Don't be fooled the sign now says J. Fleming's. I have eaten here 4 times now and each time I ordered different things, and each time I thoroughly enjoyed it. Service and ambiance are primo as well. Great date restaurant.
(5)
Vicky S.
Stopped here for lunch at our "day in the burbs". I had the sausage sandwich on garlic bread. It came out smothered in cheese and marinara. Husband had the chicken Parmesan sandwich. Both were absolutely delicious. Two brothers makes a "absolutely delicious IPA", which was great! We sat outside on their large patio. Coming from the city, it was nice to slow the pace down. They definitely pay attention to the quality of food here. They waitress was really nice. We will be back!
(5)
Ashley W.
Good food, nice atmosphere, service needs improving.
(3)
Laura C.
After enjoying a delicious Cuban sandwich from the J. Fleming's tent at the Westmont Fest last weekend, we decided to give dining in a try. I'll start with the positives. They have a spacious covered patio. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. The live music on Friday night was a fun addition. The food was really, really disappointing. My husband ordered another Cuban sandwich and it was nothing like the 1 we had a week prior. The bread was mushy, almost to the point of soggy. I ordered a pasta special with chicken, red peppers & broccoli in a garlic/oil sauce. The entire dish was pretty tasteless. It honestly tasted like a bland chicken stir fry. It really could have used salt, pepper and some heat. Way to much oil at the bottom of the dish to the point that it was soupy. Unfortunately, food execution needs some serious work. I'm not sure we'll be back.
(2)
Yvette L.
I've been here twice for lunch with my husband. I can't go wrong with the daily special. Each time it was amazing food. The service is good and the staff is friendly. My only hang up is the building. Inside there's and old musty smell and the decor is outdated. The patio is a prime location addition but it looks like a junk yard. In the summer it's over crowded with stuff not in use and in the winter, I drive past and see all sorts of things stacked up. I bet if it was updated, more people would stop by and discover this place.
(4)
Christina K.
Historic, Midwestern small town ambience on the inside. Service was a little slow to start, but we really enjoyed the food. The kids even recommended it to their aunt & grandma to go a few weeks later! Prices are reasonable, and it's a cute little local place. Try the cheesy garlic bread appetizer!! I had the seared sea scallops w/ butternut squash risotto and it was delicious! We'll be back again soon.
(3)
Ann B.
So, I have frequently visited this restaurant, especially during summer when Westmont hosts the Classic Car Night. It seems improvements need to happen. Tonight the staff was consistently confused. Food was really blah, nothing fresh or appetizing . The restaurant itself is dirty and definitely needs updating! The outside patio is especially in need of a good makeover. Lots of potential if they clean this place up and develop a quality fresh menu.
(1)
Jeanette P.
Not here for food, but just a glass of wine as I'm early to meet some friends. The decor of the place is a little dated. I ordered a Malbec and it was ok. The glass was straight out of "my first home". Not something I typically get from restaurants when ordering wine, even if they aren't a known "wine bar". But if you are going to have a wine menu....... The staff seemed a little scattered and the crowd seemed like regulars. Would I come again and order food? Maybe. The Cuban seems to be the way to go.
(3)
Bruce B.
This place is a mystery to me. Everytime I have eaten here, the meal was a delight with very attentive service in a price range that should meet many pocketbooks. Last night my friend and I decided to stop by at the last moment and to my grand delight "Blue Gill" was the featured item. Blue Gill! Wow! So old and so unique! I couldn't help it but to order a fish I haven't had in many years. It was every bit of what my memory would hope it to be. As I gently savored it's delicate flavor. I harkened to days when my Dad, Grand Dad and I would catch a load at Lake Marie and grill them lake side. Then why isn't J. Fleming's filled to the brim? Such great service and offerings.
Located downtown Westmont. This place has a nice outdoor patio area to eat outside. It was shaded and had a bunch of tables. It was very busy because of the Taste of Westmont festival. We ordered the Cuban and chicken parm sandwich. They were both really good. Service was excellent. If you are looking to eat outside, this is the place to go. We will be back to try the steaks or other entrees on the menu.
(5)
Gillian L.
The Absolutely in the name of the restaurant should be for absolutely awful. The food was just edible but not at all well executed & the service from the hostess stand to the bar & table was poor at best. There appeared to be no one in charge. Despite the large patio layout map on the door the runner clearly hard no idea what any of the table numbers where. Our server rushed us throughout but was never available when we needed her. This was our first time dining here but was also definitely the last time!
(1)
J M.
The food is always top notch. I love that there are some favorites are on the menu always as well as frequently updated specials with seasonal foods. The space is smaller, and they have a more private dining room for about 10 in addition to the fabulous patio. There is often live music in the form of a singer/guitar player (inside during cold months, on the patio in the summer months. Would have given it five stars, but the patio needs a little love and very occasionally the service can be slow - never bad enough that I wouldn't come back. I highly recommend this gem in downtown Westmont.
(4)
Matt M.
The Cuban pork sandwich is THE BEST sandwich of any kind I have ever had! Everything I've tried here is great but it's hard to not order the Cuban
(5)
Jane S.
OK. The food deserved a 4 star but we were disappointed at the service. We had to wait for about an hour for our food. We didn't order appetizer just entrees and a kids pizza for my daughter. We did not get bread until we asked, that's after about 45 minutes of waiting. It tasted super yummy, however a little late. Once we got the food they were hot and fresh and delicious. My son loved his pot roast. The server apologized for the delay multiple times and brought out some extra pot roast for my son. The pork chop, shrimp diavolo and kids cheese pizza all tasted very good. Chopped salad was not what I had expected but ok, more like a house garden salad. I was disappointed at the Raging Cajun Boil (A special item) it was extremely salty, spicy and dry. We will give this restaurant another try some day and hopefully won't have to wait for ever like this last visit.
(3)
Jody R.
Healthy food and decadent if you wish ;-). Such a beautiful outdoor patio. The staff is understated, friendly, and has the right balance between privacy and attention. They have local musicians many evenings, and great nightcap drinks in an intimate atmosphere. My husband and I love it for lunch, dinner with or sans offspring, and casual or romantic. Truly up to you. And Mr. Fleming is just a wonderful person, to boot :-)
(5)
Evangelina M.
Food is delicious but service is slow and you wait a while for drinks or additional service. Needs to be cleaner and tidier. Beer garden looks like a trailer park.
(4)
Bryan H.
Restaurant was dirty.. slow service... cold food was replaced with ny microwaved food.... and the worst part is the owner standing around doing nothing to help his business succeed... I had to refill my own coffee cup... instead of chasing after dissatisfied customers out of the building and begging them to come back why not help yourself and as you called them your "inexperienced servers" out...And then tried to give me a $10 coupon.... bad business
(1)
Andy K.
Great place if you're looking for some nice outdoor seating in the summer. It's also a great place if you're looking for a date dining option. I really like the atmosphere and you can actually have a conversation without yelling across the table. The owner John is great too. Not only does he make excellent food, but he also supports a number of local causes. I actually tried this place because I got a $7 gift-certificate from a local middle school fundraiser. Now I've been back a ton of times. If you're thinking about dining here, I recommend checking out the store at goboostershot.com . You can get a gift-certificate here while supporting a great local cause. It's definitely a win-win situation.
(5)
A. J.
Great food. Service has always been good for me, but I think they're sometimes understaffed, thus the occasional bad review. Patio is beautiful night and day, though a bit cluttered. Live music on weekends.
(4)
Catalina M.
I would rate 2.5 stars. We ate breakfast for first time on 11-1-14. We had a coupon so wanted to try. It's a mixed review. Coffee was hot and fresh but they gave no refill. We ordered eggs, toast, pancakes, and potatoes. They brought out eggs but no toast. We had to wait for about 4 mins for toast then they only brought 1 order even tho we ordered two. The second order was cold and not toasted. Pancakes were delicious but not fully done in the middle. Eggs were flavorful but had the grill carbon shavings underneath indicating they did not clean grill off good. We told them about the eggs but they didn't adjust the bill at all - only one was edible. I would like to give them another try as the customer next to us said her strata was delicious. The decor is nice but cleanliness could be better. I think it's just that they don't care as much as they could to make it a great restaurant. For example they had a new nice towel dispenser in ladies room but the cover was torn off the toilet tissue holder? Fix it!! Again, I want to support local businesses so will give it one more try for dinner and see how it goes! Stay tuned!
(2)
Carrie K.
Again, I hate to give bad reviews, but this was a top 10 worst meal ever. It was the type of meal where even if your whole meal was comped (which it was not), you feel taken advantage of. Incredibly long wait for service and food that was inedible. My chopped salad tasted like fish and they forgot the blue cheese. It wasn't even a chopped salad. Wrong lettuce, not chopped, no scallions, etc. the broiled chicken tasted like it was 100 years old. I give my husband credit for even being able to eat it. Apparently they were busy or understaffed, but I wouldn't expect this place to make it another year. The only highlight was the artwork, otherwise the decor was worn and dirty. I would avoid. If that is what you get on a Saturday night, that is unforgivable.
(1)
Aleksandra W.
I recently discovered this place thanks to a friend who recommended it. I work nearby and this cozy restaurant is within a walking distance if I want to grab fresh and delicious lunch. I have tried several hot sandwiches which always have great crispy texture, no matter what type of bread they're made with. The service is excellent, always friendly and the atmosphere warm and inviting. Give this place a try if you are in the area and you might find yourself going back for more!
(5)
Keri W.
Have been here twice now and its just ok! Food is average at best. Outside patio with live music was great, but service was definitely lacking and it was far from a busy evening.
(2)
Allan W.
The food was amazing, the staff was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was great. Would highly recommend to anyone
(5)
Denise V.
Yummy! My husband and I ended up here late on a recent rainy night, and sat at the cozy bar. We loved their cocktail selection - and both had warming nightcaps before heading out. Their eight-finger cavatelli had an unexpected and delightful spicy kick to it, which elevated it beyond most other restaurants' versions of this classic. My husband had a chicken special which he absolutely devoured. The patio looks great, and we hope to try it out in warmer weather.
(4)
Tina H.
Absolutely amazing! Fresh simple flavorful food! We will be back:)
(5)
Miranda S.
This was my second time visiting tonight. I decided to give them a second shot and I was very disappointed. I have to say their outdoor seating is great but the service is horrible. We were there for over an hour and a half. The waitress rarely came to our table and it wasn't even busy, maybe 7 other tables that were split between the 2 waitresses. Tables were being served and leaving before we even received our food. For it being such a great spot I'm sad to say I will not be returning.
(1)
Bruce P.
I have dined here several times and every meal was "Absolutely Delicious" I moved from Hinsdale awhile ago, but it is worth the 30 mile drive. Just a great place to have dinner
(5)
Jeannie L.
"J Flemings Absolutely Delicious has a wonderful Cuban pork sandwich. When we asked the owner, John, what spices were used, he said it was a trade secret. I don't blame him..the food is great. I had the pot roast panini which was great comfort food on a cold day...."
(4)
Ken B.
Ill begin by saying that it might have just been an off night. I can see where this place has potential to be good. Menu has a lot of great sounding items but is all over the board. Italian pasta, seafood, asian inspired, steaks, cuban sandwiches, etc. My wife had French onion soup. It was good but not any different than any other FO soup we have had. We ordered two dirty martinis off the drink menu. It stated they were made with Grey Goose but we saw the bartender use Absolut or some other vodka when he mixed them. It tasted like a cheaper vodka than GG. Also no prices on the specialty drink menu. I ordered a london broil with mixed vegetables and sauteed spinach, she had scallops with a butternut squash risotto. We were told they were out of the risotto so she switched to a grilled squash roulade. The food took awhile, probably because we had to change the prder halfway thru cooking. The roulade was very good. Grilled zucchini with ricotta cheese, a nice tomato based sauce and sauteed spinach. Tasty and probably very healthy. My london broil came out and was cold. The sauteed spinach was not cooked at all, and the mixed vegetables were clearly out of a frozen mix. The meat was also a tiny portion and looked nothing like a london broil. I sent it back and didnt want anything else. Pretty disappointing The owner did give me a 10.00 coupon and took my meal off the bill, so that was nice. It was also my waitress' first or second night so I dont think she had great control of the menu or situation. It happens, people have to start somewhere. The owner told me the steak was a tri tip, not london broil so I dont know why the menu wasnt changed. It probably wouldve been good, minus the tiny portion, had it been hot. They also said the basement had flooded the day before so maybe thats why things didnt run well. They did have a woman playing music and she was great. Overall, i was pretty disappointed and wont go back. Im guessing this was isolalted and we just had an off night. Its probably a good place normally.
(2)
Jeff S.
We've eaten here a number of times. It's one of our kids' favorite local places too. We've tried quite a number of things on the menu, and never had a bad meal. The Cuban is great. Sometimes the service could be a little snappier, but in general it's very good. We like sitting outside when possible, but inside is nice too. The owner's a nice guy as well. They have live music in the summer.
(4)
Yoshinaga N.
Dear lord, I have found my new, favourite burger here. The Angus burger is delicious as all hell. The horsesradish mayo with a hint of ketchup is amazing. Will be returning!
(5)
S L.
Well--I have finally found a new burger place. In my quest for an excellent burger, I found one at J. Flemings without even looking. It was excellent--way better than Country House. I wish the menu was a little more expansive and/or the lunch offerings a bit better. The 1/2 sandwich and soup option only has a designated sandwich and really has no option. It's just a 1/2 sandwich with soup--I'd love if they'd expand that to include a choice of sandwiches--I'll pay more just give me a choice! Service was very good when we were there. Stopped by once before about 1/2 hour before closing and sat on the patio in the summer. What an excellent patio! This place should be extremely popular---for some reason, I always forget about it. Maybe because the name is too similiar to the chain of steakhouses or it's location--I need to bring this to the forefront of my "where do you want eat tonight" choices.
(4)
Anne H.
Went there for the first and last time this evening with my parents. The service was really slow. We got there at 5 on a Friday evening and very few tables were seated with customers, and it still took nearly 35 minutes for our food to arrive. My mom and I both ordered the scallops. Not only did the scallops have an ammonia aftertaste - the combo of flavors and spices on the bed of risotto was really terrible. Based on the 2 orders that were carried from the kitchen to the patio that were promptly marched BACK to the kitchen, I would encourage the owner or manager to TASTE the dishes. The scallops need to be taken off of the menu and your chef needs to be put on a performance improvement plan.
(1)
Karen P.
The food is great. The service really needs to kick it up a notch. We were sitting for 10 minutes before anyone took our drink order. Although the main problem was that I asked to substitute my mashed potatoes for rice, but was served potatoes. So I told the girl who delivered the food (not our waitress) I wanted the rice and she said oh, ok, and left. She came back a minute later and asked me what type of rice I wanted. So I told her the wild rice on the menu and she looks at me and said oh, ok, and left. She immediately returned and said let me take your plate back. Keep in mind, my husband was now starting on his dinner. She returns 10 minutes later with my salmon and rice - but it was obvious my salmon was just sitting there while they cooked the rice as it was not hot at all. Most restaurants would have prepared a new piece of fish also. So, my hubby is finishing his dinner as I'm just beginning mine. Not exactly sharing a meal...more like watching each other eat. Nothing but apologies were given for this bad experience- they could have at the least comped us dessert. As a couple who eats out very often, it's unfortunate that a place with such good tasting food has left a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)
M. J.
When you read the reviews below, you will see a consistent message, even in the positive reviews they sometimes mention how slow and inconsistent the service is here. I really hope the owners see these reviews and try to do something about it. I would really like to see this place succeed!! We have tried this restaurant three times now. Every time it's the same problem. The food is good, very good, but not great. The service is TERRIBLE. The waitstaff is slow and appear to be very unorganized. EVERY TIME... it took over 40 minutes for us to get our check!! That's just ridiculous. It's such a shame, it's a good location, easy parking, decent interior design, and interesting food choices, but the service is sooooo bad, it's not worth going back. (we missed our movie time!)
(1)
Lori H.
My waitress was speedy and attentive. Food absolutely was delicious. Like my pasta was 5 stars and I eat at places where they make the pasta on site. So--the title of the restaurant is descriptive. Drinks were yummy. Salad fantastic. Only dessert was a bit blah (it was a bread pudding of sorts). No complaints, though. Owner checked on us and we came to see music, and were allowed to linger all night at table. Very nice evening. Very pretty plants and looks like a cool patio in summer.
(5)
Don N.
blah! Overpriced, under delivered! Disappointed in the quality of food for the price. Had the coconut shrimp app (4 shrimp and old, gross slaw) and 2 beers for $21. I keep giving this place the benefit of the doubt and am underwhelmed every time.
(2)
Herman C.
The environment was excellent and the server was professional and amiable. Foodwise, I got the mexican omelette which was good but the tater tots were kind of hard. I'm rating it so high because of the overall experience and the outdoor patio :) Enjoyed the great weather we're finally getting and will definitely come back for the drinks
(4)
Gloria L.
I was just here recently for lunch and it was on a Friday so I expected it to be moderately busy but they were just incredibly short staffed that day. They only had one server/waiter covering all of the tables outside (probably 7 or 8 groups) so the service was very slow that day. The waiter also didn't write down our orders which resulted in me and all of my friends not getting the correct sides with our orders but he made sure to fix his mistakes. Despite the long wait and the mix ups, the food was very good. And this is why I always come back, I can't help it. Their food has always been good, they just might need to work on their service more.
(4)
Brian M.
Holy smokes....... I'm hoping I hit them on a bad night as most of these other reviews sound pretty positive. We went a couple Fridays ago on a pretty warm night. We didn't have a reservation but they were able to seat us at a small table outside. It didn't have an umbrella and was something I would find on my patio (sizewise) but in their defense I had no reservation. I like taking my time but the waitress took a longer then expected to come by to get our drink order (we saw another couple get up and leave after some time of not being acknowledged). I order a beer (Rogue Dead Guy) which they are out of. My wife gets a diet coke which she has to ask for refills on (come on...you see the glass empty go get it refilled). We then order an appetizer (stuffed mushrooms) and our entrees. We are always weary about ordering the two at the same time but the waitress says she will pace the appetizer and entree. We wait about 20 min and the entree and appetizer come out at the exact same time (after the waitress says she is going to pace them mind you). We speak up and they bring our food back in so we can eat the appetizer (not sure if they remade them or put them under a lamp). Again, I may have just gotten unlucky but the stuffed mushrooms were a lot smaller then I would have expected. If all orders were the size that we got then it was definitely not worth the price. I got the Cuban sandwich and the wife got a salad. The Cuban was actually pretty good. I asked for no pickles and they were able to get that right which was nice. The fries that came with it were also pretty decent. Wife said the salad was OK but nothing to write home about. Aside from my Rogue Dead Guy that they were out of they seemed to have a few good beers to try. They had a guy playing some live music which was cool. To recap...It is a nice place to sit outside and sip a beer. I would have reservations about coming back based on the following though: - - Took a long time getting served - - They were out of the beer I ordered - - Entree and appetizer came out at the same time - - Mushrooms were pathetically small
(2)
Maura S.
I love Tuna Salad Sandwiches, if I see it on the menu I usuallky will go for it. I swear this was the best one i've ever had. It didn't have mayonnaise.. just a good mixture of veggies and tuna and then i forget what kinda oil. (Probably still not perfect for you as it was dripping to the plate, however it has to be better then Mayonnaise. ) My sister had a salad that she said was also amazing. Iced tea was good, service was fine (slow time of the day, so I cant vouch for later.) but all in all I give it all stars. Great job and a great lunch! -M
(5)
Carm P.
Found this place on accident, was going to try the Italian joint next door and the host was a rude ass old lady so we left, This was a first date for me and my girlfriend and I thought I tanked the whole night. Fleming's saved my hide and in a big way!!!!! The owner met us at the door with a huge smile and such a warm welcome. We did the muscles as an app..The broth was amazing, Just dipping fresh bread was a meal in itself. I had the past diablo and she had a country sausage and pasta dish. We shared a cobbler that was divine! There was a live band,banging out a some really good songs. The atmosphere was fun and friendly, It was kind a like a house party. What made our evening was the server, Greg! This guy was on point the whole evening. Will be back time and time again!
(4)
Will S.
Never made it in the door as my passenger was picking up something from the little shop next door. A person who I surmise was the owner, possibly "Mr. J. Fleming" himself, flew out the door and asked me why I was parked in "his" dedicated parking space in front of the establishment. Granted, it was a very busy early evening, and I didn't notice the sign, not an official Village or State "Parking" sign, but rather something made at a print shop or basement printing press stating "Parking for J. Fleming's Absolutely Delicious." This whole thing flew immediately out of proportion, as the individual said, "It's MY parking space for MY customers, and you can't park here unless you're picking something up from MY restaurant." I got on my cell phone, knowing well that this minor incident was getting out of control, so I called the local police and the watch commander identified himself and said, that the sign was not an official parking sign, but rather a "courtesy" sign requesting that person(s) parking there use it for the restaurant. I asked if I could be ticketed for parking there and not picking up anything from the restaurant, and the police officer on the phone said, "No." Mr. Fleming, or whomever this person was, began to turn red as I was on the phone, and at this point, I didn't want to further the confrontation, so I drove away, calling my passenger on the cell phone, informing them I would drive around the block and pick them up a few stores away, which I ultimately did. This minor incident which could have turned into a total debacle has prompted me NOT to patronize J. Fleming's Absolutely Delicious. I feel the representative over-reacted, was mis-informed, and could have used better judgment during this entire incident.
(1)
Glenn F.
A little gem in Westmont. Wife and I were on our way to the Italian restaurant next door and noticed this warm causal, upscale pub-like ambiance place with live music and changed plans on the fly. Comfy and inviting on a cold February evening. Impressed by the seafood options and specials, healthy fare -- definitely beyond pub food. Loved the music and friendly neighborhood vibe. Bottle of wine, seafood special, and my wife and I enjoyed a very non-west suburban restaurant evening . . . more like a spot in a city neighborhood. Very nice evening. We'll be back.
(4)
erin e.
Ate here Saturday night after being turned away at Vincitori. It was so great! Even if the main course had bombed, the dinner salad was worth the trip. Beautiful slivers of yellow and orange sweet pepper, sliced grape tomato, shaved carrot, and what I believe was a homemade buttermilk blue cheese dressing. Great wine suggestion, delicious pork chop. So very good. We will be back!
(5)
Robin G.
What can I say? This was my first visit and I LOVED it! A friend and I went for an early dinner, and shared a coconut shrimp appetizer (best coconut shrimp I've tasted), a very yummy light pasta dish and a pineapple/mango upside down cake dessert which was fabulous! There were so many tasty looking items on the menu, I may just have to eat my way thru this menu! The interior was very cute and casual, and the service was very good. I look forward to my next visit!
(5)
Casandra G.
The awning says "J. Fleming's", but the staff's shirts say "Absolutely Delicious", so I guess both names apply. Went for dinner on a cold, February Friday. Decor is cute and casual, albeit a bit impractical as whenever the door opened a draft could be felt throughout the entire place. Service was prompt and friendly. I had a special, it was a creamy chicken and pasta dish with spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes - it sounded delicious, and I anticipated it heartily. It didn't seem too creamy rich at first, but after eating about 1/4 of the plate it did start to weigh on me. My bf ordered a hearty sausage pasta dish with a heavy tomato sauce. The meat to pasta ratio was about 50:50, which I think for most people is a little much, but I suppose a meat lover would enjoy it. And while we both enjoy meat, we appreciate some moderation. The desserts looked tasty, and they do special things with their creme brulees, but honestly after eating 1/4 of my plate I couldn't even imagine sitting by a dessert. They do have live music, which is probably a unique thing in sleepy old Westmont, but we didn't stay late enough to experience it. Perhaps another day, with lighter fare. The short version: friendly, but drafty. Tasty, but heavy. Absolutely delicious? Not quite.
(2)
Kyle F.
Food was average, pretty good for the price I guess. This was the worst service I have ever had at a restaurant. A waitress didn't visit our table until after we had been seated for 20 minutes. It took another 20 minutes to get drinks. They actually had the lone bartender waiting on tables...Need I say more? Someone in our party actually went and grabbed our beers that were sitting on the bar and brought them to out table. Who knows how long our food sat around. We ordered a second drink before as soon as we got our first, and were done with the first by the time the second one came. We were at this restaurant for over 2 hours, and we ordered our food, appetizers, and drinks as soon as the waitress came to our table for the first time. They seriously need some better planning, management, and more servers at this restaurant.
(2)
Joe R.
I have been meaning to go to J. Fleming's for quite some time now and finally made it over recently after catching the early train home. My wife and I both enjoyed a nice cocktail (her Pinot, myself a nice Bell's Oberon) before sampling two of their delicious sandwiches. My wife had the sliced sirloin and I had the Cuban pork sandwich. Both were fantastic, as were the accompanying waffle fries. The service was prompt and courteous. J. Fleming's also had a cool-looking private dining room that was converted from what looked like a vintage walk-in freezer to a fine wood paneled private setting. They also have a huge outdoor beer garden for when the weather is nice. I would definitely recommend checking out J. Fleming's if you are in the Westmont/Downers area
(4)
Nancy L.
My husband & I have been wanting to try this restaurant for the last 6 months, and we finally did, last night. We were thrilled with the establishment. It was very quiet (only 1 other couple dining). Because this was a Sunday night and still early (5:30 pm), we were glad it was not packed to the brim. Needless to say, the food was fantastic. Started with spinach/artichocke dip. A basket of wonderful breads was served with meal. My entree was the Cedar Plank Salmon with horseradish mashed potatoes and vegetables. Husband had pasta with shrimp (huge serving/lots of shrimp) and he managed to finish it. After all that, who could eat dessert. Our server, Kate said when we come back (and we will), that their brownies are to die for. Overall, a great place with great food, service and ambiance.
(4)
Milton J.
I read the previous review and figured I would try to balance. I have not been there in a while (I have moved), but the Ab Del I am reviewing goes back a few years, 2006 the latest. And I had the best sandwich I have ever had in my life (Cuban Pork). It took a while before I tried anything else. Chef Fleming had 2 decades of experience already when they opened in 2002 or 2003. Every dish I have ever had there sparkles with flavor. So maybe we need a third party to round out the picture. I can only say I hope it is not exactly like the previous reviewer stated.
(5)
Patti D.
We were on our way to Amber when we noticed the cute little place across the street, and were very glad we did! The food, service and ambiance were great, a really good value, and overall a great experience! I love to try new places, and some are destined to become favorites. I think this place will quickly become a favorite, especially in nicer weather when the patio is open. We strongly recommend the mussels, baked brie, ceasar salad, and grilled medallions. (The only drawback was cold potatoes, but they were so good it almost didn't matter!) A nice bottle of pinot noir, fabulous creme brulee and souffle later, we were happy and satisfied. I strongly recommend this place for a great value, interesting menu and great service (be sure to ask for Michelle!)
(4)
mike q.
This is great place to grab a beer and Sandwich if they have entertainment on the patio. I would pass on dinnig inside there are so many better places in the area. I have been there several times in the summer because they service outside. The food is just ok, nothing special. Tonight I had mussels and they were just ok, the specal 7" pizza was ok, the main dish of shrimp and wheat pasta in light garlic oil sauce was not very good, the pasta was not cooked thru, the sauce you could get better at any fast food Italian restaurant. The desert was awful. I ordered the specil pineapple short cake with ice cream, they served with melted ice cream, not a little melted , but like milk poured over the cake. The waitress took up the desert with the owner we actually seen her talking to him and looking at us. He still charged us for the desert. I would not have had the nerve. I eat out five nights or more a week and I just expect to get a decent meal for $50.00 a person. I will go back again when they have music outside but I will never order anything other than a sandwich there. ,.
(2)
B G.
Cuban sandwiches there are great per my husband. I had the shrimp diavolo and it too was very good. Will definitely go back there.
(5)
Kurt G.
First experience. Pulled pork is great. Little loud was the Jimmy Buffet wanna bees but they were enjoyable. Highly recommend
(5)
Karyn P.
Great food, great service!! Very cute outdoor seating area as well.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Teresa B.
Don't be fooled the sign now says J. Fleming's. I have eaten here 4 times now and each time I ordered different things, and each time I thoroughly enjoyed it. Service and ambiance are primo as well. Great date restaurant.
(5)Vicky S.
Stopped here for lunch at our "day in the burbs". I had the sausage sandwich on garlic bread. It came out smothered in cheese and marinara. Husband had the chicken Parmesan sandwich. Both were absolutely delicious. Two brothers makes a "absolutely delicious IPA", which was great! We sat outside on their large patio. Coming from the city, it was nice to slow the pace down. They definitely pay attention to the quality of food here. They waitress was really nice. We will be back!
(5)Ashley W.
Good food, nice atmosphere, service needs improving.
(3)Laura C.
After enjoying a delicious Cuban sandwich from the J. Fleming's tent at the Westmont Fest last weekend, we decided to give dining in a try. I'll start with the positives. They have a spacious covered patio. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. The live music on Friday night was a fun addition. The food was really, really disappointing. My husband ordered another Cuban sandwich and it was nothing like the 1 we had a week prior. The bread was mushy, almost to the point of soggy. I ordered a pasta special with chicken, red peppers & broccoli in a garlic/oil sauce. The entire dish was pretty tasteless. It honestly tasted like a bland chicken stir fry. It really could have used salt, pepper and some heat. Way to much oil at the bottom of the dish to the point that it was soupy. Unfortunately, food execution needs some serious work. I'm not sure we'll be back.
(2)Yvette L.
I've been here twice for lunch with my husband. I can't go wrong with the daily special. Each time it was amazing food. The service is good and the staff is friendly. My only hang up is the building. Inside there's and old musty smell and the decor is outdated. The patio is a prime location addition but it looks like a junk yard. In the summer it's over crowded with stuff not in use and in the winter, I drive past and see all sorts of things stacked up. I bet if it was updated, more people would stop by and discover this place.
(4)Christina K.
Historic, Midwestern small town ambience on the inside. Service was a little slow to start, but we really enjoyed the food. The kids even recommended it to their aunt & grandma to go a few weeks later! Prices are reasonable, and it's a cute little local place. Try the cheesy garlic bread appetizer!! I had the seared sea scallops w/ butternut squash risotto and it was delicious! We'll be back again soon.
(3)Ann B.
So, I have frequently visited this restaurant, especially during summer when Westmont hosts the Classic Car Night. It seems improvements need to happen. Tonight the staff was consistently confused. Food was really blah, nothing fresh or appetizing . The restaurant itself is dirty and definitely needs updating! The outside patio is especially in need of a good makeover. Lots of potential if they clean this place up and develop a quality fresh menu.
(1)Jeanette P.
Not here for food, but just a glass of wine as I'm early to meet some friends. The decor of the place is a little dated. I ordered a Malbec and it was ok. The glass was straight out of "my first home". Not something I typically get from restaurants when ordering wine, even if they aren't a known "wine bar". But if you are going to have a wine menu....... The staff seemed a little scattered and the crowd seemed like regulars. Would I come again and order food? Maybe. The Cuban seems to be the way to go.
(3)Bruce B.
This place is a mystery to me. Everytime I have eaten here, the meal was a delight with very attentive service in a price range that should meet many pocketbooks. Last night my friend and I decided to stop by at the last moment and to my grand delight "Blue Gill" was the featured item. Blue Gill! Wow! So old and so unique! I couldn't help it but to order a fish I haven't had in many years. It was every bit of what my memory would hope it to be. As I gently savored it's delicate flavor. I harkened to days when my Dad, Grand Dad and I would catch a load at Lake Marie and grill them lake side. Then why isn't J. Fleming's filled to the brim? Such great service and offerings.
(5)M C.
We have eaten here twice. Have to agree with previous posts that the Cuban sandwich is EXCELLENT! Prices are reasonable our server Emma was GREAT. I think that this is a restaurant on the upswing, has the intention to get better. I think if the put some emphasis on improving the décor a little bit, and perhaps apply the same "umphh" of the Cuban sandwich to a couple of other dishes,they will be a 4/5 star restaurant. Very nice place and I will spend more money there in the future.
(3)Al L.
Located downtown Westmont. This place has a nice outdoor patio area to eat outside. It was shaded and had a bunch of tables. It was very busy because of the Taste of Westmont festival. We ordered the Cuban and chicken parm sandwich. They were both really good. Service was excellent. If you are looking to eat outside, this is the place to go. We will be back to try the steaks or other entrees on the menu.
(5)Gillian L.
The Absolutely in the name of the restaurant should be for absolutely awful. The food was just edible but not at all well executed & the service from the hostess stand to the bar & table was poor at best. There appeared to be no one in charge. Despite the large patio layout map on the door the runner clearly hard no idea what any of the table numbers where. Our server rushed us throughout but was never available when we needed her. This was our first time dining here but was also definitely the last time!
(1)J M.
The food is always top notch. I love that there are some favorites are on the menu always as well as frequently updated specials with seasonal foods. The space is smaller, and they have a more private dining room for about 10 in addition to the fabulous patio. There is often live music in the form of a singer/guitar player (inside during cold months, on the patio in the summer months. Would have given it five stars, but the patio needs a little love and very occasionally the service can be slow - never bad enough that I wouldn't come back. I highly recommend this gem in downtown Westmont.
(4)Matt M.
The Cuban pork sandwich is THE BEST sandwich of any kind I have ever had! Everything I've tried here is great but it's hard to not order the Cuban
(5)Jane S.
OK. The food deserved a 4 star but we were disappointed at the service. We had to wait for about an hour for our food. We didn't order appetizer just entrees and a kids pizza for my daughter. We did not get bread until we asked, that's after about 45 minutes of waiting. It tasted super yummy, however a little late. Once we got the food they were hot and fresh and delicious. My son loved his pot roast. The server apologized for the delay multiple times and brought out some extra pot roast for my son. The pork chop, shrimp diavolo and kids cheese pizza all tasted very good. Chopped salad was not what I had expected but ok, more like a house garden salad. I was disappointed at the Raging Cajun Boil (A special item) it was extremely salty, spicy and dry. We will give this restaurant another try some day and hopefully won't have to wait for ever like this last visit.
(3)Jody R.
Healthy food and decadent if you wish ;-). Such a beautiful outdoor patio. The staff is understated, friendly, and has the right balance between privacy and attention. They have local musicians many evenings, and great nightcap drinks in an intimate atmosphere. My husband and I love it for lunch, dinner with or sans offspring, and casual or romantic. Truly up to you. And Mr. Fleming is just a wonderful person, to boot :-)
(5)Evangelina M.
Food is delicious but service is slow and you wait a while for drinks or additional service. Needs to be cleaner and tidier. Beer garden looks like a trailer park.
(4)Bryan H.
Restaurant was dirty.. slow service... cold food was replaced with ny microwaved food.... and the worst part is the owner standing around doing nothing to help his business succeed... I had to refill my own coffee cup... instead of chasing after dissatisfied customers out of the building and begging them to come back why not help yourself and as you called them your "inexperienced servers" out...And then tried to give me a $10 coupon.... bad business
(1)Andy K.
Great place if you're looking for some nice outdoor seating in the summer. It's also a great place if you're looking for a date dining option. I really like the atmosphere and you can actually have a conversation without yelling across the table. The owner John is great too. Not only does he make excellent food, but he also supports a number of local causes. I actually tried this place because I got a $7 gift-certificate from a local middle school fundraiser. Now I've been back a ton of times. If you're thinking about dining here, I recommend checking out the store at goboostershot.com . You can get a gift-certificate here while supporting a great local cause. It's definitely a win-win situation.
(5)A. J.
Great food. Service has always been good for me, but I think they're sometimes understaffed, thus the occasional bad review. Patio is beautiful night and day, though a bit cluttered. Live music on weekends.
(4)Catalina M.
I would rate 2.5 stars. We ate breakfast for first time on 11-1-14. We had a coupon so wanted to try. It's a mixed review. Coffee was hot and fresh but they gave no refill. We ordered eggs, toast, pancakes, and potatoes. They brought out eggs but no toast. We had to wait for about 4 mins for toast then they only brought 1 order even tho we ordered two. The second order was cold and not toasted. Pancakes were delicious but not fully done in the middle. Eggs were flavorful but had the grill carbon shavings underneath indicating they did not clean grill off good. We told them about the eggs but they didn't adjust the bill at all - only one was edible. I would like to give them another try as the customer next to us said her strata was delicious. The decor is nice but cleanliness could be better. I think it's just that they don't care as much as they could to make it a great restaurant. For example they had a new nice towel dispenser in ladies room but the cover was torn off the toilet tissue holder? Fix it!! Again, I want to support local businesses so will give it one more try for dinner and see how it goes! Stay tuned!
(2)Carrie K.
Again, I hate to give bad reviews, but this was a top 10 worst meal ever. It was the type of meal where even if your whole meal was comped (which it was not), you feel taken advantage of. Incredibly long wait for service and food that was inedible. My chopped salad tasted like fish and they forgot the blue cheese. It wasn't even a chopped salad. Wrong lettuce, not chopped, no scallions, etc. the broiled chicken tasted like it was 100 years old. I give my husband credit for even being able to eat it. Apparently they were busy or understaffed, but I wouldn't expect this place to make it another year. The only highlight was the artwork, otherwise the decor was worn and dirty. I would avoid. If that is what you get on a Saturday night, that is unforgivable.
(1)Aleksandra W.
I recently discovered this place thanks to a friend who recommended it. I work nearby and this cozy restaurant is within a walking distance if I want to grab fresh and delicious lunch. I have tried several hot sandwiches which always have great crispy texture, no matter what type of bread they're made with. The service is excellent, always friendly and the atmosphere warm and inviting. Give this place a try if you are in the area and you might find yourself going back for more!
(5)Keri W.
Have been here twice now and its just ok! Food is average at best. Outside patio with live music was great, but service was definitely lacking and it was far from a busy evening.
(2)Allan W.
The food was amazing, the staff was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was great. Would highly recommend to anyone
(5)Denise V.
Yummy! My husband and I ended up here late on a recent rainy night, and sat at the cozy bar. We loved their cocktail selection - and both had warming nightcaps before heading out. Their eight-finger cavatelli had an unexpected and delightful spicy kick to it, which elevated it beyond most other restaurants' versions of this classic. My husband had a chicken special which he absolutely devoured. The patio looks great, and we hope to try it out in warmer weather.
(4)Tina H.
Absolutely amazing! Fresh simple flavorful food! We will be back:)
(5)Miranda S.
This was my second time visiting tonight. I decided to give them a second shot and I was very disappointed. I have to say their outdoor seating is great but the service is horrible. We were there for over an hour and a half. The waitress rarely came to our table and it wasn't even busy, maybe 7 other tables that were split between the 2 waitresses. Tables were being served and leaving before we even received our food. For it being such a great spot I'm sad to say I will not be returning.
(1)Bruce P.
I have dined here several times and every meal was "Absolutely Delicious" I moved from Hinsdale awhile ago, but it is worth the 30 mile drive. Just a great place to have dinner
(5)Jeannie L.
"J Flemings Absolutely Delicious has a wonderful Cuban pork sandwich. When we asked the owner, John, what spices were used, he said it was a trade secret. I don't blame him..the food is great. I had the pot roast panini which was great comfort food on a cold day...."
(4)Ken B.
Ill begin by saying that it might have just been an off night. I can see where this place has potential to be good. Menu has a lot of great sounding items but is all over the board. Italian pasta, seafood, asian inspired, steaks, cuban sandwiches, etc. My wife had French onion soup. It was good but not any different than any other FO soup we have had. We ordered two dirty martinis off the drink menu. It stated they were made with Grey Goose but we saw the bartender use Absolut or some other vodka when he mixed them. It tasted like a cheaper vodka than GG. Also no prices on the specialty drink menu. I ordered a london broil with mixed vegetables and sauteed spinach, she had scallops with a butternut squash risotto. We were told they were out of the risotto so she switched to a grilled squash roulade. The food took awhile, probably because we had to change the prder halfway thru cooking. The roulade was very good. Grilled zucchini with ricotta cheese, a nice tomato based sauce and sauteed spinach. Tasty and probably very healthy. My london broil came out and was cold. The sauteed spinach was not cooked at all, and the mixed vegetables were clearly out of a frozen mix. The meat was also a tiny portion and looked nothing like a london broil. I sent it back and didnt want anything else. Pretty disappointing The owner did give me a 10.00 coupon and took my meal off the bill, so that was nice. It was also my waitress' first or second night so I dont think she had great control of the menu or situation. It happens, people have to start somewhere. The owner told me the steak was a tri tip, not london broil so I dont know why the menu wasnt changed. It probably wouldve been good, minus the tiny portion, had it been hot. They also said the basement had flooded the day before so maybe thats why things didnt run well. They did have a woman playing music and she was great. Overall, i was pretty disappointed and wont go back. Im guessing this was isolalted and we just had an off night. Its probably a good place normally.
(2)Jeff S.
We've eaten here a number of times. It's one of our kids' favorite local places too. We've tried quite a number of things on the menu, and never had a bad meal. The Cuban is great. Sometimes the service could be a little snappier, but in general it's very good. We like sitting outside when possible, but inside is nice too. The owner's a nice guy as well. They have live music in the summer.
(4)Yoshinaga N.
Dear lord, I have found my new, favourite burger here. The Angus burger is delicious as all hell. The horsesradish mayo with a hint of ketchup is amazing. Will be returning!
(5)S L.
Well--I have finally found a new burger place. In my quest for an excellent burger, I found one at J. Flemings without even looking. It was excellent--way better than Country House. I wish the menu was a little more expansive and/or the lunch offerings a bit better. The 1/2 sandwich and soup option only has a designated sandwich and really has no option. It's just a 1/2 sandwich with soup--I'd love if they'd expand that to include a choice of sandwiches--I'll pay more just give me a choice! Service was very good when we were there. Stopped by once before about 1/2 hour before closing and sat on the patio in the summer. What an excellent patio! This place should be extremely popular---for some reason, I always forget about it. Maybe because the name is too similiar to the chain of steakhouses or it's location--I need to bring this to the forefront of my "where do you want eat tonight" choices.
(4)Anne H.
