Enjoy moonshine and messy barbecue at Schaumburg's Old Crow
The owners of John Barleycorn shut down their massive Schaumburg location in June 2013, using the 22,000-square-foot venue at 1100 American Lane exclusively for private events while they tried to sell the space. But instead of selling, the restaurant group wound up reopening the space as a second location of its Chicago concept Old Crow Smokehouse.
Motif: The restaurant is dominated by long tables for big groups or communal dining, though there are a few places for small groups or couples. Tables are set with candles along with Mason jars filled with peanuts and you're encouraged to just dump the shells on the floor. Each table also gets a basket filled with barbecue sauces and a roll of paper towels — a necessity given how messy the barbecue tends to be. There are 10 TVs behind the long red-lit bar, plus a giant screen on either side of the space.
The huge patio features umbrella-topped wood plank tables set with bright green stools. The venue also offers plenty of space for private parties or spillover seating including a massive second floor.
Food: Executive chef Tony Scruggs, a finalist on Fox's MasterChef, serves the same barbecue-focused menu at both locations and splits his time between the Chicago and Schaumburg kitchens. He makes his crunchy coleslaw side fresh everyday and uses the leftovers along with pulled pork to stuff the delicious crispy egg rolls, served with a cup of barbecue sauce for dipping. On your first visit go for the combo platter, which offers a taste of three meats plus two sides. Some of our favorites were the really plump smoky pork and beef sausage topped with red onions and beer barbecue sauce, the tender brisket which can come with the fat trimmed off if you prefer, and the fall-off-the bone ribs, especially good with a generous portion of their spicy barbecue sauce.
Scruggs said he loves coming up with new recipes during his long commute from Kankakee, and he shows off his skills by roasting whole pigs and lamb on Thursday patio parties. The bar also recently launched a lunch menu and a Sunday brunch buffet.
Liquid consumption: Moonshine cocktails served in Mason jars are the stars of the menu. The Peach Collins, made with peach whiskey, gin, peach purée, soda and sour mix tastes like a fruity lemonade. The Blackberry Crow is reminiscent of a mojito with plenty of fresh berries mixed in, while the Spiced Apple tastes like drinking apple pie, making it better as a dessert drink. The bar also offers plenty of craft beers on draft.
Crowd: Casual clothes are fine though you'll often see people who are more dressed up since the space tends to draw business people from local hotels along with lots of big groups going out for special occasions. We saw both a baby shower and a bachelorette party while we dined there Saturday night.
Music: Country bands perform every Friday and Saturday night.
Service: Our friendly server was happy to give recommendations based on her personal favorites and dishes' general popularity and checked in regularly to make sure our drinks were refilled. The executive chef also likes dropping by tables to get feedback on his food and answer questions about his techniques.
Parking: There are plenty of spots in the large free lot.
Overall: You don't have to be afraid to get messy while enjoying a meal at Old Crow Smokehouse.
Old Crow Smokehouse
1100 American Lane, Schaumburg, (847) 619-5540, <a href="http://oldcrowsmokehouse.com">oldcrowsmokehouse.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday