Drink specials, bargain burgers make Rookies a winner
In an industry currently plagued with closings, Rookies is working on adding two new locations, with a spot in Hoffman Estates scheduled to open in January and another planned for North Aurora. A visit to the small franchise's Elgin location makes it easy to see why the brand has been so successful. The combination of great values and casual atmosphere helps keep the sports bar packed night after night.
Motif: A huge square bar is the focal point of Rookies along with the 26 TVs lining the space. The bar shows all the major sports packages including Ultimate Fighting Championship matches. The brick walls are covered in beer signs, framed jerseys and Sports Illustrated issues, with helmets and footballs displayed in glass cases. Piping and metal rafters are exposed. Booths dominate the bar's perimeter while a long table with bar stools is set up for large parties to sit at. The Elgin location is the only one with a patio, letting drinkers relax at the small umbrella-topped tables overlooking a flower garden.
Crowd: The budget prices appeal to a younger crowd and Rookies brings in plenty of college students later in the evenings. Families come out for dinner to enjoy their substantial kids menu, and sports fans of all ages pack the space during big games. Dress is casual and you'll see customers in jeans, shorts, baseball hats and T-shirts declaring their team of choice.
Service: Food comes out quickly and servers are highly attentive, making sure your water is topped off, you can keep placing food or drink orders and that you have whatever condiments you want.
Liquid consumption: Rookies offers a solid selection of beer, with a draft list featuring Stella Artois, Guinness and Blue Moon. Cocktail fans can also find satisfaction with their margaritas and mai tais. One of the most popular mixed drinks is the rum barrel, a strong but fruity mix of rums and juices served in a 32-ounce plastic cup. The recipe is a secret, but it tastes a lot like rum, pineapple juice and orange juice. Something is on special every night so you can be sure to find a deal that will let you keep drinking without spending too much.
Food: Four months out of the year Rookies offers $1 burgers every night. A truly exceptional value, their burgers feature a half-pound of meat cooked to order with crisp homemade potato chips on the side. You can add on cheese or sub in fries for just 99 cents more, and they offer three types of mustard along with ketchup and lettuce for your bun. You don't need much else with a sandwich that filling, but a great starter is the mini corn dogs. The plump and juicy deep fried sausages are served with a sweet honey Dijon dipping sauce. Other popular eats include Buffalo wings, the $9.95 all-you-can-eat perch fish fry Fridays and half-price pizzas Mondays.
Sounds: Every Thursday is karaoke and DJs spin Top 40 and dance music on Friday and Saturdays. The kitchen closes at midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends, and after that tables are cleared away to produce a dance floor near the jukebox.
Parking: There's plenty of parking in the bar's free lot.
Overall: A great space to watch the game or just spend a night out with some friends on a budget, Rookies has proved to be a sports bar pro.
Rookies All American Pub & Grill
2486 Bushwood Drive, Elgin, (847) 551-9006, rookiespub.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily