summertime. Hanging out in their beer garden in the summer is great. One gripe is that they close at midnight.
(3)Susan M.
it's just alright. we started with pretzel bites with honey mustard dipping sauce which were good. i had the steak salad with bleu cheese, the hubby had quesadillas (chicken). both were average. the guac was really good and from what i hear the slaw is good too. nice beer selections. what sells this place are the beer gardens. a roof top one and one in back. service, good.
(3)Noreen H.
Nice atmosphere, great patio, good food, and awesome international beer list.
(4)Ron T.
This is a great place to go to all year but as soon as the weather starts getting nice....this is one of the best places to meet up with friends in LaGrange! They have so many beers to choose from, plenty on draft and some others that you wouldn't expect to see in these parts in a bottle, along with a great menu......I recommend you try one of the burgers, they have at least 25 different combonations that are excellent! The rest of the menu has a lot to offer as well if you aren't the burger type. If you plan on sitting outside......get there early, otherwise you will be waiting for awhile. If we aren't able to sit outside, I enjoy the back room by the bar.....they have tv's placed around the room and there is always a sporting event on. Once you're done there, you can walk in downtown LaGrange which is awesome. It has that old "small" town feel to it.
(4)Dave B.
Growing up in LaGrange Park, Palmers was always the place to see and be seen. Although the food is good and beer selection outstanding albeit a tad overpriced, it 's the beer garden that keeps me coming back! Any Saturday night in the summer finds that place packed to the gills with families, singles, young and old. Although if you hate crowds then go during the week, its much quieter.
(3)Elaine Z.
Went there for the last time the other day. 35 mins for our appetizer and it was the wrong appetizer and our entrees delivered by the food runner directly behind them 2 seconds later!! Service was bad and the food was less than mediocre. Why do people accept bad service and subpar food? The menu is not cheap and I want quality when I pay for it. What happened to this place? It used to be good....
(1)Krys J.
I made my way here w/some guys after we had noshed elsewhere, so I can't comment on the grub. The TOA was about 11PM on a Sat. night & the place was surprisingly pretty quiet. The beergarden, as well as, the beer menu are both quite impressive though. Not only do they carry PURPLE HAZE (a personal fave) but we also got a FREE round. It turns out that I had served one of the staff members of PP the night before downtown & he remembered me (small world)! I will likely pop back in for the chill atmosphere and fabulous collection of brews.
(4)Jim J.
Great food, just about ANY beer you want, nice beer garden!
(5)Michelle W.
I have been patronizing and very much enjoying Palmer Place for a number of years now. I adore beer over other alchoholic beverages, and they typically deliver with their solid beer list. I love that they have a large selection on tap as well as bottled and organize by country or state. They don't specialize in any particular kind of beer, and there have been several occassions where they failed to have the beer(s) I wanted on hand, but I can imagine it is hard for an independent bar/restaurant to forecast 100% accurately the beer demands of it's clientele. As for the food, I rarely stray from the sandwich menu. I must part ways with people who have issues with the quality of meat (excepting the Wagyu - I don't have experience enough to judge that). Having tried burgers at Goldyburgers, Weber Grill, steak at Gibsons, etc. (not the holy grail but notable) Palmer Place is the one I consistently crave. They also do a respectable veggie burger that I often get. Bottom line - it's a lovely place, though perhaps not a regular destination place for those who live in the city, though it was for me when I did.
(4)Mike M.
Palmers is the quintessential neighborhood pub in La Grange. It is alone in restaurants offering a laid back atmosphere and local feel. The family owned restaurant has an outdoor area which locals take advantage of during the summer months. Burgers, Sandwiches, and salads compose much of the menu, and for an appetizer I would recommend the nachos. The bar is a popular among visitors to downtown La Grange due to its close proximity to the train station. The amazing bar contains over 30 beers on taps and many from all over the work. Palmers is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner in La Grange, watch a sports game, or catch up with friends.
(4)Gerry A.
Stopped in here on the way to the LaGrange Theater, (an even BETTER deal for $2 in the next block) on a Saturday night with 50 minutes to get to the movie. We figured we were doomed but were seated quickly by a nice fireplace and very efficiently served by Tryna? This is a very lively place on a Saturday night and we definitely had forgotten to bring our kids so if you don't like a lot of background noise (screaming) don't go on a weekend night. VERY tasty pulled pork sandwich, rueben, and onion rings. Fast kitchen, servers and table clearers. Advertises lots of biers, we had bottomless 32 ounce diet cokes with lemon and made our movie with 10 minutes to spare (Across the Universe, DON"T MISS IT- best MISSED movie in 2007). Dinner, movie and free parking $22. Score.
(4)Nick N.
Anyone who complains about this place is silly! They have dee tons of beers and you got to do the tries of dee inferno burger. It'll make you breath fire. Its dee best pub style restaurant in dee area!
(5)Antonia R.
Wish there were a 3.5 option. The food is on the higher end of standard, but it's priced absolutely right and and you get plenty of it. What you really come here for is the fabulous beer selection (Goose Island Matilda was delicious) and beer garden.
(4)Joe R.
I went to Palmer Place for Game 2 of the Hawks-Canucks series. We went to the back bar area where there was indoor dining, an outdoor beer garden, and a soon-to-be-opened rooftop beer garden. The burgers we all had were very good and the beer list had over 300 brews from around the world. To say I was in heaven...
(4)Julie M.
Palmer's is THE hang out spot in LaGrange. Families, twentysomethings, teens, older couples, everyone. They have decnt burgers (I don't recommend anything else). My favorite is the triple cheese and mushroom burger. It's nice that Palmer's is there, but I wish the owners wouldn't rest on their laurels and improve their food. I could make a better club sandwich at home. So, to sum up: Only go if you're in the mood for beer, burgers and a crowd:)
(3)Beer H.
The food here is good. They do have a good selection burgers and the have one of the best beer list around. I would go back if my friends wanted to go here, but I won't go out of my way to go here. The service is bad, and it detracts from this place. The back patio is nice on summer weekends if you can even get to it. I tried a few times when we moved here and we couldn't even make it to the patio due to all of the people.....not for me.
(3)Eric B.
asked for barbecue wings and got barbecue ribs instead, I got to keep the ribs and the waitress took our drinks off the bill.. I love palmer house
(4)Nikkie H.
I've passed by this place countless times and have been hesitant to go in because of the number of large groups with kids. I honestly have no issues with families, but when it's just me and my boyfriend it's generally not the atmosphere I'm going for. However, I finally went there later in the evening on a Saturday when move of the kids had gone home. My bf and I shared the spinach artichoke dip, which was quite tasty. He also had a Reuben, which he said was good, but felt was a bit overpriced. The onion rings were plentiful, large without being donuts, and tasty. Plus the beer list was crazy. I believe it was an 11 x 14 piece of paper, front and back. It was too overwhelming so I settled for a Stella. We definitely plan on going back in the future.
(5)Ryan A.
Having grown up in LaGrange, Palmer's is a staple. It was only after moving away and coming back for a visit did I realize how overrated and overpriced this joint is. The beer list is extensive and they have a great selection of NA brews; the beer garden is average. The service, however, is consistently terrible - lots of attitude and poor attention.
(2)Kathleen C.
This place is great! My sister suggested it and I was very cautious. However, all of our food was fantastic. And somehow they have a veggie&dip/cheese&cracker appetizer that was fantastic and exactly what I wanted. The waitress wasn't really attentive but they gave us huge drinks so we were fine without her!
(4)Aurore L.
Once upon a time, Palmer Place was my ultimate destination when I was craving a burger. That was before Kuma's and all the addiction problems that followed...but at the time living in Oak Park, Palmer was more than good enough. And they do have an impressive list of burgers!!! About 20 of them, some rather unusual like the Waldorf (blue cheese, walnuts and apples) , the Asian sensation (teriyaki glaze, sliced pineapple, Asian slaw) or the Berlin (with sauerkraut and dark rye bread) to name a few. The fact that you can choose your bread is an interesting feature. But it's the beer list that make the experience complete: they have a selection of more than 200 beers (around 30 on tap) from 23 countries - enough to make you dizzy by just glancing at the menu!! I love going to their huge beer garden but be prepared to wait if you come here at night when the weather is nice... It can get quite hot too since it's all bricks but you have plenty to keep you cool!!!
(4)Stephania B.
Wouldn't go back. Ordered 2 Kobe burgers medium rare. They arrived well done. We figured if we were spending over $14 for a burger and fries, we should get what we ordered, so we sent them back. I guess the restaurant didn't want to take the hit on the cost of the beef, because what we got back was definitely not Kobe. It was obvious the first well done burger was Kobe. You know when you're eating Kobe and when you aren't. The replacement was angus at best, cooked medium. Zero flavor. I can understand being busy and overcooking something, but intentionally switching out what was paid for is not cool.
(1)Steve O.
Went here on a weds night around dinner time. It was crowded but plenty of room available. I was anticipating the burgers due to many recommendations. The draft selection of beer is very good. A plethora of beers to pick from depending on your palate. The place has a good vibe to it. I decided to get a bacon cheddar kobe beef burger. I opted for well done since I do not like to mess around with anything ground up. The burger was in fact very good. It did not scream out amazing to me though. But then again I never had anything kobe before so it may take a few times to learn the subtle nuances of the variety. i do think It was a tad over-cooked though. But I am not going to nitpick. It was still a really good job. I opted for the fries and they were nothing special at all. Just regular fries. Next time I will try the potato salad. The staff was very attentive and polite to my table. Always coming up and checking on us and even the secondary help (busboys?) were very quick with removing plates and glasses from the table. Not that that would have been an issue for me anyways. In short, I will definitely give this place a try again.
(4)Kasey G.
Palmer's is a busy ( I mean capital B, busy) pub. The grill smells great, the patio's full, and the beer is flowing. Can be family-friendly, but go early 'cause they don't take a reservation. I gobbled up the veggie-burger-YUM and had a cold Smithick's on tap. They have a gigantic beer list (both the tap and bottle selections were quite impressive.) The carnivores at the table said their meals were great. Lot's of burgers to choose from here. Overall this place is tops in burgers, beer, and people watching (all some of my favs) but it's busy so try it on a weeknight if you don't want to wait.
(4)Frank S.
Hell yeah! Great food 100s of beers on menu. Beautiful beer garden in the summer. A little pricey but there are some exotic beers on the menu and you get what you pay for when speaking in turns of food. Very classy restaurant.
(4)Kelvin R.
They do have a good selection of beers, which I needed to eat the food they call "home-made." The burgers are waaaaay overrated. Go to Wendy's instead as the burgers taste the same and are much cheaper. The menu is expansive so what they can't provide in quality, they provide in quantity.
(2)Brian S.
My opinion of this was very mediocre until my most recenct visit. The outdoor area is nice and the beer is good but almost anyone can serve beer. It's the restaurant that is much more telling of the quality. I've had food here before that was OK but nothing to go out of your way for however my most recent experience has insured that I will not be going back again. I was there with 9 people and here's the list of reasons none of us will be returning. A Sprite that was tainted with some fruity mystry flavor, creamy coleslaw that was terrible, attempted to order fish & chips but they were out of fish, a tuna fillet sandwich with the fish so overcooked that it was tough, attempted to order desert but they were out of ice cream so no milkshakes or sundaes, and the worst part a LIVE CATERPILLAR!!! crawling through one persons salad. For all these issues a clueless young manager (not the owner who was also there that evening) came over to apologize by saying that the salad from a bag that said it was tripled-washed and he comp us the salad which of course was not eaten and sent back to the kitchen.
(1)Lisa H.
I actually would have rated palmers higher but they are sliding downhill in my opinion. We were loyal every week customers until they changes the food or something. I have not had hot fries there in a year. The rest of the food is good, the salsa is homemade and spicy. The waitstaff is only okay as well, when we had regulars they were great and some still are. We still go a lot because we love to eat outside or love the late night kitchen hours, but I wish they had hot fries.
(3)Laura S.
I love this pub and restaurant! It's hands down the best place to hang out in the summer! There is a two-story outdoor beer garden as well as an indoor restaurant. The beer menu is HUGE and now they have begun to offer other types of drinks. The food is really good, especially the burgers. The staff is fast and friendly and always worthy of a good tip. Definitely a place to try out!
(5)Rachel W.
The menu has never disappointed & the beer garden is quite large but always jammed pack on warm summer days. But what kills me is the "amazing beer list" that is never available! I have gone here a number of times just to be disappointed that everything listed that intrigues me is out of stock. With the slow service (I never blame a waitress, I blame an understaffed business) it takes way too much time to finally get a beverage after making the wait staff run back & forth. A couple of times, I received a beer not until after the food has arrived, and at that point I settled on Miller Light. The disappointing return of a waitress empty handed was beginning to be too much.
(2)Cassie B.
First, the beer: Palmer's is known for their beer and they have something like 60 on tap and 150 bottles, organized by country. very cool, try something new every time. Second, the place: In the summer, this is perhaps the most hopping bar for miles. They have a really good, huge beer garden with heat lamps. ( there is not a lot of competition for your bar dollar in this neck of the woods - so it can get crowded). oh and the food is good too!
(4)rick a.
I love beer and I'm not talking MGD. This is just the place on the south side to get a good selection of brews from around the world. The fun of globetrotting on the massive beer menu is finding the diamond in the rough from India and choking on a vile ale from England. Like life, it's all just a roll of the dice and you can tell people you what to get and what to get if you despise the and want the to die from a poison pilsner. The food is average to slightly above for the burgers. The burger always get a good review in the Sun Times, but I think that they can be too inconsistent for a true recommendation. If you are within 10 mile this is as good as it get on the south side.
(4)Vanessa P.
The beer list is really quite amazing. You can sit outside in their huge patio and try as many different brews as you can stomach and still not make it through an eighth of the list. The food is decent, nothing outstanding, but also not bad.
(3)Roberto F.
Beer, Beer, Beer and oh yeah did I mention Beer. I love the selection here, and just seeing makes me all giddy and a plus is that prices are pretty good. The food is pretty tasty as well, I love the buffalo chicken sandwich and there corn beef sandwich. It can get rather packed here but luckily they have out door seating, even in the winter in which they have a ten to cover the patio and plenty of heaters. Also if you want to catch a flck you can go down the street for a $2 movie. If you in the area I'm sure you already know about this place but if you not you should come check it out and let us know what you think.
(4)Sarat G.
This place has a awesome beer selection. Their Fish and Chips are to be die for. Its a perfect place to have a few beers after work with your Co-workers.
(4)bobbi n.
Pretty good, very large burgers (though not award-winning quality like they boast) with a nice variety of toppings. Great beer selection for the suburbs, although it's no Hopleaf. Really nice place to go if you just want a burger and beer and don't want to travel far. Parking is sometimes a little bit of a pain - LaGrange gets a bit packed on weekends, partially because of the packed outdoor seating area that's immensely popular at Palmer's. But it's the best place to get a giant Green River and they have pretzel bread available for their burgers now (borrowed from kumas?), so I'm a happy customer.
(4)Kevin C.
**review only for burgers!** My absolute favorite burger in IL is The Berlin from Palmer Place, sans the bacon and sauerkraut. I'm in the city so I've been to many of the famed places to try burgers, including Kumas and Rosebud etc etc and call me crazy but I just find their patties too large and don't enjoy biting into such huge chunks of meat. Palmer Place has, in my opinion, perfected their proportions. Just the right amount of meat without being too much, wonderfully crisp cheddar cheese (not too much or to little), and the most important ingredient- pretzel bun! Everything is cooked to perfection and always tastes absolutely delicious. I can actually eat the whole thing without feeling sick and so full I could burst afterwards as well. I always make sure to grab one when in the suburbs and I always suggest my family goes here, just so I can get the burger! Come to Palmer and grab a burger and a Green River, or your favorite beer!
(5)Nick G.
One of my favorite places in LaGrange. The menu is extensive and I have yet to encounter anything I didn't like. They also have a huge beer menu and a great beer garden.
(4)Zeldin Q.
I had a delicious burger here. The meat tasted great; a bit of char, and was cooked perfectly medium rare. It was juicy and a nice grind. They were happy to accommodate my requested of a ciabbatta bun (hard to find on burgers in Chicago). I would have liked more bacon or thicker slices, but that's ok. The bacon was well cooked. And the fries were good. They didn't taste frozen, and they weren't pre-salted. I like when that's left up to my preference.
(5)Brian M.
Massive beer menu and decent food makes for a good time. They have a decent beer garden, too. The place gets a bit crowded on weekends, but that's likely due to their being one of the only places in the area that isn't a dive that serves booze.
(4)Tanya S.
Great beer garden in the summer. Lots of beer on tap year round. Food is so-so. This is the local hang out.
(3)Erin B.
Being that this is an LTHS alumni hang out, it automatically doesn't get 5 stars. This bar by far has the longest beer list that I've ever seen. Maybe it's because I don't get out much, but come on...they've got beers from everywhere! They even have an "Ass" beer. I think it's German. They've got a great outdoor patio, and the inside is rather large too. Food is decent--I like ordering the veggie cheese tray!
(4)Piper O.
waited for ever for server. baked potato was undercooked. love the beer garden when its open. its a good place to have a drink and apps before you go out . don't enjoy the food too much.
(2)Alicia F.
I ventured out to the 'burbs last Friday to have drinks with friends and was not too happy about making the drive. But I have to admit the beer garden here is a lot of fun! And I was very impressed with the size of the beer list. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich and it was pretty standard but tasty bar fare. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out in the summertime!
(4)Amory D.
