Northbrook restaurant: Charlie Beinlich’s Food & Tap

Charlie Beinlich’s Food & Tap
290 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 564-9328

Great hamburgers in a great room since 1950.

Charlie Beinlich’s (charliebeinlichs.com) is a family-run place with knotty pine paneling and mounted trout on the wall. Even though it’s virtually underneath the Edens Expressway spur, once you’re inside, you might as well be in the middle of Wisconsin or rural Illinois.

The beautifully brief menu (on the wall sign only — don’t wait for one to be handed to you) features simply delicious hamburgers and cheeseburgers. It also includes shrimp cocktail, barbecue beef, roast beef, grilled cheese, egg salad, and tuna salad sandwiches, cole slaw and French fries. The bar serves beer and liquor.

Local people love this place, and it’s often packed enough that there may be a short wait, but once a table opens up, the food and the service are both just right. You’re instantly at home.