P.J. Clarke’s

The food wasn’t amazing on the Sunday afternoon I was there. The vibe was a little strange too… almost like it was closed, and strange regulars were allowed to stay after closing, because the bartender seemed to spend all her time down at the far end of the bar (thus making getting refills VERY hard to do).
I grew up near the PJs on State, and while they did a nice job w/​the aesthetic on Armitage, I still don’t think it comes close to the State street one in terms of food, service and ambiance.

I am in complete agreement with Matt L. This is like the wicked stepsister of the other PJ’s locations.
I have been to the Illinois location several times, as I live in the area. The bartenders and hosts there have been nothing but friendly, and the food has always been above-​average bar food.
I didn’t even know that the Armitage location existed but went there this week for dinner and was, at best, underwhelmed. The service was nearly nonexistent, my burger was served on the kind of bun you buy at Aldi (and the burger itself was tasteless) and the mashed potatoes, which I always have always loved at the Illinois location, reminded me of the potatoes that were served in my elementary school cafeteria.
Who knows what is up with this location, but I will definitely never come back here. Oh and how annoying is it that the women’s bathroom is upstairs? Though heading upstairs to the bathroom yielded the only positive experience of the night – the cute upstairs party room. But why in the world would you make girls in heels trudge up and down a flight of stairs to use the restroom? Come onnnnnn.
Love PJs, but never hitting up this location again. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GO TO TARANTINOS INSTEAD!!!

I like the lincoln park– armitage location.
GREAT manhattans. Candied cherries and vast bourbon selection.
Friendly bartender.
Good crabcakes.
Killer mac and cheese.
Delicious.

I have been in love with PJ Clarke’s food & atmosphere for a very long time, so I was excited to have a location closer to my apartment. The downstairs bar area is just as welcoming as the PJ’s on Illinois, which is wonderful, but the new upstairs Tree Top Room is a unique & delightful addition to the PJ’s family.
The upstairs is super cute — it really reminds me of an old school resort dining room, like in Dirty Dancing. Very charming and bright… the white floors and red stripes instantly lifted my slightly hungover mood.
I had never had brunch at either of the other locations, but last weekend I decided to give it a try and it was SOOOOOOOO GOOD! I had the apple pancakes and my boyfriend had the southwest skillet. We were both extremely happy with the food. Portions were just big enough to satisfy but not over-​stuff. The bloody marys weren’t too shabby either!
I have to admit, I’m pretty tough on servers, having been one for several years in the past, and our guy was great. He was awesome & a lot of fun. We didn’t have to wait too long for anything and he wasn’t fake or annoying and didn’t disappear or linger too long table-​side.
We were so happy with our brunch we re-​located to the bar downstairs for a couple white russians for dessert. The bartender was very nice and friendly without being overbearing.
We’ll be back soon!

I didn’t stay very long, but the place felt very comfortable and welcoming. The tables and interiors give it a very laid back 50’s feel to it. It could also be that the bartenders are a bit older, not significantly, but enough to make you feel like they’ve been working there for a while. They were extremely nice and generous with our wine portions. My friend and I had a glass of Reisling, which we had to chug since her boyfriend was ready to pick her up. I like that the patrons are a little older and not the young recently graduated from college crowd. I wouldn’t mind coming back here.

A very disappointing experience. My wife and I have been regular customers of P.J. Clarke’s for 15 years, first in the Gold Coast and later when they opened the Streeterville unit. Last Friday, we stopped at their newest unit on Armitage. The trade dress is very similar to the others, so we anticipated a similar experience, simple food, well-​executed, with competent friendly service.
Sadly we got was very different. More importantly, when we talked to management, they didn’t care.
It took a while for our server to reach us and I went a grabbed a couple
of menus from the bar. First, we were taken aback when we realized that the menu was far smaller then the other Clarke’s in Chicago. When we asked the server, she told us «well that’s just the way it is…» completely unconcerned by our dissapointment.
For what’s it worth, here’s my take on that. They named it PJ Clarke’s because they wanted to draw on the equity built up by the other two restaurants in Chicago. When you put the PJ Clarke’s on the front of the building, you are saying that you will get the same experience you have come to love at those other Clarke’s. I wouldn’t have had an issue with the menu if the restaurant was J.J. Reilley’s of J.T. O’Malley’s.
At this point, we would have left as I wasn’t optimistic as to the probable course of the meal. However it was pouring out, so over my better judgement, we chose to stay.
We ordered drinks and a couple of appetizers. The drinks came quickly. After about ten minutes our food came. No silverware. I flagged down a busser and asked for silverware. He never came back. I asked another server for silverware as she passed our table, who grunted «uh hunh» but like the busser, never came back. I eventually went and got silverware from the bar.
When our sever floated by, we asked for another round of drinks. After ten minutes we enquired as to whether they were on the way… the response, «Oh I forgot…»
Just about then I saw a manager with an armload of menus — different menus then we had been offered. Apparently, they offer a completely different menu upstairs (The TreeTop Room). If anyone had bothered to mention this to us, we certainly would have opted for the upstairs choice.
I called the manager over and expressed our disappointment with this. He appeared baffled that we had some sort of issue with this and said, ‘well yes, it’s not the same menu as the other restaurants and we have a different menu upstairs.” and walked away.
For the last 30 years, I have been in the restaurant industry. For the last year and half I have run a 15 unit restaurant group, over $ 35M in sales. All I really wanted was a sincere apology for the service gaffes. Instead, I was treated as if I was some sort of idiot for having a problem with how we were treated.
Successful restaurant companies often develop a kind of arrogance. It may be that after two successful Clarke’s in Chicago, the managing group doesn’t feel that same sense of urgency to take care of every guest. I would strongly suggest that management rapidly change that attitude. Given the current economy and the voracious nature of competition in our business, they won’t survive very long.

I really like the other two P.J. Clarke’s, but I don’t know what’s wrong with this one. It’s like Starbucks at the airport. Same name, but it just isn’t as good for some reason.
Orders got messed up, shrimp were left undeveined (or «veined» if you’re opposed to double negatives), and I got a horrible tummy ache that led me to sleep for 10 hours straight! I don’t remember the last time I slept that long.
Anyway, the upstairs dining room is kind of cool, but kind of creepy. It’s supposed to be some sort of 1920’s theme. I have NO CLUE why they would actually spend money to do this, because there’s nothing else about this place that makes me think I travelled back in time, other than the foodborne illness and non-​potable water. Just kidding, lol. But seriously, the burger did make me feel like ass and like someone else mentioned, was served a la carte unlike the other locations where you get your side free.
Mom ordered meat loaf and mac and cheese, both of which were just about inedible. Sis had the problem with the shrimp — you could literally see the doodie in them. Dad had ribs, which didn’t look or taste the same as the State St. ribs. Bruva in law to be said his bowl of french onion wasn’t the same either.
I’m not tryin’ to hate but if you’re rollin in the West LP, you can probably do better.

P.J. Clarke’s has quickly become our go-​to place when we want to take out-​of-​towners to dinner in the neighborhood. Aside from Shine Morida (and Charlie Trotter’s, of course!), it’s one of the few truly upscale restaurants on Armitage.
The menu isn’t enormous, but it covers all of the bases nicely and when the dishes come out, you always hear lots of, «This is so incredible. .. you have to try this.» I generally stick to the salads so I can justify ordering the giant cinnamon cookie with cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce — and that I won’t consider sharing!
I’m docking one star because the service can be hit-​or-​miss. There’s at least one guy who’s totally checked out. Don’t ask him what’s in anything or if anything comes with anything. He doesn’t have a clue.

After a semi-​long day of window shopping in Lincoln Park, Jessica L. and I headed into PJ Clarke’s, a recommendation from an employee at a previous shopping venue. What I liked about this place was their huge variety of food selections. The menu had just about everything American so this would be a definite crowd pleaser if you’re trying to accommodate the appetites of various individuals in a large group. They had everything from mini burgers to grilled cheese to chicken tenders, salads, soups, meat… the list goes on. The only bummer is they get you with the sides; you have to order them separately! Lame. Anyway, the sweet potato fries are bomb.
I got the grilled cheese. It was pretty standard. Not bad, but how could anyone mess up a GC? My only recommendation would be to use American cheese, not cheddar.
The service was definitely sub par. What is up with the service in Chi-​town? Having moved here not that long ago, I’m still new to the city and what it has to offer. Well, an unfortunate trend I’ve noticed is that the service is just OK. Our waitress was kind of a biatch at the end. She forgot about us. I had to fill up my own water and when I tried to get her attention, she interrupted me as I was asking for the check and said «just wait one minute». Um yea right, like you were really going to come see if I needed anything if I hadn’t have said anything?! Whatevs.
Service…bleh. Food: I promise you they will have something on the menu you will like.

I was a bit skeptical at first when I saw P.J. Clarke’s was infiltrating my beloved Armitage Ave. Especially right next door to Tripoli Tap and across the street from Shoes Pub, the pub market seemed to have been captured here already.
Surprisingly P.J.‘s actually brings a different dynamic to the LP hood. The full and fabulous looking menu (think nicoise salad, crab cakes, burgers, steaks, chops, bread pudding) was a real standout and although the ambiance downstairs is definitely tavern old-​school it’s way more upscale than the neighboring dives. And the upstairs at this P.J.‘s is anything but old school… it’s decorated beautifully with white-​washed colonial hardwood floors and gorgeous huge bright green floral lighting fixtures — I’m surprised to say it, but it’s the nicest restaurant on Armitage now save for Trotter’s, of course.
Friendly bartenders poured attentively and even did a few bottle flare tricks for us… loved it! The music was diverse and loud and it was impossible to not bop along to Mister Freeze! HA! My 5-​star hesitation is due to not having tried the food yet, although at a glance it looks great… I’ll follow up on a return visit which I’m sure will be sooner than later now that I’m pleased to have Mister Clarke on the block.

I was very impressed by this space – not as crowded as the other locations or tight feeling. The tavern quality is still on the first floor but the upstairs is very cool. I love the decorations, especially the flower tapestry and green walls Plus, it’s very close to where we live and it’s nice to have a place around for larger parties in the space upstairs.
The goat cheese app was sooo good. I love goat cheese. loooove. my friend had the chili and he said it was awesome. I got the chinese chicken salad which made me feel healthy even though I really wasn’t. The service was kind of inconsistent, which is understandable for a place just opened. I’ll definitely go back and see if it’s improved. It’s just too darn cute to not return to. Plus, there’s an elevator! woo hoo!

This place was a surprise to me, because I really dislike the P.J. Clarke’s on State, but the Armitage location is SO much better, in terms of environment, service and food. I went to the State street P.J. Clarke’s out of obligation — my brothers liked it and lived nearby — but their food was far worse than a Bennigan’s or Friday’s. There’s just no comparison between the two locations.
I recommend the whitefish or the fillet mignon, and my husband, who isn’t generally a ribs fan, loves their ribs. Also, the décor is great in the upstairs dining room. It has a 1920’s feel, very gracious and elegant, with a nice view over the street. Enjoy!