City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills)

American restaurant · Vernon Hills

City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills)

American restaurant · Vernon Hills

1

929 N Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Photos

City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null
City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills) by null

Highlights

City Works is a vibrant suburban sports bar serving up creative American fare and a staggering selection of local and global draft beers.  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

929 N Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Get directions

cityworksrestaurant.com

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

929 N Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Get directions

+1 847 984 3571
cityworksrestaurant.com
cityworksvernonhills
𝕏
@cityworksus

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Features

wifi
payment credit card
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 6, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

12 Upcoming Chicago-Area Restaurants to Know - Eater Chicago

"Local tavern group Bottleneck Management has another suburban City Works brewpub location planned, this time at 929 N Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills." - Naomi Waxman

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/6/25/18744338/new-chicago-restaurants-summer-2019-plywood-report
View Postcard for City Works (Mellody Farm - Vernon Hills)

Catherine Volk

Google
Angelica was our server & she was super friendly & attentive. We enjoyed brunch, as we visited on the weekend. I cannot speak highly enough about the Chicken & Waffles.....so so good! We will definitely return for future visits. The staff made a great first impression.

Sarah

Google
A modern family oriented sports bar with plenty of screens and comfortable seating. The menu is extensive and the food is pretty good. I loved the chili! The draft beer selection is incredible if that’s your thing! Service from Chelsea was excellent!

Michael

Google
Great service. Huge options on tap for beers. We had brisket tacos and BBQ ribs which were delicious. We arrived a bit early before the crowd and were glad we did. There were lots of people waiting by the time we left, so it gets busy.

joe m

Google
Stopping in for lunch. First the amount of beer handles they had was amazing paired up with the different sizes, this is a beer tasting oasis. I love the selection. So if I was coming in for an "afterwork" this would be the place. I had the fish tacos and they were OK. A little too much breading for my taste so it was hard to taste the fish. Loved the beer pretzels and the smash burger taco was tasty. The wait staff was very nice and helpful. Jazzed up bar food flair in a spacious place. Parking is hard in this area but that's not the place's fault, but just give yourself more time.

Sofia Jimenez

Google
Our waiter (Angelica) was so nice!! And the food was great👍 However, the Barbecue sauce is pretty sweet. One thing I did love though was the Buffalo chicken dip😋Overall, everything was great! Totally coming again.

J Gould

Google
Sheryl was attentive and efficient as she waited on us. She’s a wonderful asset to your establishment. Salmon, chicken rings tacos and chocolate cookie dessert were all excellent!

LaTanya Schwalb

Google
Came here for dinner with my friend. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. Maria, our server was amazing. Attentive and had great suggestions for drinks and appetizers. The food was delicious. I had the blackened salmon salad. Will definitely come again.

Carlos Antonio

Google
I stumbled upon City Works looking for a local dinner fix during a business trip to the Vernon Hills area. I sat at the bar, ordered the chicken tinga tacos and a local brew. The dish and brew were recommended by the fantastic bartender Nina who was very attentive and welcoming. The beer posted here is the Son of Juice by Maplewood. I highly recommend stopping in to try out the BBQ and beer selection. They also have a nice bourbon collection but I simply ran out of time. Apologies for no photo of the food, I was very hungry.
google avatar

Jared H.

Yelp
Amazing food, great service, and fun atmosphere. Great spot for a date; this location seems to be more fitting to bring the family. Highly recommend reserving a table online before showing up.
google avatar

Michelle A.

Yelp
The service was blah... Our sandwiches were terrible, and we will not be returning Go have a cocktail at the bar
google avatar

Kelly S.

Yelp
Cheryl is an amazing waitress and is holding this place together. She is the only thing saving this review from a lower rating. I may have reached old person status but the game is piped in at such a volume that I felt like I had to yell to be heard by my dining companions across the table. The ladies bathroom had visible mold on one sink basin and around the faucet, and the hardware on the door looked dirty as well. Our beer tasters smelled like detergent, which we told Cheryl about and she said she'd speak to the team about. Our actual beers tasted just fine. I had the cheddar burger which was also just fine, nothing earth shattering. The fries it came with were amazing, though. My husband ordered the smoked fried chicken and the smell was so strong we surmised it might be liquid smoke. I just feel like there are better places in that plaza alone that I don't need to go back, but shout out to Cheryl for being amazing.
google avatar

M A.

Yelp
I had a bowl of chili, red onions chopped on top, no cheese, but a dollop of (cold) sour cream. It came cold, I sent it back. After about 15 minutes it came back, and the server kindly waited while I checked it. The bowl was warmer on one side, which was encouraging, but the chili itself was still the same temperature. Sent it back again, asking for HOT. After another (shorter) wait, it came back warm at which point I gave up. Everyone else had pretty much finished eating. When it came to paying the tab the server asked how it was, and I told them it was pretty much tasteless and I wouldn't order it again. (A can of chili from the store would have tasted better, and it had an anemic reddish-gray look to it.) They asked if I wanted something different, but when everyone's paying up is not the time to be re-ordering food! Never again.
google avatar

Karyn M.

Yelp
This is a large and spacious sports bar/restaurant with a rather nondescript name. So nondescript I know we've dined here before several times but my companion doesn't remember the experience. We didn't have a reservation but they seated us right away in a booth with good views of the numerous screens featuring March Madness games, as well as a large chalkboard with all of the beer selections. There's a tempting assortment of apps and we ordered the fried pickles which comes in a cute fryer basket with a dipping sauce. It came out hot from the fryer. This is how the City Works. My companion ordered a steak salad. I picked a Smokehouse burger which comes with pulled pork, provolone and onion rings (this is what sold me). I asked for it without the brioche bun and to substitute Brussels sprouts for the fries. Our server was ok with the subs because this is how the City Works Our food came out hot, tasted good, and looked appealing. Someone at another table thought it looked good too and asked what we ordered. The pulled pork on top of my burger was a little tough and the sprouts could have been cooked a little more but overall the food was good because this is how the City Works. Once we finished, our server quickly got the check, asked for payment and started clearing plates. I was expecting to be asked if I wanted dessert because I was leaning in that direction, but I was ok with going somewhere else. We were quickly in and out because this is how the City Works.

Michael M.

Yelp
This was my first time trying City Works. I went for a late lunch. I was greeted by a very pleasant server named Carmine. She greeted me and let me know about the several specials they had. While she went to place my order another associate from the kitchen was loading clean glassware & we started chatting. A very pleasant bunch. I ordered the 2 sliders & a draft for $9.99. It was awesome, and it came with seasoned fries. The menu has quite an array of sandwiches, wraps and bar food plus a good variety of dinner plates. For 3 o'clock on a weekday, the place was bussling. I will definitely be back and I highly recommend you give it a try.
google avatar

Shane D.

Yelp
City Works - Vernon Hills is one of 8 locations. It is a great, cozy pour house that has a respectable selection of beer (they also have a full bar). I sat at the bar and was received with a smile from the bartender. I order the Caesar Salad and the Nashville Hot chicken wrap. It was good - traditional bar food, but nothing you couldn't find at another local restaurant.
google avatar

Cassidy M.

Yelp
Food was great! Fantastic Cesar salad. It has Kalamata olives and a hard boiled egg, which is pretty untraditional - but highly appreciated! I added chicken to mine for an extra $5. My husband ordered their Cuban sandwich and he loved it! It had andouille on it in addition the pork and ham, which again was unique but very tasty! The sausage was super tender and not chewy at all - we loved that. Super nice lunch out with my husband and mom! My husband already wants to go back for another cuban sandwich! We sat on the outdoor patio which was super enjoyable and relaxing. Apps were super good. Don't skip the cheese curds or the fried pickles. Best cheese curds with the red sauce!
google avatar

Sharonda D.

