Rita's American Roadhouse offers Americana and more
The new bar replacing the short-lived city-style club Stardust couldn't be more different from its predecessor. The sprawling Downers Grove space now houses Rita's American Roadhouse, a place designed to be a comfortable hangout where the dress and food are casual and the music is familiar.
Motif: The decor is dominated by Americana kitsch, with giant American flags, checkered tablecloths and Route 66 art. Wood-planked and brick walls mix and match with red paint and wallpaper. Windows are decorated with floral curtains. A large flat-screen TV is visible from the dining room, and smaller screens are placed around the bar.
One of the biggest attractions is the free-to-ride mechanical bull. Women who ride are awarded a cowbell necklace, and patrons often gather around to see how long their friends last. The area around the bull has convenient spaces to rest a drink while you gawk.
Three disco balls hang over the large dance floor. Behind it is the Route 66 room, which can be rented out for big parties. A second bar area closer to the bull is covered with vinyl records and beer posters. A lounge with small tables and a glitter-topped bar houses dueling pianos on a stage surrounded by red curtains. A large fenced-off patio offers a place to enjoy the weather while you dine.
Service: Servers were friendly and attentive, regularly checking in to make sure we had everything we needed.
Liquid consumption: True to the name, margaritas are the drink of choice. Sauza tequila is the default, but you can upgrade to Hornitos or Patron. We thought the frozen margarita was too salty, but the standard drink was solid. Looking to save some cash? Drink deals include $3 bombs Tuesdays, $1 margaritas Wednesdays and $7.25 half-yard Long Island iced teas Thursdays.
Food: After 52 years, the Spaghetti Bowl in Western Springs closed in March. But the same food is now available at Rita's, where the oversized menus say Mama Romano's Pizzeria. Anything involving Italian beef is an excellent choice. The tender, flavorful meat is piled with crispy onion rings on a small bun. The sliders are $5.95 for three or $7.95 for five. Our favorite dish was the Italian beef pizza. The cracker thin crust worked perfectly with the slices of beef and spicy giardiniera under the cheese. The marga-a-rita flatbread made a tasty starter, with crisp pieces of pesto bread topped with slices of tomato and mozzarella.
Crowd: Local workers flock in for dinner and drinks. While the crowd gets a little younger later, it mostly sticks to the 25 to 40 range. No one under 21 is admitted.
Sounds: The bar only plays megahits. The result is a varied mix of tunes ranging from Shania Twain to English glam rock group Sweet. DJs spin every night, and the bar hosts dueling pianos from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Parking: The lot is so large that the bar offers a shuttle if you parked at the perimeter. There's also valet parking.
Overall: The laid-back roadhouse goes light on the country and heavy on the comfort.