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Schaller's Pump
Rating Details »
Categories: Dive Bars, American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Bridgeport3714 S Halsted St
(at 37th St)
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 376-6332
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 4:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
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Chili's Grill & Bar
- Category:
- American (Traditional)
- Neighborhood:
- Near North Side
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19 reviews for Schaller's Pump
OK now. Here was my surprise. I had for a long time heard about the bar and the butt steak, and the history. Especially the history. So I had pictured in my mind a big old 19th century bar with lot's of wood, old booths, not so much a salt-of-the-earth basement rec room that looks as if it dates back to about 1960 instead of the real date of 1881. I felt like the five of us who went there, four neophytes, and two of them unsuspecting West Coasters, had gotten into my Scion time machine and had been transported to Oconto, WI. Not that that's a BAD thing, mind you!
Walking in is like entering a saloon in the Old West, where everyone turns to look at you, and you think: "Gee, I better be friendly and say "hi", or somebody might beat me up." So we all did. But a genuinely friendly crowd AND a waitress who calls you "Hon." I just love that.
So we all ordered the Butt Steak. Our lovely server sold us on their famous hash browns, so we had the bean soup: a little salty but well-spiced and flavored and with chunks of ham in it, the steak, which was around 8 oz, sitting on soggy white bread, fries, the requisite thimble of cole slaw, fries, and the hash browns. if I were you, I'd skip the must-have-been-frozen fries and get the hash Browns. They must use very sweet and fresh potatoes. Nicely browned and crunchy, too.
The menu has a standard selection of other bar foods, but don't think "appetizers" because there is no such section. The subject of dessert never even came up. So it was five guys, five steaks, the side of hash browns, two pitchers of domestic beer (and two Heinies for the guy from Portland), all this for $84.50. A steak dinner with drinks for under $20 per person? That's it. My little Scion must be a magic time machine.
Good food, decent steaks, excellent hospitality and salt of the earth dining with good company in Bridgeport, Chicago's own basement rec room neighborhood.
::Shrug::
Went here for lunch with Jonathan A. I never really get to the southside for anything so I was excited to check this place out. According to some other yelpers Schaller's Pump opened in 1881. I wish it still had that classic vibe and looked like it was that old. When we walked in there was a decent about of people at the bar eating corned beef and cabbage and drinking cans of old style. The corned beef looked good and I thought for a moment about trying the liver and onions but in the end I ordered a fried ham sandwich. It wasn't anything special just a BLT with ham, but only cost $5.
If you grew up here and hung out here a lot I could see it being a good time especially when there is a Sox game going on. But in the end its just a bar that serves home cooked food rather than your typical bar food of fries and wings.
This has been on my list of places to check out for a while. And I really wanted to explore more places on the southside, not having many reasons to venture there. Being one of, if not the oldest bar/restaurant in Chicago, I was expecting a ton a character. and history inside this joint. When we walked in I was pretty underwhelmed. There just wasn't much to the place. It didn't feel that old or historic. Looks like it might have been remodeled fairly recently. The food was average at best, though cheap. You can get Miller, Old Style in a can. That was about it. Nothing special at all.
If this was just any other bar, I'd probably never end up here.
If you are a southsider, a Sox fan, or have nostalgic memories of this place, then I can see why you might like it. But it's lost on everyone else.
It's not often I have a chance to eat dinner in a little piece of Chicago history. Yet that is what Schaller's Pump is. Open since 1881, Schaller's is billed as the oldest restaurant in Chicago. Unpretentious, full of old time regulars, good food, fast and cheap- I know I'll be back to try more on their menu.
We walked in (use the side door, I hear the front one is only for show) and were immediately greeted by the bartender who told us to sit anywhere. A server who was probably my mom's age handed us a menu and quickly grabbed us a couple of the coldest Miller Lites I have had in awhile (served in cans, what else?)
My friend who had suggested the place told us to go with the butt steak and so we did. Served with fries, slaw and a pickle, for $9.50 this is quite the deal. Steak was done perfectly. Bring CASH as they do not accept credit cards!
The menu also includes a variety of sandwiches and about 12 entrees from Chicken Parmesan to New York Sirloin and Ribs. I need to go back cuz I hear the hash browns are to die for and I want to order something that comes with the much renowned soup, and crudite plate.
It's not a fancy place- more like a northern Wisconsin bar with limited decor and functional seating but what it lacks in ambiance is certainly made up for by the great service and food.
Simple, quick, free parking lot and a little historic. All that for $32 for 2 steak dinners and 4 beers. Now that has to be the best deal in the city!!
The staff members were welcoming enough, but this place felt very dated. Both the decor and the people were old. Very, very old.
Until I'm pensionable, I won't stop back for a beer.
I wasn't disappointed but I wasn't impressed either. The food was neither very tasty nor bland. The mashed potatoes were on the runny side and the liver was thin and livery. I finished all of my food and was satisfied. The price wasn't bad. $15 for two w/out drinks. The rolls wrapped in cellophane threw me off.
If I eat at home or at a cheap bar, this is what I'd expect.
This is not the Chop House and it is not the Cubby Bear. This is a Bridgeport Stock Yard blue-collar bar and restaurant(family owned and operated). Great cold tap beer, friendly service, and a meal that is the likes of a good home cooked meal. Most meals are under $10 and they have a really good prime rib dinner. Yuppies beware, most of the people here have jobs that cause them to get dirt under their finger nails. Parking lot is big. Try the fried chicken.
An old, famed southside establishment. When I moved to Bridgeport my parents really wanted to take me here. They've been going to Bridgeport for games since the 70s and this place was one of the bars they used to go to before games.
I'll say this: they had a really good time. They thought it was awesome to be back in their old hangout for dinner and a beer with their daughter.
I thought it was a good place. It's the kind of place that serves an entire homecooked meal for a good price. And that includes soup/salad and a dessert. YUM. I had a veal cutlet which, for a bar on the southside, was actually pretty good. Not the best breaded veal of all time, but definitely not gross or disgusting.
A great southside tradition - great before and after Sox games or just to catch one on the TV.
This is the kind of bar that reminds me of my childhood. Yes, I said that.
Schaller's is the kind of place where your grandfather goes for his morning coffee and gets his fill of local news. It's where your parents take you on a Saturday evening to eat dinner and you drink kiddie cocktails while they catch up with friends and family. Ahh, I can smell the maraschino cherries and grenadine now. Mr. Schaller and the staff certainly make you feel right at home.
The next time I go back, I'll keep my north-side status under my Sox hat while I enjoy a few drinks and listen to the live music. I might even keep a close watch on the end of the bar just in case my grandfather sneaks in for his afternoon news. You just never know who might show up here.
Great history and surprisingly good food. Big parking lot.
Some families, but it's essentially an old man bar that serves beer in cans.
Enter through the side.
I'm not sure there's another bar that could quite sum up the South Side like Schaller's. My friends and I came here last week after the game was cancelled in search of beer, food, and a great crowd. We found all three.
We felt right at home at Schaller's. Even though it seemed like a lot of regulars were there (and we were the outsiders), they welcomed us with open arms - even my friend wearing a Tigers hat. Beers were cheap (5 for $12) and so was the food. A grilled cheese & fries for $2.95? And it was SO good. The dining area in the back is more like someone's home then a bar, and you definitely feel like you are being served by family.
There was also live music and a crowd of people singing to some old tunes. It was like nothing my North Side friends had ever experienced and it made me proud to be from the South part of the city. We met Mr Schaller (who is adorable) and told him just how much we loved this place. A must visit on your next trip to a Sox game.
Schaller's. I was taken to this place when i was a baby, and grew up knowing this was the oldest restaurant in Chicago. Jack Schaller, grandson of the original owner, still runs the place, and he's more than happy to let you leave your car in his lot while you walk over to the Sox game. The waitresses there are family, too, and they've been serving there since I was legally able to drink. The cook, not family, has been there for almost 20 years and plays music there some nights. And as others have pointed out, Schaller's is steeped in Chicago democratic politics. Daley's brother is there practically every day.
The front door (that's not in use) is probably the nicest part of the building. It got installed when a drunk driver drove into the building off of 37th. Everything else is pretty old and utilitarian.
If you like corn beef- get it here. All their food is great and consistent and pretty south side Irish. I mean, it's not some gourmet shit, but it's the best you can get for an awesome historical old man bar nestled in still semi-blue collar Bridgeport.
Expect to drink cheap beer out of cans, but you really wouldn't want to drink swank beer in a place like this.
A great place to watch Sox games, but if it's a crosstown series don't expect to get in- you need reservations a year in advance. Yes, for high profile Pale Hose games, you need reservations.
This place is a must for everyone... even if only once.
I like Schaller's even if I am generally the youngest person in there. On Friday nights you will often find older adults doing their version of karaoke with the keyboardist. Its very, very charming and sweet.
When there is a Sox game, this place is filled. Many people eat, park in the lot, and walk to the park.
The food here is very good. My boyfriend is not convinced of this yet - because he order very poorly and got the Chicken Parmesan, fool - but I swear its good. Try the Butt Steak. It is what they are known for and it is excellent. The beets and macaroni salad served with your meal are a nice addition and very good. Also, they always have specials... try them, I have never gone wrong.
Two minor complaints -
1 - they use pre-packaged rolls... which is weird and sad.
2 - they pretty much just have MGD or Miller Lite.
Overall, this is a good place and I am glad it is still around. Check it out.
What history. Chicago's politicians throughout the years have used this place as their second office. Yep, the Bridgeport Democratic ward offices are across the street and the Stockyards are a couple blocks away. God knows how many plots were hatched within these very walls. Also, it used to be a speakeasy during Prohibition; if you ask someone, they will show you the peephole.
Mayors Daley, Daley Jr., Kennelly, Kelly, and Bilandic have all crawled out of that quaint little haven we call Bridgeport. (I mean crawled in the best way possible.) They've all frequented Schaller's, if that should mean anything to you. You'll know you're there when you see the huge wall billboard that says "South Side baseball... White Sox fans welcome".
It's pretty stark in here: bright lights, baseball, old tile floors, and loud Sox fans! If you want to hear a South Side Chicago accent, come here and listen. The help is pretty nice and the old guys abound, making it good grounds for a place to hear about "the old days". What fascinating stories these people have.
DON'T talk about that OTHER Chicago baseball team here, unless you put a curseword immediately on front of or after their name!
This is now the oldest bar in Chicago, so do ya think there's a little history here? It has been operated by the same family since 1881, so they have seen it all including generations of Chicago sports fans, politicians, and sports figures, not to mention prohibition. This place used to be a speakeasy-the back door still has a peephole.
Everything here reflects the fact that it is a family-owned neighbrhood establishment. The service isn't just friendly, they make everyone feel like family. My first trip there, I was introduced to the lively octagenarian Mr. Schaller himself. The food is a carnivorous array of steaks, sandwiches and burgers, all well made and equally well-priced. The drinks are cheap and cold. A great place to grab a drink before a game, or dinner with the family.
Schaller' Pump, such a great bar located in Bridgeport. I believe it is either one of the oldest or the oldest bar in the city. The atmosphere here is completely friendly, as the service is on point. I have been here a few times before a Sox game, and the food and drinks have always been good. They even allow you to leave your car in the lot if you order dinner before the game, not bad! I recommend the BBQ ribs served with hashed browns...sounds a bit weird, but it is a fantastic combo!
Here's another of one of Bridgeport's institutions, conveniently located across the street from the Democratic Ward office. If only those walls could talk! Do you want to hear what's going on in the neighborhood, or what's on the mind of the average south-sider? This is the place to come find out. Schaller's has a decent menu of pub-type grub. This is a great place to watch a Sox game if you don't have a ticket.
Nothing fancy, except that you're sitting in history. Do you know how many political deals were done here, dating back to the late 1800s? The answer is something you transplants don't even want to consider. Whatever the case, you can't beat the Pump. Good food at outrageously low prices, no matter what you're in the mood for. A burger, some chops, a steak, a corned-beef sandwich under five bucks, or a nice slab of ribs. You can get them here, and wet your whistle for a nice price. And if you want to talk to the Old Man, you might score points by singing the Leo fight song.
Having been here once before for drinks, I knew what I was in for. The history, the Sox fans, the cheap beer (cans), the fast service, and the unfrilly atmosphere. This past week I took my N.Side dad and brother and my S.side boyfriend for dinner before the game (seems par for the course by the looks of the dining room). No one's mentioned the food so here goes: We sat immediately, got drinks immediately - (2 rounds of beer cans, 2 rounds of soda cans), got orders taken immediately, were served the bread basket immediately. I'll slow down. The bread comes wrapped in plastic - which could make you feel good that no one's paws have touched it - or wonder how old it is. Salads and soups were next. Then the meals. Nothing fancy. Nothing bad. Sandwiches here range from $4-6 and come w/ fries and cole slaw. The dinners come with salad or soup and range from $8-17. Carnivores only - it's meatloaf, veal, chicken, ribs, or fish (orange rouhy or shrimp). We had the ribs, meatloaf, veal, and chicken vesuvio. All good - fresh meat, big portions, tasty mashed potatoes, canned green beans. Total came to $50. You get a little more than what you pay for in a Sox-friendly environment. Good for groups, kids, etc. Not for dates. Unless you're so S.Side it hurts.
