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Prairie Moon Restaurant
Review
About
If you want to know what the local feel of Evanston is, go to Prairie Moon. Serving American cuisine since 2002, Prairie Moon has a wide selection of items from amazing burgers to fresh shucked oysters from its raw bar. Located steps from Northwestern University it downtown Evanston, Prairie Moon is a favorite among locals for its easy going vibe but great food and drink. The Moon, as locals call it, pours Evanston’s most unique selection of local and craft beers, spirits, and wines, highlighting the best from the United States and around the world. Whether you are stopping in for a quick business lunch or enjoying a leisurely weekend dinner, you will always feel at home at Prairie Moon.
Features
CUISINES
American, Cajun & Creole, Bar
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Wheelchair Accessible
Menu
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Order delivery
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 3:00 PM
Sunday
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Friday
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Contribute
4.1
253 reviews
Excellent
89
Very good
116
Average
30
Poor
14
Terrible
4
onthebeach36
Wheeling77 contributions
May 2024 • family
My relatives and I came in for dinner. I arrived first and was shown to a table. I ordered a Bombay Sapphire martini with blue cheese stuffed olives, and was promptly served a delicious beverage. The rest of the party arrived and we ordered the asparagus and manchego appetizer to share. Later we all ordered dinner, and I got the New York strip steak with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Everything was tasty and well prepared, and service was friendly and efficient.
We liked the Prairie Moon, and would love to return.
Written June 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
garydpdx
Portland52 contributions
Jun 2024 • solo
Prairie Moon was an old favorite but I finally got to visit their new location after years away! Old favorites were still on the menu (e.g., etoufee) but this was my first time for their happy hour (4-6 PM) since I needed a quick, small preflight meal and they did not disappoint! On tap special was a New England IPA and their cheeseburger "slider" (actually a quarter pound burger!) with onions and cheese plusa small side of french fries really hit the spot!
Written June 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LenEvanston
Naperville691 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
Our family of eight adults all enjoyed the entrees we ordered. (There were other large groups present.) The menu includes a large variety of appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, seafood, tacos, beef and pork entrees. The food was prepared properly. The portions are large. Our food was served at the proper temperature. The bread was also delicious.
Service was excellent.
Written July 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don W
South Bend92 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
We were back in my hometown to see a show at SPACE and picked out this restaurant from many contenders in the area. My wife ordered a special, crusted Trout, and I the on- menu sauteed Trout. Both were excellent! We had great service, the room was inviting and relaxing. And frankly, it was surprisingly inexpensive for this area.
My only criticism (and it is a minor one) is that a menu this good and interesting calls for a bit more of a wine list. What they have is fine, but more choices couldn't hurt.
I highly recommend Prairie Moon.
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Topher B
Skokie1 contribution
Jan 2022 • none
We have been fans of Prairie Moon for years, since the old patio location. When the pandemic started, we quickly discovered the great delivery service, and it was our favorite place to order from, both from home and the office, sometimes ordering as much as twice a week. We especially loved the tour of America rotating menu. We appreciated the approach to reimagining the food service operation, and it gave us a sense of normalcy over the last 2 years.
Tonight we had a bad experience, but the person I spoke with on the phone quickly turned a bad experience into a positive. The delivery was made via a delivery service, which we didn't know in advance. The driver showed up 30 minutes past the delivery estimate, and when he asked me to sign the receipt, I saw that it was for indian food. When I called his attention to the error, he apologized and said he would look into it, and he disappeared for a while. He then came back with the correct food while I was on the phone talking to the restaurant. We were nervous about the food, not knowing if it had been opened or had been sitting on someone's doorstep. The food was also cold, and had likely been in the driver's car for a long time. The person I spoke to from the restaurant offered to remake the food and have it delivered, and reassured me that it was no problem.
In the chaos, I did not ask the person's name, but I assume it was the owner Rob or another manager. He was a pleasure to speak with, and I appreciated his professionalism and the care shown. We are long time customers, and plan to continue because of experiences like this.
Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy K
Evanston49 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
We ordered take out numerous times and it has always been excellent. Their family meals like the Burger Box where you get 4 generous size burgers with a choice of lots of different toppings and preparations are a tasty and excellent value. The special meals deals are always surprising riffs on some familiar dishes. And their desserts are yummy. If I had my way we'd eat here at least once a week since their menu is full of things I really want to try. Given the pandemic; I haven't tried their cocktails and when in person dining gets better, I want one!
Written January 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
newjerseyfamily
Burlington833 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
We really enjoyed our meal here. The cocktails are great, particularly during happy hour. It wasn't crowded when we went, so we had no trouble getting a table. The menu has a lot of interesting choices on it. I really enjoyed my cedar planked salmon, and my husband the Walleye Pike. My son, always gets his usual hamburger and was not disappointed. Desserts were really good! We'd definitely recommend if your in the area.
Written August 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mendiola1
Carmel104 contributions
Jul 2023 • business
Was initially concerned, looked a bit funky- the establishment is in the basement; however we were overwhelmed by the tastiness of food, the quick service, and the friendliness of staff and not to mention the portions were not small.
Will go back tonight. (Chicken Wings/Pasta/ Lemon Pound cake)
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug M
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • none
The food is tailored to both discriminating tastes and fresh traditional dishes. There is always something new and yummy there but they maintain the famous dishes like the salmon plank, the moon burgers and the vegetable dishes like the bacon and Brussels and painted soup. All the food is inspired and makes you feel good! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, like you are visiting a special group of friends. I love it!
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela S
25 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I was here with a very large group ordering diverse items from the menu. All were great. The salmon chowder was simply fantastic and the crab cake salad I would highly recommend. The service was great too especially considering such a large group to contend with.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank&Lisa
Miami Beach3 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Just got back from a 4 day trip in Chicago (Catching up on my reviews of our places we visited) and this restaurant was wonderful! We came here with our family (group of 10) and enjoyed our meal Our server was WONDERFUL, and she was quite busy-but still made time to make sure we had everything we needed. The drink menu was great also. I personally had The Salmon Chowder (big salmon fan) and it was wonderful.
We will be back in chicago this summer-and we will be coming back!
Thanks!
Frank & Lisa
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
japlady
Chicago61 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
This restaurant has existed in the Evanston area at numerous locations for many many years and I can never figure out how they manage to not go broke, other than by selling alcohol. There's usually a small trickle of customers, and every once in a while I'll try them again, because someone or other has said, "you need to try THIS specific dish" so I go and I do, only to be let down yet again. Most recently it was the painted soup which I disliked enough to send it back. Currently they've moved and I've moved so that now they are almost kiddy corner from my home and I still don't eat there. Maybe I alway eat the wrong things. It's ironic because I basically live on seafood and they have a lot of it, but every time it tastes not unlike Red Lobster in terms of the quality.
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick628
Chicago308 contributions
May 2023 • friends
Nice informal restaurant / pub. Very broad menu, including sandwiches and full meals. Nice selections of beers. Service efficient and attentive. The fish in my fish & chips was a little soggy, but tasty anyway. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their choices. Parking garage 1/2 block away.
Written June 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah L
Park City33 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
Delicious huge portions! Very friendly staff . The small plates are ample. Family style dinners also available . The manager Mike is particularly friendly and often sits and chats with us. The cocktails in a jelly jar are very generous and delicious .
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HaimKennet
Tel Aviv2 contributions
Feb 2024 • business
Very good food and drinks. Great restaurant with a nice and good service. center of town. Great veraiaty of food. Enjoyed very much.
Written March 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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