- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Acre
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
5308 N Clark St(between Berwyn Ave & Summerdale Ave)
Chicago, IL 60640
Neighborhoods: Andersonville, Edgewater
(773) 334-7600
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
243 reviews for Acre
Review Highlights
-
"We used to hit Charlie's Ale House, probably once a month..." In 24 reviews -
"...of sauce, have you ever had fig jam on a pork burger." In 13 reviews -
"The deviled eggs were awesome." In 14 reviews
Loading...
243 reviews in English
-
Review from Ben K.
5/25/2012
This is the spot for craft beer - seriously. Bill behind the bar knows his stuff and gets amazing, hard to find selections in. I was ecstatic to discover this place during Chicago Craft Beer Week and I will surely now be stopping by with some regularity to get my fix.
Also in addition to great selection, the service is friendly and the prices are phenomenal. Bourbon County Vanilla on tap for $7! What a steal!
I'm excited to come back and try the food as well. -
Review from Samuel M.
5/6/2012
Came here earlier in the week - we were trying to go to Ombra next door, but the owner invited us in, and it was awkward to turn him down, so we wound up going in.
All in all, the dining experience is a mixed bag. Mussels are tender and served in a tomatoey broth, but are a little on the salty side. Grilled octopus that is on special comes with piquant green garlic vinaigrette but the cephalopod itself is almost inedibly fishy. Brisket entree is quite good; while the meat itself does not burst with flavor, it is fork-tender, and the beans that accompany it are very good. Spiced cake with red wine ice cream is a pleasant cap, and the beer list is extensive and pretty good.
Service was pretty mixed as well; at times overly attentive, at other times nowhere to be found. All in all, Acre is a pleasant but unremarkable restaurant; there are better places in Chicago, and probably in this building, to spend this kind of money on food. I'd recommend it on nights when other places are too crowded! -
Review from Paul S.
Manhattan, NY
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Now normally when I sit down, read a menu, and have no idea what they are talking about, I look for ways to leave...you know, forgot my wallet, need to check my car, chew an Alka-Seltzer tablet and drop to the floor foaming at the mouth, etc. Despite reading things like "swiss chard" (huh?), "robiolo" (come again?), and "stinging nettles" (WTF?), my wife and I put our pallets in the hands of the chef and were pleasantly surprised. We shared the beet salad which was plated separately for us to have our own portion. My vegeterrorist wife had the "griddled" cheese and I had the "braised chicken leg". I'd love to tell you what it came with but honestly have no idea except to say that everything worked together in harmony and not a morsel was left when we were done. The fries my wife had (and I poached when possible) were perfectly seasoned and crispy. Lastly, we shared the chocolate cake with milk chocolate stout ice cream - yep, you read correctly, there was beer in the ice cream;o) Oh did I forget to mention that this place has a pretty amazing beer menu too? No Budweiser or Heineken here my friends but the staff will point you in the right direction if you tell them what you like.
This was a good meal and experience. One word of warning though, the later you arrive the louder this place will be so if you are planning on doing anything but smile awkwardly across the table at each other, use sign language, or yell at each other (which I get enough of at home) get their a little early. Not early-bird special early but somewhere in the 6pm - 7pm range should work... -
Review from Jessica G.
Chicago, IL
5/22/2012
The brunch burger and a yummy bloody mary from here is the perfect Sunday Brunch indulgence! Wish they would update/change their ketchup. They make it in house and it is not very tasty. Overall, though I am a fan!
-
Review from David D.
Chicago, IL
4/14/2012
My girlfriend and I stopped in here for an impromptu brunch a couple weeks ago, and both of us absolutely loved what we ordered. Unfortunately, I waited too long to write this review, so we don't quite remember what we both ordered.
We do remember the bloody marys being very good, spicy and served with a well-appreciated beer back. Or maybe we ordered a beer with them. Not sure on that one, but I do remember a brisket hash that was one of the best brunch items I have had anywhere, served by a very nice bar tender.
Obviously, we both have a few gaps to fill in on Acre, and I look forward to refreshing my memory soon. It was a fast, friendly delicious weekend brunch spot in Andersonville - which I didn't know existed (the fast part, at least) before popping in for a bite. -
Review from Tiffany C.
Chicago, IL
5/11/2012
Food is pricey for what you get, but it tasted decent enough. Im interested to see how it is with their new chef. I have not eaten here since January 2011.
I give it high ratings for the drinks. The wine is fantastic. Great selection and portion. The mixed drinks are always very well done.
The bar tenders and servers have all had great customer service whenever I have come here. -
Review from Sarah K.
Chicago, IL
5/5/2012
Just had brunch here and it was great all around. Service was fantastic and everyone at my table enjoyed their food (trout hash; chilaquiles; chicken & waffles; pork burger). I want to come back to try dinner for sure. Like that you can make reservations for brunch.
-
Review from Jay S.
Astoria, NY
2/28/2012
Visited here last night, the dreaded Monday night of restaurant dining in Chicago, and had a pretty good time. The food was actually really good. The chef, Carlos came to our table, made an accommodating meal for my mother who's one of the pickiest eaters on the planet. The mash potatoes he made weren't that great, and were a bit watery, but we didn't complain since they weren't even on the menu. If this place had more "side" options, I'd probably be looking at a 5. We'd go back - other than our waitress (just didn't seem very knowledgeable), the service and food was great. Beer menu is extensive as well.
additional note...
My original submission here did absolutely no justice to the fact that the chef was outright amazing!!! This is seriously why I am giving this place 4 stars and if it weren't for the small nuances above, a 5 all the way. They got very lucky with this guy and again, my wife and I will definitely be back here soon. Starters, fish, chicken, pork, all just downright amazing. remind me to never write reviews first thing in the morning again. -
Review from Christina Z.
Chicago, IL
3/13/2012
This review is about Acre's brunch, as that's all I've experienced there.
I have been to Acre for brunch now several times (I think four or five times). And I WANT to love it... and some aspects, they really get right. My partner and I both agree that the coffee is *the best brunch coffee in Andersonville* (and we're both total coffee snobs). (I'm looking at you, M Henry, with your UHT packets of half and half on the table.) It's Metropolis coffee, served in a white ceramic mug, with unlimited refills, and small pitcher of cream on the table, and sugar. We practically just go for that wonderful, wonderful brunch coffee.
Both the servers we have had have been excellent (one from Italy). And the interior is really tasteful and beautiful. It's also never too crowded and you get seated right away (I'm looking at you again, M Henry).
The food is where they have fallen short. They have been really hit or miss... mostly miss. And this is where it's the most unfortunate! I love the idea of modern eclectic American cuisine, and they list all the local providers of their food. So what could go so terribly wrong? Must be the cooks. The waffles I had this last Sunday were disappointingly dry and flavorless. The "griddled cheese" we both had another time was just... not good at all. The frittata was disappointing, to say the least. We have occasionally had good items -- the fries are good, and I once had a tomato-watermelon-cucumber gazpacho that was delectable.
Please, Acre, just step up and put out better food! You could do a lot better, and become the best brunch spot in Andersonville (sorry, M Henry)! -
Review from Elizabeth N.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2012
So I had never heard anything about Acre - but it ended up being the plans for a friend's birthday dinner. I was very surprised and happy with how great everything went.
I am not a beer drinker - but everyone seemed to enjoy the beer list. The waiter was very patient with us as we spent a very long time talking and reading the menu. We asked for his recomendations (and he said - he hadn't looked at the menu yet...really it's 8 pm?!?). Oh well, we ended up getting a bunch of small plates and sharing with each other.
Everything was fantastic - I loved the variety - the shrimp was fantastic!
All in all - loved the vibe and the food was great, prices reasonable. It is not really near where I live - but I would go back again. -
Review from KELLIE K.
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Old McViking had a restaurant
E i e i o
And in that restaurant there was some beer
E i e i o
With a beer beer here
And a beer beer there
Here a beer, there a beer
Everywhere a beer beer
Old McViking had a restaurant
E i e i o
The +1 and I hit up Acre for drinks only one evening. All I really wanted was a beer after dinner at another local BYO restaurant.
The bar side remains pretty much the same bar as its previous incarnation of Charlie's. Acre does seem to have more wine selections and a few new brews.
However...
We didn't get enough of a chance to experience it entirely. We waited at the bar for quite a bit while the bartender finished a conversation with another staff member. There were only a few other customers in the place.
I know a lot of people, like myself, were Charlie's regulars and I was willing to give it a chance.
I gave It a go. Not sure I'll be back soon.Listed in: Walk This Way
-
Review from Greg H.
Chicago, IL
4/29/2012
Still not sure what the owners were thinking when they redid Charlie's. It's no longer a go-to destination in Andersonville, in my opinion.
-
Review from Christina P.
Chicago, IL
2/11/2012
This place has a very extensive beer list, however our disinterested server had absolutely no knowledge on any of the beers and there are not any descriptions listed on the menu. When we asked a few questions on the beers he told us he's not really a beer person. Okay.....that's really helpful. The menu classifies the beers as (b) Belgian style, (h) hoppy, etc. but there are many different types of Belgian-style beers so I ended up just taking a chance on one of them and it turned out to be awful. Our server was super awkward when I politely asked for a different beer and he told me that since it was in a bottle and the manager couldn't resell it (um?) they would have to charge me for it. Niiiice. I will not be going back.
Our food was average all around the table but there was one positive review from my friend who had the pork burger.
I am giving it two stars because the space is well done and despite the dining experience I had a great time catching up with my friends in a cozy booth. -
Review from Dan G.
4/4/2012
We stopped here for dinner on a lets walk to Andersonville and find a restaurant we haven't tried. Really a beautiful place, the bar looks like it stretches and curves for a while. The ceiling is copper, and the kind you always wanted in your vintage kitchen.
We were greeted right away and sat by the window for some people watching. They are on par with the rest of the brew pubs, offering a good selection of beers, but nothing that you haven't seen elsewhere. The menu is the basic gastropub fare. We started with the deviled eggs. They were topped with smoked trout and some picked peppers. Great starter. Got the taste buds flowing. I ordered the pork burger which sounded interesting but fell a little flat flavor-wise. The sweetness of the blueberry jam on it was great match with the saltiness of the burger but the burger just didn't live up to the hype on the menu. It was A-Okay. My dining partner got the Mushroom Risotto. The little taste I got was delicious. Great risotto, didn't expect that at this kind of place. The portions were good, the service was a little flaky at times, the waiter had some friends there, that he was more interested in than us. Would I go back here? Maybe. Andersonville is full of great eats this one is good but just doesn't stick out. -
Review from Kristen H.
Chicago, IL
1/6/2012
Oh Acre such potential in flavor combinations on the menu, but merely acceptable execution from the kitchen that is experienced at the table.
Beers: If you like beer the menu offers a wide assortment grouped together by style which is a nice touch.
The gentleman accompanying me quoted: "Acre is getting better with each visit". With that said, I wasn't willing to commit myself to 1 entree for myself and preferred the pick at many dishes type of meal. Here's what we had:
Fennel salad with grapefruit vinaigrette and manchego cheese - simple and tasty, but it's a salad and shouldn't be rocket science. Good crunch.
Wood Grilled Marinated Spicy Shrimp - please don't call a dish spicy if there isn't any spice. I liked the flavoring, but the dish name is misleading.
Caramelized Onion & Pear Tart - whoa onion and sorry pear there's just no way to taste you. I mean don't get me wrong, I like me some caramelized onion, but you overpowered and took over the dish - simmer please.
Dumpling - pork & the flavors were totally there, but dough-a-licous. Might be time to revisit that recipe.
Porkburger - the combination of the pork & raspberry jam hit the spot, not sure the bacon is necessary. I know I'm committing a sin to dis the bacon because usually "everything tastes better with bacon" - not in this case.
The waiter was great, the spot is cozy and comfortable, now just take the potential of the menu combinations and get that kitchen to execute and the stars will be arising! -
Review from Ellie B.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 1/17/2012
After coming here about a dozen times for both dinner and brunch, I still do not understand all of the negative reviews. Perhaps people need to adjust their expectations before walking in the door. And if you miss Charlie's Ale House, it is time to mourn the loss and move on.
The food at Acre is what I would call American new. If you are looking for a plain cheeseburger, you may not find it, but what you'll find in its place will be a creative burger that is still delicious. Don't hate on the food just because it's not plain and boring. Keep an open mind and you'll do just fine.
I have had nothing but quality service every time I have been to Acre. Every. Single. Time. The staff has been gracious and attentive; always knowledgeable and never pretentious.
The beer and wine selections are both great. They have a lot of beer on tap that I have only seen in bottles elsewhere. I consider this a big plus.
Overall, I am a big fan of Acre and I don't see what all the bellyaching is about. Charlie's is over and it is time to embrace the next step: a sophisticated establishment serving locally-sourced, deliciously prepared food accompanied by great beer and wine.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/2/2011
I have so many great - not good, great - things to say about Acre and some things to refute from the… Read more »
-
-
Review from Cameron K.
Chicago, IL
3/22/2012
Although I live in the neighborhood, I had never been to Acre before last night. And after last night, I probably won't be back. I would love nothing more than a solid restaurant serving this kind of food at this price point, but Acre is not getting it done. Two main problems: the sound level and the food.
I was looking for a restaurant to have a drink and dinner while I chatted with my friend. Unfortunately, the place was so loud we had to yell at each other to be heard. We were there on a beautiful Wednesday evening, so the windows were open. But the majority of the noise was coming from inside, not outside. There is no sound insulation in the place at all, and if you are unlucky enough to be there when there is a loud party at the bar, like we were....good luck.
Most of the food was not terrible, but it wasn't great. I had the asparagus salad, which was overdressed and too salty - I think the salt level came from the bread crumbs, which were unnecessary and a little overwhelming. My friend had the beet salad, which she deemed "just ok." Then we split the chicken liver tartinas and the sausage plate. The chicken liver was passable; the sausages were terrible. Overcooked and incredibly dry, and at least one of them had an extraordinarly odd crumbly texture. We didn't finish any of the food.
So I won't go back. Maybe we ordered poorly, but if a restaurant can't deliver anything better than "just ok" on four separate dishes, it doesn't get a second chance. -
Review from Ezra E.
Chicago, IL
1/8/2012
Stopped in on a Saturday for lunch.
We were seated right away. The beer menu was impressive and the dishes sounded quite good.
The place was cold enough that I ket my hat on and considered a jacket.
Our waitress did come over quickly and take our orders.
We started with the empanadas apps hitch was very good though there were only two. My wife had the vegetable tart and I had the trout hash.
None of the portions were adequate.
The empanadas were decent but there were key two- for $10.00
The tart was about 6"x2"x1/4" and came with 10 baby spinach leaves.
The trout hash was greasy and i will admit that there were visible trout pieces, there were only about 3 of them. The egg soto of the hash were sunny side up on the runny side. It's a matter of taste i know but I believe white should be solid and yolk runny. That aside I could taste the trout which was nice. That's about all that was nice.
The coffee was mediocre but pleasantly strong but cost $3.95 (not listed on the menu).
The waitress took 20 minutes to return with coffee after my wife asked for a refill despite only having four tables to serve.
over all the experience was disappointing and at $42.00 was extremely over priced for the amount of food. Seriously...$4 coffee? I'd expect that at the over priced koi across the street but then that'd be a bottomless cup of super strong bitter black.
Skip this place. -
Review from Jenna P.
Chicago, IL
5/8/2012
oh, acre. things i love: beer selection, size of the wine servings (1/3 bottle for what you usually pay for 1 glass), the long bar and cozy booths, typically inventive salads and even some delicious flatbreads and other apps.
not a fan of: service can be spotty, house made ketchup is iffy. mainly the occasionally iffy service. -
Review from Annie D.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Acre is chic and rustic inside. Antlers everywhere. I think Portlandia should re-do their "Put a bird on it" episode and change it to "Put an antler on it." So IN... for the next five minutes.
Being cute doesn't always cut it, and the brunch and service at Acre a couple of weeks ago didn't garner any more than three stars for me. Nothing was bad, but it was just nothing to woo about. I can definitely see this being a 4-5 star experience to grab a beer though. Their beer selection is off-the-chain.
The concept is farm-to-table and the brunch menu offered things like a seasonal frittata, pumpkin french toast, chilaquiles and Amish fried chicken and waffles. Both the guys at our table wanted the chicken and waffles, and shed tears when our server told us it was 86ed for the day (it was only noon).
I had the corn cakes with slow-cooked pulled pork confit, poached eggs and chorizo. This was good, though different from what I expected since it wasn't pancakes---it was more like squares of cornbread. $11 made it kinda pricey for what it was, but the pork was really tasty so I was cool with it.
My boyfriend ordered the biscuits and gravy, which just looked sad and small. It was the equivalent of one regular sized biscuit with gravy and two eggs with no sides for $10. The gravy was OK, but not good enough to make up for the teensy size.
If you're hungry, order the brunchburger. In comparison to all of our entrees, this was enormous. It's a bacon cheddar burger with an egg on top, served on a huge croissant. It also came with fries. Didn't get a chance to try it, but I drooled at it.
Bloody Marys were solid, beer list is incredible and we didn't have to wait for Saturday brunch when Big Jones was quoting 2-hour waits. So the good news is that you will probably be able to get in here before dinner time. The not-so-good news is that you'll probably over-pay for a meal that's just alright. -
Review from Duncan S.
Chicago, IL
3/20/2012
Still a little undecided on Acre. The craft beer range on draft is quite good. The wine by the glass selections are a little underwhelming. Service can also be a little on the patchy side. At the bar it is usually fairly outstanding at the tables or booths - usually miss. The food is just OK without blowing my hair back. Crowd fairly mixed from the young to the old. The venue has a nice enough feel, a little upmarket food vibe with a casual bar, but something is missing and maybe a little confusing on what Acre is about.
-
Review from Bruce S.
Park Ridge, IL
1/22/2012
I'm sorry I haven't reviewed Acre before now. We've been to Acre about 6 times throughout the summer, fall and winter, and we've liked it so much we've brought three different groups of friends. We even bring our dog to sit outside with us in the summer.
In short, we've never had a bad meal, or bad service. Based on what I read here, we've either been incredibly lucky, or they've fixed any opening jitters. If you haven't been to Acre, go. Go now. They're open for brunch. Go.
First, Acre does the farm to table thing. I like that. There's always something different on the menu. I've had the Pork Burger, outstanding. Several different entrees, all good. My wife likes it too, and she's like Mikey.
The beer selection on draft has been fantastic every time I've gone. Always some great craft selections that challenge you to try some new brews. They've always had some special cocktails that the female group members like.
I realize this is a very general review, but as I stated up front this is a long overdue review for a place that we've come to really enjoy for an evening out or a summer brunch. -
Review from LeAnne K.
Chicago, IL
4/28/2012
I don't write many reviews, but I feel I need to give Acre the credit it deserves.
My boyfriend and I discovered this place about a year ago, and I have yet to be disappointed. We usually come in during the week, around 6 or 7pm. The seasonal menu ensures the freshness of the ingredients, and I personally love the $29 prix fixe menu available during the week. It really is a great deal because you are able to choose any appetizer, entree and dessert off the menu (even the chef's specials).
The octopus seems to be a mainstay on the app menu, and it is crispy on the outside, seasoned wonderfully, and tender inside. The salad it is served with is laden with fresh veggies and delicious purees and sauces. I enjoy the beet and goat cheese salad as well. Since the menu varies day-to-day, the components of the salad vary, but it always comes out fresh and delicious. This week we had a goat confit appetizer, which was awesome. It was formed into a cake (think a goat confit crab cake). It was lightly seared, giving it a delicate pot-pie-esque crust, served over fresh peas and greens with mint and lemon. The chef brought it to us, and came back to get our feedback. A really nice touch.
I have had the amish chicken in the past, and it was tender, juicy and full of flavor. Most recently I had the pork tenderloin (twice in the last week, actually), and even though the chef prepared it differently, both dishes were perfect. The cut of meat was was well-seasoned and not at all dry. The accompaniments complimented the meat without taking away from it. My boyfriend is addicted to the pork burger. I do not eat burgers. I don't like the grease and salt. I enjoyed this burger. It's not greasy. The saltiness of the provolone and bacon combines perfectly with the sweetness of the blueberry jam, and the brioche bun is soft and fresh. The catsup served with the fries is prepared with molasses and I think lemon. Apparently someone complained about this to the waiter. I thought it was creative and worked well.
The bread pudding was great; not too heavy. The pineapple celery sorbet is my favorite. The raspberry, vanilla and almond ice cream trio was a perfect end to our meal. The service is always attentive and helpful, especially Mike and Shoshona. We are definitely drinkers, and the bill is usually a little less than $100. The portion sizes are perfect. Sometimes there are leftovers, sometimes not, but we never left hungry. We will definitely be back. Again and again. -
Review from Leslie G.
9/30/2011
I've been here twice for dinner and really enjoyed my food both times. I first came here during the summer and just had two appetizers for dinner: a pickled beet salad and an heirloom tomato salad. I love beets and heirloom tomatoes, so it was hard to go wrong with those two choices. My only complaint was that the beet salad also included an assortment of fruit (strawberries and such). The sweet flavors of the fruit mixed with the pickled taste of the beets was a bit odd. I think I would have preferred the beets by themselves.
When I came here more recently, the menu had changed for fall and I had the pierogi entree, which included three or four large pierogis filled with pumpkin puree and cheese. Mushrooms and pears came with it. All were delicious.
There are so many enticing dishes on the menu here that make me eager to return soon. It's also really nice that this restaurant gets its food from local and organic farms. Another plus is that I've never had to wait to get a table here, even on a weekend. I like that you don't have to make a reservation to get in.Listed in: Restaurants
-
Review from Y. F.
Chicago, IL
10/31/2011
A friend of mine invited me for dinner at this place.
At the beginning I was skeptical about coming to this place because it did not have great reviews on Yelp.
But dinner was REALLY GREAT. Food was very esthetically arranged, well prepared and tasted amazing.
Service was friendly, nice but not too professional.
The atmosphere was pleasant.
Overall I had a great time dinning here!
PS: Yelp reviews are not always accurate -
Review from Jeff G.
11/3/2011
Glad to see that this place is only 3 star, that is accurate.
we ate there last night. i like their concept in sourcing local, seasonal, and making their own ketchup for example.
however, the food missed.
the squash soup lacked flavor.
the potato au gratin the potatoes were hard and undercooked.
burger was not all that good.
Lady Gregory's has much better food on that same stretch. -
Review from Greg W.
Chicago, IL
10/16/2011
I can't speak highly enough about this restaurant. I had been going there for drinks for a while, since their beer selection is superb, but this was the first time we went for dinner. The start to the meal was inauspicious--it took a while for our drinks to come, even though our appetizer came within about 2 minutes of ordering. Unfortunately the appetizer (fried green tomatoes) seemed to have been sitting in the kitchen for a while, since it was lukewarm and much tougher than it should have been. Then we waited for our mains. And waited. And waited. Eventually I said something to our waitress.
At this point, our experience turned completely around. Not only did our waitress apologize for the delay, she spoke to the chef and the manager. The manager came over to talk to us, and he could not have been more friendly and helpful. We explained the situation, and he immediately offered to buy us a round of drinks and a dessert; and he promised to make sure that our order would be the next up. Sure enough, our food came right out, and it was superb. The pork shoulder was flavorful and tender, and the burger was perfectly cooked. Our dessert was also stellar--a fresh apple poached in a red wine sauce.
It's unfortunate that our meal got off to a bad start, but unfortunately these things happen occasionally. But what really impressed me was how the manager and waitress went well beyond what they needed to do to address our complaint. And the food was terrific, to boot. I will definitely be going back to this restaurant! -
Review from Beth O.
Chicago, IL
1/13/2012
The pseudo-suburban haters who miss Charlie's Ale House should be damned to Panera and Amstel Light for all eternity. Whatever. Yes, portion sizes can be un-American (they do not make me unzip my pants at the table) and the menu of microbrews, belgians and food changes frequently compared to the consistency of the former restaurant, but stay home and eat prunes if you want to be consistent. Acre deserves five stars for the service-- arguably, from Tim to the waitstaff the best in A-ville-- as well as for the food. We always try the rotating variety of tacos (the well-sauced fish/tuna/snapper are especially fresh and tasty); we love the BLT with fried egg; we lust after the fried green tomato salad on cold winter days; and Yelp doesn't even want to know what we do with the sausage plate. Acre elevates comfort food and service each time we visit.
-
Review from Lisa R.
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Open Scene: It's 1p, time for lunch after 5 friends, trying to throw a surprise civil union, get done moving furniture, cleaning, setting up the bar, cleaning, re-arranging the same furniture, cleaning, fighting about re-arranging the same furniture AGAIN.
The *next* errand on the schedule is supposed to be doing the booze run for the reception. I'm the bartender. I'm also supposed to be the responsible one.
Cut to 3:30p: 21 double bourbons & cokes and dark n' stormies have been ordered and consumed by our group. We've essentially molested the kind and gentle waiter. (Although he's awfully smiley and we haven't heard a single complaint). We've ordered EVERY appetizer on the menu and consumed those as well. I guess since this IS a YELP review I should tell you what they were:
Mac n' cheese
Charcuterie
Flatbread with tomator and arugula
Duck confit flatbread
Sausages
deviled eggs (x2)
All were delish. All disappeared.
There was a conference call in there somewhere. There was a round of "Lisa tries to zerbert Adam on the belly" in there somewhere. (I succeeded when his guard went down). There was the always-entertaining game of "is he or isn't he?"
There was spontaneous weeping (because you sit 3 gay men and their dearest female companions together at a table with that much bourbon and there is BOUND to be some tears).
If we had had a sack of bananagrams those would have been played.
It was a GOOD lunch.
