The wife and I found ourselves with an unexpected window of free time last Saturday after dropping the kids off at a birthday party in the Mount Prospect area. We were on the hunt for somewhere to sit outside since the weather was actually cooperating for once, and Emerson’s Ale House on South Emerson Street came up as an option. We didn’t know much about it going in, which is kind of the best way to discover a new spot.
Emerson’s Ale House at a Glance
- Where: 113 S Emerson St, Mount Prospect, IL
- Price: $$
- Vibe: Small sidewalk patio in downtown Mount Prospect, lively but not loud
- Order: Cheese curds, the smash burger
- Skip: Italian Beef Egg Rolls if you do not want giardiniera, it is mixed into the meat
- Good for: A walkable lunch, sitting outside, actually having a conversation
Turns out, it was a great call.
The Spot
The patio at Emerson’s is small. We’re talking maybe eight tables and chairs lined up along the sidewalk out front of the building. But for a Saturday lunch crowd, it didn’t feel cramped at all, and the location right along Emerson Street in Mount Prospect’s little downtown area made it a genuinely nice place to sit and eat. Good people watching. A lively energy without being loud or overbearing. The kind of spot where you can actually have a conversation.
We’ve been to The Prospect restaurant around the corner a handful of times, but we’d never really poked around this part of downtown Mount Prospect before. It’s a charming little area, and we’ll definitely be back to explore it more. There’s clearly more to check out beyond just Emerson’s, and based on what we saw walking by, it looks like it picks up even more energy on weekend nights.
Fair warning: I didn’t get a real look at the inside. We checked in with the hostess, got seated on the patio, and that was the full extent of my indoor experience. The service throughout was friendly and attentive, which is all I really need to know.
Cheese Curds
We knew we wanted an appetizer. We were briefly tempted by the Italian Beef Egg Rolls, which sound legitimately excellent on paper. But after asking about them, we found out the giardiniera is already mixed into the meat inside, and that’s a dealbreaker for me. I’m not going to be that guy who picks it out piece by piece. If they ever offer the option to leave it on the side, I’d be all over those. They still sound great if giardiniera is your thing.
Instead we went with the cheese curds. And it was absolutely the right call.
These were phenomenal. The breading-to-cheese ratio was exactly where it needed to be, they came out hot, and there were plenty of them for two people. The only knock I have is purely personal: I’m a marinara guy with cheese curds. Chipotle ranch just doesn’t do it for me as a dipping sauce for fried cheese, and I’ve had this same internal debate at other suburban spots too. Give me a straight red sauce and I’m completely satisfied. But do not let my sauce opinions keep you from ordering these. The curds themselves were delicious, and I’d order them without hesitation next time.
Easy recommend.
The Sliders
My wife went with the slider trio, mixing two black bean and one bacon. There was a small mix-up when the plates first came out (our server grabbed the wrong order from the kitchen), but she caught it immediately, apologized, and had everything fixed within a minute or two. No drama, no long wait. That’s exactly how you want a server to handle a minor hiccup, and it didn’t put a dent in the experience at all.
My wife said both the black bean and the bacon sliders were really good and would recommend either one. All three of them looked great coming out. Well-portioned, well-assembled. If sliders are what you’re after, you’re in good hands here.
The Smash Burger
The second I opened the menu and saw the smash burger, the decision was made. That was always going to be my order. And as always, I went with just meat and cheese. No lettuce. No tomato. No sauce. Just straight meat and cheese, and let it do the talking. That’s the only way I know how to do it.
Emerson’s uses a chuck, steak, and brisket blend ground fresh by Ascot Meats, sourced from midwest grain-fed natural beef. The burger came topped with white American cheese that was perfectly melted and gooey. That part was great. No complaints whatsoever on the cheese situation.
Where it fell a little short for me was the crust. The outside of the patties were a touch dry, and I didn’t get that crispy, almost lacey-edge crust that makes a truly great smash burger. It didn’t fully deliver on the texture side. That said, it was still genuinely juicy inside, and it held up well the next day too. I took a little bit home, reheated it, and it was still good. That’s not a small thing.
I scored it an 81 out of 100 over at SmashAtlas, where I track and rate every smash burger I eat. That’s a solid score. It’s a good burger, not the best smash burger I’ve ever had, but it’s nowhere close to the bottom either. And honestly, there were a bunch of other burgers on the menu that caught my attention, so I have plenty of reasons to go back and keep exploring. If you want a sense of how different styles of suburban Chicago burgers compare, the Kuma’s Corner Schaumburg review gives you a good look at a completely different end of the burger spectrum.
The Verdict
If you’re in the Mount Prospect area and looking for solid, no-frills American bar food with a good beer selection, Emerson’s Ale House is worth your time. Order the cheese curds without question. The sliders are a safe and satisfying bet. And the smash burger is good enough to order again, though I’d probably want to try a few other things on the menu before doubling back to it.
We’ll definitely be back. The patio is a great spot on a nice day, the downtown area is worth exploring, and we’ve barely scratched the surface of what Emerson’s has to offer.
AntiFoodie Rating: 8/10
Emerson’s Ale House FAQ
Does Emerson’s Ale House have outdoor seating?
Yes, about eight tables lined up along the sidewalk out front on Emerson Street. Small, but it did not feel cramped even with a Saturday lunch crowd.
What should I order at Emerson’s Ale House?
The cheese curds. The breading to cheese ratio is exactly where it needs to be, they come out hot, and there are plenty for two people.
Can you get the Italian Beef Egg Rolls without giardiniera?
No. The giardiniera is mixed into the meat inside, so it cannot be left out. Worth knowing before you order if that is a dealbreaker for you.
Is Emerson’s Ale House good for a conversation?
On the patio at lunch, yes. There is a lively energy without it being loud or overbearing.
Where is Emerson’s Ale House?
113 South Emerson Street, in Mount Prospect’s little downtown area. The Prospect is around the corner if you want to make an afternoon of it.
