Emil's makes itself at home in downtown Grayslake

Open since Feb. 1 in a spot once home to a pharmacy, Emil's Tavern on Center dispenses its own cures for what ails you. This Grayslake sports bar is the kind of place where you can simply hang, enjoying hot pizza, cold beer and warm, friendly service.

Motif: Downtown Grayslake has a quaint charm, and comfy, casual Emil's fits right in. Inside, the tavern maintains the look of a low-key sports bar with beer signs and memorabilia from local teams claiming spots on brick and painted walls. A long rectangular bar takes center stage, with 11 flat-screen TVs hanging above it. There are TVs elsewhere as well, including a massive screen in the more family-friendly dining room that juts off the bar area. Seating is ample, both in the dining area and at high-topped tables near the bar.

And no, there's no Emil behind Emil's - at least not any more. Emil was a previous owner of Emil's Pizza and Sports Bar in Mundelein. When the current owners, the Bowes family, decided to add a Grayslake location, they took the name with them.

Service: Our waitress appeared early and often. She was friendly and attentive, even though she was juggling quite a few tables. From our seat, we could see easygoing bartenders chatting with what appeared to be regulars. Clearly, Emil's aims for that warm, neighborhood feel - and hits the mark.

Liquid consumption: Beer is the drink of choice for most Emil's patrons. The dozen beers on tap range from the expected (Miller Lite, Blue Moon) to the lesser-known (Franziskaner and Dogfish Head). There are also wines, martinis and mixed drinks. And on the night we visited, lots of patrons were happily nursing soft drinks while watching TV or chatting with the bartenders.

There are food specials daily, and drink specials most nights. On the night we went, Miller Lite pints were $2 each and a large one-topping pizza was only $11, making for a reasonably priced night out.

Food: Pizza is the most popular item on the menu, and I can vouch personally for it. The crust was thin and crispy, and the cheese was gooey without being greasy. Caron Bowes, one of the owners, says Emil's also is known for its pulled pork and brisket.

If you're sticking to the starters, you can't go wrong with the combo plate - a mix of six wings, three mozzarella sticks, onion rings and fried mushrooms. Our waitress happily swapped out the mozzarella sticks (never really a personal favorite) for more of the wings, which were a treat. Presented with a choice of sauces, we opted for half barbecue and half Emil's special, which featured a blend of barbecue and hot sauce. They were tender, packed with flavor and incredibly messy - well worth the embarrassingly large pile of sauce-stained napkins we quickly accumulated.

Sounds: Dinner music ranges from Frank Sinatra tunes to current hits. Later on in the night, the sound goes more mainstream with pop, rock and a little rap mixed in. The band hosts live music at times and features DJs a couple Saturdays a month.

Crowd: At dinner time, you'll find a mix of families enjoying burgers and other options in the dining room, while sports fans claim seats at the bar. People of all ages seem to congregate as the evening wears on, with the crowd getting younger late at night.

Parking: On-street parking is available nearby.

Overall: With its friendly service and reasonably priced food, Emil's Tavern on Center is as casual and comfortable as an old Bears jersey.

Emil's Tavern on CenterInfo: 161 Center St., Grayslake, (847) 543-8879, www.emilsonline.comHours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday. Kitchen closes earlier.False20001488Waitress Mary Fitzgibbons delivers a deep dish pizza to patrons in the bar area of Emil's Tavern on Center in Grayslake.Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff PhotographerFalse