I had not been to this part of the world in a while having grown up in the Evanston area.A friend of mine she invited to meet some people in Kenilworth part of some meetup I never heard of because I've been living in Panama and Bogota for the last year. This is a pleasant neighborhood place...met an ex for a dinner. The salad was great though :)Service is prompt. Sometimes it can be quite lively here
Veronica R.
Came here for a happy hour and was so happy to see my favorite rose whispering angel available as well as the popcorn shrimp and pretzel bites were sooo delicious. Will definitely be back for dinner soon!
Mike D.
Don't go for the food as it's indifferent at best. Go to watch the divorced people drinking and trying to get busy, and also to watch the North Shore snobs pretending they are really all that.
Per U.
Nice patio setup, but everything else is tough, man.Mediocre food and standard generic bar decor. Staff is nice, but why spend your time and money at a place that is so obviously not trying.Straight ahead meh spot.
ralph z.
Great place for a casual dinner. I love the rueben sandwiches and Caesar Salads. My wife is a fan of the fish tacos. Can be a little loud on weekend nights.
Grant W.
Arrived on a Friday night around 9:45 -- seated outside by a friendly host -- greeted by a friendly server who took our order around 9:55... and then came back at 10:02 and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Our kitchen is closed. They close at 10." Nice.
Kathy D.
While we were not looking for gourmet fare we were surprised that Valley Lodge did not do a good job on basic bar fare. The French fries especially were disappointing, limp and lukewarm. I had the grouper sandwich and it did not have enough sauce and was too spicy. Grouper seemed rubbery. Fried shrimp was average and spinach rolls were bland. Service was OK but slow. Had two staff ask us if the food was "OK". Seems like they didn't have high expectations either. The outside space was nice.
Gerry G.
I've given this place way too many chances. I should have re-read my 2016 review included below. This is truly one of the worst restaurants I can think of in the area. Every time is a disappointment, even with expectations set low. This time it was because the wait at Depot Nuevo was too long. There's a reason there's no wait at this place.Today's highlights: service was inept and lazy. You'd think the server was jaded, but clearly had never worked more than a few days at most. Acted annoyed at basic questions about menu items. Food was abysmal to match. Note to future self: RESIST THE TEMPTATION! YOU WILL REGRET IT, NO MATTER HOW LOW YOU SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS.2016 review:Truly underwhelming. Others apparently agree: the 2016 reviews on this joint have gone downhill and are hovering around a 3-star average, which is generous.I've eaten here a few times, and my most recent visit was the worst. Food was overpriced, not very good, and the service was horrendous. They had no idea who ordered what, mixed up our order with another table's order, brought our young son's food about five minutes after ours, gave me almost-raw asparagus. My daughter's Caesar salad must have been sitting under the heat lamp!? Time for yet another restaurant change in downtown Wilmette--either that, or you'd better boldly announce new management. In the meantime, save your money and head elsewhere. From the service to the food, this place disappoints. Try Dowise, Koya, or Depot Nuevo instead.
Josue J.
I feel this is more of a local establishment. Nothing special about this place but not a bad place. So that's why I took one star off. Don't have much on this place. Bartenders aren't the most welcoming but not dismissive either.
Steven H.
So we went to the Wilmette location based on prior experiences with the Glenview location. Ladies ordered the white fish Greek style. No flavor. Saga all was tasty but not melted through. Shrimp app was delicious. My Ruben was fantastic and the garlic mashed were great. I was charged for a side salad and never got it. Other entree came with cold sweet potato fries. We didn't complain but we should have.
Usually I like to give food reviews but the food was just not that good a 21$ dry overcooked steak soggy tenders and tasteless Mac and cheese u can do better than that
Albert M.
A great staple of this community. So elegant and but so easy going.. great staff and service.. the shrimp was just right very flavorful and spicy.. the Gyro plate came with all the delicious ingredients.... The beer was cold and refreshing, red wine never disappoints.. great place check it out..
Michelle S.