Please bear with this somewhat longer review as there is a story to how we arrived at Palmer's Place. My wife and I went to Chequers restaurant (around the corner from Palmer's Place) on 10/23/09 for dinner around 7:00pm. We chose Chequers since we have not been there before. When we arrived, we seated ourselves in front of the bar (a high traffic area where the wait staff are constantly moving). As we sat down, two waiters looked at us then looked at each other to decide who was going to be our waiter. I overheard one say "it's up to you" then they dispersed. The wife and I found that surprising as we waited for menus. After about 3-5 minutes we were not given menus or even greeted by anyone. I noticed that two of the three waiters passed by us on a few occasions, without even noticing that we have yet to be tended to. After about 5 minutes total, we decided to leave. If they can't even give us menus within 3 minutes of sitting down in a half-full dining room, we concluded that there will be a problem with the dining experience. After quietly leaving Chequers, we went to Palmer's Place around the corner. Palmer's was about 75% at capacity, yet we were seated immediately, and greeted within one minute. Our waitress was checking on us every 5 minutes in a non-evasive way. As we completed portions of our meal, our table was cleared instantly. The final bill was very reasonable (less than $40 for two). It was a great way to offset the negative experience from Chequers. Our visit on 10/23 was the fourth time in one year that we have been to Palmer's Place. The wait staff is prompt, the beer selection is phenomenal, and the prices are very reasonable. I would give this restaurant five stars if it wasn't for one shortcoming with our dessert. Although our cookie dough cheesecake was tasty, it was hard...this is most likely since it was frozen. There is no problem with store/vendor-bought dessert, but we expected a softer cheesecake that did not require skewering with our forks to break apart. Perhaps we should have ordered the chocolate fudge cake that our waitress recommended. Overall, we'll be back soon...and we will be sure to try the chocolate fudge cake.
(4)Anne A.
AMAZING beer list. I have to say, anywhere that serves gumballhead on tap is a friend of mine. Food is your average bar fare (didn't try to burger, though the veggie burger will be my choice next time). The space inside is weirdly configured, but the outdoor patio is a divine place to unwind after a long day of work.
(4)James L.
I have been here many times... I remember when it was "The Spot To Eat" Airy and comfortable... A beer list to kick butt... A good menu, not to overpowering... A fun place for a family to go... Ambiance is so homey...yet still well run business... The German Club was still as god as it always was...
(4)Jay D.
For being a cynical, snobby food crab-ass I'll give this place a thumbs up! I've eaten here plenty of times and have had nary a complaint. Good beer selection, delicious sandwiches and burgers, and have always had good service. My wife is a serious burger expert and rates this place tops! I always look forward to a dinner here with my sweetie and always walk out satisfied.
(4)Alex W.
Visited Palmer Place on a recent Saturday afternoon for the first time in years. It was exactly as I remembered: a large, comfortable environment with only decent food. I'm glad that a local place has held up as many chains have moved into the area.
(3)Dave S.
The warm weather has inspired me to write a review on my favorite summer outdoor drinking/eating establishment in the suburbs - Palmers! The two level outdoor patio is one of the the best I have ever been to. The food is very good and I have never been let down with the service. Their beer list is one of the most extensive I have ever seen and is one of the largest in the Chicago Metro area. This is one of my must-stops every summer.
(5)April P.
Ate dinner here with my friend once. It was delicious. We were looking for good ol' fried pub food after 10:00 and it was hard to find in cute little downtown LaGrange. Palmer Place was just what we needed though. I got a platter of fried green beans. Yummo. The place was packed! It was really fun : ) and they had a fireplace! This place was definitely fun and I will be back. Also, our waitress was really nice, and she checked back on us a lot.
(5)Lavon K.
This place has substandard food and substandard service. That's all.
(1)Christine D.
I love this place. The food is amazing. Options for everyone. Service is usually on point. The day time bartenders are always very friendly and the server Kristin is awesome. I live fairly close and when I get the chance to go out for a burger or beer this is where I go.
(5)Jacqueline S.
We came here as a group for lunch and I think they handled the group fine - it did take a long time for the food to come out. The burgers were huge and were decent (to me nothing beats the one we make right in our backyard). It was okay but nothing special. The beer selection on the other hand was very impressive but I will have to try them another time.
(3)John B.
Greeted at the door by Janelle. She is also my waitperson. Got a great booth. Ordered the house cheeseburger medium rare, potato salad and a house merlot, and a ginger ale back. A good test of a new place is to stick with the basics or specialties of the house don't you think? The merlot arrived within seconds. Ah yes. Not too acidic. Doesn't torch through your esophagus. The burger was also served fast, though I note the place is pretty deserted on this wet evening. My, my. Excellent burger. Oh yes. Explosively juicy and medium rare perfectly. The potato salad is a Giant scoop of carbs. Delicious. So good I have the need for dessert. I have ordered flour-less chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and lots of whip cream. Wow, this is good eating! I live here in downtown La Grange. Across from the METRA train station, above the newsstand. You know the place. Anyway the slop chutes here close at 9p. Palmers serves this Tuesday until 1030p. A life saver. I generally believe a place is a one star or a give star. Go or No-Go. My words speak as to the quality, value, convenience etc. Therefore 5 Stars and a special nod to Hostess, Server, Diplomat, and all around attentive person, Janelle.
(5)Mike M.
I could not believe how rude the owner was to me and my 4 year old. I was bringing in a group of 14, we were the first ones to get there and you would have thought this needed to be handled by Navy Seals. His attitude was one of disgust. I have gone there many, many times over the years because there wasn't much else in the neighborhood. Thank GOD THERE IS NOW. Besides sitting on their patio, which is awesome everything else leaves a lot to be desired. The Beer Menu is great, BUT they really don't have 1/2 of it in stock. The food is terrible and it just seems like they don't care. Its too bad, this used to be a great place. Hopefully they recognize what they have with the location and outdoor patio and get their attitudes in check. That and increasing the quality of their menu would be incredible.
(1)Andy M.
A great place to kick back with a group of people inside or outside as they have a huge beer garden in the back. The place is unique and spacious and the food about average American bar type standard. The servers are quick and around often and this place has a great cocktail and beer selection. Plenty of different type of seating also makes this a place worth visiting in downtown Lagrange park
(4)Michelle H.
Anyone who enjoys beers from around the world will marvel at the extensive beer selection that this place offers. They also have many brews from here in the States as well. I personally think, that anyone who come in here and orders a Miller Light should be shot on sight. We came here for a family get-together. Since it was raining that day, we were not able to sit outside on their double-decker patio/beer garden (I will have to come back for that alone- nothing makes for better drinking than a comfy outdoor atmosphere.) But they were able to accommodate our party of ten indoors, without a problem. Our server was great, always there with refills, and asking if we needed anything else. As for the aforementioned beer selection, I was a bit overwhelmed. I ended up choosing a Strawberry organic pale ale. It was great, but at $10 a bottle, definitely a sipping brew. The food was pretty decent as well. We started out with some basic nachos for the appetizers. Huge portion, but nothing spectacular. For my main course, I had the Reuben sandwich. Very delicious. And the potato salad I had as my side choice was really good, creamy and made with red potatoes. We also shared some deserts around the table. Also not very memorable. Parking out front of the place may be a little tricky, but if you go around the block, there is a public municipal parking lot about half a block from the place.
(4)Edgar P.
I...LOVE...THIS...PLACE!!! I've been going to this place for food and drinks for 7 years now and I've still yet to be disappointed by this place. To be honest with you, I come here mostly for the beer selection but am going to start off with some of my favorite things off the food menu first... I would probably tell you to start off with the Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Combo Platter, wings, and potato skins. The Torpedo is probably one of the suckier items on the app menu...no peppers and all cheese. I would then recommend the Ostrich Burger, Kobe Burger, NY Deli, and the Ultimate Gourmet Burger ( i know, I like burgers). The Bavarian is actually another great option but you gotta try some of those burgers first!!! To water it all down, Palmer's Place has quite an assortment of beers to choose from to suit even the stingiest taste buds! They have 39 beers on Tap, 211 in bottles, and another 10 in cans...you really can't go wrong. Now I really never liked some of the big market beers because they lack flavor and all taste kind of blah. I enjoy craft beers and many imports, though they generally cost more money. The way I see it, if you're going to enjoy a beer, you might as well get one that has character. This place offers that escape from your average beer and lets you explore the variety of beer that most of us tend to overlook or miss completely. For this reason, you NEED to Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)Michael R.
One of my favorite burger joints. It's as good as it gets when it comes to that. And their onion rings. Mmmm... Hot pretzels with honey mustard is a great appetizer too. I didn't like the buffalo chicken sandwich all that much, but that is hardly a reason to take away a star. Every restaurant has a crappy dish and out of the 10ish times I've been there, that was the first meal I didn't enjoy.
(5)Jason M.
We've tried Palmer's several times now and each time it's been just OK. The beer list is great, but the food doesn't measure up. I've tried the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich a few times - the chicken is tough, the sauce isn't spicy enough, and the bun is very dry and tasteless. I've had a couple salads which were mediocre. The burgers are ok - the variety of options are great but the quality of ingredients is just average. My husband had the "Mayor of Manheim" sandwich today and said it was inedible - tough, low-quality meat. Also the bun on our daughter's hot dog was hard and dry. The onion rings are good. The service is usually pretty slow. If you want to watch some games and try a variety of different beers, check out Palmer's. If you want great food with quality ingredients, head to Nickson's. We've tried Palmer's for the last time - we're sticking with Nickson's from now on!
(2)Jessica S.
