New owner shakes things up at Emerson's Ale house
A new owner took over Emerson's Ale House in Mount Prospect in March, launching new food and drink menus, which have been regularly updated. With more events planned to go with live music and sports, the spot is working on building its following.
Motif: You can sit at one of the black chairs or booths that surround the dark brown tables, which offer plenty of space for large groups. Big spherical lights hang over the booths, and the space features plenty of TVs tuned to sports. The shiny tile walls and pillars are lined with framed jerseys and beer signs. A mural of the Chicago skyline is positioned near the bathroom.
Food: Burgers are the most popular item on the menu, with the meat from a local butcher and picked up fresh every morning. The mac 'n' cheeseburger is delicious if incredibly unwieldy, dripping with house-made cheese sauce while the juicy, perfectly cooked patty is piled with big strips of bacon and creamy fried mac 'n' cheese. Enjoy it with a side of sweet potato waffle fries served with chipotle ranch dressing. Another favorite is the Southwest salad, a huge bowl of lettuce, black beans, corn, diced tomato, avocado and tortilla strips tossed with ranch dressing. The nachos, however, were a bit disappointing. The giant pile of chips was topped with a mix of shredded cheese that was only melted where it mixed with the cheese sauce; using one topping or the other would have been better.
Liquid consumption: Emerson's Ale House boasts 30 beers on draft and dozens more available in bottles or cans, many of which are seasonal. The emphasis is on local breweries such as Tighthead, Lagunitas and Two Brothers. If you're looking to expand your palate, stop in on Mondays when select craft pints are $3 or Wednesday when local craft brews are $4.
Crowd: The spot is very busy during big sports games, particularly the Cubs and Blackhawks, and also brings in plenty of families for dinner. Most customers are between the ages of 35 and 50.
Service: Our server had water on the table almost as soon as we sat down. She was happy to offer samples of any beers on draft before we committed to a glass and proficiently went over the specials. Since the drink selection changes regularly, she let us know about a beer that hadn't made it on the menu yet.
Music: The bar hosts local acoustic artists a few times a month, with the frequency depending on the sports schedule so acts don't have to compete with the TVs. Upcoming shows include Valentine Bennett performing top 40 covers and country hits from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and Henry JBC playing hits from the last 60 years at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. For other entertainment, the bar also plans to start hosting wine and painting nights.
Parking: Your best bet is the nearby small free public lot.
Overall: Emerson's Ale House's strong service and solid menu make it a great place for a party or family meal or to just watch the game.
Emerson's Ale House
113 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect, (847) 870-1996, <a href="http://emersonsalehouse.com">emersonsalehouse.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday