Good fortune seems to have smiled upon me once again… recently I received an invitation to the opening of a new restaurant — well, actually a new building but not really a new restaurant. You see, Gordon Biersch had its start back in my old stomping grounds: the very first one is in Palo Alto, California. The thing that I can’t believe is that I had never visited that one! No matter… my visit to the new addition in the Promenade Shopping Center in Bolingbrook is one I shall not soon forget.
Multitude of Opportunities
And while I had heard of Bolingbrook, I had never been there; I figured that it was too far away. Wrong! It took a mere 45 minutes to get there from the Fox Valley area. And that was during rush hour traffic — the trip home was even quicker. But the payoff is in the dining and shopping venues that exist just off the intersection of the Stevenson and I-355 expressways. There is a multitude of opportunities that exist at the newly-opened shopping center, but my focus is rightfully on Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant located there.
Hip and upscale are the first two adjectives that come to mind, especially when considering all the wood and glass that abound in the design. But I think that the key is going to be in the food and service that are offered; both promise to be… well, tops.
Twenty-One Other Stores
I know that I have always said that I would prefer not to visit any place that has been open less than six months, BUT… in this case, things were a bit different, since the dinner was a private affair allowing the restaurant to showcase their wares to the media, and employees to practice and hone their skills before the restaurant opened for real – which, by the way, has just happened on Thursday, the 26th of April.
I usually refrain from the use of words like guarantee when I talk about potential for success. But I can pretty much tell that the folks who own and run Gordon Biersch have by now worked out any bugs – this after having opened twenty-one other stores in eleven states!* We were offered a choice of a half-dozen appetizers and perhaps 8-10 entrees, as well as several desserts from a specially-prepared menu for the occasion. We also had the opportunity to sample a number of Biersch’s hand-crafted brews.
Choices and Outstanding Entrées
We first split an order of Southwest Egg Rolls — chock full of tasty pulled chicken, vegetables and stacked atop fresh slaw spiced with cilantro; accompanied by a creamy-smooth Jalapeno Ranch dipping sauce. Most excellent!
Lauren selected the Cedar-Planked Salmon, sauced with a subtle dill cream topping and served with bright green asparagus and rice. Brought to the table on the cedar, it was gently transferred to the plate by our server. I decided to try the Sweet and Spicy Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry, which was loaded with a colorful mix of Asian veggies, a plentiful supply of cashews, and a very spicy but tasty hoi sin sauce, all surrounded by a large scoop of sticky rice and served in a large bowl. Both entrées were outstanding — large portions, long on flavors, nicely plated, and served hot. For dessert we tried the Key Lime Cheesecake. There was no description on the menu, but this was a true winner; full of tart lime flavor and surrounded by a tender graham cracker crust, this was a delightful way to finish off the meal.
Wonderful Food, Professional Service, Great Evening
I will grant you the fact that it was a pre-opening night when everyone was on their individual and collective toes, trying very hard to get things absolutely right. But judging from our experience and the number of Gordon Biersch Restaurants that have already opened (22 in, this one is going to be a big time favorite and a place that you will definitely want to visit very soon. The full menu has a ton of great starters, entrees, sandwiches, pastas and desserts… and by the way, the hand-crafted brews are awesome! My favorite was the the Märzen (pronounced Maert’-zen), a dry, auburn-colored Bavarian Lager. Very tasty!
Thanks to all the staff at Bolingbrook’s Gordon Biersch — a great addition to a great city, and a place that you’ll absolutely want to put at the top of your list — for the wonderful food, professional service and a great evening. It easily earns Four Zins.
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
(I dined as a guest of the restaurant.)
*As of 2025, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant has two remaining restaurant locations – one in Louisville, Kentucky and the other in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They also have a few locations open in airport terminals.
