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Jimmy B's sets the table for summer and sports

Jimmy B's Ale House, which opened in October in what once was Boston Blackie's and for a short while City Island along Route 59 in Naperville, has already become a destination for families and other locals looking for some comfort food while they watch the game. With a new patio open for business, the bar also offers a place to lounge and enjoy the warming weather.

Motif: The large space features a dining room with a fireplace, dark wood tables, booths with black cushions, plush black chairs and gemlike lamps hanging overhead. Birch tree trunks line the back wall, providing a border to a private party room that can seat 100 people. The space boasts 20 TVs divided between the dining room and large marble bar. A covered and enclosed patio has seating for 50 at cushioned metal chairs and a purple couch located near a fire pit.

Food: Hand-packed burgers are the most popular item on the menu, especially the Stuff It, which has cheddar and bacon in the patty and is topped with onion strings. The Cabo San Lucas egg rolls are a strong starter. They're very hot and crispy, stuffed with chicken, cheese, corn and black beans and served with a light avocado ranch sauce. If you're looking for something hearty, try the fish fry, beer-battered cod served with plenty of french fries, or the chicken biscuit pie, a thick soup of chicken, peas, big chunks of potato, onions and corn served in a huge bowl topped with three biscuits that have the right mix of crisp and fluffy. The bar also offers regular food specials such as 50-cent wings on Sundays and $1 meatball sliders Thursdays.

Liquid consumption: Jimmy B's has a solid draft list, with offerings including Two Brothers Night Cat, Three Floyds Jinx Proof and Allagash White. If you want to try a few, order a flight of four for $9. Daily specials include $4 craft beers on Tuesdays and $8 beer flights on Fridays.

Crowd: Jimmy B's is especially popular with families, but you'll also find plenty of couples and groups animatedly cheering during sports games.

Service: Our server was prompt but didn't volunteer information and when asked for recommendations seemed to only be able to speak about how popular items were. Even though we were uncertain which beer to order, she never mentioned that Jimmy B's offers flights, something I only noticed by seeing them at another table.

Parking: There are plenty of spots in the restaurant's lot.

Overall: Jimmy B's mixes casual fare with a comfortable setting to provide a place to catch some sports and share a burger and some beers.

  Jimmy B's Ale House in Naperville is ready for warm weather with a covered patio. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Carrie Tobolt talks with patrons Tony Cella and Mike Rominger of Naperville at Jimmy B's Ale House in Naperville. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Carrie Tobolt makes a drink while bar tending at Jimmy B's Ale House in Naperville. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  A sampling of the spirits available at Jimmy B's Ale House in Naperville. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  A dining area and separate party space offer plenty of room at Jimmy B's. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Art glass separates two dining areas at Jimmy B's. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Jimmy B's Ale House in Naperville sits along busy Route 59. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com

Jimmy B's Ale House

916 S. Route 59, Naperville, (630) 778-0790, <a href="http://jimmybsalehouse.com">jimmybsalehouse.com</a>

<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday

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