McChesney's Pub a casual respite after a day on the links
Quick — make a list of the locations of your favorite lunch spots. It's doubtful that you listed “the golf course.”
Even if you're not a golfer, a lunch trip to Prairie Landings Golf Club in West Chicago can be a hole-in-one.
The newly renovated McChesney's Pub & Grill offers a comfortable setting and a filling meal at reasonable prices. Although a bit off the beaten path south of DuPage Municipal Airport and not too close to downtown Geneva, St. Charles or West Chicago, it is close enough for a nice getaway from the office for a quick (but extended) lunch.
The main building is the restored, historic 1868 McChesney house, moved from West Chicago to Prairie Landings in 1992. Recently renovated and expanded to include a golf shop and banquet hall, the main area of this redbrick structure is a comfortable, contemporary dining room featuring wood panels, fireplaces and seating for around 40-45 guests. Large-screen televisions are tuned to local and national sports and complimentary Wi-Fi is available (helping to extend that “working lunch”).
The crowd at McChesney's is mainly golfers either starting a round or coming in after their game for refreshments. Even though, this is a welcoming place for the non-golfing crowd. The low volume on the TV sets — just loud enough to hear but not overpowering — allows easy conversation over lunch. Most of the “noise” here are golfers recounting their scores and swings.
The friendly and casual servers are attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. There's also a nice selection of domestic beers (Miller, Bud, Coors), imports (Heineken, Amstel, Stella Artois) and craft brews (Two Brothers, Goose Island, Fat Tire, Bell's, LaGunitas), however, all are bottled — no beers are on tap. On the extremely hot day we visited, the most popular drink ordered were rounds of icy Arnold Palmers.
The menu may not be huge, but the portions sure are. A not-to-miss appetizer is the quesadillas — four large sun-dried tomato tortillas were stuffed with creamy, melted cheddar and Chihuahua cheeses, served with fresh pico de gallo and sour cream; we added roasted chicken for a $1 more; a plate of these alone could be a meal.
Main courses are mainly hot and cold sandwiches. We sampled the Cuban panini — warm slices of ham, sliced pork and turkey with melted Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard and pickles on a very fresh grilled ciabatta roll; very tasty and very filling. We also tried the beef and cheddar sandwich — a huge portion of deli roast beef served with cheddar, arugula, onions and horseradish sauce on a toasted ciabatta roll. Both sandwiches are priced at $9.95 and come with a large helping of potato chips; fries can be added to any sandwich for a mere 25 cents more.
Other choices include a Rueben, fish tacos, the “Ultimate BLT,” several salads and the “Hole-in-One Burger” featuring a half-pound Angus beef burger with bacon, cheddar cheese and a fried egg on a potato bun. There are hot soups and a daily special.
McChesney's is a great addition to Prairie Landings Golf Course, providing a welcome haven for thirsty and hungry golfers, yet also a nice, out-of-the-way destination for a relaxing and filling lunch for the nongolfers in the Fox Valley area. You may have to take a little more time, but it's worth the effort for a great lunch or early dinner.
Ÿ Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.
<b>McChesney's Pub & Grill</b>
2325 Longest Drive, at Prairie Landing Golf Club, West Chicago, (630) 208-7600, <a href="http://www.prairielanding.com" target="_blank">prairielanding.com</a>
<b>Cuisine:</b> American pub fare
<b>Setting:</b> Renovated historic home on the links
<b>Entrees:</b> $7.95 to $10.95
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to dark daily March through November