Cabana Charley's a relaxing escape with great menu, tropical touches
Since opening in October, Cabana Charley's in Woodridge has been bringing in drinkers and diners of all ages looking for a relaxing escape.
The tiki bar attracts plenty of Seven Bridges movie theater patrons but can easily be a night out all by itself, with an excellent dinner menu, an expansive drink list and chill music that will make you feel like you're somewhere tropical even if it's still snowing outside.
Motif: The spot is packed with island style, with pina-colada-colored walls lined with starfish, surfboards and images of their pelican mascot. Keep looking and you'll spot toy parrots and a giant hammerhead shark arrayed around the large central tiki bar, which is lined with TVs showing a mix of sports and beach scenes. A 200-seat patio scheduled to open this summer is sure to add to the festive vibe.
Crowd: By 7:30 p.m. on weekends you'll find the bar packed with an eclectic crowd ranging from local sports teams still in uniform to families to couples and groups of all ages.
Service: Decked out in Hawaiian shirts, the staff is highly attentive and friendly without being intrusive. They check on diners throughout the meal and are quick to refill drinks or take additional orders. The crew at the bar seems to legitimately enjoy their work, ringing a bell whenever they feel like it, whether it's to thank someone for a nice tip, show their appreciation for a good song or signal that the flair bartender is showing off. The impressive act includes juggling bottles as the bartender pours and breathing out lines of fire.
Liquid consumption: Rum is the drink of choice and the best way to get it is in a plastic pail. The signature rum bucket cocktails are served over ice, complete with a paper umbrella and fruit garnishes, in buckets that are especially convenient for anyone moving from the bar to a table. The massive $8 cocktails include the refreshing hurricane (a mix of dark, light, coconut and passion fruit rums with pineapple, orange juice and grenadine) and the fruitier shipwreck (pineapple, orange, banana and coconut rum combined with cranberry, orange and pineapple juices). Both are sweet and deceptively alcoholic.
Of course, if rum isn't your thing there's also a full menu of beer, martinis and wine. And if you're in the mood to party, you can try shots delivered tucked into a stick of bamboo.
Food: A great menu is one of the keys to Cabana Charley's success. You'll find Caribbean favorites such as conch chowder ($3.95-$5.95) that can be tricky to find anywhere in the Midwest and even harder to get right. But the restaurant nails the mix of spice for the soup and for the Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich ($8.95), which offers a solid kick without being too hot. Cabana Charley's also excels in its execution of more-conventional dishes such as the Southwestern grilled salad ($9.95) with tender chicken and fresh vegetables served with chips for dipping in a creamy guacamole.
Music: You'll find live acts on stage in the bar area, typically a solo performer or duo Fridays and a full band on Saturdays. The spot brings in a wide range of music from beach tunes to '70s hits and acoustic covers. Admission is always free.
Parking: Plenty of free spots are available in the mall lot.
Overall: Cabana Charley's serves as a refreshing new addition to a nightlife scene dominated by sports bars and upscale clubs. The relaxing and upbeat spot will mellow you out like a day at the beach - without a risk of sunburn.
Cabana Charley's
Facts: 6315 Main St., Woodridge; (630) 964-8454; cabanacharleys.com
Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday