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Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Breweries, Comedy Clubs, American (Traditional) [Edit]
205 N. Broadway Avenue
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I'm not a beer girl, but I am loving the Pizza Beer!
It was weird, I'm sitting at the bar , waiting for fellow yelpers, who are no where in sight by the way, and this non beer drinking girl asks for a Pizza Beer. Where did that come from? Eh, no worries, it was fantabulous. My taste buds asked for another one a short time later.
This had been my first time at this place and it was fun. It was huge with multiple rooms and events all happening at the same time. We saw 2 different brides walk in with their wedding party and they also had some birthday parties going on. Cool.
The building was like a big 'ol log cabin. Wood everywhere. Deer heads on the wall, massive art of a foresty scene towards the back, etc.
I plan on heading back there since I didn't try anything from the menu. Also found out they had Latin dancing on Tuesdays. Sweet.
This is a fantastic place to go. It has just about everything...nice restaurant, cognac bar, (more than one) full bar, club, outside seating in the warm months and a banquet hall.
Not to mention, top-quality entertainment. They have live comedy every week, awesome comics. They have live bands, they have live band kareoke...there's a guy who hangs out and does card tricks too!!
AND they brew their own beer?? Good lordy, do yourself a favor and get to Walter Payton's Roundhouse ASAP, you can thank me later.
Parking gets pretty full on the weekends, so be ready to walk a little...just sayin'.
Walter Payton's Roundhouse used to be a steakhouse that made it alright to miss the 6:20 out of Aurora and be marooned until 8:20.
Note the past tense.
Somehow, everything slipped - except the prices, which increased. Food that was tasty (never spectacular) became mediocre at best. The desserts tasted more plastic, the meat lower quality, the sauces far less rich and palatable. Even their root beer tasted more plastic-y, as if they had started doing something horrid like using HFCS or pre-processed spices from Sysco pre-mixed bulk packs.
The Walter Payton shrine room - which has jerseys, rings, and the most authentic memorabilia from Sweetness' run as perhaps the best Chicago Bear to play in the last half-century or more - is still a sight to behold for devotees. It's still very conveniently located right on the Aurora Transportation Center so it's easy to get to, even for citydwellers with no car. But a restaurant is first and foremost about food, and they have started to fail in that regard.
Overpriced and overrated. This place is okay for taking out-of-town friends out for dinner because of the atmosphere, but the food is only pretty good and the prices are way too high.
I like the Roundhouse...a lot. It took a couple times of going there, but on my third or fourth trip I was sitting there and them BAM! I realized that I just plain liked the atmosphere.
I like the bar section, the restaurant section is phricking phenomenal, and the comedy club and banquet facilities are great!
Oh yeah, and the Beer is great!
The place has a little of something for everyone at one time or another. Live music, live comedy, wedding receptions, a plain old bar, etc, etc.
It's a little pricey, and the place can be a maze, but I like it all the same. Plus, if I'm in the mood for some good food this place delivers every time. I also like going in the summer when they have the outdoors rotunda open.
Another plus? If you take the train this place is right at your footstep as you get off...which can be good and bad news after a long day at the rat races...
A plus. I will be going here for a long time to come.
I went for lunch and was glad I finally made it here. The beer is made on site and it's really good, if not a bit standard. The food was above average. I had a great reuben, and the burgers were good too. The staff was friendly, but a bit stiff for such a laid back spot.
The space itself is as big as it is attractive. The main restaurant and bar is big, with high ceilings and wood everywhere. They also have an outdoor area that is in the middle of a courtyard-type space that is equally big, with multiple fireplaces. There is also a spot for live entertainment. Finally, there is a small Watler Payton Museum, full of trophies, pictures, videos, and other memorabilia.
If you're in the area and looking for something fun and not a chain restaurant, this is the place.
Ok, Yelp. Stop playing tricks on my mind. I tried to look up my review on this place to see what I had said about it... and came to find out I never submitted a review. Not being able to seperate thoughts from reality is the first step toward paranoid delusion. Thanks Yelp. You can expect my psychiatrist's bill in the mail :-p
Restaurant, Micro-brewery , Comedy Club, Museum, Cognac Bar... this place has it all! It's even right next to the Aurora Metra stop for anyone visiting from Chicago or any of the suburbs inbetween.
I usually visit here for the food and the great beers. Mmm mmm good. I've yet to try something that was not very good to great here. Skillet mussels in white wine butter or baked artichoke parmesan dip make great appetizers. The spiced onion and ale soup is very good. Try the wood-grilled pizzas or their giant burgers and you're sure to enjoy it. The desserts are also delicious and super-sized... so you might want to think about sharing.
The best part? the BEER! Oh yeah. They have all the good beer you could want... plus, a few unique beers that are sure to knock your socks off!
Three Must Try Beers:
1) Payton's Pilsner
2) Pizza-in-a-bottle Beer
3) Dirty Summer Blonde Chocolate Beer (my personal favorite)
Thank me later.
I still have a crush on pizza beer. If I haven't lectured you on it's nutritious qualities yet... we clearly haven't hung out recently.
The beer is totally 5 star worthy but the service just takes it down a notch. I get the feeling they have something better to be doing... which they probably do but for a long as you're on the clock, you should put on your "happy to help you" face.
The salads were much, MUCH smaller than the last time we came and though our meals were pretty delicious, the sides were not so hot, pretty not good at all. I love sides... like a meal full of sides is my heaven with whipped cream on top but I was sooo disappointed. My bf and I got the stuffed portabella mushrooms and they were just simmered mushroom with some spinach and feta slapped on top. Meh... I need a little more when you call it stuffed... throw some breading at me or something, man.
Still at 3 stars on yelp but realistically like a 2.8.
PIZZA BEER!!! No, you're not reading it wrong... they have thin crust pizza flavored beer and it's… Read more »
Totally boring food and it cost a ton of money to get it. An incredibly mediocre experience.
I liked walking around the "museum" area, as well as checking out the old building itself though.
I have been informed about this place by some friends. They are always talking about going to the comedy show. A lot closer to home that going to the city and basically a good laugh or two.
Well sir... i will have to say that the show is sometimes hit or miss. The first time we went to the show I honestly was bored as hell. I chuckled because i felt bad for the people.
Then the second time i went I was laughing out of my chair. The lady was a substitute teacher talking about how weird and strange her kids were. Seems very inappropriate, but GREAT COMEDY usually is.
Drinks are usually cheap and there is always a good bit of people in the roundhouse. There are live bands on the greens during the weekend and there is a pretty steady restaurant crowd. After the show the venue turns into a nightclub, so stay in the same room and drink till people show up!
The crowd is usually a bit older than myself, so maybe in a few years I will kick it up a star or two. No Complaints... simply a good place to check out if you want to do something different.
I will stroll back in there eventually to HOPEFULLY... hopefully get a laugh.
This 2 star review is based on this place as a restaurant, which is basically what we came for. The setting was interesting - a brewery, an old historic train setting, and Walter Payton paraphernalia. Maybe if I had read up on reviews before we came... but back to our meal ...
The service was pretty pathetic, and set the tone for the night . The waiter took our order and we never really saw him again except for a token how was it. The food was very slow to arrive and was mediocre. They could have brought bread while we waited and waited, but they did provide it after a server finally showed up with the food, and we asked for it. The ribs were the mediocre boiled and covered with sauce variety; the beef brisket was stringy and chewy . The talapia was bland and flavorless.
Overall, I could see a better experience if you're planning on going to an older historic place for a locally brewed beer (I did enjoy a Payton pilsner) and maybe to enjoy some live music that they have on some evenings, and setting your expectations for pub food quality.
Ugh, this restaurant is awful. Not even the nostalgia can redeem it. It may have been good once, but no longer. The wait staff/bar tender were ruuuude. I went there for my b-day and they effectively ruined my special day. The beer too was just awful. It tasted like skunked vinegar. I ordered the sampler, and every beer was just awful. How the brew "master" wins awards for his beer I will never know unless he makes a better batch than the ones I was served.
The food too is overpriced and is no better than mere bar food. I had the jambalaya and my dining companion had a burger. The sausage in my jambalaya was just sour and tasted like it had been left out. I had to choke it down and then pay for it for 2 days on the toilet. Perhaps the Health Dept. should take a closer look at this establishment. As for potential diners, my advice is, don't waste your time, the effort it takes to get all the way out to Aurora, or your money.
Well, I checked this place out WAAAY in the middle of nowhere. They do have a pretty good set of beer selections, but the prices are a little high. Prices are like downtown chicago-ish, but for Aurora? hahaha.
Meanwhile, some band played, it has a nice outdoors area, the place is overall enormous. I guess if you're all the way out in aurora maybe its worth checking out.
I liked the idea of this place, especially the outdoor seating...however, multiple mice were running around the outdoor area where we were eating...so, I have never been interested in going back. Mice + Food = Problems. Even if I went to just have some drinks, I would still be turned off by the mice. On the brighter side, the intimate cognac lounge was nice.
We were planning on meeting some family up there for a nice lunch. Aurora is almost smack the distance between us. It really sounded good. Then they had to cancel on us when we were almost out there.
We went anyways.
Eh. It was ok. The food is basic brew pub. Burgers, pizza, and good beer. The Atmosphere is nice. Great use of an old Roundhouse. The Walter Payton Museum is heart warming and heart breaking at the same time.
Really, unless I really had to go back to Aurora I wouldn't go back.
The Roundhouse itself is very cool, and creates a good atmosphere. There's a large outside area that would be great in the summer.
Great beer selection. The food was just okay, and the service was painfully slow, even on a very slow Sunday night.
Walter Payton's (the restaurant)
A very unique atmosphere, with lots of history. The food was great, the beer outstanding, prices reasonable, people were lining up to hear the music, & there was no shortage of different things to like about this place including the museum. Make sure to ask for the little historical brochure.
Walter Payton (the humanitarian)
Walter Payton's medical condition was not one that could have been cured with a liver transplant. Walter knew that, but still went out of his way to increase public awareness of the need for organ doners, There were people who did receive organs because the donor's family hoped that Walter would get that organ. In my humble opinion, this gesture was more significant any football statistic could ever be.
Walter was an outstanding role model. Presentable, well spoken, and a hard working man that I find very inspiring.
Water Paytons' (the businesses)
Becuase of Walter's organ donor awareness campaign, and because of my view of Walter as a role model, I would not hesitate to patronize anything with his name. Fortunately this restaurant lives up to my views of Walter Payton the man.
Using the valet service will save you a long walk.
The food at Walter Paytons roundhouse is about as exceptional as his famed career.The menu is contemporary and very good (dont expect bears themes associated with food) This really is a full service venue however. I attended a company christmas dinner and my 11 year (dont ask) high school reunion.
The complex has a cognac bar and an extensive brewery not to mention that the complex also houses the greyhound and metra terminals. Anyone in chicago looking for something out of the ordinary to do on a weekend should catch metra out to Aurora, it drops you off in the same building as the restaurant and walk over to eat and drink.
Live comedy and concerts in the courtyard, this place is truely massive and for electronic heads they have a house music night that should be starting up fairly shortly that takes place in the courtyard.
Dont forget to check out the museum that pays tribute to a truly remarkable human being. His legacy lives on through this remarkable landmark.
10/10 food
9-10/10 service
10/10 atmosphere
10/10 price (some may view as expensive but this isnt your typical burger and dog stand)
10/10 Accesible from everywhere even the city. Just sit back and relax for the 45 minute ride.
We attended a wedding in the banquet portion of the Roundhouse this weekend, and had a great time! The food was good, and the drinks were even better!
There was a long delay between the church and reception, so we spent a little time in the bar of the restaurant. The microbrews were pretty good, and the nachos were just what we needed (though the chicken was skimpy and the salsa was completely lacking). I had the Corolla (the Roundhouse version of Corona) while my husband tried the sampler. I, too, sampled some of the samplers, and my favorites were the Honey Wheat and the dark beer, but I can't remember it's name.
I was pleased to see that the bar in the banquet hall was also serving the Roundhouse microbrews! The bartenders were quick and friendly, and the server staff also did a great job.
Walter Payton's Roundhouse is a gem in Aurora.
The roundhouse itself is one of the only existing ones in the US today (trains would come here to turn around back in the day), and it was in a pretty sorry state before the great Mr. Payton and his friends brought it back to life.
I usually come here after a day of shopping at the outlets (about a 10 minute drive) and reward myself with one of the hand-crafted beers (the root beer is delicious too) and lunch.
The dining room takes a break between lunch and dinner and serves food in the bar area then, but the menu is still extensive. Expect HUGE sandwiches that can easily be split and warm french fries, and green, healthy salads.
Don't forget to stop by the museum and see Walter's super bowl ring before you leave.
This is a great restaurant to visit in the winter (sit next to the fireplace) or in the summer (enjoy the great patio).
I am throwing 5 stars down based solely on the unique aspect of this place.
From what I understand, the land was originally used as an area for trains to turn around. However, with time the facility wasn't used and it became run down. The land was then purchased for like 5 bucks and along with the help of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, the land was restored and altered into a local hub for the Chicago area.
The food is good.... perhaps a tad pricey, but all and all it is worth it. I had the fried calamarri (no marinara sauce?), potato skins and an artichoke for appz...(actually it wasn't just me, it was a group of 4). All were very good...potato skins especially. For my meal I ordered a delicious porter house steak, cooked to perfection with a side of roasted garlic mashies and some forrest shrooms to top it all off. A co worker ordered the prime rib and that looked awesome... it was like the size of a volkswagen.
My beer of choice was a "pizza beer".. it has a small hint of spices and tomato..good, but it was not worth the 6 bucks a bottle. I had to order it though...i couldn't live with the regret..
This facility also offers more than just food though. Comedy clubs are offered as a compliment to a good meal and they have a Walter Payton museum which has quite the assortment of collecables from Walter's private stash. The crowning jewel is the super bowl ring from those lovable shuffling bears. It's very cool...but don't take my word for it...give it a whirl.
This place was amazing. It is about 10 minutes from the Aurora outlet malls. So I went shopping with the fiance and then went here for dinner and beer
1. jalopeno stuffed into a shrimp. then wrapped in priciutto was amazing
2. Beers were all pretty good, except the Sweetness Stout which was amazing
3. Ribs were delicious
4. Pizza beer was pretty good, I still prefer real beer
then the WP museum was pretty sweet (ha get it.... the sweetness museum was sweet)
I have been going to Payton's for over 10 years now and I have YET to have a bad meal.
Tonight (10/6/2007) we went to celebrate my Dad's birthday. I would highly recommend making reservations on the busy days of the week. Given the Cubs playoff game, a wedding that was going on there and high school homecomings, it can get crowded fast and you could be at the bar for awhile (although that's not a bad thing as it's a great bar as well!)
We had our reservation for four in non-smoking and were seated promptly. Service was a little slow to start with but then once she greeted us and took our drink orders, we rolled.
In all the years I've been going, I've NEVER had a steak off of their menu. I usually have pork chops, pork tenderloin, chicken, etc, but tonight I decided to do the 18-ounce, bone-in rib eye with a Parmesan Crust topping. Mary Kay had the Chipotle BBQ Pork Chops, my Dad had the All-American burger (his favorite) with loads of extras, and my Mom had a Chicken special that was stuffed with spinach, ham and some sort of sauce.
All meals were excellent and everyone left happy. I swear, this is a never-miss quality place. I would imagine that Walter's legacy must be represented properly so every employee is probably schooled in the history of the man and his life.
Of course the beer selection is made mostly in-house. From Pilsners to Stouts, there is a large variety of Payton-made brews. You can also get a sampler of 5 beers. The staff is pretty educated in the different brews and you also get a nice daily specials sheet that helps you out with seasonals. The main menu has all of the main beers information.
The main dining room has this massive tapestry of the Dancing Bears. If you head over the gift shop area you can learn more about the original and the artist.
The entire complex is massive with banquet space, the gazebo in the outdoor courtyard which has live music most weekends of the summer, a cigar and wine bar, and a comedy club.
FREE Valet parking is also a huge boost. Do everyone a favor and tip those guys $2-3. Just cuz it's free doesn't mean you should abuse it/the help.
Great service and vibe in the main bar - party of 5 of us hung nicely tonite, good drink, food, service.
I highly recommend the Jalepeno Shrimp wrapped in Prosciutto. Yummy!
We went here to see a comedy show and will definately be back. The comics were funny and it was a fun time for all.
The place is huge - the wait staff was friendly and attentive.
I think we'll come back in the summer as well because there is a huge outdoor space.
I've been to Walter Payton's several times since moving to N. Aurora. I've dragged my friends from the city here as well - they're not impressed : ) The plusses are: during the summer there is a huge outdoor space which is great. Negatives: If you can't be outside, it's really not great. The food is nothing special, bartenders are older and s-l-o-w just not great energy. The crowd looks sparse because there are so many rooms...eh it's more of a place for dinner not a fun place to go on a night out.
This place is great - awesome atmosphere, delicious food (and desserts!). Everybody that I took here for dinner absolutely loved it.
Other than its location, parking situation, and lack of 'no-smoking' rules, this place flat-out rocks!
They've got a microbrewery with really good beers, there's a cognac bar, a really cool Payton / Chicago Bears museum, a comedy club, a restaurant, and a great concert area.
This could be a really long review, but I'll keep it short and say only that it's worth the trip out to Aurora to check it out.
Go once and drink some of the micro-brews other than that the food is blah and pricey.The 4 or so times Ive been there in my adultlife have been pretty much the same.(Snooze)Best time to go is on a night during the summer when they have a band playing in the Gazebo section.If you go onc emake sure to check ahead for this.Other then Ehhh...OK at best.
Just for the novelty, check it out if youre a Payton fan, otherwise keep driving on by! This place was cramped, (yes, despite the enormous size of the building) dumpy and the food was something any fool could mess up on their own....and mess it up they did.
This place is great! I used to frequent it about every Thursday night for the comedy set...not always the best comedians but definately a good time. The drinks are great, they have really great bartenders that even perform a little bit of flair bartending and the chocolate beer is awesome (and I am not a beer drinker usually). It runs a little expensive but is definately worth the great times. I'd recommend it to anyone for the Thursday night comedy (you can get free passes ahead of time) or to watch a sporting event. The food is pretty good as well although I've only tried a couple items.
A fantastic building and concept that falls just a little short in execution.
Decent food at a decent markup. The food has declined in recent years and become quite bland. At one time, they weren't afraid of spices.
The outdoor courtyard is a great place for live music. It's really the place's strong point now that the cigar bar is no more.
I like microbrews but none of theirs really appeals to me. Pricy drinks as you would expect. An odd see-and-be-seen type of crowd for Aurora.
I don't like comedy clubs so I can't give you much help there. The room where they hold that is also used for live music at times. It makes for a pretty intimate setting.
I've been to more catered events here than I care to remember. The catered food is decent but somewhat limited. I have had a couple of my events catered there. Expect to pay dearly.
I'd recommend it for the live music and to see it once if you've never been there.
Just fantastic. As said before this used to be used (back in the day) to change the direction of locomotives so it is just massive. Even though its size is tremendous it still has a comfy feel to it. Great if your into tasting the micro brews (try the chocolate beer. strange but good!) and good food too.
This place is quite the entertainment mecca. It's HUGE. They have a brewpub, fine dining restaurant, coffee shop, piano bar, comedy shows, live band stand in the middle of the entire place...which is their outdoor patio, pool/dart room, a Walter Payton museum...and I don't even know what else because I've yet to make it through the entire place. Great place to spend an evening.
Food is average. If you're into the bitter, heavy micro-brews, this place is for you. Personally, I'm not. What this place has is AMBIENCE. Very cool setting with a lot of different things going on. Nice for a business lunch but make sure you've got a lot of time because quick is not the staff's strong suit. Best situation is the huge outdoor courtyard in the summer with a live band. Hint: If you're a brewpub fan, then try thier sampler to choose your favorite. If not, just stay with the standard Bud, Bud Light or house wines. Stay away from the mixed drinks. They use the cheap rock-gut stuff and you'll get sick.
What an awesome restaurant. Back in the day it was used by trains, so to say it is massive is an understatement. There are multiple eating areas and rooms and the ceilings are really high. They brew their own beer, too! There is a room dedicated to Walter Payton's career, and it is a must-see. The menu is large and the food was very good. Fast service and friendly staff. If you're ever out shopping at the Aurora Outlet Mall, make sure to stop off here for lunch!
Normally I totally adore the Roundhouse... it is a great date place, or for a special occasion. You could just spend your time walking around the whole place or outside... they have a beautiful gazebo that they use for weddings, and there is a museum, a brewery, a martini bar, etc. Lots of stuff to amuse you at the Roundhouse. I went there a few times and sat in the leather armchairs (you gotta), had a steak and wine, was real classy-like, good times. A few weeks ago a friend and I went to the bar just for drinks and a snack. We ordered a burger to share and asked for it either medium well or well and it was totally undercooked. We asked the bartender if he had drink menus and he just said "no" and walked away. There was a sign for a caramel apple martini and I asked to try that and the bartender was like, "hmmm... I think there is a little bit of that left in the machine." Hey chief? Don't tell me that. Sick. So I drank my alcoholic concoction which TOTALLY tasted like it came out of the machine and the piece de resistance occurred when he came and dropped a cherry right into my glass with his bare hands and was like, "here. This gets a cherry." It was too creepy to even be weirded out by, I ended up just finding the whole thing hilarious. I guess my advice is to go to the Roundhouse but avoid the bar.... and don't get the caramel apple martini.
Great steaks and nice comedy club.
Aurora, IL
Category: Restaurants
Aurora, IL
Category: Pizza
Aurora, IL
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