Roundheads gets sports fans into the game
Since the second location of Roundheads opened in Lombard, the sports bar and restaurant has been building a solid audience ranging from local workers dropping in for lunch to hard-core fans coming to catch all the plays. A hybrid between casual hangout and fully immersive sports-watching Mecca, the place definitely has game.
Motif: It's nearly impossible to miss a play at Roundheads, which sports 10 flat screen TVs lining the bar and 20 more scattered throughout including four projectors. A ticker bearing sports scores runs on top of the bar sets so you can compare numbers while you watch and screens are tuned to all the games on at the time so you can keep an eye on whatever team you support. There are plenty of booths for small groups but you'll also find big parties sharing pizza and pitchers of beer at their long tables.
What space isn't covered in televisions is fairly homey exposed brick, decorated mostly with license places and neon beer signs and a perky mural by the bar saying "Eat more - drink more - be happy." When there isn't a game on you'll often find people playing PlayStation 3 sports games on any of the sets, including the projectors.
Crowd: Roundheads was entirely packed when the Bears played Sunday, with people standing around the bar drinking their brews undeterred by the lack of seats. The bar brought in mostly 30- to 40-somethings, sometimes with their whole families, though there were a few younger and older groups. Tons of people dressed in Bears shirts and jerseys, screaming, cheering and groaning as the game progressed. Still, the bar takes lengths to make more casual fans comfortable, even providing lyrics to "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" so you can sing along.
Service: Even with huge crowds the service was super friendly, with staff greeting regulars and newcomers alike and quick with food recommendations. They also worked hard to find seats as people moved or left.
Liquid consumption: Beer is king at this pub, with 12 types on tap and 25 bottles kept on ice lining the back of the bar for a nice display. Prices are low, with $3 domestic bottles and $3 drafts and even lower on Saturdays, when you can get Bud and Bud Light bottles for $2.
Food: True to its name, Roundheads has a large selection of thin crust, pan and stuffed pizzas, with some more unusual options including buffalo chicken and the veggie ranch delight topped with ranch dressing, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. You'll also find standard pub grub options like burgers, sandwiches and plenty of appetizers that you can mix and match as part of their "big decision" platter. I found the potato skins solid if undercooked in parts and the bing-bang chicken strips enjoyably tangy. While the bruschetta came highly recommended the creamy vinaigrette on the bread made it taste soggy. If you're looking for cheaper eats, there's a $2.99 taco bar during Bears games.
Sounds: There's occasional live music, but you're more likely to find tunes being played on their jukebox or the bartenders plugging their iPods into the sound system to play favorites that turn the whole bar into one big singalong. While the jukebox is off limits during the game, you'll still find employees playing DJ, queuing up "We Will Rock You" and other upbeat tunes after a great play and otherwise pumping rock music over muted commercial breaks.
Bathrooms: You don't have to avoid filling your bladder for fear of missing a play as the sound is piped into the restrooms.
Parking: There is ample free parking so you can find a spot even on their most crowded days.
Overall: For sports fans looking for a medium between big sports bar chains and darkened neighborhood pubs, there's Roundheads. The place is a fun hangout on game days where you can absorb energy from other customers and stick around later to decompress with some music, dinner and a few beers.
Roundheads Pizza Pub
Facts: 275 W. Roosevelt Road, Lombard, (630) 705-3333, Roundheadspizza.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.