Adam's gambles on new name, off-track betting
There have been a lot of changes going on at Adam's Rib & Ale House in the last few years - including the name.
The space started as a seafood joint, turned into a sports bar and this month became an off-track betting facility after a contentious village board battle in Buffalo Grove. To reflect the changes, the restaurant/bar is going by Adam's Roadhouse Sports Bar & Grill these days - with OTB tacked on in ads and in the phone greeting.
Whatever it's called, Adam's customers seem to be happy with the current product, flocking in both to bet on horses and just to relax over dinner. Part of the success may be due to owner Cy Sadeghi, who has a proven track record with his three Chicago restaurants: Cy's Crab House, King Crab and The Ale House.
Motif: Divided into a bar and dining area, the large bar is surrounded by more than 50 flat-screen TVs showing a mix of horse racing and other sports including football and golf. Betting vouchers can be purchased at a kiosk in front or at machines throughout the bar and restaurant. A downstairs private party room is in the works, and the second floor hosts parties for up to 40 people. Betting is only allowed on the ground level, though guests at those gatherings have the tendency to sneak down to buy vouchers and watch the action from a balcony overlooking the bar.
A flower-lined patio features a fire pit, and if you want to keep track of the action outside staff will wheel out a TV. The dining area features a mix of tables and rounded leather booths. The dark wood planked walls and rafters create an atmosphere of an old-time club house.
Crowd: The dining room at Adam's tends to draw in a lot of groups and families while the bar is dominated by guys 30 and up whom you'll often find standing with their eyes glued to the screen shouting for their horses to win.
Service: The spot is well-staffed but employees often do double duty. The bartender might be serving tables while the owner finds seats for customers. This can work out pretty well if you're looking for recommendations, and service was generally fast and consistent.
Liquid consumption: Beer is the drink of choice, with dozens of domestic brews and imports from Germany, Austria, England, Belgium and other countries. The menu features pictures of each beer's label in case you recognize an image but not the name. For cocktail fans, a martini menu offers plenty of treats. The most popular is the pomegranate martini, a refreshing and sweet but strong mix of pomegranate liqueur, Absolut Citron, triple sec and pineapple juice.
Food: Formerly Cy's Crabhouse, Adam's may have changed its concepts but seafood is still prevalent on the menu. The restaurant features huge crab cakes and daily fish specials. Mahi mahi is especially worth ordering, served over garlic mashed potatoes with a sweet ginger honey barbecue sauce. Ribs are also a specialty. You might want to skip out on appetizers if you're ordering the baby back ribs. The huge servings are covered in tangy barbecue sauce and the meat is tender without being fatty. Of course if you are planning a night hanging out at the bar and watching the races there's a large menu of appetizers that make for great snacking. The sampler platter is a solid way to find something you'll like; it's a mix of chicken fingers, onion rings, jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks served with marinara and particularly flavorful spicy mustard sauce. If you manage to save room there's a menu of cheesecakes and ice cream for dessert.
Parking: There are plenty of spots in a free lot.
Overall: Whether or not you're a gambler, Adam's atmosphere, beer list and menu make this a great place to spend an evening.
Adam's Roadhouse Sports Bar & Grill
Info: 301 Milwaukee Ave., Buffalo Grove, (847) 279-1700, adamsribandalehouse.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday