Circa 57
101 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005
Circa 57 Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Arlington Heights for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Arlington Heights for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Arlington Heights for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
101 W Campbell St
Arlington Heights, IL, 60005 - Phone (847) 392-1957
- Website https://www.circa-57.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage, 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 : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Hayley T.
Awesome breakfast! Between the four of us we got two skillets, a Farmhouse special and the Sunrise special. Food was all delicious. Our server Michael tried his absolute hardest to make sure we enjoyed our meal. He was serving, bussing, cooking and mixing drinks. We'll definitely come back for the food, but the others servers could learn to do a little less chatting with each other and help each other out when it's so busy.
(4)Joel K.
The decor and ambiance is upscale 50's, and the service is as should be expected. But the food isn't worth the price tag. I think they have to charge the price to cover the expenses of building out, but they should rethink the menu and prices. The food worth an average price, which is an odd compliment. It's really not bad food, just not worth the prices they're charging.
(3)Spencer H.
I have been looking for a 1950's diner for some time now. After scouring Yelp & different towns I finally found one. This diner is located in downtown Arlington Heights. Right away walking in it is everything I hoped it would be in terms of decor. The place was decked out with 1950's decor. Every table had a mini jukebox on it that you could play songs with for fifty cents. We sat down & the booths were very comfortable. The booths even had the 1950's sparkle effect to them. The waiter came around & we ordered two cups of chili for appetizers & for our entree a cheese burger & a chicken pot pie. I was actually disappointed with my chili & the burger was just ok. The chicken pot pie however was very good. Once dinner was over the manager came by to ask how everything was & was very friendly. I decided to order some dessert & get a hot fudge sundae & it might have been the best hot fudge sundae that I have ever had. One of the only negatives about this place was that the food was too expensive & might deter people from visiting more often. The restaurant was very clean as well. Overall the decor was awesome & the food was ok. I would definitely come here again when I am in the mood for a 1950's diner.
(4)Steve A.
This place is all about the decor, which is fabulous. I'm not sure there were any diners in the 50s that were actually this nice, but it gets each individual element perfect, right down to the two-tone glittery piping on the vinyl booths. The menu is exactly what you'd expect from a place that serves 50s comfort food, with very little concession to modern nutrition. Everything we tried was good, and probably less greasy than its 50s inspirations. Service was attentive and friendly. This is an excellent choice for before theater dinner.
(4)Tom A.
This museum with a mediocre snack bar never belonged in the company of the genuinely excellent restaurants that populate downtown Arlington Heights. The cynical overpricing of fast food--including the $3.57 fountain drinks--spoke worlds about the real intentions of this establishment's owners. This sort of kitschy pricey gee-whiz dining really only works on tourists. Had this freak show been located on Navy Pier, it might have worked. Locals, however, are unlikely to pay $12 for an under-sized burger more than once. Goodbye Circa 57, may something more earnest replace you.
(1)Kate W.
I visited Circa 57 on Saturday night for the first time. It wasn't too packed and we were seated right away. The inside is super cute and you can tell they put a lot of work into all of the detail. I ordered the Veggie Panini and it was so good. Lots of veggies on soft focaccia bread. I would highly suggest this for a vegetarian. The fries were ok, nothing special. My mom and grandma ordered the chicken pot pie and a hot dog, both said they were very good. My mom did say she wished the whole pot pie had the crust and not just the top, but still loved it anyway. For dessert we ordered the carrot cake which was absolutely amazing, and a huge slice. Yes, it may seem like it's on the pricer side, but for the food we got I think the prices weren't too bad, it is downtown Arlington Heights, all of the restaurants are a little pricer. I can't wait to go back and try breakfast or a milk shake.
(4)Rose D.