Went there for the first and last time this evening with my parents. The service was really slow. We got there at 5 on a Friday evening and very few tables were seated with customers, and it still took nearly 35 minutes for our food to arrive. My mom and I both ordered the scallops. Not only did the scallops have an ammonia aftertaste - the combo of flavors and spices on the bed of risotto was really terrible. Based on the 2 orders that were carried from the kitchen to the patio that were promptly marched BACK to the kitchen, I would encourage the owner or manager to TASTE the dishes. The scallops need to be taken off of the menu and your chef needs to be put on a performance improvement plan.
(1)Karen P.
The food is great. The service really needs to kick it up a notch. We were sitting for 10 minutes before anyone took our drink order. Although the main problem was that I asked to substitute my mashed potatoes for rice, but was served potatoes. So I told the girl who delivered the food (not our waitress) I wanted the rice and she said oh, ok, and left. She came back a minute later and asked me what type of rice I wanted. So I told her the wild rice on the menu and she looks at me and said oh, ok, and left. She immediately returned and said let me take your plate back. Keep in mind, my husband was now starting on his dinner. She returns 10 minutes later with my salmon and rice - but it was obvious my salmon was just sitting there while they cooked the rice as it was not hot at all. Most restaurants would have prepared a new piece of fish also. So, my hubby is finishing his dinner as I'm just beginning mine. Not exactly sharing a meal...more like watching each other eat. Nothing but apologies were given for this bad experience- they could have at the least comped us dessert. As a couple who eats out very often, it's unfortunate that a place with such good tasting food has left a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)M. J.
When you read the reviews below, you will see a consistent message, even in the positive reviews they sometimes mention how slow and inconsistent the service is here. I really hope the owners see these reviews and try to do something about it. I would really like to see this place succeed!! We have tried this restaurant three times now. Every time it's the same problem. The food is good, very good, but not great. The service is TERRIBLE. The waitstaff is slow and appear to be very unorganized. EVERY TIME... it took over 40 minutes for us to get our check!! That's just ridiculous. It's such a shame, it's a good location, easy parking, decent interior design, and interesting food choices, but the service is sooooo bad, it's not worth going back. (we missed our movie time!)
(1)Lori H.
My waitress was speedy and attentive. Food absolutely was delicious. Like my pasta was 5 stars and I eat at places where they make the pasta on site. So--the title of the restaurant is descriptive. Drinks were yummy. Salad fantastic. Only dessert was a bit blah (it was a bread pudding of sorts). No complaints, though. Owner checked on us and we came to see music, and were allowed to linger all night at table. Very nice evening. Very pretty plants and looks like a cool patio in summer.
(5)Don N.
blah! Overpriced, under delivered! Disappointed in the quality of food for the price. Had the coconut shrimp app (4 shrimp and old, gross slaw) and 2 beers for $21. I keep giving this place the benefit of the doubt and am underwhelmed every time.
(2)Herman C.
The environment was excellent and the server was professional and amiable. Foodwise, I got the mexican omelette which was good but the tater tots were kind of hard. I'm rating it so high because of the overall experience and the outdoor patio :) Enjoyed the great weather we're finally getting and will definitely come back for the drinks
(4)Gloria L.
I was just here recently for lunch and it was on a Friday so I expected it to be moderately busy but they were just incredibly short staffed that day. They only had one server/waiter covering all of the tables outside (probably 7 or 8 groups) so the service was very slow that day. The waiter also didn't write down our orders which resulted in me and all of my friends not getting the correct sides with our orders but he made sure to fix his mistakes. Despite the long wait and the mix ups, the food was very good. And this is why I always come back, I can't help it. Their food has always been good, they just might need to work on their service more.
(4)Brian M.
Holy smokes....... I'm hoping I hit them on a bad night as most of these other reviews sound pretty positive. We went a couple Fridays ago on a pretty warm night. We didn't have a reservation but they were able to seat us at a small table outside. It didn't have an umbrella and was something I would find on my patio (sizewise) but in their defense I had no reservation. I like taking my time but the waitress took a longer then expected to come by to get our drink order (we saw another couple get up and leave after some time of not being acknowledged). I order a beer (Rogue Dead Guy) which they are out of. My wife gets a diet coke which she has to ask for refills on (come on...you see the glass empty go get it refilled). We then order an appetizer (stuffed mushrooms) and our entrees. We are always weary about ordering the two at the same time but the waitress says she will pace the appetizer and entree. We wait about 20 min and the entree and appetizer come out at the exact same time (after the waitress says she is going to pace them mind you). We speak up and they bring our food back in so we can eat the appetizer (not sure if they remade them or put them under a lamp). Again, I may have just gotten unlucky but the stuffed mushrooms were a lot smaller then I would have expected. If all orders were the size that we got then it was definitely not worth the price. I got the Cuban sandwich and the wife got a salad. The Cuban was actually pretty good. I asked for no pickles and they were able to get that right which was nice. The fries that came with it were also pretty decent. Wife said the salad was OK but nothing to write home about. Aside from my Rogue Dead Guy that they were out of they seemed to have a few good beers to try. They had a guy playing some live music which was cool. To recap...It is a nice place to sit outside and sip a beer. I would have reservations about coming back based on the following though: - - Took a long time getting served - - They were out of the beer I ordered - - Entree and appetizer came out at the same time - - Mushrooms were pathetically small
(2)Maura S.
I love Tuna Salad Sandwiches, if I see it on the menu I usuallky will go for it. I swear this was the best one i've ever had. It didn't have mayonnaise.. just a good mixture of veggies and tuna and then i forget what kinda oil. (Probably still not perfect for you as it was dripping to the plate, however it has to be better then Mayonnaise. ) My sister had a salad that she said was also amazing. Iced tea was good, service was fine (slow time of the day, so I cant vouch for later.) but all in all I give it all stars. Great job and a great lunch! -M
(5)Carm P.
Found this place on accident, was going to try the Italian joint next door and the host was a rude ass old lady so we left, This was a first date for me and my girlfriend and I thought I tanked the whole night. Fleming's saved my hide and in a big way!!!!! The owner met us at the door with a huge smile and such a warm welcome. We did the muscles as an app..The broth was amazing, Just dipping fresh bread was a meal in itself. I had the past diablo and she had a country sausage and pasta dish. We shared a cobbler that was divine! There was a live band,banging out a some really good songs. The atmosphere was fun and friendly, It was kind a like a house party. What made our evening was the server, Greg! This guy was on point the whole evening. Will be back time and time again!
(4)Will S.
Never made it in the door as my passenger was picking up something from the little shop next door. A person who I surmise was the owner, possibly "Mr. J. Fleming" himself, flew out the door and asked me why I was parked in "his" dedicated parking space in front of the establishment. Granted, it was a very busy early evening, and I didn't notice the sign, not an official Village or State "Parking" sign, but rather something made at a print shop or basement printing press stating "Parking for J. Fleming's Absolutely Delicious." This whole thing flew immediately out of proportion, as the individual said, "It's MY parking space for MY customers, and you can't park here unless you're picking something up from MY restaurant." I got on my cell phone, knowing well that this minor incident was getting out of control, so I called the local police and the watch commander identified himself and said, that the sign was not an official parking sign, but rather a "courtesy" sign requesting that person(s) parking there use it for the restaurant. I asked if I could be ticketed for parking there and not picking up anything from the restaurant, and the police officer on the phone said, "No." Mr. Fleming, or whomever this person was, began to turn red as I was on the phone, and at this point, I didn't want to further the confrontation, so I drove away, calling my passenger on the cell phone, informing them I would drive around the block and pick them up a few stores away, which I ultimately did. This minor incident which could have turned into a total debacle has prompted me NOT to patronize J. Fleming's Absolutely Delicious. I feel the representative over-reacted, was mis-informed, and could have used better judgment during this entire incident.
