Grumpy Goat Tavern - Elgin

I visited earlier this evening with a group of my golfing buddies and was promptly welcomed by our server, Nicole. We overheard an amusing conversation between her and the bartender, which had us all chuckling. We ordered a few appetizers and several rounds of drinks. The food was fantastic, and Nicole was quick with refills and full of puns, which kept us laughing. Just when we thought we’d had enough, another round came our way. I had to leave early, just as the group placed another order. I really enjoyed the food, the lively atmosphere, and especially the contagious smile that Nicole brought to the table. The dynamic between her and the bartender was truly delightful. I have a good feeling that all the employees at Grumpy Goat Tavern share the same camaraderie, and I can't wait to come back!

After ordering drinks, we found out there was no sangria wine available, and Owen seemed surprised when we asked for a Moscow Mule. Initially, he claimed not to have any mango flavoring, but then it magically appeared. We requested more pita chips for our skillet appetizer and ended up waiting 10-15 minutes for them to arrive. Additionally, our water was never refilled, and Owen seemed more focused on chatting with his fellow staff rather than attending to our table. I ordered the chicken saltimbocca and asked to substitute the garlic potatoes for Yukon gold mashed potatoes. Owen informed me that “Yukon gold mashed” on the menu actually refers to garlic mashed potatoes. Why not just clearly state that on the menu? How are customers supposed to know? Is this even accurate? While I have no complaints about the food itself—it was all delicious—the poor service really diminished our experience at the restaurant.

I absolutely love this restaurant! I've been here twice and both times have been fantastic. The drinks are excellent, particularly the Moscow Mules. We tried the cheese quesadilla and the house burger, and the fries are seasoned to perfection. Our server, Nicole, was wonderful. I visited during quieter evening hours, which made for a relaxed, romantic atmosphere with dim lighting and a cozy firepit. I highly recommend the food, drinks, and service!

What a delight! This place is fabulous! Our server was great at offering substitutions and the food was out of this world!!! Pricey, but this was a special celebration. We both had bone in ribeye and they were cooked to perfection! The potatoes andcreamed spinach had a wonderful flavor. The music was also great, loud enough to enjoy but not too loud we had to shout. Theonly negative was the hostess. She had no personality and didn't have our best interest in mind. The place was fairly empty andshe started to take us to a table with a beautiful view of the golf course and away from the only few full tables, but at thelast second she diverted and sat us over in a dark area without a window view right next to 2 tables full of loud people. Wethought maybe she changed her mind because she needed to keep all the patrons in 1 area, but 5 minutes later she sat someone atthat very table. We wish we had said something right away but assumed it was logistical. She needs some coaching on how to makethe experience outstanding from the start.

Great food and atmosphere. Nice view of course. The menu options range from delicious appetizers to fine cuts. It is a great and comfortable place. Lots of parking, too.