Wow, somebody went to a lot of trouble to rock out the decor in this place 50's style! It's retro-gorgeous! And much bigger inside than I expected. They have a diner seating area with tables, booths, and completed with the counter & stools. They also have another dining area with a huge bar...there were other patrons seated there and I think it would make a great room for a party. The menu has a lot of great options and I like the kitschy-retro appetizers like Pigs in a Blanket & Pickle Surprise (something my Mom used to make for parties & I still do they are so good!). I tried the chicken & waffles - the syrup is a bourbon-maple syrup which was mighty tasty on the waffles, also came with a blackberry compote which was delish as well, but the chicken tasted like maybe it wasn't fresh, but previously frozen a bit too long...I'm not quite sure but the taste of the chicken was definitely off a tad. Not terrible, but not what you'd be looking for. My husband had the grilled cheese which was a step-up from the plain-Jane type you might have at home & he said it was very good. He also ordered a Chocolate Egg-Cream Soda. Sadly, they forgot to make it & he didn't get it until he was more than half-done with his meal. It was very good, though. The service (aside from the delay in the specialty soda) was very friendly by all the staff we encountered and the food came out far quicker than we anticipated. It did take quite a while for the check to be delivered & then for them to take the payment, but since the food came out so fast we were at least still ahead of schedule. We went to see a show at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center which is right next door & they are connected via a side entrance so it was very convenient. Add in the free parking garage next door and it made our night out a breeze.
(3)Eric E.
Neat joint. The 50's props are nicely done. Had the California Cruiser which is a marinated chicken breast, applewood smoked bacon, white cheddar cheese and sliced avocado served on a fresh croissant with honey mustard sauce. The thing is salivatingly good. Had an Oreo shake to boot, which my son found cause to take an abundant amount of sips from. Pricing is on the high side but the food is worth it. Cheers.
(4)David D.
Cheap mediocre food at higher prices. E.g. Pot roast beef was, most likely, cooked separately from its potatoes and then mixed together, and potatoes were half-raw. Too expensive for that tasteless food too. They take advantage of the downtown location, but people are not stupid - it was empty. Will never go there again.
(2)June Y.
I visited Circa 57 for the first time a few days ago. My first impression of the atmosphere was wonderful. I went with my gran, and she got very excited about all the colors and décor. I had ordered coffee and chicken pot pie, and gran ordered some fish and chips. Our waiter was a bit off putting. He would stand there with a nervous grin. Gran speculated he was acting odd because he didn't have much to do. He even tried to take my food away before I was done! When I ordered my coffee, he gave me just the coffee, without offering cream or sugar. I am a lady and I do not drink black coffee, I thought this was a bit careless on his part. As for the food, Gran was underwhelmed as was I. My chicken pot pie, hardly had any chicken, and what it did have was unappetizing cubed chunks. The carrots were still hard, and the sauce was soupy, so I'm guessing it wasn't cooked long enough. Any other restaurant I've ordered chicken pot pie, theres lots of chicken and it's really chicken, not cubed chicken. That extra care will improve the quality of your food tenfold. Gran was not too pleased with her fish, though the fries were very good. I'm thinking it is a matter of freshness. Our dessert was good, and we want to come back to give it another chance, because we so liked the atmosphere, and we really want to like Circa 57. Maybe I will try the meat loaf next time. Service I'd rank it 3/5 (but just for that particular server, everyone else was sweet) Food I'd rank it 3/5 (there were good bits, but mostly underwhelming) Atmosphere I'd rank it 5/5 (loved it) Overall it'd give it 3.5 stars
(3)Chip G.
So we finally made it back. It was worth it my steak was great and sons prime rib was good too The corn was fresh and sweet and au gratin were hot and cheesy. Wife had meatloaf and liked it too We will be back, sooner this time.
(5)Staci Y.
My friends have been here twice before, so we decided to go again. Three out of the five orders had something wrong with it. The bacon was left off of the crab cake blt. One of us ordered well done chicken breast on the salad and the chicken was not well done and was cold. My fried onion strings were ice cold and not done. Once everything was corrected the food was good. The owner came over to apologize, but did nothing to offer us anything for our inconvenience.
(2)Cindy W.
We recently held my daughter's baby shower at Circa 57, and it was fabulous!! It was held in an adorable room called the "house" with authentic décor from the fifties! The manager worked with us to design a special menu for our event. We chose four entrees from the menu for our guests to choose from, had a delicious fruit plate appetizer, hot fudge sundaes for dessert, and a wonderful welcome beverage which was designed especially for us! As more guests arrived than expected, the staff was quick to set up an additional table, and accommodate for the children who attended. The wait staff was so efficient and friendly, and made everyone feel welcome! All the guests commented on what a wonderful venue this was and what a wonderful time they had. I would highly recommend Circa 57 for a banquet event, or just a fun night out with the family!
(5)Mike M.
Had an early lunch there with my wife today. The service was great (few customers at 11:45a) and the food (salad for the wife, double cheeseburger and chili for me) was pretty good, especially the chili. However, from a value standpoint it was below average. For the prices, the quality and quantity of food weren't there. The decor and the menu items were very interesting and I'm sure the place is hopping at times. Some decidedly retro food items and beer choices looked promising, but it was a little early for them. For lunch, there are probably better options nearby that are better values. One final point: there are several posters from the 50s/60s with cigarette advertising displayed in the part of the restaurant in which we were seated. Whether vintage or not, they seemed quite inappropriate. My wife (a 30+ year oncology nurse) mentioned this to one of the owners and was answered with a (to paraphrase) 'well, we're going for kitsch here, and they're kitschy, so......). Anyway, with that in mind we can find kitsch and overpriced burgers elsewhere.
(2)Tom W.
Food quality was a very pleasant surprise after we made an impulse decision to check this place out. We ordered mom's pot roast, meatloaf and chicken and waffles and everyone was satisfied. Service was friendly and attentive and we would have had dessert but were too full. Looking forward to next visit. Not a typical 50s burger diner, and we're glad.
(4)Justine S.
Came here with my co-workers to check out their menu and restaurant style. I was very pleased from beginning to end. As we entered the restaurant, a nice man was already standing by the counter, smiling and welcomed us. The interior design will immediately catch your attention. If you are looking for a retro dinner, this is the place to go! They have a 1957 Chevy Bel Air on the wall, juke boxes on the booths, 52's memorabilia on the walls, retro furniture and a huge painting of Marilyn Monroe in their vintage bar. Food is great. Chef Anthony did a great job with the menu! EVERYTHING IS HOMEMADE! The DAGWOOD DELI is a must try. It has ham, pastrami, provolone cheese on rye (and some other ingredients I don't recall) but it is tasty! The Prime Rib Philly cheese steak is also delicious. I love their malts too and cherry phosphate (there's not a lot of places that offer phosphate beverages nowadays!) This restaurant is a must try. Located at the heart of down town arlington heights, beside big shot piano lounge and across peggy kinnane's!
(5)Laura M.
Great food and atmosphere! I love the three different ambiances of the rooms, I can't pick a favorite! The staff is also great here! Try the crab cake BLT you won't be disappointed!
(5)Peter g.
Go for the atmosphere, and maybe the really long list of ice cream toppings. I made the error of seeing "diner" all over this once Amazing location for great food and thought, well maybe they still have good food. Nope. My apologies to my Girl, but this was NOT worth the visit, even accounting for the time warp theme - a trip to the past would only have been a good meal had it included the past restaurants menu, chef, and food, all 3 of which were AWOL from the sock hop we visited. Here's 1 Example: cold hard fries, second serving were hot but very hard, obviously they took some cold ones from the fryer, re fried them to heat them up, and served hot hard fries. Yummy.
(2)Joe P.
Looking for a step back in time? This place is hip! As you walk in you are taken back to the jukebox era. All of the employees have neat period correct shirts. The tables have a personal jukebox song selector. The interior is very cool and well done-retro style. Prompt, friendly service is a welcome offering of this establishment. I've always been taken care of here. They are super personable and seems like their servers enjoy taking care of their customers. I've been here a few times for breakfast. The food is always fresh, hot, and tasty. I really enjoy coffee, and the one thing that I like about a diner (with decent brewed coffee) is the never ending cup. The coffee is really good for a diner. The food is good, the atmosphere is awesome, and their staff is friendly. This is a great. I'll be back to try something other than breakfast soon.
(5)Elizabeth W.
You know it's a good night when you're sitting next to a pink midcentury refrigerator while slurping a deliciously thick shake and "You Never Can Tell" begins playing. It only gets better when a friendly waitress in a vintagey uniform brings you a toasty sandwich. Then your child actually asks for more peas from the genuine Homer Laughlin Fiesta china Circa 57 uses, and you have to pinch yourself to make sure it's all real. While it's a little confusing that the menu and hours have already changed after being open less than three months, and while prices for some items are (as other reviewers noted) priced a bit higher than you'd expect, so long as they keep delivering the consistent quality I've experienced so far, dining here is a pretty good value. I mean, where else can you get an egg cream and freshly-grilled vegetable panini in the NW burbs? And surrounded by amusing vintage ads featuring Lucille Ball, no less? There are three different dining rooms, each with its own delightful retro theme, so there's never a wait for a table. This place earns bonus points for having so much historical accuracy. The closest thing to an anachronism I noticed was the psychedelic-era Beatles in one of the table side jukeboxes. Alas, the authentic 1950's bathroom is a museum piece and doesn't function. The real bathrooms are a bit of a trek, through the back doors and into the Metropolis part of the building. I would also like to see more vegetarian options, especially on the child menu. Somehow, too, the fries are just OK. Come on! You can do better than that, Circa 57! Don't forget to check out the selection of local and craft beers on the menu! There's also a full bar. You can easily catch a cab or walk to the Metra if you have one too many while contemplating the Dick Whitman/Don Draper duality/singularity.
(4)Emily C.
I was worried this place would be pricey but three adults and two kids had dinner and dessert for $72, so not too bad for a good meal. The meatloaf was grade A comfort food, it reminded me of my moms. I'm not a fan of pot pie but it looked delicious and the others liked it particularly the big chunks of chicken and quality veggies. I was impressed with the puff pastry. Kids meals were plenty for two five year olds and a good deal including two sides and dessert. I'd definitely return and hopefully soon.
(5)Tracy J.
Finally got to try this place last night. Very cute restaurant! We were seated right away and service was excellent. Food was very good and the decor was fun to look at. I am deducting one star because it was absolutely freezing in there!!! I would come back next time I'm in that area, I would just make sure to bring a sweater or a jacket next time.
(4)Angie K.
I've been here twice (once for dinner and once for breakfast) and today I literally said "I wish Restaurant Rescue had an 800 number." This place is so terrible. The cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting was a lumpy cold hunk of bread with cream cheese slapped on top. The pancakes would have been better off if they were bisquick, they were flavorless except that the batter tasted old/stale. The egg sandwich was OK and they cooked the egg exactly as I asked (which is admittedly high maintenance on my part) so they obviously care to please. When we came about two weeks ago the food was flavorless and limp - the spaghetti and meat balls were awful. The only reason this place is getting a 2 and not 1 is because I want to like it. I really do! The concept is kitschy and cute and the employees seem earnest and kind but HOLY COW they have got to get someone in the kitchen who appreciates a solid meal. Please fire the kitchen staff and revamp the menu to something you feel confident in- stop churning out bad food.
(2)Bruce R.
Very cute environment but with average food. The waitress was very nice but the kitchen was very slow and the restaurant was not busy. Food is overpriced for what they offer.
(2)Shelly M.
I came here for a bday dinner and loved the theme and decor of the restaurant. The staff are also very nice. As for the food, I ordered the chicken pot pie, which was okay. There was no pie crust on the bottom of the bowl, the pie crust was just on the top. Which I liked the flakey crust and wished there was more of it. The portion size is fairly large. My boyfriend ordered the crab cake sandwich, which he seemed to enjoy. Overall very cute place, but not crazy about the menu.
(3)Anthony R.
Love the theme, the owners are so nice and the food was delicious! Love the attention to detail!
(5)Ryan H.
Ordered the prime rib philly cheese steak. It was pretty good but seemed they skimped on the meat. Too much bread to filling ratio. The fries were, well fries.. Nothing memorable about them. I also ordered the baked Mac and Cheese.. It was over-priced and lacked flavor. I'll be back to try the breakfast and shakes in the future.
(3)Sue S.
Came here apparently for the fourth time and I am just unimpressed. Service is mediocre. Seems like when I walk in it's between lunch and dinner and who ever greets me seems unsure of what to do. Yes, there are some cool things to look at, but overall, the food is about as good as its service. Just mediocre. The price does not reflect the quality, but more so, the lease. It is in a prime spot in downtown Arlington Heights. I have had burgers, salads, and even the ever so popular chicken pot pie. The kids meals are skimpy and plain. Again, unimpressed. I would rather grab a beer and burger across the street.
(2)Mick B.
We went last night to try Circa 57 again since the first time was shortly after they opened. The "regular" menus were now printed and they added a few new items- I noticed that there is a "make your own TV dinner" now on the menu that is served in a heavy aluminum tray that looks somewhat like the classic 1950's-1960's TV dinner tray. Many children had them so I am assuming that it's a gimmick for kids. The problem of course here is that kids now have no clue what a TV dinner is. Perhaps I am missing something but why do so many parents bring their kids to a "50's Nostalgia" diner? The kids I saw were not fascinated by the retro theme, they seemed largely bored. From my observation, this is a place for adults with adult-oriented food and adult prices. People who are looking for a "dollar menu" such as found at McDonalds probably would be better served going to McDonalds in the first place and enjoy the predictable menu. That having been said, our second experience was as solid as the first- the only downside is that we were seated in the "back" room, which was to be honest, not very "retro" as far as it's decoration. If you can ask for a booth in the "front" it's probably a better experience. Go and try it. That is all.
(5)Liz C.
My mom, my daughter and I ate lunch here yesterday. (To anyone who was there while we were, sorry she got fussy. Poor thing got some shots and she did fine at the doctors office, but was not happy when she woke up.) Anyway, the service was good. Our server even got me some water to make a bottle for her. The food was really good! I had a huge sandwich. It was awesome! So much meat and just enough horseradish sauce! The fries here are really good too! I love the decor. I'm planning to come back with hubby for date night. I hope we can sit in either the pink room or the room with the cars for tables (like at Sci fi dine in at Hollywood studios!). I'll definitely come back!
(5)MJ E.
I have been anxious to try Circa 57 since it opened. I have read the harsh reviews and decided to see for ourselves. I'm glad we did. The 1950's theme is done very well. The food can be pricey and some dishes should be tweaked. We thought the throwback menu items were fun to try. The pot roast was a huge, tasty portion. I noticed that most everything was a larger portion. But the biggest hits on the menu just might be the drinks and soda fountain. The drinks range from phosphates to Brandy Alexanders, Grasshoppers and a chocolate shake cocktail (I forgot the name). We will be back. Wishing that the burgers and meat loaf are "new and improved" by then! I'd love to update my review with a few more stars. Circa 57 is so close to being great
(3)Megan S.
I hadn't heard good things about the food but I thought I would give this place a shot. Upon arriving, it was awkward. It was 50's vibe but not all the staff pulled off the concept. The drinks were bad. She forgot my orange juice. My orange juice tasted like frozen juice in water and my gf's bloody mary was bad. I ordered my skillet gluten free in a separate pan/utensils. They had to go back for the avocado. The cook had to put down his iphone so he could give the waitress the avocado. The food was mehhh. It definitely wasn't cooked properly because I got sick about an hour later. The service was subpar and I won't be back.
(1)Judi M.
I really want to like this place but the food and service make it impossible. This was our third and last try to make this a go to spot in the NW burbs. The decor is top notch but then it all goes downhill: no greeting at the door, silently shown to a table w/o asking for preference, shabby looking menus, wait staff not happy to be there. There really was good, if not imaginative, food in the '50's; food was seasoned, cooked well, and served hot. Ordered a kids meal of chicken fingers and fries that were over cooked and served barely warm (placing the food on a cold metal tray didn't help); adult selection was a burger which looked great- but was flavorless. Silly us we ordered dessert: ice cream was good but the pie was only so-so and served cold in the middle and too hot on the sides- microwave must be on the fritz. Our first visit was right after they opened; there was a good vibe, people were happy to work there but the food was only so-so. Thinking this was just first month shakiness we went back after 6 months, still pretty upbeat but food not any better. Tonight was our final try. Sorry but I'll not be back and judging by how empty it was at prime dinner hour many others must feel the same way.
(2)Erin M.
Great atmosphere, terrible food. I got the Chicken and Waffles. My waiter made my waffle. How do I know this? The waffle maker is right behind the counter. The result was a not crispy, sorta limp frisbee. The chicken was a breast piece, fried in bread crumbs, overcooked with NO seasoning. My husband liked his chicken pot pie a lot, but I felt it was a very small soup bowl sized portion for the hefty price tag. Please, don't waste your money. Oh, btw, did I mention the coffee tasted like dishwater as well?
(2)Mark F.
This place has more to offer than you would expect. On the outside I assumed it to be nothing more than a greasy burger joint with shakes and fries. Happily, there is a lot more than meets the eye and stomach here. 1/2 of the restaurant's decor reflects back on that 50's style and the other half with a bar atmosphere. There's a full bar and a full, eclectic menu. On my first time in I had the chicken and waffles. While under-seasoned, I enjoyed it. The second time in, I had a classic cheeseburger and I joined the clean plate club. This is an awesome place to bring the kids. The wait staff is incredibly friendly. For the ambiance, you expect the prices to be lower than what they are, but the quality of the food and the experience validate what you pay for your time there. It's worth checking out.
(4)Charlie V.
I'm terribly picky, so I'm surprised by the poor reviews (maybe new management?). Not expensive, great pie, good 1950's diner food, excellent decor. a great friday-night option if you're in AH.
(4)Chelsea L.
The service has gotten better and they've adjusted some of their prices. It's still an expensive milkshake, but it's a DELICIOUS expensive milkshake. They've also expanded on the coffee bar at the front of the store and have adjusted their hours to hopefully catch more morning traffic. They don't have as many fancy coffee-drink options, but their coffee and espresso are better and cheaper than *bucks, plus they have ridiculously large, ridiculously good, cinnamon rolls. Give it a try!
(3)Monica H.
I have to admit, I was hesitant. The reviews have been mixed but I figured I would go for it. I AM SO HAPPY I DID! What a great place! My son and I split a chocolate soda and it was fabulous. He had never had one and was shocked at how good it was. He had a kids meal, pigs in a blanket, Mac and cheese and fruit and it came with fries in a cool old TV tray - he loved it! My daughter and I had the fried chicken with green beans and carrots and I have to say - I was impressed. It came out pipping hot, crispy and juicy. The food is worth the cost - it is good. Also this is a theme restaurant, good is always more pricey when there is a theme ;) The table side juke boxes were a hit too - bring quarters! Last but certainly not least - the service! I was worried that it would take a lot of time as others have experienced. But not if you have Patrick waiting on you. He was running around delivering food, taking orders and checking in on people. He even warned me that shakes take a little bit of time and suggested I order it early and I did. He made the experience all that much better. Thank you Patrick!
(5)Candice G.
