Roadhouse Bar and Grill
7 November 2009
RS
38 Comments
Roadhouse Bar and Grill is the new establishment that will open in the Grove Theater/Prairie Rock space in downtown Elgin. I have nothing to add beyond what has been posted in the thread on the Prairie Rock closing, but wanted to designate a thread for anybody posting information about this new restaurant. Apparently it is a rather unique concept that will incorporate MMA (mixed martial arts) events.
They have a Facebook page and an unbuilt website.
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They have signs up now. Over the old bar entrance is the Roadhouse sign. It looks just like the Prairie Rock sign but is red. Over the dining room entrance the have a sign that says Main Event Elgin. Same shape but white.
Daily Herald story here. Looks like they will be open way sooner than I was told, and BBQ!!!! It sounds cool. I just hope they have some decent beer!
Thanks again for the update. Odd story though. A “family restaurant” with kickboxing, dancing bar girls and “flare” bartending?I guess the proof will be in the pudding… or in this case the sauce and/or rub. In any event, it’s painful to see Mr. Ed yapping on about another city subsidy for this place when the City already is running in the red and making job/service cuts that could include firemen.
I read the article in the Daily Herald and I’m loving the idea. I think/hope this is exactly what Elgin needs. Hopefully, they will have good specials like Prarie Rock did. I really miss that place, the food not so much. I ‘m really looking forward to Kansas City style BBQ!
I am excited about the bbq but I don’t hold out much hope than it will be any better than I can make in my backyard smoker. I am hoping it will be a fun spot. I wish them well. Hope i will like it.
It sounds like two different concepts in one building - one will be the bar with dancing bartenders catering to the fight and concert crowds and the other will be the restaurant. PR was the same way - it was two different establishments in one building.
At least give it a chance before judging - it’s better than an empty building. It’s a good sign that people are still interested in opening their businesses downtown.
Yeah, it’s encouraging to see businesses filling empty spaces. Toom Toom stepped right into where Akina’s was, that Douglas/Kimball place got filled, and now this place stepping right in after Prairie Rock. Also, when I first moved here, Red Bar Winery, Mad Maggies, the new skate shop, Ravenheart Coffee/Salon, and the dentist’s office and piano store on Douglas were all vacant and now are filled a couple years later.
According to the Courier, this “family” place is going for a 4 am liquor license. And just what “family” will be out then? The Cullens from “Twilight”? Can’t wait to see this place.
There’s a piano store on Douglas Ave? Pianos aren’t selling even in high-traffic areas anywhere! Why would anyone sell them in downtown? I can’t believe that.
The piano store already closed. It wasn’t there long at all. I didn’t think it was a really good space for grand pianos.
Hmmm… from the Courier’s story last Sunday this place has a pretty edgy vibe. Ten Elgin cops and “30 black-clad people” serving as an “internal security detail” for the opening? Whew!!!! I guess if I decide to pop in for the “family” dining environment I’ll be wearing my “Sturgis” Harley T-shirt - and if you don’t know what that means, google “Sturgis” and “rally” for a bit of enlightenment. At least now with the “Roadhouse” - with so much violence and mayhem going on in the city - Elgin seems to have figured out how to get a little tax revenue from people beating each other to a pulp.
Does anyone know if the city gave them incentive money?
So has anyone been there? Reviews??? I see they have the Smoking Popes and Local H on the schedule for 2010.
Smoking Popes? Well you got my attention now!
I miss praire rock!!! and there vanilla beer:(..mmmmm
I went there last night to eat and drink… the food was horrible but our server was pleasant. If it wasnt for him we wouldve left the place.
I received a coupon in the mail from the “Elgin Downtown Tour Card” for a “buy one entree, get the second free”…….So I decided to go online and check out the menu. Good luck with that ! Their webiste as listed on the coupon, has ONLY fight and music schedules along with beer and vodka advertising. NO WHERE is food or a restaurant listed. Sounds to me like a place that will draw more trouble than tax dollars. Good luck Elgin. I won’t be trying the place.
The Courier is reporting today that five local thugs (you’ll love their mugshots) were arrested in an ol’ fashioned bar brawl at the Roadhouse. Actually, it may be surprising that the Roadhouse - a combustible little mixture of booze, broads and violence - took so long to ignite. Probably won’t be the last time, though. Don’t forget to congratulate Ed Schock for this new addition to downtown when you see him around. Maybe Ed really fell for that scam about the place being a “family restaurant.” In any event, it’s clear that the Roadhouse will be a much better venue for seeing some Smoking Dopes rather than Smoking Popes.
I got to get down there to see the scantily clad bartenders dancing on the bar routine. I’m always up for that, no pun intended.
For some reason though, I’m thinking that the reality ain’t gonna live up to the hopes. Just like the Prairie Rock, then!
Then too, I’ll have to talk my better half into it and she probably won’t be up for it. Any reviews?
A fight broke out at a fight club! Who woulda thunk it?
It’s all just another mystery.
dont eat the food! otherwise its an ok place
Ordered “Memphis style” ribs which, by style definition, should be a slow smoked dry rubbed rack of ribs. The ribs I had were most likely boiled. There was not a hint of smoke on them and they had the texture of gelatin. There was no smoke ring to show evidence of smoke. These ribs came slathered in sauce. Save your money and go to Famous Dave’s if you want real bbq in the Elgin area or even better bbq in your own backyard.
Oh yuck.
Really not into the fighting thing and would never go there anyway. Certainly not for Jello ribs!
Thanks for sharing
toothache, you sound like a guy who knows his ‘Q… Have you tried Smoque at 3800 North Pulaski in Chicago? It’s just off the Kennedy and nothing fancy but gets good marks.
rm…I saw that on what I remember as a food Network show or maybe the Travel Channel. I have had it on my list for over a year but haven’t made it down. Have you been there? If so, what did you think?
I’ve been there once. Had no problems but just haven’t had an opportunity to get back. It’s pretty informal… as I recall you line up to place your orders and then try to find a place among a few jammed-together tables. Not surprisingly a lot of people do carry out. Has a bit of a roadhouse (small “r”) feel that I associate with some of the better Southern BBQ places. I did enjoy the food, but am always reluctant to endorse a specific BBQ spot given the wide range of personal and regional preferences. But at Smoque its the BBQ, not eye-gouging or table dancing babes, that’s the “main event,” and anyone who is tuned in enough to know to look for smoke rings would likely enjoy trying the place.
I enjoyed the ribs at Lonestar.
I went there recently and was SO impressed; Elgin NEEDS a place like this!
I can see that there is some negative commentary, but give them a break as they did just open and seem to be working hard to get all the kinks out.
Security is everywhere, so I felt very safe having a fun night with my girlfriends. The servers were awesome; I love the dance routines! The place is open late, and so far it’s been the hottest place to be. I will definitely be returning.
The pulled pork sandwich is my favorite - post your menu online!
This kinda sounds like astroturfing to me.
I apologize if it does - I just am a strong believer in giving people credit when it’s due. I always call customer service at places when I have great service or great food - I’m a positive-reinforcement type.
I agree that there things that need to be worked on, but my first experience was a thumbs up!
Have you been there yet?
I was there first paying customer. I have had food from there on 3 different occasions and it was pretty bad all 3 times, although the wings I sampled were really good.
I found the pulled pork totally dry and tasteless like it had been sitting there all day, which I think it was because right after I got mine I saw someone walk by behind the bar with a full pork shoulder on a platter and it looked awesome, so I think I just had had bad timing and got scraps from the last batch.
I also had the brisket sandwich and the flavor was not bad, not great, but not bad, but it was cut really thick, like 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. It just made it overwhelming after a while, and I love brisket.
Last time I had pizza, and it too was bland and tasteless except every once in a while I would get an overpowering taste of the sauce which seemed way over seasoned. I was OK cold the next day though.
I have been giving them multiple chances because I love good BBQ and it takes a lot to get it right, so I will give them another try in a few weeks, but I have been mostly underwhelmed so far. I just wish they would have kept the brewery.
Do you think they are actually smoking meats on-site? I haven’t noticed any smoke flavor on the brisket or the ribs. I really hope it gets good and i would be there all the time.
went there Saturday night. Rough crowd and 95% dudes.
Wow Toothache, you are more like a headache. If you didn’t like it so much the first time why would you go back a second? Oh and maybe it looked like 95% dudes to you because all the ladies were running the opposite way of you and your 97.5% negative attitude?!
I always give places three to four visits to give it a fair shot. I am simply stating an opinion on my first two visits.
Wow is right, Gina. In toothache’s single line comment I didn’t perceive any negative commentary whatsoever.
That your entire post consists of nothing but disparaging him without providing any basis for your disparagement and that you don’t refute a single word he said, is way up there on the WOW scale! And he was negative????
Classic neo-liberalism - completely ignore the issue, disparage the messenger. Then ‘hope and change’ future messengers will be too terrified of your baseless disparagement’s. That, or they will exiled to pergatoristan.
Paul, I apologize if you took offense to my comment. It is normal for people to defend thier lovers when it seems as though they are being attacked. I hope you soothe his toothaches and other aches as well as you fight his battles.
Gina, I did not post to attack anyone’s character here. I like the roadhouse concept. I think it is great. I think the place looks great too and like what they have done with it. The food has been quite good except I had hoped the bbq would be more authentic to fit the roadhouse image. I have noticed that fight nights tend to draw an unsavory bunch and mainly guys. I think the music lineup has been excellent and draws a better crowd. My comment above just seemed to sum things up a bit quicker.
Gina, you need to cool off. I have had good experiences at Road House, but that doesn’t mean everyone will. This is a forum where everyone can share their experiences, good or bad. Be happy :)
This place rocks!!! But post your menu online. Why can’t we wear hats?!