Illusive Restaurant & Bar

3 Ferry St, Rensselaer
(518) 977-3602

Recent Reviews Order Online

Customers' Favorites

Eff Popeyes Burger and Sweet Potatoes Fries
Down by the River Burger and Fries
Chicken Wings with Illusive Sauce
Char-Grill Chicken Caesar Salad
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
Garlic Aioli Bacon Burger
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Jacked Up Tator Tots
Award Winning Wings

Menu

Specials
Chicken Sando Special
The Burger Special

Appetizers
Wings
Order of 13 Wings, Tossed in Your Choice of Sauce
Side Of Fries
Side of Cajun Fries
Bacon & Chicken Dilla
Grilled Tortilla filled with Chargrilled Diced Chicken, Candied Bacon & Mexi-Cheese Blend. Served with Sour Cream.
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Warm, Creamy Dip with Sauteed Baby Spinach and Frizzled Artichokes. Served with Pita Chips
Crab Cakes
Two Pan Bronzed Super Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with Lemon Pepper Aioli and A Fresh Lemon Wedge
Tater Tot Poutine
Crispy Tater Tots, Cheese Curds, Our Signature Gravy & Candied Bacon Crumbles
Jacked-Up Tots
Crispy Tater Tots, Candied Bacon Crumbles, Charred Tomatoes, Roasted Onions, Three Cheese Blend & Illusive Ranch
Street Corn & Chorizo Chips
Illusive Chips, House Made Chorizo, Roasted Corn, Diced Tomatoes, Mexi-Cheese Blend & Horseradish Cream Sauce
Sweet Potato Fries
Caramelized Bacon
Side of Plain Tots
Side of Potato Chips
Side Of Pita Chips
Shrimp Cocktail
Five Citrus Poached U-15 Tiger Shrimp, Illusive Cocktail Sauce & a Fresh Lemon Wedge
Chicken & Bacon Dip
Warm, Creamy Dip with Diced Chargrilled Chicken & Candied Bacon. Served with Pita Chips.

Burgers
Empire Smash Burger.
Two Certified Angus Beef Smash Patties, Caramelized Bacon, NY Sharp Cheddar, Whipped Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Lettuce & Onion on Toasted Brioche
Mick Jigga
1/2lb Chargrilled Certified Angus Beef Patty, Candied Bacon, Caramelized Onions, Irish Porter Cheddar Cheese, Cherry Pepper Mayo & Lettuce on Toasted Brioche
Down By the River
1/2lb Chargrilled Certified Angus Beef Patty, Candied Bacon, NY Cheddar, Hickory Bourbon BBQ, Crispy Onions & Lettuce on Toasted Brioche
Cheeseburger
Pub Crawler
1/2lb Chargrilled Certified Angus Beef Patty, Candied Bacon, Roasted Mushrooms, Swiss Cheese, Horseradish Cream Sauce & Lettuce on Toasted Brioche
Bacon Cheeseburger
Sloppy Jose
1/2lb Chargrilled Certfied Angus Beef Patty, Caramelized Bacon, Roasted Poblanos, Avocado, Smoked Chili Cheddar, Sloppy Jose Sauce & Lettuce on Toasted Brioche
Hamburger
Bacon-Caprese Burger
1/2lb Chargrilled Certified Angus Beef Patty, Candied Bacon, Burrata Cheese, Basil Pesto Mayo, Balsamic Reduction, Lettuce, Tomato & Onion on Toasted Brioche
Bacon Hamburger

Sandos & Whatnot
Eff Popeyes
Crispy Chicken, Candied Bacon, NY Cheddar Cheese, Marinated Pepper Mayo, Lettuce & Dill Pickles on Toasted Brioche
Casanova Caprese
Fresh Mozzarella, Sliced Tomatoes, Lettuce, Fresh Basil Pesto, Balsamic Reduction, Toasted Foccacia
Harlem Classic Chopped Cheese
Chopped Certified Angus Beef, American Cheese, Mayo, Ketchup, Hot Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato & Onions on a Press Toasted Hero Roll
Beverwyk Bully
Shaved House Roast Beef, Candied Bacon, Pepper Jack Cheese, Horseradish Cream, Lettuce & Tomato on Toasted Foccacia
Dragon Breath
Crispy Chicken, Candied Bacon, Chili Pepper Asiago Cheese, Thai Chili Mayo, Lettuce & Red Onions on Toasted Brioche
Big Anthony
Shaved Prosciutto, Soppressata, Capicola, Fresh Mozzarella, Marinated Pepper Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato & Onion on a Toasted Hero Roll
SmokeHouse 420
Chargrilled Chicken Breast, Candied Bacon, Swiss Cheese, Whipped Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato & Onion on Toasted Brioche
Senor Hector
Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Caramelized Bacon, Sliced Dill Pickles, Sharp NY Cheddar & Deli Mustard on a Toasted Foccacia Roll
Crabtivating BLT
Twin Crab Cakes, Candied Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Shakin Bacon Remoulade on Toasted Brioche
Italian-Starburst
Shaved Prosciutto di Parma, Fresh Burrata, Garden Pesto Mayo, Balsamic Reduction, Lettuce, Tomato & Onion on Toasted Foccacia
Boss Hog
Caramelized Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato with Mayo on Toasted White Bread

