Club 81 Too

When you walk in here you feel like you entered a tavern with a couple of tables in the back, love it. There is no ambience, the staff is warm, and you feel like you are at home on a Saturday. Spectacular breaded perch sandwich and an even better steak sandwich. Was really impressed and will try to get back there. It appears to be a real neighborhood place and is family ran from what I gathered. Awesome.

Just found a new favorite place for lunch near my workplace on the south side.  Heard about it accidentally through a co-worker, who was trying to keep it a secret.  It is a true local bar dive. The front area is dark and seems to have the regulars sitting at the bar, but the back area is well lit and full of policemen on the day i went.  There was a regular flow of workers coming in to pick up orders.  I had a turkey sandwich..huge, fresh, and tasty.  I believe they are known for their fried fish, particularly the lake perch, but i was trying to be good.  i will def try it next time though.

It can be hard to describe the joys of a place like Club 81 Too. It's about the spirit of a place like Hegewisch and the honesty of working your whole damn life because that's what you do: you work. Like many places I love, you either get it or you don't. It's unpretentious and at its best will resonate deep in your bones. You'll adopt the Dombrowski family as your own just as soon as they adopt you, because the whole clan acts like the outgoing, joking relatives you grew up with.

Lunch is M-F 11a to 2p. They serve dinner on Wednesday and Friday night until 8p. You can go in any night for a beer and a shot of "Wolf Lake Elixir" at $2... $1.50 on a Sunday. Cash only, but there is an ATM.

You walk in to a worn-in bar, taken from the original location at 81st and Exchange. A dining room is to the right with several tables. Families are welcome and always present. Nothing fancy, the home cooking is the star here. Out back there are picnic tables, bocci ball courts, and a sliver of Wolf Lake to enjoy.

The dinner menu is heavy on fish and seafood: whitefish, perch, shrimp, frog legs, snapper, walleye, lobster, orange roughy, catfish, mahi mahi, crabcakes, fried clams, and basa. They filet all of it themselves. They also serve chicken, steaks, ribs, pork chops, sandwiches, and apps. I had the walleye and fried chicken. The walleye was lightly battered, the flavor of the fish coming through, and brushed with butter for some of the tastiest fried fish around. I haven't had fried chicken in years, but went back for seconds and thirds, it was great. Everything has a from-scratch feel to it. Rye bread from a local bakery is always available. The food is done simple and with care. Filled with regulars, don't be worried... they'll know if you're not from the neighborhood and take extra care to make you feel welcome.

Club 81 has been in the family for over 60 years. We went with a huge group and was treated generously. Refer 4 people and get a free steak dinner... you bet I'll be going back!