Farmhouse

FarmhouseFarmhouse
FarmhouseFarmhouse
Bar, Eatery

228 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, Illinois, 60654-3107
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
17
pDev:
7.5%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Redrover:
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Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I have been to the Farmhouse 3 or 4 times and was kind of surprised I hadn’t review it yet, so here goes…

Located close to an El stop, the Farm House is easy to spot from the street.

It is a two level space with a bar along the west side of the first floor. Note the blackboard that lists their suppliers. All seem to be either in Illinois or contiguous states.

I have had good service from both the bar staff and the wait staff. They are friendly and beer savvy.

The beer menu is solid with lots of tasty Midwest options. I counted roughly 25 taps plus a couple of ciders. You can always get some Metropolitan, Half Acre,3Fs, etc. They also have a lot of Pipeworks bottles

The food is farm to table with lots of seasonal offerings. I find their food to be well executed with a good mix of flavors and ingredients. I have loved both the pork roast and burgers I have had here. It’s a great place to go to share plates.

Prices are what you would expect to pay for such quality.

I feel this place sometimes gets overlooked. Don’t make that mistake!
Mar 13, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.98 by BeerOps from Illinois

Apr 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.34 by osickeym from Ohio

Mar 13, 2016
Photo of Can_has_beer
Reviewed by Can_has_beer from Texas

3.18/5  rDev -20.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I had a lunch here recently and I thought their beer selection was very well-rounded. They had many different styles, with a wide range of ABV's and a handful of beers that are food friendly. For advertising as a farm to table restaurant the food was a little oily. Even though they weren't very busy at lunchtime, the service was slow. I would go back, but they could improve upon the food execution and staff attentiveness.
Sep 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.12 by Bung from Michigan

Aug 29, 2015
 
Rated: 4.11 by SimcoeKid from California

Jun 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.85 by StoutSnob40 from California

Jun 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.15 by Canada_Dan from Colorado

Apr 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4.44 by Monkeyknife from Missouri

Mar 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.21 by WiggyKGB from Illinois

Mar 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by SplitsAtoms from Georgia

Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by MilkaStout from Illinois

Jul 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.24 by jophish17 from Georgia

Jun 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by DaveTomke from Illinois

Jan 11, 2014
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Reviewed by TMoney2591 from Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Stopped in here during one of my day-off trips into the Big City. It's a somewhat quaint little restaurant with a decidedly modern feel to it. Frankly, it's places like this that make sure I'm never completely comfortable whilst drinking and/or dining: things just seem overtly artificial or like something out of a movie set in an ever-so-mildly dystopian future. At the bar, though, the selection is pretty top-notch, with some local love tossed in with national faves. The bartenders are very amiable, likeable even, and definitely seem to know their stuff when it comes to the beer itself. It seems they may have actually tasted some of them (saints be praised!). I didn't try any of the food, and it seemed to me to be on the more "modern" (read: frou-frou) side of the tracks for my tastes. Maybe I'll prove myself wrong someday... Overall, this place may not be your friendly neighborhood watering hole, but it's a nice source for great beers.
Jul 24, 2012
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Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
2020: Sadly Farmhouse has closed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stopped in here for dinner recently, walked by awhile back before they opened and noticed the illustrated livestock silhouettes in the window. Didn't realize it was a reservations needed type of place, especially on a Tuesday. "Craft Tavern" was emblazoned on the front window. We were seated at an awkward communal table (with metal stools) up front, right next to the door, staring out at the bus stop... it felt like we weren't even in the restaurant.

The decor was well thought out, with rustic and eclectic touches like dim wire-framed lamps above the bar, and worn tin tiles on the walls and ceiling. In the front area there was a host stand, and a large mural on a metal panel against an exposed brick wall painted white. Behind the bar, two columns were painted black with chalkboard paint, detailed with various lists of taps and farms where the food is sourced from. Rough hewn beams served as shelving behind the bar, with an eclectic mix of jars, bottles, and curios displayed high above. Even a row of empty CBS bottles, which weren't listed on the menu.

The space itself was pretty small, and I could see it getting jammed on weekends. There was an upstairs also, but it was closed for a private event. The bar seated 20 maybe, with a handful of booth tables opposite the bar.

Beer selection was locally focused, as was the food. Taps were broken out by state, and anything from outside the midwest was an "import". Breweries represented: FFF (Dreadnaught, Region Riot), Metropolitan (Iron Works, Flywheel), Half Acre (Gossamer, Daisy cans), Local Option (Dampf Loc), Emmett's, Two Brothers, Goose, Tyranena, Central Waters (Satin Solstice), Greenbush, Jolly Pumpkin (3-4 bottles), Dark Horse, Boulevard (Tank 7), Stillwater (Stateside Saison). More bottles from Great Lakes, New Holland, Founders, Brooklyn, and more, including a few Belgians and Mikkeller.

Table service was timely enough, and they were able to describe some of the beers. Glasses should be mandatory with craft bottles, they shouldn't need to ask. The odd seating was really the only issue with service here, but it seemed they were pretty short on space at this "tavern". Food was good, the curds, salad, amish chicken, and bread pudding were all tasty dishes. Gluten-free items were marked, but vegetarian items were few.

Dinner for two with drinks was $50-60, so it's not at all cheap. Draft prices are what you'd expect for River North, $6-8 on average, bottles higher. I'd return for after dinner drinks or dinner with reservation next time, the beer and food is solid.
Nov 16, 2011
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Reviewed by onefmatt from Illinois

4/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Stopped by shortly after opening. Farm like ambiance, recycled wood and light fixtures. While waiting for our table we got to talking to the bartenders and one of the owners. He was very pleasant and fun to speak to.

Food was upscale bar food but decent versions of mussels, local fish and sandwiches.

Tons of local beers, Daisycutter, 3F Arctic Panzer Wolf, Dreadnaught, Metropolitan and Finch's Golden &

Overall a great spot if you are in river north looking for a beer bar and a nice bite to eat. Right off the Chicago Brown line for easy access.
Oct 20, 2011
Farmhouse in Chicago, IL
Place rating: 4 out of 5 with 17 ratings