Big Hurt Brewhouse

We just returned from the Big Hurt Brewhouse.
We were not impressed other than the beautiful inside of the building. That part is way cool being a long time Berwyn resident.
Now to the nitty gritty. First we were not greeted at the door. Stood there for about 10 minutes until one of the customers motioned for us to take a seat. The biggest disappointment was the menu. It has changed to a burger and sandwich place. No Fish n chips, ribs, etc. It has not even been changed on the website. How is this possible? Even with a streamlined menu they did not have everything. They did not have steak, did not have chips, did not have fish. How do you run out of food when you only have 20 – 30 choices ?? The waitress was good. The management needs to get their act together or this place will not last. We will not be back.
FYI — There was a «please be seated sign» but was facing backwards. We turned it around as we left.
Hope this review helps. Go to the long horn steak house it’s down the street and much better.

Service was horrible! The waitress put our food and another couples food on the same bill, we really didnt know them that good. She told us to highlight who had what and split it. It was a very uncomfortable situation. The food was cold and just so so, nothing to brag about. The manager chased us out at 11:30 pm, we had a party of 10. The band, Nobody’s Business, was great. That band would be the only reason to go back.

I’m sorry this has to go down on your legacy, Frank. Went today for my boyfriends birthday dinner. Made a reservation for 11 people a couple days before because I know personally, working in the food business, it’s just out of respect. Plus, it was a Sunday dinner and we thought they would have a little rush and being baseball season. We got there and the place was DEAD! One couple eating in the dining area and a few people at the bar. The waiter was friendly but really didn’t sell us onto any beer or drinks. Boyfriend ordered one of Frank Thomas beer and I ordered a iced tea. Took about 10 minutes to get our drinks! Then it was time to order food. My boyfriends mother ordered the hot dog but they said they were out of hot dogs buns. Boyfriend ordered the BHB burger. They were out of the BBQ brisket that went on top of the burger so they subbed with BBQ pulled pork. The tomatoes and lettuce on the burgers were all wilted and old. I ordered a side salad and the lettuce looked black and wilted. Totally sent it back. Not to mention, it took about 45 minutes for our food. We were the only people in the place! Plus everyone got there food at my table but mine took an extra 15 minutes to get mine. I sat there while everyone ate. I am an pregnant woman, you would think they would serve me first. Guess not! Had to ask for refills, even offered! Then we had birthday cake, we asked for plates and forks. Never got them!!! So we got up, and we got them ourselves. We spoke to the manager but he could careless. It’s sad to see this beautiful place is run so crappy! Everything was just terrible! We will NEVER go there again!

This place was such a disappointment … No one was in there we had a party of 12, we had to practically beg to get a drink… Salads were horrible lettuce wilted old food … I felt like I was in the twilight zone !!! Terrible managing skills … Do not waste your time or money on this place

Been here a couple of times and have to say this place has so much potential to be a success but they don’t capitalize on it. The first time I was here was when it first opened and had a nice time. Frank Thomas was in the house and got to meet and chat with him for a few minutes. The food was good, not great and the service was satisfactory. I chalked the experience up to the fact that it just opened and they just needed to get their act together.
Well, fast forward to a few weeks ago. Met up with the GF for a bite for dinner, and the place was dead. We were seated and we just sat there for 15 minutes until the waitress finally came over to take our orders. Mind you, only 4 or 5 couples were in this large space. Anyway we ordered and got our food in a relatively short time. I had the prime burger which was good and my GF got the Turkey burger which as a bit dry, but okay as well.
For an establishment that calls it self a Brewhouse, the brew choices were pretty thin. The beer menu has your typical InBev type choices with Big Hurt beer at the forefront, which is fairly pedestrian imo. With so many great brewery’s around Chicagoland and distributing their brews, BHB should be a destination for Craft Beer lovers.
I really want to like this place. And with a space this beautiful Thomas and his partners could of made something really special, a destination for Sox fans, foodies, and beer nerds alike. Instead it’s just a typical tired suburban sports bar with a beautiful façade and a decent patio. They need to do a major overhaul of this establishment.

Went here a week ago with my fiancé and her family. The atmosphere has huge potential but there is no attention to detail. The finishings and organization have a cheap air about them. Service was slow seemingly due to an unorganized and chaotic kitchen from what we could gather. We were one of two tables in the whole place and waited a long time for both our food and drinks. The food actually wasn’t too bad when it finally arrived. We never saw the manager come out once until we asked to see her to express our disappointment. Overall we were very disappointed. This place still has potential, but I don’t think it is being managed properly at all.

I came here when it first opened. I don’t know why I never reviewed it, but better late then never!
Ok so my friend and I came in to eat about 2 weeks after they opened. The water they brought to us had crumbs INSIDE.
The waiter had no idea what was on the menu after I asked if it came with fries or chips. He messed up our order.
Food was bland. Never came again and always tell my friend to stay away — and everyone who has gone agreed it is a 1-​star place. Sorry Big Hurt.

Really impressed with this place. Good food and an even better vibe to have drinks and hang out after work!

The food is terrible. The wait staff and hostess unprofessional. Owner needs to wake up and do something to improve situation. Everyone I know who has been there basically have same opinion. I just wished I had asked them before going.

Went here on a Thursday when it was officially St. Patricks day. The live band was nice but it was so loud my ears were ringing for a half hour after I left and we were only there for an hour. The beer selection was ok. The waiter we had was notbad, maybe a 7 of 10. The chili fries we had for an appetizer were decent. The chicken sandwich had balsamic vinegar on it, which was not advertised. The $ 22 NY Strip was not worth the money. It had too much seasoning and was very salty. If I did not have a gift card, I would have been pretty upset. It was a nice place, converted bank. I will probably give it a second shot, but I don’t have high hopes for it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE that finally the bank was saved– I recall going to the bank as a small kid and loving the dome.
The burger was great, juicy and the fries yummy.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a nice selection of beer and the waiter was nice.
When I rolled my eyes at a «lemon saison» and asked about it, waiter started to explain what a saison was– when I interrupted, and said I know what it is, I’m questioning the lemon.” He shut right up– and offered me a taste!
Most waiters are insane to make you think they know anything about beer, so normally I get a argument when I say I know what they are talking about– this guy? Nope, rolled right with it, took me at my word that I know beer– I think this was a first for a non beer focused restaurant… thumbs up!
My friend had a salad and she said she loved it.
I will definitely stop back in.

C’mon…this place is 10++++STARS. Fabulous looking, just beautiful! Lemon Drop Martini unbelievably good! & only $ 7?!?-with Ciroc! Soo tasty, should cost $ 16+! food is just as good– Cuban was delicious, cod was cone perfect & fresh coleslaw. …I can’t believe the prices-​super deal in BERWYN. Super atmosphere, music perfect, etc, etc. and I don’t need to go to Oakbrook or downtown! My new FAVORITE place.
You 1star reviewers: don’t know what you are talking about – this place is great, priced great & very very good – don’t be haters!

The food is absolutely awesome. Frank was here greeting people. Great place to eat, drink, and watch the game.

Three Strikes and you’re out, Frank.
Here’s our history with the place.
1^st try — a couple of weeks after they opened. Tuesday at 8:30… closed.
2^nd try — Monday at 8:45, we called ahead. Nobody picked up but the message said the hours were until 10:00. Closed.
Last night, strike 3. We walked in at around 8:50 and the waitress told us she would be happy to serve us, but the kitchen was already closed.
So, not exactly a review, because we haven’t had the chance to try anything. All I can say is there was a very weird vibe in the place, and it really seems like they aren’t all that interested in taking care of customers outside of peak hours. That, and based on the reviews I’m seeing here, I’m certainly not invested in making any more effort to see what this is all about.

Big Hurt hurts me.
I’m from the neighborhood, and the immense amount of funds and time it took to save the old bank building was of epic proportions. I prayed this building would be saved from the wrecking ball.
I was thrilled to see the old bank building saved and renewed. I love the fact this place has a patio.
But, why am I giving it 3-​stars?
I’d be here everyday if it actually tried. The décor is admittedly cheap and, sorry folks, not like other «hip» pubs. So, so, so many things could have been done with that great open space. Instead, the lighting, layout and furniture are reminiscent of a Baker’s Square in 1998. Bare walls with big TVs.
Like everything else that serves booze in the Chicago area, there’s a video gambling section. This needs to go away. A new bar’s target audience should be younger folk out for a good drink; not vice-​addicted dregs. It just looks sad and embarrassing.
The beers — good, but I’d like to see more for a place that’s not an ordinary dive. Food is actually pretty spot-​on here as well.
Big Hurt, you need to:
1. Buy furniture that aren’t cast-​offs from an office warehouse.
2. Put in real lights and take out the obscene neon. This is a sports bar, not Cheesecake Factory.
3. Have a staff that knows and appreciate beers, not some indifferent chick who knows how pull handles and text.
4. Stay open later. We’re talking past midnight.
5. Divide the vast open areas into sections. One should be just a bar & TV, the other should be dining with a small bar without TVs.
6. Music — maybe play or invite groups that are of a wide variety of genres?
The sports theme is what this place is based on, but it can’t pull this for long. I’m sure there’s a way to do sports without appearing like a Hooters in Kane County.

It’s a decent place to have drinks, watch sports and to have a bite. Being a bit of a lightweight, I prefer fruitier (sugary) cocktails. I was less than impressed with the lighter options here, but there was at least one hard cider so I was able to get something –which is required if you belly up to the bar.
We stopped in on a Sunday and we ordered a few appetizers to go along with our beverages. I was a little disappointed in the food items too. So much so that we decided against packing them up to take home.
I loved the décor and number of televisions. It’s a great place to watch any type of sporting event especially with a group of friends.
While it is not a place I would view as a new hangout, I think it is a great option in this area. If/​when I do return, I would definitely order something different on the menu.

I’ve been meaning to check this place out since it opened, especially since it’s so close to where I use to live as a child. I must say, stunning rebuild! They put in a lot of work to rehab this place. I love that they kept the original safe (formally a bank), and turned it into a party room/​gaming section. Pretty cool.
Place was kind of dead for a Sunday afternoon. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks. Our bartender was friendly and attentive. The drinks were nothing special, and he must of not been feeling generous that day, because I immediately had to ask for a stronger drink.
Overall, the place is great, and very spacious. Job well done on the rehab of the place! I didn’t get a chance to try anything on the menu, but I’ll be back a second time.

This is our first visit, wasn’t sure what to expect, it’s really a treat! We were graciously greeted by our server, we were able to sit outside by the warm fire on a cool summer evening, and the Francisco, manager Francisco made sure to visit with us numerous times to check on our experience.
Loved, loved, loved The Metro. It’s Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka, Cointreau, Black Currant, Lime, Cranberry Juice served in a chilled sugar rimmed glass. Tasted just perfect!
We had wings, the mac n cheese, and creamed corn. Serving sizes were just right due to the quality of the food. All were tasty, especially the creamed corn, yum, yum!!! Did I mention that I really liked the creamed corn?!?
Looking forward to our next visit, want to try other menu items, and specialty drinks. I’m talking about you Southside Island Punch!!!

Review #250 — ¼ of the way to the big 1,000!
This review – much like any one of Frank Thomas’s 521 career homers – is long, but oh-​so-​definitely worth it. Intrepid Unilocalers, read on!
First thing’s first: has anyone seen the movie «The Slammin Salmon»? It’s from the same talented troupe of guys who brought you the comedies «Beerfest» and «Super Troopers». Anywho, the (highly enjoyable) movie is about a former heavyweight athlete who opens up a restaurant and makes appearances from time to time to mingle with guests/​fans. Sound familiar? It should, because that premise is EXACTLY what Big Hurt’s Brewhouse is. The parallels drawn between TSS and BHB are so many, it’s uncanny. [end tangent]
Well folks, much like the Hall of Famer’s storied career, experiences here are either a ‘no-​doubter’ home run… or a strikeout. I’m happy to report that my dinner trip here was wonderful, but a follow-​up visit by my mother for lunch was a disappointment, so your experience may vary substantially. From what I’ve seen, many negative experiences stem from a lousy lunch outing, and most positive experiences happen at peak hours on weekend evenings. Here’s my take on #35’s namesake restaurant:
We started off with a chicken flatbread which was, well, flat – in both geometry and flavor. Fortunately our server brought us a cup of in-​house buffalo sauce, which was perfectly peppery and very tasty. Sometimes hot sauce can make a big difference. I opted for the soup + sandwich combo, which was an excellent choice. The beer cheese soup was *amazingballs*, and the ½ prime rib sandwich was delicious and filling, not to mention a great value. Good fries, too. My dad gave his burger two thumbs up, and my mom gave her bacon mac’n’cheese two thumbs way up.
I loved the ‘Honeygirl’ beer, which was in the style of a belgian wheat ale. The two end booths have built-​in tappers stocked with their own homebrews, which is an extremely slick feature. You bet your ass I’m reserving one of those next time.
The only real misstep of the meal was dessert, for which we ordered the red velvet cupcake. It was decidedly dry and I stopped after one bite. Our server was good – not great, but good. The floor manager came around a few times to check on patrons, which is always appreciated (you better believe we notice things like this!)
The ambiance… ohhhh the ambiance. SO cool. Housed in the old American State Bank building, the restaurant has a huge vaulted ceiling and painted dome with incredible artistry. The venue has awesome historical significance, and instead of electing to bulldoze and start fresh (like many do), Frank left the façade untouched – a smart move. Quite honestly, even if the food doesn’t ‘wow’ you, it’s worth your time/​money to come here to see the interior and enjoy a beer.
…Did I mention we got to meet and talk to the Big Guy himself? Because we freaking did (see attached photo). Note that the smiles are 100% genuine: Frank is smiling because we just dropped $ 100+ at his restaurant, and we’re smiling because we got to meet a baseball superstar. Hell yeah buddy!
Personally, I loved BHB, would return, and would highly recommend… for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night, when the odds of seeing Frank are greatest.
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Here’s the TL;DR version–
4.5÷5, rounding up because I’m the biggest White Sox fan you’ll likely ever meet; I’ve seen Frank play many games with the palehose, I was present when they unveiled a bronze statue of him at Sox park, and both my old man and I were in attendance when they retired his number on-​field in a very emotional ceremony. He’s forever a Southside legend, and his Berwyn restaurant pays great homage to the man. Great food overall, solid beer, and spectacular atmo. So it gives me great pleasure to say the following:
You can put this one on the booooooaarrdd, YYYES!

Mixed reviews of this place made me desperate to try out Big Hurt Brewhouse. Plus, I’d heard of many run ins with the Big Hurt himself there, so I wanted to try my luck at meeting him!
Seemed kind of ominous how empty it was on a Thursday night, but the staff was friendly, and able to seat us quickly. Table and chair was a little awkwardly wobbly, but other than that, the set up looked very nice, with large red booths in the back, short and tall tables, plus a bar.
The site is so cool with its high, elaborate ceiling, and converted vault room, and Frank Thomas memorabilia. It was visually pleasing.
I ordered the Honey Girl Big Hurt Brew, which was good. Wheaty, mild, a little bit sweet. You can order any of there draft beers in 12, 16 or 20oz pours too!
For food, we were starving so we ordered the bbq chicken smothered sweet potato fries. Seemed delicious in concept, came out warm, not super hot (the cheese had already gone cold on it). It was a large portion good for sharing but not great in taste. The BBQ chicken was a little too sweet. The flavors weren’t a great mix.
For food, I wanted to try something different and got a Salmon BLT with fries. My date got the pulled pork mac and cheese. Again, the salmon BLT with avocado just wasn’t a stellar mix of flavors, IMO. The portion was large though, and the bacon was crispy, which wins points back for me! Fries were ample and flavorful, and also held up for when I had leftovers.
My date proclaimed his mac just OK. It looked a little dry when it came out, and the pulled pork wasn’t amazing, he told me.
Overall, it was an OK experience, but nothing to write home about.