3/5 Richard K. 1 year ago on Google
Elgin
Public
House
is
a
restaurant
and
pub
established
in
the
early
2000s.
While
it
claims
to
be
"upscale,"
the
establishment's
appearance
is
consistent
with
that
of
a
typical
pub,
which
is
not
necessarily
a
negative
aspect.
The
prices,
however,
reflect
a
more
upscale
positioning.
Here
is
a
structured
overview
of
my
review:
I
will
evaluate
the
exterior
and
interior,
atmosphere,
food
selection,
service,
washrooms,
and
price
point
on
a
scale
of
1
to
5.
Additionally,
I
will
provide
a
detailed,
chronological
account
of
my
experience.
For
a
more
entertaining,
ye
olde
English
review,
please
check
out
Yelp.
Outside:
4/5
Inside:
4/5
Atmosphere:
4.5/5
Food
Selection:
3/5
(too
many
options)
Service:
3/5
Washroom:
5/5
Price
Point:
$$$$/5
(A
bit
pricey)
Elgin
Public
House
(EPH)
is
situated
in
downtown
Elgin,
at
the
junction
of
South
Chicago
Street
and
Center
Street.
On
our
arrival,
we
discovered
that
street
parking
was
full,
and
we
opted
for
the
free
weekend
parking
in
a
garage
across
the
street.
On
a
cold,
wet,
and
dreary
day,
I
had
hoped
the
restaurant
would
provide
a
warm
and
welcoming
experience.
Unfortunately,
the
visit
did
not
entirely
alleviate
the
day's
gloom.
The
exterior
of
EPH
features
a
minimalist
design
with
black
and
white
pinstripe
awnings,
a
yellow
EPH
logo
and
name,
and
unadorned
storefront
windows.
Surprisingly,
the
most
striking
aspect
was
the
two-toned
brick
color,
half
reddish
and
half
pinkish.
Upon
entering,
we
found
an
array
of
decorations
and
items
adorning
the
walls,
tables,
and
shelves,
typical
of
a
pub
setting.
It
was
an
inviting
scene,
and
we
were
promptly
seated.
Three
groups
were
already
present,
and
after
a
brief
wait,
our
server
arrived
to
take
our
drink
orders.
The
jukebox
provided
some
entertainment
as
we
waited
for
our
food
to
be
ordered
and
prepared.
Having
enjoyed
a
Meatloaf
Dinner
on
a
previous
visit,
I
attempted
to
order
it
again.
However,
our
server
informed
me
it
was
only
available
on
Wednesdays,
so
I
chose
the
Meatloaf
Melt
instead.
Our
error
resulted
in
a
longer
wait
for
our
food,
during
which
our
conversation
waned,
and
we
resorted
to
our
phones
for
distraction.
It
was
apparent
that
our
server
was
responsible
for
attending
to
all
the
tables,
despite
the
presence
of
other
servers
and
the
owner.
I
mention
this
to
provide
a
comprehensive
account
of
our
experience
and
to
inform
potential
diners
about
the
restaurant's
operations.
Our
party
of
six,
comprising
three
adults
and
three
children,
ordered
several
items,
including
a
"Bucket
o'Bones,"
a
steak
with
mashed
potatoes,
and
the
Meatloaf
Melt.
My
assessment
will
focus
on
the
dishes
I
tasted.
The
ribs
were
covered
in
a
well-balanced
barbecue
sauce,
neither
too
sweet
nor
too
overpowering.
However,
the
meat
seemed
to
lack
seasoning,
its
flavor
masked
by
the
sauce.
The
steak
was
adequate
but
not
worth
the
price,
and
the
mashed
potatoes
were
enveloped
in
a
sweet,
creamy
mixture
that
could
have
benefited
from
additional
seasoning.
The
Meatloaf
Melt
was
enjoyable,
especially
when
enhanced
with
table
salt,
black
pepper,
and
a
side
of
barbecue
sauce.
My
drink,
however,
remained
untouched,
and
I
was
not
offered
a
refill.
Before
leaving,
I
overheard
a
man
at
a
nearby
table
being
denied
further
alcoholic
beverages,
despite
it
being
his
birthday.
Lastly,
the
restrooms
were
clean
and
private,
allowing
for
a
comfortable
and
hygienic
experience.
Overall,
while
the
visit
to
Elgin
Public
House
was
not
entirely
unpleasant,
it
did
not
fully
dispel
the
day's
dreariness.
