Randall Roadhouse serves up pizza, pot roast and plenty of nachos
When Randall Roadhouse opened six years ago, it was one of the first bars on Randall Road. As more competition came to the area, Randall Roadhouse has redefined itself. While it's still a place where you can hang out at the bar and watch the game, the spot's focus is now on food and families.
Motif: Randall Roadhouse was once divided into smoking and nonsmoking sections, but now the divide designates the bar area and the quieter dining room. The space goes for a northern hunting lodge vibe, a tribute to the bar's many customers from Wisconsin and Minnesota. The padded backs of the large comfy booths are decorated with woodland scenes, and fish are mounted on the walls. Three flat-screen TVs tuned to sports hang in the bar area, with more positioned around the dining section and a large projector against one wall. The huge bar features tiers of shelves displaying booze along with Cubs gear and bear and moose figurines. The bar hosts bags tournaments every few months, clearing away tables to allow people to play inside.
Crowd: The dining area is primarily dominated by families, though some couples like to come to eat and then migrate down to the bar. Football season brings in tons of fantasy leagues and the bar gets solid traffic from local shoppers.
Service: Our server was very friendly and attentive. Along with regularly checking in, she was comfortable chatting with us about the food and her own favorites.
Liquid consumption: The bar serves simple cocktails, wine and beer, with Blue Moon, Guinness, Stella Artois and Smithwick's on tap. Drink specials include $3.50 23-ounce domestic drafts Mondays and $2.50 16-ounce domestic drafts and bottles Tuesdays.
Food: Nachos are the signature dish. For $11, you get a truly massive platter of chips covered in beans and melted cheese and topped with a huge amount of black olives, jalapeños, salsa and chopped tomatoes. The toppings are all segmented so groups can share with diners just avoiding the things they don't want. To make it even more filling you can add chicken for $3 or steak for $4. The appetizer is easily enough for two people to fill up without ordering anything else and still have leftovers.
Other popular dishes include the fajitas, which serve two to three people, and the fajita burrito, which was introduced so diners can get the taste even if they don't have anyone to share with. The restaurant's owner worked for five years at Old Town Pizza in Naperville and pizza occupies a full two pages of the menu. The chef likes to show off his creativity with daily specials, which change seasonally with heartier fare in the winter and lighter dishes like Hawaiian salad for the warmer months.
If a dish proves popular enough it can migrate onto the regular menu. The pulled pot roast sandwich has been the most popular recent special. Served open face on French bread topped with cheese and sweet or hot peppers, the dish has become Randall Roadhouse's No. 1 sandwich since it was introduced earlier this year. All the food is also available for delivery.
Overall: Good food and service makes Randall Roadhouse a great pick for dinner or game day.
Randall Roadhouse
2267 Randall Road, Carpentersville, (847) 836-3300, randallroadhouse.com
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday