Cooper's

Walked by a million times but never stopped. Now that its nice weather we wanted to go somewhere with a patio so we stopped in not expecting much. We were seated immediately. The staff was friendly and attentive and the food was great and reasonably priced. I can't believe it took me so long to try, I will definately go back.

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Posted 06/15/09

My wife and I popped in on a whim last night (mostly because it looked inviting from the outside, plus a knee injury kept me from walking as far as we otherwise might have). We were greeted upon entry and treated like we were part of the family (as I noticed a couple of other patrons were later).

We had a fantastic lettuce/cranberry/balsamic salad to start, followed by a BBQ chicken pizza that contained little islands of special flavor with every bite. The crust wasn't wafer-thin and was crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside. We followed this with a chocotini and their mint ice cream sandwich. The mint ice cream is the most incredible I've ever tasted. It wouldn't surprise me if there were piece of real spearmint in there. The flavors were powerful, complimentary to each other, from start to finish. Plus, they brew a mean, strong cup of coffee.

The service was fast and due to my wife's food allergies (pine and certain bakery preservatives), we had to ask about the food. The man (I assume he's the owner or at least a manager -- either way, he rocks!) answered all our questions cheerfully and went out of his way to accomodate us. We'd have loved to have wished him good night, but he was off being amazing with another table, which we understand.

The decor is inviting and relaxing and the restrooms were clean and quirky (in a good way). High marks all around!

We'd not only return, we'd be tempted to move closer just so we could eat here more often. A fantastic experience and all at a reasonable price.

Pros: Great service at reasonable prices in a great setting

Cons: I can't go back more often

Posted 10/20/08

I agree. This is definitely a "hidden jem" in Lakeview. I live right down the street from this place, and boy am I glad that I gave it a try. With limited dining options in the Southport Corridor/Belmont area (Southport has great stores, but lacks the food aspect), I was pleased to come across a place that's affordable, friendly and has outdoor seating. The waitstaff is always very helpful in recommending a beer and what kinda of sandwich to get. I love that I can go in any night of the week, and be guaranteed to grab a table or a stool at the bar. Definitely check it out if you are looking for a casual, cozy and inviting atmosphere! KUDOS to Cooper's! PS--The BBQ stuff is DELICIOUS!

Pros: Good selection of food, GREAT beer selection, friendly service

Cons: Outdoor seating not always open

Posted 06/17/08

I normally browse these sites to get a feel for a place before I try it out. Today I decided to see what some people are saying about some of my favorite places, and based on reading some of the reviews on Coopers, I was compelled to write a defense.
I live in Lakeview and my wife and I go out to eat a lot. I actually found out about Coopers when we were forced to leave an all you can eat and drink affair at Joey's Brickhouse, because it was appalling (even though it was free), and wandered into Coopers. I have become a regular ever since.
The beer was the first thing I noticed. No Miller, no corona, no amstel, and no Bud Lime; my kind of place. Belgians galore, and great American microbrews covered the double sided menu. Or server, Mike, blew us away with his knowledge of what seemed like every beer on the list. We gave him suggestions, and he gave us perfect direction. I have gotten to the point where I can give Mike a one word description of a beer and he always brings me something new and amazing.
While my wife and I were enjoying our brew, another man named Craig, who turned out to be one of the owners, came and sat down at our table with a beer of his own. He looked at what we were drinking, gave us some friendly info on why he loved both of our beers, and chatted us up like we were old friends. He asked us what we were eating, and then told us what we should get. Being that the Pork takes 5 days to make, and they smoke all of their own BBQ there, we got some BBQ. I have ordered the same thing everytime I have gone back and can't seem to change my ways.
Everything about Coopers is amazing. Craig and Mandy put everything they have into that place (for I always seem to see them there. Take a vacation, guys). The service and knowledge is top notch. They actually care about what you like and will take the time to get exactly what you have a craving for. And, if haven't noticed, they won a Citysearch award for Best BBQ and best Bar Food. Enough said.

Pros: BBQ, Beer, Service, French Fries

Posted 06/13/08

The ribs were very salty and dry. Perhaps they used too much dry rub. There was also a very strong mesquit smokey taste to them. Just not the juicy saucey fall off the bone that I love..

Beer list was outstanding.
Staff was knowlegable about the beer list and the menu.
Great sides.. A great cozy local spot, I look foward to going back and finding a dish that I enjoy..

Pros: Great service

Cons: Bad Ribs

Posted 03/26/08

I recently had dinner with 25 friends before attending a theater production. My optimism was replaced with disappointment by the end of the meal. I had ordered the BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza and discovered that while eating it something was rolling around on my tongue which turned out to be a piece of curly sharp metal which my dinner mates believed looked like a staple - it actually turned out to be a metal shaving from the scrubbing pad that the kitchen help uses. How it got into my pizza, I'm afraid to ask, and by the look of the kitchen help, I was more afraid to know than ever. I brought my little piece of metal to the person who claimed to be the manager and was met with a look of disdain, a lukewarm apology and no compensation on my resulting dinner check. Which to add insult to a possible injury, reflected a $3.00 deduction in price with no explanation by the manager nor by the disinterested waitress who acted as if this large dinner group was interrupting her plans to do something else.

All I can say is, if the management at this establishment had done the right thing and provided more of a satisfactory effort in attempting to allay my anxiety about the whole situation, I wouldn't be writing this right now. As a matter of fact with 25 dinner guests all witnessing this, one would think that doing the right thing is of the utmost important - if only to ensure that word of mouth doesn't get out and travel to others who may now re-consider having any meal served to them at this place.

Diners--beware!

Pros: conveniently located

Cons: foreign objects in the food

Posted 02/20/08

Lived in the area over a year before I tried this place, boy was I missing out. The amtosphere is warm and cozy, staff is friendly, not pushy, or fake. Menu I found to be small, but they make up for it with the Beer list. If you go and Pumpkin soup is the special, try it, my taste buds are glad I did.

Pros: Beer List

Cons: Limited Seating

Posted 10/25/07

I still don't understand why I'm able to walk up to Cooper's on a Saturday night and get a table right away.

The pulled pork sandwich is possibly the tastiest thing I've ever had.

Go on Thursday nights to get a pizza for half off. The beer menu is intriguing and fun. The staff are super knowledgeable on the drinks and will assist in your ordering of food and drink if you ask.

Darts on the deck are a nice touch, free parking during the week, smoked pork for over a day. I also like the artichoke app.

The owner is also a server, everything they do is in an attempt to get your repeat business, so that's kind of nice.

Pros: free parking during the week, 8 bucks on weekend. great service, great food, great beer.

Cons: doesn't open till 4 pm on most (all?) days and occasionally closed for private parties (which could be a pro if you're having the party)

Posted 09/25/07

After about 3 prior good experiences, some friends and I decided to pay Cooper's another visit. We were deeply disappointed. Instead of ordering the pork tenderloin and flank steak like we did in the past, those options were reduced to sandwiches and ribs. That would've been fine with us, except the quality of the food was substandard. The BBQ baked beans were served cold. I'm not talking luke warm, I'm talking stone cold. The ribs, pulled pork, and brisket were okay, but nothing great. We finished the meal off with some sort of chocolate chip mint brownie. The less than personable waitress must have slapped this froven mess in foil on a plate and called it "dessert". Cooper's made some changes...for the worse!

Cons: Service, quality of food

Posted 09/21/07

During the winter, I was thinking of coming here, and was told not to because "It's always dead... no one is ever in there." Well, listening to that comment was pretty silly! Several months later, on one of the first nice days of the year, my boyfriend and I were walking around our neighborhood, and we stumbled upon this place. Firstly, we were impressed by the beer list, especially as self-declared "beer snobs." They have a great selection, so far in Chicago, second only to Hopleaf and Maproom, as far as I know. Then our food came... It was great!!! All the food is homemade and fresh! One of the owners is the head chef there, and he is really nice and friendly. Actually, all of the staff there is pretty cool. Since then, we have been back on a regular basis. The same people are always working there, and so they have come to recognize us as "regulars," truly helping to live up to the theme of "neighborhood eatery." When the weather's warm, we like to sit on the patio and bring our little dog.... the staff even treats him well! We love it here, and will be back, probably soon :)

Pros: Drink list, food, service

Cons: Can't think of any!

Posted 07/25/07

I stopped in one night to try the pulled pork sandwich and was truly amazed. I've been there numerous times since and have had the pulled pork sandwich every time. The beer selection is phenomenal and if you're stumped the staff always has great recommendations. It can get busy on the weekends so best to call for a reservation.

Pros: Free parking behind the restaurant during the week

Cons: none

Posted 03/01/07

Most of the postings on here are for Menagerie, which is now Coopers (different concept/food so they cannot be compared). Coopers is awesome. EVERYTHING is prepared FRESH in the restaurant (they even make the ice cream by hand, including homemade marshmallows to go in it). It's really nice having everything so fresh and the owners are really friendly. They have an AMAZING selection of beer from all over the world and great live music! It is a fun place to go out to eat with friends in the summer because they have outdoor seating with live music, great beer, and awesome food.

Pros: awesome food, great staff, fun music

Cons: ??????

Posted 08/16/06

Since discovering this oasis in Lakeview, the pizzas and PULLED PORK SANDWICH have become a staple of my diet. Trust me, PULLED PORK SANDWICH deserves to be capitalized. The super-friendly (but not annoying) waiter informed us it takes six, thats 6, days to create this delicious pork. The spicy bbq sauce and coleslaw within the sandwich makes me literally think about this sandwich when I am not there. The mussels and pommes make this meal complete heaven. I strongly reccommend grabbing a seat on the patio or infront of the open air french doors and enjoyhing the neighborhood folks as well as the fun staff. A nice change from trendy Southport and crazy Wrigleyville.

Posted 08/14/06

Charming decor, comfortable setting. The food is fun and inventive without being pretentious. Servers are laid-back and easy to talk to yet skilled and knowledgable about menu and wine list. Chefs/co-owners are creative and friendly, often mingling with guests in the dining room. Tapas plates are fun to share, and entrees are well prepared. Perfect place for a date or a group dinner! All in all, a great neighborhood spot with a lot of bang for your buck.

Pros: Value, Parking lot, Customer service

Posted 01/30/05

Went out of our way to check out this establishment on a day when it had snowed a foot. The restuarant was half empty but the host still made us wait and then bothered to check if we had a reservation. Once we were seated, we looked forward to the prix fixe dinner advertised on their website. The host 'corrected' us by saying they had a pre theatre menu, but he still gave us the menus without any preconditions. When we were ready to order, however, our waitress asked if we were going to a show. Since we were not, we were denied our choices. We hailed the original host to see if he could help us out, but rather than welcome our patronage when business was so light, he ended up being more concerned about upholding policy than making these customers happy!

Posted 01/21/05

What a jewel!
Creative yet comfortable food. Friendly and enthusiastic service. Charming room with beautiful artwork. Affordable, enjoyable and overall just a great time. I am so excited to have found this place and will return with all my friends. It is so rare to find a place like this nowadays, and I hope these young people can keep up the great work!

Pros: great food, great atmosphere

Posted 05/13/04

Very comfortable, cozy and friendly staff. They had a few hiccups getting their serving down correctly (like forgetting someone's fork, etc.), but otherwise, a great dinner.

Posted 11/15/03

If you're looking for a little something for everyone with flair, Menagerie is for you. Unique and fun dishes promise you'll leave this "Eclectice Utopia" with a tickled palatte.

Pros: Amazing food, Unique decor

Posted 07/04/03

I went there recently...the service was great, from our wait at the bar to our post-meal coffee. Great food too, we loved the mushroom tart and the "fish and chips" tuna tempura. But the best was the seafood risotto, which is an appetizer I had as a main dish. Outstanding pieces of shrimp and scallops! Definitely recommended

Pros: good food, good service

Posted 05/08/03

food was delicious, service could be improved but the lovely ambience makes up for it.

Pros: Ambience, Great Food

Posted 04/07/03