I went for the first time in a long while last evening. It was a "first date" with someone and we went on my recommendation. I really talked up the place but was embarrassed when no one came to our table for what seemed like an unusually long time. My date got up to get someone to wait on us. We ordered our drinks and food at the same time. Once the food arrived we did not see our server again. My date once again went to find someone for the bill. The food was good, but overall the service was very disappointing.
Afocus1
Since my last positive review of Valley Lodge, it seems things have gone downhill. While there was only one other outdoor table occupied, it was surprising that it took over 20 minutes to even receive water. Only the bar tender was seen who eventually came out to take our order griping that no servers were around. After about 25 minutes the food arrived and suddenly there were four staff hanging around. We noticed that people at other tables were largely ignored. When one patron was asked if he needed anything, he said"yes, I need someone to take my order. He was at his table for nearly 30 minutes before being acknowledged. During Covid we would order for delivery or pick-up. Because the delivered food was subpar, we figured it would be great, as in the past, if we ate at the restaurant. The chicken kebob was dried out, the order was incorrect, and when we asked for green beans, the snippy server said you can only have rice or green beans but not both. We said we'll pay for the side of green beans...oh..okay. The turkey burger was okay but too messy to handle. When we were finished, no one asked if we wanted desert or coffee. We have now struck Valley Lodge from our regular go to places.
Mannie P.
It seems things have gone downhill Valley Lodge compared to pre-Covid . While there was only one other outdoor table occupied, it was surprising that it took over 20 minutes to even receive water. Only the bar tender was seen who eventually came out to take our order griping that no servers were around. After about 25 minutes the food arrived and suddenly there were four staff hanging around. We noticed that people at other tables were largely ignored. When one patron was asked if he needed anything, he said"yes, I need someone to take my order." He was at his table for nearly 30 minutes before being acknowledged. During Covid we would order for delivery or pick-up. Because the delivered food was subpar, we figured it would be great, as in the past, if we ate at the restaurant. The chicken kebob was dried out, the order was incorrect, and when we asked for green beans, the snippy server said you can only have rice or green beans but not both. We said we'll pay for the side of green beans...oh..okay. The turkey burger was okay but too messy to handle. When we were finished, no one asked if we wanted desert or coffee. We have now struck Valley Lodge from our regular go to places.
I had not been to this part of the world in a while having grown up in the Evanston area.A friend of mine she invited to meet some people in Kenilworth part of some meetup I never heard of because I've been living in Panama and Bogota for the last year. This is a pleasant neighborhood place...met an ex for a dinner. The salad was great though :)Service is prompt. Sometimes it can be quite lively here
Came here for a happy hour and was so happy to see my favorite rose whispering angel available as well as the popcorn shrimp and pretzel bites were sooo delicious. Will definitely be back for dinner soon!
Don't go for the food as it's indifferent at best. Go to watch the divorced people drinking and trying to get busy, and also to watch the North Shore snobs pretending they are really all that.
Nice patio setup, but everything else is tough, man.Mediocre food and standard generic bar decor. Staff is nice, but why spend your time and money at a place that is so obviously not trying.Straight ahead meh spot.
Great place for a casual dinner. I love the rueben sandwiches and Caesar Salads. My wife is a fan of the fish tacos. Can be a little loud on weekend nights.
Arrived on a Friday night around 9:45 -- seated outside by a friendly host -- greeted by a friendly server who took our order around 9:55... and then came back at 10:02 and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Our kitchen is closed. They close at 10." Nice.
While we were not looking for gourmet fare we were surprised that Valley Lodge did not do a good job on basic bar fare. The French fries especially were disappointing, limp and lukewarm. I had the grouper sandwich and it did not have enough sauce and was too spicy. Grouper seemed rubbery. Fried shrimp was average and spinach rolls were bland. Service was OK but slow. Had two staff ask us if the food was "OK". Seems like they didn't have high expectations either. The outside space was nice.
I've given this place way too many chances. I should have re-read my 2016 review included below. This is truly one of the worst restaurants I can think of in the area. Every time is a disappointment, even with expectations set low. This time it was because the wait at Depot Nuevo was too long. There's a reason there's no wait at this place.Today's highlights: service was inept and lazy. You'd think the server was jaded, but clearly had never worked more than a few days at most. Acted annoyed at basic questions about menu items. Food was abysmal to match. Note to future self: RESIST THE TEMPTATION! YOU WILL REGRET IT, NO MATTER HOW LOW YOU SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS.2016 review:Truly underwhelming. Others apparently agree: the 2016 reviews on this joint have gone downhill and are hovering around a 3-star average, which is generous.I've eaten here a few times, and my most recent visit was the worst. Food was overpriced, not very good, and the service was horrendous. They had no idea who ordered what, mixed up our order with another table's order, brought our young son's food about five minutes after ours, gave me almost-raw asparagus. My daughter's Caesar salad must have been sitting under the heat lamp!? Time for yet another restaurant change in downtown Wilmette--either that, or you'd better boldly announce new management. In the meantime, save your money and head elsewhere. From the service to the food, this place disappoints. Try Dowise, Koya, or Depot Nuevo instead.
I feel this is more of a local establishment. Nothing special about this place but not a bad place. So that's why I took one star off. Don't have much on this place. Bartenders aren't the most welcoming but not dismissive either.
So we went to the Wilmette location based on prior experiences with the Glenview location. Ladies ordered the white fish Greek style. No flavor. Saga all was tasty but not melted through. Shrimp app was delicious. My Ruben was fantastic and the garlic mashed were great. I was charged for a side salad and never got it. Other entree came with cold sweet potato fries. We didn't complain but we should have.
Restaurantji Recommends
Usually I like to give food reviews but the food was just not that good a 21$ dry overcooked steak soggy tenders and tasteless Mac and cheese u can do better than that
A great staple of this community. So elegant and but so easy going.. great staff and service.. the shrimp was just right very flavorful and spicy.. the Gyro plate came with all the delicious ingredients.... The beer was cold and refreshing, red wine never disappoints.. great place check it out..
I went for the first time in a long while last evening. It was a "first date" with someone and we went on my recommendation. I really talked up the place but was embarrassed when no one came to our table for what seemed like an unusually long time. My date got up to get someone to wait on us. We ordered our drinks and food at the same time. Once the food arrived we did not see our server again. My date once again went to find someone for the bill. The food was good, but overall the service was very disappointing.
Since my last positive review of Valley Lodge, it seems things have gone downhill. While there was only one other outdoor table occupied, it was surprising that it took over 20 minutes to even receive water. Only the bar tender was seen who eventually came out to take our order griping that no servers were around. After about 25 minutes the food arrived and suddenly there were four staff hanging around. We noticed that people at other tables were largely ignored. When one patron was asked if he needed anything, he said"yes, I need someone to take my order. He was at his table for nearly 30 minutes before being acknowledged. During Covid we would order for delivery or pick-up. Because the delivered food was subpar, we figured it would be great, as in the past, if we ate at the restaurant. The chicken kebob was dried out, the order was incorrect, and when we asked for green beans, the snippy server said you can only have rice or green beans but not both. We said we'll pay for the side of green beans...oh..okay. The turkey burger was okay but too messy to handle. When we were finished, no one asked if we wanted desert or coffee. We have now struck Valley Lodge from our regular go to places.
It seems things have gone downhill Valley Lodge compared to pre-Covid . While there was only one other outdoor table occupied, it was surprising that it took over 20 minutes to even receive water. Only the bar tender was seen who eventually came out to take our order griping that no servers were around. After about 25 minutes the food arrived and suddenly there were four staff hanging around. We noticed that people at other tables were largely ignored. When one patron was asked if he needed anything, he said"yes, I need someone to take my order." He was at his table for nearly 30 minutes before being acknowledged. During Covid we would order for delivery or pick-up. Because the delivered food was subpar, we figured it would be great, as in the past, if we ate at the restaurant. The chicken kebob was dried out, the order was incorrect, and when we asked for green beans, the snippy server said you can only have rice or green beans but not both. We said we'll pay for the side of green beans...oh..okay. The turkey burger was okay but too messy to handle. When we were finished, no one asked if we wanted desert or coffee. We have now struck Valley Lodge from our regular go to places.