I like Palmer's. It is always a good back up when you can't think of anywhere else to go. The food is solid and the service is always good. I'm a huge fan of the Tortellini Cesar Salad. It's nice to be able to get a salad without meat thrown on the top (although you can get that here too!). I especially like it during the summer when the deck is open. Bottom line, I wouldn't really go out of my way to go to Palmer's. However, if someone suggests it I am always game!
(3)Nathan D.
The place is fantastic. They have a large menu to fill just about any appetite. Very extensive burger list and even more extensive beer list. If you are a big fan of either you must stop in and endulge in this magnifisant dinning experience. Best part is no matter what time of the day you arrive, they always have a spot for you
(5)Ryan M.
The key to happiness is managing your expectations. If you come to Palmer Place expecting a gourmet prix fixe meal, you're in for some disappointment. The food is standard bar food, and like most bars it's a bit of a gamble; not much else worth saying about it. Palmer Place does excel in one area, and that's beer *selection*. You can safely expect a massive, albeit unsorted, list of delicious beers, even some rare ones (Sam Adam's Utopias wtf?!). With a beer list like Palmer's I can easily forgive some of their other sins; you'll be quite happy here if you do the same.
(4)Mike B.
I'm a big fan of imperial stout beers. They had Hoppin Frog "Boris the crusher oatmeal imperial stout" which was very good.
(4)Mark H.
This is a local favorite but I personally think there are better options out there. The hamburgers are good but every thing in general is just average tasting and over priced. What they call beer garden is actually just a heated tent that they have lawn chairs in. If you are in down town Lagrange and have to have a burger now then this place works fine.
(3)Celina B.
Well, Yay! I'm a fan because of the beer and drink selections. I could have that one little extra star, had our serve known anything about those delicious beer and drink selections. I had been here before my drinking years with my parents and there food was always great! But one night me and my boyfriend were looking for places for good burgers- however- he always has to check the beer lists first, so we finally decided on this place. It's good for families or for friends- its cute, nice friendly atmosphere but expect a wait. We got lucky this time, but if you want their patio in the summer- I suggest getting there early or expecting to wait. We ordered some apps, and were overly excited to find baked french onion on their menu. A staple in our relationship. It was good! I liked the broth- not too thick, not too watery, but a little saltier than normal. The cheese was baked perfectly though- bonus points to make up for the salty broth. I got an artichoke dip burger, and my boyfriend swears it was good, but I think I was just expecting something else maybe? I mean, it was good, but when you have a picture in your head of what you want and it comes out not looking or tasting like that- its REALLY hard to tell yourself it's still good. Ok fine, it was really good, but could have used a little more of the artichoke dip. Throughout this ordering process of too much food per usual, is where they lost their star. One of my new drinks has a couple nicknames: Angry Cider or Angry Balls. It's woodchuck cider and a shot of fireball whiskey. It's like alcoholic fall in a glass. I saw that they offered a drink like this but with caramel whiskey- meh, I want my Angry Balls. I asked our waitress if they had fireball and she didn't know what that even was let alone if they had it. She came back quick and offered me raspberry cider instead (they were out of regular, or she thought), to which I politely declined but in my head thought- Angry Raspberry Cinnamon balls? No thank you! She came back and said no fireball whiskey but they actually do have normal cider. So I ask for their caramel cider drink. She says she has to check if they have that..... Oi. She comes back and they do have it so I ask for that, and she asks if I want it in a bottle. How are you going to pour a shot of vodka in the bottle? Right? I can't be the only one thinking that right now- so she comes back again after this and asks if I want it on ice. If it's on your menu- shouldn't you have a specific way of making it so that it tastes good?? After all this I got my drink and it was AMAZING! And my new favorite so kudos on that. This is where life sucked for my bf- he was asking about a couple beers on their list and she had no idea. Another full 10 minutes of back and forth to ask the bartender. She didn't seem new at all, otherwise i could cut her some slack but if you're at a place that features itself on good beer- know it! It was super annoying. It was also annoying when I checked in on Yelp, got a free appetizer, and she asked that I please write a good review on her. Sure, people joke about that stuff- but she was serious. And mentioned it multiple times. After writing all of this I'm really ready to go bump it down to 3, but it really just was our server on this one occasion that made us irritated. After it was all said and done, the food was great! We got lucky and had no wait, and we're gonna be going back for a patio visit soon!
(4)James M.
Always liked this place, have been going here for many years. One of the best beer selections you can find, certainly the best in La Grange.
(4)Rosa K.
This place is da bomb! They have the largest, most extensive beer list I have ever seen! Especially for some random restaurant in the random Chicago suburb of LaGrange. They get 4 stars just for having such an amazing selection of U.S. and International beers including rare microbrewery beers! Food was kinda bleh. Shoulda got a burger, they have kobe burgers and ostrich burgers! Crazy, but I'll have to try it next time. Wasn't really hungry this day so just had a bowl of soup and some delish Turkish beer. It was a pilsner but it tasted like a stout. Wooohoo! FYI, they have a beer sampler of 4 beers. Check out zee lovely biergarten in zee back... o.O beer garden!? wahhhh? you can grow beer?! jk! :-P
(4)Eric S.
I'm giving four stars because of the beer selection and the awesome beer garden for a summer night. They also do a nice job in catering to families. Service is spotty though...can be overly busy and "in the weeds" fairly often, meaning you don't get your drink re-filled as quickly as you'd like. I also have to take a star off of my review for the food...really average things coming out of the kitchen there. Not "bad", but nothing that I have to go back for every time.
(4)Elijah W.
this place has gotten worse over the past 5 years. the beer selection is amazing, the patio is amazing, the food has become AWFUL. i don't understand why.....its not like they are serving gourmet, but the food is brutal. i was there last week with my boys who are 4 and they wouldn't touch their grilled cheese. go for the drinks, but skip the grub.......as i always say, f you are going to eat "BAD" food, it has to be "GREAT". Go to York Tavern for the food and drinks, go to Palmer for the patio and drinks.
(2)Kim H.
I love going to Palmer's place. Especially during the nice weather season when we can enjoy the relaxing biergarten. I've tried a bunch of the menu items but keep going back to my favorite: Grilled Salmon on a ciabatta (yum!). The steak salad is also excellent - I do recommend. The beer of course is the perfect compliment as well. I thoroughly enjoy eating my salmon while sipping on a seasonal Bell's. Is it spring yet?
(4)Nichole M.
One of my fave neighborhood spots. They have such a nice beer garden, I love sitting outside here, you can also sit on the rooftop as well. I have been here more times than I can count, but was here just recently and it reminded me that I had not reviewed it yet. They have a larger beer list than I've seen anywhere else in the Chicagoland area, and a lot of beers on tap. I don't drink beer, so that's all i can tell you. Their food is generally very good. They have a large food menu as well. I love their cheese balls, which are just fried balls of cheddar cheese, yummmm. Also, they have a huge selection of cheeseburgers. My favorite is the Berlin Burger, no sauerkraut. it is basically a smoked cheddar and bacon cheeseburger on a pretzel bread bun. To. Die. For. They have lots of salads, clubs, and all sorts of other yummy food to try. I can't think of anything I've had there that I didn't like. Although, I usually stick with my Berlin Burger. Try this place out, you will not be disappointed, especially if you sit outside and have a drink.
(4)Adam M.
Palmer Place deserves 3 1/2 stars, but since that's not an option I went with 3. The food is very typical of any American Pub so that's why I'm just saying this place rates about 3 1/2 stars. They do have a huge selection of burgers and a ton of different kinds of beer from all over the world. Because of these two things I would recommend trying Palmer Place and I plan on coming back if I'm ever in the La Grange area.
(3)Reuben H.
Palmer Place is a solid place for a burger in your face! If there was any dispute on my abilities to be a world-famous rapper, the above line should prove those disputes to be 100% accurate. Rap, I cannot do. I cannot even PRETEND to do. Eat burgers and drink beer- well... I am pretty good at that. Palmer Place used to be my go-to spot for all things "burgers and beer." Their burgers are well made, with juicy meat, and pretty decent and interesting topping combinations. I would not think to compare them to a place like Kuma's, but when coupling their good burgers with a very extensive beer list- the place became a destination spot for me when I lived in the western 'burbs. Since then I have been there a couple of times and still enjoy it. Their outdoor beer garden/patio is a very happening place when weather permits. Not much of a view considering it is basically in a parking lot- but the patio itself is spacious and lively. I cannot speak too much on anything else on the menu other than their burgers. Service is missing a level of expertise. Most of the time you will be served by someone who is either a high school student or someone only a short time out of high school. Therefore, they either know nothing about beer because they are too young, or their experience with beer is limited to slamming Natty's Ice out behind their friend's parents garage, trying to pick up a good buzz before heading to downtown La Grange on a Saturday night to meet up with the rest of their high school friends. I should know- many of these kids serving you your beer and burgers are reincarnated versions of my friends years ago. Can't blame them for not knowing, but it still can be frustrating if you have a taste for something and want to ask for a recommendation. I give props to your pops For raising you right Serving me burgers and beer On a Saturday night Make money-money, make money-money-money! Make money-money, make money-money-money! (Rap FAIL)
(4)Torrey L.
Ah... The tragedy of Palmer Place. On paper, it looks perfect. Large, outdoor beer garden, dozens of mircobrews and specialty beers, house-made specialty burgers, lively pub in back... But it never works. They are frequently out of many of the beers on the menu. Even worse, they are usually "out" of some of their burgers. When they are available, the burgers are average. In fact, I would go as far as to say that everything on the menu is average at best. If I have something that blows me away, I'll be sure to let everyone know. The other problem is that the waitresses frequently have no knowledge of any of the beers they serve. Something may sound interesting on the menu, but the details are as much a mystery to the staff as they are to the customers. I would be content with smaller food and beverage menus if I knew that everything was in stock, and everything was coming out of the kitchen with care.
(2)Mary T.
I received some sage advice from an ex-bf the first time I came here and now I'm passing it on to you (you can thank me later): Come prepared with at least 3 beer choices when you place your order, you may need it. As much as I hate to give him props his advice is spot on. I had just finished Kelly S. the story when our server returned to tell us they were out of Kelly's beer selection. I can't really fault them for keeping small quantities of the most uncommon beers, given the size of their beer menu (225) I can understand not wanting to risk letting large quantities of beer go skunk. I used to live 3 blocks from this place in my suburban days and it was my regular summer hangout. It's a solid place to kick back, relax, grab a bite and a beer. The awesome patio (aside from the beer selection) is the biggest draw. There's the ground level and rooftop and plenty of umbrellas protecting you from the sweltering sun. Palmer's won't win any awards for its menu. What I mean is that the food is solid, the portions generous, but don't expect any culinary masterpieces. I usually stick to sandwiches and veggie burgers and have yet to be disappointed. The tuna club is my favorite - a double decker club with swiss and cheddar that comes with a side; plenty of food for two meals. If you get the fries ask for a side of cheese sauce, it's so yummy and has a hint of jalapeno. Bottom line: Good food, good beer, reasonable prices, and bitchin' patio! TIP: I have no shame admitting that I'm a Miller Lite girl. Take my advice, don't miss the opportunity to try something different while you're here.
(4)Raina B.
Overpriced, frozen food. The atmosphere was great, and I was really looking forward to our meal. However, my baked cod was soggy and obviously was freezer burnt, along with the fries my husband had. The mashed potatoes were excellent though! His portabella angus burger had something off with it - the mushroom was somehow soggy and the bread was hard. Overall just kinda bland and soggy. It was a Wednesday night.
(2)Marilyn J.
Writing the review after going twice. The food was just ok and the servers just ok also. I think if the servers would have been a little more customer friendly I would have given 1 more star.
(2)Brigid S.
This place has a really impressive menu, which includes a great spinach and artichoke dip. My husband and I both ordered the fish and chips, which were also really good. I'm not a beer drinker, but even I have to admire the extensive beer list they offer. There's a friendly, neighborhood vibe. We happened to go on a Senior Discount evening, so the overall age skewed older on the night we were there. I'm sure it's a bit different on the weekends. Overall, I would recommend it as a low-key place for good food and a couple drinks.
(4)Candice G.
I would go as far as to say that Palmer Place has the best beer selection in the tri-suburban area. Oh, and burger selection. A friendly suburban place, that often has a wait to sit down... but for good reason. Their boneless wings make me want to go back to being a meat eater and their burger selection is one of the best I have ever seen! The place is big and they have an outdoor patio along with a rooftop patio for seating in the warmer months. I've only eaten outside because the inside has really annoying lighting and is cheap diner-y in a bad way. The staff aren't the greatest. The service is okay but a few times we've gotten some attitude. If you're an all male table, the female staff is more than willing to give you extra attention and flirt time. If you are a couple, you will defo be neglected. Again, the food here is AMAZING... defo deserves 5 stars but the sometimes pissy staff and poor interior take it down a star. I'd like to see some friendlier service... or maybe just more staffing. Sometimes I think the servers have too many tables and then develop the frustrated attitude... I waited tables for 10 years so I totally understand but on the other hand, I would like to see improvement.
(4)Dan C.
Had a great time at Palmers today with team from work. Had a variety of cool beers, great service, and a visit from the owner. Place had a great crowd and we enjoyed it very much. Palmers is a classic place for getting together with friends and family. We'll be back soon!
(5)Wesley S.
This review and rating is for the restaurant experience only, not for the bar. The menu selections are about what one would expect in an Irish pub. In terms of quality, the preparation of the dishes is neither good nor bad. Likewise, service is capable and unremarkable. In summary, this pub restaurant is unremarkable. ------- The Beer Garden, which is the outdoor seating area, is sizable and well away from Lagrange Road and the Burlington. It is a very fine place to eat and drink outdoors.
(2)Simone P.
This is my favorite go to place when Im looking to get a great drink and a delicious meal. Every time I visit Palmer Place I enjoy that I have a pretty easy time finding a seat, but Id keep in mind that this place is a local favorite and could be packed on the weekend or game nights. Im not big on drinks or cocktails but the Palmer Place daquiris are the highlight of my visit. It has become my go to place for a relaxing dinner and drink. I definitely taste the value when I get to sip off the giant mountain of daquiri that stands on the glass. Not only are the mango and strawberry daquiris great, my boyfriend has actually found a local place with a great Manhatten. I am impressed! The employees are always nice, friendly and fast paced. The food is delicious, and I know fish and chips is pretty simple but it is SO GOOD. Yum, writing this review makes me want to come back sooner than my wallet can afford. The prices are very reasonable but of course the bill adds up after a few amazing daquiris. Keep up the good work!
(5)Alison B.
If you're a beer fan, holy crap is this the place for you. TONS of them. If you just want some food, then, mehhhh, this place is fairly good. It's clean. The menus are totally tattered (ewww). They have several different rooms you can eat in, which makes you feel like you aren't in a huge restaurant. Waitstaff is attentive. Food is quick. Ostrich burger was delish! Tortellini Cesar salad, was 6/10--- it was huge, and lettuce was crisp and fresh, fresh grated parmesan on top, but the tortellini didn't taste very good and the dressing was too sour for me. Spinach Artichoke Dip was good-- not great. Came with fresh and warm pita bread, which was a nice touch. Nice that there are a lot of options for sides (potato- baked or mashed, chips, cottage cheese, fruit, potato salad). GET the potato salad--- yummmm. I think it's red potatoes, with eggs and green onion. Can't tell for sure because I was stealing from my husband's plate and he kept blocking me : ) Random: I dig the huge plastic glasses of ice water with fresh lemon. Lots of families there. I like the crayons at the table, and next time will order off the kids menu-- yum. Tons of TV's, and good speakers. Overpriced, but that's due to location. We'll be back.
(3)Joann J.
Lived in Lagrange 35 years, been to Palmers 6 times, NEVER impressed, burgers ALWAYS overcooked, service slow, and why do waitresses insist on calling you "HON" or "GUYS" next to us were 4 older ladies and I know they were irked just as we were being refereed to either as guys or hon, the appetizers were horrible, tiny little cheese nuggets, couldn't figure out what the rest of the stuff was, very frozen isle generic , I had the grilled chicken pita, a flat tasting chicken breast on a flat tasting pita smothered with flat tasting peppers, my sister had a turkey club, the whole wheat bread was not toasted,turkey was sparse, the lettuce was SOOO finely chopped she was having a hard time picking it up, it was all over the table, WHY because the plate was tiny to make the meal look bigger, needless to say it was her 1st time and she loved the biergarten (atmosphere ) but will not go back, maybe if we par-took in the beer selection the food would be second, but we look for good food and decent service and neither were there................
(1)Maureen E.
We were in the neighborhood and looking for a place to watch the home run derby. The best thing I can say is that they had flat screen TVs, two of which were on the derby. Our server couldn't have been less interested in us, and brought us our check without being asked, and when we asked for two more beers, she sighed, because clearly, she would have to redo our ticket. The food was lackluster, from any mediocre place in America. Interestingly enough, the person who provided the best service was the busboy, and I really wish we would have been able to tip him instead. I intend to call the restaurant and compliment him on his service level. Clearly he is used to picking up the slack for the bored college girl who is only waiting tables because her mom forced her to get a job for the summer. Should I find myself in LaGrange again, there has got to be a better watering hole with sports - maybe a TGI Fridays?
(2)M C.
As an avid beer drinker, the promise of a beer garden was exciting, plus this restaurant was featured on Chicago's Best, which made the food enticing as well. Upon arriving, I noticed the long list of bottled beers and decent listing of draft beers. Unlike most beer gardens though, the beer listing did not give flavor descriptions, so I decided on a beer I had not heard of before and was disappointed to find it tasted like Coors Light. The second beer was a little better but I was a bit put off by the unexciting choices on the draft menu. Onto the food...my Benchmark burger was incredible. Just reading the menu's description was enough to make my mouth water: so many elements, so well-balanced. I would definitely recommend this burger to any new visitors, but this may be the obvious choice upon looking at the menu. I was surprised by the amount of burgers Palmer Place offered (a full menu page!), and I thought my choice would be difficult to make before the waitress asked for my order. When reading the other descriptions, none came close to the Benchmark burger (and perhaps that is ok since I would return to try it again), but it seemed as if the restaurant's efforts were focused on that burger and tapered off when conceptualizing the remaining burgers. Let me know your thoughts on this. My side, french fries, were the standard wedge cut that probably came from a frozen bag, which was fine, nothing special. Overall a decent experience and a great burger that I would come back for; however, that is the only draw for me.
(3)Christine W.
When we moved to the area 15 years ago- PP was FANTASTIC! Loved the food, the service, the beer selection... we went about once a week. The past 5 years have seen a steady decline in food quality (to us). While they added other drinks to the menu (yeah!), their food is not as good as it used to be. On our most recent trip, the appetizers tasted slightly freezer burned, the burger was good (not great), and the salad was not very good at all. Unlike other reviewers, we have always had great service. We would go back for drinks, but I will wait awhile before returning here for food. There are too many other places in LaGrange with great food to go here. If someone else in our party suggests it, I won't turn it down- but I won't give it an endorsement until things go back up.
(2)Trisha K.
I am a sucker for a beer garden with microbrews so I continue to come back to Palmer's and am regularly disappointed. The burgers are OK, although there's better down the street at Back Alley, but Palmer's has such a HUGE beer menu, which is the reason I go. The probelm is how many times I have to order 5 times before we find a beer they have in stock. Don't advertise a gazillion micro brews is you only actually carry 15. The service is also just OK. I have good and bad, slow and not as slow, but never great servers. They consistently don't seem to give a shit. My husband hates it, my daughter doesn't love it, but we keep going back for more unique beer. Maybe it's time for me to quit drinking!
(3)Carrie P.
I would've written this review alot earlier but I was so shi* faced off the huge beer selection it took me about a day to even get home. Seriously though, the food here is great. They have so many different types of burgers and all of them seem creative and delicious. I say seem because I have not run the myriad of burgers they have on their list. Last time I have the Wagyu burger with cheddar and it was juicy and flavorful (and low in fat) LOVE IT! I also love a place that will boldly serve liver sausage on a sandwich..not just a normal sandwich...a club liver sausage sandwich......köstlich! Besides having a huge menu with great selections...they have tons of different beers from around the world...we basically started in Australia and made it to France before cashing out..... The prices are good and the rest is worth it...so get to Palmer's..and if it's nice out...sit in the beer garden and bring a friend who doesn't drink.
(4)Ashley P.
Been coming here for MANY years..."many" as in the better part of my life. I've never had a bad burger here. They're always juicy and the cooks make it the way I like it (medium rare) every time. I recommend the Buffalo Style Burger and the Vermont Burger for tasty goodness. And yes, the beer selection is fantastic; one of the only places that carries Abita Restoration Ale in the area.
(4)Will V.
This is one of the best places in downtown La Grange. I don't know how many afternoons I've spent drinking a few beers here. The selection is really quite amazing considering the location. There are few bars even in Chicago with this kind of beer selection. They have everything from American macros (yuck!) to Trappist beers (yum!). As Kate said, they have GUMBALLHEAD ON TAP!!!! The only negative, I think the quality of the food has gone down in the past year or so. I used to get the Kobe burger, and it was really amazing. I think they changed their food vendor recently, and the burger patties all look pre-formed, not like before. And they don't taste as good. Still, you can get some decent food, and it's not priced out of line. The service is generally excellent. The beer garden is really nice, and they have seating both downstairs and up on the roof. If you prefer to watch the game, they have plenty of televisions inside.
(4)Kim R.
Normally, I would give Palmer's at least 4 stars but my most recent experience only deserves 2 and I'm being generous. As I walked in through the back entrance which most people do as their parking lot is located in the back, there were two bimbos smoking right by the door. There was no way avoiding their nasty smoke. You had to walk right through it. State law says, you must be 15 feet away from the door. Not these twits. I'm hoping the management will see the negative review but I will still write a letter to management. Otherwise, our service was good. I did have to ask twice for water and again for a box to take my left overs to go but this was not a huge negative. The food was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. They have a nice selection of beer. Probably over 100 choices. It's a mixed clientele from 20's to 50's, singles and familes. It's a good place for anyone. Other than the cancer crew at the door, all was good.
(2)Ashley W.
This place had the chance to earn a 5 star rating, and probably would have gotten it, had they not told us that their Yelp Check-in Offer was not being accepted. We chose to stop by this restaurants for a couple of reasons. First, we were in the area and had heard good things about it, but secondly, we saw that if we checked-in, we got a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees which sounded great! Upon showing the waitress the coupon on our phone, she went to check with a manager to see if it could be used because she hadn't seen it before. The manager told her that the check-in offer was only good for February (today is March 5th). That's all fine and dandy, except they didn't bother to remove the offer from Yelp and that's really what brought us there in the first place. Now the good thing is that our waitress was friendly and the food was good, but we were definitely disappointed that they wouldn't honor the Yelp check-in offer.
(3)Elliott D.
I've been going here for years and years, in fact, I was probably still playing with crayons the first time I came here. That said, nostalgia doesn't prevent me from making a fair assessment of the place. Let's begin with the postives. There is always a great selection of beer on tap with plenty of choices both foreign and domestic. There is also a good choice of bottled beers that can be hard to find elsewhere. I would say that the burgers are the highlight here in terms of food. I've had a little bit of everything on the menu but always come back to the burgers as my mainstay. They are almost always cooked to order and have a great selection of toppings beyond your standard bacon and cheese. The Kobe beef is particularly good. Also, the service is fairly consistent and the biergarten has a very laid back atmosphere. Now on to some of the not so good things about this place. With such a wide variety of bottled beers, some do not get selected often and so when they are ordered they already have gone bad. On more than one occasion myself or a friend has ordered a beer, the most recent being a Kentucky breakfast stout, that when brought out has a skunky taste because it's been sitting around too long. Also, the food is overpriced. I will continue to go to Palmer's because it is a great local place but I have watched beer and burger prices skyrocket over the past few years. I know that commodities are up but Palmer's has kept ahead of the cost of inflation. Also, for a place with such a great selection of beer, the waitresses are not very knowledgeable when it comes to making recommendations or pairings with food. I don't expect much but a little know-how goes a long way. To sum up, I will definitely go here again as it's a great place to hang out with friends and get a beer on a weekend, even if it has a few drawbacks.
(3)Cristina T.
PP never disappoints. Their burgers are awesome, the beer list is huge and the atmosphere is casual. Usually on weekends and in the summer it can get pretty crowded, but once you get seated you are guaranteed to have a good time. On this occasion I had the Waldorf Salad with blackened chicken. The raspberry-balsamic dressing was perfectly balanced with the walnuts, apples and Gorgonzola cheese. The chicken was just a little spicy, juicy and delicious. Portions are large and prices are decent.
(5)Logan S.
Oh Palmer you had me for several years but recently lost me. Not much has changed here, same decor, same menu offerings, same looking, albeit, friendly, wait staff. But wait, are there typos on your menu? Talk about inflation. Did the raw costs for food go up that much ? On a recent visit, two burgers (one was a veggie burger) and one bottled stout beer cost $30 including tip. These are not big old honkin burgers people. In the past, the wait for the garden was the norm. I can see why there was no problem getting a table in the patio on a Saturday night around 6:30. My veggie burger was different, made with oats. I thought it sounded interesting, but it looked commercial and straight from the freezer. It tasted bland, so thank goodness there was ketchup and mustard on the table. The potato was decent, but it's only a baked potato, Ray Charles could not mess up a baked potato. I wish I could comment on the other burger, but I did not get to try it. Palmer, offers a very nice beer garden and cozy interior. They have an extensive food and beer menu and work well for families, if they can afford it. Your best bet is to park in the back or across the street at the free parking garage. It's worth try, but honestly there is far too much being offered in the area to pay those prices.
(3)Jenn C.
If you come here, I would concentrate on ordering one of their burgers. The choices are somewhat wide and creative. The other food items are average but not bad. Service is ok. It's an easy spot for a good old pub style place that you can bring your kids to go eat or have a beer with your burger. Not much else to say...
(3)Ben B.
The benchmark burger was good, but I honestly liked the belgium burger better. WOW what a beer selection, and the burgers were sooo good. We had the fried green tomatoes as well, which were quite tasty. The Onion rings were great too. Ohhhh fried food, how I love thee!
(5)Brett C.
Definitely a fan of Palmers. Great casual laid back atmosphere. The food is good and service is also very good. The best feature is it's expansive beer list. Not sure how many they actually have but you will find a beer for any taste or occasion. The beer list list is printed on both sides of the menu and choosing becomes the problem. Great local hang out with a large outdoor patio for warmer weather. Keep up the good work.
(4)Judas L.
Great beer, amazing pub food, amazing wait staff, what more could you ask for? Amazing hot wings and a beautiful beer garden, wish granted! Stop in for great food, great beer, great service!!!
(4)Larry C.
I usually love this place, but not tonight. Kept tasting hints of chocolate with my blackened burger. I love chocolate, but not on a burger. I've had that item before, but it never tasted like this. Ordered a beer when I sat down. It wasn't cold at all. The waitress never asked if I wanted another. I was hoping to kill some time before a movie, but couldn't wait to get out of there. The gentleman that seated me didn't even offer a "thank you" as I passed by him at the door. Overall tonight...one star.
(1)alicia b.
Beer,beer,beer and more beer! This place has the mother load of beer! I didnt know what to choose or where to start...Germany,Austria,Denmark etc....... My group decided that we would each get a different beer and taste test which worked out pretty well since I dont mind sharing. The draft options are sort of weak but the bottle options are insane! I didnt eat and to tell you the truth I only entered the restaurant to use the bathroom which by the way was very clean for those of you who care. Anyways the inside is not where you want to hang out in the summer anyhow, the patio is huge-mungus with tons of tables with umbrellas so if you come on a night like we did you will be somewhat sheltered from the rain. There is also a big A rooftop patio area that you can hang out on! I highly suggest you visit in the summer,chill on the patio and drink a couple beerzies.
(4)Patty S.
Rating Scale: 5 stars for the outside patio with atmosphere, 2 1/2 stars for their bar food, and 1 star for their waitstaff service. I've been coming to Palmer's for many many years (both pleasure and work-related). The service has always been great (a little slow at times, but never that bad to stop going). I'm not sure if management has changed over the years, but our last visit was a disaster! We ordered the simplest thing on the menu: Guiness and fish & chips. Why on earth did our meal take 45 minutes to come to us? All you have to do is take the frozen cod out of the freezer and dunk it in the fryer. What does that take? Like 5 minutes tops? It was probably sitting under the heat lamps for 30 minutes before it was served. To top it off, our waitress was rude throughout our entire visit. It's too bad, I enjoyed going there to sit outside and relax with friends. There are way too many other places I can go to do just that.
(2)Will M.
One of the best outdoor beer gardens around! Like 50 beers on tap. Great burgers and sandwiches. Nice casual place.
(3)Karen B.
While Palmer Place is out of our way, my friends and I go there often for the beer selection, good food, and great atmosphere. Their selection of both bottled beers and draft beers is downright obscene. We've gone there several times, and the service is always great, too. We've gotten tables in all parts of the place- including their outdoor tent when it's colder. I will say, the tent was nice and warm, but kept leaking on our heads a bit. Perfect for large groups, though. Otherwise, we love usually eating outside, particularly on the upper deck. Their prices are quite reasonable for food, but they don't list the prices of their beers on their massive list printed on tabloid. Only downside to that is you may just accidentally order a brew that's a good $11 for a bottle. Palmer Place's servers are always on the ball and really know their menu AND beer selection, which is quite impressive. They have good recommendations off a list that can seem intimidating to those of us that are satisfied with a Miller Lite on a regular day.
(5)Edward B.
Wow. I took college buddies who were passing through town yesterday. I wanted a place with decent food and a good beer selection and a casual, not loud atmosphere so that we could talk without yelling. Palmer Place was a home run. We each had the original Palmer Place cheeseburger and it was great. The beer selection was absolutely amazing, especially for such an accessible place in the suburbs. 36 beers on tap??? Great. They had Three Floyds Alpha Klaus on tap - absolutely stunning. I'll be back for sure. Four stars only because the burgers are a tiny, tiny bit pricey. The beer prices? Really good, though.....OK, I'm changing it to five stars :)
(5)Joseph M.
They have a long beer menu but they don't necessarily have them in stock. I tried to order eight different beers but they didn't have any of them. I ended up with a water instead. The food is good though.
(2)Mike S.
I used to go to Palmer's all the time in high school, and their patio is one of the better beer gardens in the Southwest Burbs. That being said, it's still a solid place for an after work drink, but it seems to have lost a step. While meeting a friend for happy hour/dinner I ordered a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which was alright, but not as good as I remember. It wasn't as spicy, the chicken was a little more overcooked, and the bun fell apart in my hands. It was filling, and wasn't bad, but really wasn't anything to write home about either. It's also a little more expensive than it probably warrants. A microbrew, a Guinness, and a very average chicken Sandwich set me back nearly $25. The one thing I will give them credit for is putting a tent over the Beer Garden in late fall/winter, which certainly sterilizes the surroundings, but also expands capacity significantly. Likewise, their beer selection is much bigger than I remembered, so I ordered a particularly hoppy beer I'd never had before, then retreated to a trusty Guinness. Parking is a BIG challenge. The nicknack shops that used to dominate downtown LaGrange have faded a bit, and new restaurants and bars have taken over, making parking in downtown LaGrange at a premium. Budget at least 10-15 minutes to find a parking spot if going at rush hour.
(3)Laura C.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Palmer's! My go-to spot when I'm craving a burger. They offer probably close to 30 variations and have one of the best beer gardens in the area. Plenty of seating and a large beer list. We visited most recently a couple of weekends ago. It seemed like they were a little off that Saturday evening. We waited probably 10 minutes for a table in the beer garden, no problem! They must have been understaffed as there was only 1 waitress assigned to our area and she commented that she couldn't catch her breath. Hubby ordered the Benchmark Burger, which was excellent! I ordered my usual New York Deli burger - topped with corned beef, swiss and Thousand Island. As soon as I took a bite, I knew something was missing (the Thousand Island!) I waited about 10 minutes for our waitress to check in, and then another 10 for the Thousand Island. Definitely disappointing because my burger was cold by then. Again, I'm pretty sure it was just an off night. Palmer's is definitely a solid burger spot with a great atmosphere. Kid friendly too!
(4)Valerie D.
Nice outdoor patio. As for the food, burgers are good but today I ordered a taco salad. Got a taco shell bowl full of watery chili that they claim is a taco salad. It was disgusting and I didn't eat it. Called the waitress over and said why is this so full of water? Answer was that's the chili, didn't even ask me if I liked it or not. Pushed the whole thing away and she came by and said are you done? Really??? If I order a TACO salad I expect to get a taco salad not chili with lettuce mixed in calling it a taco salad. It was a chili salad Palmers , call it like it is and describe it like that on the freaking menu!! YUCK!!!! Cross that place off my list!
(2)Liam M.
This place is so busy trying to be something it misses being anything 88 beers on the wall and not one Amber/Red outside of Fat Tire Whoo Staff has the personality like ur doing them a favor to walk in Wake up
(2)K P.
Went late afternoon on a hot Sunday. The patio was great! The beer list was amazing. However, the service was TERRIBLE. So terrible. I will go back again as it seemed popular and what food was delivered by the other staff seemed good.
(2)Kathi K.
Everything is great here. Ask for the gyros burger with a turkey patty...delish! Love sitting outside in the biergarten. Great place for groups.
(5)Paul D.
Nice and casual in the Garten as always! Great place to chill with good food, get the Bavarian or the Masterpiece Burger...truly de-lish
(4)Thomas C.
Had been meaning to try this place for a while after enjoying my carryout experience. Took the kids and Grandma while wife was out of town...we'll be back. Corned Beef (Reuben) was phenomenal. Burger was good, not great, had the Prime cheeseburger, had had their specialty burger before which I thought was better). Onion rings, wings ... kids had pasta (and loved it). Extensive menu, ample seating and friendly service, will definitely return.
(4)Steven M.
Came here for a Hawks game. I don't know why, but I thought we were at Casa. It was raining and that is the sign I saw when I was running for a door. So I ordered a margarita. It was horrible. but I realized my mistake and moved on the a Tito's and lemonade. Much better. We had two apps. The potato skins and the fried veggies. the tots were cold and the cheese was hard. Out of 8 there was bacon on 4. The veggies were small as was the serving. Wonderful ranch dressing though. People around us were complaining about the service. I agree. Won't be back.
(2)Candace M.
The outside beer garden is the best I've ever been to, food great, gigantic selection on beer, end of story
(5)David N.
Not rating the food or dining, but the recent back bar experience. To start, great service, friendly, and hospitable. The beer selection is one of the biggest in the burbs, aside from maybe The Beer Market in Bolingbrook. Prices seemed a tad high, but its not everywhere you can score Haymarket Brewing and Tripel Carmelite. Unfortunately that's where the goods stopped and the marginal and downright dirty began. First sign of a problem were the small, insistent, fruit flies buzzing around the beer taps, and more annoying, my face and pint glass. Flies just don't appear in bars. They're bred there, implying that whatever "cleaning" is being conducted at closing time is not being completed satisfactorily. Then I noticed a disgusting amount of dust and grime on just about every flat surface and/or ledge surrounding the bar. Less used bar liquor bottles, the Jaeger bottles upside down in the shot machine, the touch screen bar top game, all covered in laziness. Dust, grime, old uncleaned spills, sticky countertops...completely killed it for me. Not to be a dick (still) but the flat screens at the bar were small and what's a TV without HD nowadays?! Come on. The joint has the all of the making, just needs a more watchful eye to keep her going. The flies!!!!
(3)Alex C.
