Big (some 350 seats inside and outside), bold and bumptious, this is Weber Grill's showcase restaurant. There are more kettle-drums here than in a dozen symphony orchestras, and they’re all fired up. There are plenty of meat choices---ribs, steak, chops, prime rib, burgers---but from the people who made outdoor grilling an event, what would you expect? Prices are right, quality is high. You might run into a lot of hustle and bustle during prime eating time (lunch and dinner both). Outside seating is first-come, first-served on the wraparound covered patio, but if you’re lucky enough to grab a seat, it’s a good place to dive into the mound of onion curls and beer can chicken. Skip the flatbreads, though---they aren’t very good. Reservations are recommended for inside dining, which proves a clubby affair. If you are looking for a quieter, more subdued (relatively speaking) dining experience, ask to be seated in one of the dining rooms at either end of the restaurant (both have stone fireplaces). The center section opposite the exhibition kitchen can be a bit noisy, but the show is great. The wine list is approachable, but we veer toward the specialty drinks. Look for dynamite deals, like $5 off the burger of the day at lunch. Additional locations are in Lombard and Schaumburg.
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