We walked back to the brownstone and there was an almost instantaneous napping sound. Ray fell asleep in the bathroom. Adam snoozed on the couch, legs akimbo and belly bared. Shelly curled up in the the scotch chair. I fell asleep on the hardwoord floor, legs up on the other scotch chair. Jeremy snuck around taking pictures of us in our various states of disrepair. And, we neglected to go get the booze for the reception.
But lunch, lunch at ACRE was outstanding. Service, food, ambiance. Damn. Good times. -
Review from Katie M.
Chicago, IL
4/21/2012
While there are not a lot of choices at Acre, the food is very interesting and all the ingredients, although sometimes unusual, seem to compliment each other well. I had the Peirogi and the Veg Risotto. The risotto was amazing but you do not get a lot of food, so don't come to Acre hoping to get a lot for your money. It was pretty delicious though.
-
Review from Leigh C.
Decatur, GA
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice beer menu. Diverse selection, reasonable prices.
The food could use some work. Butternut Squash Soup and Pierogie appetizer each had the flavor of card board. $9 for 3 overcooked pierogies. Boyfriend had the pork burger with shoestring fries and homemade ketchup. I thought the fries and ketchup were also lacking in flavor, but his burger disappeared pretty quickly. I left the restaurant out $50 and still starving.
The service was good. Helpful when needed without being in your face. -
Review from Paige H.
Chicago, IL
8/16/2011
First of all, I had never been to Charlie's before, so I approached Acre with a totally open mind.
They have a nice patio out front with maybe 8 tables or so, which is why we chose it for a little afternoon get together with friends. We were pleasantly surprised by the beer menu, and that is what has kept us going back ever since. So my 5 stars are primarily for the beer and cocktails.
They have a rotating selection of draft beers, which, while not as extensive as Sheffield's or Hopleaf, is thoughtfully chosen and has some good craft brew standbys as well as some more unusual selections. Cocktails are also great--I watched a bartender slice a fresh orange and zest it straight into a drink, which is freshness and attention to detail that you'd be hard pressed to find at a lot of other bars around town. They have some interesting creations that include things like Hum liqour and fresh ginger, and I love that.
Food is also good. They have plenty of options for vegetarians, and everything we ordered off the appetizer menu was very good. I can't recall what they were at the moment, and they don't seem to be on the menu online, which leads me to believe the food menu rotates pretty frequently.
We've never had a problem with service--seems that most of the servers are gay and sometimes a little "out there", so it keeps it fun. If we go during dinner hours and don't plan to eat we sit at the bar, as the tables are reserved for diners. During off-peak hours you can get a patio table just for drinks though. -
Review from M K.
Chicago, IL
1/15/2012
I'm generally not inclined to write reviews, but after reading what has been posted here I feel compelled to comment on my experience at Acre. I've been eating there regularly since it replaced it's predecessor Charlie's Ale House, and I don't go there for the beer-- although I will acknowledge that they seem to have a million different ones, and the few I tasted were rather interesting.
I go to Acre for the food. It's not in my neighborhood, so getting there means driving 50 blocks. But when I get there, I know I can depend on fresh locally sourced food that tastes better than the prices reflect. I'm sort of particular about what I eat, and I go to Acre because I know it will taste like I'm in a gourmet farmer's kitchen.
There aren't 100 things with ridiculous descriptions on the menu-- they are considerate enough to use plain english with acutely accurate descriptions of each entre. The servers have always been quite gracious in offering to elaborate, but it really isn't necessary if you just read the menu--it is totally b.s.-free.
I also like eating weird stuff, and this really isn't the place for that, except for the occasional walk on the weird side in the desert menu(red wine gelato? um, interesting, but saved by it's companion's flavors). Acre is the place for ordering healthy foods that taste better than expected, and it's absolutely consistent!
Now even though I don't drink much (yah, really) I have still sat at the bar a few times, and I want to say that the bartenders there are pretty cool. Not annoyingly hip, and not sports-bar types...they are just cool, attentive and unobtrusive. As for those millions of beers, well the names are pretty trippy, and they tasted good to me but I'm no expert in that department.
So excellent and dependable food, casual and attentive vibe with fair prices--I'm going over there right now. -
Review from Susan B.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2011
Yum!
Really great dinner. The cheese curds were surprisingly light. Salmon was well prepared.
Food was very fresh and well prepared. Would be a great go-to neighborhood spot if we lived nearer.
We did not eat at the prior establishment, so we don't have any comparisons to make. -
Review from Janna N.
Chicago, IL
8/23/2011
So I was doing some research on organic, certified-humane restaurants in Chicago and through my search I found Acre...and it's within walking distance! Yay! (They have a list of all the farms where their meats and vegetables come from next to where they showcase their daily menu on the outside of the building by the door.)
Since my "discovery" I've dined here at least a dozen times and every time I've come the menu has been different and every time I have LOVED my food. The chef is amazing...I've never had a bad meal here.
Here's a few pointers though:
-- Even if there is a "reserved" tag on a patio table, it's not really reserved, they just want you to go into the restaurant and check in with them...they'll then seat you outside if you want.
-- The ketchup that comes with the fries tastes funny (it's the only thing I dislike about this place) but if you ask for a side of BBQ sauce instead, it's all good.
-- When choosing something from the menu, any sandwich that has a farm fresh egg on it, is to die for...seriously!
-- Their salads are not your dinner salad with all the fixings...it really is just an appetizer. -
Review from EJ F.
Chicago, IL
7/18/2011
This place has everything for me. Excellent American cuisine and a fantastic beer list are just the start.
I've been here 3 or 4 times and each time the service has been excellent. The waiters were always helpful and knowledgable about the food and the beer.
The fixed price menu that's available Sunday through Thursday is a steal: appetizer, entree and dessert for $25 a person.
I always find myself trying a food I haven't had before and being blown away by it.
I really can't recommend this place enough. -
Review from brian c.
Chicago, IL
7/23/2011
Neither of us were bowled over by our food. We started with a salad that featured a carrot vinaigrette. It sounded cooler than it actually was. And that theme carried into the entrees. My wife had the salmon dish which featured a squash blossom risotto. The risotto was fair, the salmon was good. Not a homerun. I had a bison flank steak dish, which got me really excited. I ordered medium, it came out closer to medium well. It was decent, but again, not a homerun.
The beer list was probably the selling point of the place. My wife's beer had a dark chocolate infusion, and mine had a sour cherry infusion. They were fun beers, not beers we'd have on a regular basis, but fun and novel beers that we'd remember having tried before. In all honesty, I'd recommend going in and sitting at the bar and having a beer and skipping the meal, as it just doesn't quite measure up to the price.
My experience with the service was better than it was described in some of the reviews I noticed on here. I don't knock any points off for that. -
Review from Jaime G.
7/13/2011 2 photos
Need another excuse to hit this North Side neighborhood? You got it. It's called Acre. Acre is cool restaurant with a sleek atmosphere inside and nice view outside (mostly for people watching). Awesome beer selection (i think they have 30 beers on top - mostly great quality craft beers, like the Mud Puppy Porter and Chocolate Yeti Stout, but also have a full bar). Food is descent too. Most of us ordered apps which are all good - like the ceviche, homemade sausage plate, and scallops. But try the memphis style burger - nice southern touch to this beauty.
The one thing that made this a not-so perfect experience was the service outside. We ate and drank outside when i went and it was severely under manned. One waiter covering 6 tables and he just couldn't keep up. He really didn't seem to get it either. Nice enough though and i'll let it pass given the beer and food offering. You have to try it. -
Review from Erica K.
9/14/2011
I think I'll give this neighborhood spot a solid 3 stars. They have a nice, fairly extensive beer list. We've been twice, once when they first opened and then again in early September 2011.
The first time the menu felt kind of all over the place and nothing came with fries. The staff wasn't quiet well-versed in their beer offerings yet either. I think if you're going to boast a list like that you have to focus on hiring people who know their shit.
This fall they seem to be in a better place. My pork burger was something kind of amazing. It was cooked perfectly and had a nice salty and crisp patty that balances SO WELL with the jam. I was amazed by this burger. So good. Everyone else enjoyed their food too. But the service was again kind of meh. We felt pretty neglected. There was a huge lag for EVERYTHING. People sat with empty glasses for up to 20 minutes. Another table came after us and left before and had the same server and we just felt like he was favoring some tables over others.
So, in short, it's a good place to go to try different interesting beers. You may or may not get great food. You may not get great service. -
Review from Nicolas H.
Chicago, IL
1/17/2012
Came here previously when it was the ale house and it was fine. Now its much better. Before the beer list wasn't nearly as impressive as what I saw this time. Too many good choices to choose from is a good thing and that's definitely what they've got going on. I can't speak for the food, but great bar area with friendly bar staff...