"That's a pretty f*cking good milkshake. I don't know if it's worth ***five dollars but it's pretty f*cking good." -Vincent from Pulp Fiction ***Milkshakes here are actually $6.57. Open less than 24 hours, this new 50s-themed, milkshake-makin', retro diner in downtown Arlington Heights is off to a pretty hip start. To be fair, our experience was far from perfect but I'd still say it was above par for a place that just opened. The atmosphere is retro, fun, and 50s and the place is a lot bigger than it seems from the outside. It's got 2 large milkshake bars & 2 large rooms for seating, then there's an annexed room with tables that's reserved for private events, but you can go in and check out all their vintage 50s memorabilia and mock living room, bathroom, and kitchen -- but don't touch. Everything is from a museum that shut down in Branson, Missouri and they're pretty on point about not letting their stuff get fingered or ruined. On our 9pm-ish on a Friday night visit it was hoppin'. We were sat in the further room at a high top that looked over the large beer, wine, liquor, and milkshake bar. It was almost aggressively loud, yet the crowd wasn't at all rowdy. I think sound just amplify in here and it for sure made it a little distracting. It was clear from the moment we walked in that they had safety-staffed about a million people for their first week, but everyone seemed busy, servers weren't just standing around willy-nilly and it appeared that everyone on staff knew what they should be doing. Our server was excellent and knew the menu really well. I did feel bad for her at a few points when we'd ordered things that they were already out of... which happened an almost comical amount of times. Especially for a place that had been open for less than 24 hours. Should they really have been out of chocolate ice cream, fries, and the only vegetarian entree on the menu? How much could they possibly have gone through? But I understand that things happen and you have to give a little slack to a place that's so new. There are kinks and I'm sure they're working on smoothing them out. My date and I started with a milkshake (mind you, they were out of chocolate), and grasshopper (made with premium booze only). The milkshake ($6.57) was to my partner's liking... so much so that he was the one who brought up the Pulp Fiction quote referencing both the milkshake and a seemingly outrageous price... which I'll address in relation to Circa 57 later. The grasshopper ($10.57) was probably the strongest, but also best grasshopper I've ever had, but for nearly $11, I just can't say I'd order it again. The price point is just too damn high... even high for Chicago-proper pricing. For dinner, I'd planned on getting the vegetable panini ($12.57), which, to be honest, didn't seem like much of a standout but it was the only vegetarian entree they offer beside a salad, which I don't consider an appropriate meal for myself for dinner time. I might not eat meat, but I still like a hearty, warm meal for supper. But alas, they were out of the veggie panini so I had to take a few more minutes to decide on something else. I was going to get a side of fries and a side of baked mac 'n cheese ($4.57) but my partner talked me out of it and I went with the Crab Cake BLT ($13.57), but without the bacon. It comes with a side of fries, which were pretty good but the portion on them was pretty average, there could have been more on the plate, for sure, but we later found out when I tried to order the appetizer fry ($4.57) order that they'd run out of fries -- which is a weird thing for a diner to run out of, yes? The crabcake sandwich was pretty darn good. Definitely more crab than cake, albeit likely faux crab, but I was hungry. I think the biggest issue with Circa 57 is that any way you slice it, the prices are just too high. Currently, the menus are printed on paper, so I'm holding out hope that they'll rethink most of the menu's pricing and opt to go lower. As mentioned earlier, they had a TON of staff on tonight and I'm sure the build-out cost them a pretty penny and then some (it's adorably retro kitsch inside), so maybe they're trying to recoup costs quicker with an elevated pricing system, but I just really feel strongly that it won't work in their favor. At least not in the long run. I know there aren't too many places around doing the retro diner thing anymore, but unfortunately for Circa '57, Little Goat kinda does the same schtick (though in a more new-age way) yet their prices, while being in the city in a highly coveted piece of realty on Randolph and having Top Chef Stephanie Izard, are somehow lower than here. I would go back in a few weeks and hope for some menu changes in the way of pricing and items, but for now I'm still in sticker shock. I mean, there's a $16.57 salad, $15.57 shrimp cocktail, $8.57 fried zucchini, $36.57 T-Bone, $10.57 Grasshopper. It's just too much for casual diner-style eats in the suburbs.
(3)Princess G.
Great breakfast and a fun atmosphere! Their decor is fun and bright. The music is 50's and 60's. The wait staff was friendly and offered suggestions. After your meal you can walk around downtown Arlington Heights.
(5)