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Hopleaf Bar
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Gastropubs American (New), Gastropubs [Edit]
5148 N Clark St(between United States Highway 41 & Winona St)
Chicago, IL 60640
Neighborhoods: Andersonville, Uptown
(773) 334-9851
- Hours:
Mon-Fri, Sun 3 pm - 2 am
Sat 3 pm - 3 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1077 reviews for Hopleaf Bar
Review Highlights
"Their beer selection is seasonal and amazing."
(in 265 reviews)
"The stilton mac & cheese that comes with it."
(in 34 reviews)
"i highly recommend the duck reuben and the cb&j."
(in 53 reviews)
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1077 reviews in English
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Review from Stephanie H.
Chicago, IL
2/1/2012 11 photos
Astounding beer selection. Delicious food. Kinda far out of our way but well worth it.
We came here with a few friends on a Wednesday night and it was packed! We hung out around the bar to try a few of their HUGE selection of beers on tap (and they have another list for their beers in bottles I believe). Be prepared to wait since they don't take reservations.
When we were seated, we were starving and the food didn't disappoint. We ordered mussels for two for the table just so we could try their specialty...but we didn't expect them to give us so many! We chose their Belgian-style sauce (white ale with sliced shallots, celery, thyme & bayleaf) and I would've drank the sauce itself because it was delicious.
My boyfriend and I shared the Potato-Gouda Croquettes, Sauteed Veal Sweetbreads, Roasted Beet salad, their daily soup which was celery root, and some stew that he ordered (I can't remember the name). Everything was so good! I love sweetbreads and these were good as well...but I was sad that it wasn't a bigger serving.
We were definitely full and content by the end of our meal. It was a struggle trying to finish the huge pot of mussels along with all the food we ordered. Hopefully we'll be back soon! -
Review from Annie C.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2012
First time at Hopleaf, I definitely had high hopes.
You must must must order the mussels!!! Just delicious and they give you a huge and generous portion!! And the mussels come with bread and really good pomme frites! And the price for them wasn't bad at all!
The atmosphere is really cool. I'm not sure how else to describe it.
The beef briskett platter is definitely enough for two people if you aren't that hungry, the meat definitely melted in my mouth. The mac and cheese that came with it was also yummy! -
Review from Eric S.
Schaumburg, IL
1/11/2012
The g/f brought me here for the first time the other day and it made me realize what I had been missing since I moved out of the city years ago - smaller, non-chain bars/restaurants that serve an amazing and eclectic fare of food. The beer menu wasn't too shabby either.
We started with the mussels - tender and flavorful, they exploded in your mouth after the first bite and just melted down your throat. The white wine sauce with beans and pieces of ham was excellent paired with the crispy rolls served on the side. I found it odd that fries were served with it but the garlic aioli threw that thought right out the window.
Next up, I ordered the brisket sandwich (I was going to get the CB&J but was unsure about it) which also came with fries & aioli. She ended up getting the CB&J with chips. I really wish I had gotten the latter, because the brisket - while good- just didn't hit the spot. The meat was a bit on the tough side and didn't have enough flavor for me. I tried her sandwich and was blown away. It was buttery and rich, wasn't too sweet, and was just plain excellent. If I had to eat it at another time of the day I'd say it would be great as a breakfast sandwich.
For drinks we got beer. I stuck with Five Rabbit and she tried a few different ones I didn't care for. Their selection is amazing.
The atmosphere, while busy, made me feel right at home even though I have never been there before. I love a busy place because it means they must be doing something right. If you come without reservations and have to wait for a bit, just do it - you'll thank me later.
The cost for us to get 2 sandwiches, 4 beers, and mussels-for-one = about $60. It was well worth it IMHO and I will be back again soon! -
Review from Adam H.
Chicago, IL
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Excellent beer bar. One of my favorites in Chicago. They always have a great on-tap selection and and extensive bottled beer list. If you like beer, you will love the Hopleaf. They have every style of beer available, and even mead! They also have special tapping events from time to time, so make sure you check them out often.
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Review from Will C.
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best bar hidden on the darkest suburban streets that I hope to ever meet.
Three levels of fun with a super extended beer selection to match the masses of college students, bar-goers, and parties that flow through the door of the place.Listed in: Will's Weekend in Chicago
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Review from Caroline M.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 1/4/2012
FINALLY I can review the food.
I don't know why it took me so long to have an actual meal here. Perhaps, I fill up on beer too fast? Too sloshed?? Not sure. At any rate, a good time was had by all.
+CB&J. Believe the hype. I'd go back just for this sandwich.
+Mussels. Ditto.
+Duck confit w/ lentils & carrots.
Lets just say if I had died on my way home that night (which I think we can all agree Edgewater isn't the best area) I would have been a happy lady.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/1/2010
At some places it's okay to be packed in like sardines. Like at a Jimmy Buffett concert. Or at Hot… Read more »
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Review from Bob B.
Chicago, IL
1/31/2012 5 Check-ins Here
I've been to several beer tastings here, including a St. Martin Belgian beer tasting! Awesome beer! And now the St. Martin Brun's on tap. Awesome food as well! Only problem (for the customers) is both the bar and the restaurant get pretty crowded, pretty quickly, but the expansion space they are building out just south of the current site should hopefully help.
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Review from Alicia S.
1/10/2012
Hopleaf, regardless of the crowd, never fails to please. With their beer selection & features, you could go everyday and never run out of new options.
I love to get any of their Goose Islands on tap, or anything special/new rotating through. I have eaten at the bar, at the little chair rail on the side of the bar, on the patio, in the back room...anyplace is good. Don't be discouraged that there is no place to sit...grab a brew and hang out!
Food wise...HELLO. French fries (ya'll know I am a french fry freak). They come with a really good Garlic Aoli that will have you wanting more right after you're done.
My favorite food to order is the Mussels...they COME with a full order of fries. Get the original (the Thai ones are SPICY!) and just enjoy. -
Review from Asper K.
Chicago, IL
12/29/2011
Nice place to have a beer. V comfortable, no TVs, jazz music. Not pretentious either. If I was woody allen, I would write a screenplay about me going back in time and hanging out here w/ chicagoans from the 50s. Or at least whip out my clarinet and play some gnarly dixieland licks.
I was here Xmas day so I'm sure it was a little different visa v a normal day. For 1, it wasn't crowded. I heard sometimes this place is more crowded than Marvin. For numb 2, there was no food. Which was fine (not starvin). Anyway, if I ordered fries and was told they were frites it would've ruined the experience a little bit.
I highly recommend this place for me. I plan on going back soon. -
Review from Shradha A.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2012
Great selection and very large space across three floors! I only tried about 11 beers among all of us and no food, but certainly a place to return to on another less crowded night!
The variety of beer was great! And now I want to come back for more..! -
Review from Pascal M.
Naperville, IL
1/4/2012
Bar and dining room full of hipsters, trend setters, adults, scallywags, and the guy doing a crossword puzzle at the bar. I walk in soaking wet from riding my bike, not a person looks at me strange or thinks its out of the ordinary to show up looking so terrible. Barkeep states, "you nee a drink."
This place is fun on multiple levels. You can go with your significant other or family member and have a nice dinner in the dining room, or sit at the bar with close friend, or go with a small group when it's late and just catch some good conversation but probably better beer.
Their selction is intense at first, but if you know what you like you'll manage pretty quickly. For amateurs and pro's, their menu is superbly put together. Very easy to read through and I dont feel like I'm ready for a pop quiz by the time I'm done. Not to mention they typically have fantastic beers on tap.
Go for a pot of mussles, go for their Steak Frites, hell...just go for any reason. -
Review from Marissa G.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 12/31/2011
My meal last night at the Hopleaf has upped the stars to five! A great beer and food menu along with consistently great service has made this a go-to place for a meal I know will not disappoint. Each of the following are excellent:
- Sausage appetizer with beans
- Poached pear salad with stilton blue cheese
- Bread pudding
- Mussels
- Brisket
- Steak frite
You just can't go wrong here with anything on the menu. Enjoy!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/6/2011
If you can stand the wait, it's worth it for the beer selection and the well crafted menu. It's a… Read more »
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Review from Jen B.
1/13/2012
The Hopleaf is my jam. I, along with the rest of Chicago, love this place. The beer list is extensive and cheap (River North makes me forget how much alcohol is supposed to cost), the food is killer and the staff are awesome. I wish I lived in the area. As it stands, I come here once a month for This Much Is True. Come for the storytelling, stay for the $5 Allagash Whites. And the mussels. Holy balls, the mussels. And frites. And dipping the frites in the mussel sauce. One of life's greater experiences. Just awesome. It's always busy so don't come starving.
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Review from Patrick G.
Chicago, IL
1/18/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This place is freaking amazing. This is a place you go to if you really appreciate beer. They have an amazing (belgian style focused) tap collection and an equally awesome collection of bottles. The staff is very knowledgeable about the beers they have and can expertly make suggests based on flavors or other beers you enjoy. They can get pretty busy here on weekends, especially around dinner time but thankfully they have an upstairs bar as well. I've only ate here a couple times but the food has been excellent both times. If you go off hours it is significantly less busy and makes for a more relaxed experience. Yay for great places in Chicago!
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Review from Shannon L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/9/2012
I can't even tell how much I miss this place now that I live in Cali.
Love the food and great selection of beer!!! -
Review from soumya g.
Manhattan, NY
12/7/2011
Good beer and mixed crowd. Food is definitely good. Not like a typical gastropub- definitely on the higher end and worth the every bit of it.
Great mussels and belgium fries -
Review from Joel M.
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hopleaf is the place to go for beer drinkers. I regretfully didn't try the food, but I plan on returning because what I saw coming out of the kitchen looked AMAZING.
Pros:
- Incredible beer selection (30+ drafts, 250+ bottles)
- Good, friendly service
- Laid back, casual atmosphere
Cons:
- No reservations = long waits (for a table)
- Kind of cramped inside when its busy
Great place to take beer snobs or your casual beer drinking buddies. -
Review from S S.
Chicago, IL
12/8/2011
One visit was all I needed. Yes, this place is for beer snobs galore and they have some great, hard-to-find beers but if you look hard enough you can find them sprinkled around the city just the same. Outside of the pleasant hostess who told us about the dreadful two hour wait for the back room, the service was rude. We lucked out getting a table in the bar area but were never informed that food and drink were to be ordered from the bar so 15 minutes later we bellied up and ordered our beers. When it came time to order food, the bartender seemed clueless and clearly uninterested in taking food orders.
Here's a tip for you Hopleaf... if your bartenders are going to serve food, they should know the menu. This place is not for vegetarians or those who like to eat healthy. I ordered the fish sandwich because I didn't want the fried veggie option but when the sandwich arrived it was fried. The bartender claimed he had no idea it was a fried meal. awesome.
Ambiance is great. Noise level was your typical Saturday night in a bar. The beer list is hands down awesome but if you are a person who desires having a personable, knowledgeable bartender then your beer will probably taste just the same if not better somewhere else. -
Review from Matt T.
11/22/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Sometimes a place makes you feel right at home, even though it's always packed and you can't come here on certain days. Hopleaf is really the original gastropub in Chicago, doing things that every other place is doing, but for the most part doing it better and doing it much longer. Hopleaf is the standard bearer and is always a fine choice on the north side.
There's not much I can say that others have not. The food is great - probably the best mussels in the city and well priced for the portion size. The frites and aioli are fantastic and are a welcome sight as a side to the mussels. The duck reuben is genius and delicious and I want one right now with a side of stilton mac and cheese. That's right folks, blue cheese mac.
If you like charceuterie then Hopleaf is the place for you. Great selection of cured meats, pates and terrines. The one thing I haven't had yet that I always bypass for mussels is the CB&J sandwich. I hear nothing but great things so next time I go this sammy will be mine (and, sammies come with frites and aioli, sucka!)
Despite the food, many people come for the beer. Hopleaf has one of the best beer selections in the city on menus that are easy to read and organized well. From a long list of America crafts to an abundance of belgiums and limited-run beer, Hopleaf really has most everything you need in a great atmosphere. The decor is great and there are no TVs, which is a nice change of pace from most places. I appreciate the upstairs space to hang out if you don't want food or are waiting for a table downstairs. I also like the fact that you can mill around and get a table in the front and eat there too by ordering at the bar.
A lot of people hate on Hopleaf because of the wait time, especially at night on a Wed-Sat but that's the state of this place. It's popular and tremendous so why mess with what works. Hopleaf was going to expand into the empty storefront next door but that hasn't come to fruition, probably due to the economy. I say leave it as is.
As far as negatives? A couple times the food came out pretty slow but our server was apologetic. I'd also skip the deserts because I've never had anything worth getting no matter how great it sounds. It's been a while since I've been here so perhaps the deserts are better. We shall see.
It's about time for a return trip. It's time to pack on some mussel! -
Review from Naomi J.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 12/28/2011
Spendid! Great selection of beers and food. Great atmosphere. This place is a favorite for my friends!
The only downsides to this place is that it can become easily overcrowded and the food is on the expensive side.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/27/2011
What an education. The beer selection is extensive and wide, and includes foreign, domestic and… Read more »
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Review from Sara B.
12/6/2011
I cannot even tell you how much I miss this place now that I live in NYC.
When I made the big move to New York, I had imagined that NYC would be teeming with gastropubs with the same quality, cool vibe, and impressive beer list, but I am yet to find a place that even holds a candle to my dear Hopleaf.
What I love about this place is that it'll satisfy a variety of food and drink moods you might be in. If you're in the mood for drinks and greasy bar food, you can get a great beer and snack on their delicious fries and aioli or their apple fritters. If you want a simple dinner, you can get a sandwich and fries-- the CB&J (a grilled sandwich with fig jam, cashew butter, and cheese) is my favorite. If you want a lighter meal, get the mussels (probably the best in the city). Or, if you're in the mood for something a little fancier, they always have several more constructed bistro-type items on the menu, like roast chicken, steak, a pan-seared fish, etc.
Like others have said, the major downside to this place is that it's always packed. Be aware, though, that there is a large back room and 2nd floor with seating-- my parents had avoided coming here for a long time because they thought that the crowded bar in front was all there was. If you come before 6 on a weekday, you should be able to get a table without waiting much. -
Review from mike m.
Glenview, IL
12/27/2011
How did I not discover this places sooner??? Maybe because I'm not too familiar with Andersonville, but that's beside the point. Anyways best Gastropub on the north side. Expansive selection of domestic craft beers, but what makes this place stand out are the Belgian beers. Over 20 on tap and countless bottles of trappist ales.
For the food- the menu notes the specialty of the house are the mussels and I can corroborate that! The two person order was enough to feed 4 people (at least as an appetizer). The mussels are also served with pommes frites, which were a bit soggy, but were saved by the aoli. I'll save the narrative, but another must have item is the venison meatballs.
Bottom line, if you like belgian beer and good food, make the trip to this andersonville institution. -
Review from Hillary M.
Chicago, IL
1/25/2012
Hopleaf... your beers are awesome, your menu is bomb, but you are too crowded--on a disappointingly consistent basis. I wish I had the constitution to squeeze in to the swarm of "cool kids" from time to time, but I'm too afraid I'll catch an ironic mustache.
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Review from Doug S.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2012
It is busy but good and the beer selection is just awesome! I had the 'Mussels for One' and was little dissapointed due to the lack of seasoning. The frites were good and the selection of beer out of this wold. It is VERY packed and I just got lucky to walk in right as the person at the end of the bar got up because within an hour I had people breathing down my neck and yelling orders in my ear as I was trying to eat. I am all good with the crazy busy Chicago bars, but it was a bit too much that night have people constant hitting me from behind. I would have stayed longer, but just ate and ran. If I was there just to drink good beers with friends, it would have been a 5-star review. I will go back again very soon and update my review accordingly because I know there is more to this place then my one night.
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Review from Amy A.
Chicago, IL
1/24/2012
Nothing new to add here. Just posting my stars. It's all about the beer. Best beers in the city (I love Belgian beer)! Actually, I hope you don't go there because it will be less crowded for me. Looking forward to the expansion. Hope that will make more room for you and your tourist parents. Seriously, don't go here.
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Review from Rachel G.
Chicago, IL
12/18/2011
I like pub food more than 'gastropub' food, so I did not eat here, but it is a great place to stop for a drink. Huge number of interesting microbrews on tap and a good bottle list as well. I was in early on a saturday evening and the place was packed. But bartenders were doing a good job taking food and bev orders quickly, and the crowd was pretty amicable.
The best part was the upstairs bar. Quiet room, space at the tables, it was an awesome place to sit and visit with friends and would be good for a first or second date as well.
Coat Hooks: NO -
Review from Gina S.
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Whenever I come here, I always end up eating WAY TOO MUCH! The portion sizes are pretty big, and with all of the gems on the menu, I usually order more than one thing, at least an app and an entree (tubs-mcgee over here). If you are craving salty comfort food, Hopleaf is perfect to get your fix.
I always get the mussels, which comes with a large cone of frites and the best aioli EVER!!! Never a disappointment. The CB&J and Duck Reuban are worth trying (delicious), but due to their heaviness/saltiness, I haven't ordered them more than once. It will give you that -itis for sure.
I would recommend trying any of the entrees. My boyfriend is a big fan of the Montreal-style brisket platter. The first time he got it, it was unreal! So juicy and tender. I was a bit disappointed with the stilton mac and cheese side, since it was a little bland. The entrees change with the seasons, but if you see any kind of fish on the menu, go for it. I had trout one time and it was insanely good, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked.
It's always a good idea to get here early if you want a seat in the bar. I don't mind the dining room at all though. It's cozy and warm, and you get to peak into the kitchen if you are in the right spot. I have never had any issues with the service. The busboys are really on their game and I've always had great servers.
If I were more of a beer head and still lived in the neighborhood, I would come here much more often. Now it's more of a once-in-a-great-while kind of place. -
Review from David A.
Houston, TX
1/15/2012
Good biers & food. The service was not bad, it was non-existent. I'd go back, but maybe not on a Saturday night. Home Bistro is much better.
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Review from Camron R.
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
If I were ever given to choice to choose between Hopleaf's Montreal-style brisket platter and a kick in the nuts, I'd take the kick in the nuts.
I stopped at Hopleaf on my vacation to try out some of the microbrews and decided to stay for a meal. I ordered the Montreal-style brisket. The waitress brought to me a plate with macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, a pickle and a mound of fucking fat. I dug through my mound to see if some meat were hidden somewhere inside, but I couldn't find any. When the waitress came back and asked if everything was OK with our meals, I only had to say "well" and point to my plate and she immediately said, "Oh...that's just a huge mound of fucking fat!"
I really wanted to order something else, but the waitress quickly snatched up my plate and went to the kitchen. She came back about a minute later with the same plate and the same mound of fucking fat and she also gave me another plate with some fresh cuts of fucking fat.
So I ate my mac and cheese and my cole slaw. I dug through the mounds of fucking fat and found a few morsels of meat. I felt like I was at a crawfish boil where you burn more calories playing with your food than you get from eating it. I had never been so pissed off over a meal in my entire life. And this was my vacation, I was supposed to be enjoying myself.
I'm guessing I should have said something again, but I'm not sure if I could handle a third plate of fat.
5 stars for the beer selection
-4 stars for food and service -
Review from David C.
Los Angeles, CA
1/14/2012
The bar gets three or more stars - great service, great selection.
The dining room, on the other other hand, is suffering. The service was mediocre at best. However, this should be attributed to mismanagement, rather than any failing on the part of the wait staff: there just aren't enough people on staff to service the size of the room. You are moving up, Hopleaf; take the necessary steps.
Also (and I would've preferred to send this as an email rather than a Yelp, but there is no email function on their website); I got a burned sandwich. Fine, it's Saturday, it's a rush, I get it. But the wait person tried to tell me it was dark bread and should taste different.
First, I'm not a complete stooge. I know the difference between burned toast and black bread. Second, it's fucking burned. Like, black. It should never have come out of the kitchen like that.
So, three stars on the bar; zero on the restaurant. -
Review from Carolyn G.
Chicago, IL
1/12/2012
My favorite neighborhood bar. It's clean but still comfy. The draft beers change enough and the specials are different. The cashew pb and j is yummy.
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Review from Leslie G.
10/2/2011
I've been here many times over the years, but come here less and less as time goes on simply because it's too crowded. Most recently, I was here for a bachelorette party at 4 pm on a Sat. We had seats in the bar area, but it was still very crowded. We moved into the dining room around 5. This was the first time I've ever managed to eat in the dining room because every other time I've tried the wait has been approximately 2 hours.
We started with mussels and frites. We got both kinds of mussels: curry and beer. In my opinion, the beer ones were far superior. The frites were delicious, per usual. For my main course, I opted for the CB&J sandwich, which everyone is always raving about. It came with a side of potato chips and mac n' cheese, which ended up being way too much heavy food for one meal. The sandwich was fine, but I didn't think it was the best thing ever. I was underwhelmed by the mac n' cheese and the potato chips just seemed unnecessary. I think this dish would benefit from a side salad or something a little lighter. Virtually everyone else in our group liked their food but also felt it was too heavy. Several of us needed to take Zantac after the meal just to make it through the rest of the night!
I think Hopleaf has its pluses, but for me, the large crowds are the main reason I usually opt to go elsewhere.Listed in: Restaurants, Andersonville, Bars
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Review from Cassia C.
Chicago, IL
1/30/2012
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Incredible beer selection, really knowledgeable waiters/waitresses/bartenders, and great food. The CB&J is crave-able and the duck rueben is also really good. Just make sure you ask them for their fries instead of the chips that come with those. The skinny little fries they make are worth eating. And they come with a delicious garlic aioli dipping sauce. Yes, It gets crazy busy and really loud on the weekends and some weeknights, so if that's not your thing avoid it at those times. But if you're willing to wait for a table for a bit you will not be disappointed.
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Review from Matthew A.
Evanston, IL
11/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
My favorite bar in the city. If you are a beer snob this is your place. Huge list of craft and Belgian beers.
unfortunately, even though the food is really good they do not take reservations and will not really accommodate large parties. I will continue to come back for their mussels and quality brews, but if I want to eat with more than a couple people I will go elsewhere. -
Review from Picky B.
Chicago, IL
1/5/2012
Always crowded.that's the only bad thing to say about this gem. The city's best beer list paired with really, really good belgian inspired food. Try the perfect mussels, cashew butter sandwich, and seasonal dishes like the rabbit. Worth the drive to Andersonville.
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Review from Molly O.
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I probably don't need to be writing a review after just having two beers here (and no food), but I loved this place. Somehow we got seats at the bar, ooooh-ed and ahhhh-ed over the beer list, smelled the delightful mussels that our barstool neighbor was noshing, and kicked back a sour beer and a Lagunitas.
It's so charming inside! I love it. Thank goodness my ladyfriends scored an apartment just across the street from this place. I will never hesitate to drive up this way ever again! And I hate driving.Listed in: I have a little crush on…
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Review from Scott L.
9/7/2011 1 photo
Visiting my friend Jerel in Chicago, I suggested Hopleaf for mussels before the Cubs game.
"I never get out this far." he said.
From the Berwyn stop on the redline we meandered through the charming and homey Andersonville neighborhood on the way to hopleaf.
"This is strange." Jerel said. "Where are the sirens? Where's the noise?
It's kind of creeping me out."
We waltzed by cute houses under a leafy green canopy.
Once inside, Hopleaf was a rustic European bar, that wasn't packed, as I had feared. We sat out on the patio and ordered the Mussels with the Thai sauce, served with crunchy bread and a large cone of fries. Waitress was quick and friendly, if distant.
Hopleaf is a good pub atmosphere with good mussels, in a damn cute neighborhood.Listed in: Chicago Weekend Highlights
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Review from Linda D.
9/10/2011
Hopleaf is dark and crowded, you usually have to wait for a bit for a table amongst a sea of hipsters and beer snobs, the waitstaff look like lumberjacks, and oh yeah this place is so totally awesome!
Hopleaf is a date night fave, not only because it's dimly lit and warm and intimate inside, but the food is bomb, the alcohol is good and plentiful, it's reasonably priced, and did I mention the food is bomb?
My boyfriend and I waited about 20 minutes for a table for 2, which was not at all unpleasant due to the bar up front with a nice selection of craft and Belgian beers. It was chilly that night and I had not yet hit critical levels of seasonal depression. At this point, I was still like WOW SNOW!, all about my winter "accessories," and hadn't even thought about burning my big, black down coat in the second biggest fire in Chicago's history. So I ordered a hot beer, the Quelque Chose. I know, hot beer sounds exactly like hot barf, right? But it's not - it's really pleasant and the perfect thing on one of those early winter nights before you completely bury yourself in a deep dark hole until June.
Ordering the mussels at Hopleaf is like dipping your French fries in your milkshake. You just gotta do it. We got the mussels for two, and at first I was worried that it wasn't going to be enough for me and my boyfriend, who has a bottomless stomach (no. seriously.), but it turned out to be a really good amount and we both enjoyed a deep food coma that night. The fries came out hot and crispy, and really, can you ever go wrong with a side of aoli? Didn't think so.
Yeah, there's a lot of hype, and yeah everyone in the joint looks like they ride fixed gear bikes and listen to bands way before they're mainstream, but that shouldn't keep you away. Hopleaf is worth joining the hipstas for a night.Listed in: Brown, fermented stuff
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Review from Jonathan Y.
Irvine, CA
10/20/2011
Food is delicious. Bigger than the ambiance. Excellent craft brew list. The mussels are definitely good, as is the CB&J, which was probably my favorite and most innovative dish of the evening.
I really liked the craft brew list, and the restaurant has that neighborhood bar kind of feel to it. Some place to come back to if you're in the neighborhood. -
Review from Comensal A.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2012
In my book, Hopleaf is a unique Chicago venue because of its fine selection of Belgian-style ales and its terrific mussels. I only wish I could get there more often. On this visit, we brought out-of-town guests, and everyone had a good time. As always, the draft ales put a smile on my face and the mussels were terrific. Roasted cauliflower was also very good. I wish the frites were double-fried to a crispier texture, and I wish it were just a bit quieter and a bit more brightly lit. Still, I'll be back, for sure!