Salads
Chicken Caesar Salad
Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast, Seasonal Field Greens, Herbed Croutons, Shaved Parmesan, Grated Pecorino-Romano, Our Signature House Caesar Dressing
Simone's Cobb Salad
Chargrilled Chicken, Candied Bacon, Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, Hard-Boiled Egg, Gorgonzola Crumbles, Seasonal Field Greens, Served with Our Signature White Balsamic Vinaigrette
House Salad
Seasonal Field Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, English Cucumbers, Sliced Red Onions, Shaved Carrots, Herbed Croutons & Our Signature While Balsamic Vinaigrette
Madison Salad
Chargrilled Chicken Breast, Clipped Baby Spinach, Dried Cranberries, Sunflower Seeds, Hard-Boiled Egg, Goat Cheese Crumbles & Sliced Red Onion, with Our Signature White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Stacked Greek Salad
Chargrilled Chicken Breast, Seasonal Field Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, English Cucumbers, Red Onion, Marinated Olive Medley, Sliced Feta, Served with Our Signature White Balsamic
Sicilian Salad
Seasonal Field Greens, Capicola, Pepperoni, Cherry Tomatoes, Sliced Red Onion, Pepperoncinis, Shaved Parmesan, Served with Our Signature White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Bacon Garbanzo Salad
Seasonal Field Greens, Candied Bacon, Sliced Feta, Crunchy Spiced Garbanzo Beans, Cannellini Beans & Cherry Tomatoes. Served with Our House White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mac & Cheese
Cajun Chicken & Bacon Mac & Cheese
Cajun-Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Candied Bacon & Our Signature Mac & Cheese
Classic Mac & Cheese
Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese
Slow Roasted Pork & Our Signature Mac & Cheese Topped with Hickory Bourbon BBQ with Crispy Onions
Candied Bacon Mac & Cheese
Mariachi Mac n Cheese
House Made Chorizo Crumbles, Candied Bacon, Roasted Poblanos, Red Onion with Smoked Chili Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Entrees
Steak Louie
Pan Seared Certified Angus Beef NY Strip Steak, with Roasted Mushrooms, Flamed Cippolini Onion Sauce, Potatoes & Vegetables du Jour
Pasta Arlene
Wild Mushrooms, Preserved Tomatoes, Cannellini Beans, Fresh Tortellini, Roasted Red Pepper Broth,
Alessandro
Sauteed Shrimp, Pinched Italian Sausage, Blistered Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Linguine & Silk Cream Sauce
Chicken Marsala
Chicken Breast Medallions, Wild Mushrooms, Marsala Sauce, Potatoes & Vegetable du Jour

Kid's Menu
Kid's Mac & Cheese
Kid's Cheese Quesadilla
Kid's Grilled Cheese
Kid's Pasta with Butter

Extra Dressing & Sides
Side of Horsey Mayo
Side of Marinated Pepper Mayo
Side of Ranch
Side of Blue Cheese Dressing
Side of Illusive Hot Sauce
Side of BBQ
Side Of Pesto Mayo
Side of Ketchup
Side of Sour Cream
Side of Thai Mayo
Side of Lemon Pepper Mayo
Side of Remoulade
Side of Caesar Dressing
Side of Whipped BBQ
Side of White Balsamic
Side of Balsamic Reduction
Side of Hot Sauce.
Side of Mayo
Side Of Spicy Mustard

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Recent Reviews

This was our first time visiting after hearing great things about Illusive. I had the empire smash burger with tots and my wife had the Harlem chopped cheese. Both were delicious!
They have a large variety of options including multiple kinds of wings, chicken sandwiches, and burgers. Our server was awesome and kept us stocked up on drinks and anything else we needed. Go check them out - we will definitely be back many times.
July 2025
Wow. Just Wow. This place is great. Probably the most popular/famous spot in Rensselaer but it is also very approachable and not uptight. Just a cool spot and people with next level food.

The food is unique. You may be familiar with the food on the menu in general but the flavor profiles are going to be turned up a few notches when you eat them. Thats the best way to describe it for me. So get what you like and enjoy Illusive's take on that. You will enjoy...
July 2025
Don't judge a book by its cover. The outside of this restaurant in no way resembles the deliciousness that awaits within. It's small but fun and laid back, and the burgers and sandwiches, incredible! Extremely tasty! The fries are really good too. Staff are friendly and attentive. Highly recommend the Croissant Chaos, delectable.
July 2025

More Reviews

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Illusive Restaurant & Bar

3 Ferry St, Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 977-3602