Bogie's Ale House, Mount Prospect

I've posted about them in passing four times before (though only once with actual review of the burgers), but I think they really need a thread.

Formerly called "The Loft" they updated their interior a few years ago and are now "Bogie's Ale House Legendary Barn" with decor strewn with images of Bogart, James Dean and Marily Monroe. There's a couple of separate rooms for parties, two bars (upstairs and downstairs) an outdoor dining area (which we always tend to pick on the windiest days, whoops), and darned good burgers.

Before I talk anymore, a single image, halfway through SueF's meal (I was eating the same thing but a different side):

Bogies patty melt by joelfinkle, on Flickr

When was the last time you asked for a medium rare patty melt, and got a medium rare patty melt? 8oz burger (doubled for an extra $1.99), choices of sides include onion strings (very good) fries (thick cut, decent but not destination-level), tater tots, mashed, slaw or fruit. We usually go for the onion strings, but occasionally the tots.

Mostly we end up with that every time, labeled as the "Kid Galahad Patty Melt", crisp, gooey with onions and cheese, and always spot-on with the doneness. On occasion I'll have the Southwestern, a "more is more" kind of burger with mozz, guacamole, sour cream and jalapenos on a probably too-big foccacia bun. We've also had their quesadillas (generous, and served with fries as an appetizer), my sons are fond of the buffalo chicken sandwich. Their pizza is good, but not going to replace my local fave Mug's. I can't remember when we last ordered one of the non-sandwich entrees, though I recall the shrimp dejonge pasta being good.

Meals are followed by a couple of warm chocolate chip cookies, service is warm and friendly. I could skip the dining room sports shows on the TVs, but at least the sound level is turned down. I've never had the breakfast menu, which is served 11AM-4PM.

It's a nice neighborhood joint, which deserves more attention for its burgers, especially with neighborhood competition from Steak 'n' Shake, Five Guys and now Billy Goat. Do I occasionally hit the other places? Yes (well, not the Goat yet), for a shake or an overdose of fries, but the burgers are definitely better at Bogie's.

Bogie's Ale House Legendary Barn
303 East Kensington
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
847-670-0330
http://www.bogiesalehouse.com
Hours: 11am every day, to 1am Mon-Thu; 2am Fri, Sat; Midnite Sun

I almost went to that Billy Goat the other day but they were mobbed. I've driven by Bogie's forever but figured it was just a meet market. I'll have to give them a try next time I'm in the mood for a burger in the neighborhood.

I stopped by with my husband's soccer team a few weeks ago for a post-game meal. They ordered 2 pizzas which were pretty good (not destination great, but tasty). I had a race the next day so I ordered the spaghetti & meatballs with the meat sauce and it was surprisingly good for a place that wasn't Italian. The pasta wasn't horribly overcooked, the sauce was nice and tangy and meaty (not sweet at all) and the meatballs were very good. One of the guys ordered the fish & chips special and they looked fantastic - crispy and plentiful. I'm hoping that this becomes the default post-game restaurant.

I enjoy the all you can eat fish on Fridays. I always get the boiled cod with a cup of drawn butter. Delicious!! I've been known to polish off three plates of this. You also have the option of getting fried pollock which I tried once. But it doesn't compare to the boiled cod. Bogies' homemade soups are really good too.

This is not destination dining by any stretch of the imagination but it is a nice neighborhood restaurant. My kids enjoy sitting outside in the summer and playing baggo while we wait for our food.

According to the Mount Prospect Journal, Bogie's Ale House in Mount Prospect (Kensington near Rand, formerly The Loft) is up for foreclosure auction on Friday. This is a sad day.

Note: I just called, and they're still open for business. Hopefully a rescue is being thought of.

The owner of Bogies sent out a mass "Help Save My Restaurant" email a month or so ago. It was forwarded to my wife. It would be a shame if they had to close their doors.

Yeah, I got that email too. Apparently they had a balloon loan, and haven't found a lender to extend a new note.