13 years in this town and every now and again I get talked into dining at Barone's. Please don't misunderstand. We order their pizza regularly (almost exclusively)...one look at me will prove this point...and I rather enjoy their product if it is ordered medium-well to well done (I hate gloppy pizza).
On Sunday the eldest boy had a karate tournament and I did not want to cook. I wanted to go to Armand's in Elmhurst, but it was getting kind of late so we settled for Barone's. This place, strictly IMO, could not offer a more dismal dining experience. The subtle combination of harsh lighting, worn out/flattened seating, 1970's atmosphere, food that would rate a 3 on James Ward's breads scale, and third world bar tending skills all tied together with a bow of indifference from the help makes me wonder how this Glen Ellyn legend has made it through so very many decades. My guess remains that it is their excellent pizza. I will say that the owners and hostesses are always very friendly and accommodating...but for some reason I always get the absolute worst server that is working that night...granted we only dine their twice a year. My wife seems to think that they are very eager coming up to the table in hopes of meeting a celebrity, but once they find out I am not an actor after all...they turn off the charm.
The oddly-named "Kid's Room" is as close to Lord of the Flies as you'll get in Glen Ellyn. How they don't hire a teenager to monitor the activities in that room is beyond me. I have seen some really aggressive behavior in that room. Two times on Sunday night a father ran into the room to seemingly save his child either from rough behavior on the part of another or from a flying toy. We couldn't figure out which. But when he opened the door and said, "Excuse me!!", it was obvious he was speaking to a child other than his own.
So there you have it. Another complaining review by yours truly.
remember this is the town where, year-after-year, Alfies does incredible business. talk about a frightening place. it's the same town where tipi thai is considered a flavorful, authentic thai experience.
all i can guess is that puffy white guys will eat almost anything.
I'm a fan of Barone's. All my servers have been adequate, at worst. We usually get the pizza, but on the occasions I've gotten other things off the menu, some were OK, and some were good enough to order again. That's been true of every restaurant I've entered more than four times, except, perhaps, Lawry's, which only serves four cuts of the same prime rib.
The kid room can be a zoo when the place is busy. But what do you expect? It's not mandatory to send your little ones in there. By all accounts, things are more dangerous for children in the Clam household. I personally have had no problem sending my 3 year old in there.
I can't attest to the skill of their bartenders (although, I do note that there is no bar in the place so it shouldn't shock folks to hear that they don't mix the Clamtini just right). I would guess that 98% of the alcohol drunk in the place is beer or wine, so I'd suggest the point is moot.
Originally posted by t.a. superette: remember this is the town where, year-after-year, Alfies does incredible business. talk about a frightening place. it's the same town where tipi thai is considered a flavorful, authentic thai experience.
all i can guess is that puffy white guys will eat almost anything.
This and Clam's consistently derisive reviews for anything non-Vittorio's frankly smacks of food snobbery. If Alfie's does great business as you say, I'd suggest it's because the great unwashed actually like their burgers. So much so that they ignore the 70's basement ambiance.
For the record, I have no idea what an authentic Thai eating experience is. I suggest that 99.5% of Glen Ellyn doesn't know what an authentic Thai eating experience is. What I do know is that I have been to Thipi three times. Twice were thumbs up on the food and once was a shoulder shrug. There were some service issues 2 out of 3 times.
And don't forget, Clam is a self-proclaimed puffy white guy. He must be the exception to your rule.
Originally posted by middlein87: I suggest that 99.5% of Glen Ellyn doesn't know what an authentic Thai eating experience is.
precisely my point. that's why it does well here. that's why chin's does well here (deplorable chinese food). IMO alfies fries up a horrid burger. the atmosphere is laughable. the carpet alone could be construed as a new 3M adhesive. take a look at your chair next time you're there. a close look. i'll bet my dropped ketchup from 1968 is still pasted on the seat (even made it thru the move).
we could debate this a long time. believe me, i am one of the most "unwashed" guys in town. but i still like good food served w/in a clean environment. not too much to ask.
This and Clam's consistently derisive reviews for anything non-Vittorio's frankly smacks of food snobbery.
M87 - Where have you been? Clam as been a self-proclaimed food snob for over 5 years on these boards. He has unabashedly slammed numerous places for their less than satisfactory service and food. And that being said, despite the fact that I will eat most anything that doesn't have pulse, I tend to agree with most everything he writes on here re: food. Now as far as his other opinions go.....
None of my commentary need be taken so seriously. Absolutely no one agrees with my views on Barone's....a place that receives 3.5 out of 4 forks from me for pizza making abilty. People love the place.
And I certainly don't discount what they do for the community. No way. Hence the taboo coment. They are the nicest people in the world with great pizza and a terrible dining experience.
Uh, perhaps we should move on to another subject. Just seemed slow around here lately and I really, really hated my visit Sunday.
But let me leave you all with the following advice...keep a closer watch over your three year-olds.
I believe the greatest waste of money for family dinner is Red Robin. $9 for a cheeseburger? My kids like the place, but it's torture when I go there. When they were younger, they were all over me for the games tokens. Now, they just want some of the overpriced milkshakes. I end up spending the same amount.
Sorry, T.A.; for the money (and pouring ability) it's Alfie's. Or Village Tavern.
What is your greatest waste of money for family restaurants?
Clam a food snob, what a freaking surprise.....Although, I do have to thank him for saving me from what could have been a horrible dining experience a couple of Sundays ago....
My wife and I consider ourselves to be well-traveled, experienced diners. That being said we enjoy Alfies and really like their burgers, if thats what you're in the mood for.
We love the campy Conquistador decor and depressing regulars who sit at the bar, smoke and drink Jack and Coke at noon on Sunday.
Originally posted by t.a. superette: remember this is the town where, year-after-year, Alfies does incredible business. talk about a frightening place. .