Yelp
WITH HELP FROM YELP!!! 04/04/24 After my son's Navy Boot Camp graduation, he expressed to me and his dad that he was in need of a fat, juicy, and delicious hamburger with some SWINE on it, lol. He stated that he was tired of the military food that he had to endure during basic training. Since he knows that his mom is a devoted Yelper, he knew that I would find the perfect spot to satisfy his craving and I did just that with HELP FROM YELP! I have to admit that it would be extremely challenging finding good eats in unfamiliar territory without Yelp. So Kudos to the Yelp Team! As I searched for five star restaurants in the Chicago area, I kept finding some great choices, but they were all closed for business and wouldn't be opening up until 4:00 pm. That was totally unacceptable seeing that my son's graduation ended at 10:30 that morning and he was ready to get away from the Navy base and eat some delicious food. Especially with his curfew being at 8:30 pm, we did not have time to waste. Luckily, my search finally ended when I stumbled upon City Works restaurant located in Vernon Hills. After reading the reviews and looking at the photos of other Yelper's food, I was convinced that this was the perfect spot to take my son. Once I showed the photos to my husband and my son, they too were convinced. Furthermore, we put the address into our GPS and found that it would be a 20-30 minutes drive which was fine with us. We were all hungry and excited as we headed over to the restaurant, which was an awesome find. Upon entering this establishment, we were greeted by one of the friendliest hostesses that I've ever encountered. She asked if we preferred a table or a booth and I was happy that she gave us the choice on where we would like to be seated. She handed us the menus and told us to enjoy our visit. Next, our server came over and introduced herself as Angelica. She was also friendly and welcoming. Angelica exercised great customer service skills and professionalism. Moreover, for our drinks, my son ordered a lemonade, hubby ordered an Arnold Palmer, and I ordered a White Sangria cocktail and a Golden Honey Margarita on the rocks with salt on the rim. We all enjoyed our drinks, especially me, lol. The White Sangria was refreshing and bubbly. I think I liked it more than the Golden Honey Margarita, which was also tasty. As for our food, we started out with some appetizers while we browsed the menu. We started off with the spicy shrimp and the crab fondue. Although they were not spicy at all, I absolutely loved the spicy shrimp appetizer! They were flavorful and fried to perfection with a nice crunch to them and drizzled with a red sauce. The crab fondue tasted amazing and would have tasted even better if I did not have to play tug-of-war with the toasted bread that it was accompanied by. That bread was so darn hard that I felt like I was going to pull my teeth out from all the pulling and tugging, which discouraged me from fully enjoying this appetizer. I let my son and my husband have at the crab fondue and I stuck with the spicy shrimp, lol. My son was so hungry for some food other than military food that he didn't seem to notice how hard the bread was. He and my husband devoured every bit of it, lol. Now for our main entrees, my son knew right away which burger he wanted as he looked at the menu. Remember he stated he wanted a burger with some SWINE on it? Well, there was a Bacon Cheese Burger sitting on the menu with his name written all over it. My husband is a burger lover as well, but chose a burger without the swine, the City Works Burger. I ordered something a little on the healthier side, pan seared salmon accompanied by a mixture of vegetables which included butternut squash, Brussel sprouts, tomatoes, and corn. We all enjoyed our food to the utmost. Everything was absolutely delicious! My son said that his bacon cheeseburger was soooo good and that the bacon was nice and crispy. My husband said that his burger was divine. They were both so fat-full by the end of our son's celebration meal and were sitting slumped over in their seats, lol. The salmon on my entree was cooked to perfection, possessing a moist and flaky interior with a juicy and tender texture. The vegetables were equally as delicious as the salmon. The entire meal was 5/5 stars. Overall, City Works is a lively establishment with a vibrant and energetic ambiance that serves great tasting modern American cuisine. It is centered in the Mellody Farm Shopping Complex of Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills. They are fully equipped with several large HDTV's which are great for sports fans and such. Customer service is amazing. I highly recommend them for anyone who is from out of town visiting the Chicago area. You will definitely find delicious and excellent quality food here! Thanks for making my son's graduation celebration dinner an awesome dining experience. We felt right at home! It was as if we never left Houston.
google avatar

Beau R.

Yelp
Decent spot. I'm always disappointed with the portions. I got the meatloaf once expecting it to be bigger for the price that it was. It absolutely was not and was more gourmet instead. Wasn't really even a "meatloaf." The service is always good, very kind. And it is fairly quiet for a bar type of place which is also nice.
google avatar

Will R.

Yelp
We've been to a couple of these but first time at this location. Felt very similar to the other places. It's a lively place and never feels overcrowded. We made a reservation for a friday night about 30 minutes in advance. We got right in. Waitstaff was nice and attentive. We ordered chips and salsa to start as we were starving. We then ordered our usual Ahi Tuna BLT and fries. We each got the same thing. The toasted bread is to die for. The Tuna is so fresh. We get this every time. LOL. The portion size is perfect for 2 people to share for lunch. You will be full if you eat the entire thing. My wife brought half home for our teenage son. Whole family is hooked!
google avatar

Chris A.

Yelp
This is my first time eating here at this place. I love the atmosphere so far. Their food is a little bit spicy, but worth the while. I came upon his place on Facebook. I never expected the Kung Pao Cauliflower would taste so good. The Customer service. My dad loved the New York strip. Our waitress Kelly kept checking up on us which makes their hospitality worth the while. I would definitely eat her again. I liked Kelly our waitress as well.
google avatar

Tiffany T.

Yelp
Ended up at City Works after the local bbq shop was out of ribs, chicken, and turkey. City Works turned a let down into pure delight. Their food was excellent and reasonably priced for what you got. Seen in my picture is pulled pork, ribs, chicken wings, sausage, baked beans, and corn. I also got fries that were excellent. Great service and food was mouthwatering. Highly recommend. Great beer selection and vegan/gluten free options.
google avatar

Maty H.

Yelp
The salmon was enjoyable, and the accompanying puree added a unique touch. However, the presentation could use some improvement. The smash avocado was decent, but there was minimal avocado, resembling spread butter, and the eggs arrived cold. The service was satisfactory; the server promptly replaced the eggs to ensure they were freshly made and warm. The atmosphere was like casual dining nothing super fancy.
google avatar

Lala S.

Yelp
If you want a bucket of grease this is your spot. The fries were greasy they didn't bother to strain them. I literally balled them up in my hand and strained grease from them. The chicken was not done it was supposed to be smoked and they were not cooked properly. The chicken sandwhich was bland. I don't know maybe the cook woke up and forgot to season the food but I'm confused/ the French toast again was greasy... they called it stuffed but I'm confused it wasn't stuffed with anything but grease
google avatar

Sabrina J.

Yelp
I have been here many times and it never disappoints. For an appetizer, my family loves the pretzel bites. All 3 of my kids gobble these up. They are buttery and salty and the cheese dip is really yummy. While I am not a vegetarian, my go to entree is always the Impossible Quesadilla. It is soooo good! I love that the menu is vast and that it offers diverse vegetarian options. They have Kraft Mac and cheese, so my hard-to-please toddlers are also happy diners! For dessert, we finished with the cookie skillet. The cookie comes out warm, soft and gooey! Great for people with a sweet tooth! They also get extra points for having an online reservation system. That is a must for me!!
google avatar

Emi C.

Yelp
I used to order food for my kids here. The chicken tenders *used* to be good and well breaded like the menu photos advertised, but recently in my last two orders the chicken tenders are barely breaded and barely fried. I had to throw them out because I wasn't sure if they were cooked correctly.
google avatar

Danielle B.

Yelp
We went on a Friday night without reservations and were only able to sit at a high top. This was fine for us but keep this in mind if you want a table, make a reservation! They seated us quickly and brought out drinks right away as well. It's a clean place with lots of seating, tvs and alcohol options. You can stay here for hours if you wanted to sit and watch games all day/night. Lots of beer and plenty of other alcoholic and none alcoholic drinks as well. I ordered the salmon entree. The salmon piece was small but tasted good. The puree with vegetables was excellent. The mashed potatoes were very dry and bland, would definitely skip next time. The dish actually comes with fingerling potatoes but I swapped them for mash. It's a solid restaurant and always busy. Definitely will come back as the menu has lots of great options. The portion sizes are decent especially the salads. The prices are also very reasonable. 3 adults with drinks (no alcohol) with tip was $100.
google avatar

T G.

Yelp
Sat at the bar. Cocktails tasted good. The bartender was friendly and attentive. Here's the rub: The value just isn't there for what you get. Shrimp taco was dry and bland. Fried shrimp seemed odd for a taco. My son's burger was ok. Fries for both of us were served luke warm. We each had three cocktails and the pretzel app. Total bill was $123 ----$148 with tip. Honestly what we were served was not worth $148. For $148 for 2 people, im expecting a much better experience and value. My recommendation is to come for the cocktails, cranberry mojitos were excellent, and skip on the food.
google avatar

Jazmin R.

Yelp
Recently came here with a group of coworkers after work and this location is nice and spacious, even has an outdoor dining area. Server was great, I wish I had caught her name but she definitely kept up with our group. While our server was great, the speed of getting drinks to our table for the first round did take some time (I think there was only one bartender for such a large restaurant with multiple large groups) but then there was a good rhythm as the time went on. Unfortunately didn't take pics of the appetizers we ordered but the shrimp appetizer and the cheese curds were my favorite! We had also ordered Kung pao cauliflower, pretzel bites, and queso dip which were okay. I got the mac n cheese which had good flavor but the noodles were over cooked. Overall, the area is very busy since it's across from Hawthorn Mall but would check it out again.
google avatar

Ryan E.

Yelp
Last night we had the best service and food in town. Angelica always made sure we had what we needed and kept us happy. Won us over and can't wait to go back again.
google avatar

Rebekah T.

Yelp
I wish I could give more stars to this spot but our service was terrible. We had a large group of 12 and were accommodated well. The atmosphere was nice, it was loud enough to cover any loud noises the toddler was making but not too loud that you couldn't hear anyone across the table. Things went south when someone ordered a beer that never showed up but at the end they were charged for and had to ask for it to be removed, and when our appetizers came to the table the same time our food did. I asked the server why our apps didn't come sooner and he told me that he didn't want them to hold up our food so he put them in at the same time. Zero apologies for any of it, the beer or the apps. He didn't check on us or refill any drinks past getting our food. It was a huge letdown. Portions were on the small side for the price but food was at least good. Nothing I would recommend though.
google avatar

Pekes C.

Yelp
I decided to take my date to this place since a friend recommended it,unfortunately I Found a hair on my hamburger, manager brought me another one but unfortunately I lost my appetite,I know we have hair and this is no biggie but I really hope that people in the kitchen wear hairnet or hat to prevent this from happening,because finding a hair on the food it not nice but disgusting and tells me a lot from people preparing food

Anthony S.

Yelp
We had a very good experience for dinner at City Works. Angelica our server was prompt, friendly and helpful. The appetizers were excellent! Both the Spicy Shrimp and the Cheese curds (great value on the curds and some of the best we had as we are cheese curd aficionado's),were great. We were not overly fond of the Cuban Sandwich, a little dry and too much bread to meat ratio. We've had much better Cuban sandwiches (this kept the review from being a 5 star. We probably need to order better entree next time). They also provided us with mini Snickerdoodle Pies for us as we were celebrating a birthday. We also had the baked cookie dough - delicious and decadent - a must try and good for a table of 4! The beer selection is amazing. Overall we had a very enjoyable dinner and pleasant experience at City Works.
google avatar

Steve H.

Yelp
The restaurant has a really cool, modern design and somewhat upscale. It was very clean and very nice. The beer selection is outstanding! Tons smaller brands, Kraft brands and really interesting options. The food selection is really good, and appetizers and entrees were all large portions and tasty! We were very happy with the food! We had a birthday in our group and the birthday dessert was complimentary. Customer service was disjointed and average. There is a lot of parking.

Stephanie P.

Yelp
Everything. This is not the first time an order has been totally wrong. Again went to pick up a to go order and the food couldn't be more different than what I ordered. They clearly do not listen to what you want or make an effort to try to get it right. I have given this place so many chances but not anymore. I will not be ordering from here or eating here again.
google avatar

Dewey H.

Yelp
Great food and atmosphere, with stellar staff and a clean environment. Will definitely go back.
google avatar

William H.

Yelp
Nahhhhh. Here is why. Your cheese curds lack both flavor and substance. I found the breading to be more or a tempura base than anything else and the lack of any volume of cheese inside can only be described as ridonkulous. Second strike. I've been sitting here literally 13 minutes since my beer dropped. Looked at menu ..at bar tender...at menu...at bartender..WAVED MENU AT BARTENDER..to no avail. So you tell me why I don't wander ACROSS THE PARKING LOT..to Lazy Dog?! Two strokes is all I need to not come here. And I literally live 29 feet away.
google avatar

John M.

Yelp
Only reporting on my own experience, not on anyone else in my party. I had the smoked bbq burger with pulled pork on top. The burger was dry and bland and the pulled pork was terrible. It was chewy and had a funky flavor to it. The fries were pretty good but not enough to make up for the burger. Also, our server was not very attentive and had to be asked more than once for drinks, silverware and check. I personally will not go back.
google avatar

Karen F.

Yelp
We used to eat here regularly. It's been about 6 months since we've been there and last night was a disappointment. The popcorn chicken app was dry and flavorless. The pieces of chicken were small and looked very different than the last time we were there. We asked for Nashville hot sauce on the side hoping to add some flavor. That was a mistake. The sauce was separated and tasted off. My salmon was Ok but the puree it was served on top of was cold when it was brought out. My husbands chicken sandwich was dry and flavorless. We told the waitress who sent over the manager. They offered to bring out something else but at that point we were done and, to be honest, didn't think another entree would be any better. Not sure what has happened with their food quality but at this point I don't think we will be back.
google avatar

Rob L.

Yelp
Good news! Voices were herd and City Works is a local sports bar we can watch games with the volume on! Went there for the Illini Sweet 16 with a handful of friends and the place was rockin'! Nothing better than somewhere to have ice cold brews and good bar food while listening to the game. Not ready to put five stars yet until we have volume on for more games, but great start City Works. Pro Tip: Get the Nashville Hot Chicken Nachos and Fried Pickles with a Working for the Weekend IPA and thank me later
google avatar

Allen A.

Yelp
I have been here a few times and the service and food are pretty good. It has a cool upscale vibe without being too pricey. The place has a good outdoor area as well. I can't say I know what their signature dish is yet, but it seems to cater to a wide variety of people and tastes.
google avatar

Meghan Z.

Yelp
Great food! had the bbq sample platter which was to die for. great happy hour as well. Service was great and the outdoor ambiance was relaxed and fun!

Max G.

Yelp
The food when brought was cold, the service was terrible, we thought that they might've been hungover. The food and drinks were also so expensive. Sure the tv's are big but the feel was a little off.
google avatar

Food M.

Yelp
Good service. Extremely dissatisfied with the food. Salmon salad was just a small piece of fish and mixed greens. Nothing else! My mixed bbq was 4 prices of chix wings and 4 very small ribs. Never know they came that small. Not a good value for a meal. Great beer selection on a positive note. But no local micro breweries. Goose Island owned by Budweiser is not a micro brew. Sorry but disappointed.
google avatar

Shaun T.

Yelp
Solid chain restaurant. Pretty spacious with a huge on-tap selection and many tvs. We were seated promptly for a party of 6 just past prime lunchtime. It was our first time here so the manager brought some appetizer sample on the house, nice touch. Apps were good. We didn't get plates, napkins or utensils when seated and it took a bit for the server to circle around to do so, therefore the apps sat for a bit. The fish tacos were as expected. Food was served quickly, too. I'd go back. Managers gesture was not lost on us and the servers really hustle.
google avatar

Heather M.

Yelp
First impressions are very important especially the first time you go to a restaurant. When I first walked in the hostess Hunter was not friendly and appeared "annoyed" when we asked to sit outside in a different section. Apparently this is not the first time that there are issues with their hostesses based on other reviews. Cracking a smile would also be helpful and first impressions go a long way. The waitress Tory was somewhat friendly and attentive. On a better note City Works is conveniently located at the Melody Farms outdoor mall The parking can be a bit challenging during peak times. The restaurant is nicely decorated inside and outside. The avocado toast with egg, radish and corn was nicely prepared and good. This is a must try if you come here for breakfast. However I do not recommend their breakfast tacos with egg and sausage with their not so tasty sauce. There's a lot of other restaurants in this area to choose from. Unfortunately I will not be back.
google avatar

Ally S.

Yelp
Highlights/Lowlights 1. Great for Sports - Lots of TVS 2. Friendly Service 3. Average Food We stopped in to City Works on a Sunday afternoon for a family birthday lunch. We had made a reservation and were seated immediately (great!). We loved that there were so many TVs for watching Sunday football and that even though it was very busy, the space is big enough that it didn't feel crowded. Our server was very friendly but unfortunately the service was quite slow. It took us quite awhile to get our drinks and then a long time after that before our order was taken. The food then took a long time and getting refills on our drinks was a pain too. The food finally arrived and although we had a variety of options at the table nobody's food was above average. I had the southwest salad and felt like I have made better salads at home. My sister did their spaetzle and pork belly special and it was so mustard-y she could barely eat it. Honestly, this is probably a good place to sit at the bar and catch a game but I don't think we will be back for lunch!
google avatar

Cristel M.

Yelp
I've been to the City Works in Wheeling several times, but this was my first visit to the Vernon Hills location. Although the menus appear to be the same, the atmosphere is completely different. The Vernon Hills location floor plan is more open and spacious. When my group of five arrived for lunch around noon on a Wednesday, the place was nearly empty. The staff wanted to seat us in a semi-circular booth, but it looked like a tight squeeze and a bit too close for comfort for for a group of colleagues, especially during a pandemic, so we convinced them to let us sit at a regular table. Once we were comfortably seated, everything went great. We started with a couple of appetizers, and enjoyed both the fried pickles and fried cheese curds. Our entrees were also great. Most of my group opted for the chicken tacos, but I had the blacked salmon salad. It was one of the best salads I've had in awhile! The salmon was perfectly cooked and the rest of the ingredients -- deviled eggs, feta, onions and more -- were full of flavor. I've previously had chicken sandwiches at the other location, and this salad was so much better. It will definitely be my new go-to entree at City Works.
google avatar

Katie B.

Yelp
The food at City Works has a very kid-friendly menu, and has very good food. The burgers are phenomenal. Honestly, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone.

R M.

Yelp
I've been to City Works at least a dozen times. The ambiance is definitely upscale sports bar/restaurant. Large TVs to see all types of seasonal sports and ESPN commentary and nice large tables with space to walk between. Not a crowded seating arrangement like other places. The servers are good. Attentive. The food however...hit or miss. For example, the server told me the salmon was sushi grade, so I ordered it very rare. It came and it was literally the driest, most overcooked salmon ever to be had in a restaurant. Simply awful, which is a shame because I had ordered the exact same thing several months ago and it was perfect. Same with the cauliflower appetizer - the first time I ordered it, it was absolutely delicious. The second time, it was a soupy mess. Also, sort of gross, but the cup for tea I was given was sticky, as if it hadn't been washed properly, as was a spoon. It was the first thing I ordered as I waited for my friend, so it couldn't have been sticky due to anything on my table. Honestly, I think the restaurant's main problem is a lack of help, which seems to be a common theme these days in restaurants. I would go again as it does have a good ambiance, but perhaps I'll order the flatbread and drinks going forward.
google avatar

Katie S.

Yelp
We were served by Cheryl during our recent visit and she did a phenomenal job. She was very attentive and assisted in making sure that what i in was ordering was gluten free. Yes yes yes way to go Cheryl with such s great attitude and going the extra mile! I ordered the Scorpion Burger medium rare with a gluten free bun. Woot woot they have gluten free buns!!! The Burger was cooked perfectly and the combination of the pepper jam, jalapeños, scorpion pepper aioli, and habanero pepper jack cheese made for a great combination of flavors. I'm drooling right now thinking about this burger. Hey Cheryl, order me up another one please!!!
google avatar

Fred M.

Yelp
I've eaten at City Works a few times since it opened in October 2019. My most recent visit was for lunch on Monday March 6th, as my wife and I celebrated Casimir Pulaski Day. The best thing we had was our appetizer. We ordered the Buffalo Chicken Dip. It had good flavor, but the pulled chicken wasn't pulled too much. Most of the chunks of chicken were enormous, and couldn't fit on the chips that accompanied the dip. We had to remove the chicken from the dip, and cut it up before it would fit on the chips. Not a big deal, but noteworthy. I had a bowl of the 1871 Chili and my wife had the BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad. My chili was fine, her salad had an interesting taste. Service was good. If you are hungry and in the area, City Works is not a bad option.

S F.

Yelp
First time there. Great service. We. Enjoyed all the football games on all the TV' s unfortunately I had to send my $18 hamburger back! It was barely warm and underdone from how I asked for it. I was presented with another hamburger way under cooked and poorly made. Not happy with the attitude from the manager. Very disappointing. Not going back.

N G.

Yelp
This place sucks to be honest. The food is not that good and beer is ok. We had the bbq platter sampler and the only good thing on the plate was the corn on the cob.... We've been here a few times and left disappointed each time.

Anthony C.

Yelp
Madison was amazing even on her day of training. It was refreshing having a great personality too take the wheel and definitely will be coming back. Food was amazing too and I can thank Leah for recommending me the Smoked Mac and cheese with a side of buffalo sauce. Ambience was quiet and not too distracting. 9.6/10
google avatar

Stacey W.

Yelp
Walked in on a sunny weekend day and did carry out. Only grabbed a couple of items off the kids menu. The inside is spacious and seems like it would make a nice evening out. We chose the mini cheeseburgers off the kids menu. It consisted of 2 mini burgers. It also came with a side of fries and if you wanted a drink it was an extra $0.25. To me that seems a bit silly, why not just include the drink instead of charging the extra $0.25. The burger was tasty, but in my opinion a bit too pricey for a kids menu item when the portion was quite small.
google avatar

Fabiola R.

Yelp
City Works is conveniently located near the mall and other other nearby shopping centers which makes it a great spot to stop by for brunch, lunch, or dinner after shopping. Prior to visiting I made a reservation and we were seated right on time which was great! The restaurant has a warm ambiance and clean, and can be a place for a causal dinner or drink with friends or a work lunch. The servers were friendly and our food came out on time and there was a wide variety of food and drinks to choose from! My favorite was the cheese curd app!
google avatar

Monty W.

Yelp
A really good brew-centric tap house with both wines and beers on tap. The beers had a good selection and the giant TV's are great for game days. The space is very wide open with high ceilings so a really comfortable place. I just stopped in for some take-away this time for the kiddies. The kids choices were chicken tenders, mini- burger sliders, pizza. My kids were in the mood for burgers so that's what we got them. Came with a side of fries as well. It was a good burger, well seasoned and the bun held up nice. The fries were thicker potato cuts. Good experience, I'll have to come back for a game watching next time.