Moody's Pub

Have enjoyed Moody's on previous visits, but could not even get served on my latest. Sat down and had several servers both look at us and pass us by without a word. 20 minutes later we decided to depart.

Posted 05/26/08

I came here once with my cousin who heard about this place from a friend of hers. I didn't really want to go, but I had nothing better to do and didn't want to spend alot of gas either. So, I took a chance and went along. Now, the first thing I noticed about this place was that it was "dark". It's very low lit, to the point that I straight on bumped into the edge of a table while walking. The outside beer garden is "nice", but needs some gardening done (and the outside bar to be open too). But what got to me the entire time I was there was how cold it was. I dunno if they couldn't turn on the heat on a spring night, but seriously it was like sitting by the fridge with the door open wearing a t-shirt. The food and beer weren't bad. I had a cheeseburger n fries, playing it safe for a 1st timer. But I was impressed to see they carried Berghoff beer, a local restaurant favorite which will be deerly missed. But I struggled to drink it since the glass was warm and the beer was bitter, as if it was "expired". I'm not saying it was a bad experience, but it wasn't a good one either, just right in the middle. It's not a favorite of mine, but I'll go if people want me to go. I would like to see it next summer with the garden all decorated up.

Pros: Beer garden

Cons: dark interior, average menu and food quality

Posted 10/24/07

I live one block away from Moody's. I've been treated rudely two out of the three times dining there. The first time my roommate and I were there, they completely ignored our table. I assume this was because we didn't order alcohol. The second time I was with a date. He ordered his burger well, mine medium. Mine was very close to raw and his was hot pink in the middle. Upon informing the waitress (politely) she walked away, came back burgers in hand and proceeded to tell me I was wrong. Then asked "what am I supposed to do about it?". I asked to speak with the manager, was argued with again, then the manager shouted from the bar across the room "whats the problem it's fine, I checked". I had to walk up to the bar because he refused to come to my table to speak with me. He was rude and unprofessional, and completely unconcerned that he had two very unhappy customers. I wasn't even demanding anything, I just wanted them to except that the order was completely wrong, not to mention disgusting. I wouldn't eat there again if I was paid to.

Posted 09/28/07

My friends and I started going to Moody's in the mid-1970s, it is an institution in Edgewater! I have many fond memories of meals and drinks there. Yes, it's very dark but that is a big part of the atmosphere. The burgers and onion rings were/are the best. It is a great place to sit outside on a hot summer night, you could sit, talk and eat for a long time and no one would chase you out. Also the fireplaces make it a wonderful cozy spot in cold weather. I live in the Atlanta suburbs now and unfortunately the metro area does not have anything to compare with Moody's food or environment.

Pros: atmosphere, burgers, location

Posted 08/26/07

Everything is great, if only Cindy would pass the dessert tray around. Great place. Best outdoor patio in the city. Excellent service.

Posted 08/04/07

Outside of Kuma's and C.W. Napkin, there isn't an establishment on the northside of Chicago that comes close to challenging Moody's for the title of "Best Hamburger." Throw in the atmosphere - cozy/dark/fireplace during the fall/winter and awesome beer garden during the summer months - and you have one of my favorite places in Chicago! It's kind of a hike north but parking on Broadway is plentiful or you can take the Red Line to Thorndale and walk 100 yards or so. Stick with the beer which is fairly priced as I don't believe the soda has refills...fine by me!!!

Pros: Fireside dining, beer garden, beer selection, french fries, and of course the burgers!

Posted 07/23/07

Highly recommended during the winter time, with a dim lit atmosphere and real fireplaces makes a cozy environment.

Posted 05/01/07

Moody's Pub has great onion rings and the burgers speak for themselves. The place has two fireplaces which makes it seem very cozy and can keep you warm on a cold day. Moody's is cash only, however there is a ATM in the restaurant.

Pros: Prices, Fireplaces, Onion Rings

Cons: Cash only, very dark dining room

Posted 11/12/06

I was at Moody's this past weekend and we sat by the fireplace. The atmosphere is cozy, warm, down to earth and friendly. It's not a feed'em and run'em off kind of place. The staff was attentive. But what ROCKED was the MOODY BURGER!! It was juicy, the bun was soft and combo cannot be beat. My friend had a burger with a mountain of bleu cheese on top. It is my number one burger restaurant in the Chicago area. I will return. Also, the onion rings are really good dipped in the garlic dressing!!! To top it off the price is right, drink and food prices are really reasonable.

Pros: Parking next door

Posted 10/15/06

The food at Moody's is AWFUL! How could this place get a 9.4? It must be someone's idea of a joke. Definately NOT the best burger in town by far. Forget the chicken sandwich. I have never been served a more pathic looking sandwich in my life. Do yourselves a huge favor and do not go to this place to eat. Maybe a drink out in the patio would be fine but it is best to eat somewhere else.....anyplace rather than Moody's. YUK YUK YUK!!!

Pros: Nice outdoor patio area - very friendly squirrels

Cons: THE FOOD!!!!

Posted 09/16/06

I just tried Moody's based on their Citysearch rating and, honestly, I was disappointed. There were some things that were great, such as the parking lot next door and the outdoor patio, but other things were rather ordinary, such as the hamburger and the price, or subpar, such as the fries and the service.

Starting with the great, their outdoor patio is very nice, especially on a cool summer day. However, even on a somewhat breezy day during their slow afternoon period, you were lightly bathed in smoke, so if you can't stand being around smokers, eating on their patio won't save you. The parking lot is great, though it's not that big and I suspect that it fills up during their evening rush, leaving you at the mercy of street parking.

I ordered the bleu cheese burger and it was good, but I think the label best burger in Chicago is overstating things. It came with lettuce and onion, but no tomato, and with fries and a pickle wedge on the side. It didn't cost too much, though it wasn't as cheap as your typical Chicago-style burger and hot dog joint.

For the bad, I went in the late afternoon (around 4) and I have to agree with the reviewer who called the service indifferent. I also really disliked the fries. I've had that style before (they remind me of the fries you get at The Great Steak & Potato Company in mall food courts) and they just taste burnt to me. I think it's the oil they cook with but whatever it is, I don't like it. However, that's a matter of taste and I know lots of people really like them.

All told, I would go back but I wouldn't go out of my way to go back.

Pros: Outdoor patio, parking

Cons: Overrated, french fries

Posted 09/02/06

Everyone says it's dark, which it is, but the window seats are perfect-- a nice view of the wooded patio. Or better yet, sit on the patio, although, with all those trees, you're bound to get a bird crapping on you eventually. Awesome burgers, cheap beer. Very close to the Thorndale Red Line stop.

Pros: burgers, great place to bring friends visiting Chicago

Cons: dark, no fish and chips

Posted 06/20/06

I've been going to Moody's since the early 70s and while I do occasionally have one of their superior burgers, I usually have something that is hard to find at restaurants, and invokes great childhood memories, the Sloppy Joe.
It's every bit as big as their burgers, and nice and sloppy.

The lunch to mid-afternoon service can be a bit "indifferent", but I've never had reason to complain.

Bring a keychain or pen light for the menu. It's dark inside even during the day.

Pros: The whole menu.

Cons: Dark. Cash only.

Posted 06/11/06

Here is a Great place when its SUB -ZERO outside the fireplaces the food just AWSOME and it gets better in the summer also .. Great Place to go by yourself or on a Date .. You can unwind and relax no pressure of the daily grind you leave that at the door .. Primo steaks and burgers and awsome fries buts thats my opinion you make yours ...

Pros: Parking, food

Posted 12/30/05

I went to Moody's when it first opened. Its been so long I'm not certain of the year. It was though between 1965 - 1969. When it first opened they were next door and after a few years it became what we know today. My children, wife and I always found it a fantastic place to go. Through the years it still reserves its own special distinctive ID.
This is a very down to earth place ( happily most snobs go somewhere else ). Summer outdoor eating is special with trees, water fountains, some cubbyhole areas and a changing sky to view. There are very few restaurants with Moody's outdoor amenities and ambiance I advise all families with children, young daters or budget oriented persons to try Moody's for memorable ambiance, economy & the best Hamburger & Fries and devoid of the Rush St. Rush and elitism.

Pros: very economical, great family place, Great Hambg's

Posted 09/07/05

The Burgers were the BEST we've ever tasted. Bleu cheese and the Cheddar were our picks. Plenty of fries come with the burger. Becks on tap!!! The service was great. Definitely have the Onion Rings...definitely way above the "typical chain" quality. Ample free parking. Cash ATM's are nearby - the prices are definitely worth this minor inconvenience though. We are bringing back friends.

Pros: Food, Parking, Value

Cons: Cash Only

Posted 09/03/05

Eat these burgers. Man, they are good. I am getting hungry just thinking about one.

Pros: burgers, fries, weird ambience

Cons: few drink options

Posted 06/12/05

When you crave a juicy, beefy-tasting hamburger, Moody's Pub is where you want to go. Their bleu cheese burger will steal your heart, and their onion rings will erase your desire for anyone else's. It is a little hard to read the menu with the dim light, but the staff knows how to assist, and the bar drinks are packed with PUNCH! Overall, the greatest burger value in town.

Pros: Superb burgers, great bar staff, parking

Cons: dim lighting, noisy

Posted 06/04/05

If you took away the atmosphere at Moody's, the pitch darkness, the stifling heat, the peanut shells on the floor, all you'd have would be a place that makes great burgers. The strangeness of the place is what makes it superior. There are a lot of good restaurants in Chicago, but very few of them make me want to start a band. If you know what I mean by that, you'll love Moody's.

Pros: tasty drinks, burgers, ambience

Cons: frequently crowded

Posted 05/17/05

While Moody's does have very good burgers and fries, the negatives far outweigh the positives. The service can be very sketchy. 3 of the 4 times I have been here, I have had bad service. The bar is way to smoky and dark. They should rent miner helmet lights like in the coal mine... There are too many tables in the dining room to walk. They charge for refills on Coke and the food is not value priced. Overall, there are better fireside pubs and better burger joints too....

Pros: Hamburgers, Fries, Outdoor Garden

Cons: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke, Too dark, Bad Service

Posted 03/10/05

I love the burgers here. The menu is limited so you'd go here for what they have that you know you like. You definitely wouldn't be looking for a new and exciting dish to tempt your taste buds at this place. Also I like to go to this place when I don't look my best because it's really dark in there.

Posted 08/15/04

Where could one go in the middle of the city and think he was in a forest preserve or other such surroundings? Why, Moody's to be sure! Noise from the street seems to evaporate and nothing could be finer than dining at dusk or by moonlight surrounded by trees, with the stars overhead providing the ceiling. Service is friendly, courteous, prompt and food, scrumptious. Delightful dining; ambiance, and in the winter, fireplace offers warmth and glow.

Pros: Good parking, inexpensive, user friendly

Posted 05/26/04

Burgers were dry
Beer choices were pathetic, considering they have a hugh uh.... "Beer Garden"! We couldn't get mushrooms on our burgers,(they weren't offering them anymore) Overrated to say the least. I'd rather have "Mr Jays"!

Pros: Outdoor setting, Prompt Service

Cons: , Warm on draught beer, Dry/plain burgers

Posted 05/12/04

do go in summer when you can eat outdoors-inside can be too smoky. the patio is nice and large and
even though service can be slow, it's worth it for the burgers-especially the blue cheese!

Posted 01/13/04

I recently moved to the neighborhood of Edgewater (to which I affectionately refer as "the E-Dub.") I figured I would try Moody's Pub, since it's convenient and all. My overall impression is that it's a great little neighborhood joint, with good cheap burgers, a warm fireplace, and a friendly atmosphere. To those who have posted negative reviews-- what were you expecting? The Ritz? The burger I had was terrific (admittedly, they could use better-quality buns for the burgers, but since I avoid refined flour, it's a moot point for me anyway.) The atmosphere was dark, and, for the kind of place it is, that's a good thing! So, if you want a tasty burger that won't empty your wallet, head to Moody's Pub in the E-Dub.

Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly

Posted 11/01/03

This is a great neighborhood hangout. When you walk in, there's a tub of roasted peanuts for you to munch on while you wait for a table. Turnover is a slow but there are a lot of tables so the wait isn't too bad. The Moodymama is a good foofoo drink if you're in the mood for something sweet and tropical tasting. The Moody Bleu Burger is great. The bleu cheese is the right combination of creamy mayo (I think) and bleu cheese. The waitstaff is overworked but good.

Pros: Parking, Inexpensive

Posted 03/07/03

If you're not in the mood for the classic burger, try one of their home made sloppy Joes. They're big, messy, and just like mother used to make.

Posted 02/07/03

This place has the BEST burgers in Chicago. I should know...hamburgers are my favorite food in the entire world. The inside of the pub is VERY dark and a little smoky from the grills, but well worth it. The patio is fantastic, bring the kids, they are welcome at Moody's...a rare thing in resturants these days.

Go and enjoy the best burger and fries you'll ever eat.

Pros: inespensive, great burgers, great patio

Cons: not enough parking, too dark inside

Posted 01/03/03

Moody's is fantastic! I was first introduced by one of my friends who lives in the area. What a treat! I had a bleu cheese burger that was to die for. And the drinks are cheap (at least, that's how I remember them), and the atmosphere is great. Two thumbs up, more if I had them!

Pros: Laid-back, Dark, Cheap drinks

Cons: Dark, A little understaffed, Can be crowded

Posted 12/11/02

The fireplaces are great, the parking's decent, but you can't get the cooks to make a burger that isn't dry as heck. I don't know if it's the flaming grill or what, but the meat is obviously good -- but the cooking is always overdone. The grease on the fries is a bit much...

Pros: Lots of Coupons, Nice Fireplaces

Cons: Dry Burgers, Limited Beer Choice

Posted 11/13/02

Moody's burgers are definitely some of the best in Chicago. They use ground sirlon, and you can definitely taste the difference. And, the ambience can't be beat -- the city's best beer garden in the summer and a nice, cozy, dark pub with fireplaces in the winter. Strongly recommended.

Pros: free parking, inexpensive, beer garden

Cons: spotty service

Posted 10/16/02

Actually, the burgers are pretty good....though you have to wonder why they keep it so dark, maybe they don't want us to SEE what their burgers look like! Guess it's a good place to take an ugly date I suppose...

Pros: Good service, Good outdoor seating, Cheap

Cons: Too dark

Posted 08/25/02

great burgers - outdoor dining/beer garden
service a little slow because wait staff too small
takes a while to get food as well

Posted 08/25/02

Gorgeous patio. Best Blue Cheese Burger in town. Fabulous sangria! Who could ask for more?

Posted 08/12/02

Best hamburger and fries in the city. Great beer garden ambience.

Pros: Beer Garden, Good Parking, Inexpensive

Posted 08/10/02

The only place I have been to in Chicago for the best burger. It cooked just the way I liked it not to mention, the green olives, adds just the right amount flavoring. The fires seemed to be hand cut. they are just as good as the burgers. I would love to see a double burger at Moodys just to get twice the taste in one bite. Thank you for the best burger in town!

Pros: Inexpensive, outside/inside, city institution

Cons: sometimes slow, worth the wait, no air conditioning

Posted 08/07/02

I rate Moody's Pub a 9 and ***!!! When I first went there with friends I said that I definately wuld come again when I am in the mood for a terrific burger!!!!

Posted 08/07/02

This is quite possibly the best burger you will find in Chicago! Try the "Moody Blue" burger, it is fabulous! The outdoor dining room is a great place for families by day and couples dining by candlelight by night. Highly recomended!

Pros: Inexpensive, Free parking, Huge portions

Cons: Cramped indoor dining

Posted 08/01/02

They're burgers are simply the best! Big and juicy and the price is right. I've been a huge fan since I moved here three years ago. I love getting a group together and going to Moody's during the winter when they have the fireplace going. It's warm and relaxing on a cold January evening.

Posted 07/23/02

No kidding. This is the best place for burgers, I dare say, in the Midwest. It's a quirky place - very dark inside. Dine on the patio so you can see what's going on. Have a pitcher of good 'ole American beer and chow down on the freshest, juiciest cheeseburger this side of the Mississippi. Don't forget the fries - good and greasy.

Posted 06/26/02

I could go on and on about how much I love Moody's!!! The BEST burgers in the city!!! I have been going there for about fifteen years and have never, not even once, been disappointed by anything. I've tried everything on the menu and it's all great; but, if it's your first time, you have to order a burger! They even ask how you would like it cooked. How many places do that?! And fellow women: take a "meat & potaoes & beer" kind of guy here and you will totally win his heart (and forget your "diet".....inhale that burger and impress him!!)

Pros: dark pub atmosphere, great pub food, good parking

Cons: tight seating

Posted 06/13/02

Moody's is a great place to go for a burger!!! The resturant is very dark with a rustic motif. Nice to go to if you really want to relax and talk to someone over a casual meal. The sangria is very good also.

Pros: Good parking, Inexpensive, Good food

Posted 05/28/02