Pizza and pints: Long Grove's Pub83 is off to a promising start
Anyone who regularly drives down Route 83 in Lake County has probably wondered dozens of times - likely while stopped at a red light - “When are they going to put a new restaurant over there?”
“There” would be the southwest corner of Route 83 and Gilmer Road, where the former Gridley's has sat vacant for years. Thanks to Pub83, it's vacant no more and far easier to access than it was in the past.
<b>Motif:</b> Depending on which way you were coming from, getting into the old Gridley's was tricky. If driving north on 83, the only way to reach the parking lot was to make a left turn at the intersection onto Gilmer, then find a way to turn around, go right on 83 and make another quick right.
A new entrance off Gilmer Road along with more parking gives Pub83 better access.
Inside, the oval-shaped bar is completely separate from the dining room. You can watch your team on monitors overhead without the chatter-and-plate-clinking din of diners in the background. The high-ceilinged dining room, meanwhile, is adorned with images of iconic Chicago people and places.
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Food:</a><![CDATA[ Pub83's comfort food-driven menu features a variety of pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.
Our choice of appetizers on a recent weeknight included the BBQ chicken wings and crispy Asian pot stickers with soy-ginger ponzu sauce. Both came out quickly and were very good - more meal-sized than bite-sized.
Pub83 features thin, pan and stuffed pies with usual and unusual toppings, including artichoke hearts and giardiniera. On a follow-up visit, we gave the pan pizza a try, topped with onion, green pepper and feta cheese.
Immediately, you notice how fresh the ingredients are, especially the sweet chunks of tomato in the sauce and toppings that don't get lost in all the cheese. Our pizza was well balanced - not overly doughy - and tasted great without making you feel “heavy” after a slice or two. We preordered before arriving, so our pizza was ready shortly after we sat down.
Among the eight signature half-pound burgers on the menu is the Smokin Burger, topped with smoked pork, triple-smoked bacon and smoked cheddar cheese. There's also the Smothered Burger with sautéed mushrooms, onions, cheddar cheese and a fried egg to boot.
<b>Liquid consumption: </b>It's nice to see a place that features local craft beers on tap. My “draft pick” was the Misfit IPA from Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington. With a bit of citrus, it's a perfect summer night beer. Draft beers from Chicago's Goose Island and Revolution breweries are also available.
<b>Service:</b> On our visit, we were seated right away and servers are attentive. Don't be surprised if you're asked about appetizers and drinks before you can read the entire menu. Servers also cover the upstairs space for private events and overflow seating when the main dining room fills up.
<b>Crowd:</b> With separate rooms, Pub83 fosters a family restaurant vibe in the dining room and there were plenty of kids when we visited. Over at the bar, about a dozen adults scattered around the big oval and at nearby tables.
<b>Music:</b> Classic rock and pop tunes play on overhead speakers at a level that makes table conversation easy.
<b>Parking:</b> Thanks to parking lot entrances on both Route 83 and Gilmer Road, pulling into the lot is easier than back in the day. There are plenty of parking spaces - even for big events scheduled in the second floor space.
<b>Overall:</b> Going forward, it will be interesting to see what identity Pub83 carves out for itself: Will it be the cool pizza place that challenges long-established area heavyweights? Or a burger joint that can compete with old favorites and new, upscale hamburger houses? Either way, Pub83 is off to a promising start.
Pub83
4868 Route 83, Long Grove, (847) 478-1160,
Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday