Relax with blues, barbecue, bourbon at East Dundee's Blues BBQ & Grill
Since opening in Pour House's former location in East Dundee in September, Blues BBQ & Grill has been drawing in huge 25-and-older crowds looking for a place to drink, chat and share some house-made barbecue.
Motif: The large space feels especially open thanks to expansive windows framed with wood that look out onto the street. Red, yellow and brick walls are decorated with pictures of Miles Davis. There are plenty of TVs tuned to sports around the space. An elevated area in the dining room converts into a stage when bands perform, and tables are moved aside to make room for more people.
The bar area features a dart machine, long tables set with black and metal stools, plus a cow print booth for bigger groups. Backlit spirits are displayed behind the bar. A few seats outside offer a place to wait for a table, and a rooftop beer garden is expected to open next month.
Food: Blues BBQ & Grill was unfortunately out of ribs when we ate there, a testament to their popularity, but everything we did get to try was quite good. The combo platters offer a chance to sample a bunch of different meats, with highlights including the pulled pork and brisket. For sides, opt for the crispy hand-cut sweet potato fries served very hot and the meaty, slightly spicy baked beans. There are plenty of styles of barbecue sauces to choose from, so you can mix and match to your content, though our favorite was a vinegary mustard sauce.
Liquid consumption: The restaurant specializes in bourbon cocktails served in tiny versions of Mason jars, including classics like an old fashioned and novel creations such as Southern Living, a very strong blend of bourbon, peach liqueur, ginger liqueur and lemon. To add to the backyard barbecue theme, some drinks are served in hard plastic versions of red Solo cups.
You'll also find a few signature drinks made with other spirits, but they're $9 each. So, you might be better off ordering from the bar's extensive selection of draft and bottled beers that draws from local breweries including Lagunitas and Warrenville's Two Brothers along with imports from Germany.
Crowd: The spot was packed when we visited on a Saturday night with mostly 40-and-older couples and families. The space gets even more crowded when bands are playing, with waits climbing up to 45 minutes for tables.
Service: Our server wasn't 21, so she couldn't recommend drinks and we had to press her to get details on food beyond the stock “everything's good” answer. She did check in regularly, so she was able to quickly remedy a forgotten drink. She was also happy to track down the varieties of barbecue sauces missing from the table so we could try them all.
Music: The bar hosts live music several times a month, mostly bringing in blues bands mixed with a bit of classic rock.
Parking: Street parking is available nearby, but you might need to park a few blocks away when the spot is busy.
Overall: Blues BBQ & Grill offers great food and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for watching sports or taking in some music.
Blues BBQ & Grill
102 N. River St., East Dundee, (847) 551-5061, <a href="http://www.bluesbbqco.com">bluesbbqco.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday