Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen

This will always be our stop for drinks before the Metra. They have drinks to go ;) Great drink prices and a big bar area. The bartenders know their craft. Good draft beer selection.

Definitely check this place out! My boyfriend and I got seated upstairs with a window view. It was nice looking out at Crystal lakes town. The food was great! Everything was very delicious and would get again besides my boyfriends salad was only okay. I like that they do punch cards for vegan and vegetarian dishes. The vegan chocolate cake dessert was amazing! Definitely get the local blueberry lavender ice cream to go with! It was soooo yummy!

Wow! A very great place for a amazing lunch! The service is top notch as is the food. It was our first time at the Duke’s and Greg helped us picked the food items and had a lot of patience with our kids. Even the soups were to die for... I absolutely loved the Duke’s chicken sandwich. The Duke’s burger was fantastic! the vibe of the restaurant is very welcoming and great for family celebrations. Of course, make sure you order some Honey Pecan cookie skillet with some ice cream to celebrate when there! Also, remember to check out a free Photo Booth !

Over time, this place was at first great, then meh, then now back to very good! Beet salad was beautiful & delicious, not overpowering beet flavor. Other salads were delicious and freshly made. Cocktails are decent. Outdoor dining in summer on their enclosed deck gave this place the thumbs-up this time.

Fun date spot! We loved their mission of knowing where your food comes from, which local farmers are the sources, as well as being as earth-friendly as possible. The food was bland though, not seasoned for what we were excited to try. Love the vibe of the place, but I'd probably come here for drinks and dessert only next time.

If you are looking for a restaurant that checks ALL the boxes, you must visit Duke’s!! This a restaurant where all members of your party can order easily. The vegans and vegetarians have real meal options opposed to just a salad at some places. Gluten free? No problem, plenty for you, too. This is a kid-friendly spot with a great outdoor patio and beautiful indoor seating. The staff is knowledgable and friendly and the menu boasts food from local sources, so not only does it taste good but it is better for the environment. What a gem in the heart of downtown Crystal Lake!!

The togarashi fries was the best! My husband said that it was the best fries he had ever tasted! Wow! We also loved the steamed mussels, it was so delicious that we’ve ordered another one. I was excited to try their calamari but it wasn’t available that time. Bummer. Although not a lot of food to choose from the menu, all in all it was a great experience! Definitely we’ll be back!

Quite possibly the best cheese curds I’ve ever had. Light/flakey batter and delicious. Fun vibe! The dining room area looked super fun and cozy. If you’re in the area, stop in!

Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Very open and airy restaurant/bar, with a menu to kill for. We were worried it was going to be hoity toity when described as "farm to table". Instead it was comfort food with an incredibly elvated flavor profile and local produce and meats. We started with the cheese curds (which were the most pillowy and light I've had this side of Northern Wisconsin), kettle chips and a killer spread that was ricotta, onion and something. Then there were an Asian inspired fries with kewpie Mayo and teriyaki sauce that were lick the plate good. We then shared a salad and a Cubano sandwich. Just excellent. I can't wait to come back and try one of the tasty looking burger options, most of the salads and all of the apps.

Hip bartenders with a great attitude elevate what is mediocre fare on a good day. Very attentive service made this a three star review. The food is out of place in Chicagoland. In Iowa, this would pass fine for what it is, but within a half hour of Chicago, it shouldn't taste like it came out of a vending machine. It's possible that a chef designed these flavors and then the kitchen lost the script and went off plan, but over-sauced flavor extremes compete with the main notes to produce a cacophony of disharmonic disaster. We ordered the hits to sample the best Duke's had to offer, and I can confidently say that the Duke Abides only hesitantly, and only because there are few other options. The bison burger is too thin to really deliver what should be a signature experience. If the burger were half the radius and twice the height, we'd be getting somewhere. The grain bowl is a mushy miss best eaten with your dentures out. The falafel on the pita was icy in the center -- if it's microwaved, it needs to be done on a lower temperature. Tempura green beans miss with a too-sweet and inconsistently-distributed sauce. Half the portion for 60% of the price would be a much better option. Now that we are through the bad news, let's get back to the good: Locally sourced ingredients meet local beers to give that "feel good" vibe. Combined with the aforementioned excellent service, it's a place I could see spending a rainy afternoon. The dark windows and decor would make me give it a miss on a sunny day.

After landing in Chicago O Hare international airport, I didn't want to commute 2+ hours by metra train to Crystal Lake. And so, it was Uber it was that day. I spent about $60 on the Uber to get to Duke's Ale House and Kitchen here in Crystal Lake, Illinois and that was fine by me. I was on vacation and my friend who was a local in Crystal Lake suggested this place to me. I arrived here around 1pm and probably took about 2 hours or so enjoying the ambiance of being on vacation. I noticed they are very green oriented and listed all the local area farms on the menu they do business with. Thought that was interesting, but not uncommon though. The bar and restaurant seemed cozy and quite nice. It was definitely nice to be here on a Friday afternoon, especially right when rush hour was soon to begin, especially when I was getting out of Chicago O Hare before the rush began. And so, the ambiance was nice and the service was good, friendly, and attentive for sure. I can understand charging $20 for a grass fed burger is one thing, but I guess the inflation is just what it is, I guess. I ended up starting with the cheese curds and had the bleu burger for the entree. I also had 2 beers on tap. All in all, a satisfying meal at a brewery of sorts. Everything was quite satisfactory and hope to come here again soon. The overall experience here at Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen was cozy and nice. Not much people here when I stop by at 1pm, so it was nice to be able to enjoy. I asked to be seated near the window, where I could see cars come and go in this quiet suburb of Chicago. I was to be seated next the entrance, but they allowed me to sit in the middle of the room at the end of the booth. I actually asked for recommendations as to which beer was the popular choice around here. I believe I ended up with the one that was similar to Guinness and another one that tasted like watermelon. You could actually taste the watermelon in the drink! The burger was fairly good and was quite delicious. The restaurant itself was fairly small and intimate. They had a stage there in the restaurant, so bands would come and perform shows or events I presume nightly. The restaurant was clean and quite immaculate. They even have restroom facilities here too. Quite convenient for everyone who comes here and enjoys themselves. For myself though, the enjoyment came when I got to sample their stuff on tap. While I wasn't a beer connoisseur by any means, it's always a pleasure to go beer tasting anywhere you vacation. The staff was nice and quite nice in giving me recommendations, so that was cool. Other than that, it was a nice expensive meal that would be great on any given day. The menu was limited but it has a bunch of stuff. It's a brewhouse, so you get what you can. Definitely recommended if you are in the Chicagoland area but not quite in Chicago. Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It's physically located at 110 N Main Street that's pretty close to the Crystal Lake Metra station. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. Not sure about parking goes, since I arrived here via Uber, but I guess you can find street parking wherever you can find it nearby. I'm not sure if the City of Crystal Lake, Illinois has a public transportation system, but you can try to use that after taking the metra train from downtown Chicago. Other than that, Uber can be the best bet if you're pressed for time getting to and from Crystal Lake, like I was. For the most part though, spending the money to Uber here and arriving here at 1pm versus after 2pm via Metra train was a no brainer. Wanted to eat at a proper time, even when my stomach says otherwise. Love the ambiance and it was a nice a quiet meal here at Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen. Can't ask for anything more. While the prices are up there, I guess you can't beat it with great ambiance and the selection of libations is quite interesting. Cheers! 4.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! B

Dukes has the best food! I haven't eaten anything I don't like. You can tell it's all fresh (farm to table). The service was always fast and the environment is great. Not to loud and family friendly. The sitting area to dine in is a little small

Great good, friendly and informed staff and delicious food. They work so well with multiple food allergies. We love the patio in warm weather and love the live music inside while dining. Love their mission & values as well.

Unique savory dishes made by talented chefs. Bartenders have friendly humorous personalities. Well though out delicious recipes. Not just typical bar food by any means! We go EVERY TIME we are in Chicago, Crystal Lake. Must try!

