Steep Ravine Brewing Company

Having already partaken in the sorta-satellite location in Chicago, I figured it was more than time to make my way to the Highland Park original. Located in a Main Street-ish sort of setting just off of the Ravinia train stop, it isn't much of a place inside, the short-ish bar, booths, and old-school design reeking of a dive bar you can totally enjoy with impunity. For those interested, there is abundant patio seating out front (possibly more seats than available inside). Some large screens allowed the few of us inside (apparently people like this sweltering weather, the lunatics) to watch the Olympics. Yay. Decent range on offer, with a gingerbread stout, a cream ale, a kolsch, a barleywine, some hops, and a couple lagers on offer. Qualty is what you would expect from Ravinia, so no worries there. The staff were friendly and helpful, though they seemed to be pretty occupied with their own fanciful conversations, forcing a short visit to feel even more squeezed than it already was and limiting my intake to only a couple of libations, a curse for a ticker like me. Allegedly, the food on offer, specifically the tacos, are really good, award-winning even, but I did not partake, so no notes from me there. Overall, I wouldn't mind stopping back in here, but maybe I'll aim for a time when I have more leeway in my stay, just in case.

 

The original Ravinia location, in downtown Highland Park. Surreal visiting here after the tragic mass shooting last year, but life goes on as the town continues to heal.

Outside is a small sidewalk patio with flowers, and a weathered metal sign above the door. Inside it feels like a small well-worn pub, with a wooden bar, wood ceiling tiles and flooring. A few cozy booths along the back wall, about 10 tables and about as many seats at the bar. Seats are a little too worn-in, like a sofa you sink into.

A chalkboard near the front windows was more current than their website, seemingly months out of date. Selection was good, I enjoyed a dry-hopped lager and DIPA most of all. Quality overall was pretty good across the 8 beers I tried. Avoiding the haze and kettle sours for the most part.

Quesabirria is the star of the food menu, ordered it twice in the past month. The consommé is a bit salty, but easily washed down with a beer or three.

Service was pretty good, they checked on us occasionally, and searched for a beer on their menu that wasn’t to be found. To-go cooler had a good selection, but they overcharge for singles. $7 for a Mexican Lager single when the 4-pack is $14 is a ripoff. They told me they no longer brew here, everything is brewed and packaged at the Diversey Ave. location.

Overall it was a nice experience, good food and beer selection, if you happen to be in downtown Highland Park near the Botanic Garden and Ravinia Festival.