I was extremely disappointed in our dining experience at Chessie's. We were out of town guests. I had read the reviews about this restaurant, and it seemed like a good fit for our family. I knew my kids would enjoy dining on a train car! The atmosphere was fun, but the rest of the experience was not! The food was very general and nothing memorable. I had the Chessie's pot roast special. The meat was tender, but I'm pretty sure the potatoes were from a box. My husband had the Buffalo wings. He was not impressed. The worst part was the service. Our waiter didn't seem to understand or speak English very well. My husband and I didn't mind this, but the server did not understand our questions, which turned out to be a problem. For example, I asked if the macaroni and cheese on the children's menu was Kraft. The server said that it was, so I ordered it for my son. When the food came, it was definitely not kraft. The manager quickly put in an order of chicken fingers for my son. At the end of our meal, I was excited to order the carrot cake. I saw a couple of desserts as we were walking in, and they looked beautiful! When the cake came, the presentation didn't disappoint, but that was where the excitement ended. The cake was very dry and overwhelmed by the sweetness of the frosting. This was obviously not a homemade cake. They probably bought it frozen and then made it look pretty on the plate. Besides all of this, we also discovered that our waiter seemed more interested in being on his phone than he was in helping us. We finally got tired of waiting for our bill, so we all got up. It wasn't until we started walking that he finally put down his phone and walked towards us asking if we were ready for our check! Needless to say, if we were from this area, we would not be returning to this restaurant. Do yourself a favor, and go somewhere else!

Only eat here if you are not in a hurry. The wait staff is very slow and stretched too thin to support all of the patrons. The food was very good. The chefs here know what they are doing. The train car is a remarkable piece of history. The hostest is very, V E R Y, rude. She started making fun of us for eating at their restaurant multiple times. While they head plenty of available seating, they would only allow us to sit at a small table by the bar. The place has a nasty wet musty smell. Very disturbing to think about musty food place. Sad to say with the lady working there front and sitting people.... We will not be back. Can not recomend this place.

Been wanting to try this place for over a year, finally made it in this past July and was pleased with this venue. Started out taking pics outside before heading in and a Latina lady who I presume was the hostess asked if I wanted a brief tour and I gladly agreed. I knew Chessie's was formerly a train station but had no idea it was more than a century old, amazing! She was very kind and informative and I was starving so couldn't wait to be seated. Unfortunately all window tables were reserved and if I wanted a window seat then it would have to be by the bar but I wanted to dine in the car so settled for a table at the very end, no biggie. The feeling of dining in this museum piece was definitely a memorable experience. Not too often my family and I do something like this so of course you gotta cherish the moment. Good food at reasonable prices bolstered by great service in a clean/sanitized landmark atmosphere. I could easily come back here, Barrington is lucky to have this remarkable piece of Americana.

Incredible restaurant! The staff was amazing and the food was excellent. Will definitely be back.

This was our first visit to Chessie's. Reading reviews ahead of time, I reserved a small table for 2 in the train car. Luckily all the Christmas decorations were still up so it was still very festive. This was a busy Friday night so service was slow but our waitress was great at stopping by. We ordered Herbed chicken and Plank Salmon. I had an incredibly good Lemoncello Rasberrytini. We stopped into the bar on our way out to see the decorations- pretty awesome. We look forward to going back to try some other menu items.

We ate in a 1920's rairoad dining car. I was in a party of 5. Everyone was very pleased with their selections. Service was friendly and excellent desert selection was pretty to look at and loved by all.

If I could give this place multiple zero stars, I would but I do not have that option. What was supposed to be a beautiful event for my second daughter celebrating an upcoming birth of a baby turned into a nightmare! Despite previous assurances from the owner and the manager about an uneventful and perfect event it turned out to be quite the opposite. The tables were not arranged as requested. I’d intentionally grouped people by table (ahead of time) to make the event more comfortable for my guests. When I asked for the manager to correct it, he wouldn’t. Instead he argued that the total number of chairs was right. Not the point. I was busy with other tasks and my daughter mentioned that the entrees didn’t seem right. By the time I could look, several guests had already served themselves food. What we ordered: Chicken Genovese (light lemon sauce and artichokes), london broil, strawberry salmon salad, penne with marinara, sliced chicken, and chopped salad. What we actually got: Pesto chicken, Beef with peppers and onions, salmon salad drowning in dressing with no strawberries, buttered noodles, more sliced pesto chicken, and a garden salad with no dressing at all. All food was supposed to be served to the guests from the buffet by servers due to COVID-19. No buffet servers showed up. The owner claimed that on the day of our party, the chef and buffet servers didn’t come in to work. In order not to create a scene, I let things play out as they may but needless to say I was extremely disappointed. And more disappointed when I got the bill which was almost TWICE the cost between our share and our in-laws to what was initially agreed upon. When I asked to speak to the owner, Eleanor Nelson, I was told she was out of town. There was no reach out by this owner despite the fact that she allegedly received 5 phone calls from her manager, on the Saturday event when there was a problem. When I tried to speak to her about the bill on the phone she became dismissive, aggressive, rude, confrontational & extremely unprofessional and non-customer oriented and said there was nothing they could do for me. I have never ever left a negative review on anything however I feel like this is warranted and not only with the venue but the disrespectful behavior displayed by the owner of this restaurant. This was our third event at Chessies and It will definitely be our last! I would recommend caution with hosting your events with this restaurant. I only wish I was forewarned. Sent from my iPhone

First time here, just before Christmas for a late lunch. Was a great experience! Our waitress was great and very friendly. Nice selection of beers and cocktails, we had a few Fat Tire's. Nice salad and soup before the meal. My parents had two of the pasta's, while I had the French Dip. All of them were delicious and very hot! Had cheesecake for dessert and it was also very good. The atmosphere was the highlight for me. I've always been a train enthusiast, and eating a delicious meal in a vintage dining car decorated for Christmas for a truly awesome experience! Would recommend to anyone, and will be coming back soon!

Been here several times and looks like the quality of food and service keeps going down each time. This last Tuesday it took them almost 1 hour to serve us 2 burgers and 2 hot dogs. And even then 1 order was wrong and they had to spend another 15 minutes to get it right. Not recommending them.

If you like trains, I STRONGLY recommend coming here! You can eat inside of Illinois Central Trailer #1406, a historic electric multiple unit train. If you eat in it, you have a perfect view of the nearby diamond where you can see Canadian National and Metra trains pass. Theres also another Illinois Central EMU inside the resteraunt (sadly I don't know the number). Not to mention the fact that part of resteraunt is literally a train station. Not to mention the food and service, which was also good. Had an amazing exprience!

Love Chessie's. Had a great Thanksgiving buffet. We often go there on Wednesday's for 1/2 price pasta and wine.

Very polite staff. The food is amazing and they seem to keep very seasonal decorations up! The bartender Amanda is very helpful and helping me pick my drink.

Treated not like a customer but more like a nuisance. The hostess is RUDE! We had a reservation for 4 people to have a birthday dinner. Our party increased to 5 more people. We added another reservation. We knew we could not sit together at the same table , but requested two tables near each other . The hostess made an issue about the first party being five. After a reservation was made earlier that day, she argued she did not have a place for all of us. Two tables that were a six top next to each other were open. No reserved on either table . The restaurant was not busy . The train half empty . They sat one table of four at one end of the train and the other party at the opposite end. We told them we were celebrating a birthday. The hostess was rude and said she could only allow us to sit were she had placed us. The other six top remained open the entire time we were there. Terrible hostess! Our server was delightful, and friendly. Our arrival time 7 pm we did not get our meal for one hour after we ordered. We have been there before , the food has been good but this time the service and accommodating us for a birthday was unbelievable. The kids were disappointed that we could not be together. Been to many places that would have been more accommodating. The hostess was rude and unapologetic for being a witch.The table next to my daughter is still empty . No one sat there so the took the table apart . Placed a single table next to the window and left the four top right behind my daughter. There was never a reservation on that table . Before we were leaving she sat two people there. 10 tables were empty, but she took these two people and sat them there, looked right at me with a smirk.

Not an extensive menu, but everything was really good. Train car dining area is interesting and cozy. Wonderful desserts.

Christmas: Chessie's is a holiday favorite to meet up with family or friends. The train or bar areas are beautifully decorated. Food: Food is always good. The menu gives great options for whatever you're in the mood for. Staff: always good service. They know the menu and all seem friendly.

Chessie's has been a long time favorite for me and my family. The food is great. The service is always good. And there is something special about eating dinner in the old train car, while watching trains go by on the tracks out in back of the restaurant.

Horrible customer service and atitudes. Our party of 4 tried calling on a Tuesday to make a reservation. Each time one of us called, someone would answer the phone and immediately hangup... We decided to stop in to see if they would take a walk in. We were greeted by the host and was told they are not accepting walk ins at 7:30. I think it is very strange that this restaurant does not have online reservations, will not answer the phone to take a reservation, and wont take walk ins... As our party was headed out I wanted to let the hostess know that we tried calling to make a reservation but no one was answering the phone as feedback, I was rudely cut off by her and she proudly said "oh I know, it was me" with a smirk on her face. I hope the management can train her to do her job better or come up with a solution to making reservations because Chessies is loosing good business.

Fun dining experience in an old train car. There are other areas with seating also. Excellent service. I enjoyed the tuna salad in an avacado on a bed of greens. I went with a girlfriend. Looking forward to going back with my husband.

Took the family for a birthday dinner celebration as my husband is into history. He loved the "train car" ambience and so did everyone. Their Sweet Potato crusted salmon was tasty. Onion loaf was phenomenal. Some of us ordered the Shrimp coconut, Wedge Salad. I ordered the Strawberry Salmon salad and I like their sweet and tangy poppyseed dressing. Our daughter polished her Cedar Plank Salmon. Every food we ordered was good. Will definitely go back to have a taste of different entree. The wonderful desserts capped our dinner perfectly.

It has gone down hill. My husbands steak sandwich was very over done and uneatable. My club sandwich was dry and so thick it was almost impossible to eat. The waitstaff was oblivous to out needs.. The last time I was there my friend and I ordered quiche it looked inderdone and I sent mine back after one bite. My friend ate hers and became very sick. She won't go back and now I won't either. So sad because it was our favorite meeting place for many years.

Burger of the week... AMAZING! Fries very good Service was slow, they weren't busy and he was hard to understand. But we will be back!

Due to a team sport conflict we celebrated a birthday for our youngest with a later dinner in the dining car. Entire family enjoyed their meals and noted the portion sizes were better than some other establishments. Staff was courteous and attentive. We enjoyed it.

We had such a great time. We could tell each one of our meals were made from scratch. I had the Best chicken Fettuccine Alfredo I have ever had. My sister said her breaded tilapia was the Best she had ever had. ...Side note, this is a great place for adults to enjoy.

My friends and I ate here for the first time yesterday afternoon. Between the three of us we had the Cobb salad, the coconut chicken salad, a burger, and the tenderloin sliders. All dishes very good. The only thing that was a little "off" was the coconut chicken on the salad - there was no coconut taste at all. All three of us tried it and agreed. Our server, Alex was efficient and friendly and explained things well when we had questions. The atmosphere was quiet at lunch time, and more like an old-fashioned supper club. We didn't get to sit in the train car, as it was booked, so we sat in the bar area.

This restaurant is one of the best ones I've ever been to in my life! Every single detail is carefully planned. The flavor in the food has so many levels of complexity that make it such an amazing experience!

nice service, very clean restaurant and two good gf/vegan choices for food. matcha latte was delicious as well. quick service and not too busy on a Sunday afternoon.

Hidden off the main street, is this awesome spot. Eat in a welcoming bar area or in an old train car. Either experience is worth it. Service is Fast and friendly. The Fettuccine Alfredo is fresh and phenomenal. I highly recommend it!

We didn't eat. But full slab rib dinner $15 on Thursdays. We went for a couple drinks. Sat outside. Nice and cozy. Service was prompt while Armando was taking care of outside and inside diners.

Nice place to have a family dinner. Fish fry was great, but broiled fish was super dry. Clan chowder was really good. Good service and attentive staff.

Zero Stars - Called several times to try to make a reservation for a special occasion dinner. Never got an answer despite calling during stated business hours. Left a message each time - never got a call back. I don't understand this model - no way to do online reservations, no way to call and get a reservation. I will never patronize Chessie's again - this disrespect for customers is inexcusable. I'll be taking my group to Gale Street Inn - they were happy to accommodate us and enthused about serving us. Regretfully, A former Chessie's customer

Went there Saturday for a birthday party. Table of 10. Chocolate tower was great; salmon was delicious. Unfortunately service was horrible. At one point we thought maybe the staff all went home. Found an employee sitting in the lobby area on their phone. Overcooked the filets (burnt outsides) and had to use a magnifying glass to find the 3 shrimp. Go there order salmon then have the chocolate tower; order out. Spent a lot of money for such a disappointing evening. Nice decorations but you cant eat them. Plenty of other restaurant choices in the area; perhaps they can do better; Chessie's failed; bigtime

First time here today for lunch, with a few friends. We sat in the train car which was very cool. You can watch the Metra trains pass by as you eat and catch up with your guests. Our service was great. Lily was helping us today and she was very friendly, never pushy, and just a good spirit. The food was delicious! The crab and broccoli bites are yummy and such a unique item on a menu. We all had a pasta dish and took some home. I can't wait to return. The entire restaurant is decorated very well for the holidays! It's connected to this "mini mall" something I didn't realize when I looked this place up, so some little stores you can poke into as well.

Just left because it took forever to be sat, and then no one approached bothered to come to our table. Additionally we were the only table in the bar and could hear staff arguing over who had to help us.

Best Mahi Mahi tacos with sweet potato tater tots! Mouthwatering bbq ribs as they fall off the bone!! It's a MUST to enjoy a meal at Makray!! And soo affordable!