One of my best buds took me here since I was back in town for spring break and we needed to catch up! The vibe is Irish pub, however seems very family friendly, we saw a lot of kids and parents. We started with a half order of nachos, which was HUGE! Even for two people, a half order was probably too much. They weren't bad either! I find that nachos can be a hit and a miss in terms of too many chips or too much topping, these had a near perfect balance. My friend insisted I get a burger since that was what he usually gets and can vouch for. I'd usually opt for a salad or something lighter but he was paying and I felt obligated. I got the ultimate gourmet burger which had all the usual fixings but utilized a waygu kobe beef, special cheese, caramelized onions as well as a spicy ketchup. This was one gigantic burger and I felt definitely better than your average pub burger. I also opted for a side of coleslaw due to the server informing me they ran out of their special French fry seasoning (bummer). The slaw was good too. He got a chicken tortellini Caesar salad which he said was tasty but could have used more dressing. I did get to try the blackened chicken and was pleasantly surprised how nice that tasted. No beer for us due to it being ~1pm but their list was quite extensive. Service was also satisfactory, we didn't need much and she was polite. Overall I felt the food was good but perhaps a little pricey, though the portions were humongous and probably worth their weight.
(4)Amy M.
Food and beer is always very good here, great beer garden as well. I was disappointed with my waitresses the last 2 times I have attended. One forgot our food 2 times in the same night. The other offered no separate checks even though the last time I came for dinner the waitress indeed separated them. Our waitress was sad, looked bothered by our presence and didn't even take the time to wait for us to leave to clean the table and take the bill. Very unprofessional in a place for dining. Watch out for the crabby ready to leave work waitresses, other than that the food and drinks were pretty good.
(1)Frank P.
Been coming here for over 20 years, I am done. I know they have great beers on tap, no problem with the bar. The food, however has been on a steady decline. Last time there, I had the fishiest tasting blackened tuna I've ever tasted. Onion rings are a total grease fest, seems like oil rarely changed. Today I ordered blackened chicken ceasar salad and cup of tomato soup. The soup came out cold. I asked to have hot soup, they brought me out THE SAME SOUP, after I'm sure a quick microwave. It was still only luke warm at that time. I told waitress to forget about the soup. She later came back and said the manager agreed to take it of the bill. He did? Gee thanks (sarcasm). The salad was fine except for the rubbery pasta rings. Is it customary to have tortellini in a Ceasar salad? Overall its OK if you want a few beers outside, just eat elsewhere first.
(2)Irene G.
Been here a few times now and I'd have to say it's one of the best places in downtown La Grange. Burgers are great, their menu offers a variety of food. The beer selection is excellent and so is the service. Great outdoor seating which is perfect for summer days. Great place for families, friends, out of towners...
(5)Kim S.
The place looks really nice, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have an extensive burger menu, which is important to me, because I like things like apple chutney or peanut butter and bananas on my burgers. I ordered the Bootlegger, which is made with bourbon glaze and fried onions. I asked for it to be well-done, and I found it to be very dry. I thought that perhaps I should have asked for "almost-well" or "medium well", but my boyfriend ordered his wagu burger medium rare and he also thought his was dry. I felt my burger didn't have much flavor to it, but didn't think it was disgusting. My boyfriend, on the other hand, complained that they put way too much spicy catsup on his. He didn't like the flavor, it was overpowering, and the moisture was also causing the burger to fall apart. He didn't even get to finish half his burger before the thing disintegrated. On top of that, the waitress had stopped by, taken his drink order, and then went on to the next table to chat for 10 minutes. Then she disappeared, and when she came back to check on us later, she said, "Oh my god, I forgot your beer!" and ran off. She came back with the beverage, and both of us had already finished eating (Well, I finished. He sat there with the sad remains of a burger that he couldn't pick up). She left our finished dishes on our table and moved on. Then she walked past us again, and still left the stuff on the table. By the time my boyfriend was done with his beer, the plates and cups were still sitting there (he took his time, too). When she finally collected the dishes, she asked how the meal was, and my boyfriend explained to her that he couldn't eat his meal because if fell apart, and that the sauce was no good. She didn't really aside from, "Oh..," and slowly backed away before turning around and heading for the kitchen. The next thing we received was the bill, which included everything we had ordered, whether it had come late or was inedible. We did the silly thing and paid, leaving without talking to anyone about our crappy experience. Oh well. Next time we will just go elsewhere.
(1)Pierre D.
It was a cold, snowy January night and my partner in crime and I were on the hunt for good beers, alas we found Palmer Place. This is a seat your self place, however they do have wait staff that comes and checks on you, gets food/drinks out to you promptly. The pulled pork slider appetizer was very good, the BBQ sauce is home made and not sweet, I'm a fan! The fried veggies appetizer was good also, real good job on the deep frying, no soggy food! This place has about as many beers as a Binny's Beverage Depot inn bottles and a impressive 20 or so on tap. Even rarer stuff like DFH 120 minute and DFW WWS are available in bottle at reasonable prices. We paid $12 for a 2014 BCBS and found that to be very fair given this beer sold out on Black Friday and is not available anywhere in the Chicago area. Looking forward to coming back and trying out their burgers and drinking a beer or 2.
(4)John K.
My friend Molly told us to come here for the Wednesday bobbing for apples completion. I knew that I would totally kick everyone's butt and they have beer here too. Well not only did they not have bobbing for apples, they didn't even know Molly! Everyone knows Molly! I had the deep dish Pizza and my buddy Paul had the bbq vegan chicken sandwich with extra pepper jack. Portions are small and pricey. They're are no clowns at this establishment.
(3)Michael D.
Went here to eat with my one friend and would highly come back. I like how they have indoor and outdoor eating and service is really fast and polite. I ordered a turkey club sandwich and let me tell you they don't skimp on you also it wasn't that expensive compared to Panera! Overall this place is great to come to for eating with friends, business, or just yourself! Typing this makes me want to go back and order some food!
(4)MC B.
Went for a meal last night with a mate and was not impressed at all. I was excited to see fried green tomatoes on the menu but that excitement was deflated rather quickly. The tomatoes and onion rings were cooked in old oil. Everything came to the table laden in grease. Two orders of onion rings one the colour of muddy water and the other the colour of varnish. A total disappointment. The burger I had was well cooked the way I requested, however no salt or seasoning at all. A busy place, extremely LOUD and not for me.
(1)Ernie L.
I heard nothing but good reviews from friends. Today I went for lunch ordered a beer. Nice and cold. And ordered the portobello mushroom burger with onion rings. Not impressed the onion rings where greasy and tough like they used the oldest onions. Not very appeasing. The burger its self was ok. The mushroom was tough. I know mushrooms are supposed to be tender, not with this one. I removed the portobello and eat the burger alone and was ok not much flavored, it was cooked the way I asked.
(1)Shondra M.
Very nice beer garden, decent service, good food. Beer garden gets crowded early, so expect to wait
(4)J. Chuck K.
I grew up in La Grange and enjoyed coming here during my high school and college years. Palmer's used to have the perfect combination of food, beer and atmosphere, but after my last couple visits, it's become just a place for beer and hanging out on the patio/bier garden. The sandwiches are barely average, and on my most recent visit the "jumbo" wings were the smallest things I've ever seen. They have to give you plenty of the bland homemade sauce to offset the dryness. I ate 3 tiny wings, finished my beer and walked down to Wild Monk for dinner. The bartender was a friendly guy, but that food needs some attention.
(2)Kristin B.
Great burgers and great beer selection. Perfect place for an outdoor dinner on a warm summer evening.
(4)LOIS B.
We ended up dining here by default. We wanted to try the 4th of July's review of the day spot ~ not open. We hunted for someplace with outdoor seating and that was open on the 4th. Hadn't been here in years. Large outdoor seating area with a second upper level deck that they were opening up as we were leaving. Extensive beer offerings and the menu was varied. Free appetizer with Yelp check-in. Happy 4th :) Service was quick and friendly, Food came out quickly and we were able to relax and enjoy our dining experience. We had salads and mini pretzels for our appetizer, but next visit I'm thinkn' on of those very juicy burgers is heading my way. Parking may be an issue, we parked on the street behind Palmer's and came in through their rear entrance. There is a small parking lot back there, but keep in mind they are near the theater and surrounded by shopping.
(4)Neil M.
For quite some time I have been looking for a bar food type restaurant close to me when having a craving. I think I found it with Palmer Place in La Grange. They have great variations of burgers to choose from. I'm not so much of a beer drinker but they offer a lot of beers on tap. Will frequent this establishment in the future!
(4)Laila C.
Patio = Awesome! Huge outdoor space Food = meh. We got the potato skins and brat sandwich cuz BF wanted to go to Wild Monk after and didn't want to overorder. Both items were meh. They have an ok draft selection. Nothing to write home about but the patio is great for sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful chicago summer.
(3)Kamile K.
I really like this place. Went here for the first time last year and returned back for a second taste of perfection. Atmosphere of a typical friendly Irish pub, long list selection of beers, and good food. The desserts are really good too. I really like how friendly everyone is here.
(5)Pam K.
Omg worst meal ever. Ruben not even grilled or warm baked French onion soup burnt on top cheeseburger cold. Wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't wait 45 minutes for it. Seems they care more about the beer garden than serving good food anymore. Will never go back again.
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