The Bavarian Lodge

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

decor is a bavarian hunting lodge theme, i suppose, lots of dark wood and a german beer-themed decor. soft and dark lighting. half circle bar had all the requisite glassware and some interesting taps. beer selection here is great. glasses get an extra rinse before pouring. it is evident they care about their beer here. beer lists are updated constantly. also, there is a chalkboard beer menu in addition to a specials menu featuring any brand new offerings. the only crap beer served here is miller lite, but there is a footnote at the bottom of the menu and they recommend against it, stating they will only sell it if the customer insists. nice. beer selections focus on belgians and germans, primarily, and a nice selection of american craft brews. gumball head on tap here...yeah. also eggenberg from austria, unibroue, and more. nice rotation of kegs and selections. at the very least 50 nice beers to choose from, each with an accurate description and all served in proper glassware. our server was attentive and knowledgeable. food was good, we stuck with german fare. also some hungarian and american dishes. but why you would eat american food here, i don't know. prices are ok, we had 2 beers, an appetizer, and a large entree for $37 before tip.
went again recently and scored monchshof schwarzbier on tap...amazing. i didn't think i'd like a smoked beer, but damn. also they have a special delirium tremens pink elephant tap. the beer guy here likes lagunitas so you are likely to find a couple of their offerings on-tap as well. the guy in charge of the beer here is very knowledgeable and friendly as well.
oh yeah, this is also a good place to hold your wedding rehearsal dinner.

06-24-2007 02:59:16 | More by MrMcGibblets

3agle87

Illinois

4.79/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is far and away one of my most favorite places to to get a beer and dinner with friends and family. but not for the faint of heart. I think the only thing that i have had in the way of food that i have not loved was the duck and that was more of a personal bias to expecting it to be more like duck confit. As far as the beer list goes, it is second to none as far as selection in both variety as well as quality of rare and old favorite beers. I did put "reasonable" for value, but if you are not into craft brew as much, you might see it as "a bit pricey". Overall I have been to Bavarian lodge with various groups of people, and each time if the beer list doesn't get them the food or atmosphere does. No place is perfect, but I feel Bavarian lodge hits it pretty close to the mark.

01-24-2013 15:23:57 | More by 3agle87

doc60532

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Come for the beer, stay for the food. I pay The Lodge a visit for dinner at least 3 times per month.

The draft beer selection is diverse and the lines are well maintained. The Lodge does a good business, so the selection rotates regularly. The dishwashers must be working overtime, because the staff always serves the beers in the correct glass for any given style.

The bottle beer selection is also excellent.

The food is simple german fare, but very well prepared. I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant.

11-21-2012 16:46:31 | More by doc60532

krl2112

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Passed by this place for 15 years and never went in. Recommended to me by a fellow beer lover and went last night. Great selection of brews on tap that change all the time with the seasons and when new beers are released. Hundreds of beers on tap both local, regional and international. Did not have dinner but had an appetizer and it was very good. Very nice gem in the western burbs! They have special brews all the time and I really liked this place! I will be back again and again. Looking forward to going there for dinner and for those othernew brews that come from time to time.

11-12-2012 14:29:14 | More by krl2112

grniz3

Missouri

5/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Stumbled upon this gem via Yelp about a year ago and will continue to go back anytime I am in the area. Constantly changing taps and occassional casks make it a must.

The pretzel bread and cream cheese/herb spread are fantastic and if you like sausage they've got every kind imaginable.

They constantly update Twitter, FB, and BeerMenus with the new tap additions which is nice considering several others fall short with up-to-date social media.

The staff are very nice and knowledgable. I've been given some great recommendations each time I've visited.

10-07-2012 16:49:31 | More by grniz3

BeerOps

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

This is one of the best beer bars in the Chicago area.

Last visit was a Wednesday night after work. Large lot with ample parking, but it does get very busy here. Elected to grab a table in the bar area and was promptly seated. Our server reviewed the food and beer specials and was very knowledgable. The Bavarian Lodge regularly updates their draft selections on BeerMenus and always has a few additional kegs on hand if something kicks during your visit.

Food is German, with a few Items that could appeal to those not in the Bavarian mood. Portions are large. Overall, the food compliments the beer selection and works well.

Plan a trip for the beer, you will be impressed.

09-18-2012 00:22:48 | More by BeerOps

Piotr_Rasputin

4.68/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Decorated in traditional German style, this restaurant has a wide variety of beers from all over the world and a menu that is equal in length and variety, including vegetarian options.

The meals can average over $10 for the entrees, but you get your money's worth and large portions as well. The staff are very knowledgeable about the beers they have available.

There are only two downsides: 1. they do NOT take reservations. Seating is first come, first serve. 2. They occasionally close for summer vacation and the Christmas season for about a week or so, so check their website first to make sure you don't head out to them and find they are closed for vacation.

This is a fine restaurant with lots of options, both beer and food wise, and will please anyone. I will definitely return here and encourage others to do the same!

08-10-2012 20:20:28 | More by Piotr_Rasputin

chrishickman

Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

This place is beautiful, amazing beer selection, great traditional German cuisine, and family owned and operated with great service. I have not encountered a better place in the west suburbs, the only one that comes close is Rock Bottom in Warrenville which is good but it's still Rock Bottom. For those afraid of German food, just get chicken schnitzel (essentially a friend chicken breast fillet without a bun) and a pretzel appetizer, then get the rest of your calories via liquid. It is a bit pricey but the portions are large and the beers are great. You will not go home hungry or thirsty here, but you're probably going to spend $50 on yourself for dinner and 3 beers. Then again, most decent places in the area probably charge that if you're drinking anything other than BMC.

05-13-2012 17:14:32 | More by chrishickman

MarkIntihar

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

The Bavarian Lodge in Lisle is an excellent place to grab a great meal with some phenomenal beers to accompany it! I have been several times, both for dinner and for just drinks, and I have never been let down by the selection either way. All of the traditional German cuisine is phenomenal, and their tap list is easily one of the best in the west suburbs. Every time I have been there the Lodge has had a nice mixed selection of traditional German, Belgian, and American brews, not to mention the wide range of styles typically represented, from German lagers to Belgian lambics to American and Russian Imperial stouts! The bottle list is definitely impressive as well, as I recall Rare Bourbon County Stout hung around for a long time after its release at $60, which is not an unreasonable markup from retail price. The food is a bit pricey, but for the portions served it is completely reasonable, not to mention absolutely delicious!

Anyway, now that I've rambled on, if you get a chance to stop by the Bavarian Lodge, either for dinner or just drinks, MAKE SURE YOU DO!!! Definitely will be worth your time!

02-07-2012 04:49:47 | More by MarkIntihar

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.68/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

Located in Lisle, Illinois, this place is quite randomly placed in the Chicago burbs. Fortunately for me, I grew up near here and am quite familiar with the area.

You definitely do not feel like you're enjoying some beers and a meal in the suburbs once you step inside this place. Great feel for a pub and I really like how big it is (main bar area, annex bar area, and proper dining room) - all seperate from each other.

The draft and bottle selections is quite robust and I was thoroughly impressed to see such a wide variety of beers available. From talking with the owner (his name slips my mind), they offer a wide variety of beer drinkers the opportunity to geek out here - from vintage surprise kegs to new releases they offer it all.

The food selection is awesome and amazingly authentic not to mention it tastes brilliant! The staff is very helpful in recommending beers and/or food for folks that are less than familiar with what they like. A must stop - definitely worth it!

01-12-2012 18:09:27 | More by spdyfire83