Cortland's Garage still drawing big crowds in Arlington Heights

Buzz was building about Chicago burger and beer joint Cortland's Garage expanding to Arlington Heights long before they opened in September in the former location of Harry's. Between displaying their many accolades outside the space to serving huge lines of curious diners at Taste of Arlington Heights, the owners stirred up so much excitement that they were packed even during their soft opening.

Motif: You can see the kitchen from the bar or one of the wooden chairs arranged around the high-top tables. The brick walls are decorated with black-and-white historic photos, and a bank of football helmets is displayed above the bar. The second floor, which has its own bar, is often used for overflow seating or as a hangout for people waiting for a table, but Cortland's also plans to host parties. You'll find 13 TVs turned to sports inside, with another three outdoors when the weather is nice.

Food: Start with the mac n' cheese fritters, which are covered with a crispy crust of panko bread crumbs giving way to a hot and gooey center served with a savory Guinness mustard sauce. Burgers are the focus of the dinner menu. Their signature version is a great take on a classic, topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, creamy guacamole and sweet shoestring onions. For something more daring, opt for the Fernandez, where the patty is topped with spicy mayo, crunchy tortilla strips, guacamole, pico de gallo and carne asada and served on a ciabatta bun with a side of really nicely spiced chili lime fries. The burger's got a solid burn, though all the toppings tend to ooze out if you're not careful. Cortland's plans to launch brunch in the next few months, serving a menu almost identical to the one at their Chicago location.

Liquid consumption: The craft beer selection changes monthly based on what's popular, with the owners calling on connections they made with breweries from their city location while also taking customer suggestions. You'll still feel comfortable if you're not a beer drinker — we saw one group of women sharing a bottle of wine.

Crowd: Business hasn't slowed since Cortland's Garage opened, and the place was absolutely packed when we visited on a Saturday night. This spot appeals to a wide age range, from 21 to 70. You'll also see casually dressed sports fans sitting alongside couples in much nicer attire. The spot's location near the Arlington Heights Metra Station makes it particularly popular with commuters while fantasy football leagues come on Sunday to take advantage of their NFL package. Expect big crowds for lunch, dinner and large sports games, though you may also find a waiting list even when nothing in particular is going on.

Service: Our server was a bit brusque and terse when she first came over, rushing away right after giving us menus and after taking our order — though that's understandable considering how busy the place was. Still our food came out fast, water was always refilled and our server became friendlier as the crowd became more manageable.

Parking: Street parking can be hard to find, so leave time to drive around or be prepared for a bit of a walk.

Overall: Cortland's Garage has managed to meet the high expectations for its first suburban venture.

Cortland's Garage

1 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2525, <a href="http://cortlandsgarage.com">cortlandsgarage.com</a>

<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday