Farmhouse Evanston

Good beer selection but food disappointing. The rack of lamb came out cool and medium well — seemed like was under a heat lamp for 15 minutes? Won’t be back, except maybe for drinks.

Darn it! I wish I had consulted Unilocal before booking this place for a dinner with my mom and sister. Good old Unilocal would’ve led me elsewhere. Alas, if you’re reading this, you’re ahead of me!
We wanted to bring my mom somewhere cool that none of us had tried before. Definitely make a reservation. There were ample tables open for reservations a few days before our planned Friday night dinner, but the night of, there was a wait of 45+ minutes. They do have a nice patio and even provide fleece blankets on cooler nights! That was a great feature.
After we sat down, no one came to talk to us for at least 10+ minutes, which was terrible! The waiter then dropped an excuse or two, but it definitely started things off on the wrong foot. The next issue was the menu. There just wasn’t anything super appealing to me, so I went with the burger. It was totally MEH. Average to below average. The fries were SO underwhelming. They were also limp and lukewarm. And they make their own ketchup which I didn’t like, since I am Heinz devotee ;) My mom had the fish fry and that didn’t look appealing either. She mentioned that they should’ve added a lemon wedge to the plate. It was a good atmosphere and a great location… Evanston is definitely bustling much more these days than when I lived there 7 or 8 years ago! Anyways, it was a miss for me. On the plus side, there is an Irish bar across from the library (super close to Farmhouse) that was fun for an after dinner drink!

Was really surprised by how much I liked Farmhouse Evanston! We walked in around 11am on a Saturday and were able to sit right down at the bar. The décor of the place is adorable, and the ambiance is ideal for a laid-​back brunch.
I’m lactose intolerant and while I wasn’t able to find a *ton* to eat off the menu, the bartender was really helpful in describing what had cheese/​butter in it, and what I could order.
The food arrived quickly, the portions were great, and everything tasted amazing! It seems like I’ve had so many mediocre brunch experiences lately that I really appreciated the good food and great service.

Come here for the cheese curds!
Great if you’re looking for a quick stop in the afternoon for appetizers and beers. The cheese curds come with two sauces– a house-​made ketchup and a spicy curd sauce. Both yummy! And the cheese curds are bite-​sized and lightly fried without being too oily.
My friend and I also got the cinnabun pie, which was yummy too, though a little dry, but perhaps that was because it was later in the day. Overall, great casual spot!

I still remember when I was so excited when Farmhouse opened up in Evanston around 3 years ago — but it’s been a disappointment again and again. There are only two things I order here: the burger (both veggie and non-​veggie) and their cheese curds. Their menu changes, but I’ve had their chicken, trout and various other dishes as well. For the price range, I was extremely underwhelmed — chicken was tough and the food was overall pretty basic.
The service has always been great, but Farmhouse is dark and can get very loud during dinner times so that it’s hard to have a decent conversation unless you’re upstairs or in one of the smaller rooms sectioned off. We sat outside the other day when it was 70 degrees, and there were only 2 umbrellas outside, which meant more than half of the tables were directly under the sun. We were seated at a table directly in the sun with the sun shining directly into my eyes. We both had sunglasses on, but it got so hot and unbearable that we left soon after. The waitress was also getting sunburnt — I don’t think it’s difficult to get a few more umbrellas outside for your guests. I rarely go Farmhouse unless my bf drags me back for their veggie burger, and do not plan on going back again.

I have been to Farmhouse Evanston a handful of times, most recently for the Mother’s Day Brunch. Overall, I love the concept and the décor, but this restaurant could do much better. I am a fan of the fried cheese curds and of some other menu items, but they are hit or miss. My family was also disappointed by the Mother’s Day Brunch. It was $ 39 per person. The menu was the following:
— Catalpa Grove Leg of Lamb — I took one bite of this and thought that it tasted strong, like bleu cheese. I was grossed out. No one else at my table liked it either.
— Grass Fed Prime Rib with Horseradish Cream, Rosemary Jus,
and Door County Cherry Preserves — There were only cuts of this that were medium-​rare, and we wanted to have more of a selection of the types of cook of the meat.
Salads
— Farm Green Salad — good
— Asparagus & Beet Salad — did not try
— Bulgur Salad — did not try
— Farmhouse Waldorf Salad — bland
— Marinated Mushroom Pasta Salad — did not try
— Chicken Salad — did not try
Main Buffet
— Antipasti & Crudités — Didn’t try
— Forage & Foster Cheeses & La Quercia Charcuterie — The whole table liked this.
— Smoked Salmon — very good! I wonder where it was from.
— Assorted Breakfast Pastries & Bread — They were ok. The croissants were cold, and they could only heat them up downstairs.
— Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese — standard
— French Toast Sticks with Honey Butter & Maple Syrup — I loved these!
— Swan Creek Bacon — good but cold
— Chef Martin Breakfast Sausage — did not try
— Spicy Breakfast Potatoes — did not try
— Seared Salmon with Glazed Carrots & Toasted Pecans — I liked the pecans the most of out the whole dish.
— Braised Short Ribs with Roasted Yams & Red Wine Glaze — did not try
— Amish Chicken Breast with Herb Fingerling Potatoes & Rosemary Jus — I only tried the potatoes, and they were fine.
— Sautéed Asparagus — did not try
— Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes — did not try
— Farmhouse Mac n’ Cheese — did not try
Almost all of what I tried from the brunch buffet was COLD. These items were not properly heated, which made for the sub-​par experience. We did order the cheese curds, which were made to order. I left the restaurant upset that I had disappointed my family, especially my mom. Several members of my family complained about it. I wish that we would have gone elsewhere. I hope that Farmhouse Evanston will improve their food (especially for special occasions). If not, we will not be back.

Really enjoyed my dinner here. Came with a rather large group on a Friday night. Really nice beer tap list. Cheese curds and other appetizers were really tasty. I had the elk and enjoyed my meal. Service was very good. Prices are on the higher side but not outrageous. Would definitely recommend stopping in here if you are in Evanston.

I spent two nights in Evanston this week and got dinner with a couple of Chicago friends. Tristan C. suggested a few places, but when I saw that it was cold out even in May and that Farmhouse was in the same building as my hotel (the Hilton Orrington in downtown Evanston), the decision was easy.
We didn’t realize, though, that it was such a hot spot, or we might have thought to make a reservation. It was a neat gastropub-​type restaurant, trendy and attractive with a casual, comfortable atmosphere. We ended up spending a leisurely three and a half hours here, including the wait time. Our party of three showed up a little after 6:30 on a Monday, and it took an hour for a table to open up. Luckily, we were able to pass that time at the bar, where there was open seating (and full service, too, probably a good idea for parties of two).
The bartender was friendly and let us sample beers before committing to pints. There was a full bar, but I was most interested in the beer selection, which was extensive and heavily regional. I was visiting from California and was excited to try some Midwestern beer. I loved the Urban Chestnut Chouteau Joe, a light, aromatic coffee stout, and the Half Acre Daisy Cutter was a pleasant pale ale. My favorite, though, was the Lagunitas The Waldos’ ale, obviously a California beer (though there is a tap room in Chicago, apparently). It was hearty and sweet and malty with high alcohol content, really my favorite kind of beer.
Dinner was good, even aside from the beer. We got a big booth for a party of three and had a relaxing meal. The food was solid, the menu made up of upscale Midwestern fare. We shared beer bread and beer battered Wisconsin cheese curds to start, and both of these were on point. I don’t love paying $ 5 for a small loaf of bread, but this one was very good – from Hewn Bakery, made with Temperance spent grains (I guess this is a thing, making bread out of brewed-​out beer grains), and served with a big pile of whipped honey butter. The cheese curds were delicious, perfectly chewy and addictive with a thin layer of deep-​fried batter, served with housemade catsup and a spicy curd sauce (some variation on jalapeño ranch, I’m convinced).
I ordered the roasted chicken for my entrée, and this was less compelling. The chicken wasn’t terrible, but it was on the dry, flavorless side. It was saved, though, by everything else on the plate, which was pretty great – crushed tomato, mushroom, SarVecchio parmesan, and a wonderful gravy-​like marsala pan sauce. There was also a lovely portion of pappardelle, which did well with the sauce and the chicken. We shared a side of baked cheddar mac ‘n cheese, too, and this was satisfying, if nothing special.
I really liked Farmhouse and would definitely recommend it for a fun meal in Evanston. The food was decent, and there was plenty to drink. I have a feeling I’d visit often if I lived in town.

These are the best cheese curds I have ever had. They’re battered so beautifully, I want to cry. The initial crunch is soft and light and then the cheese strings out hot and fresh and the chewiness is perfect, not too liquidy but not tiring either.
Other than that, I had the burger and fries. It was okay. I think I just don’t like grassfed beef as much, as uncool as it is to say so. But I ordered it medium rare and that’s exactly how it came. The fries were fine and satisfying.
I had a cocktail that was a margarita type thing with mezcal in it with a sugar and sour rim. I didn’t love it but I was glad to try it. I’d like to come back here to try some other things and get more cheese curds.

Farmhouse has a really nice ambiance as well as great service. The staff was extremely nice. My server’s name was Chris and he was excellent. Seems like a trendy restaurant in the Evanston area. I decided to stop here because the aroma of the fresh herbs outside lured me in :)
It definitely has a gastropub feel, but I wasn’t exceptionally impressed with the cocktail selection. I asked my server what he would recommend — I ordered the horse head cocktail, but apparently they ran out of the ingredients for the drink (I didn’t realize bars run out of stuff lol), so I had to order something else which totally caught me off guard. It was like someone told me my mother didn’t love me. I was so excited about the other drink I really didn’t know what to do. In hindsight I probably should’ve ordered a beer because they have a pretty extensive beer list. I ordered the «New Cuban» because that was another drink Chris recommended to me. It was okay but I was already sad lol.
As far as food goes, we were between lunch and dinner, so they had a special more limited menu of food. I ordered the soup of the day, which was chili. Not sure what I expected out of my chili but I would compare it to the chili you would get from Wendy’s. I actually like the Wendy’s chili lol so I don’t want you to think it was bad. It was the first thing it reminded me of. I asked for a side of bread, but they had crackers that they offered to me, which was a nice addition for the chili. My colleague orderered the macaroni and cheese and we shared it at the table. The macaroni wasn’t anything special at all. Because it came out in a mini oblong cast iron pot I expected more out of it. I can’t recommend that to anyone personally. It was just okay.
As far as drinks go, I gave the «Demurmer» a chance. I’m a huge fan of elderflower liquors, but I typically drink them with gin so I was anxious to see how this tasted. It was good, but a little sweet for my liking. It kind of reminded me of a rosé. If you like sweet drinks, I could recommend it. If not, steer clear lol.
In all I feel as if I have to come back to give this place another shot. I enjoyed the vibe, but the cocktails and food didn’t add up. Til next time!

Farmhouse: really good food (with a few super great standouts), an awesome rustic atmosphere, and an upscale casual vibe!
This is clearly a much loved Evanston spot. We never have a problem snagging a table when we call to make a reservation a few days in advance, but don’t try to just stop by on a whim! Naively, we decided to drop in for brunch one the weekend. As a party of only two we thought it would work out, but we ended up having to eat at the bar instead. (The bar wasn’t so bad for brunch, though. Service from the bartender was on point and the quick access to Bloody Mary refills was an excellent perk!)
At dinner time, we’ve noticed that the interior can get a little loud. I’d like to try their outdoor seating for a little more quiet, once it warms up.
The menu has lots of comfort food options, including their cheese curds — delicious bits of diet-​busting naughtiness — and creamy, sweet, melt-​in-​your-​mouth brown butter cake. Honestly, while our entrees are always good (we have had a variety of them: shepherd’s pie, short ribs, bison), I would come back just for drinks, and to share apps and desserts!

I’m not really sure what all of the hype is about this place. It wasn’t bad but it also wasn’t anything amazing either. The décor is a nice trendy pub/​bar environment and it also clearly is a very popular lunch spot in the area, so if you have a big group you may want to make a reservation for it. It was a little warm inside here when we ate also, but our server you could tell loved their burger on their menu with a passion, so our whole group got that burger.
It 100% grass fed beef which I 100% appreciate since I do think that beef always tastes better. So points there for quality. But then the burger itself just seemed like other burgers. After I had been told this burger was the thing to have, I was expecting a little more pizzazz. The bacon on it was great but how can bacon not be great? And the butter bun was a decent bun for the burger too, but I was hoping for a special sauce or flavor action of some sort to really push this burger over. It is the most expensive entrée on the lunch menu, and so for that I really expected a little more. The fries were decent with it, and this burger and fries will definitely keep you full too. So if you are in the area not a bad spot to stop and next time I would try some of our their house made root beer ha

Farmhouse is a decent spot in Evanston. I really want to like it more, but it is a bit hit or miss for me.
The first time, we really enjoyed it — but service was slllllloooooowwwwww…
The second time, we were early for a reservation and since most of the seats were empty, we didn’t think there would be an issue seating us. However… we had to wait a bit (which was fine), but service was still a bit spotty (also, I really don’t like dirty wineglasses and this time, I ended up pouring my wine in my water glass to avoid trying to flag down someone to get me a new wine glass).
The food is pretty good — I had a salad this time and it was fresh, large and the dressing was delicious.
However, service is somewhat spotty and while friendly, I find we had to flag people down more than we should have.
Bathrooms are somewhat hard to find…

I am a big fan of the Chicago Farmhouse, so when I finally tried the Evanston location I was pleased to find it very similar. The food and service are just as good. The aesthetic is mostly the same, although you can tell that you are on the North Shore. It’s sort of like the quirky charm is toned down but the comfortable rusticity still comes through.
As I said, I liked the food but feel that I ordered the wrong thing that night. I got the flank steak entrée because of the listed accompaniments, but immediately second-​guessed myself over a tantalizing short-​rib special. Our table neighbors to left and right both ordered it and drove me crazy!
Despite missing that boat, overall the food was quite nice. To boot, they have some really solid winter cocktails, particularly The Rapture, a bit of sweet-​smoky whisky warmth.
One last note: the restrooms are upstairs, which gives you a chance to check out the separate bar area up there. The upstairs space is supercool, aesthetically similar to the restaurant but slightly classier (and very quiet when it’s closed, obviously). It would be a great venue for a semi-​private party.

There are much better lunch options in Evanston! Avoid this place. Today, three hours later I still feel nauseous from lunch. I ordered a po boy– deep fried fish with an obscene amount of cheese and grease. It also came with an enormous portion of under seasoned French fries.
I’ve had brunch here before which was fine. It could have also tasted fine because it also included alcohol.
Farm to table is popular but what’s the point if the food is bland and underwhelming. Buy local and cook at home.

I was so looking forward to trying Farmhouse and I finally did, on a Thursday night (um, actually around 5pm) to celebrate December birthdays and pre-​Christmas shenanigans with my friends. To start of, my friend actually called two weeks ago to make a reservation but Farmhouse told her that they don’t take reservations. Fine. So back to last night, when we got to the place at 5pm, the hostess asked if we had reservations so I told her that we tried but was told they don’t take any. Confusing right? I know. Anyway, we were seated right away.
We started with the drinks, my friends had Rosemary Letherbee Baby, a couple of Moscow Mules, and a Pinot Noir (me me me!) We then placed our orders and received our foods after around 15 – 20 minutes. Here is a breakdown of our food orders (We gave samples to everyone of our orders so we can try everything. I love friends!)
100% GRASS FED STEAK (flank steak $ 27) — great flavors on the mashed potatoes specially the brussel sprouts… The meat… It was too chewy. We couldn’t break down the meat even if we kept chewing and had to swallow the whole super chewy meat. I had my steak cooked Medium.
LAMB SHANK ($ 26) — phenomenal! The meat falls off the bone, deliciously seasoned and cooked perfectly!
TROUT ($ 24) — it was good but nothing extraordinary.
So I said something about my flank steak to Kelly, the Food Service/​Director for last night. I said maybe I should have had the steak Rare but too late for that and I wanted to say something becauSe I just wanted to enjoy my dish. She was nice enough to ask me if I wanted to try another dish from the menu. I got the Lamb Shank this time since I’ve already tried my friends’ lamb. My own lamb shank came after around 10 minutes and it was perfect. She only charged me foe the lamb and not the steak. 5 stars for service.
Overall we had a great experience. I loved the interior, there’s a second floor which I think is more of a private events section and the restrooms are there as well. The restrooms were clean, beautifully decorated and with ample supplies. Why only 3 stars? The Lamb Shank was delicious and the drinks are good but I honestly think that they should not cost as much as how they are currently priced.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I’ve been to Farmhouse Evanston (FE) 3 or 4 times and I never experience any problems here. This particular review focuses on my last visit (12/​17/​2015).
FOOD
I tried cheese curds for the first time at FE. They weren’t bad, but I just don’t think I’m a fan. Their cocktails and lamb shank are a completely different matter. FE’s Lamb Shank is extremely tender. There is no need to use a knife. The meat literally falls off the bone. The lentils and fennel (which I thought was spinach) are ok. The few bits of candied pistachios added a nice texture and interesting sweetness. I would have liked to see a potato side with the lamb. Their Rushing Waters Trout was good, but a bit too salty (veggies to the rescue!-luckily it comes with root vegetables). The 100% Grass Fed Steak of the night was flank steak for $ 27. It was extremely chewy. We had a hard time swallowing the meat. The Rosemary’s Letherbee Baby is really light and refreshing. Overall, the food is good.
DRINKS
The Secret Crush (which I admit I ordered because the drink’s description stated «sexy.» What makes a drink sexy?) was ok. A few of my friends thought it was a bit too sweet. I think the bitters makes the sweetness bearable, but I wouldn’t rush on ordering it again. They also have several beers, wines, and classic drinks such as Moscow Mules.
SERVICE
Our waitress, Evelyn (?) was attentive and helpful. She made sure to check in on us without interrupting our conversation. My friend ordered the 100% Grass Fed Steak (flank steak). As previously mentioned it was very chewy. She mentioned this and Kelly was very helpful. My friend was asked to choose another menu item instead. My friend chose the Lamb Shank. The steak was taken off the bill and my friend was charged only for the Lamb Shank. I have to point out that the Lamb Shank was brought out way to quickly for it to be prepared to order.
PRICES
This is where I have to dock some stars off. Certain menu items such as the Lamb Shank are delicious. However, I do find several menu items to be overpriced (some more than others). Note that there aren’t big portions here at FE. I love chicken, but I am hesitant to order the Amish Chicken for $ 23 (but then again, maybe I am just cheap).

Great for brunch!
I ordered the Midwestern Hash. It consisted of: squash, broccoli, caramelized onions, red potatoes, topped with fried farm eggs. I thought it was delicious and filling for a vegetarian dish. The vegetables were fresh and everything tastes better with an egg on top! I also ordered a coffee which was good. The cream that came with it was in the cutest glass bottle. It felt like it came straight from the farm. I want to come back and try their other dishes!

This restaurant locally sources all of its food and ensures their sustainable practices. It’s a great place to have a long lunch or dinner with a friend or with a date. The rustic charm of the interior and the outdoor seating on a breezy summer night makes this restaurant a real gem.
The stand outs of this restaurant are its cheese curds which come with a creamy aioli sauce and its Carrot Pierogi which is a stuffed pasta dish that sits atop a bed of deliciously grilled carrots. If you haven’t had cheese curds, this is the place to try them. They also make their own homemade sodas, which means that there are no artificial flavors or colorings. I was a bit surprised to see that my root beer was a clear-​ish blonde color, but it was because they didn’t add any fake dark brown coloring to them.
The servers are friendly and accommodating, without being too overbearing, and they really help make the meal comfortable for you and your companions. Everyone enjoyed their meal and this is a place that we’ll definitely come back to again.

Loved the cheese curds here! So bad for me but sooo good.
Burger and fries are huge in portion size too– but delicious nonetheless.
Loved the interior décor– modern and personal.