R.J. Grunts
Chicago
Visit during off-peak hours for a quieter dining experience, especially on weekends.
R.J. Grunts is a casual and welcoming dining spot located at 2056 N Lincoln Park W in Chicago. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, this restaurant offers a diverse menu that caters to a variety of tastes, making it a great choice for families and groups looking to enjoy a relaxed meal together. The venue maintains a classic American diner style, with a focus on comfort food favorites that include burgers, sandwiches, and a selection of hearty entrees.
A staple feature of R.J. Grunts is its innovative salad bar, which allows guests to create their own stunning salads from a wide array of fresh ingredients. This interactive dining option provides ample variety for those seeking lighter fare or vegetarian choices. For those in the mood for something more substantial, the menu boasts a range of burgers, each char-broiled and served with traditional accompaniments like cottage fries and pickles, providing a satisfying taste experience.
Patrons can also indulge in different savory options such as chicken tenders, baby back ribs, and classic American sandwiches like the patty melt and the tuna melt. The restaurant's selection is further expanded by wraps, offering diverse flavors from the California wrap to the Santa Fe wrap, which include vibrant ingredients rolled into a convenient and delicious meal. Meanwhile, comfort seekers can enjoy well-loved dishes such as French onion soup and R.J.'s famous chili, the latter being a celebrated item on their menu.
For those seeking a fun dining experience with friends or family in Chicago, R.J. Grunts provides a comfortable setting where guests can enjoy a meal that suits everyone's preferences, from health-conscious salads to indulgent comfort foods. The venue does not emphasize elaborate decor, instead focusing on the quality and variety of its food offerings.
Reviews
RJ Grunts is hard to beat for happy hour. $5 drinks Thursday through Saturday make it one of the better deals in the neighborhood. We stopped in for the nachos and a couple of drinks and left happy. Great atmosphere, solid portions, and a perfect spot to kick back with friends. Don’t miss it. 🍻🌮
Family friendly restaurant right near the zoo with a ton of great burger and wrap options, kids menu, and $12 cocktails! So this is obviously the OG Lettuce Entertain You restaurant and it's great. The decor hasn't been changed in years and the menus are so cool. There are people of all ages including tons of families with kids. Our food was great and so were the cocktails. The Tuna Melt (5/5) was unreal, and the California wrap (5/5) was also really good. Next time when we come back we will split a burger since they are huge and the French onion soup.
Well worth the stop, and honestly I wish we could have stayed longer. There’s a sense of history here that you can really feel, and it comes through in the genuine, welcoming service. The menu has plenty of options to choose from, so there’s something for everyone, and everything feels thoughtfully done. You can tell the staff enjoy working here and that the place is well managed. Overall, a great experience and an easy place to highly recommend.
I love this place. It is absolutely worth the stop, and honestly I wish we could have stayed longer. There is a sense of history here that you can feel right away, and it comes through in the warm, genuine service. Even just reading the menu was part of the fun, it had personality and made it hard to choose because everything sounded so good. There are plenty of options to pick from, and you can tell the staff enjoy working here and that the place is well managed. Overall, a great experience and an easy recommendation to anyone passing through.
really nice place for a quick but relaxing meal, I was kind of surprised the food arrived really quickly, and since I could not decide what to get I ordered chicken tenders. Perfectly breaded, tender and juicy- and terrific selection of dips, but the BBQ was perfect. Really hit the spot! Glad to have found them, highly recommend.
