Rookies Sports Bar & Grill - Crystal Lake

Honestly the only good thing about our experience here was the darts that were reasonably priced. We got the pretzel appetizer (pictured) for FOURTEEN dollars - this pic was taken before we touched it, how it was served. Insane honestly. On tap beer was fine and reasonably priced if that’s all you’re looking for.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 3

Food was good when they managed to get our orders correct. We sat at the bar and had trouble getting served the 3 girls behind the bar would rather roll their eyes and talk to each other than listen to your order or get you another drink. Other than that cool place to catch a game or meet some friends

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 2

Rookies is the place to go for a fun time with the family or as a couple get away. The front of the building is magnificent! Inside you'll find a well equipped bar, casino games and friendly staff. The food is excellent and the price is good. Bob, the owner, takes good care of his clientele and theos an awesome Christmas party every year! Highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I would like to say iam very disappointed in Rookies for having ICE Agents at your restaurant. This already gives bad Reviews and reports for you and red flags. I hope that you get more than just my review about this situation. ICE Agents should not feel comfortable any where or in our community. This is just disappointing to the community PLEASE DONT SUPPORT ICE SUPPORTERS!!!! You know very well thats its the people that support your business and this is how you turn your back on the community.

Went in and waited about 5 minutes for someone to acknowledge us. Finally got seated and then sat there for about 15 minutes and no one acknowledged us. Watched tables that came in after us be helped and made eye contact with several servers with no result. So we left. Will not return.

We visited on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at this Crystal Lake location. It was new as of 2023 and before that we always enjoyed dining at the Huntley location so we were glad it came to Crystal Lake. This was not my first time in but it has been a while. The wait was pretty long and we weren’t exactly communicated with and it was a little frustrating but the food tasted good and the staff (especially the manager) was very friendly and polite. The experience was overall really good and we will definitely come back, it’s one of our Crystal Lake favorites.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pepperoni Pizza, Roast Beef Sandwich, Cheese Fries, Chicken Finger Basket

How come you can’t check in the Crystal Lake Rookies but you can in all other Rookies and they all come up on my phone when I’m trying to check into this one.

This review is based on several unpleasant encounters with the manager named Eli, he's extremely rude and constantly watches his staff as if he doesn't trust them. The drinks are the highest priced co

Was really disappointed to find out they no longer carry the NHL or NBA package. My friends and I enjoyed watching out of market games here.

Went during the bears game when a raffle was going on. Won a bears jersey, but then was given a grey Miller tshirt. Dishonest establishment. Poor service.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Hi. I would like to say thank you to Jacki at the Crystal lake location. She was so kind and showed empathy when I was there on Thursday 8/1/2024. It’s been a difficult week and my mom had passed away that morning. That was my first meal in about a week. She was so kind to pay for our meals. Thank you so much. I would like for that owner to know this and we will be returning back soon! 10/23/2024- we had Maya as our server today. She is also another wonderful asset to your team! Thank you for the Bingo night!

Rookies has become quite expensive, and the quality of food does not justify the price. I can dine at higher-quality restaurants that prepare fresh meals in their kitchens and spend less for two people than I would at Rookies, which is rather surprising. Considering the size and variety of their menu, I suspect that most of their food is likely sourced from pre-made frozen ingredients. While using frozen ingredients is not inherently negative, it does raise concerns about the value for money when entrees are priced between $15 and $20.

My experience at the restaurant was not entirely satisfactory. I had initially ordered gyros, but after waiting for 20 minutes, I was informed that they had run out of gyro meat. Despite the delay, I decided to order fish and chips as an alternative. Unfortunately, it took another 20 minutes for my food to arrive, by which time everyone else in my party had finished their meals.

The fish and chips were served very hot, and the breading was initially crispy. However, by the time I reached the second piece out of three, the breading had become somewhat mushy. As a result, I ended up removing the breading and eating only the fish.

In comparison, I have had fish and chips from a renowned chef's restaurant in Naperville, and for an additional $7 or $8, the quality of the meal was significantly higher.

I believe that Rookies is pricing itself beyond its actual value and attempting to portray itself as something it is not. It is not a high-end sports bar with high-quality food, but rather an average sports bar that is trying to give the impression of being something it is not.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 1

Rookies is the right name for this establishment but not a positive manner. I wouldn’t mind if the waiter or waitress were on their phone hanging out in the back throughout the night but when there’s poor service and incorrect orders, it’s definitely an issue. The wings were discounted on the managers account based on their service for the night. If you’re burning pizza crust because it’s thin, please lower the temperature it’s not that hard. My wings you could tell they’ve been sitting for a while because they wouldn’t have dry sauce on top of them. The food In service weren’t as big of an issue previous times. Sunday night employees don’t take this job serious and it’s very unfortunate as I won’t be coming back to this location.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

Rookies is the right name for this establishment but not a positive manner. I wouldn’t mind if the waiter or waitress were on their phone hanging out in the back throughout the night but when there’s poor service and incorrect orders, it’s definitely an issue. The wings were discounted on the managers account based on their service for the night. If you’re burning pizza crust because it’s thin, please lower the temperature it’s not that hard. My wings you could tell they’ve been sitting for a while because they wouldn’t have dry sauce on top of them. The food In service weren’t as big of an issue previous times. Sunday night employees don’t take this job serious and it’s very unfortunate as I won’t be coming back to this location.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

Love the popcorn and beer selection.
Surprising I love their chicken parm pasta!

Wendesday gyro special can't beat beat.

The sisters, I think it's Nikki and Jakki maybe make a great team behind the bar

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5