(1)Glenn F.
A little gem in Westmont. Wife and I were on our way to the Italian restaurant next door and noticed this warm causal, upscale pub-like ambiance place with live music and changed plans on the fly. Comfy and inviting on a cold February evening. Impressed by the seafood options and specials, healthy fare -- definitely beyond pub food. Loved the music and friendly neighborhood vibe. Bottle of wine, seafood special, and my wife and I enjoyed a very non-west suburban restaurant evening . . . more like a spot in a city neighborhood. Very nice evening. We'll be back.
(4)erin e.
Ate here Saturday night after being turned away at Vincitori. It was so great! Even if the main course had bombed, the dinner salad was worth the trip. Beautiful slivers of yellow and orange sweet pepper, sliced grape tomato, shaved carrot, and what I believe was a homemade buttermilk blue cheese dressing. Great wine suggestion, delicious pork chop. So very good. We will be back!
(5)Robin G.
What can I say? This was my first visit and I LOVED it! A friend and I went for an early dinner, and shared a coconut shrimp appetizer (best coconut shrimp I've tasted), a very yummy light pasta dish and a pineapple/mango upside down cake dessert which was fabulous! There were so many tasty looking items on the menu, I may just have to eat my way thru this menu! The interior was very cute and casual, and the service was very good. I look forward to my next visit!
(5)Casandra G.
The awning says "J. Fleming's", but the staff's shirts say "Absolutely Delicious", so I guess both names apply. Went for dinner on a cold, February Friday. Decor is cute and casual, albeit a bit impractical as whenever the door opened a draft could be felt throughout the entire place. Service was prompt and friendly. I had a special, it was a creamy chicken and pasta dish with spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes - it sounded delicious, and I anticipated it heartily. It didn't seem too creamy rich at first, but after eating about 1/4 of the plate it did start to weigh on me. My bf ordered a hearty sausage pasta dish with a heavy tomato sauce. The meat to pasta ratio was about 50:50, which I think for most people is a little much, but I suppose a meat lover would enjoy it. And while we both enjoy meat, we appreciate some moderation. The desserts looked tasty, and they do special things with their creme brulees, but honestly after eating 1/4 of my plate I couldn't even imagine sitting by a dessert. They do have live music, which is probably a unique thing in sleepy old Westmont, but we didn't stay late enough to experience it. Perhaps another day, with lighter fare. The short version: friendly, but drafty. Tasty, but heavy. Absolutely delicious? Not quite.
(2)Kyle F.
Food was average, pretty good for the price I guess. This was the worst service I have ever had at a restaurant. A waitress didn't visit our table until after we had been seated for 20 minutes. It took another 20 minutes to get drinks. They actually had the lone bartender waiting on tables...Need I say more? Someone in our party actually went and grabbed our beers that were sitting on the bar and brought them to out table. Who knows how long our food sat around. We ordered a second drink before as soon as we got our first, and were done with the first by the time the second one came. We were at this restaurant for over 2 hours, and we ordered our food, appetizers, and drinks as soon as the waitress came to our table for the first time. They seriously need some better planning, management, and more servers at this restaurant.
(2)Joe R.
I have been meaning to go to J. Fleming's for quite some time now and finally made it over recently after catching the early train home. My wife and I both enjoyed a nice cocktail (her Pinot, myself a nice Bell's Oberon) before sampling two of their delicious sandwiches. My wife had the sliced sirloin and I had the Cuban pork sandwich. Both were fantastic, as were the accompanying waffle fries. The service was prompt and courteous. J. Fleming's also had a cool-looking private dining room that was converted from what looked like a vintage walk-in freezer to a fine wood paneled private setting. They also have a huge outdoor beer garden for when the weather is nice. I would definitely recommend checking out J. Fleming's if you are in the Westmont/Downers area
(4)Nancy L.
My husband & I have been wanting to try this restaurant for the last 6 months, and we finally did, last night. We were thrilled with the establishment. It was very quiet (only 1 other couple dining). Because this was a Sunday night and still early (5:30 pm), we were glad it was not packed to the brim. Needless to say, the food was fantastic. Started with spinach/artichocke dip. A basket of wonderful breads was served with meal. My entree was the Cedar Plank Salmon with horseradish mashed potatoes and vegetables. Husband had pasta with shrimp (huge serving/lots of shrimp) and he managed to finish it. After all that, who could eat dessert. Our server, Kate said when we come back (and we will), that their brownies are to die for. Overall, a great place with great food, service and ambiance.
(4)Milton J.
I read the previous review and figured I would try to balance. I have not been there in a while (I have moved), but the Ab Del I am reviewing goes back a few years, 2006 the latest. And I had the best sandwich I have ever had in my life (Cuban Pork). It took a while before I tried anything else. Chef Fleming had 2 decades of experience already when they opened in 2002 or 2003. Every dish I have ever had there sparkles with flavor. So maybe we need a third party to round out the picture. I can only say I hope it is not exactly like the previous reviewer stated.
(5)Patti D.
We were on our way to Amber when we noticed the cute little place across the street, and were very glad we did! The food, service and ambiance were great, a really good value, and overall a great experience! I love to try new places, and some are destined to become favorites. I think this place will quickly become a favorite, especially in nicer weather when the patio is open. We strongly recommend the mussels, baked brie, ceasar salad, and grilled medallions. (The only drawback was cold potatoes, but they were so good it almost didn't matter!) A nice bottle of pinot noir, fabulous creme brulee and souffle later, we were happy and satisfied. I strongly recommend this place for a great value, interesting menu and great service (be sure to ask for Michelle!)
(4)mike q.
This is great place to grab a beer and Sandwich if they have entertainment on the patio. I would pass on dinnig inside there are so many better places in the area. I have been there several times in the summer because they service outside. The food is just ok, nothing special. Tonight I had mussels and they were just ok, the specal 7" pizza was ok, the main dish of shrimp and wheat pasta in light garlic oil sauce was not very good, the pasta was not cooked thru, the sauce you could get better at any fast food Italian restaurant. The desert was awful. I ordered the specil pineapple short cake with ice cream, they served with melted ice cream, not a little melted , but like milk poured over the cake. The waitress took up the desert with the owner we actually seen her talking to him and looking at us. He still charged us for the desert. I would not have had the nerve. I eat out five nights or more a week and I just expect to get a decent meal for $50.00 a person. I will go back again when they have music outside but I will never order anything other than a sandwich there. ,.
(2)B G.
Cuban sandwiches there are great per my husband. I had the shrimp diavolo and it too was very good. Will definitely go back there.
(5)Kurt G.
First experience. Pulled pork is great. Little loud was the Jimmy Buffet wanna bees but they were enjoyable. Highly recommend
(5)Karyn P.
Great food, great service!! Very cute outdoor seating area as well.
(5)