Flatlander's Restaurant and Brewery

Flatlander's Restaurant and BreweryFlatlander's Restaurant and Brewery
Flatlander's Restaurant and BreweryFlatlander's Restaurant and Brewery
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

200 Village Green
Lincolnshire, Illinois, 60069
United States

// CLOSED //

January 2012: Restaurant closed. Currently relocating brewing operations, moving to a new north-suburban production brewery called Old Chicago Beer Company, opening April 2012.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.61
Beers:
15
Ratings:
40
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.49
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
16
pDev:
14.04%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Treebs:
Photo of Treebs
Reviewed by Treebs from Illinois

2.45/5  rDev -29.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 2.5
I got a groupon for this place (2 flights, 2 apps, and a growler for $22) which is the reason why I went. Figured it was a pretty solid deal.

The place looks a very large lodge, like the ski lodges you'd find in the mountain at resort. It had a pretty cool feel to it. They also had a very large bar up front with a lot of TV's.

Our server was nice and there wasn't anything wrong with it really.

We got the beer flights first and the two apps. The beers were pedestrian and not very good, and the apps weren't much better. We got the wings and the pretzels. The pretzels were basically cold and the sauces weren't very good. The wings were average as well. We both got burgers and they were pretty average as well. The menu is very big so there is something for everyone though.

What really got me going was how they did the bill. I paid for the Groupon, but they charged everything to our bill normally without the Groupon, taxed that, put on an 18% gratuity and THEN applied the discount for the Groupon. Basically our two burgers with tax cost $41. FUCKING ABSURD. I def. will not be going back and I'm regretting buying the Groupon.
Oct 16, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of TMoney2591
Reviewed by TMoney2591 from Illinois

3.64/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Stopped in here after a jaunt to The Firkin and WhirlyBall, basically making my way down Milwaukee. It was early evening, day after Christmas, and it was pretty empty. Just makes it easier to get a good seat at the bar, if you ask me. There were plenty o' TVs around the room, all tuned to either the Bulls game or the bowl game going on at the time (I can't remember which one). I sampled the different brews, which ranged from a mild wit to a nice light oatmeal stout. The latter was my favorite. They were all pretty decent, though nothing really stood out as special or anything. The bartender seemed to know his stuff when it came to the beers, and was generally quite genial, if slightly aloof. I didn't try any of the food, but it smelled pretty good (very similar to the DFH locations I visited back East). Overall, it's a decent brewpub, nothing outstanding and not a place to go out of the way to visit, but a nice destination if you're in the area and in the mood for some nice house beers.
Dec 27, 2010
Photo of t0rin0
Reviewed by t0rin0 from California

3.69/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Visited 10/11/2010 (Columbus Day). 8 house taps.

It was early afternoon on a holiday so it's not surprising that there weren't many people there but I was literally the only customer there. At one point another person showed up and sat outside.

The place is rather large with multiple dinning rooms (each with a different atmosphere to them) and a large bar. I sat at the bar and talked to the bartender about beer the entire time I was ticking away at my flight. Turns out an old friend of his is not brewing (or maybe just working, can't remember) at Allagash. Nice guy and the service was great, but of course since I was the only one there.

Lots of styles represented on tap.

APWA
Pale Lager
Wit
Oktoberfest (seasonal)
IPA
Red Ale
Doppelbock (seasonal)
Stout

Not much going on here but who knows, maybe they'll have something you like.
Dec 22, 2010
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.58/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Stopped in here today in the middle of a blizzard, and surprise, it was dead in there. Other than a pair of older couples stopping in for lunch, we didn't see anyone else coming or going. Figured it was just the weather...

Bartender was knowledgeable and friendly, recommending beers based on our personal tastes. He mentioned a handpump will be installed at the bar soon, so expect cask ales in the very near future.

After a couple samplers and pints, it was clear the beer selection was fairly average but serviceable. IPA and Oktoberfest were the best options, the Wit was decent, and the others were average.

Atmosphere was pretty standard, there looked to be a nice outdoor patio in warmer months, and a stage for live music. I was here 7 years ago for a show, but don't remember drinking any of the house brews. In the bar area, there were a few flatscreens, windows to the parking lot and patio, with some high glass shelving for the spirits. Windows to the brewing equipment behind the bar and opposite wall, and some brewing-themed decor high above that.

Overall an ok place, nothing earth-shattering. Pretty standard brewpub fare.
Dec 13, 2010
Photo of Star80
Reviewed by Star80 from Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +11.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Hmm, about 100 yards from my work, was last there for a coworkers last day outting. The beer is better than I remembered, had a Oktoberfest that honestly was one of the most authentic Ameircan versions that I have ever had, and an IPA that was surprisingly hoppy and pleasant. I think their beer has improved since I had been there. I do agree that the atmosphere while nice is kinda dead, in a bad way, but I never feel uncomfortable or that I;m unwelcome of anything like that. Our server was very attentive and professional, but I always wonder about the fate of this place. Just never seems busy enough for the big barn roof, or the ever empty bar area. I always get hit by flies flying around inside for some reason too, no idea what the hell that is all about. And yes, i have tried the food, i split a burger with my buddy cause they are MASSIVE, he gave me his half and it was actually pretty good. Prices are a bit high, but her, the area is $$. I hope this place can figure out a way to bring in more patrons, or appeal to a younger crowd aside from the ever present Lincolnshire work outtings.
Nov 05, 2010
Photo of Vdubb86
Reviewed by Vdubb86 from Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
This was my first trip to Flatlander's and I have to say on a Friday night for a large place it was pretty empty, which surprised me. The atmosphere is a mixture of a really nice facility that is full of old people and has that kind of Baker's Square feel to it...except here I had no pie. The quality of the beers both my father and I consumed were average. That's not to say they don't have some good brews, but I didn't really think anything special of what they had. Although if I wanted to I could have probably gone through all of the brews that they had on tap for if memory serves me correctly there were 6 at most. The food was pretty decent, but it was traditional American fair and nothing on the menu will wow you, but it is all pretty tasty. As far as the service went, you would think in a place as empty there would be a lot more attention paid on you, but our waitress didn't. Now I know better than to say that it's they way it always is, and it wasn't horrible, but it did get annoying sometimes. If you're a BA and want to try it out locally, I say go for it. If you want to travel from out of town to come here, I have better recommendations for the area.
Sep 14, 2010
Photo of Dogbrick
Reviewed by Dogbrick from Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Had some trouble getting to this place using Google maps thanks to the ridiculous amount of construction going on. Once I made it to the right exit, the place is pretty easy to find off I-94 near the junction of 21 (Milwaukee) and 45. Parking is plentiful in their private lot.

The exterior kind of reminds me of a dining hall except for the brewing equipment that can be seen from the parking lot.

The interior is rather large and stays with the banquet hall theme. There are multiple rooms, most of which are for table seating. The bar area has a sports theme with high tables and games, while the restaurant area(s) have more of a lodge look with wood, dark red colors and brick. There are murals with a heartland theme, hanging lanterns and high ceilings.

Flatlander's has 6 beers on tap including a seasonal. There is a sampler of 5 available for $5, and the glasses are adorably tiny. The styles are lighter in nature (Lager, Wheat, Oktoberfest) up to a Stout. The beers are average for the most part.

Service was pretty good on a slow weekday late dinner. My server was attentive although he seemed to disappear for longer than seemed necessary for how few people where there.

My dinner at Flatlander's was a build-it-yourself buffalo burger and tater tots. All in all a good dinner.

Overall I wouldn't make a trip from Chicago to visit this place, but it is worth checking out assuming you're on the ball with the construction nightmare.
Oct 07, 2009
Photo of KTCamm
Reviewed by KTCamm from New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +27.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I really like this place. Try to hit it every time I'm visiting the Chicago suburbs for business or pleasure.

Eight beers on tap, though they don't always have them all. They tend to be really good, and there is a good mix to choose from.

The building itself is huge. Separate areas for hanging out at the bar or having a quiet dinner. Easy to find, plenty of parking. Kid friendly.

Very nice menu. I've always had good luck with the food there - think upscale pub fare. They do just about everything well.
Jun 13, 2009
Photo of steveh
Reviewed by steveh from Illinois

4.04/5  rDev +15.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Let me start this review by saying that I've been going to Flatlander's since it opened, what - 10+ years ago?

They've gone thru many brewmasters and the beer has been up and down, but ever since Art Steinhoff took control of the boil kettle, I knew that the beer would start to shine.

Art's been home-brewing since before most of us knew what Alpha Acids were and he's been pub-brewing longer than 3 Floyds has been open. Yeah, I know Art, home-brewed with him for years, but that doesn't cloud my critique -- our club(s) have always been honest with ourselves because we want to make good beer.

That said, when I saw some bad reviews on the beer, and I hadn't tried them in a couple months, I thought maybe something had gone south. Not at all, the beer is just as good as it has been for the past few years:

Abe's Honest Ale, $4 pint -- a solid, well balanced APA that would stand up next to Honker's or Sierra Nevada.

Belgian Golden, $2 pint -- great Belgian character in a lighter body with good Pilsner malt and noble hop character.

80 Shilling, $4 pint -- the peated malt in this brew could tip the style to a smoked beer, but it's had this character for a while and people like it so they stick to it. Beyond that, this beer hits the style on the head; malty with vague fruity esters. Any diacetyl was light and gone after the first sips.

The atmosphere of the bar is pretty much sports oriented, but how many bars aren't these days? Gets loud when crowded, but which don't these days? Certainly the other 2 pubs within proximity do, I go to them too.

Flatlander's beers don't deserve the bad rap they're getting, they're solid examples of the styles being produced and any true beer lover will enjoy them.
Aug 29, 2008
Photo of CH3CH2OH
Reviewed by CH3CH2OH from New Jersey

2.93/5  rDev -16%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4.5
This is a tough place to review. Had the 5 beer sampler - two were ok (Abes Ale, 80 shilling), two were bad (stout, weiss), porter was good. The two bad ones had an overwhelming diacetyl flavor.

Food was excellent - cheddar ale soup and beef and brie sandwich. Excellent selection of food overall.

So, bottom line is - beer was mediocre, food was excellent. I rated quality and service based on beer, so they came in low. Slightly better food than the other brew pub in the area (Mickey Finn's), but I wouldn't go out of my way for any of the beer.
Apr 29, 2008
Photo of livin4jc
Reviewed by livin4jc from New York

2.98/5  rDev -14.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3
I stopped at Flatlander's when I was in town on business. The restaurant looks relatively new and is very clean. I was not impressed with the service. From the host to the waiter, the impression was one of disinterest on the part of the employees. The service was very slow, the staff was not at all attentive, and they were not very friendly. My waiter stood in the entrance to the kitchen (about 15 feet from my table) and complained about the management, the patrons, and just about everything else. The table I was at had no beer list and when asked, the waiter begrudingly went to locate one.

The beer was average as was the food. While the restaurant is beautiful, the food is overpriced and overrated. You can get a meal like this for a lot less at a chain restaurant - and often with better service. The prices for the food was excessive for the quality. My impression of Flatlander's is a restaurant for wanna-be yuppies and not true beer lovers.
May 19, 2007
Photo of Reneejane
Reviewed by Reneejane from Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3
I liked the lay out of the restaurant and it's huge with plenty of seating there is a live music area, a beautiful outdoor terrace with lovely folliage. And the dining area is quiet with nice acoustics even despite the live music on the other side. So, I like that you can get in and not feel too crowded. They really planned the architecture of this place just perfectly. It has a vaguely Frank Lloyd Wright feel to it, that I love (being a fan...)

Even though I work in this area and have gotten plenty of dinners around here, I felt this place was way too pricey. That said, if you're can overlook that, it can be a nice place to get a good meal. The waiter was very learned in beer and did an excellent job of serving us in a timely fashion.

The beers are a little average, but thank God, it's not all hefes and weisses all the time. Sick to death of that trend-hate that stuff... :( But they have British beers. I thought they could have a few more beers, but it's not too one sided (ie: my current complaint about the over abundance of wheat beers) so you can satisfy a wide variety of palates.

I do like Mickey Finns a small bit better even though they can really suck at times they do have some excellent beers there, and this place didn't have anything that really knocked my sox off...
Jan 17, 2007
Photo of rhoadsrage
Reviewed by rhoadsrage from Illinois

3.86/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
This place is tucked in a little open mall area but all the trees around each little parking lot make it hard to see other areas of the mall. When I drove up to the brewery the all glass fermenter room was lit up and a fresh beer neon sign was hanging on the back wall. Walking up to the front door they had a all new menu sign and right inside the front doors is a little bar door on the right. Inside the bar they had lots of TVs with a full stocked bar and a small stage for bands. I sat by the window that looked out on the beer garden covered with hop vines.

The bar menu had the 4 year round beers, martini specials, wines and other drinks but no where could I find the seasonals. There was not even a chalkboard with the seasonals on it. The bartender was very helpful but busy so felt bad asking him what the seasonals were every time I ordered. They had 7 of their own beers on tap with 4 guest taps and 2 cask beers. They also had 16 bottles and 2 cans to chose from. It had the feel of a bar for everyone to enjoy not just beer lovers, which was nice.

I looked at the food menu but nothing really looked exciting enough to pay the 20-30 dollars a plate. Other people had food at the bar and even the appetizers were typical pub grub that is well plated. If I lived close or if I am out that way for work I will stop in again and try some more of their brews. I was pleasantly surprised by the beers I had so far.
Sep 29, 2006
Photo of BlueShirtMember
Reviewed by BlueShirtMember from Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4
After getting lost trying to find another brewpub down the street, I decided to try this place. Atmosphere was nice but nothing special. Staff was friendly and my waiter seemed to know the styles of beer they were serving.

Food was tasty, and the menu selection was great. This unfortunately did not extend to the beer selection which was four beers (there was a fifth, but it was regretably out). What beers they did have were good though.

Price was perfect. Not too expensive and not too cheap. If I'm ever in the area, I may stop in again.
Sep 25, 2006
Photo of Suds
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri

3.05/5  rDev -12.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4.5
I visited this brewpub for dinner while on a recent trip. The establishment is easy to find, open, airy, and very attractive. The dining area is clean, well-designed, and has a lofty cathedral ceiling. Slightly rustic feeling, with a decidedly contemporary edge, I really liked the look of this place...especially the large fireplace in the dining area.
I was there for an early dinner, and despite the fact that there were only a few other patrons in the place, the service was extremely slow. It also took an eternity to be seated, even though kitchen staff and busboys stood and gossiped in the entryway. (In their defense, I don't think they spoke English).
The beer selection was unremarkable. A wheat beer, porter, golden ale, two amber ales, and a fruit beer. The amber ales were also available on cask, which was a very nice touch. They were fruity and maybe a bit too acidic, but otherwise pretty good. The wheat was particularly good. Overall, the beer was nothing outstanding, but I wasn't disappointed either.
The food was outstanding, and worth the price (a bit higher than the average brewpub). There was a wide selection of dishes, and everything that I had was delicious.
Apr 02, 2005
Flatlander's Restaurant and Brewery in Lincolnshire, IL
Brewery rating: 3.61 out of 5 with 40 ratings