Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery: User Reviews

Perfect for happy hour
By eventgirl from Magnificent MIle, February 16, 2009

Overall rating:

This place is fine for cheap beer and happy hour snacks. I'm not saying this was ever a James Beard nominee or anything, but for what it is-- cheap drinks and after work snacks it is pretty good. The food as better than your average bar as well as cheaper and the $3 construction pints are very good. I'll definitely go back for happy hour.

Anywhere but here
By deacon from old town, July 31, 2008

Overall rating:

Live nearby and this place is a tourist trap with horrible food and mediocre micro beers. service is deplorable, especially on the roof patio, which is now surrounded by construction. better off elsewhere.

Great Service Great Food!
By kja from visitor, July 17, 2008

Overall rating:

I highly recommend the Rock Bottom for food. We didn't drink any beer so I cannot comment on that. We were seated quickly and the wait staff was professional & attentive. Delicious food arrived quickly.

This place is just ok.....
By Mitchell from Chicago, IL, August 20, 2007

Overall rating:

This place is just ok.. I wanted to like it more than I did.. the service was mediocre and I don't care for micro brew beer. I also detested an appetizer I got and I hope it comes off the menu. It was the flatbread bruchetta appetizer and it was awful! It was cold wheat pita pieces served with a nasty olive paste in one dish, chunks of tomatoes in another and greasy fried mozzerella pieces. I could not figure out what to do with it and barely touched it. Please remove this from your menu.. On the other hand, the nachos are delicious, but there is never enough cheese on them. Order extra cheese!

Beer is outstanding...Love the Erick...
By Natalie from chicago , il, June 29, 2007

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Beer is outstanding...Love the Erick the Red!
Food is good but the service was the best. The servers are very knowledgable about the beer and very helpful!

For a bar/brewery, they have...
By Kristin from Crystal Lake, IL, March 4, 2007

Overall rating:

For a bar/brewery, they have pretty tasty and inventive food. Our waiter was very attentive and gave us good recommendations on our beer selection. Good amount of food for the price.

Walked in about 3:30pm on...
By BJ from Milwaukee, WI, December 11, 2006

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Walked in about 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon and the dining room was just about empty. I've been to this RBB 4 or 5 times.

I had the half rack of ribs (quite decent for $13), my son had a burger and pronounced it quite acceptable. My wife had the quaesadillas and they met her requirements.

Got out of ther for under $50 for the three of us including tip. This was after spending more than $200 for dinner for 3 people at one of Chicago's better Italian steakhouses the previous evening.

This was probably better value for the money.

Showed up here on a...
By MattK from Chicago, IL, December 2, 2006

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Showed up here on a Saturday night and the place was busy and packed, but still found a table in a reasonable time. Service was very prompt and friendly considering how busy it was in there. Dishes are decent and a little bit unique for standard American bar food (though, the fries were leaving to be desired). Decent food, decent beer, fair price, and decent service. One of the better Bar and Grill places in the city.

Rock Bottom, although a nationwide...
By Val from Chicago, IL, December 1, 2006

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Rock Bottom, although a nationwide chain gives the flavor of a microbrewery by serving unique beer at each venue. No matter if your faves are a brown ale, red or light you will find a classic tasty option. Also, if you join their "Mug Club" which is free, you can get 4oz bigger beer glass for the same price every time you go. AND after 5 visits, you get something for being a member (my favorite is the Erik the Red beer pint glass). They also do beer tappings each month or so for premier seasonal drafts that are held in the poolroom. Being a Mug Club member is worth that alone! Never been? Get the Rock Bottom Sampler with all the beers - and decide for yourself. The ballpark pretzels aren't bad either.

Expecting another mediocre Bar and...
By Matt Kennedy from Chicago, IL, October 3, 2006

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Expecting another mediocre Bar and Grill with mediocre service, I was pleasantly surprised with a great evening at the Rock Brewery. Our server was likeable and mostly attentive even though the Bar was packed. The menu wasn't very extensive but had some great unique items. Good handcrafted beers. My wife ordered a sandwich and I ordered the Salmon Chips and we thought both were delicious. The fries were pretty unremarkable, but that was the only thing that wasn't great about this place. It deffinately stands out from the overcroweded Bar and Grill restaurant paradigm.