Crane Alley

This place is the one of the hottest place to drink. If you like this place and their beer selection, you can try to put on your name their board with the small metal tablet!

Great food. Wide selection of beer, wine, and liquors. Calm atmosphere. Pool tables and outdoor seating.

Food is really good. Prices are very reasonable. The servers are nice and pleasant, but it feels like there can be a bit of a disconnect between the person serving your table and whoever is in charge. Also, if there's a bit of a breeze and they ask if you mind sitting in the alley keep in mind it will turn into a wind tunnel. A little heat, or a wind block, or even if we had been seated behind the building instead of in the alley would've helped make things more enjoyable.

Value is worth the price. They have a nice range on their menu. I recommend their pretzel bites with their cheese/beer dip. SO GOOD. Plus, it's says a lot about a place when they have outdoor seating.

We went for lunch and had an appetizer, 2 sandwiches with fries (one regular and one sweet), and a piece of cake. No alcoholic drinks. Everything was really good. I wouldn't usually spend $60 (with 20% tip) for lunch, but will be back and order less. We really appreciated the good fries. Too many places in this area serve those coated fries (cheapest fries you can buy). Also noted they have malort, a Chicago specialty, that we will definitely be back for!