If you live in Chicagoland, you’re more than likely familiar with the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group, which has pretty much taken over the area. We like a bunch of their spots, but we always seem to end up back at Bub City Rosemont. This past weekend we tried to go apple picking, got rained on, and salvaged the day the only reasonable way: Giddy Up Fries and a burger.
Bub City Rosemont at a Glance
- Where: 5441 Park Place, Rosemont, IL 60018 (Parkway Bank Park entertainment district)
- Price: $$ (burgers and sandwiches around $17, Giddy Up Fries $14.95)
- Vibe: Big, loud in a good way, two bars, a live music stage, patio over the plaza
- Order: Giddy Up Fries, All-American Burger, Skillet Cornbread
- Skip: The extra side of waffle fries. You won’t need it.
- Good for: Families, pre-show dinners, groups who can’t agree on anything
The Restaurant
Bub City is the barbecue, whiskey and country music concept from Lettuce Entertain You, the group Rich Melman started back in 1971 that now runs about half the restaurants you’ve ever been to around here. The original Bub City is on Clark Street in River North, and the Rosemont location followed a few years later as one of the anchors of the entertainment district. We’ve been to the Chicago one too, but Rosemont is closer to our house, and an old friend of mine was the general manager here for a while (or at least stepping in while they found a permanent one). Either way, the food is why we keep coming back.
The space is huge. There are two big bars on either side, a stage up front for live country bands, a sea of tables in the middle, and a nice outdoor patio that looks out over the center common area the district is known for. It’s a jeans-are-fine place, and kids fit right in, especially earlier in the evening.
One thing to know: Lettuce also runs Joe’s Live right next door, and Zanies comedy club is right there too. When there are shows, this place fills up fast. There was a concert at Joe’s and Patrick Warburton was at Zanies the night we went, and even with a 5:30pm reservation the place was packed. Just make the reservation now and thank me later.
Giddy Up Fries: The Best Thing on the Menu
Before we even think about entrees, we order the Giddy Up Fries. This is truly the best thing on the menu, by far. It’s a pile of hot waffle fries covered in pulled pork, their Atomic cheese, BBQ sauce, pimentos, scallions, jalapeños and sour cream, for $14.95. We get it with no jalapeños and the sour cream on the side, because I’m a picky eater, but everything else is absolutely incredible. I’m annoyed just writing this because I can’t go get some for lunch.
The BBQ sauce and the pimento cheese add a little sweet with a little kick. I’m not a big pimento cheese guy in general, but however they make it here, it works. So if you don’t like that kind of cheese, or think you don’t, don’t skip these. I promise you’ll like them.
The kids didn’t really care for them. My son doesn’t like BBQ sauce (or sauces in general, really), and my daughter just wasn’t feeling it. That was fine with my wife and me, because we killed the entire plate. That made finishing our entrees a problem, but it worked out, because leftovers for lunch the next day is never a bad thing. Easy recommend.
Chicken Wings for the Kids
The kids have been really into wings lately, which is how we sold them on Bub City after the apple picking bust (my daughter was dead set on Olive Garden). They got a dozen of the hickory-smoked naked wings ($16.95) with ranch on the side and went to town. I don’t think they were that hungry, mostly because of all the fries, but they made a good dent. We took the rest home and they got eaten the next day before my son’s baseball game, so I’d call that a win. If your kids are wing kids, this is the move.
Brisket Patty Melt
My wife went with the Brisket Patty Melt ($16.95), which is ground beef and smoked prime brisket with American cheese, caramelized onions and a sticky-sweet BBQ sauce on rye. It kind of looks like a burger on bread, but she really enjoyed it. She was too stuffed from the Giddy Up Fries to finish it, which is becoming a theme. Honestly, I wish I’d tried it, because it looked really good. I was just too excited for my burger. Worth your attention if you want something that tastes more like the smoker.
The All-American Burger
As always, I ordered the All-American Burger ($16.95) with no pickles and no onions. Just meat and cheese. On the menu it’s two smash patties with American cheese, ketchup and mustard on a Martin’s potato bun, served with waffle fries or tots. It was just as good as the last five times I’ve gotten it.
The burger is seasoned perfectly, the patties are juicy, and that bun is the softest potato bun you’ve ever seen. The whole thing just sort of melts in your mouth. Seriously, it’s one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, and that includes the competition from Small Cheval right down the road. For a restaurant known for barbecue, that’s saying something.
I’d call it a smash burger in a sense, but not a full smash. It doesn’t have the lacy, crispy edges and it isn’t pressed cracker thin like the ones we track over at SmashAtlas, but it’s not a thick pub burger either. It’s two patties of deliciousness and that’s all you need to know. I’ve had the barbecue at the Chicago location and it’s great, but I can’t get past this burger. I’d reorder it without thinking twice.
Sides: Skillet Cornbread and Way Too Many Fries
I’m not sure why we ordered a whole separate side of waffle fries for the kids. Between the Giddy Up Fries and the fries that came with my burger, we were drowning in them. That’s the one I’d skip.
The Skillet Cornbread ($9.95), on the other hand, was amazing. It comes out in a cast iron skillet with honey drizzled over the top and a soft butter on the side that may have been honey butter (hard to tell since there was already honey on it). Even stuffed, I couldn’t stop eating it. It’s light, sweet and warm. If you’re a cornbread fan, upgrade a side to this.
The Verdict
Whether you’re after a big barbecue spread, a seriously great burger, or the best damn fries you’ve ever had, Bub City Rosemont delivers. Go on a weekend, but make a reservation, because when Joe’s or Zanies has a show, the room fills up earlier than you’d expect. The move here is Giddy Up Fries for the table, the All-American Burger, and the cornbread. If you like Lettuce spots, it’s right up there with our night at RPM Steak, and if you’re in the northwest suburbs and want another easy family dinner, Emerson’s Ale House in Mount Prospect is another one we like. We’ll definitely be back. Probably next weekend, if I’m being honest.
AntiFoodie Rating: 9/10
Bub City Rosemont FAQ
Do you need a reservation at Bub City Rosemont?
On weekends, yes. When there’s a concert at Joe’s Live or a show at Zanies next door, it gets packed even at 5:30pm.
What should I order at Bub City?
The Giddy Up Fries, no question. After that, the All-American Burger is one of the best burgers in the Chicago area.
Is Bub City Rosemont kid friendly?
Yes. It’s loud and casual, and the wings and waffle fries are an easy sell for kids.
Does Bub City Rosemont have outdoor seating?
Yes, there’s a patio overlooking the central plaza of the Rosemont entertainment district.
