Fresh, tasty comfort food dominates menu at Babcock's Grove House in Lombard
After an auspicious start some two months ago, Lombard's new Babcock's Grove House is already looking like a winner. The casual eatery, run by local residents Steve and Dana Moreau, features an upscale salad and sandwich menu packed with tasty, reasonably priced fare. Organic greens, antibiotic-free chicken, sustainably raised pork and more can be found at lunch and dinner.
Plus, customers can digest some history as a side. The restaurant occupies a building constructed in 1858 as a hotel. The name pays homage to “Babcock's Grove,” the name by which Lombard and Glen Ellyn were both once known.
A decorative painted tin ceiling gives diners a sense of the building's heritage, complemented by vintage photos on the walls and background information on the town's annual Lilac Day Festival, which started in 1930. The venue seats about 50 indoors plus another 30 at tables outside near the front of the restaurant. Because of the limited space, reservations aren't accepted. And there are no TVs, on purpose.
During a recent visit, fresh-squeezed lemonade made an ideal thirst-quencher, as did a tall glass of peach iced tea. Red and white wines by the glass and bottle and beer also are available, including six beers on tap, including “Lilacia” Farmhouse Ale and “Cozmo” American Pale Ale, both from Lombard-based Noon Whistle Brewery.
As for the food, counter service can be expected at lunch and full service at dinner.
The one-third pound burgers have proved popular, and Bab's Blue Cheese Burger, a new addition, was a big hit at our table. Served on a brioche bun, the Allen Bros. ground chuck patty came with a flavorful blue cheese, caramelized onions, mixed greens and a garlic mayonnaise dressing.
Other iterations include the classic burger, bacon beer cheese burger and smashed potato burger with cheddar and buttermilk mashed spuds on brioche. There's also a turkey shallot-portobello-avocado-cheddar version and a smoky sweet potato vegan option.
Sandwich choices range even further and include chicken schnitzel; buffalo chicken; chicken, apple and Brie; and farmhouse grilled chicken. I can recommend the trio of pulled pork sliders and accompanying stout-chipotle beer cheddar sauce. A serving of hand-cut Belgian fries rounded out this satisfying, filling dish. One can choose either the fries or mixed greens to accompany the sandwiches.
Diners also can choose from among a handful of entree salads, including a summer strawberry balsamic salad - a combination of organic greens, strawberries, blue cheese, bacon and toasted pecans. Other options entice, like the blueberry fields (blueberries, avocado, spinach, chickpeas, quinoa, blueberry ginger dressing and toasted almonds) or the buffalo chicken wedge.
What's missing is dessert - a gap management would do well to address.
<i>Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.</i>
Babcock's Grove House
101 W. St. Charles Road, Lombard, (630) 613-8920,
Cuisine: Salads, burgers and other sandwiches
Setting: Historic limestone building dating to the late 1850s
Prices: Salads: $8.50 to $9; burgers: $9 to $12; sandwiches: $7.50 to $10.50
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Also: Children's menu; beer and wine; street parking