Eaten there a bunch of times. Good runs the gamut forum good(meatloaf) to yummo(fried goat cheese salad) to awful. Beet salad with bacon dressing. The dressing was mostly bacon fat. The beets tasted flat and flavorless and pale in color. They also were cut in big hard chunks. The price was ridiculous for what it was and I can't remember what but there was also a listed ingredient missing. The service. Is always good, but I'd say fit the prices they could definitely offer only really well thought out and executed m

Food is usually good ,but today and many other times. Customers never get discounts. Watch your bills. Was there during happy hour. 3 dollars off drafts and 1/2 price burgers. Those discounts are rarely given. After many times of me complaining about this I am done. Done going to Duke's ale house and kitchen. Its nearly criminal.

Duke's Ale House stands out as a certified green restaurant, showcasing a commitment to sustainability by sourcing ingredients predominantly from local farmers practicing organic or sustainable farming methods. The establishment boasts an inviting atmosphere complemented by an impressive craft cocktail and beer selection. The meatloaf with mashed potatoes and the fish fry with homemade French fries are notable highlights, offering a delightful culinary experience. The chicken sandwich, observed at a neighboring table, adds to the anticipation for our next visit. Duke's Ale House emerges as a highly recommended dining destination worth exploring.

Nice atmosphere, great food, friendly staff and excellent beer/cocktail options. Generous portion sizes for the price. We usually make a reservation to avoid a wait. Seasonal specials are always good.

Haven't been here in awhile but came by for late lunch and ordered the Fish Fry & Chopped Salad. Server was attentive & came by only when we needed which was nice and the ambiance was bright and clean. Also really liked the food menu having their resources specified and being very green friendly. Definitely enjoyed the chopped salad because the greens tasted so fresh. At first I was a little underwhelmed with the appearance but it made up for it. The fish fry was alright but the tartar sauce & hush puppies saved it. Probably wouldn't order again because it was very oily in my opinion. Will be coming back again if ever in the crystal lake area because I want to try some more dishes.

The food and drink are fine. The service is so bad it's comical. Really not much to say here - the bartenders and bar back are a joke, they spend more time flirting with each other then actually serving customers. This bar has a decent selection of beers, and food is typical bar fare. Ambience is that of a slightly upscale local tap, which gives it a chill relaxed vibe. Really the service is the biggest let down here, I've been here 3 times now over 4 years with the service being worst each time. I'm sure lunch service is better but the evening bar service is just so infuriating. Honestly if your nearby just go to DC Cobbs in Woodstock or Crystal Lake, it has great food with much better service and imo better made drinks. I hope to make edits in the future, because dukes is so close to being good but I just always feel slightly let down every time I leave. If staff service met minimum expectations I'd give it a 3 star, if service was good id give 4 star. It truly is just a service issue, if this doesn't matter to you than you will probably like this spot and consider it 4 or 5 stars.

The double seitan burger if the Bomb! amazing... and loaded with goodness. Parm Fries Taragoshi fries to start are excellent And the rose all day is a perfect summer day cocktail. Great vibes at Dukes it's a must!

My most recent visit here left me with mixed feelings. The food was good, and the ambiance was pleasant. However, I had a concerning experience when I found shards of glass in my drink. I immediately informed the staff about the issue out of concern that a glass may have broke in their dishwasher or ice well, but I was disappointed by the lack of response. There was no offer for a replacement drink, which left me feeling unsatisfied. Customer service is a crucial aspect of any dining establishment, and this was a letdown. On the positive side, the rest of the meal was enjoyable. I hope they address the issue of customer feedback promptly in the future, as it significantly impacts the overall dining experience.

The food tasted so fresh and delicious. I could taste every flavor and ingredient. The service was amazingly friendly and fast. I loved the cute look of the restaurant. Corn ribs were amazing and so was the fried green tomato BLT.

While I can appreciate the whole farm to table thing, charging $22 for a burger is absurd, especially when it comes out overcooked and dry!! Service was good, and atmosphere was alright, kind of a typical vibe these days, but disappointing meal.

We picked up food for take out which was east to do online. The food was prepared quickly, and ready for pick up in 20-25 min. There's parking along the train station side and just beside the restaurant which was mostly full. For the food itself we enjoyed the tater tots, Duke's burger and the Grilled Vegetable Sandwich. We got the appetizers of the pretzel which was great and soft that came with the mustard which was a great complement. We didn't love the Tempura Green Beans, and thankfully the teriyaki ginger sauce was on the side because it was very salty. The cheese cake was also really good.

DUKES AGAIN WANTS TO DELETE MY REVIEW FOR THE 2nd time. I will call someone to close this place down. Like I said , your bartender Richie is on something while she serves customers, curses at them and is just rude. I don't know why management can't take action. I will make a note of this all over the media now until management gets ahold of me . For my reviews to be deleted twice, makes sense.

Best place to hang out in Crystal Lake. Duke's is a chill bar close to the Metra. It has a menu of beer and food at okay prices. A lot of vegetarian choices, like veggie burgers. They have some good shit. A lot of beers to get. It's about $5 a pint. They have a lot of local ones too. Many good deals. We got some of the Bell's Tropical Oberon. As we weren't too hungry, we got some of the smaller bites. We got the Blistered Shishitos. It's $10 for a bunch. These are peppers tossed in coconut milk, peanut butter, and sriracha, and topped with basil, black sesame seeds, cilantro, garlic, and scallions. Better than expected. They're mild mostly but some can be hot ass hot. Good place to stop for beers and a bite. It has a pretty impressive menu. They have vegan friendly items and healthy options.

I went back after saying I wouldn't , actually I've been here several times for drinks. Anyway this time we came for dinner. And the food was very good. We started with a truffle French fries and cheese curds. I tried the fries as I yam not a fan of truffles/oil and I what surprise on how good they were, again I'm still not a fan but they were awesome as per the the rest of group. The cheese curds were great. I had a meat loaf sandwich which was delicious but the meatloaf was too small of a slice it should have been thicker for the price. At the table two others goats hamburgers that looked great and I was told that they were , the chicken sandwich that the fourth got looked real good also. The sides dishes; soup , fries and tots all were very good Our server , buss , and bartenders were all really friendly and kind. I have to say I am glad that they are better than my previous visits. And won't roll my eyes when someone suggests Dukes to me anymore.

The food was really great. Loved the togarashi fries, burgers, and cider. Lots of food options. The service was attentive and kind. We loved the ambiance. Lots of good Halloween decorations and cool environment. We will be back!

Have eaten here handful of times, each time has been to 'give them another chance' and each time has been disappointing. From inconsistences in food preparation and quality to the last two times being the icing on the cake. Dined in with my husband and 2 small kids. Specifically mentioned the kids had to be gluten free. They sent out their burgers on regular buns which had to be sent back to be fixed...fine. The second issue was finding a big black disgusting hair in my husband's fries. The server really did not care, just said 'oh' took the plate away and never offered a replacement or apology. The owner offered a $20 gift card to try them again only after I messaged about our experience. About 2 months later tried them again and AGAIN found a black hair in our dressing. They clearly don't care about kitchen safety or sanitation. with so many local restaurants to choose from, I cannot recommend this one.

I'm in total shock how the bartender takes care of the guest here. We sat at the bar, had some apts and drinks. I felt we were being ignored, because it was more important to take shots and leave the bar area to kiss with and hang out with her boyfriend while she's on clock. Girl with tats and nose ring. Very very rude. I don't think I'll be coming here again.

Very creative menu & they always have a seasonal menu. Love that they get their ingredients locally & list their vendors. Bartenders are friendly & attentive. Food can be pricey. Dining area is well lit with nice decorations.

Convenient; Fun; American Cuisine. A favorite place here near Chicago. Walking distance from the Metra station & periodic live ET!

The food is always on point and they always have a great draft list of beers. But the one thing I can't get over is their pricing on their food. $19 for a burger in the suburbs is beyond ridiculous. I lived in Chicago for seven and a half years and went to some of the best burger restaurants in the city, Au Cheval being one of them and they charge $16 for their burger. How does the alleged best burger in a huge, expensive city cost less than a burger in a Chicago suburb? We'll still continue to come to Duke's but I think the play will be to order a couple craft beers and share an app to avoid an astronomical bill at the end.

Food: Amazing Appetizer,, sadly it was all we got to eat! Service: Trash. Inexperienced staff. Very short and not personable at all. Waited over an hour in between our appetizer and had to leave to go back to work before we got our entrees. After flagging down the server, he said "I'm not going to lie, it's going to be at least another 15-20 minutes". We would have stayed if communication regarding the wait times for food was communicated at first. We sat down for almost 1.5 hours with no entree. Nothing offered for basically being forgotten about during the rush besides a mere apology...It happens, i understand but will not come back for dine in and will tell others not to at least for lunch either.

A frequent spot for colleagues conducting business in the area, finally i got to go myself. Came here on a week day recently and was very happy with everything. Food/Drink: I got a chicken sandwich which was extremely fresh and delicious, i was very impressed. Although i asked for no sauce, and it came with it, it was very good and it wasn't an issue at all. The chicken was tender and juicy, i would recommend this sandwich for sure. I was very impressed by the beer menu, many options, mostly craft which is awesome. I love beer so being able to go somewhere and try something different is exactly what i am looking for - there's a time and place for Bud Light, and its almost never. Service: Although they messed up my sandwich a bit, everyone else's was fine and it was all still delicious. The waitress was extremely friendly, knowledgeable on the beer selection and the food came out hot with no delays. Can't ask for anything else! Atmosphere: There is a nice size bar at the main entrance but we sat in the dining area which was very nice. There was a stage so it seems they have live music some nights. There was also an upstairs - possibly to sit more people or for private parties. Everything was clean and nice though, no issues. Didn't use the bathroom so i cannot comment on that. Overall I'm glad my boss took us all here. Great spot, awesome beer, great food. No complaints. I will definitely be back when I'm in the area.

I have been here a couple times now. Parking is always challenging here but luckily there is a small lot next door. The server was nice and attentive. The hamburger with special sauce (but missing the sauce), lettuce cheese was good but extremely pricey at $18. The "narcissistic cheese fries" were very good. My pomegranate martini really good but was $14... again pricey. I give this place 3.5 stars.

Haven't been here in quite awhile so I was looking forward to our late lunch. This was one of our go to places when we lived in the area 10 years ago. Once I saw all of the burgers were $19 I thought I was at a ski resort in Colorado. I ordered Duke's Burger which was made with bison meat on a pretzel roll with a side of garlic parmesan tater tots. When the burger arrived I dissassembled it to look at the patty size. It looked to be about 4 ounces and not that fresh. Now I knew I wasn't in Colorado because this patty was way to small. These burgers are not worth the price by any measure.

Ate again there last week - Dukes has best food for price by wide margin in all of Crystal Lake, Cary and Algonquin - server had table upstairs a party of 11 and literally ignored us the entire time sitting at two top at the bar - worst ignore job I've ever seen in the restaurant business!

Farm-to-table restaurant. Food and drinks are fairly priced. Food is high quality. Avoid the karaoke:).

The food was outstanding great bar food. Ambience was great music was just right. The crowd was excellent. Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Had a great time.

Richelle is a sweetheart. Attentive, professional, and knowledgeable service. Very friendly. It's always a pleasure to see her there. I'm also pleased with the staff in general.

This place is tasty and has live music! They also support local farms and are all about sustainability which is amazing. We enjoyed some tasty cocktails (although they have an extensive beers list). The fried goat cheese salad was a great size to share, delicious, and fresh. I also had the scallops with risotto which delightfully came with a generous amount of seafood. Definitely worth a visit. Very pleased with their eco-conscious approach!

Their food is pretty good. We liked the atmosphere and the staff is friendly too. I would go back when the occasion calls for it.

Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen is a farm to table restaurant in Crystal Lake, across from the Metra station and is well worth the effort to visit. Due to the pandemic they are limiting seating to their full service outside patio, although they've also set up some outside tables where you can eat your to go order. On our most recent visit I had their fried green tomato BLT with Parmesan garlic fries. You can get Parmesan garlic fries anywhere but they are so much better at Duke's where they uses fresh Parmesan and garlic on homemade fries. For dessert we shared a slice of their vegan chocolate torte, which was rich and decadent. In addition to excellent food, Duke's has an excellent beer and drink menu. I highly recommend Duke's.

Good food, good beer, good service and good atmosphere! Some of the tables for two are oddly long though.

Great food and service on the outside patio. However the difficulty in getting reservations here is often a detriment to the evening. Bar area can be a bit of a clique

We have been going to Dukes for years and love their food. The prices and portions have become ridiculous. We understand that prices increase. But, the prices at Dukes are out of control. We will not be returning l.

Very good food great service. More for the younger crowd but still feel welcome. Burgers are top notch tater tots with a different toppings is very good.

I returned at the request of the manager and her very generous gift certificate. The food was good and was presented very nice. the staff was still determined to place single patrons in the bar by saying there was to many reservations. the manager quickly changed that and I was seated at a table with a booth seating on one side. thank you. The dinning room was very quiet and the expected rush never happened. It was a pleasant dinner and my waitress was excellent. Dianne

Went here for the first time on a Sunday. First impressions walking in was that it was very modern, very busy though. We were waiting for a table when a spot opened up at the bar so we grabbed that. Service was good. Drinks were great but definitely pricey. They have an extensive beer list and even some good wines, spirits, and specialty drinks. I tried a few of the specialty drinks and all were unique and very yummy. Again... on the pricey side so be aware. Food- Started off with an order of the inferno fries and those were delicious. Crispy fries with a spicy seasoning, definitely not inferno but had a nice little kick. The sauce they served with it was delicious as well. Boyfriend got the margherita pizza... he wasn't impressed. Said it was pretty plain but decent quality and taste. I got the dukes burger and that was top notch for a burger. Everything on it was fresh and cooked perfectly. The side of fruit was fresh and yummy as well. Prices were on par with the restaurant as far as being a little on the high side. All in all, nice place with good food and a great selection of drinks.

2 minutes agoNEW I absolutely enjoyed my brunch here on Sunday and I'll definitely be returning hopefully in the near future. The food here is farm to table and I'd describe the selections offered as traditional American " comfort food" so anything from French toast to tater tots and burgers are on the menu. Honestly what really won me over is how incredible the staff is here. There's incredible teamwork and genuinely happy vibes. The food presentation is just as delectable as the taste and my burger was incredible juicy and flavorful. I ordered the cheesy tater tots and brunch Sunday burger which came with an egg and crispy bacon. The pretzel bun was also delicious and I had enough leftover to share with my mountain dog when I returned home. This restaurant has plenty of outside seating, indoor seating and a bar. You won't be disappointed!

It's a great place for food and drinks and young 20-35 year olds will come in awhile later. So it's great place.

DUDE this place is the tits. The fact that it is in Crystal Lake really surprises me. Fun music playing throughout the restaurant, they also have karaoke and live music on certain nights. They always have food specials that will make you go out of your comfort zone and get your taste buds experiencing uncharted territory. One half of the place is a dive bar and the other half is a classy restaurant. They also have outdoor seating. On Thursday they have half priced bottles of wine all day long! *Giving it 4 stars because the servers are great but they were understaffed on a Friday night so it was slow service.*

Busy Friday night, but we were seated right away as we beat the dinner rush. Angie B was a nice waitress. She knows what's really good on the menu. Manager came by our table plenty of times to chat and check on us. He made sure we were well taken care of during our visit. Hubby ordered the Friday Fish Fry: couple pieces of fried cod, coleslaw, hush puppies, fries (he substituted sautéed spinach). Spinach was ok. We both loved their veggie of the day which was spigarello. What is spigarello? It's an Italian heirloom variety of broccoli rabe. It has hearty dark green leaves that when cooked resemble collard greens. Duke's Ale House cooks spigarello with spicy peppers/sauce, and walnuts. It's very delicious and well worth the try. I ordered the baked white fish that came with broccoli, baked Kennebec (potato) and walnuts. Never had walnuts with fish before, but it was very good. Not sure the two small pieces of white fish was worth the cost of $14 for the meal. Very loud restaurant. Had to lean forward over the table to talk to each other before and during the meal.

Loved Duke's burger and the spicy fries. Chill atmosphere and great location. Service was top notch !

Ok, so we moved to Crystal Lake a few months ago. We genuinely enjoy the food there. However, logistically, this place is honestly the worst. They leave no room for walk ins, and say you need to make a reservation, no matter what time of day, could be lunch, early dinner, late dinner, never can get a table. The hostesses are clueless. Most times then not there is a completely empty restaurant and say there's no tables available! The way they operate this is so backwards and don't see how anyone would continue going there with this operating procedures. Needless to say, this place fucking stinks. We won't be back and definitely telling others about this ridiculous process.