East Dundee's River Street Tavern boasts impressive menu
With a large drink menu, East Dundee's River Street Tavern makes good on the “tavern” part of its name. But the new spot, which opened in the space formerly occupied by Blues BBQ & Grill, also boasts impressive food and a spacious dining area.
<b>Motif:</b> River Street Tavern features an upscale, polished look. The décor says sports bar, and it's easy to see a big crowd settling in to watch a Cubs or Blackhawks game on TV, but the tavern doesn't overdo it with sports memorabilia. Exposed brick walls, large windows and cushy seating contribute to a “comfort zone - family friendly” feeling that's welcoming for even non-sports types.
<b>Liquid consumption:</b> The drink menus are large at River Street Tavern and packed with a variety of good choices. Craft beer options include local brews from Crystal Lake Brewing. My choice to start things off was the Beach Blonde Golden Lager, while a friend went with the Wake Maker Session IPA, also from Crystal Lake Brewing.
If you'd rather investigate the mixed drinks, there are plenty on the menu, including a few you might not have tried before. The chic-sounding Cucumber Chiller, for instance, is made with a swirl of Prairie Organic Cucumber Vodka and Fiorente Elderflower Liqueur.
<b>Food:</b> I enjoy places with so many great-looking appetizers that you could build your own entree with two or three different orders. River Street features a wide variety of smoked wings, including Salt and Vinegar. We ordered a half-dozen of those along with six Maple Bourbon BBQ. Well … wow! Good pick. Wings also come in Sweet Asian Chili, Honey Sriracha, Roasted Garlic Buffalo and River Street Heat.
We combined our wings with an order of IPA Dip with Chips, but Fried Pickle Chips were my far-and-away favorite shareable. A basket of sliced, fried pickles surrounded by a thick layer of pillowy, doughy crust was a hit. If there is such a thing as pickle tempura, this might be it.
Entrees include a list of Five Star Burgers, including the Scorcher - complete with cotija cheese, grilled pineapple, pickled red onions and jalapeño peppers with River Street Heat Sauce. The Big Plates menu features Beer Can Chicken, Tipsy Fish and Chips with beer-battered cod and Cast Iron Steak Frites.
<b>Service:</b> The crowd was light on this weeknight and we were seated right away. Our server was prompt and well versed on all the menu items. She was able to help us navigate the big menu of food and drinks by letting us know about popular choices and some of her favorites. For a big place, service here is pretty fast.
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Crowd:</b> You know a spot is family-friendly when there's a mom and newborn infant at the table next to yours. There were a few others enjoying dinner in the dining area, but no doubt the room vibe is totally different if the crowd is really getting into a game on one of the few flatscreens overhead.
<b>Music:</b> A nice mix of '80s and '90s hits were playing on overhead speakers when we visited. Music is at a level that's fine for conversation. In speaking with our server, she pointed to a seating section that can be converted into a small stage where bands can play. So, live music may soon be on the River Street menu.
What's also noticeable was the sound we couldn't hear. The flatscreens were all muted to avoid the frequent sports bar problem of cross-play-by-play from multiple TVs at once. The lack of overmodulated music and TVs also adds to the more upscale vibe.
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Parking:</b> There are plenty of angled parking spots on River Street right outside the front door and ample parking up and down the block of this quaint suburban downtown.
<b>Overall:</b> Even if you don't live nearby, River Street Tavern is worth the trip. With plenty of usual and unusual choices on its ample menu, River Street is the new kid in town with great potential for drawing a crowd.
River Street Tavern
102 N. River St., East Dundee, (224) 293-2033
Hours: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday