17 North Bar & Grill

Reviews

• Mark B.

  star star star star star 26 August 2026

  Stopped in for lunch on a Friday afternoon.  The staff was very friendly and it had a good atmosphere.I had the peanut butter bacon cheddar burger at the bartenders suggestion.  was one of the best burgers I've had in a while.  The ground beef from the local butcher made all the difference.
  
  I would highly recommend as a casual place for a good meal and good beer selection.

• Marc S.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 20 August 2026

  This place needs to get rid of the drunk regulars.  
  
  The last two times I have been there (early evening) I have experience extremely drunk people.  It's highly frustrating.   I do not come in with young daughter because I can't say its family friendly at all. You are immediately greeted by video gambling and really takes away from the ambience.  The food is really good which makes it frustrating.  
  
  I had their burgers with many toppings and I loved it! It was so flavorful and inexpensive.  The other plus is their cheap drinks which explains why they have so many people just hanging out drinking.
  
  I want to come back more, but Im really not sure.

• Angela D.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 12 August 2026

  This place wants to be a dive bar but it can't quite lose the promise that those beautiful floor to ceiling windows hold, or the gorgeous curved staircase. Keep playing the country music, though, leave the greasy fingerprints on the windows, and let the chairs and tables keep falling apart, and you'll be a top-notch rundown joint soon.
  
  The bartender was nice, the regulars were happy. They serve local beer so I added a star for all those reasons.
  
  We came in for apps and drinks to start the evening. Fortunately for us, I caught a glimpse of the kitchen on the way to the ladies room. It was rather messy, so we bailed after our beers.

• Joe D.

  star star star star_border star_border 8 August 2026

  I was hopeful for this place. I like to support local places whenever possible. The entrance was nice ... it kind of went down hill from there. You're greeted by the video poker machines when you walk in. "Hello patron, come give me your money!" We sat at the bar and apparently it was shift change. The one bartender was busy counting her tips and didn't even say hi. The other one was busy talking to her friends. (One of my pet peaves as a former bartender.) I waited while my partner went to the rest room. By the time she got back the bartender still hadn't acknowledged we were there. She finally came by and served us. We were going to eat but decided not to because the kitchen looked a little "kitchy" so we went to another place for food.
  It looks like a fun bar for partying with friends. It just didn't fit our needs for the evening.

• Robert B.

  star star star star_border star_border 5 August 2026

  I'm not sure where I first heard of Waukegan.  Was it Bill & Ted?  Ferris Beuller?  The Blues Brothers?  I don't know.  But suffice it to say that I have never been there.  Until now.
  
  I came up to Waukegan to see Joel McHale.  And before the show we came to 17 North to have a drink and a bite.
  
  The best thing about this place is the staff.  Super nice, super helpful, and super friendly.  Really.  The other great thing about this place (and Waukegan in general) is the price.  $4 for a shot, $5 for a beer.  What nice change of pace from the jacked up prices of Chicago proper.
  
  The okay part is the food.  Not a huge selection, for sure.  Bar food for the most part.  But pretty tasty, actually.  The waffle fries, especially, get a special mention.
  
  The less than ideal is the beer selection (honestly, it's shit, with only a few descent locals), and the weirdo gambling vibe.  Yeah, there are video gambling machines in a few places with the requisite zombie old people sitting there on their oxygen machines hitting the buttons as fast as they can.  Damn, I'm depressing myself...
  
  Really, 17 North is okay.  Drop by, have a nice burger (and the waffle fries), a few drinks, and then head to the show.  After all, that's the only reason you're in Waukegan, isn't it?