Middleton's On Main

Stopped by here for dinner last night. The atmosphere is great, the place is clean, and the history of the building is very interesting. The drink menu is pretty extensive, and I didn't even look at a beer menu. The food is outstanding. The menu has just the right amount of variety. I ordered the special (M.O.M.'s meatloaf). It wasn't the flavor of meatloaf I am accustomed to, but it was still great. It was more food than I really needed, but I couldn't stop myself from eating everything. It came with a side salad which I had with, what I am assuming is homemade, Smokey Bacon bleu cheese dressing. The meatloaf was covered in an unusual sweet, brown gravy with mashed potatoes and corn with onion straws on top.

Others tried the grilled chicken sandwich and the Jameson Chicken. The grilled chicken sandwich wasn't anything great, but it is just a grilled chicken sandwich. The "bacon" they put on the top is a piece of ham that has been pan fried. The Jameson Chicken was very good. It was breaded and fried chicken cuts served with a white gravy that is infused with Jameson Whiskey, mashed potatoes, and wilted spinach. The gravy is excellent, and I was stealing fries to dip in the gravy.

I will definitely have to take a trip back here to sit at the bar and try some beers (maybe even play bar trivia, Monday nights), and really get the full experience. This place may be a 5-star joint if you are there for more than just a meal.

THE PLACE USED TO BE A BROTHEL

Actually this place was built in 1847 as a stage coach stop, a brothel and then a grand hotel. How cool is that?

The Place:
This place is located in the center of downtown Wauconda on Main Street. There is parking on the street but if you can't find a spot then there is additional parking across the street down the road in a public lot, and it's free. The bar/restaurant has some original exposed brick and is nicely decorated and clean.

My wife and I decided to check out a band that her brother used to play with some of the members. We had always discussed trying out Middleton's so this was the time to do it. We came in and grabbed a seat at the bar as the tables were already occupied on the lower level. While we waited for the band to start playing, we sat and watched the Blackhawks game on one of their 8 TV's located around the bar. You literally can't turn your head without seeing a TV and for most guys that is pretty awesome. I guess my only complaint is that when my wife was talking to me I lost focus on what she was saying because the Hawks just made a goal or there was big hit on one of the other teams players. The conversation went like this "and she said BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH and then she said BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, you know what I mean? Ah yes. It was almost like she was announcing the game while I was watching.

The Drinks:
This place is known as a Gastro Pub. I thought that was a procedure that you had at a hospital but it means that they have hi end booze and beer which they do.

One of the bar tenders asked us for our drink order which we made. I went with a beer while my wife went with her usual cocktail. As we waited for our drinks I looked over the drink menu and noticed that they have a pretty extensive selection of beers, cocktails and single malts.

The Food:
As we sat there we asked for a food menu and noticed that they have a Friday fish fry so we went with the fish and chips and an order of mac n cheese. I have to say that the food is pretty good stuff. The mac n cheese was made with a mixture of cheddar, gorgonzola and BACON (AEWSOME). Anything and everything made with bacon is freaken awesome and this did not disappoint. The flavor of the mac n cheese was not overpowering. It was just right. The fish and chips included fish that was made with Cod that came with a dill sauce for dipping, coleslaw and fries. The fish was fresh and with the sauce it was tasty. The fries were home cut potatoes and also very good.

The Experience:
So we came here to listen to a band but because the Blackhawks were playing the second game of the playoffs it delayed their start. The band plays on the upper level overlooking the bar area. We stuck around for a few of their songs before we decided to call it a night. The staff is friendly, very organized and efficient.

We will definitely be back here for lunch as well as dinner and of course the drinks.

Middleton's on Main is the bomb!  

When Middleton's on Main took over the empty building, I was glad that Wauconda finally had a new restaurant/bar to offer the community.   Lindy's & Slyce cannot compete against Middleton's.  

My husband & I originally went to Middleton's on a Friday night to check out my friend's band playing, and I thought it would be great way to ck out the place.   Middleton's is an upscale Irish bar with a talented staff (from their servers to bar tenders to bus boys).  I could not believe how organized they were, how friendly they were with the customers, how familiar they were with their menu, and how clean it was.  I could not help but think that Robert Irvine could not correct the flow or process they had going on in the bar section.  

They have dining seating area (which I plan on coming back & having lunch or dinner there).   While their bar is on the right side of the building with upper seating to look over the bar.  

For drinks, I went with my usual (Captain & coke) but I wish I could have tried the Strawberry Hill because it sounded yummy & sweet (..... next time).   They had an elaborate list of mixed drinks, beers, wine, cordials to choose from.  

For food, we wanted to order appetizers to go with our drinks.    So I ordered their Fish (cod) & chips & my husband ordered their Mac & Cheese.   The batter on the cod was crunchy & the cod was tender & fresh.   The dill sauce was a great compliment for dipping.    But wait, it gets better--- their fries made me oooooooo & ahhhhhh.    Delicious!   I sampled the Mac & cheese, it was creamy & the bacon complimented the flavor.    They offer a lot of variety on their menu.   So I will be glad to come back & try their other menu items.  

I'm definitely a fan of Middleton's and 'you' should check out this awesome place.